tuuuuuuubes

(6:33:39 PM) Prof: There is a sort of futuristic looking towerish area out in the wilds that cropped up somewhat recently!
(6:33:52 PM) Prof: It's not clear what it is, but it's definitely lousy with Anemoi.
(6:34:47 PM) Prof: Thusly was one of the usual groups assembled, full of people who want memories.
(6:34:52 PM) Prof: Any preparation before the dungeon raid?
(6:35:28 PM) Badge: Hiroshi isn't really in it for the memories right now; the last batch has left him somewhat hesitant.  But the new knowledge of whatever's lurking there will be important.
(6:35:45 PM) Ethan: Samus has been experimenting with how to take/turn the Power Suit on and off and seems to have the hang of it.
(6:35:57 PM) Shini: Rudolph has taken his crossbow, and a few items needed for exploring such as ropes, grappeling hooks, and those flameless torches, and that cursed dagger.
(6:36:10 PM) Chris: Shirou has no preparations to make. After all, he's got an inner armory.
(6:37:16 PM) Badge: Hiroshi:  Why does it feel like we're going to meet aliens in a place like this rather than "monsters?"
(6:37:36 PM) Chris: Shirou: "Because of the architecture?"
(6:38:24 PM) Ethan: Samus doesn't participate in the chit-chat. Something about the tower just puts her on edge, and she's interested to find out why.
(6:38:39 PM) Shini: Rudy: "It's certainly nothing like I've ever seen, or least that I remembered."
(6:38:40 PM) Eek:  If Gordon is after anemoi, it's mostly for research purposes.  In short... the Lab has thrown him at the problem.
(6:39:06 PM) Eek: Gordon: "...I don't know what it is about the feel of this place, but I think you're right..."
(6:39:16 PM) Prof: At the front of the tower is something that's probably a door of some kind. It's circular, glowing softly, and has no obvious handles.
(6:39:39 PM) Chris: Shirou: "So...how do we get in?"
(6:39:53 PM) Ethan: Samus calmly walks up and immediately shoots the door.
(6:39:56 PM) Ethan: Common knowledge.
(6:40:00 PM) Shini: Rudy: "Well that's interesting. Perhaps it has some kind of touch-tri... or we can do that."
(6:40:14 PM) Prof: The glow disappates, and the door irises open!
(6:40:17 PM) Prof: That worked for some reason.
(6:40:17 PM) Badge: Hiroshi jumps.  "How is that supposed to be a practical method of doorway?"
(6:40:18 PM) Eek: Gordon: how...?
(6:40:21 PM) Chris: Shirou...stares in bewilderment.
(6:40:38 PM) Eek: Gordon: How did you know to do that?  *to Samus*
(6:41:00 PM) Prof: The interior is fairly poorly lit, and pretty ominous.
(6:41:04 PM) Ethan: Samus: "Have none of you seen a blast door before? They're standard in military structures basically throughout the galaxy."
(6:41:17 PM) Shini: Rudy: "Can't say it's a door I'd choose if I am near anyplace that could be beset by hostiles." He remarked as he turns on the flashlight.
(6:41:32 PM) Chris: Shirou: "I'm...certain we haven't even left Earth's orbit yet where I'm from."
(6:41:43 PM) Prof: The primary feature of chamber on the other side of the door is four spherical eye-like objects set into the ceiling.
(6:42:00 PM) Badge: Hiroshi pauses.  THAT'S not suspicious at all.
(6:42:15 PM) Shini: Rudy: "Well - hello. One of those 'cameras'?"
(6:42:23 PM) Prof: Each is casting a spotlight that roves around the floor in semi-complex patterns.
(6:42:35 PM) Prof: There's another blast door on the far end of the room.
(6:42:57 PM) Chris: Shirou: "...I have a gut feeling that getting caught in those spotlights is something we want to avoid."
(6:43:09 PM) Badge: Hiroshi:  Seems like it.
(6:43:18 PM) Eek: Gordon:  "...'Xactly.  This looks like some kind of security system... or the remnants thereof."
(6:43:20 PM) Shini: Rudy: "Allow me to go ahead."
(6:43:32 PM) Prof: Navigating without being seen will take agility, planning, or some combination of the two.
(6:43:43 PM) Badge: Hiroshi:  You lead, I'll follow, sir.
(6:44:01 PM) Eek: Gordon:  Wh--I don't think that's a good idea, Hiroshi.
(6:45:08 PM) Badge: Hiroshi:  Well I don't obviously mean EXACTLY.
(6:45:20 PM) Ethan: Samus: "Wait."
(6:45:33 PM) Eek: Gordon:  That's not-- *sighs*  Okay, okay...
(6:45:50 PM) Shini: Rudy: "What is it?"
(6:46:47 PM) Ethan: She fiddles with her visor, a process which doesn't actually involve using her hands. The advantage of a neural interface is that even if you forget how it works, thought is the easiest way to find out. Slowly, she enables her scan capabilities and begins analyzing the cameras.
(6:47:27 PM) Eek: It looks outwardly as though she's just staring, so Gordon takes to studying the pattern of the searchlights as well.
(6:47:31 PM) Prof: Samus's scan reports that the eyes are connected to some kind of alarm system, and that they are of [DATA LOST] construction. It also provides some info on their scan patterns.
(6:48:18 PM) Shini: Rudy: "Well?" Rudolph questions as he too studied the light's pattern.
(6:49:38 PM) Ethan: Samus: "I've determined the blind spots. Follow the path I take."
(6:50:04 PM) Ethan: She begins walking in a somewhat convoluted pattern to avoid the lights.
(6:50:10 PM) Badge: Hiroshi:  [She's got the technology to do that sort of thing?]
(6:50:35 PM) Eek: Gordon stops his assesment and watches... How the hell did she figure out a pattern like that so fast...?
(6:51:06 PM) Shini: Rudolph was pondering the same thing, memorizing her movements, and her timing.
(6:51:56 PM) Badge: Hiroshi does as well, carefully.
(6:53:01 PM) Eek: Before Gordon follows, he takes a second assesment of the room.  If there's any way to avoid those things completely, he wants to find it.
(6:53:02 PM) Chris: As does Shirou.
(6:53:08 PM) Prof: You manage to slip past the lights without being seen! Hopefully this will be to your advantage.
(6:53:47 PM) Eek: Not finding anything (wow, that's a first.) he grumbles and follows suit... extremely carefully.
(6:54:12 PM) Prof: The door at the end opens easily enough, and reveals something even more surprising!
(6:54:35 PM) Prof: A pair of ALIENS ( http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080324233719/metroid/images/thumb/a/ad/SpacePirate_cropped.jpg/333px-SpacePirate_cropped.jpg ), who turn in surprise as the door slides open, clearly not expecting company.
(6:55:08 PM) Prof: If anyone's going to assume hostility (they look pretty hostile!), you can surprise attack now.
(6:55:20 PM) Shini: Rudolph immediately ducks into the shadows, loading his crossbow.
(6:55:47 PM) Ethan: Samus manages not to reflexively shoot one with some difficulty, but she readies herself to do it deliberately.
(6:55:59 PM) Badge: Hiroshi ducks and hides on INSTINCT.
(6:56:01 PM) Ethan: She also scans one.
(6:56:36 PM) Prof: One turns and makes a run for it, and the other points that thing on its right arm at Samus. It's some kind of gun!
(6:56:40 PM) Prof: (Rudy, Samus preempt)
(6:56:43 PM) Chris: Shirou takes cover long enough to project Kanshou and Bakuya.
(6:56:52 PM) Eek: Gordon immedately puts himself between Hiroshi and the blue things, drawing a pistol with ease that he's surprisd about too.
(6:56:56 PM) Shini: Rudolph fires, aiming square in the chest!
(6:57:28 PM) Prof: The alien staggers, and a bolt of energy flies from its arm cannon but flies far off its mark.
(6:58:50 PM) Ethan: Samus shoots it too. Guess they avoided those cameras for nothing.
(6:59:48 PM) Eek: Gordon recoils from the stray bolt out of instinct, and looks back.  There were TWO of those things, not just one.  Where'd the other go?
(6:59:54 PM) Prof: The pirate collapses, and the other one dives through another blast door at the far end of the room. It closes behind him, several lockdown clamps falling into place around it.
(7:00:09 PM) Prof: Things that are in this room:
(7:00:22 PM) Prof: -Locked blast door. Samus's scanner reports that it can only be opened from the other side.
(7:00:30 PM) Eek: Gordon:  Dammit...
(7:00:31 PM) Prof: -Some kind of red gem set into the ground.
(7:00:36 PM) Prof: -Various pipes and other pieces of machinery.
(7:00:53 PM) Prof: -The way back.
(7:01:01 PM) Ethan: First things first. She tries to resume scanning the corpse. Might be less data than when it was alive, but...
(7:01:07 PM) Badge: Hiroshi emerges when the coast is clear.  "Hmm..."  He looks around carefully.
(7:01:20 PM) Shini: Rudy: "We'll have to find some other way, or leave, but their security will remain high."
(7:01:31 PM) Prof: The scan doesn't reveal much, mostly because its database has been wiped by the gods of Anemoi.
(7:01:40 PM) Eek: Gordon abandons the notion of following the thing and studies the room as well.  Especially that gem...
(7:01:41 PM) Prof: However, the level of technology at work is similar to her own.
(7:02:17 PM) Badge: Hiroshi scans very carefully, looking at the ground, then the ceiling.  He frowns a bit.
(7:02:46 PM) Prof: -Oh also, a ventilation shaft access near ground level. It's too small for a person to crawl through, though.
(7:02:52 PM) Chris: Shirou: "Does anybody have any really strong weapons?"
(7:03:03 PM) Badge: Hiroshi:  Hey...  Something's a little off about this pipe.
(7:03:14 PM) Ethan: Samus: "I don't have the concussive force to take out that door."
(7:03:15 PM) Shini: Rudolph: I do have this dagger, but I'd be careful about handling it.
(7:03:21 PM) Prof: Sure enough, all the pipes along the wall are rusty except for one.
(7:03:22 PM) Ethan: She ponders the situation as she scans the gem.
(7:03:24 PM) Shini: Rudy: but it will not break the door.
(7:03:41 PM) Prof: Gem function unknown, but it may respond to tacticle contact.
(7:04:18 PM) Eek: Gordon:  Nope, sorry...  *he says distractedly, as he reaches out and pokes the gem he'd been looking at*
(7:04:41 PM) Prof: The gem replies to the touch by sending a slow ripple of red light along the floor of the room.
(7:04:43 PM) Shini: Rudolph goes over to look at the vent with Hiroshi.
(7:04:45 PM) Prof: It doesn't seem to do much else, though.
(7:05:00 PM) Ethan: Samus kicks it.
(7:05:16 PM) Prof: The same thing happens again!
(7:05:25 PM) Eek: Gordon:  "What--?  Gkk--"  He recoiils when Samus applies her own brand of interaction to the thing.
(7:05:26 PM) Prof: That suspicious pipe, you may notice, looks like it's loose.
(7:05:44 PM) Badge: Hiroshi looks to Rudy.  "Should I shift it, sir?"
(7:06:38 PM) Shini: Rudy: "Certainly, I'll give you a hand."
(7:06:56 PM) Badge: He nods, and reaches up to grab it, pulling.
(7:07:22 PM) Prof: The pipe shifts out of alignment with a click, and the west wall slides open.
(7:07:26 PM) Prof: Looks like a secret passage!
(7:07:36 PM) Eek: Gordon glances at Samus, his back turned to the whole thing.  "Is there ANYTHING you don't attempt to beat the hell out of?"
(7:08:02 PM) Badge: Hiroshi looks at Rudy, grinning.
(7:08:10 PM) Ethan: Samus begins to respond to that, but upon deciding on the answer doesn't think she wants to admit it.
(7:08:19 PM) Prof: The room behind the westward door is circular, with concentric circles etched along the ground.
(7:08:41 PM) Prof: There are also another three of those gems - a yellow one on the north wall, a green one on the west wall, and a blue one on the south wall.
(7:08:50 PM) Prof: On the cloor in the center is a point of white light.
(7:08:53 PM) Prof: floor*
(7:09:44 PM) Shini: Rudy: "Well, this is interesting..."
(7:09:58 PM) Eek: Gordon blinks and turns.  "What..?"
(7:10:03 PM) Ethan: Samus: "Maybe..."
(7:10:12 PM) Ethan: Samus: "We should try hitting them simultaneously."
(7:10:35 PM) Badge: Hiroshi blinks.  All at once?  Wait, that might be...  "Hmm, yes, if we go by color spectrums..."
(7:11:26 PM) Shini: Rudy: "It's as good as anything."
(7:11:32 PM) Eek: Gordon: "Red, yellow, green, blue...  White.  you know, you might be onto something there."  He admits grudgingly.
(7:11:53 PM) Ethan: She leaves the current chamber and takes position at the red crystal.
(7:11:56 PM) Badge: Hiroshi goes to the green one.
(7:12:10 PM) Eek: Gordon makes his way to the blue one.
(7:12:47 PM) Chris: Shirou goes to yellow.
(7:13:26 PM) Badge: Hiroshi:  On three.  One, two...
(7:13:53 PM) Ethan: Samus activates her crystal.
(7:14:03 PM) Badge: Hiroshi hits his.
(7:14:04 PM) Chris: Shirou whacks the gem with the butt of Bakuya's hilt.
(7:14:06 PM) Shini: Rudolph steps back to watch.
(7:14:08 PM) Eek: Gordon does too.
(7:14:35 PM) Prof: Each gem sends out a ripple, and they overlap at the center point, and it reacts!
(7:14:49 PM) Prof: Two of the concentric rings elevate from the ground and lights light up on them:
(7:14:52 PM) Prof: http://i.imgur.com/0n2MF.png
(7:15:02 PM) Prof: Handles rise along the edge of the outer ring - it looks like you can rotate it.
(7:15:13 PM) Chris: Shirou: "Match the colors?"
(7:15:39 PM) Eek: Gordon heads towards them.  "Only one way to find out..."
(7:15:57 PM) Ethan: Samus nods. Seems simple enough.
(7:16:09 PM) Shini: Rudy: Sounds simple. Let's do it."
(7:17:38 PM) Eek: Gordon takes hold of one of the rings and begins to rotate it to match up colors...
(7:18:14 PM) Prof: As the ring slides into place with the colors lined up, lines of light extend from the gems to the outer ring, and through it...
(7:18:16 PM) Prof: http://i.imgur.com/qXgQx.png
(7:18:23 PM) Prof: Handles unlock on the inner ring.
(7:20:07 PM) Eek: Gordon: "Riiight..."  He takes the inner handles and attempts to line them up with the circuitry.
(7:20:18 PM) Prof: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIApimtigtE
(7:20:36 PM) Badge: Hiroshi pushes his glasses up again.  "Only the best and the brightest need apply, it seems."
(7:20:42 PM) Prof: The colors fade, and the center of the circle opens up!
(7:20:59 PM) Prof: From it rises a pedestal, atop which is a shimmering orb that seems somehow familiar to Samus.
(7:21:27 PM) Ethan: She walks towards it... and, well, she might as well touch it.
(7:21:30 PM) Eek: Gordon:  "What the heck's that thing?"  He steps back a little, unsure.
(7:21:36 PM) Prof: It absorbs into her suit!
(7:21:44 PM) Prof: Samus's power suit has regained its Morph Ball functionality.
(7:22:40 PM) Shini: Rudy: "How do you feel, Miss?" He asked as he looks over her, lips pursed.
(7:22:47 PM) Chris: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1tyK9BCSL0
(7:22:48 PM) Ethan: Samus: "Hold on."
(7:23:17 PM) Ethan: With little regard for not freaking everybody else out, she spontaneously transforms into an orb the size of a bowling ball on the ground.
(7:23:31 PM) Chris: Shirou: "Wh-what the hell?!"
(7:23:33 PM) Badge: Hiroshi gawks. "That's... is that physically possible?"
(7:24:05 PM) Ethan: She rolls out of the room. She remembers there was a very small passage...
(7:24:08 PM) Shini: Rudolph stares for a moment, he can't think of a spell that would do this.
(7:24:19 PM) Eek: Gordon recoils as she does that and watches the little orb roll around, wide-eyed.  "What in the everloving hell?"
(7:24:22 PM) Prof: The Morph Ball is, indeed, small enough to get through the ventilation shaft!
(7:24:41 PM) Badge: Hiroshi sighs.  "Then again, maybe I shouldn't be the one complaining about physical impossibilities..."
(7:25:07 PM) Shini: Rudy: "Well if we're all thinking what I'm thinking..." He trails off, looking at the shaft.
(7:25:09 PM) Prof: It leads through a needlessly meandering tube that eventually deposits her on the far side of the blast door.
(7:25:19 PM) Eek: Gordon: *still staring, at where he figures "Samus" to be now by the sounds of it*  Man, that would make crawling through airducts so much easier...
(7:25:35 PM) Prof: And into a very tall cylindrical chamber with a hefty-sized spiral staircase running through it.
(7:26:11 PM) Prof: There is what looks like a power breaker switch on the wall, and the blast door can be opened from here.
(7:26:39 PM) Ethan: Samus exits Morph Ball mode into kind of a sprawl on the ground. Gonna need practice. Either way, she opens the door.
(7:26:48 PM) Prof: Path unlocked!
(7:27:14 PM) Shini: Rudy: "Thank you." Rudolph nodsas he reloads his crossbow, slipping the safety on just in case.
(7:27:43 PM) Badge: Hiroshi:  I suppose you don't actually remember the technical details of how you did that, do you?
(7:28:02 PM) Prof: The documentation is in the suit's database.
(7:28:07 PM) Prof: It is also INCREDIBLY complicated.
(7:28:39 PM) Ethan: Samus: "I'm more worried about why these creatures are in possession of major components of my suit."
(7:29:18 PM) Eek: Gordon: "If it makes you feel any better, they don't seem to have much more to do with them except stick them in puzzle-locked chambers..."  he jerks a thumb behind him to indicate.
(7:31:01 PM) Shini: Rudy: "Perhaps they were once your enemies and were displaying 'Trophies'." The man suggested, he seen such things before, but usally they're much more grisely.
(7:31:57 PM) Badge: Hiroshi crosses his arms.  "So if they're connected to you... sir, do you think we should ask her for more details after she's gotten more Anemoi?"
(7:32:36 PM) Ethan: Samus: "I'd have an easy time believing that... at any rate, let's keep going." She begins ascending the stairs.
(7:32:51 PM) Eek: Gordon: "I'm a little curious how you did that myself..."  He adds, climbing.
(7:33:07 PM) Shini: Rudolph smiles a little. "It's best to ask her." He replies before following, sticking close to the shadows, already harder to see.
(7:33:49 PM) Shini: He suddenly pauses, snapping his fingers.
(7:34:00 PM) Badge: Hiroshi:  Sir?
(7:34:12 PM) Shini: Rudy: "Did anyone inspect the switch?"
(7:34:26 PM) Badge: Hiroshi looks over, since he's the last to head off.  "I can  hit it, sir."
(7:34:54 PM) Shini: Rudy: "Just be careful."
(7:35:10 PM) Badge: He nods and, looking all around him, hits the switch.
(7:35:11 PM) Eek: Gordon looks like he's about to protest again, but keeps it to himself.  "Yeah.  Keep an eye out."
(7:35:39 PM) Prof: The outer wall of the shaft - thankfully not the part near the door and switch - is covered in waves of crackling, dangerous-looking electricity!
(7:35:44 PM) Prof: Fortunately it doesn't reach the staircase.
(7:35:50 PM) Prof: But it's disconcerting.
(7:36:01 PM) Badge: Hiroshi:  E-eh?
(7:36:42 PM) Shini: Rudy tenses, and aims his cross at the door just in case.
(7:37:13 PM) Prof: Nothing else happens. It seems to have just electrified the walls.
(7:37:16 PM) Badge: Hiroshi makes for the staircase quickly, making sure he doesn't touch the walls at all.
(7:37:31 PM) Prof: After several seconds, the waves die down again.
(7:37:47 PM) Prof: Once the group is about a third of the way up the staircase...
(7:37:54 PM) Prof: There is a crashing sound from below!
(7:38:04 PM) Badge: Hiroshi jumps.  "What the --?!"
(7:38:13 PM) Prof: a HUGE MONSTER bursts out from the ground beneath!
(7:38:14 PM) Prof: http://images4.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20100215005003/metroid/images/1/1d/Rockworm.jpg
(7:38:58 PM) Ethan: Samus is somewhat concerned! She leans over the rail of the staircase and takes some shots at it.
(7:39:09 PM) Chris: Shirou: "What is THAT supposed to be?!"
(7:39:14 PM) Prof: It makes a roaring sound, somehow, despite not having a mouth!
(7:39:23 PM) Badge: Hiroshi runs even faster up the staircase, clearly rather freaked out.
(7:39:27 PM) Eek: Gordon recoils.  "Who cares, go!"  Forget the pistol.  Time for that shotgun he got on the lab's dime.  Totally legit this time too.
(7:39:31 PM) Shini: Rudolph curses low, and trains his bow - aiming for the eye. "Whatever it is, it isn't friendly. Hiroshi - to me!"
(7:39:33 PM) Prof: The rock worm starts snaking up in an upward spiral around the edge of the room, spines digging into thet walls.
(7:39:40 PM) Badge: Hiroshi:  Y-yes sir!
(7:39:49 PM) Prof: (Enemies - Rock Worm)
(7:40:10 PM) Prof: (Initiative: Rudy, Samus, Gordon, Hiroshi)
(7:40:13 PM) Prof: (Rudy!)
(7:40:37 PM) Prof: (Initiative: Rudy, Shirou, Samus, Gordon, Hiroshi)
(7:41:42 PM) Shini: Rudolph waits for Hiroshi to get out of what he perceives to be harm's way, switching off the safety of his bow. Keeping his breath steady, he waits until he can see the white of the eye to fire, intending to blind it - and fires+
(7:42:19 PM) Prof: The bolt smacks into the eye, but doesn't sink messily into it as one might expect - that eye is tougher than it looks.
(7:42:34 PM) Prof: Still, it looks like it hurt! It recoils for a moment, allowing the group more time to climb ahead.
(7:42:36 PM) Prof: (Shirou)
(7:42:39 PM) Chris: Likewise, Shirou goes for the eye. He throws Bakuya while keeping Kanshou in his left hand, and throws accounting for the return arc into the trajectory.+
(7:43:49 PM) Prof: The worm shrieks in pain, closing its eye behind armored eyelids.
(7:44:15 PM) Prof: Several spines shoot out from the side of the worm's body, spraying randomly across the lower parts of the staircase!
(7:44:18 PM) Prof: (Rudy, Shirou react)
(7:44:50 PM) Prof: (Samus!)
(7:44:53 PM) Chris: Shirou runs up the stairs as quickly as his legs will carry him.
(7:45:39 PM) Shini: Rudolph dodges, almost rolling in the process, before hitting his back against the wall.
(7:45:44 PM) Shini: +
(7:45:56 PM) Prof: Several spines dig into the wall behind them, but both Rudolph and Shirou make it through the attack unhurt.
(7:46:50 PM) Shini: Rudy: "I'm getting too old for this..."
(7:47:08 PM) Badge: The wall... the WALL!  It's climbing up the wall!  Hiroshi shouts, "Damnit!  if we could get to that switch!"
(7:47:41 PM) Ethan: Samus stops her suppressing fire and looks around for the switch. It's a long way down...
(7:47:57 PM) Ethan: She jumps.
(7:48:08 PM) Prof: That's a long fall!
(7:48:12 PM) Prof: But Samus is good at falling.
(7:48:27 PM) Ethan: She runs over to the switch and flips it!
(7:48:44 PM) Prof: As Samus moves, the worm opens its eye again and looks down at her!
(7:49:01 PM) Prof: Its tail moves to intercept, slamming her away from the control panel.
(7:49:26 PM) Prof: (Gordon)
(7:50:04 PM) Ethan: Samus slams into the far wall with a small shout. Should have known that'd be too easy.
(7:50:41 PM) Eek: "Oh no you don't, you overgrown centipede--"  He lurches down the stairs, getting into range for a blast of that shotgun right into the thing's eye.
(7:50:50 PM) Eek: +
(7:51:03 PM) Prof: Oh, that made it mad. That eye is looking pretty bloodshot.
(7:51:20 PM) Prof: It lashes back around, attempting to grab Gordon between those two bigass mandibles!
(7:51:22 PM) Prof: (Gordon react)
(7:51:24 PM) Prof: (Rudy)
(7:52:41 PM) Eek: Gordon snarls and throws himself back against the wall and down, shotgun aimed upward at the thing's head.  BLAMM!
(7:52:59 PM) Prof: It roars in pain, retreating befor it can crush him!
(7:53:50 PM) Shini: Rudolph briefly examined the wall he's pressed against as he quickly loads the crossbow once more and makes a more calculated shot aiming for the switch. His instincts told him to keep searching the area he's in.+
(7:55:38 PM) Prof: Rudolph's shot slips past the worm's tail, and hits the switch!
(7:55:59 PM) Prof: With enough warning for good guys to get clear of the wall, another wave of electricity tears up the clyinder.
(7:56:19 PM) Prof: The worm is SEVERELY fried, falling away from the wall and collapsing in a heap at the bottom.
(7:56:43 PM) Prof: It seems like that did it... wait!
(7:56:43 PM) Chris: Shirou: "...That brings back memories."
(7:57:08 PM) Prof: It opens its eye, armor cracked and damaged all over...
(7:57:18 PM) Prof: ...and charges Samus, smashing both of them through a wall!
(7:57:29 PM) Chris: Shirou: "What the -- crap!"
(7:57:52 PM) Eek: Gordon:  "Sh--"  He throws himself away from the wall just in time for another wave of power to course up it, just in time to see--  "Oh shit!  Samus!"
(7:57:56 PM) Prof: As it recedes into the depths of the complex, part of the staircase collapses behind it.
(7:57:59 PM) Ethan: Samus hates Mondays. Even when it's Friday.
(7:58:01 PM) Prof: Looks like she's on her own for now.
(7:58:38 PM) Badge: Hiroshi looks a bit shell-shocked at this development.
(7:59:01 PM) Eek: Gordon halts just before the sudden precarious drop.  He stares and his shoulders somehow manage to slump even though he's wearing powered armor.
(7:59:54 PM) Prof: At the top is a doorway, which is fortunately already open since you don't have any laser guns to open it with.
(8:00:08 PM) Shini: Rudolph stares where Samus was.
(8:00:09 PM) Eek: Gordon:  "...We... we can't help her like this.  Here's hoping that armor is as good as they say it is.  C'mon."
(8:00:38 PM) Prof: It looks like some kind of laboratory up here.
(8:00:38 PM) Badge: Hiroshi:  Y...yeah...
(8:00:55 PM) Shini: Rudy: "You're right... she'll catch up." He stared as he examines the lab.
(8:00:59 PM) Prof: The two most notable sciencey things in the lab are
(8:01:28 PM) Prof: one, a car-sized black metal pod of some kind, dozens of wires leading from it to various pieces of machinery,
(8:01:37 PM) Prof: and two, several tubes of liquid with anemoi suspended in them.
(8:01:39 PM) Prof: but!
(8:01:48 PM) Prof: There are also half a dozen of those aliens from before at work here!
(8:01:59 PM) Prof: THey appear to be setting explosives on and around the black pod.
(8:02:27 PM) Badge: Hiroshi:  *whispering*  What're they doing?
(8:02:37 PM) Prof: They haven't noticed you yet.
(8:03:03 PM) Eek: Gordon peers around the corner.  "...destroying something so we can't get a hold of it, looks like."
(8:04:15 PM) Eek: He quietly loads his shotgun, clicking it into place.  "And like hell they're going to do that.  Van Richden?  You ready?"
(8:05:13 PM) Eek: "Shirou?"
(8:10:12 PM) Shini: Rudolph nods, reloading once more.
(8:11:09 PM) Chris: Shirou projects some additional swords. They float in the air.
(8:11:36 PM) Badge: Hiroshi nods.  "Be careful."
(8:11:59 PM) Prof: (Whenever you're ready.)
(8:12:05 PM) Prof: (Enemies: 6x Space Pirate)
(8:12:22 PM) Eek: Gordon nods. "Let's do this."  He leans around and in one motion aims and blasts one of the nearest Space Pirates.
(8:13:03 PM) Shini: He gives Hiroshi a reassuring smile before taking aim. Rudolph isn't too sure about the anatomy of the creatures, but a good hit to the back of the head should do it. The man fires and immediately melts into the darkness, sneaking closer+
(8:15:23 PM) Prof: Rudolph drops one with an expert shot, and a second pirate is blown off its feet by Gordon's shotgun!
(8:15:42 PM) Prof: The remaining four spring into action, one (who is wearing different colors, probably the leader) screeches something in an alien language.
(8:15:54 PM) Prof: Two open fire on Gordon's position! They don't seem to have seen Rudolph.
(8:15:57 PM) Prof: (Gordon react, Shirou)
(8:16:14 PM) Chris: Shirou launches his swords at the firing Space Pirates.+
(8:16:40 PM) Prof: One is thoroguhly skewered, but the other manages to avoid the barrage!
(8:16:51 PM) Prof: A third charges Shirou, swinging its arm blade at his neck.
(8:16:56 PM) Prof: (Shirou react with swords)
(8:17:20 PM) Chris: Shirou quickly projects a longsword and parries the blow!
(8:18:14 PM) Prof: Shirou's projected sword breaks through the space pirate's sword, leaving it unarmed! However, reacting quickly, it punches him with its off hand, sending Shirou reeling a bit. They go down fast, but they can still do some damage.
(8:18:20 PM) Eek: Gordon throws himself back behind cover of an overcropping piece of lab equipment, a little unstable because one of the shots glances off his armor with all the momentum that plasma can have... which is more than one would think.
(8:18:40 PM) Prof: Gordon seems safe for now. Ducking for cover in a firefight is pretty instinctual for him, apparently.
(8:18:42 PM) Prof: (Rudy)
(8:18:47 PM) Prof: (3 pirates lefet)
(8:19:40 PM) Shini: Rudolph noted the one that seem to leading, and unsheathes his dagger, creeping up to stab him from behind+
(8:20:43 PM) Prof: The leader notices the rogue a second too late, and gets stabbed!
(8:21:29 PM) Prof: However, it seems to have survived, albeit badly injured. It turns to face Rudy, aiming to grapple him to the ground with its superior strength.
(8:21:32 PM) Prof: (Rudy react, Gordon)
(8:22:19 PM) Shini: Rudolph curses softly as he realized he miscalculated and swings his blade defensively as he quickly tries to move away.+
(8:23:03 PM) Prof: He evades the pirate's grasp! Both fighters stand a short distance apart, waiting for the other to make a move.
(8:23:09 PM) Prof: (Rudy continue at your discretion)
(8:24:08 PM) Shini: Rudolph considers his luck, and decides to get out of range, hoping the pirate is suitably distracted from the others.
(8:24:52 PM) Prof: Badly injured, the captain decides not to try its luck, backing away and screeching commands at the other two.
(8:24:54 PM) Prof: (Gordon)
(8:25:12 PM) Eek: Gordon holsters the shotgun with one hand and grabs the pistol with the other.  He then shifts up out of cover, takes aim at one at a distance, and fires.
(8:26:08 PM) Prof: Pow! Headshot. Down it goes.
(8:26:10 PM) Prof: (Shirou)
(8:27:25 PM) Chris: Shirou had taken the blow, and used the time to project more swords. This time, about ten swords rained down on the Pirates.+
(8:27:53 PM) Prof: The pirates just weren't ready to handle that many swords.
(8:27:58 PM) Prof: You are now alone in the lab.
(8:28:03 PM) Prof: And you may notice, if you are attentive...
(8:28:07 PM) Prof: that some of the wires from that black pod
(8:28:15 PM) Prof: are connceted to the anemoi tubes.
(8:28:23 PM) Prof: As if someone was experimenting with using them as a power source.
(8:28:56 PM) Badge: Hiroshi exits from his hiding spot and walks up to it.  Hmm.  "What... is this thing, anyway?"
(8:29:15 PM) Shini: Rudy: "Good question."
(8:29:21 PM) Eek: Gordon stands, finally, holstering his weapon and staring wildly as his adrenaline cools...  "It... It looks like the anemoi are powering it... or the other way around."
(8:29:52 PM) Eek: Gordon inspects the pod before they do anything more.
(8:30:03 PM) Prof: It's receiving power, although it's unclear what for.
(8:30:12 PM) Prof: THere's a row of lights and some alien writing across the bottom.
(8:30:19 PM) Prof: It doesn't make much sense.
(8:30:21 PM) Badge: Hiroshi:  Is there a way to disconnect it?
(8:30:51 PM) Prof: There are wires everywhere - cutting a few might work, but who knows?
(8:31:13 PM) Eek: Gordon:  We COULD just snap the wires.  But I'd like to know what we're screwing up before we do it.  If we can.
(8:31:36 PM) Prof: The other option being to take the anemoi - the tubes appear to be made of glass.
(8:32:32 PM) Eek: Gordon:  ...oh to hell with it.  We can reverse-engineer it with or without power.
(8:32:49 PM) Badge: Hiroshi frowns.  He's not sure leaping headfirst into this is the best idea...
(8:34:30 PM) Foxfire entered the room.
(8:34:43 PM) Shini: Rudolph knew this wasn't his area, so he took watch at the door.
(8:35:03 PM) Eek: Gordon takes out his crowbar.  "What the hell would run on anemoi, anyway?  It's not like something can run on memories."  A quick rap of his crowbar against the tube should do it.
(8:35:03 PM) Chris: Shirou just stands around.
(8:35:13 PM) Prof: The tube breaks!
(8:35:23 PM) Prof: Anemoi go spilling out. They look legit.
(8:35:33 PM) Chris: Shirou picks some up.
(8:35:34 PM) Prof: Some of the lights flicker on the pod, but nothing else happens. One tube to go.
(8:35:52 PM) Badge: Hiroshi frowns, getting a little closer to the pod and analyzing it.
(8:36:13 PM) Eek: Gordon:  "Huh.  No problem, see?"  He saunters over and unless someone stops him, cracks open the other one.
(8:36:15 PM) Prof: It looks like it can open up, but there's no obivous way to open it from here.
(8:36:35 PM) Prof: When Gordon cracks the second open open, a sharp wave of psychic energy cracks through the room like a whip.
(8:36:58 PM) Prof: Then the front of the pod slowly slides open as all four of you are dragged into the air as if in enormous, invisible hands.
(8:37:10 PM) Prof: Along with a couple of the dead pirates.
(8:37:20 PM) Chris: Shirou: "Wha--"
(8:37:25 PM) Prof: http://i.imgur.com/7avxX.jpg A horrible thing floats out of the pod.
(8:37:26 PM) Eek: Gordon is very close to... the blast, and is physically knocked back and into the air.  "WHA?!"
(8:37:37 PM) Badge: Hiroshi, knocked off guard by the blast, yells as he's snagged.  "H-help!"
(8:37:49 PM) Shini: Rudy: "Ezra's sake-!" He tries to grab for his crossbow
(8:38:08 PM) Eek: Gordon struggles.  Looks at the... thing.  His eyes widen.  "Oh SHIT..."
(8:38:28 PM) Prof: Unfortunately, it seems that its grip is like steel. You aren't moving until it wants you to.
(8:38:39 PM) Prof: It is still for a moment, then one of the pirate corpses is dragged in front of it.
(8:38:51 PM) Badge: Hiroshi's in full-on monster panic mode, flailing uselessly.
(8:38:54 PM) Prof: A tentacle-like appendage extends, prodding at the space pirate for a moment, as if trying to tell what it is.
(8:39:08 PM) Prof: Then, it pierces it through the neck.
(8:39:09 PM) Eek: "NonononoNO!"  This is seeming familiar.  VERY familiar.  TOO familiar.
(8:39:31 PM) Prof: It seems to wait for a moment to see if the space pirate will react, before deciding that it's dead.
(8:39:34 PM) Prof: Then,
(8:39:47 PM) Prof: Hiroshi is dragged in front of it.
(8:40:09 PM) Ethan: Meanwhile, on the other side of the room!
(8:40:16 PM) Eek: Gordon frantically struggles.  "Hiroshi!  NO!  DAMMIT!"
(8:40:19 PM) Ethan: The wall explodes.
(8:40:38 PM) Badge: Hiroshi can't scream.  He can only stare in horror -- as the wall explodes?
(8:40:44 PM) Prof: The thing stops for a moment!
(8:41:11 PM) Ethan: Following the explosion, two more of the type of missile responsible zoom at the monster as Samus charges into the room, arm cannon looking different than it was before.
(8:41:38 PM) Prof: The creature shrieks in alien agony, and all of you are relased from your grip, falling to the ground!
(8:41:42 PM) Prof: from its grip*
(8:41:52 PM) Prof: That clearly hurt it pretty badly.
(8:41:59 PM) Prof: Anyone else want to follow up on that?
(8:42:01 PM) Shini: Rudolph couldn't even yell, seeing Hiroshi dragged sent chills down his spine - then he lands on the ground in a heap. But he quickly crawls over to Hiroshi.
(8:42:20 PM) Chris: Shirou does! More swords incoming!
(8:42:48 PM) Prof: Reeling in agony, the Advisor telekinetically rips a hole in the ceiling,
(8:42:51 PM) Badge: Hiroshi takes a moment for everything to sink into his brain before he begins to quickly scoot backwards away from the thing.  He might bump into Rudy in the process.
(8:43:03 PM) Prof: and jets out through it.
(8:43:14 PM) Prof: Looks like you scared it off.
(8:43:26 PM) Eek: Gordon had fallen in a heap on the floor, shaking, unable to do much...
(8:43:34 PM) Chris: Shirou is panting now. "What...was that?"
(8:43:38 PM) Ethan: Samus stares after it. Her instinct is to chase, but it's long gone. Plus there might be injured.
(8:43:49 PM) Badge: Hiroshi's shaking, white as a ghost.
(8:43:53 PM) Prof: Everyone seems to be okay, and the anemoi are still there...
(8:44:01 PM) Prof: ...man, wouldn't it be great if you had time to get your bearings?
(8:44:17 PM) Prof: A red light clicks on on a control panel.
(8:44:35 PM) Prof: An alien message flashes on the screen, followed by:
(8:44:37 PM) Eek: Gordon:  "...Advisor."  That's the name that springs to his frontal lobe, but he can't figure out exactly WHY.
(8:44:37 PM) Prof: 0300
(8:44:39 PM) Prof: 0299
(8:44:44 PM) Prof: The building starts shaking.
(8:44:46 PM) Prof: ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL4XEwt5l8w )
(8:44:48 PM) Ethan: Sometimes people feel "nameless dread."
(8:44:53 PM) Ethan: Samus feels a nameless irritation.
(8:45:08 PM) Eek: Gordon:  "I don't know wh-- what... what the hell is that?"
(8:45:12 PM) Chris: Shirou: "Uh...guys...I think maybe we should get out of here?"
(8:45:17 PM) Shini: Rudolph holds Hiroshi for a moment. "You all right?" He whispered softly even as he got up, lifting the young man with him.
(8:45:25 PM) Badge: Hiroshi doesn't even need to be told twice.  He begins to bolt.
(8:45:26 PM) Ethan: Samus: "Follow me!"
(8:45:37 PM) Ethan: She found a quicker way out while adventuring on her own.
(8:45:53 PM) Ethan: Back through the hole in the wall.
(8:45:57 PM) Eek: Gordon spies the counter.  Oh god.  yeah, running and following Samus NOW.
(8:45:57 PM) Chris: Shirou: "Uh...right!" He runs after her.
(8:46:07 PM) Prof: With Samus in the lead, the group charges dramatically through the increasingly unstable complex!
(8:46:12 PM) Prof: You reach the entrance with time to spare,
(8:46:24 PM) Prof: and as the timer reaches zero, the tower collapses in on itself dramatically behind you.
(8:46:58 PM) Badge: Hiroshi collapses a bit himself.  "A-ah, thank goodness..."
(8:47:49 PM) Eek: Gordon is breathless even with the HEV's speed aumentation, but at least they're all out.  "Everyone... everyone all right?"
(8:47:58 PM) Chris: Shirou: "Fine..."
(8:48:10 PM) Ethan: Samus nods.
(8:48:22 PM) Badge: Hiroshi nods, but he's obviously still pretty shaken, even though Rudolph had managed to calm him down somewhat.
(8:48:59 PM) Shini: Rudy: "I believe so... what was that... thing?" he sounded characteriscally unnerved.
(8:50:15 PM) Eek: Gordon glances over.  "It was an Advisor.  I don't know much more than that right now, except we were lucky it didn't get to the rest of us."
(8:51:07 PM) Ethan: Samus: "It was being experimented on, wasn't it..."
(8:51:37 PM) Eek: Gordon leans against a ruined wall.  "Yeah.  It probably was.  Or bred, I don't know.  That thing... now I know why it was powered by anemoi."
(8:51:40 PM) Ethan: She wasn't morally outraged on the creature's behalf. But something about how stupid and maniacal the idea was...
(8:53:26 PM) Eek: Gordon looks over at Samus, giving a humorless smirk.  "We're damn lucky you came back to help us out."
(8:53:57 PM) Badge: "A...ah..."  Hiroshi gets up and bows to her.  "Thank you... thank you so much.  If you hadn't come then, we might have..."
(8:54:24 PM) Ethan: Samus: "I'll say." She's still got her helmet on, but she's smirking herself.