The Calm Before The Storm

[outpostcook]

 Something's been bothering Kinner. There's a visible unhappiness in the little cook's expression, even beyond his usual gruff attitude. He sits in the Plaza, thinking, for once not manning his fish shop. He's going after the Thing soon, and he's not completely sure what to make of that. He knows exactly how dangerous the alien is. Even if the Thing where he'll be going isn't exactly the same creature, it's close enough. In some ways, it sounds even worse. But he can't give up with lives on the line.

He's got a better idea of what to expect than most, but that's a small comfort. After all, the Thing incapacitated and devoured Kinner alive, without much of a fight. This time he'll be better armed and better prepared, but still. He's not exactly thrilled about facing the creature, even with help. And, he realizes with a hint of sickness, he'll be putting his new friends in danger, too.

Kinner, when push comes to shove, isn't scared to look death in the face, and it's Palmer's world, but it's everyone else he's afraid for. Horvath. Alex. Blaze and Ghost. Prometheus. Cricket. Cricket most of all, since the others have magic or other quirks to protect them. Cricket doesn't. Kinner would rather he die than Cricket.

At the very least, he won't make an easy meal this time.

"Have you ever had somethin' you didn't want to do," he finally asks, voice trembling a little, "but you had to do it anyway? Were you scared?"

Comments

[outpostcook]

"They might have existing samples somewhere at the base, though we'll have to act fast before the creature realizes what the plan is. It might try to sabotage or destroy the samples before we can use them. I think some members of the team would be willing to cooperate. Palmer told me that there are a couple people we could count on to help us."

Kinner agrees that paranoia would complicate things. In any case, they'll need supporters within Palmer's crew. Palmer suggested his world's Copper and someone named Fuchs as people who could be trusted.

"That's a good idea - assuming Palmer's team didn't already put the dogs down. I hate doing it, but they're probably doomed anyway."

[liverfree]

"We should secure the lab as soon as possible, then. Perhaps that should be our first priority -- that and the dogs."

He doesn't look thrilled at having to exterminate a bunch of animals that never asked to be dragged into this mess, but Kinner's right, they're doomed. He gives the cook a small smile.

"You've already given this a lot of thought. I'm glad to hear it. This is not a situation to rush into blindly. Palmer will need to be the one to obtain allies, as we'll all be strangers to his crew, but if we can determine quickly that Copper and Fuchs are not copies, they'll be an additional asset. I'll contact Palmer and ask the strengths and weaknesses of both men. Is there anyone we shouldn't trust? Anyone who's likely to already be the Thing in disguise?"

[outpostcook]

"Those two are scientists, and they're the ones Palmer said would have the training necessary to help us identify and study the alien. Copper would have access to some of the materials, and Fuchs is a biologist. They'd know what to look for. There's Blair, too, but I don't trust him. The Blair in my world was not particularly helpful, and this one likely isn't much better. We should check Clark - he worked directly with the dogs, so it would have a chance to attack him."

Then again, Clark might be too obvious a suspect, drawing attention away from less blatant choices. A red herring. Kinner doesn't know if his Clark was replaced or not, though he suspects yes. Clark would have been an easy victim for the same reason as Kinner himself.

"If we'll be eating there, it's best to pack our own food and eat from cans. The creature can contaminate foodstuffs."

[liverfree]

Prometheus nods thoughtfully. "Yes, their knowledge would be invaluable, so long as neither is infected. What is it about Blair that you don't trust? How was he unhelpful in your expedition?"

He doesn't bother to ask about Clark. Regrettably, no matter how noble the man's character, if he worked directly with the dogs, he is likely also a lost cause.

"Yes, we'll bring our own food." The idea of getting infected by eating something is gross enough that he's not sure he'll have much of an appetite, anyway. "I'm already making a list of necessities. I can supply anything that you don't already have."

[outpostcook]

"In my homeworld, Blair was the one who wanted to thaw the alien. He wasn't a bad guy, I'd hesitate to say that, but he was put in a situation where I'm pretty sure he got infected. Though he did study how it worked, and his counterpart might have done the same."

While Clark's more vulnerable than most, Kinner doesn't want to give up on any of the humans if they can be avoided. If they're wrong about Clark...Kinner doesn't want to kill anyone unless he knows for a fact they're infected.

"We need canned food, enough for everyone. I've got some. Things that it's hard for the alien to gain access to, and things we can keep an eye on."

[liverfree]

"Too curious for his own good, hmm? If Blair is already infected, perhaps he left some notes behind of what he already learned."

Prometheus would rather not give up on any of the humans, either, but he's a practical Titan, and his concern is for his teammates first. Kinner and Cricket especially.

"I can acquire more canned food, no problem. What about clothing suitable for a sub-freezing environment? I assume you and Palmer are prepared, what about the others?"

[outpostcook]

"That's true. Palmer says Fuchs was Blair's assistant, so he might be able to point us to those notes. I'd talk to him first."

Kinner's dedicated some time to questioning Palmer about his camp and the resources available there, so they have a good idea of who and what to expect once they arrive there.

"The clothes are covered. Palmer told me there are spare winter coats for people who need them, both because of the cold and for disguises."