Operation 1: Front Porch

[vidar]

"Like something tickling at the edge of my rather ... extensive ... memory."

"Interesting I wonder though if it's an effect that the object is producing or if it's because you're...special." He looks around and smiles. "Jack come here and examine the object too, I'll also examine it to see any effect it has on me." He looks over and the Captain. "Just looking nothing more." To everybody. "Unless you're looking at it move back to give us some room. And if you want to do something useful how about you come up with a better name for it than the object. My vote is for the lignam." Examine the symbols.

Does it lower itself flush with the ground or does it stop a bit above or below the ground level?

[Steve Trustrum]

It continues well into the ice, above and below.

[Jack Grey]

Jack steps slowly, one step at a time, his right hand raised, palm toward the stone... do the symbols look familiar? Does he feel any energy, a pulse against his palm? When he opens his more special senses up, what does he feel?

[vidar]

Jack steps slowly, one step at a time, his right hand raised, palm toward the stone... do the symbols look familiar? Does he feel any energy, a pulse against his palm? When he opens his more special senses up, what does he feel?

"Don't touch the lignam yet!" Chandra actaully sounds worried.

[Steve Trustrum]

There is definitely some sort of energy coursing through the stones.

[vidar]

There is definitely some sort of energy coursing through the stones.

"Ok so Sparks recognises the symbols somehow, the lignam is powered from underneath or perhaps within and it's probably the tip of something bigger but WAAAY down. Anybody else got anything to add? Like maybe is it dangerous to touch! Or maybe we need to speak friend to enter?! Anybody?"

[Steve Trustrum]

As you guys are debating, Sparks reaches out for the stone, as if entranced ...

[Jack Grey]

"Sparks!" Jack says, sharply, "Wait. May not be safe." And if Sparks does not stop, Jack will grab his wrist and, as gently as possible, "guide" him away.

[vidar]

"Sparks!" Jack says, sharply, "Wait. May not be safe." And if Sparks does not stop, Jack will grab his wrist and, as gently as possible, "guide" him away.

Chandra shucks off his pack and lets it fall along with his rifle. "Right this ends now!" He then rushes foward and touches the stone!

[Steve Trustrum]

Sparks still seems fascinated by the stone, but nothing happens when Chandra touches it.

[vidar]

Sparks still seems fascinated by the stone, but nothing happens when Chandra touches it.

Chandra sighs. "It's never easy." He brightens and continues. "At least we know it's safe." Then at Jack. "Let him go, looks like the only way forward is to let him touch it. And before you ask no I'm not sure it's wise but if anyone has any better ideas let's hear them." He heads back over to his gear and picks them up.

[Jack Grey]

...and lets him go, murmuring a brief prayer that this is not a terrible decision. Jack remains close enough to pry him off if necessary, and vigilant against any other threats.

[Steve Trustrum]

Croner orders you all to take a circular position around Sparks, near the tunnels walls.

As Sparks is released, he slowly wanders towards the column, hand outstretched as though in a trance.

When his hand touches the stone, the glow increases until it is blinding, but dies down after a few seconds.

That's when everything starts shaking and the ice starts breaking off in small chunks from the ceiling above you all.

[vidar]

That's when everything starts shaking and the ice starts breaking off in small chunks from the ceiling above you all.

Look up and around to see how the ceiling is holding up.

Is sparks still there?

[Steve Trustrum]

Sparks is still there, but he's flat on the ground, seemingly unconscious.

You see that pieces of the ceiling are falling because the ice around the column is being pushed away by some manner of invisible force that is picking up speed as it grows.

[vidar]

You see that pieces of the ceiling are falling because the ice around the column is being pushed away by some manner of invisible force that is picking up speed as it grows.

"Jack!" Pointing to Sparks. "See if you can't get him to wake up and tell us what the hell is going on!!"

Keep an eye on the ceiling, avoiding any of the larger chunks that fall. "Captain, the mountaineer in me is telling me we should run the hell away from here right now! But there's another part of me that wants to know what's happening and you should know the tunnel may already be blocked further down anyway."

[Steve Trustrum]

Croner orders those nearest to grab Sparks and then join the rest of the team moving into and up the tunnel, out of the cave-in before it gets more serious.

[Jack Grey]

Jack grabs Sparks, throws him over his shoulders fireman-style, and begins to jog up the tunnel, following the others. While jogging, he will talk to Sparks, try to figure out if he is close to conscious, if he can be revived, etc.

[vidar]

Croner orders those nearest to grab Sparks and then join the rest of the team moving into and up the tunnel, out of the cave-in before it gets more serious.

Chandra moves to the front looking out for trouble and keeping an eye on the ceiling. Helping the others avoid falling chunks of ice, fissures, etc.

[Steve Trustrum]

The ice continues to fall away in large chunks, creating a chasm that yawns upwards and downwards, into the dark, before the column.

[vidar]

The ice continues to fall away in large chunks, creating a chasm that yawns upwards and downwards, into the dark, before the column.

Chandra looks at the Captain, whilst moving away. "Let's know when we're far enough away for your liking, huh!"

[Steve Trustrum]

You need only move up about 15 feet into the rising, curving tunnel, which allows you to still see the chasm and column below if you crouch.

[vidar]

You need only move up about 15 feet into the rising, curving tunnel, which allows you to still see the chasm and column below if you crouch.

Chandra will crouch and watch, interested in what's going on. He'll also keep an eye out for additional dangers from the artifact doing its thing. "So Jack how's Sparks? He talking yet?"

[Steve Trustrum]

The cracking and falling of ice seems to stop, but the level below is still filled by ice crystals and mist. You can see a soft, blue light refracting through it.

[vidar]

The cracking and falling of ice seems to stop, but the level below is still filled by ice crystals and mist. You can see a soft, blue light refracting through it.

Continue to look into the pit. "I hope you realise that if this thing turns out to be a UFO that I'm flying it!"

[Jack Grey]

Jack, still carrying Sparks, says, "I haven't had the chance to try to bring him around yet. I need a few minutes of not fleeing the mysterious alien spike to give it a shot." Then Jack flashes a grin at Chandra, and says, "Shotgun!!"

[Steve Trustrum]

Jack notices that Sparks, despite still seemingly being in shock, is quietly muttering "he stands outside of time, he stands outside of time..." over and over.

[Jack Grey]

Jack says to Chandra and the others, "Sparks is repeating, 'He stands outside of time,' over and over again. But he still has not come around. Any thoughts?"


OOC: If any of you saw Dracula 2000, this group of yahoos defeated layers and layers and layers of really tough security, until they came to the steel coffin, wrapped in chains, with guns pointed at it. Discussion ensued, but they opened the coffin anyway. Why do I get the same sinking feeling?

[vidar]

Jack says to Chandra and the others, "Sparks is repeating, 'He stands outside of time,' over and over again. But he still has not come around. Any thoughts?"

Chandra looks back at Jack then looks at his watch. "Yes he's late!" He looks back at the pit and adds. "And I still want Sparks coherent if you can manage it."

OOC: If any of you saw Dracula 2000, this group of yahoos defeated layers and layers and layers of really tough security, until they came to the steel coffin, wrapped in chains, with guns pointed at it. Discussion ensued, but they opened the coffin anyway. Why do I get the same sinking feeling?

OOC: Heh, yeah you think the chains and the guns would've been a clue!

[Steve Trustrum]

Sparks snaps to, looks you over and asks "What's going on?"