Heydrich unplugs himself from the power outlet in Mandy’s and makes his way swiftly down the road toward the command tent in the refugee camp. He meets Savage just coming out of the tent.
" Herr Savage, Herr Zlod sent me to meet ze expert when zey arrive." Heydrich says in greeting. Savage nods and gestures toward the Clinic.
Bugs and his escort arrive in the refugee camp around 8:30 AM, the JAL sentries directing them over to the Clinic. As they pull up to the Clinic, they are met by a powerful-looking juicer. " Welcome, I am Savage. We’re living a little rough out here, but you can set up your equipment inside, there’s a small section set aside for your gear. Do you need lodgings?"
One of the Blackfoot warriors shakes his head, “No, we will be returning immediately. We have fulfilled our obligation, he is now yours.” Without further discussion, the four warriors head out of town, leaving Bugs, Savage, and Heydrich.
Savage opens the door to the clinic and ushers Bugs in. " Heydrich, if you would help him with his equipment? We’ll do introductions once he’s settled a bit." Looking to Bugs he adds, “Don’t settle too much, your going to be heading right out. Just leave what you don’t need to take into the field. It’ll be safe here.”
Heydrich helps move some of the equipment inside. Once everyone is divested Savage takes his leave. Heydrich turns to Bugs, saying. " Hallo, ich heiße Heydrich. Herr Zlod asked me to meet you here. He ist die mercenary commander who accepted die task of removing die nuisance creature. He is out at ze cave now, watching over it. Do you has transportation?"
Bugs hustles into the camp when allowed past the perimeter, revving the ATV with excitement as he hurries to the clinic, cutting the throttle fast as he parks right beside the front.
Speaking through the mask, he nods to Savage… “Thanks — I’ve seen rougher”
Bugs lifts the visor of the Bushman armor, a slightly wiggling golden/black nose and slender whiskers poking out, with thick golden fur behind it. He pauses before replying…
“No no need to get to settled…let’s see… power, sample tubes, cooler, darts…… right… "
“Just take the big waterproof box on the bottom of the cargo basket, and I’ll set it up later”.
Bugs opens a large pelican-style case on top of the ATV, pulling what appears to be a rather large air rifle and bandolier from it, and slings both over his shoulders as Heydrich approaches.
“Why ‘ello … I think? I’ve got transport if it’s near, how close is the cave — and can I stop at a fuel depot first?”
Bugs taps the side of a jerry-can that clunks as if mostly empty.
“Can you fill me in on your contact protocols when we arrive? Does it react to noise? Scent? Can it sense the magnetic fields of our vehicles?”
Bugs yammers on in a hurry before realizing he should hop back on the ATV.
A moment later, Bugs jumps off the ATV as if bit, adjusting the rifle behind himself confusedly as he tries to move it and finds the sling tangled beneath the bandolier….
He pulls a recorder from a pouch at his belt:
“Field notes: Going forward, the delivery bandolier goes on BEFORE the t-gun. Consider finding dual purpose sling-olier…”
Bugs shoves the recorder back in the pouch, and awkwardly rearranges himself, tucking the butt behind him
“Okay, now I’m ready”
“Ja, follow me, we can get some fuel for you at der Gemischtwarenladen.” Heydrich walks off down the road toward town. At the General Store Heydrich introduces Bugs to Travis, a rather jovial english bulldog psihound, and asks for the jerrycan to be filled.
“Ah, good to see a young pup around. Does this old dog’s heart some good,” Travis drawls out happily. “We can surely fill the can and the vehicle, just pull around back and one of my boys will see to you. Is there anything more I can get you? If I don’t have something you need, I can get it ordered in right quick.”
" Herr Zlod is out of town and asked if I would pick up a bow he has waiting," Heydrich asks.
“Ah, yes, that has arrived.” Travis retrieves a package from beneath the counter and hands it to Heydrich. “So you’re part of his new company, hmm? Well, I wish you and he the best of luck. Don’t get yourselves eaten by that beast out there.”
Around back one of the shop hands meets Bugs and Heydrich. He proceeds to fill up the ATV and fuel cans with minimal fuss. “25 creds,” he remarks when done, taking the payment and returning the change without fuss. Travis apparently runs a rather tight ship around here. After fueling up and retrieving the supplies, Heydrich will lead Bugs out of town.
“If ist enough room on der Geländewagen, ze ATV, zat will be faster. Ich kann sonst walken.” Heydrich asks as he walks, setting a brisk 15 mph pace. “Die cave is 23,625 miles from here, roughly, along das roads, As for das otter questions, die contact protocols are do not touch die ATV, ist eine bad time. Ich was zapped trying to move it. It does not seem to react to scents, nor movement, nor noise. We are camped nearby und it remains in its cave. Zere is un electromagnetic field zat strengthens as you near it, but it is unclear if it uses die field as sensory, defense, or something else. Die EM field manifests as un 8 to 10 hz humm. We have yet to see das creature fully.”
“Ge shmirz…varen lad ?
Perhaps if there’s extra time you can teach me some German? I’ve always loved languages, although dragonese has been better."
Bugs sniffs the air at the scent of Travis, lolling his tongue out happily at the sight of an elder, surviving, unmolested Dog. Yes, coming here was a good choice.
“I’m confident I’ll be ordering more in the future, once I ascertain the quality of the local facilities and stores.
It does seem colder here than I thought — perhaps a small camp heater to keep the ATV warm at night?"
Bugs looks around the store, consciously trying to anticipate anything sold that he’s clearly forgotten before paying.
“Yes yes, lots of room in the ATV, climb aboard! I ripped out the back seats to make extra room for samples, and to recline and sleep..”
Bugs points to the back of the ‘big boss’ (conspicuously missing the usual turret laser) stacked full of black boxes with neatly stenciled draconic letters.
“Electromagnetic you say? Should I program the portable field computer to sample as I drive? It might be good to establish baseline readings before we go and on the way… "
Bugs seems to be distracted as he’s clearly considering hopping out of the vehicle to start measuring immediately…
“The field is audible you say? Fascinating…”
Inviting Heydrich into the vehicle, Bugs floors it, impatient to get to the observation zone.
“Gemischtwarenladen, General Store. Ja, Ich kann teach you German if you wish.” Heydrich responds.
The ‘bot climbs into the ATV, "We are 23.625 miles from die cave, I would recommend keeping your speed under 50 mph, some rough patches in der road. For your baseline, I think it would be easy enough to drive away to calibrate if necessary. Die field ist not strong."
The trip to the caves is without much incident. Aside from a near-death experience involving a washed-out road, excessive speed, and a power transmission pole the ATV enters the canyon in around 40 minutes.
The morning is cold, so Mace is up early, heating up some breakfast. Xhaiden has just taken over watch duty after making another pot of coffee. The coffee tastes good, well, as good as dark, bitter coffee can taste. At least it’s better than battery acid, and strong. Reinhard crouches off to the side of the tents, unmoving
“Mornin’ Cap, what’s the plan for the day?” Mace asks, handing Zlod a hot plate of breakfast.
Zlod stays near the fire, disliking the cold morning as he sips on his coffee. “Plan is we listen to what the expert says. Hopefully he can give us some intel on this thing. Then we come up with a plan of attack, and take this thing down. Try to salvage anything we can off the APC. Then we go back to town and hit up Mandy’s for some drinks after we get paid. How does that sound?”
During his time at watch Xhaiden continues to watch the cave judging the distance. He makes a gesture with his hand pausing for a moment and letting out a heavy sigh, “Zlod are you sure I cannot just well you know make it fall asleep?” his eyes squint at the cave for a bit.
“Well hell if you can just make it fall asleep that would be great. Make things very much easier and less dangerous.” Zlod says as he sips on his coffee. “But before you try that lets see what this expert says. How you doing Mace?”
“Well enough, Cap. Hurry up and wait bullshit is old hat, as is sleeping in the cold.” Mace grins over the top of a mug of coffee. “Creds will be mighty fine. I’m itching bad to get Bodeca back in the air, raining hellfire and making creds.”
Reinhard stirs after a bit, " Herr Zlod, Heydrich und ze expert, Bugs, are at der Gemischtwarenladen, die General Store. Ist anything you need from it die sie could bring?
Over at the cave, the creature within persists in its boringness.
Xhaiden continues to watch the cave not seeing any activity occurring as he considers several theories, “Maybe the field is from sort of portable generator. It could be sitting in there on its couch watching a TV. When the ATV came up it was angry it was interrupted from its favorite show.” Xhaiden’s attention from the cave shifts as Reinhard begins to move. Not seeing a surprise attack he relaxes a little , “Do you think they could pick up my bow?” he asks and signs looking to Zlod.
“Oh ya pick up the bow waiting for me. If you can bring that it would be great.” Zlod tells Heydrich. “It could also be some alien predator from another dimension that is too smart to attack us when w are ready for it.” Zlod says with a shrug. “Either way we’ll see what this Bugs has to say. Ya we are getting a decent payday from this so hopefully if we don’t have too much damage to cover we can start getting work done on Bodeca.”
“That is more likely maybe.” He chews on his lower lip thinking as continues to speak and sign, “I wonder what sort of tactics it might have.” He scratches his head considering for several moments, “Or maybe it is continuing to eat the others and gaining power to expand its field so it can kill us while in there.” He shivers a little at that thought, “Well I know you are going to be able to take it down.”
“You got any preferences on types of jobs? I mean, in the event you have a choice.” Mace asks, finished with breakfast and going through some basic weapon maintenance and cleaning. “The critter’s tactics are fine to consider, kid, but I wouldn’t go too far down that route. Too much variability, too little information. Better to focus on our tactics and contingency plans.”
Reinhard chimes in, “The bow has been picked up. They are on their way, ETA 30 minutes. Bugs has many, many questions.”
“Well I prefer jobs that are going to help out those needing help, but right now just looking for jobs that will fit our skills decently enough.” Zlod says as he finishes off the last of his coffee. He picks up his particle beam rifle, and moves up to take his turn at watch. “Well answer Bugs’ questions as best you can. When he gets here he can collect a lot more data. So when we do go on the attack that creature is likely to move and move fast it’ll likely go after either myself or the big guy here. So we might only get one volley in before it gets close. I’ll move into close combat with it, and the big guy. Mace if you can get shots off do it , but if you need to get into close combat to help out and you feel confident in that go ahead.”
Xhaiden listens to Mace’s words and nods his head, “Guess that makes sense too.” He pauses for a moment as Zlod speaks, “What about me? What do you want me to do?” he pauses adding, “I am even better with my bow then I am at tracking.”
The sound of a vehicle climbing the trail up the canyon announces the arrival of Bugs and Heydrich. The ATV parks beside Mace’s motorcycle. Heydrich exits, removing a small package that he delivers to Xhaiden. “I believe das ist to be yours?”
Zlod keeps an eye on the parking ATV, the other eye on the cave. The giant 9’2" reptilian creature stands ready with a particle beam rifle in one hand. Multiple bandoleers crisscross his chest and he had weapons, eclips, dynamite, a neural mace, and vibro sword hanging from his large body.
At the arrival of ATV the boy perks up a grin spread upon his features. Heydrich is given a small fist bump before he signs a quick ‘Thank you.’ The grin spreading upon his features, “Collapsible so I can store it easily when I do not need it. No space at all.” He signs and says before moving to give the droid a quick hug, “So what is the expert like?” For his part Xhaiden appears to be a small child, just under three and half feet. His brown hair is in need of a trim and kept somewhat in order by the cap worn on his head.
Heydrich returns the fist bump from the elf child. “Er ist neugierig, very inquisitive. He wants to know everything about das creature. Er ist sehr energisch, very energetic, too.”
“Energetic?” Mace remarks, readying her armor and weapons, her particle beam rifle in hand. “Think he can tell us what we’re up against here?”Heydrich shrugs. “He has much better equipment, also vielleicht, perhaps. Perhaps he can tell us about das electric jolt.”
Mace pauses, examining Heydrich for a moment. “You sound like the big guy, what is up with that?”
" Ah, well, it is complicated. I am Reinhard Heydrich, infiltration operative for ze NGR. While I am primarily operating die EIR gargoyle, I can also assume direct control of andere robots. Das unit ist ein V-1000 assistant robot. To cause some less confusion, it is referred to as Heydrich, while der EIR ist referred to as Reinhard. Both units also have a basic AI for autonomous control when I am not directly manipulating. Of particular interest for you, Fräulein Mace, Heydrich was once an aviation mechanic bot, und still has programs available."
Mace perks up at that news, “Really now. That is interesting.”
Bugs brakes hard beside the motorcycle, spinning the vehicle in a tight circle
as he reverses in to make unloading easier, and exiting… faster.
He steps out hurriedly, clambering up over the hood before staring into the
cave with with a pair of binoculars, sniffing at the air anxiously as he
exercises all senses. At last, he stares up the sides of the canyon, and
turns to look at Zlod.
“Wow… big fella. Is that… uh… dynamite… on… your body? Normal?”
Even as he speaks, bugs turns to pop the cargo hatch, and begins hauling half
a dozen crates loose…
“So tell me everything — starting at the beginning…No, the end … I don’t
have those reports yet. How long have you been here? Has it moved? Have you
interacted with it? Who discovered the electrical field and how? What has
the weather been like the past week? Are there any signs of diet? Are there
times of day when it is more or less active?”
“I’m sorry, I have so many questions, and so few answers…perhaps if we talk
as I work…”
Bugs opens a small toolbox, pulls out a ratchet and opens several cases —
that seem to have been bolted shut in addition to the usual lock. Within two
minutes he has assembled a tripod and hung a recorder from a brace on the leg.
Switching to third box, He rapidly assembles a portable scanner — he begins
by measuring the distance to the cave, the cavern walls, the, checking for
radar, radiation, heat, infared & uv emissions, microwave, ambient
temperature…
“I will have access to your radio frequencies, yes?”
Bugs glances back at Zlod from behind the sensor array — “Oh… DNA samples?
Has anyone found trace of the creature? Footprints, hair, remnants, scat?”
A loose tail from the bushman armor continues to beat with frenetic excitement
as Bugs unpacks an optics band and removes his helmet.
“Ya dynamite serves a number of useful functions sometimes.” Zlod says with a grin towards Bugs. “It hasn’t moved and we haven’t interacted with it. We wanted to wait for you arrive to give us the go ahead. Reinhard here discovered the electric field when he went to touch that ATV out there. We haven’t got any signs of his diet or any scat or anything. He has been pretty happy to sit there all camouflaged up. Yes you’ll have access to our radio frequencies that isn’t a problem.” Zlod moves a little closer towards the cave wanting to cover Bugs if he moves closer. “Just tell us what we can do to help and then give us what intel you got.”
As the expert arrives Xhaiden falls silent. He remains out of the way simply listening to what the man shares with the group. At the mention of tracks a sigh escape from him followed by a brief downwards look to the ground before turning his attention to the new member again.
Bugs eyes widen at “useful functions” of dynamite.
“Useful certainly, but is it conventional to be … wearing it? This sounds dangerous.
Regardless, I will need some time to collect and analyze readings — but what do you mean “discovered” field when he touched the APC — is it so strong as to ground through the body? Should I be ordering rubber garments?
Bugs rummages around in one of his equipment cases, fumbling for cybernetics supplies…he begins coiling wire around an e-clip and reaches for a soldering iron when he pauses and stares at Zlod…
“Is that a particle beam weapon? Do you know if the particles are… charged?
Perhaps we can have a fast experiment to better visualize the field before my computer model finishes…."
As the equipment is brought online it begins to collect and display environmental data. The imaging analysis forms a composite of a large, multi-limbed creature. The head of the creature is remarkably featureless. The image analysis also reveals signs of additional things in the darkness. On the floor half hidden by the rock the creature is hiding behind is a pair of humanoid legs at room temperature. The creature also appears to be grasping something in a pair of smaller limbs, holding it close to its body.
“Nein, die aura, field, did not ground through me. It pulled power directly from my battery.” Reinhard rumbles, flexing his massive hand. The wound has completely healed. “It also caused many of my internal systems to reset.”
The EM emissions are unusual, the field emanating from the cave has a logarithmic drop off in amplitude, with the ruined ATV sitting firmly in the curve. The EM bandwidth frequencies range widely, from as low as 400khz up through 3×10^12 Hz, well into microwave regions. These shifts manifest themselves as occasional pops and hisses in radio gear. Analysis of the ATV reveals an increase in temperature, too small to easily detect through thermal optics, and the presence of micro-arcs. Free oxygen immediately around the ATV is extremely low as well. Chemical detectors pick up unusual organic compounds in the air, increasing in density the closer they are to the cave. To Bug’s sensitive nose, it’s almost overpowering near the ATV, like the smell of rotting milk mixed with a sharp, astringent, acidic bite.
As before, the creature within begins to hiss and shift slightly when the ATV is approached, definitely agitated. Thermal sensors detect an increase in the ATV’s temperature as well. Analysis of the thermal imagers shows that it is the metallic parts of the vehicle that warm up, but not any of the MDC ceramics nor plastics.
Zlod waits patiently as all the equipment return readings. He keeps his eyes on the creature in the cave looking for any reaction or signal that it is going to attack.
Xhaiden stares at the screen as the information begins to show. He nods his head, “Fascinating.” Rubbing his chin, his brows drawing together, “This can only mean one thing…” he shrugs, “Too bad I don’t know what it is.” He grins, looking up to Zlod as he speaks, “Are you going to fire the particle rifle for a test for him?”
Bugs leans backwards, staring at the display slightly incredulously as the
data begins to stream in.
“We’ve never seen this from other parasites. We’ll require a physical sample, and direct line of sight”
Bugs taps the EM readings as he looks at Reinhard.
“Drained your battery directly? I’ve heard of things that can eat energy — I hoped to never see one. It’s almost like it’s… wait…
No no, this is definitely a Dreg — it feeds off the differences in the EM/Leylines. It’s got to be starving without a ley-line… should be nearly helpless without magic to eat
I don’t have the parts I need to measure the diffraction of the particle beam when it passes through the field… perhaps I can find them in town and pick up a more sensitive meter and tell how hungry it is — if it’s weak enough it should be easier to take down.
But the whole ATV is being turned into a giant battery. We might be able to siphon some off for convenient use, but it’d probably be upset if we tinkered with its food… but that may be the only thing keeping it conscious right now.
We have to get closer to it to look — but no electronics, purely optical or mechanical hardware only… hopefully not even anything chemically reactive… Bugs begins undressing as he speaks, stripping off comms helmets, watches, portable computers and placing them inside a crate…
He grabs a handful of specimen jars and looks hopefully at Zlod…
I require biological samples… and… protection while obtaining them.
Mace raises a brow and looks from Bugs to Reinhard, and then to Zlod. "No electronics? Well, that definitely makes things difficult for the cybernetics among us. How will particle beams or ion blasts work?’
Reinhard nods his agreement and unhooks his massive railgun from his thigh. “Ja, we can provide cover, zough.”
“What is a Dreg? Ich habe kiene entry of das creature.” Reinhard asks Bugs
“All we want to know is if we can kill it yet.” Zlod lets out a sigh. “Fine. Everyone stay back since you all have electronics. Keep me and this guy covered.” Zlod says as he strips his weaponry and equipment from him leaving a little pile. “Ok lets go do this stupid idea.”
“I do not think a particle beam will be measurably affected inside the field — it is why I required further equipment to measure the displacement of Zlod’s weapon. Nothing the eye will see. Ion blasts will… I think they will be somewhat less destructive than you would hope?”
The dog whimpers slightly “And will smell terrible”
“There is not much data about dregs, which is why it is so important to collect more”
Bugs loosens the lids of a half-dozen collection jars in a padded sample case, fastening just one latch for quicker work in the field and places the handle in his mouth, before dropping to all fours to prowl closer…
Following orders Xhaiden remains behind. As the pair make their way closer to the experiment, he notches an arrow raising it as they move further away. His gaze on the cave entrance prepared to shoot should the creature within suddenly turn hostile.
“Particle beam it is.” Mace shoulders the rifle. “Just let us know when you want that covering fire, Cap.”
