LMB Onevision: I Was a Teenage Gill-Man! - 08/18/15 05:02 AM
BZZZZZZZZ-SLAP!
“Damn bugs…” Dr. Tnarkiv Nall grumbled as he slapped a mosquito that had decided to make a meal of the back of his neck.
The humid air of the Adavi basin was swarming with the insects, zipping through the air like a blood sucking cloud. The other passengers on the riverboat did not seem to mind the nuisance though, continuing with their incessant chattering or obnoxious snoring. He sighed as he watched the endless procession of mangrove trees pass by along the riverbank. It was hot, humid, and every creature was looking to make its next meal of you. Luckily, he had the advantage of safety in numbers should any beasts come looking for a midnight snack here.
“Would you like some insect repellent, young man? You don’t appear to have any on.” an elderly Asian man said, noticing him incessantly swatting at the air.
“Yes, please.” Tnarkiv said, quickly grabbing the small vial and spraying it on his arms and neck. “Thanks, Mr…?”
“Imura. Dr. Takeshi Imura.” the man said as he shook his hand. “I noticed your ID badge. I assume that you’re heading to the Corman research station too?"
“It’s my first time meeting him..” Tnarkiv said nodding. “Hell, it’s my first time coming down here.”
“Looks like we have something in common then.” Dr. Imura said with a reassuring smile.
Their conversation was interrupted by the loud blare of a foghorn from the top of the riverboat, sending birds scattering from the trees around them. The two weary travelers looked up to see the boat approaching the shore. As the boat began to slowly reach land, the curtain of trees pulled away to reveal a bustling riverside town. The buildings were an odd goulash of architecture, a marriage of wood and stone structures embellished with electric doors and generators to supply power. The muddy streets were narrow and bursting with villagers bustling between the alley ways the squeezed between the various homes and shops. Dim lanterns illuminated the roads, providing quaint light against the setting sun.
“I guess this is our stop.” Dr. Imura remarked as the ship pulled up to the old wooden dock. The planks seemed to creak under their weight as they stepped off, making Tnarkiv fear that they would fall through into the murky water any second. As the crewmen handed them their luggage, they were immediately drowned by a sea of merchants trying to sell their wares.
“Muthi root paste for your skin? It will make you very handsome!”
“Could I offer you some fine silk? Very cheap and good quality!”
“100 credits for fresh water!”
“We’re not interested!” Dr. Imura shouted, pushing away the vendors like they were a flock of seagulls at the beach. “They’re like vultures here. If you’re not careful, you’ll leave here penniless without a clue as to what you just spent all your money on..”
“I’ll make a note of that.” Tnarkiv said laughing. “Do you know what Dr. Corman looks like? I believe his communication said that he would be meeting us here.”
At just that moment, his question was answered in the form of a loud honk from a jeep speeding toward the dock from deep within the swamp. Mud splashed on the rabid vendors, sending them away with an onslaught of groans and expletives.
“Looks like I arrived right on time!” the driver said with manic glee as he pulled out a pocket watch from his suit pocket. “And Reed said I wouldn’t make it here till after sundown!”
The man was tall and lanky, a skeleton draped over with a thin sheet of skin which clung tightly to his bones. His wrinkled face betrayed his age, suggesting a man in his late 70’s to early 80’s. His wispy white hair was combed to the side and hung limply over his thick glasses. In contrast to the rest of the villagers and even Nostalgia Lad and Dr. Imura, he was dressed in an old tweed suit, which was no doubt covered in sweat from the tropical swelter.
“Oh, where are my manners?” the old man said with embarrassment as he held out his hand. “Dr. Lloyd Corman at your service. Welcome to the Adavi rainforest.”
“Damn bugs…” Dr. Tnarkiv Nall grumbled as he slapped a mosquito that had decided to make a meal of the back of his neck.
The humid air of the Adavi basin was swarming with the insects, zipping through the air like a blood sucking cloud. The other passengers on the riverboat did not seem to mind the nuisance though, continuing with their incessant chattering or obnoxious snoring. He sighed as he watched the endless procession of mangrove trees pass by along the riverbank. It was hot, humid, and every creature was looking to make its next meal of you. Luckily, he had the advantage of safety in numbers should any beasts come looking for a midnight snack here.
“Would you like some insect repellent, young man? You don’t appear to have any on.” an elderly Asian man said, noticing him incessantly swatting at the air.
“Yes, please.” Tnarkiv said, quickly grabbing the small vial and spraying it on his arms and neck. “Thanks, Mr…?”
“Imura. Dr. Takeshi Imura.” the man said as he shook his hand. “I noticed your ID badge. I assume that you’re heading to the Corman research station too?"
“It’s my first time meeting him..” Tnarkiv said nodding. “Hell, it’s my first time coming down here.”
“Looks like we have something in common then.” Dr. Imura said with a reassuring smile.
Their conversation was interrupted by the loud blare of a foghorn from the top of the riverboat, sending birds scattering from the trees around them. The two weary travelers looked up to see the boat approaching the shore. As the boat began to slowly reach land, the curtain of trees pulled away to reveal a bustling riverside town. The buildings were an odd goulash of architecture, a marriage of wood and stone structures embellished with electric doors and generators to supply power. The muddy streets were narrow and bursting with villagers bustling between the alley ways the squeezed between the various homes and shops. Dim lanterns illuminated the roads, providing quaint light against the setting sun.
“I guess this is our stop.” Dr. Imura remarked as the ship pulled up to the old wooden dock. The planks seemed to creak under their weight as they stepped off, making Tnarkiv fear that they would fall through into the murky water any second. As the crewmen handed them their luggage, they were immediately drowned by a sea of merchants trying to sell their wares.
“Muthi root paste for your skin? It will make you very handsome!”
“Could I offer you some fine silk? Very cheap and good quality!”
“100 credits for fresh water!”
“We’re not interested!” Dr. Imura shouted, pushing away the vendors like they were a flock of seagulls at the beach. “They’re like vultures here. If you’re not careful, you’ll leave here penniless without a clue as to what you just spent all your money on..”
“I’ll make a note of that.” Tnarkiv said laughing. “Do you know what Dr. Corman looks like? I believe his communication said that he would be meeting us here.”
At just that moment, his question was answered in the form of a loud honk from a jeep speeding toward the dock from deep within the swamp. Mud splashed on the rabid vendors, sending them away with an onslaught of groans and expletives.
“Looks like I arrived right on time!” the driver said with manic glee as he pulled out a pocket watch from his suit pocket. “And Reed said I wouldn’t make it here till after sundown!”
The man was tall and lanky, a skeleton draped over with a thin sheet of skin which clung tightly to his bones. His wrinkled face betrayed his age, suggesting a man in his late 70’s to early 80’s. His wispy white hair was combed to the side and hung limply over his thick glasses. In contrast to the rest of the villagers and even Nostalgia Lad and Dr. Imura, he was dressed in an old tweed suit, which was no doubt covered in sweat from the tropical swelter.
“Oh, where are my manners?” the old man said with embarrassment as he held out his hand. “Dr. Lloyd Corman at your service. Welcome to the Adavi rainforest.”