The access way (not going to re-describe, go back to CSP 043 - or for better details look at the Add-On for a better idea of what you are seeing right now. I know, ASCII drawings are of limited value to at least one of our players - but still it beats trying to describe it over and over. Go take a look --- we'll wait.) T-intersects, and the trails (blood, ichor) swing off to the left and disappear off in that direction. So, apparently does X - no, wait: he disappeared first, and we *believe* he's heading off down that direction. Either way - it's all going on down that a-way.
"And just where is your back exactly?" Lady S retorts, "I can't see your huge arse." But the air is empty, and makes no reply. "I'm going to take a wild guess and follow the trail, assuming that's where we're headed." she adds, with something like a shrug. "Oh...", she whispers, almost as an afterthought, "...and if you suddenly stop, don't blame me if we get to be too close for comfort." Her heavy pistol looks menacing as she begins to quietly slip down the passage.
The slow, rhythmic thump-oooom definitely sounds like some sort of HUGE drum being pounded - the "oooom" part seems to be the backslap echo off the bass off the walls, resonating through the parking structure. No matter, of course, as your team begins (extremely cautiously) to move down that direction.
"Even though that spider's dead, but it still feels intelligent and malevolent. And it's a baby - so wherever it came from, there are probably more just like it." murmurs Block's intercom voice clearly. A few seconds later, as everyone is milling into position, he adds, "Okay, we had a piano player earlier, and now a drummer. I know! We're facing an insect rock band!" Unexpectedly, Ace's voice can be heard chuckling on channel. Ace adds, "Just don't visit their web site, I hear it's full o'flies. Badump-ching!" Somewhere on the channel some adds "*Cough*". It sounds almost like Ace.
And no, it would appear that X's passage doesn't disturb the dust and debris on the floor as it might in a cartoon. Sorry about that, guys. On second thought, he might not have come down this way at all - you really can't tell just now. the tunnel access remains empty and silent, broken only by the slowly methodical thump-oooom. (We're talking something on the order of two or three super-low-bass beats per minute...)
This accessway is large enough for two trucks to pass side-by-side, and there are "hatches" that let out every fifty feet or so. "Hatches" is more a description of a space-type door, not small openings with ridged edges - each is casually as wide and tall as a truck, just build more like a bank vault than a garage door. Of PRIME note is the fact that a LOT of the illumination stations (running across the ceiling at ten foot intevals) have been shot out or are otherwise inactive, dark. Naturally this means that, as the passage goes further down toward the heavily-dropped bass, it gets sepulchrally dark as well. Not easy to spot too many clues, there in the dark.
In less than a minute the team fetches up on the edge of a "hatchway" door. It is open, and without entering you can see that it appears to have been lit from within by a bonfire --- which is weird, since there is a bountiful and ready supply of electricity - and lighting is super-cheap to operate, down here. There the team halts, sans X of course - nobody really knows where he might be - but it seems safest to halt there and get your bearings, as everybody is in "maximum stealth" and "maximum paranoia" mode --- which seems the best way to remain alive. Good work on your self-preservation skills! |
