The day dawned cool and crisp, a slight hint of most boiling up out of the canyon. In the tent city people are already beginning their morning activities, a long line forming outside the commissary, hungry people looking for food. Another small group has formed around the bulletin board near the commissary, many refugees eager to snatch up any jobs that may offer a few credits and a reprieve from the boredom that tends to pervade the camp. Juicers, contractors, and mercenaries patrol the borders of the camp, the morning rotation relieving those from the night watch. A low drone pervades the camp as people talk.
Near the command tent, Savage and Wrench stand quietly, sipping hot beverages from their mugs as they observe the camp activity.
Zlod woke up early in the morning despite having a few drinks and having slept in a bed for the first time in a long time. He makes his way down to the refugee camp he nods his head in greeting at those that he knows as he makes his way towards the command tent. He smiles widely as he makes his way over to where Savage and Wrench are sipping on the morning caffeine. “Morning gents. How you all doing today?”
Zlod returns the salute. “Oh just wanted to get a word with you both before the day got too busy. As I am sure you both know I am looking to start my own merc company. See if I can do some good. Anyways I was looking to see if you knew any soldiers looking for work. I am paying fairly well.”
Wrench glances over to Savage, who nods slightly.
“Please, step inside.” Savage intones, brushing aside the command tent flap and holding it open for Zlod. Wrench jogs off quickly, heading toward the Clinic. Savage sits at a metal desk with a few papers and a tablet and gestures for Zlod to sit as well. “So, you are looking for soldier, and want to know if I have any leads for you. I imagine you would like to know if I’d have any jobs as well. Short answer to both is ‘yes’, but first I have a little test. Lets call it a practical interview.” Savage steeples his fingers and leans forward a bit. “You have agreed to look into that creature that has attacked Jason’s farm. I’ve heard that there may be something more to the incident and have been asked to keep folks from attacking it until an expert can get here. They should be here in a couple days, so I would ask that you hold off until at least then. In exchange for this consideration, I have been authorized to triple the payment Myron is offering. I will also introduce you to another, umm, project, that has been unceremoniously dropped in my lap. Wrench should be along with it shortly.”
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Xhaiden makes his way through the tent city toward the clinic, just in time to see Wrench jogging up to and entering the clinic proper. As Xhaiden enters he sees the clinic is a buzz of activity, some of the new patients looking much better after a night of rest and care. Most of the staff don’t pay the child much mind as they attend to their duties, Xhaiden does catch a glimpse of Wrench back in the secure section, by the big cat, talking to somebody.
The arrival at the clinic created an alteration in Xhaiden’s plans. The boy’s curiosity and concern for Wrench grew. Entering the clinic, he noted that most of the injured had been taken care of. Even more glad that the staff was busy enough not to have gently and firmly guided him out. The secured area with the big cat hinders his progression. Leaning back against the wall, he decided not to wait and attempt to enter inside. His next steps would be attempting to use his psionic powers to bypass the keycode and sneak in far enough to hear what was occurring after doing a psionic medical scan to ensure Wrench did not have any illnesses.
As Xhaiden works toward the secured area, he soon discovers that the security lock is not active, and the door is slightly ajar. Through the door, he can see Wrench talking to someone. “The chances of you being recognized this far away are slim, so it’s not a big chance. And once it’s verified, we can get you somewhere much more secure.” The second person responds with a rather pronounced bavarian accent.
“Ja, ja, fine, I agree. Es ist besser.” There is a tinny quality to the voice and as Wrench gestures, Xhaiden gets a good look at the speaker. It’s a cyborg of some kind, with a smooth metal shell and vaguely humanoid facial features. Wrench and the cyborg exit through the large back door, avoiding the wounded in the main clinic area.
The spoken words only add to Xhaiden’s natural curiosity. The curious side reminded him he could turn invisible at will. The rational portion of his mind debates whether he should return before being caught. Cloaking himself in invisibility, he continued forward to explore the hidden secret. Move to approach the back door and exit from the clinic to investigate. Moving as softly as possible, he would continue forward, pushing the backdoor open to follow after the pair.
Zlod takes a seat carefully on the reinforced metal chair and listens to Savage. “Well I can hold off if it stays in that cave. If it becomes a danger I will have to take action. But triple the payment to wait for a while longer is a deal I can get behind.” Zlod says with a little amusement. “What I need though is those leads on some mercs. I am looking for some hopefully reliable men, women, or whatever. Can’t take on a lot of work if it is just me and the old man.”
“What skills are you looking for?” Savage inquires. “Here in the camp there are a lot of unemployed folk of varying talents, backgrounds, and whateverness. Are you looking to specialize or keep things general?” He glances over to one side of the tent. "Would you like some coffee? "
“Right now just looking for some grunts. Guys who can handle some weapons and can take orders. I need some generalists before I can work on getting any specialists.” Zlod says as he nods his head. “I’ll take a cup of caffeine sure.”
Wrench and his companion cross the main dirt path and the relatively short distance between the clinic and the command tent, the metallic figure garnering a little attention. While cyborgs aren’t too uncommon full conversions are fairly rare, but the few stares are short-lived. Wrench lifts the command tent flap, entering after the cyborg.
Xhaiden continued to follow along after the pair following to see where they were headed. As they enter into the command tent the boy does the same allowing his invisibility to fade away as he notices Zlod. He does not interrupt the conversation moving to quietly stand behind his guardian as if his arrival was the most natural thing in the world.
" Thank you for joining us, Herr Heydrich," Savage greets his newest guest as he pours some coffee. “Please, have a seat.”
Heydrich gives a stiff half-bow, " Herr Savage," he states in his tinny voice before taking a seat beside Zlod. Heydrich is a man-sized ‘borg or ’bot, it’s difficult to tell since there are no organics showing, lacking the MDC plating or built-in armaments you would normally see on combat augmentations. His frame appears to be rather light-duty as well, though there is a power port on each wrist. Heydrich looks appraisingly at Zlod for a moment as he settles into the chair.
" Zlod , this is Herr Heydrich, another of our guests here, He has just delivered some important information about the demon activity and needs a place to lie low for a while."
“Scheiße!” exclaims Heydrich. “Juicers, sie haben nein konzept der heimlichkeit!” he places his head in his hands. "Juicers, they has no concept of clandestine. " Savage and Wrench grin broadly as the ’bot moans about them.
" Herr Heydrich, we wanted to introduce you to Zlod since we think you can both help each other."
“Ja, ja, Herr Wrench er hat es mir erklärt.” Heydrich sighs before shifting to face Zlod completely. " I am Reinhard Heydrich, Spionagekommando and, umm, robot pilot." he pauses a moment before nodding to himself. “These gentlemen tell me you are looking for kämpfer, for fighters. I could use employ, and can bring valuable equipment and skills.”
Savage brings Zlod his cup of caffeine before returning to the other side of his desk.
Zlod takes the cup of caffeine from Savage and sips on it. “Nice to meet you Herr Heydrich I could both use skills and equipment, and I am more than willing to help you lay low especially if you worked against demons in the past. That kind of experience is invaluable.” Zlod says in between sips of his beverage. “What kind of skills do you bring to the table?” Zlod asks the cyborg.
“Ich am trained in the intelligence und counterintelligence, infiltration, tracking, cryptography, surveillance, computer use, und research. I pilot EIR combat und infiltration units und der Wasserspeier is experimental deep cover extended operation model. I can do most maintenance, repair, und rearm. Der Wasserspeier has great power, und heavy weapon rail gun, pulse laser, TX-252 und TX-222. With hand to hand, it is magnificent. Oh, I am also very good at brewing, Ich have eine old family hefeweizen recipe, "
“Wow that is quite the list there. With those kind of abilities and skills you must command top pay. And bringing Triax equipment is well worth it too, they make some great weapons. I am not able to pay top credit right now, but I can do my best to pay you a competitive paycheck. How much are you lookin for a week?” Zlod asks Herr Heydrich. Zlod’s head moves slightly as he takes notice of Xhaiden moving behind his chair, but he doesn’t say anything. “Brewing is well welcome. Always nice to be able to make your own drink.”
Xhaiden looks between the group and asks Heydrich in German, “Please forgive me for the interruption. Something about demons was mentioned?” as he speaks the normal English sign language is signed as he continues onward in German, “Do you know anything about any particular demons?” even for those who do not speak the language would be able to hear the excitement in his tone.
“Ah, ja hinterhältigeskind,” Heydrich replies after a moment’s pause, nodding to Xhaiden. “It is, complicated, but Ich habe access to much information on demons. My specialization is infiltration among wasserspeieren, among gargoyles, so I know much about them.” Aside from the initial german, Heydrich responds in english for everyone’s benefit.
“As for pay, when on assignment it was 1000 per week, und 600 normally. Operating outside of normal logistics I would ask 600 und salvage, to replace repair materials. You may wish to meet my better half before making a decision, too. It is in the clinic, to avoid panic.”
" I will ask a couple of folks to talk to you later, Zlod, when I find them. I will also send for you when the specialist gets in." Savage states, sitting back down at his desk. “Is there anything else you need?”
“Ya, lets go see your better half, and 600 a week is a bargain. I’ll make sure you get a decent share of any salvage we come across.” Zlod says as he stands up from where he was sitting. Zlod nods at Savage. “No that would be great if you would send some people my way. I really appreciate going out of your way like this to help me out. You are making things significantly easier for me.” Zlod starts heading towards the clinic, letting Heydrich lead the way.
There is a quick nod of Xhaiden’s head from his expression it is clear he did not catch everything said. As the two prepare to make their way to the clinic he moves to follow along afterwards remaining slightly behind Zlod as if ensuring protection in case Heydrich becomes aggressive.
Heydrich leads the way out of the tent and back over to the large rear door of the clinic. The tent city arrangement was designed specifically to allow unobstructed access to this doorway, so it is well hidden from general view. The large doors open as the trio approach, and out steps an enormous gargoyle.
Standing nearly 20 feet tall, the gargoyle has two massive weapons, a railgun and laser rifle. one mechanically attached to each leg. As it stands there, breathing, its long tail swishing along the ground behind it you could be forgiven for not realizing it was robotic in nature.
" Herr Zlod, do you have any questions?" the gargoyle rumbles.
Zlod’s jaw opens in surprise and shock. “Well ain’t that a hell of a thing. You Germans sure know how to build em. That looks just like a gargoyle. What do I call you?” Zlod asks the giant robotic gargoyle as he starts to walk around the giant thing assessing it and scoping it out. “This would be a hell of a thing for infiltration and intelligence gathering. How high up can you fly?” He finishes his circle around the robotic gargoyle. “What do you think Xhaiden?”
" It is, complicated. Call me Reinhard. With just wings I can fly to 1 kilometer, around 3200 feet. If I engage jet assist I can reach 4500 meters. Zat is around 15000 feet. Zere I can glide, and take advantage of thermals. Properly arrayed my ratio is 20 to 1, so 20 kilometers glide distance for every 1 kilometer in altitude. I can use ze jet assist for 1 hour continuous, so I generally use is to climb or maintain altitude as needed. As infiltration is ze primary purpose of zis unit, it is well provisioned for ze task, ja?" The gargoyle’s voice is a low and gravelly, and he kneels and spreads his wings to give Zlod a better view.
The boy’s reaction at first is defensive moving to draw a weapon that is not present as he moves to speak his eyes narrowed. It is Zlod’s words that causes him to realize the creature is not actually a Gargoyle, “It is not real?” his voice is confused and for the first time he forgets to sign recovering after a moment watching the others as they speak his fingers moving rapidly as he talks, “Pretty cool.” He moves forward to touch one of the creature’s wings standing on the tops of his toes hands stretched out.
As one of the wing is lowered a grin spreads upon Xhaiden’s features, “Xhaiden.” He both speaks and signs turning his gaze from Reinhard’s mouth to the wing itself. His hands gently touching in order to discover if it is metallic or the same as skin, “He is not really scary at all Zlod and can fly. That is so cool. I think I want to go on a scouting with him.” he adds in, “If you don’t mind?” he looks up at Reinhard, “How old are you anyway?”
“Alright so we can take on Reinhard and Heydrich. That will be quite an addition to our special forces although don’t have any regular forces yet.” Zlod says with a laugh as he watches Xhaiden touch Reinhard’s wing. “You can go scouting with him sometimes. It’ll depend if he has to go undercover or not.” Zlod tells Xhaiden. “What skills do you have Reinhard? Also, do either of you know military sign? I find that is a useful skill to have. Nice thing about having someone up in the air like that means I could parachute from him if the situation calls for it.”
The surface of the bot is rough and warm, feeling like skin and not at all like metal, rubber, or fabric. As Xhaiden is examining it, though, the surface shifts, like a nictitating membrane, exposing a fine mesh of metallic scales. “Solar cells, my wings can absorb sunlight to charge an internal battery.”
" Scouting is definitely a function I can perform, und can bring along passengers or some equipment. Ze more I carry, ze slower und lower I fly. If I do not bring Heydrich, I think I could even bring Herr Zlod. I will demonstrate."
A seam opens from the top of the gargoyle’s chest through its core, stretching and opening to reveal a pilot's cabin within the cavity. A seat and neural interface helmet can be seen, as well as a couple of monitors. The space within could accommodate Zlod and his equipment with some discomfort.
“I was 25 years old,” Reinhard adds at Xhaiden’s inquiry.
" Herr Zlod, I think you may be a little confused. Which is understandable," the gargoyle says, " I am Reinhard Heydrich. Heydrich, as you see him, is a robot I can remotely control when necessary. Zis bulk is a little much for many people. So I purchased an assistant robot to facilitate interactions und perform maintenance."
Heydrich pipes up "I can change my focus quickly, but can only control one, umm, body, at a time. "
Reinhard resumes, “When not in direct control ze resident system resumes control.”
“This is really cool…” Xhaiden pauses hearing the words spoken his brows furrowed up in thought, “One person with two bodies?” he shakes his head, “Really you are not separate people?” he looks over to Zlod and nods in agreement, “No gargoyle disguise for me?” a grin spreads upon his features marveling at the piloting seat which extends from the chest.
“You can not operate two hovercycles at ze same time, can you? Much ze same idea. Think of zese as two vehicles, which zey really are. Ze difference is I can not physically leave zis one.
Zat is a long story I can retell later.” Reinhard explains, sounding amused. “To answer you question, Herr Zlod, Military Sign is part of zis system’s internal programming, so I can use und recognize it.”
Zlod is visibly impressed by the pilot compartment inside the robotic gargoyle. “Oi, that is great. A trojan horse and can use that to do insertions too. A really cool feature that is. Ok, so it is just the one of you that is able to use both bodies. Got it I think. What is the range? How close does the robot have to be to the gargoyle to continue to function?” Zlod nods his head as he thinks about all the possibilities and situations that the robotic gargoyle can be used in. “Glad you know military sign that is very useful in combat situations.”
There is a quick shake of Xhaiden’s head at Reinhard’s question. His hands and voice in sync as he responds, “No sir.” He thinks for a moment, “Can the wings go into a hidden compartment too? That way you can wear a coat and a disguise until people know you are on our side.” He scratches the back of his head, “Do you speak demontalk too? Guess you do as part of your cover.”
“Ja, ich spreche Demogogian und gargoyle. Ze wings, nein, they do not retract. I think zey do not make a coat large enough for me, either.” Reinhard chuckles. “Ze range is around 800 kilometers, but terrain affects zat. I have a repeater I can install on a high place to extend range somewhat. It is large, und only has battery for 80 hours. It has a solar panel, but zose are difficult to conceal. I usually disguise ze repeater as a tree. Ze robot can function without me in range, too. I tell it what modules to load, und what tasks to do, und it can do zem. Usually simple or very focused, like repair, recycling, salvage, research, medical, make beer, or to listen to another user instructions. It is a capable assistant. It does not make its own decisions, outside of programming. It is not sophisticated AI.”
“Ya, he is a little big to disguise him. That is why he has the robot he can pilot and use for where the gargoyle is not suitable.” Zlod says with an amused tone. “Sounds like it is a bargain. Welcome aboard. Very glad to have you. You’ll make a great addition to our little company.” Zlod says with a large welcoming smile. “We already have a bit of a job lined up with the creature hiding out in the cave, but we have a bit of time before we need to go in. Hopefully time enough to find at least one other person to join up.”
“He is pretty large.” Xhaiden signs and moves to offer the Gargoyle Robot a high five, “Welcome aboard.” He grins, “Yeah one or two more and I think we could be unstoppable.” He looks to the creature, “Maybe we already are.”
" Danke, it is good to have a new project to work on. I will be moving to a place near ze river tonight, somewhere I can get sun without disturbing ze locals. Heydrich will be remaining here." Reinhard closes up the pilot compartment and returns to the darkness of the clinic.
" I need to go into town to get some clothes and equipment, especially if I end up on some missions instead of Reinhard," Heydrich comments as the large doors begin to close again. “If you have a radio I can provide a channel und encryption to contact directly. I also have a tent assigned.”
“Alright. Sounds good. Do you need some credits for clothes and equipment? We can consider it a signing bonus.” Zlod asks as he rights down his radio communication details and hands to to Heydrich. “You can reach me at this radio channel. I keep my radio on me at all times. Right now I am staying at the Aileron Inn because I haven’t had a bed to sleep in for a while.”
For the moment, Xhaiden remains silent, giving one final glance into the piloting compartment before moving to stand alongside Zlod again. Heydrich and Reinhard are both given a thumbs up as the expression of amazement remain apparent on his features, along with the softly muttered, “He is so amazing. Two bodies back and forth.”
“I have some credits for the equipment, zough if you wish to supplement I would not object. I will be getting some body armor, ze clothes, backpack, a pistol, rifle, und vibro-sabre. Basics, und it will help me blend in better. What are your plans, since as you say we have a bit of time? After getting gear I was planning on charging before moving tonight Since I just got here, like you, I need to find some information und technical contacts sometime.”
Heydrich begins heading down the road toward the town proper.
Zlod peels off six, one hundred credit bills, and hands them over. “First week’s pay in advance. I have met someone that has the potential to be an operator. Guy by the name of Gus. I have some contact info for him, and he might be worth talking to. I have some field armorer skills. I need to put a sight on my pistol. I am hoping to find at least one more person, and if I do that then we will go to the cave and guard it until it is time to go in. I hope to gain more intel at the cave.” Zlod nods his head as he thinks. “Hopefully if I can find another person, or two we can move tomorrow during the day.”
“And I need to get my bow or at the very least a sling shot.” He thinks for a moment, “Think there might be another person here?” Xhaiden considers for a moment, “Is he a man controlling a Gargoyle or a Gargoyle controlling a man?”
“I am going to see if the refugees need any help, and see what I can do for them. Work with them for a bit then head over to the general store and get that stuff we ordered along with a few other things.” Zlod says before he goes out of the clinic to go help the refugees with building any structures they might need with his skills in mechanics. He also can help clear back forest and help remove stumps to make room. He will help out for a few hours before heading into town.
With some of the mystery solved Xhaiden offered a quick nod of his head his hands moving swiftly, “I will explore see the area and learn things nearby.” After giving Zlod a quick hug he would make his way from the clinic turning himself invisible to explore the nearby area. Checking for signs of unusual animals roaming about and gaining a general feel of the land.
