Into The Past 4

Into The Past 2018/05/16

Radical Raven Timewarp Jak Venture Aaliyah 4

Gathering the Troops
A few days after the team Chinese dinner, Amelia contacts everyone to tell them that she's done some research, and gathered what she thinks will be needed. She suggests gathering at her penthouse the next morning.

Tali is absolutely punctual, as usual - though in truth she's so excited that she turned up early and then had to wait.

Connor shows up a couple minutes early this time. He doesn't have any classes to teach today, so...he has plenty of time for this kind of thing.

Amelia is stood in the entrance hall with a stopwatch. She grins and presses the 'stop' button when Tali appears. "Mmm... One day... One day you'll be a second late." she says grinning.

Amelia has already offered Connor a drink. "Did you bring your gear, Connor?" she asks him.

Tali says, "Nah. If it ever happens I'll just travel back in time a second. Can't let my streak be broken."

Amelia waves a finger, "That," she says, "would be cheating."

Tali says, "The truth is, it's kind of an annoying drawback of always knowing exactly what time it is. I feel really bad about being even a *little* early or late." Amelia leads Connor and Tali into the great lounge. As so often, one couch is barely visible under a pile of period clothes. A mixture of high fashion and simple pilgrim robes.

Tali says, "Huh. Do you think we're going to need a mix of disguises?"

Amelia nods, "I believe so. Get comfortable and I'll tell you what I've discovered."

Connor sighs a bit. "I'll never get to use my full gear at this rate."

Amelia smiles, "I think you might this time, Connor. So I hope you brought it?"

Tali takes a seat and listens - Amelia clearly has more idea of the situation than before.

Tali idly sketches a cartoon Connor looking confused about using his gear as she listens.

Connor nods, "I have it with me in a backpack. But...the armored outfit is a bit conspicuous."

Amelia brings up a Renaissance period map of France on the huge wall display unit. "I can't take credit for most of this. I hired a group of history post-grads from CBSU to do the research." Then she greets Jak on his arrival. "Grab a seat. I've just begun."

Tali gets up and examines the map close up and in detail (and sits down again) while Jak takes his seat.

Jak nods and waves around the room. "Hey guys. Hopefully i haven't missed much." He replies as he takes a seat.

Amelia turns back to the screen, "When we talked over dinner we agreed on going back to accquire Da Vinci's notes and sketches. Partly because his notes should tell us when Salai painted the coffee house image. And also to preserve the works of Da Vinci that otherwise would be destroyed."

Amelia points to the map and a highlighted dot appears on it. "At the time of his death Da Vinci and his household were residing in Ambroise, France. He passed on 2nd May 1519. Immediately afterwards the members of his household split up and parted company. The rapidity with which they did rather suggests there was little love lost there and it was only Da Vinci which had been holding them together."

Connor listens quietly to the presentation. He relaxes and takes a seat.

Amelia says, "At that time the location of the notes and sketches becomes unknown. It's likely that each member of the household took some of them. But there's near certainty that they became scattered. However several years later Cardinal Groult of Ambroise demanded that all the notes and sketches were returned and delivered to him. He wrote to the Pope on the 28th of May 1529 that all the material was finally in his possession."

Amelia pauses for questions.

Tali says, "So - they weren't lost? Or was he wrong? Or did they get lost afterwards?"

Amelia says, "A few days later the Cardinal wrote a second letter to the Pope saying that in accordance with the Pope's orders the material had been burned."

Tali says, "Oh - right."

Connor tilts his head, "Well...some of it obviously survived, right? Otherwise, we wouldn't know about his work."

Jak nods in agreement.

Amelia nods, "Yes. The material that had been sold or given to his Patrons during Da Vinci's life obviously survived. And it's possible some of the materials were not actually returned. However a significant amount was lost." Amelia says, "The researchers I hired could only offer speculation for the reason the materials were destroyed. There's some evidence that some of the notes and sketches were either salacious or irreligious. Another suspected cause was the Pope wished the Sistine Chapel to be viewed as a divinely inspired image from God. And the existance of many preliminary and differing trial sketches would refute that."

Amelia shrugs, "Whatever the reasons, we have a narrow window when the materials are all in one known location at a known date."

Connor nods. "Seems like a reasonable guess, at least."

Tali nods. "Sounds good! At least, if it's right he had them."

Amelia says, "The Cardinal resided in the Chateau du Ambroise. At that time it was, in addition to the residence of the Cardinal and his staff, which included two squads of church soldiers, also a monastery. The monks ran a profitable winery and the Chateau was surrounded by extensive vineyards."

"Oh- perhaps we'll get to taste some." Jak says unhelpfully, though quite eagerly.

Amelia grins, "Very possible. I have the plans of the Chateau, which shouldn't have changed much if at all. There are large wine cellars under the main building. Jak, think you can port us into one of those cellars?"

Amelia asks, "How many of us can speak either a romance or classic language?" She raises her hand.

Tali says, "Um, not really. Not any more. I learned a bit but then I forgot it all."

Connor thinks about it. "Umm...I speak...Arabic, German, Ancient Greek, Fae, and...Atlantean."

Connor chuckles. "So...probably not really what we need."

Tali says, "I really should learn some Latin again. It really helps for a lot of history."

[To Connor] Tali says, "Well, people with a classical education should speak *some* Greek at that time, I think."

Amelia nods, "That's about what I assumed. Ancient Greek is close enough to Attic Greek to pass. So with that in mind the disguises I picked for traveling in the open are thus; I'll be a noblewoman of German origin. I speak Greek, Latin, and German. We'll be traveling because as penance for sins I've been instructed to finance a pilgrimage to Ambroise. Connor, as you can speak Greek, you will be the priest overseeing my penance. Tali, and Jak, two humble peasants hired to accompany me."

Tali says, "Oh yay. Peasants."

Amelia grins, "Barbarian peasants at that. As you cannot speak any civilised language."

"I can definitely get us into the cellar. No Problem." Jaks says finally.

Tali says, "Probably something Slavic, I guess? I mean, that's what people would assume with German nobility and non-German peasants. I think."

Tali says, "But I guess it doesn't matter."

Tali says, "I mean, the main thing is going to be not talking."

Amelia smiles at Jak. "Well, that's my plan such as it is. Approach the Chateau close enough Jak can get us into a cellar. Wait until night and sneak off with the notes and sketches. With you, Tali, creating forgeries if possible. The church soldiers are the only complication."

Connor rubs his chin. "A priest, huh? They're going to expect me to speak Latin, aren't they?"

Tali says, "I guess Amelia will pretty much have to do the talking...."

Jak simply nods, already playing the role of quiet 'peasant'. Let's hope he can pull it off as well as he believes he can- in Jack's mind, there isn't anything he can't do well.

Amelia says, "As I understand it from what the researchers told me there were a lot of country priests who weren't actually educated. Although services were said in Latin, the priests had just memorised the sounds and didn't understand what they were saying.

Connor nods. "Ah...okay, fair enough. I'm willing to give it a shot. I'm not exactly an actor, but..well, I think it'll be fine.

Jak tries not to act surprised- but he's pretty sure he's seen street preachers operate under much the same modus operandi despite speaking the language. He's bumped into plenty of religious types who refuse to actually use the tool their creator gave them. He is not surprised.

Tali says, "Yeah. Good education kind of came and went. I don't remember when the bad periods were, though."

Amelia points to the pile of clothing, "Finery for the sinning lady. Clerical robes for the priest. And peasant smocks for the yokels." she says chuckling.

Connor chuckles. "Yeah, like I said, I'm going to have to leave some gear here."

Amelia shakes her head, "But why, Connor? That's why we have the peasants with us. To carry our burdens."

Jak tries not to gag upon seeing the peasant smock. He decides he's wearing his normal clothes underneath. There is no way he's letting that touch his skin.

Connor raises a brow, "Because an armored kevlar jacket and a mask with tech goggles is going to be out of place. I can get away with bringing the rest."

Tali grins. "You're not being penitent enough for sackcloth, then?"

[To Connor] Tali says, "We're planning to be stealthy, right? Taking things should be a problem, as long as we aren't caught with them."

Amelia clicks her fingers. "I've got an idea. If you're agreeable, Connor, I can take Tali to KiWi-357. She can travel back to the right date. And we can leave your excess gear there. Then if you need it I can open a gate and you can grab it. What do you think?"

Connor shakes his head, "No, that's okay. I was fine without the armor on the last trip. I'll be fine without it on this one."

Amelia shakes her head, "I really don't like it, Connor. If it goes wrong we'll have church soldiers crawling all over us. I'd feel much better if you had your gear available."

"If it all goes wrong, I'm teleporting us all out of there." Jak says. "But I'm still with Amelia- I'd rather we have all our cards ready to play."

Tali says, "It would probably be better if we all go to Kiwi-whatever and then go back in time and then we all move back to Earth. Just to make sure the times line up exactly."

Amelia says, "KiWi-357 runs at a ten to one time rate compared to Earth Prime. Do you know what that would do to your time sense, Tali?"

Connor shrugs, "I'll still have my weapon with me. And my dimensional harness. But if you're that concerned, we can do as you suggest and stow the excess in another dimension. If it's in the correct time, I should be able to grab it myself."

Tali says, "Oh. Ok, maybe not, then. I mean, unless we know it's exactly 10:1."

Tali says, "We could stow it once we get back in time, as another approach? We'll want to make sure no one sees us at the point we appear, anyway."

Amelia nods, "I just thought of that. But there's lots of uninhabited earths with 1-to-1 time rates. We can go to one of those instead."

Tali says, "Yeah. Better plan."

Amelia picks up her glass and lifts it in a toast, "Here to upsetting the art world."

Jak lifts the glass in front of him. "Here, here." He says with a pleased look on his face.

Tali raises he glass too.

Connor nods and raises his glass as well.

Amelia drinks, and throws her glass into the unlit fireplace.

Tali says, "Ok, I know you're snoot, but throwing glasses away after use is a bit much!"

Amelia smiles, "Blame it on having a Russian boyfriend."

Jak laughs after setting his drink down- its empty now, but he won't be throwing any fine crystal today.

Connor shakes his head, but he doesn't say anything. He also doesn't destroy his glass, either. He finishes the drink and sets it down.

Amelia opens a gate to an uninhabited earth with matched time rate.

Tali says, "So - which way are we doing this? All go through, then go to France, then back in time - or?"

Tali says, "It doesn't really matter much, but we want to leave the armour in the right place!"

Jak vanishes- teleorting through the open portal and straightens his clothes on the other side. "Might as well all enjoy the pitstop." He says, grinning.

Tali changes into the peasant clothes. She's had to wear worse. And goes through.

Connor says, "Place doesn't matter so much, as long as I can find it. Using hte harness, I can go to any place in any dimension."

Venture whistles. "That's some harness. I'll have to see if they sell one of those on the Distinguished Image page." He says jokingly.

Connor chuckles. "The only catch is...I can't take others with me." Amelia steps through carrying a large backpack. And lets the gate close. "Time jump now?" she asks.

"I've been to enough lame parties to know, that's not always a bad thing." Jak replies, slipping the peasant garb over his street-clothes.

Tali says, "And then space jump? Ok."

Tali says, "Hold hands, everyone."

JAk reaches his hands out towards the others and closes his eyes.

Connor holds hands after getting into his priestly outfit over his normal clothing.

The now-familiar "time tunnel" appears again, but the trip isn't smooth this time. The party bounces down off the sides instead of staying neatly in the middle. And Tali is holding her head when she arrives. "Owww...."

Tali says, "I dunno what happened in this world's past, but that was rough..... Maybe something to do with why this world is uninhabited...."

Tali says, "Um - when we go back to the present, lets do it in our timestream. Please."

Jak also seems to have felt that one. Still unaccustomed to rough rides, he's looking a little green in the gills. He nods with Tali, agreeing to anything to not have to do that again.

Amelia nods, "Sure, Tali. Of course. Sorry. No idea what happened. If anyone is going to know it would be you." Amelia opens a gate back to Earth Prime, location France.

Connor hides his armor before the trip back to their dimension. "I'll keep the goggles to help assist finding this if need be."

Jak steps through the portal, fully gripped in his role as quiet peasant.

Tali does a quick scout to make sure the coast is clear.

The Chateau
With the combined talents there's no difficulty in finding the Chateau. The vineyards are being tended by monks but Jak can port the group into a wine cellar from outside the vine fields. The cellar is filled by casks of wine of various sizes, providing many excellent places to get out of sight. Useful while the group is waiting for night. Late in the evening the creaking of the large rusty cellar door lock being turned warns the group to hide. A monk enters the cellar and goes to one of the casks against the outer wall. He presses a hidden catch and the front of the cask swings open to reveal a tunnel...

Jak didn't pay a lot of attention to the blueprints of the chataeu- just enough to note the highlights and points of interest or avoidance. He is pretty sure there was no 'secret tunnel' on the diagrams he saw. But he was late, he may have missed that. He looks to the others quizzically from his shadowed corner.

Pouring out of the tunnel come men-at-arms, wearing red vests with a white diagonal stripe on which three crosses appear. The men keep coming until there must be 30 or more in the cellar. Which is large enough it's not especially crowded. The last to come through the tunnel is a rotund older man in a bishop's cassock. He moves to bunches of the men and whispers to them. There's sufficient quiet murmured chatter it's impossible to overhear at first. After the bishop speaks to a bunch they move stealthily away in groups of five. Four groups have left when the bishop finally moves close enough you can overhear what he is saying...

Connor furrows his brow. He remains as quiet as possible as he tries to piece together what they're seeing and what they know from the historical record.

The bishop gathers another group of five together. "Head to the west dormitory." he says, "Change into the King's colors, and when the bell rings for the service of Martins, enter and kill everyone there except for the servants. I want them to be able to report it was the King's men who massacred the Cardinal, his staff, and the monks. You need not fear the Cardinal's guards. They were drugged at supper."

The bishop is speaking Attic Greek so Connor and Amelia can translate for Jak and Tali. The seeming leader of this group of men-at-arms nods, "Yes, your grace. It shall be as you command."

Tali whispers, "Is this supposed to be happening? Should we interfere?"

Connor puts a finger to his lips. He's unsure if he'd be overheard. Best not to chance it.

Jak is with Connor on this one. He's confident they could get out of here, but getting away with the prize would be out of the question before they ever got started. He of course he no idea lives and the very timeline he knows and loves may be on the line.

Amelia shrugs. She has no idea if this is supposed to be happening or not.

Amelia pulls out her PDA, brings up the downloaded research notes from the CBSU post-grads, and hands the PDA to Tali. Another group of the men-at-arms heads out. There's just five men-at-arms left in the cellar now with the bishop. Possibly a personal bodyguard as they seem likely to be staying there.

Tali quickly reads through the notes, trying to find out exactly what should be happening before it's too late!

Connor checks his watch. How long do they have before the service? He has no idea. No bells yet, at least. There's no mention of any incident at the monastery. The notes are a bit thread-bare. But there are references to the Cardinal being part of a clean-up effort to eliminate corruption in the church, and being rewarded by a place in the Vatican a few years later.

Tali decides to act, having established the cardinal shouldn't die.

Saving the Cardinal
Tali whispers, "We have to stop them!" and vanishes.

Tali teleports out of sight, then does quick look-around to determine where the groups are, where the clothes are, where the victims are, etc.

Connor nods...and activates his harness, so he can go get his armor. Better get it now. On her scout Tali discovers there are six groups in place. They have already changed into the King's colors, a white vest with a golden fleur-de-lys. They are outside the Cardinal's quarters, outside each of the three monk's dorms, outside the two church soldier's dorms, and there's also the group in the cellar.

Five of the men-at-arms and the bishop remain in the cellar. Tali, using Amelia's PDA with the historical data downloaded on it before the group left the 21st Cent, discovered that in the proper course of history the Cardinal did not die this night.

Tali, having told her companions where the other groups are to be found, falls upon the group she reckons most immediately threatens the cardinal. It's no time for subtlety. Despite her general preference to avoid direct violence, she sets to hitting them. A lot.

Tali knocks four of them out before they know what's hit them, but then has to pause. Her knuckles hurt like hell. She bandages them, making a mental note to use weapons in future.

Jak reaches for his side arm as soon as Tali vanishes.

Not wanting to give away their position, Jak teleports to the opposite side of the cellar, pushing a bit too far - and for other teleporters this might be too much, but Jak's abilites phase him out of the wall and onto the floor proper- just cat-a-corner from where he started to avoid crossfire.

The others can hear the unnatural whine of Jak's weapon as it spools up with sonic force- with a flick of his thumb he turns down the intensity to something a little less 'liquify'.

Venture levels his weapon at the Bishop first, hoping to make an example of him- knowing that if you drop the leader quickly the cowardly of their flock will scurry away in terror. Or at least that's been his experience time travelling so far.

He squeezes the trigger.

The blast from Venture hits the bishop despite him moving to try and avoid it. But the concussion itself has no significant effect except to hurl the bishop back into two of the men-at-arms.

The bishop slams back into two of the men-at-arms and the three tumble onto the floor in a heap. The men-at-arms are both unconcious and injured. The bishop appears almost unaffected.

Chaos. Utter chaos. The gods didn't give her much information. Gee thanks guys. Think a bit of intel might kill you? This is a battle that is being waged, not just a scuffle. Aaliyah appears in a nimbus of energy, golden energy. There is the shape of a translucent hawk headed human traced about her as she arrives. Then it fades and she narrows her eyes. "You will cease this violence at once!" she commands to everyone. "Killing one another does nothing but serve the cause of evil." She doesn't really -do- anything. Just announces herself. Of course, the 1500's, and she is a dusky hued woman. Second class citizen in France. But she's trying. She -is- doing her best to communicate in the local tongue.

Amelia shouts out, "The new arrival. It's Aaliyah. She's one of the good guys."

Radical recognizes Aaliyah, especially after Amelia's comment. He points at the guards in a heap, and says in English, "The ones dressed like that in the building and also carrying weapons...are here to murder those that are asleep. No furhter time to explain." He steps forward, only to disappear from one location and ending up somewhere close to the monks' quarters, through the mystery of folding space.

Radical appears in a dorm room with a bunch of sleeping monks. . o O (Enh...well, at least it's a short jump to where the assassins are from here.)

Amelia calls to Aaliyah, "Help us, Alliyah." And then she takes to the air and flies out of the cellar up towards another of the monk's dorms. But the corridors are too narrow for her wings so she's having to use her slow flight spell. It will take her time to reach her goal.

The peace and silence, where battle is not raging, of the monastery is melodically disturbed by the sound of bells calling the monks down to the chapel for the service of Martins.

Tali sighs. She wants to go save the other people, but it's the cardinal she knows has to be saved, for history's sake. So she gives the last man standing an "air punch", ramming an accelerated column of air at him, before proceeding to the next group.

The last man-at-arms by the door to the Cardinal's quarters is out cold even before he slams back into the door with a resounding thud.

The Bishop springs back to his feet and advances on Venture. As he does he changes form, becoming taller and slimmer, his robes morphing to dark gray finely forged chain-mail. His face narrows as his skin turns black. Slitted eyes glow a yellow-green and ears elongate at the tips. In mere instants a unSeelie dark Lord stands before you, drawing a sword with a black blade. Which he attempts to stick into Venture.

Jak steps back away from the black blade- but makes him self a bit 'out of sync' with things before he does just ot be sure.

Aaliyah narrows her eyes as she is spoken to by name. Especially since it is a name nobody here should have any idea of. She doesn't trust those who know things like her real name. True Names are critically important in her culture. Fortunately, that is not her -true- name. It is just the mundane name she used when she was alive.

Her eyes flicker to Amelia and she is about to say something when Tali continues fighting. "I SAID CEASE FIGHTING!" She thunders before her eyes track back to the Bishop. Unseen, a spirit floats before her and her eyes glow golden for a moment as she sees the world through its eyes. "Yes, that means you dark one!" she calls out as she points a hand at the Bishop. "You will..." She twists her hands a bit, tweaking the air before her and creating a rift from the spirit realm... and then she makes a shoving gesture and a spirit goes screaming.. literally screaming like a banshee wail, towards the bishop.

The unSeelie Lord looks with hatred at Aaliyah as she seeks to weaken his mind.

Aaliyah follows up. She hasn't stopped moving her hands. This time, she lifts them over her head and draws them downward. As she does so, dark, almost starry filled space is visible in the rifts she summons. This time the wail of the banshee is almost painful to all who hear it, and a pair of spirits scream in towards the bishop. "Cease your illusions dark one. We see you for what you truly are. Show yourself!" She announces before those spirits take aim at the man's soul, his very sanity.

The dark elf easily evades the latter spirits as they scream towards him.

Radical doesn't wait for the attackers to enter the room that he's in. Instead, he goes to them. He teleports blindly to the hallway outside...and assuming he finds a target, he fires a wide burst singularity at as many targets as he can manage.

There's a miniature shockwave as the air collapses back into the area where the singularity was moments ago. The five would-be assassins all drop to the ground.

Amelia flies around the final corner and sees the murderous men-at-arms clustered around the door to another of the monk's dorms. She gathers a surge of mana and hurls it at the group. The five men-at-arms just wilt and fall where they stood as the magical blast strikes against their souls.

Tali hurries to the next group of would-be killers, picking up a stick on the way to avoid hurting her hands again. She's not sure even she is fast enough to stop all the groups before they fall on their victims, but she has to try.

Tali trips over in the dark on the way, but still manages to get there in time to club the group into submission. Just. The dark elf gestures with his free hand and the blade of his sword develops a wavering black aura. Moving back to the two unconscious men-at-arms he slashes across their throats.

Seeing the intent of the elf, Aaliyah shakes her head, "No. May the spirits of Anubis stop you!" she calls out as she stretches one arm out and spirits race in, pouring over the guards. Odds are, they are terrified by this. But the spirits intervene, taking attacks meant for the guards. Sacrificing the briefly lived physical bodies to stop the sword.

The blade of the dark elf lord's sword screams in rage as it is frustrated. Deprived of the souls of the men-at-arms it turns on the dark elf holding it. A look of horror passes over his face as the demon blade feasts on an elf soul.

Elsewhere in the monastery men-at-arms throw open the doors of the church soldier's dorms and advance in killing the sleepy bemused and drugged soldiers closest to the doors.

Jak tries very hard not to say something smart(assed). He's trying not to give up any info about who they are or why they're here- well not more than they already have, revealing their equipment and speaking in 'future' English.

Luckily for him, he has an Egyptian Pharoah to protect him.

He can only hope the others fare as well. Jak doesn't drop the weapon an inch. He keeps it leveled at the Bishop, who despite being flung into his cohorts at highspeed is still undamaged by his previous strike.

He clicks the dial of his weapon back up to its highest setting, but he does not fire it. He merely keeps it leveled on the 'Bishop' at first... but then the Dark Lord charges his own men with intent to kill written all over every step.

As Aaliyah erects a shield of intervening spirits to protect them, he is about to squeeze the trigger to his Thunderbolt when suddenly, the Black Blade turns on its wielder.

"Woah..." He says with surprise. He looks down at the weapon in his hand, "Alright, Beaut- we're never going to do that to Daddy, ok?"

Then like that he's teleporting away- hoping to intercept the last group making their way for the soldier's dorms.

He'll be shocked to find he's arrived too late to stop blood from being spilled.

Radical tries to draw attention to himself. The second group of guards might get distracted from their work. He folds space again, moving to another firing position near the group that Venture won't be able to get to easily, and tries the same trick: A widened singularity burst.

Again, there's a shockwave as the singularity collapses, sending the killers tumbling to the ground...and leaving only one remaining. Radical says in German to the last one, "Try picking on someone who can fight back."

Amelia starts heading back to the cellar but it's more than a full move for her.

Tali makes a quick dash around to see where her help is most needed, and attacks the remaining group of men-at-arms there with her makeshift club.

Tali sets about beating them, but her club falls apart before long.

The dark elf struggles for a few moments, pitting his will against the demon blade and manages to dominate the demon bound within it. The black aura fades. Then he advances on Aaliyah and thrusts for her heart.

Somehow, the -gauzy- wrappings of Aaliyah's outfit. You know, the ones that show more skin than they conceal... managed to move a bit in such a way as they intercept the blade. And the blade -barely- pierces them. Aaliyah grunts as she is cut, but that's about it

The dark elf smiles cruely as his blade cuts into Aaliyah's torso.

Tali finds one of the dead soldiers' weapons and resumes beating up the men-at-arms.

Tali batters all but one to the floor. She turns to face the remaing killer, glowering.

The dark Elf Lord slashes at Aaliyah again. He's going for her face. The cruel pleasurable thought of cutting her to ribbons slowly overweighs the desire to kill her quickly. He's clearly intending to take his time, to savor the moments. The blade strikes Aaliyah on a scarf without injuring her.

Venture is shocked to find the slaughter has already begun in the dormitory.

He levels his weapon, porting as necessary to line up a shot that might send the target of his shot into the most number of his enemies- if any.

Then he squeezes the trigger. He'll realize that he hasn't readjusted the output of his Thunderbolt- which may have deadly results.

The powerful blast from Venture's weapon slams into the last standing killer a split second after Tali clears the field of the others. The initial impact fractures bones, and hurls the killer back with massive momentum straight past Radical missing the hero by the merest of margins.

Jak twirls his Thunderbolt on his finger before sliding his hand and his weapon into the sleeve of his peasants attire to holster his weapon before surveying just how bad things ended up.

Radical is a split second late on his dive to the left. Slower than necessary. He looks up in the direction that the shot came from, "Cutting it a little close."

Amelia reaches the cellar, and casts a hurried spell.

Rather to Amelia's surprise she manages to catch the dark elf in the area where her friendly spiders gather to spin webs.

"Just a little 'Synergy Mishap'. Nothing a little time won't fix 'Radical'." Jak says with a smirk as he strides towards the others- confident that if the deaths of their sleeping friends didn't wake them, a little conversation won't either.

Then it hits him- he left Aaliyah downstairs in the cellar. "Oh Shick! Where's the Mummy?! The one Amelia knew?!" He asks, seeing she's not with Radical or Timewarp. He of course has no idea what it is Amelia is doing even now.

The dark elf lord curses Aaliyah in a language that is unpleasant even to hear as she sends screaming spirits against him.