Lost Heroes #10 - "Reconnaissance"
Dawn comes as our heroes begin their second day in the 24th century. Their individual tasks set, each begin to carry them out.
Terry and Rem join hands. Rem's thoughts reach out for the missing Tarantula. After a few moments, she succeeds.
Rem - "I've got him! He's not conscious."
Terry - "He could also be drugged."
Terry now concentrates. The barriers between the two women and the distant Tarantula rapidly pass by. The walls of the base give to the lush forest above. Then come the wasted lands. It is in the wasted land where the journey stops.
Terry - "I've reached the limits of my range. I can see no further."
Brawn - "It is of no consequence. As long as you know where the wall crawler is, we can find him.
At the tunnel to the surface, Eclypse and Number 6 experiment with the force field belts. Here are the results:
1 - Objects within the field remain powered.
2 - It isn't easy, the force field is not very thick, but you can use the 'door opener' from inside a force field. BTW: There are a total of 12 of these openers.
3 - Even thought the field keeps things running, once they leave the field, the shut down. An EB fired from the Spectre seemingly evaporates once it leaves the protective field.
At the computer terminals, Mary and Beth work at retrieving more information. Here are the answers to the questions asked:
There is no data in the network on the containment satellites.
The main power generator is the lone sphere on the 4th level of the base. The bottom of the base.
The location of the base is Longitude 42 degrees north, 78 degrees west latitude.
Beth - "I've seemed to have noticed something. The only time we get specific answers is when we ask a question related to one of the other sciences. Perhaps the communication lines from this sphere to the rest of the base have been severed."
Mary - "The passageway to the base is caved in and blocked off. Perhaps the information in question is not in this computers database. Since it can't access the main computer, we can't find out what we need to know."
Eclypse takes a quick look around the rest of this Sphere. Area 11 is a storage room. It contains standard scientific equipment associated with this sphere. Area 26 and 27 are a machine shop and storage area. Again, both rooms tie in with the theme of this Sphere. Area 20 appears to be a general science lab. Areas 12, 21, 28, along with 13 and 30 have been swallowed up by the crevice.
Rem continues to try to get a hold of Tarantula.
Rem - "Why won't he answer me?"
Suddenly, a mental voice rings out in her head. Terry hears it too.
"Will I do, little girl? I see that you have a friend with an interesting mind. She will serve me even better than you, freckle face!"
Terry takes the initiative and lashes back at this intruder. While not over harming this entity, it does drive it off.
"Very well, but sooner or later we shall meet. Then you will be mine..."
The voice fades away. While the intent of the voice is not quite known, there is no doubt to either woman that the intruder was also female.
Rem - "It was that mind again, guys. It attacked us!"
Mary - "Where was it coming from?"
Terry - "I'm not sure. From the other side of the crevice. Towards the rest of the base."
While that is going on, the men are exploring the surface area around the base itself. They find that the forest is circular is shape. It is approximately 100 yards wide. In the exact center of the forest is a large antenna-like construction.
On a more ominous note, the body of the Gothronian is missing! There are no signs of anything or anyone around the area. Except for the creatures' blood smeared on the rocks.
As the men ponder this latest development, Rem contacts them and tells of her second encounter with the mentalist.
It is then that Number 6 sees something out in the wasteland. There is something black, with a touch of yellow laying on the ground. You cannot be sure what exactly it is from here. It is unmoving...
Spectrum's Comments: It did take quite a while for our heroes to actually locate the mysterious mentalist.
SUBJ: BRAWN FROM: N4SIR 06/05/89 S#: 119315
"Tell me Eclypse, if I heard that things spine snap and heard the death rattle could it have walked away?"
I will move towards the object slowly. (Is the object smaller than a man what type of shape does it have? Does it come up from the sand or is it laying a top the sand? Does it seem to be metal? Are the colors on it painted or dyed or does it appear to be the natural color?)
SUBJ: REM (R) FROM: REM9 06/05/89 S#: 433180
"Terry I'm getting worried about Tarantula now. I know that we both sensed nothing wrong, but I've got a bad feeling about this. And if what I just saw in Brawn's mind, that lizard is missing besides. What do you say you and me go and find him? We can take care of ourselves pretty good and if we run into any heavy-duty trouble, I can always call the guys for help. They love that macho thing of coming to a girl's rescue you know. Mary why don't you come too? That way if Tarantula needs any help, you'll be there. And Beth can stay here if she wants to and keep looking at the computer. Come on, we'll make it a girls night out."
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 06/05/89 S#: 453807
"Well, it's time to give this rig a full shake down, so let's see what we have here."
I'll fly out to the spot where the object (man?) is, inspect the area from the air, and then land nearby, with the object between myself and Brawn.
SUBJ: Mary Beth
Mary-Beth - "I'm not so sure about this idea of yours Rem... But, Tarantula might be in need of medical assistance, therefore I must go. But first, I'll look around for some medical equipment, a first aid kit, anything! After finding the proper equipment, Beth will follow Rem to Tarantula. Mary will remain behind to man the base.
SUBJ: GM NOTES:
As you inspect the object lying on the desert, you discover that not only is it a humanoid but it is a human female! She is unconscious.
You all approach closer to the woman. You roll her over to find that she is wearing medieval-like armor. Not one solid suit, but pieces of armor here and there. She also carries a long sword. She wears a black cape. The armor itself also black. Hair is short and blonde.
Number 6 examines her to find that she is suffering from dehydration. In spite of the filth and bad sunburn, the woman is fairly attractive and muscular.
Spectrum's Comments: I'm not sure if it was my original intent to portray this woman as a PC or not. She hung around as an NPC for a while. Basically, she was a Valkrie/Satara type character.
SUBJ: ECLYPSE (R) FROM: Panther13 06/06/89 S#: 412218
"In my earlier battles with that monster, it was known to regenerate, Brawn. However, it is almost unfathomable that such damage could be restored so quickly, if at all! Unless the creature was carried off by some indigenous flying form, we may have reason to fear a return attack from the Gothronian. It is indeed unfortunate that my Star Scepter was damaged upon my arrival."
I am going to keep my distance from whomever it is that we found. Just to be certain. Also, make a closer check of the area around where the great lizard fell. First from the air.
SUBJ: Eclypse (R) FROM: Panther13 06/06/89 S#: 122944
"Although this newcomer may not be an ally, it is my contention that we at least see to her welfare. We should return to the base with her, at least long enough to cure her ills."
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 06/07/89 S#: 490277
"No arguments there, Eclypse. She needs medical attention, and could supply answers to a lot of the questions we have."
I'll pick up the woman, and return her to the dome, giving what aid my training deems appropriate.
SUBJ: Miss Terry FROM: Miss Terry 06/07/89 S#: 442348
I continue with Rem and Mary in search of Tarantula. Keeping in mind the threat we received I walk a little bit more cautiously.
Upon finding Tarantula I will scan around for any other people around while the others see to his well-being.
SUBJ: BRAWN FROM: N4SIR 06/10/89 S#: 838667
"Great another frail." Brawn says with a small level of disgust in his voice. If any one goes near Brawn you more than likely here him talking to himself these are the gist of what he is saying, "what are we suppose to do with her. Didn't any of your mothers teach you not to bring home strays or not to talk to strangers?"
"We have a task ahead of us to try and figure out where we are and what the rest of the world is like. And here we are trying to save the life of a wanderer or who knows what. For all we know she doesn't speak English or has the intelligence of a stone. I mean she passed by an area that evidently supports some sort of life to drown in a sea of sand. I may be a hero but I'm also a realist and right now we can not afford to be humanitarians."
"Well if we're going to save what's left of our world it might as well start with the female population," This is what finally is spoken out loud.
Spectrum's Comments: In spite of Brawn's opinions, this newcomer was most definitely NOT frail.
Lost Heroes #11 - "Quest for the Spider"
Inside the base, the girls prepare to go find Tarantula themselves. Mary and Beth search the area for a medical kit or something equivalent. In the security area they find a first aid kit. It's not much, but it will have to do.
Now prepared, they begin the long climb to the surface. Mary opens the defense shield so that they can leave. Once they are safely out, Mary secures the base once more. She walks back to the security area and continues to use the computer for research.
Fifteen minutes later, the girls reach the surface. The area around the tunnel is unchanged. The robots lie in a pile of rubble. Their vehicle sits silently in the clearing. Beth takes in the forest around the base.
Beth - "Wow".
Rem - "Don't get used to it, Beth. There's a desert right next door."
Beth - "That's impossible."
Terry - "Nonetheless, it is true. Which way do we go, Rem?"
Rem concentrates and locates Tarantula in her mind.
Rem - "Over that way."
Terry - "And if my training is correct, that direction is south."
Beth - "Lead on Rem."
Meanwhile, on the other side of the forest, the men have made a few discoveries of their own. Eclypse circles the area where the Gothronian appeared to perish. The terrain here is so rough, that it is impossible to determine if something grabbed the lizard or if it left under its own power. There is no blood anywhere, however.
Elsewhere, Number 6 and Brawn examine the mystery woman found in the desert.
Brawn - "Great! Another frail. Just what we need."
The large man continues to mumble to himself.
As I previously mentioned, the woman is dressed in medieval-like armor. The armor and her cloak are black. She has short blonde hair and blue eyes. She carries a longsword.
The area in which she lies is very sandy. You can tell from her footprints that she was traveling towards the area of forest. She came from the northeast, staggering from the looks of her prints. She crawled the last fifty feet of her journey. She's dehydrated and collapsed in exhaustion.
Number 6 picks the woman up and heads back to the base. Eclypse follows.
Brawn - "Well, if we're going to save what's left of our world, we might as well start with the female population."
With that, Brawn stalks after the others.
Meanwhile, the girls have entered the desert.
Beth - "This is impossible! Such widely different terrains cannot exist side by side!"
Terry - "Perhaps, but the evidence is before your eyes."
Beth - "Yes, but according to the coordinates the computer gave us, this is supposed to be Pennsylvania! I had family here. There were no deserts!"
Rem - "It's starting to get hot out here. We better find Tarantula before we melt."
Terry - "Yes."
Beth - "This may not of been such a good idea."
Cautiously, the girls begin their trek into the desert...
Back at the base, Mary is startled as the men enter the security area with their charge.
Mary - "Geez! You scared me. We need to get a doorbell! Who is that?"
Number 6 - "We don't know... Mary isn't it?"
Brawn - "We found the broad in the desert."
Eclypse - "Summon Beth. We'll need her medical expertise."
Mary - "Ah... well... you see that..."
One explanation later...
Eclypse - "They did what?!?"
Brawn - "Of all the idiotic..."
Number 6 - "Regardless of what our companions have done, we must see to the well being of out guest. Mary, if you would please assist me."
Mary - "Of course, doctor."
Number 6 - "We're going to need plenty of liquids with a high concentration of salts and vitamins."
Mary - "I'll see what the cafeteria computer can come up with."
Brawn - "Sounds like we need some Gator Aid to me!"
Once more, back out in the desert, the girls have been walking for over an hour now...
Rem - "I think that we should have brought a few supplies with us..."
Beth - "Now you think of it! This heat is tremendous!"
Rem - "At least we'll have decent tans."
Terry - "Small comfort. How much further?"
Rem - "I'm not sure, but it shouldn't be much further."
The terrain had become rockier now as the girls moved closer to what used to be the Appalachian Mountains. Their journey led up into the mountains themselves. Finally, the girls crest a small hill to see a most unusual sight in the valley below them.
Beth - "How fitting..."
A large, stone building filled the valley below. The largest portion of the building was a large oval. A small, almost circular building was attached to it. Eight 'tunnels' project out from the area where the two buildings merged, four to a side. They come to rest on matching cylindrical towers. Wide stairs lead up to the building from the smaller building.
Terry - "It... It looks like a giant spider!"
Rem - "Tarantula is inside that building."
Beth - "Oh great."
And finally, back at the base, Number 6's treatment was beginning to work. The woman was coming around."
"Ohhhh.... Argos! By the glory of the Blue Lady, we've survived!"
The woman sits up and stares at the rest of you. Neither side seems to know what to expect.
"You are not my comrades!"
Her voice is filled with panic.
"What have you done to them? Tell me or I'll be forced to hurt you!"
Suddenly, the longsword is in her hands. She points it at you all.
Mary - "I'm outta here!"
"Well, strange ones, what will it be?"
Spectrum's Comments: Yep, the girls did go off by themselves. That Rem is such a troublemaker! The spider-shaped structure was lifted from the classic D&D module "Queen of the Demonweb Pits".
SUBJ: Eclypse FROM: Panther13 06/11/89 S#: 65738
Eclypse steps forward, his Star Scepter still at his side, but ready should need be. He tries to calm the warrior woman.
"We have done nothing with these comrades of which you speak. In truth we know nothing about them. You, alone, were found collapsed in the desert, exhausted and dehydrated."
"We mean you no harm. Otherwise, we wouldn't have bothered to nurse you back to health."
"I am known as Eclypse. You are in my friends and my base. Now, as we have been gracious hosts, perhaps you could put aside that weapon and allow us to continue to be so. There are plenty of battles to be fought without the unnecessary battle between potential allies."
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 06/12/89 S#: 450929
"Um Terry, are you willing to try your little trick again? It seems like a good idea before we just walk in there blindly. I know Tarantula is all right, I mean he must be, but I don't understand why he hasn't answered me yet. He must be real hurt to be out this long. Let me see if we can bring Beth along with us this time. That way maybe she can figure out what is wrong with him from here."
REM will try to link her mind with Beth's before Terry takes her for a ride. If it doesn't work and Beth is left behind, REM will create the image of what she sees for Beth.
SUBJ: Beth
"That's an interesting concept, Rem... Perhaps we should call the guys for back up assistance. Or at the very least for a glass of water! First let's look around for a secluded spot to try your experiment."
Back at the base, Mary will just stay out of the way during the confrontation with the men and the swordswoman.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 06/13/89 S#: 821736
"What Eclypse says is true. We found you alone in the desert. There was no sign of your friends. You apparently carried on further than any of the others. I suggest you take it easy, you only just recovered consciousness."
SUBJ: BRAWN (R) FROM: N4SIR 06/17/89 S#: 500886
"Look guys, I hate to be a party pooper but what with REM out running around loose I'm getting a little worried what say we go check up on her and the rest of the Gang?"
SUBJ: Eclypse FROM: Panther13 06/17/89 S#: 505734
"Worried, Brawn? That is a bit out of character for yourself, isn't it, my muscle-bound friend. Might I sense an affinity towards the young mentalist?"
"In truth, I, too, see the trip made in search of Black Tarantula a bit of a chance, at best. They never established just what it is that spirited our comrade away. They may, in fact, be in over their heads. Perhaps we should make certain they are well."
Spectrum's Comments: Needless to say, to be continued!