"I'll see about requisitioning a field kit for you. If you're here after we finish all of your tests, we'll give you access to what we have in the labs. We'll likely gain a great deal more from watching you work than we'd gain from the battery. Though... if you don't mind letting me see it?"
Hecate carefully holstered her weapon, then slowly walked forward, a gleaming disc of silvery metal held out in one hand. "This is a standard battery from my home. It contains enough electricity to run electromagnetic boots for space walks for ten hours, swap approximately one cubic foot of matter through space via quantum boxes one time, or deliver ten small jolts of electricity through a zipstick. Two of these will provide enough power to run a machine that can create a complete clone of a human body in twelve hours. It is, in fact, one of our most advanced pieces of technology - compatible with practically everything, but some devices can process and use its energy more efficiently than others. It is typically paired with an internal energy reservoir, and the efficiency of that reservoir usually has more to do with the device's power usage than this battery does. I would be happy to demonstrate a few crafting techniques if your tools are something I can use - I will need raw materials, though." And, if necessary, she'd list off exactly what materials and in what quantity would need to be provided.
Sighs very unwolf-like and snorts at the man with the gun, turning and walking slowly over to the humans speaking of arcane things. He'd heard plenty of wizards talk thus before, science or magic, it all meant little to him. He sat himself about 10 feet away to listen to the group talk, mostly paying attention to inflections and body language rather then the words. He wanted to be ready if the situation changed, and this man seemed to be in charge. He turned his head trying to eye the wounds on his shoulder, but he couldn't see them, so he just huffed and waited.
He looked to Pierce, then back to Hecate. "I was going to make a joke about a green card earlier, but I actually like this one." he nods, "I'll see what we can get you access to. As for what it can do." he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a device that no one else would really recognize save for Hecate. But it's very... boxy. With a handle. And made of what appears to be plastic.
It has the following properties: One-handed firearm. 2 fire + 2 b/p per round charged, to a maximum of three rounds spent charging. x2 crit, but the critical range increases by 1 for each round spent charging (to a maximum of 17-20). It has a range increment of 5 feet, and a capacity of 10. It only functions against touch AC for the first 3 range increments, normally, so a maximum of 15 feet. If it strikes a target wearing metal armor or primarily made of metal, the wearer takes an additional 1 plus 1 point of fire damage per round charged from the heat dissipation on their next turn. It can fire 10 shots with between 1 and 4 fletchettes before draining all of its power, and can spend an additional charge to forgo the charging period.
"Looks like it'll fit into this, if nothing else."
He watched the wolf as it approached, regarding the bullet wounds. "The term you were looking for was 'seeping'." he seems to announce to no one in particular.
"Man, this is old." Hecate mused, looking over the object in question. "Not very power-efficient, either, but heat could be useful at some point. I suppose it's workable." she added, passing over the battery and taking the hammering device.
He isn't offering it. He's showing you the device, which he -uses- as a weapon. It's actually your-level tech, and has been jury-rigged with modern technology. :)
After a few minutes of examining the item - and letting the man examine her thing - Hecate traded items back again. "Not a bad starting point as a tool, but it's a pretty poor substitute for chemical catalyst fusion if you want to link things together." she added.
He raises one eyebrow what and you just happened to have that advanced construction tool on your person?
"No, I just happened to have a device that fires inch-long superheated bolts at short range on my person." He smiles to Pierce as he places the 'gun' back into his suit, and hands Hecate back her battery.
Roy climbs down out of the tree and Bear kinda just falls out of it.
"What's goin' on?"
The agent starts, and looks at Roy. "That is not what I thought they meant by cat. At all." he sighs, and waves the agent Scath was following out of the shadows and into the light. The man lowers his weapon.
The Soldier is covered head-to-toe in camouflaged cloth, and carrying a two-handed gun, that Pierce recognizes as an A4. It's also sporting an Acog scope and a red dot sight. He has two pistols for sidearms on one side, and four grenades (they don't look to be frags) on his flak jacket. His face is completely covered, and his eyes are covered in nightvision goggles.
"We're going for a little ride, everyone is getting a shower, we're going to learn a bit about you, and then we're going to let most of you go, if you're still around tomorrow." he paraphrases. "I'm not sure we have anywhere the big guy could reasonable go, though." he motions to Fao.
"You know, it'd probably be a lot smarter to put up a clean tent around the area where people appear. Maybe a sign for those who can read, explaining what's going on and asking them to be polite." Hecate observed. "Also, I'm sure it would be very tempting for you to touch my armor once I take it off, but trust me, you don't want to do that. It has anti-theft protocols to slag the circuits, and I kind of want it to stay in good operating order for when I leave."
"And there are no bypasses to prevent that?" the man seems to be watching with a critical eye.
"That was actually the plan, sort of. But cordoning off a section of central park for maintenance for one week was enough hassle. Now that we know that it'll keep happening; 3 points to make a pattern and all that... we'll likely build some sort of containment here, and do some underground building. If everything works out right, a month from now, there will be a rather large statue here." he looks up, over the faerie circle. "And that will make containment much, much simpler."
"Of course there are bypasses. What do you take our tech for?" Hecate said blankly. "We have to wear the thing, after all, and it'd be a pretty crappy piece of armor if just bumping it wrong set it off. I'm just not telling you what the safeguards are or how to get past them. And honestly, you'll be better off listening to my explanation and reverse-engineering the battery than you will be trying to examine my armor. There are a lot of parts that won't make sense to you until your tech level's been brought up, and once it has been, merely knowing what's possible will help you duplicate it in a reasonable amount of time. You'd be losing my cooperation for basically no practical gain."
"The problem with simply taking your word for it that your armor is armor is that my superiors won't accept that. As far as we know, your armor is a nuclear bomb, or has a built in death ray, or something to that nature. Surely you understand that not only national, but global security is at stake here? You bear yourself as a soldier, so you likely know how these things work." after a moment. "How's this. Are there any energy wavelengths that would result in it being scrapped? We don't want to break your things... Bloody Hell. I work for the TSA..." he said, facepalming.
"Do you know the little folks?"
Roy cocks his head to the side as he and Bear step forward.
"Oh, and if yer worried about people freakin out about seein' me, I got a thing fer that."
He lifts his hat and straightens his hair underneath. When the hat goes back on there's a Shimmer and he's a teenage boy, about ninteen, his size with dark hair and blue eyes. Instead of the black shirt and blue plaid kilt with and all the belts, he now wears blue shorts and a black rugby shirt with the Irish flag on it. His short quiver he kept his tools and things in has become a backpack. The only thing that has stayed is the blue plaid driving cap.
He looks it over.
"Is this seriously what you people wear these days? What even are these? And Lord Above it's cold out here..."
He pulls at the leg of the shorts before snuggling up to Bear to stay warm. Bear smiles slightly and nudges him back.
"I'm less worried about you, now... and much more worried about the others. I don't suppose you lot are wearing things like that? And... I don't have any idea what we're going to do about the big guy if you wind up staying. I suppose he looks sort of like a parade float..." he pauses once more. "And no. I wouldn't be caught dead wearing something like that."
Scath moves up with the man that he was watching, keeping a few paces behind him, keeping his steps in time with the man's, to cover the crunching.
When he stops, he sits in the man's shadow, licking his paw stealthfully.
Scath briefly eyes the men in odd dark clothes, and wonders how high they'd jump if he let out a roar right now. The thought amuses him, and he has to suppress a purr.
Ever get other orb to talk? It no talk to Scath. Only make chimes. Notice two-legs same same, any world, no pay attention to surroundings. Could kill all of them given time. Only reason they no all dead they breed too fast.
no there's another cat, and this one's a quadruped, about the size of a fully grown panther, and I have no magical tech, and the most high tech I had on me when I disappeared are my customized glocks, and my sat phone he then turns to Hecate "and before you sort derisively, yes I had better, but I was supposed to be on my day off, and I was about to head to a place where high tech stuff occasionally just stops working, due in part to the sheer power the lightning empress can produce if she decides she doesn't like someone or some mountain he says emphasizing the sheer scale of her power, and as far as he knew no one in the England branch knew how she could target anywhere in the entire country while never leaving Moscow.
'I cannot speak to him directly like this. He is not like you. You are like a body. He is not like a body.
"Ah, then yes. They mentioned that cat, as well. Looks like a lynx?" he tilts his head. "A bit smaller than a panther. The men lost track of it when it turned north before leaving the park."
Hecate just sighed as she put a hand on her forehead. "For the love of... who the hell would miniaturize a nuke and then just stuff it into armor, where battle damage could potentially set it off? There are physical limits to everything, and the closest we get to a bloody death ray needs a special installation. Also, they're expensive as hell - and so complex it'd take me almost half a year to make one even with the right equipment. Any government trying to outfit rank-and-file soldiers with stuff like that would be bankrupt in days. You're gonna have to take my word for it that the stuff is safe - and if not, the smart thing to do would be to leave me right here, or just drive me into a big open area somewhere and wait for me to leave. Less chance of biological contamination than if you splattered me, and less likelihood of anything going boom and damaging your living areas."
"Right. Suit Yourself. Upgrade plastic girl to a Grade B." he said to no one in particular.
Pierce snorts at "plastic girl" and remarks "I would also like to point out that I have the ability to do underwhelmingly minor magics, under my own power, we call this tier of magic a cantrip where I come from he says wavering his hand to make tiny fireworks, "I mostly use it to improve smells and make sure my suit is always cleanly pressed no matter what it is I get into, but it also has a few other purposes including altering flavor or color, the only time I've ever been able to use it effectively for military purposes and not improving quality of life was when I once used it to mask the taste and color of a poisoned drink better it come out now than find out later they had some kind of seer or magic detector that could find it out later
"Right. Then... could you get the cat to come out of wherever it's hiding, and we'll be off, or do you lot want to stand here until it gets cold?"
Roy notices that, but figures it's not a big deal. Maybe the little folk thought it was funny. They had done worse to him before in jest alone. It almost never hurt more than his pride. Almost. Some of the crazier guys tended to play a little rough. At least this seemed harmless enough.
"C'mon back, fella. It's cold and not all of us have fur any more. And don't worry about Bear. He can make himself scarce if it's absolutely necessary, but I want him with me if at all possible. It'n that right, big guy?"
Bear rubs up against Roy with his side affectionately.
He looks around for the cat as he pulls Bear's tail around him.
"So why would the little folks being here make containing easier?"
"Little folk?" The man asked, eyebrow raised.
Scath watches the shadow, and hears Roy calling. Figuring he's had enough fun for now, he let's out a blood curdling yowl, from all of 10 feet behind the 'stone cold killer' and watches the human's reaction, to see how well they are trained.
To the wolf, he calls out in a yowling baritone.
So, were doggie. Still can kill, just need more planning. The cat says dismissively. Although it appears from the tone that the cat is more just giving the wolf grief than actually threatening it.
The soldier, and two others turn, almost in unison towards Scath as he screeches at the man, three guns leveled in near harmony. It's actually sort of impressive.
What's even more impressive, is that Suit doesn't turn at all, but simply yells "Stand Down!" And they do. But without actually turning their guns away from the cat.
"What in the name of all that is holy is -wrong- with your animals?" The man seems to be addressing Pierce. "I do hope, for their sake and yours, that every highly trained military unit you encounter continues to have a shorter leash than they do."
"What do you mean you knew the cat was there? And you didn't think to tell anyone? Bloody lovely..." he acknowledges no one in particular. Scath sees a tiny red dot swirling around the ground right in front of him, before it zooms across the ground, towards the group in the light. It's tricky, though. It seems to disappear whenever it hits shadows, and it also seems to shift its pace on occasion.
Not bad for two legs... LIGHT!
Scath nearly teleports as the red dot flies over the grass, and let's out a rumbly roar as he pounces on the red dot as moves over the ground, chasing it straight past the first soldier. As it zooms toward the whistling man, Scath ignores the man to smash between his legs and past him after the illusive dot, likely nearly knocking him over as the damned dot dances and jerks and bounces.
Out damn spot, out! Ooh, good move! Hah, gotcha! No fair!
Scath bounds and pounced into the middle of the group, before the ruby dot vanishes, leaving him wondering. Perhaps it burrowed into the ground.
"Good call." suit said again, to no one in particular. "Also, my code name is Whistler. I'm afraid I can't give you my real name, as I don't much think my wife or kids will appreciate it all that much, if at some point, one of you turns out to be a monster and decides to eat them for some imagined sleight. And by imagined, I mean it is entirely possible that I have already made a grievous error, culturally." He looks over everyone to ensure that he hasn't offended. "If there is anything else, let's get to it while we walk and then ride. Please tell me your friends understand automobiles already. Queen knows the deer don't."
"The little folks. Fey. All of them know each other. They told me they exist everywhere and everywhen all at the same time. About yay."
He holds his hands about a foot apart.
"To yay." He holds his fingers an inch or two apart.
"They make the mushroom rings. They tend to make things more complicated if anthin'. Why would them bein' here make containment er whatever tis any easier?"
Bear immediately moves between the cat and Roy when it busts in, watching it.
"Auto-what now?"
Scath gives up looking for the dot in short order. He scratches behind his ear while ignoring Whistler.
He does however reach out and leave four grooved scratches in Pierce's shiny shoes, ruining the finish, when the man comes within paw reach, and gives the man a rumbly growl that would make any prey animal's heart race prior to a panic'd run.
"I'll have people sweep the area more thoroughly. Thank you for that."
Roy feels one last tug at his money pouch. There's a sprig of lavender... for distrust.
Scath will do a last sniff test to make sure none of the seeds survived on anyone, or on the ground where they appeared. If he finds any, he'll growl at the ground until someone comes and destroys them.
Hecate bent down and scratched behind Scath's ears after he'd checked to make sure that no invasive seeds remained in the area. "Good kitty." she said, taking all of her things and heading towards the dirty, pollutant-spewing archaic piece of junk that sufficed for "transportation" in this time.
...
All right, so maybe those with a lot of technology were at least a little elitist - at least these people seemed interested in getting better, though, and that was what really counted.
"Wait. What? No! You can't just come in here and take them out of their homes. They haven't done anything wrong. This is the nicest I've ever seen them. I guarantee if you do anything to them this entire place will wither and die before next autumn. And that won't be anything they've done. It'll be you all for taking them away. Trying to hurt them is like cutting off nature's hands."
He explains vehemently.
"So... you're saying that gnomes and faeries are real and we Can't relocate them without destroying a meticulously worked, overcultivated garden?" He raised an eyebrow. "Fine. We'll search for them, try to communicate, then keep them here. Who knows, we may even be able to get them to help out. I'll have you retrieved on what you know about 'little folk.' And remember, they'll be counting on you."
The group arrives at a pair of panel vans. Each has a large octagon cut into eight equal slices (like a pie), alternating red and white. Emblazoned in white on the side is DAET in big, bold letters. In smaller letters is 'first world solutions.' The writing gives the overall appearance that they're a business you haven't heard of.
One has three cages inside, that aren't exactly cages. They're blocked off from the front, but it's more like three dens. One is lynx-sized and enclosed like a den. One is wolf-sized and sturdy on all sides, and one is bear-sized... And looks more like a shark cage than anything. "Best we can get on short notice." There's also a large tool kit near the front in a big metal box.
The other looks like troop transport on the inside. Sideways harnesses, rather than seat belts. "Anything you'd like me to radio ahead for, asked the man in the suit, "Like a type of food or drink?"
Nothing bad, Scath make sure of that.
Scath goes along reluctantly, looks at the cages, wondering which of the two legs is riding in those, and then lightly leaps up into the back of the metal wagon that has the seats and straps. He sniffs around, making a face at the oil and metal smell, and then curls up under a bench, waiting for the rest to load up.
He actually seems genuine, even with the slightly better vibe Scath had gotten in the interactions before.
"Yes. I think. You say a lot of things I don't understand. But don't search for them. You'll spook them. They'll come to you if you're going to talk with them at all. I'll explain later."
He heads towards the vans as directed.
"It's a little small, but it'll do."
Roy and Bear both climb in, leaving the door open. Apparently they don't mind the closed quarters. If anything, Bear sits and Roy sits in his lap with Bear almost enveloping Roy in orange fur with arms wrapped around him.
"Do ya have that liquor with the cream in it? And some potatoes and porkchops. Can't remember the last time I had a proper meal..."
"I'll take whatever you have so long as the food provided is meat. I want protein, fat, and salt, on the last planet all there was to eat was that weird plant, hell even the birds were made of plant," he then pauses as a thought occurs to him before he grimices "ok technically most of the people were technically edible, but no, only under the most dire of circumstances would that even be considered
"Righto. Bacon-wrapped Steak and eggs." he replied, as he hopped into the back of the Van, and slid along the bench towards the front. "Anything else?"
"Fruit." Hecate said unhelpfully. She didn't bother to elaborate further.
Scath gives the whistling man a good long sniffing from under the bench seat, seeing as how he scooted up the row (unless he picked the opposite bench, in which case Scath just ignores him for now).
"that'll do just fine, thanks" he says relaxing into his seat.
The man smells like a mix of Pierce and Hecate, material-wise. He smells human as well, and carries the acrid stench of the modern world with him. He seems to be well groomed, smelling mildly of animal scents, but also has a few hints of blood in his clothing, very trace, as its almost impossible to wash blood out. Not all of it is his, though some is. And much of it is varied, making the exact creatures whose blood is on him varied. You also can't be sure of how much blood was involved, due to the scent disguises and cleaning that humans frequently adopt.
He also seems completely at ease.