Newsgroups: alt.pub.dragons-inn From: andsol@arcadien.owlnet.rice.edu (Andrew J. Solberg) Subject: The Watch: [gaps] : Evil Under the Sun III Message-ID: <1992May29.225206.15616@rice.edu> Keywords: Kron, Creft Date: Fri, 29 May 1992 22:52:06 GMT The town watch of Generica has many duties. The guardsmen must be ever vigilant for a plethora of ills, ranging from barroom brawls to vampires stalking the temple district. All natures of patrols and assignments are given out to Watchmen. However, it is generally acknowledged that THE worst duty is Gap Patrol. The Gaps, for those who don't know, are the network of tunnels honeycombing the undercity of Generica. The majority of this network of crawlspaces and accessways was here when the founders of Generica arrived on the site; they just used the good bedrock as foundations and paid no heed to the maze beneath their feet. Human habitation has only increased the scope of the Gaps, with new tunnels being added every now and then by Thieves Guilds or Sewage Engineers. The result is a labyrinth, just below the feet of the citizens of Generica. The problem is, THINGS roam the Gaps. Creepy, nasty, dangerous things. Things that no city can afford to have lurking about, particularly at night. Hence, Gap Duty. Captain Miracek of the Watch is a greenhorn, and knows it. He is a fine planner, a superb organizer, and the best drill squad leader ever to come out of Glorshanned Academy, but in high-stress situations he is a wreck. Today, his first Gap Detail, he is jumpier than a frog in heat, and his squad can sense it. Listen in, now..... "Cap, this net is tattered! Is it going to stop a T-croc? I don't think so!" "Shaddap! Murphy, Schell, get those ends up! Raithe, quit screwing around and take point!" "...I just TOOK point..." "QUIET! I mean, quiet! I mean, get to it! And tuck your shirt in!" "But Cap, it's hot, and....... YOWCH!!" "What?!" "Wuzzat?" "Hey, who dropped the torch....." "AAA!! It's slimy!!" "Ah, BUGGER!!!" Amidst the darkness and chaos, Miracek falls on his side in the muck. He sits paralyzed for a few moments, hoping whatever it is won't eat him. Then, after hearing the confused calls of his men, the captain realizes that there IS no monster -- something just surprised the torch-bearer. He indignantly gets to his feet and takes command: "OI! HEY! Mojowicz, quit whimpering -- there is no T-croc. Raithe, get another torch out and light it." Raithe complies. The light reveals one very sheepish-looking squad, all squatting in the muck, and exactly ZERO lethal monster presences. Miracek stares accusingly at Raithe, who wilts: "Er, gee, Cap, I guess I stumbled on something and, um, got scared. Sorry." "Shaddap. Schell, prod around down there and see what our brave point-man lost his lunch over." The guardsman pokes in the muck with his spear and pulls something part-way out. "It's a body!" he announces. The squad crowds nearer to get a look. "Gross!" "Oh, man, he's been, like, *gutted*...." "Doesn't stink too bad, must be fresh!" "HEY!!! SHUT UP!" -- this last from our deft commander. He squats down and rolls the body over. The entire squad gasps, for they've seen his likeness posted many times on the squadroom wall. Well, so much for the underworld figure known as Creft the Fence...... "Hey!" shouts Mojowicz. "He's holding something! In his hand, there!" He's right. Miracek pries the fingers open, revealing a locket on a broken silver chain........ ADMIN: Let me have just one more post on this topic; then anybody can jump on board. Thanks! -- Andrew Solberg |"Moving faster than a speeding bullet isn't andsol@owlnet.rice.edu | much use if you and it are headed straight Phone:713-529-8627 | for each other." John Brunner bridge-sleep-eat-sex-bridge-sleep-eat-sex-bridge-sleep-I'M STUCK!!!!