PBEM Turn 91.01a (657 lines, 30 220 characters)
==============================================================================
This is PART 1 of 5 It covers the first half hour or so after the
Turskaad team enters the system.
***** initial position of ships, etc. ****
Definitely NOT to scale :=) But not too bad for ASCII
(Top View) Ring and Alcyon orbiting CCW as seen from here.
W = Westwind, ~5.5AU from Alcyon, 45 minutes each way for signals
GA = Gemini Arbiter ~3AU from Alcyon, 25 min. each way
B = Bernoullia, 10 minutes one way signal
S = Shuttle, 5 min. one way
T = Trakh, on ground, 5 min.
All the rest within a few seconds for round-trip signals
P = Paladin, taking a couter-rotation sweep for faster mapping?
K = Kingfisher ~ 5 minutes to Alcyon
Al = Alcyon
Ta = Talisman
Au = aurora
W
GA
__-----__
/ \
/ \
/ \
| |
| |
| |
| * |
| |
P | |
K | |
\ /
Al \ S /
Ta \--T____--/
Au
B
===============================================================
Aurora
- ---------------------------
Bhyarrvouf, favoring his sore leg, taps out a code deries on the console
before him, humming tunelessly. "Psionics out the poot-hole. Why am I NOT
surprised?" He sighs. "Well, hopefully there won't be any more bad--"
"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday this is Scout six eight Alpha Charlie ISS
Bernoulli. We have one Ael Yael aboard, one dead, explosion aboard. Jump
Drive out. Maneuver drive damaged. We have life support, and fuel for
five zero four hours. Request assistance. We have wounded aboard.
Transponder set for double seven double zero. This is the ISS Bernoulli
broadcasting on one two one point five."
....surprises." 'Vouf scowls furiously. "For a SECRET locale, we're seeing an
AWFUL lot of traffic!"
As the message begins to come in on the distress signal channel,
Christian's ears perk up and he listens with quiet intensity to the
remainder of the message, a small furrow of concern creasing his brow. His
hands begin to flow over the controls as he replaces the engineering
monitoring panel with a sensor ops and a communications panel.
With a few touches of his fingertips, he fires up the radio commlink
and briefly transmits a general broadcast. "Tallyho! Aurora responding to
the distress call from ISS Bernoulli -- this one's mine. Van Der Merwe out."
"Hey, wait a minute--" 'Vouf interjects weakly.
A few more taps and the maser commlink is locked onto the command
shuttle. "Van Der Merwe to Commander Ger: Considering the medical and
damage control needs of the disabled vessel, it is my conclusion that
it is vital that the Subcommander and I respond. Will keep in touch
with you and advise you of the situation aboard the Bernoulli as soon
as possible. Good luck with first contact. Aurora out."
"I, um..."
Christian glances over at the co-pilot station, where a cast-laden
Bhyarrvouf is uncomfortably settled. "'Vouf, lay in an intercept course
for the Bernoulli and get the power plant up to full, we're going to hit
the drives all out; we need that overdrive edge, time could be critical."
Time for a brief nod of confirmation, and Christian is off to another task.
Bhyarrvouf sighs again, and takes the controls gingerly in his bandaged hands.
"YES, aenrra," he mutters with exaggerated politeness. "At ONCE, aenrra,"
he says, as the bridge suddenly vibrates with the sound of a fusion plant
suddenly being called on for a whole LOT of power. "Whatever you SAY, aenrra!"
While continuing to closely monitor the engineering displays, Christian
gives 'Vouf a sidelong, bemused glance and slowly smiles. "Thank YOU,
aenrra. I am in AWE, aenrra." Christian stifles (barely) a snicker.
The Aurora shudders from stem to stern, and leaps forward in a surge that
overwhelms the inertial compensators for a moment and leaves both men gasping
for breath. As the Aurora does a marginal bit more than its maximum safe rated
acceleration, Bhyarrvouf sings gaily, "My feet are WINGS, aenrra! Your wish is
my COMMAND, aenrra! After all, WHAT THE HELL DO WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT?!"
At the sudden jolt of acceleration, Christian's eyes widen and he takes
a few seconds of deep breathing to recover. He listens to 'Vouf's complaints
with a straight face (but it is clearly an effort of will) and when 'Vouf
pauses for breath, Christian chimes in without missing a beat.
"Whine, whine, whine! Yer such a complainer, aenrra. I bet that's why
Ger put you here; he knew only I could put up with you." Christian
gently laughs, then assumes a mock dramatic pose.
His arms spread wide in supplication, he addresses the ceiling. "Oh
please, sir, can I be rescued? I've onnnly got a teeny bomb in
engineering, half-mangled maneuver drive and dubious life support.
Really, nothing important. Maybe I could have a cup of nutribroth? Never
mind little old me. Oooops!"
He snarls over at van der Merwe with a predator's toothy jaws. "'Oh, help!
Oh, mercy! Whoever will SAVE poor little ME?'" he mimicks a helpless tri-D
heroine's voice. "We'll ignore the fact that there's a vanishingly small
probability that a Jump-2 scout could have made it here in one piece, and
we'll ignore the fact that we're supposed to be an auxiliary command post
that can run things without putting Commander Nanadh at risk-- we'll even
ignore the fact that we're undermanned and one of us can't FIGHT!" He makes
a vicious chopping motion in the air with one hand. "Nope nope nope. No
discipline, no chain of command, no previous orders-- it's Captain Cadeuceus
and his faithful pooch Voufie the Wonder-Moron to the rescue, and
Yaskoydray take the laggards!" He makes a horrible hacking noise, and a wad
of Vargr spit dribbles down the main viewscreen. "Nothing like having
a doctor call the shots, oh joy oh happiness."
His fury spent, he gives a shuddering "Whumph," and begins reconfiguring the
controls, flicking on the comset as he does so. "All ship commanders, this
is SubCommander Bhyarrvouf. Since our Chief Medical Officer has volunteered
us to investigate this hulk and the other ships are too laden with personnel
to risk in a close-in engagement, I'm taking the Aurora in for a look. Under
no circumstances are the other ships to break formation-- protect the command
shuttle and make for the rendezvous with our, hrrm, HOSTS. We'll catch up
once we've determined what the situation is. Paladin, keep your cameras
rolling-- we aren't being given much time for telemetry. 'Vouf out."
Unable to restrain himself any longer, Christian's reserve fails utterly
and explodes in a cascade of deep laughs and guffaws, continuing for nearly
half a minute, until Christian has to wipe away tears. He quiets down but
still is grinning broadly. "Well Voufie the Wonder-Moron, Captain Cadeuceus
would appreciate it if you would clean up the main viewscreen and stop
dribbling on it, or Captain Cadeuceus just might make you go on a vegetable
puree diet!" He waves his finger in mock anger, then guffaws and gives
'Vouf a friendly clap on the shoulder.
Then Bhyarrvouf grins at van der Merwe affectionately. "Yer gonna get me killed
one of these days, aenrra," he laughs. "But the inventive methods you cook up
are really something to see!"
Christian grins back at Bhyarrvouf with equal affection. "Hey, aenrra, I
have to keep things interesting; Yaskoydray forbid that things should
ever get boring around me, who knows what you would do!"
- -----------------
Paladin
- -----------------
After storing his gear in his room and feeling satisfied with his
accomodations, Jordan walks through the vessel familiarizing himself
with it. Although no stranger to exploration vessels, he's well aware
that many times ships appear the same outside but are totally different
within. After his stroll through the ship, Jourdan then heads for the
bridge where he find 'Zar, Herr Doktor, and Charyn.
Looking over their shoulders, he can see R-Alpha through the viewport
and is amazed at the splendor of it. He then realizes the chatter on
the communication channels and the actions of the Paladin crew and
decided to save his questions for later.
"Paladin crew, this is Robins, Comm status report. The ether is alive
with a distress signal from a ship called the Bernoulli. The Aurora
will investigate.
"Local news. I hope each of you are enjoying the same fine view of the
ringworld that I can see here on the bridge viewscreens and holotank.
Looks like we may be the first ship to get some real work done here.
I've done some initial looking about at some of the survey acquisition
systems and there's a sizable pile of data accumulating. Let me know if
there's any particular instrument configurations you're interested in
setting up, and I'll be glad to accomodate you. These instruments are
similar to the survey equipment I trained on when I was borrowed for
economic contact by the Scouts.
"I have full EM sweeps running continuously. If there's anything down
there to hear, I'll hear it.
"Robins Out."
Charyn turns to Dr. Morser, the only command team representative aboard
the Paladin. "May I ask some questions, Doctor? What are our survey
plans prior to landing? How are we planning to select the landing site?
and, to whom will we report now and upon landing?"
Dr. Morser looks up from his wrist comp(look out, Dick Tracy!), somewhat
startled. You can practically hear the gears grind in his head as he switches
trains of thought...
"Vell, I tink ve should keep ze scanning on a passive level for ze time
beink. Ve haff already rrreceived some sort of communication, ve can only
azzume from ze surface, informing us uf an envoy arrrrriving soon. Ze
message did not zeem hostile, but I vould still prrrefer to keep our
presence from any other life forms on the ringworld until ve are rready
to make contact ourrselves.
"Ve haff no vay uf knowing who has contacted us, but zey are obviously
intelligent...zey understand ze concept of other civilizations...hmmm..."
He trails off in thought for a moment before realizing that Charyn is
still looking at him.
"Oh yes! Urmm.., I believe ve should begin by checking in mit Kommander
Ger as to ze currrent situation upstairs...Frau Robins, if you vould be so
kind as to hail ze command shuttle?
"As for ze shuttle frrom R-Alpha, tink ve should get an okey-dokey from
Herr Ger before following her, but until zen ve should be doing as
much high-detail mapping as pozzible. Chust in case he vants us to rrun
from ze shuttle, I vant a few isolated, unpopulated, desolated areas to
choose landing sites from."
- -------------------
Talisman
- -------------------
*Welcome...* the telepathic voice rang in Ralf's head. "Ouch."
Damn that felt weird. Like having your mind's teeth cleaned. Ralf's eyes
unfocused as he scanned the communications net of the available dataspheres.
The Alcyon's robust datasphere had blossomed out as the ships peeled off,
into multiple dataspheres linked by telemetry and communications. A sudden
burst in communications and sensor scanning followed the telepathic contact
as crewbeings and expedition personnel reacted. Ralf piped it through a
sorting algorithm and skimmed the outflow.
- ---------------------------
R-alpha
- ---------------------------
Katie's disappointment at being denied permission to join the First
Contact shuttle quickly fades when she is assigned to investigate the
unexpected V who have apparently already made ringfall near the base.
A quick visit to the equipment storeroom to check out a skysuit,
some diagnostic checks, and she's off.
Once over land, Katie starts scanning the V's projected landing
site, starting with the visual and IR spectra (a method that worked
well when monitoring the ring's natives). Sure enough, amidst the
cool snow covering most of the forest is a dispersed IR source, weak
as if camouflaged. She quickly makes her way over there.
Ziggy slowly stretched and awoke from his fourth nap of the day
or was it the fifth? Hoop maitenance was a bother but someone had
to do it. But why me, other than the fact I know how? Watching the
children was much more fun. For some reason though, Katie replaced me
and I have to look at Hoopedge. Blah. Enough time to check on the
kiddies...
When Ziggy arrives to find the kiddies but no Katie, he lets lose a
stream klicks and whistles. Where did she go?
For the first time in a couple of days Ziggy turns his mind to the
chatter of the Hoop.
In a small clearing leading up to a ridge, Katie finds the source of
the IR reading -- a craft of some sort, definitely not phin. A
telepathic scan of the ship's inside reveals the presence of a mind
unlike any she has felt before.
"Katie to Phin Base, I've located the craft that followed Doejin's
shuttle down. Continuing with surveillance."
And with that, she begins to run her view of the ship through the
suit's sensors. Further investigations turns up the Kythui camp,
preparing for their celebration.
"Kythui. What are they doing ... Oh yeah, this is the place and time
they hold that silly thanksgiving ritual.
<Ziggy>
"Well I guess thats where Katie is...Great the Visitors come and I'm
playing games with machines. Ziggy ports for the main phin base, and
hopes he's not to late to join in the fun.
- -------------------------
Phin Shuttle
- -------------------------
In the shuttle, Ferdy is agitated. He keeps asking Doejin, "Are we
nearly there yet?"... "How are we going to dock with them?"... "What
are they doing at the moment?"... and so on.
Doejin concentrates on the instuments in front (and to the side and back) of
him. Ferdy's questions go unanswered except for the visualization on the
2d screen and holo screens.
The entrance of another ship is completely unexpected and has Doejin confused.
Curiosity pulls in all directions...the shuttles coming toward him and the
ring, the shuttle veering off toward the distressed vehicle, the main large
ship (the Alcyon) which is among the strangest contraptions that have ever
been seen! But obviously Ferdy is intent on original grouping of ships.
With telepathic irritation (uncommon for any Phin), Doejin asks ferdy to calm
down and help with some of the passive and active scans (he's been hanging
around the control centers enough to have learned something! :-)
In between these spates of questions, he swims back and forth
nervously, muttering to himself "He's back... HE's back... What does
he want to talk to me about?... I did what he asked... I kept quiet...
Why is he here now?"
- --------------
R-alpha
- --------------
Ah! Dawn brings a fresh, harsh sunlight into the great clearing.
It is a good day for a celebration, thinks Rak. Clear skies
overhead, fine soft snow underfoot, faint animal noises from deep
within the surrounding forests. It is cold, but it is a wholesome
sort of cold -- the sort of cold that invigorates the spirit. The
air smells fresh... except...
Rak raises his nose to the wind and sniffs. Something is not right.
There is a smell he does not recognise -- some kind of strange
animal lurking in the distance, perhaps?
He thinks no more of it. Whatever it is cannot possibly be a match
for the vast numbers of Kythui who are gathered together today. On
any other day, most of these tribes would have been at each others
throats. The mottled Gorthui, for example, hold little love for
Rak's Shalgui tribe. But today, on this day of special celebration,
there will be peace. Probably.
Cleverly concealed with his crew on the high ridge overlooking the
clearing, Akhouw likewise breathes in the cold, crisp air and gives
his mane a gleeful shake. Vast possibilities for information, giving
the Khaukeairl clan a vital edge over the other members of the Tlakhu,
plus the potential for land and ihatei colonization. Akhouw favors the
new dawn with a toothy grin; with a short growl he picks up his PRIS
binoculars and closely surveys the gathered throng, considering how
contact should be made.
While continuing the passive scans, Katie notices more heat sources
up at the top of the ridge. She quickly does a passive scan of the
top of the ridge and picks up some more V up there.
Rak rides through the middle of the throng, resplendent in his
ceremonial battle regalia. With no little smugness he notes that
the gara he is mounted upon is probably the biggest in the whole
assembly. It makes him feel duly important. Kythui in his path
are only too eager to scramble out of his way as he passes.
Rak spots a huge ornamental headdress in the distance and steers
his gara towards it. That will be Mrog, who, together with the
shamans of the other tribes, are preparing themselves to incant
the rituals which give thanks for victory over hardship.
"Mrog!" calls Rak over the heads of the crowd. "Are you ready to
start yet?"
The thought of creating a commotion sure to bring the Kythui
investigating up the ridge crosses Katie's mind.
"Katie to Phin Base, these V sort of match Ferdy's description of
that lone V long ago -- upright biped, two upper limbs, bilateral
symmetry. But they've got an awful lot more fur. I thought Ferdy
said they only had fur on top of their heads. They also look vaguely
feline in appearance."
Mrog hears his boss calling and opens his eyes to discover his ceremonial
head-dress covering his face. Replacing it in its appropriate location,
he responds with a "Here, O chief". Why has he been dreaming strange and
terrible dreams about ritual items such as "zerbhers" and "lance eggments"?
>From his far hiding place, Akhouw notes one of the Kythui in particular
as being more ostentatious (and presumably more important) than the
others as Rak moves to talk with Mrog. "Hryawi, note that one right
.. . . there, 221 mark 10, the big one. Probably a prominent leader,
you might want to deal with him."
A few seconds later, his communicator double chirps -- an urgent
signal from the Trakh's anchor watch. Distractedly, Akhouw takes a
few long strides away from the ridge and activates his communicator.
His irritated "WHAT?" is faintly audible to those crew on the ridge.
He listens intently for a minute, then briefly and animatedly talks
into the communicator, before turning to his crew and saying "Alert!
Multiple incoming ships -- back to the Trakh! Quick!"
As his crew hustles to pack up their gear and go back to ths ship,
Akhouw stops Hryawi and Hfolraw. "You two will stay here with the
speeder to continue observation of the Kythui and close scanning
of the ringworld; get as much as you can. If you think it practicable,
you are authorized to make contact. Overall, you are to have due regard
for your own safety. You have wide discretion here, do your best. We
will update you with coded bursts and you may contact the Trakh or
Khaurl likewise; tight-beam laser/maser only. We will arrange a
rendesvouz when possible; until then, good luck! Glory to the Clan!"
Akhouw salutes them both, then turns and quickly strides towards
the Trakh.
- ----------------
Aurora
- ----------------
A new signal is suddenly being received by those in the R-alpha
system. Rather faint, it must be coming from something like 10
or 20 AU out, and from more or less the opposite side of the system
to where everyone else seems to be accumulating.
[GM Note, it only *seems* to be a 10 AU signal. I really
have you as shown above. Sorry to do that to you, but I
want you to join up...]
"Hello... Hello... Can anyone hear me?... This is the ISS Westwind...
We're, uh, kind of lost at the moment... Nav systems have been
playing up... Not too sure about the sensors, either... No immediate
emergency, but we'd appreciate someone telling us where we are and
what's going on... Someone?... Anyone?... Please respond..."
"Westwind, this is ISS Aurora. If you're not sucking vacuum, getting
irradiated or starving to death, you're gonna have to wait your turn.
Keep broadcasting; we'll get to you in a few hours, maybe. Aurora out."
"Christiaaaaaaaan!" 'Vouf's voice is a miserable wail. "There's a-NOTHER
Scout ship out there!" He begins to howl piteously.
Christian stops dead in his tracks in disbelief. He slowly leans forward
until his forehead rests against the bulkhead, eyes closed in quiet
frustration, muttering darkly, "Why ME?" In a louder voice akin to
a shout, he consoles 'Vouf, his vocal inflection mirroring 'Vouf's
anguish. "Aenrra, I know how you feel. What in HELL did we do to
deserve this?!"
- --------------------
Kingfisher
- --------------------
IISS Westwind, This is Admiral Ger of the Darrian Confederation,
Currently in the employ of Turnskaad Corp. You are located in
the Coreward section of Reaver's Deep sector. Could you tell us how
you came to this location, and what your intentions are. You are
advised that this is a military operation, and that you should check
with this command centre before performing any operations near the
Ringworld. We are prepared to offer you any reasonable assistance that
will not interfere with our mission.
"Another ship? I don't believe this." Witfield quickly gets on the sensor,
scanning ISS Westwind. In the meantime, he access the ship computer
"Computer, please also perform a search on all records of ISS Westwind."
Patting his TL15 Hand Held computer, "nice toy."
- -------------------------
R-alpha---Trakh
- -------------------------
Grob hears the struggling brathsk (A creature somewhat resembling
the terran deer) long before he sees it twisting to free its left
hind limb from the snare. Upon seeing Grob, the brathsk panics and
makes a wild leap. Grob instantly jumps and grabs it in mid-air.
His hands search for the pressure point between the fifth and sixth
neck vertebrae and by the time both hit the ground, the brathsk is
incapacitated.
"Mrog will be pleased," Grob thinks while tying the legs together.
The festivities will start on time this year, and the live offering
was caught at the nearest trap -- both good signs. He carefully
places the brathsk atop his gara -- to harm the brathsk chosen for
sacrifice is to bring bad luck.
He makes the rounds to the other snares and collects two more
brathsks. Three -- a lucky number. The extra two will make fine
feasting during the celebration. At the final trap, Grob notices
something has knocked much of the snow off the trees in the area.
He follows the trail of fallen snow until off in the distance, he
spots an enormous, smooth and shiny rock at the base of a ridge.
He has never seen anything like it in this area, nor anywhere else.
Before he can guess as to what it is, a smaller *floating* rock
goes up to and is engulfed by the larger rock. Grob watches, not
believing his eyes. Is this a bad omen? What should he do?
<Katie>
"There appears to be one dominant alpha, as well as sub-dominants
ordering others around. Their society may be based on the same
dominance hierarchies common in most primitive societies like the
Kythui."
Akhouw stops Hryawi and Hfolraw. "You two will stay here with the
speeder to continue observation of the Kythui and close scanning
of the ringworld;
Aye-Aye, Sir! <The Aslan XO stamps to attention and Salutes>
Did you have any particular task in mind for the Pinnace? How far away
from us is the Alcyon, and are we picking up any of this scoutship
distress business/Two scouts in distress...sounds fishy to me!
The bridge comes alive with activity, the lights coming up to standard
levels and stations switching from standby to active, as Akhouw and Uhwaikh
enter, sitting in the command pilot and gunner stations, respectively.
Akhouw secures the restraints rapidly, then turns to the holotank and
the threat analysis board, taking in the rapidly moving situation.
Glancing up, he raps out orders in quick succession.
"Aiwi, plot a maximum power ascent and an intercept course for the
main group (pointing to the Alcyon cluster). Calculate standard
evasion maneuvers for standby use. Try and get more information on
these solos (pointing to the Bernoulli, Windward, and Gemini Arbiter).
Monitor all communications channels and record all activity. Engage
the EM Mask; Khaukeairl Clan ID exterior setting."
Activating the ship's commlink, he continues.
"Aeawiyh, I want those mains online quickly! Monitor power output
closely, we may need overdrive or evasive power at a moment's notice."
<Katie>
"V craft is apparently preparing to move. They have left two of
their crew and some equipment, possibly to monitor the Kythui."
Hmm, If these really aren't the V we were expecting, maybe some
specimens are in order...
<Trakh>
"Eihoftyah, you and Eakauw (Troop XO) -- fire up the pinnace and follow
my lead; assume a parallel support position and stand ready for point
defense help, but do not lock or engage without direct orders. I may
detach you for independent duty regarding the distant bogies; be ready
for that. Most importantly, keep alert -- the situation is fluid and
I need your eyes and ears open to rapid changes. Clear?"
"Certainly, Admiral. We shall be prepared for as many possibilities as
we can be. We are picking up apparent distress signals broadcast from
two of the solo contacts. If we must fight, I suspect those will be easy
prey for the Khaurl...and if we do not fight, perhaps a rescue would put
the crews in our debt? (If you will pardon my use of that feminine concept,
sir)."
"Uhwaikh, release tertiary interlocks and energize defensive systems;
put offensive systems on standby alert. Monitor and analyze all contacts
for combat ability."
A lightning stab to deactivate the communicator, and Akhouw turns to
consider his panel/HUD telltales, noting with a purr of satisfaction
the availability of full power. His fingers play across the controls
like those of a master pianist, activating Aiwi's navigation plot and
engaging full thruster lift. He monitors the holotank for updated
sensor information as the Trakh lifts from its camouflaged hiding
place at the base of a nearby hill, taking care to use the terrain
to avoid spooking the Kythui.
<Katie>
"V craft has lifted off."
<Grob>
A barely audible whine emerges from the direction of the rock.
Grob watches in horror as the rock, surely large enough to flatten
his entire village, begins floating as well and moves towards Grob's
direction. A low roar takes over the whine and rivets Grob in place
as panic begins to take over his thoughts. "It sees me! It is
coming to kill me! It will crush me!" Just before the rock reaches
Grob, he regains his senses and kicks his gara to turn and run. The
roar grows to an ear-splitting level as Grob flees, expecting at any
time to feel the rock come down on his back to crush the life out of
him. Then, just as quickly, the sound passes him and begins to fade.
<Trakh>
Lifting clear of the R-Alpha surface, the Trakh speeds on its way
towards the multitude of unknown ships. Admiral Akhouw Tra'Ekhaul
spares a moment to contemplate the near future; if these are from
one of the Imperial factions, it could be trouble; if otherwise,
perhaps a measure of accomodation could be reached. An all-out
dewclaw fight would help no-one.
Grob glances upward and sees the rock, now moving away from him. He
slows his mount down and stares in wonder and fear at the rock which
is now moving faster than any arrow he has ever shot. Then to his
utter amazement, it heads straight up into the sky and disappears
from view.
<Katie>
"V craft is heading back into space. Alert, Doejin: V craft is
heading back in your direction."
Grob's bravery returns to him. "I am a warrior. I must show no
fear. Rak will want to know what else I saw of this omen, and will
know my cowardice if I have not searched the area." And so Grob
takes a deep breath and heads towards the ridge.
Hryawi starts to turn and return to the hill crest when Hfolraw
stops him and says
"Hryawi, look. Our meeting problem has solved itself. There, heading
for the landing zone, is a lone Kythui."
Once at the landing site, Grob can clearly make out a set of
perfectly rectangular imprints in the snow. "Perhaps they are
a message from the spirits."
Hryawi turns toward where Hfolraw is pointing and raises his binoculars
for a better view. As the Kythui studies the marks made by the Trakh's
'legs' he tells Hfolraw "Get out of site. We need to get closer before
he gets away."
The wind shifts its direction and a strange scent fills the air.
Grob looks upwind up the ridge and spots two barely visible, but
moving figures. At the same moment, the shifting wind knocks some
snow off a tree branch above Grob. The snow hits him squarely on
top of the head and he instantly panics again, jumps atop his gara,
and heads for the Kythui camp at full speed to tell Rak and Mrog
what he has just seen.
<Katie>
"Hello, what's this? It looks like a Kythui was late to their annual
thanksgiving ritual. He just got buzzed by the V craft and is in a
state of great fear and confusion. He is moving towards the Kythui
camp at high speed and should be there in about 5 minutes. I will
not interfere unless advised otherwise.
<Hryawi>
"Damn. We were too slow. We must hurry. From the interest he had in
the Trakh's traks, he will, no doubt, be bringing friends soon. We must
not let this change slip by and hurt our pride.
- --
Richard Johnson [email removed]
Sue Congress!