Cyberpunk Session 16

Kitsune, as seen by Tremen when he was giving his report

We return to the farm where there is now plenty of Section 9 activity (the normal parts of Section 9, not that part of it to which we have been assigned). After retrieving our gathered cold weather equipment we head up to the track that leads up the hill (attracting strange looks from the operatives in the area - but they know better than to inquire). We soon pass the first torii where, again, we get the feeling of being watched. This feeling only intensifies as we head further in and past the second Torii (Ricky reports that the feeling is no longer of unconstrained hatred but now has a tinge of restocking the larder about it.

Now we're far away from prying eyes and ears (or, at least, those of Section 9 and the general public, Tremen shares his experience reporting to Kitsune and her apparent change in appearance. The consensus is that this is more evidence of the secret world that is really behind what is going on in the world. In addition we also conclude that we need to investigate the temple we saw on the other side of the portal and then find a way to deactivate that portal (preferably with us on this side of it). If we don't then Kitsune is going to have to do so herself and that is likely to be a lot more violent than any closing solution we're likely to come up with.

We continue through the cave entrance and into the cave. There is now a noticeable breeze in the cave and the temperature is colder than our previous visit (e.g., the mist is deeper and thicker). We continue to the portal and do through.

There is a storm raging outside the cave on the other side and we decide to wait it out (mainly because the ice crystals in the wind can be quite irritating. Shadow does take the opportunity to scout the downwards slope, but can't risk going too far.

The storm passes in a couple of hours and the day become crisp and clean (even if the sunlight is somewhat pale and wan). We gather ourselves together, ensuring we have a rope tether to minimise the risks if (when) any of us stumble. A check of our short range walkie-talkies shows these are working - albeit with a limited range and a bunch of static. The path down is, initially at least, relatively easy going. Shadow, for he has taken point, spots something ahead and signals for Wakiya to join him. Through her scope she sees five figures - all hooded and larger than human apart from one. They seems to headed for the distant mountains and don't seem to have spotted us. We resume the journey towards the temple that was visible from the cave entrance - but now being more cautious about being spotted.

A view of one route we examined and then decided to avoid

The terrain is relatively flat (there are small undulations in the snow but nothing too severe and definitely flatter (and easier) than the surrounding terrain). We do a quick check of the snow depth which shows it's at least four feet deep. Despite Nameraka struggling a little with the journey we feel we're making progress towards the temple, even if it's often a case of It's just over the next hill. It's at this point we realise that it might have been a good idea to record our route so we take some time to record the terrain of the hills we left together with some compass bearings.

As the day wears on, we reckon that (a) we've come about half-way and (b) we have to make a camp that will have to be snow shelter dug into the snow. Digging the shelter takes a lot effort - so much in fact that Shadow collapses from the effort and Tharbin soon suffers from the cold (if in a slightly milder way than Shadow). Nameraka takes charge of getting Shadow and Tharbin into the shelter and working on restoring their core body temperature by any means necessary (including sharing body warmth). An uncomfortable night is passed by all with a light, intermittent watch being kept by Tremen.

After breakfast the next morning (and we're relieved to see that there's no wind this morning) we set off - now with Wakiya taking the lead and Tremen stumbling at the rear.

After taking most of the day we actually arrive at the temple. Its entrance has a large arch over it and there's no snow on the ground around the entrance. We welcome a warming heat from the entrance that not only has melted the snow, but dissipates the chill within us as well. To Shadow reminds him of South American monuments such as Machu Picchu.

Inside the temple a green glow is coming from the walls - in fact from the lichen on the walls and a corridor leads onwards. Following it we soon come to a crossroads (i.e., passages to the left, to the right and ahead as well as the corridor we came down). Tremen stays to watch the crossroads as the rest of the team explores down the right hand passage.

This leads to a large room with four closed and empty cages in it. Tharbin reports that one of cages shows scrape marks from its cage door and there's a black goo in the scrapes. A sample of the goo is gathered and Ricky observes that the cage itself has moved - but the cage is too massive for any (or even all) of us to move. On the wall a worn and indecipherable bas-relief - possibly a picture of some kind. Wakiya takes a film camera picture of the bas-relief (with Ricky standing next to it both as a marker of scale and cast a light along the surface to highlight any remaining relief to the bas-relief.

The bas-relief in the left hand room

Tremen is able to distinguish a faint machine/mechanical hum coming from the left hand passage and with investigation of the right hand passage being completed the team heads across and down the left hand passage. The hum is coming from a generator that is powering a bank of freezers (well one freezer - the others are not powered on at this time) and some fluorescent lights. The room also holds a pair of benches with a sheet over something laid on the benches plus what is obviously some kind of rest area (cots and furs are strewn about). However it is another large bas-relief that catches the eye of both Tremen and Ricky. This one is in much better condition and, for a brief period, Tremen and Rocky are capitivated by it - until they rouse themselves and hastily leave the room complaining of a nasty headache (Tharbin moves to deal with this leaving the others in the room). The bas-relief is of some kind of building/temple that is vaguely familiar to Wakiya.

Nameraka examines the benches and lifts the sheet to reveal a large long segmented leg (approxiamately twice as long as Nameraka is tall). There is more black goo on the leg - presumably its blood and Nameraka surmises that it looks like it comes from a (huge) spider.
He also checks the working freezer and determines that it seems to have a frozen block of the black goo (a sample of which is also taken).

Ricky explores the rest of the room. In addition to the cots there's a ricketty desk (one that looks like it's a cheap flat-pack). On the desk is a test tube rack with a test tube holding a silver liquid within and two parchments. One parchment has a five item list, the other has unknown writing but with the logo of Neuf mères on it. There's also a leather satchel (containing a pack of cigarettes, a pen and notepad - inside of which is another five item list (including Moon Cow Milk), bad song lyrics and worse poetry).
Wakiya scoops up the parchments and test tube, puts them carefully into the satchel and then moves the satchel into her pack.

We now leave that chamber, head back to the crossroads and down the one unexplored path. This continues downwards and after a hundred metres or so it starts getting cold again. IN addition the light cast by the lichen changes from green to blue. There's the murmer of some kind of indistinguishable language ahead.....