We're Not in Kansas Anymore
Posted on Sat Aug 11th, 2018 @ 8:25am by
Edited on on Mon Aug 13th, 2018 @ 6:05pm
1,859 words; about a 9 minute read
Mission:
Episode 4 - The Sum of Our Parts
Location: Peldaran IV
Timeline: MD001 1245 hrs
May 28 2394 (relative time)
Andrew groaned as his eyes opened, his vision blurred as he tried to look up at the sky. The bright sun caused his head to throb worse than it had been and his body ached. What the hell happened? he thought as he sat up slowly to look around. The last thing he remembered was the ship deciding to kiss his face with the bulkhead. Now, he was sitting in what looked like a field of green grass, trees all around the perimeter, "kill box," he whispered and dropped to his stomach, feeling his adrenaline spike. It looked like Earth, but, there was no way, how long had he been out? Moore laid still, watching the shadows of the trees.
A short while later, he could hear the thundering of hooves. A group of people on horseback appeared from between the trees. As they came closer, it became evident they were wearing armour, including the horses, which looked like unicorns. Thirteen people, six in front, one more decorated in the middle, then six more in the back, were riding straight towards him. They hadn't spotted him yet.
Andrew watched the armor clad group riding up on him, "Well, shit, that can't be a good sign," he whispered to himself and pulled his com pin off his jacket and his pip, then stuffed them in his pocket, all with very little movement. Then he pulled his jacket and turtleneck over his head and balled them up, stuffing them into a nearby pile of weeds before standing up and putting his hands out in front of him, palms up, "Ahoy there," he called.
Hands moved, gripped the hilts of swords, but they were not drawn. "Hold", the woman in the middle called, and the entire troop slowed to a halt. "Who approaches, so woefully underdressed for the occasion?" she inquired.
.Yup, that's what I was afraid of "I am... Sir Andrew, of the clan Moore in the Scottish Highlands, they call me the Highlander," he said hoping this wasn't a messed up world with knights and 20th century TV, "I was robbed on my way into town," he added with a bad Scottish accent as he got closer.
"Robbed of your clothes and your senses, it appears", the woman surmised. "I am Vanidha Axathi, imperial ambassador to this rough land." She motioned for one of the horsemen who brought up the rear. "Hop onto horseback with him. We shall take you to Blackwater, our next stop."
"Aye, tha' woul' be fine and appreciated," Moore replied and moved over to the horse and climbing up with practiced ease, "so, tell me Laddy, what kingdom am I in....I got a little bump to me noggin," he said, pointing to his forehead where the bulkhead had introduced itself.
"This is Vinwaro tribe land", the man on the horse responded as the group got underway again. "It's an area where you best keep your wits about you." There was a reason they were all wearing armour, after all.
"What parts do you call home?" Vanidha asked. "I've not heard your manner of speaking anywhere about."
"It's called Scotland," Moore replied simply, "I musta hit me head a bit harder than I thought, I'mma havin' trouble remberin' how I got here. Is this an island?"
"This is a peninsula, bordering on the Empire", Vanidha explained. "There are islands beyond but they are small, of little consequence. The Empire is the Vinwaro's principal trading partner. They're a client state." She smirked. "Don't tell them I said so."
Andrew chuckled and nodded, "Donnae worry, I didnae hear a thing lass," he replied and thought for a second, making mental notes and trying to remember his Earth history and kingdom names, "so, what would someone be needin' ta' join yer knights?" he asked, wishing he'd come up with something besides Scottish and trying not to laugh at his bad Montgomery Scott imitation.
"Physical fitness and a firm character. The Knights keep order in the Empire, root out bandits and protect the civilian population", Vanidha explained. "They're servants of the Empress, as am I, in a different capacity."
"You will undergo basic training, where you'll have to show your prowess. You'll be given character tests, and if you wish to advance into the higher ranks you'll have to impress the Empress herself", the guy holding him added. "You'll get your own horse then, too."
Andrew nodded, he could ask questions around the town, however, he had a feeling once they found out he had no money, they'd blow him off. No, he had to get into the palace or castle and snoop there if he wanted to find any intel on where he was, "Alrighty then, sign me up," he said finally and grinned brightly, "I'll even betchya I have some moves you've never seen before," he added, his cheery expression momentarily growing dark.
"If you make it to any of the provincial capitals, you can sign up", Vanidha suggested. "Once we're done here, we can even take you back with us. Provided you've found your own horse by then. King Vulthrad should be properly impressed with this portal generator the Empress has made for him. Magic items are highly prized in these parts."
Bingo, keep them talking long enough and get actionable intel, Andrew thought then grinned, "How bout this, which of you is the best fighter?" he asked and looked around the group.
"I am", Vanidha said. "With the shortbow, crossbow and two-handed sword." She had agility going for her, since she was smaller than the others. In a one-on-one, she usually won by outmanoeuvring her opponent. "And no, you fighting me is not an entrance exam."
Andrew chuckled, "No, lass, not as an entrance exam, but to get meself one of these lovily steeds... unless yer worried you'll lose," he added with a teasing smirk.
"I'm wondering what I'd be getting out of it?" Vanidha smirked. "But if you're entertaining enough, you should be able to pick a fight at court, I hear King Vulthrad rather likes blood sports. Don't ask me why, I don't understand it myself."
"Well, I'd still need a steed," Moore replied and thought for a second, his commbadge had gold in it, but, did he dare part with it. Then he remembered his rank pip and pulled it out, discreetly looking down at it, "have ye heard of white gold?" he asked finally and looked up.
"Need for steed, since you don't want to walk... you could take a carriage or a boat. That bit of gold should easily buy you a seat in one or the other", Vanidha smirked. "Unless, of course, you decide to keep trying too hard." She was having fun with this conversation, at least this way their trip wasn't quite as boring. Yes, the landscape was beautiful but she'd been to these parts several times, and she never enjoyed dealing with the barbarians. "You need to get your wits about you. When we get to town, I shall point out the tailor to you, and you should get something to put on. Nights can get cold around here. That should be your first priority."
"I'm sure there are ways to stay warm, lass," Moore replied with a smirk, "now, ye wouldnae let me get less than this is worth, right?" he asked, "my senses ain't entirely gone," he added grinning.
"It's not worth a horse", Vanidha said. "At least I don't think it is. You never know in foreign lands. But we haven't used gold currency since the Empress introduced paper money about two hundred years ago, and there's a heavy tax on anything golden because it's an important ingredient in her magic formulas."
Moore nodded slowly, "Aye, because the gold is made into thin strips and added to a clay board," he offered, deciding to test the waters a little bit as the town came into view, "They must also need lead and rare minerals as well, for conductivity and storage," he added and watched their reaction.
"So you're an alchemist, then?" Vanidha asked. "Those skills would be useful to have around. Can you brew me an ale?"
Andrew chuckled, though he knew everything was way off now. Circuit boards, paper money, magic portholes... he may not be the only time traveler here, "I donnae have the right equipment for tha', lass, but, I'll see if I cannae at least get ya a pint in town...the boys will have to buy their own though, sorry fellas," he added jokingly and put his pip back in his pocket as they came up on the entrance to the town.
Moore blinked at what he saw. The village itself was right out of the history holos, thatched roofing, clay and mud walls, homemade clothing. However, some of the townspeople were wearing mechanical wrist watches, "ey, I've never seen anathin' like those before," he said and pointed to the watch, feigning awe and excitement.
"They tell the time", Vanidha explained, not at all enthusiastic. "They make it so the average person's day is regimented, structured and ordered. I don't like them. I fear, however, that there'll be a time when nobody can leave home without them, or be left behind by society."
Moore just nodded, there was something very wrong here, "What's next, devices you hold in yer hand that give ye access to evertin' and make people forget how ta' think," he asked and shook his head, "Well, where can we get this turned into currency?"
"Hm, the king has a goldsmith. I think his name is Jerry", Vanidha said. "They still make jewellery out of it." She reached into her armour and came back with a bright red piece of paper, handing it over to him across horses. "This should be enough to get you started on basic necessities." She could afford it, and it would tell her about his character whether he'd try to repay it later.
"Are ye sure, lass?" he asked honestly, "I mean I'm a half dressed man picked up on the side of th' road..loedy, I made tha' sound really bad," he said and couldn't help but laugh as his cheeks went a light shade of red.
"I'm sure", Vanidha grinned. "I have plenty of witnesses, after all."
Moore took the paper and bowed his head slightly, "Then I am in ye's debt, thank ye," he replied honestly, "I'll get meself some proper attire and meet ye at the pub?" he asked.
"I'll be at Redstone Keep", she pointed at the castle above the town, red from the iron oxides in the stone used for its construction, hence the unimaginative name. "Good luck, and buy a helmet."
A Joint Post By
Chief Petty Officer Andrew Moore
Behavioral Health Specialist, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Junior Grade Sophia Meridhia
Chief Counselor, Empok Nor
PNPC Niall
RSS Feed