IC - Shadow's Dawn: Diving into the past Options

[e-do]

[00:01:30 - 20 Jun 2072 Aztec Pyramid, Regeneration Room]

Bewildered by the stream of lights flooding his field of vision, Boris takes a small step forward. “Chto eto za?!” He screams, shaking his head frantically.

Perhaps it is another dream, he muses to himself. Even so, his previous experiences with the Horror’s mind tricks have taught him that the gang of spirits floating around the room may still be mortally dangerous. Instinctively, he reaches down to draw his weapon focus. Normally, it would have been sheathed at his side. But this time, it is nowhere to be found. “Blat!!”, he whispers as he gropes around for the hilt, only to feel the cold, wet and artificial texture of what’s supposed to be his hip. Surprised, he looks down at his naked, glistening, oversized, polymer-coated… cyberlegs?! Nuts, bolts, steel plates, mechanical hydraulic joints—the whole deltaware shebang. Glancing at his arms and belly, the rest of his body looks similarly unnatural.

Must be another dream. It must be!

He squints his eyes, summoning forth his astral senses, and breathes a small sigh of relief as the dazzling glare of what is--unbeknownst to him--his cybereyes’ image link is replaced by the somewhat-familiar astral auras of the spirit hoard advancing upon him. His own aura, however, appears to be extremely unfamiliar: deathly black, and covered with thin, dark tendrils of astral pollution that writhe about his silhouette.

Drek!!! What type of trickery is this?!

Realizing that there are more pressing things for him to worry about now, he narrows his eyes and takes quick look around the room to assess the situation. He is unarmed, in a room full of angry spirits; this doesn't look too good. But wait! There is someone else there, and it doesn’t seem as if these spirits are too friendly with him, either.

[Edana]

[00:01:28 Jun 2070 - Room 12 - Aztec Pyramid]

Just as Angel finishes trading blows with the IC, expertly avoiding its attacks while delivering a punishing series of blows that finally collapse its form into so much digital chaff, the spirits in Room 12 finally cause enough damage to the support systems to cause the safety protocols to kick in. A flood of drugs and disconnecting equipment forcibly drag her from her world into one filled with light and sounds. Fortunately the systems and her own mental resilience protect her from the bulk of the shock. It's still enough of a shock that the first thing the waiting Mandala hears out of the tank is a tirade of barely coherent Aztlaner.

As the drone lifts her out, Angel blinks several times attempting to adjust to the world that she has only seen through cameras and sensors before. Finally she stares at the oddly out-of-place Mandala, tentatively reaching out to poke him in the chest, as if to reassure herself that it's not all some kind of strange dream. Satisfied that at least her eyes weren't deceiving her, she quietly responds to his greeting, "Who are you?"

Wincing a bit she carefully swivels her head to get a look at the surroundings, eyes widening as she takes in the chaotic destruction that the spirits caused before dropping her head back to rest on the chair provided by the drone. "Ugh. My head hurts. What happened here?"

As she waits for the strange man's response, she tries to take stock of her situation. Her body feels shaky and weird, but aside from the splitting headache it seems generally fine. The drone currently holding her seems to be a better transport than unsure legs though, so she attempts to log in and see if she can get status and any other information out of it, staying in AR so that she can easily converse with her new companion.

[pbangarth]

[00:01:31 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers

"My name is Mandala. I and my friends broke into this Aztlan pyramid as an advance team for a full scale assault on the pyramid by our superiors. We became aware of your presence here, and the nature of your restraints and the behaviour of the pyramid staff suggested you were in deadly danger, so I stayed here to protect you while trying to rouse you from your drug-induced coma.

"A teammate of mine discovered a weapon here that dealt with the immediate threat to you, but it released a horde of spirits that have been attacking everything and anything they can destroy. I have cleared this room of the enraged spirits, but they proliferate elsewhere in the pyramid. I believe I have found a way to make myself unattractive for their rage, but I don't know how they will perceive you, even if in my presence.

"We need to remove the outer magical ward on the pyramid to permit entry for the main force, but have encountered difficulty removing it. If the ward does not come down in less than fifteen minutes, our mission will fail and a great evil here will overcome us all. The ward is fed by blood pumps elsewhere in the pyramid. I neutralized one, I think, but we need to get to at least one more before the system will fail and remove the ward. Our team is attempting to regroup in order to do so. If you can move, it would be good to come with me. There is an aura around you which weakens my magic, but it also impedes the defenders and the enraged spirits, so it would actually be beneficial if my teammates could assemble in your presence.

"If you happen to know something about the pumps, or any weakness they have, I would be grateful if you would share the information."

[PoliteMan]

[00:01:31 - 20 Jun 2072 Aztec Pyramid, Regeneration Room]

Immortal Li landed heavily and righted himself, slowly letting the gears in his cybernetic leg adjust to his weight. He quickly took stock of his situation.

Looks like I'm in some sort of corp facility. I'm surrounded by angry spirits (weak though) and all my equipment has been taken. The only other person here is some cybernetic monstrosity who at least hasn't proven hostile yet. And worst of all, I'm naked and wet from this...machine. This will not do at all.

For a moment the memories of the Horror, the madness, and the burning need to know threatened to overwhelm him. No, there are practical matters to attend to.

With a thought, the commlink implanted in his leg activated and his agent, a little panda named XiaoMei, sprang into existence. Apparently we're here for a meeting XiaoMei. Why don't you slip into the local grid and see if our guests have arrived yet.

With that taken care of, his mind turned to weaving a construct to digest the local mana. Piquant

As his mystical construct churned the local mana into something more digestible, he turned to the strange cybered-man.

Greetings. I am Li. Forgive an old man his failing memory but I feel as if I should know you.

[Seth]

[00:01:28 Jun 2070 - Pyramid - Angel's Room]
Background count: Aztech 4

Angel begins to slice through the Evo-Orderly's systems when she is greeted:

"HURRAH YOU ARE OUT. I TOLD MR CHIPS WE COULD DO IT! I HOPE ZERO'S PLAN WORKS The icon of GREMLIN rushes toward's you and gives you a hug. MR CHIPS in his school teacher's gown and mortar board gives you a smile. "WELL DONE CHILD. THE MAJOR IS DISABLED, AND YOU ARE ALIVE. SETTLE DOWN AND I WILL GIVE YOU A ONCE OVER."

"I'LL SORT OUT THESE PESKY SPIRITS. LETS JOIN THE REST OF YOUR RESCUERS" GREMLIN says

The Evo-Orderly kicks to life. The twin robot arms grab metal posts, which it whirls with the deadly promise of death and the Orderly begins to move at some serious speed toward's the stair's down.

As the Evo-Orderly passes one of the rooms, GREMLIN stops. In that room there are two naked individuals, one heavily cybered, one a very skillful martial artist. Both were under attack from rage spirits, although most of the rage spirits were busy attacking other inanimate objects.

[Seth]

[00:01:28 Jun 2070 - Pyramid - Outside room 27a]
Background count: None

Marduk stops examining the knife for a moment. The rage spirit's progress is being tracked by the huge codex, and they have just arrived outside his door. With a snarl, the door forms a mouth, and tendrils fly from it grabbing a spirit. The spirit screams, and is dragged into the maw of the door. Marduk has heard a lot of screams in his long life, but few were as unpleasant as this. The spirit's astral body is shredded and consumed.

Filled with rage, half a dozen rage spirits at once charge the door. The carnage and screaming is terrible but short. No further spirits approach the door. Marduk takes his hands away from his ears, breathing heavily. That was...unpleasant...

[00:01:28 Jun 2070 - Pyramid - Basement Store room]
Background count: None

Alyena, Fearghas and Ryl regroup. Following Marduk's advise, they were all masking as Rage spirits. The Rage spirits flood into the room and begin to destroy things, but somewhat to their reassurance not themselves.

Suddenly there is a horrible sound. A sound that chills them. It is the sound of multiple souls being rent assunder. The rage spirits hear the sound, and flee.

There is an oasis of silence. A temporary cessation in the combat.

[Seth]

[00:01:28 Jun 2070 - Pyramid - Outside room 27a]
Background count: None

Bjeorn masks as a Rage spirit. For him it is easy as he is often angry anyway, and the other rage spirits give him a wide berth.

Grabbing Jonathan's Valkyrie Cocoon, he shoves it out the room. There is a faint snap of cables that Bjeorn hardly notices. The Cocoon is heavy, but on wheels, and although Bjeorn bangs it a couple of times into the concrete walls, he manages to get it up to a fair lick of speed.

Then there are the stairs down.

Bjeorn doesn't stop pushing and the Cocoon bounces down the stairs in what must be a terrible experience for the inhabitant. The cocoon rolls to its side and scrapes along the concrete floor until it comes to a rest outside the basement door.

Faintly Bjeorn can hear the screams from the end of the corridor. He shrugs, he's heard worst.

There is a faint moan from inside the Cocoon

[e-do]

[00:01:34 Jun 2070 - Regeneration Room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background Count: Cyberzombie 4 (Just realized that Boris is emanated background count as well).

Boris glances sideways at the small, Chinese looking elf and nods. Glaring back at the 5 nasty looking spectres closing in on him, he crouches into a defensive position and clenches his fists. Unwittingly, this triggers the pneumatic mechanism in his left cyberhand, which pops out a small, nasty looking serrated cyberblade.

“Shto?”

Barely having time to register his surprise, the spirit assailants descend upon Boris and his menacing aura. The tall elf launches himself into a flurry of parries and blocs, moving with the lightning speed afforded to him by his brand new Aztechnology synaptic booster. A glancing blow by one of the spirits sends him veering off to the side, but he quickly recovers and retaliates with a series of quick thrusts and jabs that seem to have no effect against the spirit's materialized form.

Drek!! Realizing that he is more or less doomed unless he can get his hands back on his sword, he glances towards the door again, and then back at Li. “The door! Get to the door! We need to get the frag out of here!”

[PoliteMan]

[00:01:34 Jun 2070 - Regeneration Room - Aztec Pyramid]

Ah drek!. At one time the rage spirits would have been no threat but it had been too long since Li had fought in close combat, without his magic or allies. He was too complacent, too old, too..

Ahh! One of the spirits had left a deep gash across his pot belly. Need to lay off the American food

Another one leapt onto his chest, ready to tear his face off and it was only dumb luck that caused him to trip backwards, throwing the spirit off with only a scratch on Li's cheek for it's trouble.

Frag this! Li sprints for the door. Hey, an orderly! I could sure use, Oh!

Li pauses.

I don't mean to bother you lady and...elder but you seem remarkably unperturbed about the rampaging army of mad spirits. May we accompany you?

[e-do]

[00:01:34 Jun 2070 - Regeneration Room - Aztec Pyramid]

Warily eyeing the spirit horde as it suddenly disappears from whence it came, Boris waits a few seconds more before lowering his guard. Ignoring the other three individuals in the room, he closes his eyes, dismisses his astral perception, and take a deep breath in preparation of that intense lights show which now seems to accompany his regular vision. Exhaling slowly, he opens his eyes to receive an update from his newly implanted image-link.

>>> SPAKONYE NOCHE, TAVARISH!

>>> MINOR INJURY SUSTAINED: LEFT THIGH

>>> VITALS: FUNCTIONING WITHIN NORMAL RANGE

>>> ORIENTATION SYSTEM: OFF

>>> RADAR: OFF

>>> ULTRASOUND: OFF

>>> COMMLINK: OFF

>>> LOW LIGHT: OFF

>>> THERMO: OFF

>>> SOUND FILTER: OFF

>>> RUTHENIUM CLOAK: OFF

>>> ALL SYSTEMS: FULLY OPERATIONAL

>>> CURRENT TIME: 00:01:34... 35... 36...

Flabbergasted, he raises his left cyberhand close to his face to have a better look. Chrome... pretty top-notch, the sort of implants the Black Dagger razorboys got. To make sure, he gently taps it against the metal chassis one of the remaining regeneration tanks. *CLUNK CLUNK*. Yep... that's chrome alright.

What the...

Becoming suddenly reminded of Li, Mandala and Angel's, presence, Boris spins around to face them. Standing just a little short of 2m tall, it does not seem as if this red-haired elf has a natural bone left in his body, save for his skull and face. Both of his arms, legs, and torso have all been cybernetically replaced and coated with some weird polymer (which Li may recognize as Ruthenium). They are all disproportionally large compared to Boris' head, leading you to assume that in all likelihood, there are probably some more cyber goodies packed into these cutting edge implants. His eyes and ears are also pretty obvious cyber-implants. All in all, he looks pretty much like a freak. And that's before you've had a glance at his astral aura.

"WHO are YOU, WHERE are WE, and just WHAT the FRAG is going on here?!"

[Seth]

[00:01:34 Jun 2070 - Regeneration Room - Aztec Pyramid]

<<[MR CHIPS to Immortal Li and Boris] YOU HAVE BEEN PARTIALLY RESCUED FROM A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH. THESE ARE SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE PARTIALLY RESCUED YOU. TO TURN THIS INTO A FULL RESCUE WE HAVE SIMPLY TO DESTROY THE WARD SURROUNDING THIS PLACE OF CAPTIVITY. UNFORTUNATELY THAT REQUIRES DISTRACTING OR DEFEATING THE HORROR THAT CHANGED YOU.

THERE IS A PLACE OF RELATIVE SAFETY IN THE BASEMENT. PLEASE MOVE TO THE BASEMENT. I WILL TRY AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS AS WE TRAVEL.

MR LI, WE ARE RETURNING YOUR AGENT. IT HAS NOT BEEN HARMED>>

[pbangarth]

[00:01:34 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers

Mandala walks with Angel and her supporting drone out into the corridor, Angel's aura overriding the pyramid's own background count. They pass a door through which a battle between rage spirits and others who seem to have been captured.

"This way. Come with us. We go to a place of relative safety from these spirits." He indicates the way down to the basement.

He prepares to blast any spirits that block the way.

[e-do]

[00:01:34 Jun 2070 - En Route to the Basement - Aztec Pyramid]

Boris frowns. He doesn't appreciate being ignored. Then again, this is hardly the time for being argumentative. Besides, maybe Mr. Voice In My Head can give him some answers; he does know about the Horror. What the hell is going on here? The last thing he could remember was that blood shaman chanting in Aztec and slitting one of his foot-soldier's throat to power up that nasty fireball spell. Then came the flames. Then nothing.

<< [To Mr. Chips] Alright, comrade. Let's start with your name. Then, I'd appreciate if you tell me where I am, and who exactly these people with me are. Also, if you could please elaborate on what all of this chrome is doing in my body, that would also be nice>>

[sabs]

[00:01:34 Jun 2070 - Room 27A - Aztec Pyramid]
Background count: 0/+2

Marduk extends his senses through the book out to Mandala. "Mandala, my Friend. We need to reestablish the mind link again. I have figured out how to link us to the Magical TacNet inside this building." He seems rather happy with himself, even if he IS holding a Skull and a Dagger in his hands.

[Seth]

[00:01:34 Jun 2070 - Regeneration Room - Aztec Pyramid]

<<[MR CHIPS to Immortal Li and Boris]

ALLOW ME TO MODIFY YOUR MAPPING SOFTWARE [3.6Mps of data transfered to both Boris and Immortal Li] YOU HAVE BEEN KIDNAPPED BY A HORROR, WE THINK THE ONE CALLED YSRTHGATHE. YOU ARE AT <Map reference showing you to be somewhere in S. America>. INSIDE <Map reference showing you the building you are in, and your location in it, and a route to the basement>. THE TOP TWO FLOORS ARE OCCUPIED BY THE HORROR.

OUTSIDE IS <Tactical map shown with the outside area controlled by blue forces. Three dragons are shown on the map. Several parachute deployed small tanks are there. There are over 2,000 troops scattered around. Several very large craters are in evidence>

THERE ARE EXTERNAL FORCES COMING TO REINFORCE THE PYRAMID. <Map references showing warplanes gathering, but not yet approaching>. AZTECH HAVE A THOR SATELLITE, INTENDED TO KILL THE DRAGONS, BUT ZERO HAS DISABLED IT. HE HOPED TO CONTROL IT, BUT THAT WAS TOO DIFFICULT...THE DISSONANCE WAS TOO GREAT. ZERO IS VERY HURT BUT STILL LIVES.

YOU AND YOUR RESCUERS WILL HAVE TO LOWER THE BLOOD WARD <Pictures of blood moving around inside tubes in the pyramid walls> IN MY ESTIMATION THE BLOOD WARD CANNOT BE LOWERED BY THE OUTSIDE FORCES IN TIME TO PREVENT AN APOCALYPSE.

BORIS: THE HORROR WAS USING YOU AS A MAGICAL PROBE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE OUTSIDERS KNEW. YOUR MAGIC WAS TOO STRONG SO HE REDUCED IT. HE FEELS A DEBT TO YOU, SO HE DID NOT KILL YOU. HE WISHES TO USE YOU TO DELIVER A MESSAGE TO QUEEN ALACHIA, THEN KILL HER. IN YOUR PREVIOUS FORM YOU WERE TOO WEAK TO DO SO. YSTHGATHE WAS PLEASED WITH HIS SOLUTION TO BOTH PROBLEMS.

MR LI: WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE HORROR WANTED WITH YOU. HE HAD NOT STARTED. YOU ARE VERY LUCKY.>>

Somewhat disturbingly the icon of Mr Chips was wandering around inside Boris's and Mr Li's commlinks with an admin account

<<AHA HERE WE HAVE A TROJAN BTL KILL PROGRAM WITH A TIMER: SHALL I DELETE THIS? >>
<<HMM. TRACER. VERY SOPHISTICATED. I CAN REMOVE IT IF YOU WANT, IT WILL TAKE A FEW MINUTES>>
<<SOME OF THESE FACTS ARE WRONG...OH THIS ONE IS PRIVATE...SORRY>>

[pbangarth]

[00:01:34 Jun 2070 - Inside Room 12, Angel's room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers

~~
Alright Marduk. I'll see what I can do. Under the current conditions the spell will be horrendously difficult and potentially more damaging to me than anything the enemy has done so far. But it will have to wait till we are all together so I can touch you all as I cast it.
~~

[PoliteMan]

[00:01:36 Jun 2070 - Regeneration Room - Aztec Pyramid]

Ah, Barsaivian nonsense. Why can't they ever keep their problems to themselves? Still, I had hoped not to become involved with Ysrthgathe again.
A slight shiver runs over him.

Yes please, Mr. Chips. You're quite skilled, however did you come to be here? I don't suppose you could also provide a more detailed map of the pipes for this blood ward? And perhaps a general map of the plumbing for this building? Thank you.

As he walks down the hall, following Mandala
I am known as Immortal Li, although I suspect that is no great distinction in this company. Suffice to say I am involved in eastern affairs and had hoped that my troubles would not be this serious.
Turning to Boris
It is your history, Mr Boris, that is of the most importance right now. Servant, I am guessing, to Queen Alachia and trusted enough to be carrying some information Ysrthgatha found so valuable he stitched you back together. My condolences of your current condition, by the by. Can you remember what information he sought from you? Anything having to do with a box, perhaps?

[Aria]

[00:01:34 Jun 2070 - En Route to the Basement - Aztec Pyramid]

With the spirits temporarily neutralised by their masking efforts Ryl shook herself...scales tinkling like chimes as they rubbed together...and prepared to follow the others back to the basement. Absently she touched the ring hanging from a chain around her neck and ensured her commlinks were secure.

Snagging the slightly damaged armour jacket from the floor - it wouldn't do to be naked when she resumed her human form and theprison fatigues were shredded - she tucked in her wings and proceeded cautiously, the flames still licking her jaws the only sign of her tension...

[sabs]

[00:01:40 Jun 2070 -Room 27A - Projecting into Temple - Aztec Pyramid]
Background Count: ??? -2 Aztech from Dagger


Marduk projects himself into the temple, leaving Mandala behind with the others. He arrives at the Western most part of the pyramid.

The temple is a strange Juxtaposition of order and chaos.

In the centre is a mini Ziggurat, with priests sacrificing at full rate. As he watches the one known as Snake Head rips the beating heart out of a captive and raises it high in triumph. The body tumbles down the Ziggurat where a conveyor belt takes it away. Two guard's are already positioning a young girl in a white robe, with flowers in her hair in position. You can see two other pairs of guards moving docile (drugged perhaps) captives. The captives are stored in the two South parts of the pyramid.

Chto za huy

At the top of the pyramid a line in spaceis begining to form. A vertical line that is perhaps 2m tall. It radiates a sickly purple aura. With the death of the last captive, he sees the aura pulse.

In the NE corner is a hooded man who is screaming invectitude at a minion that he has gripped by a claw. The minion is turning black, and ichor is pouring out of him onto the floor. The hooded man doesn't seem to notice that he has killed the minion, and carries on shouting at him. There is a lot of high tech equipment, near the hooded man, with around 20 minions working feverishly hard, although they seem somewhat...distracted...by the scenary.

The doorway down below is closed with a block of concrete 2 metres thick sitting across it.

There are two guards near the blood pump, but they are looking very nervously towards the hooded man, and in Marduk's opinion not operating at 100%.

There is a hole in the roof directly above the ziggurat. It is dark up there.

Taking all this in Marduk's reaction is to concentrate on the TacNet and see if he can open up a channel to Alyena without leaving the Temple Area.

[e-do]

Boris stops for a moment and turns both palms of his hands up. Stares at them, he shakes his head in disbelief.

Pizdetz... polniy pizdetz.

Looking up at Li, he sneers. Maybe. I suggest we wait for the the rest of these guys' friends to sort out exactly what is going on here.

You, Buddha man, he calls towards Mandala's back. I think I remember you. You are the one with the little golden statue, are you not? Who else has the Queen sent here with you?

[pbangarth]

[00:01:36 Jun 2070 - Hallway outside Regeneration Room - Aztec Pyramid]
Background Count: Golden Beauty 4; Force 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers

When Immortal Li identifies himself, Mandala does a double take. "So... Immortal Li. You have changed over the centuries. When last I saw you, at the opening of the Pear Garden by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, you had considerably less metal in you. I am Mandala. I too was different then, but more by choice then than you now, I should think."

Boris' interjection breaks Mandala's moment of reverie of better times. He turns to the elf. "Your mistress is a 'need to know' kind of woman. Perhaps you were kept ignorant for a reason. 'Loose lips sink ships', perhaps?

"Here. Down these stairs. The others wait there and you can see for yourself." He leads the way down.

[PoliteMan]

[00:01:37 Jun 2070 - Hallway outside Regeneration Room - Aztec Pyramid]
No, I'm afraid these modern times have not been kind to me. One must be philosophical about one's losses, of course. You, however, look as glorious as always. I look forward to our future conversations, in more pleasant circumstances of course.
Immortal Li follows Mandala down the stairs, eager to meet the other intruders.

[Sephiroth]

[00:01:38 Jun 2070 - Basement Storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]

Fearghas turned his head to face Alyena and Aria as he went through the room's stores, pocketing the more interesting weaponry and equipment and working on assembling the weapons and equipment too large to carry, such as the missiles. "So, about that blood ward... it might be a good idea to bring that down soon. Just a thought. Don't mind me, I'm just minding my own business stealing things and making bombs. I'm not cut out for this hero business anyw-"

He was interrupted by Mandala approaching down the hall, deep in conversation with two unfamiliar faces. Or perhaps not. One of them looked massive, distorted, warped by machinery and ware, and looking at him gave Fearghas an inexplicable feeling of discomfort and anxiety in the Awakened parts of his mind... but something felt oddly familiar about that face and that walk, like a memory hovering just outside of recall. He spoke to Mandala in Mandarin, "Nǐ queshí yǒu qíguài de kǒuwei chǒngwù metahumans, jīngshén (You have a strange taste in pet metahumans, spirit). And I thought that human who loved eating drywall was bad, you weirdo. Who are they? And what's this I hear about the Blood slitch?" The latter he said with a hint more seriousness, but it was subtle.

[pbangarth]

[00:01:41 Jun 2070 - Basement Storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4; Force: 6 -- dropped Psychokinesis, Accident and Movement powers

Mandala smiles at Fearghas' jibe. He responds in Mandarin, pointing to his Chinese friend, "This is an old acquaintance of mine, a very old acquaintance, from my days in Imperial China, who is now known as Immortal Li. The other," he indicates Boris, "is a servant of Queen Alachia. One of her personal guard, I believe. I met him when I was recently summoned to her presence. As yet I don't know how either got here." He switches to English. "We, Angel the Matrix magician and I, have swept them up in her personal background count to come here through the enraged spirits to the safety of the basement. You may very well feel her unique aura affecting your magic. We need to deal with the ward soon, as I heard you say, and now that Angel is in our communal company, I feel free to do what I can to bring down the ward.

"Li and I have been discussing on our way down. He has a handy spell he and I could use, one that shapes metal. With that spell one could warp the pumps until they disfunction. This is an option to discuss with the team as a whole. The rest are in Room 27A, are they?"

[sabs]

[00:01:41 Jun 2070 - Basement Storeroom - Aztec Pyramid]
Background: Golden Beauty 4

"I think I will miss this TacNet once we leave here. Perhaps I shall keep the book if I can and study it. It is, quite convenient." Marduk says as his ghostly image walks through the wall. "Mandala, Fearghas, I see you have found friends." His astral image is one of a Dwarf wearing simple robes, though he does appear to be holding a skull in one hand, and a wicked looking sacrificial dagger in the other. "We need to get those wards down fast. The Horror is currently frustrated and killing his own minions, but that will not last. They are creating a Rift in Astral Space. I worry that they are attempting to open a Portal back to the Home of the Horrors. Let us regroup in room 27A, I shall open the door for you, so the construct will not eat you, and we should reestablish the mind net for everyone." He eyes the giant cyberzombie, "Well, almost everyone?"

He looks around, "Where are Ryl, Bjeorn, and Alyena?"