IC-UNDER-In Too Deep(Everyone)

[Mr. Handy]

(Assuming everyone is going up the tunnel to the right...)

In the caverns-
As much as Max pushed, there was a limit to how fast Sally could go with a broken leg. The group started up the tunnel towards what everyone hoped was a way out. After about a minute of walking, the ground shook much as it had done almost an hour ago. Nobody was harmed, but it was still disturbing. The tunnel stretched onwards and upwards.

[kabukiman]

Max starts to smell again...

[Laraqua]

"Max, please ... slow down," puffs Ms. Foo. "Please someone slow dog down."

[ryansommer]

"Max, wait for us!" Sally says as she limps along on her broken leg.

[Mr Zombie killer]

Kerry said, "Max stop now. Slow down now!"

[Mr. Handy]

In the caverns-
Max detected the same scents he had smelled before. The journey up the slope was long and arduous, but the light got brighter as the survivors progressed. After another five minutes, they reached the top of the slope. The tunnel spread out into an approximately semicircular cavern with a level floor. The far end of the cavern was a more or less straight wall with a wide opening through which they could feel a breeze, and that was where the light was coming from - sunlight!

[ryansommer]

" Oh thank heaven!" Sally exclaims as she see's the light. "Looks like we are out of the caves, but not out of danger. Keep an eye out, everyone. There could be more of those things up here too"

[Laraqua]

"There will be more," says Ms. Foo with a heavy degree of finality. "There always is."

[ryansommer]

Sally cautiosly moves towards the cave enterence. (Towards the light)

[Mr Zombie killer]

Kerry broke into a run for the light and freedom.

[Mr. Handy]

(I'm assuming Ms. Foo goes with the others, as everyone else is leaving the cave.)

At the campsite-
Max raced ahead of everyone else and scurried out into daylight. Beyond the cavern entrance was open, flat ground covered with low grass. The only thing that broke up the level ground was the hillside into which the cave was set. The position of the sun showed that it was mid-afternoon, almost two hours since the small group had first been trapped underground. It also revealed which way was west, though they had no idea where anything else was in relation to where they currently found themselves. The air was fresh and crisp, but Max caught a whiff of something to the south, the same direction the exit from the caverns faced, and wrinkled his nose, growling in that direction.

A makeshift campsite had been set up about twenty yards south of the cave. Four pup tents were arranged in a square, in the middle of a clearing in the grass. In the center of the campsite were the remains of a campfire, long since extinguished. There was also an empty minivan parked on the edge of the campsite. Also visible scattered about the site were the corpses of several mosquito-like creatures that looked all-too familiar to Michael, who had seen living ones slaughter his companions on the road after emerging from the meteorite and more dead ones as he was coming into Brownson. "Bloody hell," he muttered. "At least those things are dead." The area seemed otherwise deserted.

Max bounded right up to the minivan and stood on his hind legs, scrabbling at the driver's door with his front paws as if he were trying to open it and barking repeatedly. The others emerged from the cave. Kerry and Michael were next, followed by Ellen and Rosie helping Sally and Ms. Foo outside.

"Finally we're out of that place!" said Rosie, sighing.

"Max, wait up, boy!" called Ellen.

[ryansommer]

"I think someone is in the van." Sally says as she shuffles towards Max. She scanned the area, looking for any threats.

[Mr. Handy]

At the campsite-
Sally could see that the area was in fact deserted. There was nobody in the minivan, and nobody around at all unless someone was in the tents. Dirt roads left the campsite area to the north, south, east, and west. Far to the south, she could make out what looked like a giant green broken eggshell. Indeed, she could even detect a faint odor of rotten eggs, probably the same scent that Max had noticed. But why was he so interested in the van?

(Sally, and anyone else who wants to, roll Psychology. The base skill is 5% if it's not on your character sheet.)

[Laraqua]

Ms. Foo wandered forward, hoping to catch glimpses inside the tents without entering them. She also looked down at the mosquito-creatures, wondering what killed them.

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/1703477/ - Psychology roll = 56.

[ryansommer]

Sally approaches the van, pistol stretched out in front of her. "If there is anyone in the van, show yourselves."

[Mr. Handy]

(Dice rolling:

Spoiler:

Michael failed a Psychology roll: 89% roll vs. 65% skill
Rosie succeeded at a Psychology roll: 7% roll vs. 52% skill

)

At the campsite-
Ms. Foo peeked through the flap of the nearest tent. It was deserted. A rumpled sleeping bag was on the ground within, and a half-eaten granola bar lay discarded next to it. The mosquito-like creatures showed no signs of injury. It wasn't clear what had killed them.

Sally was certain there was nobody inside the minivan. Max continued to try in vain to work the door handle with his paws.

"Well, I'm glad those bleeding mozzies are dead," said Michael. "I've seen what live ones can do."

"Max, what's wrong?" asked Ellen.

"I've got no sodding clue what he's on about."

"He's terrified, that's what's wrong!" said Rosie. "He just wants to get out of here as fast as possible. I don't know why, but he's been right every step of the way so far. I don't see anything threatening here, so something must be on its way." She tried the door. "It's locked, of course."

[ryansommer]

"Well, let's get going as soon as we can. Does anyone know how to hotwire a car? If not, we best start hoofing it."

[Mr. Handy]

(To hotwire the minivan, you'll need to roll Electrical Repair. The base skill is 10% if it's not on your character sheet. Of course, to use it you'll have to get inside the vehicle first.)

[John Gaunt]

"Righto. If it's getting into the van that we need to do, that's accomplished easily enough..." Michael gestures with the butt of his pistol.

[Laraqua]

Ms. Foo continues looking about the camp site for fleeing footprints, bug sprays or other items that could point to what happened. She also looks for blood, signs of struggle and nearby zombies, as well as a handy little bag to carefully drop a few critters into. The scientists might want to study them.