The Final Day

[airlockedmods]

[Friday comes with the usual morning announcement. There's no blood or anything anywhere, and nothing visibly disturbed.

>Investigate...?]

Comments

[le_mat]

[It's friday, so of course he feels unsure. But with no screaming or reek of gore, Akira feels safe to go about his day. He intended to hit the holodeck, meaning to look over his last memory, find something he might have missed at the time that could turn the tides]

[airlockedmods]

[Judging by the sound of fighting coming from inside the holodeck, it's already occupied.]

[le_mat]

[It could be another of Penny's training exercises- she doesn't sleep after all. But something makes his hair stand on end either way, and he bolts inside]

[playthedamncard]

[It's Friday, and nothing seems wrong. It might be too much to hope that nothing happened, but...

Kaiba first goes to the media room to make sure things are all cleaned up and put away from last night.]

[lovecolored]

[ stumbling in the hallway outside the media room. Oh shit there's Kaiba and he's--wait, he's not dead, he's just being neurotic. Good. ]

...find anythin'?

[playthedamncard]

[There's only seven of them, but still, mental head count. Akira's accounted for. Now Marisa.]

No. Thankfully. ...I admit to being on edge this morning. [Given the track record, the why should be obvious.]

Surprise meeting time

[le_mat]

[Akira is standing in front of the holodeck- he went to his room and got his hoodie to replace his coat, but otherwise he is still decked out in his thief outfit- and the reason for the hoodie (and his school bag) is quickly clear. He's loaded for bear. Anything he could find that looked usable to kill a man is with him, especially a shit load of kitchen knives. His face is grim, but set]

So, has Penny told you all what happened?

[playthedamncard]

...An accident. [It's almost worse than something premeditated and deliberate.]

[le_mat]

Roxy... she saved my life. Penny dealt the blow, but it was... my fault.

I'm not letting them execute Penny. And I need to know who's with me.

[lovecolored]

You're seriously doin' this?

[ eyeing the knives ]

[le_mat]

Yeah. I'm all in.

[dejabrew]

[Also eyeing the shit load of kitchen knives with trepidation.]

I'll cut off my own arm before I vote for Penny, but...You don't really think they're not watching us right now? That they're not gonna counter you before you can even draw a weapon?

[le_mat]

Yeah, I guessed they probably will.

[And his tone makes it clear he doesn't care. This is a young man set to die]

[in4apounding]

Mister Bolton-

[They're right, she knows. There's always the slimmest of chances, but. They're probably all going to die here. Their one shot at this was a surprise attack, and that's long since been out the window.]

[She could take herself out, now, give the others another week to try. But she can't not go out fighting. Not after everything she's promised. And Akira's not going to let her try alone, and most of the others don't seem inclined to either.]

[But this can't be it for all of them.]

...Someone will need to protect Mister Jamie. He's not a fighter, he can't be involved in this more than he has to be.

[in4apounding]

I'm sorry.

[It's almost worse, the way no one's blamed her.]

I'm not making anyone vote for me. But- if you want to, I don't blame you.

[lovecolored]

[ IMMEDIATELY HUGS HER ]

Hey. Don't think for a second we ain't standin' with ya.

Final catherd

[le_mat]

Okay, Marisa, say... say your goodbyes to Roxy then hit the kitchen and greenhouse, do what you can during the 'investigation'. Bolton... go wake Jamie. Better you then the announcement. That leaves Seto to be the last one to look.

[unhappylittletrees]

[Speak of the artist and he shall appear because here comes Jamie cautiously down the hallway.]

...why is everyone crowded in front of the holodeck...?

[in4apounding]

...I'm sorry, Mister Jamie. It's my fault.

[playthedamncard]

Generally speaking, I'm not a fan of 'hurry up and wait', but I'll stall as long as I can.

[le_mat]

If we wait too long Petuu will just force our hand. I'll trust your discretion on it.

[lovecolored]

[ a salute, and she'll head off to the holodeck ]

Roger.

[ she looks a little solemn at the mention of Roxy, but yeah, she definitely at least wants to say goodbye. She'll perk back up later when she gets to see some shit explode, tbh. ]

[playthedamncard]

[He waits after she leaves the room, watching her haul ass, and then sighs, trying to center himself. Counts seconds going by. He considers speaking aloud, something for CECE to record, but he always refused to leave letters, and he won't start now. There's a lot he always thought he'd take to his grave, he just didn't imagine it'd be quite so literal. Counts minutes going by. Somewhere out there...somewhere out there is a world for all of them.

Counts to three, two, one--

Kaiba enters the holodeck. Where Roxy Lalonde is (still) dead.]

All right CECE. Make the announcement.

Investigation Close

[airlockedmods]

[Immediately after Kaiba sees Roxy's body, the intercom comes on and CECE's voice comes out of the PIPs and the overhead speakers.]

Attention Champions. The period for investigation is now over. Please report to the courtroom immediately. Refusal to cooperate will be punished accordingly.

It would be profoundly unpleasant for me to have to punish you.

Re: Investigation Close

[in4apounding]

CECE, thank you. Again.

...Goodbye.