Incoming

Seeing that Betham doesn't seem to be too concerned and that there doesn't seem to be any real danger yet, Zeton quickly heads over to Betham.

"OK," he says, "whoever is here knows we are here and they aren't happy about it. It's too bad we can't emit thoughts of happiness and calm to reassure these folks we aren't here to bother them, eh?"

Zeton wipes some rain from his brow and nervously looks around into the shadows. "So, how do you recommend we approach and enter the worker flats?"

"Very carefully," replies Betham. "Trying to cut through the woods would be a very bad idea, what with all the blind baggage."

"Hey!" cries Mey'Luskar indignantly. "Who are you..."

"GET DOWN!!!!" yells Betham, giving Zeton a shove.

"NO!!!" screams Bina simultaneously as she tackles Mey'Luskar.

There is a sound like a nearby lightning strike. It is accompanied by a flash that leaves a short-lived, visible path of blue fire in the air as the very molecules of the mist are torn apart. One of the trees on the opposite side of the road erupts in flame from its trunk.

"Rakk!" barks Lirassa. "That was no laser designator!"

Someone at the Gate

The party continues to pick its way along the edge of the street next to the outer wall of the estate. The darkness and the obnoxious, misty rain are disorienting. So are the even more obnoxious weeds, overhanging branches, and occasional bit of litter.

"Wonderful city management," mutters Mey'Luskar bitterly as yet another vine catches her in the face.

"This place is way low on the list, lady," retorts Dabid. "They're still fixing up the ghettos, remember?"

Suddenly Widjgleeby halts, sniffing. "Someone there!" she hisses.

The party comes to a tense stop. There are a few ominous clicking sounds.

Ham pulls out his scanner and starts fiddling with it.

"They don't mean us any harm," says Bina. "I sense annoyance, but not hate. He's a Hergoth, and...I think he's expecting us!"

"Par'deth?" asks Pru almost eagerly.

"No," replies Bina. "It's Constable Betham. And he's alone."