“Good idea! Lets go opaque.” Dr Wetherall pounced on Rareth’s suggestion. He grunted with exertion while putting the case of equipment down near the interface screen. With his hands now free, he started fiddling with the settings. After a few moments, the transit station effectively disappeared into the darkness for everyone outside the shield. 

“Good, some privacy. Yes, your nimble fingers and sharp mind will doubtless come in handy. Pass me one of those holo-pads, would you old boy? Lets see what we can see.” 595 emerged from behind the shield and walked back to the Sacred Band.

She could see Simrothians (as she called them) crowding in close around Rareth again as she offered up the gift to them. Seizing the initiative, one of the larger in their group snatched the knife out of the Datius’ hands. The others jostled him, but he managed to get the knife out of its sheath and held it above his head for all to see.

The other Simrothians backed off slightly, making awed noises and studying the lofted blade. This sound turned to worried mewing when the Simrothian with the knife brought it down and levelled it at one of the other villagers in particular. The target put their hands out in front and began inching away. “Maybe we should take the knife away now.” 595 smirked.

Abruptly, a low [b]BOOM[/b] filled the valley like rolling thunder. The ground beneath them shook, and alarm sounds bleated from behind the transit station shield and on the comms mast interface. The Simrothians all screamed as one and prostrated themselves on the floor. The Sacred Band all raised their weapons and took a dozen uniform steps back toward the camp, until 595 could practically touch Thebes’ light blue armour. “Datius - defensive position, now!” The agent barked, drawing her pistol.

"The mast is coming loose!" Dr Ngata shouted. "Grab it! Don't let it fall!" Dr Wetherall yelled.