Chapter 4

Silva and Ahab have reached the mountains, thankfully without another incident. Most likely due to the arrival of the "big un" drawing all the other Grimms attention away just for attempting to imitate a MOAB. Ahab was just slightly winded, with his nostrils slightly flaring for a couple of seconds before bringing his breathing back under control. Silva… Not so much. He was huffing and puffing all over. He might know the breathing exercises his grandfather and Ahab taught him, but to have it become second nature takes time, especially when live testing it.

"We'll stop here for a break before we head to the mountains." He decided for them. Then he gestured to a bush near a path that leads into the mountains until they could no longer see the end with their peripheral vision. Well, for Silva anyway.

"We'll leave our cargo there hidden from view while simple enough to pick up on the way up the mountain." He said while letting his eyes wander the mountain range before he turned to the panting Silva "Then we dig in out of sight for a while to get our bearings and confirm if we have any tails."

He waited for Silva, a form of common courtesy, till he stopped greedily taking breaths of air until his mind was coherent enough for him to nod enthusiastically and give a thumbs up while trying hard to not cough.

After that, Ahab started walking towards the bush with Silva following close behind trying hard not to stumble while holding the two heavy bags and backpack draped around him in a poor man's rendition of the Pillow Man.

Then they went to a large pine tree near the side of them. Ahab waited awhile until Silva was no longer close to having a panic attack and longer burdened with the weight he has been holding for close to a hundred miles. Well, eighty-nine point two miles. The kid Didn't seem to be bothered until twenty-six point five miles ago. It may have extended their travel time by fifty miles towards mistral. But right now, their immediate safety and reliable armament is their biggest issue.

Ahab's only melee was his fists and knife, while Silva's was a Huntsman's Axe, a couple of knives, five throwing knives (found in what was a hunters lodge in which he had some relief with something familiar), and maybe his fists (he just started conditioning his body ok?).

They climbed the pine tree ten feet off the ground and waited for about thirty minutes. From there Ahab had silva rest until he could climb up the mountain. Ahab looked around with the Int-scope while Silva was recuperating his back to the pine tree. After a while of nonstop surveillance of their surroundings. Ahab finally decided to form a continuation of their conversation.

"So, what are the other two theories, Silva?" He asked, trying hard not to let a snarl come out of his neutral tone

Silva raised a finger to have Ahab wait while he took a couple of gulps from his canteen, took a breath then spoke after he steadied his body.

"The other two are simply random chance or we are a story being written out as some fantasy. Or a fourth that it's both. Or none at all. I do have a good idea who might've sent us here."

"Both or none at-? This is stupid. Why couldn't it be simple? And who would have sent us here?" It's almost night and he's already getting an aneurysm

"The infinity is always going to be complicated. I learned that the only thing that makes sense in life is that nothing makes sense and even then that doesn't make sense in the infinity as it will surprise you at one point or another." Ahab didn't know what to make of that

"Even who in particular is responsible for our current predicament is not exactly important at the moment and something that we do not need to waste time on playing guess who," Silva explained.

"So, it's something we do not need to be concerned about at the moment." Concluded Silva "we need to focus on more pressing concerns at the moment before we can start thinking about the universe that sees us as smaller than a molecule of sand."

Ahab Grunted in confirmation and decided that this conversation could be discussed at another time. They stuck around for ten more minutes watching for any signs of any tales until Ahab gave the all-clear.

They picked up their stuff from the bush and started their trek up the mountain. At this point, the sun started setting and the last ray of lights started giving way to darkness.

As they climbed the mountain, it reminded Silva of a mix between The Rocky Mountains and the Appalachian Mountains. Not too high, yet still able to change the temperature at the blink of an eye, same roughness traveling between them, the same degree of danger when traveling in mother nature's grasp.

Ahab was keeping an eye on the kid to make sure he wasn't over-encumbered. He was slightly surprised to see that he kept a good balance on the unstable slope.

It seemed unusual that the kid was able to hold almost seventy pounds again after a long walk. Rest for about an hour and then go up the mountain with no issue. Maybe he lives in Virginia or Tennessee? He may have a Scottish accent, but he also heard a small American accent as well. Whatever, it's not his place to ask.

Ironic it may be. But the kid proved himself and took the leap of faith as soon as he could. So, the least he could do is respect his boundaries and wait until he is comfortable enough to share.

They passed two caves. One was too deep and smooth, not easily defensible and when it rains or snows, water will just be pouring in. The second one was too short, the erosion just started forming a cave.

'Looks like a vagina.' Thought Silva 'Though I heard that a mountain is always called a he. Due to how it's always portrayed in the myths.'

After that thought, they kept climbing. Slowly yet steadily climbing the crags that became more apparent the further up they went. The effects of nature become more apparent on the weathered rock.

Until finally they reached a brow halfway to the crest of the mountain. A flat plateau filled with pine trees and oak trees, with a small cave at the end going into the mountain.

"This is where we will make camp." Ahab decided "Enough space for your training, firewood to be found around the place." He turned to face the land below just as the sun sets beautifully as both see the first time in this new world clearly without any taint of human pollution defiling it. Sadly, they could not fully enjoy it due to the burden of surviving on their shoulders. "And have a clear view of the land and slope of the mountain."

He didn't just say that aloud like he was some random loony on his first adventure into nature. It was also to be a teaching experience for Silva, to be objectively aware of his situation, and be aware of things/points of interest. You can be situationally aware, but what about afterward? Long-term gains. What if you become stranded on a mission and have to wait for pickup months at a time? Injury crippling your effectiveness and your capacity to stay alive? Or even preparation for the worst possible situation, then multiply that by one hundred.

Benjamin Franklin once said that by failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. This applies indefinitely on the battlefield, whether it be man against man, man against nature, or even man against self. It all determines if you live… Or die… There is no middle ground. To do so is to have a fate worse than death.

Ahab looked to his side. Noticed Silva being enthralled by the sunset. Good, he should enjoy it while it lasts. Probably the last time in a long time he will get to enjoy it. Also shows some of his character as well. 'Time waits for no man' He thought

"Do you know why I pointed that out?" He asked

"It's to be aware of my surroundings. Especially resources to be aware of should a mission go longer than usual or a worst-case scenario. As anything can go wrong no matter how well a plan has been thought out. After all, no plan survives first contact with the enemy."

"Oh? So you were paying attention these past couple of days."

"Course I was." An annoyed Silva responded "Got nothing to do these past couple days except looting, travel while possibly being hunted, hunt with some backstreet driving from you, training from you, then repeat it all over." He snarked "Not to mention carrying almost sixty to eighty pounds of luggage every day while adding on to it with our looting." Silva was not amused

Ahab smirked at that. "Good. And what about the cave? What can you tell me about that?"

"It looks small enough not to have any large Grimm inside it, easily defendable, and will keep us warm through the night." Explained without issue "But that does not mean we should drop our guard down as I can't see how deep the cave is in. There may be smaller ones inside. So we stay on guard until we have cleared it out"

"Well done.." Ahab complimented 'step-by-step he is learning. I have found no bad habits, yet he's taking it in stride. I think it's more of our current situation that is a huge motivator for him. Though I can't strike out the possibility that he's naturally made for this.'

"You really are learning. You must always keep vigilance and never become negligent. No matter when and where you always are, it will be your greatest tool more so than anything else." He concluded the first and most important lesson on the battlefield. To survive no matter what, while not letting anyone change you for the worse.

That was the lesson Silva needed to learn

"Drop the Luggage. I'm going to go secure the perimeter." Ahab placed down his cargo alongside Silva's then took out a claymore. Then he gestured with his head towards the cave "You should have no problem securing the cave right? Nothing you shouldn't be able to manage."

"Er. Yes." He responded while stretching his back "Anything else?"

"Know how to make a smokeless fire?" Ahab asked

"Course er do. Been doin real survivn camping since I was er wee one."

'Accents kicking in.' Thought Ahab "Good. Then get a fire going, you're heating up our meal tonight. Tomorrow after training, we are going to have to hunt. You can show me how much you know so that I can focus on what you need to learn. After securing the perimeter, I'll get us some "bedding" for us to sleep comfortably."

"Got it." Silva confirmed as he pulled out the ax and a flashlight "Un toasty and safe man cave comin right up~."

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ahab put the last of the improvised bedding of soft branches from the pine trees combined with thick leafy ones from the oak trees before he picked the tail end of both of them and started dragging them behind him. The final streaks of the day give way to Nyx.

He walked for five minutes while walking towards the cave until he saw the light of the fire dancing still. Now sure of which direction to take, he went on with his sauntered dragging with the natural bed comforts

When he arrived, he found the cave to be cleaned, along with a human touch

He found a stove made out of stone and held together by the cooked clay with slightly opened cans of food having a decent fire burning beneath it along with a couple of empty cans put together in a nice pile. Next to it, is a branch that's been slightly pruned to be a makeshift broom. Next to what was their luggage, made into a makeshift nightstand, and by the side of it were two x's marked on the ground.

And finally, he looked to the last part of the cave. Facing the wall with the opening to the left side was a makeshift workbench of stone placed together. With the tabletop smoothed out to make a semi-flat surface where he found Silva finished cocking a lever-action shotgun. Then flicking the safety off then on for the final check before placing it down. Surrounded by gun parts and pieces along with tools spread out all around him.

Silva then looks to his left with a smile for Ahab's return. Ahab thinks it's because he's still having a tough time believing that this is all real and especially with a so-called legendary figure such as himself.

"I see you have our bedding. And I assume the area is secure?" Silva asked

"Yes. Also managed to make a dozen makeshift snares with explosives to give a bigger warning in case they passed by the more obvious Claymore's. Especially against those Faunus you talked about. How's my dinner?"

"Ready for eating. Just left it still warming up on the stone stove I made. Dinner tonight is canned beans, salmon, diced tomatoes, chicken soup, and for dessert, diced peaches. This is the last of our commodities, after this, we're gonna have to hunt for our food. Finally, we can be done with this shite and get some real food in our bellies. I saw plenty of wild game on our trek through the wildlands. Honestly, the people in this world don't even know how to make canned food satisfying or even taste at least decent." He said. He Turned back to the assembled weapons and proceeded to do a third "final" weapon check.

Ahab grunted in agreement "Even the MRE's I had at least resembled tasteful food. And it wasn't even that hard to have R&D make it decent. It was easily affordable and simple to make especially with all the science around it already a concluded study."

"Exactly." Agreed Silva "Even the cheapest and most bottom end of the spectrum was decent during my time."

"This world's civilization didn't progress very far, did it?" Ahab questioned

"No." Resounded Silva "I estimate this world's civilization to be around fifteen hundred to five hundred due to how badly records and knowledge of this world are kept and or forgotten. They have regressed badly as well as messing up their development through only using dust. But not expanding any more on that and only focusing on it even though it is a fossil fuel."

"It cannot compare at all over five thousand years of the history of our world as a civilization. Much less even compared to our diversity." Concluded Silva

"Hm. Interesting..." hummed Ahab "Where do you want our "bedding" to be?"

"Right where I marked the x's on the ground near the makeshift nightstand."

Ahab nodded and dragged the foliage to the designated marks. Then he started on taking off his gear, laying his ARC on its bipod ready to be picked up at a moment's notice and leaving the Whisper standing upright on the wall; everything else was perfectly fine to keep on as it wouldn't have been an issue for him with all that gear on himself. Nothing he wasn't used to in terms of comfort at this point.

Ahab decided to question a little further on the current world's civilization as he sat down with his back to the wall near silva and picked up two cans of the food to eat that was within arm's reach, along with the clean spoon set aside for him.

"So then why is this civilization that bad? If I remember correctly, it was no different from ours in reaching a dead-end of development at the time if what you are saying is true." He then took a scoop of beans and proceeded to softly chew the lukewarm commodity.

Silva froze during the final check of the rifle and placed it down carefully. Then took a long deep breath and let out a long sigh.

'Objective and to the point, objective and to the point.' He chanted internally 'No need to go on a rant of stupidity in this world.'

Silva calmed himself then turned around completely to speak eye-to-eye for Ahab's complete and utter attention as he adopts a sarcastic thinking posture

"Where do I begin...." He mused "Should I start at the beginning where our differences are comparable to a mountain towering over a dune. Or the fact they are given an amazing opportunity only to immediately squander it?"

Both sounded annoyingly boring, he doesn't want to deal with "intellectual" bullcrap. So he cut the gordian knot.

"Simple and straight to the point" Ahab deadpanned

Silva exhaled depressingly

"Fine. Take da fun outta everythang why don 'cha." He took a breath then exhaled to begin

"How much do you know about fire?"

"Fire?" He parroted

"Let me rephrase that." Silva decided "How much can you tell me about fire?"

"Nothing beyond the basics." Ahab replied "How to make it in a multitude of ways, uses for it, conditions of how it will behave in certain environments, and how it's a transfer of energy?" He sounded unsure about that last part as he continued eating his food.

"That is correct, Though I am surprised you know that last part. I think that was a little advanced for your time." Ahab shrugged at that while he mixed the rest of the canned salmon and diced tomatoes into the beans and stirred it to improve its flavor. Just enough of a portion for him to be barely satisfied. The cans were small enough to wrap both his hands around it completely. Very meager portions, even for him.

They were incredibly lucky enough to scavenge a good helping of canned foods from the villages they pass through, regardless of if it was expired or not. They didn't have the luxury in the matter. At the moment, they had to ration it to extend their travel distance as there was no way they would be able to find any wild game or even hunt it due to the Grimm. Not to mention their only methods of hunting and protection are their guns with no viable way of hunting silently except with the sniper rifle (Silva vetoed any idea of it after Ahab explained the specs and story behind it. Said that it would be overkill and wasteful to hunt with it. Only when they had no other option would they use it). The gunshot would bring all the attention of the grim to them as a death sentence for being stupid enough to fire it in the first place.

Of course, they realized it was harder to ration it once per day when they got far enough. They are not completely sure what it is, but they are more exhausted than ever and are spending way more energy than should be possible. Due to the stressful situation they're in or is another factor they have yet to figure out (Silva thinks it has to do with their bodies but doesn't have any conclusive evidence to prove so their bodies were as accurate at its age that they can remember). Nonetheless, they have to eat bigger portions two times a day otherwise they are not going to be in peak performance.

And that's what brings death quicker in this world since all the other options did not provide enough to be "appropriate"

"Fire at its most basic form is a tool. Nothing more nothing less."

Ahab focused back from his musings

"It is nothing more than a tool or, it is as evil or good depending on who is using it to what end. But it is a coherent phenomenon that happens in nature as well. It is not something man has learned to make but in reality, to harness."

"And through fire, the metaphysical form of creation slowly comes into our grasp. Teaching us, guiding us, even shielding us. Lighting the spark to enlighten ourselves through our curiosity of the natural makings of the universe, slowly but surely expanding, learning, and improving on what we discover and teach ourselves."

"Not only does it teach us as a symbol of destruction, but also as a symbol of rebirth that breeds creation. That even in my time references and sayings referring to it have not gone away in the slightest. Referencing the rot of the world and the fire that must burn it all the way to begin anew." Silva finished

"So, I'm guessing that's The cumulation of our civilization's knowledge on fire?" Questioned Ahab

"Yes. We're also forgetting to talk about how the fire can be used to heal you, but I haven't read much about the practice from Asia. But it exists as well. But for simplicity's sake we ar not going into that"

"Can you guess how much they know?" A slight taint of scorn was heard in his voice along with his slight grimace

"I have no idea. I know nothing in this world." Ahab wanted to get it over with

"Oh come on. Not even a guess?" Whined Silva

"No." Deadpanned Ahab

"Damn…" lamented Silva "Alright fine."

"They only know how to use fire to make weapons and food. Anything basic along with making and using a blowtorch with basic metalwork knowledge. Along with slight aerodynamics and hydrologic understanding. A lick of martial arts, maybe not…."

Ahab just raised an eyebrow at that. It may not seem that incredulous to him, but it's because he does not know the context of why it's that bad

"I understand that may seem like nothing in comparison to our civilization, but it doesn't seem that bad to me." Ahab said

Silva looked at him as though he was reaching a new level of stupidity not thought possible

"They don't even know simple physics. Not even simple understandings of agriculture that only took our civilization around three hundred years to figure out and they had longer. I don't even think they have decent dentistry." Raved Silva

"It can't be that bad." Ahab said

"Oh, it is. It is that bad, though I admit that they do have a decent understanding of geology, engineering, and a decent amount of advanced mathematics. But the situation remains that they're all focused on one singular exhaustible power source. I don't even think they know what the hell a fossil fuel is." Silva continued

"They don't bother to research ANYTHING else." Silva continued before Ahab could interject "They missed almost ALL The fundamentals that our civilization has gone through. They went from Iron Age skipping protohistory, ancient history, post classical history, alllll the way to the Industrial age faaaaaaaaar from having any developmental schisms that are needed to build up upon to make a well-rounded civilization."

"All because of one thing. Dust~." He spoke with disgust "When civilization focuses on one resource and one resource only to keep it up and running but does not consider the future and instead focus on surviving that has become manageable at that point with no care of or idea that this resource will run out, is predetermined to fall either way. They are in the information age far ahead of their time more than they are supposed to be. Not to mention they don't use it to its fullest capacity."

"How?" Ahab asked. Trying to get an idea why

"They literally have a varied power source relating to certain elements and states of matter as well as physics crystallize for perfect consumption relating to that certain element or specific conception of the so-called element. All with varying degrees of quality that become greater the higher it is." He explained

"For example, they had solidified gravity in a crystal." Ahab's singular eye widened at that. Even he knows the significance of gravity that scientists back home would kill entire countries just to have the key to understand and manipulate gravity. It will open an entire range of uses beyond imagination. All because of the understanding that is space that gravity creates. But most importantly, unlocking the fastest known way to travel through space without issue. Minus the anomalies that were bound to be encountered in space of course.

And that's only the beginning of it

"And you know what they did with it?" He questioned Ahab, who couldn't come up with an answer fast enough "They use it to power a fuqing hoverbike. A HOVERBIKE!"

"They could've used it for A LOT more than that. Say… I dunno, SPACE TRAVEL, NEW FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION THAT INVOLVE BENDING SPACE AND TIME, TIME BOUNDED FIELDS, HELL, EVEN A NEW SOURCE OF UNLIMITED ENERGY!!!"

Ahab was expecting Silva to have an outburst. Though he was surprised by how controlled he was starting it and ending it. Especially so when he brought his breathing into complete control, and you couldn't tell he just had an outburst unless you were there.

"Of course, this power source had a drawback due to how unique and powerful it could be." Continued Silva, completely calm

Ahab raised an eyebrow at that "How so?"

"It cannot leave the atmosphere."

Ahab's eyebrow went a little higher at that "Why?"

"It must be this world's unique constitution." Silva adopted a thinking pose "Must be due to the creation of this planet with the thought in mind of how magic was supposed to be in the grasp of the general population. But… It was taken away due to the actions of a few. Thus, it has completely eschewed this world's form of "natural". If it wasn't enough… So there had to be somewhere for the magic to go as there were no 'allowed' containers for it to be in. Except…" Then he looked down

"The ground." Answered Ahab

"Precisely. It must come from the planet, so what better place to 'release' it than from the direction it came from. Nature always takes the path of least resistance as per usual. Though there might also be other consequences that come with it due to creating something as unique and powerful as dust."

"Like?" Ahab asked with some doubt

"Could be the lifeforce of the planet, what keeps the rules of this world in check as a literal anchor, or even the remains of the previous human existence on this world that had dissolved or and then crystalized into dust."

Silva sighed at that and turned back towards his work table/workbench? And continued to work on the final check to make sure he missed nothing in his weapons.

"Honestly that's as far as I want to go with that for now. As it is far beyond our grasp, but it's just enough for you to be aware of it so you're not blindsided by whatever decisions you need to decide upon." He turned around and went back to focusing on his work "We are in no way able to do so now at all with what we have now. (chick) But I would rather you be informed and wary instead of decisive and reckless. Lord knows how much knowledge we lost back home because of unnecessary stupidity. I for one do not want to create another tragedy equal or greater than the burning of the great library of Alexandria."

Ahab raised his eyebrow at that. Never thought he would meet another historian with the same stance on that library. He can understand it easily enough when it comes to knowledge. Otherwise, he wouldn't be that good of a doctor to be in MSF now, would he?

"I think that's enough of a briefing for now." Continued Silva "We'll have to shove this discussion for, along with our conversation on alternative dimensions and whatnot. I prefer that we leave it less complicated than it needs to be for now." Ahab nodded in response to that, preferring to focus on their present and immediate future. The unknowns can always be dealt with later when it comes up. No need to be in a hurry.

Ahab continued to eat in silence while Silva did the same. Ahab ate a bit faster before the food would become lukewarm heat again while silva was finishing with their 'public' weapons.

Ahab thought of their schedule for tomorrow and decided to ask some questions before he decides anything else.

"So, then what's our course of action?" He asked

"Simple. Intel Procurement." Silva answered without messing a step "We need to know when exactly we are before we decide our next move. Afterward, our secondary objective is to go treasure hunting along with procuring ways of revenue."

"Treasure hunting? Why?"

"It's to get an artifact of a bygone era. Its value is in not what it is, but what it can do. Though I admit there may be more than just the artifact that we find that may be of value to us. The sooner we get it, the better our chances will be. Savvy?" Silva responded

Ahab grunted. He then slid down the wall to finally take a look at those vials. He took it out and opened up the note that was inside and began to read it as he ignored Silva acting "cool" while finishing up the weapons check for their public sidearms trying to act professionally instead of being professional.

He noticed a couple of things before he read what was in it. It was a blank piece of paper, the kind made for printers. But it was clear, way too clear that he ever saw that had no right being. What was also strange was not the modern Russian Cyrillic script it was written in, but the ink. It was a dark pitch-black color, with no indents seen within it whatsoever. Usually, it would give a clause to the use of a printer, but no evidence was given, it was clear crisp handwriting with the ink evened out very well. It's unnatural, especially given how clean the paper has been folded perfectly. Either it was made with VERY expensive equipment that would have no other purpose than to make letters like this, or…. Other means. He read it before furrowing his brow in confusion before he gave it to Silva who stopped to pick it up and look at it in confusion.

"Ok~?" He said as he turned it over before looking at Ahab in confusion. "I can read Russian, but not cursive Russian."

Ahab raised his eyebrow further and chose, not forced, to focus on more important matters at the moment rather than common curiosity.

"Not what is written. The paper, look at it carefully." He gestured towards it

Silva looked at it again, and instead of letting the short message have his focus, he started to focus on the paper in general of its peculiarities. He turned it over back and forth until finally reached the same conclusion Ahab did. "Where…. Where did you get this paper?"

"I didn't get it. I found it."

"You found it?" Silva said with incredulity

"Yes?" He responded with confusion "I found it in one of my coat pockets. Along with the wide range of gear included on me just the way I would've done it."

"Then what does the letter say?" Sliva said getting right into the hunt

Ahab took back the note and began to read out loud:

"'Hello Ahab.

You finally found it. If you took a very long time, shame on you. For the one to be Big Boss but does not check your gear…. I fear for your future. If not, I expect nothing less from the man who has all dogs in the world unleashed after him. You are probably wondering why a man likes you in your… prime. No less with your soul not having to be put together like a broken gzhel. Well, the details aren't important in these kinds of matters, the result in your particular case is where you are now. I have brought you here as I have a particular distaste in how your story ends. I decided to give a clean slate as it's within my capability to do so. I have done so with others as they too share your ending. However, there was a price to be paid in doing so. I also had to bring in those with ill intent to balance out the ramifications of my act, better the devil you know, otherwise it would be worse… Far worse. After all, a free cheese is found only in a mousetrap. I could speak more, but that would be more than I would be allowed to tell. However, as you can see, I was able to do more than just bring you back. I did what you Americans call "fully loaded" if that's the correct term. I also gave you these four vials just to even the odds for you to have complete trust with those you meet with your life. These are the exact ones you have created in the first place of course that you currently have, not the capitalist cheap crap. I pray your new life will be like that of a fish in water. And a simple favor if you could, deliver this to her when you can. I would be grateful to send one last message to her. I will be eternally grateful if you can do so.

Well wishes and great travels and I wish you all the best

-S"

Ahab folded the paper back up and lifted the vials casing and placed the note underneath then closed it. All while Silva was contemplating on who sent the note while Ahab took out one of the vials and put the rest away. Lifting it into the air looking carefully through the glass to confirm his suspicions of what it is in the flickering fire. The liquid inside was as expected peculiar. A metallic sheen to it when exposed to light as it moved a twist in the vial like the way transformers did in the age of extinction. Though it was extremely miniaturized and shifting every couple of seconds turning and twisting as a sfx vibration before placing it in his pocket. It was something not of this world, far beyond its technological capacity if what Silva says is true. Or rather, specifically this type of technology. Nano tech, or specifically, nanobots for the codec. But these are no ordinary nanobots. Oh no. These are the original versions developed by the diamond dogs later picked up by the patriots after outer heaven and Zanzibar land. It has more capabilities than just the codec. A good idea for reference is Raiden's nanomachines.

"It's the Sorrow." Silva blurted out

"What?" Ahab

"There's only one Person with a name that starts with an s that has the capability to even be able to do this. Unless… (pursing his lips while placing his hands on it as a prayer) There are others that you know about?"

"..... No."

"You hesitated." Silva immediately called him out on it

"There was…." He answers carefully while beginning to eat his dessert "There was this kid-"

"Psycho Mantis." Silva interjected

"What?" Questioned Ahab

"The person you were referring to is Psycho Mantis. Your world's most powerfully know psychic."

"Ok?" Ahab recalled earlier about him

"He may have been strong enough to bring himself back from the dead and parasitize himself on a mentally unstable girl, but he doesn't specialize nor has he cultivated this level of abilities and powers for it to be plausible." 'Including his cosmic perception or whatever it's called for seeing beyond the fourth wall.' He added off thought

"Mhm." Ahab grunted in understanding while chewing peach trying to figure out if it's GMO or not.

"But seriously, his name doesn't start with an S, why did you think it could be him?"

"In our line of business as you may no doubt know, we go by multiple aliases and identities. It wouldn't be a stretch to think that he changed his name in the time I have been gone."

"I'll give you that." Compromised Silva as he put down the last gun and started putting away his tools. "However. Your world's story never, if ever, always sticks with the name they choose. They may have more nicknames or aliases, but never outright change the key factor of their name that defines who they are."

"Seriously?" Ahab asked with confusion scrunching up his face.

"Yes." Silva confirmed while trying to figure out where a 1/8 wrench goes when he was pretty sure he didn't use it in the first place for something that only requires Allen wrenches. "However, it is added extra to the current name to represent a difference in themselves or just not to be annoyed by random people who pester them without a single thought. Not being found or even being a silver of mentioned where their whereabouts would be is beyond explementary. If they don't want to be found, they won't be. Not until the time has come for whatever they are involved in. Such is the way for the real masters- here it is." He put it back in place.

"Sorry. The real masters act." He turned towards what he has now dubbed his craftsmen's bag and put away his gunsmith tools in their compartment. Then he turned around to face him as he walked back to his workbench with a piece of plank wood and a chisel to work on. "Since ancient times, there have always been masters of great renown through what they excel in the most." He sat down "The greatest tragedy is they die forgotten. With no heir's or legacies left behind. Nothing left behind to prove they even existed in the first place. Not even something for the people to remember. You must've had experience with that eh?"

Ahab wasn't even fazed by that. He faced the realities of becoming a phantom a long time ago. He continued that path because he didn't find any better alternative. And there was no one left that he truly cared about. He didn't care what happened to himself, but he is a man of his word, and he was and always will be loyal to his men. He was-is big boss. He will not turn his back on those who have followed him. He will not, nor ever turn out like Ishmael. If there was one thing he was sure of when he went to his… ending. He died with a clear conscience. Regrets? ..... one. Only one. And it haunted him to no end. Her humming brought him no end to his anguish. He truly believed that they would've made it. But… Reality is often disappointing. And life is too cruel. But that's why he did the things he did to the letter.

Because he believed he would've been making a difference following big boss, Ishmael, whatever his name was. He would've put his skills as the greatest doctor in the world at the time. He even broadened his horizons with eastern medicine as well before he joined MSF. He was a damn good doctor, the best. But it seems that he would be using his skills for the remainder of his life to be a more efficient killer.

What a waste

He shrugged it off as it wasn't something that bothered him in the first place. "Then the sorrow it is. Why would he do this for us?"

"Either for his amusement, felt like it, or pity. Come on Ahab we've been over this. Though I feel as if door number #3 was the correct answer, given his namesake."

"Pity? Why would he pity us?" Ahab seemed to bristle at the thought of being pitted, he didn't want it nor needed it.

"Maybe he was tired of the tragedy of your world." Silva believed "That it should at least have one guaranteed happy ending. Though that doesn't explain why I am here. Or maybe I am supposed to be here just as others are. I don't think we should only consider that there are those who only came from your world, but others as well. If that's the case…" Silva trailed off

"Then what?"

"Then this world just got a whole lot more dangerous" Silva finished "Best advice for that in the moment is to expect anything and not to be rash."

"So prepare for the worst and hope for the best? Business as usual then." Ahab said placing down the can while taking certain objects out.

"But the price for failure is unthinkable now." Silva sighed as he finished up putting away the tools "There are fates worse than death. And I for one do not want to face it on a daily occurrence by a hair's breadth away to oblivion while being excited by the notion. That's not ok whatsoever for the present me."

"What are you insulating? Venom asked in an accusing tone

"I'm saying that there's a very big difference between bravery and stupidity, and the universe you're from is filled to the brim with battle maniacs who enjoy nothing more than the thrill of battle seeking conflict whenever it pleases them to get off it. I say this not as an insult, but as a warning to you and a reminder to myself that we really can not afford to be rash nor create unnecessary enemies. I know you haven't shown this type of problem in your history and so, but it's rather better to be safe than sorry if you are more consciously aware."

"Hmph." Scoffed Ahab "Careful and aware. Makes me wonder how dangerous you will be when I'm done with you. Especially since you told me that there are no limits at all in this world as long as you train for it. If your ramblings of a kid are to be believed."

"Yeah well…" Silva tried coming up with a comeback "You're weird."

Ahab raised an unimpressed eyebrow at that "You're not very good at this are you?"

Sliva slumps on the workbench "No… I literally have no material to work off you. I don't even have enough practice to put it into motion. I don't really hang out with…. People."

"If the past month or so was any indication, you have peculiarities of your own. So you're not one to talk about my possible hypothetical mental problems, you should be focusing more on your own habits and…. 'oddities'." Ahab put lightly

"Fair enough. Though at least we have something in common."

"Oh? And what is it then?"

"That we're both weird. Two of a kind, eh?" Silva

Ahab scoffed good-naturedly, though he did not bother to refute that

"So… Anything else we should cover? Or can I finally go back to my knife throwing?"

"Well, we could've discussed your nutrition along with your cohesion within oneself improves on the body and mind, but we do not have the equity or the time to do so."

"What da Hell?" His accent was burning through "Why would that matter?" Silva really did not take Ahab as the kind of person to meditate for inner peace

"What? Did you really think that training and experience on the battlefield are all that's needed to make great soldiers? That may be for exceptional soldiers that are made into warriors, but you need to waste a lot of lives, effort, and money as well as morals and contradictions. Or as you have seen before, being peculiar in certain ways and circumstances gravitates the few from the rest and sets them apart from the rest. What truly sets Diamond Dogs, Outer Heaven, Zanzibar Land, and even Fox Hound from the rest of the world, is to improve above and beyond the soldier's aspect of their lives."

"From every aspect of themselves, from nutrition and body condition to mental improvement and conditioning within oneself in harmony," Ahab Explained

"So basically, it's to create a warrior from the soldier."

"Correct."

"So there was something more to it." Silva mulled over this

"Always has been. The greatest example of this in history is Leonidas and his three hundred, yes, there were other city state's soldiers participating as well in their play for time for the Greeks. But everyone always seems to only remember them. Now, why is that? Something they have learned and taught themselves. And now, I will teach you as well."

Silva seemed to vibrate at the molecular level at his words

"Oh, and before I forget-" Slides the items left on the table earlier "These are now yours. You've earned it,"

Silva almost went nuclear from seeing the nvg, int-scope, and iDROID. He was man enough (in a child's body) not to squeal but he couldn't stop himself from getting up and hugging Ahab who didn't remember how to react to it. So he settled for a small pat on his back, and to do the second thing with the vial injector he had

"THIS IS THE COOLEST THING I NEVAR THOUGHT WOULD HAPPEN!!!" Silva Exclaimed

"Sure thing kid. One more thing, do you trust me?" Ahab asked

Silva calmed down instantly "Yes. I know you will never let me down."

"Good." He popped it open "Hold still." Then stabs it in his neck

TSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

"...…OWWWWW~!" Silva recoiled instantly from it and placed his hand at the point of entry "What da hel was that?" He asked with panic in his voice

"Nanomachines. Now before you panic, these are the fully developed ones based off the prototype one that I had. Did you really think I can somehow see-through walls, zoom through my eye, and see a holographic display that was hidden from the naked eye without something in allowing it to be so?" Ahab explained eliminating any chance for Silva to freak out about it

Silva "No mind control?" He asked warily, a little mad that he did it without telling him about it. Though it's probably because of his age now that he has irrationally become fearful of needles again

"Of course not. In fact, they were made completely without the possibility of the sort without having to completely design it from the bottom up once more. Though these are not cheap whatsoever now, and that's putting it lightly. Especially since from what you are saying it would take five years with the data from my iDROID to replicate it. And that's a big if we don't face any setbacks in R&D, Resources, and Money. So don't make me regret it. I am putting a lot of trust in you."

"Cool." Was all that Silva could respond with shaking excitement. After all, he just got something you would only be able to see in science fiction. Something Not attainable even by his time

"Codec and its computer capabilities along with a few utilized capabilities are not even its base functions in what it can do. We will discuss this later after it has finished integrating in your body after a week. For now, you take first watch tonight. I suggest you get familiar with the tools at your disposal, they are in their factory setting so you should find it easy to personalize it to your tastes. Our iDROIDS are linked up so you should be able to look through the data I have and see what would be best to work on first for future use in our travels. When your watch is over, wake me up. You got a long day for you tomorrow as now that we have finished conditioning your body, we will start your training in application, reflexes, and strengths."

Silva just shook his head violently while listening as he turned on the iDROID quickly and started to play around with it while looking through the user manual and the data stored.

Ahab went back to his bedding with his back facing Silva as he got some shut eye for the night.

A slow grin formed on his face of what he did on Silva's iDROID that allowed him to be liberated in the future. 'Sucker…'