Countryguy's Blog
Chapter 5
The Journey
Part 1
May 12, 2022
I set sensors on the doors to alert us if anyone entered our car. Around 11:30 the alert went off and I headed out and our service attendant said they were just taking orders for lunch and wanted to know if I wanted to eat in the dining car or my room. I knocked on the door and Miss Reni answered.
“The attendant would like to know what we would like for lunch and if we will eat in the dining car or our room.”
“We were just discussing that and looking at the menu.”
“You can use the tablet in your room to place your order and indicate where you would like to eat. Would you like me to show you how to use it?” The attendant asked.
He explained how Traditional dining is in the dining car and Flexible dining allows eating in the room and he would deliver the order himself. I was hurt but not surprised when he explained everything to the ladies and never once looked at me. Damn perverts.
We told him we would eat in the room the first day till we got used to the train movement. It was decided before he arrived. Then some of the passengers from NY would be off the train, mainly thinking about classmates. All of us decided to try the seafood special when they said it was available today only.
The attendant was vetted before we even got on the train by Dragon Protection Services, so no worries there at least.
The ladies asked me to join them for lunch in their room. I thought they might want to discuss things. We discussed the stop in Chicago, it would be a short stop to resupply and for passengers to disembark there and new ones to load on. We decided to stay on board since we had no extra security. I apologized to Mia, it looked like she really wanted to see Chicago. She said she understood, but I could tell she was disappointed.
They asked me again to join them for dinner. I figured there was nothing else to discuss, so thought they knew it must be lonely by myself over there.
May 13, 2022
The next afternoon we arrived in Chicago. About a day and a half to get halfway. I once again went out to the area in front of the rooms to stand watch. After about an hour a couple came in the car and headed for one of the rooms.
“Excuse me, that room is taken.” I told them.
“That can’t be right, it is our room.” The man told me.
I said, “No, that is my private room.”
“Maybe that is our room,” and pointed to the girls room.
I replied, “No, my companions are in that room.”
I asked what car they were in and they said this one. After discussing it for 5 minutes an attendant came by and I told him the problem so he looked at the ticket and told them they were in the wrong car and pointed toward the back of the train. They apologized and headed off. As soon as they were gone I called Home Base and told them the names I saw on the boarding passes. They decided to run a check and would get back to me.
When the train started moving I updated the ladies about the situation and told them that a check was being run on the couple so I would be in my room waiting for the call.
“I know Mia will think we’re overreacting but please keep us informed,” Miss Reni asks.
“I will let you know as soon as I am done with the call.”
“Can you call, I don’t want Mia to get worried if it is something and if it isn’t then she can’t say we are overreacting.” She wrote her number down and handed it to me.
As I was sitting in my room next to the window facing the hall, my favorite seat lately, the phone rang.
“Can you do a video chat?” It was my father.
I switched to video calling.
“Did you find something concerning?”
“How did you let people get so close to the princess? Your job is to protect her!” He said angrily. “If you can’t do the job I will replace you with someone more experienced now that she is out of high school.”
“I was in the hall and stopped them from ever getting near her. The four of them were in their room and I was in the hall till the train departed. When they came into the car they headed to my room and I told them that was my room and the other was also occupied. I never let them near the room. Just like I reported. Now do I need to worry about them or not?”
I know it was insubordination but I didn’t care, he obviously didn’t even listen to my report.
“There doesn’t seem to be any problem, the names check out as a married couple who had tickets reserved for over a month. Since we didn’t see them we can’t be sure so keep your eyes open and stay close to the princess. Don’t screw up!”
“Aren’t we supposed to say ‘Snow White’?”
“Just do your job.” Then he disconnected.
I know I shouldn’t have said that, but if he is going to jump on me when he didn’t read the report completely then I can point out the following protocol mess up to him.
I decided to calm down before I called Miss Reni, I didn’t need them to know what was going on between me and my father.
I had just given her an update when god Zecks started talking to us again. I asked if I could come over and she agreed.
“Hello again. Last time I contacted you I didn’t think about those driving your automobiles and I apologize for that. No one died, we made sure no one was physically injured. So this time this will be a short message just to tell you we have added like a recording for you. When you are ready just close your eyes and think ‘access recording’. It will not start if you are in an automobile, so please wait till you are in a safe place to access it. Thank you.”
“Well at least they kept people safe.” Mia says.
“For a god you think they would have thought about that in the first place.” Akeno replies.
I added, “If they are all powerful gods they could have shut off all the cars and killed the engines. It is good to know they protected people though.”
Miss Yamada asks, “Does anyone want to listen to the recording?”
“You ladies go ahead, I will keep watch and listen later.”
I sat there and watched them close their eyes and listened to the message.
After about ten minutes they each slowly opened their eyes one after another slightly apart from each other.
“That was interesting.” Akeno
I told them since they were all done I would go back to my room so they could discuss things if they wanted and I would listen over there.
Part 2
Back in my room I lock the door and settle in for the night. I turn on the alarms in case anyone gets near the doors or windows of either room and turn on the recorders.
I close my eyes and think access recording.
“Hello again. This first part is the same for everyone, the second part is personalized for each person. On Arth people grow up knowing about skills, whereas on Earth you don’t understand the skill system like what each one is, how they work, can you get new ‘skills’ and many more questions. So we decided to add a help section where you can go to ask questions, this is the first time we have done that so please be patient as we work out the bugs. As soon as you accessed this recording your skill was added, don’t worry about that for now because the system won’t work till the recording is finished. Everyone will get a version of identification, it is a way to look at someone and get basic information about the person such as name and occupation. Yes ‘skills’ can be leveled up and as it levels up the more things it can do. At first you just see the person's name, after some level ups it will show occupation. When the skill is maxed you could see name, occupation, age and any titles they may have, unless someone blocks them. Just use the help if you have questions. Now to the personalized message….”
“You were a difficult one to choose, we try to personalize the skill for each person and you chose to be an Explorer. Yet you have a strong desire to fulfill your duty to your current commitment. Many people have a strong desire to do the same, but you were a little different. They took oaths for the military and you took no oath, but you are even more committed than some of them. So I checked into you a little more to see why you are so committed. I must say I have taken a liking to you. You are not the only one to grab the attention of one of the gods either. I have several people I took a liking to because of commitment or what they are willing to give up to move in a new direction we are offering. Now dungeons are forming on Earth, most will be 30-50 floors to start, on Arth we have some at over 100 levels. I wish you luck in your choice and I will be watching. You received more than one ‘skill’ where others only got ‘identification’ plus one more, so you may keep that to yourself. Some ‘skills’ you received because you already have the skills. You can now access your ‘skills’, just say or think ‘status open’.
“He took a liking to me and he will be watching? Yeah that’s not creepy at all.”
What the hell,
Status Open
A transparent screen seems to float in front of my eyes.
****
Name/Age:
Carl Adams 17
Race/Sex:
Human Male
Occupation:
Skills:
Identification lv 1
Appraisal lv 1
Martial Arts lv 1
Short Sword lv 1
Titles:
God Zecks Blessing
****
“WTF is going on? Four ‘skills’ plus a title? Blessing, what does that mean? Okay how do I use this help?”
To use help just look at the ‘skill’ and think ‘help’
I hear a female voice in my head.
“Okay look at the skill and think ‘help’. Oh, the window is closed.”
Status Open
Name/Age:
Carl Adams 17
Race/Sex:
Human Male
Occupation:
Skills:
Identification lv 1
Appraisal lv 1
Martial Arts lv 1
Short Sword lv 1
Titles:
God Zecks Blessing
****
I concentrate on “God Zecks Blessing”
A god's Blessing means you caught the attention of that god and you can earn experience points a little faster than normal, the amount depends on the strength and level of the defeated target.
“Wow, I didn’t even say help, this is so cool.”
Next is…
Identification
Identification, view information of living things.
Appraisal
Appraisal is equal to identification except used for non-living items, weapons, etc.
Martial Arts
Martial Arts is ability to learn combat faster.
Short sword
Short sword gives you the ability to use the short sword.
I kept checking the help until I was tired enough to go to sleep.
***
May 14, 2022
We will be arriving in Seattle this evening. This would be a nice way to travel if I wasn’t on duty the entire time.
Mia called and asked if I would like to have lunch in the dining car with her around 1. I agreed.
I was surprised when she came out alone and asked if I was ready.
“Yes, will anyone else be joining us?”
“They will follow in a few minutes and sit at a different table, I reserved two tables.”
So we made our way to the dining car.
When we arrived she gave my name and said she called ahead for two tables.
“This way please.” and we were led to a small table.
As we were looking at the menu the other three came in and were led to another table within sight of us, but not too close. Once again I was surprised.
“Sorry, I wanted a chance to have a private conversation with you. There are some things I just can’t talk about with them.” She says to me.
“I thought you and Akeno talked about everything.”
“We do and I will talk to her later. All four of us talked a bit about things last night. I just want another opinion before I talk to Akeno any further.”
“I understand. Should we order first?”
“Yes, then we won’t be interrupted during our talk.”
“You’re joking right? We are in the dining car and everyone is already watching us, especially the men.”
“Ugh, they act like the boys at school. I hate it.” Then she waved the waiter over. “We are ready to order.”
After we placed our order, she folded her hands in front of her on the table.
“I wanted to talk to you about what we learned yesterday. I spent the rest of the day going over that status window. Weird, right?”
“I did the same, I went over the skills, status, the help section, everything till I got tired.” I told her.
“So what about being an explorer, are you going to do that?” She asked.
“I don’t think it is going to be easy like the guys at school think, skills or no skills. God did say Arth was underpopulated and you have to think part of that is the monsters. We don’t know anything about Arth, it could be other things as well. He said monsters are outside dungeons so villages may get attacked often.”
“Yeah if it is anything like books I read then it could be people starving because they are in a small village without enough food. We just don’t know enough about what it is like over there. As far as here, I agree the monsters are not going to be easy to beat.” She replied.
“Did you search ‘help’ about dungeons. It says there are dungeons that are out there that will help us acquire skills easier, basically a tutorial dungeon I guess you could call it.”
“No I didn’t see that part, guess I need to study more.” She smiles.
“Are you looking to become an Explorer?” I ask confused.
“Undecided. I want more information, so I won't jump into it. I need to get all the information I can to take to my father.”
Our food was delivered at this time.
“As far as what I am going to do, you are my first priority. As long as you are in the United States I will be by your side. If you chose to go to college in Europe I was thinking about going to college. To be honest I am not sure I want to stay with DPS. My commitment is to you, not to them.” I told her how I honestly feel.
“I don’t want you to stay somewhere you don’t want to be just because of me.”
“Please don’t get me wrong. I love my parents and had fun following my father and uncles around during training. When your father got in contact with my dad about bodyguards they both agreed adults following you around would be weird and people would talk about why you had grown men following you all the time. That is when my dad told yours that I was 13 and was homeschooled and already graduated. I also had been training since I was 8. I figured originally I would join the military when I was 18, but as I was at Highland I decided I didn’t want that. Even as your bodyguard I had a lot of fun there and got to hang out with others my age. That was a good thing. The best was I had a purpose, guarding you. I wanted to keep you safe. Now this world collision or whatever you want to call it gives me another option, Explorer or something related to dungeons. Also who knows what else may happen with the worlds connected. I still want to be your bodyguard, if you decide to stay in Europe, it just gives me another choice.” The last thing I want her to think is I am doing something I don’t want to do.
“Did you find anything about forming a ‘Party’ in the ‘help’? If you want to be an Explorer and I learn more and convince my father, then maybe we can form a ‘Party’ together. If you want to, I mean.”
“I would like that, better to form with a friend than strangers.”
We finished our meal and headed back to our rooms. The others also joined us as we left.
“Guess I need to talk to the others a little more to see how they feel about this.” She seemed a little worried.
“I will look into the ‘tutor dungeons’ and see if I can find any more information.”
Part 3
As the train pulled into Seattle, our private attendant put our bags on the cart and pushed it towards the exit. They looked at our tickets and took us to our next train. We have the same setup of rooms on this train and took our bags to the rooms. Except this time there is a surprise waiting for me. My father sent someone to meet us and help escort the rest of the way.
“Jim, what are you doing here?”
“Well after you screwed up and let that couple get into the princesses room your father thought you needed backup.”
“No one got in her room and it is ‘Snow White’, remember that.”
“Whatever, I think I will go introduce myself to the princess.”
“No you won’t, we have work to do. Set these cameras up around the windows, I’ll set up the ones in the hall.”
As I headed to the hall to set up the sensors Mia opened the door. I told her I had backup and the conversation we just had.
She said it never hurts to have backup, but she doesn’t need to meet him. Then she went back into the room.
I finished up and headed back to the room. Jim tried to leave again “to introduce himself” and I told him I already told her about him and she said she didn’t need to meet him.
“I think she should meet the person in charge of her security.”
“She did, we met four years ago. You are back up, nothing more.”
“We’ll see about that. Things change.”
“You’re right, they do.” I said.
The train set off about an hour later. We should arrive at our stop early in the morning.
I got a call from Akeno about joining them for dinner in their room and I agreed.
I got up to leave and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” Jim
“Akeno asked me to join them for dinner. We usually discuss things each night.”
“Good let’s go.”
“You were not invited and if ‘Snow White’ doesn’t invite you, you do not just show up.”
I turned and walked out the door with a little smile on my face.
When I got to the room they asked me about Jim.
“He started last summer and thought he was the best at everything, but he soon learned he wasn’t. When he found out about my assignment he went to my uncles and father and said that you needed someone more experienced than a kid who was never in the military, that it was too important of a job. My uncles said I have never had any problems so I will stay as the main bodyguard from DPS for you. All through summer he would challenge me to something, but the only thing he ever beat me in was at the shooting range. He would always raise his voice when a superior would walk by I guess about how if I can’t shoot then how can I protect you. One of my uncles told me about it before I left for school last fall. I told him he did beat me on the range, barely. I beat him on everything else. If he doesn’t know how to set up equipment or beat a ‘kid’ in hand to hand then how can he defend anyone?”
“What an asshole.” Lisa
“No kidding, Carl has done so well we weren’t needed till a god showed up.” Suzaku
“I should tell them what a great job Carl has done.” Akeno
“Thanks ladies, but Jim will lie to get what he wants and the job of the commanders is to go by their own judgements. They may listen to Mia, but then when she is gone they will make their own decisions. The only one they would listen to would be the King, he is paying the price so I don’t think they could refuse him.” Me
“Well if we can get the information we need then it would matter.” Mia
“What info?” Me
“I told them I was thinking about renouncing my claim to the throne and becoming an explorer. So we need to find out all we can to convince my father.”
“When is your birthday? You can register at 16, but my father won’t let you leave the base while under his protection. If you are 18 he will have no choice.” Me
“June 8th.” Mia
“A week after me. If all else fails I can register and get a party set up, any ideas on a party name?” Me
“Red Dragon.” Akeno
“I like it, but why Red Dragon?” Lisa
“We all want to be Explorers, but we got together because of Mia, who has red hair. Carl is a member of the Dragons. Is it stupid?” Akeno
“Well I liked dragons long before DPS, so I like it.” Me
“Me too.” Suzaku
“It is weird that it is partly named for me, but I like the name.” Mia
“Okay, with the way Jim is acting we can expect something to happen when we get to our stop or on base. Everyone should be ready. If they are looking to move me off your protection detail it will give me freedom to register and find the nearest dungeon. I will also look for a place to move to because I know my father and he won’t be happy I found a way around what he wanted.” Me
“Alright let's do some studying tonight, then we can make any adjustments after we figure out what happens when we get to the base.” Lisa
We finished dinner and separated till we arrived at our stop.
“Your father called, he wants you to call him ASAP.” Jim
“Why didn’t he call my phone?” Me
“Ask him when you call.” Jim
I went to my bed and called my father.
“Why were you in the princesses room?” Father
“They asked me to come over so we could discuss the order of events when we reach our stop. We have done that at every location, that way we know up front without deciding at the last minute.” Me
“Why didn’t Jim go?” Father
“He wasn’t invited, and you never enter a princess's quarters without being invited.” Me
“He should have been brought in so another person could explain the situation.” Father
“As I said he wasn’t invited. We have been doing this since the beginning. The princess knew he was here and didn’t invite him. Maybe she figured I have handled everything so far and I could discuss things without him and inform him afterwards.” Me
“From now on, invite him to your discussions.” Father
“That was the last you till we get to base.” Me
“Convenient. So what did you decide?” Father
“Everyone is staying in their room until we get to the stop. I have already asked to have the carts here so we can load them immediately and disembark. The attendant will unload the cart and load one that is waiting at the exit. We will then meet up with the escorts and make our way to the cars. Some of the escorts will load the luggage in a car and we will load in the car they tell us to. The princess will be in the middle of us when we enter the car.” Me
“One correction, you will load the luggage and Jim will escort her to the car and be in it with her.” Father
“No Sir. She requested I don’t leave her side until we reach base. Unless the King has requested something different, I will stand by her per her request.” Me
I could hear him grinding his teeth over the phone.
“Fine. See you in a few hours.” Father
Guess he plans to pick us up. Yep they are up to something.
“What do you mean she requested you don’t leave her side?” Jim
“It is English, which word confuses you?” Me
I changed my clothes and then texted Mia what happened.
I then started my research.