| Logs |
2002 March 10
| Weston |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Weston Logs |
The Video.. and a Visitor
The group takes cover inside the university, after hiding the truck, so that they will not be seen by the surveillance satellite that is scheduled to pass over. While they are cloistered inside, Geneviev and Saburo decide that when the satellite has passed, they will take the truck and go to retrieve the supplies that the group left on the beach. The satellite passes uneventfully and Saburo and Geneviev leave to get the supplies, leaving Pitch Black, Kavanaugh, Doctor Chong and Bethpage to view the videocamera's record, which Kavanaugh has finally managed to get working.
Kavanaugh sets up the small monitor, rubbing his hands together. "Okay. Let's have a look at what there is. Everyone gather 'round... got your popcorn?"
Dr_Chong moves to where he can see the monitor clearly and waits patiently.
Bethpage fidgets, waiting. She says out loud, "Do it, Kavanaugh. Please. The more we know, the less that's still out there that might eat us in our sleep."
Pitch_Black doesn't say anything, just folds his arms and watches.
Kavanaugh nods, fussing with some of the electronics within the camera. "Sure thing, Page. Just a moment, just need to make one more connection.... Gah. It was a little hard to get going, the damn camera was damaged, inside and out. No idea what did it, just blown circuits, cracks and scratches. The video memory is good, and --" There is a faint, electric *pop* and Kav twitches a bit. "Zut alors! Damn piece of.... Right. That should do it, I think. Let's have a look...." He sets the video playing on the small monitor.
The camera seems to have been on a one-hour rerecord loop and the beginning of the tape has nothing on it except a view of the plaza that the group entered. There is no movement for some time. Then, a woman comes onto the screen.. She looks absolutely terrified. Her clothes are dusty and looking a little ragged in places. Her hair is messed up and she generally looks like she's been through hell.
She stands at the top of the steps, looking around wild-eyed and yelling. There is no audio feed on the tape, but it's pretty clear that she's calling to see if there is anyone else around. She remains there for a few minutes before another figure steps into the camera's view.
Bethpage nods. This our skeleton girl?
The man is taller than the woman, by quite a bit. Having seen the skeleton, she was about 5'4. The man seems to have a full foot on her in height. He is slender and his skin is suprisingly pale for Australia. He has black hair that almost reaches to his back. His features are very angular and clearly not human. He carries a long sword in one hand and stalks towards her, calling out something that gets her attention.
She looks at him with the same expression you might see on a cornered deer. Her head goes side to side, looking for somewhere to run, but she seems to be frozen in place. She makes a halting lurch to one side as he gets within striking distance. His sword comes up and his expression is grim. He swings the sword in a vicious arc, cutting across her chest from shoulder to hip, before he turns it, and swings back, catching her throat. She crumples to the ground and he smiles cruelly.
He looks over at the camera and raises his empty hand towards it. He speaks a word and there is a bright flash. The video feed turns to snow.
Dr_Chong raises his hand to his unprotected head, and strokes his beard, lost in thought.
Bethpage takes a deep breath, reaching for calm, and says, "Sheeeit. Whatcha wanna bet he's not dead?"
Kavanaugh blinks. The hell of it is that he's seen what should be ostensibly worse in... in the Legion, where the Legion would fight. Stuff that's reasonably tame. This, though. It wasn't what happened that startled him so much as the casual brutality of it, and the... well, mysteriousness of it. "Well, now," he says quietly. "'Pleased to meet you, hope you guess my name.'" He glances at the camera, and notices he has a screwdriver still in his hand. Using the tool, he tries to casually push the camera as far away from him as he can.
Pitch_Black looks away after the image goes to snow. "Hm." Looks familiar. Who says the world doesn't deserve an ending.
Bethpage says, "Dr. Chong? Have you seen something like our sword-boy before? Do our... employers use anything like him? Maybe he's like Gene, but didn't need to "pass" in regular society?"
Dr_Chong says, "I've heard.. stories.. about similar beings, but nothing that fits this particular.. being.. exactly."
Kavanaugh lets out a breath, and crosses himself. "In nomine Paternis...," he murmurs then looks to Chong. "What... stories, have you heard?"
Bethpage frowns at Chong. "Being? He's just some mean laboratory work, right?"
Dr_Chong says, "Many myths in many cultures have beings that look nearly human, but were never born to this earth as we know it."
Bethpage snorts. "Myths don't kill people.
Dr_Chong says, "I could not say for sure if its something new or something much older."
Pitch_Black says, "Doesn't matter. It's a hostile. If it's still alive, it'll be just as dead when we're done with it. Elves and fairies die just as easily as we do."
Pitch_Black says, "Even if I have to beat it with a cold iron gutter pipe."
Kavanaugh deadpans, "Neither do they short out cameras from a hundred paces." He glances behind him. "Yeah, Yarnchaser. I'd really hate to have to do an exorcism, too."
Bethpage gives Pitch Black an odd look. "Are you saying you really think that's what it is, too?"
Pitch_Black says, "I'm saying I don't care what it is. I know it's hostile, and I know what to do with hostile contacts."
Bethpage says, "I thought fairies gave wishes."
Dr_Chong says, "I do not think that poor woman had her wish granted."
Kavanaugh looks curiously up at Pitch, frowning. "Let's not go jumping to conclusions, m'son. I'll settle for agreeing that it... uh, he, is hostile and if for no other reason than cold-blooded murder should be passed on to a higher authority to judge him." He starts folding up his gear. "Since this is Australia and there are no more temporal higher authorites here, I'd vote for passing this case on to God to handle."
Bethpage shrugs to Pitch Black and Kav, "Hostile works fine for me. Though we might want to interrogate it to fulfill our contract."
Bethpage adds to Kavanaugh, "I hope that last part meant 'kill it.'"
Pitch_Black says, "Whatever. Swords are considered outdated for a reason. My pointed stick is about 800 meters longer than his."
Kavanaugh looks at Bethpage curiously. "Well, he's got to meet the Maker somehow. 9mm hollowpoint works just as well as natural causes for that."
Bethpage snickers at Pitch Black's comment, and feels better.
Dr_Chong says, "Whatever it is, I have a feeling it relates somehow to other events here. We should not be overzealous in our pursuit of 'divine justice'."
Pitch_Black says, "I'm not interested in justice either. I'm interested in finishing our contract and going home."
Pitch_Black says, "The fairies can have Oz, as far as I'm concerned."
Kavanaugh says, "Quite right, Yarnchaser. Of course, Dr. Chong." He cleans up his tools, stowing them away. "Well, what shall we do while awaiting the others' return?""
Bethpage shrugs at Kav, "We both believe in guns, at least."
Bethpage grins at Pitch Black. "Amen to that, brother."
Bethpage sighs. "Now, how the hell do fairies and disappearing germs connect? Doc? Anybody?"
Dr_Chong says, "We will have to investigate more to find the connection I fear. The fact that she was still alive long after everyone here was thought to be dead should be a clue however."
Dr_Chong says, "Perhaps some segment of the population is immune, or her body developed anti-bodies to the disease somehow."
Pitch_Black leans back against the wall and snorts derisively. "Maybe they decided Ireland was too cold."
Kavanaugh says, "Well... we have evidence of at least two people who survived the virus. Sword-boy, and the woman Sword-boy killed. Either they both came here after the disease petered out, or they survived the disease."
Bethpage says to Kavanaugh, "I think we should make sure our chosen campsite is elf-free... and let the good Doctor work on the connection here. Going off alone is a bad idea, tough as we may be... and we should call Gene and Saburo and let them know to watch out for hostile elves."
Bethpage snorts at PItch Black.
Kavanaugh nods to Bethpage. "I agree. Nobody going off alone sounds like a plan." He keys his radio, calling to the two in the APC to let them know to pack up the gear quickly and not be alone at all.
Bethpage nods to Kav and Dr. Chong, "Yeah. That they stayed alive after the rest died is important. I'm just not smart enough to figure out why."
Geneviev and Saburo tell the group, over the comm that they will keep their eyes open, but that their arrival may be delayed. One of the APC's tires has gone flat on the way to the drop off location.
Kavanaugh frowns. "Blast. Don't loose sight of each other at any time." He looks to the others. "APC got a flat. That bodes rather ill-well."
Bethpage frowns.
Pitch_Black is up and off the wall as if on springs, pistol already drawn. "Movement!"
Pitch_Black is moving toward the door. "Alleyway, where the van was."
Bethpage follows Pitch Black, drawing her gun and searching frantically for signs of life.
Kavanaugh stands quickly, pulling the HK PDW from his harness and snapping down the front grip, following Pitch and Bethpage out. "Get down and keep quiet, Yarnchaser, I'm moving, I'm moving!"
Pitch_Black zigzags across the street until he reaches the edge of the wall at the mouth of the alley, pistol drawn. Very carefully, he edges just one eye around the corner, just enough to see.
Dr_Chong puts his helmet back on for its protective value and so his hands are free.
The alleyway appears to be empty, except for a rather scrawny looking housecat perched on top of a garbage can and looking quite startled and perhaps a little angry that it's meal, a mouse, has slipped away from him.
Kavanaugh actually manages to function in a somewhat military fasion, the stock of the PDW jammed against his shoulder as he walks very quickly and carefully accross the street, letting the barrel of the weapon lead him. He lets Pitch peer into the alley, ready to react to whatever it is that he sees.
Bethpage follows Pitch Black, but stays behind him by several feet, ending up against the same wall but unable to see. She looks around, checking what she can, and waits for his reaction to the rest of the alley.
Pitch_Black hrmns and doesn't move. "Check the thermals. There was something here."
The end of the alleyway has a short brick wall, about four feet high. Just as Pitch Black asks for thermals, he sees someone climb over the fence and jump down the other side. The footfalls after he lands indicate that he is running.
Dr_Chong moves to where he can give chase if everyone starts running off.
Pitch_Black tchs. "Dammit! He's moving, Page, move up!" He starts to sprint after.
Bethpage dashes immediately after Pitch, hearing the footfalls.
Kavanaugh nods, and starts to flip his visor over to thermal imaging, but stops when he hears the running feet. He follows along behind the other two, glancing behind to cover their rear, running after them. "Saburo, Geneveiv, we are in pursuit of someone, not sure who it is, will keep you posted!"
Dr_Chong chases after Bethpage, keeping a wary eye on his surroundings as he runs.
Pitch_Black sprints quickly to the end of the alleyway, and kicks off one of the side walls to reach the lip of the barrier, grabbing the lip and looking over before attempting to dive over to the other side.
The person that you are in pursuit of looks frantically behind him. He lets out a little squeak of panic and scrambles around the corner, briefly loosing his footing as he does. He picks himself back up and disappears around the corner, onto the street.
Bethpage runs flat out to the wall and, perhaps unwisely, does not pause before vaulting it.
Pitch_Black hmphs and pulls his feet up against the wall, giving a pull and flipping himself onto the edge of the wall before hopping down the other side. "A kid? Or a leprechaun..."
Kavanaugh doesn't hear any screams of pain or confusion as Pitch and Beth go over the wall, so he follows along after. He does pause atop the wall to make sure Dr. Chong is following close and to not leave him alone.
Dr_Chong climbs over the wall nodding to Kavanaugh that he's still following.
Bethpage frowns. Hope it's not a kid. The claws want blood.
Kavanaugh nods, and follows along after the others, looking over his shoulder frequently to check on Chong. Better that, at the very least, we get separated while in pairs, rather than one of us find themselves alone, Lord. I'd say that's a sound thing to do.
Pitch_Black sprints to the next alley and again, peeks around with half his face before giving chase.
Bethpage chases the shorter person, not far behind Pitch now after not stopping to look before taking the wall. She screeches to a halt and waits impatiently while he looks.
Pitch_Black hrmns again, stepping into the mouth of the alleyway and pausing. "Check the thermals again, Page... he didn't get over this one."
Bethpage flips to thermals and rakes the alleyway with her gaze, searching.
Pitch_Black looks up at the sides of the alleyway. It couldn't have climbed the buildings.
Dr_Chong tries to put on some extra speed to catch up to Pitch and Bethpage as they pause at the corner.
Pitch_Black pauses again and calls into the alleyway. "I can hear you. Come out, now... we don't want to hurt you."
Kavanaugh catches up with the others, finally, and hears Pitch's call. He blinks a bit, lowering his weapon and catching his breath.
Dhori calls out, in terrible english. "n-n-no! h-humans eat Antyrii! n-not eat m-me.."
Kavanaugh frowns. "Atyrii?" he whispers.
Pitch_Black tchs. He calls out again, drily, "Exercise makes me lose my appetite. C'mon out. We don't plan on staying."
Dhori whimpers a little.. but stands up and comes out from behind the dumpster he was hiding behind.
Dhori has a shock of short red hair atop his head and the complexion typical of a red-head, freckles sprinkled across his nose and all. His eyes are blue. He wears a pair of green leggings and a green tunic that drops to his knees. It would likely drop further if it was not sinched at his waist by a leather belt. He has soft leather boots on, that reach the middle of his calf. He doesn't look that old. Ten or twelve at the most.
Dr_Chong says, "Its all right, we mean you no harm, you can come out."
Bethpage stares. This gets weirder and weirder.
Dhori shuffles forward, eyes huge.
Pitch_Black chokes back a snort. It is a leprechaun. Che ji ba dan... He lowers his gun... a little. "What's your name?"
Dr_Chong removes his helmet and smiles encouragingly at the redheaded youth.
Bethpage tries to look as nonthreatening as a faceless human in black full-body armor can. She goes so far as to lower her gun to her side, though she doesn't trust it to stasy unneeded.
Dhori gulps heavily. "I.. D-d-d-hori.."
Pitch_Black says, "Dhori. What were you doing in the alley, Dhori?"
Bethpage listens approvingly to Pitch Black getting the little critter to talk. Maybe there's something else around here I can kill later.
Dhori looks back and forth between the group. "I curiousity. I look at humans.. thought all dead."
Pitch_Black says, "So did we. Do you think you know why that is?"
Kavanaugh peeks into the alley, blinking. By all the Saints, Lord, what... who is he? He glances at Page and Pitch, and holsters the PDW, knowing the two would be better apt at fighting. He lets Pitch do the talking for the moment.
Dhori shakes his head back and forth. "Not know. Humans all gone when Antyrii come."
Pitch_Black says, "Okay, that's fine. Who are the Antyrii?"
Bethpage can't stay silent. "And why did you come?" She tries for a gentle voice.
Dhori says, "Dhori..." he struggles for a word.. "Dhori Big Family." He makes a motion with his hands holding them far apart, like he's trying to impress upon you that it's big, not small.
Pitch_Black says, "Okay, okay... I understand. Why'd you come here, Dhori?"
Dhori says, "Dhori scout. Come see where humans.."
Bethpage says, "Where humans what, Dhori?"
Pitch_Black says, "Page."
Dhori says, "Where go humans. Taiat want know where go humans."
Pitch_Black says, "Easy, Page. Don't spook him."
Pitch_Black says, "Who's Taiat, Dhori?"
Dhori says, "Taiat Big Family Head.."
Bethpage keeps it back and nods to Pitch Black, murmuring, "Mmhuh. Sorry," in as soothing a tone as she owns.
Dr_Chong says, "Would the rest of your, ah, family be peaceful towards humankind, Dhori?"
Pitch_Black straightens up a little, and holds his hand up around the level of his own head. Maybe a bit higher. "Taiat?" He asks, "Long black hair?"
Dhori grins at Doctor Chong. "Taiat think humans funny. He likes."
Dr_Chong smiles back at Dhori.
Kavanaugh murmurs, "But likes how?"
Dhori frowns thoughtfully at Pitch Black's hand. He points down.. "Little down." He holds his hand at his shoulder. "Hair here.. red."
Bethpage smiles, figuring it might show in body language even in she doesn't mean it. Likes with ketchup, maybe... oh. Two groups, maybe?
Pitch_Black says, "Red. Okay. Dhori, do you know someone about this," Here he holds his hand back up a little higher, "High... and thin? Long dark hair? A swordsman?" "
Dhori looks thoughtful again. "Renthal got dark hair.. maybe tall. Maybe it a Dowrani.. not Antyrii."
Pitch_Black says, "Who are they?"
Dhori shivers, "Dowrani bad. Human should stay away."
Pitch_Black says, "Can you tell me more than that?"
Dhori shrugs helplessly. "Elders say Dowrani bad and Dhori should run from.. Not know more. Scared to ask."
Pitch_Black says, "Okay. That's fine. Who's Renthal?"
Dhori says, "Renthal Antyrii.. " He struggles for a word again.. finally failing to find something in his vocabulary that seems to suit him.. He makes some swinging actions with his arm. "Good sword.."
Pitch_Black says, "What does he think of humans?"
Kavanaugh bites his lip to keep from saying anything. Too many people slinging swords around here. Then he blinks. The sword? The bot! The one that looked like it had been slashed!
Dhori shrugs, "Not know. Speaks human good!"
Pitch_Black says, "Stay right there a second, Dhori."
Pitch_Black turns and calls over his shoulder, "Hey padre... your deck have video?"
Dhori nods. "Dhori not move." He doesn't either. Stands completely still.
Dr_Chong says, "I do not think he meant it that literally Dhori, I think he just wants to show you something."
Bethpage notices, and grins. Pitch can talk to all the elves if he gets this good a result...
Kavanaugh nods, pulling out the small monitor to his deck. "If I understand what you mean, m'son, I can do as you ask. Give me a moment to call up the image...."
Dhori looks up at Chong and whispers, through clenched teeth. "Dhori afraid human might eat if move. Dhori not move."
Bethpage sighs, feeling bad. Damn it, it's just like a kid.
Pitch_Black says, "No one's gonna eat you, Dhori. We're just curious too."
Dr_Chong whispers back to Dhori, "We mean you no harm, we are just curious like yourself."
Bethpage puts all the sincerity and soothing she can muster into her voice. "Dhori... I don't want to eat you either. They're telling the truth."
Dhori looks around warily. "Sure not eat if move?"
Pitch_Black says, "Nobody wants to hurt you. My, uh, friend here's gonna show you something, okay? Just relax."
Bethpage says, "I promise, Dhori."
Dhori relaxes a little, then and does move his head and eyes around to look. He stays firmly rooted in place, though.
Kavanaugh brings up a clear image of the fellow, the swordsman on the screen, well before he's about to cleave into the woman, in fact before it even looks like he's about to lay into her. "Here we are," he says, and kneels down showing the small monitor to Dhori. "Can you tell us who that one is, Dhori? Renthal or a... a Dowrani?"
Dhori peers at the screen in wonder. He looks up at Kavanaugh, clearly impressed. "Big magic!" He looks again and shakes his head, "That not Renthal. Him not from Antyrii Big Family. Not know if Dowrani.. not know what Dowrani look like."
Pitch_Black nods. "Okay." He half-turns back to Kavanaugh, "Thanks, padre." He kneels down a little, "Dhori, you know where we can find someone who does? We're looking for this guy."
Kavanaugh nods, smiling to Dhori, "Thank you. We were just wondering." Then sighs to himself. "All right Yarnchaser, you made your point...." He reaches up to take off his helmet, taking a cautious breath of the air. He smiles warmly to Dhori, then nods to Pitch, standing and stepping back.
Dhori nods, "Taiat maybe know. Can take there!"
Pitch_Black hms. "Alright." He turns to the others. "Best lead we got so far. What do you say?"
Bethpage says, "I'm game."
Dr_Chong simply nods his head.
Bethpage adds, "I won't let you go alone, certainly. But Dhori is convincing."
Saburo comes onto the comm, to inform you that they've managed to fix the tire and pick up the supplies. They are on their way back to you and ask where to meet you.
Pitch_Black says, "Tell them to stash the van in the alley again. And stand by, we might be onto something."
Kavanaugh touches the communicator, then nods to Pitch and relays that to Saburo.
Pitch_Black turns back to Dhori. "Okay, Dhori. Take us to Taiat."
Dhori nods to Pitch Black. "It long walk." he motions to the north. "Forest that way."
Kavanaugh says quietly, "That's where the sighting was. In the forests to the north...."
Bethpage blinks. So there might be no human survivors at all. Great.
Pitch_Black says, "Guess we were headed there anyway. Hey, padre, tell Saburo to stash the van up outside the park instead... we'll meet them there."
Kavanaugh nods, and relays that to Saburo and Gene.
Saburo agrees to turn around and meet you near the park with the van and all the supplies.
Dhori looks around and steps out of the alley, he starts walking north, looking over his shoulders to make sure you're following him.
Pitch_Black follows along at a respectful distance. He holsters his pistol again, but he unslings the rifle again and holds it over one shoulder... just in case.
Bethpage follows, gun in hand... in case the Dowrani show up and want to dance.
Dr_Chong follows along with Dhori, chatting with him as they travel.
Kavanaugh keeps his weapons holstered, simply following along and keeping alert, and his hand is, at least, on his machine pistol.
Dr_Chong says, "Dhori, what can you tell me about the history of your family? Where did you come from, who are your people?"
Bethpage reconsiders and holsters her gun. Wouldn't want her hand to cramp hanging on to it.
Dhori looks up at Doctor Chong. "Human ask Elders. Dhori not listen much to Elder stories. Dhori like forest better than story."
Dr_Chong says, "What do your people do? Do they farm or hunt for food?"
Bethpage keeps an ear perked, listening to Dhori's answers. Huh. Maybe we did get a kid, not just a short alien. Guess I'm glad I didn't shoot it.
Dhori smiles sheepishly. "Dhori good at catch rabbits. Dhori bad at listen."
Dr_Chong says, "How long have you been in this area?"
Dhori says, "Antyrii catch food.. find food." He thinks for a moment, "Not long time."
Dr_Chong says, "Your family has known of the Dowrani before you came here?"
Dhori nods. "Know Dowrani long long time."
Bethpage keeps a firm grip on her heart. It is alien. It is not cuddly. Even if it doesn't like to go to school, it is not just like a little human kid.
Pitch_Black says, "Would you say it's been about... three months, Dhori?""
Dhori frowns, "Not know 'months'.. Many times sun go up and down."
Pitch_Black sighs and thinks a moment. "Uh... three full moons."
Kavanaugh doesn't want to interrupt Dr. Chong's questions. It would be considered bad form to start peppering Dhori with questions about his religion for the time being. There's a lot more immediate and potentially life-threatening issues at stake here. "About three months," he notes quietly.
Dr_Chong says, "Can you tell me about how many times the sun has gone up and down since you have been alive Dhori? Hundreds?"
Dhori shakes his head, "Two moons."
Pitch_Black says, "Two moons. Huh. Thanks, Dhori."
Pitch_Black lets the doctor finish, and follows on in silence.
Dr_Chong says, "What kind of place were you before you came here, Dhori?"
Dhori says, "Forest, too."
Dr_Chong says, "Same kinds of animals or different ones?"
Dhori says, "Some differant. Some same."
Dr_Chong says, "Do you remember how your family got here?"
Dhori grins. He knows the answer to this one. "Marahar make blue glow.. all walk through.. got here."
Bethpage lets the Doc ask who Marahar is.
Dr_Chong says, "Who is Marahar?"
Dhori says, "Marahar got Big Magic.." he points at Kavanaugh. "Like him."
Dr_Chong says, "Do you have any magic Dhori?"
Kavanaugh blinks at that. "Yeah, I heard him, Yarnchaser," he murmurs. "It's...." He bites his lip, shaking his head. For now, best not to get into a discussion of technology and magic.
Dhori shakes his head, "Big magic boring. Dhori like hunt and watch. Renthal teach Dhori bow.."
Dr_Chong says, "Have you seen any other humans on this island other than us?"
Dhori shakes his head again. "Not seen human but you."
Dr_Chong says, "Have you seen anyone else at all other than your own family and us?"
Dhori says, "No.."
Dr_Chong says, "Do you know what your family intends? Are you planning on staying here or moving on?"
Dhori shrugs, "Not know. Taiat not tell Dhori. Maybe tell Elders."
Dr_Chong contemplates so many mysteries and unknowns the rest of the way in silence.
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