Log Date:
	4/23, 4/26/98

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

Log Intro:
	The expedition into the crypt has continued, with the five battered
travellers -- two humans, three Mandalorians -- facing between them a pit
trap, a mysterious room with a fiery glowing orb that nearly caused them 
all to be burned alive, and most recently, a room full of water in which a
frantic Shenner had to rely upon her one swimming lesson and the swift
attention of Paul and Dane to keep her afloat... and in which Kairne proved
to be the salvation of the entire group.
	Shenner has gotten a bad shock, in the meantime; a gap in her memory
in the orb room has to her dismay apparently meant delusional behavior on
her part, for the party has taken her blaster and has refused to return it
to her. Moreover, the struggle to keep herself swimming in the chamber of
water has further depleted her strength.
	Now, however, having made their escape from a watery prison that
might have become a watery grave, the five travellers are about to face a 
chamber of air....

----------
Crypt - Air
Another long endless column of a room is before you, but in this one, there is 
  only a narrow two foot ledge on which to stand or sit. The center of the 
  room is a hole going straight down, darkness hiding the depths. That would 
  be disconcerting enough, but this seemingly endless chasm gives birth to a 
  furious column of air that spirals up past the ledge, a fan of some sort 
  visible higher above, cutting the air with tremendous speed. It is hard to 
  hear much of anything for the howling of the wind which seems strong enough 
  to buffet one right off the ledge if one were not careful and wary. The 
  walls are made of rough hewn stone blocks, sharp and jagged in certain areas.
Contents:
Paul Nighman
Dane
Urio'kosh
Kairne

As she comes climbing out of the crawlspace and straightens shakily up to get 
  her first look at their new location, Shenner can be heard to let out a 
  short, wordless moan. She scrambles sideways, and presses herself flat 
  against the wall -- never mind that this is pressing her against a rather 
  jagged outcropping of stone. Trembling violently, she finally manages to 
  whisper hoarsely, "Shit... oh shit..."

Gasping in surprise, Paul slams against the wall, catching his balance before 
  it tips him over and down into the furious chasm of wind. One hand grasps 
  the stone behind him as he shuts his eyes for a moment, getting his bearing 
  as well as his composure. Eyes flickering open, he looks about this new 
  torment, golden brown swaths of hair blowing about his face, which clearly 
  interferes with the process. "Seven Hells, knew I should have gotten that 
  hair cut!" he mutters darkly.

Dane presses back againstthe wall with a silent curse to himself, daring to 
  look down he frowns and glances at the others, "Next time you ask me to go 
  somewhere with you Paul I'm going to say no.." he chuckles and inhales, 
  "I'll at least ask for a program of events."

"Hey," the Corellian defends, "I didn't ask for this ... I was asked. Go 
  hassle Grathix if he hasn't been knocked off yet for insubordination." 
  Swallowing hard, Paul mutters, "I'm really getting annoyed with all of this 
  now ... okay people, let's fan out ... -carefully- ... and see if we can 
  find anything useful." Cautiously Paul turns, allowing his good hand to 
  trail along the wall as he slowly walks along the perimeter, fingers and 
  eyes scanning the wall for clues.

Kairne, still a bit dazed from previous the recent harrowing events in his 
  life moves cautiously along wall, focusing himself on what is ahead of him, 
  and that which is below. His mind is clearly still clouded with color and 
  displacement as he asks, "Where are we again?"

Shen snaps her gaze to Paul as he speaks, her expression suggesting she's 
  latching onto his voice as if it were a lifeline. She follows him with her 
  eyes as he begins to move, and then, with extreme reluctance, drags her 
  attention away from him. Move, he says. Right, so let's move, then! But she 
  stays where she is, her shivering limbs refusing to obey her, screaming for 
  rest.

Pausing, Paul glances over his shoulder worriedly. "On Mandalore ... in the 
  crypt?" he replies, uncertain just how disoriented the man might be. "Looks 
  like yet another test room .... maybe you should sit this one out Kairne, 
  eh?"

Dane nods and starts to search the area around him slowly and very carefully 
  for any features in the walls or ceiling.

Kairne shakes his head, "No, I am fine.. I just need to clear myself... With 
  what I've experienced, I don't think it can get any worse.."

Shen's flesh is achingly weak, and her spirit is only half willing to 
  entertain this concept of _motion_, even as she focuses in on Paul's words 
  to Kairne. That warrior's voice, though, only dimly registers in her 
  consciousness. It's the sight of Urio'kosh behind him that finally stirs the 
  girl; her face can't get any paler, but her features do crinkle up into 
  tense, frightened lines. And she begins to inch around the ledge, an 
  inexplicable need to get away from the young Mandalorian driving her as much 
  as the need to do something to help the party. "Grip," she mumbles thickly, 
  mostly to her herself. "Get a grip, street rat... get..."

Nodding brusquely, the wind howling between the party now, making conversation 
  difficult, Paul continues to edge his way along the wall till eventually he 
  finds that he has come full circle and is now facing Shenner. The trembling 
  girl's form assaults his gaze, and reaching out slowly, he lays his one free 
  hand on her shoulder, rubbing the icy cold and wet fabric gently, only then 
  realizing how badly he too is shivering. At least the wind is drying his 
  clothes somewhat ... so eventually it won't be -quite- so cold. Without 
  realizing that he does so, Paul closes his eyes in despair. There were no 
  clues, no marks, no symbols, no words .... no hope.

Dane glances down, trying to discern any details below.."Well this looks even 
  worse than the last one." he murmur.

The contact from Paul makes Shen look up again, and lock onto his battered 
  form. She doesn't make a sound, not a single cry, but she does immediately 
  and unthinkingly embrace him, trying to bury her face against his chest.

The tunnel is dark, ominous, and unimaginably deep. There is no telling how 
  far down it goes really, and the wind whirling up from it's depths ebbs and 
  flows in a viciously erratic pattern.

Silent as well, Paul draws Shen's shaking form against his own, his bound arm 
  an obstacle between them that he ignores. His left hand reaches up to clasp 
  the back of her head gently, his head resting atop her furiously tousled 
  red curls. He closes his eyes once again, sighing, his words unheard as the 
  wind whips the soft whisper away as it's spoken. _I'm sorry_

Dane glances at Kairne, "I have a feeling we're supposed to jump...a leap of 
  faith." he frowns, "That doesn't seem like a sane idea I know..but look at 
  what we've had to do so far."

Shen peeks up, but she doesn't detach from her embrace of Paul, merely lifts 
  her head enough for one frightened green eye to be visible. "Jump?" she 
  mumbles, a reaction rather less noticeable than the physical jolt that racks 
  her at the mere thought -- at least, for Paul.

Dane's words cause Paul's head to lift fractionally, hazel eyes boring into 
  the Mandalorian before slipping toward the chasm next to them. He was 
  willing to sacrifice himself in the room of water .... what difference would 
  this be? Besides, each room did have it's own calling card. Rock to courage, 
  Fire to flesh, Water to sacrifice .... Air to faith. Drawing back from 
  Shenner careflly, Paul stares down the column, his eyes growing somewhat 
  unfocused as if he were trying to penetrate the depths.

Urio's robes whirl about his wildly, causing the Mandalorian to remain quite 
  still for fear that the wind will catch one sodden edge and drag him off and 
  over. Though he makes no commentary, clearly he thinks that the idea of 
  jumping into nothingness to be something short of madness.

Kairne's expression shows his agreement with Dane, "There is nothing else to 
  lose now is there? We've come this far, we have proved ourselves thusly. I 
  have sacrificed, I have faith." Kairne looks to his companions, "Think of 
  this.. is everything what it seems, must we rely on only our physical 
  senses? There is more than that in existence. The warrior doesn't put his 
  strength into his body.. he puts into his being."

Shen's only immediate thought is _Don't let go!_ -- a plea to Paul, which she 
  almost cries out, as the Corellian eases away from her. That his hand 
  remains resting on her shoulder gives the girl enough control to clamp back 
  on the words before they leave her lips. She can't, however, stop herself 
  from seizing that hand, clinging to it with both of her smaller ones and 
  moving it to hold close to her heart.

Dane nods quietly, silent for a moment before rasing his voice above the 
  winds, "I'll do it.." he looks between the group, "After all I'm used to 
  flying.." he forces a smile.

Raising his gaze slowly up toward the two Mandalorians, Paul nods slowly. 
  Looking at Shen, Paul smiles softly, easing his hand away. "No Dane ... we 
  talked about this before. You're one of the few still whole. I let someone 
  else go in my place once already. I can't do it again. So, as a scientist, I 
  say lets put the theory to the test then, shall we?" Taking a step away from 
  Shen, Paul takes a deep breath, closing his eyes, and then leaps off the 
  ledge suddenly, before his courage decides to desert him, his unbound arm 
  extended to one side as if it could somehow help buoy him up.

Shenner shrieks out Paul's name, now. She can't help herself.

Dane lets his gaze drop after Paul's speedy decent, a hand out stretched as he 
  instinctively grabs for his friend. He silently watches until the man 
  disappears from sight and exhales, his head shaking slightly.

The wind wails, and for a moment Paul drops and then rises, as if to be 
  smashed against a wall. The air shifts, flucuating wildly before finally 
  settling into a delicate balance and the Corellian steadies and holds still, 
  hovering for a moment.

Paul Nighman steps off the ledge into nothingness, but instead of plummeting 
  down, is amazingly enough supported on a cushion of air, slowly lowering in 
  a delicate balance of air flow and gravity.
Paul Nighman has left.

Now shivering violently again, Shenner stares in numb shock at what happens 
  when the Corellian attempts to test his theory -- and as he actually 
  _rises_, she gapes, reflexively slamming herself backwards into the wall 
  behind her, not believing her eyes.

Dane blinks as Paul floats down...after a moment of concentration he also 
  steps off the ledge, giving Kairne a jaunty salute on the way down.
Dane steps off the ledge into nothingness, but instead of plummeting down, is 
  amazingly enough supported on a cushion of air, slowly lowering in a 
  delicate balance of air flow and gravity.
Dane has left.

At any other time, on any other world, Shenner would have found this column of 
  air _fun_ -- and even now, she gibbers to herself, _How much different from 
  the Free-Flight can it be?_ Still, she remains there on the ledge, 
  trembling, after Dane follows in Paul's wake. Her gaze flashes once around 
  the room, and only when she sees Urio'kosh again is she moved to try to 
  follow the others.

Tentatively, and with no sense of true assurance, you step off the edge of the 
  platform. Part of you expects to going falling into nothingness, or be 
  battered against the walls by the winds howling up through the chamber. 
  Instead, you are buoyed up by the air, drifting down slowly as air flow 
  balances delicately with gravity. You reach a central dias at the bottom of 
  the deep well, stepping off quickly before the strong wind can toss you off.
Crypt - Elemental Chamber
The chamber is circular and ornate, the walls covered with controls and 
  devices, but there are no markings upon them other than the Mandalorian 
  words for "on" and "off" and similar important but essentially meaningless 
  commands and notations. The lights and dials flicker as they attend to 
  whatever it is that they attend to. There appears to only be two ways out of 
  this room, which of course is two more than the previous few rooms had to 
  offer. One is back up .... an unlikely choice. The other is a door to one 
  side of the room, carved with the signs and symbols of the elements - stone 
  - fire - water - air.
Contents:
Dane
Paul Nighman
Obvious exits:
Doorway  

Kairne lowers down on the air current, and lands on the central dias, stepping 
  off quickly before the strong wind has a chance to do so itself.
Kairne has arrived.

Urio'kosh lowers down on the air current, and lands on the central dias, 
  stepping off quickly before the strong wind has a chance to do so itself.
Urio'kosh has arrived.

Dane glances around and runs a hand through his close cropped hair as he 
  surveys the chamber.

_I'm not dead_, Shen thinks dumbly, as she comes down for her landing and 
  practically topples off the dais, only barely managing to keep her feet. And 
  then, hard on the heels of that surprised realization, comes _Paul's not 
  dead..._ The surge of relief that grips her, now, prevents her from doing 
  anything else except stumbling straight to Paul.

Leaning against one wall, Paul's gaze shifts about the room as well, but the 
  events of this day have worn the Corellian out practically more than the 
  entire journey here. While his hazel eyes touch on the equipment, it is 
  without caring or interest. He finally cuts off the image, taking a moment 
  to regain some sense of himself.

Urio'kosh looks about the room with avid interest in contrast to the 
  xenoarcheaologist. While he is careful not to touch any of the controls, he 
  examines them in minute detail, marveling at the equipment. "Ah, what I 
  wouldn't give for the manual ...."

"You're not dead," Shenner breathes prayerfully to the Corellian, as she moves 
  up beside him and tugs him into her arms. "You're not dead..."

Kairne walks around the room, investigating the strange device, "it can't be 
  that complicated. Everything so far in our journey has had a purpose, this 
  should be no different, eh?" He turns back to his companions, and then looks 
  back to the Mandalorian words present, "What do you make of those? What are 
  they referring to do you think?"

His whole body aches as it hasn't ever before. Well, that's not quite 
  accurate, but that memory is not one Paul tends to dwell on often or 
  lingeringly. His breath is rather shallow, but otherwise the Corellian seems 
  whole, and as Shen wraps herself about him Paul simply lets her, his left 
  hand raising again to rest at the small of her back. "Yeah, I'm not dead ... 
  neither are you."

Dane shakes his head and makes an I dunno face, "Got me.." he walks over and 
  starts to examine the controls, "I think we had best take a breather though. 
  It seems we're in no danger of being incinerated or drown here."

Urio'kosh looks up from his inspection, quirking a brow. "I haven't a clue, 
  but I suspect that these controls are for most of this place - lights ... 
  heat ... traps. It's clearly computer controlled on one level, but most of 
  that seems disabled. I imagine these are manual controls as well. Perhaps to 
  aid in the release of those caught in traps ... or to clean out the victims 
  dead carcasses." There is a shrug, Urio's gaze growing more curious and lit 
  by the moment.

Kairne smirks at Urio, "such a pleasant thought Urio."

Shen is still trembling, and she loses herself for the moment in just hugging 
  Paul tightly, trying to gain comfort and confidence from holding him, being 
  held. She's only damp now rather than sopping, but she hasn't noticed. She 
  notices nothing except Paul, as she presses her cheek against his chest once 
  more. _He's here he's okay he's not dead he's here...._

Raising his gaze, the younger Mandalorian offers Kairne a rather feral grin, 
  noting, "Well, there was a surprising lack of victims. True Mandalorian 
  style - tidy and no clues."

Dane says "So what now Paul.." he looks to the doctor, "What do you suggest we 
  start with first?"

Tears of exhaustion and an odd, potent desperation well up behind Shen's 
  eyelids, threaten to clog her throat. She clutches at the Corellian, vaguely 
  aware she's started to cry, and vaguely disturbed by this, but she doesn't 
  relax her hold.

As Shen grips Paul in her desperation, a small sound escapes him, the pressure 
  she is able to exert surprising, considering her size. *Hnnnnnnnngggg* It 
  must be the adrenaline, but whatever it is, Paul's eyes flicker shut in a 
  small wince as ribs protest at the affection. Dragging his gaze to Dane, 
  Paul answers bluntly, "Food and rest ... we don't know what's up ahead and 
  we've all been through some serious physical strain. We also need to know 
  what our reserves are ... how many packs did we lose?"

Kairne nods to Urio, "True.. very true.. we are in the presence of something 
  that hasn't existed in true form in a long log time. But what else can we 
  expect to find now? What secrets are there left?"
Kairne says "Two I believe Paul, mine and Dane's.. why?"

Dane nods and slips his pack off, "We need to eat and rebind wounds that's 
  why."

That odd little noise Paul makes filters through into Shen's thoughts, and the 
  young redhead lifts her head, blinking up at him dazedly. "Paul?" she croaks.

Sighing for a moment, a hitch catching Paul before he can fully let it out, 
  the Corellian mutters, "Because Urio's had most of the food in it as I 
  recall .... which means there is precious little left. We need to figure out 
  how much food and water we have left." What he doesn't express, but it 
  implicit in his words is, _we need to know how much longer we have to live_.

Her grip still tighter than comfortable, Paul rasps, "Easy Shen ... can't 
  breathe so good." He doesn't push her off though ... either too tired or too 
  unwilling to do so.

Dane walks over to the two and motions to the floor, "Sit.." he sighs, "Urio 
  check them both out.." he then throws a thumb in Kairne's direction, "The 
  Lord General too."

Shen's green eyes blink owlishly, and then, hesitantly, fractionally, she 
  lightens her hold on Paul. "Sorry," she mumbles. But then, as Dane 
  approaches and makes his suggestion, she snaps her gaze automatically up and 
  blurts, "I'M FINE!"

Dane raises an eyebow, his voice becoming commanding, "I said SIT..." he 
  points to the floor and then motions to Urio to attend the others.

Urio'kosh says "I don't recall that I take orders from you Major," and turning 
  on one heel he approaches Kairne, the only individual in his opinion who 
  might actually require medical servicing. His features are set in an annoyed 
  scowl, chin high and eyes cool."

Dane glances at Urio, "I'm not going to go through this with you Urio. You're 
  the only one here that knows Medicine..all three of them need to be looked 
  at."

Paul is more than willing to sit, and he does so gingerly, supporting himself 
  with one hand and doing his best to control the grimace as he lowers down to 
  the ground. Once there he wipes his brow for a moment before reaching for 
  the satchel that is still miraculously hanging at his hip. It's water laden 
  and soaked, and his eyes visibly darken as he pulls out the damaged book and 
  the ruined datapad. "Shiisa."

Kairne looks over at Dane, "I think that I am quite fine now Noth. I'm alive, 
  that is what matters."

Dane looks to Kairne, "Are you sure? We may have more of these trials ahead. I 
  think it's best we all try and get in as good of shape as we can while we 
  have the time."

"I-I'm okay," Shen babbles, still clinging to Paul, at least until he sits 
  down. _Only_ when he eases down to the floor does she sink down beside 
  him... detaching out of the hug to let him have his free hand to support 
  him. And she curls her arms around her knees, muttering, "'Mokay..."

Kairne nods to Dane, "Yes, I am fine.. I just need time to focus and rest. My 
  lungs are starting to feel better. Granted, it is not an experience I wish 
  to endure again quite so soon." Kairne sits himself down, resting against 
  his pack, and breathes rythmically.

Leaning himself back against a wall, Paul's eyes draw shut, his throat exposed 
  in a long bearded length. Swallowing, the muscle there ripples up and down 
  before he straightens his head back up, but he remains against the support 
  of the wall. "I'm fine ... just m'ribs," he mutters softly, concentrating on 
  simply breathing for the moment.

Dane shakes his head, throwing his hands up in the air he walks off to the 
  side and starts cleaning his rifle.

Snorting as if in disgust, Urio gathers up the last two packs and opens them 
  without ceremony, organizing the various weapons, food stuffs, water, and 
  other materials. "I'll check everyone out just as soon as we've all had a 
  chance to recover. Regardless of how well you think you're feeling."

Now that she's sitting down, now that she's not threatened by fire or water or 
  howling wind, Shen finds that the rest of the room is suddenly diminishing 
  in importance -- even Paul's presence at her side. She curls tighter in on 
  herself, her head bowing down towards her knees, her entire body slowly 
  beginning to tilt sideways.

Turning his head, Paul observes Shenner's slow slump and shifts himself closer 
  to her. With his left hand he gently guides her to him, settling her head 
  against his thigh so she can rest and sleep. His fingers stroke lightly 
  through her hair and across her brow in a soothing gesture.

Dane sits down against one of the walls and starts field stripping his rifle, 
  his movements well practiced and fluid despite the fatigue. For now hsi 
  stays quiet and simply focuses on the task at hand.

Making a small sleepful noise, her expression lightening somewhat, Shen 
  crumples bonelessly into Paul's lap. The tiny muscles in her forehead are 
  knotted up, deep furrows etched between her eyebrows, even under the 
  Corellian's touch.

Hours pass as Shen sleeps, Kairne meditates, Dane cleans, and Urio organizes 
  and mutters. In the end there is a small meal of rations carefully doled out 
  to each individual. Not much more than a snack really, but as they only have 
  enough rations to last them each perhaps a day, no more than two, it is the 
  most that Urio'kosh is willing to dispense. Each individual is roused from 
  whatever state they are in to receive food and an examination, no matter 
  what their protests. Urio finds in general that everyone is suffering from 
  varying degrees of stress, malnutrition, and exhaustion ... some more than 
  others. Paul's ribs are re-wrapped, which clearly the Corellian does not 
  relish, but he does cooperate. Packs are re-packed and warnings about food 
  and water are issued, all done with a grudging irritation at his sudden 
  promotion to pack mother. Taking on Kairne's pack, the younger Mandalorian 
  presses Dane his own and stands there, half glaring at the rest of the 
  troop. Although he doesn't feel nearly rested enough, Paul forces himself to 
  rise as well, praying silently to gods he doesn't believe in that there will 
  be no further tests to task them.

Shen's rest has been far less than adequate, and even though she's had Paul's 
  lap serving as her pillow, it's been apparent that the young woman is still 
  in bad shape. Her rousing by Urio'kosh causes her to cry out, an incoherent, 
  terrified expression seizing her face, and for a few moments she almost 
  flattens Paul in her effort to press herself against the wall -- in an 
  obvious attempt to get away from the young Mandalorian. After a few seconds 
  the fit of fear drains out of her enough that she submits to the 
  examination, but her eyes never leave Urio'kosh, and her gaze is dark and 
  hollow. As if conscious of her state and deeply embarrassed over it, she 
  keeps her mouth shut as the food is handed out and the supplies distributed.

Dane takes his pack and dons it, he checks his rifle and looks around. 
  Silently he proceeds over to the controls again and starts checking them out.

Paul considers the controls dully, but his attention is mostly drawn to the 
  actual physical door on the other side of the room. It seems like forever, 
  not hours, since they've walked through a real door. Slowly the Corellian 
  heads toward it, letting the others explore as they will. His arm holds his 
  newly wrapped ribs, aching from the resetting as well as Shen's accidental 
  assault in her attempt to escape Urio'kosh's ministering touch. Although the 
  man started off this journey with Paul's ill favor, he cannot help but 
  grudgingly admit that the Mandalorian helped him and may have even saved his 
  life. He glances down at his right arm, now in a sling rather than bound to 
  his chest. Urio'kosh didn't want to honor the request, but he did, and Paul 
  was grateful for that too.

Aware that she must have hurt Paul with her unintentionally vehement 
  awakening, Shen can't quite bear to look at the Corellian now -- or anyone 
  else, for that matter. The girl mechanically gets to her feet, intent now 
  only on waiting somewhere out of the way, until someone deems it's time to 
  move on. She leans against a wall, looking at nothing in particular.

Kairne walks around and stretches, awaking from his meditation clearer and 
  more aware of himself and his surroundings than earlier. He joins Paul as he 
  looks towards the door. "So what now? Is there anything that we can learn 
  from this room?"

The Corellian offers the Mandalorian a tired shrug. "If Urio'kosh is right, 
  this room might be enormously useful ... or completely arbitrary. Hard to 
  say. Personally, I think it is a control room, and I am hesitant to throw 
  any switches without having at least some sort of clue or hint as to what 
  they do."

Dane says "Well we better do something. " he looks around, "Perhaps we should 
  start a process of elimination?""

Peering over at Dane, Paul's expression is clearly one of complete bafflement. 
  There is only one question and it's a simple one. "Why? What for?"

Dane says "Because. It seems foolish to sit here and do nothing. " he looks 
  around, "We should be able to figure out some of these controls by 
  arrangement and design."

Shaking his head and wondering if Dane is blind or if the crack to his head 
  was more severe than it looked, Paul points out, "I have no intention of 
  sitting here and doing nothing ... I fully intend to find those tharking 
  force artifacts, and I'm going through that door to see if they're in the 
  next room or not."

Dane says "Do you even know if the door is open?"

Staring at the Mandalorian for a moment, Paul turns and walks toward the door. 
  His hand drops to the handle, which he turns, and he passes through and out 
  of sight.
Paul Nighman travels across the room and opens the door there, heading out 
  into the next room.
Paul Nighman has left.

"Paul," Shen mumbles, starting, and she stumbles after him, abruptly afraid of 
  letting him out of her sight.

You cross the room and open the door, heading out into the next room.
Crypt - Hall of History
This room is a historian's dream come true, and possibly the last bastion of 
  Mandalore texts and culture information. The walls here are built in 
  bookcases, containing probably some of Mandalore's most ancient texts and 
  bound books. One side of this impressive library is all computers, the 
  entire wall a massive collection of data chips and cards. The few bare 
  sections of wall are decorated with wonderous tapestries displaying various 
  famous moments from Mandalore's past. The center of the room is a variation 
  between comfortable reading chairs and cubicles clearly designed for 
  intensive study. There are easily thousands of books here, and who knows how 
  many more on computer.
Contents:
Paul Nighman
Obvious exits:
Doorway  Archway  

Urio'kosh emerges from the Elemental Chamber, the door closing quietly in the 
  wake.
Urio'kosh has arrived.

Kairne emerges from the Elemental Chamber, the door closing quietly in the 
  wake.
Kairne has arrived.

Dane emerges from the Elemental Chamber, the door closing quietly in the wake.
Dane has arrived.

Kairne says "Paul, you really mustn't be in such a rush.. there's no telling 
  wha..."
Kairne stare in astonishment at this room and it's contents. "By the warrior's 
  blood..."

The Corellian is simply staring, his feet carrying him about the room as he 
  tries to take it all in. Hazel eyes are wide, and despite his exhaustion, he 
  seems to have found renewed energy and interest. "You can say that again," 
  he choruses as Kairne's words echo lightly in the huge cathedral ceilinged 
  room.

Dane starts to slowly walk along the area, his eyes narrowing slightly as he 
  takes in the sight of all the books and data chips. With a small sigh he 
  picks one up and opens it.

Of all the things Shenner had thought she'd encounter on this expedition, a 
  hall like _this_ was not one of them. The girl stops dead, her still-weary 
  mind initially entirely unable to encompass what she sees before her. She 
  chews at her lower lip as Paul moves away from her, and a little quiver of 
  nervousness ripples through her at his movements, but she just... stands 
  there, stunned, not knowing what to do. Unconsciously, she lifts a hand to 
  her neck, pulling out from her shirt the tiny ocarina that still, 
  miraculously, is intact on its cord. And she fidgets restlessly with it in 
  her fingers.

One whole wall of this library seems to be medical information - a virtual 
  storehouse of rare cures and practices. The book in Dane's hands, upon 
  opening, reveals itself to be a collection of indigenous herbs, roots, 
  poltices, and the like. Samples of each have been collected and presserved 
  within the pages for exact identification. It is a veritable fount of 
  scientific names as well as common ones, listing every known use of each 
  individual sample and their chemical components.

Dane says "Wow.." he closes the book and places it back on the shelf 
  carefully, "This place is..impressive."

Paul continues to walk slowly, out of an interest of study as well as bone 
  weariness, his eyes scanning the titles of the works stacked there, or at 
  least the ones that he can make out. It is clear after awhile that the 
  library is cross indexed - each topic that has been written about is 
  gathered by topic, then by clan, then by author. The collection probably 
  took years to pull together and would probably take a decade to read. After 
  awhile, Paul stops, resting his hand against the shelf before him and 
  rubbing at his eyes with the exposed fingers of his splinted arm. "That's 
  putting it mildly," the Corellian rasps, hoping that somewhere there is 
  still an index that has managed to survive. Pulling himself together, he 
  starts searching for that.

Kairne continues to scan the room, his eyes searching everywhere. "It seems 
  that we have found that which was thought to be lost. Mandalore lives within 
  this room."

Dane nods to Kairne,
Dane says "There's soo much here...where do we even start?"

All of Mandalore, huh? Shenner looks tentatively around the room, and 
  somewhere in the back of her mind she can summon up a faint glimmer of 
  curiosity about the vast array of information that the others are exploring. 
  Her mouth twists into a slight self-deprecating smirk, though, as she 
  thinks, _Probably all in Mandalorian anyway, what the hell good would it do 
  for me to look at it...?_

There is a softly muttered curse, almost lost in the arching ceiling and vast 
  length of the room. So far every computer and machine that Paul has 
  discovered as been long dead ... the power source disabled probably during 
  the devastation of the Clone Wars. However, that means there is no way to 
  access the database, no way to sort through the massive tomb of history 
  until power can somehow be restored. Having finally made it through the 
  tests alive and somewhat whole, Paul's mind has been sharpened by the 
  experience. The entire point of the expedition has been brought once again 
  into crystal clarity, and there is only one thing at this time that the 
  Corellian truly seeks ... but it is unlikely that it resides here in this 
  room.

"All of this just wouldn't have been abandoned, not with the trials that it 
  took to get here," Kairne says. He continues to move about the room 
  searching for something more, searching for clues. "Something must exist 
  that has answers." Kairne turns to Paul for some sort of insight. "What say 
  you Paul?"

Dane starts exmining the computer consoles himself, eyebrow raising slightly 
  as he tries to bring one to life.

Shen stands uncomfortably in the place in which she'd happened to halt, one 
  hand still fidgeting with the ocarina. Eventually, she glances down at it, 
  and sees to her dismay that although it's still structurally intact, the 
  delicately hued little shell has been dulled somewhat by the rigors of the 
  journey. Her mouth drawing together into a plaintive small line, the girl 
  hesitantly wipes the thing along her grimy shirt, a motion more intended to 
  try to soothe her nerves than accomplish any actual effect on her little 
  instrument. Once more, she finds herself gripped by wondering what she's 
  doing here, what possible help she could be. This time, though, her thoughts 
  circle back to what had happened back in the chamber with the orb, and a 
  cold chill settles in her stomach. _What happened... why can't I remember? I 
  nearly -shot- myself?! What's wrong with me...?!_

Urio'kosh walks through the hall, his eyes narrowing with interest and 
  speculation, his mouth curling at the ends in a peculiar smile, the likes of 
  which he hasn't displayed since the room of fire. His head bobs thoughtfully 
  as he takes in the sight, walking silently about and occasionally 
  considering his companions with a cool and dispassionate eye.

"Perhaps," Paul murmurs in reply, tapping futilely at yet another console. 
  "Perhaps not. The tests seemed to all be powered by ancient techniques of 
  physics - things that simply required triggers, of water, heat and the like 
  .... but this ... this requires a more advanced power source .. one that may 
  have been destroyed during the war .... I don't think anyone has been here 
  in at least forty years or longer ..."

Dane nods slowly, "Maybe we can rig something up then..computers don't need 
  much power to just read chips after all." he looks to Paul, "I have a few 
  power packs for my blaster and my data pad."

"Worth a shot," Paul growls softly, drawing close to Dane and the machine 
  before him.

The more she ponders it, the more the lapse in Shenner's memory -- and the 
  behavior on her part Dane and Urio'kosh had described to her -- begins to 
  bother the young redhead. She just doesn't... forget things, and she knows 
  it. _I'm losin' it,_ she thinks, in stark self-disgust, suddenly wondering 
  exactly how she'd managed to make it through the orb room, through the water 
  room, the chamber of air... to the control room, and finally to here. As 
  long as she thinks no one is looking at her, she scowls deeply, scrubbing a 
  hand across her face. _Gotta get a grip. Don't worry Paul... Paul's gotta 
  work... Paul... _Paul_..._ Without knowing why, she snaps her head up, 
  scanning the chamber for the Corellian, feeling a wave of inexplicable 
  anxiety seize her and propel her across the room to Paul's side. She catches 
  herself just in time, though her voice is oddly rough as she blurts, "P... 
  Paul. What good can we do in here? I-I mean... even if we get the computers 
  runnin', we can't record nothin', can we? I-I mean..."

Kairne turns to Dane and voices his agreeing opinion, "Better than trying 
  nothing at all, unless Urio has any better ideas." Kairne whirls around and 
  give the young mandalorian an inquisitive look, "You've continuously shown 
  you know more than you let on Urio, have you any more secrets?"

Turning, Paul stares down at Shenner quizzically, his brow dipped low not in 
  annoyance or frustration, but in barely concealed concern at her haggard 
  features and the frantic gleam in her eyes. In tries to remain calm, 
  assured, the fact that he feels they are -close- helping him to focus his 
  scattered thoughts and emotions. "I don't want to record anything Shen ... 
  but I need to find something ... and maybe this computer will help ... or 
  shed some clues on where we are going. It could contain a map, blueprints, 
  logs .... Gods only know what. It's worth taking a look into at least, but I 
  not planning on wasting time here. If it doesn't turn up something soon, 
  we'll move on. We need to find our way out of here before our food and water 
  run out." He blinks then, rather regretting the blatant commentary on just 
  how dire their situation is.

Urio'kosh turns away from his contemplation of one wall of data, peering over 
  his shoulder to consider Kairne. "Lord General," he finally volleys back in 
  icy and more familiar tones. "I never realized you had such a -devious- mind 
  .... I assure you, I have no more answers than you do. -I- have never been 
  here before." Pale green eyes glint lightly across the dark room, a wry half 
  smile on the younger Mandalorian's lips. "As for knowing more than I'm 
  letting on, I challenge you to offer any proof of that, sirrah. Methinks you 
  mistake "knowledge" for simple "intelligence"."

Dane ignores the banter being thrown back and forth, taking out two blaster 
  rifle packs he sets the onthe desk and takes out a small tool kit. "Okay. 
  let's try one first.." he glances at Paul, "How are your computer tech 
  skills?" he smiles and takes out a small coil of insulated wire.

Kairne eyes Urio back with his own green eyes, deep in years and vision. "Ahh, 
  but intelligence requires knowledge to grow. I judge your character poorly 
  not, I only offer that which I have observed. You may call me devious, but I 
  would consider it.. cleverness, quiet and subtle observation and thought. 
  Throughout our journey, you have been more than just a simple young 
  Mandalorian, who is 'along for the ride'."

Shenner takes in Paul's words, still unconsciously both biting her lower lip 
  and gripping her ocarina's cord in a tight clutch. "Okay," is all she says 
  to Paul, in a hoarse rasp. "Anything I can do?" She keeps her gaze fixed on 
  him, unaware of how pleading she looks.
Shenner's features tauten, ever so subtly, as Urio'kosh exchanges his 
  commentary with Kairne. But the girl keeps her attention riveted on Paul.

"Rusty, but reasonable, you?" Paul returns, his mind scrambling back to his 
  college years and the probes that he worked on. Course, that was quite a bit 
  different, but the basics are still the same. Swapping out a power 
  connection and source can't be that difficult. He does, however, wiggle his 
  bound arm. "My mobility isn't the greatest though. You're going to need to 
  pull the machine into a more accessible position."

Dane nods and turns the computer's acess port towards Paul, "My computer 
  knowledge is more along the lines of armor systems and the like. " he starts 
  to open the pannel with a small hydrospanner, "But the power systems should 
  actually be simpler on this." he continues to work on the port, "The 
  advantage is this is Mandalorian technology." he smiles and sets down the 
  back plate, "Here we go."

Snorting derisively, Urio comments, "Your eyes have seen nothing they were not 
  meant to see. It is not cleverness on your part, I assure you." Turning 
  about, his robes swinging about his frame, he considers the information 
  here, recognizing it for what it is - what it will bring. He stalks the 
  stacks quietly, not interested in the futile attempts being made. Clearly 
  for Urio'kosh, there are far more important issues to be considered.

Listening to Dane with half an ear, Paul mutters, "Advantage for -you- maybe," 
  his eyes fluttering toward Shen's pleading features, schooling his own. 
  "Just take it easy Shen - rest yourself, eh?"

Dane says "Well I'm the one with two good hands." he smiles, "We'll be okay."

Paul's advice to her makes Shen's face fall noticeably. She doesn't _want_ to 
  rest -- rest only leaves her open to the niggling, disturbing question of 
  what happened to her in the chamber in the orb. It's with extreme reluctance 
  that she yields, though, remembering that she is supposed to be Paul's 
  _assistant_, and if he tells her to do something... thus, afraid he'll 
  notice her expression, she nods hesitantly, taking a step backwards and 
  glancing fretfully around the room.

Kairne says "Yet again you riddle Urio, yet again you hint.""

"Yet again you reach, yet again you assume," counters the younger Mandalorian 
  easily, not even looking at the older this time. Clearly the conversation 
  isn't worth his while.

Sighing softly, Paul leans close. "So, you going to patch this in, or am I?" 
  As the port opens, exposing itself to the Corellian's gaze, Paul can indeed 
  see that it is a simple thing. "Okay, make sure the power switch is off ... 
  the last thing I need right now is for your battery to try to power -me- on."

Not knowing what else to do, Shenner lingers near Paul and Dane, torn. _Gotta 
  make sure he's alright,_ says one corner of her mind, and the rest of it 
  answers back, _He -is- alright, he's right there, get a -grip-!_ Troubled, 
  the girl finally turns away, towards the nearest collection of books, in 
  search of something to distract her haunted thoughts.

Dane chuckles and switches the power off, "See it's off." he motions, "Ready 
  when you are Paul."

Kairne is clearly disgruntled with Urio as he strides over to help Paul and 
  Dane, muttering, "at least I reach and do not silence myself.."

Taking his knife out of his boot, Paul cuts a connector cord, exposing the 
  wires. He then cuts the reciprocal cord, since the connectors do not match, 
  and twists the wires together carefully, making sure not to cross them. 
  Laying the power pack down cautiously, Paul nods to Dane, murmuring, "Okay, 
  flip the switch and let's see if the power source is compatiable ...."

Dane nods and slips the power pack back under the terminal just incase, 
  "Okay.." he motions for Paul to step back, waits for a second and flips the 
  switch.

The rest of the party clustered together, Urio'kosh turns to examine them as 
  if they were simply a hinderance to him now, his eyes narrowing from his 
  shadowed position from behind a shelf.

	There is a unpleasantly familiar itch along the nape of your 
	neck, a rush of fear and adrenaline pouring through your system.

The screen flickers on normally for a moment, but then there is a growing 
  whine, the data temporarily flashing up on the port phasing out as the 
  screen brightens in intensity. Blinking Paul barks, "Look out!" and turning 
  about, he grabs Shen, pulling her away and down, his body a shield as the 
  computer suddenly screams, the screen blowing out violently, shards 
  scattering outward from it.

Dane throws his hands up and backpedals quickly as he hears the whine. When 
  the console blows several shards of metal and glass strike his arms and 
  leave small wounds. A growl issues from him as he lowers his arms and looks 
  at the computer, "Damn.." he shakes his head and pulls a small metal shard 
  from his forarm, "I wonder what we did wrong?"

Shen had intended to move over to the nearest books, even though she hadn't 
  expected to find anything she'd recognize as helpful. Just as the computer 
  begins to whine, though, the girl's face drains of color, her features and 
  frame tensing. And as she whirls, just in time for Paul to grab her and 
  shield her, she makes a small, strangled little noise. Paul can feel her 
  trembling violently; she makes no other noise, though.

Wincing, Paul slowly disengages himself from Shenner, a sharp inhale causing 
  him to realize that his move was a good one, but not quick enough. His hand 
  on Shen's shoulder, he feels her shudder, his gaze quickly examining her to 
  see if she is hurt. "Shen, you okay? You okay?" There is no blood on her 
  that he can see, but he examines her minutely anyway.

Shenner's green gaze snaps up to Paul's concerned face, and she swallows hard, 
  wanting to tell him, 'I'm okay...' What comes out of her, however, is a 
  hoarse, "I... I'm... I'm just...'

Cupping Shen's jawline, Paul peers into her wide eyes before scanning her 
  again with a frown of worry. "You sure ... you don't look hurt ... " Calling 
  over his shoulder, Paul barks angrily, "My fault Dane, probably mine. Or 
  maybe the power levels were simply incompatible or something .... damned if 
  I can understand why it would blow though. Let's -not- try it again."

Dane nods, "Okay. " and starts over to teh console again, using his knife to 
  poke through the remains to see if the power pack is still intact, "Maybe we 
  can find a power source somewhere else." he picks up a friend piece of metal 
  and shakes his head, dropping it on the desk.

Kairne resumes his normal stance, having ducked to avoid the projectiles, "Did 
  you remember to use a power converter there Dane? It should have at least 
  regulated things a bit.. without such.. catastrophic events.."

Dane nods, "Of course we did.." he glances at Paul and Shenner briefly, then 
  he looks around for the unusually quiet Urio with a suspicious look in his 
  eye.

_Can't worry him, I can't worry him, I can't,_ Shen thinks frantically, not at 
  all sure whether the surge of fear that had flashed along her spine up into 
  her throat is showing in her expression. Once her pulse settles down, she 
  swallows hard, looking uneasily away from the Corellian's hazel regard. "I'm 
  okay," she mumbles. "Y-you alright?"

The power pack is there ... but one half of it is melted down to a steaming 
  puddle. Urio'kosh is walking quickly toward the group, his gaze shifting 
  from them to the computer and back again. "What happened??" His nose 
  wrinkles at the sharp acrid smell in the air. In his grasp is a book that he 
  must have been flipping through before the machine went.

Shifting his arms, Paul's features go slightly pale as well. "Guess not, he 
  whispers. "Do me a favor and check out my back? I don't want to try to reach 
  for it ..."

Dane lifts the power pack on the tip of his knife and sighs, "Well this is a 
  total loss." he drops it back down and glances at Urio for a moment and then 
  to Paul, "What do you suggest next Paul?" he then moves to another table and 
  takes out his med pack. Quietly he begins to disenfect the small wounds he 
  recieved from the exploding console and then applies a small amount of spray 
  skin.

"What?" Shen squeaks. Her gaze flashing back up to Paul's face. Another surge 
  of fear roils through her gut, and her hands tremble as she grabs hold of 
  the Corellian's shoulder and inches round him to peer at his backside.

Protruding from Paul's back is a hunk of glass from the monitor, about the 
  size of a small vibroblade and clearly as sharp. The fabric of the shirt 
  about the area is red with blood.

"Holy _shit_... _Dane_!" Shenner shrieks, tossing a glance over her shoulder. 
  "_Dane_!"

Dane turns at Shenner's shriek, his attention caught imeediately by the sharp 
  piece of glass protruding from Paul's back, "Urio.." he kneels next to Paul 
  and examines the wound carefully. " We need you over here."

Kairne focuses his attention on the now screaming Shenner and runs over to 
  investigate what in the hell she is flustered about.

_No! Not him, not him..._ Shen's mind gibbers. She fires a panicked glance at 
  Dane, and only _just_ manages to keep herself from screaming that aloud. 
  Instead, she focuses herself on gripping Paul's free arm, looking up 
  pleadingly into his face. "We gonna get it out," she rasps to Paul. 
  "Y-you're okay, right? You're okay?"

Staring in shock at Shen's features, Paul's eyes go slightly round. He can't 
  see what's wrong, but it certainly hurts like holy hell. Shen's reaction 
  though, does not inspire confidence. By her reaction, Paul half suspects 
  that he's wearing his insides on his outsides, but he simply grips Shen's 
  shoulder firmly, saying for her sake, "I'm just fine. Everything is going to 
  be fine."

Urio frowns, drawing closer to peer round at Paul's back. For a moment it 
  looks like he's about to say something, but instead he simply kneels behind 
  the Corellian to examine the wound more carefully. "Hmmmmm, medkit someone?" 
  His tone is rather mild, and by his expression, the wound is nasty but 
  nothing to fret over.

He's talking. Good. He's talking. Shen seizes on this scrap of comfort, though 
  it doesn't have much of an effect on her expression. "There's..." This comes 
  out of her in a croak, and she wets her lips and coughs before continuing, 
  "There's a hunk o' glass stuck in ya..."
Shenner, involuntarily, scoots away from Urio, back around to Paul's front. 
  Still clinging to his forearm and hand with both of her own smaller hands, 
  she abruptly realizes that if Paul hadn't gotten in the shard's way, it'd be 
  sticking into _her_. And, as this registers in her consciousness, she merely 
  stares up at Paul now, tears beginning to well up across her gaze.

Dane takes out a medkit and hands it to Urio, "Here." he stays close by and 
  watches the young Mandalorian put his medical skills to use.

Cutting away the fabric from the wound site, it's hard to tell exactly how 
  deep it is. There's no water to be spared, so Urio uses some antiseptic 
  spray to allow the blood to wash down Paul's back slightly. Finally sighing, 
  Urio instructs Paul to breath in and out while he listens to the Corellian's 
  lungs carefully. There is no gurgling, no problems other than what can be 
  accounted for with the bindings about Paul's ribs, which this has cut 
  through. "Alright Doctor, this is going to hurt," he informs Paul bluntly, 
  not wasting a moment to allow Paul to brace before he yanks the chunk out, 
  exposing about an inch more of the glass. Paul simply gasps sharply at the 
  unexpected pain, his teeth grinding as Urio probes the wound with spray and 
  fingers, inspecting for any shards that might have been left behind.

Shenner's grasp on Paul's free hand tightens in mirrored sympathy; she keeps 
  watching his face, her gaze still damp.

Kairne reaches into his leg pouch and takes out his own medkit, offering it to 
  Urio, "Here. Use what I have left of my supplies, they'll work just as they 
  have before."

Accepting the offer with a gracious nod, Urio finishes cleaning out the wound 
  before sealing it closed, the experience painful enough with Kairne's 
  particular medical supplies. Drawing away, Urio murmurs, "There good as new, 
  although your tailor is going to have quite the job fixing your shirt. 
  Indeed the thing is torn, wrinkled, stained, and covered with a variety of 
  bloodtypes. Wrinkling his nose, Urio'kosh tidies up the rest of the 
  supplies, returning them to Dane and Kairne respectively.

"Y'okay, Paul?" Shen whispers hoarsely, her attention still locked on his face.

Dane repacks his supplies and smiles at Paul, "Okay..you've exceeded your 
  injury quota for this outting doctor." he offers a hand down to the man, 
  "Please try and let some of us get hurt."

Reaching up gingerly with his free hand, Paul nods to Shen, replying to Dane, 
  "Believe me, if I could I would, but you Mandalorians seem to be better at 
  ducking from trouble than I am." He hisses slightly, but has to admit that 
  Urio did an excellent job of patching him up. He experimentally shifts his 
  shoulders, the wound site throbbing but no longer sharply painful.

Shenner's face falls subtly again as Paul has to let go of her hands to reach 
  for Dane's; trying to control her features, she lets him do so, and stays 
  crouched where she is, waiting for the old warrior to help Paul to his feet. 
  She blinks rapidly, trying to clear the moisture out of her eyes.

Dane smiles and carefuly hoists the doctor to his feet, "Well just try to be 
  more careful. I want to make sure all my friends make it through this little 
  expedition." he gives Paul a second to gain his legs befoer letting go of 
  his hand, "What do you sggest for our next move?"

Looking down at Shenner, who remains poised by his feet, Paul's features twist 
  up again in disconcerted worry, his hand reaching down for Shen's in a 
  reciprocal gesture. "I think we should keep moving - if this goes on for 
  much longer, we're not going to make it. We need to find a source of food 
  and water ... we can always come back if we need to. We could search in here 
  for years and not find something of use to us in this particular situation. 
  Best to come back when we have the time and leisure." He deliberate chose to 
  use the word "when" rather than his more suspected "if" - an attempt to 
  inject a more optimistic viewpoint into their current situation.

Kairne once again faces Urio, and asks for his opinion, "and what do you 
  suggest? You seem to have engrossed yourself earlier.. did you find anything 
  that might help us?"

_He's okay, he's okay, he's okay,_ Shen thinks wildly, gripping Paul's hand 
  anew, and rising shakily to stand before him. The girl drinks in the sight 
  of his features and the sound of his voice, the feel of his fingers -- 
  evidence of his presence, tangible, palpable evidence. Evidence that can't 
  quite still the bizarre conviction lurking just under her thoughts that she 
  absolutely -must- confirm his well-being.

Shrugging, Urio'kosh offers forth the book that had caught his interest - a 
  ecological report of Mandalore's weather patterns, land formations, and 
  growth patterns and cycles. Or at least, of what they were once like. "This 
  will help us," he notes wryly, "but unfortunately not in this current 
  situation."

Hazel eyes register Shenner's fevered inspection, and he gently squeezes her 
  hand, drawing her gently away from the others for a moment. He flashes Dane 
  a quick glance which seems to indicate, -just a minute- before he steps 
  between two stacks, cutting the rest of the party from view.

Dane nods slowly and looks around the room a bit, "Well if half of this is of 
  use to Mandalore this trip will have been worth it."

You sense Paul Nighman draws Shen close to him, his bound arm resting 
  carefully against her back, his free hand reaching up to cup the back of her 
  head. Leaning his head against the side of hers, the rough beard scraping 
  lightly there, Paul rasps, "Hang on Shen ... just hold on for a little bit 
  longer. We'll get out of here soon ..." The words, -I promise- hover on the 
  tip of his tongue, the Corellian desiring to speak them, but his conscience 
  won't allow him the encompasing assurance.

His lips curling in satisfaction, Urio'kosh presses the book to his chest, 
  gazing about the room, pale eyes nearly gleaming in excitement and something 
  a little more fevered and undefineable. "Indeed .... it may even prove to be 
  Mandalore's salvation."

Kairne nods in agreement, but adds, "but to make use of it for that purpose, 
  we must first get ourselves out of this.."

Paul Nighman senses "Shenner starts, not understanding why Paul is guiding her 
  away, yet part of her ready to sob with relief at the movement. As he 
  embraces her as best he can, she wraps her arms around his battered frame, 
  burying her face against his chest. She's aware of the dampness still 
  leaking forth from her eyes, but she can't stop herself from crying, and she 
  mumbles abashedly, "Dunno w-what's wrong with me..."

You sense Paul Nighman sighs, unable to say that what's wrong with her is that 
  she is with him. That he knew better and wasn't strong enough to stand firm. 
  That there is nothing wrong with -her- but rather with the fact that this is 
  something she is neither prepared for nor should be. She should be in 
  school. She should be at home. She should be hanging out with her friends, 
  laughing and dancing and being a young woman, not slogging through a 
  dangerous crypt on a hostile planet for no other reason than wanting to be 
  with -him-. _This is my fault ... entirely my fault. I could have stopped 
  it. I could have simply said, "No."_ "There's nothing wrong with you," he 
  notes softly, drawing away and wiping away her tears as casually as he can. 
  After all, this is borrowed time. "This place sucks," he pronounces 
  succinctly.

Dane decides to start searching through the stacks of books for anything on 
  ancient Mandalorian technology while he has the time, taking his datapad 
  from his thigh pocket.

You whisper "B-but there is," Shen begins, anguished, her arms still lightly 
  clinging to the Corellian even as he draws back from her. As he wipes her 
  face, she stares up at him bleakly and goes on, "There is, I-I don't 
  remember, I don't remember what happened back there, Paul...!"" to Paul 
  Nighman.

Kairne moves about with Dane, helping him search through the vast resources, 
  and quietly murmuring to him from time to time. He whispers quietly to Dane, 
  "Is it just me, or does Urio act very odd sometimes?"

Dane glances at Urio and then Kairne, responding with a whisper, "Sometimes?" 
  he shakes his head, "Try most of the time. I don't think his blaster's got a 
  full charge old friend."

Kairne continues to scan up and down, "What do you think he is trying to do, 
  or what is he hiding? His handling of things, it's not re-assuring at all."

Dane says "I don't know..he reminds of the power mad idiots of the 
  Wars..remember Emig?" he takes out a book and leafs through it, "WHo knows 
  maybe he's related.""

Urio'kosh seems oblivious to the scrutiny of his character, seating himself at 
  one of the tables as the party seems to break up. Re-opening the book he 
  starts to read through it thoughtfully, occasionally glancing up to orient 
  on where the rest of the group is.

You sense Paul Nighman raises a hand to Shen's forehead as if testing it for 
  fever before stroking back the red locks. "I'm sure there's a logical 
  explanation," he rumbles in convincingly assured tones. "Maybe you were 
  unconscious the whole time and what the others saw as simply an 
  illusion .... maybe, well, we'll piece it altogether later, alright? Let's 
  just concentrate on getting out of here first."

You whisper "_But they thought I was gonna -kill- myself...!_ Shen wants to 
  wail, deeply disturbed, deeply frightened. Her eyes flutter shut when Paul's 
  hand strokes her brow and her hair, and in desperation, she absorbs the 
  sensation of his fingers against her rumpled curls, trying to use it to 
  still her trembling. She sniffles, but just once, and opens her eyes to peer 
  up at her beloved again, that strange skittishness still lingering in her 
  eyes despite her trying to compose herself. "O-okay," she whispers." to Paul 
  Nighman.

Kairne shakes his head, "No, he's too noble to go so far as to say that. He 
  isn't evil, just isn't letting onto everything that he knows... everything 
  that he is... I wish he'd be more... cooperative." Kairne moves down the 
  row, looking here and there for anything that might seem useful, his eyes 
  playing about all the books, dust and colors about him.

Dane murmurs, "Believe what you want.." he glances abck at Urio beriefly and 
  then returns to his looking, "I have my own opinions."

Urio'kosh certainly doesn't look evil at the moment. If anything he looks 
  excited and ... hopeful. He's eyes scan the pages with great interest before 
  lifting to examine the room again with an excited smile. Rising up he 
  carries the book back down the room to replace it from whence he found it.

Stroking her head one more time, he murmurs, "Good girl, let's get the others 
  and move on." Reaching down to take her hand again, Paul tugs on it, drawing 
  out of the stacks.

_Be brave,_ Shen orders herself, desperate not to worry Paul any further than 
  she already has. Maybe there -is- a logical explanation... maybe she's not 
  losing it? The young redhead clings to this crumb of solace with the same 
  strength with which she grips Paul's hand, as she comes back into view with 
  him.

Calling out to the rest of the group, Paul Nighman's voice rings out, not as 
  strong as it might normally be, but these are not normal circumstances. 
  "Shall we press on? See if there is a way out of this labyrinth?"

[To be continued....]