Sam watched as the guy they called Alex once again pulled out his laptop and began clicking away. Marik commented how if he didn't get service the first time it wasn't going to work any other time. This, of course, was followed by a retort from Alex, but all were silenced as Delauny said that there was no service in, or out of this place.
Dumbshit, Sam quickly covered his mouth as he said it. He didn't like to curse at others, but that just slipped out. He didn't know why, but in small, cramped spaces like this he got very agitated. His self-insight was cut short as the elevator was filled with a bright red light, and a voice called out ENTERING LOWER LEVELS. It even went so far as to call it out in different languages, most he didn't recognize. Shortly after this he heard his bracelet number called out by one of the other members.
F-3? Darn its not my lucky number
Sam turned to the speaker.
I do not know your name, but i do know that F-3 isn't your number at all. See?
Lew looked down once again at his bracelet and saw that it really said 'E-3'
Oh...
Yeah, F-3 would be my number. I just thought i'd clear that up for you.
Dumbshit, He once again said, but this time, only in his head.

I should get you back for that, but I won't. This is too big of an oppurtunity to risk being sent out of the building.

Alex started readjusting his bracelet until it was comfortable again, then leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. As he walked, the collar of his shirt fell down, revealing a tattoo of a flaming eye and another around his neck of a dragon.

Tom picked the C2 bracelet and similarly snapped it around his wrist, it joined the other various bands and got somewhat covered by them, but it was there still.

he thought better then to speak, anything he might say would only cause more tension. so he held silently and watched, people watching was his favourite hobby.

Marik’s lips curved slightly upward, a hinted agreement to Sam’s sudden outburst. He raised an eyebrow in Alex’s direction.

<font color=blue>“Hey man, you all but asked for that one. Don’t act like such a know-it-all.â€￾</font>

Except for the sudden, time-wasting stop, the elevator seemed to run smoothly. It almost felt as though they were standing on solid ground, not moving at all. Marik didn’t mind, as he occasionally became motion sick in cramped, artificial settings. Just in case he felt the urge to blow chunks, however, he made sure to keep a clear shot at Alex.

<font color=blue>“So... What kinda job you got?â€￾</font> Marik asked, turning to face Sam. He hoped some conversation would take his mind off the impending queasiness. The agitated silence in the elevator was starting to get to him.

As Alex closed his eyes, he spoke.
Just because all of you are pessimistic doesn't mean that I am

Scott picked up the B-1 bracelet and fixed it to his wrist gently.

<font color=silver>"Oh, stop it. We're gonna be spending a while together, the least you could do is try to get off to a good start."</font> He said, glancing at Marik, Alex and Sam out of the corner of his eye.

Normally Scott was the one being the general retard for amusing purposes, but once he entered some kind of work place his mentality completely changed, as if he somehow absorbed the feeling of the place.

“So... What kinda job you got?â€￾
It was Marik, asking me what kind of job I had. Job? I don't think i'd actually ever held a steady job, other than the odd furniture/house move he'd done for people he knew.
Never really held a job, He said finnally. Guess i just never really found something i liked.
Pessimistic!? Sam broke off his conversation with Marik.
Since when does telling the truth make you a pessimist? Sam was becoming ever more agitated with this "Alex". Sam knew better though. He took a deep breath and sighed.
"Oh, stop it. We're gonna be spending a while together, the least you could do is try to get off to a good start."
He's right and that was all. Sam turned back to Delauny and merely stood, waiting for the elevator to stop.

Good God when will this elevator ride ever end!
*Thought Lew to himself. He was getting bored which wasn't hard to do. Lew actually thought Riverdanceing might be more interesting than standing in an elevator.*
Jeez people what put everyone on the edge today?

There was an audible gasp as Christi stepped out of the elevator and into the nursery. Several round eyes gaped at her, clearly not expecting her arrival. Christi’s eyes moved slowly about the room, settling upon a small dark human at it’s center.

Trick, she said icily, report.

Trick stood quickly, her dark face paling dramatically. Yes, Lady. she replied timidly, her yellow eyes dropping to her feet. Fife, Target and Jesper have been conversing since 7:00 AM, attempting to decipher a means of rehabilitating Case 847. So far, no conclusion has been reached.

Trick paused, looking up to see Christi’s eyes dart over to the three boys, narrowing in disapproval.

Widget, she continued after three long seconds, left at 9:23 AM and returned at 9:29 AM. He went to see Mistress Delauny.

On what grounds?

I...I do not know Lady. Trick stuttered, wishing herself invisable

Christi’s elegant hand engulfed Trick’s skinny arm, her nails digging slightly into Trick’s smooth brown skin. You are weak Trick....remember that.

Trick reappeared, defeated and terrified for her actions.

Yes Lady she whispered back, barely audible.

Continue

Mirage, Seven, and Kat have just finished Case 546 and are being sanitized and scanned before their debriefing with Sir at 10: AM.

Sir is back? Christi asked, disregarding the girls accomplishment.

Yes Lady

That is...perfect. And Epsilon?

Epsilon entered the toy room at 5:00 AM. She has not left since.

Send for Widget immediatly. He is to meet me outside the toy room in seven minutes. As for the rest of them... keep them busy.

Yes Lady. Trick murmered to Christi’s back, yellow eyes filled with tears.

<center>~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~</center>

The toy room slid smoothly into view within seconds. Epsilon was sitting in the center of the room, her back towards the door. Christi entered quietly, heels clicking gently on the immaculate, white floor.

You are early Christi. Epsilon said slowly, not looking up from her blocks.

Yes. I was sent to check on Widget.

He is outside of the door now

Christi glanced at her watch. Widget was early. I will come back later then.

Christi left the room in silence, Epsilon once again completely focused on her 6 metallic blocks.

Widget quickly came to attention as Christi stepped from the room.

You will stay with Epsilon until further notice. We will discuss your punishment when I return.

<i>9:57 AM</i>

They were getting restless.

Delauny smiled at the tension between the group members. The elevator was filled with unease and an awkward silence. Neo Terra’s personality choices could not have been more <i>perfect</i>.

The small table in the center of the elevator slowly lowered and disappeared. In its place gleamed a single bar of light, red and flat against the color of the gleaming metal surrounding them. It simply existed in the center of the room for the longest time, bidding those around it to steer clear and stick to the walls.

As time elapsed, however, it began to waver and glow. Large black letters flickered into sight, like words on a screen. Every now and then they changed into something different, yet they all had a similar pattern.

<b>Alpha - 1 <i>Confinement Quarters Level 1</i>

Alpha - 2 <i>Confinement Quarters Level 2</i>

Beta - 3 <i>Glacialis Habitat</i>

Beta - 4 <i>Desolo Habitat</i>

Gamma - 5 <i>Caelum Habitat</i>

Gamma - 6 <i>Iugosus Habitat</i>

Delta - 7 <i>Aquatis Habitat</i>

Delta - 8 <i>Silva Habitat</i>

Epsilon - 9 <i>Nurseries</i></b>

The elevator finally slid to a slow stop. There was a heavy pause as they waited for the name of their floor.

<b>Epsilon - 10 <i>Creation</i></b>

<font color=gray>Is it time for the tour, then?</font> Someone asked, and Delauny merely smiled.

“Is it time for the tour, then?â€￾ Marik asked as the elevator slowed to an even stop.

Delauny looked at Marik, as if thanking him for the question. Her smile was as comforting as that of a child’s, however it seemed to glare straight through him. It made him uneasy that she would just smile at him like that; as if she was marking him for some surprise attack.

“Well?â€￾ Marik persisted impatiently.

Scott hovered around the back of the group for now, leaning gently against the backwall he let his gaze slowly drift through the group until he could just see the sparkling face of Delauny poking through with a predatory smile.

He said nothing, but waited, arms folded, semi-hidden but not trying too hard. The ultimate in casual inconspicuality, he patiently and silently waited, not letting his eyes diviate from Delauny but not saying anything either.

He was going to let this theatre play out a little longer before allowing his irritatingly analytical mind to being it's odd disciphering process and start reading too deeply into this maze of artificiality, whether is appeared as lighting, construction... or a welcoming smile.

Until then, he would watch and listen and wait and remain as filtered and ambiguous as he felt fit until then.

Sam stood still as he stared at Delauny, he was studying her, trying to find something. What, he didn't know, but just something. His attention was drawn away as the floor names were flashed in front of him. They had strange names, but he didn't try and figure out their meanings. Except for the last one, where the elevator ride from hell stopped.
Epsilon 10- Creation he thought to himself, What the hell does that mean?
Suddenly Sam didn't feel so good about any of this. He put his hands in his pockets and began fingering a peice of polished marble that he took with him wherever he went. He wasn't superstitious, but it was still reassuring to have it around.
Creation... he repeated growing more nervous by the moment.

Epsilon looked up from her current diversion at the woman who had disrupted her extreme concentration. She did not like disruptions, but she brushed it aside since she had been expecting the lady and stated plainly that she was early and where widget was.

As Widget entered the room and Cristi left, Epsilon paid them no heed and continued on with the blocks, trying to make the perfect shape. Finally, with a furrow of the brow and a slight, hardly noticable sigh she stood up and walked towards the perfect smooth wall, ignoring the protests of the small insignificant creature Widget.

Glaring coldly at him, she stated simply but with an edge of authority,

Do not interfere Widget

Those four words were enough and Widget sat back and looked at her, a slight emotion passing quickly over his eyes. Quite satisfied, the extremely pale girl turned her abnormally black eyes towards the wall. Walking towards it with an un-childlike smirk she put her hand on the wall. Suddenly the wall opened up in front of her, and she walked out. Once she was gone, the wall reformed without a blemish, just as it was before. And, the six blocks were left in the room, all floating in the air and orbiting one of the blocks, as if it was a model of a solar system. . .


I sense that more people have arrived. . . perfect

_________________
The rest is silence. . .