Inside the cave, things had begun to get problematic.  The ticking didn't stop, and what was worse, the walls themselves seemed to be moving, at least to Prometheus, they did.<br/>"We have to go, now.  Now!"<br/><br/>The clay avatar grabbed the items and ran for the exit from which he came.  Under his feet, ashes melted away to iron, the same intricate patterns and mechanics assaulting his sight.  Stumbling, he reached out blindly towards the glow of the open Badlands, but before he could escape, the opening became flooded with ash from the roof, which had, apparently, also started to awaken.  Unable to climb the steep mound of hot flakes, Prometheus began to dig with his stumps.<br/><br/>"C'mon!  Help me!  We need to go!"<br/><br/>In the center of the room, a vague circular image was beginning to take form, all the metal shapes and lines leading to this one spot.  In the center of this platform, the first rust colored glow began, illuminating the cave ever so slightly.<br/><br/>Prometheus was more than a little curious, but something told him that this time, it would be better to stay away from the light...<br/><br/>***<br/><br/>"Working together?  Highbreed and Feral?"<br/><br/>In the warm summer heat, Aluhar shone like a beacon to weary and tired travelers.  It's high walls would provide ample protection, and it's many taverns and dance halls could turn the coldest, war veteran into a lively member of the crowd.  Unfortunately this was not a gleeful day for Aluhar's courts, or the members inside.  The news they had just received seemed too bad to be true.  An entire camp of soldiers forced to retreat at the hands of a Feral and Highbreed army?  No, no this could not go unnoticed.<br/><br/>High Lector, Ronson presided over the evidence presented to him with a sour taste in his mouth. Someone was going to happen, he could feel it.  Something big.  No matter how hard he tried he could not understand why or how perfectionist robots would choose a squabbling tribe of beasts over a properly civilized community.   It seemed radical but what other explanation was there?<br/><br/>"Alright.  We'll see to this matter again tomorrow, but if there is any truth in your story, our actions will be quick and decisive."  The archers who had come to him seemed pleased with themselves, but the rest of the court was scared, very scared.  Such alliances could crush the Alune's perfect society.