Once Ex-1 stood between the waiting soldiers, the officer nodded his head and led the way to the sturdy structure leaning against the wall.
'It should not take long to sort this out,' he said casually from the head of their small procession as he was walking through the doors of the building.
People had slowed down on the other side of the barrier, inconspicuously trying to get a glimpse of the commotion inside. It didn’t help that the teleportation platform was at the bottom of an incline, so anyone visiting the market further up could watch over the wall.
None withstanding the critical words, the lieutenant appeared more amused than offended as he continued. 'Is it customary to walk around without clothing where you are from? It is a little cold in this climate, at least in winter, and I am sure the ladies would take offence either way.'
By the end, there was laughter in his voice and he threw a quick glance towards the man he was addressing.
It didn't require a response. Besides, Ex-1 could not understand the lieutenant's amusement, so he simply looked ahead and continued following the man into the room.
The two guards on either side of him kept their silence too. Although Ex-1 did feel the occasional bewildered stare thrown his way from the one on his left.
The one on his right hid his emotions better, but his whole body language still screamed discomfort.
It really was a strange world Ex-1 now found himself in. He was barely able to hide his wide-eyed wonderment at the brief glimpse of the city and its people.
He didn't really mind his renewed captivity. After all, it was all he'd ever known.
I wonder whether that is the apathy speaking? Maybe I ought to have disabled that after all.
Either way, he would treasure the memory of his brief moment of true freedom.
In a sense, he realised, I am still free. It was my choice to submit. I have no doubt that I could escape should I want to. They won't have access to my kill switch. I could have just stayed with the core, but somehow I was desperate to travel instead.
I should have waited to finish adjusting, after removing the emotional intelligence deficiency - my actions have been a bit ... atypical since.
Besides, he had not forgotten the core's comment on him being able to teleport back somehow. He would have to look into it and hoped that captivity would not somehow negate that ability. He simply did not know enough.
Going along peacefully also gave him a safe place from which to watch and learn. This, more than anything made up his mind.
Regardless of when he decided to visit the city, the entry via teleportation would always have caused the same problems, no matter which way he looked at it.
It had taken but a few heartbeats for him to think through the different options. Satisfied with his decision, he determined to make the best of the opportunity to observe, more or less, undisturbed.
So observe he did. The armed men seemed competent despite their inability to mask their emotions. It was hard to measure strength and he wasn't sure in what way the people here differed from the people on Earth - they may be fundamentally stronger or weaker.
They certainly looked similar enough... If you ignored the clothing, that was. The thin materials they donned, in what appeared to be multiple layers, would not provide much protection against any type of weapon. To add insult to injury, there were the colours themselves - the fabrics came in so many different hues he thought his eyes might have malfunctioned.
Next came the hairstyles.
Why would the women let their hair grow so long? Some of the men too! Surely it would get in the way when fighting? At least some have the sense to somehow tie it up, away from their faces.
Then again, he reflected, most of the people give off the impression of being too soft to fight anyway.
The humans walked around, talking and laughing, looking around at the ground, buildings or the sky - but the majority didn't appear to see or be aware.
Just in the few seconds it took to cross the yard to the building, he spotted a couple of children stealing food from the haphazardly placed wooden stalls. Stalls, which at a second glance, seemed to be on wheels. How bizarre.
There were even multiple people with hidden features lurking in the shadows - I guess that is one advantage of the clothing, even if it provides no protection otherwise.
And he wasn't even looking for that kind of threat, it just kind of registered because it was so obvious. No one really gave the impression that they cared about their safety. How did the civilians survive long enough to grow up? It was unfathomable.
He had learned early on to identify when he was being watched, his subconscious mind able to pick up on the feeling. It was necessary for survival.
Much as prey knows when it is hunted, his mind had constantly screamed of danger ever since arriving. It confused his senses to suddenly have to contend with so many curious eyes on his back. So it was with great relief when he crossed the threshold into the office.
The bars on the window and the lock on the door gave the room the semblance of a small holding cell. The door stayed open to the outside though, allowing Ex-1 to hold onto his delusions of freedom for a little while longer.
Besides - the beautiful desk, the hard-packed earth floor and the solid, wooden walls gave the room a warm and a welcoming air. The captive could only stare in wonder, the opulent use of wood a sacrilege, in his opinion. Not just in this room, but everywhere outside too.
He made sure to hide the bafflement from his face.
The Lieutenant turned back to his mysterious charge, apparently studying him more intently, now that they had left the prying eyes of the crowd.
Then, instead of sitting on the chair, the officer leaned against the desk. The attempt at fostering an informal environment was not lost on Ex-1.
Enjoying the sensation of earth on his bare feet, he came to a stop in the centre of the room. Spine straight, face forward and hands clasped behind his back he waited for the officer to begin. He held no delusions that this friendly posturing would be maintained for long.
‘Let’s start with the easy questions, as I need to fill in the log book for all unknown arrivals through the portal. What is your name, where are you from and what is your business here?’
'My title is Experiment One, Warrior Five, Tactician Three. Most call me Ex-1 as that is what I am most known for.' There was no point in hiding this information, not at this juncture.
The second question could present problems though. Not knowing anything about this land or it’s people, there was not much he could do about it. He lacked the geographical intelligence to spin a tale and manipulate this officer.
’I come from a teleportation gate in the Wastelands. As to your last question, I have come for no particular purpose other than visiting the city for pleasure.’
The core said this was the closest functioning gate, so they should be familiar with the location at least. Hopefully it is not too far from the norm. But going by the reception, this gate is rarely used.
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The officer’s expression morphed a few times during the short exchange, giving Ex-1 a creeping feeling of dread. As he’d thought, things couldn’t be that simple.
Not long now, and he would be back in captivity, on the torture rack, trying to explain why he couldn’t answer any of the questions. At least this time there would be an out. That is if the core spoke truthfully.
‘I am sorry for this, but if what you say is true, we will need to speak to my commanding officer. You will not be retained for long, if you choose to cooperate with us. However we cannot ignore a threat such as an undisclosed, open portal location.’
As expected.
A slight rustling warned him of the guards’ subtle shifting.
Feigning nonchalance he shrugged, ‘I have no objections to working with you.’
With a nod towards the door, he indicated that he would follow the officer peacefully.
The exhale by the guard on his right did not go unnoticed, the lieutenant shooting the offending man a warning look.
‘Please, excuse the guards accompanying us for added security,’ not quite a request, but more of a statement really. ‘We will visit with the captain, he is too busy to be called here for this matter.’
Of course, it will be unrelated to the fact you have better holding cells and torture chambers next to his office. The sarcasm was back in full force.
‘He will provide some clothing for you as well,’ no more than an afterthought, thrown his way.
It did not take long to reform the little procession, the lieutenant at the fore, Ex-1 in the centre with the two guards flanking him on either side.
Whilst they drew a few stares from the rest of the men guarding the teleportation platform, the situation outside the barrier had calmed down somewhat over the few minutes spent inside.
Exiting through the gate, into the market square, they garnered some more attention. Although people quickly lowered their eyes again after taking a glance. No one seemed interested in interfering with the lieutenant and his charge.
This made it all the more surprising to Ex-1 when a small voice spoke from the shadows of a tree to his side.
'Sir, do you have a moment?' A boy stepped into the light. Malnourished and scarcely covered by clothing more holes than not, he probably hadn't seen ten summers yet. If his attire had once held the garish colouring prevalent amongst the people, it was no longer apparent under layers of grime and dust.
Brave, or stupid, to approach us and speak. Then again, this is an alien place. I did not see any particularly violent behaviour towards children in the crowd. Although the civilians do seem to differ greatly from these soldiers.
The child was also carrying a strange pile of thicker fabric, this held many hues Ex-1 had not known existed. The man barely stopped himself from voicing his inane questions. He was not only curious about the colours’ names, but also wondered why people would choose to wear them.
Surprisingly the officer turned around and responded to the boy using words, and not unkindly. 'What is it urchin? We need to take this man to see the captain. I do have a moment if it's quick?'
Ex-1's eyes went wide at the interplay. The boy and officer communicating far more about this strange world than they likely realised. Not so much by the words they spoke, but by their body language and tone of voice. Although the child’s answer was also telling; Ex-1 surmised that the Urchins must act as informants in some fashion.
'I do have information for you, Sir. But that coulda waited. Was going' to catch you at the secret office when you all were done here, not meant for other ears. But I was curious, see? I was wondering why the man had no clothes, sir?'
The boy did not seem to desire an actual answer, as he continued, barely taking a breath and gesticulating widely. 'Besides, what’s he doing here? He ain't even got a shirt. I asked around and no one knew aught of who he was. Top man said I’d ‘ave to ask you myself if I wanted to know.’
Somehow Ex-1 got the impression that this Top Man hadn’t been serious with the suggestion, but rather had been fobbing off this nosy child..
‘I got the blanket for this man, I didn't want him to freeze afore I could get my answers now, did I? Bet you’d be in trouble with the Captain if he did. Does he understand us? He seems a bit strange if you ask me.'
The words just kept tumbling out in a rush, and would have continued, had the officer not held up a hand. The mans’ eyes sparkled in silent amusement when he finally got a word in.
'I suppose it must seem cruel to lead him through town as he is. I did not want to rob the merchants, and did promise him clothing when we got to the captain though, don't you worry. He doesn't seem too bothered by the cold.’
He skillfully evaded all the sensitive questions, observed Ex-1.
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By now the amusement had faded away, replaced by concern. There weren't many who were kind to the urchins and this little one barely had clothes on his back, yet denying his offer of help did not feel right.
Besides, the little brat had come to snoop around and knew there was a price to information. Still, not as subtle as the more experienced gatherers.
Depending on what information he gave the boy, the child might be able to sell it on for a meal or two. Problem was, the information he had, posed too much of a risk.
The lieutenant and a few of his men did what they could to provide opportunities for the homeless children of this city. It helped that they could sneak into places others could not, ignored and invisible - of course the more established criminal guilds knew about these activities. The common man however did not.
Yet, there were simply too many to help them all. He knew this one quite well though. He’d get himself into trouble with his carelessness one day and not live to tell the tale.
The soldiers had barely contained their amusement at the child's incessant chatter, yet controlled their expressions to not hurt the urchin's feelings. He glanced at them, warning them off from giving anything away. Not that they would, but it was always better to make sure.
He could tell that unlike the child, his men were unnerved by this silent stranger, who seemed content to follow instructions - yet seemed in full control for all that he was a glorified prisoner for the time being.
A prisoner that was studying him, even now.
There was an unreadable expression on his face. Still, if he had questions he did not voice them. He did not voice much at all, nor did he show many expressions. The kid got that right. Strange.
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For the first time, the boy actually addressed the man he was naively trying to help. 'Here you go sir! The barkeep at the Drunken Goose gave this to me the other day. Said he'd not have a young'n freeze on his street if he could help it. I've never had anything this good afore, so you should be alright till the lieutenant gets you proper clothes! You can keep it if you want.'
Ex-1 had not missed the temperature or state of the child - the implications made him uncomfortable. Maybe some things were similar to the Earth he knew after all.
The lieutenant raised an eyebrow as the stranger went down on one knee to look the little one in the eye.
'You will not suffer for giving this to me?' Ex-1 wouldn't be affected by the cold, but the boy couldn't have known that.
The child shook his head vehemently, 'No sir, you need it more than I! Sleeping on the street is dangerous if you don't know how to keep warm. And no offence, but you don't look like you got a home.' At this the boy's face dropped.
Ex-1 made to place a hand on the child's shoulder, but froze as the soldiers shifted to intervene.
Slowly moving his hand back to his side, an impulse took him and he spoke instead, his voice gravelly. 'If you are ever in need, child, you call for me. If it is in my power to give, I will do what I can to help. Come with us to the captain, and I'll give the blanket right back.'
He was not sure how words could feel heavy, but they did. They also felt right.
A new window appeared in his vision, for some reason not going to his icon of unread notifications - it was accompanied by a bright golden flash that appeared to originate from his body somehow.
What is happening now?
Oathbound
You have made an oath to protect this child at all costs. Should he call for you, you will be automatically teleported to him. The price for teleportation will vary depending on the distance and location. Should the stored Etherience be insufficient, you will suffer severe penalties to your attributes.
Usually people make the effort of learning the names of those they plan to protect with their lives. But you like to be different, don't you? Maybe you should take the time to figure out how things work, before making oaths.
Unexpected. I do not regret it though, the cost is acceptable. Strange personality to this notification.
Also, what is that about his name? I wonder how children are ranked? I thought they were all called Urchin, going by the way the officer spoke to the boy? Why would he not use the rank if the child has one?
Glad to have a way of keeping his promise should the child need him, he gave a rare laugh and ruffled the boy's hair, before standing again. This time the soldiers let him touch the child. 'Thank you, Urchin, for your kindness today.' Even if you did get something out of it yourself, he added in silence - not at all oblivious to the child’s motives.
With a smile, satisfied that he'd done at least one thing right, he turned back to his captors who were staring at him in shocked disbelief.
'Shall we get going then?' Even the boy has nothing to say. He let out one more chuckle, before smoothing out his features, back to his stoic self.