Unintended

02

There wasn't actually too much to do at the base, apart from learning about the Old World from the Focus, and whatever information that Gaia wished to share and impart; in fact, the advanced AI was more than helpful, something akin to sadness seemed to radiate the golden robed figure, as she stood above the podium which seemed to project her. She was kind, as understanding as she was helpful, she seemed to empathise that the people that now surrounded her, were completely unaware to how and in some part why their world had turned out like it did.

Rampaging machines, defensive and terrible in size and shape were just the norm for the tribes and clans which now called Earth home. From what surveillance Gaia had viewed from files that were on Aloy's own Focus, she couldn't yet could see much of the world she used to know. Though it wasn't like the Earth her first counterpart knew, this second Gaia could see some aspects that were much the same. Cities were destroyed, the occupants long dead, but within those relict ruins, somehow some had come to utilise what was there to build a new home; however, much like the ways of humans, they also found ways to cope, to survive, to counteract the situation in which they found themselves in. Although that was all well and good apart from the Blight; the red vine like structures which were appearing everywhere was greatly affecting everyone now.

But even still, some aspects of old Earth could still be seen; even if these were mainly through drones which were still somehow operational. It was interesting to see the scans, the surroundings and the landscapes which these drones had captured. Without signs of life really, or machines on the horizon, no one would think that right outside of this base, the world beyond was dangerous and unforgiving.

Everyone adapted to the surroundings they found themselves in quite easily. But the base, it threw out everything everyone knew. Even with how much Gaia being in control of the basic functioning of it, it still wasn't home. Zo and Nureka seemed happy to try and impart some of their home onto the surroundings, but Erend, Varl and now even Kotallo seemed content to leave everything be. Home comforts never hurt anyone, not that the males within the base seemed to mind how the base was. Although, a particular potted plant that was growing a little out of control, had its long leaves almost draping over Erend as he sat at his usual table; the look which Zo sent his way when he swatted the leaf out of the way made him think twice about doing that again.

As much as Aloy's companions were here to help her with this mission, for the most part they all kept themselves to themselves; although out of everyone, considering they were together, Varl usually could always be found with Zo, and vice versa. Erend had discovered some really loud and super annoying music that he would constantly replay; so loud that everyone could literally hear it. Kotallo however was learning and seeing the word in a whole new light, he looked at machines completely differently than he did before; it wasn't that he proclaimed to know everything about the world around him, but the things he was learning were things which he would never have imagined encountering.

He stayed in the room which Zo had first directed him to, even as he stood at the lit up table, he could spy the others coming to and fro beyond the door. He could quite easily admit that it was a curious bunch which Aloy had bought together; the irony of her at least having at least one person from each tribe far and wide wasn't lost on him. After all, as a Marshal his fellows were often from other clans, some he may never have encountered before. But they were still Tenakth at the end of the day, he supposed; so, he would know them, how they worked, what made them tick in a way.

Strangers as they were, they were all very welcoming. Even if anytime, he did leave the room, he was looked at by slow trailing gazes by the one called Erend. Kotallo being as he was, would just stare rather unblinkingly back and Erend would shift in his seat, looking a bit uncomfortable before getting back to whatever he was doing on his Focus. None other than Nureka had really tried to approach him, and even then, she had been pushed his way; he had heard more than seen that happen, even if he did catch the tail end of her staggering through the door, just as Varl and Erend scampered off like children running from an angry parent.