Taking Responsibility.

[transmittable]

Despite the lack of a body this week, you've had more than enough to explore and investigate; some of it may have answered some questions, while the rest...well, the rest may have just raised more. However you feel about it, the fact remains that as soon as you all step out of that new section above the third and make your way back toward one of the primary hallways, the lights quite suddenly go out, casting the hospital into complete darkness. Several seconds pass before something seems to happen and what sound like backup generators kick back on; the lights struggle their way back to life, only to immediately flicker and die again. It happens twice more before the power seems to stay on for good - they're feeble, but they're on, and at least it's enough to see by. It seems the power is stronger in one place in particular, however, and it shouldn't be a surprise which it is; the courtroom remains just as illuminated as ever, the seats ringing the old operating theater remaining as starkly unoccupied as they always do, and the podium circle that awaits you seems to have been set up in its final configuration. Sakura Kashima's portrait has joined the ranks of the deceased, her podium draped in black cloth. A final reminder of all you've lost here. Perhaps it's upsetting. Perhaps it'll only serve to make you more determined. The public-address system remains eerily silent, even after you've found your places in the circle; once in a while the quiet is broken by soft bursts of static, by a heavy, electric-sounding humming noise. Occasionally, whispers can be heard; whatever they're saying, it's probably not for you. Regardless, however, one thing is obvious: this is the end of the line, wherever it may have taken you. Eight Patients remain. Good luck.

Comments

[preciousking]

As far as the last point goes, I doubt it's more complicated than "the Risen wanted it." Judgin' from that transcript she had amnesia. Or somethin' like it.

[ A pause. ]

That or she wanted one of us to become their hew host.

[journalname]

Yet Pizzazz made them that offer, and they refused. They laughed, even, did they not?

[preciousking]

That could be because she wasn't "ready" or "soaked" enough for them. There might be specific qualities they're looking for in a host she doesn't possess.

[ossifragant]

Maybe they already have new hosts.

[journalname]

What do you mean?

[ossifragant]

The Risen are partially made up of her old friends, right?

Stealing people's bodies for your own is nothing new to me.

[dangerousfool]

You don't mean...everyone who's dead...right? Somehow?

[ossifragant]

Bingo.

[preciousking]

Hm. They wouldn't have to share if that's the case.

[ossifragant]

Exactly. No need for a single body.

[georgeous]

But the Transmitter said the bodies are not taken care of by the Risen. Rin writes she seemed nervous about whatever was taking them, but I'm not sure...

[ossifragant]

That doesn't mean the Risen don't want them.

I doubt they'd want to inhabit a murdered body; no, you'd need to find a way to fix the damage somehow.

[journalname]

The ability must exist, if we are told that they could be revived. But that is not something they can do on their own.

[cthulwho]

Is...

[Lovecraft seems uneasy now, especially at the mention of the dead being used.]

Could that by why they need multiple games? To gather enough...hosts?

[dangerousfool]

How many Risen are there?!

[preciousking]

A rising number.

[positivespin]

[ Lightly smacking Mikoto with her scarf now...while trying not to laugh again. ]

[cthulwho]

If each game were to run as long as ours...

[That's... Yikes.]

[ossifragant]

The game I found information on had thirty people in it, according to the text of one of the incentives.

[transmittable]

[ The PA clicks on in response to Weatley's exclamation. That's strange.

What's more strange, the voice that comes out of it- if you've heard the Transmitter speak without distortion on top of it, you'll recognize it. Even if not, you'll be able to place it. It's grainy, and confused. ]

How... How many of you are there?

[ It's a recording. ]

[georgeous]

[ossifragant]

[positivespin]

Well...that answers that? Maybe.

[journalname]

[journalname]

How many does it take to crew a submarine?