2/2 Polo 2012/03/10(Sat)09:51 No. 391632 ID: d6af4f
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>"And just the two of us, hunting the eggs of a beast like that? We're crazy."
"In ancient times, a successful Moton hunt was the test for the greatest hunting packs of all time."
>"And now?"
"Now we have rifles and acid proof gear."
>"It's too cold to eat. Give me 10 more minutes. Don't look at me like that. How did you even sleep without a blanket?"
"You wanted to see what your home planet was like. Welcome home."
>"Come on. The eggs aren't going anywhere in the next 10 minutes."

congratulations, you went insane. how do you feel?

How are you going to get down? This looks like a high wall that you somehow got a bunk attached to it.

>>391632
Draw up your packs and get ready. Drop Rikek's on his head.
"We still have a climb ahead of us. Those ten minutes could be the difference between some roosting Moton, and the whole flock being there to greet us."

Get your stuff. I... assume you brought stuff to either get up or down this sheer cliff face. Right? Right?

1/3 Polo 2012/03/10(Sat)11:11 No. 391653 ID: d6af4f
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I'm not insane, but it wouldn't matter as long as I'm me. I have a pair of mini parachutes in case we need to make an emergency drop, and necessary equipment to scale rock walls. And, of course, combat gear without going overboard. We have to climb with everything we carry, after all.

>"What are you getting?"
"My binoculars. I'm seeing if it's safe to go down in case we have to. Hold my stuff."

foomf

>"Ow!"

2/3 Polo 2012/03/10(Sat)11:12 No. 391654 ID: d6af4f
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>"Well, is it safe?"
"No. The wildlife is still waiting for us to make a wrong move."
>"I saw some.. huge winged beasts flying around last night. I didn't sleep too well."
"Those were herbivores, mostly. Now get moving, those ten minutes could be the difference between one Moton or two."

3/3 Polo 2012/03/10(Sat)11:14 No. 391656 ID: d6af4f
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Rikek hauls himself out of his bed, and we start today's ascent.

>"No offense, but I think I see why so many of us are off of this planet."
"Yet you're not the first to come back and think that a place called the Untameable Needles are a good vacation spot. You're free to leave."
>"Not now. Hey, I see a cave up ahead!"
"It'll have hostile creatures inside."
>"Yeah, but I read about these! They definitely will make gaining altitude much faster. Or we could just keep going straight up. If you want."

Our plan is to go straight up the cliff, get the eggs, go halfway down on the other side to a vertical extraction point. We only get one shot at a proper extraction, and we're right on schedule right now. If anything goes wrong, we'll be behind. Rikek is making it very apparent he'd like to go in the cave. It's risky, but we could use the time.

So I guess this is some military op?
We can handle the risk. The mission is already dangerous as it is. A moton sounds tough, if you can't handle whatever might be in that cave, you can't get an egg, and if this cave is a shortcut, well it's better to be early with a one time extraction and to get ahead will be necessary.

>>391656
Have Rikek take the first peek in, but keep him tethered in case something in there finds him appetizing, better to be flung off and hanging by a thread than just outright flung off, eh?

Also Polo, you look very unconcerned, or bored out of your mind. What drove you two to come here? This your idea of recreational activity or something?

If you're in a cave, and get attacked, it's lots less likely that you'll fall to your death. And if you don't get attacked, well, you have to admit scaling a cliff is boring.

>>391656
He says it's a shortcut. The only issue is killing what's inside. Let's do it!

let him get what he wants. if anything goes wrong, well, he'll know to ask you first the next time.

Rikek wants to take the shortcut, he gets to scout it. Move up to the side of the cave entrance, double up on the tie offs, and send him in tethered to a long rope. If something big n' nasty is right there, he can run, jump out, and swing clear.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/10(Sat)20:00 No. 391752 ID: d6af4f
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"The cave it is. You are scouting first."

This is no recreation. Moton eggs are worth a fortune, and even in this day and age, prestige. They're extremely rare, as Motons change nests frequently, don't respond well to taming, and don't lay eggs in captivity.

From what we know, this one will stick around for another couple of days before moving on, but more importantly, a war hive is taking over this territory. At their rate, if we miss the extraction, we'll be behind enemy lines within hours afterwards.

I'm not bored. I've been trained to keep a mind so empty that other neumono can't pick up my presence. I am simply practicing right now. I have been selected for this because I am the only one of my hive who has climbed this cliff, but also because, as an experimental espionage unit, I am the one who could most likely survive if trapped alone in enemy territory.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/10(Sat)20:00 No. 391753 ID: d6af4f
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I say alone because if we miss our extraction, Rikek will most likely be killed. He is not a liar when he claims to have been among the best in his hive, for however much that is saying, but he is alone, an outsider, and a tourist who enjoys sightseeing through hot spots.

>"Wow, we're really high up! And- and there's cave paintings inside! We have to go inside here, Polo! I think a moton's been slain before, here!"

He is very polite to me. I will try to keep him alive, but won't sacrifice myself doing so.

>>391753
How the heck are you two climbing this sheer cliff face anyway?

Tell him the only thing we're going in this cave for is to get to the top faster.

>>391752

Oh man you are so fucked. Just try to ignore all the hot neumono babes we keep bringing up at every opportunity. Oh on an unrelated note what was the last time you got really riled up? Just curious.

Tell Rikek that this is not an archaeological expedition. Unless that painting has a map to the top, he can stay long enough to take two or three pictures, then we're moving.

1/3 Polo 2012/03/10(Sat)23:48 No. 391803 ID: d6af4f
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The last time I got riled up might be coming up soon, as Rikek may try my patience.

We climb cliff faces by shoving in a hooked spike of sorts to tie the rope down, as high up as we can comfortably do so. Then we climb that couple of feet, put in another spike to lodge the rope against the rock, and continue up like that. The person on the bottom, currently me, takes them out again as we ascend.

"We're only in the cave as a shortcut, not for your curiosities. Take a couple pictures if you must while I climb up, then we're going.
>"Fine, but this stuff is amaz- hey, what is thaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!"

It doesn't help my collected nature when I can feel his utter terror, even with the rope.

2/3 Polo 2012/03/10(Sat)23:48 No. 391804 ID: d6af4f
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"What happened, are you alright?"
>"I-I don't.."

He coughs a couple times, but he seems unharmed outside of falling back on the cliffside.

>"I don't know! I just saw something, then I flew back!"
"It was probably a Windbeast. They live in areas where they can blow out intruders. You're lucky."
>"How am I lucky?!"
"It probably thought you smelled like rotten food. If it liked you, it would've sucked you in instead of blown you out, if not for the rope. Speaking of that, why are you still scared?"

3/3 Polo 2012/03/10(Sat)23:49 No. 391805 ID: d6af4f
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"I... I thought I was going to die, Polo! Even if I have a rope, that's still scary!"

I'll give him a moment to gather himself again while I think over what we've got.

wrap a grenade in rations and throw it in. suck the grenade in and KABLAM.

Yep, that seems like our best option. Well, that or nail down the rope at the edge and snipe the beast. It depends on how precious our rations are.

>>391808
can just replace the rations with freshly exploded beast.

>>391806
Would neumono rations even smell good to a windbeast? Polo might have to play the part of bait, to get it to inhale.

Either way, anchor a length of rope about as long as Rikek was far into the cave mouth. Leaving the gear bag behind, Polo ties herself to the rope, ties an open ration to herself, pockets a frag grenade, and walks in. If the windbeast inhales, Polo pulls, arms and chucks the 'nade in. If it blows out, then try something else after recovering.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/11(Sun)00:27 No. 391813 ID: d6af4f
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>"Whoa whoa, what are you doing?"
"Putting meat on our grenade. They aren't very picky, you must have an odd smell to you."
>"That's our good meat!"
"That's the point. It is excellent. Aside from making good bait, it is probably the tastiest thing it will ever have. It deserves that much."

2/2 Polo 2012/03/11(Sun)00:29 No. 391814 ID: d6af4f
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>"Isn't it a beast?"
"They aren't very bright, but that doesn't mean it deserves death for merely getting in our way. That's just the way it will happen."

I trust in the rope, but would rather not use myself as bait. The grenade works like a charm, thankfully. It sounds sickening, but that's to be expected, having a grenade go off in ones stomach.
It is making weak roars and death wails, but it isn't dead as of yet. Rikek is beginning to get mixed feelings about me.

We should put it out of its misery rather than let it die slowly. Up over the cliff edge with a plasma rifle.

finish it.

no wait, make Rikek do it. he wanted to use the caves, he has to take responsibility.

>>391817
nah, lets not be a dick to Rikek. he is obviously not conformable with this sort of thing. just climb up and finish the poor thing off yourself.

>>391820
it's not being a dick. it's making a man out of him.

>>391822
by the definition of primitive warrior tribes or certain subcultures yes. but the more important issue is that the windbesest might still be dangerous so sending someone who don't know how to fight is an unnecessary risk.

Express to Rikek that hundreds of feet up the side of the Untameable Needles is a bad place to start to get mixed feelings about your climb partner. Up here, you do what needs to be done, but that's no reason to be callous about it.

Anyway, no time to wait for the windbeast to die on its own. Go up together and put one shot each into its head, or whichever part that'll put it down quick and painless. Butcher the carcass yourself, if it's worth it and can be done fast enough.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/11(Sun)03:20 No. 391829 ID: d6af4f
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I trusted in the rope to have confidence it would last when the Windbeast was at full strength. As it is now, Rikek is in little danger so long as he is remotely competent.

"Rikek. Climb up again, get your plasma rifle, and put it out of its misery, if you want to use the caves so much."
>"Uh... okay, but do I have to? I mean it has to be messed up. And you said yourself, it didn't do anything wrong!"
"Rikek, let me be blunt. You are almost definitely going to die if you get cold feet at something like this. Show me the 'best of your hive', please."

2/2 Polo 2012/03/11(Sun)03:28 No. 391831 ID: d6af4f
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The beast blows back, this time out of self defense, but it is simply a stiff breeze rather than a wall of high speed air. Its tough scales were meant for claws and bites, so a few shots of plasma bring it down.

Rikek is upset, and is doing a poor job of hiding it. It is admirable he's trying at all to hide his feelings, but the important thing is that he followed through.

>"Two heads."
"Two heads."

It won't take long to carve out another day or two worth of meat, but it also won't take long for other possible denizens of this cave to sniff out a dead carcass.

>>391831
Give him the camera. Tell him to document the paintings. Should calm him while you butcher.

Two heads, eh? Was that in reference to the windbeast's two heads or to the two of you?

Hand the camera over to Rikek, and say he has as long as it takes you to butcher this windbeast to take pictures. Even though you don't need the meat to get through, having some spare for bait could be helpful.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/11(Sun)07:54 No. 391847 ID: d6af4f
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>>391835
It was to the beast, but, heh, I suppose it could have been to us as well.

"You have as long as it takes me to carve up some meat, to take pictures, Rikek. Keep yourself latched, we don't want to get pushed off thinking that was the only one."
>"Thank you!! They're inscriptions of how an old queen, I think, brought down a Moton. They had a lot of numbers and deaths, but it looks like Motons tire quickly."

............ got some. Let's go.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/11(Sun)07:55 No. 391849 ID: d6af4f
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The cave opens up, and there is an easily scaled slope. It would be nice to use my flashlight, but that may attract bad attention. Hopefully this isn't a dead end.... what?

>"Why did you stop, Polo?... Oh, wait! Other neumono?! They feel really nice. I don't think they're part of the hive. I want to meet them, Polo. They're back the other way, and they want to meet me too."

Neumono. Up here? And there is a strong bond forming between them and Rikek. That's very rare.

>>391849
Think over -every- kind of predator you know of. Can any of them fake a 'friendly neumono' signal?

Heck, how difficult would it be for actual Neumono to give off false friendliness?

>>391849
And his last moments will be "wait, you're not a nuemono!"

No, I don't trust that.

Polo 2012/03/11(Sun)09:27 No. 391860 ID: d6af4f
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You can't just imagine yourself to be friendly; to falsify your own emotion takes as much training as I've done to do the exact opposite. It is possible.

>Predator
Oh, fuck, why wasn't that my first reaction?! We have a natural predator! We've tried to make it extinct, but they still surface every once in awhile! Come on, stay calm, stay calm, they can't exude the right emotions to me if I don't exude any back.

"Rikek, get back here!"
>"No, no, I definitely want to see them! I haven't felt like this in a long time, and it's just getting better! I have to meet them!"

>>391860
Lose your cool for dramatic effect to shock him. You can resist it's friendly call.
"You fucker, it's going to kill you. Where the hell is your natural skepticism, no neumono is this friendly. No creature is this friendly without wanting something in return, in this case, your flesh. What are you possibly expecting, troves of nubile native neumono women wanting to bear your children?"

>>391860
Your fists. His head. Apply liberally until the message is received.

>>391865

Damn, should have read your post first. Then I could have suggested: "Your breasts. His face. Apply liberally until the message is received."

STOP THAT FAT HEAD! Tackle him, disable him, restrain him, anything!!! He makes a snack out of himself you'll not only have a death on your hands, you'll be a man short in perhaps the worst possible place to be alone and you'll just be enticing whatever psychic doppelganger for more neumomo! Possibly you!

explain it to him loud and quickly while rushing towards him with whatever weapon you deem is effective against such a beast in hand.

still tied together? yank rope.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/11(Sun)10:38 No. 391878 ID: d6af4f
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We untied ourselves after the opening was out of sight.

"You fucker, it's going to kill you! No neumono on this planet is so friendly, and nothing else is without wanting something in return! Are you expecting a cave full of exotic native women just wanting to lay you?!"

He's shocked and confused. And after losing my cool, the predators know I exist, too. They do feel nice. Bastards, they're good.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/11(Sun)10:38 No. 391879 ID: d6af4f
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They're not far, but they stopped. They aren't as dumb as most beasts, and know they'll get killed if they show themselves before we're pacified. I punch Rikek a second time. I'm losing him.

>"I want to go!"

I punch him again. "You selfish idiot, don't just bring me to these caves then leave me to fend for myself so you can be a snack!"

>"Don't get in my way, Polo! You're too damn cold, you don't have any friends, you don't know what this is like!"

I punch him harder.

>"I'll fight back if you keep me from them!"

sure, get an anger resonance going on.

oh and if we can tell you, secret way of turning your emotion sensors off is a spine needle in the right place.

let him go. let him get his ass ripped open. don't save him until he regrets not listening to you.

Kiss him you fool! :V

But seriously, try doing something to distract his neumono-sense away from the predators. Or just incapacitate him for now and carry him.

>>391883
oh yeah, and then be like "so you would rather go with a friendly stranger then hang out with me?"

>>391879

Looks like I'll be suggesting it anyway... :3c

Your breasts. His face. Apply liberally until the message is received.

> "If you want to feel good so much, shut up and come with me. You go to those things, the only thing you'll find is suffering, pain, and death."

>>391879
Turn off your mind-clearing stuff. Let him see what you're feeling- your worry and anger.

Tell him to listen. Those aren't neumono. They're predators. They should be within earshot, so we can call for them to get closer, right? Ambush them and take 'em out once you have visual confirmation, assuming you have good enough weapons to do so.

>>391899
She turns off that mind-clearing focus, she ends up in exactly the same state he is. Let's not do that if you want either of these two to live.

At least try giving him information you're withholding from him. Tell him they're predators. If he doesn't listen, knocking him out is going to be easier to fix than losing him to predators.

While letting him go and find out the hard way would be satisfying on some level, there's no use in allowing him to be devoured for the sake of satisfaction. I imagine Polo is well aware of this.

>>391879
"I have friends you piece of unprofessional shit. And I keep them OUT of the mission. You think I'm really emotionless? Your wrong, this is the result of long, hard training. I'm no war-torn veteran to grizzled care about the world anymore or a broken child soldier. I.[punch] AM.[punch] A. [punch] PROFESSIONAL. And I keep my soldiers alive and stop them from making stupid mistakes. Do not insult me again when I'm trying to save your life, you imbecile. We are here for the eggs, NOT make nice with the locals. We are barely ahead of schedule, SO STICK TO IT! We need the time."

Bind him or render him unconscious. I'm sure a few more knocks to the face will either KO him or give him some apt brain trauma. Nothing your species can't recover from with some rest, right? (I have no clue how great a nuemomo's regenerative abilities are.)

He's practically too far gone at this point. We gotta get out -pronto-. Hang him up in the sleep net on the cliff face if you have to, just get him the fuck out of there. You'll have to deal with the nuemomo mimicry yourself it seems.

Get a good hold on Rikek so he can't run off easily.
"Well, if these neumono are so friendly, they can come to us." Call out, "Hey, come on over here so we can all be buddy-buddies!"
If Rikek still keeps fighting, knock him out and tie him up.

Polo 2012/03/11(Sun)19:19 No. 391965 ID: d6af4f
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The spine needle trick is a one way ticket to insanity, no reasonable person would do that.
It is very difficult to knock our kind out without doing extensive damage that will take too long to recover from. I would have to shoot him in the foot for a quick incapacitation, and would rather escape from this with him fully functional.

"So it's a random stranger over me?"
>"Yes. You are unfriendl-"
"Shut up, they're not neumono, they're predat-"
"I don't care anymore, I HAVE TO SEE THEM!"

>Breasts to face
Awkward, and with empty feelings... yet he looks at them on occasion, and things are getting desperate.

"If... if you want to feel good, shut up and come with me. If you go to the predators, you'll find nothing but pain and death."

That first part is a lie, and the second one might be too. To continue avoid us fighting back, our predators feed euphoria into their prey as they're eaten alive. Sometimes, a neumono is kept alive if pacified well, and is merely eaten limb by limb occasionally.

>"Then why don't you share your emotions? That's very important to me."

The only emotions I have right now are exceptionally negative towards this situation. At least this is stalling him, but I may need to cripple him after all.

Because sharing your emotions right now means that if there is a predator, you both will wind up trapped. You aren't affected because you are shielding yours.

Second, you've been training how to do this for how long? Not only that, but you are doing it for the good of the entire hive. After all, if the enemy hive can sense you coming, then you can't do your job which means that if that job is what's stopping the hive from being completely destroyed, then the entire hive, including you would be toast.

You can let your emotions run when you are safe, he is safe, and there are not any crazy emotion manipulating predators in the area in a place that will become enemy territory soon.

those predators are the most metal thing ever.

explain to him that being a ninja who works for and against a psychıc species entirely made up of hardasses requires a long and thorough training of killing your emotions and it is kinda difficult to reverse all those years in the blink of an eye.

>euphoria while being eaten

Huh. Didn't realize you guys were into that. :V

Don't kill me! D:

Could you let all your emotions out in a split-second blinding burst to stun Rikek, then button them up fast enough that you could get a shot into his foot, without being euphoria'd into a stupor?

"we are on a mission, i never let loose on a mission. but if you live to the end, you may get your chance."

>>391965
We have a net. Before you share your emotions, tell him that you'll share if he promises not to go and get himself killed. You want to bring him out of this unharmed.

If he tries to break his promise and run after seeing what you're feeling, then use the net. Drag him away from the predators.

Polo 2012/03/11(Sun)20:37 No. 391991 ID: d6af4f
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"We're on a mission, and I didn't train this way for years just to let my thoughts run like this. If you live, you may get your chance."
>"...I'm sorry, I just don't like you very much."

My net, yes! That will do a good job of subduing him.
Thankfully the net is near the top of the sack, but the bastard's going for his knife!

bite his arm.

>>391991

you gotta disarm him. unleash the kung fu!

>>391991

Break his wrist if you can, perhaps. We don't want him dead... yet. If he keeps resisting, perhaps we'll have enough time to bind and gag him and keep him in that net until these things pass.

Take the hit, but make sure he doesn't stab you anywhere that would make things difficult for you.

Or stomp on his foot to stun him.

You're going to have to get that knife off of him anyway, lest he cuts his way out of the net.

Try to knock him to the ground, plant your knee in his gut, then wrest that knife away with both hands. Then you can net him up and bind him.

Polo 2012/03/11(Sun)21:21 No. 392001 ID: d6af4f
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>Bite on the arm
That wouldn't have been so easy, except he went for my face! He actually tried to take out an eye!

>"GAH!"

I tried to stomp on his foot, but he's able to avoid that. He just unsnapped his own pack, and that's going to make him more nimble. That may be my advantage - I can tackle him with the weight of me and my pack, or reach for my knife or magnum or unsnap my own pack.

No matter what, it turns out he can fight when he wants to.

Might not be a good time, but are you a domme or a sub?

don't stop biting. bull rush him. use his bag to make him trip back.

>>392001
HUGS. Tackle him.

Wrestle the knife away, and... well, what the crap are we even doing? We need to subdue him, not stab or shoot him. Maybe you can help him close off his mind to the predators. Tell him how to do what you're doing. Even a little bit of mental shielding would help here.

Ride 'em cowgirl!

>>392001
Twist and turn, disarm him. Should be able to do a decent suplex. Bag and tag.

unleash the kung fuuuuu

Polo 2012/03/11(Sun)22:06 No. 392022 ID: d6af4f
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I shove forward, and he trips on his bag backwards down the slope, while I manage to get him to drop the knife. He's reaching in my bag for something now.

Damnit, it's been seconds and he's already under their control. Words are probably no good, if they ever were. They're sending aggressive thoughts from down the tunnel, and Rikek is acting like they're his own!

>>392022
Well, you can either beat him unconscious or...

No, that'd take too long. momma said knock you out.

>>392022
Do you think you could resist their influence at close range? Then shoot the predators.

Otherwise, break a bone or two or something.

the predators are probably gonna come at you anyway if you're by yourself, so I don't see the point of knocking him out. I say go for webbing him up.

Is there even anything in your pack he could use to fight you? Your magnum's on your belt, and a rifle would be useless one-handed and in melee combat. I guess he might be going for a grenade but that's suicide.

If you ask me don't worry about him grabbing for anything out of your pack. Pin him and get that net over him. Then... want to throw a grenade at the predators?

>>392026
oh yeah, they may be hiding but if you can shoot it in the face that would work.

>>392022

Know any way to make him stop thinking without outright incapacitating him? If we can "break" that connection so to speak by keeping him from acting on it long enough, we might be able to slip in and pull him back.

Might need to go for that tackle, now. Restrict his airway a bit...?

Polo 2012/03/11(Sun)22:42 No. 392042 ID: d6af4f
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I have no idea how one could break the bond without a neumono jammer, which we don't have.

He did go for the plasma rifle, which I easily knock away. His current state makes him dumb, as one advantage. I get lucky, and manage to swipe the net over him before he realizes what's going on as we fall down the slope.

If I move up like this, the predators will follow at a distance, and I'll need to carry him, my gear, and his gear. I can do it, but it will be slow. I believe I won't be in danger of being controlled by a predator even at melee range, but then I run the risk of Rikek getting loose again if I go after them.

>"Let me out, you fucking bitch! You unrelenting, cold bitch!"

We have rope and stuff. Tie him up securely, then we go kill the predators. I expect he'll be rather apologetic afterwards.

how dangerous are the predators if you keep your head? if they are not that tough you could probably just kill them quickly and be done with it before he gets out of the net.

>>392043

Yeah, kill the predators they'll never expect that. Plus you have rifles and acid proof gear.

Oh yeah and tell him that's just the predators making him say that. That he'll thank you after all's said and done.

sneak up on those bitches.

Wrap him in the second large net, then the bed webbing. Top it off by hammering some of those tie-off anchors you used on the cliff face into the floor, cocooning him in the rope, and tying him tightly down to them. And if that doesn't immobilize him, nail his freakin' hands to the floor.

Take all the weapons, leave everything else, just in case Rikek gets loose. Find and kill these neumono-predators. Should be easy to locate, since they're broadcasting loudly on the neumono mental frequency.

1/3 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)00:10 No. 392065 ID: d6af4f
File 133153620462.png - (25.60KB , 700x700 , 25.png )

The only reason we brought acid proof gear was for the moton.

The rifles, however, still apply.

>Rope
Of course. I put him up like a cocoon, tie him up, take all the weapons and head down to the more closed cave system.

2/3 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)00:10 No. 392066 ID: d6af4f
File 133153622441.png - (12.11KB , 700x700 , 26.png )

The cave is somewhat mazelike, we merely headed up the slope before. It isn't surprising we might not have seen anything on the way over.

I think there were 3. But now I only sense 2. They're a short distance away from each other. One is just around this bend...

3/3 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)00:10 No. 392067 ID: d6af4f
File 133153624306.png - (23.41KB , 700x700 , 27.png )

What... the fuck... wait... these aren't the sort that kill at all, they just capture us as livestock?

..... there were a bunch of exotic native women that wanted to lay the fucker after all!"

>>392067

well, can't have any of that. shoot the fucker in the eye.

shoot it in the dick.

Haha that's hilarious. So if it doesn't capture to kill, it simply keeps them as slaves? What's the story on these things?

You're effectively psychicly invisible, so pull back and line up a shot on its eye. If that doesn't kill it outright, keep moving out of sight, stopping just long enough to aim and hit its head again. 'Cause those thralled neumono are going to berserk at you like Rikek the second that beast is hit.

This predator kinda looks like it had a common evolutionary ancestor with the neumono. Any idea if it has some of your species' radical regenerative ability?

>>392067
Hmm. Can't see any obvious missing body parts, unless that one on the right has no tail. ...that's probably the case, isn't it?

Go for a stealth kill. You don't want those other neumono knowing where you are, since once you kill one predator, the other predator will give a kill order to all the captives.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)01:44 No. 392096 ID: d6af4f
File 133154188552.png - (41.50KB , 700x700 , 28.png )

Rikek would be an ignorant fool to have come to our planet without even hearing of these, but I'll tell him more after I get him out. We think we did split off a lot time ago genetically, but they are far more fragile, relatively speaking.

The other neumono were silent until now. Their emotions sprung into action, and it's of sorrow and anger.

Yet their emotions feel... wrong. Like it's not truly theirs, but rather like an emotion that is caused because that is what they think they should feel. I'm pretty sure all of them are effectively dead inside. Kept as livestock, I don't think they're that much of a threat.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)01:45 No. 392097 ID: d6af4f
File 133154190505.png - (14.09KB , 700x700 , 29.png )

Nevermind, they're surprisingly fast! And definitely looking for me! I bet the predators used them as self defense! They're are a lot smarter than what little I've been told has led me to believe.

Worse off, there's more. Not just these four, but what could be every neumono in this cave. At least 20 of them.

The other nearby predator went silent, so I can't sense either remaining ones anymore.

up the wall you go. cling to the roof.

Odd, they each seem to be missing one arm from the same side. Might be a reason for it.

Stay hidden and think of where the other targets are. Killing them all may just leave the slaves brain dead, but it's better than this.

>>392097
They're dumb. They won't look up.

I think once we kill all the predators the neumoono will snap out of it... or go braindead from shock. Still, we should assume they are savable. Try not to kill them if you can help it.

...on the other hand, now that the predator went silent, doesn't that mean Rikek is okay now? We could just go back. Not waste any more time trying to hunt the other predator(s).

>>392097
Is it worthwhile to save them? They seem able to be rehabilitated?

Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)02:59 No. 392122 ID: d6af4f
File 133154634480.png - (27.50KB , 700x700 , 30.png )

I've not once heard of a neumono that was rehabilitated after a week of being kept alive around a predator. I'm not knowledgeable about this circumstance, but I doubt these neumonos would fare any better after being kept for years.

But that's right, if they've gone silent, then Rikek should be fine. I'll run back to him. The wiped neumono are easy to avoid. Predators don't like head on confrontation, and they probably won't confront me directly if they can help it.

... they're helping Rikek down, damnit. I don't think they noticed me, even though I stepped out in plain sight. Rikek seems okay, aside from the immense confusion he's going through.

>>392116
No, these things have been mentally ripped asunder. There is nothing left to save, and more importantly we do not have the resources to save them

>>392067
>What... the fuck... wait... these aren't the sort that kill at all, they just capture us as livestock?
>..... there were a bunch of exotic native women that wanted to lay the fucker after all!
That brings the question, just how sapient are these 'predators'? If they do this just because it's what they do naturally, I'm not too worried, but if these things only lost the battle of history because you guys discovered guns first, then that implies they may be laying traps right now, and that their 'pet' neumono have been reprogrammed to be very effective and clever weapons.

>>392122
Welp. If they can't be rehabilitated shoot them all.

Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)03:31 No. 392129 ID: d6af4f
File 133154826074.png - (19.58KB , 700x700 , 31.png )

>Are predators sapient?
Somewhat. They have the mental capacity to speak and understand approximately one hundred words. Given this turn of events, I'm thinking these ones are smarter than average.

This is more of an intelligent twist on what they do naturally. I don't believe they have the capacity to strip neumono of their will while keeping their intelligence. The fact they are able to form a rescue is worrisome, still.

On second thought, I'll use my magnum for these ones. One. Two. Three down. A dozen and a half more snapped their attention to me from back in the caves, and for a second, the predators feed odd thoughts. Meaningless to me, but I can't help but feel perhaps they have trained their prey to take certain emotions to be certain orders. The predators are silent again, and everyone else is running to my location.

>>392129
Cut him down and run. Have a grenade at the ready so you can do some area-denial.

>>392131
Cutting him down before getting rid of the other creatures might not be the greatest idea.
Check how he's doing though.

>>392131
There's really no time to cut Rikek down and drag him up the slope to the cave entrance.

Drop a lit flashlight at the bottom of the slope to light up the cave. Take up position at the top of the slope and pick off any of the mind-slaved neumono that either try to get Rikek down or come up the slope.

There's no qualms about killing these neumono. Any minds they may have had are long gone, or, in the all too real chance they were born into this, were never there. It's sad, but they're no more than extensions of the neumono-predators now.

Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)04:15 No. 392136 ID: d6af4f
File 133155093720.png - (31.45KB , 700x700 , 32.png )

Rikek is physically stable and in good condition aside from a few scuffs and hits, mostly from me. Mentally, he will need time before he's of any use.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)05:13 No. 392137 ID: d6af4f
File 133155439448.png - (15.69KB , 700x700 , 33.png )

With no willpower, it only takes one decent shot to drop one of these. It won't take long for them to wake up from a nonlethal wound, so I have to spend a minute making sure they won't wake up again. I can't afford qualms now, but there's at least a nearby pit that I can place the bodies into.

Thankfully I have the time to do so, as I sense that the other neumono will gather themselves to a decent number before advancing.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)05:22 No. 392140 ID: d6af4f
File 133155495755.png - (24.57KB , 700x700 , 34.png )

And enough time to dirty myself for camoflauge purposes. Unfortunately I did not have the foresight to cocoon Rikek somewhere I had a clear shot to. If they get to him, I will have a difficult time shooting them as they free Rikek.

It doesn't take long for them to accumulate some ways down the slope. One of them pokes their head out, and looks around.

>>392139
You're inside enemy territory and massively outnumbered, so you decide to set-up a shooting range and hope they don't swarm or flank you.
This was ill advised.

>>392140
See what it does
Give it two steps before shooting, you have one shot. They get him untangled, you're boned. You'll probably take a few out before having to engage in more CQC, maybe at most 3. But if it does get to cover because you miss, then it's time to get up close and personal immediately.

>>392140
No, let it get out into the open. More bang for your bait.

>>392147
To specific- let it get out so the others feel safe and follow it out, allowing you to kill a bunch.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)08:30 No. 392161 ID: d6af4f
File 133156623659.png - (26.83KB , 700x700 , 35.png )

It walks out. With any luck, others will follow before it gets to Rikek, feeling safe...

...

No such luck, I have to shoot it. A few times, even though even the toughest neumono would have trouble staying concious after a head shot. I am spending more charges to the plasma rifle than I would like, but this should last through as many as there are, and leaving any alive could give me regret. This is why I brought a spare, and I still have Rikek's.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)08:30 No. 392162 ID: d6af4f
File 133156624326.png - (25.50KB , 700x700 , 36.png )

3 neumono's go silent. 2 more. 3 more. Slowly, I'm feeling alone again, except for Rikek. Those neumono are effectively zombies. If there was any chance of me feeling bad about killing them, it is gone now.

5 minutes pass. Nothing is happening. I can only feel Rikek.

>>392162
You couldn't feel them before the predators made their move, so there's no way to tell how many you aren't sensing now.
Take him and leave.

>>392162
Retrieve Rikek, maybe put him up somewhere harder to get to but easy to nail, then investigate nearby pathways before dragging him with you.

You could try asking if he's back to normal now, but he might be lying to you if he responds that he is, of course, it might be pretty hard for a neumono to lie, especially one with no mental training, so eh, whatever. Still be cautious around him.

get 'im down. if one of the big reds come at him you might not be able to save him.

Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)09:44 No. 392175 ID: d6af4f
File 133157067465.png - (17.06KB , 700x700 , 37.png )

Watching my surroundings, I unhinge Rikek, grab a few of the dropped items on my way, and start moving up.

>"...Polo?"
He barely manages to speak behind a disgusting amount of guilt and shame.
>"I'm sorry."
I believe he wants to come out, but I won't like the idea of it while I know there are predators around.
>"What can I do to make it up to you?"

"don't complain about anything the rest of the hunt."

>>392175

He's gotta feel awful about this by now. You should reassure him, let him know you're not mad at him but you have to keep him tied up for his own safety until you know the second predator won't be a threat.

Do nuemomo have the equivalent of the metaphorical tinfoil hat? If only there was a supressing headband or something Rikek could wear to keep his mind probe-free.

shut up.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)10:32 No. 392190 ID: d6af4f
File 133157355640.png - (9.97KB , 700x700 , 38.png )

>Does a metaphorical tinfoil hat exist?
Yes, a neumono jammer would work, but we didn't think to bring one. This was not a being we expected to come by.

"I'm not mad, but don't complain about anything for the rest of the hunt. Just shut up."
>"Is it complaining if.. I say that I'm scared? I've heard about them, but I didn't realize it would be so easy to get controlled like that! How is that even possible!?"
"I know you're scared, idiot. I don't claim to understand much about them. But in under one minute, they know your emotions inside and out. You're as good as theirs."

Both remaining predators flared up again. They're doing something odd from down the tunnel.
>"P-polo.. what's happening?!"

They're doing something odd. They're both giving very obviously opposing ideas. Attack, make peace. Be afraid, be brave. For me, whom they barely made contact with, it is simply like a pair of people yelling opposing ideas.

For Rikek, who can no longer tell the difference between his own thoughts and the predators...

2/2 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)10:32 No. 392191 ID: d6af4f
File 133157356447.png - (29.27KB , 700x700 , 39.png )

The split is quite seriously driving him insane, and quick.

>>392191
Knock him out. If that will work, of course. Concussion is better than insanity.

insane and on their side and insane and possibly on your side. needle him, may make them think he died from the strain.

stick a needle in his spine, cross your fingers and hope to die...

...just knock 'im out. Simple as that. We can likely kill the other two(possibly the one with angry thoughts) since it seems they are just going to continue this. Luckily, they just flared up like beacons to you.

>>392199
knocking him out involves practically shattering his skull. if we want him getting back up any time this month we can't do that.

Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)11:24 No. 392205 ID: d6af4f
File 133157667277.png - (6.54KB , 700x700 , 40.png )

Shoving a needle in the right passage is just the first step. To have it do anything other than feel like you have a needle in your nervous system, you have to attempt to channel all your thoughts down that specific passage. It's not something you can just decide to do one day.

>Knock him out
I was hoping to get us through this without considerable harm, but it looks like that may not be the case. I do know where the predators are now. They aren't far.

Knocking him out, however, is not as simple as most species with grey matter for brains. Neumono knock outs are more simply going into shock from extensive damage. There are plenty of nervous system points in the head to work with and bash against a rock, but in order to do it enough to fully knock him out, he will wake to days of poor vision and disorientation.
I can take out a heart or two. His body will most likely pass out while it goes into shock as the other hearts pick up their pace.
Or I can take out a lung, which will be fine if not for some neumono's not passing out under that sort of damage. Then again, his going insane may help with that.
Or I can shoot out his stomach. He will most likely enter hibernation for several hours to prevent starvation as it patches itself over.
>"H-help, Polo! W-why are you looking.. at me like that?!"

stomach, a few hours should do it. if he doesn't pass out from that then a lung.

shoot him in the stomach, though telling him what your doing ahead of time and why might be a good idea.

Stomache seems most reliable way, given the good regular time it takes. Give him a bit of warning first: "I'm helping you. Enjoy your nap." Then shoot him.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)12:22 No. 392211 ID: d6af4f
File 133158012466.png - (23.28KB , 700x700 , 41.png )

"Against the wall. Stay still."
>"Wait, no! What are you doing?!"
"Saving your life. Sleep tight."

2/2 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)12:22 No. 392213 ID: d6af4f
File 133158017073.png - (8.79KB , 700x700 , 42.png )

Rikek goes out like a light, and after a moment, so do our enemies. It is quiet once again.

I'm left to wonder if I should do anything about the predators, or just head up the slope as quick and steady as I can.

are you confident you could get all the way out before he wakes up again?if not then let the hunt begin.

>>392213
Just leave.
You can tell your hive what you found, but I think it's better to just mark the area as dangerous and leave them alone. They're almost extinct, and having them around keeps people sharp. Besides, you said this is highly abnormal behavior for the predators, which makes it something worthy of scientific investigation. By other people.

maybe we should hurry. I mean, we do have a schedule.

>>392213
Apology hug time. He may not be able to feel it, but... he'll understand.

Let's get moving. We need to leave those predators behind before they put what little intellect they have together and try to go after us. Besides, we've wasted too much time as it is.

>>392213
They just tried to kill your partner, instead of just cutting losses and letting you go. They're going to chase you.

We hunt them down now, and end this. We need to find a more secure location to put Reikek first though. Perhaps we can staple him up high on a wall where the neumoono and predators can't reach?

Well, it's either that or completely block the passage they can take to get to us. I don't think we have anything destructive enough for that though.

I'm all for calling this expedition a complete bust. Strap on your parachutes and get prepared to get the hell out of here. If you ever make it out of this mess I think jammer equipment should be standard from now on when straying into the unknown.

1/3 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)14:54 No. 392250 ID: d6af4f
File 133158928340.png - (20.68KB , 700x700 , 43.png )

I head up with Rikek, watching my back in case the predators make a move. It's slow, and it's difficult. I can only hope that the cave goes up a good ways longer before an exit is found, as I won't be able to climb vertically with hundreds of pounds in tow.

>Apology hug
If I am to give any apology in any form, it must be done when he is aware. I have mixed feelings about giving an apology regardless.

Hours pass, and the cave slowly opens into a massive expanse, as though this needle of a mountain were hollow. There are still no signs of the predators or their pets, nor signs of tunnels that they could spring out of. I believe they would have no choice but to chase me up, and while they may be able to bring me down if they so wanted, the predators should know that I could take down more of their number than I am worth to them.

2/3 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)14:54 No. 392251 ID: d6af4f
File 133158929368.png - (38.61KB , 700x700 , 44.png )

I find an exit after another hour. It is merely a natural balcony as the slope curves around to move upwards more. However, I am exhausted, and I am reluctant to explore any more of this in light of recent events.

Still, I am surprised our predator made no move. Perhaps they thought I killed Rikek, as he certainly thought I was going to do that. Or perhaps, despite how obvious our location would be, they simply could not follow neumono that gave off no emissions. Or simply that I was immune to their attempts, and would be too costly to pursue. But perhaps I am thinking about this too much.

As I can't vertically climb like this, nor even move on in my condition, there is little choice but to take a rest. I take off Rikek's bindings, except for his hands and legs, in case things turn sour once again.

3/3 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)14:56 No. 392254 ID: d6af4f
File 133158937875.png - (35.44KB , 700x700 , 45.png )

A couple hours later, he comes to. Even having to climb alone, even having to wait like this, we still saved at least a couple hours, probably more. Since it was he who got shot, I suppose in the end I can't complain.

The first thing he does is look away.

Apologies aren't needed, but letting him know that it's no big deal should help. I mean it's not like he was really in control there. If you tell him you'll help train him in how to block those kinds of things, or if you're not gonna help just tell him to learn how. He'll take it as a way to make up for that mess and not feel so guilty bout it.

>>392254
He looks pretty apologetic. Dryly ask him if he still wants to feel good. Don't be too much of a bitch about it, though. Not his fault he couldn't shield himself.

let's go.

>>392254
Great. Get him hooked up to the rope and resume climbing.

Well he is awake and he does look a bit apologetic, but we should likely apologize back a bit. Half of why he betrayed so easily due to that was because there was not a lot of trust and while what we did was for his best interest, it was still rather brutal and apologizing for going hard on him may make him more willing to admit that he was wrong at parts and that you want both of you to survive this.

>>392254
Ask him how he's feeling. And tell him that we still saved time doing this, all things considered. The cave was a decent shortcut after all.

And ask him if you showing your emotions is really important to him, or if that was just the predator talking, trying to get you vulnerable.

>>392254
Definitely time for that apology hug. Ask Rikek if he understands what happened down there, and tell him it's not his fault -- it's not like he was in control.

If he tries to apologize, stop him, and say that he should not feel ashamed or guilty for any of that. He was being manipulated by demons; Creatures right out of ancient neumono nightmares, that've killed or enslaved the best of many a hive. As far as you're concerned, Rikek was not himself back there, no matter how much he thinks he was.

Untie his hands and offer up some of the rations, if he can handle them. Apologize for, or at least explain why, you shot him in the gut. You were out of options, and it was down to that or his mind being shattered. Though, ask him if he thought you were going to kill him right then and there.

1/3 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)23:19 No. 392358 ID: d6af4f
File 133161958096.png - (7.87KB , 700x700 , 46.png )

We silently sit for a couple minutes in stiff air. I'm curious if he breaks the silence first, but I don't think he has the nerve.

"How are you feeling?"
>"... okay. Hungry, and a little like I want to vomit."
"You'd better wait as long as you can before eating."
>"Yeah."

I could say I'm sorry, but even if he can't tell, I don't want to lie. I'm not sorry at all. I won't hug him for that.
"I shot you in the stomach to protect you from the predators. Did you think I was going to kill you?
>"........ yes. But I was confused, and... I'm sorry fo-"
"Don't be sorry. You couldn't help it. If we make it out of here, I'll help you train to block those things, if you wish."
>"Th-thank you."

"......... Do you still want to feel good?"
>"Huh?! I mean... that would be a yes, of course, but I didn't mean anything I said back there as it looked! It was all them speaking, I didn't mean a thing I said to you! I didn't mean a thing I did to you!"

2/3 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)23:19 No. 392359 ID: d6af4f
File 133161959240.png - (8.45KB , 700x700 , 47.png )

"Neither did I."

3/3 Polo 2012/03/12(Mon)23:20 No. 392360 ID: d6af4f
File 133161960074.png - (33.24KB , 700x700 , 48.png )

It was beginning to get dark even at the cave opening, but I wouldn't sleep knowing we were accessable to predators. So we climb in silence. Perhaps I should have given him that hug, or some sort of tactile reassurance. He is still feeling down, guilty and incompetent. Although we still have to climb down a ways again to reach the extraction, tomorrow morning we will be fighting the Moton. I don't know how mentally Rikek is ready for it. I am not, however, ready to call this mission a bust.

"Rikek, get the bed netting. We'll call it a day."
>"Okay."

Before you go to sleep, joke that exotic native women were probably going to lay him if you failed. These are the types to keep you alive, as mindless pets, but alive. Then again, he wouldn't have much of a mind or personality to enjoy it anymore.
So not much pressure, he'd just become a housecat.
Hell, I think I only saw a single male, so Rikek and him would have had a nice harem going on.
Give him a playful punch to better indicate no hard feelings, I don't think he'll forgive himself for a while unless things really do seem cool between you, what with your training and all. Gotta use physical gestures.

You didn't tell him you gained time by going through the cave! It's important that he knows that whole escapade wasn't entirely negative.

Also uh, you mentioned that he was very polite to you. That's something you like, right? You should tell him that. While you're practicing your training, he can't see what you're feeling, but you can see his feelings. That's not fair, so... talk to him. Open up to him, because normally you'd be a mostly open book to him anyway.

Polo 2012/03/13(Tue)00:53 No. 392393 ID: d6af4f
File 133162522014.png - (20.49KB , 700x700 , 49.png )

>Open up
I suppose that may be safe now that the predators are gone. I will hope this does not backfire.

I give him a little shoulder punch before settling back onto the bedding.

"Hey."
>"... Polo?"
"No hard feelings, Rikek. Besides, if I failed, you would've been doomed to a life of living with a harem of exotic native women after all, huh?"
>"Eheh... would I have the sense of mind to enjoy it?"
"I don't know. It seemed like they were mindless, but those predators were so strange. You could go back and find out. I won't stop you."
>"I think I'm fine with you, Polo."
"You're exceptionally polite to me. And you know, your choice to go in the caves turned out well. We're ahead of schedule, and mostly unharmed. You'll just be nauseous for awhile."
>"You really aren't mad? I thought you were hiding something from me, but... well, we could have died in there. You could have died. It was too risky after all."
"Shut it. We're different, but I would not be lying to say that I consider you a friend. If there's anything to make up, you can do it tomorrow."

We aren't the best of matches, but he feels better. The hour has gotten late, but I have to wonder if I should talk to him more before getting rest. Perhaps tell him about predators, or ask about his family. On the other hand, we are pretty tired.

>>392393
Sleep close together for warmth - he complained about being cold last night.

Also, point out that the mistake was going into the cave, and you approved of that. He's being to hard on himself; the important part is that he's learned quite a lot, and he's motivated to improve himself.

Get to know him a bit better before going to sleep — close together of course.

Ah. He didn't know how to handle you being able to lie and hide your intentions from him. It must be more than a little strange and unsettling to him that another neumono can do that.

Ask Rikek's if he's ever been separate from the neumono empathic link before. At least, separate for any serious length of time. He seems like he doesn't know how to handle what he's feeling well without that empathic feedback. It's something that most neumono just don't get much experience with, is it?

He might feel better if you say that nobody could have forseen they'd run into those neumono-predators. Seriously, they're so damn rare that you didn't even think to consider bringing a jammer on this trip. It's some crazy bad luck we ran into three oddly intelligent ones with an entourage of mind-zombified neumono halfway up this spire. And equally crazy good luck that you were his partner on this climb. So here's hoping all the crazy luck has run out.

Hey now, let's not get too friendly. Sleeping together with him would give him the wrong idea. That's bad.

I don't think we should talk about the predators. That sort of spooky talk could give the guy nightmares, as he has been shown to get freaked out a bit easily and was unnerved by killing the windbeast. Also we shouldn't really be talking any further about what we just went through.

Ask about his family. Maybe talk about yours.

sleep

1/2 Polo 2012/03/13(Tue)07:10 No. 392414 ID: d6af4f
File 133164781078.png - (154.56KB , 1055x827 , 50.png )

"Have you ever been away from neumono empathetic links for any long length before?"
>"A couple of days at most. Even on the ship that brought me here, I had other company, and your hive was welcoming to visitors. That's why..."
"I'm unnerving to you."
>"...yes. Even your soldiers are affectionate and polite, so I was surprised to learn that you were in the hive."
"Tell me of your home."
>"Oh, it's far different. I'm on an industrial planet. I worked on a middle orbit station for a time, and on its night side, the whole planet was lit up like a lamp."
"What is your hive like? Do they fight often with others?"
>"Not at all. It's not a neumono's planet, so we're not allowed. And even though there aren't laws that prevent contact, we don't see many other hives. I've fought in wars, but it was for other species, so most of us weren't fighters. Sometimes we're accused of being hedonistic, but I don't think that's so true. We have immense expectations within ourselves, to do our absolute best. But is is true that if a neumono fails those expectations, the others will leap on him or her to pick up the pace of whatever duty has been assigned. To be honest, I'm a bit disappointed to see that there is constant warefare at our home planet."
"It's an improvement. In our tribal days, when two hives came into contact, the mortality rate averaged at 60% for everyone. The remaining 40% had plenty to eat, at least."

2/2 Polo 2012/03/13(Tue)07:10 No. 392415 ID: d6af4f
File 133164783599.png - (7.83KB , 700x700 , 51.png )

"Anyways, let's get to bed. Remember, no body could have seen us running into predators coming. It was horrible luck. And extremely good luck I am who I was trained to be. Furthermore, if you still consider going into the cave a mistake, realize that I approved of it."
>"Thank you, Polo. This is the open hive I was fortunate to meet. You know, you said 'if' we make it out. I know I'm not in my home town, but we consider it an incredibly bad thing to admit that there is even a chance of failure... hey, it's snowing."

There's the bad luck again. A thick fog is rolling in from the other side. We were so positive that the weather would be clear, too.

Craptacular. Better bundle up extra well. Hmm. You should at least sleep next to him, though maybe not sharing blankets. I dunno. Do you have anything more water resistant to cover with?

great, I don't see any extra blankets listed in your inventory. unless neumono are really cold- and moisture-resistant, you should try to get into the nearest recess you see.

Proceed to snuggle like the bunnies you are for warmth under your blanket.

>>392415

In the morning, wake up and make a little snow-Rikek~

1/2 Polo 2012/03/13(Tue)09:10 No. 392423 ID: d6af4f
File 133165501651.png - (163.69KB , 700x700 , 52.png )

>Extra blankets

We are running into everthing unexpected. Our fur won't help with moisture, but our blankets are fine for resistance. They are still thinner than I would like for warmth, considering the temperature drop. Unfortunately there are no recesses around here we can take against the snow. I don't want to give the wrong idea, so I'll simply sleep close, but not double up on blankets.

He's shivering, but the additional warmth helps him get to sleep. Despite my exhaustion, something keeps me awake. It may be a long night before I'm able to even think about silly things like making snow-Rikek's in the morning.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/13(Tue)09:11 No. 392424 ID: d6af4f
File 133165509153.png - (186.13KB , 700x700 , 53.png )

... more neumonos. Not zombies. Real ones. Soldiers. A couple hundred. Not inside of the spire. In a ship. Coming nearby. Not any hive I would have anything to do with. I reflexively shut myself off again. Rikek is asleep and isn't going through any extensive dreams or thoughts, thankfully, but this nearby hive might wake him up.

Wait it out. There's little you can do besides recede back into the cave and the climb back down in this weather might prove insufferable.

why don't you want anything to do with them?

be ready to throw a grenade into their engine.

>>392424
Double-up the blankets. The extra warmth will help him sleep, and since you're already in detection range the longer he sleeps the better.

Polo 2012/03/13(Tue)10:05 No. 392433 ID: d6af4f
File 133165832792.png - (94.13KB , 700x700 , 54.png )

The hum of their engine is audible, but smooth. Probably a gravity neutralizer. I don't want anything to do with their hive, because... I can feel no intents, wants or desires to do anything but fight. If not for my ability, I would be more scared now than I ever would have been back in the cave.

I carefully manuever under Rikek's blanket. He stirs at first, but quickly drifts off and breathes easier.

I am tempted to take a look.

Only look if you can do so without waking Rikek. These guys are earlier than expected, is that going to cause problems with extraction?

oooh

sleep my chiiild

>>392433
Your wording implies you've been scared by things scarier both than what is in that cave and this sociopathic neumonos. What could possibly scare you more than those two?

I don't suggest moving or looking. You're already startled. If anything else happens, you might spike an emotion despite your ability and give your location away.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/13(Tue)11:24 No. 392448 ID: d6af4f
File 133166305591.png - (53.73KB , 700x700 , 55.png )

>What is scarier?
This is the scariest. It is simply that I can push the feeling to the side, as long as I can concentrate.

I have never been in a real combat situation before. I have trained in replications of various battles, but never in the company of... these. It's enough to start bugging Rikek even in his sleep. I am surprised he doesn't wake up.

It feels like hours, but their flood lights dim, the engine can't be heard, and the taste of their hive just leaves an ache. I'm able to sleep again eventually, left wondering what the ship looked like.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/13(Tue)11:25 No. 392450 ID: d6af4f
File 133166314606.png - (109.50KB , 700x700 , 56.png )

There are no signs of any ships in the morning, although the fog, while not as thick, persists. The fog will not be an issue, but as for the change of events with this ship, I do not know if the extraction will be interrupted.

We roll out of bed, shaking off some of the built up snow. Rikek says nothing, but he understands that I merely was keeping our warmth together, and he is thankful for that much.

>"It's cold, but on the bright side, the snow lets us replenish some of our water supply. So, um... hey, did something happen last night?"

yes and it was enough that i am starting to wonder if fate has conspired against us.

a bloodthirsty hive ship happened, that's what. better get this mission over with.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/13(Tue)13:50 No. 392476 ID: d6af4f
File 133167181510.png - (97.27KB , 700x700 , 57.png )

"Yeah. A nasty enemy hive ship appeared. It's enough to make me wonder if fates are moving against us. At least you're a heavy sleeper. Let's hurry up, we might find cover at the top ."
>"Seriously? Oh.. ohhhh, do you think they're coming back? I mean, if...
"Calm down."

It's a few hours to the top, and the weather gets far worse. It's below freezing in this blizzard, and the air currents are always horrible at this level.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/13(Tue)13:50 No. 392477 ID: d6af4f
File 133167185879.png - (222.44KB , 700x700 , 58.png )

The top. We put on the rest of our acid gear. I can just make out a collection of gathered foliage. That must be the nest, but I don't see the Moton. It looks like we may have come in the bit of time during the day that it hunts. Which is no longer than an hour at a time.

I guess that gives you time to booby trap its nest with a fuckton of explosives.

hehehe, booby trap.

run in grab them and get out. unless you want to trap the shit out the nest.

oh wait, we aren't here to kill it, we're here to grab its eggs. nevermind, grab 'em and scram.

If the moton comes back and finds the egg gone, will it come looking for you? If that's the case, then grabbing the egg AND booby trapping the nest would be a good idea.

Also, could that ship possibly have been looking for the predators you encountered?

>>392477
Hey, the storm's obscuring your vision. Make sure it's not here before moving in- you don't want to get ambushed. Also be ready for it to arrive at any time.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/13(Tue)17:16 No. 392538 ID: d6af4f
File 133168418733.png - (25.58KB , 700x700 , 59.png )

I don't see the Moton around after a look around, and heading in to the nest, I can't hide a bit of satisfaction seeing the goal.

>"They're huge."
"They're lighter than they look, which isn't saying much. Get the nets, we're just grabbing a couple."
>"Are they... fertilized?"
"That's very unlikely. They lay eggs no matter what, and they're... well, they have displayed intellect while hunting, but otherwise, they are astonishingly stupid. You wouldn't happen to know how lay booby traps that would harm something large, would you?"
>"Erm, no..."
"Neither do I, at least not using gear that I would much rather not leave behind."

2/2 Polo 2012/03/13(Tue)17:17 No. 392540 ID: d6af4f
File 133168424197.png - (131.88KB , 700x700 , 60.png )

We load the nets with their intended cargo, and we are ready to rappel down. There is no sign of the Moton, which is sure to hunt us after finding missing eggs. We are ahead of schedule by a couple hours, and the extraction won't come early.

in that case, do trap its nest. maybe make some fake eggs so it won't realize anything's wrong before it lands.

>>392540
So we're gonna be hunted for at least an hour if we go down now? How about we just lie in ambush up here, and take out the Moton before we go down?

then start going fast, and find a nitch to hide in.

Better set up a spot to hole up in, it's likely the parent will be back by then and if the eggs mean this much, you'll wanna hold your ground.

>>392540

Don't trap the nest. Instead, lay a false trail down the opposite side of the cliff thing if at all possible. Keep it off you guys for as long as you can.

How about planting a frag grenade about where you guess the moton would stand when it checks its nest. Tie a rope to the pin, then hide in the back of the nest with your two netted eggs. The eggs in front should take the brunt of the blast. Use two 'nades, spread apart, if you want to put the serious hurt on the moton. Then you two pop out and lay down the fire. Whether you two stay next to the eggs or not depends on how reluctant a monton is to acid its own nest or eggs.

How acid-proof is all of your gear. The suits and guns are certainly acid-proofed, but what about the rope, rations, and everything else? Better stash all that out of the way.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/13(Tue)21:40 No. 392616 ID: d6af4f
File 133170000482.png - (109.48KB , 700x700 , 61.png )

I'll use one grenade as a trap in the midst of the eggs, as I am reluctant to use the remainder of such an explosive. I am holding a string that, using my ropework, merely requires a touch pull to activate the grenade. The string is thin enough that it will be near impossible to see in this weather.
We put a trail of loose, disposeable gear leading from where we came, in case it takes the bait, in which case... hopefully it will follow that for a good deal of time.
Our gear is off to the side, hidden as best as we can in a safe hole. It isn't acid proof.

>"I hear somet-"
"Shh!"

Even in a blizzard, a Moton's senses are extremely tuned.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/13(Tue)21:41 No. 392618 ID: d6af4f
File 133170011339.png - (113.77KB , 700x700 , 62.png )

.... no matter how you read it, a textbook can't show how big they are. It is slowly approaching the nest, but it appears very cautious.

Rikek is silent, but I am relatively sure he is thinking the same thing I am. The grenade will probably act as little more than an opening punch, even if it sits right on the eggs.

I uh... Um...

Wow.

That 'nade is going to buy you a few precious seconds at the most.

I suggest getting your rifles ready and primed.

>>392625
the nade is to make it mad and go after the first clue it gets. the false trail.

>>392629
Yes but assuming it's senses are as sharp as we believe, it'll pick up on them shortly after. You want some insurance here.

...Sweet holy fuck, it's the size of a house...

OK, see if it starts moving in the direction of the gear trail; Hopefully it'll jump off the cliff after your scent, but that's unlikely. If it starts moving in any other direction, or sits on the nest, blow the 'nade. Then if it goes for you two and not over the edge, start fighting.

Once the fight starts, you two split up and evade, evade, evade. Stick to those spikes or any other cover. If it gets near one of you, the other unloads plasma fire into it 'till it starts chasing them. Keep it moving. Here's hoping that old queen's inscription was right about them tiring quick.

You may want to drop your empathic block so Rikek knows where you are relative to the moton, but only if the emotions of the situation won't spiral up and distract you both.

>>392618
Fuck this plan. Punch some holes in its wings and rapple the fuck down.

>>392659
This... Would have been a good plan if the ropes and gear were setup already. Still, messing up one of it's wings so it can't swoop around behind them would be good. Or, even better, crippling a wing while it's in flight. Sadly, I don't think anything less than a plasma cannon or rocket launcher would put a sizable hole in this beast's wings.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/14(Wed)06:18 No. 392684 ID: d6af4f
File 133173111569.png - (84.28KB , 700x700 , 63.png )

I take off my own empathic block for purposes of this fight.
Its silhouetted form takes a sniff; I yank the cord.

>"REEEEEEEEEEEEEE"
"Split up, and perforate its wings!"

2/2 Polo 2012/03/14(Wed)06:18 No. 392685 ID: d6af4f
File 133173112298.png - (122.05KB , 700x700 , 64.png )

It doesn't go after any trail we set up down the side of the cliff. It goes straight for Rikek, oddly, considering he took the higher ground behind me.

>"HORK"
>"AHH oh god it smells! I-it's everywhere!"

That must be the acid breath. It was old warriors and hunters that named it acid breath, because it sounded more impressive than saying they got slathered by corrosive projectile vomit.

>>392685
How prolonged is the effectiveness of those acid suits? And how does your equipment handle against it? We can't take this thing on with melted guns.

If it's better than I think it is just keep this up. Does the pickup have heavy artillery on board? Can they blast it when they come around?

maybe aim for the maw the next time it tries to do that.

Polo 2012/03/14(Wed)09:20 No. 392699 ID: d6af4f
File 133174205624.png - (167.82KB , 700x700 , 65.png )

The acid suits are practically designed to handle Motons, and the plasma guns were coated with some resistance to it as well; they will most likely be alright. In any case, it can only do it so frequently. We're safe from any acid breath for the time.

The extraction pickup is a helicopter. It might have a minigun on it, but we would have to go down the side.

It's beginning to have difficulty flying- shit, I hear a thud that I can feel under my feet, and I can't sense Rikek anymore! It's turning towards me!

get ready to jump behind a rock.

>>392699
We don't have time for this.
Keep a rock between it and yourself, then start putting rounds into its center of mass. The head would be better, but in this weather your odds of hitting that are much too low.
Gradually make your way over to where Rikek was so you can see if he's still alive. We can't actually do much to help while it's active, but we might be able to distract it long enough to get him to cover.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/14(Wed)11:13 No. 392709 ID: d6af4f
File 133174879594.png - (124.08KB , 700x700 , 66.png )

...it flees. I take a few shots, some hit the wing, and I got a few shots onto its head and chest while getting to Rikek. Perhaps these, to an extent, are learning how to adapt as well, at least in ways. The books said that they are extremely resilient towards fleeing. Outdated once again.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/14(Wed)11:13 No. 392710 ID: d6af4f
File 133174883251.png - (152.24KB , 700x700 , 67.png )

Rikek is.... well, alive. His right side is terribly mangled, as a colossal amount of force must have gone behind that blow. It most likely is not fatal normally, but staying still in such a blizzard in such a condition would be bad.

good thing we aren't staying. evac.

>>392710
Clean the acid off him, then splint his broken bones as best you can. I'd say backboard him, but you don't have the equipment for that.
Wrap him in blankets and tie him to your back. You're going to be climbing down so weight won't be as much of an issue. Try to take both eggs with you to start, but be prepared to ditch one if you have to.

IS the evac point near a cave of some sort? Because if you have to hang for a few hours on the cliff side waiting for a damn helicopter with an unconscious Rikek and eggs in tow while a Moton is flying around, you're a sitting duck.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/14(Wed)14:54 No. 392774 ID: d6af4f
File 133176209570.png - (137.77KB , 700x700 , 68.png )

If we leave right now, we'll end up at the extraction point early still. I put Rikek inside of a net, meaning we will only get one egg out of this. I don't trust my ability enough to carry such a heavy load if I have another egg. I am okay with this. I don't like being a sitting duck, but I climb down anyways and will wait at the point.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/14(Wed)14:55 No. 392775 ID: d6af4f
File 133176210356.png - (99.13KB , 700x700 , 69.png )

A great deal of time passes, even after I set up the bedding, and Rikek awakens.

>"Polo...?"
"I'm glad you're healthy enough to wake."
>"What happened?"
"You got hit by a Moton. Do you remember who you are?"
>"Y-yeah, I'm Rikek. Where are we?"
"Waiting for an extraction."
>"How long until it comes?"
"... 30 minutes ago."
>"... did we just get here?"
"No. I got here early. It is simply late."

It is slowly dawning on him that that is not a good sign.

>>392775
What are our orders in this situation? How long are we supposed to wait before assuming it won't arrive and... go to plan B? There is a plan B, right?

>>392775
He's injured, and that's going to sap his energy and make him more vulnerable to the cold. Huddle together and wrap a blanket around the two of you so you'll have some protection from the elements.
Inclement weather can easily delay transport, and helicopters are rather vulnerable at that.

Try teaching Rikek the basics of hiding his emotions. You probably won't make much of any progress, but it's something to do.

Polo 2012/03/14(Wed)15:29 No. 392793 ID: d6af4f
File 133176416736.png - (55.39KB , 700x700 , 70.png )

We share warmth again, and I tell him the basics of hiding emotion. Which isn't much. It is simply in concept, it is the performing of it that is very difficult. But it is something for him to focus on, which is a plus.

The only plan B was to 'Survive and come back.' There was not a specific time for us to wait.

Another hour and a half passes. Nothing comes.

>>392775

I take it radio contact of any sort is out of the question, and as much as I'd be tempted to go back and try for another egg, that seems foolish, as they may be waiting out the storm to come get us.

May as well stay low and hope Rikek recovers quickly in case we need to get moving...

I'm not wanting to be the bearer of bad news... But you know that war hive vessel that flew by hours ago?

...What if the evac got shot down?

The bad weather is unexpected, so that could have slowed them down. It shouldn't have been enough to stop them though, right?

>>392803

Oh shit...! Wait, the Moton flew away, too, and it can spit acid. What if it thought the evac was after its eggs?

We shouldn't have trapped its nest...

How do you feel about riding a Moton out of here?

>>392829
That is beyond absurd and absolutely insane. I don't think we're going to have a Disney moment anytime soon that will achieve that.

You better assess the wind direction, those parachutes might be required now.

Polo 2012/03/14(Wed)19:44 No. 392864 ID: d6af4f
File 133177946636.png - (120.71KB , 700x700 , 71.png )

The weather is worse than expected, but this alone should not have made it significantly late, let alone not come.

Moton bringing it down. Enemy hive shooting it down. Simply being late. Cancelled, and leaving us for unknown reasons. All of these are possibilities, the last one being by far the least likely, I hope.

I can't tell easily what the wind direction is if we parachute. It seems to be heading east at the moment, but that is not always consistent at different elevation, and I don't know how to test this well with the current visibility and my gear. My hive is north west, the enemy hive is south.

Rikek will heal, but he won't be moving much for at least a week.

If intel is still accurate, the enemy hive is on the move. In no more than a couple of hours, we're going to be in enemy territory as they begin sweeping, and right now we're in plain sight for a fleet. They already sent a large ship for reasons unknown to me. We can parachute and hope for the best, or we can hole up in a cave and survive off of the inner denizens while we hope this blows over.

>>392864
You believed that that one particular cave had only one more predator left, right? If you could take it out you could hold up in there... But won't all the nuemomo that were under its control go feral or something?

Go look for a cave, you've come so far already.

Also, why did you guys decide to climb this sheer cliff face instead of taking some kind of aircraft, or landing there with whatever craft took you to this world?

>>392864
This is a pretty bad situation. If you stay, then you'll be trapped behind enemy lines and Rikek doesn't have your stealth training. If you go down into the jungle... well, Rikek is injured and would have trouble traveling and fighting.

Hey, if we stayed, would you be able to teach Rikek the training so that after he recovers you two can sneak through enemy lines undetected? How long would it take to go up and get another egg for food supplies?

>>392867
Well, they could have swooped in on a gunship, used air-to-air missiles to cover the landscape in chunky moton bits, and scooped up the entire nest, but there's really no challenge or prestige in doing it that way, now is there?

Polo, if you think that once you two land that you can stay ahead of the enemy sweeper teams, while dragging the gear, Rikek, and the egg, fighting off hostile fauna (and possibly flora,) and make it to your hive's territory before you keel over from exhaustion, then take the parachutes. Otherwise, you're going to have to find a cave, pronto. Leave Rikek here, take as little gear as you need, and scout down the cliff face. If you can't find a cave in time, it'll be a moot choice anyway.

>>392864

From your own estimate, what is the likelihood of surviving a parachute down? Assuming we don't get blown wildly off track in this storm, how far would we have to go to get back home? And if that's the case, would waiting it out in the cave and then doing it anyway be at all advantageous?

One last question, Polo: How far is it to a cave and how well can we sense this enemy hive? If we were to try to stay here, would it at all be possible to get to cover in a cave in time if they did begin a sweep?

1/2 Polo 2012/03/14(Wed)21:12 No. 392893 ID: d6af4f
File 133178472022.png - (100.31KB , 700x700 , 72.png )

>Why are you climbing?
We own aircraft that can get to this altitude, but there are complications. First of all, from a political stand point, we're not supposed to be in this region, or at least I'm not. Our helicopters, though well made, aren't good enough to climb up that high. Aside from the thinning air, while we weren't expecting blizzard conditions, the wind is always powerful at this summit. We don't own any stealth planes, which would have been nice if just to shoot down the moton. And even if we had allowed airspace to fly up on a regular jet to parachute down to collect the eggs, with the high winds, it would be a high risk gamble.
It would be far easier if we had airships, which I suspect is what I saw on that night, but our hive isn't on the cutting edge of technology. In the end, this is what I know about why we had to climb.

>Killing the predator
2 predators remained, at least in that area. One went silent early, so I only sensed one for awhile. If I killed both, I don't know if the pet neumono would enter a catatonic state or go into a frenzy. At least it would be somewhat easier, as Rikek wouldn't be able to turn on me effectively.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/14(Wed)21:14 No. 392894 ID: d6af4f
File 133178485463.png - (200.50KB , 700x700 , 73.png )

>Training Rikek
I am part of an experimental group that underwent training with focus on hiding the empathic link. It was a 10 year study. I was part of the 8% that was able to hide themselves with any level of effectiveness at the end. Rikek isn't going to get this capability, and I only intend to have him practice when he needs to keep his mind active.

>Food issue and locating a cave
Food probably will not be a problem. I won't hold qualms about eating this egg if we must, and from what we've seen, there are plenty of food sources inside the cave. Finding a cave will be no issue either, as I can simply move laterally to the other side to locate the previous cave.

>Sensing the enemy
I am tuned enough to sense an average neumono from 40 meters away.

>Chance of survival if going to the jungle
It is hard to say. I would get what food I can from the egg and leave the rest behind, as I would have to move most likely around 75 miles, keeping ahead of the enemy sweeping. There are no paths I'm aware of for vehicles, so this is possible. My chances are extraordinarily better if I leave Rikek. Regardless, I am unaware how effective the enemy is at jungle sweeps.

The decision between cave and jungle is critical, so I will help Rikek eat and stay warm until I am confident in a decision.

>>392894
Jungle.

>>392894

Hugs.

>>392894
Okay, so... if we stay, we get trapped behind enemy lines. If we go, it's dangerous to bring Rikek with us, since we have to go 75 miles with him on our back before we're safe.

Can we leave Rikek in the caves, then bring back a rescue team? I guess it depends on if we can make sure he'll be safe from the predators.

Nursing Rikek back to health in the caves while preserving the egg and hunting down predators sounds like a fun way to spend some time...

Since you're essentially a stealth unit, how hard do you think it'd be to sneak out after the area is held by the enemy?

And what would happen if Rikek were caught? It sounds like he might not be killed due to him being a total outsider. And with your stealth abilities, you could let him get taken away or do an ambush if worst came to worst.

On one hand, if you hide in the caves, you'll have to find and kill all the neumono-predators, and maybe their pet neumonos. That includes any predators that are hiding by going empathicly quiet. All before a sweeper team shows up and is caught in their thrall. Assuming you pull it off, you now have to hide from the sweeper team, 'cause if a team reports back a threat, or doesn't come back, it's all over.
Succeed, and you're now effectively hidden behind enemy lines; You can stay here pretty much indefinitely. Then it's all a matter of staying hidden, waiting for their territory to be pushed back. It could be weeks. Could be years. Might be never. Alternatively, after he's healed, you could leave Rikek on his own and sneak your way back to your hive.

On the other hand, if you parachute down, it'll be a bitch of an endurance race to your hive's territory; Rikek on your back, pack in one hand, gun in the other, trudging through trackless jungle, fighting hostile animals, with the enemy forces who knows how far behind. You'll have to travel through the first night and following day, just to put enough distance behind you to rest. And this is assuming you don't get blown way east, west, or, hell, even towards the enemy hive.
However, once you get closer to your hive, there's the chance of encountering friendly forces. You may even be able to get an airlift back home, if there's a heli heading that way. So it's down to a question of if you have the strength and stamina to get that far.

Both options are dangerous, in their own ways, but personally I'm leaning towards the cave. The initial risk is high, but after that it's a relativly safe place.

>>392894
This is adorable.

>>392974
When aren't they adorable?

I'm all for holding out in the cave again.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/15(Thu)05:14 No. 392983 ID: d6af4f
File 133181369842.png - (164.93KB , 700x700 , 74.png )

It shouldn't be terribly hard for me to sneak out if I am alone, but this area would have to be clear before my hive would ever consider sending a rescue for Rikek. We may have taken him in, and we may have liked him, but he is still not one of us.

I will hold out in the cave. That is the best chance for Rikek. Plus, I can find a good surface for him to rest on. He is in considerable pain getting moved around constantly, especially without a stretcher. It isn't much farther, I believe I see the entrance to the cave from where we left.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/15(Thu)05:15 No. 392984 ID: d6af4f
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I set up camp just inside, so that we may have a light source without expending fuel, not like I would know where else to go. We could be in here for a very long time.

The egg should last awhile without going rotten, so that can be an emergency supply. Otherwise, we can store about 5 days of food without it going bad by normal means, but the snow may help with that. I will feel much better if the predators are dead, but I don't want to leave Rikek alone.

Unless I believe there is a reason, my empathic link is off. I'd rather him not catch my thoughts that I think he's been more trouble than help.

>>392983
>We may have taken him in, and we may have liked him, but he is still not one of us.

I'm all for some closure here. Mind going back to how you two first met?

Part of me wonders why we're doing this.

The logical choice is to leave him behind. Think about it. You're an experimental trooper and highly valuable. He's a relatively crappy soldier and not even part of your hive. Why risk yourself for him?

I guess it's just... we'd really have to hate the guy to leave him here to die. And we don't.

>>392984
Consider that the predators were able to maintain a large healthy stable of Neumono, with enough food that only a few were snacked upon. I think you chances are best going after the remaining predator and discovering their food source.

Oh and re: food- eat the food you have, leave the predators alive for now. Use the predators as a food storage medium; harvest their meat when you run low.

Also we should try cutting more meat from the windbeast.

>>392986
I'm almost hesitant to suggest killing him execution style just to save him the suffering.

One shot to the brain stem, it'd be all over.

...I don't take Polo for being that barbaric though.

>>392991
Considering what needed to be done just to knock the guy out, I don't think it would be as simple as "shoot brain stem". I don't think these guys have brain stems.

And yeah, Polo probably wouldn't want to do this. Incidentally, and totally unrelated, honest, is there an equivalent close range kill you can make on a neumono?

>>392992
I doubt that they lack one, unless their brain is wired from multiple points in their neck then yeah I'm mislead here on what's effective euthanasia.

But once again, don't really wanna.

Polo 2012/03/15(Thu)08:09 No. 392997 ID: d6af4f
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>How did you two meet?
Rikek landed in a peace zone, but wanted to see more of the planet. We offered him respite in our territory, after we were sure he knew of the dangers. I personally did not meet him until a day before the mission, when he volunteered to fill in to help with our low numbers.

>Close range neumono kill, brain details
Decapitation works at least to disable. We don't have brains like most offworld species; ours are spread across our body. There are pros and cons, between comparitivaly slow thinking, slow reaction speeds, yet not having an errant bullet through a head be a near guaranteed death. There is lots of redundancy across the brain nerves as well, yet nonetheless, losing a limb can be very disorienting, and literally can make us dumber until it regrows. Another reason Rikek isn't going to be doing much. For all intents and purposes, he has light brain damage.

>Go carve up the windbeast, look for predators
"Rikek, I'm going to see if the windbeast hasn't been eaten yet. Are you able to stay awake for a couple hours?"
>"Y-yeah..."
"I'm going to prop you up on the wall. That way if something comes, you can blast them with your good arm. Everything other than predators here should go down easily. Don't fall asleep, okay?"
>"..yeah."

I am not certain he is doing well. He may need a day or two of rest before coherent enough to defend himself while I'm gone. We have 4 and a half days of food plus the egg as is.

>>392997
When you get back you should set up some proper restraints so you'll be ready in case predators enter the area and start affecting him.

The surviving predators were conflicted over how to respond to you. One wished to make peace, the other wished to kill you. You can exploit that conflict if you encounter them again. The presence of predators is itself something you can exploit should hostile Nuemono show up.

Also? Part of the reason you won't abandon Rikek is because you're confident in your own survival either way. You are invisible to both Nuemono and predators - the two major threats in the area - and are immune to predator mind tricks. You're going to try get him out of this alive as long as he is alive, because all it's costing you is time.

>>392997
Again, the predators have everything you need. Take them out.

>>392999
What? No! We need them alive for when the hostile Nuemono start sweeping the area! The mere presence of predators here will throw hostile Nuemono forces into disarray with debilitating and potentially terminal consequences.
They provide a massive tactical advantage, and all we need to do is keep Rikek under control.

1/2 Polo 2012/03/15(Thu)09:09 No. 393005 ID: d6af4f
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Although I'm still exhausted, not carrying hundreds of pounds at a time makes me feel like a feather. I will quickly attempt to locate the predators. Which will be easy. They are in the same area, and are no longer quiet. They are all emanating happiness.

The neumono I killed are gone as well. They were probably eaten.

2/2 Polo 2012/03/15(Thu)09:10 No. 393006 ID: d6af4f
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There's one. I can put them down right now, or wait to see what the neumono eat. Judging by their good mood, about 5 plus the predator are awake, despite appearing to nap.

I don't know if the enemy sweepers are going to actually cover the cave system. Attempting to do the jungle alone is a considerable tactical feat, let alone all of the spires. If they do come in, then it is true that the predators may be a boon.

>>393002

Assuming the predators are capable of targeting multiple forces and what they do grab isn't cut down instantly. There's also the risk that keeping the predators may cause the hostiles to actively seek them out to prevent this very scenario.

>>392997

Polo: How familiar are you with the general actions of hostile hives claiming territory (or whatever it is Nuemono do)? Understanding their possible actions may give us a tactical advantage to remain undetected.

yeah following them to what they eat is a good idea. the other hive has contra grav machines. them being able o check the caves is rather easy for them to do. they just fly right against the cave, and a squad hops out.