(So... did you know the Empire actually has a forum base? The Garden of Departure forum (official site?): the address can be found through the custom links in the bar—because I forgot the exact address. Friendly reminder: the forum is for veterans; check your character before registering...)
The two sides had been locked in a tense standoff from the very beginning. Not only had there been no sign of easing up, but things had grown even more tense with the unexpected arrival of another unidentified Boy Soldier. Of course, calling it a standoff seemed a little inaccurate—it was entirely one-sided. We had no intention of attacking at all, but... clearly, they did not see it that way.
The alien who looked somewhat like an evolved insect was named Tuo Lu Lu. Judging from his earlier impact, which had clearly exceeded the speed of sound and was incredibly violent, as well as the psionic blades mounted on his forelimbs, he was a close-combat fighter. The Boy Soldier with the gun obviously specialized in ranged attacks. The two might have formed some kind of combat squad. They were both ready now, their faces carrying expressions of grim determination—I meant the unnamed Boy Soldier's face. As for Tuo Lu Lu's expression... well, it was very isosceles-triangle-shaped.
"Um, could you put down your weapons first? We don't really like having those things pointed at us."
I pointed at the strange rifle in the Boy Soldier's hands and spoke helplessly. But the moment I opened my mouth, the other side apparently took my movement as a signal to begin fighting. He instinctively activated his weapon, and a bright blue beam struck my... Energy Shield in an instant. It did not even break through the defense. Only then did he cry out in shock, "Huh?"
I