This is a tale from a time not six months ago. A time where Malkavians held their heads up high and shouted to the world that they wanted more red jelly beans. A time when a story was started by a certain bearded fellow and before long everyone was adding bits. A time of journeys and a time of self discovery. This was a time of a battle against ourselves and outsiders. This was the time of The Madness of the Sphinx.
______________________________________________________________________________
The Sphinx had been beaten and most of the Malkavians had left. Handel and Mr Badger were seeing the sights of the town, mostly from under tables. The two staggered from all night bar to all night bar with a horde of empty Rum bottles in their wake. Celebration was the name of the game and the rules were nothing but friendly. Eventually the two Vampires wound their way to a very special bar, one that they will remember for a long time. (About a week for them.) This bar sat in the middle of the darkest, most dangerous part of the city. The name was 'Adventurer's Inn.'
As the two walked in conversation stopped. The click of weapons being drawn could be heard and the charging of shotguns. Chairs were pushed back as local toughs stood to do battle.
"It's OK. We're not homosexuals or Americans," said Mr Badger to pacify the crowd. Being thirsty he couldn't be bothered with a fight at this point.
The locals sat down and the weapons were put away. Conversation began again and the jukebox started up for no apparent reason. Ordering a drink for the both of them Handel found a table in the dead centre of the room (good place for vampires I imagine). Waiting for no-one the two started a drinking session that was to being drunk what the Vatican is to the Catholic church. Soon the piles of Rum bottles barricaded the bar and the serving person had to use a block and tackle to get the fresh bottles across to the customers. In the wee small hours of the morning (the next morning, three across) the two Vampires could be seen sleeping under the table, keeping the minimum safe distance from each other as they were blokes of course.
Mr Badger awoke first with the taste of a thousand ash trays in his mouth. "I feel like an Australian has died on my tongue," said he.
Handel stirred beside him and opened an eye. With a cry of horror and an attempt to wring his own neck Handel staggered back from Badger. "Shit you look bloody awful in the morning Badger. Ever thought of sleeping with a paperbag over your head?"
With a growl Mr Badger realised his hair had assumed Zulo form over night and quickly put it to right. Brushing the dust off himself Mr Badger revealed an engraved design in the stone floor. The design was that of a large stone circle with strange runes upon its face. Pushing the table to the side more of the design was revealed and eventually the whole was open for examination. Excited at their discovery the two Malkavians celebrated the act with a toast. After the drink Mr Badger discovered that he could lever up the stone circle somewhat. With help from Handel he lifted the circle off the floor and rested it against the bar. The design now stood independently and was revealed to be of two circles which could counter rotate.
"Hey, I feel the powers of Rum within this stone," cried Handel.
"No shit man, you probably spilt some Rum on it the other night," replied Mr Badger without thinking (nothing strange about that).
Handel growled from deep within his chest. His eyes flashed and his voice begam much deeper than before. "I would never do such a thing as spill Rum!" Shouted Handel.
Mr Badger looked at Handel and smiled at having drawn forth the beast. Looking again Badger smothered a shudder as he realised that the Beast was actually having a cold ale in the moonlight on a deck chair, as it was really Handel staring out of his own eyes with much more than madness entwined in the gaze. Mr Badger realised that this Handel was one he didn't see very often and was happy because of that fact. Somethings even the Sabbat will not truck with if they can help it. "I meant that some sad deluded fool must have split some rum. Not you of course as we all know that Rum is special," said Badger with the sweat gathering upon his brow.
"Yes, I'm sure that's what you were infering," replied Handel as the rage left his gaze. "Hold on a sec Badger, I want to sketch this thing for Parr," said Handel as he searched for a pen. Returning in mere moments he found Mr Badger turning the inner circle. "What the hell are you doing Badger?"
"Just matching the two pictures," replied Mr Badger.
"Why?" Asked Handel.
"Buggered if I know, just seems to be the thing to do is all. It's like those alien egg things you just can't help but stick your face into or the alien space babes you just have to take home even though you just know they're going to eat your friends," said Mr Badger with a 'what the hell can ya do?' expression. In seconds the pictures matched and from out of the circle came a blinding light.
"Yeah, great! That's just what I need at this time of the evening. Thanks Badger for the spotlight," grumbled Handel. "I told you this thing was magical in some way. I bet what we have here is a portal between our world and one of another design," continued Handel to fill in the plot for the people who have never seen the movie. "We could just walk on through and be trapped in another place."
"What, like this?" Asked Mr Badger as he grabbed a back pack of booze and walked on through the glowing portal.
"Yeah, just like that," replied Handel as he followed Mr Badger. On the way through Handel gave the wheel a spin so as to make sure they'd have to be damn cunning to return and couldn't just wander back later on.
As they journeyed through the portal many were the special effects and very impressive they were at that.
Mr Badger and Handel walked through the funky special effects through the portal. On the other side of the threshold stretched a number of blinding white tunnels. In the distance could be seen a number of junctions and intersections.
"Oh shit," said Mr Badger since he could get away with swearing as Parr wasn't there. "Right-e-o, we'll go this way until we hit the weekend." Being male Mr Badger refused to ask for directions, this included asking for help from Handel who has had experience with space-time tunnels before.
After journeying for a short time and after being narrowly missed being run over by what looked like a phone booth occupied by two teenagers the two vampires came to an exit. With nothing to lose and a few laughs to gain they stepped through. Leaving the portal the two appeared on the edge of a forest. The land was covered with snow and in the far distance appeared to be what looked like a street light.
"Where the hell are we Badger?" Asked Handel as they walked toward the streetlight.
"Buggered if I know but here comes someone, they might know." Replied Mr Badger.
He stranger was only four foot tall and was wearing overalls. On his jacket was a small button that had "I'm a Faun not a Fawn" written on it. "Hi my name is Mr Tumnus, you wouldn't be Sons of Adam would you?" Asked the stranger.
"Caine actually but close enough, same family after all," replied Mr Badger.
"Holy shit Badger, I know where we are!" Cried Handel.
"Language please Son of Caine, children could be reading this," hushed Mr Tumnus.
"We're in Narnia! Hagbutt's prison realm!" Continued Handel with a strong stare at the Faun.
"I thought that looked like half the Australian rugby team over there. Pretty crowded place this, Hagbutt must really get pissed off a lot," replied Mr Badger.
Handel looked the Faun over and thought about how it was going to turn traitor in another story. "Hungry are you Badger?"
"A bit peckish why?" Said Mr Badger as he followed Handel's gaze. "Umm, actually I promised someone I'd stop eating Fae, sort of gave my word you know. She made me promise you see..." Said Mr Badger as he blushed and lowered his head.
"Ah, I see," said Handel even though he didn't. "Still mustn't go against your word to a lady after all."
Leaving Mr Tumnus to stare at their backs the two vampires reentered the portal and journeyed onward again. This time when they exited they were on a barren plain. Dark gray clouds rolled over head cutting visibility down to a matter of metres. The sounds of rifle fire and high pitched screeching could be heard coming from the distance. Suddenly, from out of the clouds, burst a little blond girl holding the hand of a tall gaunt woman holding a number of weapons duct taped together. Behind her came a number of soldiers all wearing the latest in designer plastic armour.
"They're everywhere! They're everywhere!" Shouted Hudson.
"Shut up Marine! They're over there! Not everywhere!" Corrected Ripley.
As these words left her mouth the little girl screamed and large bug like creatures swarmed out from the clouds. They roared in a high pitched way and flexed their claws. Dribble poured from out of their muzzle's in amounts so large they made you thirsty just to look at them. The bugs ran forward and the leader took a swing with it's claws at Ripley.
Mr Badger leaped forward and grabbed the alien, for that is what it was. With a twist he pulled its arm across to the side and gave it a mighty slap across the knuckles with a spade. "Bad alien! Bad! Go home, yes off home until you get some manners!" shouted Mr Badger. Stunned the alien leader whimpered and pouted as it went back the way it came. The other aliens whistled a bit and tried to look innocent. After a while they sneaked off when no-one was looking. "That's better, bloody poofters wouldn't know a fair fight if it came up and rodgered them from behind."
"How can we thank you?" Asked Ripley.
"Borrow you gun for a minute?" Replied Mr Badger.
Taking the weapon from her Mr Badger activated every death dealing device it contained and incinerated the little girl in a puff of smoke. "Always wanted to do that," he grinned as he pulled Handel back into the portal.
When the two left the portal for the penultimate time they were on a beach. In the distance could be seen the Statue of Liberty buried in the sand up to its neck. Riding toward them were what looked to be giant monkeys on horseback. Using disgusting levels of Auspex (well, one) they could hear the monkeys speaking in broad English accents.
"I must have dialed Petey's number by mistake. Oh well this joke was done in the "Simpsons and it's a bit sad anyway. Let's bugger off before they try to delouse us," said Mr Badger as he stepped into the portal again.
When they left the portal this time they found themselves in what looked to be a stone temple. Wooden torches burnt in the corners and sand was everywhere. Outside it appeared to be night as the stars were out with a moon or three as company, dead give away that is. Wondering out of the temple the two vampires took stock of their situation.
"On the way out of the bar Badger, did you remember to grab that tactical nuclear weapon that was sitting on the bench?" Asked Handel.
"Sorry Mate I forgot. But I did grab a bag full of booze though," answered Mr Badger.
"Thank God for that, I thought you'd grabbed the wrong bag. Don't be afraid of sharing a bit of that Rum, old chap," smiled Handel.
As the two Malkavians toasted this new discovery a tall stranger in black fatigues walked up and saluted the pair.
"Jack O'Neil, Colonel, US Marines at your service. Thank all that is apple pie that you found us. We've been stuck here for weeks." Said the stranger.
"Excuse me Colonel but would you have any food on you, I missed a meal earlier and fancy a wee bite as it were," smiled Mr Badger.
As the Colonel checked his pocket with a confuse expression on his face Mr Badger helped him lose a little weight, about 10 BP's worth. Wiping his face Mr Badger threw the remains of the Colonel behind the steps and walked off with Handel to examine this new world.
Before long they came to another structure in the sand. It looked like an entrance to a pit and outside stood a number of pack animals vaguely resembling camels. Not the usual sort of spit in your eye camel but what a camel would look like if Industrial Light and Magic got hold of one in the design phase and really went overboard on it. Nearing the entrance Handel's eyes glazed over and he started to drool in his beard. "Rum, Rum, Rum..." Chanted Handel as he staggered forward. A number of mine carts stood at the opening and inside were a number of jet black rocks. Taking one in his hand Handel held it up to the (star) light and let loose with a very loud "Woo Hoo! Pure, unrefined Rum!"
Mr Badger sat on a pile of Rum and pouted. "It's my story and it's Rum we find. At least it could have been coffee ore or something. Why is it always Rum?" Asked Badger to the universe.
Badger sulked in the corner as Handel tried to find some way to drink rock solid Rum. Eventually he gathered up some Rum ore in a bag to experiment with later and made damn sure he marked the spot on a map. Being desert as far as the eye can see he used a piece of sand paper as a base and just marked on features as they appeared. "You all right Badger?" Handel asked of his companion.
"Not fair," snuffled Mr Badger.
"There there, come on and be a trooper. Give Handel a big blow," said Handel as he held out a handkerchief. Mr Badger made a token snuffling noise and got off the rock. Satisfied that Handel was paying him enough attention again Mr Badger cheered up and they continued onward from the Rum mine.
The two vampires walked on and on until they came to an oasis in the sand. Tied to the statutory palm tree was a pack beast with racing stripes. This was of the same design as the pack animals at the mine face but looked like a sleek sports model with the optional sun roof and from the look of that saddle it had a stereo as well. At the approach of the two vampires the beast slipped its leash and ran off into the distance. Not knowing what to do Mr Badger and Handel followed the beast across the sands.
The pack animal crossed a high dune, a suspiciously high dune at that. This dune crossed the line of sand formation and entered the land of fortification. This dune didn't shelter you from wind storms as much as from air strikes. Mr Badger bounded across the top and saw a sight that made even him stop (un)dead in his tracks. On the other side stood a number of wooden wagons. Each was painted with bright colours which looked slightly strange, as if they were slightly lopsided in some way. Handel noticed nothing wrong with these pattern and hurried ahead to see what these people were about. He was met by a grizzled gentleman in a flourish of silk and leather.
"Greetings strange ones, my name is Ronibaccardi and welcome to our band!" Cried the spokesperson with the clash of a tambourine.
Handel couldn't place what was wrong but he just knew these people from somewhere else. They seemed so familiar. So friendly he just had to have met them before somewhere. Then it hit him, the memories came back and with them the knowledge he sought. "Psssst Badger! I know who these people are. They're a lost band of gypsies. I've heard tales of them before but never thought I'd ever meet them face to face as it were. I've finally found the lost Tribe of Typsies!" Whispered Handel.
"You don't mean?" Asked Mr Badger, with the tone of voice suggesting "what the hell are you on about?"
"Yes Badger! I've found what happened to the Rumany! They must have journeyed here from Earth all those years ago." Continued Handel.
Ronibaccardi smiled. "Yes we are the Rumany but I know not what this Earth you speak of is?"
Handel pulled out his hipflask and took a mighty swallow. "Gah!" Said Handel in disgust, as the flask was now empty.
Ronibaccardi and all the tribe feel to their knees in worship of Handel. They all stared at the crest upon Handel's hipflask. The picture was of a warrior with cutlass drawn standing over a crossed pile of dead Frenchmen on the deck of a sailing vessel.
"At long last as the God Gah returned to us. We have awaited your return for ever so long Oh Great One of the Rum Mists!" Said Ronibaccardi with a tear in his eye. "All hail Gah in his wisdom!"
Mr Badger stomped off in a huff at yet another Rum ploy in his story being bought to fruition.
After sometime of much drinking, which bought even Mr Badger back to the lands of happiness, Ronibaccardi told the tale of his tribe of Rumany wanderers. "There is a story which is passed from mouth to mouth of father to son..."
"Stinking fags.." interrupted Mr Badger.
"Just as well Parr isn't here to hear this chauvinism..." Interrupted Handel during the interruption.
"...of how we were reduced to slavery." Continued Ronibaccardi with a stare at his rude guests. "We mine the Rum ore for the what we know now to be the false God of Gah who lives in the pyramid that travels the sands. We have been fooled and that is enough for us to rise up in a rebellion to strike against our oppressors!"
"Hell yes!" Cried Badger as he really got into the flow of things.
With a plan hastily made over not a few bottles of the black stuff the Rumany and pair of Vampires were ready to strike back against the Dark ones.
Mr Badger and Handel watched the pyramid cross the sand. It was suspended over the sand by the length of a number of long tongues. These tongues were used to 'walk' across the ground and thus did the pyramid journey. When the sun was ready to rise the pyramid settled into the sand and lay dormant.
"Setites for sure!" Growled Mr Badger.
"Well done that man," mumbled Handel as he gave Mr Badger a Parr Badger Treat (TM) for being so clever.
It was daylight at this time but as the pyramid only traveled during the hours of the moon the two Vampires couldn't attack at any other time. They had to enter the pyramid during the light and that time was now. The two were wrapped up in heavy clothes to guard against the sun but they were both blind due to the glare.
"Can you see auras Handel?" Asked Mr Badger.
"Of course, why?" Answered Handel.
From out of his pocket Mr Badger pulled out a hairy round object which he pointed ahead of himself. Giving the object a squeeze with a pair of large metal pliers it emitted a pale red light which the two Vampires could see as a bright aura. They used this pale light to see and staggered across to the pyramid.
"What is that thing Badger?" Asked Handel.
"It's a thing my Sire made up to see with during the light hours. It's a living, feeling testicle with a central nervous system. By giving it a squeeze it emotes rather strongly as you can imagine, and provides the light we need to see." Answered Mr Badger.
Handel made no response but the sound of vomiting.
Eventually the pair made it to the entrance of the pyramid which was guarded by a large stone door. There appeared to be no means of entry but by the will of those already inside. Undaunted Mr Badger put down the hairy flashlight and raised the pliers above its global shape. With a mighty swing he struck the mound and a bright needle sharp beam was emitted from within. This beam lasted but a second but this was enough to blow the stone door apart. The flash-testicle had emitted a laser beam like rod of pure emotion as it died which was sufficient to open the door. Both Mr Badger and Handel did vomit at this emotional backwash and I believe many of you reading this are crossing your legs in sympathetic pain as you read. After a few minutes of recovery they entered the pyramid...
Mr Badger and Handel wondered through the giant pyramid like tourists in front of a department store with really loud T-shirts.
"Must have parked in a bad neighbourhood recently," commented Badger, "some little punk has drawn all over the walls."
Handel was about to start explaining what the pictures were but gave up before using words like 'hieroglyphics.' "Don't worry about it Badger," was all he said.
"I don't worry, they shoot dogs for worrying Handel." Replied Badger.
Hopefully that'll be the last we see of the worrying joke. The stone corridor wound it's way through the giant pyramid like a drunken student walks the streets. Every where were giant stone statues of animals with human bodies. Badger find himself strangely excited but we're not going into that, not even a little bit, no sir not at all.
Eventually the two vampires found themselves in a cloak room. As it seemed the right thing to do they dressed up in the robes available. Handel tried to apply a really high head piece but he couldn't find one that matched his beard so that was the end of that. Once robed and finished with the 'use the force Luke' jokes the two wondered into the nearby chamber.
Walking straight into a guard with the head of a cat. The guard turned and Handel looked puzzled as this cat creature looked strangely familiar.
"Maaaaaate!" Shouted Badger as he gave the guard a hearty (but manly) slap on the back. "Hey Handel it's that bloke from the Sphinx thing, ya know the one we took for a bit of a knees up in Kiwiland."
Handel remembered as he previously had used his vast powers of Rummery over this creature. Strangely though this body in front of him did not vibrate with the remembrances of Rum. As if it hadn't happened yet.
"Infidel intruders!" Shouted the cat creature as it raised its pointy stick at the two vampires. Not wanting a fight scene at this point they didn't kick it in the head and went passively forward into the centre of the chamber. They seemed to be in a palace throne room as at the far end sat a huge stone chair. A chair so stone and huge it could be mistaken as a tastefully designed Rock of Gibraltar On this chair sat a strange creature straight out of Egyptian mythology. It had the face of a woman but the body of a lion. It stared at the intruders as the cats draped around it hissed at Badger. Badger hissed back but he just didn't have his heart in it as yet.
"Woo Hoo Badger! It's the Sphinx!" Shouted Handel.
"Hey big ears! Did we kick your furry butt or what!" Chanted Badger.
The Sphinx looked confused and looked around it for advice from the standard advisors. Upon getting nothing helpful it finally spoke. "What do are you fleshlings talking about?"
"What's wrong fuzzbutt? Cat got your tongue? Don't remember us, can't forget how we wiped you across the globe!" Sneered Badger.
"Who ARE you?" Asked the Sphinx as it focused all its attention onto the pair in front of it.
Handel took a step closer and assumed the classic 'I'm on a soapbox' stance. This stance is often found exhibited by Shakespearean actors and can also be explained as the 'Look, here are my genitals' pose. Once his legs were far enough apart to cause a number of the audience to faint from the sight Handel spoke in a tone generally saved for children or the mentally disadvantaged. "We are Malkavians my lady. We have come from far across the universe in search of a drink or two and maybe for my companion to leer at a few women along the way."
"What, pray tell is a Malkavian?" Asked the Sphinx. She licked her lips at the word 'pray' which may lead one to expect the word was actually spelt with an 'e' instead of an 'a'.
"A Malkavian, dear lady of the puddy tats, is a Vampire blessed with the knowledge of the universe. We are truly the fonts of all knowledge. Except for my companion over there who is mainly just a thug. Just nod and smile if he says any thing," replied Handel.
Badger gave Handel a playful tap on the back of the head to show there were no hard feelings over what was just said. After Handel got up off the ground the questions began again.
"Where did you come from?" Asked the Sphinx.
"Hold on I'll show you," said Handel as he reached across past the Sphinx to a conveniently placed star map. "Hmmmmm, we're from off this edge over here and down a bit. Wait a sec and I'll sketch it in for you."
"That would be ever so nice," said the Sphinx with a smile. It was the sort of smile a cat gives its 'owner' when food is placed in front of it. The sort of smile that says 'What for me? Why thank you!' "Are there any more of you on this planet?" Asked the Sphinx. What she didn't say but which all but our heroes understood was "..this undefended planet which shall fall beneath my paws of destruction like the wheat before the scythe."
Being just the happy helper Handel continued. "Just hundreds of us, look I'll take a copy of my address book for you so you can look us up." Handel wondered over to a nearby Xerox machine and did just that. The Sphinx's grin got even larger. Badger was starting to get nervous as all this was going on. Something wasn't right, something that even he could see was wrong.
"Hey Handel you know that gate thingy we went through earlier?" Asked Mr Badger.
"Yeah man, what of it?" Replied Handel as he drew in the position of the Earth.
"Well since we managed to cross half of the universe by going through itwhat was to stop us going around in time a bit as well?" Replied Badger as he edged the two of them closer to the clearly marked exit (in case of fire).
Handel put two and two together and came up with a number that while not being four would still count as four to a Pentium processor. "Oh firetruck," said Handel or at least a word close to it. "It was all our fault.."
"Quick, we need to get to a pub as fast as possible to destroy these memories before someone finds out what we've done." Said Mr Badger.
Handel took Badger's plan, gave it a tick but placed the words 'escape from this pyramid of doom' at the front just after the words 'run like hell'. Taking the initiative Handel threw Mr Badger through the door, notice the words weren't through the open door, and ran out after him. "Get them my minions! They mustn't escape!" Cried the Sphinx. "Catch ya later!" Smiled Mr Badger on his projectile journey out of the throne room. Once out of the throne room the pair made like road runners while also making a mockery of their Celerity scores. At a number of points on the way out the pair of heroes couldn't help themselves but to 'walk like an Egyptian' past open door ways in front of guards. Once free of the pyramid they followed their own tracks back to the BarGate entrance. Looking at the symbols on the control panel Mr Badger used his male intuition to match them up with ones that would get them home. Handel took one look at this and saw they were in for a one way journey to nasty places if he relied o Badger's intuition. Taking matters into his own hands Handel used all the common sense he could muster and made his own attempt at matching the symbols. This attempt failed as well so the pair shut their eyes, ignored the cries of the hunting party that was coming closer and spun the wheel in an attempt at pot luck. With a shocking coincidence found only in works of fiction this idea worked and the BarGate opened up once again. Giving a cheery wave to the creatures in front of them the pair stepped through into their own world once again. As the Gate closed the last thing they heard was the screams of rage from the Sphinx and a promise that she would one day have her most wicked revenge as only a woman can really do.
Handel and Badger immediately dived behind the bar and started to consume all that was liquid.
"Must kill memories...must hurt brain.. must forget" chanted the lads as they drank for the bliss of ignorance.
Ronibacardi led his band of Typsies across the burning sands (even at night they burned, a really hot place) in the wake of the Great God Gah and his Badger companion. The great pyramid of the False God Gah had been seen leaving the land so the Typsies were free for the first time in their drink addled memories.
Given the close proximity they have been to the raw unrefined Rum and the added fact that they weren't too afraid to partake of the old sup or two of the dark stuff of their own volition the Typsies aren't famous for their long term memories. In fact a humming bird can be said to have an elephant class brain (just as well they don't really as flying would just be a right bugger and all with all that weight) when compared to the memories of an average Typsie. The Typsies make use of story telling as a means of transferring information across the generations. The same reason of the drink being so prevalent also explains the rapid turn over of generations and the astounding lack of common sense in picking a companion to toast away the years with. Every one remembers Old Black-Heart the caravan leader who after a rather boisterous evening found himself married to a particularly unattractive cave painting. Then there was old 69 Vat who wandered off one evening and woke up twenty years later with four children and a wife he still swears only looks like a pack beast. Everyone just nods and tries not to look at the tail and brown eyes.
Not that I'm belittling the savage tribe that is the Typsies. Not at all. Everyone knows that when the chips are down and everything looks like tomorrow will be a long day of bending over for the red hot poker to be inserted that the Typsies are the ones to have on your side. The bravery of the average Typsie is second to none and we've all seen the savage frenzy of a Typsie that has witnessed the spilling of Rum. A Typsie would be the first to charge an enemy machine gun pit with just the promise of a drink or two and a Typsie would be the one to follow you across the globe with murder in their eyes just because you'd stolen some of their Rum. The Typsies are a brave bunch, just not too gifted with common sense is all. But if we shot people for that the world would be quite a few men less than it is now.
Getting back to the story at hand and away from a social-political discussion of the Rumany we have the tribe now lining up outside the dark visage that is the BarGate's entrance to this world of sand (and Rum of course).
"The Great God Gah went through this stone circle with strange symbols on it Roni, but then his hipflask, I mean his tracks, disappear soon after," said a Typsie with a particularly gifted sense of smell.
Ronibacardi hmmm'ed to himself before reaching across to touch a notable symbol on the stone ring. The BarGate lit up with unrestrained power that could only have come from more then three AA sized batteries and possibly even five. The tribe looked on in awe as Roni managed to reactivate the BarGate with just a single push of a symbol. Roni smiled to himself and thanked the Great God Gah that he at least understood which symbol represented 'redial' on the portal.
With the portal active the tribe stepped through and entered our world.
______________________________________________________________________________________
