Rajiv – Outpost #846
It had months since Rajiv’s understanding of the world was thrown into chaos.
He had at first been desperate to find those he called family and more importantly, his betrothed Ajani.
The days of struggling to get a mostly full group, which led to trusting his life and limb to random strangers. When he managed to drag him and the surviving party members back to the Outpost he spent his spare time franticly searching through the Outpost and the Terminal’s communication function.
As a whole it had seemed almost completely futile and spirit crushing cycle.
There were positives however.
One was that he had reached level 16 as an Apprentice Spearman.
The other advantage though, was a bit more intangible as of yet.
There was word spreading on the terminals that all people that were in possession of Indian heritage should come to a place called New New Delhi.
At first he had scoffed at the name. Thinking it some kind of joke put out there by people with nothing better to do than mock Indian’s as a people.
So after he had bid farewell to the people he had quested with for the day, Rajiv had eaten his magically generated dinner from the HU and headed to the Outposts central hub, but more importantly to its Terminal’s.
Sitting in front of the subtly glowing screens he earnestly navigated to the communication sub menu.
He had been informed by a fellow Indian, that if he wanted to know more, he should contact Terminal #1 - #399 of Outpost #34,910.
After initially putting off his yearning to know more, it intensified as the weeks dragged on.
Still cautious of the whole thing, especially now that the world contained literal monsters, he saw no harm in at least asking a few questions from a safe distance:
Connecting to ‘Terminal #72’
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…
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Connection accepted
Terminal #72: Good day sir I am Sunil, how may I be helping you?
Terminal #451: Greetings my friend. My name is Rajiv, would you happen to know anything about ‘New New Delhi’?
Terminal #72: Certainly sir, New New Delhi is the new capital of the Indian peoples, established by General Rajesh as a sanctuary, he has also decreed an end the cursed caste system! We live free every day from the taint of colonial capitalism and strive to better our peoples any way we can!
Terminal #451: I don’t mean to doubt you friend, but as my baba would always say ‘if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is’.
Terminal #72: I can assure you and your baba sir, I am experiencing the paradise firsthand! I have met the General in the flesh and can vouch that he is indeed a wise and great man!
Terminal #451: I will trust in your words for now my friend. I would also like to ask another question please?
Terminal #72: But of course sir, it is my duty to help a fellow countryman. Please ask your question.
Terminal #451: Thank you friend. I would like to ask if you happen to know the whereabouts of a woman named Ajani? She is twenty years old an-
Terminal #72: I’m sorry sir but all questions related to citizens of The Shakti are considered restricted to non-citizens.
Terminal #451: Please! I ask as one man to another, can you ju-
Terminal #72: Sir I must apologize, but I cannot tell you for security reasons, please understand.
Terminal #451: Well how do I become a citizen then?
Terminal #72: First you must travel to New New De-
Terminal #451: WHAT?!? BUT THAT’S TOO FAR! AND WHAT ABOUT THE MONS-
Terminal #72: Please calm down sir, we have people forming groups to travel together for the purposes of safety. May I also ask for your class and level please?
Terminal #451: Sorry, its just I’m so worried about her and the world has been turned upside down. My class is an Apprentice Spearman level 16, I see people not coming back from quests, I’ve even seen them die, I ju-
Terminal #72: Please remain calm sir, I have just checked and we have a group of potential citizens coming to Outpost #846 a day from now, if they make good time they should be there at around midday. If you wish to travel to New New Delhi with them, they will be glad of more brothers in arms.
Terminal #451: I’m not sure I should give up looking here though, my family could be just one Outpost aw-
Terminal #72: This is not a problem sir, being that you have a combat class you can join The Shakti’s armed forces!
Terminal #451: But what does that hav-
Terminal #72: My apologies sir, I have a habit of becoming exited when talking to a potential citizen that I forget to explain things well. If you are part of The Shakti’s armed forces, all you need to do is to give the names and descriptions of immediate family members to our administrative staff and they will find them for you!
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Terminal #451: That actually doesn’t sound like a bad deal, but how do I know you are not pulling my leg?
Terminal #72: I would not lie to you Rajiv, we are both displaced brothers of mother India!
Terminal #451: Very well, then how will I recognize the people that are traveling to New New Delhi then?
Terminal #72: Not to worry sir, I would be amazed if you missed them. The last report said there were over a thousand of them.
Terminal #451: So tomorrow at midday then?
Terminal #72: That is correct sir, we look forward to welcoming you with open arms to a place you can truly belong!
Terminal #451: Thank you for your help Sunil. If this all works out and we can meet in the future, I will embrace you as my brother!
Terminal #72: I look forward to it Rajiv as you are already a brother to me! I am just glad to help another Indian, live free of the yoke that others have shackled us with.
Terminal #451: Farewell my friend!
Terminal #72: To you as well good sir!
Connection terminated.
And with that he got up from the terminal and went to make his preparations for the journey ahead. As usual there were people hawking basic wares in the clearing surrounding the central hub and though he was not a rich man in this new world, he had managed to get some basic equipment and a bag.
Unfortunately Rajiv’s bag wasn’t magical so he could only purchase enough food to pack it to bursting and no more. He was unsure how long the journey would take, but if this brutal world he found himself in had taught him anything, it was that he would have to fight to get there.
The amount of people heading there was some consolation though and he figured it would be nice to talk to people who did not look at him sideways when he asked who their favorite cricketer was. He remembered in shame trying to talk with others about Bollywood films and being openly derided for his people culture. He could only hope such social admonishments would be things of the past.
When Rajiv had gotten to his HU and finished his magically generated Chicken Korma with spiced rice and naan, he allowed himself a few guilty moments to revel in the sheer quality of the food as he sacrilegiously found it better than even his BaBa’s cooking. Afterwards however, he couldn’t help but lay awake as his restless mind went over all the possibilities ahead of him.
Despite the sleep he sought having remained elusive, he was un-surprised and glad, to be free of fatigue when the morning had arrived. Having invested 15 points in vitality had seemed like a lot initially, but time and again it had paid off handsomely.
Eager to move on to the next chapter of his life, Rajiv hastily ate his mixed fruit breakfast and willed his HU to summon a cold lunch and dinner for him. Giving a last parting glance to what had essentially been his home for the past few months, he thought of going to the closest gate and diligently followed the green translucent arrow that led the way.
Getting to the gate and observing its usual comings and goings for a while, he occasionally chatted to a guard, who’s name was Jethrow of all things. Then he had a moment of panic as he realized the critical flaw in his hastily made plan, he had no idea which gate the pilgrims were coming too!
Rajiv eventually consoled himself with the conclusion that at midday he would head to midway point in the clearing and slowly walk the circumference.
As midday was upon him, he nervously informed the guards that he was unsure which gate his friends were coming in and his plan of doing laps of the Outpost.
He was relieved when they told him that it was a common occurrence as people were frequently worried about someone who hadn’t come back yet and would do exactly as he as he planned to. So as long as he didn’t cause problems for anyone else, he was free to do as he pleased.
It turned out Rajiv hadn’t needed to worry in the first place.
Just as he had started to walk parallel to the Outposts wall, he heard shouts of alarm from behind him. Spinning in place he saw the few guards at the gate calling for reinforcements, before staring intently at the Jungles edge. Following their gaze he saw the focus of their fierce attention.
Dozens of people had begun to emerge from the thick green undergrowth into the midday sun. As their number slowly started to cross the clearing, yet more appeared behind them, all with their hands raised in a nonthreatening manner. Despite their varied heights, sexes and stowed weapons, they all had one thing in common, the brown skin of a true Indian.
Rajiv’s heart beat faster as the thing he had hoped to be real was before his very eyes, his people were here and he could rejoin them! Securing his spear at an angle between his shoulder blades and backpack, he abandoned his previous trepidation and ran toward the lead figure as he didn’t even try to keep his ecstatic smile from showing.
Waving his hands in the air like a rescue’ on a life raft, he yelled.
“Greetings brothers and sisters!”
The lead man spared him a quick glace before he said something to the others and continued to walk toward the Outpost gates with two people behind him, as another woman broke off their approach to walk toward Rajiv with a warm smile on her face.
Closing the distance he felt slightly stupid at his excessive welcome and lowered his hands in an effort to reclaim some face.
Having closed the distance, he now registered that the white robed woman, who had peeled off to meet him was almost certainly in her early seventies. Feeling a maternal presence emanate from the woman as he got closer he came to a halt within a couple of meters of her and bowed respectfully, whilst asking.
“Greetings honored elder, would you please tell me of your group’s purpose?”
Chuckling at his reverent form of address she replied.
“It is good to see your parents have raised you correctly young man. My name is Padma, and I am an Apprentice Diplomat in service to The Shakti. Our group of survivors is undertaking an arduous journey to reunite our people. And judging by your enthusiasm, I would guess you wish to join our pilgrimage to New New Delhi as well, yes?”
Smiling as he felt a sense of relief wash over him, Rajiv responded.
“Most certainly elder Padma, However I first would be greatly indebted to you if you could tell me if any of my family is amongst your number please?”
Her face began to show its age as her smile was chased away by a look of sorrow, before she countered.
“These times are truly cruel are they not?”
Shaking her solemnly head she continued.
“You are not the first to ask such a thing and will surely not be the last. The best I can do is direct you to Lakshmi, she is the young woman in leather armor like yours who carries a sword and shield with a tiger painted on it. She has taken it on herself to get to know most who travel with us, and I’m sure she would be glad of someone new to talk with.”
Bowing respectfully and looking at the people standing at the clearings edge, it didn’t take him long to notice the striking beauty, with the crude face of a tiger adorning her shield.
Profusely thanking Padma he wasted no time getting to the short woman and doing as he had been directed.
“Hello friend, my name is Rajiv, would your name happen to be Lakshmi by any chance?”
Nodding amiably she replied in a gravelly voice that did not match her short stature in the least.
“Greetings Rajiv, you are indeed correct. Did the old bat send you here to pepper me with questions again?”
Caught off guard by her characterization of who he assumed to be Padma, he stammered.
“W-what, uh… yes? I uh… she said you might be able to tell me if my family is among the pilgrims here?”
Snorting dismissively Lakshmi spat on the ground next to her as she waved a hand in an encouraging motion whilst retorting.
“Of course she did. Well out with it then, what are the names of your family?”
Conflicted about her abrupt manner but still apparent willingness to help, he rattled off the name and descriptions of everyone in his immediate family he could think of while watching the intimidating woman’s eye begin to twitch as he got half way through his recitation.
Obviously annoyed she grumbled.
“Every damn time, granny pulls this sh-“ Shaking her head almost as if she had forgotten he was there she continued.
“Sorry I know it’s not your fault grandma is an… well anyway, I hate to tell you but I don’t recognize any of the people you mentioned.”
His heart sank at her words and he stood there dumbstruck for a moment before adding.
“Oh uh…thank you anyway…”
Snickering slightly she slapped his back and responded.
“Cheer up man, I’m certain they’ll turn up! I’m sure the diplomats have managed to convince the guards not to attack us when we approach as well! So that mean’s it’s time to restock supplies and then onto the next Outpost!”
Giving her a faltering smile as he cautiously nodded his agreement, she nodded once and marched off toward the Outpost’s gate. His shoulders sagged and a look of agitation flashed across his face as he concentrated on her departing back.
It took Rajiv only a few sparse moments to reaffirm his goals before he shrugged and ran to catch up with the force of nature that had just entered his life, known as Lakshmi.