Another Bend in the Tunnel

The Farbett who went ahead to make the guards "not see" is already well out of sight and sound. The party moves along down the tunnel in the direction he went.

"Something's not connecting," says Betham. Asked what he means, he adds, "He said the guards were watching the airfield. This tunnel doesn't really go there. I wonder if he meant the supply node at the junction with the main tunnel. It's just a bit further down."

"Supply node?" wonders Pru.

"Underground storeroom," continues Betham. "Emergency supplies in case of a disaster."

Pru chuckles. "Assuming those Farbetts haven't knicked 'em!"

Just as she says this, there is a roar from further up the tunnel followed by a more humanoid-sounding scream and a few sharp, muffled reports.

A Block in the Tunnel

"Widj, can you tell who, or what else is down there?" asks Zeton.

Widjgleeby's only reply is a Farbett-style shrug (which is really quite impressive).

The group rounds a shallow bend in the tunnel, and the scene changes dramatically. Actually, it's not that much; just a collection of traditional Farbett glowsacs stuck on the walls of the tunnel, but their thin luminescence reveals quite a bit more than the regular, dull red lighting.

Specifically, it reveals some ominous-looking shadows. The tunnel is blocked by what appear to be piles of trash. There is only a very narrow opening, and it is occupied by what is obviously a pair of large-bodied Farbetts in a stance that doesn't look very friendly.

The stench in the tunnel is considerably worse.

As the whole party comes into view, low growls can be heard from the Farbetts. Then one of them calls out in very badly-pronounced Her-galad, "You stop! Hands out! Where you go?"

(Lirassa's field translator is still on, so everyone more or less understands it.)

"Roots and sod..." mutters Pru.