Every trooper had his or her own way of dealing with crisis. Some sprayed the problem with fire power, others put their faith in speed. In the end it didn’t really matter what your reaction was so long as it was action. No decision could be worse than no decision. Junebug came to her feet and stretched her arms to the heavens.

“Praise be to Rakeeri ,” she thundered in a clear calm voice, though she felt the adrenaline beginning to thunder in her mind.

“Praise be to Rakeeri ,” she shouted again this time in Zil. A few of the locals echoed the words. Most were too far away have heard the full exchange between *BLANK* and the ‘star men’ but they had heard the volcano rumble and they knew the name of their deity.

“Praise be to Rakeeri ,” she shouted a third time and this time was answered by nearly all the locals in a throaty roar as they took up the cheer. It wasn’t clear to her whether the Shaman really did believe the volcano wanted Neil’s soul or if he was just reacting to a threat to the pretty girl who seemed to be his favorite servant or slave. Instinct and experience told her it was seldom a mistake to think men were thinking with their genitals.

“Tell them that in honor of this occasion they shall all be elevated,” she said to the Shaman, unwilling to risk such a complicated thought in her limited grasp of the local language.

“Tell them that we shall build a monument to Rakeeri  and that as reward they shall all be elevated. *Blank* fixed her with a speculative look before turning and addressing the people in a thundering voice that didn’t seem like it could have come from such a ravaged frame. The content of the speech wasn’t exactly clear but judging by the cheering he hadn’t deviated too much from her instruction.

“Hey what about…” Neil began to protest and Taya, getting over her own shock was already on her feet. Sayeeda slapped Neil hard across the face as he eyed his  guards.

“Do not question the will of the great God,” she instructed sternly. Taya took a step forward her eyes scared and angry. Junebug made a stand down gesture with her hand and then realized that no one but her was familiar with her field signals.

[@POOHEAD189]