Machine Story

The Sahana Desert

After a night’s rest, the three warriors traveled out of the Skavolan Woods and into their next destination. In order to reach the coordinates on Siri’s map, they had to pass through the desiccated Sahana Desert.

The Sahana Desert was known for its relentlessly dry heat that easily dehydrated unprepared travelers. The terrain was filled with sand and prone to many sandstorms throughout the day. Although life was not as abundant here, there were still lifeforms that could survive in such an environment. However, the greatest danger the Sahana was known for, is that its heat will cause your mind to hallucinate and see mirages. It's rumoured the desert will lull you into danger when your mind becomes weak.

Upon arriving, Siri scanned the area to see if there was a clear path to cross the desert. After minutes of analysis, Siri came to the conclusion that traversing the desert on foot would be a death sentence. They needed an alternative way to cross the desert.

David looked to Niall and Shaan for suggestions. However, neither one could provide any solutions. Having lived most of their life within colony five, they haven’t had much experience traveling beyond.

Thankfully, Siri remembered more of what she learned in class. She shouted to get David’s attention. “Okay, I’m listening, please don’t break my eardrums!” Siri explained that there could be desert guides who make a living by escorting people through the drylands. She told David that they should search for an outpost within the area.

After exploring for several minutes, they stumble upon an outpost in the desert that had three people waiting in line. Not certain what they were in line for, David suggested for Niall to ask one of them. Niall did not comply with David’s decision and threw the responsibility back to him. The two went back and forth, arguing with each other until Shaan jumped in.

“Guys, you both fought dangerous animals and man-killing machines. How are you both so scared to ask someone for directions?” He asked. Both David and Niall replied defensively, “I ain’t scared of asking nobody nothing!” They immediately looked at each other, accusing each other of stealing ‘his’ line.

As their verbal altercation continued, Shaan rolled his eyes before walking down to the outpost himself. The first person was a man with slightly long blonde hair who was carrying a canvas, easel and multiple scrolls of paper in his bag. He looked busy with his artistic work so Shaan decided not to speak with him.

The second was a cryptic character who hid under her hood and was dressed in a garb with her arms crossed. She looked like she was hiding something or hiding from something, which didn’t sit right with Shaan. He also decided to skip over this character in line.

Then the last person was a lovely lady wearing a dress with a shawl over it with her back facing Shaan. “Finally, someone normal looking I can talk to.” He thought in his head. As he tapped the lady on the shoulder, “Excuse Miss, but could you tell me….” She turns around and after seeing her face Shaan suddenly forgets his entire vocabulary.

“Yes? How can I help you?” The lady asked as Shaan continued to be at a loss for words. “Lin, I mean line. Yes, the line!” She raises one eyebrow and considers backing away. “What is the line you are standing in for?” He wiped off the sweat on his forehead as he finished asking the question.

Slightly weirded out, she kindly replied to Shaan that she was waiting for the desert guide. She added that this was the safest way across the desert through all the deadly animals lurking around.

After she finished explaining, Shaan thanked the lady and then tripped as he turned around to get back to his comrades. He tried to recover by acting all cool but instead made the situation more awkward.

When he returned, David and Niall were waiting and unable to hold back their laughter. “Real smooth.” Niall chuckled. Shaan kept his head down to hide his embarrassment. “Hey look on the bright side, there is no way she is going to forget you after that fall.” David jested. “I liked it much better when you both hated each other.” Shaan groaned.

Shortly after their banter, a man from the outpost came out to greet the people in line. He looked well equipped to deal with whatever surprise awaited in the dry lands. He announced to everyone that his name was Jovin and that he would be the one helping them cross the Sahana desert. He showcased his mighty wolfhound named Rocky, who had a saddle on his back that could carry up to ten people.

After the small audience was awe inspired, Jovin stuck out his hand and began to collect the fee for the journey. The artist, the sketchy looking girl, and the lady in the dress all paid up as Jovin walked by. When Jovin got to Niall, Shaan and David, he took a pause. “Hey, your friend over there looks a bit funky, he’s part machine isn’t he?”

Upon hearing what Jovin said, the other three passengers were on alert. They had not been paying attention to David much until now. “No cyborgs allowed, they are a danger to society and attract all kinds of trouble!” Jovin began to turn away from them but Niall quickly jumped in front of him.

“Sir! Do you have any idea who you are talking to? This man fought against the legendary Queen Arachnid that haunted the Skavolan Woods. He even single-handedly took down a titan-sized Metadross by himself.”

Niall did his best sales impression but Jovin was very firm on his stance. “I don't care if he is the queen’s royal guard. Rocky can smell that you and your friends are magnets for trouble, and I can’t risk my business transporting you three!”

As Jovin walked away again, David, Niall, and Shaan had their heads down in defeat. They were back to square one, needing to figure a way to cross the desert. Suddenly, the lady in the dress called for Jovin’s attention.

“Sorry to bother you, but those three over there are actually with me. I will pay for their ride across the desert.” Jovin was dumbstruck but again he refused, until she said. “I will pay double.” Jovin’s jaw dropped. “Will that suffice?” Without saying anything else, Jovin nods.

Once all the preparations were all set, Jovin went over the rules. Everything was the typical standard rules people were used to hearing except for one particular rule: “No sugar on board, especially gummy worms!”

David began thinking about that rule in particular as it seemed very strange. He thought maybe it was because sugar made you dehydrate quicker. “No you metal-head! Sugar attracts wild animals! Gummy worms are the worst because they attract the most menacing creature in the entire desert, sand wurms.” David was startled after Siri’s sudden yelling. “How do you know all this… Wait, let me guess, another class?” Siri happily confirmed.

With everyone aboard Rocky’s back, Jovin gave the command and Rocky began to carry all the passengers through the desert. As they were moving, Shaan looked around to find the lady who had paid for their entry. After locating her, he made his way towards her.

“Excuse me Shaan. What are you doing?” Niall interrupted. Shaan explained that he was going to thank the person who paid for their trip. He also added that now would be a good opportunity for him to meet some new people and expand their circle.

David could see Niall returning back alone and asked what happened to Shaan. “He thinks he’s too cool for us now. Says we need to learn how to make other friends.” David looked at the other people available to converse with: the painter or the person covered in a cowl.

“Well who do you want to talk to?” As David turned around, Niall had already left and made his choice. He was walking towards the painter without allowing David a chance to choose. That meant David was stuck with the goth-vibed passenger.

David slowly approached the hooded character that was huddled up in the corner. He attempted to greet her with an awkward smile and hand wave but there was no response. As he tried to get closer, the person just turned her back towards him and continued to keep to herself. “Sigh I hope Niall is having better luck than me.”

The painter had his canvas and brush out ready to begin his work. As he was selecting his choice of colour, Niall slipped in to say hi but was completely ignored. Niall made it known to the painter that it was quite rude to ignore people. “Well it's not very nice of you to disrupt someone's work in progress.” Rebutted the artist.

Niall couldn’t believe the response but he took a deep breath to not let the reaction get to him. “Look I’m trying to be nice, the least you could do is just tell me your name.” He continues looking into the distance and back on his canvas. “Jake, happy? Have a good day.”

David and Niall came back to the original spot they sat. Almost simultaneously they dropped to the ground feeling mentally exhausted. They asked each other how their conversation went and both replied with a disgruntled sound. “Fighting the Metadross was easier than making conversation!”

Meanwhile, Shaan had begun his conversation by thanking the lady who paid to get him and his comrades on the trip. The lady introduced herself as Mya from the City of Corrinth.

Shaan: Corrinth? You mean the Royal City of Corrinth?

Mya: That is the one.

Shaan: I always heard tales about this amazing city. Is it really as majestic as they make it out to be?

Mya: Um… I guess? I mean it is a place with a marketplace, restaurants, performing theatre, big crowds, the royal palace. You know the usual stuff.

Shaan: Uhh come again?

Mya: Don’t all cities and tribes have that?

Shaan: Well no. I’m from Colony Five. Where we are from, most of that stuff is unheard of.

Mya: We? You refer to yourself as multiple people?

Shaan: Oh no, I meant me and my friends, David and Niall. Do you remember them from earlier?

Mya: Oh right, I couldn’t possibly forget them. Listen, the reason I paid for all your tickets to come aboard, is because I need you and your friend’s help.

Shaan: What do you need our help with?

Mya: I don’t have time to go into detail but I need to know: is it true what one of your allies said, that cyborg took on the legendary Spider Queen and a Titan class Metadross?

Shaan: Well I mean, he had some help (pointing to himself)

Mya: Please, could you arrange a meeting for us to speak?

Shaan: There is no need to be that formal. I mean I could just go ask him right now.

Mya: You can do that? Thank you so much!

Shaan was feeling like a hero after the conclusion of the conversation. He got Mya to follow him to where David and Niall were lying down. However, as he was about to grab his attention, Jovin announced to everyone to descend and set up camp for the night.