Kent Library

Before Janus can even step through the door Lili's shotgun thunders and his ears start ringing. His eyes are still adjusting to the dim.
Damn those mapper drones, couldn't they have at least given a heads-up, on whatever this is? Through the haze of gunsmoke it looks like three of these visitors with crossbows. Then he sees one of his crew injured, and then he sees red. Just rage.

One thing being big and tough affords is also having a big booming voice.
Using the door as a partial shield, he levels his shotgun in their direction. Then Janus commands the intruders.
"Drop it!"

He's more worried that they'll hurt the team, than himself. Those crossbows are nasty pieces of work, but nothing compared to modern weaponry. Otherwise, he's worried he might actually have to shoot someone. For all his bluster and force, actually hurting others...or hearing anything really.... makes him feel horrible.

Chuck slowly stands up from behind the bookshelf holding his shoulder and making sure his weapon is not pointing in their direction. "We're trying to locate and close the portal between our worlds. We do not wish to fight you."

Joe discreetly elbows Chuck as he sniffs the air. He then whispers to his, well, work colleague "I don’t like these pinkies"

Janus marches forward and takes their crossbows, quick like, with full authority. Not giving them a chance to argue.
"These are only going to cause you trouble here. You’re lucky to be alive right now."

Janus points to Chuck and gives the hand signal to move forward and continue with the recon. But he has an expression on his face as if to say, "you ok pushing forward right?"

"Your people are just out that door. Don’t worry-- we are trained in this. Get your people and we’ll get this sorted out."

Then Janus looks around, basically ignoring them.
This high-status type of move is always tricky-- he’s a bit worried they’ll be some sort of honor culture or stubborn and want to resist. Heck, they might try a sucker punch. So he keeps his shotgun level but in no case would he put his team in the line of fire.

Hearing the conversation, Lili slowly steps around the bookshelf, shotgun cautiously half-raised. She watches the conversation play out, still as much on edge as Janus. She signals to him that she'll go with Chuck; now disarmed, Janus and Joe should have no trouble handling themselves if their new friends decided to get feisty.

She goes to Chuck and pats him on his good shoulder. She lowers her voice and says "Come on, man. Clock's ticking. I've got your back."

Shoulder still stinging, Chuck hesitantly moves toward the incursion. He's thinking to himself that it would be nice if one of these pinkies would help get them through their world so he won't get shot by another crossbow. "Yeah, ok" he says to Lili. "Just keep your eyes open for pinkies with crossbows. They really suck.". Then he remembers the Plumb. "Hey Janus, which way is the Plumb saying we need to go?"

He approaches the entrance to the other world and starts glancing around to see if there are any threats in the area.

Before the pinkies go on their way into our world to get their friends, Joe sniffs the air twice and then runs to catch up with them and Janus. "You guys didn't smell any big dog around here did you?"