Chapter Text
All was quiet while Charlie slept in their tent. Having just fallen asleep after putting out their campfire.
Unfortunately, it didn’t last long.
Charlie blinked in annoyance as a strange sound woke them up. Sitting up, it sounded like some kind of drone zooming around their camp. But what was weird was the bright light that appeared through the tent fabric as if it was scanning different things that was left out.
“What the fuck…? Who is flying a drone this late and out here?” Charlie asked themselves as they crawled over to the entrance of the tent and zipping open the small window to peak out.
The bright light of the scanner almost blinded them as they tried to get a good look at the drone. But it was hard to do with it being so dark aside from the flashing light every so often.
They tried to listen, but couldn’t hear any people around. So they must’ve been a good distance away and just flying it out here for some odd reason.
While Charlie tried to make sense of it, rubbing their sleepy eyes as they did, their confusion turned to fear when the drone suddenly whipped around and zoomed into their direction. Quickly closing their eyes so they wouldn’t be blinded by the bright light scanning them.
When the light was gone, the drone spoke a language they didn’t recognize and disappeared before they could properly process it. They had no idea where it flew off too or what it said but hoped it wouldn’t be a issue.
Zipping the tent window back up, Charlie sat in silence for a few moments before crawling back to their sleeping bag. Unable to fall asleep when they didn’t know what that was all about.
Elsewhere, the little robot returned home to a spaceship.
It beeped happily as it approached one of the animal scientists that came along for this trip. He was outside collecting a few samples of leaves and bugs when it alerted him that it found something.
“Hm?” The alien stood up as it hovered in front of him. “B0126, play findings.”
The robot beeped again and showed a hologram to the alien fox. Showing different animals that called Earth their home.
Dr. Foxtail watched, seeing several animals that they had already collected to bring home at the end of their excursion. Aiming to bring home new animals to domesticate or place in their zoos where they would be safe and sound. However, his and other teams had to examine and study them first.
He was going to go back to collecting samples when the odd camp caught his attention. Seeing… stuff… laying around. Wondering what could’ve left them behind before getting his answer mere seconds later.
“A human?! Out here?!” Dr. Foxtail gasped. Aware that with the temperature dropping, the human might not survive all the way out here in the wilderness. Not to mention the predators that could be roaming too. “Poor thing. It’s hiding in that makeshift shelter…”
Their teams weren’t allowed to go anywhere near the human packs. Being far too dangerous with how fragile and fearful they could be of such big creatures suddenly coming onto what they see as their property. Typically feeling threatened and reacting as such if their first instinct is to fight.
Yet… this one was all alone and miles away from the nearest pack. He couldn’t just leave it out here to die. Even if it meant bringing them back home with them. They have the space for a human and can drop them off at a vet to get vaccinated and start being eased onto their pet food. But as long as the human was healthy, they could be placed up for adoption in no time.
“B0126, show me where the human is.” Dr. Foxtail ordered, a hand sticking in his bag to discover he had some jerky leftover that was safe for humans to eat. Just in case they needed to be coaxed out.
The fox followed behind the little robot, trying to keep his footsteps soft and quiet but failing due to the branches and other parts of the forest ground breaking under his weight. He knew it wouldn’t be easy with him being roughly 9’5 and was fully aware that he’s gonna scare the Hell out of this poor human.
But he made it his mission to go get it and bring it into the safety of the ship.
They always have a Vet aboard that could look it over and give it sleepy medicine if needed to calm it down. But as always, he didn’t know what he was getting into with a wild stray human.
It wouldn’t have any training, wouldn’t be housebroken, and would probably chew on everything it could though that would likely be out of fear right now.
The robot automatically turned on a flashlight that it had built in and shined it onto Charlie’s tent. Making the poor soul within it freeze, holding their breath at the new bright light aimed directly at them.
“It’s nothing. It’s nothing. I mean it might be people trying to kill me but it’s surely nothing.” Charlie kept repeating to themselves until they realized the loud footsteps that shook the ground like an earthquake was real and not their imagination playing tricks on them. “That’s not a bear…” Charlie muttered and looked towards the entrance of the tent. “…There’s just no way!”
The loud footsteps got even closer to the tent, stopping right outside of it. The mini earthquakes pausing when the giant beast stopped moving. Surely blocking the only way out.
Charlie breathed in a panicked way, shooting upright and trying to find a weapon to use in case it tore the tent open.
Then they heard an odd sound. Almost like… whistling? Then sounds like someone was talking in that same language as the robot. But it was words. It had to be even though to their ears it sounded like gibberish! A possible human made them relax by a tiny amount. Still aware they probably wanted to rob and kill them.
“Here, human, come here! Come on out. I won’t hurt you. I promise!” Dr. Foxtail spoke as softly as possible. Trying to lure the human out on their own.
Charlie had absolutely no idea what was being said but had a feeling the stranger wouldn’t be leaving quietly, literally and figuratively, if they just stayed there. To make things worse, it and its little robot companion knew they were there.
“W-What do you want? Money?” Charlie finally speaks up, hoping if they give them what they want they’ll go away.
Dr. Foxtail’s ears dropped down momentarily when he heard the petrified barking from the human inside the little shelter. This wasn’t going to be easy. He knew that much. So maybe if he tossed some treats in, it’ll come out?
It was worth a shot, he figured.
His paws moved all over the tent, his claws scraping as he did and unintentionally scaring Charlie more, until he found a zipper. Opening it so it was only halfway, the fox peaked inside as the blinding light shined in on the human.
“B0126, dim your light by 30%.” Dr. Foxtail said, knowing that light must’ve been hurting them since their arm covered their face.
When the light got dimmer, Charlie peaked over their arm and let out a blood curdling scream! It wasn’t a bear like they thought but a huge ass fox that was peaking in at them!
Charlie dropped their knife and scooted back against the far side of the tent. Unable to escape unless they cut themselves out.
“Oh god! Oh fuck! I’m dreaming! I have to be dreaming!” Charlie screamed, shutting their eyes tightly.
A minute later, they opened them to a squint and screamed again when the fox was still there.
“What the fuck kind of monster are you?! Since when were monsters even real?!” Charlie questioned but the fox didn’t answer their barking.
Charlie looked for the knife again despite knowing it was no match for the giant outside of their tent. Fully aware that thing could eat them up if it wanted to.
“Here, buddy, no need to be afraid!” The odd language came from the fox.
Charlie looked up right as it tossed something in at them. Approaching one piece slowly, it appeared to be some kind of jerky. However, they refused to put that anywhere near their mouth or stomach. God only knows what it could be laced with after all.
“Not gonna eat huh? Yeah I figured as much.” Dr. Foxtail said, unzipping the tent all the way and positioning himself right in the center of it. He could see the human began shaking so he gave a warm smile and patted his knees. “Come here, buddy. You’re okay.”
Dr. Foxtail then held a hand out for the human to sniff and see that he wasn’t a threat. Keeping his body as small as possible to not seem threatening to the must smaller creature.
“Come on over. I won’t bite, I swear!” Dr. Foxtail smiled, patting his knee with his free hand again.
“What the hell are you saying to me?!” Charlie questioned, eyeing the hand reaching out to them. “What do you want?!”
Before they could come up with a plan, there was suddenly cutting sounds like something was being torn open directly behind them.
“Huh?” Charlie whimpered as they turned around and a cool breeze hit them.
Thanks to the light from the robot, they could see paws appearing where the tent was being sliced open at. Realization hitting them like a firetruck that there was more of these gigantic animals out there.
And one was right behind them.
Yet another bright light suddenly turned on and almost blinded them as they heard the tent being ripped right open. The cold air hitting them from both directions and hearing what sounded like giggles where the new bright light came from.
“Jules! What are you doing?!” Dr. Foxtail hissed, not even hearing the younger member of the team approaching. “B0118, dim light by 30%!”
The bot listened to the command, allowing Charlie to open their eyes even though they really didn’t want to.
Joining them was a large Golden retriever or lab. They didn’t seem as big as the fox but still huge to Charlie. And just as terrifying too.
Charlie began shaking, mind going completely blank on what to do now. They were trapped and was sure these two could catch them in an instant even if they did manage to slip by one.
“Aww what a cute little pup!” Jules cooed at Charlie and reached out to pet them, causing them to scramble backwards closer to the fox. But still in the middle of the two animals.
“Jules!” Dr. Foxtail scolded. “You’re gonna scare it if you haven’t already! Where did you even come from?!”
“Oh relax, Bryan! You probably scared it already! And just because you’re afraid of getting dirty doesn’t mean I am! I crawled over so neither of you would hear me!” Jules answered with a roll of her eyes.
“Look, I’m trying to bring it back to the ship with us since it won’t survive so far away from its pack. Hard enough as it is since it’s a wild stray that never saw our kind before.” Bryan stated with a huff.
“Well, lucky for you, I made sure I was prepared when I went off exploring earlier. Here. I even still have some rope!” Jules took it out of her bag and tied a loop big enough to go over Charlie’s head.
“Just… don’t pull too hard. Okay? Last thing we need is it choking itself into unconsciousness.” Bryan said, figuring it would at least keep it from running away deeper into the woods.
“Of course! Last thing I want to do is hurt it!” Jules replied. “Now get its attention so I can move closer!”
Rolling his eyes, Bryan patted his knees again and called out to the human.
“Come here, buddy! Come here! Let’s do this the easy way. Okay?” Bryan asks.
Charlie has absolutely no idea what the animals are saying but it’s clear a conversation was happening. They went back and forth for a bit while the retriever pulled out some rope. Their heart began racing as they realized these animals wanted to capture them. And do what? They weren’t sure.
“Please. Please don’t hurt me.” Charlie pleads with the fox after it patted his knees again and spoke to them rather than the dog.
They had a feeling that they knew what was going to happen as soon as they saw the rope come out. So hearing the dog inch closer behind them and toss the rope over their head like a lasso wasn’t at all surprising. Petrifying, but expected.
“Gotcha!” Jules tugged on the rope before scooping Charlie up into her arms.
In a panic, Charlie began kicking and hitting at the dog, wanting to be let go from her crushing arms.
“Oh you are so cute! Yes you are!” Jules cooed them again.
“Great! We got them! Now let’s go!” Bryan grunted as he stood up, the retriever soon following with Charlie still trying to break out of her strong arms. “Why don’t you put it down? It’ll have to walk on the leash or risk getting choked.”
“Aw okay!” Jules pouted but listened to her superior.
Soon, Charlie found themselves back on their feet. The fox holding out their hand to take the rope from the dog. Who seemed to of handed it over reluctantly.
With a smile, the fox looked down at them.
“Come on, buddy. Our Vet can clean you up and get you nice and cozy in a warm kennel. Doesn’t that sound better than being out here?” Bryan said, trying to sound comforting to the human’s ears.
With a gentle tug, he led the way back to the ship. Jules following beside him, causing Charlie to be in the middle as they were forced to walk on a leash like a dog, and the two bots lighting the way with their flashlights.
“I- I wanna go home.” Charlie gave a soft bark to the alien’s ears, almost in tears as they wondered what would happen to them now.