"We didn't see anything too terrifying, but we might if we go further. Your choice."

"Well the directory lists 27000 stores. I'm not sure we can realistically read about all of them. There is a category feature though, that's how I figured out where the other home complexes are."

"I can take care of myself thanks. I'll come along."

She takes a look at categories.

Clothes, hygiene, non-vegetable food...bedding? Cameras?

"Maybe not right away...I'm ready for a break."

There are stores that look to plausibly carry all of that. Many with familiar brand names. Riley is merrily skimming through some categories herself. "Huh, it looks like there's at least one store that sells satellite phones, I wonder if those work here."

"Alright, do you want to go back upstairs to the library, or the lounge? Or do you want to check out the basement?

Is there an index?

"We can try the basement next, but first let's use the lounge."

There's a map that shows how the malls are laid out, a directory which you can filter by category that lists the name of stores along with their mall color and position along the spiral, and an abridged catalog which has 'notable items' listed very briefly cross linked to the store or stores that sell them. The notable items list is a mix between the mundane, various foodstuffs and clothing, to the satellite phones Riley noticed, to ATVs and kayaks, to Mall Store Locks and many more items.

"Sounds alright." The last segment of the ramp twists around for longer than any of the other segments covering almost three floors of vertical distance before letting out into a nicely appointed lobby with tasteful plant decorations. There's a large opening onto a mall corridor. The storefronts are longer than you usually see on malls and the corridor curves out of sight in both directions. "Well, that's... not what I was expecting."

Working phones sound good.

Any medical supplies that they don't have?

"This is good. They expect us to be alive for a while, if things are this well-stocked. This is a lot to explore manually, though."

"The clinic is actually pretty lacking in first aid supplies, it looks much more oriented towards comprehensive automated care. It's kinda weird really. A pharmacy or convenience store is probably one of the first places we should visit if we're going exploring."

"Yeah, I'm not sure whether we'd want to explore here or above ground first. I wish we had a map."

"Pharmacy, phones, food, hygiene products...that's everything urgent and useful, I think. Are we ready?"

"They should have one posted somewhere in the mall. If this works like real malls. Let's look around for a few minutes, and then come back."

"Sure, I can read more anytime." Riley puts on her backpack and shows the way down to the mall.

"Makes sense to me." Zahn starts walking in a random direction. After a few minutes no maps are obvious but there is a bike shop just coming into view. "Bikes, those will be useful whether we're exploring here or outside."

They walk down.

"A lot of ground to travel, yeah. I'm not great with a bike, but I guess I have time to work it out."

A challenger approaches, stopping his bike a few feet away.

"...hi. That makes five of us. What's with the costume?"

They pass by the doors to the outside. "I haven't been outside but it looks nice."

"Hi there, I only count four, who's the fifth?"

"Do you think it's safe?"

She peers outside.