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Niles thinks for a moment, then responds, "Computer. Status report," in Adroffan.

No response. The little golden button just flashes brighter and more quickly.

Niles tried placing his hand on the glowing panel.

It becomes quickly apparent that the glowing panel was in fact the reset button the repair drone may have mentioned on the way in. The room suddenly starts whirring and humming. The pillar on which the panel is located flashes and begins to pulsate at a steady rhythm. A series of muffled clicks and buzzes echoes through the walls, and, a moment later, the glass-topped table in the middle of the room flares to life, now displaying a holographic projection of the desert habitat in miniature. Numerous monitor panels on the walls fill with static, but some display scenes from the desert. (It would appear that all these monitors connect to hidden cameras, and only a few yet remain functional.)

Those few functional cameras display an amazing sight: The dark metal ceiling of the cavern housing the desert starts to shimmer and crackle with electricity, before settling into an image of a red sky, with gray clouds and a red sun. Said sun is starting to set, allowing the appearance of stars arranged in wholly unfamiliar constellations, and the rise of three moons. A strange ghostly moan can be briefly heard, and the more spiritually attuned among you (Manizei, Enlali, and Harskgun) feel a strange sensation of peace, long-sought and finally found. You are left with the distinct impression that those skeletons from earlier will trouble you no more.

Niles' Numerian Archaeologist career has been long and storied, if off-camera, but this is the greatest feat of archaeology he's yet accomplished. The reactivation of the habitat module earns the party 600 XP. (so...150 xp for each of you.)

That's all there is to see in this room, but that hallway remains.

"I get the feeling this...thing...isn't exactly from around here..." Harskgun ponders aloud, thinking back to his discussions with Khonnir about the strange relics found all over Numeria.

Niles proceeds to spend the next few minutes furiously scribbling down notes in his notebook before turning to the rest of the group and suggesting they carry on.

[Ready to proceed]

"Can't say I disagree," Enlali says nodding. "Sure is beautiful, though."

[Ready to proceed]

(Righto then)

The hallway loops around the room you were just in and proceeds northward. A door to your right appears to have lost power and is now firmly stuck in place, while another door at the end of the hallway is slightly ajar. Lights are on inside, and for the briefest of instants movement can be seen as well.

"Am I the only one who just saw something move in there?" Niles asked, getting his bow ready.

"No. No you're not." Shifting slightly, Manizei raises her rifle ready. "Should ... should we call to whoever's in there?"

"Most likely they're hostiles and know we're here already," Harskgun grunts as he draws his dagger.

"Sooo am I hearing 'kick through the door' as option one?" Enlali says grinning as she readies her bardiche.

"If they know we're here already, we lose nothing by trying to talk first," Manizei responds, frowning.

"I think I agree with our paladin," Niles stated, keeping his eyes fixed on the door. "At worst we delay the inevitable. At best, we may be able to come to another arrangement as we did before."

"Always rational," Enlali says with a shrug. "Go ahead, madam paladin." She positions herself near the door, but out of the line of sight.