Patchwork Universe

liason

[Liason, Lieutenant Stafford, Hay and Rodgers enter the patch from the North, HMS Justice]

Stopping just outside the mist, Liason turned to his three new companions.

"Before we proceed, there is much I must tell you. But first, let me offer my thanks. I know that you do this not out of sworn duty but as volunteers. I will not forget this and consider myself in your debt."

Liason then pointed to various things visible from their distant position.

"There and there are the Foundry's gun towers. These are much like the cannon on HMS Justice. They will not fire upon us on our way in, but beware of them as you leave if our mission has not wholly succeeded."

"The stairs you see lead to the main gate, but we will not enter that way. I have keys to the NorthWest tower and we will enter there. If you must later leave without me, the main gate in the only portal which will be open to you."

"Our mission is simple, but will be difficult. At the heart of the Foundry is a chamber known as the Primary Workshop. If I can reach that place and communicate with the beings there, there is a good chance I can reverse the troubles which have begun here."

"The moving shapes you see in the wilderness are salvage mobs. You should treat them as dangerous enemies. If they catch you, they will harm and probably kill you."

"A word about the inhabitants of the Foundry. Despite appearances, none of them are men. When shot with pistols or cut with swords they will be hurt, but not always in the same way as men. For example, just because a guard loses his eye to a sword cut, it does not follow that he will be felled or even slowed."

"Also, every being within the Foundry can share what it knows with others. If one guard sees you then all know your location. Beware of this."

"Fortunately, we have two factors in our favour. First, we attack by surprise. We will likely be deep into the Foundry by the time it suspects anything. Second, the Foundry's servants are not quick witted or imaginative. They can easily be tricked and are slow to respond to the unexpected."

"A final word of advice. Should you find yourselves in combat when I am not at your side, do not form a defensive position. You will be overwhelmed easily. Flee with speed and if possible employ concealment and subterfuge."

Liason seemed to consider speaking further, but decided against it.

"Very well, let us proceed."

The group began to move at a brisk walk towards the tower.

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 186 Location: HMS Justice

Hay and Rodgers had secured the boat with rope, leaving it ready to serve as a means of escape should the mission go sour. Weapons at the ready, they now followed behind Lieutenant Stafford and the Ambassador as the small party trooped towards the Foundry, keeping a weather eye out for the gun towers as they did so.

Keeping his voice low, Stafford sought to clarify a few points of strategy before they entered. "I assume, sir, that we will be attempting to use the element of surprise as far as possible - therefore, is there anything we should know that would deceive our opponents as to our true nature, or otherwise mask our presence? Once we have entered, we will of course follow your lead, but I gather that the more inventive we can be in our fighting style the better. " The Lieutenant snuck another glance at Liason as they walked, trying to determine from his manner how serious the situation was likely to be. Superior numbers, of course, but the crew of the Justice had faced that before. It was the inhuman (unhuman?) nature of their opponents that concerned him. Oh well, undead zombie pirates, living automatons, it was likely much of a muchness. "Also, I must ask, should the mission fail, what would you advise as the best course for a safe retreat? You mentioned, Mr. L'Iason, that the main entrance would be our only option for an exit and I wonder how we might best get there. Should we be brought by the lee, I would prefer to get Hay and Rodgers to safety if at all possible."

liason · Posted: Thu May 06, 2004 12:12 pm Post subject:

At close quarters, the tower seemed suddenly huge. Built entirely from blocks of dark grey stone and streaked with trails of verdigris from the line of corroded brass rungs running up the side, the building seemed very old. The door to which Liason led the group was almost invisible from a distance. It was little more than a hatch of black-painted metal set into the wall.

One by one they climbed through into darkness. Liason lit a small lantern he took from a hook on the wall and then located and lit two more which he passed to Stafford and Hay.

"Discard them when you need to - there are plenty more to be found here."

The room was cluttered with a curious variety of junk. Most of it appeared to be bamboo racks with a large number of tiny animal pelts arrayed on them.

The group didn't stay long. Leaving the chamber they began to move along the dark corridors of the Foundry. The place was somewhat mazelike, with numerous very short flights of stairs. Liason descended these at every opportunity and soon they were some way below ground level.

The corridors through which they moved were nothing like the customer areas at the other end of the Foundry. They were narrow and dark, with ropes, pipes and chains hanging from the ceiling. Small, dark shapes like rats ran along the ground from time to time, some of them emitting beeps, hisses or breif flashes of blue light as they moved.

Finally the group arrived at a large cage elevator. Liason slid back the gate and entered.

"Prepare yourselves," he looked to each of the men in turn, "When we pass below the storage cell cluster and into the workshop level we will be unwelcome intruders."

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 186 Location: HMS Justice

Hay and Rodgers shared a look, and then nodded, one resting a hand on his cutlass, and the other making sure his powder was primed. This Foundry seemed a bit dark and intimidating, but it was certainly no worse than a French fortress, or a prison hulk. Besides, it was a bit of adventure, wasn't it?

Likewise, Lieutenant Stafford had a hand rested on his pomel, ready to draw his sword the moment they stepped off the platform. In his mind, he reviewed his earlier escape from the dungeons of the Foundry - there was indeed, much more to this facility than he had thought. The problem being that with the number of stairs and passages, he was not sure that they could find their way out again, should Liason be lost to them. As they were well below ground now, though, going up where possible would always be a start. Once again, he glanced at the Ambassador, alert to the least sign that they must act.

liason · Posted: Thu May 06, 2004 5:37 pm Post subject:

As they travelled down in the elevator, Liason answered their earlier questions as best he could. Then they passed into the deeper levels and he fell silent.

The elevator reached its destination and Liason swiftly swung the gate open. Drawing his pistol with his left hand and his sabre with his right he strode swiftly into the tunnel.

Stafford, Hay and Rodgers kept up with his pace, glancing left and right into the shadows of the rooms to their sides. They certainly weren't empty, but there was no sign of motion.

Liason could hear what the others could not, the Foundry was communicating with its denizens:

"There are intruders on the workshop level. Ambassador Liason and three unknown beings are proceeding towards the primary workshop. Siege doors will be sealed. Skirmish units to converge on Liason's position. Orders are capture or salvage."

Liason quickened his pace. There was no chance of reaching the primary workshop before the door closed, but he had never considered that likely anyway. What he did wish to accomplish was to reach the end of the tunnel before they were attacked.

The Navy men also broke into a run. So it was that the group of four reached the end of the tunnel where a huge studded metal door stood closed in front of them. Liason barely paused as he jumped a clear metre in the air and caught hold of something hanging from the roof. He wrestled with it for a short time, then with a grating sound a hatch flew open above them and ropes coiled down.

"Climb swiftly !" Liason gave each of the men a leg up into the dark hole. The space above was little more than a crawlway. Liason leapt up after them and whispered, "Continue in the same direction as the tunnel, then stop once you pass the next hatch."

Liason and his allies were not long gone from the tunnel below when sounds of pursuit reached their ears. Armoured warriors, from the sound they made.

The second hatch was opened and Liason dropped down first, followed by the others. He had hoped to find the primary forge mostly empty and luck was indeed on his side. There were only two guards.

Lieutenant Stafford dropped down after Liason and looked in wonder at the scene in the room. At its centre was a huge metal cylinder perhaps twice as wide as a man is tall and stretching almost to the roof. It was slowly spinning and all around its exterior were glyphs and tiny emgraved script. The rest of the room was filled with curious metal things that looked somewhere between giant water pumps and spiders. All were completely still.

Hay and Rodgers dropped down behind him, but none had long to take in the room as the two guards attacked. To the eyes of the Navy men, their armour was reminiscent of that worn by Italian nobles into battle - dark and ornate. Pistol shot would clearly do little to them. Even Liason did not bother firing as he moved to engage the first of them.

Stafford rushed the second one and, parrying its blade, knocked it to the ground with the force of his charge. Rodgers followed him to help finish it whilst Hay turned to Liason's foe. Misjudging the speed of his opponent the marine fell to one knee to dodge a sword swing. The guard had overextended however and was swiftly disarmed by Liason.

The dispatching of the first guard brought a cry of alarm from Rodgers. Its armour split open and inside was a curious mixture of clockwork, beetles, tiny minature people the size of his hand and delicate chains and winches. As he watched, momentarily stunned, the little people ran away across the floor !

Liason impaled the second one through its visor and the room fell quiet.

"We do not have long until the doors open," he spoke swiftly as the ran towards the cylinder, "I can end this now - buy me as much time as you can whilst preserving your own lives !"

So saying, he began with extraordinary speed to touch controls on the surface of the cylinder.

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 186 Location: HMS Justice

It was well for the Ambassador Liason that he had selected sailors to accompany him, for they were all expert at climbing ropes, and had no problem with small enclosed spaces. As crewmen of the HMS Justice, they were also all brave hands before the mast and true, which was proved now in the efficiency and relative calm with which they dispatched their opponents.

Clearly, Lieutenant Stafford relfected, there would be questions to be answered, and he could see the astonishment in the eyes of Hay and Rodgers at the odd nature of the beings they faced. But now was not the time. "You heard the Ambassador, lads - we hold fast, and give him as much time as we can. But nothing foolish, now - these, um, men are quite strong, and fast - best we work together and use the element of suprise wherever we can." The two sailors nodded, and grimly braced themselves for what would next come through the door.

liason · Posted: Thu May 06, 2004 7:45 pm Post subject:

Liason worked swiftly and silently for almost ten minutes, during which time the doors did not move and no threat appeared.

The huge metal cylinder stopped spinning. The low hum it had been emitting also stopped. Lieutenant Stafford glanced round briefly to see Liason open a panel in its side. Within could be seen tiny, bright bolts of lightning flickering in rings. Liason reached inside and switched it off.

The Foundry spoke to him - unheard by the Navy.

"Liason. You have gone too far this time. It is time to destroy you."

"No," Liason responded, "The Foundry has not been acting correctly. I am remedying the fault. And in any case, you have left it too late to prevent my actions. Where are your guards ?"

"Out of range of the Aether Sink."

No ! Liason looked at the marines. The Foundry may have beaten him, but he could still save them.

"Lieutenant Stafford !" Liason ran to the officer's side. "Our enemy, it transpires, has a secret weapon of which I was unaware. How it obtained it is not important. You must take this..."

And here Liason pressed his pistol and a moleskin bag containing three battlefield rounds into Stafford's hand.

"...it may be enough to get you and your men out."

Liason looked briefly sad, but continued swiftly, "Soon, perhaps in seconds or minutes, I will be struck down. The attack will leave you unharmed. Although I cannot escape, I may yet be able to succeed before I fall. Wait until the attack before you begin your escape."

For a moment, his eyes met Stafford's. It was a strange experience for both men. Stafford knew for certain in that instant that Liason was not a man at all, and yet... he was not simply some automaton, there was a soul behind his narrow eyes. Liason himself was as startled by what he saw. This soldier seemed somehow to care what fate befell the Ambassador. Something in his eyes... Liason could not put words to it.

Liason bowed to the assembled marines, then sprinted back to the cylinder. He resumed work within it.

In a sudden swift motion, Liason turned and threw a metal object towards Stafford.

"Take this with you !" he shouted. And exactly as the object tumbled through the air, a rumbling sound filled the room. Stafford caught it. Then there was a blinding blue light which filled the room in an instant.

When the glow of the light faded, Liason lay in a heap on the ground, motionless.

Then, the doors began to open...

Captain Isobel DeRainault · Good Joined: 20 Jan 2004 Posts: 186 Location: HMS Justice

Lieutenant Stafford, Hay and Rodgers had stood guard as the Ambassador went about his work, the anticipation in the air almost palpable as they waited for the coming attack. Stafford reflected that it had gone reasonably well all considered, and if he understood the matter, this last bit of machinecraft would restore the Foundry safely into Liason's control. Suddenly, however, the Ambassador was beside him, and from the look in his eyes Stafford knew that the situation was desperate.

Hearing the instructions that Liason gave, Stafford wanted to protest, but he could tell from the look in the Ambassador's eyes that the matter had already been decided. Accepting the pistol and ammunition, Stafford took the liberty of clasping his companion's forearms in a gesture of friendship and support. What he knew or guessed about Liason, the Foundry and the nature of its inhabitant was not important; what mattered was the connection that he felt. And in that moment, a plan formed in his head.

Nodding, Stafford signaled to Hay and Rodgers to take up defensive positions. The Lieutenant caught the small object as it fell, and tucked it safely in his jacket. Then the light flashed, and in its wake, Stafford saw the crumpled heap that was the Ambassador - an unreadable expression crossed his face, and he took a step forward, but the doors were already opening. It was time to fight.

[Stafford, Hay and Rodgers now leave the Into The Foundry 2 thread and enter the Escape From The Foundry thread. The adventure continues! :)

liason · Posted: Sun May 16, 2004 2:42 pm Post subject:

Some hours later, the body of the late Ambassador Liason was being carefully reprocessed when a robed servant entered the room. The servant was carrying a large box.

"What is this ?" the Reprocessor asked.

"Liason's personal possessions," the servant explained, "for reprocessing also. Take a look."

The servant put the box down behind the Reprocessor. It turned slowly round and prized open the box lid.

"This is just a box of old curtains," the Reprocessor complained. But when it turned round to return to its task, the servant was gone. And he had stolen Liason's head !