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Unity watch the water warily while Henri 'speaks' to Mother. They'd transformed back into their chimera form, but when the door opens and they see the size of the airlock they switch back to their bipedal form. They quickly swim to the front of the airlock while looking around for anything that looks amiss.
***On the carriage*** "I think whatever happens, this culture isn't staying the same," Unity comment in response to Henri. "We doubt the reverence for 'Mother' will be quite the same after all of this, for one thing." "We just think we should be keeping this in mind as we move forward," they continue. "Most of these people seem well-intentioned, but they may well take things in ways that don't seem obvious to us at first." ***On the shore*** Unity stay out of Legato's spell, wanting the opportunity to use their gills. "Signals would likely be wise," they agree, "but remember these Fishers here have been down there without being attacked by any sea monsters. It's only forty feet down. We may need to be more concerned with getting through the entrance and what awaits us on the other side."
Unity reluctantly transform into their bipedal form to fit into the carriage. "Could have run faster ourself," they grumble. "So we've learned about how bad the past of this world was," they say once the doors are shut. "Are we sure fixing Mother will improve things? What if there are protocols in what's been damaged to enforce the sort of things that book Nissa saw talked about?" ****************************** Unity stride towards the water, smoothly transitioning back to their chimera form as the do. "Well, it sounds like we have a place to swim to. And we'll have to figure out how to open it when we get there. Are we ready to start?"
Unity look around at the gathered group. "Before we start, we have an annoucement to make." They pause a moment, then chorus, "We are Unity." "We'd mentioned before that the name 'Charles' had been feeling less and less ours and more like... borrowing from a dead man," they explain. "So last night we finally decided that Unity was the best name we could think of for ourself." "Now that that's covered, it's about time to get covered in water," they say with a toothy grin. "Though if it's only forty feet down it won't be a long swim. We assume that there's a way to get in to the computer area without flooding it with water, so hopefully acquatic combat capabilities will not be required. If they are... well, our claws and fangs still work just as well wet as dry." They smile much more toothily than before.
Unity are frustrated about waiting, but as they look at their companions they have to acknowledge that most of them do not have the same kind of stamina they themself have, so they reluctantly agree to rest first and then go. Their dreams are fragmented and slip from their minds as they wake. They partake of the breakfast brought to them with thanks before getting back into their armor and going to meet up with the others.
"It could well have been activated by the attempt to contact Mother," Unity point out. "Something that lay dormant until communication was attempted, in case other sabotages weren't successful? That would seem well within the reach of any rebels willing to kill their own world to kill their enemies. Now, you clearly have no interest in diving into the water, so perhaps it would be easier for you to just tell us if you know anything and then we'll be on our way."
Unity feel naked without their armor on. This is largely because they are, in fact, naked. They have clothing in their bipedal form, but unlike their armor it does not change forms with them. Fortunately, thanks to PhDestruction's insistence on not sharing his work, they have nothing in the way of the usual parts someone would want to hide. ...and if they're honest with themself, it feels good to be out of their armor for a bit. To let their true self be visible to the world. They might still think the process of their creation was a crime against both nature and morality, they might mourn the innocent deaths it involved... but they've come to accept and enjoy what they are. Let the world see them as they are, and if they cannot handle their true monstrous glory, that is their problem. These thoughts had kept them a bit distracted as they arrived, but Henri's awakening draws their focus. They look to Legato. "We're well, but it sounds like the all of you are going to need that spell you mentioned. The rest of you will just have to try to keep up with us." Simultaneously they say to Henri, "It was long enough for us to take a nap after modeling for a while. We're probably going to regret not having our armor on, but from what you're saying we need to hurry." "We should move now," they growl. "We can talk on the way."
Unity: "Henri needs to see us for something?" Unity ask, before shaking their head. "Never mind."
They cast a glance towards where they left their armor. Normally they'd insist on getting it back on before going anywhere, but without knowing how urgent going on was, they decide there's no sign of an attack at present so they can do without for the time being. Besides, it feels good to be out of it for once, even if they are very comfortable with wearing it.
Unity: Unity note the hive above them without much concern. They feel confident their hide is sufficient to save them from mere insects. Still, they don't want the children to get injured by their prank, so they do their best to move slowly and carefully.
Unity: In an instant they are again in one body. United against the threat. They crouch down warily on all six feet, three heads looking about them. Are these, then, the watchers?
"Must you interrupt our introspection?" they demand. "Or are you perhaps another that has no respect for a being's inmost self?"
Charles dream that they're hunting: They see through many eyes, tread on many feet, for they are many. And yet they are one. For they are all... themself. They crouch in cover on the frigid ground, watching their foes. They are shadowy, indistinct, for they do not matter, only that they are foes. They think they hunt, but they will soon be the hunted. They wait in ambush, just beyond a frozen ridge. Others of themself hide in other places. And one, directing the others, sat on the back of the largest of them. It was their plan they all followed, their mind that formed the core of their being. Their foes did not know their doom was already sealed. But something was wrong, for there is another watching. They sprang their ambush, striking the back foe and then darting away. They give chase. Straight into the shadowy arms of one of their more brutish selves, a hulking, humanoid shape as indistinct as their foes. They cross an icy river and face the teeth of their crocodile-self. A huge, winged self harries the foe, driving them just where they wish. And their largest self closes the jaws of the trap, ending their foes. But something is still wrong, for there is one that still watches. They gather together, feline and reptilian, Earthborn and otherwise. They see and are seen at once. Hearts beat in unison, breaths taken simultaneously. "We are one," they say, "but we are not Charles. It is time we claim a name of our own, instead of naming ourselves after the dead." They nod agreement in unison. They have felt this to be true for a while. But they need a name. They look on one another. They see and are seen at once. Hearts beat in unison, breaths taken simultaneously. "Unity," they say. "Unity," they agree in simultaneous chorus. "It's strange for a name, but... it's *us*." And it is right. But not all is right. For they can feel... there is one that still watches.
Guardian 2: "We will take the pagoda, then, if that is all right," Charles say. "We require little in the way of comforts to sleep, and a more open structure would suit us well."
Guardian 2: Charles are quite interested in the animals and in the art, and they make certain to express their appreciation to the artists and Guardian 2.
When they offer to groom Charles, however, they politely decline, asking instead for a place to sleep, as they are feeling quite tired now.
Guardian 2: Charles ask about the animals in the pictures, though they quickly realize they probably know more about them than the Utopians who have never seen them in living flesh. The similarities make them wonder if this is yet another alternate Earth, though then where did the different ones come from? Perhaps they were imports from another world?
They also express some curiosity about the origin of the artist's equipment, if it was also left behind or if they created it themselves.
Charles are fine with being sketched. They're even willing to take off their armor and let the Utopians see what they actually look like underneath. They are, of course, also happy to eat everything set in front of them, though knowing the difficulties of the island they don't voice any desire for more even though they aren't likely to be fully satisfied.
Raising an eyebrow "Ya? But how do I know which is original, which is learned, and which is sunday tangent dare?" shruging "'net's got plenty of rumors, fake pictures, and fan fic on ya. "We know. Deep as bone. We know," Charles rumble in response to Legato. "It's... built-in knowledge," they explain further. "Like how to change forms." They look to Guardian Nine. "We can see in the dark, but the others would be hindered by it. Food we could use more of, and though we are not tired, we suspect our companions are."
Charles shift to their three-headed, hexapodal form. "Haven't you seen this before?" they question Legato. "You've certainly seen us in this form."
"With Legato's help, we could certainly take a couple of you with us," Charles point out. "In our true form it wouldn't be hard even if you weren't good swimmers. Would that be Henri and Hamel?"
"We're quite good at swimming," Charles say, waving a hand at the gills on their neck. "We might need some help with the technological parts, however. We suppose we can stay in contact via communicator, if we have the range."
Charles look around at the gathered Utopians, then back at their companions. Particularly Henri. "Are you getting anything more from the nanites?" they ask. "Especially... anything about what's going wrong?"
"So... that thing you drank made... some kind of receiver in you?" Charles ask Henri, putting together an idea of what happened from their statements and questions.
Charles aren't that surprised when the two resume their normal size. He'd been wondering when that would happen. But they are rather shaken up by the revelation of what the 'storm' consists of. "That's a terrifying weapon," Charles say, with a shudder. "Though who was crazy enough to actually *use* a weapon that would destroy their own world...?" "Either they miscalculated, they thought they had a way to control it, or they were losing and wanted to take everyone down with them," they muse, after a moment's though. "Which doesn't help us unless they did have a way to control it and we could get it somehow, which seems unlikely" "...so basically we hope we can get the bioscrubbers working."
"How long was it supposed to take to restore the environment enough for repopulation to begin?" Charles ask the two once their argument dies down.
Charles nod in agreement with Theo and Nissa. "We don't know exactly what went wrong, but things here have not gone according to whatever plan was created when you were working."
Charles follow along silently for the time being, debating what to say. Eventually they decide on clearing up one misunderstanding first. "We didn't actually expect to find you there," they admit to the two former stasis refugees. "We're not from... anywhere you're likely familiar with, so we're not with any 'Services' as you called them."
The disadvantage of an enhanced olfactory system is that unpleasant smells are all the more overpowering... but Charles have a constitution even hardier than their form would suggest, so they're able to push through the scent without retching. "We can restrain if needed," they growl, "but we only have a medpatch in the way of medicines."
Charles rouse themself from musing on what could have happened to this world and the bioscrubbers when they realize how much they've missed. They look at Henri anxiously, hoping he's not being hurt further. They do their best from the outside to figure out what's happening.
"It makes sense if you're trying to reestablish an ecosystem," Charles points out in response to Nissa. "You need a lot of insects to form the basis of an ecosystem, but then you need predators to keep their populations in check. A lot of birds are good predators for insects."
Charles frown at Theo. "We *also* need to get the refugees we brought with us to their homes quickly, if possible," they state sternly.
"Or it's possible this 'idea' was a form of magical stasis, and we're about to have two or three very confused people from centuries ago on our hands. Or it's possible that there's nothing left but bones," Charles suggest. "It does seem like the best way to learn more, though. But the door will probably have the same issues as the last one."
Charles make a rumbling sound deep in their chest. It's probably meant to be thoughtful. "So did the bioscrubbers fail, never arrive, or did something else happen? Maybe the malfunctioning gates kept them from arriving?" they muse. "And is this guardian still active or has the lack of power also gotten to it?" Their voice shifts subtly. "It's curious that the pollution never settled out of the atmosphere on its own, for that matter. What could it consist of that persists in a layer instead of eventually falling out? Or is it still being generated?" "For that matter, we wonder what kind of bird species they had here. Are they similar to our own?"
Charles suddenly frown to themself as a sudden bit of knowledge intrudes on their minds. "If you need, we... may now be electrically insulated, at least sufficiently that an accident with a battery wouldn't hurt us?" They cock their head to one side, folding their lower pair of arms. "On the one hand we don't really want to test this, on the other hand it would be nice to know if it actually works before it's important..."
Charles shoot a look at Theo. "Our own home would likely be capable of much the same, if we could get everyone to work together on it." They start to walk toward the central structure. "The other two smaller huts are likely the same. But this central one may tell us more, if we can enter it." They look around for any kind of electrical generator to power the doors of the main structure.
"Does the vehicle we arrived in have any plugs or the like for electrical power?" they ask.
"Hmmm... advertisements for places to evacuate to?" Charles suggest. "We don't like the way they attach emotion to the images. Propaganda is bad enough without that kind of thing." "So, was this a... refugee camp, of some sort? People stayed here on the way from this world to another, perhaps? That tells us something, for sure, but other than history what can we learn...?"
Pondering a moment Legato speaks to the others. "I think they're illusionary spells woven into theses. We could pop them on and it'll prolly cover the entire dome inside. Might be a light show, might be a horror show..." "Or it may indicate that this was once hidden," Charles suggest. "Perhaps there were some here who wanted to hide while they watched or acted?" "Predators? Scavengers? Enemies?" they muse.
Charles look over to Theo. "The two of us together probably have the best chance to move it. Probably we'll be fighting against whatever drive system used to move the door." They walk over to the door and sink the claws of two of their hands into as best they can, the other two on the nearby doorframe. Once Theo joins in they start to push them apart with all their strength.
Charles get out of the craft eagerly, noting to themself how much worse they've been feeling in enclosed spaces lately. For the moment they push the thought aside and examine the structures. Here and there they sniff around, wondering if their nose might detect something the eye cannot.
Charles don't think the other refugees should come with them. They take the indicated seat without comment, tail lashing slightly at the discomfort of crowding into a seat not made for a winged, tailed being again.
Charles can't understand why Theo and Nissa are so focused on this healer until Guardian Nine asks her question. They look over at Theo with what is probably disbelief on their vulpine face. He had time for that!? They shake their head. Too late now. The chimerical being simply gets on the vehicle without a word. The sooner they're done with this and off this world, the better, as far as they're concerned.
Charles' tail lash behind them at the talk of staying longer. They are starting to feel restless in this dead little world, with so little life in it. "It depends on the specifics of where we go and how, but we should be able to take a group of that size, yes," they say aloud.
Charles sample some of the fruit. They are glad, again, that in spite of the number of carnivores in their makeup, they are still omnivorous. Sometimes startlingly omnivorous, given some of the odd cravings they've had. Their adaptability does place unique demands on their body. "We--meaning ourself--do think it would be best if we left soon through one of the gates, but we should be able to take a few of your people with us when we do," they state aloud. "It will be dangerous, however. Travel between worlds always has risks."
Charles wonder why Nissa isn't bringing up how the Sword of Truth can open gates such as these, given it's how they arrived here in the first place. They guess Nissa wants to hold some information in reserve, so they do not comment. To Legato they say, "Much depends on how these gates were built. The flow of time between worlds is... complicated."
"Extinction. It is a sorrowful thing," Charles rumble, downcast. "Maybe we'll see this place later," they add. "But we shouldn't delay too long in choosing a portal to open and seeing if we can arrange for a place for some of your people."
Charles... eat sparingly, after all they've heard. They don't want to burden this place with the full... depth of their appetite, especially not when they'll hopefully soon be elsewhere. "Part of us was a zoologist before we became... this," they interject into the discussion. "He cared for and studied animals. What sorts of animals do you have here? Are they born in similar fashion to you?"
Charles quietly consider the seats, seeing if any will suit their... unique anatomy, even in their slightly more humanoid form. They contribute nothing to the current topic of conversation, thinking it best not to mention how PhDestruction had made certain they couldn't share their genetics, at least in the ordinary way.
Charles briefly consider flying across the water, but decide they'll walk with the rest of the group instead. They examine the architecture as they walk, wondering if it's as old as all the rest. They make a note to ask if they'd had any sorts of records at all from the past as he walks over the bridge.
"Wise," Charles comment. Even when speaking through one mouth, it's not hard to tell which head is speaking. "We'd want to consult with the leadership of whichever place we opened a gate to," they say in answer to the question about how many could go with them. "None of these gates lead directly to our home, but we know at least a few of the places they lead to. We could probably negotiate something."
Charles debate for a long moment before deciding to simply tell a part of the truth. "We likely could open one of these gates. But it would be risky. There are those who use such gates to harm and steal from others, and they might have ways to detect these gates opening."
Charles transform into their bipedal form, so that the Sword of Truth is in a less awkward position for them to put a hand on. They consider what the Chalice said, wondering just what they've landed in. A set of worlds capable of interdimensional travel? Were they all like this? Or had this world been cut off somehow? ...and how had they traveled between worlds? It seemed unlikely they depended on a single Sword, given how much travel it seemed had happened... Their thoughts stop as they read the one inscription they can decipher. "...how long has that place existed?" they muse aloud. They look to the Utopians. "Have the symbols on these gates ever changed?"
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