A/N: Ahhahahaa... Hey... I'm back? So uh, stuff happened, and the stories I was working on are not possible to continue. Just reasons I don't care to explain, they don't really matter. HOWEVER, I'm back with a new story! That's completely different! Yaaaay!
I'm actually working with Betareader Phoenix Downwind on this, and I have a few chapters backed up. Hopefully this won't go the way of my other fics!
Vivofruit reaches the top of another sand dune. And another. She looks around.
There's nothing except more sand. No trees, no grass, not even a rock to hide behind..., Vivofruit thinks.
For what must be the zillionth time, Vivofruit checks the sun. To her disappointment, the sun is still high in sky, and it's still long time until the refreshing cool of night.
Vivofruit sighs, and the red petals on her head droop a little in the heat.
Hopefully not much longer to go. Vivofruit really wants to go somewhere else.
Vivofruit has to stay, though; this is the only planet with the tungsten Vivofruit needs in the entire star system! ,Vivofruit reminds herself.
Vivofruit needs Erchius from the moon to refill her ship. And since the only way to get Erchius is with an EPP, for which she needs tungsten, Vivofruit has to stay on this stupid sand planet until she finds enough.
Vivofruit rubs her dry eyes as she climbs yet another dune. When she reaches the top of the dune she looks around, expecting to see more sand. Vivofruit sees more sand, yes, but also something else; she sees barriers.
Big stone towers with jagged wire and tall metal fences all around, all encircling a small settlement. A dark grey blot on pale yellow sand. There are guards at the gate, and some stalking around outside the fence. The guards are all armed to the teeth; Vivofruit can't even tell what species they are.
It would probably be a bad idea to approach. But something being a bad idea has never stopped her before.
Vivofruit runs down sand dune and to the gate of the fenced village. As she approaches, two guards come up to stop her. Vivofruit slows and puts one hand on hilt of her dagger. Just in case.
"State your purpose," one guard asks. The guard's voice is muffled around the heavy white helmet they wear, but still sounds deep and clipped. Vivofruit thinks by the voice the guards might be Apex, or maybe angry humans.
"Vivofruit iss here to explore," Vivofruit informs the guards. The guards both reach up to a button on side of their helmets, then talk in what Vivofruit guesses is their native language. They must have turned their translators off so Vivofruit can't listen in on them. By the guards' language, though, Vivofruit can tell the guards are Apex.
When the guards finish, they turn their translators back on.
"Alright, we can let you in on the condition that you leave all weapons with us," the Apex guard says, as if it's a reasonable request.
"Vivofruit will not causse trouble. Will be a good Floran, and will not eat citizenss," Vivofruit protests. She knew she could probably keep that promise , whatever the Apex thought.
The guards were silent for a little bit, then the other one spoke,
"This is a no weapon zone. We will have to confiscate your blades, however they will be returned when you leave the facility,"
Vivofruit flares out the petals on her head,
"Vivofruit will not give sstabbers to flessh people!"
"Then we will have to ask you to leave,"
Vivofruit hesitates for another moment, grumbling.
Hmm.. but Vivofruit could scout out the area now, then come back for weapons. Then if Vivofruit finds anything Vivofruit wants, Vivofruit can come back and take it at night!
With her plan figured out, Vivofruit pretends to give in,
"Fine. Guards better give them back when Vivofruit leavess , though!" She warns.
Vivofruit begrudgingly gives her daggers to the Apex and goes into the village.
Long, boring walk over now, though. Now excitement begins!