"The code is an older code, but it checks out.  We have not received an update for a newer one."  The walkers that still can, turn and walk down the tunnel away from the group.

Tump breathes a sigh of relief and looks over at Irin. "Nice one. For a second, I thought we were cooked."

"Ronan, any idea how much farther the core is?"

"The Core of the planet is approximately one trillion two hundred fifty eight billion six hundred thirty seven million nine hundred sixteen thousand two hundred twenty two nanometers away from this location."

Ronan chuckles.  "I'd say we have about ten clicks before we arrive where we're going.  A morning jog."

Sweat beads on everyone's skin as the heat from the proximate magma permeates the air.

Django surveys the group he's with, and gives an approving nod. "I hate joggin'. Let's get it over with". He tails at the far end of the group, and lights up, occasionally looking back over his shoulder to ensure they aren't being followed by anything.

The group moves forward, led by the droid walkers.  Not long after the march begins, a background noise becomes evident.  It is difficult to make out, like an empty signal band through an audio emitter.  Eventually though, it resolves into a series of distinct sounds: scraping, clanking, whirring, sparking...the sounds of droids in various states of disrepair moving.

The first droid encountered is a torso and the upper arm.  It drags itself away from the group by the upper arm.  The process is slow, only centimeters at a time.  Other droids are scattered across the tunnel.   Many are as headless as the first, pulled by a truncated arm or pushed by an abbreviated leg.  All of them move toward the core.

Tump looks over to one of the walkers. "What happened to all the droids here? Disrepair, I can understand, but most of these look like they've been blown apart."

"These are the primary security forces sent to repel you as invaders.  These appear to be in a state of severe disrepair.  Given their state and rate, I imagine this is merely the last of all sent.  Those that are more mobile will have already moved closer to their stations or returned."

True to the prediction, the group continues to encounter droids.  Some are slightly more mobile, dragging themselves by two arms or pushing by two legs.  There are thousands of them and it is hard to weave through them.  The walker droids step confidently and a path is automatically created.  Eventually a the other droids encountered are those able to walk to an extent, shamble really.  The lurch and drag, and sometimes they fall, but get right back up.

"Well if this ain't creepy... Hey droid, how much further we got?" Django asks impatiently, clearly a bit unnerved by the mangled "corpses" of robots shambling around like zombies.

Tump looks around at all the fragmented droids. "It's a bit depressing seeing all these things limping around like this. Are there are protocols for getting them repaired and back in working order?"

"Yes."  The walkers continue forward as the shambling droids increase in quality and speed.

And number.  Eventually the mass is enough to fill the tunnel, and the only reason for the slowness of their movement now.  It is likely there are millions of them them.  Along the tunnels, they file into doorways going to who knows what kind of waiting station.

Thankfully, as the walkers move forward, the droids make way for them without signal.  Eventually the march of droids ends...abruptly.  Across a small gap beyond the last line of droids filing into their doors, is a heavy blast shield.  The walkers head right for it.

Exactly 1 meter away, they stop and stand.  The countless shuffling droids echo in the tunnel behind, an ominous sound between the blast door and the way out.

Django asks the walker "You gonna open it or do we have to?".

"You have to."

Django reaches forward to activate the door.

When nothing happens, Irin steps forward.  "I think I have to enter an access code.  Since we are now the 'owners' here, we have to provide all the access.  The droids don't have them as a preventative measure."  She taps a few buttons on her data pad, then punches them into the door.  "That should..."  When nothing happens, she frowns.  "I don't understand.  The code was accepted and the door says activated."

[Roll any engineering or technical skill you may have related to operating a door physically.]

Tump steps up. "Looks like we might need a manual override of some sort." As he grabs ahold of the door, he slips and ends up jamming his thumb.

He pulls back cursing like a sailor.

20:40, Today: Tump rolled 11 using 1d20+8.  skill check: use ancient device.

This message was last edited by the player at 01:50, Tue 22 Aug 2017.

Django says "Lemme try somethin..". He slams a fist down on the access panel. "Open ya stupid thing!!"

21:45, Today: Django Blint rolled 25 using 1d20+5. Intimidate the door.

With a screech of metal, the doors grate open about thirty centimeters then stop.  A hiss of hot gas blasts out, not damaging, but definitely uncomfortable in temperature.  On the other side of the doors looks like some kind of unloading area for the tram.  Beyond that are doorways to the left and right.  Directly ahead is a raised platform of metal lattice.  Switchback stairs broad enough for four people sweep out then back center to a central door leading into what is most obviously a control room.  The control room is rounded, sweeping around like a partial ring before burying itself into the obsidian rock of the far wall.

There are no droids beyond the broken door.

Tump shakes his hand, trying to 'walk off the pain'. "See, nothin' to it." He peers inside and then looks back at the droids. "Are there any active security measures in there?"

"I do not have clearance to that information."

Tump shrugs. "Welp, I guess I'll go take a looksee..." He pokes his head back in and starts searching the area.

Attempt to take 20 on search without setting off traps: 29

On the other side of the door is definitely some sort of major control room.  There are three tiers of computer stations wrapped around a circular glass chamber viewable from the top tier.  The lighting is indirect from the thick windows up top and the shadows make things difficult to see properly.  There do not seem to be any droids or traps.  Dust coats everything.

Nothing is on.

[CON roll DC 12 to squeeze through the doorway.]

Not seeing any immediate threats, Tump decides to squeeze through the door to give a more thorough examination. Unfortunately, his foot gets caught in some recess in the flooring. "Little help here?"

Django assist Tump with his stuck foot, nearly prying his boot off in the process. "Big'un, I don't reckon you're gonna be able to fit through that are ya. You keep an eye on things out here for now". With that, Django also attempts to squeeze through. He manages to wedge himself and get his buckles for his holsters stuck. "[wheez] On second thought, pull me out. I'll help ya keep an eye on thangs".
This message was last edited by the player at 03:09, Wed 30 Aug 2017.

Inarra rolls her eyes.  When the men disentangle themselves from the doorway, Inarra slips through to the other side.