"Ok, there might be a problem."

May turned back the group after about 20 minutes spent messing around with the various substances found around the labs and the technician prep room.

"I have good news and bad news, and also some pretty devastating news. The good news is that I learnt Analyze, which is a massive help. The bad news is I only have 16 stamina, and analyze costs 10 of that. The worse news is that Chemistry is Broken. And not in the good way." Expecting a much bigger reaction than the one she received at her shocking revelation, May looked slightly peeved as she elaborated.

"Nothing is working how it should. I know most of these chemicals by the label, or I can identify them by their qualities, but they won't react. I occasionally get a window saying my level isn't high enough, so I can only assume I'm missing a class needed to do chemistry. Or an occupation, maybe, and I suppose it’s Alchemy, now. *sigh* I wish I was an Alchemist." As soon as she said this though, her focus shifted, and she appeared to be reading something that only she could see.

"I can become an Arcane Alchemist. Apparently, having this feature works with the Occupation, so it's better. Should I go for it?" She looked excited and even James had to admit it sounded impressive.

"I’m gonna go for it." She barely even waited for their reactions before she went for it.

There was no visible change, but James guessed she was reading all kinds of details about her new occupation.

"I got like 5 new skills and a new spell. I don't have time to explain them though. I need to get on with my idea. Dom, you're good at chemistry, so you're going to be my lab assistant."

James' mind whirred, trying to figure out who Dom was. A list formed in his mind of the six people in the group:

• Himself

• Dana

• May

• Callum

• Annie

• Scribe

Making the connection, James actually felt like quite the asshole that he had referred to Dom as Scribe so much that he subconsciously took that to be his name.

"How long do we need?" Dom was quite obviously worried about time, and likely felt the same fear as James: that night would only make things much worse.

"Hmmmmm....." May paused for a moment in her mad scramble to assemble lab equipment.

"At least an hour and a half, more if the power isn't working." At the shocking revelation that the electricity might have gone out and they didn't even realize, the group stilled. Callum, who was still messing with his bloodied nose, was the closest to the doorway, flicked all the switches.

Nothing happened.

"Shit. That makes the next part of the plan way harder."

Dom looked completely ruffled, and as he suggested going to the workshops, James had a good idea of what he wanted to do. Remembering something that might change the plan, and revealing in the fact that he knew something the others did not, James spoke proudly.

"The workshops are all on their own circuits so that breaking a machine won’t cause a power cut in the whole building. And the storeroom has, like, twenty batteries for the machines so that they can still be used even if someone does fuck up the circuits."

From their surprised and vaguely happy looks, James reckoned none of them did wood or metalworking, which was his favourite subject.

"Well, that’s some good news at least." Dom looked relieved, but his expression quickly shifted back to worry.

“But we're going to take too long in here to be able to use the workshops properly."

"I’ll go", said James defiantly. Though it terrified him to split up the group, he couldn't wait to go to the workshop, where he was clearly superior to the others.

"Ok, but you're not going alone. Dana will want to go with you I'm guessing, and you should take a third person. Annie?"

Annie shrugged with a neutral expression at his implication. James instantly felt a little better with leaving. Annie may not have been physically impressive, but she gave off such a confident aura that she didn't need to impress.

"Oh, and one more thing." Dom reached into his bag and pulled out his notebook. He quickly wrote and drew some things, then tore out the page and handed it to James.

"If you can, try and make these. They will do for minimal protection, and make fighting easier. Make six sets of each if you have time... Oh, and since you, me and Callum are of a similar build, just model three sets off yourself. Dana and Annie can model for you there, and leave Mays stuff for last so that when we catch up, you can take whatever measurements you need."

Dana looked less than pleased at that last sentence, and a blush dusted May’s cheeks, but Dom either didn't see or didn't care enough to stop from ushering the three out of the door.

James, Dana and Annie followed the hall to the next block. This part of the main building was rougher than any other due to the constant paint sprays and splashes on the floor, and frankly crap art projects on the walls.

As they neared the door to the first workshop, the art room, James stopped suddenly. He had spotted something that didn't belong outside the biology department. A small red lizard clung to the wall, a little above the sign indicating the room number. Realizing this wasn't at all the innocent situation it could have been, James prepared, however, he could. Focusing on the bars at the top of his vision, and noticing that his stamina was already refilled, he used the only skill he could deem useful for this situation.

Analyze

A small window appeared above the lizard, with much less information than he was expecting.

Screaming Lizard:

Level: 2

While the low level gave him a little confidence, the screaming part most certainly did not. This lizard was likely acting as a guard dog, to call reinforcements to anywhere that people come close to.

"What is it?” questioned Dana, confused at the situation. All she saw was James stop upon spotting the lizard, then seeming to freeze in place.

"A guard." James replied grimly. He was not sure what to do in this situation. If he used his club to try and kill the lizard; missing would make a loud noise, as would hitting it, and probably attract those they were trying to avoid. But if he aimed the swing better, and was too slow, the lizard would start screaming. He stood stock still for a few more seconds before motion blurred in front of him.

Annie stood several feet away from where she was, behind him. But now she stood with a squirming lizard clenched in her fist.

"Damn... Agility really pays off, huh." James was in awe of what Annie had just pulled off. This was a completely inhuman movement that blew away his expectations.

"Not bad for initial levels," Annie spoke to herself, commenting on herself. She suddenly squeezed, and the still struggling lizard stopped moving with her grasp with a few small crunches, and a pop that sent a shiver down his spine.

(-5 hp)

Dana shared his sentiment, as she audibly gagged.

"Fifteen experience. But for what though?" Annie muttered, and after muttering ‘status’, looked through her stats for any changes. Seeing none, she dismissed it as being dependent on having a Class or Occupation, and let the matter rest.

While Annie was preoccupied, James peeked into the classroom through the slightly ajar door. The lights were off, and he didn't dare even try to switch them on. Scanning the room for movement, James noticed a large pile of loose canvases in one of the corners. Likely a bed for something, he immediately backed up and motioned that they should continue. There wasn't much they could do with the art room anyway.

Continuing down the hall, they encountered several more of the screaming lizards. Every time, Annie had to use her rapid acceleration to deal with it. After the 3rd one, James noticed she was sweating slightly, and could only imagine the energy she was expending to do this. Or the stamina.

"How's your stamina?" He asked her, not wanting her to collapse and have to drag the dead weight.

"I have 8 stamina left. That's enough for one or two more."

"Don't worry about that. We're at the metal workshop."

Thankfully, there wasn't another lizard outside the classroom, but James still harboured concerns about the presence of the lizards. There must be something more dangerous close by, and that was worrying enough.

Looking into the workshop, which curiously had no door, James was taken aback. Looking back at the girls, he kept a calm demeanour before looking overly stressed for a few seconds. Then just plain afraid.

"So there's a really big lizard in there. Like, a really, really Big Lizard."

Annie reacted strangely to this news, and a fire ignited in her eyes.

"Use analyze. I want to know what we're up against here"

Swallowing heavily, James turned back to the doorway and slowly looked around the corner. Quickly checking his stamina, and seeing that it had risen by six points in the last few minutes, he used analyze again.

Komodo Lizard (evolved):

Level: 13

James relayed his meagre information, and Annie gave him a small nod.

She took the club from Dana’s hands and stepped into the door frame.

The Komodo Dragon was asleep or resting, so didn't even react.

Taking a deep breath, Annie looked at James and Dana, both with fearful confusion on their faces.

"I’ll deal with this asshole." With this final confirmation, Annie turned back to the room.

And disappeared.