Fiction:Ice Age/Distant Planet/Part 1

The Imperatrix's New Companion
Hachi woke up, but instead of of the camp, he found himself inside what appeared to be a cave. And there was something holding him by his back, dragging him through the ground, taking him deeper into it. Hachi's eyes were half-closed as he woke up and he yawned out, not really knowing where he was and turned his head a few times.

Hachi - Huh...This isn't Sarec's tail.

As he turned his head, he could see he was being dragged by a Routrith-like creature, except it was brown and covered in several layers of fat.

Hachi - Mmm...that thing looks tasty...I wonder how much bacon I can get out of that.

After several steps, the creature dropped Hachi into the floor, and he found himself into a huge chamber where a hole was visible in the ceiling. Hachi looked up and scratched his head, curious as to what the hole was for. He tried jumping up but just fell on his butt.

Hachi - Oww...Okay, Sarec never taught me not to do that.

From various directions, small Routriths appeared, their bodies being similar to that of larvae. The brown Routrith let out a yawn and left. Hachi placed his hand against his chin and thought for a moment, before his ears perked and he smiled.

Hachi - I'll try speaking to them!

Hachi knelt down onto his knees and looked at several small Routriths.

Hachi - Mikmik miki-miki mik-miki miki-mik-miki-mik!

One of the larvae bit Hachi's face. Despite their size, their teeth were very sharp. Hachi stood up and grunted, cringing as he held the bleeding bite mark. However, he was careful not to harm the larva and simply turned away from it.

Hachi - Guess it was something I said, huh?

A loud roar was heard coming out of the hole in the ceiling. The larvae all started to yawn. Hachi also yawned alongside the larvae before regaining his composure and looking up at the hole. He reached for his sword but found it was gone.

Hachi - ...Ah, bollocks. From the hole, a huge, pink, bloated Routrith emerged and fell into the ground. It appeared to reach almost 20 meters in height, with an enormous worm-like body. Hachi was knocked off his feet and landed on his back, grunting as he landed. He didn't seem to notice the Routrith at first, but after several seconds his jaw dropped and he pointed.

Hachi - ''...W-What. The. Hell.''

The huge Routrith looked down on Hachi and approached him. It sniffed and stared intensily at him.> Hachi slowly placed his hand down and he looked up at the Routrith, his ears drooped.

Hachi - Uhh...Mik-miki miki-mik mikimiki mikmik?

After several seconds of staring, the huge Routrith suddenly smiled and put its head against Hachi, as if it was trying to cuddle him. The larvae all started to yawn and jump. Hachi's eyes were wide for a few seconds, surprised by this. He blinked for a couple of moments before smiling and patting the Routrith's head gently.

Hachi - Hehe...mikimiki.

The morning sun rose on the group's camp. As they woke up, they noticed something missing. Many things missing, in fact. Sarec snapped out of meditation, sensing something was wrong.

Sarec - Hachi? Uriel - ''Something's not right. My equipment bag is gone.'' Baptarion - Is it just me or...is most of our equiment gone? Lemmo - ''Senla! Yanla! Who touched my guns?''

Sarec looked frantic and looked about the edges of the camp for something. Meanwhile, Nu seemed calm, as per usual. Behind his helmet, he was grinning evilly.

Baptarion - ''You were awaken during the night. Did you not see any of this?'' Nu - Nope.

Sarec glared at Nu.

Sarec - You can't fool me, Kicath. Nu - And just how hard are you concentrating to get through this armor? Sarec - ''Not very hard, surprisingly. Also I can tell a few things from the udnertones of your voice.''

Nu walked up to Sarec, towering over him. The two glared at each other for several seconds until Uriel decided to intervene.

Uriel - If you two are done arguing, need I remind you our camp has been robbed and "something" has taken most of our equipment. Nu - Hmph.

There was a trail on the soil as well as several footprints. The trail appeared to be around Hachi's size. A Mikmik poked Uriel's leg and pointed at the trail on the ground. Nu bent down and examined the footsteps, followed by Uriel who bent down and examined the track, scratching his chin, and Lemmo who looked at the trails carefully.

Lemmo - ''That's definitely... someone. That's definitely someone.'' Baptarion - Looks like Hachi got dragged away. Uriel - Other Mikmik? Baptarion - ''That's a good theory. Shall we follow it?'' Lemmo - Aye.

Nu then looked at the rest of the path onwards.

Nu - ''So none of you have weapons. Hm.'' Uriel - ''Good thing I was taught hand-to-hand. Also...''

Uriel kneeled down tucked his hand into his armoured leather boot. After a few seconds he pulled out a combat knife.

Nu - ''Hmph. You call that a knife?''

Uriel pressed a button on the handle and the knife extended outwards, doubling in length as he smirked.

Nu - ''...Better. Times like these I wish I had that sword installed. Hmph.'' Uriel - It's not always the size of the knife that matters though. Lemmo - It is how you wield it.

Uriel nodded at Lemmo. The Tertanai took a small, ornate dagger from his backpack, made of white, glistening metal.

Baptarion - I don't keep knives around since, you know, I'm an archeologist and not a fighter. Lemmo - ''The Ancients used these daggers for ceremonial purposes. I just carry them around in case I need to shiv someone.'' Nu - But, I do have this.

Nu grasped a piece of his armor and it latched off, seemingly quite small. It folded out, and then a burst of energy surrounded it and formed a blade like shape.

Nu - This isn't going to last forever though. Uriel - ''I was one of my class's upper echelons in mixed close-quarters at Gran'Thar. I can protect myself.'' Lemmo - ''And I know Lunai. I heard that it is considered to be a dirty combat style among you Draconis, but we are fighting animals, you know. We don't have to worry about all that honour stuff.'' Uriel - All that ritualistic honour is saved for arenas anyway. Lemmo - ''Aye, Paragon. For an emperor, you understand me a lot.''

The group followed the footsteps and the trail until they arrived at the entrance of a cave. The entrance itself was huge, being around 30 meters tall all the way up. At a distance, they could see a river inside the cave, and next to it, a large blue sillhoette.

Sarec - Hachiman?

Nu raised his blade to his chest level.

Nu - Whatever that blue thing is, be ready to knife it to Inferno. Uriel - ...you have no idea how to hunt do you? Nu - You really don't know me very well. Baptarion - Let's approach it slowly. Uriel - ''Killing everything in isght is NOT. Hunting. It's slaughter.'' Nu - ...What's the difference? Uriel - ''One is an ancient survival technique required by even the most base of predators. The other is...vile.'' Nu - ''You're spilling blood to rip someone open for a benefit. Slaughter is a very vague word, 'Paragon'.'' Uriel - And what is the benefit in killing that thing when we have no idea waht it is? Lemmo - There's a difference between killing something and killing something mindlessly. Uriel - Perhaps it is not as aggressive as you are, amybe it wants to be left alone? Baptarion - We won't know until we get a close view. Nu - It's still killing. Uriel - Killing without any real purpose. Nu - ''If you were on Occasus, you'd have a different view. I'm sure of it.''

As they approached, the sillhouette became clear. It was actually a blue-coloured Vorlora. And surrounding it, there were various blue-coloured Mikmik. The few red ones following the group immediately ran up to them, and they all jumped in joy together. Uriel smiled and kneeled down to the Mikmik. Meanwhile, Sarec muttered to himself.

Sarec - Uriel one, Nu zero. Lemmo - These ones are different. Uriel could notice the blue Mikmik had something the red ones didn't: gill-like structures on their necks. They also lacked the red Mikmik's characteristic forehead horn. Meanwhille, Nu turned to Sarec.

Nu - Sinásátinmatzká, churakonísa. Sarec - *sarcastically* I'm touched. Uriel - I believe they are aquatics. Baptarion - A subspecies? Lemmo - I guess.

In the water, Aquatic Routriths watched the group. The Vorlora let out a roar, making them flee, and the Blue Mikmik crossed the river. The Vorlora then lowered itself into the water, making a bridge, and the red ones crossed it too. Uriel paced up to Lemmo.

Uriel - Is this attitude normal for the Agent? Lemmo - No, he's just nuts. Uriel - I meant this one in particular. Lemmo - ''Oh, yes. He's a total psycho. Reminds me of- nevermind.'' Uriel - Perfect...

Going through the river, the group stumbled into a large, adult Routrith, though it was asleep.

Nu - One well placed punch to the head...and cue hemorrhaging. Baptarion - Or it wakes up and eats you. Nu - Do I look edible to you? Uriel - We do. Baptarion - I don't think the giant alien animal cares if you're a robot. Nu - ''...Right. Two well placed punches to the head.'' Uriel - Nu...

Nu sighed. A much smaller, tusked, fat-looking Routrith appeared in front of the group, carrying Uriel's equipment pack. Nu could identify it as a Mosen Routrith.

Nu - ''Five. Five well placed punches to the head.'' Uriel - Survival rule number one when on a strange world full of animals: Don't kill-- That's my gear!

Uriel crouched low and walked towards the Mosen Routrith, who looked at Uriel with a sight of indifference. Uriel smiled, trying to appear friendly to the animal.

Uriel - Give me the bag. Lemmo - Be careful, dammit!

The Mosen stared at Uriel for some seconds, turned back and started to walk away. Uriel searched his pockets for any food, He found one of the ration packs the thieves msut have missed. Uriel opened the lid and wafted the smell of dried meat towards the Mosen, who felt the smell and turned back to Uriel.

Uriel - Come on, you want the food?

The Mosen let go of the backpack and approached Uriel. However, the large adult Striped Routrith started to sniff the air too. The Mikmik started to panic. Uriel put the ration pack in the water and ran for his pack. Picking it up and sprinting towards the other side. The rest of the group and the Mikmik ran after him. The Striped Routrith woke up and could only see them leaving.

Uriel - All that without firing a single shot! Baptarion - Awfully close too. Lemmo - Huh. Uriel - It was a good thing I had a ration pack the thieves missed.

Arriving at the center of the cave, the ground came across the largest chamber. And in the middle of it, was Hachi surrounded by Routrith Larvae. Sarec smiled happily upon seeing Hachi.

Hachi - I'll call that one Nippy, that one Nippy II, that one Michael Jordan... Sarec - Hachiman! Baptarion - ''He's alive. Thank Spode.''

Hachi's ears perked and he looked up to see the group, a smile on his face.

Nu - ...why is he here? Hachi - Mik-mik miki-miki mik-miki! Uriel - We've been looking for you. Lemmo - Oh, look, he's alive.

Hachi noticed the blue Mikmik following the group.

Hachi - ''Oh hey, you found blue ones! Urrm...*makes his voice higher*Mikmik miki-miki miki-mik mik-miki!''

The Mikmik all ignored Hachi's noises. And then, a loud roar was heard coming from a hole in the ceiling of the cave. Uriel looked up to the hole in the centre of the cieling. Hachi looked up and smiled, standing up and rushing to his side.

Uriel - That's not good. Nu - I repeat my question and supplement it with an answer.

A huge, pink, bloated Routrith appeared out of the hole and fell into the ground, causing a small earthquake. Nu could identify it as Imperatrix Routrix. Uriel stepped back, staggring as the creature landed.

Nu - Imperatrix Routrix. Hachi - ''Hey guys! I wanna introduce you to a friend of mine! I call her "Gladis"!'' Lemmo - Holy sweet Tertamia, that thing is about as obese as the Rianth's mother! Uriel - Hachi...you know these larvae...is this their mother?

The Imperatrix noticed the ground and let out an annoyed roar.

Hachi - ''Yep! Gladis is the proud mother of all these little cuties!'' Uriel - So you two know each other....good...so can you tell it we're friendly? Lemmo - I don't think he does. Hachi - I could try, I guess.

Hachi turned to the Imperatrix.

Hachi - Miki-miki mikmik mik-miki miki-mik mikmik. Baptarion - If that doesn't work with the Mikmik, I seriously doubt it works with a Routrith. Sarec - Hachi do you still have the amulet I gave you?

Hachi shrugged rather casually.

Hachi - I'll check later. Sarec - ...now would be a good time to have it...

The Imperatrix growled, and stared at Hachi for a second. It then stood down.

Nu - ...How the hell did you become fluent in dumb-plant? Lemmo - ''The... how did you do that?'' Hachi - ''See? Instead of you guys punching everything you come across, you just gotta take time to connect with them!''

Uriel smiled at Hachi's remark.

Nu - ''I can still connect with people through punches. Just a different context.'' Uriel - The boy is a true man of the wilderness! Hachi - ''Hey that's racist! It's because I'm furry, isn't it?!'' Uriel - Hachi I didn't mean that...

The Imperatrix carefully grabbed Hachi by one of his ears and threw him back into her direction, then let out a growl to the group, frowning.

Baptarion - I'm not liking her attitude one bit. Nu - Is that how you wanna play, you fat mess of an animal?!

Uriel walked up to the Imperatrix slowly. He gestured towards himself, then to Hachi, smiling, trying to make himself look friendly.

Nu - Sarec, how much does Paragon funerals cost? Sarec - Uhh...billions I think.

The Imperatrix let out a roar which blew Uriel back, making him land on his back.

Baptarion - I don't think it wants us to take Hachi away. Nu - Then the alternative then.

Nu raised his blade at the Imperatrix.

Uriel - ''You mean kill it? But....grrr.''

Uriel growled furiously in Nu's direction. The Imperatrix stepped on the ground angrily and the Routrith Larvae all charged at the group's direction. However, they were too busy arguing to notice it. Nu turned his blade to Uriel's snout, coming within centimetres.

Lemmo - ''Hey, Ri- Hachi! Tell her to let you go!'' Nu - Do you want to get out of here alive? Uriel - Is that a threat? Hachi - Errm...Mikmik miki-mik miki-miki mik-miki mikmik? Baptarion - C'mon guys, this is not the time for discussion! Lemmo - ''And then the Imperium is going to wage war on the Remnant for killing its leader. Woooh!'' Nu - Trust me, if I wanted to threaten you your buddy here would take you back to Alcanti in two separate bags. Uriel - Then you can tell Kithworto why the Blood Dragons demand your head!

The Larvae jumped and swarmed on Nu, who fell to the ground, struggling to get the Larvae off of him.

Sarec - Hachi, try communicating without words.

Nu sent out a pulse through his armor, shocking all of the Larvae off of him, and then the Mikmik came to their aid and fought the Larvae off. The Imperatrix roared more and started to walk into the group's direction.

Uriel - The Larvae!

Uriel ran to a safe location and rummaged about his pack for something, uncovering more ration packs. He sighed as he held them. Hachi soon appeared on the Imperatrix's head, as if he was riding it.

Nu - Just kill the kit'ankilantimatá! Hachi - Gladis just wants to play with you guys and you're there hurting her babies! Nu - Well tell her to get them the siná'in off of me!

The Imperatrix tried to chomp down, nearly hitting Baptarion, who managed to evade her.

Baptarion - Ack! Uriel - Damnation!

Rummaging through, Uriel discovered a coil-pistol he had packed. He also found numerous darts filled with tranquiliser. The Imperatrix shook Hachi off her and then layed down, and started to roll into the group's direction.

Lemmo - Shit. Sarec - Kranndung!

Lemmo ran away from the Imperatrix as fast as he could and hid behind a rock. Nu got up, and aimed a wrist mounted beam at the Imperatrix, but before he could fire, he was swarmed by larvae again. Sarec attemted to summon an essence barrier to block the Imperatrix, which was formed and the Imperatrix hit it, causing it to get sent back slighty. Meanwhile, out of her rear, more larvae were formed.

Baptarion - Ngh it's giving birth right in front of us! Uriel - The thing's a walking egg sac...

Lemmo started looking around, eventually finding a large chamber in close proximity.

Nu - ''I don't understand this thing. It wants us to stop hurting its children and then it wants to kill us when we do stop hurting them!'' Baptarion - I think it mostly wants us to not take Hachi away, for whatever reason. Lemmo - Hey! - The Tertanai pointed at the chamber - We can hide in there!

Uriel aimed and fired four darts into the Imperatrix's body, who roared as it was hit. The larvae crawled their way into the group, but the Mikmik kept them at bay.

Hachi - ''Guys, why are you hurting Gladis? She just wants to hug you!'' Nu - SHUT UP, HUMAN. Sarec - Hachi I appreciate your optimism but I think that rolling maneuvre was intended to crush us.

The Imperatrix layed down again, and started to roll into their direction once more. She hit a wall, causing boulders to fall across the chamber.

Nu - Get to the chamber. Lemmo - ''Here! I'll show you the way!'' Baptarion - Be quick, she's coming again!

Uriel packed up his gear and ran for the cave, he fired a few more tranquiliser darts into the Imperatrix's body. Lemmo ran to the cave, followed by the others. The Imperatrix stopped rolling and stumbled, dizzy from the darts. Hachi approached her and patted her side gently, watching as she was feeling dizzy.

Uriel - Come on... Hachi - You wanna take a lie down? Nu - Get over here you little idiot!

The group got into the chamber Lemmo had pointed. However, as they entered it, they noticed it was filled with even more larvae.

Nu - Actually, stay over there. Lemmo - If only I had a bomb... Uriel - ...Fantastic Idea Tertenai.

The Imperatrix slowly approached the cave, trying to not fall down from the darts.

Uriel - Those darts were strong enough it should have made the Kicath drowsy. Nu -'' Good luck with that. I don't have blood.'' Uriel - I was advised to bring taser darts just in case. Hachi - Hey guys, I don't think Gladis is very happy with you.

Nu roared at Hachi.

Nu - You think?!

The Imperatrix prepared to attack again, however, it was too weakened. It let out a loud moan and fell down, unconscious. The larvae inside the chamber all panicked and crawled away. Nu grabbed Hachi by the shoulder, lifted him to his level against the cave wall.

Sarec - Nu put him down! Nu - What the hell were you thinking, staying here?! Hachi - ''H-Hey! Hey! She was a single mother and you knocked her lights out!'' Baptarion - Don't fight each other!

Sarec cleched his fists and slammed his hand into Nu's back, draining the cyborg Kicath's power cells as he did. Nu dropped Hachi, but began to berserk at Sarec. He turned around to rip Sarec's head off, but dropped unconscious also.

Lemmo - ''Sheesh! We did it.'' Baptarion - ...Better take note that you can do that to him.

The Mikmik all got together and started to drag Nu in the direction of the exit.

Sarec - ''Heh. Been waiting years to do that.'' Baptarion - Still...nnngh it gave birth right in front of us. Hachi - ''She was a lone parent just trying to look after her young and now look what you did to her! I just thought I could help out!'' Baptarion - Well, we explored this cave but looks like none of our weapons were taken here. Uriel - ''She's only unconsious, she should be fine in a few hours. Rianth waht I said earlier...about you being a man of the wilderness. I meant it as a compliment.'' Hachi - How about I call you "Draconis" all the time, huh?

Uriel took a step back. Sarec walked up to Hachi and rested his hands on Hachi's shoulders.

Hachi - You know that R...R...R-Rianthism is technically a deformity right? Sarec - Hachi...what Uriel was trying to say was that he apprecited how you handled yourself. Hachi - ''Oh. Thanks Uriel! That means a lot!'' Lemmo - ''Aye. You might look like a small kid, but you're a real man inside. I'm starting to like you.'' Baptarion - Well, let's get out of here before the Routrix, or Nu, wakes up. Uriel - ''I never meant to cause offense. You're certainly better on your own than the Kicath; he suggested stabbing one of these blue Mikmik in the back when they weren't looking.'' Sarec - ''Uriel here is an experienced huntsman and explorer. I think he likes you.'' Lemmo - ''Weird or not weird, Hachiman has brains. The Kicath really doesn't.'' Hachi - ''Well...a-anyway, lets get outta here before she wakes up. She smells funny anyway, unlike Sarec. Sarec smells like blueberries and happiness.'' Baptarion - ...Eh?

The group looked at Hachi with confusion.

Hachi - ''Bap smells like almonds and smartness, Uriel smells like elderberries and water! ...Nu smells like shit.'' Baptarion - Well...thanks, I guess? Sarec - Tell you what, how about we keep looking while you ride on my back.

Hachi jumped on Sarec and they made their way to the exit. By then, Hachi had already fallen asleep, with a thumb on his mouth. With a new kind of Mikmik on their side, they now had to look out for their missing weapons.

Lava Den
The next day, the group had waken up to find the Mikmik were now actively guarding the area around the camp. In addition, the area around it was filled with large leaves coming out of the soil. Uriel woke up and noticed the Mikmiks' rather erritorial behaviour. Hachi yawned as he woke up and was suckling on one of Sarec's horns. Meanwhile, Nu was still out cold. Some Mikmik rested on his body, unaware it was him.

Uriel - ...how many of these natives have we attrached? Baptarion - *yawn* ...quite a few, it seems.

Sarec didn't seem to mind Hachi's actions as he woke up. He could feel the weight of hachi's head on his horns and decided not to move so hastily.

Baptarion - ''Hmm. Maybe they decided to protect the camp while we sleep.'' Uriel - And to think Nu prefers to scare them off. Baptarion - And speaking of him, looks like he's still down. Sarec - I can always charge him up...but then again he looks so peaceful laying there. Baptarion - ''We have to search for our equipment. And while it's good to not have him threatening us, he's currently our best weapon.''

Hachi slowly woke up and he rested on Sarec's head, looking around. As Nu's shields were off, his armor seemed duller and darker than usual.

Uriel - ''He'd be more useful not threatening to kill every moving thing in sight. Hachi - ''W-What's this about throwing M-Mikmik?

The Mikmiks started to pull the leaves off the ground, which were actually more Mikmik, who were the seeds the Vorlora had spitten on the ground days ago. Both red and blue Mikmiks were present. Some of them poked Nu, trying to get him back up. Some even tried to jump on him, but all they did was hurt themselves. Lemmo had awakened the last, confused.

Lemmo - ''Uh? What happened? More of these things?'' Baptarion - ''Calm down, Lemmo. They're on our side.'' Sarec - *sigh* I guess I'd better wake him up, those Mikmik seem determined.

Uriel opened up four ration packs and ,placed them on the floor.

Uriel - Breakfast anyone? Baptarion - Ah yes, I'm hungry. Lemmo - Sure, why not.

Uriel took a ration pack filled with roast pieces of Krann meat. He gently popped each piece into his mouth. Smiling as he swallowed. These were Draconis-sized ration packs. To people like Hachi, they appeared a little on the large side.

Hachi - ''I thought you said breakfast, not dinner. Uriel - ''You don't have to eat it all you know.

All of a sudden, Nu's fingers began to move slowly. The Mikmik all jumped in joy as they noticed it. The fingers stopped moving. Nu then launched from the ground, sending the Mikmik laying on him flying, running around the camp swearing in Kicathian and stumbling everywhere.

Sarec - Kranndung he's awake. Baptarion - Gee. Hachi - That must be some hangover. Nu - ''...Dear god, Hachiman...Tau...dressing me up...uhhh...what a nightmare. ...Where the heck am I?!'' Baptarion - ''Calm down, Nu. You're at the camp.'' Sarec - Ah...

Lemmo took a small piece of meat and took it into his mouth reluctantly.

Lemmo - ''It lacks a certain... flavour.'' Uriel - ''These rations were designed to be nutritious, Being tasty wasn't a huge priority. Although granted if you concentrate you can taste something.'' Hachi - I taste steak! Lemmo - ''Huh. I ate worse things when I was a child.'' Hachi - Surely your mom's milk wasn't that bad? Lemmo - ''Duh. You say it like I know who my mom actually is.'' Uriel - ''I managed to procure the good variety of rations; it contains a plant extract that changes flavour depending on your tastes. I advise against eating the plant it comes from, what with it being toxic but the extract is harmless.''

Sarec opened a ration pack for Hachi. He offered it, signifying he wasn't hungry. Hachi smiled and then dunked his face into it, eating as much as he could.

Uriel - ''Well I'm glad to see the boy is eating well. Never seen someone eat ITN rations so eagerly.'' Nu - ...What's going on, where am I?! Baptarion - ...Do you not remember where you are?

Nu frantically looked around his armor for a gun, but couldn't find one.

Nu - ...Where's my gun?! Sarec - It was stolen. Baptarion - Sarec, I think you might have hit him too hard. Nu - ''Since when?! I wake up on this...where the hell am I anyway?'' Sarec - All I did was drain his power cells, I didn't intend to give him a concussion. Nu - You did what!?

Nu began to calm down, stumbling slightly. His shields recharged and his displays reappeared.

Baptarion -'' Alright, then let me remind you. We are stranded on this planet. Our guns were stolen by the wildlife. We're going to search for them after we eat.''

Nu groaned.

Nu - I'm hungry.

Uriel picked up and tossed an ITN ration pack at Nu. Nu picked up the ration pack and ate its contents. After he ate it, he regained composure and stood up. He held his head in pain.

Nu - ...What the hell did I do to deserve that?

Nu walked over to the main group and sat down next to Hachi, still holding his head. He then turned to Uriel.

Nu - ...Do I know you? Uriel - We're aquaintances. Sarec - A short stay in the Imperium and you'd know, believe me. Nu - *groaning* ''I can't remember anything. Last thing I remember I was walking through Anatezc-ji 0.'' Baptarion - Well, that was at least 3 days ago. Nu - So you whacked me and put me on here with you? Sarec - Far from it. Baptarion - ''No. We were on a mission. Our shuttle crashed.''

Baptarion pointed at the debris of the shuttle. Nu sat, concentrating. After Uriel finished his ration pack he pulled out a Brukar horn and began carving into it with his knife. Lemmo looked at Uriel, interested.

Lemmo - Ah, scrimshaw? Uriel - Sculpting. Lemmo - ''The ancient Tizenri of Draco practiced this art six billions of years ago. I remember robbing a crypt made by them... exquisite.'' Nu -'' I have no weapons at all. Not even my energy blade...'' Hachi - What about your fists?

Nu flexed his fingers whilst looking at them.

Nu - ...What's this 'database' thing on my display? Hachi - ''Oh that? You ate something and now you know stuff about nature.'' Baptarion - You downloaded the data on this pad I got to your brain, I think. Nu - ''Hmph. Anyone got a knife or something?'' Uriel - I have one knife, but its mine. Baptarion - I got nothing. Hachi - You're gonna try cutting it out, aren't you? Nu - ''Private-sector fists it is then. Jetpacks seem to be in working order. I'm good.''

After the group was done eating, they made their way to the entrance of the nearest cave that was not the Imperatrix's den. Outside, there was a large, assymetric, lump-ish creature with empty eyes. A Migehew. Hachi screamed at the creature and tried to run back to the camp, but Nu grabbed him by the head and plotted him back next to him. Lemmo - ...Looks like trouble. Hachi - MY GOD WHAT THE HELL IS THAT THING?! Sarec - That feels...disturbing. Nu - You wouldn't last five seconds on Occasus, human.

The Mikmik immediately ran up to the Migehew, who watched them closely. It then noticed the group and walked on their directions. Nu assumed a stance with his fists ready, while Baptarion and Lemmo backed away.

Hachi - D-Don't put me a-anywhere NEAR THAT THING!! Sarec - Hachi stay calm!

The Migehew got up to them and then sat down. It stared at them intensily, not even blinking. It didn't appear hostile, but at the same time it didn't appear friendly. Meanwhile, The Mikmik climbed and rested on it. it didn't seem to care.

Nu - ...Eh. Uriel - That's...disturbing. Hachi - L-LEMME GO LEMME GO LEMME GO! Nu - I'm not even holding on to your head.

Baptarion got close to it and decided to poke the Migehew, which remained indifferent. He eventually got the couraged to put his hands on it, feeling interested by the animal. As he did, Nu's systems confirmed it as a Migehew.

Baptarion - ''...It feels like a boulder. Fascinating.'' Nu - ''Migehew. Non-volatile. Ugh, who selected the voice on this thing?'' Baptarion - So...guess we can just move on then. Sarec - ''See Hachi? Nothing to fear.'' Hachi - ...I-I feel like my soul has j-just been wrenched from my b-body just by looking at i-it. Nu - Clearly you haven't been to .

The group entered the cave, the Migehew following them. The cave was notably hot in temperature, which increased as they moved on, but at the moment did nothing but cause minor disconfort. The blue Mikmik all refused to enter and returned to the camp.

Uriel - I am guessing they are sensetive to heat. Baptarion - Seems like it.

Nu examined the cave's interior.

Nu - It seems to increase in temperature further in. Lemmo - ''Hm. Hot like in a volcanic temple of Ai... but without the crazy cannibal tribes. Thankfully.''

As they walked on, they came across a new animal. It was 4 meters tall, had a white body, hooves and a large snout. Nu's systems identified it as a Flaming Bettenor.

Hachi - It looks cuddly! Nu - ''The snout is its main form of attack. Keep distance.'' Uriel - How so? Nu - It ejects combustible liquids. Uriel - Hm.

Hachi approached the Bettenor and examined it. The Bettenor walked up to them, sniffing the air, and suddenly started to eat the red Mikmik. The Migehew walked up to it, but the Bettenor sent a stream of fire into the group's direction. Lemmo, quickly ran for cover, clenching his teeth in pain. Sarec held out his hand to have the fire curve around the group while Uriel stepped back.

Hachi - It's sneezing red and yellow snot at us! Uriel - Are you going to keep hiding like that for every encounter? Lemmo - I am not a huge armored dragon like you, sir. I merely want to stay alive. Uriel - ''I've seen creatures smaller than you face even more deadly odds. Hachiman for instance.'' Lemmo - And I've seen creatures larger than you dying horribly. Nu - Just where did my gun go anyway?

The group was protected by Sarec, but the Migehew had still been hit. It appeared angered, despite not showing any facial expressions. it walked up to the Bettenor and punched it, sending it flying into the ceiling. Hachi watched as the Migehew punched the Bettenor and stood wide-eyed.

Hachi - That...was badass. Lemmo - Wooh!

Two more Flaming Bettenors appeared, and started to let low-pitched squeaking noises at the group. They let out short streams of fire, showing off their anger.

Hachi - I just wanna cuddle them! Lemmo - What are they doing? Baptarion - I think they are angry at us. Hachi - ''So? They just look so cuddly!'' Lemmo - ''Hm. There are two options left for us: either we run away like cowards...Or we initiate a tactical retreat.'' Sarec - Aren't those two tactics the same thing? Lemmo - The second one sounds prettier. Uriel - Those jets of theirs, perhaps an inhaled incendiary could deal with them? Baptarion - Good theory. Nu - ''You think? Anyway, block their snout and watch what happens.''

The Bettenors tried to get close to the group, but the Migehew kept them away.

Hachi - Just let the soulless thing take the hits, we can get outta here! Baptarion - ''That's just mean, Hachi. Baptarion - Anyone has any idea how to make them inhale an incendiary?'' Nu - ''Yeah. Stuff it down their snouts.'' Hachi - Throw Nu at them. Nu - Just because I can take up to three thousand degrees doesn't mean you can throw me at them! Uriel - Incendiary shot into their snouts? Hachi - Anybody got any alcohol and a tissue?

The Migehew endured the attacks of the Bettenors. It retained its emotionless and silent expression, while the Mikmik moaned over it. The group could notice the Mikmik being hit by the fire, but ignoring it completely.

Nu - ''I know! Throw...them at them!'' Baptarion - Eh? Nu - ...Guess that wasn't a good idea. Uriel - We need something to ignite the stored gases. Hachi - It's times like these I wish I smoked.

At a distance, a spider-like sillhoette was approaching. It had a similar body build to a Brukar, but as it approached, it was red and filled with spikes. It kept watching from a distance. Uriel rolled his eyes and pulled out a coil pistol, swapping the magasine for one marked with an "oxidising" symbol. He fiked in the magasine and aimed to shoot into the snout of one of the Bettenors. The Betternor exploded violently, sending its companion, the Migehew and the Mikmik back. Uriel lifted the pistol with a smile on his face.

Baptarion - Holy Spode... Hachi - That's...that was... Lemmo - I need a gun like that. Nu - ''Hmph. If I had a gun.''

The remaining Bettenor, angered, charged through the distracted Migehew and tackled Uriel into a wall. Uriel hit the wall and struggled to push the Bettenor off. Hachi ran over to the Bettenor and, without thinking, grabbed the snout of the Bettenor, meaning it could not produce fire but would instead reverse if it tried.

Hachi - ''Hey guys! I think I found a way to stop it doing the fire thing!'' Nu - What are you doing!?

The Bettenor shook its head, trying to throw Hachi off. Baptarion, perplexed by not being able to help, started to throw Mikmik into it. The Mikmik grabbed into it and started to attack the Bettenor's back. Uriel continued trying to punch the Bettenor away, and Hachi swung around but he continued to keep a firm grip on its snout, like a rodeo rider. Nu groaned for a second, and punched one of the Bettenor straight on the head. Nu's punch caused the Betternor to let out a loud squeaking noise and be launched into the air, falling down to its back.

Nu - Heh.

Hachi was launched into the ground and Uriel was safe from the Bettenor's strikes. Hachi let out a squeak as he hit the ground and slowly picked himself up. Uriel lended on the floor, panting for a few minutes before he stood up and took up the pistol once more. As he did so, the red Brukar approached the group. Nu could identify it as Brukar Pyrus.

Nu - Brukar Pyrus. Baptarion - They got subspecies too? Nu - ''No, they're all different. Of course.''

The Brukar Pyrus ignored the group and walked up to the Bettenor. It picked the Bettenor up, put it on his back and walked off with it. Uriel put the pistol away.

Nu - Eh. Baptarion - You okay, Hachi? Hachi - *coughs* Urgh...think I swallowed some dirt. Nu - Better than swallowing fire I guess. Uriel - Thank you Hachiman.

Hachi looked at Uriel and scratched his head in confusion, sitting on the ground.

Hachi - W-What for? Uriel - ''For saving be from the Bettenor. After what I said to you...you didn't have to do it.''

The Migehew walked up to Hachi, picked him up and put him on its head to sit with the Mikmik. Hachi shuddered upon being placed there and let out a terrified and quiet squeak. Seeing his expression, Nu laughed somewhat evilly at Hachi.

Hachi - I-it's...I-It's f-...f-fine... Sarec - Hachi you okay up there?

Hachi nodded his head slowly with a cringed face, and the group moved on.

The group moved forward. As they ventured deeper into the cave, they could see crystaline formations growing frm the walls. They shined in a beautiful blue colouration, appearing as if they were a large deposit of sapphires. Streams of fire and vapour were released around them, showing the cave was coming closer to its maximun heat. Baptarion in particular appeared fascinated.

Nu - Where the Inferno is my gun? Baptarion - ''Look at these formations. Are these sapphires?'' Uriel - These are amazing. Lemmo - Indeed...

Lemmo leaped towards the crystals and tore them from the rocks, putting them into his backpack. And from behind one of the formations, appeared a purple-coloured Vorlora. Following it was a small group of gruff-looking, purple-coloured Mikmik.

Hachi - Hey, those ones look like Sarec! Lemmo - ''Hey, are those ones purple? Purple is my favourite colour!''

Sarec chuckled when he saw the Mikmik. The red Mikmik all cheered at the purples ones. Despite their looks, the purple Mikmik appeared just as friendly as any other.

Nu - ''We should all line these Mik-whatevers up and make a pretty rainbow shape. Ngh.'' Lemmo - Rainbow Mik always dr- nevermind. Uriel - These ones appear more powerful than the others. Hachi - Hmm...*in a gruff voice* Mikmik miki-miki mik-miki miki-mik mikiki!

One of the Mikmik walked up to Sarec and grabbed him by his leg. It then managed to lift him up by itself, making a high-pitched laugh sound. The group was all stunned by the Mikmik's strength. Lemmo gasped and slipped into Old Illidian. Hachi simply watched as Sarec was lifted off the ground, his eyes wide. He forgot he was sitting on the Migehew's back.

Nu - What. Sarec - O-okay this is bizzare. Uriel - Lifefather's breath... Baptarion - ...How much do Draconis weight again? Uriel - Adults weigh on average beween four and seven hundred kilos. Baptarion - ...That's some muscle. Sarec - Is it me or do these Mikmik have a thing for Draconis?

The Mikmik put Sarec down and cuddled his leg. However, a muffed roar-like sound was heard, as well as the sound of something slamming against the ground.

Nu - That doesn't sound good.

Dust formed behind the group as a large entity was seen. It was completely featureless, pitch-white, its body almost looking like it was made of plasma. Nu's database had no information on this creature. Uriel stared at the creature and his jaw dropped.

Nu - That really doesn't sound good. Baptarion - ...What in Spode's name is that? Hachi - W-What the...is that thing m-made out of...Ewwwww!

The Mikmik all panicked and ran behind the Migehew. The unknown creature slowly started to make its way to the group's direction. Lemmo kept staring at the creature while walking away slowly.

Lemmo - ''Remember? Two options.'' Baptarion - The thing is on the exit's direction...we gotta go deeper into the cave!

Nu picked up a rock and threw it at the creature. As the rock hit it, however, it was completely dissolved.

Nu - Yeah...run. Uriel - Perhaps that is a good idea. Lemmo - It is ALWAYS a good idea.

Nu turned slowly, and high-tailed it in the opposite direction, followed by the others. The group all ran into the cave's dephts, dodging streams of fire that were coming from the ground. The creature kept following them, implacable, its body morphing to dodge the enviromnent. The animals inside the cave noticed the creature and also started to run away. The purple Vorlora could barely keep up with them, but suddenly the Migehew slowed down, grabbed her and started to carry her.

Nu - I signed up for this?!

The cave was hotter and hotter as they moved on, until they came across a river of lava. As they passed through it, the unknown creature simply stopped on its tracks.

Baptarion - It's not chasing us anymore... Sarec - What...what was that? Baptarion - It kinda reminded me of a ...but a lot creepier. Nu - ''That...wasn't fun. Reminds me of the fight with Volim.''

The creature turned around and left. The group found themselves on a dead end, the ground around them glowing intensily. At a distance, a skeleton was visible, as we as what appeared to be some of the group's guns.

Lemmo - ''Senla! Yanla!'' Nu - ''Siná'in. My gun isn't there.''

Uriel walked up to the skeleton and kneeled down in order to study it. He could identify it as the skeleton of a Mosen Routrith. Lemmo ran to the pile of guns, not caring about the volcanic environment he was in, and grabbed a silver, elegant gun from it.

Lemmo - Only Senla. Uriel - Judging by the structure this was a Mosen...liek the one we saw with my pack. Baptarion - ''Really?...This gives me a bad feeling. What killed it?...What if its killer is still here?''

Lemmo recharged his pistol.

Lemmo - Who cares? Nu - The heat probably killed it. Uriel - it's only a skeleton but it is too clean to have been the heat.

The ground started to tremble as something large moved below it.

Sarec - I'm sensing something big...very big. Hachi - Teehee, that's what she said. Nu - Something bigger than that white thingamajig?

Part of the ground near the skeleton was destroyed as a huge, serpentine, red monster emerged out of it, letting out a loud roar. Uriel and Sarec stepped back, and Hachi pointed at it and giggled.

Hachi - It has a moustache!

Nu stumbled and almost fell into the pit. He could see the pit led to a lava river. He also identified the creature as a Fogolarth. Sarec ran and grabbed Nu by the arm, only jut stoping him falling over the edge.

Lemmo - What's that, a snake or something? Nu - ''Big fire snake. Anyone got an icicle?'' Hachi - Looks more like a worm to me!

The Fogolarth groaned and tried to chomp down on Uriel, who ran and doddged, the Fogolarth managed to snap at the very tip of his tail. Uriel felt his tail burning. The Fogolarth was incredibly hot, as it was coming right out of the lava. Uriel clenched his jaws as he could feel a burn and he fell flat withhis stomach on the ground. The Fogolarth next chomped down on the Migehew, biting it and lifting it off the ground. Hachi was launched off it and burned as well. Lemmo aimed made a single shot to the serpent's head, but it missed as the Fogolarth shook the Migehew around. Hachi landed on the ground and felt his fur burning, cringing and wincing as it went across his body. Nu decided to get close to the serpent, and started to rip at it's body. The Fogolarth shouted in pain and retreated through the hole it created.

Sarec - That kicath is definitely insane... Lemmo - ''You gotta burn, Kicath! Don't- meh, do whatever you want. I won't miss you'' Nu - ''Heh, we're complete opposites. You run from the battle and I go in head first.''

The ground behind Nu broke down as the Fogolarth emerged again, headbutting him across the room into a wall.

Nu - Ugh. Baptarion - We gotta find a weakspot on that thing. Uriel - The mouth possibly? Lemmo - ''Hm. The nose? The mouth? The... erm....''

Nu peeled off the wall and hit the ground, cracking it. The Fogolarth chomped down on nearby Mikmik, eating them, and the group could see it regenerating the parts Nu had ripped off. Hachi ran up and jumped towards the Fogolarth, gripping ahold of one of the appndages next to its nose.

Sarec - Okay, don't let it eat the Mikmik. Hachi - I got his moustache!

Hachi was burned intensily as he touched the Fogolarth. He let go as he felt himself get burned and fell on the ground, his hands steaming.

Nu - ''Try the damn antenna. I've killed enough to realise that no one likes getting their antenna ripped off.''

The Fogolarth came down trying to bite Hachi but missed. Uriel nodded and pulled out a fusion pistol. He aimed carefuly and fired towards the antennae. When the antennae were hit, the Fogolarth let out a screech and retreated again. Nu attempted to scan the Fogolarth through the ground, but the lava made it difficult. While they fought, the wounded Migehew only watched from a distance. Its body had been pierced by the Fogolarth's teeth, displaying several holes across it. It retained its emotionless expression. The Fogolarth emerged again from behind Baptarion, who only barely managed to evade the creature.

Baptarion - ''Argh! Fire at it!'' Lemmo - Aye!

Nu got on top of the Fogolarth and dug his hands into it, refusing to let go. The Fogolarth shook its head, trying to get Nu off. It started to smash its head against a wall. Lemmo fired a barrage of laser shots at the Fogolarth's antennae, and Hachi ran at the Fogolarth once more, clenching his fist in an attempt to punch its antennae.

Hachi - ''I'll have ya! Come at me!''

Uriel noticed lying by the skeleton was a rifle his size. His eyes lit up when he recognised it and scooped it up. As the Fogolarth launched its head into a wall, Nu was also launched forward, closer to its head. He grasped the Fogolarth again. The Fogolarth was hit by the lasers and roared in pain. It let out a fire breath on Hachi, launching him againt the ground. Uriel held it for a few minutes, happy the rifle had had come with was back in his hands, he checked to see there was a full magasine and aimed at the antennae and fired. Hachi was pinned to the ground, his body too burned for him to get back up so fast. He let out winces of pain as he tried to sit up.

Nu - Down, you Narkámchojóratamil! Sarec - HACHI!

The Fogolarth, heavily wounded, roared again. It came down, trying to chomp down on Hachi. As it came down, Nu lost grip and fell off. Hachi let out a cry as he spat up at the Fogolarth.

Hachi - I'll bite your insides!

Suddenly, the Migehew launched itself into the Fogolarth's path and slammed it away from Hachi. The Migehew grabbed the Fogolarth by the base of the neck and bashed the monster's head against the ground, leaving the antennae exposed. Nu jumped up, and slammed his feet into the Fogolarth's skull, while Uriel aimed once again, he inserted a magasine of smart rounds and fired. hitting the base of the antannae with bullets that curved around to hit the target. Lemmo overcharged his laser and unleashed a blinding orb of light at the serpent which illuminated the cave. Hachi sat up and watched as the Migehew held the Fogolarth. He tried standing up and leaped for its antennae. Gripping one of them, he pulled with his robotic arm until the antenna was wrenched away from its head.

The Fogolarth let out another screech and bashed its head around. The ground around it crumbled as it fell into the lava, lifeless. However, along with it the Migehew also fell. Nu stood tall, and cooled down his armor. Hachi tried to grab the Migehew as it fell but was too burned to reach out properly. Instead, Hachi fell to the floor. The group could see as the Migehew was slowly absorbed by the lava. For the first time, it let out a facial expression, almost as if it appeared content. Eventually, it completely disappeared into the lava. Uriel lowered his rifle, somewhat saddened while Sarec walked up to Hachi and opened his wing protectively. The Mikmik all started to cry and Baptarion crossed his arms.

Baptarion - It sacrificed itself to save you, Hachi. Nu - ''Hmph. We need to get out of here.'' Baptarion - ''Yes...we found some weapons here, but many are still missing. Let's just hope that...white thing is gone.''

Hachi looked down silently and didn't say a word. He had a guilty expression on his face. Lemmo appeared confused.

Lemmo - ''It killed itself to save one they only knew for a day... I don't get it.'' Nu - ''Hmph, whatever. Let them cry over their friend and move on. You will all suffocate down here if you all stay here much longer.'' Sarec - ''Hachi. As it sank, I think it was happy. Or at least, an equivilent.'' Hachi - ''But...why? It must have known it was dying, surely...'' Sarec - I believe it was happy because in losing its life, at least it saved yours.

Hachi continued looking down and sighed unhappily.

Hachi - I think I misjudged it, Sarec... Baptarion - I think we all did to some extent. Sarec - ''These things happen. Not being one of them has that effect.''

The group got up and left, followed by the surviving Mikmik. The purple Vorlora followed them to the surface, and thankfully, the mysterious white monster was nowhere to be seen. But, is that really a good thing...?

Giant Wiggly Thief
The next morning, the group woke up to see the Purple Mikmik had joined the camp. Small dead Routriths had been brought there by them, apparently to feed the group. Baptarion was at the debris of the shuttle, working on something. Uriel had finished parparing the Routriths to become edible. Afterwards he let the flesh convert wile he strolled over towards his bag. Hachi was resting by Uriel's bag, snoring while cuddling a red Mikmik.

Nu - I've been awake all night and I didn't notice you at your ship. Baptarion - I found some tools near the guns back at the Fogolarth den...I'm just giving this some final touches...

Uriel kneeled down and reached in only to notice Hachi sleeping beside it. He hesitated and quietly opened the bag, careful not to disturb Hachi.

Nu - So, what took my gun anyway? Baptarion - ''A flying bug did it. Talkwor Thief, I think.''

Nu went through his databases.

Nu - I let THAT steal my gun?! Baptarion - ''It stole it while you were distracted. There was a huge animal attacking back then.'' Lemmo - You should have been more watchful.

Rummaging around Uriel felt something cool and solid. He smiled and laned in towards Hachi's head. He spoke quietly.

Uriel - ''Hachiman...Wake up. it's morning.''

Hachi's nose sniffed instinctively and he opened his eyes gently, yawning.

Hachi - F-Five more m-minutes, m-mommy...

Nu smiled and leaned in into Hachi's presence. Uriel looked up at Nu and shook his head, and he took off his helmet and bared his teeth, but nothing more than that. Uriel rested his large hand on Hachi's shoulder and shook him gently.

Uriel - I have something for you.''

Hachi's eyes were still half-closed, though they opened when Uriel shook him. He screamed out as he saw Nu glaring down at him.

Hachi - YOU'RE NOT MOMMY!

Nu laughed maniacally and walked off.

Nu - That trick gets everyone. Uriel - ''Easy easy. it's jut Agent Nu.''

Nu went over to Baptarion and examined the shuttle wreck. Hachi looked up at Uriel and sniffed, feeling a bit uneasy.

Hachi - ...Y-You're not Sarec. Uriel - ''You have good eyes kid. Hachiman I wanted to give you something. Close you eyes and hold out your hands.''

Hachi nodded and looks suspicious for just a moment, before complying and shutting his eyes, holding out his hands reluctantly. Uriel wrapped his hands around something inside his pack. Gently he pulled it out and rested the cupped hand on Hachi's palms. he could feel his smooth well-kept scales on his fur. Uriel lifted his hands away and rested one on hachi's shoulder.

Hachi - P-Please tell me it's nothing dirty... Uriel - Open your eyes and see.

In Hachi's hands was a rough statuette made of Brukar horn that had been carved to roughly resemble the Imperatrix Routrix. Hachi opened his eyes and looked at the statuette, a smile appearing on his face. The group could hear excited squeaks from Hachi.

Hachi - IT'S GLADIS! Uriel - Now she can be with you wherever you go.

Uriel smiled as he looked at the expression on Hachi's face. QUietly chuckling to himself. Hachi cuddled the little statuette with a gleeful smile, his tail wagging excitedly.

Nu - ''Hm. Just how did you all survive this anyway?'' Lemmo - Hiding and running are very effective survival tactics. Sarec - I'm...not easy to kill.

Nu could see Baptarion was working on some sort of PDA.

Nu - ''Hm. What's that?'' Baptarion - ''This will allow us to map the region. I just need to make some finishing touches. And after we get all our equipment back, I'll see if I can send a distress signal through this.''

Nu didn't make a response, but looked at the ship wreck. He took a closer look, and picked up half of the shuttle just to look at the bottom of the ship.

Nu - ''Hm. Totalled.'' Sarec - Oh very observant mr. Shuttle engineer. Nu - Thanks a lot, Commandant I-Am-From-A-Secret-Society. Baptarion - I've spent the night awake working on this...I'm tired, but I'll be worth it. It'll work wonders inside those caves.'' Nu - ''Hm. Wish Tau was here. She's the expert in mechanics.''

Baptarion pointed at a screwdriver in a distance. A nearby Mikmik ran to it and took it to him. Nu let down the shuttle gently, and looked around the area with his displays and systems, mapping out the immediate area.

Nu - ...So where are we going anyway? Baptarion - ''Well, this minimap I'm making detected another cave east from here. I say we go there next.''

Nu looked to the east in attempt to find said cave. He could see the entrance in a distance, surrounded by large trees.

Nu - ''Hm. I see the cave from here. Shame there are no Kicathian satellites in orbit. With that mapped I could see much further than I can.'' Baptarion - ''This minimap sends a small signal which maps the geological features of around 30 meters around us. Kinda like echolocation. It can't detect living beings, though.'' Nu - ''Given time, I could detect all lifeforms on the database, although that would take me a while....Ngh. Being helpful is as rewarding as it is fruity-sounding.'' Sarec - You must suck at volunteerwork.

Nu raised his brow at Sarec.

Sarec - My attitude keeps me sane. Baptarion - ...Does it say anything about that white aberration we came across yesterday? Nu - ''Hm. I'll take a look.''

Nu searched the database. All he could find was a piece of corrupted text which said Perterrent.

Nu - ''Hm. Nothing apart from a name. Per....Perterrent.'' Baptarion - ''So whoever made the database knows as much as we do. Great.'' Nu - ''If Tau were here, she could have given us more information. Hmph. Next time some crappy shuttle crashes on a planet, make sure it's her on the shuttle and not me.''

Uriel stood up and turned to Nu.

Nu - ''Screw it. All I want is my damn gun.'' Uriel - Is the negatives all you can think about? Nu - Is our race famous for having fun? Hachi - *mockingly* Optimism does not compute! Uriel - Would a little optimisim kill you? Nu - ''Hm. Yes. Yes it probably would.'' Sarec - ''Nu I have seen stuff so messed up even you would passa bowel movement...if you had bowels. Do you see me moaning all the damn time?'' Nu - I don't really notice what people are saying most of the time. Sarec - Unsurprising.

Uriel gave hachi a few firm pats on his organic shoulder. Smiling once more before standing up. Hachi didn't pay much attention, he was busy admiring the statuette that Uriel had gave him, his tongue hanging out of his mouth.

Hachi - It's so bwootiful... Uriel - its not the best sculpture i've ever made... Nu - ''So this planet first. What's next, Inferno?''

As the group approached the entrance of the cave, small, three-legged animals were visible on the trees, drinking from its saps. Nu could identify them as Forest Triquines.

Nu - ''Triquus silva. Not aggressive.'' Baptarion - There doesn't seem to be anything blocking our way in this time... *yawm* Sarec - See, something that wont't openly attack us. Nu - ''Hm. Either way, they're...ngh. Creepy.'' Hachi - Aww they dunt look that scary. Nu - Migehew. Hachi - Hey don't even joke about that!

Going inside, the group passed through a corridor like structure leading down before arriving into a much larger room, which contained a considerably large lake inside.At a distance, a much larger Triquine was visible, drinking from the water. Nu identified it as a Cave Triquine. Blue Brukars were also visible in the water, with only their heads exposed. The database named them Brukar Aguas.

Hachi - More tree-whines! Sarec - My my... Nu - Hm.

A large shadow was seen in the water, approaching the Triquine.

Hachi - ''I wanna ride it! Like a pony!'' Lemmo - ''It doesn't look like a pony to me... whatever "pony" means.'' Sarec - If Hachi's searches are correct, it's a quadraped HUmans like to ride. Hachi - ''Yeah, four legs, a long face and flappy ears! Kinda like you, Lemmo!'' Lemmo - ''Ah. "Poni" also means - Lemmo coughed and blushed - in Old Illidian.''

From the shadow, what appeared to be a blue-coloured Fogolarth emerged, bit the Triquine by its throat and then dragged it into the water. Nu could only briefly identify it as an Aqualarth. In moments, both were gone, and blood appeared on the water. Hachi's face dropped as he saw what had happened and he looked on, horrified, and Uriel's jaw dropped and he stood motionless.

Baptarion - ''Well...we're not crossing the water. That's for sure.'' Nu - ''Aqualarth. Hm. Those bastards come in blue.'' Hachi - Well, at least they don't come in dry.

As the group moved on alongside the lake, looking up, they could see a very large frog-like creature, apparently mouthless, staring at them with pitch red eyes. Nu could identify it as an Abiopur. Nu readied himself and clenched his fists.

Nu - Hm. Lemmo - Looks like Lamni when she's pissed off. Baptarion - That thing...it has no mouth. Uriel - How do you suppose it consumed its prey... Hachi - I reckon it's mouth is at the other end. Lemmo - It must be eating things with its - Lemmo slipped into Old Illidian - sweet Tertamia, Hachi's behaviour must be contagious.

The Abiopur suddenly jumped high into the air and then threw itself into the group's direction. Nu kept his ground and Uriel gulped for a moment. The Abiopur came down, about to crush them.

Sarec - Okay...now we need to somehow get past it. Hachi - Quick Nu, get under it! Nu - Ekolnyúramadálnarya, you do it! Hachi - You're the cyborg supersoldier!

The group evaded before the Abiopur could crush them. However, the creature immediately jumped again and prepared to attack. Sarec gathered a bolt of energy in his hadn and threw it at the Abiopur, who let out a loud groan and fell down into its back. While it was down Lemmo aimed at the frog creature's leg and fired, wounding it. The Abiopur put itself back up and tried to stand, but thanks to Lemmo's shot, it could no longer jump.

Nu - ''Hmph. And I thought we'd be here longer than that.''

The Brukars on the water, watching the fight, suddenly emerged and attacked the Abiopur, incapacitating it even further. They then dragged the Abiopur to the water. Uriel grinned at the scene.

Baptarion - Everything in here wants to kill each other! Hachi - ''They say TV makes you violent. I say that living without TV is making them pretty fucking violent.'' Uriel - This is nature boys. Hachi - If this is nature, where is all the sex?

he group moved on through another corridor, leaving the lake behind. They emerged into another chamber, which appeared somehow battered. In a distant, a Mosen Routrith was visible. Uriel pulled out a dart pistol and cautiously approached the Mosen, who noticed Uriel and looked at him. It didn't appear to be holding anything but a few weeds.

Nu - Hmph. Uriel - A shame.

Uriel put his pistool back into its holster. Hachi walked over and tried to pull the weeds from its mouth, but the Mosen didn't let go of them. Suddenly, what looked like a bolt of electricity came down from the ceiling and hit the ground right in front of Uriel, Hachi and the Mosen, sending them all back. Looking up, various yellow-coloured Brukars were visible, appeared as if they were charging energy by rapidly moving their legs. Uriel was thrown back and hit a wall. Grunting as he pulled himself up.

Nu - Ugh. Lemmo - ''The atmosphere is getting electric. Let's get out of here!'' Hachi - Whoa...I wanna touch one! Nu - Hmmm....I have an idea.

Nu walked right under the Brukar. One of the them, identified as Brukar Voltus, launched a blast of electricity right at Nu, who took the blast, and absorbed it into his armor.

Baptarion - Clever. Nu - ''...Heheh. Hm. If you have any idea on what i'm gonna do then you'd take cover.'' Baptarion - ...Alright.

The group nodded and scrampled for cover, and Nu roared at the Brukar again. The Brukars all turned their attentions at Nu and stared at him, confused that he had not died.

Hachi - ''Nu, go get them! Good boy!'' Nu - Khamnáshátmanat!

The Brukars all charged their attacks and fired more blasts at Nu, who kept absorbing the blasts, charging his armor more and more. Some of the Brukars descended a little to get a better shot, and kept attacking him. As his armor get charging, it became harder for Nu to move. Nu knelt down as his armor began to overcharge.

Baptarion - ''Nu! Are you sure you know what you're doing?'' Nu - I have an idea.

At this moment, Hachi could see something sitting next to him: a yellow-coloured Mikmik with large flappy ears. Hachi looked at the Mikmik and then poked its ear.

Hachi - Huh, what are you supposed to be?

The Brukars became excited as Nu knelt down and started to descend more, launching more attacks as they approached him. The Mikmik responded to Hachi's action by poking his face. Hachi began to cry and sobbed next to the Mikmik, and Sarec went over to conform him.

Hachi - Why does everything here hate me? Sarec - ''Well...you did poke its ear. It's okay, remember Gladis?''

Hachi thought for a moment and then nodded. Nu's armor began to discharge violent bolts of lightning as the ground began to shake.

Nu - ''Heheheh. Haven't done this in a while.''

The Brukars all stopped and watched Nu, with some of them starting to back away. Nu's armor began to glow yellow, and Nu let out a violent explosion from his armor from the accumulated energy. The Brukars were all hit by the explosion and were torn apart by it. Nu stood back up, with his shields down and his armor sparking slightly.

Baptarion - Woah...that was impressive. Lemmo - ''And sparkly. Are you a vampire or something?'' Uriel - Well...I....

With the Brukars gone, various yellow-coloured Mikmik emerged from the ground, cheering. A yellow-coloured Vorlora appeared right after. It almost seemed like they were thanking the group for killing the Brukars. Hachi approached the yellow Vorlora and examined it curiously.

Nu - ''Hm. Could've waited it out more.'' Baptarion - ''Those are kind of cute. Not as cute as my Iolestin, though.'' Hachi - They have big floppy ears, I wonder if they taste like lemons...

One of the Mikmik, who had been hiding at the top of a boulder, jumped into the group's direction. It glided through the air using its ears and landed next to the rest of the Mikmik.

Lemmo - ''The... fuck?'' Uriel - Now that is ingenious. Hachi - I wanna call it Dumbo! Baptarion - ''I'm confused, but curious. Anyway, shall we move on? The next chamber is right ahead.'' Lemmo - Sure, why not?

The group moved forward, arriving at a new corridor. As they ventured through it, they could see an horizontal corrdor ahead in a distance. However, they soon started to hear loud steps. Baptarion's minimap and Nu's equipment started to glitch. Uriel perked up and his eyes widened, and Hachi's ears perked and he sniffed the air. Lemmo started looking around in panic and finally found a large rock formation to hide

Nu - ''Oh come on. Now what.'' Hachi - I smell the scent of fear with a tint of monstrosity.

Right in front of them, the Perterrent appeared. It passed through the corridor, leaving the area and apparently not noticing the group. As it left, the minimap and Nu's equipment started to come back to normal. Baptarion staggered back and fell on his back, startled.

Hachi - ''Phew! I was gonna say...have any of you been taking notes about that thing?'' Nu - Seriously, if that thing starts to affect my brain I'll blow up the place involuntarily.

Following the encounter with the Perterrent, the group made their way through the rocky corridor until they arrived into what appeared to be the deepest chamber of the cave. And inside it, there were dozens of Mosen Routriths.

Hachi - Damn, dreadlocks must be in fashion. Sarec - ''My my... All these Mosen...'' Baptarion - I believe we found their nest. Lemmo - Whoo, freaky. Uriel - Amazing.

Hachi lifted a hand to his head and squinted. Then, a look of anger and frustration came upon his face.

Hachi - ...I know these things! Sarec - You do? Hachi - One of these bastards kidnapped me that one night!

The group could see the Mosen nest had various pieces of equipment, mostly junk metal, scattered across it. None of it appeared familar to any of them, though it was apparent it were very old in appearence. Apparently, they had not been the first ever to crash on the planet.

Hachi - Huh...Any of that stuff yours? Baptarion - ''No...but this is a good discovery! Maybe there is something useful among these debris.'' Nu - ''Here's hoping. I'm getting sick of having to use my fists to bash skulls in.'' Hachi - Hmm, I wonder if there is something I could use.

Among the debris was Lemmo's second gun. Nu's cannon, however, was nowhere to be seen. Hachi looked around and ran over towards the pile, attempting to take a sneaky look. Nu hissed and punched the cave wall, shaking the entire cave. The punch, however, attracted something very large and very heavy, which approached the chamber with loud, stomping footsteps.

Uriel - Nu...that may not have been the best idea... Nu - ''For once i'll apologize for that one. Next one isn't my fault.'' Lemmo - What- oh wait, Yanla!

Lemmo quickly picked up his second gun. Out of a hole on a wall, a Mosen appeared...except it was ten times the size of a normal one. It was identified as Giant Mosen Routrith. Sarec - Nice work Nu! Nu - ''Oh. I was expecting the Perterrent. Oh well, Dinner's ready.'' Hachi - Whoa...that thing is...massive!

The Giant Mosen looked at the group, and did nothing. It didn't seem to have any intention of harming the group. Hachi rummaged through the pile before looking towards a particular Mosen Routrith. He growled and approached it, kneeling down.

Hachi - ''...You. It was you, wasn't it?''

The small Mosen licked Hachi's face. He kept a stern expression on his face and kept glaring.

Sarec - Maybe it's trying to be friendly? Hachi - Sarec, this is the one that took me... Sarec - ''Maybe it is trying to make up for waht it did. Remember without it you would never have met Gladis.''

The Giant Mosen walked around the chamber, each of its steps causing a small earthquake. It moved its way to the exit, and sat in front of it, completely blocking it.

Baptarion - ''I think we got a bigger issue here. This giant ball of fat is blocking the exit.'' Uriel - Great... Lemmo - ''Maybe Hachi could talk to it? You know, flirt and everytihng.''

Hachi looked towards the Giant Mosen and ran towards it.

Hachi - ''I'll try speaking to it! Rout rith rith-rout rout-rith rout rout!''

The Giant Mosen yawned at Hachi, sending him back. However, both him and Sarec could notice something trapped between the Giant's teeth: Hachi's amulet. Hachi squinted for a moment, trying to make out the glowing object in between the Giant Mosen's jaws. Hachi's eyes then widened.

Hachi - Gimme that! Nu - ''Uh. So what do we do, blow it up?'' Baptarion - Erm...I have no idea. Sarec - Not yet! Nu - Right so what do I do, dance with it? Baptarion - Hell, try punching it.

Hachi leaped up and tried to punch the Giant Mosen, although he only accomplished getting stuck in it's nostril. The Giant Mosen sneezed Hachi out, sending him flying across the room all covered in mucus. Hachi wiped off snot and mucus as he was sneezed out and cringed. Lemmo attempted to shot at the Giant Mosen's girth, however, the shot was completely absorbed by the giant creature's fat.

Lemmo - Why you little- Hachi - This is NOT sexy...

Sarec groaned and ran up, he leaped to balance on the Mosen's tusk and tried to reach for the amulet.

Sarec - 

The Giant Mosen let out a yawn and started to shake its head to get Sarec off it.

Sarec - ''''

The Giant Mosen stopped, and then put its tongue out and started to poke Sarec with it. Sarec smiled as the mosen poked him. He managed to grasp the amulet and gently wiggled it out.

Nu - So...wait, what? Baptarion - This is awkward.

The Giant Mosen suddenly threw its head up and Sarec was launched into the ceiling. Sarec was embedded in the ceiling, holding the medallion in his hand.

Nu - I guess that's a no. Baptarion - You okay, Sarec? Sarec - A little shaken but otherwise i'm okay...I think. Hachi - Nu...why haven't you attacked it yet? Nu - Cause i'm trying a different approach, is that a problem? Baptarion - ''...Well. No really no.''

One of the yellow Mikmiks poked Hachi's leg and pointed up. At the top of some rocky pillars there were rocks which appeared to possess yellow, growy cracks on them. Hachi looked up and turned his head, he grabbed the sprout of the yellow Mikmik and then threw it up. The yellow Mikmik was thrown all the way up, and got near the rocks. It then threw one of them at the ground. The rock exploded violently.

Baptarion - Wha! Hachi - ...Woops. Nu - Hm.

Sarec attempted to pry himself fro mthe rock face. The Mikmik grabbed another rock and threw it next to Sarec, destroying the ceiling around him and freeing him in the process. Sarec fell to the ground and created a small crater when he landed.

Baptarion - These bomb-like rocks...perhaps we can use them against the Giant? Hachi - Feed them to it!

Hachi tried to pick up a rock, although he found it rather heavy.

Hachi - I wonder what's in these things... Lemmo - Now that's an idea. Baptarion - Beware with that thing, Hachi. Hachi - Hey don't sweat it, I'm sure it'll be fine!

Lemmo grabbed a large stash of explosive minerals. Nu grabbed some right after and carried them next to them group.

Lemmo - And after we leave, I could sell them to the Seagon or perhaps one of the Remnants... Hachi - ''Hey guys, I doubt just throwing stuff at it is gonna work, we need a big explosion! We need to make a statement!''

Sarec fliched his wrists and sparks arked between his fingers.

Lemmo - Every rock at once? Sarec - You mean like a spark? Hachi - Like one big mega-bomb! Nu - If only I had an inversion-grenade. Hachi - Hopefully, with luck, it'll make a cute little mushroom cloud! Nu - Shut up and throw the damn rocks.

achi continued to carry his heavy rock, it was particularly larger than the others. Sarec lifted up a few rocks and tossed them near to the giant Mosen.

Baptarion - ''Yes. Let's go for Hachi's idea. Get all the rocks and put them near the fat thing.'' Lemmo - ''Aye aye... sir!'' Hachi - Barbeque time~!

Nu picked up rocks somewhat similar to Hachi's rock in size with little effort and threw them at the base of the giant. The Giant Mosen only watched unamused at the group.

Baptarion - Alright...let's take cover and then someone fire at the rocks!

Hachi, after all the others had placed bomb rocks in a large pile near the beast, slammed his large rock down on the pile. It began to glow rather violently.

Hachi - Phew, that was a toughy! Baptarion - Wait....Hachi, get out of there! Sarec - ''Okay everyone get back. THis will be loud.''

Nu looked at Sarec with a tilted head. Hachi scratched his head and looked at the group with a confused look, unaware of the flashing rock behind him.

Hachi - ''Huh? What? It requires a spark first, it's not like it's gonna explode before!'' Sarec cracked his knuckles - And I'm about to give it a spark. Hachi -'' See Baptarion? Nothing to worry about!''

Hachi chuckled to himself as he casually walked back, completely oblivious to the flashing rock. The Giant Mosen grunted at Hachi in an almost taunting-like manner and poked him with its tongue. Hachi shuddered and he looked back, growling angrily.

Hachi - ''Hey! That thing's cold you know!''

Sarec rolled back his shoulders and threw an arc of electricity from his fingertips to the bombs. Hachi walked towards the Giant Mosen and made an "I see you" gesture, unaware of the electric arc. As they were hit, all bombs pulsated loudly. A very large explosion ensued, sending the Giant Mosen Routrith flying and destroyign great part of the exit, making it even larger. Hachi was hit by the explosion because of how near he was to the rocks. Hachi was thrown across the cave and landed against a wall, or rather inside a wall as only his legs were poking out from a steaming hole. Sarec ran over to hachi and grebbed his legs. Holding firmly before he carefulyl pulled Hachi out of the wall.

The Giant Mosen fell down on its back, dizzy. It got back up, let out a cry and ran off, terrified. All smaller Mosens ran after it, until the chamber was empty.

Sarec - Hachi you okay in there? Baptarion - Don't say I didn't warn you!

Hachi's fur was blackened across his entire torso and face, he didn't seem to reply. Nu stood in the midst of the explosion, blown back slightly.

Nu - ''Phew. That was bigger than I expected.'' Lemmo - ...holy sweet Tertamia. Baptarion - ''Well...we did it. Thanks to the yellow Mikmik.''

Hachi had been knocked unconscious from the explosion, although he soon woke up.

Hachi - ...GOOOOOLD! Uriel - Rather ingenious.

And with that, the group left the cave, the Mikmik taking whatever equipment they could with them. How would this discovery help them? Only time would tell.

Raging Long Legs
The following day, the group woke up again to find everything going as usual. The united Mikmik horde around the camp were working hard, looking like they were training for combat. Some of them appeared to mimic attacks the group had used in past days. Baptarion was still asleep as he had spent the previous night awaken.

Uriel - These Mikmik are certainly intelligent.

Nu was there, watching two Mikmik fighting similarly to himself. Uriel held out his sword around a few of them ,showing them a few basic moves performed in the Kali'Krusi fighting style. Hachi was with a yellow Mikmik and giggled to himself as he had dressed its torso in leafs to look like a bra. A yellow Mikmik mimicked Nu's overcharge attack by struggling and then releasing tiny electric sparks out of its body.

Nu - Áro, the kick comes to head level, not chest level. Hachi - ''Go ahead, strike a pose! I'm sure even Mikmik have style!''

The dressed Mikmik stared blankly and then poked Hachi's face. He fell on his rear and began sobbing. Some of the Mikmik watching Uriel grabbed sticks and started to swing them around.

Uriel - ''Remember. Careful strikes. it's about accuracy.'' Nu - And that punch?

Nu did a Kicath-style punch.

Nu - Like that, not with your shoulders to your side.

A purple Mikmik mimicked Nu's punch and hit a red one, sending it flying across the camp. Nu laughed, and Baptarion finally woke up and noticed the group. Uriel looked over after performing a few throusting moves.

Baptarion - ''Hey, what are you all doing? Training an army?'' Nu - ''Hm. Why I didn't bring my Kisiat'mak'tanshákatøin, I forget.'' Hachi - Hah, nice to see you wake up, lazy-bones. Uriel - The Mikmik started and I figured we coudl help. Baptarion - ''This is actually a good idea. It means they can fight for us...do we have anything to eat? I'm hungry.'' Sarec - Uriel do you have any leftovers? Uriel - I have a few rations in my bag. Lemmo - Now that Yanla is back, we could go on a hunt. Nu - ''Hmph, whatever. If you want to kill someone with a kick, then do a kick like this.''

Lemmo loaded his pistols. Nu performed a tornado kick that torn the air. The Mikmik watched Nu and tried to mimick him, but only fell down and hit each other clumsily.

Nu - ''Hm. Not exactly soldier material.'' Baptarion - ''Well, we have a few more pieces of equipment to find. One of them being Nu's cannon.''

Nu heard his name and cannon and pricked up. Uriel chuckled as he sheathed his knife.

Nu - What's this about my gun now? Baptarion - I was suggesting we go search for it. Uriel - ''I'm having some better luck with this lot. Maybe because Kali'Krusi is about accuracy, not strength or energy.'' Nu - ''Actually Kicathian arts are based on the same, just that I'm naturally designed to shift armored vehicles with one punch....Hmph. This planet is making me cooperate.'' Baptarion - Alright, then we go for the newest not explored cave after we eat. Lemmo - ''Huh. Tertanai martial arts are all about fighting dirty. The Imperix have that gearbox on their backs, the Solarites... yeah, kick them between their legs... as for them?'' Uriel - Again, do you know nothing about hunting?

Lemmo looked at the surroundings abd shook his head.

Lemmo - ''Well, I had to survive in the wilderness of Milniran II for a few months when my ship got stranded. Ugh...'' Hachi - ''I've learned a few arts, never really mastered any. I'm something of a sword guy though!''

Hachi chuckled as he picked up a stick and swung it around, hitting a Mikmik by accident. The Mikmik fell down and started to sob. Nu grabbed Hachi's stick and crushed it between his fingertips, making Hachi move back and cower.

Nu - We give you a sword and we'll be this planet's underdogs. Lemmo - I had to eat worms. Baptarion - Ew.

Hachi looked down and sobbed from Nu's comment. Sarec walked over to Hachi and looked sternly at Nu. The hit Mikmik noticed Hachi and went up to him, putting its tiny hand on his shoulder. Hachi looked at the Mikmik and smiled, petting it on the head.

Hachi - Hehe, t-thanks buddy. Nu -'' Hm. So no one's got a knife I could use?'' Uriel - ''You? With my knife? I'd rather not.'' Lemmo - ''I have... how did I call him? Ah, yes, Nelmo.'' Baptarion - ''I got no knives with me. I only got my pistol, which is mine.'' Lemmo - ''Same with Nelmo! He does not like big scary aliens. He's a bit of a speciesist, actually. Tertanai only.'' Uriel - Nu, this knife is probably wortth more than your entire body. Nu - Coming from a society where money has no value, I seriously doubt you could put a price on me, whoever you are. Lemmo - ''Nelmo is not a slave! He has no price.'' Uriel - Perfect balance, graphene-edged balde, diamons, rubies, gold, platinum plated blade...are you sure? Nu - Composite interwoven metals, artificial nervous systems, synthetic skin and armor strong enough to survive an anti-matter blast? Uriel - Did I mention it is considered a work of art? Hachi - Something that Nu's not.

One of the Mikmik poked Nu's leg and pointed at the skeleton of the Beady Kriold the group had slain several days ago. Nu looked at the Mikmik and then at the Kriold skeleton.

Nu - ...You're expecting me to use that as a weapon?

The Mikmik pointed at the skeleton's teeth. Each teeth was near as large as Nu's entire hand. Uriel quickly pulled oout his elaborately decorated knife.

Nu - ''Oooh. I see.''

Nu ripped off the Kriold's teeth, and then took out one of its bones. After some seconds, he bound the tooth and bone together, making a makeshift knife. He ran it against his armor, which it scratched.

Nu - ''Heh. This could rival Kicathian knives.'' Baptarion - ''Heh. At one side we got the super expensive well crafted knife. At the other we got a wild dead animal's tooth.'' Hachi - ''You forget, Bap. It's not the weapon that matters, it's the wielder.'' Baptarion - ''Hm. You're right. Sorry.'' Nu - ''And art? Go to Tiraigása.'' Uriel - I come from a culture where the practical quality of a weapon is just as much an art as the aesthetic appeal.

Hachi pointed to his metal arm and clenched his fist.

Hachi - ''Guys, come on. We have exploring to do.'' Baptarion -'' Yeah. I'm done eating. Shall we go?'' Nu -'' Yeah? And where in the name of Ekolnyúrhiráyákarnasa are you going?'' Hachi - We're going to try and find our weapons, idiot.

Nu growled.

Baptarion - ''Oh, come on. The morning started so well.'' Hachi - ''Hmm...you're right. I'm sorry for that, it was unnecessary of me.'' Lemmo - Wow. Nu - ''Hmph. Aró-al man mak'tanshátazha mak'tanshákatøin il-ar.''

Arriving at the entrance to the nearest unexplored cave the group could find, they immediately spotted several Brukars inside it, which quickly hid as they were noticed. it seemed like this cave was infested with Brukars.

Nu - We're friendly, they're not friendly. Hachi - ''Hey, don't hide! We're friendly!'' Baptarion - I'm getting tired of these spider things. Uriel - At least we don't have to carve our way through them.

This cave, unlike the others, was quite cold in temperature. Strolling around was a Bettenor, except its snout was different from the one they had met at the Fogolarth's den. Nu could identify it as belonging to another subspecies, the Damp Bettenor.

Nu - ''Hmph. Another one of those things.'' Lemmo - ...Wha? Hachi - I wanna cuddle it! Baptarion - Remember what happened the last time you said that? Hachi - I cuddled it and everything was cute? Baptarion - It breathed fire at us. Hachi - ''Ah, come on Bap! These things don't breath fire! That's silly.'' Lemmo - ''Huh. As Melontes, one of the greatest Tertanai philosophers, DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING THAT IS UGLY, LIVING AND BIG.'' Baptarion - ''Fine. Go on. Don't tell me I didn't warn you.'' Sarec - ''If he gets hurt I can help him feel better. Actually... I have an idea.''

Hachi smiled and ran towards the Bettenor, giggling as he ran up to it and hugged it. Sarec teleported up to the Bettrenor and reached out his hand, telepathically talknig to it in a soothing voice.

Sarec - 

The Bettenor growled for some moments, and then sat down. Hachi began to play with the Bettenor's snout, poking it.

Nu - Hmph. Hachi - It looks long! Sarec - Hachi maybe you should try less poking. Hachi - But...i-it's there to be poked!

Sarec walked up to the Bettrenor and reached out to brush his hand along its side. Suddenly, a white-coloured, smaller than usual Brukar erupted out of the group. Nu identified it as a Brukar Venom. The predator let out a screech and it launched venomous acid out of its spots at the group's direction, one blast hitting Uriel's face. He bared his teeth as he reached to cover the imapct site. Staggering.

Baptarion - Uriel!

Nu launched himself at the Brukar, and jabbed his knife in its joints. The Brukar screeched in pain and jumped away, launching more venom at Nu. The Bettenor panicked and hit Hachi with a stream of body fluids. Hachi was blown back and he let out a disgusted noise, covered in fluids.

Hachi - ...Eww...

Uriel fell to one knee. WIncing his eye in pain. The Brukar clawed Nu's head and backed away, and the Bettenor ran off. Nu wiped the venom from his helmet and launched himself again. He punched the Brukar's legs, causing it to fall down and wave its legs and arms around, all while spitting poison everywhere around it.

Baptarion - Sarec, can you heal him? Sarec - ''Easily. But Uriel will need to lie down ot slow the venom's progress.'' Lemmo - I have some medicaments with me. Uriel - N-no antivenom... Sarec - ''Easy Uriel. Lie down, I will see if I can drain the venom.'' Uriel - Argh my face feels like its on fire! Nu - Thank Dalnyur that it wasn't Zí-Jittorám venom.

Hachi approached Uriel and climbed on him. He examined the poison and then began to suck on it, getting blood and venom into his mouth before spitting it to the side. Sarec kneeled down and rested his hand close to the wound.

Baptarion - Hachi, you're only gonna get poisoned like that. Hachi - ''...Right, cover that wound. I didn't swallow any of it, I should be fine.'' Sarec - You did well Hachi. Hachi - It was nothing...I just wanted to be a help is all.

Uriel's eye wtitched as he felt Sarec's hand. Sarec concentrated and the scarring slowly healed. Uriel's eye was still red from the attack.

Nu - ''Hmph. Ít at aró azhamalí'mnajaktamasínaktázcha.'' Hachi - No, you cannot blow up the cave.

Nu groaned.

Uriel - ''Heh... A t-true man of...the wilds.'' Hachi - You can thank the Exonet for that, I learned about what sucking can...a-actually, I'm g-gonna stop there.

The Brukar, despite being wounded, managed to escape Nu. However, their fight attracted two more Brukars, these one much larger and coloured purple, Nu identified them as Brukar Gladiators.

Nu - Siná'inat, this knife isn't gonna do anything against that.

The Brukar Gladiators slammed the ground below them, causing the cave to tremble. This got the entire group's attention. The purple Mikmik with the group all started to growl angrily. Lemmo quickly drew his guns and started looking around, seeking a place to hide in.

Hachi - ''Crap...Well, been nice knowing you guys! I'm gonna wait outside.'' Nu - Mnatojorinazhát! Lemmo - ''Nalmir lanrem renmalinai poni'frenla. You're not the only person who can shout nonsense in alien languages.'' Baptarion - Please hurry up with that healing, Sarec. Sarec - All that's left is the superficials. Hachi - Umm...Mikmik miki-miki mik-miki! Nu - Sinásátinmatzká, Chúchunikas-atáro! Lemmo - Limna'poni.

Uriel stood up, still a little uneasy. The Gladiators started to approach, letting out loud, menacing screeches. Hachi ran forwards towards the Brukar Gladiators, clenching his metal fist. He began to punch one of the Gladiators with his fists, dealing bruises with his robotic strength.

Sarec - Okay he's up!

The Gladiator didn't seem to suffer much damage from Hachi's punches. It clenched its fist and punched Hachi himself, sending him flying across the room. Hachi smacked against a wall and fell down, panting.

Hachi - Bugger. Lemmo - ''Huh. Let the professionals handle this problems.''

Sarec ran for one of the Gladiators and punched the ground, creating a shockwave. The Gladiators were sent back, screeching at Sarec. At this moment, Lemmo stood before the Gladiator and started firing at it, but the beasts used their exoskeletal arms to shield themselves from Lemmo's shots, which did nothing but bruise them. Lemmo looked at the Gladiator morbidly.

Lemmo - How the- Nu - Ákarnatárnaniarazha-ét naktázchatarán-ét aí! Hachi - Grr...I wish I had Nu's cannon. Nu - Like you can lift it! Lemmo - We're going to die.

At this moment, the group could notice a leaf coming out of the ground. Hachi looked towards the leaf and he approached it, poking it. The leaf wiggled slighty upon being poked.

Nu - Stop poking a floor weed and slash this thing already! Hachi - I would if I had a sword!...It looks like a Mikmik leaf!

Nu leaped onto the Gladiator and started ripping at it with his bone knife, and Hachi gripped ahold of the leaf and began to pull on it. The second Gladiator jumped at Nu and threw it off its companion. And as Hachi pulled the leaf off, it was revealed to be a white-coloured Mikmik. Upon sighting the white Mikmik, the Brukars screeched and backed away, almost as if they were afraid of it.

Lemmo - How did they- What? Sarec - My my. Nu - ...You're kidding?

Hachi looked down at the white Mikmik and then backed away himself. The white Mikmik looked around and noticed the Brukars. It then started to spew poison out of its head at them, causing them to panic.

Nu - ...You're not kidding. Lemmo - The darn thing can resist Kormacvar blaster rounds but is afraid of POISON? Uriel - ''You're suprised? Poison and bullets work different ways.''

More white Mikmik were attracted out of the ground, and they all looked at the group. The Brukars cornered themselves, covering their heads. As always the Mikmik already with the group cheered upon finding them. Hachi approached one of the white Mikmik and sniffed it, before falling on his back and holding his nose.

Hachi - Eugh! Nu -'' Grrr. Azaratzatárndalønóri Kóramasá...'' Baptarion - I thought those Kormacvar guns melted the enemies they hit...Weird. Uriel - ''Nu I'm wearing a Commonwealth Telepathic Tanslator. I know what you're saying.'' Nu - Ét malí'mnajakta Kisat'samnatakin taránakagazá. A Routrith's yawn was heard, and the group heard steps coming out of a corridor. Eventually, a medium-sized Striped Routrith appeared. Except its eyes were blank white, and it had a huge leaf on its head. Hachi curiously tilted his head upon seeing the Routrith and approached it.

Hachi - Hah, it can't poke me!

The weird Routrith walked up to Hachi and poked him with its face. Hachi fell on his back and sobbed.

Uriel - Those eyes... Baptarion - ''Is this a new subspecies? Nu, could you analyze it?'' Sarec - Its not a subspecies...

Hachi sat up and noticed the leaf sticking out of the Routrith's head. At that point, he jumped up and sat on it, examining the leaf.

Hachi - It looks like a Mikmik leaf...

Nu looked at the Routrith with hsi systems. They identified the creature not as a Routrith. Instead it labbeled it as a White Mikmik.

Nu - Eh. Lemmo - ''How should we call him? Mikrith? Roumik? Meronis's Weird-looking Animal?'' Sarec - It's a parasite. Baptarion - ...By Spode.

Hachi began tugging on the leaf, though careful not to pull it out.

Hachi - ...Go left!

The Routrith moved a few steps left. Lemmo kept his gun prepared.

Hachi - ''Whoo! Free ride!'' Baptarion - ''This is...morbid. It's no wonder the Brukars are afraid of those things.'' Lemmo - ''It looks creepy. Just way too creepy for my liking.'' Nu - Ekolnyuri above, where is my gun? Baptarion - ''Let's go deeper. Knowing this planet, your gun is probably at the deepest chamber.''

Coming soon.