The Booking Office

[Laraqua]

The telegraph appears to be working. It's certainly connected.

[Mr. Handy]

Kate sends her message, indicating that murder has taken place and sabotage is suspected. While she awaits a reply, she searches the office to find tickets.

[Laraqua]

There aren't any tickets in any drawers. It appears someone must have rifled through them and taken much of the paperwork. She does notice a telephone sitting on the floor beneath the desk as she crouches down to riffle through the bottom drawer. It's still plugged in.

OOC,Sorry could I get the specifics of the message? What precisely does she say?

[Ritterton]

"any luck in there? Need any help?" Artemis yelled over his shoulder into the room where Ms. Kate had gone.

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm okay!" Kate calls back. "Can't find any tickets, but the telegraph appears to be working, and I found a phone too. I'm calling for outside help now!" She keys in the following message: "IMMEDIATE HOME GUARD HELP NEEDED APPLEDOWN STATION STOP MURDER AND POSSIBLE SABOTAGE STOP." Then she tries the phone to see if she can reach an operator.

[Laraqua]

There's a lot of clicks and static on the line but there seems to be something nestled within the crackle. Words, perhaps? A familiar voice? It's so hard to make it out. Then, all in a rush, she can hear the voice crystal clear with breathy gasps between some of the words. It's Ilona! "It ... hurts. Who ... whose there? Whose ... voice is ... there?"

[Mr. Handy]

"It's Kate Lacey!" says Kate into the microphone, relieved to hear her voice and know that she is still alive. "Ilona, where are you?"

[Laraqua]

"I - I can't...." her voice warbles in and out of hearing. "Make them stop...."

"They're...."

"Please!"

[Mr. Handy]

"Make who stop?" asks Kate. "I'll do my best to help you, but I need to find you first. Are you on the train?"

[Laraqua]

"The ... kitchen. They're ... my thigh ... they're cooking ... my thigh.... It's so cold. So dark. My ... they've taken my ... my everything! Don't look! Please don't come! I don't want you to see my ... my liver ... my ... my everything! Just make it stop! It shouldn't still be happening. How can it still be happening? Please ... don't ... come!"

The line blasts with static, and nothing more can be heard.

[Mr. Handy]

Kate hangs up the phone and leaves the office.

[Laraqua]

The little office contains a telegraph machine sitting on a desk by a fabric-protected window with a typewriter in the middle, some paper, and two ink stands and some lists to the right. A kettle sits on a little gas stove (unlit) on the filing cabinet in the corner. A filing cabinet stands at the other end of the long narrow room with a small key rack above it, post boxes line the back wall while policies and procedures in poster form, alongside a calendar and a clock are on the other wall.

**The telegraph machine is click-click-clicking as she enters.**

Chemistry,the distinctive smell of rancid butter might actually signify Butyric acid which is a fatty acid occurring in the form of esters in animal fats. It's a medium-strong acid when undiluted that reacts with bases and strong oxidants, such as many metals. It is an oily, colorless liquid easily soluble in water, ethanol and ether and often used in food and perfume additives, and even as a fishing bait additive. Inhalation of butyric acid may result in soreness of throat, coughing, a burning sensation, and laboured breathing. Ingestion of the acid may result in abdominal pain, shock, and collapse. Physical exposure to the acid may result in pain, blistering and skin burns, while exposure to the eyes may result in pain, severe deep burns and loss of vision.

Chemistry or Medicine,While there is no guarantee that the problem is chemical in nature, should the portable gas stove be leaking gas, it would be a dangerous and scent-free gas that could easily cause collapse and unconsciousness. While there is a way to tell it is only by looking at the man's face that you could be certain. The correct procedure for dealing with such a situation is to remove everyone from the building and open all windows and doors to ventilate the property (naturally with lights off for black out purposes). The gas in question is a heavy gas unlikely to affect the second storey. It can also cause a collapse in a single breath if it becomes dense enough.

Architecture,this room is more recently refurbished than most of the others. (1-point spend available if you search the room)

Evidence Collection,this room would contain all the files needed for the Station to run. (1-point spend available if you search the room)

[Mr. Handy]

The first thing Kate does is check the telegraph.

[Laraqua]

Thankfully there is a booklet beside the machine that explains how to decipher the message, though it is awkward to read with a gas mask on.

Ritual seeks completion STOP Efforts disrupted by ignorant locals STOP Sporadic effects only STOP enemy air assaults reduced not prevented STOP ritual seeks completion STOP

The message repeats itself.

[Mr. Handy]

Kate sends a telegram in response: "How can ritual be completed STOP?"

[Laraqua]

As she places her finger on the device, she feels a hand pressed coolly upon her own, though she cannot see it, she can feel it. It attempts to tap out its own question in place of her own. Does she allow it?

[Mr. Handy]

Kate allows the hand to tap out its question, hoping that whoever owns it knows more about what's going on than she does and figuring she can always send her own question later.

[Laraqua]

Construction completed STOP distract locals STOP permission to detain 48 hours granted STOP we are close STOP web of phobos overwhelms enemy morale STOP need 16 hours for final ritual STOP

Acknowledged STOP Protect perimeter STOP check beast book for more info on birds STOP

No sign of birds STOP will read for insight for when occurs STOP

The telegram stops and the hand dissipates.

[Mr. Handy]

"Okay, that was weird," says Kate, checking her watch to see what time it is now so that she knows when the 16 hours will be over. She then looks around for any light sources.

[Laraqua]

It is currently 9:31.

She finds a heavy-duty flashlight in one of the desk drawers.