Conkledirt Town

SHHHHHHSSS… 

Kaizen and Alex exited the LifeGate embedded in the trunk of a withering yew tree standing among many in a graveyard. The portal closed behind them and a rotten branch broke away from the tree and collapsed.

Alex frowned. 

"This LifeGate port will be obsolete soon, we'll need to update this to a new node."

For the first time since accompanying the Saints group, Kaizen felt like he somewhat understood the terminology being slung at him.

Alex tapped his arm twice and a technological interface appeared smoothly over what Kaizen could only describe as a translucent glove that had been revealed on his arm.

“What’s that?”  

“A Semi-Limpid Examination, Evacuation and Visualisation Extender. Or SLEEVE for short,” Alex answered without looking up.

Kaizen nodded his head in acceptance that he was lost again. 

Alexander’s eyes looked across to him and then back down to his arm.

“Basically, it’s a handy device that allows us to utilize the technology of the Sanctuary in the field. Having your own network is a must when the whole AllWeb is being monitored.”

“Someone actually explaining something is a good change,” Kaizen answered, knocking the caked mud off his shoe on a nearby rock.

Alex noted his words but chose to remain silent.

“Where is this place, the air here is tight, even for a graveyard…” Kaizen noted.

“That’s Conkledirt for you. This town is gloomy all day, every day. They say in the days gone a visitor came through here and the town had seen its best time in centuries, but that was a lifetime ago…”

Alex’s voice seemed to trail. Kaizen cleared his throat and spoke up.

“Well at least you’re giving me the background before we start the mission, I appreciate the consideration.”

“Don’t let the Saints’ behaviour get to you, there’s a reason for everyone's actions,” Alex responded, logging off his sleeve and gesturing for him to follow him to the graveyard gate.

“That’s the second time you’ve defended them like that. Just because they’re revered doesn't mean they get off being so cold.”

“Now, you’re generalizing. Arch I get, but has Mina or La been cold to you in any way?”

“Well…” Kai paused.

“And Myra only spoke to you so harshly because you were freaking out about an event that happened 400 years ago.”

“Her name is Myra? So there’s a Mina and a Myra… That’s not confusing at all,” Kaizen said sarcastically.

Kaizen and Alex continued talking in hushed tones as the pair walked along a lonely road. Conkledirt was empty and saddening to gaze upon, moreover to traverse. The pair passed dimly lit store fronts and their heads would occasionally be lit by a crackling street light.

“You’re missing the point,” Alex continued,“When you lead the kind of life they do, you don’t have time to be tactful or use sympathetic tones. The mission is all that matters.”

“I get that but, after all that’s happened to me…losing my mom, my best friend, my home…I just thought if there was anyone I could connect with, it would be my own people. But each time I talk to them, I feel more distant…”

Alexander smiled at an angle where Kaizen couldn’t see his face.

“Hmm, maybe you should ask yourself what things they have been through,” Alex suggested.

The young Lonestar's face fixed into a state of confusion.

“What do you mea-” He was cut off by Alex holding out his arm to stop him from walking.

“We’re here.”

Kaizen looked up to see they found themself at one of the few places open in wherever this village was. The sign said Snout’s Podshot.

“A Podshot…You know I'm underaged right?” Kaizen said to Alex, narrowing his eyes.

“We’re not here to drink kiddo. Our contact is the boss of this place,” Alex responded, adjusting his glasses. He continued,

“Are you familiar with Alters?” 

Kaizen nodded his head.

“I’ve never seen them myself, but there were a few chapters on them in our BioBasics classes at the academy.”

Kaizen scratched his neck as he tried to recall the details.

“Basically, they're humans who underwent an advanced form of gene splicing to grow their own set of animalistic limbs and extremities.”

Alex nodded.

“Very good. You’re somewhat well read.”

His tone suddenly became very serious.

“This is an Alter hideout bar. You are going to see some very strange things inside there. From girls with chicken feet to guys with grasshopper wings. I need you to act natural and follow my lead. Are we clear?”

Kaizen felt his heart begin to pound. He had no idea where on the globe he was, and now he was about to walk into his first PodShot surrounded by human-animal hybrids. 

But it didn’t matter.

He wanted to see his father’s mission through to the end, no matter the unsightly things he faced.

“Don’t worry, I understand the importance of this more than you think.”

Alex cracked a half smile at him, heavily doubting what he said.

“Oh and one more thing,” Alex said, pushing open the double doors.The doors swung past their frames and slammed on the inner walls. All eyes inside immediately turned to the pair and the night got deathly quiet.

He smiled.

“We’re not welcomed here.”

Something growled in the back of the room.

Alex walked in nonchalantly and sat on a stool at the center bar. Kaizen tried to follow quickly behind but couldn’t help but look around at the “people” watching them. 

Alex had not exaggerated, the bar was as eccentric as he described. Kaizen spotted a group of men with stag beetle mouths collectively gnashing away at a large bowl of hardened tree sap. He almost regurgitated at the sight. In the corner of the bar stood a lady with a huge pair of butterfly wings. The blue and pink designs were mesmerizing and complemented her exposed back. He found himself staring until she turned and frowned at him, forcing him to look away. The alterations ranged from parts as major as ape arms to attachments as subtle as antennas. 

The absurdity of the room began to overwhelm Kaizen, so much that he stumbled backward and accidentally bumped into someone behind him. He turned around to see the back of a bald lady with full green skin and scales that were reptilian. The lady turned around and frowned at him. She opened her mouth and a thin, forked tongue shot forth, shaking violently in front of his face.

"HISSSSSSSSS" 

He backed away slowly.

"S-Sorry."

He finally arrived at the bar and gingerly took a seat near Alex.

"Real smooth kiddo," He joked.

Alexander looked up to the man wiping the shot glass behind the bar.

"Where were we?"

Kaizen looked up to see a large man standing before him. He was tall, but even more wide than such. He was dark, very dark…maybe even comically so. He was even more unique in that he fashioned a large pig nose in the center of his face. Down the sides of his cheeks hung two floppy ears to complete his look. His ears seemed to move at his will as he used one to scratch the side of his face. Kaizen assumed that this was ‘Snout’ before them.

"I was inna mid of sayin'... yall’s real insane sky dweller," Snout said, frowning intensely.

The chatter in the bar slowly began to return as the Alters began to ignore the pair. Snout sighed in relief. 

"You know tings does get tense time ya show up, but now ya bring ‘nother pure flesh wid ya too?" Snout shook his head annoyed, ears swinging loosely from side to side. Kaizen sighed at the feeling of being out of place once more. 

"You know I don't come on behalf of myself, therefore there is nothing to fear." Alex said resting his chin in his palm.

"So ya say sky dweller, so what can I do fa ya?"

Alex removed the glass cube from his slacks pocket and placed it on the table.

Snout's eyes widened.

"Dey ain' tell me ya'd be hauling som' ting dat dangerous. I refoos."

Snout stated, turning around to his shelf.

"Come on, Snout. You're the only person we know on this side of the world who can read 909 walls," Alex pleaded.

"Di Farrunners been good to mi. But dis is askin to be hunted by di Hol’ like a animal! I only part pig ya know!"

Kaizen's mouth wobbled as he tried not to laugh at the remark. Snout turned his head and glared at him. He averted his gaze, still holding back laughter.

The large man continued to polish the glass as he stared out at his bar before him. He spent some time observing the room drinking, eating and partying before he sighed.

"How bout a deal den? I help ya see di’ words in ya pretty lil box dere, but I got a requess. " Snout proposed.

"I'm listening."

Snout put down the shot glass. He placed both his palms on the bar and leaned in to the boys. He continued in a low voice,

"When ya go on ya little world ender quest, make a tings better for di Alters. Das all."

Alex raised an eyebrow. Snout looked out at the people in the bar.

" Ya may look at dem out dere and see some freaks, or some rejects. But I look dere and see Paul from down di road, Kim from acountin' and Bibi the single mudda."

Snout leaned in a bit more.

"When I look around, I see di people who made one mistek…"

He held a single finger from his burly hand toward them. His hand trembled.

"And hav' to live wid it di rest of dem lives."

For some reason, his words resonated with Kaizen and he nodded.

Alexander was quiet. 

He adjusted his glasses and leaned forward. 

"You know the purpose of the Saints and associated members is not to fix the problems of this planet. The mission comes first," he started.

Kaizen gritted his teeth and turned to Alex, furious and about to contest.

"But,"

Alex smiled as he leaned back and reached his hand out towards Snout.

" We'll do whatever we can, along the way. "

Snout's eyes widened in disbelief. Kaizen exhaled and smiled toward him in relief. 

Snout smiled and grabbed Alex's hand, shaking it vigorously. The ferocity of the shake nearly threw the boy over the bar. 

"I'll wuk wid dat Sky Dweller!"

Alex nodded as he recovered and stretched his aching arm. Snout reached under the bar and pulled out what appeared to be a tiny magnifying glass to Kaizen, but the glass frame was square in shape. Snout picked up the glass cube and peered at it through the tiny instrument. He rotated and observed all faces and vertices. Then he placed it back onto the bar.

" 16.22.32.63 " Snout stated.

Alexander tapped away on his sleeve recording the values as Snout shattered the cube on the bar with his fist.

"So, how did you run into the Farrunners," Alex inquired as he continued to work.

"Ya've got your links and i's got mine Alex," Snout responded, dusting the glass off the edge.

"Well yeah, but it's not everyday you-"

BAM!