The internet connection in the computer center is functioning, though it seems to be going much more slower than it should be.
The Hoffmann Institute, from what Nick can find on the internet, is a private think tank organization devoted towards research into alternate energy sources, ecological protection, social conditions, politics, archeology and finding scientific explanations for unusual events.
Akhentanen, according to the legends, was an Egyptian lord who terrorized a region in Egypt during the eighteenth dynasty, presumably in the same fashion as other such dictators throughout history, though legend appears to have given him various supernatural powers, including the creation of undead servants and the ability to return from the dead.
That's one of the more intriguing legends. Apparantly, according to certain writings recovered from another dig site, a certain ritual could be performed to call Akhentanen back to life, albeit in a limited form, which would involve Akhentanen's remains. Another ritual, which would involve the sacrafice of six people, would restore him to fully flesh and blood, as well as all of his powers. This ritual, once begun, would act to confine the potential sacrafices in a small area, to prevent them from fleeing or seeking help. The only way to break this would be wait a day, or to destroy the new form of the necromancer (which would be praticularly vulnerable to the means of its original demise).
Of course, it's just a legend, it has no actual basis in reality. Presumably, it was created after Akhentanen's demise, along with the claims of his supernatural power, to villify him in the minds of future generations.
One of the key items retrieived from the dig site in Egypt was an urn containing the ashses of Akhentanen. There is very little information on the killings, though they were accompanied by thefts of various artifacts in each case.
(OOC: Nice one, you got 29 on your research check)
The connection finally gives up the ghost, and stops working just after this.
"Oh, okay," the first man says in response to Larry. "I hope the police get here soon."
Meanwhile, at the information desk, Meredith has no luck with the desk phone. She can't even get a dial tone. The few people remaining in the meeting room move out as she tries to make the call. Mostly, they sit down in the main area, though two of them head towards the restrooms, the two men who had asked Larry about his cellphone.
After finishing his research, Nick tries to get the front door open, and runs into something rather unsual. The door won't open. The knob turns, and it isn't locked, but no matter how hard he pulls or pushes, it just won't budge.
