Johnson sighs in relief as the party decides the cure must be had immediately. "Good. That beast is invincible, it should be forgotten about until we can gather our strength for an assault on it's lair. You're right, there is no time either, follow me. We'll talk while we walk ". He looks to Takimi and she nods, falling in line with him. The soldiers disperse to their duties.
With that they begin walking off towards the huge double steel doors on the opposite side of the gigantic laboratory. As the party follows, Viona still pouting in the rear with her arms crossed, they pass a myriad of different experiments occurring. Takimi explains. "All different theories for a vaccine, all of them trying to create what we"-she glances at Viona- "the most brilliant scientists on the planet have already created. Alas, even with my knowledge of the project I cannot help them to recreate the original. No, maybe if I had Dr. Hart and a certain bitch it would be possible". Viona's eyes flash dangerously. Takimi rolls her eyes. "Spare me traitor. I was speaking of your protege, you did delegate most of the work to her, although I'm sure she was following orders and wasn't as crazy as you've made her out to be".
"I-", Viona began.
"SHUT IT". Johnson says, lowering his hand from where he had held it up. "There isn't time for more bickering, I must brief them now".
From the look of it the party could tell by the frustration on the white coat's faces and the curses from their mouths that it is not going well. One elder white coat even throws his clipboard across the room with an angry yell. But shortly afterwards he wipes his brow and keeps working. Although stressed and stretched to the limit they were obviously trying to stay rational and figure something out.
Johnson continues. "From these main doors we can take a couple maintenance tunnels to a ventilation shaft above the Hive. This will be the only way in since The Black Rook is controlling everything else. Once we are in though, we have to find a way around him or maybe we can negotiate". He looks to Viona. "I was hoping you had something in mind".
Viona unfolds her arms and puts on a smug look. "Of course I do". Even arrogant she was beautiful. "The Black Rook has two weaknesses. The mainframe where he is programmed into the computer system and the hive's nuclear generator. If we can disable either one he goes offline".
"Yeah we thought about that. So how do we reach them"? Johnson immediately fired back.
"Uhh", Viona stutters, "I-I actually don't know. I mean I know how...but to get to either one of those areas we would have to cross sections of the Hive under his control. Either way...we will have to face him in one form or the other".
Johnson seems to nod to himself and he continues. "In the sections the Black Rook controls, he controls EVERYTHING. The doors, the lights, the security systems, even the god damn air levels in the room. If he wants us dead...he's probably going to have his way".
"Unless...", Takimi says, tapping Johnson on the shoulder. He looks at her and reads her eyes.
"Oh yeah, the Joker", Johnson says, "Wasn't much of a point to mention him up until now. The Joker is one the NSA's top agents. A real bad ass motha fucka if you know what I mean, ain't even got a name. Also really god damn smart". Chuck vaguely remembers a very nice car rammed into the front of a building, a key chain of a Joker.
"That's understating it", Viona chimed in, "In terms of hacking and computer skills he is as brilliant as I in medicine".
"Yeah. Well apparently he went rogue at some point. At least I can't find a reason for why he would be here right now. He went into the hive ahead of us. We had contact with him up until yesterday, 1600 hours. We have no idea why we lost it. Figured he was just dead. Crazy to go in by himself after all, bad ass or not. Point is he had a computer with him. Said it was special".
Takimi takes over. "The computer was specifically customized for taking over foreign systems. The Joker believed he could fight the Black Rook with it. Maybe he tried and died. But if the computer is still intact, maybe one of you could try again".
They reached the doors. Takimi looked at Johnson and he shrugs. "This could be it so...". Takimi falls into his arms and they began kissing so passionately that the party looked on awkwardly and the soldiers on duty at the door shuffled their foot and tried to look elsewhere. They pulled apart from each other, gasping and Johnson straightened his uniform. If he wasn't black you think he would be red.
"Let's do it boys", he places a black helmet on his head and the visor slides down, blocking his eyes from hers. He pulls out the equally sleek guns the soldiers have been wielding and the two guards turn and grab the metal doors, pulling them apart, grunting with exertion until the doors have parted enough for you to step through.
The party slips through, entering a large room that is very poorly lit. Pipes protrude through the walls, which appear to be made of dark asphalt. Ahead, barely visible because of the darkness is two small tunnels. Johnson turns to the party member's, a red LED light on his helmet helping them locate him. "From here on out consider we are constantly in danger of attack. These tunnels and the ventilation systems are how the Infected are reaching us. Our first challenge is here. These tunnels aren't the most stable. They weren't really built for so many people walking in them at once, they could very well not be able to hold us, especially if trouble does come our way. It would be best if we split, a team in each shaft, we'll meet up on the other side. You guys know your strengths and weaknesses the best. How should we split? Consider me now that I'm your new teammate and don't forget Viona, unfortunately we have to keep her safe if she's going to be an asset later".
