Arknights: Starsfall I

Chapter 83

"Charlie in the jungle"

Sergeant Clark, Squad 71M

Clark's JLTV was trudging on through whatever open bits of jungle there was. The M1A3 in front. It had an engineer kit equipped, after stopping by some Strykers to acquire it, and it was using it to the fullest extent, clearing the pathway for the JLTVs to have a smoother ride on the way to the town.

Clark didn't like having to be a bit slow, but he was forced to anyways, less their vehicle get stuck and leave them vulnerable. The village was less than 200 meters away, so it was a little frustrating. But he digresses, it's either wait patiently or get dick stomped immediately after getting stuck on something.

Soon the M1A3 pulled to the side, "Should be clear to go" the TC reported, a clear shot to the village now present. At that, the JLTV began to pick up speed, "Finally," Lesly commented, fixing herself up, "Time for some action."

Soon, the JLTV excited the clearing, the MBT pulling away to find somewhere to perch up on. Clark and his unit began to go into he village. The locals seemed to already be in some sort of panic by the sound of everything, the sound of explosions in the east and the pounding of gunfire. The sight of people running around, some with crocodile heads, some with tails, and several others with features indiscernible at the moment.

This village seemed to be a mix of 4 tribes, judging by the distinctions in some culture. Not too terribly large, but enough for it to be noticeable. There was a large market place, a sort of stage/amphitheater area, large tribal homes.

The vehicles stopped somewhere near the edge of the village, still covered in foliage, and some of the civilians came out with weapons, and at the same time, there was some civilians urging them to not fight them. "Damn, looks like the PLA got everybody riled up," a Marine commented, looking outside, "Should we just stay in the vic?"

"No, no," Clark comments, "Let's not do that. Lieutenant Lesly," the Liberi looked at him, "Come, lets go, we need to speak with these people." He opens his door and steps out, Lesly joining him. The marine noticed that the people seemed to be looking at their vehicles with... something... some sort of glint in their eyes?

At the boots landing on the ground, some of these people aimed their spear like weapons at them. Clark held his hand up, "Hey, hey, do you guys speak this language? We need to talk." At the sound of 'Victorian', somebody stepped up. And Clark was glad for it, because he needed a local to communicate with.

He looked over her hooded appearance, and tried to make out what he can with an Earthling dictionary. Staff seemed to be sleek and black in nature, there was a ring at the top with a much smaller one inside. There was some sort of object, perhaps a gem, with what looks like a white fabric going around it. Her clothing was almost entirely of a black color scheme.

Greyish hair, some sort of grey-amber(?) eyes, and... dear god he cannot ignore the fact that this person has a giant reptilian tail. "Uhm, hello..." she begins, looking at him, "Yes, we can." she held up her staff and stared him down. "Are you... like those people in the West?"

Clark immediately knew what she was talking about and shook his head, "No, no, do not fear us, we are nothing like them." he began, staying confident and firm, stepping up, and even leaving his M5 at the JLTV. Going up to her, he patted his chest, "I'm Sergeant Clark, of the United States, we are here to help."

He had a spear aimed at his neck soon after he said that, and he didn't even flinch. He side eyed the person who did that, "How do we know that?" It was a large, Archosaurian soldier who looked down at him. The JLTV was about to turn its .50, but Clark subtly ordered him not to fire.