Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Resume USS Andromeda "The Infinity Gambit" 10806.01
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: We find our heros separated with the CSO and XO on one side of the lava river and the stone bridge and the CTO on the other
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The chamber in here is the first in a network of internal chambers
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: Outside lay the forest and above that the polar tundra
Janne says:
XO: Too bad we don't have jet boots.
 
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CSO: Or a fire proof ladder
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The Stone bridge is ominously and innocently quiet
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
XO&CSO: Maybe you could fell some trees over the chasm while I explore the chambers?
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CTO: They wouldn't last any length of time over the lava
XO_Lt_Conor says:
Tyral: Are you around?
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Scene: The Lava gurgles and hisses beneath the bridge
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Holds his hand over the lava for a while, then nods at the XO::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::looks at the bridge:: CSO: Should we risk it?
Host ACTD_JohnSea says:
Action: Tyreal appears
 
XO_Lt_Conor says:
Tyreal: Any way you can help us over this?
Host Tyreal says:
XO: It is up to you to use your creativity and ingenuity
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::Fires a few pot shots at the bridge in frustration::
Host Tyreal says:
Action: The bridge moves out of the way of the phaser blasts
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::looks around for any climbable cliff faces::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO: We could apparently negotiate with that bridge.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Looks around a bit in the first chambers::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CSO: Off you go then
Host Tyreal says:
Scene: The chamber is carved from rock, the walls on each side are scalable with rope but the chasm across is vast
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Steps closer to the bridge:: Bridge: Hi, up for a chat?
 
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::looks around for any boulders to push into the lava::
Host Stone_Bridge says:
CSO: Pose your question
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
Stone bridge: What is the capital of Assyria?
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
Stone bridge: Well, just kidding.
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
Stone bridge: Can we have our officer back?
 
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::raises an eyebrow at the CSO::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::walks over to a statue and starts pushing it towards the lava
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::
 
Host Stone_Bridge says:
CSO: I am familiar with what on your world was ancient Babylon
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The Jade statue is huge and is too heavy for the XO to move
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::sets the phaser on low and starts cutting a corner off it so it will fall over::
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The CTO is reading stories of wars on many worlds
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Stops walking around to read the stories and tries to find connections between the events described::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
Stone bridge: So, can we get our officer back?
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The Jade Statue falls into the Lava with a mighty crash! Bridging 25 % of the distance in the lava
Host Stone_Bridge says:
XO: You never lost him and he is not a prisoner, I guard the way across not the way back
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The war stories seem to be of epic moral struggles not for power but between good and evil
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Edit XO to CSO
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::starts cutting another jade statue up::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
Stone bridge: How may we bring him safely back?
Host Stone_Bridge says:
CSO: He may walk
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Shouts:: CTO: It appears you could just walk back.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Hears the CSO shouting::
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Walks back to the entrance:: CSO: Can't you just walk in then?
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
CTO: I'd rather not.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Is a bit puzzled:: CSO: What we're after is inside the temple. If there's no danger from the bridge, you should come in instead of me coming out.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder: Ask the bridge if we can cross unharmed
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
CSO: There's a history of the gems written here on the walls. You should come take a look at it.
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
Stone bridge: Can we cross with no hostility?
Host Stone_Bridge says:
CSO: I guard the way across not the way back
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The second statue falls bridging half the distance
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
Bridge: As you can see, we'll get my friends inside anyhow. It'd be easiest for all if you'd just let us pass.
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO: We may cross, I think.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CSO: One at a time, fast and cover my back?
Host Stone_Bridge says:
CTO: Easy? Is that what you want child of Vulcan
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO: Ok.
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO: You go first.
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Keeps his hand on his phaser::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::quietly:: CSO: Keep talking and try distract it
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO: Alright.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
Bridge: If an objective can be achiever in an easy or a hard way, that is, with little or with great effort, of course the easy way is preferable.
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: In a flash of white light the CMO appears at the entrance to the cave , the white gem has brought her
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The bridge attempts to grab the XO and CSO!
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
Stone bridge: Our ancient earth is a fascinating place with plenty of intriguing battles.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::tumbles back::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Jumps back::
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::fires a few shots at the bridge again::
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: Blinks as she finds herself in a different surroundings::  What the...
XO_Lt_Conor says:
Stone_Bridge: bad bridge, very bad bridge
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Mutters:: Self: Hard way it is then...
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Draws his phaser and points it at the bridge::
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The CMO witnesses the CSO and the XO dodging stone hands which come out of a bridge which spans a molten river
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The CTO is on the other side of the bridge
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: Rubs her hand across her eyes, mumbling::  I did not remember falling asleep.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Fires at the bridge on low power, away from the others::
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The bridge rumbles as it is hit by the phaser bending and changing shape in pain
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: Looks around, trying to get her bearings.::
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The bridge moves away from the CTO
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Seen: The lava flow continues to flows as a river
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO: We need a plan B.
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The CMO, CSO and XO are reunited
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: Uncertain whether dream or reality, plays it safe and treats it as real.  Carefully makes her way over toward XO::
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
CSO: What was plan A?
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
CMO: Uh, just walk over the bridge.
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
CMO: The bridge isn't co-operating with us.
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
CMO: Hey, what are you doing here anyway!?
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: Slowly nods her head::  CSO: I see... and why would a bridge not cooperate?
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
CSO: You are in my strange dream?
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
Bridge: So what are you going to do after we get everyone across?
Host Stone_Bridge says:
you may return safely I only guard the way across
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CSO/CMO: You are with me. Plan Z ::walks towards the entrance::
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
Bridge: Your behavior is irrational.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: Totally clueless in this strange reality she finds herself, follows the XO::
Host Stone_Bridge says:
CTO: No I have my role, my role is to guard the way across, all things have their roles
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::shouts:: CTO: We'll be back in a minute
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::takes a quick shot and cuts a tree at the base:: All: Timber!
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Nods at the XO::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Follows the XO::
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The tree is felled
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
CMO: Unfortunately this is no dream.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
Bridge: Who has given you that role?
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
CMO: But we can discuss this on a later time.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
All: On three (get it?) ::grabs a hold::
Host Stone_Bridge says:
CTO: My brothers
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
XO: Alright.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
CSO: I could easily argue the logic of that statement... later.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
Bridge: Why do they have power over you? Why do you guard the way in?
Host Stone_Bridge says:
CTO: I am a part in a play
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::lifts the tree:: All: Back into the cave
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: Assists the first officer, still curious to what was going on.::
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
Bridge: Do you feel you must be, or do you just want to be?
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: Our heroes and heroine carry the tree inside the cave
 
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CMO: Nice of you to join us. The white gem is in here we suspect. Its being guarded by weird rock aliens
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Carrying the tree with XO::
Host Stone_Bridge says:
CTO: I want to be, dramas are how my species learn
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
Bridge: I assume, then, that you consider us a part of the same drama.
Host Stone_Bridge says:
CTO: Yes you represent good in our drama
XO_Lt_Conor says:
All: Across the jade bridge and drop this
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
Bridge: This is enlightening. ::Looks at the others carrying a tree towards the lava river:: Well, it looks like our common scene is nearing its end.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
XO: Hmmm... I wonder why I am here... assuming this is not a dream.  :: lifts a brow as she glances at the CSO as she continues to help.::
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The team walks on the Jade statues, fire hisses all around them, they lay the tree on the lava which hisses but does not burn, the white gems' creation of the tree is impervious to fire
Host Stone_Bridge says:
CTO: That is too bad I was having fun
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::carefully walks across::
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The XO makes it safely across
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
Bridge: We'll probably meet again on our way back.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
Bridge: Could you perhaps share something about your brothers before we leave?
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: Waits for the XO to step off before following.::
 
Host Stone_Bridge says:
CTO: Yes I can reward you for passing this obstacle, I will answer one question truthfully but just one
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: The heat of the lava is intense, but surprisingly, does not burn the wood.  Which again makes her think this is more dream then reality.  Steps off next to the XO::
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Waits for XO and CMO to go over before stepping on the wood::
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
Bridge: Thank you. How many of your brothers are inside the building?
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: The others notice the CTO talking with the Bridge but cant hear him
 
Host Stone_Bridge says:
CTO:  There are two more
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::walks over to the CTO::
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
::Nods at the bridge::
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Action: After answering the CTOs question the bridge returns to its original form and is silent
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CTO: What did we learn?
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
XO: Let's go inside first. ::Walks into the room with writing on the ceiling::
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: As she watches, speaking to no one::  facinating...
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
XO: These are stories of great battles. It seems that the Excalibans are the reason for all these wars on all these worlds.
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::As the last person begins to cross over the lava::
Host Stone_Bridge says:
Acton: The CSO crosses successfully
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
XO: They call them plays or dramas and stage them for learning and maybe also for entertainment.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
XO: The gems are involved in many of these plays, and we're living one of them right now.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CTO: Oh great. I hate plays.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
XO: This should give us some insight on how to deal with the rest of the guardians.
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
CTO: Plays?
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CTO: Lets push on and get out of this one then
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
CTO: Explain
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
XO: The bridge was the first guardian, there are two more.
CSO_LtJG_Bogbinder says:
::Takes one moment to view the bridge, then joins the others::
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
CTO: Guardian of what?
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
CMO: The white gem. It's located inside this temple.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
CMO: The Excalibans have staged this whole episode with the gem. According to the bridge, we represent good in this story.
 
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
CMO: Who represents evil is a bit harder to determine. The obstacles we're facing here, such as the bridge earlier, seem to be quite neutral challenges set for us.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
CMO: The Excalibans are highly intelligent, rock based life forms who can shape shift
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
CTO: Excalibans... ahhh... now I understand.  I guess my next question would be how they came to Earth, but given this is not our universe... :: lightly shrugs::  Thank you for the clarification.  Though thinking I was in a dream was rather interesting.
XO_Lt_Conor says:
::starts moving forward::
CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
CTO: At least we are good... I think.  Given what we have learned about this mirror universe, I wonder.
CTO_Cmdr_Senek says:
CMO: Who knows which universe the Excalibans here are from.

CMO_LtCmd_Knight-Sky says:
:: Following, looking around her with curiosity::  CTO: This universe has the same counter parts as ours...

Host Stone_Bridge says:
Pause USS Andromeda "The Infinity Gambit" 10806.01