A Place to Call Home

[Altanis]

It had been a long while now, since the return to the world of the living.

Altanis had been hard at work during that time, on something she had only said would be "important soon". She was being abnormally secretive about it, sharing only the most scant and scarce of details.

But slowly, it came to be realized that it was something not only important, but quite monumental. She was making designs for...a ship. A headquarters, as she called it, for her future activities. Being confined to one world was irksome to her, when she knew there were multiple now. She would need a means to traverse between them, and a place to store her materials and supplies, as well as a gathering place for future allies and subordinates.

She was a general, a strategist, a commander. This working solo, or with only a small gaggle of allies with her...was not her forte. She had realized that during Dante's Abyss, when she had had hundreds of soldiers under her command for the first time in millennia. It had felt...good. It had felt right. It was right. Her rightful, true place was on the battlefield, commanding legions of troops and soldiers to fight for her. While she didn't have any such legions to command now...in time, she knew, she would.

She would see to that personally.

 

[Altanis]

"So this is all well and good," came the familiar voice of Joey Blaese as she peeked over the nearly-finalized plans. "But how exactly are we, uh...gonna build it? It's kiiiind of a real big project, with the way you got it all set up and outlined, here."

"Yes. It will be quite a massive undertaking," Altanis murmured in agreement. "Far more than we could hope to achieve without help."

"Wooooow, she can admit she needs help sometimes." Morgans snorted with amusement from where she lay relaxing in her makeshift bunk. "Never thought I'd see the day."

"Even I cannot do everything," the tactician growled.

"Sure, sure..." Morgans shrugged dismissively. "So how're we gonna get it done, then? We don't exactly have friends or anything."

"I have been speaking about that matter with mister Graham." Altanis lifted her eyes from her plans, regarding the burned man intently. "Share with them what you have told me."

"There is...a city here, on Mesa Roja," the burned man spoke up quietly. "By the name of Uruk. I have been there, in my travels, and seen how quickly and efficiently it was developed. If nothing else, they might have...insight, into how such a large-scale construction might be undertaken."

"Noooot exactly a lot to go on, there..." Morgans rubbed her eyes with one hand.

"It doesn't need to be a lot to go on," Galand snorted, from where he sat crouched in an alcove. "It's something to go on, and if that's all we got then we gotta run with it."

"Indeed." Altanis returned her eyes to her plans, making a few quick sketching marks. "We will be setting out tomorrow, after I've finalized the designs. Gather supplies and get some rest while you can. I suspect it will be a...long trip."

"Well...guess it's a good thing the truck is still intact..." Joey sighed heavily, as she trudged off out of the room. "Better go make sure it's running and ready for tomorrow, then."

 

[Altanis]

The desert heat was as unpleasant and unbearable as ever.

Even rolling along at speed thanks to the work of miss Blaese getting a second vehicle up and running, the heat was oppressive. Dry air shimmered in the distance, rippling waves and hazes of heat sending ghostly mirages and images dancing above the sands. Once or twice, Altanis swore she almost heard something about bamboozles drifting on the desert winds. It was the kind of place that could get to one's head, and drive them truly mad in short order. This would be a horrid place to wage battle, Altanis knew. Just one reason she was now plotting to remove herself from this world as swiftly as possible.

Lowering her gaze, the tactician squinted into the distance. Nothing but sand and more sand, the crumbling road snaking through it all seemingly endlessly. Boulders and rock formations littered the landscape to either side, and the occasional patch of muddy water or small stream could be found struggling to survive the sun-baking. She was quite envious of the thing called 'air conditioning', which had been explained to her only worked in enclosed spaces.

Such as inside the cab of the truck she couldn't fit into. Morgans had gotten a wheeze-inducing laugh out of that one, that her new boss would be stuck out in the heat.

In the other truck, Galand had stretched out lazily, his legs hanging out the rear and seemingly oblivious to the heat. The demon was a wonder to behold, sometimes...able to just ignore such harsh environments as easily as he shrugged off a casual impalement. As insufferable as his attitude and demeanor could be, he was a valuable asset. The oath he had forced himself into with his own power was only a bonus. It ensured his loyalty until he was dismissed, whether he liked it or not. He had already made it clear, of course, that he didn't particularly care for the situation...but as per the rules of the world-renowned Galand Game, his word was binding. So here he was.

A light tap of her nails on the window of the truck's cab saw the thing slide open. "What's up?" Joey spoke up. "Hot enough out there for ya?"

"Very much so, thank you," Altanis growled. "Ask mister Graham how much further it is to this city of Uruk."

"Sure, sure..." The mechanic took the wheel in one hand and leaned over ,fetching a walkie talkie. "Hey, mister bandages, you there?"

Moments later, a response came, filled with the crackle of static. "I am. What is it?"

"Boss lady wants to know how much further."

"It's quite a ways, yet. I couldn't guess the distance, but as for time..." There was a pause, and a glance aside saw Graham leaning out the window of his vehicle. "...I would guess several hours yet, but before sundown."

Altanis clicked her teeth in annoyance. "Wonderful..."

 

[Altanis]

Thanks in large part to Graham's navigational abilities and memory for terrain, the trip through the desert to Uruk passed...peacefully, if not exactly swiftly. It didn't matter; they were here now.

As they approached the exterior walls, Altanis observed them critically. The fortifications were certainly...impressive. Staging an attack against this city would be difficult, for certain. Toppling the walls would likely be a fool's errand with anything but extremely heavy firepower...but going over them? That provided another option that most simply weren't ready for.

But no matter; Altanis wasn't here for conflict. She was here to see about...business.

She let Graham handle the talking for the moment; he seemed to have some idea of what this place was about and how it had been built. In the end, he ended up requesting an audience with...'King Gilgamesh'. What a pompous buffoon...king of what, exactly? A single city? Ridiculous. Altanis did, however, recognize the name as one she had heard of in Dante's Abyss, when she participated, and an idea began to form in her head. A suitable excuse for coming to pay this visit, to break the ice and prepare for the talk of business.

The audience was granted...eventually. They were loathe to do it, until Altanis spoke up for herself. "The most recent iteration of Dante's Abyss reminded me of the king's...victory, in the previous one. I merely came to wish him a belated congratulations, and to speak on matters of...business." That seemed enough to placate the initial surge of worry, and get the gears turning.

Many, many hours were passed in waiting, before they were finally shown to their goal. An audience with Gilgamesh himself.

The King of Heroes was amused, as they arrived. "I hear you come with rather belated congratulations for me," he murmured, his lips curled into a light smirk. His elbow rested on the arm of his throne, chin resting in the upturned palm. "But I suppose it is the thought that counts."

"You must forgive me for the delay in such a thing." Altanis knew when to bite her tongue; and now was most certainly that time. She dipped her head in a gesture of respect. "Life has had...a way of keeping me busy, since then. I was only reminded of it when this most recent airing of Dante's Abyss was announced. Given I was close by..." She trailed off, with a smirk.

Gilgamesh laughed softly, peering intently at the tactician. "So I can see. That isn't the only reason you came here, surely?"

He was testing her now. She knew it. He had likely been told her message verbatim before even allowing her and her allies in here to begin with. Changing it now would only get her thrown out.

"Of course, my king." She forced her expression to remain neutral, and her tone to stay civil. "There is another matter I wished to speak of." She turned her head, looking out a window. "Your city is...impressive. In its size, splendor, and how soundly and quickly it has been constructed."

The gilded monarch turned his head as well, staring out the same window. "Yes. It is quite impressive, isn't it? A fitting city for one of my station."

"Your city is precisely why I came here today." Altanis snapped her eyes back to Gilgamesh. "Specifically...its construction. I have need of some...assistance with a project of my own, and thought of no better resource than someone who had such a splendid city constructed so quickly and efficiently."

The seated king barked out a laugh, throwing his head back as he let his amusement ring out. "Your flattery is amusing, but unnecessary." He lowered his gaze again. "Business is business, after all. What is it you seek to have constructed, then?"

Altanis hesitated for a moment. This seemed...entirely too easy. It almost seemed as if he was simply agreeing then and there. Mentally gathering her focus, however, she pressed forward. "A ship, your majesty. Once that can aid me in going between the different worlds of this..." She waved a hand in the air. "...crossroads."

Gilgamesh nodded his head absently. "And you have...the means to procure such a thing?" he murmured. "Funds to acquire the supplies and materials. Plans for its design?"

"Of course." Altanis produced her designs, holding them aloft where they slowly twirled and rotated in place above her hand. "I have spent a great deal of time in making sure these plans were...adequate. I can provide ample funding, but I lack the resources and connections to have it put to any use."

The gilded monarch was silent for a long, long moment. Then his expression changed. He smirked, a merry twinkle flashing through his eyes. "Very well, then..." And he snapped his fingers, gesturing for one of his men to retrieve the plans. They were given over and brought to him, where he unfurled them and began to look through the pages. "Quite detailed and meticulous... This will be quite the undertaking...but don't fret." He rolled them up again, rising from his throne. "I am in a good mood this day." He tossed them back to Altanis. "Consider your request granted. I will have my men contact suppliers and craftsmen to begin construction, and you will provide the necessary funds for the acquisition of materials and labor for their work."

Altanis nodded her head, then sank into a half-bow. "Your generosity is unexpected, your majesty, but immensely appreciated."

The king waved a hand dismissively. "What have I said about flattery?" He lifted his chin a touch higher, peering down at the tactician and letting his eyes rove over her small entourage. "When can you have the necessary coin ready?"

Altanis lifted her head, staring directly at the king. "Within the day."

"So prompt. Good." Gilgamesh nodded, turning to walk slowly away. "Then once it has been handed over, I will have the work begin." He waved a hand toward Altanis. "You may leave now. We may speak again when the work is done."

Altanis bit down on her retort, simply nodding. "As you wish." And she, too, turned to depart.

 

[Gilgamesh]

Gilgamesh was no fool, he knew what sincere adoration looked like. Not only did his subjects revere him with their words, but their actions, their eyes screamed of how they worshiped him. The centaur, however? Despite her praise, Gilgamesh could feel the animosity lying just under the surface. It was her eyes that betrayed her true feelings. It doesn’t matter, however. The Golden King wouldn’t press the matter if the creature knew how control her tongue in his presence.

During his last trial of the Abyss, he had learned that absolute loyalty could not be be demanded at all times. His frustration with those that weren’t devoted, had lead to a betrayal. Gilgamesh had to make friendly with the powerhouses of the crossroads, at least for the sake of his people.

As he walked through the hallway of his palace, he opened the schematic, taking the time to admire the ambition of Altanis. The ship was massive in scale, more than just a tool of traveling from planet to planet. This spirit of the vehicle was war, imbued into its design. Gilgamesh smirked. The girl had intentionally omitted the ships true purpose. When her design comes to fruition, it would be a creation that could destroy stars. Warmongering aside, Gilgamesh’s only concern was that the the destroyers guns would never be pointed at him.

He had finally managed to reach his study by the time he had finished skimming the document. His admiration for the centaurs ambition had devolved into resentment. The blueprints require specific metal, hard to obtain and even harder to work with. Does this mongrel know how hard it will be to obtain that much titanium and alusteel? The King let out a deep sigh before collapsing onto one of the chairs of the room. He haphazardly tossed the plans onto the coffee table in front of him, alongside many half-read books that he attempted to entertain himself with.

“I suppose if the construction work was supposed to be easy, the creature would have done it themselves,” he muttered to himself. He grabbed his phone out of his pocket and dialed the number for the Chief Architect of the city. It had barely ringed twice before the line picked up.

“Sorry for the wait, your majesty. How can I be of assistance?” The woman tone was incredibly formal. She has always taken the role seriously, even when Gilgamesh encouraged her to speak more freely.

“Yes, Enki, I have another job for you.”

“Yes, your highness. Anything for the great city,” her voice perked up with enthusiasm.

“Yes, well, we‘ve been hired to build a ship for someone. It’s a rather large project, and I trust your expertise. Do you happen to still have any contacts on Innverxe?”

“Oh,” her voice dropped back down to a serious town. “Yes, I do. Will I need to contact them?”

“Yes, the client has very…specific requirements for this ship,” he hesitated. “You’ll see when you pick up the schematic.”

“Of course, I will head over right away. Is there anything else I can do for you right now?”

“Yes, actually. I don’t want the guns of this ship anywhere near Uruk. Make sure the damned fool signs a contract not to attack the city. I’d hate to see your work shot out of the sky.”