ONE YEAR LATER
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"Give me some of that rope." Eric requested, and Arthur handed it to him. They were about to climb down a steep cliff to reach their client, a veteran porter who lived on the slopes of the mountain. He was said to be a legend in his time, before an unfortunate injury put him out to pasture. They had spent three days hiking the slope from the weather station, and luckily no rain had occurred to make their job harder. His partner for this stretch, Eric, was pleasant company, if more inclined to keep to himself. But in his defence, every other porter was like that, even Arthur. He was still trying to make sense of his new life.
With the rope anchored, they quickly descended down the cliff and from there it was a straight line to the veteran porter's shelter. Arthur had four small packages on his back, along with a pistol, a ladder, a rope and knife. On his shoulder was his odradek, and his suit was a standard white. Unlike Eric, he carried a cufflink, courtesy of BRIDGES, which Heartman used to talk to him. He hadn't called in a few days.
The duo started on the walk down to the shelter, taking in the sights.
"What you gonna do after this?" Arthur asked. He and Eric respected each other's wishes to be left alone, though indulged in some conversation from time to time.
"I'll head towards Mountain Knot. Plan to stay in the mountains for a while." Eric said, taking a drink out of his canteen. "You?"
"I'll head down towards that new farm they're talking about." Arthur said. There had been reports of a new farm being set up. The owners had found a way to utilise the timefall to grow crops faster. That seemed like a genius idea, and Arthur just had to see it. Another secret reason he had for heading over there was that the farm might remind him of his old life.
"I know we haven't talked about it, but since our time together is coming to an end, I might as well do it now." Eric began. "How does it feel, to be here?"
"Well, I guess it's all been too strange for me." Arthur reminisced. It had been well over a year since his meeting with Heartman, and the story of a man brought to the future from the past had spread. "I never imagined such a thing happening to me, and to be honest, I still can't make sense of it all."
"I can see that." Eric said. "What was it like back then? Before the Death Stranding."
"Well, for one you didn't have to fear the rain." Arthur chuckled. "We had cities, though not as large as the Knots, but I was never the urban type. Preferred to stay out in the open with my…crew." he said, reluctant to bring back old memories of the gang. "I suppose I still get to be outdoors here, which is fine by me."
"Even with all the shit you have to face?"
"Yeah. What's the difference anyway? I was always in danger of dying either way."
After two hours of walking, they reached the veteran porter's shelter. It was located just at the edge of another cliff, overlooking the plains. They entered the shelter and Eric opened the interface. Arthur had never got much used to the strange technology. He barely even grasped the cufflinks, though enough to make and receive calls and see the map.
The door opened and a man emerged. He had grey hair, and a slim but well built body.
"My meds? Thanks a lot boys." he said, and used his device to give them a five star rating. "I've got two spare rooms. Help yourself. Any porter is welcome in my home."
"Thanks. We'll stay for a while." Arthur said, and made his way down with Eric. He had been accustomed to staying in such rooms. Many a times, he helped some clients with crucial stuff, and they let him stay for a few days as thanks. This one was no different. He hung his boots and laid down on the bed. Not feeling asleep, he opened his cufflinks and started recording details of his day. In his old life, Arthur had kept a journal, so this was just another connection he had with the old days. Heartman had advised him to do that, in order to keep track of his progress. Once done, he received a call. From Fragile.
"How are you keeping up Arthur?" she asked over the cufflink.
"Just made another delivery." he answered. "The client was mighty kind to let me and Eric stay. He's the fella I partnered up with on this run."
"Still keeping the journal?" Fragile enquired again.
"Yeah, helps get my mind off things."
"That's nice! Remember, we're all with you, should you ever need something." she said. "I might even have something for you down the road. I heard BRIDGES are expanding their network, so there might be new opportunities for us all."
"Yeah, I heard." Arthur had been told of something called a Chiral Network, though all he understood was that it was a bit like telegram, though much advanced. Ever since his arrival to this new life, Heartman had been kind of like a tutor to him, explaining things in as easy terms as possible. "I'll just have some sleep for now. Farewell."
With that he dosed off.
.
"Be careful not to work yourself to death there, Uncle."
"I'm thinking."
"Does it pay well?"
.
Arthur woke up. Sometimes he dreamt of his old life. The veteran porter was on the door, with a plate in his hand.
"Here's something to get your energy up. The path here is tough, I know from personal experience. The name's Tom by the way." the man said as he left the plate on the table for Arthur to eat, and then sat down on the chair. He had cooked some eggs and those small cryptobiotes. Arthur was repulsed at those worms before, but eventually acquired the taste in a few months.
"So you're the famous Arthur Morgan, the time traveller." Tom began.
"Something like that." Arthur said, beginning to eat. "Thanks for the hospitality mister."
"It's the least I can do. Porters like us should stick together, won't you say?"
"Can't see the harm in that." Arthur replied. "How long were you in the business? I've heard you're a legend yourself."
"Ah my glory days are far behind. I made some pretty serious runs in the past, to places few have gone, and saw some nasty shit. But now I sit here, waiting for my orders like everyone else." Tom said. "And what of you? Sorry if this question has been asked a shit ton of times over, but I couldn't help. How does it feel to be here?"
"I don't mind answering that. It's good to ponder on the old life from time to time." Arthur said. "It's very different, to say the least. Back in my day, you needed horses to go anywhere. I haven't seen one since I got here. Everything is much cleaner now, and you all kinds of stuff I can't even wrap my head around."
"I can imagine. To be from such a different time. How did you get here?"
"Damned if I know. I was…on the run from some people. All I remember was sunrise, and then waking up on those things you call beaches. Then there was snow, and I met a few fellers from BRIDGES. They kept me locked for while until the brainy folk deduced where I was from. Then I was kinda paraded around as a circus freak, before finally getting out."
"Interesting story. Why did you choose this line of work?" Tom asked.
"Well, the guy they call Heartman tried to help me make sense of this new world. He mentioned you porters, and I must say, I saw the appeal." The porters had reminded Arthur a little bit of outlaws, roaming in the open country, out of reach of civilization. He had to be trained though, before he could do anything.
"First run?" Tom asked.
"A package to the doctor near Mountain Knot."
"And the first BT?"
"On the fifth. In the mountains." Arthur said. He would forever remember that encounter, where he first saw those creatures, like ghosts. His partner had told him to hold his breath, and they had holed up in a cave until the snow ended. Arthur couldn't sleep for days.
"One managed to get me, a few years ago. Barely made it out alive." Tom said. "Was stupid enough to make a sound, and those demons from hell dragged me down."
"Tough luck."
Their stay had been extended for a day on account of some rain. Two more porters had arrived that day, escaping the storm, and the place was full. When the rain stopped, Tom threw a small party, and whipped out some beer. Arthur was surprised.
"Courtesy of the farmers down that valley." Tom explained. "They got all kind of stuff, though it takes a while to reach here. Where you two boys headed now?"
"I'll go to Mountain Knot." Eric said. "You got some package you need delivered?"
"Yeah I have one on the list." Tom answered. "Arthur?"
"I'll head down towards this farm. If for nothing else, then for this beer." Arthur chuckled.
"Alright then. I got a gift for those farmers too. Pick it up would you. Now farewell gentlemen, hope to see you soon."
Arthur and Eric shook hands with Tom and headed to their rooms to put on their gear. Tom had given them some supplies for the road, insisted in fact. The two porters picked up their packages and headed out. The other two were also headed to Mountain Knot, and Eric was to accompany them. Arthur would have to go down alone, though Tom said it wasn't BT infested. There was a MULE camp though, but he could go around it by taking the path on the east.
"It was a good run Arthur. See you soon." Eric shook his hand and headed north towards the mountain with the porters. Arthur began the descent alone, and could see the farm in the distance, hoping to reach it before sundown.
.