From: rigler@galileo.ifa.hawaii.edu (Aaron Evans)
Subject: [KQ] Thk [Gaps] Down in the sewers (Part I)
Organization: Institute for Astronomy, Hawaii
Date: Tue, 15 Sep 1992 21:00:13 GMT

["I can think of a lot worse places to be...like out in the street, or down
 in the sewer,...or even at the end of a skewer."  -= The Stranglers =-    ]

In the street just outside the demolished joystix factory, Thk calls out to 
Kron and the others.  "SSSsss...Eat and heal yourssselvess.  I'll catch up to 
you ssshortly at Nesssstorssss."

Then the lizardman pulls the manhole in place over his head and scrambles
down into sewer tunnels leading to the Gaps beneath Generica...

DOWN IN THE GAPS:
----------------

The skull faced warrior strains to carry an enormous crate down the damp
tunnel after his master.  Stumbling along behind these two are six henchmen 
paired off to bear three more of the crates.  None of these men complains 
too loudly, for if they make it out alive with this salvaged supply of 
joystix, their high position in the druglord's new regime is assured. In 
the aftermath of the "KronQuestor invasion," these men and the narcotic
they carry are all that remain of Elstrek's once-proud operation in the 
Low City.

Elstrek leads their way through the Gaps, torch in one hand, poisoned dirk
in the other.  Always the professional, he postpones thoughts of mourning
and revenge and concentrates instead on finding the correct path.  These 
tunnels are mazelike.  Some areas are full of T-crocks (and worse).  Ah!  
Here is that special cross-passage to the western network.  This narrow 
tube is the best way to get to the wharfs from this point.  From the wharfs,
Elstrek might hope to evade patrols long enough to reach his his smuggler 
contacts.  Preferably the crew of the notorious Black Swan.  Unfortunately, 
the sea is currently at high tide, and the passageway is flooded to a depth 
of two feet.

"Arvor, come!  This way!"  the druglord whispers sharply.  The skull faced 
giant grunts and changes direction to comply.  He is weary to the bone after
his encounter with the CyberKnight, and his armor is heavily dented and smeared
with the blood of both men.  But this mighty warrior is FAR from finished, 
and he will remain loyal to his master to the bitter end.  Nevertheless, when
his feet slosh into the water of the tunnel passage, he pauses warily and
voices his concern.

"Elstrek, I don't like it.  Is there no other way?"

"This is the best way.  It's short.  I've never had any problems here."

But seeing that the men are worried, Elstrek calls for a short break and 
passes back two tubes of precious joystix.   As always, Arvor declines 
(if he didn't Elstrek would fire him), but the others accept the boost 
gratefully.  Strangely, the drug doesn't seem to have much effect this 
time, though no one dares to say so to Elstrek.

"Right.  Now men, if we run into trouble, DO NOT drop the product into the 
water.  Just back out.  I'll make a burning oil slick to cover our retreat."

So the eight desperados move down the tunnel.  Behind them, in the dwindling
light of the torch, several pairs of eyes and associated dark reptilian 
shapes slither forth to slip into the water.  At their rear, goading them
forwards, is another reptilian form, but one which stands upright and grunts 
without words.  A cunning plan has taken shape in its formless mind.  Instead
of following its servants, it turns and jogs away down a side branch of the
tunnel network...

...Too long without meat.  But this plan cannot fail.  He draws a black long 
sword, which provides an eerie black-light glow to guide his passage.  The
cross-guard of the blade is carved into the shape of a demonic skull.  The 
skull's recessed eyes smoulder red in anticipation of the upcoming slaughter.

---------------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------------

"Fah!"

Thk realizes he is totally lost.  Probably a mistake to blunder into these
tunnels.  Why so impulsive today?  But 'Raelf reported sighting one of his
people, perhaps a kinsman, down in here earlier.  There are many reasons to
make contact.  A lizardman could provide a valuable vassal.  If 'Raelf's
description was correct, it could be a member of his tribe, or even a kins-
man, one of his many brothers or sons.  At any rate, a displaced lizardman 
might need his help, might bring important news from home, might might might.
To many "mights" for his lizard brain stack.  First step is to find him.

But how, if he is lost himself?  Thk pauses in his progress and leans his
Elvish short sword against the damp wall.  The oily rustproof alloy of the
SeaKing's blade gives forth a soft light in proximity to water.  Thk draws 
the matched dagger. 

"Gilliadrahath."  He releases the daggar to float at eye level, where it 
spins slowly to point to north.  A reliable compass.

Thk sheaths the daggar, takes up the short sword, and turns to head towards 
the west, for in that way lies the ocean, and Sssuthruu knows what lies in 
the other directions (in the ongoing game of life, one must eliminate all 
lesser options and form up a plan out of the remainder).  And yet, as soon 
as he turns his back on the east, he senses an indefineable feeling of loss 
in the pit of his stomach.  

The lizardman Shaman is accustomed to receiving such omens.  He closes his 
eyes and turns back slowly to the East.  As his eyes raise towards the ceil-
ing, his mind is filled with the briefest flicker of a vision.  More like an 
impression, really.  There is a chamber of stone.  An ancient elf.  And...

"The SSssilver Trident."

Thk turns back to the west, and sloshes off through the ankle-deep water. 
His nostrils and flicking tongue soon pick up the familiar scent of T-crocks, 
that peculiar Generican breed of crocodile.  He flexes his new left hand, 
eyeing the faint scarline where a particularly large specimen of T-crock took 
it off during the previous night's battle.  Good of 'Raelf to give him a brand
new hand.  Pity about losing that ring though.  It made for an ugly piece of 
jewelry, but Thk was fond of it.  Of all the ornaments he'd plundered from the 
humans over a lifetime's butchery, that ring was one of two that fit him 
naturally and what's more, it never shows signs of rust.  Amazing.  Even in he 
corrosive presence of the Trident, that ugly looking ring never rusted.  And 
now, it was lodged forever in the gut of some oversized T-crock.

Blame it on the Wasters.  Revenge scheduled for later this night.  For now,
keep the ears cocked for T-crocks and lizardmen...

---------------- ------------------ ------------------ -------------------

* slorp *

"Pssst!  Elstrek!  Elstrek!  I think I hear something.  Behind us."

"Cut it out Jerek!"

* floop *

"I said knock it off OH SHIT!  SHIT!  AaaaiIIIIIIIGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!"

* THRASH SPLASH THRASH THRASH PLASH PLLOOOP GURGLE CHURN SLOSH FROTH *

Suddenly, to Elstrek and Arvor's horror, the tunnel hallway behind them 
erupts into a bloody churning and the smothered screams of dying men.

"Arvor!  To me!"  Thinking fast, Elstrek breaks the tops off of two crystal
flasks and pours a slick of oil across the water's surface in the narrow 
tunnel.  As his man Arvor reaches his side and passes him, he tosses the torch 
into the water.  The two men turn and bolt for it, abandoning their henchmen.
The air behind them is filled with the smell of burning meat -- both human 
and reptile.

"Boss WAIT!  WAIT!"  * Growf! SNAP! *  "GLEAAARRRRGHHH--" <gurgle>

The two men stumble up the hallway in growing darkness.  Arvor draws his
Zweihander sword, which is still functional, though shorter by one foot after
clashing with the CyberKnight's molecular blade.  Elstrek draws two more
flasks and mixes the contents, and the air is lit up once again.  The flasks
provide an eerie phosphorescent green glow which seems to do little to
illuminate of their surroundings, instead chiefly serving to highlight the 
ghastly expressions of terror on the two men's faces.  By any definition, 
it's been a tough day.

"Damn!  That was the last of the product."

"Hah!  Elstrek, we're lucky to be alive!"

"Yeah...yeah, your right, Arvor.  Let's get out of here.  We can start
over.  Hah-hah!  I have the formula memorized."

"Whatever.  I'll go first.  You cover me and hold the light up.  There
may be more T-crocks."

The two continue their progress, Arvor in the lead with Zweihander raised 
defensively, casting long shadows down the flooded passageway ahead.  As 
they approach a four-way intersection, the tunnel widens appreciably and 
the waters deepen to waist level.  Ahead lie the stairs leading up to the 
wharf.  Arvor stops and holds up a hand.

"Shhh!"

There is a submerged glow in the waters before them.  As they watch, the glow 
moves towards the stairs, and out of the water climbs a reptile, dripping
with sewer slime.  As it stands to its full height, the two humans recognize
the form of the largest lizardman they have ever seen.  It points its glowing 
sword directly down at them.

"You!"  Elstrek cries.

------------------------ --------------------------- -----------------------

    \========C\                Rigler...
              \\ 
  <===========C ]==|[///////////////////]|==========|[////////////]D>
              //  
    /========C/                 ...Thk

--
                           A hunger for life that can no longer be denied.