Huzzah! Finally, the rustlers have been revealed to be mercenaries. I cannot emphasize just how many times I almost gave that away in my commentary notes. Every time I referred to them, I initially wrote “bounty hunters” (which is actually kinda weird since they aren’t technically bounty hunters, but I guess it’s just because I knew they weren’t merely rustlers). Anyway, each time, I eventually caught myself and changed the text to “rustlers.” I think I caught all the instances and hope none slipped through. It was pretty stressful though. I guess that concern is behind me now. Whew!
Now I just have to worry about all the other plot points I don’t want to give away.
“Ooh! _Demon_ yak!”
Trust Cember to yak it up.
[I know this isn’t a one pun comic. That’s why we have to make them in the comments. Since english obviously isn’t my first language, it’s fun to goof around with.
… I know, it’s an explanation. not an excuse. Sigh.]
maybe they’re the yaks that lay the golden eggs?
I know if *I* was ‘rescuing’ a bunch of somethings and found them guarded by the SAS or the underworld equivalent of the Delta Force, I’d think three or four times about even TRYING to carry out my mission.
But then, I have this silly allergy to pain
(Wouldn’t they be the yaks with the golden fleece instead?
Though certainly egg laying, often modified by ovoviviparity, is “the norm”, or rather the easier trait. I love how we mammals have picked up virus genes for immune system defenses that then found use by better shielding the parasitic embryo from the host mother defenses, dialed down and/or adapted to the embryo or not. That would certainly be repeatable elsewhere, but it’s a less likely pathway. So I’m always thinking E(gg)TI, not ETI.)
OTOH we’ve already seen lots of examples how the Runners choose pain instead of dependence. Or rather, one suspects that for them dependence _is_ the greater pain.
But yeah: ouch!
They are ALIEN yak, so who knows, maybe they do reproduce by laying eggs. Or if you get them wet. Just don’t feed them after midnight!!
I think they should ask some very serious questions of their employer when they get back.
Probably a bad idea, remember how that guy was so oppressive (and obsessive) about information? He would probably charge them 15 bucks per fact revelation further beyond than what he thinks they only need at an amount. 😀
Panel three totally reminds me of The Tick. Zany smiley character spouting non sequiturs.
Ha ha! Yes, that is definitely the old Tick writer in me coming back. I really do miss working on that series sometimes. But yeah, Cember would probably be the Tick of the group, although Sky comes closer in color. 🙂