At the First Ones Site in the frigid Vykarin Wastes, the Rhians, Savanites and even some of the Vykarin scouts have helped out in a long (and quite frankly boring) process of painstakingly mapping out the site under Bassai's direction. As work progresses, and Bassai studies his increasing collection of notes, they seem to be pointing to some rather strange possibilities, if he dares to entertain them.
"Yess, yess," Bassai hisses, looking over the notes. Things are going much better since he decided to do things 'properly'. It did involve some rather intense (and cold!) training of the Savanites and Rhians in survey techniques. Once that was done, they were divided into teams of three: two people to measure, and one to record the findings. The Savanites so far have seem to have a great attention to detail, but the results from both groups are satisfactory.
Everything had to be checked, of course, and Bassai was doing that with the assistance of Tekki and Ibis. As the overseeing group their work was divided between verifying measurements taken the previous day, and identifying possible 'problem areas'. Bassai's instructions were simple, after recent events, nothing except the floor was to be touched. If anything was found, it was left in situ for later examination. If any area seemed unsafe, or if it started responding to a group's presence, the mappers were removed, and the area likewise avoided for the time being. "This expedition may destroy this site, but by the Serpent's Teeth, I will have diagrams detailed enough that we can rebuild it in the heart of the Empire. Everything will be documented, and if we learn anything here, it will at least be what mistakes and procedures to avoid," the Naga had told the assembled crew, before they started their task.
Fortunately, this approach has seemed successful. There has been no more accidental destruction, and no deaths. The diagrams of the site, and the notes relating to them are piling up, but Bassai's filing system is keeping them in a useful order. With most of the site fully diagramed, he can devote some time to puzzling out some of the stranger findings which he has laid out before him now.
So far only a few more interesting things have been revealed: A chamber with several more of the crystal boxes that Fenter found, and some vertical shafts. Strangely, the first shaft had a trail of crumbs leading to it from the Arc Chamber, though none of the others did. Otherwise they were exactly the same, extending a far ways up and down, with no visible handholds or means of traversing them. Other than that, this first level has been fairly sterile and almost boring.
Bassai is looking over the layout maps, trying to find any other interesting anomalies, now that the he has an almost complete set to work with.
As the snake pores over his work, his notes, the layouts … and his memories of sites past … he is slowly coming to the realization that this site is inconsistent with what it "should be". The conclusion that is waiting to be grasped … is that this is NOT a First Ones site after all …
… It's something older than that.
Bassai flickers out his tongue, the evidence becoming clear before his unblinking gaze. {This is more than I hoped for! Still, it is imperative that I be sure, and that I know as much as possible before telling the rest of the crew.} He keeps examining the notes, and searching his knowledge for the possibilities it could be.
No facilities exist here for habitation by organic beings … and there is no sign of organic habitation aside from that of the previous expedition, and where wandering Vykarin tribes may have sought shelter in the entrance over years uncountable … but dared not, apparently, brave further inside. At first, the corridors seem random, but upon closer inspection of the map, there seems to be some sort of logic to their arrangements … something like the circuitry of the nonfunctional "boards" obtained from Exiles and from the Expedition Era, believed to harness the power of lightning.
The Arc Chamber is toward the north of the complex, as it has been explored so far, to the center of the northern edge of an overall layout that is roughly trapezoidal. Many of the corridors curve about, but there are also many that are straight, and almost run north-south … but vary in angle. The central corridor leading to the Arc Chamber would be the most straight. Those to the east or west diverge increasingly … and by studying their angles, it can be found that if the lines were extended, they would converge upon a single point a few miles further north, though there is no means visible of reaching such a point, save but on land.
"Exceedingly interesssting," the Naga hisses out loud, as he continues to examine the layout. He has not forgotten the strange vision he saw along with the Eye at the College Esoterica, that of a vibrant landscape beneath the Procession. "We will have to see where those lines lead."
Bassai hisses, "Tekki," looking up, forgetting that his servant is busy outside on the site. Then he hisses to himself as he dons his insulating clothing, "I think it is time to compare those crystal boxes."
The Naga takes the one item that has so far been removed from the site for study, and opens the door to his heated box. Closing it quickly, and slithering even more so, he braves the cold temperatures long enough to get into the (comparatively) warmer region of the site, and seeks out Tekki, or Ibis.
As per Bassai's instructions, the crystal boxes have been left in the place marked on the maps, until the snake can inspect it himself. Fortunately, it's not all that far away, but with so many corridors to choose from, it just took some time to find them. In the campsite, the Naga finds the cook, going about his daily routine, and Tekki going over some instructions with a team about to head out again to do some more detailed mapping of the patterns in the "veins" in some of the tunnels. Ibis is stooped over a crate serving as a desk, busily writing notes, while an armored feline reclines nearby, her apparently segmented tail swishing lazily. Even with that mask obscuring her features, she looks distinctly bored.
Bassai spares a speculative glance at the feline, then turns to the two slaves, "Has anything new of interest been discovered?"
Ibis nods, smiling. Tekki shakes his head, frowning.
The Naga nods, flicking out his tongue and offering a few words of encouragement, "Well, there cannot be fantastic discoveries every day. It is slow work, but that will produce undeniable results. I have been looking over the maps and diagrams. Excellent ones, I might add; they hint at interesting possibilities." He turns his gaze to the Lancer once more.
The Lancer slowly turns her head to return the Naga's gaze presumably, that is, since the eyeholes shadow her eyes enough such that they cannot be seen within from this angle. With torches and candles instead of the glowing veins, the lighting is not quite so bright as it was originally.
"Thorn, you seem most uninterested in the present proceedings. Would you be willing to perform a small task?" Bassai hisses, "I wish to know if there is anything located a few miles north of this site, and I do not travel well in this cold. If I gave you the precise location, would you go there, and find out if anything exists?"
The Lancer answers only with a nod.
"Thank you. I'll prepare a small map in a moment. There is the small possibility of Vykarin tribes, or danger related to whatever might be there. It is not essential that you explore anything you find, just determine if there is anything we should examine." The Naga hisses, looking for a free space to draw on, and observing the two Savanites. "I'm curious, have either of you two drawn conclusions on this site?"
Ibis looks to Tekki, then signs, "I am of the opinion that this is only part of a much larger site … or possibly a collection of sites."
The Naga flicks out his tongue, "I had not considered that there might be a collection, however the overall layout does support that this is a part of something we have only begun to explore. Interessting… Do we have much more of this level to map? How is the construction on the platform for the shafts coming?"
Tekki signs, "We should be able to send someone down today. Going UP the shaft from here should be more difficult without disturbing the site greatly."
Tekki adds, "We have just finished mapping all of the corridors on this level. All that remains are notes about particular details of the veins, and then the exploration of the shafts."
Bassai nods, "Going down will have to suffice for the moment. Hmmm… excellent progress. Well, I need to provide the Lancer with a map, and some instructions should she meet wandering Vykarins. As well I wanted to do one other thing first, though I believe it is time to find out what is down the shaft."
Tekki and Ibis both look questioningly to Bassai.
The Naga places the crystal box gently on a nearby crate. "I wish to compare this with the other ones we have found, to see if there is some apparent difference, and possibly if another could be substituted at the location where we found this one." The archaeologist pauses before continuing, "It is a faint hope of mine that a simple sort of repair such as this, would return power to the site."
Tekki signs, "There was nothing that made it seem like the box was in any proper place in its location where it was found. According to the Rath'ani, it was just lying there. In the chamber where the others were found, some were stacked, some were lying on their sides, and there was no particular order."
"At this stage however, I am glad the site is inactive. It would have added additional hazards in mapping it. It also might be best to have it remain inactive… " Bassai nods, considering Tekki's signs. "… perhaps he forgot where he found it. In any event, they must serve some purpose. Hmm… Fenter did indicate a mark on the wall, a juncture. Where there similar markings where the other boxes were found?"
Tekki signs, "I have no records of any particular markings, sir."
"Well, the other boxes appear to be the same size, with no distinguishing features. If there is no apparent location they have fallen from, they may be replacements. Or they may serve some other function. In any event I believe I will leave it for a later time. I shall take this back to my cabin, and supply Thorn with a map before boredom slays her," Bassai hisses, picking up the box again.
"I shall return within the hour, Lancer, if you would come with me." Bassai looks at Thorn, then leads the feline back to his cabin. Once inside he draws her a map predicting where she will have to go, based on the likely convergence of the lines. As he works out this information, he briefs her on the best manner to avoid Vykarins, and gives her a simple "I am not hostile" phrase to memorize in their language.
This task finished, the Naga folds his protective clothing about himself again, and returns across the camp to the two slaves.
Tekki snaps up from his work, giving his full attention to Bassai, while Ibis seems lost in his latest work.
The cook slithers up, hissing, "I have been told the Lancer isss going travelling. For how long? Will ssshe need sssome food to take with her? Or isss it not far?"
Bassai nods to Tekki, signing, "Take the time to finish what you are doing, I can wait." Then he answers the cook, "She is not going far, at most a half days travel. However there is the possibility of weather or rough terrain… two days food should be all she needs to cover any possible emergencies."
The cook nods. "I will prepare immediately, sssir."
The archaeologist returns the nod, flicking out his tongue. He glances over at the older slave. "Ibis, what are you working on?"
Ibis jolts up, signing, "Sorry, sir! I am just reorganizing the notes and making some indices for easier reference."
"That's quite all right, do continue. I will be leaving you here to handle things, as I will need Tekki at the platform." Bassai says, "You are doing an excellent job, and I am continually impressed with both your and Tekki's foresight and attention to detail. I will certainly commend you to the Champion when we return."
In the background, the Lancer heads out, bundling up some supplies, and ignoring a long stream of questions from the cook.
Tekki and Ibis both smile at Bassai, and return to their work. A big Rhian clops up. "We got the platform rigged up. Who you want to drop down the hole?"
"I will be going down the hole, and my slave will be supervising things, to prevent the drop from occurring. I am not a Creen, I do not fly well." Bassai hisses to the Rhian, "Come Tekki."
The archaeologist starts to leave, then a thought crosses his mind. Flicking out his tongue, he tells Ibis, "I am concerned about keeping Kame sedated for so long. I do not think it is good for his health. If you see the Surgeon, tell him to reduce the dose, and assign Fenter to wrangle him. If Kame becomes a problem, increase it again."
Tekki finishes up his work, then rises. Ibis nods at the instruction.
A short while later, Bassai, Tekki, and some assorted Rhians and Savanites are clustered at the doorway that opens into the side of the vertical shaft. It goes down for some distance below.
The crumbs have been faithfully left where they were found, making a nice little trail that points back to the Chamber of Arcs.
"Somehow I doubt those are from a First One's lunchbox," Bassai hisses quietly as he observes the crumbs, before turning his attention to a shaft he has only seen so far on paper. "The platform is robust; you have tested it with weights haven't you?"
The Rhian nods, and then demonstrates by walking over to the dangling platform … and hopping up and down on it. The planks creak in protest, but the horse does not meet his demise. The Savanites and even a token Vykarin cringe at the sight.
"You are confident in your work, very admirable," the archaeologist hisses, his expression remaining passive, as he waits for the Rhian to clear the platform. The Naga scans the faces of those present.
This corridor branches off of the main one, some distance such that the main corridor (and the torches lining it) are not in sight. There are a few torches on well-braced bases situated here and there to illuminate the chamber, and some more torches have been suspended above the platform framework that fills part of the vertical shaft visible through the side doorway.
The Rhian waits for the platform to stop bouncing, then walks back out of the shaft, and onto more solid ground.
The Rhian, to his credit, is careful not to step on the trail of crumbs leading from the shaft back down the corridor, toward the Chamber of Arcs.
Fenter squeezes his way through the assembly to get a better look at things over the high heads of the Rhians and Vykarins. He's got some strange candy things in his pocket and seems to be intently licking the candy coating off of one, then depositing it back into his pocket. He snatches another one and repeats the process.
Bassai slithers to the center of the platform, attaching a safety line. "Someone… Ah yes, Fenter. Fetch me a light."
"Light… er… uh… Yessir." The Rath'ani pulls one of the torches down from the wall. The torch quickly glues itself to the sticky mess in his hands.
Tekki signs, "It looks like the shaft is large enough to hold one Rhian … or three of smaller stature, master." The Vykarins would probably count for two, just because of their weird stooped-over stance, but one needn't go that far into obvious details.
The Naga flicks out his tongue, but refrains from commenting at the Rath'ani's strange behavior. Instead he speaks to his Savanite, "Tekki, you will supervise. Raise and lower according to my signals." He nods at the cheetah's signs.
Tekki signs, "You will be going down alone, then, master?" His tail flicks in worry.
Fenter shakes his hand a bit in an attempt to unglue the torch. He manages to catch the fringe of his sleeve on fire instead. After a few moments dedicated to extinguishing the flame, he decides not to try extracting it with violent movement again.
Bassai considers the candy coating now on the torch's haft. "No, Tekki. Fenter, perhaps you would like to bring that along. Try not to set the platform on fire. I think you will be more useful up here, Tekki, ensuring there are no problems."
"I do not plan on touching anything," the archaeologist adds.
Tekki nods. "I will not fail you, master."
Fenter bobs his head up and down. "Do you want me to get on the platform?"
"Yes, Fenter, you are coming with me. Tekki, attach a safety rope to him," Bassai hisses, obviously taking Fenter's abilities into account with his last request. "Do not rock the platform; I have not been able to determine how far down the shafts go."
Tekki nods and gets a cord, which he takes up to Fenter with the intent of securing it to some sort of harness to put on the raccoon, which doesn't look terribly comfortable.
Fenter's eyes bug out a little.
It's one of those harnesses for paranoid poodles on airships who are absolutely CERTAIN they're going to be spilled over the side in a storm or somesuch.
The raccoon clambers up on the platform. He peers down the shaft from over the edge, squinting his eyes a bit.
Once everything is secured, Tekki directs the Rhians to start lowering the platform, using a ratcheted pulley arrangement so that there won't be any sudden drops down the shaft. The downside of this is that the descent is distinctly jerky.
"This is normal, Fenter; don't be concerned." The archaeologist takes out a whistle from under his robes, as they descend. He watches the walls moving around him, looking for interesting features.
Fenter quickly stops watching the descent for the sake of his stomach and suddenly takes a keen interest in his feet.
After some distance … it is apparent that there is light below, and to one side. There is some sort of opening in the shaft, another doorway, and a faint light is coming through it.
A few more jolts, and the platform is coming close to the level of the doorway. It would seem it is opening out into another corridor just like the one above … complete with a trail of bread crumbs, too.
Bassai gives a blast on the whistle to stop as soon as the platform is level with the doorway. "I am starting to wonder about those crumbs. In any event, Fenter, let us proceed." The Naga examines the distance from the platform to the corridor.
"Breadcrumbs… someone here had BREAD?!?!" Fenter exclaims. "They could have shared some at least." He shakes his head and waves his torch around in what might remotely be construed as a helpful manner.
The gap is easily crossed, just as much so as the one above. The corridor looks much the same, except that there are crumbs … and that the veins are glowing here, and there are no torches or Rhians or Vykarins or Savanites.
Bassai flicks out his tongue with obvious pleasure, and slithers across the gap. He turns to help Fenter across and lectures him carefully, "This section seems undamaged. There may be the opportunity to discover how the previous one functioned. We must be very careful."
Fenter follows after Bassai. Or at least he seems to be trying to. His feet move but he doesn't seem to be going anywhere.
The Naga reaches out and carefully takes the Rath'ani's arm. Holding him securely, he begins to pull him off the platform and into the corridor. "You can relax now. Well, we might as well see where these crumbs lead." Bassai turns and follows them.
Fenter moves a little but is suddenly yanked back. The rope attached to his back probably has something to do with it.
Bassai returns, and helps the Rath'ani remove his harness, something so automatic for the Naga that he didn't even think about it when he removed his own. "There, now we can follow them."
"Thank you, sir," the raccoon says. He bends down and tastes some of the breadcrumbs on the ground then nods to himself. Yep, that's bread alright.
"Leave those; they may be of archaeological significance." The Naga hisses, then contemplates, "Was it fresh bread?"
"It's not thousands of years old, sir," Fenter says, licking his finger. "And hasn't been here so long that it has green things growing in it."
Bassai nods, "I see. The possibility that this site can keep wheat productss fressh for multiple milleniums seems less likely than someone disobeying my instructions to not go exploring. Come, let us see where they lead." The archaeologist follows the trail.
"If you promise not to touch anything further, you may eat all the breadcrumbs upstairs. Their location has been recorded," Bassai hisses as he slithers along, examining the walls.
"Thank you sir!" Fenter squeals happily. He does peer around curiously, and sniffs at the air on occasion.
There's a faint whiff of ozone in the air, like the smell (intermixed with burnt things) that accompanies certain spells of the Sphere of Air at the College Esoterica.
"I shall probably be vivisected for allowing you to eat the food of the ancients, but I honestly do not believe these could have survived so long," the Naga hisses quietly, his own tongue flicking out to taste the atmosphere. "Light, Fenter! Do try to keep up."
The Rath'ani hitches his baggy pants up and follows along after Bassai. "Yessir."
The torchlight is really adding little to the illumination, since this part of the complex has its own lighting by way of the functional "veins". At last, the corridor ends, somewhere that should be underneath the main passageway above. Instead of the central passageway here, though, is a large chamber with a multi-tiered floor, a shelf-like pathway going around the circumference of the roughly oval-shaped chamber, and various steps and stairs leading up and down to other platforms that provide access to glassy orbs and clusters of strange glowing surfaces all along the interior walls.
At the far north end, roughly corresponding to where a similar feature would be in the Chamber of Arcs, there is a raised dais, and a molten-lookingcrystalline fixture, pulsating with bursts of light from within its fragmenteddepths. Dominating the center of the room, on a higher plateau, is a long lineof crystal arches, standing about 3 feet tall at their apex above their bases. They all glow, save for two that are dark and have sprung apart, as if split in half in the middle, and hinged at their bases, though no such workings are visible.
The archaeologist flicks out his tongue, and stares in wonder. He looks at all the platforms, all the glowing spheres, and the two arches that are separated. "Interessting, Interessting." His tongue flicks out again.
Fenter whistles loudly.
The light from the chamber and torch flickers over the Naga's slit eyes. "This iss incredible. Have you any knowledge of electricity Fenter?" Bassai continues to gaze around, slithering closer to a cluster on the wall to better examine it.
"I know it makes your fur poof out," Fenter responds.
Bassai says, "That is not a property which threatens me."
The cluster, as the others, has various pulsating lights playing beneath its surface. At times, some of the clusters go dark, or flare up more brightly. Some of them follow fairly regular patterns, but at times those patterns shift. An audible thrumming can be heard in the background, and undertones of the thrums change in time with the shifts in patterns.
"See if that trail of crumbs continues; I wish to examine these walls a little further," the archaeologist hisses, taking out a notepad and starting to rough in the room, and details about the glowing panels. He searches for panels that seem to be consistently dark, or brilliant.
The Rath'ani nods his head up and down and follows after the trail.
Upon further inspection, there is a whole section of clusters that are either dark, or only very dimly lit. They are at a point along the walls that is the same length across the room as one of the darkened arches. Similar clusters are repeated along the latitude of the other darkened arch.
"It would seem there is a possible way to repair things… " Bassai hisses quietly to himself, then, "… and don't touch anything!" more loudly after Fenter. He slides away from the panels and approaches the darkened arch, examining it for obvious damage.
The arch bears no sign of damage, save that it is cleanly split down the middle of the bridge, the halves splayed apart by several inches, and that no light plays through their interiors.
The Naga carefully examines the other arches, checking them for similar divisions that might be masked by the light. The break is just too sharp and perfect. He follows his own advice, and touches nothing.
There are no such other divisions or faults in corresponding places in the illuminated arches.
Fenter yawns and starts to lean against a nearby crystal structure… He catches himself and stands bolt upright again.
Bassai flicks out his tongue, slithering around the group of arches, contemplating. For the moment, he observes the lit panels on the walls, and their likely corresponding arches. He watches to see if there is any similarity between the light displays in the arch, and the crystals on the walls.
Yes, there are definitely some similarities. Not direct correspondence a relationship needing more significant study, to be sure but there's definitely a relationship.
The Naga examines the base of the broken arch, and one of the operational ones, trying to determine how the movement that split the arch was possible. He searches for what the arch-halves might be hinged on.
No hinge is visible. The transparent material of the arch slowly transforms at the base into the solid, dull gray of the stone base upon which it rests, defying natural stone formations and then some.
Bassai sketches the arches, and makes a detailed one of the broken arch and its neighbor. He keeps comparing the two as he draws, trying to see if the split one has possibly melted at its base. His mind works over the possibilities.
Nothing seems different about the bases, save for the angle at which the arch halves come out That is, the splayed pieces are angled such that the halves of the "bridge" do not close, but otherwise, they are the same.
Fenter walks over to stand near one of the tiers. He peers around it and looks for a way to scramble up.
There are plenty of ways to scramble up, the easiest ways being to take a roundabout course until one reaches a ramp or where the tiers are closely enough spaced in elevation as to form steps. Otherwise, the raccoon could risk using various rocky protrusions, some of them glowing, as hand and foot holds.
"They look as if you could just push them together… " The ringneck archaeologist hisses, "… but what further destruction could that cause?"
Fenter peers at Bassai out of the corner of his eye, then looks back at the protrusions.
Bassai looks up to see the Rath'ani. "Did you find where those crumbs led, Fenter?"
"Nosir." Fenter coughs. He absently stares at his feet a bit more.
Fenter looks at the trail and goes back to following it along. He walks along the shelf and begins to move toward the glowing cluster at the dais to the north.
"I ssee," says the ringneck. "Perhaps we should explore a little further. After this I wissh to see one of your… lunchboxes, in an operational state." He slithers away from the arches and follows Fenter.
The raccoon sniffs at the air a bit more, then gives the dais a good sniffing over. He wrinkles his nose and sneezes.
"Sneeze away from the walls, Fenter." Bassai instructs, as he comes up behind the Rath'ani and flicks out his tongue.
Fenter rubs his nose, "Sorry, sir. I just smelled something odd." He walks around the dais a couple more times.
Bassai flicks out his tongue, "Can you describe the scent?"
"It's gone, sir," Fenter says. "It was probably nothing… just something filtering down from above."
The Naga looks up and carefully examines the ceiling, flicking out his tongue.
The raccoon walks back to the tier. "It kinda reminded me of the smell of the clinic at the college."
"I see. I have tasted scents similar to the aftermath of Sphere of the Air spells here, which have reminded me of the college, but nothing clinical so far." The Naga looks at the wall, carefully slithering from tier to tier.
Fenter walks alongside one of the walls, slowly making his way north.
"Let us see where this passage leads," Bassai hisses, entering the one opposite the one on the east wall that they entered from.
The passage is just like the one on the other side, symmetrically opposite … and free of crumbs.
Bassai explores the corridor, hissing, "Come this way Fenter, and be careful. There may be another shaft to fall down."
The Rath'ani stops and peers at one of the glowing orb protrusions in the wall. He glances at Bassai, "Would you like to hold the torch, sir? I think it's mostly peeled off my hand now."
"No thank you Fenter, you are doing an adequate job. Don't touch that, we will not be able to escape easily if there is a problem." The Naga follows the corridor, trying to find a side passage that might lead to a second shaft he remembers from the layer above.
Progressing further down the passage, there are no more orbs, just the glowing veins appearing and disappearing within the otherwise plain gray stone of the walls. At least the way is well lit, and there are no blocking obstructions.
Sure enough, in a corresponding place is another shaft. According to Bassai's maps assuming his judgement of distances is correct, and the layout here is as symmetrical as it seems, it should lead back up to one of the unexplored shafts above.
Fenter peers up the shaft. "Halooooooo!" he shouts.
Bassai contemplates the deep pit, looking down to see if there are any other glowing openings below him. He suspects a few more. His bearing is much prouder now, after finding a part of the site still active. The archaeologist most wants to find an operational box, and mentally recalls the locations they were found on the level above.
Yes, there are hints of light far below … and no sign of just how far down the shaft goes. This could go on for quite some distance.
The layout may be symmetrical, but the passages differ in some ways to those in the level above. No chamber is found to correspond to the one where the several "boxes" were found … and there are none lying about along the way.
The passages, however, seem to stretch on further north than those on the upper level … considerably so.
The archaeologist imagines the size this location must be, to go down so far, and the possibility of it being one of many. The distances, the depth, the scale overwhelms the ringneck's mind. "Truly this is the find of a lifetime," he hisses quietly. The northward passages make him pause a moment.
Fenter looks pained. He'd really like to lean against a wall right about now.
"The upper level seemed to suggest a convergence at some point north of here… These passages might very well go to that point," Bassai hisses, not noticing his companion's weariness, "I wonder… "
"Are we going to follow it?" the raccoon asks, making a point to add just a hint of whine to his voice.
The Naga spins around on his coils, heading back towards the platform. "Come, Fenter, we have to return to the surface. I want a more detailed map of this level, and the report from the Lancer before we explore further."
Fenter waits for Bassai to pass him and then follows along behind like a good little lamp.
Eventually, Bassai and Fenter reach the main chamber again. It's still just as they left it.
Bassai looks at the arch, very much wanting to try pushing the broken halves together, or touch the panels and protrusions on the walls. However he still remembers the sting of his earlier whim, and retrains himself. {Later, after there is some more detail of this level.} He crosses the chamber to the opposite passageway, heading for the platform.
The two reach the platform, and Bassai again helps Fenter with his safety harness, before putting his own on and joining the Rath'ani on the platform. He blows sharply on his whistle, giving the signal for 'bring me up' to Tekki. The Naga waits, as the platform starts upwards in a smoother journey than the way down. This second level could be mapped in rough, within a few days, and depending on what the Lancer finds, things could become even more interesting very soon. His tongue happily flicks out, and he watches the wall pass as they rise.