The Freaks of the Ring

Thirteen : Percikan

Tony and I watch the ensemble leave the Ring from one of his many monitors. I guess it really was a good idea to put cameras and radars everywhere to keep track of everyone on nearby missions and to see just what's going on outside. Huh. Would've lost that bet.

He types in a few things, changing view from camera to camera once they're out of one's sight and in another. At some point, they get so far out that we can only rely on radar to keep track of them. It kind of sucks that we can't see just what they're doing directly, but it is better than nothing. The little green dot on the screen indicating our creature is continuously moving closer to the group, only making my heart pick up pace a little. I'm usually not so worried for the sake of these missions, but seeing as how Mufasa is out in the field today, I'm a bit nervous for his safety. Sure, I know Ventus is going to be there watching out for him the entire time, but it still scares me a little. He's not the most cautious of all of us, to say the least. Especially not when I actually let him get out and do stuff for once.

Levi joins us eventually, though I never do notice their arrival at first. It's only until they decide to speak up and give me a virtual heart attack that I notice. "What's going on? Any progress so far?" They glance at the screens, but I can see the blank look in their eyes. Or blanker than usual, should I correct myself.

I just shake my head, pointing to the advancing trio of Freaks. "Not exactly so far. They just left," I glance at one of the many clocks hanging near the ceiling, "about a quarter of an hour ago. Encounter hasn't even occurred between them and our mystery creature yet."

"Do they even have a strategy for when they get to it? Like, is Mufasa going to sniff it out or negotiate a peace treaty with it as said before?" I shoot them a look that could literally kill anyone else. My eyes must be yellow, because they seem to freak Levi out a bit. "Okay, forget the peace treaty. But in all seriousness, is there a plan? At all? Because this all seemed pretty damn rushed to me."

 I guess they have a bit of a point with that one. It really wasn't thought through all that much, just forced into action because of the safety precautions with the team. "I don't know, that would've been up to them to come up with. I shouldn't need to hold their hands and walk them through everything. Each of them has been here for ages, so the least they could do is come up with their own ding dang plan for once. It would've been good practice if they actually thought to go through with it."

Levi sighs in response and pulls up one of the majorly dented and acid-burned chairs from the corner. "Well, since I'm not doing anything more important with my time, mind if I sit in and watch? I kinda need to learn some of this in case...ya know..." Oh, I do know. It's a thoughtful gesture and all, learning the ropes in case something ends up happening to me, but I still can't shake the thought that they want me to kick the bucket. It's a weird thought, since they're the holder of life here, but I think it's plausible.

"Sure, fine, whatever. Just don't get in the way and we'll all be good," Tony practically snaps at them. He's been eerily quiet most of the time we've been in here, and I can't help but wonder if that's a bad thing.

It's only then that I glance back at the radar, only to see two of the three members of the group coming back here, in the opposite direction of the creature they were supposed to be learning about. I can only assume that it's Ventus and Mufasa and that the worst has happened. But none of the dots have disappeared yet, so that's a good thing. Right? Then why can't I help but dread the worst possible outcome?

Tony merely groans, pulling down another screen and whipping out a device that connects to all the mission suits to convey messages. It's helpful to have, even if we don't need it most of the time. This is one of those unlucky rare occasions that we have to put it to use, obviously. He leans close to the device, keeping an eye on the radar and cameras while he speaks. "Ring to Freaks, can anyone hear me? Kematian, are you in out there?" At least he tries to reach Rem first, so maybe we can find out just what's happening from them.

"Y-yeah, I can hear you," Rem's voice comes over the speakers, shaky and laced with fear, but there all the same. Levi looks pretty relieved, even though it would be pretty difficult for their twin to be harmed out there. "Tony, it's a mess out here, I can't come back for a while. This...this thing keeps trying to follow me back there, I swear." There's a loud thud, one that I can only assume is the scythe hitting the ground. This really isn't looking very great if even Rem is afraid. It's next to impossible to scare them.

"Rem, listen to me. Where are Ventus and Mufasa? Their heat signatures are on the move." I can't help but ask, just because I want to make sure they're safe. Maybe this mission was a mistake after all.

"I sent them back. It's not safe for anyone out here, not now, not with this thing out here." The connection is starting to break up, their words coming out muffled and static.

"Rem, what's wrong? Please, just answer..."Levi begs into the device, even more scared than any of us combined.

There's a thud, and a click, and we don't hear anything else from anyone.