Who: Caine Wise cainewise & Paul Blart paulblart What: Cleaning up from the Necromorph attack. When: Sunday, May 10, around 8 AM Where: Test City Mall Rating: General Audiences Warnings: Caine flies and is basically a dogman. Paul is just a nice guy. They're cleaning up gross alien corpses. I think that might be a warning. Status: Closed/Completed GDoc
~*~
Earth was more complex than Caine had expected. The people were still living in a primitive manner. Their technology was eons behind what he was accustomed to using. He had yet to figure out their government structuring however nor did he understand their social hierarchy. It was as if they did not understand how to categorize one another based on their place and rank. Some of that ignorance could be attributed to their lack of understanding of the importance of the genome, but said ignorance could only cover so much.
There were limits to what Caine could give credence to misapprehensions being the result of ignorance and simply a different way of thinking.
He was not arrogant enough to believe The Aegis was the only right in the universe. They were all trained in the academy of The Legion to follow the laws set forth by their Aegis. No one was told their laws were the only right laws in all the 'Verse. It was merely set forth to be understood they were the laws they, as splices, as soldiers, were to uphold while in the service of their Aegis. Caine knew the difference between an absolute law and a law of his Aegis. Splices were not educated the way humans were, but they were taught enough to serve their needs.
Touching down with a clink of his boots to the surface of the pavement outside the mall, Caine shook his wings hard to get the dust particles from the air out of the feathers. They folded neatly against his back as he strode toward the mall entrance. It appeared the place was either not open for business or there were few people visiting it at the hour he had arrived in. Bodies of Necromorphs littered the parking area. Their stench made him snarl in annoyance, his fangs showing slightly as he made it to the automatic doors which did not open for him.
"Paul Blart!" he called loudly, rapping his knuckles against the doors as they did not slide open automatically upon his approach, "It is Caine! I have come to be of service to you."
Caine knew he was not late on his arrival. His internal clock kept impeccable timing. His training would not allow him to dally much. Splices were designed to be of use. They were not to be kept as merely decorations for an entitled's home. Some entitled chose to purchase exotic splices of course, but those were not of the type Caine had been produced. He had failed in his genome in more ways than most would have allowed to survive. He was incredibly lucky to have been allowed to reach vitality at all.
It worried him to think Queen Jupiter did not understand their differences. She was so far above his status. Touching her was as out of his reach as touching a star itself, yet she allowed it, encouraged it even. Caine was much more suited to cleaning up refuse in parking areas than touching the recurrence of the House of Abrasax. He comforted himself in the knowledge he was not sitting by idly. This place would know he was worth something even if it was only as a member of the janitorial staff post-battle.
~*~
Paul had done one thing during the attack of the -- whatever they were -- and that was what he always did; he kept the mall safe. He’d done the best he could with what resources were in the mall, and sure, he didn’t take down many of them but he had done what he had to do.
The security and safety of those in the mall was his first priority and once he’d gotten a path clear he got people back home and away from the mall, only to meet some military guy named Carlos about halfway there. Together they hadn’t lost anyone that hadn’t been lost to the madness that the Marker caused, and that was good enough for Paul.
He’d gone back to make sure the mall was clear and locked down before making his way back to his own apartment where he waited it out. Afterward he went back to work, and the clean up began. Paul honestly didn’t know if the Caine guy was being truthful in his offer to come help, some of the other mall workers had, but so far Paul had done a lot on his own.
Paul was waiting by the mall directory close to the main entrance, his eyes on the mobile device as he scrolled through the network. There was a cart with several pairs latex gloves, plastic aprons from the bakery and some masks in the event that the smell became too much. Paul could say with 100% certainty that the scent got to be a little too much once the sun was high in the sky.
Jumping at the noise, Paul turned his head toward the main entrance, surprise written all over his face at the fact that Caine actually showed up. Unhooking the keys from his belt, Paul moved toward the front door, unlocking it and powering up the automatic slide. “Hey!” He greeted Caine with a cheerful smile before re-locking the door for the time being. He noticed the wings, and the different appearance of the guy before him. Who was he to judge? There were a lot of different people here in Test City.
“I gotta admit I’m a bit surprised you showed up.” His hands were on his hips, his laugh a bit nervous although that wasn’t really out of the ordinary for Paul. Shaking his head, Paul motioned with his hand, “Follow me. I’ve got a few things here. We’ve been piling the bodies out in the back parking area, and people have been coming by to transport them elsewhere for burning. Since, you know, it’d be bad if the mall caught on fire.” Paul wouldn’t know what to do without the mall being there, he’d really be lost.
“So wings, huh?” He asked, then frowned. “Sorry, that’s rude. I tend to speak before I think, it’s a thing, so if I say something that offends you I’m sorry for it in advance.”
~*~
A very capable man was how Paul Blart appeared to Caine Wise. He followed him obediently without question, prepared to do as he was asked without hesitation. His job was to see to the needs of humanity. Their protection was his first priority in life. Nothing else was as important as following the orders which had been grafted into his very genome. Paul Blart was one who seemed to appreciate the need to care for the human population with the same sincerity Caine gave it which he appreciated very much.
"You did not think me to be honest? I am a splice, Paul Blart. I cannot lie. It's against my genome coding."
Humanity was very different on underdeveloped planets. He still had no idea what to think about Jupiter who was royalty of the highest degree among the entitled yet she wanted his hands on her. It was him she trusted with her body. Caine did not understand it at all though he refused to turn it down. Stinger had told him to reach for what he wanted. He'd pointed out Caine was, in his own way, lucky because he was not solely his genome. He could pursue the queen even if he wasn't worthy.
Wings were not something many saw even among the entitled. Skyjackers were rarely stationed as personal guards. They were interplanetary police more or less, set into order for The Aegis to protect as many as they could on invasions or rioting worlds. Caine had never spent much time among those who walked once he'd earned his wings. All his deeds had been done in the air in one form or the other. When they'd taken his wings, he'd felt as if he'd died. A part of him certainly had died and the pain had been intense.
Worse even than being rejected by his own kind which Caine had never thought could be trumped in terms of pain and torment.
He gave a casual explanation since he doubted Paul Blart was interested in the story of his life or his deeds.
"I was created to serve in The Legion for The Aegis of my people. I ranked up to become a Skyjacker. I was given wings to perform my duties. They were taken from me when I failed and returned only when I redeemed myself. Were I home, I would most likely be expected to resume my duties as interplanetary guard. Here, I guard only my queen and do what I can to be of service to the humans around me. I am honored to be allowed to serve with you, Paul Blart."
~*~
A half smile pulled up the corner of Paul’s mouth. “Not a lot of people back where I’m from are that honest. At least, they’re honest in a different way that has very little to do with actually coming to help me out.” Most of the people he knew back home before everything had happened would’ve told him that he couldn’t do the job on his own, that he couldn’t do anything right and that he should leave it up to other people. Paul might’ve believed them, well, okay, he really would’ve believed them a week before he’d saved the mall on his own.
Even now, Paul didn’t know if anything had changed back home. He wasn’t sure if anything would change in regards to how people felt about him. Here they seemed to treat him the same way as back home, with the exception of well, Caine.
It was nice to have someone that appeared to be appreciative of the work that he did. Paul wasn’t trying to seek fame, glory or any of that. He was just doing the job he was put on this earth to do, and yes, he took it more seriously than most people but it was what he loved.
“Oh,” there were a lot of words in Caine’s sentences that Paul didn’t really understand, so he just stood there looking at him in silence for several long moments. “So there’s another queen here, huh?” It was hard to imagine that there was actual royalty around. Paul had met the one that worked at the bakery, she was sweet, and always had a smile for anyone that passed by.
“And well, I’m honored that you’re here, Caine. You really have no idea how much I appreciate it.” He moved over to the cart, picking up some gloves and an apron. “There’s carts outside against the west side of the building, those are the easiest things to put the bodies in for transport. There’s a golf cart, and with two of us, one can just hold on to them instead of having to tie them to the back.” Sometimes the carts would tilt over if they were tied to the back, Paul had learned how to tie them together and tightly to the back to keep that from happening since he started clean up.
“I’ve got masks too. Around noon it starts to get real bad out there.” He shrugged, and then busied himself with getting ready. “So, what’s a splice?” He asked, glancing back over at Caine for a few seconds before going back to getting the plastic apron on.
~*~
Aprons were an unknown for Caine. He observed Paul Blart putting his on while copying his movements. It was easy enough. One loop over the head and then a tie at the waist. It would keep things from hitting his chest. Cleanliness. Caine respected Paul Blart even more when he realized the man was seeking to keep him comfortable as well as clean. He had no desire to get the stench of death on his clothing or his skin. There were gloves and the masks did not look as bad as space walking equipment.
Caine readied himself to head outside, gathering up as many supplies as he could carry. It struck him as odd Paul Blart would use a golf cart on a parking lot. Was that vehicle not meant to be used solely on a grassy locale meant for the game of golf? He had read much of this sport. It had been one pursued by human royalty in the older times on underdeveloped worlds. These days entitled rarely played any sports at all save those best left on their ballroom floors or in their bedrooms.
"I am a genetically engineered being created by splicing fine human DNA with that of some useful animal. I, in particular, am a Lycantant."
He tilted his head to show the mark on his neck. The brand had been painful though Caine had only the vaguest of memories related to the experience. Being young was much the same for every species, even those engineered using the best technology Science had to offer. There were only so many memories he still possessed of being in the creche before being sold to The Legion. His main memories were not actually memories so much as the pain of isolation as his litter mates had rejected him which went against his breeding.
"It means I was spliced with a wolf. I have many traits similar to a wolf though I am a failed splice. I have broken genomic sequences and I am, obviously, partially albino. My kind rejected me which made me a loss for my creators. They chose not to destroy me prior to my eruption to see if they could sell me as a curiosity. I was sold at a loss to The Legion. I am essentially worthless as I cannot be a part of a pack and I am---unpredictable."
It was the kindest way to explain his mistake.
"I appreciate you thought of masks. My sense of smell is very sensitive. You are a most courteous man, Paul Blart."
~*~
Paul’s lips turned down into a frown at the mark on Caine’s neck. The brand looked painful, and he could barely imagine how someone could have dealt with that sort of pain. He could barely tolerate any sort of pain to be honest. It was also strange to think that there was a place out there in the universe where they were splicing together DNA of humans and animals.
Sounded too science-fictiony to him, but again, there was so much here that Paul didn’t personally understand.
He was a normal guy from a normal world that didn’t, to his knowledge, have anything as strange as that. Of course, it could’ve all been covered up like the alien crash that happened in Roswell. Paul wasn’t going to dwell too much on it, but he was curious about Caine’s world.
Questions would come later, if Caine could stand him at any rate.
Worthless was something Paul could understand. He’d been called that most of his life by too many people. “A wolf huh? That’s neat. I hate that you were rejected by your own kind, it’s -- it’s never easy to be rejected by anyone.” Rejection, while a part of life, was never easy no matter how many times it happened. Paul felt each rejection deeply, personally and sometimes late at night he would remember each and every one of them.
It stunk remembering mistakes, or things that were embarrassing during the middle of the night.
Smiling, Paul gave a small nod of his head in Caine’s direction. “You’re welcome. I know it makes me sick, so I didn’t want you to get sick either.” Paul hadn’t known about Caine, so it worked out perfectly in his mind. “Alright, I think we’re ready here.” He put a couple more pairs of gloves into his pockets, just in case the others tore for one reason or another. It was easier than having to travel back and forth to the cart to get a new one.
“I figure we should get most of it done today. There might be a few bodies or parts left for tomorrow, but we’ll do what we can.” Reaching into his breast pocket, Paul pulled a pixie stix out and tore the top off before downing it. He wouldn’t be any good to anyone if he passed out.
“Let’s do this!” He gave Caine a grin and tossed the paper into the trash can as he passed it. It was nice ot have help, and have someone help him who was a decent guy even if he was from a future that Paul didn’t personally understand. He thought that he and Caine could be friends, or at least, he hoped that they could be.