Expedition to the Barrier Peaks - Chapter One

[Pulpatoon]

"I will need to inform Command to update the records," she responds. "However, Command has been unresponsive to my requests. I have requested IT help desk to check communications. In the meantime, black cards may be issued to the Admiral and his staff."

She presses more buttons. Nothing happens. She looks at a slot in the surface of the table. "It appears the card dispenser is malfunctioning."

Porphyry scoffs, "Command is unresponsive? Typical! Well, we'll soon sort out the chronic malingering that appears to be the hallmark of this crew! In the absence of communication from Command, authority must pass on to the highest ranking personnel. Namely, me." Porphyry tries to repress an evil grin as he intones this last word, but his face lends itself so easily to evil grins.

"As for your card dispenser... Hmm. I may have someone on my staff who could open up this cabinet and effect repairs. Or, at least, access the cards within, so that you, my dear, will be able to distinguish yourself among the crew as capable and dutiful in the pursuit of your appointed tasks."

Turning to the others, Porphyry whispers, "Do you think Fingal might be able to crack this box?"

[Zhym]

Andover raises one eyebrow when he sees Fingal pull a red access card from the robot's carcass. "I guess killing the ro-bot wasn't such a bad idea after all," he concedes. "Good work."

"We should be able to command the ro-bots to fight for us now. And that card should get us through the door the ro-bots wouldn't let us into. Let's go there next."

The ranger accompanies Fingal.

[greyarea]

Getafix and Asherrion follow Fing but not too closely. They are ready for action.

[saalaria]

Seeing it's time to go, Swillbosh turns to leave, casting a final look around before they go for anything they may have missed.

[Grognardsw]

Gryev hands out a gem from the gut of the golem to each to his fellow adventurers. He then drags and heaves the metal robot over to the chute. The creature is heavy even for one of the barbarian's strengh. The 10' wide shaft is like the other one encountered upon entering this metal dungeon.



The inert robot golem plunges down the shaft, hitting the wall a few times, clanging and banging before landing at the bottom. It takes some time to reach the bottom. Gryev watches it fall but the shaft is dark and he loses sight.

Fingal and the others go down the east hallway to the door with the red card panel. The thief strains to hear sounds of the second half of the group, but doesn't pick up anything. He puts the red card against the red panel and the door irises open half-way with a struggling grate of metal. It's a tight fit, scraping through the round hole into the room. Fingal's cloak tears.

A torch is passed through and illuminates a 20'x40' room with two doors in the east wall. The chamber is much more intact compared to the many smaller quarters the party has passed by. There is a couch and several padded chairs, a large circular table with chairs, side consoles, shelves, strange art wall hangings. On one of the small tables are four stoppered bottles and and fine glass cups. Everything is in strange style and material compared to what the adventurers are use to.





In the chamber of the silver woman, Porphyry presses his case for command.

"I am sorry Admiral, but my programming prevents me from taking orders from those of not recognized authority," responds the silver woman. "Someone of your rank has authority to change my programming through the proper channels, but not at this moment."

"As to repairs of the card dispenser unit, only authorized maintenance staff may effect repairs and alterations."

I would make reaction roles for people Porphyry was trying to persuade, but in this case its programming which can't be influenced.

[OGRE MAGE]

Fingal hears the clanking noise as the ro-bot tumbles down the shaft. He winces, rethinking the idea a little too late.

After climbing through the defective doorway, Fingal takes a closer look at the stoppered bottles, thinking it is most likely wine. If the liquid looks benign, he pokes his head back outside and hands the bottles through the hole to the others.

Have a gander at this whilst I'm in here. I see two doors that I want to check out. I shan't be long! Then we can go find the others if it suits ya.

He goes back inside to check the two doors. If they are the same as the others, he opens them to have a look beyond.

[Pulpatoon]

The Ravenous Gryev, having feasted on Lurker, Veggie-Men, and Froggoth so far, does not hesitate when passed a mysterious stoppered bottle. He uncorks it and takes a swig.

[Pulpatoon]

Porphyry recognizes the unyielding quality of the Silver Lady's responses—he had an uncle who was the same way. Shifting tactics, he says, "Fine. You're doing a commendable job of maintaining protocol. I'll make a note of that in my next report. I can wait for my full clearances until we get this situation sorted out.

"But it really is imperative that my staff is, at the very least, recognized as passengers. They must have cards. As you may be aware, there are unwholesome and aggressive creatures aboard this vessel, and the security forces are having to do active battle with them. It is dangerous, possibly lethal to be wandering around without authorization.

"I'll put it to you bluntly: if you do not find a way to issue at least some form of card to my staff, you will be directly responsible for the eventual harm or death that will befall them as we try to re-establish proper channels."

[tkrexx]

Guido rolls his eyes slightly. Admiral, please, remember your blood pressure! You have delegated responsibility to your subordinates to deal with those of our equal. Again he addresses the shining female.

Command has been unresponsive to my requests.

As has been noted by members of the Admiral's staff; and here we'd thought our initiation to the ... ship was incomplete. Now the problem is clear to us all. Thus you now understand the nature of my original request, Miss? Of course the Admiral will assist you in any way possible, Miss, to effect repairs or insure order as needed, but I must insist Security be brought to act as a safety net for the Admiral, if only as a precaution. I'm certain this will all be sorted out quickly. We would be more than pleased to show the exact place where we were accosted by the Green People, and aid in their capture, but we simply must be privy to more information about our current whereabouts if we are to be of any assistance at all.

[ChubbyPixie]

Wrenly watches wth a pleased look on his face as his fabrication takes root, absorbed by the others' performances - it's like a wonderful stage play! - so much so he nearly forgets the reason they began it in the first place. The others seem to be plying the silver lady for the right information, so he sits back and enjoys the show, waiting to see what they will discover.

[ChubbyPixie]

Brother Puddington, even more impressed with Guido than he has been so far gives a subtle nod of approval at the latest speech and turns to the woman, arms folded, to see how she will respond.

[greyarea]

Getafix sees Gryev's action, says, Wait!... and then oh, dear.

[greyarea]

Asherrion says, Come on, aren't we joining the others? Strength in numbers...

[saalaria]

Swillbosh looks at the stuck door then through onto the new room.
"Careful Fing, thesssse look like they haven't been opened for ssssome time. Who knowsss what could be waiting for you."
The Lizard man will watch the thief through the door.

[OGRE MAGE]

Fingal looks back to the door, glad to know someone is looking out for him.

Dont worry yourself Swilly! I'm sure anything I find in here will be long dead by now..........oh, shit.

He tries not to think about it as he returns his concentration back to the pair of doors.

[AleBelly]

Candy knows her limitations. She decides that she would serve poorly as party spokeswoman. She shakes her head slightly at the thought that she'd be worse than a stinky goat-man and a hippie spellcaster, but these are strange times. She continues to stand in the hallway, following the conversation with rapt attention.

[AleBelly]

Wulfhart has his weapon at the ready. He's not sure he completely understands what's going on, but if weapons are drawn he's ready to protect his pals.

[Hotgoblin]

Groyn drifts back to reality after dreaming about the Silver woman brushing against him with her firmness, when in reality it was just the "lovely" Candy bumping into him. He wonders how the other group is faring....

[Zhym]

Andover peers into the newly-opened room. "Need any help in there?"

[Grognardsw]

Greyv the barbarian takes a big gulp of the purplish liquid in the wine jar. It has a funny taste, but Gryev's taste buds are funny. Then his stomach growls and the pain begins (Save vs. poison please.)

Under the watchful eye of his fellow adventurers, Fingal the thief produces his red card to open the two doors in the east wall. The northeast room is 15'x15' and has three chairs in front of a large desk, a metal box on top, and a smattering of books on some shelves.

The southeast room is a bed-chamber, obviously for one of higher rank. A skeleton lies half-sprawled off the bed. There is a nightstand, bureau and chair.





In the chamber of the silver mistress of passenger services, Porphyry insists on acess cards for the party.

"It is in the parameters of the programming to allow your people to be issued black cards," says the silver woman. "However, the card dispenser is broken."