Over Block's shoulder, Ace scans the scene developing in the hallway beyond. He very slowly holsters his gun and holds both hands up, palms out, hands about shoulder height in a very distinct version of "I surrender!" that's unmistakeable. Over the group's internal link he says in a matter of fact, no nonsense voice: "Group, 3. Check your six. We are outnumbered, out gunned, & out of luck."
Then, out loud so everybody can hear without straining, he projects in a slightly less assured tone: "Ummm, Guys? Let's not do anything sudden, foolish, or stupid. We've got company... LOTS of company."
Despite the very obvious signs that Ace is reacting to something external, Block misinterprets the sudden hiccup in Ace's biomonitor readings as a mini-seizure. As he starts to do one more check of his patient. Then, noticing Ace's actions (and his manner of speech) he turns and looks at whatever is back there. Upon seeing the assembled crowd, the dwarf thinks to himself, "Wow, look at that crowd! I should definitely do the sales pitch for Doc Wagon!"
X takes hold of the severed head and turns around, covered in gore. He stalks purposefully out of the gallery into the hall. As he enters the hall he holds the head up and loudly announces, "I have taken the head of the enemy commander, and debugged the situation." He pauses for just a second, then continues, "I recommend those with magical expertise take a look at the residuals and make recommendations to the owning operators of this place of business based on whatever residual astral damage remains. To the rest of you, I recommend you disperse. There's nothing to see here." The authority in his voice is unmistakable.
After Mr. X delivers his high-impact audio-visual message, it finally wiggles into Block's brain... ...and he figures out the reason why the biomonitor momentarily flipped out. He realizes what Mr. X has actually said, and that the DocWagon narrative would not fit the message that our leader is setting forth. Instead, he takes the hint about those with magical abilities and scans around the place using Assensing.
Lady S, no slouch in these matters, takes in the scene of the seemingly battle-ready crowd. She lowers her guns, but keeps them at the ready. She snaps a sidelong glance at X as as he makes his announcement. Huffing at the predicament, she prepares to take sudden evasive action, moving slowly but steadily into position, like a snake preparing to strike.
The crowd - that sea of faces and weapons, and... ...confusion... ...waft back and forth, as though they are all awakening from some dream, or perhaps a nightmare. Eyes blink, some cringe in the light, and many more seem surprised to be standing there. You see many of their faces shift to revulsion as they realize what they're seeing --- some of them apparently for the first time. There is a huge undercurrent of confusion amongst the throng, and the shamble back and forth, bumping into each other occasionally as they seek direction. A few of them stand transfixed, as if the scene is holding them in total shock. |
