Book the Second, Chapter the Eleventh: A Lengthy Trek

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Fascinating," says Henry, observing the automata. "This may be even further into the future. As interesting as these machines are, I think we're going to have to find some people in order to learn what is happening here and what we are here to do." He looks around for any exits from the chamber - other than the skylight, which they cannot reach.

Close examination reveals what appears to a door of sorts, although it bears no handle one can grasp. Next to it is a curious array of raised squares, each about the size of one's fingertip, and bearing the letters of the alphabet as well as the digits from one to nine.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Aye..." replies Lepus, studying his surroundings with exaggerated nonchalance to hide his bewilderment.

He gingerly approaches an automaton.

"Ho metal thing! Where be thy master?"

The nearest automaton -- it vaguely resembles a tentacled sea creature, if one were native to dry land and equipped with a single thick leg beneath its ovoid body, upon which it moves freely in any direction without the need to rotate -- nears Lepus. Bearing no obvious organ of speech, nor visible organs of sensation, it nonetheless appears to see and hear the stranger, and is able to return answer, in a voice devoid of all sentiment.

"identify"

[Mr. Handy]

Henry scrutinizes the squares, deducing that pressing certain ones in the proper order will open the door. He looks to see if there are finger-marks on any of the squares, reasoning that anyone authorized to pass through the door would press the correct squares and none of the others.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Close examination reveals that the square bearing the letter E is more worn down than any other. Lesser wear is seen upon the letters A, M, N, O, P, and S; perhaps just a bit more upon the latter. The numerals seem free from wear.

[Mr. Handy]

Henry considers the possible permutations of the letters before the solution occurs to him, recalling having read One Thousand and One Nights. He presses the squares for "OPEN SESAME" in sequence.

[jp1885]

Somewhat taken aback, the hedge wizard blinks.

“My name be Lepus. Who are you?”

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Henry considers the possible permutations of the letters before the solution occurs to him, recalling having read One Thousand and One Nights. He presses the squares for "OPEN SESAME" in sequence.

This reasoning proves fruitful, as the door slides sideways into the wall, evidently operated upon by some unseen mechanism, revealing a room of modest size beyond, brightly lit by what appear to be lanterns hidden behind translucent sheets of pebbled glass upon the ceiling. Several tables bear varied equipment, some clearly those of the alchemist's art, other not so easily identified. More immediately arresting to the senses is a human figure at work upon one such table, facing away from the door, dressed in white coat and black trousers, said person apparently unaware of the presence of visitors.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

Somewhat taken aback, the hedge wizard blinks.

“My name be Lepus. Who are you?”

"maintenance unit seven dash four eight zed

"authorization"

[Mr. Handy]

Henry returns to the others. "I got the door open," he says quietly. "There's a laboratory on the other side, with someone in it. Shall we go greet our host?"

[jp1885]

Lepus bows and bids farewell to the automaton before joining Henry.

“Aye, let us converse with a real person, yesno?”

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

As Lepus turns away to join his companion, the automaton follows him, its emotionless voice growing louder.

"authorize

"Authorize

"AUTHORIZE"

This draws the attention of the person in the other room, who cries out (in a voice revealing said person to be of the female sex, and with girlhood far behind) "Who's there?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Dr. Henry North, Earl of Dunwich, at your service, ma'am," says Henry with a bow. "Accompanying me are my ward Eliza, my manservant Ivan, and my friend Lepus. I apologize for interrupting what looks to be a very interesting experiment. I am a scientist myself."

[jp1885]

Lepus executes a hurried bow.

“Prithee call off thy metal beast,” he requests, voice slightly tinged with panic.

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

The woman proves to be well into middle age, judging by the sprinkling of gray in black hair, with features suggesting an origin in the Far East. She speaks a few words in an Asiatic language (recognizable by the manner in which tones carry as much meaning as syllables.) In response, the metallic device rolls away on some other errand. Removing large spectacles, which seem designed more for protection of the eyes rather than the enhancement of vision, and gloves of some thin, pliable material, she addresses the adventurers.

"I am Doctor Hong. Hong Shitou, to be exact. I was not expecting visitors. May I ask how you managed to enter a secure facility?"

[jp1885]

“Through yon magic portal,” Lepus says casually, jerking a thumb behind him.

“Be there a wrong that needs righting?”

[Mr. Handy]

"Indeed," says Henry, "though I think it may be an advanced technological device rather than a magical one. As for the locking mechanism on your laboratory door, it was a simple matter to deduce the proper sequence. The wear on the letters revealed which ones were pressed, and the amount of wear the frequency of those letters. I too have read One Thousand and One Nights."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Clever," Doctor Hong replies, "although I suppose it was foolish of me not to use a completely random password. As far as wrongs go," she continues, "my mysterious and oddly dressed friends, unless you're better at sequencing nucelotides to produce antiviral agents than I am, I'm afraid there's not much that you can do. At least you're safe in here, unlike those poor souls in the outside world."

[jp1885]

While the exact wording goes right over Lepus’ head, he gets the gist of what’s being said.

“Those without are in peril?” he asks. “There be a plague stalking the land? If it be a poison, I have an amulet that can heal suchlike.”

[Mr. Handy]

"My scientific skills do not extend to the sequencing of nucleotides," says Henry, who indeed does not know what they are, "so I shall leave that to you, Doctor Hong. However, my companions and I can still be of aid in protecting you while you do so. Eliza and Ivan are both known for their great strength. People in a plague can get very desperate, and there is no telling what they may do."

[VictoriaSilverwolf]

"Fools rush in . . ." Doctor Hong begins, evidently quoting Pope's An Essay on Criticism, indicating a degree of familiarity with literature as well as Natural Philosophy. "Very well. What's the worst that could happen, other than dying a horrible death."

She fetches odd pieces of equipment, vaguely resembling highwaymen's masks, if such were hard and transparent.

"Wear these. It's better than nothing." She demonstrates how to place it upon one's countenance. "And bring that 'amulet.' Some kind of serum, I suppose."

She leads the others to what, at first, appears to be a blank wall of white metal.

"Override security protocol," she says, to no one in particular.

"Identified," comes a hollow voice without evident source. "Proceed."

A portion of the wall sinks into the ground, revealing a landscape that seems to have been ravaged by war. The few trees visible in an endless field of mud are bare of leaves, although the weather indicates summer, or a very warm spring.

Doctor Hong steps through the newly revealed opening, gazing warily in all directions.