The door opens to reveal a moderate sized chamber with a strange silvery wall on the far side, in front of which several rows of work consoles are arranged. Each console has a daunting array of buttons and dials and leavers each of which is labelled in the by now familiar but impenetrable alien script.
Nothing happens for the first few minutes you are in here so you're free to explore. The room feels cold, sterile. There's no lights or any sign of life. There are however several skeletal remains of Githyanki slumped in oversized chairs which make you feels small. Any clothing or personal effects they might once had have lamentably crumbled into dust.
"Wow! breathed Dr Munroe note of awe in his voice upon seeing the Nautilus' bridge, "Have you ever seen anything like this before?! We must document it as we found it before proceeding much further."
A chorus of no's followed with the excited party pointing every which-way at the strange and the inscrutable machinery.
Edwin studied the confusing array of consoles.
He pointed at the second station, "I think this one is communications."
"Not sure about these other ones."
He examined the Githyanki remains, being careful not to disturb them.
"These vents could well function to purge the area of noxious gases."
Xindyra is very much occupied with all the amazing tech they found.
At every sight she makes a sketch in her notebook, filling pages as she goes.
"I feel like i am getting birthday presents on a silver platter. Such wonders."
"Say, is it not odd, the amount of wind blowing through this stale place? Almost as if some bad air, or something other harmful, is supposed to be blown away."
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Zendara jumps in to help as well.
This one says "Propulsion Systems" I believe.
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Yukarii followed along quietly as they explored the place. It was more than a bit creepy. It wasn't the fact the place was dead but that there was nothing alive save themselves. That was just unnatural and it bothered her. She found herself drawing closer to Marek.
Xindrya studied the various consoles, most of them were inscrutable, too complex, too different to comprehend. The engineering console was mostly above her head but there were enough similarities with airships that she could make a few educated guesses. Many of the dials and switches were in what appeared to be the off position, especially ones that seemed related to environmental control for the lower levels. In addition it seemed propulsion power was offline due damage. The only major systems still online were upper level environmental control and something labelled automatic repairs.
She examined a second console which seems to be weapons control, while powered down there didn't seem to be any indications of damage. The nature of the weapons couldn't easily be determined but based on the complexity of the system they were numerous.
Zendara was able to decipher some of the text on the propulsion systems console. The power ratings seemed to be enormous assuming one particular glyph referred to a lightning elemental. It seemed the system had sustained extensive damage likely rendering them inoperable.
Behind them Yukarii brushed closer to Marek and found his hand was there when she reached out. He lent into her whispering, "This is remarkable, I'm sure the technology here will push us forwards hundreds of years. This isn't what we set out to find but I'm glad we did. Yet why wasn't all this found before? Say what you like about the Kez, their expedition wasn't run by fools... Yes we got lucky finding the passage but with time they would have noticed this too."
Yukarii grasped Marek's hand when she found it. Yukarii listened to Marek's words and considered what he said. He had a point, surely someone would have come here before them, found out a way inside of this place, "I do not like this Marek-san," Yukarii said softly, "How has no one else made it in here? This ship has been her for a long time yes?"
When the doors opened to see the strange things inside of them Yukarii felt a thrill of fear, this could not be good, this had to be very bad. What were those things? After a moment or two Yukarii had a terrifying thought, "Do you think something else is alive in here, or in control Marek-san, maybe some defense that makes sure no one leaves alive when they get in here?"
Zendara tells everyone that it looks like the propulsion systems are completely inoperable.
Then she hints
Professor, maybe it is time to get some rest now? I see a lot of people yawning.
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Having finished her sketchings, Xindyra puts the journal away.
"Right. Documentation of the scene done."
She wanders off to see if anything of interest is still to be found.
The others may notice her opening the strange doors one by one, immediately closing them again. She hastily takes out the journal, opens one for a quick sketching and observation, then closes the door.
"I suggest we keep those doors closed, yup. There are, ahm, big metal machines in there, that look very dangerous."
She shows her documented drawing to whomever wants to see it.
"If anything would be fit to kill people in here with lethal efficiency, it's those things."
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Dr Munroe nods, "Yeah I propose we head back up, I don't want to sleep anywhere near those machines..."
Edwin concurred with Dr Monroe, "Those things give me the creeps. I'm ready to head back to base camp."
Xindyra ponders what might be a way to jam the door mechanism.
"Edwin, in your opinion, what would be a plausible alternative to the following ideas?"
If the engineering check wasn't enough, she tries fiddling with the controls, trying to figure a way for putting the door controls on the fritz.
It takes Xindrya a few attempts to find things to pile up in front of the doors. They hinge outwards so she thinks this will be effective, probably.
Anyway by mutual consent the party retrace their steps back up the long shaft, past the elemental filled generating room, remembering to disable the trap again before reentering the cathedral like engineering hall. With some effort the trap door is closed and the locking mechanism closed. Nobody wanted to mention it but you all felt better having the stout door between you and what everyone had taken to calling attack robots.
The engineering hall was creepy in it's own way though, the glistening black spheres of the main weapon/propulsion/(or whatever it was) system where a brooding presence. Then there was the purple dust from the crumbling voor eggs. At least you'd know if anyone had been here from the footprints. Once this was pointed out by Marek everyone very carefully checked and double checked and no, there where unexplained footprints. You where very much alone, a tiny pool of light swimming in the uncharted darkness of an alien hulk.
An evening meal of dried fruit and meats along with water and a little sip of something stronger was provided. There was provisions for five days under normal circumstances although these could be eked out for a tenday if necessary.
Once everyone had eaten, Dr Munroe rose up to speak, "Today has been a must unexpected success. We actually found the bridge! Exciting as that is, I worry this ship is so far ahead of our technology we lack the context to really understand it. Still we should keep looking, perhaps there are parts to this ship that will be more familiar, like the elementals. We use those too but the scale is simply staggering. In due course I propose to travel onto Xun Lai but for now I think we have our hands full. Apart from anything else I want to understand what happened here between the Voor and the Githyanki."
Professor Dexter interjected, "I think its pretty clear Xavier, they fought each other to a standstill and presumably starved."
Dr Munroe was far from certain of anything as he replied, "Hmmm. A ship this advanced? Do you really think that's possible? Surely they had clerics who could summon food... There's got to be more to this story! Anyway that's a job for tomorrow. Tonight we need sleep. I'd like to set up three watches. I need volunteers for each, ideally at least two of you per watch."
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"I'll take second watch. I'm still too hyped about our discoveries to properly sleep for the time being."
To kill time after everyone, save her watch partner, is asleep, Xindyra ponders on different plausible scenarios, based upon what they had discovered so far. The spaces were different each, but the larger scale could be more complicated than the obvious?
Guardian death machines that were left unused, a body left in a powered cage, the large amount of xenomorph voor pods. The rather limited body count thus far.....
It worried Yukarii to be staying in this ship overnight, something just seemed off, and Marek had given her the reason, why had no one gotten inside before now. Maybe it was sheer dumb luck they had managed to open it, or maybe it wasn't, but it made her nervous either way.
Yukarii sat next to Marek as they all spoke, sitting very close beside him, and considered how to voice her concern. Finally Yukarii said "Munroe-sensei, Marcus-san brought up a good point. Why are we the first to have gotten inside of this place? It has been here long time right? Was it that hard to enter?" Yukarii was quite serious as she spoke and continued after a brief pause, "Something seems wrong here. Are we sure no one has been inside before? If they have what happened to them? Why do we not know of them?" She looked worriedly in teh direction of the bridge, "Why are those robots undamaged? Would they not be used to fight the attackers?"
As the talk shifted to keeping watches Yukarii considered which shift to take. She could see clearly in the darkness, far enough that it would be hard not to see the entire room, and so she knew she should take a late shift, maybe the last watch when their lights and heat would be dimmest. "I will take the last watch, I can see well in the darkness and Yukaari-chan can as well."
Yukarii turned to face him and spoke, "I think I must inspect this two person tent for two, I have never heard of such a thing," there was a tone of mischief in her voice as she spoke, "since you know about them would you do me the pleasure of showing me around yours?"
I volunteer for first watch.
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Edwin said, "I'll go one first watch with Zendara. I want to write up some notes while things are still fresh in my mind."
"Great!" beamed Dr Munroe, "Anyone else for second watch? Marriam and I might take the third although more's the merrier..."
When nobody else was forthcoming for the second watch, Dr Munroe frowned before pointing at one of the undergrads with a vicious grin, "You! Faendor, you're volunteered mate. You're up with Xindrya, don't wander off."
Gathering everyone's eyes Dr Munroe suggested, "It's getting late, I suggest we all turn in now and get some rest. Lots to do in the morning, see you tomorrow!"
Despite how tired everyone was, it took a while for the party to settle and it was half way through Zendara and Edwin's watch before everyone else was asleep. Even then you couldn't be sure if Yukarii had turned in. Still apart from the small noises of people sleeping the engineering deck was oppressively quiet, swallowing everything in it's brooding vastness. Occasionally magically summoned lights would wink out leaving you in utter darkness that only your darkvison could pierce. The walls where far enough away that you couldn't see them and in places the ceiling too, leading to a decidedly eerie experience.
With no stars or wind or anything time seemed to slow to a trickle and it was somewhat of a surprise when Xindrya woke up to relieve you. Faendor was deeply asleep and needed to be woken up, he sullenly joined Xindrya although to his credit he dutifully patrolled the perimeter despite complaining about unsettling dreams.
<--- PASS
<--- FAIL
<--- FAIL
<--- PASS
<--- PASS
<--- FAIL
<--- PASS
<--- PASS
<--- FAIL
Half an hour into Faendor and Xindrya's watch, Faendor suddenly stopped stared towards the crew quarters door for a long moment before shaking his head and continuing his patrol. Next time his circuit brought him towards that side he again stopped and stared before beckoning Xindrya over and whispering to her, "I might be imagining it, but look over there... In the shadows is something moving?"
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Xindyra stretched as she got woken for her shift.
"Uuaaahhhh. My turn?"
She gets up and ready, and heads over to wake Faendor.
"Hey Faendor, our turn to watch the area."
Rapier in hand, she moves around. At the mention of Faendor spotting something, she comes over.
"I see something too,and it has eight legs."
Putting two fingers in her mouth, she lets out a sharp whistle.
"We've got spiders!"
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Hearing Xindyra yell, Zendara somewhat groggily comes out of what had just begun to be a good night's rest.
She grabs her bow and looks around for what Xindyra was talking about.
--If she can see what Xindyra was talking about, she shoots at it
(+1 if within 30 feet: point blank)
(+3 if within 30 feet: point-blank and focused shot)
--If she cannot see what Xindyra was talking about, she starts singing to inspire everyone's courage.
<--- FAIL
Xindrya's sharp eyes spot the spider too and in heartbeat her arrow is nocked, drawn to the cheek, aimed and loosed. It hits the Voor scout in one of its large compound eyes, piercing deeply and killing it instantly. It falls onto it's back and thrashes it's legs before curling up in a ball, with a small pool of purple ichor around it.
"Come on my comrades, the scout of the enemy is slain, but their forces are never far behind! Everyone, covered positions, make sure they suffer for trying to get here!"
Xindyra, raises whatever weapon her rapier is in the flashback, in the air as sign of rallying.
Edwin dreamed of consulting with a tailor, who was fitting him for a new suit.
Yukarii was sleeping well after her "tour" of Marek's tent. It had been an enjoyable time and shee was sleeping soundly when the trouble struck.
When the commotion started Yukarii started awake quickly. She was still in the tent with Marek and wasn't dressed. She knew that if she took the time to throw some clothes on it might be too late. Instead she grabbed her kukri and cast a defensive spell on herself before she stepped out of the tent.
Zendara takes Xindyra's suggestion and finds some cover, casting Gravity Bow in anticipation of the further assault.
Edwin was rudely awoken from his slumber by Xindyra's shout of alarm. He hurriedly grabbed his scimitar and jumped out of bed. "What, where?"
Seeing there is still some time before the Voor arrive, Zendara starts singing to assist in the battle to come.
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After finishing her spell, Zendara starts trying to wake up Sergeant Munroe and Lieutenant Dexter. Edwin incants a spell to protect him in battle. Yukarii also casts a protective spell and arms herself.
Map updated!
Drinking mutagen. AC going to 23/16/17
Xindyra's head turns towards the crew quarters.
"Aw shoot, there's sounds coming from the crew quarters."
"I can hear it too!," Edwin said in response to Xindyra. He moved to the front of the camp area, ready to defend the students.
Being alerted to where the sounds are coming from, Zendara moves to a better position for shooting, continuing to sing.
A rather sleepy Sergeant Munroe exits his tent and noticing everyone looking nervously towards the crew quarters and asks, "All right, what have we got here?"