Arc 1 Chapter 4
[URL=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVq1FuXZ0q8&index=1&list=PLCYSEgTKs_h8yOtMI3DCUCQko_v5LJWYU]The platform[/URL] where we landed was actually situated next to our private quarters, so we didn't have to deal with «the noisy spaceport on the other side of the temple», Strix was not supposed to be here but he needed to speak with Osprey about something important.
So he chooses to take the time to welcome me in a pure Chozo and, apparently, universal tradition, sharing embarrassing story about a common acquaintance.
«I tell you, we did have to pluck out every single one of his feathers after that.» Strix was waving his hand in the general direction of Osprey, will I was giggling all the way.
«To my defense, I did escape the Garnmol.» Osprey tried to defend himself
«Yes, ''escape'' by rushing inside a sewer to let the smell drive it off?» With no success.
The interested rolled his eyes «I was Ten! What did you want me to do?»
We were seated inside the common area of our quarters, with glass of waters and a fruits basket between us. Our table and chair were made with masterfully crafted ochre wood.
The common area itself was more tall and long than wide, hell I could probably do looping inside with flying power if I could avoid the big tree in the middle of course. One side, the one leading to the landing pad, was only composed of an invisible shield wall to let the light in and an easy access to our garden.
«Well, if you can stop embarrassing me in front of my charge, what is so important for you to come all the way from Torion ?» Apparently, Osprey didn't want to turn around the bush anymore with how serious he sounded.
Strix looked at me for a second before getting up.
«The situation in the Vekus bordure is becoming more volatile every week, Oraka wants your input since you know the area well, he is awaiting our call.»
And they switched both into some sort of deadly serious mode, it was a very strong reminder that they are both very old and experienced.
«Miss Mcabee, explore our quarter at your leisure but do not go in the temple for now, nor use the green doors. you could lose yourself inside and I prefer for you to rest, you did have a long day after all. I will come back later on.»
Both powers walked outside, the door closing behind them, letting me alone.
[URL=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3c0xoHBd5ds&list=PL6akIKaXBeU2PXpGelfrb3XrmqaZ-sbbu&index=2]«So... I suppose it's time to go adventuring right ?»[/URL]
I began by the common area since I didn't have the opportunity to do so with our little chit chat.
The door by wich Osprey and Strix used was flanked by two statues depicting Chozo warrior with their staff crossed over the hexagon door, it was ten feet high and fifteen wide. Pretty big but, it make sense, that's the front door of our quarter after all.
It also has a strange glowing blue field on it. The others have one too, two of them are green. I guess it's some sort of security measure, I have seen Osprey touching it before the door opened.
Deciding to test my new theory I walked to the door, not before taking a purple fruit with me, no idea what it is, but it tastes like melon and looked like an apple. And then I remembered that they warned me about getting out ...
In the end, I decided to go for the first door I could reach.
I stopped just in front of it, from that close I could see that the blue field was faintly pulsing. And good god the door itself looked sturdy enough to withstand a punch from Alexandria.
They looked a little out of their element now that I'm thinking, I mean the entire room look like a piece of Art, each statue, engraving and giant tapestry would have its place inside a museum ! The brutish looking doors next to them is a little unsettling.
I guess it's a Chozo things ? Osprey robe was finely crafted but his armor and staff looked like rugged things made to survive everything thrown at them.
I could ask him later.
Raa focus my girl, I looked at the door again, now I have to open it.
«This is Paige Mcabee, greatest explorer in front of the unknown, I will now try to open the glowy door, wich me luck central!» I giggled at my own weak joke, before sobering ... I'm alone here ...
I touched the door hesitantly, It opened at the very instant my finger entered in contact with the blue field. And like with the front door, the field retracted itself before the proper ''opening'' happened.
«And I'm ! ...» I looked around for clue before letting out a long sigh «In an honest to god kitchen...»
Why did I bother to explore in the first place if it just to find the local kitchen, why not the giant library, the laboratory, hum maybe not this one, or even an art gallery ?
Anyway, I walked inside, disheartened but still curious.
fridge filled with meat, fresh colorful fruits, and fresh strange vegetable. Drawer containing plate et cetera ... Yeah, not the discovery of the century. At least the knife and fork were a little more interesting with their handle shaped for the four clawed hand of the Chozo.
I walked outside and to the next door.
This time, It was a storeroom, filled with stones slabs and half-finished statue and engraving.
Wait a minute, that's not a storeroom, there tools on benches next to the half done one, It's looking more like a workshop ?
Well, I guess we have TV to fill our hours, Chozo have stonework and engraving to pass time and by judging by the sheer number of them they have time to spare. That's strange, but hey, it's alien it doesn't need a reason.
The next room actually make me stop. I looked inside then looked again to the small holographic display saying my name on the right side of the door.
It's a bedchamber, the wall facing the exterior the same kind of shield than the one in the common area, letting the light in and an absolutely magnificent panorama of the valley below. It even has a small balcony just outside the shield.
One King sized bed takes one side of the room along with a desk on one side and a wardrobe on the other, the opposite wall is taken by what look like a library. And a small bathroom with everything that's needed.
And the same kind of decoration than everywhere else, statue, engraving depicting thing's I have absolutely no idea and rich tapestry.
«I am perfectly fine living in this place, after all.» I giggled.
After jumping and rolling in the bed for the best part of the next ten minutes, I decided to look inside the drawer, maybe there is a surprise ? like an armor ? That would be amazing !
But no, just my own things, I should have known ... Wait ... how did they find themselves here ? A yes the balcony can be walked in and out without any kind of problem, I guess a Chozo simply has flown inside with my things...
The desk is actually some sort of holographic computer that lights up when I came next to it, but it's written in Chozo and I have no clue how to use it.
The library face a similar problem, each holo are written in a language I have absolutely no clue what they are, there is even one in 3D! What kind of alien writes in 3D?
Oh, there is a few material book, but they are written again in alien...
So I have another nice decorating wall... I hope they can translate them into English.
The last room on this side of the common area is also a bedchamber, probably Osprey's, but since I can't read the holo I'm not sure.
Passing by the fruit basket, I walked to the opposite wall. The two room opposite to my and Osprey room where also bedchamber. The One facing the workshop was bigger and the true storeroom.
It was filled to the brim with metal crate, and strange device, a few looking suspiciously looking like a sci-fi jet bike. I didn't find anything else interesting so I exited this room. I should ask later if they were true jet bike, that would be awesome!
The last door didn't open to a room but a long corridor.
After a minute of careful internal argument, I chose to see where this was going and turn around if it was taking too long.
That precaution was rendered useless by the fact that the corridor was only leading to a vast and empty room, that looked like a training ground, not even a minute away from the common area...
Well, that was, less exciting than I hoped, it's not that much different from Earth. With more decorum, yes, but since I have actually no clue what most things are about, I could just say that they were beautiful.
In the end, I find myself facing the shield separating the common area from the garden. That was the last place to explore for now.
I was more engrossed with Strix story when we walked by, to be truly observant of the garden and I wanted to correct that.
Munching another of those applemelon I stepped outside.
The Sun was still high and the sky a vivid purple with here and here a white cloud drifting by.
I followed the same stone path that we used but, this time, I approached slowly to observe the curious plant and tree.
The most prominent color was the blue, followed by the brown of the tree trunk. Flower used all kind off color even some I have never seen in my life, small flying creature leaped from one another.
They looked like a hummingbird, just scaly. They were also less fearful than birds since they didn't stop foraging when I passed by them.
When I happened to come to a junction I chose the one that stayed in the garden, the other going to the ship.
It leads me to the edge of the garden, a long balcony with a few bench and the view of the valley bellow us.
[URL=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeT5ijP6TtA]I guess[/URL] this marked the end of my little exploration.
I sat on one of the benches.
Nothing else to do.
...
And It finally hit me.
I was LIGHT YEARS away from home. At the mercy of people, I never heard of, I know nothing of. It was very much like the cell.
I hugged myself and cried.
I can't hear mom voice saying that everything will be fine.
I can't have dad hugging me with is strong arms.
I can't speak with my friends.
I can't do anything.
...
I simply sat here letting time melt away as I cried softly.
Until something hard bumped me in the leg.
I blinked, the lizard blinked.
It roared cutely before bumping my leg again.
I laughed softly.
«Hi, trying to cheer me up ?»
The ''lizard'' was the size of a large dog, dark and large spiky scales covering from the head to the tail with a vicious barbed end. And small ochre scales on its belly.
His jaw was quite strong judging by how it looked, I could see the muscle moving just under the flesh! And he didn't have any lips so I could see directly its teeth and they really looked dangerous with how sharp they seemed.
I was not so reassured now ...
His cross-shaped eyes, however, looked at me with curiosity.
«Oh, that is a Drocil.»
The voice of Osprey was coming from my left, where he was standing a few meters away from me.
He didn't look at me, politely letting me time to erased the tears, but, at the creature in front of me. Who in turn looked at him with the same curiosity it gave me.
«They are quite a ferocious creature, they are also really curious... We constantly found young one like this inside the temple gardens.»
He walked next to me before sitting at my side.
The Drocil looked at us tilting its head from one side to another. It was rather cute if I was honest with myself, he looked like a lost puppy. With a barbed tail.
Then a detail suddenly jumped in front of my eyes
«Wait you mean they grow bigger than this ?»
Osprey chuckled before responding.
«Oh yes, they grow far bigger, you could use an adult as a mount. This one has maybe 6 months, he will be an adult a year from now.»
He used his staff to play with the Dorcil, who jumped around like my dog ... I winced at the memory.
«Drocil scales capture and store ambient energy to build up the power necessary to an organic electromagnetic cannon that shoots bones. They can discharge it at any given time, it is their main hunting and defensive technique. They also have quite the stamina and can run for an hour at a rapid pace. »
«Electromagnetic cannon ? That's very dangerous ! And you let them wander inside ?» I exclaimed
«The common equivalent of the deer here have tank grade scale.» He replied calmly, this explained things... «This planet was a radioactive desert less than two hundred years ago, you could say that habit dies hard.»
What ?
«Did you ?» I waved my hand in the direction of the valley.
«Of course.»
Holy shit. This place was a radioactive wasteland ? Just how advanced are they ?
Osprey stood up and started to walk back to the temple.
«Come now, we need to feed ourselves and you should sleep. It was an eventful day, and tomorrow we will begin your training.»
«Wait !»
He looked at me, inviting me to continue with a wave of his hand.
«What do we do with the Drocil ?»
He stroked his beak, exactly like in the ship, before responding.
«Well, it will be a good enough companion I suppose.»
What ? I looked at the Dorcil, who looked at me, mirroring my own surprise and puzzlement.