The five heroes looked at the door without excitement. It was impossible to shake the unsettling feeling that reminded them that only moments ago there had been seven of them. Despite the palpable tension in the air, they felt optimistic about their plan. Some were sick over mistakes that they felt they made, while others were envisioning the battle before them. And then there was Aodh, practically beaming as he held a small device in his hands.

When the Captain realized that they needed a transmitter, she was able to act quickly and find something perfect for Aodh's needs. The communicator was broken, but in the scientist's capable hands he felt confident that he had mended it to suit their needs. He secured it safely and looked towards Kitsune, nodding his head to show that now they were ready.

Kitsune and Aodh approached the door, their posture and attitude doing much to instill confidence in those that watched. When the duo reached their obstacle Nocturne concentrated his energy into making another ramp, but this one was angled back towards the now closed entryway. As the two leaders reached the grid in front of the door, it slid open easily, making brute force unnecessary.

Everyone in the room could now hear the continued blips and beeps of the SOS still repeating. The hallway remained empty and even Tyra's keen ears couldn't hear any sign of droideka moving beyond the door.

Tyra looked towards the others and spoke in a hushed voice. "Tout est tranquille. Il s'avère que leur tactique a changé."

Kitsune nodded her head in agreement when she saw the translation in her visor. "Indeed, Tyra-san. I think it's time we moved forward with the lights. Gentlemen?" Kitsune prepared to step forward, taking a candelabra with her.

The room was completely empty except for what looked like rows and rows of bike racks on the floor. The room had a large open archway in the wall on the left, obviously connecting it with the room just next to it.

Kitsune regarded that a second, then spoke softly, "The other room is where the darkness lies, correct? All right, then. Let us proceed, then, and get ready. Hugh-sensei, are you going to try to communicate now, or wait until we are in position?"

Dylan looked into the darkness that was the other room. Memories of the previous encounter left it's mark on his mind, but he was not afraid. "Let me scan the room a moment, to see if I can discern anything."

Nocturne looked past the lighted room and into the hallway, he could sense strands of psychic energy pulsing from the dark room. Even though he couldn't see into the room, he could feel the presence of the Brain Collector. While it was disturbing to see that the hideous creature was using his considerable mental powers, he could tell that it was softer and more purposeful than his previous attack.

The Black Cat gestured with his head for them to continue. He was swinging his grapple back and forth, hefting the weight and keeping ready to use it any way possible. He crept along on his toes, his eyes wide open and focused on the darkened doorway ahead.

"Caribraydnng," the Bostonian said, screwdriver clenched in his teeth, working with the technology, making minor adjustments. "Mrtchngg freeqenciez." And then, the device in his hands began to respond to the pattern he keyed into it manually, sending out, according to Aodh, "Hllp iz nearr. Whut iz ur crndition?" ditditditdit dit ditdashditdit ditdit ditditdit ditditditdit dit ditdashdit dit ditdashdash ditditditdit ditdash dash ditdit ditditdit dashditdashdash dashdashdash ditditdash ditdashdit.

The repeating sound of the SOS stopped as Aodh sent his reply.

Waiting for a reply, the scientist reached for the candle stand he had set aside earlier, and slowly moved closer to the source, watchful, monitoring the radio spectra.

As the five heroes cleared the door and entered the brightly lit vacant room, they could sense a foreign presence among them. Nocturne felt a gentle tug on his mind, but his powerful defenses kept his thoughts tightly closed. All but the mentalist saw a gentle sway of white in their mind, it resembled a flag and carried the tenuous emotion of peace. Along with mental message the mechanical chirps of the SOS resumed.

Kitsune cleared her throat, then nodded. "Well, that's certainly communication. I think we've got a request to parley, at least. I'm not going to assume that's an offer to surrender, just to talk." Kitsune looked to Aodh and nodded her head, "Looks like this is going to be your show, Hugh-sensei. Or did you get anything more from that message, Nocturne-san, than the white flag and peaceful intent?"

Dylan felt the creature's presence again as it licked on the perimeter of his defenses. {No, I have nothing else. I don't know what it wants with us...yet.} Dylan then pushed out with his own thoughts to try and discern the veracity of the Brain Collector's intent. He knew this would invade the creature's psyche, but he had to know whether they could trust it or not.

As Nocturne opened his mind to the Brain Collector he felt a begrudging gentleness and saw the span of a white flag behind his eyes. As he tried to reach further into the realms of communication he realized that they had very little in common. While their minds were both sentient and amazingly capable, they were foreign to each other. He still tasted the taint of evil but it had put it's interest for survival above all else.

Trailing behind, Blitz flew down from spiralling around in the air and landed in the room with the many droid racks. He turned to the others.

"Yezz. Soundz like whatever it iz, thiz Brain Collector, wantz to surrender. That'z good, right?" he commented, wandering around the racks occasionally glancing towards the dark room.

"ksxzz...By the way, Hugh, you might want to tell whoever it iz that all we're after iz the key. We'll happily help it but all we want iz to get home", Blitz said before asking, "Have you checked out these thingzz yet?" indicating the 'bike' racks with a crackling finger.

Not really waiting for an answer, Blitz closed on one of the racks and examined it closely looking for any indicators, displays, power connectors, serial ports or anything else vaguely of interest. Upon close examination he didn't see anything that appeared to be a threat.

"It is either a truce, or a trap," the Black Cat said. "Of course I must be curious. Aodh, tell him we want the key and then we will try to make it so he can go home." He continued to move, slowly and carefully towards the doorway ahead, peering wide-eyed into the darkness there.

"I.. think," began the scientist, uncertainly, "that 'S.O.S' is the limit of the Morse code vocabulary of .. the other party." Nevertheless, Aodh tapped out a reply in Morse code as the Black Cat instructed. His eyes turned toward Nocturne, as he did so. And he waited.

The repeated sounds from the machines went quiet again while Aodh pecked out his message. A few moments after they resumed their SOS with no change to indicated that they understood.

Dylan decided it best to negotiate through a position of strength. "I truly believe" he said aloud, "that it is willing and wanting to negotiate. Kitsune, can you do the negotiations through me? I have established contact with it, but deeper levels of communication are going to be very difficult. I will relay for you and to all."

Kitsune hid her surprise at being asked, or at least she hoped she did well enough. "Certainly. Nocturne-san, try to send a mental image of the white flag, then an image of me approaching the door. I'm still the best to go in first, in case of treachery, and the being knows that I am quite capable of reducing its army to scrap just on my own. I want to look inside that room, and I want to see if we can spot the key."

Dylan sent forth the mental image of Kitsune accepting the white flag from the Brain Collector. He hoped it understood the imagery. He then sent out the image of her walking towards the door holding the white flag given from the alien.

A bright flash of red marred the simplicity of the white flag when Nocturne shared the image with the Brain Collector. The red was followed by strong feelings of apprehension and fear. Everyone in the room could see the images and sense his reservations. The next image was Kitsune standing in the hall of mirrors, surrounded by Droideka rubble.

Kitsune then started to walk toward the archway to the darkened room, candelabra in hand. Her thoughts edged toward The Author, and considered whether the translator display's return meant that she might be able to understand just what this alien being meant to say. Will I be able to understand this thing as well, Otaku-dono, or is that too much? Ah, well, we shall see, we shall see, and your little fox will dance for your pleasure.

Her voice betrayed nothing as she stepped to the doorway, slipping past Black Cat as politely as possible. Kitsune smiled as she caressed Black Cat's arm, "Ladies First." Kitsune peered inside, waiting to see what she could, while preparing to duck should someone open fire.

Kitsune could see red lights within the room, they were in a pattern of sorts and seemed to be protecting something. There was a foul odor oozing from the it's depths. The light from her candelabra flirted with the darkness but couldn't illuminate the room enough to see everything. She felt, more than saw, the red apprehension increase as she stood in the doorway. The red lights blinked occasionally, but there was no sign of hostility beyond the mental images in her mind. As she was deciding her next move she heard Aodh in the background.

"Hrm." Putting the tools neatly away, pocketing the communicator, taking up the candle stand, Aodh explains the obvious. "The other party is ill-equipped to reach out and communicate. It must evolve to this role. It appears it was meant to be a sentry and no more. We must go slow, and explain in small, easily understood bits. While it is likely brilliantly intelligent.. it won't be well-adapted to peace talks. Nocturne, it may help if you tell it that Henry and Catherine are trapped and in danger, that only if we have the key can we help it, and that we wish information to help us help it. Then again, it may not help.. but at least, it's truthful. We cannot negotiate without more data. Being a sentry, it will tend to guard what is precious to it, even against its own best interests." He makes his way forward slowly, adding, "You may wish to stand behind me. I know my body can block its weapons. At least, the first volley."

"No, it's not going to fire, not unless we scare it into defending itself." Kitsune stated this flatly. "It's terrified of me. It did everything it could to take me out, and I just destroyed everything that went up against me. Of course," she smiled behind her helm modestly, "it gives me too much credit, treats me like I'm the Terminator or something. But we can use that. Its terror is probably the main reason why it's trying to negotiate. It wants to beg for its life, but it doesn't know how."

Kitsune thought for a moment, then nodded again. "There are still a couple of deactivated rollers, aren't there? Perhaps we should get them, set them down in the room, and reactivate them. Show that we are capable of not only destruction, but mercy? It will give it a chance to judge our actions, and give us a chance to figure out how to talk to it. I suppose we'll be dealing with pantomime and mental pictures, right?"

{Nocturne-san, see if you can send these pictures, please.} Kitsune concentrated, and tried to send these images to Nocturne through the link.

The first image was a stylized version of the Hall of Mirrors, with a chibi version of Kitsune by the door. Above her floated the white flag, along with a white dove holding an olive branch. The emotional state was that of tranquility and peace. Chibi-Kitsune opened the door and looked inside.

The next image showed the droideka, with a red flag waving over each of them. They rolled in and knocked Chibi-Kitsune over, making the dove fly away and knocking the white flag over.

Another image formed, this of a now enraged Kitsune with a red flag over her head, standing in the center of an explosion of droideka. The droideka were smashed, and some few survivors rolled away in full retreat, no longer waving red flags.

A new image, this of a stylized version of the Brain Collector, started waving a white flag in its tentacles. An angry Kitsune glared at it, red flag still floating above her head.

Another image showed a now thoughtful Kitsune regarding the white flag waved by the Brain Collector, then accepting it. This was how we got to where we are now is the message. Messages remained unsaid, but were pretty clear. Attack, and die. Talk, and you may live.

{Think that will get the point across, Nocturne-san?}

"Well, the other party isn't the only one with big leaps to make in negotiation," Aodh says, self-referentially. "I'm all for putting these dealings in The Black Cat's able hands. And I have to say, much depends on Nocturne's expert interpretations. These are arts and sciences outside my fields. Fascinating, though."

Voice lower, the scientist speculates, "I'm not sure how the other party feels about its droids, or if it thinks their activation or deactivation signifies anything. A brilliant conjecture, certainly." Then, voice lower still, "Nocture, Black Cat, if you wish, stand behind me, as you deem prudent."

"It has de five brains and no head! What do you wanna I should say?" Exasperation brought out the Italian in the Black Cat's ordinarily only slightly inflected English. More calmly, he added "These are not the sorts of people to whom I usually talk."

Dylan shifted his position to stand behind Hugh. He wasn't truly worried, but discretion and all that. {The concept is good, Kitsune, but might be a bit complex. It fears your abilities, that's for certain. Let me try something since it knows we are considering it's truce.}

Dylan summoned the images of Henry and Catherine. He then sent forth the image of a key attached to one of the Brain Collector's leg supports. He pushed out with his mind to try and show the alien that it would be free if it would give them this key. He showed the creature Kitsune's form leaving the area, hurting no one else, after the creature handed the key to Hugh. the young psychic also broadcast these images to the rest of the group.

At first Nocturne felt waves of confusion, it seemed as though the Brain Collector didn't recognize or understand the significance of the first two images. A gray color accompanied his bewilderment. When the images of the key and the feelings of freedom were conveyed they could all sense a gasp of relief, as though the beast had seized a hold of something he could work with.

Once the initial relief washed out of their minds it was replaced with the image of a key. He offered terms into their minds that were a little more complex than what Nocturne had sent. His desire was that a single Droideka escort the trespassers out of his domain. The Droideka wore the key over one of his shooting appendages, stopping at the hex activated door and then allowing them to take the key. The entire visual was laid upon a white peaceful backdrop.

Kitsune nodded her head at the image, "Seems to be reasonable to me. Although I did find it interesting that it did not recognize the first part of your broadcast, Nocturne-san."

Movement could be heard from within the darkened room after Brain Collector's terms were accepted. The sound of metal on metal and a few oozing grunts made the wait thick with anticipation. The smell became more ripe as the beast did what was necessary to live up to his part of the bargain. The heroes couldn't imagine what horrors were written on the unseen walls. After a few agonizing seconds two red lights came closer before the Droideka emerged completely from within. It stopped and pivoted several times towards the corridor. Upon closer examination they could see that he had a large ornate key hooked on the outside of his metallic shell.

"You should never underestimate the wiles of the Kitsune, my scientist friend," the Black Cat said to Aodh. "The Japanese have held them in awe for centuries, and with good reason." As Kitsune's maskglanced his way, he offered her a quick wink.

Kitsune nodded her understanding, then frowned within her helm. "We need to warn Tyra not to shoot the droideka when we emerge. I don't think she knows that we're under a flag of truce, does she?" Kitsune glanced at Black Cat, then reached over to squeeze his shoulder, "Since she seems not to speak English, Neko-san, you will need to warn her, or someone else who speaks French."

"Vous avez raison," the Black Cat replied, and with that he dashed out the doorway and headed off towards the hallway with graceful, easy strides.

Dylan sent the alien a wave of thanks for the key.

Blitz watched, both with his eyes and his mind, as the others discussed things with the Brain Collector. He made sure he didn't get too close to the droid that was emerging from the darkened room. He'd seen the reaction the Fex had had to his shocking, crackling form and he didn't want to alarm the robots in the same way.

So instead Blitz remaining quiet, not really knowing what to say or do during the whole exchange.

Wry-faced, though not grinning, the scientist followed, contemplatively mentioning, "Indeed, the wiles.. though if the Platonic postulate holds, then this is exactly.. hrm. Hrm.. What, then, is the key, and it's role in this ship? It cannot be only what it appears. Pity our exchanges with the other party had to be so brief. So much that could be learned, so much opportunity to delve. Especially given the surprises our exchanges up to now held. The mystery deepens, and questions remain."

"I believe that questions are probably going to remain, regardless." Kitsune shrugged as she followed the droideka out to the Hall of Mirrors. "Even if this is some sort of perfect realm or reflection, we of course are not. So we just have to do our best, and not get caught in the trap of perfection."

Kitsune laughed softly. "Things are going to be very interesting, because we have a meeting with... Jean-Louis, was it?" Another shrug rolled from her shoulders. "I can but hope that we do well there, and that he is more informative than our last Amber."

Dylan looked at the others near him. "Shouldn't one of us get the key from the robot? It seems that the alien creature has sent this one towards us with the key on it's shell. I don't know if it's going to follow us all the way into the hall or not."

Kitsune chuckled softly, "It's showing us the door, Nocturne-san" She gestured to the droideka, "The master of the Droideka showed us the image of being escorted to the door, then we take the key. It wants us out of its area, and so we'll take the key once we get to the door. At least, that's my plan, and I don't want to give it the impression that I'm one to renege on a deal."

Her hidden smile sharpened under the helm. "Of course, that works both ways. If it tries to renege, I'll do my best to pull the roof down on its head. It knows that, I'm sure, and it showed its fear of me."

"I agree, that at the door Kitsune should take the key, and no earlier. And then let's put this room behind us and hope to have no further need to return," Aodh echoed, wading through the debris on his way from the area.

Blitz began following the others back out towards the Hall of Mirrors.

"So that'zz it, iz it?" he asked out loud. It was sort of disappointing, Blitz thought. In the end, they'd pretty much got the key but by talking rather than fighting. He supposed that was a good thing.

"What about what thiz thing did to Tapestry?" he continued to ask. "I mean, I know we're juzt trying to get out of here, but Tapestry izz dead and ol' Grinning waz pretty badly injured too". Still, his arguments were somewhat muted. He knew that nothing would help get their comrade back and that getting out of here before someone else was injured or died was their best bet.

Still, Blitz kept glancing behind him, keeping a wary eye on the droid as he crackled along to the main hall slightly ahead of Kitsune and Aodh.

Resignedly, Aodh agreed, "It's true, Blitz. The law and order of this place is temporarily out of service, and we have the job of restoring that. In this case, we're in no situation to judge fairly and act justly. Yet. But we will give this place that capacity back, for itself. That is the key to our way ou..." he trailed off thoughtfully, stepping through the door into the hall to watch the exchange at the doorway to the area that imprisoned the palpable presence of evil.

The walk was a short one but the wheeling sound of the Droideka made every moment suspenseful as they approached the archway. The door still stood open and allowed the heroes to pass through. Kitsune waited for the others to reach the hall of mirrors before cautiously unhooking the key from the Shaaorch. It remained completely immobile as she took the key and rejoined her companions.