Track Four: Light My Fire

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The twin lights reveal that the place is indeed infested with rats and other vermin. Towards the back of the room is a jumble of broken pieces of wood, as well as a table leaning at an acute angle, due to two of its legs shattered into pieces. Next to the table is what appears to be a fairly large clay pot, lying on the floor on its side, still in one piece. All over the place are small piles of ashes and a large number of burnt matches.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Carson examines the scattered papers near the opening.

Spoiler:

wis = 11[dice]0[/dice]

The clever government agent is able to quickly pick out several pieces of torn paper that can be put together to form a hand-drawn map. It starts with a dot designated as Barstow, then follows a dotted line to the left marked "about a mile," then continues upward with another dotted line marked "couple of miles," then ends with a large X.

[Mr. Handy]

Liz shines her light into the clay pot to see if there's anything inside.

[jp1885]

Meanwhile, Tony pokes around the table with his stick.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Liz shines her light into the clay pot to see if there's anything inside.

The vessel is full of a substance resembling pale gray sand. Closer examination reveals nothing else.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Meanwhile, Tony pokes around the table with his stick.

Spoiler:

DEX back to 14 by now[dice]0[/dice]

Skillful use of the stick avoids doing any further damage to the wobbly table, such as having it collapse to the floor, but elicits no further information.

The approach of the investigators causes a number of large rats to scurry about along the walls in an agitated state, their eyes gleaming in the light from the torches. At times they turn to face the intruders, chittering in an angry manner, but do not approach.

[Mr. Handy]

"Possibly ash," says Liz, collecting a sample for later analysis. "I think we've found everything there is to find here."

[SunlessNick]

"Is that some kind of ash?" Zara asks of the grey powder. She looks alarmed when the rats display their odd behaviour.

[Starspawn338]

Lew watches from the door. "Anyone find anything of interest?"

[jp1885]

"Some papers and a container of ash. Oh, and some rather annoyed rats. I wonder if it's wise to venture in further without antagonising them?"

[Rooter]

"This must be the location of the hippie commune," Carson says, showing the map to the others. "At least now we know where we're going. Let's get outta here."

[SunlessNick]

Zara's certainly happy enough to do that.

[jp1885]

Tony is also happy to leave, with maybe a sweep of the walls with his torch first, just in case there's anything of interest.

"I wonder if there's a yard out back?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Yes, let's get out of here," says Liz. "We can check round back once we're outside."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

A quick search of the surrounding area reveals, behind the building, the normal sort of trash-strew alley common in this part of the city. There are a number of feral cats about, digging through garbage cans and hissing at each other, probably drawn to the area by the availability of rats.

[Mr. Handy]

"The cats should have better hunting now we've opened the door for them," says Liz. "I think we're done here. Shall we follow the map?"

[jp1885]

"Indeed. Let us away."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

No doubt it will occur to the investigators that some sort of special vehicle, perhaps more than one, will be needed to navigate the desert, as it seems likely that, once leaving Barstow, the roads to their destination will rough, or possibly nonexistent. There is also the question of surviving the desert heat, even in late October. (Highs in the eighties [Fahrenheit], chance of precipitation near zero, high winds possible.)

The drive from Venice to Barstow itself, a distance close to 150 miles, will take a few hours, depending on the number of stops made for gasoline and supplies. (The biggest town along Route 66 after leaving Los Angeles is San Bernadino.)

[Mr. Handy]

"We'll need to prepare before we go out there," says Liz. "It's a desert, and it's going to be bloody hot. We'll need to dress appropriately, and we'll need to bring canteens filled with water. We might be able to rent dune buggies or the like in Barstow to get us there."

[jp1885]

"Indeed, there is much preparation to be done. I'm sure I can have some things purchased and no doubt Agent Carson can pull a few strings."

"I would also like to do a little detective work first: see if there are any newspaper articles or police reports about this group. Forewarned is forearmed and all that."