>>1133056
Do we know of any threats other than the weapon systems? Like it's a medical research facility how likely are biohazards?

- Has Mabel stated why she is refusing to leave?
- Do we have solid proof this is dr. Mabel and not someone who merely stole her identity?
- Any close relatives of Dr. Mabel we should know about?

>>1133056
What if there are escaped bioweapons or something in there? Or other types of hostiles you can't reason with? It's a weapon research facility after all.

Who else is at the site, or was, if contact has already been established?

1/2 Buckwheat 2026/10/16(Fri)15:24 No. 1133082 ID: da477c
File 179216429447.png - (700.87KB , 1020x750 , 2.png )

>Five minuets? Assuming those are as short as minutes, that's not a lot of time
Gertrude: “Five minuets? Didn’t know I was getting some in-flight entertainment. Still, that isn’t much time.”

Chief: “Time you’re wasting talking about dances.”

I roll my eyes.

>What if we find other survivors?
Gertrude: “What if I find other survivors?”

Chief: “Do with them as you see fit. Your focus is on Doctor Mabel. Do not fire off a flare if she is not with you and ready for extraction.”

>Do we get any false paperwork to help sell the idea
Gertrude: “Got any papers or a badge to help me sell the story here? Can’t imagine my giant hulking frame is going to convince her I’m only the clean up crew.”

Chief: “Inside your lab coat are some transfer papers. Do not let her know the coat has internal pockets.”

>Do we have a psych profile on Doctor Mabel? If we're going to charm her we need to know what kind of person we're dealing with.
Gertrude: “What kind of profile do we have on the doctor? Any interests or touchy subjects I should know about?”

Chief: “Generally, she’s very relaxed and shy. Always kept to herself and stayed holed up in her research. Reports from previously failed extractions are contradicting that however. There’s a reason we know she has control over the weapon systems in that hallway.”

Gertrude: “Nobody considered cutting the power to those?”

Chief: “Where do you think they’re getting power from?”

Gertrude: “Seriously? Ugh, back to making allies here. What kind of conversation topics does she like?”

Chief: “You’ll have to fish that out yourself. Like I said, she was known to be a bit shy.”

>Has Mabel stated why she is refusing to leave?
Gertrude: “Why is she refusing to leave the site?”

Chief: “She doesn’t believe it’s safe to leave. Whatever happened has her tinfoil hat levels of paranoid.”

>any threats other than the weapon systems?
>other types of hostiles you can't reason with?
Gertrude: “Other than her weapon systems, any threats or hostiles I should know about? We got anyone else in the facility?”

Chief: “You and Doctor Mabel will be the only living ones in there. At least that we know about. Everyone else has been removed as to not complicate your mission.”

Gertrude: “What about biohazards?”

Chief: “An unknown risk.”

The chopper starts to descend and lands.
Chief: “Best of luck Gertrude.”

2/2 Buckwheat 2026/10/16(Fri)15:25 No. 1133083 ID: da477c
File 179216430938.png - (626.17KB , 1020x750 , 3.png )

I pull out my papers and rush into facility. Finally, some proper heating. No sign or sounds of activity inside so far.

Got two options here. I can scout around the halls and get a feel for the layout, or I can head straight towards Doctor Mabel’s location.

Get a sense of the layout. Heading straight to Mabel will probably just make her paranoid and get you shot

surely there's an intercom around here somewhere. contacting her before entering her line of fire would be ideal.

Try to find a poster with fire escape routes. They typically have a very simplified map of the hallways and rooms.

Inspect your papers and find out your researcher identity / profession.

Make sure there aren't any hidden cameras around. In fact, might be best to assume she is monitoring you already and make sure you stay in character unless forced to otherwise.

Given you are a gator and can't handle the cold, you might want to prioritize finding some warm outfits for when you have to leave with dr. Mabel, or if any room happens to be exposed to the elements.

1/2 Buckwheat 2026/10/16(Fri)20:21 No. 1133097 ID: da477c
File 179218209463.png - (710.46KB , 1020x750 , 4.png )

I take a closer look at my transfer papers.

“Work Transfer order-
Effective October fourth, Assistant Researcher Gertrude is to be deployed at the Northern Arctic Base. Priorities are to bring the research facilities back to a sanitary and workable state. She is to report and answer to Doctor Mabel.
Note to Doctor Mabel, please see to it Gertrude is issued a level one clearance badge. Should she prove useful, promote at your discretion.
Signed,
Lieutenant Fangmire.”

I grip the paper tightly. They couldn’t even write where I was transferred from, give me a rank, or note any issued equipment for the assignment! What kind of rush job are they trying to pull here?

2/2 Buckwheat 2026/10/16(Fri)20:22 No. 1133098 ID: da477c
File 179218213683.png - (71.35KB , 1020x750 , 5.png )

>Get a sense of the layout. Heading straight to Mabel will probably just make her paranoid and get you shot
>Try to find a poster with fire escape routes. They typically have a very simplified map of the hallways and rooms.

Heading into the lobby, there’s a guard station of some kind. Two bathrooms, and a cleaning closet.
Looking into the guard station, I can see some kind of layout but it’s too hard to see from here. There isn’t an entrance to it from the lobby side.

Off to my left side is a wide set of double doors with a break room sign on them.

To the right is a single door with a sign that reads research wing one.

>Make sure there aren't any hidden cameras around. In fact, might be best to assume she is monitoring you already and make sure you stay in character unless forced to otherwise.
Oh there’s security cameras everywhere in plain sight. As for staying in character, I don’t have much to go off. All I know is I’m a research assistant and that the doctor is a bit shy and very paranoid. Paranoid and armed with who knows what.

How should I proceed from here?

MAP INFO: 0- Enterance 1- Guard Station 2 & 3- Bathrooms 4- Cleaning closet 5- Break Room

>>1133098
Okay, time to get into character. We're cautious, nervous, and not used to being in extreme environments like this. We look around at everything like there could be monsters out to get us. We hesitate a bit before we go anywhere or touch anything we're not familiar with. We used to be working on... something harmless, something that we're actually familiar with, at least enough to convincingly bluff. The exact details depend on our level of education. Possibly something entomology related?

Go to 1- Guard Station next. Knock on the front desk or a window and ask for someone like we're trying to check in. Act like we're trying to go through official channels to retain a sense of normalcy. Assistant Researcher Gertrude is someone who respects Mabel's authority, someone she has control over, someone who isn't a threat to her.

Keep shouting 'hello', like you're an intern looking for someone to tell you where orientation is. You want her to believe you're in over your head.

Like >>1133099 said, go to the guard room and call out. If nothing happens, I'd say peek into the break room, then go knock on the research wing door.

well if you're being watched on the cameras might as well play up the part of a lost new assistant. Start poking around everywhere and seeing what you can see starting with areas you'd expect to find people who would tell you where you can put your things. Just incase there are microphones around maybe call out for people and tell them you're here for your first day on the job to sell the act that you're just trying to find someone to tell you where they want you. Maybe look for a phone and hope they got a call list nearby for you to be able to call different parts of the building so you can work your way down the list until you hit the safe room's number to avoid having to walk down the death hallway.

guard station is where someone would normally check in

1/2 Buckwheat 2026/10/17(Sat)03:53 No. 1133110 ID: da477c
File 179220919165.png - (666.94KB , 1020x750 , 6.png )

>We're cautious, nervous, and not used to being in extreme environments like this.
>play up the part of a lost new assistant.
Well I can pretend I’m shivering in fear instead of the cold at the least. Some ideas on how I can tone down my appearance might help me.

>Go to 1- Guard Station next. Knock on the front desk or a window and ask for someone like we're trying to check in.
>Keep shouting 'hello', like you're an intern looking for someone
>guard station is where someone would normally check in
I slowly walk over to the guard station window. I lightly poke it with a claw.
Gertrude: “H-Hello. Anyone here?”

Obviously not, but I keep tapping a few more times.

Gertrude: “I’m…is this where I check in?”

Pure silence. Seems like if the doctor could communicate to me they would have at this point.

2/2 Buckwheat 2026/10/17(Sat)03:55 No. 1133111 ID: da477c
File 179220935714.png - (657.03KB , 1020x750 , 7.png )

>If nothing happens, I'd say peek into the break room
>Start poking around everywhere and seeing what you can see starting with areas you'd expect to find people who would tell you where you can put your things.
Gertrude: “Maybe…Did everyone leave for lunch?”

I walk into the break room next, and immediately back out. It reeks of sewage and rotting food in there, it’s enough to make me cough and gag. Going to need a mask or some nose plugs to withstand that shit. Might have to raid the cleaning closet and hope I'm lucky.

I try to pout a little a bit,

Gertrude: “Come ah-n! Is anybody even here?”

>Maybe look for a phone
There is one in the guard’s station, but it might be a bit early to smash fists or chairs through the window to get to it.

This place might really be as dead as the chief said it was. Either I can head for the closet and hope I find something to help with that stench or I can try getting into the research wing and looking for Mabel.

>>1133111
Closet.

I’m going to say check the bathrooms solely to make sure they’re not like the brake room should you need to use them later. Rather spoil that surprise now then in the moment.

yeah might as well check there next, take stock

You really needed some concealed weapons and armor...

Grab anything that looks useful. Food most of all, since Mabel might be starving by now.

>>1133111
We'd look less threatening if we started slouching a bit more, to appear smaller and hide our muscles beneath our loose labcoat. But we'll have to make it a gradual shift, because we're already being watched. We could also talk to ourself occasionally, so Mabel thinks she knows what we're thinking.

Since there's no one to greet us at the entrance, and the break room is a biohazard, next we check the bathrooms. Those are a place where we'd reasonably be allowed, unlike the cleaning closet, so we'll save that for later.

1/2 Buckwheat 2026/10/17(Sat)06:02 No. 1133118 ID: da477c
File 179221696090.png - (444.91KB , 1020x750 , 8.png )

>Since there's no one to greet us at the entrance, and the break room is a biohazard, next we check the bathrooms. Those are a place where we'd reasonably be allowed, unlike the cleaning closet, so we'll save that for later.
>I’m going to say check the bathrooms solely to make sure they’re not like the brake room should you need to use them later. Rather spoil that surprise now then in the moment.

That’s a good call. I head into the lady’s room and hope it at least the toilets have been spared from whatever biohazard was in the break room.

Gertrude: “My god…”

It's even worse.

2/2 Buckwheat 2026/10/17(Sat)06:02 No. 1133119 ID: da477c
File 179221697318.png - (179.30KB , 1020x750 , 9.png )

Not only has someone committed the crime of leaving no toilet paper left, they stole the fucking roll holder as well.

Hope their ass is the one that got fired.

Could've been worse. Imagine the toilet paper actually being there but going in the wrong direction.

>>1133119
...Fixable problem.

Still no sign of life... Next we check the men's bathroom. Knock on the door or wall and call out before we go in, to stay consistent with the whole "rule-abiding" act. Don't enter until we start to suspect there might be something strange going on.

>>1133119
Good thing you don't have to go. If you do, then you might have to check the Men's room.

Well at least that gives you an excuse to check the supply closet.

Pray that there's some in the supply closet

We could pretend to only now notice the camera and wave to it, then show our paper(s) up close to the lens, so Mabel (or whoever is watching) can read it.

Also, are the cameras static, or mobile/able to move, swivel and track you? If they are mobile, that can allow for a simple 'yes/no/direction' communication.

Our role is a glorified janitor/biohazard cleanup. Get cleaning supplies from the closet and get ready to tackle the horrors of the Mens Bathroom and Break Room by, well, cleaning the stuff?

Buckwheat 2026/10/17(Sat)21:56 No. 1133145 ID: da477c
File 179227420155.png - (700.60KB , 1020x750 , 10.png )

>Could've been worse. Imagine the toilet paper actually being there but going in the wrong direction.
How horrifying.

>Still no sign of life... Next we check the men's bathroom. Knock on the door or wall and call out before we go in
>Good thing you don't have to go. If you do, then you might have to check the Men's room.
Given how much of a biohazard the break room was, I’m not risking going into the men’s room without some form of PPE.

>Well at least that gives you an excuse to check the supply closet.
>Pray that there's some in the supply closet
>Get cleaning supplies from the closet and get ready to tackle the horrors of the Mens Bathroom and Break Room

I slouch a little bit and walk over to the cleaning closet. Not surprising to see it’s fully stocked. Bleach, floor cleaner, mops, two plastic buckets, rags, gloves, face masks.

There’s even an eye wash station and water hose in here.

I mask and glove up right away. Bit awkward with the mask, had to string it on my back neck spikes. I’ve only got two arms to carry things with though, what am I taking with.

>>1133145
I guess nothing. We don't have any reason to believe we need to clean the place up.
Time to approach the safe room, cautiously.

...if you're being watched then I guess she already knows you're not carrying the papers in a visible place. Take them out before you approach the safe room though.

a bucket, bleach, some rags.

You need to determine if there's any food left in the break room. If you can't find food then the timetable of this mission gets very short

>>1133147
Re: food, maybe depends. Alligators in uhhh, in real life, only eat like once a week.

are their any keys in the closet? Just wondering if they might have left some spare keys in her for the janitor that you could swipe.

You got a mask. Can you handle the break room yet?

>>1133147
Act like a germophobe. It may be a factor in convincing Dr. Mabel that you're not infected.

Bucket and mop go together easily. The mop can be an emergency weapon if threatened.

The other cleaning stuff we can bring near the break room if we're going to have to actually clean stuff.

1/5 Buckwheat 2026/10/18(Sun)15:11 No. 1133165 ID: da477c
File 179233630494.png - (200.96KB , 1020x750 , 11.png )

>We don't have any reason to believe we need to clean the place up.
While not the primary focus of the mission, my transfer papers state otherwise. At least, if I’m to play the part a bit.

>are their any keys in the closet?
No, just an alligator and cleaning supplies. Hm, seems I missed there’s also garbage bags in here as well though.

>a bucket, bleach, some rags.
A good start. I fill up the bucket with some water and head out with bleach and some rags.

>if you're being watched then I guess she already knows you're not carrying the papers in a visible place
Ah…shit. Hopefully I can come up with an explanation later if need be.

>You need to determine if there's any food left in the break room. If you can't find food then the timetable of this mission gets very short
>Grab anything that looks useful. Food most of all, since Mabel might be starving by now.
The chief said the lockdown started about a week ago. Making me wonder what the doctor’s be living off of to stay holed up in there all this time.

2/5 Buckwheat 2026/10/18(Sun)15:12 No. 1133166 ID: da477c
File 179233633387.png - (629.42KB , 1020x750 , 12.png )

>You got a mask. Can you handle the break room yet?

Only one way to find out. I slouch a bit and slowly make my way into the break room again. The mask only does so much to cover up the smell, but it’s tolerable. The break room is as disgusting as it smelled.

Moldy bread and burgers, rotting meat, just. Spoiled food everywhere. Guess things went down during lunch hour. Nothing left out here looks edible.

3/5 Buckwheat 2026/10/18(Sun)15:12 No. 1133167 ID: da477c
File 179233635098.png - (490.40KB , 1020x750 , 13.png )

Seems like there’s back room with a kitchen as well. Thankfully nobody left the stove on, but I see the fridge was left open. Can’t quite see what’s in it though, probably more spoiled food. Maybe there could be some canned food in the cabinets though?

4/5 Buckwheat 2026/10/18(Sun)15:12 No. 1133168 ID: da477c
File 179233637144.png - (638.07KB , 1020x750 , 14.png )

On the north facing wall, there’s a door with a card reader. There’s no sign above this one to say where it leads. Looks like I’ll need that clearance badge from Mabel to get in there.

5/5 Buckwheat 2026/10/18(Sun)15:14 No. 1133169 ID: da477c
File 179233645337.png - (56.33KB , 602x388 , 15s.png )

I take a moment to update my mental map of this place. Got a few options for my next course of action.

I can be a good little worker and start scrubbing tables and tossing out all this spoiled food, it’s what I’ve come prepared .

I could scavenge the kitchen for food. Seems like it might be a serious scarcity if everything’s been left out to spoil.

There’s also backing out and moving to find Mabel for help.

Or, some other idea?

MAP INFO: MAP INFO: 0- Enterance 1- Guard Station 2 & 3- Bathrooms 4- Cleaning closet 5- Break Room 6- Kitchen

consolidate rotten meat and mold into trashcan, if only so you can come in here without gagging.
And check if there's anything to salvage in the fridge (and surreptitiously, if there are cameras in the kitchen)

Might be a good idea to check the state of the freezer (if it flooding/melting, or still cool?) then seal the door so its wasting any more power. And make sure the door can't close on you (by accident or automatic systems) while you're inside, lest you potentially freeze to death.

>papers
Ah, I have an idea. The cameras aren't outside the building I assume, so you can exit and "get them from your car" then return with them visible.

Also yeah start shoving the worst trash into garbage bags I think. Make the room tolerable before you start doing any actual cleaning.

>>1133176
This is an arctic research base. There is no 'car' to speak of, other than a chopper from Lt. fangmire when we launch a flare outside.

>Ah…shit. Hopefully I can come up with an explanation later if need be.
just say they're the new standard issue because apparently management replaced the lab coats with pockets with pocketless ones because they said they were afraid of whatever people put in the pockets would fall out and end up in whatever it was they were working on. This cause people to just kind of clip there things wherever they could on their person which actually made things fall out much more often. Not wanting to admit they were wrong management then gave everyone coats with inside pockets saying they were much better and safer than ones with outside pockets.

If the doc points out they are NOT standard issue her just say you don't know what to tell her as it's what you were given and what you over heard other people say before being transferred here.

>Moldy bread and burgers, rotting meat, just. Spoiled food everywhere.
oh, honestly going off your earlier reaction I was half expecting to find bodies in here.

>what do
might as well do some basic cleaning if for no other reason then to try and get rid of the smell.

1/3 Buckwheat 2026/10/18(Sun)21:02 No. 1133180 ID: da477c
File 179235734274.png - (598.51KB , 1020x750 , 16.png )

>consolidate rotten meat and mold into trashcan, if only so you can come in here without gagging.
>Act like a germophobe. It may be a factor in convincing Dr. Mabel that you're not infected.
I make a short trip back to the closet and grab a garbage back, leaving the other supplies in the break room.

I slowly move about cautiously pick up spoiled food. I make sure to keep contact with it as minimal as possible and shy away as I touch it. I find a plate and use it to shovel and slide things off the table and into the garbage bag. Having already filled up a bag before getting into the kitchen, I pout.

Gertrude: “This is so gross… Where’s the trash go around here?”

Hopefully there’s an incinerator to toss this all in. I just tie it up nicely and shove off to a corner for now.

2/3 Buckwheat 2026/10/18(Sun)21:02 No. 1133181 ID: da477c
File 179235736658.png - (673.14KB , 1020x750 , 17.png )

>Might be a good idea to check the state of the freezer (if it flooding/melting, or still cool?) then seal the door so its wasting any more power.
I prep another trash bag and slink my way into the kitchen next. It’s fucking freezing in here. Inside the fridge is more rancid meat and puddles of disgusting sludge. Can smell that shit even through the mask. I just slam the door shut, I ain’t dealing with that now.

I rip off the gloves and use the sink to wash my claws up. Hoping the cabinets have some food for us.

3/3 Buckwheat 2026/10/18(Sun)21:03 No. 1133182 ID: da477c
File 179235743078.png - (696.70KB , 1020x750 , 18.png )

Well, lucky us! Wait… ugh maybe not. Some of this stuff seems to be species specific. I honestly have no idea what species Doctor Mabel is supposed to be either...

Anyway, we got:

Baked Beans.
Blue Ribbon Wet Dog Chow.
Cream Corn.
Canned nuts and fish.
Mice Mix Entrée
Canned Bread! Surprised they have this stuff.
Spinach.
Fancy Cat Wet Cat Food.

well that's something at least. Maybe check the sink to see if you still have running water.

guess the only other spots to check out are the men's bathroom and the locked doors... did you spot a key card or anything that looks like someone left behind some personal belongings in the break room? Because short of someone leaving something in the bathroom you haven't checked out yet or next to their lunchbox I'm not sure how you're suppose to get past the locked doors other than trying to break them down.

Time to check out the last hallway I think

Check the break room next.

1/3 Buckwheat 2026/10/19(Mon)06:25 No. 1133197 ID: da477c
File 179239114792.png - (660.45KB , 1020x750 , 19.png )

>well that's something at least. Maybe check the sink to see if you still have running water.
The sink worked fine, just used it to wash up before opening the cabinet up.

>Check the break room next.
I just looked around the break room and cleaned up all of the spoiled food that was left around.

>did you spot a key card or anything that looks like someone left behind some personal belongings in the break room?
Didn’t see any keycards laying around.

>short of someone leaving something in the bathroom you haven't checked out yet or next to their lunchbox I'm not sure how you're suppose to get past the locked doors other than trying to break them down.
Fairly confident I could bust the doors down, but there’s still the research wing to check. Did I forget to mentally label that one?

>Time to check out the last hallway I think
Off to it then. I leave behind the cleaning supplies for now and head for the research wing.

I look around the hall and spot two rooms, Lab’s two-oh-one and two-oh-two. I’m able to take a glance at the first one, door was left wide open. A bunch of beakers and broken glass.

Second lab is locked and seems to require a key card.
Towards the end of the hallway is another two paths. A locked door, and a separate turn labeled “Security hallway.”

2/3 Buckwheat 2026/10/19(Mon)06:26 No. 1133198 ID: da477c
File 179239117574.png - (634.19KB , 1020x750 , 20.png )

Glancing down the security hallway, I’m even more confused. That’s one hell of a war zone with no bodies or corpses to go with it.

3/3 Buckwheat 2026/10/19(Mon)06:26 No. 1133199 ID: da477c
File 179239120770.png - (74.92KB , 750x471 , 21.png )

I take a moment and update my mental map of this place.

Not quite sure how to proceed from here and ensure I don’t join those blood splatters.

MAP INFO: 0- Enterance 1- Guard Station 2 & 3- Bathrooms 4- Cleaning closet 5- Break Room 6- Kitchen 7- Research Wing 1 8- Lab 201 9- Lab 202 10- Shelter Hallway [Current Location]

See if you can find secret passages or vents. But first, freak out like a little girl and pretend you want to quit immediately. Really sell the deception, make Mabel think you were sent here as a gullible gator sacrifice.

"Oh, I get it! You're hazing the intern! Well, that's silly! So what did you use to make it smell so real?" Stare closer at the blood, pretend to analyze it so you can clean it, then 'realize' it's real blood and begin to freak out.

>>1133198
>no corpses
Uh. That... doesn't make sense. I don't think going in there is a good idea until you find out where the bodies went. There are no trails to suggest the bodies got dragged out, and there are no inorganic remains so it's not that something's eating the bodies either, unless it's swallowing them whole. I guess it's possible they got dragged out after the blood dried, so to leave no drag marks or blood in connecting rooms?

Or were you just not looking at the floor? Check for drag marks or bloody footprints or anything that would give you an idea of what happened to the bodies. Also, go back and get something resembling a weapon. Big knife from the kitchen maybe? At this point a new employee would start royally freaking out. Also you shouldn't really know Mabel is in the safe room, so avoiding it until it's the last place to check would be reasonable as well.
Where did you put away the papers? If you weren't seen by the cameras doing it, maybe you can pretend you left them somewhere out of sight.

Then look in Lab 1 in more detail. Hopefully we can find some keys there.

>>1133198
No corpses makes for a very bad sign.

Either some biohazard did... Something truly horrible to the corpses (melt them?), the corpses were removed by the armed forces themselves... or Dr. Mabel has been... Removing them herself by dragging them into the Panic Room. Which might also answer how she's been sustaining herself.

We should have asked what species she is.

Can you identify the weapons in the hallway? Are those all just guns, or are there explosives and flamethrowers as well?

A flamethrower might explain the lack of corpses - they were burnt to ash!

Honestly I’m tempted to just toss something down the gun hallway to see if the guns are motion activated or if someone needs to “pull the trigger” for the guns to shoot. Because that screen at the end of the hall makes me wonder if you could use that to talk to the good doctor. unless it’s just a card reader or something then never mind

1/2 Buckwheat 2026/10/19(Mon)17:21 No. 1133213 ID: da477c
File 179243051577.png - (602.22KB , 1020x750 , 22.png )

>first, freak out like a little girl and pretend you want to quit immediately. Really sell the deception, make Mabel think you were sent here as a gullible gator sacrifice.
>At this point a new employee would start royally freaking out. Also you shouldn't really know Mabel is in the safe room, so avoiding it until it's the last place to check would be reasonable as well.
I stare down the hall in fear and panic like a little gator in fear. I make my old squeaky calls for mother and then scurry off.

>Can you identify the weapons in the hallway?
Should have took a closer look but one of those was absolutely a flamethrower. On of those guns had four barrels on it.

>A flamethrower might explain the lack of corpses - they were burnt to ash!
That might explain where some went, and the dark markings on the wall, but I’m not sure it could reach and cover the whole hallway.

>There are no trails to suggest the bodies got dragged out, and there are no inorganic remains so it's not that something's eating the bodies either, unless it's swallowing them whole.
>Or were you just not looking at the floor? Check for drag marks or bloody footprints or anything that would give you an idea of what happened to the bodies.

Looking around the only blood I could see is in the shelter hallway. No drag marks and no bloody footprints out of there. I sure as hell hope there isn't some giant monster swallowing things whole. Got a feeling my claws and fists wouldn't stand a chance against it.

>or Dr. Mabel has been... Removing them herself by dragging them into the Panic Room. Which might also answer how she's been sustaining herself.

Another concerning thought, but from the briefing it sounds like she's very stubbornly refused to come out of that room. If she's eating the dead bodies of our own, I'd have to start seriously questioning the chief and lieutenant's decisions or intel here...

2/2 Buckwheat 2026/10/19(Mon)17:22 No. 1133214 ID: da477c
File 179243056805.png - (650.41KB , 1020x750 , 23.png )

>see if the guns are motion activated or if someone needs to “pull the trigger” for the guns to shoot.
I take off my mask and toss it down the hallway and take a peek.

There’s a laser sight aimed right at it, but nothing fires off.

>that screen at the end of the hall makes me wonder if you could use that to talk to the good doctor.
The screen has lit up as well it seems.

>Where did you put away the papers? If you weren't seen by the cameras doing it, maybe you can pretend you left them somewhere out of sight.
They’re back in the internal coat pocket. I could pretend I left them in the bathroom, that was one of the first rooms I went into.

>I don't think going in there is a good idea until you find out where the bodies went.
>go back and get something resembling a weapon. Big knife from the kitchen maybe?
>look in Lab 1 in more detail. Hopefully we can find some keys there.
Lotta different ways to approach this.

I can head back to the kitchen and come back with a knife or something for defense, though this might make me seem like a threat to Mabel and get me shot.

I could head into Lab two-oh-one and investigate further. Gotta be some kind of research notes or papers. Maybe even a working computer or keycard if I’m lucky.

Then there’s head straight down the hall and hoping I don’t get shot. Maybe that screen is a way for me to communicate with her.

Or, another idea.

check the lab first and hope that the room has a working phone that would let you call other rooms in the building. Even if not it would still let you delay going down the gun hallway for a few more minutes.

>>1133214
Get another mask on before you go into the lab.

go and get a mop and use it to drag the mask back to you without getting in range.
such a silly action should elicit a response from the doctor.

Call out to the hallway, see if anyone responds on the (presumed) intercom. Don't use dr. Mabels name directly, just call out for 'anyone' as you likely would be in this situation.

Buckwheat 2026/10/20(Tue)23:18 No. 1133283 ID: da477c
File 179253831170.png - (437.75KB , 1020x750 , 24.png )

>Call out to the hallway, see if anyone responds on the (presumed) intercom.
Gertrude: “Is anyone there? Please don’t shoot!”
Silence. The lasers stay aimed at the mask, but nothing fires at it.

>check the lab first and hope that the room has a working phone that would let you call other rooms in the building.
>Get another mask on before you go into the lab.
I mask up again and make my way into lab two-oh-one. I move around carefully and try not to step on any of the broken glass. I see one of the computers is actually still turned on. Thing looks ancient and bulky.

Current User: Ass. Baxter Password: _

Just for the hell of it I try entering in one-two-three-four for the password. It beeps,
INCORRECT PASSWORD. Four Attempts remaining.

So much for that. Guess if I want to snoop around the computer or play minesweeper I’ll have to find his password. Doing another quick sweep around I find a clunky old phone mounted to the wall.

There’s a list of extensions to call, emergency shelter standing out amongst them.
I pick up the phone and go to dial it, but hesitate. If this is the extension to reach Doctor Mabel.

How should I approach the conversation? Why would her new assistant try calling that number? Should I just dial down the list?

I feel like I’m walking on eggshells here and the lack of information I have here isn’t helping.

You're supposed to report in, but no one is around. There's signs of violence in the hall. Its perfectly natural to be calling to see if someone's in the safe room.
Don't mention that you know who is in saferoom though

Go back and get your transfer papers from "the bathroom" and start carrying them openly. For reference, they say:
“Work Transfer order-
Effective October fourth, Assistant Researcher Gertrude is to be deployed at the Northern Arctic Base. Priorities are to bring the research facilities back to a sanitary and workable state. She is to report and answer to Doctor Mabel.
Note to Doctor Mabel, please see to it Gertrude is issued a level one clearance badge. Should she prove useful, promote at your discretion.
Signed,
Lieutenant Fangmire.”

So yes, you're supposed to seek out Doctor Mabel and it would make sense to call her first. However, you wouldn't know if she's in the shelter. Isn't there an extension for her desk in the listings? Call that first. Then try calling the safe room.

pretty sure you can just say you started with the safe room as that's the only place around here that had any signs of life. Though if they don't pick up I say call some other rooms at random after the safe room to make it look like you were just seeing if anyone would pick up.

>>1133283
Start where a scared and confused assistant would, first try security, HR (assuming there's a number), and then just work your way through the list.

Gertrude, what exactly IS your military role, ranking or standing?

So far, you've been given minimal info, told to retrieve one scientist (and other survivors are entirely optional) and are kind of in a 'Canary' situation.

There could be three possibilities here.

1) A biologicaal disaster struck the lab, and Mabel refuses to leave because of something the army is unaware or unwilling to consider, and forced her to take drastic action. She could be containing the disaster, even.

2) Mabel did something extremely immoral/illegal and is hiding to avoid consequences, or has just gone insane. Either way, you're here to trick her and be Expendable-ish?

3) The army did something heinous (or plain fucked up) and Mabel is being set up to be a scapegoat / witness they can't reach or remove. In other words, your boss might be blatantly lying to you to save the army face.

We'll want to compare Mabels story of what happened with what the evidence suggests the previous taskforce encountered, and whether convincing her to leave is gonna have disasterous consequences.

>>1133354
Mabel is a paranoid schizophrenic having a major mental breakdown is also a possibility

Buckwheat 2026/10/25(Sun)05:29 No. 1133398 ID: da477c
File 179290615821.png - (432.22KB , 1020x750 , 25.png )

>Go back and get your transfer papers from "the bathroom" and start carrying them openly.
Right. I can’t believe how careless I’ve been with those. I take a short trip back, and wash up a little bit just to be safe. Then come to the phone carrying my papers.

>Gertrude, what exactly IS your military role, ranking or standing?
Covert operations. I’ve done other extraction jobs, though nothing quite as odd or in the dark as this. Originally I tried to get into the navy seals but, just. Couldn’t quite make the cut..

>Isn't there an extension for her desk in the listings?
I look over the extensions, but they’re all extensions for rooms specifically. There are some noteworthy sounding places here I’ll have to look for. Those being,
Communication Station.
Armory.
Weapons Lab One and Two.
Planning Room.
Four different Medical Labs
Server Room.

>Start where a scared and confused assistant would, first try security, HR (assuming there's a number), and then just work your way through the list.
Just in case she’s also got ears on the phone systems, I ring up the communication station and all four of the medical labs. I look around the room and tap my foot anxiously while I wait. Each end after five rings, saying no one is available to take my call.

>You're supposed to report in, but no one is around. There's signs of violence in the hall.
>pretty sure you can just say you started with the safe room as that's the only place around here that had any signs of life.
I slowly and nervously dial up the safe room’s extension. I jitter and continue to lightly tap my foot on the ground. There’s an answer on the fifth ring. Her voice sounds so bleak and empty,
???: “Who… What do you want?”

I try to reply with a bit of a stutter.
Gertrude: “M-my name’s Gertrude. I’ve got a w-work transfer order placing me here t-to help…”
I pause for a moment and glance down at the papers again.
Gertrude: “T-to help bring the station ba-back to a sanitary and workable state.”

???: “Doubtful. What do you know about the lockdown and current situation?”

Gertrude: “Not much. There was a code red lockdown and that the aftermath has left things a bit messy.”
???: “You here with anyone else?”

Gertrude: “N-no. It’s just me.”

???: “Are there others coming to help you? Who are you even reporting to here?”

Gertrude: “D-Doctor Mabel is who I’m suppose to report to. There aren’t any-”

She cuts me off, the phone starts to crackle a bit. Her voice is a lot more energetic and flustered now.

???: “O-Oh! Uh… well. I… Can you tell me a bit more about yourself then? What is your field of research or…what kind of experience in the labs do you have? Uh, graduate thesis. What did you write for your graduate thesis?”

>Can you tell me a bit more about yourself then?
tell them your name (again)

>What is your field of research
oceanography, the study of the ocean. (what, you said you wanted to become a seal so I'm guessing you have at least some knowledge of the ocean)

>what kind of experience in the labs do you have
not much, mostly what you were aloud to use in college. This is your first time being out in a field environment.

> What did you write for your graduate thesis?
you uh, you kind of winged your graduate thesis since you got distracted by friends who wanted to celebrate graduating and kind of distracted you. So when the deadline came do you kind of panicked and made it about how making a special kind of net out of coconut fibers and placing them along certain ocean currents would let one be able to catch both trash floating in the ocean as well as the properties of the fibers to absorb certain kind of pollutions to help clean the ocean. Honestly you were a bit worried you'd get slammed by someone claiming the net would trap sea life or find some kind of fault to yell at you about but you got a passing grade and were aloud to graduate and got a job almost right out of college... though you think you might not have gotten away with it as well as you thought since you were assigned as fancy janitor but everyone has got to start somewhere you figured... and no one else responded as quick as this job and you were told it was time sensitive so, here you are.

>>1133398
You're an Assistant Researcher. So you've got some experience working in a lab, but mostly just following along with others' projects.
Remember this is a weapons and medical research complex, so the subject of your thesis should be at least tangentally related... but also, expect to be quizzed on it. It sounded like you have military background so how about we pick the weapons angle? Maybe something like you made a prototype amphibious weapon that could be used both underwater and on dry land. Those are usually small weapons... maybe you decided to try something heavier? Like a machinegun? Using standardized bolt ammo of course.

>>1133398
>Originally I tried to get into the navy seals but, just. Couldn’t quite make the cut..
Perhaps they thought your giant hulking frame and chubby belly wouldn't be a good fit for the navy seals?

>Phone voice
Even though it's easy to assume this is Doctor Mabel, she didn't actually confirm that is her identity. Don't slip up and call her by name before she confirms her identity.

>Field of research? Lab experience? Graduate thesis?
Maybe you can get her to open up by claiming to have an interest in something similar to Mabel's research into cures for chronic wasting disease? Just don't have it be the exact same thing as Mabel, since that might get her to think she's being replaced by someone else.

Best to answer something you can prove knowing or doing later, or fake being too flustered by fear about if you mess up later. E.g. don't claim advanced chemistry knowledge, you might have to use a chemistry set to assist her then.

What skills in covert ops translate to the sciences directly? Something naval? Jungle or forest stuff? Outdoors survival? Psychology? Anatomy? Hydraulics? Ship/submarine stuff?

On the other hand, producing a prototype gun would be a gunsmith's job, not a lab-based researcher. So maybe it should be something related like materials research. Like, a paper researching the current state of body armor technology and maybe a few experiments with your own materials.

As covert ops your skills include survival, scuba, emergency medical stuff (trauma) and a lot of technical espionage stuff (bugs, surveilance devices).

If she's as paranoid as suggested, the moment she gets outside comms/internet access, she might try to fact check your education (all theses get published online).

Potential thesis:
- A seaweed or aquatic-based ration/food bar.
- Better heat packs or heat suits (like stillsuits but for the arctic) for cold-blooded species.
- Some boring aquadynamic research for a better submarine drone to explore underwater with.
- Research into how certain underwater exercises affect muscle growth compared to land exercises.

Hmm. Wonder if Miss Mabel is having a sort of split personality situation. Keeping her in shy researcher mode will certainly help, or keep her distracted from paranoia.

>>1133406
>fact check
Well, if Gertrude went to grad school, then she could give her real thesis. Ultimately it doesn't matter what it is, since if it's a non-science degree, Gertrude could just claim she got to her current position through a series of related jobs. Career shifts happen.

>>1133398
Could we claim to be an intern? Nothing published yet.

"Th-thesis?! B-but I only have Masters' Degrees in Geophysics, Computer Engineering, Acoustics, Maritime Archaeology, Puppetry, Cartography and Geoinformation Science, Brewing and Distilling, Folklore, Astrobiology..."
RAMBLE like a new aristocrat. Make it clear that you're not supposed to be here but someone sapient and cruel threw you here for politics and feuds.

Buckwheat 2026/10/26(Mon)05:20 No. 1133430 ID: da477c
File 179299200745.png - (700.54KB , 1020x750 , 26.png )

>If she's as paranoid as suggested, the moment she gets outside comms/internet access, she might try to fact check your education
>Well, if Gertrude went to grad school, then she could give her real thesis.
Unfortunately in my case, I never went to a grad school. Can’t provide her anything real on that part. As far as her fact checking any of it, didn’t sound like this place has any kind of outside communication access. Maybe I can test that intel better if I find a computer login.

>tell them your name (again)
>you've got some experience working in a lab, but mostly just following along with others' projects.
>>This is your first time being out in a field environment.
Gertrude: “Oh…my name’s Gertrude. I-uh, I have some experience helping out in the labs. J-just following instructions and helping with other’s projects. This is m-my first time being put in a field environment.”

Her tone gets a bit aggressive,
???: “A code red situation is the first thing they’re throwing you into?!”
I can hear her sigh and mutter something to herself, though can’t understand any of it.
???: “Let’s-ugh. Never mind. Look, things are pretty bad here, you’ve seen the state this place is in.”

Gertrude: “Yeah. I saw the one hallway-”

I stop mid sentence, some heavy breathing starts crackling through the phone speaker. I just stay quiet and let her ride out whatever’s going on. Eventually she picks things up again,
???: “S-something more pleasant… Uh, tell me about your thesis. Yeah. Even, just. What did you research and write about. Anything.”

>Better heat packs or heat suits (like stillsuits but for the arctic) for cold-blooded species.
Gertrude: “Well, I tried to do mine on better heat suits for cold-blooded species like myself. I’ve always been kinda stuck in colder environments. Heat packs aren’t cheap and they don’t allow things like heat lamps or even electric blankets in most lab settings.”

???: “Oh…shit. Uhm… How’s the temperature in here for you? Is-is this part of why they sent out here?”

>>1133430
Tell her it's tolerable inside. You wouldn't want to walk around outside for long though.
At this point you might want to ask who she is exactly? She never said.

Hmm, her reaction to mentioning the hallway is interesting. If she did it out of anger, then it wouldn't be like that, would it? So maybe you don't have to worry much about the guns... unless someone else has control of them. Ok, let's keep worrying about the guns. Heck, if someone else has control, maybe SHE's afraid of the guns.

"I've worked in worse. Colder, I mean. Not that any of them had secret trapdoors or acid vats, just normal, non spy-flick ass conditions.

Okay why the hell do you have a turret kill room? This isn't Leaf Fortress 2, I thought this place in-the-middle-of-nowhere was for studying dangerous diseases where they couldn't spread!"

>Why did you come here?
"...I have a friend who... well, I hoped you'd have found something by now. It's a new-ish form of brain disease. Kills slowly, easy to burn out with a medical fever if caught early, but... they didn't catch it early. If they heat her up now, she'll die. And whoop-de-doo, there's a cure, there's a bunch of cures, but they're still in testing phases. About a year of testing give or take six goddamn months. I agreed to come out here because I'd hoped that... well, maybe the team could grease the wheels of medical bureaucracy if I washed your feet?"

I’d say keep playing up the clueless intern act. Just say you don’t know why they sent you here, maybe it had to do with your research but you weren’t really told anything beside to come here, report to someone, and do what they say while trying to keep the place clean. You didn’t ask to many questions since you thought this would be your first step to getting some real experience in a proper lab.

Might be time to ask her name. If she confirms herself as Dr. Mabel, sound relieved as she's someone in charge that you are assigned to, who can tell you what to do (putting pressure on her to lead an intern will distract her from paranoia, hopefully). And likely ask elaborate on the code red situation. Besides the obvious 'everyone is missing'.

Given your heat resistance / cold vulnerability and Mabel being interested in why that might be why you were sent, ask if there's some kind of temperature issue behind the code red. Is there some area that's frozen or superheated or something?

See if Mabel can suggest better ways to communicate than this static phone - any computers of video screens, or 'walkie talkies'? For obvious reasons don't suggest the panic room itseld.

Could play further on her dislike of your superiors by making it seem like they sent you as a 'Canary'. Someone out of the loop who's expendable.

I think things would be much more calm if you spent some time cleaning out that cafeteria. If there is no dumpster, you can build a refuse heap outside where it will presumably freeze and not smell as much. It's no good for anybody's nerves to have the lab in such a sorry state of affairs. Maybe then you can ask her for that clearance you need, making sure to tell her that you should be entirely immune to any CWD that got spilled around. Hopefully you can carefully clean that up, making it safe for Dr. Mabel to leave the safe room.

Of course by "clean up" that means putting everything in an autoclave after immersing it in lye, but this facility studies CWD so it should have an autoclave on site.

Buckwheat 2026/10/29(Thu)22:24 No. 1133547 ID: da477c
File 179331264131.png - (322.53KB , 1020x750 , 27.png )

>Tell her it's tolerable inside. You wouldn't want to walk around outside for long though.
>I've worked in worse. Colder, I mean.
Gertrude: “It’s uh, fine. I’ve had to work in colder conditions.”

???: “Please. If it’s too cold, don’t try and tough it out. Say something right away. With everything being in the state it is, I'd rather act sooner than later.”

Gertrude: “O-okay. I promise I’ll say something.”

>At this point you might want to ask who she is exactly? She never said.
>Might be time to ask her name. If she confirms herself as Dr. Mabel, sound relieved as she's someone in charge that you are assigned to, who can tell you what to do
Gertrude: “By the way. D-do you mind if I ask who you are or…get your name?”

Things get real quiet for a moment. Eventually she replies,
Mabel: “Doctor Mabel, unfortunately.”

I let out a sigh of relief.

>likely ask elaborate on the code red situation. Besides the obvious 'everyone is missing'.
Gertrude: “Unfortunately? Th-that’s good news to me. Can you…what caused the code red? Where is everyone?”

The phone crackles as she snaps back at me.
Mabel: “That’s- just slow down please!”

I whimper out,
Gertrude: “S-sorry.”

Mabel: “It’s… a lots happened here. I don’t want to think about it. I- can I just send over a briefing or write up? You’ll… things will be okay as long as you don’t venture off past the labs and maybe the kitchen.”

Gertrude: “Sure. H-how do I get on the computer?”

Mabel: “I’ll…ah shoot. Forgot, you probably don’t have an account setup on the computers here.”

I can hear her flipping through papers.
Mabel: “Guest account…guest account… Might take me a moment to come up with a solution here. Did they at least give you a security bade?”

Gertrude: “No. They said you could make me one.”

Mabel: “Oh great, wonderful. I can, but the card printer is stored in the lobby guard station. I can print to it remotely, the LAN is still online for us at least. You’ll have to apply some external force on the window to get in without a badge. Do you feel comfortable trying that?”

Eh, so long as you won't get in trouble, you're big enough to handle breaking down a door.
Also tell her the papers say you need a Level One badge.

Ask if there are heavy tools anywhere. Otherwise its going to be difficult to break a security window

as long as you won't get in trouble for forcing your way in you guess you could give it a try.

>>1133547
Keep playing the confused innocent thrown into the deep end, sympathy is a great cover for suspicion. As for the window say you'll be ok, mention playing a sport to explain your level of physical fitness