The two smile as they break for a few minutes. Chase is remarkably surprised at the mages incredible technique.

Next up, Chase and Ran.

The tall elf moves carefully into the makeshift ring. Her sword lies a few feet away just in case something goes horribly wrong. The two styles used by the opponents are radically different. Chase comes from a brawlers background. Where fighting multiple opponents is the norm. Ran on the other hand is obviously a skilled mast in Karate. While Chase bounces around on his feet arms and hands at the ready. Ran stands still and focused. Her legs shoulder width apart, arms held loosely at her side.

After a few moments of attempting to intimidate each other…. Chase strikes. He moves in fast, with a series of rabbit punches that hit… air. Ran ducks the blows and comes up open handed across his chest. Her foot moves like a snake catching Chase behind the heal. The walls and ceiling change places.

The next moment the mercenary is on his back with Ran’s knee on his throat.

She smiles a wicked little smile, “that was fun.”

As James gets up for his turn Cosmo pops his head up.

“Uh guys I think I got it or sumfin. Yeah, this is the address fur sure. When do you want to go?”

Ghost Dragon says, "As enjoyable as this is, I would like to leave as soon as possible. We cannot know if our plan will work, though the sooner we try, the better."

James speaks up, "I agree with Ghost Dragon, lets get moving..."

Chase smiles up at the elf, admiring the view. "I thought so, too." When she backs off him, he holds out his hand, "What? You're not gonna help a beaten man up?" The smile is still on his face.

James looks around, casing the area and trying to make sure they don't leave behind too many signs ofhteir presence as they prepare to leave.

One way or the other, Chase gets up and dusts himself off. While retieving his gear, "Whatcha got, Cos?"

"Ok I think I got this right. Everyone stand in the ring. I'm going to send you through, then open the gate. Once the gate is open go through. I'll then send myself through and join you guys. Sound good?"

"You sure you don't want someone to stay with you?"

"Nah we been here a week, if sumfin was going to happen, it would have."

"Great. Lets gear up and move out."

Ghost Dragon says, "Right. If you are certain you wish to remain behind, then we will go first."

Ghost Dragon finishes collecting his gear and goes to stand on the circle.

Torque carefully uproots a specimen of the high-oxygen Fern and packs the entire thing in a small plastic bag for the trip. He then makes sure his various tools are in their kits and packed.
Torque: "I guess I'm ready now too."

Cosmo arranges everyone in a small circle, making sure to get everyone in.

"Okay, now hold on while I activate the gate."

He presses the sequence on the DHD and then activates the ring device.

A blinding white light envelopes the group and then you are all standing in front of the active gate.

"I told you guys that was cool, didn't I?" Chase smiles at the rest of the group.

Ghost Dragon looks around in disbelief as he takes in the change in scenery. After moment, he recomposes himself and steps out of the circle toward the gate. "Indescribably," he says, seemingly in agreement with Chase as the look of surprise on his face disappears.

"Quit lolly gagging and lets get this stuff out of the circle so Cosmo can get through!"

James starts tossing his duffels bags and other peoples equipment through the gate.

Chase moves to assist James in clearing the Rings.

Lolly-gagging? Who talks like that...?

"Hm," is all that Ghost Dragon says as he begins helping James push gear through the gate.

Once all of the gear is through, he says, "After you, gentlemen," and makes sure he is the third person through the gate.

"Cosmo, circle is clear, get a move on so we can get through the gate!

The circles appear again and vanish just as quickly. Cosmo is left satnding with a nonchalant look. "Les go," he says as he trundles through the gate.

The world vanishes as you step through the gate. Stars collide and stream by at unbelievable speed. As quickly as it began, it ends. You come flying out of the gate and land uncerimonesly on the white tile floor. Security guards loom over you with weapons, but instantly relax when they realize it is us.

Alex comes out of the control boot, a sad smile on his face.

"Well, did you find anything?"

Ghost Dragon stands up, brushes himself off, and says, "Yes... we did."

"Yeah, a definite case for Double Overtime and Hazard Pay."

James relates the story moderately accurately, glossing over any minor, embarassing errors the others made and completely omitting the arguements the group had had.

Ghost Dragon listens to James's account and then nods stiffly at Alex when he has finished.

"Well the good news," Alex says, "is that I think we can accommodate you. I have been authorized to give everyone who returned a 20k bonus. The bad news is, Ares, is on to us. So if you could just follow me to the conference room, where we can take a detailed statement of everything you saw and heard we will get you out of here as quickly as possible.

....

What follows is three grueling hours of every team member relaying every single detail from the moment you stepped through the gate to the moment you came back through. When it is over, the imagery is firmly burned into your minds eye. After that you are take to decon where all your equipment, clothes, etc is confiscated and you are given white one pieces to where. Decon is a series of showers and sprayers that hose you down at every conceivable angle.

Once you are done your equipment is returned to you and the group is escorted to the main garage. Alex awaits with envelopes of credsticks in hand.

"I think you will find a nice tidy bonus. We paid you for a full two months plus 20 k extra. We may be contacting you in a few weeks to go again, but first we have to get the Gate moved to our back up site. If someone contacts you and says they are us, they are not. Only myself should call you. Anyone else and you have no idea what they are talking about. Soka?"

He waits for the affirmations and smiles as he hands everyone their money.

"It has been a pleasure working with you, and I hope to see you all again real soon."

"One more thing buddy." James smiles.

"Next time, I want heavier ordnance. Those guys weren't joking around."

James is gone then, duffels over his shoulders, looking for all the world like a Soldier just returned from leave.