Viginti 92nd, 20XX -
That's what you think it is? Hmm, well, it's worth a shot, but your stupid ass has only one more attempt left until the phone accesses a built-in memory wipe. I would definitely be one hundred percent sure, because if you're not...
You can't ever see Callie again.
I'm ninety-nine percent sure.
That isn't one hundred.
Yeah, I have a tiny bit of doubt, and that's why I'm going to wait.
Well, you don't have long before Grizzco is utterly decimated. You better get over there.
Yeah, I know, I'm going to catch the next train to Grand Splatral and hopefully find a way to meet up Marie and the gang.
"Ugh, stop being so kind to me. I'm not going to forgive you," Marie clamors.
"Yeah, I know, but I still want to try," Marina says, gripping her fist, holding a dish of dirt made casseroles.
"Hold on. I hear somethin," Agent 3 warns, silencing the rowdy group. "It sounds like... hammerhead tracks."
"Fang! What dastardly scheme are you up to now."
Fang opens the cage and... let's the four leave.
"What sort of trickery is this, releasing us from this cold, dank prison. It has to be a trap, don't fall for it girls," Agent 3 concludes.
"Nope, no tricks or gimmicks, you're perfectly free to go," Fang retorts.
"Whaaa? You're not going to try to kill us and feast on our flesh," Pearl questions.
"I may be a shark, but we aren't that barbaric. Come on; you guys have to get out of here before someone catches me trying to release you.
"So you're going against the wishes of your species. That's pretty bold. I have respect for that form of rebelliousness."
"Shut up, and get moving already, you don't have a lot of time before the guards come back. Stop dilly-dallying and get going, you fucking wankers."
"Okay, okay, geez harsh."
The division of girls leave behind their shackles and follow a path to the exit ramp.
"I hope that's what you wanted, Casey," Fang whispers, staring into a small locket wrapped around his chest.
——————————————————
As you appear from the subway, you're greeted by an influx of girls strategizing their next move.
• There you guys are, I've been looking all over for you. Is that Agent 3? Hey! Long time no see.
Agent 3 reverts to her old self and refrains from articulating. You could tell she was nervous about speaking in front of you. Even with Agent 3 displaying a rebellious persona and trying to take charge most of the time, she was still that shy girl deep down inside.
Marie welcomes you with her loving arms, caressing your back like a mother reuniting with her child. "Oh, I'm so glad you're safe, I don't know what I would do with myself if you got hurt."
Well, I didn't come out entirely unscathed. Those railroad tracks pack quite the punch.
"It's okay. Your body is still mostly intact," Marie rejoices.
"Look who we met in the stockades, it's Agent 3."
Agent 3 awkwardly waves her hand at you, struggling to interact normally in your presence.
"And ugh, we're still attached to these two, Pearl and Miss Stabby.
"Welcome back."
"Sup"
• Um, you said something about being in jail, what's that all about, and how did you escape solitary confinement.
"We got caught by Fang's guards while we were attempting to escape the subway caverns. And then we got locked in cages for a couple of days, where we met Agent 3. She's usually more talkative, I promise. Then out of nowhere, Fang released us from the room of iron bars. I don't know why; he didn't even use any horrible pick-up lines on me."
"Maybe, he had a change of heart," Marina butts in.
"Can it ugly worm, it's not your chance to talk."
"I apologize for conversing when I wasn't supposed to."
"And now we're here, trying to plan out an ambush. It requires us to climb dangerous scaffolding and hazardous ledges to infiltrate the shark-loaded base. We also overheard that the sharks are planting powerful bombs throughout the facility. It's the same type of explosives that were detonated on Valentine's Day all those years ago. They're the same bombs that trapped Callie in a cryogenic freezing tube, and if we're not fast enough, they could lead to her demise as well.
• Marie, I think I know what the password is.
You whisper the intricacies of your plan to Marie, "Oh, that's good. That's definitely it."
I know, but I want to hold off for now. We still have time before we can call our situation dire.
"Yeah, and we'll have to be there when she gets out too, so just keep that password in the back of your mind."
Okay, I got it, Ma'am.
"Um, is anyone besides Marina trained in professional combat," Marie inquiries.
• I did fencing when I was in high school.
"Well, that's good enough. You're on top floor duty."
The crew uses a blueprint document placed on an eroded piece of concrete to trace out their routes. All team members were tasked with defeating at least one of the fearsome patrolmen and slowing down the incineration process. You were the only ranger tasked with freeing Callie and escaping the building before time runs out. Your plan consisted of slipping in and out of the ventilation system and hiding in secretive ink patches.
Once everyone has been given an objective, you all put your hands in the center and create a chant.
"On the count of three, we shout For Callie," Marie explains.
"One," you put your hand over Marina's and Pearl's hand.
"Two," Agent 3 positions her hand on top of yours.
"Three," Marie completes the circle by depositing her hand into the fray.
"FOR CALLIE."
You and your ragtag group of popstars prepare to storm the enormous skyscraper. Your squadron uses the rafters and trusses, to infiltrate the base. Once inside the metal tower, the faction of females disbands into three groups. Marina and Pearl are tasked with exploring the lower floors. Agent 3 takes the middle area, and you and Marie penetrate the top.
Marie waves a crowbar at the enemies, hoping to draw them away from their post. As she distracts a pair of watchmen, you sneak by her and enter into the lengthy stairwell. You scale mountains of stairs, counting the floors as you ascend each flight. 47, 48, 49...
You finally come in contact with the room that started all of this, the place where you fought so hard to save her—the fiftieth floor.
A message plays over the loudspeaker, "Greetings all sharks, please remove yourself from the premises immediately; the atomic eruption is scheduled in five minutes. That's five minutes, everyone."
You burst through the door and travel up another set of intimidating steps. You hurl your body up each flight, traveling at speeds relative to an Olympic sprinter. When you reach the control room, a gate in the back of the chamber blocks your quick advancements.
What was that string of numbers she entered? I wasn't really paying attention at the time.
Oh, wait, I know what I can do!
You strap on the VR machine and replay the scene from before.
Quindecim 48th, 20XX -
Marie grabs the microphone, "Guards, please revoke Agent 4's VR license. He is no longer permitted to enter this facility."
You grapple onto the swivel chair and force your body upwards. You then point a stern finger in Marie's direction.
"Why are you looking at me like that? I told you there would be repercussions for your actions," Marie notifies.
You stiffen your extended finger. You warn her that if she fired you, you'd inform the company of her identity.
"What are you scheming Agent 4. You wish to work here after all of the torment you've endured. Callie had plenty of friends who'd be just as happy to oblige. Just fork over your role as VR tester and take up a position in the health and services department," Marie suggests.
No, you were willing to face any hardships to uncover the truth. And your first order of business was for Marie to tell you everything.
• Okay, let's hurry this up.
You keep your fingers pressed on the fast forward button and skip through multiple sets of dialogue.
Marie had been concealing information for months. It's no wonder that people have continuously viewed her as the enemy. If Marie was ever to regain your trust again, she needed to reveal everything she's been hiding.
"There's one more thing I haven't told you about, but it will be easier just to show you," Marie says, shifting your attention to a hidden door in the back of the room. Broken machinery and cobwebs obscure the entrance.
• You observe her input the information.
05 - 28 - 99. That's Callie's birthday! I shouldn't be surprised; Marie's just as caring and affectionate as her cousin.
You rush down various long-winded corridors, coming upon a colossal archaic door. You turn on the door's power just as Marie did, and step back to get a better view of the symbols. The characters on the door begin to illuminate, and the antechamber starts to vibrate as well.
You journey into the tundra of pipes and valves, scrambling towards an old tarp laid in the center of the room.
"Three minutes remaining," the loudspeaker chimes.
Okay, what was it again? Um, the password it was...
You seriously can't remember.
No, I just need time.
"Two minutes remaining."
I can't remember. I'm trying, but I forgot about it just like I did with Callie.
Callie!
You look up to the frozen figure and then glance back to the phone's virtual screen.
"One-minute remaining."
One particular memory comes into view:
You look over to Callie, nearing the end of the drop. The tears and snot running down your lips make it hard for you to release your final words:
"Callie, I love you."
You stare into Callie's deep cold eyes.
"Oh, Arthur," Callie smiles. "I love you too."
You input the code Arthur into the device and press enter.
Correct Password, the unfreezing process will now begin.