The adventure begins.
"Speech" 'thoughts'
It's difficult to predict reality's little twists and turns.
I was out jogging to get back into some semblance of shape. I'm a six foot five inch male with brown hair, blue eyes, and a bit of a gut. Wearing my exercise outfit of sweat pants and sleeveless shirt I wasn't terribly impressive.
My best friend tells me I have a pretty damn high pain threshold, but jogging a mile was killing me at this point. Of course, I just had to run in the afternoon heat instead of getting up earlier in the morning when it was cooler.
Breathing heavily I rested a moment at a corner waiting for the light to change. At the green light I started across only to hear a loud horn blare at me. Looking to the left I found myself staring in shock at the hood of a brown Volkswagen Bug.
It didn't stop.
I could feel the metal bumper strike my lower legs and snap them like twigs. Then my chest burst into flaming agony as it was slammed into the windshield. Unfortunately, with my height, I slammed my head into the metal roof. Soon after I lost consciousness all together.
'It's cold in here.' That was my first thought as consciousness returned.
"How can I be alive after that?" I asked as I opened my eyes to find bright, white lights shining on my corneas. Closing my eyes against the white glare I slowly opened them to view the hospital room I was likely in.
Only I found myself in a room unlike any I'd ever encountered in my few forays into those sterile places of healing. The room had old wooden, possibly oak, paneling on the walls. The designs were a chaotic mess of natural and geometric shapes. The door looked to be made of stainless steel of all things.
There was literally nothing to indicate where I was or how much time had passed. Giving my body a once over to determine how much damage I'd taken from the accident I found another inconsistency. I had no feelings of pain, no injuries, or scars. Although it appeared I had lost weight and muscle mass. So perhaps a coma wasn't out of the question.
Moving from the bed was somewhat difficult, but not overly so. Mostly I simply felt winded as if I had no energy. Pulling a sheet from the bed I wrapped it around me in a way reminiscent of a toga. No longer feeling so exposed, as I'd been nude under the covers, I moved toward the door as it was the only exit.
There was no handle on the door, but as I approached it the door slid into the wall. It seemed a little odd. Then again my entire situation was odd as it was.
Entering the next room I found more strange decor choices. On the wall in front of me was a massive electronic screen flashing in a fractal pattern you might use as a screen saver. The light from the oil lanterns hanging from the ceiling, and the heat from a small cast iron stove in the corner stood awkwardly together.
A rustic leather, high back, winged chair sat empty next to the stove facing the screen. It was frontier surroundings with a touch of modern.
"Hello? Is anyone here?" Slightly out of breath I sat down in the leather chair for a respite. Definitely, lacking any sort of stamina. As I took a seat the monitor sprang to life.
There on the screen was my face, well it would be if I had a huge mustache that screamed 'lip ferret'.
"Hello there, I see you have finally gotten out of bed." The face on screen said. It couldn't be me after all.
"Yes, I'm afraid you are correct. I am you. Just another version. At this point this can go one of two ways. You can overreact and I can dump you right here and now... Or you can remain calm and we can discuss this like reasonable people."
My left eyebrow rose in a Spock like fashion. The silent inquiry spurred my apparent counterpart to continue.
"We are indeed counterparts to each other. I am you from another dimension, are you following me so far?" He waited for my nod and continued. "You are alive due to my intervention, and no it wasn't simply because I could. I have need of someone of your unique mindset."
"My unique mindset?" That was an unusual qualifier. Sure I understand the entire alternate dimension situation. I watch enough sci-fi to qualify as a geek.
"You have a certain general knowledge and flexibility. Not to mention you are fairly calm in strange situations. Hence your job in the security field. You have an outstanding record of keeping your head." Ferret as I'll refer to my alternate self from hence on looked off screen for a moment.
"What do you want from me? You saved my life so I suppose you get the benefit of the doubt at this point." He had done that at least even if I was weak as a new born kitten.
Turning back to me he smiled in apparent relief.
"Excellent. I knew I could count on you. We'll have you kitted out in no time. Just follow the prompts on the screen and your mission status will be posted at the completion. Don't forget to enjoy your new lease on life.
Lines of code ran down the screen as it, apparently changed programing.
Perhaps ten seconds later an image of myself as I was came to the screen.
""Formatting complete. Please choose attributes, skills, equipment request forms, etc, using voiced indicators."" A pleasant female voice said as a male might program a computer to speak.
I understood what the computer was saying, but was concerned by how casually they believed they could alter my very person.
"You mean to tell me you can give me skills, and abilities solely based on what I desire?" I asked rather incredulous at the idea.
""Query accepted"", there was a pause as the computer processed the information.""Negative, should requests prove the subject would become to powerful or influential mission would not be initiated. This is not permitted.""
'Swell, let's see what I can get away with.'
"What can you alter about my physical characteristics?"
""Size must be within original size parameters at initial stage. You are currently classified as a medium sized creature. Complete physical changes are possible though not particularly advisable.""
"So can you make me a Kryptonian or anything like that?" That would be interesting.
""Searching database for reference."" A moment passed. ""That is not an available option at this time.""
"Please list the available options on screen in columns with headings: Physical, mental, skill sets, and sort equipment by type." The columns were diverse and incredible in some of the options. Mystical items such as rings of invisibility, and bottomless backpacks appeared next to high tech armor and phasers of all things.
The physical section had the basic body enhancements as well as complete body reformating. Should I choose I could even become a, medium sized, fricken dragon. Might be an interesting option to take. Of course, if I was a dragon I couldn't well use most of the cooler equipment I was finding.
About fifteen minutes and care full consideration I had all of my choices made. I apparently couldn't just choose every option due to combinations being set and not compatible with other sets. It seemed even the incredible abilities of my rescuer were limited to an extent.
After finalising my selections and relaxing for it to compile the information a piece of paper shimmered into my view.
Reading the paper carefully I sighed in acceptance of the mission I was given. Once it was completed I'd have the option of moving on to another world and mission at any time. However should I decide to remain on my mission world that was permissible as well. My original world had already buried my dead body. I was just a memory there. Not that I'd left much of a mark behind.
Leaning into the comforting leather of the chair I closed my eyes and let the processing commence.
On a dusty road somewhere in a forest.
"And that's how I ended up here. It's just too bad you can't understand a word I just said you stupid horse." Chao St. Heif the 1st said as he rode the winding forest path. Decked out in a woolen shirt and breeches he leaned back in the saddle. His belt held a small dagger, a hip flask, and a coin purse.
Over his shoulder he carried a leather satchel, and a top his head was a well worn wide brimmed hat. His right hand held the reins in a loose grip, and on his left was a simple iron ring.
From his point of view he appeared to be a simple traveler from days gone past . To others he looked normal. As it was he wasn't.
The road was dusty, but the road marker was clear.
Emond's field.
"Well a job's a job." With that last phrase he pushed his horse toward his destination. The green trees swaying in a gentle wind from the mountains.
Entering the area of Emond's Field was a gradual occurrence. The woods began to thin and houses became more and more common. The people were friendly enough though most didn't leave their work to speak with him as he meandered into town.
Not that they didn't wish to learn about the newcomer, but they would eventually learn more about the stranger in Emond's Field. News spread fairly quickly in the close nit community.
Chao simply wanted to make it to the inn he was needing for the night. Riding a horse was still very new to him. Hence he was sore, but not quite crippled after his leisurely ride from Baerlon.
'Now to find the three boys that will have some difficult times ahead of them.'
Looking around he found the inn shortly. Moving from his saddle and handing a stable boy the reins he moved to the front door. He managed to hide the majority of his limp if only barely.
It was just nearing the last of the afternoon and moving into the evening when he managed to sit down on a bench. He'd gotten a room and decided to settle in to eat with the others in the town who were present. He'd begin asking around for information tomorrow.
The son of Lady Tigraine of House Mantear was here named as Rand al'Thor son of Tam al'Thor. His mission was two fold at this point meet with the boy and aid him in his future tasks. While that is happening travel to the way gates and place a device at several points to cleanse the taint of the ways.
Surely easier said than done.
To be continued.