When we last left off, I had somehow managed to improvise a bomb out of a waterproof electric car battery to kill a bunch of fish.
Before that. I found this Raft Otter standing next to me in one of the rooms. He seems to like me at least, can't say I return it.
And even before that, I got trapped on this base that I was supposed to salvage. My co-worker is dead. There are shitloads of angry monsters swimming around. Most of the base is underpowered and not working. And my only reliable contact can only talk to me through Morse code.
The plan right now is to find the Chief Engineer's Keycard so I can unlock the bulkhead leading into security. That's why I did the thing with the bomb.
But most importantly, I seriously need a fucking cup of coffee.
We certainly gave the Otter something to eat that's for sure.
Secord's been a little quiet since then. I'd have imagine he'd have at least seen what the hell happened through the ceiling camera.
Oh well. What's our next stop, voices in my head?
Chase Wood
the bomb has been deployed, yes? and all the fish in that... improvised lake are dead, right? in that case it's time to put on the re-breather and any other swimming gear you have and go for a swim. maybe the otter will build a nice corpse-raft from all the fish in here.
Hunter Brooks
This voice agrees with this voice
Wyatt Reyes
Maybe we can take a few fish so we can cook them up if we get hungry.
Evan Stewart
...
Cameron Lee
> Get a light source. If necessary, improvise this from a smoke detector battery, empty thermos, a desk light bulb, and octo gel/duct tape.
> Create a rope for easy access back up using tied together seat belts.
> Take the plunge and don't forget to bring along that audio log.
Ayden Mitchell
Alright. Let's get the rebreather on then.
I'll have to save that for later. Health and Safety directly advises against eating alien fish, most of these are pretty poisonous.
Though, if the Otter is eating it fine...
No, the Otter is an alien too. He probably has some... weird tongue thing that keeps poison from killing him.
That's a good idea. I'll grab that Mining Lantern from back inside the lockerroom. The audio log as well.
But holy shit, I hate wearing rebreathers. It's not like wearing a suit. At least with suits you had more vision.
The Otter is just staring at me. I grab the railing and prepare to make the plunge. He leans over, then looks back at you.
Well, he seems to be receptive of the idea now at least.
While we're here, I can continue to answer questions on the world of Meropis and Varuna Base.
Liam Campbell
>going EVA
Anthony James
rope? there is a ladder on one side of the hall.
Camden Fisher
Wooooo, okay. SmartSkin is keeping my bodyheat where it should be. Rebreather is functioning as it should. I just have to make slow deep breaths as all.
Harpoon gun has three shots to it. It's the only weapon I have that will be of any use underwater for now, not unless I get hold of an entire Lindhelm Rifle.
Looks like the entrance into the main shaft has been caved in somewhat. It should've been able to fit those cars upstairs, but now it can barely fit you.
Looks like Chief Spalding left glowsticks to mark a trail.
How should I approach this?
Joseph Hughes
How fast can you squeeze through the cave in? Is it too solid to clear out?
Jason Wright
move fast enough that you have more then half your time left to get back out, if you reach half time then leave even if you haven't found anything. keep one eye on the otter, if it freaks out then follow after it.
Angel Cox
>keep one eye on the otter, if it freaks out then follow after it. This. I'm sure our companion has otterworldy night vision, even if we or our suit doesn't.
Noah Garcia
Maybe pick up a few of those glowsticks in case we need to toss them towards a dark spot.
Angel Fisher
Alright, I'll start moving through.
Honestly, my idea was to just keep the Otter in front so that he'll get eaten by anything hiding in wait. But I guess it's a better idea to use him as a danger detector of some kind. I know I might seem cruel, but Meropis isn't exactly the Colony Station Animal and Biological Research Zoo.
I always hated that place anyway.
Bah, looks like a cave in forced a fork in the tunnel.
The Otter is sniffing out the left for whatever reason. He seems eager to go down that path. But I see a glowstick on the right in the darkness.
Where do we go?
Joshua Brown
Could we find our way back without them?
Ayden Hall
it probably smells a critter, go kill it and double back.
Robert Davis
Right. What he's sniffing is most likely food and his food does us no good, and may even be dangerous to us.
Josiah Bailey
Let's go down the left path.
Ethan Morales
If aquatic thriller films have taught me anything, it's that following the light in the darkness is never, ever, ever a good idea.
Daniel White
Giant Anglerfish?
Oh sweet Jesus, we better double check on those glow sticks.
Carter Scott
These lights are not b8, though.
Julian James
How do we know? This is horrible alien zoology land!
Kayden Long
...
Christopher Bennett
>opposable thumbs Wow, you're looking at the future dominator of the galaxy. Be kind.
Also, thanks, Ms Protagonist. How did you know that but not before?
Owen Howard
Look, we know their physiology, we don't know how they actually behave.
I guess we'll go down the left path then.
The Otter swims forward, away from you. Almost out of your sight.
And you come to a dead end where you find him chasing around random Swarmfish.
Agh, bollocks, it's a dead end! Damn it, of all the times to get distracted by food.
Jayden Hall
THUMP
...
w-... what was that?
Oliver Wright
The Swarmfish rush past me without a second thought.
...
I-... um. I think there's something in the tunnels bigger than those things.
M-... maybe we can find a different way to open that bulkhead.
Jace Anderson
finger on the trigger
Nathan Cooper
o deer
The fish are swimming towards you? I think it's time to hide behind that bit of debris earlier.
Jace Taylor
It's obviously that mining officer guy who went underwater to save his fellow men! He obviously brought an oxygen tank to avoid dying, and then the area caved in on itself. He then heard something bigger than swarmfish (you) arrive, and is trying to get your attention.
Go knock some Morse code on it. >.... . .-.. .-.. --- .-.-.- / .-- .... --- / .- .-. . / -.-- --- ..- ..--..
Jaxson Lopez
Flee!
Christopher Bennett
Attempt underwater interpretative dance, accidentally triggering the Sacred Moves, unleashing your inner rap god, and assume command of this ship.
Bump.
Leo Turner
Universal Greeting?
Matthew Carter
Right, to hell with it, I'm leaving! The Otter has the same idea too. Oh fuck oh fuck oh fuck
... ah! Wait! What about the keycard!?
Damn it, I can't just leave without that thing! Even if there's another way to open that bulkhead, having the keycard would be the easiest way too!
FUCK. I gotta try my best to find it at the very least.
The Otter continues swimming back, but turns his head to me once he realizes I'm stopped at the fork. His spines stand straight, and he swims around in a circle, apparently trying to get you to follow him to safety.
Jeremiah Peterson
Psst, user from last time.
We need your help again.
Help us improvise another bomb.
Joseph Jenkins
take the other tunnel. we need the keycard.
Asher Allen
Go right!
Cooper Sullivan
Hey, you know how you're actually a coffee-drunken master in underwater space kung fu? Time to show your skills. Get that keycard, lady!
Colton Price
For now, you need the keycard, and for all you know, without a direct trail, the creature won't even follow you.
Eh. If we kept packing battery bombs, it'd get silly. We'll think of something else, user, but for that something else, we need a new scene and a new set of variables to work with.
Mason Collins
Alright, heading right we come up to a new tunnel, with what appears to be a very, very, big hole leading towards the surface. That must be how this tunnel got flooded.
I see another glowstick in the distance. This trail is going on for quite a while.
I hear another Thumping noise. It seems to be coming from outside the tunnel, directly above. I don't know what's out there but honestly I am definitely not interested in finding out.
Unless the Chief Miner somehow got sucked up there or something.
Ayden Moore
What is that above the speargun? The burbling, bubbly thing?
And where is Ottington?
William Perez
Carefully continue down the tunnel
Landon Sullivan
The hole leading up the surface.
The Otter didn't follow me down the tunnel for whatever reason. I don't blame him if I'm honest if something is down here with me.
David Peterson
I guess Ottington left due to fear. Unless we get hurt from IMMINENT DANGER and Ottington saves us, like all good literary examples do.
This. Swim near the floor, and to the side of the big banging thing above. That way if it breaks through you won't be instantly crushed.
Jordan Martin
Okay, so you see a hole in the roof, right? > Take a thermos (or preferably a more disposable item, like a sandwich bag) > Fill with air from your oxygen tank (if not already full of air by virtue of being empty) and a piece of detritus to make a racket > Use goop > Attach glowsticks to it > Send it rocketing up out of the hole, thus distracting the creature
Buy yourself some extra time.
Hoping to keep the audio log a bit longer, but you can use that if all else fails.
Andrew Howard
As a reminder, you should have enclosed containers that were in the ration box you had earlier. Take a can or bag from that, toss in a few coins from your pocket or other assorted junk, tie it off, attach a glow stick with octo gunk, and you'll have a floating, rapidly ascending beacon that smells like food to distract this guy.
Jordan Miller
Welp, I'm going to bed now. I've actually got a session set up with friends for tomorrow, too.
Swim forward, have fun, try not to die, hope that your coffee addiction doesn't develop withdrawal symptoms.
>CAPTCHA: select images of tea
Jaxon Gray
I still have that snack bag from earlier. Good thing the glowsticks are pretty sticky too. I slap one on then send it floating up through the hole.
Jayden Wilson
...
Hunter Murphy
...
Th-
That was way faster than any submarine you've been on. That must've been at least 60 knots.
Hudson Morris
...
Isaiah Allen
Okay, biggest hope now is that that thing did not see me while it was charging my bait. Let's just keep moving.
That crushed up looking suit on the ground must be Chief Spalding. Taking a closer look, I can't even see anything left inside of the suit. The Swarmfish must have squeezed him out of it.
Poor guy.
Over there are the explosives all in one crate too.
Okay, okay... where would he put the keycard?
Caleb Carter
Check the suit's pockets, maybe he left something we can use.
Jordan Martinez
check the crate. I doubt its in there, but explosives are nice.
Levi Perry
Pockets or a rope around his neck. Question is what killed him and is this the end of the hallway? Regardless: > Get the key and whatever else he has on his person that seems useful. Personal datapad and the like, rebreather. Hell, thermos could count. > Grab the explosives if you can, however much you can carry.
Jayden Sullivan
I wouldn't stand near the crushed body of Spalding. Whatever crushed him might be around him.
Chase Johnson
he was killed by the swarm fish. those little fish you see right there. thing is they are only deadly in large numbers.
Oliver Gonzalez
Hm. Let's check inside the crate first before we check his body. Explosives would be handy to have.
Jaxon Hill
I'm okay with this.
Landon Hill
...
Logan Watson
...
Oh.
Um.
It's occupied.
Benjamin Thomas
slam it shut.
Henry Scott
Did they- Did they eat the explosives? Those little fuckers!
Blake Phillips
AHHHH MY FACE IT'S FULL OF FISH OH FUCK AAAAAHHHH! GET THEM OFF
Gavin Rodriguez
Seal friend, help!
Jason Gray
Ottington! To Me!
Ottington! I choose you!
IA IA Ottingtion Fthahgn!
Connor Martin
This is otterly helpless AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
Sebastian Bennett
Try to roll?
Landon Lee
I leave you alone for five seconds... Hit the audio log and dial up as loud as you can. Time to summon bigger fish back. They'll flee from him (hopefully through the roof). He'll chase them and you then grab the explosives and run.
Josiah Howard
FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK
PLEASE NO, OTTER HELP ME HELP ME I DON'T WANNA DIE!
OH SHIT WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!? THEY'RE CRACKING THE GLASS, NO NO NO NO!
Carson Cox
STOP FORGETTING THE PICTURES
Mason Ramirez
Stay calm. Octo gel will patch the cracks. For now, you need those fish gone. Now, do as the voices say and begin beating on the pipes with the crowbar for good measure.
Benjamin Parker
There's a loud thump that suddenly scatters them. In a flash, they and their bigger gray compatriots are gone. That big fish outside must be trying to get into the tunnels.
I feel the crack on the rebreather mask. Okay, it's only surface level. It's not leaking.
Right, right. What now, what now?
Carter Ross
RUN
Nathan Russell
Loot that corpse and the now empty boxes.
Liam Scott
search corpse, check box for boom, gtfo
Benjamin Diaz
Loot the corpse. Maybe we can salvage part of their suit.
Easton Nguyen
You need the explosives. Grab them and run. If the big guy gains on you, octo goo the audio log to the top of the pipe and run. Fresh blood and noises will draw his attention.
Oliver Johnson
Alrighty, gotta get looting.
I bend down and reach for his suit. Inside his suit storage I do indeed find his keycard, excellent!
> ITEM ACQUIRED: Chief Miner's Keycard
I'll add that in with Stafford's Keycard.
I also find that his suit still has a little bit of power left in it. It's all mangled completely though, nothing is salvageable. But I do find his suit recording. I turn it on.
> Miners: Chief! Chief, help us! The rocks came down on us! We lost Perez! We can't get out!
> Spalding: Just hold on! Just hold on! You stand back now, I'm gonna blow the place to Kingdom come alright!? Just... just gotta get the fucking explosives-
> LOUD RUMBLING
> Miner: Wh- what the hell was that!?
> Spalding: J-... Just stay calm in there! I'll get-... oh shit. Oh shit! No, no! No! Aaagh! AAAGGHH!
> END RECORDING
Poor guy. He was only trying to help his fellow man. And in the six months since, those miners are probably long dead too.
There's another loud rumbling noise. What now, voices?
Hunter Ross
To reiterate, get the fuck out of there.
All those murderfishes.
Matthew Cruz
Grab da splosives and get back inside. That fish can smell voices.
Jace Lee
SUPER FLEE!!!
Lucas Mitchell
See ()
Noah Brooks
Bravely Run Away!
Caleb Nelson
I stick my hand in the crate. All I get is a single stick of nondescript explosive.
> ITEM ACQUIRED: Stick of Explosive
Right, time to leg it-
Oh...
Oh.
Um.
It snarls, shaking its snout into the hole.
Okay, this is a problem. Should I shoot it?
Caleb Johnson
STAY STILL and don't make a sound.
Adam White
No, don't anger the giant monster thing.
Henry Ward
blast the fucker
David Wilson
it hasnt seen you yet. keep it that way
Ian Carter
remain calm. don't move yet, but get ready to. This is not a winnable fight.
Nicholas Clark
Wait. Bide your time. Also, did those little fuckers eat the explosives?
Bentley Morris
There was only a single stick of explosive in the crate, so I assume they either did or a cave in covered up Spalding's progress.
Gabriel Morgan
Okay, bide my time, just wait.
It snarls around useless for a few minutes, then slowly forces itself back out of the hole.
