Quoted By:
You’re prepared this time, and it’s a good thing, too–snatching the counterweight out of the air like a wayward ball from your water polo days, you spot what it’s hooked up to just in time to step out of the way! Four impeccably-sharpened and noticeably rusty metal spikes swing from above the door frame, impacting where your stomach was just a moment before with a nasty ‘<span class="mu-i">thunk</span>! It isn’t embedded that deep, you observe, but you <span class="mu-i">did</span> grab the counterweight…
Maybe this guy doesn’t want to kill you outright? Hey, at least it wasn’t another shotgun–seems like he isn’t that keen on blowing himself up, which is good. Speaking of…
“<span class="mu-s">Faceless soldiers of a soulless corporation–marching the streets under the guise of protection… but who are they really?</span>”
An icy finger runs down your spine. If the cards were shuffled a bit, you reason, it coulda’ been <span class="mu-i">you</span> in whatever show this guy has going on out there. All the more reason to figure stuff out on this end. Cracking your neck, you take a closer look at the pipes–even with your mask on, there’s a nasty amount of gas leaking from this thing–so much so that you can’t help but think it’s intentional. Insurance, maybe?
“<span class="mu-s">This one preys on refugees with a gang of his fellow ‘protectors’.</span>” The voice explains as you search for something that can shut this thing down. “<span class="mu-s">But when the tables are turned, he becomes rather docile, wouldn’t you say? You’d know better than anyone–one of his… associates mentioned an incident involving you and that pale girl of yours… as I understand it, you have a… FRIGID… relationship with them? How quickly the tables turn, yes?</span>”
<span class="mu-i">Teddy</span>. Fucking idiot had something coming, but not whatever the hell <span class="mu-i">this</span> is. Guess that means his other goons are around here somewhere… if they’re still breathing, that is. Refocusing your attention on the pipes, your search finally bears fruit–a large, weathered valve sits nestled near the center–not that it’s labeled, of course, but turning it a smidge immediately makes a difference in the density of the gas around you.
“<span class="mu-s">Yes, they can hear you.</span>” The voice replies in a bemused tone. “<span class="mu-s">They can’t see, however–for all the good those helmets and masks do in hiding their identities, the eye lenses are remarkably easy to obstruct. Quiet, now–your second choice awaits...</span>”
>CONTD.
