CHAPTER 12a: The Fortress of the Plain

[Anton_E_Gregor]

Perhaps we should re-seal this door before those things come in. Anton suggests.

[Zhym]

Kurot dashes forward to join the group in the hall.

"It sounds like there are more robots assembling outside the hole Bruce made," he says. "Whatever we do, we should probably be quick about it."

[maceo_the_escher]

Needle

Silvestri looks for any writing or symbols he recognises

"Maybe we can reverse whatever is being done to them...or at least put them out of their misery"

"I agree. I don't want to leave them here like this.But I don't think I'm much help figuring out these devices."

[doppelganger]

Urlando

I don't want to leave them all messed up like this.

The other head adds:
Maybe we can pull those tube things out if we can't help them. Then we smash those metal things.

[GrapeApe]

Podo

"Yes, we should certainly reseal the door quickly and then give mercy to your companions if they cannot be saved."

Unaccustomed to human anatomy or the mysterious magic of the Ancients, Podo feels like his companions are much more equipped to deal with this situation and moves further down the corridor. Accepting that the ratman who still hasn't identified himself is just as much of a victim as they all are, Podo moves his gaze over the bodies floating in the other alcoves to see if they are in a similar condition.

With his spear at the ready he approaches the curtain of white light to inspect it closer, he listens closely for any sounds coming from beyond.

OOC: Can I see the rock or anything else past the light curtain?

[shaidar]

Saiph follows in the shadow of Podo's bulk, keeping his eyes peeled for danger.

[shaidar]

Silvestri

"I know a little of the ancients devices, but I have never seen anything like this. Perhaps Kurot or Rex can do more"

He turns to Urlando "I'm sorry for what has happened to your people. Their future should be yours to choose"

[Anton_E_Gregor]

There are fates worse than death. Lets not meet one ourselves. Anton says bluntly.

He spins a dart balanced on his fingertip for a moment, juggling the rest one handed and then returns it to its place in the sequence.

[doppelganger]

Urlando pulls his a dagger in one hand--just in case--and reaches to the tubes behind the nearest of his mutilated former comrades. He then gives them a firm yank, attempting to pull them out.

[greyarea]

Max rushes forward to join the others, What do you want me to do, eh?


OOC: Sorry guys, I didn't get emails for this game for some reason and work has been a bear.

[greyarea]

Denslow moves forward, keeping watch of the back. He looks for a way to reseal the door behind them.

OOC: Yeah, work has been all-consuming these last few days for me, too. I wonder if I accidentally deleted an alert without opening it... No matter: I'm back.

[shaidar]

Silvestri

"If we really want to damage the device, I could shoot it with my ancient blaster gun"

[Norjax]

Fortress Interior 346D/81 (Evening)

Silvestri does not notice any recognizable symbols or writing in or near the alcoves. Some areas on the animated wall panel might be script, but it is unknown to the psionist.

Anton’s suggestion to seal the hall’s entry is echoed by Podo and Kurot, who adds a warning of potential intruders entering the blasted hole.

Needle and Urlando agree with Silvestri about the bodies. They discuss ways to remove them from the plumbing and/or put them out of their misery. Urlando steps forward and pulls the clear tubes out from his companion’s back. The mutilated body begins to convulse, and the alcove’s animated wall panel turns red and flashes! Some of the fluid from the tubes sprays out when they are disconnected, covering the ratman’s arm with the clear residue. Instantly, his skin begins to tingle.



Podo gives a cursory look to the other bodies floating in their respective alcoves. One appears to be a near-human mutant while the other has spotted short tan fur, presumably a manimal. Both are in the same condition as the human. He then inspects the falling light curtain, listening for any sounds from beyond. None stimulate his auditory senses. The fungal plantient peers into the light and tries to discern anything on the other side. He doesn’t see the rock but can barely make out a smooth, featureless stone floor identical to this hallway.

Max and Denslow move forward into the tunnel. Max joins the group as Denslow remains at the corridor’s entry, searching for a means to close or seal the entrance.

Denslow sees floating gray cubes between one and two feet across, rippling with blue lines, enter the blasted hole from outside. The first one stops at the inner edge and projects a yellow beam at the debris littering the floor of the entry chamber. The rubble levitates and moves out through the outer passage. The object then appears to fuse with the north side of the hole’s wall and its surface lines fade away. The seemingly motionless solid block has repaired a portion of the jagged opening.

More colored cubes follow suit and begin to seal the opening.



Action Details:

Characters:

Monsters:

Actions?

Hit Points [Luck Point Recovery - 348D]:

Denslow – 42/42 [13/16]
Silvestri – 60/60 [14/14]
Kurot – 50/50 [4/15]
Max - 28/28 [14/15]
Anton – 43/43 [11/11]
Saiph – 25/25 [11/11]
Needle – 77/77 [11/11]
Podo – 63/63 [12/14]
Urlando – 75/75 [17/17]

[Anton_E_Gregor]

"Perhaps they are not interested in us, but it seems we will have to find another way out."

Anton stows his darts and turns to head towards the "light curtain", avoiding any of the liquids spilling out from the disconnected tubes.

He appears to remain indifferent towards the captive beings and their predicaments.

[maceo_the_escher]

Can Needle see the repair occurring at the wall?

[Norjax]

Can Needle see the repair occurring at the wall?

Yes, if he's facing that direction.

[doppelganger]

Urlando
Urlando jumps back from the convulsing body and spraying tubes. What kind of voodoo magic is this? he wonders. One head looks at his sprayed arms while the other contemplates his spasming companion.

Does the body fall to the ground or is it just suspended there?

[GrapeApe]

Podo

Podo looks at Saiph inquisitively, "It looks safe enough, what do you think?"

Podo reaches out the tip of his spear and tries to push it through the barrier of light.

Are there any types of panels on the wall to the right or the left of the door? Is there anything shining the light downward from inside the door frame from above? (like does it appear we could just block the light)

[shaidar]

Saiph looks up at the giant mushroom-man

"It certainly seems safe, big-guy"

If Podo's spear is unaffected by the light curtain then Saiph will tentatively touch the light with a finger on his least-favourite hand.

[greyarea]

Denslow is satisfied that the wall is closing. He goes to join the others.