All The World's Evil: The Scapegoat
It was an odd sight to see, and odd things tended to attract much attention whether it be positive or negative. This was why people tended to go with the flow and attempted to be within current events, at least then the attention was sure to garner positive or at least passive opinion. But this normalcy was a luxury that only those who possessed great wealth, connections or social circles could afford, those who could not were isolated. These outcasts did things outside the norm, which was certainly considered odd.
A small child barely reaching three feet dragging a large wagon convoy by herself certainly counted as something odd. The convoy was comprised of a dozen wooden wagons, each with its own hefty load that filled its twelve by nine area to seven feet high. Fruits and vegetables of all kinds could be seen under the cloth and rope that held the fresh produce in place, even those that had yet to be in season were present, large, fresh-looking and fragrant to any passerby. Each wagon was connected together by iron binds to keep then in a single direction, and the power generated to pull such a herculean load?
A frail little girl that looked like she could barely held herself up as she tugged the convoy towards its destination.
"Maybe I underestimated this job a little too much…" She huffed at the constant exertion to pull her goods all the way from her village to a big metropolitan city like Planeptune, the capital. Everything was so advanced, from the streamlined, multi-functional devices than many people seemed to possess, to their aesthetically pleasing clothing, to the cleanliness of the streets. Above her were hover platforms that could easily have lightened her transport burden, but she was forced to use the abandoned streets below due to her lack of proper identification, a downside of being born in the country side.
That was outside, she wondered how it would look inside.
The Basilicom was at the center of the city several dozen kilometers in from the borders, although she had a clear path ahead of her with negligible traffic, it was still a long trek ahead for her. She took off the water bottle that hang on its strap on one of the wagon's arms and took a deep gulp before replacing it. The water was slightly refreshing to her parched throat, enough to keep her going the rest of the way, she had some distance left to cover. "Well, break times over, I better get moving before my goods spoil."
All The World's Evil: The Scapegoat
"Hey, Louise… don't you think we should-"
"Shut up, Mark! Do you want to 'disappear' like the last idiot who disobeyed her?"
"But Louise!"
"Don't you think I want to help either? I'm not heartless Louise, it's just the new MO from the CPU to all Planeptune employees. Ask the Captain if you don't believe me"
The two guards shut their mouths as the street convoy came near, well it was the only convoy that would ever come through these physical streets, ever. Not like the little girl struggling to keep the cart moving would ever know that anyway. They had been placed here to ensure that no one interfered with the delivery girl, neither help nor harm would be encountered on these abandoned streets. Above, the guards ensured that no one thought to look below by making a sudden and very early curfew to the citizens, courtesy of Planeptune's CPU.
Needless to say, no one dared to open their doors before the sun would rise the next day.
The streets that Louise and Mark were currently patrolling were empty and devoid of life. Every block was actually a support platform for the city above, and anyone fooling enough to make their home within the rare crevices would find the holes suddenly sealed the very next day, while still inside. Not even criminals and outcasts dared to approach the obvious death trap after several months. There was simply nowhere to hide in such a large, uniform area anyways. None but three currently walked these rugged streets.
"Huh, I wonder where everyone is…" Her question was obviously to herself due to its low intensity and negligible structure, unacceptable when interacting with anyone else. The two guards sighed in both exasperation and exhaustion, they would need to continue marching until they reached the Basilicom on foot, which could take a whole day at the –surprisingly fast, but still slow- rate the little shrimp was pulling the load. If they could, they would definitely do their best to aid the little girl in getting her package delivered.
"I feel like a total ass, Mark"
"You're telling me? I feel my faith in my CPU waning away at the sight…"
"Hey, weren't you the one that warned me to shut up, so I wouldn't 'disappear'? Listen to yourself!" With realization dawning upon him, Guard Mark clasped his armored hands over his running mouth, watching the streets for any sign of movement, watching for a watcher. Guard Louise eyed the area critically as well, looking at every shadow he suspected, even his own.
"You're right, I guess when James disappeared…"
"We all miss him, Mark… but we can't bring him or the others back, just got to do our jobs, keep our mouths shut and get paid enough to support out families"
"Yeah, you're right. Heh, never thought I'd hear myself say that."
"Asshole" A playful smile adorned the rugged man's lips.
"Got that right, and its getting bigger too." He glanced at the teetering girl struggling with her load as he said this, a mixture of mirth and sadness in his voice. They both knew what he meant.
"Hey, were almost there!"
"Yeah, at least it's almost over. Tomorrow night, once curfew's been lifted, we'll have some drinks, it's on me"
"Heh, you better get ready to drop your credits then Louise!"
As the two Guards discreetly planned to drown out the memory of the morally-bankrupt post they had been given for today, the majestic gates of the Basilicom loomed over head like an immense titan in the distance.
All The World's Evil: The Scapegoat
A knock resounded through the massive throne room of the Basilicom, its absolute magnificence suited only for a CPU to live in. Within in sat a single, enormous throne made purely from platinum and diamond, with satin drapes and silk cushions. In it sat the CPU of Planeptune in all her glory, a pleased expression adorning her immaculate features.
"Report."
"Yes, my Goddess. The delivery girl that you informed us is at the main gates of the Basilicom, and awaiting reception. The two guards that were posted there reported the deliverer's exhaustion and no interference." All of this was reported from the other side of the door, as none were allowed to see a being of her stature with their mundane eyes. It was a miracle that she had even graced such a meagre village with her presence in the first place!
"Oh? Then how is she doing right now?"
"My Goddess… are you sure she is the one? She barely seems old enough to go to school, let alone be worked to the bone as she is."
"I assume that she is tired then?"
"Yes, My Goddess. She is almost delirious"
"I see, now we can get to a rather personal choice, Captain Reenroll." Her expression turned dark, and her tone venomous. There was no one else here to see her expression bet her, but she could just imaging the confusion that marred the Captain's features at that very moment.
"My Goddess?"
"My Sharcite has indicated a very slight decline in shares, and I have found that it came from your unit… so, I have decided to offer you a chance to redeem yourself for making me repeat a question. Be grateful that you are not yet dead"
"…"
"Knowing your place is good. Now choose: either you poison the two guards that I am completely aware had slandered me, the same ones I posted to guard that little delivery girl, or you can offer your life as compensation. Either choice will resolve the other, I expect results by tomorrow midnight Captain." Her angelic voice had turned sultry, demonic. "If both parties are still alive… well, I'm sure I can find an entire unit easily replaceable enough"
"Yes, My Goddess" The voice was wavering and guilt ridden at the thinly veiled threat. This was why no one dared disobey this CPU.
"Good, dismissed"
All The World's Evil: The Scapegoat
"Those idiots!" Captain Reenroll whispered under his breath as he made his way down to collect the Mark and Louise, who were now marked, as well as the unfortunate delivery girl that had caught the interest of Planeptune's CPU. He soon reached his destination via teleportation, opening the gates to personally greet the trio.
"Mark, Louise, report!" His appearance caused the two somewhat alert guards to go on full alert, walking rigidly to him to deliver a proper report. I would be sad to get rid of such fine soldiers.
"Sir! There has been no change, she is still partially delirious from the journey"
"I see, here take this, and bring the poor thing inside. You may have been ordered to prevent interference, but that was only until this point." With a shout, several large soldiers came to take care of the convoy and the little girl laying ragged on the ground. It took a dozen more to begin moving the cart inside, an eye-opening testament to the girl's hellish journey.
"This is freaking heavy! How did that little thing move this thing anyway?"
"Just shut up and keep shoving!" The Captain barked, he then turned back to the two soldiers, who had opened the note they had been given. They were both holding back tears. He gave them a final reassuring hug, holding back his own tears, "And to you two, I'm sorry"
Inside the note said two life ending sentences, their words crumpled under the frustrated grip of the soon to be late Guards Mark and Louise.
You have been Marked.
Death by poisoning, before Midnight, after curfew.
"I'm so sorry"
All The World's Evil: The Scapegoat
That night, Captain Reenroll did not waste a single cent in making sure that his whole unit had a hangover that would last to the next evening.
Mark and Louise were then found later that night dead after being killed by an Ancient dragon while still drunk.
The CPU of Planeptune was pleased.
"Two less unfaithful worms in my ranks to deal with…"