《Project Burnout》Chapter 8: Seeds Of Doubt
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While they wanted their pace to be sped up, Rookie's wounds finally demanded rest.
“Don’t worry I’m fine,” her facade exposed from her clouds of breath and patterned skin of bruises when resting.
“I can wait till we reach the next town, which should be-what-is-the-name-of-it-Kiorif?”
“Fresh-Root,”
“That’s right Fresh-Root, there we can have some peace and quiet,” her smile stayed strong as she tried to stand up, but her body kept her down.
“But for now I think I’ll sit here, rock is in good shape,” Rookie calmed down as Tomobi joined Kiorif. Since their incidence he would constantly look for threats that didn’t exist, this time eyeing a field of moving shrubs.
“Tomobi, what can you tell us about Fresh-Root,” his focus still on the shrubs.
“Ah, well, from what I read it is primarily an agricultural area. They produce both normal and genetic produce,”
“What about the VitaNavs?”
“I think that the tribes work alongside the town,” With what he wanted he broke his focus, and his silent order had Rookie pause her break.
As the sun started to change to an earth day it shone over an ancient town. Fields grew on flat fields, and livestock could be dotted across the mismatched fences. And the housing itself also glowed with the agriculture around them.
“This place looks crazy, we should check this place out,” Rookie smiled as she attempted to rush down the path, though a few paces forward a shock ran through her.
“On second thought, can we find a hospital first?” Kiorif sighed and when reaching Rookie, and helped her to the ground.
“I’m going to get help, Tomobi keep her company,” he ran off towards the town as Tomobi began to assort the bags to Rookie’s comfort, a makeshift bed of sacks.
“Thanks, Tomobi,” Rookie kept her smile as she gasped from the blunted stabs pressing against her body.
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“And here I thought that I could last a few more steps,”
“Just relax, Kiorif will bring help,” Tomobi had a small pace, which drew in Rookie.
“I don’t think it’s me who needs to relax. Come have a seat,” Patting beside her Tomobi followed.
“Tomobi we left New Salvich, what, two, three weeks. And in that time we’ve only dealt with some overgrown frogs, only seen some of the weird stuff for a couple of seconds. I remember that you said that you wanted to see what the moon has to offer, but do you think you should do that now?” Tomobi knew his answer, he felt that he shouldn’t be here. After all, what would a serving boy, and a VitaNav, in addition, could do for earthen soldiers. But for now, he would keep it to himself.
“You don’t have to worry about me, I’m fine. Just relax, you’ve been hurt,”
“Yeah and I walked it off for a bit,” a chuckle managed to pull itself out.
“Besides I’ve dealt with way worse back home, plus talking to you can help keep my mind off of it. So, you’re thinking about calling Apollo?” But before Tomobi could open out to her Kiorif shut the doors, bringing a car and men to carry her away.
“Hey careful, I’m still a lady,” Rookie joked as she was placed in the car, while Kiorif and Tomobi piled bags at the back.
“Tomobi after we find Rookie help, you are coming with me,”
***
Kiorif opened the doors to a city office, its walls separating itself from the rural world. A woman sat at an office, a screen holding her eyes.
An empty cough brought her attention towards them. A man in an army suit, handsome but tired and a VitaNav, cloaked but in human clothing.
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“Right you can have a seat, your servant can wait outside,” She waved her hand to ward off Tomobi, Kiorif took a seat.
“Wait outside Tomobi,” once Tomobi closed the doors behind him, the woman smiled.
“I can say that your arrival was a surprise. But at the same time, earth soldiers aren’t exactly known for randomly coming here,”
“We are just staying here so my soldier can recover,”
“Soldier? So there aren’t any more of you here?”
“No there aren’t any more Ma’am,”
“So is that all? Two soldiers and a servant,”
“We lacked resources, so I have had to do with what we have,”
“Okay, is there any other business that you have with FreshRoot? Perhaps interested in our products. I hear that one of the younger farmers got an impressive orchard,”
“We have no interest in your food," Kirof sharply cut her off.
"But I do need to know and care about any VitaNav tribes living in or by this town. And I would like it to be done without the small chat. So please, give it to me,” The woman’s smile cracked, her nose steaming.
“Oh, so it’s about them then? And I just have to offer you a place to stay and then you forget this place,”
“I’m expecting that you have a place that we could stay,”
“As a matter of fact, I don’t. Cause we didn’t know that we were going to have soldiers randomly run around and still focus on the VitaNavs,”
“Don’t be petty,”
“DON’T INTERRUPT ME!” Kiorif remained unfazed as she stood up, looking down at him.
“Now we don’t have to go babysit you, so go find yourself somewhere. So, other than your precious ‘list’ is there anything else you need?” Kiorif had to remain calm, but his tongue burned and his chest flared.
“Can you tell us where the gun shops are,” outside the doors shielding the hall from a bellowing rant, Tomobi sat on a wooden stool, surrounded by seats filled by humans, some of which were amused by his position. So his heart rose when he saw Kiorif open the doors, inciting his departure.
“Is everything alright Kiorif?”
“You don’t need to worry. We’ll get our stuff and find a place to stay,” as they walked through the dirted paths, looks were given to each.
Men glared at Kiorif. VitaNavs glared down Tomobi.
But both kept walking.
Inside one of the few wards Rookie was shifting back into her suit, and a smile grew when she saw the two of them.
“Hello boys, missed me?” Kiorif chuckled while Tomobi stacked the sacks.
“How are you doing?”
“I’m doing great, you should’ve seen it. Was expecting a doctor to come and just start probing but you know what happened? Boom! VitaNav comes in, basically hugs me, and my bruises are solved. Then we both got something to eat,” her face did fall though.
“Though, they did say that we need to pay them,”
“They used nothing on you,” Kiorif protested as he picked up his things.
“They say otherwise,”
Kiorif looked at what he had and his pocket money was not going to be enough, Rookie and Tomobi saw what they had as well.
“Here’s your payment,”
All together they managed to slap a pound of money to the doctor and VitaNav, who both shared a matching composure. So when the group left the hospital their pocket money was now loose change.
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