Martyrdom

[graybeardhalt]

-"I upgraded from training bots a long time ago. Just get me to my room." James said.

[HansTheHuman]

"Aw. Well, when you feel a little braver, just holler."
Chops turned round to face the front again. He lead the group through a doorway big enough for several lorries to pass through, and onto an elevator with a grated metal surface. A yellow light flashed and with a low hum, they descended. At least, 'descended' according to their current perception.
"Half-way there. Just this elevator ride and a short stretch of walking to go."

[ValenMedia]

Chops proposal to spar with James caught Xalem’s attention. He casually said to him, “It’s been a while since I’ve had a good spar and I dare say that I might be out of practice. I think I’d like to take you up on that offer. I’m certain it’ll prove refreshing for me. What say you?”

[HansTheHuman]

A gleam of light swam over Chops' eyes and mutton chops as he looked over to Xalem. Chops complimented the man's confidence with a confident look of his own. Brow narrowed and a cocky smile.
"I'll most gladly partake in your offer. See me after briefing."

[duskskully]

Kyle ran to catch up to Chops. "Hey, Chops, is it okay if we stop at a nearby church? I need to pay my respects to some family members, ya know?" Kyle asked, pulling out two daisies and a rose.

[HansTheHuman]

The request alerted Chops to a dilemma. None of the Hub's current inhabitants had thought about preparing for recruits that might have a religious background. Chops turned to Kyle and spoke calmly.
"I'm afraid we are all secular machines on the Hub. No places of worship anywhere here. If it is to pay respects to your specific relatives, then we can provide you with anything you need to build a shrine for them in your quarters. Something that you can pray to before missions, so you go with the security that your loved ones watch over you in these hard times."

[duskskully]

Kyle's eyes became distant, as though lost in thought. The flowers slipped out of his hands, but his mind was too far gone to notice. "I wonder if he's okay where I left him. Oh well, anyway, listen Chops, you do know what a pet is right?" Kyle asked, looking around nervously. He could still feel the presence following him. He shuddered as he tried to ignore it, but he could feel it in the back of his mind, like it was just outside of his vision, but whenever he turned to see it, it was gone.

[HansTheHuman]

The flowers just plopped by Kyle's feet.
Chops looked strangely at Kyle, somewhat insulted by his question.
"I do, yes."

[duskskully]

"I ask because I used to have a wolf. I named him Dusk, and we traveled together for a while, but he ran away one day and I never saw him again." Kyle's face turned sullen, and a single tear found it's way out of his eye, and slid down his cheek. Memories of Dusk flooded his mind, and he was once again lost in thought.

[HansTheHuman]

Chops kept his puzzled face. Nothing to say. Nothing what-so-ever. Here he thought Phionouse was the most enigmatic one here.
The flowers suddenly sprang into the air, caught by a sudden updraft. The giant elevator had reached its destination. Another pair of enormous doors opened, bathing the group in light. They led to a well-lit hallway with more large doors lining its sides.
Chops took his mind off of the strange child and advanced from the elevator.
"Nearly there."

[duskskully]

Kyle's mind snapped back to reality. He whistled, surveying the scene. "Damn. Hey Chops, what's it like where you come from? Are there, like, airships and shit like that?" Kyle asked in wonder. Before Chops could answer, Kyle ran up to a random door and it opened with a "whoosh". Whatever was inside didn't like having its door opened and roared loudly, knocking Kyle off his feet. Kyle scurried away and the door closed, all noise on the inside being silenced.

[HansTheHuman]

"Where I come from? The Hub? I cannot really say as I seldom spend much time here. I am known as The Explorer, so I am usually off this planet visiting others. All I do here is secure the various things I have collected on my adventures. Sometimes clean and maintain them a bit. Come to think of it, the only ones that stay here for extended periods of time are The Breed and The Scientist."
They walked onto a catwalk above the hall and turned into some steel double doors that were of average human height. They stepped into a lit corridor of grey metal walls and polished grey tiled metal floor. They were close.

[Phrost]

Phiounuse walked up to Chops's right side. She cupped her hands as to block the sound waves and direct them to Chops. "Hey," she said quietly, "I overheard that think about 'Dusk'. Do you think it'll cripple him later on if we come into contact with canine hostiles?"

[HansTheHuman]

"Possibly" Chops whispered back.
"For some reason knowing his affiliation with wolves has triggered a sudden urge within me to do some aerial wolf hunting...with fire bombs."

[Phrost]

Phiounuse flinched with the sudden strike of sadistic intent. "I'm beginning to see that we think the same," she said, removing her hand, "It will be interesting that's for sure. I don't know about the felines here, but Khajiit aren't to fond of canines." She shuddered.