Introductions are in order...

[bathymetric]

When the hour has passed, and everyone is gathered into the Meeting Room, the door shuts and locks with an unassuming soft click. The overhead lights darken, though there's still some light in the room - complete darkness is hard to get with the windows there, even if the ones in here are a little more tinted than the ones in the rest of the facility.

The video screen taking up the wall in the back also turns on, displaying a fairly simplistic design, static and unmoving. A voice, male, clears its throat over the speakers.

"Greetings to you all, and welcome."

His voice is methodical and even, and even through the slight distortion filter it's been put through, those of you with a Europe can recognize his accent as some kind of European. German, maybe?

"You may call me The Professor, and I will be overseeing this experiment. Do not be mistaken - you are not currently my students, you are my test subjects. Lab rats."

Well, that answers that, at least.

"In order to reduce contact, I will personally be monitoring you from a secondary facility. Do not worry, there are members of staff on-site to take care of any immediate needs or wants you may have."

Not that you've seen any, of course, but...

"By now I imagine you're familiar with your situation, at least somewhat. If you have not yet, please read the rules, and... well, I will go ahead and open the floor to questions. I'd ask for you to be orderly about it, but... having observed some of you, that seems like a foolish hope."

Comments

[drladysounds]

So it's a clandestine study. Your "science" is very dubious. [She even did the finger quotes, yup] Since I'm sure you won't say why we were brought instead of literally anyone else, I'll ask this:

Is it really necessary to do this at the bottom of the sea? Is it because it's isolated or do we really need to stare at fishes for this experiment to work?

[bathymetric]

I find the ocean and its inhabitants relaxing. Don't you?

But in reality, I'd rather not have anyone else find this place. And the bottom of the Pacific Ocean seemed a natural choice.

[drladysounds]

Old volcanoes seem more like the evil scientist type, but I guess staring at lava gets old after a while.

[After a moment, Shelley sighs. What to ask that doesn't give some bad ideas to anyone...]

Why aren't you showing your face? Do you have something to hide?

[bathymetric]

There are psychological factors at play. You seem smart, I'm sure you can figure them out if you apply yourself to the problem.

[reallyhatesharks]

So they're not going to try and kill us?

[SOUNDS SUPER FUCKING FAKE, HONESTLY.]

The ocean is full of shit that just wants to kill you, in my experience.

[bathymetric]

Not if my windows hold, anyway. And of course, I can't promise kindness from the ocean or its creatures, should you choose to find a way out without my approval.

[reallyhatesharks]

Well. At least I'd know what I'm dealing with there, wouldn't I?

[She's using her customer service voice, strained politeness that conveys she would like to stab someone actually.]