Just as both groups meet together in back, and as they notice that the light is coming from underneath machinery (only a Small creature could get comfortably through), there is a sudden shift and uptic of the light. Not enough to light up the space, but only because the light - equivalent to torchlight - is under the machinery, albeit getting closer.

Begin Round One ...

R1T22: Sam drops to a prone position right away, pretty much as soon as squeaking is heard. A split-second later there is a tremendous report echoing through the entire chamber, as a bright flash issues forth from the outer, small, tubular end of Sam's "Whitlock." The air is instantly filled with a metallic tang and a light smoke that does not yet impede vision. "Dropped one! It's a big rat! Another one and something with lights for eyes after that!"

R1T21: Flair, squeaking is coming your way from underneath the machinery. You and Jean left a 10' gap between your groups, and you are otherwise in a flank-line to the machinery. Do you delay or ready something?

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Sam: 22. Engineering is Power (+1 firearm damage).
Flair: 21.
ROUS2: 20.
Jean: 18.
Jacqui: 14.
Zoog: 13.
Haru: 11.
Eric: 10.
Knuckles: 5.
Bishop: 4.