Chapter 3:

Chapter 1 - Mission (Part B)

The Town Where the Wind Doesn't Blow: Breim Village (Story Arc #03 )


Chapter 01 – Mission (Part B)

Gossport City train station. Sirius navigated through the crowd, blending in as if he was a normal civilian. One by one, passengers scanned their smartphones on the electronic ticket reader to pass through the automatic gates, as did Sirius. He made his way through the train terminal and onto the maglev bullet train, placing himself onto a seat once onboard the crowded train. Once settled, Sirius stared out the window, becoming lost in thought. He recalls the conversation with Vice Commander Saturn.

“Wait,” Sirius had interjected. “I thought distortions could only become present in locations where there are little to no light, especially sunlight, hence why they are prominent within smart cities due to the size, scope, and numerous tall buildings. So how is it possible for a distortion to exist in the middle of nowhere?”

“Astute observation, Sirius. However, the exact whereabouts of this specific distortion isn’t specified. Only the location is known, which appears to be in the middle of nowhere. So, it’s possible that the distortion could be inside a building, in form of an object, or even underground. Additionally, whether the distortion is large, small, or average is unknown.”

“In other words, I’m heading into this mission nearly blind.”

“Lack of information, yes,” Vice Commander Saturn corrected. “Therefore, this mission is to be treated as if it were the severest of emergency. We don’t know if any UROs have emerged from the distortion, nor do we know what types. This distortion must be eliminated at all costs! The future of Earth relies on the success of this mission, Sirius!”

“The future of Earth, huh?” Sirius observed the people outside the train. Some greeted each other. Some were saying their goodbyes. Some were with friends or significant others, preparing to embark on a trip. No matter who they were, their backgrounds, or anything about them, one fact was apparent: they were all happy. “If it’s to preserve the happiness and safety of civilians, then I see this mission through to the end.”

Moments after every passenger were seated, the train took off towards its destination. At each station, the number passengers slowly decreased until only Sirius remained. The automated announcement spoke calmly yet loudly at each stop until the very last stop on its destination. “Now arriving at Wimborne Station. This is the final stop of this train’s destination. Please alight from the doors on the left of the trains. If you wish to board the train again, please purchase the necessary ticket for your destination. If you have missed your destination, please acquire the proper ticket and await for the next incoming train. We thank you for choosing our services. Enjoy your travels.”

The time is 3:20 PM. Three hours was the length of the train ride. Without a word, Sirius lifted himself to his feet and disembarked from the train upon arrival. He scanned his smartphone at the electronic ticket gate, entered through the gates and eventually exited the station. Once outside, Sirius observed the scenery of his surroundings. The town of Wimborne, though with few technological marvels, was far from technologically advanced, compared to Gossport. From the perspective of Sirius, Wimborne was no different from a typical average sized town from the year 2021. Unbeknownst to Sirius, however, were the occasional unwelcoming glares and peculiar stares.

Sirius checked his Orange Watch Series 29 to confirm his location. A hologram display of a map unfurled mid-air in front of him almost instantly. “Wimborne isn’t the location of the distortion. The target is approximately 16km from this town, so about 3 hours by foot. Looks like I have quite the journey ahead of me. It’s best if I stop for food first.”

***************

Sirius entered a small restaurant made out of brick and concrete. Definitely different a design compared to the restaurants and other buildings of Gossport, which were typically constructed from kinetic glass and litracon, to name a few materials. Inside the restaurant were a few people enjoying their meals. They didn’t appear happy, but rather, complacent. Sirius made his way to the front of the counter and sat in a chair. After a brief moment of waiting, a server approached him. He looked to be in his mid-40s and was rather gruff and a slightly bulky.

“What are ya having today?” the server asked. He spoke in a strange dialect believed to have been outdated to those who reside in smart cities.

“A double jalapeno cheeseburger meal, please.”

“Gotcha. By the way, you happ’n to be from one those smah’ cities?”

“Yes. May I ask, what gave it away?”

“Ha! Pro’lly the first time for ya to come all the way out here, ain’t it!”

“Again, yes, but why does it matter where I’m from?”

“People from smart cities are smart ah-bout ev’rything ‘cept the world around them! Haha!” The server bellowed. “Listen here, this is for your own good, sonny. Even though smah’ cities are prev’lent throughout the world don’t mean the world ah-ccept them with open ah-rms. You’re sh-ure to fin’ that ou’side smah-t cities there ah-re some people who don’t take to the ways of mod’rn life. There ah-re places where there ah-re people like the ones you fin’ here in Wimborne can be unwelcom’ing to these new technol’gy, wanna preh’serve humanity as close as our ancestors had before the near glo’bal human ex’tinc-shun. There ah-re people who want nothin’ to do with anythin’ ‘bout the new way of life, and then there ah-re people who couldn’t care less and would gladly steal the clothes and devices from smah’ city people who dare venture outside their dwellings. Either way, you on your own out here, kid. Best you change clothes before you venture further. Rather alive than dead, amirite?

Though difficult to understand the rough dialect, Sirius was silent as he processed the information that he was given. Before eating his meal, Sirius used his Orange Watch device to change outfits in order to blend in with the townspeople, though he still wore his original outfit underneath the digital disguise. After eating, he proceeded towards the location of the distortion. He ventured towards the outskirts of Wimborne and into a small forest. As he trekked, he recalled the conversation that continued with the server back at the restaurant.

“Trav’ling to Wimborne on vacation?”

“Wimborne isn’t my destination.”

“Then, where ya headed? Ain’t much beyond here to our knowledge, ‘less you’re one them people who ‘cah-ne’t with nature’ as a hobby. If that’s the case then we have Wimborne Forest, but beyond that, ain’t nothin’ ‘cept The Great Golrey Plains. Whatever ya choose to do, best of luck!”

Sirius made it out of the forest, and before him was The Great Golrey Plains, as if on cue. Though the land expanded for miles and miles, there were no signs of a distortion nor of any civilization. Sirius booted up his Orange Watch and opened the map app: 5km away. “I should be close.” Sirius also noticed the percentage of the remaining energy left on his device: 53%. “I must complete this mission before my devices must be recharged.” Without wasting another second, continued his trek to the location of the distortion.

Hours passed during the trek through the plains. The sun was beginning its descent into night. Yet, the distortion was nowhere. Sirius checked his map as he walked: 1km. “The distortion is nearby, yet, I see nothing. What’s the meaning of this?” Once Sirius closed the map app, he noticed that the sun hung before him in the horizon, as well as a town, no, a village. A medieval village, to be exact. Sirius gave neither a remarked nor a reaction. Instead, he pressed onward, his mind on the mission. “Perhaps, the distortion is somewhere within this village.”

He proceeded towards the entrance gate of the village. No one was there. Neither a guard nor soldier. There were also no sign of any electricity nor modern technology anywhere. Setting foot into the village is when Sirius began to take in his surroundings. Straw-thatched roofs, wooden and simple concrete homes and buildings. Cobble stoned streets with low patches of moss. The fronts of shops and restaurants decorated as if a festival was occurring. To the left of the entrance was a wooden building with a sign outside: Guest House. Sirius reverted his attention back to the buildings within the village. There were three unpaved cobble stone roads. The one to the left seemed to lead to a district of bars and restaurants. The road in the middle seemed to lead to public facilities and shops such as libraries, hospitals, bookstores, flower shops, and so on. Without a doubt there’s a village center and a park further inward. The road to the right was more of what could be found on the center road, except the path extended to the neighborhood district.

Before the paths diverged into three, however, was a dark gray, rectangle marbled monument that stood upright. On it read the following:

Welcome to Breim Village

Laws of the Land

1. Outsiders are forbidden entry to Breim Village.

2. Any excursions outside Breim Village is forbidden.

3. Obey your parents at all time unless their words and actions are in contrast to life.

4. No violence, stealing, or any harmful acts against each other.

5. Pursue a life of happiness.

“I’m in Breim Village,” Sirius spoke to himself. “Strange. This location didn’t appear on the map. Perhaps because it’s too far out the way to even be known. In any case, the distortion should be in this village.” Sirius noticed that despite there’s no person walking around, the establishments of the bar and restaurant district were lively. “Must be dinnertime for the villagers, and an ideal location in gathering clues about this village to deduce the location of the distortion.” Sirius changed his digital attire from that of Wimborne to medieval, hiding his watch under the sleeves of his shirt. Without sparing another second, he headed towards a tavern.

Upon opening the door to the establishment, he observed the patrons eating large amounts of foods at individual tables, drinking from wooden cups, and conversing loudly over the loud sound of festive music. Not a single person took notice of his presence; they were too busy indulging themselves. It was a bit overwhelming and unsettling to Sirius, but there was something that cannot be denied nor overlooked: everyone was happy. Not a single care in the world. Neither his unemotional expression nor his focused state of mind changed. He then proceeded towards the tavern bar, where there were less people present.

“Welcome to Malt Rose! How may I serve you this evening?” a woman greeted. She appeared to be in her mid-twenties, if not close to it. She had long dark brown hair, worn in a ponytail, and wore an old-fashioned serving apron, dressed modestly from her shoulders to the lower half of her legs. Her eyes were honest, and her smile was pure.

Sirius stood there, pondering to himself. What should he say? He has never been to such a place before. In fact, he never knew such a place like this existed aside from old books he read during his childhood. He took another glance around the restaurant. Upon closer examination, he’d never seen such clothes before nor furnishing or the kinds of foods being served. He’d never even heard of such music in his life. What was all of this?

He quickly reverted his attention back to the young woman, not wanting to keep her waiting any longer. “What would you recommend…madam?” he said with no emotion, attempting to match the way people spoke in the books he read.

The woman laughed politely, bringing her right hand slightly beneath her mouth. “Please, no need to call me madam. Call me Liliana,” she said with a smile and subtle, polite laughter. “Customers love the mutton stew. There’s carrots and chopped potatoes stirred in with the dish. Great to have after a long day!”

“Is that so? Then, I will take the mutton stew with a cup of water.”

“Coming right up!” The woman promptly wrote down the order on her notepad and walked hurriedly into the kitchen, leaving Sirius to himself to wait for his meal.

“What’s wrong?” someone spoke. Sirius turned to his right, direction of the voice. There sat a young man in his early twenties, about Procyon’s age. He had light chestnut brown hair, a bit messy, that stopped halfway at his neck from the back, and extended to his cheeks from the left and right. He had dark brown eyes, and though his smile was also honest and friendly, it also boasted of intense confidence. “Can’t take a cup of ale?” the young man asked.

“There’s nothing wrong with a cup of water,” Sirius replied blankly.

“Aww c’mon!” The young man spoke almost immediately after. He wouldn’t have given Sirius an opportunity to finish his sentence, if he himself were a second quicker. “It’s the end of the day! Loosen up!” He walked over and gave Sirius two large pats on the back. Sirius, unemotional expression and all, leaned forward with each pat. “What’s your name?”

The festivities of the tavern continued, but to Sirius, everything became silent. Fragments of his memories came rushing to the forefront of his mind, all in a rewind seen in a quick blink of an eye. The recollection happened in what felt like ten seconds, but in reality, only a second had passed. “Only twice in my life…was my name ever asked for,” he muttered quietly to himself. For a brief moment, Sirius face could not be seen as he sat silently, his face tilted slightly forward. A few more seconds had passed.

“Huh? What’d you say? Couldn’t hear ya!” the young man spoke, a cup of ale in hand.

Sirius slightly lifted his head, beginning to face forward. “My name…is Sunri. Sunri Aerora.”

To be continued...

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