Chapter 8
Teamwork:
In the cave, the shamans and I were having a small conversation on the way out. They wanted to know more about my world and if it was any different than theirs. So I explain the best I could to them the pros and cons of living on Earth. "It's nothing special; we go through a lot of things you all deal with here on Oddworld. Pollution, plagues, wars, hate, greed. If you don't have money on Earth, you struggle hard in life. And don't get me started on racism and politics…." I lift my upper lip in disgust.
"Money?" Big Face questioned more on that strange word than the rest I listed.
"Like moolah on Oddworld. If you're rich, you pretty much have it made, and this makes people feel powerful."
The Shaman Healer then asked. "Surely there are some good things on your Earth, though, right?"
"Oh yeah, for sure! Friends, family, pets, the beautiful nature all around. There are good humans on the planet who try to care for our Mother Earth and keep her healthy, but there's only so much we can do, and I fear we may go down a path that may destroy her in the end. But that's our fault. Karma's a bitch, as I say back in my world." I pause only to reply before they ask, "Karma is like quarma in your world."
They both start to understand and kind of felt bad for me having to go back to that environment. "And you want to go back there?" Big Face asked.
"I mean, I would love to stay here. But I have so much to look forward to back at home. I always complain about my family, but I would miss them greatly. Not only that, my friends and pets need me. We struggle with life, but we press on to live another day."
"Understandable." The Shaman Healer ended it.
I look over to the Healer and ask, "By the way, I never got around to asking your name? I mean, I really don't know Big Face's true name. Abe refers to him as such."
"I keep my name a secret as he does. We shamans have to keep our reputation, or else others may think differently of us."
"Haha, understandable as well," I added as we step out of the cave. I could only imagine what their names were. Maybe, Bob, or George, or Frank. I cackle under my breath.
We make it out into the open, sighting the blimp in the center. I could tell by the shaman's body language that they were pleased underneath their masks, spotting Abe as he waved to the group of happy Mudokons. I was in between the two masked shamans as we sauntered over. Abe was in the middle while his buddies were to his left and right. Munch on his left and Alf to his right. Another Mudokon stood next to them. It was Abe's best friend, Toby. Abe's followers ended up being pampered by the natives while they gave their heroes a breather.
Once stopped, my eyes grow wide as I saw Alf pull off my backpack from around his arms. His smile was from ear to ear, knowing how excited I was to see my bag come back to me safe and sound.
"Oh my God! You got it back!?" I cried out with joy.
Alf showed off the bag to me as he scratched his head in response, "Yeah, this camera bag of yours is heavy!"
I look up at him as I took the bag from Alf and hugged it. I felt so terrible now after getting it back, releasing my grip on the backpack slightly. "I'm sorry for lying to you back there about my camera being rare technology…."
"Nah, It's okay. I mean, ya could be right, after all." He comforts me with his reply. I set the backpack down softly, not looking inside it just yet, and without hesitation, I leap in for a firm hug. Alf's face was in shock as he turns his head at Abe, only to see Abe's face formed a smile. Alf pats my back, hugging me back softly.
I realized that Mudokons give affection by touch after being patted on the back and the shoulder many times throughout the village. I never cared for hugs or being touched so much back at home, but I allowed myself to be more open to the Mudokon's customs.
As we both step back, I hear Munch grumble out from under his breath, "I helped too…."
I bend down into a squat before Munch. I rub the top of his head as his head flippers twitched from the sudden pat. "Thank you, Munch." Munch blushed as he gave a wide smile. I stood back up, facing Abe only to glare at him. "And you! How dare you have me worry! I thought you were dead meat back there after that Glukkon stormed into the room…."
Abe rose his hands to calm me down," Hey now….for one, I was safe up on a hidden ledge. The Slig was the only one that got hurt from that experience. And two, I was worried about your safety and Big Face's."
My face began to blush a little. I huff out, shaking away the heat from my face. "I was still worried, you know. But thank you…." I presented my hand for a firm shake from Abe. He returned the shake willingly.
I turn to pick up my bag to make sure everything was still intact and inside. And amazingly, there was not a scratch on my camera and the four lenses inside. My phone that held my credit cards and driver's license was still hidden in my camera bag's side pocket, along with my hairbrush.
During my scavenging through my bag, Toby had to ask the question that was on every Mudokon's mind. "Did you end up taking care of the lab while you fled?"
Abe reassured everyone nearby, "Yup. The lab is no more. The bombs I placed did their jobs, even killin' off the remaining enemies inside."
"Good ta hear that," Toby responded, finishing the short conversation he and Abe had.
I turned on my camera to witness the battery light flashing red on the screen showing the battery drained. I glanced up at Alf and laughed, "Did you use my camera?"
Alf softly laughed, "Well, yeah. It saved Munch and me back at the lab. That bright flash on it blinded the enemy."
I burst out laughing, wondering what hidden treasures I might find in the memory chip within the camera. Probably blurry photos, seeing that my longest lens was still attached to the camera's body. I spoke to myself out loud, "Seems like I'll have to go through them when I get back home. I left the extra batteries back in my car."
Before the group could ask more questions about what I said, we all heard explosions off to the distance in the fields. Everyone jumped in fright and turned their attention over to the destruction close to the village. Everyone's eyes turn to fear, seeing the enemy blimps in a row, ready to set the area ablaze. Abe made an error, thinking that the enemies were dealt with from the bombs.
With everyone in a frantic state of panic, Big Face snapped every Mudokon out of their fear and ordered, "Bring out the mugs, get the Mudarchers, and set fire upon the blimps above us! Alf and Toby, Protect Tree. Munch, be ready to use your sonar powers to zap the enemy if they get on solid ground. Abe, summon Skrykull only when the time is right! In the meantime, try to possess any flying Sligs that may come out of those blimps!" Big Face ordered as he pointed at the blimps above.
As I scramble to get my backpack closed and around my back, both Toby and Alf rush over to me. The Mudokons all scatter, trying to get their bearings straight. Abe's followers scattered like bugs, hiding from the enemy, scared that they might be taken back to the lab or become processed meat. As for the native Mudokons, they were quick to their feet as they took out the mugs from the pens as ordered.
The guns on these arthropodae-type creatures were best suited for bringing down airships. Every time the Gatling gun fired, the ground shook. The pyramid shape back and the many legs help keep the weapon from forcing the mugs to be pushed back from the firepower. Usually, the enemy would have such a weapon in their possession, yet, it seems that the Mudokon's have stolen some of them to use for defense only. Meanwhile, the Mudarchers gave it their all, shooting at the blimps as well. The weapon they called a spoocebow, attached to their right forearm, shot at the enemy thanks to the unique gems of blue and pink connected to the firearm.
Abe and the group watched the blimps get closer to the middle of the village, ready to send the second wave of bombs below. All the shamans grouped up, creating a shield to block the bombs that started to fall from the sky. Unfortunately, some bombs made it through their shielding powers, causing some damage to the village.
Munch was beside Abe that waited for any flying Sligs to appear around the blimps. As the first flyer showed himself, Abe made no second guesses as he possessed the Slig. His host flew down, aiming up towards the sky, waiting for more to venture their way down for the attack. One by one, flying Sligs were shot down as Abe protecting the village, his friends, and himself in the process.
Back inside the blimp, Luskin ordered, "Have a blimp to go around and land on the other side of the village while we distract the enemy from the front!"
"You got it, boss!" The Slig called over to another blimp. "Go 'round and land, storm in from behind! Take no prisoners! We want that Abe guy's head on a plaque!"
While those orders were given, Alf, Toby, and I could only watch the battle commence. We were thankful that the native Mudokons had the upper hand thanks to their weapons and critters. And with the help of the shamans, they were all keeping them at bay. That was until the blimp landed and out stormed Sligs of all types scattering about the village—a range of poppers, bouncers, slackers, right down to the armored Sligs for heavier combat like the big-bros. The first round of Sligs were the slackers and bouncers with no armor. It was like they were a barricade for the heavier geared Sligs that were still to come. Our backs were turned to the Sligs, unaware that they managed to sneak around the back end. But my ears listened behind me, hearing their metal pants needing WD-40 from the noise they produced from each step they took.
"Look out!" I shouted at Alf and Toby, pushing them away to my left and right as I saw the Slig rush at us. My eyes assess the situation spotting the baton the Slig had in his hands, and my instincts kicked in.
I was a purple belt in Aikido back in my early 20s; I still remembered the basics of using the opponent's energy that they threw at me against them. Don't let my short stature fool you; I still had the power to take down larger opponents as long as they gave me their energy to do so.
Just when the Slig was about to pumble me with his baton is when I swerved off to the side, grabbing the weapon and tossing the Slig forward, flipping him to the ground on his back as he struggled to get up.
Alf and Toby were shocked as their eyes stared at me in disbelief. I snap them out of their stare with a shout, "Don't just stand there, attack!"
The boys snapped out of it and rushed to the Slig and started kicking him, pulling the poor thing out of his pants, making him vulnerable. More began to storm towards us as I repeated my actions, throwing them to the floor for the boys to help finish the job.
We were working as a team until the heavier armored reinforcements came charging in at us. I back up and look at the boys, ready to give the command to make a run for it, until the Mudarchers came to our rescue. Their shots rushed past us, hitting the Sligs until they went down. Their voices were loud and clear as they cheered on, winning this battle.
"Yeah!"
"Let's get'em!"
"Let's go!"
They all shouted out, chasing away the Sligs off their land and killing some that stayed to fight. Abe wrapped things up with the flying Sligs, finishing off the last one in the air before killing off his host. Munch protected Abe on the ground, zapping the remaining Sligs that managed to sneak around the Mudarchers. They've taken down half of the fleet, but Luksin wasn't calling off the attack just yet. He was about to bring out the big guns—a large gun aimed down at the village, ready to make it rain. Silence filled the air; every Mudokon, including me, paused for a moment as time stood still, noticing the massive gun on the blimp warming up, about to set fire upon the land.
Desperate times call for desperate measures as Abe removes his backpack franticly and takes out something that had helped him back in Soulstorm. The necklace with the amber amulet that stored the little female bug within. She smiled at Abe, giving him a calming nod as she used her power to remove the good quarma within Abe's chest. With the good quarma he received, he'll be able to take care of the rest of the blimps with ease. His tattoos on his chest and both of his hands illuminated, giving off a white electrical charge. Abe always had difficulty dealing with the pain that came after as his whole body lit up—suddenly crying out, forming into Skrykull as the shriek from the God rang out in everyone's ears.
Everyone ducked and covered their ears except for the shamans that were watching the scene unfold. Even I cupped my ears from the piercing call of Skrykull. Finally, I managed to raise my head, still with my ears covered. My eyes squinted as I try to have a better look at this power Abe uses.
Seeing Skrykull in person sent shivers down my spine. The power was indescribable as I watched the mixed-up monster of a paramite and scrab screeching to the sky—four arms resembling claws, four muscular-like spider legs that could stab you in the heart with one swift kick. The neck and head were fascinating, nonetheless. If I were to explain Skrykull features to someone, I would say it looks like a paramite puking out a scrab head that it ate for dinner. The red body was more vibrant than the usual scrabs in the wild.
Luksin only saw the flash of light before he could tell the Slig flying the blimp to make a run for it. "Damn you, ABE!" That was the last thing he said as the attack electrified the blimp, causing it to explode.
Everyone cheered all around, witnessing Abe changing back to normal. He almost toppled over until he got back his footing to look up and see the destruction Skrykull caused. But it wasn't over yet; the debris from the blimps started to plummet into their village, a mix between fire and shrapnel that could quickly end a person's life if they were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Everyone screamed and started to run away except for the shamans. They all formed a circle and chanted to use their power to create a barricade. It engulfed the heeps of scraps that fell from the sky. The shaman's worked in unison, tossing the garbage with the barrier they formed, far away from their land, out into the fields miles away.
It seemed like things were quieting down after that unsuspecting last effort attack that Luksin gave. But it was to no avail having Abe and the others win, yet again, in the end. I begin to scan the area for any stray Sligs sneaking about. I was not at ease, thinking one will spring up and attack at any given moment. With my heart finally slowing down from the rush of adrenaline, I was able to breathe. I can't believe I fought off a bunch of Sligs! I could have died! With Alf and Toby by my side, they both gave me a pat on the shoulder of a job well done.
Alf complimented me, "Those were some pretty awesome moves back there, Tree! Maybe some time you can teach us a few of your techniques."
My face turns red only to laugh it off, "I'm not very good at teaching others, but you all have your own unique way of taking care of business around here, and it shows!" I pointed all around the town, showing how strong Mudokons truly are. "Teamwork goes a long way! You don't fear the Glukkons anymore as you did in the past, seeing you all rise up against them now."
The way I worded the last sentence caught them off guard. But Alf and Toby didn't speak up about it. Their only theory was that the shamans or the Almighty Raisin told me more about their horrible past. The three of us soon cast our gaze in the distance at Abe and Munch walking over to make sure we were all right. Abe and Munch heard the following sentence that came out of my mouth while they step closer, "And with Abe's and Munch's powers, you Mudokons are unstoppable! That was amazing, Abe and Munch; I have to admit, I would hate to get on your bad side…." I soon shiver, thinking of being possessed by Abe, being zapped by Munch's sonar, or even being killed by Skyrkull.
Abe rubbed the back of his head feathers shyly, blushing slightly from me praising him, "Well, you did great yourself. I saw ya protecting my two friends Toby and Alf here without thinkin' twice. You could've fled like the rest of the Mudokon's I saved back at the lab. But you didn't. So, I have ta thank you."
Both Toby and Alf, in unison, replied with a, "Thank you very much!" Towards me.
"You're welcome, guys. I guess it was my instinct to protect my friends."
Alf felt guilty after hearing those words come out of my mouth, "You think of us as your friends? Even though how much I gave ya dirty looks back when we first met?"
"Well, yeah. I understand why you were wary of me at first. A strange new creature like myself stumbling into your lives suddenly. I have to admit; you're a stubborn pain in the ass, Alf. But I'm just as stubborn." I wink with a tilt of my head.
Toby, Munch, and Abe cackle together, seeing Alf's expression on his face, slightly frustrated at himself for acting that way. That sassy, uptight behavior was due to being a slave at RuptureFarms before Abe saved him. Abe elbows Alf on the arm softly, "Don't worry, Alf, that attitude of yours makes us all a great team. Ya keep us all in line." Alf's frown formed into a smile from the response Abe gave back.
My eyes happen to stumble upon the amulet Abe has around his neck. Everyone paused while I was in a deep stare. I shake my head to get out of my sudden trance to make eye contact with Abe, only to ask, "May I see?"
Abe knew I was trustworthy, nodding his head, allowing me to step closer to have a better look. I softly grab hold of the amulet, and the female insectoid locked inside stared dead at me with a smile across her face.
I never paid any mind to the details of her features when playing the game back at home, but seeing the Queen Bee up close reminded me more of a beetle than a bee. Golden armor rested on her head, her three sets of breasts, and around her thorax. I've seen this armor's style before as I tried to rack my brain to remember. My memory suddenly sparked. What she was wearing resembled somewhat of the many Egyptian Gods' uniforms drawn in our history books. She has eight legs, like a spider, while her abdomen lit up inside the amber casing she was trapped in, which I felt awful for her having to be stuck in there.
"She's so beautiful…." I smile back at her, placing the necklace back down softly on Abe's chest.
Abe was at a loss for words. I had nothing to ask about the amulet, about their world, or why their species were always on the run. Surely the shamans haven't told me everything. It hasn't been a full day that I stumbled into their dimension, and I didn't ask a single question throughout this journey. "You don't have any questions at all for us? Like, ask what this is or who we are?" He lifted the amulet in front of me and pointed at his friends all around.
I look away quickly, shaking my head trying to ignore the question. "What do I say, what do I say?!" I cry out in my mind. The Universe was on my side as the shamans, Big Face, and the Healer walk up to interrupt our deep conversation.
"Great job, everyone!" Big Face came up and patted Abe's backpack, almost toppling him over from how firm the pat was. It was like Big Face knew I was distraught and came to help change the topic for me. The Healer stood next to me, giving me a thumbs-up as I swallow my words of what I was about to sputter out if they hadn't come on time. Abe gave a very concerning expression towards me. He knew something was up. The determined look in his round orange eyes stared deeply into my petite blue eyes. He was going to try to force the answer from either the shamans or me before I left his world.
Toby looked around the village, finally getting a better glance at the damage the enemy had caused. "But our home. We have a lot of cleanin' up to do…."
"With a bit of teamwork, it'll be cleared out in no time." The Healer retorted. "Whenever you are ready, Tree. We can take you back at any time now."
I look about the village, seeing the Mudokons start to work on cleaning up after the battle. "Could….I stay a little longer? To help out with this mess? I would feel really guilty leaving without helping a little."
Big Face chuckled from under his long mask. "If you like, sure." My face forms a smile from his response.
Suddenly, Munch jumped up and down frantically. He felt like they ignored him for how short he was. "I hate to barge in, but I have gabbiwogs to attend to. I need ta get back to them as soon as possible."
Abe lowered his eyes down towards Munch and reassured his aquatic friend, "Alf, and I will drop ya off to get ya back to your baby Gabbits. Maybe we can bring 'em back here somehow? That way, you can be here for Tree's departure." Munch gave a thumbs-up back at Abe, taking a liking to the idea of his.
I wanted to least spend a few more hours here stress-free, unlike the journey we partook in. The sun was beginning to set here, and the sooner we cleaned up, the faster everyone could finally rest. My body was feeling the strain from constantly moving, but I needed to push a little longer to help the Mudokons.Mudokons.
