Log Date:
	3/31, 4/1, 4/5, 4/7, 4/14/98

Log Cast:
	Dane Noth, Shenneret Veery, Paul Nighman, Kairne Saa'thul,
Urio'kosh

Log Intro:
	The small band of adventurers hypothetically led by Paul Nighman
has made its way into the crypt they've been seeking -- but the going has
proved treacherous with practically every step. Paul and Shenner have fallen
into a pit trap in a corridor floor and escaped from it by having to crawl
through a corridor full of flame... only to end up in a room with a strange
glowing orb that appeared to have taken over Urio'kosh.
	To Shenner's dismay, however, something seems to have happened to
her immediate short-term memory, for there's a gap between her recall of
entering the room and reaching for Paul... and suddenly finding herself held
by Urio'kosh, reeling and hot, and finding Paul lying unconscious nearby. Even 
as this has befallen her, though, Dane Noth has grabbed up the mysterious orb, 
desperate to avert all their certain deaths if something cannot be done about 
the rising temperature of the room. Dane's gambit has paid off, but Shenner
is about to discover that there's something else she's lost out of her
immediate memories, too....

----------
Dane starts to examine the hole in the ceiling as best as he can from the 
  distance he's at, he glances over towards the others for a moment and starts 
  towards them..

Shenner, apparently, has barely noticed the ascent of the floor. She's still 
  clinging to Paul for dear life, and even from a distance, it can be seen 
  that the girl's shoulders are shaking.

Dane moves up behind Shenner, his eyes falling on Paul, "Shenner..how is he?"

"I..." Shen swallows hard, as it occurs to her that she's not... sure. She 
  lifts her head from where she'd placed it against his own, frowning at Dane, 
  feeling disturbedly disoriented. "I-I don't know..." And the girl looks down 
  at Paul more fully this time, lifting a hand to stroke his face. "P-Paul?"

Paul is now staring at the Dane and Shen confusedly, and then sitting up 
  slightly he looks down at himself, half expecting to find something 
  dramatically wrong, like his insides on his outsides, or something sticking 
  through him. When all seems well, he looks back up in confusion and then all 
  around. "Clearly," he murmurs softly, "I -missed- something."

Dane nods to Paul and starts over towards Kairne, "Yes..lots of fire and pain 
  and raising rooms. " he kneels and starts to examine his old friend, "Kairne 
  wake up..."

Shen sits back as Paul rouses, still feeling herself trembling with relief, 
  but something else, too. She lowers her eyes, disturbed, and muttering under 
  her breath, "That makes two of us..."

Kairne moans groggily, rolling his head back and forth from shoulder to 
  shoulder, trying to regain his bearings before opening his eyes and sitting 
  up. Rubbing the back of his head and wincing at the regained pain in his 
  shoulder, Kairne says, "Someone was not enlightened enough to be touching 
  something, eh?" Kairne noticed the new level of the ceiling and remarks, 
  "What in To'kai have I missed, and how long have I been out?"

Dane stands and offers a hand down to Kairne with a lopsided smile, "Not 
  much..just a firey inferno and this interesting room..You were out for a 
  while...well ever since we plunged into this area."

Biting her lip, Shenner peeks around at the sounds of Kairne's rousing, still 
  frowning darkly to herself. _Something's wrong,_ she thinks, but for the 
  life of her, she can't grasp what, and it's with darkened eyes that she 
  turns back to Paul and asks him hoarsely, "You... okay?"

Rising up causes more than a few aches in the Corellian, so he takes his time. 
  "I remember plenty fire and pain .... and I can see the the room has 
  definitely been altered. What did you do?" Then Paul's gaze drops to Shen 
  and he blinks uncertainly. "I think so ..."

Uneasily, Shenner nods, falling silent, unnerved.

Kairne takes Dane's hand with his good one, motioning for his friend to lift 
  help lift him.

Dane shrugs nonchalantly and lifts Kairne to his feet, "Nothing much..I 
  grabbed the Orb and willed all of it to go away.." he grins, "Pretty easy 
  this Force stuff."

Hesitantly, though not due to any physical problems on her part besides 
  general exhaustion, Shenner follows the others to their feet. She takes in 
  the drastically changed room with a continually disquieted gaze, and for 
  lack of anything better to do, her hands fidget at her sides. She has no 
  gear to lift up again, she'd lost it in the pit room. Nothing on her 
  except... "My blaster," she suddenly speaks up, glancing around in 
  bewilderment.

Kairne moves about slowly, taking in his new surroundings, "Nothing is ever 
  truly easy Dane.. we both know that to be true. There is always more that we 
  cannot see, more than we cannot touch."

Dane glances at Urio at Shen's utterance and just acts like he didn't here it. 
  He starts towards the door and motions to the others, "This looks like the 
  only way out.."

"Wait, where's my blaster?" Shenner blurts obstinately, her gaze darting 
  around the room even as she cautiously edges towards the exit.

Paul is leaning against the wall in confusion but Urio rises up slowly and 
  murmurs, "I think, under the circumstances, it would be best if it was kept 
  out of your possession." The younger Mandalorian seems somewhat more 
  composed, but his gaze still seems altered - almost innocent in a way.

Shenner freezes, then gapes, and finally explodes, "What the karkin' hells are 
  you talkin' about?" She bolts towards Urio'kosh, but, perhaps surprisingly, 
  stops short before she actually makes physical contact with him, something 
  like fear warring with what is clearly hot anger in her expression. "You 
  _took_ my gun?!"

The man watches her calmly, now all the more convinced of his actions. "You 
  would have prefered me to let you blow your head off? My mistake." Urio's 
  gaze shifts toward Dane, uncertain if the man had noticed her actions or not 
  before he used to orb to their benefit.

Dane says "Shenner..he's telling the truth" the older man pauses for a moment, 
  "I think it's best that he keep it for now. If you don't want him to I will 
  instead."

Shen just... gapes, again, first turning white, and then red-cheeked with 
  fury, as she whirls on Dane. "Wh-what?! What the _hells_ are you people 
  talking about?"

The Corellian's head is still whirling, and whether he wishes to or not, it 
  seems wisest to just stay well out of this one. If Dane hadn't have spoken 
  up, he may have forced himself to do otherwise. As it is, this is just a 
  little more than his well shaken brain can deal with.

Dane stands quietly looking at Shenner with a definite steadfast gleam in his 
  eye, "If you want it back -right- now you're going to have to take it from 
  me..I don't think you're in control enough to have it at the moment." he 
  starts over towards Urio and extends a hand, "Give me the blaster Urio."

Kairne says "Let us not argue amongst ourselves, I think we've done enough of 
  that already. It's best we continue on, the crypt only has more to test us 
  with.."

Urio'kosh sighs and nods. "You touched the orb, and caused some kind of 
  explosion that shook me free of whatever was holding me there and blasted 
  everyone. When I came to, you were quite madly grieving it seemed. You were 
  clearly delusional." Glancing over toward Dane, Urio pulls out the piece and 
  hands it to him calmly and willingly. "I think she is far too high strung to 
  handle such a dangerous weapon at this time."

"Gods _dammit_," Shenner howls, "you're telling me I tried to shoot my own 
  karkin' head off, and you're telling me not to _argue_?!"

Dane tucks the blaster in his belt and shoot a glance at Shen, "Just stick 
  close to me and if you need it I'll give it to you."

He doesn't like any of what he's heard but one thing seems clear and Paul 
  finally speaks up, his voice firm and sharp. "Shen. Do you recall anything 
  that has happened? Because if not, considering what we've seen and 
  experienced, I have to trust their mutual witness, as insane as it may 
  sound."

Shen's face turns hard and white as she stares at the old warrior -- but not 
  until Paul speaks up does she turn a sudden, stricken gaze to the Corellian. 
  Then, and only then, does she seem to wilt ever so slightly, her face 
  settling into a brittle mask, her eyes turning almost black, unreadable. 
  Jerking her gaze off to avoid meeting anyone's gaze, she snarls lowly, 
  "Let's get the kark outta here."

The urge to say something soothing ... or harsh, is strong, but the Corellian 
  doubts she will hear either. Clearly this is one more test that they have 
  managed to pass. _But how many more are there? And how many more before one 
  of us breaks?_ He checks his possesions, his satchel, closing and sealing 
  everything in place that can be before nodding. "I agree ... if we're all 
  ready, let's move on before this room decides to revert back to it's 
  previous form." He slowly begins to make his way across the room and toward 
  the opening.

Urio stares coolly at the girls immature reactions but makes no comment. 
  Turning away from her he faces Dane and nods to him respectfully. "Thank you 
  for making the wise choice. Major? Lord General? Are you ready to press 
  onward?"

Kairne nods to Urio, "Yes, let's move on.. I care not to lose consciousness 
  again anytime soon."

Dane nods and raises his rifle, starting for the door, "I'll take point..." he 
  grins slightly and mutters, "Seems to be the safest place."

Dane disappears into the opening.
Dane has left.

Paul Nighman disappears into the opening.
Paul Nighman has left.

You climb into the opening, but it abruptly shifts downward. The surface is 
  too slick to gain purchase on, and you going flying down the shaft, shooting 
  out into mid air before falling down, crashing heavily into the dark waters 
  below you.
Crypt - Water
You are floating in a room of water it seems. The entrance from which you came 
  is too high to reach, and the walls are slick and smooth, with no way to get 
  purchase or a hold. As you tread the dark water, looking down, there is no 
  bottom in sight.
Contents:
Paul Nighman
Dane
Obvious exits:
Underwater  

Urio'kosh slides rapidly down the shute as you did, flying out into space 
  before plunging below the waters surface, only to bob back up a few seconds 
  later.
Urio'kosh has arrived.

Kairne slides rapidly down the shute as you did, flying out into space before 
  plunging below the waters surface, only to bob back up a few seconds later.
Kairne has arrived.

"Sh...hiii...iiiit?!" hollers Shenner, as she comes plummeting into the water, 
  realizing too late exactly what they've just, quite literally, fallen into. 
  Frantically, she begins to unsteadily tread water.

Dropping below the surface, Paul awkwardly makes his way up to the surface 
  again, sputtering. With one arm tightly bound, treading water is not exactly 
  the easiest of tasks. For once the Corellian is extremely grateful of his 
  youthful interest in aquatic sports. It gives him a little leverage at 
  least. It also reminds him of something though. He shifts, peering through 
  the darkness, trying to find Shen's form about the ones floating. "Anyone 
  have any light?"

Dane floats in the water well out of everyone's way..his blonde hair haning 
  somewhat in his face which ebars a rather unhappy look, "Out of the fire 
  into the ocean.." he glancces down, "I hope there's nothing in here.."

Kairne calls out to Paul in the darkness, "I still have glowsticks, they 
  should provide adequate lighting and pose little danger." Kairne does his 
  best to stay afloat in the water with his one good arm and legs, but lets 
  himself dip down below the waters surface so that he is free to move and 
  retrieve the glow sticks without hassle. Searching in a world of black 
  water, Kairne reaches his pocket containing the glowsticks and retrieves 
  what his one hand can hold, and kicks back to the surface, breaking through 
  with a slight gasp for air. "Whose ever next to me, come help me light 
  these, I only have this hand to work with.."

"I... I-I lost..." That's all Shen manages to get out, in a breathless gasp, 
  only slightly audible over the awkward splashings she's making in the gloom. 
  _Oh shit oh shit oh shit..._

"Shiisa," Paul mutters darkly, "Dane, help him, eh?" and Paul swims closer to 
  Shen's voice. "Shen, get your arm over my shoulders and we'll tread water 
  together ... just keep kicking your feet, remember?"

"Y-you're hurt," Shen wails. "You _can't_...!" She's obvious enough to find, 
  with the clumsy efforts she's making trying to keep herself afloat.

Dane kicks his way over to Kairne, his rifle held firmly in both hands with 
  the strap wrapped around one arm, he then reaches out one handed and takes a 
  glow stick, "Here let me help."

"Just for now," he assures her, "just till we know what's going on and how to 
  deal with it." Paul presses up next to her with his bad side, grateful for 
  the darkness that hides his gritted expression. "Once Dane is free he can 
  help you instead." The Corellian has the good sense not to even mention Urio 
  to the redhead.

"O-o-okay," Shen stammers, fear growing more palpable in her voice. She 
  fumbles an arm around Paul's shoulders, then starts to clutch at him with 
  the other, and just as quickly catches herself, in anxiety that she'll 
  overburden him... none of which is aiding her efforts to tread water.

Kairne says "See if we can't get one of these over to Paul and Shenner, see if 
  we can ease up Shenner's nerves a bit with some light."

"You gotta use one arm, your right arm to tread water ... think of us as one 
  body that happens to have two arms and four legs ... a bit freakish, but 
  perfectly able to tread water." At Kairne's words, and with the way Shen is 
  grabbing at him, it's clear that this course of action won't succeed for 
  long ... she'll only tire him out as fast as she does herself. Clearly a 
  trade off will be necessary ...

Dane nods and swims back over to Shenner with the one he's got, igniting it, 
  "Relax..here I come.." she stops just short of Shen and reaches out to her, 
  "Take my hand.." he smiles, "I won't bite."

"O-o-okay," stammers Shen again, flailing out again with her right hand, 
  struggling not to go under. When the light comes near her it can be seen 
  that the girl's eyes are wide with fright, limp strands of hair fallen wetly 
  across her face.

Urio holds back until Dane moves off from Kairne, and then he swims closer. 
  "Lord General, are you holding up alright, or do you need some help?" 
  Despite the younger Mandalorian's robes, he seems to holding his own just 
  fine, his eyes honestly concerned.

Dane slings his rifle and puts the glow stick in his teeth as he takes the 
  young woman's hand. After establishing a grip he draws her close and holds 
  her for a second to give her a chance to rest

Paul is rather low in the water, due mostly to the fact that he is holding 
  most of her weight up. As that weight is shifted, Paul rises up a touch. 
  "Dane, as you might have guessed, Shen has had only one swimming lesson ... 
  but she -does- know how to swim and tread water. I think the current 
  circumstances are just a little unnerving." With the pressure off slightly, 
  Paul turns to look at the girl between them. "Shen, look at me."

Kairne turns to Urio, breaking one of the glowsticks to light it, "I am quite 
  fine, I've tread water for long legnths of time with just my feet.. this is 
  merely.. something different.. Here, take this glow stick.." Kairne reaches 
  his hand out to Urio, the freshly broken glowstick illuminating the surface 
  of the water.

_This is great, just great,_ Shen's mind gibbers at her. Reflexively, she 
  clutches at Dane, breathing far too hard and far too quickly. Another surge 
  of fear is roiling up in her gut, hard on the heels of being told that she'd 
  apparently just narrowly escaped killing herself -- and falling headlong 
  into a watery trap. Only a fragment of her pride remains, just enough to 
  keep her from babbling out in terror to any of her companions, but her 
  terror is apparent in her eyes as she snaps her gaze around to Paul.

Taking the stick, Urio simply nods, looking for a moment and then looking down 
  again. In soft tones and in Mandalorian, he murmurs, "The girl is not 
  managing well, but I suppose there is nothing to be done for it now."

Dane just holds Shen for a bit, trying to give her time to relax, "You going 
  to be okay?" he smiles and looks down at her, using his feetto tread water.

It takes a supreme effort of will for Paul to force himself to relax. He 
  smiles at Shen. It isn't a forced tight smile, but a genuine warm easy smile 
  that touches his eyes as well as his lips. "Shen, I want you to close your 
  eyes and picture yourself on Corellia, in the ocean. Remember? I want to you 
  keep your eyes closed and keep remembering how you mastered the art of 
  treading water. I want you to swim in the Gold Beach shoreline all over 
  again ... here and now. You're on Corellia, the sun is shining, the beach is 
  mere feet away, and you are peacefully and happily treading water. Are you 
  there yet?"

Kairne responds to Urio in a similar tone of Mandalorian, "Unfortunately you 
  are correct, she is in a state of shock.. and our current location is not 
  helping her any.. she may yet induce hypothermia on herself if she continues 
  on like this.. So that means we must find a way out of here.. I have an 
  idea.." Kairne takes one of the two remaining glowsticks in his hand and 
  snaps it between his fingers, and the glowstick begins illuminating. "We 
  surely aren't going to find an easy way to get back up.. Have you got 
  something to weight this down?"

Shenner mumbles "Sure" in a voice far too high to Dane, her only response to 
  the man, and her eyes linger frantically on Paul. His smile and his words 
  bring a look of desperate pleading to her face -- but she also obediently 
  clamps her eyes shut. _Corellia. Corellia. I wanna be on Corellia. 
  Corellia..._ And to Paul, she squeaks, "Yeah..."

Frowning thoughtfully, Urio simply removes the pack from his back ... which 
  carries little of use at this point. Offering it to Kairne, he mutters 
  softly in their native tongue, "I imagine this will do ... you want to see 
  if there's a bottom?"

Dane speaks up in Mandalorian, his tone one of command, "Urio start looking 
  for an exit..she won't last long."

"Well if you're on Corellia then you need to start swiming, don't you? Show me 
  what I've taught you Shen. Tread water for me." Moving slightly Paul 
  murmurs, "Dane and I are going to remove your pack ... you don't need it 
  anyway. Just relax and tread water." Paul nods to Dane as he swims around 
  Shen, dropping below the water's surface occasionally as he works one handed 
  on releasing her pack from her shoulders.

Kairne speaks in Mandalorian, "I want to see if there is anything down there.. 
  " Kairne takes the pack and attaches it to the glowstick so that it will 
  fall first, and hopefully give some indication of depth. With that done, 
  Kairne slowly releases Urio's pack, "There has to be something down there..."

Dane starts working on some of the packs clasps, one arm around Shen's waist 
  to make sure she stays afloat, "So what's a Corellian beach like?"

The light shows nothing nothing nothing and gets smaller and smaller till it 
  finally stops. Through the haze and the murk of the water you can only tell 
  that there is a bottom to the chasm, a fair swim down for someone good at 
  it. The rest is too murky to discern with any clarity. Just shadows.

Awkwardly, mechanically, Shenner responds to Paul's coaxing. Tread. Splash. 
  Kick. Tread. Splash. Kick. Her pack comes off of her with disturbing 
  rattling sounds -- something within must have broken, doubtless when the 
  girl had gone plummeting through the trap door with Paul before. "Wh-what?" 
  she blurts to Dane.

Dane says "What's a Corellian beach like? I've never gone to one before." he 
  asks quietly while the pack is removed, "Must be a nice place.."

"Tell 'im Shen ... tell Dane what Golden beach is like," Paul urges. "You're 
  swimming there, so tell Dane. He didn't get to go swimming when we were 
  there." Paul manages to keep up his light warm tone as the pack slips free 
  and off, tumbling silently into the murky depths of the water.

"P... p... pretty," Shenner babbles. "Warm. E-ev'rybody's... p-pretty, on 
  Corellia..." She keeps splashing, eyes squeezed firmly shut.

Dane nods, "Is it big?" he smiles and continues to tread, "I bet it's better 
  than the beaches on Rodia."

Kairne looks through the murkiness at the faint glow at the bottom, "So.. 
  there is a bottom.." Kairne looks around the rest of the room, walls 
  reflecting the shadows of glowstick light off the water. "Damned... there 
  has to be something here.."

Urio'kosh looks about as well, but there seems little but water, themselves, 
  and the bare slick walls.

"Yeah... big... real big... sky... bright... _warm_..." That last word comes 
  out of the girl almost longingly. "I-I got me a swimsuit, I never hadda 
  swimsuit before..."

Kairne moves himself over to the nearest wall and runs his hand and glowstick 
  over it, tracing for any break in the smoothness.

Flashing Dane a look that says, _Stay with her .... keep her afloat_, Paul 
  turns and carefully swims toward Kairne and Urio'kosh. Both Mandalorians 
  seem to be handling things well, and are examining the walls. Paul peers 
  along with them, murmuring softly, "See anything hopefully ... text or a 
  trigger?"

The wall beneath Kairne's fingers is smooth and flawless. Not a nick or a 
  scratch or the slightest indentation. There isn't even any kind of growth 
  that has managed to find purchase on these cylindrical walls.

Kairne murmurs out loud, "Fire.. now water.. " He continues to move himself 
  along the wall, running his hands and glowstick along the smoothness, 
  looking for some sign or interuption in it.

Dane smiles at Shen, "So what did your swimsuit look like? My ex-girlfriend 
  used to wear some of the smallest ones she could find just to make me 
  mad...I bet you had a little more taste than that though." he continues to 
  keep the young woman afloat although he seems to be letting her get used to 
  treading water as well, occasionaly helping her back up if she starts to go 
  down.

"Gr... green," Shenner gasps out hoarsely, as she keeps doggedly treading in 
  place. Her eyes remain firmly clamped shut. "P-Paul h-helped me pick it 
  o-out. And a-a-a jacket thing. S-sandals." Splash. Paddle. Splash. Paddle.

Paul stares at the walls and then down at the glowstick flickering at the 
  apparent bottom. The Corellian quietly starts to breath faster and faster 
  and faster, then takes an extremely deep breath, and in a surprisingly agile 
  move for one so bound, he dives down below the surface, clearly swimming 
  toward the illumination at the basin.
Paul Nighman takes a deep breath and then dives under the surface of the water.
Paul Nighman has left.

Dane nods, "So how much swimming did you do on Corellia?"

Paul Nighman breaks through the water's surface with a splash and a great gasp 
  of air.
Paul Nighman has arrived.
Paul Nighman takes a deep breath and then dives under the surface of the water.
Paul Nighman has left.

Shenner swallows hard, struggling to hang onto the half-formed mental image of 
  Corellia she's clinging to within her thoughts. "J-just the o-o-one time..." 
  she mumbles, her voice trailing off a little. _I'm... -cold-..._

Kairne moves into a corner and pushes himself back into it for some limited 
  support as he peers across the pool at the other glowsticks. Noticing one 
  less body in the pool now, he asks in Mandalorian, "Where is Paul?? He 
  didn't.."

Dane glances at the group of searchers for a moment and calls out quietly, 
  "How's it going?"

Urio'kosh pivots away from the wall at the comment, looking about, but 
  counting only the three visible bodies himself. He then naturally looks 
  down. Pale eyes squint, but finally he makes out one shadow that seems to be 
  moving. "There," he murmurs, "under the water," in Mandalorian.

Dane calls out again, "What's going on over there?"

_Corellia,_ Shen thinks wildly. _I wanna be on Corellia. It's nice there. Warm 
  on the beach. Wanna go climb Dream with Paul. Go dancin'. I-I wanna... 
  -Paul-..._ Inevitably, the girl's thoughts start shifting towards the 
  Corellian rather than the warm golden beaches of his homeworld, and she 
  flicks her eyes open, mumbling, "P-Paul?"

Kairne responds in Mandalorian, "Dar'ka! Wounded and he proceeds to put 
  himself in even greater danger. I cannot allow him to do this alone.." 
  Kairne begins to breathe in and out, preparing to put his mountain lungs to 
  use.

Dane watches Kairne dive and decides to peer down into the dark depths below 
  him as he continues to help Shenner stay afloat.

Shenner blurts to Dane raggedly, "Wh-where's Paul? Where's he at?"

Kairne sucks in one large, deep breath before pushing himself off the wall and 
  down into the depths of the pool, his feet kicking wildly and a glowstick 
  ahead of him.

Urio'kosh's cool tones echo slightly as he answers in Basic, "I would hope 
  that he is exploring under water ... seems that the Lord General has gone to 
  make sure of that."

Dane nods, "Okay..I'm sure he's fine.." he looks to Shen, "He's fine.." he 
  says, probably to reassure himself, "He should be back any minute."

"O-o-okay," Shenner mumbles as she keeps mechanically treading water, 
  apparently unable to do much else at the moment, though her face is still 
  scared and wan in what passes for light in this place. _He's gonna come 
  back. He's gotta come back. Come back, Paul, d-don't leave me, please..._

Kairne takes a deep breath and then dives under the surface of the water.
Kairne has left.

Paul Nighman breaks through the water's surface with a splash and a great gasp 
  of air.
Paul Nighman has arrived.

Dane smiles at Paul surfaces and breathes a sigh of relief, "Hey good to see 
  you.." he motions the man over, "Find anything?"

Breaking the surface with a deep rasping gasp, Paul coughs, dropping below the 
  water line and then bobbing back up again. It takes him a moment to regain 
  his composure, but he looks to Dane and nods. "Nice weather you're having up 
  here."

"Paul," Shenner croaks in a tiny voice, the single syllable nevertheless 
  coming out of her like a prayer.

Dane looks to Paul, "So is there a way out down there? I would assume so as 
  you were down for a long time."

"It takes about a minute to get down," Paul puffs, swimming closer. His face 
  is a trifle twisted and his eyes dark and discomfited by something. "Maybe a 
  minute and a half ... little less to get back up of course. It's deep."

Dane nods and glances at Shen but speaks to Paul in his native tongue, "The 
  real question is can she make it?" his face grows a bit dark, "She's in bad 
  shape the way it is."

"O-out?" Shenner pleads huskily, a much terser form of Dane's own question. 
  She squirms around in the water, almost going under, and spluttering water. 
  But her eyes stay above the water's surface, and fix despondently on the 
  Corellian. Apparently oblivious now to Dane's murmured and unintelligible 
  words, the girl has apparently seized on Paul for a crumb of hope, or at the 
  very least, another instruction.

Looking between the two, Paul sighs and shakes his head, not bothering to 
  respond in Mandalorian. "The way out is not through there ... exactly." His 
  gaze turns away and finding little to settle on, drops onto Urio's form, 
  which is still searching the walls in vain. "It's another trigger mechanism, 
  I'm pretty sure." But the Corellian doesn't sound pretty sure. He sounds 
  pretty uncomfortable.

Kairne breaks through the water's surface with a splash and a great gasp of 
  air.
Kairne has arrived.

Dane sighs and rolls his eyes, "Another one?" he shakes his head slowly, "So 
  what does it look like?"

Urio turns at Kairne's return, swimming toward him and the rest of the 
  clustered group. Paul eyes Kairne as well, waving with his head. _It doesn't 
  look good_ he muses. "I'm not exactly sure," he replies quietly. There is a 
  long and awkward pause as the Corellian starts to think deeply. "I'll have 
  to take another look ... I want to be sure."

Shen's expression starts quivering, what remains of her composure treading a 
  ragged edge. A small still coherent portion of her brain beats at her, 
  sternly ordering her to Get a Grip Dammit, but the rest of her is mentally 
  cringing at the notion of having to go down... into the dark... into the 
  water. _Isn't staying -UP- the idea?! I don't wanna I want out I want 
  out..._ Her hands paw clumsily at the water, and although she knows her legs 
  are still kicking beneath her, her already exhausted limbs are beginning to 
  feel as if they aren't attached to her. She bites down on her lip, hard, 
  trying to keep herself from whimpering, and she's not entirely successful.

Kairne says "Hold Paul.. I made it down to the bottom also. What are you not 
  sure of?"

Treading water carefully, Paul turns to consider Kairne, eyes dark and oddly 
  shuttered. "Exactly how the mechanism is triggered ...," he answers 
  carefully.

Kairne steadies himself into a steady rythmic tread, "The pillar you mean?"

Looking down into the water, Paul nods slightly, taking a slow measured 
  breath. "Yeah ... the pillar." His eyes raise and narrow. "I'll need to 
  examine it again ..."

_Don't leave me Paul!_ Shen's mind wails. But the only noise she makes is 
  another tiny little gasp, as she almost bobs under again, her motions 
  growing more frantic to compensate.

Dane floats quietly in the water for now, he glances in the doctor's and 
  Kairne's direction, "Whatever you two do please hurry..we're cold up here." he 
  smiles

Kairne says, "All that I recognized was the water symbol. Beyond that, they 
  were just runes to me."

"They're pictograms," Paul murmurs softly, "but I ... I need to confirm what I 
  thought they said." He starts to slowly swim off from the rest of the group, 
  not specifically leaving but making some space. He glances uncertainly at 
  them all, frowning, then away again and down into the water.

Dane raises an eyebrow, "What is that look for?" he asks quietly..

Shenner keeps desperately treading water, only dimly aware of the taste of 
  blood in her mouth as she's bitten through her lip. _Hurry Paul... hurry... 
  hurry..._

Paul's eyes flicker toward Shen and then raise toward Dane, silently hoping 
  that the Mandalorian will realize the awkwardness of the situation. 
  Swallowing hard, he mutters, "I'll be back in a bit." He turns around and 
  starts breathing, ignoring the sharp twinges and pain as his cracked ribs 
  protest at their misuse. There is a deep intake of air and he pivots, 
  arrowing down almost silently into the dark waters and out of sight.
Paul Nighman takes a deep breath and then dives under the surface of the water.
Paul Nighman has left.

Urio'kosh stares down at the water uncomfortably, but clearly has no desire to 
  follow the Corellian down. Indeed his face has grown rather grave and 
  thoughtful and the younger Mandalorian makes no comment whatsoever.

Kairne is clearly unhappy with Paul's hasty departure, his face showing 
  displeasure, "Damn him sometimes." With that Kairne sucks in a few deep 
  breathes and launches himself back into the depths.
Kairne takes a deep breath and then dives under the surface of the water.
Kairne has left.

Dane looks to Shen and smiles, "How are you doing Shenner?"

"I'm... I'm... " Shenner swallows, gasping in short sharp breaths. And she 
  manages to finish, "I-I'm okay," though she looks anything but.

Dane nods slightly and takes a hold of Shenner's arm, pulling her over, "Here 
  rest for a bit you look a little winded."

It's very easy to tug the girl closer. Free of her pack, there's hardly weight 
  at all to her. Shen, nevertheless, keeps paddling, over and over, as she 
  mumbles plaintively, "Paul told me to tread water..."

Dane says "You need to rest for just a bit..I've got you." he smiles, "don't 
  worry about it..just relax and enjoy the break."

"Y-you... you sure?" Shenner's voice has turned very small, almost childlike.

Dane nods slowly and drapes Shen's arms over his shoulder, wrapping his around 
  her waist, "Sure am..just sit tight and take a breather."

Paul Nighman breaks through the water's surface with a splash and a great gasp 
  of air.
Paul Nighman has arrived.

Kairne breaks through the water's surface with a splash and a great gasp of 
  air.
Kairne has arrived.

Braced up by Dane in the water, Shenner can be felt by the old warrior to be 
  shaking, perhaps in general reaction to her situation, perhaps due to the 
  temperature of the water. The young redhead blinks blearily as Kairne and 
  Paul resurface, looking over with as much attention as she can rally.

Dane continues to let Shenner rest for the time being. At the sound of the two 
  returning he looks over and asks quicetly, "Any luck?"

Catching his breath takes the Corellian a moment but he swims over to one 
  side, nodding to Dane and motioning to Kairne. He swims as far as he can 
  away from Dane and Shenner ... just to be safe.

Kairne swims over to Paul, hoping to hear good news after their trip to the 
  bottom.

Treading water as best as he can, Paul slowly draws off his satchel, dropping 
  below the water's surface with the effort. He presses it to Kairne. "Here 
  ... I need you to take this. There are a lot of valuable things in there, 
  and you may need them if things go ... badly ..." His voice is pitched very 
  low and he glances back down underwater with a twisted expression.

"Wh... what're they' doin'?" Shen mumbles tiredly to Dane. Her feet are still 
  kicking feebly beneath her, occasionally knocking into the warrior; she's 
  apparently forgotten to still them.

Dane frowns as he overhears the conversation between Kairne and Paul, "What's 
  the situation?" he asks agaian, the tone in his voice taking on a more 
  insistant tone.

Flashing Dane a serious look, Paul calls over in Mandalorian, "Dane ... plase 
  ... I'll let Kairne fill you in. Just give me a minute. She's freaked enough 
  as it is."

Kairne takes Paul's satchel, but assures the Corellian, "Things will not go 
  badly.. I will make sure of that."

Dane nods slowly but the look on his face shows definite confusion. With a 
  glance at Kairne he tries to judge the man's assessment of the situation 
  without speaking to him.

Hearing Paul speak up in syllables she doesn't understand, Shenner calls 
  hoarsely, "P-Paul? Wha's goin' on?"

Cursing softly under his breath, Paul nods to Kairne, grateful that the man 
  does not press or argue with him. "Hold on Shen!" he calls out in confident 
  tones. "Just gotta talk to Kairne for a minute and then we'll be right outta 
  here."

"H-hurry," pleads the redheaded girl, much more softly.

Kairne swims about, trying to collect his thoughts, "Paul, you were trying to 
  convey something down there, but I didn't catch all of it.. what were those 
  symbols you were gesturing?" Kairne tries to imitate them the best he can as 
  he asks the question.

Dane just listens for, his eyes dropping to Shenner, "How are you doing?' he 
  offers a kind smile, "You can stop kicking you know."

Turning back to Kairne, Paul whispers softly, "Look, I need you to take care 
  of the others ... I'm going to go trigger the mechanism. That's what I was 
  trying to explain to you down there. The pictograms explain how to do that 
  ..." The Corellian's voice is not quite confident, but his eyes are intent 
  and earnest.

Dully, Shenner mumbles to Dane, "I gotta, I gotta keep swimming..."

Dane nods to Shenner and pats her head lightly, "Okay..I can hold you if you 
  want..We will need you fresh if trouble pops up."

Shenner admits tinily to Dane, her voice barely audible, "'Mtired..."

Dane nods, "I know Shen..I know. Stop kicking for now and let me keep you a 
  float..Paul will want you to be as strong as you can after we get out of 
  here."

"H-he will?" Shen mumbles. The idea that Paul might want her to _stop_ 
  treading water strikes her as a touch confusing, when she'd just barely 
  gotten down the concept of his wanting her to tread water. But Dane can 
  sense her slowing her kicking to a halt, and she starts to slump a little in 
  his grasp.

Dane keeps a firm grip on Shenner, nodding a bit, "Yes..he would want you to 
  pace yourself so that you don't get tired..I can help you do that." he 
  smiles, "So tell me more about Corellia."

"Th-there was a-a tree," Shen mumbles to Dane, her voice heavy and distant 
  with her exhaustion.

Dane nods, "What kind of tree?"

"Big," is Shenner's hazy reply. "W-we climbed in 'er. I never got to climb a 
  tree before..."

Dane nods with a smile, "Must have been fun then?"

"Y-yeah," Shen breathes out, leaning limply against Dane's supportive arms. 
  "C'rellia's... so pretty..."

Dane continues to tread water for the both of them, nodding slowly, "So what 
  else did you do there?"

Kairne asks Paul in Mandalorian, "When you trigger it, what will happen, did 
  it give any indication?" Kairne looks to Dane and then back to Paul.

Shenner's eyes drift closed a moment, then snap open, as she mumbles, "We 
  went... dancin'," she confides tinily to Dane.

Dane says "I haven't been dancing in years..what type of dancing did you do?"

Shenner's eyes dropped closed again, and she breathes distantly, "Ballroom. It 
  was... best night o' my life..."

Replying in the same language, Paul murmurs, "No idea ... there is only one 
  set of markings and they are at the pillar, so I'm fairly sure that that is 
  it ... and it makes sense considering the key and the other rooms. It'll 
  trigger your escape ... what does it matter how you get out so long as you 
  get out?" There is a strange quality to the Corellian's voice, not to 
  mention his choice of words, but perhaps it is just the stress and 
  exhaustion.

Dane smiles and let's Shen rest for now, merely dropping into a focused 
  continuance of his water treading..

Kairne moves closer to Paul, "Because we will not leave without you my 
  friend," in Mandalorian. "This is not a time for heroics, you must be 
  careful and wise."

There is a long pause as the Corellian weighs the facts. "Kairne ... I'll be 
  straight with you. I may very well not be coming back and you may -have- to 
  leave without me. That's why I gave you my satchel. I'm not being heroic ... 
  just ... just following directions," he finishes with a soft note of 
  sarcasm. "Seriously Kairne ... if this doesn't go well, I need you to keep 
  going. Just get free of this place." The Mandalorian breaks in a few places, 
  but Paul's words are clear enough.

Kairne shakes his head, "That is unnacceptable, I cannot break my oath to you. 
  What do these directions tell you? To sacrifice yourself so that we may 
  continue? My oath is stronger than any such thing.. this place knows that." 
  Kairne turns to Dane, "What say you old friend?"

Dane says "I say we all need to walk out of this place alive.." he looks to 
  Paul, "What does it say?"

Shen lolls in Dane's arms, evidently about done in. Dimly aware that the men 
  are still talking about... something... around her, she frowns to herself, 
  but their voices make no sense... and they're so far away, anyway. Nicer to 
  think about Corellia. Where she and Paul swam on the beach, and climbed 
  trees, and danced...

Reiterating what he has already gone through in his mind time and time again, 
  Paul informs them darkly, "Each test was foretold to us... stone to courage, 
  which is where Shen and I came from when we "found" you. Fire to flesh ... 
  you had to touch the burning globe to make it do your will ... and water to 
  sacrifice." He treads water for a moment, eyes dropping down to the nearly 
  invisible bottom. "The symbols are simple - water, life or spirit, cocoon - 
  meaning the case down there, and help or salvation." Hazel eyes lift grimly 
  as he rasps, "It seems fairly clear to me, although I have to admit I don't 
  know what kind of sacrifice it is looking for ... it may be less than I ... 
  we ... suspect, but if it isn't, I need you to keep going."

Dane nods slowly, a grave look crossing his features, "I understand..." he 
  looks to Kairne, "This has to be done old friend..by one of the four of us. 
  IF we don't we all die." he inhales slowly and looks down at Shen, "One of 
  us is just starting life and deserves to live."

Shenner's wet red head has lolled over towards Dane as he keeps her face above 
  the surface of the water. That the girl still lives can be seen by the 
  exhausted, puzzled frown still darkening her features, and the occasional 
  restless, awkward pawing of her hands at the water around her.

Kairne looks back and forth between his two friends and converses in 
  Mandalorian, "Then it should be one of us then, not them. They still have 
  much to do in their lifetimes. I can afford a sacrifice." Kairne turns back 
  to Paul, "Let me bear this burden my friend, you are the only one who can 
  figure out what to do after this."

Clearly Paul does -not- like this option, although he knew that it might come 
  up. His features twist with the displeasure, the Corellian unable to 
  verbalize a reply one way or the other. Instead he rasps softly, "Kairne, I 
  can't ... I mean, it just isn't that simple ... that you, intead of me ...." 
  His voice trails off in discomfort, Paul's eyes flickering closed as the 
  weight of the choices weighs heavily against him.

Kairne motions to Paul, "Life is not simple, but yet, it attains purity in 
  comlpexity. What road can we travel without you?"

Dane nods in agreement with Kairne and continues to keep Shenner's exhausted 
  form a float.

"By that arguement, I could say the same in return," Paul counters softly. 
  "I'm not comfortable with this choice .... " But of course, there is no 
  choice which would allow comfort for any of the expedition's members.

"Unfortunately, that interpretation does not apply," Kairne quickly replies. 
  "You can interpret these markers better than any of us, better than myself. 
  And I know how to survive if it comes to that. I will find a way." He 
  attempts to look stoic and passes his glance at Dane, "If the Empire could 
  not vanquish me... I do not believe something created by my blood will."

Treading water awkwardly, Paul cannot, despite his fervent wishes to do so, 
  argue against logic. Nodding he finally reaches out for his satchel. "Better 
  give that back then ... just in case ...."

Kairne hands Paul back his satchel, "My friend.. do not worry. There is 
  meaning in everything."

Dane nods to Kairne, "Good luck old friend." he offers a smile, "I know you 
  won't let us down."

Shenner lolls in Dane's support, her eyes occasionally drifting closed, then 
  open again. Her world has narrowed down to the weight of her wet clothing, 
  clammy and cold against her skin, and the pair of arms bracing her up. 
  _Tired. I wanna sleep, I hate this..._ But she _can't_ sleep. She can still 
  hear the others' voices, Paul's gravelly baritone standing out in her ears 
  even if she _can't_ quite make out the sense of his words...

Simply nodding again, Paul murmurs, "The pillar should just open if you pull 
  at the exposed seam ... Urio'kosh? Would you help your brethern? It could be 
  quite heavy." Swiming closer, Urio'kosh simply nods, observing the older 
  Mandalorian quietly. "I'll go down with him - help the Lord General get 
  inside."

Kairne questions Paul, not in fear, but only ponderance, "And after that.. 
  does it say anything?"

Shrugging with one bound shoulder while treading water is a peculiar motion, 
  but it still manages to get across the same message. "I have no idea what 
  happens after that ... I can only hypothesize that someone has to get inside 
  the pillar in order to activate the mechanism."

Dane says "Is there air inside there?" he asks quietly, "Like there is in 
  here?"

Glancing over his shoulder, his features grim, Paul replies, "I doubt it ... 
  what kind of "sacrifice" would that be?" Doubt and determination flicker in 
  the Corellian's gaze, and despite himself he glances back down again, as if 
  reconsidering his decision to allow Kairne to go in his place ...

Kairne motions the Corellian away, "Do not even think about taking my place.."

Dane nods in response and looks to Kairne, "Are you sure you don't want me to 
  go?"

Kairne turns to Dane, "I do believe you have your hands full with Shenner. 
  Keep her and Paul safe." He stops for a moment, thinking. "Our paths have 
  been intertwined for many years old friend.. I'm sure they will cross again."

Dane nods with a small frown, obviously not liking this much, "They 
  better...you still owe me a drink or two.." he forces a smile, "Besides who 
  else can validate my war stories.."

Shifting closer to Kairne, Urio'kosh softly murmurs, "Lord General? Are you 
  ready then?"

Still displeased with the situation, Paul's pained hazel gaze shifts between 
  the two men, but he makes no move to dive down to the bottom and makes no 
  further dissenting noises. Turning to Kairne, he murmurs formally, 
  "Warrior's fortune and honor go with you .... see you soon." He emphasizes 
  the -soon-, as if any other alternative were not acceptable.

Kairne turns to Urio, and nods, "I am ready to undertake what will come."

Nodding silently, Urio'kosh takes in a deep breath and dives beneath the 
  surface with a large splash.
Urio'kosh takes a deep breath and then dives under the surface of the water.
Urio'kosh has left.

Kairne once again prepares his lungs, rythymatically breathing in and out 
  before taking one big breath and diving down the depths.
Kairne takes a deep breath and then dives under the surface of the water.
Kairne has left.

Shenner stirs once, looking blearily around the pit, making a tiny wordless 
  noise of query.

Dane continues to tread water, his eyes fixed on his friend of more years than 
  he can count as he disappears below the water, perhaps for the last time. 
  With a small sigh he glances at Shenner, "How are you doing Shen?"

"Are we there yet?" the girl mumbles.

Dane shakes his head and responds quietly, "No..not yet but soon."

Somehow Paul cannot find the strength to swim closer to his friends. Instead 
  he draws off to one side, treading as best he can and peering down into the 
  murky dark with an equally dark expression.

Shenner bats feebly at the water with one limp hand, murmuring indistinctly, 
  "Wanna go dancin'. Wear m' dress...." A small frown curves her mouth as she 
  apparently registers water against her palms. "N'Corellia."

Dane just holds Shenner and pats her head softly, "You will once we're out of 
  here.." he pulls her a bit closer in an attempt to warm her up.

"Ask Paul?" Shen mumbles plaintively, peering up at Dane as he draws her nearer 
  to him.

Dane says "Ask Paul what?"

"He hasta come," Shen explains slurrily to the warrior.

At the sound of his name, the Corellian glances up, watching the pair silently 
  with eyes ravaged by guilt. His mouth draws into a thin line as he fretfully 
  observes Shen's descent, knowing that if she saw herself, she would be 
  mortified.

Dane nods, "I'm sure he would love to Shenner..I doubt he would miss it for the 
  world."

Urio'kosh breaks through the water's surface with a splash and a great gasp of 
  air.
Urio'kosh has arrived.

"Has to," Shenner repeats, murmuring the words almost as if they're a mantra. 
  "Hasta come. Dancin' with me..."

Breaking the surface with a loud gasp and cough, Urio swims over toward a wall, 
  struggling to catch his breath. His hair and robes floate about him freely.

As Urio'kosh floats wearily, Paul glances at the man strangely, as if something 
  he couldn't quite place is happening. Turning he places his finger above the 
  waterline against the wall, kicking furiously not to sink below the surface. 
  He watches as slowly, but surely the water level rises to over take the 
  position of his finger. Treading about to face the others he announces, 
  "We're rising .... the water level is rising." And to himself _seven minutes_.

Shen, at Paul's call, rouses just enough to make another small questioning 
  noise. "Wha...?" The girl blinks eyes that seem bent on dropping closed.

Dane mutters a Mandalorian curse under his breath and keeps a hold of Shenner, 
  "Are you sure?" he frowns and looks up hoping the room is very tall.

"I'm sure," he murmurs as he tests it again, frowning. "We're definitely rising 
  up - more water is being pumped in from somewhere." Paul swims over to 
  Urio'kosh, his body aching with the strain of the cold and the constant 
  effort to stay afloat. "You have two free hands ... test to see if the water 
  level is indeed rising ... can't hurt to have able confirmation."

"Wh-wha's goin' on?" Shenner mumbles thickly.

Dane says "The water is rising Shen..we're probably going to need you to tread 
  water again...are you ready to do that just in case?"

"Wha... risin'? Wha..." With an effort, the girl lifts her head, eyes starting 
  to go wide again, anxious. "M-more water?"

Dane nods gravely, "Yes..it may be our way out though so hold on."

The rise is now visible to the naked eye. Since the walls are smooth and 
  unmarked, it simply is an indication at the rate of ascent. Paul twitches 
  uncomfortably, looking down into the depths of the water, unable to even see 
  the glow stick that had been dropped down when they first arrived. It's as if 
  a beacon had been cut off from him, and the Corellian can only realize dimly, 
  _ten minutes_.

Shen rouses a little more, looking around bemusedly and beginning to weakly 
  paddle at the water. Dane can feel her kicking, too, though the movement is 
  mostly rote. "H-how come it's risin'...?"

Dane shakes his head, "I'm not sure..I think it may be part of the trigger for 
  the marker..it may let us out..who knows."

Ten minutes turns into twelve ... fifteen, and then suddenly there is a soft 
  rushing noise as water begins to pour off into an opening on the side. The 
  water stops rising and all is quiet suddenly.

Shen has begun to paddle again in earnest, though it's clear that the girl is 
  still cold and exhausted, and neither condition is going to improve until she 
  gets out of the water. She lets out a startled little cry as that rushing 
  sound is heard, her head wavering in that direction. "Wha...?"

Dane breathes a sigh of relief as he hears the water start to pour out.., "Just 
  relax..I think we may be on our way."

There is a strange burbling noise as bubbles rise up to the surface ominiously. 
  With a wooosh of water, what appears to be a large casket surfaces, 
  recognizable to those that have dove beneath the surface to be what was 
  perceived as a stone pillar .... and with a gasp Paul swims toward it, eyes 
  wide and frantic.

Dane starts towards the casket as well, dragging Shenner along with him as he 
  continues to keep a firm hold on her.

"Ahhh? Wh-wha?" Shen, tugged by Dane, paddles feebly, her head moving around in 
  the direction she's being hauled. "Whassat?"

Dane continues swimming towards the casket with Shenner in tow, "Some sort of 
  casket.."

Not liking the looks of this at all, Paul's hand rises up, the rest of him 
  bobbing down as he fumbles to open the thing. For perhaps the first time 
  since they have all left on this journey, he turns his gaze to Urio'kosh, 
  dark and almost pleading. "Help me?" he asks in soft low tones, worry 
  twisted tightly about each word. Nodding, the younger Mandalorian swims 
  closer and begins to pull on the thin exposed seam, his lips a thin grim 
  line.

Casket? Wha...? Blinking dazedly, Shen rouses up a little more, and only now 
  realizes: "Wh-where's Kairne?"

Dane shakes his head, "I dunno.." he looks to Paul, "What now Doctor.." his 
  question carries a tone of aggitation.

Paul doesn't respond to either, his one hand frantic on the seam edge. With 
  their combined efforts, Paul and Urio manage to part the container, the top 
  hinged and dropping to one side heavily. Water seeps out to reveal that 
  inside the casket is Kairne, his hands curled like claws, his eyes blank, 
  calm despite the rigid and desperate position of his body. There is a thin 
  coating of what appears to be some kind of plastic about his still, 
  unmoving, and seemingly unbreathing figure.

Dane digs down and takes out a knife, gently he nudges Shenner up to the 
  casket, "Hold on to this Shen." he says and starts to cut the plastic off..

Shenner swallows hard, registering enough of what's going on now to let out a 
  tiny whimper of dismay. Moved by Dane, she clings to the casket's edge and 
  gazes with fear-darkened green eyes at Kairne's silent form.

Laying a hand on Dane's arm, Paul barks out, "Wait!" as the plastic clouds 
  over, a thin pinkish colored gas filling in the space between it's surface 
  and Kairne's skin. It was clear that the Mandalorian had drowned ... but 
  perhaps his sacrifice would not go unrewarded ....?

Dane stops his hand and glances at the Doctor, "Why?' he looks back as the 
  platic starts to fill, eyes narrowing, "What the hells is going on?"

"I don't know," Paul murmurs wearily, with the expression of a man who 
  believes that Kairne's fate should have befallen him instead. "I don't dare 
  interfere ... if this test killed him, perhaps it will restore him."

Dane nods slowly and looks unconvinced, "I'll trust your opinion Paul..but I 
  don't like this.."

Kill...? Shivering where she huddles by the casket now, Shen registers only 
  that she _doesn't_ like the sound of that. The girl bites down on her lower 
  lip, her eyes huge and dark in her wan face, making her look far more 
  waifish of appearance than she's been in some time.

There is a violent shudder that runs visible over Paul's form, the fact that 
  his judgement in this situation, is the deciding factor in Kairne's life. He 
  cannot help but think that if he were in the casket instead, the weight of 
  this decision would not have to burden his shoulders, as almost every 
  decision on this journey has. He can't even recall now if he's made any 
  wrong choices yet, but statistics will judge him soon enough, one way or the 
  other.

Dane gazes down into the coffin at the lifeless form of his freind..a sadness 
  appears on his face for just a moment as worry cracks his resolve. He 
  sheaths the knife for now and just watches.

Urio coughs lightly, pointing as several rods, unexposed before, extend from 
  the walls of the casket, penetrating through the plastic without breaking 
  the surface open. Through the mist of gas, it's impossible to see what they 
  are doing, but after a few minutes they draw back. The plastic then, 
  miraculously seems to start moving.

To Shenner's dazed brain, the sight before her makes about as much sense as 
  the shape-shifting statue had done, and it's just about as alarming. Not 
  able to speak, she just bobs there and clutches at the edge of the floating 
  box.

Kairne begins an attempt to move, his limbs lightly flailing in small motions, 
  trying to get his friends attention. He tries to speak, but his voice comes 
  out as a gurgle, his lungs and throat still very much full of water. 
  Desperately he tries to communicate with his friends. Kairne's voice strains 
  to mouth the words, "Cut me out," and doesn't exactly come out as that.

Dane takes the knfe from it's sheath and starts to cut open the plasttic 
  membrane as he sees the movement..he's doing it quickly but not so much so 
  that he kills Kairne again.

Unable to assist with his single free arm, Paul simply leans heavily against 
  the floating casket, his eyes fluttering closed in a gesture both grateful 
  and exhausted.

_I gotta wake up,_ Shen thinks dimly, the sensations being reported in by her 
  chilled, leaden limbs jarring dully in her head against wisps of daydreams 
  of Corellia... and Paul. Her gaze instinctively seeks him out, even as she 
  strives to rally her exhausted wits. _I gotta pay attention._ And she finds 
  Paul with her seeking eyes, then; the sight of him, soaked and as bone-weary 
  of appearance as she's feeling, provokes another whimper out of her. But 
  this one's of worry rather than fear.

Dane splits the center of the the wrapping and uses his hands to pull it open, 
  "Give me a hand.."

Urio'kosh seems to be the only one with a free one, and reaching over he too 
  pulls at the hefty plastic embracing Kairne. "Get him upright," he murmurs, 
  "He needs to get the liquid out of his lungs."

Dane grabs Kairne by the front of his uniform and pulls him up, "Get his back 
  Urio.." he re-sheaths the knife and and glances at the younger Mandalorian.

Kairne begins to move out the cut plastic, small amounts of gas and liquid 
  flowing out of the 'shell' that up until now had completely encased him. 
  Kairne, still a bit dazed, does hear Urio, and tries to upright himself, but 
  the residual water still in his system starts to make him cough.

Shenner _wants_ to help, but for the life of her, she can barely manage to 
  string together two consecutive thoughts, much less do anything useful to 
  aid the Mandalorians with their comrade. As Urio'kosh and Dane with their 
  efforts keep the casket bobbing back and forth, Shen clings to the side... 
  and casts a fearful glance at the water around her, as if afraid that the 
  slightest motion will send her dropping beneath the surface.

Pressing a hand to Kairne's neck, Urio bends him up and forward, the coughing 
  needing the help of gravity to expunge the fluids from his lungs. "That's 
  right," he encourages, "let your body cough it out .... your lungs are 
  probably going to hurt like hell, but it certainly beats being dead." There 
  is a strange light in the younger Mandalorian's eye as he half wonders -why- 
  the Lord General is -not- dead.

Kairne coughs loudly, fluid spitting out of his mouth each time, and dripping 
  down his chin. Somehow he manages to turn to Urio and say, "Dead? I was 
  dea.." Kairne coughs more before he can finish his sentence, expelling what 
  is left of the water from his system.

The word 'dead' bouncing around the edges of Shenner's cognizance, the young 
  redhead peers groggily up once more at Dane and Urio'kosh and Kairne held 
  between them, a dismayed frown darkening her face. It would seem the girl's 
  woken up enough to listen, and to grasp at least something of what she's 
  hearing.

Lifting red-rimmed eyes, Paul nods, muttering, "I think so ... you certainly 
  looked like it. But it seems that the willingness to sacrifice was all that 
  was required .... so let's get the hell out of hear before we have to do it 
  again or something."

'Out'. _That_ word resounds through Shen's awareness, too, and she glances 
  with unvarnished hope around the altered environs.

Dane nods and glances around, "I agree.." he looks to Kairne, "How do you feel 
  old friend?"

Kairne shakes his head back and forth, trying to clear his senses, and takes 
  in a deep breath, something he hadn't been able to do for a long time. "As I 
  was saying.. I was dead.. I had to be.. but how did I end up back here?"

Dane shakes his head slowly, "I don't know..but don't shun the gift..just be 
  glad you did survive." he offers a smile, "Now why don't we get out of here?"

Nodding weakly, Paul swims over to the opening in the wall, water sloshing 
  into it occasionally with the motion. "I'm just grateful ... either way. 
  When we get out of this, you'll have to tell us what you remember ...."

Paul's motion through the water... and, accordingly, the movement of his 
  voice... draws Shen's attention to that opening. Deep in her gut, fear 
  bubbles up, as she realizes that despite it not looking particularly far 
  away, she's going to have to _swim_ over there. _Got to, Dane and..._ Her 
  mind shies around the thought of Urio'kosh, as she finds herself bizarrely 
  unwilling to name him in her thoughts, but her mind shies just as quickly 
  away from that hesitance. _... they gotta help Kairne..._ Shaking as she 
  floats, Shen pushes off from the casket... and immediately yelps as she has 
  to make herself tread water all over again.

Kairne raises himself so that he is now kneeling in the casket, "Well, where 
  is the exit, I'm somewhat clouded at the moment if you will.. And as for 
  what I remember.. I do not know where reality and the death end or begin.."

Dane extends a hand out to Kairne and starts helping him out of the casket, 
  "Come on..I'll give you a hand." he looks to Urio, "Give me a hand."

Urio reaches over to steady Kairne as he exits the casket and re-enters the 
  water. Paul turns back, staring at the small cluster and calling out to Dane 
  a gentle reminder. "Don't forget Shen."

Awkward and clumsy, panting for breath, Shen starts trying to paddle through 
  the water towards Paul. Swimming, just that short distance; how tough can it 
  be? _Move it, street rat!_ "C... comin'," she calls out to Paul in reply. 
  "'Mcomin'..."

Dane nods and swims over to Shenner, leaving Kairne in the hands of Urio for 
  now, "Got her." he swims up next to her and looks over, "You going to make 
  it okay?"

"'Mokay," Shen mumbles automatically, though as before, she doesn't exactly 
  look it. But she also doesn't stop her efforts. And eventually she makes it 
  to the waiting Corellian, flailing with her shaking hands for the opening in 
  the wall.

Dane just swims by her side for the most part, letting her make it on her own, 
  "Okay Shen." he smiles, "We're proud of you."

Kairne swims out a few strokes and treads water to adjust himself again, then 
  swims back to the group, "This doesn't feel nearly the same as it did 
  before.. warmer.. but who knows what that ordeal did to me..." Kairne swims 
  over to Paul, speaking quietly in Mandalorian, "Don't worry my friend.. It 
  was my decision, my life.. and as I told you.. I would find a way.. or this 
  place found a way rather.. now let's be gone." Kairne calls out to the rest 
  of the group, "Shall we be off now?"

Shenner can't manage anything more than a strained, miniscule smile in 
  response to Dane, but she does at least achieve that. Now, though, the 
  girl's mind is focused on only one thing -- hauling herself through that 
  hole in the wall. She grabs hold of the slick side, nearly goes under, and 
  with far more desperation than strength or agility, she fumbles her way into 
  the opening.

Nodding weakly, Paul reaches into the opening, trying to drag himself in with 
  one arm. It is no easy feat, but he manages to finally attain his goal and 
  starts crawling into the tunnel, sharp gusts of <a>ir blowing out into the 
  room.

[To be continued....]