Nightshift 37 - M-A Block Hallway

[theroadsofar]

[From hereIt became more obvious as he went down the hall that he'd been moved rooms: this wasn't the same room as it was the night before, he realized, shining his flashlight for a second on one of the room number plaques. Before, it'd been in the hundreds. Now he was passing M8, M9. Dean moved quietly, keeping up a good pace but not breaking into

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[maskedsunflower]

Not psychic? He knew that those abilities were sometimes called 'magic' even by people who should know better, but all the unusual abilities of healing, attacking and defending which seemed like magic were just because of a difference in the brain. Even chimeras could be made with those abilities triggered in them. But, she said it was more complicated; was this a difference in worlds?

Considering how confusing everything else here was, he decided not to worry about it. It didn't matter. "I've learned people here are taken from different places in time and space. Our personal items are removed and are difficult to regain; I woke up in the morning here without my weapons or clothing, even though I didn't remember falling asleep and had been in a secure vehicle." He had to pause to ask, "Why do you have different clothing? Do you know where the stolen items are kept?"

Even if he couldn't get the sword, fighting would be much easier with the arm cannon. If he could still use it, at least... he wasn't sure how much his body had been weakened, aside from the things stolen. "I've been told about 'monsters' of various types being a threat during the night. I've been told about various clubs, including this club, which are groups of patients working together for escape. I've been told Dr. Landel is the person behind all of this. I've been told patients are sometimes taken for experiments at night. I've been told it's not unusual for us to be weakened or altered from our original form, as I have been." That wasn't every detail, but he thought that covered most of it.

[lady_general]

"Very good, I'm relieved to see you are well-informed," Celes said as she walked. "My own outfit I received some time ago. It was sitting idly in my closet as though I'd left it there all along. I do not know why it was there, perhaps it is a way to cultivate complacency in the prisoner population. But anything is better than those damnable uniforms, at least for the night." When morning came, it would once again be the speedy undressing she had quickly learned was prudent.

"It seems as though there hasn't been any radio clues yet. It is strange, but not entirely unheard of. A few nights ago, there was not even a peep from Radio Jill." Oh, for the days of Jack and his nightly clues. "In the meantime, would you care to explore?"

[maskedsunflower]

He hadn't checked his closet; maybe his uniform was there. But what was the point in stealing them if they gave them back right away? Celes had suggested complacency, but it would be very early to be trying to make the Commander complacent in this place, since he'd just arrived. He had no intention of ever becoming complacent, even if he had to stay for days before escaping like Junior. It was not a sense of relief, exactly, but there was a lack of a sense of pressure concerning that thought. Whatever else happened, his loyalty would not weaken.

"Yes. I should become more familiar with the building," he agreed, following her with the radio and flashlight in hand. If there were no radio clues, would they just spend the night walking around? Learning more about traveling at night here wouldn't be a bad thing. "How long have you been a prisoner here? Do you believe the Cooking Club will find the way to escape?"

[lady_general]

"I believe that the clubs need to start working together in a more fluid manner before anyone has a chance at freedom." It was just the same conversation she'd had with Hughes that morning. "Until that happens, I don't believe anyone will be going anywhere. That is, unless they have the bad luck to vanish without a word or trace. For now, all the clubs are doing little more than herding cats."

Celes stopped before the doorway. "Also, so long as you stay within the patient blocks, there are no monsters. Remember that if you're close by and need to escape."

[maskedsunflower]

Junior had said he thought the groups worked together and would find an escape, although he thought the History Club would also harm Dr. Landel for revenge in the process. Celes's view was closer to the Commander's own original impression, that the groups were competitive, or at least didn't function as a unit. Having a single, clear leader was much better. Still, he would try the different groups before he made any decisions about which was best.

After Celes gave her advice about the patient blocks, he nodded. That explained why this would be a good meeting place. Aside from the rows of patient rooms and the clearly marked bathroom, there was only one other direction to head in, so he headed out the doorway into the larger hall.

[to here]