After returning back to Hood Hill, Eric ensured his element went to get chow. The TOC had been transformed into a semi-FOB at this point, and Eric nodded to the soldiers standing watch near the command tent. He enters the tent and sat down with the S2 OIC and NCOIC, Hammond, the battalion commander, and the CSM. "Sir, I was able to make contact with locals approximately 15 miles from here. I believe with medium confidence that first contact with a man who I assume is the village leader, left us in good standing with the village. One thing of note is that I was able to understand intent and meaning from his body language, and I spoke the word 'trust' in his language." As Eric spoke, unease settled in. On Earth, he had doctrinal patterns of recognition to go by. When transcribing and learning a new language, simply learning the code was enough. Did that same pattern exist here? Setting his doubts aside, Eric continued: "The other thing of note is that I believe with high confidence that the enemy brigade commander was able to escape the battle at the valley of Hood Hill." Another form of doubt works its way into Eric's thoughts. What if the village chief was trying to trick him. There had been no indication of lies or dishonesty, but what if this small village was actually part of the enemy territory? As these questions formed in his head, Eric set them aside. He had to rely on his experience here, or people would die, his people, and the people of this world. Continuing his brief, he explained: "This assumption is based on two parts: both the POW's shouted that name hundreds of times, and the village leader I talked to said his name. The last thing I have to report is that the person who's suspected name is 'Hezel' escaped into the mountain range located here." After finishing his report, Eric circled the mountain the village chief had pointed to on a map that had been provided by the Geo-int team.
There was a brief moment of silence as the commander and CSM regarded Eric's words. "Hm. So he survived." The battalion commander said as he looked at the map. He turned to the fires commander and asked jokingly "Do you think our paladins could hit that far out?" Earning him a blank stare from every soldier in the room while a Lieutenant in the background stopped typing. "I'm joking, I'm joking. I'm not trying to recreate Korea in the 60's." He then stood up and looked out of the tent at the mountain range in the distance. "Good work today, SFC Dryer. Tomorrow, I want you to re-initiate contact. See if you can learn more of their language. Remember, the more we learn about this world, the longer we survive, and hopefully we can make a home out of this planet." He then turned to the rest of the staff. "I want updated OPLAN's by the end of the day should we have any more encounters. All ISR assets with even the slightest functionality are to be up at all times, and S-4, update me on fuel levels every day. Only mission essential generators and equipment are to be powered." The commander then took one last look at the mountain. "Move out."
After receiving his orders, Eric headed to the chow hall. He sat down with his soldiers and listened to the banter. A soldier from 1st squad was trying to chat with a female from the S-1 shop. From the looks of it, it was not going well. Before reaching the point that Eric would have to send the private to what the unit was designating as a jail, Eric told the soldier to go check in with his squad leader. The private had been sitting there talking to the girl for nearly 15 minutes to no avail. Sighing, Eric took off his PC. Today had been a long day, but he still had more to do before the suns set. His PL came over and sat down next to him. The two shared a look, and the PL said "Cat girls." An eruption of laughter ensued. The day had just been that ridiculous.
Mia arrived at the village the same day Eric did, only later. She walked to where her Sister and her husband were living, apprehension covering her face. Not even bothering to knock, she barges into the house. "SAMARA!" She cries out, looking for her beloved older sister. Samara walks from the kitchen, looking at her sister with chagrin. "SHH!" She whispered. "The kids are sleeping!" Mia's tail drooped and her ears drop as she covered her mouth. "oops. I'm sorry. I just… I was worried." She said, looking at her sister. Samara then nodded with a serious expression. "I get it. It has been a crazy time here in the village lately. I thought the world would end with all those crazy booms. The echoing of the dirt blasting up alone still causes me to shudder. Than the Goddess John was here he held the kids while I reassured them that it would be okay." Samara said gently, looking out beyond the valley. Straining her eyes, Samara could barely make out the silhouettes of the tan monsters and strange buildings. She pointed to the strange things on the hill. Mia looked in the direction her sister pointed, and shock took shape on her face. She hugged her sister, feeling the woman collapse into her arms, the weight of a woman that thought she would lose everything hung over the two as Samara started crying. "They came to the village today."
While Mia and her sister were discussing the events that had taken place during the day, a dark shadow stood outside the village. The shadow had watched as Eric had interacted with the village leaders, and then had stayed all day long in case the "green demons" as they were becoming known came back. When they had not returned, it shifted its attention elsewhere. Before night settled over the village, it was gone.