Ep. 5 - The Enemy Within - Glavish/Black/Hopper

[Michael Black]

1945
Caverns
Beneath Pier 1
Meropis

The trio edged their way down the narrow corridor as Doctor Michael Black checked his watch. He was due to be on the late shift this evening so couldn't argue with the time but he argued the hell out of having to be one of the individuals who'd had to go down here. He was flanked by Doctor Glavish and that soldier fellow, Hopper was his name. Black held the ancient life signs detector out in front of him, it gently pipped away showing nothing but more caverns ahead of them. There was that smell again, an odor of rot not too dis-similar from rotting fish. The three of them crumpled up their noses as the breeze wafted past them.

"I don't see what the big deal is anyway." Michael began, "So what, this Blueberry Yagami person detects a few strange readings and now we have to actually go down here ourselves, with an armed escort and all!?" He was referring to some power readings one of the technicians had detected earlier that day. A wild fluctuation had sent some power down a formally dis-used conduit and seemingly out of the city and into the ground below. It wasn't until Glavish had started analyzing the power flow that they realized the scanners were picking up a small network of caverns built into the rock below where the city sat. Considering most of Meropis itself was already buried, they were now quite far underground.

There had been complaints about the smell as well, a foul odor of rot drifting up from below the pier every so often over the past few weeks. Black had been tasked to check that the city's waste disposal system wasn't faulty and had found nothing alarming. Having evaluated every possible reading for their quandary from the control room, they were forced to actually go down and find out what was going on themselves. So far though, they'd found nothing that could be capable of causing the foul smell and they'd found no loose power cables or signs of any ancient machinery that could have been drawing from the Meropis grid. He didn't dare voice it out loud but Michael couldn't shake that feeling whilst he was down here. He hated it... Something isn't right about this place. The network of caverns just didn't seem to fit in with the way the city had been built.
"Wait! Here we go. I'm picking up a feint reading up ahead, but it's very intermittent. Whatever it is is probably turned off or not working properly." Black said, frowning at his life signs detector as they proceeded on down the passageway.

<Tag Mikaere Glavish and Thomas Hopper>

[Thomas Hopper]

1945
Caverns beneath Pier 1
Meropis

Hopper was babysitting a pair of scientists. He was a SEAL for God's sake, and he was babysitting. Did they seriously have no-one else to do this? Did it HAVE to be him? How his buddies would laugh if they knew this. He had given up his spot in the SEAL's Stargate Team for this. He was a lifer in the Navy, though, so he just followed his orders like a good Sailor.

One of the scientists was bashing on his job. He didn't listen. He kept his ears open for anything that might surprise them in these caves. A few minutes later, the same guy found something. The Lieutenant was getting impatient, though. "Look. Can we just get on with it? Do what you came to do and head home for some chow? I have no desire to stay here any longer than I have to", the Iceman said with an icy glare ahead of him, not looking at anyone in particular.

[Michael Black]

1947
Caverns
Beneath Pier 1
Meropis

Michael eagerly followed the reading on the life signs detector, allowing it to distract his attention away from the pressing darkness around them this far below the city, and the foul stench that still lingered in the air.
"Look. Can we just get on with it? Do what you came to do and head home for some chow? I have no desire to stay here any longer than I have to." Black allowed himself to defer to Dr. Glavish for a perfectly crafted rebuttal to what he knew as a 'jar-head' and remained focused on his device. After another minute of trudging along through the damp, dark corridor the group stopped.
"Bingo!" Exclaimed Dr. Black as he his torch illuminated the very ancient looking doorway set into the rock to their left. In front of them, the passageway stretched away into more darkness, leading to heck knows where.

It was a very crude and metallic affair compared to the beauty of the carefully designed city sat above them. A large, round doorway with a feint seam down the middle and not a lot else going for it. Black focused his attention on the panel just to the left of the doorway as he placed his detector in the back pocket of his cargo trousers. Clenching the torch in his teeth he set to work at pulling the face plate off the panel.
"I oul ah is anel o-en ee us a inute." He said through the torch as he fiddled with the wires.

All three of the men paused in their actions. Heads slowly turned to glance up the passageway as another waft of the nasty smell hit them. Black slowly removed the torch from his mouth and was the first to say it,
"Okay... What is that shuffling noise?"

<Tag Mikaere Glavish and Thomas Hopper>

[Mikaere Glavish]

1947
Caverns
Beneath Pier 1
Meropis

Mikaere Glavish was not a fan of mysteries. It was likely why he was such a good scientist, he didn't tend to enjoy the prospect of leaving the unknown as it was... unknown. That was likely why he wasn't pleased to find that there seemed to be an entire network of caverns beneath the city that apparently no one knew anything about. For all they knew some sort of angry mole people could have been living beneath them and were just biding their time to storm the gates and take the city. And exactly how do you defend a city from a threat already inside? Of course that wasn't likely. In fact, the chances of such a thing were remote. Still, principles were principles, and Glavish simply did not like not knowing.

"I don't see what the big deal is anyway." Michael began, "So what, this Blueberry Yagami person detects a few strange readings and now we have to actually go down here ourselves, with an armed escort and all!?"

"Something or someone is siphoning power from the city," Glavish said. "It's simply better to know now than regret later, Doctor Black." He glanced over at their escort... Hopper. He certainly didn't seem to pleased to be here. Clearly, he had no idea how important his job was. He was after all escorting some very precious cargo where Meropis was concerned.

"Wait! Here we go. I'm picking up a feint reading up ahead, but it's very intermittent. Whatever it is is probably turned off or not working properly."

Glavish took a peek at Black's readings. "But the question is what is it?" he countered. "And if it's faulty or deficient, we need to ascertain if a complete malfunction would be a risk to the city. There's always a chance that a malfunction could cause a feedback surge that wou--"

"Look. Can we just get on with it? Do what you came to do and head home for some chow? I have no desire to stay here any longer than I have to," Hopper snapped.

Glavish turned to look at Black after Hopper spoke. "Is every branch of the military this sensitive?" said Glavish. The question had been directed to Doctor Black, but Glavish did little to keep his voice from carrying. He then noticed Black come to a stop as he was looking at his scanning device. "Bingo!"

Mikare's eyes focused on the door way. His eyes narrowed as there wasn't anything overly impressive about it. Still, it went into the rock face wall, what all could he expect. Black began to work on the panel, as he attempted to get the door open with a little tinkering. "I oul ah is anel o-en ee us a inute." Glavish simply sighed as he waited, internally counting the seconds. Black was rather bright... considering he was familiar with Ancient technology, as well as the ingenuity of anyone that took the time to dig these caves and set it out of hiding, he gave black an estimate of... 41 seconds give or take 3 before he had this open.

Of course the sound of some shuffling in the distance seemed to cause each of them to freeze exactly as they were as their minds tried to logically explain away the sound of a potential threat. "Okay... What is that shuffling noise?"

Glavish looked at Black and then over to Hopper. "This is where you come in," said Glavish in an adamant whisper. If before, the Lieutenant (j.g.) had been feeling that this little venture was a waste of time, his opinion was surely set to change now.

<TAG: Michael Black, Thomas Hopper>

[Michael Black]

1948
Caverns
Beneath Pier 1
Meropis

The horrible shuffling noise seemed to be getting closer by the second.
"This is where you come in," Glavish whispered to Hopper. Crap, thought Black, this mission wasn't going to end as well as he'd hoped. He had drawn the life signs detector again as quickly as he could and it showed life signs ahead, a bunch of them. Black titled the detector toward Glavish and Hopper who seemed to share his thoughts. Michael did a quick mental calculation on the readings and their position,
"They're only a few hundred yards away... I'd better get this door open then chaps!" He said as pleasantly as possible, trying desperately to hide the slight tremble of panic in his voice. A horde of... Something, was approaching them, and fast at that.

He handed the detector to Glavish and set back to work on the panel as quick as he could. The ancient device in Mik's hand showed that the shuffling life signs were all in a large clump together, moving like a pack, there were too many of them for even Hopper to gun down. Black caught torch lights shining down the corridor out of the corner of his eye, but at the moment it only revealed the silky blackness of the caverns ahead. Michael cursed out loud as a spark flew out of the control panel, he was rushing, he needed to slow down, keep his cool and follow the wires logically.

A sound caught his ear, Black stilled his breathing and listened as he carefully removed the cable he needed. A weird, soft sound was drifting down the corridor, it sounded like a group of people walking bare foot on the rocky surface. Or shambling, Michael thought, having just finished season one of the Walking Dead over his recent days off, his mind was jumping to conclusions.  He focused on the door panel, almost there... A soft murmur was audible now, and it made Michael's skin crawl and his teeth itch. Almost got it... There was a groan followed immediately by a snarl. One of the torches caught the gleam of several pairs of eyes which reacted with a hiss. The lower hum from the door intensified as the power came back on.
"I got it! Move! Quickly!"
A dark seam appeared down the middle of the door as it began to cycle open, with a slow groaning creak. This was a door not used in tens of thousands of years. It labored and slowly clunked open as the metal withdrew into the rock.

The door revealed a large empty chamber lit by ancient lighting hanging from the rafters. Massive conduits for heck knows what ran from ceiling to floor down one wall. Michael didn't have time to take any more of the view in as an ape-like growl made him jump out of his skin and duck around the doorway and into the chamber. A spine-tingling hooting sound followed. The shambling had turned to a fast walk. Michael knelt down and set to work on the panel on the other side of the door, working to get it closed again as the other two took cover. This one should be easier now that the power was back on. He heard a few shots from Hopper, typical military, if we don't know what it is - shoot it. A blood-curdling scream resonated down the corridor following Hopper's burst of fire.

Finally, the door slowly began to close again behind the three of them. They all turned to face the bulk-head, hoping it would shut it time. Something slammed itself against the metal, scrabbling and scratching at it. Michael jumped back. A hand reached in through the slowly closing gap, the light reflected off iridescent scales and white claws. Michael winced as Hopper reacted quickly, the clawed hand withdrew and the door slammed shut with a reassuring thud. Michael could breathe again.

Until the lights in the room went out and Michael faded into unconsciousness.

<Tag Thomas Hopper and Mikaere Glavish>

[Thomas Hopper]

1948
Caverns
Beneath Pier 1
Meropis

Hopper followed the scientists into a room. He didn't know what the hell was going on, and quite frankly he didn't care. HE just wanted to get the job done and get the hell out of here. Something moved. Hopper raised his rifle, and fired at it. Blood was seen on the floor. The bulkhead closed, and the door behind them closed as well. He quickly rammed a fresh magazine into his rifle before moving on.

Then the lights went out. Hopper quickly turned on the flashlight attached to his SCAR. He looked around, the rifle turning with his head. Illumination fell on one of the scientists. He was knocked out. Hopper saw the thing that did it. He pulled the trigger and didn't let go until the rifle gave the familiar clicking noice, indicating the magazine was empty. Then it was gone. The room was empty, save for one of the scientists and himself.

[Mikaere Glavish]

1948
Caverns
Beneath Pier 1
Meropis

"They're only a few hundred yards away... I'd better get this door open then chaps!"

Black's desire to state the obvious was infuriating.  Glavish was tempted to push the man and try to work on the door himself, but they didn't have time to bicker over who could open the door the fastest.  To Glavish, the answer was obvious.  Still, every second was precious and couldn't be wasted.  His eyes looked down at the scanner, and he could see the mass of life signs moving closer to their position.  The chorus of their movement was getting louder and louder... closer and closer.  Glavish stared down the rest of the corridor and son the glow on the walls getting louder as if the sun were rising right before them.  He couldn't wait any longer.  He was just about to push Black aside when the scientist spoke.

"I got it! Move! Quickly!"

Could the man have been any slower?  Glavish didn't need to be told twice.  He quickly moved inside, making certain that he was the first to safety. His eyes took in the sight before him, the massive conduits that filled the room.  Glavish tried to place what was standing before him.  Though, he wasn't able to concentrate as the insane noise erupted behind him.  At first it was a growl... and then a howl.  He couldn't place the sounds other than they were chaos.  A hand burst into the room and attempted to grab at Black, who was closest to the opening as he was shutting the door.  Hopper opened fire.  Glavish reeled back, keeping a safe distance from the chaos.  Though, eventually, the clawed hand withdrew and the doors shut.

"Well, that was close," said Glavish.  Of course, it was at that moment, that fate revealed that it was far from finished with the trio.  The lights went out and it was only after the sound from the darkness echoed in the room that light burst from nowhere.  Hopper's rifle light gave some illumination.  It was then, that Glavish noticed Michael on the floor.  "Black!" he said.  He was about to move towards him, but that was when Hopper opened fire.  Glavish dove to the ground and covered his head oblivious to the chaos, but he could tell that Hopper had emptied his entire clip.  "What the hell were yous shooting at?" Glavish yelled at Hopper, his ears still ringing.  These military types and their itchy trigger fingers.

Glavish went to set his eyes back on Black, but saw that Michael was no longer there.  "Wha-... where is he?" he said looking to Hopper.  "Black?  Black?!" he called out, but there seemed to be nothing in response.  Glavish sighed as his eyes rested on Hopper.  He could only draw one conclusion: they weren't alone.  "We need to find, Black."  It was simple, and he could see no fault in his logic that Hopper could possibly disagree with.  His eyes turned towards the door that they had come through.  He didn't go out that way, and neither can we.  So that means he's here... somewhere."  He turned in the opposite direction.  Reaching in his pocket he produced another hand torch.  Examining the area, he noticed a few specs on the ground.  Kneeling down he dipped his finger in it and saw that it seemed to be liquid... blood specifically.

As much as he hated the concept of bravado, he didn't have the luxury of hiding behind a wall of soldiers this time.  "Split up?  I look over here, you there?"  Glavish pointed at the other side of the room.



2012
Caverns
Beneath Pier 1
Meropis

Moving about the room, Glavish couldn't help but take a mental inventory of the room.  He had been meticulous and his search, until he heard a sound.  He motioned towards one of the conduits that was near him and move towards it to take cover.  Surely, Hopper couldn't argue with that logic.  Kneeling, he secured himself so that he could watch what was happening.  It wasn't until he noticed torch lights similar to that of his own that he started to rise from cover.  "What the hell are you all doing here?  Scratch that... better question, how the hell did you get in here?"

TAG: Thomas Hopper, Michael Black, Fiona Maccafferty, Elly Clark, Aear Charter

[Aear Charter]

2012
Science labs
Meropis

Aear looked back at Fee as she argued at him. He loved that she had spirit but did she really have to be so.... Parenty?

No one asked you to. You did that on your own. I simply think that too many weapons are the wrong choice...has anyone tried logic and reason?

"Oh no Fee, I DIDN'T try to reason with it before the evil mole creature decided to JUMP RIGHT ON TOP OF ME." Aear gave Elly an apologetic look before he continued. "You might also want to consider that the only one of the three of us that HAS military training I thought it would be wise to be armed so that I could protect YOU."

Ok, so Aear wasn't actually angry, just a little annoyed that he was being berated for both doing his job and protecting Fee, there by doing something towards paying back his debt. Regardless as to whether Roger or anyone else felt it necessary he was both a Meowtian and Aear which made lifedebts an actual thing.

Fee nodded a couple of times before she gave the go ahead to put his (somewhat brilliant) magical plan into action. Do it.

Aear couldn't help but grin at being able to actually (even if it was as silly transfer spell) show off. He turned to move between them, deliberately facing away from them before holding his right arm out. [Load cartridge.] Chimed Cyleo as a previously hidden door in Aear's arm slid back and ejected a mana cartridge that looked like it belonged in some sort of shotgun rather then his arm. No sooner had the door closed did a bright white magic circle appear underneath them. [Long Distance Transfer. Destination:] Before Aear finished the incantation. "That place that Fee pointed out." And with that they were gone.

2012
Caverns
Beneath Pier 1
Meropis

With such a short transfer they were there practically instantly, standing on Aear's magic circle that had appeared moments before they arrived. Aear fell onto his new staff weapons leaning on it almost like a crutch. "See? I'm perfectly aware of how it's useful." He said grinning at Elly. His left eye was not just shiny wet but now loosing blood fairly quickly down his face. Aear moved away from the group and bent over one of the conduits before literally throwing up blood.

"What the hell are you all doing here? Scratch that... better question, how the hell did you get in here?"

Aear looked up at the new, albeit familiar voice. Peering through the half light, as well as matching the voice to a face in his head, he recognised Glavish. Friendlies. Finally. "I'm magic remember?" Said Aear having regained his composure save for the blood running off his face. "And I must say I'm glad we found you guys rather then more magically fast mole creatures." Aear turned to beam at Fee, his plan worked and no one got hurt. Granted he was in a lot of pain and his scar had opened up far more then he would have liked, but firstly, he was used to pain long ago, and secondly, he cared about Fee more then he liked to admit, if it was for her safety then a little pain wasn't going to stop him now.

Tag: Fiona Maccafferty, Elly Clark, Mikaere Glavish, Michael Black, Thomas Hopper

[Elly Clark]

2012
Science Block
Meropis

It seemed they were going through with the plan to teleport into the room containing the comms equipment, Elly's face became somewhat afraid, almost as afraid as when the monsters had attacked the door to Fiona's lab, it seemed though it was likely to be no different than stepping through a stargate, or beaing beamed, then again both od those were controlled by systems of civiliastion whose knowelege was several orders of magnitude higher than their own, even if they could with a bit if luck build some of these things, or atleast keep them going.

No one asked you to. You did that on your own. I simply think that too many weapons are the wrong choice...has anyone tried logic and reason?" Elly felt that was a silly idea from a rather brilliant mind.

"Oh no Fee, I DIDN'T try to reason with it before the evil mole creature decided to JUMP RIGHT ON TOP OF ME." Aear gave her an apologetic look, but they were still just going on about how unsafe tihngs were, but this wasn't a health and safety meeting, this was a city several thousand years old filled with some seemingly rampaging creatures.. "You might also want to consider that the only one of the three of us that HAS military training I thought it would be wise to be armed so that I could protect YOU." Elly sighed. 

"I have to agree with Aear, I don't think these are the kind of things... that can we won over with logic and reason, we need to get the comms back up, then get it all sorted, as much as I love debates on how to respond to threats, I'm afraid I'm not much better than most other animals." She looked between both of them. It seemed settled and Aear began to teleport them, elly breathed in and white knuckled the P90.

---

2012
Caverns
Beneath Pier one
Meropis

They appeared and the light of two torches took her by suprise but she looked right at Hopepr who was proably aiming right at them, torch lights right at your eyes couldn't be good for your eye sight.

Aear Said sometihng but she was hoping not to get shot to much to pay attention.

She turned a little as Dr Glavish spoke. "What the hell are you all doing here? Scratch that... better question, how the hell did you get in here?"

Damn, why couldn't he be an unfortunate one, maybe not dead, but not well enough to be here? She went to speak but Aear spoke first, She tapepd his side with her forearm after he finished.

"I'm magic remember? And I must say I'm glad we found you guys rather then more magically fast mole creatures." She was going to have to explain this away, oh how fun.

"Uh... Aear teleported us here, we were trying to get to the comms lab, something must have happened. Um... Sorry?" She hoped that would allow him to mvoe on, hopefulyl impending doom would get him away from berating her and Maccerferty for arming Aear and everything else.

"But, where are we... exactly?" She enquired.

<TAG: Mikaere Glavish, Thomas Hopper, Fiona Maccafferty, Aear Charter, Michael Black, Plot Twist.>

[Fiona Maccafferty]

2012
All the labs
Meropis

Aear responded in a tone that indicated that he was a little exasperated.

"Oh no Fee, I DIDN'T try to reason with it before the evil mole creature decided to JUMP RIGHT ON TOP OF ME...You might also want to consider that the only one of the three of us that HAS military training I thought it would be wise to be armed so that I could protect YOU. Well, she was SORRY, but one, Aear was reckless, and two, she DID have a point...most things responded to logic, even if it took awhile. That's why spanking children didn't usually work, but making them understand the gravity of mistakes often did...even if it meant it took more TIME, peace was preferable, at least to Fee. She made a face, and put hand on her hip to give him what-for, but not before Elly spoke.

I have to agree with Aear, I don't think these are the kind of things... that can we won over with logic and reason, we need to get the comms back up, then get it all sorted, as much as I love debates on how to respond to threats, I'm afraid I'm not much better than most other animals. She sighed, but just shrugged. Whatever, maybe Elly had a point; lower life forms, such as ameobas, didn't respond to logic per se, either.

It was just an idea...then you can stand watch, Aear, since you ARE the only one armed, after all. The fact was that no one had TRIED, though, and she was just annoyed enough at Aear that she could point out the flaws in his logic. They didn't have much time for further discussion, though, as she headed down further down the stairs. Aear made his AI thing appear, and she sighed deeply as he "beamed" them, like Scotty, to the lower labs. She hoped. Knowing Aear, though, she wouldn't be totally surprised if they ended up on Neptune.

That place that Fee pointed out... In a moment, they appeared at the piers. This wasn't the RIGHT place, but it would do. She sighed.

At least it's not Neptune. Let's go, she said, stepping forward, coming face-to-face with Hopper and Glavish.

What the hell are you all doing here? Scratch that... better question, how the hell did you get in here? Fee pointed at Aear; mayhaps the man didn't remember that they...well, techincally, SHE, was in possession of a magical kittycat...since she'd sworn to the General she'd be responisble for him, she started to speak, but again, Elly was faster.

"Uh... Aear teleported us here, we were trying to get to the comms lab, something must have happened. Um... Sorry? But, where are we...exactly? Fee knew the answer to that one, and, ignoring Glavish's stares, she spoke to the other doctor.

We in the caverns below the piers. They were meant to be looking for gravitational readings; I assume they got lost because they're still not deep enough below the city to get an accurate reading. She said this simply; this far below would certainly be better because they were closer to the core, but if they could get to the bunker below, that would be even BETTER for the sort of things they'd been assigned. It was elementary to Fee; her algorithm said that the dirupted readings were a result of Almeda being on the loose...maths were a beautiful thing. They were stagnant when Alemeda was "plugged in", but were a little more random when she wasn't. Fee figured they could get them normalized if they could somehow magnetize the cryo chamber, but that was a project for a different day...a day when they had lights, power, and loo access. She did look up, though, and handed Aear a first aid kit from the deep recesses of her pack.

Where's Dr. Black?! He's got a map; I lost mine in the armory, I think, and Amelia is about to die out. I think we've got a control panel down 'ere, between the tools Elly and I have, and our skill, we might be able to at least get the lights on, at least in the critical bays-comms, infirmary, and the dock. We ran into aliens, Hopper, you'll need to stand guard. She didn't mean to take over, exactly, she just knew what she was doing, and she knew what skills the others possessed and who would be good where.

Tag:Elly Clark, Aear Charter, @michaelblack, Mikaere Glavish, Thomas Hopper, Plot Twist, @whomever wants to play.

[Michael Black]

2013
Caverns
Beneath Pier 1
Meropis

Slowly, he emerged from the depths of unconsciousness. The first thing he noticed were torch lights flickering across the room from him. Voices drifted across the air, inter-mingled with a buzzing sound and occasionally muffled,
“...how the hell did you get in here?" There was the sound of somebody vomiting, it made Michael wince a little.
“...I'm glad we found you guys rather than...” He realized that his whole body was on fire, it felt like somebody had removed is bones and plunged them in lava. Everything hurt.
“...Aear teleported us here, we were trying to get to the comms lab, something must have happened. Um...” Michael tried to lift his head, he couldn't. He could feel that his left wrist had been restrained by something, his right arm was entirely free but he couldn't move that either. He panicked.
“..where are we... exactly?”
“...caverns below the piers. They were meant to be looking for gravitational readings; I assume they got lost...” Was that good or bad? He was still in the caverns... Michael wondered if he was still in the huge chamber they’d found just before everything went dark for him. He became a little more aware of what was going on with every moment, now Michael realized he was lying back at an angle, supported by what felt like a large piece of cold slate.
“Where's Dr. Black?! He's got a map.“ Michael tried to speak, his voice was broken and his mouth dry, nothing came out.
“We ran into aliens, Hopper, you'll need to stand guard.” Then the voices were drowned out as his mind drew him into a vivid, painful flashback.

He remembered now, he’d only been out cold for a few moments before the creatures had dragged him off into the darkness by his ankles, through an archway and into what felt like a smaller room. They’d placed him on the slab, rolled up his left sleeve and strapped it down. He could barely protest on account of the blow they’d just delivered to the back of his head. He remembered gunfire, a terrible blood curdling scream; he remembered thinking Hopper and Glavish were dead. He remembered that he could just about make out the outline of one of the horrible creatures, it was closer to him now than it had ever been and was standing at the end of the makeshift frame they had placed him on. Michael could hear Glavish crying out for him somewhere in the large chamber beyond the archway. He didn't have a chance to reply.

The creature had circled the slab, Michael was paralyzed by fear. It had passed close enough that he could see the yellows of it’s eyes, they seemed almost cool and calculating and far from the disorganized chaos they had encountered just minutes ago out on the hall. He gazed into the depths of the creature’s eyes, dark ovals as black as the night sky. Michael remembered how he felt, it was like looking into the eyes of a shark, there was nothing there, no awareness, just instinct. The creature had stopped at the foot of the slab again. Michael had wondered if he could talk to it, put an end to this nonsense. It lifted a clawed hand, and stabbed it’s dagger-like limbs into Michael’s right thigh. He screamed.

Doctor Black, that was what they called him. It was all flooding back now as the memory faded. In the here and now, the torch lights bounced as the others ran toward him. He hoped it was the others. He remembered the pain as the creature tore it’s claws free from Michael’s leg. The warmth of the blood welling up and oozing out over his uniform.  But the monster was gone now. The pain returned to his leg even as he regained his voice. Michael cried out, a dry croaky cry, the best he could manage and barely loud enough to carry,
“Help.”

<tag Fiona Maccafferty Aear Charter Thomas Hopper Mikaere Glavish Elly Clark>

[Aear Charter]

2015
Caverns
Beneath Pier 1
Meropis

Fee started doing her thing the moment they landed, taking charge and making orders, well at least he didn't have to. Aear didn't like responsibility, it meant him having to be responsible. It didn't take a genius to realise that giving Aear responsibility was a bad idea.

At least it's not Neptune. Let's go.

"Where IS Neptune?" Hey that was a legitimate question. Anything Aear didn't know the answer to was a legitimate question.

We in the caverns below the piers. They were meant to be looking for gravitational readings; I assume they got lost because they're still not deep enough below the city to get an accurate reading.

Huh, it would seem they were off course. Well his Linker Core was kinda messed up and these people INSISTED on having a constant AMF which certainly didn't help. "Ya know, if you didn't keep a constant AMF in all areas you think i'd be then it wouldn't be so difficult to calculate accurate co-ords."

Where's Dr. Black?! He's got a map; I lost mine in the armory, I think, and Amelia is about to die out. I think we've got a control panel down 'ere, between the tools Elly and I have, and our skill, we might be able to at least get the lights on, at least in the critical bays-comms, infirmary, and the dock. We ran into aliens, Hopper, you'll need to stand guard.

Aear was already making his way to the unlit area of the room. He had catlike vision and could see fairly well in dim light conditions. If his Linker Core was running better he'd just use his MaDaR but he was sick. He spotted Dr Black and bent down next to him. He was breathing so that sounded good. "Doctor Black!?" Aear practically yelled in his ear. The plan was to either wake him up or shock him up, whichever was more appropriate. He then waved Fee over. "He's over here."

Tag: @michaelblack, Fiona Maccafferty, Elly Clark, Mikaere Glavish, Thomas Hopper

[Fiona Maccafferty]

2020
Caverns
Beneath Pier 1
Meropis

Where IS Neptune? She sighed.

Few galaxies over, near Earth. That's not important. What IS important is finding Dr. Black, getting comms back online, and getting this holy show on the road. Where was Neptune?! Everyone knew where Neptune was.

Aear shook his head as she started, in his words, "bossing people around." Though usually it was "bossing HIM around." Well, it didn't appear like anyone ELSE was going to do it, and she be STUPID to give Aear an opening. Not that he COULDN'T do it, just that meant he had to be responsible and that meant she had to be responsible for HIM. At least this way, she could let him be and still monitor him. Great, now instead of his friend, she was more or less his mummy. She ignored Aear's comments about the magnetic frequencies-they NEEDED them; Humans didn't have ancient tech, so they had to make do with actual things the Universe provided them, and the (second) most powerful of them was magnetism.

Whilst Glavish, Elly, and Hopper decided amongst themselves what would happen next, Fee watched Aear to clean himself up with her first-aid kit, and move down the hallway a bit. She followed; she cared enough about Aear to be curious as to what he was doing. She found him-well, HEARD him-hollering.

Doctor Black!?He's over here. Fee made a face as she approached.

Jaysus, Aear. The whole bloody base can HEAR you, including those....creatures. She scolded him, but settled down next to him, and took her first-aid kit from Aear. She spoke as she extracted a few things.

I need water. I don't care from where. Magic some up if you must. Did you use all the antibiotic cream?! Will you tell the others that we've got him, and then come back? I'll need your help...[/b] She found some smelling salts in her kit. Good thing she was old-fashioned; new kits didn't include them. She was also Irish, and they did things backwards there. She used the smelling salts to rouse him, and spoke, her tone low but still loud, given that she was Irish.

Aye, Dr. Black. Nice to see you again. 'Tis me, Fiona. Be still. She worked quickly. SHe had only a basic knowledge of triage, but she DID have some NSAIDS, some water, and a heat pack. It was the best they could do at the moment. She also took his temperature. She looked up as Aear returned, with her canteen, and she helped the man to swallow down the pills before asking Aear to help her stand him up..which was hard for HER alone, given the height and size difference. It was like an ant trying to carry a two-by-four, and Aear wasn't signficantly larger, but he was less delicate than she. Finally, they got him upright as Fee continued to speak to him.

You'll feel like hell warmed over for a bit; let us help you. Don't fight it. The generator is a few feet from here...where are the others? Headed there? Well, they BETTER be, because now she was more or less occupied with finding a chair or something for the dead-weight scientist and also trying to remember if they used copper wire down here, or titanum. Titanium would make this far more difficult, so she prayed. Please be copper.

It took several minute for the trio to amble the few feet to the panel, and after Fee helped Aear to sit Dr. Black against the wall, she pulled the Allen wrenches from her pocket. She felt sort of like Mary Poppins, with her never-ending bag of things.

Tag:@elly,Thomas Hopper, Aear Charter,Michael Black, Mikaere Glavish, Plot Twist, I think I missed someone.

[Elly Clark]

2015
Caverns
Beneath Pier One
Meropis

Fiona and Aear werent off on another tangent about Neptune, it was often very hard to follow these two, they seemed to go off on little adventures while somehow staying on the main track, it was becoming a little easier to follow, though she still didn't understand how they managed it. However Elly did get and answer to her question of where they were, it wasn't the palce they were supposed to be, but it wasn't in a stair well near a pack of alien beasts, so it had something nice to it even if it seemed, they mgiht have been down here at one point.

They were going to do somethen when there was a scream, followed by a low help and everyones movement towards it. It had sounded like Doctor black, Elly ran weapons close to fully up behind the others, she hoped they weren't using the poor man as bait to get the rest of them, because right now, that would have worked quite well. They found him and Aear was yelling, rather loud at a man who was either unconcious or clearly as the sight even int he low light then wit hher torch light from her weapon to illuminate Maccafferty's work.

She had said sometihng to Aear but Elly was too busy looking around and trying to hold the light steady, she just hoped they weren't about to get ambushed. "I need water. I don't care from where. Magic some up if you must. Did you use all the antibiotic cream?! Will you tell the others that we've got him, and then come back? I'll need your help..." Elly didn't have any on her, but she thought either Glavish or Hopper might.

Elly could smell the ammonia of the salts from here, it wasn't a nice smell, but then again that might have been the point right? Fiona was talking to Black as they began to treat him, Elly was still looking and hearing around in the low light for any signs of iminent doom. They had begun to lift Black so elly holding the weapon one handed grabbed a handfull of uniform and help those two get him up, as much as she was the biggest out of the three, one of them needed to be ready to protect the others and at this moment if fell to her.

"Aye, Dr. Black. Nice to see you again. 'Tis me, Fiona. Be still. You'll feel like hell warmed over for a bit; let us help you. Don't fight it. The generator is a few feet from here...where are the others? Headed there?" Elly Walked slowly behind them walking backwards, she slowly swept the weapons barrel with light back and forth just a little side to side behind them. They got near the consolse of sorts and the other two sat Blacka gainst a wall. Elly looked at Fiona as she pulled her allen keys out. she reahce dinto a pocket and produced her one item of usefulness and handed it to the read head. "Lets not get snuck up on." the physicist said as she then swept the light of the weapon across the room again, checking for evil mole, men, monsters.

<TAG: Michael Black, Thomas Hopper, Mikaere Glavish, Fiona Maccafferty, Aear Charter, Plot Twist.>

[Michael Black]

2020
Caverns
Beneath Pier 1
Meropis

The line between the smoke and the flames was well and truly blurred, Doctor Black wasn't sure if he was remembering the others talking to him or was still being attacked by the creatures.
"Doctor Black!?" A loud voice made Michael twitch.
"Jaysus, Aear. The whole bloody base can hear you,-" An Irish accent now, what was happening!? Black's head jerked back in agony, the inside of his left wrist burned. An intense pain shot up his arm and up and down his spine. His vision flashed back to moments ago.

The monster had gone, but the worst was yet to come. Out of the darkness a device appeared, the device was attached to a hand, oddly without any claws. It looked like an ancient life signs detector had been glued to a vial of something with a series of spikes on the bottom. Black had tried to protest, but to no avail. The injector- it had to be an injector due to what happened next- was slammed down on the underside of his bare arm. He could feel the painful bruising sensation as something flowed into him. The injector was pulled away just as quickly as it was introduced and the mysterious figure disappeared back into the shadows, leaving Black laying stricken on the slab. Something had distracted his assailants. It was not long after that he began to hear familiar voices and the torchlight began to appear.

The torch light illuminated a heavenly figure. She. She was an angel. Short but with flowing hair and a smile that could end wars.
"Aye, Dr. Black. Nice to see you again. 'Tis me, Fiona. Be still." Oh Fiona, he'd never seen her like that before. He was so happy to see her, Black thought it was the end for sure. The Irish voice comforted him and soft, gentle hands wrapped the wound on his leg before hoisting him up. The smelling salts brought Black around a little more and he became aware of Elly and Glavish in the room with them, lit by the dim glow of the emergency lighting.
"You'll feel like hell warmed over for a bit; let us help you. Don't fight it. The generator is a few feet from here...where are the others? Headed there?"

Slowly but surely, they dragged Black near to the control panel and leaned him against the wall nearby as they set to work. He slumped down, feeling useless. Black craned his neck to look at his left arm as the other's flickered torchlight here and there around the ancient console. His skin tingled and burned, he felt a sudden rush of heat burning through his triceps and winced in pain. He looked up at the panel Maccafferty was working on and smiled, she would save them. His thoughts ran wild as he lay there feeling pretty helpless. This was the room that the power had seemed to be draining off to before, therefore it should be easier to get the circuit reconnected and get things switched on down here. From there, they could find out what the hell was going on. Maccafferty was working on it. She would be able to get the lights on in here in no time. She would save the day.

<tag Fiona Maccafferty Elly Clark Mikaere Glavish Aear Charter Thomas Hopper>