Civilization (I'll Stay Right Here)
By Kachimoochi
Chapter XI
All Hail the Prince of Persia
"By Christ, what kind of person forces their friend to run across the galaxy like a blue-assed fly, drumming up a crew of specialists to defeat an armada of four-eyed snake-heads, for free I might add" Anaximander ranted, as he paced in front of the Futura, on the roof of the Greek mansion.
"I couldn't agree more sir, and not just because I'm programmed to, the least he could do is offer us dental insurance" Kaisar said, wanting to lighten the mood
A single look at his master enlightened him that he wasn't in the mood.
"Right-o, Sir you said you had someone in mind, to where should I pilot us?" Kaisar asked, as he dragged Anaximander into the back seat of the Futura, his legs haven given up on him.
Kaisar operated his Pip-Boy and the Lincoln Futura modified its size from three seats, to two seats.
"No No No, what are you doing, we need to pick someone up, put it back to three seats, Chrissake" Anaximander spoke, having faded into unconsciousness momentarily, finally accepting that his body was about to quit on him.
"Oh yes, sorry Sir, it must be the human personality module, I could have sworn I deactivated it" Kaisar responded, remodeling the Futura to three seats.
"Right then, where to again?"
"Hmm, eh? Oh, Persia"
"You're asking the King of Persia to help us?"
"Worse…the Prince"
"Then may god help us all"
In that instant Anaximander fell fully into unconsciousness, whether it be the insomnia, the impending genocide, or the weight of the Earth on his shoulder, Anaximander fell against the screen of the car, drooling on the heat as he dreamt.
Persia was of course a region on Earth, though it was one that was long since passed. As cultures and ways of life began to be lost to time and politics, the men of Civilization would occasionally model a planet in their universe of their chosen culture.
When France was declared a Caliphate, remnants of the Civilized French nobility gathered amongst themselves to share a planet; they named it Nouvelle France, led by Emperor Napoleon IV.
When South Afrika was declared a dictatorship, the remnants of the former government convened themselves to a planet, modeling it after its former glory, led by King Leopold V.
After the third American Civil War, Civilized men colluded together within a single planet; they named it Columbia, led by a council of American philosophers.
One of which: Israel Valentine operated his own subsidiary planet as part of Columbia, he called his planet New Vegas, and it is one of the only universes available in the public domain, which anyone can visit from any planet. It is the gambling centre of the entire known universe, populated mainly by those of the Alliance galaxies. Valentine only cared about the atmosphere, money meant nothing to the men of Civilization, they could make as much as they wanted.
The universe of Persia was founded by Yusuf II, the closest relative of Babylonian royalty. He turned his home planet into a visage of what ancient Persia looked like, the androids that populated the plated consisted of Arabs, Jews, Christians, Zoroasters, and even Greeks. It was available to all members of Civilization, a hub of the ancient Earth civilizations, something to behold.
Yusuf had a son, The Prince of Persia. He was a man of 20 years, old enough to possess his own galaxy and kingdom. He was however happy to serve as a Prince to an artificial public. His father was a better King, and he was a better Prince, it was the natural order of things.
In truth they were only rulers in name only, Earth had declared their fictional kingdoms illegitimate which only strengthen their resolve. They would amuse themselves by going on adventures together: Going to war against Greeks, blazing trails across the desert, fighting mythological beasts created by the GECK device, and generally immersing themselves in ancient human culture.
Anaximander himself would visit the Prince regularly for advice on fighting, free running, or generally to immerse himself in old-world culture, as he often would.
He could only hope that the young man would be up to a world saving adventure, or rather, if his father would allow him.
Kaisar entered King Sharaman's planet, a tan, desert planet, with every inch modeled after Babylonian and Persian societies.
Much as on Freedomain, the populous of androids paid no attention to the anachronistic flying machine of teal color that flew over their heads, perhaps they were distracted by their programming, or perhaps they were aware of their own existence, if Anaximander were awake, he'd be rather creeped out.
"Sir, we are approaching King Sharaman's palace" Kaisar spoke, as the Futura approached a Greco-Persian palace, topped with a golden dome top.
"Ah fer Chrissake, how long was I even sleeping for?" Kaisar complained, remembering closing his eyes mere moments before.
"Nearly 6 hours Sir" Kaisar responded innocently.
"Huh…that can't be good" Anaximander decided.
The pair were beckoned by guards wearing heavy golden armor, and red fezzes to land on a platform on the top of the palace, Anaximander felt Déjà vu from the hours before, when he arrived at Altair's mansion.
An energetic Kaisar disembarked the Futura, carrying Anaximander over his shoulder, the feeling in his legs still hadn't returned. The guards escorted them through a flight of spiral stairs, until they reached the throne room. Kaisar walked along the red carpet caked in peacock feathers until he was around 10 feet from the King.
He placed his still sleeping master on the ground, as Kaisar knelt on the carpet, bowing before King Sharaman.
"Eh…eh…Kaisar…where am I?" Anaximander voiced, raising himself from the ground facing away from the guilded figure, eyes widening in realization as to where he was.
"Oh God!" Anaximander immediately fell to his knees beside the Geth "I am blessed to be in your presence my King"
The figure before him was a tan skinned man around 50 years old; he had a long black beard and wore crimson robes, gilded in jewels and gold. Upon his head was a white turban with an assumed diameter of at least 3 feet. Though the pair bowed in awe of such radioactive power, King Sharaman greeted them with a big smile. His mustache widening his mouth in happiness.
The king was being fanned by female harem servants, no doubt androids. He immediately rose from the ground and embraced Anaximander, like an uncle who hadn't seen his nephew in forever.
"Anaximander! It had been too long son. I haven't seen since the Royal Conventions 3 years ago, I am pleased you decided to visit me"
"Eh…thanks your Majesty, I missed you too"
"Ahem?" Kaisar vocalized, not having any means or reason to clear his throat.
"Ah and Kaisar, I hadn't forgotten you too. Remind my scribes to schedule a playdate with you and Xerces" Sharaman spoke, referencing his own robotic companion.
"I would be indeed most pleased" Kaisar responded.
It was at this moment, still embracing his son's friend that he noticed the look upon his face, it wasn't one of sickness, only tiredness.
"You appear as if you've been trampled by a flock of ostriches, what is the matter?"
"I wish I came here on a vacation, but unfortunately I am here on business, Altair's orders"
"Altair? I haven't seen him longer that I hadn't seen you. If he's involved it must be serious, please, there must be some way I can assist you two?"
"Eh…unfortunately he named your son specifically, I have need of him for an intergalactic mission. It will be most dangerous, but it isn't anything The Prince can't handle, that I assure you" Anaximander lied, perhaps unintentionally.
"Hmm I understand, but then why are you here?"
"Why to visit you of course your Majesty" Kaisar spoke for the tired master.
"I may be an old man, but your Geth is a worse liar" Sharaman spoke with a chuckle, knowing that both of their attention was better focused elsewhere.
"It isn't that King Sharaman, I only thought it was appropriate that I ask your permission before I bring your son to such a dangerous adventure" Anaximander excused honestly.
"My son is capable of making his own decisions now. He possesses his mother's ferocity and his father's wisdom" Sharaman spoke proudly, whilst staring out the window behind his throne.
"I see, may I see The Prince, that I may ask him directly?" Anaxmander asked.
"Why of course" The King operated his gilded Pip-Boy "He is at these coordinates, just one more thing"
"Anything my King" Anaximander and Kaisar spoke simultaneously.
"Where are you going? What is this dangerous adventure you speak of" Sharaman asked, still acting as concerned parent, despite his previous statement.
"I would be more than happy to enlighten you, if only I were privy to such information, Altair has hidden many things from me, and I suspect even more is to come" Anaximander began "His only instruction was to gather as many of the most powerful beings in Civilization to fight against a common threat"
Anaximander didn't tell the full truth, out of fear that the King would rescind his opinion of letting The Prince make his own decisions.
"So I see, well then please keep me updated on whatever you learn, I suppose a father can't help but worry about his son"
"I would have done so anyways your Majesty" Anaximander answered honestly this time.
Kaisar and Anaximander bowed in farewell and were escorted back to the Futura by the Golden Guards. Anaximander immediately resumed his slumber, whilst Kaisar drove the skycar to The Prince's location, which was in the middle of a vast, remote desert.
"I don't understand, why would The Prince be here?" Kaisar acknowledged
The Prince was a puzzling person; firstly he spoke in a British accent, similar to that of Kaisar's but not as exaggerated. Secondly he had an affinity for bladed combat, while the galaxy as a whole dedicated themselves completely to lazer rifles. Finally he would often go on expeditions to slay mythical beasts or armies all by his lonesome. This was puzzling because there was no war in Civilization, save for the ones the Civilized fabricate for themselves.
It was for this reason that Kaisar was constantly on alert, on the watch for legions of nomadic bandits or towering sand wurms. Neither of which would come as any surprise to the Geth.
When Kaisar reached the location, he landed the Futura in the middle of nowhere, but dunes of sand covering the landscape as far as the eye could see. Anaximander was awoken not by Kaisar, but by the blinding ray casted by the sun into his blinking eyes, and a nose filled with passing sand, adding a plethora of misery to his already exhausted mind and body.
"Kaisar where are we! Where the hell is The Prince? CAN'T I SLEEP IN PEACE?" Anaximander fell to his knees and cried to the sky.
"I don't understand Sir, these are the coordinated the King gave us, perhaps he us underground?" Kaisar tried to explain, as he scanned the lower environments, finding no result.
Anaximander turned his attention to Kaisar, and then to the ground. He felt that the Prince was no doubt slaying a Minotaur or Cyclops in a dark cavern; he must have been testing his night vision. All their wondering came to a stop when the click of a flintlock rifle entered Anaximander's ear, and pressed against his head.
"Eh…Kaisar…I think we have a problem"
"Whatever do you me-Oh now I see"
The figures holding Anaximander at gunpoint were indeed the nomadic bandits Kaisar presumed The Prince to be fighting, he figured that he was slipping; he hadn't been able to detect them. Perhaps because they were only androids, the King and The Prince were the only living beings on Persia.
"Eh…what should we do?" Anaximander asked his confidant.
"Why worry Sir? You do have your active shield activated right? Sir?"
"WHY THE HELL WOULD I ACTIVATE THE ACTIVE SHIELD IF I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS GOING TO BE FIGHTING, OF COURSE I DON'T" Anaximander screamed, frightening the hooded and masked assailants.
"That's the point of an active shield, it's supposed to be ACTIVE, for emergencies you daft WANKER!"
The bandits brandished their swords and rifles now at the Geth, while he could defend himself, but couldn't risk the life of his now unprotected master. There must be some kind of failsafe to stop the bandit's programming.
"ALL HAIL THE PRINCE OF PERSIA!" came a yell from the top of a sand dune.
"Oh…get it now" Kaisar and Anaximander spoke simultaneously.
Three figures lined the top of the dune, two of which were the Golden Guards from the palace of King Sharaman, or at least they were copies of them. They were armed with intricate flintlock rifles called Jezails, the stock of which was gilded in precious stones and poetic Arabic text.
The middle figure was the legendary and famed Prince of Persia. He was a man of light tan skin, with a slight black stubble coating his lower face. He wore a white turban, smaller than his father's, possessing a crimson jewel in its center with a peacock's feather.
His dress was that of a thin brown breastplate make of leather, adorn in golden designs, and a golden amulet in the center of the chest piece. His pants were common white shalvar, with the sides colored in red and gold.
"Oh this ought to be good" Anaximander commented, noting The Prince's love of dramatic entrances, which they were no doubt part of.
The Prince and his guards formed a trifecta position, with The Prince in front, and his guards on his posterior right and left flanks. The Prince and his left guard aimed and fired their jezails while the right guard prepared to pass his rifle to The Prince. They approached the bandits, which consisted of 9 men, slowly with only The Prince firing his rifle then on.
It was indeed a strong military tactic, one regal and elegant in its design. It depended on the teamwork of the three. The Prince would fire his Jezail, the left guard would reload his, and the right guard would hold his Jezail, in preparation to give it to The Prince. The Prince would then discard his empty flintlock to the left guard, who would pass his loaded rifle to the right guard, and the cycle would repeat. They were elven in their swiftness, The Prince never missed a shot, and the guards reloaded their rifles within 20 seconds.
It is a surprising that an act of such violence could be so beautiful, but it was no surprise coming from The Prince of Persia. He was effective in his violence, and elegant in his methods.
Kaisar and Anaximander watched the action in awe, such effectiveness, so powerful, it was then Anaximander knew he'd made the right first choice in Altair's plan.
"Salutations kind Kaisar and Anaximander, to what brings you to my humble kingdom?" The Prince announced, unshaken from such a taxing act.
"Heh…heh heh heh…Have I got a deal for you Efendim" Anaximander chuckled, as he imagined what destruction they could bring together.