From the Ashes of the Phoenix, Part II

Metro Tunnel 

Cockroaches skitter along the walls flanking the powerless tracks that lead from the terminal into the deeper shadows of the underground rail system. The faint purple glow that had granted meager light to the terminal now seems generous compared to the darkness that consumes this gash in the pitch.

Teel arrives from Metro Terminal .

Teel has arrived.

Allen arrives from Metro Terminal .

Allen has arrived.

Namura arrives from Metro Terminal .

Namura has arrived.

Acran continues scuttling along the ceiling above the group.

Cubana steps in and towards the left after scanning the area with her weapon she orders, "Fan out again and we're continue to make progress..ignore the rodents." she adds as she glances back and sees peoples concentrtaions skittering.

Jones looks at the skittering cockroaches and involentarily takes a step back. Her gaze flickers to Acran and she smiles ruefully.

Namura heads into Metro Terminal .

Namura has left.

Denick fans out again.

Cubana begins stepping forward reassuing through her headset, "Keep it close and keep it steady as we walk guys...best way to provide a wide firing range."

Yama shrugs, and moves along the left wall.

Snowmist nudges her brother and nods toward the left wall with an inquiring eyebrow.

Sprawled on the tracks here is the body of someone clad in a radiation suit.

Metro Tunnel 

Cockroaches skitter along the walls flanking the powerless tracks that lead from the terminal into the deeper shadows of the underground rail system. The faint purple glow that had granted meager light to the terminal now seems generous compared to the darkness that consumes this gash in the pitch.

Acran seems a bit amused with the cockroaches as well.

Deering continues walking slightly behind and to the right of Cubana, watching the front and right side of the tunnel.

Messer groans lowly, adjusting his rifle a bit on his shoulder.

Cubana says, "Lebeau, the medics and the injured behind the fan."

Allen says, "Last time I saw this tunnel, it was from the subway..."

Snowshadow gives a sharp nod, and the two Demarians move toward the wall as one, each protecting the other's back.

Allen snorts. "Hasn't changed much. Different time, same old graffiti.

Cubana repeats, "Keep comm silence." she says as she walks through the tunnel, "And keep alert."

Deering pats Cubanas's shoulder and points u p the tunnel at the body.

Namura arrives from Metro Terminal .

Namura has arrived.

LeBeau arrives from Metro Terminal .

LeBeau has arrived.

Slaan just maintains formation and does his job, keeping it zipped and checking the group's six.

Teel glances around in her now normal stance, pistol ready, concentration split between any threats, and Messer.

Quinn arrives from Metro Terminal .

Quinn has arrived.

Cubana stops, "Hold your positions.." she calls.

Quinn has reconnected.

Denick stops, covering the area to his left in a 90 degree arc.

Deering stops where shes at, getting rather good at this watching the right side thing.

Snowshadow halts, as ordered, and drops into a ready crouch.

Messer freezes in his tracks and looks over at Teel, checking that she does the same.

Cubana looks forward, not spotting the body at first.

LeBeau commes in speaking into his helmet "General our eigh fingered frien jus took off fo da ship saying dis was to dangerous"

Teel halts.

Acran comes to a stop, his claws clamping onto the roof despite the suit.

Sprawled on the tracks here is the body of someone clad in a radiation suit.

Yama nods to the corpse. "Dead body, I fancy. Dead. Let's go."

Cubana spots teh radiation suit and speaks intot he headset, "lt, go check out the body...i'll keep you covered."

Cubana speaks into the headset, "I'm issueing the orders here, not you Mr. yama."

The suit is similar to the ones you are wearing

Messer frowns slightly. He checks over his shoulder nervously.

Newt arrives from Metro Terminal .

Newt has arrived.

Deering turns from the right side and moves forward with her rifle up, walking slowly, making sure her footing is fine, until she omves up to the body.

Yama takes a sonorous tone. "I would be the last to imply anything less than the sanctity of your command. But we're giving these legion types ample time to prepare for us."

Namura looks back and scans.

Teel says, "Musta been the Perfesser's group."

Cubana keeps her weapon aimed, "Or a mutant disguising as one..and those Legion troops, if they're being paid by Fanigan, have already had ample time."

Denick mutters, "Nuntius mortis..."

Deering looks over the body, glancing quickly around the sides, before lowering her gun to the body and lifting its shoulder with the barrel of her rifle.

LeBeau speaks up still no in view of the body "Den roll id o'er an fin oud jus wha es en side

Jones takes a few steps to the side, moving just a little to get a better angle as Deering does this.

Cubana speaks into the headset, "We're working ont hat Mr. Lebeau.." she says eyes and weapon trained on the radiation suit.

Deering curses quietly as she winces, lifting a little more for some kind of id.

You see a rat gnawing at the face through the blasted helmet.

Denick motions to newt, "Stick behind me kid, and stay alert."

Deering lowers the body down, and looks behind her once or twice as she slowly

Jones stiffens, pulling back from the camera for a moment, paling. She stares.

Newt looks behind him as he walks forward...

Poe takes steps to the side matching Jones' movement step for step.

Allen says, "At least he died doing what he did best.."

Denick looks at jones, "Get used to it, you'll probably see a few more."

Yama says, "Three more, in fact."

Cubana nods, "Alright, lets move. Fall back into formation Lt." she says as she begins stepping forward and to the southwest.

Denick says, "Or fresher ones.."

LeBeau continues to look behind them to make sure there is nothing behind them trying to trap them in the tunnel

Deering moves back over to beside the General, going back to watching her side, glancing forward now and then.

You say, "Mr. Kraken, I have no intention of getting used to it. Ever."

Yama remains on the opposite end of the tunnel from LeBeau, refocusing his attention on the flanks.

Cubana meets up with Deering and steps over the body as she heads southwest.

Cubana heads into Metro Tunnel .

Cubana has left.

Messer looks over at Teel and resumes his slow pace.

Yama heads into Metro Tunnel .

Yama has left.

Acran clatters forward once again.

Teel gulps at the sight of the body, but presses on, flanking Messer.

Deering heads into Metro Tunnel .

Deering has left.

Slaan maintains position and moves forward in formation, not seeming to spare anymore attention than is neccessary to the corpse

Metro Tunnel 

Cockroaches skitter along the walls flanking the powerless tracks that lead from the terminal into the deeper shadows of the underground rail system. The faint purple glow that had granted meager light to the terminal now seems generous compared to the darkness that consumes this gash in the pitch.

Messer heads into Metro Tunnel .

Messer has left.

Slaan heads into Metro Tunnel .

Slaan has left.

Acran heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Acran has left.

Allen heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Allen has left.

Denick heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Denick has left.

Namura looks back and sighs

Snowshadow heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Snowshadow has left.

You head into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>

The temperature seems to cool noticeably in this chamber, and water trickles in rivulets down the walls from cracks in the ceiling to submerge the track rut about hip deep on an average human - roughly three feet deep. Mutated rats can be heard chittering, and can be seen paddling through the liquid to get from one side of the tunnel to the other.

Poe arrives from Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Poe has arrived.

Namura arrives from Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Namura has arrived.

LeBeau arrives from Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

LeBeau has arrived.

Teel arrives from Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Teel has arrived.

Acran, being on the ceiling is unaffected by the water below.

Messer sloshes through the water, checking to make sure his weapons don't get submerged. At least, not too much.

Allen says, "Now for a leisurely swim. Too bad I forgot my water wings."

Namura lifts his medkit over the water, checking his equipment as well.

Newt completely fails to slosh as the water comes upto his mid-body.

Acran glances at Newt, ~Need a hand?~

Denick raises his gun, and tapes his pistol and grenades higher on his person.

Jones walks slowly. She glances at Poe, gaze inquiring as to his state.

Denick mutters, "I hate rats..."

Two more bodies in radiation suits can be seen floating face down in the water.

Allen says, "Get used to em. There's thousands of them down here."

Slaan moves through the water, taking care to keep it roughly dry. He maintains radio silence and scans carefully, straining to hear over radio chatter for less pleasant sounds...

Denick says, "You should seen the ones we had on base...."

Poe gives Jones a thumbs up, not wanting to break radio silence.

Newt looks up at Acran and shakes his head, "I'm cool."

Messer peers over at Teel, making sure she's okay.

Slaan taps Denick and gestures toward the two floaters ahead...

Jones gives Denick a look and tries hard not to laugh. Just for the record though, she turns the camera to record his expression over the rats. Before getting record of the rats of course..

Teel carefully wades, dodging rats as much as possible, and gulping again when the new bodies come into view.

Denick looks him in the eye, and nods.

Acran slaps a rat away as it attempts to bite through both his radiation suit and his exoskeleton.

Slaan skims the bodies with his eyes and returns to scanning, not breaking formation unless ordered.

Melchior arrives from Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Melchior has arrived.

Snowshadow trudges through the water next to his sister, keeping his rifle high enough to avoid getting wet. Oddly, the rats seem to be giving the two Demarians wide berth.

Cubana continues walking through the hip deep water, rifle at her side and at the ready, "Get those rats out of the way...can't let them bite therough the suits."

Allen says, "We must be under the Potomac...or what was the Potomac. If that bomb was this powerful, it probably threw that river all over creation."

Deering sloshes about in the waterm keeping her rifle above the waterlione, her 5 foot nothing frame pushing through the water with some effort.

Newt watches as the rats swim about him.... freaky.

Namura looks at The Mystic with an angry look.

Cubana reaches the other end of the water source and looks in Deerings directoin, "Lets see what this turns into shall we...one..two....three." she says heading southwest.

Cubana heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Cubana has left.

Teel keeps her pistol out of the water as she wades.

Slaan easily moves through the water that does not even reach past his thighs.

Yama heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Yama has left.

Slaan heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Slaan has left.

Denick batts at any rats that come near him, and tries to give them the impression to bugger off.

Deering heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Deering has left.

Allen heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Allen has left.

Teel heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Teel has left.

Snowshadow heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Snowshadow has left.

Messer trudges along.

Messer heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Messer has left.

Denick heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Denick has left.

Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>

Acran heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Acran has left.

Poe heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Poe has left.

Namura looks at Melchior, "Follow me sir.."

Melchior makes his way back finally

You head into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>

The water is at chest level on an average human - or about five feet deep - in this tunnel segment. Huge slabs in the ceiling appear to have buckled and seem balanced precariously on a web of pipes and conduits, with water from the river above spilling in like some kind of bizarre waterfall sculpture. The mass transit tunnel continues to the southwest, but becomes totally submerged underwater. A pile of concrete rubble leads up to the west.

Namura arrives from Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Namura has arrived.

LeBeau arrives from Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

LeBeau has arrived.

Cubana raises her rifle so that it is above her head, "Make sure you keep your weapons dry...we dont' want any problems."

Melchior arrives from Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Melchior has arrived.

Slaan begins to be slowed a bit as the water finally reaches above his waist.

Allen says, "Nowhere to go but up."

A fourth body clad in a radiation suit floats here.

Cubana says, "Someone grab the kid and take him above water.""

Slaan scans a glance to any puny humans that might not be wading so well.

Yama holds his gun at head level as he makes for the ladder..

Jones swears quietly. Being only 5'3 to start with, this isn't fun..

Melchior nods, getting ahold of Newt and trying to hold him up above the water

Deering stands back, stopped with the water at her neck line, gun above her head. "General.."

Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>

Slaan is quite easily able to keep his gun level as the water is just past his waist.

Namura places his rifle and medkit on his head.

Cubana says, "Keep in formation...swim if you have to."

Messer mutters under his breath, and looks over at Teel. "You okay?" he asks quietly.

Allen says, "4 for 4 so far. This legion seems to not like to clean up after itself."

Poe reaches over to Jones, offering sillently to carry her camera.

Acran scuttles sideways down the wall, taking hold of newt from Melchior and pulling him back up to the ceiling with him.

LeBeau hoist his shoulder holster from his body holding his rifle and pistol above his head

Snowshadow is about half swimming, despite the water only being up to his chest. Just makes it easier to move.

Denick says to slaan, "Give the lt. a hand."

Newt arrives from Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Newt has arrived.

Teel holds her head up as high as possible and raises both her arms to stay up. She's on the short side as well.

Melchior nods to Acran, trying his best to get through the water

Deering slings the rifle over her shoulder and onto her back, leaning forward to start to swim.

Acran pulls Newt up the wall with him, since the water will be above his head.

Denick holds his gun above his head, and begins wading through.

Cubana asks, "Anone can't swim?"

Yama begins to push off on his feet towards the far end.

Slaan looks at Denick, but maintains formation.

Melchior looks at Teel and tries to get beside her, then he puts his arm around her offering silently to help her get through

Jones looks momentarily torn. She reluctantly hands over the camera and tightens her jaw.

Newt gives Acran a thumbs up.

Poe says, "I can't swim. But I've got over a foot left above water, so I'm good."

Teel looks up at Melchior and nods to the offer.

Poe takes Jones' camera gently, holding it above his head.

Cubana reaches the rubble and begins climbing aboard, "Second point team stay on the rubble nad help others up.

Melchior holds her as close as he can as he wades through the water, his strength wavering slightly however, almost falling a couple of times

LeBeau slides off to one side of the tunnel hopeing to get another few inches of rooms from the water

The water is flowing from behind you toward the southwest, and rippling against the wall

Yama says, "Who let Captain Chuckles back down?"

Slaan stays toward the bottom of the rubble and assists any that request it.

Namura wades over to Melchior offering assistance.

Deering swims over towards Cubana and carefully climbs up on the concrete, unslinging her rifle. "Watch your suits.."

Messer nods in the afsirmative, pushing his way through the water to the debris. He props up against a slab of concrete, slinging his rifle to free his hands.

Denick says over the comm, "Mr. Melchior, see if you can sense anything around us..."

Yama grits his teeth as he sets the rifle down on the concrete, hoisting himself up on the perilous rocks.

Melchior nods

Cubana speaks intot he headset, "Good point, make sure you don't tear the suits ont he ruffle. Belay my earlier order, rear team remain ont he rocks to help the others up."

Melchior says, "Nothing yet"

Denick slings his rifle onto the 'shore' and struggles, pulling himself up.

Yama he quickly pries his pistol out of it's thick webbing, inspecting it briefly before returning it to his position to assist others.

Slaan nods and easily ascends, turning to

Poe climbs up, holds the camera in one arm and reaches to help Jones out.

Melchior then stops at the rubble, looking to Teel

Slaan nods and easily ascends, turning to "hand up" others behind him.

Cubana looks twoards denick slinging th rifle to the ready position before nodding upwards.

Teel finally, with Melchior's help, makes it to the ladder, and hoists herself up.

Snowshadow mutters something about 'too easy' to himself.

Namura helps Melchior up

Jones takes the help offered and gets out of the water.

Melchior nods to Namura, climbing up carefully then offering Namura a hand

Cubana motions between them "1...2....3." silently then speaks into the comm, "Team follow as you can."

Cubana heads into Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Cubana has left.

Messer sighs and shrugs, grabbing an edge of concrete, kicking, pulling, and scrambling to pull himself out.

Slaan hauls Jones up bodily, nodding.

Allen heads into Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Allen has left.

Deering heads into Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Deering has left.

Denick offers a hand to messer.

Poe hands Jones her camera and smiles reassuringly at her.

Namura jumps up to the surface rocks, climbing up carefully.

Acran heads into Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Acran has left.

LeBeau wokrs his way to the front of the group by way of the side of the tunnel and hoisting himself up on the concrete after putting his weapons on dry land

Melchior helps Namura up then heads up

Slaan sets Jones down carefully.

Snowshadow climbs, rather less than elegantly, but it gets the job done.

Namura says, "ARe you okay Mystic?"

Snowshadow heads into Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Snowshadow has left.

Messer shakes his head slightly at Denick, bringing his rifle around again. "Thanks," he mutters, following the rest out.

Teel heads into Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Teel has left.

Denick nods, and climbs up.

Denick heads into Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Denick has left.

Messer has left.

Melchior says, "I think I got it bandaged enough to stop the bleeding....plus I switched suits"

Yama says, "That it?Good."

Jones blinks, takes the camera and nods thanks to Slaan and Poe both.

Melchior says, "But I should be alright."

Yama grabs his pistol and returns.

Slaan nods and motions to head up.

Yama heads into Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Yama has left.

LeBeau straps his shoulder holster back on and turns to help anyone else still waiding in the wate

Slaan takes rear-guard.

Namura nods.."at least youre sensible, sort of..."

Melchior says, "Thanks, I think"

Melchior grins

Poe waits for Jones to gather herself before he starts heading up.

Melchior says, "Let's go on up"

Melchior heads into Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Melchior has left.

Namura nods

Namura heads into Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Namura has left.

You head into Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>

A long platform strewn with debris and skeletal remains. A rockfall composed of concrete chunks leads down into the Metro tunnel. A broken escalator leads up.

Poe arrives from Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Poe has arrived.

Allen takes Badge.

Cubana asks,"Whats that badge you found?"

LeBeau arrives from Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

LeBeau has arrived.

Allen says, "It says Fulton Hight on it..I recall the name. I saw him in the med bay when they had me hooked up to all those tests.."

Cubana crackles, "Alright, eep in your teams of two to cross that bridge up there.."

Slaan arrives from Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Slaan has arrived.

Cubana acknowledges, "Yeah thats him..didn't know he had a badge."

A heat-scarred metal sign that reads: DC METRO - PENTAGON

Yama nods. "We'll go first. Right LeBeau?"

Melchior scans for life up above

Allen says, "Well guess what."

Slaan heads up, herding behind the stragglers.

Cubana holds her position tothe lft of the door scanning for hostiles.

Acran puts Newt down when he reaches the top.

Melchior says, "Wait let me scan first.."

Cubana shakes her head, "neagtive Mr. yama. You have the rear for a reasn."

Yama pats LeBeau heartily on the pack as he proceeds.

Namura wonders if he even has a partner..

Newt arrives from Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Newt has arrived.

Yama shrugs. "Kookboy can 'scan' the rear for us.

Slaan moves back into position proximal to Denick.

Melchior says, "Wait"

Melchior says, "Something is below us"

Deering watches the right side, the comm chatter in her ear starting to annoy her.

Melchior steps from the ladder quickly

Messer looks over to his partner. "Come..." he starts, but then looks down. "What?"

Poe frowns at the mention of Hight's name. "Stupid old man..." he almost whispers

Teel follows Messer's gaze.

Melchior whispers into his comm, "Below us and beneath the building we are near.."

Cubana glances back then nods, "Alright, people at the rear, hold this position..the first half of the team will proceed to the bridge and then give you cover as you head to join us."

Slaan nods and continues his job as rear-guard.

Allen says, "Well, I'll say one thing, the government stiffs didn't have to worry about that nuke reactor they had down here going off."

Cubana says, "On three.."

Allen readies his weapon.

Messer looks back up, shaking his weapon dry-ish and readying it.

Cubana calls, "one...two...three." and with that begins running toards the bridge, making sure deering stays to her right and her weapon remains at the ready, "First half, Double time it lets go."

Allen heads into Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Allen has left.

Denick checks his rifle, then swings around into rearguard posistion.

Snowshadow heads into Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Snowshadow has left.

Deering picks up off into a run and hurries up in behind Cubana.

Acran stays to the rear, his right arm swinging in a wide arc.

Messer trots after the first group, where ever they may be going.

Snowshadow arrives from Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Snowshadow has arrived.

Slaan stays in rear-guard, actually heeding orders.

Poe waits behind with the second half.

Namura looks around readying himself.

Teel rushes on next to Messer, in her listed order.

Teel heads into Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Teel has left.

Jones leans against a nearby wall, taking the weight off for a moment..

Teel arrives from Metro Tunnel <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Teel has arrived.

Cubana stops, crouching to the ground as she reaches the stairs and gets into a position to provide cover fire.

Melchior says, "Am I needed here or shall I head up?"

Namura says, "stay with us."

Namura says, "I think."

Cubana says, ""Alright..second half on my command. 1...2....3.""

Allen arrives from Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Allen has arrived.

Melchior nods

Deering takes the otherside and watches the top of the escalator. Not the bridge.

Slaan breaks and runs on 3 toward Cubana's position, staying in synch with Denick.

Messer crouches, peering up the escalator.

Yama mutters to himself. "The only place that could use you is a morgue."

Acran clambers up escalator.

Melchior rushes as well with newt beside him towards the group

Cubana callson the headset "As you reach your position duck and prepare to provide cover.

Denick starts running as well, and takes up his new position.

Jones moves on three...

Acran comes to a stop at the top, glancing back down the stairs, providing cover for the others coming up.

Melchior says, "Come on Newt"

LeBeau works his way into postion while he waits for the lead group to secure the stairs

Namura stays near Melchior and Newt

Denick shakes his head, "I have got a bad feeling about this..."

Teel crunches her way up the stairs next to Messer, glancing about, pistol ready.

Melchior says, "As do I..."

Namura hehs at the remark.

A heat-scarred metal sign that reads: DC METRO - PENTAGON

Cubana spots everyone and stands, "Alright..People at the rear watch your position first half head up the stairs then provide cover forthe others."

Cubana says, "On the count of three.."

Cubana says, "1...2..."

Cubana says, "3.."

Allen heads into Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Allen has left.

Messer charges up the escalator.

Messer heads into Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Messer has left.

Teel heads into Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Teel has left.

Slaan keeps his eyes peeled during the leap-frog maneuver

And with that Cubana stands heading up the stairs at a steady run, wrepon at the ready.

Cubana heads into Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Cubana has left.

Snowshadow has left.

Snowmist takes Snowshadow.

Deering heads into Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Deering has left.

Acran watches the hole below, his upper right arm pointed at it.

Slaan follows Acran's gesture...

Yama says, "Right then. Let's follow."

Denick looks at melchior, "When we run into the legion, don't try diplomacy, it obviously didn't work for Hight and the Marines.

LeBeau takes his postion at the bottom of the staris "Alrigh, stard heading up

Melchior looks between the two then nods to Yama

Melchior says, "I fully understand"

Yama heads into Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Yama has left.

Melchior heads into Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Melchior has left.

Denick heads into Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Denick has left.

Slaan turns and heads up.

Slaan heads into Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Slaan has left.

Namura says, "Ready or not...here we come.."

You head into Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Corridor Alpha - Level 1

A wide corridor with wood-paneled concrete walls that appear to have survived the apocalyptic destruction of Washington, D.C., intact. Pale green auxiliary lamps offer sickly illumination of the hallway.

Poe arrives from Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Poe has arrived.

Namura arrives from Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Namura has arrived.

Snowmist arrives from Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Snowmist has arrived.

Deering takes up position to the right of Cubana and watches her side.

Acran arrives from Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Acran has arrived.

LeBeau arrives from Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

LeBeau has arrived.

Newt arrives from Metro Terminal <Washington D.C.: Earth>.

Newt has arrived.

Slaan moves up, watching the rear.

Denick comes in, swinging his rifle to cover the entire cooridor.

Cubana asks, "We all here."

Acran comes into the corridor, facing backwards. He quickly resumes his position on the ceiling, less crowded up there.

Yama taps his com, looking about in frustration.

LeBeau looks back towards the escolator "Yeah, we all made id

Cubana crackles, "Form back up into your positions and fan out."

Slaan checks his pace with Denick and keeps moving.

Melchior looks to his partners, Newt and Namura, then waits to see how they move and follows

Cubana reaches the doorway to the next room and motions, "1...2....3." before dissapearing into the doorway.

Cubana heads into Corridor Beta - Level 1.

Cubana has left.

A fluid-moving reptilian shape leaps down from overhead.

LeBeau hangs towards the rear and continueing to look down the stairs and looking for any followers

Deering heads into Corridor Beta - Level 1.

Deering has left.

Denick does his best to keep up with the Zangali.

Yama jams hiself back into the the wall, trying to stablize himself as he fires at the form.

Messer starts to head forward, but his attention snaps up. "What the...?!" he exclaims, flattening against the wall.

The hissing creature blocks the doorway. It stands about eight feet high, and seems to resemble a cross between a Zangali and a Nall...

Newt turns around fast to face it, pointing his gun at it, "OI!"

Slaan doesn't hesitate, but opens fire on the creature.

Denick snaps his rifle up, and holds the trigger down, shooting for the heart area.

Messer snaps his rifle towards the figure, squeezing the trigger.

Melchior blinks, closing his eyes and then trying to hit with a psionic strike

Cubana arrives from Corridor Beta - Level 1.

Cubana has arrived.

Poe drops down and pulls Jones with him.

LeBeau powers up his weapon as the large creature drops down in the front of the group but can't get a clear shot from her

Acran's head snaps towards the reptilian, his arm following. He hisses as the creature seems very reminicent of a Nall.

Cubana steps back into the room, heading once again to the left of the door.

Deering arrives from Corridor Beta - Level 1.

Deering has arrived.

Jones yelps as she is pulled down.

Cubana crouches, keeping her wapon trained on the lizard waiting for a clear shot, "Fan out and find cover! Whoever has a clear shot can take it."

The blast from Slaan's weapon strikes the giant reptiloid in the left arm. The blast richochets and just misses Denick's shoulder.

Deering kneels on a knee, getting ready for a shot as her eyes go wide.

Teel's gun snaps down, but she keeps from firing so as to not hit Messer by mistake.

Allen says, "Now that's armor.."

Snowmist pulls back with her brother, their weapons aimed, waiting for a clear shot.

Namura scans in case of further attack or injury.

Denick curses, ducking down, praying that his radsuit wasn't torn.

The blast from Denick's gun strikes the creature in the chest. The beam richochets back at Denick and zooms over his head.

Cubana speaks intot he headset, "Medics keep your eyes opened for casualties."

LeBeau drops to one knee and takes cover behind the looping hand railning of the escaltor for what ever coverage it might provide

Denick curses even louder.

Snowmist growls. "Stop aiming at the armor! You'll fry us before you fry it!"

Namura nods

Deering takes some time to follow the creatures head, keeping her aim at the creatures eyes, a little exra care on this one.

Melchior says into the comm, "It may be that only the Psi's can attack it mentally...if so then let me and newt handle it while you provide cover...sound like a plan Hernandez?"

Allen says, "Let's try something a little less energy based..."

Poe moves so that he's between Jones and the lizard, though still making sure she has a shot with her camera

The blast from Messer's gun strikes the creature in the chest. Once more, rather than being fazed at all, the reptiloid's steely, pebbly flesh reflects the weapon. The blast richochets and hits the floor near Newt.

Allen says, "Let's see what it does with a little hot lead."

Cubana finds little coverage in this hallway and remains where she is, "You can attempt a psi attack but firing will continue."

Namura says, "You okay kid?"

Jones winces as all shots are fired and all the voices are going in such quick succession.

Newt jumps away from that, "HEY! Will you stop shooting that thing?"

The creature steps closer to Melchior as the Mystic begins his psionic attack.

Denick curses, "We can't risk killing each other!"

Cubana hears Allen, "hold you fire and let the man take a shot, psionics feel fre to give it a shot."

Melchior doesn't stand down, still following through with the strike

Messer aiees, cringing. "Good God."

The giant reptiloid seems to tilt his head, peering curiously at the humanoid and narrowing his silvery eyes which look like they have the consistency of large metal ball bearings.

Slaan drops to a knee and levels his weapon at the creature's mouth, squeezing off another volley with careful precision.

Allen pokes out from behind his hiding place, and fires a good long burst into the creature, before ducking back.

Denick sees the monster aproaching the mystic, and his eyes glaze over, as he tries to lash out mentally as well.

LeBeau calls into his comm as he ducks behing the railing "Dis energy ting esno working, if dare es anyone wit a slug trower o can trow a knife day should try

Cubana keep your positions and hold your fire with the exception of Mr. Allen.

Cubana adds, "Aim at his eyes.."

Poe mutters, "I bet it doesn't have a mind to attack."

Yama weighs the odds, and pulls out a concussion grenade.

Melchior shrieks in pain and collapses

"NEWT!" Teel holds her position, but looks over at Newt to make sure that he is okay.

Slaan is aiming for the mouth...

Namura turns to Melchior."The hell?"

Denick shouts to Yama, "Don't! You'll fry us all."

Allen says, "Put that thing away you bell-brained idiot!!!"

Melchior tries to crawl away, his body twitching spasmodically beyond his control

Poe pulls his knife. "If guns don't hurt perhaps a knife will." He shifts his legs to prepare to jump at it.

Cubana turns at Denick's shout and spots Yama, "Hold your fire, Mr. Yama!"

The bullets from Allen's gun strike the reptiloid's chest and dent the flesh. He takes a step back, then loses his concentration on Melchior - releasing the Mystic from the pain hold - and then moves toward Allen.

The bullets dent the flesh. And stay there.

Yama continues to hold the grenade. "I'm holding it. Not using it. Yet."

Allen says, "Oh s***..I've got it's attention folks...."

Snowmist nods to Poe, pulling out her own knife. "Mind if I join you?"

Jones remains where she was pulled down, camera focused.

Cubana calls, "Keep firing Mr. Allen, don't stpo until its down."

Denick says, "Alternate attacks, keep distracting it!"

Allen says, "You don't have to tell me twice!"

Namura keeps Melchior somewhat still and says,when Melchior stops shaking "What the.."the damn thing's psionic?!"

Melchior gasps and rises, hitting the first bullet with a telekinetic strike to drive it deeper

Deering still holds her shot.

Allen pokes back out and lays into it with another burst of lead.

Cubana keeps calling commands into the headsets, "Hold all pulse fire, medics care for the casualties.

Slaan maintains his aim, holding his fire as ordered.

Yama seeing the situation, Yama hoists his pulse rifle in the other hand, and peers into the next room.

Poe nods to snowmist, "Wait until Allan stops firing."

Cubana adds, "Those with pulse weapons monitor the doorways and give the others cover."

Melchior fails to affect the bullets going in - he does, however, manage to pull one out. It plunks on the floor as the creature gets within a few feeet of Allen.

Allen thinks fast..

Newt looks down and around the monster.

Messer tries to flatten up against the wall as much as possible, training his weapon beyond the creature.

Allen says, "While I have it's attention, see if you can get away. I'll hold it off..."

LeBeau pokes around the portective railing he is using and draws a bead on the creatures' eyes but doesn't fire. Only uses the time to get the best aim for a shot her can

Melchior says, "I'll stay with Allen"

Melchior says, "The rest of you go on ahead!"

Snowmist crouches, readying for the leap, holding her knife low and to the side.

Yama motions hurriedly to Teel and Messer.

Slaan ignores non-Cubana orders and sweeps for more hostiles.

Cubana without hesitating calls, "Everyone armed only with pulse weapons ahead intot he other room."

Namura says, "Are you ok mystic?"

Yama heads into Corridor Beta - Level 1.

Yama has left.

Poe waves to snowmist. "Go for it's back while it's heading towards allan." He holds up his fingers 1-2-3

Allen says, "Come on you overgrown gecko, come on. I have a lead sandwhich for you, heavy on the sauce!"

Cubana says, "Medics get the wounded to the other room, those of you with knives stay here."

Melchior tries yet another telekinetic strike on its foot, aiming to knock it over

Slaan nods once and heads toward the next room, as ordered.

Deering gets up off her knee and runs for the next room.

Melchior says, "Yes I am fine....just a little shaken"

Snowmist pads around into position.

Messer glances over at Teel, and charges for the next room, hollering, "Come on!"

Namura moves to the other room.

Namura heads into Corridor Beta - Level 1.

Namura has left.

Cubana adds seeing the glazed look starting, "No more psionics with this thing, thats an order!"

Messer heads into Corridor Beta - Level 1.

Messer has left.

Poe tries to run around the back and jumps, attempting to slam the knife into its head.

Slaan says into comm as he goes, "Ssir, permisssion to engage the hossstile hand to hand?"

Teel hesistates, but then runs after Messer.

Denick pulls the knife from its duct tape holding, and begins sneaking behind it.

Teel heads into Corridor Beta - Level 1.

Teel has left.

Namura arrives from Corridor Beta - Level 1.

Namura has arrived.

The reptiloid takes the shots from Allen in stride, then extends the claws from its 20 fingered hands and prepares to bring those hands toward Allen's skull, as if clapping cymbals

Snowmist immediately rushes forward from the opposite side as soon as she sees Poe make his attack.

Melchior ignores it, already into the attack and then he launches it

Cubana yells, "Duck and roll Allen, duck and roll!"

Melchior's psionic attack failed.

Deering gets near the entrance to the next room, looking back for Cubana and doing what she can to cover her advance, which seems to be nothing.

Slaan crackles into the comm, "I'm the sstrongesst here ssir, perhapss I can divert it."

Allen prepares to duck the hands, and holding the rifle in one hand, pulls his .357

Allen doesn't move fast enough.

Jones struggles to her feet, apparently being pulled down didn't do her an incredible lot of good, even if it might have saved her life. She backs away towards the door as ordered, but her focus is on the combat.

Namura walks towards Melchior, "come on!.."

Allen says, "That's it lardo, show me your eyes.."

Cubana keeps the weapon trained on the group, her back to the door.

LeBeau crawls out from behind the railing and slides along the wall towards the oppisate door keeping an aim on the creature as its distracted

Denick leaps, aiming to land on its tail ready to swing the knife into its eyes when it turns.

Deering yells through the comm, "Dont be heroes! Come on!"

Melchior nods to Namura and heads into the room

Allen screams in pain as the monster grabs his head.

The creature clamps its claws tight on Allen's head and leans in toward him, staring into the human's eyes with his own dead silver eyes and hisses, "Here are my eyes...let me have yours."

Melchior heads into Corridor Beta - Level 1.

Melchior has left.

The reptiloid squeezes, tearing the fabric of the radiation suit.

LeBeau graps Jones as he passes by her "No us en yu staying here, leds go"

Cubana yells into the headset, "Negative, you have no claws, goddamit someone with a knife take out its eyes!"

Slaan nods and moves into the next room.

Melchior arrives from Corridor Beta - Level 1.

Melchior has arrived.

Slaan heads into Corridor Beta - Level 1.

Slaan has left.

Poe is next in line

Jones protests, "But....!" She is however, grabbed..

Deering watches the people run past her, standing near the exit.

Melchior says, "Newt! Come on damn it!"

Snowmist grits her teeth and swings at its face as soon as she's in range.

Cubana pulls a completly black blade from her pocket.

Cubana pauses for just a oment, "Retreta! Retreat!"

Allen begins kicking as the monster lifts him off the ground...

Denick leaps, aiming to land on its tail, ready to swing the knife into its eyes when it turns.

Namura arrives from Corridor Beta - Level 1.

Namura has arrived.

LeBeau half drags Jones to the other door way and pushes her thru as he takes up a defensive postion in the door way "Gedn en dare an keep yer head down"

Melchior runs over towards Newt, then grabs for his arm and tries to pull him on to the next room

You head into Corridor Beta - Level 1.

Corridor Beta - Level 1

A wide corridor with wood-paneled concrete walls that appear to have survived the apocalyptic destruction of Washington, D.C., intact. Pale green auxiliary lamps offer sickly illumination of the hallway.

Jones is pushed through the door, and ends up falling hard on her backside.

Teel says, "Newt?"

Messer sighs. "We can keep moving while the rest are occupied."

Slaan is scanning the area, his dewlap flaring under his rad suit uncomfortably.

Yama stares at Slaan. "We need to make sure we don't all get cacked. Which will happen next if they do."

Teel says, "What about Newt?"

Namura arrives from Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Namura has arrived.

Slaan says, "Ordersss where to move to the next room and hold possition."

Jones stands up, "No. They are coming. Allen is.." She breaks off. "Gods..." She turns, pulling the camera down. "We stay here."

Namura says, "Damn...watch out."

Messer turns, looking back in the direction of the conflict. "We can get on with the mission."

Poe arrives from Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Poe has arrived.

Yama says, "Expendable?"

Slaan signals for a quiet to the chatter as he scans.

Snowmist arrives from Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Snowmist has arrived.

LeBeau arrives from Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

LeBeau has arrived.

Melchior arrives from Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Melchior has arrived.

Slaan looks to Lebeau, "Sstatuss?"

Newt arrives from Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Newt has arrived.

Denick arrives from Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Denick has arrived.

Poe runs in pulling snowmist. He holds a hilt of a knife, the blade broken off.

Namura sighs.."You okay Mystic? Kid?"

Jones turns and gives Yama a cold look, before looking back to the others as they come in.

Denick gasps, as he stumbles in, "Damn..

Cubana arrives from Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Cubana has arrived.

Melchior hurries in pulling Newt by the arm, clutching both of allen's weapons in his hand

Newt runs on in from the other room.

Slaan is holding position, as ordered.

Snowmist pants, nodding to Poe, and showing her own shattered weapon. "Damn, wouldn't you like to have armor made of that thing's hide..."

Teel looks anxiously around, then rushes to Newt. "Are you okay?"

Deering arrives from Corridor Alpha - Level 1.

Deering has arrived.

Melchior says, "I got the solid weapons that Allen had...just in case"

Melchior says, "He's ok Teel."

LeBeau looks to Slann "Dat Allen guy es dead, las I say he was taking oud a grenade to deal wit da creature

Yama says, "Assuming that deals with it."

Denick gimme one more go at that thing with a lead pipe...

Poe looks at Denick. "Where's the damn duct tape?"

Slaan nods once to LeBeau and keeps his position, looking for more.

Messer curses. "We better keep moving."

Cubana comes through the doorway and ducks to the left instinctively, her back to the wall, "Away form the doorway, NOW!" she says into the headset

Denick says, "The docs go it."

Newt looks up at Teel and nods before looking back at the other room.

Deering comes running along, "Allen's dead. Lets go!"

Denick dives for cover.

Slaan is out of the way, but finds some cover quickly.

Yama skippers towards the far doorway.

Poe dives away from the door.

Messer crouches down against the wall.

Melchior grabs Newt and ducks for cover asap

Snowmist doesn't hesitate but throws herself down.

Cubana screams into the headset, "Dammit, hold your positions, if we go running they'll pull us off one by one, get away fromt he door and cover yourselves."

An explosion thunders down the corridor.

LeBeau throws himself against the wall

Melchior gets Teel with the other arm as well, pulling her down too

"Oh, crap." Teel dives for cover.

Namura dives back

Cubana seems to have expected it prepared when it comes.

Deering moves over by Cubana as she tries to get out of the way, breathing heavily with the energy expenditure and adrenalin.

Slaan looks to have braced for impact and gotten cover, what with LeBeau's report and all.

Yama clutches his weapons, his rifle digging into his pack. "Splendid. When did plurals enter the equation?"

Cubana reholsters the knife and grabs the rifle, unslinging it from her back and to the ready position, "Form up again..." she says heading towards the front of the group, her breath a bit broken.

Poe says, "Namura, Denick is hurt I beleive."

Denick sighs, and says quitely, "In pax dorme.."

Melchior scans to see if the thing is dead

Namura stands, shaken and nods.

Cubana says, "Medics estimate casualties and report you've gotless then a minute, move it.""

Melchior rises and helps Teel up, then Newt

Namura looks at Denick.."You okay?"

Denick says, "I'm fine.."

Namura says, "You sure?"

Melchior says, "Uh-oh"

Denick says, "Bastard slammed me against the wall with its tail.."

Slaan takes position, watching as if their lives depended on it. Oh wait...

Melchior says, "Wait"

Cubana speaks intot he headset, "If everyones alright, lets form up and kepe moving, ca't stand still for too long."

Jones turns to watch the doorway they just came through, then slowly pulls the camera back up into ready positioning.

Messer looks over at Teel and, seeing that she's alive, pulls himself up, readying his weapon again.

Melchior says, "It is not dead"

Namura gulps at the uh-oh

Melchior says, "It is just unconcious it would seem"

Messer looks back. "Whadda ya mean it's NOT DEAD?!"

Melchior says, "It may be dead.."

Cubana turns as Melchior speaks, "Lebeau throw another grenade in there." she orders.

Yama says, "Splendid. As I pointed out several minutes ago, let's move."

Snowmist shakes her head, ears ringing, and nervously joins the others, clutching her remaining weapon.

Melchior says, "But after what I saw it should be dead"

Cubana says, "Lets remove all doubt."

Denick say "I say we go in there, and emply a cupla slugthrower rounds in through its eyes..."

Melchior says, "Exactly"

Cubana says, "Negative. Pipe down and maintain Comm silence."

Cubana says, "Mr. Lebeau expend a grenadeplease..the rest of you form up, we'removing forward."

Yama looks past the doorframe into the next room, scanning for signs of activity.

Melchior nods

Denick says, "Ma'am, we can't have it coming up behind us and grabbing someone..""

Melchior says, "Teel you ok?"

Melchior says, "And you Newt?"

Namura looks around quickly for any visible casualties.

Cubana speaks into the headset, "I said. Maintain comm silence, no discussion. Lebeau, take care of it and lets move."

Looking back, you would see the reptiloid laying flat on its back - and Allen lying their, looking quite still.

Slaan maintains his semi-rearguard position, focusing to block out the chatter.

Deering stays close to Cubana.

Cubana stands at the front next to Dereng, thegroup formed back up into their original formaiton.

Melchior looks between the two

Yama is looking forward.

Teel nods. "I'm cool." She sighs, trotting over to Messer.

Newt just nods, keeping comm silence.

LeBeau nods and walks to the door way pulling out one of his grenades. He pulls off the safety and looks thru the doorway to judge the distance to the body and then rolls the greande towards it then throws himself back against the wall

Cubana if anythign seems more focused then before, "One..two..lets move."

WHAP! Another thunderclap and a flash as the blast goes off.

Yama waits until Slaan has passed, and lifts himself from the door.

Melchior gulps, pressing himself and newt to the wall

Denick asks melchior after the blast, "Is it dead?"

Melchior scans again

Cubana calls, "We'll scan form a distance, move."

Poe looks over Jones silently to see if she is alright.

Cubana heads into Corridor Gamma - Level 1.

Cubana has left.

Slaan heads into Corridor Gamma - Level 1.

Slaan has left.

Deering keeps pace with Cubana, wherever she goes.

Namura stays near Mel and continues scanning.

Deering heads into Corridor Gamma - Level 1.

Deering has left.

Yama heads into Corridor Gamma - Level 1.

Yama has left.

Melchior pulls Newt along

Melchior heads into Corridor Gamma - Level 1.

Melchior has left.

Namura says, "Great"

Messer starts to walk, but throws himself against the wall. "Jeez, some warning, please," he grumbles.

Namura heads into Corridor Gamma - Level 1.

Namura has left.

Teel heads into Corridor Gamma - Level 1.

Teel has left.

Denick curses, and heads along.

Messer plods along.

Messer heads into Corridor Gamma - Level 1.

Messer has left.

Denick heads into Corridor Gamma - Level 1.

Denick has left.

Snowmist sighs and takes her brother's hand, needing the contact as they head after the others.

Snowmist heads into Corridor Gamma - Level 1.

Snowmist has left.

You head into Corridor Gamma - Level 1.

Continued in From the Ashes of the Phoenix, Part III