Seeing the captain's hand go up, Semo knows things have just gotten dicey. With his thumb, he flicks the safety on his Mk 48 off and prepares himself for imminent death-dealing. He suspects that there are aliens outside his immediate view, but they'll soon find out if the armor worn by those he can see can withstand 7.62 NATO.
Unprompted by Red Sash, the jellyfish keys Hugh's brain: <And with a thought, I can tell your heart to stop beating, all while keeping your paw in the air.>
The three guards who handed over their longarms to the Whiirr-people shift back to their positions almost nervously.
"Scrofa nam dignissim cursus mauris. Nam pellentesque. Nulla at ipsum. Donec augue risus, tincidunt congue, venenatis in, euismod a, lectus."
<The Samal says that we have detected Gateflash many times during the past day. Many things come through, but none go back. He (and this is odd, because Hugh thinks that this is the first time a male or female pronoun has been used) thinks that you cannot return, that this Gateway is still inoperative. If you wish to join battle, however, I am instructed to relinquish you to your people before we begin.>
"Ut facilisis risus in erat. In pharetra suscipit tortor."
<You have a Trin, while we number a full Quad. Akor advises your people to lower their weapons.>
<"My quarrel is not with you, interpreter. I do not spoil for a fight - I know that there is more honor in life than in death. But we will die before we allow ourselves to be taken prisoner. I hope the Samal realizes that he has no idea how we fight - even if we are outmatched, what does he stand to gain from killing us? All he will have are dead foreigners, not to speak of losses amongst his own men.">
He takes a deep breath and locks eyes with the Samal.
<"I urge the Samal to rethink his decision. I would hate to kill him.">
Luis is getting kind of nervous standing a few steps away from his commander, watching have to go through...whatever it is the aliens are doing. Whatever it is though, it doesn't look like fun and Luis has to muster his mind to not intervene. The captain is aparently allowed to check in, speaking quickly with the people back at base, but then the..conversation...resumes. Suddely, the captain's arm goes up. Luis recognizes the gesture, and brings his weapons up to the ready, targeting Red-Sash. He doesn't know what's going on, but if it comes to it, he's ready for a fight. Out of the corner of his eye, he keeps a careful eye on the captain. If the aliens try anything on Hugh, Luis wants to be able to know.
OOC: Can I use Luis's medical skills and Delta Force Training aspect so that, even if the jelly-thing stops Hugh before he can order a fight, Luis can tell that he's dead?
(OOC: you're close enough, I'll let you roll, sure. We're keeping the standoff going, however, because Hugh's Allergic to Bullshit, plus his Persuasion specialty, has swayed the interpreter, if not the Red Sash.)
Once again, the interpreter interjects, clearly for its own sake. <Can you not see you are at an impasse? The Samal cannot compromise, not now, not in front of the beasts. You will force us to kill you. If the Samal stands down, the beasts will be pacified instead. Surrender here, lower your weapons, and we may meet on even terms at your camp.>
*Vivamus tellus, Samal,* drones the jellyfish's vox-link. Samal Akor waves his guards back.
<Well met, Captain Hugh Verrill,> the creature thinks for Hugh. <You are not the barbarian I thought you to be.>
Meanwhile, Red Sash nods to Hugh, seemingly gracious in victory, then tells Chief to get the Chosen into his ship. The Whiirr-people are apparently free to keep the Others' weaponry, and with that, the painted aliens lumber through the hatch, followed by the five humanoid guards. Five more armored Others exit the ship, armed once more with ray guns. One of them totes a larger cousin of the Widget that Max acquired, while another carries one of the brushed metal frisbees (another of which is worn by one of Chief's council) on its hip.
"Praesent sit amet turpis. Fusce vulputate tempor mi, quisque justo Caten. Apien suscipit metus, vitae viverra tellus nunc at spink."
<Call your two people out of the longhouse and rejoin your warriors for the trip to your Gate. And Captain, get that one (meaning Luis) some water, he looks like a drowned spink.>
The interpreter uncoils from Hugh's head and floats back through the hatch, which dilates shut. You're left in the wheat-grass clearing with Red Sash, his five guards, and the two floating spheres. The alien ship whines as it powers up.
Angel, seeing the tension apparently difused and figuring that laying in ambush may not actually indear him to the alien creatures, rises out of his position, rifle held at low ready and strides towards the Captain with all the calmly restrained deadliness he can muster.
Even though you can't see any facial features, you can tell Red Sash just gave his underling with the Widget a nasty look upon Angel's reveal.
The manta-ship lifts off, rustling the grass and providing a short-lived blast of air. It quickly clears the fluffy white clouds, leaving no trace of its presence except for the sonic boom a second later.
Red Sash waves you forward, and you begin another four-hour march back to the Gate site. One of the spheres leads the way, just out of sight in the thick jungle. Red Sash is next, then you walk in a loose formation, flanked by two guards on either side. The Others' fifth guard, the trailer, has the Widget, and it seems pretty preoccupied with that. You can't tell where the second sphere is.
The Whiirr village is just out of sight when Hugh realizes it's time to check back in with Taylor. Furthermore, Mesas Negras should be checking in a few minutes after that.
Seeing the sign from the captain, Semo thumbs the safety back into position and rises from behind the rib-support. Wiping the sweat from his forehead, he moves forward to join the others.
They quickly form up and begin the trek back to camp under the escort of the aliens. Semo doesn't much like even pretending to be captives, but he's not about to argue with the captain on the issue.
The day is still hot and the jungle still full of sounds. Semo maintains alert at all times, having seen some of the inhabitants already. Who knows what else if out there.
*No problem. Tupolev's working on the UAV, he might get it back in the air. I'll appraise you when you check back in.*
You walk in silence for the next 30 minutes, cutting straight through the jungle rather than following the river as the Whiirr did.
Taylor's voice crackles over the radio. *Sir, we've got two more AT-4s and a Mark 19 for the Humvee. The UAV is online, but it's... unreliable. Be advised, Command, um.. doesn't know what to make of the jellyfish thing, sir. If it's not dangerous, they recommend having it talk to Dr. Kilgore and recording it. Something about getting a direct translation. They also want you to obtain as much of their technology as you can without sparking any incidents, sir.*
The manta-ship's return is heralded by another sonic boom some 20 minutes after Taylor's last transmission. A few of the Others chit-chat, then Samal Akor tells them in no uncertain terms to keep quiet. You can't see it, what with the jungle canopy, but you hear the familiar whine pass overhead a minute or so later. Taylor's back on the horn:
*Sir, there's an aircraft headed this way. Looks like it's the same one from Doc's video. Anything I should know, sir? Doctor?*
Taylor confirms, and the whine dies off to be replaced with the myriad noises of the hot, humid wilderness.
You walk, and you walk some more. Four hours to the village, and now four hours back. The alien sun is actually on its way down when you hear the river; soon after, you finally push through the final bushes into camp. Even the Others look fairly fatigued. It's a strange sight, seeing Earth Humvees, the ancient shipwreck, and now the chrome manta-ship all scattered about in the clearing. Mellish is the closest to you, and keys his radio.
*On your 2, guys, 20 meters. Are these the aliens? Nobody's left their spaceship thing there, I guess they were waiting for you.*
As you all cross the clearing towards the Gateway, the manta's hatch cycles and this time three jellyfish aliens emerge, each with a silver 3-eyed mask like before. Samal Akor stops to take in the view, nodding his head as if in approval. He waves Hugh towards one of the jellyfish, making a circle around his head with one digit.
"Blah weep grana weep nini bong!" Samal shouts to Taylor and the second fireteam. Dietrich's sitting in the first Humvee's turret, arms resting on the Mk 19 automatic grenade launcher. Taylor waits by the tent, his AT-4 within easy reach. Dr. Cavanaugh, camcorder in hand, tenatively approaches Max.
"Max, do you know what they're saying, or how they communicate?"
fanchergw
