Touching down smoothly after the rapid flight, the elf's suit shifted and morphed into casual apparel. From the advanced look of the nanite-generated space suit and flight harness, to a perfect facsimile of a blue-black snakeskin jumper, grey jeans and forest camo toque - in less than a heartbeat. Glyn gulped reflexively as he stood: "Uhh... it's almost worse that I didn't throw up just then."

Tarvel raised an eyebrow at Glyn's change in garment. While not technically against any regulations, it was always a preference that she didn't share, especially not while on duty. However, given the more casual nature of this mission, certain behavior was permissible, and even encouraged, in some ways of thinking.

"Why would it be worse? Do you fear acclimation?"

Flexing his fingers, Glyn replied with his head bowed: "I fear nearly all parts of flight: the take-off, the ascent till optimal fly height reached, and the descent. What really galled me just then was the uncomfortable way my suit handled a bout of nausea - it's less visually disturbing than regurgitating, but I feel a touch queasy thinking of the process. … You sure you wish to start off the investigation hinting at our true capabilities?"

Tarvel shrugged. "If your analysis indicates that secrecy would be the better option, then I will comply. However, military secrecy notwithstanding, I do believe that honesty is not something to be feared."

Glyn mused briefly before replying: "Perhaps you're right - both about being open about who we are, and whether secrecy could work here. The reports about the slavers indicate they are very xenophobic and hostile to every other culture they meet."

Jen touched down shortly after. "I think we should drive them out and free their slaves. Or kill them."

"Hmph, a stern order, Jen - but I'm inclined to agree. I don't think the reanimated slavers will achieve rest otherwise; and they're very likely to try 'breaking in' slain captives first, if the missive was accurate about the returned beings' intellects." said Glyn. The sooner the mission was accomplished, the better in his opinion - unsettling folks to deal with, the slavers.

"Then we shan't dally about then. Get back into your uniform and warm up your weapons, Glyn." Jen commanded. Jen's larger combat suit afforded her more power at the expense of speed; she looked heavily armored and ready for battle. The suit around her right arm and hand bulged, forming a large cannon.

Tarvel grinned, imagining the upcoming combat. Her suit instinctively began preparing for a potential battle. "Is it wrong to hope that they won't listen to reason? It's been far too long since I've had a good excuse to properly engage an enemy."

Reverting to his space suit at combat ready, Glyn chuckled at his friend's remark before starting a sweep for the whereabouts of their foes. "Maybe, Tarvel, but they haven't tried diplomacy as far as we know. Real-time composite mapping and audio filtering of the ambient sounds should aid in highlighting any undead foes. All clear for now."

"Even if it did, I don't think it'd change my tactics much," said Tarvel. "Might even prefer it. Undead can take a decent hit most of the time, no need to pull your punches."

"I'll keep that in mind, though my suit isn't as calibrated for combat supremacy as the ones you ladies own." Continuing his scan, Glyn heard a faint conversation occurring to the north-east - it took his suit a moment to translate what was being said, but it was easy enough to grasp that the exchange was happening between some of the more animalistic locals.

"So hungry, the pines' bark is looking appetizing to me. Maybe they've decided we're not worth the -?" "Be quiet! My stomach hungers too, but those twice-cursed bastards don't ever forget, or show mercy! Just wait - the Goddess shows mercy on us in time..."

<Jen, Tarvel, did you get that? I can hear three Felines breathing nearby - their hearts are beating unevenly, and I think they're worried about being stalked by someone. How should we approach this - all together, facing outward?> messaged Glyn.

<If they're being stalked,> messaged Tarvel with a sigh, <then prudence dictates that we use caution. Glyn, I suggest you step forward and announce that we can lend aid, but give no indication as to our size or strength.>

<Alright, but try not to let me get swarmed ok?> Withdrawing his helmet, Glyn moved forward quickly, and motioned for the Felines to stay quiet. He had to stop himself from grimacing at their condition: the two females and one male were all so young, yet badly malnourished, and their hides were marked with criss-crossed scars. "Don't worry - you're in good hands now. Rest your limbs while..." Glyn paused as multiple thermal signals began to register from the branches overhead on nearly all sides, and the chime of rustling chainmail began to ring out. <Oh, bollocks - if those aren't sources of body heat, it's going to be very hot soon...>

<Covering fire, Tarvel. Engage targets only as necessary,> Jen commanded. The female elves dropped into combat stances and lit the forest up around Glyn and the three felines with weapons fire. Energy bolts cleaved through multiple trees and foliage before striking the pursuers or being dispersed by range. Though caught off guard, the slaver mages quickly erected force shields to protect their party.

"Come on, I've got some friends nearby that can cover us," exclaimed Glyn as he lifted one of the weakened Felines to his shoulder, and sprinted forward. The other two were sufficiently frightened by the sudden ruckus to run after the male elf, rather than question his appearance or recall their previous fatigue. Glyn assisted the youth over his shoulder to the ground, and gestured that the furry trio should stay low and still, as he separated from them. <3 casters neutralized, along with 4 foes stalled on the ground. One of the mages has dropped down to engage us, while providing a screen to one squad. The other two are leaping from cover to cover behind the foliage.> Glyn finished his broadcast, and procured a pair of kukris for hand-to-hand combat.

Tarvel provided covering fire, barely holding herself back from fully engaging the enemy. She watched for the tell-tale signs of nearing enemies and fired warning blasts to keep them from coming too close. Unlike some recruits from her early days, she’d never had difficulty following through on the promise made by a warning shot.

<Advance!> Jen said. Tarvel and Jen began to walk, pressing forward. With Glyn and the felines safely behind them, they no longer needed to worry about crossfire. Military precision guided the women's firing arcs, and before long even the shields of the mages buckled, and the slavers fell. Quiet descended on the forest until it was replaced by the return of birdsong and the sounds of other native life.

<Now that’s a peace and quiet worth having,> Tarvel communicated, grinning as she leaned against a tree.

"Yes. Though curious that they would send so large and powerful a team to capture three young." Jen thought for a moment, then called out, "Glyn! Try to talk to them."

"Hey pretty ladies, little brother - told you things would work out. Now, my fierce-looking pack leader wishes to know how you came to be hunted by such a large force." said Glyn as he crouched near the small Felines.

The elder female stepped forward and gave Glyn a rough, quick lick on the cheek. "Thank you sir. Our masters said that we weren't any good for their tests, and all the young were quartered off from the rest of the servants. Once every few hours, they'd take some of us away... and then they would celebrate while dragging whatever was left of our friends back."

Tarvel growled to herself but remained otherwise silent upon hearing this.

Confirmation of his thoughts tore at Glyn's heart, and he took on a more solemn visage as he knelt by the Felines. Stroking their heads in turn, he spoke softly but passionately to the surviving 'slaves': "We'll take claws and teeth to them for this, young ones. Now, a friend of ours will meet you shortly and guide you away from here, but let's see if you can catch some rabbits that I saw earlier. Think you can snag a few for your bellies, cubs?"

"Rabbits are a little stringy, but fun to pounce on. Thank you sir, misses. Be safe, and may the Goddess help you defeat them." The older Feline youth rejoined her companions, and they trailed slowly in the direction Glyn had given them.

Glyn turned to Tarvel and Jen, and his anger at the slavers sizzled over the relay. <Alright ladies - I haven't got as much to hurt the slavers as you two, but I'm definitely inclined to stomp on some heads. Raven's got the coordinates of the little ones, and his way over should be clear.>

<Excellent. Let's proceed then,> Jen said.

I really dig the line about pouncing rabbits, quite cute and gave the furries a lot of personality. We even got a little action although it was over in a blink. That's okay, lots more action to come in the rest of the mission! In fact, we're going straight into the ninja village for the next mission with Sir Fumblies and friends.