Gene says, "That's good for now.  I'm just saying as soon as possible.  Let's go around this trail and see where it takes us."

Vilfred nods, waiting for the others to move past her before following along in the rear.

To the GM:

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Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
She checks the shed's entrance for cameras, and if any are present, slaps a micro-cam on it.

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This message was last edited by the player at 19:00, Tue 18 Feb 2014.

Mark follows along behind, saying nothing for now.

Rob inspects the trail closer, but does not traverse upon it yet, just looking for any interesting details.

Copper inspects the lock and pad. Do the indentations look to be of the shape and size as the crystals we picked up earlier ?

Copper inspects the pad.  Yes, the holes are about the size of the crystals.  They would fit in with a little bit sticking out the top.

The trail seems like a normal trail.  NOthing strange about it.  The plants are normal plants and overgrowth.  Unlike the tree, none of them move or seem to be violent in any way.

There is no camera on the building.

Those who walk around on the trail find that it circles the small building.

On the back side of the building, the trail splits off to the south into some trees (that don't seem to be violent and which seem in the general direction of the tower) or toward some bushes to the west (away from the tower).

Even more strangely, there is an odd box on the back of the building.  Or rather, sitting next to the building.  It is about the size of a very large coffin, and indeed, that is just what it likely is.  The box is metal, and a glass top shows you that a person is inside.  The person wears a yellow clearance uniform and is preserved, or so it seems, within.  The box seems to be holding the person in stasis.  On the side of the box is a display that is the color purple, along with three holes.  It looks exactly like the display that was on the side of the building.

Next to the giant box, you see the signs of a scuffle in the dirt in about a 10 foot radius, along with some scattered items.  The items include:

1 laser pistol (with barrel)
1 pair of goggles (with a red button on the side)
1 whitish translucent crystal
1 reddish translucent crystal
1 yellow boot
1 set of small wrenches
1 walkie talkie

*The crystals are exactly the same size and type as the other ones you found, about the size of a fountain pen.

"Ooh! I'll hold onto the crystals they lwophm mmpmphalopm hmpm."

Copper picks up the goggles and takes a good look at them, then gets out the multicorder and begins filming the box. He does a close up of the clone inside. ... And here we can clearly see that a yellow clearance citizen is taking a much deserved nap in a stasis box care of the deranged commie bots that reportedly roam this area ... Lastly heads back around the building chatting to the camera about the structure ...
This message was last edited by the player at 22:42, Tue 18 Feb 2014.

Mark will examine the coffin box and the citizen inside it to see if there's anything strange or notable about them.

Fletch calls out to Johnny, Halt Friend Citizen! All equipment handling and inspection lies under the jurisdiction of the equipment guy! He goes to pick up the items.

Justin had been following the group from behind, watching for trouble or tails, his clone prod at the ready when they stumbled across the coffin and the scattered items. He didn't pay much attention to the coffin - others seemed to have that on lockdown. What did catch his eye was the laser pistol, with barrel. Had he not been bringing up the rear, he would have snatched at it first. Since Fletch claimed the items first, Justin moved towards the equipment clone and tapped him on the shoulder to make a request.

Respecting your position, sir
I make the following suit:
That the laser pistol we've found here
Might become my loot.

I'm a ridiculous combat leader
When in the vanguard I must charge
While all the other clones in theatre
Have laser pistols with barrels large.

So please lend unto me the tool
Mine enemies to fricassee
For the glory of Computer's rule
And the entirety of our safety.

Fletch turns to Justin. Certainly Madame Team Leader, just let me do a quick inspection to make sure its in working order.

You begin sorting out the equipment, with Justin eventually getting a laser pistol.

The datapads upon inspection appear that the crystals could be set into the three holes that are in each of the colored datapads.  (You have seen two so far, one on the coffin thing and one by the door to the building.)  There does not appear to be any way to access, break into, or otherwise hack into the datapads.  In fact, they are rather crystalline and more organic in nature, less mechanical than you have ever seen in Alpha Complex.

The coffin itself appears to be holding the person in a stasis.  The person appears alive (or perfectly preserved) within.  He seems to be a normal citizen.  The only noticeable marks are bruises around the shoulders and arms, and a blackened eye that indicate a struggle.

Having none of the required items, nor technical abilities, Justin takes his new laser pistol and sets himself up, watching the perimeter, so the group won't get ambushed again.

Gene says, "Why don't we move on down the trail to the south?  That gets us closer to our destination."

"Our destination?" Vilfred says. "The tower in the center. Let us make our way southward."

As you are preparing to go south, you hear from the trail behind you (the one you came down a few minutes ago), the sound of something approaching.  A quick peek around the outpost building shows you that your robot escort is coming down the road.  Behind it are several other robots of the not-so-friendly looking variety, with weaponized hands and bug-like eyes.

They surround a vehicle-like robot that they are leading in.  On the back of this vehicle are a bunch of box things--coffins, if you will--that look identical to the one the man near you is in.  They are some sort of stasis cabinets, and you can only guess that they are empty and meant for you.

You continue south to get ahead of the robots...

Their noises seem to stop at the outpost, and you get about 50 yards before you run into another one of those coffin-like stasis devices.  This one has a woman inside it, of yellow clearance.  Just like the other box, on the side of this coffin box is a display that is the color purple, along with three holes that are about the size of the crystals you hold.

You also see here the signs of a struggle, just like at the other box 50 yards up the trail.  The scattered items around the coffin include:

1 laser pistol (with barrel)
1 pair of goggles (with a red button on the side)
1 whitish translucent crystal
1 bluish translucent crystal
1 set of "clean it all" toothpaste, soap, and disinfectant kit
1 walkie talkie
1 folded note, which when unfolded reads, "The message said we must not let EVE interact with The Computer.  This is imperative, no matter what she says."

Justin is visibly agitated, being combat trained and at the back of the line, he got enough of a look at those robots to know they meant business. When the team arrived at the next box, he wasted no time in making his voice heard.

Waste no time, nor tarry here,
For our followers are no longer kind
We must take shelter, because I fear
An attack we're soon to find.

Though courage I have, in greater measure
Than any of EVE's machines,
In advantageless combat, I take no pleasure
So everyone, I say take no leisure
And get the heck inside.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:43, Mon 03 Mar 2014.

I forgot to mention this, but the trail does continue to the south.  You can also at any time deviate from the trails and head into the shrubbery and trees for a more direct approach, if you want.

Fletch quickly picks up the items, then moves to follow the team leaders lead.

Gene says, "I'll take the clean it all kit as the hygeine officer, if you don't mind."  He quickly snags that up and follows the others.

"Mind? Let's get off the trail!" Vilfred ushers everyone into the undergrowth and away from the trail, still heading toward the central tower.

Copper grabs a pair of the goggles ... These have an audio-visual look to them, they might allow me to record in the dark or even in various heroic hues ! ... After that he follows the group filming them as they retreat tactically into the undergrowth. Being ever alert that the robots do not catch him flat footed, he dashes ahead of the group by twenty yards and continues filming them as they pass into the deeper growth. ... Oh yes ... How heroic ! ...

Obviously preferring to dig in and fight over a trek through the jungle, Justin takes up the rear, keeping his laser pistol at the ready, and one eye behind him for the approaching robot horde...

Mark follows them off the trail. "I bet you a credit they catch up to us before we get too far.  Whatever we do, let's do it quickly.  And happily," the happiness officer adds.