Date: Tue, 9 May 95 15:43:02 PDT From: "Angela 'Anna' Korra'ti (EDP)" To: crystal@duke.poly.edu Subject: LOG: Kevlan Goes into the Ranges, Part 2 Message-ID: <9505092257.AA25823@netmail2.microsoft.com> Archive-Name: kev-ranges-2.log [Introduction]: At Tamber's behest, after Rykos has offered the coordinates of a black claim to Kevlan, and after Bernadette has begun to go into crystal withdrawal, Jerrik hastens to the Hangar, intending to get Kevlan's sled ready for departure into the Ranges. Rykos has already beat him there.... ---------- You head purposefully through the doors to the floor. Hangar Floor The immense cavern that serves the guild faces the eastern sky. The blue sky merges with the harsh browns of the long plain of the Joslin Plataeu far to the east. The smoothly tiled floor is scarred by myriad gashes and scratches caused by wind-tossed sleds. The northern and southern walls contain over-large double doors while the western wall is set with observation windows. The hangar is bathed in red light so as not to disturb the night vision of the pilots or personnel. Outside the hangar, Shilmore rises honey-colored and Shanganagh follows closely as they trek across the starry sky. Contents: Jerrik, over by the wall. Rykos, over by the wall. Gyles's sled Sled Tech Desk Radar Corbin Hangar Terminal A large map, for instructional purposes Sled rack Obvious Commands ("." for list): .wait .sleds .desk .radar .map .hangar door .floor Obvious Exits: Met Transport Equipment Room Simulators Catwalk Cargo Storage Sorting Ready Room Jerrik runs out onto the hangar, racing for the sled rack. Rykos sits, pretty much out of sight, in a corner of the hangar. The night tech blinks at the sight of Jerrik's figure, and pipes up, "What's the scut, Jerrik?" Jerrik answers, looking in the other tech's direction briefly as he works the sled rack, "Galahad's going into the Ranges." _That_ gets a jaw nearly dropped to the floor, and a cry of delight. "Well, shards, man, where is he?" Jerrik answers hastily, as the _Teesa_ comes down off the rack, "Coming. I hope. If Tamber's doing _his_ job... ." You check Kevlan's sled out, and it is lifted down from the huge rack. Kevlan's sled has arrived. Rykos watches the activity with a detached interest. He whispers quietly to himself. "The crystal will make them better. Soon. I'll go soon." Kevlan emerges from the ready room with purpose. Kevlan has arrived. Bernadette emerges from the ready room with purpose. Bernadette has arrived. Jerrik looks up hopefully as Kevlan _finally_ arrives... Bernadette is dragged between Kevlan and Tamber onto the hangar floor, gasping. Kevlan pauses as he finds himself confronted with the sight of his sled; the vehicle's appearance - unsurprisingly flawless, for after all, it _has_ been in Jerrik's care - seems to daunt him. He clings to Bernadette as she thrashes again, and looks pleadingly to his two friends.... Rykos looks away from the ranges, still in his corner. He watches Bernadette concernedly then shakes his head, "No, won't, " he whispers. Jerrik tells Kevlan briskly, "Get gone, kid, I know you can do it. I'll stay planted right here keeping an eye on the radar, I promise." Bernadette sags to her knees as her body is once more released from the grip of withdrawal spasms, and groans. Kevlan looks about to burst into tears seeing Bernadette in this state, but he thumbs open the _Teesa's_ hatch, and then, awkwardly helps Bernadette into it. Kevlan steps into the airsled "Teesa Narie." Kevlan has left. Bernadette looks both sad to leave, but yearning to go. Rykos appears to be mentally elsewhere. Bernadette steps into the airsled "Teesa Narie." Bernadette has left. Kevlan's sled has left. Jerrik watches the sled take off awkwardly - and falter its way out of the hangar. He sighs, and plants himself right by the radar console. Jerrik mutters anxiously to himself, "Stocked 'em with food, clothes... they should be alright... give 'em a half-hour, then I'll call 'em... " Rykos stands shakily and moves from his corner and moves slowly to the hangar doors, looking out wistfully. Jerrik suddenly blinks, and smacks his head. "Great Mother Dragon, their _cutters_....!" Rykos treads over by the hangar doors. Himiko's sled has arrived. A sled with 'Dark Stars Rising' spelled out in bright paint on the hull slides precariously in for a landing. Tamber shakes himself awake, as Jerrik swears, and turns to buzz his wrist-unit.... Himiko steps out from the cramped interior of the airsled "Dark Stars Rising." Himiko has arrived. Himiko corrals a handy recruit and directs them to the filthy sled. Himiko ducks into the ready room, escaping from the swirling wind. Himiko has left. Rykos turns around at Jerrik's cursing. "Th..they'll be back?" he says softly. Jerrik sighs, as Tamber wearily slumps. You say "Well, if they want to _cut_ that crystal you sent them to, lad, they'd better be...." Jerrik blushes. "Because I don't think their cutters were in the _Teesa_." Tamber shakes his head tiredly. "They were not. The moment Bernadette started convulsing, I did not think - I simply wished to get Galahad _flying_." Rykos stares out at the ranges again. "D..do they n..need to cut?" Tamber says wearily, "Perhaps not... perhaps the crystal will suffice, if they flew straight there, and Kevlan _goes_ to it." Jerrik frowns. "That's the thing, right? If he _goes_?" Rykos nods, "H..he will. When h..he hears it sing." Rykos seems very edgy and looks as if he has heard something frightening. He growls at bystanders and looks rather pale. Rykos looks out at the ranges then hangs his head. He whispers. "I..I can take them.." Tamber blinks, and says softly to Rykos, "That would be yet another kindness, dear boy... " Rykos looks across to both Tamber and Jerrik. "I..I'd have t..to come back th..though." Jerrik almost smiles. "You do what you feel is right, son." Rykos nods, "I..I have to h..help them." He moves away from the doors. "Th..their cutters w..would be in st..storage?" Tamber nods levelly. "Fetch them, and good luck and all speed to you, Singer." Rykos ducks into the ready room, escaping from the swirling wind. Rykos has left. Cori emerges from the ready room with purpose. Cori has arrived. Jerrik and the red-headed Sorter Tamber al-Acorrin stand wearily near the radar display, and Tamber murmurs, "Rykos is a valiant soul, to help them... " Cori doesn't hear the comment, though the noise of the hangar floor is subdued considering the time of night; she wanders over toward the racks, to check her sled out. Corbin nods to Cori and manipulates the machinery to unload the sled from the racks. Cori's sled has arrived. Cori steps into the airsled "Silver Lily." Cori has left. Cori's sled has left. Rykos emerges from the ready room with purpose. Rykos has arrived. Jerrik nudges Tamber, and says, "Friend, you have GOT to get to bed... " Tamber sighs... and regretfully nods, then smiles as Rykos comes into view. Rykos walks in, carefully carrying three cutters. He looks at Jerrik. "M..My sled?" You check Rykos's sled out, and it is lifted down from the huge rack. Rykos's sled has arrived. Jerrik nods swiftly, and moves to get it. "With pleasure, lad." You say "Go to them... and radio back, let us know how they are. I've GOT to get Tamber here to sleep...." Rykos doesn't respond as you try to get his attention, a faraway look in his eyes. Tamber smiles ruefully, murmuring something about Aria having his hide, as the sled tech then hastens him off. [Continued in part 3.]