Mark runs back and grabs the crystals as the robots are getting closer.  You now have all the crystals, but the tower doors are closed.

The robots do not appear concerned, and they approach you leisurely.

Time until robots arrive:

...45...44...43...

Vilfred approaches the red screen on the right, accepting a reddish translucent crystal from Mark. She slips the red crystal into a slot, working any relevant signs and symbols on the screen as they appear, doing her best to open the tower. (Hardware 07, Habitat Engineering 01, Software 05, Data Analysis 09, Operating Systems 01)

Cooper stands behind her watching her work. All the time he is nrervously cracking his knuckles ... pop crack popopopop craaaaaCK ! ...

She puts the red crystal in, but nothing happens.  There are still two empty slots for crystals.

While cracking his knuckles he points at the screen and offers advice ... Did you try the blue one yet ?

HARDWARE 09, Electronic Engineering 13, SOFTWARE 10, Data Analysis 14, Data Search 14
This message was last edited by the player at 19:41, Tue 13 May 2014.

Mark looks back and squeaks at the approach of the robots.  He says, "Try the clear ones.  I bet you a credit, if you put some effort into it, you can do it before the robots get us."

"I have not. Copper, why don't you man the blue screen while I attend this one?" Vilfred suggests. She takes two of the whitish or clear crystals and puts them in the remaining slots at the red screen.

The two clear crystals are put into the red side, and that side of the door begins sliding open!  (There are two giant doors that slide into the wall, large enough to allow vehicles to go in and out.)

Inside is darkness, but outside are the approaching robots.

You can slip inside the tower if you want.

Robots arrive in...

...30...29...28...

Head inside ... I will go first so that I can record your heroic entry to the central complex.

The inside of the doorway looks like a large garage with vehicles covered with dropcloths.  It is too dark to make out details.

...27...26...

Gene runs inside the tower, laughing nervously.  "We'll do a hygiene check later.  Meanwhile, don't stain your pants, please."

Copper pulls the tarp off the corner of one of the vehicles and turns on the built-in light on his multicorder (lacking a light he films in low light mode and then examines the recording) and looks at the vehicle.

Justin slips just inside the door, trying to use the doorway for cover until everyone is inside. ONce they are, he'll try to shut the door...

Now, it is just Vilfred, Fletch, Johnny, Rob and Mark outside the door, and time is running short.

Justin does not see any way to close the door manually.  It is too heavy to open or close by hand.  However, there is a green panel in the wall nearby similar to the red one outside that you put the crystals in to open the door.

Cop-R pulls off the nearest tarp and finds...that it is not a vehicle, but is instead some sort of motorized robot the size of a small car.  A weapon turret is mounted at the top, but it is not a normal turret at all.  Instead, it appears to be constructed of plants with thorns that would shoot out instead of bullets.  It also has a scorpion-like tail that appears made of bone and carapace, not metal.  It has metal and rubber treads like a tank, and the body is a hard tank-like metal.  It is a part animal, part plant, part machine robot...or weapon...or vehicle.

...25...24...23...

"Frying pan, meet fire," Vilfred says under her breath as she retrieves the red and clear crystals before hurrying inside. Once in, she goes to the green screen and inserts the three crystals there. "No green crystals; hope this works!"

Mark runs after Vilfred, squeaking a few times in nervousness on the way inside.  "I'll bet you a credit we're all about to die," he says, and then wishes he hadn't.

As soon as Vilfred removes the outside crystals, the doors begin to close.  You realize that no crystals will be required from the inside (except to open the doors to get out).

But the robots are also extremely close, and the large heavy doors are unbearably slow.

Mark runs into the garage, squeezing between the door.

But the robots are right behind.

...15...14...13...

Between the cracks in the door, you see a robot grab hold of Johnny.  The clone's screams are silenced by something injected into his neck as the lid of a stasis device pops open.

Fletch and Rob remain outside, but the doors are too close together for them to fit through.  You see the crack of light as they turn to face the robots descending on them...

And then the doors close.

Johnny, Rob, and Fletch were caught outside, and the remaining five of you have made it inside the tower.  The robots remain outside, so you are safe--for now.


You stand on the inside of the very large central tower.  This is a garage-like area with 8 "vehicles," 4 parked on each side.  As Cop-R discovered, the vehicles are really some sort of animal-plant-machine hybrids.  The half robot, half organic bees and ants are making more sense to you now.

As far as exits, there is, of course, the large set of double doors, on the far side of which wait large, weaponized robots ready to put you in stasis.  On the far side of the room is another, regular-sized door.

The room itself has a cement floor, a closed cabinet next to the far door, a slightly arched ceiling about 15 feet high, and a light switch next to you.  7 of the 8 hybrid vehicles are still covered with tarps.

Vilfred catches her breath, hands on her knees, quietly counting the vehicles: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Then she counts them again.

Gene says, "Time for a sanitation check.  Everyone check yourselves for any filth or untoward stains brought on by our perilous situation.  I will remark and report us all up front, including myself, for wearing the wrong color uniforms.  We were given a field promotion to yellow, yet we still all wear the red uniforms.  We must correct that error as soon as possible."

Copper set up the multicorder on its portable stand and then walks over the next vehicle grabs the tarp and pulling it off asks the age old question ... Johnny tell 'em what they've won ? ... A NEW TANK ! ... The he poses with the tank for a moment ala Carol Merrill.

Vilfred goes to check out the cabinet.

Justin crosses the room and peeks into the door, cracking it slightly, his laser gun at the ready...

Mark follows Vilfred over to check out the cabinet as well.  "I wonder how long it will take those robots to open the garage door and come after us," he wonders aloud, and then wishes he hadn't.

Justin cracks the far door and sees...a hallway and darkness.

Inside the cabinet are Yellow Clearance uniforms of all shapes and sizes.  They all have two patches on the shoulders.  One says "Mutation Proof" and the other says "Refractive Technology for Laser Deterrence."  The uniforms are a little different than most, in that they have hoods that can be fully pulled over the head and zipped into place around the neck, if desired, creating a fully contained suit.

Behind you, from the large double doors you just came through, you can hear what sounds like a blowtorch.

OOC: Sorry for delays.  I've been traveling with work.

Copper quickly dones a new uniform ... You heard the man, we have been temporarily promoted ... I have it for the record, and wearing the wrong color uniform can be a treasonous action.