“Hold your horses. We still need a plan. And more information too. Seriously, since you told us this much, why don’t you just start spilling everything you know that could help us?” asked Casey towards Ori with a wink.
“I, I…nothing is in mind now. I honestly told you more than I should have. But it’s whatever. I was doing this job, just curious to see how deep our research could go.” said Ori ponderingly.
“The plan is obvious. We need to move the guards away from the captives. When they are away. We’ll enter the cells and release the captives. The situation isn’t six of us versus twenty. It’s thirty-six of us versus twenty. So long as we reach the captives and organize them to fight back, we have a chance of success.” said Hellen.
“Alright, then I have an idea. Hey, Ori, where is the weapon storage? And you’re scientists and chemists, right? Can’t you give us some chemicals that could be used as weapons?” asked Fushichin.
“You’ve threatened me with guns, and now you’re trying to recruit me?” asked Ori.
“Yeah. I’m the type to let go of the past easily and fight for what I want in the present moment. You may have helped these stooges use these women like test rats in the past. But it doesn’t matter. If you decide to listen to your heart for once, even now, you can make a better world.” said Fushichin with a bright smile.
Ori stood silently, looking down towards the floor.
“Please, I know we’re asking a lot from you. But your cooperation could help us even more. There is still a lot you can do for us.” said Hellen earnestly.
“And become your pawn to fight against the NUIB? I’ve already helped you as a hostage. Don’t ask me to endanger myself any more than this.” said Ori with sorrow.
“Fine. I won’t ask you to endanger your life for us. But…I want you to live for yourself. Don’t waste your life fearing from death. Fearing whether the strong will like you or not. Don’t you feel sick, not being able to fight back? Do what you want to do from the bottom of your heart.” asked Hellen.
Ori looked away in contempt.
“Hey, I’ve been wondering. Do you know how many cameras there are in this facility and where it has been placed?” asked Casey.
“The cameras placed here are very obvious to spot. Big black circular ones. There are a few placed in the experiment, chemical and tech rooms. But there is none in the bathroom and none here too. There used to be one in here but it broke and they haven’t changed it yet.” said Ori.
“Do you have fellow friends in your science group? How talkative and open are you with them?” asked Kyong.
“I am talkative and sarcastic. It’s nice to have people to mess around with. But we don’t talk about morals in here. Everyone knows what they are doing is messed up. We don’t care. Besides, the commanders told us that the experiment subjects are all hideous criminals and people of no value to society. We all liked to believe that and worked diligently for our good pay without much else to think.” said Ori.
“Hey, do you have a map or something? Your words are nice and all but a map would also be really helpful in understanding this facility.” said Fushichin.
“I don’t have it on me. But heh, maybe Hinokaiser really is on your side. There are maps stuck to the side of one the shelves here.” said Ori.
“You’re a scientist. And you believe in Hinokaiser? Talk about unscientific” said Fushichin with disappointment.
“Hey, it’s the most popular religion, right? Even if it’s unscientific and rubbish, it’s nice to be inside the group that is dominant in size and strength.” said Ori with a grin.
Ori walked and showed them the map that was attached to one of the shelves.
“Interesting. This is very useful. That changing room, does it have clothes that you scientists wear? White robe, blue sweaters and all?” asked Kyong.
“Yes, it does have them.” said Ori.
“I see. That’s great.” said Kyong.
“Are there any other rooms that don't have a camera?” asked Hellen.
“Hmm, I suppose the conference room and the rooms that are beyond that don’t have cameras, since that’s where the commanders usually stay. Although the hallway leading up to it has cameras” said Ori.
“Simply taking hostage of the commanders should be an easy checkmate.” said Kyong.
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“You could. But do note that each commander at least has 1 guard with them. Honestly, the guards on the upper floor are there to protect the commanders and occasionally check up on us, more than anything. Oh and the commander’s room has a tv that shows the footage of all the cameras. I was there, but only once, so I know.” said Ori.
“Tch, just my luck.” grumbled Kyong.
“That’s fine. Thanks to the guards focusing on protecting the commanders, we can move freely in the hallways.” said Hellen.
“Do you know what the weapon storage contains?” asked Fushichin.
“No, not really. I’ve never been there. The scientists aren’t allowed to be there.” said Ori.
“Hmm, what are the guards using to communicate each other? We’re underground in the middle of the forest. Radio towers don’t reach here, so it has to be something else.” said Kyong.
“I did see them using a radio walkie talkie of sorts. I’m not really sure, but they definitely do have a way to communicate with one another.” said Ori.
“Oh, that’s right! I do have something to jam their communication.” said Fushichin as he pulled out an electromagnetic explosive from his pocket.
“That’s what I gave you, be thankful for it. And yes, it can jam their communication.“ said Dimitri with snark.
“Great! We can go downstairs, jam their communications and start shooting those fuckers. They won’t be able to call backup from upstairs.” said Hui Ying happily.
“I don’t know about that missy. It’s six of us versus ten. I don’t like those odds. And I doubt these guards are just chumps.” said Casey.
“Then what are we supposed to do? We can’t just hole up here forever.” grunted Hui Ying.
“We need a plan. Specifically, a plan to make the guards leave the captives, so that we can free them in the meantime.” said Hellen.
“Heh, then I suggest we say something like ‘bro, there is fire coming out from this floor. Quickly run away to upstairs.” said Fushichin with a grin.
“It’s not the worst idea. But I’m pretty sure they’ll just ask to see the source of the fire, or at least smoke.” said Hellen.
“Ahh, yeah.” said Fushichin as he scratched the back of his head.
“And I doubt they’ll believe the words of a stranger like you. Hell, I’m pretty sure if they saw us, they would attack us. The guards probably know who belongs in this facility and who doesn’t.” said Dimitri.
“Actually, that may not be true. There are around 50 scientists in this facility. There were also quite a lot of scientists who left this area either because they got fired or for other reasons. I don’t think they know each of our faces.” said Ori.
“Great. So, if we use the changing room to change into the clothes of the scientists, we’ll be able to trick them.” said Kyong with a grin.
“So, what do we say to trick them then?” asked Hellen.
“Ahh, I dunno. Maybe one of you two should go there and seduce them. They might leave their post for a booty call.” said Fushichin with a sly smile.
Hui Ying punched Fushichin’s shoulder with a grunt. Fushichin could only laugh.
“Well, that’s disappointing. I guess I’ll have to explain my plan. That electric explosive jammer disconnects the connection between the walkie talkies. If that’s the case, one of us could simply activate the explosive to affect the area, meet up with the guards and tell them that the commanders and the guards upstairs were massacred. They won’t be able to check from a distance because their transmitters are jammed, so they have to go with one of us.” said Hellen.
“Isn’t that a bit risky? They would be furious when they realized that person lied. Instead, you could have that someone say that the door leading to the outside is open. And there are people who fired at me from outside. It’s true that we opened the door and it still should be open now. And someone firing from outside is a lie that can’t be refuted.” said Fushichin.
“Yeah, that’s a pretty good version of that plan too.” said Hui Ying happily.
“No, It’s not urgent enough. It doesn’t force the guards to panic and move from their spot. They could simply order two or three of their men to go upstairs and gather up people to explore the outside. And we’ll have to deal with the rest of the guards who stayed downstairs.” said Hellen.
“Uhh, fine. Maybe you have a point. Doesn’t feel good to be talked down logically like this but sure.” said Fushichin.
“But we would essentially be sacrificing one of our people, no? They would have to lead the guards upstairs and when the guards realize they have been fooled, they would instantly kill or put a gun against the head of the person who baited them.” asked Casey.
“Not necessarily. If the guards are too prone to fear and panic, our bait could easily stay behind the guards and leave when they aren’t looking.” said Hellen.
“Alright. The plan sounds fine. Any objections?” asked Kyong.
There was only silence.
“Then who’ll be the bait?” asked Kyong as he eyed each one of them.
Hellen gritted her teeth and raised her voice but Hui Ying yelled “I’ll be the bait! I’m something of an actor myself.”
“I didn’t hear anything about that.” said Fushichin.
“Of course, you didn’t hear anything, dumbass. I’ve been holed in front of a computer for a good chunk of my life, but I can do it.” said Hui Ying.
She looked at Hellen with a smirk and said “You’re the one who should do the actual rescuing. You care about these people the most, right?”
“I…I want to save them.” said Hellen confidently.
“Alright, then let’s go team!” said Hui Ying.
Just to be safe, the detectives tied up Ori’s arms and legs and left her there. The six detectives went to the changing room and quickly disguised themselves as scientists. They went downstairs. From the map, they knew that a bathroom was located at a different hallway than the captive cells and weapons room. Hiding in that hallway was perfect for the five of them. Dimitri threw out the electromagnetic explosive and it exploded outside of the bathroom, creating small sparks. Hui Ying exited the bathroom and entered the hallway. Kyong put his head out of the bathroom and looked. You could hear Hui Ying’s voice faintly.
“Help! You guys, something crazy happened!”