The walk from the Traveller's base to the Zadank Observatory was a silent one. Hadrizahens should have appreciated the time to calculate the best fabricated story to excuse himself to Merchant Entity Taudi, but the awkward peace proved almost too oppressive for him to focus. The beginning of the walk had started out less uncomfortable, at least in the social sense. Physically, it had been very unnerving for Hadrizahens. He couldn't walk for himself with his melted knee joint, so Scientist Entity Podoim and the Traveller Entity had to carry him with his arms latched over their shoulders. Being so close to Podoim unsettled Hadrizahens, especially when he knew that the scientist was also not enjoying themselves. To add to the tangled feeling in his wires from Podoim being so physically close, Hadrizahens had to come to terms with the fact that the Traveller Entity was on his other side, taking much more care to keep him comfortable and support him more smoothly during the walk. It sent excited electrical impulses through his casing that were quickly stifled as soon as Podoim took a rough step along the grassy path. It was almost as though Podoim was doing it deliberately, though Hadrizahens had no way to know how or why.
At first, Podoim had deemed to ask the Traveller many questions about its physiology. Such questions were not considered impolite to an electronic lifeform, but many who worked with sentient organic lifeforms regularly knew that certain questions were to be avoided, or at least approached with tact. Some biological creatures were self conscious about their systems based on societal constructs. Hadrizahens had heard of a species in a far off point in the galaxy that considered their process of energy conversion to be vulgar to discuss in a public and formal setting. Hadrizahens dreamt of becoming a Biologist Entity, so of course he would know of these factors to take into consideration. Podoim, however, didn't seem to be aware of this level of decorum, or they didn't seem to care. Unfortunately, the latter seemed more likely.
At first, the Traveller had answered Podoim's questions as best as it could. When asked about it's natural epidermal structure, the Traveller gave a brief and confusing explanation. When questioned about it's pedelections or lack thereof to radiation, it answered simply but still without elucidating fully. The answers began to annoy Podoim, so they had began to ask more intrusive questions by the time the trio had proceeded out of the valley plateau. The path took the three of them along the edge of a mangrove that was created by a river that ran through the Zadank jungle in this lower part of the planet's geography. Unlike the marshes, this area was large enough to filter the almost stagnant waters with the help of beautiful purple and red aquatic plants and the roots of the mangrove trees with their pale bark. The aquatic life flourished on the reddish algae that floated in the water, fed by the sunlight. Schools of fish and crustaceans of all kinds swam around the waters, grazing on the plants and flitting back into the safety of the spidering mangrove tree roots whenever a predatory avian lifeform swooped down to the clear, red tinted water to snag a tasty morsel to carry back to its nest in the tree. As the birds flew back, they sang beautiful songs to their mates to signal their homecoming. The Traveller seemed much more interested in listening to the songs of the birds than in Podoim's interrogation. Hadrizahens couldn't blame the Traveller for that. Podoim was insistent and nothing seemed to satisfy his hunger for data, even though it was very clear that the Traveller lacked the words required to describe its biology to the mechanical lifeform. For all Hadrizahens could guess, perhaps the Traveller was simply too advanced of a biological entity for either of the Korvax present to comprehend.
Eventually Podoim gave up on questioning the Traveller, though it was clear that they were not pleased to do so. Hadrizahens could sense Podoim seething next to him and wished that only the Traveller was carrying him, though he would never truly wish that entire burden on the Traveller. Hadrizahens simply disliked how petty the scientist would behave at times, if he dared to even think such thoughts. Hadrizahens was intimidated by the scientist. When Podoim had first come to Outpost Rugo-395, Hadrizahens had been overjoyed to have a potential opportunity to switch his formal designation over to a scientific field. The excitement did not last long. Podoim was uninterested wholly in Hadrizahens and only in Merchant Entity Taudi, and the Merchant Entity was not particularly fond of Hadrizahens or his daydreaming. Podoim learned early on from Taudi that Hadrizahens was not an entity worth acclimating to. Which made the fact that Hadrizahens had to cling to Podoim to keep from slipping onto the path and potentially rolling into the mangrove all the more discomforting. Luckily, they would not have much farther to go.
The Zadank Observatory was nestled on top of a hill in a clearing of the mangrove, just on the edge of the jungle. It was a large structure, complete with a large, high powered telescope on one end and a biological/chemical research lab on the other. The facility had a sterile interior with black floors and white walls covered in heavy mechanical equipment for all sorts of data collection, which resulted in the building itself to be quite heavy. The constant superheated rainfall on Cireenob XV made it a challenge to build in the mangrove, but Scientist Entity Podoim had been able to devise a way to dig support struts deep into the earth to keep the observatory in place should the ground decide to give way. Most importantly, this innovation had not upset the Sentinels. This made the Zadank Observatory an ideal location to acquire samples of all kinds thanks to the biodiversity of the mangrove and jungle area, as well as astrological and meteorological data from the clear air thanks to the trees. Hadrizahens had to admit that he was jealous of the scientist, even if he didn't get along with them.
As the trio finally approached the Observatory, the weather was already starting to change. Desperate to focus on anything other than Podium brooding or the Traveller taking such great care in moving Hadrizahens, the young Korvax looked towards the sky. He might have seen traces of light emerging from the horizon as daybreak steadily approached, but the trees blocked the sky quite well even in the clearing. His scanners confirmed what his sensors were already picking up; clouds were gathering in the sky and the atmosphere pressure was starting to change. In this warm and humid climate, it didn't take a storm long to form. But they were approaching the Observatory, so there was no need to worry about superheated rain rusting out the unprotected internal circuitry of his body.
"This is the Observatory?" The Traveller finally spoke for the first time in almost 20 minutes, surprising Hadrizahens.
"Correct. The Zadank Observatory and my own outpost. I will be able to take the proper samples I require here without risk of contamination." Podoim answered. "...and repair the Merchant Assistant Entity as well."
Hadrizahens watched the Traveller, who had been staring directly at Podoim, nod approvingly.
"Remember our full trade." The Traveller reminded Podoim.
Podoim seemed agitated by the Traveller's words as they approached the ramp up to the observatory entrance. Hadrizahens was suddenly shifted unceremoniously onto the Traveller as Podoim approached the doorway to enter in the access code. It was a good thing that the Traveller had been keeping an oddly close eye on Podoim as soon as they had the observatory in sight, otherwise it might have dropped Hadrizahens as soon as he was handed off. Hadrizahens was thankful that the Traveller had caught and held him up easily, even if he was embarrassed to be suddenly thrust upon the biological entity like some sort of peace offering.
"I will repair the Merchant Assistant without alerting Outpost Rugo-395. I will make no report to the Merchant Entity. I will not tell them of what occurred." Podoim spoke almost resentfully. Hadrizahens knew that the scientist would love nothing more than to make a report to Taudi about Hadrizahens' misadventure. The only thing stopping them was their promised biological sample and the weapon that the Traveller carried with it. Neither Hadrizahens nor Podoim were certain if the Traveller would use a firearm on either of them for any reason, but neither of them were willing to find out. Weaponry unsettled standard, civilian class Korvax. It was enough of a deterrent all on its own. Still, something seemed off with Scientist Entity Podoim. Hadrizahens could sense their irritation, as Hadrizahens was well acquainted with that side of the scientist, but there was something else. The way Podoim took their time entering the code into the control panel made Hadrizahens uneasy. The scientist seemed too confident. As soon as the door unlocked and slid open, Hadrizahens understood why.
Inside the main entryway of the Observatory, in the main reception room, sat two figures. Two Korvax. Harizahens felt his insides sink as one of them turned around and got to their feet.
"Merchant Assistant Entity Hadrizahens, you abandoned your post and neglected your recharge cycle. Behavior; unacceptable. Your negligence will cost the outpost in efficiency. Your repairs will set us behind schedule." Merchant Entity Taudi spoke in an even tone that Hadrizahens knew was difficult for them to maintain. The only thing saving him from a true outburst was the presence of the Traveller. Taudi dare not raise their voice and cause a scene. It wouldn't be proper. The Traveller, however, seemed not to agree with keeping composure.
"What is this?" The Traveller spoke up, turning to glare at Podoim. "We had a deal!"
"I kept my end of the bargain. I did not report to Outpost Rugo-395. The Traveller Entity accompanied me to the observatory, so you know I am not fabricating a story." Podoim answered smugly. There was very little effort on Podoim's part to hide how they felt. They crossed their arms, quite pleased with themselves, as they stared back at the Traveller. The Traveller seemed to bristle under its exosuit, gripping Hadrizahens tighter either protectively or out of anger. Truthfully, Hadrizahens didn't mind staying safely over at the Traveller's side if Taudi and Podoim were both conspiring against him.
"Then why are they here?" The Traveller asked, jabbing a finger at Taudi and the second figure. Hadrizahens recognized it as an apprehensive Orzhoku. They seemed unhappy to be complicit in Taudi's accusations of disloyalty and insubordination, and clearly wanted to stand up and explain themselves to the Traveller. Scientist Entity Podoim didn't give Orzhoku the chance.
"They were informed of the situation before our trade was made. I saw Merchant Assistant Entity Hadrizahens antagonizing the Sentinels and made an immediate report to the trade outpost before I intervened. There was no report detailing the repairs I would make upon arrival to the Observatory. Out of technicality, Our deal still stands intact." Podium explained shrewdly. They held out a hand as a gesture to take Hadrizahens off of the repair that had been promised. It was woefully inadequate as a show of good faith after the sleight he had just pulled.
The Traveller gave Scientist Entity Podoim along, hard stare. It was clearly estimating Podoim's wealth of character, or lack thereof, and judging them accordingly. With a small shake of its head, the Traveller relinquished and helped Podoim bring Hadrizahens all the way inside the observatory.
Hadrizahens avoided Taudi's gaze as he was placed carefully into one of the chairs, not daring to speak up on his own behalf. Whatever plans he had made to get himself out of this mess were dashed as soon as the door first opened. He didn't have anything that might be able to save him now. He did chance a glance towards Taskmaster Orzhoku, who seemed sympathetic to Hadrizahens' situation. There had been a moment where he had thought that maybe the elder Korvax had snitched to Taudi on him, but it was obvious now that this was not the case. The Elder Korvax's visor faintly glowed in a blue color as they watched Hadrizahens make himself as comfortable as he could manage.
"Now, for the matter of the biological sample…" Podoim said, turning towards the Traveller almost greedily.
Unimpressed and still cross, the Traveller once again stared at Podoim blankly. The Scientist had no real way to gauge how the Traveller was perceiving them, but Hadrizahens could almost swear that it was with complete disdain.
"Yes. Of my choosing." The Traveller said, pushing away the needle that Podoim had already pulled out once again to collect with. The four Korvax watched with a level of awe and curiosity as the Traveller reached to the neck of its exosuit and unhooked a small latch, then pulled down a zipper… there seemed to be a series of things needed to detach the exosuit from its body. Without undoing the front zipper any further than the protective chest plate that the Traveller bore, the Traveller reached into the exosuit and through one sleeve with its opposite arm, struggling with something within. Was there some way that the Traveller could give up a biological sample of its own accord without the use of the syringe? What sort of biological sample would it be? Hadrizahens found himself almost excited by the scientific mystery before him. After a few more seconds of struggling, the Traveller pulled his arm free and held a thin cloth stained with a dark rusty red colored substance. "A biological sample."
Podoim looked taken aback, then their visor flashed several times to show their clear annoyance. A tainted biological sample was not at all what they were hoping for. Hadrizahens knew even before the scientist found the words that they would be voicing their displeasure. Podoim snatched the unraveled cloth strip from the Traveller's hand and scanned it quickly.
"This is hardly laboratory grade; there are contaminants present." Podoim exclaimed.
"It was contained in my suit. The contaminants are natural to my biology. It is a good puzzle for a being of science to work through." The Traveller said with very little remorse in its voice. It was clearly satisfied with stooping to Podoim's level of trickery and pettiness, and Podoim had no room for complaints. Not after what they had pulled with the Traveller. They knew that they had to accept this sample and follow through with their bargain, and it angered them greatly. "Now start the repairs."
Podoim's visor blinked several times and they made a mechanical noise of utter frustration as they turned towards the laboratory. The cloth would need to be placed in containment to prevent further contamination, and Podoim needed tools and supplies. The Traveller said nothing as the scientist stomped down the hallway and into the laboratory beyond. Hadrizahens knew that Podoim would take their time returning on principle alone, but there was also a very good chance that the scientist Korvax was taking extra time to vent his heated systems. Podoim did not take well to being outsmarted. Certainly not by an organic lifeform, even if that lifeform happened to be a Traveller.
Podoim was not the only one to have become agitated by the exchange. Though they were not involved with the deal, Taudi was a Merchant Korvax by trade and did not appreciate a deal being fulfilled so cheaply. Nor did they appreciate that Podoim was the one being cheated. Of that, Hadrizahens was certain. It was unlikely that Merchant Entity Taudi would engage the Traveller directly, as they had more proprietary sense than the scientist, but Hadrizahens braced himself for the oncoming storm no matter what shape it would take.
"It is completely illogical for this result to occur." Merchant Entity Taudi scolded, causing Hadrizahens to sink back into his seat. He knew he would be the target for Taudi's anger. "A core scan should be conducted to search for malfunctions."
"This result was unforeseen by my calculations…" Hadrizahens said quietly, knowing that there was nothing he would be able to say to truly calm his superior.
"Unforseen? What calculations were being run? Your processor is faulty. Outcomes for leaving the outpost during a recharge cycle without clearance range from inefficiency to complete loss of revenue! Classifiable as divergence." Taudi snapped.
Hadrizahens froze. Taudi certainly knew how serious it was to accuse another Korvax of Divergency. It had never occurred to Hadrizahens that Taudi might take his running off so offensively. If deemed Divergent enough from the Convergence, a Korvax's sentience and life was forfeit. A dissonant mind was a hindrance to the collective, if not an outright danger. It was one thing to be forced offline by a traumatic physical occurrence such as being caught in a nuclear powercell meltdown, or being on board a crashing ship, but to be rejoined with the Convergence by force? For committing a high crime against Korvax society that he didn't even feel remotely guilty of? It terrified him. He didn't know how an Echo was extracted from a casing by force. When a Korvax passed, he had the impression that it happened smoothly and without any struggle. But to have his essence ripped away while he fought to hold on? It seemed as far from pleasant as anything he could imagine.
Desperate to defend himself from this fate, Hadrizahens spoke up. "It is not Divergence! This is not the cause of this behavior. It is not the result of it. I didn't intend to decrease efficiency for the outpost!"
Taudi stared at Hadrizahens, falling eerily silent for a few seconds. It was almost as though a suspicion had been confirmed for him. "Merchant Assistant Entity has analyzed the most problematic portion of the scenario to be the abandonment of post?"
Hadrizahens was again at a loss for words. He was growing truly afraid now.
"Merchant Assistant Entity Hadrizahens was recorded fleeing from enraged Sentinels. Innocence in the face of this scenario is implausible at best. Action must have been taken to receive the consequence of The Atlas's judgement." Taudi said gauntly.
True fear gripped Hadrizahens then. He was being threatened with disconnection and now with committing religious crimes. Seeing how the religious beliefs of the Korvax were intrinsically tied to empathetic behavior and connection to all forms of life, there was no way to argue against religious laws. Not with any hope of sounding like anything but a monster. "But I am innocent! I did nothing-! I was attacked…"
Merchant Entity Taudi did not seem impressed by Hadrizahens' implications. It sounded as though he was denouncing the Sentinels themselves, which even Hadrizahens knew sounded like madness. "Now you claim your fabrications are true? You assert that you are to be believed over the Sentinels? You? This is Divergent madness!"
"It is true."
Hadrizahens felt a hand rest on his shoulder, pulling him from the spiral of panic that he had begun to fall into. Standing firmly beside him was the Traveller; the only other being that had a hope to defend him.
"How can it be true? The Sentinels protect The Atlas's creation. They do not engage in hostility unprovoked-"
"Yes, they do." The Traveller interrupted. "I have seen it before. A sickness spreads through their minds. They become hostile. They attack all that might be considered a threat. It is a virus. A corruption. It will spread here. They will attack you, too. You are not safe. You must leave."
"Leave?" Merchant Entity Taudi repeated, giving a voice to the exact same question in Hadrizahens' mind. "What illogical madness is this? We are stationed here. Where would we go?"
"Away from this planet." The Traveller said incredulously. It seemed to not fully understand why this concept was difficult for Taudi to understand.
Merchant Entity Taudi erupted into a deep, grinding laughter, taking both Hadrizahens and the Traveller aback. The Traveller had claimed knowledge of this exact scenario, and Hadrizahens had seen proof of it himself. His imobile leg was proof enough. But Merchant Entity Taudi seemed to think it all as laughable.
"Evacuate the planet? Completely illogical. With what space worthy vessel? With what money? Outpost Rugo-395 is our station and we shall remain until called back by the Korvax Trade Federation." Taudi said firmly.
"But you are in danger!" The Traveller urged.
"According to you." Taudi replied, heavily insinuating that the Traveller's credibility was in question over the actions of the Sentinels. Hadrizahens knew better, even if Taudi did not. He watched nervously as the Traveller inhaled in anger, zipping its exosuit back up aggressively.
"Fine. Believe what you will. I have given you my warning." The Traveller said angrily. "Do not expect me to save you when you are proven wrong."
And with those ominous words of prophecy, the Traveller departed from the observatory in a rage. Hadrizahens watched until the door closed behind the Traveller once the motion sensors stopped picking up its signature with a feeling of dread that grew in the pit of his circuitry. Without the Traveller present to elaborate what had happened, not that Taudi or Podoim had any interest in listening, Hadrizahens would be at the mercy of his superiors' judgement.
"We should have calculated that the Traveller Entity was untrustworthy." Taudi spoke with a deeply judgemental tone. "No commissary of The Atlas would seek out violence willingly."
"The Traveller Entity is not untrustworthy! Nor is the Traveller Entity dangerous!" Hadrizahens spoke up in defence of the being who had so readily defended him throughout the entire evening. He regretted saying anything when Merchant Entity Taudi turned their visor towards him quickly. The lights behind the screen were glowing an angry orange color.
"Merchant Assistant Entity Hadrizahens has been taken in by the false Entity's lies." Taudi chidded angrily. They bore down on Hadrizahens, causing the young Korvax to shrink where he sat submissively. Hadrizahens knew he was in the right, but he also knew there was no way to convince Taudi otherwise. "This entity is a lucky one."
"Why call Merchant Assistant Entity Hadrizahens lucky?" Scientist Entity Podoim inquired. The soft purr in their voice provoked a glare from Hadrizahens. The young Korvax knew the Scientist was enjoying themself. Podium was the one who incited all of this unnecessary drama. The level of irrational jealousy that the scientist Korvax was capable of was bordering on repulsive now that Hadrizahens was doubly at the center of it. Podium was usually content to ignore Hadrizahens entirely because there was no competition between the two of them for Taudi's attention. But now, since the Traveller had come to their small community, Hadrizahens had somehow gained its favor, and it was obvious that Podoim was displeased. Hadrizahens knew that Podoim wanted a very strict punishment put into place for Hadrizahens' desertion of his post.
"Because Merchant Assistant Entity Hadrizahens could have become Divergent by following a false Traveller. They were only injured and not completely destroyed. Had The Atlas or the Convergence willed it, Merchant Assistant Entity Hadrizahens would be an Echo, not an Entity." Taudi explained sharply. "Merchant Assistant Entity Hadrizahens is too insignificant and bumbling to incite the true wrath of the Sentinels. Blame for a full out attack is illogical when placed on them."
"What is to be done now?" Podium asked. It was clear that they were unsatisfied with the acquittal of Hadrizahens' guilt, but they were quite pleased with Merchant Entity Taudi's assertions of Hadrizahens' incompetence.
"Merchant Assistant Entity Hadrizahens will be repaired, then restricted to their quarters except for janitorial duties until their mind is clear of the False Traveller's influence. The Virus must be cleared from their processor." Merchant Entity Taudi said sternly, looking back at Hadrizahens. The color on their visor had not faded from the orange yet, so Hadrizahens knew that he could only accept his punishment gracefully. No matter how much proof he offered that the Traveller was not a false prophet, or that the Traveller was telling the truth about the Sentinels, it would do nothing in changing Taudi's mind. He was defeated.
"...Affirmative." Hadrizahens hung his head out of respect to Merchant Entity Taudi's decision, and to hide the uncontrolled shift in color of his own visor. He knew he wouldn't be able to keep his feelings to himself, he knew that they were too strong to prevent himself from displaying yellow on his visor even for a brief moment. This was Scientist Entity Podoim's doing. He felt a deep hostility towards the scientist for interfering, but even more so for their blind envy. Podium had to know that the Traveller was right, especially after admitting to watching what had happened at the Traveller's base from the observatory. Yet, the scientist had decided that the risk was worth ignoring in favor of outdoing Hadrizahens. He hoped, for Podoim's sake, that his perilous wager against the truth would prove fruitful.