It is midday, the sun reflected off the waves of the ocean as if it were made of countless sapphires and pieces of turquoise. The Wayfarer continues onward, bearing the Star-and-Anchor of the Rephidim Temple.

A squint-eyed wolf finishes rolling up a length of rope, and turns to Kurgar. "Aye, not much longer, and we'll be at the paquebot, eh? Dunno how long we may be in dock. And it's not like bein' on solid land … but at least a change of scenery!"

The wolf walks right along, still talking, apparently focusing on no one in particular. "Yep. Mebbe there'll be another ship there. Mebbe one of those luxury ships… "

Kurgar peers off into the distance in the vague direction of where the paquebot ought to be, shielding his eyes from the glare of the sun with one handpaw.

A couple of bats stand at the railing, laughing amongst themselves. "You wouldn't believe it," says one, "but he ate the WHOLE thing! Trouble is, I hear he's got a case of Montepumah's Revenge now… "

Kurgar casts a quiet glance back towards the group of bats and issues a quiet snort. He'll never understand the eating contests that these eeees seem so fond of.

A dark speck on the ocean betrays the location of the paquebot. Barely an instant later, a Vartan up in the crow's nest squawks, "Paquebot HO!"

Kurgar turns his gaze back to the skies, watching for the paquebot and apparently paying very little attention to the goings-on on deck. The very tip of his slender tail flicks from side to side.

Pawtuxet sits by a window, absently staring at the ocean below as if caught up in deep thought. An occasional anxious twitch of her tail, reveals this might very well be the case. Startled, she looks up at the shout of the Vartan, torn away from her line of thought.

Chiaroscuro wanders up from belowdecks, blinking slightly at the brightness of the sun this day. He walks over to a convenient rail, looking at what is going on now…

The bats notice Pawtuxet, and their conversation wanders. "Say – Have you heard about her?" "Nuh." "I hear she's an arky-ah-logist, proddin' around in the Forbidden Zones." "Oooo. Bad convergences."

A couple of dark specks fly up to the ship, from the direction of the paquebot. As they draw closer, it's evident that they're a couple of eeee – one of the forward patrols. They sweep in and land on the deck. "Somethin's wrong," one squeaks. The other nods in agreement, catching his breath.

The Wayfarer continues drifting toward what looks like a solitary island in the middle of a seemingly endless ocean.

Toward the aft of the ship, the ship's air wizard makes some gestures, and the wind which has been bearing the ship forward cuts off, the sails slumping. Then, it begins pushing back softly, slowing the craft's forward momentum, as it comes closer to the island. Several bats leap off from the deck, circling down toward the "island".

Kurgar moves a short distance from his usual spot towards the newly arrived eeee, and just listens to anything else they might comment on.

The returned eeee says to another, "No other ships, and they didn't blow the horn at us. It isn't any special holiday, is it?"

Pawtuxet swirl an ear at the mention of her name, but remains absent. The arrival of the patrol, however, manages to catch her attention.

Chiaroscuro looks curiously at the island, and taps his Rikkorrel. "Rik' chrrannn treeelan. Rik'dan'muiiiep."

Mooring lines are cast down, and the descending eeee party secures them over one of the docking ports that radiate outward like spokes of a wheel from the island.

Kurgar frowns slightly. It does sound strange. He moves back to one of the railings and peers down at the island.

There are a few toots and bellows from the horns of the ship, directed at the island. There is no response. The sequence is repeated.

Some of the bats down below flutter toward the central island to investigate.

There are many mutterings amongst the crew on board the Wayfarer. A couple of the more devout make the sign of the Star and Anchor over their hearts, and look up toward the Procession, which forms a white, speckled band from east to west across the horizon, though it fades nearer to the sun.

Some of the crewmen have the landing deck ready to lower, but the captain, walking by, holds up a hand to halt them, while he, too, goes over to the side, to watch for the return of the eeee scouts.

Pawtuxet stands up to get a better view of the island below, then looks around at the crew and passengers, trying to read their faces for signs of when to panic.

Several long moments and many mutterings later, the bats return. There are many shaking heads. "Someone attacked the paquebot," one squeaks. "Everybody's dead!"

"Pirates?" wonders one of the wolves aloud, and the word ripples through the crowd of the other crewmembers pressing close.

Kurgar's eyes widen. This is not good.

The lead bat shakes his head. "No. There's a lot destroyed, but they left the supplies. Not pirates." The bat shrugs and shakes his head in response to the looks that beg for some other explanation.

Chiaroscuro's ears perk, understanding 'attack' and 'dead'. He shudders slightly, and begins a prayer-chant in low tones.

Pawtuxet looks back at her crew, then scans the horizon, perhaps searching for other vessels. "Were there any indication as to when it was attacked?" she asks one of the bats.

The captain takes the lead bat over to the side and interrogates him, exchanging words with him in hushed tones. As he at last stops and looks about to the crew, his expression speaks of anger mixed with worry. "Whoever they were, they're gone. We can't make it to the next paquebot without resupply. We lost a lot of gas from leaks when we were attacked by the waashu. We're sending down. And I'm taking a look for myself," the russet-furred wolf declares, setting his jaw squarely.

Kurgar nods slightly, listening to the captain.

One of the bats looks to Pawtuxet and shakes his head, "Er … well … maybe a day … maybe two. Not very long ago. But I'm not an expert at … er … telling how long a body has been … you know… " He scrunches his nose and fidgets.

The captain begins selecting his landing party. "You, you … and you." He points at some cheetahs, including Kurgar.

One of the eeee speaks up, "There was something else, cap'n. There's this strange black stuff all over. It smells gurt bad. We think it might be poison or something."

Pawtuxet nods to the bat, "Right, no, well, thanks. I was just wondering… " She glances over the railing, "if whoever did it, were still around."

The bat near Pawtuxet says, "I sure hope not. We didn't see anything or anybody moving … and … well … it would have taken a lot of folk to wipe out the whole paquebot! I mean … just look!"

In normal times, the paquebot could well be a bustling center of activity indeed. In fact, that's how Pawtuxet remembers it from the last few times she saw this place, known as "Little Rephidim West" to some.

A poodle in Temple garb marches up onto the deck. "What's going on here? We've stopped – so what is everyone GAWKING about?" He snorts, giving everyone within line of sight an annoyed glare.

The cheetahs and wolves load into the landing deck. All the wolves have weapons and light armor.

Kurgar mixes among the other cheetahs, waiting.

The captain looks to the poodle. "Pardon, Inquisitor, but there's trouble at the paquebot. We'll be moving along, just as soon as we can. But it looks like we'll have to do all the refueling ourselves." He pauses, before adding, "There might be a war starting here."

Chiaroscuro looks over at the dog for a few moments, then at the landing party. .o( It looks to be another threat … This world is the cobra's nest, to be sure, and the eggs all hatch for me. )

Pawtuxet's tail twitches uneasily. She nods thoughtfully to the bat, "Yes, that would've needed a lot of men. Thanks." She walks back to the railing and sits next to her crew, watching the commotion from the sideline, acting the well-behaved passenger.

The landing deck begins lowering, a separate platform, bounded on the sides to prevent accidental spills, toward the dock far below.

An eeee whispers something to the poodle. The poodle interrupts him, "Poisons? Poisons, you say? Hmph. I don't think this is a war or pirates. I say … this sounds like paranormal phenomena," the poodle sniffs self- importantly. "I shall have to investigate this personally."

The landing deck touches down on the large round platform below that serves as the dock. The landing party moves out, examining the signs of combat on the platform and the long walkway that leads toward the island.

Below, the party doesn't take long before it starts heading back to the platform. The eeee who have landed take flight soon after as well, and arrive back at the ship far more quickly. "Gah! The stink," one eeee complains.

One of the other eeee whispers, "Hey. Cheeskeeree – That stuff doesn't bother HIM… "

Kurgar frowns hard, trailing the party back towards the platform. Most unpleasant.

The party is raised back up to the ship on the landing platform. The lupine captain's jaw isn't so firmly set. He coughs, covering his face with a handkerchief. "Cursed. Downright cursed, it is!"

Pawtuxet stands up on all four legs before the ship settles, bracing herself for any shocks from the impact. She lays her ears flat as the stench reaches her, "Erf… ack."

Chiaroscuro reels back at the stench. "Nakh'ri'Sheol!"

Some of the eeee self-consciously sniff at themselves. One comments, "Well, if you think WE smell bad, it's FAR worse down there… "

Kurgar confers with the other Savanites briefly, his ears and forepaws seeming to take on a life of their own.

The captain grumbles, "There's something with that oily mess. We need to have a cleaning crew go down and clear us off a way to the supply bin. Get them some wet rags to cover their faces. And get me the doctor. I need to know what we should do if anyone passes out."

The cheetahs are given some cloths and cleaning supplies, and ushered back onto the landing platform. Two armed wolves go along, similarly equipped, just in case of attack. Or perhaps to keep an eye on the cheetahs in case they do something crazy.

Kurgar frowns a bit. Doing something crazy would be going back down there again. But he doesn't seem to have a whole lot of choice about that at the moment, so…

The poodle looks at Chiaroscuro contemplatively. "Hmmm. The 'Waashu-Biter'… " He calls over a crewman and starts giving him instructions.

"You!" the poodle says. "Go there. Look look." He prods the mongoose over toward the landing deck.

Chiaroscuro looks worriedly at the dog. Even more than usual, that is. Whenever the dog says something, something bad tends to happen.

Chiaroscuro looks at the Poodle, and replies. "Jupani have armor when go down. I get armor, or not go."

Pawtuxet turns to her crew as she opens some of her luggage, "What a smell, eych! It might be poisonous, so I suggest you wear the masks. And hope they'll work." she picks up her own, and straps it onto her face. It looks like something from an insect, with a goggles of volcanic glass and a slightly bulging section at its bottom. As an extra, it makes anyone wearing it look very peculiar.

The poodle glowers, simmering at the mongoose. At last, he relents. "Get some armor for the kavi," he orders an aide.

With a bit of effort (and delay for the landing party), the "kavi" is equipped with some ill-fitting partial armor and ushered onto the landing deck. There's a lot of pushing and shoving and shouting and arguing over what's to be done next, and in the confusion, somehow Pawtuxet ends up on the landing deck as well.

The landing deck lowers with the cleanup squad, the over-armored "kavi", the uncomfortable-looking wolves, and the insectoidtaur archaeologist.

One of the wolves turns toward Pawtuxet, his voice muffled by the cloth over his face. He remarks, "That mask makes you look like a bug. Can you see anything?"

Kurgar is not pleased. His tailtip lashes back and forth, and he raises the wet rag given him by the wolves to cover his nosepad and mouth.

Chiaroscuro fingers his Rikkorel, touching the heart. "Rik'nuuurf savariiiel."

The deck touches down on the dock platform. There's a faint haze in the area, and an oily feel to the air. There are several spatters of black liquid on the dock wood.

One of the cheetahs dutifully and bravely sets to work with his mop and rags, scrubbing at a pool of the strange black liquid.

During the work, the cheetah splatters some on himself. Suddenly, the mop drops from his hands. The cheetah begins cringing, clawing at the spot where the goo mats his fur.

Kurgar steps off the landing platform and casts a look around before moving to his mop-duty.

The first cheetah begins jerking around, convulsing, collapsing onto the wood of the dock. The cloth falls off his face, revealing that his mouth is frothing, even as his eyes roll back into their sockets.

Chiaroscuro stays back at the edge of the party… starting in horror at the cheetah…

A wolf immediately grabs Kurgar, yanking him back away from the nearest pool of goo.

Pawtuxet nodnods her head to the wolf, "Yes, of course. This is some pretty good equipment, mindya. Was expensive, too. So if I couldn't see where I was going, it wouldn't do me much good." She looks around, "And how did we get down here?"

One of the other cheetahs rushes over to the first, trying to pull him away, and looking at a loss as to do anything about the convulsions. At last, they stop on their own. There is a pause, then the second cheetah signs back.

Kurgar takes a moment to regain his balance after being yanked. His eyes fasten on the less fortunate cheetah and his ears pin backwards.

One of the wolves snarls, "We can forget about CLEANING this – But if we don't get our supplies, we'll DIE out here."

Kurgar backs further onto the landing platform (as do most of the other cheetahs, being no fools).

Both Pawtuxet's ears are tightly focused on the action on the deck. She takes a few steps backwards on the platform.

The second wolf, a black one, says, "We can't clean this up. Just make sure you don't step in it." He looks to the cheetahs. "We have BOOTS, don't we?"

The first wolf, a pepper-grey one removes his cloth long enough to howl up at the ship, "Get one of those bats to bring us down some boots for the spottycats!" He coughs and gags, and immediately puts the cloth back over his nose and mouth.

Moments later, the cheetahs are equipped with footwear – as digitigrades, they usually do without.

Kurgar obviously isn't very comfortable in the footwear. But he begrudgingly accepts it, rather than having to tread in that black goo.

Some bats fly toward the island, then back to the ship. Another alights on the dock. "We found the supplies … but the refueling station is locked – from the inside. Someone's going to have to go in."

The cheetahs mill about, without any clear duties to take care of … since the wolves aren't about to let anyone near the black goo … and they aren't really inclined to go playing around in it regardless.

Pawtuxet turns to a bat that seems ready to takeoff, "If you're going up to the ship, could you ask my crew for my boots and then give them to me? I'd rather not step directly in that black stuff."

"You," the black wolf at last decides, pointing at Kurgar. "Cheetahs are fast, and they can get around real good. You'll have to find a way into the supply station."

The bat nods to Pawtuxet and takes flight back to the ship.

A short while later, the bat returns with four boots for Pawtuxet and a sack. "They wanted me to send down this sack lunch, too, in case you got hungry." The bat shrugs.

Chiaroscuro waits, glancing nervously around at the cheetahs, wolves, and Pawtuxet. And the… goo.

The wolf looks at Chiaroscuro. "Hey. Kavis are good at stealing things and picking locks. He should go with the cheetah."

Kurgar nods to the wolf, then casts another nervous glance towards the goo.

Kurgar casts an appraising glance at the kavi.

Pawtuxet smiles to the bat, though the mask fails to reflect this, and nods "Thanks." She straps the sack onto her belt, then places two of the boots underneath herself and the remaining two before her. Four steps later, she's ready to leave the platform.

The black wolf leans over to Chiaroscuro. "Kavi! Ship in danger. Need food and *poof*! Gas! Or ship go – " He makes his hand go down. "Pbbbbbbbbt! *PLOP* Hit water. We all go glug glug. Bad. Very bad."

The wolf continues to say, using lots of wide hand gestures, "walking" with his fingers, "You go past bad goo. No step in goo. Goo make go *urk urk* *koff* *gack* Dead. Very bad. Picky-picky doors like so? Open doors. Get supplies. We all happy then!"

The black wolf pats Chiaroscuro on the back. "Go with spot-spot cat!"

Chiaroscuro thinks over this for a moment… but realizes he has no choice. "Okay, I go."

Kurgar frowns a bit at Chiaroscuro, apparently coming to the conclusion that he will be quite surprised if the Kavi makes it all the way to the supply station.

The black wolf makes some waving gestures along the dock walkway, toward the deserted, once-bustling island, now covered with a nearly tangible pall of death and destruction. "Come on! Go already!"

Kurgar nods to the Kavi, and then sets out along the walkway, giving him not a backwards glance as he picks his way along with fair speed.

Pawtuxet carefully steps out in the black goo, trying to determine how slippery it is. She does this very slowly. The black goo reveals itself to be about as slippery as you everyday, smelly black goo, and she looks around for something useful to do.

Chiaroscuro makes sure his own boots are secure on his feet, his mask is on tightly, and he's said a solid round of prayers to Rik'Tik'Tav. He then begins walking very carefully… slower than the cheetah, but able to take a slightly more straight path. the strange buzzing in his skull is louder down here…

The dock is a long walk … but an uneventful one. There are no bodies to be encountered … except for that unfortunate cheetah.

Kurgar presses his rag more tightly over his muzzle and squints through his watering eyes as he follows the walkway.

At the end of the walkway, the platform widens considerably. Here and there are crates, some stacked, some on wagons, some toppled over. Some beasts of burden lie sprawled, in various states of decay … and numerous sea-creen who had feeding upon them litter the ground nearby.

That's another thing. The familiar cries of the sea-creen – the little winged lizards – are not to be heard. Only the lapping of waves against the "shores" of this artificial island.

Chiaroscuro follows behind the cheetah, doing his best to not step in any goo, despite his boots. He looks at the various animals on the platform…

Kurgar ducks his head slightly and carefully avoids looking at any of the animals. He focuses his attention, instead on staying away from that black goo, and letting his memories and instincts guide him to the supply station.

Not only the beasts of burden are to be found. A poodle couple in fine clothes are crumpled together behind some crates. Bodies of several Savanite slave workers can be seen. A child's toy lies on the wood nearby.

Still. Motionless. Frozen in time.

Chiaroscuro shudders. He tries to block out the sight of these horrors, focusing on following the cheetah, and not stepping in the goo…

One of the loading bays of the warehouses is open. Crates loaded with various goods and valuables are still in place – unbroken, untouched. If pirates had been responsible, such easy pickings would surely not have been left. And this also indicates that scavengers must not have had a chance to pick over the place afterward.

Kurgar's handpaws clench and unclench. Focus. Don't look. Must reach the station… His resolve wavers for a moment, and looks back towards the Kavi. To be sure that he's not stealing from the corpses, undoubtedly.

Chiaroscuro looks at the cheetah, a few paces behind, nowhere near the bodies. "I follow you.", he says. "I not know where food."

Kurgar nods, and looks back forward, resuming his trek through the slime and stench towards the supply station…

Pawtuxet walks towards the station, her pace revealing general dissatisfaction with the entire situation. Either that, or it's all just too much for her, to seem real. "What could have done this… ?" she mutters.

The main entrance of the supply station is just ahead now, past the warehouses. There are several bodies piled against the door, and the doors are blackened with goo to the point where it is hard to tell the bodies apart from the doors they seem to have been scrambling for in a desperate attempt to open.

Chiaroscuro trudges behind the cheetah, his face visibly blanching at the bodies in front of the door.

Kurgar comes to an abrupt stop, peering at those doors for only a moment. He then looks back towards the Kavi. He certainly doesn't know what to do now.

Kurgar's fur bristles.

Pawtuxet makes her way to the door of the main station, "Gloves." She points out, "Should've brought gloves." She shudders slightly and icks at the bodies, then looks to the others. "Any other ways in?"

Chiaroscuro looks at Kurgar. "These doors? Things after these doors?"

Kurgar nods to Pawtuxet, and points off to one side to indicate an alternate entrance. Admittedly, there isn't one in view – it must be a fairly long distance.

Chiaroscuro looks at Pawtuxet. He appears at a loss as to what to do next.

The path indicated by Kurgar looks like it would require a bit of backtracking, to go around the warehouses and loading bays, to reach another one of the entrances along the perimeter of the central supply station at the heart of the island.

Kurgar waits, watching the other two and listening for suggestions.

As Chiaroscuro's gaze wanders, he can see what looks like a smaller form huddled against the wall of the warehouse. It is evenly surrounded by black goo – A shot of the stuff must have been directed deliberately and precisely at the child, who must have crumpled up at just that point.

Pawtuxet backs a few feet away from the corpses, blocking the door, "They're all covered in that… well, black whatever. No way I'm gonna touch them, for sure. If none of us can move them… then what?" She ew's repeatedly, "This is almost as bad as… well, nevermind."

Chiaroscuro looks at the form… .oO( poor child… ) and notes the goo covers it completely… .oO( but how? Dropped from above? )

It's hard to discern just where the attack might have been from … but it appears that it would have had to have been from a nearly level position. Tracing a line to where it might have been fired FROM, the mongoose now notices that some of the trails of goo look as if something had been dragging along in the mess.

Chiaroscuro puzzles, jumps a bit over next to Kurgar, and taps the cheetah on the shoulder. "Look… " He points out the suspicious trails of goo. "Someone do this." He shudders. "Or some thing."

A winged form flutters overhead, circling.

A bat cries down, "Is there a safe spot to LAND?"

Kurgar looks up, then at the trails.

Kurgar looks back to the doors, and the piles of goo-covered bodies that had apparently been trying to get in…

The bat continues circling, then at last descends, perching on top of the warehouse and leaning over. "By the First Ones!" His voice is muffled. He seems to have a mask just like Pawtuxet's. He wears a pair of boots, gloves, and even his wings are wrapped up like a mummy. He has a bundle packed under one arm. "The 'clean-up crew' went back top-side. I was sent down to bring you some more stuff to help out." He scans for a clear spot to land, and flutters down, more closely.

The bat shuffles over. "So nice of them to loan me this mask. Here, spotty-cat – " He yanks off the cloth and fits a goggled mask on Kurgar in its stead. "Now we can ALL look like zelaks!"

Kurgar moves a little closer to the door and examines it, looking for areas free of goo.

Chiaroscuro looks at the bat. "Dead here, then door. No move in if dead here, and move bodies… I not want do."

The bat distributes heavy gloves, and hands a set of picks to the "Kavi". "Here. Don't suppose you can use your teeth."

The door is evenly covered in black, as is the area around it. It looks as if it was quite thoroughly coated with this noxious substance.

Kurgar snorts at the batbat. Though it's greatly muffled by the mask he's wearing. He takes the pick in hand and considers it for a moment before looking back to the strong door.

Chiaroscuro smirks at the bat, and puts on the gloves, and takes the picks… looks curiously at them, as if he has no idea what they are.

Pawtuxet nodnods to the bat, "The masks are nice, when they work." She takes a pair of gloves and puts them on. Slowly, probably hoping for someone else to grab the initiative.

Kurgar moves to the doors. He lifts his pick, and with a quick thrust, slams the pick's handle into the metal doors, causing a dull reverberating metallic boom to echo around the room on the opposite side.

Some black goo gets on the larger tool in the cheetah's gloved hands, but fortunately he does not get any on himself.

Kurgar frowns. He works to scrape the goo off on a clear patch of ground, and then looks back to the others with a shrug.

Chiaroscuro watches Kurgar go at it, realizing the basics of what he's doing.

The bat hrms. If he's frowning, it can't be seen through that mask of his. "Well … I guess THAT won't work."

Pawtuxet looks closer at the door, "It can only be opened from the inside?"

Kurgar nods to Pawtuxet, frowning through the gas mask.

Pawtuxet looks to the others, "Looks like we might have to find another way inside. Judging from the sound, that thing's rather sturdy."

The bat salutes Pawtuxet. "I'll tag along in case I can be useful!"

Chiaroscuro looks at Pawtuxet, nodding. "Other way."

Kurgar nods to Pawtuxet, and begins the backtrack towards the pathway that'll lead around the island to where the other entrances to the supply station ought to be…

The pathway leads past the warehouses again, most of the rolling wooden doors to the loading bays still wide open. Some hand-trucks and carts are scattered here and there.

Pawtuxet smiles to the bat, "You already have been. The gloves were a good idea." She steps backwards and turns to follow Kurgar.

Chiaroscuro walks along the pathway, carefully. As he walks, he looks for any more suspicious trails in the goo, and so trails a bit behind the cheetah.

The next "spoke" in the wheel is much like the first, except that a roofed enclosure has been built to bridge between the two warehouse complexes, covering the walkway that leads up to the next entrance to the central station. As the mongoose goes along, he finds more such trails. There seems to be a definite pattern to this – large things dragging and scraping around in the goo, but no indication that whatever was doing this is still here to be seen.

The roofed procession is different than the rest. It does not completely block out the sky, leaving gaps on each side between the "roof" and the warehouses. Underneath these gaps are potted plants, once flowering, but now withered and dead. Some of the petals still have color in them that speak of flowers imported from parts far away from here.

Except for the repeated scenes of death – and black goo – this walkway is far better kept than the others.

At the end of the walkway … the doors are open.

Kurgar continues frowning. He doesn't like being here at all. He continues along the walkway…

Kurgar almost smiles at the open doors. Almost.

Steps lead up to the entrance to the central supply station complex. A few bodies can be seen there … some frozen in the act of trying to close the entrance.

Chiaroscuro trails a good ways back from the cheetah now. He keeps turning around to look behind him, and glancing upward.

As the mongoose looks around, he notices a small puddle of goo up ahead. Something is different about it. As he glances upward, he notices … a large spray of the stuff on the underside of the roof. And it looks as if it's about to drip right onto the cheetah!

Kurgar doesn't notice at all. He's too focused on making forward progress.

Pawtuxet perks an ear as she sees the open doors, "How… convenient?"

Chiaroscuro yelps suddenly! "Cat! Up, look!"

The ooze slowly extends a thin tendril, dangling precariously…

Kurgar looks up, takes a fraction of a second to realize what that is that's dangling down towards him, and jumps to one side (and hopefully not into a different puddle of goo)

The tendril breaks free, splattering on the ground where the cheetah was standing just a moment ago.

A quick scan reveals a few other such patches of goo on the underside of the roof … and just as capable of dripping without warning.

The bat shudders. "I don't LIKE it herrrre."

Kurgar casts a quick look of gratitude towards the Kavi.

Chiaroscuro says, "All, keep look up. Goo up, can fall."

Pawtuxet looks up at the numerous goo patches, "That was close… How did it get up there, anyway?"

The steps are in reach. There is enough of a space to be able to walk in without danger of stepping in anything – or … on anyone – but what can be seen inside is not promising: more of the same.

Chiaroscuro shakes his head. "Not know. I think… arrow-goo, Pahtuchset."

*SPLOT* A drip hits the ground some distance behind the group.

Kurgar frowns. This isn't good. Still, there isn't much of a choice. Casting a glance back towards the others, he takes a few cautious steps up the stairs.

Chiaroscuro whirls to look at the goo, and where it's fallen.

Inside are the remains of a lobby set up in this portion of the supply station. The scene attests to a battle here, with several dead Jupani and zelaks … as well as completely unarmed civilians.

Pawtuxet briefly looks over her shoulder to identify the sound, then directs her attention back to the ceiling and proceeds after Kurgar.

Chiaroscuro walks along slowly, following…

Streaks of slime lead down the main corridor leading off from the lobby, deeper into the heart of the station. Other streaks lead off to other doorways and passages, though not in as high of a concentration.

Kurgar pauses, doubtful of which way to go.

Chiaroscuro keeps glancing up and about, mindful of the black goo. This reminds him of bad dreams…

Pawtuxet looks around anxiously, "Whatever the goo is, it's not from a catapult weapon on a ship, or something like that… I'm starting to fear it's much worse." She pauses, looking down the main corridor, "Anyone familiar with this place?"

Kurgar looks back at the others and makes a 'so-so' gesture with his hands.

Chiaroscuro says, "I not."

As the mongoose looks around, he notices that some of the chitin blades held by the warriors look as if they were stained with blood … but there are no signs to indicate the presence of whomever may have been wounded. Some of the streaks of body fluids follow the same paths as the streaks of black goo.

Chiaroscuro points to some of the bodies. "Look… blood on… " he fumbles with the words a bit. "sah-ward."

Chiaroscuro says, "Fight. Was fight."

Kurgar looks over and nods. There was a fight. If he doesn't look terribly interested, it's because he's not. He's far more interested in getting this mission over with and getting off of this island of death.

Pawtuxet looks to where Chiaroscuro points, "You're right… " She looks at the sword, "You think they're still here?"

Chiaroscuro shudders at the concept… "If here… "

Kurgar pads towards a door that leads in more or less the direction he suspects the main door is in, and checks it carefully.

Pawtuxet takes a few steps towards the bodies Chiaroscuro pointed at, "It's blood, alright… at least, I think it is. I've never seen something like this before."

Kurgar works his way along the circuitous route, passing a few side doors, and coming to the interior of that main door. It looks fairly straightforward to open from here.

Kurgar works to open the door. And stands carefully away from it as he does so, remembering all the goo and bodies piled on the other side.

Pawtuxet walks alongside Kurgar, towards the main door, scanning the ceiling for more surprises.

The cheetah's precaution proves wise. Although the doors open outward, thus minimizing the problem of any bodies hitting him, a significant amount of goo drips in from the surrounding doorway, which he manages to avoid. But the door is, in fact, open now.

Kurgar looks over to the batbat and nods to him, 'thumbing' his head at the now-open doorway.

Pawtuxet does not find any more sprays on the ceiling in here. However, she does find evidence of a side-passage where a wooden door has been smashed open.

The bat nods to the cheetah. "I'll let them know at once!" He tip-toes out, and then flutters into the air. "It's OPEN!" he shouts, long before anyone from the ship could hope to hear him.

Kurgar looks back to the others with a querulous glance, gesturing to a passageway leading deeper into the depths of the station.

Pawtuxet turns away from the door, once the bat has left, and points to a passage that someone seems to've really wanted access to, "Look… Someone didn't have a key… "

Chiaroscuro looks at Kurgar. "Not done? I want go ship."

There are a few spatters of the same strange blood/body fluids on the broken wooden door. Whomever bashed open the door was already wounded or managed to hurt him-, her- or itself in the process.

Kurgar looks over at Pawtuxet and Chiaroscuro. He's come this far… and he knows that if he goes back to the ship, he'll just be sent out again to get supplies (and probably without the mask, boots, and gloves this time)… he's not liable to head back to the ship at the moment. Neither does he look particularly excited about going spelunking down alternate corridors just for fun.

Chiaroscuro says, "Pahtuchset… we go ship?"

Kurgar shrugs and makes a shipward gesture to Chiaroscuro that says nothing so much as 'do what you like'.

Pawtuxet sighs, "Nothing I'd rather do. But we need the supplies to get anywhere and this way it'll go faster. I doubt the ship will turn out to be invulnerable to whatever did this, should it come back."

Kurgar nods to Pawtuxet, and moves towards the inward-travelling hallway.

Chiaroscuro puzzles out what Pawtuxet is saying… as best he can. "Fast this way. Okay." .o( A shortcut, good… )

Chiaroscuro follows along behind, moving cautiously.

Pawtuxet adds, "Once we find what we're searching for, yes." She tilts her head, as she catches up with Kurgar, "What are we searching for?"

The hallway that Kurgar and Chiaroscuro are heading down has some more streaks along the floor, but not as strongly … as if whatever had been dragging through the goo had worn off much of it while scraping along the floor.

This passage is wide enough for carts and hand-trucks to be run along it, with ramps rather than steps at the changes in elevation.

At last, however, the passage ends, the ceiling opening up to reveal a large cylindrical warehouse, well-stocked with canisters of compressed hydrogen, many on wheeled carts, ready to be wheeled out to serve the ships stopping at port. There are also other crates with other goods to replenish the supplies of the ships – and to supply the needs of those stationed here.

Kurgar makes a gesture with his hands to Pawtuxet, vaguely indicating a fairly large quantity. Perhaps a container.

Here, too, there are some signs of further battle … or, rather, of hunting and killing. Some bodies can be seen amidst puddles of black ooze, or not far away, having dragged themselves a short distance before expiring. The puddles here are not so wild – there are no sprays on the ceiling or walls – but very precise.

Chiaroscuro shivers, looking at the bodies and the goo.

There is a clatter, as something falls to the floor. It must have fallen off one of the higher walkways running around the perimeter of the chamber.

Kurgar moves over to the cylinders of hydrogen. That's what's most important right now. He looks for a hand-truck with no goo on it…

Kurgar freezes at the clatter, his ears twisting to locate the source.

Chiaroscuro's eyes whip upward, the clatter loud over the buzzing in his skull.

There are hand-trucks aplenty. There are even some cylinders of hydrogen already loaded onto a cart, so conveniently.

Pawtuxet looks around at the goo patches, "I'm under the impression that the goo comes from a living orga… " she stops, looking upwards at the clatter.

No movement can be seen above. No sudden sprays of black goo. No lurking shadows.

Kurgar's fur is once again standing on edge.

Kurgar gestures to the others to give him a hand with one of the hand-trucks bearing cylinders of hydrogen.

Chiaroscuro rrkk-tkks, and says quietly… "No wind make fall… "

Pawtuxet hurries over to the hand-truck which Kurgar chose, "Sh-shouldn't we investigate that sound? It might be a survivor… "

Kurgar scents the air and peers up towards the overhead walkway.

No unusual smells approach the cheetah's nose … except … something sweet. Candy?

Pawtuxet takes a firm hold of the hand-truck's handle, ready to push it as fast as she can, should something decide to be unfriendly towards them.

Kurgar moves to one of the nearby ladders, taking Pawtuxet's question as a suggestion that he go look. He slowly climbs upwards, checking each rung for goo before taking hold of it. It never hurts to be careful, after all.

Chiaroscuro looks up at Kurgar, watching, eyes flicking about the room…

The cheetah manages to make his way up the ladder without encountering any goo. Upon the solid walkway, he can work his way around the perimeter of the room, gaining a much better view of the scene below, and having some access to the shelves that run along the walkway and the tops of the piles of crates.

Kurgar makes a complete circuit around the room along the walkway, watching for movements… listening for noise… anything.

Pawtuxet anxiously looks after Kurgar, "Please, be careful… I would join you, but, well, I can't climb that kind of ladders."

The walkway is empty – no bodies, no goo – though there is something lying ahead. It's a packet. A bar of candy, partially eaten, broken against the walkway, dropped there.

Chiaroscuro mumbles under his breath. "I go up but no stupid."

Out of the corner of his eye, the cheetah catches … some movement? A faint rustling noise and a scrape against wood.

Kurgar twists quickly and moves towards… well… whatever it was that he thinks he saw.

Ahead of the cheetah is a large pile of crates, reaching high enough to pass the walkway. Parked near the pile of crates (its base on the floor) is a contraption used to fork off the crates and raise or lower them with a great deal of muscle-power and cranking.

There's a narrow gap between some of the crates, which aren't quite lined up perfectly.

Kurgar slowly moves towards that gap, his tailtip flicking from side to side.

Pawtuxet twitches her tailtip, her ears swirling in all directions, showing all signs of alarm, "He is taking too long… wouldn't a survivor have revealed himself, by now?" She looks to Chiaroscuro, then back up.

Inside the gap between the crates … something scuffles and moves.

Chiaroscuro nods to Pawtuxet… "Long time, too long."

Kurgar pauses for several moments. He stands and moves back to the fallen chocolate bar. He takes it in one paw, then returns to the crates.

As Kurgar heads along, he notices a crate that looks as if it has been pried open. Inside are many more packages just like the one he's holding. Scattered about are several empty wrappings.

There's a high-pitched *EEP* that is quickly cut off, from within the crates, as if it's being muffled.

Kurgar holds on to the chocolate bar and peers between the gap. Whatever it is must like chocolate. He carefully holds the bar towards the gap, hoping to tempt whatever it is out into the open.

Chiaroscuro blinks. .o( EEP? )

Chiaroscuro yells out. "CAT, RUN!"

In the "tunnel" formed amidst the crates, the cheetah can spot four glints of light that flick out on occasion.

Pawtuxet focuses her ears in direction of the eep, "Kurgar?! Are you alright?" She shouts, then adds, "Forget it, get back down here!"

At the sounds of the shouts, abruptly the four glints of light vanish, followed by rapid scuffling noises. From below, the mongoose and vulpinetaur can see a couple of flashes of russet just over the tip of the walkway, racing across, away from the cheetah.

Kurgar pauses a moment, glancing back towards Pawtuxet's and Chiaroscuro's voices. Reluctantly, he sets the bar of chocolate back down a few feet from the gap between crates. He backs several further feet away and waits for a minute or so, watching.

*patterpatterpatter*

Pawtuxet hesitantly starts pushing to hand-truck towards the corridor, "I don't like this… not one bit. Kurgar!"

Chiaroscuro's eyes track the red… whatever…

Past the crates, Kurgar can catch a better view of the retreating forms in the dim light. There are two of them, and they leap toward another pile of crates. The crates aren't as sturdy as they appear, though. There's another eep and a cry, and the crates start toppling, some crashing against the floor and spilling their contents of beans and other dry goods.

Kurgar moves to the nearest ladder, and begins to step down it. But pauses before his head lowers below the walkway. There are two little somethings up there that like chocolate… and he's loathe to just leave them in the midst of all this death, without knowing what they are…

Kurgar looks down at the two below, as though for confirmation, then back towards the last spot where he saw those forms that he's still been unable to identify…

Pawtuxet pauses near the corridor entrance, making little impatient steps. She clearly would like to leave, but not enough to leave anyone behind, "What it is, Kurgar? What made that noise? If it wasn't you… "

Chiaroscuro's eyes flicker back to the entrance, and he turns to Pawtuxet… "Where ones from ship? Too no-fast… "

Kurgar shrugs uncertainly. He uses his hands to indicate something small (anchoring himself against the ladder as he does so by crooking an elbow over one of the rungs). He looks back towards the breaking crates again…

The crates have stopped falling. It's quiet over there now.

Kurgar takes a half-step back up the ladder, glancing to Chiaroscuro and Pawtuxet to gauge their response. Technically, they did order him to return, but…

Pawtuxet looks to Chiaroscuro, "He's going back up," she unnecessarily points out.

Chiaroscuro grits his teeth. He dislikes ordering anyone about, but calls up, "Cat… come. When ones from ship here, then."

Kurgar nods reluctantly and slowly descends the ladder.

Nothing happens. All is quiet within the room.

Kurgar moves to the handcart, and quietly begins to push it towards the walkway.

The strong cheetah soon has the canisters out of the storage chamber, and well on their way along the passage, back toward the entrance.

Chiaroscuro finds a small crate on the main floor, hefts it up, and follows Kurgar.

Pawtuxet looks at Kurgar, "What was up there?"

The way back through the corridor to the entrance doesn't seem nearly so long as it was when they made their way in. They pass the bashed-in wooden door along the way.

Kurgar continues quietly padding along the walkway. He shrugs softly at Pawtuxet's question, but clearly isn't pleased at having been called away from the search.

Next is the exit, and a short ramp down. Some crewmembers can be seen hauling some handcarts they've picked up from the warehouse, meeting the party.

Kurgar passes the handcart to the crewmembers, rather than walk through that puddle of goo at the door.

Chiaroscuro passes the crate along to a crew-member, to speed things.

The cart is taken and moved on. The big puddle of goo seems to present a problem, even though everyone is wearing boots. After a bit of shuffling around and some delays, some more workers come around with some wooden planks which they use to form a walkway over the mess, to roll the carts safely over without tracking the poisonous goop any further.

Soon, carts are going on in, and then coming back with canisters and other crates full of supplies to replenish the airship's stocks.

Kurgar glances back towards the passageway, then to Chiaroscuro and Pawtuxet.

Chiaroscuro nods at Kurgar. "Okay. Now, look more."

Pawtuxet follows Kurgar's glance back towards the entrance, "You don't think whatever was in there, did this, do you?"

Kurgar shrugs to Pawtuxet, and almost smiles at Chiaroscuro as he hurries past, towards that warehouse again.

The cheetah has to maneuver around a few hand carts on their way back out, but he reaches the central storage chamber in short order. A few wolves and cheetahs are busily loading up another wagon.

Chiaroscuro nudges Pawtuxet. "I go make sure Cat okay. With me, you go?"

Pawtuxet sighs, "Drat." She wilts her ears and follows Kurgar, though less eagerly.

Kurgar clambers up the ladder and onto the overhead walkway. He casts a look around, then begins a slow circuit, watching for those little creatures, whatever they are.

Pawtuxet nodnods to Chiaroscuro, "Yep, sure."

Chiaroscuro wanders back to the center chamber, nimbly avoiding oncoming carts and goo bits.

In a more shadowed part, the cheetah ALMOST walks past … but catches something out of the corner of his eye. Movement. And another pair of glints.

Kurgar pauses, and peers towards those glints.

A couple of little fox kits try to make themselves very very small in a nook formed by a gap between the crates. They are dressed in tattered, stained rags, and have a wild look to their eyes. They look to be brother and sister.

Kurgar's eyes widen. Somehow, he'd guessed it was something like that… Removing his bug-like gas mask for a moment, he crouches down on the walkway and extends a handpaw towards them, palm upwards. He gives them what he hopes is a reassuring smile.

The little girl fox kit giggles, blinking at Kurgar. "Kitty!" she squeals.

The brother still breathes rapidly, blinking several times, looking as if he's not quite sure whether to stay or run … or if he's simply too exhausted to do anything.

Pawtuxet perks an ear at the voice, "Kitty?" she repeats and looks at Chiaroscuro.

Kurgar holds very, very still for several moments, not wanting to startle the two. But he keeps that hand outstretched towards them.

The other crewmembers are still busy at work, apparently quite eager to get done and get OUT as soon as possible, and pay no notice to the diminutive voice.

Chiaroscuro shrugs at Pawtuxet. He does not know what 'kitty' means, but from the tone, it sounds like whatever it is is a sentient, and friendly… he walks over to the ladder, and climbs up it, slowly.

The little fox boy looks at the hand, and his ears droop, as he has a guilty expression. He reluctantly hands over a partially-eaten candy bar. The chocolate stains on his face and paws – and that of his sister – attest that they've most likely been helping themselves aplenty.

Kurgar smiles a bit more widely, and hands the candy bar back to the boy. He moves a bit closer to them, and tries to gently take them by the hands.

Chiaroscuro reaches the top of the ladder, walking carefully over to Kurgar.

The foxes look reluctant, but the littlest one abruptly leaps forward and clings to the cheetah's leg. Fortunately, the cheetah has no black goop splattered on his boots.

Soon, Kurgar has two clinging, crying foxes clutching onto him so determinedly that he can almost be sure he'd lose some fur trying to pry them off.

Chiaroscuro looks at Kurgar, being grabbed by two little foxes, and smiles. He calls down to Pawtuxet. "Is okay! Two lit-tle fox!"

Kurgar works to gently lift the little foxes into his arms. Not pulling them away, just letting them cling to a different patch of fur.

Chiaroscuro walks next to Kurgar, and smiles at the kits. "Hello, little ones. You okay?"

Pawtuxet, startled, holds a hand up in front of her muzzle, "Oh no… I can't believe we almost left them here!" She hophops a little on her front paws, trying to peek up at Kurgar and Chiaroscuro.

Kurgar gently strokes the fur of the little foxes, trying to calm them.

The foxes look as if they'll probably take some time to get over this. Maybe a great deal of time.

Kurgar slowly stands and moves to the nearest ladder, casting a wan smile at Chiaroscuro.

Chiaroscuro says, "Can you go down with two, Cat?"

Kurgar pauses. He's currently using both arms to support the foxes, but they don't seem to be willing to go anywhere else at the moment. He shifts the two closer together and holds them both tightly, with one arm.

The foxes do their part, clinging to the cheetah as if they were made of cockleburrs.

Chiaroscuro whispers to the foxes. "Hold on Cat. You be okay."

Kurgar slowly climbs down the ladder, one-handed.

Kurgar tries not to jostle the two too much.

At last, the cheetah makes it down the ladder with his two fuzzy burdens, to the relative safety of the floor.

Chiaroscuro follows down behind the cheetah, carefully.

Kurgar gently nuzzles the tops of the two kits' heads, a soft, comforting purr sounding from his chest.

Pawtuxet awwws and makes little excited steps with her front paws, as she finally sees to two kits, apparently forgetting about the surroundings, "I'm glad you insisted on investigating, Kurgar! Aww, they're so cute! And dirty. Can I hold one?"

Chiaroscuro reaches the ground, and pats Kurgar's back. "Good job."

Pawtuxet takes her mask off and hangs it from her belt, then gestures to take one of the kits.

Kurgar moves to allow Pawtuxet to take one. Assuming it'll agree to let go of him.

The kit manages to pry free, the cheetah only losing a few hairs in the process.

Kurgar reassuringly strokes the back of his remaining kit. And he slowly heads back towards the entrance of the complex.

Chiaroscuro walks along with Kurgar. Getting back to the ship seems like the right idea now.

The party passes several puddles of black goo, the bashed-in door … and other sights left undescribed … and at last make it outside.

Kurgar walks towards the ship slowly. He's certain the kit will be taken from him once he gets there, so he's in no particular hurry.

Pawtuxet smiles as she follows Kurgar, gently and comfortingly stroking the back of the kit she's carrying. She adjusts to Kurgan's pace, probably for similar reasons.

Kurgar returns to the ship, with the little kit in his arms and wearing his gas-mask, his other hand pressing that damp rag from before to his nosepad.

Pawtuxet's eyes water slightly, as she returns to relative safety of the ship. Probably because she removed the mask, but she didn't want to scare the kit.

Chiaroscuro reaches the ship, glad to be aboard once more. .oO( Birds, waashu, and black goop. Lord Rik', is there anything safe on this world? )