The next day you once again show up at Ray Jay's tower. This time you
are admitted to the arch mage's study...though the robot has a hard
time getting up the winding staircase.
You find Ray Jay sitting in an armchair beside the fire with a cup of tea, reading a book.
"Good morning," he says. "Darian. Zanax. Have you found that damned dancing sword yet?"
"DOES NOT COMPUTE," says the robot.
"Shut up," says Ray Jay.
"No sir. Occa has a different group of people looking for the sword. We have been exploring different stars looking for a working Nernal that we could bring here to address the Ice problem up north."
Tully says, "Hi Ray Jay, what dancing sword?"
"Robin, the Legendary Sword of Disco Dancing."
"You were originally with that party that volunteered to go and look for the Sword...as was Zanax," he adds pointedly. "And Occa has hooked up with the party that is seeking the Robe of the Blessed. So who is left on Greyhawk?"
Darian scratches his head. "I believe Robert and Gonzo are with a group of inexperienced adventurers. I haven't seen or heard from them in quite awhile, to be honest."
"Ah."
He then changes tack.
"You been talking to Equinox? He seems fixated on the 'ice problem'."
"Actually, this particular item seems to be Tully's fixation. I'm tagging along with Tully and Zanax to attempt to keep reality injected into their explorations."
"Fat chance," Ray Jay says dryly.
"I've had mild success, I admit," nods Darian. "But, that's more than I expected."
"Wow," says Ray Jay, sounding surprised.
Ming pours you all cups of tea.
Tully smiles and says, "Indeed." He pauses and then says, "Do you know where the Greyhawk star system is relative to this one? We could always pop over there to check out how that group is doing. Who knows, there are probably some stations there that could be explored."
"It is located somewhere towards the centre of the galaxy," the arch mage replies. "If you want to pop over then why don't you teleport? It is much more efficient."
Tully says, "None of us can teleport unfortunately."
"That is not true, Tully. I am capable of casting teleport," replies Darian off-handedly.
Tully looks surprised. "Oh, that is good to know."
"Do you happen to know the galactic standard coordinates of that star system?"
"The what?"
Zanax turns to Tully, "Perhaps, if Ray Jay could teleport us to the centre of the galaxy, robot could meet us there with the ship."
Tully says, "We don't need to do that. I can carry him and the Jupiter II in my pocket."
"AFFIRMATIVE," says the robot.
Tully says, "Have you been to the center of the galaxy, Ray Jay?"
Ray Jay shakes his head.
"What is there?"
Tully thinks about it for a moment and says, "Ancient stars and black holes mostly, I would expect, but I would need to access the galactic star directory to be sure. Of course, It is very out of date. We are hoping to find some remnants of the ancient empires. I am hoping that some of their contingency planners for the empire saw the end coming and put mechanisms in place in order to save the technology."
"There is a space faring empire still in existence near the centre of the galaxy," he says quietly, and sips his tea. "But I do not believe that they have been able to save their old technology either. There are numerous small space faring remnants of the old civilisations around as well."
Tully nods, "Probability theory would seem to imply that there are one or more planets that have maintained the ability to produce the old technology. The great minds of the time would have foreseen the fall and prepared for it."
"I did not know that you were a psychohistorian, Tully," says Ray Jay.
Tully smiles and says, "Is that what it is called? I am just trying to get into the mind set of the people who experienced the great fall."
Ray Jay smiles.
He pauses for a moment and then says, "If they exist, perhaps they are expanding again. Perhaps they want the races of the universe to be more mature before they introduce it again. Who knows? Perhaps we will never find them. However, our quest is to find either them or find a still functional Nernal. Maybe there is one that has been stored or perhaps one that hasn't worn out yet."
"I think you need to talk to Valdar," the arch mage says.
Tully raises an eyebrow. "Thank you, we will do so."
"The Elves still travel between the stars. He may be able to point you in the right direction."
Tully nods. "I seem to recall that they had very advanced technology which they traded for immortality. Or maybe they were forced to trade. Either way, they may be a good place to start."
Zanax looks toward the robot, "What would it take for you to locate us if we were in a different part of the galaxy?"
"I WOULD NEED TO KNOW YOUR EXACT LOCATION, DOCTOR SMITH."
"Another reason we came is that we were hoping you might give us some tips on where to start searching for a functional nernal."
He shakes his head.
"I do not know. I study magic primarily, not technology. It is not so...unreliable."
Tully smiles, "Yeah, we learned that the hard way."
"Another question is whether you know of any way to travel through time? It might make better sense to go back in time and find a functional nernal."
"There is a way. You must summon a time elemental...a noble time elemental. I am only aware of this happening once: the gods Thor, Idun, Odin and Hecate summoned a noble time elemental to send the arch mage Stiff back in time to prevent the high priest Orlon from dying permanently. The price that Stiff paid for the service was...stiff."
He pauses.
Tully listens eagerly. "Fascinating. I doubt we could get four gods to help us do this although maybe with the best interest of this world as our quest, they may do it."
"In my researches in the Wizard libraries I do recall seeing hints of another method of time travel," he says. "Apparently flying a space ship at a velocity greater than that of light into a black hole can have unpredictable temporal consequences."
Tully says, "Yes, I had considered that, but I think Darian would like to return to this world to see his wife every so often."
Darian nods. "Yes, I would. I do not wish to become lost to this world. Besides, if our plan is to bring a functioning Nernal back to this planet to help control the weather, then we have to make sure we have a way to return to this time and place."
Ray Jay shrugs.
Tully nods. "Of course, maybe we are the ones that installed the first nernal to initially control the weather. You never know with time travel. If we did, I hope we put a backup in place that will eventually kick in. That would be helpful."
"Oh, by the way, do you happen to know Minotaur? This sword speaks it and I would like to understand what it is saying. Once I get back to Almada, I will download the language, but until then I would like to understand more. Hmm, I wonder if the database on the ship has that language stored."
Ray Jay smiles again. "Used to know it but I am very rusty."
Tully says, "Anything would help." He pulls it out and talks to it and tries to get it talking for Ray Jay.
The sword starts talking. Ray Jay listens intently for a moment before he says, "I think it is making derogatory comments about your ancestry, Tully."
Tully smiles, "Figures. Can you ask him what he can do?"
Ray Jay clears his throat, and then moos at the sword, then listens intently as the sword moos back.
"I think it can detect elevator shoes, shifty eyed people and card tricks," he says.
"What are elevator shoes?"
"Beats me," says Ray Jay. "Like I said, my Minotaur isn't too good. Anything else to tell me?"
Your visit over, you finish your tea and crumpets and bid Ray Jay adieu.
On your way out Ming stops Zanax and tells him the results of his identify spell.
The longsword can act as another warrior in your party. Its abilities vary over time.
He gets no information about the plate mail.
You head back to the mansion.
Zanax smiles at the results of the long sword identification. He comments, "Looks like I should pick up another sword before we leave."
Tully says, "What is wrong with the longsword? It is probably a dancing sword."
Zanax nods, "Exactly! I'm going to need something else to fight with while it's dancing!"
Tully says, "Ok, let's go get one then."
He heads back to Occa's mansion.
Zanax and Darian follow, with the robot bringing up the rear.
Back at the mansion, you forage some more through the community chests.
Zanax forages through the PBEM community chest and takes the other sword that belonged to Kadlian.
Tully says, "Can you use a broadsword? If so, this one that speaks minotaur might be a good one. Otherwise, I will hold onto it. If you want it, though, I can always take the scimitar."
Zanax shakes his head and pats a second sword at his hip, "Got me one already."
He asks Tully, "Are we leaving soon?"
Tully shakes his head. "Yes...we are leaving right now. Let's go explore the space stations in this system. He heads to the ship.
Darian shrugs. "Okay."
The three of them head to the ship then.
Soon you are comfortably ensconced in the control cabin of the Steve Jobs, sipping cappuccino and nibbling on carrot sticks while you climb to Earth orbit. Black-eye gnaws on another Vegan bison burger.
"Which of the eleven space stations did you want to start with?" the voice of Steve Jobs asks once you reach orbit. "The one closest to Sol and then work our way out? Or do you want to be random?"
"Let's start with the closest one and work our way outward," Tully replies.
The Steve Jobs accelerates out of orbit...seemingly heading straight for the Sun. On the viewscreen at the one end of the lounge it suddenly grows a hundredfold in size, until it more than fills the screen. Silhouetted against it is a small dot. It rapidly elongates and grows into a tangled array of spheres, boxes and globes, interconnected by a winding network of tubes. It is reminiscent of the Amalda station in the star system of Alpha Centauri; but this one is smaller, and, as you get closer to it, you see that it is in worse shape as well. The finish on the station is worn and faded, some of the tubes are broken or holed and some of the spheres and cubes are open to space.
The X class scout approaches a large rectangular shaped structure which appears to be open at one end. A flickering illumination comes through the opening, which is a good 60' wide.
The ship flies through the opening and lands on a deck similar though smaller than the flight deck in Amalda (60' X 90'; entrance in one 60' wall; 30' door in "southern" half of end wall; door in "northernmost" 10' section of end wall). Parked in here are two other vessels: one is obviously another XP class scout while the other is of a design you have never seen before. It looks very primitive to your now-seasoned eyes. Both are grimy and covered in dust, as is the entire flight deck. The glowing panels in the ceiling are flickering.
"I detect a viable atmosphere outside, though it is not being recirculated," Steve Jobs tells you. "You would be advised to wear your shield belts."
Zanax puts on his shield belt and checks his swords. He asks, "Steve Jobs, do you detect any living creatures in the station?"
"Yes I do."
Darian fastens on a shield belt. "Can you identify the creatures for us please?"
"They are multicellular carbon based life forms," the voice says. "They are probably adapted to living in a warm environment."
Darian scratches his head. "Does that mean they are like us?"
"Perhaps," the voice replies ambiguously.
Darian rolls his head. "I'm starting to agree with Ray Jay. Technology isn't very reliable."
"AFFIRMATIVE," says the robot.
Tully chuckles and says, "Maybe, maybe not. Computer, can you display what this life form looks like on the screen?" He looks over at Darian and Zanax and says, "Probably something like a salamander or a mephit or something."
The view on the screen changes from a view of the flight deck outside to an abstract pattern of diffuse glows in varying shades of red and orange. Along the bottom of the screen are columns of numbers.
"As you can see, complex life forms," says Steve Jobs.
Zanax asks, "Steve Jobs, can you also display a map of this station and where these creatures are located?"
"I can create a diagramme of the the station based my readings as we approached the station. However, its nernal is non functional so I was unable to download an actual floor plan."
On the screen a rough line diagramme appears, superimposed on the glows. Not all of them appear to be within the space station's confines. They also appear to be moving about slowly in a random fashion.
None appear to be in your immediate area, however.
Zanax comments, "It's most troubling that some of the creatures are outside the space station, no? Maybe demonic in nature?"
"I was thinking undead. Ghosts. Or extra-planar creatures. There's more than just demons out there."
Tully says, "Oh, I figured that was due to a mismatch in the map the computer was able to download and the placement of the creatures. I suppose, however, that they could be outside the space station. This close to the star would make them something that can withstand tremendous heat. Demons, devils, elementals and salamanders are the most likely if they are what we know. Of course, they could be beings we have never seen."
"If there is no nernal here, maybe we should check another station?"
Zanax nods, "Darian speaks wisely. Our primary goal is to find an operational nernal, right?"
Tully says, "That may be so, but there may be other information here that will help. Plus, who knows, there could be a fully functional Nernal in storage here. We don't know." He thinks for a moment and says, "Computer, would you be able to detect a Nernal that is being stored?"
"I'm sorry, but I cannot."
Tully says, "No worries." He looks over at Darian and Zanax and says, "Well, do we search or do you want to move on to one with a working Nernal?"
"I think we should have brought a cleric with us. Zanax can turn some undead, but not the most powerful. With that in mind, I think we should explore elsewhere."
Tully looks a bit surprised. "Oh, ok, if you want, that is fine." He says, "Computer, please take us to the next space station. Could you please take us by some space junk so that I can test out the weapons system?" He takes a seat and uplinks to the computer.
The Steve Jobs rises off of the deck, turns and flies back out into open space.
The ship accelerates suddenly, and whizzes past a moon-like world. There is a flash followed by an explosion ahead.
Tully yells, "Yeeehaa! Hot damn this is fun! I should go strafe some evil creatures!"
He laughs and directs the ship to the next base.
Darian jumps. "What was that?"
Tully says, "Just a minor test of the ship's weapons system. It is nothing to be worried about. I had the ship do passive scans of the area just in case anyone showed interest. Nothing was detected."
"Oh, okay." Darian relaxes into the couch.
Tully smiles and accelerates to the next station.
The Steve Jobs speeds towards the Sun and then flies under it. A moment later you are on the other side of the Sun. A bright star lies ahead, which soon grows into an earth-like world of blue seas, many small islands and several larger land masses, all shrouded in white clouds. Unlike Earth, however, this world has no polar caps.
The ship locks onto a pinpoint of light lying nearby.
"We are approaching the Venusian Environmental Control Station," says Steve Jobs, as the pinpoint rapidly grows into another space station, similar to the one you just left but obviously in much better condition. In fact, you see several vessels floating in space nearby it. These appear to be seagoing wooden ships. The grace of their forms clearly indicate Elven designs.
Tully sits up in his chair.
Zanax whistles in appreciation, "Steve Jobs, how does this ship compare to those Elven ones?"
"I am much faster," the voice replies. "I can Jump 50 light years per day. They are solar sail powered and hence can travel only at a small fraction of the speed of light. But Elves have no hurry."
Zanax nods, "Interesting. Can you detect if there is a nernal at this Venusian Environmental Control Station?"
"There is an active nernal."
"That's great!" says Darian. "However, I doubt we'll be allowed to move the nernal to Earth. But, maybe they know someplace else that has a nernal."
Tully says to Zanax and Darian, "The elves will allow us to land, but they don't sound very receptive. What do you guys think?"
Zanax shrugs, "I'm not sure we need to land to find out what we need."
Zanax says, "Steve Jobs, please contact the nernal and inquire if it knows the location of any other functioning nernals or this Wal-mart to find new nernals."
"The nernal advises that most functioning ships and space stations have functioning nernals," the voice says, then adds, "I could have told you that. It does not know what you mean by the term 'Wal-mart'. Are you referring to the Wal-mart Principle?"
Zanax responds, "Yes, yes...ask the nernal where we can use this Wal-mart Principle to obtain a new nernal."
"Your question does not compute," says Steve Jobs. "Perhaps the hash brownies that you've been eating are having an effect."
Zanax sighs, "Just asks the nernal if it knows where a new nernal can be obtained."
"It replies that new nernals have not been manufactured for many tens of thousands of years," Steve Jobs says, then asks, "Do we wish to land? The space station controller is waiting."
"Might as well. Maybe we can get some idea of where nernals have been manufactured."
The scout ship swings into the open landing bay and settles on its deck.
The five of you exit the ship.
This bay is at least clean, but also completely empty. After standing under the Steve Jobs awkwardly for a few minutes a door at the far end of the chamber opens and three elves enter: two males and a female. They are all dressed in long robes.
They approach you and stop some 5' distant.
"Yes?" says the woman to Darian.
Darian smiles. "Greeting. I am Darian Trist from Earth and my companions are Zanax and Tully. We are looking for a spare working nernal that could inserted into our weather controller. Would you happen to know where we could find one?"
"No," she says cooly.
Tully says, "Well, in that case, do you mind if we take some rest here or is this space station closed?" He looks around, "Nernal, is this station open to visitors?"
"Humans are not welcome here," the elf woman tells Darian.
Darian sighs. "I see."
He turns back to Tully and Zanax. "Please wait for me in the ship. I suspect I won't be long."
Tully shakes his head. "I will stay. I don't trust them."
Darian's voice rings with authority. "I said, go! They will not talk with you present. If you don't want this trip to be wasted, then go."
Tully shakes his head but heads back to the ship.
"May we speak to your nernal and learn more about where they were made? Perhaps then we could visit that place and see if there are some there."
"Why are you seeking such information?" she asks coldly.
Tully says to Darian over his shoulder, "Tell her it isn't any of her damned business."
"As I said ma'am. Earth needs a nernal to control the weather. The old one has broken down and an polar cap is expanding."
"No wonder we try to avoid contact with humans now," she says to Darian. "Please remove yourselves immediately."
"Does that include me as well, ma'am?"
"Yes."
"I've answered your questions, ma'am, honestly. What is the harm in letting me speak to your nernal to determine if it can tell me the location of where they were manufactured?"
"The nernal is ours and ours to decide who is to communicate with it. You may not communicate with it. Now please leave."
Darian shakes his head as he returns to the ship. "And now I understand why people expect so little from elven hospitality. You folks are extremely rude."
Darian enters the ship and closes the door. To his friends, "I've half a mind to take some target practice on their ships."
He stomps over to the couch and plops down, clearly unhappy.
Tully directs the ship out of the base and then says, "It seems that the elves that are not on Earth are extremely rude and almost xenophobic. I suppose it is a throwback to when they were forced into the empire." He shrugs. "Let's go check out the next one."
Zanax asks, "Steve Jobs, is it possible for you to communicate with the nernal without the elves knowing or just get the information from the nernal?"
"I can communicate directly with the nernal. I do not know if anyone would be able to monitor the exchange, though."
Tully says, "Oh, could you ask the Nernal if it could remove the stick from that bitch's ass we were just speaking to on the platform?" He laughs to himself.
"How far away from the station can you be before you do that? I was thinking if we put some distance between us and the ships, then they won't be able to get to us if they get very angry."
"Out to a range of several light days."
"Wow. I don't think we need that kind of distance, do you? How about just a few light minutes while we head to our next stop?"
"And then ask the nernal if it can give you the location of the manufacturing place for nernals."
"WE ALREADY KNOW OF ONE SUCH FACILITY, DON WEST," points out the robot.
The Steve Jobs moves away from the space station and Venus.
"We are now crossing the orbit of Earth," the voice announces. "The nernal at the Venusian Environmental Control Station is receiving my messages but is refusing to respond. There is a similar control station in orbit around the planet Mars; however it does not seem to be active. Did you want to visit it?"
Zanax shakes his head, "Wait one second. Robot, what do you mean we already know of one such facility? Can you provide Steve Jobs with the location?"
"AFFIRMATIVE."
"Please do so then, Robot."
The robot rolls over to the centre table and opens a hatch in his torso. Pulling a cable out, he tries to plug it in.
"THE PLUGS ARE NOT COMPATIBLE," he says.
"Just tell me," says Steve Jobs.
"AFFIRMATIVE. IT IS LOCATED AT SAGITTARIUS A* AT THE CENTRE OF THE GALAXY. WE WERE THERE SEVERAL WEEKS AGO. HOW SOON HUMANS AND ELVES FORGET. DARIAN WAS REDUCED TO HAMBURGER THERE."
"I have plotted a course and am ready to execute," says Steve Jobs. "Estimated real travel time is 340 days."
"Umm... Before we go on hiatus for nearly a year, I'd suggest we let our friends know that we're going to be gone for that long."
Tully says, "Guys, we went there, remember? It is the place we teleported to. There is nothing there. We need to explore the other facilities in this solar system and then the ones in Alpha Centauri."
Darian frowns, in confusion. "I thought that was where I died. I wasn't aware you were there. How did you get there?"
"We were teleported by their technological device. It tore you to pieces. It destroyed all our magical items. The nernal there was in bad shape. We tried to have it bring you back. It brought your body back, but not your mind. It put another mind in it. It was a...mind tape. I guess it is a copy of a person's mind. He knew things about the old ways and had clearance that we did not. It is how we got hold of these devices. We then traveled back here, but Zanax was transported somewhere else. Occa went and picked him up. That is about it. The nernal was in such poor shape that it couldn't produce more nernals."
Darian scratches behind his left ear. "I figured you did that all back at the Moon. Well, that explains why I'm confused... Okay, is it possible there was more there?"
Tully says, "Yes, I am sure there was, but we didn't have clearance. Offred probably could have gotten us into some things, but we wanted to get you back. Even so, there is a lot of stuff to explore closer than a year trip out there."
Darian nods slowly. "I didn't really like the idea of a year long trip. Okay, so Mars it is, then."
Tully nods, "Yes, Mars would be good for now."
He smiles.
The Steve Jobs accelerates back over the sun and a moment later to you, you are approaching a small red planet. The planet's surface appears to be barren, windswept desert, with the exception of a long, narrow valley which is lush and green. The poles are crowned by ice caps.
The ship adjusts its course and closes in on a small, rocky, irregularly shaped moon.
It stops perhaps a hundred yards from the satellite.
"The environmental control station is located within this body," the voice of Steve Jobs says. "I am detecting low level energy readings. Shall I land?"
"Do you detect any life signs?" asks Darian.
"And, more importantly, is life support on?"
"I do detect life signs. Life support is running at a very low level."
"Are the atmospheric conditions such that we could survive in them?"
"The atmospheric pressure equals Earth atmospheric pressure at 25,000' above sea level," Steve Jobs replies. "You may want to wear shield belts."
"So the air is very thin, then."
Tully shrugs. "Hard to say. The pressure is the big thing. At that pressure, without a shield belt, we would be crushed instantly."
"The pressure there is much less than one standard atmosphere," says the voice. "You will not be crushed."
"How do we exit the ship without introducing the outside atmosphere, Steve Jobs?"
"I can create an air lock."
"Make it so, Steve Jobs!"
He turns to Zanax and Darian and says, "This does seem to be a much better ship, doesn't it?"
Zanax shrugs, "I guess so. Why are we getting off instead of having Steve Jobs just make contact with the nernal here?"
Tully shrugs and says, "Aren't you curious to see what could be living here? Let's do a little adventuring while we are out here in the black."
Zanax shrugs back, "Not a problem. I thought we were in a hurry, though."
Zanax prepares to exit the ship.
Tully says, "I don't think we are in that big of a hurry, although I would like to avoid trips of a year or more."
He activates his shield belt and makes sure Darian and Zanax do as well. Then he will go to the air lock.
Zanax nods and activates his shield belt as well. He checks both long swords as he follows Tully to the airlock.
Darian activates his shield belt also. "Okay, I'm ready."
Tully says, "Steve Jobs, can you give us a visual just outside? I want to make sure there isn't a greeting party. Also, once we are in, please close up and don't open for any one except the three of us. If someone tries to get in besides us or attack you, please blast them."
An image forms on the viewer. You see the small, irregularly shaped moon floating a few hundred yards away. It is covered in craters but has some flat areas. It is about 5 miles by 4 miles by 3 miles in volume.
The ship moves closer, aiming for the largest smooth area on the tiny world. You make out a building there, and the Steve Jobs lands close by it. There is a door in the side of the building facing you.
The place seems to be deserted.
Once that is done, Tully says, "Ok, let's go."
The exit hatch shimmers out of existence. Instead of opening directly outside, however, you now see a transparent tube extending from the Steve Jobs to the door in the building.
You move down the tube, Black-eye bounding ahead and the robot bringing up the rear. The hatch on the ship rematerialises behind you.
Reaching the door, you are almost surprised when it remains solid when you approach. You do, however, spot a large handle or lever. Pulling on this releases the latch, and the door, a massive steel affair you now see, swings slowly open with a faint shriek.
On the other side is an oblong (10' wide X 20' deep) room. At the back is a circular hole in the floor, almost 10' in diameter. The ceiling glows and flickers with an erratic illumination.
Immediately before you, though, the floors and walls are covered in yellow mold.
"DANGER, DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!" announces the robot.
The noor sniffs the air and retreats behind the clanking machine.
Zanax yells, "Shut the doors!"
Tully pulls the lever and shuts the door. He says, "Our shields should stop that mold's spores, although the Noor wouldn't be protected if it released them. Let's see if there is another entrance."
Zanax looks dubious, "Are you sure about our shields?"
Tully says, "No, I am not. Steve Jobs, would our shields keep particulate matter away from us?"
"Yes they would."
Tully heads back to the ship and asks Steve Jobs, "Is there another docking bay to this place?"
"There is another entrance on the far side of the moon."
"Please take us there, Steve Jobs."
He says to Zanax, "You should probably try to make sure your pet doesn't follow us next time."
Zanax then looks at the Noor. "Bad Noor! You stay on ship."
Black-eye grins at Zanax.
"Just what is this creature, Zanax? I'm not sure I've ever seen anything like it before."
Zanax shrugs, "It's a noor. That's all I know. Steve Jobs, can you tell us more about noors?"
There is a pause.
"I would rather not," the voice finally admits.
"Why not, Steve Jobs?"
There is another pause.
"Very well," the voice says, sounding almost resigned. "The noor is a creature that evolved in the star system of AASDFGHJKL24465434967788 in galaxy 058775395662MNBVCXZ in the Fornax cluster of the Home Universe. They are very resilient. The creatures are highly intelligent...however, they also exhibit poor judgement and show little inclination to learn from their mistakes. Their skeletal and musculature indicate a highly flexible and agile body...however they can also be remarkably clumsy."
"SOUNDS LIKE HUMANS TO ME," says the robot.
"Affirmative," says Steve Jobs.
By this time you are back in the lounge of the Steve Jobs. Fresh vegetables and dip are waiting for you. The ship lifts off and flies around to the other side of Deimos. There you see a large dark opening which the ship flies into. Suddenly it is flooded with light...from the Steve Jobs. The opening leads into another landing bay like you have seen in Alpha Centauri and around the Sun and Venus. This one is is in rough shape, however. Everything is covered in a thick layer of dust. A pile of junk that may once have been a small space ship sits off to one side, and you see other small piles of dirt and dust covered equipment scattered about as well. There are several doors at the back of the chamber.
The Steve Jobs sets down in the middle of the chamber, raising small clouds of dust as it does so which quickly settle again.
"Shall I extend the air lock again?" asks the voice.
"Can you scan for life in this landing bay? Also for technology that might be useful."
"There are 3406 forms of life in the landing bay besides what is on this ship," Steve Jobs replies. "Can you refine your second request a little more, please?"
"Aaaggh, are there 3406 different life forms or 3406 individuals of the same species? If a small number of species, can you identify the species?"
"There are 3406 different life forms," says Steve Jobs. "They are..."
The voice drones on for the next eighteen minutes, naming them off.
"All are either bacterial or viral types of life forms," he concludes.
Tully nods, "Ok, ok, I appreciate it. In the future, please let us know of life forms that are larger than a mouse or deadly bacteria and viruses."
"As for technology: any Nernals or weapons or shields. Also, are there any items from different technological eras than the one in which this base was established?"
"I am unable to answer those questions without more data. As I reported previously, I do not detect any active nernals here."
Tully says, "Ok, that doesn't matter. We will check out the rest of the station. Please extend the air lock and we will enter. Please observe the same request as at the last airlock, that is, do not let anyone but us enter the ship and destroy anyone who might try to damage you."
You see the tube appear outside.
Tully turns to Darian and Zanax and says, "Let's go, boys. We should check the landing bay first for anything useful and then head inside."
You grab a few last celery sticks and enter the air lock. Zanax leaves Black-eye in the ship, though the noor is unhappy. The door into the Steve Jobs rematerialises behind you. You hear a slight hissing noise which rapidly fades away. You feel your joints stiffen very slightly as this happens...it actually seems to be an effect of wearing the shield belts.
The end of the tube opens and you step into the landing bay.
It is much like what you saw on the viewscreen from the ship: a large chamber, open to the surface of Deimos at one end, with two small doors at the opposing end. The ceiling is some 50' overhead. Everything is filthy: covered in a layer of dust and grime that has been accumulating for thousands of years. The only light comes from the Steve Jobs and through the opening behind you.
Over to one side are the dust covered remains of a small space ship. You turn and start to walk towards it...however when you do so you suddenly go flying off into the vacuum in random directions! This moon of Mars is tiny and has next to no gravity.
The robot, you see, manages to stay firmly put on the ground.
Tully floats back down to the floor while Zanax and Darian continue to spiral across the chamber out of control.
Darian increases his body weight slowly, so that he drifts back down.
Darian drifts downwards, landing close by the wrecked ship.
Zanax is nowhere near him. The paladin arcs close by the ceiling and begins descending. A collision with a wall is coming...
"Hmm... No one warned me that we'd float away. How do we counter that, Tully?"
You hear Tully's voice. "Guys, please say out loud, 'Activate adhesion field. That should give you some gravity.'"
Darian says out loud, "Active adhesion field. That should give you some gravity."
Darian's feet plant firmly on the floor. He can move normally.
Tully chuckles and says, "Close enough, obviously."
Darian stops his psionic control over his weight and switches to his passive mode of absorbing magical energy directed at him.
Zanax waves futilely at the incoming wall and shouts, "Active adhesion field! That should give you some gravity!" as if shouting would somehow make it happen faster.
Zanax pivots head over heels and hits the wall feet first...where he proceeds to stand, looking down at you.
"Ok, come on down and let's continue. We will need to remember to ask about gravity in the future."
Zanax calmly walks down the wall and reaches the floor. He joins Tully, Darian and the robot over by the wrecked space ship.
Once it was a small vessel, perhaps 20' long. It looks like it has already been picked over, for little remains of it but its structural skeleton. That has been bent and twisted by forces unknown. Part of it has been burned and melted. You see a small cockpit with a rather uncomfortable looking seat in it. The control panel before it is an expanse of bare metal.
You find nothing else of interest, and walking about the landing bay accomplishes little more than stirring up the dust.
You regard the doors at the rear of the chamber. There are two of them.
You head to the right door.
It is another heavy steel affair like the door you opened at the other entrance. The lever shifts after several moments of struggling and the door swings open. On the other side is a barren 10' square room with a similar door at the other end. A button glows red in the wall beside that door, and you see a similar button flickering on the inside wall beside the door you just opened.
Otherwise the room is uninteresting.
"I wonder what the red button does?"
Tully says, "Let's find out." He goes over and pushes the button.
Nothing happens.
"I WILL CLOSE THE DOOR," says the robot. He then does so. "TRY IT NOW."
"Robot, what does the button do?" asks Darian.
"THEY PROBABLY PRESSURIZE THE AIR LOCK."
Darian parses those words and connects it to words he's heard before enabling him to ask an intelligent question. "An air lock into the rest of the station or out to space?"
"IT DEPENDS ON WHICH WAY YOU GO, WILL ROBINSON...IN OR OUT."
Tully says, "No matter. Let's head further into this space station. I don't suppose we need to deal with the air lock when we have these shields."
Tully presses the button again.
This time you hear a whoosh. Your hearing returns to something more normal.
Zanax strong arms the lever on the inner door and after some struggling it opens with a groan. On the other side is a small chamber (20' square: 10' right, 20' ahead; passage running out of right (south) wall first 10' section). This place is erratically illuminated by flickering ceiling panels. A bench runs along one wall. There is a row of lockers along a second and several chests along a third. The walls are streaked with grime and mould. Searching, you find that the lockers contain a few more belts similar to what you are wearing, though they do not seem to be functional. The chests contain small tools. Some of the tools you recognise (hammers seem to be universal across the ages) while others are of types that you have never seen before.
Looking down the passage, you see that it ends at a door after 30'.
"I wonder if any of these tools would be useful?" muses Darian.
Tully says, "Unfortunately, I think it is impossible to say. Let's take the belts in case all they need is a charge."
Inspecting them, you see that many are actually broken, but three appear to be more or less intact. Two of them do not have charges while the last one has a charge in it.
"Let's check out the door." He moves forward and listens at the door.
Zanax grips his sword tightly and whispers, "Are we expecting monsters here?"
Tully nods, "Always."
Zanax nods in agreement and readies his sword.
Tully straightens up and reports that he hears some kind of sloshing or slurping noise through the door.
Darian draws his sword.
Tully says, "Interesting. I wonder what that could be."
He draws his blaster and moves to open the door.
Zanax indicates for Tully to hold up. "Let me see what's on the other side first."
Tully freezes and doesn't open the door. He lets Zanax go to work.
Zanax uses his clairvoyance to see the room on the other side of the door.
Zanax pauses, "I see a small room with a brown pudding in it. Anyone know how to kill it?"
Darian sighs. "Fire or magic missiles. Looks like this one is mine. They can dissolve just about anything... So, try the blasters while I drop a fireball followed by whatever magic missiles it takes."
Zanax shrugs and puts away his sword. He draws his blaster and moves back from the door about 10'.
"Tully, open the door and then run back."
Zanax says nervously, "Ummm...it's a 20' x 20' room. Is that enough space for a fireball?"
Darian shakes his head. "Not big enough. Maybe we should try another way? I only memorized three magic missile spells and I'm not certain that's enough."
Zanax shrugs, "What if we just left it in there? Is there another room we could explore?"
"Sorry, that's what I meant. Just didn't say it clearly."
Tully says, "Were there any doors? We can always come back."
There was a second door out of the landing area.
You head over there.
You pass through the air lock and back out into the landing area. The other door is at the opposite end of the same wall that the first door is in. It appears to be another air lock. Tully listens, hears nothing and gives Zanax the opportunity to use his psionics.
The paladin reports seeing another 10' square room like the air lock. It is empty. It has a door in the opposite wall.
You open the door manually, enter, and close it again. Pressing the red button pressurises the room.
Tully listens at the inner door but does not see anything.
Zanax uses his psionics again. He reports that he sees a 20' square room (door in diagonally opposite corner). Inside it he sees 4 humanoid-like creatures. They are green in colour, approximately human-sized, and are standing immobile under the flickering ceiling lights.
"Any other characteristics that you can sense, Zanax?"
Zanax regards Darian, "What do you mean characteristics? I can see them and that's about it. I would assume that whatever is keeping them from moving might affect us the same way, though."
"I was wondering what their faces looked like. How many arms and if they are carrying anything in their arms. Anything that might give us a clue as to what they are. I figure we're going to have to open the door if we want to determine what is keeping them from moving. And, before we do that, I want to have a good idea of what we're facing and whether or not we'll be attacked if opening the door frees them."
Tully says, "Maybe they are robots or something. Let's find out. You guys ready?"
Zanax shakes his head, "One sec...let me check them for evil, too."
Zanax uses Detect Evil on the next room and draws his Sword of Dancing.
Tully says, "Ok." And waits.
Zanax hefts his sword and nods, "OK, no evil. Let's open the door."
Tully prepares his blaster and opens the door.
Darian draws his longsword. "Okay."
You open the door. The room is as Zanax described it (20' X 20': 10' north, 20' east; door in opposite wall north corner). As the door creaks open the four green humanoids turn to you. Their faces are only crudely formed, without eyes or mouths. Their whole form seems to be...aswarm with something.
They advance on you, raising their fists, their feet making squelching sounds as they move.
Zanax shouts, "Shut the door! Shut the door!"
Tully says, "What? I will, but I want to see how tough they are first."
He steps into the room so they can't get beyond the door and raises his blaster to fire on the nearest one. "Need to see how these shields work too, don't you know."
Suddenly the bard is struck by a massive mental attack, akin to someone scraping their fingers down a black board. The bard screams and runs behind the robot, cringing there in a panic.
Zanax collapses, stunned.
Darian fires off a magic missile at them.
His missiles blast into a creature, damaging it.
"DANGER, DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!" says the robot, rolling forward. He extends his arms and releases two bolts of lightning. The bolts pass right through all four of the monsters without affecting them.
"DOES NOT COMPUTE!"
A monster attacks the robot with a fist, denting his bodywork.
Another monster attacks Darian, missing with both slimy fists.
At close range now the elf can see that these monsters appear to be a swarming mass of algae.
"Robot, do you know what type of creatures these are?"
"NEGATIVE, MAUREEN ROBINSON."
Darian swings his sword at the one in front of him. "Steve Jobs, emergency. Assistance is needed."
He gets no answer.
"Robot, contact Steve Jobs and let the ship know our situation. Request assistance."
"AFFIRMATIVE." The robot is silent as he battles the monsters. "NO REPLY, MAUREEN ROBINSON. THIS STATION MUST BE SHIELDED."
The monster attacking the robot misses with a fist. The robot lashes out with an extended claw, and slime flies.
Beside him, Darian battles as well. Sidestepping a fist he drives his blade into the creature and it drops into a heap of stinking goo.
Another monster steps up and attacks next. Darian avoids its attacks as well but misses with his flame tongue.
There is a clang as the robot is hit again. However, the machine tears more gunk out of the creature with both claws.
Darian sets about the third monster, scorching it badly. However he misses with his second attack.
The robot connects again. By the time he is finished there is little left of his opponent but still it attacks.
Darian finishes off his opponent. The last monster steps up.
The robot is hit again, and one of his turn signal lights goes flying.
"NOW I AM MAD," says the robot. "DESTROY! DESTROY!"
An instant later the monster is a pile of goop on the floor.
Darian is struck for 6 hit points of damage by the last creature as he lands a glancing blow. He hits it again, setting it afire.
The elf's next swing is wide and he just barely avoids taking another hit. His final attacks destroy the monster.
All are dead. Looking at the remains, you see that they are some sort of collection of slimy algae.
Gradually Tully and Zanax recover their so-called wits.
Searching the room you find 20 flat gold plates (100gp ea.) plus a gem encrusted plate of platinum with the words 'Ptarton Express' engraved on it (5000gp). It rather resembles the thing that Amalda1 used to pay for your hotel room with back in the Alpha Centauri system.
Darian heals himself and anyone else who was wounded. "Thank you, Robot.
We would have died without your help."
"AFFIRMATIVE."
"I would like to return to the ship, I don't know what these things were, but I need to study up on them and recover my psionic power. Robot, my apologies, but I can't heal you. When we get back to the ship, we can seek help from Steve Jobs."
"AFFIRMATIVE."
The robot picks up his broken turn signal.
Tully shakes his head and says, "Thank you Darian and Robot. I had no idea that those things were capable of psionics. Anyway, let's get back to the ship and rest up before exploring further."
Zanax holds his head, "I'm going to need more than some rest. I think that creature injured my brain when it attacked me psionically."
Zanax heads back to the ship.
Tully says, "Rest as long as you need."
He heads back with Zanax.
You return to the Steve Jobs. The ship lifts off soon after and seemingly shortly after that you are closing on Earth. When you land in Occa's yard it is dark, but when you leave the ship you are surprised to find Salaam and Lo Wang standing outside waiting to speak to you.
"Welcome my friends," Salaam says. "My confidant, Lo Wang, is in need of adventure and knowledge that I can not grant him in such an urban atmosphere. Might he join you on your travels?" he asks. Lo's face lights up as he looks like he wants to get out of Sandas like you wouldn't believe.
Tully says, "I suppose. What can he do?"
"Briefly, I was trained in hand to hand combat, but erroneously made a wish to be able to heal. Thoth shined his light on me and I am a cleric in his service," Lo replies.
"You were part of the group that explored the ruins near Greyhawk, correct?"
Tully nods. "Actually, a cleric would be very useful to this venture. Why don't we all get a beer and see if we get along."
"That would be excellent," Lo says with a smile.
He looks over at Zanax, "How is your head? Do you need a heal from Salaam or something from Occa?"
Zanax shrugs, "I'm not sure. I've never felt like this after psionic combat. Darian, anything that you can tell me? I'm not sure, but I can't seem to generate any psionic attacks anymore."
Darian shakes his head slowly, his eyes downcast, remembering a time not so long ago when he'd been overwhelmed. "I'm sorry, my friend, but there's no way known to recover your lost abilities. It has happened to me and I sought help from Ray Jay. I was told that while magic can heal our body, it is unable to heal our mind in the same way. It makes little sense to me, but it appears to be so."
Tully says, "I wonder if technology could help in some way. Perhaps there is a way to shield your minds so that you aren't easy prey to other psionic creatures."
Zanax nods, "Let us ask the ship or the Amaldas." Tully asks, "How many types of mental attacks were you capable of before the battle?"
Zanax replies, "Just one."
"Ok, well, let's head over there." Tully says to Salaam, "Can you slap a heal on Zanax here? His brain got damaged recently."
"By Thoth, you are healed," Salaam says as he presses his right hand against Zanax's forehead as he casts Heal on him.
Zanax is healed.
Zanax bows to Salaam, "My thanks."
He checks to see if his psionic attack has returned.
A strange creature resembling a raccoon with a prehensile tail comes bounding out of the space ship, jumps up on Salaam's shoulder and kisses him on the lips.
Salaam barely controls himself from spitting.
"Who and what are you?" he asks the creature. "Do any of you know what this is?"
The creature seems to grin at him.
"I believe Zanax referred to it as a noor. Seems harmless, if a little annoying." Darian frowns. "Although it doesn't seem to have much in the way of usefulness. It's very attached to Zanax."
"I guess not any more," Salaam says as he wipes his lips. "Is it intelligent?"
"Yes, but I don't know the extent of its intelligence," replies Darian.
The noor sticks its tongue out at Darian and then jumps over to Zanax's shoulder.
"I didn't even know you had a tongue," observes Darian.
"I REQUIRE A BODY SHOP," announces the robot, looking somewhat dinged up.
"I'm not sure we have one of those, robot. Do you know of one we could take you to?" asks Darian.
"NEGATIVE."
Salaam arches his right eyebrow, not understanding.
"Master," Lo says, "he is a robot. I have seen such, but not this advanced. There are no body shops here," Lo remarks to the robot.
"Let's head back to Almada. She will be able to help."
"Thank you, master," Lo bows to Salaam.
You turn back to the Steve Jobs. On the outside it appears to be made of platinum. As you approach a door opens in the side of the ship. You enter, finding yourselves in a cabin furnished with comfortable chairs, divans and sofas in white leather. The walls are a soothing grey in colour with metallic accents. A low table in the centre has a single touch wheel in its middle. The lighting is soft and low.
"Welcome aboard the X class scout Steve Jobs," says a voice out of thin air. "I already know where you want to travel to. Please take a seat if you like. Would you like drinks? A light Vegan snack? Recreational drugs?"
The door behind you vanishes as if it never existed.
Lo enters the ship and asks, "Can I get a tour?"
Tully says, "Just look around. It is a small ship."
"Thanks," he says and then looks around.
There is only the one room.
Darian looks for a terminal - whatever that is - and tries to figure out what the creatures they fought are called.
Zanax sees what can be done to increase his psionic abilities.
Lo examines the ship to see if he is familiar with any of the technology.
The technology is far beyond anything Lo has ever seen...though he gets the impression that it would be easy to learn.
The entire far wall of the cabin turns transparent, giving you a view of Occa's gardens in the dark. You see Salaam stepping back, as the ship rises silently into the air and then climbs skyward. You feel a low hum. There is little to see as it is still night at this point on Earth...until you climb above the cloud deck and the stars come out, illuminating the icy wastes of the Southern Continent hundreds of miles below.
Earth quickly drops away altogether, as a bright yellow star becomes centred in your field of view. The hum of the drive increases, and you notice that the bright star ahead is becoming more blue tinged, as do the stars around it. Steadily it turns violet, then fades away. A growing dark spot appears where the star was...surrounded by violet stars which steadily fade out as the darkness spreads.
Finally, no stars are visible at all...just a black void.
You feel a slight jerk.