Heart Like a Machine

Chapter 83

My head slowly lifted up and everything around me was blurry. I felt groggy as I tried to refocus on what was in front of me. Letting out a sigh, I scanned my surroundings. I was in a small room and I was strapped to something and there was a console to the left of me. I tried to get up, but the restraints shocked me enough to where I fell back down onto the thing. A door in front of me opened up and an orb flew in. It looked like glass was floating around the central part of the orb and it was golden.

"You're awake," the orb said.

"W-Where the hell am I?"

"You're safe from harm. Walter found you when you were shot out of the sky and wishes to speak with you."

"Why's that?"

"Seems you piqued his interested."

"Who are you?"

"Just an AI known as Nova."

"Nice to meet you," I said. "You remind me of GAIA in a way."

"I can see where you're coming from."

"Do you work directly with Walter?"

"Yes, I do."

"What is he doing with the Quen?"

"That is classified."

"Come on, Nova, with a man like Londra, he can't be a nice person."

"You know nothing about him."

"You're right, I don't know anything about him. But I know everything about his people. The Zeniths and what they did."

"You were there when the red head attacked the base and Londra fled."

"He was a coward for not standing by his people."

"He was saving himself so he could flee. His people died."

"And so will he."

Nova was silent as the orb flew towards the doors as it reopened, Walter Londra walking towards me.

"Thank you, Nova, for telling me our guest has awoken."

"Of course, Walter."

"So, you came in on a flying machine just like another person."

"Yeah."

"Where did you come from?"

"Somewhere north of here."

"I should have guessed you came from the Forbidden West since you were there to help with the fall of my people."

"You should have stayed and fought with them. You were a coward to leave them."

"No, I was perserving my life and now with the Quen here, I will perserve even more life. I will be taking them with me once I get off of this heaping pile of junk."

"So you're just going to let the people die here?"

"There is no way to fight Nemesis. Once I flee, Nemesis will be coming for Earth and all of you will be destroyed."

He doesn't know Nemesis is gone. Should I tell him? No. That would make him even more of a threat. If he already has this high of an ego, taking both it and him down would be impossible. He'd continue to do what he's already doing. 

"Tell me, what are you doing here? Out in the Burning Shores?"

"My old headquarters are out here, Heaven cent. I needed to come back here to find some data to build a rocket that will lead me to the stars. Along with a few other people, of course. Once it is finished, we will be sailing across the galaxy and find a new world where I will be their leader."

"Sounds cultish."

"If you think about it, every tribe in the Forbidden West is cultish. Look at the Tenakth, following something that was out of the Ancient Ones and making it their own. Flying on the wings of the ten," he scoffed. "Udder rubbish. None of them have been able to fly. Only a few people have been able to fly and that was you, the other person, and a red haired nuisance."

"Well, that red haired nuisance is coming for you and she will stop you."

"I'll let you believe that. Now, that you got some answers from me, I am going to get some answers from you. Your outfit says you came from the Forbidden West, but I know otherwise. You are not as barbaric as the Tenakth and you're definitely not as passive as the people of Plainsong. Tell me, where exactly did you come from."

"Like I'd tell you."

Walter walked over to the console and pressed something. A soft hum was heard before I felt electricity going through my veins.

"This isn't enough to kill you, yet. Once it gets to a higher setting, it will fry your brain and you will be nothing."

"I am never going to tell you."

"Suit yourself," he said and upped the charge just a bit. 

"Tell me!"

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to focus on anything but the pain, but it became too overwhelming.

"The Nora tribe!"

"All the way east?"

The electricity subsided and I was able to relax for a bit.

"You came all the way east?! From those lands?!"

"Yes," I breathed out. "I came from the Nora tribe."

"The Nora have never left their tribe since, well, since they were created."

"I was lucky to join someone on their journey to Meridian and further into the Forbidden West and now here."

"It was that red head, wasn't it?"

"Possibly, but you seem like a smart guy. You'll piece things together."

He growled slightly before walking out of the room, Nova following behind him.

"Nova," I said.

The orb stopped and turned to face me, even though I couldn't exactly see if the orb was facing me.

"You can do the right thing," I said.

"Walter will be back with more questions and he expects to have answers. If not, you will be punished."

The doors closed and I was left being in this old room that reminded me of where I was being held to fight for Helis. I wanted to tap on my Focus to relive the moment I reunited with Aloy after the battle of Meridian, but with the restraints, I won't be able to do it. Letting out a sigh, I rested my head back and closed my eyes, trying to get some sleep. However, everything was replaying in my mind from when I fell. Londra found me in the water and saved me. Then he carried me into his base that I can't even remember where it was, but I knew I was somewhere. If only I could send my coordinates to Aloy and Lis so that they can get here without being on a wild goose chase.

"Aloy," I whispered, knowing damn well she wouldn't be able to get this message. "I'll hold out for as long as I can."