Though Kotallo found himself adapting to the training which was a great deal more mentally taxing than any other experience he’d had before, he did climb to the Sunwing perches at least twice a week, cutting them down, stripping their components and raiding their scrap piles. In doing so he kept Aloy’s supply chest well stocked and it gave him the outlet his body, which was far more used to physical exertion, needed.

With the western exit to the base unlocked, Kotallo could speak with the Desert Clan Tenakth who manned a lookout part way down the mountain. There was a merchant who could source random pieces of equipment when needed and a scout who knew all the news from around the area.

The reports of escalating rebel activity in the area made him grind his teeth. When Erend caught wind of the problem, he suggested the two of them take on some of the smaller camps.

“Come on,” he said in his hammer-fisted Oseram way, “let’s go crack some skulls.”

Varl might have joined them but he and Zo preferred to take advantage of Erend and Kotallo’s absence from the base. No one had to guess what they were up to. Erend liked poking fun at the two of them, calling Varl ‘domesticated’ and Zo the old ‘ball and welded chain’. This usually resulted in a sparring match.

Kotallo would retreat to his quiet space and wait for the commotion to end. Gaia called him to her room several times to speak about the artificial arm. She wanted his thoughts on how it would work and what he wanted it to do.

Kotallo was stunned to think that he could have several different ends attached, like a hook, a blade…even a small projectile weapon.

“These are just some of the possibilities,” Gaia explained, “however, I suspect that the components we will have to work with will approximate a human hand rather than any of the more colourful suggestions I have made.”

“I will require a list of the components needed to build the arm,” Kotallo peered at the image, “and some time to collect them.”

“Unfortunately, the components are not something you would be able to collect as you normally would from machines.” Gaia said and Kotallo’s heart sank. “However, the Ninmah Lab, being a storehouse for their work on artificial integration, should have them. I will also require more specific information from the lab itself regarding the construction.”

“The place where Beta was hiding?” Kotallo frowned. “I…that is an old world…not even a ruin. It still functions like this base did. I am not sure I know enough about it to understand what it is I am looking for.”

“I suggest asking if Aloy will accompany you.”

“Aloy?”

“She is intuitive, knowledgeable and experienced in these matters.”

Kotallo hesitated. “She has so much work to do. I had hoped not to involve her at all.” He thought for a moment. “Perhaps Varl? He has been inside the facility once before. He could guide me…if I can tear him away from his Utaru love nest…”

“While Varl has experience in the Ninmah Lab and his ability is growing, Aloy would be able to find all the components and copy the database in one visitation.” Kotallo grimaced. Gaia gazed at him, studying his features. “Kotallo, you seem reluctant to ask Aloy for help.”

“It is I who pledged to help her.” Kotallo argued. “It is not for a subordinate to put his personal requests above the mission or to ask for special consideration of his commander.”

“While the Tenakth hierarchy principal is sound, it is not how the community of this base operates,” Gaia pointed out, “more to the point, it is simply not how Aloy operates.”

“I know she has done much to assist those who need her help,” Kotallo admitted and sighed, “but this…I am not sure I can.”

“It is your decision, of course,” Gaia nodded, “however, I would like to suggest two things to you. One, if you ask Aloy, you are giving her the option of agreeing or disagreeing to help you. While I do not foresee that she would refuse her help, it would be her decision.” Kotallo knew she was right. “Two, with the successful adaptation of an artificial arm, you will possess a formidable limb that will be comparable to the strength of a machine.”

“It would be a considerable tactical advantage…” Kotallo murmured. “I see your reason, Gaia. When Aloy returns to the base, I will ask her…if she has the time.”

Kotallo missed Aloy on her next visit to the base. He had gone to Scalding Spear to receive a message from Hekarro. It seemed there was a Scorcher plaguing the Sheerside Mountains, not far from the Bulwark. It had killed several hunters of the Sky Clan and unless it was dealt with, travel was not possible between the Bulwark and Stone Crest.

Thornmarsh’s Blood Choke problem was growing worse too. Despite his aversion to the insects and the claustrophobic heat, he liked the Lowland Clan and was frustrated by its weakening as the last of the clean water pools had become tainted.

When he returned to the base, he was informed that he had missed Aloy who had retrieved another part of Gaia.

“It’s Possedon…or something like that…” Erend shrugged.

“Poseidon.” Zo corrected and he shrugged again. “Apparently Poseidon was related to the waters, cleaning the toxicity out of the oceans and rivers, the lakes…”

“You mean Gaia will be able to remove the Blood Choke?” Kotallo demanded.

“What’s Blood Choke?” Varl asked.

“Not unlike the Blight but in the rivers that run through the Lowland Clan’s territory.” Kotallo explained. “It has turned the water red and is poisoning the soldiers.”

“That sounds terrible.” Zo breathed.

“Well, now that Gaia has Poseidon back, she should be able to help with the waters the same way she was able to reduce the storms.” Varl offered.

He was right. The storms had lessened in their intensity. No longer was the sky constantly dominated by angry grey swirls of clouds, crackling with purple lightning and throwing down rain that stung exposed skin.

Kotallo knew Gaia was working swiftly to undo some of the damage that had been wrought upon the earth. She was clearly grieved by the state of the world, seen through the eyes of something called drones. Him nagging her about it wouldn’t make the healing process, albeit a temporary one, go any faster.

He studied the way to build the arm and tried to understand how something of metal could respond to his flesh like his old arm had. Gaia assured him that the technology at the lab would be able to make it possible but Kotallo had his doubts. And then he would go fight machines and come back to the base, blood pumping and becoming better adept at using his FOCUS to identify weaknesses in machines. He had scouted as many machines as he could within a day’s travel, there and back, from the base.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

When he returned to the base one day, Varl, Erend and Zo were in the common room. Varl and Erend were huddled over a low table, their heads so close they were almost touching. Zo was doing something in the kitchen, possibly making more bread. Kotallo was starting to wonder if he ought to cut back on the Utaru’s staple food. He enjoyed it a little too much for his girth.

He was going to stride right by when Zo called out to him.

“What machine was it today?”

“Clawstriders.”

“Acid, fire or the average variety?”

Kotallo sighed. “Fire.”

“Oh,” Zo nodded and he was going to continue to his room, “would you care for something to drink? I’m warming goat’s milk and adding a little of my aunt’s remedy for a good night’s sleep into it.”

“I sleep perfectly well, thank you.” He said tersely.

“You could stay, you know? Be in the common room with all of us.” He eyed her dully. “You’re always training or fighting machines and when you’re not doing that, you’re sleeping. It wouldn’t hurt you to be a part of the group.”

“I am social when I eat.”

“If you call listening to the rest of us banter, being social.” Zo challenged.

Kotallo rolled his eyes and walked away. Zo seemed to think himself and Beta were in need of company. Kotallo wasn’t sure if Beta welcomed the attention but he preferred to not be as social. He felt he had little to offer to the conversation and Zo and Varl’s lovestruck expressions only made Kotallo wistful which he hated. He had a good life, certainly more than he thought he would have and he was determined to be useful.

As he passed by Varl and Erend, he realised they were concentrating on a Machine Strike board, their pieces scattered across it as they battled it out. Kotallo paused and studied the pieces.

“Now what you gotta do is be mindful of the terrain.” Erend insisted.

“Yeah I remember that from last time.” Varl muttered. “Stupid rocks knocking over my Longleg.” He tapped his teeth together and reached out to move one of the pieces.

“No.” Kotallo couldn’t help himself.

“What do you mean, no?” Varl asked. “I’m boxing him in.”

“Leaving your right flank exposed.”

“Oh…” Varl pulled a face. “You’re right…”

“Hey, quit screwing up my strategy.” Erend barked.

Kotallo wanted to fold his arms. Instead he stood and stared. Varl grasped one piece and looked at him. Kotallo shook his head. Varl moved his fingers to another piece and Kotallo did the same. Finally he touched the one piece that would do some good and Kotallo nodded. Varl moved it and Erend tutted.

“Well…I guess I can stop going easy on you, then.”

“What do you mean? Have you been playing soft?”

“Varl, you’re about as good at this as a Utaru is at welding metal. No offense, don’t hit me, Zo.”

Kotallo watched them play, Erend only just managing to beat Varl.

He leaned back and breathed out. “Now that was a close one…Not bad.”

“Thanks.”

“Not you,” Erend snorted and turned to Kotallo, “you. Where’d you learn to play?”

“Machine Strike was conceived by the Tenakth,” Kotallo said, “it is harder to find a Tenakth who cannot play it. I did not know that anyone from the east knew of the game.”

“Zo gave me the board…I think maybe it was a peace offering…” Erend shrugged. “Hey, if you played so much, you must have pieces, right?”

“I have kept my favourite pieces.” Kotallo admitted.

“Well…come on then!” Erend crowed. “Let’s see Tenakth stubbornness go up against an Oseram’s thick skull.”

“That’s an immovable object meeting an unstoppable force.” Varl chuckled and stood up. “Kotallo, do me a favour…crush him.”

Erend wasn’t a bad player…but Kotallo was better.

It was also a way of appeasing Zo’s urging for him to be more social. Technically, he was in the common area, engaging with the other members of the team. True, they didn’t talk a lot unless Erend had reached the talkative stage in his drinking but it was something. It did bring back some memories of playing with Tekotteh and his guards in the Commander’s Lodge but Kotallo was learning not to pay the bad memories and shame of the past any attention. He had too much to focus on to be distracted.

When Aloy returned bearing the Demeter portion of Gaia, she spent a great deal of time speaking with the vision before appearing in the common room.

“Can I get everyone in here, please?”

They all assembled quickly. Aloy looked around firmly.

“So…the good news is I was able to bring Demeter back to Gaia and we’re now in a position to be able to capture Hephaestus…but there’s a problem. Hephaestus is too big to put into this,” she held out the clear capsule she called a kernel, “so we need to physically move Gaia to a place where she can absorb Hephaestus. She’s designed a…rig for us to transport her which Beta,” she gestured behind them and they turned to see the copy of Aloy looking extremely uncomfortable at the attention, “is going to build with Varl’s help.”

“Actually,” Varl spoke up, “we could use all your help in gathering the components.”

“Whatever you need, we’ll get.” Erend spoke for all of them.

Beta nodded, her eyes cast to the ground. Kotallo couldn’t tell if she hated being the centre of attention or if she didn’t think the plan was going to work. She didn’t exude confidence.

“Now, the problem is, Hephaestus needs a…code to be able to force him to comply…which I can’t get here. It’s on the Isle of Spires.”

Kotallo’s head lifted and his eyes sharpened. “To the ruins shrouded in fog?”

“That’s the one. There’s a tribe there, the Quen, who came over from across the ocean in search of information to use to help their people.” Aloy shook her head. “They’ve…got some strange ideas about the old ones, or Ancestors, as Alva called them and I think they’ve dealt savagely with the Tenakth on the western shores…” She glanced at him awkwardly. “Alva was very uncomfortable with the way the Quen soldiers cut the squads down.”

“I did hear talk of strangers in the Raintrace,” Kotallo admitted, “but Atekka is a competent leader and Hekarro has able bodied Marshals now. I did not think it my place to run off and try to deal with them on my own.”

“Given that they attacked me on sight…yeah.” Aloy shook her head. “So I’m going to have to head over to the Isle of Spires…but there are some things that need to be done around here first before I head out so if you need me, now is the time to ask.”

Zo, whose primary concern was the imminent starvation of her people, immediately inquired if Aloy could help her revive and resolve the landgod problem.

Kotallo wanted to ask her about his arm…but feeding an entire tribe, or hunting down rebel Tenakth and their Oseram ‘Sons of Prometheus’ allies were such big picture requests…he felt selfish. He retreated to his room, stern and quiet so no one would wonder or come looking for him.

However, Aloy would not be dissuaded.

After she spoke with the others, she came into his training space.

“Hey, Kotallo,” she greeted, “got a minute?”

“As many as you need.” He said firmly.

“Actually I’m more interested in hearing about you,” she eyed him, “Gaia mentioned that you’ve been working on something?”

Kotallo sighed. “It…you have more important things to…”

“Try me.” Aloy insisted.

He closed his eyes and nodded. “It…there is something I’ve been meaning to discuss with you,” he hesitated, “it’s personal…if you have a moment to spare.”

“Always.” She smiled at him.

Kotallo cleared his throat. “I’ve been speaking with Gaia. She mentioned that the Zeniths bind metal with flesh to make themselves stronger…I was wondering if you would help me…do the same.” His right hand naturally indicated to where his left used to be.

Aloy’s eyes sharpened. “You want to make yourself a new arm?”

“Yes.” He met her gaze, determined not to let her agree to help him out of pity. If she rejected his request, he would meet such a deterrent head on. “Gaia insists she can help me build such a thing if I can get the necessary data and materials. She believes these things lie in the place where Beta hid from the Zeniths.”

“The ancient research lab…”

“I am not as familiar with old world machinery as you are,” Kotallo explained hastily, “I…could use your assistance.”

Aloy looked to the side and he held fast. “It might be dangerous…the Zeniths probably still keep an eye on that place. We were lucky to get out of there alive the first time…”

“I see…” He steeled himself for the inevitable refusal as she turned and gazed at him.

“But it seems like this is worth the risk.”

Kotallo’s jaw was in danger of falling open.

In the midst of saving the Utaru’s crops, cutting down Oseram assisting Tenakth with overriding machines and the restoration of Gaia and the capture of Hephaestus…she was willing to help him?

Had he been Zo, he might have embraced her.

If he were Varl, he would have thanked her warmly.

Erend would have at least thumped her on the shoulder as a friend.

But Kotallo was a soldier and so, when words failed him as often they did, he simply reverted to his training.

“By the Ten, we shall see it through.” He was sincere and firm in his resolve…he just wished at times he was more…eloquent.

“Why don’t we head there now?” He blinked. “I’m going west anyway and, if you get the components sooner rather than later, you might have that new arm ready for when we grab Hephaestus, right?”

“Yes, indeed.” Kotallo paused. “Shall we leave tomorrow?”

“Sure.” Aloy yawned. “It’ll give me a chance to get a decent night’s sleep.”

“And head out at first light,” Kotallo nodded, “it is a fair step from here.”

Aloy smiled smugly. “I think I know of a way to speed that part up.”