Under and Out

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

Ben Grimm and Fawkes found one entrance into the tunnels under Olney. Felix found another. Ellen was right; someone has been here recently. Deathclaws do not, after all, set up tip-proof electric lanterns and battered, ancient generators to light the way. (If they do, everyone is in a great deal more trouble than previously thought.)

"Well," Ellen says, glancing up and down the length of the tunnel section people are standing in, "it looks like we'll have company wherever we're going, aside from the kind with claws. We could use a scout, I think, as well as local defense. I've got a Stealth Boy if needed..."

Comments

[unbreakableben]

They hadn't been in the tunnels long before Ben thought he heard something, a scrap of boot on gravel or maybe a voice softly spoken. Either way, he paused and held up a hand to get Fawke's attention. "I think we've got company."

[calmhrtprevails]

"So I hear," Fawkes agrees. "Do you wish the hammer now, before we proceed further?"

[unbreakableben]

Ben shakes his head. "Too narrow here. Maybe if I knew how to use it but I think for now I'll trust in my fists. Is there any chance it could be everyone else? Do you have any idea where we are relative to up top?"

Just in teh off chance it isn't their friends he's keeping his voice down.

[calmhrtprevails]

"We've come some distance," Fawkes says, "but I think we're still under the main part of the town. I don't think we're far from the others."

[basic_powers]

Not very far at all, as it might turn out. There'll be a few more soft bootsteps on gravel coming closer for a moment before they stop.

"...Fawkes? Mr. Grimm?" A raspy, synthesized and familiar voice will speak softly as someone melts into existance. "...man, you guys saved me the trouble of going back to get you."

[calmhrtprevails]

"Moon Shadow!" rumbles Fawkes. Really, that's the softest his voice gets. "It's good to see you again. How do you and the others fare?"

[basic_powers]

"Oh, we got a good look at the Enclave Vertibirds as they got a look at us....and Miss Jennifer found out that you shouldn't throw the cars around here." He's just going to stop and hope he didn't startle Ben at all with that appearance. "We encountered two more Deathclaws before we got to an open manhole cover...decided I'd come down and scout ahead."

Felix and Company

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

Moon Shadow being the thoughtful sort he is, Felix was given a bit of guidance to reach the two ghoul survivors. They're doing their best to look tough and menacing, but let's be honest; about the only advantage either of them has in that department is the same thing all ghouls have. Namely, they look as if they were put together from rotting meat and then re-animated. Kidd, the one in the battered fedora, has a revolver; the other just has an oversized knife. "Hey there," the one with the knife rasps. "You, uh... you're the smoothskin who's gonna help us to the surface?"

[venusadept_2]

There are several ways one might instinctively react to someone who looks like that. Most of them are not particularly polite.

Thus Felix does his best to stifle his instinctive reaction. He manages to nod instead, and say "Yes."

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

"Great. Thanks," the one with the knife says. "I'm Wint. This is Kidd. We weren't planning on putting you people through this, but...."

"Didn't think we were going to be this far in over our heads," says Kidd. "These deathclaws are even worse than we'd heard."

[venusadept_2]

"I'm Felix," he introduces himself. "And you aren't the first people I've helped without being part of the original plan."

He nods again. "Are you ready?"

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

"Ready as we'll ever be," says Wint. "Let's get moving."

It would be nice to say that the nearby tunnels are quiet enough to hear every footfall, but that, alas, is not the case. Every footfall, every splink of fouled water, echoes. There could be the sound of Deathclaw snuffling in the distance- or it could be Kidd's own panicky breath. That might be the noise of claws against concrete- or it might be chunks of long-ago rebar rusting free at last. Hard to say.

Although something does smell awfully... unpleasant compared to prior travels in these passages.

[venusadept_2]

Most people would not describe Felix as 'stealthy'. He's never really picked up the knack of moving silently. However, he does have years of experience in sorting sounds. He knows exactly which ones he's making, and has a pretty good idea of what's coming from the ghouls.

That said, he's certainly not perfect. He's more likely to react to an attack that isn't there than to miss one that is, but either can happen. Especially in an environment that is both echoey and unfamiliar.

Guns And Teeth

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

The utility tunnels under Olney are well-lit for much of their length, thanks to the ghouls' doomed attempt at establishing a haven for their people. Much, but not all; the last stretch is through darkness and rank-smelling stuff best not looked at too closely. A ladder finally presents itself, leading upward to a closed door- closed, but not locked.

The air on the other side still smells vile, but at least it's moving. This is the ground floor of a gutted building five or six stories tall. The remains of load-bearing members jut upward and outward here and there, concrete and rebar providing cover and climbing options. Ancient, half-rotted office furniture litters the remains of each visible floor.

All of this is going to be necessary very, very shortly. There's a terrible crunch underfoot- the sound of large eggshell fragments- and the snuffling noise of nearby deathclaws, punctuated with the occasional BZAAAP! of Enclave plasma weapons from a floor or so up.

[respectthegun]

"Charming place."

Lawton, surprisingly, is not smoking, and his mask is still covering hs face. "Remind me to check out the local hotels."

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

"There's a sign west of here that says it used to be sister cities with Esternay, France," Ellen says, her voice muffled by her helmet. "I have to wonder how Esternay looks right now."

[basic_powers]

"Probably the same...except instead of Deathclaws probably arboreal carnivorous escargot-tentacles." Moon Shadow murmurs through the synthesizer. "I hear there's this great place called Tenpenny Towers.... very target-rich environment."

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

"That's a long way south of here," Ellen says. "Maybe another time, if the man hasn't changed his ways. Right now-"

Oh, hey, there's an Enclave soldier who caught sight of the group despite the lizards' presence; he's gesturing to the others to start edging around for a closer look.

[basic_powers]

"...excellent....Tesla-Armor...I can work with that." If his damn face weren't covered, there would be a grin creeping across it while he digs into his pack. There's a lead-lined bag in his hands that clinks faintly, as he re-shoulders his pack.

"Be right back you guys."

Then ofcourse, he's gone.

Fire And Fangs

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

It's always a good idea to have someone range ahead to report on any possible extra threats in the event of battle in an unknown area. Lucky thing there's just enough building substance left in places to allow that sort of scouting, because... well. The Enclave is here to capture deathclaws. The deathclaws are here to capture because they're breeding. And as the saying goes, the most dangerous place in the world is between a mother and her children.

Meet Mom.

The monstrous thing is easily over fifteen feet tall, and she's bellowing her rage like the voice of the end of the world. There are areas of concrete nearby that look suspiciously like they were gouged out by massive claws, and hers are just about the right size to have been responsible. Her hide is heavily scarred with the marks of past battles, and scratched here and there by recent bullet fire that doesn't seem to have done any good.

Which may be why the Enclave is trying to kill her with fire, instead. Or at least subdue her or distract her with fire. Specifically, soldiers in heavy black power armor are lumbering through the shadows and smoke, periodically unleashing arcs of flame- literal flame, the work of some very dedicated chemists- from the portable incinerators they carry.

They don't look like they're above turning the flames on any smaller figures they see, either.

Re: Fire And Fangs

[unbreakableben]

Ben watches the monsters in their armor and the giant dinosaur thing. He's not too worried about the fire, not after the nuclear wedgie Johnny tried to give him back home, but that momma may be some trouble. He doubts she can hurt him but if he gets knocked too far away he's not going to be much help.

"So how much boom we got?" His voice is just above a whisper as he's not sure how they want to approach this.

Re: Fire And Fangs

[calmhrtprevails]

"I have my laser," says Fawkes, as quietly as his throat will allow. "And my sledge is at your disposal, if you have need. The nearby wall looks fit to be shattered and thrown, as well. As for the others..."

He glances around to see who else they've got with them.

Re: Fire And Fangs

[gammagammahey.livejournal.com]

"You've got lots of boom, Ben. I'm right behind you, Fawkes."

She'd been the last down the ladder into the tunnels, climbing down carefully and hoping it'd hold her weight. It groaned ominously as she was descending, but thankfully held fast. She has no idea where or when they'll surface, but hopes it's the same vintage of ladder. If not, she'll just toss people up to the surface.

"I can get a few hits in on Mama Deathclaw, unless you want me to rid this place of Enclave first?"

On the other hand, the Enclave are distracting Mama Deathclaw nicely.

Re: Fire And Fangs

[unbreakableben]

"I've got lots'a bomb," he agrees and can't resist clenching his fist. "I'm also fire proof. I could be a good target to keep everyone, the Enclave and momma out there distracted. Is your sledge fire proof?"

He looks up and gages the clearance of the ceiling pretty sure he can get a good leap in if needed, death from above with a sledge hammer creates a beautiful image.

Re: Fire And Fangs

[gammagammahey.livejournal.com]

Jen can't help but interject quickly while Fawkes and Ben discuss weaponry.

"Just like old times back home with my other Ben. Bing, bang, zoom right to the moon! For the enemy, that is."

Now she's all nostalgic.