May 9th, 2025 - 0236
Passage outside of the Observatory, Antarctic Research Facility 36, Antarctica

Sergeant Kane stands with the fire team outside of the observatory. Something had gone wrong - Hatherford and Hart had fallen silent. Had the two soldiers the team had met turned violent?

The big ranger's brow furrows at the thought. Even if they had, the ranger corporals should have been able to deal with them, or at the very least, warn the rest of the team. It didn't add up - nothing in this damned facility did.

As the team approaches the observatory door, they became aware of a terrible stench, very much like that of rotting meat. "Safeties off," Kane speaks quietly. The big ranger gives the signal, and Lee breaches the door...

...into madness.

The observatory is completely gone. Not destroyed, not ransacked, but gone. In it's place, the door from the corridor opens into a large cave of stone and earth, with roots dangling from the ceiling high above. There is no trace of Hatherford, Hart, or of the two other soldiers. The stench is much, much worse here - like that of rotting meat, spolied eggs, and overpowering musk, but magnified to be much stronger.

The foul odor is almost too much for mortals to bear - Lee, Johannsen, and Kane are overcome by horrific nausea, and only their superior training allows them to remain upright.

As the team attempts to gather themselves, the air is split by a bellowing roar. A tall (seven plus feet) monster covered in shaggy fur is rapidly rushng the fire team!

This is not one of the yetis viewed earlier. This creature looks like a terrible cross between a human and a sloth. Its body is covered in dark, reddish fur, and large, curved talons protrude from its "fingers" and "toes". It is clearly angry, and is currently charging the fire team.

When Kane suggested that the LT leave Charlie alone to come hold his hand, the WO snorted derisively and shook her head, fingers blurring over the keyboard. Kernan responded, with “That’s a negative, Sarge,” shaking his head at the Chief reassuringly. “We’re not leaving any ranger alone at any time, so be more specific as to what you mean by, ‘we got a dead something’: what is it? A yeti? A station employee? What?”

Charlie was about to mutter something about Kane using words with more than two syllables when Kane responded with more details about the dead alien. That made her stop typing, pale eyes wide and staring at Kernan in disbelief. She mouthed “Has he flipped his lid?” at the LT, but Kernan simply shook his head at her, one part disbelief to one part resignation. He ordered the team to proceed to the power station and Charlie took the unvoiced order to get her virtual butt back into hyper gear.

One particular feint combination resulted in a slight delay in the system’s rebuff, so slight that she repeated the combo again to be sure she hadn’t imagined it. That’s why she didn’t initially notice Kernan trying to raise Hatherford and Hart on the radio. An open hand across her field of vision snapped her back into the non digital world, and she stared at it a moment before comprehension dawned and she handed Kernan her radio.

Still no dice, and the LT turned worried eyes to Charlie as he ordered the team to change direction. “We need whatever’s in that computer, Blake, an’ I mean fast. Whatever you’re doing it is time to double-time it.”

Normally, such an outrageous implication that she wasn’t working at full speed would have sent her into a sulk of epic proportions, but she felt the urgency, too. She spit out the gnawed bit of fingernail she’d been working for the last ten minutes, cracked her knuckles and hunched over the laptop once more, as if she could bust the black ice with sheer will.

“I’m overclocked as it is, boss, but Moriarity blinked just now….maybe I can get this bugger to flinch.”

Sgt Lee had the lead as usual as they made their way back to the observatory where they left Hatherford and Hart. As they approached the door the horrible stench hit him and he almost gagged. He reached up and pulled the heavy wind cloth he had around his neck up over the lower half of his face to block out ‘some’ of the stench.

"Safeties off.” Sgt Kane said and nodded to Lee.

Flipping his safety off he took a deep calming breath and executed a classic breach; kicking open the door he moved in two paces and then to the right, getting out of the doorway to allow the others behind him to enter and to narrow the time he was visible in the doorway for any fire that might come his way. He took two more steps forward and right then paused as he took in the strange world he had entered.

None of this had been here before, what was going on. He shook his head a moment trying to keep from breathing in the smell of rotting meat that was almost overpowering. He concentrated and scanned the room for danger, sweeping the room with his eyes and his carbine pointing everywhere his eyes roamed.

As the team attempts to gather themselves, the air is split by a bellowing roar. A tall (seven plus feet) monster covered in shaggy fur is rapidly rushng the fire team!

This is not one of the yetis viewed earlier. This creature looks like a terrible cross between a human and a sloth. Its body is covered in dark, reddish fur, and large, curved talons protrude from its "fingers" and "toes". It is clearly angry, and is currently charging the fire team.
Lee’s close combat training kicks in at the danger, here was something he could deal with, a foe. Even though this beast was beyond imagination, he didn’t dwell on it, it was attacking and so he immediately did what he was trained to do.

(If the creature is still at range)

He opened up with his carbine aiming for center mass of the large beast. It shouldn’t be too hard to hit something this size.

(IF the creature is coming at him and is right on top of him)

He flips his carbine to his left hand, holding it by the fore stock and reaches up and with one practiced lightning move draws his sword from over his right shoulder. The draw turning into a slice at any of the creature's extremities that might be within range first. While doing this is will duck under the tall beast’s outstretched arms and move to the right away from the rest of the group so that he wont be in their direct line of fire.

Inga calmly flicks off her safety, an lifts the carbine to ready position.. SHe cannot believe this is the same pace that they had been to earlier.

As Lee went in and too the right she moved up Inga got ready and planned to enter last to enter the door last. She finds a spot though she can fire from even if she doesn't make it in right away.

The stench from the room as she got to the doorway was overwhelming. She experience nausea and wanted to vomit, only now was not the time. It was time for action she fought the nausea down and the gagging reflex. At the doorway she became aware of the charging monster from somewhere, something entirely new and different than they had seen already. It did not matter that it should not, could not be here. It was time for action.

Inga was lock and loaded and fired from the edge of the doorway at the charging beast ( however many shots she can get off this round) Hoping the door jam and wall would give her some protection from it as she fired. Her brain had already analyze the situation. She could not stand up against the charge beast, nor could she go hand to claw with it. She could, however, pump it full of lead as fast as possible.

With the Lt’s orders in his head Kane led the fire team once again up the stairs and back towards the observatory it was hard not to notice the stench the closer they got to its door.
Arriving finally outside of the observatory door, the smell so strong Kane was reminded for a spilt second of burnt bodies in the Iraq desert, he gave Lee the go ahead to breach the door

"Safeties off”

Into madness shall the faithful go………...

The observatory was completely gone. Not destroyed, not ransacked, but gone. Replacing it was a scene out of deer hunter, a large cave of stone and earth, with roots dangling from the ceiling high above. The stench much, much worse was like that of rotting meat, spoiled eggs, and overpowering musk, but magnified to be much stronger.

Almost overpowering, Kane and the others with him for the moment sick, were just recovering when a scream of something not human, a tall seven plus feet monster covered in shaggy fur headed towards them fast feral murder in its eyes.

“Weapons Free!!” Kane shouted uselessly as the others all opened fire at the same time, the big M251 SAW spitting out a barrage of 7.62 rounds.............


(OOC: Rock'n'Roll baby!!!)

May 9th, 2025 - 0238
Cave (Observatory?), Antarctic Research Facility 36, Antarctica

The monstrosity rushes, howling, at the fire team. Without thought, the rangers respond as their training dictates. However, no training is able to fully prepare them for the physical effects that this unearthly stench has on their bodies.

Kane manages to choke back the nausea, but loses his bead on the creature, and the barrage from his SAW misses wildly. Lee is unable to hold back, and despite his will, finds himself throwing up uncontrollably. Johannsen fares the best of the team so far, and strikes cleanly with her entire burst.

And the monster keeps coming.

Pearson is the only one not apparently affected by the stench, and he fires off his own burst, but the creature is too fast, and closes to melee range as his shots sail wide. It is a frightening thing to behold as the monster picks up Sergeant Lee and smashes him into the dirt floor of the cave.

Lee regains his feet, and swallowing back the nausea, draws his sword and slashes a red line across the beast's torso.

Still, it comes.

And it is angry.

The monstrosity grabs up Sergeant Lee and slams him into the ground again, twice. This time, the ranger does not get up.

Pearson's aim is much truer this time - every round of his burst strikes home, causing the creature to howl in agony. Johansen and Kane miss.

Kane's next barrage strikes true, however. Several rounds strike the creature, who staggers...

...and grabs Pearson. Shockingly, the creature picks the big ranger up over his head and slams the man into the cave wall with a sickening thud. Pearson moans, but is unable to stand. Stunned, Johannsen misses badly.

The creature takes advantage of this, and grabs the medic next. Like the other rangers before her, the corporal is slammed against the ground, and is unable to regain her feet. Kane is unable to get a clear shot.

The big man falls back, firing, attempting to keep distance between himself and the creature. Meanwhile, Pearson has regained his wits, and is able to bring his rifle to bear. His rifle spits lead, and the monstrosity finally falls to the ground.

DM's notes: Lee is unconscious and dying. Johannsen and Pearson are badly hurt, but able to move. See the Q&A thread for details.

Lead flies as several rapid bursts resounds in the cavernous area. Unfortunately, not all hit the raging monstrosity that charged straight at them. Johannsen saw her hit but the monster kept coming. The raging beast closes to melee range. It terrifying sight thing to behold as the monster picks up Sergeant Lee and smashes him into the dirt floor of the cave.

Lee regains his feet, and swallowing back the nausea, draws his sword and slashes a red line across the beast's torso.

Still, it comes.

And it is roaring with anger.

The monstrosity grabs up Sergeant Lee and slams him into the ground again, twice. This time, the ranger does not get up.

Pearson's fires and every round of his burst strikes home, causing the creature to howl in agony. Johansen misses her target the thing moved so quickly and randomly, However Kane's next barrage strikes true, and several rounds strike the creature, who staggers...

Finally, hopes Johannsen, a couple more burst should do it. She risks a quick glance at Lee who is still down and not moving. At that moment the beast grabs Pearson. Shockingly, the creature picks the big ranger up over his head and slams the man into the cave wall with a sickening thud. Pearson moans, still alive but not getting up. Stunned, Johannsen misses badly. “Damn,” Inga hisses to herself.

The creature grabs at Inga with its long arms, She tries to dodge out of its reach but failed. Suddenly her world is spinning wildly. She is slammed against the ground, and is unable to regain her feet. The breath is knocked out of her lungs and when she can again draw it in again, it hurts. She hears another burst of shots but doesn’t know who fired it. Then silence.

They say some people involve in accidents with injuries move to a different place where the mind is clear and unconfused and able to function. Inga knew she was hurt but Lee and Peterson both were to and it was her job a medic to take care of them. She move slowly to her side and then to her hands and knees. Clicking on her comp she calls out. “Lt. Kenan, this is Cpl. Johannsen. Lee is down and Peterson and myself are injured but functioning, Kane was uninjured, and dealing with the Monster which is dying or dead.” Well she wasn’t down and out and she was doing her job so she was functioning.

Inga looked around to see what the situation was. Lee was still unmoving and Peterson was moving, also slowly. So Lee was her first patient. Taking a breath she got up carefully (if I can’t walk I will crawl on my hands and knees) and moved over to Sgt. Lee. He had been slammed three times. Concussion, broken bones, and internal bleeding were all probable. Bleeding is what would kill him fastest.

Removing her medical kit she takes out the things she needs to quickly examine him. Her job was to get Lee stable and so her training takes over as one by one she goes through the procedures she had been taught and trained to use in such a situation with all the speed and efficiency she could muster. Well she had never quite been trained for a monster attack but if one thought of this as a train wreak it was close enough to the reality of the injuries they had sustained. Breath, dilation of eyes and palpating for the signs of internal bleeding, pressure test against abdomen and where the spleen in located.

“I need help to get him off the floor with minimum movement.” Inga says. She really wants to get him up off this floor and out of this area since the cold would not do Lee or any of them any good and the stench still may things difficult--like taking a deep breath without gagging.

(May the dice be nice)

Jesus F***ing Christ Kane thought as he watched the creature hit the ground. Not taking any chances he quickly moved to its head pulled his M13 and put three .45 cal rounds into its brain.

Turning back to the rest of the fire team he saw that somehow he himself had been the least wounded with Lee the worst. Moving to Johannsen’s side he asked for a quick sit rap as he watched Pearson struggle to stand.

“What we got Doc, he dead, if not can he be moved??”

(OOC: Will presume he can be moved)

Getting her prognosis it was time to contact the Lt.

“Lt, Sgt Kane, we’re in the Observatory I have one down, unconscious dying and two wounded. Am moving to hallway (OCC: Area 15 on map) to take up defensive position”

With that passed onto the Lt he got back to the task at hand. Slinging the SAW around to rest on his back he grabbed Lee by the feet.

“We need to move him, Pearson grab his shoulders, Johannsen keep working on him as we move, we’re headed for the hallway.”

With Lee raised the three moved out.....


(OOC: Hey look at that this post is also the year I was born...Cool)

As Lee tried to get a sight on the creature he couldn’t believe the powerful, overbearing stench of the beast. He tried to hold it back but in the end he turned and ejected the few contents of his stomach upon the cold floor.

He turned back just in time for the creature to snatch him up in it’s large paws causing him to drop his carbine. When he hit the ground he grunted from the impact that almost made him lose consciousness.

Somehow he managed to keep from passing out and rolled to the side away from the team drawing his sword as he came up and sliced deep into the creature’s torso. Seeing the wound only enrage the beast further he gritted his teeth against the blow he knew was coming.

“Ah, S***!” he managed to get out before the beast once again swept him up and this time slammed him down twice. Consciousness faded and he lay limp upon the ground his sword sailing away to lay against the wall.

The frantic calls coming across the radio caused Monty to drop his head and close his eyes tight. He hated not being there, not leading his rangers, and most certainly not knowing what was going on amidst all of the chaos. It wrenched every bone in his body as each metallic sounding shot echoed through the mic.

“Lt. Kernan, this is Cpl. Johannsen. Lee is down and Pearson and myself are injured but functioning, Kane was uninjured, and dealing with the Monster which is dying or dead.”
“Lt, Sgt Kane, we’re in the Observatory I have one down, unconscious dying and two wounded. Am moving to hallway to take up defensive position”
"Copy that," Kernan responded, trying to keep the frustration from his voice. "Corporal Johannsen spoke of a monster--another yeti?"

(OOC: assuming something along the lines of, "...uh, no...")

Monty looked up and met Blake's gaze, his own expression one of determination. "What's Hatherford and Hart's condition?"

(OOC: again, assuming that he receives some sort of description of what they found.)

"Kane," Monty's frown deepened. "Get those wounded back here, pronto. We'll meet you along the way to provide some extra help." Switching from the radio, Kernan shook his head slightly at Blake. "I'm not leaving you alone here, Charlie. We're going to have to put the objective on hold for the time being. Grab your kit; we're going to reunite."

He didn't need to state the obvious: they had two rangers missing, two G.I.s missing, and three wounded, one could possibly be critical. The odds weren't looking good, and their rescue mission just turned into a survival mission. As far as Lt. Kernan was concerned at this point, their objective had changed. They wouldn't leave anyone behind if he could avoid it. Rangers never left a man in the field...alive, or dead.

Slinging his kit once more, Kernan moved to the door, readied his weapon, and waited for Blake to take up position as well. Once they were ready he lead the way into the hall, weapon ready on burst. He was full intent on making sure that his Rangers would have their support in little to no time.

"Lt, Sgt Kane, we’re in the Observatory I have one down, unconscious dying and two wounded. Am moving to hallway to take up defensive position”
“Copy that, Corporal Johannsen spoke of a monster--another yeti?" Frustration in the Lt’s voice was clear to Kane and he could not blame the Lt one bit. So far nothing on this ‘Simple” recon/rescue mission had gone as planned.

“No sir the creature was much bigger then the first creature we found and very aggressive to me it seemed to be a cross between a human and a sloth. Its body was covered in dark, reddish fur, and instead of fingers, toes, it had claws large and very curved talons. You may think me crazy Lt but I think whatever it was, it started out human.”

"What's Hatherford and Hart's condition?"

“Unknown sir there was no sign of either trooper or the other two grunts, no bodies, gear or anything to indicate their present location or condition.
Sir, your not gonna believe this but when we entered the observatory it was completely gone not destroyed, not ransacked, but gone. We stepped through the door into a cave like area of stone and earth, with roots dangling from the ceiling high above. The place smelled like rotting meat, spoiled eggs, and was almost overpowering Sir.”

"Kane, Get those wounded back here, pronto. We'll meet you along the way to provide some extra help."

“Roger that Lt moving out now”

“Pearson, Johannsen grab him and start moving towards the comp center, I’ll follow and provide cover.”

Moving the SAW back into his grip he let the others move a few feet ahead and then followed, covering them as they moved to reunite with the Lt and Blake.........

May 9th, 2025 - 0246
Hallway outside of the Observatory, Antarctic Research Facility 36, Antarctica

It soon becomes apparent that Kane's assessment that Johannsen and Pearson are "injured but able to function" proves to be a bit of an overassaessment - the big man and the medic are both barely able to stand, much less pick up or drag the injured Sergeant Lee. Frustrated, Kane realizes that he will have to be the one to move the dying ranger.

Humiliatingly, the fire team leader also realizes that he is far from over the effects of the stench - he nearly drops the unconscous man as severe nausea overtakes him, forcing him to throw up all over the floor of the cave.

Soon, though, he manages to drag the unconscios form of Lee out of the cave and back into the hallway, where the stench is noticeably less prominent. Johannsen realizes that she is running our of time to act, and motions to Kane to allow her to treat the fallen man.

While she works to stabalize Lee, Kernan and Blake arrive. Soon, she declares the man fit to be moved, allowing Kernan and Kane to carry him back to the comm center.

had told the Lt. that she and Pearson would be able to help carry Lee back to their HQ for now. Only she was incapable of doing more that what she was doing. Lifting up the man, as small as he was, was not possible for her right now. She could barely handle the med kit. Sgt Kane had to pull Lee out into the hallway

As soon as they are clear of it she motions Kane to stop lacking the breath to get out the words right not focusing on getting down to Lee and doing all she could for him. The effects of the stench ws slightly decreased out here though she slips on a mask on her face more fore the smell than germs. At least that allowed her to keep some of the smell from her nose and mouth for now.

Inga uses all her skills to stabilize Sgt. Lee. She snapped her med kit opened, where her supplies neat and ready for her to use she set to work, w a quick prayer to any Gods she knew. While her fingers were less nimble and her grasp weakened by injury her brain was working just fine. She knew what she had to do and did it. Breathing, labored and shallow, ribs much to moveable, pale skin of shock, eyes dilated, perhaps concussion. She did a quick check of pulse at the carotid, thankfully it was still beating steadily if slowly. Syringes pulled and contents administered, neck brace set, ribs taped, everything she could do she did.

Once she had him stabilized, she informs the Lt., “Sir, He is as stable as I can make him here. He needs to be gotten to somewhere where we can make him warm and I can work on him out of this environment."

The Lt. and the Sgt. Kane had to carry Sgt Lee themselves. Inga was able to only get to her feet and with the help of the walls keep upright and moving along with the others. Gathering up the med kit and her rifle was able all she could manage right now and it will have to do until she finishes with the wounded in order of needs herself last though if she feels she needs to take care of herself so she can continue treating the others she will. If she goes down they will not have a medic.

It had been a tense and trying journey from the comm. center to the hallway outside of the observatory. Lt. Kernan had led the way, his M6 leveled in standard offensive positioning as he scoured the open corridors, and braced at the corners. He led them through the epicenter of the facility at a quick pace, hardly pausing at the rounds before hot-steppin’ to the next position. The whole maneuver was done while considering the possibilities.

There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it at this point. Monty had to believe that they were caught up in some science-fiction the likes of which standard Ranger training didn’t cover. As the soft patting sounds of their footfalls fluffed the air he set his jaw in grim determination: two of his team were missing, the whole of the facility personnel appeared to be missing, everyone on his team was either near frost-bitten, or wounded in some fashion (including himself), and some were critically injured. It was truly a distressing situation to be in, and it was only his training as a Ranger that kept him from throwing his hands in the air in despair. He was a U.S. Army Ranger, and he’d be damned if he was going to leave his men behind.

He’d said very little when arriving on the scene where Sgt. Kane was standing over the stabilized men’s positions, Corporal Inga Joannsen sitting near them just as badly beat up. It was a mess, but they hadn’t the time to discuss it. Quickly formulating the best strategy for a tactical retreat from the observatory hall, the team did the best they could to reduce the amount of time they spent in the open, less defensible location, eventually bursting through the comm. room door and moving the wounded to secure positions out of the way of any intruding enemy’s immediate line of sight. Once those three were secured, Monty ordered Kane to close up and secure the door that they’d just come through.

“Blake,” Monty caught the attache’s attention once more. “I need your assessment. We’re in a tight situation here, and it don’t look to be getting any better any time soon. With three wounded as they are, and another two MIA, we have a desperate need to get in touch with headquarters, but the lot of us nearly got turned into snowmen even in full gear just hikin’ into this hell hole. What’re the odds of getting our sat-radio outside of that blue field and getting off a message to HQ for reinforcements? Hell! What’re our odds of anyone stepping outside of that blue field and returnin’ to this same situation?” Another sick thought occurred to him at that moment, and he couldn’t help but ask after it with a lowered, dread-filled tone, “If that…cave just swallowed the observatory, can you speculate on whether what happened there will happen elsewhere in the facility? Can you speculate with any accuracy on what happened to Hatherford, Hart, and those two G.I.s?”

Science wasn’t Kernan’s strong suite, and he had no idea what stepping outside of that field would do—he couldn’t even fathom what kind of ramifications it might incur. For all he knew they were stuck in some Time-Space Continuum, or something like that; maybe a dimensional rift—he’d heard some sci-fi geeks jabbering away about some such nonsense while bivouacked with a regiment in northern African a few summers back. At the time, he’d laughed and poked fun, and now he wished like Hell he’d asked them some questions that would have provided the answers to this mess they were in!

(OOC: will back-post in response to Charlie’s answers. Depending on the answer Monty is likely to request that Blake get back to her computer hacking.)

Turning to look at Joannsen, Monty took a deep breath, quietly taking in the paleness of the already pale woman’s skin, the sunken appearance of her eyes, and the pastel wash of her lips. Their medic had been hit hard, and while a soldier’s condition when injured was always of a concern, when a unit lost their medic they were up Sh*t Creek without a paddle.

“What do you need, Doc?” Monty asked in a quieter voice. “I need the three of you functional as soon as possible, so tell me what I can do, and we’ll get it done.” He didn’t know if there was anything to do except get an evac, but he had to try something, and she was the best suited to answer. He had some major decisions to make in the next little while, and he wished to God that they had some way to communicate with HQ in order to get some reinforcements in, and his team out, but it wasn’t looking like that was going to be an option.

When all went to hell with the other rangers, Kernan decided it was time to cut their losses with the computer and get over to the team to assist, “I'm not leaving you alone here, Charlie. We're going to have to put the objective on hold for the time being. Grab your kit; we're going to reunite."

The Chief Warrant Officer raised her eyebrows a bit at “Charlie”, she hadn’t felt any particular warm-and-fuzzies from the LT but maybe she was rubbing off on him, just a bit. “10-4, boss,” she responded crisply, and killed the subroutine she was running on her laptop. She sent it to sleep and packed it away, her movements precise and fast. Given the weirdness all around, she wasn’t about to leaver her ‘chine behind; she’d sooner leave a limb as an offering to Moriarity.

“Unitl we met again,” she hissed at the server before taking up position just behind and to the left of the LT, M61A raised and at the ready.

The trip to the observatory was a blur of worry about what lay ahead, the time spent moving the wounded to the comm room was similarly smudged; this time with shock. Blake had been in some tense situations before, but had always been shielded from immediate danger and its aftermath. Now, the smell of blood threatened to choke her and every moan from Pearson and Lee echoed in her psyche. Blake tugged both pigtails hard and tried to quell the rising panic. She watched Johanssen work on the injured men, marvelling that the medic could function through her own obvious pain.

“Blake,” Monty caught the attache’s attention once more. “I need your assessment. We’re in a tight situation here, and it don’t look to be getting any better any time soon. With three wounded as they are, and another two MIA, we have a desperate need to get in touch with headquarters, but the lot of us nearly got turned into snowmen even in full gear just hikin’ into this hell hole. What’re the odds of getting our sat-radio outside of that blue field and getting off a message to HQ for reinforcements? Hell! What’re our odds of anyone stepping outside of that blue field and returnin’ to this same situation?” Another sick thought occurred to him at that moment, and he couldn’t help but ask after it with a lowered, dread-filled tone, “If that…cave just swallowed the observatory, can you speculate on whether what happened there will happen elsewhere in the facility? Can you speculate with any accuracy on what happened to Hatherford, Hart, and those two G.I.s?”

Charlie turned her disconcerting gaze to Kernan’s, and blinked slowly several times while she considered. Kernan could almost hear her mental drive arm skittering over her brain’s hard drive, sampling a scenario here, drawing data from tables there, and computing furiously.

“Null that, boss. We could freeze our vertical smiles off and not get so much as a dial tone. I just don’t know what that blue field will do when it’s anywhere near working electronics. Payoff on that particular scenario would be 98.5 to 1.

“As to what’s going on in here, Giles was definitely messing in the kitchen without the HQ approved recipe. It sounds loopy, but space (and ergo, my dear Watson, time) are being warped like some giant origami, and some other time and place got swapped for the observatory. Hatherford, Hart, Fields and Carter (sounds like a law firm, donnit?) may be ok and exactly where we left them, just not here and now.

“Thing is, even when machines flake out, there’s some logic to what they do….random’s a human term and doesn’t exist in math. I gotta get into that server, boss.”