Across the field were strangers, there outfits did not identify them as either US or UCNA personnels. Engie’s anxiousness only increased as she got closer to them. She did not want to look back at her comrades as she didn’t want to take her eyes off the strangers.
They wouldn’t flee without me, right? She thought to herself. Now she really wanted to look back but was stopped when one of the strangers spoke up.
“Hey pal, saw you guys waltzing round over there.” It was a middle aged man who had an olive skin tone, which outlined the creases on his face as he spoke. “You guys military?”
He was the one that waved at them and now that they were a few meters apart she could see the outfits that they were wearing. It was a complexly designed brown robe with yellow trims which made them look more in common with wizards from old movies than anything else in present day. Every one of them wore it with some of them having slight variations of the robe, larger shoulder pads here or more pockets over there. Engie stood there awkwardly staring at the group.
“Uh hey pal, you alright there?” The stranger waved his large hand to get Engie’s attention.
“Oh sorry I didn’t mean to stare.”
“Eh nothing to worry bout we get stares all the time. Course we stand out lookin’ like we came outta a store’s bathrobe section.” The man motioned over his robe which covered his large body. “Now bout my first question, you guys in the military? Your pals back there are armed to the teeth.” He did a slight nod and looked over her shoulder. A sense of relief washed over Engie as she now knows that the other two didn’t run away.
“Yeah we’re part of the United Countries and we’re stationed here at, um, Fort Long Road Bravo.” Engie stood up straight as if she was about to salute the mention of the name of the base. She turned around to see her comrades just a bit in the distance, Annie was holding her machine gun up high and shaking it to reassure her that they got her covered. She quickly turned back towards the man in a panic. “Well they, uh, oh they don’t mean anything by that… they, um, they won’t do anything if nothing bad happens, I think…”
The man let out a hearty laugh as Engie curled up in embarrassment.
“I take no offense ma’am, we ain’t the group lookin’ to harm people. Tell your friends to come on over.”
Engie motioned for the two to come closer. The two looked at each other and Silver shrugged before both of them started heading over. The man walked closer to Engie and extended his right hand out. “’Scuse my manners, the names Bill.”
She awkwardly reached her hand out and quickly slapped Bill’s hand which caught him by surprise.
“Ohno!” Engie cringed at what she had done. “That was supposed to be a handshake, I thought you were going for a-”
“Nice one.” A voice came from behind as Silver walked up just in time to witness the spectacle. Engie covered her face as she turned away from the group.
“It’s alright. Hey why don’t ya come and meet our leader, he can explain a thing or two.” Bill turned towards his group and cupped his hands over his mouth like a megaphone. “These guys aren’t gonna hurt us!” He shook his right hand, which was now red, in the air before putting it back down. “You guys happen to be androids or something? Cause woo that slap had some impact to it that don’t quite fit your size.”
“Sorry for hurting you and yes we are androids.” Engie replied.
“Hi I’m Annie, I’m 14 days old, I’m a heavy shock trooper and I use this big gun here.”
“If you don’t mind me cutting in, who exactly are you people?” Silver questioned Bill as more robed people slowly started making their way towards them.
“We are those that are in search for the brightest light on this shattered earth.” A girl from Bill’s group spoke, her long jet-black hair swayed in the wind as she struck a contemplative pose.
“Don’t mind Sam, she’s doing a thing. Kids her age are just trying to find themselves.” Bill stepped in front of the girl blocking her from their view.
“I’m 22 and have already found my meaning of existence. It is not wise to slander others Mr. Bill.” Sam struck another pose but the androids could not see it as she was behind Bill’s rather large body. “Mr. Jeffrey shall explain our purpose to you.”
“Neat.” Annie responded.
Just then a man stepped out from the robed crowd, he stood out much more than the others as he wore what could be described as a large ceremonial hat. He looked much more composed than the others in his group.
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“And so the big boss of these low-tier mages comes out.” Silver whispered to Engie.
“Hello there I assume you must be confused on who we are.” The man spoke in a confident tone. “I am Saint Paul Jeffrey the shepherd of Those at the Threshold.” He smiled and spread his arms out to show his glory.
Annie clapped at the gesture while Silver and Engie only exchanged small glances to each other as they continued to watch the Saint.
“We are in search of the divine Holy Light and we believe it can be found at the Equator. In fact it is the only possible place for it to be as the cracks on the earth, caused by our fruitless toil driven by hate and greed, are the greatest there.” He took in a deep breath before continuing. “Yes it is from the shattered earth that the Holy Light shall reveal itself to us and transport those deserving into paradise!”
“Soooooo, what are you guys doing out here in this… place?” Silver circled her finger around the area. “Not many are willing to visit Former North Dakota, especially now.”
Still brimming with confidence the Saint answered her. “We have come to these sacred grounds as a stop on our pilgrimage.”
“What’s that?” Annie tilted her head as she tried to think of what pilgrimage could mean.
“It means that there travelling to some special place.” Silver answered Annie before the Saint could. “Are you guys headed anywhere specifically at the Equator?”
“The Equator is our destination it does not matter which part.”
“How are you planning to get there? It is quite dangerous not to mention far.” Engie inquired.
“The path has already been shown to us, it is only a matter of time until we reach it and once we do we shall be enveloped by the Light.” The Saint answered.
“You’ve been places right? Did you guys see a giant hole that is actually a lake around here? Also there’s a monster living in it but its dead which is why it’s all boney.” Annie asked in hopes that the strange travelling group happened upon it.
The Saint, seemingly at a loss for words, paused for a moment. As he opened his mouth to speak up, Sam cut him off.
“So a wanderer approaches in search of a revelation, if you are indeed searching for the great beast of the lake its sanctuary lies past the hills yonder.” She pointed eastwards.
Silver and Engie turned to look and all they could see were still the wide open fields, not a slight bump in the ground.
“Um not be rude but I don’t see any hills.” Engie rubbed the back of her neck, her tired eyes tried to keep in contact with Sam’s but she kept looking back and forth every so often. It felt like Sam was staring directly into her core as she continued her gorgon like stare. Not knowing what to do about this situation Silver decided to pull her team back for a discussion session.
“You guys don’t mind if we go over there and talk about a few things right?” She gave the religious group a thumbs up as she smiled and dragged the other two with her.
Bill shouted back. “Yeah it’s alright we ain’t movin’ anywhere anytime soon!” He sighed and turned back to Sam. “The hell was that for?”
“I was nervous.” Her pale face was like a stone mask as she said that, it would have threw even a professional poker player off on whether that was a lie or not.
In the distance the three androids were huddled up. Engie was at a loss for words while Annie didn’t really have anything important to say. Silver’s sapphire eyes darted between the other two before finally speaking.
“So… basically a suicide cult.”
“Ye-yeah… it’s basically a suicide cult.”
“Yes a cult of suicide. What are they doing?”
“I think that’s self-explanatory Annie. How did that guy managed to convince…” Silver turned her head to look back at the group and counted them before turning back. “22 people to follow him to the Equator? They’ll be killed off before they even reach it.”
“I knew he was bad man! Never trust someone with two first names.” Annie said sternly.
“We aren’t allowed to psychologically analyze humans so the best I can come up with using my engineering skills is that he’s handsome.”
“He’s got a solid jaw bone I’ll give him that.” Silver laughed it off but she felt bad for those that were following some lunatic to their deaths, she had to do something about it. Shooting the guy in the head might make her feel good but it would sour the situation as the other cult members would lose it. Just then an idea popped into her head and she shot up real quick, her silver hair slapping the other two in the face.
“Owie.” Annie rubbed her face. “Hey Silver what’s going on?”
“Well I think we should find a way to stall these guys from heading towards the Equator.”
“I agree, it doesn’t sit right to watch people go off and get serious radiation poisoning.”
“Glad for your support Engie. I think I know a way to stop them so follow my lead.” Silver started heading back before turning towards Annie. “Except don’t do anything Annie, you got it?” The giant girl nodded.
Seeing that the trio had finished talking the Saint walked towards them. “You have finished your discussion. If you don’t mind me asking what were you talking about?”
“Oh it’s no problem at all.” Silver stepped ahead of the other two. “We just thought that since it seems like you guys were staying in this area for a while why don’t you come on down to our base?”
“Yes we have, um, plenty of room.” Engie added with a not so confident smile.
“And it’s probably much better than camping out here. You might get attacked by wild animals, bandits or the US army.”
“We just get attacked by the US army!” Annie gleefully chimed in.
“But not too often.” Silver nervously laughed.
“Well don’t that seem like the nicest offer you can get round here.” Bill liked the offer that the androids gave the group. “Not like we got much out here to compare to a roof over our heads.”
Chatter could be heard amongst the cult with a majority of them in agreement with Bill, they had been travelling a long distance across dangerous territories. A bombed building that’s still standing is still a building.
“It would seem that my flock has already decided what they want to do. Who am I deny your generous offer in these trying times?” The Saint reached out his hand towards the androids.
“Let me try again.” Whispered Engie as she moves past Silver and shook the man’s hand, this time succeeding. Engie smiled brightly as she managed to not screw up a handshake.
“That’s great we got more friendos!” Annie ran up to greet the rest of the cult much to their shock.
Great. Now all I have to do is explain this to Miley. Silver thought to herself. Oh shit.