Middex Armory, Security Room, Klos 4th, 350AC, 1120

Sara nudges Jackson in the ribs with her elbow.  “Why do you get to ask all the questions?  Mr. Elf, are there other talking horses outside?  Can I get one just like yours, to carry me around and tell us stories?”

As Zeebo talks to the children, he continues to work on the computer (Dual Brain helps him do a bit of both simultaneously).  His final attempt (12): 9 1 = yellow.  Success!  The computer exits out of standby, and brings up a screen with various program icons.  Zeebo will be able to access the video files again, or attempt other functions (need to make further computer rolls for success).

What now?

Middex Armory, Storage, Klos 4th, 350AC, 1102

As the Programmers head towards the heroes, they start moving faster and with more purpose.  Their arms reach out, grasping, towards the heroes.  Arvak and Phallon now notice that they don’t look like true men.  Their skin is a sick gray-green color, they lack hair (like eyebrows), and their eyes seem frosted over and unfocused, like those of the blind.  They open their mouths, baring sharp pointed teeth, and emit soft gurgling hisses.

They are just about upon the heroes.

Initiatives

• Ragnor: 0 = automatic win
• Phallon: 7 + 2 = 9
• “Programmers”: 9 -1 = 8
• Arvak: 6 + 1 = 7

Declare your actions.

Due to Christmas and New Years, I am going to extend these next few turns to a full week in case you guys are traveling, etc.

Middex Armory, Barracks, Klos 4th, 350AC, 1102

The door hisses open as it slides to the side.  Beyond is a huge warehouse-like room, its ceiling is 6-7meters above you.  Many metal crates and plastic barrels line the walls or are strewn about the room.  Many of the crates are open, and their contents thrown about.  The edge of one crate is blocking part of the doorway.  Phallon, Arvak, and Ragnor check out the doorway, then look and step inside.

Two programmers are walking along the floor, as if drunk or aimless.  They are wearing olive drab uniforms with double chevron patches on their arms.  Black sheath armor and helmets over that.  Each programmer has a high-tech looking rifle attached to his backpack by a cable.  The rifles rest on the floor, but are being dragged around by the cables as the programmers walk.

As the heroes enter, the programmers look at them, then turn and shuffle quickly towards them.  (They start about 15 meters away, and will reach the heroes after 1 round)

Check your private posts.

What do you do?

Middex Armory, Barracks, Klos 4th, 350AC, 1049

Phallon quietly moves down to the eastern doorway.  Stealth roll (8): 70 5 = blue result.  He looks in and sees a room with white tile along the floor and walls, gleaming in the white light from the glow panels.  Protruding from the walls are metal fixtures.  This room has open doorways to smaller rooms to its north and south, which also have the same tile/metal fixture arrangement.

Arvak catches up (not as quietly).  He remembers (IN check col 7: 6 3 = blue) the Nerds barracks being messy although very few of them used the beds.  The Nerds’ bathroom was fully functional although the water was discolored.

You spend a “search turn” checking the barrack’s bathroom (and maybe using it).  No people or creatures are lurking here.  The central room has sinks and mirrors.  There are several high tech machines built into the east wall.  The southern room has urinals and 3 stalls with toilets.  The northern room has showerheads (with only one private shower) and a drain in the center of the floor.

Ragnor stays put at the door to the central hallway.

Looks like all other areas of the base are behind closed doors.  Where to now?

Dr. Zeebo continues to work on the computer, trying various keystroke combinations.  Lara stops messing with his ear, but continues to stare a bit.  As she watches Zeebo work, she starts to doze off, head bobbing, at the desk.  Jackson asks “Can you write a new program to bring us food?  I bet Captain Wizard could’ve done it.  He was the best ever.  He had all the high scores.”

Computer roll (12): 6 5 = blue result.  Zeebo has gone through about half the possible combinations, assuming he is on the right track.  Hmmm, if this doesn’t work, he’s not sure what will.  He keeps plugging away at it…

Middex Armory, Computer Room, Klos 4th, 350AC, 1039

Phallon moves through the computer room, as Ragnor and Arvak watch from the doorway.  He looks through the southern doorway into a barracks.  The room is crowded with numerous metal bunk beds.  The mattresses and sheets are very messy, and some have been ripped or thrown about the room.  Metal footlockers rest under or at the foot of each bed.  Again, no signs of life.  There is a closed door in the west wall, and an open doorway in the east wall.

What now?

Zeebo attempts to get the computer out of standby mode.  He messes with random buttons, which so far, don’t seem to do anything.

Sara curls up on the mattress and goes to sleep.  Lara and Jackson stand on either side of you watching you work.  Lara shyly reaches up and tries to touch your ear tip.  Jackson starts saying “You don’t know what you’re doing, do you?  I thought you were smart!  Try Control-S.  How about Control-shift-S?”

Zeebo will get three attempts to get the computer working.  He gets one attempt per turn and needs a green result.  The column will be Rank 6 + 2 IN mod + 1 Ancient Text + 3 for Programmers input/suggestions = 12.

Zeebo’s first attempt (12): 0 9 = white.  No luck so far.  The Programmer kids seem to know how to use the computers, but have never been allowed to use this station, and don’t know how to exit standby.

Middex Armory, Security Room, Klos 4th, 350AC, 1035

The heroes move quietly down the hall towards the open doorway.  Stealth rolls -Phallon (8) 30 6 = white.  -Ragnor (9) 20 2 = white.  Arvak (7) 7 3 = blue.  The footsteps are soft, yet echoing.

The group reaches the doorway and looks through, with weapons at the ready.  The room to the south is full of desks.  Each desk has a computer with a nearly transparent plastic cover.  Ragnor and Arvak have never seen these computers turned off before or covered over.  Often Programmers would sleep at their desks, but the room is deserted.  (Everyone check their private posts for awareness roll results).  There are three other exits out of the room, two are closed doors, the third is an open doorway at the room’s south wall.

You all hear a clank echo through the air ducts, then a slight creaking noise.  What would you like to do?

Middex Armory, Security Room, Klos 4th, 350AC, 1030

After the other heroes leave, Dr. Zeebo stays behind with the surviving Programmers.

His declared actions:  “In the time that the other PCs are gone, I am going to do the following:1.  Make sure that Meyer and the kids are well hydrated and resting comfortably.  2.  Examie Meyer and the kids for any signs of infection.3.  Attempt to reboot the computer terminal as well.4.  Take detailed notes on my data pad on the video footage from 209 years ago.5.  Make sure the kids stay safe (and out of my way.)5.  Secure the door with the file cabinets and key card once again.”

Zeebo secures the door to the room.  Once closed, the room warms up quickly.  Then the warm breeze from the ceiling vent ceases with a distant echoing clank.  Zeebo starts to examine the programmers, and make sure they are hydrated and comfortable.  The kids really pay attention to everything Dr. Zeebo says.  Unlike just about everyone else, they seem to like his mannerisms.

Zeebo makes three first aid rolls (14): 7 0 = green.  7 4 = green.  1 4 = white.  You make sure they are well hydrated, you have used up half your water (essentially either the waterskin or canteen is now empty).  You look them all over, no obvious signs of infection.  A bit dirty and smelly.  Meyer has a bruise on his forearm, and a few abraisions on the side of his neck, otherwise ok.

Next turn = tackling the computer…  Let me know if you change plans or want to do anything else.

Middex Armory: Klos 4th, 350AC, 1030

Ragnor, Phallon, and Arvak head through the wrecked ex-office room, past the horrible room of rendering, and down a hallway heading west.  They pass through an open security door.  Arvak remembers (IN check col 7: 8 5 = green) this door seperated the Newbie section from the rest of the base.  After a quick turn to the right and then left, they stand looking down a 40 meter long hallway.  Several metal doors are set into the hall on either side and at the end.  The first door on their left, about 12 meters away, is open.

The hall is lit by the same glow panels in the ceiling.  It is very very quiet, and without care, your footsteps will make echoing sounds here.

What now?  Declare your actions.