Patchwork Universe

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

The Ambassador had fallen, struck down by the strange blue light, and in the next moment, the doors opened to reveal considerable numbers of the formidable armored automatons that Lieutenant Stafford, Hay and Rodgers had fought earlier. The next hour was a nightmarish retreat and running battle though the mazelike passages and strange curving stairways of the Imperial Foundry. It took all the imagination and teamwork that the men possessed to confound their opponents and make their escape, but they soon learned techniques that could help them against their strange opponents, who were slow to react and did not deal well with surprise. The Lieutenant kept the party moving constantly, and at every juncture led them upwards, relying on stairs rather than the mechanized platforms, which could be sabotaged. At last, the men broke through a door, and into the customer lounges, where they raced past the suprised servants, who were amazed to see three dirty, exhausted, but largely uninjured navy men make their way to the main entrance.

There, however, Lieutenant Stafford signalled the men to pause. "I think we may make it, sir." Hay looked almost cheerful. "Just those tower guns to worry about, though." Rodgers frowned. "I guess we keep out heads down, and run for it, right?"

"Not exactly." Stafford took the small object that the Ambassador Liason had given him, and handed it to Hay. "I want you to take this - thing - back to the Justice at once and give it to the Captain It may be important. These, too -" he added, handing all but one of the battlefiled rounds to Rodgers. "I'll use this pistol and one of the rounds to give you covering fire, while you both make for the exit and continue on to the boat. Once you're clear of the gun tower, Rodgers, look back and I'll see if I can't throw you the weapon as well, as it may be of some use. I charge you both to keep moving, and don't stop until you get back to the ship."

"But, sir!" Rodgers looked confused "Won't you need the weapon? How will you get out?" Hay nodded, looking concerned. It would be devlish hard for Stafford to make an escape as one man alone.

"I'm not leaving." The Lieutenant gave a small, almost wistful smile. "Getting the two of you safely back to the ship is no more than what honor and duty requires, and I would not have such brave men risk their lives for naught. Yet whatever else he may be, the Ambassador Liason is our ally, and my friend. I cannot leave him to face dishonor and death alone. I plan to make my way back into the Foundry, and hide myself until I can find out what has happened to him, and if possible, help him to succeed or escape." Stafford's expression became more stern. "I expect both of you to preserve your safety, return to the Justice, and inform Captain DeRainault of everything. Neither you no anyone else should come back for me. Is that understood?"

"Aye, sir." Hay looked solemn. Rodgers nodded.

"Good. Now, go - and godspeed." Assuming position, Stafford took aim at the gun tower, and the two crewmen began to run.

liason · Posted: Sun May 16, 2004 10:23 am Post subject:

The Lieutenant's first shot was good. He did not clearly see the result since the flare of light and heat from the firing of it had dazzled him and burned his hand slightly. Nonetheless, he had the good sense to duck back. Indeed, this probably saved his life as the huge turret swung into life, its long dark barrels swinging round and down to aim at his position.

The defence guns of the Foundry were never designed to aim close to its walls. Consequently, it was a simple matter for Stafford to remain out of the line of fire. After a minute or so, the turret fired several rounds into the ground near him. Violent bursts of smoky fire blasted fresh craters into the wilderness and the Lieutenant was showered with soil and small stones. The tower gun was powerless to achieve more.

In the meantime, Hay and Rodgers had sprinted across the wilderness a considerable distance. By the time the attention of the tower turret finally returned to scanning the horizon, they had reached the edge of the mist.

liason · Posted: Wed May 19, 2004 11:49 am Post subject:

Satisfied that his companions had made good their escape (for he could not see at that distance that they were unable to pass through the mist) Lieutenant Stafford re-entered the Imperial Foundry.

If he had expected the defences of the Foundry to now be rallied against him, he was pleasantly surprised. The place had a ghostly air about it now. Some of the lamps had begun to go out due to lack of attention from the servants and there was nobody to be seen in the corridors.

Stafford was no fool and knew that in all probability the forces of the Foundry were in the lower levels - exactly where he needed to be. So he decided to wait until things had returned to normal. Running through the customer lounges, the foraged about for what food supplies he could find and then concealed himself out of sight in a cluttered and seemingly little-used storeroom.

Give it a day or so and he would attempt to find his way down again. In the meantime, this would be a welcome chance to collect his thoughts.

liason · Posted: Tue May 25, 2004 11:54 am Post subject:

Having waited long enough that the discomfort of his hiding place outweighed the desire to remain concealed, Lieutenant Stafford energed and dusted himself off.

All was quiet. Cautiously, he set out once more into the depths of the Imperial Foundry.

Initially, it seemed luck was with him. The corridors were deserted and there were no sounds of pursuit or raised alarms. It was not until the Lieutenant was many levels beneath the ground that he began to realise the enormity of the task he had set himself. It was all he could do not to become lost in the vast building. To find Liason would be all but impossible.

Finally, after hours of searching, Stafford sat down, exhausted. The other difficulty was that there seemed to be no suitable place to shit here. He was understandably wary of being caught with his pants down and would feel a little guilty shitting in a randomly chosen room.

liason · Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 3:10 pm Post subject:

Suddenly, without warning, the floor opened beneath Lieutenant Stafford.

Something grabbed him as he fell and he was carried along an unlit corridor. He struggled against the metal arms holding him, but with little result.

Finally, he was dumped down a chute and emerged suddenly into a brightly lit room.

[Lieutenant Stafford moves to the 'A Conversation with some Gardening Tools' thread]

liason · Posted: Sun May 30, 2004 3:42 pm Post subject:

[Liason and Stafford emerge from the Foundry again]

Ambassador Liason and Lieutenant Stafford walked through the wilderness towards the mist in the North. They said nothing until they reached it. Then Stafford held out the pistol, the ammunition and the curious metal object Liason had given him.

"These are yours."

Liason took them and turned the pistol over thoughtfully in his hands before replacing it in his belt. Stafford turned to leave then, but couldn't pass the mist. He waited, facing away from Liason.

"I should like to thank you," the Ambassador laid one hand on his shoulder, "for returning to assist me."

Stafford's mumbled response was unintelligible. It seemed unfair to hold him on this side of the mist, so Liason escorted him through. Both men were relieved to see the HMS Justice in the distance.

"I shall be contacting your Captain shortly." Liason bowed to the Lieutenant. "Please pass on my thanks to Hay and Rodgers for their efforts."

He then turned back towards the mist and returned to the Foundry.