LAUREN:
[Knocks on the large wooden door.]
Mr. Belle, I have our guest with me. May we come in?
[Lauren opens the door. An older man sits behind a desk.]
ALBIN:
[Friendly and enthusiastic, waves them in.]
Yes, of course. Come in, come in. Have a seat.
[You and Lauren enter the office.]
PROTAGONIST:
[A little anxious.]
It’s nice to meet you... Mr. Belle.
ALBIN:
You as well. How are you feeling I’m impressed, son.
Successful breakouts are rare, you know. Oh, and please, call me Albin.
PROTAGONIST:
[Hesitantly.]
Okay. Um... isn’t that—I mean, isn't that against the rules to address an adult that way.
It’s considered a serious infraction.
PROTAGONIST:
[Lets out a nervous laugh.]
Yeah, I can see that. What is this place?
ALBIN:
Yes, well, the rules here are very different.
ALBIN:
This is Deltacademy. A place of both education and shelter for runaway youths. You were quite lucky to land on our doorstep. Most places would’ve returned you to the Zero Institute immediately.
ALBIN:
Judging by the fact that you ran away, I assume neither you nor your parents were supporters of Geronto or his political philosophy. So tell me, how did you end up in a Zero Institute?
[Pause]
PROTAGONIST:
[Sad.]
My... my parents died several months ago in a protest, and I was turned over to the Institute.
PROTAGONIST:
Yes, si—Albin. Thank you.
[Albin nods, then leaves the room, quietly shutting the door behind him.]
[inner dialogue ]
If I stay here, I would have a chance at having a home again, a family. Somewhere warm and dry, food to eat and people who care about what happens to me. Plus, there’s no doubt that if I’m going to fight anyone, Geronto and his blind followers would definitely be number one on my list.
But seriously, who am I kidding? I’ve never been in a fight in my life, so am I really safer here than I would be on my own? On my own... right now, I’m really free - a freedom I’ve hardly had a chance to experience; my choices are infinite. Staying here will inevitably put that freedom in jeopardy, and who's to say they'll be able to beat Geronto at all. But if I leave, will I be able to live with myself, knowing I walked away and left so few to bear the burden of fighting for so many?
ALBIN:I’m sorry, son. Truly. Geronto is a dangerous man with dangerous ideals. I worry that if he is allowed to continue leading humanity down this path, it could result in the end of free will as we know it.
[The protagonist shakes his head in agreement.]
[Albin stands from behind his desk and moves toward the window. He opens the blinds and stares outside as he speaks.]
ALBIN:
In addition to being a fine school and a safe home, the Academy serves a third, more covert purpose. One we keep to ourselves and reveal only under certain conditions..
[He turns toward the protagonist.]
ALBIN:
I think this is one of those times. But if I tell you, you must give me your word that you will never speak of it outside these walls. Ever. Regardless of whether you choose to join us or not. Can you make me that promise?
PROTAGONIST:
[Stammers.]
Yes, sir. Absolutely.
ALBIN:
It's Albin. remember?.
[Albin smiles ]
PROTAGONIST:
[Sheepishly]
yeah, sorry.
ALBIN:
Well, then. You see, Deltacademy students are more than just students. They are also covert rebels fighting against Geronto’s regime. The Deltacademy serves as a resistance headquarters, you might say.
PROTAGONIST:
[Surprised.]
Join you?
ALBIN:
Yes. But first, you should know that an invitation to join the Academy is extended to only a few. Sadly, as much as I want to, I cannot let every runaway stay here. And if you do not wish to join the rebellion, staying here is far too dangerous for both the student and the Academy. I simply can’t allow that.
PROTAGONIST:
I understand.
ALBIN:
You have two choices, and you are free to choose either, with no repercussions...at least not from us.
[Albin returns to his desk.]
ALBIN:
You can agree to join the rebellion and make this your home. You would join the others in their studies during the day and fight alongside them at night or, well, whenever the situation calls for it.
ALBIN:
It must be your choice to dedicate yourself to the cause, despite the danger. We will assist you and require you to develop some enhanced skills to help keep you safe, but let me make this very clear: if you stay, you do so of your own free will. In doing so, you acknowledge and accept the significant risk. There is no guarantee of survival.
[Pause.]
ALBIN:
Alternatively, you are free to leave with no danger to your life.
ALBIN:
We will pack you some food and a change of clothing. We will deny having ever seen you to anyone who comes looking. We will wish you the best of luck, and send you on your way.
[Albin pauses, giving the protagonist a moment to absorb everything he has said.]
ALBIN:
I’ll give you a moment to think about it. I know its a difficult choice, and one that should not be taken lightly.
ALBIN:
[Albin raps twice on the door and walks in. He sits at his desk pulling his chair in a little closer.]
Have you mad a decision? Will you join the Deltacademy?
DELTACADEMY BRANCHING DIALOGUE
Part 2: New Home | Scene 3: Hello Mr. Belle
Game dialougue leading to decision point & branching paths
After escaping from a Zero Institute, you [the player] flee into the dense woods to avoid detection by staying off the main roads. Exhausted and with nowhere to go, you eventually collapse near the Deltacademy. When you come to, you find yourself in what appears to be a nurse’s office. A woman shuffling through papers sees you're awake and introduces herself as Lauren, a member of the staff. She tells you are at the Deltacademy. They brought you inside after someone saw you collapsed on the grounds. Now
that you are awake, she tells you that the Headmaster of Deltacademy, Mr. Albin Belle, would like to meet you. Lauren helps you to your feet and then escorts you to his office.
SCENE SETUP