>>5300678“A 40% chance, to be precise.” Sybil adds with a stern expression. “The odds of warping directly to the <span class="mu-g">ATLANTIS LAB</span> are, if the virtual intelligence is correct, roughly <span class="mu-b">60%.</span>”
The whole circle grimaces save for Talbot–the tracksuited terror still visibly crunching the numbers in his head.
“Not the best odds, but better than they were before.” The Goth concludes before nodding for Art to continue.
Yea, you snort, if you call <span class="mu-i">that</span> better!
Raising your hand for a high-five, you quickly reconsider when Syb sends a glare your way that could freeze lava. Pity, too–looks like Mitz, Eddie, and Talbot were ready to slap some palm!
“<span class="mu-i">CHRIST</span>, you guys, I’m getting to the point, okay?!” Taking a steadying breath, Art jabs the staff at the diagram one more time. “If we <span class="mu-i">do</span> teleport, though, we don’t have to dash through those <span class="mu-r">PERIMETER DEFENSES.</span>”
“You mean the cannons that do nasty stuff to your <span class="mu-i">matter</span>, right?” Mitzi asks as she peers over the top of her magazine. “The ones that chased off a <span class="mu-r">DEMON</span> the size of a sporting goods store? <span class="mu-i">Those</span> ones?”
“Yes…” Art mutters, clearly regretting his election already, “<span class="mu-i">Those</span> ones.”
“Cool.” Mitzi remarks before returning to her magazine, “So what’s the last option again?”
“Before Stanley’s… <span class="mu-i">encounter</span>... with the <span class="mu-r">SEA DEMON,</span>” Sybil begins, prompting the whole circle to send concerned looks your way, “We found a hatch that, if our guess is right, could lead us directly into the <span class="mu-g">LAB.</span>”
“Secret passage, huh?” Gus remarks with nary a hint of excitement in his tone, “Sounds neato.”
You’ve never heard him say <span class="mu-i">THAT</span> before! The significance isn’t lost on the rest of the gang, either. “It <span class="mu-i">does</span>,” Eddie replies as he considers it himself, “I mean… if we can sneak in through there then we can get the jump on that <span class="mu-r">SEA WITCH</span> we’re gunnin’ for, right?”
“We could…” Sybil remarks as doubt forms on her pale face, “But I’ll admit I have some concerns about squeezing through an ancient maintenance tunnel-”
“Why? You’re not fat.” Talbot remarks, earning dirty looks from the rest of the circle. You must be glaring too, because he only speaks up once he turns your way. “What? It’s true, right?”
“<span class="mu-i">Thank</span> you, Talbot.” Sybil continues in a diplomatic tone. “Weight aside, those cannons are powered by <span class="mu-g">MAGIC.</span> If we emerge into some sort of <span class="mu-g">REFINERY,</span> especially one in disarray,”
“<span class="mu-i">Th-then w-we could b-be e-exposing ours-selves to all s-sorts of f-foreign contaminants…</span>” Denise shivers. “<span class="mu-i">N-nasty</span>...”
“You can say that again.” Tucker frowns. “This decision just got a little trickier, huh?”
>CONTD. 