She ducked back into the shelter of the vent shaft, shaking with fear! What the heck had that been? Who was the man? Was it one of the men from the site? She hadn't gotten a good enough look to tell! She wondered if the man dropped the gun where she could get it...But did she really want to try to get out there? She tried to sense if the thing could be felt from her hiding place.

05:32, Today: Maran rolled 14 using 1d20+9. hide.
05:31, Today: Maran rolled 26 using 1d20+6. psicraft.

Listening and watching Maran began to sense the beast. Cold Dark, angry and hungry, the power of the mind she felt was enough to chill the soul. It’s hunger was not sated it slunk away seeking relief from the heat and wind, seeking somewhere to hide and wait for another chance to feed it’s desire for death.

    Further away, patient and quiet another voice whispered not words, not images, something far subtler. That voice set waves of comforting warmth out offering her some reassurance, shielding her from the hate and hunger of the beast, its voice as soft as a spring breeze on her far off home. Images of a quiet park where she had set eating her lunch with her father, played with the shaggy mutt her other had given her as a gift on her birthday. Even as quiet as a whisper the voice felt as strong as steel, quiet, confident, fearless… be still, move slowly, do not fear it is blind, keep near the machines it will not sense you….do not run.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:08, Tue 18 Mar 2008.

She started as she felt the cold desolate hunger of the beast, and wondered if that was what had happened to the other people. If so, it was a terrible death they had. Just like her parents had had. Could it have been what had killed them? They'd not had any marks upon them...

Then she heard and felt the other voice, a voice that filled her mind with courage and comfort. But...could it be the beast, a trick? No, it felt totally different than the first creature had. She slid out of the hiding place, carefully closing the vent cover in case she needed to get back in. She placed a rock against it as well, to help mark which one it was.

She slowly, carefully moved along the edge of the dome until she got to one of the vehicles, guided by the voice, she went the direction it seemed to urge her to go. She tried to look around as she did, to see if she could find any useful items dropped, a gun, a knife, anything at all.

          A Pistol lay on the ground, empty and left where it had been dropped, the smell of blood and something rank hung in the air as Maran crept closer to the Rover, the plasma rifle lay on the ground. The weapon was only inches from where Maran hid. The feet of the dead man stuck out of the shadows, he was curled into a ball on the ground, not a mark on him other than a massive bruise that covered hi fro head to toe, every inch of his body a dark purple blotch shot through with black veins.

     His Uniform was a military uniform, the markings of the Terran navy his back pack lay near by tossed aside by the beast as it stalked away. The rifle was heavy but it was small enough to handle with Maran’s small hands and her light frame.  Looking closely she could also see a familiar pack, decorated with patches and decals of one of the workers, inside she saw the tops of the Uller Skates he had been keeping as a gift for his girl sticking out of them.

She slowly crept forward, picked up the pistol and checked it's ammo levels and power, then stuck it in her pocket before approaching the poor dead man. She gagged and put her hand to her mouth, tears filling her eyes as she recognized the uniform and saw how the man had been killed. Seeing something shiny, she reached down and pulled his dog tags free and placed them in a pocket for safe keeping. Then she picked up the rifle and checked it out too. Luckily, her father's friend had taught her how to use one. She slung it over her shoulder.

Looking further, she saw the pack, and the skates, and got a lump in her throat. She'd met his kid once and knew how much the skates were wanted, and how proud their dad had been to get them. She reached out and pulled the pack near, and slung it over her other shoulder. She'd go through the pack later when she was in a safer place.

Releasing the safety on the rifle, she eadged further along, going toward the dig site, where the pull of the nice mind seemed to be pulling her. She kept alert, but hoped to hell she didn't run into that creature or any of it's friends or family as she moved through the desolate dig site.

     The dig was in a terrible state, their had been a fight, ancient statues crystal towers so frail they hued in the wind and glittered like a million diamonds when the brilliant blue sun hit them, were packed and cracked by bullets and plasma bolts, the signs were everywhere the battle had been lost blood torn clothing and drag mars leading into an open shaft at the center of the dig. However, the fight had not been one sided, the bodies of several aliens lay broken and bloodied by the diggers and guards.
              They were ugly hateful looking things, rust red and black part reptile with plates of hard shell and two massive insect eyes of the sides of their head. A second set of small dark eyes were on the front of the things head just above a nightmare mouth made up of shearing jaws and dozens of tiny hooked palps that looked as if they could rip meat and bone.

She gasped at the carnage and the destruction of the wonderful graceful towers and the ancient statues, not noticing at first the bodies of the strange aliens. Then her gaze tracked down to see where the destruction had come from. She looked at total surprise at the strange bodies, looking sickeningly like a cross between lizards and insects. Were they the reason the site was destroyed, or was it because of the creature? She looked anxiously around to see if there were any other bodies around the site, then went further down the site toward the last sections uncovered. It wasn't so badly damaged there.

She searched as she went to see if there were other items that she could salvage, but didn't waste much time, trying to get to a safe place before the creature or the aliens returned. 07:08, Today: Maran rolled 10 using 1d20+4. search.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:09, Tue 18 Mar 2008.

    Searching the dig site Maran finds many tools,one of the diggers PDA's a collection of small artifacts and an off looking rod that has the impression of a human hand in the middle it is covered with dust and dirt. as weel as carbon from an ancient fire. She also finds several power belts and a wrist band with com set and map of the complex stored in it's holo projection screen.

” You are close, find the statues of the guardians,”The voice was gentle and confident, the sensation of warmth flowing through the quiet whisper was ore like strong sunlight than any other sensation, sunlight that burned away shadows, and stilled the whispers of doubt and fear.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:08, Tue 25 Mar 2008.

She gathered up many of the things she found scattered about the dig sight, some power packs for the skates, and some other small items that might come in handy. Then she stopped as the warm voice sounded in her mind. It sounded stronger, closer perhaps. She wondered what the statues of the guardians were? She looked around, searching for these statues.

"What do they look like?"
02:12, Today: Maran rolled 23 using 1d20+4. spot.
02:12, Today: Maran rolled 23 using 1d20+4. search.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:13, Tue 25 Mar 2008.

Searching quietly Maran found herself deep in the inner ruins of the city. None of the surveys had been unable to accurately chart. Many tall buildings had become ruined skeletons of black and blue steel. At the center of the ruins stood a dome glittering like a sapphire in the bright blue sunlight. The dust covering the building had been blown off by the morning winds.

Around the dome stood seven massive statues of blue steel Horses rearing in defiance, massive and magnificent only the treacherous ruins around the area had kept the survey crew out of the area. Somewhere nearby was “that place” a similar dome, imbedded in charred rock a dismal black spined dome shrouded in slag and melted girders as if something had tried to entrap it deep in the barren soil surrounding it. That was where the accident happened five men and women dead with no trace of a wound or any weapons. Their bodies laying in the sun looking as if they had laid down and went to sleep.

"Oh my god! What happened here? How did these people die, and why?"

She went toward the horses, but didn't venture closer to the dead people, or the melted looking blackened dome that looked so forbidding. Instead, she looked at the metalic blue statues of horses that graced the first dome. They looked so lifelike, except for their color. She examined them closley, noting some differences as well as some similarities. They were the most interesting thing she'd seen so far in this city. She wondered who the artist was. She raised a hand to stroke the most lifelike one of the group.

An electric jolt raced through Maran, not painful, almost pleasant. The voice rang in her head as if it were a musical note struck on a crystal rod. She was nearly deafened by the power of the voice. Calling out to the heavens as it shouted words alien to her.

        As she stood there unable to move it seemed as if the massive statue was examining her testing her. The power within it coiling to strike, then it fell silent again. Beside her a door opened into the dome, beyond it a dim light glowed soft and inviting the smell of dust, ozone and vanilla filed the air.

She backed away once the tingle left her hand, scared now, not trusting this sudden opening of doors and the lurking consciousness in the statue! After seeing the dead people around the other darkened dome!

"Oh oh! Did I do that? What's gonna come out and get me? Will I be dead like them other people now? Why did I even come down here? I wish my mom or dad was here!"

She peeked around the horse at the dome, but didn't move forward. She was really scared now, not that she hadn't already been before. But after seeing the dead people at the other dome, she didn't know whether to freeze, run like hell, or drop dead right there from fright!

 The sound of hooves on metal echoed up the hallway as shadows shifted on the walls, Something large moved in the dim blue light sending reflections dancing across the walls as it moved toward the entrance to the dome. Out of the shadows a horse of blue steel appeared, not as massive as the guardians but still larger than Maran. It’s eyes burned with cobalt blue light and it’s mane seemed to ripple and flow like gun metal blue water flowing down it’s neck as it tossed its head and then looked down at Maran.

 ”I chose you Maran,” The Steed lowered it head, the smooth polished steel plated covering the bundles of gunmetal blue muscle brushed her hand as it bowed it’s head. The steel was warm to the touch, once again she felt the warm comforting presence of the voice, it wrapped around her like a protective blanket driving away the fear and uncertainty like a warm wind on a summer day. ” I will protect you, I will always protect you.”
This message was last edited by the player at 09:41, Tue 25 Mar 2008.

"OH MY GOODNESS!"

She stared with her mouth hanging open for the longest time at the creature before her. Finally she realised her mouth was open "catching flies, mom used to say, and snapped her mouth shut. She trembled as she reached out to stroke the smooth silky metalic skin. It felt just like the horse's skin did that she used to pet on her way to and from school every day as a kid. She looked up at the intelligent eyes with a feeling of awe, her jaw wanted to drop again!

       I am Blue Steel,” the Horses head dipped i as it folded one knee and executed a graceful bow to Maran, I rose shaking it’s head and sending It’s silky mane rippling as it gently nuzzled Maran’s hand” You should come into the dome, you can rest and we can talk, you must be tired, and a little confused.”

        Inside the dome several rooms were filled with sacks of artifacts, wrapped in bubble rap and paper, as well as racks of testing equipment, tools and scanners used by the archeologists in their work. Sanding at the center of the room were two other Steel Horses worn by age and partially disassembled as the scientist tried to study them.

 She laughed as the blue horse bowed to her, incredulous at the sight of a metal horse that felt so real! Maybe she was asleep and dreaming. If so, this would be a nice dream so far! She giggled again and pretended a curtsey to the horse.
 "Hello! I am Maran! How do you do?"
 She followed the horse inside, mouth gapped open as she wandered in and took in all the wonderous things inside, especially the other blue horses that were in partial disarray. She wandered over to them and looked at the parts spread out a bit sadly.
 "Awww! Were they alive like you? Did they die? Can't they be fixed?"
 She reached over and stroked one of the horse heads sadly. She wondered if she could put it back together...
 "Oh, if you can open and shut the doors easily, you should shut it, because there's something out there killing people. It killed all the others that were with me I think, unless some are hiding somewhere safe. I saw it kill one of the men...he had a little girl my age too, poor girl will wonder what ever happened to her dad if they don't come here looking for everyone."
 "And what do you mean, you chose me?"

      ” We are safe here.” Blue Steel assured Maran,” You won’t need that weapon, and it looks rather heavy.

      I chose you as my friend, to travel with and to protect you,” Blue Steel stepped nimbly through the cluttered lab toward the Other Steeds,” It’s what we do, we are friends, companions, someone who will never leave you as long as we live.”

       “ We traveled her to Help the people of this world and to be a friend to those who needed us, there was ten of us then, Now only I survive, these are Bright Star, and Sun Runner, they are asleep within their cores until they are healed.”

Blue Steel tapped a hoof at the table where two crystal orbs sat in cradles a fierce inner blue light. He gently nuzzled the orbs as he looked over the orbs,” When they are whole they will find a friend of heir own to become a companion to, and they will help to resist HER.”

 She nodded and layed the gun down then moved over to look at the globes. When he introduced them, she smiled softly and greeted them, in case they had some means of hearing or sensing her in their cradals.
 "Hello Bright Star and Sun Runner. I hope we can fix you and you can find someone to be friends with soon."
 "Where did you all come from? There were 10, and now there's only 3? That's sad! And who is this her you mentioned?"

         " Hello Maran, One of the orbs spoke a young very soft female voice came from the air and echoed in Maran’s head.” I’m Bright Star, you look tired and hungry, you should try and eat and sleep we will watch over you.”

     " a child, in this place, how sad." Sun Runners voice echoed strong stern and powerful, his voice carrying the hint of searing heat from a powerful noon sun.

       SHE has no name, she has no face, She is as ancient as this world and was before we were.” Blue Steel spoke slowly as if not wanting to reveal what he knew.” she is a Matriarch of the Skandling, she is the mother of their race and the source of their power, we pursued her hear, hoping to aid these people in at last destroying her.

 "Oh wow! I didn't know they could really hear me! That is so great!"
 She looked at Blue Steel with a happy smile, but that soon faded as they spoke of the matriarch female creature. She really must be dangerous or something.

 "Why is she so bad? Is she evil, or insane or something?"

 "She is evil, her people rob, burn, enslave and butcher any who are weaker than they are," Blue Steel spoke after a moment.

 "I don't think the girl needs to hear this," Sun Runner spoke up quickly. "There is no good in scaring her."

 "She's no silly girl Sun Runner. She is old enough to know the truth."

 Bright Star spoke up her voice cool and calming moonlight on an open prairie and starlight on a quiet evening. "You don't have to worry Dear they are all nearly gone now, the fire that forced our freinds to flee killed her soldiers and destroyed her ship."

 "If you have not seen a Skandling before there is hope they have perished, and as soon as we leave here you will never see one again." Blue steel Spoke with hope in his voice. " Then we can explore the world beyond this place in peace."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:18, Wed 09 Apr 2008.

"There's some kind of creature out there hunting people though Blue. I saw it attack one of the men, though I didn't get to see it very well, because I was hiding. Everyone's dead I think, except me Blue. How am I going to survive? I know I can hide in here maybe for awhile, but if that thing can get in here I won't live long. And when I run out of food, I might as well just walk on out there and let it take me, or shoot myself."
 She thought about things for awhile then looked at the blue horse and the globes in their cradles.
 "Did anyone ever try to negoiate with those things? What did you say they looked like? Are they animal, insectoid or reptilians? Or something totally weird and undescribable? If we knew what they were, we might be able to figure out what motivated them."
 She sounded a lot older than her obvious years, but that came from living among scientists and adults and not being around kids her own age. She'd rather enjoyed being included in the adult discussions, they were ever so much more interesting than what the kids had to talk about!

      Blue moved to Maran’s side nuzzling her softly as he listened to her words, resting his head against her shoulder and sheltering her with her his heavy bulk ” We will keep you safe Maran,  we do not know how just yet ,but we will see to it you are safe and that you do not come to harm.”

         ” there were many attempts to reason with them Dear Child,” Sun Runner spoke with a sigh, They are viscous things, part insect part reptile to in appearance. And they do not often negotiate or communicate, only when the world they approach can repel their attacks do they offer any terms.

     ” You are no mere child, Blue has always found he most unique freinds.” Bright Star spoke with a slight tinge of pleasure and surprise.” If we can find the ship you group came here in we can use t to escape.