Spider knew that in all likelihood this would be their last try.  He swung and pushed off the wall in Jack's direction and reached out.  If he missed, maybe Jack could grab the rope hanging beneath Spider and they could get out of there.

Jack decides that defending himself and his pals from being dragged away by the shoggoth is the clear priority. He keeps the cumbersome wet coat on and tries to move back towards Spider and the ropes, holding the spear poised to strike. He says a prayer to Athena and watched for a chance to grab a rope. Time to go!

Expedition Stage 5: Escaping the City pt 4

Jack opted to try for the escape, rather than waste precious time shedding his soaked fur coat.   Spider was already scrambling to keep climbing, having tried to reach Jack once, but leaned in and made a second try.  The rope slapped into Jack's open hand as he dashed the spear point at the questing shoggoth.  Spider swung on the rope, hauling Jack aside from danger, in the luckiest move of his life.

Above them they could hear Fritz cursing in German and Thorne yelling for them to climb faster.  Spider, exhausted from his efforts, struggles to climb, while Jack has the extra weight to deal with, not to mention trying to stow a spear.  Jack is forced to settle for piercing his coat with it and hoping it wouldn't fall free.   The rope was winched steadily upwards, with the water in the cavern keeping pace with this; there were more horrific grinding sounds of the rock slabs below breaking apart under the pressure of the water.   The contents of the cavern were spilling away into the depths of the ocean now.

It seemed to take years to get up into the high tunnel, and the sight of Ben and Thorne reaching to help them up was a welcome one indeed.   Fritz secured the ratchet and wiped sweat off his forehead.

Inside the tunnel it was cold, but not polar cold, and care had to be taken when moving due to the steep angle of the tunnel.  Ben was wrapped in some kind of shiny metallic paper blanket, seeming nothing more than tired.  Thorne went to dig into the supplies on the sled, coming up with more of the thin blankets and some highly compressed food bars, somewhat like the pemmican they had been feeding the dogs, but clearly intended for humans to eat - these were handed out.  Despite appearances, the thin blankets trapped in heat and were comfortable.  "We'll take a short rest and then head upwards," Ben said.  "One of us will scout ahead, two will pull the sled, and one will take the rear guard.  Jack, get that coat off and try to wring some water out of it."  The silver spear was still stuck through the heavy shearling hide.
"Not pulling the sled," Thorne said flatly, gnawing on a food bar and making a face. "I'll take rear guard.  Bruno can stay with me."  He gave the rest of his food bar to the hellhound, who chewed it with much the same expression.

Fritz had gone to the sled to rummage in another satchel, coming up with some of the putty explosive material, which he rigged with wires in a criss-cross pattern at the end of the tunnel, making a booby trap.  "Just in case that thing comes after us," he said, then looked at Ben.  "Why did you send the other one away ?  It was useful."

"I had to," Ben said. "It had to be at the Carstairs Two when the Navy arrives.   Then it will become Doan.  Donald's words, but my choice to follow them.   Doan's death is my fault."
"You weren't an officer in the war, then," Thorne said.  "Plenty of deaths were my fault.  And his."  He nodded at Fritz, who gave a half a shrug.  "And this IS war, Boss.  War like nothing else ever seen, and we're fighting it in secret."
"Yes," Ben replied simply.
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GM:  Actions, etc, for the next few minutes while you rest ?  Please respond by Saturday 1 April, next post Sunday
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Spider ate a little and also used his old first aid skills to help make sure everyone was going to be able to do their best as they made their way up, and hopefully out.  He also volunteered to help pull the sled.

Jack makes us of the futuristic pick-me-up patches once again, since some time has gone by and he is feeling tapped out. He extolls their virtues and offers them to his colleagues. Then he methodically follows Ben's suggestion, wringing out the coat as best he can, and happily eats one of the bars. He offers to join Spider pulling the sled, securing the spear on it for easy access. He doesn't bother checking for the wand, certain it's once again secure in his jacket.
     "Did anyone see where this came from?" he asks, examining the weapon closely for the first time as he puts it on the sled. "A gift from the gods, perhaps?"

Expedition Stage 5: Escaping the City pt 5

The weary agents rested in the steep tunnel, making use of their supplies. Jack found the food bar to be dense and chewy, with a faint chocolate flavour.  Spider's bar tasted more of vanilla.  The packaging was also odd, a very tough cellophane material.  The tunnel seemed safe enough and dry, with plain walls, and no glowing lichen to illuminate it, so they were using more of the light sticks.

Jack examined the spear.  The spear was an unknown silver metal, but felt much lighter than steel; the head was a long leaf shape, with a ridge in the centre.  At the other end was a shorter spike.  It was utterly businesslike, with no detailing or symbols, and very sharp.  It is about two meters long.  Jack secured it to the sled and asks about it.

"It wasn't there when we walked in, so if I had to guess, you got a gift," Thorne said, rattling his empty hip flask with a mournful look.  "Who do I ask for more bourbon ?"

Spider checked out the agents and spends a little time tending to Ben's scrapes.  Thorne seemed well enough, just tired, and Fritz was likewise tired.  All of them used the medical patches.   Jack seemed fine as well, and everyone took care to check for frostbite.  The thin sheeting seemed to be enough to keep Ben warm for now, but it would not be enough when they returned to the outside.  As for the Djinn in Thorne's pocket, the creature had taken the form of a snake and was comatose; Thorne didn't seem concerned.

"I think I like the idea of a secret war," Thorne mused, patting Bruno's scaly head as the Hellhound snoozed.  "No rules of engagement; no GHQ, and no court martials."
"No supply chain, no allies," Ben said, leaning back against the wall, wrapped in silvery foil.
"You have the direct line to the President, Boss - so you have ONE person to answer to.  We have to answer to YOU.  And you just want the job done."  Thorne pointed out.  "And you have allies; how'd you think we got this far ?"
"You made a lot of deals, Agent Thorne," Ben said, poker faced.  "Are you saying you'll make any deal you need to, to get the job done ?"
"That's mighty tempting," Thorne said with a grin.  "I will say I have not regretted working for you, in this Bureau."
"I should make you do all my paperwork," Ben replied.  "I should have given you authority to arrange the expedition anyway."
"I just added in a few details on the advice of a concerned consultant, who had his own agenda.  Let it go, Ben, stop clutching your pearls."
Fritz ended the argument before it went further by kicking Thorne in the shin.
"Let's get moving," the German said.  "I will lead the way."
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GM: Actions, etc, for the next few minutes of game time, please respond by Saturday, 8 April, next post Sunday; if anyone prefers to lead, let me know, and roll Navigate or Survival.
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As they are finishing their break and getting ready to move out, Jack says to Spider, "That was a hell of a move back there, by the way," acknowledging his friend's feat on the ropes.
     He will pull the sled with Spider, with the spear packed on top, close at hand for quick use.
     "We need to think about protection from the cold when we get outside," he says, eyeing Ben's thin covering. "Maybe our djinn friend can whip up something for Ben? Or we can use several layers of that future fabric? Worst cast, we can share coats in rotation."
     He makes a last look around the tunnel before they head out, to make sure they have everything and haven't missed any details in the surroundings.

Expedition Stage 5: Escaping the City pt 6

---Everyone-------
Jack compliments Spider on the save.  There had definitely been a lot of luck involved.

The tired party of agents rested a little while, making plans.  "There's clothing packed with the big sleds," Fritz said, locking a futuristic flashlight onto his rifle and checking its fit.
"I think we can worry about that once we're out of this," Ben said about the clothing.
Jack looked around the tunnel.  It was definitely just a service tunnel, with only a few ridges in the sides and bottom to assist anyone, or anything, using it.   The tunnel was also dry and had no noticeable cracks.  The bag of discs, the disc reader, the spear, and the wire mesh were all stowed on the small sled, along with their regular supplies and the gifts from the future Thorne field medic.  As Jack looked back towards the cavern, he was further surprised.  A large round silver metal shield had been wedged tightly across the opening of the tunnel.  The only decoration on it was the head of a gorgon as the centre boss.

The tunnel was steeply angled, and the agents barely fit; Spider, the tallest, had to stoop, but as the sled was heavy, he was leaning forwards anyway.  Jack and Spider dragged the sled up, pausing to rest now and then, while Fritz led.  Ben and Thorne brought up the rear with a limping Bruno.    There was a brief sighting of something small, dark, and scuttling that hurried quickly out of their way into some recess in the wall.  After what seemed like hours, but only was about an hour, a rest break was called, and Fritz and Ben agreed to haul the sled next.  Thorne settled down and promptly fell asleep while they rested, the Hellhound sprawled beside him.  Either Jack or Spider could take the lead.   The tunnel had not changed its pitch and still seemed dry and in good condition.  The air was fresh and cold.

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GM: Please respond with actions, etc, for the next few minutes of game time, by Saturday, 15 April, next post is Sunday
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Spider took the lead, figuring that Jack was more critical to the future of the entire project.  Also, he was still the most accomplished climber.  He asked quietly if anyone wanted to try to get the shield, but added, "I think it might be best left there."

Jack notes the shield with a start, and lowers himself to one knee, bowing his head. There is no doubt that Athena is aiding them.
“We humbly thank you, Great Athena,” he says in an even voice. To Spider he answers, “It looks like the Goddess is protecting our rear guard. I think we should leave it where she put it.”
     He does take just a moment to look at the design of the Gorgon head, even though part of him is genuinely scared of turning to stone!
Other than that, he will walk near Spider on this leg, adding his eyes to look ahead for dangers, and ready to use the wand if necessary. He is determined not to become complacent as they seemingly near the end of their mission.

 Jack took a closer look at the gorgon design; it was definitely Greek-looking, the traditional hostile Medusa with fangs and tongue. Thorne looked back at the shield and muttered something under his breath before he and Bruno limped along at the rear of the party.   By mutual agreement, the shield was left behind.  Jack then went up front with Spider, keeping an eye out for trouble while Spider led the way, flamethrower at the ready.   Fritz and Ben hauled the sled, the runners rasping on the stone floor.

Spider's skill at climbing enabled him to navigate steadily upwards, despite the limited ridges and ledges in the tunnel.  The steepness was an ongoing issue.  More than once, Spider had to hammer a piton into the walls and run rope to get the sled up a difficult part.

Jack kept careful watch, catching another glimpse of something small, dark and skuttling whisking around ahead of them, staying away from their torch light.  After another hour of hauling, a rest break was called again.  This time, both Thorne and Bruno fell asleep, and neither one wanted to wake up.  Ben was sitting down and drinking from the water canteen, while Fritz leaned on the stone wall and  rested.  There was no indication that they were close to the surface or not, and everyone was feeling the effects of a lot of activity without a lot of rest.

A fine spatter of stone dust fell in the tunnel in front of them, with a slight rasping sound, perhaps twenty feet ahead, reflected in their torch lights.

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GM: Actions, etc, for the next few minutes of game time, please respond by Saturday 22 April, next post Sunday
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Spider moved forward, head lamp on, swiveling from side to side, flamethrower at the ready.

Jack also gets to his feet and squares off resolutely with whatever is coming from ahead.
"Keep an eye on the rear, too," he says to Ben and Fritz without looking back, "so we don't get bushwacked."

Expedition Stage 5: Escaping the City pt 8

At the front: Jack and Spider

Spider was on alert, looking for trouble, flamethrower ready to fire, hunched and ready.  As his head lamp swept across the tunnel, something small and dark skittered out of the light.  There was another rasping sound from the ceiling of the tunnel, like claws on stone, a tiny drift of dust trickling downwards.  Jack told Ben and Fritz to keep an eye on the back.  There was a scuffle of movement from the men behind them.
"Bruno - steh auf !" Fritz hissed in a low tone at the Hellhound.  There was a faint snapping sound as Ben cracked another light stick to activate it.

A chittering sound came from the tunnel ahead of Spider and Jack.  Unbidden, the wand was again in Jack's hand, the tip glowing faintly white.  Spider moved onward, and saw not one, but two small black things, one of which raced away up the tunnel and the other hissed - and jumped at the two agents, long spindly legs outstretched like a crab.  Behind them, Ben fired his service handgun, the bullet ricocheting off the stone, down the tunnel.

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GM:  Actions, etc, for the next minute of game time, please respond by Saturday 29 April, next post Sunday
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Jack swears in consternation as yet another monstrous denizen attacks his group. Still in fear of the wand’s life-draining potential, he draws a flare gun from his belt and fires it at the leaping creature [roll to follow momentarily]. If that doesn’t work, he will put Deflect Harm between the group and the creatures ahead.

(GM edit: Jack's emailed roll for the flare gun was a 94.)
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:29, Sat 29 Apr 2023.

Spider fired his flamethrower, and if the thing was too close was ready to smash at it with the unwieldy weapon as best he could.

Expedition Stage 5: Escaping the City pt 8

Jack swore, hauling the flare gun from his belt.  The flare misfired and he was forced to drop the flaming Very pistol onto the stone floor, and began to cast Deflect Harm.

Spider's flamethrower, a gift from his son, proved to be a useful thing indeed, with a hair trigger.  He swung it at the attacking black thing, searing it, causing it to squeal at a supersonic pitch that grated on the nerves.   It crumpled into a charred heap.  The other one made a scampering getaway further along the tunnel.  A look up at the stone ceiling showed a small hole, perhaps a handspan across, where the creatures had been hiding.

Behind them, the Le Mat boomed, scattering shot all over the tunnel and deafening them all.   Once everyone could hear again and complain about it, Thorne's hand cannon was determined to have sundered another creepy crawly into pieces.  Bruno, however, was barking, the deep-throated bark with a rumbling undertone of threatening growl, as Fritz pulled Thorne back towards the middle of the group.  Ben stood there, pointing his handgun at the floor, staring at something.

And there was a reason why.  As Jack brought the Deflect Harm to bear at the front of the group, another crablike creature dropped from the ceiling and bounced off his spell -  while behind the group, the bits and pieces of the one that Thorne shot began to quiver and pull themselves together again !

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GM: Actions, etc, for the next minute of game time, please respond by Saturday, 8 May, next post Sunday
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Spider swung around and readied the flamethrower, for when the Deflect Harm spell dropped.  He planned on incinerating both creatures.

Jack leaves the useless flare gun where he dropped it — he had packed several extras. He concentrated on keeping up the Deflect Harm spell, but when he became aware that the crab-things were regenerating, he called out, “We can’t beat them if they keep re-forming. We’ll just waste time and resources. We need to move ahead quickly and put them behind us, where we can keep the spell barrier between them and us. That and the flame thrower. Spider, maybe a blast into their nest hole up there will buy us some time.”

Expedition Stage 5: Escaping the City pt 9

Like a well-oiled machine, the Agents went into battle mode, Spider flaming the feisty critters as they appeared from the hole in the tunnel ceiling.  Jack took the lead for spell casting and planning.  As soon as Spider saw the way was clear, the Agents moved forward, with Fritz throwing a flare at the gloppy mess of a reforming creature.  Ben and Thorne grabbed the ropes to the sled and hauled, with Fritz as rear guard, Bruno limping as fast as he could along with them.

They hurried along as best they could, half-climbing the steep tunnel, with scrabbling and chittering sounds in the shadows behind them, Spider ready to flame anything that got in their path as Jack did his best to protect them from attacks.  Thorne quickly lost his breath and gave the sled rope to Fritz, and the Agents struggled onwards.

That was when the tunnel abruptly stopped in a smooth stone wall.  A square plaque was carved into the left side of the tunnel with dot writing - there were also two deep depressions in the plaque.   The Agents backed up against the stone while Jack raised the wand to cast Deflect Harm against the oncoming tide of skittering creatures.  Distantly, beyond the smooth stone at the end of the tunnel, the Agents also heard something else - huskies yowling and yipping, sounds commonly made by their sled dogs at meal time.   Bruno barked, and the huskies sounded off again, with sharper yips.
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GM:  Please respond with actions for the next minute of game time by Saturday 13 May, next post Sunday
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Jack focuses on maintaining their defensive barrier, and says, “Ben, do you have a spell of unlocking you can use on that control panel?”
Then, still keeping up the spell, he starts yelling: “They’re on the other side of this door! Make some noise and maybe they can open it! Hello! Get us out of here!!”
If none of that works and it looks as if they will be overwhelmed by the crab-spiders, at the last moment Jack will turn the wand toward the control panel and focus his energy through it, thinking of the door sliding open, and praying for Athena’s help.

Spider leaned over the top of the sled, giving himself the best line of fire for when the creatures appeared.  "Someone get that thing open!  Anyone got something to fit in those holes?  Some kind of key?  Or just try your fingers if you have to!"

Expedition Stage 5: Escaping the City pt 9
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The Agents were jammed between a wall and a bunch of nasty creatures.  On the other side of the stone wall, they could hear the huskies making all kinds of noise and scratching at the stone, so it could not have been a thick wall.  Ben hurried to the panel as Thorne and Fritz wedged the sled against sliding backwards, and Spider flamed the spidery monsters on sight.  Their old friend and now boss hesitated only a split second before slapping his hand onto the panel, with two fingers pressing the indentations.  The Agents continued their battle, with Ben adding a loud "Dammit !" and jumping back from the panel, bumping into Thorne, who fell over the sled, which began to slip backwards, knocking Fritz down.  For a horrible instant, it was a vaudeville farce.  Fritz jammed his legs against a ridge in the tunnel, grabbing one of the ropes and tried his best to throw all his weight backwards so that the sled did not take Spider down as the flamethrower began to lose its vigor, popping and flicking on and off; a yellow light lit up on the top part of it, some symbol.   Jack's spell was likewise wavering and the terrible weariness of having spent too much mana was weighing him down heavily.

Then the stone wall rolled upwards, spilling nine huskies into the mess.  Kavi, the lead for Fritz's team, bounded into the tunnel first, and snarled fiercely as she planted herself next to the German, facing the skittering creatures that were darting away from Spider's flamethrower.  Precious was the next dog, jumping into Thorne's lap and inadvertently knocking him back across the sled again.  Bruno, jealous, then flopped across the sled, which actually helped anchor it, even if Thorne was now in danger of suffocation.    One of the other huskies charged at the nearest black creature, teeth bared, at the limit of Jack's faltering Deflect Harm spell.

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GM: Please respond with actions, etc, for the next few minutes of game time, by Saturday, 20 May, next post Sunday
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Spider didn't even risk a second glance back over his shoulder as the dogs leaped into the fray, inadvertently causing even greater risk of them all falling.  He just cursed and yelled, "Now!  Get out, everyone!  Thorne, lead the dogs and have Bruno pull the damn sled!  Then someone drag me out!"  He shook the flamethrower, worried it was losing its fuel, hoping to squeeze a second or two more out of it.

Jack agrees with Spider’s shouted plan, and starts carefully stepping backwards up the tunnel at a slow pace, trying to maintain the protective spell and also avoid slipping or tripping. He is trying to fall back while still giving Spider (and anyone else at the rear) some coverage as long as he can.