Book Three Chapter Ninety Six: AS_Display

Book Three Chapter Ninety Six: AS_Display

Qube fought the urge to lick her lips in fear as she stared down the five newcomers. What did the display part mean?

In a few words, tell us about yourselves, what you can do, and what you think you can bring to table, Major General Coyle, aka Red Ruth, ordered the party.

The party looked at the table. Qube started to reach for her backpack.

Youre going to want to rephrase that last part, the Chosen One interjected calmly, stopping Qube with a hand on her shoulder. They struggle with some slang terms, and idioms in general, although they never need an explanation repeated.

He sounded so professional! Even more professional than when hed been talking to Sir Ian! Qube snuck a glance at him, feeling almost shy at the idea of a completely professional Chosen One. He gave her an encouraging smile.

Major General Coyle grunted, and looked back at her slate. What skills do you think would be of use, and what kind of activities would you prefer to engage in? she asked. She looked mildly disgusted at the faintly glowing slate she was holding.

I am a Bard of some renown, Sencha Bard said, taking the diplomatic lead. I can compose odes, engage in delightful conversation, and navigate political scenes with ease. He paused for a second, before adding: I also have been known to pick locks, from time to time. Only for the greater Good of the kingdom, you understand!

Major General Coyle rubbed her temples.

This is pointless, the blue Warwick, known as Brigadier Kennedy, muttered.

Hold questions and comments until after the initial stage is completed, Coyle ordered.

In terms of what skills I think would be of use, my understanding is that the world you live in is quite different to our own. Therefore, its difficult for me to speak to my usefulness with any certainty. Even the activities I enjoy here might be so different in your realm that I would no longer find them pleasing. However, both myself and the other members of our party are dedicated towards doing Good, and none of us is interested in resting on our laurels. We are also well aware of the debt we owe to you and your people for our existence, and are eager to repay you in whatever form is best. Sencha Bard, having finished his speech, leant back in his chair.

Brigadier Kennedy, on the other hand, had leaned more and more forward during the Bards short speech. By the time Sencha Bard finished speaking, the blue Warwick was looking positively smug.

This was possibly because Sencha Bard had used a lot of flowery language to essentially agree with him that this was pointless, but Qube was still glad to see the blue Warwick warming up to them.

I am a Hunter, Sexy Screamy Spider Briar said, frowning slightly. I am also heir to the Thorny Throne. While I agree with my dear friend to some extent about not being able to say what I bring to the table, I know what it is I dont want to do.

All of the outsiders focused on the arachnid. The blue and colourless Warwicks started tapping on their slates, while the blue Ruths eyes had gone extremely wide.

Had it been that dramatic of a statement, to say that there were things the Hunter didnt want to do? Or was it the fact that she was publicly disagreeing with her fellow party member?

I dont want to hurt innocent people, Sexy Screamy Spider Briar continued. I dont want to be forced into being someone Im not, and I dont want to be tied down in one place. I want to figure out who I am, and how I fit into both worlds.

The outsiders all looked at the colourless Warwick, whod introduced himself as Mister Bazzacco. He winced.

I am a Mage, Definitely Bad Guy said. Qube realised with a start that shed have to talk next. Shed been so busy watching how the new people reacted to her friends that shed completely forgotten to think about how she was going to introduce herself in the best possible way, so that she appeared as both extremely useful, and a person! And, most importantly, as a Good person they could trust to do the right thing!

I have conducted countless experiments on subjects both living and dead, and am highly skilled in research. I am not squeamish, like my companions, and am more than capable of doing whatever is necessary in order to procure results. I believe I will be of most use in expanding your knowledge bases, especially if there are activities that your people are unable to complete. In some of your literature that I was given I noticed that several aspects of study had been neglected due to the impediment of ethics. I will not have any such problems.

Qube buried her face in her hands.

It seemed the Mage had been more concerned with appearing useful than he had been about appearing Good. Which, in his defence, wasnt something that anyone had emphasised to him. But the former Mage Advisor wasnt done.

I understand there is a bias amongst the Devs against intelligence. However, our very existence indicates that there is still an interest in discoveries and experimentation.

None of the outsiders said anything. Their faces, which had been showing hints of their reactions, were now completely blank. It was five blank expressions that now turned towards Qube, silently informing her it was her cue to speak.

Qube dropped her hands, and sat up straight. This was fine! She could turn this around, and convince them that Definitely Bad Guy was actually a really Good person! That they all were!

Im a Healer, and I want to help people, she said brightly. She suddenly remembered Sir Ian playing with her hair, saying what a good assistant she would be. Not in the sense of being everyones assistant, she hurried to add, more in the way that I like

She trailed off as her brain locked up. What did she want to do in the Devs realm? Sencha Bard was right, they didnt have enough information to definitively say what it was they could do there. But Sexy Screamy Spider Briar was also right; Qube knew she didnt want to be trapped, or exploited.

She definitely didnt want to do what Definitely Bad Guy was suggesting, either.

No, Qube lied, I understand it was done for a reason, but I still want all the people killed to be restored to life.

I agree with our wise Healer, Sencha Bard said. None of us resent our existence, and indeed are quite thankful that we were created, but all of us desire what is best for our kingdom, and our fellow people.

If you are brought into the world, you will not have the same range of sensations that you have here. This is liable to cause psychological distress. How do you plan on managing that distress?

Well, I dont know, the same way I do any other? Qube replied, flustered. But that didnt seem to satisfy the Major General.

How have you coped with stress before?

Well Ive been able to rely on my friends

The Major General cut her off, firing more and more questions at her. She ignored any time other members of the party tried to answer, focusing solely on Qubes response.

Youll be given access to potentially sensitive information. How can we trust you will handle it correctly?

I well I wouldnt want to do anything to hurt anyone, or make my friends upset.

So you plan on befriending people in our world?

Is that not?

How do you feel about the fact that you will outlive your human friends?

I will?

I see that you worship the king and queen. What would you do if they ordered you to hurt your friends?

Qubes head was swirling from the interrogation. Id never hurt my friends, she said. I

What if they ordered you to harm a stranger?

The red Ruth was ruthless, peppering Qube with questions. The Healer felt like she was trying to dance on shifting sand. She didnt have time to formulate a pleasing response. She didnt even have time to think!

I wouldnt hurt someone!

So youd disobey a direct order from your king and queen?

Theyd never order me to do that.

What if I, who controls your existence, ordered you to harm a stranger?

Im a Healer; I dont harm people!

Why would we allow someone who doesnt follow orders to ascend?

Qube gasped at the unfairness. You we were promised wed ascend!

The red Ruth grinned as Qube processed the implied betrayal. Coyle leaned forward, a look of malignant glee on her face.

And what are you going to do if I decide none of you will ever set foot in our world? she asked, her eyes glittering with satisfaction.

Qubes mind went blank. She suddenly realised why the other woman had been pushing her so hard.

It was a trap.