Following the rifle wielding Naga’s directives, Akris slipped to the front.  He didn’t exactly cut an impressive figure beside the massive bovine, but he agreed with the tactics behind it.  He knew the questions on the blood were coming, even before they got here, but he still hadn’t exactly come up with an answer.<br/><br/>After a heavy pause, he decided to just say it as best he could.<span style="color: #ff4d4d">“It isn’t our blood, at least… isn’t really.  The base was attacked ages ago, this isn’t a recent thing.” </span>He gestures along the platforms.  With the excuse of keeping an eye out for foes, he didn’t look back at the group.<br/><br/><span style="color: #ff4d4d">“It’ll make more sense once we’re inside, all I can is it isn’t safe out here.  You have my word on that.”</span>He adds, over the comms.  He spares Alicia a quick glance,<span style="color: #ff4d4d">“The power’s down because nobody can regulate the generators - the AIs dead.  I’m not sure how dead, ma’am.”  </span><br/><br/>Just as he was about to direct them over the last few platforms, he heard a voice crackle into life from the bases PA system.  Internally he was happy to hear his colleagues voice, especially as this meant another person to try an explain this whole mess.  He did however wince at the mention of dead things, they’re all going to think they’ve got colony-psychosis!<br/><br/><br/>He turned to the group.<span style="color: #ff4d4d">“There’s another two in the base, the gentleman on the broadcast system and a scientist. Just been the three of us for quite a while.  It'll um... it'll all make sense once we're inside.” </span>Akris explains, trying his best to not watch the squirming fey.  At her cry for help he looked up at Berrac, wondering what the big fellow was going to do.  On realising the state of the bovine, he took a step back in concern.<br/><br/>Thankfully Julean seemed to be some sort of physician - and had the matter in hand - he hoped.  This groups AI proved a welcome distraction.<span style="color: #ff4d4d">“I think it’s the regulators, the base can’t decide what needs to go where so the system overloaded - triggered the safeties or something and shut down.  I can’t be much more help, I’m afraid.”</span>He watched the AI appear at the door, somehow finding her presence oddly comforting.  He stepped up beside her and ran his hand over the invisible door panel, allowing the main doors to finally open like the embracing arms of a lover.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>