THIRD TRIAL

[bathymetric]

If you have time for a grisly operation like that, I think you've had all the time you need to gather evidence. Please proceed to the door to the trial room elevator as quickly as possible.

[ Once you arrive, it's the same song and dance as the last two weeks. Angel helps you all get through the vault door and into the elevator, and watches as you all make the slow descent to the dome below. Standing in the elevator is more than a comfortable fit now, even for the largest among you. A few more of you lost and there'll be room enough to pace in here.

But maybe you don't want to think about that.

The dome of the trial room is the same as it's been, the only change the dull red glow coming from the two newly-unoccupied podiums. The screens above flick on, and lower down to make an address. ]

You know the score by now. Find Seteth's killer and you can all go free. Fool them all, killer, and you'll have your life and your reward. Other than that, whatever happens here is between all of you. Call for me if you need anything.

[ The screens rise again, leaving you here.

Welcome to your third trial. ]

Comments

[blackmass]

I did say it was unlikely. I only fail to understand what manner of desperation would see someone foolish enough to attack a person holding a shield as it is.

[snackooed]

I'm with you on that one. They must have felt like their back was to the wall...

[blackmass]

I wonder, then, if it actually could tie back to the Professor's absurd motive.

[nothingcanstop]

You're calling it absurd now.

[blackmass]

Absurd in concept.

[nothingcanstop]

Long as we keep it in mind. The Professor's all about targeting, remember.

[ There's something else, but... It doesn't seem to be related to here and now, so she holds her tongue. ]

[bolderfell]

If you're fast enough, you can get past a shield. Go for critical, vulnerable points. But again. You have to be good.

[blackmass]

Quite so, but it would be far easier to kill someone less visibly combat trained. What I am saying is, why Seteth who was apparently armed at the time and not any of our number who would appear to be capable of less of a fight?

[archboxer]

[...Wait. There's something that doesn't make sense here.]

...

Do we have any evidence there was anyone else at the scene? I did not go into the arcade, myself, but...

[bolderfell]

I... don't remember any at the pool, at least.

[philoxenia]

He was the only one out and about so late, maybe... And whoever attacked him felt they were running out of time?

[snackooed]

They must have, to a degree, felt confident that they could take him on, too, even after seeing that he was armed...

[fivestagegod]

Why are you assuming there were options?

[He's been quiet this trial, but just saying.]

You make it sound like those of us with less combat training just mill around the building on Thursday nights; if anything, I'd think we would avoid that.

[blackmass]

There's always the option not to do something idiotic.

[fivestagegod]

Oh, absolutely. Does that stop most people, though? Come on.

Besides, the motive messed people up. I'll admit to being screwed up by it, plenty of people saw it. But I also know better than to be out on nights like that.

Maybe they just thought they could handle him. Overconfident in their abilities. Who knows.

[mouflon]

I mean, they did handle him. He's dead. Makes asking about easy targets pretty pointless, since they clearly didn't need one.