h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

*Was a bit shocked to see Lil and GDZ's horses come back riderless, but all is now clear*

A tunnel, you say? Well, now.

Yeah, we got sent back but we have to report as soon as we get the signal. I think the idea is that reinforcements are wanted, dudette.


*meanwhile, back in the cave, Amos is bruised and indignant but unharmed. He pulls his flask out of an inside pocket, to consternation from the gobolds who thought they had removed all treasure from the prisoner*

*taking a long pull, Amos calculates the distance to the monster in the gold torque and waits for nature to call*

*although Styx was talking to T, picks up on what was said*

So the noise was you Styx? Well done sorting those vile things out, they can be pretty vicious.

Back to the camp then?

*follows Styx back towards camp, not particularly interested in seeing She Who Walks eating*

Already got my VPB ready Lil.

Well, I can't delay any longer, claustrophobia or no. Let's go. *heads in*

Let's do it! *Follows Lil in*

/* Takes the PAG out of his mouth and puts it on the end of his nose (the standard punishment for chewing it during a battle) to find himself entering a tunnel. */

/* Zeppo sniffs a spot on one wall where the tunnel branches, barks at the others, and runs down one branch. */

Good boy, Zeppo! No bark! Thank heavens we have a dog along -- we're in a maze of twisty little passages, all alike!

*nervous that whatever is ahead will hear the barking and be warned, Lil draws her nanogun and sets it reluctantly to GLOCK 9MM*

*meanwhile, back at the camp, after having listened to Shamrock's story*

So GL went after Amos, right? That still doesn't explain where Affy disappeared to - and somehow, I don't think it was 'She Who Walks' that the pale blue pearl indicated...

Styx! Styx! Where are you? Did the rat-ants sense the presence of any other being/s besides Gobolds and She-Who-Walks?

I hope Affy hasn't got himself kidnapped ~again~, he's in danger of making a career out of it!

But we had better look for him anyway. Anyone notice which direction he set off in?

*coming out of gloom followed by rat-ants*

Affi ok so far. Not seeing Affi. Affi having designer monster heh heh heh

Also pack of wolves. She Who Walks guarding tree.

Half squadron remains here! Other half and Styx and horses go after Wolf man Food Lady and rookie. Who comes with Styx?

*whisks around and squeaks orders in Rat to rat ants * half rat ants take up positions around yurt * other rat ants bring up horses and mules*

I will, Styx.

*asks a groombot to saddle up Tommy*

*Adjusts some gear and continues following Lil.*

*The Gobolds dancing around Amos begin to move faster and to clash thier sticks together in a complicated pattern. Then, one-by-one, as they pass a particular point in their circling dance, they throw their stick into a pile under Amos' cage.*


Oh dear. That looks suspiciously like the makings of a funeral pyre. Hope the calvalry arrives soon.


*GL glances over his shoulder. As he does so, the Gobold with the torc turns and cuffs the slave Gobold beside him. He hands him his cup and points to the doorway that GL is looking through. The slave starts towards the doorway, and GL backs up to the first side tunnel and ducks around the corner.*

*arrives, presumably just behind Zeppo, and nearly bumps into Garius*

Whoa! I hope that's you, GL.

*Jumps and almost fails to stiffle a shout.*


Whoa! You startled me there.

Yes, it's me. Any you're just in time! The Gobolds look like they're preparing to roast Amos. He's suspended in an iron cage above a pile of sticks, with about 20 Gobolds dancing around the bottom. There's some sort of king Gobold looking on, and an abused slave Gobold coming this way to fetch a drink for the king - he should be walking past in a few minutes. The only ways into the chamber that I could see were the one down that passage, and one behind the king's throne. There IS a hole in the roof big enough to fit through, but it is vertical with smooth sides and way out of reach, although the chain holding Amos' cage runs up to a pulley near there.

There's various other rocks and things in the room, if we need cover.

Any ideas?

We need to catch the slave and interrogate him. Maybe we can get him to betray the King, if he is abused.

Good idea, Lil. Maybe he can tell us if there are other ways out of that chamber, too.

*Waits for the slave to approach.*

*Approaches*