To Infinity!

[Befallen]

The ancient mining vessel slunk lazily through the dark reaches of Wild Space. Throughout its corridors all was silent. Not a sound was seemingly made as the little Neepos slumbered. Yet, not all were soundly asleep. For, a select and influential few were up in the wee hours of the morning. They conspired in their tiny bastardized version of Basic. They plotted to rid themselves of a nuisance. The strongest among them were gathered. So were the wisest, the eldest and the smartest. In secret that had met for weeks now. It was tough keeping the group on track. Every so often one of its members would become disinterested. The talks of conspiracy would devolve into a heated debate over shiny possessions and long-forgotten foods that they claimed to still remember.

For the Chieftain of Clan Baws it was aggravating. Unfortunately for the Chieftain named Boss Baws there wasn’t much he could do. He wasn’t as spry as he’d once been. Yet, he was still nearly a head taller than most Neepo. With his extra size came a girth to match and an ego the size of a Krayt Dragon. Boss Baws had a terrible reputation of being impatient and short-tempered. Often times when the talks would devolve, Boss Baws would lose his cool and start pummeling the nearest inanimate object he could find. It was a terrible time, a dark time. Many a chair was ruined beyond all repair.

As the large and ancient mining corvette continued to sail across the stars, a comm unit echoed throughout the council chambers.

“Eh, Boss Baws,” the ghostly voice of one of the Neepo pilots called, “Whatchu doin’? Where we go?”

Suddenly impatient from the most recent disruption by the poor and unknowing pilot, Boss Baws lashed out at the table. Large, club-like fists slammed upon the countertop to send cheap china flying. Ultimately it clattered back upon the table. The noise momentarily transfixing the members of the clan. A collectively blank and transfixed look appearing upon their faces. In unison they sucked in breath, mesmerized by the shiny-shiny dinnerware. Even Boss Baws wasn’t spared from the transfixing display.

A moment later and Boss Baws blinked absently, dully returning to his senses. He growled and instantly the rest returned to the present. Yet, still some members of the small, nefarious council decided to tempt fate. Enthralled by the subtle tremors of the multicolored saucers and the way the tea quaked within their cups, these few sad creatures reached forward. They almost seemed scared to touch them. Yet, their curiosity overrode. With a tentative touch of their index finger they poked the various pieces of dinnerware. Boss Baws blinked.

“Eh, Chief Boss Baws?” the ghostly pilot called again.

Boss Baws blinked once more. Another guttural growl existed him and those gathered no longer had the wills to be defiant. Their attention returned to their Chieftain in earnest. Rising from his seat at the head of the main table, Boss Baws hobbled over to the closest comm unit. He had to struggle to allow his stubby legs to climb the makeshift platform that would put him at eye level with the comm unit. That had always annoyed him. Angrily depressing the talk button, he growled into the speaker, “You has death wish? We busy. You no need know. Go fly shippu.”

There was silence. It filled the council chambers that also served as the Neepo’s dining hall. Even the pilots on the other end of the unit and far end of the ship quaked. They knew a threat when they heard one. After an audible and wet gulp, the pilot dutifully acknowledge and did as he was told. He did not disturb his moody Chieftain.

Elsewhere in the ship a particular Neepo slumbered blissfully. Upon his face as he sucke upon his thumb was the most content and serene of expression. He slept in a horrible amalgamation of clashing pajamas. Rabbit slippers clung to his feet. His ratty blanket kicked to the far end of his bunk. A look around the room that he called his would leave the onlooker in dismay. Everywhere was something different. There was no order to it at all. For instance, in the center of his room stood a dresser facing no particular direction. His bed was positioned at an awkward angle against one of the walls. Its edge kicked the dresser. Suddenly, the little and large head Neepo shifted in his sleep. He rolled onto his side and curled into a small ball.

In his dream, he saw his future. There was no other way of describing it. He saw himself, only larger. Larger than life. He towered over the other Neepo of his Clan. They bowed at his feet and threw the best treats and the shiniest of objects his way. Neepo ladies clamored over each other in an effort to vy for his attention. They were so relentless he quite literally had to beat them back with a stick. Suddenly, things began to shift and change and his dream took a new direction. Now, he was the leader of some powerful and heroic army. He stood at its column banner in hand. He looked impossibly regal and majestic. There were thousands of Neepo soldiers who stood in an orderly formation. Their heads faced forward. Their faces grim and serious. He stood upon a rock far taller than even a Mok Mok.

Unlike real life, he was flanked by a small host of Mal Mok Mok. They stood stoically still and he knew that they were fanatically loyal to him. As he nobly stood there, banner in hand and stared off into the empty and desolate plain ahead of his army, storms formed in the sky. Lightning and thunder began to boom. Mack smiled and sucked his thumb happily. A captain approached him in his dream. Donned in armor less magnificent than his own, he addressed him humbly.

“My liege. The enemy approaches.” the captain stated.

“Yes, Tim Tim. I can see that. Is the cavalry ready?”

“Yes, my Liege. You need only give the word.”

“Excellent,” he’d commented. The words slipped out solemnly as a sneer lit the corners of his lips.

Far and away Chieftain Boss Baws laid out his dastardly plans. He informed, rather than suggested what would be done. As those trusted few listened, some wholeheartedly agreed. Others were more reluctant. The plan, as Boss Baws saw it was simple. Mack Baws had to go. No longer could the clan tolerate his shenanigans and delusions of grandeur. Although, he said it far more crudely. No longer could he withstand the constant leering that Mack gave the female Neepo of his clan. Nor could their husbands or boyfriends. Nor could the women that sat upon the council. His harmlessness was no longer amusing and had outgrown its usefulness. No more would Mack make threats to beat up the other Neepo when he felt slighted, whilst striking a heroic pose. No more would the clan leaders put up with the little Neepo’s smugness.

They were smart too, damn it. They all thought so. It wasn’t fair that Mack always told them otherwise. By the end of the Chieftain’s designs, he gave a hard gaze around the room. None motioned. Most looked away, yet two dared to gazed back. These particular two happened to Mack’s parents. His ma and pa. They had names, of course, but Mack didn’t know them. They were just ‘Ma’ and ‘Pa.’ Every time another Neepo had tried to call them anything else, Mack threatened to stab them with his spear. It was infamous by now.

His parents continued to defiantly stare at their chieftain. They would not take part in marooning their only son. Ma’s hand reached out to hold Pa’s, who grabbed hers tightly. They took strength from each other. They were brave only because they were concerned for their son. That didn’t make them foolhardy. They didn’t want to go to the ‘bad place,’ any more than anyone else did. Yet, they would risk that for their son. He was just eccentric. That was all. In time he would settle down and do normal Neepo things. Then he would find a mate. They would see. He just needed time. Ma was the first to speak up and she said as much. Pa nodded dutifully behind her before eventually adding his voice to her protests.

As they spoke impassioned, others began to become swayed. Surely, they could wait just a little while longer. Then, suddenly, another voice joined the murmurings. This voice was different. It was younger, deeper, and more vibrant. It spoke more clearly, enunciated better. The voice belonged to Spirit Baws whom everyone agreed one would day succeed Boss Baws. Everyone also agreed that if there was any Neepo in Clan Baws who was truly smart, it was Spirit. Mack was all talk. Whereas, Spirit only spoke when it was necessary. Therefore his voice carried weight. When he spoke others listened. And so, he did what he did best. Spirit talked and the others listened.

For a long time, he spoke. He logically laid out the pros and cons of keeping Mack aboard the clan-ship. He spoke without malice or dislike. He even empathized with Mack’s parents. And by the time he had concluded everyone in the room was in agreement. Mack had to go. Afterwards, the meeting was adjourned. Everyone knew what they had to do. None of them liked lying or keeping secrets, yet they were all easily manipulated to think of it as a game. As Mack’s parents walked through their home, they thought of how happy their son would be to go on an adventure. He would bring glory to their clan. And when he returned he would have matured. Everyone had agreed it would be the best thing to have ever happened to him.

Rounding a corner, they entered their living quarters. It was ten minutes before the clan would awake. Ma hastily began breakfast. She knew her son loved a hearty meal in the mornings. Besides, Jackie, her daughter would be up soon. She needed to eat as well. It was almost time for the next Quak. Rushing to their kitchen she raucous as she whirled about the kitchen throwing this and that together to form the obscenely large breakfast she was making. It was, of course, larger than normal. After all, this was a special day for Mack.

Several minutes later and an awful smell filled their cabin. And yet, to the Neepo it couldn’t have been more sweeter. Deep in his dreamstate, the battle was going swimmingly. His forces were smashing through the enemy’s. Whenever danger threatened a dragon would appear to fight for the King-General Mack Baws. It set flame to scores and columns of enemy troops. Others it landed upon or flung skyward only to eat moments later. As he dreamed, Mack began to laugh idiotically. A figure appeared outside his door. It slid open with a piercing hiss. Illuminated by the lighting from the main room, a slightly diminutive Neepo appeared magnificently in the threshold. She stood there with hands upon her hips in the most heroic pose she could manage. Moments later she bent forward and burst into a full sprint. She crashed into his room before leaping onto his bed to land upon him with her full weight. All the while, she giggled happily.

Mack’s eyes cracked open in terror. Groggily he stared into the blurry face of a shorter horned, lighter-skinned, bright-eyed little Neepo girl. His face contorted into angry confusion. Who was this cretin that dared to wake the magnificent Mack Baws?! Seeing his incredulous look, Jackie began to pout before she slammed her tiny fist into the top of his skull. For one reason or another, the hit to his head recalled recognition. He remembered the little Neepo to be his baby sister.

He grumbled, pushing her off of him, “Get off munchkin. You no wake up Neepo this way. You get stabbed. Me no want tah stab. You mah sistah.”

Again jack pouted, but no less clambered off of her big brother’s bed. Standing at the foot of her bed, she looked almost sad as Mack continued to be incredulous. He was rarely known as a morning person. Fashioning a particularly vicious look he pointed at the door. Turning on her heels, Jackie ran from his room to tattle on her big brother. He was always so mean in the mornings. Torn from his awesome dream and now hopelessly awake, Mack sat up scratching his chest absently. Glancing about his room groggily, he swung his tiny legs over the side of his bed and free-fell to the ground beneath him. That had always been the best part of waking up. The momentary rush of falling to the ground.

Shuffling from his door, he continued to move in a daze until his nostrils caught the delicious scent of a magnificent breakfast. He didn’t have to see it to know what it was. His Ma had made all his favorite foods. It was truly a breakfast befit a champion. And what better champion for the Neepo and Clan Baws than Mack? Rushing into the kitchen, Mack eagerly grabbed a plate and piled on as much food as the dish would allow. Before his butt had even made it to his chair, he was already inhaling his breakfast. Minutes after sitting he had shoveled in everything on his plate. As he paused, a sad look crossed his face followed by a mighty belch. His sister laughed as did his Pa. His Ma only shook her head before expertly bringing over many dishes at once. She set them all upon their kitchen table before moving to collect the rest and repeat. By the time she returned with the last, Mack had his plate half full again. This time, as he filled his plate, his family did the same. And, all at once, each Neepo inhaled their plates in an inhuman fashion. By its end, a chorus of belching went round the table and every Neepo was satisfied.

Later on and after dressing, Mack strolled the ship looking for trouble. He found none, so he made his own. He harassed the ladies of Clan Baws with his woefully unimpressive flirtation skills. He picked fights with the warriors and was, for the most part, soundly defeated. Afterwards, he would stand up cheerfully and say, ‘he let them win.’ He then moved to get the other adolescent Neepo to join in in his games of mischief. All the while, the ancient ship loomed ever closer to some random planet. Not even its pilots or navigators had a name for it. A quick planetary scan proved that it was sparsely inhabited. Under different circumstances the Chieftain might have considered this planet for settlement. But, only if that meant not sharing it with Mack. As the ship pulled into the upper atmosphere, Mack ran over to a nearby viewport. Expertly, he hopped up upon the platform to stare out into the fiery abyss.

His mouth agape in wonderment. Moments later a horrible crash was heard from outside the ship. And, as a mesmerized Mack stared off to the left, he saw a piece of the ship sail right before it burned to ash. Breathlessly he cooed in awe. That was so cool! But, wait. Why had it done that? Elsewhere, the Chieftain was throwing a fit. the loss of their communications array only solidified what must be done in his mind. At no other time would such misfortune before the Clan. Mack was a plague upon its existence. Finding a nearby empty chair, he began pummeling it at the ancient vessel continued its reentry. The hull continued to groan and shake, but it held together.

Bored, Mack hopped down from the platform and instinctively made his way to the cargo hold. If the ship was landing that could only mean that the Clan was going to go forage for food and supplies. And that meant fun and adventure! Wherever those two things were, Mack was not far behind. Picking up his pace, he began to sprint through the halls. Slightly out of breath, he appeared in the cargo hold only to find it crowded. Every member of the clan seemed to be there. That was strange. As he came skidding to a stop, a blank expression appeared upon his face. His mind tried and failed to work out what it meant. It obviously was a foraging mission. Never had this many Neepos gathered to see the foragers off. So, if not that, then what?

Curious and angry because he couldn’t figure it out, he absently began to chew on his index finger. Through the crowd his parents appeared. The sauntered up to him. His pa carried a pack and his ma carried his spear. His confusion intensified. What was going on? As they neared, tears filled their eyes. Ma was the first to cry. Then pa. Behind them, Jackie appeared struggling to carry his pew-pew thingy. Pa was the first to speak. His voice was filled with pride. He informed his son that the clan had gathered to see him off. He was to undertake a vague, but important mission. One that would bring him glory. As soon as he heard those words, Mack’s demeanor instantly changed. His expression came alive and he began bouncing upon his feet. He was finally going to be the hero! He knew his dream meant something! Ma had always said he was special!

Pa handed him his pack and embraced him, Ma gave him his spear and embraced him. Jackie dropped his rifle at his feet and embraced him. The clan warily moved closer. They all began murmuring until a general cheer came alive. Soon the entire bay was filled with excitement and happiness. Mack mistook it to mean good fortune for him. Their Chieftain appeared, irritated and glowering. He moved and the crowd parted until he stood before and towered over Mack. He opened his maw to speak, but Spirit suddenly appeared behind him and spoke first. A hush filled the bay. For a moment, the Chieftain looked as if he would throttle Spirit, but he eventually smiled.

The more Spirit spoke, the happier Mack became. By the time Spirit finished, Mack felt confident enough to take on an army of Sandworms. He was going to be the action hero. He was going to save the day and get all the ladies. This was, literally, the best day of his life. Much better than that time he’d stabbed those stupid pirates. Especially that guy he stabbed in the groin. The pilot’s voice then filled the room and announced they had arrived at their destination. Simultaneously the bay doors lowered and Mack was pushed and lead to the lip of the ramp. Behind him his clan walked. Mack turned to make some sort of heroic speech only to find the mighty hands of his Chieftain upon his shoulder, pushing him. He fell backwards and tumbled through the air. Yet, before he could even register what was going on, he was elated to be falling. As he spun, he became dizzy, but could see his possession being chucked after him. And then, once everything that belonged to him was overboard, the ramp raised and the ship began to ascend.

By the time Mack laughing and screaming crashed into the soil beneath him, the ship had disappeared into the sky. Rising, he dusted himself off. Moments later he nearly jumped out of his skin and yelped as his spear slammed into the ground inches from him. Craning his head up, he had to awkwardly dance about to avoid being crushed by his pew-pew, pack and other scattered possessions. By the time it was over, Mack began to stare blankly at the ground around him. What was he supposed to do again. Absently, he took the drawstring of his brightly colored and floral hooded sweatshirt into his mouth and began to chew.

 

[Chairdor]

Another dark world

Cross had come across many worlds like it since leaving his clan, while it could be a simple matter of finding worlds that happened to be scary and large the Neepo had, after much trial and error, come to a startling conclusion. This conclusion once brought back to his people would shock them more than any Mal Mok, would frighten them more than any tales of Grunka Worms, and would dis hearten them more than a can of beans stacked on a high shelf.

Neepo were small.

It had long been a custom for the diminutive yellow people to simply call larger creatures 'giants' and move on away from these freakish beings of massive size. However, it was growing abundantly clear that growing was not a Neepo strong suit. There were creatures who were true giants that Cross had found, massive things that hundreds of Neepos could fit within. Many of these beasts tried to fit Cross within them but he set them straight with his crossbow and 'Stabber'.

Looking down at his bow he saw it was not the strongest thing. True it was an excellent hunting weapon, more quiet than the red shooties that the biggas carried, and small and light so he could hold it easily, but Cross saw the thick thick outer skin that many of these larger creatures wore. Looking down at his ammunition, sharpened pieces of metal he had taken from a downed ship, he knew his bolts would be tickles upon an unrelenting beast if he were to take on any of these fellows.

Luckily that was not the case. The Neepo was currently working with the men, they called themselves...sportasmana or something, Cross could not remember. They had large hairy caterpillars on their faces and they would not take them off no matter how many times Cross pointed them out. For some reason this realization only made the big pink men laugh which led Cross to believe the insects on their lips had infected their minds. At any rate the men paid Cross very well in many delectable. He got to eat the best parts of the creatures they caught. Last night Cross got to have the whole head of a creature all to himself.

If 'You are what you eat' is true then Cross is a big brain.

At any rate the more serious Neepo knew this arrangement was coming to an end. Their journey had gone on for many days and led them deep into the dark jungles of this world. They had felled many creatures and many trees in order to make their food and now it seemed an appropriate time to go. When Cross approached the men to speak his idea to them they turned and showed their teeth to him, this was known to Neepo as a sign of aggression, but Cross had learned long ago that this was 'I'm happy' in giant speak.

They listened to Cross and their caterpillars twitched. They did not like what Cross said, or at least their caterpillars did not. Eventually the two sportsmana exchanged looks and then drew their guns. They told Cross that their final 'quarry' was him. That they wished to hunt rare creatures and to their knowledge Cross was the only one of his kind. The Neepo tried to explain that there were many of his people, but the men scoffed and said they would give Cross two minutes head start.

A sporting chance.

So now Cross was running as fast as his little legs would carry him. He had his weapons, but he knew to face them directly was death. Neepo never shunned from a fight, but they fought their way. They used speed, cunning, and hugely overwhelming numbers. Right now Cross lacked all of those. His small legs would be outpaced by the larger men, their hunting minds were sharper than his arrows, and he was but one Neepo.

Rushing through some overgrowth getting a mouthful of leaves the wanderer hacked as he moved deeper into the dense jungle not realizing the obvious trail he left. Two minutes had passed long ago and Cross knew he was already being pursued. He prayed to the Neepo goddess Mugasadarfagtaytaywannafokyitzymokmokmokmokmok but he had never been a religious Neepo and knew her response was a slim chance of happening. However, the machnations of fate were a strange thing and just as he finished this incantation he saw a familiar glint.

His father wielded a spear, his brother did as well. Cross was the only one in his clan who opted for a crossbow besides the females. This of course led to some simple mockery, but in private his chief commended him for his brave choice. The elderly patriarch saw that many other males would be better suited to the bow but did not do so out of fear of mockery from the others, Cross was not afraid and that was worthy of pride.

Truth of the matter was Cross just used the bow because it matched his name.

At any rate seeing that spear and then a flash of yellow just before he crashed right into said yellow and landed in the dirt was quite a blast from the past. More shocking still was the flash of yellow was actually a fellow Neepo. A fellow Neepo! Cross was already breathing hard but he increased his breaths further still as he grew excited from the kinship with his wayward species. Three years, three years it had been since he had seen his kind. Knowing that danger lurked he knew he must protect this fellow, though looking at his huge weapon, perhaps it would be the other way around.

Getting off and offering a hand to help the other up he placed his finger on his lips and shushed the other before sayin,

"Me Cross, me hunted. Dangera dangera," before rolling towards a tree. His back placed firmly upon it and crossbow in hand he listened for any sign of the hunters. Looking back at the fellow Neepo he wondered when the attack would co-

"WAUGH!" he called in shock as blasts were hurled out of the growth from the two laughing men. They seemed to fire from everywhere and appear nowhere. Cross fired two bolts but knew he could not shoot frivolously, he only had eight in the chamber and twenty more to his name. He'd need every one he could on this hostile world.

"Helspy shootsy!" he called out to, hopefully, his new Neepo friend.

 

[Befallen]

As Mack continued to stare stupidly at the ground beneath his feet, he had a thought: Me hungry. Need food. Yet, as his blank gaze rose to look upon his surroundings he saw a strange sight. A diminutive and rotund yellow figure was barreling headlong into him. Stranger still, the being was dressed in some kind of leather armor with a hood and carrying a crossbow. Dimwittedly staring at this being, it dawned upon Mack only too late that this thing was another Neepo. Before excitement could take hold, the other Neepo had crashed into Mack and toppled over him. Mack landed upon the ground hard, with an exaggerated grunt. Beneath him, his tiny arms sprawled out as the other Neepo laid atop him. Mack looked upon the other Neepo in confusion. Which, made him angry. He hated being confused.

Just as he was about yell and curse at the other Neepo for being so rude and uncouth, it spoke first. Hurriedly, it introduced itself as Cross and that it was in danger. And, just like that, Mack’s demeanor changed. Instead of being enraged, he became excited. Only moments ago, he’d been thrown from his home to begin his ultimate and epic quest. Only moments before he was lost and uncertain. And, now, now, he was filled with purpose. To fight and kill and look badass while doing it. Mack was giddy! He couldn’t have asked for a better day than this. A glorious breakfast befit for a king, the adoration of his clan and now some commoner was in trouble. There was nothing else Mack needed in order to prove his badassery. Everything was beginning to fall into place.

“Me Mack. Me help. Kill bad things. Stabby-stabby them!” He yelled happily.

Rising, he rushed after cross to join the other Neepo in his cover. In his hands were his spear and his rifle. Everything else he had abandoned where it had fallen. After this was done, he’d go back for it. He’d definitely be hungry after this fight. Peaking around Cross as their enemy fired on them through the bushes, Mack beamed gleefully. He couldn’t actually see them, but they looked tough. This would be an amazing fight!

Bursting from behind Cross, Mack chucked his spear in the direction of the last shots. Without waiting, he leveled the large rifle on the other foe and squeezed the trigger. The bullpup SMG burped magnetically propelled slugs in the direction of the other guy with blinding speed. Unfortunately, Mack wasn’t used to the weapon’s kick, let alone its weight and the weapon jumped upwards after the first five rounds. Of course, to Mack that was exactly his intention. Prolong this fight. Make it as epic as possible. He wouldn’t admit that he hadn’t used it much. He wouldn’t admit that he was enjoying firing the weapon more than actually killing their enemy. It wouldn’t have been cool to admit such weakness. So, as he struggled to control the weapon, he eventually leapt behind cover again, to await their enemy’s counter, grinning idiotically.

 

[Chairdor]

"Tally ho good roger god save the queen wot wot wot wot wot!"

"I say cheery oh pip pip bobs your uncle ho ho spot a tea queen of spades!"

Cross wondered why these strange hunters talked so strangely. He remembered traveling with them and they said they belonged to something called the Mustache Guild and that it was big big deal to have a symbiotic relationship with a hairy caterpillar. All the best of the guild had the big hairys on their faces and these two were no exception. They were white hairs, though Cross was still trying to figure out what hair was and its purpose, he had seen some men with no hair and saw they were perfectly fine so he was left wondering exactly what the big deal was. He tried on some hair at a big place with clinky coins and many people laughed at him so perhaps hair was used to alleviate stress, this seemed strange though as only his hair was laughed at.

Cross still could not believe he had come across one of his own and in a time of great need all the same, he wondered if an entire clan was nearby who could rise up and fight off this big bad mean and their nasty face caterpillars. When he heard his fellow Neepo speak he was glad to hear that at least somebody in this universe near him knew who to speak properly. He had attempted to teach many of these hoo hoos how to talk, but again they laughed even though he had taken the hair off long ago.

He feared they were ignorant as well as racist. Poor ugly hoo hoos.

When this Mack joined him by his tree he saw his cover was being chipped and cut up by the careful shots of the hunters who moved in the cover around them. Always they would fire then they would move and fire again. Cross saw they were attempting to flank them on both sides leaving the Neepos up a creek without a sandwich and Cross could not allow this to occur. He was about to saw this to Mack when he saw his fellow Neepo blindly chuck a spear and then fire rapidly as well as randomly across the forest and into the sky. Backing away from this fellow lest his life grow as short as he was Cross was about to yell at this yellow incompetent when he heard a cry for help...or at least he thought it was for help,

"OHHH ACK WOT...ohhhh me wub dub love love has gone all leaky and I think I need a water closet pip pip spot...spot...oh teeeeaa."

Cross looked to Mack in amazement, the fellow had actually hit one of them. Turning to this fellow mouth agape he was about to say something when the other shouted,

"Jolly roger one lump or two! On me Mustache I'll have ye both hanged fer wot you did to me mate!"

A rustle in the foliage followed by a quickening beep. Cross looked down at the strange round device close to them and realized that that was not for eating,

"Move move swifty!" he cried out as his tiny legs bucked the dirt to jump away from the grenade. Rushing to another tree he felt the heat and the force of the explosion as he fell into a roll and smacked into a stump. His vision blurry he sat up to see an angry looking man with white hair and a caterpillar on his face. He drew a sharp shiny and pointed it at Cross. Cross reached for his crossbow but his hand couldn't grip it. His head tried to shake away the dizzy dizzy, but the caterpillar man was nearly upon him.

 

[Befallen]

If Cross was surprised that Mack had struck and fatally wounded one of their aggressors, Mack was outright dumbfounded. He stared slackjawed toward the source of the commotion, a slow grin forming upon his simple visage. A moment later, he began to jump up and down, giddy. It was the first time in a long time that Mack had killed a villain. This man, that was dead or dying wasn’t an ordinary villain, either. No, this man was a villain that had the privilege of staring in Mack’s own personal story. That story a tale of glory and adventure, where at its end, Mack would be hailed a king among Neepo. Turning his wide head towards his fellow Neepo, Mack beamed furiously at him before giving him the intergalactic symbol for a ‘thumb’s up.’

His ecstasy at his small victory didn’t last long. Moments after he began celebrating his win, Cross was yelling at him. So very much like all the others of his Clan. Nothing was good enough for this Cross fellow. One good deed meant little and less to him, it seemed. Mack began to pout. As he did so, his features went blank and he stared sorrowfully toward Cross. Then, finally, recognition set in. He had watched Cross scream and then dive away from him, towards relative safety. With a raised brow, Mack stared at the shiny orb that blinked where Cross had once stood. A stubby finger rose to his lips, saliva pooling at its corners. It looked intriguing and delicious. But, it was the fear that Cross had shown that told Mack something was amiss.

So, he dove aside, more out of instinct that actual recognition of the threat. As he bounced off the hardpacked earth, to land hard upon his face, he threw his hands over his head, mimicking the actions of Cross and waited. Soon after, a small explosion erupted from the tiny device. Cringing, Mack forcefully shut his eyes and began screaming. First, in fear and then in excitement. As the wave and heat rolled over him, he began giggling with glee. Of course, the force of the blast, caused his exposed skin to feel funny and as he giggled, he began to cough. Yet, besides that he was unperturbed in his happiness. The blast subsided to leave the area momentarily quiet. No doubt, the remaining hunter of the Mustache Guild moved through the brush to flank to two Neepo. Preparing his next attack, in the hopes that it would slay the pair of strange yellow, diminutive aliens.

Mack did not care. He rolled over onto his back, arms sprawled out at his sides. Staring at the skin, he began grinning idiotically as another bout of laughter overtook him. Today was a good day! So much action and excitement! Even in his wildest dreams, this could not have been a better start to his adventures. Rising to his feet, he brushed off the dust and dirt from his bright clothing and grinned even larger. Spying Cross, he skipped toward the fellow Neepo and waved.

“Yo. Me kill one. You see? It make funny noises.” He exclaimed. “That boom-boom really fun! We do it again!?” He began to dance excitedly as he hoped it were possible, all thoughts of imminent danger forgotten, cast aside in the sheer sight of all the fun he was having.