IC: Zan Velin
Monday, January 21, 11:20 AM
Jamar passes around the weapons. I look at 'em, confused. Only weapons I've seen in my life are the beat-sticks back on Tay 1. I figure I'd mimmick the others when the the time came to use 'em.
"We're about to land," calls Yamato. "Strap in!"
But I've seen somethin' in the locker that held the weapons. My eyes widen. "FOOD!" I leap onto the provisions like the hungry animal I am and begin stuffing my mouth. The stuff tastes like creature feed, but I'm grateful that it's edible.
Jamar scowls. "Don't gobble it all, glutton. We don't know if the food on this planet is edible. Those provisions are for all of us."
I manage a muffled "screw you" through a mouthful of provisions and continue feeding.
Suddenly, I feel a jolt and I'm thrown backwards. Out of surprise, I drop the bag right before I hit my head on the hatch. I swear loudly as the other two chuckle.
"I told you to strap in," said Yamato.
"Laugh it up, remember I still got this...thing-amabob." I raise the weapon half-heartedly.
They laugh harder and wave their own smugly. "Anyway, we're here," says Jamar. "Let's go find Christenson." He looks at his ring and I see anger flash in his eyes.
"Wait," says Suiji. "It's not a good idea to scare the natives with our...machinery." He places his ring to his blaster-thing and it disappears, as if sucked into it.
Val Jamar grins. "Good idea," he says and does the same. I follow, reluctantly. I know I'd feel more secure if I had something by my side that made it clear that messing with me would be a bad idea.
We walk out and look around. Everywhere I see there's trash and broken junk. This planet looks as filthy as Tay 1. But at least the sky is brighter and less of a...ugly, yellowish tint. That doesn't stop me from commenting, "What a dump."
"Actually," says Yamato. "That's probably exactly what it is. We've landed in some sort of waste disposal facility."
"Lucky us," I growl. "That's a fine indicator of what's to come."
"It is pretty lucky, come to think," says Val. "No witnesses. Let's just hope no one notices the big shuttle." His ring glows. "This way, follow me."
After a few minutes of walking, I see signs of life. Lots of 'em. Hundreds of people walking through the city, intent on whatever their business is. Not one of them dresses alike. Some look so strange that I wonder if they are of the same species. No wonder we're not attracting too much attention. As I look at the buildings, I see symbols that I don't recognize.
"Hey, old man," I whisper at Yamato. "Do these people speak common?"
Yamato, apparently unphased at being called "old man" responds, "No, apparently not. Hey, Jamar, do you think the rings can translate for us?"
Val pauses. "Worth a shot," he says. And he whispers something to his ring. Yamato concentrates.
I look down on my own ring. "Dictionary, too, huh?"
When I look up, I can read everything. Some words are still foreign, but at least I get the general gist of things. Suddenly, I catch a whiff of something in the air. I look in the direction of the smell and see a small stand with a fat man giving some type of meat to a customer. The sign above him reads "Hot Dogs."
I grin. The dog is an excellent delicacy on Tay 1. "Hey," I tell the others. "Hold on, I'm gonna get us some grub!"
I walk up to the stand. "Give me three dogs," I order.
The fat man looks at me, as if he were better than me. I notice his moustache is dirty. "Seven-fifty, Mr. Tights," he finally says.
Of course. Everyone wants money. But I didn't survive on Tay 1 by paying for food.
I smirk and point my ring below the stand. Without breaking eye contact I shoot a beam and set the bottom of it on fire.
"Hey, pally, I think your dogs are burnin'," I say.
The man looks down and screams. He screams obscenities that even my ring can't translate. While he's occupied, I swipe the hot dogs on the counter and run back to the other Lanterns.
"One for each," I say produly, and hand them the dogs in buns.
Yamato shakes his head. Jamar tries to hide a grin by stuffing the food into his mouth. "Come on, Christenson's this way..."
The sky has suddenly become darker. I look up, alarmed. "What happened? Has Rob found us?"
"Nah," says Yamato. "Looks like rain."
I raise my eyebrow. "What the hell is rain?"