[Cyberia] Cyberia:The Undiscovered Country

[Cyberia GM]

"An hour," Dot replied, looking at Asha.  The light cast upon her face made
her seem more gentle.  "I'm alright... are you?"

+++++

Asha nodded, smiling.  "I'm not sure what happened ... There was a surge of
energy- a blockage of some sort.  Then another surge, destroyed it."  She
shook her head.  "It seemed like some sort of transmission gone awry-
nothing specifically targetted against me- in fact, it might have actually
been *for* me."

Returning her seat to the upright position, she swivelled to face Dot.
"Mandor and Suhuy are gone- they're not in the Plaza anymore.  Something
terrible has happened- is happening," she said, as she screwed her eyes shut
trying to remember.  "It's all so jumbled," she continued, her palm pressing
against her forehead.  

She fell into silence, gathering herself, before finally opening her eyes,
focussing on Dot.  "I can't even relate the whole experience - but what is
clear is that this is where we part."  

"I need to get back to my people- to see what's happened.  But your path
lies elsewhere.  And we have to get you back on it."  She looked from Dot.
"Shirow.  We need you back here to discuss our next move."

Shortly, Shirow came to the back of the craft, seating himself in one of the
seats, his almond eyes regarding the two ladies gravely.  "I took it for
granted that you wanted me to slow our progress," he said, his voice barely
above a whisper.

Asha merely nodded.  "We need to get you two to the Wastelands- Dot's
progress mustn't be hindered any longer.  But there's the problem of the
barrier, and the guardian.  I don't have any knowledge of the way that the
others get past it, so I have an idea of my own.  Since the Ascension, the
Guardian has been a bit slower to respond than usual- and the farther you
get from the centre of Telos, it seems the worse his response is.  I'm
thinking that it's a result of the Bleed."

She looked at the two for a long moment, making sure they were following
her.  "Your flight will have to be rapid- you'll have to hellride through."

"But the Guardian..."  Shirow responded immediately.

"Will be too busy with another interruption.  I'll take flight in the other
direction.  And Storm Ride back to the Plaza."

Shirow was already shaking his head.  "That's suicide!  It's even worse than
Hellriding from what you told me before!"

As Asha started to talk, Shirow continued on, for once animated.  "The
Wastelander that held Asha... Brought her here.  Their gang was in a bad
way- a deal gone bust.  He tried to Storm Ride out of Cyberia, and got
himself and both gangs fried."

"But," Asha quickly interjected, "I won my way free.  My speed, flight, and
etheric vision allowed me to see the beam before it struck, and respond."

"It's too risky..." Shirow shook his head.

"But it's the only way..."

Dot nodded numbly, "I'll come back sometime... after things have been
fixed."  She looked over Asha, uncertain of her own feelings, but knowing
that even with the little time they'd known each other there would be a deep
absence without her.

"I'll go."