Fin wakes beneath harsh fluorescent lights, strapped to an examination bed in a sealed hospital room. Her staff and katana are nowhere in sight.
A CDC researcher in a stained coat checks her pulse, then opens a blood-test kit. Behind the observation glass, three restrained patients stare silently at Fin.
Dr. Elias Vale
Stay still. This is a controlled test, and your immunity may explain why you survived.
The First Restrained Patient twitches against the chair straps. The Second Restrained Patient slowly raises their head. The Third Restrained Patient stops breathing for one long second.
Dr. Elias Vale
Do not look at them. We have maintained containment since the dead took the world.
All three patients turn toward the same sealed door. A heavy impact shudders through it, followed by another. Dust sifts from the ceiling.
Dr. Elias Vale
That door is not part of the test.
The researcher reaches for the blood vial, while the pounding becomes faster and something scrapes along the other side.
✓ Quest Accepted
Determine whether the CDC researcher is part of the danger controlling the ward
“I wrench against the restraints and watch the researcher’s reaction.”
SUCCESS (Good Strength, rolled +3)
Fin wrenches against the restraints. The bed frame groans, one buckle tears loose, and her hands gain enough slack to move.
The researcher jerks backward. The blood vial slips from their fingers and breaks across the tile.
Dr. Elias Vale
You are not supposed to be strong enough for that.
They stare at the loosened restraint, then at the pounding door. Their controlled mask collapses into naked alarm.
Dr. Elias Vale
I did not cause the breach. I kept those patients alive because the ward's control system was using them as bait.
Behind the glass, the Second Restrained Patient slams their shoulder against the straps and points toward the observation chamber's emergency release.
Mara
Release us, or they will open the door from this side.
The researcher reaches toward Fin's loosened restraint, stopping short with both hands raised. The sealed door buckles inward again.
✓ Quest Accepted
Release the restrained patients
“I tear free of the loosened restraint and move to release them.”
FAILURE (Good Strength, rolled +0)
Fin twists toward the observation chamber and pulls hard against the remaining restraint. The strap stretches, but the bed rail holds her wrist fast.
The bed skids across the tile instead of breaking free. Its frame stops beside the chamber's emergency release panel, leaving the red manual lever within reach of Fin's free hand.
Mara
The lever. Pull it down. It bypasses the ward controls.
The researcher flinches from the pounding door, then moves to the wall panel beside the examination bed. They expose a severed control wire and keep both hands clear of Fin.
Dr. Elias Vale
I cut the relay that made them bait. That release is manual now. I cannot reach it without crossing in front of you.
Another impact dents the sealed door. Behind the glass, the patients strain against their restraints while the red lever waits beside Fin's free hand.
Quest Complete
Determine whether the CDC researcher is part of the danger controlling the ward
Attribute Upgrade: Strength Good→Great