Characters at and around the airfield in tile IX may have noticed some signs that they've been attracting visitors. Some of them are subtle: A few hoofprints in the dirt near the jungle, a few missing provisions from the communal storage, some discarded fruit pits scattered beneath some trees. The run-ins with large boars have been significantly less so. Most of these encounters have been brief and marked with a distinct wariness of the airfield residents, but approaching Day 042, the atmosphere of tension has shifted. Something big is stalking the jungle in tile IX. Something angry.
As night falls on Day 042, that something - and its followers - makes its presence known. Anyone unlucky enough to be in or near the border of the jungle in tile IX is likely to be driven away by roving groups of huge, strange-looking boars, often traveling in pairs or triplets and each almost as tall as a human. They have the expected bristle-brown fur and build of wild boars, but with longer manes of fur and fat around their necks and partially covering their eyes, and their lower jaws split into two mandible-like sections around two sets of tusks. They charge at anyone either trying to leave or approach the airfield towards it or away, respectively, eventually leading to a barrier of screaming pigs in the forest.
A couple of hours in, a public message is sent over the transceivers.
EI033N
TRAITORS INTERLOPERS SLAUGHTERERS OF EKIS KIN WE TAKE BACK WHAT WAS STOLEN BLOOD PAID IN BLOOD AS MANY TIMES AS IT TAKES
EVENT FAQ
How long is this event running?
The event begins on Night 042 (OOC 11/11), and will last for at least one IC day, but the end date will depend on character actions. It could end quickly on Night 043 or it could continue through the end of November - that all depends on you.
Can we opt out?
Certainly - anyone not in tiles IX or X at the start of Night 042 can choose to stay out of this event entirely. Additionally, anyone traveling through ocean or mountain terrain in those areas can pass through safely.
What exactly is happening?
Following the public announcement, the boars in tile IX will circle the airfield, bungalows, and similar constructions and form a wall of angry pigs until they are made to leave. Groups of them will periodically storm in to scatter resources or attempt to destroy stationary defenses during this time. They will also, obviously, attack anyone that tries to get in or leave. Any of these actions could cause critical injuries, although it doesn't seem like the boars are interested in outright killing anyone (yet).
What is the exact range of the pig picket line?
Tile IX (the blue border):
Note that this outline is not set in stone; developments will be added here as they come up.
Why did you mention Tile X when it's not part of the siege?
It's possible for this tile to become part of the plot, but not required; I've mentioned it in case anyone wants to opt out entirely and doesn't want to be caught out unawares.
Can we respond to EI033N's message?
Absolutely! A NPC network post will go up on 11/11, corresponding to the IC date of event start. The post will be open to anyone, even if they've opted out of the physical part of the event.
How do we get the boars to go away?
That will be up to the players to decide. Please propose your ideas in the below comment. These do not necessarily have to line up with anyone else's ideas; if Character A would charge headlong into boars on Night 043 while Character B would try to talk them down the same night, both can be proposed and endorsed by other characters (give a "+1" with your character and a description of how they would be helping, or you can coordinate ahead of time and include their contribution in the original idea). I would highly recommend planning with your fellow players beforehand, though, so that characters do not trip over each other's plans (unless that's what you want to happen, I won't stop you).
Results of these ideas will be posted as a response to each thread, at the latest, on the first OOC date when it would have taken place. So if Character A's plan to charge the boars happens on Night 043, a mod response with the outcome will be posted by 11/17. If an idea results in the end of the event, it will be noted in the response, at which point all ideas that happen after that IC resolution will not be considered game canon. An event wrap-up post will go up as soon as possible when this happens.
Can we submit ideas ahead of time?
I encourage it! Try not to plan anything too far ahead of where the rest of the ideas are, though - as mentioned earlier, if your idea happens after the event is resolved, I cannot break continuity to still implement it. Check back frequently to see what the current situation is and we can go from there. Anything up to Night 043 is fair game for everyone, though.
Can we submit multiple ideas for the same character? Multiple ideas for multiple characters?
Sure! Just don't submit an idea before your previous one is resolved, or you may have to retcon it if your first idea results in a serious injury or something else debilitating (same goes for chiming into someone else's idea - your character cannot be in two places at once).
I have other questions/comments/concerns!
Please post them here so that I don't miss them. Feel free to use the rest of the post for plotting or working out the details of ideas before submitting them!
While Dirk dives into the ocean for a swim through the reef, he can see a patrol of boars on the shore - and they can see him, too. With squeals of alarm, the contingent follows him doggedly down the beach, knowing that he'll have to stop for a break eventually. IX.Z.14 has opened up for people to pass through for the first half of Morning 043; however, Dirk is now in a predicament where he is being closely watched, and he can only tread water for so long.
The transceiver upgrade's measurements tick slowly down the further Dirk travels along the coast. He's getting closer.
When he sees the boars watching him an following him down the shore, Dirk puts the hunt on hold for the moment and turns back to return to the airfield for a bit. He's got a plan.
He'll retrieve some of the plastic smoothie straws from the airfield's supply pile and then head back to the shore a ways away from any boars that might be able to see. Once he swims out a bit, he'll duck under the water and use a straw as an impromptu snorkel, seeing if he can slip past the boar patrols like this.
Dirk is not spotted by the boars, and it doesn't look like they've seen him swim past from the shore this time, either. He skirts the beach from tiles IX.Y.17 to IX.CC.15 before having to come back on land to rest, but when he does, there are no angry boars following him.
The upgrade is showing a lower number - 25 units - next to Eki's incoming messages. It's now the second half of Day 043.
Dirk continues the hunt, trying to narrow in on Eki while watching out for any other boar patrols. He's trying to be careful but quick, all too aware that he'll lose the location updates if Eki stops responding to people.
It takes some trial and error, but Dirk is able to determine that the number goes down fastest when he travels due east - although one of the Enemy Rivers stymies him from directly following that path, forcing him north instead until he can find a suitable crossing right at the start of Morning 044. From there, following the edge of the foothills almost due south (and the increasing number of gouged trees along the way), Dirk eventually sees a large facility set into the hills and jungle down below.
In square X.U.16, a series of massive concrete and rebar squares are lined up next to one another, some open to the air, some with shattered glass ceilings with metal supports still visible. Vibrant trees cluster together in each, mostly distinct in spite of how they spill out into the jungle past their borders.
Square X.V.16 is a confused series of smaller concrete buildings huddled close together within the overflowing trees. They seem to be in especially rough condition, at least from the outside.
Square X.V.15 is a single, metal-and-concrete building, with large sections near the front showing signs of massive panes of glass long since broken away. Overgrown trellis walkways are visible circling the outside edge, along with what might be cargo elevators leading between them to the buildings and pens below.
Dirk will know he's in the right place - not only because the numbers next to Eki's callsign have gone down to 1, but also because he can see isolated groups of boars diligently patrolling around the trellises in square X.V.15. They're spread pretty thin, though.
Dirk takes note of the location of the facility and how he got here – if this goes badly, he'd still like to come back to check this place out later – and watches the patrols for a moment to slip through. He's aiming to sneak through, but if there's no opportunity for it he'll try to just take a patrol out quick and quiet.
Either way, he's trying to get to that building, probably through one of the broken glass sections rather than whatever door exists just to be sneakier about it.
It only takes a couple of hours for Dirk to recognize the boar patrol patterns and find an opening to slip inside. There aren't very many of them around, after all, and there's a distinct gap in their rotation anyway near sunset that would suggest that they're swapping out the guards. Dirk easily picks his way into the main building through the broken glass windows out front.
Inside is some odd combination of post-apocalyptic museum and carefully-cultivated indoor garden. There are obvious spots for what used to be centerpiece exhibitions, plaques - even a front reception desk with shelves for merchandise along one of the sides of the main area - but all of them have been hollowed out and filled with dirt and plants. Piles of chewed seeds and pits in the far away corners suggest that these are fruiting plants of some sort, but all of them have been picked clean.
Like most exhibition halls, there's a fairly obvious path forward that leads deeper into the building, and then two side paths that either are intended as exits or extra material. The "main path" seems to wind around to a defunct escalator going up; one of the side paths goes to a set of stairs in the opposite direction, still up; and the third is through a busted-out door in the side of the building past a small stairway downwards.
Dirk: Ascend to the highest point of the building.
He takes the secondary set of stairs, figuring it's probably a more out of the way route where he's less likely to be spotted on the way up. Through it all, he's listening carefully for any sounds of life he might be able to follow to his target – distant footsteps, talking, anything.
The side stairway ends up being a good choice. It's well-maintained, relatively speaking, and leads to what looks like a large lobby area - like a much smaller version of the main landing below, but with more spaces (and remnants of) for things like couches, small tables, and a few larger countertops where staff may once have stood. The last rays of a setting sun stream in through shattered windows lining a second floor balcony that has partially collapsed. It looks like there might be a few narrow hallways just past this area, with a few corroded steel doors resembling elevators, but a larger path goes just past them, further into the building.
A metal plaque is affixed to the wall just past the stairs with some faded arrows and unintelligible text next to them. Directions, probably. The boldest arrow points towards that most prominent path, along with a picture of a cylinder and a vaguely humanoid shape stenciled inside it.
If that wasn't enough incentive to explore that particular path, the sounds of pigs chuffing and trotting around on a hard floor are most prominent from that direction. Dirk can also occasionally hear what sounds like someone talking, but muffled, like listening to someone through a wall.
Booyeah. Dirk heads down that path quietly, his broken sword at the ready if needed. He'll throw down immediately if needed, but he's hoping to get a peek at the situation first to better take in what he's dealing with here.
Dirk heads down the largest hallway. It appears to open into a decently-sized room just ahead, the aperture surrounded by stenciled decorations long faded with moisture and time, with large shapes shuffling past the open entryway. There's enough of a dip in the wall where the elevators live for Dirk to duck around and steal surreptitious peeks inside.
The room looks very lived-in, but surprisingly organized, considering the extremely large and strange-looking boars rooting around in there. Piles of fruit and vegetables, their refuse, and some interesting plants are delicately tended to by each. The scene might be humorously idyllic save the pile of chewed bones joining their rank. A dedicated boar sniffs around the pile for decent candidates, smashes them into powder, and guides the pulverized powder into the transplanted soil where carefully cultivated plants grow. These, unlike the ones in the building's main entrance, are all brimming with things to eat.
In the center of the room is Eki. It's got to be Eki - something like a cross between a boar, a lion, and a horse, the creature is luxuriating in a pile of leaves and hay that uncannily resembles a throne with four, much smaller sows dozing around him. He's at least six feet tall at the shoulder, even lying down. His neck and face are draped in a thick, luxurious mane of golden brown fur, while the rest of his body is covered in dark brown, wiry fur, which doesn't hide a predator's powerful build. His pig's snout splits into two toothy sections in the jaw, with a set of massive, cracked tusks protruding through the creases of each. Protective folds of skin crease his little black eyes into a permanent scowl.
Dirk in particular will recognize where the 'throne' is built: Inside one of those large spinning machines, same as the one found in the locked bungalow in tile IX.
Eki is talking near constantly. Most of the little grunts and chuffs appear to be coming from him, with a slight delay in the translator kicking in. His voice continues to sound oddly muffled.
[Give me another status report.]
There's a pause.
[Still? Very well. Eki is patient. Keep them spread out. I'm hungry.]
One of the rotating boars - Dirk has caught sight of three so far - immediately trots over with a bundle of golden, grape-like fruits in its split jaws. It bows almost reverently as it deposits them on the ground in front of Eki, who waits for the boar to leave before dropping his neck to devour them.
Well, that's the weirdest looking alien Dirk has ever seen, and he's seen some shit. He quietly pulls out his walkie, lifting it to his mouth as he steps out into the open in the entryway.
Several things happen very quickly. Simultaneous with Eki glancing sharply upwards at the sound of Dirk's voice, all four of the sows also glance up with startled grunts, and all three of the roving boars immediately charge into view to block the doorway. The boars are squealing, and so is Eki, but his voice is the only one that is translated into a rage-filled shriek:
[INTRUDER! HOW DARE YOU LAY EYES UPON EKI'S PALACE UNINVITED! EXPLAIN!]
Barely audible under all of the pig noises is the unmistakable crackle of a transceiver receiving a message.
Dirk doesn't flinch. But he does keep a finger on the button on his walkie so their dialogue might be broadcast for everyone else to hear.
"Well, we sure as hell didn't invite you over to the airfield, and yet you saw no issue with sending your pigs to sit on our lawn. So we can either chat properly now, mano a cerdo, or we can skip the pleasantries and just get to the part where I kick your ass."
Eki snorts in obvious derision, emphasized by the translator a moment later as a defiant [Pah!]. The three boars at the door all shake their heads and stamp at the ground with their hooves.
[Comparing your pile of ruins and peasants to Eki's palace! The audacity! The INSOLENCE to believe you could fight Eki in his own home!]
The massive alien boar rises. His legs are stout, but he still manages to be almost twelve feet tall when fully upright. Steam rises from his snout in angry puffs while the four sows settle, chuffing almost dismissively.
[Eki will make time for your challenge, if your desire is to die. Otherwise, give Eki a reason for you to live.]
"I'm a Prince, you tool. Pretty sure that makes those ruins just as much of a palace as this one." Dirk's chin lifts just slightly. He radiates a whole lot of intensity and confidence for someone not even half the size of this thing. "I'm not giving you anything, besides maybe the opportunity to pull your pigs out and leave us alone before this gets messy."
He doubts this guy is the type to back down at this point, though, so Dirk raises his sword – broken, not exactly ideal for a fight, but he's taken on his fair share of endgame bosses and he's not gonna be cowed now by a loudmouth alien with a superiority complex.
"But if you wanna call this a challenge, then fine. Let's do this properly. Just you and me, no underlings doing all the work for you."
There's a notable glimmer in Eki's eyes, a jerk of his chin.
[Fellow royalty?] The sows seem to perk up as well, although they all pretend not to be paying attention when Eki snorts at them a moment later. [I see - an upstart prince, challenging Eki for his throne!]
Without a word or even a gesture, the three boars at the entrance part and bow their heads to touch their snouts against the floor. Eki strides forward to replace them. His clopping trotters are measured, but the continual huffing and puffing from his nose is much more reminiscent of an agitated pig.
[A duel, prince?] Hot air blows down on Dirk in gusts. [Do you and your sharp metal stick believe you stand a chance against King Eki?]
As Eki draws closer, Dirk can see now the source of the walkie crackle he heard earlier: A transceiver is buried in the flesh of Eki's neck, mostly obscured by his thick mane. Only part of the screen is really visible as a staticky light flickering text behind his fur.
"Sure, totally after your throne." Dirk's voice is deadpan, but he doesn't really expect this guy to pick up on the sarcasm and it's not worth arguing otherwise. Besides, it apparently worked.
He has to crane his neck to look up at Eki as he approaches, but Dirk's eyes do catch on the mostly-hidden transceiver and it reminds him of something Senku had mentioned about attempts to open his up, something that had stopped Dirk from similarly experimenting even after he'd gained access to the airfield's tool supply.
"And yeah, I think I do," he answers coolly. "Ready to bow down, bitch?"
Sarcasm is apparently lost on Eki. He breathes out one last, contemptuous huff, raising his head so that he towers over Dirk in front of him.
[The only bowing King Eki will do is to reach your tiny body with his tusks,] Eki chuffs. One of his front hooves stamps against the floor, clacking against the shattered linoleum. [There is no honor in fights of succession. Prepare to become Eki's snack!]
No negotiation of terms, location, or win conditions - Eki simply charges ahead with a feral screech.
Dirk moves fast to avoid getting immediately gored or trampled. He finally has to let go of the button on his walkie, so the conversation broadcast for everyone else ends.
He doesn't immediately go for Eki's transceiver. Dirk is wary about clueing Eki into that strategy too early and making him more careful to guard it. Instead, he treats it like a normal fight – as normal as a fight to the death with a pig alien gets, anyway. Dirk aims for what he assumes are the vitals or joints and whatnot that may slow Eki down, and watches for an opening. Only when he sees a really good moment for it does Dirk divert and take a solid stab straight at the transceiver embedded in Eki's neck.
It's a quick, but dramatic fight. Eki moves blisteringly fast in spite of his hefty bulk, and doesn't seem to react very much to Dirk's attempts to cripple him definitely because of it. Slashes at the creature's stomach, neck, and legs open wounds into skin that barely draw blood. Eki only slows down because he has to stop to aim attacks at the nimble teenager nipping at his heels.
Finally, snorting in rage, Eki abandons attempting to gore or trample Dirk outright and lashes out with a sideways kick of his back leg. It connects with a sickening crunch, leaving Dirk fatally wounded but not dead yet. This is, ironically, the point where he finds his opening, as Eki casually steps over his body and lowers his head to finish the job.
Everything changes when the broken sword stabs into Eki's transceiver. It's like he stabbed the creature through the brain instead of the neck; Eki stills suddenly, his little eyes wide and unfocused, before he staggers to the side and collapses from a violent-looking seizure. His legs twitch a few more times as he seems to struggle to take a breath. Then his body goes still.
The last thing Dirk sees before he loses consciousness is the confused trail of boars and sows cautiously leaving Eki's throne room to sniff at both of their bodies. Dirk dies soon after this, early into Day 044.
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glencolaaa2023-11-03 10:13 am
no subject
The transceiver upgrade's measurements tick slowly down the further Dirk travels along the coast. He's getting closer.
no subject
He'll retrieve some of the plastic smoothie straws from the airfield's supply pile and then head back to the shore a ways away from any boars that might be able to see. Once he swims out a bit, he'll duck under the water and use a straw as an impromptu snorkel, seeing if he can slip past the boar patrols like this.
no subject
The upgrade is showing a lower number - 25 units - next to Eki's incoming messages. It's now the second half of Day 043.
no subject
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In square X.U.16, a series of massive concrete and rebar squares are lined up next to one another, some open to the air, some with shattered glass ceilings with metal supports still visible. Vibrant trees cluster together in each, mostly distinct in spite of how they spill out into the jungle past their borders.
Square X.V.16 is a confused series of smaller concrete buildings huddled close together within the overflowing trees. They seem to be in especially rough condition, at least from the outside.
Square X.V.15 is a single, metal-and-concrete building, with large sections near the front showing signs of massive panes of glass long since broken away. Overgrown trellis walkways are visible circling the outside edge, along with what might be cargo elevators leading between them to the buildings and pens below.
Dirk will know he's in the right place - not only because the numbers next to Eki's callsign have gone down to 1, but also because he can see isolated groups of boars diligently patrolling around the trellises in square X.V.15. They're spread pretty thin, though.
no subject
Either way, he's trying to get to that building, probably through one of the broken glass sections rather than whatever door exists just to be sneakier about it.
no subject
Inside is some odd combination of post-apocalyptic museum and carefully-cultivated indoor garden. There are obvious spots for what used to be centerpiece exhibitions, plaques - even a front reception desk with shelves for merchandise along one of the sides of the main area - but all of them have been hollowed out and filled with dirt and plants. Piles of chewed seeds and pits in the far away corners suggest that these are fruiting plants of some sort, but all of them have been picked clean.
Like most exhibition halls, there's a fairly obvious path forward that leads deeper into the building, and then two side paths that either are intended as exits or extra material. The "main path" seems to wind around to a defunct escalator going up; one of the side paths goes to a set of stairs in the opposite direction, still up; and the third is through a busted-out door in the side of the building past a small stairway downwards.
no subject
Dirk: Ascend to the highest point of the building.
He takes the secondary set of stairs, figuring it's probably a more out of the way route where he's less likely to be spotted on the way up. Through it all, he's listening carefully for any sounds of life he might be able to follow to his target – distant footsteps, talking, anything.
no subject
A metal plaque is affixed to the wall just past the stairs with some faded arrows and unintelligible text next to them. Directions, probably. The boldest arrow points towards that most prominent path, along with a picture of a cylinder and a vaguely humanoid shape stenciled inside it.
If that wasn't enough incentive to explore that particular path, the sounds of pigs chuffing and trotting around on a hard floor are most prominent from that direction. Dirk can also occasionally hear what sounds like someone talking, but muffled, like listening to someone through a wall.
no subject
no subject
The room looks very lived-in, but surprisingly organized, considering the extremely large and strange-looking boars rooting around in there. Piles of fruit and vegetables, their refuse, and some interesting plants are delicately tended to by each. The scene might be humorously idyllic save the pile of chewed bones joining their rank. A dedicated boar sniffs around the pile for decent candidates, smashes them into powder, and guides the pulverized powder into the transplanted soil where carefully cultivated plants grow. These, unlike the ones in the building's main entrance, are all brimming with things to eat.
In the center of the room is Eki. It's got to be Eki - something like a cross between a boar, a lion, and a horse, the creature is luxuriating in a pile of leaves and hay that uncannily resembles a throne with four, much smaller sows dozing around him. He's at least six feet tall at the shoulder, even lying down. His neck and face are draped in a thick, luxurious mane of golden brown fur, while the rest of his body is covered in dark brown, wiry fur, which doesn't hide a predator's powerful build. His pig's snout splits into two toothy sections in the jaw, with a set of massive, cracked tusks protruding through the creases of each. Protective folds of skin crease his little black eyes into a permanent scowl.
Dirk in particular will recognize where the 'throne' is built: Inside one of those large spinning machines, same as the one found in the locked bungalow in tile IX.
Eki is talking near constantly. Most of the little grunts and chuffs appear to be coming from him, with a slight delay in the translator kicking in. His voice continues to sound oddly muffled.
[Give me another status report.]
There's a pause.
[Still? Very well. Eki is patient. Keep them spread out. I'm hungry.]
One of the rotating boars - Dirk has caught sight of three so far - immediately trots over with a bundle of golden, grape-like fruits in its split jaws. It bows almost reverently as it deposits them on the ground in front of Eki, who waits for the boar to leave before dropping his neck to devour them.
no subject
"Found him."
The time for stealth is over.
no subject
[INTRUDER! HOW DARE YOU LAY EYES UPON EKI'S PALACE UNINVITED! EXPLAIN!]
Barely audible under all of the pig noises is the unmistakable crackle of a transceiver receiving a message.
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"Well, we sure as hell didn't invite you over to the airfield, and yet you saw no issue with sending your pigs to sit on our lawn. So we can either chat properly now, mano a cerdo, or we can skip the pleasantries and just get to the part where I kick your ass."
no subject
[Comparing your pile of ruins and peasants to Eki's palace! The audacity! The INSOLENCE to believe you could fight Eki in his own home!]
The massive alien boar rises. His legs are stout, but he still manages to be almost twelve feet tall when fully upright. Steam rises from his snout in angry puffs while the four sows settle, chuffing almost dismissively.
[Eki will make time for your challenge, if your desire is to die. Otherwise, give Eki a reason for you to live.]
no subject
He doubts this guy is the type to back down at this point, though, so Dirk raises his sword – broken, not exactly ideal for a fight, but he's taken on his fair share of endgame bosses and he's not gonna be cowed now by a loudmouth alien with a superiority complex.
"But if you wanna call this a challenge, then fine. Let's do this properly. Just you and me, no underlings doing all the work for you."
no subject
[Fellow royalty?] The sows seem to perk up as well, although they all pretend not to be paying attention when Eki snorts at them a moment later. [I see - an upstart prince, challenging Eki for his throne!]
Without a word or even a gesture, the three boars at the entrance part and bow their heads to touch their snouts against the floor. Eki strides forward to replace them. His clopping trotters are measured, but the continual huffing and puffing from his nose is much more reminiscent of an agitated pig.
[A duel, prince?] Hot air blows down on Dirk in gusts. [Do you and your sharp metal stick believe you stand a chance against King Eki?]
As Eki draws closer, Dirk can see now the source of the walkie crackle he heard earlier: A transceiver is buried in the flesh of Eki's neck, mostly obscured by his thick mane. Only part of the screen is really visible as a staticky light flickering text behind his fur.
no subject
He has to crane his neck to look up at Eki as he approaches, but Dirk's eyes do catch on the mostly-hidden transceiver and it reminds him of something Senku had mentioned about attempts to open his up, something that had stopped Dirk from similarly experimenting even after he'd gained access to the airfield's tool supply.
"And yeah, I think I do," he answers coolly. "Ready to bow down, bitch?"
no subject
[The only bowing King Eki will do is to reach your tiny body with his tusks,] Eki chuffs. One of his front hooves stamps against the floor, clacking against the shattered linoleum. [There is no honor in fights of succession. Prepare to become Eki's snack!]
No negotiation of terms, location, or win conditions - Eki simply charges ahead with a feral screech.
no subject
He doesn't immediately go for Eki's transceiver. Dirk is wary about clueing Eki into that strategy too early and making him more careful to guard it. Instead, he treats it like a normal fight – as normal as a fight to the death with a pig alien gets, anyway. Dirk aims for what he assumes are the vitals or joints and whatnot that may slow Eki down, and watches for an opening. Only when he sees a really good moment for it does Dirk divert and take a solid stab straight at the transceiver embedded in Eki's neck.
no subject
Finally, snorting in rage, Eki abandons attempting to gore or trample Dirk outright and lashes out with a sideways kick of his back leg. It connects with a sickening crunch, leaving Dirk fatally wounded but not dead yet. This is, ironically, the point where he finds his opening, as Eki casually steps over his body and lowers his head to finish the job.
Everything changes when the broken sword stabs into Eki's transceiver. It's like he stabbed the creature through the brain instead of the neck; Eki stills suddenly, his little eyes wide and unfocused, before he staggers to the side and collapses from a violent-looking seizure. His legs twitch a few more times as he seems to struggle to take a breath. Then his body goes still.
The last thing Dirk sees before he loses consciousness is the confused trail of boars and sows cautiously leaving Eki's throne room to sniff at both of their bodies. Dirk dies soon after this, early into Day 044.