What had only recently been seen in blurry security videos and surveillance shots obfuscated with fast motion and a hellacious snowstorm, was now seen in horrifying clarity.

               The monster was easily eight feet tall as it had to crouch and fold itself to fit through the partial opening. It was clearly wearing some sort of mask or helmet that was either carved from stone or, worse, was a skull of something even bigger than itself. Whatever the provenance, the mask resembled a bird and immediately put Keegan, the oldest and most learned of the group, in the mind of a plague mask doctors wore in the 17th century to protect themselves from the corrupted air surrounding their patients. This version was hideous, though, and bloodstained.

               The rest of the huge body was largely covered. On the surveillance video, it looked more like fur, but it was actually tattered clothing. Where it had gotten these garments was a mystery the team of mechanics might not ever be able to solve.