I13DT - On Clear Ground

by **Narrator** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 1:02 pm

"There was a guardian... how long ago was it, Herne?" The stag did something that might be interpreted as a shrug. "Well, he used to cross frequently. Older man with a beard." She waved a hand dismissively. "Well, no matter, what brings you here, guardian? I trust things on the outside world are not troubled too much?"

by **Janice Gilbertson** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 1:07 pm

"There's a weak spot between your realm and ours. People have been disappearing."

by **Narrator** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 1:12 pm

"I've noticed as much. Any we rescue, we send back. With their memories erased, of course. I wouldn't want them to find this place again. It isn't exactly safe for them."

by **Janice Gilbertson** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 1:52 pm

"And I'm guessing those you're at war with aren't quite so kind?"

by **Narrator** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 2:02 pm

"I did not choose the term 'rescue' randomly. We patch them up, erase their memories and return them to your world. I take it that if you are here, that means Maelona's meddling must be becoming obvious."

by **Janice Gilbertson** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 2:52 pm

"Has the weak spot always existed, or did it only recently open?"

by **Narrator** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 2:55 pm

"Maelona recently escalated the war and we responded in kind. I would wager that is what is causing the soft spot. If we could remove her anchor to your world, we could likely repair the damage."

by **Janice Gilbertson** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 3:16 pm

"This is a physical object, then?"

by **Narrator** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 6:05 pm

"A physical object isn't strictly necessary to establish a crossing, but without it, you have no idea where you'll come out."

by **Janice Gilbertson** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 6:11 pm

"Do you think it's the trees?" She asks ASHLIE.

by **ASHLIE** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:09 pm

"That is possible. It is hard to get a solid reading but the distortion is focused around them."

by **Narrator** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:12 pm

"The golem speaks. How unusual." The lady peered at ASHLIE.

by **Janice Gilbertson** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:14 pm

"That's the sentience of our keystone inhabiting the body you see," Captain Britain says, looking to ASHLIE to make sure she got the terms right.

by **ASHLIE** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:16 pm

"Technically..." Ashlie starts.

by **Narrator** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:24 pm

There was a whistling noise outside and Herne ducked out the flap. "Then we are doubly honored to have you here," Hydref said, rising to her feet with the help of the two women.

by **Janice Gilbertson** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:34 pm

"Is that an alarm sounding?"

by **Narrator** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:41 pm

"News actually. Alarm sounds... well, it doesn't matter how it sounds. Herne will handle it. There are likely still some from your world in Maelona's realm."

by **ASHLIE** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 8:46 pm

"Another team went to investigate the other tree." Ashlie confirms.

by **Janice Gilbertson** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 9:04 pm

"We've got a bit of our own rescue party going on," she nods.

by **Narrator** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 9:14 pm

"I see," she said.

Herne put his head back through the flap, "M'Lady, the scouts report that Mingus' forge has been emptied. They are moving to secure the location."

"They are certain it is not a trap?"

"They found the mountain troll wandering aimless, mumbling about elves and flying golems before they put him down."

by **ASHLIE** » Tue Aug 26, 2014 11:36 pm

"Judging by the fact that you mistook me for a golem that probably describes our friend Dr. Quinn. She wears elaborate armor."

by **Narrator** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 8:51 am

Herne looked at Janice and ASHLIE. "The scouts found no sign of them departing the area. Can your friends fly?"

by **ASHLIE** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 11:59 am

"It is possible that Dr. Quinn carried the other two."

by **Janice Gilbertson** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 12:33 pm

Captain Britain nods.

"They could probably cover ground pretty quickly."

by **Narrator** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 1:18 pm

"Let us go see this site. Maybe I can learn something," she said, snapping her fingers. Four individuals materialized out of thin air in the corners of the tent's room, dressed in chainmail with hoods and cloth masks covering the lower half of their face. Herne backed away to let them out. "Guardian, Keystone, if you would do me the honor of accompanying me, I would be most grateful."

by **ASHLIE** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 1:39 pm

"My designation is 'ASHLIE'. It stands for Artificial System for Heuristic Learning, Intelligence and Exploration..." she quietly points out as they walk outside.

by **Janice Gilbertson** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 1:54 pm

"But we'd be happy to accompany," she says as she walks along with them.

by **Narrator** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 2:03 pm

"ASHLIE, then," she said, good-naturedly, emerging into the sunshine. She was greeted by an army that looked like something out of Narnia. Satyrs, elves, and animals of all sorts were lined up in ranks as Herne let out a long call to get their attention. "We have it on good authority," Hydref started, her voice carrying throughout the camp, "that Maelona's realm is under assault by a small team from another world. They have already eliminated Mingus' forge and we are going to that beachhead to see how best to support them. The Guardian and ASHLIE will be accompanying me and you have orders to follow at your swiftest pace. We will finish this war. Maelona's destruction is coming and we will be there to help." A cheer went up from the assembled troops. She turned to Janice, "Guardian, I will do what I can, but if it comes to battle," she gestured to her sling and bandages, "I'm afraid that will fall on your shoulders."

by **Janice Gilbertson** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 7:56 pm

"We'll do what we can," she nods.

by **Narrator** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 8:00 pm

She climbed up on Herne's back and motioned for ASHLIE to join her. "Let us go then."

***

They arrived at the forge to find chaos already occurring. The scouts were apparently embroiled in a hand-to-hand fight with a squad of minotaurs. One of the archers saw them approach, "They came out of a portal in the forge!"

by **ASHLIE** » Wed Aug 27, 2014 8:14 pm

Ashlie dismounts and hits the ground with a *thud* before aiming her arm at one of the minotaurs.

"Please stand down and cease your hostilities!" she announces loudly.

by **Janice Gilbertson** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 1:03 pm

"They don't seem that reasonable, ASHLIE. Who wants to bet they'll pick the hard way?"

by **Narrator** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 1:06 pm

All bets were off as the minotaur ASHLIE was aiming at swung a huge hammer at her.

by **ASHLIE** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 1:27 pm

Ashlie tries to step back and keep her distance while firing her wrist-mounted tazers at the hulking beast.

by **Narrator** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 7:26 pm

The weapon grazes her, which doesn't mean a lot when it's a blunt weapon. The near miss is likely because her tazers are shocking the target significantly. They don't appear to be enough to put him down though.

by **ASHLIE** » Thu Aug 28, 2014 8:15 pm

While the minotaur is dazed she steps up to it and aims a calculated punch at the creature's cranium.

by **Narrator** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 11:27 am

The cranium's harder than she expects, but she still staggers the creature, causing it to stumble back into another one.

by **ASHLIE** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 11:43 am

Raising her other arm she starts systematically spraying riot-foam at the two creatures.

by **Janice Gilbertson** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 12:27 pm

Captain Britain meanwhile has been trying a more hands-on approach, relying on her strength and force field to punish the minotaurs more directly. She's taken a few falls, but keeps coming at them.

by **Narrator** » Fri Aug 29, 2014 1:27 pm

With the superheroes and Herne here now, the minotaurs were getting a right pasting and soon the forge itself was secure once again. "We'll hold the portal open here," Hydref said. "We'll send a few scouts with you to secure the other end. Hopefully you can find your friends."

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