The British are Coming..

Posted on Fri Feb 26th, 2021 @ 11:45am by Lieutenant Dean House & Chief Petty Officer Ronson Mitchell

Mission: The Jungle
Location: Near cave

Once Dean had gotten the two there and safe. He immediately turned around and started back out. Of course there were others of the crew out there. Unfortunately they were not who he was looking for at the moment. Right now, he was out double checking that they weren't followed.

Sarah and Remal both were covering their tracks, just like he was. That didn't mean that they still hadn't left something. Of course the smoke was a major factor. Dean was almost sure that the Hunters were able to communicate with each other. To bad he couldn't find what it was on that one he killed. It would have been so much easier.

Ronson kept a watchful eye as House went back into the jungle "please be careful" the young Yeoman said as the officer vanished into the deep undergrowth. Savar and Aurora headed off to persue the Holy Idol leaving the Captain, Remal, and Dr Wilson in the cave.

Meanwhile a group of Hunters moved towards the cave, weapons raised and eyes trained for any sign of passers by.

"I will, and don't touch the Idol. It could be a trigger." Said before he did indeed disappear. Being very careful with his steps. If Dean could get away with it, he'd rather literally jump up into the trees and traverse that way. It was so much easier to watch all around. Not to mention the foliage and creatures reactions.

The group of Hunters moved towards the direction of the smoke they had seen earlier. They were still some distance away but tracking closer by the minute. They could almost taste the blood that would be split. They had a score to settle.

What Dean probably should be doing, actually those that were able was making traps as well as a look out. Though he had the level to watch, so he'd do that for now instead of getting down and mentioning it.

Words were not needed as the Hunters picked up the proverbial scent, quickening their pace and making a beeline for the cave. One of them tapped a control on his wrist, he would flush them out of the cave then kill them as they exited.

He guessed that wasn't going to go as planned. Making a warning call, some type of creature that wasn't on the planet but the rest of them should know. At the same time taking shot as the Hunters, the one with the wrist control first.

The Hunters went to ground, finding cover as they were attacked by an unknown person. Using a comm system one of them signaled for assistance.

Dean wasn't sure what the one was using on his wrist was for, but still knew that had to be gotten. So did the three taken out and getting back to the cave. Carefully firing two more shots, not wild, but quite accurate either. It was to let them possibly pick out his position while he moved to a new one. If one or both did happened to hit, that would be a bonus. Wanting to get on the ground behind them. It would potentially be easier to take them out hand to hand. Hopefully the group caught the 'emergency' call sound.

Ronson looked up at the strange sound, it resembled an Earth animal but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. Feeling the need for caution he snuffed the fire and headed back into the cave, warning the others than something was afoot.

Meanwhile the Hunters regrouped, triangulating Dean's position from the launching of his shots. They concentrated fire on what they thought was their new quarry whilst their reinforcements were summoned.

At least it did get their attention. Now Dean had a choice. Either go ahead and try to stop them there, or move past to the cave so they could set something up at least. Choices....He did still have the drop on them. Widdle down the numbers. Only half shouldering the bow so he could use it as a melee weapon if necessary. Getting an arrow out to use for now. Slinking down to the ground. They gave their positions away by firing so it 'shouldn't be to hard to sneak up on them and take them out silently.

The Hunters scattered and kept on the move, knowing they were the proverbial sitting ducks if they remained stationary and as a group. The leader raised his phaser rifle, panning through the underbrush to locate his target.

A day may come when the courage of the righteous falls, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds, but it is not this day. Damn right brain monologue. Luckily he still was wearing the Hunters outfit. He could leave that to catching them off guard. Really wanting to take out the other two first. Leaving the leader by himself. This almost was to easy, since Dean figured he had them raddled.

The Hunters swept the jungle, looking for their target, seeing only fleeting movements in the trees. They all fired, not caring if it were friend or foe. First one fell, impaled by an arrow, then the other, leaving only the leader who was now pissed and determined. The reinforcements were on their way - they would flush out that damned cave and kill those inside if it was the last thing he did. As it was a deep rumbling could be heard, seismic activity that would work around the rule of them not being able to enter the safe refuges.

That worked better than he'd though it would have. Dean didn't have time to bother on checking the two bodies. There was the last one to deal with. Starting to stalk him before the rumbling started. What the hell is that..an earthquake? That wasn't going to be good, maybe he could use it to his advantage though. Amping up his speed of advance.

The lead Hunter laughed as he peppered the surrounding jungle with phaser fire, hoping to flush out his quarry. His companions were weak in their defence and paid with their lives. He sprayed fire in a full circle, hoping to either hit his target or cause movement.

Dean gave out that sound again for good measure. It was fine if it gave up his position. He was moving away from that spot. Keeping low on purpose, since the Hunter probably was shooting high as if he was standing. Silly Hunter, still giving away his position. There is something to be said with slow and steady. Once he was close enough, crouched there. Drawing back on the bow and waiting, holding his breath until he had a shot on the arm, and then another quick shot to the leg. Snapping out just as fast to jump the Hunter and on top of him. Ripping the wrist control off first. "You fail."

" And you're too late" The Hunter retorted even as the device was torn from his wrist. "Your friends will be flushed out, then my Hunters will kill them and win this game. My family will have freedom and your crew will be put to death. The life of your Captain is the prize"

He was just about to finish the man off before he stopped a moment. Still ready to finish it if this was a ruse but for a moment, he'll let the man speak. "What do you mean your family will have freedom. Are you trapped here in this 'game' and being forced like we are?"

" Aye, this is my job, I am rewarded when we make kills. We need food, and shelter, and this will pay for it. If you make the highest kill - you get the highest reward" The Hunter replied, not ashamed of his plight.

"Then instead of going along with our captors why not join us and fight. I know what you are going to say, 'There is no fighting against them. They will kill our families.' Do you really think that they will let you go as long as you keep winning? How do you even know they left your family alive. As well as, I have you and you've already lost. So." Dean took a breath a moment and moved to stand. Stepping back and offering his hand, though he was still ready to strike if necessary. "Come help us instead."

" Death before Dishonour. My family die if I betray the game. If I die they get money as compensation. I must complete my mission" The Hunter grabbed House's hand as he stood and attempted to throw the officer.

The man very well could have probably thrown him, but if it was a test of strength. Theoretically, depending on the man's race, that was not going to happen at all. "You sound like a Klingon and even they will bend for the good of all. We can have your family. Call off the reinforcements. Or tell them to stand down and help us. I don't want to hurt you anymore than I have."

" I can't. I am sorry - the price on your Captain's head it high and it will feel my family for months" The Hunter replied, settling himself to fight to the death. The honour would be high.

This was probably going to be a mistake, but Dean did it anyway. Shoving the man as hard as he could away from him. "You just don't understand do you. You have no idea what I've had to endour, and I don't know what you have. However, I'm getting a pretty good idea. I do not want to kill you. I didn't want to kill the others either. I was unaware that you were all the same as we are. Pawns in some sick game. I promise if you help us, you get your others to help us and rise up, we will free your family and give you asylum. No more killing, friend, except for our captors. Join us." Dean still held his hand out.

"I can't" the Hunter charged towards Dean, wanting to rid this man who challenged his honour despite how easy it would be to switch sides. His family would never forgive him if he turned. With a picture of his child in his mind he prepared to fight to the death.

Even with his injured arm, Dean easy grabbed the man under one arm and flipped him over his hip. Hard. Stepping on his throat, just enough where the man could only utter a short response. "Your honor would be to do the right thing. Your family would tell you to fight against them and join with us. Do what's right. I don't want to do this, don't make me."

The Hunter stopped for a moment, the words striking a chord somewhere deep within him. He was conflicted for a few moments, his resolve threatening to crumble. Whilst he could switch sides completely, perhaps there was something else he could do.

"Run, protect your Captain, the Game Master will be coming for her." The Hunter stepped back and ran.

Dean stopped a moment, and yes let him up. While he didn't have anyone he cared about like this Hunter did, he did at one time. He understood it. Which is why he didn't shoot the Hunter in the back. "I really hope you are doing the right thing, Mr. Hunter.." Turning and bolting for the cave, while since he did have the undamaged comm unit, looking over it to see exactly what was sent and what it does.

The com unit was a complex device, able to not only communicate between hunting parties but set off certain events should the hunted take refuge in any of the designated safe places. Caves were one such location, and the seismic tremor was no coincidence. When Dean arrived there he would find the cave collapsed and the footprints of his colleagues as they stumbled to safety.

Stopping to check it, well this would work. Sending a false signal to the other hunters away from his location. After that and getting to the cave he cursed. Stopping to lean down and touch the footprints. It had to be them, starting to follow those as fast as he could.

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Lieutenant Dean House
Assistant Tactical Officer

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Crewman Mitchell (As Played by Captain Kaylen)

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Hunters(As Played by Captain Kaylen)