Aedhira's voice echoed throughout the Lienus Rail.
[Right Folks, we'll be arriving at our destination within the next 10 minutes. Please sit tight, secure and wait for further instructions. On the behalf of staff, we thank you for using the Lienus Transport Systems! Come AGAIN!]
Followed by some out of character giggling before the voice cut off. While confusions and bewilderment spread though the carriages of the Lienus Rail, Aedhira, in the cockpit happened to be giggling even more.
At everyone else's expense. What a brat.
Suddenly his giggling ceased and he jerked back up, his head swiveling side to side looking for nothing in particular.
[Sire, I believe you've had your fun. Personally, I don't believe that was very thoughtful of you]
"I only did it cause they seemed so....on-edge. I thought maybe a small joke would wear it off, if only a bit."
[That was exactly why you shouldn't have. That sort of stress isn't something to be worn away by a mere...joke. They must find some proper rest. Some peace]
"....."
Argos's words quickly set in, as Aedhira realised, that MAYBE, in VERY SMALL PART, that wasn't the wisest thing to have done.
"My bad..."
[It is. But it is more important that you learn from this, and that you do not repeat such a mishap]
"Right....I'll try"
[In any case, the Lienus Rail has almost arrived at our destination]
"That was fast.....how long has it been since we left?"
[5 days sire]
"Hm...Well, let's get ready to disembark"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bearof felt the subtle shift as the Lienus Rail began to slow, the powerful hum of its engines decreasing in pitch. The voice announcement, followed by an outburst of giggling, had left the passengers confused, but there was a palpable sense of relief that they were nearing their destination. He looked around at his companions. Bob was already standing, his expression a mix of curiosity and weariness. Le'ahna and Varric were stretching, trying to shake off the stiffness from the long journey.
"Five days," Bearof muttered, half to himself. "Feels like a lifetime."
Bob nodded, his gaze fixed on the approaching platform visible through the narrow windows. "A lot's changed in these past days. I wonder what awaits us."
Le'ahna and Varric joined them, the former looking pensive. "I just hope it's safe. After everything we've been through, we need a place to regroup and heal."
Bearof placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Whatever it is, we'll face it together. We're stronger as a unit."
The train gradually came to a halt, the soft hiss of hydraulics filling the air as the doors slid open. Bright lights flooded the carriages, momentarily blinding the weary travelers. Bearof squinted, trying to make out their surroundings. They were in a large, cavernous station, its high ceilings supported by steel beams and bathed in an artificial glow. The scale of the place was impressive, almost overwhelming.
Aedhira's figure appeared at the entrance, his youthful demeanor contrasting sharply with the rugged, battle-worn survivors. "Welcome to Fort Blanche," he announced, his tone more serious than before. "Please disembark in an orderly fashion. We have facilities ready to accommodate you."
Bearof and his companions exchanged wary glances before stepping off the train. The platform was a flurry of activity, with various 'personnel' moving efficiently, directing the refugees towards different areas. There was an underlying sense of urgency, yet everything was remarkably organized.
"Follow me," Aedhira instructed, waving them forward. His earlier levity was replaced by a focused demeanor. "We have a medical bay set up to treat any injuries or illnesses. Food and temporary lodgings are also prepared."
The group fell into step behind him, navigating through the bustling station. Bearof noted the advanced technology integrated seamlessly into the structure. Signs displaying information flickered overhead, while automated drones zipped past, carrying supplies and equipment.
As they moved deeper into Fort Blanche, they passed through...well, not much. It was largely just...corridor. And hallways. Lots and LOTS of hallways. There'd be the occasion shut door or moss ridden panels, but it was surprisingly....bland and plain.
They reached a large room partitioned into smaller sections with makeshift curtains. The air was filled with the antiseptic smell of a hospital, mixed with the aroma of food being prepared nearby.
"This is the medical bay," Aedhira said, gesturing to the area. "Please get yourselves checked out. We need to ensure everyone's in good health."
A team of medics, mostly robotic, approached the newcomers with welcoming smiles and efficient movements. Bearof felt a moment of hesitation before stepping forward. A android led him to a curtained-off area.
"Please have a seat, sir," she said, indicating a cot. "We'll run some quick diagnostics."
Bearof complied, feeling the weight of exhaustion pressing down on him. As the medic worked, he allowed himself a rare moment of vulnerability, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
Meanwhile, Le'ahna, Bob, and Varric were similarly guided to their own sections. The medics moved with practiced precision, checking vitals, administering medications, and treating wounds. Despite the circumstances, there was a sense of calm in the air, a stark contrast to the chaos they'd endured.
But...there was something off.
He'd almost missed, with the stress finally beginning to wear off, a sense of security began to set in...no creep in. Sadly, he was a tad too paranoid to let it slip by him.
Bearof lied in the cot after the android had given him a 'checkup', then it'd gone to attend to other people. More automatons passed by, carrying some manner of cloths or the like.
Then there was the smell. It wasn't bad. In fact, it was....a pleasant change. The rustic smell of abandoned outposts, coupled with the rotting scent of a dead fyrrath....got old.
Here, however...it smelled like a hospital. Dry, clean, but without the smell of needles. He hated needles.
Yet something bugged him.
'I've been smelling that since we got on that train?'
From the time he stepped on to the Lienus Rail, until now, on this cot, this smell pervaded him.
Constantly.
And much like the smell of Fyrrath corpses, or rather the lack thereof, it was beginning to get old.
It seemed nearly impossible to him, that such a big compound wouldn't have ANY smell, no matter often it was cleaned, and considering the state of the place that he'd seen on the way to this ward, there wasn't much cleaning going on anyways.
'With this many people being housed in-'
Something clicked. His eyes widened.
Apart from their benefactor, Aedhira, he hadn't seen a single man, woman or even a child in these metal corridors. Not one.
Promptly, he was some of the refugees who'd come in before him, leave the ward, led by another android, or maybe it was the same one. He didn't know, all of them looked the same.
He got up and followed the small group, discreetly....as discreetly as he could. Soon enough he was led into a massive hall, where the very same group of refugees he came here with were...were getting food?
It looked uncannily like a cafeteria, reminiscent of the military mess halls of when he still used to serve. Behind counters on one end of the cafeteria were...more androids? Dishing out hot, steaming and surprisingly edible looking food. Nothing like the Nutri-Paste packs, Bearof and the others had been surviving on for the last couple weeks.
Bearof felt his stomach growl at the sight and smell of the food. He hadn't realized just how hungry he was until now. However, the uneasy feeling persisted. He couldn't shake the oddness of the situation. The lack of human staff, the too-clean smell, and the overabundance of androids were all starting to raise red flags in his mind.
He moved to the back of the line, his eyes scanning the room. The refugees were eating hungrily, some smiling for the first time in months. It was a heartwarming sight, but Bearof's wariness remained. He picked up a tray of food, noting the android's polite but mechanical efficiency.
Sitting down at a table, he found himself next to Bob, who was already halfway through his meal. "Pretty good, right?" Bob said between mouthfuls. "Almost like home."
Bearof nodded absently, taking a tentative bite. It was good—too good. His mind raced with possibilities. Was it drugged? Were they being lulled into a false sense of security? He pushed the thoughts aside for the moment, focusing on gathering more information.
After finishing his meal, Bearof stood and approached the edge of the hall where an android was stationed. "Excuse me," he said, his voice low. "Where is Aedhira? I need to speak with him."
The android turned its featureless face towards him. "Mr. Aedhira is currently occupied with administrative duties. I can relay a message if you wish."
Bearof frowned. "No, it's something I need to discuss in person."
The android's head tilted slightly, as if considering. "Mr. Aedhira will be available shortly. In the meantime, please feel free to rest and make use of our facilities."
Bearof grunted, turning away. He wandered through the hall, keeping an eye out for anything unusual. The refugees were starting to look more relaxed, chatting among themselves and even laughing. The sense of normalcy was almost eerie.
He found Le'ahna and Varric sitting together, talking quietly. He joined them, lowering his voice. "Something's not right here," he said bluntly.
Le'ahna looked around nervously. "I know what you mean. It's all so...perfect."
"Exactly," Bearof said. "We need to stay alert. Keep an eye on Aedhira and these androids. I don't trust this setup."
Bob looked at Bearof with....sadness....or was it pity?
"Say...I know what we discussed on the train...but, maybe there isn't anything beyond this? Maybe it IS just....safe? You get me?"
He scooted a bit closer.
"How sure are you, that this" he pointed a finger at Bearof "isn't just the paranoia? We've all been on edge for the past couple months, not to mention the last few weeks. Maybe we're just...overreacting?"
Bearof, however, doubled down, returning the gesture.
"With that logic, how sure are you...that I'm not?"
Bob looked at Bearof, tired. Exhaustion covered his features, eye bags as heavy as the invisible weight behind the sigh the left him shortly after.
"Damnit Bearof...haven't we had enough? Don't you know when to rest?"
"Bad habits die hard"
He gave a gravelly chuckle.
"That, they do old man, that, they do...."
He finished the food on his plate, got up and started to walk in the direction of the servers.
--------------------------------------------------
"You know, I can't say I didn't expect this, but the suspicion really does get heavy handed after a while."
[Sire, I believe this could be a representation of what goes around comes around]
"The joke wasn't THIS bad Argos"
[I don't believe they see it the same way]
Aedhira let out a mental groan. He'd just spent 5 days rescuing these people, now he'd brought them here and all they gave him in return was misplaced suspicion.
[I believe they just need some time Sire. Let the quiet wear of the edge, then perhaps they'd be more open to your...antics]
"You talk like my jokes are bad"
[Sire, your jokes aren't bad]
"Real-"
[They are terrible]
"Funny"
[That I am, Sire]
'Don't make a scene. Don't make a scene. Don't make a scene. Don't make a scene. Don't make a scene. Don't make a scene. Don't make a scene. Don't make a scene. Don't make a scene. Don't make-'
Aedhira also had gotten into mental exercises as of late, to avoid raging at the 'voice' in his head, and to avoid looking like a raging lunatic in front of people who were fed up of raging lunatics.
'Heh raging lunat-'
----------------------INCOMING HAIL------------------------
'Ah, speaking of lunatics'
"accept"
----------------------HAIL ACCEPTED-------------------------
(Monitor) - Sire?
(Aedhira) - Ah Monitor. How it goes?
(Monitor) - Ae...erm...what?
Aedhira let out an audibly disappointed sigh.
(Aedhira)- Forget it. Any way, good work. I am, both impressed and grateful.
(Monitor) - SIRE, THERE IS NO NEED FO-
(Aedhira) - Look, I'm serious. On my way here, I thought I'd be leading these people into a...well no other way to put it, a dump. The place was basically falling apart. But in..what, five days? You've managed to put enough of this place back together to make it look pretty decent, not to mention functional!
(Aedhira) - Oh, right, make sure no one stumbles into any areas that haven't been repaired yet. I don't want anyone falling into THAT shaft. The dark one.
(Monitor) - Ah yes, some of the troopers have dubbed it the 'Bottomless Pit'
(Aedhira) - Lovely, everyone loves some dark lore about a dark hole.
(Monitor) - ???
Aedhira FELT the confusion through the hail link. He let out another audibly disappointed sigh. Monitor however was becoming nervous, hearing his figurative-yet-literal boss repeatedly sighing AT him.
(Aedhira) - Forget it, sarcasm.
(Monitor) - Ah...I see.
The link went silent. Aedhira, staring off into empty space, waiting for Monitor to say something. Monitor, on the other side of the link, also expected the same.
Eventually, it relented.
(Monitor) - Sire...what are your plans for these people?
(Aedhira) - Hm? What do you mean?
(Monitor) - What I MEAN is, now that they're here...what will you do?
(Aedhira) - What WOULD I do?
(Monitor) - Surely, you don't mean to tell me, that you ventured out for five days, out into the middle of nowhere, rescued these people, brought them back. You did this seeking nothing in return? Only out of the goodness of your heart?
(Aedhira) - Ah...hm....
THAT got him thinking. He really DID do all of that, and even now, he hadn't sought anything in return.
(Aedhira) - I...I suppose your right?
Yet inwardly...he wondered?
'Why?'