Getting Some Sun

As slumber settles heavy over our eyelids, the Haze arrives as a guiding mist, and carries us to another place, to a time in the very-recent past. A dark room, wires and metal plates scattered about the floor, surrounded by flashing monitors with scrolling terminal windows. Seven individuals stand about, working on various aspects of the machine, but the Haze focuses on one. Ragarot stiffens, turning his head toward the camera. His head tilts to the side, as if listening, and then he nods. The White Owl crosses the chamber, passing by a young woman with white hair, her face hidden by the nest of wires she’s digging in, and taps on Skiv’s shoulder. The Tiefling turns in his chair, his eyes looking to Ragarot, and then the camera. He smiles.

Zane: “Ferro.”

The camera rotates slightly, where we see a young, whip-cord of a man typing away at a keyboard. Ferro glances briefly at the duo before grunting.

Ferro: “Where are you going?”
Ragarot: “Vacation.”
Ferro: “Already? You only get three.”
Zane: “We know. But we need… Some sun.”

Ragarot chuckles slightly, but Ferro declines to comment. The woman we passed before speaks, although her voice is muffled inside the Access Beacon chassis.

???: “Need any help?”
Ragarot: “No, thank you, Neiva. This is a… Personal visit.”

The woman shrugs, but a male’s voice emanates from her space.

???: “Just be back soon. It’s almost done.”

Skiv nods, staring at the Beacon for a moment, and then the two leave the room, and head for Mataras.