Revealed Part 1

[Kangaroo Hopscotch]

((I figured I might as well get this part of the plot going. If you have any problems with it... meh.)

Thanatos peered at the strange creature advancing towards them, unfazed by its strange appearance. While William seemed to recoil in disgust and fear, Thanatos looked on with only curiosity. The creature look insectoid in nature, a hulking figure covered in a rust-brown chitin. The creature was not bipedal, but instead walked upon two pairs of double jointed legs. The large lower body supported a somewhat smaller upper body with limbs equally as long as the ones that supported it, suggesting that the creature could walk upon all six legs and not just the four. Large black eye dominated what Thanatos assumed to be a "face", attanae waving in the air and mandibles clicking together as the strange, musical noise came again, echoing from the creature.

Soon, more of the insectoid creatures came into view, some climbing head first down trees while others emerged from behind the trees. The first of the creatures came closer to them and William visibly tensed. Before William could do anything, Thanatos laid his hand on his comrade's shoulder and whispered into his ear, "Stay calm. If they wanted us dead we would be already."

William peered at Thanatos, but shrugged and gave a sigh. "I suppose you are the biologist..." he whispered back grudgingly.

The large insects swarmed behind the men and the first pointed towards the mound in the distance, musical tones once more ushering forth. Grasping that the creature wanted them to go towards it Thanatos obeyed, William following behind cautiously.

 

[LUColt27]

Blake, after hearing the alarm, hurried over to see what the hubbub was about. He had the feeling that he probably shouldn't be so near the person, but figured he was safe enough. With so many people around the subject in question, he couldn't truly get very close anyway.

 

[searchingsoul]

Amy was beginning to regret her decision. STUPID! Even if they were nice to each other didn't mean they were nice to strangers! She had stumbled into their camp, acting like she was lost, and now she was staring down at least a dozen guns! Amy wanted to disappear, but she couldn't without blowing her cover. The fright in her eyes weren't a lie. She was genuinely scared they'd shoot. Amy could see the mistrust in their eyes and body language. Finding her voice, she said "He-hello. Co-could anyone tell me where I am? I-I was traveling, but then I got lost."

 

[Shadowseldil]

"How exactly did you get up here?" one of the guards asked suspiciously.
"Yeah," another demanded, "Prove you're not a spy."
Keith was not sure what exactly the commotion was about. He was lost, and they didn't seem to think he was a spy at all.
"You must, hm, forgive us, dear one," said the general as he slowly made his way to the guards, "But it does pose, herm, quite a predicament. You see, our outpost is, eh, built on a cliff side, hey. The only way here, hm, is to climb up or, em, down. So, if you would be, em, kind enough to explain how you got here, we, hem, would be happy to assist you, hey."
Keith waited to see what the woman's responce would be. He did not realize it himself, but he could now see that the city was indeed built on a cliff face. The only way to get to it would be to fly in. Climbing down, he judged quickly, would be rather difficult, and climbing up would probably be just as hard. Was it a sort of test? Maybe she was a spy after all...

 

[searchingsoul]

What should she say? Trusting them with the truth might be dangerous, but with the suspicion of being a spy and the guns still pointed at her, Amy finally decided on truth, or partially truth, anyway... "I have a teleportation power, and I was practicing it, so that I could master it. Somehow I ended up here. Unfortunately my power isn't quite under control yet. And now I don't have any idea where I am. And who would I spy for? I don't even know you people yet."

 

[LUColt27]

"Still, these people don't seem to be exactly trusting of strangers." Blake interjected. He had a feeling that the young lady truly meant no harm, but he wasn't in a decision-making role, so he couldn't do anything to change the situation. "It would probably be best if you started from the beginning. Who you are, where you're from, why you've been trying to teleport, that sort of thing. If nothing else, it may help you to prove that you're not an enemy."

 

[searchingsoul]

Her name and where she was from wasn't difficult. Amy could do that, but she didn't want to tell them the truth about why she'd been teleporting. So instead she decided to ignore that part until she couldn't any longer. "My name is Amy Jackson. I originally am from Earth. That is until that horrible day. I've been living with a generous couple since then."

 

[Shadowseldil]

"It is, Hm, enough, child," the general interjected, "Amy, was it? There is no need to be so secret, hey. I know that you possess a necklace, hm, that it has, em, a bow and arrow in the gemstone, hey, and that there is a roman numeral six on the bottom in, herm, gold script. And, hem, whether you know it or not, you can do more than teleport, hey. Tell me, young one, how you, hm, came to have your necklace?"

 

[searchingsoul]

That was a very good question, indeed, but not something she could just share while guns were pointed at her and in enemy territory. "I'm sorry, but I'd rather not tell the story at the moment, especially in this predicament. I'd rather share it with friends and not potential foes. Perhaps we could sit in a tent, or around a campfire before I share?" Amy would much rather have a chance to relax while telling the story, rather than being threatened at gunpoint. Otherwise it would have brought her story too close to haunting vividness than she cared to admit aloud.

 

[Shadowseldil]

"I am afraid, hm, Amy," the general replied, "that whether are friends or foes depends very much on your answer, hey. You see, your, herm, necklace has been missing for some time. I could, hey, have been found by, er, enemies. That is, hum, why we think you may be a spy. But, then, hm, you may be a friend, and we, em, do not want to turn away a friend, or refuse them help, hey. You may, hurm, sit, if you wish (someone bring a chair for her, hm), but if you still refuse, for the sake of these people, hey, I cannot let you in. It would, eh, be best if you kept on your way."

(((Hey, KH, if you don't have any other plans, I can have Melissa come and pick them up.)))

 

[LUColt27]

Blake watched the situation unfold, but said nothing as he went to get a chair. He knew that the rules had to be followed, but he still felt compassion for Amy, as he had gone through several situations where he had been on his own. Still, he hoped that she would be able to join them, because he felt that every little bit would help in this fight.

 

[searchingsoul]

((All those herms, heys, and ums are beginning to distract. *mentally leaves out in the reading* Its going to be a challenge coming up with the answer to his question, so, go ahead. And I'm confused. Does she, or does she not have her necklace?))

Amy heaved a deep, reluctant sigh. She considered using her powers to get away, but then these people might know a better way to train her powers and archery skills than she had been doing so far. "All right... I'll tell you."

 

[Shadowseldil]

(((She would, yes. The necklaces are the source of the powers. She would have either found the necklace in that world, or come to the world with the necklace already after suffering some sort of calamity. I'll let you decide which, and if you have more questions, we'll help you.)))

 

[searchingsoul]

((Thanks for setting that straight. And sorry for the wait, but I had to think of her story.))
"I believe it was all two years ago when it all happened... There's this couple I'd been living with, who took me in two months after arriving here after that horrible event. One day, a man in a white scientist's coat, looking about mid-40's appeared before me."

"He said 'Don't you find this planet perfect to live on? It could be like a second Earth to us. Unfortunately the natives of this planet seem too inferior to treat it right. We can treat it better than that! We should rule over this planet so that we can show them the right way! Don't you agree? If you do, then come join us! Or else you will be classified in the same area as the natives!'"

"I declined, of course. I couldn't stand people who would see the inhabitants that way. I had learned differently from living with two of them. Of course, after that a battle ensued. I used mainly my dagger in that fight... But he'd backed me up to a cliff, where I couldn't escape except for down. I slipped, but caught my hand on the ground. He picked my hand up and pulled so that I was eye level with him. Then he declared 'Here ends your life, foolish girl' before letting my hand go, and I fell down."

Amy paused here, shuddering at how she believed that she really was going to die, like that awful day that killed all her family and friends. Digging deep for courage, she continued, "Somehow I'd managed to grab a limb sticking out of the wall, and that's where I found the necklace. I wondered what it was doing there, and so I put it around my neck to ponder about later. I remember thinking 'I have to get out of here!' and suddenly I found myself on top again. The man was already gone, but I vowed there and then that I would get stronger, and figure out and train my new-found powers. A vow I continue to keep."

She glared at the people around her, challenging them to question her, irritated beyond belief that she'd had to share such a humiliating "defeat" and such a personal story. If they still didn't believe her, that was fine. She'd just continue to train alone so that she could defeat those scientists. Amy directed her stare to the only one who appeared to have a lick of sense still with him, the one who'd let her sit and such.

 

[Shadowseldil]

The general looked pensive as he listened to her story, "Those scientist, they are our enemies, hem, as well. It is not beyond them to send a spy among us, using the very things we are, erm, searching for; the necklaces. Not all of them are accounted for, you know. Eh, but, I suppose you don't know. It is a long story, and maybe you will hear it some time, hey.
"But we are fighting against those scientist. If you, hm, wish to join us in our fight, you may. If you wish to continue running, we will not stop you. Not like we could, hey?"
Keith stepped forward a little ways. He did not quite understand all of this, but there were a few idea forming in his mind. He pulled out his necklace as he stepped up beside the general and showed it to Amy. "I'm Keith," he said, albeit a little flatly, "I've got one too, see? Why don't you join us?"

 

[LUColt27]

Blake stepped up next to Keith and said, "I agree, it would be fun to have you with us. Like I said before, the more, the merrier. Who knows, we may be able to defeat these scientists together."

Inwardly, he was thinking She seems legit, but the General may have a point. Still, she hasn't done anything to make me distrust her yet, and unless she does, I'll treat her as a team member, if she stays.

 

[searchingsoul]

Amy bit at her lower lip and looked away, a habit of hers whenever she was doubtful. She didn't know why she should join them. She hadn't received a very warm welcome, but the General did have a point. Still, it could be said the same for him - a fact he might not have taken into consideration when accusing her of being a spy. Sure, she was capable enough of being a spy, but she'd always believed people were entitled to their privacy, and thus she had never really done any spy work as training. Still, if it was true that the scientists were these guys' enemy, then it'd be best for her to team up with them. It was unlikely she'd be able to defeat them single-handedly. At last, Amy looked up and stared the General straight in the eye and said "Alright. I'll join you."

 

[LUColt27]

Blake smiled at hearing her response, knowing that her abilities would help the team out. He then turned to find the cafeteria, since he was still starving, and the commotion with Amy had kept him from eating. As he headed that way, he thought of his own necklace, and resolved after lunch to figure out how to use it.

 

[Shadowseldil]

The general nodded. "Very good, hm," he said as he turned around, "If you would come with me, I would like to hear more of your story. First, though, I need to take Keith to the, hum, infirmary. Afterward, I could take you to get some food."
Keith looked at Amy before the general took his arm and guided him to the infirmary. Alex was there, already having his wounds reopened and cleaned properly.
"Unusual that he'd suffer an infection," one of the medics said.
"Yeah, but you know how it is; different bacteria and all."
Keith filed that information for later. The general left him on one of the beds and took Amy on to the cafeteria. He lay back as he waited for one of the docs to come look at him, but was soon fast asleep. It had been a busy day so far, and his body obviously thought a nap sounded good.

 

[searchingsoul]

((Is it the General or Keith taking the nap?))