Okay, continuing the third playthrough... We've seen Junpei die twice and now we meet this new guy... (Who's actually the same guy who stabbed Shimohi in the back, literally.) (I don't remember that happening at all!) (Okay, fine... *whispers* I'm just going to have to make sure it doesn't happen again...)
Warning!: This is based upon a game that's rated M for Blood, Drug
References, Strong Language, Suggestive (read 'Sexual') themes, and
Violence. If any of these things offend you, don't click on the link.
Junpei: You think you can walk?
'She nodded weakly. Junpei lifted June to her feet, and guided her to a nearby chair.'
Junpei: Here we go...
'As gently as he could, he set her down in it.'
Junpei: How are you feeling? Are you all right?
You do know that treating her nicely will just result in you getting friend zoned, right? *sigh* You do know there's nothing wrong with being friends, right?
'She nodded, and as she did, a single, huge tear rolled down the side of her face.'
June: Why... Why did this happen...
(Wish I could say, but I can't...yet.)
'Her voice cracked, broken by misery and grief and choked by sobs.'
June: Why did this happen...
'Junpei spun around.'
Junpei: Do any of you know what the fuck is going on here?!
(Sorry dude but, if they even know at all, they're as tied up as I am.)
Junpei: Who's Zero?! What's this "Nonary Game"!? C'mon! Anybody? Anything?! What the hell is going on?! What are we doing here?!
'No one spoke. Ace, Snake, Santa, Clover, Seven, and Lotus... They simply stood there, 7 pairs of downcast eyes and 7 grim lines for mouths.'
June: ...
'June's body shook with silent sobs. They slowed, as the minutes ticked by, and eventually they stopped. Then suddenly, in the cold, heavy silence that had enveloped them like a thick fog, a bell began to ring. The clock in the central hall. 7...8...9...10 times... And then, on the 10th ring, it stopped. The sound of the bell faded away into silence.'
Ace: It's 10 o'clock, then.
'Ace said what each one of them had been thinking.'
Seven: That means it's been an hour since Zero's little announcement.
'Seven's deep voice echoed across the room.'
Santa: Fuck!
[sarcasm] How eloquent... [/sarcasm] (Well, it is the most versatile word in the English language. For example: "Fuck the fucking fuckers.") Thank goodness for that language warning.
Santa: I've had enough of this crap!
'Santa leapt to his feet, his fists clenched.'
Santa: How long are we gonna pussyfoot around like this?!
(Indeed, let's get on with it already!) (Reference jar... Again...)
Santa: We've only got * hours until this time limit Zero was going on about is up! Let's get goin' already! Go! Go!
(GO!!) (Again, you're doing an Elite Beat Agents gag...)
'Santa's outburst fell on deaf ears. No one seemed to agree with him. They stared back at him, their eyes blank and their faces tired. Finally, Lotus spoke.'
Lotus: No. I refuse. I'm not going to end up like him.
Santa: ...Him? You mean the 9th Man?
(Well, he did end up as nacho topping... *munch* *crunch*) And THAT was the girl I... "You"...what?! N-Nothing, nothing at all! ([sarcasm] Right... [/sarcasm])
Lotus: Of course. Who else?
'In his mind's eye, Junpei saw the corpse again. The dark, reddish-black pool of blood... The scattered pieces of flesh... Organs strewn across the floor like the blossoming of a grotesque flower...'
(*sigh* Are you going to mention rafflesias...again?) Well, they are nicknamed "corpse flowers" after all...
'The explosion that that had torn through his body had been powerful. The 9th Man's neck had been twisted at an odd angle. Junpei suspected the detonation had thrown him against the wall. Half of his face was crushed, and the other half was covered in blood. Most of his abdomen had been emptied, either by the explosion, or by gravity. He had landed on his back, and stark white ribs jutted up out of his chest, like the legs of some sort of macabre crab.'
(Mmm... Crab... *gargles*)
'Junpei felt something flip in his stomach.'
Santa: I think he just...screwed up.
'Eyebrows went up, and Santa continued.'
Santa: He probably set off some sorta trap, and that killed him. I'm not gonna screw up like that! I'm gettin' outta here alive!
Snake: Hehe...hehe.. Ahahahahahahaha!
'Whatever Snake was laughing at, Santa did not find particularly humorous.'
Snake's laughing because he, like we, know something he doesn't... (Or does he?)
Santa: What's so goddamn funny!?
Snake: Oh, my apologies... You were just... So very confident! I couldn't help myself.
Santa: What the fuck!?
Snake: I think you've mistaken the situation.
Santa: Huh?
Snake: The 9th Man's death. It had nothing to do with a trap. Or at least not the sort of trap you imagine it did.
Santa: Then...?
Snake: He broke one of Zero's rules. That was why he died. Quite simple if you think about it.
Dude, I know what you're trying to say but, given the sort of asshole I had to deal with in meatspace; I'm not looking upon that remark very favorably...
Santa: ...?
Snake: You still don't...? All right. How about you take a moment, and think back to what Zero said.
Again, in this version, Zero wrote a note that Junpei read out loud. (*ding*)
Snake: Specifically, what did he say about the number of people?
Santa: He said "Only [3-5] people can pass through one numbered door." ...Right?
Snake: And after that...? You're forgotten the relevant part. What did Zero say?
*sigh* You know what, I'm not going to keep mentioning this for now, otherwise I'm going to sound like a broken record.
Santa: ...?
'Santa furrowed his brow in thought. Junpei thought back...'
<<Zero said...>>
-...that only 2 people can go through.-
-...that everyone who verified had to go.-
-...more than 6 people can go through.-
Well, Akurei, Niyagi, we know the answer here.
Junpei: "All those who enter must leave, and all who enter must contribute." ...Right? I think it was something like that... Whatever it was, it means that groups of less than 3 or more than 5 can't go through.
In other words "2 < X < 6" where "X" means "number of people going through a numbered door". (Why did you format it like that?) Because I can't type a "less/more than or equal" sign on a keyboard.
Snake: That is correct. A gold star for you, Junpei.
Or, most likely, a flower mark in the original Japanese version...
Snake: The 9th Man, however, broke that rule. He tried to pass through a numbered door by himself. That was why he was executed.
Seven: Then Zero's watchin' us from somewhere...
(Ye...) Nope! Not here, not now...
Seven: Makin' sure we don't break any rules...
Snake: Oh, I'm not so sure of that.
Seven: Why not?
Snake: Because this execution system is entirely automatic. You didn't notice? There's no need for him to monitor us.
Seven: Wadda you mean?
'Snake looked at Seven with what could only be described as pity and sighed.'
(That could pretty much describe how Daemon looks at everyone...) *sigh* I do not...
Snake: Very well. I see it must be me who tells you. I've waited long enough, I suppose. I had hoped Zero might spare me the trouble, but... That seems increasingly unlikely.
'He couldn't see them, of course, but perhaps Snake sensed the confused eyes upon him. When Ace spoke, he gave words to everyone else's thoughts.'
Ace: Do you know something?!
Snake: Well, I know a great many things, but... Yes.
Ace: What is it you know?!
Snake: Here.
'Snake removed a card from the pocket of his jacket.'
(That's going to be of no use to Ace.) What!? Are you implying he can't read? Well, I CAN read, thank you very much! (Not this card...)
'With a flourish, he presented it to Ace, who took a close look at it and spoke.'
Ace: Come on, now. What's the point of giving me this?
You mean it's...! All in good time.
Santa: Gimme that.
'Santa snatched the card from Ace, but his expression of disgust quickly turned to one of confusion.'
Santa: Huh? The hell is this...
'Seven tugged it out of Santa's hands.'
Seven: Heh. I see...
([sarcasm] Ha-ha, very funny... [/sarcasm])
'The card went from Seven to Lotus, from Lotus to June, and finally to Junpei. He looked at it, and understood.'
It's written in braille.
Junpei: This is braille.
'Braille. The written language of the blind. The card was covered with small, embossed bumps. Junpei could recognize it, but he certainly couldn't read it.'
Junpei: Sorry guys, I can't read this.
Mmm... (What's up?) ...I'm wondering, does that actually say the same thing or at least something similar to that picture of Junpei's note? Or is it Japanese written in braille? (The world may never know...) (Now you're doing that old Tootsie Pop advertisement!)
'Junpei handed the card back to Snake, who nodded at him with a small smirk.'
Lotus: Okay, that was fun. What's so important about that card?
Snake: I found it in my pocket. I can only assume it is a message from Zero.
Ace: F-From Zero?
Santa: A message?!
June: W-What does it say?!
'Suddenly, everyone was crowding around Snake, desperate to hear what the message said. Santa especially looked as if he were about to grab hold of Snake and shake the answers from him.'
(Are you sure that's what's going on?) *facepalm*
'Snake raised his hand.'
Snake: Calm down now. No need to panic. You don't need to force me, I'll read it.
'Junpei swallowed hard and waited for him to start. He was not the only one. Presently, Snake began to read, his voice calm. His fingers glided over the tiny bumps as he spoke.'
Snake: "Bracelet number (2)... Since you are not blessed with sight I shall bless you--and only you-with information. I shall tell you of the function of the RED, of the DEAD, and of the bracelet."
'The [RED] is the Recognition Device. It will verify your number. Beside every numbered door, you will find a RED. The [DEAD] is the Deactivation Device.'
Those are some rather... "Strange acronyms"? Yes, I know you were about to use some more offensive terminology there, but I stepped in and fixed it.
'It does exactly what it says.'
...On the tin!
'Once you have passed through the numbered door, you must use the DEAD to stop the [detonator] in your bracelet. but perhaps you are wondering... What does this detonator detonate?
(A bomb.) A...bomb? (Yes, Daemon, a bomb!)
'I am afraid this may be something of a surprise. I have placed a [small bomb] inside of you, and the people whom you are about to meet. You swallowed it while you were unconscious. I have no doubt that by the time you read this note, the bomb will have passed your stomach and found its way to your small intestine. In other words, you will be unable to regurgitate it. I suggest you do not try.'
(Yo! Daemon! Want to bet over weither Seven and Santa try to barf it out anyway!) I'll pass...
'As I mentioned before, the bracelet on your left hand contains a detonator. Think of it as a remote fuse, or [timer], for the bomb in your body. There is only 1 condition which will cause it to detonate. That condition is you enter a numbered door. Once you have done so, the timer will activate, no matter who you may be.'
([sarcasm] Right... [/sarcasm])
'You will have [81 seconds]. If, after that time, the detonator has not been deactivated, it will send a signal to the bomb in your body, instructing it to explode. In order to deactivate the detonator, [every person who verified their number at the RED] must also verify their numbers at the DEAD. Once all numbers have been verified by the DEAD, you need only pull the lever at its side, and the countdown will cease. Anyone who does not verity their number at the RED will find themselves unable to verify their number at the DEAD.'
Then again, so far, people have only had numbered door related deaths from someone not coming through the door with them. No matter if that situation was created by the victim or not.
'That is to say, if you should pass through a numbered door without first verifying your number at the RED, in 81 seconds you will be dead. You must also keep in mind that the numbered doors will close automatically after [9 seconds] have passed. So long as the door is open, the DEAD will not function. You would do well to remember this. Lastly, let us discuss [how to remove the bracelets]. There are only 2 ways to do so. One: You escape from this ship.'
[This ship: 6]
'Two: Your heart rate reaches zero. In other words, once the bracelet is taken outside the confines of the ship, or detects that it's wearer's heartbeat has fallen to zero, it will shut down automatically.'
That absolutely implies that the bracelets can detect one's pulse... (And yet, there's a reason why whenever doctors take your pulse, they have to do that against uncovered skin... *stares at Snake, Santa, then June.*) (I remember you saying something about that regarding Santa and June, but why Snake?) Can't say, spoilers.
'There is no other way to remove your bracelet. If you attempt to force it off, or disable the detonator, the bomb within you will immediately explode.'
(*LOL*)
Snake: "This is all the information which I can impart to you. How you choose to use it is for you to decide. If used wisely, you can eliminate those who might be a danger to you. For a time, you would be able to control your fate. I wish you the best of luck."
'Snake finished reading, and carefully returned the card to his pocket. The message had been lengthy, but its meaning was clear. [Only those who verified their numbers at the RED could pass through the numbered doors.] Teams could not increase or decrease their numbers. The [REDs], [DEADs], and [bracelets] enforced the rules. They were judge, jury, and executioner.'
It'd be cheaper if they had someone like Judge Dredd doing this for them.
'In defiance of Zero's suggestions, both Santa and Seven put fingers down their throats and began to gag.'
(Told ya!) Hence why passing on that bet offer was a good idea. Not that you'd actually get over nine-thousand Internets even if you did win. The Internets, like the points, don't matter.
'The rest stiffened. Some touched their stomachs--some simply stared at their bracelets. Junpei gingerly touched his stomach. There was a bomb inside his body. The thought of it made him queasy.'
(Kind of like Shimohi thinking of the mere concept of "2 girls 1 cup"!) That, like in Niyagi's case with the ending of the second playthrough, that's not something I'd like to remember.
'His stomach felt oddly hollow, and his legs were weak. Why had Zero designed such a ludicrous game? Junpei looked over at the others.'
Junpei: All right, I'm gonna ask one more time. Do any of you know anything about Zero?
'They were all silent, each person waiting to hear what the others would say. Finally, Santa spoke.'
Santa: Actually, I...I saw him. I saw Zero when I got grabbed. I didn't see his face, though... Son of a bitch was wearing some kinda gas mask.
'...'
Sounds kind of familiar... We... (Already...) (Know.)
Santa: ...What the hell? C'mon guys, gimme something... You know, like...surprise or something.
Well, a lack of surprise is still something.
'Instead, it was Santa who looked surprised. There was a moment of silence, and then everyone spoke at once. "Yeah, I saw him too!" Me too!" "He was wearing a gas mask..." As stories were sorted out, the truth became clear: All of their stories were the same. They had been abducted at home, at midnight. The person claiming to be Zero had worn a mask. There had been white smoke, then each person had passed out. When they awoke, they had found themselves on D Deck, in a room with a 3-level bunk bed. Only Seven's story seemed to lack the detail of the others.'
(And we already know why.)
Seven: Oh... Me...? Yeah, well, mine was just like the rest'a yours...
'That was all he had said. It had occurred to Junpei at the time that it sounded somewhat strange, but he didn't press the issue. He hadn't done so, because there was something that struck him as even stranger. That was the mystery of the relationship between Snake and Clover.'
(We already know this, they're brother and sister!)
'For some reason, they had been abducted from the same room, and woken up in the same room. Junpei looked at them, thoughtfully.'
Junpei: So what's the deal with the 2 of you, anyway?
'It was Clover that answered. Clearly, she felt she had nothing to hide.'
Clover: We're siblings.
Junpei: Siblings!?
Yes, you heard them right.
Clover: Uh...yes? Snake is my older brother, obviously. That means I'm his little sister. That really so hard to understand?
'Junpei was taken aback. The others seemed just a surprised.'
Snake: She is correct, of course.
'He laid his hand on Clover's shoulder.'
Snake: Are you...surprised?
Not me. (Nor me.)
Seven: Well, yeah, but...
Snake: Why? There are other people here with connections to one another.
There's June and Junpei being childhood friends... (And I'm not allowed to mention the other relation yet...)
Snake: Those 2, for instance...
'Snake pointed at Junpei and June.'
(I'm surprised that he could do that.) Not really, Snake probably listened to them speak and figured out where they were based upon that data. Actually, that surprised me as well. (Well, of course it would. You and the Pansy would practically be a match made in hell.) What. She means "a match made in heaven". But Akurei likes to reverse statements like that for the lulz.
June: Oh, you mean between Jumpy and me...?
Ace: Ah, yes. You did say you were childhood friends, didn't you.
Lotus: You went to school together?
June: Y-Yeah...
'June glanced at Junpei, uncomfortable with the sudden attention. Junpei felt somewhat nervous as well, and tried to scratch his head as casually as possible.'
Santa: Hey... You think maybe we could figure out who Zero is this way?
Seven: Yeah, you're right. You connect the dots between the victims, and that leads you to the perp. Textbook stuff.
(There's a hint to Seven's past as a cop!) That even he can't remember...
Lotus: Junpei, June, does any of this ring a bell?
Junpei: Ring a bell...
June: Ring a bell...?
'They looked at one another. And like it was staged, they both tilted their neck at the same time.'
Lotus: Well, perhaps you went to school with the son of a multi-millionaire...
I wish...
June: A millionaire...?
Junpei: Son...?
Lotus: Well, someone bought this boat, and set up all of...this. Whoever Zero is, they must be incredibly rich.
Ace: Well, we can't be sure of that. To me, this seems as though it's the work of an organization, not an individual.
(Yeah, you'd know something about that.)
Ace: Zero is most likely simply the representative of a larger group.
Seven: What sort of organization?
(Cradle Pharmaceutical.) Where in the world did you get that name?! Did you make that up out of thin air? No, that was a name that came up during the second playthrough.
Ace: It could be a number of things. An army, perhaps, or a research group. Perhaps this is all some sort of psychological experiment.
(Like the one...) It's a bit too early to mention that. What?! What was most likely a psychological experiment, sort of, was also mentioned in the previous playthrough.
Santa: If it is, then it's a pretty fucked up experiment! I mean, c'mon! A guy's dead!
(And tasty nacho topping... *munch* *crunch*)
'The word "dead" hung in the air, heavy and ominous. The room went quiet again.'
Santa: I dunno who the hell this Zero asshole is, but I know for sure he's gotta be pretty fucked up in the head to do all this. If this was all 1 guy, then he's got some serious issues.
(Why hello...) No, don't, like I said, it's too soon for that.
'Even with the spectre of death hanging over them, their discussions continued for some time. In the end, however, they learned nothing. By the time they finished, 1.5 of their 9 hours were gone. All they had to show for it was impatience.'
Santa: Man... Look we only got 7.5 hours left, okay? You really sure you want to just sit around?
'No one was willing to argue this time.'
Ace: Very well then. There's only one way for us to proceed.
Seven: Sure not gonna be fun running around knowin' we gotta jump when Zero says "Jump".
Clover: Well, it's stupid to just sit around here doing nothing.
Lotus: Thanks to Snake's card, at least we have some idea of how this all works.
Snake: Correct. And so long as we follow the rules, we should...ah...we will most likely be all right.
June: But...
Junpei: But...what?
Indeed, what's the problem, girl?
June: Who's going to go in which door?
'June looked toward the numbered doors.'
Actually June has a good question there. Well, I'm assuming you're going with whatever Ace wants. Well, if you're in control of Junpei, then that means I'm in control of Ace. I'll be fine!
Junpei: Oh yeah... That's right. We can't have any more than 5 people in one door. All 8 of us can't go in the same door...
Ace: Then it would seem we will have to split up.
Lotus: W-Wait!
'Lotus looked terrified.'
Lotus: I'm telling you now, there is no way in hell that I'm going into door [5]!
The typical screeching of a hysterical woman... *punch* Dude, I'm not going to just stand there and let you imply that somehow Lotus's uterus is attacking her other organs.
Ace: Come now, don't be selfish--
Dude! She could just go through door four instead!
Lotus: Call me whatever the hell you want, I'm not going in there! If I'm going to have to walk through all that blood, then I'd rather stay here!
Ace: *Sigh*
Women... *punch* Wha...!? I know what you meant by saying that one word, in that particular circumstance.
Ace: And we were doing so well...
'Ace shook his head sadly.'
Santa: Sorry, but I ain't goin' in there either. Someone else can go into door [5].
Ace: Oh, Santa no you too...
What!? Are you gay or something...
Santa: Hey man, I just bought these shoes. If you think I'm getting some creepy dude's blood all over 'em, you got another think comin'.
...yeah, you're a gay little... *punch* And that one's for the homophobia, asshole! (*looks up* Is that a typo?) No, I checked it multiple times, he did in fact say "another think comin'".
'That was the last straw.'
Junpei: What the hell, man?! Weren't you the one who kept saying we should get going!?
Junpei, dude, did you already forget about door four...
Santa: Yeah? So? Doesn't mean I wanted to go into door [5].
Ace: Oh God...
I'm surrounded by complete retards. *punch* (Yeah, he did deserve that especially now.)
'There was an awkward silence. Finally Seven spoke.'
Seven: Fine. I'll go into door [5]. I can't go in there alone, though. Anyone else willing to come with me?
'There was another long silence. This time Snake was the one to break it.'
Snake: I'll go.
Clover: W-What?!
Snake: Don't worry. You'll be fine. We may part now, but I'm certain we'll meet again later.
He is right about that but... (I'm not sure how he'll do being stuck in the same group as Ace...) Well, Ace accusations aside, he did get killed the first time we went though door four, so we tried to go through door five... But he still ends up getting killed. (*whistles*) Yes, I know you know something, but not now...
Clover: How do you know that?!
Snake: Because I do.
Technically true, but it doesn't help with understanding why it's true. (A mathematicians answer, ladies and germs!)
Clover: That's not an answer!
Well, it isn't a useful answer anyway...
Clover: If you're going, I'm going too! I'm going into door [5]!
Snake: What am I going to do with you...
Ace: There's nothing you have to do.
'Ace stepped forward.'
Ace: If I join you, the problem is solved, correct?
So we can finally get out of this stair well already!
Ace: Seven is (7) and Snake is (2).
Let's see... Seven plus one is eight, eight plus two is...ten which reduces to one. No, there needs to be someone else...
Ace: And if you add Clover's (4) and my (1), the digital root will be [5].
Oh, right, forgot about Clover. Seven plus one is eight, two plus four is six, eight plus six is fourteen, and one plus four is five. Ha! What a... *punch* Stop calling people idiots for the slightest mistake or I'm going to keep on punching you!
'7 + 2 + 4 + 1 = 14 [insert arrow here] 1+ 4 = [5]'
Clover: Oh! It works perfectly! The 4 of us can go into door [5]--
Seven: Wait. What about the other 4?
I know I did this calculation the first time, but let's see... Eight plus three is eleven, five plus six also equals eleven, one times four is four. That works out as well... (Eight plus nine is seventeen, five plus seventeen is twenty-two, ignoring the zero of course, and two plus two is of course four!) (Why did the monster do that?) Probably working on this strange "theory" of hers.
Seven: What's their digital root gonna be?
'Junpei did a quick metal calculation. Lotus, Santa, June, and Junpei remained. Their bracelet numbers were (8), (3), (6), and (5).'
<<(8365) ...What would their digital root be?>>
-[2]-
-[3]-
-[4]-
-[5]-
We already did the math, so it's obvious what the answer is...
'8 + 3 + 6 + 5 = 22 [insert arrow here] 2 + 2 = [4]'
'He repeated what he'd determined.'
Junpei: It's [4]. Add up our 4 bracelet numbers, and the digital root is [4].
(You know, if this were numerology, we would've stopped at twenty-two. It is one of the two "Master Numbers" after all. The other one is "Eleven" which I found twice during my own calculations...)
June: Then we can go into door [4].
Santa: Yeah. Huh, that worked out well.
'Junpei ran over the team assignments in his head one more time. 4 people would go into door [5]: Seven, Snake, Clover, and Ace. 4 people would go into door [4]: Lotus, Santa, June, and Junpei. Junpei had to ask himself if the teams were what he really wanted. Beyond door [5] was what remained of the 9th Man. He never wanted to see that...thing again, but... Something in him said it would be unwise not to examine the corpse even a little closer.'
(Well, I could add more "chunky salsa" to my nachos...) No, not this time...
'Of course, if he went through door [5], he wouldn't be going with Lotus and Santa. True, it would be possible for him to bring June with him through door [5], but that would mean she would have to see the horrific carnage that waited there. Junpei didn't want that. Junpei was torn. Should he stay silent, and go through door [4]? Or should he stop them all, and insist on door [5]? As he turned his options over and over in his mind Ace spoke up.'
True men are not allowed to be indecicive like that!
Ace: All right then... It seems we've reached a conclusion. Shall we go?
'He began to walk toward door [5]... Clover and Snake followed, with Seven a short distance behind. Junpei...'
<<Which door do you want to go through?>>
-...decided that door [4] would be fine.-
-...decided that it had to be door [5].-
Well, I've had enough with door five for now so...
'...decided that door [4] would be fine. He would go thorugh door [4] with Lotus, Santa, and June. Why had Junpei even considered doing otherwise? He would be there for June... For Akane Kurashiki. That seemed good. He felt it was the right choice to make. He made no shows of affection, but Junpei saw her as something more than just a friend from his childhood. He watched the other 4 walk toward their door... Ace, Snake, Clover, and Seven... Junpei said nothing as they left. Before long, they had reached door [5]. They talked to one another for a few seconds, saying things Junpei couldn't hear, and then laid their hands, one by one, on the scanner panel of the RED.'
Well, see ya latter!
'Ace grabbed the lever. His face tight with determination, he turned over his shoulder to look at Junpei and his companions.'
Ace: Goodbye.
Lotus: ...Be careful.
'As Ace pulled the lever, the door swung open: the mouth of a great, hungry beast. Beyond the door, Junpei knew, lay the sad remains of the [9th Man]...'
Well, whatever remains of the 9th Man that hadn't been used as dip for Akurei's Unholy Nachos...
'It did not surpise him that Ace, Clover, and Seven hesitated. The body was not a pleasant thing. Snake, had no such problems, as his blindness made him immune to the horror.'
(Ah, the concept of the disability immunity...)
'He stepped through the door, his feet making a wet "splack" in the pool of blood.'
Snake: Do you intend to kill me? I assume you haven't forgotten the door only remains open for 9 seconds, have you?
'Snake had not even botherd to turn around, but the other 3 steeled themselves, and stepped thorugh the door. Door [5] swung shut, closing with the heavy finality of metal upon metal. Junpei and his companions scrambled to the door. They pressed their ears to it, in an attempt to hear what might be taking place on the other side.'
Junpei: It's beeping...
Lotus: It's just like before...
Santa: Probably the sound of the detonator on the bracelet...
June: Do you think they're...okay?
'June's face showed her concern more plainly then her words ever could. Alsmost as though in response to her question, a voice rang out from the other side of the door. It was Seven.'
Seven: Hey! There it is! That's gotta be that DEAD thing! Come on! Get over here! We gotta authenticate!
Hurray! We're not going to explode from the inside out... I hope.
'The beeping stopped. The sighs of relief were audible even through the heavy door.'
Seven: Phew... Looks like it stopped.
'Junpei and his companions leaned away from the door, and breathed a collective sigh of relief of their own.'
Junpei: Hey, guys! Are you doing all right over there?! They'd heard Seven's voice, but it wouldn't hurt to be sure.'
Clover: Yup! We're fine!
'Despite the recent danger, Clover's voice was a bubbly as ever.'
Clover: Oh, hey, I'm gonna tell you about this whole DEAD thing, okay?!
I think you three had better listen to this. Nah, we've heard this at least twice before. We're fine.
Clover: The DEAD is just like the RED, but the color's different.
(We know, it's the color of the Pansy's dialouge highlighting, blue!)
Clover: You know how the RED was red?
(In other words, my own dialouge higlight color.)
Clover: Well, the DEAD is blue!
(Told ya!) How did...? Like I said, we've done this before.
Clover: Other than that, it's just like the RED. Authenticating is the same too!
Junpei: Awesome! Thanks! That helps a lot.
Ace: Well, we should probably move on now. You be careful out there.
Junpei: Roger that.
Copy and... (Over!) (Did you have to do that?) For comedy's sake, yes.
'Junpei and the others left door [5] and headed toward door [4]. They sood in front of the RED and placed each of their hands upon it. 4 asterisks appeared on the screen. Junpei grabbed the lever and turned around.'
Junpei: You guys ready...?
Santa: Yeah...
Lotus: Sure...
June: Let's go...
Ikimasu! (Don't bring gratuitous Japanese into this!)
'None of them looked particularly optimistic, but their faces were set. Junpei nodded to them, and turned back toward the RED.'
Junpei: All right, let's go!
'With strenght and determination, he pulled the lever.'
Santa: Run!
'The 4 of them leapt through the door together. The moment they had passed through it, each heard a cold, electronic sound coming from their left wrist. In the center of each bracelet, a red skull appeared, and began to flash. The detonator's countdown had begun! In the long moment that each of them spent staring at their wrists...The numbered door behind them closed, the sound of metal on metal reverberating down the hallway. There was no way back now. They were committed. If they could not find the device to deactivate their detonators...'
(We're all nacho dip... *munch* *crunch*) (This isn't the time for that!)
Santa: Hey! Where the hall is the DEAD!?
Lotus: How would I know!?
Santa: Don't gimme that crap!
Less arguing, more looking for the damned thing!
Santa: Start looking!
Exactly!
Lotus: I already am!
'They began to run, eyes looking frantically for the device that was the key to their salvation. The hallway they found themselves running down was a long one--easily 300 feet in length. On the right side of it stood a series of wooden doors, all nearly identical. If they had taken the time to think, they would likely have discerned that the doors lead to cabins.'
Junpei: Don't tell me the DEAD is in one of those rooms...
June: Oh no! How many rooms do you think there are?!
'Junpei was too frightened to count properly, but at his best guess there were 7 or 8 of them.'
Junpei: Ahhhh fuck!
'There wasn't time to count them to be sure. Junpei ran to the nearest door. He grabbed the knob and shook it, hard. It wouldn't open. It didn't feel locked... More like someone had hammered an iron plate over the other side of the door. Jupei turned around to find another door, and saw that is companions had already run to doors on their own. They did not seem to be having any more success than he had.'
(Great, just great...) But we know they'll find it in time. (True...)
'Their own words confirmed his fears.'
Santa: Shit! This one's no good.
Lotus: Same here!
June: It's not moving!
'June was the last to speak up. As Junpei looked in her direction, his yes caught something he hadn't noticed before... A small, red light. It flashed at him, dimly, from the end of the hallway.'
Junpei: That's it! Over there!
'Even as he yelled, he ran. He grabbed Santa, Lotus, and June, and pulled them toward the light. Santa called out to them as he ran.'
Santa: Hey! How many more seconds do we have!?
Lotus: How would I know!?
June: Our time limit is 81 seconds!
We... (Know that...!) ...already!
Santa: I know that, goddamnit! I'm askin' you how many seconds we have left!
In all likelihood, Junpei figured, nearly a minute had already passed, since the door had closed behind them. If that was true...
(Aw fuck! Twenty-one seconds left!)
'Urgency foremost in all of their minds, they arrived at the end of the hallway. The DEAD sat on the left wall, blinking almost tauntingly at them.'
Junpei: Hurry!
'Junpei grabbed hold of the machine, his hands slick with sweat, and shaking. He slammed his hand against the scanner panel. The other 3 quickly followed suit. With a grunt, Santa yanked the lever downward.'
Santa: *Pant* *Pant* *Pant*
Lotus: *Pant*... *Pant*... *Pant*...
June: *Pant*... *Pant*... *Pant*...
Junpei: Phew... Looks like it's stopped.
'His hands beginning to steady, Junpei wiped away some of the sweat that had beaded on his forehead. As they caught their breath, the 4 companions began to look around. At the end of the hallway lay a heavy-looking set of double doors. Set into the walls of the hallway on either side of the larger door were 2 smaller ones. They all needed inspecting, but Junpei began with the largest of the 3--the double doors. How many times had he come across similar doors, with similar results, he wondered.'
Just in this playthough or total, over the course of this entire Let's Play?
'Or perhaps, he corrected himself, more a lack of results... Whatever the reason, the door remained firm and unyielding, and refused to allow Junpei, or anyone else, passage. Near the handle was a small keyhole. Above the keyhole was a small symbol, engraved in the brass.'
Junpei: Male...?
No, Mars! (This is the second time we've had to say that!) Third, if you count the time I chose this path before the LP started.
'He wasn't quite sure what to make of it. And stared at it for a moment in confusion. It was June that corrected him.'
June: No, that's not the symbol for "male".
Well, it's also used for that as well, but that's beside the point here.
June: That's probably the symbol of [Mars]. Well, technically, they are the same symbol...
Well, Mars is the Roman God of War...
June: But I saw a number of similar symbols near the main stairway. The symbols of the solar system...
'The Sun... Saturn... The Earth...'
June: At least, that's what I'm assuming.
(It maybe accurate, but still...) My father said to me before, "When you assume, you make an ass out of u and me"...
Junpei: So this isn't the man symbol, it's a symbol for [Mars]?
Which is why the color pink was originally for boys! Okay, it's not in the wikipedia article, but I can't really put a hyper-link to the source when it was a museum exhibit somewhere on the east coast of the United States.
June: I think so, yes.
'While Junpei and June talked, Santa had disappeared. They turned to find him some distance down the hallway--he had gone to check the other doors. Eventually he reached the last of them and jogged back. It took him only a moment to catch his breath again.'
Santa: Here's the deal. None of the other doors open.
June: Then that must mean...
Lotus: We only have 2 more doors.
'Lotus examined the doors on either side of the larger double-door. Each one had a metal plate attached to it. Junpei figured they were probably room numbers.'
"B92" and "B93" to be precise...
'The door on the left read [B92]. And the door on the right proclaimed that it lead to [B93].'
Junpei: All right. Let's open 'em.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Okay, this is going to lead to the 2nd Class Cabin, and we've already gone through that during the first playthough, if you're really curious about what that room's like. Take a look at the following post linked to here. (Oh right, that's the first "Tin-foil Hat Time"!) We'll pick up as soon as we return to the large hospital room... (Speaking of returning things...)
Monty Python Reference Jar
Akurei: $32
Shimohi: $13
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