RPlog:Mandalore - Tunneling Out

Urio'kosh and his pair of begin to make their way towards the party, blaster rifles wielded, sighting mechanisms already activated and probably locked.

Kairne turns around from the blast door, "Well, well. If it isn't our dear  friend Urio'kosh. I do hope you do not plan to deter us."

Eyes wary, Paul turns, considering the Mandalorian and his guards with only a  flash of surprise before the expression settles into something akin to   expectation. _I knew it ... that was way too easy, or there is more to all of this than meets the eye_ Paul considers, his gaze resting on Urio'kosh almost expectantly now.

Dane_Noth turns to face Urio and the guards, his own weapon well in hand, "It  figures...." he seems thoroughly unamused and says something Horansi.

Urio'kosh smirks, "Did you really think it would be this easy? A simple power  outage to aid you in your desperate attempt to carry on with an expedition   well canceled even before your arrival? Surely, your creativity is not this   feeble."

"Just a tad less feeble than your manners," mutters Shenner.

Having nothing to do with the plan Paul folds his arms calmly across his chest, considering the odds between the two parties and considering them lacking on the visiting team's side. At Shen's comment, Paul's gaze slips to  her, but he offers no comment or censure.

Urio'kosh looks at the Lord General then to the Major, "Oh, feel free to fire  your ancient weaponry at will. But it won't help you any. My guards are   amassed outside of this blaster door as we speak. You are hopelessly   outnumbered. So do yourselves a favor, power down your weapons and hear what   I have to say."

Dane_Noth chuckles, "Well then boy you seem to like to talk so much..do so.." he gestures to Urio, hand waiting it seems for him to start speaking before it drops..or is it one of those ancient flame projectors pointed at him instead..

Kairne moves forwards and places himself next to Dane. "Blasters are weak and  imprecise weapons. At least when held by your men. I've seen them practice,   it's not much of a sight. And it is not the way to test a warriors might."

Kairne says, "Or have you forgotten that lesson I taught you not so long ago?  Do you need a reminder? The pain does not fade so easily the second time, I   am not so forgiving when I have to continually teach...."

Paul seems oddly calm, for one thing that being on Mandalore has taught the Corellian is that things are not always as they seem. He stands calmly, waiting to hear what Urio will say, or waiting for an indication that action is about to be requested and required. Either way, he is ready for whatever is to come.

Urio'kosh lowers his own rifle and says, "You have two options as I see them.  Either you surrender now, save your lives, or you engage in a firefight you   are destined to loose. In either case, your goal is lost." He steps away from his guard, walking towards a large engine core. He raises his hand, holding one finger u, "But what if I gave you what you so desperately  wanted. What if I let you have your expedition...no one would have to know   about it. By anyone's estimation, you all could be said to have dies here   and no one would be the wiser. And you would be free of any   'responsibility'..." He rests his arm against the engine core, leaning against it, "Did you, Lord General? Did you teach me a lesson, or did you  just see what I wanted you to see?"

Shenner just scowls, her brows lowering over her green eyes, and she demands of Urio'kosh when he makes his offer, "So what's the catch?"

"That's three options," Paul notes blandly. "Why would you want to do that?"

Kairne says, "I taught you only that which you deserved. You've only seen what  I wanted you to see, young one."

Urio'kosh sets his rifle against the engine core, "No, you only have 2  options. The third, " he waves his hand in the air, "... is, say a gift..." He  looks directly at Shenner, "in exchange for something." He makes no attempt to answer Kairne, apparently oblivious to the Lord General's words.

Shenner is already standing at her full height, so she doesn't straighten under Urio'kosh's gaze. Her scowl deepens slightly on the word 'gift', but she only smirks back at the young Mandalorian and drawls, "I got two flutes,  a guitar, and a drum to my name, pal. Or maybe you want my ocarina?"

Eyes narrow, but Paul waits for the boot to drop, for the catch to spring, as  it so clearly will. He also waits because time might just be their best ally now after all ... if Grathix is still a free agent somewhere ...

Kairne says, "If you haven't noticed... Dane and myself don't actually exist..  we have nothing to lose in the first place."

Dane_Noth says, "besides..I think we've both lived a full life..what about you  Urio'kosh?"

Kairne says, "If the Jedi nor the Empire was unable to end our lives, what  makes you think you and your men can?"

Urio'kosh chuckles at the remarks, "So much anger, such hostility, and in  light of such an unexpected -and- worthwhile gift." He straightens up and says, "All I'm asking is to come along and obtain something that rightfully  belongs to me."

Now -that- worries the Corellian, more so than anything else said. "What would  that be?" he asks calmly and evenly.

Urio'kosh spares Paul a quick glance, but looking back toward Kairne and Dane, replying in all seriousness now, "A piece of my heritage." A smile curls his lips as the younger Mandalorian adds, "You may throw away your lives if you  so wish, but I thought you had an obligation to your -friends- here," he   notes with a raised brow, his gaze passing aloofly over the Doctor, pausing for a moment on Shenner.

The redheaded girl maintains her own aloof expression, or at least tries to; her eyes are glinting, and whether it's out of fear, anger, or both is  anyone's guess. She eyes Urio'kosh right back.

Kairne says "I threw my life away long ago, for a cause I know now to have  been a lie. But I ensure you, you will fall before these 2 here are harmed."

Dane nods in agreement with Kairne, "These two are under our protection." at his side. "Lord General

Kairne says "But a piece of heritage, and a chance for Dane and I to find  ourselves again, is a path more open for travel."

Urio'kosh shifts, picking up his rifle once again and nodding toward the two guards at his side. "Lord General ... do I see a philosopher behind the  front of a warrior? I had always heard that you were a man of reason .... do   I take from your words that this path is open then for one more?" The smile is bland, assured, but not really arrogant. There is beneath the veneer of  the younger Mandalorian, a true spark of interest.

Paul listens to the Mandalorians speaking, frowning with his suspicion and concern. However, better to take one along then get into a fight here and now. Should Urio choose to betray them along the way, it would be four against one ... unless the guards come? Glancing at the armored pair, Paul bites the inside of his cheek and continues to wait ....

Dane folds his arms slightly and watches the exchange. Curiously enough he  stands closer to the humans he calls friends than his own countrymen.

Kairne adjusts his cloak, and powers down his armor, placing his arms at his side. He cocks his head, then extends his left hand out, "A true warrior  does not only follow the path of the fist and sword. He follows his heart,   and his mind, and studies many things, in order that his body become one   with them. My clan believes in the trinity of the triskelion.. mind, body,   and spirit, and I am no different...so yes, you may call me a philosopher as   well as a warrior." Kairne takes a step forward, in front of his companions, "I show my willingness to allow you to learn this as well, will you show  yours?"

_I don't want him along,_ Shenner thinks stubbornly, and although she manages to keep this to herself, still, the thought tightens her mouth. Her expression avoids reaching full scowl, though, as she eyes Kairne and Dane's  behaviors... and feels an unexpected surge of startled pleasure at their apparent defense of her and Paul.

"The journey was carved by such warriors," Urio states confidently. "I have  already shown my willingness in the fact that I have not betrayed you to the   Elders in your actions. I do not care for childhood stories and fairytales   ... they have taught me all that they can. However, the Four Warriors will   have left much behind for their children to .... utilize. That is my   intention." Urio glances at the humans briefly, then back to his brethren. Nodding to the guards, the armored pair salute and retreat, leaving just the five.

Dane glances between the group momentarily, "Shall we get going then?"

Those words do not assure Paul either, but it seems that there is little choice in the matter. Nodding toward Dane, Paul murmurs, "Good idea ....  there's only one problem .... which is the way out??"

Shen smirks, when no one is looking. Going, not going, going... _Aigh. Let's  just karkin' -go-, people..._ Frustrated, she manages to keep herself poised, watching the others for a cue.

Dane looks to Urio for a response to Paul's question, his face covered by it's  usual expressionless visor.

Kairne nods to Urio, "then if we've chosen our path, lead us onward through it  Urio." Kairne motions for the group to fall in behind him.

"There's an exit here," Urio'kosh informs them, the rifle settling into a  holster on his back. "Somewhere." He turns and begins to rifle through the debris, trying to see what is underneath. "I suggest we spread out and scout  around," he murmurs, straightening and looking back toward the rest. "I know  about as much as you do at this point." A smile curls his lips then and he adds, "Well, maybe a little more ..."

Dane nods and starts off to one side, grabbing a long metal pole from the debris as he does so.

Glancing over at Shen's slender figure, Paul doubts much that the girl will be  able to move much of the giant debris, and heads over toward a large metal plate, gingerly looking for a place to put his hands ... he stops then and pulls out a pair of leather gloves from one of this pockets. Hands now protected, he catches the edge of the plate and lifts, groaning slightly under the weight. The thing creaks a little, moving slowly under his efforts.

Search. Okay, fine, she can do that. After eyeing the males warily, Shen picks a spot and begins her own search, nudging at things with her booted feet, glaring greenly at the wall, mentally willing some sort of useful clue to  reveal itself to her. _Maybe then I'll actually have a reason to be here..._

Dane starts to prod the debris with the acquired pole, his gaze sweeping over his search area, "So how did all this get here Urio?"

Kairne also acknowledges Urio, and begins to fiddle with his armor, muttering behind his faceplate. "I wonder if this damn thing is charged up again." Lights on the armor's wristguard flicker, and Kairne suddenly looks up, and about the room. , "Finally," and begins to search the debris field for some sort of now-hidden exit.

Glancing over at the Major, Urio reaches, placing his hands on an old generator and rolling it over slowly, the metal creaking with resistance. "After the destruction, many such places were created ... there was no way  to move things ... nowhere to move them. Now we're more concerned with   rebuilding what your generation destroyed than trying to dispose of that   destruction."

Dane nods slightly and keeps sifting through the debris with the pole, "Perhaps there's something salvageable here.." he glances back at Paul and Shenner curiously for a moment before continuing with his search.

There is a tremendous crash as Paul somehow manages to flip the giant metal shielding .... only to reveal more debris beneath it. Cursing softly in  Corellian, he begins to shift through that ....

Shen scowls to herself, not meeting anyone's eyes, especially Paul's, and striving to look like she has half a clue about the objects that fall under her view. Pointedly keeping her mouth shut, the redhead experimentally pokes and prods at the wall nearest her... until Paul flips that plate over. Then, Shen jumps, and promptly curses at herself. _Get a grip, street rat...!_

Shaking his head, Urio'kosh lets out a bitter laugh. "No, trust me .... we've  been scavenging and salvaging for years .... this isn't even worth it's   weight in scrap metal." He glances over at Paul, murmuring archly, "Careful  Doctor ... wouldn't want to lose you this early in the game ..." There is  something about his tone that seems to hint otherwise though.

Dane glances in Paul's direction after the crash but after Urio's comment his gaze drops on to the younger Mandalorian as cold as usual..

Kairne takes a few minutes from his scanning about, and turns to Shenner, "You'd be surprised as to what we consider salvageable Shen, and what some of  this 'scrap' actually is. We didn't design our technology to outright   identify itself to 'xenos'.

An hour passes, and as each person works individually, the bulk of the debris is moved or shifted .... to no avail. There is nothing that hasn't been touched and at least shifted slightly .... well, almost nothing ...

Dane chuckles, "Xenos..now that's a word I haven't heard in years." He sweeps his gaze across the room, eventually letting it settle on the ceiling, "Kairne is right but it would be nice to have a hand scanner right now.."

Kairne takes a moment from his sifting, and looking about and joins Dane in  his ceiling gaze, "Old friend, have you forgotten that which sits on your   head and protects your brain? Please tell me you haven't been jostled around   in it that badly." Kairne chuckles softly to himself.

Dane shakes his head slightly, "Aye I remember it..but I don't think it will  be of much use with all this clutter around.." he gestures to the mess, "But  I'll give it a try."

Settling himself against a discarded cooking unit, Paul wipes the sweat from his brow, looking about intently. Being a Xenos ... and specifically a  Xenoarcheaologist, Paul is used to digging through debris to find the one thing of value. Using that experience now, he stares about the area, trying to figure out what it is that they've -missed-. He glances up at the ceiling as well, but it is smooth and finished ... no gaps or openings save for cracks in the surface.

Kairne says "One of my instructors once told me this, 'Don't look for  something that might or should be there... look for something that shouldn't   be there. That is how you will find your enemy, or that which evades you.'"

Looking disgusted, Urio'kosh wipes off his hands. He looks at Kairne for a  moment, before replying, "Lord General, no offense, but -none- of this   should be here really. I don't think that solution will apply in this case."

Dane says "Perhaps we need to check the floor?" he glances around a bit, "Or..perhaps it's activated by a signal.."

Shenner only smiles faintly to Kairne's addressing of her -- not bothering to  comment that regardless of whose technology it happens to be, it probably wouldn't have been very identifiable to her anyway. She casts a wary glance around at everyone, then, but only when they're each talking to the others, her mind racing as she listens.

Kairne returns his gaze to Urio, "No offense taken Urio, but Master Dren'ai  was rarely wrong in his teachings. Look beyond that which you see around   you."

Shaking his head, Paul shifts up walking toward Dane thoughtfully. "Don't  think so," he murmurs ... by the looks of it, this used to be an access tunnel ... more likely manual ... there's no sign of technology other than the debris .... " Walking past his friend, Paul stops, placing his hand on  the giant crushed engine core. Softly, as if thinking more to himself, Paul   murmurs, "If I wanted to hide an exit ... and didn't have the time or the technology to spare to do something fancy .... I'd just get something ...  big and heavy." His hand remaining on the core, Paul glances back and about   before turning to Dane and murmuring, "Lend me a hand?"

Dane nods and heads over to the core, jamming the pole under one side, "On  three?"

Shen eyes the engine core Paul's pointed out, grimacing. She bites back the impulse to ask, 'You think there's a trapdoor under there or something?' -- telling herself _Don't ask stupid questions_ instead. But she does move closer, ready to drop her gear at the slightest signal.

Nodding Paul joins Dane, grasping the pole firmly and nodding. "One ... two  ... three! " and he heaves along with Dane with all his might. The core doesn't even so much as wiggle.

Dane exhales, "Gods this thing is heavy..Kairne you have any explosives on  you?" he chuckles and starts to walk around the core.

Kairne walks over to the engine core, watching, "Oh, I'm sure we did something  fancy somewhere, most likely not with an entrance. Better to lure your enemy   in, and then strike, than to do it outright...."

Kairne smirks under his helmet, revealing to no one his, 'what do you think grin', "I'm an assassin, where would I be without shape-charges and such?"

Paul glances over at Kairne, grimacing not at the man, but at the core. "Maybe  ... but this isn't the crypt ... I mean we have a long journey ahead of us   according to my notes, before we even get there. I think this is just a back   way out that Grathix wanted us to take so we could leave unseen ..."

"Maybe if we all try to move it?" Shen abruptly puts in.

Dane nods, "Perhaps." he braces against the core again, "Okay everyone let's  get on it.."

Urio looks toward Paul thoughtfully, before addressing Kairne. "I don't think  that is a wise idea Lord General .... this is a narrow enclosure with sealed   walls .... there could be a ricochet effect. And, much to my surprise, the   Doctor is correct on this point ... this is the only way out of the city   according to the latest floor plans, that would allow anyone to leave the   confines unseen."

Kairne turns to Shenner, "maybe... that isn't the way, but exactly what we  shouldn't do? Dane, does this core look familiar to you at all?"

Glancing at Shen, Paul nods, moving to settle himself close to Dane, taking hold of the pole. "I think this is worth a shot first," he replies thoughtfully.

Shenner slips her pack off her shoulders, and prepares to press her slender arms to the core, ridiculous though she might appear doing this in  conjunction with four males all noticeably bigger than she is, and two of   them armored besides. The young woman pauses, though, eyeing Kairne, and then Dane, and then, lastly, Paul. Urio'kosh, she seems determined to ignore entirely.

Even Urio'kosh deigns to step closer, placing his hands on the pole in  readiness. He stares into Paul's back and then unexpectedly murmurs with a  touch of respect, "Each Warrior was the living embodiment of the Warriors   Code, but each exemplified one particular virtue above all else. They   abandoned their assigned duties to become a Brotherhood ..."

"I think we oughtta try somethin' _soon_," Shenner mutters, not expecting anyone to pay any attention, but saying it anyway, "before somebody else  comes lookin' for us. Otherwise, sneakin' out the back way won't be too   karkin' useful."

Dane glances at Kairne, "Will you help or talk Kairne..we could use your back  in this?" he chuckles slightly and gets ready.

Paul can barely stifle his surprise at Urio's words, and can't at Dane's  comment. "Come on Kairne ... we tried individually ... maybe this is a test  of cooperation."

Shenner moves to stand by Paul -- determined to cooperate with _him_, at any rate. "Lemme in here," she mutters at him, looking for somewhere to get some leverage on the pole.

Kairne mumbles to himself, "if you wish...but that which resists you, only  meets you with equal resistance." Kairne places himself on a free section of  the pole, and poises himself for the core's reaction.

Paul glances at Shen and murmurs, "Well Shen, this was your idea ... care to  do the honors and count us off?"

Shenner blinks, then immediately hides it. "Hokay...." She does actually look at everyone, then, half-expecting someone (translation: Urio'kosh, _but kark  if I'm gonna say it_) to protest. When no one does, the redheaded girl braces herself. "Let's do it, boys. On three. One... two... three...!"

Dane throws his back into the work, trying to use leverage to shove the weighty core out of the way.

The group heaves together as one, and the engine groans and begins to shift, slowly at first, but with increasing rapidity as the group pushes even harder at the small sign of success. After a few moment of great strain, the engine rolls ... not impressively, but enough to reveal a very narrow unnel.

Several tons of metal versus five sets of arms... a hard, if brief, fight. And for Shen, it leaves her arms trembling. The girl finally looks up, striving to pretend that she's just fine, thank you very much, never frekkin' mind that she's never had to try to move anything like this before in her life. "I'll be damned," she mutters.

Dane exhales loudly as the core slides out of the way but maintains his grip on the pole so it doesn't fly free in case the others decide to do  differently.

Staring at the hole, a small satisfied smirk curls Paul's lips. "Alright then  ... who wants to go first?"

Kairne sighs in relief, "Now, that was probably not the intended way, but it  worked. However.. how do you propose we move it once we venture into the   crack down there? I for one, would like to cover my tracks, as we've made a   ruckus as of late in here."

Urio'kosh glances over at Kairne, an amused smile on his face. "Ah, you were  saying something Lord General? I think your years in the field have perhaps   made you a little over analytical. How one -tries- to accomplish a task is   not as important as -accomplishing- the task."

Dane stares down into the hole for a moment, the metal pole still in his grasp, "We slide some debris over it..like that big piece of metal Paul was  looking around."

Shen leans over to take up her pack, scowls as feeling takes its time creeping back into her fingers, and casts a wary glance around as Kairne speaks of  the ruckus they have, indeed, just caused. As the others start debating, Shen straightens, grimly, her pack once more slung into her shoulders.

"That'll make a temporary cover," Paul agrees. "We can always do a better job  when we return .... and perhaps the door could be welded shut from the   inside? Dane, that suit of yours wouldn't happen to have a blow torch, would   it?"

Kairne says "It's one thing to accomplish a task.. it is an entirely different  thing to enjoy that accomplishment. I for one don't intend this journey to   be cut short because of carelessness that could have been avoided."

Dane shakes his head, "No but I have a small armor repair kit with me that has  one..we shouldn't use it up unnecessarily."

"Well then, you're fortunate ... your carelessness could already have caused  your trip to be cut short, if not your life, had someone other than myself   found you," Urio'kosh points out archly to Kairne, offering the Lord General a disparaging glance.

"Do we have to--" Shen's voice comes out of her sharply, and with an effort, she manages to cut herself off before the rest of her words, 'argue about it?!' escape her. She pauses for a single second, then finishes gruffly, "--waste any more time than necessary? If anybody's gonna be lookin' for us,  we shouldn't be standin' around, guys."

Dane raises his hand slightly, "Enough of this bickering it serves no purpose  but to deter us in action." he gazes around the group, "Agreed?"

Kairne moves back to the engine core, "I believe you mistake me for Grathix,  my dear boy..."

_Hot karkin' damn, somebody's talkin' sense._ Shenner grimaces, but nods to  Dane, in support of his words.

Kairne says "Well, get in the damned hole, no one is keeping you here to hear  us bicker.""

Dane chuckles and starts for the hole, "Sure..I was going to let you have the  honor." he pauses to look down it for a bit as he shifts through his different visions...

Shenner's grimace deepens, and her patience snaps. Vehement curses in her still fledgling Corellian -- after all, some of the best curses were the first things she looked up -- blazing through her thoughts, the redhead slips into the tunnel, clinging to her pack as she goes.

Shenner starts to climb down the tunnel slowly. Shenner has left.

Paul sighs darkly, tired of all the posturing between the Mandalorians in  general. Crouching down by the tunnel he mutters, "I'm never taking you guys  on another dig, ever ...." and with that he follows Shenner down.

You start to climb down the now exposed tunnel slowly, your hands gripping the thin and somewhat slippery rails. Tunnel(#259R) The tunnel is a long thin shaft, with a ladder that runs set along one side. There is no visible bottom when you first look down. It is a tight space, not even enough room to look down to where you going. Contents: Shenner Obvious exits: Cavern

Urio'kosh> Kairne says "Women of any race, are a pain in the ass."

Urio'kosh> Dane says "Agreed.."

Urio'kosh> Dane with that he drops down the hole..

Urio'kosh> Dane starts to climb down the tunnel slowly. Urio'kosh> Dane has left.

Dane enters the tunnel and begins to climb down slowly. Dane has arrived.

Urio'kosh> Kairne says "After you Urio."

Urio'kosh> Urio'kosh sighs and follows Dane down into the darkness.

Urio'kosh enters the tunnel and begins to climb down slowly. Urio'kosh has arrived.

Kairne enters the tunnel and begins to climb down slowly. Kairne has arrived.

Tunnel. Dark, tight tunnel. Yeah, hot karkin' damn alright. _This is whatcha get for shooting off half-charged,_ Shenner tells herself annoyedly, as she starts to creep down the ladder's rungs. Taking it on faith that there _is_ actually a bottom down there somewhere, she feels her way with the bottoms of her boots, and strains her ears for sounds that the others are following.

The rungs are slippery, and while the tunnel is a tight fit, it's not so tight that losing one's footing wouldn't cause one to plummet straight down for Maker knows how long. Swallowing hard, Paul blinks as an unexpected cold sweat breaks over him. He climbs down slowly and carefully.

Dane follows the two down in the darkness trying to make his own movements as  silent as possible so that some measure of stealth can be kept up..besides he sees fine in the dark..

"Psst!" Shen hisses up. "Hey up there, I feel somethin'... air." Now the question is, how the hells to do something about it. Shenner pauses on the ladder, trying to balance herself to peer over her shoulder.

Urio follows more slowly, his robes not being the best attire for the trip, and he reminds himself to change once they're on their way.

Kairne follows in behind Urio, speaking down to Dane, "You wouldn't happen to  have proximity sensors on you, would you Dane? I'd like to be aware of any   'unwanted tag-alongs'" Kairne moves slowly down the ladder, his systems still slowly coming back on-line, but still not yet fully-functional.

Pausing so not to step on Shen, Paul murmurs, "Hold up everyone ... Shen, what  is it? Can you see? Can you reach your glow?"

Dane tries to peer down past Shen with his enhanced vision but the intervening bodies most likely prevents that for the time being..

"Gimme a minute, can't see a karkin' thing..." The girl's voice drops off into a muttered curse as she shifts her weight on the ladder to one hand, while digging with the other into the pocket where she'd stashed her original glow-rod, Dane's extra safely stashed in another pocket nearby. "Mind your  eyes up there, boys, I'm flickin' this on..." And after a moment, dim light pops into being in Shen's free hand.

Kairne looks down past Urio and Dane to Paul and Shenner, slowly beginning to  realize a small mistake has been made, "You two, don't go any farther, and   for Mandalores sake, breathe shallow for a minute. Kairne focuses his   attention back to Dane, "Dane, what's the story on the air in here?"

Air? What's the problem with the air--"Aigh!" Shenner can suddenly be heard to  yelp. Her glow-rod flickers, as she suddenly fumbles for her grip on the ladder; her free hand grabs at the rungs, trying to hang onto the lit rod at  the same time.

"Shen?" Paul barks, twisting in an attempt to see more than he can. His only reassurance is that the light flickers, but doesn't disappear.

_Oh crap... oh shit... get a grip... yeah, you better believe it, get a  grip..._ "Here," she rasps out a moment later. "Ladder's slippery. I'm okay.  I feel wind, guys..."

Kairne says "remain calm Shen, I'm just making sure you two are safe down  there. All should be fine, but who knows what's been in here or built up in   here after all these years."

Urio frowns down into nothingness, calling out, "Can you -see- anything girl?"

Dane after a moment Dane speaks up, "Can't see much so far but the air is  fine.." he glances up to Kairne, "Too much noise to hear anything well.."

Shenner takes a moment to suck in a breath, then tightens one hand's grip on  the slippery rung before her, while cautiously moving the hand with the glow off again, towards the draft hitting her neck and shoulderblades. And just as cautiously, she turns her head to peer towards her illumination. "I'm  lookin'..."

"There's another tunnel," Shen calls up. "Right behind me. We take this, or go  on down?"

_Seven Hells ... a vote? This is never going to work_ Paul muses, before calling out so everyone can hear, "I say we try it and see where it leads."

Dane says "I do to..that way we don't get picked off from behind.."

"Good enough for me," Shenner affirms, mostly to herself. Never mind that she has no idea where she's going -- that she's actually now going _somewhere_ is comfort of a sort. More loudly, she calls up, "I'm takin' it." And that's  three, majority rule, let's hope the Mandalorians believe in voting. Taking a moment to brace herself, the bardling then flings herself over into the new tunnel.

Shenner suddenly vanishes from sight. Shenner has left.

As the light vanishes from his sight, Paul makes his way down the ladder gingerly until he feels the wind at his back as well, a slight illumination emitting from the entrance now.

You step gingerly off the ladder and into the near invisible opening in the tunnel wall.

Passageway(#269R) A long tunnel stretches forth before you, the walls turning before the end is  in sight ... if there -is- an end. The tunnel is clearly quite old and looks none too stable. The walls seem to be very crudely dug out, as if done with very primitive instruments, the supports clearly scrap pieces of metal. It  is only wide enough to walk in pairs. Contents: Shenner Obvious exits: Right Back

Urio'kosh> Kairne says "When we find a large tunnel Dane, you take point.  Shen's too open out there in front."

Urio'kosh> Dane proceeds down to where the air is coming from, "I had planned  on it Kairne..give me some credit."

Urio'kosh> Kairne says "Just making sure old man.."

Urio'kosh> Dane says "Old?..Ahh here it is, "he starts for the hole, "Just  cover my back grandpa.."

Urio'kosh> Dane suddenly vanishes from sight. Urio'kosh> Dane has left.

Dane steps off from the ladder and into the dark opening. Dane has arrived.

Urio'kosh> Urio'kosh makes no comment, focusing on moving down the ladder and letting the older Mandalorians banter among themselves. He has other more important issues on his mind.

Urio'kosh> You step gingerly off the ladder and into the near invisible opening in the tunnel wall.

Urio'kosh steps off from the ladder and into the dark opening. Urio'kosh has arrived.

_Ow... ow... hells..._ Shenner scowls again, feeling a slight tremor in her arms, and a pull through her shoulder muscles as the weight of her pack settles back into something resembling a reasonable placement, once she ceases the business of turning and twisting on the ladder. Still brandishing her glow-rod, she peers frowningly at her new surroundings, and wipes off her other hand on her pants. _Ick._

Kairne steps off from the ladder and into the dark opening. Kairne has arrived.

Dane starts towards the front very carefully, "I'll take point..Paul you next  just in case we find something that you want to study..Shen then Urio and   then Kairne..okay?"

Kairne says "I'm older than you Dane.. if anyone is the Grandpa, it's me.."

Glancing about Paul sighs, stretching his arms slightly and moving forward. He  reaches into a pocket, pulling out a glow of his own and lighting it. "That's better," he mutters, glancing about at the walls and frowning at  their condition.

Dane says "That was my point Kairne.." he chuckles, "Now step carefully this  place is a death trap."

Moving up behind Dane, Paul mutters, "Right ... this doesn't look too stable,  so let's not dally ..."

Shenner opens her mouth, then closes it again. _If they wantcha in the middle, deal with it. Like you know what the hells you're doin'?_ "After you guys," Shen mutters at Dane and Paul.

Urio'kosh seems content to stay in the same place, although now Shenner is in  front of him, and despite his preoccupied thoughts, he finds his eyes straying to her yet again, as if still regarding her as -member-non-sensical.

Dane starts just a head of the group offering a silent prayer to the gods that this tunnel holds out..

Dane walks along the passageway, disappearing around a right bend. Dane has left.

You walk along the passageway, following it as it turns to the right ...

Tunnel - Cave In(#271R) Apparently these tunnels -aren't- too sturdy, as what seems to be a large deposit of shale, metal, and dirt, have collapsed and now block your path. Contents: Dane Obvious exits: Back

Shenner turns the corner of the passageway and joins you. Shenner has arrived.

Urio'kosh turns the corner of the passageway and joins you. Urio'kosh has arrived.

Kairne turns the corner of the passageway and joins you. Kairne has arrived.

Dane sighs, "Blocked.." he gazes around the walls of the tunnel, "I really  think digging in here is a bad idea so let's head back."

All too aware that Urio'kosh is behind her, Shen travels tensely, grateful that she has at least a pack of gear between him and her. But the girl comes up short at the sudden obstruction of their path. "Back...?" _Ah hell.._

Glancing at the cave-in, and then at the walls uncertainly, Paul merely nods, his lips forming a grim and unhappy line. "I'd suggest seeing if we could tunnel through ... but this whole tunnel looks like it could go at any  moment," he notes, his voice laced with distrust at their surroundings.

Dane nods in agreement, "All right then.." his voice is low, "Everyone back..one at a time."

Looking disgusted, but without argument at the decision between the warrior and the scientist, Urio'kosh breathes a sigh of annoyance, turning about to head back from whence they all came.

Kairne turns to Urio, "Why do you wear such a look on your face? Do you have a different opinion on things?"

Glancing at Kairne, Urio's expression is neutral as he replies loftily, "Just because I see the logic in something doesn't mean that I -like- it."

Without another word, Urio glances back at the small mismatched group, shaking his head a touch derisively before fording his way back through the tunnel.

Shenner scowls, much, but edges her way out into the tunnel they'd just vacated. _Karkin' great... back to the ladder..._

Shenner turns back. Shenner has left.

Shrugging, Paul follows.

Blocked by the cave-in, you turn back. Passageway(#269R) A long tunnel stretches forth before you, the walls turning before the end is  in sight ... if there -is- an end. The tunnel is clearly quite old and looks none too stable. The walls seem to be very crudely dug out, as if done with very primitive instruments, the supports clearly scrap pieces of metal. It  is only wide enough to walk in pairs. Contents: Shenner Urio'kosh(#246p) Obvious exits: Right Back

Dane re-emerges from around the bend. Dane has arrived.

Kairne re-emerges from around the bend. Kairne has arrived.

Not paying attention to whether anyone follows him or not, Urio steps back onto the ladder and disappears from sight, heading down once again.

Shenner casts a green-eyed, wary glance back at the others, slightly more concerned with making sure they track her. Shifting her slender shoulders under the straps of her pack, she makes her way into the ladder tunnel.

Shenner re-enters the tunnel. Shenner has left.

You turn back and re-enter the tunnel, taking hold of the ladder rungs. Tunnel(#259R) The tunnel is a long thin shaft, with a ladder that runs set along one side. There is no visible bottom when you first look down. It is a tight space, not even enough room to look down to where you going. Contents: Shenner Urio'kosh(#246p) Obvious exits: Cavern

Dane emerges from seemingly nowhere. Dane has arrived.

Kairne emerges from seemingly nowhere. Kairne has arrived.

Shen didn't like that ladder before, and she's not too crazy about it now. But she'll be damned if she's going to tell anyone. She hisses out, "I'm goin'  down," as she hears noises above her, and as she'd done the last time, begins to make a cautious trek down the slippery rungs.

Dane whispers, "Wait Shenner..let me go first.."

Urio'kosh can be seen some distance below, climbing down the ladder steadily. He makes no comment and indeed does not even look up to see if anyone is  following him.

Dane looks down and shakes his head, "Okay..you go first Urio.." he then murmurs, "it's your funeral boy.."

Shenner blinks up above her, and whispers back, "Ain't no room to trade!" The others are already up above on the ladder anyway, and time's a'wastin'. "I'll sing out if somethin' happens...!" She pauses, frowning darkly at  Dane's murmured words, especially 'funeral'... but goes anyway, climbing down in Urio's wake.

Kairne stumbles along in the dark, "Damnit, I pulled the feed cord my helmet  and my optics went out. Can you help me out here Dane?"

If the younger Mandalorian hears Dane's comment, he makes no sign of it, but with the delays above him, he is soon just a glowing blob far below the rest.

Dane nods and assists Kairne with the cord, "You know most of us have modified  this configuration to where the cord isn't necessary..all self contained in   the helmet. I can help you fix it when we get outta here."

Paul sighs deeply, unable to go any further until Shen moves along, and then as she does so, he follows close behind. "Take your time," he warns. "Don't  try to keep up with him," he adds, as if he had any fears of Shen giving a   damn about whether or not she was right behind Urio. He half hopes himself that the Mandalorian will prove himself useful and set off a trap, thus saving them the trouble of doing so themselves.

Kairne says "Oh I've modified it already, just that after my trip back home,  and run-in with the local guards, I managed to short the circuits out   somewhere, and had to wire up this 'patch' feed for now. I'll be fine for   now with this until we have the time to sit down and rest, tho I do hope you   have some of the parts I need on you. But let's worry about this later, I do   believe it's your turn to venture down this tunnel."

Dane nods, "The parts can be made from almost anything." he follows along, "I  managed to get a stock when we got here."

Kairne walks to the edge and peers over into the darkness, his optics adjusting slowly to the light, "How are we doing down there?", he yells down to the other party members.

The group climbs down, hindered by the fact that Shen is in the lead, and her pace is slow and careful. There is no sign of Urio now. He has gone so far down that there is no longer even the reassuring glow of light to indicate his presence. For all that Paul didn't like the man, he at least felt a  little better knowing that there was someone below. Now he begins to fear that this tunnel will -never- end.

Slow and careful is better than fast and dead. Trying to resist bursting into singing 'Down, down, down, down, gra-vi-te-e-e-eeeee,' Shen tests the rungs as she goes, and looks for some sign of a floor or another side tunnel, anything to distract from the growing tedium of tunnel, ladder, tunnel, ladder, tunnel, ladder...

Pausing briefly, Paul glances at his chrono, frowning, before yelling back up. "By my account it's been fifteen minutes .... and no sign of Urio or the  bottom. I don't like it."

Shen does, indeed, keep going. "Where the kark else could he have gone but  down?" she calls up, hoarsely, glancing for a moment away from the rungs immediately beneath her hands.

Hidden by the shadows, Paul stops for a moment, telling himself that it is  only to catch his breath ... that's all. There is a wild churning in his stomach, and at Shen's words he feels an alarming dart of panic snap through his nervous system. Clenching his teeth, he continues to move his hands and feet, thinking to himself, _Almost outta here ... almost outta here ...._ It's a lie, but it seems to help.

Those fifteen minutes are nothing, as one hour, two hours, three hours go by, with nothing but climbing down down down. On more than one occasion, the group stops, leaning back against the wall of the tunnel to give their arms a rest. This is mostly done for Shen's benefit, after a few nerve wracking slips. By this point, the entire group is beginning to feel the strain of  the descent, some more than others, and for some, not just physically.

Dane glances down at Paul, his voice barely a whisper, "We better try and rest  for a bit..I have a small length of rope we can use to tie Shenner off."

The Corellian refuses to let Dane know that there is anything wrong. He merely nods brusquely ... then realizes that the Mandalorian probably can't see him. "Right," he barks, "pass me the rope."

Kairne takes Dane's suggestion, and slides his legs through the rungs until the backs of his knees are resting on the rung, then clips himself to the 2 railings of the ladder with carbines, slowly leaning backwards so that he  is inverted and facing down at the party, his legs securely locked on the ladder. Yelling down to Dane, "You know Dane, if it weren't for the fact  that you 3 are beneath me, and that I don't know if it'll be needed later,   I'd be tempted to use my jet pack. This ladder is growing tiresome. This   tunnel can't go on forever. I don't remember many of our installations being   this far down, but then again, I never asked many questions for answers I   didn't need to know. Whatever this leads to, must be important."

And here she'd thought moving the sheet of metal had put strain on her arms -- now, every nerve in Shenner's limbs is screaming, and the girl's face is  bathed in sweat and streaked in dirt she's managed to pick up from her close calls on the slippery rungs. At the last halt she'd had barely enough strength to call for the rest she desperately needed, and now, her awareness beginning to blur, focusing desperately on the need to keep moving, she croaks upward, "I'm here... I'm here."

Dane digs in his leg pouch and produces a synthrope dispenser, "Here Paul.." he closes the flap and hands it down, "This should do the trick."

Shen can hear the men's voices above, and as long as she doesn't have to move, she clings tenaciously to the ladder, muzzily pondering that her filthy fingers have, at any rate, given her a somewhat better grip -- or would, if  they didn't ache so fiercely. Hanging there, she leans her head forward and realizes in dismay that she is trembling, tears of exhaustion pricking at  her eyes. _Dammit..._

Catching the end of it with a trembling hand, Paul mutters, "Right," and stuffs it into a pocket. Locking legs and one arm about the rungs, he  carefully removes his pack and taking a section of cord, ties it securely to   the ladder. He finds that he has to focus intently on what he's doing, but that he can at least do so. Climbing down closer to Shen, Paul loops his legs into the ladder and taking a deep breath, turns himself over and backward, reaching down toward Shenner. "Okay Shen," he calls out, his voice a touch sharp. "I'm gonna ease your pack off and tie it to the ladder ....  then I'm gonna come down and secure you so you can rest .... there's not   enough room for me and you and the packs ... so that's why that's coming off   first." His words are hurried and rough, and with shaking hands he reaches down, carefully undoing the cinches on the pack so he can remove it without Shen releasing her grip. His entire body is one clenched muscle. "Relax  Shen," he rasps, "Just hold on for a bit longer."

Dane switches over to his helmet's com system and kills the external mic, <> His gaze still rests on Paul and the young woman below but to Kairne his voice carries a  note of concern.

"Here... 'kay," Shenner gasps out to Paul. Hold on to the ladder. She can do  that. Yep. Hold on to the ladder.

Shen can't see Paul's hands shaking, nor tell how tense he is; the girl barely has enough attention to register when the pack is lifted free from her back. She trembles violently in reaction, tensed shoulder muscles that had been shrieking under the weight dragging at them screaming again as the weight is  suddenly gone. The girl says nothing, though, biting her lip against any noise of protest, enough to draw blood.

The pack is secured and Paul let's out a shuddering breath before climbing back up, an idea in his head. "Shen, press your self as close as you can to  the ladder ... I'm going to lower my pack past you ... and just let it hang   below." He stops, swallowing hard as his breath seems abnormally short and labored to him. "Then I'm gonna come down behind you and tie you in place,  okay?" He starts, gingerly, to lower the pack, sweat pouring from his brow.

Kairne receives Dane's com message, and follows suit, replying, "Yes, I agree  Dane. I have no problem with our current situation, but these two must be   hurting bad. I'd be dehydrated and mineral deficient by now if I wasn't   trained for this. They've been keeping up well, but this is pushing them too   hard." Kairne shifts his weight about, the rungs crying out ever so slightly from his movements, "And as comfortable as this may be, I'd rather not hang  upside down here, but I'm trying to keep a lookout upwards. What are our   choices? There's not enough room to strap them to our backs and carry them   down."

"'Kay," Shen croaks, trying to obey Paul as best she can, though her limbs protest again as she attempts to press herself closer to rock, earth, and ladder rungs.

Dane continues the quiet com message, "I doubt we could carry them far on our  backs anyways...I dunno." he gazes up and down the shaft, "Let's all rest  for an hour or two and then see if they can continue. I don't like being   this vulnerable but it's better than losing members of our group."

Slipping down carefully, Paul tries to get behind Shenner while not knocking her free from her perch. Of course that means that -he- doesn't have much to  hold on to, and cursing suddenly, he kicks himself for not thinking to   secure himself with a rope as he did his pack. _Too late now ... just get it  over and done with_ Hands shaking he passes the rope about Shenner several times, lashing her in securely, in fact perhaps over doing it really. But with this inexplicable panic trickling through his system, he is determined to get her well and firmly anchored into place. His legs and back scream as  he uses the walls of the tunnel to stay in place himself, but they are slick and more than once he has had to stop and readjust. He pulls the last knot with a breath of relief, yelling up, "She's secured!" and then more softly, "Let go Shen ... you're tied on, you won't fall."

Let go, he says. Shenner groggily issues this command to her fingers, but her hands do not immediately respond; it takes her a few seconds before she sags against her rope support, and when she finally does, she issues a sharp, short little gasp, as if she expected to fall.

Kairne radios back to Dane, "Agreed, let's rest here. See if they need any  nourishment, and what ideas they have on continuing." Kairne readjusts himself, pulling himself so that he is sitting on the rung, and not hanging downwards, but in doing so, loosens up the pouch that contains some of his glowsticks are in, and one falls out, tumbling down towards his companions. Noticing the slight change, Kairne yells down, "watch out below, glowstick  falling."

Dane unspools a small cable from one of his belts and attaches the grappling end to one of the rungs, turning slightly he wedges the spikes of his boots into the wall and leans back to rest his old bones.

Carefully trying to clamber around Shenner, the sudden call makes Paul glance up sharply in alarm, and in doing so, his grip slips unexpectedly. He slides scrabbling at the slick walls in panic as well as the ladder as the glowstick bounces against him and down, and with a short yelp he falls. There is the unpleasant sound of cracks and thuds as he must hit the walls on the way down ... and then there is a very loud thud after a few seconds.

Shenner looks up sharply, roused, and she shrieks, "Paul?!"

Dane looks down with his enhanced vision, cursing under his breath, "K'athre  and V'alya!" as he helplessly watches Paul fall.

Shen's immediate impulse is to scramble down in Paul's wake -- but now, of  course, she's rope-lashed to the ladder. Shoving her exhaustion as best she can into the back of her mind, the girl begins fumbling at the ropes securing her, and shrieks out Paul's name again. "Paul?! Paul, a-answer me,  can you hear me?!"

For a moment there is silence, as the wind as been knocked out of the Corellian, making speech impossible. His head rings from glancing off the tunnel wall, and there are a few other sharp pains and aches, but as far as  he can tell, gasping like a fish out of water, nothing seems to be actively broken. Taking short little gasping breaths, Paul barely is able to wheeze out. "I'm ..... o .....kay."

Dane lets out a sigh of relief, "I can see ground below..about ten meters.." he activates his motion detector to see if Paul is actually moving still as  he starts after the girl. releasing his grapple and climbing down the ladder.

Kairne yells down at Shenner, "Calm down Shen, don't undo your ropes, we don't  need anyone else falling down there, and we don't know how injured Paul is..   anymore falling bodies could make things worse for him." Kairne quickly organizes himself, and pulls himself out of the rungs, his body still attached to the ladder railing through the cables and carbines. Over the internal com system he calls to Dane, "Now what do we do? The unfortunate  fool didn't tie off, we should have seen this coming, damnit."

Shen seizes on Paul's hoarse reply, and feels an acute flare of relief in her chest. _K'chaiya..._ "O-okay, Paul..." As Kairne calls down to her, the girl pauses, torn, desperate to scramble down to the Corellian, but just as  desperate not to do something tremendously stupid. "We gotta go down!" she calls up.

Dane says "Shenner let me get down to you..I'll give you a hand." he calls, "We don't want you falling too."

"R.... right," Shen calls back to Dane, trying to maintain enough breath to  speak around the lump that's swelled up in her throat. "Hurry. Please."

Kairne quickly unhooks himself and secures his gear to himself, "We're going  Shen, but it's now a wise idea to be more careful now than ever. Let Dane   help you down, and we'll get to Paul as quickly as safely possible." "Ready  when you are Dane."

Dane replies to Kairne and starts on down, "On my way." he doesn't waste much time in getting to the girl, lowering his hand down to grasp the back of her clothing, "Easy now Shenner." he says rather calmly considering the situation.

Sitting upright slowly, Paul hunkers down on all fours, arching his back to  try to ease the flow of air into his lungs. Picking up the glowstick that caused this whole mess, Paul raises it slightly, his eyes perking up with hope at what he sees before him. His voice is still raspy, but he manages to  call up audibly, "There's another tunnel ... a crevice ..." The conversation above his head begins to make an impression, and he calls up, Dane .... "Just  cut my pack free and let it fall .... it's hanging beyond Shen, so it won't   be in her way, but it will make getting down harder if you don't move it."

Hearing Paul's voice steadies Shen, and she mentally seizes upon it, dredging up a few more shreds of strength. "Hangin'," she croaks out. "Gimme the  word..."

Kairne calls down to Shen, trying to calm her, "He'll be fine once we get to  him. Take it slow and careful, and we'll access his situation." Calling out to Paul, "Try not to move too much Paul, don't need anything popping up on  you down there." Kairne mutters to himself about all this mess, feeling somewhat responsible for it all, as he's supposed to be looking out for these two, not causing their danger.

Dane maintains his grip on Shenner and calls up to Kairne, "Grab Paul's  pack..I've got a handful now." he continues to ease the girl down carefully, "Just lower it with us."

Now thoroughly embarrassed by his situation, Paul checks once again to make sure that nothing is damaged before calling up, "I'm fine Kairne ... just  some bruises I'm sure." Glancing around he cases the area, adding, "There's  nothing down here ... no triggers or anything out of the ordinary."

"Right," Shen croaks up in acknowledgment to Kairne. The girl might be paying attention, but she's not wasting any more breath than she has to on  speaking. As Dane reaches her and begins helping her down the tunnel, she starts, but focuses on moving down the ladder with the old warrior's aid.

Kairne moves down the ladder, coming upon Shen's pack, and unties it from it's  current resting place, and attaches it securely to his utility belt. Kairne thinks to himself, "No need for this to be falling also, and taking those 2  with it too." Kairne resumes his journey further down the latter, making sure to give Dane enough room to work with Shenner.

Glancing up, this time raising the glowtube, Paul is even more chagrined by  the fact that his pack is hanging a mere foot above his head. "Never mind,  I'm getting my pack now ... and I'm stepping into the fissure ... there   ain't enough room for all of us." And he does so.

Your muscles ache from the strain of what feels like hours of  climbing down down down. You step off the ladder and into a dangerous looking fissure. Tunnel(#379R) The tunnel here is jagged and dangerous looking, with no visible supports holding anything up. For all you know, it could collapse on your heads at  any moment. The cramped space yawns ahead of you, narrow and dark. Obvious exits: Forward Back

Shenner enters into this new tunnel, looking about it's "walls" suspiciously. Shenner has arrived.

Shenner climbs down into view, once more with her pack, and hissing out as she draws near, "Paul...?"

Dane enters into this new tunnel, looking about it's "walls" suspiciously. Dane has arrived.

Glancing up as Shen enters and then Dane, Paul waves from where he is huddled close to a wall. The glowstick in his hand illuminates his features from below, which looks creepy enough without the blood streaming down the side of his head.

Dane walks over to Paul and kneels down, "Let me check you out Paul.." he says in a low voice while searching his belt pouches for something.

Staring at Dane, somewhat mystified, Paul murmurs, "What? I'm fine ... what  are you talking about?" His gaze shifts from Dane's impassive mask to  Shen's, trying to get a sense of what is going on here.

"Paul," Shen barks out, aghast. She'd be louder, but she doesn't have much energy to spare for it. Nor does she quite have the strength to practically teleport, as she desires, to the Corellian's side. But she stumbles after Dane, and she finishes, "You're bleedin'..."

_Bleeding?_ Paul reaches up to his head, checking the wrong side first and looking at his hand blankly, then the right side, his hand coming away with blood on it. "I thought it was just sweat ..." he murmurs. With a small curse he opens his pack. "Never mind ... head wounds always bleed worse than  they should ...." He removes a piece of cloth and after tentatively finding the source of the blood, wraps his head turban style. Glancing up at Dane he  mutters, "Let's get out of here first ... this tunnel looks even worse than   the first one ... and I don't want to be here if it's gonna give way."

Dane nods, "We wait for Kairne though.." he says quite emphatically but in a  low tone..

Kairne enters into this new tunnel, looking about it's "walls" suspiciously. Kairne has arrived.

Shenner glances dully over her shoulder, then blows out a breath of relief as  Kairne finally comes down to join them. "Move," she mumbles huskily. "Move...." The way the word escapes her, it's sounding like a less than palatable concept. "Do it."

Glancing back toward the tunnel, Paul sighs as Kairne joins them, tucking the cloth about his head securely and nodding carefully ... just in case it -is- serious. "Let's go then ... no Urio," he notes, as he rises up heading gingerly forward.

Despite the fact that this place could come crashing down around your ears, you move on ahead down the passage.

Tunnel opening(#376R) You continue to walk on and on, dodging gingerly about obstructions and looking up at the "ceiling" furtively. Finally, however, the passageway begins to lighten and after you turn another corner, you finally see light coming in from up ahead. Obvious exits: Back Outside

Shenner emerges from around a corner, following you down the tunnel. Shenner has arrived.

Dane emerges from around a corner, following you down the tunnel. Dane has arrived.

Kairne emerges from around a corner, following you down the tunnel. Kairne has arrived.

Light...?! If Shen knew of a deity to thank, she'd be thanking one right now. Or perhaps several. As it happens, when the illumination reaches her, she smiles hugely, giddy with exhaustion and relief, and she croaks out, "Look..."

The tunnel winds on and on, and while it isn't as endless as the climb down, it does seem frighteningly long. As light finally begins to beckon, Paul let's out a sigh of relief, echoing Shen's reaction.

Dane gazes at the lightening corridor and raises a hand, "I think I should go  first again.."

Kairne comes trailing in, Shen's backpack dangling at his side, "Had I not  been in such a rush to catch up with you, I'd taken this thing off before I   tried to get through the crevice. Remind me to do so in similar situations.   But I'll hold onto it for now, no need to let you carry it if I can burden   the weight for now."

Despite Kairne having her pack, Shen's exhausted body is now protesting her halts as loudly as her progress, and informing her in no uncertain terms that she should be prone, Right Now, for about six or seven years. The redhead flings out a grimy hand to support herself against the tunnel wall and barely manages to nod to Dane, as she fixes liquid, hopeful eyes on the glow ahead, blinking to adjust her tearing vision.

Paul stares ahead to the light like a man dying of thirst, but nods at Dane's  request, waiting for him to pass.

Dane starts ahead of the group, this time a small but temporary whine can be  heard from his armor..

Kairne says, "Let's make it to the light friends, and get a fix on our  position, and see if we don't find our missing companion Urio." Kairne slowly moves forward, his breathing somewhat labored after this long ordeal, but nothing to be worried about, just too much time in close quarters, something he's never quite liked.

Dane heads toward the light and disappears outside the opening. Dane has left.

Shenner heads toward the light and disappears outside the opening. Shenner has left.

Kairne says "After you Paul, and I'm quite sorry for earlier. Please accept my  apologies. I'll take a better look at your injuries once we get out into   this light.""

You head toward the light gratefully, emerging outside at last. Valley Base(#382R) You look about you and realize that you are at the base of a valley. Clearly the underground caverns have brought you to beyond the city and spaceport limits. As you look up the steep incline, you see that the landscape around you is rough and mostly barren save for a few straggling trees. Clearly this might have once been a lovely valley, but something has torn through here, leaving devastation in it's trail. What once must have been a raging river is now a barely recovered stream trickling several meters ahead of you. Gently sloping hillside has been ravaged into rocky, steep, torn earth. High above your heads you can just barely see an opening in the valley's side. Contents: Shenner Dane Urio'kosh(#246p) Obvious exits: Forward Back

Kairne emerges from the tunnel to join you. Kairne has arrived.

Dane stands quietly looking out over the devastated valley, his head shaking ever so slightly.

_I -will not- fall down, I -will not- fall down, I -will not- fall down...- Mentally chanting this litany over and over, Shenner staggers up out of the tunnel, lifting her face almost prayerfully to the light and the air. As she emerges, nevertheless, she _does_ trip, one foot skidding out from beneath her.

Glancing up from his perch on a tall boulder, Urio arches a curious brow. He  looks virtually untouched by the experience which has clearly marked the rest of the troupe. "Well, you finally made it," he murmurs obliquely.

Dane looks up at Urio, "Hoping we wouldn't?" he says quite seriously.

Kairne manages to come out of the tunnel as Urio finishes his remark to the group, and mutters, "I'm sure we all appreciate your enthusiasm in this  endeavor, but it would be best for all of us to stick together, so that we   don't end up in 'hairy' circumstances."

Paul pauses, the light making him realize that it must be dawn ... which means that they've been up for most of the night. He spares no more than a  withering glare toward Urio before turning toward Kairne, murmuring, "What   are you talking about Kairne ... I'm the idiot who fell." Clearly the Corellian hasn't a clue as to why the Mandalorian would be blaming himself for Paul's stupidity.

Slipping easily from the stone, Urio glances at each member of the group before turning to Dane and Kairne. "My apologies Lord General, Major," he  offers with a slight bow. "I have an extreme dislike for small spaces, and  the rest of you were so far behind, it seemed more prudent to keep going." His manner and tone are perfectly proper, but there is still an air of  superiority about the younger Mandalorian.

Shenner manages to turn her fall into a harder-than-normal kneel, and she remains there for a moment, her hands pressed against the earth, tremblingly supporting her weight. _I -will not- fall... I -will not- fall... Urio, you can frekkin' bite me... I -will not- fall..._ Once she manages to rally enough attention, she looks up, expression tense, her features streaked with dirt, sweat, and a little blood.

Kairne listens to Urio again, "Aye Urio, I dislike them also," but then focuses on Paul, "Yes friend, you fell, but it was I who dropped the  glowstick and excited you when I yelled out. You are under my protection   here, I wish to see no serious harm come to you. Now let's find a place to   take a look at what did happen to you, and then I suggest we eat a little,   and take a morning nap, so that we can regain some of our strength." Kairne slowly removes his helmet, his orange side-locks of hair falling about his shoulders, and his pony-tail flopping onto his back. He slowly breathes in  the air, and then breathes out as he looks about, his green eyes taking in   all the sadness he can of his once beautiful homeworld. With helmet under-arm, he places himself beside Dane.

Nodding, Paul sits down heavily, his arms and legs throbbing with the unusual amount of exertion that they had been put through. Slowly he reaches up and begins to unwind the turban about his head, the final few passes shifting from white to pink to red.

Dane nods in agreement with Kairne and unlocks his helmet, slowly slipping it  from his head and inhaling the air, "I think we all.." he eyes Urio, "Could  use a rest.." he then looks to the others, "and some food and water."

Urio smiles graciously at the exhausted troops, looking as cool as a ocean breeze. "Please," he replies, "allow me to prepare something while you ...  recover." He moves efficiently to his packs, pulling out water and rations.

With a jolt, Shenner recollects that Paul is wounded, and she scrambles unsteadily to his side, managing only to reach him, rather than reach for him. But she stares at him worriedly and mutters at him, "Want my medpack?"

Glancing up at Shenner, Paul frowns at the streak of blood on her face, not knowing if it's hers or his .... Glancing at Kairne, he mutters, "Let's see  if it deserves any special attention. Could just be a big bleeder ... don't   want to waste any medical supplies on little stuff. Better to save it for   any emergencies that might come up."

Shen at any other time might insist on Paul getting proper attention; indeed, the girl does stare long and liquidly at him, but all she says is a husky, "'Kay, Paul..."

The cloth now completely unwound, Paul takes one end of it, pouring a little of the water from his canteen onto it, and then gingerly washing away at  where he can feel the wound now. Still, he can't see it or what he's doing really, and with a sigh, he turns to Kairne. "Can you take a look and see if  it's deep or anything? If I can just keep it wrapped up, that would probably   be easiest."

Dane stands quietly letting the young woman tend to Paul for the most, taking time to eat a ration bar or two.

Urio sets out rations for everyone, looking about the disarrayed camp with a  touch of ironic resignation, then starts to set up his own tent, planning on   at least getting a little bit of sleep. After supplying the food, he has done his duty, and disregards the rest of the party.

Shen is still sort of half-crouching, half-kneeling next to the Corellian, but as Paul turns to call for Kairne, she says nothing, only moving back slightly to get out of the way. _Pack's over there anyway,_ she thinks, wobbling to her feet. Seeing Urio'kosh working to set up his tent, she is  reminded of her and Paul's own. _If Paul wants Kairne to patch him up... I  could set up the tent or something..._

Kairne makes his way over to Paul, reaching into one of his leg pouches and begins to fish around for something..."How's it look to you Shen? We should  prolly clean it with some sort of antiseptic as to avoid any infection. Tho   I am afraid what I have to offer, will sting slightly more than what you two   are prolly used to."

"I've got something for that," Paul informs Kairne patiently, wondering if he  was mistaken in his assumption that the Mandalorian would be more proficient at first aid than Shenner. "I just need to know what it looks like," he  notes, leaning forward and trying to point out the source of the blood to   the Lord General.

Dane says "I'm sure he can take it Kairne.." a smile crosses Dane's features as he looks for a comfortable place to crash, "I don't have a mirror with me  sorry.." he looks to Shen, "Do you Shenner?"

Shenner blinkblinks, startled at Kairne's hailing of her. Her opinion is  wanted? _Oh, well..._ Her thoughts are starting to fuzz around the edges, but the girl blinks rapidly, determined to remain coherent. "Uh, well," she begins gruffly, then trails off, peering down at Paul's bloodied head from where she stands. Carefully, taking note of the disturbingly insubstantial feel of her legs, she kneels by Paul again, to get a better look. She starts again, then, glancing at Dane, and asks blankly, "Mirror? Nah..."

A light smirk curls across Kairne's lips as he hears Paul's statement, "If  memory serves me right, there are some rather dangerous things on Mandalore   that an unaccustomed body would not be able to ward against. I'd feel better   if we used our techniques instead, with all due respect."

Kairne says, "Who knows what's bred itself in all this mess," as he motions about with his free hand.

Shrugging tiredly, Paul leans his head toward Shen instead, and as she parts the reddish hair back, she finally exposes a long thin gash along the right side of his head. It's well buried past the hairline, and while it seems to  be still bleeding slightly, it doesn't look particularly deep.

Dane says "Very true.." he glances about, "Although the lack of foliage has  probably reduced the chances of something truly nasty."

Kairne turns to where Urio is setting up his tent, "What say you Urio?"

Shenner just grimaces, fixing her attention back on Paul, to whom she mutters as she pokes gingerly at his hair, "Looks like it just clipped yah, but  mostly okay... prob'ly just slap some synthflesh on there, or if you wanna   save the supplies, hold it for a while..." Her voice gets softer as she speaks, towards her latter words, with a few odd pauses as she forces herself to keep talking, keep focused. and loftily replies, "What say I regarding which topic, Lord General?"

Although content to ignore the rest, Urio glances up at Kairne's question and loftily replies, "What say I regarding which topic, Lord General?"

Kairne says "About what exists here on homeworld now..."

Folding his arms together, Urio's mouth draws into a thin line, his strangely pale green eyes scanning the landscape. "Beyond the perimeter's of the  cities, there is little known," he replies. "We have had our fair share of  problems with mutated diseases, and of course there were many Mandalorians   who were born damaged or mutated afterward. Some were spared ... some were   killed ... and some chose to remove themselves from society when they   reached the age of consent." While he still looks upon the landscape with impassive eyes, his voice grows darkly ominous. "There are stories of what  lays beyond the rim ... and few that have ventured out have ever returned."

Kairne turns his attention back to Paul, "Urio's description only furthers my  concern Paul."

Dane nods in agreement, "Mine too..we better use some of the medical supplies  on you Paul."

His eyes rise to Kairne and sighing, Paul waves his hand. "Well, we've been  here for a few days, eaten the local food, hand we haven't been sick. I have   a medical kit, and let me assure you, it is designed for a broad base of   planetary types." Raising his hand up toward the injury, he casts a  questioning gaze at Shen, adding, "However, I have no issue with using your   antibiotic versus my own. I simply do not with to use any supplies   unnecessarily."

Shen seems to miss Paul's glance, while Urio'kosh speaks. Her brows wing down into an unsettled frown, and she casts a look over her shoulder at the Mandalorian, fretfully. Then she scrubs a hand across her eyes, thinking, _Tired..._

Kairne says "Mandalore never was a typical planet... And while you've eaten  the local food, we are here in the 'outlands' were things are different...   vastly. Perhaps at a later date, I will tell you the story of my clan, and   how it relates.. but... let me look at your wound. Our supplies don't need   to be used in excess to perform well."

Dane nods, "I remember the rock vipers in the area I grew up in..they like  this sort of area and carry a lot of bacteria in their bites."

Dane he looks to Paul, "That's not to mention the various types of sicknesses  that can hit a person that has an open wound and we really don't want to   carry you back up that ladder." he smiles reassuringly at Paul, "We can  spare the supplies I think."

Waving a weary hand at the mothering pair, Paul's mouth cracks into the slightest of smiles. "Alright then .... attend me gentlemen, I am your  willing and patient patient."

Dane nods and motions to Kairne, "He's better at healing than I am."

Shenner blinkblinks muzzily, frowns, but gets to her feet again, to stumble towards her pack. As long as Dane and Kairne want to make sure Paul isn't  going to keel over -- a noble goal, as far as Shen is concerned, though she squelches her brief flare of jealousy at their task -- the tent can be her job. She makes it to her pack, and starts undoing the fasteners, slowly and deliberately. Never mind that some of those buckles are starting to look a  little blurry.

Kairne nods in recognition to Dane's comment, "Saa'Thuls have been that way  for centuries. I am no different, Dane's right, I can survive better than   most clans, tho I know I am not immortal..." Kairne takes a black rectangular case from his leg pouch, and opens it up, searching for a small vial of fluorescing blue liquid, his eyes showing his small exhilaration at  finding it. Taking it out he lifts his head up to Paul, "Don't pay attention  to the color, it will hurt worse than it looks," he lightly laughs.

Paul glances up at the container, resigned to his fate and remembering to  never let himself be doctored by a Mandalorian in the future. They have no  understanding of the concept of having a "bedside manner". The Corellian, however, is no child and has been through some excruciating experiences in  his short life so far. As Dane said, he is more than assured that he can handle this.

Dane rolls his eyes a bit and smirks, "Clan D'ael'mor has just as hearty  warriors Kairne..we have several rites that forge the spirit, mind and body."

_C'mon, street rat, been over this, How to Get Out Your Gear 101, and while we're at it, let's review How to Set Up Your Tent..._ Shenner, while Dane and Kairne attend to Paul, finds her hands beginning to shake as she ferrets into her pack to find the tent poles and canvas. It takes her several moments to find the pieces of the poles, and a few moments more to find the catch that extends them out to full length.

Urio stares at the human girl for a moment before approaching her slowly, silently. He crouches down beside her, reaching out with one hand to correct one of the connections, lifting cloth as well as one brow, waiting for her to spit at his quiet offer of help.

Shen doesn't spit; she does, however, start, her head lifting with a jerk as  she finds the Mandalorian beside her. "Thanks," she mutters.

Eyeing her strangely, Urio'kosh merely nods gracefully, his long fingered hands working on the construction of her tent calmly. Those silver green eyes, however, raise frequently to rest on her face, questioning without speaking.

Kairne, while facing Paul talks to Dane, "I never said that your clan were  less warriors old friend, I know your rituals, they serve the same purpose   as mine. But let's relive old times later." Kairne proceeds to unscrew the cap of the vial, and takes a strip out of his kit, dipping only a small piece of the end into the vial. The entire strip quickly begins to fluoresce blue just like the liquid itself, strangely enough as it has only absorbed so much of the liquid. "This is a 'mixed' antibiotic, the strip's fibers are  impregnated with certain chemicals that react with this liquid Paul. Once I   apply it, it will only take a few moments before the reaction catalyzes."

Shen, however, is completely focused now on the construction of the small tent. _She_ is expecting some sort of snide remark about how the inferior helpless human must need the mighty Mandalorian's assistance to build her own tent; determined not to give him the satisfaction of any more acknowledgment than necessary, she slips pole through cloth, joins connections, and presses the buttons on the corner spikes that will release _them_ and drive them securely into the ground.

Kairne caps the vial, and kneels down in front of Paul, strip in hand. "Ok  Paul, when I apply this, it will slowly begin to burn and sting. For the   un-accustomed, it will be painful at first, but I'm sure you can master the   sensations within a few moments. You'll know once you feel it beginning to   icy-cool, and any pain you had should go away as the anesthetic begins to   work. We've found the process to work better if meditation (conscious   breathing) is done to concentrate your energies in a productive manner.   Ready?"

"Alright," Paul responds to Kairne's explanation and instructions, bracing himself for the pain to come and wondering if the cure is going to be more unpleasant than the cold, so to speak. He reverts his mind to training he  received from the Kubazian Tre'lan, his mind and breath becoming one flowing entity before he nods in readiness.

Shenner's tent is a minuscule little thing, seemingly barely big enough to  hold a child, much less her. But it's a tent, and it's there, and the fact that it's now there and looks stable enough eases her mind somewhat. One down, one to go. Hauling herself laboriously back to her feet, she refocuses her attention on Paul's pack now, intending to put up his tent, too.

Kairne nods, and proceeds to fold back Paul's hair away from his wound, not really having to hold down the blood matted hair with much effort. "Here we  go Paul..." Kairne places the strip over the wound, first pressing lightly as he lines up the strip, then forcefully to make sure the strip gains contact with Paul's scalp and 'attaches' itself. He then lets go, and moves back a little to watch Paul.

Dane watches Paul quietly and munches on his rations but every once in a while his gaze drifts to keep an eye on Urio.

There is perhaps a somewhat sharper intake of breath, Paul's features tightening briefly in response to the chemical reaction before he relaxes once again. After a minute he opens his eyes, peering up from beneath long bangs to Kairne. "So, now what? Is it it's own dressing, or do I wrap up  again?"

Urio'kosh is either oblivious to Dane's observations or ignoring his fellow Mandalorian. He rises again after a moment, crouching down by the girl once again, but not raising his hands in help this time.

Urio'kosh> Shenner senses "Urio'kosh 's pale eyes pinion Shen, forcing her to  look up and acknowledge him before he softly whispers, "You're not going to   make it.""

Shenner, crouched there by Paul's pack, pieces of his tent poles in her hands, looks up at Urio'kosh. Her eyes narrow, and a flush darkens her dirty cheeks. "Says you," she mutters, jerking her gaze away, to begin once more the joining of pole and cloth.

The younger Mandalorian is unfazed by her sharp remark, merely watching her struggle with this second tent. Before he murmurs to her softly, his voice not passing beyond the hearing of her ears.

Urio'kosh> Shenner senses "Urio'kosh sighs, those eyes patient and somber.  "You're already exhausted ... and this was probably the easiest part of the journey. Why are you here? What is your purpose in this "expedition"?" he  questions, the word spoken with soft disdain, as if despite the fact that he   was a member of it, he still believed the entire venture to be nothing more   than folly."

Kairne says "Yes, you are correct, it's it's own dressing. Over the next few  days, it will semi-graft itself into your scalp to help seal your wound. It   will become part of your scalp as it dissolves, as it helps accelerates your   natural healing process by providing it with nutrients and other assorted   medical things to which I have not a full understanding. It's a far cry from   synthskin, but it's more natural, and nothing overly technologically fancy   like the nano-technology we used to have in our medical facilities, but in   the field, it worked well."

Nodding, impressed with that explanation, Paul carefully pours some more water on the cloth laying across his thighs, wiping at his hair carefully as he  tries to clean away some of the blood there. Sighing at the futility of such an attempt he finally turns, picking up the rations placed near to him by  Urio'kosh, only to scowl as he sees the Mandalorian in question next to   Shenner, the girl's expression less than amiable.

Same song, second verse, Shen is tired, it's getting worse. Her vision fuzzing again as she joins the pieces of the tent's upper pole, and she pauses there for a moment; her hands clench around the pole, but she doesn't dare close her eyes, lest she fall asleep right then and there. She's silent for one beat, two beats, then three. Then, her expression frigid, she looks up to  Urio'kosh and tells him, "I am _here_ to assist Dr. Nighman in whatever   capacity he needs me." She doesn't bother to whisper.

Kairne says "Do be careful not to touch or agitate the strip, as it has just  been freshly applied. It will take a few hours for it to set itself   entirely. After that though, you can cease to worry about it. I've seen   blaster scorch marks come off more easily than that."

Smirking, Paul tosses the cloth down, abandoning his efforts and nodding at  Kairne. "Duly noted ... and thanks." Shen's words reach his ears, causing Paul to turn once again and scowl. However, he makes no move toward her and Urio'kosh, merely keeps a watchful gaze on the pair.

Dane stands quietly and slips his helmet under his arm, he walks over to Shen and smiles a bit, "Why don't you sit and rest for a bit." he rests his free hand on her shoulder lightly.

It's as if she didn't say anything to him at all. Urio'kosh raises his gaze, meeting Paul's and holding it as if in challenge. He finally looks away, not backing down, but losing interest. He raises up, nodding cordially at Dane's  approach before turning to his own tent and settling himself inside.

Kairne quietly gathers what pieces of his medkit are lying about, and puts them into the medkit, and then back into leg pouch. He stands, and heads over to where his companions are all gathered. "Forgive my 'bedside' manner,  as I've always been the sort of person who's thought it better to expect the   worse, and be prepared, and then be able to freely relax when it's   discovered that it's not half-as-bad as was anticipated. Optimistic   pessimism I guess you could call it."

Irritated -- _the others're tired, too, why the hell're they raggin' on me?!_ -- Shen begins to brush off Dane's suggestion, but thinks better of it in  time. Still staring coldly at Urio'kosh until he chooses to leave, she stays like that, and only when the young Mandalorian has turned away does Shen flick a glance towards Paul. "You wanna take over here?" she rasps at him, doing her best to make it sound casual.

Dane raises his voice slightly, "I can take care of it Shenner...let Paul  rest. " he glances in the doctor's direction, "You both need it."

Staring at Shen for a moment and then Dane, Paul shakes his head and rises up. "I'm fine," he assures the pair, moreso Dane, as he approaches. "You have  your own tent to set up ... but I don't suggest we camp for long - just rest   for a bit and move on while there's still light to do so. I don't think   traveling by night is a good idea from here on out."

Dane shakes his head, "I didn't bring one." he offers, "don't really need it.  " he then stands back from the tent under construction and Shenner, "I'll let   you finish yours though." he smiles.

Kairne says "One last thing Paul. Since this is your first time with this  treatment, do resist the urge to scratch the intermittent itches you may   experience. It's only your skin reacting to the chemicals, and growing back   and healing. If you scratch, you'll upset the process, and end up with a   possibly large and interesting scar. Don't touch it, and it will heal   perfectly, and you'll never know you fell off a ladder and sliced yourself   open."

She _cannot_, _must not_, _will not_ keel over. As Paul makes his call, the girl gets slowly up, and turns to flick Dane a smile that's little more than a brief upward twitch of one end of her mouth. "His tent, his call. I'm  snoozin', then, if y'all don't need me." And she turns towards her tent, doing a fairly good impression of walking normally until she reaches it. "Y'all wake me when it's my watch or time to move." With that, the redhead crawls into her microscopic shelter, tugging her pack in behind her and remembering to close the flap. Mercifully, she is inside and out of sight before unconsciousness rises up to clobber her over the head.

Snorting slightly at Kairne's warning, Paul glances over his shoulder and he  lowers himself to his tent. "Right," he replies, "No scratching ... got it." His hands start to assemble the tent quickly, as certain aches and pains worry the Corellian enough that he wants to strip down and check them for himself, but not wanting anyone else's attention to that fact.

Dane glances in Kairne's direction, "Mind if I take first watch?"

His tent finished, Paul turns to the two Mandalorians, grinning in amusement at their relationship and informing the pair, "I'll let you guys duel for  the honor ... come kick me in three or four hours? Don't think we should   wait much longer than that."

Kairne says "Whatever you decide old friend, I'm not in the mood for a long  debate."

Dane nods and dons his helmet, "First watch for me then.." he looks for some high ground to watch from and unslings his rifle, "Get some rest I'll wake  you up in four hours."

Nodding, Paul disappears into his tent, to check the rest of his injuries and rest. He trusts Dane and Kairne implicitly, a trust that allows the Corellian to finally lie down and close his eyes with security.

Kairne nods, and reaches behind his back, and takes out a small folded up  'device' that he slowly unfolds and places on the ground before it begins to   inflate itself. He quickly and easily removes his jetpack, and places it  alongside the inflating pad before kneeling down and placing himself on the pad.

Kairne says "Wake me at the first sign of danger Dane. But for now, I'll dream  of days long past."

Dane chuckles and heads for high ground, "Will do..try not to have too much  fun.."