The following morning... Leanna decides to investigate the ruins before venturing outside again, even though the storm seems to have abated. Amidst the many rooms of the complex she finally stumbles upon a chamber devoid of anything but some sort of antiquated looking holographic projector. As she approaches the machine splutters into life and a strange, translucent disembodied head appears. "Welcome. I am a system 800D Oracle Interface - How may I be of assistance?" Leanna is taken aback for a second, and a few seconds pass before she answers. "Where am I?" "This is the Graavus 2 Research Complex on the planet Insidium. As you can see, not quite as it once was." "What happened here?" Leanna inquired, gaining confidence. The Oracle smiles, "What didn't?" it answers. "Two hundred years ago this world was a thriving human colony of over 3 million souls. The central continent was a vibrant place of settlements, farms...the usual human trapments of civilization. Insidium traded well with other colonies in the local stellar community. Then the plague came!" "The plague?" Leanna asks, her fear mounting. "The living death!" The oracle replies coldly. "Nobody knows where it came from, but the ferocity of its insurgence into the colony brought about its destruction within a year. War followed as old hatreds surfaced and suspicion grew that the disease had been manufactured." "Did anyone survive?" "Oh yes - in a manner of speaking. You'll meet them eventually. The ghouls inhabit the dark places, whilst the normals..." Suddenly the power faded and the oracle vanished. "But how do I get away from here?" Leanna pleaded to the stale, empty air. "Go north..." a voice sounded weakly from the speaker grills, "...and beware the Sentinels." Bryce, Poser and Photoshop 7. Stay tuned for the next instalment...it gets meaty from here on. Thanks - Ian