Log:Attack of the Promethean, Scene 1

Attack of the Promethean 2006/09/23 	 Granite Greg Neubecker Kibin Lorelei Momo and Random Factor 1

Briefing

 * Mission Name: Operation Island Torch
 * Mission Start: ASAP
 * Duration: Until Mission Completion
 * Method of Insertion/Extraction: Standard Starguard Flying Van - see Motor Pool
 * Special Equipment: Standard Field Kit

Starguard mantains a small underground research facility on Monkey Island. It serves as radio telescope and mission control for a number of satellites. Operations staff is a team of ten scientists.

Thursday around midnight, the communications link between the Starguard research station on Monkey and Starguard communications went offline. All attempts of contacting the base and it's staff have since failed.

Friday, headquarters established contact with the landing strip on the western end of the island. They agreed to send a team to head over to the base during the afternoon. Shortly after their team left, communications with the airstrip also went offline. Before losing contact, the airstrip personel related stories of seeing lights over the center of the island on Thursday night. Nothing anomolous was detected on air traffic radar.

Satellite imagery shows that the structures of the research facility, airstrip, and the monkey habitation at the center of the island all seem intact; however, the research facility and the airstrip both seem to be without electrical power.

Go to Monkey Island and establish contact with the Starguard research facility on the eastern tip of the island. Determine the reason for the loss of communication with the facility and the disposition of the personnel.

Content
Lorelei frowns. "I have a bad feeling about all this. I haven't exactly had good experiences on Monkey Island."

Lorelei was having lunch with RF when he was called in.

Random Factor nods to Lori and shivers a bit. "I remember it well..."

Kibin comments, watching the waves on the ocean go by, "No more giant monkeys there, though, I think."

From a bird's-eye inspection, nothing seems to be amiss on the crescent shaped island below. As you make your approach, you can spot the airstrip at one tip of the island and the squat one story structure of the research station at the other end.

Random Factor unconciously rubs his hands, as if trying to rid them of some stain.

Lorelei says, "I wsn't thinking so much of giant apes as the alien invasion....."

Kibin shrugs, not remembering much of it. He looks out the window at the land below, asking, "Where are we going to first?"

Granite doesn't bother to look out of the window, in fact he is glued to his seat in what appears to be a bit scared. Muttering to himself as he has his fingers crossed for luck.

Random Factor says, "The stated objective is the research facility, so we start there."

Kibin looks over to Granite, commenting to him, "Dropping like a rock is only an expression, you know."

Lorelei nods. "Makes sense. Um - any game plan before we land?"

Lorelei thinks. o O ("...that hung in the air exactly the way bricks don't.")

Granite looks to Kibin "Yeah well thanks to being a rock ever occur that I can drown. Its not flying I don't mind its the water." slight frown on his lips.

Random Factor takes the van in for a flyby of the airstip on the way to their destination. "Well, we should be on our toes, but the island monkeys have been known to exaggerate and panic easily, so we take it as it comes."

On closer inspection, the first signs of trouble emerge. The radio control tower of the airstrip has been silent on approach and as you perform a fly by, you can see why. The antenna and radar dome array the sits close to the tiny air traffic control shed looks to have been dismantled. The radar dome is missing and it looks as if some pieces of the interior are missing.

Kibin looks back again, looking at the dismantled communications equipment, not sure what to make of it.

Lorelei says, "Vague feelings of deja vu.... I trust there aren't force field generators round the island...."

Random Factor says, "None that I can make out, thankfully. Any of you see anything?"

Kibin looks more closely at the island, seeing if he can pinpoint anything that's been missed.

Granite looks at the window along the airstrip to see if he can spot anything on the tarmat or any of the hangers nearby them.

Kibin suggests to Random Factor, "Maybe someone should stay behind, make sure noone tries dismantling the van?"

On the opposite end of the island, the Starguard research facility sits quietly. The windows are shuttered, but the door is open. The usually impressing array of sensors and comm gear is missing.

Lorelei says, "Well, how close to the research facility can we get?"

Granite raises a eyebrow. "And miss all the fun. This is my first outing on this and I need to feel some land under my feet."

Random Factor ponders for a moment, then answers "No, I think until we know what we're up against, we should stick together. We can always call for alternate transportation if need be.

The research station rests in a clearing, with ample space to land.

Lorelei says, "Good idea. But if we can stick together *and* keep an eye on the vehicle, so much the better."

Random Factor says, "Well, let's set down nearby and just assess the situation."

Kibin says to Random Factor, "Maybe just an alarm if anyone else enters the van?"

Random Factor grins. "Well, of course we'll lock it and set the alarm."

Granite sighs then groans lowly as he is eager to get back on land. All the water around him isn't helping his nerves much since his change.

Kibin nods, and waits for the van to land.

Lorelei says, "Um - what are we expecting from the monkeys?"

Granite says, "Poo, sticks, and chatters of get out of my jungle sort??"

Random Factor says, "At least we're not seeing any bodies." as he sets down as near the door as he can. "Do you smell anything out of place, Kibin?"

Kibin sniffs around once he gets out, seeing if he can smell anything out of the ordinary.

Lorelei says, "Hm - didn't think I'd say this, but I wish Cliff were here now. He seems to have a knack for spotting hidden dangers."

Kibin hmmms, saying, "Monkeys have been all around the area it seems."

Lorelei says, "That's not exactly a surprise."

Random Factor says, "They seem to trust us, for the most part, so if we see any we can expect at least cordiality if not help, they they are like anyone and have their own "criminal element"."

Granite steps down off the van "Yeah, well this rock gorilla is getting off to stretch the legs." Looking around to check out the scenary moving a bit closer to Kibin, scanning the trees.

Kibin adds, sniffing in the direction of the jungle, "There's a trail leading back up to the jungle, too."

Random Factor says, "Just treat them with respect, and don't "talk down" to them and they will likely do the same."

[To Kibin] Random Factor says, "It's it a natural trail, or does it seem to have been recently torn/burned/whatever?"

Lorelei nods. "That's about what I thought."

Kibin says to Random Factor, "No, I mean monkeys were all around this area, and I smell a scent trail leading back into the jungle."

Granite shake his head for a moment losing a bit concentration. Then blinks his eyes a bit. "Sorry just something odd been happening with me lately."

Random Factor says, "Oh, I see. They may have tried to help the injured here if there were any. Can you smell any humans in that direction?"

Kibin sniffs the area a bit more, saying, "Seems to be a bit of human smell with the monkeys."

[To Granite] Random Factor says, "YOu ok?"

Lorelei steps out of the vehicle too to look around carefully.

Granite nods "Yeah chief, just been hearing a song in my head that gets to overbearing at times."

Random Factor says, "I don't wanna come off as "Captain Obvious", but nobody wander off, and keep your eyes open."

Kibin asks Random Factor, "Want me to try to follow the trail into the jungle?"

Lorelei says, "Or do we want to check out the building before we go wandering into the jungle?"

Random Factor says, "Let's all stick together and check out the building first. I don't really think we're gonna find much, but that's our priority. Then we'll check the trail."

Kibin says, "Sounds good to me." He goes ahead and lets Random Factor lead the way.

Lorelei nods, and starts heading slowly toward the building, staying alert.

Granite nods then steps out in front of everyone leading the way up to the faculties. More as a defensive measure since he is like a brick wall of defense.

Random Factor says, "Everybody grab something so you can see inside since it looks like the power's down, unless you can on your own."

Lorelei says, "Oh, right."

With the windows shuttered and the power out the only light coming in is through the open doorway. It's immediately clear that this top level of this station has been looted. Computers and console removed for desks and wall brackets. Nothing has been smashed or destroyed -- but the place looks in disarray: overturned chairs, scattered papers, and spilled coffee mug.

Lorelei grabs some LIG goggles, and a flashlight too, as an afterthought.

Kibin goes ahead and goes through the doorway then, waiting for everyone else to get the equipment.

Lorelei says, "Hm, nothing broken as such - what do you think? A fight? A search?"

Random Factor says, "MAybe. Or maybe the SG agents had to abandon it and the monkeys looted it. They see property rights a bit differently than we do."

Kibin says to Random Factor, "The monkeys and humans were around here at about the same time, though."

Lorelei says, "Any idea how long ago?"

The barracks area seems to be in the worst shape. Beds overturned, blankets everywhere, some traces of blood on the wall. Elsewhere on the first level, the sound of sparking electricity draws your attention to the elevator controls, smashed and inoperable.

Kibin says to Lorelei, "Some time yesterday, maybe last night."

Random Factor says, "Hrm. So there's still some power here after all, it's just all turned off."

Granite looks at the blood then says to Random. "Chief, we got a conflict here. Not sure on blood type maybe Kibin can smell it to determine type here." Pointing the the spatter on the wall.

Kibin looks around for a lightswitch, switching it on if he finds one to see if it works.

Lorelei says, "Hm - what does the elevator give access to?"

The lights fail to turn on.

Random Factor says, "Well, that gives access to..."

Kibin then goes over to the blood where Granite is near, seeing if he can identify it by smell.

Lorelei says, "Hm. So did the defenders smash the controls to keep the attackers out, or did the attackers do this?"

Random Factor says, "I DOUBT it was the defenders, but that's a possibility.."

Kibin comments, "Blood seems human, if it matters."

Granite says, "I could try to jimmy rig it operational and we could find out whom is alive down there or whats left."

Lorelei says, "Is there another way down?"

Random Factor says, "Ok, you can try it Granite, if you think it'd work, but it looks like we'd have no power to operate it anyways."

Kibin looks up to see if there's actually any lights installed for the light switch to turn on.

The lights do indeed have lightbulbs installed.

Lorelei says, "Well, the elevator controls were sparking, so there's *some* electricity....."

Kibin explores this floor while Granite is juryrigging the elevator to see if there's anything else of note here.

Granite takes couple wires then after a few sparks the doors to the elevator open up after twisting them together. The door opens then Granite peers down into the shaft a bit. "Looks like its been locked out as security measure. If you want it to work have to find the panel down there."

Lorelei says, "Hm... Random - isn't going on ahead down there something you'd be good at? Maybe you could get it working for the rest of us - if we still think this is a good idea."

Random Factor says, "Well, I hate to spilt up, but I could fly down and take a quick look..."

Lorelei says, "It would only be a short while, right? And nothings going to be jumping out at you down there, presumably."

Random Factor nods. "Alright. If you don't hear from me in 10 minutes, go follow the trail and see what you can find."

Lorelei says, "Sure you wouldn't rather we came looking for you?"

Granite steps back from the shaft to let Random past him moving towards Kibin to watch what Random will do next.

Random Factor says, "No, if I get taken out, I don't want to lose the rest of you."

Lorelei says, "Don't worry, I don't want to lose me either."

Kibin asks Random Factor, "How about you contact us if you find anything down there?"

Random Factor grins and leans in to give Lori a kiss on the cheek, then nods to Kibin. "If I find anything intresting, that's my plan. Otherwose, I'll just come back up. Let's just check and make sure there's no jamming device. I'll check the comms."

Random Factor nods. "Ok, remember what I said. 10 minutes."

Lorelei says, "Keep in contact as you descend. So at least if we lose contact we might have an idea why."

Kibin comments, "No watch, so I'll just wait here for a while."

Random Factor nods to Lori. "Ok, here goes nothing." He steps over into the elevator shaft and starts floting down, calling off his progress.

Granite moves to start inspecting the beds and area around to find who or what this blood belongs to trying to find where it trails to.

As Random goes down, eventually the distance the composition of the shaft begin to distort the signal slightly, but his transmissions are still comprehendable. Along the way, the shaft seems and elevator seem fine. Finally, Random reaches the bottom of the shaft, and the elevator doors. The lockdown of the elevator was initiate on a control panel on the otehr side of the doors, on the interior of the basement level.

Lorelei stays on the alert by the elevator shaft.

Kibin just waits for Random Factor to come back, listening in on the communicator.

Random Factor takes a quick glance around, the unlocks the system. He radios back: "It should work now, try calling it up."

Lorelei tries.

Random Factor goes desolid and steps through the doors, taking a quick glance around with IR if there are no lights here either.

The basement level is lit and seems to have full power. In the hall here, there's a young man in a Starguard jumpsuit, passed out on the floor in a blanket.

Random Factor Kneels beside the man to see if he's still breathing.

As Random Factor approaches, the man wakes with a start. With one arm, he flings back the blankets to reveal a fire axe. "Gaaah" he shouts, terrified, as he clutches the axe, prepares to use it.

Greg Neubecker says, "St-stay back!"

Random Factor barks out "STAND DOWN, SOLDIER! That's an order! It's alright. We're here to help."

Granite taps his earpiece to listen to it pondering why the elevator isn't coming back up or why Random hasn't chimed in yet.

Greg hesistates, and it seems the pause is all he needs to gather his bearings. "Random Factor.... I - I can't believe it! Man, are you sight!" He sets down his axe and begins to rise to his feet.

Random Factor gives him a hand up. "Ok, you sit down a minute so I can get the elevator working, so the others can come down. Then you can tell us all about it.

Random Factor radios back up. "The power is on down here and I've found one of the team members, relatively unharmed. I'll send the elevator up as soon as I can."

"It was terrible..." Greg begins. "The monkeys.. they attacked us in the middle of the night! But wait... I think I figured it out! You have to see this." Greg turns and begins to head down the hall, disappearing into a side room.

Kibin yawns. Bored. He waits patiently for Random Factor to send the elevator up.

Lorelei calls the elevator. at last.

The elevator begins it's ascent. It's at about that time that the alarm from the Starguard transport goes off.

Kibin runs towards the Starguard transport, to see what's going on...

Lorelei mutter and runs out the door after Kibin.

Granite mutters then follows after Kibin. Radio to Random "Chief someone is doing something with the van, the alarm went off."

Granite stops at the doorway and decides to stay inside since someone needs to watch the elevator in case.

The sound of the alarm is soon joined by the hysterical screeching of a monkey! Those outside can see a lone monkey, backing away from the transport shrieking at it with a combination of surprise and annoyance.

Random Factor radios back. "Ok, check on it and I'll be right there.

Random Factor calls out "Hello?" in the direction the man ran.

Lorelei calls out, "Hello!" to the monkey as soon as she sees it.

Greg says, "I'm here! In the computer lab. At first we didn't have enough computer muscle to solve the equations but after the communications went down I figured there was nothing to lose by diverting computing cycles to solving the equations."

Momo backs away a step, eyeing Lorelei suspiciously. The monkey seems to be ready to flee in an instant.

Kibin stays back, as to not threaten the monkey anyway. Probally not much it can do to the van, anyway.

Fweet! Fweet! Fweet! The transport's alarm continues to blare.

Random Factor says, "What equations? What are you talking about?"

Kibin goes ahead and takes out the PDA, seeing if he can remotly shut off the alarm somehow. He lets Lorelei deal with the monkey.

Lorelei walks slowly toward the monkey. "What's your name?"

Granite sticks his head out of the doorway seeing what is happening and if he is needed to come out. Then back towards the elevator, no need to scare the monkey more than what is already out there with a big rock in the area.

Greg says, "That strange signal we've been looking at with the radio telescopes. I think I've deciphered it!"

Random Factor says, "Ok, what've you got?"

Momo springs three feet in the air, frantically, pointing at the van. "Make it stop! Make it stop! They will hear us!"

Kibin then goes take the elevator down to where Random Factor is at, after he's attempted to make the van alarm stop.

Lorelei nods and turns to Kibin. "CAn you shut the alarm off?" Then asks Mono, "Who will hear us?"

Granite radios down to Random. "Chief, we need to turn off the alarm of the van before we attract attention."

The alarm shuts off.

Kibin then goes to the elevator, to see what Random Factor is doing.

Greg continues to explain. "It's a response. Most of the radio telescopes here, they're passive -- they only listen. About five years ago, there was a project to use them to broadcast actively -- to ping certain stars and other celestial bodies..."

Random Factor says, "Alright... and we got a response? What does it say?"

Momo jumps up and down, trying to explain to Lorelei. "The eggs! The eggs! We must escape!"

Lorelei reponds in a soothing a tone as she can manage, "What eggs? Calm down, and tell me what you're talking about...."

Greg says, "Well something out there must have heard us, and we only got the response last week. Like I said, I didn't have the computer power until now. The message was this: All Knowledge Shall Be Yours."

The elevator arrives at the top level.

Kibin goes in the elevator, and tries to get it to go down, then.

Random Factor says, "That sounds... good. So what happened here, before the monkey's attacked?"

Momo seems to calm down and bit, but the monkey still seems desperately worried about the situation. "Giant eggs -- that walk on three paws! They take everybody! To hairless man with no face. Make everybody work!"

Lorelei says, "That sounds bad - maybe you should come inside? How big are these eggs?"

Granite steps outside to look around since Kibin is heading down to meet him. "Whassup out here." Stepping close to the van looking at it.

Greg says, "I don't know... things were quiet. Then they came in the middle of the night for us."

Random Factor says, "No warning?"

Kibin goes look for Random Factor once the elevator stops, probally arriving in the room with Greg and Random.

Lorelei takes Momo inside with her, if he can be persuaded to go.

Momo jumps in the air again with arms raised overhead. "Bigger than this! Almost big like Mung!"

Lorelei thinks. o O (This had better not be another alien invasion...)

Granite follows Lorelei inside moving to lean against the wall.

Outside: Suddenly the sound of a hundred flapping birds wings rises from a section of the jungle, as a large flock of birds takes to the air. A large ovoid shape floats from beneath the jungle canopy, suspended on three spindly legs...

Momo follows Lorelei's suggestions to come inside. Everyone is inside the facility jsut before the robot emerges.

Lorelei says, "Keep quiet, everyone:"

Lorelei peeks out to obsever the machine while trying to stay out of sight.

Granite turns to look outside carefully wondering if the thing spotted them. Tapping his radio comm in tradition SOS hoping Kibin and Random pick up on it.

The giant machine walks slowly towards the clearing. It moves with a slight tilt to it's oblong body, so that it's eye can look at the grown in front of it. It stops one it reaches the clearing.

Random Factor radios back up. "What is it? What's wrong?"

Lorelei doesn't take tjhe chance of the robot seeing her, even if it means she can't observe: she knws she's useless at Not Being Seen.

Greg looks over at Random, "What's going on?"

Random Factor says, "I dunno. I'm getting an SOS."

Kibin listens to the communicator as well, also wondering what's going on.

Granite keeps quiet so not being heard taking a look at elevator in some hope of them coming back up from below. Holding his breath for a moment. Keeps tapping out the SoS since he was never given morse code lessons only that.

Greg hurriedly disconnects his PDA from the computers here. "Let's get out of here... I've got my data saved on this." He pockets the PDA.

Lorelei backs away from the door and says into the communicator "Big robot-tripod thing. Alien, I'd guess, but I'm not sure."

Random Factor says, "Where are the others?"

The machine remains quiet for now, outside of the facility.

Granite looks around for something to use in case they are found to use to swat the machine out of the way if called for.

Lorelei says, "Granite's here. Also a monkey who's scared of the robot: says it's been taking others away and putting them to work for the faceless man."

Greg frowns. "I don't know... the monkeys must've gotten them!"

Greg says, "The station commander told me to get in the elevator -- and before I knew it he'd shut the doors and sent me down. I think he jammed to controls too."

Random Factor says, "Ok. I've got an idea. I'll disguise myself as a monkey and let it take me, then you guys can take the van and get Greg outta here, and that info back to SG..."

Kibin asks Random Factor, "How exactly are you going to disguise yourself as a monkey?"

Lorelei says, "Not sure that's a good idea - what if you succimb to whatever it's doing to the monkeys?"

Random Factor says, "I'll make my escape after I find out what's up, and we can come back in force."

Lorelei says, "Anyway, help appreciated right now: I'm not so good with robots."

Granite says, "I could swat the thing out of the way."

Random Factor says, "Well... if that happens... you'll still know where I am to come back from my locator chip."

Random Factor turns to Kibin and Greg. "Let's go."

Random Factor says, "As for my disguise... trust me."

Random Factor grins and winks.

Kibin says to Random Factor, "Oookay..." Kibin makes his way to the elevator, waiting for Random Factor and Greg to come.

Golden Orb hovers slowly in though the front door of the facility.

Lorelei tries to hide from it!

Granite moves to grab a piece of metal from the bed rail to hold in his hands in case he needs to baseball the orb with it.

The orb floats silently in the air, moving methodically from room to room. Soon the elevator can be heard coming to a stop at the top level.

Momo cowers in a hiding space.

Kibin opens the elevator door when the elevator reaches a stop at the top, to see what's going on.

Greg remains behind Random and Kibin as the elevator doors open. He cant help but gasp at what he sees before him.

Random Factor says, "I'm gonna go invisible to take a look around." the fades out of sight. "Try not to be seen."

Kibin goes out of sight the best he can, then, away from the elevator.

Granite keeps his eyes on the orb waiting for his prime chance to hit it. Calculating the best chance for taking it out in one hit or to hit it towards the other robot.

Random Factor frowns upon seeing the orb in front of them and activates his armor, to act as a shield for Greg.

The robot can be heard moving outside and soon it's giant eye appear in the doorway to the facility, glowing brightly.

Kibin waves at the orb. Maybe it'll see us being friendly and not zap us or whatever?

Lorelei is still hiding, not wanting to risk even a peek. Robots are not her thing.

Random Factor scowls. "State your purpose."

From the doorway of the facility, the giant eye turns towards Kibin and then towards Random as he speaks. The robot's answer is clear and concise: a blue bolt of energy lances from the eye for Random Factor!

Three-legged War Machine fires a bolt of blue energy at Random Factor.

The blue bolt misses. It strikes the back wall of the elevator and leave it encases in a wall of blue force.

Kibin slashes at the golden orb thing, with one of the large claws on his feet.

A golden orb about the size of a soccer ball, polished to a reflective shine. It floats in mid-air, but with no obvious signs of propulsion.

Kibin's claws shred into the skin of the orb. Electricity ripples over the outside of it momentarily and then it falls to the ground with a solid thunk.

Random Factor adopts a defensive stance and steps out of the elevator, hissing back to Greg to go back down and wait.

Lorelei, hearing that battle has started (and so othes are about) comes out of hiding, and looks about for a weapon she can hit this thing with! Then she notices that Kibin has downed the little one.

Lorelei comes out with the blaster at the ready.

Granite swings his pipe toward the big eye of the bigger robot to make it back off the doorway in hopes he can damage it some to let the rest get by him.

Granite says, "runs fast as he can towards the eye using his own body and pipe in front of him to help in trying to move the robot away from the door. "Guy get to the Van Ill hold off the egg ball." "

The robot's iris winks shut just before Granite slams into it. The machine stumbles backwards, teeters a moment, then topples over, off of it's feet. Narrowly it misses falling on the transport van.

Greg presses the elevator button. The doors shut and the elevator begins to move.

Kibin runs towards the big... egg thingie, stopping when right next to it.

Lorelei aims the SG blast at the robot theough the door and fires.

Random Factor flings himself into the air and flies to the larger robot, and when he gets there, lands, fades into a misty form and tries to step inside

Lorelei is amazed once again by what seems almost to be a natural talent with guns - though disappointed that the shot doesn't seem to be powerful enough to do anything.

Random Factor starts yankking and pulling on wires and smashing panels, trying to disable the thing.

Random Factor ssems to be doing some damage, but not nearly as much as he'd hoped.

Lorelei approaches a bit, so she has partial cover in the doorway but a good shot at the robot, and tries firing again.

Granite strides up to the machine and tries to wrap it up the egg-like portion in his craggy arms.

Granite succeed in grabbing the mechanical shell of the robot and begins to apply pressure.

Lorelei thinks. o O (Darn it - blaster's useless, just like in the invasion - why do they issue Starguard with weapons that can't affect this alien stuff?)

The seams of the machine's main body begin to crumple and deform underneath Granite's crushing grip.

Momo follows Lorelei from her hiding place. "We must escape! There are others!"

Lorelei asks Momo "How many others?"

Meanwhile, even as Granite wrestles with the machine, its tries to regain it's footing. It plants it's feet beneath itself and begins to brace against Granite's pressure.

Momo says. "Not a bunch! More than three!"

Lorelei says reassuringly, "It's ok, it looks like my friends can handle them."

Kibin goes ahead and tries jumping up to the iris which is apparently the eye, and slashing at it with a foot. Hopefully won't be very effective if it's not able to see...

The robot's iris winks shut just before Kibin strikes. The claws glance off harmlessly.

Kibin tries slashing at the iris again, trying to get through before it closes...

Kibin hits it again, but no damage. The iris closes just in time again. Grrr...

Random Factor grins as he sees his opportunity. He concentrates for a moment, incrasing the density of his body to it's maximum, then hauls off with a haymaker as he bellows "It's clobberin' time!"

Lorelei figures she'll take one more shot at it before fiving up. She'd try to aim for a vulnerable area, but she figures she's not accurate enough.

Granite continues to compress his around around the ovoid body of the tripod.

Lorelei ironically hits a joint dead on like she was trying, but still does no harm.

The machine tries to use a free leg to pry itself loose of Granite's grasp.

...and it fails.

Kibin slashes again at the armor of the thing, not expecting it to do much good anymore.

Kibin hits again, but doesn't get through the armor, predictibally.

Kibin swings around and decides just thwacking it with his tail, seeing if that will do anything more.

Kibin hits again, with no good effect. There is a nice resounding thud, though.

Random Factor rips into the inner workings of the egg with a vengence.

Lorelei decides to go for an indirect approach, aiming for the ground at one of this thing's feet. She doesn't know how the blaster is against dirt, but maybe combined with it being held she can get it to trip.

The blast opens a small crater in the ground beneath the tripods foot. It struggles to maintain its balance.

The tripod sways, but stands fast.

Granite maintains his death grip on the robot's frame.

The machine tries to get free, but Granite's hold is solid.

Kibin slashes with a foot at the machine again...

Random Factor tries to hits the machine with a double-fisted chop.

The golden armor twists beneath Random's strike, and smoke begins to seap from between the warped seams of the plating.

Kibin slashes at the armor again, trying to get in a seam...

Random Factor pulls back his fists, preparing for another attack.

Lorelei just goes for a direct shot again. Who knows, maybe in it's damaged state...

Lorelei mutters "Useless!" as the beam again does not much.

Granite continues to squeeze on the robot's trunk. The lens of it's giant eye cracks under the pressure with a loud snap.

Still the three legged device tries to put free...

Halfman enters from More Ocean.

Halfman has arrived.

Eventually, the outer shell of the war machine crumples beneath the power of Granite's arms. Smoke flows freely from the cracks in the armor and with a zaapt noise, the eye winks out.

Kibin hmms, saying, "Wonder where they came from..."

Momo tugs on Lorelei's hand urgently. "More will come!"

Lorelei says, "Not sure we can handle several at once - maybe the best thing is to withdraw for a bit and have this rebot analysed?"

Granite helps to load the deactivated robot onto the Van. Meanwhile, Random goes back to the the base to fetch Greg. "Alright. Let's fall back and reassess this situation."

Kibin goes into the van to leave.

Lorelei says, "Momo - you want to come with us where it's safe?"

Momo practically leaps into Lorelei's arms. "Yes! Please!"

Lorelei says, "Ok, come on then."

Lorelei takes Momo into the van.

The heroes board the transport van and take off from the island. As they fly back to the mainland, more egg-shaped forms rise from the jungle canopy to watch them leave.