What do you mean, there are two?!? (Bush Wookies 3)

In which Ixitl and Brzla begin to learn that might does not necessarily mean physical strength...

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“Alright, you two, let’s get a move on! The LZ is three clicks from here and the bird is due in 20 minutes.” Gunny Jones eyed the hapless aliens warily as they started to get up.

“Why should we go with you? You said we were guests, so why shouldn’t we refuse your invitation?” Brzla fairly spat her remarks in the Gunny’s direction as she glared angrily at the Huu-men. “You may be good at hiding, but you are outnumbered, ape! We could-“

There was an almost gleeful glint in the Marine’s ice-blue eyes as he interrupted. “That would be... unwise. Staff Sergeant Tenorio!!!”

“Yes Gunny?”

“Please make yourself known!”

“Aye Aye, GySgt!” Before the phrase ended, another bush less than 1/2 meter to the side of the tall Marine rose from the ground and slung its weapon, doffing its head gear in the process. This one was short and stocky, with a green-striped face and eyes the color of obsidian chips. In contrast to the Gunny’s amused expression, SSgt Tenorio’s face was more akin to an angry rock outcropping, weathered and scarred.

“WAAAAAGGH!!!” Brzla and Ixitl screamed in unison and jumped nearly one meter to the rear as their startle reflex took over. “What in the three Hells?!?!?” exclaimed Ixitl, his hearts racing out of control. “H-how d-did?”

The Gunny chuckled darkly. “You guys don’t really know where you are, do you?” As the aliens signaled their confusion, he split his green and brown face to reveal a gleaming set of what appeared to be flattened fangs. “You two superstars are at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia. Maybe not the best place to wander around trying to learn things.” With that, he turned and set off at a trot in the direction of the LZ, looking for all the world like a fast-moving shrub.

The aliens looked at the recent arrival, only to be met with a flat stare that was almost malicious in nature. “The Gunny said get moving” he growled. “That means move.”

15 minutes later, the Marines and their “guests” broke out of the woods and into a cleared area. The Gunny keyed a black box and spoke into it. “Raptor 1, this is Viper 3.” “Go ahead, Viper 3” the box squawked. “Raptor, we are at the LZ, with the party of interest. Look for green smoke.” The Gunny detached a cylinder from the vest he wore, pulled a pin from one end, and heaved the cylinder out into the clearing. As it landed, thick green clouds began to boil from it, fanning out in the mid-afternoon breeze.

“Raptor copies, we are 5 minutes out”

A distant thrumming began to grow louder as Ixitl and Brzla sat on the ground, pondering their circumstances. Soon, with a deafening sound, some sort of flying machine banked over head, circling the clearing. Its power units rotated until it slowed to a hover, and then it descended until it settled on the ground. “Let’s go!” SSgt Tenorio hollered, “y’all have people to meet and questions to answer!” Ixitl turned and looked at Brzla, mirroring her resigned look with one of his own. Wordlessly, they rose and jogged over to the squat transport; the Gunny’s grin still present as he ushered them up the ramp and into the Osprey.