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 Posted: Mon Apr 05, 2010 11:16 pm
This is where the magic science happens! Designed like a labyrinth and built underground, this is where you will most often find members of Squad Twelve doing their duties as Shinigami. There are eight levels of this underground facility, designed in a cylindrical shape. On top of these basement levels is the ground-level structure, shaped like a dome. This merely serves as a medium between the labs and the rest of the court.
The top three levels are the most commercial levels of the labs, allowing access to most Shinigami of at least a rank as fifth seat in their respective squad or by orders of their Captain. It is here that the labyrinth is the most simple.
The fourth and fifth levels are areas of higher security, needing members of fifth seat or higher in rank with captain's orders or just be Lieutenant or Captain of their squad. It is here that experiments involving the Hollow and their respective variations. The labyrinth on these levels are slightly more complicated that the first three.
The sixth and seventh levels, needing either a Lieutenant with Captain's orders or a Captain to be allowed. Here, work on deceased Shinigami, or high priority subjects is conducted (this includes Espada or Vizard if they are given the chance). The labyrinth on these two levels are much more complicated than the first three.
The eighth level of Squad Twelve's laboratories contains Captain Sentetsu's personal office. Only his Lieutenant and Shinigami permitted by him are allowed to enter this section without penalty of death or serious experimentation. Here is where objects of most importance are kept, such as Captain Zaraki's former Reiatsu-eating eye-patch, the remainder of Captain Mayuri's regenerative substance (as well as the research done on himself involving modifications done to his body and the procedure's necessary to accomplish them), and Zanpakuto of particular interest to Kurei. The labyrinth here is known only to Kurei and anyone with an eidetic memory. Even his Lieutenant needs to carry a map of it with him to traverse it successfully.
Anyone with Captain Sentetsu allowance is permitted to enter any level. In this case, he will give a specific word to be provided to his security for this access. This word changes every twelve hours, twice a day, once at six in the morning, and once more at six in the evening. The only other Shinigami given access to the levels of the labs are Shinigami of Squad Twelve, permitted based on their loyalty to the squad (how many years of service they've provided) and overall knowledge of the subject matter. In this way, some members usually only allowed access to research of the first three levels may work on projects on the seventh level if their knowledge of the subject matter is extensive enough.
While posting here, at the top of your post, please make it known what level you are in. This is to avoid confusion of what is happening where.
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Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 6:01 pm
[ Ground Level ]
Kurei finally arrived at his destination, finally noticing that Magaru had followed him here. He chuckled and looked to his comrade "I didn't actually think you'd accompany me here... It doesn't matter, it's just a moment out of the way I guess." He looked forward to see a few of his squad members paying close attention to their captain. He smiled and nodded to them, walking over to the first set of stairs to lead down into the depths of his facility. "Captain Tsugamashi may accompany me into my office, please relay this message to the levels below, I don't want to have to repeat myself," he said as he passed his security. They saluted by crossing their left hand diagonally across their torso to their waist and bowed, responding quickly by turning to a small pipe running vertically through the floor against a wall. he looked back at Magaru halfway, waving him forward. "You're free to stay there or leave, but I assure you that accompanying me farther will be much more satisfying. You'll get a first-hand look at our current research." He smiled a toothy smile before turning back toward the stairs and following them down.
[ Basement Level One ]
Upon arriving at the base of the first flight of stairs, Kurei and Magaru arrived at a wall directly in front of them, leading to a long path both left and right, each seeming to follow the same example. The walls were stale and dark, as well as appeared cold to the touch. Kurei smirked and headed left. It seemed like this level was soundproof, as though not even the stone walls could provide any form of echo from a source other than their voices and footsteps. This was because Kurei had invisible sound barriers placed every fifty feet, to prevent intruders from getting an easier guess as to which direction to head. Then once they enter one of the barriers with sound, it was impossible to tell what direction the sound was coming from because one would be too close and the echoes would sound over one another. It was the same for every level but the ninth, in which very little sound was emitted, and if it was, it was because Kurei was there.
After strolling around a couple more forks, they finally walked through a barrier which contained sound. it was a sudden burst of sound, perhaps drilling, coming from all around them. Kurei paid no heed to this and continued past a four-way crossing, which eventually led them to the next flight of stairs. By this flight of stairs were a pair of crystal doors, both of which led to large labs. He ignored these doors and went straight to the flight of stairs.
[ Basement Level Two ]
Once Kurei and Magaru arrived at the second level, he stopped and looked at the ceiling above them in thought. No sooner than he looked up, he jolted with an idea, as though he had realized something. "I just remembered... It's the third day on my calendar-week. How about a shortcut?" With that, he turned to the right, an obvious dead-end, and stopped at the cold stone wall. After shortly standing there with his left hand on the wall, he removed his hand and walked directly into the wall.
[ Basement Level Eight - Kurei's Office ]
Upon exiting the wall, Kurei found himself in his personal workspace. He smiled and walked over to the space he would often leave Ao-Hoshi, giving a polite bow before picking the Zanpakuto up with both hands and placing it on its proper area on his waist. After that, he turned to face Magaru, "I respectfully request that you keep that between us...," he said, pointing at the wall he referred to. He strolled over to his comrade and explained "On certain days on my personal calendar-week, some places in the labyrinth, when in contact with my Reiatsu for a moment, it will lead directly to a wall right here... But I've got precautions for those that believe they can outsmart this "portal", if you will...," he added, smiling as he normally would. "Shall we retire from here then and respond to our summoning?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 7:59 pm
Following only a dozen feet behind Captain Sentetsu, Magaru landed lightly beside the 12th Division leader. Taking in his words, he merely shrugged. "I would not be able to make it on time for the meeting even if I did continue on now, and you will be further delayed in your arrival for the need of your Zanpakuto. It is for that reason I elected to accompany you. It is normally less daunting to enter a room expecting you if there is someone else present to divide the drawn attention." Captain Tsugamashi matched Kurei's pace as they proceeded into the facility, taking only a moment to nod in polite greeting to the sentries at the entrance. True though that he fully intended to follow Kurei for the sake of companionship, there was no denying that he was in fact quite interested in seeing the current endeavors of the Seireitei's science division. With an open mind and understandably high-expectations, Magaru trailed behind his guide as he forged the way. - Basement Level One - Having visited the 12 Division Grounds before, albeit during Captain Kurotsuchi's management, the drab appearance of the structure was nothing new to Magaru. The newly present labyrinth, however, required several seconds to allow his amazement to settle. Eager not to be lost in this maze, the captain hurried after Sentetsu, ignoring the unsettling lack of sound present in the area. They traveled for a short time with nary a word between them before, with no real warning, the sound of work in earnest became instantly present. Though maintaining the control necessary to keep from jumping, the surprise was enough to cause him to flinch. Quickly adjusting to the natural unpredictability of the place, Captain Tsugamashi sufficed with shaking his head and following after Kurei, likewise ignoring the labs, if only for the time being. - Basement Level Two - As they had been moving at a brisk pace for the entirety of their trek through the facility, it puzzled him now that Captain Sentetsu would take pause. He listened, not fully understanding, to Kurei's words. To be frank, the combination of the sudden statement along with the lack of relativity dumbfounded him. He massaged his forehead, still working through the confusion he felt for the suggestion. "But... what would a specific day have to do with using a-". Magaru cut his sentence short as he watched in interest as his fellow captain moved for of one of the many dead ends of this place. He watched as Kurei placed his hand against the wall, and was about to speak but cried out in surprise as the man vanished into the wall. Cape flaring back with the speed in which he moved, Tsugamashi dashed to the wall. With no trace left of Sentetsu's reiatsu, Magaru found the only course of action left to him being to follow in example. Tentatively, he raise his right hand and moved to touch the wall, but rather than finding a solid surface, his digits paced through to find nothing but open air. Wary but determined, he took a deep breath and held it, stepping into the wall. - Basement Level Eight - Fully expecting the wall to return to its solid form before he was able to pass through it, Magaru ended up stumbling into Kurei's office when he did not come into the resistance expected. He was still taking his bearings when Kurei spoke, breaking him from his stupor. He took in the details of the portals with great interest. Seeing that Kurei was ready, Magaru readily agreed with the proposition of their returning. "Indeed. I do find this all interesting, and would like to learn more of the modifications you have made to this place, but we really should make haste. Lead the way, and I'll be but a step behind you."
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Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 8:13 pm
[ Basement Level Eight - Kurei's Office ]
Kurei nodded after Magaru's acknowledgment and turned to head to another wall, "If my memory serves me right... This should take us to the court in my division... It may not be a direct connection to our Captain-Commander's meeting, but it will cut out a lot of time in our travels. I will stress again that you keep this a secret. We can look at my labs in detail upon our next return here." With that, he placed his hand on this wall. After another moment, he proceeded to pass through this wall, which he used to merely wait for Magaru before pressing on to the meeting hall.
[ Exit to Captain's Meeting Hall ]
(( Needed to make it short, since we're pressed on time. ))
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Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 8:43 pm
- Basement Level Eight - The captain chuckled at the impressiveness of Kurei's portal system. Surely, something of this caliber was capable only of the Division Twelve Captain's ingenuity. "You have my word as a captain of the Gotei 13 that I will not breath, utter, or otherwise speak of this matter to another soul... in any manner of the the phrase. Now let us be off. I very much wish to bring an end to this day." Following Kurei's example, Magaru phased through the wall, exiting to the outer area of the Twelfth Division. Taking but a moment to understand his present location, he raced after his fellow, toward the towering obelisk that was the 1st Division quarters, as well as the Captain's Meeting Hall. - Exit to "Captain's Meeting Hall" - ((Don't worry, I completely understand.))
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 11:16 pm
[ Ground Level ]
Kurei skidded on his heels to a halt after finished several hundred yards of distance covered with Shunpo. A few of the squad members looked up and noticed him arrive, the others, used to this kind of action from their Captain, didn't pay heed to it. Beside him, Ao-Hoshi still hovered, appearing a much lighter blue than usual. This was a sign that he was straining to stay in his materialized form on Kurei's plane of existence. The Captain looked over to his somewhat tired companion and chuckled, thinking to himself, "You are really out of shape, Ao... Maybe we do need to get sparring with someone soon." This attentiveness to his Zanpakuto's spirit was shortly disrupted when one of his sentries waved for his attention. Kurei nodded and walked over to the man standing guard at the top of the staircase. "What is it you need?" he asked politely.
The Shinigami cleared his throat and straightened his posture before responding, "It's word from Sixth Floor's Second Team - they've completed the prototype you assigned them to."
The Captain thought to himself for a moment to remember what it was the second group was supposed to be working on when it came to him. He looked a little excited, bringing a little light to the room. This kind of thing was much preferred over him being disappointed. "Did they mention ever having made preliminary tests, or were they waiting for me?"
The guard shrugged and replied, "All I know is that they completed the prototype and that they wanted you to know as soon as possible."
As he nodded his head in agreement and chuckled to himself, Kurei raised his hand to set it on the squad member, "Thank you for relaying the message, I'll be sure to check up on it myself."
Nodding, the man added, "I'm just doing my job, sir - no need to thank me for that." With that, he saluted his Captain and returned to paying attention to his current duties. Kurei looked over to the slowly fading Ao-Hoshi. Knowing it was strenuous on his partner, he laid his hand on the hilt of the weapon and passed his Reiatsu into the Zanpakuto, giving the spirit some rest from needing to maintain his form on his own. After beginning this, the two went down the stairs and headed for the Sixth Floor.
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Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 8:19 pm
[Ground Floor] King arrived inside and looked around, taking in his surroundings. It was his first official visit to the Research Labs, they seemed to be quite sophisticated. He knew though, that the real equipment was in the lower levels where the more important experiments were taking place. He smiled and began to walk farther inside, he knew Kurei would have sensors to alert him of their arrival. He wondered if he had any news on the Arrancar plaguing the human world.
"Are you coming Okami? Captain Sentetsu should be meeting us shortly I think. I have a few questions for him, and i'm sure he wouldn't mind answering any of yours. Unless you think it pointless." King smiled and scratched his head as he approached what looked like a monitor of some sort. He began to toy with it slightly, trying not to do anything that would break it.
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Posted: Sat May 08, 2010 8:37 pm
Okami walked in, still in an army like position as he walked. He couldn't help but look around though to see if some of the rumors he heard were true and from the looks of it. No, they wern't. There was no soul thirsty monster that drooled reiatsu or even anything close to that range. Okami's facial expression changed slightly at the dissapointment of false information yet relief from the exact same thing. "I am coming" Okami continued to follow behind the captain
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Posted: Tue May 11, 2010 3:22 pm
[ Basement Level Two ]
Just as Kurei reached the base of the steps, one of his sentries at the previous floors had tapped him on the shoulder. The Captain looked over lazily to see one of his squad members referencing the floor above them, "Sir, it appears you have guests. Were you expecting company?"
Kurei brought his brows together in curiosity as he replied, looking toward the top of the staircase, "Well, I was expecting a guest, but not quite this early... And did you say guests, as in plural?" The sentry nodded, bring his right hand up with his index and middle finger up to show just how many. Kurei dropped his gaze to his lower-left, thinking for a moment, then nodded before proceeding to speak, "Alright, then. I'll hold off on my meeting with the sixth floor for now. Please let them know I've been delayed." The man nodded, then gave his Captain the appropriate bow before speeding back up the stairs and return to his position. Kurei then took another brief moment to collect his guess for who might meet him on the floor above, then continued up the steps.
[ Ground Level ]
When Kurei reached the point at which his eyes met with the ground floor of the facility, he noticed two familiar faces, one of which he'd never actually tied a name to before. He quickened his steps to greet them and not waste as much time, "Ah, Captain Veltryn and his associate! To what do I owe the pleasure? Here to check up on progress, no doubt? Or is there something else at hand? A request? Orders from above? Perhaps you'd like that tour? What'll it be?" His hurried and lack of pause in between each question was an obvious statement of how unexpected and out-of-the-way it was. He had his smile on, as usual, but it didn't seem he liked that his fellow Captain just decided to make little use of the monitor. "Please... Feel right at home, would you?"
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Posted: Wed May 12, 2010 2:05 pm
[Ground Level] King smiled at Kurei's fast approach. He noticed the annoyance in Kurei's face and quickly pulled his hand away. He crossed his arms as to show he wouldn't be touching any more of the monitors without his knowing or permission. "I apologize for playing with your machines, but i figured it would alert you to our presence much sooner than if we got lost in the lower levels." He smiled and turned to Okami then back to Kurei. Noticing a similarity in both of their confusion.
"Actually i've come to ask you about the meeting we had previously with the Head-Captain. I've no doubt that you will create a more powerful defense for the Seritei, but i'm wondering as the Head of Research and Development what do you know about our new enemies?" The smile quickly left his face as the words left his mouth. The tone of his voice showed his concern and his wonder. If anyone would know anything about the Arrancar it would be Kurei.
"Where are my manners, Captain Sentetsu, this is my new Lieutenant, Okami this is Captain Sentetsu." He raised his hand to introduce his Lieutenant to the Captain. Slightly smug, almost feeling like he was showing Okami off.
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Posted: Thu May 13, 2010 1:41 pm
Okami looked over at Captain Sentetsu and bowed slightly before relaxing slightly "Nice to meet you". He then started tapping his foot lightly as he started looking at the devices and such in the room.
(Extreme writers block.)
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Posted: Tue May 25, 2010 3:06 pm
Kurei looked at King as he returned his hand and crossed his arms. It was probably the better choice on his behalf, but the most Kurei could've done was banish him from his division grounds. "Let me get this straight... You wanted to get my attention without getting lost in the labs, so you meddle with the ground-level database?" He brought his right hand up to his mouth, perching the elbow on his left palm, "I'm not really alerted to use of that particular terminal, or any other one on this level, for that matter. It's levels three and below that I really keep tabs on, but I like you thinking." The Captain then looked at King's subordinate and gave him a somewhat informal version of his salute, "It's a pleasure, Okami. I understand that you are under wonderful care in Captain Veltryn's squad. We here take a little more risk on average every day, but when it finally comes to battle, your squad can really 'bring the heat'," he said, bringing each of his hands up and signifying the quotes.
After thinking a moment about the real reason his guests were there, Kurei shrugged and gave what little an answer he could, "Well, we have yet to record any of their abilities... Though I'm sure someone just forgot to report to me, as I've heard of a few encounters recently. Other than that, all I really know is that they were just Hollow that were the best-of-the-best. Honestly though... That just means they're glorified Hollow that don't need to wear their mask all of the time. The last batch of them had many abilities, ranging from a generic Cero to the ability to activate a Resurrección, which seemed to unlock their true potential... Essentially, you'll never be fighting them at their full strength until they do this, so playing arrogant because of how much you overpower them at first is a bad idea." He looked at the ceiling and scowled as he thought harder, "Other than that, I can't really give you a whole lot to work with. Sorry. Trust me when I say: if I get any information of our recent enemies, you'll be the second to know, right behind Madame Hayabusa, solely because you came forward with your curiosity. Can we work with that?" He ruffled his sleeves a little working out what few wrinkles had formed from his movements, then looked at both of them anxiously.
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Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 2:56 pm
King smiled and nodded his head. Kurei was a good man, he seemed more responsible than previous Heads of Research and Development. Also more tolerant. King liked him and considered him somewhat of a friend, though they still knew little about each other, he felt at ease with him. "Thank you Kurei, this has been very helpful. All I can ask is that you inform me, like you said, after Head Captain Hayabusa. I'd like to say in the circle, as they say." The smile started to fade from his face, and the worry returned once more.
After taking in what Kurei had said for a moment he turned slightly to Okami. Looking to his Lieutenant he sighed. The next stop may not be quite as easy as this one. "Thank you once again Kurei, I believe that's all we needed." His eyes went to Okami quickly then back to the ground. He was unsure if he should speak his mind or keep silent...the silence won. "We will leave you to your research now my friend. Come Okami." King began walking back to the exit with his arms crossed. Contemplating his next stop.
[Exit to streets of Seritei]
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Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 3:09 pm
Okami saw the worry look on his captains face and began to wonder what would cause him to be in such a state. He heard what Captain Kurei had said but he doubted something like that would get him down. When he heard Captain King call for him to follow he did so immediatly with his hands at his sides and his back straight. He figured they were going to see another captain but he wasn't exactly positive.
[exit to streets of seireitei]
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Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 12:24 pm
Kurei smiled and gave them his squad salute, though more formally this time, then added before they left, "Well, I do wish you luck on your endeavors. And I will be sure to send you a plethora of information personally, when I get it." As his pair of guests left, he turned to see his squad members busy at work. He rose his hands and gave a loud overhead clap. Following this, everyone in the room stopped what they were doing, save for his sentries, and began lining up in a staggered formation before him. Once everyone seemed situated, Kurei scanned across the group and began announcing, "As I'm going to be busy for the next week or so... I won't be able to make rudimentary additions to the squad building. Because of this, I will have to forward you orders involving such things and they will need to be done the day I assign them. Can we handle that?" The room stayed silent, meaning that there were no objections. After all, who would object to their Captain? "Good. As the first order of business, we need to have some kind of better communication system, in case visitors or any of you need to contact me. I need it undetectable to the naked eye, as well as silent enough so that only I can hear it. Divide the work up as you will, but it must be done by tomorrow morning. Can we handle this?" Again, the room was silent, a good sign. The Captain smiled and snapped his finger, which sent the squad moving at their jobs again, with some moving down into the first basement level. With that, he bobbed his head from side-to-side giving quiet but satisfying pops in his neck. He quickly shook his sleeves again and hurriedly went through the main entrance to the basement levels.
[ Basement Level Six ]
After several minutes of a brisk walk, Kurei made it to one of the large crystal walls that lead to one of the few sixth-level laboratories. He gave a knock on the wall in some kind of pattern, which led to the wall parting just enough for someone of average size to walk in unhindered. As he stepped inside, it could be seen that the prototype he had his squad was working on was working well. Looking around the room, he'd noticed every one of his squad members in the room were affected by Bakudo #63, Sajo Sabaku (Chains of Binding). Their Captain laughed quite a bit then looked to his subordinates and gave them a half-a** squad salute due to the heavy laughter. He looked around the room, walking by the squad members as he did so, asking them "So... I can see that it works, it just needs to learn what not to hit... Now, where is it-?" No sooner than he finished, did he use Shunpo to dart across the room and avoid being caught in #63 himself. "There you are...," he said under his breath, looking up at a small humanoid figure perched between two adjacent walls and the ceiling. "And you seem to have wonderful mobility..." Soon after he finished his comment, the arm of the perched figure began to glow a faint blue, similar to that of Kurei's kamishimo. While it glowed, the arm illuminated the rest of the figure, which looked like some kind of iron and wooden replica of a small person, which was covered in strips of paper, most blank, the others with some kind of inscription on it. On closer inspection, it could be seen that one of the papers, the writing began to fade. Immediately after that, the figure fired another Sajo Sabaku. The Captain once again nimbly avoided the Bakudo and fired Bakudo #61, Rikujokoro (Six Rods Prison of Light) at the object, immediately seizing it where it was. With a sigh of disappointment, he looked at his squad members, still bound by Sajo Sabaku. With a shunpo to the bound object, Kurei inspected it carefully, "Hmm...," He looked back at his squad members, then returned to the prisoner. "Well, I will admit it's good... But it used twelve of these incantations on nine of you, and that's not including the two it tried to use on me. It needs to be improved, otherwise it will never hit the Arrancar... After all, if it missed three times on you, I can't see it even challenging our intruders," he said, vanishing and reappearing near the crystal wall, freeing his subjects simultaneously.
Each of them stretched and gave him their salute. The current lead scientist approached him and spoke, "We apologize, sir. We will make sure it is more effective next time, sir." As he spoke, the others worked on freeing the invention and shutting it down.
Kurei looked over his shoulder at the apologizing member, "I would hope so... I'll prepare more of the incantations. I'm glad you were able to integrate their use into it."
"We couldn't have done it without your insight, sir. We will begin preparing again immediately, sir," the squad member said, rushing over to aid his fellow scientists.
Kurei started chuckling again as he left, heading for his personal office. On his way, he contemplated aloud what would be necessary, "It's going to need a way to identify what needs to be targeted and what doesn't, as well as a way to communicate its captures... Otherwise the target may release themselves before me or another Captain arrives to make an arrest or otherwise free them. A more effective Bakudo would also be necessary... Or maybe a collection of them? But that would mean we need to figure out how to make it knowledgeable of which one to use and when..." He continued to talk to himself as he headed down the stairs into the seventh basement level.
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