Sam thought for a moment and nodded
"Well, there's an extensive news service here, with information from around the world.   People are as muddled as ever, but information technology has advanced in leaps and bounds since your time."
Then she frowned in confusion
"Someone here? A mentor for me being a Warden??  I'm not sure....i didn't even know what that was until i met you.  My roommate was changed like me, but we never had anyone who knew what was going on "

Daemon ~Did you still wish to rename me ? Also Cap and you Sam might wish to change your clothing as you have a bit of Jethro Horus blood on you from carrying him. Wait I can tap into the ancient signals I am sensing that you mentioned. Do you wish for me to give you news information ?~

Sam pursed her lips
"Yeah....blood spattered clothing, no matter how fashionable, is a definite fashion faux pas.  But I haven't got any money on me for new clothes.    We could try to find my apartment, i suppose, but walking that far that probably defeats the purpose.  But a bit of the latest news would be very helpful, thank you!"

After a bit of thought, Sam shrugged
"For a name.....how about 'Puck'?  My favorite character from Shakespeare"

Dameon ~Puck, I like that changing name to Puck now.~

Puck brings up a selection of news feeds for Sam to pick from all the known ones as well as a few more Independant news sources.

Checking through them the attack on NYC as it is being called is considered a terrorist attack and has placed the whole world in a defcon two state. A place in South America seems to have been hit as well but away from any civilization. It is believed that whatever weapon was use on NYC was developed or tested in South America.

Martial Law is being enforced nationwide and tensions world wide are high. That gap where everyone acted like it wasn't there or like nothing had happened seems to have vanished or lessened.

There is a TON of speculation and conspiracy theories going on. Including Trump wiping out a democratic stronghold with some military super weapon. To an alien attack the government is covering up.

Sam hoped the conspiracy theories continued to fester for a while longer.  The more time they could keep people in the dark about the Stairs, the better.  Sam shuddered to think about what the world governments would.do with that knowledge, or what theyd do to her if they discovered Sam's connections to it

She looked at Jack
"No one really and truly knows what is going on, though I'm sure you can imagine what people are thinking.    There's talk about a second attack location in South America, which people here are saying was a test run for the New York attack, but might actually be a second attack location.   Other than that, it's mostly a tightly controlled chaos around here "

Jack nodded. "I suppose that's a good sign, or there would be a lot of reports of attacks. I don't think the Dwimmermalk would stop here. They would try to destroy this world and sever the connection to the Stairs. I'm at a loss to figure out where to go next. But we should try to expand our own army. And I suspect, the enemy will step up their next attack. I think they are just testing us, to see what they need to throw against us."

Jack didn't know how it would work or even if it would work, but he reached out his senses to see if he could detect other Wardens, like them. It was time they increased their numbers.

Jack being so new is just aware of Cap and Sam and only because Cap had told him about the mantle they all bare as Wardens. Perhaps if he saw someone while actively looking he could tell if they were a Warden. Extending his senses a bit like this would be tiring after a while he could tell.

Jack shook his head. "Sorry, I was concentrating on trying to find others like us. I just don't know how to do it yet, if it is even possible... Any thoughts about what our next move should be? If we go wandering the stairs, we should expect problems and Cap may need a new weapon. Should we go back to get more weapons?"

"I think we should go back to the Stairs if things have stabilized here. We could seek out other Wardens, or resources."

"Perhaps we should find more easily concealable weapons?"

Jack nodded. "Mine is easy enough, concealed as a stiletto. And you have Puck. Cap, what can we do to find you one? I'm all for heading back to the Stairs and search for Wardens."

Cap, "I'll be alright, I have had a series of wins in the golden gloves and if need be I have you two to rely on."

Jack chuckled. "Sometimes it does comes down to a fist fight. Let's see if we can find someone out there." Jack stepped into the Stairs Hallway and tried it again, asking the Stairs where the nearest Warden might be (apart from us).

Jack gets a feeling like a seventh sense like a string has been cast out that he can follow. It's a new feeling but he feels somewhat confident that it will lead him to what he seeks.

The Grand Stair is still dark with flickering light and it leads past the landing where his, and Sam's Doors are.

Following the sensation leads them down and up flights of stairs. Larger open areas and narrow tunnels. At one point the stairs are completely dark.


Cap, "I have never experienced this area of the Grand Stair dark like this. Whatever happened must have been catastrophic. Definitely watch your step."  reaches out and runs his hand along the wall and testing the floor with his foot.

Jack was careful on the Stairs. "It occurred to me earlier that we could use torches or lanterns, but it was a concern that we would stand out in the dark and attract dangers. Yet a flashlight would be handy to keep from falling off the stairs." He took out his stiletto and concentrated upon it to see if it would change to a flashlight.

PM

PM

Sam shrugged.
"We could get night vision goggles, or something else technology wise to see in the dark.  That might help.  Though some of those powerful flashlights would at least make sure we could see well, even if others know we're here."

Jack finds his Stiletto turn into a torch (Flashlight) for him.

While Sam finds Puck creates a high powered light for her to see as well.

Cap laughs, "Much better. The Stairs can be dangerous enough without stumbling about in the dark."

Jack goes back to focusing on where the nearest Warden could be found, now that he can see the Stairs better. "We should be able to move a little faster now. We'll just have to be alert for anyone or anything we might attract."

Shining the lights about they catch movement.

Up in a corner is a giant spider it's many eyes reflecting the light. It's legs reaching almost three feet across.

"I say, dear boy could you not flash that in my face."

Jack was startled when it talked and moved the torch to shine elsewhere. "Sorry about that. We've recently been attacked on the Stairs and I thought you might be setting an ambush. My name is Jack. This is Sam and Cap. We are travelers on the Stairs."

"Well, yes I do set ambushes but never for Wardens. Do you know what has happened ? Things are different." It skitters down from the ceiling to the floor.

"Is this the result of the war." It gestures around with one leg almost like an Italian with hand movements.

Jack nodded. "I think so. The Dwimmermalk have sent their creatures to attack us and likely other Wardens. They are trying to destroy the Stairs and our worlds. We are looking for other Wardens to join forces with. All our worlds are in danger from the Dwimmermalk if we don't. What is your story?"