Rhino gave some insight as to the whereabouts of the missing. "The assailants did manage to capture several beasts, from what I could see during the battle. I saw Giraffe subdued and captured, as well as Moose. It's possible they got Tiger and the Colonel." Many similar rumors had surfaced among the interred who had been on the field during the battle. There were reports of the advancing legions wielding collapsible laser weapons, much like the Beasts own armaments. A few were said to also carry shields, and ride armed chariots into battle. Most disturbing were the claims that the enemy commanded energy forms disturbingly similar to theirs. Elation and fear melded together, and the intensity of it could be felt throughout every corridor; every Beast understood the prospect of another race like themselves. And the unprovoked aggression terrified them all.
A tense pause that did nothing to mask the grim relief felt between the council members preceded their decision. "In light of this information, I stongly support your plan to launch a reconnaissance shuttle. The captives may even be in one of those frigates." White Leo spoke for the council on this matter. A small band of eleven beasts was not enough to do damage or repel the attack, and any attempt to return to the main base would lead to their capture.
This was the last they'd heard from the outside. Even the attacking army had ceased their assault on the blockaded hallways. All seemed quiet...exactly like a tomb...
Moonlight spilled through the gaping hole punched through the prominent wall of the labrynth, setting everything in the hallway aglow. Through the sensors attached to mini-sentinels, the Battle Beasts determined that the usurpers had set only a skeleton guard to patrol the base, while the rest of them must have regrouped far abroad to plan another attack. Panther hadn't hesitated in volunteering to scout the outer hallways. Someone needed to gather random, possibly useful information on whether there were any open pathways to other stations, possibly commissary stations or communication lines. Maybe even find a route to a perimeter gun post. That would give them a definite advantage of surprise, if the council decided to launch a counter-offensive. Now, Panther was crouched around the left corner from the prominent hall, waiting for the seachlight posted outside the base to complete it's revolution, which would give him just enough time to sprint across the opening. On the right side of the circular labrynth, Panther was hoping to find some open hallways leading to some good news.
A thermoscan by the sentinels had detected at least four patrolling warm bodies, but Panther saw no one as he peeked around the corner to see if it was safe. This was his chance; he was going to make a run for it. The last sliver of searchlight was extinguished by the darkness, and Panther began his sprint. Legs pumping fiercely, teeth grinding from the sheer determination not to be seen, he had almost made it across the far end of the aperture, when up ahead, something turned the corner...
Edited by Viperfish, 22 October 2004 - 12:43 PM.