thebastion | An incognito arrival

Entry tags:

An incognito arrival

Who: Erek King and anyone!
Open: Wide open!
When: Day 247
Where: anywhere in the Bastion
What: An android arrives and skulks about hidden behind holograms before saying hello.
Format: prose preferred, but I'll match either!
Warnings: none

Erek's holographic emitter isn't projecting when he becomes aware he isn't home. That is already worrying, even before he takes in his surroundings while raising the illusion of a human boy around himself. An expression of relief flickers across the holographic face, thousands of years making shifts in expression a well-founded habit. His emitters aren't down, at least.

This isn't Earth, though, and it's the most bizarre planet Erek has ever visited. As he takes a step, the ground shifts around him, creating a path on which to walk. ...Interesting, if concerning. He doesn't think it's based on magnetism. The planet itself probably isn't sentient either. It's a matter for later investigation, though. There are more pressing concerns.

He sees a light in the distance that looks promising and replaces his human hologram with one of invisibility, blending into his surroundings. Erek will wait until he sees what species inhabit the planet and do his best to blend in. He sets off toward the Bastion.

When he arrives, Erek stays out of sight until anyone comes into view. He plans on taking up an appropriate hologram as soon as he's gauged the people well enough. Of course, should anyone human-shaped be present, it's easy enough to duck behind the edge of a building and emerge as Erek King, a fairly unremarkable teenage boy. He assumes that no one will see through his camouflage in the meantime. It hasn't happened so far, his emitters sufficiently advanced that it would take a very specialized sort of eyesight to see anything through the illusion.

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"Yes, just today." He returns the grin with a smile, half out of politeness and half because he does appreciate what seems to be genuine friendliness. "You've been here considerably longer, I assume?"

"A couple of months now, hardly a blink of an eye really," Colin says idly, shaking his head. "My name is Colin. Hopefully you haven't been too weirded out by everything out there?"

He gestures out towards the Skyway entrance, watching Erek.

He nods, though he's a little surprised by Colin's attitude about the length of time. "I'm Erek. The planet is a very odd one, but I didn't encounter anything dangerous while I was out there. Do you have any idea what makes it move like that? I could conceive of planets with floating debris or bits of earth, maybe something magnetized, but the ground here is responsive to movement on it. That's considerably more complex."

"I'm not even sure if you can accurately call this a planet anymore," Colin tells him, shaking his head. "After the calamity, it's not displaying many planet-like features. Gravity's weird, time is... questionable. It's more of a point of least resistance, I think. It's definitely got its own laws of physics. Close to what most people know, but... not QUITE the same as we know them."

"I couldn't think of any laws of physics I know to explain what the ground here does. Having its own slightly different ones makes more sense." Point of least resistance isn't a description most people would come up with. Colin does seem fairly scientifically minded, though, which would imply he's a good person to ask about the functioning of the not-precisely-a-planet.

"What do you think I should know about this place and what to expect?"

"I can think of a few, but they're definitely not native to any planes most people would be able to access," Colin says, shaking his head. He gestures out towards the edge of the Bastion. "The best things I can tell you are to stay away from the edges. The Bastion has a recovery field if you fall off, but no other location out there seems to. And even my scans can't tell if there's ground down over the edge."

Reaching under his shirt, Colin pulls out an amulet. "When you arrived here, the Bastion should have put one of these on your person," he explains. "Don't lose it, don't get rid of it. It seems to be what enables the ground to come into your path, and it serves as a translator as well. It can interact with the monument as well, once you've gathered enough shards to do anything with it."

"I'll stay on ground as solid as I can find," Erek promises before asking, "Scans? How advanced is the sensor technology you have access to here? Most of the buildings looked fairly simple, and I assumed that technology fell somewhere along the same lines."

Nodding acknowledgement, Erek makes a mental note to add an amulet into his human hologram. He does have one, on his metal body underneath. "What can the monument do, and what are its limitations?"

"As a society, the Bastion is roughly information age in terms of technology," Colin says. "No sign of space flight, and a lot of inventions directed towards war and causing harm. Kinetic weapons, explosives, petroleum, pressure panels, that sort of thing. No sensors whatsoever."

He smirks, looking Erek over, taking in his appearance with interest. "As for me... Multidimensional, time-travel, fully integrated cybernetics, approaching galactic boundry exploration," he says. "And very, very good sensors. Only reason I haven't got this place more thoroughly scanned is because I only have what was on me when the calamity hit."

He turns, pointing towards the monument now. "That's the monument, it's a replication system of some sort. VASTLY out of place in this world's technology. It's a mystery I haven't yet solved, nor do I expect I will for quite some time, given that it's pretty much responsible for our life-line here. It can create... a lot, provided it has enough power. I have yet to hit the bounds of what it CAN'T make, though I have some suspicions."

He nods. The level of technology is about what Erek expected. And the propensity for weapons is hardly surprising, it's just a mild disappointment.

Colin's smirk is... worrying, when combined with the intent gaze. Erek tilts his head, considering Colin. No one has ever managed to see through his holograms before. Certain organic life forms with very specialized vision can, but he's never encountered anyone with sufficiently advanced sensors or cybernetics to do so via technology. "Sounds like you've led an interesting life so far," he says neutrally, his holographic eyes and his actual gaze still locked on Colin. He'll wait at least a little longer before drawing any conclusions.

"Can the monument make life forms, specifically or as random new members of a particular species? Do you know yet whether it would differentiate between sentient and non-sentient species?" The questions are worded carefully. Erek doesn't want to get his own hopes up, nor does he want to fully explain the situation to Colin yet. But he can't help asking.

"I've lived the kind of interesting life that a lot of people try to curse other people with," Colin says, his tone amused and smug. "And I've loved just about every minute of it."

He sees no reason to shatter Erek's sense of illusion just yet. People keep secrets for a reason, after all. His reactions thus far have probably been telling enough to make Erek a little paranoid. The way that he carries himself still speaks volumes towards what might be going on in that brain of his.

"The monument can definitely introduce biologicals and technological consciousnesses," Colin says, looking at the landmark with a critical gaze now. "I don't think it can create specific life forms like a person you know, though. And sentience is an interesting question. It can definitely make sentient beings, but again, I don't know its limits. I know that it managed to create several animals of startling intelligence for Rin. It made a whole herd of mammoths for Paarthurnax as well, and some drakes for Crona. To say nothing of the colony of faeries that Ghaleon brought in, they're definitely sentient, albeit young and inexperienced."

Colin's enthusiasm is appreciated. Too many people go exploring or develop technology for power or violence. The Pemalites were a race of boundless enthusiasm, and they took intense joy from their technological advances and galactic exploration. Erek always likes finding a bit of that attitude elsewhere.

He decides to favor Colin with a small portion of the explanation, if not his reasons. Especially after Colin's description of his life, there's no reason to avoid mention of people from planets other than Earth. "I want to introduce one species of Earth animals and one alien race, but the latter is sufficiently advanced that they've long since become 'whos' rather than 'whats.' "

His creators were incredibly naive, trusting, silly, playful, peaceful people, but they were also more than capable of developing interstellar travel and androids with senses of humor. 'Technological consciousnesses' means he might not have to remain the only surviving Chee. That's a reassuring thought. As it stands, with neither dogs nor other Chee alive, Erek is quite literally all that's left of the Pemalites' legacy. It's an uncomfortable position to be in, and suddenly he finds himself with a stronger sense of self-preservation. Erek didn't consciously stop his holographic emitters from their habitual mirroring of his thoughts, so he looks pensive on the more expressive human hologram even if his real face reveals nothing.

"You'll need to acquire shards for that," Colin says, considering. "Most of the creatures out there carry shards, they seem to naturally attract wildlife... Or maybe wildlife attracts it, either way. I would ask that you not go on a creature-slaughtering spree, the critters out there have had a hard enough go of things without MORE of us hunting them for shiny things. You can also find shards tucked away in lots of places. Just... don't go alone. It's a very hostile environment out there. We've lost people, literally and otherwise, who thought they could handle themselves alone."

He won't push Erek for details. It sounds like a very personal thing to him. "Just... be warned, I suspect that the more complex the beings you try to reintroduce, the more it will cost," he advises.

"I'm a pacifist," Erek replies, "And a lot sturdier than I look. If they even notice me, I wouldn't hurt any of the creatures. I doubt they'd notice me at all though. I'm pretty good at staying hidden when I try." Erek isn't outright saying he's an android yet, but he's dropping much bigger hints. He has a feeling Colin knows.

Nodding, Erek says seriously, "Cost isn't an issue, provided it's possible. I'll find a way to pay."

"Sturdiness is good, but there's some nasty stuff out there. And if you're knocked over the edge, it won't matter how sturdy you are," he says gently, trying to instill some caution in the newbie.

He reaches out a hand to rap a knuckle on Erek's frame then. Secrets are all well and good, but these hints are so big, he might as well just let that cat out of the bag and be done with it. "I doubt an anklegator would want to eat you, but I suspect that a Gasfella might take offense to you, and we've seen ones strong enough to toss around elephants out there. It doesn't matter if you're made of titanium, zortrium, or any other alloy out there. Gravity is a harsh mistress, and the Gasfellas know how to make offerings to her."

There it is. Confirmation that Colin's seen through his holograms. "You're the first," Erek says. "My emitters are excellent. Certain life forms with very unique visual cortexes can see through them; I've never bothered trying to fool things like wolf spiders, for instance, with their good vision and eight non-identical eyes. You're the first to have better technology. I'd be interested in the specifics of it."

As for the warning, he does nod acknowledgement of it before countering, "Between the holograms and my speed, I don't expect anyone to land a blow unless I'm completely surrounded. In which case there would also be a convenient barrier to being thrown off the edge." Erek doesn't promise never to go out alone. He probably will, at least sometimes. "I'll be careful, and I'll take company at least the first couple times. I am going out there, though."

He doesn't want anyone fighting to protect him. It skirts awfully close to the edge of his programmed limits, asking someone else to fight to fulfill Erek's goals. He'll take Tobias as a scout, though. A hawk is probably the most useful exploration partner as far as Erek is concerned.

"There are tricks," Colin says, smiling. "Multi-spectrum vision, sound overlays, chemical analysis, laser sighting. I like to know where all the hazards are, especially the ones the typical eye can't see. I'd be happy to share details with you later on."

Then he pauses, and he shakes his head. "I know you're confident, but this is a new environment. We lost a demon knight who'd been alive for quite some time, and had fought quite a few foes. I'm sure you're capable and I don't mean to insinuate otherwise... but the stuff out there survived the end of the world. It's capable too, and it's had a lot of opportunities to prove why."

"I look forward to it," Erek replies with evident sincerity in his voice and his projected face. He doesn't intend to modify his own emitters in the near future, but the knowledge of how they were thwarted would be useful if someone with worse intentions should develop similar technology. It could be necessary someday. Plus, the technology sounds very interesting in its own right. Erek was created by a species that did things and learned things for the sheer joy of it. Forgetting that would do a disservice to their memory.

"If you'd like additional reassurance, I can provide it. I'd prefer not to discuss my abilities or history publicly just yet, though." He shrugs holographically, though his real shoulders do not mimic the gesture. It comes less naturally to his android form. "The Chee have hidden on Earth for thousands of years, repeatedly feigning normal human lifespans. I'd rather stay Erek King for the time being."

"We've got a dragon here that's several thousand years," Colin says, sounding amused. "I'm over five hundred, myself. So... I think you can keep your avatar for as long as you want without anyone batting an eye. I'm not terribly worried about it, just telling you to be careful is all."

He continues to inspect Erek, trusting his passive sensors to alert him to any threats that he can't see without a deep scan. He certainly COULD give him a penetrating scan to see what he's capable of, but such things are considered rude to most cultures.

To say nothing of the fact that he doesn't know if Erek could detect a scan...

"Not human, then," Erek surmises, mildly surprised by the close resemblance, though he does notice the ears now that his attention's been called. Aliens are one thing, but he's never seen any so physically similar to a different existing species. "I don't mind sharing in more detail now that you've caught me, just not publicly. We had reasons for keeping hidden besides not wanting to influence the course of human history after taking refuge on their planet."

The scan isn't really necessary. Erek will answer questions as long as Colin gives him no reason to be suspicious. The one thing Erek worries most about, now that he's dealing with others whose technology may be every bit as advanced as his own, is the possibility that someone could override his programming against his will if they felt it necessary. Erek overrode his own once, and a bloodbath ensued. He has to live with that.

"Nope, about as alien as I can get and still look bipedal and normal enough to fit in with the locals," he says, sounding amused. "Though, don't let my stature fool you, I'm an outlier. You'll not find another elf as stocky as me anywhere you go. Most of my race are a lot more lithe and slender."

Should Erek ever voice those concerns, he'll at least find a sympathetic ear.

"If not for non-interference, I'm going to assume you were hiding from someone," Colin tells him, sounding remarkably calm about it.

" 'Normal enough to fit in with the locals' is a bit outside the range of my experience. I've never met a non-shapeshifting species able to pass as another. At least, not without common ancestry." Height, build, and ear shape are not very big differences. He adds with a holographic smile, "I never knew elves were more than human folklore."

At the comment on hiding, Erek shrugs again, still just with the hologram. "Hiding from someone specific would seem like an initial reason, but it might not be quite accurate. There's a long story behind our arrival on Earth." He'll willingly elaborate if prompted, but for now Erek leaves the history of his creators unspoken. He continues, "We're also non-violent by programming, though. Many see powerful androids and immediately start thinking of our potential military use. Camouflage is a good defense against that way of thinking."

"Evolution pressures are funny things," Colin says, smiling. "My people originated on a world alongside humans and other bipedal races. It's not terribly difficult to imagine that our developmental paths would have been similar."

Colin turns, letting Erek decide whether he wants to follow or not. "I'm heading back to my workshop," he says then. "If you'd want to tell me more, I'm certainly happy to hear about it. And I know all about the merits of 'droid design. Made quite a few myself."

"Similar developmental paths is one thing. I do still find it surprising unless you shared a genetic ancestor." He does look askance at one thing Colin said, though. "Alongside humans? If I'm interpreting that correctly, it would imply alternate universe, or another world somehow populated by humans within the same one."

Erek will follow. Colin's workshop seems likely to be the most interesting building in the bastion. As he falls into step beside Colin, he looks for confirmation, "I assume you see my holograms clearly despite being able to see through them? I can show stories just as easily as telling them."

"Well, I admit I hardly know the first thing about evolutionary development," Colin says, sounding amused. And... it's several orders of magnitude more complex than just an alternate universe, sadly. There's gods involved, so it's never as easy to leaving something to its own devices, alternate universe or no."

He smiles, walking at a sedate pace. "Oh yeah, I can see your holograms," he says. "I've got visual overlays of several different spectrums of light and visual display modes at once. Plus, y'know, one biological eye seeing only what nature intended."

"Are those gods actually gods, or did they start out as beings comparable to humans and just evolve to massive scales of power or intelligence?" He's genuinely curious, and the question is telling enough. The Chee are not religious. Erek has had contact with the Ellimist and Crayak, though, beings who exist on a level that's difficult enough to comprehend, let alone reach them at. Erek served as a pawn in one of their battles.

"Was it an easy adjustment to all the additional visual input?" Most species with such things evolved to accommodate them, rather than introducing them after the fact. The multiple spectrums and display modes do explain why holograms are ineffective. The hologram would need to be as layered as Colin's vision to fool him.

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Fun fact: The canon password of a Pemalite spaceship computer... is 6. Single digit.

Colin hopes that the computer would shut down after a failed attempt.

It would politely apologize and say that it can't give them access because they might get hurt.

Hahaha

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