U.S.S. Quirinus Stardate 10502.07

SEASONS OF SHADOW

CHAPTER FOUR

"The Rising Shade, The Failing Light"

Host SM_Selan says:
=/\==/\==/\==/\==/\= RESUME =/\==/\==/\==/\==/\=

Sulek says:
::looks down towards the canyon and the bridges::

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: Pangborn awakens to the night sky. At first he notes the brilliant moon shining through the gently blowing jungle trees.

Kraight says:
CO: None of them seem particularly inviting, do they, sir?

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: Then he feels the warm earth behind his neck.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@:wakes, not without a few aches and pains:

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: And then he smells something not too pleasant, and hears a labored breathing as if someone had been running for a long time.

Sulek says:
Kraight: what about climbing down.  Let's go look over the edge.

Kraight says:
:: sidles up to the edge and looks over ::

Cherry says:
@::is up a tree breaking off branches and sharpening them into pointy sticks::

Sulek says:
:stands by Kraight and looks down::

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ ::Sitting on a chair with the very tired behemoth Mr. Brute nearby. Mr. Brute is responsible for the horrible smell Pangborn sniffs:: Pangborn: Hellooooooo, sir. 

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ ACTION: It is so far down that is seems like an endless chasm in most places. If the giant cavern were better lit you'd probably be able to see the bottom.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::standing...or rather, sitting...watch near Jade::

Sulek says:
Kraight: Logic would dictate that if the climb down were easy, there would be no bridges.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::looks up and is thoroughly convinced the trickster is somehow making him hallucinate again ::Troll: That smell...is...is. that *you*?

Cherry says:
@::determinedly whittles away::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Mr. Brute> ::The bald, large, and pallid creature smiles a yellow grin:: Pangborn: 'hat 'ould be 'e.

Jade_Morgan says:
# ::runs a hand wearily through her hair::

Kraight says:
Sulek: I agree. Sir, let's pick the sturdiest looking bridge, and I will cross first. The climbing pads on my feet and hands give me a better chance of survival, should something go wrong.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Brute: Who are you? ::gets up:

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Mr. Brute> @ ::Stops smiling and says nothing::

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ Pangborn: You may call heeeem Mr. Brute. I, am Mr. Troll.

Jade_Morgan says:
#Wolverton: As much as I appreciate everything you have done, Lance....this could have ended your Starfleet career.

Sulek says:
Kraight: It will also lessen the strain if we cross one at a time.  I am concerned by the pattern and number of the bridges.

Host Mr_Troll says:
# ACTION: Something beeps, indicating the sensor equipment scanning outside Wolverton's safe house has detected someone approaching.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Mr. Troll: Sure. Whatever. You’re the ones that have been spying on us.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Jade: My career for your life? Sounds like a reasonable.... ::quickly turns off the audio on the sensors, falls to a prone sniping position, and motions Jade to hide::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Mr. Troll: Explain yourself, and where are the two women I was with?

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ Pangborn: Guilty as charged.

Cherry says:
@::flinches as another bug drops into her lap from higher up in the tree::

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ ::Tilts head:: Pangborn: Two, weeeee only saw one?

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Troll; So what do you want?

Kraight says:
Sulek: We can't know why they are built as they are at this point, sir. The important thing is to continue the exploration, in hopes of finding a way out.

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Mr. Brute> @ ::Leans toward Pangborn, sniffing him. The smell is unbearable::

Kraight says:
:: starts scanning the nearest bridges ::

Sulek says:
::moves to the nearest bridge and scans it::Kraight: This one seems sturdy enough from this side.

Jade_Morgan says:
#::scrambles to her feet and ducks behind a convenient crate::

Cherry says:
@::flicks the bug off::

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ Pangborn: A pleasant hill-top abode on the shores of Vandeeeeeeebraun.

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ ::Shrugs:: Pangborn: But weeeee can't get everytheeeeeeng we want.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::sneezes and coughs:: Brute - please, stay away from me. You're environment is toxic to my species

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::double checks the heavy stun setting on his rifle and the scope alignment::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Mr. Brute> @ ::Starts laughing:: Troll: 'E's a 'entinel!

Host Mr_Troll says:
# ACTION: There is a knocking at the entrance to the safe house.

Kraight says:
:: comparing his readings to Sulek's :: Sulek: I agree. I'll scan as I go, and retreat if the readings indicate the bridge weakens significantly.

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ ::Looks surprised, for the first time in a while:: Pangborn: A Sentinel, eh?

Kraight says:
:: sits, removes his boots and flexes his fingers and toes ::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::moves away from Brute::  Troll: What kind of sentinel are you?

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::raises an eyebrow, running a quick bioscan on a tricorder::

Sulek says:
Kraight:  I believe the expression is good luck, Commander.

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ Pangborn: I'm not. You appear to be one. It has beeeeen a luuuuung time since I heard of your kind.

Kraight says:
:: smiles :: Sulek: Thank you, sir.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Troll: I'm flattered and want to hear more, but I must find the women.

Kraight says:
:: grips his tricorder tightly in one hand, and begins to cross the selected bridge ::

Cherry says:
@::thinks she has about all she can carry now::

Host Mr_Troll says:
ACTION: The bridge shifts and moves with Kraight's weight. There has been nothing to affect it in millennia. But it does not collapse.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Troll: I must get to her ::listens and begins to pick a direction::

Sulek says:
::watches as the Kraight crosses::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::doesn't like this a bit, and fires through the door on heavy stun...knowing the shot should penetrate the door at this range and stun the person on the other side::

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ Pangborn: How ironic, weeee want to find the womyn too!

Host Mr_Troll says:
# ACTION: There's a thud on the other side.

Kraight says:
:: continues slowly, watching the tricorder readout every step of the way ::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::unfriendly:: Troll; You lay a hand on her - you or Brute, and you’ll regret it

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::quickly does another scan to be safe, then opens the door, drags Ayre inside, and closes it::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Jade: You mind tying her up nice and snug with some synthcord?

Cherry says:
@::drifts into sleep::

Sulek says:
::calls::Kraight: When you shift to the next bridge, I will begin to follow.

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ ACTION: Something grabs Cherry.

Jade_Morgan says:
#::nods and comes out from behind the crate::

Kraight says:
:: comes to a join with two other bridges... scans each of them in turn ::  Sulek: Understood, sir.

Sulek says:
::turns to Telarus:: Telarus: You will follow in the same manner.  We need to keep each other in sight.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::continues aiming at Ayre while Jade does her fancy knot work::

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ ::Pulls out a glowing Frisbee which looks quite dangerous:: Pangborn: I won't touch her at all.

Jade_Morgan says:
#::as she approaches the Vulcan she notices that her aura is very strange and pauses::

Jade_Morgan says:
#::grabs the rope and does as Wolverton asks::

Kraight says:
:: picks the more solid-seeming of the two -- which fortuitously is not the one leading back to the cliff edge behind him -- and starts across it ::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Telarus> Sulek: Aye, sir!

Sulek says:
Kraight: Do not lose sight of me.

Cherry says:
@Self:  Eek!  ::can't see what has grabbed her::

Kraight says:
Sulek: Aye, sir.

Jade_Morgan says:
#Wolverton: She's.....different. I can't read her...it’s as if she has no past.

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Vee> @ ::Pulls herself up beside Cherry:: Cherry: What are you doing up here?

Sulek says:
::as Kraight moves to the next bridge, he steps out on to the first::

Jade_Morgan says:
#Wolverton: She's not a Vulcan, Lance.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Jade: Romulan, I know. Lousy disguise, really. It was last time, too.

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Telarus> ::Looks around and pauses, waiting for Sulek to continue on so he can step out. Mumbles to self:: There's something very familiar about this place.

Cherry says:
@Vee:  Oh thank goodness its you!  ::is hugely relieved::  There were two losers chasing me.  They got into the house somehow.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@:Troll; You underestimate me. I’ve been on this island for months...have you? ::turns and bolts into the forest::

Jade_Morgan says:
#::nods:: Lance: All done.

Sulek says:
::carefully walks down the center of the bridge, allowing for its shifting::

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ ACTION: The Troll's response comes in the form of the glowing frisbee which rips through three trees coming after Pangborn. The energy coming off the frisbee leaves a glowing blue trail, as sparks fly out from the collision with the trees, and limbs and trunks collapse.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::goes into the first aid kit and grabs a stimulate to give Ayre, very well aware that being given that so soon after a heavy stun will have her a bit disoriented::

Sulek says:
::arrives at the junction, checks to see if Kraight has moved to another bridge::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::runs deeper in:

Kraight says:
:: continues to move toward the far cliff wall... the bridge does not impress him with its stability or lack thereof, but he encounters no seriously weakened sections ::

Kraight says:
:: now at a four-way junction... again, the tricorder reveals the most stable section, and he moves on ::

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ ACTION: The frisbee glances Pangborn's head, slicing off the top part of his ear and swings back to return to Troll.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@:;weaves his way through, to make him a harder target:

Sulek says:
::as Kraight selects the next bridge, he moves onto the second, signaling to Telarus to follow.::

Host Mr_Troll says:
@ ::Grabs the frisbee in mid-air. There is a sizzling as it cools down in his hand, and a new scar is added to his palm:: Brute: That one eeees a quick one.

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Mr. Brute> @ ::Nods and begins to slowly move into the jungle, sniffing the air::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Telarus> ::Enters onto the bridge, following::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Vee> @ ::Blinks:: Cherry: Who are they? 

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::comes to an area he knows well, picks up speed::

Jade_Morgan says:
#Stands back to give Lance room::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::waits for Ayre to wake up::

Cherry says:
@Vee:  They call themselves Troll and Brute, and I'm not sure what they are.  They have this blue disc thingie that's not very nice though.

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # ::Begins to groggily come to consciousness, suddenly throws up all over herself::

Sulek says:
::moving at a steady pace, checking the walkway as he goes::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::stifles a chuckle::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Vee> @ Cherry: Why are they here? Are we in trouble? 

Jade_Morgan says:
#::grimaces and backs up even further::

Cherry says:
@::shakes her head::  Vee:  I have no idea.  They said they killed Ben, but I think they were lying.

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # ::With "stuff" dripping from her face she looks around in a daze:: Whaaa 

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Vee> @ ::Her heart drops, her face nearly pale at the thought of her surrogate father dead::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Ayre: How did you find us?

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Telarus> Sulek: Captain, sir, did you hear that?! ::Calls out::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # ::Blinks a few more times and focuses on Wolverton:: Wolverton: W-w-why did you shoot ... me.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Ayre: Answer the question!

Cherry says:
@Vee:  They were lying.  I'm certain of it.

Sulek says:
Telarus:  No.  What did you hear?

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Vee> @ ::Gulps:: Cherry: Okay. What are we going to do?

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Telarus> Sulek: Listen!

Kraight says:
:: another junction... another choice, and Kraight moves carefully onto a new section of bridge ::

Cherry says:
@Vee:  Stay here until the sun comes up, then go get help.

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # Wolverton: Nanites ... microscopic ... released them into the air ... at the bar. You ... breathed them in. Was able to track you from there. 

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::frowns angrily:: Ayre: Why? And who else can track me?

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # ::Trying to fight the nausea:: Wolverton: I have ... ::Stops as she tries to prevent regurgitation:: ... information.

Sulek says:
::arrives at the four bridge intersection,  sees Kraight moving to another.  He pauses:: Kraight: Stand still for a moment.

Host Mr_Troll says:
ACTION: A strange whistling goes through the air for a moment if Sulek & Kraight stop to hear. Then it vanishes. 

Sulek says:
::he listens, surprised that Telarus' would hear something that he did not::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::runs a scan on himself and Jade for the nanites while waiting for the answer, cursing himself for not thinking to check for such a thing::

Kraight says:
:: stops ::

Kraight says:
:: turns to look back at Sulek and Telarus ::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@ ::almost to the house::

Sulek says:
::he hears the whistle:: Telarus: I heard it.  Kraight: Did you hear the sound?

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::frowns at the confirmation of his infection::

Host Mr_Troll says:
ACTION: There is a rush of ancient air that passes by Kraight & Sulek. Something just passed over them. Suddenly, one of the bridges parallel to them is cut in half and collapses.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::growls dangerously:: Ayre: Answer the question first.

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # Wolverton: Wasn't ... sure you would stay ... in contact. A precaution. ::Pause:: No one else can track you. I'm the only one assigned to deal with you.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Ayre: What's the dissolve sequence on them?

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Telarus> ::Being farther back saw what it is:: Kraight & Sulek: THERE'S A GIANT AXE SWINGING FROM THE CEILING!

Kraight says:
Sulek: I did, sir, and we may be under attack. Alacrity would be prudent.

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Vee> @ Cherry: But what if they do try to kill him?

Kraight says:
:: moves across the bridge at a quickened pace ::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # Wolverton: In my pack ... ::Nods to something that was dragged in with her:: ... my PADD has it.

Sulek says:
::another trap?:: Kraight/Telarus: I do not believe we have time any longer to cross in this manner.  Move across as quickly as you can.  Keep listening for the whistling, it may be a precursor to the next ...move!  ::begins running down his section of bridge as quickly as he is safely able::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Telarus> ::Starts running, crosses over onto another bridge::

Cherry says:
@Vee:  What if they kill us while we're looking for him.  Ben would kill me... err... well, you know.

Host Mr_Troll says:
ACTION: Another whistling, the bridge that Telarus was just on is cut in half by an additional axe. 

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::reaches the house and ignores the gaping hole in it, heads for the communications consol in the bedroom::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Vee> @ ::Nods:: Cherry: I don't know what to do. When I was ... you know ... how I was, I could take care of myself. But I'm different now. I don't want to be like that again.

Sulek says:
::moving quickly down the bridge, he attempts to scan the axes to determine where the next cut will come::

Jade_Morgan says:
#::is watching the exchange with interest::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::motions to Jade to dig the PADD out and look for it::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Ayre: What's this information you said you had?

Kraight says:
:: scans for what clearly are now multiple axes, correlates against strengths of local sections, quickly chooses the next one for strength and low probability of destruction ::

Cherry says:
@::looks at Vee affectionately::  Vee:  You can still take care of yourself without losing your humanity, Vee.

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # Wolverton: About those who framed Ms. Morgan here to put her in the Tal Shiar's sights.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Ayre: What about them?

Jade_Morgan says:
#::nods and walks over to the pack::

Sulek says:
::coming to the next intersection, he moves on to the same bridge Kraight has just left, he is starting to gain on the CSO, he looks back to see that Telarus is still there::

Jade_Morgan says:
#::quickly riffles through it as she looks for the PADD::

Jade_Morgan says:
#::finding it, she walks over and hands it to Wolverton::

Kraight says:
:: looks up at a familiar whistle... and sees an axe descending towards his section ::

Kraight says:
:: backpedals quickly, chooses another section ::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # Wolverton: They're the weak link of the operation. The Tal Shiar don't have a lot of strength here on Earth. They can't focus on tracking you down and taking them out at the same time to clean things up. You have a chance to reach them and find out something useful.

Kraight says:
Sulek, Telarus: This way!

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::takes the PADD, verifies the data with a couple of quick scans, then uses the tricorder to disable the nanites and allow them to be broken down in his bloodstream::

Sulek says:
Kraight: there, ::points to a small juncture::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Telarus> ::Keeps running::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Ayre: Taking "them" out? Them who?

Kraight says:
Sulek: I see it!   :: runs toward the juncture indicated ::

Host Mr_Troll says:
ACTION: There are now axes dropping silently from the ceiling and slicing & dicing various bridges. There is no noise but the rush of air when an axe passes. The only sounds filling the cavern are the groans of the collapsing bridges and the grunts & deep breaths of the running trio.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::activates and leaves the transceiver on SOS:: Then leaves to find Cherry:::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # Wolverton: Two I know of. One you're quite familiar with ... the other only somewhat.

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # Wolverton: It's on the PADD.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::skims for that info on the PADD::

Host Mr_Troll says:
# ACTION: Two pictures with information appear on the PADD.

Sulek says:
::following down the bridge, he wonders what the odds are of hitting the axes with a phaser:: Kraight:  If this were a maze, then the key is to always turn the same.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Ayre: What does Tal Shiar want with them?

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # Wolverton: Like I said, they're in league with the Tal Shiar. They set Morgan up for the murder so she would be put where they wanted her. 

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # Wolverton: When the Tal Shiar is done with you, they'll most likely kill them to destroy all traces of this operation.

Kraight says:
:: panting now :: Sulek: I am familiar... with that theorem... but it assumes that the maze... does not change. Our options are... quickly being sliced away beneath us.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Ayre: So they're eliminating witnesses?

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # Wolverton: Accomplices.

Sulek says:
Kraight: If the axes move in a pattern, then perhaps not. ::still moving having moved closer to Kraight::

Kraight says:
:: turns onto another section, looks to the far side ::  Sulek: Sir! I can see the other side of the canyon!

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Ayre: Why the subterfuge with the nanites? Why not tell me, or arrange a meeting later?

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Vee> @ ::Remains silent and just stares out at the stars::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@:;searches the area for Cherry::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # Wolverton: What we managed to dredge up from available Starfleet Academy reports on your profile didn't really suggest you would be too ... trusting. I really didn't know what you would do.

Cherry says:
@::listens::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Vee> @ ::Hears something in the distance::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Vee> @ ::Whispers:: Cherry: Someone's coming.

Kraight says:
Sulek: Nothing would please me more... than to study the pattern at leisure... but leisure is one thing... we do not have at the moment.

Jade_Morgan says:
#::is listening but not really getting it::

Sulek says:
Kraight: Keep moving.  Bear left toward the other side.  Telarus: Faster if you can.

Cherry says:
@Vee:  How many?

Kraight says:
:: turns left at the next juncture ::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::nods thoughtfully:: Ayre: You understand you've ruined my safe house. They're not easy to come by.

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Vee> @ ::Narrows eyes:: Cherry: One.

Sulek says:
::Less than twenty yards from Kraight::

Cherry says:
@Vee:  Just one?  ::brandishes a pointy stick to toss at the person should he/she/it get too close to their tree::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # Wolverton: I apologize. You two being Starfleet officers, you know it won't be long before they realize it wasn't just Romulans breaking into that Federation security office. 

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Telarus> ::Trying to keep up::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@ ::plods along thinking...Cherry...where are you....silly tree name...trees.....looks up and spies Cherry in a tree:: Cherry: Cherry, It’s Ben.

Host Mr_Troll says:
ACTION: Suddenly, a bridge gives way under Telarus, he manages to grab a hold of a juncture, but is clinging on for his life. He cries out.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Ayre: Yes, but they wouldn't have found us here very easily. Now we have to find another location... ::adjust his phaser setting:: ...and we can't risk you knowing where that one is too.

Cherry says:
::sorta whispers::  @Pangborn:  Ben?

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Ayre> # ::Eyes widen, expecting to die::

Sulek says:
::turns and stops:: Kraight: Keep moving.  ::he runs back toward Telarus::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Telarus> ::As more and more axes swing back and forth, he tries to keep a brave front:: Sulek: Captain, no, go on ... save yourself!

Kraight says:
:: stops, looks at what has happened ::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Ayre: If I need to speak to you again, I'll find you where we first met. Hang out there a lot, eh? ::fires on low stun::

Host Mr_Troll says:
# ACTION: Ayre goes unconscious.

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Jade: Help me clean her up and untie her, would you?

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Vee> @ ::Smiles at the sight of Pangborn alive:: Ben: Ben! 

Sulek says:
Telarus: We cross together.  ::He reaches the juncture and grabs Telarus' arm and hauls him up next to him:: Telarus: Now, move.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::climbs tree:: Cherry: Yes it's me::sees Vee and bristles:: How is...::points:: Her.......

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Telarus> ::Surprised by Sulek's strength, and keeps moving::

Cherry says:
@Pangborn:  Vee is fine, thank you.  ::is happy to see him and annoyed with him at the same time::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Vee> @ ::Frowns at Pangborn's expression and the feeling she is getting from him::

Kraight says:
:: starts running toward the far side of the canyon again ::

Sulek says:
::running next to Telarus they move towards the far side again::

Host Mr_Troll says:
ACTION: The giant axes are now cutting off the bridges from their connections on the side walls, causing the entire web to start to come down piece by piece.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: You've done a nice job with the tree. Decorations I mean. I take it out "friends" have caught up with you also?

Jade_Morgan says:
#::nods grimly::

Kraight says:
:: notes there are only two sections of bridge between him and the cliff edge ::

Jade_Morgan says:
#Wolverton: What was that all about?

Cherry says:
@Pangborn:  Yes.  ::looks at him closely in the moonlight::  Is that blood running down the side of your face?

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::with Jade's help, gets Ayre cleaned up and lying comfortably on Jade's bed:: Jade: I'm not sure I have everything figured out yet, but it's all part of the same story you've been in lately.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: Yeah...flesh wound. ::smiles:: It is good to see you. ::turns:: and you Vee

Sulek says:
::the two regain where Sulek had left off, Grabbing Telarus, he pushes him left at the juncture::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::scans Ayre's backpack and PADDs for any means of tracking, and anything useful::

Kraight says:
:: one section to go... ::

Jade_Morgan says:
#Wolverton: And the two people?

Cherry says:
@Pangborn:  What are we going to do Ben?  We can't go back to the house.

Host Mr_Troll says:
# ACTION: There's a strange, yet familiar (Lance can't exactly put it), phaser in the pack. Along with a strange, yet familiar, modified tricorder. 

Sulek says:
::coming to another juncture, he again moves left...two plus section remain::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Vee> @ ::Light smile at Pangborn, but still has this strange feeling::

Host Mr_Troll says:
<Telarus> ::Looks behind them:: Sulek: Sir, the whole thing is collapsing!

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::pockets the PADDs, phaser, and tricorder, trying to figure out why they're familiar:: Jade: One's an Andorian named T'k'korian...I get the feeling I should know that name.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: I set the transceiver on broadcasting an SOS - not that I'm sure it will help. We need to hide out, then find some way of disabling Brute and Troll. Any way we can.

Sulek says:
Telarus: Keep moving forward.  Turning to look back will only slow us.  ::he reaches the second to last section, Telarus in tow::

Kraight says:
:: feels the bridge beneath him start to shake as the assemblage collapses, and fairly leaps the last three meters to the cliff edge ::

Cherry says:
@Pangborn:  This tree is getting kinda crowded.  ::shifts a bit::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: Lets get down and find a place to camp and plan.

Cherry says:
@::grins::  Pangborn:  You first.

Kraight says:
:: turns to see how his companions are faring ::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@::gets down::

Sulek says:
::with Telarus tiring, he knows that time is running out...they reach the last section::

Cherry says:
@::waits for Vee to follow Ben down::

Jade_Morgan says:
#::thinks the name sounds familiar as well::

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The whole thing begins to come off. An axe takes down a few bridges that lead to the other side, the one Telarus & Sulek run on loses strength.

Host SM_Selan says:
<Vee> @ ::Follows::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Jade: The other one... ::cracks knuckles:: ...is Rio.

Jade_Morgan says:
#Wolverton: Rio? Our Rio? ::looks stunned::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#::cracks his knuckles again in response::

Kraight says:
:: looks on helplessly... Sulek and Telarus will either make it, or they won't, and there is nothing the Benzite can do to assist ::

Cherry says:
@::climbs down the tree slowly being careful not to drop her knife or her pointy sticks::

Host SM_Selan says:
<Vee> @ ::Gets to the bottom and gives Pangborn a wary look, and looks around carefully::

Lance_Wolverton says:
#Jade: Come on, we need to find another place before she wakes up.

Sulek says:
::he can feel the give of the bridge:: Kraight:  Grab on to the rope tie of the bridge.  He grab on to Telarus:: Telarus if the bridge gives way, hold on to me and the rope on the side.  We will swing to the face of the cliff.  We will hit hard, you must be prepared.

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The axe hits behind Sulek & Telarus. The bridge gives way, swinging toward the side of the cavern cliff as if some power above had enjoyed Sulek's suggestion and went with it.

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Vee/Cherry: Taking that blue disc from them is paramount. If we can do that, we've won

Kraight says:
:: grabs the rope ::

Sulek says:
Kraight: Secure the rope...

Host SM_Selan says:
<Vee> @ Pangborn: What if they have more?

Cherry says:
@::thinks for a minute::  Pangborn:  The disc was what caused your headaches, I bet.  They've been watching us for a few days.

Kraight says:
:: wraps the rope tightly around his hand and pulls with all his might ::

Cherry says:
@::finally drops out of the tree, gracefully of course::

Ben_Pangborn says:
@Cherry: Al the more reason to get rid of it::grin: Vee: if they have more, we'll have to render them unable to use the discs

Jade_Morgan says:
#::takes a final look around and follows Wolverton out of the door::

Host SM_Selan says:
@ ACTION: In the back of Pangborn's mind, he recalls his ancestor's warnings ... and a feeling that perhaps Mr. Troll & Brute were not responsible settles in.

Cherry says:
@To self:  What do they want with us?

Sulek says:
::feels the bridge swing away and holds on to the rope and Telarus preparing for the sudden jolt as the rope moves toward the wall, fortunately they are only six to eight meters from the wall.  Hopefully, Kraight can take the weight::

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: The strain of keeping Sulek & Telarus from falling to their deaths nearly rips the arms from Kraight's sockets as he holds on.

Kraight says:
:: pulls back on the rope, looking desperately for a nearby boulder to use for leverage::

Host SM_Selan says:
ACTION: But he slowly begins to pull them up.

Host SM_Selan says:
=/\==/\==/\==/\==/\= PAUSE =/\==/\==/\==/\==/\=