Kuruka's Story

Dozens of eyes observed the arrival of the carrier overhead, and of the descent from it by the team of Invictus soldiers and scientists. The thought that the ones from before might return to this place had been enough to warrant leaving a small war party to watch over it - and to scavenge what they could from the combat zone should anything have been left behind by the involved combatants.

It was these that now watched Nina and Sonia from the surrounding jungle.

"They are foolish to have returned to this place," Kuruka growled under his breath from his perch atop a tree branch.

He knocked an arrow into his bow as he lined up a shot on Sonia - the one he assumed to be in charge from the manner in which she gave instructions.

"No, Kuruka," Apiya told him as she grabbed his arm to stay him from releasing the arrow. "These are not the ones that came before them," she told him.

"They come from the skies like the others, and carry the same weapons," he retorted. He lowered the bow but didn't yet unknock the arrow.

"Patience, brother," Apiya told him. "We will watch, and we will see what they choose to do."

And so the game began. The Mira did not acquire the nickname of ghosts of the forest without cause, and both Kuruka and Apiya lowered themselves from the tree they were in without so much as a sign of their passing.

The scientists began to set up their equipment near the falls, a few soldiers, including Nina, tethering rappel cables for going down to the bottom of the falls if there was need to do so.

"There was fighting here. Recent fighting. This is a bad idea. "Nina told Sonia again, "We've been over this. I'm not going to let someone else's war get in the way of doing some good science. Something I can be proud of. I'm not going to keep making weapons for Stryfe, for anyone, for long. That's the reason I left the Empire." Sonia explained.

"I got into science to heal, not kill people with weapons of mass destruction." The Englishwoman continued, heading over to a bag placed down near her. The woman reached inside the bag, producing a metal briefcase. "Okay, babies, do your thing." Sonia said, opening the case.

"Those things creep me out." Nina said, glancing around the jungle. It was clear she wasn't a fan of places like this. Too much room for something, or someone, to hide behind.

Out of the case Sonia held went about six orbs, each floating around the area to scan for any life or anything unsual. "Creepy or not, they do their job. It's much better than walking around herr and trying to search on my own, right?" Sonia asked.

The jungle was of course teaming with life. With the carrier moved on, much of the wildlife that had taken cover were beginning to reemerge. Strange primates, insects. reptiles, and birds were prevalent.

One orb passed near to what appeared to be a large reptilian - or draconic - species of some nature that was plastered against the side of a tree for camouflage. A single yellow eye split open to observe the orb hovering near it.

The large predator could well pose a threat to a human - but the large number of individuals seemed to discourage it. Clawed hands released its hold from the bark of the tree as it fell free and glided off into the jungle.

Meanwhile no sign of the Mira's earlier presence seemed to remain.

As with everything he did, Kolo’s approach to the agreed upon place of meeting was swift and silent. His body moved with the intrinsic, instinctive grace of one who was born among trees, branches, and predators, and his skill had only been honed upon arrival on Terra. The Veshrac jungle was a wild, dangerous place to exist, and the Mira were stubborn.

So he had learned to scale trees, to learn what they could take of his body, to feel out which limbs would make noise, which would not. The knowledge was partly gained and partly genetic, but the combination made him one of the best at what he did.

Tapu was strong and loyal. Apiya was a level-headed leader. And Kolo could move with less sound and trace than the wind itself.

He found the others stationed in trees, a few meters away from a sharp bend in the riverbank. The Mira gathered there were tense and alert, somber expressions upon their faces. He leapt quietly into a higher branch, instinctively shifting to scan the surroundings, aware that none of his companions had acknowledged his presence. After a time, confirming for himself that it was clear, he dropped onto a lower branch, crouching against the trunk. Apiya, who had been listening to a scout’s report, nodded towards him. He nodded back.

All the acknowledgement needed.

“They arrive - in ships, unload strange machines, and test the area. Then they leave again,” Toru, a young, promising scout, was saying.

“They haven’t found signs of us, and they appear not to be aggressive.”

"I will go to them tonight," Apiya finally decided. "I will learn what they have to say, and of why they have come here."

There some discontent murmurings at that, but none challenged her outright on the matter. Their unease had less to do with distrust or a lack of confidence in Apiya, and more to do with a distrust in these newcomers. To approach them was dangerous.

Apiya glanced around at the other Mira present, and she was observant enough to pick up the general attitude. Many of the Mira would just as soon leave and not look back.

Her claws dug into the bark of a branch overhead to keep her position steady.

"I will take two volunteers with me, and Kuruka will be in charge until I return."

She looked then to Kolo.

"Have you learned of anything new?" she asked him.

As Apiya addressed him, the Mira's eyes and attention turned towards him, and he felt the familiar feeling of his skin crawling under the awareness of his presence. Kolo stamped the feeling down, focusing solely on Apiya.

"I share reservations that these men from the sky are alike to the others who hunt us clumsily," he intoned, in his deep whisper, "and that they would bring more of their kind should we disturb them. I would feel more comfortable in your presence for this meeting, if you would have me."

"I will go as well," Toru spoke up.

Apiya nodded. Toru was young, but capable, and Kolo her best scout. The both of them would make a good pair to accompany her.

"Then it is decided. We will remain here until nightfall, and then we will go to meet with these newcomers when the shadows are our allies."

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