[M15] ENEMY: UNKNOWN - THE INTERVIEW

[voidmissions]

---

On opening their eyes, Voidtreckers will feel a sense of disorientation, a dizziness to their vision and inside their head. Both clear quickly, letting them remember where they came from: in the midst of a mission, some unknown entity jumping them, and then —

They're here. Wherever here is.
They stand in an empty room. The lighting of the room stings their eyes after how dark the rest of the station has been. The walls, ceiling and floor are all bright white, tiles. There is no visible door, no windows.

After the disorientation comes fear. The hairs on the back of their neck stand up. For those with danger sense, these senses are going haywire, even though any other abilities are still not working. The feeling can be pushed down, it is similar to the air of expectation at the start of a horror film, the anticipation of fear rather than being in a truly dangerous situation. It might be that they have been on the train long enough to have felt it before.

Heavy footsteps sound, it is almost impossible to tell where they are coming from as the echo through the empty space. The feeling of dread grows until part of the far wall slides open with a mechanical hiss.

Filling the doorway are two huge figures, around seven foot tall and bulky. They are in large metal suits, almost like power armour, black with highlights of gold. They wear a mask that covers their whole face. It is impossible to see the figure inside at all. Their breathing comes through heavy and raspy and when they walk their footsteps are heavy. The door closes behind them and their presence makes the room feel smaller. One of them scans a green light over the voidtrecker.

"Do not be alarmed. Under sections ninety six of Inter-dimensional law and on behalf of the Void Ministry we have intercepted Voidcraft designation Voidtrecker Express as part of ongoing investigations. You have been taking part in a simulated excercise to gauge your skill and strength. No harm shall come to you or your crew, you are protected by inter dimensional law. You have been chosen for questioning and we ask that you comply. You have the right to refuse our interview but we have the right to hold you until our investigation is complete or one week in standard void time has passed, whichever is longest. Complying with us will ensure our investigation is more efficient."

The inspector talking pauses here, as if giving the voidtrecker time to take in that information.

"Do you accept our interview?"

---

ENEMY: UNKNOWN

---

Comments

HOLDING ROOM (AFTER INTERVIEW)

[voidmissions]

Whatever their choice, after their conversation they will find a panel behind them slide open, and they are gestured through. They find themselves in a larger room, still brightly lit with white tiles on the floor, ceiling and walls. Three of the walls are blank tiles.

On the fourth wall there are a series of screens and these show slightly grainy footage of the space station, of their friends still searching, fighting and hiding from the invisible enemies that stalk them. The screens have no sound and sometimes flicker out in static. Their SCA's don't seem to be working past basic life support functions. They have no access to comms or any maps or even their mission briefing or torch.

The room is sparse. There is a row of seating next to the wall of screens. Against one of the other walls there is a metal bench with a sink next to it. On it is a kettle and microwave as well as a box of rations that can be prepared using those, some plates and mugs and a tub of cutlery. In the centre of the room is a table and in the corner a stack of foldaway camp beds. They have been given their equipment, though not their weapons so sleeping bags should not be an issue.

The door they came from is not visible at all but there is a door next to the sleeping area that leads to a small but clean bathroom.

Whether they are brought here one the first, second or third day they are not alone and there's not much to do except sit and watch the screens, or try and distract each other from that.

[dyingpro]

Zagreus is startled to see others on the other side of the interrogation room, but he's in relatively good spirits as he heads into the holding cell. His interrogation went pretty well, he thinks!

"Oh thank Gods, at least some of us are here. Good to see you all in one piece." He settles into one of the seats closest to as many of his fellow passengers as possible. "You met with them too, I assume? How did it go?"

[darknessinzero]

"It went."

Ansem's voice is dry, but only so irritated; more weary than anything else.

"Though I am no closer to understanding their true motives than I was at the beginning of it. Aside from what they claim, of course." Which could very well be the case, but- surely there were other ways than kidnapping.

[miseris_socios]

Ken wanders in during the second day and sighs. "I think it went okay. I'm not really sure. It's not like they had faces I could read."

He settles into a chair and sighs. "I don't think they're bad, but I don't know if they're on our side."

day three

[jingyeets]

into the unknown

Jingyi looked ruffled when he stepped through the open panel, bidding farewell for the time being to Yi and Er. His tail lashed low behind him, and he felt the panel slide back into place, though his eyes were busy scanning the singular room for familiar, missing faces. The chairs, the camp beds laid out, the table, the one bench and sink, the door that happens to be open at the far side of the room: it all registers, but then he's immediately striding toward one of the people he knows to unceremoniously pull them into a hug.

"Oh good," he said, "Yi and Er weren't lying."

now presenting: the sonic shower

Had he ever encountered a sonic shower before? No, not he had not. Somewhere in the multiverse sonic showers might even take a person's clothes off for them, but not this one; this one just cleaned without needing water. He'd messed around with the control panel after making use of the room for its intended purposes, and that was when he encountered the incredibly strange, but rejuvenating, effects of the sonic shower.

It hadn't even been a full day yet, and Jingyi was already feeling stir crazy stuck in the one room with everyone. Which might explain why he slipped back out the door with wide eyes and a big grin on his face, to wave toward another of the interviewee captives.

"Hey, hey! Come stand in the shower with me!"

With the fully clothed guy looking excited at the idea.

hand...stands...

At some point, Jingyi had started in on the limited physical exercises he could manage in the shared space. Now he was doing handstands, ends of his ribbon caught between his teeth while he practically looked meditative.

Yes, in his cargo trousers that have exposed his ankles, while his feet are bare. With his shirt tucked into his trousers, but his hoodie not, so one keeps his stomach covered, while his hoodie was attempting to migrate toward his head. His tail curled around one leg like a vine, and it was only when his stomach noted a complaint that he opened his eyes.

"Ungee... unph, 'nnoy'ng."

into the unknown

[blitzcheer]

It's hard to keep track of the screens and video feeds - rather, Tidus just loses interest after a while, feeling bad for the people on the other side, and nothing he can do about it. So he's been doing everything else but nosing in on his teammates - and the activity that Jingyi's appearance through the door finds him in is kicking an invisible ball.

"Heyy, Jingyi!"

Which he stops upon seeing the other guy, expression pleasantly surprised. An expression that doesn't change as their approach leads to arms around him, pulled into a hug.

He can just manage to give Jingyi a pat where his arms have been trapped, his voice low, with some mirth:

"Didn't think I got eaten, did you?"

Too soon?

handstands

[monkeyinthewrench]

Jake's been in here for two full days already. It's infuriating. Even the NYPD tried not to keep people in the holding cell for more than 24 hours. And they weren't even charged with anything!

He's paced in a small spot over and over, occasionally watched the monitors and attempted to cheer people on...but as this holding cell gets more and more crowded, even he starts to get grouchy.

His eyes fall on the guy with the karaoke machine, showing off some balance skills.

"...you okay there, man?"

into the unknown

[flatteries]

Wow, won't you look at that. For once Inigo doesn't have to be the one running around to hug people - no, instead he is getting hugged here. Without even having to ask for it. It's free real estate.

It doesn't even fully register with him yet, really. He only realises that Jingyi really is here with him until the other is already hugging him, meaning that Inigo is totally frozen up for a moment - all the way until he realises this really is happening, and he quickly wraps his own arms around the other in turn.

There's so much to ask here, but for a moment Inigo seems content with just an embrace, just clinging to the other for a moment.

"Are you alright, Jingyi?" It's probably half-muffled by the way Inigo is most likely talking into the other's robes while he's clinging to him, but ssh, it's fine, it's cool.

Hand Stands

[eternalinquiry]

"I could hear that from here. Not having inedia is an experience I had no desire to repeat." Lan Wangji was walking past but he too, is incredibly bored now by the lack of things here. So in a small display of fellow impudence, he joins Jingyi in a hand stand.

"You seem just as practised in these as before."

[tactlesstantei]

Day 2, post interview

[Masumi's seated in one of the seats soon after her interview, fiddling with a little badge communicator and, apparently, getting increasingly frustrated when it proves just as ineffective at the moment as the SCA comms.]

Damn it Conan, pick up already... [Points for creativity, even if it didn't work?]

Day 3

[Masumi's not taking being held in one place with little to do very well, and is getting increasingly antsy as she switches between watching the screens and pacing the room just to be doing something.]

I hope they finish this interview stuff soon, I'm not sure if I can take being held here for a whole week. [At least she's not alone, but it's still frustrating.]

day 2

[blitzcheer]

You trying the SCAs? I don't think it matters how much we try - they're not gonna let us through.

[ Tidus sees the small object in Masumi's hands, looking like not much from where he's standing, in the middle of deciding what to do in a largely uneventful room.

Which makes him more aware of the others, and nosing into their mumblings. ]

[miseris_socios]

Day Two

Ken plops down on the seating once his interview's done, going through his bag to make sure nothing is missing. His Evoker's not here, but neither is his spear - hopefully they'll get their weapons back when they get out of this jail cell. Once he's satisfied nothing is missing he slumps back and sighs.

"This is stupid."

Day Three

After an uncomfortable 'night' on the camp beds, Ken's back to the seating, staring somewhat blankly at the footage. He can see how upset the groups are getting - he can definitely see how upset Vexen and Seto are getting. He needs a distraction, but this... isn't helping.

He can be found watching the screens, making some food (rations are better than nothing), and occasionally just sitting and staring at the white tiles. He's already counted them five times now.

day two

[darknessinzero]

"Ken-"

Perhaps neither evoker nor spear, but- at least a familiar face. After already having been here a day, Ansem finds himself with mixed emotions over seeing the young man. Nonetheless, he's quick to- well. Not quite fuss over him, but certainly look over him with visible concern.

"-you are all right?"

[monkeyinthewrench]

sludge party - all days

As one of the first captives, it's initially not too crowded when Jake enters the holding cell. His stomach's still doing the occasional flip-flop...he knew trusting those two was risky, but he had to hope following his gut was the right move.

Whenever someone enters, he'll greet them. "...so, welcome to the holding cell party. Ready for some delicious sludge?"

He's tried to cook a small portion for himself. It hasn't ended well.

holding pattern - all days

Jake would normally try to lighten the mood with a holding cell dance party. Those are always fun. But the flickering images on the screen, and the mood around him...it's not the most fun atmosphere.

He goes back and forth between staring at a picture of his girlfriend on the phone and watching the surveillance screens.

"I mean...we all did good, right? We have to pass."

getting cramped - days 2&3

This is getting ridiculous. NYPD protocol is that they only have 24 hours to keep suspects in the holding cell, and they aren't even suspected of any crimes. Initially he tries to greet new entrants as before, but as it gets more and more cramped in here...

"...uh, I don't think there's enough room for the whole crew in this cell. So we're about to have a problem."

day one - sludge party!!!!

[darknessinzero]

"Sludge?"

Don't mind him taking a peek over and trying to see just what Jake is talking about.

"...is this all they've given us?" He sounds irritated.

holding pattern

[miseris_socios]

"I don't think it's a matter of passing or failing." Hi Jake. It's the child here.

"I think it's more 'do they think we're safe to let go'. That's not exactly a yes or no answer."

sludge party

[tactlesstantei]

...Sludge? [Masumi blinks, still overwhelmed from her questioning and still coming to terms with what this is. (A trap. It was a trap to question people.)

Still, she looks around, noticing the table with the microwave and kettle, and forces a very strained grin.]

Don't tell me we're getting nutrigoo to eat?

tidus ; from mid-way of day 2

[blitzcheer]

» day 2, after interview;

He comes out from the room, a little dazed and still taking in what this mission's turned into, walking into view of the other faces with the same baffled surprise that's in his voice when he greets them.

"Uhh, hey. Sooo... that happened, huh?"

Or maybe, more importantly: "Did any of you learn anything from that?"

» days 2-3, games;

But they still have to deal with being stuck here after the fact. Tidus watches the cameras at the beginning, pulling up a chair and squinting at the grainy footage, playing people-spotting, the antics going on.

"Oh hey, I just saw Romeo."

"Was that Goooo- Goku?"

"Ohhh, they better watch out...!"

Join him for his short-lived interest in camera spying, or otherwise- there's always ball, which he brings out from his arms band (thank you for giving that back), declaring to some of the bored-looking faces with him, "I've got ball," for anyone who wants to join in on a kick around.

Totally fine and safe, don't worry.

He also does have a hand-held gaming device, if anyone wants to backseat while he plays, or borrow it for a game. Otherwise...

» day w/e; questions;

"So whatever we think about those Inspector guys, they're gonna be here for a while, right? We should think about more stuff to ask them when we see them again. Anything we missed."

That's smart, right? He looks about the room, leaning against the wall, bringing his folded arms down to his sides.

"Like...figuring out how our worlds are doing, or if they can get back to us or something. Or stuff we can get to help us?"

He's throwing out thoughts, ideas, anything that might be good or stick.

This is a good chance for this, right?

questions

[darknessinzero]

"I am certain we can get some common necessities, so long as they do not compromise our security."

There's something meaningful in Ansem's gaze and voice. A warning. Anything related to getting out of here - if that is what Tidus is implying - should be discussed very, very carefully.

"But I, too, would like to learn more of my home, if such is possible."

after interview

[flatteries]

Please, Tidus, as if you're going to have any time to be able to properly greet anyone.

Or, well, perhaps he will later. But the moment he comes properly into view, Inigo is already pretty much dashing at him - helped by the fact that there's not as many people here yet - and wrapping his arms around Tidus to cling to him. Inigo's shoulders are shaking, though - thankfully? - it doesn't seem like he's crying or anything. When he's still clinging to Tidus, but at least turns his head up to be able to look at the other, his eyes are dry.

"Tidus.. Are you alright?"

day 2-3 camera watching

[eternalinquiry]

He was watching before Tidus started, but the reprieve from his own silence is nice. He looks over at the screen Tidus is staring at;
"have you ever heard the musical number 'yakkity sax'?"

Day 2

[mustknow]

Xehanort's definitely not the first person to arrive but he might be the first one to arrive with a nice pleasant comfy wool blanket wrapped around him like a burrito. It isn't particularly chilly but he found it and he's going to keep it as long as humanly possible.

Whereupon he immediately relocates to a place to sit, spending a moment arranging his blanket into a more comfortable burrito.

"A question for you all. How many of you decided to take your kidnappers' words at face value and spilled your guts without hesitation?" There's something dark in his tone, even if his face is pretty neutral. "I assume everyone was told what I was, and that they're running experiments of terror and endurance on us, without consent, and intend to continue those experiments. If you cooperated, did you tell them everything they wanted to know before or after they revealed they're going to keep tormenting our allies?"

Phrased like that, it's no wonder he sounds less than pleased. Cooperating with their torturers really isn't on his to-do list after they summarily rejected his offer of help.

[blitzcheer]

"...What happened in your interview?"

Woof, something not well happened there. It's a confusing scenario to picture with how his own interview went, and Tidus sits backwards on one of the middle seating currently, his blitzball being idly bounced in the space between chairs, a leg folded under him.

But he stops as he looks over at Xehanort, trapping the ball under his lowered foot.

day two

[darknessinzero]

Have an arched brow, Xehanort. Not of disapproval, but.

"They are hardly our friends in this position," he admits. "But outright antagonizing them before we know more is not necessarily the best choice, for now."

[darknessinzero]

day one///

The first day is spent with searching the screens for those he knows. Familiar faces. when he does find them, he watches intently, perhaps searching for something else- then moving on to the next, or the next, in search of something else. Eventually, though, the King's attention is pulled towards the rest of the room - he frowns at the sparseness, but does try and make some sort of order of it. If others haven't already, he sets up a few of the camp beds and sets them aside to be used, but he himself won't rest for some time.

Indeed, he seems almost restless, pacing the room. Perhaps trying to tire himself out enough to sleep?


day two///

As others arrive, Ansem will look them over with a slight frown, but- it seems more concerned than anything else. Part of him had hoped they would stop with what they had, but at this rate...

"...this entire situation was a trap."

And they fell for it. So easily. He withdraws for part of the day, staring at the televisions or laying on his back on a cot and gazing up at the ceiling. Morose? Perhaps.

Or simply pensive.


day three///

"I have some basic requests."

It's spoken quietly, but not to anyone in the room- instead, Ansem is standing next to the wall from which he (and presumably, the others) had entered the room.

"While I understand your perceived need to these...circumstances, you are doing the opposite of endearing us to you. The requests will not compromise your security, and go far in mending what damage you have already caused by bringing us here against our wills."

It's worth a try, isn't it? He'll be waiting there most of the day, occasionally repeating himself or even tapping on the wall in an attempt to attract the attention of their 'hosts'.