The maintenance tunnel is humid, smelling of stagnant water and ozone. Dream David lands silently, his leathery wings folding tight against his back.
Jax
Too close. Too fast. He looks like a monster, but he is just trying to hide. I cannot let him ruin my setup.
Dream David
Electronics everywhere. He is building something. Hopefully, he is just another scavenger trying to stay out of the light.
Jax
Stay back, freak. I have an EMP charge hot enough to scramble your brain and every circuit within twenty feet. Move or I trigger it.
Dream David
I do not want trouble. I am just passing through. Put the device down before you hurt yourself.
Jax
You are a target, and you are bringing the law straight to my front door. I will not be collateral damage for you.
+ Scene Quest Added
De-escalate the confrontation with Jax
“Turn around and leave”
FAILURE (Fair Willpower, rolled +0)
Dream David
The tunnel feels smaller than it did a moment ago. I just need to turn around, exit, and find somewhere else to land.
Dream David
I am leaving. You have nothing to fear from me.
Dream David pivots, his massive wings brushing against a low-hanging pipe, sending a shower of rust and debris downward. The sudden clatter echoes like a gunshot in the confined space.
Jax
No! You bumped the junction box! The feedback is looping!
A blinding surge of blue electricity arcs from the damaged wall equipment, snapping toward the conductive material of the EMP trigger in Jax's hands.
Dream David
He is going to fry us both if that charge goes off. Do I try to knock it from his grip, or do I use my wings to shield him from the blast?
+ Scene Quest Added
Survive the electrical surge
− Scene Quest Removed
De-escalate the confrontation with Jax
“Clip the power line to the junction box with my wing tip.”
SUCCESS (Fair Agility, rolled +1)
Dream David
If I can cut the power flow before the EMP triggers, maybe I can end this without anyone getting hurt.
Dream David pivots mid-air, his massive leathery wings catching the stale tunnel wind. He maneuvers toward the junction box with surgical precision.
Dream David
Jax, look away. I am going to stop this thing.
Jax
What? No! Stay back, you freak! You have no idea what you are messing with!
Dream David flicks his wing tip, the rigid, sharp claw at the edge of his wing slicing cleanly through the thick primary power cable.
Jax
He just cut the line... wait, did he actually stop the feedback loop?
A shower of white sparks erupts as the connection severs, then the menacing hum of the junction box abruptly dies into a heavy, suffocating silence. Jax stands frozen, his thumb hovering over the trigger of his EMP device, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Quest Complete
Survive the electrical surge