The area may have alleged to be a warehouse, but this looked more like a research park-- there were businesses, or buildings for them at least, and the power lines suggested that something here was using much more electricity than was usual.

"They have disguised it well," Zhi'an said.

"Yeah, they do that," said Phantasma.  "It makes sense, though-- this is basically a factory, right?  So it's going to already look like one..."

"I suppose we should stick together, given that security must be tight here," Zhi'an said.

"Well, sure," said Phantasma.  "I"ll get both of us disguised."

"What can we expect for security?" Zhi'an asked.

"Cameras, pressure plates, things like that, plus guards... and maybe automated guns," said Phantasma.  "They might have the same weapons that their machine had, but without needing a mobile power source."

"Okay, let us do this then," Zhi'an said.

"All right.  Follow me," said Phantasma.

Stealth check

(OOC: Stealth roll - Weather Witch rolled 16 using 1d20+4)

They crept through the complex, partially protected by Phantasma's illusions.  She had an eye for spotting security cameras and other features, and soon they were approaching a doorway, slowly, carefully.

"So which ones did you want to marry?" Phantasma asked.  "You've got the big guy intrigued, but I caught that plural..."

"Eh?" Zhi'an asked, more than a little surprised. "Well, uh, that would have included all of the adults."

"Now you're getting even more interesting," said Phantasma.  "So everyone?  That's a long list... but it would be an interesting group dynamic, at the very least."

"Of the group, yes. It is what my people do," Zhi'an said.

"...so where do you draw the line for 'adults'?" asked Phantasma.  They were close now.  "Not the twins, I assume."

"You, Gauss and Mountain are the ones that appear to be adults," Zhi'an said.

Phantasma considered this.

"...Hopper's pretty young, yes," she said.  "I don't know how this would all work out, but it is an interesting idea.  And we mutants really need to write our own society, our own history."

"Sure, but I can't really expect you to suddenly follow the ways of my planet," Zhi'an said.

"No, but the idea has, in the past, been-- here we are," said Phantasma.  "Doorway.  Locked.  Do you have any high-tech tricks to get through it?"

"I don't. I could blast it open, but...," Zhi'an said.

"That lacks finesse," said Phantasma.  "I'll see what I can do."

She went and fiddled with the lock for a little while; at last, with a click, it opened.

"Good," she said.  "The locks aren't more advanced than I'm used to."

"That's good," Zhi'an said.

"Be careful, though," Phantasma said as they slipped in.  "No telling what kind of technology they ave here..."

"I'll keep my eyes open," Zhi'an said.

Stealth roll to creep down a corridor

(OOC: Stealth roll - Weather Witch rolled 8 using 1d20+4. Merp. Rerolling - Weather Witch rolled 15 using 1d20+4.)

They made their way down-- up ahead was a loud noise of machinery.  Some kind of factory was clearly operating, and at a high rate of speed.

"Sounds like they are making more of those things," Zhi'an said.

"Or something, anyway," said Phantasma.  "Probably bad news either way."

"Should we get to work destroying them?" Zhi'an asked.

"Probably, but carefully," said Phantasma.  "There might be volatile chemicals or the like ahead; we can't go around throwing force around casually."

"Maybe we should check out the room then," Zhi'an said.

Phantasma nodded...

The room proved to be a gigantic industrial plant of some kind; electronic components were being gathered and assembled by machines.  A couple of humans appeared to be overseeing the operation, and it was clear that many of the things being assembled were some kind of energy weapon.

"Is this normal technology for your planet?" Zhi'an asked in a whisper.

"No," whispered Phantasma.  "I'd guess it's derived from captured alien technology, but I can't really tell from here."

"Is this is the tank or something else?" Zhi'an asked.

"I think it's similar to the tank, but either these are just components, or there's something more," said Phantasma.

"Let's destroy it then," Zhi'an said.

"All right," said Phantasma.  "I'll give you cover; you hit 'em hard, and then I'll try to confuse their response."

Zhi'an looked for what appeared to be the most important piece of equipment.

(OOC: Perception check - Weather Witch rolled 23 using 1d20+10.)

That column over there appeared to be some kind of computer controlling the machinery.

"Time to start," Zhi'an said as she launch a bolt of lighting at the computer.

Better make Init and Attack rolls.

(OOC: Init and Attack - Weather Witch rolled 12,14 using d20+8,d20+9)

The computer terminal exploded in a shower of sparks!

--but alarms were going off, and some kind of weapons turrets were lowering from the ceiling, trying to locate Zhi'an despite the shifting illusions that were shielding her.

Zhi'an targeted the closest turret and shot a bolt of lightning at it.

(OOC: All-Out Lightning Bolt - Weather Witch rolled 20 using 1d20+14)

One turret was damaged, but still capable of firing.  Clearly.  A lucky shot hit Zhi!

DC 25 Toughness save, but then act.

(OOC: Toughness Save - Weather Witch rolled 22 using 1d20+16)

One of the bullets drew blood, Zhi'an grit her teeth and shot back.

(OOC: All-Out Attack Roll - Weather Witch rolled 33 using 1d20+14)

That turret exploded!  The other one couldn't target Zhi'an so well, and missed her.

Now for the other one.

(OOC: Same All-Out Attack Bolt - Weather Witch rolled 27 using 1d20+14)

The turret exploded!  But alarm sirens were going on and on and on...

"Okay, let's find some more important stuff to destroy!" Xhi'an said.

A quick blast shut down the room, but there was another large doorway ahead.

"Let's head this way," Zhi'an said, heading for the door.

Phantasma followed... there was a noise ahead.  Multiple heavy footsteps.

Zhi'an was ready to summon some hail when they appeared.

There they were-- but were they robots, or figures in powered armor?  It wasn't clear...

Zhi'an unleashed her hailstorm.

The first ranks fell-- but more were coming!

If it's working, Zhi'an kept it up.

But energy blasts came out of the storm at her!

OOC: Two hits out of a bunch; two DC 23 Toughness saves.

(OOC: Toughness Saves - Weather Witch rolled 18,30 using d20+16,d20+16. Rerolling the failure. Weather Witch rolled 28 using 1d20+16.)

Zhi managed to withstand the blasts!

Once more, with the hail.

No more shots came-- the figures had fallen or fled, apparently.

"I'm glad that's done. Let's find more stuff to wreck," Zhi'an said.

"Sure," said Phantasma.  She kicked at one of the fallen figures.

"...robots," she said.  "Well, probably for the best."

"I am surprised that your military is using them," Zhi'an said.

"It might not be the military, directly," said Phantasma.  "A rogue faction... one factor is that robots won't leak information.  Not even accidentally."

"If they are rather simple ones instead of true A.I.s," Zhi'an said.

"I haven't heard anything about true AI existing around here," said Phantasma.  "Trust me, these are going to be simple ones."

"Let's keep going then," Zhi'an said.

They soon arrived at a much larger room.  Vast machines filled most of it-- power plants, perhaps.  The air seemed to be charged with electricity.

"It looks it'd be trouble if I blow this up," Zhi'an said.

"Yeah, maybe a little too much," said Phantasma.  "I don't think we'd get clear in time."

"Let's find something less volatile to blow up," Zhi'an said. continuing on.

Alarms were going off again, and something was happening on the displays...

Technology roll, plz

(OOC: Technology Roll - Weather Witch rolled 7 using 1d20+6. Gonna reroll. Weather Witch rolled 26 using 1d20+6.)

Meters were jumping sharply.  New alarms were going off.  Something was causing a massive power surge, and if it continued, the whole place would probably blow-- and quickly!

"It looks like they're trying to blow the generator to kill us," Zhi'an said.

"Can you shut it down?" asked Phantasma.  "Or can Kryten?"

"I don't know if I can. Kryten?" Zhi'an asked.

"I will try to advise you," sent Kryten.  "You will have to move quickly, however.  Are you ready to try?"

"let's go," Zhi'an said.

Kryten relayed instructions...

Make a roll!

(OOC: Technology Roll - Weather Witch rolled 15 using 1d20+6. Gonna reroll that. Weather Witch rolled 18 using 1d20+6.)

With Kryten's help, it appeared that the reaction was slowing down, at least... Maybe just a bit more?

(OOC: Second tech roll - Weather Witch rolled 19 using 1d20+6)

It slowed... but there were still alert lights, still indicators that something was wrong.

"Perhaps you should leave soon," said Kryten.

"That would probably be for the best," Zhi'an said, flying as fast as she could away with Krytan.

They got clear of the building...

Smoke started coming from it.  One section collapsed.  It seemed likely more damage was upcoming soon.  But at least it appeared to be confined to the building.

"That was unfortunate. We didn't get any information," Zhi'an said.

"Not entirely true," said Kryten.  "I was able to scan the facility, and I can work from your descriptions to learn more about what they were doing."

"...but we still don't know who was behind it," said Phantasma.  "We caused them a setback, though."

"True, I wish we could have gotten more though," Zhi'an said.

"One step at a time," said Phantasma.  "We can look over the information we got.  I did take pictures... did you record anything?"

"Kryten, what did you manage to get?" Zhi'an asked.

"Power use scans," said Kryten.  "Spectral analysis, and also I measured the emergency pulse it sent out when you activated the self-destruct."

"Ah, good. Thanks," Zhi'an said.

"Radio traffic also suggests the imminent arrival of the authorities," said Kryten.  "I advise retreat.  Obviously."

"Yes, let's get out of here," Zhi'an said.

Gauss was waiting for them nearby.

"Ready for a quick exit?" he asked.

"Please," Zhi'an said.

Soon they were flying away.

"So, what did you find?" asked Gauss.

"It certainly seems like the were indeed making the tanks there. They used robots as security and I understand that they seem to be a private company and not the government," Zhi'an said.

"Well... that's probably good," said Gauss.  "Granted, the government might change directions at some point-- social issues can change over time.  But a private entity means that we don't have to worry as much about other kinds of agencies, like the military."

"Ah, that is good then," Zhi'an said.

"They may have the backing of a government faction," Phantasma speculated, "but that's not really different for our purposes.  We still ought to track them down.  We can't just be reactive here."

"True. How many places could they be hiding? How big is your country?" Zhi'an asked.

"Fills a lot of this continent, not counting the islands that we also control," said Phantasma.  "Pretty large, I guess."

"Ah, then we will need good information then," Zhi'an said.

"Yep," said Phantasma.  "Well, we got some already.  We can get more."

"I think we should celebrate then," Zhi'an said. "The mission was a success."

"That's a good idea," said Gauss.  "How should we do that?"

"Perhaps some sort of big feast?" Weather Witch said.

"To the extent that the budget allows," said Gauss.  "I suppose so."

"I look forward to trying more of your local food," Zhi'an said.

"Well, as long as you don't want the fancy stuff," said Phantasma.  "I'm sure we can come up with something that you haven't had yet."

"I don't mind. What you made yesterday was very good," Zhi'an said.

"Well, that's good," said Gauss.  "You aren't likely to encounter fancy Earth cooking while you're with us..."

"That's fine," Zhi'an said.