Part 174: NGAE: ~ sigma\$ cd cyan/betray/green

A completely astonishing 100% of respondents have opted for the only available option; chasing down the only available route still unimpeded by plotlocks.



Previously on this path: Sigma elects to choose the right over the rational and votes to Ally with Alice, against the advice of Phi. Unfortunately, this triggered some sort of quantum echo that caused Alice to hit the Betray button five minutes previously. Don't ask.

VLR OST: [Strain]



You may recall that the choice here works a little differently to the other routes. Alice suggests she take a path with K and Quark, which would stick us with Phi and Luna in the red door. We are given a chance to object, which we take.




Why not?


Because.


Rrgghh...


Oh no...this is bad...
Which door do you want then? The only other choices are A and C...



I thought about it again.

If I went with A, then Luna and I would end up paired with Clover, and we'd go through the green door.
On the other hand, if I chose C, we'd be going through the blue door with Alice.
So which one did I want?




And here the game throws you back to the traditional choice. Except, as we know now from experience, it's not really a choice at all.


I'd like to take Option C.
We'll take Alice and the blue door.

Listen in: [English/Japanese]




What on Earth makes you think I'd be willing to do that!?


...


There's no way in hell! I'm not going anywhere with you.
You betrayed me in the last AB Game!


I don't pair up with assholes.


One minute remains until Chromatic Doors close.




We don't have much time left...
Sigma, please, can't you reconsider...?


...
...



I didn't really have a choice.
There was no way I'd be able to physically force Alice to come with me, at least not in less than a minute.





...and now we're given a choice between taking the option Alice suggested in the first place, and the only actual alternative.


I'll settle for Option A.
That's Clover and the green door.


...


Fine by me.
Like I said before, there's something I want to talk to Alice about.


Are you going to tell me what this thing is?


That'll have to wait. Talk to me again on the other side.


Gah! Now I'm curious!


So you're fine with this, Alice? With Option A, I mean.


Do whatever you want. I don't care.




...
...


Okay, that's it then.
Let's go, everybody!


Ten seconds remain until Chromatic Doors close.
Nine...Eight...Seven...



We nodded quickly to one another, and split up.

Tenmyouji, Dio, and Alice headed toward the red door, while K, Quark, and Phi made their way toward the blue one.

The gaping maw of the green door bounced in front of me as Clover, Luna, and I ran toward it.



[Music fades out]


Two...One...Zero.
Chromatic Doors closing...

VLR OST: [Placidity]



Listen in: [English/Japanese]




All three doors seem to be locked.


Yeah.




I wonder what it is...


It looks like the thing next to the number nine door...


Clover, try pulling that lever.


Why do I have to do it?


It might be dangerous.
I was hoping you could just wrap your hands around it and give it a good jerk. It is kinda big, but I'm sure you can handle it. Just...be gentle.


Uh... This doesn't seem like appropriate workplace behavior.
You're kinda grossing me out.


I know you probably still think of yourself as just a girl, but you have to become a woman some—


You're not making it any better!
Why don't you do it?!


If you can't take it, then maybe Luna can. Have you done this before? You just start at the base and work your way up, then give it a good tug once you get to the top.


...Wh-What?


What is wrong with you?! If you're so desperate to give that lever a good time why don't you do it yourself!
Just leave me and Luna out of your sick fantasies, you creep!


...
...
Hmph. Fine. But I won't like it.



I sighed heavily and flipped the switch with as much languid disdain as I could manage.






One of the doors opened.


Yeah, just the one on the left.


Hmm, we might as well go through it.


Yeah.
Maybe we should try flipping it one more time, though... I think you could actually manage it with just one hand, Clover. Just do it real fast, it'll only take a second. Just up and down once...


Ugh. You are disgusting.





Go on, make the joke. I dare you.




Huh...


So, this is the archives.
That's what it said on the door, after all, but...


Yeah, I didn't really expect it to be so...archive-y. All these books and stuff everywhere...


Maybe we can find some clues here.


I agree.


...
...
All right, let's split up and have a look around.
Allons-y!