The morning was fresh. Optimal. The barometric pressure in the air signaled that there would be no storms of any kind to impede chores of any nature. Clouds were not present to block the light of the bright yellow sun cutting through the aqua-tinted sky. This would be a good day.
The Korvax designated; Merchant Assistant Entity Hadrizahens stirred more as they exited their recharge cycle. They felt refreshed after an interrupted stasis with good, sturdy materials to give life to the mechanical workings of their robotic casing. The small trade outpost that Hadrizahens called home had received good business lately, thanks to a passing band of Gek merchants who had purchased many supplies for their unintentionally lengthened journey. Merchant Assistant Entity Hadrizahens held somewhat of a distrust for the small, organic creatures known as the Gek, but they were still pleased to receive their trade and even more pleased to have a good supply of condensed carbon to replenish their power.
No… His power.
Hadrizahens felt a small electrical shudder shoot up his nanotubes. It was silly of him to identify himself as a biological entity, as he was nothing more than a young Echo, housed within a casing that had been passed down by his people for generation to generation. Gender was a concept understood by the Korvax, but not one that they needed in their own society. Such behavior would seem illogical to others of his kind, or worse, divergent. However, Hadrizahens had no qualms keeping his secrets. Especially when they seemed so harmless to him. He was not a Korvax that had settled into his designation well. He understood that every Korvax was a cog in a much greater machine put into place to keep the greater whole moving forward, but he had always wondered why another Korvax could not just simply take his place so he could pursue his truer passions.
Merchant Assistant Entity Hadrizahens wanted desperately to be redesignated as Biological Research Entity Hadrizahens. His central processor and his core sang in tandem during the night cycles, creating simulated scenarios of him going to far off planets and making new discoveries for the Explorer's Guild, and to add to the wealth of knowledge that was the Convergence of his people once it was his time to add his consciousness. These simulations gave him a thrill deep inside his casing that he could not put into words, nor could he explain them to Merchant Entity Taudi, Taskmaster Entity Orzhoku, or least of all Scientist Entity Podoim who were all stationed at the small trading post with Hadrizahens. None of them would understand. All he knew is that he must keep such illogical follies to himself, and imagine himself integrating into a biological cultural mindset; the easiest way to do that was to secretly designate himself with a gender identity.
The hermetic door to Hadrizahens' small recharging room hissed as the lock released and suddenly slid open. Hadrizahens started as a mass of dark grey synthetic material came stomping in quickly. The cuboid head of the other Korvax was inclined towards Hadrizahens and the illuminated circular scanners implanted in the rectangular screen were flashing an orange-yellow color of irritation.
"Merchant Assistant Entity Hadrizahens takes their time in rebooting today? Unacceptable. Conditions are optimal. All assigned tasks can be completed in a highly efficient timeframe." Merchant Entity Taudi said in a deep, mechanical bark.
"Affirmative… It has been noted that conditions are optimal. I seem to be… Rebooting slowly this solar cycle. After a brief Maintenance check, this Entity will be primed to perform all assigned tasks." Hadrizahens responded in kind, keeping his tone as steady as he could. He didn't want Taudi to sense his unease. Thankfully, Taudi seemed to view themselves as a higher entity despite only running a trading outpost on a rather damp planet in a particularly hazardous star system. Never once had Taudi shown any interest in connecting their mind to Hadrizahens and sharing streams of consciousness, so Hadrizahens could get away with very simple lies.
"Report promptly; there is little daylight to waste. Scanners indicate further activity approaching the system. Large freighter with a small fleet. Analysis; prime targets for trade." Merchant Entity Taudi explained shortly. Hadrizahens inclined his head slightly, observing Taudi with confusion. Did the older Entity truly think that, out of the entire solar system, these new strangers would choose to barter here? Granted, Cireenob XV was far and away the most inhabitable planet in the Rigusu-Ril I system for all forms of life, but that didn't mean by default that any strangers to the system would choose this particular trading post over any of the larger outposts instead. Hadrizahens knew better than to argue this logical point with his superior, though.
"I will ensure Outpost Rugo 395 is functioning properly." Hadrizahens informed Taudi.
The yellow light flashing on Merchant Entity Taudi's visor blinked a few times more, then cooled to a softer green color. Not quite the neutral blue state, but they were no longer as agitated. "See that it happens. Report to Taskmaster Orzhoku for assignments." And then, Taudi turned around and departed.
If inorganic lifeforms could sigh, the exhalation of breath that Hadrizahens would have released would have been audible from across the room. Instead, he simply stood up from his chair and began to run diagnostics to ensure his casing was running at full capacity. Though Merchant Assistant Entity Hadrizahens wished for a new designation, he wasn't displeased with his current one. He did his job, and he did it well and without complaint. Even when assigned more illogical tasks such as altering the paint on the outside of the outpost in order to attract the attention of potential organic customers, especially with no data to back up which colors the lifeforms would prefer. It was simply that the company he kept at the small trading outpost was… unpleasant.
Merchant Entity Taudi was mostly a no-nonsense Korvax who didn't have time to run simulations or calculate hypotheticals, unless the conclusions resulted in profits. They found Hadrizahens' more theoretical mind to be tiresome, and would sometimes assign Hadrizahens with more tasks to complete throughout the day to keep him out of the way. It was because of this that Hadrizahens avoided glancing in Taudi's direction as the other Korvax Entity sorted through a merchandise manifesto on their datapad, ignoring Hadrizahens in turn as the younger Entity exited his private bunk. Taudi stood next to an illuminated table, strewn with several other datapads and data storage devices while a Korvax with a sickly green casing and off white detailing passed a parcel of ferite between its hands. Hadrizahens recognized the other Korvax as Podoim.
Scientist Entity Podoim wasn't truly a resident of the outpost, as they worked at the observatory on the edge of the Zadank Jungle, not far away from the Urtam Ranges where the trade post was built. Scientist Entity Podoim would often come to the trade post under the guise of purchasing additional supplies for the observatory, though many of the supplies needed were either maintained on site, or shipped by Merchant Entity Taudi in advance. Hadrizahens used to see these extra visits as a blessing, being a Korvax Entity with an interest in science himself, but it became quite clear early on that Podoim was not only curt and rude, but their only interest was in Taudi.
The merchant and the scientist would spend large portions of the day together while Hadrizahens and Taskmaster Orzhoku would work on their assignments and chores. Hadrizahens had a strong suspicion that the two Korvax would head to a back room and spend the time connecting their consciousnesses and sending elicit electrical impulses between their link. But that wasn't the sort of thing that was polite to ask about in Korvax society. What the two consenting higher ranked Entities did in their time together was their business. Hadrizahens just wished they wouldn't do it on company time, or treat everyone else as a waste of time as a result.
Hadrizahens felt the scientist's sensors on him as he shuffled past the two Korvax as quietly as he could, not bothering to greet either one of them as doing so might only irritate them further. He didn't relax until the door slid shut behind him once entering the main sales floor.
The room was circular, as was the rest of the outpost, but it was much more clean and free of clutter than the rest. In the center sat a small station, separated by blue holographic walls that gave an illusion of privacy should a customer wish to sit and do any bartering. Along the walls were tables and comfortable chairs to allow the customers to take a break and enjoy the sight of the small planters that decorated the space that grew assorted native plants from different areas of the planet. A circular terminal was embedded in one of the walls next to yet another sliding door that led to the landing pad outside. This terminal was connected to the Galactic Trade Market, where customers might be able to conduct business on a larger scale. Beside that was the counter where Merchant Entity Taudi would peddle assorted blueprints or ship upgrades or even supplies should the customers be more interested in any discounts that were being offered outside of the Galactic Market.
A third Korvax stood next to the counter, polishing the surface with a cloth of synthetic microfibers to ensure a high gloss finish. This Korvax bore a more oblong helmet with two fin-like antennae protruding from either side of the faceplate. It's casing was more stooped and worn than most, but none of the washed out brown paint was chipping. The casing was well-maintained, but it was old, and the Echo housed inside of it was also very old. Hadrizahens understood that this Entity, Taskmaster Entity Orzhoku had once been the merchant at this outpost, but had been redesignated as a Groundskeeper/Maintenance Entity once they had begun to age. Then, once Hadrizahens had been assigned, he had taken over the old Korvax's job, relieving the older entity of the wear and tear of manual labor.
Hadrizahens had no way of knowing how old Orzhoku was, but he knew that this entity in particular had stayed in this casing for a very long time. Hadrizahens' own casing had been brought back to the collective and officially refurbished before his own Echo was born and housed within, but Orzhoku's casing seemed as though it hadn't seen any thorough maintenance for quite some time. Orzhoku had simply lived his inorganic life on the outpost and had never entered a scenario in which his Echo disconnected or rejoined the Convergence. This was quite a feat when considering how… odd… Orzhoku could act from time to time. Too much data downloaded inside of the old Korvax, perhaps. Not enough memory space. Then again, Orzhoku had never shown any REAL signs of becoming Divergent to the Convergence, so perhaps it wasn't so odd.
A pleasant mechanical chirping whir came from deep within Taskmaster Orzhoku as the entity turned to observe Hadrizahens, the illumination filaments in his visor pulsing a warm color.
"Good morning, young Entity. It seems as though this casing is fully recharged and prepared for a full Sol of labor!" The old voice rasped out, as though the audio processors needed to be oiled. It was not an unpleasant sound, though. Not to Hadrizahens.
"Affirmative. This Entity is ready to perform all assigned tasks. Weather conditions are optimal and likelihood of commerce is reported as likely." Hadrizahens replied formally, though the sing-song tone in his vocal processors betrayed him.
Orzhoku ground out a sound similar to a chuckle, shaking their head. "You exchanged data with Entity Taudi already, then?"
Sensing the almost mocking tone in Orzhoku's voice, Hadrizahens was taken aback. The amount of emotion that Orzhoku was comfortable displaying at times startled even him. "Affirmative. I have not ran the scenario probability, but the numbers will most likely differ from Merchant Entity Taudi's own calculations."
"Indeed they will… Eheu, I sense something might change in Taudi's calculations' favor, if not in Taudi's best interest…"
"Elaborate? Please?"
Orzhoku inclined his head towards Hadrizahens and then gestured to the younger entity to follow him outside. The rush of fresh, oxygenated air hit Hadrizahens' sensors as soon as the doors opened. The air was warm and wet, as expected on a tropical planet. The nitrogen content within the atmosphere was also quite high. As his sensors had told him from inside, the day was an optimal day for chores. Orzhoku still seemed troubled.
The elder Entity scanned the horizon, his gaze falling far beyond the rolling hills of fuchsia grass towards the jungles and the great hills beyond. "I sense an unrest. Like a grinding deep within my filaments and synthetic material."
"An unrest?"
"Something has awoken on our little planet, and I fear that it may not be to our benefit."
Hadrizahens processed these ominous words carefully. Did Orzhoku truly sense something stirring with his old casing? Or was this simply a sign that his old Echo was finally losing it's grasp on the Convergence and would soon need to be called back and replaced?
"...That or it may work out for some of us, at least. It is hard to say. Who knows the true devisings of The Atlas and it's Host of Sentinels? Not the Korvax. No. At least, not yet." Orzhoku spoke more dismissively.
"The Atlas? You invoke The Atlas?" Hadrizahens stared in shock at the Taskmaster. What did the Great and Powerful, Allseeing and All-knowing Creator of all things have to do with a strange feeling in Orzhoku's old carapace?
"The Atlas has a hand in all things, young Echo, whether or not It calculates the outcomes with great attention and care. Do stay vigilant while you perform your tasks today, will you? I would hate to be right about my illogical hunch." Orzhoku spoke more softly as he indicated to the external housing and power unit for the outpost's dehumidifier. "Merchant Entity Taudi says that a large amount of organic material and fauna have stopped up the works and I would have to agree. It feels as though the humidity is rusting This Entity's joints as we speak."
"It will be completed efficiently." Hadrizahens responded quickly.
"Good. I know you dislike disposing of the rotting organic material, but it must be done. Entity Taudi must be kept happy, after all."
And with that, Orzhoku went back inside the outpost, leaving Hadrizahens to his first task of the day.
Disposing of organic material inside the dehumidifier unit was far from a pleasant job. Hadrizahens was lucky that he lacked an acute sense of smell that was impossible to turn off; the collection tanks that held the still water pulled from the air would sit in the warm, tropical air outside the outpost all day for a week before it needed to be purged. The smell that resulted was nothing short of rancid.
The dehumidifier also ran on an older system, since the outpost's internal atmosphere was maintained within a sealed bubble; the planet's atmosphere had no effect on the internal structure. However, the atmosphere and pressure needed to be maintained at all times for any potential organic guests, so air would be cycled from the outside through several large vents, purified and dehumidified, and pumped into the outpost itself. There was no risk of contamination between the outside air and inside the outpost, thanks to the filtration unit, but the initial intake outside of the base was fair game to anything small enough to fit through the vents. This was what made the job truly unpleasant.
Hadrizahens carefully disconnected the outer plate of the vent system with a few of his tools, pulling it from the housing as carefully as he could to avoid anything spilling out. The vents also had a habit of growing a thick slime on them when maintenance was not routine. Within the first layer of vents at the intake, there were clumps of rotting plant matter suctioned onto the surface as well as a number of insects and even a few unfortunate rodents. The worst of this job was that Hadrizahens wasn't simply allowed to dispose of the decomposing organic material. No, he was made to collect it inside of a small, aluminum bucket which he would transport to the biofuel reactor to recycle into power for the outpost. Dying material never yielded much electrical output, but Taudi was always looking for ways to increase profits.
Hadrizahens was in the middle of the repugnant process of scraping a large mass of what APPEARED to be some sort of… furry plant… when his sensors alerted him to movement behind him. Still focused on Orzhoku's ominous warnings, Hadrizahens swiveled his head around quickly to see what might be approaching him from behind. As a Korvax outpost, there were no firearms or weapons of any kind located on the premises other than those Merchant Entity Taudi had acquired for resale, and those were certainly off limits for use. The stringent Korvax religion prohibited violence or destruction of any kind, so, as a practitioner himself. Hadrizahens was unarmed. That didn't stop him from gripping the spoon-like collection tool more tightly in his hand.
He stared out into the expanse of grassland that he had once viewed so beautiful. The vibrant fuchsia color of the grass stretching towards the bright turquoise sky, the bushes that stamped the rolling grassland with green and orange colors, the glowing bulbs of the flowers with their orange stems, and the tall, blue trees in the distance… It seemed much less inviting now that he was all alone. He saw the tall grass rustle a few meters out from where he crouched on the dirt, right where the wild nature of the planet met the bubble of civilization that had been carved out for the outpost. Briefly, he thought he saw a flash of cold, crimson light. It chilled his circuits and rooted him to the spot. Unable to move, unable to process data, he was frozen in this glimmer of scarlet that worked its way through his casing, threatening to swallow him up like a tundra sea. But then it was gone, along with the feeling of dread that gripped him. And Hadrizahens was left sitting alone.
Up in the sky, the young Korvax spotted a trail of green emulsion he recognized as the thrusters of a small, one manned spacecraft. The color stood out brightly against the aqua sky, even in the daylight as the craft flew close enough for Hadrizahens to see. It appeared to be a fighter class due to its small, slim build. At first, Hadrizahens felt a shock of fear through his body, still remembering the red light. Was this a pirate? Or a Bounty Hunter? This part of the galaxy was teeming with dangerous lowlifes, as it was far away from the Galactic Center and regulations were few… But as the craft flew over the outpost, it suddenly slowed and turned back.
Hadrizahens watched it approach the landing pad carefully, though the landing pad was located on the other side of the structure from where he was working. The loud, smooth sound of the combustion engine lowered as the internal mechanical workings cooled and the ship landed as gently as a leaf on the sand. The only sound that gave away the landing of the elegant vessel was the familiar creaking of the old metal on the landing pad settling under the added weight of a ship and it's passenger. The engine died to a very low hum and the seal on the cockpit hissed as it depressurized and opened for the unknown guest. That hiss was met with the sound of the landing pad door opening and the clacking of boots briskly stomping out to meet the stranger and welcome them officially.
Hadrizahens heard Merchant Entity Taudi's voice issue a standard greeting to the unknown traveler, but his internal regulator seemed to hit a hiccup when Taudi's voice faltered and stopped mid-greeting. Taudi started back up again in a much more excited flurry of exclamations that Hadrizahens couldn't quite make it out over the still settling engine of the fighter, not until Taudi raised his voice.
"TASKMASTER ENTITY ORZHOKU; ASSES THE HABITABILITY AND COMFORT OF THE OUTPOST AND ACCOMMODATE APPROPRIATELY FOR THE HONORED GUEST."
Hadrizahens nearly dropped his bucket full of organic sludge into his lap in surprise at the sudden loud exclamation. Honored guest? What sort of honorable person would be visiting their trading post out on the edge of the galaxy? Especially one that Marchant Entity Taudi was willing to identify as honorable? Multiple possibilities began to flood Hadrizahens' excitable processor as he imagined many different, affluent entities from all the known races in the galaxy. He was unaware that Taskmaster Entity Orzhoku had exited the outpost while Taudi was left babbling to the guest. It caught him off guard when Orzhoku gripped him by the shoulder plate and lifted him off of the ground with a strength he had no idea the old Korvax possessed.
"Come inside, young Echo. This is a once in an Echo Cycle event you will need to take part in."
Confused but deeply intrigued and thrilled to be invited to take part in whatever was going on, Hadrizahens followed Taskmaster Entity Orzhoku inside just as Merchant Entity Taudi escorted the stranger inside.
The stranger was encased in an exosuit rather than housed in a casing like an electronic lifeform. A quick preliminary scan of the lifeform revealed it to be organic beneath the protective shell of synthetic cloth and technology. It was far too tall to be a Gek, but not quite muscular enough to be even a young Vy'keen. Further data scans of the lifeform's species of origin drew a blank from the Korvax knowledge pool, which meant only one thing. One incredible, inconceivable, impossible solution.
"Traveler Entity! An Honor to receive you. The Atlas's Chosen. You are welcome here for trade."
Hadrizahens was too overloaded with excitement to do anything but stand just inside the hermetic doorway and stare at the visage of the Traveller. A real Traveller, right before him. Songs of this Traveler iteration had been sung along the consciousness of the Korvax for some time now. Even Hadrizahens, the Merchant Assistant Entity had heard them in his recharge cycles this far out in the corner of the galaxy. But to have a Traveller standing before him? This was certainly too much.
Before the Great Disconnection, when the Korvax home world had not yet been destroyed by the First Spawn and their Convergence of Echoes had not yet been lost, there were prophecies of the Travellers; visions gifted to the Korvax and other faithful races to The Atlas that showed the ultimate inevitability of a new race of people coming forth to the galaxy. What they were exactly and their purpose was widely unknown, but The Atlas had imparted with them a sense of great importance in these beings that would traverse the stars of many worlds, unfettered. They were to be unhindered and helped.
Hadrizahens had never known what to expect a Traveller to look like in person. Perhaps he had envisioned something more analogous to a Korvax. Something more mechanical than biological. Something encased in a glow, like that which accompanied the familiar glow of the Convergence. He had never given any thought to a Traveller being organic before. Strictly biological. And he was fascinated.
The exosuit the Traveller wore revealed that it's body structure was at least similar to the basic frame of a Korvax, though clearly biological. Hadrizahens recognized the dome atop the Traveller's head to be a helmet, though the shape of it and the tinted visor reminded him of the visor of a Korvax, or rather an empty casing. There was no flicker of light, no indication of electrical life behind it. He knew it was because the lifeform's essence manifested differently than the Korvax, but something about it was still haunting. So similar, and yet utterly unfamiliar. The Traveller also bore a large multi-tool at its hip, a jetpack upon its back, and it's exosuit was the color of the aqua sky outside mixed with golden tan detailing. The plating it wore on it's chest made it seem more Korvax and familiar, as there was a circle of blue light illuminated to show that the exosuit was online, if not the entity wearing it. Hadrizahens wanted to know more.
Something seemed to put the Traveller Entity ill at ease, and it shuffled in its exosuit as it looked at all four of the Korvax Entities staring at it motionlessly.
"I beg of you… I do not require worship. Only the assistance of an allegiance and… materials." The Traveller finally spoke in broken sentences but smooth syllables. Its voice was low but unlike the synthesized hum of the Korvax voice. It spoke like the wind that swept over the hills, as that was what it's voice was made of. Air itself. Utterly foreign but speaking familiar words, wishing to make a connection with their consciousnesses.
"This Entity is attentive. Traveler Entity must designate which materials they require." Merchant Entity Taudi replied with as much reverence as he could manage while still trying to make a sale.
The Traveller took a sharp breath of air into its lungs and shifted its weight to its other foot, still fidgeting in some form of unknown discomfort. Hadrizahens wished he could scan the lifeform and find the source of it's distress.
"...Traveller Entity might elaborate on their mission here?" Taskmaster Entity Orzhoku offered gently, and to everyone's surprise, the Traveller seemed to relax a bit.
"A mission. From the… Great Collective Who Fight. The ones stronger, to protect the weak." The Traveller explained slowly while making grand hand gestures to instill some sort of other meaning that none of the Korvax could interpret.
"Great Collective Who Fight…?" Scientist Entity Podoim repeated slowly, carefully analyzing the sagely words of The Atlas's Chosen. "...The Mercenary Guild?"
"Yes!"
A wash of relief and accomplishment washed over the small group of Korvax, having successfully decoded the strange and otherworldly patterns of communication employed by the Traveller. Solving such a puzzle was a great reward for all of them and they were eager to continue conversing with this foreign entity.
"The Mercenary Guild gave Entity designation Traveller a mission to complete. Mission details? Confidential?" Scientist Entity Podoim asked, leaning forward in the chair that he had not yet risen from. Hadrizahens felt a twinge of unease as he saw the lights in Podoim's visor flicker with a scientific hunger as they observed the Traveller closely, obviously recording its reactions.
"No, not confidential. There is an enemy. a… Pirate? Yes. This One needs supplies to stop the enemy. This One will set up a base, if allowed? A close base… for supplies. Until the pirate enemy is stopped." The Traveller explained slowly, once again waving its hands as it spoke in an almost hypnotic fashion. Hadrizahens was entranced, at least.
"Traveller Entity is welcome to set up a base and engage in trade. Korvax Entities will be accommodating in all things." Merchant Entity Taudi assured the Traveller, bowing their head respectfully.
The Traveller mimicked the gesture, though more stiffly. The tension in its movement and muscles betrayed its continued discomfort.
"Traveller Entity will provide data in exchange." Scientist Entity Podoim finally got to their feet and before a word of protest could be uttered on the Traveller's behalf, even by the Traveller itself, Podoim had withdrawn a needle from a panel in their arm and stabbed the Traveller in the shoulder. Podoim extracted a sample of its biological material quickly and stepped back before the Traveller could push them away, plugging the syringe back into their arm and connecting a few nodules to the tool. Hadrizahens watched, affronted, as Podoim analyzed the material in front of the Traveller. Certainly it was rude of them to steal matter from The Atlas's Chosen without any consent… though he would admit that it was a very tempting prospect.
The Traveller seemed to agree with Hadrizahens' thoughts, as it began barking in some unknown language at the scientist. It was clearly agitated. Hadrizahens had observed behavior such as this in the local fauna when their membrane had been compromised by another lifeform and their biological material had leaked. Hadrizahens wondered if the Traveller had any hackles to raise under his exosuit like the creatures here did. Podoim found the response equally fascinating and began to record the sounds and take rapid notes, which only served to agitate the Traveller further.
"Traveler Entity must forgive That One. Korvax Entity designation Scientist is equipped with a curious mind." Orzhoku quickly apologized.
Surprisingly, the Traveller seemed to calm down at this. "Understood. This One also has a scientist entity. Equally curious and damaging."
Sensing that now was the opportune time to conduct business, Merchant Entity Taudi stepped between the Traveller and Scientist Entity Podoim to stop the scientist from conducting further tests on their customer. "Follow, Traveler Entity. Browse the supplies and purchase what is required. Return to the mission. We will aid how we can. It is an honor."
The Traveller followed Taudi to the center table to do business dealings in propper, casting one last hesitant glance to Podoim. There was clear distrust about the Traveller towards Podoim at this point.
"ASSISTANT ENTITY HADRIZAHENS."
Hadrizahens jumped at the sudden audio input from his superior, standing more tall and alert as he looked at Taudi.
"Yes, Merchant Entity Taudi?" Hadrizahens answered quickly but politely. He was aware of everyone's attention on him.
"Retrieve the shipment manifest for our Honored Guest." Merchant Taudi spoke curtly. His order was swift, just like he expected Hadrizahens to be. The Traveller seemed to wilt even further as it sat in one of the chairs.
Embarrassed and frazzled to be addressed as such a lowly working class Korvax in front of such an esteemed guest. He certainly did not wish to make a poor impression on top of being outed as an Assistant Korvax. With a nod of compliance, he shuffled with purpose into the back room, locating the datapad Taudi was scrolling through earlier that day sitting on a disorganized table full of data structures. He picked up the datapad swiftly and returned to Taudi with it.
As he approached, Hadrizahens was shocked to see that the Traveller was tracking his movement with his helmet. There was no clear indication of a built in analysis visor, but Hadrizahens still felt the Traveller's gaze on him. It had a strange effect on his circuitry. He realized just how close he was to this… holy being. This lifeform that had come from The Atlas itself. This creature of unknown potential was observing HIM. It took everything he had in him to keep his hand from trembling as he passed the datapad to Taudi.
With a small buzz of annoyance and a flash of yellow light, Merchant Entity Taudi snatched the datapad out of Hadrizahens' hand and typed in the input codes to bring up the manifests. Taudi clearly had discussed what the Traveller was looking to purchase while Hadrizahens had been in the other room. The Traveller's gaze was still fixed on Hadrizahens, and Hadrizahens felt as though the eyes of his God were fixed upon him.
"Peace, Young Echo. I will do you no harm." The Traveller spoke this time with no hesitation in its words. Hadrizahens turned to look directly at the Traveller's visor, surprised. The Traveller let out a soft, airy sound that Hadrizahens could only identify as a gentle chuckle. Was it amused, or was it endeared?
"Ignore Assistant Entity Hadrizahens. That Entity is young and often illogical." Taudi said dismissively as he grew more impatient with his disorganized list.
"Illogicality is not always necessary to disregard… even for Korvax Entities." The Traveller spoke, still watching Hadrizahens. "...What is your input, Hadrizahens?"
Shocked to be addressed so informally and so warmly by the Traveller, Hadrizahens had little time to think of a response. Especially not to THAT question. Especially not in THIS company. The Traveller chuckled again. Knowingly this time. Somehow, without possessing any form of mechanical scanner functions, this entity had read Hadrizahens' reactions and predicted the correct response.
The Traveller returned its attention to Taudi as soon as Taudi made a beeping noise of triumph as soon as he located the data he sought. The transaction for materials would begin and Hadrizahens would not have a chance to speak with the Traveller again. He had missed his opportunity, and that caused a great sadness to rush through him, if Korvax were capable of feeling such things. Full of regret, Hadrizahens gave the Traveller one last glance as he walked back over to Taskmaster Orzhoku for further assignment, should Taudi require his tasks to be redirected for the sake of the Traveller. Orzhoku seemed to sense the change in the younger Korvax's demeanour and offered some quiet words of comfort.
"The Traveller Entity wishes to set up a temporary base planetside. Something close to us for supplies but also close enough to not be suspicious if detected by its quarry. There will certainly be more opportunities to hear its wisdom."
"I hope so…"
