Radio audio, evening.

[firstsoldier]

[It's that guy again! He still sounds pleasant at least.]

I wish to make a suggestion that we find ways to make ourselves... visibly identifiable even when in monstrous forms, as members of the convoy and thus ideally not a marauding wild beast even if we are acting like one. Something beyond our often hidden sigils, that an unthinking creature is unlikely to imitate. What exactly, I am open to recommendations for. I suspect friend-or-foe ID chips might be beyond what this place is capable of.

[The rest sounds extremely reluctant.]

I don't have as much control of the ... thing ... I become as I would like, and though I am reasonably sure I can keep from doing serious intentional harm to allies, I can't guarantee my behavior might not match that of a feral creature and thus seem to be a viable target for hunting. Especially as it seems intent on establishing a ... pecking order, and aggressively.

... I suspect I'm not the only one who has such concerns. These changes are uncomfortably unpredictable.

Comments

[x2bet]

How about this, slick - "Yellow-hello, my name's Benny and I like to wear a checkered suit jacket. Please don't eat me like a ham hock, I don't taste all that good."

[firstsoldier]

Do you intend to keep the suit jacket even if you become, perhaps, a dragon? And what of everyone not you?

[x2bet]

[Okay but he doesn't give a damn about anyone getting eaten that's not him. But great question.]

Like from Grognak the Barbarian? Sure, why not? I'll be the best-dressed dragon in the wastes!

[firstsoldier]

How will you have it sized up to your new form?

[x2bet]

[Hard to tell if this guy's being serious or not, over the radio. Geez.]

Anyone ever tell you you're a laugh and a half?

[firstsoldier]

[The answer sounds very dry.]

Frequently.

[x2bet]

Oh really? Why don’t you tell a fella your best joke?

[firstsoldier]

[After a delay the response comes.. via text instead of voice, the absolute lowest form of humor.]

A priest, a monk, and a rabbit go to the blood donation bank for charity. The nurse asks for their blood type. The priest says "Type A." The monk says "Type B." The rabbit responds "I think am a typo."

[x2bet]

[..............Pal.]

You must kill it at parties.

[firstsoldier]

Generally killing isn't allowed at parties, but on occasion.

[He sounds completely serious. But he can't be, right?]

[x2bet]

You're as dry as the Mojave desert, guy. That's cool, I dig it.

[Why is Benny running into so many people like this recently??]

You should keep a better one in your pocketbook, though. Try a fun fact about yourself.

[firstsoldier]

[It's a setting in the convoy's summoning ritual, apparently.]

Hm. No. That's getting a bit too much like the script handed out at interviews. How about this instead, others are picking jersey colors. If you pick something now you've got a better chance at winning the others over.

[x2bet]

Color-

Baby, black and white is all I need! What's this about team colors now?

[firstsoldier]

Black got denied by virtue of not being easily visible from a distance. An argument can be made for white. It's the original purpose of my messages earlier, to find a way to identify each other easily so no one is unexpectedly shot for looking like a monster.

[x2bet]

I know, just - ugh, blue? Black is slimming, it suits everyone!

[Is Benny joking? Who knows.]

Guess I could find myself a blue necktie if it comes down to it.

[firstsoldier]

Slimming aside, I agree. Black would be preferable. Red was also suggested. Where are you finding neckties out here?

[x2bet]

I ain't. It's wishful thinking, cause this little misadventure's got the one I came in with run ragged.

[His spiffy tie is no longer looking very spiffy 🥺]

[firstsoldier]

We should come upon another garage or station soon. With some luck there'll be ...something suitable to replace it with, for what that's worth.