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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Capellan" data-source="post: 1901535" data-attributes="member: 6294">"The Targ Totality" - Part 6Fury and Gustav - both still waddling slightly in their unfamiliar suits - enter the Targ camp with the 'captive' S'Ondra and Archie before them.  Fury pretends to keep the two 'prisoners' covered with his disruptor rifle, while Gustav looks in all directions at once, craning his neck to see every last scrap of alien technology."There's twelve of them now." Fury mutters.  As he speaks, there is a roar of engines and a shuttle glides down out of the sky, settling on the far side of the camp, "And probably more, in there."Seeing the strange-looking foursome, one of the Targ strides towards them.  He has red insignia on the shoulders of his suit.  As he moves forward, he holds up a hand for the group to stop."Sub-Commander Kilshar, report."Fury begins to give their prepared response,"We found -"The Targ interrupts,"I was talking to the Sub-Commander, Private." He turns his head to regard Gustav, who gives a bird-like start of surprise as he realises he is being spoken to, "What do you have to report, Kilshar?""Ve ... uh ... ve found zese primitives -" Gustav stammers a bit as he tries to remember Fury's detailed lectures on their cover story, "- and took zem prisoner.  Zey surrendered immediately to our Targ might, and did not ambush us at all.""One of the 'primitives' is a robot." The Targ observes."Ja ... uh, yes.  But he's not a very good one."Moving almost imperceptibly, Fury adjusts his disruptor so that it is centred on the inquisitive Targ.  He senses S'Ondra tense for action, and takes a half-step closer to her, so that she will have the heat lance he carries within arm's reach."The Earthlings had no such technology when we deployed the mould." The Targ's doubt is clear."Zey made significant technological developments vhile attempting to stop our great weapon." Gustav ad libs, "As zey would haf to do to survive zis long."The Targ nods,"A valid point, Sub-Commander.  Very well, take these two to the command ship for brain probes and evisceration.  I will detail additional patrols to sweep the area, as it appears these Earthlings were more resourceful than expected.""You are certainly correct about zat, Sir." Gustav agrees.  S'Ondra chokes a laugh with a faked cough. "But zese prisoners tell us zat zey haf seen no ozzer humans for several years.""A brain probe will learn if that is the truth, soon enough." The Targ points toward the shuttle, "Take them up to the command ship, Kilshar."Prodding S'Ondra and Archie forward, Fury and Gustav make their way to the shuttle.  A gleaming silver ramp provides entrance into the stark grey interior.  The bulk of the shuttle is given over to an cabin area with about twenty black seats set into it.  There are also doors leading forward - probably onto the flight deck - and to the rear.Speakers in the shuttle walls blare into life,"This is the pilot.  Secure the prisoners in the storage compartments, then strap yourself in.  We're scheduled to lift off in eight nintrons."Gustav glances at Archie, seeking a translation for 'nintrons'.  The robot shrugs."This way, alien scum." Fury gestures with his disruptor at the rearward doors, desperately hoping that the Targ structure their vehicles in the same way as Space Force.  It would be difficult to explain how they didn't know the layout of their own shuttle.The Captain's guess proves correct, however, and he and Gustav soon locate a featureless metal room, into which they heard S'Ondra and Archie."Stay here until we come to fetch you." Fury whispers urgently to the two 'prisoners'. "And try to look scared, in case they're watching you.""I do not have expressions." Archie reminds him."Look, just stand there and don't clean anything.""The Targ are my enemies.  I see no reason to protect them from the ravages of insidious germs."With a despairing shake of his head, Fury herds Gustav out of the room and hurries to get belted into his seat before take-off.As the door closes, Archie turns to S'Ondra,"Would you care for some travelling music?" he enquires, "I find the soothing tones of Cliff Richard to be most suitable for times of incarceration."</blockquote>

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