Pest Control (IC)

[Supercape]

It was a good question. 

 

Flying the Xeno around was tempting, but Starshot preferred the nitty gritty down to earth approach, and he suspected Seika would to. The best chance they had was...

 

"Start from the scene of the crime. Were did you find the bodies? Lets see if my tall friend and I can find a trail. May have gone cold, but we might be lucky. From the looks of those claws, its something big. That might be bad for us when we find it, but we can hope it will make it easier to find in the first place..."

 

"If you can take use there, we can see..."

[Thevshi]

"Well, time to introduce you to the head of our security detachment then." Gallan replied. "He will be the best to arrange for you to be taken out to where the bodies were found."

The outpost administrator led the small group out of the medical bay and back into the corridors of the outpost. As they went, they passed by a few other Lor in the hallways, Seika drawing a number of looks as she passed. Soon they were back down on the main level, and had moved out of the main building and across the small courtyard between them to the second largest building, which looked like a garage or hanger.

Inside were a number of hover vehicles, a number of Lor in red jumpsuits gathered around them, making minor repairs or last minute equipment checks. Off to one side of the hanger was a section set up with various lockers, where a number of other Lor were gathered. As Gallan led the two hunters over, Oskar recognized a distinct military demeanor to many of the Lor, both male and female.

Gallan led them over to a Lor who appeared to be at least 40 cycles (about 40 Earth years old). The man carried himself with a stern confidence, and quickly shifted a hard gaze toward Oskar and the Seika as they were lead over. He had dark hair, with lots of grey along the temples and sides.

"This is our head of security, Lorn-14." Gallan stated in greeting, the name indicating that the Lor was a clone.

[Supercape]

"Well met, Lorn-14" said Starshot, wondering exactly what 14 stood for. 

 

A clone?

 

"I am Starshot, and this is Seika, my...friend" he said. It was honest enough, but with a pang of regret about the past. 

 

"Sounds like there is one hell of a beast out there. A big, nasty beast"

 

"A big nasty beast, ready to get fried! We are going to toast him!"

 

"For once, my friend is telling the truth" said Starshot, sharing his rifle's enthusiasm, but..but not quite his certainty. 

 

"I'm looking forward to a good hunt. Lead on!"

[Thevshi]

Lorn-14 glanced up at Sekia when Oskar mentioned her, before focusing back on the human. "Ulan, Yora, gear up to take our two hunters out to where we found collection team 3." Two of the other Lor, a male and a female started moving right away, heading over to two of the lockers to suit up in body armor and other field equipment and then moving over to other locked lockers, which the opened to withdraw Lor military grade energy weapons.

"The collection team was found near a collection point on the far side of this continent." Lorn-14 explained while the two Lor security personnel prepared themselves. "The wreckage of the hovervehicle the team used is still there, so it should be a good focal point to work from in looking for tracks or the like."

[Supercape]

ON this world, it was hard to know exactly how far "The other side of the continent" actually was. 

 

"How are we getting there? By sea? By land? Or ware we flying?" the Xeno was perfectly capably of landing in rugged terrain, even jungle. Went with being a damn safari ship. It was big though, big enough to scare off animals or beasts. Perhaps this beast was not an easily spooked creature, but still...

 

"I wouldn't mind taking in some of the country side and scenery, but I dont want to spend days getting there. How do you get around this planet?" he asked. 

[Thevshi]

"By air."  Lorn-14 replied as he walked forward into the hanger, indicating the various hover vehicles that were currently being prepped for launch.  "They have a low flight ceiling, but are quick and quiet, and can have you to the site within an hour."  The Lor then glanced back at Seika for a moment, before he added.  "Of course, they are not exactly sized for your assistant, so she will likely find the ride a bit cramped."

 

A few moments later the two Lor assigned to take the hunters to the sight of the attack were ready.  Both were wearing light body armor, with a vest containing various survival gear.  Military grade blaster rifles were slung over their shoulders, and each looked perfectly comfortable with them. 

 

The mechanics finished the preflight checks on one of the hover vehicles and the group climbed in.  Seika had to sit back in the third row of seats sideways, her legs tucked in toward her chest, in order to actually fit.  Oskar was in the middle row of seats, while the two Lor took the pilot and co-pilot seats.  Soon they were soaring through the air, skimming over the treetops of the jungle as they headed inland.

[Supercape]

"Quite a planet you have here!" yelled Starshot as they skimmed through the air and jungle, wind rushing. 

 

The hunters that came with them looked competent. Or, more precisely, they looked competent soldiers. A hunter was a different thing. The blasters and armour were enough for most beasts. He had to wonder, for a moment, exactly what had happened out there if firepower like that was available. 

 

Mask clicked over his face, carefully plotting the course and direction and distance in an automated way. 

 

"Always have an escape route..." the paranoid AI whispered to him. 

 

On this, Starshot agreed completely. 

 

"What's the ETA?" he asked the hunters. 

[Thevshi]

As the hover vehicle picked up speed, a clear canopy extended into place over the passenger area, protecting them from the wind as the vehicle accelerated to supersonic speeds. Of course, the canopy meant that Seika had to also bend down to fit, making her position even more uncomfortable.

Looking out at the jungle around them, Oskar caught sight of a few large flying shapes taking flight over the treetops here and there as they went. He spotted a few large, four legged animals moving down on the ground a couple of times, but otherwise, whatever creatures were out there, they remained hidden in the thick foliage of the jungle.

"About another thirty microcycles and we will be at the site." Ulan stated over his shoulder.

[GooseInduced]

Sei looked less than excited about their ride. Sure she fit. Barely. Every time the craft took to sharp a turn she thought she was going to tumble right out of it. She did her best to keep tucked as small as possible, long arms wrapped about her legs and pulling them close. her bow had to be stashed where her feet should have been.
 
The view did help. Her natural sight allowing her to see even more of the jungle world than any of those around her. At one point she even spotted a large birdlike creature through the canopy, tending to it's nest. It helped bring a smile to her face, made the ride more enjoyable. "Yes. Beautiful." She smiled, revealing sharp teeth.
 
When the clear canopy extended over them, Sei groaned. She let one foot slide down off the seat, turning her other leg a little sideways so she could hunch herself down. "Lor need to make things bigger." She huffed.

[Supercape]

Starshot was examining the flying beasts through Mask, with vision magnification on. Flying birds of prey - could be dangerous. Hard to track, harder to hunt. 

 

"I hope your bowmanship is as good as ever, my friend" he said to Seika with a smile. "Big wings, big birds, could be dangerous. Could be tasty!" he assed, giving her a slap. He felt a little sorry for her. WHilst the Xeno was spacious enough, and had a bed hammock just for her, these grav-craft were less so. 

 

"Best set us down then" he said the to the Lor. "And keep the eyes open!" he reminded them all, as Mask gave him an HUD of the area. 

[GooseInduced]

"Aye. Yes. Both need to be at our best." Sei gave one curt nod. "Flying creatures make a rewarding hunt." Usually their meat was tender and good. Some species were also good for trade. Some places will pay good money for the right kinds of feathers. Something she has learned in her time amongst the stars. "Though Sei does not believe that is our quarry here."

 

The cramped space of the craft was tolerable for a time, but her back was starting to protest. She needed to stand, stretch her back. She can't shoot properly if she's all knots. "Need to find tracks. Only so much can be done from the air."

[Thevshi]

The remaining portion of the flight to the site (about thirty minutes) seemed to pass somewhat slowly, particularly for Seika, who was contorted into a rather uncomfortable position. But reach the destination they finally did.

They were flying along a long stretch of lowland hills when the flier arrived at a small lake which formed at the bottom of a high waterfall, which plunged over a series of cliffs. From that lake, a narrow river twisted through the jungle, heading off to the lowlands and eventually the ocean, which Oskar and Seika could see off in the distance.

There was a small clearing near the edge of the lake, in which tall grass grew, save for a section that was blackened and burned, surrounding the twisted husk of what had likely been the gav vehicle used by the collection team that had been killed. Ulan brought their grav vehicle down into the clearing, landing on the side opposite from where the destroyed vehicle sat. Was they were a short distance above the ground, the Lor retracted the canopy, exposing them all to the hot, humid air of the jungle, and the roar of the nearby waterfall.

The gav vehicle stopped to hover a few feet above the ground, as its passengers were able to hop out and into the more than knee high grass (to all but Seika anyway).

"Whatever attacked the collection team also went after their flier, for some reason. Ruptured something that eventually caused an explosion, but it was apparently gone before that." Ulan called out, speaking loudly to be heard over the waterfall.

Moving over near the burned section of grass and wrecked grav vehicle, Oskar was able to make out some tracks in the ground at the site, which appeared large enough to be whatever it was that had killed the collection team, but he was not able to easily follow the tracks, given the passage of time since the attack had occurred.

[Supercape]

"Lets go shoot something! Zap zap!" said Trigger, itching for action as always. 

 

"Take it easy, hot shot" replied Starshot, scanning the ground and the horizon. Something about the 'beast' attacking a flyer, and the birds of prey he had seen, made him a little uneasy. Tracking beasts on the ground, and taking them out was something he had gotten very good at. But there was less call for winged and flying beasts in the hunting game. True, he had snared a couple over the years, but still....and it made it doubly hard to keep your eyes open. 

 

The trails themselves. 

 

"Something was here. And something big too. We have a big hunt ahead of us Seika...can you make out anything?" he asked the giant archer. As good as he was, Seika was born and brought up with the hunt, and no amount of experience could make up for that. However good he was, she was better. 

[Thevshi]

Moving over to join Oskar, Seika is able to note the tracks he found beside the damaged vehicle. But with a bit of closer examination of the area, she was also able to find some tracks leading away from the ruined vehicle and back into the jungle. As she examines the tracks, the tall Kahi'iru came to the realization that there had not been just one creature, but a number of them. While she could not tell for certain, based on the tracks she was seeing, there appeared to be at least three, possibly more.

Ulan and Yora remained by the grav vehicle that had brought them all here for the moment, watching the jungle around the clearing carefully.

[GooseInduced]

Sei was careful where she stepped. Her own bare feet crunching lightly in the grass and she knelt down to take a better look. "Yes. Big. Bigger than Sei perhaps." Golden eyes skimmed over the tracks, taking note of each print. They were similar sizes and shapes, going this way and that. No major variation but-

 

"There." She stands tall, taking a few strides away from the vehicle before crouching low. Long fingers prod gently at a set of tracks. "Not just one Oskar. Two. Three.... Maybe more. Too many prints for just one and they go..." She lets her hands do the talking, pointing and tracing the different  ways the tracks went outward. Standing up, Sei reaches back, pulling her bow from it's cradle at the small of her back. With the press of a button and one firm flick, the bow springs out, the arms unfolding and extending and pulling the string taut with an audible 'twang'. For any but her it would prove too large.  "Wise to be ready. Do not know how many we may find." 

[Supercape]

"Wunderbar! More than one! Let go shooting! Pow! Zap!" buzzed Trigger, his green lights glowing excitedly. 

 

"I am afraid my comrade here is less than wise" grunted Starshot though his mask. "More than one...but how many? We could hunting a whole nest..."

 

"You heard the lady, men...be ready. Expect the unexpected!" he told their escort uselessly. The unexpected was, after all, impossible to expect. And yet, they must try. 

 

Starshot hefted Trigger to the ready. "Lead on Seika, one of your eyes is worth two of mine". Even with Mask on, Seika had lived and grown up in wild and dangerous forests and jungles. Skilled as he was, both of them knew he was no match for the alien huntress. 

[Thevshi]

Sei moved a little further away from the center of the clearing, and into the edges of the jungle, following the tracks that she and Oskar had found. For the moment the tracks seemed sufficient to track, but it was impossible how long that would continue further into the thick vegetation of the jungle.

Ulan and Yora had moved to cover opposite sides of the grav vehicle, keeping a close eye on the edges of the jungle as Sei and Oskar had examined the tracks. "We will remain with the flier." Ulan replied as Oskar indicated for the large alien to start follow the tracks. "If you like, we can get airborne and follow from above as best we can."

[GooseInduced]

Sei looked back at the Lor soldiers. "Might be smart. May need an escape. What think Oskar?" Sei stopped, lookig back at the Terran. "Can follow tracks now, but Sei may lose them. They can follow in the craft. Keep an eye out." Golden eyes scanned their surroundings, her ears kept sharp attention. In the jungle like this her senses took over. Her instincts warned her to stay alert. To not get too comfortable. When in the wild, there are always prey and always hunters. The only question is what you are in that moment. Are you truly the hunter? Or are you being hunted yourself?

[Supercape]

Oskar whispered to Seika. "I don't trust them. They seem out for blood. Too quick to jump to conclusions..."

 

"Lets go on foot" he said, more loudly. "Feel free to follow us..." he added, politely. He doubted that flying vehicles would see a lot through the roof of leaves ahead. 

Edited March 23, 2016 by Supercape

[Thevshi]

The two Lor climbed back aboard the grav vehicle and lifted it back up into the air above the clearing.  As the Seika and Oskar moved into the tree line, the Lor followed overhead as best they could. 

Seika led the way as the pair of hunters moved into the jungle following after the tracks they had discovered.  Oskar followed close behind, keeping a keen eye on the area around them least Seika’s focus on the tracks bring them too close to some threat.  So far, Seika was not having too much trouble with the tracks, the moist ground soft enough to leave mostly firm tracks. 

Given the depth of the average tracks, Seika was certain that whatever had left them was a good bit heavier than her. 

Even in the shade of the thick canopy overhead, the jungle was humid and stuffy, causing a feeling that the trees and brush was closing in on you.  The jungle was also alive with sounds, coming from seemingly everywhere around them, although there was very little visible out among the foliage.  Occasionally both Seika and Oskar would catch glimpses of bird like creatures or small four limbed creatures moving about in the tree branches, but nothing larger ever came into view. 

After about a good half hour of following the tracks, the pair reached the edge of raised elevations, large hills that rose several hundred feet higher at the high points.  But more important to the two, the tracks of the creatures they were following came to an end as they reached a stretch of rocky ground in the foothills.

[Supercape]

Starshot flipped his helmet over his head, the machine expanding to encase it totally. He felt his cybernetics kick in, whirring and buzzing to cool him in the heat. He still felt the sweat on his body, just cold now. 

 

The HUD flickered onto his eyes. He started to scan the hills, his vision magnified. An IR and UV overlay. 

 

"Whatever it is, I guess its big. Its certainly heavy. Unless it has uranium bones or something, it's big" he said to Seika and himself. 

 

He unslung Trigger, rolling the strap so the gun came to his chest. Something scratched his spine. Something exciting. 

 

"Guess we have a hike a head. Even a climb, maybe, if it gets too steep...the problem is, which way to go?"

Edited March 27, 2016 by Supercape

[Thevshi]

Scanning the rocks with the enhanced vision of his helmet's HUD, Oskar was able to pick up traces of mud along the rocky terrain that more or less resembled faint traces of muddy footprints.  As best that Oskar could guess, the muddy footprints had been mostly washed away by rains in the time since the attacks had taken place, leaving only faint traces down near where the creatures had first left the soft, muddy ground onto the rocks. 

It was very likely that further up there would be no more traces of the foot prints to be followed. 

Looking back up the incline, Oskar saw the jungle continued up above, so hopefully there would be more terrain that would provide footprints to follow once more.

[GooseInduced]

 Seika crouched near the tracks, reaching down to feel just how deep they are. "Bigger than Sei..... " her brow furrows and Seika's voice trails off. She stands quickly, on the alert and whirling her head around. She didn't think they were being followed, but she knew they needed to be careful. Keep on the lookout. "Oskar. Keep trigger ready. Bad feeling this one." She drew her bow to the ready and started straight where the tracks were once headed.

[Supercape]

"I trust you" said Oskar, in reply, and simply. He kept trigger ready, as per Seika's advice. 

 

"All out in the open here. Easy to be seen, but not easy to see. I don't like it, but I can't see we have any other choice". He reasoned, and started the climb upwards, following the mud. "Lets just get to the jungle above. As fast as possible!"

 

 

[Thevshi]

Oskar and Seika started up the rocky incline to the jungle above.  The going was a bit treacherous, particularly having weapons at the ready that occupied their hands, but the pair were able to make the ascent without any serious mishaps.   

Once they reached the higher ground, where the jungle began once more, Seika was able to pick back up the tracks.  The jungle appeared to be situated along a band of flat surface that followed along a cliff side that rose more than a hundred feet up and seemed to go on for several miles. 

As the two moved along the higher jungle, they both noticed something change.  All of the animal noises that were so common down below, were all but absent now.