Ch 50: Definition of a Person

Still a captive along with her brother, Saria is in a cell across from Giselle on the Vinculus. Traversing the Sa Desert in their quest to save them both, Mythra's group comes across a pygmy village.

            The automated doors of the Vinculus’ control room opening, Count Ferid stepped out with Rend in tow and made his way down the hall. Lit by overhead light fixtures, their floors and walls lined with metal grates, the hallways of the Vinculus were circular like the insides of giant pipes. Muttering to himself as he walked, Count Ferid was saying, “This is ridiculous! That psychopath just shuts himself away in his lab half the time! Not to mention he spends the other half barking orders to MY subordinates, asking for all manner of things! The way things stand, Alastor doesn’t even know he’s still alive, meaning all of this will fall on my head while he can just slip away without a care!” Listening to him with growing concern, Rend finally said, “Master, forgive me for speaking out of place, but couldn’t we just dispose of that fool and be done with it? A surprise attack with the full might of Ala Morte should be more than enough to-” Stopping in his tracks and turning about in terror, Ferid exclaimed, “No, you fool!” 

Grabbing her by the shoulders and pulling her close, he fearfully whispered, “Don’t even keep such thoughts in your mind! He’ll know, he ALWAYS knows! There’s no such thing as a surprise attack on that man! He’ll pick the thoughts from your brain in an instant!” As he released her, a rather shaken Rend said, “Y-yes, forgive me Master… Still, what should we do then?” Clutching his head and thinking for a moment, Ferid said, “A report from one of my contacts shows that the situation between the halmans and the demonfolk is going more or less as planned, and since Nova cannot shut off the device perpetuating the merge, if we play our cards right when Alastor finally finds the Vinculus… We actually might be able to turn this all around! Rend, come with me! We’re going to speak to a certain someone in the dungeon.”

            Sitting against the black metal wall next to the bars of her cell in the dungeons of the Vinculus, as Giselle noticed Saria staring at her again from the bars of her cell across the hall, she glanced at her and muttered, “You’ve been staring at me for days now. Are you ever going to say anything?” Looking away in embarrassment, Saria did not utter a word, and in frustration Giselle said, “If you have something to say, then go ahead! Go ahead and mock me, but I swear, I will find a way out of this cell and personally turn you over to Lord Alastor!” Glancing over at her, Saira said, “Why?” Surprised she’d actually spoken, Giselle said, “Why? What do you mean why? I am a member of Altera Veritas, and you are the key that will unlock the Master Seal holding back a great amount of my Lord’s power!” Mustering her courage, Saria said, “But why?! Why do you people cause all this suffering, why are you trying to erase our world?!” 

Closing her eyes, Giselle curtly said, “As if someone like you would understand! Someone blessed enough to be given a family and a name of your own! Someone like that could never understand what I’ve been through!” Looking over at Giselle with tears pooling in her eyes, Saria said, “Blessed?! You’re the one who doesn’t understand anything about me!” Giselle stared at Saria in surprise as she continued, “I’ve lived all this time by myself, treated like I was worthless by others just for having human blood! I moved from village to village just trying to find a place to live! It’s true I finally met my brother and made many friends, but because of Altera Veritas, I spend every day living in fear of losing all the people who have become so dear to me! My father and brother may have already been killed, all because of you!”

            Looking away from Saria, Giselle merely stared into space for a moment as she listened to her crying. A reminiscent look on her face, Giselle finally said, “You may not understand now, but it is because people like you and I exist that Altera Veritas must do what we do. I won’t ask you to forgive us…” Suddenly the sound of an opening automated door echoed through the hall, and footsteps began to approach. Arriving at Giselle’s cell, as Count Ferid and Rend stepped into her view, Ferid grinned and said, “Well, well, how have you been holding up Lady Giselle? I do apologize for putting you through such a dreadful experience.” Rising to her feet with a fierce look, Giselle said, “You dare to show yourself at last, traitorous scum?!” Motioning for her to calm down, Ferid said, “Please, there is no need for such hostilities! I know this all looks rather bad, but I assure you my loyalty still rests wholly with Alastor and Altera Veritas!” 

Staring at him in distrust, Giselle said, “If that is true, I would advise you to release me from this cell immediately!” A bead of sweat rolling down his face as he let out a nervous laugh, Ferid said, “Ah yes, well… I truly wish that I could Lady Giselle, but for this little ruse of mine to work I can’t do anything to make Dr. Nova believe I cannot be trusted.” Raising an eyebrow questioningly, Giselle said, “Ruse? What are you blabbering about?!” Speaking up, Rend said, “Dr. Nova took control of the Vinculus in a surprise attack, and has forced my Master to cooperate with him. It would benefit no one if he’d refused, his death would only mean that Altera Veritas would lose the influence he holds over halman society. Instead, in his infinite wisdom, Master managed to hide his true intentions and deceived Dr. Nova into trusting him. When Alastor finds the Vinculus, Ala Morte will aid him in taking it back from Dr. Nova.” Patting Rend on the shoulder, Ferid donned a big grin as he said, “Exactly as Rend said, we have only been deceiving Dr. Nova! That is why once our allies show up, I will be releasing you so you may aid us in taking the Vinculus back! I also may need you to convince Alastor that my loyalty has never wavered, but of course now that you understand what’s going on, surely that’s no problem at all, hmm?” 

Glaring at Ferid with loathing, Giselle said, “You treacherous wretch. Did you honestly expect me to fall for such a lie?! You’re only trying to save your own skin!” Crossing his arms with a sour face, Ferid said, “It seems you’re more than just Alastor’s secretary after all. Oh well, it’s a great deal more troublesome, but I’ll simply have to bring Magus in to warp your mind a bit. One way or another, you’ll be serving as my ticket out of this whole mess.” Grinning wickedly, Giselle said, “Your only way out of this will be the path to Hell! Lord Alastor would never be fooled by the likes of you!” Letting slip a laugh, Ferid turned to go as he said, “Rend, do teach her the dangers a woman faces when they defy me. Make sure to keep her alive, but other than that I leave her punishment to your discretion.” Flexing a fist before her, Rend’s tone contained a hint of bloodthirst as she said, “Yes Master…”

            For about five minutes, Rend beat Giselle brutally. From her cell across the hall, Saria could only watch the scene in horror, constantly shouting for Rend to stop. Finally tired of her shouting, Rend turned to Saria and said, “Will you be quiet already?! This woman is your enemy, why should you care about what happens to her?!” Staring at Giselle as she lay there clutching her battered body, Saria had tears in her eyes as she said, “She’s still a person! How can you treat someone like this?!” Opening her eyes, Giselle stared at Saria in surprise. Shrugging her shoulders, Rend said, “I still don’t see any reason for you to care. She’s probably done far worse to plenty of others. But whatever, I guess that’s enough for now.” Turning back to Giselle, Rend kicked her back into her cell like a beach ball. Closing the cell door, Rend turned back to Saria and waved before disappearing down the hall. 

As Giselle coughed blood while laying there on the floor of her cell, Saria leaned against the bars of her cell as she said, “Are… Are you ok?” Struggling to look over at her, Giselle weakly said, “Do I look ok?! Why don’t you think before you speak?!” Her ears drooping sadly, Saria said, “S-sorry…” Sighing, Giselle said, “Why do you apologize? What she said before is true. You and I are enemies.” Wiping her tears, Saria merely murmured, “But still…” Smiling to herself for a moment, Giselle said, “You sure are a strange one though, shedding tears for one who seeks to destroy everything you cherish…”

            Sa Desert. Thursday July 26, 520NA. As the hover cycle drove through the sands, pulling along the wagon they had hooked up to it the last time they had visited Halsa, from where she sat in the sidecar looking at the map with a compass in hand, Amy said, “We’re almost there I think! Just a little further north.” Driving the hover cycle, Guru said, “Gotcha!” From back in the wagon, Rufus called out, “Almost there already?! Talk about a short trip!” Rolling her eyes, Mythra said, “Once we’re on foot we’ll see how ‘short’ a trip you think this is. Not only are we spelunking our way straight through a mountain, but the Ngan Tundra is no joke. Especially considering me, Fenrip, and Amy didn’t bring coats.” Calling back from the cycle, currently sporting his own coat slung over his shoulder, Guru said, “I was telling you, but no, you said it’d be ‘fine’!” Grumbling, Mythra said, “I’m not paying that much for a coat! With the funds I brought I technically can’t. Damned Halsa merchants…” 

Reassuringly, Amy said, “We’ll be ok. I’m more worried about monsters.” Flashing a malicious grin, Fenrip said, “Well, we can always use Grave to distract a monster while we flee.” Looking at him in surprise, Grave said, “Why you…! You wouldn’t dare!” Letting out a sharp whistle, Rufus said, “You really don’t like that guy, do you Fenrip?” Adjusting his glasses, a hint of bloodthirst in his eyes, Fenrip said, “You mean do I blame him for the fact that one of my dearest friends died alone in a forest defending her children? Or the fact that her husband, who is also a dear friend of mine, has suffered even more than he already had because of people like him? If so, then yes, I don’t really like him at all.” Considering jumping off the wagon, Grave thought to himself, “I’ve got to get away from this vindictive b*****d!” Suddenly the hover cycle and the wagon came to an abrupt stop, and turning to Guru in confusion, Amy said, “Something wrong Guru?” Holding his hand over his eyes like a visor as he scanned the area ahead, Guru said, “We’ve got a slight problem…” Nervously, Rufus asked, “What do you mean?” Pointing out in the distance, Guru simply said, “Pygmies.”

            A small village of clay huts constructed up around the very cave entrance that would lead them through to the Ngan Tundra, the area was swarming with small humanoid figures with wrinkled skin who wore turbans. Hiding the hover cycle and the wagon behind the biggest rock he could find within a safe distance, as everyone got out on foot, Guru said, “Now I know you guys say you’re Angelorum Lux and all, but even if you are, I’d appreciate it if you let me handle this.” The thought of him going in alone not sitting very well with her conscience, Amy said, “Wait, what are you going to do? Isn’t it dangerous?” Staring out at the pygmies from the edge of the rock, Rufus said, “Yeah, they don’t look too friendly! They got big spears…” Smiling nonchalantly, Guru said, “I’ve dealt with pygmies several times, they’re not all that bad a bunch. Rather than going in with guns blazing, I’d rather try and negotiate with them. They’re people too, and they deserve a bit more respect than they usually get. Only problem is they’re a bit jumpy, so I gotta go in alone and make good with them first.” Shrugging her shoulders, Mythra said, “As long as you know what you’re doing.” Marching off through the sand, Guru headed out to meet with the pygmies as the others watched nervously.

            As a pygmy wearing a red turban spotted Guru coming towards their village with his hands raised in surrender, he quickly raised the alarm. Pygmy guards moving in cautiously, they muttered amongst themselves in their language as he approached. A big grin on his face, Guru said, “Heya, I need to speak with your ‘Jubala’. Bring out the ‘Jubala’ please.” Muttering amongst themselves some more, the pygmy in the red turban finally turned to one of his companions with a nod as he said, “Ugabaga nug Jubala!” Nodding in return, the other pygmy hurried back into the village. For a few minutes Guru simply stood there as the pygmies looked at him funny. Then the other pygmy finally returned with another pygmy wearing a purple turban. Approaching Guru, the pygmy in the purple turban said, “What you want?” 

Placing a hand on his chest, Guru said, “Me Guru. Me come with friends.” Pointing over to the rock where the others waited, Guru continued, “We need to pass through cave.” Pointing over at the cave entrance, he repeated, “We need to pass through cave.” Looking at each other in surprise as the purple turbaned pygmy seemed to translate his words to them, the pygmies started muttering amongst themselves again. Finally the interpreter pygmy in the purple turban said, “Cave very dangerous… Leads to… cold place. Home of… Ice Lord…” Wondering what this ‘Ice Lord’ could be, Guru thought for a moment before saying, “Guru and friends must go. Must find something that can help friends save another friend. We understand is dangerous. We must go.” A serious look in his eyes, the interpreter turned to his fellow pygmies and relayed his words to them. Muttering amongst themselves a bit, the purple turban wearing pygmy finally turned to Guru with what looked like a smile as he nodded and said, “We understand! Bring friends! We show way through cave!”

            Guru and the others followed their torch bearing pygmy guides through the rocky passageways of the cave, and dragging Grave along behind him, Fenrip said, “I’m really quite amazed you got them to actually lead us through themselves Guru. I feel like an honorary pygmy.” Looking back at him with a grin, Guru said, “They offered all on their own. A little kindness goes a long way with these guys, probably because most of the time people take one look at them and think they’re just a bunch of savages.” Carrying Ian in his arms just in case they passed under a low ceiling, Rufus laughed nervously and said, “Well, they do kinda give that impression, but I suppose an Ace Reporter like myself should’ve gotten all the facts first.” Ashamed of herself, Amy said, “I thought I knew better than to treat someone differently just because of their appearance, but I guess my definition of a person still isn’t quite right.” 

Suddenly losing her traction for some reason, Amy slipped and landed on her behind. Stopping, as she turned around and moved to help her up, Mythra started to say, “Be careful! Jeez, just as much of a klutz as ev-” Slipping and landing on her behind as well, Mythra muttered, “Oww…” Suppressing a laugh, as a gust of cold air blew through the passage, Rufus quickly stuffed his free hand in his pocket and said, “Yikes, anybody else feel a cold draft?” Calling out from ahead, the pygmy translator shouted, “Watch feet! Ice slippery!” As Fenrip helped her up, Mythra angrily muttered to herself, “Thanks for the warning you stupid dried up gnomes!” Letting slip a chuckle, Fenrip said, “Alexander did say you had a short temper.” Mythra helped Amy up with a sigh as she said, “I get enough comments from the peanut gallery when he’s around, so can it! We must be getting close if there’s all this ice around.”

            Exiting the cave, Amy stared out at the foreign land before her. A flat, wide open territory where no trees could grow due to the frozen earth, it’s only visible vegetation was various patches of grass and moss. Small pools of water here and there, caused by the melting of some of the permafrost during the summer, a herd of caribou-like creatures that had rather ghastly horns were drinking from one nearby. Clearly a windy area, as a freezing gale buffeted her, Amy raised an arm to shield herself as she said, “Ah, that’s cold!” Standing firm against the wind as he stared out at the tundra, Fenrip enthusiastically said, “What a wonder of nature! If only I’d brought a decent canvas!” Holding tight to his hat with one hand, Rufus said, “I think it’d get blown away with all this wind!” Trying to keep warm, Amy clutched her arms against her body and said, “So which way to the ruins again?” Pointing to a landmark far to the west, Guru said, “See those buildings? That’s where we’ll find the entrance. They called it a ‘ruin’, but it’s more like some kinda abandoned underground air base. The ships should be in the underground hangar.” 

Glancing at the pygmies, Mythra asked, “Are they coming with us?” In response to her question, the translator pygmy said, “We no go… This land… home of Ice Lord… Those who meet Ice Lord… never return…” Rather unnerved, Rufus laughed nervously and said, “He’s kidding right? Just a little pygmy pun?” With a look of frustration, Mythra glanced at him and said, “Chill out cat-hatter, we already knew it would be a bit dangerous. There’s no turning back now, so just keep your eyes open and we’ll be fine.” Approaching the pygmies, Guru smiled and said, “Thank you, you’ve a big help friends.” Coming to stand beside him, Amy smiled as well and said, “Thank you!” Smiling back, the translator said, “Good luck! Save friend! Come back sometime! We have… celebration feast!” As the pygmies took their leave, the group began their trek west. Clutching her arms against her body still, Amy was reminded of how she and Grey had gone on a date in the snowy city of Daemonholm. Determined to save him, with renewed vigor she marched on, thinking, “If it means saving Grey, this is nothing!”