Log:Riftgate - RG-1 - 03 - daVinci Machine

Riftgate_-_RG-1_-_03_-_daVinci_Machine|RG-1 daVinci Machine 2009/01/04 	 Rebound|Alex Jade Kibin Imaginary Girl Kismat Lightray Hero 1

Riftgate Chamber
The walls, floor and ceiling of this chamber are constructed of the same shiny metal as the Security Area. The expense of entirely enclosing an area some twenty yards wide and the same distance deep, and fifteen feet high, with Questonite must have been considerable. Dominating the chamber is the Riftgate itself. The glittering black metallic ring is ten feet in diameter although the portal diameter itself is a mere eight feet across. There's a definite warping of local gravity which can be felt close to the Riftgate. When active the interior of the ring displays a shimmering silvery surface with rippling reflections.

On the left side of the chamber as you enter is the control console, several banks of electronics and optical computing systems, and a small but self contained cold fusion generator capable of powering the Riftgate independently of external power. At each corner of the chamber are ceiling mounted automatic weapons just in case something unwelcome comes through.

Setting Out
Janet Farrel is on hand to greet the heroes as they arrive. Edwards, the supply and stores technician has backpacks ready for the heroes to pick up.

Jade comes in a energetically as usual. "Hey-oh-I-see-you've-prepared-the=provisions Happy-New-Year-Janet-Edwards did-you-have-a-good-holiday?"

Kismet, told by police that she might be handy to have on-hand, arrives in her tremendously skimpy outfit, a light violet aura surrounding her until she steps indoors. She elects not to be unseen, figuring that it would probably fail due to the security systems in place. "Hi, I'm Kismet. I hear you're looking for a few helpers."

Janet nods to Jade, "Good to see you again." She looks over as two new heroes are escorted into the room, "Good afternoon. Welcome to the Riftgate Project. Jade, can you brief Imaginary Girl and... sorry, I don't know your name. I'm Janet Farrel, head of Project Riftgate Operations."

Imaginary Girl, having spotted Kismet's glow earlier, has been tagging along with the scantily-clad glowbug. When she hears that there's something going on, she smiles and happily volunteers. "Maybe I'll get to see you doing your thing, huh?", she suggests to Kismet.

"Kismet. Speaker of Kismet." The teen grins, looking at the backpacks. "What's in these?" She picks up one, examining its exterior and then its interior.

The technicians are working on preparing the gate for opening. A screen on a wall shows a forested area of countryside.

Kismet nods to Imaginary Girl. "Maybe you will, yes. With luck, you won't though."

The backpacks contain dried rations, thermal blankets, water containers, camping utensils. One pack has a coil of rope and climbing pitons and a hammer.

Jade says, "Hi-I'm-Jade-Ashcroft well-put-briefly-the-Riftgate-Project-uses-an-interdimsional-gate-to-explore-other-Earths-and-make-contact-with-the-people-on-them the-long-term-goals-include-trading-with-these-worlds."

Jade says, "Of-course-these-explorations-can-be-dangerous-so-it-helps-if-the-first-exlorations-after-the-robotic-ones-are-done-by-metas."

Imaginary Girl also picks up a backpack to look inside and see what's there. "So, what's going on?", she asks of Jade, being as Janet passed the buck to her for the briefing. She nods her head as Jade explains. "I won't need this stuff for me", she then says, holding up the pack she's got in her hands. "You think you guys'll need extras?", she asks of Jade and Kismet.

Janet finishes talking to the technicians and comes over to the group. "Earth-1307." She says pointing to the wall mounted screen.

Jade says, "The-first-time-something-went-wrong-and-we-were-stuck-on-an-Earth-in-Ice-Age-for-a-week so-we're-taking-provisions-as-precautions."

"I don't need to eat or sleep, though, and I don't feel cold. I can carry spare stuff, though, just in case", Imaginary Girl suggests. "Extra food and water, maybe?"

Jade looks at the screen and continues to talk. "The-project-is-run-by-TransMat-but-Starguard-has-an-interest-too."

Kismet just stares as Jade speaks, "Is anyone else having trouble keeping up?"

Jade says, "Sorry-I-was-trying-to-speak-clearly-but-it's-hard-to-keep-it-up." Janet nods. "We have something for you." She offers around small earbud communicators. "Encrypted, LPOI systems. Range 50 kms without satellite boost and global with."

Kismet ahs. "You have trouble slowing it down?" She looks at the communicator, takes it, examines it carefully. "That sounds all very impressive. But... what do I do with it?"

Imaginary Girl takes the earbud. "Oh! Like the one Jennifer gave me!", she says, before popping the thing into her ear. "Anyway... do you guys want me to carry extra stuff, in case y'all need it? Or should I just put this back?", she asks, again, still holding up her own backpack.

Jade takes a communicator happily. "50-km-is-an-improvement-on-our-communications-of-the-first-time."

Kismet nods to Imaginary Girl. "I can't imagine a reason not to have extras, if it wouldn't inconvenience you?"

Janet hands a earbud communicator to Kibin, "Hello Kibin. We have communications in hand now. Uniforms should be ready next week."

"Nah... I could carry everyone's stuff. I'm strong enough... but it's probably smart if everyone carries their own stuff, and I just carry extras. What all should I take?", Imaginary Girl asks of Kismet, glancing at Janet and Jade, too, to include them in on the question. At the mention of uniforms, she asks of Janet, "What do the uniforms look like?"

Kibin nods as he comes in, taking the communicator replying, "Thanks. Do these go over dimensions or...?"

Jade says, "Kibin-there-are-interdimensional-relays-via-the-probe-robots."

Janet says, "Very military look. I'll imagine a lot of the meta team members will want to keep their own costumes."

Kismet replies, "Food. Extra rope. Water rations." She grins to Janet, "Or in some cases, a lack thereof, yes." She winks behind her domino mask.

Jade says, "We-used-them-on-the-first-expedition-when-the-gate-was-sabotaged I-don't-have-a-costume I-wonder-how-I'll-like-the-uniform."

Kibin puts the communicator on, doing a quick mic check of it.

 Kibin says, "Testing, test."

A technician comes over to tell Janet, "The gate is ready to open on your command."

Imaginary Girl sets to gathering what Kismet suggests, stuffing an extra two coils of rope into her pack, along with extra food rations and several extra canteens of water. She doesn't seem to be really trying to pack it in neatly - just stuffing it right in haphazardly. Zero camping/backpacking experience for her, clearly. She could probably get in a couple of extra blankets and some more water if it was packed well.

 Jade says, "Receiving-you-loud-and-clear."

Kismet is carrying a standard pack, ensuring she can easily without having to make herself effectively stronger.

Imaginary Girl blinks and looks up and around, surprised... then giggles. "Oh, right!"

 Imaginary Girl says, "Uhm... testing! I hear you!"

Jade says, "So-what-does-Earth-1307-have-for-us?"

Jade takes the standard pack - she manages well enough though it looks like it might be heavy for her.

Jade is looking at the the information from the probe.

Janet points to the wall screen again, "Earth-1307. Environmentally standard for this time of year in Colonial Bay area. No radio transmissions. As you can see, no city. There are wooden cabins near the coast, thirty-seven of them. One stone building. A church. Inhabitants appear normal human but whatever else they lack curiosity. None have reacted significantly to the probe. There's some kind of energy radiation being transmitted, but it's bouncing off the ionosphere so locating it is impossible."

Kismet asks, "It's got the winter time thing going?"

Jade says, "Can-I-see-pictures-of-the-inhabitants?"

Finishing with loading her pack with extra supplies, Imaginary Girl straps it shut and pulls its straps over her shoulders to rest on her back. "I guess I'm all set?", she says, then listens as Janet gives more information. "What're we supposed to do? Just meet and talk to people?", she asks.

Kibin takes the standard packs everyone else is taking, picking it up easily. He looks over to the wall screen as he lets the pack rest on his back, hmmming. "So probably not technology on our level?" he asks.

Janet changes the image on display to a group of humans standing around a small wooden sail powered fishing boat. "As you can see they don't show any signs of technological development. The clothing is, according to a historian we consulted, styled about the late fifteenth century. The boat is also consistant with that period in our history."

Kibin ahs, and nods. "So... we don't have any sort of prime directive policy or anything?"

Jade nods, looking at the pictures.

Janet adds, "Language seems to be medieval English from what the probe has recorded."

"What is a Prime Directive policy?" Kismet asks.

Kibin replies back to Kismet, "Don't interfere with the progress of... well, pre-warp civilizations. Okay, I probably watch too many sci-fi shows."

Imaginary Girl giggles at Kibin'. "Oh... like on that old TV show, right?", she says to him.

Kibin nods at Imaginary Girl. "Yeah. Or any lower technology civilization, generally."

Kismet ahs. "Well, by making contact, we'll be interfering with their progress. So if we are under such directives, we fail the moment they see us."

Kibin replies, "Well, they usually have disguises for the period. And try to blend in and observe peacefully."

"Uhm... what're we supposed to do, again?", Imaginary Girl asks, directing the question right at Janet. "I'm kinda lost, still."

Jade says, "I-rather-wish-I'd-learnt-some-Middle-English we-make-contact yes-this-is-not-allowed-by-Star-Trek-rules-but-that's-hardly-relevant I-will-say-be-careful last-time-the-natives-proved-rather-unfriendly-and-possibly-insane."

Kismet raises her hand. "I can act as interpreter."

Kibin frowns. "It's what, just medieval english? Like Shakespheare?"

Janet tells Imaginary Girl, "Make contact, peaceful if possible, if the Earth is inhabited. Evaluate if they are worth trading with and what their culture is like. Explore. Come back alive."

Jade says, "To-put-it=another-way we're-trying-to-make-friends unless-it-proves-this-is-a-bad-idea you-speak-Middle-English?"

Lightray comes into the riftgate chamber, a faint smile on his face as he takes in all the cutting edge equipment. He nods politely to each of you as he listens to Janet.

Alex steps into the Riftgate chamber, with a labcoat on. He smiles and waves. He's got a tablet computer in his free hand. "Sorry I'm late folks." He nods in greeting to Janet. "Heya. Time to boldly go?"

"So... uhm... how /do/ we come back when we're done or if we get chased away or soemthing?", Imaginary Girl asks. On seeing Lightray, she smiles brightly and lifts a hand to wave to him. "Hi!", she chirps, in a happy tone of voice.

Kismet nods. "Interpretation skills may be necessary then. I don't speak many languages but speaking is irrelevant."

Kibin replies to Imaginary Girl, "We step back through the rift."

Jade says, "Ah-a-telepath?"

Janet nods, "Yes, Alex. As soon as the team is ready to proceed."

Kismet nods. "Telepath."

Jade says, "Very-handy I'm-all-ready-myself."

Kibin replies back as he turns towards the rift, "I'm ready as well."

Lightray murmurs as he focuses his attention on the others. "I can speak fair Middle English. I may be a bit rusty, but I am certain i will adapt."

Kismet looks at Lightray. "Looks like I might not need to be a telepath then." She nods. "I'm ready."

Jade says, "Hey-Alex-good-to-see-you-again."

Janet nods to Alex, "Let's open it up, Alex."

Kibin waves a hand over to Alex, waiting at the rift for it to open.

Kismet looks at Alex, "hi."

"Aye, aye," Alex says, smiling. He walks over to a bank of computerized controls and engages the Gate.

Lightray nods and smiles at Imaginary Girl. "First time through the rift, Imaginary Girl." After a beat, he adds, "Myself as well."

"Me? Yeah... first time I ever did this", Imaginary Girl replies to Lightray. "How about you?", she asks of him. She's got one of the standard-issue packs on her shoulder, stuffed FULL of stuff... she's carrying a lot more with her than anyone else seems to be.

Jade looks impatient to go through the gate, but maybe that's because she's leaning forward to counter the weight of the pack.

The space inside the gate lights with an electrical discharge. Then there's a 'wooosh' as a vortex shoots out of it in a swirl of high voltage discharge and then stablises into the shimmering interface of a dimensional gate. There's laughter from the technicians as Kibin is caught in the vortex and charged up sufficiently that loose sheets of paper fly across to attach to him.

Janet frowns. "What was that?"

Kismet asks Jade, "Are you sure you want to be carrying that much?"

Kibin frowns, touching the nearest piece of metal he can find to discharge himself. "The 'woosh' effect, apparently."

Kismet is carrying a lot less, it seems.

Imaginary Girl is surprised at the whoosh at first, then giggles at what happens to Kibin, covering her mouth with one hand as if to muffle the laughter.

Lightray chuckles as Kibin become a stuck with papers. He then looks at Janent. "Not a usual occurence?"

Jade says, "It's-fine-I'm-stronger-than-I-look that's-odd."

A technician still smirking answers, "If you remember, Col Farrel, Kibin was disappointed by the lack of spectacular effects last time. We just made a few minor alterations."

Jade giggles.

Lightray reaches up and rubs his chin, covering his mouth as he does so. His eyes are suffused with humor though.

Kismet listens. "That's.. an interesting way to spend one's time," she comments to the speaking techie.

Janet tells the technicians, "We'll discuss this later. Concentrate on what you are supposed to be doing now."

Kibin takes off the pieces of paper, asking, "Is it safe to travel through or?"

The gate is open, the inside of the torus a shimmering interface between two different dimensions.

On Earth-1307
Alex ditches his lab coat. Underneath, he's got a body suit that conforms to his body, and a belt pull of pockets. He shrugs on a standard backpack and steps through to the other side.

Seeing Alex step through, Imaginary Girl quickly follows.

Kismet seems fine with heading through, becoming unseen just before she does.

Kibin snickers a bit, was a little funny... he walks through with the others, to the other side.

Lightray follows the others through the vortex.

Jade too follows, looking around even as she steps through.

On the other side the air is brisk with winter chill but fresh and unsullied, full of the breath of pines from the forest. There's the distant call of birds and an occasional animal sound. The robot probe stands close by.

 Janet says, "Communications check. RG-1 please respond."

Kibin shivers reflexively as he goes from the warmth of indoors to the winter chill outside.

 Kibin says, "I hear you. Suppose the relay is working then?"

Imaginary Girl looks around and about, too, once on the other side. "Should I, like, fly around and see what's there to see?", she suggests. Then, after another moment, she smiles brightly. "It smells so /fresh/ here!", she chirps in a happy tone of voice.

 Jade says, "I hear you loud and clear."

 Janet says, "Yes. We have a relay through the probe. We can maintain communications up to 50 kms from this point."

 Imaginary Girl says, "Uhm... I hear you, too."

Lightray takes in a deep breath and lets it out slowly. "Little industry on this world? Or a different course for technology?

Jade is already surveying the area, looking for similarities and differenes with Earth-1.

Jade says, "It's-like-14th-century-England-but-for-some-trading-with-the-natives-apparently the-more-interesting-question-is-why."

The violet glow that was around Kismet before is back, and she doesn't appear at all cold despite her near-nudity.

Jade is only not cold because she had the sense to dress warmly. Her Doctor-Who scarf included.

For her part, Imaginary Girl's wearing her usual 'superhero' outfit - and doesn't look at all chilled.

Jade finds the conditions as what could be expected for a medival period village area. There's signs to wood cutting in the forest, some animal tracks. The plant life is perfectly normal for this type of forested region.

Lightray smiles slightly. "Well, the only way to find out why is to ask I would imagine. Or Imaginary Girl could fly into orbit and see if this is a world wide situation."

Kibin takes a deep smell of the air, savoring the smell. "Well, it's a nice place, that's for sure."

Jade says, "The-other-curious-thing-is-that-they-shown-no-interest-in-the-probe how-about-it-Imaginary-Girl? that-might-be-a-good-way-to-start."

Jade says, "Smell-anything-interesting-Kibin?"

Kibin can smell animals, humans at a distance, some faint smoke, the reek fortunately weakened by distance of fish heads and guts.

Alex says, "Hmm. Which way to civilization, Kibin?"

Kibin replies to Jade, "Just the usual. Some animals, humans not far off, there's apparently a burgeoning fish industry here...." He points over in the direction he smelled the human and smoke from.

Lightray hmms. "No curiosity at all? That seems, well, almost unnatural for people."

Jade says, "The-village-is-where-Old-Town-and-Colonial-Heights-are on Earth-1."

Jade says, "This-must-be-a-lot-like-Colonial-Bay-was-before-it-was-covered-by-the-city."

"I could fly up into orbit, yeah, if y'all want me to", Imaginary Girl confirms.

Lightray lets his gaze travel around for a moment, then returns his attention back to the group. "Yes, I imagine it is." He then smiles slightly, "Could you, my dear? It might give us vaulable information."

Jade nods. "Ok-why-don't-you-have-a-look and-we-might-as-well-start-approaching-the-village I-want-to-see-if-Harrisburg-Creek-is-still-there Lowtown-used-to-be-underwater-you-know-and-Harrisburg-was-on-Chesapeake-Bay.

Kibin asks, "About what, exactly? Just general level of civilization?"

Alex says, "A birds eye view might be what we need. At the same time try not to spook the locals."

Jade shrugs, "Whatever-she-can-see yes-best-to-avoid-a-sonic-boom."

Kibin hmmms. "Speaking of which... my apperance might do the same."

"Do we have some biniculars or something like that?", Imaginary Girl asks, as she sets down her pack in preparation to fly up into the air.

Kismet appears in view. "Can you change your looks?" she asks of Kibin.

Jade says, "Hm good-idea-maybe-we-should-bring-some-next-time."

Ashton nods, using his bracelet thing to switch into a human form. "Assuming of course I don't go unconscious or anything."

Ashton looks down at himself and comments, "Granted, not in the most formal of clothing right now."

Kismet nods. She vanishes again.

Lightray smiles gently. "I am afraid this is as human as I can look." He gestures to his glowing eyes and skin as well as the tendril-like wings of sunlight.

"Can we ask that boss-lady if she has some that one of us can go back and get, right quick?", Imaginary Girl wonders... "Anyway, I'll go take a look now", she says, before flitting up into the sky and well below sonic speeds.

Ashton replies back to Lightray, "Well, at least it's better than people thinking you're some sort of demon. Most people have a distinctly different reaction to an obvious predator."

Lightray nods. "That is quite true, Kibin."

Jade sets off for the village, her curiosity overcoming her very limited patience.

Ashton follows Jade, also interested in the village. And keeping a nose out for anything interesting.

Flying high and fast Imaginary Girl sees mostly virgin countryside with a few widely scattered small villages in American. There are Native American teepee villages on the plains, huge herds of buffalo. In Europe there are cities, small by any modern standard. Port cities have sailing boats. There's no air travel, no sign of any developed technology.

Alex spends a few moments collecting a soil sample and a few plant samples.

Lightray follows after the impatience young woman kppeing an eye out fo the unusual as he trails after her.

After a bit of looking around, Imaginary Girl dives back down into comm-range.

Jade, like Alex, seems interested in the flora, not to mention the fauna and landscape: she keeps looking northeast in particular.

Ashton is more interested in the people, heading towards the village. At least to where he smelled the smoke and such.

 Imaginary Girl says, "I see teepees and... a LOT of big, black animals. There's so many of 'em, it looks like a big, black snake! Anyway... I don't see any of the cities I'm used to seeing from up here. I didn't see any planes, either, or big, metal boats - just boats like the pilgrims used. The air's really, really clean, too. There's, like, no big, yucky cloud where LA's supposed to be. Hey... where are you guys?"

Walking through the forest you first come to a cleared area, small fields laying fallow at this time of year. Sheep and goats graze on stubble. Corn is stacked up in covered open sided huts. A couple of people are rooting out tree stumps on the edge of the forest. They glance up as you appear and then return to their work, showing no great interest or effort.

 Ashton says, "Going towards the village."

Imaginary Girl flits back down to the arrival-site, to recover her backpack before flying to catch up with the others.

Lightray stops as the people notice the group. When they show no great interest in a group of strangers such as themselves, he shakes his head. "Humanity on this world seems either remarkably jaded by the unusual or seriously lacking in curiosity."

Ashton waves to the village members, seeing if they respond. He nods at Lightray, saying to them, "Greetings?"

Alex jogs to catch up with Jade and Kibin, tucking a a couple of sealed test tubes into a belt pocket.

Lightray calls out to the villagers in Middle English. "Hello there friends!"

Catching up quickly, Imaginary Girl... hovers over their heads. "Hello!", she calls out to the nearest villagers, waving a hand. She says it the way she always does, in a cheerful and happy tone of voice, and in regular, plain-jane, American style modern English.

The two villagers look up when Ashton greets them, "I be Alwain." one says, "I be Egwad" says the other. Then they return their attention, what there is of it, back to the tree stump. In their eyes is a lack of curiosity and also a lack of any spark of intellect.

Ashton hmmms, sniffing a bit and seeing if they smell like normal humans.

Lightray shakes his head at the lack of any curiosity or personality in Alwain and Egwad's eyes. He glances around at the air and murmurs, "You said you are a telepath, ma'am? Are these gentleman wholly intact mentally?"

Kismet stays unseen, though walks by one of them to see if they react to her invisible presence the way the RG group doesn't.

Kibin curiously switches back to his velociraptor form, seeing if they react at all.

The two drop their tools and run for the village when Kibin shows his true form.

Kismet looks amused, and invisible.

Jade says, "Brilliant-Kibin I-had-some-questions mind-changing-back-so-we-can-go-to-the-village? of-course-they-may-have-warned-them-against-us."

Putting her hands on her hips, still floating in the air over the heads of the rest of the team, Imaginary Girl says, "Wow... why'd you hafta scare them like that?"

Lightray watches the two men run off and then back to Kibin. "Well, at least they retain some sense of self-preservation."

Ashton hmmms, going back to the human disguise. "Apparently, yes. Flying and glowing things, no response. Velociraptor, yeah..."

Kismet tries to read the mind of one of the runners.

Kismet becomes visible when she does, having little choice in the matter.

Jade heads toward the village again; she still keeps glancing northeast.

Ashton goes towards the village with everyone else. "Suppose I do need to be careful about taking off my disguise then."

Imaginary Girl floats along over the heads of the others, following towards the village.

Kismet speaks, "Their minds are primitive. I wonder who taught them the language."

Alex says, "Primitive...? How do you mean?"

Ashton asks Kismet, "Perhaps those black animal things Imaginary Girl talked about?"

Kismet replies, "When they saw Kibin the thoughts they experienced were pretty basic. Sharp pointy bits. He's a predator and they're taking the flight option."

Kismet suggests, "I think these people are being raised as livestock."

Lightray hmms as he follows the others. "Quite possible, but why?"

As you draw near to the village you find the villages are coming out towards you carrying billhooks and pitchfolks and various other farming tools with points and edges.

Jade says, "Efficient-if-so putting-the-livestock-to-work-as-well."

Ashton comments, "They've retained the ability to use tools it seems..." He gives a friendly wave to the people coming at him with various tools and such. No dangerous predator here, nope nope nope.

Jade says, "And-clearly-they-did-raise-the-alarm-darn."

Alex shakes his head at Kismet's statement. "I hope you're wrong."

Kismet hms. "I might be mistaken about the primitive mind. Just a first impression that's turning somewhat sour."

Ashton asks Kismet, "Try again?"

Lightray shouts to the approaching mob. "We come in peace! Put down your weapons!"

The villagers reach the group, and filter through passing by on the way towards where the two who ran were working.

"Wow... they, like, /totally/ ignored us!", Imaginary Girl says, playing the role of 'Captain Obvious'.

Jade says, "Interesting-but-maybe-to-advantage shall-we-explore-the-village-while-they're-gone?"

Lightray watches the crowd pass by and through the group. He then shakes his head. "Curiouser and curioser." He then looks to the village. "Church would tend to be the center point of a village of similar time periods. But who knows with this one."

Ashton scratches his head, turning his head watching all of them pass by. "Great. I don't suppose any of you have a portable genetic analyzer I could use?"

Kismet hms. "Well, we'll be fine if we don't do that thing that made them scared again." She focuses on the same one again...

"From what I saw up in the air, I think the church was right in the middle of all the buildings", Imaginary Girl says.

Jade says, "Good-place-to-start."

Jade tries to determine the location of the church, in Earth-1 terms.

Ashton nods at Imaginary Girl. "Still would like to do a genetic analysis, seeing if their minds are because of something genetic, or something else."

The church stands in the center of the village.

Jade says, "The-English-suggests-that-there-at-least-was-a-viable-human-culture-but-maybe-it's-been-halted-for-a-while."

"If y'all are gonna stay here for a while, I'll go fly around all over and see what else there is to see, like in other parts of the world?", Imaginary Girl suggests.

The mob of villages go into the forest.

Kismet looks at Imaginary Girl, "Stay out of sight if you do that."

Ashton shrugs at her. "Go ahead if you want," he says, going over to the church.

Jade says, "Good-idea-check-England-in-particular."

Jade says, "That-might-be-best-for-getting-a-sense-of-whether-this-pecularity-is-local-or-more-global."

Jade heads to the church.

Lightray follows Jade towards the church.

The church is the only stone building. The flagstones in the entrance show signs of wear from many years of footsteps. Inside the church is lit by floating wick lamps of fish oil, making a rather pungent smell. It's appears very catholic in form and style. The alter has a cross on it. A closed book lies on the alter also, the binding dried and cracked. If the book was ever opened the binding would probably fall apart. Lightray looks around the church for objects that seem out of place for such a setting. His gaze lingers on the book on the altar.

Ashton sniffs the book, seeing if he can tell when it was last opened by the smell. Probably not, but worth a try.

The book is a bible, handwritten from the look of the exterior.

"Okay", Imaginary Girl says, removing her pack and floating down to the ground to hand it off to whomever takes it... then flits up into the sky for her long-range recon. This time, once she's far enough up, she hits speeds well over supersonic, so as to cover ground as quickly as possible.

Jade examines the book without opening it, trying to guess the age of that, too.

The bible is free from dust, handled frequently.

Alex checks the rest of the church, trying to get an idea of how heavily trafficked the building is in general, and which parts of it in particular.

Kismet protects her bare feet with her psychokinetic protection, not wanting to learn about what happens if she has something metal jabbed into them. She has returned to being invisible.

Jade says, "Hm-looks-like-this-church-has-been-here-two-to-three-centuries curious."

Ashton replies, "Quite a long time... hmmm. Maybe some sort of ritual involving touching the book regually keeps people's minds like that?"

Alex says, "Hmm. It seems as though people are in here frequently enough... Is there any other writing about here? Jade, any guesses as to how old the book is?"

Kismet decides to have a look around the village for those not part of the mob. Children and the elderly mostly.

Jade says, "Ah-what's-this?"

Lightray murmurs gently. "Even three centuries does not explain why the people here speak Middle English though." He looks at the book. "I would curious to know what version of English the Bible is written in."

Jade extracts a rolled piece of parchment from behind the altar.

Alex walks over to Jade. "What did you find?"

There are children and elderly in the village as Kismet tours it. They are equally dull minded as the rest.

Jade says, "Shall-we-examine-this-first? I-hope-nothing-here-is-magical-I-know-nothing-about-that-really."

Kismet picks the oldest one she can find, and looks into their brain, pushing her way into their deepest memories through careful and patient probing.

Lightray goes over to where Jade and Alex are looking at the scroll. "I know a little about the subject, but nothig here feels Otherworldly."

Jade unrolls the parchment gingerly.

Alex peers over Jade's shoulder.

The parchment cracks and crumples a little as it's unrolled. It's obviously very old. The writing is in Latin. Oddly, there are blots and faded spots, and it looks as if the blots and faded spots have been inked in intentionally.

Lightray peers over both their shoulders. "Curious."

Jade says, "Darn-Latin can-you-read-it?"

Lightray smiles slighlty. "Yes."

 Kismet says, "I just sifted through the oldest person I could find. She's six hundred, at least, and has been the village elder for five hundred. Three hundred of those years were spent here. So that definitely tells us that it's not a livestock situation."

Alex nods to Lightray. "You're a handy guy to have around."

Jade says, "The-copyist-couldn't-read that's-why-he-copied-the-imperfections."

Jade says, "But-what-does-it-say?"

 Kismet says, "Hello? Is this thing working?"

 Kismet makes tapping noises on her earpiece.

Lightray murmurs gently as he looks at the scroll. "Whomever wrote out this scroll likely did not speak Latin themselves." He nods to Jade. "The monks used to do such. I am translating. The condition is awful."

 Jade says, "Sorry-yes-looking-at-something is-the-elder's-mind-in=the-same-condition?"

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "...She's the same dullard as everyone else. Hold on. I'm going to try something."

Kismet focuses on the elder again, and sees if she can fix whatever was made wrong with her.

<RG Comms> Jade says, "What's-it-like-in-their-minds is-it-conceivable-that-whatever-extended-their-lives-also-made-them-slow-of-thought?"

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "The minds are very weak. It's like getting into the mind of ... well, let's just say that if it was hacking, it would be like getting into a system with no security measures taken at all."

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "It's possible, but I'm going to try to fix the elder's mental state."

Lightray mumbles softly to himself as translates, then stops and shuts his eyes. "The fool." He open them with a shake of head. "I am glad that our Da Vinci did not fall into this trap. This is part of Leonardo Da Vinci's journal. He is responsible for what has happned here. Let me read it to you."

Jade while waiting for Joseph to translate ever so gingerly opens the Bible -though she'll stop if it's clear it's impossible.

The Journal of Leonardo da Vinci.

1484: A new commission and patron. It is with some concern that I undertake this commission as I have learned since arriving here that the patron defiles his noble birth by acts worthy of a fiend incarnate. He fears death greatly knowing by his deeds the infernal pit awaits him. Never though would I have thought any man could fall so low as to give his own blood, his only daughter, to one of the undead. He summoned, so I have been informed by the village's priest, a vampire to take his daughter, knowing that she, slain and risen as the walking dead, would have the power to maintain his life eternal. Yet his deed availed him nought when the villagers rose up in the name of Christ and storming the castle of Count d'Estes, took the newly undead and burnt her at the stake.

1485: The work proceeds. I begin to have hopes of success. No other man living or dead could have set themselves against such a challenge. The force vitae, the spark of life, is now bent to my will. Let other lesser alchemists and philosophers rub amber with silk. I, da Vinci, have harnessed the power of lightning itself. Its esthetic radiance bathes and renews the vitae force defeating the coming of age and death.

1486: It is done. The machine is complete. It works without cease in the cellars of the Castle d'Estes. No man shall age from this day forth. The power of the machine is vastly greater than I expected. Intended only to sustain the Count d'Estes in his Castle instead it reaches to the very limits of the known world.

1487: What fearful harm have I wrought in vanity and pride? What is experience and learning but the mark of change upon a man? I have stopped that change. My machine weakens the mind as it strengthens the body. The Count d'Estes refuses to halt the machine's work. He has set safeguards about it, creatures of the dark and pitfalls of devilish ingenuity. Even as I write this journal my mind, like that of every man on this Earth, is weakening day by day. THE MACHINE MUST BE STOPPED. My apprentice, the good and faithful Alfredo, will smuggle a copy of my journal out of the castle. He has my purse for I shall not need it, the Count will have me killed soon I am sure, to have copies made while there are men who can still read and write. Someday strangers will come from beyond the limits of my machine's reach. If they find a copy of this journal, I beg them, stop the machine. Undo the harm I have caused in my foolish pride.

There's a loud *crack* overhead - the sound of something breaking the sound barrier far overhead, as Imaginary Girl returns from her round-the-world-in-eight-minutes tour... then flies down towards the village at lesser speeds.

Jade says, "Well-that's-clear-enough we-have-to-stop-this-machine."

Kismet helpfully implants in the elder's mind that she and her fellow hero types are acceptable here and friendly. Just to prevent shock to old lady.

Alex says, "Count D'Estes?"

Jade says, "Yes-that's-him."

Lightray looks up the sonic boom, then nods his head. "Yes, it is. So, how will we get there?" He looks over at Alex. "Sounds remarkably like the early 'life' of Ms Winters does it not?"

Jade says, "Imaginary-Girl-can-take-us."

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "We have successful brain fixing. The village elder is in good working conversational order. I hope we're okay on the whole middle english thing. I can translate otherwise."

<RG Comms> Jade says, "I've-read-some-Chaucer-I-won't-say-I'm-exactly-fluent."

Alex nods to Lightray. "Yes it does."

Lightray nods as he looks one last time at the parchment. "I had not thought of that. Imaginary Girl could take us, could she not?" He then muses, "I wonder how much we have been affected by this device already?"

"I didn't see anything wierd from way up. Looks kinda the same, everywhere", is Imaginary Girl's report, audible over the comm-devices, as well. "I didn't see anything wierd up in orbit, either." Then she listens for a bit... "Take y'all where?", she asks.

Jade says, "It-looks-like-the-effect-takes-months-fortunately-though-we-can't=ne-certain."

Lightray glances at the parchment again, then up at the cross in the church. "I wonder if diabolical beasts means demons or undead or if Da Vinci was being poetic."

Jade explains exactly where the Castle D'Estes is to be found.

Jade says, "So-do-I-what-were-those-creatures-you-saw-Imaginary-Girl?"

"Huh? I didn't see anything... everything all over the world looked pretty much the same as here. There wasn't even anything in orbit", Imaginary Girl says. "When'd I say I saw something wierd?"

Jade says, "Oh-I-must-have-misunderstood/"

"Oh... you mean all the big, black things that there's so many of it looked like a giant snake? they were, like, some kinda ugly cows", Imaginary Girl says.

Lightray smiles slightly. "Large humps at the shoulder? Shaggy coats? Smelled like cows?"

Alex says, "Hmm. So now the question is getting to the castle, right?"

Jade laughs. "Bison?"

Jade says, "Right - Imaginary Girl - if you can carry me there I'll show yo the way, and then you can come back and get the others?"

Alex says, "Maybe you can carry me too. I'm used to spotting things from the air."

"Well... yeah. I could smell 'em /way/ far up", Imaginary Girl says to Lightray. "And... if we can find something big enough to hold everybody, I can take us all there at the same time?", she suggests to Jade.

Jade says, "Better-still."

Alex says, "Let's borrow one of the boats. That should do it."

Kismet comes in, elder in tow. "So... we don't want to chat with a local about trade? What's going on?"

"Hang on... I'll go borrow a boat or something!", Imaginary Girl says, darting up into the air and over to where she saw some, close by... finding an empty, smallish, boat big enough for everyone... and carrying it back to the village. Holding it up in the air as she hovers, she purses her lips. "Uhm... maybe y'all should walk to the water... putting this down /here/ might not be a good idea, huh?", she says, turning around to fly back to the little harbor.

Alex waves to Kismet. "Something come up. We've found out about a machine in Italy that's draining the intelligence from everyone in the world. We're going to destroy it."

Jade nods. "Don't-fly-us-too-high some-of-us-need-to-breathe not-to-mention-problems-with-the-temperature."

Kismet pauses, "There's... a machine that drains intelligence?" She looks skeptical, but carefully focuses on the ambient environment, seeking signs of constant mental influence.

Imaginary Girl sets the boat back down in the water and waits, hovering near by it.

Jade follows down to the boat. "If-she-has-anything-useful-to-tell-us-by-all-means-ask-her-to-come?"

Lightray nods slightly. "Da Vinci was an amazing man. Moreso here that eleswhere. Too bad his device to extend life and health also destroyes the mind."

Jade says, "He-may-still-be-alive-perhaps-we-can-restore-it!"

Scouting is well done by folks who are trained for it. In fact, that's one of Hero's specialties. He was out making sure there wasn't some odd surprises in the rear of the group as they travelled here from the riftgate. It may be fortunate that he wasn't present for the raptor-part, for he might've thrown a fit. Anyhow, he's heading towards the village now, weapon resting over one shoulder with the barrel pointed behind his head and his adaptive camouflage disengaging as he comes into sight. "Perimeter clear." he offers before melting out of the treeline.

Alex waves to Hero. "You're just in time. We're about to depart for Italy."

Lightray looks over at Jade, then to the others. "Shall we head down to the harbor?"

Kismet points the old lady she found and fixed toward Hero. "Hero, meet the only normal-thinking native of the planet. She doesn't understand our version of English very well but I can translate with my mind for her. She knows we're not here for nefarious reasons."

Alex stands beside the fishing boat. "We're going to use this boat. Imaginary Girl is going to carry us to Italy, so that we can shut down a machine that this world's version of Leonardo Da Vinci created..."

The heroes who have come to this world are standing outside of a stone church in what seems to be a typical English village of the 15th century. The village is all but deserted with a few elderly and young children about. They seem completely incurious as to the strange appearances and langauge of the people. This site where Colonial bay exists in our world is bucolic to say the least.

Alex says, "The device is the result of an experiment to prolong the lifespans of people but it works at the cost of their intelligence."

"Oh! Hey! Hi, Hero!", Imaginary Girl happily chirps, waving a hand in greeting when she spots him. She's standing by the little fishing boat she's brought into town. Picking up the pack she'd, earlier, set down to go flying around on her world-recon, she drops it into the little boat.

Jade says, "So-we're-going-to-shut-it-off. Imaginary-Girl's going to carry us there in the boat."

Shaking his head, Hero comes closer. "Okay, so, suddenly we need to zip off to Rome or whatnot?" He sighs and shrugs. "Too bad we can't just whistle up a C-5.." that said, he turns to regard IG as he offers, "Anyone know why the entire adult population of this place is out in the woods, armed with pitchborks, trying to find some scary monster? It's like Doctor Frankenstein just moved into theneighborhood."

"Uhm... he turned into a big lizard and scared 'em, and I think they're trying to hunt for it?", Imaginary Girl says, pointing at Ashton.

Ashton hmmms, thinking for a second. "Uh... heh. Well apparently, they're not completely oblivious to what goes on around them," he says with a grin.

Alex climbs into the boat. He starts to unpack some of the electronics equipment that he's brought along. He tries to rig up a device to track and analyze the signal being broadcast from the Da vinci device. Looking up briefly, he asks Jade, "Maybe you can give me a hand with this..."

Kismet motions to the elder she found, "I reversed the mental effect on this woman, but that doesn't stop it from further affecting her, or us. And I can't sense anything, which means I have no better protection against it than anyone else."

Kismet adds, "This means we are on a time limit."

Jade says, "Glad-to-I'm-getting-bored."

"He... what?!" asks Hero, startled to say the least. Then he eyes Ashton and remarks.. "You didn't... no, you probably did." he adds, shaking his head once more, "Let's try to avoid giving people more things to panic about from here on out, okay?" he suggests as he snorts and heads for the boat. Then his eyes flicker towards Jade and his facial expression still can't be seen of course. "Is it a radio signal, or something super advanced?" he asks as he heads for the boat himself.

Lightray just shrugs as he gets into the boat. His wings glide through the boat's hull as he steps into it. He then moves around and makes certain the ropes are securely fastened so as to not break free as they fly.

Lightray looks over at Kismet. "The effect seems to build over months if Da Vinci's writings are correct, ma'am."

Ashton replies back to Hero, "I was simply seeing how oblivious they were. And it's not like it's my fault that's my natural form."

"Well, let's go bust the thingie, then?", Imaginary Girl says. "If it's gonna make us like them if don't do it in time, we better do it fast, right?" She gestures at the boat sitting in the middle of the village.

Kismet shrugs. "Seems to and definitely do are entirely too different for my tastes. My name is Kismet. Ma'am makes me sound really old." She grins, and boards.

Jade says, "Of-course-da-Vinci-was-affected-when-he-wrote-that and-the-difference-of-a-year-in-the-date-may-have-reflected-as-little-as-a-day's-time."

Hero voices one last question as he steps into the boat... okay a question, and a comment, "Ashton, natural or not, we should try to make sure we don't scare the locals if we can -at all- avoid doing so." Then he asks, "So, when this thing shuts off, is everyone going to keel over?"

Jade gets in the boat, choosing a location where she can give IG instructions.

Lightray smiles gently. "Kismet it shall be then." He then settles back near the boat stern. "I hope not. The queue at the Heavely Gates would be massive."

Ashton replies back to Hero, "I know that... I was just seeing what would happen."

Jade says, "Probably-not-the-one-restored-person-was-apparently-ok."

Kismet shrugs. "I hope not. Apparently it's simply halted changes in people." She looks at Jade. "I didn't stop its effects on her. I only changed her mind back to what it was."

Alex smiles. "Thanks for the help, Jade. With your help I think we'll finish this much quicker than I would alone." He looks to Hero. "We're going to see what we can learn about the device while we're in flight."

"Next time, let's find a less.. traumatic way to test for reactions, and the effects of restoring one mind with telepathic abilities may have little to do with a life-extending signal being beamed out from a central location. We should be sure before we kill the whole planetary population is all I'm suggesting." Hero says.

Lightray waves and smiles at the elderly woman who Kismet restored. In Middle English, he calls to her. "Be well, ma'am. We shall return soon."

Ashton shrugs at Hero. "Not like there was any harm done."

Jade says, "Well-once-we-can-examine-the-machine-we'll-be-in-a-better-position-to-tell."

Lightray turns his attention back towards the others in the boat. "Well, with luck, Da Vinci's notes will still be intact."

Restored to an awareness of her surroundings the elderly woman crosses herself as she is spoken to by Lightray.

Kismet looks thoughtful. "It's funny to think about. I mean, the device is in one place, affects the planet, if the notes are to be believed. Does it affect only humans or are animals affected too? What about plants? Is it stronger near the device?"

Jade says, "He-may-be-intact-himself-other-than-his-mind-which-apparently-Kismet-could-restore!"

Hero just falls silent now. Sometimes it's better to listen and watch. Keep in mind, unless folks are somehow shielded from atmospheric effects.. this is going to be a -long- trip.

Jade says, "It-may-be-stronger-nearer-the-device da-Vinci-appears-to-have-thought-that-might-be-the-case."

Alex nods. He turns to Hero. "The device is in the castle of Count D'Estes in Italy. In a note by Da Vinci that we found, he mentions that the Count has it defended by demons."

Kismet asks, "Any theories on what the demons are?"

Ashton frowns. "Yes, that's what I thought too. And... uh... wait, defended by demons?"

[To Lightray] Jade says, "More-your-field-maybe?"

Alex says, "None yet. Individuals with super human abilities. Not sure what flavor, or if they are eally infernal or not."

Hero inclines his head a bit. "So.. we found a note, from Da Vinci.. in Colonial Bay.. about a device he made, but does not possess... is in a castle and defended by demons? Why would it be defended if the entire world is benefiting from it?" He seems confused by this. "But, as to what these demons -might- be.. who can say at this point?"

Kismet replies to Hero, "DaVinci wanted the device to be stopped. The count didn't. So he set guards."

Alex nods. "Are we ready to fly?"

Lightray shakes his head. "Demons is a mistranslation on my part. The exact prasing 'has set safeguards about it, creatures of the dark and pitfalls of devilish ingenuity.'" Lightray seems to be quoting.

Jade says, "Everyone braced? Ok, Imaginary Girl - that way!"

Kismet attaches herself firmly to the vessel, taking a grip that belies her strength.

Ashton frowns, holding on as hard as he can. He considers switching back to velociraptor to hold on tighter, but then again, we have that other person here...

"Everyone make sure you're holding on tight... unless you wanna take /hours/ by me flying slow... hey, we got a way to make sure everyone and everything's strapped down good and solid?", Imaginary Girl asks as she lifts the boat and starts floating up into the air with it held over her head.

Kismet asks, "Anyone need help holding on?"

Lightray holds on tight to the tiller, if any, and a nearby spar if not.

The journey has to be slower than Imaginary Girl could manage on her own. Having the boat burst into flames from air friction wouldn't be good. So it takes a couple of hours. The tracking gadget made by Alex and Jade works fine and leads you to a old castle set on top of a cliff near the peak of a mountain.

Alex says, "Hmm. So, who's good at being sneaky? 'Pitfalls of devilish ingenuity' makes me think that it's booby trapped as well."

Kismet asks around, "Is anyone uncomfortable with the idea of me making telepathic contact unannounced?"

Imaginary Girl comes to a stop in mid-air, hovering and holding the boat up. "Where y'all want down at?", she calls up to those in the boat. "Wanna go right in or what?"

Kismet nods. "Yeah, but if anyone knows about the traps, and I'm near them, we will know about them too."

Jade says, "Well-a-supersonic-flying-boat-definitely-isn't-slealthy let's-go-for-a-distance."

Lightray murmurs gently. "No problem as far as I am concerned."

Alex says, "No problems here either. There's no way he could expect us coming... maybe the direct route is the best."

Lightray nods. "Right in sounds good. Central courtyard."

Jade says, "Fine-then."

Kismet shrugs. "no one uncomfortable then? That'll make things easier for me."

Down towards the central courtyard goes the boat, carried down to that chosen landing zone by Imaginary Girl. Provided all goes well, she lands and sets down the boat as gently as she can.

There's room in the central courtyard for the boat, even when having to miss the man practicing fencing against targets there. He's middle aged and richly dressed. Most likely the master of the house. A fact Alex can confirm once his face is visible to Alex.

Alex mutters, "It's the Count."

The man continues his practice paying no heed to the boat's arrival.

Kismet experimentally sees how the count's mind holds up to a routine illusion implant. She makes it look like the boat that Imaginary Girl carries is painted a different shade than it is.

Jade is quick to jump out of the boat - just in case there's anything or anyone targeting the boat itself - and takes in the scene.

Lightray murmurs to Alex. "The Count d Onofrio?"

Jade says, "The-count-seems-no-threat-little-surprise-there which-way-now-according-to-the-device?"

Kismet looks disturbed. "Okay... it's stronger here. Much stronger."

Kismet asks, "Does anyone think healing his brain would be a bad idea?"

Ashton hops back off of the boat. He says to Kismet, "So... right place then?"

Alex hops out of the boat too. He checks the tracking device to see which direction to proceed in. "D'Estes," he says.

The tracking device says downwards.

Jade says, "If-it's-strong-then-hurry!"

Alex says, "Uhm. Downwards."

Kismet hops off the boat, a violet glow to her legs as she lands. "Because if he's restored, he might be able to help us willingly."

Jade hurries in the direction indicated by the device.

Jade says, "Or-stop-us!"

Kismet shakes her head. "No, he won't."

Alex says, "Imaginary Girl, maybe you can make a shortcut for us, through the ground."

Lightray looks over at the Count. "I think we should leave him as he is. He is the one whose obsession with immortality altered this world."

Kismet shrugs. "Okay." She looks at Alex. "Directions?"

"Down, huh? Lemme see if ... yeah, that", Imaginary Girl says, grinning at Alex. Crouching, she finds herself a place where she can get a good grip on one of the flooring stones of the courtyard, she makes to try and simply rip it up and out.

Jade runs off to look for the hidden ways downwards.

Lightray continues to look at the Count. "The knowledge of how to reach the hidden.." He trails off as jade darts off.

Kismet follows Jade for about three steps, and stops. Keeping up is a bit difficult.

Kismet looks at Lightray. "Right now there's not even memories in there. He's just passing the time, eternally."

The big chunk of flooring-rock held overhead, Imaginary Girl purses her lips. "Well... this idea's not gonna work", she comments, before dropping the stone back from where it came - trying to not destroy it or damage the rest of the floor even worse in the process.

<RG Comms> Lightray says, "Jade, where are you going?"

The third tile Jade treads on as she runs into the castle Keep's entrance depresses slightly under her foot. But her speed carries her past before the massive stone block falling from the ceiling slams into the floor at that spot.

<RG Comms> Jade says, "Looking for ways downward. Might be best to try to get it from the count-after-all-but-be-careful-not-to-turn-your-back-on-him."

Lightray smiles at Kismet. "Well, it was worth a thought."

Kismet nods. "Still think it's a bad idea to make his mind work again?"

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "Why did you speed up talking suddenly?"

Lightray shrugs slightly. "I will bow to the concensus of the group."

Jade keeps going, but with more caution this time, looking out for traps. She also activates her force field.

Alex smirks ruefully to Imaginary Girl. "They don't build 'em like this anymore..." He looks to Kismet. "I think it's worth a shot."

Kismet looks at Imaginary Girl, though doesn't feel the need to ask. SHe's pretty sure of the answer that will come out.

<RG Comms> Jade says, "Being-slow-when-the-ceiling-is-dropping-on-me-is-a-bad-idea!"

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "Good to hear you still talking to us then."

Ashton says, "He might be more willing to cooperate if he knew what's going on..."

"I ... could pick up as big a rock as I can carry and just drop it on the castle from WAY up high, and make the whole place go kaboom... that might do trick?", wonders Imaginary Girl. "We'd hafta get all the people who're here out first, though."

Kismet nods. "So that's not an objection to the count being restored to thinking?"

Lightray looks over at Imaginary Girl. "I think we can save that for if all else fails, my dear."

Kismet smirks. "If all else fails, it'll probably be the best plan any of us could come up with."

A fraction of a second too late not to tread on it, but in time to react, Jade spots the wear in the tiles is uneven. Some are untouched by time, others slightly worn down by the passage to feet during hundreds of years. The one she just stepped on give a little underfoot.

Kismet hears no objections, and sets to restoration of the turnip-brain.

Lightray raises his force field as he walks towards the entrance Jade went through. He murmurs into the comms he walks.

<RG Comms> Lightray says, "Still alright?"

Alex hands off the tracking device to Lightray. "Carry this up to Jade? I'll hang here with Kismet, in case anything funky happens with the Count."

Kismet says, "I'm in his head while I'm working. If he so much as thinks a nasty thought about my outfit I'll know."

Alex takes a moment to look at Kismet's outfit. He gawks for a moment. "...Aw, yeah. Well, you know: buddy system."

Kismet nods. "Thank you."

Inside, where nobody sees what happens, the floor tiles swing down under Jade's feet as she starts to roll forward. She tumbles down into the liquid in the pit. The light from above reveals the walls of the pit to be lined with gold. Then the floor tiles swing shut casting Jade into darkness... even as the acid starts to burn and sear her skin.

<RG Comms> Jade says, "Aargh! Acid pit - getting through my force field...."

<RG Comms> Lightray says, "Where are you? HOw did you get where you are?"

Jade describes the pit trigger and location, even as she tries to get out of the acid...

Lightray rises into the air as his wings unfurl and flies down the halls of the castle.

Alex's cheeks redden a little bit, perhaps a little embarrassed at the prospect of Kismet reading his mind right there and then. He snaps his mind back to the task at hand, hearing Jade's message. "I'm going to go help Jade..." he explains, before he runs after Lightray.

Imaginary Girl follows after Lightray, so as to not let him go it alone. Then she widens her eyes. "Oh crap.... Light, lemme get a lead, here", she says urging the solar-powered hero to back up a bit before she starts flying into the place, rather than walking, hoping to find Jade more quickly by that means. She's... not taking her time to look for traps, of course.

Jade braces herself against the gold walls of the pit, holding herself above the burning acid, and waits for help.

A blade swings down from the ceiling at Imaginary Girl as she feels the tug of a thread across her forehead.

Kismet slowly works to fix the count's lost brain.

Imaginary Girl is hit square in the side by the blade and stops. The blade's edge actually curled against her skin. Grabbing the blade in her hands, she rips the blade out from where it came and simply drops it to the floor, turning, already, to go on...

A heavy spear drops from the ceiling and pins the broken blade to the floor when the blade lands on the tiles.

Lightray follows in the wake of Imaginary Girl. He keeps any eye out for more threads as he flies.

<RG Comms> Lightray says, "We are on our way! Imaginary Girl is ahead of me."

Pulling up short as the spear slams down near her, Imaginary Girl purses her lips... and rips THAT free, too. "I'm gonna start dragging this along... try and spring these traps. Hang back a little bit more, Lightray - just in case?", she suggests... "And there's a spot where the floor's gonna try to eat us." Into the comm, she adds, "If you can't fly, be REALLY careful... floor likes to eatcha in this place!"... then prods about trying to get the floor to open up.

Outside Kismet can feel the Count's thoughts beginning to stir slowly, and the intent to kill the intruders in the Castle.

Alex follows down the hall, trying to take Imaginary Girl's warnings into account.

Lightray follows Imaginary Girl's warning and slows down.

As Imaginary Girl prods at the floor tiles a section of the floor opens. Imaginary Girl can see a gold lined pit with liquid in the bottom, and a Jade braced between the walls.

Jade says, "Thanks!"

Kismet gives the count a mental update of the situation, information such as the complete and totally frozen state of his lands, and the lands of everyone else. How she found him, stuck in place practicing swordplay for ages. < "We are here to help you, and everyone else. We are not your enemies." >

Imaginary Girl says, "Found her!", and flits down to get Jade, reaching to wrap an arm around the woman even as she just lets the spear drop down into the pit...

Jade not only doesn't fall into the acid but swings herself out of the pit off the opening trap door.

Kismet speaks aloud, using highschool speak. "He's totally wigging. Ready in case he decides to stick us."

The Count's mind is simply not a sane place to be. He is fearful of damnation knowing he is fully worthy of that and unrepentant of his deeds. Better to live as he was than burn in hellfire. He swings around and lunges at Kismet.

Kismet moves away while the count is deciding to stab at her. She doesn't need to be near him to do this.

Jade says, "Well it-does-look-like-I-picked-the-right-passage unless-the-count-put-traps-everywhere!"

Jade checks the forward passage for traps - more carefully this time.

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "The count's awake, and he's insane. He's trying to kill me now, but he can't find me, or hear me. Not sure how long it'll take before he gives up and goes after you guys."

<RG Comms> Jade says, "Told-you-so got-anything-useful-out-of-him?"

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "Not yet. I'll have to dig in again when he sto..oh, there he goes. Once he's got his back to me I'll try."

The Count runs towards the Castle entrance.

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "He's going to bring the place down! Everyone out, I'm going to try to stop him!"

Jade hearing Kismets's warning begins to run back to the entrance - she just hopes all the traps that way have already been triggered.

Lightray flies back towards the entrance turning in midair as he does so.

Jade stops before treading on a trigger tile - better safe than sorry.

Jade says, "Trigger tile here, be careful!"

Jade pages: Frankly I'm not sure going back out makes sense anyway. By the time I get there the count should be handled or the passageway will have been collapsed.

Ashton drops the disguise when he sees the count go towards him. He runs a bit after the count, screeching and trying to get him away and thus preventing bringing the place down.

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "No, I don't think changing to a... well, it's going to distract him, maybe."

Kibin decides to change tactics when he seems to just be running towards him instead, trying to spin around and thwack the count with his tail. Making sure not to break any bones, just knock him out.

The Count is brought to a halt and stunned by the tail slap from Kibin.

Kismet fades into sight once more and sends a forceful and overwhelming psychic assault to block out the Count's senses. If he can't see, he probably doesn't know how to reach his destination as easily and she (along with everyone else) has more options.

<RG Comms> Kismet adds, "If someone is free, head for..." She describes a mosaic and what floor it's on.

<RG Comms> Jade says, "Roger that."

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "Guard that. Make absolutely sure no one presses any part of it. It triggers the castle breaking."

Imaginary Girl flies... deeper in, then pauses a little farther down. Over the comm, she says, "I've found a panel, looks like it should swing open... no drawings on it, so I'm gonna knock on it and see if it'll open up for me." She balls up her hand into a fist and draws it back, preparing to do just that.

Alex does his best to try and keep up with Jade, moving deeper into the castle. He minds the trigger that Jade pointed out, and he watches for other traps along his path.

<RG Comms> Alex says, "Found a lighting trap with a tripwire activator. The interior walls here are ridiculously thick."

Lightray turns again in the air as he murmurs, "Well, at least I am getting practice." He then flies down the halls and corridors after Imaginary Girl.

Jade starts moving toward the panel Kismet said to guard, always keeping an eye out for traps.

Alex pauses long enough to quickly mark the tripwire he found with a bit of chalk.

Kibin goes tailslap the crazy count guy, trying to make him unconscious and not trying to blow up the castle.

The Count goes unconscious with the second of Kibin's tail slaps.

<RG Comms> Alex says, "Lightray, I could use that tracker back when you get a chance"

<RG Comms> Lightray says, "Copy that. I will head back out unless something comes up...or down."

Jade stops heading for the entrance and turns to head in deeper again.

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "Careful about those guardians."

<RG Comms> Alex says, "Guardians? What can they do?"

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "Good question. I'd imagine they do nothing more than guard, and they're probably just as mindless as the count was."

Alex continues further into the castle, still trying to watch for traps.

Jade says, "Imaginary-Girl-that-panel's-a-trap!"

Jade says, "Or-I-suspect-so-it's-easy-to-spot-and-unworn."

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "That means there's no reasoning with them when they attack. Just a thing to keep in mind."

Lightray flies down the hallways and corridors of the castle yet again. He holds the scanner Alex requested in one hand as he looks for wires to not run into.

Kismet kneels by the count, and focuses on his mind again, aiming to read in to know the castle's various traps and passages.

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "Oh ...wow. Okay. Update, every corridor you can see is a trap. Traverse the castle inside the walls if you can."

<RG Comms> Jade says, "Ok-he-really-is-that-crazy must-have-cost-a-fortune-to-erect-these-defences."

<RG Comms> Alex says, "Ah! Great info Kismet!"

<RG Comms> Imaginary Girl says, "... so which way do we /go/, then?"

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "I'm trying to figure that part out."

<RG Comms> Alex says, "Jade, maybe you and IG can find a good spot to break into the walls. Lightray is on his way with tthe tracker, we'll rendezvous with you."

Kibin after dealing with the count, runs inside the castle and works on dodging all of the traps and wires and whatever he sees.

Jade starts looking for a way into the secret passages in the walls - or at least a spot where Imaginary Girl might be able to break through to them.

Imaginary Girl holds up, not throwing that punch, after all, when Jade tells her to stop. "So... where /do/ I punch to make a hole for us?", she asks.

Jade says, "Here try-punching-here!"

Imaginary Girl nods. "Stand back", she says... then winds up for another punch, aiming for where Jade said to put her fist.

Alex will continue in the tunnels until he reaches Jade and Imaginary Girl.

Alex waves upon showing up. "Hey guys. Miss me? Jade you alright?"

Jade says, "Some-acid-burns-not-pleasant-but-I'll-live."

Lightray flies down the corridors searching for Alex as he keeps his eyes out for traps. He softly hums a Renaissance pavane as he wings down the hallways.

<RG Comms> Kismet explains, "The way down isn't through the castle. Everyone get the heck out of this place. Go out to the stables, secret door is there, through the walls, down the stairs, past the fake machine to a bricked doorway. This guy has traps on the brain. Watch out for traps past there."

<RG Comms> Imaginary Girl says, "Oh geez... if you can't fly, stay put... I'll pick ya up on my way out..."

Alex sticks out his thumb. "Give us a lift?"

Jade says, "Thanks!"

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "Well... the good news is DaVinci isn't a vegetable."

<RG Comms> Kibin says, "Great... and the bad news?"

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "He's not going to be there to congratulate us for our efforts. The Count did away with him."

<RG Comms> Kibin says, "Oh.."

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "And now the even badder news, more immediate. He's got six vampires bound to guard that thing, two golems and one variable thing that didn't come out of the experimentation the way he expected."

Lightray flexes his sunlight muscles and prepares to do the Buffy thing.

Jade says, "Guess-I'm-ready-as-ever fighting-isn't-really-my-forte."

Kibin says to Jade, "Bah, you're fast. As long as you keep avoiding them, you're good."

<RG Comms> Kismet says, "If you guys need my help, I can go down there once I make sure the Count is down for the... him."

Imaginary Girl leaves off her punch at the wall... and scoops up Jade, then Alex along the way... even Kibin, if it's still in the place. Once outside the place, she sets them down... and goes along with the rest down through the secret passages and to the bricked-up entrance to where the machine's stored. "You guys ready?", she asks, as she pauses in front of the 'door', ready to knock.

Kibin nods at Imaginary Girl... cracking his knuckles. He scratches his chin as he thinks that only makes sense if he's actually planning on punching enemies though. Hmmmm.

Kismet decides that they might need her help, and gives the count a mental jarring to help ensure he remains unconscious. Psychic Crush!

Alex cracks a bit of wood and fashions himself a stake. "All set."

Kismet then makes her way to the others, staying unseen. Thoughtful, she decides to hang back a good distance to prevent her invisibility from being seen through by whatever potential alien minds she might encounter, such as golems.

Lightray brings up the sunlight to cover himself again and nods to Imaginary Girl. "Ready when you are."

Imaginary Girl starts to wind up to punch... then pauses. "Wait here", she says. Flying out, she comes back, carrying that big block of stone that fell at Jade, earlier. Hurling it, she sends it right through the bricked-up doorway, making the needed hole.

Kibin jumps back out of the way before Imaginary Girl does that. Gah.

Alex ducks a little at the terrific impact.

Inside the chamber you see, at last, the daVinci machine. It's a pair of interleaved helixes sparking with electrical type energy. Bolts of that energy leap randomly from the machine to the walls, floor and ceiling. Floating nearby is a ball of the same type of energy. Also in the chamber are six piles of dust, a few old bones in each pile, skulls with overly long incisor teeth, and the remnants of fine clothing with opera cloaks. There are also two collections of fragmented clay shards.

[OOC] Kismet ohs. He put all the guards in the room together...and sealed it up. That was nice of him :)

[OOC] Kibin says, "I think he got hit by the idiot ball or something."

Jade jumps into the room just as the door splinters only to find that the expected opponents aren't moving. At least at the moment. On the other hand this energy leaping about looks very dangerous.... She tries, cautiously, to make her way across the room, and tries to spot any pattern in the seemingly random bolts.

Jade starts calling out the places that should be safe.

Kibin stays back, pointing over to the ball of light next to the machine and asking, "Anyone know how to take care of that thing?"

Kismet peeks at things. "Throw a rock at it?"

Imaginary Girl follows Jade in, scoops up the 'big rock' she'd tossed through the bricked-up doorway, and, spinning about to pick up momentum, hurls it at the machine as hard as she can! The big block of stone flies true, right at the daVinci machine!

The rock smashes right through the delicate helixes of the daVinci machine. Despite the previous intent to keep the machine working until it could be determined if an abrupt switching off would age everyone back to their -real- age. Flares of released energy surge and flash over everywhere in the room.

Lightray steps into the room, his eyes locked on the sphere of energy. He says in Latin, "Are you the experiment that the Count considered a failure?"

Alex blinks. o O O ( An honest to goodness Sentient Energy Being? )

A voice sounds inside everyone's head although no sound is heard, "Y*E*S"

Kibin glances around... ookay. He says to the energy ball, "We don't mean you any harm. The person who kept you captive here is incapacitated right now."

Imaginary Girl floats in the air, looking woozy. Then, when she hears the voice... and realizes it's coming from the big, glowy, she... smiles and waves a hand, happily chirping, "Hi!"

Kismet considers. She decides on a course of action, with Lightray's deduction given voice and Kibin's own suggestion. "Maybe I can talk with it."

The 'voice' echoes inside everyone's skull, "Y*O*U H*A*V*E D*O*O*M*E*D M*E. I H*A*V*E N*O S*O*U*R*C*E O*F *E*N*E*R*G*Y W*I*T*H *T*H*E D*A*V*I*N*C*I M*A*C*H*I*N*E D*E*S*T*R*O*Y*E*D"

Kismet thinks. "Do you understand us?"

Alex says, "Who or what are you..?"

I U*N*D*E*R*S*T*A*N*D A*L*L L*I*F*E

Kibin asks, "How long until you die?"

"Oh no!", Imaginary Girl gasps, covering her mouth with both hands. "I totally didn't know! I was trying to save people!", she says, looking horrified at the thought of what she's done. "There's gotta be something we can do!", she says, turning in mid air to face the others... then turns around, because she turned the wrong way, the first time.

Kismet suggests, "We might be able to help you receive energy another way. Do you know how the machine fed you?"

Alex begins to search the chamber for notes or documentation of any kind. "Jade, give me a hand?"

I H*A*V*E *S*E*E*N T*H*E S*T*A*R*T O*F L*I*F*E. T*H*E F*I*R*S*T S*P*A*R*K O*F C*O*N*S*C*I*O*U*S*N*E*S*S. N*O*W I W*I*L*L P*A*S*S. S*O*O*N.

Kismet nods, and tries again, "Do you know how the machine fed you? Do you need a specific kind of energy? Help us, and you might live."

Jade had much the same idea, but was oddly slow to start it. She nods and starts searching too.

Lightray looks at the glowing orb in the air then over at the destroyed machine, then back to the orb. "Well, you should go out into the sunlight then. It too is a source of life. Perhaps it can sustain you."

Imaginary Girl lands and sits right down on the floor, looking sad. She even has a tear rolling down one cheek.

I N*E*E*D L*I*F*E E*N*E*R*G*Y.

Kismet asks, "How did you remain intact before DaVinci's machine?" ooc It was delicate. It had IG throw a multi-ton chuck of stone at it. The word smashed have any resonsence?

The ball darts over to the nearest hero I C*A*N T*A*S*T*E L*I*F*E. W*E*A*K. S*O W*E*A*K. B*U*T L*I*F*E.

Kismet asks again, "How did you live before DaVinci helped you?"

Kibin watches the ball, hmmming.

Lightray looks at the glowing orb. "You are a psychic vampire then. One that feeds directly on life energy." He shakes his head as the orb darts towards the nearest hero. "I doubt it did, Kismet." He fills his ahnds with the healing power of sunlight. "Can you feel this, Orb?"

I*N T*H*E C*L*O*U*D*S. I W*A*S S*M*A*L*L. N*E*E*D*E*D M*U*C*H L*E*S*S.

N*O. I T*A*S*T*E T*H*I*S. The ball hovers beside the side of Lightray's head.

Kibin asks the ball, "Does it... kill anyone when you 'eat' the energy? Or do you just eat the excess energy or something?"

"It says that it's been around since the start of consciousness. Since it can reason, I don't believe it meant its own, following that of others." Kismet says.

I*T I*S S*O W*E*A*K. I N*E*E*D A*L*L A*N*D M*O*R*E.

Kismet frowns. "I think we need to figure out how to make you small again, else you won't be able to survive."

Lightray nods, his tone sad as he asks, "And you would kill another creature to take the life energy you need to live?" He steps back from the glowing orb as he speaks.

T*H*E*R*E I*S N*O C*O*N*S*C*I*O*U*S*N*E*S*S T*O K*I*L*L T*H*E*R*E.

Alex says, "In the clouds... you mean up in the sky of Earth, or like Jupiter?"

Alex holds up a charred bit of paper. Shaking his head, he discards it in frustration.

T*H*E S*K*Y A*B*O*V*E U*S.

[To Kismet] Jade says, "Can you tell what has happened to the affected people now?"

Kismet shakes her head. "I'm really not liking the idea of going out to look around and find out..."

Lightray looks over at Imgainary Girl, then back to the orb. "If this one can take you high into the sky, will you live?"

Imaginary Girl, for her part, just sits there, crying silently - her lower lip's quivering, though. She looks horrified, really, that she's doomed something living to its death.

T*O T*H*E R*O*I*L*I*N*G D*A*R*K C*L*O*U*D*S W*H*E*R*E L*I*F*E E*N*E*R*G*Y L*E*A*P*S I*N J*O*Y*F*U*L C*R*A*C*K*S A*N*D L*U*M*I*N*E*N*C*E? Y*E*S U*N*T*I*L T*H*A*T C*L*O*U*D E*V*A*P*O*R*A*T*E*S.

Kibin huhs. "Wait, you just need electricity?" he says.

Alex hmms. "Thunderclouds?"


 * Y*E*S. L*I*F*E E*N*E*R*G*Y.

Kibin takes out his PDA, turning it on and holding out it. He asks, "Does this thing I hold have life energy?"

Alex says, "Of course. Living things all have a bio-electric field."

Y*E*S. W*E*A*K. B*U*T L*I*F*E E*N*E*R*G*Y I*T H*A*S.

Jade says, "Of-course-da-VInci's-notes-made-it-clear-too I'm-not-thinking-straight....."

Kismet watches Imaginary Girl, thoughtful. She focuses on her, and tries to clear up the damage done to her addled brain.

Kibin nods, putting it away. "He just needs electricity, something we're in abundance of... hmmm. What about one of those cold fusion reactors?"

"Well... our world has electricity", Imaginary Girl says, hopping to her feet. "We don't hafta let it die!", she says, smiling brightly at that she might not've doomed the thing to a slow death by starvation, after all.

Alex says, "Right. Time to sacrifice your PDAs people. I think we should try rigging the batteries together to provide a lifeline for the energy thing, at least until Imaginary Girl can get it up into the clouds again."

Kismet points out, "I don't exactly carry a PDA on me when I'm in this getup."

Kibin replies back to Alex, "It seemed to suggest clouds didn't have enough electricity for it, however."

Alex tries to rig something with whatever battery power is available, to provide something to hold the Sphere over until he can be lifted into the sky.

Kismet asks, "Where's the failed experiment, I wonder."

Kibin says to Kismet, "I'm pretty sure that IS the failed experiment."

Kismet looks around the room, "Maybe. But again I point out the whole mention that it thinks it's older than humanity."

Kibin points to the two clay remains, replying, "The golems." He points to each of the six skulls and replies, "The vampires." He then points to the energy being, finishing, "And a tiny energy being, finding one of the earlier experiments involving electricity, and then feeding on it until it grew to a size to be easily noticable."

Kismet shrugs. "It is a "creature" though, so... I don't know. I'd have to read his mind again."

Jade says, "It-could-well-be the-experiment-might-have-summoned-it."

Alex says, "Maybe the combination of the sphere and the machine is the failed experiment." He asks of the Energy Being. "Can you make it to the clouds under your own power?"

Kibin says, "If you run an experiment, and then a being showed up, is not the being the result of the experiment?"

Kismet replies, "I don't know. I don't perform experiments very often."

Kibin says, "Cause and effect. The cause is the experiment, the effect is the being. Technically the being isn't from the experiment, but it appeared to the count that the being was from the experiment. Ergo, failed experiment."

Kismet nods. "That's a great theory. And it will continue to be a great theory when we find out for certain, right?" She grins.