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<April 30th, Monday 9:30 PM>

"W-what...kind of question is that?" you ask incredulously, your eyes narrowing at the door, "...wait, did something happen? Why would wouldn't I be myself Allie?"

"Because you always call before meeting us", Allie responds, her tone shifting towards suspicion, "and even then, I would have heard from Kurtis you were coming. Why would you suddenly change your pattern if you were Paula?"

"Fine, you got me Allie", you reply, your voice getting more irritated, "I'm actually the Thing from that one movie, titled the Thing. Now stop being a dumb-ass and open the goddamn door."

"And if you actually are like a changeling alien?" Allie continues, almost making you face-palm, "Is that even really Tanjeet next to you? Sorry, but I am hanging up now-"

"Then use the damn scanner on the gun!", you shout over the phone, echoing a little in the neighborhood.

"G-gun...? What are you talking about?", Allie states, trying to play dumb; very poorly.

"If you're that suspicious, use the x-ray function on the gun", you reiterate, and moving towards the door, "I'll stand right here on the other side. It's got a range of 10 feet, so you can even do it far away if that makes you feel better."

There's no response for a few seconds, only a bit of breathing on the other line. Then, you start to hear footsteps approaching the other side of the door. They stop, not a few meter away, and you hear a low hum from the other side. Not a few seconds later, you hear the frantic clicking of several locks being taken off of the door and opening to reveal a very anxious Allie. She frantically waves at you both to get in, and you take Tanjeet inside.

"Paula I am so sorry...", Allie starts, locking the door back up with several different locks, "Kurtis told me that we needed to be even more careful keeping his place under wraps. I needed to make sure so-"

"Fine", you briskly interrupt, taking Tanjeet to the sofa, "just stop apologizing and tell me where Kurtis keeps a first aid kit. I'm sure the army must have left him a surplus or something, right?"

"Y-yes!", she answers, turning to you, "Kurtis likes to be prepared for a lot of things. I'll go get it."

She hurriedly goes somewhere in the house as Tanjeet reclines his head on nearby cushion. You spare only a look of annoyance at Allie as she leaves, but given all of what's happening with Allie you don't keep it for long. Though, she's lucky Tanjeet's life wasn't in danger. Not a moment later, Allie returns with a large blue and white bag and places it on the ground next to you.

"Military surgeon's kit", she says, opening up the massive zipper, "but it's got stuff for bruising and cuts. I'm assuming you'll me what happened to him but, is any other reason you chose to come here?"

>No, but Tanjeet needs a place to stay and calm his mind
>Yes, I need to know what you dug up on New York
>Yes, I need to know more about that presence you felt
>Write In

OOC: I'll update as much as possible tonight at the first three replies. I want to make up for fucking you guys over last weekend.

Also, I just realized this should be part 5 and not 4. Sorry about that.

>>2953373
>Yes, I need to know what you dug up on New York

She is the investigative jorno so if anyone has something its her

>>2953373
>>Yes, I need to know what you dug up on New York

>>2953373
>>Yes, I need to know what you dug up on New York

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>>2953389
>>2953383
>>2953386

"Yes, actually", you state, helping her get some of the supplies out of the bag, "I came across a few things that may have a link to New York, something you mentioned investigating back in the station. After we get finished up with Tanjeet, I need you to tell me what else you dug up."

"Ok, but...", she replies, reading a compression pad, "I can't go into too much detail, since you-...I-I mean, they took my notes. Anyways, help me with the disinfectant on his lip."

You nod and start Tanjeet's treatment, though he protests that he should do it himself. You tell him to just be quiet for now, as you and Allie continue the treatment. After applying a liquid bandaid and gauze to the cut lip, and finishing with three more compression pads on his arms, Tanjeet closes his eyes and rests on the sofa. Thankfully, using the X-Ray feature on the gun again, he had no fractures on his ribs and arms, which astounds you given how rough those two were handling him in the alley.

Allie asked what happened with Tanjeet and you recall the entire story to her. At first, she's a little worried that the investigation might track Tanjeet here but since he wan't named a prime suspect she eases up a little. She shakes her head at the people that did it though, but takes more pity on Tanjeet given what happened with Maria. If anything, she understands well enough why people would be motivated by grief or desperation to do something like that.

<April 30th, Monday 9:45 PM>

"He's got to have some awful luck for that to happen", she states, looking him over, "as for him staying, well I doubt Kurtis will through him out after what you've told me. Though, after the thing at Walmart with that weird lady asking for Erick, he's be a lot more edge."

"I don't blame him", you reply, shaking your head, "I was a little annoyed you thought I was an alien, but I understand. Now, what do you remember about that first investigation in New York?"

"Right, the winter of 2012", she sighs, and stands up motioning you to another room, "we'll discuss this in Kurtis's room. He's got a computer where we can look through some files that still remain on the blog."

You stand up, following her to Kurtis's room. It's a very sparsely decorated place, that's surprisingly clean in spite of the unkempt bed. At the far corner, you spot one of those big box computer monitors which Allie lights up. You head behind the swivel chair she's sitting in, and stare curiously at a Windows XP logo pop up.

"Kurtis is a little old fashioned", Allie chuckles, as the computer boots up, "but it's reliable as anything else out there. Anyways, any starting questions while this thing starts up?"

>Connection, to Gantz or aliens?
>Who, the people who disssapeared.
>What, exactly happened?
>Write In

>>2953481
>What, exactly happened?
Its probably some bad case of vandalism like the ones we have here, yhen we ask
>Connection, to Gantz or aliens?

>>2953481
>>What, exactly happened?
>Who, the people who disssapeared.

>>2953481
>>What, exactly happened?

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>>2953536
>>2953520
>>2953516

"Well, what exactly happened first off?", you ask, sitting down on Kurtis's bed, "I remember you mentioned it was several disappearances but you never mentioned any details on it. Start from the top, if you can remember anything."

"Well, if we start from the very beginning", Allie replies, scratching her head, "the first instance of the disappearances began near the start of November back in 2012. On November 12th at 6:20 PM, an overturned truck had supposedly killed several people in east Brooklyn, but no bodies were recovered until after the cleanup."

"If the connection to Gantz is true", she continues, looking at the ceiling now, "then it means that they were probably some of the first people involved in the game. We only know of the identities of three of the victims on the site of the accident, but there's three others still unaccounted for that were sighted in the accident itself."

"It's just like what happened with me and Erick...", you recall, thinking back on the gas main explosion, "the disappeared bodies, the cover up, and the bodies found after the accident are the exact same as what's happened now. How long did you see this pattern go on?"

"It seemed...endless honestly" Allie replies, and putting in the password to access the computer, "but it wasn't always one week apart. Sometimes, it didn't happen for several months as the disappearances seemed to stop for a while."

"The scary thing is", Allie continues, typing madly to pull up her old blog, "it seems that whatever is happening with those balls, seems to not just be segmented to the US. In fact...it seems to have started at relatively the same time...everywhere."

A cold chill runs down your spine as she finishes her thought, and you go to ask her what exactly this means but she instead shows you a page on her blog. It is a lit up article dating back to December 2012 in a German newspaper about a shooting in Berlin that resulted in the deaths on 2 people in a crowd of dozens that were seen to have been shot. The page turns to an report from Australia in January 2012 where a gas pump exploded supposedly killing 5 but without any bodies.

Finally, you arrive at a news report video in Los Angeles in November 2012. A train collision caused the deaths of over 21 people on camera, yet only 12 bodies were recovered from those identified in the initial camera feed. You almost pulled away from the screen with how overwhelmed with information you were. Several thoughts rushed through your head, all of them carrying theories more insane than the last before you sat back down on the bed to take a breath.

"I didn't want to show this to Erick before", Allie stated, looking back at you, "because I also didn't know what it meant before the game. But now that I do...I think I may have just as many question as you do."

>Write In

>>2955745
So it's been going for a while.
What can we do to contact these people? to exchange information, maybe someone out there knows something we don't.

when is the meeting with N.Y. people again?

>>2955745
Are there other cases of extreme "vandalism" on these cities like we have here? As in the Cathedral and the garden and now the museum. These bigger destructions are recent?

>>2956001
I believe it is taking place tomorrow. But, I dont know about contacting these people in any form that can be digitally tracked.

>>2956025
Damn...we should check the news more often.

>>2955745
Backing >>2956025, connecting the "vandalism" to alien battles would be a good way to track these too, but also
>Consider why Gantz would be happening in places all over the world the exact same way. What's the need for so many people fighting aliens all over? Were they here to begin with, or...?
I don't wanna go full AYYLIEN INVASION theory with Paula just yet, even though all of us know that's the case because we fucking read Gantz r-right???. I feel like a gradual buildup into seriously considering worldwide alien invasion as a thing that is happening should be the measured way to play this out with Paula.

>>2956103
I didn't and won't read until we are still playing so not to spoil myself, I've just seen the anime

>>2956103
Also supporting btw.

>>2956106
Oh god, read the manga and get the anime's bad taste out of your mouth.

Hell, watch Gantz O, that is arguably better.

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>>2956001
>>2956025
>>2956103
>>2956109

"Why the hell is this happening...", you sigh, half asking and half thinking, "...and all at the same time...have there been other cases of 'vandalism' arising in New York that fit the hunt's pattern?"

"Well, I found some but..." Allie replies, clicking to show another page, "nothing that's as severe as what's happened here. There are heavy cases here and there, but so far they just seem to be typical New York break-ins and disappearances.

"I figured back then that if the pattern fit the accidents' dates", Allie continues, motioning you to the screen, "it could be tied to them in some way. Just to warn you, I stopped posting on this thing after 2015 so the majority of the stuff on here is going to be just table-scraps."

You head closer to the computer to see the articles that Allie's posted. Indeed the vast majority of the articles are minor incidents that fit the pattern but are nowhere near in severity as the ones in DC. The last of these incidents occurred near the end of December 2015. Of the most severe cases you find, two of them stick on your mind.

The first of which is the collapse of a subway tunnel in Brooklyn on the night of November 12th, 2014. It included a newspaper listing, that stated that structural wear and tear had caused the collapse, yet there we no people injured in spite of its proximity to Grand Central Station. Though, an added newspaper clip later stated that a seismic shock had actually collapsed the station, though it was only labeled as a possibility.

The second one occurred in the July 20th of 2013, where a section of Central Park had apparently caught fire and could not be put out. The newspaper clip attached, stated that it was a chemical spark that had ignited the trees in such a way. They later determined it was a quicklime substance that lingered in the area, but could not determine why the fire had essentially put itself out after a while.

"Those are just the highlights", Allie interjects, switching back to the main page, "I researched into this thing up to that gas main explosion, and there were a few other cases that I found in DC when I arrived. The larger scale 'vandalism' doesn't seem to be that big in New York for whatever reason."

"Maybe their team is just really good", you joke, and Allie laughs a little until you realize the meaning, "actually, I'll be meeting up one of their team tomorrow possibly. Maybe...they know more about this game than we do."

"That is a true possibility", she states, looking back at the screen, "but if you have a chance you could-"

A loud ring radiates to the other side of the house, and Allie quickly heads towards the living room again. You head in right behind her, if anything to just ask what's going on. She quickly picks up the phone and you hear Kurtis's voice over the speaker.

"Paula and Tanjeet are here", Allie states, and the looks back at you, "...no, it's fine. Alright, I'll wait for you here."

>Write In

>>2957710
Did something happen?
what would you say before the phone interrupted you?

>>2957710
To boli: did we set up a training session today? I don't remember.

Since we are here we can tfain a little after Kurtis arrive.

>>2957726
This, also ask about what her thoughts are on the attacks so far.

Allie's notes may be the one thing that can shed some light on Gantz and we may need to get them at some point as well...

>>2957710
>He need anything?

>>2957710
Backing >>2957726 and >>2958095

>>2957738
OOC: No set up for training today, since you already had a training session with Chris.

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>>2957726
>>2958095
>>2958190
>>2958329

"Did something happen?", you ask, as Allie puts the phone down, "He need anything?"

"Well, he just got approved at a job interview", Allie responds, sitting down next to Tanjeet on the couch, "which means that he'll probably be working late, since he'll be working as a bartender. But he's fine, and said he'll be back in a few minutes."

"Well, that's some good news at least", you state, but keep standing as there's no more room on the couch, "at least, compared to what's happening out there...hey...what do you think about what's happening with those attacks?"

"Well for starters", Allie begins, propping up her chin with her hands, "those 'attacks' certainly don't seem as prevalent there as in DC. I check the news regularly, but there never seems to be anything substantial from New York, at least compared to those two incidents we saw."

"The only other thing would be", she continues, rubbing her temples, "the pattern set up with the games themselves. I didn't look too into DC's history with the 'attacks' but it seems the majority of the heavy damage began back in April."

"Wait, what do you mean heavy damage?", you ask, trying to remember anything prior to Gantz, "There weren't any reports on hand for it through the police. I don't remember anything on the scale to what we've done in the hunts so far."

"I think you're more than aware of at least one", Allie implies, and you give her a confused look, "Granted, it was probably wasn't a direct incident, but it may have been caused by one. I'm sure you've entertained the idea that the gas main explosion a few weeks back may not have been as much of an accident as the media would say?"

"That can't be though...", you start, scratching your head, "Carol's brother confirmed with us that the explosion was an issue with pressure-"

"It may have been the case", Allie interjects, getting up, "something could have caused the pressure to go higher than expected. Yet no one knows, nor sees, nor even thinks that there may have been another force at work, but there might be someone who does know."

The way that Allie stated her point almost made your paranoia seem normal. She never struck you as someone stable, but her ideas of conspiracy were probably on par with Kurtis's own. Yet the worst part was, that it was a compelling argument given what you'd already seen. And you now had a few ideas as to who might have seen it happen first hand.

"Listen I need to run", you hurriedly state, moving towards the door, "I'll keep you updated on that meeting tomorrow. So-"

"Actually Paula, could you do me a favor?", she asks, and you reply with a 'what?', "when you go to see the other team, could you ask them if they've known a Thomas Atkinson. Please?"

>Yes Or No <FREE>
>Sleep early, you have a meeting with destiny tomorrow
>Call Luis about the investigation, he never did call you back
>Research more of Gantz, look through some news articles
>Write In

>>2959984
>Yes
>Call Luis about the investigation, he never did call you back
>Sleep early, you have a meeting with destiny tomorrow
In that order

>>2959984
>Yes
>Call Luis about the investigation, he never did call you back

>>2959984
Yes
Luis

Our death were orchestraded I think, speacially in Allies case, she knew too much and Guntz killed her and brought her to the game. Actually, did she die? We never asked.

>>2960762
>Call Luis about the investigation, he never did call you back
>Yes

>>2959984
>Yes
>Sleep early

>>2960762
I don't think so, she was holding Eric when he got ported so it took her too.

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>>2960192
>>2960342
>>2960764
>>2960077
>>2960912

"Sure", you answer, with your hand on the door knob, "but why do you want to know?"

"He was my boss back when I lived in New York", she states, giving you a serious look, "he, along with every other member of the blog was killed by Gantz in April of 2013. If they can recall his name, it'll confirm a theory of my own that there's no time limit for staying in the game if they've been there since it all started."

You nod your head to her in acknowledgement, and turn the door knob. Allie smiles and thanks you for agreeing to her request, waving you goodbye as you exit the house.

'Whether or not they want to answer though, that'll be on them.'

<April 30th, Monday 10:30 PM>

The string of information from Allie's blog and investigations had kept you thinking throughout the drive home. Gantz's operating parameters were something you were curious of, yet wholly terrified to find out given what you'd just learned. If this thing really was worldwide, it honestly surprised you that no one had tried to connect the dots between of the attacks. Though, given the sporadic nature of the Gantz missions, the aliens and even the people involved, it made for the perfect cover for any sort of pattern that might have arisen.

'Christ...', you think, arriving at the roundabout of Logan circle, 'any information that arises is meaningless unless they know about Gantz itself. Just had to be the one crazies in the US that managed to figure it out...'

Thinking on Allie's theories made your head hurt even more than usual now, and you quickly opted to change your thought process. You brought up your phone and quickly sent a message to Luis to figure out how the investigation was going. You managed to exit Logan circle before he replied, with a direct call.

"Paula, I want you listen very carefully", Luis almost whispered, the speaker only making the voice rougher, "I don't have time to speak too long, they're doing a hearing and I'll be next soon. Here's what I figured out about the plate."

"I looked through New York's database for Paula Liang" he continues, his voice getting hurried, "turns out, the name is an alias for this guy called Marcus Holdings. The guy's got a criminal record with everything from attempted murder to human trafficking. I'll drop off a copy of the report at your door tomorrow, but I have to go now..."

The call ends abruptly, but you're more than satisfied with the result. While you can't report this outright, since the investigation is pretty clandestine on both of your parts, there was now a name to go on. If this Marcus Holdings was responsible for Yukino's death, and carried the cloaking technology, then this could be a chance to get some answers. You weren't going to expect them to know about Gantz, but maybe there could be something to figure out about the aliens if that technology was involved.

'Now, to head home and see what we can do about tomorrow...'

>>2962509
>Choose 2 & Order <Day - Evening>
>Meet up with the New York team at the Gantz Apartment
>Finalize the investigation, meet up with Chinatown contact
>Set up training session, and location
>Write In

>>2962509
>>Meet up with the New York team at the Gantz Apartment
>>Finalize the investigation, meet up with Chinatown contact

>>2962509
>Meet up with the New York team at the Gantz Apartment
>Finalize the investigation, meet up with Chinatown contact

>>2962509
>Meet up with the New York team at the Gantz Apartment
>Finalize the investigation, meet up with Chinatown contact

>>2962509
>Meet up with the New York team at the Gantz Apartment
>Finalize the investigation, meet up with Chinatown contact

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>>2962529
>>2962552
>>2962598
>>2963523

<April 30th, Monday 11:00 PM>

After arriving home you'd forgone a shower and just headed straight to bed, the day's events having worn you down substantially. You needed time to rest in body and mind, primarily because what was to come tomorrow was going to be arguably worse. There was a ringing on your phone, probably over a text someone had sent, but you paid it no attention.

'I'll do it tomorrow...ok...?'

<April 30th, Tuesday 9:30 AM>

An alarm woke you up at 5:00 AM, and you quickly rushed to get a shower in before heading to the station. That was until you realized, as you were entering the bathroom, that you were off work today. The scheduled alarms for the week had returned you back to your daily routine, and you quickly tossed your phone back to bed along with your tired self.

You awoke a few hours later, a little weary since you incident but nonetheless just as ready to get to the bathroom. After freshening up and drying yourself off, you headed to closet to put on some nice spring wear when you noticed your suit lying at the bottom of the closet. It reeked of sweat from your previous evening's workout, and you at first hesitated at even putting it on. Though, if it came to being clean and having extra protection for what you could face today, you chose the latter.

'This shit needs to be handwashed though...' you though, as it pressed on your skin, 'don't think laundromats are equipped for high tech alien gimpsuits.'

After putting on a hoodie and some jeans, you headed for the kitchen to fix yourself some breakfast. It wasn't much, mostly just some bagels you had left in your fridge and one of Erick's remaining English Breakfast blends. There three remaining in the tin, and you could get more later on but you nonetheless hesitated at using up the remainder for the week. Finishing up breakfast, you got your remaining neccesities for the day, and looked at your phone when you spotted the previous evening's text message. It was from Chris.

<Hey, it's me. Dante gave me your cell after I told him what happened with dad in the afternoon. Dad was getting mad about you not giving him an answer or something last night btw. If you have time today, see if we can get some more training in. Or not, whatever.>

'Well...I don't know about today', you ponder, thinking on your plans, 'but they never said when I had to go to the meeting...'

>Go meet them now, head to the Gantz Apartment
>Call Senator Bowery, and give him your answer <FREE>
>Head to Chris's home, train some more with him
>Head to Claire and Silvia's dorm, and ask them about Maria's parents
>Write In

>>2963583
>>Head to Claire and Silvia's dorm, and ask them about Maria's parents

we ignored them for long enough, they might become trouble if we don't at least check on them

>>2963585
I agree.

No Idea what to tell the senator tho, what did he want again? Just for us to put a good word with our father about his project?

>>2963583
Backing >>2963585

>>2963583
>Go meet them now at the Gantz apartment

>Tell senator sure, but mention it to your dad in bad terms so he says no.

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>>2963585
>>2963602
>>2963621
>>2964094

<I'm actually very busy today, so I may not have enough time for it at the moment. We'll have another group meeting soon so we can train more then if you wish. And thank you for reminding me about your dad.>

You type up and send your text to Chris as exit your home. You weren't sure how long the meeting with New York people was going to take, but there were also some other issues to take care of today. For starters, you would need to check up on Claire and Silvia and see if they're alright after the issue with Tanjeet. Turning on Dante's car, you departed for your first destination.

<May 1st, Tuesday 10:30 AM>

"Good Morning Paula", the steely tone of Senator Bowery greets over the line, "I was getting worried you had forgotten my offer yesterday. I'd hope you've given it some thought."

You were entering near Thurston Hall in GW University when you decided to give Sen. Bowery a call. There was no inherent motivation to doing so, in fact you had a lack of motivation to doing this. He was a cold and unpleasant man in your eyes, but if you didn't at least acknowledge him, it would only get more annoying down the line.

"The answer is yes if that's what you're wondering", you quickly respond, trying to be as brief on the call as you can, "though, I should tell you that I'm not exactly in the best of terms with my father. I'll do what I can with him."

"That's fine", he replies, sounding pleased, "take as long as you need to get through to him. You're being a great help here Paula, thank you."

The call cuts off right after, and you couldn't be happier for it to happen. Of course, you weren't about to help him get his support but merely stroking his ego by agreeing. If anything, you were going to get your father to send Bowery the biggest decline he'd seen yet. The relief of being out of the senator's hands washed over you as you entered the dorms.

<May 1st, Tuesday 11:00 AM>

You'd sent a text to the twins earlier, letting them know you were heading to their dorms. They'd replied that they were still in class, but wouldn't mind skipping their next elective to head to you. You wanted to object to them doing so, but you figured this was important enough. They arrived 30 min afterwards, and the security at the front desk let you and the twins pass, though mostly silence follows the three of you back to their rooms.

"Umm...", Claire starts, trying to part the silence, "we heard about what happened to Tanjeet...he called us last night telling us to keep his stuff with us until the next mission."

"We're sorry..." Silvia continues, getting out her key as you and them reach the end of the hall, "we should have been there to help him...but Maria's family was so..."

She doesn't finish her sentence as the door opens up to the three person dorm room. Several walls either aligned with scenic portraits of the ocean or waves, and a living room with a single couch was therein as they led you in.

>Write In

>>2965323
"It's fine girls, this thing was bound to happen, she is your friend and we have to be there for her family and cover for here while she is not back.

How are you two? we had our differences last mission and I want to know if you are ok, we'll probably have a very difficult weekend without Erick's powers so I hope you are keeping your training up, if you need anything you can ask."

>>2965550
Agreed

>>2965323
Backing >>2965550

>>2965323
>"So what? What qualities did her family possess that motivated you to do nothing while they went after Tanjeet and beat him? Please, go into detail."

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>>2965550
>>2965673
>>2965761
>>2967638

"So, what?" you ask, taking a seat on the closest sofa, "what quality was it about her family that caused you both to not act as Maria's brothers went after Tanjeet and beat him? Please, go into detail."

"We didn't know they'd go that far...", Claire replies, taking a seat opposite of you, "they were angry with us sure, but they didn't seem the type...we thought the police were just going to ask him questions and that would be the end of it."

"Yeah, that's what happened with us", Silvia continues, looking completely dismayed, "we also felt guilty about the whole thing. We knew the truth and couldn't say anything as they just yelled, and screamed at us with the police holding them back...and only warned Tanjeet that they were coming."

"If we had known..." Claire finishes, a few tears building in her eyes, "we would have gone with him out of the dorms, but didn't even call us to see if had picked up his gear. If anything...I think he may have just wanted to be alone...he's put himself like that ever since Saturday..."

There's a sniffle from Claire as a few choked gasps escape her lips. Silvia doesn't follow suit, but she nonetheless puts an arm around her sister. You feel a little guilty for asking them that, but you know that nothing is going to come of you coddling them from it. Thankfully, they're beginning to reflect on their actions, and you pass a nearby tissue box to Claire.

"It's fine girls", you soothe, trying to return the mood back to normal, "this thing was bound to happen. They are your friends, and we have to be there from now on for them and their family."

"Thank you Paula", Silvia states, and then gives you a worried look, "but...I thought you were still angry about what happened to Erick. Claire...never really forgave herself for it."

"I am still mad", you answer, but retain your normal tone, "and we're going to have a difficult mission coming up without Erick's powers. But, we need to focus on our training now and deal with this at another time."

The two girls nod silently and give you a look of gratitude. It was satisfying to see them humbled after their attitude on the last mission, moreso because they were now more focused in their resolve. You let them know that you'll keep in touch for the week on the training, but Claire stops you before you head out.

"Paula, we were thinking...", she starts, looking back at a nodding Silvia, "that you could teach us some of that martial arts you do. We're...not very good up close, but we want to make up for it, if you want to help us at another time."

>Agree, but you guys have to find where we do it
>Disagree, sorry I have better things to do
>Tentative, I'll think about it and give you the answer later
>Write In
>You will head to the meeting with NY Gantz right after this.

>>2970703
>>Agree, but you guys have to find where we do it
if we gave fucking Chris a chance I don't see why not giving them, it would be pretty hypocritical of us since he was the worse one that mission
>You will head to the meeting with NY Gantz right after this.

>>2970703
Agree and then go to the meeting

>2970703
>Tentative, I'll think about it and give you the answer later

I'm still angry with them but they being killed solves nothing and doesn't bring Erick back. I bet we'll face those crocks next run.

>>2970703
>Agree, but you guys have to find where we do it
>You will head to the meeting with NY Gantz right after this.

>>2970703
>Agree
>Meet NY Gantz

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>>2970740
>>2970787
>>2970822
>>2972159
+1 Trust (Claire & Silvia Rosch)

"Alright, sure", you reply, and their faces light up in response, "it'll do us more good to have everyone capable in all situations. But, I'll leave you guys in charge of finding a place to do it in."

"No, absolutely", Claire replies, and Silvia finishes her statement, "we'll let you know when we find a good place Paula. And...thank you for helping us out, in spite of everything."

"Don't mention it", you respond, opening their door, "but be ready for a workout once we start. And make sure to keep in touch with Tanjeet, I think he's going to need the company where he is right now."

They both nod in agreement, and bid you farewell as you exit their room. You left their dorm with haste towards your next destination: Capitol View on 14th. The building wasn't too far from the dorms but the midday traffic wasn't making the drive there easy. Though, you admired the strange situation of wishing to get to a place had tried to kill you and several people faster. It at least gave you a moment to think on what to ask those people first.

<May 1st, Tuesday 12:00 PM>

You'd arrived a little slower than you'd hoped, but at least the parking in the building empty as always. After exiting Dante's car, you gave the building a very long look before heading inside. It was eerie to think that such an unassuming building was the host of one of the most horrific nightmares you'd recurred over the last month. If there was a meaning behind it, you were hopefully about to find out, as you entered the reception lobby.

Oddly enough, and in spite of the automatic doors, there was no receptionist or employee in sight. In fact, if it wasn't for the warm plate of chocolate chip cookies on the counter and working wall-mounted TVs, you'd assumed the place was deserted. It had occurred to you right then that the note didn't specify on where in building you needed to meet up with the other team. Though, you had an inkling that the Gantz room on the third floor may be the first place to look.

Before you made for the stairs however, a loud buzzing noise, like an apartment doorbell, rang out throughout the lobby. It lasted less than 2 seconds, but it was enough to draw your attention to the source. One of the wall TV's was turned on to display a message, and you quickly realized that it was more of a set of instructions as you approached.

<TAKE A COOKIE AND LEAVE. YOU ARE NOT ERICK. DO NOT COME BACK.>

"What the fuck?" you think out loud, squinting at the tv, "so they are here then. They only want...Erick though..."

<WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. SORRY, BUT WE WILL ONLY SPEAK TO HIM.>

>Ignore the message, and look for the other team on the scanner
>Accept, and walk away but take the whole cookie plate
>Try to communicate, and plead your case to them
>Write In

>>2973135
>"We're going to try to get Erick back next hunt with the points. Could you at least give me a possible time for the next meeting so I can give it to him when he's alive again?"
>"Thank you anyway, at least. I hope we can speak for real sometime in the future. It's nice to know we're not alone in this."
>Take a cookie and leave. You're done here.

>>2973135
"He'll only be avaliable next week, but we might not be alive until then, there are active aliens hunting us in the city, at least tell me if you had something similar in NY, the more we exchange the better chance we have."

Giving them some info that might be new to them may make them want to speak with us, the active aliens outside the hunt and interacting with us during and outside the hunts may trigger their interest.

>>2973135
Backing >>2973248 as well as sticking to my original post

>>2973248
+1

>>2973135
>"wtf why"

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>>2973154
>>2973248
>>2973293
>>2973299

'They're listening to me...' you think, looking at the added statement on the tv, 'as well as seeing where I am. If they're looking through the camera's in the lobby...then they must still be in the building...'

The message however is quite clear on the tv. These people want nothing to do with you, their interest solely fixated on Erick. If they knew he was dead already, then there was no point in deceiving your way past them. But at the same time, you did not come here to leave without at least being heard.

"We're going to try to get Erick back this week", you relay, making sure the whole empty lobby heard you, "Could you at least give me a possible time for the next meeting? I can let him know about it when he's alive again."

There is silence for a few moments, as you finish your declaration to seemingly nothing. Had anyone else seen you there, they might thought you were crazy as your breathed in rapidly and looked around you. After a minute of looking for movement in the lobby, your eyes were fixed back to the lobby tv. It displayed the same message as before, but you didn't let it dissuade you.

"He'll only be available next week", you reiterate, almost shouting this time, "but we might not be alive until then. There are aliens hunting us in the city, outside of the game, at least tell me something similar is happening in New York. The more information we have, the better chance both us will survive to next week."

You take some breath after the last part, as your throat was starting to get tired. Once again you looked to the tv screen, and once again it displayed the same message as before. These people wanted nothing to do with you at all, not even to acknowledge what you had to say. Even with the information about the aliens, it seemed totally fruitless. With a frustrated sigh, you turned your head towards the counter.

"Fine, thank you anyway", you somberly say, making your way to the plate, "I hope we can speak for real some time in the future. It's nice to know we're not alone in this."

"WAIT!", a woman's voice cuts from the second floor veranda, as a middle aged white lady quickly descends to the lobby, "I'll speak with you if you wish, but answer this question first. What do you people know about the lizards?"

The woman looked no older than 40 years old, yet there was not a single white hair on her. In fact, her body was almost as fit as your own through that business suit of hers. They eyes on her were positively anxious with either fear or genuine curiosity, and were boring holes into your head.

"Not much", you reply, looking back at her, "we only know that there's four of them, and that they seem to have a similar cloaking technology to us. They're also the only aliens I've seen that have targeted people out of the hunts."

The woman stands at the staircase, as if silently judging you, before she answers.

"Come with me", she replies, motioning upstairs.

>>2975987
>Assuming you're going upstairs, time for questions, choose or ask three

>Yukino's question, are there more psychics in New York?
>Allie's question, do you know Thomas Atkinson?
>Write in

>>2975996
>Yukino's question, are there more psychics in New York?
>Allie's question, do you know Thomas Atkinson?
>What do you know about the lizards?
>Any idea on the timer?
>compare dates to see if we are called at the same time, if we are not the teams can help each other.
>Compare the dificulty level of the hunts, how fucked are we?
>How many of them are there?
>Any general tips and things we don't know? We do the same for them


Damn that's a lot of questions

>>2976055
supporting

regarding the lizards, ask if they killed one and what's the best way to do it, we struggled a bit with the big one that got Carol

Mention we know where one of their hideouts was but we didn't feel confident to investigate since one of them had injured one of ours

>>2976055
>>2976065
Choose three of those. You unfortunately won't have enough time to ask all of them.

Don't worry, this won't be the last time you'll speak with New York.

>>2975996
>What do you know about the lizards?
>Allie's question, do you know Thomas Atkinson?
>Any general tips and things we don't know? We do the same for them

>>2976261
Agreed

>>2976261
works for me too

>>2975996
>Allie's question, lizards, timer

>>2976839
yeeeaaaa..... I actually change to this

>>2975996

You know what. this here is much more important:>>2976839

Specialy if we manage to find that the timer isn't a limit for the game.

>>2975996
Changing vote from >>2976261 to >>2976839

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>>2976839
>>2976848
>>2976880
>>2976999

The woman leads you to the second floor, and to a black, windowless door with a digital lock on the upper lobby. After she presses her thumb on the lock's plate, she motions you inside. The room is a vast, lavish office that shouts in favor of the status of whoever owns it. Though, as the woman approached the wooden desk and swivel chair, you could probably guess as to the ownership.

"Please take a seat", the woman addresses, and you graciously do on a nearby chair, "I unfortunately don't have much time, so I'll make introductions brief. My name is Emily Tolvert, logistical expert for Gantz New York, and the owner of this building."

"I already know who you are, Paula Torrez", she states, beating you to your introduction, "the apartment's surveillance has had this city's group monitored for a while now. But, let's cut to the chase: what else can you tell me about those aliens?"

"Well, besides what I've already told you," you reply, scratching your head, "I've seen the capabilities of only two of them. The first one was smaller than the others, could walk on walls, and had a weird kind of invisibility."

"All of them seem to have the technology if they can just walk around in public", you continue, and Emily narrows her eyes, "but this one seemed more...natural if that makes sense. Then there's the big one, which was stronger than even the suits and had this coating that made it almost impervious to anything, even the swords..."

You almost have a hard time finishing that sentence, as it brings back memories of your failures. Though, the knot in your gut also comes from your own lack of knowledge of the aliens in question. Thankfully, Emily nods her head in acknowledgement at your responds, as if understanding your current distress.

"I see, so not much more than us", she replies, sighing a little, "we've not encountered these things in the field, only saw them briefly at the end of a mission nearly a year ago. Though, from your description, it might be the same group as the one we saw."

"We also saw them at the end of a mission", you add, getting a curious look from Emily, "we don't know what they were here for...but it looked as if they were looking for something. If they had wanted to kill us, I feel as if they could have done so easily though-"

"We might know actually", Emily interjects, earning a look of surprise from you, "but, that is actually something we needed Erick here for. I'll at least share some information on our part, so if you have any questions Paula, go right ahead but I only have so much time."

"Fine, but", you answer, earning a look of estrangement from Emily, "you're gonna tell me the full story the next time I come here, with Erick this time. Firstly, do you know a man named Thomas Atkinson?"

<Continued>

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>>2978036
+1 Trust <Emily Tolvert>

<May 1st, Tuesday 2:00 PM>

"Can't say I do", Emily answers earnestly, giving you a look of genuine apology, "in the three years of being with Gantz, I don't recall that name in any way. That being said, one of our oldest members started in 2012, so maybe he knows who that man is."

'Allie's theory was right...' you deliberate on her answer, 'and for nearly five years. I can't believe there's players like that in this game...'

"That's fine", you continue, and Emily's gaze returns to calm, "it wasn't really my question anyways. However, I would like to know if you know what the timer is all about and I don't mean the mission timer itself."

"Timer...oh...", Emily answers, but looks somewhat worried about it, "if we're speaking about the same timer I'm thinking of, then I have to say that every theory we've had on it isn't very good. Though, the popular theory with us is that it's tied to the missions we've done up to now."

"They figure this whole thing is preparation for something", she continues, earning an inquisitive look from you, "what that could be, we don't really know but it makes more sense than a nuclear detonation or snuff program broadcast. Though, if sending people into some sick hunting safari is its idea of training, I don't think it's being too efficient to its purpose."

'Training us?', you think, trying to make sense of Emily's ideas, 'if it wanted to do that...then why the game, or why even the danger of death? If her team is right...then what the hell is gonna await us when that countdown reaches zero...?'

A loud buzz startles you out of your thought, and you spot Emily looking at her watch with anxiety. She pulls it back to her suit sleeve and briskly gets up from her seat.

"Sorry Paula, but I am out of time", she states, heading towards the door, "do not look for me or try to find me in this apartment complex until you find Erick. Sorry, but I am risking myself and my team by just speaking to you as is."

"W-wait, but why?", you ask, heading through the door with her, "there's so much I still don't understand right now. Even if it's not about Gantz, why are you-"

"Because your'e in danger as well", she interrupts, rushing down the stairs, "Gantz doesn't like people sharing information, even if it's one on one, for any extended period of time. It'll punish you or me, I know because it's done it in the past..."

"Punishment...?" you reiterate, almost jumping down the stair after her, "hold on, what do you-"

"STOP TALKING!", Emily shouts, pointing to the plate of cookies on the counter, "please...just...take the whole plate and leave. Please, Paula."

>Do as you're told, and leave the apartment
>Stay, there's still some questions you need to ask
>Slowly leave, and don't take the plate of cookies
>Write In

>>2978283
>Do as you're told, and leave the apartment
Let's not explosion-bait Gantz.

>>2978283
>Do as you're told, and leave the apartment

>>2978283
>>Do as you're told, and leave the apartment

>>2978283
>>Do as you're told, and leave the apartment

yeah, let's keep the heads on the shoulders

>>2978985
Eh...good one.

>>2978283
>>Do as you're told, and leave the apartment
now I see, they probably wanted to speak with Erick because Gantz doesn't have a way of controlling what's being communicated through telepathy.

>>2979141
if that is the case we don't have anything to fear from Stheno reading Paula's mind

>>2979184
wew
then we could theoretically get her and her bro in on this Gantz shit, WITHOUT being in the Gantz death game

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>>2978302
>>2978338
>>2978810
>>2978985
>>2979141

There's a plethora of questions you've yet say:

How difficult have the hunts been on your end?
Are there other psychics in New York as well?
Were you always the owner of Gantz's apartment?

Yet you don't speak out on any of them, instead opting to just nod in agreement and head for the cookies. You're almost tempted to ask if you can have a bag to carry them out, but you do as Emily says and just take the whole plate with you. True to her word, she doesn't say anything as you head for the door. You turn your head to give her a final look, but she's heading up the stairs by the time you look back.

'Thanks,' you think, turning back towards the door, 'hopefully we'll meet again.'

<May 1st, Tuesday 2:00 PM>

You lean on Dante's car as you send a message to Kurtis, letting him know about what you found out about the timer and Allie's theory on the time limit. This is finalized with a PS, letting know to let everyone know about this new information. The idea of that time limit had popped in your head, but if the game had an option that cost points to get out, you were skeptical about a predetermined amount of time it would just let you leave. You almost turn off the phone, when you almost immediately receive a reply back.

<I KNEW IT! There had to be someone that knew Mr. Atkinson! Thank you Paula, this was a big help. It's Allie btw, stole Kurtis's phone while he was sleeping. Don't worry, I'll send everyone the message.>

'Heh, works out I guess.'

You unlock Dante's car, and place the plate of cookies on the floor of the back seat. There's not much to hold them from getting everywhere, but at least the plate wont get broken if it's already on the ground. You'd counted eight on the plate, all chocolate chip, and looked as ordinary as the plate they were on.

'I can understand me leaving', you think, starting up the car, 'but why was she making such a big deal about cookies? I don't think she made these just for an afternoon treat.'

Emily Tolvert didn't seem the type to fool around, though you barely knew anything about her. Besides her name and her being the apparent owner of Gantz's apartment, there wasn't much else you could really take away from. And the insistence on seeing Erick only raised more of your suspicion. This train of thought was a interrupted however, by a loud buzzing coming from your phone. Turning it on, you spot a message from Dante.

<Paula, doctors said I'll be good leave in a few minutes. Sorting through the paperwork right now. Think you could swing back around and pick me up with my car? Also, there's something I need to tell you about Chris.>

'Had almost forgotten this was his car' you deliberate amusingly, 'I think I have enough time to pick him up. But, what's this about Chris...?'

>Try out one of the cookies, Emily was so fixated on them after all
>Pick up Dante, and see about the Chris situation
>Call your contact, and head to Chinatown immediately
>Write In

>>2980625
>>Call your contact, and head to Chinatown immediately

>>2980625
>Call your contact, and head to Chinatown immediately

>>2980625
>>Try out one of the cookies, Emily was so fixated on them after all
>>Pick up Dante, and see about the Chris situation

>>2980625
Its his car

>Pick up Dante, and see about the Chris situation

>>2980625
>Pick up Dante the demonslayer
>Eat a cookie

>>2980625
Changing >>2980751 to >>2981910

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>>2980804
>>2981644
>>2981910
>>2982001

You quickly send a text back to Dante, letting him you'll be at the hospital in 30 or so minutes assuming the traffic isn't awful today. Instead of waiting for his reply however, you attention becomes transfixed on the plate of cookies in the backseat floor. It seemed like such a ordinary thing to fixate on, yet Emily had some strange fixation on them as well. Your hand picks up the closest one to the plate and brings it close to your face.

'She's got to be telling me something...', you think, inspecting one of them, 'they don't look like they've been tampered...but I guess I won't know until I take a bite...'

So you do and it tastes quite good, if not completely ordinary, at least on the first bite. It longer has the warm, chewiness of having just come out of the over, but you nonetheless finish it. Though, as you chew up the cookie, you suddenly feel something hard and tough collide with your left molar. It makes you wince enough to almost spit out the chewed up cookie, trying to pull out that hard piece. Upon locating it with your tongue and spitting it out to your hand, you're almost astonished by what you now hold.

'Ah...flash drive...?', you think, picking up the small, square object, 'what the hell...? How did this-'

It is tiny, and covered by a plastic cap that looks warped and bent. Yet, the USB itself looks intact and unblemished. If this was what Emily was trying to get to you, then...it might be safe to keep it close for now. You're almost half tempted to look through the other cookies themselves, but the time on your phone reminds you of your task at hand.

'Boy...do I have a story for him...'

<May 1st, Tuesday 2:45 PM>

"Ok so let me get this straight", Dante starts, leaning on his car alongside you, "you went to see a member of a Gantz team from another city, who told you that the countdown timer may be in preparation to something to do with the hunts."

You can't help but nod at Dante's assertions. He'd been in slight disbelief since you briefed him on the events of the apartment. And it seemed that his issues with Chris were now taking a backseat to it. At least he'd thanked you for bringing his car around.

"On top of that", he continues, his tone growing with even more disbelief, "they've also encountered those lizards and say they might actually know what they're after. And she somehow managed to put a flashdrive in a cookie without lighting that thing up?"

"You know", you reply in a dry tone, "it really says a lot about us when the last part is what you're having a hard time believing. But yeah, more or less, and they seem to only want Erick for some reason..."

"Christ," Dante sighs, shaking his head, "alright, get in. I'll tell you about Chris on the drive, since I think I'll need time to process...everything so far."

>Choose 2
>Chris, what did you need to tell me about him?
>The cookies, give one to Dante
>The car, how am I gonna get around without this one?
>Write In

>>2982547
>Chris, what did you need to tell me about him?
>The cookies, give one to Dante

We can run everywhere to get around. Build up cardio.

>>2982547
>Chris, what did you need to tell me about him?
>The cookies, give one to Dante

>>2982547
>Chris, what did you need to tell me about him?
>The cookies, give one to Dante. "Don't eat it all in one bite, trust me on this."

>>2982547
>>The car, how am I gonna get around without this one?
>Chris, what did you need to tell me about him?


we still need to talk with that contact, we'll need to ask to keep his car at least for today

>>2982547
>The car, how am I gonna get around without this one?
>Chris, what did you need to tell me about him?

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>>2982575
>>2982583
>>2982624

<May 1st, Tuesday 3:00 PM>

After exiting the hospital parking lot, Dante said he was going to the car back home. Both to make sure his father was placated as well as talk to Chris in person once you arrived. However, there was a curious point still lingering in the back of your head as he made the drive to the mansion. You decided to give Dante one of the remaining cookies and, like you'd predicted, he managed to bite into something after the second bite.

"Ack...what?", he exclaimed, almost spitting out the cookies remains onto the dashboard, "holy shit, it is a flash-drive, like a really tiny one and inside of an impermeable cap. Did you see what's inside it?"

"Haven't got the chance to", you reply, pulling out your own flash-drive, "but I'd imagine they have something important if Emily went through so much trouble to get them to me. Which...she was avoiding my questions when I talked to her after we left her meeting room, saying that Gantz would punish her..."

"I doubt she wants to keep you in the dark if she was will to talk to you in spite of the apparent risk", Dante states, placing the flash-drive in a cupholder, "and if it's Gantz related, it could be another one of his fucked up rules again. Honestly, it just means we need to make sure Erick comes back this weekend."

You nod in resolve, stashing back your Flash-drive in your pocket. So many new things had been answered today, yet you still felt that there was so much you didn't know. Erick's return was going to be tantamount to getting this situation squared away, as well as your own life.

<May 1st, Tuesday 3:30 PM>

Dante was a few blocks away from the mansion when traffic had turned bad. He'd frustratedly almost slammed the dashboard, but instead just kneaded his head on the steering wheel. After a minute or so of complaining, the traffic began to move a little bit, and you took the time to ask Dante about a previous topic.

"So, you said there was something about Chris", you start, and Dante turns to face you, "something I should know about, since I'd been talking to him for a bit. Well, what is it?"

"It's not something he'd want me to say", Dante replies, "but, it's important enough that you need to hear it. It's something that happened when I started in Gantz, and I first saw him in the game."

"He was insane, worse than he was before", he continues, his tone darkening, "murdering without remorse or regret for his team, leaving people behind to die, or using their dying bodies as bait. I should have seen the signs a week prior, as he had become so frustrated and spiteful than before."

"Just like in our first hunt...", you state somberly, "do you think it may have been something that happened in a prior hunt. The week discrepancy does line up with the regular hunt schedule."

"Probably", he replies, shaking his head, "I'd tried to ask him before, but he doesn't respond. Maybe, he'll speak to you though."

>>2988306
OOC: We will continue this thread tomorrow.

Sorry I didn't post the night prior, I was indisposed and out of town.

I will archive this, so don't worry about doing it for me.

>>2988308
Thanks for running