P.M.           Search      Members      Groups      Profile      Favorites      RSS      Register      Log in
A Tale of IF. Last Episode - Not with a Whimper...
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9  Next
 
(currently a favorite of 0 users)
   Storygames Home -> Stasis Hall - Completed or archived Storygames -> The Vault
View previous topic :: View next topic  

Author Message
Solomon Birch
Honored Citizen



Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Topics: 18
Posts: 1562
Location: England..... but Japan beckons.....

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Sat Feb 18, 2006 1:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

SOULS SOULS SOULS!!!! MUWAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Very Happy Laughing
_________________
"Humankind cannot stand too much reality" - T.S. Elliot

Thesopholis - A Noir Sci-Fi Story - Chapter 8 is up! Read it here
The End of the Voyage - Chapter 9
Shady the Furry Goblin! [Demon's, Satan and Slobadan Milosevic!] - Chapter 3
The Quest for the Legendary Rubber-Duckie! - Chapter 3
One Last Bullet.... Chapter 3
Green Eyes - Chapter 5
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Author Message
Chinaren
Hallowed IFian



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Topics: 340
Posts: 8920
Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Okay then. Souls it is. I am writing the next chapter.
_________________
Neil Hartley Books.
My Amazon page.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
Smee
Revered IFian



Joined: 16 Oct 2004
Topics: 166
Posts: 5215
Location: UK

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:27 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I missed the vote - and my option of Mayoral slush fund wasn't even on the poll. Surprised
_________________
The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Author Message
Chinaren
Hallowed IFian



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Topics: 340
Posts: 8920
Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oops. Sorry Smee! In anycase, here is the next chapter.

Chapter 7 - Boom boom boom.

“Aaarg!” Tramp screamed then clamped a hand over her own mouth. There were lots of things outside, and whatever was in here was at least speaking and not trying to eat her or whatever. She peered into the gloom of the hut. “Who’s there?”

“Is that you Tramp?”

“Maybe” Tramp said, not willing to commit until she had further information.

“It’s me, Shogun.”

“Shogun? But they said you had left for some other city! We all had a party to burn your effigy and everything. Good cake too.” Tramp paused for a moment, trying to recapture the taste of coffee gateau.

“No, no. I have been down here, trapped in this hut!”

Tramp removed her backpack and fiddled with the fastenings in the dark. “Wait a minute Shogun, there may be a light here somewhere.”

“NO!” whispered Shogun fiercely, and a bony hand clamped over Tramp’s wrist. “They are attracted to the light. They hate it you see. It kills them if them are exposed to too much of it.”

“Oh. What are they exactly?”

Shogun shrugged in the dark, which was a wasted gesture as Tramp couldn’t see him. “Someone has been taking the Souls that are down here and changing them somehow, making them into evil shadow creatures.”

“And how did you get here?”

“Er, I was wandering nearby when I saw something suspicious. I crept forward for a closer look and someone hit me on the head. I woke up in the mines. Luckily I found this hut and I have been hiding here ever since.”

“Did you see who it was that hit you?”

“No, not clearly, but there was a definite familiar ring to the voice.”

Tramp slid down the door until she was sitting on the floor. “So how have you survived for so long?”

“This hut is a store. I have been eating candles. They are really quite tasty once you get used to them. I lick the moisture of the stones for water and, er, recycle.”

“Euuh!” Tramp wrinkled her nose once she figured out what he meant.

“No really, it’s not that bad once you get used to it. Here, want a drink?”

“Ahh. No. No thank-you.”

They fell into a thoughtful silence for a moment, broken only by the sounds of someone taking a swig of Vino de Shogun.

Tramp winced at the sound and crawled forward, bumping into a box as she did so. She rummaged around for a moment and picked out what felt like a large candle.”

“So, you just eat these raw then?” she asked.

“What?” said Shogun. “What raw?”

“These candles?” Tramp waved the thing about, though Shogun couldn’t see her.

“There are no candles left. I ate the last one yesterday. Well, it could have been yesterday. Maybe it was an hour ago. It’s a bit hard to tell down here.”

“So then. What’s this then?”

“What’s what?”

“This big candle, I found it in this box.”

There was a pause.

“Er, Tramp?”

“Yes?”

“That’s not a candle.”

“Yes it is, look it’s long and thin and I can feel the wick.” She rolled it between her hands playfully.

There was a scrabbling sound as though someone was pressing himself against the wall farthest away from the idiot waving a stick of high explosive around. “That’s not a wick. It’s a fuse…”

>

“Let’s see shall we?” Said Chinaren. He gestured at one of the guards and the man tugged at the lid of the nearest crate. Chinaren and Muaddib stepped back.

After a few moments of grunting the guard managed to rip the lid off. He stumbled back with it in his hand, quickly followed by several wispy forms that howled out of the crate and leapt on him, swarming around him in a misty mass as he thrashed about and screamed on the floor.

Chinaren and Muaddib leaned against the door from the outside, listening to the cries from within as they slowly, very slowly, subsided.

“Souls!” said Muaddib as the last few whimpers died away. “IM was storing souls down here!”

“So that is where all those IFians who come here but we never see end up! I always thought that Lord of The Night and Phang used them for their rituals. Though there haven’t been so many pies in the Guild kitchen lately.”

There was a hollow thumping on the door. Muaddib and Chinaren looked at each other.

“Best move on eh?” said Muaddib.

“Yes. Let’s not dawdle.”

The two, after securing the door as best they could, moved off carefully down the tunnel again. The last remaining security guard glancing around nervously and followed them. He was beginning to wish he had gone into accounting, like his mum had said.

>

“So why didn’t you use them to get out of here?” She said, once the explosive was safely on the floor, and not being shaken about in a manner that could result in small pieces of Tramp.

“No lighter.”

“Oh. Well, if that’s all.” There was silence for a short while as Tramp fumbled about in her pockets, eventually producing a small Idearium fueled lighter. She thought a moment and then carefully picked up the explosive, putting it and several more sticks into her pack until there was just one left near her hand on the floor.

“What are you doing?” Came the voice of Shogun.

“I am getting us out of here. Be ready to run when I say. Ready?”

“No!” shouted Shogun, as Tramp picked up the last stick and activated her light.

She stopped. The thing that was Shogun leapt at her. Snarling long teeth protruding from a deformed mouth. Dark eyes winced at the light.

She barely had time to dodge as Dark Shogun lashed out at her with a long clawed hand. “Nooooeee lighty!” he screeched as he landed on her, pushing her over and causing the lighter to go clattering to the floor.

The two rolled around on the ground and Tramp soon found out that the Shogun thing was not wearing any clothes. She kicked out at a tender spot, managing to throw him off.

“What happened to you Shogun?” Tramp gasped, one hand hunting for the lighter.

“Ayee. Now you die!” was the only response as Shogun leapt at her once more, but Tramp was ready. She dived to one side, still holding the explosive stick in one hand. Finally locating the lighter she activated it again, causing Shogun to shield his eyes and jump wildly.

Tramp dodged to one side and booted him into a pile of old boxes, where he landed head first. She lit the fuse, thrust the stick hard into a secure place and bolted out of the door into the dark of the cavern.

Shogun-thing, stuck in the boxes screamed in discomfort as something was forcibly something entered into his “rear mouth”. He suddenly realized what it was. His eyes went wide.

“Oh fu…”

There was one of those moments of total silence, then Shogun exploded, quickly followed by the hut, which was packed with several more cases of highly unstable Idearium sticks. The resulting blast is best shown in slow motion, from a camera angle to the front of Tramp, who was running for her life in a straight line away from the hut.

Slowly, remember we are in slow motion here, the hut erupted in a orange ball, tinted with the blue of Iderium. The wood of the hut splintered and shot outward and upward in the form of a million tiny spears. The shockwave preceded the blast and spread out in one of those cool halo type effects, sweeping dark creatures away as it expanded and finally caught up with Tramp, whom it picked up and tossed high into the air…

>

The tunnel was getting darker, and Chinaren turned his light up. The walls seemed to be coated with a murky slime. Muaddib stopped and wiped at it with his finger.

“What is it?” asked Chinaren.

“Slime,” said Muaddib.

Chinaren was about to make a Remark when a booming echo reverberated through the tunnel. The ground underfoot shook and small bits of stone and dust rained down on them.

“What was that?” asked Chinaren, suddenly realizing he was claustrophobic.

“No idea. Come on, let’s keep moving. I don’t like this place at all. I don’t know why I didn’t volunteer for the sewers, it can’t be any worse* than here.”

The three walked on slowly, the slime getting thicker on the walls and the air growing colder. Finally they entered a long thin cave. The slime dripped down onto Muaddibs’ head and he swore and looked up.

“Oh no.”

“What?” said Chinaren, following his gaze upwards and immediately wishing he hadn’t.

There, entombed in slime Aliens style, was IM, Random and one of the security guards. They appeared to be unconcious, maybe they were dead. It was hard to tell.

“Sir!” the last security guard tapped Chinaren on the shoulder, making him jump. “I think I can hear something from the other end of the cave!”

Muaddib and Chinaren looked at each other, then up at the entombed trio, then at the end of the cave and finally back at the tunnel where they came from.

“Well China, this is your expedition.” Said Muaddib. “What do you think?”

*Although I will try my best.

>>>>>>>

There you go folks, I am all out of Idearium. What should they do now? Try and rescue their stuck companions? Investigate the noise? Go back? Something else?

What do you say?

<<<<<<

_________________
Neil Hartley Books.
My Amazon page.


Last edited by Chinaren on Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:44 am; edited 1 time in total
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
ethereal_fauna
Perpetually Distracted



Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Topics: 58
Posts: 2567
Location: USA

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:41 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ask what plastered them there first. After all the guy is talking. If it's something that's only a little bit ugly, then try to free them and move on. If it sounds really nasty, then leave them there to its tender mercies.

Now if the guy is completely useless and doesn't know, kill him just for fun and plod onwards.

_________________
The maker of a sentence launches out into the infinite and builds a road into Chaos and old Night, and is followed by those who hear him with something of wild, creative delight. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
Chinaren
Hallowed IFian



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Topics: 340
Posts: 8920
Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

No, that's the last remaining guard with China and Muddy. The ones slimed are unconcious. Should have mentioned that. Can't make it too easy! Wink

There, made a slight alteration.
_________________
Neil Hartley Books.
My Amazon page.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
Shady Stoat
Elder



Joined: 02 Oct 2005
Topics: 76
Posts: 2950
Location: England

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Oooh, Evil Shogun! Narsty! Shocked

I definitely think you should rescue Random, IM and the guard. After all, you're running out of cannon-fodd.... I mean, red-suited security guards to throw at the horrors down the Idearium Mines. The more the merrier, say I Very Happy
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Yahoo Messenger
Author Message
Smee
Revered IFian



Joined: 16 Oct 2004
Topics: 166
Posts: 5215
Location: UK

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 4:56 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good chapter. Smile

Stoaty makes a good point.

Rescue the poor slimed devils.


Happy Writing. Smile
_________________
The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Author Message
Idea master
Magus Extraordinaire



Joined: 10 May 2004
Topics: 46
Posts: 1787
Location: Sneaking Idearium into your beverages.

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 5:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Go ahead and rescue me. You can probably get a lot of information out of me at this point in time, because the slime has a mixture of toxins, those commonly found in intoxicating beverages and truth serum.
So go ahead. As long as you keep your mouth shut about what you find out when I regain my wits, you could probably live a little longer than a few minutes.
_________________
...So I've been summoned back from beyond the veil.

...No plans yet.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message MSN Messenger
Author Message
LordoftheNight
Revered IFian



Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Topics: 41
Posts: 5287
Location: Hell

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 7:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

i think you should rescue the guard, and maybe random - but leave IM there

i mean - spoiling good meat, how dare he
_________________
Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom.
Ave Dominus Nox


A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi
Blood Bowl
Scraping the Barrel
A Tale of Four Swords
Passion
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Author Message
ethereal_fauna
Perpetually Distracted



Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Topics: 58
Posts: 2567
Location: USA

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Fri Feb 24, 2006 7:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well hell, if they're all out of it, then leave them there. Sure we might be running out of fodder Wink but it's untelling what kind of mutating, fungi-growing, mucous-encrusted foulness they have lurking within, just waiting to be sneezed out onto the unwary...
_________________
The maker of a sentence launches out into the infinite and builds a road into Chaos and old Night, and is followed by those who hear him with something of wild, creative delight. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
tramp in a storm
Honored Citizen



Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Topics: 7
Posts: 1585
Location: You never know...I could be in YOUR dust bin.

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 7:05 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

*dances around and jumps with joy!*

Oh Joy of the joly joyus joys! I caused a massive cool explosion!!! woo!

Lordy, you're not very nice!

I say rescue them all. Then you can make the guard suffer for entertainment. Also IM could have lots of information that we need and he might also have a pack of cards in his pocket. We need something fun to do. (apart from explosions)

_________________
Did you know: If you plug speakers into your ears, your thoughts will be heard out loud Smile



Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Author Message
Solomon Birch
Honored Citizen



Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Topics: 18
Posts: 1562
Location: England..... but Japan beckons.....

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Sun Feb 26, 2006 8:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm going to go against everyone and say that because everyone down in the mine are a bunch of pansies (in their own special way, Wink) so learning that there's something that goos people to walls waiting for them down the other end of the mine would be incentive to RUN VERY FAST IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION!! Surprised

Anywho... good chapter again China! Very Happy
_________________
"Humankind cannot stand too much reality" - T.S. Elliot

Thesopholis - A Noir Sci-Fi Story - Chapter 8 is up! Read it here
The End of the Voyage - Chapter 9
Shady the Furry Goblin! [Demon's, Satan and Slobadan Milosevic!] - Chapter 3
The Quest for the Legendary Rubber-Duckie! - Chapter 3
One Last Bullet.... Chapter 3
Green Eyes - Chapter 5
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Author Message
Muaddib
Comrade



Joined: 31 Dec 2004
Topics: 30
Posts: 1765


Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 4:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think in all our best interests, the last security guard should stay back while China and I make a strategic exit.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Author Message
Chinaren
Hallowed IFian



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Topics: 340
Posts: 8920
Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Tue Feb 28, 2006 5:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Muaddib wrote:
I think in all our best interests, the last security guard should stay back while China and I make a strategic exit.


You don't really think getting out is going to be that easy do you? Wink
_________________
Neil Hartley Books.
My Amazon page.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
Chinaren
Hallowed IFian



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Topics: 340
Posts: 8920
Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 4:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Okay poll is up.

Click your buttons people...
_________________
Neil Hartley Books.
My Amazon page.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
LordoftheNight
Revered IFian



Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Topics: 41
Posts: 5287
Location: Hell

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 8:47 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

voted for leaving IM
_________________
Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom.
Ave Dominus Nox


A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi
Blood Bowl
Scraping the Barrel
A Tale of Four Swords
Passion
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Author Message
tramp in a storm
Honored Citizen



Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Topics: 7
Posts: 1585
Location: You never know...I could be in YOUR dust bin.

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 1:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I voted to rescue all three. Poor people cant just leave them there! Anyway like I said. IM might have a pack of cards in his pocket as well as lots of information. Very Happy
_________________
Did you know: If you plug speakers into your ears, your thoughts will be heard out loud Smile



Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Author Message
D-Lotus
Venerable IFian



Joined: 21 Oct 2004
Topics: 103
Posts: 4123
Location: Hollywood, USA

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 02, 2006 7:07 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You know, IM might have some creepy disease, creepier than any alien, spirit or anything else.
_________________
Chapter 5: The Rendezvous
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Author Message
tramp in a storm
Honored Citizen



Joined: 11 Apr 2005
Topics: 7
Posts: 1585
Location: You never know...I could be in YOUR dust bin.

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Mon Mar 06, 2006 12:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm a tramp from Mars. I stand more chances of disease than anyone around the city. Very Happy Especially magic related ones. lol

*achoo* hehe Very Happy

_________________
Did you know: If you plug speakers into your ears, your thoughts will be heard out loud Smile



Back to top
View user's profile Send private message AIM Address Yahoo Messenger MSN Messenger
Author Message
Chinaren
Hallowed IFian



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Topics: 340
Posts: 8920
Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:52 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Okay then. Vote goes to rescue the three.

Expect the next chapter in about an hour or so.
_________________
Neil Hartley Books.
My Amazon page.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
ethereal_fauna
Perpetually Distracted



Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Topics: 58
Posts: 2567
Location: USA

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

*accidentally thwacks Chinny thinking she's found Bob*

Ooops, sorry about that. Wink

_________________
The maker of a sentence launches out into the infinite and builds a road into Chaos and old Night, and is followed by those who hear him with something of wild, creative delight. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
Chinaren
Hallowed IFian



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Topics: 340
Posts: 8920
Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ow!
_________________
Neil Hartley Books.
My Amazon page.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
ethereal_fauna
Perpetually Distracted



Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Topics: 58
Posts: 2567
Location: USA

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 6:00 am    Post subject: Reply with quote


_________________
The maker of a sentence launches out into the infinite and builds a road into Chaos and old Night, and is followed by those who hear him with something of wild, creative delight. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
Chinaren
Hallowed IFian



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Topics: 340
Posts: 8920
Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:30 am    Post subject: Chapter 8 - Soul mates. Reply with quote

Chapter 8 - Soul mates.

Chinaren thought a moment, looking back over his shoulder and then forward towards where the sounds were coming from. “I think,” he said carefully, “we need more cannon fod… er, help. We should rescue our brave colleagues.”

“Mmmm.” Muaddib frowned.

“Here, let me give you a lift up,” Chinaren said to Muaddib, cupping his hands.

“What!? ME!? Why my? Why not you?”

Chinaren shook his head sadly. “It’s obvious. You are taller than I am. Now come on.” He turned to the guard. “Come on help out here.”

Muaddib looked doubtful for a moment, as if trying to find a flaw in Chinaren’s logic. Then he sighed. “Why not?” With much grunting and the occasional shout the two hoisted him up towards the gunk covered ceiling.

“Urg! It’s all slimy!” Muaddib complained as he started to dig around Random.

“Good for your skin” grunted Chinaren, “now hurry up, and when we get back I suggest you go on a diet.”

Muaddib merely mumbled something about The Path under his breath and continued to scoop out slime, ‘accidentally’ dropping some on Chinaren as he did so. “Sorry!” he said, not sincerely at all.

As the slime came away Random groaned. He started to slip out just as he opened his eyes.

“Look out!” shouted Muaddib. He leapt out of the way, grabbing hold of the embedded figures of IM and the other guard as Random popped forth like a reluctant number two finally losing the fight.

“Arg!” Chinaren and the guard collapsed as Random landed on top of them. Muaddib was left hanging onto the two remaining slimees.

“Ah, guys? A little help here?” he said, trying to get a better grip on IMs robe. The guard moved slightly. IM also slid out a little way from his clammy embrace. “Oh shit.” Said Muaddib in a small voice.

Chinaren looked up just in time to see the two remaining captives slide free, taking Muaddib with them…

>

Storm woke up. At least she thought she did as the view didn’t change. She poked at her eye to make sure they were open. “Ow!” They were.

Carefully and quietly she felt around. She seemed to be in one of the mine tunnels, probably just off the cavern. Her helmet light had gone out presumably. It was a bit hard to know, as the helmet was no longer resident on her head. Maybe there was another in her backpack.

She rummaged around blindly for a while, muttering low curses under her breath. “Aha! What’s this? Oh, a cream cake. Why would anyone have a cream cake in a survival pack?” She ate the cake and then rummaged around some more, finally finding an orb. Groping about she hit a small button and a tiny display lit up, just about enough to see by. It said ‘recording’.

“Oh, it’s a camera orb.” Storm said to herself. By the light of the camera she searched the rest of the pack, but either there had been nothing useful in there in the first place, or stuff had fallen out of the hole she found torn in the bottom. “Damn!”

Standing up she cast the orb around. Behind her was a wall of fallen rock, presumably from the explosion. Ahead yawned darkness. She turned the orb around to face herself to frame her head in the shot, up close.

“This is Storm, just in case anyone finds this recording I am all alone. I don’t know where the others are. I am heading down into the tunnels. It’s dark and I am scared. I hope there is another way out, I am going to explore.” She turned the camera around to light the way ahead and then walked off down the tunnel, recording jerkily as she did so…

>

“Are you guys okay? What did they do to you? Do you remember anything? Random! Speak to me!”

Muaddib shook Random, who was trying to stand up without falling over.

“Random? Random! That’s me yes! Random.” Said Random. He smiled a strange smile. “Yes, I am fine. Better than fine!”

IM and the guard also stood up shakily. Chinaren frowned, but his attention was distracted by the noise from the end of the corridor. Taking out his wand he waved at the others. “Come on.”

They peered forward, but followed as Chinaren tiptoed quietly down towards a curtain of all things. Making a ‘shushing’ signal at the others he peered very carefully around it. Beyond was an enormous hall filled with strange shapes. It was dimly lit from a high roof, and appeared to be deserted, though the noise they had heard before was coming from behind what looked like a rack of coffin shaped boxes.

“I don’t like the look of this” said Muaddib, peering through next to Chinaren.

“Come on” replied Chinaren, sneaking into the hall. Several of the boxes lay ahead and, checking around as they went, they slid over to investigate.

The boxes were made of some transparent material, with wires leading from them to a giant shape that lay beyond.

“What’s that?” asked the guard gesturing at the thing the wires led to.

“I don’t know, but look!” Muaddib pointed at the nearest box. Laying inside the opened top coffin was the familiar figure of Random. The two nearby held the shapes of IM and the other guard.

“Wait, if these are…” Chinaren looked around at the other IM, Random and Guard. “Who are…?”

“Maybe these are clones? Look! An off button!” Muaddib clicked a switch on the box with IM in it. Immediately the IM, or clone, opened his eyes.

“Mummy!” He said.

Chinaren and Muaddib swung around and pointed their wands at the three they had rescued.

Those things grinned wide, un-natural, smiles. “How unfortunate. You seem to have stumbled upon our little plan.” Said the one that looked like IM.

Chinaren stepped back, wand pointing at the imposters, and clicked the off button on the other coffin things. Random and the other guard groaned and sat up.

“What are you? Who are you?” Muaddib said, swinging his wand left and right, trying to keep them covered.

“Why I am Random!” the Random one said. “At least I will be, once we dispose of you.”

“They are lost souls!” cried the real Random, sitting up and stumbling out of the box.

The other IM stepped forward. “Yes, that’s right, and soon we will take your place in the above! We will return and carry out the Masters’ plan!”

“Who is your master? What plan?” Muaddib said.

He was interrupted by a small sound followed by the real IM sitting up. “Mummy! I need new pants!”

Muaddib was distracted for a second and the clone guard took the opportunity to lunge at him. Chinaren fired his Mogrum 2000, a blast which echoed around the cavern. The clones' head dissapeared.

“Get them!” screamed the Random clone, but Muaddib and Chinaren opened fire, and the imposters juddered and jerked as the repeated blasts slammed into them. They both fell to the floor, gaping wounds oozing a dull green slime instead of blood.

“Come on, get up!” said Muaddib to the three they had rescued. “Those shots will bring more down on us.”

“Here!” said Chinaren, fishing a couple of spare wands out of his pack. “Let’s move!”

They ran off, half crouching, into the giant cavern.

Behind them the clones jerked and sat up slowly. They grinned at each other and lurched to their feet…

>

“Look! Over there!” said Random pointing.

A little way away, standing by some sort of giant machine was a robed figure, pulling levers and cackling to himself.

They looked at each other and stepped forth, wands held in front of them.

“Stay where you are!” said Random, in what he hoped was a commanding voice.

The figure whirled, his face obscured in the dark recesses of his hood.

“So!” he said, in the tone of evil supervillains confronted in their lairs everywhere, “you have discovered our little plan! Well, it’s too late! You cannot stop us now!” and he threw his head back and cackled with maniacal laughter. All that was missing was the white cat.

“Explain yourself, or I will blow you apart and ask questions later” said Muaddib.

“Oh, I don’t think so my dear Muddy! I don’t think so at all.” The figure snapped his finger and suddenly a multitude of figures stepped forth from the shadows. “These are just empty hulks, zombies if you will, waiting for souls to fill them, but they can still obey orders. Look.” He raised a hand and pointed. “GET THEM!”

The hulks moved forward and the mastermind ducked down as Muaddib and the others opened fire.

“After him! He is the key to the whole thing!” shouted Chinaren, blasting a zombie’s leg off. The creature fell to the floor but carried on crawling, grasping at Chinaren’s foot as he leapt over it.

The others let loose with the wands, blasting at the encroaching clones, following Chinaren’s mad dash in a group as the nightmarish figures shuffled on, hands reaching greedily. IM hit a clone of Random on the head and then shot it at point blank range, splattering himself with green gunk.

“Asta la bisto baby!” he screamed at it.

They fought their way across the space, leaving leaking carcasses behind them. The smell of Idearium blasts and blue smoke filled the room. Flashes from the wands creating strobe lighting and strange shadows around the hall.

Chinaren fired at an oncoming zombie and blew a hole clean through it, knocking it to one side and leapt at the retreating cloaked form, who was fiddling at a door latch. He grabbed hold of the figure just as it swung the portal open and pushed him to the floor, landing on top of him.

Panting, he stuck his wand into the black recess of the figures hood.

“This is the Mogrum 2000, the most powerful handwand in the world. The thing is, what with all the excitement and everything, I have forgotten how many charges I have left. Maybe there is one, maybe there is none. So the question you have to ask now is: ‘Do you feel lucky?’” He paused a moment for dramatic effect. “Well, do you… PUNK?!”

The figure paused a moment and then made a move. Chinaren activated the wand. It went ‘click’.

He said a Bad Word.

The villain hit out frantically, knocking Chinaren to the ground and cackling evilly. He grabbed a strange stick, some sort of large wand of his own and pointed it at Chinaren.

Chinaren wasn’t that stupid, and rolled across the floor as the stranger’s wand spewed forth fire, narrowly missing him and leaving a hole in the space where he had been. He slammed another charge into his wand and pointed it back at the figure, just in time to see the door slam shut.

“Crap!” he said, with feeling.

“Chinaren! A little help over here!” came the voice of Random over wandfire.

Chinaren stood up to see the others backing towards him as a tide of zombies advanced.

“Hold them off!” he shouted and headed towards the door, which had a combination lock. “I will get this door open!”

“Hurry!!” cried IM spraying a leaping clone with his wand in rapid fire mode.

“Conserve your magic” shouted Muaddib, “pick your targets!” He fired a well aimed shot and brought down another monster.

“Just keep them busy for a minute more! This is a Ya.1e lock, the same as Key has on his Grog cabinet, I can have it open in a trice!” Chinaren busied himself with the door.

>

IM jumped to one side, into a small space, to avoid a grasping zombie.

“Hello.” Said a voice behind him. He turned in slow horror to come face to face with…himself.

“Oh mothe…” he started to say.

>

“IM!!” screamed Random backing away and then grunting as a figure landed on him from above, forcing him to the floor. He grappled with his attacker, rolling around on the floor. Looking right back at him, nose to nose, was Random.

“Nice to see you again” said his clone. “Can you do this?” So saying it opened its mouth impossibly wide, showing teeth a shark would be proud of…

>

“Hurry for the love of IF!” said Muaddib backing away towards Chinaren as the final guard went down under a swarm of clones. “Open the freeking door!”

“and….done!” said Chinaren standing up as the door swung open to reveal a narrow chimney with an iron ladder leading upwards. “Coming?” he said to Muaddib, leaping through and starting to climb.

Muaddib jumped backwards and followed him, climbing frantically up the narrow hand-holds.

Panting madly the two climbed and climbed, until, as they reached the limit of their strength, Chinaren suddenly stopped.

“What’s the matter? Why have you stopped?” asked Muaddib.

“A hatch. Hold on, have it open in two seconds.”

Muaddib felt something hold onto his ankle and looked down to see a familiar face. “IM! Thank god! I though the things got you.”

IM smiled an unusual smile. “They did.”

Muaddib swore and took a deep breath. “Chinaren?”

“Yes?”

“You owe me, big time.”

“What?”

Muaddib let go of the rungs.

“Done it!” Chinaren swung open the hatch to reveal blessed sunlight. “Muddy? Muddy? Where did you go?”

Far below, at the bottom of the shaft, there were two dull thumps in quick succession.

>

Key sat back and lit a cigar. He surveyed his table, which was covered with scribbled notes.

“Hey Dean? What does this flashing light mean on this orb?” he said as the item in question caught his eye.

The shadowy figure of Dean poked its head though from the attic hatch. “Someone is calling in, answer it!”

“Oh.” Key picked the orb up carefully and pressed a button. “Hello, this is mother hen here, come in. Over.”

“Who the bloody hell is mother hen? Let me speak to Key!” came the crackling voice of Chinaren. “I have some bad news and some good news. But mostly bad…”


>>>>>>

So there you go folks. My outing has been done. Phew. Don’t worry about Muaddib and co. Chinaren Labs will have their backups up and about in no time.

Now then, who shall we follow next?

Poll up soon.

<<<<<<

_________________
Neil Hartley Books.
My Amazon page.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
ethereal_fauna
Perpetually Distracted



Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Topics: 58
Posts: 2567
Location: USA

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 7:44 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Let's check on Smee and the mod machine...obviously this evil-doer is generating clones, imposters...

Surely has to be tied to the mod effigies.

_________________
The maker of a sentence launches out into the infinite and builds a road into Chaos and old Night, and is followed by those who hear him with something of wild, creative delight. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
Shady Stoat
Elder



Joined: 02 Oct 2005
Topics: 76
Posts: 2950
Location: England

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

*grins* I like the 'Feeling lucky, punk?' Very Pratchettian, with a slightly different twist. So, we're finished iwth the mines for now.

I can't remember all the options, so I'll wait to see what the poll comes up with. I rather suspect that the giant moles are going to be looked into next though. Another chance to kill a stoatly character off, eh Chinaren? Wink
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Yahoo Messenger
Author Message
Muaddib
Comrade



Joined: 31 Dec 2004
Topics: 30
Posts: 1765


Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 8:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

If only we'd had a coupla' lightsabers when the clones had attacked. 'twould have been purrfect.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Author Message
Solomon Birch
Honored Citizen



Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Topics: 18
Posts: 1562
Location: England..... but Japan beckons.....

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great chapter once again Chinaman! You effectivly and efficiantly killed numerous IFians with style! :biggrin:

If I remember correctly, one of the other options was the mysterious shadowy figure, so I think we should do that next! Very Happy
_________________
"Humankind cannot stand too much reality" - T.S. Elliot

Thesopholis - A Noir Sci-Fi Story - Chapter 8 is up! Read it here
The End of the Voyage - Chapter 9
Shady the Furry Goblin! [Demon's, Satan and Slobadan Milosevic!] - Chapter 3
The Quest for the Legendary Rubber-Duckie! - Chapter 3
One Last Bullet.... Chapter 3
Green Eyes - Chapter 5
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Author Message
Smee
Revered IFian



Joined: 16 Oct 2004
Topics: 166
Posts: 5215
Location: UK

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Great chapter Chinaren - enjoyed it a lot. Very Happy

I can't remember all the options, so I too am going to await the poll, or maybe 'our bub with a quick recap' Wink

Happy Writing Smile
_________________
The path of my life is strewn with cowpats from the Devil's own Satanic Herd!
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Author Message
Ingrothechundyer
Guest








Items


PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:42 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Nice chapter China Very Happy
Back to top
Author Message
LordoftheNight
Revered IFian



Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Topics: 41
Posts: 5287
Location: Hell

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 4:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

See now - just whose bright idea was it to rescue them?
_________________
Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom.
Ave Dominus Nox


A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi
Blood Bowl
Scraping the Barrel
A Tale of Four Swords
Passion
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Author Message
ethereal_fauna
Perpetually Distracted



Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Topics: 58
Posts: 2567
Location: USA

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 09, 2006 5:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I said just leave 'em.
_________________
The maker of a sentence launches out into the infinite and builds a road into Chaos and old Night, and is followed by those who hear him with something of wild, creative delight. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
Chinaren
Hallowed IFian



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Topics: 340
Posts: 8920
Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:22 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:
*grins* I like the 'Feeling lucky, punk?' Very Pratchettian,


Actually, it is a rip off of a famous line from Dirty Harry, or one of Clint's 'cop' films. I seem to remember Prattchy doing something similar, now you mention him. Ah well, he wasn't the first either!

Now, having done some fiddling about on my PC, I have decided the motherboard and/or CPU has blown up. As some of my notes are on their and not backed up with my stories onto my little flash disk thing, I will have to work out what the original options were!
_________________
Neil Hartley Books.
My Amazon page.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
Chinaren
Hallowed IFian



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Topics: 340
Posts: 8920
Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 4:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Okay, found my notes. Put down the options, or at least I think they were the options, as well as who is the teamleader for that option.

Vote away!
_________________
Neil Hartley Books.
My Amazon page.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
ethereal_fauna
Perpetually Distracted



Joined: 16 Feb 2005
Topics: 58
Posts: 2567
Location: USA

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 4:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mod machine...we need to get to the bottom of that quickly. And whatever association these foul fake mods might have with the rising need for patrolling the streets, and the resulting creation of the big ASS.
_________________
The maker of a sentence launches out into the infinite and builds a road into Chaos and old Night, and is followed by those who hear him with something of wild, creative delight. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Author Message
Solomon Birch
Honored Citizen



Joined: 22 Nov 2005
Topics: 18
Posts: 1562
Location: England..... but Japan beckons.....

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 8:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Go after the assassin! All shadowy and mysterious... I like him/her/it already! Wink Razz
_________________
"Humankind cannot stand too much reality" - T.S. Elliot

Thesopholis - A Noir Sci-Fi Story - Chapter 8 is up! Read it here
The End of the Voyage - Chapter 9
Shady the Furry Goblin! [Demon's, Satan and Slobadan Milosevic!] - Chapter 3
The Quest for the Legendary Rubber-Duckie! - Chapter 3
One Last Bullet.... Chapter 3
Green Eyes - Chapter 5
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
Author Message
LordoftheNight
Revered IFian



Joined: 11 Aug 2005
Topics: 41
Posts: 5287
Location: Hell

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2006 2:01 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Voted, and winning.
_________________
Punishment leads to Fear. Fear leads to Obedience. Obedience leads to Freedom. Therefore, Punishment leads to Freedom.
Ave Dominus Nox


A Fronte Praecipitium a Tergo Lupi
Blood Bowl
Scraping the Barrel
A Tale of Four Swords
Passion
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail Visit poster's website
Author Message
Ingrothechundyer
Guest








Items


PostPosted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 4:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Looks like a three way tie right now...
Back to top
Author Message
Chinaren
Hallowed IFian



Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Topics: 340
Posts: 8920
Location: https://www.NeilHartleyBooks.com

Items

Legends
Fables
Strata-gems

PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 5:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well, mod machine seems to be winning. I will give it a couple more days though. Get yer votes in!
_________________
Neil Hartley Books.
My Amazon page.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website
Display posts from previous:   
Reply to topic   printer-friendly view    Storygames Home -> The Vault All times are GMT - 8 Hours
Goto page Previous  1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9  Next
Page 4 of 9
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum


Powered by phpBB © 2001, 2002 phpBB Group. Forum design by mtechnik, customized by City of IF
All site content © City of IF or the respective storygame authors.   Terms of use
Home   Book   Storygames   FAQ   Greek myth   About   Policies


string(211) "INSERT INTO phpbb_slow_page_loads (session_id, slow_url, seconds_taken, date_time_page_called) VALUES ('5467b11f3d314ed97ada7239fb6f0602', 'www.cityofif.com/forum/test/viewtopic.php?p=48751', 2.70, '2026-11-13')"