Mike, looks over the battlefield as all the bodies that were there have dissipated into pixels and the only remnants of the fight were streaks and splats of blood, along with the items and drops left by the group he attacked.
Going around he picks up various drops, including a ledger dropped by the leader a healing kit from the healer as he reclaims his Axe leaving the useless weapons where they laid. Walking lethargically over to the ruined fort, slowly attempting to recover from the burns to his right side.
The fort base that the guild had worked on, seemed as a fort after a scorched earth bombing in the historical Battlefield games he used to play. Finding rest on a felled wall over looking the scene, Mike pulls out the Ledger and reads over it.
The hoax raised by the Corporate Artisan Community, has been suppressed in the media. However, there is no person or connection left to communicate with, inorder to ascertain the fundamental safety of the employees and families within their offices, factories and compounds. Various external contractors whom were working for CAC, have been reported as missing by their families or other employers as well, which causes great unrest.
It is the governments right to acquire, detain, administrate and determine the appropriate recourse for the hysteria and threat of mental harm caused by the CAC. In such, you are empowered to use any means necessary to acquire information and detain any persons who may have any personal and work connections or relations to the CAC. For the purposes to be questioned in order to determine the culpability of the parties in relation to the perpetuated hoax.
As Mike is reading this a note slips out and fall to the ground. Seeing this he picks up the note and reads it,
Under no circumstances, let any one get away. The offices and factories of the CAC are barren and it looks like a planned evacuation. There is nothing of value or any useful information or tech remaining, within anything that has been left behind. The patents that remain on record have been shown to be faulty, prioritize any body associated with the research, development and design of the SEVR technology. Remember by any means necessary.
Reading this Mike, who had finally recovered a bit from the smoldering burns, places the note into the ledger and puts them away. Hopping off the former wall, he walks over to a pile of rubble near a corner tower and digs deep into wreckage and into the ground.
Tossing a few stones aside, he pulls out a stone with a carved symbol of a “single horned heart”, and runs off into the Forest. Leaving behind the wreckage of the fort and everything else contained therein, he headed further into the Boarderlands.
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Claudia on returning to the Kitchen and dinning area, where the food spread was waiting for them on arrival. She runs into Lindsey arguing with her Dad about having a glass of wine, as it is looking like a heated back and forth, she attempts to calm Lindsey down a bit.
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“Listen to your dad, dear. You don't want to start drinking alcohol now, just give it a few months or years.” Claudia chimes in.
Staring daggers at Claudia, Lindsey replied, “Of course you'd say that, bitch! I have had to leave my life behind, and I can't even have a fucking drink.” before she storms off, after grabbing one of the wireless tablets.
“Are you sure she is not a little drunk already, Doug?” a stunned Claudia said.
“I don't know, I am doing my best here. But honestly, it is strange that she hasn't been acting out since this whole thing started.” Doug states, “She's never been the same since, her Mum left. I am going to find a room to sleep.”
Doug grabs a bottle of wine, as he leaves the dinning room.
Claudia looks around, Dananel and Sheryl are heading off as well after finishing some food and rest.
“Have you two seen Harper and April?” Claudia asks while grabbing a piece of fruit, as they start packing to leave.
“Last I saw they ran off in the direction that Corin went earlier. Maybe there is a communication app or feature on the tablets. We're off to find a room, its been a tiring past week.” Sheryl says pointing at Dananel as he seems to be fussing over her.
Claudia leaves and follows the corridor. Hearing the chatter and playful sounds of children playing she sped up and headed towards the sounds. Following the sounds, Claudia found what appeared to be an open field with chickens being chased by Kevin and Stu as Harper was watching and weaving a flower crown with the flowers April was picking.
“Wow … I didn't think this kind of place would exist in this place.” Claudia said.
“Mommy!” April happily yells running up and hugging her leg.
“Yeah apparently it is the biological cultivation area, there is even a woodland near by. I think there are some milking cows in the shed over there too.” Harper says, getting up handing the flower crown to April who takes it and runs over to the boys to show it off.
“Wow, It actually looks a little like the sky up there . But, how are we going to manage this, I mean, chickens and cows … I've never done any farming work before. Have you?” Claudia asks Harper.
“No, nothing at all. But I don't think we need to worry about that much at all. Considering how we ended up here. Still it is very hard not to relax in this area, but I didn't want them running off exploring too much, heavens knows Stu would have gotten Kevin and April to run after the drone into the woodlands if I hadn't stopped them.” Harper says moving over the grassy area again.
“Drones, really … I guess it is truly automated living then. Seems kinda too good to be true.” Claudia says as she sits next to Harper, watching the boys get chased by one of the Cocks protecting the Hens as April joins them.
“Yeah, just thinking of the maintenance that'd be required should it all go to shit has me scared a bit. But I am thankful, as it explains where the chicken and fresh food we ate during dinner came from. By the way what are the rooms like?” Harper reflecting on the situation a bit.
“The food was fresh and delicious, though I don't see any vegetable crops …” Claudia looking about, “The rooms though are plenty, some are more functional than livable. One was just a bed, SEVR-Pod and bathroom, no walls or divisions at all. There were a few with some personal flare and style, I am guessing left behind by the previous tenants. Still, many many rooms, Oh I saw one with Bunk Beds and astronaut linen. But it had 4 bedrooms, with another room being dedicated to the SEVR-Pods, yet it didn't have a kitchenette and the living area was a bit too big for what I wanted.”
“I may have to check it out.” Harper sighs as she pulls her legs up and rests her head in them watching her brothers. “Do you think we did the right thing? Coming here ...”
“I don't know, but we are here now. Though, I think it is about time to get some rest, lets think out this after we have had some rest.” Claudia says, standing up and brushing herself down. “April! It's time to get some rest, come on.”
April, comes over in a pouting manner. “Here is the room I was talking if you are interested.” Claudia showing Harper the tablet, “we are over here, not to far away if you want to talk.”
They leave, Harper stretches out in the grass looking up at the false sky.
“What will we do now?” Harper whispers to herself.