Random Encounters: The C.O.D.E

One Step Behind

Lancer's footsteps are the only thing heard as he walks down the staircase. Even the Narrator is silent for this. Something is somber about what's been happening. Lancer reaches the bottom of the staircase and the Narrator gasps from the sight. Circus Baby laying on the ground, her back opened, wires protruding from it, her face partially broken apart. Glitch Trap is standing over her, looking up slowly at Lancer.

"What happened here?" Narrator asks.

Glitch Trap tilts his head a bit, "Question: What happened the evening of March 8th, 2022? Answer: The prisoners escaped via the vents, attacking Circus Baby."

"Do you know which way they went?" Narrator asks frantically.

"Question: Which direction did the fugitives go? Answer: They went upstairs to the cells for the Blanks."

"Alright, thank you," Narrator begins, "I need you to reassemble Baby as best you can."

"Command: Repair Circus Baby. Action: Repair her," Glitch Trap says, kneeling behind her.

Lancer walks to the staircase on the other side of the room and begins walking up it as Glitch Trap grabs some wires. As Lancer ascends the staircase, there's something off. They're always seemingly one step behind, as if they're not able to think ahead fast enough. Lancer reaches the long, white hall and begins walking slower.

"Stop," Narrator says when they reach Purple Guy's cell, "I have a feeling, they made a stop here."

Lancer stops walking and steps up to the glass. Normally he'd have said something, but he's been very quiet this journey, that may or may not have something to do with some blatant threats, but that hardly matters.

"Purple Guy, did the fugitives pass by here?" Narrator asks.

"Error. No fugitives found," Purple Guy says.

"No fugitives? What? What do you mean no fugitives?! They came down this hallway! They must've passed right by you!" The Narrator goes off.

"Which question would you like me to answer?"

"None of them, I'd like you to tell me if the fugitives came by."

"There are no fugitives recognized in the system, all have either been terminated or shown the Good Employee Film."

"I- Oh... Oh that's right..." the Narrator says in thought, "We cut to the chase, we... We, uh, we informed them there were no fugitives at the moment. He could've given them information they're not supposed to have. Well, Lancer, we need to continue. Purple Guy, did a group of people come by here?"

"Question: Did a group of people pass the cell? Answer: Yes."

"Did they say where they were going?"

"Question too broad, please narrow it down."

"Oh, forking fudge on Saturday- Did the group of people that passed you say where they were going?" The Narrator asks, irritated.

"Question: Did the people say where they were going? Answer: Yes."

"Where did they say they were going?"

"Question too broad, please narrow it down."

"WHERE DID THE PEOPLE SAY THEY WERE GOING?!" The Narrator yells in frustration.

"Question: Where did the group of people say they were going? Answer: The board."

"Holy shudge cakes on rice patties. They'll get me killed, or worse, fired. Lancer, we have to hop to it, we have to stop them," the Narrator says.

Lancer begins walking down the hall again. They were in a rush to stop them, to save the Narrator's hide, and to wrap this up before the end of the month unlike the last one.