08-06-2016, 09:10 AM
The wooden platform stuck out off the edge of the wall, looking over the cave's darkness. Behind it facing the town was the panels, numerous dials and buttons, a lot of them weren't even related to the gate itself, instead they were merely controls for the few generators that were about the village. It reminded Kalli a lot of a dam, a highly fortified and blood soaked dam. The silence continued since her last battle, no bandit in sight as the wind howled outside the cave, candle flames on the edge of the wall would whip back and forth. Kalli swung her weapon around her shoulder, the sling wrapped around her torso as the weapon thumped against her back. Approaching the platform was a slow, thoughtful process, delicately placing her claws on the wooden floor while looking out at the levers. Each lever was a metal rectangle with a brown handle at the top, stuck into a cylinder machine with circular discs attached to it, that was lined out along the platform. Between each circle and wrapped around the cylinder were chains, though only two of these circular chain machines were in use, the one farthest to the left and one farthest to the right. The chains attached to these two machines went upward into the air, tucked around a metal bar which hangs from the ceiling, then the chains went sharply back down, connecting to the top of the gate.
She was impressed, to think that the cannibals actually had insight on engineering (if oddly fantastical, seeing as the weight of the gate hasn't broken the ceiling bar.) Kalli approached one of the levers, tugging at it lightly; it felt jammed, as if unable to move, like it was locked between two rocks. She pulled it again with her her strength, the lever flew back and the chains rattled, the cylinder began to roll up the chains and lifting up one corner of the gate. But as soon as she let go of the lever the gate would slam back into the sand and the cylinder unrolled itself. The second lever that could lift the other half of the gate was quite a length away, and there were no allies in sight. The prime cursed to herself, this wasn't going to work. Backing away from the levers she began to devise a new plan.
She was impressed, to think that the cannibals actually had insight on engineering (if oddly fantastical, seeing as the weight of the gate hasn't broken the ceiling bar.) Kalli approached one of the levers, tugging at it lightly; it felt jammed, as if unable to move, like it was locked between two rocks. She pulled it again with her her strength, the lever flew back and the chains rattled, the cylinder began to roll up the chains and lifting up one corner of the gate. But as soon as she let go of the lever the gate would slam back into the sand and the cylinder unrolled itself. The second lever that could lift the other half of the gate was quite a length away, and there were no allies in sight. The prime cursed to herself, this wasn't going to work. Backing away from the levers she began to devise a new plan.
***
The armory was sacked like invaders raiding foreign land, their captors were unable to retaliate and the tribals/convoy guards were stealing numerous military grade weapons, bows and arrows, and for a few they retrieved old weapons. Aoki and Jeff didn't lead it as much as they directed it; every retreat made by the bandits would be followed by a offensive push by the prisoners, having conveniently lead the mobs here. People were still rushing out of the armory with their newfound equipment, some dispersed from the main crowd around the armory to kill more cannibals and the damage only increased across the cavern village. Jeff attempted to get the attention of the gathering prisoners collecting weapons, but everyone was discussing their own ideas of what to do and where to go.
"Attention!? Hello!?" His feet moved on top of the box, his body twirling around to see if anyone was looking at him. Despite all the aggression or power put into his voice no one would bother listening. Aoki stood next to Jeff idly, a holster wrapped around his leg with Kalli's pistol in it. Either of them hadn't bothered using it, and nor did the young tribal man want anything like a rifle, so Jeff had stolen a rifle of his own while giving Aoki the responsibility of keeping the prime's pistol with them. The young man's stillness wouldn't be maintained for long, fiddling with the worn red cloth on his torso. Jeff gave a heavy sigh, peering at the armed prisoners before stepping off the box, discussing with Aoki.
"We're sitting ducks here trying to get everyone moving. Best we go off to find Whitthorn and get out of here." Jeff looked beyond the crowd, toward the gate.
"And leave everyone behind?" Aoki asked, offended.
"If they don't want to listen, what can we do?"
"We wait for the prime to come back, she'll be able to get everyone moving."
"It doesn't matter if she can get everyone moving, once those bandits regroup we'll be surrounded."
"But there are enough of us to hold them off!"
The two continued to argue, bickering like any other group in the crowd, unaware of those running out of the armory in a panic. A fire had started, a accident that soon got out of control- the remaining ammunition was being consumed by the sudden combustion. Once everyone outside could see the armory was indeed on fire, the last of the prisoners ran out of the armory, shouting about a oncoming explosion. Jeff was absolutely baffled by all this, leading Aoki to tackle him and both falling onto the ground once the armory went up in flames. It sparked, metal and wood flew everywhere, sand and dirt raining down onto everyone's heads as if it was raining and the crowd ducked in fear. At first neither of them moved, laying there lifelessly in hope that no shards pierce their skin. But after a few seconds, Jeff came to a realization.
"Wait, this is it!" Jeff stated with joy.
Aoki looked back at him baffled before being forcefully rolled off, Jeff got to his feet excitedly and leaped onto the box- astoundingly still there -and the crowd began to look up to the ruined armory, Jeff in front of it.
"Attention!" Jeff shouted, a large metal plate fell beside him, stabbing into the ground. He continued, unfazed "As you may know, we currently lack a way out. Not anymore! As of right now the prime who came here with us is attempting to open the gate, what we must do is acquire the means to actually escape; vehicles! I'm sure you remember how we were brought in here, well, those same vehicles can be driven by our people," he motioned toward some of the remaining convoy guards "and bring us away from this place. So I say we follow through with this plan and acquire us some rides, who is with me!?"
The prisoners didn't cheer, but there was a definite agreement among all as some nodded and others discussed with hope for an escape. Stepping off his makeshift stand, Jeff helped Aoki get to his feet saying "Guess all we needed was an explosion to get their attention."
Laughably, their attention would turn towards the gate- which exploded in a fury of flames, smoke and concrete.