Kapitel 4: Chapter 3: Departure
Standing at the city's edge, Valeria and Anders stared off into the distance as they waited for the man's mercenary company to rendezvous with them. There they saw a sea of brown and tan cracked earth of the arid region around them only occasionally broken up by patches of dry vegetation. Gazing far off into the horizon thanks to their elevated position of over 3,000 feet in the air, they could see the tracks of the mobile city tearing through the wastes as it traversed the land.
A mobile city. A technological marvel that is the pinnacle of modern ingenuity. A metal plate creating artificial land capable of crawling across Terra and housing tens to hundreds of thousands of people. This expensive and technologically intensive expenditure is more than just for show. It is a concept that spans every nation across Terra. The only viable solution to the catastrophe problem.
Valeria turned her head slightly to look at Anders.
"You had one of your people check with a catastrophe messenger right? I'd rather not get crushed to death by raining originium just yet."
Anders looked back with a look of offense.
"What do you take me for? An amateur? He's the last one we're waiting for, actually. Once we get the news that there are no catastrophes set to happen on our route, we'll head out."
Valeria just gave a grunt in acknowledgment allowing silence to rein again. However, before she could enjoy it, Anders spoke up.
"I never understood catastrophes. How do the originium crystals grow so big in the sky before they fall? I mean some get as big as skyscrapers. How do they not fall sooner with how heavy they are?"
Valeria just rolled her eyes with a look of annoyance.
"Do I look like a scientist to you?"
Anders looked at her with disdain.
"What do you do all day that you can't even tell me the basics?"
Letting out an angry laugh, Valeria glared at the man.
"What are you looking down on me for? Aren't you asking because you don't know? Besides don't act like you don't know what I do with my time. Drinking is better for forgetting things not learning them."
Anders huffed at that, but before he could say anything Valeria spoke again.
"Catastrophes are formed when inactive originum dust gets up into the atmosphere. All that dust will then compress together to form large crystals. Somehow the inactive crystals get charged with the energy that originium is known for, but that part isn't really understood. That charging emits a suspension-like effect that keeps the crystals in the air regardless of their weight. After they charge, the crystals drop to the ground like meteors ready to ruin someone's day."
Anders pondered over the information for a moment, but before he could continue their conversation, he noticed the last man they were waiting for had arrived. The Goliath Sarkaz ran up to Anders and gave him a salute.
"Boss, I just talked to a catastrophe messenger and he said there are no orginium storms to worry about."
Anders sighed in relief.
"Good, time to get moving then."
Gathering together, Valeria and her escorts gathered into the lifts prepared to lower their group down and began their journey. The trip would take a couple of months since they would be traveling on foot. Anders' mercenaries had no mechanic capable of repairing vehicles that would inevitably break down once the terrain turned into the sand dunes of Sargon.
****
One week into the journey, the group had put a good distance between them and the mobile city they had departed. They had made camp near a rocky outcrop for the night with various scattered campfires offering the only light for miles. Valeria and Anders sat together while the rest of the company settled into their temporary camp for the night.
Out of the corner of her eye, she could see a few Sarkaz stealing glances at her, but whenever she turned to look they would avoid her gaze as if they were never looking to begin with. Over time her irritation built up, and she couldn't help but ask Anders with annoyance leaking into her voice.
"Why do the children keep glancing at me?"
Anders looked confused as he puzzled out what she meant, and when he did he barked out a laugh.
"Ha! Don't mind them. I may have let it slip sometime back that you used to be a woman of standing, so they're probably just trying to figure out your identity."
Valeria's irritation only grew at that. Her voice became colder as her eyes narrowed.
"I didn't realize you were so interested in gossip Anders."
Anders sported a small smile and carried on as if he didn't notice her emotions.
"That's right, I've got to pass the time somehow. The best part is you can't punish me for insubordination since I'm not your subordinate, G- oof!"
Before he could finish his sentence, he was struck hard on the chest by a flying bottle of whiskey. He wanted to complain before he saw the look in Valeria's eyes. Any protest died in his throat and he could only lament that his chest was going to bruise.
Moments passed in silence between the two before Valeria asked a question, though Anders couldn't tell if it was to him or herself.
"...Why haven't you given up?"
Anders' eyes sharpened and his expression grew serious.
"Valeria, in my days I've heard many people claim that they were going to restore Kazdel's past glory. Whether it was the Kings of the Sarkaz royal court or grassroots resistances, they all promised that they would raise the Sarkaz like phoenixes reborn from the ashes. In the end, each and every one failed. All we had were more friends and family to bury."
Valeria raised a questioning brow.
"And? I am the same as the people you speak of. Why bother me instead of them?"
Anders simply shook his head.
"No Valeria, you aren't. You never promised us anything. Not once. Even then you did more than those empty promises ever did. You made our enemies bleed. That is why I followed you, and why I would still follow you. Why any of the old guard would answer your call if they heard it and why the new blood would learn to follow you."
Deciding to strike while the iron was hot, Anders pleaded with her one more time. Who knows how many times he has made this request? He expected the answer to be no different than in the past. Even so, he had to say it.
"Valeria, lead us. You are worthy."
Valeria closed her eyes to hide the mess of emotions within them and sat in silence for a full minute before giving her reply.
"At the end of this trip, I will give you an answer."
Anders' eyes widened. This was new. All previous times he made his case, Valeria would say no without hesitation. Realizing something related to this job has caused this change, he put more importance on this mission in his heart. In his eyes, the smoldering embers of hope lit into a small flame.
"Very well."
AUTORENGEDANKEN 
CrunchyCouch
CrunchyCouch Wow, this took way longer than I expected. I've had to pick up a lot of overtime lately since a coworker ended up leaving and 12-hour shifts have left me dead energy-wise. I'm still working 12-hour shifts a few days out of the week, but I've more or less adjusted to things, so hopefully I can start writing.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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