Stranded on a Tiny Planet

Defensive Measures

Merco wasn't sure what happened or how long he'd been out but when he opened his blurry eyes he saw a familiar face right next to his left eye.

"Pixie. It's you." he managed to say.

He didn't know where she came from but seeing her made his heart happy. Like seeing a favorite niece who lived far away.

Pixie said his name several times and something else. It wasn't until she started hitting his cheekbone did he sense her urgency. With great care his prosthesis came up and plucked her off of his face so he could sit up. It was a challenge. His vision still felt wonky, like he'd changed his vision prescription, and everything looked distorted. With a careful roll of his hips and his other arm braced against the ground he pushed himself into a crouch. He stretched his prosthetic arm out and released Pixie away from him so he could gather his wits; didn't want to accidentally crush her. Positioned on his hands and knees Merco waited for the world to stop warping his reality. Then he heard a whistle and a shout.

He didn't even have time to react when he felt at least a dozen needles hit him in his shoulder, his back and couple in the side of his face.

"OW! Shit!" he swore, flinching.

The stinging pain made his adrenaline surge which in turn pushed the haziness to clarity. He looked and saw several cuts through his shirt and actually a couple spears that were about the size of plastic cocktail swords stuck in his cheek. He plucked the two out of his cheek and they crackled with what looked like a green blade made of light. He didn't have much time to observe the weapons when he saw several maroon figures flying past him and into the trees. He jumped to his feet this time. Vertigo made him sway a bit, but the pain was indeed clearing his senses faster. He turned, trying to see what exactly was attacking him. He put his gloved prosthesis up in front of his eyes to shield them as he scanned the area.

Suddenly, several small maroon and green blurs sped past his gloved arm like speedy dragonflies. His eyes followed them carefully as they sped up and away. He hissed with pain when more sharp pokes hit his back and neck. He winced and turned. More fliers arced away from him into the trees.

"Great...thought I was going to avoid a military response." Merco thought dismally to himself. "Guess not."

Merco had to resist the urge to swat down the little alien attackers. Truth be told, the cuts smarted, but they wouldn't kill him. However, if he started swinging he'd definitely kill them and Merco wanted to avoid that if possible. He just had to keep them from spearing his eyes or his throat.

Suddenly a loud [BANG] near his head made his ears ring and his cheek felt like he'd been slapped. He instinctually flinched and ducked, shielding his eyes. His breathing picked up pace as the familiar sensations began to make his body respond.

Then more loud bangs that sounded like a packet of firecrackers hit his legs, chest, and side. A burning sensation stung his skin like he'd run into a sticker bush. The piercing ring slowly dissipated and he looked down at his side and chest, seeing tiny dots of blood soak though his shirt like thousands of needle pricks.

Explosives? Frag grenades? Easy...Easy...you're not going to die. You don't want to kill anyone. Keep your mind clear.

His cotton shirt hadn't given him much protection but thankfully his thicker pants had saved his knees from the shrapnel. They were certainly trying to target his weak points.

Merco growled with frustration, knowing he couldn't stand there like a big target and keep taking these attacks. A strategic retreat would be more prudent...and the lake seemed a viable option. Keeping his arm up he backed into the water. At about four steps it was over his boots and up to his knees. Four more and it was at his waist. Then he saw them coming, the green flash of their weapons giving them away as they flew over the water. When they got close Merco swung his right arm, hit the water, and sent an aerial wave hurtling toward his assailants. A few of them scattered to avoid the wave but half a dozen were knocked down into the lake by the huge splash.