JetPunk: The Mole | Chapter 2

Challenge 3

“Alright… this is it. This is the moment that we’ve all been waiting for. Our first elimination.” Nickelz exclaimed quietly.

The eleven of them, including the host Nickelz, were sat at a long table on an open and raised platform in the very centre of Thimphu, Bhutan.

“I will enter your names in no particular order. When your name is called, I will send a message to your device. Tap on the screen to reveal a color. If the color is green, you are safe. However, if it is red… that’s the end of your time in the game. If that happens, you must silently leave immediately, and you will be transported home.” Nickelz warned. "McKenzieFam and ColinShadow, you both earned exceptions and did not have to take the quiz.

Everyone looked at each other nervously with yawning eyes.

“Your total prize pot stands at… $0.”

"Wonder whose fault that is." Noivern glared at ColinShadow, and then at McKenzieFam.

“The first name I will choose... Capybarra.”

Capybarra began to sweat profusely.

He reluctantly picked up the mobile device. On the screen, there was a single word. “Capybarra”. He tapped on his name.

It dinged.

The entire screen flashed green.

He smiled and showed his result to everyone else at the table as instructed by Nickelz.

“Next…” Nickelz continued. “Astana.”

Astana shook a bit, but picked up her device relatively confidently. She tapped the word Astana.

The screen flashed green.

Nickelz opened his mouth to read another name.

“ItzIngenious.”

ItzIngenious felt completely unconfident about his situation, but prayed that he was not leaving the competition. He tapped on “ItzIngenious.”

The screen flashed green and ItzIngenious exhaled loudly, relieved.

“Next… Noivern.”

Noivern fully expected to go home and braced himself for a red screen.

He gasped in surprise when the screen flashed green instead.

“Next… Texas.”

Texas was pretty confident he would not be eliminated, and simply looked proud when the screen flashed green as he expected it.

Nickelz continued.

“The next name is… Missouri.”

Missouri took a long, drawn out sip of beer as he braced himself for the worst. He didn’t need to worry, though. He had correctly identified… he didn’t really know. All he knew was that he was safe.

“J3n.”

J3n held Astana's hand and tapped on “J3n” with the other hand.

He looked horrified as the screen flashed red.

He showed the result to everyone as instructed, and promptly stood to leave.

Those still at the table looked stunned, while Nickelz stood to lead J3n outside.

Remaining Players: 9

ItzIngenious

Capybarra

Texas

ColinShadow

Missouri

McKenzieFam

Noivern

California

Astana

“It’s simply disappointing. I would have loved to remain in the game and found out who the Mole was for myself.” J3n sighed in dissatisfaction.

“Nevertheless, you left a big impact on your competitors and the game as a whole.” Nickelz replied soothingly.

J3n nodded sadly.

There was a Range Rover parked in the front of the mansion they were staying in.

J3n still bummed from his elimination, hesitantly slid into the backseat of the car.

Nickelz turned on his heels to go back inside as the car began to drive toward the airport.

The nine remaining competitors exited the three sleek black cars as they stopped at a quite opulent mansion.

"Wow, this is amazing!" ItzIngenious exclaimed.

"tHiS iS aMaZiNg." Missouri mocked.

"Not even you can ruin this experience for me." ItzIngenious brushed it off.

Astana jumped up and down as she viewed the frizzante pool.

The mansion was surrounded by tree-adorned mountains. The buildings that comprised the mansion were in a traditional Asian fashion.

"This is so beautiful." Capybarra marveled.

"I don't care." California rolled her eyes and chewed her gum more obnoxiously than before. "It's so [censored] that I can't have my phone."

"Well, if we let you have your phone, if you're the Mole who's stopping you from posting that you are for all the world and viewers to see?" Nickelz pointed out.

"Whatever." California scoffed. "Missouri, Astana, come."

The three of them went up the wooden stairs of one of the auxiliary buildings to a room with two beds beds.

"You can sleep over there, and Astana and I will sleep here." California laughed.

"You can't have a bed all to yourself!" Astana protested playfully to Missouri.

"Look how tall I am!" Missouri laughed in response.

Suddenly, ItzIngenious came up the stairs to view their room.

"Beat it, loser." California stuck her middle finger up at him. He turned around quickly and almost sprinted back down those wooden stairs.

(Confessional: Astana)

"I know how it must have looked on Squid Game, but California seems like a really genuine person, and Missouri wouldn't even be a good Mole. I think I can trust them."

(End Confessional: Astana)

"If you guys want to share the bigger bed, I'll take the smaller one." Missouri offered.

"That works." Astana nodded as they made their way down the stairs.

The nine of them walked together to the backyard of the mansion.

"Why is there a phone booth?" Capybarra remarked as they passed by an ornate phone booth.

"This is splendid. Remarkable scenery." Noivern said in his thick Liechtensteiner accept as he gazed at the mountains betwixt them and the river.

Suddenly, the phone in the booth began to ring loudly.

"The phone!" Missouri exclaimed.

"I've got it!" Capybarra darted for the phone booth.

"Hello? This is Capybarra." He asked as he seized the phone and held it to his ear.

"Hello. This is Nickelz. How are you?" Nickelz inquired sharply through the phone.

"I'm doing well." Capybarra replied politely.

"That's wonderful. I hope you guys are getting to know each other, because the TWO that know the least will be eliminated during the elimination ceremony tonight." Nickelz interjected suddenly.

Capybarra peered back at the group as he held the phone to his face.

"I would like for you to return to the group, and decide with them who the three most trustworthy players are out of the nine of you. They will each be given the choice to give themselves a benefit or give the group a benefit. If they all decide to help the group, you will win $10,000." Nickelz continued.

"Okay." Capybarra replied as he awaited further instructions.

"I will call this phone three more times. Each time, one of the players you all selected should answer it. Bye." Nickelz hung up the phone abruptly.

"Wait!" Capybarra attempted to blurt out a question before Nickelz hung up, but to no avail.

"What d'you think they're discussin' in there?" Texas asked.

"Trust me when I say, I don't care." California rolled her eyes insipidly.

"Arn't you an energetic one." Texas scoffed.

"It might be an exemption." Astana shrugged.

"Oh no! I didn't think of that!" ItzIngenious exclaimed.

"Exemptions so early in the day is wild." Missouri chimed in.

"Why did we let him answer again?" Astana asked. "Wait, he's coming out."

Capybarra stumbled clumsily out of the TARDIS-like phone booth.

"Two things. So one, today will be a double elimination, so two of us will be going home."

"WHAT?" California began to vociferate loudly.

(Confessional: Astana)

"I'm actually nervous. I have no idea who the Mole is. And there's a heightened chance of elimination. Мен өте ашулымын!"

(End Confessional: Astana)

"The phone is going to ring three more times, and he would like for us to nominate three people that we believe are the most trustworthy. Those people will be the ones that answer the phone." Capybarra continued.

"Was that all that he mentioned?" Noivern asked, a hint of suspicion lingering in his voice.

"Yes." Capybarra's voice quivered.

"Well, I think we should pick you, Capybarra. You're smart, you're honest, and unlike some people," Astana murmured while glancing at McKenzieFam,"you have never tried to sabotage us before."

"And I have?" McKenzieFam asked.

"So we're going to act like that last challenge never happened?" Astana retorted.

"Can we not do this right now?" California asked irritably.

"No, let's do it." McKenzieFam cracked his knuckles.

"What kind of thinkers would we be to elect someone like you, that's clearly not trustworthy, into a position determined by trust?!" Astana shouted with apoplexy.

"Maybe sensible ones?" McKenzieFam shot back.

"So we are just not going to discuss how you left us in a dark and cold WAREHOUSE while you got to sleep in your bed?" Astana yelled with staggering indignation.

"What would you have done if you were in my shoes? You seem to forget that this is not a TEAM GAME. Only ONE person wins the money at the end." McKenzieFam snapped.

"Doesn't matter, have some decency." Astana grumbled.

"Screw you." McKenzieFam murmured.

"Screw you." Astana muttered angrily.

"So anyways!" ColinShadow attempted to lighten the mood quickly. "We have Capybarra. All in favor?"

Slowly, everyone raised their hand, except Capybarra.

"Wow, thanks." He blushed slightly.

"So that's our first one."

(Confessional: Noivern)

"Trust is exceedingly dangerous, especially in this situation. If we are implying that we trust Capybarra, we are cognizant that we cannot trust him fully, nor can we trust anyone. With that being said, I do not believe Capybarra is the Mole."

(End Confessional: Noivern)

(Confessional: Astana)

"Since we are still throwing names out there, why not mention the people from my little pre-alliance?"

"I nominate Missouri, anyone want Missouri?" Astana asked as she raised her hand.

California followed suit and raised her hand.

"Like hell we do." ItzIngenious scoffed.

"You're asking for it." Missouri cracked his knuckles.

"I trust him." Capybarra shrugged.

"You don't know him." ItzIngenious rolled his eyes.

"And you don't know me, so mind your business." Capybarra scoffed.

"Wow, rude." ItzIngenious looked away quickly.

"All in favor for Missouri, raise your hand."

Capybarra's hand shot up to join California's and Astana's. Noivern and ColinShadow chimed in with their hands.

"That's majority. We've got our second person." Astana shrugged.

"I'm thinkin' that phone call is comin' soon, we need ter select our third quickly." Texas interjected.

"I'm nominating Texas." ItzIngenious raised his hand.

"I agree with that." Noivern raised his hand as well.

"Whatever." Missouri raised his hand reluctantly.

"Well, looks like we've got Capybarra, Texas, and Missouri, that's all." McKenzieFam concluded.

(Confessional: Capybarra)

"Of course I know Missouri isn't trustworthy. I just kind of want to let on that I do, to seem more suspicious. I'm a scientist, I'm not stupid."

(End Confessional: Capybarra)

The players stood around talking, awaiting those highly anticipated phone calls.

Suddenly, the ringing sound pierced the atmosphere, and everyone's attention turned to the phone booth.

"I got it!" Texas almost lost his adorned cowboy hat as he sprinted for the phone booth.

He stepped inside with haste and apprehended the phone.

"Hello?" Texas inquired.

"Hello, Texas. It's Nickelz. You have two tasks. To add money, and to stay in the game. Your choice. Dial 0, and you could potentially add $10,000 to the prize pot. All three of you must choose this option for the money to be added."

"Okay, go on." Texas continued.

"Dial 9, and you will gain a coveted advantage in the elimination quiz tonight."

"Oh?" Texas asked, indicating he wanted to know more.

"One of your incorrect answers will be labeled CORRECT. That could be the difference between staying in the game and being eliminated for you." Nickelz continued. "Please ensure that none of the other people can see what you dial. Then make your decision."

(Confessional: Texas)

"I'm no saint, but our prize pot is empty as o' now, and I ain't come all this way for free. The correction's nice and e'rything, but not in comparison to 10K."

(End Confessional: Texas)

He stuck his calloused finger in the hole labeled with the 0, and spun the dial around. He then promptly exited the booth.

"What happened?" Capybarra asked.

"Okay, so he asked me to choose between dialing a 0 for $10,000 for the pot, or dialing a 9 for a quiz correction. I chose the pot." Texas stated flatly.

"I'm not convinced." Astana murmured to California.

The group stood around and waited for the next call.

The phone seemed to ring almost instantaneously.

(Confessional: Missouri)

"I want them to trust me. I want them to think I'm a good guy for doing what I'm about to do."

(End Confessional: Missouri)

"Hello?" Missouri asked as he picked up the phone.

"Hello, Missouri. Dial 0 for the money, dial 9 for the quiz correction." Nickelz replied.

Missouri swiftly placed his finger in the hole with the 0 and spun the dial.

(Confessional: Missouri)

"It's not even a good enough prize to sacrifice the money." Missouri opined. "One correct answer won't save me."

(End Confessional: Missouri)

"We have recorded your decision. Goodbye now." Nickelz hung up.

As the line disconnected, Missouri stepped out of the booth.

"I picked the money, guys."

A round of applause erupted, with the notable absence of ItzIngenious' clapping. He instead stood by the pool in silence.

The phone began ringing quicker this time. Capybarra, as the last to pick up the phone, instinctually ran to the booth.

He swung open the door and entered the booth.

"Hello?" Capybarra exclaimed.

"Hello, Capybarra. Dial 0 for the money, dial 9 for the quiz correction." Nickelz replied.

"Hmm..." Capybarra stroked his beard as he pondered his decision.

(Confessional: Capybarra)

"A correction? That's a huge advantage, particularly at this level of the game. I don't have a clue who the Mole is, and I need to stay in the game."

(End Confessional: Capybarra)

He hesitated, but stuck his finger in the hole with 9 and spun it.

He quickly swung open the door to the booth and stepped out.

"I chose the cash, I promise." Capybarra lied.

"Alright, easy 10K." Texas nodded.

(Confessional: Capybarra)

"I feel like they believe me."

(End Confessional: Capybarra)

"Hello, players." Nickelz seemed to appear out of nowhere. "Shall we view the results?"

"Yes!" Everyone cheered in unison.

"Capybarra... Texas... and Missouri. Did you appeal to the group? Or to yourselves? We shall see."

"I will now reveal that you... did not receive the money."

"WHAT?" California yelled.

"I swear on everything I love that I chose the money." Capybarra lied.

"Missouri!" ItzIngenious bellowed suddenly.

"It wasn't me, [censored]." Missouri rolled his eyes.

"Somebody here is a really good liar, I guess." Capybarra shrugged.

"I really thought we picked trustworthy people." Astana sighed.

"Suddenly I don't look so bad, huh?" McKenzieFam asked amid laughter.

"Shut up." Astana folded her arms.

(Confessional: Capybarra)

"Do I feel bad? No. Do I feel confident about the quiz? Also no. Which is why I needed the correction."

(End Confessional: Capybarra)

"I'm sorry to you all. It's already been a stressful day... but it's not over just yet."

Challenge 4

The nine of them were walking on the sandy beach on the coast of Bangladesh (yes, they changed locations again) and approached a bar.

"Shall we drink to our success?" Capybarra asked.

"What success?" Astana replied irritably.

"Can you chill out?" McKenzieFam asked.

"Leave me alone." Astana snapped.

Suddenly, Nickelz emerged from the shadows.

"Hello, friends!" He exclaimed.

"What a buzzkill." California scoffed.

"Tonight, you will all face your second elimination quiz. Well, maybe not all of you..." Nickelz rummaged in his deep pocket and extracted a green exemption card with the word EXEMPTION and little Jeppies all over it.

"Woah." Capybarra's eyes lit up at seeing it.

"If you have this card, you do not have to take the quiz." Nickelz said.

"I know that you all want this exemption. But who wants it bad enough?" Nickelz pointed to the previously unnoticed green TV next to him.

"I am going to add $50,000 to your pot right now." Nickelz exclaimed.

"Wow!" Astana high fived California as everyone clamored in excitement.

"I wouldn't get too excited. When I press this button..." Nickelz clasped the remote to the TV, "...the $50,000 will begin to drain from the pot. It will keep draining, draining, and draining, dollar by dollar, until there is one person left sitting in this bar. That person will get this exemption. Either stay to win the exemption, or leave the bar to stop the cash flow out. The longer you stay, the more you lose."

"This is wild." California scoffed.

(Confessional: California)

"I want the exemption. I don't know about these people."

(End Confessional: California)

"The time starts right now." As the words left Nickelz' mouth, the monitor with the pot amount on it began to tick down dollar by dollar, and was already down $100 in a mere five seconds.

"I'm staying here." McKenzieFam exclaimed. "These quizzes make me so apprehensive."

"Why do they make you apprehensive? They're about you." Astana replied indignantly. She was the only one of the players without an alcoholic beverage, as she was the only contestant under 18.

"Will you shut the hell up already?" McKenzieFam snapped.

"Ladies, ladies!" Texas attempted to calm them down.

"I'm not getting up, I need the exemption. I don't know who the Mole is." California shrugged as she sank deeper into her seat.

The amount lost ticked past $1,000.

"I can't view this any longer." Noivern raised his hand. "I'm out."

Noivern walked briskly out of the bar area with his drink.

The monitor kept ticking down under $43,000.

"I'm just going to say that I am willing to drop the pot down to $0." Missouri interjected suddenly.

"Are you [censored] kidding me?" Capybarra exclaimed angrily.

"None of us will get the exemption. I don't care. I'm not getting up." Missouri exhibited an insouciant shrug.

(Confessional: Noivern)

"This is leading me to believe that Missouri was the perpetrator that claimed the correction for himself."

(End Confessional: Noivern)

"I'm out. I probably won't get the exemption anyway." Texas tipped his hat and saw his way out of the bar.

"So you guys are fine with $0?" Missouri asked flippantly.

"We didn't come here to win $100-" McKenzieFam began.

"I couldn't care less about the money. I want to win." Missouri folded his arms anemically.

"He's not bluffing." McKenzieFam scoffed quietly.

"I'm out." Capybarra stood up and left the bar area.

The amount lost ticked past $20,000.

"I would rather nobody get the exemption." California shrugged. "I'm with Missouri."

"I mean, you've clearly got something going on. If it's just you two, who's winning?" ItzIngenious asked Missouri and California at the same time.

"No idea." California answered quickly.

"Alright, I'm out. Can't watch the pot tick down any more than it already has." ItzIngenious sped out of the bar.

"I'm folding too." ColinShadow stood up and exited the bar area.

As the amount left in the pot reached a mere $22,000, McKenzieFam and Astana twiddled their thumbs, sitting firmly in their spots.

"Y'all have to get up. I'm not getting up." California continued.

"I'm out, this makes me sick." McKenzieFam sighed.

(Confessional: McKenzieFam)

"I've still got a good chance to remain in the game, I feel okay about the quiz... this is my opportunity to gain their trust back."

(End Confessional: McKenzieFam)

The amount left in the pot grazed a meager $15,000.

"I'm out! I'm out!" Astana threw her hands up in exasperation and left her seat. "We've already lost $35,000!"

Missouri sported a toothy grin as he locked eyes with California, who still had no intention of leaving. They both began to laugh quietly.

(Confessional: Missouri)

"Let's be real. California's hot. We've got an alliance forming. She's the only person other than myself that I'd be willing to give this exemption to. Otherwise I'm staying right here."

(End Confessional: Missouri)

California gazed back at Missouri, flipping her hair and sporting a coquettish smile.

"Get up, Missouri." California demanded.

"No." Missouri folded his arms. 

"Get up." California repeated.

"No..." Missouri replied.

(Confessional: California)

"He'll give it to me if I flirt hard enough."

(End Confessional: California)

"Get up!" California exclaimed more forcefully.

"No!" Missouri yelled.

"Get up..." California batted her eyelashes and winked at him.

"What if I get eliminated, though?" Missouri asked.

"Give me the exemption." California demanded again.

(Confessional: Missouri)

"I want her to give me more information in the future, so I need to get her on my side... what to do..."

(End Confessional: Missouri)

"Get up!" California said once more.

Missouri hesitated, but stuck his hand out to California, who reciprocated.

"I'm done." Missouri nodded, standing up and exiting the bar area and standing with the very angry group of seven.

The monitor stopped ticking down as California kicked her feat up.

It read a mere $10,514.

"That's wild." McKenzieFam sighed.

(Confessional: Noivern)

"This is exceedingly fascinating. What a peculiar dynamic it is that California and Missouri have seemed to form an alliance through... romantic attraction?"

(End Confessional: Noivern)

"Congratulations." Nickelz again seemed to appear out of nowhere, seizing the exemption card. "Here is your exemption."

He strolled over to California and handed her the card.

"Thank you." California chirped.

The other eight returned to their seats at the bar.

"Missouri just got played. California is much smarter than she lets on."

(End Confessional: Astana)

"In that short amount of time, you guys somehow managed to lose almost $40,000. You now have $10,514 in the pot. But I'm in a good mood, so we'll make it $11,000."

"This is nuts." ItzIngenious shook his head.

Challenge 5

Deep within the Himalayas, the nine contestants were heading to a cold and desolate area in some cars.

The cars stopped suddenly. The players observed the environment around them.

“Woah…” Astana marveled at the scenery.

There was a breathtakingly beautiful and steep mountain adjacent to the cars’ position.

The players got out of the car slowly and took in the environment.

Nickelz walked to the front of the group.

“Alright guys… it’s time for our next challenge. The group must complete a mountaineering course through the JetPunk Mountains, which includes belaying down a cliff face, scaling a large rock and then pulling themselves across a tightrope. However, along the course, the group must select six candidates not to continue the course at various checkpoints. This means they cannot proceed to the finish with their backpack, although they can still communicate with the group via a two-way radio. For each backpack that contains $5,000 to reach the end of the course within two hours, the money inside is added to the pot."

“Alright, first things first.” Nickelz began.

“Huh?” Missouri inquired insipidly.

“You have to select two people right now to stay here at this outpost and not even begin the course.” Nickelz demanded.

The nine contestants looked at each other, confused.

“So we have to leave two of us here?” Capybarra asked.

“Well, what would you guys like to do?” Noivern asked.

“I wanna stay right here. I doubt the Mole'd hide anything in my backpack.” Texas remarked.

“We need to come to an educated consensus.” Noivern suggested.

“Obviously the Mole would put it in my bag…” California reasoned. “After all, I am the most strategic here. I’m sure that the Mole would think you guys would leave me behind.”

“That’s true… so we're leavin' California… I also wanna stay here.” Texas said.

“Alright, so the ones starting the trek will be Astana, Capybarra, Missouri, ColinShadow, Noivern, ItzIngenious, and McKenzieFam.”

“You must make it to the end of the course in the two hours provided with your backpack.” Nickelz continued. “Time starts… now.”

Remaining: 7 (Noivern, Capybarra, ColinShadow, Missouri, Astana, McKenzieFam, ItzIngenious)

The seven of them began running for the line located about 300 feet in front of them, while California and Texas walked into the outpost building.

“Me first!” ItzIngenious screamed, and he promptly buckled the harness, and began pulling himself along the line to the other side of the canyon.

ItzIngenious was about halfway across in three minutes, while the others were chatting about their endeavors so far.

“So, where are you from?” McKenzieFam asked the group.

"Like I'd tell you." Astana rolled her eyes and stared at McKenzieFam abrasively.

As Capybarra was harnessing up to begin crossing the canyon his walkie talkie blared.

“Hello?” Nickelz said.

“Yes?” Capybarra asked.

They were apparently also connected by walkie talkie to the two they had left behind in the outpost, and ItzIngenious, who had already crossed.

“You all must leave two people behind right now.” Nickelz said suddenly.

“Huh?” Astana sounded confused.

“Well, we need to discuss.” Capybarra said.

“Us too.” Texas chimed in.

They put down the walkie talkies.

“Alright, so who should we leave? Only five of us can keep going.” Capybarra asked.

“Well, ItzIngenious already left.” Astana laughed.

“Okay, so who do we think has the money in their backpacks?” McKenzieFam asked.

“Well… I think we both have money.” Astana said to ColinShadow.

“That makes sense.” Capybarra agreed.

“So it looks like Noivern and Missouri will be left behind.” Capybarra said.

"Cool. We have to disconnect now, bye y'all!” Texas yelled, before he disconnected.

Nickelz disconnected too, as did ItzIngenious.

“I’m all good with staying here.” Noivern murmured vapidly.

“As am I.” Missouri sat down and pulled out his headphones to listen to some hardcore gangsta rap (Ice Spice).

“So it’s settled.” Capybarra was already harnessed and began moving himself along the long cord to the other side where ItzIngenious was waiting. As he crossed, Astana began harnessing herself to cross after him.

Remaining: 5 (Astana, Capybarra, McKenzieFam, ItzIngenious, ColinShadow)

Now that the five of them had crossed the canyon, they next had to rappel down the cliff face down to a smaller cliff to regroup and select someone to head down.

“I’ve never done anything like this before…” Astana muttered.

“Nor have I. Nevertheless, I’m sure it will be fine.” ColinShadow grabbed the harness and began strapping himself up, preparing to rappel down the cliff face to the smaller cliff.

He began jumping against the side of the cliff as he traveled downwards down the steep cliff face.

Within a couple minutes, ColinShadow was at the bottom.

“Great job, Colin!” Astana yelled down.

ItzIngenious grabbed the rappel and began his plunge down the mountain. ItzIngenious was bouncing happily on the cliff face until he accidentally caused a huge crack to form in the cliff face.

“This [censored]…” Capybarra murmured.

ItzIngenious did not really seem to care, and with a dramatic spin, landed on the ground.

“Congratulations.” ColinShadow sarcastically barked.

“Thanks!” An oblivious ItzIngenious beamed.

Astana briskly swept her way down the mountain, and now it was McKenzieFam's turn.

“Alright, my turn.” McKenzieFam hooked himself to the harness and began to climb down the cliff face.

He mistakenly stepped on the crack that ItzIngenious made, and the crack grew even larger.

“tHiS [censored]!” ItzIngenious mocked Astana's earlier statement.

“Shut up.” Astana rolled her eyes.

Capybarra continued climbing, and because he was more than halfway down.

“CAPYBARRA, IT’S YOUR TURN!” Astana yelled.

“The weather is so nice up on this mountain.” Capybarra, ignorant of Astana's yelling, said dreamily to himself.

“CAPYBARRA?” McKenzieFam yelled.

No reply.

(Confessional: Capybarra)

"What? I didn't hear them."

(End Confessional: Capybarra)

(Confessional: Astana)

"I don't believe it for a second."

(End Confessional: Astana)

Capybarra walked to the edge of the cliff and began harnessing himself.

As he bounced lightly down the cliff, his walkie talkie began to sound.

“Hello?” Nickelz signaled.

“Yes?" Capybarra replied.

“You guys have to leave someone here.” Nickelz demanded.

“Oh no…” Capybarra muttered.

“Well, I vote for Astana.” ItzIngenious interjected abruptly.

“Looks like Astana's staying behind.” California confirmed through the walkie talkie before it disconnected.

“This is such a stupid [censored] decision!” Astana screamed so the others could hear his frustration.

“Sorry…” Capybarra muttered shyly.

“This is literally so stupid.” Astana grumbled.

“I could volunteer myself if it makes him feel better.” Capybarra volunteered.

“What?” McKenzieFam asked.

“That was weird as hell. Why did he volunteer himself even though he was the one who thought he had money since he was unathletic?"

(End Confessional: ItzIngenious)

“No, you voted for me, so I’ll stay here. I hope you lose.” Astana grumbled.

“Okay…fine.” Capybarra stood up and began walking towards the next checkpoint for completion.

“I'm telling you, Capybarra is definitely suspicious.” Astana expressed to ItzIngenious.

ItzIngenious ignored him.

Remaining: 4 (Capybarra, McKenzieFam, ItzIngenious, ColinShadow)

"We need to start thinking about who we will leave behind next.” Capybarra said.

“I don't agree. We should be focusing on the next physical exertion we need to partake in.” ColinShadow shook his head in disagreement.

“I agree.” ItzIngenious chimed in.

“Do you see that?” McKenzieFam pointed to a cord in the near distance that stretched over about half of a mile between two mountains.

“[Censored].” Capybarra looked truly indimidated.

“Do you see that?” McKenzieFam again pointed to the other side of the cord on the other mountain about a half of a mile away.

They could faintly make out a tall man with a sand green suit. It was Nickelz, of course.

They could also faintly see the two they had left at the start, as well as Astana, Missouri, and Noivern.

“This is the last task!” McKenzieFam ran for the cord.

“Wait! There’s no way there’s money in your bag.” Capybarra pointed out.

“Better than me being the least athletic here and trying to volunteer yourself to sabotage. Wouldn’t you agree, Capybarra?”

Capybarra gasped and spluttered angrily.

“That’s what I thought.” McKenzieFam bent down to pick up the harness.

“I think ItzIngenious should stay here.” Capybarra said.

“I agree with that.” ColinShadow exclaimed.

“I do too.” McKenzieFam agreed.

“It’s settled then.” Capybarra murmured as he continued fastening the harness.

“Fine.” ItzIngenious looked unhappy, but decided not to make a fuss about it.

Remaining: 3 (ColinShadow, Capybarra, McKenzieFam)

McKenzieFam clipped the last part of the harness and began to work his way along the cord.

Due to McKenzieFam's impressive upper body strength, they were able to manoeuvre quite effortlessly along the cord using nothing but their hands.

“TEN MINUTES REMAINING!” Nickelz screeched.

“Oh [censored]. We need to hurry.” Capybarra sighed.

McKenzieFam began moving faster along the cord and had their right leg on the side of the mountain. He pulled himself up with comparative ease.

ColinShadow took the initiative to grab the harness and begin the climb. He was no bodybuilder, but he could hold himself up just fine. He kicked the side of the mountain as he reached it, and climbed up to the ledge easily.

“TWO MINUTES LEFT!” Nickelz bellowed.

“IT'S YOUR TURN, CAPYBARRA!” McKenzieFam yelled.

“I’M SCARED!” Capybarra whimpered.

(Confessional: Astana)

"He's conveniently scared now but wasn't scared on the two occasions where he attempted to volunteer himself to sit out. He's so Mole-like that I feel like it's all an act."

(End Confessional: Astana)

Capybarra slowly and carefully put on his harness. He pulled it over his head at a snail pace.

“HURRY UP!” Astana bellowed angrily.

Capybarra seemed not to hear.

He slowly grabbed the cord with his left hand.

“1:30 left!” Nickelz bellowed.

“COME ON!” ItzIngenious screeched with a piercing frequency.

Shocked by his urgency, with two seconds left, Capybarra stood in front of the others.

“Congratulations, guys, you made it.” Nickelz congratulated them on their accomplishment. “Now, it’s time to check backpacks. First, let’s see the finishers. McKenzieFam, you start.”

McKenzieFam opened his backpack and pulled out a glass capsule. He opened it and pulled out a fat stack of money.

“Yes!” McKenzieFam jumped.

“Alright, now Capybarra.”

ColinShadow and McKenzieFam squinted at Capybarra.

Capybarra opened his backpack and pulled out the capsule, which, naturally, had money in it.

“Hmm…” Everyone else was happy, but Astana was quite angry.

California was sure she didn’t have any money, but she opened her bag anyway and dumped the capsule onto the ground.

It shattered into pieces, and a fat stack of cash flopped on the ground.

“Oop-” California looked stunned.

“Looks like your assumptions were wrong.” Nickelz shrugged.

“Next, ColinShadow.”

ColinShadow dumped out his bag. Once again, the capsule shattered, and it was empty.

“Interesting.” Astana peered with suspicion at ColinShadow.

“Okay, so it looks like only McKenzieFam and Capybarra scored money. So that’s $10,000 added, which brings your total to $21,000.”

“Respectable.” Noivern nodded vigorously in approval.

Challenge 6

“You guys are going to have to come to my office, one by one.” Nickelz demanded. He then turned and entered a green door.

“...I suppose that I'll go first. Naku bhayauntidi...” Noivern offered to be first. He stood up from the couch and went to find Nickelz.

.

.

.

He entered the office, but Nickelz was not there. Simply a desk, a chair, and a stack of folders.

Noivern tentatively sat down at the desk.

“Hello.” The small loudspeaker on the desk blared. He recognized the voice as Nickelz.

“Noivern, in this game, knowledge is of the utmost importance. Next to you is a pile of casebooks containing facts about the other players. You can take a look if you want to.” Nickelz said.

"Well, who would be stupid enough not to take advantage of such an opportunity?" Noivern grasped the top folder, with “COLINSHADOW” in bold letters.

“Wait. If every player can resist the temptation to look at the casebooks, $10,000 will be added to the pot.” Nickelz warned before he could open the folder.

“So $10,000 if I do not open it… but valuable information if I do open it… It would be very easy to take 10K away from everyone, but then it’d be so blatantly obvious that it was the Mole that it would harm the mole.” Noivern pondered.

“You'll find out just before the next quiz if the money was won or not.” Nickelz continued.

“It would be prudent not to look at these casebooks...” Noivern decided. “However…”

He picked up a casebook, unable to make up his mind.

“Missouri, in this game, knowledge is of the utmost importance. Next to you is a pile of casebooks containing facts about the other players. You can take a look if you want to.” Nickelz said.

"The other players suck, they’ll definitely look.” Missouri scoffed.

“As for me… I want to look.” Missouri picked up a file before slamming it back down onto the table. “Never mind. Getting blamed for all group failures from now on is not on my bucket list."

“Alright, the interviews are done. I need you all to come back one by one.” Nickelz requested to the nine of them congregated in the living room of the mansion..

“Ugh.” ItzIngenious sighed.

“Shut up.” Missouri muttered quietly.

“What's up.” California murmured insipidly at Nickelz, who was actually there physically now.”

“Hi. So I can tell you… that the 10K for the pot… is… gone.”

“I don't care.” California protested.

“If you didn’t look at the casebooks… your integrity will be rewarded, as I said. Did you look?” Nickelz asked.

“Nah.” California replied firmly.

“We have the whole thing on camera.” He pointed to the camera in the corner.

“I said no.” California restated even more firmly.

“Okay.”

“Were you tempted to look at them?” Nickelz asked.

“No, I’ve got some integrity.” Astana replied.

“Did you look?” Nickelz asked.

“No.” Astana responded.

“You did not look.” Nickelz restated.

“No.”

“We have it on camera.”

“I didn’t look.” Astana stated firmly, but wavered.

“I will ask you one more time.” Nickelz demanded. “Did you look?”

“Will this stay between us?” Astana asked.

“I would tell the truth. We have the tapes.” Nickelz suggested, strategically avoiding his question.

“I looked.” Astana admitted.

“You looked?” Nickelz asked to confirm.

“Yes.”

(As a placeholder for Astana's obtained information, Astana will receive one correction on the elimination quiz.)

(Confessional: Astana)

"Do I feel bad? No. The only integrity I need is to be true to myself and my interests. People should get over it, it was an investment that was worth it in the end."

(End Confessional: Astana)

“So, (unnamed), I have to ask you. Did you look?”

“Of course I did! What a dumb question.” (unnamed) scoffed. “I increased my knowledge, which is vital to staying in the game.

“Since you did not look at the casebooks… you must decide… which member of your team most likely looked.” Nickelz said. “You can place a bid on the person using money from the pot. If you are the highest bidder, the money will be removed from the pot, and you will be exempt from tonight’s elimination quiz.”

After the bids...

“Those of you who did not look at the casebooks have been offered the chance to bid for an exemption.” Nickelz began.

“As a reminder, your pot stands at $21,000 dollars.” Nickelz continued.

“I can tell you that the lowest bid was for $1,500. The average bid was $6,107.14.”

“But the highest bid tonight was for…” Nickelz stopped to build trepidation.

The tension in the room grew exponentially.

“$18,500.”

“WHAT?” ColinShadow screeched.

“What?” McKenzieFam was dumbfounded.

“Um?” Texas was beyond confused.

“Is that a typo?" California inquired seriously.

“How do you guys feel about this?” Nickelz asked.

“THAT’S BASICALLY EVERYTHING WE’VE EARNED!” Missouri yelled indignantly.

“I can tell you that the bid of $18,500 was made by…”

…

“Noivern.”

“Wow, Noivern. And I thought you were trustworthy.” ItzIngenious was irate.

“I’m in shock right now. You literally couldn’t have bet any more. It’s not funny, it’s not fun, it’s not justifiable in any form.” ColinShadow stood up and yelled at Noivern. “Care to explain?"

"I simply did what I felt I needed to do to secure my space in the game." Noivern stated flatly.

“Okay, remember, Noivern, you chose one person you thought looked at the casebooks. If you’re right, you win an exemption, but at the cost of $18,500.”

“Please have written my name down, so you can be wrong.” ColinShadow demanded.

“Noivern. Who do you think looked?” Nickelz asked.

“…Astana.”

“Oh no...” Missouri looked away.

“Do you guys all think that Astana looked?” Nickelz asked.

“Yes!” Everyone except Noivern and Astana exclaimed in unison.

“Now, if Astana looked at the casebooks, you will win the exemption card, and $18,500 will be taken from the pot. If he didn’t look, you will not be exempt, and no money will be taken.”

“Let’s watch the tapes.” Nickelz pressed a button on a remote and a clip played on the TV.

FLASHBACK

"I’m not going to look at any of the dossiers and that is my decision.” Astana said firmly. “Wait… but… if I look at this information, it will help me on the quiz, and move me further into the game...”

Astana opened the dossier labeled “COLINSHADOW” and began reading.

“I'm PISSED.” McKenzieFam screeched.

“Well, Noivern, you have won the exemption, and the $18,500 has been taken from the pot.” Nickelz recapped and then walked away.

McKenzieFam was standing there, incensed.

“We have $2,500.” He grumbled.

“We will have ample opportunities to recover that money." Noivern protested.

“What game are you playing here?” ItzIngenious asked. “Because it’s clearly not the same game we are playing.”

“I’m here to win money just like you guys.” Noivern replied.

“That’s not true. You have never contributed to the pot, EVERY task assigned to you is FAILED, all you do is TAKE from the pot." ItzIngenious screamed.

McKenzieFam nodded his head in agreement, as did Texas and Capybarra.

(Confessional: Astana)

"Thank god for Capybarra. Now nobody remembers that I was the one that looked at the books."

(End Confessional: Astana)

Current Prize Pot: $2,500

Chapter 2 complete! Thank you for reading.

For those competing, here is the quiz. Please take the quiz within 48 hours to remain in the game. 

Some of the questions will be information that can be found in the chapter, and some you will simply have to make educated (or non-educated) guesses about.

I suggest that you split up your answers between multiple possible Moles in order to get at least some correct. Keep in mind you have a double chance of being eliminated this round.

California and Noivern are exempt from the quiz and automatically go to the next round. 

Astana and Capybarra get one correction each on the quiz.

For ItzIngenious, Texas, McKenzieFam, Capybarra, ColinShadow, Missouri, and Astana, the quiz is mandatory. The TWO players with the least correct answers will be eliminated.

Only respond to the form if you are one of the players listed above.