theairlock | fourth trial

[When the announcement sounds and the evidence gathered it’s time for a trial. When the remaining champions are all gathered by the docking bay doors they slide slowly slide open.

The two lines of sentry robots are there again, creating a border path from the docking bay doors to the circle of metal podiums. The podiums themselves were made of strange metals in red and gold and orange and black, each one etched with the name of one of the Champions. There are flood lights - like spot lights - in front of each podium. The lights on Oda, Akande and Leon's podiums have been turned off and their floating grey scale portraits have joined the six from last week.

Blaze Dudely stands on a repair deck on top of his ship, which looms over the proceedings ominously. His expression is still hard to read but his arms are folded across his chest and if you squint close enough there's a somberness about him that hasn't been at other trials.]

Ya'll know how this goes by now. [He's in no mood for pageantry this time.] Take the time ya need but don’t bore me.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Yeah, probably.

[she'll turn to the captain, then!]

Um... Captain? I got a few questions about "it."

What are ya needin', girlie?

Do you know much about its methods? Like, you told Will it was a shapeshifter last time, right? Does it... try to be other people, or does it just try and look different to trip you up?

[He furrows his brow, like he's trying to remember.]

Both. Once when we met it turned into my mate Umbra. Almost fell for it too. [He scowls.] Another time it was some kind of blue bipedal reptile.