When Sasithorn is restored to full health, Nigel stands and lets out a long whistle.
Nigel says,
You know I never can understand how that sort of magic works, praise the deities for their willingness to mend us when our needs are great.
Having spoken his mind, the barman packs a few leftover pieces of cooked meat into a cloth he pulls from his pocket, and then stretches his back, takes a long piece of wood from the pile near the fire, taps it on the ground a few times to test its stability, and says
I can find my way back to Connie’s Bright on my own, and as long as the sun is shining, I shouldn’t run into any of those black as night thingies. I just hope you fellows can find this gate your on about and end this problem soon, before nightfall anyway.
And with that he heads off to the east.
Marvin has a clear signal to follow, now that he is above ground, and when everyone is ready he leads the party to the south, southwest.
After a few hours of trudging through the marshes and moorlands the smell of sea air grows strong, and the coast comes into view.
Here, some few miles to the west of Connie’s Bright, the seashore is a wide stretch of white sand and pebbles intermingled with streams of flowing water running out of the lowland marshes to the north.
The tide here moves a good quarter of a mile, and right now it is in, bringing gentle waves against the few small raised pockets of dry land.
Out to sea, some hundred yards or so is a stand of gigantic rocks, rising above the water a meter or more. The rocks are flat, worn down over the centuries by the relentless tides, and perched upon one of these rocks you can see a tall black frame that resembles a large gated archway. The top of this arch is a glowing dark red light.
Reaching this rock would require you wading out into the tide, probably up to your waist, or waiting for the tide to go out.
wahl at lease the sea will wash off this muck from that swamp
Xor heads out
Not being a seafaring dwarf, Gwernach scratches his head as he looks out over the water and wonders how he should get out there. He'd spent a bit of time out on the water getting to these lands, but most of those days he remembers were spent worshiping in front of a common wooden vessel, casting his hourly offerings to the sea. However Xor's direct approach seems good enough. Checking his pack to see that a little water won't harm his meager inventory and adjusting those items that will, Gwernach sets off after Xor and the tiny island of rocks.
Before Nigel leaves, Marvin informs him of the situation. "This unit would not advise returning to Connie's Bright at the current moment. The village has been cast under a priority one warning with numerous of the unknown shadow creatures overrunning the village. Finding other inhabitants who have fled may prove a more fruitful action."
Later, at the coast, Marvin pauses to take in the situation. "This unit would not advise approaching without caution and further information."
Not seeing anything of immediate notice, they take a closer look for traps on the rocks and for hidden creatures, especially in the water.
meanwhile…
The aircar hovered above the coordinates for a few moments. The entry into the planet’s atmosphere had been smooth, uneventful, but took, in Parker’s opinion, longer than it should have. The pilot of the aircar, a small, heavyset fellow whose nametag identified him as Raul, was cheerful and talkative, skilled to be sure, and had explained to Parker, more than once on the way down, that the extra time taken was necessary so as to be sure not to draw attention from anyone on the planet, which necessitated a long approach from the southern pole of the planet and across the southern ocean.
”so, eh, you’ve been here before?” Raul had asked as they came within site of the landing zone.
”Sure,” parker answered
”I hear it’s a pretty weird, eh, place. All sorts of refugees here, they say.”
”I’m sure I wouldn’t know anything about that,” Parker said
”You, eh, you are one of them scouts, right, you an IRS man, ain’t you?”
Parker shifted in his seat, and felt the hard buckle of the antigravity restraint pull hard against his shoulder. He kept one hand, his right hand, his good hand, on the bag near his feet. The tall bag contained very few items, almost none of the items he’d asked for, but still, what was in the bag was probably more valuable to the IRS than he was.
”No,” parker said at last, watching the pilots face in the view screen in front of him. ”I’m an independent agent. I don’t intend to do much here other than collect some information, and then I’ll be on my way.”
The pilot’s face revealed his doubts, it was in his smile, his knowing wink as he said, ”right, eh, whatever you say pal. Look there’s the place where the module is supposed to be. Let me swing over to the east and set it down on that hill. Look, there’s your contact now.”
The pilot manipulated an exterior viewcam and brought up an image of a thirty ton habitat module, poorly disguised by some fake vegetation to look like a simple hut. And standing near the module was a woman, an attractive woman with black hair, streaked with white, wearing a standard issue monosuit. She wasn’t tall, and she looked fit. Parker’s thoughts as the camera zoomed in on this woman were as simple as he normally was.
This woman was built just the way he liked them, compact, strong, round in all the right places.
As the aircar landed, the entry shields on the top sides retracted, revealing to interior of the car, the pilot, and Parker Anderson.
The short, attractive woman hustled to the car, extended a hand to help Parker as he climbed out of the rig, and as he reached for his she turned him around with a gentle pull on his elbow.
Hello, Mister Anderson, my name is Paulina Southmiller, scout fourth class of the Interplanetary Relief Society. I just finished the mission brief. Boy am I glad to see you. There are some things going on here that are way above my paygrade. I appreciate your help. Why don’t we get inside before it gets dark, and I’ll see if I can make us both a bit more comfortable? You can get out of that pressure suit, and change into the outfit you brought to blend in here. Just let me know what you need and I’ll see if I have it in the module’s lockers. I hope I can live up to what I’ve read about you.
Parker looked over this dame, up and down. She was good looking, enthusiastic, smart, had to be to be an agent after all, and she had green eyes.
It was always the green eyed ones that did him in. Every time.
And even more meanwhile…
How many systems are repaired? the silver skinned woman asked.
I’m sorry sir, but the data core is not stable, power systems are cycling on and off too quickly to make progress on the life support, re-processors, or inertia dampeners. However we think sir will be happy to know that a rebuild of the operating deck emergency generator is on schedule and should be complete in two days. When that generator is tested functional, we should reduce the cycle periods by by by almost twenty five minutes.
Why, why do I keep fixing that problem only knowing it is just going to come back? I’m a victim of some horrible cosmic joke, that must be it, she thought as she waited for the gold and copper skinned android to finish the report.
But the repetition, hmmm, that’s new, not seen that before. she wondered as she circled the console where Malcolm work furiously typing in override commands and instructions.
Malcolm, she said as she placed a hand softly on the androids shoulder. Can you pause for a moment and give me an update on the scout units I asked to be sent to the ruin site, please?
Certainly we can, sir. The android’s hands stop instantly, there was the briefest of pause and then moving all of her fingers to a new positon, she began furiously typing away in a new location on the console.
Malcolm, I’ve asked you not to call me…
The raft will land two hours ago, scouts have deployed, analysis and data collection is scheduled to be completed in seven hours, and then the scout units will begin the search and destroy protocol you established. Malcolm interrupted the mysterious silver skinned woman.
Yes, thank you Malcolm, and remember please try to not refer to me as…
Should I return to repairing the ship now sir?
Yes, yes Malcolm, go back to what you were doing, but after six hours I want you to take a break and come to my stateroom. I need you for something. And don’t call me…
Yes, sir, I will be there.
Flashback…Nigel is advised by marvin not to return to Connie’s Bright.
Nigel Listens to Marvin’s not quite completely orthodox warning, and rubs the back of his neck with one hand, saying,
Well, I suppose I could go north. I hear there is a peat farm settlement not too far from here, I’ll surely make that while the sun is still up, and maybe there I can get some idea of where the rest of the population has gone. Thanks
end of flashback…
Returning to the coast of Vologna, and the matter of a mysterious gate…
At the beach, near the mysterious gate that Marvin has lead the party to, Gwernach and Xor wade out into the tide, slogging through the gentle roll of the waves toward the standing rocks off shore where the gate can be seen, while Sasithorn gulps, and sighs looking at the long march out in the shallows.
As the two dwarfs trudge out to sea, Marvin calls out a humble warning, but it seems his words fall on deaf ears.
Diarmal sighs, watching the two dwarves do what dwarves did best. Head headlong into trouble. It was as all the stories said, though there was still something endearing about such straightforward thinkers. He glances down at their short, shadowy companion and offers a weak shrug.
"Sadly, Lady Aisling's gifts do not extend to the tides. I don't suppose you're a capable swimmer?"
While Sasithorn and Diarmal wait on the shore, Gwernach and Xor reach the rocks where the strange portal stands.
It is an easy climb, there are many ledges and handholds to make use of, and quickly Xor and Gwernach are standing next to the portal.
It is now easy to see that the gateway is quite large, some ten, maybe twelve feet wide and easily fifteen feet high. It is constructed from metal, mostly, but parts of it are materials that cannot be easily identified. There appears to be some kind of placard on the left side of the gate, with lights that flash in green and blue. There are no marks on the placard, no languages written or instructions by way of images either. The base of the gage is only the two legs, left and right, and each is bolted to the rock it rest upon with large metal bolts.
On the top of the gate is a peculiar array of rods, and spinning wheels and globes, and in the center of all of these is a small glowing red light.
Ah gaht a simple rule with stuff like this, ifum you can't figga it out in five minutes, destroy it
With sea water dripping from his clothes, Gwernach stares intently at the materials used to construct this 'gate'. Scratching his head, the gate seems particularly unusual. To be more precise, the flashing blue and green placard, Wha sort'a devilry....? Gwernach makes to touch the placard but quickly decides not to. Looking over at Xor Gwernach nods his agreement with the oracle's view adding, Ya can'na go wrong in destroy'n most things, yet this be a wee bit out'ta me realm Xor. Ya can start hack'n away attit if ya like, jus let me get back ta shore 'fore ya do.
"Agent Southmiller has implied the course of action is to first shut the gate down before destroying it. This unit will then deploy the transmitter device. The gate may perhaps be shut down by its destruction. One moment; calculating possible scenarios."
Gwernach puts a hand on Xor's shoulder to stay the oracle's hand and keep him from casting the first stone, Oi, less let Marvin 'ave a go at it. These two migh'ave someth'ng in common.
Awright Xor will head over and bring Sass on over
As Xor wades back across the low tide toward Sasithorn,Marvin cautions against hasty actions
Marvin dedicates all available processing to solving the immediate threat of the gate. With the limited information of their current position on the beach, it takes some time before they arrive at a satisfactory conclusion.
"Destroying the gate via direct force would be a difficult endeavour due to its construction of unidentified but very strong materials. This unit recommends searching for weak points and toppling the gate, particularly the removal of support structures and dismantling the foundation. Prying the bolts may unstabilize the gate enough for toppling."
Marvin pauses and attempts to detect their internal communication systems. "One moment. Attempting contact with Agent Southmiller."
Marvin is unable to navigate the forgotten protocols and rulesets of their internal communications system. "Attempt failed. Internal communications systems now occupied with processing junk data and test commands for unspecified amount of time."
They turn their attention back to the gate. "This unit also recommends locating the power source of the gate. Continued removal of material from the gate as to eventually dismantle it is also a possible course of action."
Gwernach begins bobbing his head this way and that looking for the bolts MARVIN had mentioned. An do what? Wherever they are, the bolts don't appear to be readily visible and Gwernach begins a thorough search of the gate to be sure he doesn't miss even the smallest hints of imperfection.
While Sasithorn and Diarmal wait on the shore, Gwernach and Xor reach the rocks where the strange portal stands.
It is an easy climb, there are many ledges and handholds to make use of, and quickly Xor and Gwernach are standing next to the portal.
It is now easy to see that the gateway is quite large, some ten, maybe twelve feet wide and easily fifteen feet high. It is constructed from metal, mostly, but parts of it are materials that cannot be easily identified. There appears to be some kind of placard on the left side of the gate, with lights that flash in green and blue. There are no marks on the placard, no languages written or instructions by way of images either. The base of the gage is only the two legs, left and right, and each is bolted to the rock it rest upon with large metal bolts.
On the top of the gate is a peculiar array of rods, and spinning wheels and globes, and in the center of all of these is a small glowing red light.
Now that he remembers the bolts, Gwernach examines them carefully. He can see that they are nothing particularly special, though they are heavy, and large. They might come loose with a hit or two from a hammer, but a spanner with a long handle would be handy right about now.
Blast'd! Gwernach curses in frustration for having left his tools at home, which is rather a long ways off. Anyone got some tools? 'Amm'r perhaps? The dwarf looks around for something he might be able to improvise with like a good rock, Wait! Xor as plenty o'rocks! Oi! Xor, got somethin ta bash these 'ere bolts?
That's wot I wuz gunna do...sheez make up ya minds
Xor proceed to bang on the apparatus
No, naw there, there! Gwernach points to one of the bolts, Ya got any extra wit ya?
Xor complains with an exasperated sigh as he returns to the rock with Sasithorn just as Gwernach suggest bashing the gate with rocks
Gwernach and Xor begin hammering away at the bolts embedded in the rock, moving from one to the next when it seems that their efforts are not getting them anywhere, when after a try or two one of the bolts comes lose, and quickly working that one out, they notice the base rises a bit in that spot, possibly due to the unbalanced weight distribution.
Gwernach realizes that pushing on the gate tends to deflect the high spot some, and he begins rocking the lose gate back and forth while Xor continues hammering away at the remaining bolts.
Little by little the rock either breaks away from the bolts or the bolts become lose. The gate rocks a bit more each time another bolt loses its hold on the base.
Suddenly and without warning the gate topples away from Gwernach and tumbles off the rock, crashing down into the surf below. There is a dull
*boom*
And a cloud of silvery smoke rises from the wreckage
Looking down off the rock you can see the feet of the gate sticking up out of the water about six feet in the air and a pallid, oily, sheen swirling, and growing larger in water around it.
Smiling in triumph at having toppling at least part of the gate, Gwernach looks over the side at the wreckage and notices the oily sheen, Umm, is tha suppos'd ta happ'n?
Marvin scans the area with apprehension. "Alert: it is recommended that leave party get to shore immediately, away from area of anomalous event."
Ignoring Marvin’s warning, Sasithorn, Xor, and Gwernach stare down at the growing sheen of oily fluid as it spreads away from the toppled gate.
Over the quiet calm of the rolling tide a subtle sound begins to grow
*Hissssssss*
And then suddenly, without any further warning there is a feeble
*pop*
And a wiff of black smoke rises from the gate.
Marvin remembers the agent’s request to place a tracking device on the gate, but seeing that it has toppled into the water, and not certain it is safe to approach it, given the oily leaking fluid, he decides he must either place the tracking device on the rock, or risk being lowered down by a rope or something in order to attach the device.
Marvin concludes that following Agent Southmiller's instruction as close as possible would be optimal and begins assessing risk scenarios.
The Water is about nine feet below the top of the rock formation. The depth of the tide, here, now, is about four to five feet. That means the bottom of the legs of the gate, which are standing out of the water, are about three feet below the top of the rock, just out of reach if you were to lay on your stomach, but someone else might hold on to a character's belt, boots, or even tie a rope around you, and then you could ease a little of your body over the top of the rocks to reach the gate. It looks like it would be an easy, low risk task.
However, occasionally, there is a higher than average wave that rolls by which lifts the sea up close to the upended bottom of the gate. There is a small risk that water, contaminated with leaking fluids from the gate, might splash/spray onto anyone who was close enough to tough it.
Marvin explains what they know to the party in short clipped informative sentences, emphasizing the unknown danger of the oil. "In conclusion, the optimal path would be to place the tracking device on the gate via rope from the top of the rock. This unit volunteers for the object due to to their characteristics and that any possible hazardous effect may be reduced due to differing construction."
Tis oil, ain't it? Can we naw burn it?
Fair 'nough. Feeling somewhat stranded on the gate platform, Gwernach looks around for something to paddle the oily mess away and clear a path for MARVIN to place the tracking device Psst, Xor, ya gotta fry'r?.
Using rope, and everyone helping, Marvin is lowered to close enough to reach the leg of the gate and he attaches the tracking device