ic Crash on Volturnus (IC)

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

Grunting, Starshot could not put his hand to the bleeding wound, right in the damn back....it was only pain, as far as he can tell. For instance, the fact that blood was spurting out of a severed artery was really reassuring. 

 

His other hand went to his belt. 

 

"Goodnight, sweetheart..." he muttered through his helmet, giving his voice an imposing electronic distortion. 

 

He flicked out the safety pin and let the grenade fall to the ground. In a violent puff, a thin grey mist exploded out from them. Poison gas...that should slow these brutes down! It was not his preferred means of fighting, poison - but he had no problems with using it either. It was abundant enough in nature...

 

"Seems you came on this planet to die" he grunted at the Pirate Captain. "And I'll make sure it is a bad death....very bad....."

Edited February 2, 2018 by Supercape

[Thevshi]

GM

 

The pirate leader's eyes went wide as the grenade dropped to the ground.  When the smoke exploded outward from the canister, he and the other two pirates attacking Starshot started backing away and coughing.  One of the two pirates only made it a few steps, coughing heavily before he collapsed.  The other pirate and the leader both managed to resist the smoke’s effect and back outside of its area.

 

Up in the lower branches of the tree near Starshot and another, four of the pirates continued firing at the Kurabanda.  Two managed to hit their targets this time.  One of the Kurabanda managed to shrug off the energy weapon hit, but the other dropped down to its knees, hurt, but not quite out of the fight.

 

The three Kurabanda still on their feet all sent another volley of arrows flying at the pirates shooting at them, but all missed their targets.

 

Meanwhile, the two pirates that had been on the ground by the opposite tree continued trying to outflank the Kurabanda.  But as they were moving the were startled by a crashing sound as Laark charged through some undergrowth toward the two pirates, his large club in his head.  Letting out a yell as he closed with the first pirate, Laark delivered a bone jarring blow that knocked the pirate off his feet and sent him flying over a dozen feet away where he landed in some bushes. 

 

Using the momentum of his swing, Laark whipped the club back around and hit the second pirate as well, sending him sprawling to the ground unconscious as well.

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

Starshot focussed his attention on the pirate captain. With a bit of luck, should he fall, the spine of bravery would crack. 

 

He jumped through the remnants of his gas grenade, and over some twisted roots and thick flora, feeling alive and driven. 

 

"Leaving so soon?" he asked, making agile speed towards the captain, and dropping into a guard. He wanted to take this guy out, bad, and let loose an over-eager swing which, in retrospect, was too eager. The captain was no stranger to fighting, and no push over. Much to Starshot's annoyance...

[Thevshi]

GM

 

While Starshot struggled with the pirate leader, the four pirates up in the trees continued firing at the Kurabanda.  However, this time the natives were able to make better use of cover, and the blaster shots went wide or blew out bits of the tree trunk. 

 

Just outside of the gas from Starshot's grenade, the other pirate that had escaped the gas had reoriented himself and spotted Laark down two of his comrades.  Yelling out the alien rushed across the forest floor, firing his blaster at Laark’s large form as he went.  However, the pirate's aim was off and the blast went well overhead.

 

From near were Starshot had started his initial charge into the combat, a blaster shot rang out as Soreen fired at one of the pirate’s in a tree, hitting the humanoid in the back.  The pirate let out a cry of pain and dropped off the branches down to the ground below.

 

The pirate leader snarled at Starshot as the space hunter tried to punch him.  "Don't know how you got here, but we will gut you just like we will these savages!"  He then lunged at Starshot with his knife, but the cyborg managed to dodge to one side.

 

Meanwhile, the Kurabanda took advantage of the sudden elimination of one of the pirates that had been shooting at them, rising up from their cover to lose another volley of arrows.  With the pirates slightly caught off guard by the sudden attack from behind, each of them was hit by an arrow, and briefly cried out in pain before falling as well.

 

Laark meanwhile charged the pirate that had shot at him, swinging his club as he went.  The large weapon connected with the pirate’s upper chest, hitting with such force that the pirate’s feet went flying up into the air as he flipped over once before landing hard on the ground, unconscious.

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

Starshot slapped the knife away. 

 

"Its been a long road here" he grunted back at the Pirate Captain. "Blazing sands and dark caves. I've got blisters and sweat. I fought beasts with longer fangs than you. So don't think that little blade scares me. You aren't fighting a bound pig" he explained, grim. 

 

"You're facing me. And I'm going to dismantle you. Like a surgeon" he snapped, shouting his pure confidence and determination straight into the captains face. 

 

With that, he lunged like a snake, smacking his cybernetic fist into Pirate jaw...

[Thevshi]

GM

 

Starshot's cybernetic fist struck true and the blow caused the pirate leader's head to twist sideways as he was knocked off his feet and a short distance away to land in a heap on the ground.

 

The forest had suddenly gone quiet, as the fighting came to an abrupt end.  Laark remained near the last pirate he had downed, his club still in both hands but not raised as he scanned the area to be sure all the pirates were down before looking up at the Kurabanda to be sure they did not start attacking.  Soreen remained where she was, but lowered her blaster pistol while keeping one eye on the huddled form of Phalen.

 

The Kurabanda looked out at Starshot and his crew with slight uncertainty for a few moments, before they quickly climbed out of the tree they were in and down to the ground where two of their number had fallen after being shot.  Now that he was able to watch them out from behind cover, Starshot noted that their monkey like appearance included a prehensile tail.  He also noted that they were not completely covered in fur.  Their torso was, but their heads, hands, feet and tail were all bare, while the arms and legs appeared to be covered in fine hair that looked like soft down.

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

There was no universal translator to hand, so bar some telepathic communication, this was a matter for communication without words, 

 

"Peace" he said. Reflexively. It was for himself, not them. To get himself in the mind frame after the flurry of brutality. 

 

He was unarmed, and thankful he was. He kept his arms open and down, and made not the slightest indication of aggression. 

 

"Starshot"...he pointed at himself. "Laark....Soreen....Peace...." he explained again. 

 

He bent to one knee, awaiting the beginnings of contact. 

[Thevshi]

GM

 

The Kurabanda stared at Starshot and the others for a few moments in stony silence, looking at them and their equipment.  Two were partially focused on treating one of their brethren, who appeared badly injured.  Each wore a variety of necklaces and jewelry made from wood, feathers and other natural materials.

 

Finally one of the Kurabanda moved forward, a spear in hand, but the weapon was lowered. 

 

"Ermorada."  He stated, his free hand gesturing at his' chest.  "You from far sky?  Like these?"  He asked in crude Gal Standard, gesturing at some of the fallen pirates with is last question.

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

"Yes I am. From sky. But not like these" replied Starshot, relieved that the Kurabanda could speak at least some Gal Standard. Or at least one of them could, Presumably they had had some contact with the Galaxy. He hoped it had, if not been positive, at least not been malign. 

 

"Let me help your wounded" he offered, bringing out his medical kit which was still reasonably stocked (although getting thinner). "I can try to...heal?" he explained. He hoped that the offer of intent to try was not interpreted as an oath to succeed. 

 

Carefully, so as not to alarm, he opened the med kit and went to look at the Kurabanda. It was never easily treating aliens, and he was no doctor, but he could at least see what, if anything, he could do. 

[Thevshi]

GM

 

While the Kurabanda seemed a bit hesitant, they allowed Starshot over to the wounded.  He quickly was able to determine that one of them was, unfortunately, already dead and beyond any help.  The other was seriously wounded, but Starshot was able to stabilize the Kurabanda and get it out of any immediate danger.  The last of the Kurabanda that had been injured only had a minor wound, which Starshot patched up.

 

While Starshot was treating the Kurabanda, Laark dragged all the downed pirates together and began collecting their weapons and other gear.  Soon there was a small pile of energy weapons piled near Starshot, along with a bag filled with several types of grenades.  There were also several packs, filled with a variety of gear, including extra energy clips, food and water.

 

Soreen meanwhile was still over where Phalen was still curled up on the ground.

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

Starshot took careful inventory of the Pirates wares. It was a good haul, by his measure, although he was no mechanic. More food and water was always handy. He looked at the grenades carefully. Whilst he used smoke and gas grenades himself, and found them of use, he did not like the explosive variety. He didn't like explosions at all. 

 

He felt his scars itch with distant memories. 

 

He decided to toss the grenades to Laark, with a "be careful" warning. 

 

A thought struck him, and he went to address Phalen. 

 

"Did you know these men? Pirates? Where you one of them? Or running from them?"

[Thevshi]

GM

 

There were a few smoke grenades among the mix, but the majority were explosive grenades.  Lark caught the sack and slung it over his shoulder.  They had collected over a dozen energy weapons, blaster pistols and a couple of rifles, as well as extra energy clips, particularly if they only took a couple of the weapons but all the clips.

 

Phalen had finally unfurled from his fetal position, but was still muttering to himself.  A glance a one of the nearby fallen pirates reveled to Starshot the same tattoo that Phalen had on his arm. 

 

The Kurabanda were talking among themselves in their language.  Finally Ermorada moved forward.  "Starshot and others must come to Kurabada village."

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

"Makes sense..." grumbled Starshot as he spotted the tattoo. "Damn filthy pirate. Still, we don't know his story...looks like he is shell shocked" he pondered aloud. And here, he was not without sympathy. He had seen that in world war 2, and worse, he had seen it treated with cruelty and callousness. 

 

"Expose a man to too much brutality, without humanity. And that what's he becomes,,,"

 

He nodded at the Kurabanda, again making sure he kept his hands from his weapons. 

 

"Of course. We would be happy to help..."

[Thevshi]

GM

 

Laark still had the satchel of grenades over one shoulder as he finished stuffing his allotment of the food and water taken from the pirates into his pack.  He then took one of the blaster rifles and a number of the spare energy clips.  Once loaded to move, he dragged Phalen back to his feet, the former pirate doing all he could to avoid looking at the Kurabanda.

 

In addition to her portion of the food and water, Soreen took a second blaster pistol, extra energy clips and a couple of portable work lights and other small survival gear that she stuffed into her pack as well.  Pulling her pack back on, she moved over near Strrshot as the group began to set off after the Kurabanda, who led them deeper into the forest.

 

The Kurbanda certainly knew their way around the forest, moving quickly along an apparently well known route, occasionally disappearing up into the large trees for a few moments before making their way back down to Starshot and his crew.

 

They travelled several kilometers through the forest following after the Kurabanda.  Finally, as the sun began to set, the Kurabanda came to a halt near the base of one of the towering trees.  "Village still far distance."  Ermorada said as the other Kurabanda began gathering fallen branches and other bits of small wood.  "Rest and continue with new sun."

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

Starshot was taking the time to enjoy the scenery. As far as he could tell Kurabanda were friendly. He would not yet call them passive, for they were armed and had clearly fought hard and true against the pirates. 

 

But he was feeling relaxed about it. He might even learn from them. He was ever eager to do so, and had learned a hundred, a thousand tricks about hunting from as many species and tribes. 

 

"Rest is good"

 

And so it was, he leaned against a tree and breathed. He pondered sleep and the risks associated with it. But there was a risk in not sleeping, too. Energy needed to be conserved, and when he could sleep, he should. The same for the rest of them...

[Thevshi]

GM

 

After a fire had been started, the Kurabanda ate some roasted meat and nuts that they carried in leather satchels they carried.  They were quiet, even Ermorada, who appeared to be the only one that spoke or understood Gal Standard.  After the Kurabanda had eaten, they climbed up the tree the group had stopped next to and set up their camp on the wide, lower branches, one of them taking the initial watch.

 

Starshot, Laark and Soreen once again took turns on watch as well, the forest filled with many more night sounds than the shard grass had been.  But nothing seemed to come near the fire, which they were able to keep going through the night, so the morning came uneventfully.

 

After a quick breakfast, the troop was on the move again, the Kurabanda leading Starshot and his crew several more kilometers into the forest.  At about mid-day, Starshot noticed a number of other armed Kurabanda up in the lower branches of nearby tress, who began following along as the group came to the Kurabanda’s village.

 

Ermorada led Starshot and his crew to a massive tree that reached well over a hundred meters into the air.  The nearby trees were all at least a hundred meters as well.  High up in the air, in the lower section of the upper branches, Starshot could see a large village of multiple platforms and dwellings built in the tallest tree and spreading out to some of the nearby ones who’s branches were close enough for rope bridges to connect them.  Spiraling stairs had been attached to the trunks of the largest tree and the nearby ones, twisting up towards the suspended village.  Dozens of Kurabanda were busy at various tasks around the ground or up on other parts of the tree, all stopping what they were doing to stare at Starshot and his crew as they were lead up into the central tallest tree.

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

"That's a big tree" commented Starshot. Arguably a redundant statement, but he felt it needed to be said anyway. 

 

He looked down. Not a fall he would like. He looked up instead. 

 

It had a beautiful, simple, and organic architecture that he loved. If he ever took a vacation, he would take it in a tree hut like this. 

 

"I'd tell you to mind your step" he told Laark and Soreen. "But I think you already know to do that" he said, a kind of blunted black humour to his voice. "We are in their city now. At their mercy. I don't think we are in danger, but if they do turn on us, we aren't going to just fight our way out of this. No matter how many grenades we have" he said, gravel realism in her voice. 

 

"So whatever you do, no violence. No aggression. Nothing that can even be misinterpreted. Not unless we have our backs to the wall and are bleeding..."

 

With that, he carried on up the tree. 

[Thevshi]

GM

 

"They could just want to cook us and having us walk here rather than kill us and haul our bodies is a lot easier."  Laark added as his own bit of black humor.

 

"Comforting thoughts."  Soreen replied to pairs' comments about the potential perils they might be entering.  But she did her best to remain calm and trust that things were going to work out.

 

Phalen continued to seem to want to crawl into a hole and vanish, but Laark continued to half drag him up the stairs as they began the long climb up.

 

The climb was a long one, but the width of the tree trunk at least made the winding path feel at least a little bit less dizzying.  When they finally reached the top they found large platforms built over several nearby branches, with huts and other structures of various sizes on them.  Dozens of Kurabanda were going about their daily tasks, but stopped to look at the strangers as they were lead past. 

 

Ermorada and several Kurabanda warriors led Starshot and his crew across several platforms and then a short rope bridge to another tree.  There they were led to a small hut situated on a smaller side platform.  "Wait here for when chief ready to see."  Ermorada stated, pointing into the hut.

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

Starshot never really liked heights. He had to make sure not to look down. It was an unfortunate trait in somebody who was actually an accomplished climber. He always had to grit his teeth. 

 

"They won't cook us" he said, full of determined optimism. 

 

"They might not help us, either. But we need to try. There are our best bet. I imagine they have mixed feelings right now. We look like pirates, to their eyes. But we fought on their side. I hope the chief is wise..."

 

He sat down and unslung his weapons, taking off his helmet and running his fingers through his hair. 

 

"We have to trust them. Best play..."

 

He put his boots up and waited for comments, or the arrival of the chief. 

 

 

[Thevshi]

GM

 

Soreen and Laark nodded in agreement with Starshot, while Phalen crawled into a corner of the hut.  Several hours passed, the Kurabanda bringing some water and roasted meet in carved wooden bowls for the group.  Finally, in the latter half of the afternoon, Ermorada returned with several warriors.  "You come now."  He stared indicating the group.

 

The Kurabanda led Starshot and his crew (plus Phalen) to the largest, open platform in the village.  There, several hundred Kurabanda were gathered, divided into two groups along either side of the platform, a wide space between them.  There were both male and female Kuarabanda in the group, many of each being warriors, as well as younger ones. 

 

At the opposite end of the platform was a large chair in the center of the open space created by the two groups.  Seated in it was an obviously old Kurabanda.  He wore a resplendent headdress made of hundreds of colored feathers and his chest was covered with at least a dozen amulets, pendants and other pieces of jewelry.  His chair had numerous wooden idols carved on the side and at the top.

 

Ermorda led Starshot and his crew toward the center of the open space, pointing to where they should stop.  "Chief Auramada, these strangers from far sky!"  Ermorda said in his broken Gal Standard, before apparently repeating the statement in the Kurabanda’s native tongue.  He then moved over to stand to one side of the chief.

 

The chief looked out at Starshot and his companions for a moment, the spoke in broken Gal Standard as well, "How you come here?  What you want?  Why you fight demons from far sky?"

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

With these numbers, they wouldn't stand a chance in a fight. It would be a long shot even to escape. 

 

If it came to it, he would go down fighting. 

 

But it seemed that would not be necessary. At least for now. But words must be chosen carefully, and Starshot was a man of action, not words. 

 

"We came here from the sky. Not by choice. It is to the sky we wish to return. We wish you no harm" he started, stumbling slightly on his words. They fell ponderous from his lips. 

 

"The demons are our enemy, and we would fight them with you" he added. It was, to his mind, the truth. He had nothing but contempt for technologically advanced peoples slaughtering primitive tribes. 

[Thevshi]

GM

 

Chief Auramada studied Starshot for a moment, a long tense quiet seeming to hang over everything.  Finally he spoke again.  "Demons from sky attack Kurabanda, kill or capture our peoples, take them to high rocks to dig underground.  Demons have camp at edge of Kurabanda forests, raid from there.  Starshot and others drive them away?  Help free Kurabanda?"

 

"If Starshot intend to help, Kurabanda can guide to Demon camp."  The chief leaned forward slightly, his gaze intensifying as he studied Starshot.

 

All around the crowd was hushed, waiting to see what would happen.

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

"I will" replied Starshot, looking at Soreen and Laark. 

 

"You need not follow me on this, although I would be honoured to have you by my side. I do this not to procure the aide of these people, but because it is the right thing to do. Even if we had no need of assistance, I would aide them still. The pirates are scum, and the Kurabanda should not suffer under their machinations..." he explained, grimly. 

 

"You have my fist and my fury, Chief" he said, boldly. "I will follow your lead, and follow your laws, whatever they may be. The demons of the sky will fall...."

[Thevshi]

GM

 

"I will fight for the Kurabanda."  Laark said with no hesitation.

Soreen on the other hand gave a small sigh, but replied, "You know I am not really one to run toward a fight.  But if there is anywhere here that we will find parts to fix the Xeno, it will be with the pirates.  And I rather doubt they will give us any if we just ask.  So, yeah, I'm in."

 

Auramanda gave a small nod, then rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping over the gathered Kurabanda as he yelled out something in their native language.  A thunderous cheer rose up from the gathered Kurabanda in response.  Auramanda then looked to Starshot as he spoke again in crude Gal Standard, "you come, have great feast to honor your aid."

[Supercape]

Starshot

 

"Thank you" said Starshot, both to his crew and the tribe. 

 

"I could do with a good feast. And a party" he said, cheering up. Maybe some war paint and a some tanned leathers to go hunting. 

 

"Go easy on the liquor" he advised Soreen and Laark. "Getting drunk could get us undone. Besides, I don't want to march to war with a hangover" he explained. True, he would have liked to have a shot of vodka or Jezzik brandy. And he would, once he was flying the Xeno through space once again with some storied to tell and maybe a new scar to show. 

 

"But I'm going to eat and put my boots up for the night. We deserve a break..."