Lab B: Planar Phase Dynamics

Lab B: Planar Phase Dynamics

Normally, anyone entering the Planar Phase Dynamics Lab would first have their eyes drawn to the TOWERING ARCH with flashing lights emanating wisps of smoke, but at the moment the DEAD BODY lying in front of it is even more attention-catching. Also in the room are a pair of eight-foot tall ridged OVOID PODS with clear doors, one of which is partially disassembled.  There is an EQUIPMENT RACK on one wall of the room, next to a COMPUTER CONSOLE. A broad open entrance connects to the adjoining Ridley-Carpenter Xenobiology Annex.

Ovoid Pod

* The eight-foot tall ovoid pod has a windowed door and horizontal ridges running along its sides.  It has been labeled “Telepod Unit #1.” Inside is a Destination Toggle to select between Unit #2, Unit #3, and Unit #4, as well as a button to activate the device. Should you choose to activate the device, consult a secret keeper.

Disassembled Ovoid Pod

* The eight-foot tall ovoid pod has a gap for a door and horizontal ridges running along its sides.  It has been labeled “Telepod Unit #4.” It is partially disassembled and appears to be undergoing repairs. Many of its panels have been removed, along with the door, exposing wiring and circuitry embedded with quartz crystals. Some of those crystals appear to be shattered, and several cracked ones have been pried out and are been placed in a tray on the floor along with screws and bolts.
* Item Card: Assorted Supplies

TOWERING ARCH: At the far end of the room on a platform with a ramp stands a fifteen foot tall metal arc, like a door to nowhere. It is labelled “AV-3112 Dimensional Vortex Projection Apparatus.” It is covered with wires, ports, and indicator lights, with wisps of smoke drifting up from ports that line the inner edges of it.  The lights flash alternatingly green and red. Next to it is a console flashing the message:

“MALFUNCTION! PSYCHO-RESONANT CRYSTAL MATRIX OUT OF ALIGNMENT. UNIDIRECTIONAL TRANSIT ONLY.”

A huge switch with a red handle labelled “Vortex Activation” is on one side.  It has three labeled levels: Off, Sustained Vortex, and Maximum Power. Slots for feet with securing straps are built into the floor in front of the switch, and a well-worn padded grip bar at waist height. If you flip the switch, consult a Secret Keeper.

EQUIPMENT RACK: This rack is clearly labeled DISPLACER RAYS, with a labelled silhouetted showing how each component is to be secured: a bulky power pack connected by a coiled charging cord to a pistol-like emitter. There are two spots. Someone has taken an emitter and cord, but left behind the power pack.

Item: Displacer Ray

With a crackling zap, a writhing, coruscating beam of multicolored energy springs from the emitter and briefly surrounds your body. Then you are gone, leaving only a wisp of smoke. Flip your nametag to UNSEEN and notify a Secret Keeper.

DEAD BODY

The upper half of Raleigh Kane, illustrious founder splattered across the floor, having been bisected mid-torso.  Raleigh’s face is contorted in pain and anger. His hand is clutching a twisted mass of wires, one end which trail off to a panel on a computer console from which they appear to be ripped. On his wrist blinks a hi-tech bracelet with a display screen, the message alternating between [USER TERMINATED] and [LOCKDOWN ACTIVATED.] The body and clothing are neatly severed in a cauterized, smoldering diagonal line from his right side under the ribcage to the left hip. The organs that have fallen out of place and spilled into the floor are slightly seared.

FIRST AID STATION

In addition to an eyewash and an emergency shower, this station contains enough supplies for 4 uses of the First Aid ability.

TERRARIUM #1:

This terrarium is full of colorful plants that somewhat resemble orchids, whose striped petals are slowly shifting colors. As you approach, the blossoms suddenly snap shut, and barbed spines spring out of the stalk.

TERRARIUM #2:

This terrarium appears to contain a swarm of small, purple-grey beetles. As you peer at them, they begin to rearrange themselves in a flurry of movement. When they are done, you recognize they have formed an approximation of your own face, mimicking your expression. If your character spends time with the beetles mimicking back and forth, take one of the enclosed cards.

LATENT ABILITY: SCARAB

This ability is currently latent.

TERRARIUM #3:

This terrarium contains several heaters and a midnight blue oblong sphere. As you inspect it, you notice the organic seeming ripples and ridges, and realize that what you are looking at is an egg. A crack runs down it, and fragments that have fallen off. The lid of the terrarium is ajar. Take the enclosed card only if you are human.

* A hatched egg! You wonder briefly what it belongs to, before the answer scuttles around the edge of the case and leaps at your face.  You flinch and claw but it wriggles slimily past, vanishing down into your gagging gullet in a flash. Shockingly, you feel no discomfort. In fact, aside from a tingling sensation in your stomach, you feel fresh and invigorated. Set a fifteen minute timer and bring this note to Secret Keeper Marco when the time is up.

COMPUTER CONSOLE [H]

This computer is password protected. You would need to be a hacker to access the enclosed items.

Item: Planar Phase Dynamics Files

The collected data so far from the Planar Phase Dynamics lab and the Xenobiology Annex, downloaded onto disks.

## PHANTOM ZONE

RALEIGH'S LEGS

The lower half of Raleigh Kane is sprawled across the floor. As with his upper half, the bisecting line is seared, making the sight just slightly less gory than it would have been.

Item: Birkenstocks

Well-worn but well-maintained

Item: Private Annex Key

Allows one to enter the Private Annex.

GNARLED TOWERING ARCH

There is an arch here in the Phantom Zone that is aligned with, and directly adjacent to, the towering arch in the human dimension. Its coloration is indigo, streaked with crimson. Many of the features of this arch seem to have an analogue with the other one, but surface of it is rough, curved and knotted in a way that seems more grown than built. A rectangular panel of translucent membrane displays in glowing text,

"MALFUNCTION! PSYCHO-RESONANT CRYSTAL MATRIX OUT OF ALIGNMENT - RETURN TRANSIT DISABLED."

A series of evenly spaced crystal orbs are set around the entryway. The crystals emit a warm red glow, and despite your being in a strange and eerie parallel world, their nearness fills you with a sense of comfort. Two crystals are missing, seemingly pried loose by scrabbling claws, which left small scratches around the empty sockets. You can also feel sticky traces of caramel dribbled on the surface.

This device requires missing components to repair. To attempt a repair, consult a Secret Keeper.

Cocooned Scientist: You find a scientist who you recognize as Dr. Smith, cocooned within dense, rigid strands of a strange material, which appears organic but has a metallic sheen. The cocoon binds his limbs but leaves him able to breathe. The strands cannot be bent by a normal human, a special cutting apparatus or Brute Strength will be needed to remove them. Dr. Smith is bruised and unconscious, and attempts to rouse him are met with a fluttering of the eyes and moans, but nothing coherent. Although heavy, his cocooned body may be dragged to another location.

Although heavy, his cocooned body may be dragged to another location. If you choose to do this, clip this placard to your name tag to represent this conspicuous and cumbersome burden.

Item: Padlocked Case Key

Opens the padlocked case in the Laser Science lab.