Picking up from yesterday... (Hello, wall of text)
Me: What the hell?!
Guard 1: *Over the radio* Sir, we need you outside, west gate, immediately!
*I grab my coat and fight my way through the crowd, accompanied by a pair of guards*
Me: What is it?! What do you need me for.
Guard 1: You wouldn't believe me if I told you, sir.
Me: Try me.
Guard 2: Sir, Employees A103, B232, and M117 are missing!
Me: What? Where are they?
Guard 3: We're looking for them, but we've seen no signs of them.
Me: How do you lose track of a size-shifting dracoserval? Not to mention a half-human cat and raccoon?
Guard 2: Sir, we have no records of them leaving the conference room, and no other forms of exit. It's almost as though they vanished.
Me: Well, keep searching, dammit!
*Outside, a large crowd has formed. I fight my way to the front. Then I see it*
Me: Oh my gawd...
*"It" happens to be a pile of three giant, humanoid, all matte-black robotic-looking... things, and one slightly smaller giant anthropomorphic creature. "Creature" in that it is of no terrestrial species, but vaguely resembles a squirrel, only with a longer tail, and larger eyes and ears. The lot appear to have lost unconsciousness, but are beginning to wake up. Understandably, the crowd begins to back up, to get a bit of a head start if need be. One of the robotic giants slowly rolls onto it's side. Then it's set of cameras, three per eye socket, and glowing red, lock onto the crowd, and it stiffens for a second, as if in surprise, and at a loss for how to respond.*
Me: Oh, shit. It sees us.
*The giant then springs to its feet, with agility seemingly impossible for something its size. It stand on digitigrade feet, each adorned with two massive metallic talons. Heavy armor covers its body, and a pair of jet thrusters (at least, what appear to be thrusters) mounted on its back, in conjunction with additional small thrusters on its limbs. Its tail is tipped with a enormous metal blade.
What truly worries the crowd, and sends some of them fleeing, is that it is also carrying a same-scale assault rifle and sidearm, as well as a sizeable sword, and the cannon on its left shoulder. And yet, its keeping them pointed away from the crowd, and even keeping its finger off the trigger. It stands perfectly still, silently staring at the crowd amassed before it. Analyzing, deciding if they're friends or foes?*
Me: C- call the army, tell them... tell them to-
Guard 4: One of the guards already did. They're preparing reinforcements.
Me: Good. Tell the PR people to stall the news. Don't tell them anything until we are ready.
Guard 3: They're still going to broadcast this across the planet.
Me: I know. We can't do anything about that. Just find them, and tell them what to do.
Guard 3: Sir. *runs off to find the PR team*
*The sole non-robotic giant opens its eyes, which, I note, are a pale blue-green, with no visible iris. It, too, seems shocked, as it also tenses up once it sees the crowd. Then it whispers to the standing robot. Of course, everybody hears it, but nobody understands it. The language is harsh, guttural in tone, despite the admittedly rather pleasant female tone, and of no known equivalent. It is also very much fearful. So they're afraid of us. The comment must have been directed at the robot, as it responds in the same language, this time delivered in a low mechanical growl. Then one of the TeleAwesome technicians finds me.*
Teleguy: Sir, I think they're speaking the same language from
one of the recordings.
Me: Are you serious?
Teleguy: *Gives me a "Why are you asking such a stupid question?" expression* Do you want me to gather the data.
Me: Yes. Do it. Quickly.
*The smaller giant eases to its feet. Like the robot, it stands on digitigrade feet. It comes only to about mid-torso compared to the robot. Surprisingly, it is dressed in what appears to be something equivalent to a uniform, with a coat vaguely resembling a trenchcoat, only black with a gold stitched pattern on the front, with what appears to be an identification patch on the left forearm. The creature also possess a female figure.
The two remaining robots behind her finally wake up. The first has no visible armor on it, instead possessing a full-body skinsuit, with what appears to be artificial muscle underneath it. It has a similar face to the first, only with one camera per eye socket. Notably, it is the fastest to get to its feet. It is also a head shorter than the first. The other towers over the three, with the tallest only reaching mid thigh. Its body is heavily armored, to the point were the first appears somewhat insubstantial in comparison. A complex system of hydraulic rams bridge each joint. Like the first, it possesses similar jet thrusters, but larger in scale. It also carries a massive rifle, almost as long as it is tall, connected by a thick cable leading to its back, in conjunction with a similar shoulder cannon. Despite myself, I have to chuckle a bit at the combat knife mounted to its upper right chest. It seems quite pitiful in comparison to the massive gun. The two both speak in the same distorted growl as the first.
With all four fully awake, the two groups stand in their spots, both quietly analyzing the others. The first of the news crews have arrived, hurriedly setting up their equipment. Finally, a guard arrives with a megaphone for me."
Me: Hello? Down here!
*All four look down at the small creature waving frantically at them. Cue stomach tightening.*
Me: Uh, hello! We mean you no harm. We are
friendly!
*They each look at each other, obviously not comprehending me. They also seem to be formulating their own plan to try and communicate with us. They appear to elect the non-robotic giant to try and communicate. She does, attempting to greet us in a friendly tone, also her obvious nervousness still shows. It does not work, given we also cannot understand her, and send some more employees fleeing. I can faintly hear the news reporter describing "the first conversation with an alien species!" Yeah, as if a few simple sentences the other cannot understand is a conversation. The giant seems to agree, as it whispers something to the other, in a tone that is unmistakeably to the effect of "It's not working."
The four converse again, as though formulating another strategy. For a while, it seems to go nowhere, but then the first robot seems to come up with an agreeable solution. The non-robot turns to us, shrinking all the while, much to our surprise. This does not stop until she is about equal height with me, if only an inch or two taller.*
Me: I- Wo- Cou- *pause for a deep breath* Uh, would you follow me, please? (Tries to gesture the same.)
*She seems to understand, and follows me to the front of the building. From the loud rumblings and the screams, the other three have decided to follow*
Me: "You... uh..."
Guard 5: "Sergeant Wright, sir"
Me: "Sergeant Wright, go to the research wing, and grab four of project DS0964. Take one of the researchers with you. They'll know which ones."
Sergeant Wright: "Sir." (Runs off.)
--The main lounge--
*It is me, the creature, and two armed guards. She has been searched for any weapons, turning up two semi-automatic pistols. We chose the lounge, an intentionally inviting room, to try and keep her from getting too nervous. As the researchers are struggling to find project DS0964. I take the time to quickly observe the creature. Of note, I can see two gray crystals bonded to her skin, on both sides of her neck. In addition, a plug for some type of computer has been grafted into the right side of her neck. It's hard to tell if shes following my moves, though I suspect she is. I try to make it clear to her that she is in no danger. She seems to understand, but I can't tell if she does. Finally, Sgt. Wright returns with a researcher.*
Sgt. Wright: Sir! We've got 'em!
Me: Excellent. Give me one.
*With the new device, I turn to the creature. I try to demonstrate that it is inserted into the ear, which she seems to understand. I hand it to her, and she proceeds to do so, until it attempts to work its way into her ear canal. She desperately tries to get it out.*
Me: Hold her! Don't let her get it out!
*The guards rush forward and pin her. A combination of screams and animal-like sounds fills the room, until the device settles into place, at which point, she stops struggling, her face blank. The guards keep her held down, while I approach her*
Me: Can you understand me now?
Her: Wh- Yes, I- how...
*Suddenly, very loud, electronically distorted shouting is heard from outside. They saw that? In a room in the center of the building? Crap. How are we going to get out of this.*
Me: It's a translator! I'll explain later, IF your robot friends don't destroy me!
Her: Robots?! They are not robots!
*More shouting. It sounds as though they are ordering me to do something.*
Me: Never-mind that! What are they saying?!
Her: They are ordering you to release me, and to surrender to them! If you do not, they will kill you!
Me: Can't you do something?! Call them off? Anything?!
Her: Let me meet them first! It will be better if I explain it to them!
Me: Alright, you two! Guide her to the lobby, then call me when she says I can come out! I'll hide somewhere!
*They begin what sounds like a countdown*
Her: Hiding is not as effective as you think! They know where we...
Me: Just go!
*They rush out, while I curl up into a ball and pray for the Flying Spaghetti Monster to protect me.*
To be continued, again
Otherwise, unlike some racing series out there, you can fit anything you want to these beasts... let your mind roam free and your imagination be your guide.
