Down the Tunnel: Part 2.
So we can really contact Kaede like this?
It’s a big “if” at this point, but I have faith in Sora. If we shoot her inside the lab using the tunnel I open, she can hold open the barrier and establish contact.
Still, I want you to be aware of two things, Sora. Remember, once you go in-
Yeah, yeah, I’m not coming back out. You already reminded me like...4 times.
Just making sure. I’m not trying to deter you from this or anything.
You won’t...
The other thing that I wanted to make you aware of is that even if you get inside the barrier, it’ll take a tremendous amount of energy to keep it open.
While I have no doubt this will work, I also have no doubt we can only use this system sparingly.
My tenacity’s better than you think. I’m sure I can manage.
I’m just saying. Don’t take this lightly.
...
Yoruko...I have to do this.
I-I know...I trust you Sora.
*Everyone gathers around Rantaro, as he becomes hyperfocused and starts typing into his laptop.
Alright...I’m preparing to open the tunnel.
*VVRRRRRRRRGGHH!*
!!?
*Everyone who can see the laptop screen inside the confines of the laptop sees a large sparking blue wormhole-looking item appear inside.
So...it’s actually a tunnel then?
Not a necessary visual spectacle. Just one I thought I’d add to make it easier to understand.
...Hm...
Careful RaRa...That doesn’t look comfy...
...
...?
*Sora cautiously steps forward and reaches a hand out to touch the portal.
FEEYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAAAAGGH!!
*She recoils and starts jittering as if receiving a horrible electric shock.
SORAAAAH!
Ah!? Are you alright!?
*As Yoruko, Tenko and everyone else starts to panic, Sora turns around with a smirk on her face.
Heh...Gotcha...~
Oh you little-! That a prank!?
That...That was NOT funny...!
My bad, my bad! Just trying to lighten the atmosphere is all.
In all seriousness, I’m ready to shoot down this sucker. Don’t worry Saihara. I’ll find your girlfriend, even if it kills me.
Poor choice of words Sora. I don’t want you to die as much as anyone else does.
Can we please stop bringing up the thought of Sora dying!? I just got it out of my head!
If this goes wrong, we’ll remember you as a hero, Sora the Observer.
*Kuripa faux salutes.
Good luck, my non-organic friend.
Don’t worry. I got this!
But one more thing...My name is Sora Kabuya! Don’t you forget it!
...!?
Alright, you ready?
Yes, I’m ready!
Alright...Aaaaaand...UPLOAD.
*FWOOOOMM!!*
WOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHAAHAHAAAAAAAAGGHH!!!
GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGH!? Hah!? HAAGH!?
*Sora is shot like a rocket through the tunnel. Lights flash around her as she hurtles at light-speed through the system, until...
BAGH!?
*She bursts out into what looks like a traquil see of pixelated clouds, floating in a space of nothing.
Huh...It’s...prettier than I thought it would be...!
Right...Now to find Kaede...!
...
...Ngh...
*Kaede has taken refuge inside a supply closet in the lab, fit with a mop and bucket, and not much else.
...I don’t even have a photo to put on the mop...or anything to prop it up with...
*She takes her phone out of her pocket and looks at it. It is currently 6% battery.
I’ll be out soon...then I’ll have no way of contacting outside...Not that I could...
*She stands up, her hand shaking from despair and frustration.
UUAAGH! DAMN IT ALL!
*She throws the phone at the wall.
OUCH!
Ouch!?
*SMACK!*
DAAGHCK!
*At hearing her phone suddenly make a strange noise, she turns around, only for the phone to bounce off the wall and smack her in the face.
AAGH! Ooogh...Huh?
See that!? That’s karma, you ungrateful bitch!
What the-!?
*She scrambles over and grabs her phone.
SORA!? What are YOU doing here!?
Just thought I’d pop in with some snacks and tea I brought from Toconoco.
I’m here to help you, silly! Or at least I was until you THREW ME AT A WALL!
But how did you-!?
You can thank your friend Rantaro for that one.
I see...
Wait, but my phone is on low...battery?
*Kaede goes check her battery, only to see it slowly rising.
Oh, don’t worry about that. The phone doesn’t run out of battery so long as I’m inside it.
That’s...helpful!
But...why ARE you inside my phone?
I think it’s better if I show you...Just sit tight.
*Sora disappears from the phone screen.
...
*Kaede waits for a few minutes, until all of a sudden, her phone begins to ring with a FaceTime call.
!!!??
*She quickly answers it.
Hello!?
KAEDE!?
SHUICHI!
Well, look who’s still in one piece~!
*Kaede sees the faces of Rantaro and Shuichi on the other side of her phone screen, her face lighting up with joy and hope.
Kaede, you ok!? You not hurt, right?
Kaede!
You seem to be alright...A little tired maybe?
How are you holding up?
You better be alive, bestie!
Guys...
*Kaede wipes a happy tear from her eyes before responding.
I’m fine actually. In fact, it’s been pretty quiet in here. Haven’t encountered any real danger so far.
I’m nervous paranoid and sad more than anything.
Heh...That’s some valuable honesty.
Listen to me Akamatsu. We’re continuing to study the doors, and we’ve at least figured out what it is we’re dealing with. Unfortunately there’s no-
*CLICK!*
Whuh!? HUH!?
*GASP!* Haaah...
*Everyone’s faces suddenly disappear from the screen, and Sora’s returns.
Sora!? What happened!?
Sorry, sorry, this is tougher than I thought! Just give me a second to stretch!
*Sora indeed stretches, then vanishes again. Once she does, Kyoko’s face returns.
Kaede?
Hey, I’m back! Sorry, something happened with Sora.
Is she alright!?
I...think? She told me she needed a second to stretch.
That makes sense. She’s basically using all her energy to keep the blockade open.
In that case, we don’t have much time, so I’ll keep this short.
Ando has been freed of his brainwashing and has confirmed that there isn’t any way currently that you can open the lab from the inside. As for these doors, they appear to be completely impenetrable for the most part.
Cool...sounds like my options are fairly limited here.
Indeed. But now that we have Ando and several other people arriving to assist us, we’ll find a way out soon. Just hold out in there until we can.
Sora can hold open the communications blockade to allow us to talk to you for short periods of time, Kaede. Plus, now that I’ve shot her inside the lab, she’s stuck in there with you, so at least you’ll have some familiar company.
Really? And...she knew that going in, right?
It was her idea actually.
She was pretty serious about wanting to help. Even at her wife’s behest.
Please keep her safe Kaede.
I will...It’s the least I owe her.
And Shuichi? Are you alright? To be honest, you look a little worse for wear as well.
Yeah I...I’ve been stressed.
We’re working on getting you out of there Akamatsu, but if you plan on exploring anywhere for a way out yourself, be careful. Just because you haven’t encountered any danger, doesn’t mean you won’t.
We’ll work on things out here, and you see if you can get something in there. Maybe you should find whatever AI is jamming the communications and smash it to bits to give Sora some rest.
I’ll keep an eye out. Thanks Kuripa. And don’t worry Shuichi, I’m ok.
Now that I have Sora, I feel better than ever.
Good...That cheers me up a bit.
This is a bit of a groaner but...I love you Kaede. Don’t die in there.
Wouldn’t dream of it.
We should probably hang up now to give Sora a rest, but we’ll contact each other as soon as any developments pop up.
Alright, I’m gonna trust you. Hang tight everyone!
Same to you!
*The call ends suddenly.
Uuugh...I do not have the physical body strength to do that for long...
Actually...I don’t have a physical body period...
Sora...I...You sacrificed your freedom to help me...?
Hey now, let’s not get cheesy.
You’re my pal. If you’re in trouble, I want to help you. And given that I’m the only person with the power to do so, well...Why wouldn’t I?
And you know what? I think I know where to start.
Where?
Getting you to take a damn shower.
Wait, there’s a shower in here?
*Sora displays the lab map on Kaede’s screen.
Down the hallway, left, then right.
Awesome!
*Kaede secures her phone and weapon, then cautiously leaves the lab to head to the shower.
11 notes
·
View notes