Deep, Deep Haven [IC, closed]

[Jahe Davmwoem]

Mart-jan choose not to worry about the person, but also choose to keep pushing rather than camp. He climbed up the path until he got to the "point of interest". Before he could take note of it, he collapsed from exhaustion.

[Ostehaar]

"I'm glad you could make it," Thomas said. "Is there anyplace where we can rent a vehicle?"

Tiuo was a little embarrassed. "Sir," he said, "there isn't a car rental service here, and the quantity of vehicles on the island is very small. I have my own vehicle, which is rather old and rusty, but can do the job." He called to the two other locals who were working on the dock. "My friends here will help you with your bags."

She handed the captain the money she owed for the trip, and set out to find her guide. She had gathered all her belongings, which were now in the suitcase she pulled alongside her. She was looking for one named "Ramun," so that she could help. Hopefully, her guide could help her find this Ramun.

As the dock workers loaded Thomas' bags onto the car, Tiuo noticed the foreign lady standing there and waiting. Slightly worried, he approached her and took a bow before he spoke. "Excuse me," he said, "are you waiting for someone here? As far as I know, I am the only guide invited to come here today," he pointed at Thomas, "and I'm currently helping this mister."

Mendoza looked up at the others. "I have heard of scientific research that had once been conducted here. Do you perhaps know what they were for, and what expirements they did?"

Ramun sighed. "They were conducting research in the fields of biology and chemistry. DNA sampling and analysis, ecological research, soil testing, and other things we were not aware of. That's what we know, at least."

Lisu called Ramun to the door. "Someone is here to see you, Ramun. He says it's important." Ramun looked at the three foreign visitors and then back at Lisu. "Alright," he then said and turned to the guests, "you can all stay here for a few minutes with Lisu while I go talk to this person outside. I'm sorry, I'll be right back."

Ramun got out, leaving Lisu, Mendoza, Ezio, and Sangmin in the house.

[Great Estheria]

Mendoza turned back to Sangmin. "Is there anytihng I need to know regarding the locals? Other than the dissapearances? Any strange behaviour?"

[Agadar]

Tiuo was a little embarrassed. "Sir," he said, "there isn't a car rental service here, and the quantity of vehicles on the island is very small. I have my own vehicle, which is rather old and rusty, but can do the job." He called to the two other locals who were working on the dock. "My friends here will help you with your bags."

"Thank you," Thomas replied, not failing to notice Tiuo's embarrassment at the lack of vehicles on the island. As the two other men loaded Thomas' baggage in the back, Thomas turned to Tiou.

"Before we go anywhere, is there anything you know about the disappearings that might help us?" Thomas asked. He hadn't spoken with Tiou before, not even over the phone, as their meeting had been arranged by Tiou's boss. "Specifically about the missing scientists. Do you know a man named Albert Giles?"

[Dashgrinaar]

As the dock workers loaded Thomas' bags onto the car, Tiuo noticed the foreign lady standing there and waiting. Slightly worried, he approached her and took a bow before he spoke. "Excuse me," he said, "are you waiting for someone here? As far as I know, I am the only guide invited to come here today," he pointed at Thomas, "and I'm currently helping this mister."

"Yes, I am waiting for someone. I was informed that a guide would be here to take me to a man named Ramun. Do you happen to know, or be him?"

She looked towards Thomas and extended her hand. "I am Skyler Teller, a pleasure to make your acquaintance. Who might you be?"

[Skaenia]

"Ah, the disappearances," Hiara said as she looked down to avoid eye contact, "so this is why you are here." She looked up again. "I do not know a lot about it, only that sometimes people go missing and never return. You should find someone who can tell you more, perhaps in the central villages such as Tunil and Minar, around the South Dock. If you keep going this road and stay to the side of the mountains, you can get to Goua-Ba, and from there they can send you to Minar or tell you more. They had many disappearances there."

Roxanne took the woman's advice and continued down the road. After a while she came to a fork in the road. The woman in the village had told her to keep to the side of the mountains, but the land rose up significantly on both sides of the road. Unsure of which way to go, she took the right-hand fork. The road came down into a river valley, an she followed it out onto the plains. Reaching another fork, she realised she now had no idea where she was or where she was going. She had been heading North out of the last village, so she decided to continue in that direction, and when she reached another fork she continued her Northwards trajectory. Finally, she could go no further, and had to choose between East and West. She turned East, away from the mountains, and hoped that she would find a village soon. Coming round the next bend, she saw smoke rising in the distance, and began to head towards its source.

[Ostehaar]

"Before we go anywhere, is there anything you know about the disappearings that might help us?" Thomas asked. He hadn't spoken with Tiou before, not even over the phone, as their meeting had been arranged by Tiou's boss. "Specifically about the missing scientists. Do you know a man named Albert Giles?"

"Ah," Tiuo replied, "I don't have more information for you other than that people go missing and don't return home. Some people claim that demons are responsible for this, but I don't know."

"About the scientists," Tiuo paused to take a breath and exhale, "they were gone a long time ago, but I never heard about scientists missing. All I knew is that they simply left because funding for their project was over."

"Yes, I am waiting for someone. I was informed that a guide would be here to take me to a man named Ramun. Do you happen to know, or be him?"

"I'm sorry, lady," Tiuo said, "but I'm the only one who was sent here as a guide today. Maybe there was a misunderstanding or something like that, but it seems no one is going to come. Please wait a moment."

Tiuo turned to Thomas, who was waiting next to the vehicle, "sir, would it be okay to take this lady along with us? It seems her guide isn't coming."

Coming round the next bend, she saw smoke rising in the distance, and began to head towards its source.

As Roxanne got closer and closer to Minar, the village she unintendedly navigated to, more and more people surrounded here, following her with their eyes and wondering if she was yet another one of the foreign investigators. "Ramun is in Lisu's house," someone shouted at her from an unknown direction, and another one pointed towards the river and said a sentence in the local language, passing her by and ignoring her again.

It was afternoon, the rain had stopped and the sun come out of hiding, making the shadows clearer and sending more locals to the main road for their usual businesses.

[Vancouvia]

Mendoza turned back to Sangmin. "Is there anytihng I need to know regarding the locals? Other than the dissapearances? Any strange behaviour?"

"I have only just arrived a few hours ago and haven't begun much of an investigation, but one thing's for certain -- we cannot trust anyone's words at face value. Hard evidence is hard to come by in this forested maze."

[Great Estheria]

Mendoza turned back to Sangmin. "Is there anytihng I need to know regarding the locals? Other than the dissapearances? Any strange behaviour?"

"I have only just arrived a few hours ago and haven't begun much of an investigation, but one thing's for certain -- we cannot trust anyone's words at face value. Hard evidence is hard to come by in this forested maze."

Mendoza nodded his head. "So, we must read between the lines. Don't trust anyone at face value, very well. Once we finish here, if you wish, we can continue our investigation together, and I also think we should ask around the village for answers. As you said, don't trust anyone at face value, and I would like to see if I can fact check what Ramun said."

[Vancouvia]

"I have only just arrived a few hours ago and haven't begun much of an investigation, but one thing's for certain -- we cannot trust anyone's words at face value. Hard evidence is hard to come by in this forested maze."

Mendoza nodded his head. "So, we must read between the lines. Don't trust anyone at face value, very well. Once we finish here, if you wish, we can continue our investigation together, and I also think we should ask around the village for answers. As you said, don't trust anyone at face value, and I would like to see if I can fact check what Ramun said."

"I believe the logical course would be to travel to one of these scientists' stations to see if there is any notable evidence."

[Great Estheria]

Mendoza nodded his head. "So, we must read between the lines. Don't trust anyone at face value, very well. Once we finish here, if you wish, we can continue our investigation together, and I also think we should ask around the village for answers. As you said, don't trust anyone at face value, and I would like to see if I can fact check what Ramun said."

"I believe the logical course would be to travel to one of these scientists' stations to see if there is any notable evidence."

Mendoza pulled out his map. "Hmm, well it seems we are located here." He pointed to a spot on the map. "So, it seems Alpha Site would be a good destination to start." He pointed to another spot on the map.

[Skaenia]

As Roxanne got closer and closer to Minar, the village she unintendedly navigated to, more and more people surrounded here, following her with their eyes and wondering if she was yet another one of the foreign investigators. "Ramun is in Lisu's house," someone shouted at her from an unknown direction, and another one pointed towards the river and said a sentence in the local language, passing her by and ignoring her again.

It was afternoon, the rain had stopped and the sun come out of hiding, making the shadows clearer and sending more locals to the main road for their usual businesses.

As the locals were coming out of their dwellings, Roxanne tried asking around to see if anyone spoke English. Quite a few of them did, and she started asking questions about the disappearances. She asked them who had disappeared, when they had last been seen and if there was any reason why they would have suddenly vanished.

[Ostehaar]

Mart-jan choose not to worry about the person, but also choose to keep pushing rather than camp. He climbed up the path until he got to the "point of interest". Before he could take note of it, he collapsed from exhaustion.

He is asleep... I can... I must... I will take... I...

Ruitu carefully approached Mart-jan, as quietly and as stealthily as he could and as he was taught.

He has... I can take...

He reached for the foreigner's backpack and searched inside, taking his time.

Wallet... Bullets... Book...

"I believe the logical course would be to travel to one of these scientists' stations to see if there is any notable evidence."

Mendoza pulled out his map. "Hmm, well it seems we are located here." He pointed to a spot on the map. "So, it seems Alpha Site would be a good destination to start." He pointed to another spot on the map.

As Mendoza held the map in front of Sangmin, Ramun returned to the room. "Sometimes people have the strangest requests," he sighed, "this man out there asked me to find him a... You know what, never mind, it's not interesting."

"I see you're planning to check Alpha Site. Would you need assistance from us, or anything else? I've been there several times in the past, even when the site was active, and several other from the area have been there as well, so we know the place."

She asked them who had disappeared, when they had last been seen and if there was any reason why they would have suddenly vanished.

An old man stopped right next to her, listening to her questions. "Young woman," he said calmly, "around thirty or forty people have gone missing, people from many villages around the island, and the disappearances have been happening for many months now. I wish we knew the reason for this... But isn't this why you are here? Isn't this why the other foreigners are here now?"

[Great Estheria]

Mendoza looked up at Ramun. "I think we could use a guide, if you are willing." Mendoza turned towards Sangmin, "What do you think Sangmin?"

[Vancouvia]

"That would be helpful," said Sangmin. Looking down at his waist, "Say, what are your carrying?"

[Great Estheria]

"That would be helpful," said Sangmin. Looking down at his waist, "Say, what are your carrying?"

Mendoza looked at his gear, "Only a hunting rifle. I don't know what I will be hunting, but I have one." he replied.

[Jahe Davmwoem]

Mart-jan awoke to see someone taking things out of his bag. "Well" he thought to himself "He seems to be good at stealth. Lets see if he notices me." He crawled over and grabbed onto him.The man tried to get away from him, but he couldn't. Mart-jan was very strong for an old man. "Ok, I am going to give you one chance to explain yourself"

[Leisteria]

The young man looked at Reibel for a moment, confused. A women who stood next to him came closer. "Hello, I hear you. Are you one of the people who come to find why people go missing? Are you one of the people who answer Ramun's call for help?"

Oh, yes, yes I am. Well, not exactly, to be honest. I didn't know anything about Ramun's call, I just came to the island because I heard it was now open for visitors, so..." Reibel was saying too many words for explaining too little. It was one of his defects, and also one of the reasons he retired from writing.

"Whatever. Yes I am interest on that matter. Could you tell me why are you all around here, please?"

[Skaenia]

An old man stopped right next to her, listening to her questions. "Young woman," he said calmly, "around thirty or forty people have gone missing, people from many villages around the island, and the disappearances have been happening for many months now. I wish we knew the reason for this... But isn't this why you are here? Isn't this why the other foreigners are here now?"

"Ok," Roxanne replied, "That helps. And yes, that is why I'm here, but I thought if anyone had even the slightest idea of what might be going on, that would narrow the options down. Anyway, can you give me some more information about the missing people? What do they do for a living? Is there a pattern to the disappearances - say, only people of a certain age?"

[Ostehaar]

Mendoza looked up at Ramun. "I think we could use a guide, if you are willing." Mendoza turned towards Sangmin, "What do you think Sangmin?"

"That would be helpful," said Sangmin.

"Very well," Ramun announced, "let's head to there then. We can use my vehicle." He exited Lisu's house and walked back towards his house up in the village, where his private car - one of the few on the island - was parked. "It's not a long drive so I don't think you'd need your supplies... Unless you intend to go elsewhere from there."

Down the road from the village, the fog was clearing up and they could see the area around Minar and Alpha Site. For a moment, it was heard to believe such a beautiful and natural environment could harbour such strange and frightening phenomena. Ramun used the short drive to show the foreigners a bit of the area. "See that bright structure up near the top of the mountain," Ramun asked as he pointed forward when the car was on the road westwards, "that's Sky Station. The view from up there is incredible, and the road there leads also to Beta Site, on the other side of the mountain." They turned south and crossed the river. "down the road is Tunil, the southern community of Minar area. Many of those who disappeared were attacked right here, along this road we're driving on."

Several minutes later Ramun turned to the east and drove into Alpha Site. The site was a large, high-tech looking compound with about ten concrete structures and a few more wooden hangars, and it was surrounded by many greenhouses and small farming lots. "This is where they were conducting experiments on plantations, I think," Ramun explained, "and perhaps also on biological immunity in plants."

He parked the car near the entrance to the central building. Being close to the "central" villages of the island and to the large South Dock, Alpha Site was used as sort of a "visitor center" for the scientists who came to the island. Ramun stepped out of the car and breathed the still air of the abandoned welcoming center. "There it is."

He crawled over and grabbed onto him .The man tried to get away from him, but he couldn't. Mart-jan was very strong for an old man. "Ok, I am going to give you one chance to explain yourself"

Ah! Must... Get... Free! Must... Run... Away!

Ruitu struggled as much as he could, throwing his arms and legs in all directions and applying force in various directions. "Aaaaah!!" he screamed out of the deepest corner of his lungs until he felt the pain in his throat. "Awaaaaaaaaayyyyy!!!" he screamed again until he had to stop for air. Realizing he cannot escape, he started bashing his head back and forth, hoping to to either hit Mart-jan, or hit something else and fall unconscious.

"Could you tell me why are you all around here, please?"

"This is an exciting day," she said with a smile, "three foreigners are here already, and they just left with Ramun to visit Alpha Site, not too far from here. I think some people here hope that more will come, like you, so they can sell the foreigners things... Like shoes. You need new shoes, maybe?"

[Ostehaar]

"Anyway, can you give me some more information about the missing people? What do they do for a living? Is there a pattern to the disappearances - say, only people of a certain age?"

"Well," the old man began, "if I'm not mistaken, all of them were young, healthy, strong men from the villages around here and the northern villages. They were always attacked when walking alone along the roads between the villages, for example the road from here to Tunil or from Gurnam to Ases in the north."

He thought fir a bit, trying as hard has he could to find more interesting facts. "Those are the connections I see," he concluded, "they didn't share a profession, or something similar."

[Leisteria]

"This is an exciting day," she said with a smile, "three foreigners are here already, and they just left with Ramun to visit Alpha Site, not too far from here. I think some people here hope that more will come, like you, so they can sell the foreigners things... Like shoes. You need new shoes, maybe?"

The word "shoe" felt like a puncture wound for Reibel. Would they already know about his secret shoe compartiment? Maybe Hiun... told everyone? If so, he couldn't let anyone get near his footwear, that was for sure. What if they ran away with it? That were his life savings!

"No, no, you're being too paranoid. Just act normally", he thought. "Indeed, it's an opportunity for you to learn more about the island".

"Well, I think I can check them out... sure. By the way, do you think I can get to those... scientifical facilities, the Alpha Site, fast enought to catch up with the three foreigners and Ramun?

[Great Estheria]

Mendoza stepped out of the car after Ramun. "Interesting place, isn't it? Do you know how they were performing the experiments? Such as the biological immunity in plants, were they developing a substance that altered the genetic structure, or perhaps altering it directly?"

[Jahe Davmwoem]

Mart-jan could not hold on to much longer. He grasped the man's throat until he fell unconscious, then set him down. "God, please forgive me for that. Well Rembrandt, let us check this place out." He saw a massive building covered in snow. "Well, may as well take the front door in." He was careful to grab all of his items.

[Ostehaar]

"Well, I think I can check them out... sure. By the way, do you think I can get to those... scientifical facilities, the Alpha Site, fast enought to catch up with the three foreigners and Ramun?

"Oh!" the woman grinned and turned around to show Reibel her collection of home-made local-style shoes. She called out a few words in the her language and a young boy came from the back room to help her sort through the boxes. "There," she said as they found the type of shoes she was looking for, "I think this looks good for you." She presented Reibel with what was clearly a pair of old yet unused brown leather shoes with a hard wooden sole. "Leather," she announced proudly as she laid the pair of shoes next to Reibel, "from the time there was leather here."

"About Alpha Site," she then said, "you need a car to get there fast enough. There are very few cars here. You can try to ask the South Dock manager, Maorin, for a ride. He has three cars. Most of the time he is right there," she pointed at a relatively large structure near the center of the village, a few dozens of meters from them.

Mendoza stepped out of the car after Ramun. "Interesting place, isn't it? Do you know how they were performing the experiments? Such as the biological immunity in plants, were they developing a substance that altered the genetic structure, or perhaps altering it directly?"

"Ah, no," Ramun chuckled, "I'm not that of an expert. What I've told you are the few headlines I remember, not the details. I'm afraid I won't be able to give you specific information on the experiments and research."

Ramun pushed open the large glass doors of the main entrance to the main complex, and looked back at the foreigners. "The place is not connected to any power source, but all the doors and windows I tried here were not locked, so I guess it should be easy to explore the facility."

"Right behind me is, as I said, the main welcome center and head offices of the island research teams. The laboratories and animal cages, which are empty now, are north of here, and you can get there by turning left into thid passageway behind the entrance doors. If you turn right instead, you can get to the office complex, where many of the scientists worked as well. If you need me to drive you around to see other parts of the facility, just say so."

Mart-jan could not hold on to much longer. He grasped the man's throat until he fell unconscious, then set him down. "God, please forgive me for that. Well Rembrandt, let us check this place out." He saw a massive building covered in snow. "Well, may as well take the front door in." He was careful to grab all of his items.

Ruitu's body remained there. It looked as peaceful as it did the moment he was attacked and fell to the muddy trail, several months earlier when he was on his usual walk between Sikara and Gurnam.

Dammit! We lost one.
It was his fault, actually. He should not have come to close to the foreigner.
I know, but...
He wasn't a promising one.
I guess you're right.
We will need to send somebody to collect the body, though.
Yes, I'll put Siu on it now. He is around there somewhere.
Siu... Yes, I'd say he's a good one. I agree then. Send him there.

Near Delta Site, Siu sat behind the cover of vegetation and followed the foreigner. As Mart-jan entered the building, Siu rushed towards Ruitu's body to grab it.