Week 5: The Enemy of my Enemy

Morning dawns across the compound and blood dries upon the ground as our not so heroes venture into the bright glare. Doom assigns the task of preparing an expedition to Mysty. A brief tinkering session ensues as snow mobile redesigns are discussed and ultimately discarded. The plan entails Iceman zipping along on sheets of ice with Mysty kinda water skiing behind on a tether. Sabretooth will pile through the jungle with Beast a little behind. They will set off West to investigate the distant mountains for possible ore deposits. Doom will stay on site to continue fixing the machinery.

A short way into the journey Sabe gets a wiff of an unknown origin, somewhat decaying meat. He moves forward to scout. Beast climbs a tree and Ice zipps himself and Myst 30 feet up on a column of ice, feezing a small walkway to a nearby tree just in case. Sabe comes crashing back through the jungle alerting them to the clear presence of a 13’ carnivore intent on Sabretooth. Mysty sends blots of force its way, Beast clatters rounds of AK into it and Iceman sends sheets of super cold to form an ice wall 8 feet tall. The Ceratosurus jumps through the barrier but Iceman successfully freezes a layer of ice over the critters eyes causing it to crash into the tree that Beast was hanging onto. He drops to the ground and starts swinging, as does Sabe, rending skin and flesh with his razor claws. Sabe grins maniacally. The creature has been badly damaged by the hail of missiles and a short job is made of it.
They move on with Mystique assuming the somewhat . The jungle thins out and the expedition stops to rest at the edges of a plain. Nothing stirs in the heat. They cross the plain without incident and head back into the jungle. A large fast flowing river some 40 ‘ wide bars their way. Beast feels a wet splash on his face and turns to see a long prehensile tongue slither back into the gaping maw of a 5’ toad, greedily eying this morsel. Beast jumps into the air…. And lands right in front of it. Unfortunately it dawns on the happy chappy that he may over reached as Sabretooth smashes head first into it, crushing its skull and sending fountains of green goo into the air. Other shapes stir in the water, but are strangely moving rapidly away. Beast swipes at the slime but it tangles his fur into knots. Sabe grins foolishly.
Beast hatches a plan to leap the river with a rope thereby allowing the others to cross.
He lands on the far bank and turns just in time to Mystique splash into the water 5’ from shore. She changes back to humanish form and swims to the bank ever so slightly redder. Sabe lands on the far shore and casually hands the rope to Beast. Sabe gives a wry grin. Beast cusses. Iceman just zips over.
They quickly find a path, well worn and downtrodden by vaguely humanoid life forms. Bi pedal but clawed.
They cautiously approach an intersection, running North South. From the North comes smells of cooking and fire. Something moves in the brush along the south path. Mysty stays in the gloom off the trail forming a camo like skin to blend seamlessly with the jungle. Beast climbs a tree on the other side of the trail and Ice and Sabe casually stroll down the path, whistling as they go. Ice spots a glint in the jungle and is astonished to see the barrel of a rifle pointing at him. A loud crack announces the bullet as it speeds unerringly to Icemans chest. And penetrates some small way before harmlessly expending its energy. Ice pulls the bullet out and examines it. Looks like a rudimentary brass cased bullet.
Five creatures step out on to the trail. They are stooped roughly man sized bi peds wearing dark leather and cloth. Their fur lined faces are distinctly primate and they wield rifles, swords and clubs. Two rush down the path with one aiming down his rifle. The other two jump back into the undergrowth.
These guys are very aggressive as one moves to clap irons on our shggy friend and the other swings the butt of his rifle at Iceman. Ice freezes the rifle to the creatures hands causing a certain amount of alarm to our monkey friend who runs off into the bush. The second guy receives a sharp slap from Sabe, relocating a couple of teeth in the process. It drops the irons and pulls a short bladed sword from its belt. A third primid has legged it down the path toward Iceman and receives a bolt to the chest for its trouble knocking it to the floor.
Sabes second blow is awry and the Primid draws its arm back for a mighty swing at Sabe. Mysty’s shot spins the blade from its paw breaking several bones. It staggers back and retreats up the path. Ice freezes hi opponents legs to the ground.
Beast tears off into the forest in search of the other two monkey boys. He finds them and receives a nik to one arm from a rifle round. He winds an almighty haymaker up and smashes the nearest opponent 30 feet into a very sturdy tree. Sharp cracking noises announce a very uncomfortable landing. The second primid is rapidly disarmed and casually bundled under one arm. He lopes back to the trail.
Meanwhile a new party arrives from the north end of the trail. Around 20 reptilian like bi peds move cautiously down the path. The leader is around 7’ tall and wields an impressive looking spear. Ice freezes a wall between them to give some breathing room. Mysty stays put. The leader leaps onto the top of the wall and points at the helpless (frozen footed) apeman. He draws his spear back for a cast but Iceman steps between. He stops, gesticulating wildly. It drops to the ground and approaches the strangers. The rest of the Saurids move into the jungle to swing around the ice wall. Myst stays perfectly still and the camouflage holds right up to the points that one of the beasties walks into her. They are somewhat startled. And even more startled as she attempts to shapeshift into them and completely screws it up. The Innerspace moment passes as she is no longer surrounded by the saurids, they all ran for it.
Beast clatters into the meeting and drops his new found captive at the feet of the reptilian leader who promptly skewers it to the floor. They roar in unison and the leader removes a prominent necklace of skulls from his neck and passes to Beast.
They start some communication although it is likely to take weeks to completely understand. The rest of the lizard people return from further down the trail with a couple of reptilians fastly manacled with iron chains. It appears that the ape men were in the process of capturing some slaves.
The party moves to the saurid encampment and is treated with great respect. Mystique removes the manacles from the saurid captive and is warmly thanked. Ice removes one of the monkey boys necklace and belt. His trousers fall round his ankle, and the primid glares at Iceman as he is led shuffling away to the cells. A quick scan confirms the presence of the elusive ore in the medallion. The leader gives another to the company and points to the North.
Wheels start turning.