Roth parked his car nervously. Glancing out of the window into the dismal rainy courtyard, he looked up at the guard.

"Do I just leave it here?"

The guard nodded.

"We'll escort you to the destination. The subject is in a medical bay along the corridor."

Roth followed the guard into the main building. The front area seemed to be a large and untidy cargo bay. A number of corridors led away. They were heavily guarded by military personnel. No shock there. A door was opened at the end of one of the passageways. A sign on the front read "Medical Bay 5".

Roth sighed and stepped inside. There was a young man strapped to a bed with secure harnesses, writhing and sweating. Glancing up at Roth he gasped excitedly but didn't speak. A scientist stepped forward with a grim expression.

"We had to silence him. This is a military facility after all, his constant screaming was incredibly dangerous. He called for you enough times though, my superiors said we should send out word to the village. Your payment will be given upon successful completion of the operation."

Roth shrugged.

"This isn't really about the money, doctor. Kristoff here is a friend. He attends my church every Sunday. Payment will be his safety."

The scientist shook his head.

"Safety is not a guarantee, father. The soldiers outside are screaming for this guy's blood. He killed three out front and he's here because he beat on his wife and kid. Frankly he's a danger. Once the danger is removed, he'll be sent to tribunal. He's looking at the death penalty for everything he's done."

Roth snarled.

"But clearly he isn't in control. The man is sick."

The scientist shrugged.

"Conclusively we've run every test we can, he's delusional but that doesn't account for the so called "super strength" bursts. Frankly, though we've tested him for every known substance, it's highly likely to be a new kind of drug in his system."

He glanced at Roth.

"No offense to your beliefs father, but I'm a scientist. The mumbo jumbo you're going to do here today won't help. I don't believe in demons and ghosts. But my superiors insisted for whatever idiotic reason and I can't defy a direct order."

He paused for a moment before continuing.

"Do the church generally encourage exorcist types?"

Roth shook his head.

"This is a private military operation though. I can trust word of it won't leave the building. And besides, I have to assist a friend in need."

Kristoff's eyes reddened as he clutched towards the harnesses. His body shook and convulsed, raising the bed slightly off the ground. There was a roar, apparently breaking through whatever silencing serum had been used. His appearance became maddened and sinister as he tried to lash out with heavily harnessed arms.

"I've never seen anything like it in all my years. But demons don't exist. Do your thing father so we can say we tried it and then leave."

Roth glared at the struggling figure.

"I need to be alone."

The scientist glanced at his colleagues and then mumbled something into his communicator. Sighing, he signaled to the door. The inhabitants of the room all left. The scientist stopped in the doorway and turned.

"The room will be flanked. Don't try anything father, though I presume a holy man such as yourself wouldn't dream of it."

The door slammed shut as Roth stared down at the struggling figure with thoughtful eyes. He closed them and began to chant under his breath. He mumbled the words slowly and deeply in the dark room.

Roth stood nervously back as everybody squabbled and waved scraps of paper around. He sighed and slammed his palm against his head.

"We don't have time to argue. Just lay the pieces down and put them together. They should all fit. Is it really so hard?"

"Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr give me things and I might help. MIGHT. Not interested if there's nothing in it for me though gang." Henry yelled.

Roth glared at him.

"Your lives are at stake!" He insisted.

"Just our lives?" Enquired Natalie cautiously. "What about yours."

Roth shrugged.

"We're all in danger. The whole world is! And you can't hand it over. I trust that some of those who obtained paper may be infiltrators but come on! Is it really such a task?"

There was a scowling amongst the crowd. Nobody was doing anything or saying anything. Roth glanced over with a despondent expression as energy flittered down into embers all around. It was like a warzone. That's when he saw the shape by the fourth tower entrance.

Bashing at the door with his full strength, Kristoff booted and shouldered it until it eventually gave way. The group watched in silence as a loud whoosh filled the air.

Smashing so hard that the ground shook, a shadowy beast landed in front of them. Everybody backed against the wall as the beast hissed and screeched. Leaping forth it let out a pungent smoke that filled the air. The group coughed and spluttered uncontrollably as the beast flew away into the darkness.

"Oh men!" Jeff screamed.

There was a slump as Tayvie fell to the floor choking. As he did, a blast of energy fell from above and smashed hard into the overhang above the main entrance. A chunk of metal fell and crushed his body fully. There was a collective shudder. That was no way to go but at least it was the least useful member of the group. Everybody else seemed fine...for now. A click and whirring noise drew their attention backwards.

The door was opening slowly. Heads spun to watch the figure of Kristoff hobble out of the guard tower. He collapsed on the floor. Rushing over, Roth signalled for help as three of the group lifted him to the door. They stepped inside, glad to be out of the storm. A quick lever flick on the inside sealed it.

"That could have been disastrous!" Roth reprimanded.

"What were you all doing out there? What nonsense was that?"

Everybody muttered and hissed. It was clear these people had no intention of working together. Helios shrugged.

"I didn't see you do anything productive old man."

Roth glanced at the surly man. He was sure there was something familiar there.

"You remind me of somebody I met once. He wasn't much help either. That man got his hand blown off because he rushed in without talking. Maybe we should all just calm down and move on."

Helios cracked his knuckles.

"Both hands still intact old man. Since you know so much, which path do we take."

Roth span around and looked bemused. This wasn't a cargo bay with a load of passages. There was a long corridor leading on to two others. Had he remembered wrongly? This was definitely the same base. He'd never forget it...He scratched his head awkwardly. His memory must be fading.

"I don't remember....maybe we should try both?"

The group glanced angrily at one another. This wouldn't be pleasant.

Objectives:
There are two pathways. One leading off to the left, one leading off to the right. You must each post an exit action to move either left or right. Post ##Exit: Direction in your thread or journal to move. If you do not post a movement, your direction will be chosen for you.

Phase 3 ends in 24 hours.

As the group stood around, discussing directions, Natalie began to cough a little. Collective eyes turned to look at her as the coughing got worse and worse. A couple of the onlookers rushed over to help her as she stumbled forwards.

Coughing violently, blood splattered against the floor as she continued. There was a haunted look on her face as she glanced down at the blood stains. It was...they....

She passed out cold on the ground. Boc and Jeff rushed over. Casually touching her neck to check her pulse, Boc stood up with a mortified glare.

"She's dead..." he said coldly.

The room fell silent.

As Natalie fell to the ground, her backpack fell too. Out of it scattered two items. A handgun and a hunting rifle. The group paused to stare at the outlaid weapons.