Post by Ethan/Kifen214 on Aug 25, 2010 2:40:54 GMT -5
Kifen214 stepped forward to the edge of the short pier and knelt. The pier extended only a few feet across the frothy liquid of the yeerk pool, and was wide enough for a Hork-Bajir guard to stand nearby. Not that the bladed monstrosity was particularly needed for Kifen--his host was voluntary and not likely to make a run for it--but Empire protocol called for it. It took a minute or so for Kifen to disengage from his host, experiencing the familiar gradual loss of his human senses: First touch, then sound, sight, smell, and finally the disconnection of his mind from Ethan's. There was always a short time where he was exposed to the dry natural air, helpless, before plunging into the warmth of the pool to join his brothers and sisters.
Freed, and with a practiced calm, Ethan rose from the pier. The massive Hork-Bajir standing guard eyed him warily, his clawed hand hanging awkwardly near his dracon beam. It was an understandable reaction. Voluntary humans were rare, and most of the time they associated with the YPM. Not that anyone assuming that would be too far from the mark on this one--Kifen had been deeply involved in the YPM back in Chicago, where the two of them had come from. Unlike most YPM, usually scared witless of the Empire, Kifen hadn't felt the need to hide the fact that his host was voluntary. At least, he hadn't after much convincing and long discussion with Ethan. Ethan himself wasn't the type that liked to cower in some tiny cage for hours on end, pretending to be terrified. The two of them weren't regulars to this particular yeerk pool either, and Ethan's face wasn't recognizable as being voluntary yet. They'd only just arrived in Miami on Empire orders, and this was the first day Kifen had needed to go to the yeerk pool after the move.
Ethan held up his hands in a show of good faith to the Hork-Bajir guard, giving the ugly alien a wide smile. "Is it okay if I move, big fella? I'm just going to go over there." He pointed over to the double doors where voluntary humans were allowed. He couldn't see what was beyond the frosted glass, but he knew what to expect. Some array of creature comforts, perhaps a bar or small restaurant. A T.V. if they were lucky.
After a moment's hesitation, the guard finally relented and allowed Ethan to pass by. Directly to the right of the pier was a winding line of people separated by metal bars that stood around hip height, much like one you'd see at Disneyland. There was even an air of anticipation surrounding the line of people and aliens waiting, as if they were getting ready to go on an exciting ride. That was, of course, far from the case. This line was for the yeerks exiting their hosts, and soon enough many of faces he saw would be twisted up in anger or fear once they were freed. The sight of so many people lined up made Ethan feel a bit uneasy--it seemed with each day that the number went up--but he pushed the feeling aside before it could reach his face. As Ethan moved to the left, the exit area, he was met with curious glances from some of the controllers waiting in line. He could just imagine what sort of names he was being called internally by the hosts. He returned their questioning expressions with a preoccupied smile and then headed over towards the Voluntary Controller area.
The doors swished open when he got close, and the delicious smell of food drifted out to meet him. He stepped through the door, taking in the place. He'd been right before; against one of the walls was an extensive bar, the alcohol back-lit by a soft, blue-hued light. Only a couple feet away was some sort of lounge area, complete with a couple LCD T.V. screens hanging from the walls, coffee tables (surprisingly, some game consoles had been placed on the ones nearest to the T.V.s) and fluffy couches. On the opposite end there looked to be a cafe, steam rolling lazily up to the ceiling somewhere in the back. The yeerk pool here was very newly built, which meant that most of the stuff in the room was new as well. It even had that faint freshly painted smell to it.
Excluding the controllers manning all the food and bar stations--and the serious-looking Hork-Bajir guards scattered around the room--there weren't many other people around. A quick estimate brought the total to around nine or so, not a number that he was surprised at.
Ethan pulled out a pack of cigs that Kifen had left him and tapped the bottom of the box against the palm of his hand. He flipped open the top and slipped out a cigarette, rolling it between his fingertips as he tried to decide what he wanted to do. Food. Food sounded good. He tucked the cigarette behind his ear for later use and shoved his hands into his pant pockets. The edge of his lip quirked. Just outside, above the noisy fray of T.V. reruns and game noise, he could barely hear the screams and moans of freed humans trapped in their cages. Of Hork-Bajir shouting orders at disobedient hosts. Of metal grating against metal as cage doors were slammed close. All the while, some nineteen year old boy was glued to a T.V. screen in here, shooting imaginary Nazis. It was an odd juxtaposition.
Whistling a sigh through his lips, Ethan shook his head slightly and headed over towards the cafe. The controller behind the counter perked up at his appearance, waiting patiently as Ethan's eyes scanned over the menu. "Coffee and a sandwich."
Freed, and with a practiced calm, Ethan rose from the pier. The massive Hork-Bajir standing guard eyed him warily, his clawed hand hanging awkwardly near his dracon beam. It was an understandable reaction. Voluntary humans were rare, and most of the time they associated with the YPM. Not that anyone assuming that would be too far from the mark on this one--Kifen had been deeply involved in the YPM back in Chicago, where the two of them had come from. Unlike most YPM, usually scared witless of the Empire, Kifen hadn't felt the need to hide the fact that his host was voluntary. At least, he hadn't after much convincing and long discussion with Ethan. Ethan himself wasn't the type that liked to cower in some tiny cage for hours on end, pretending to be terrified. The two of them weren't regulars to this particular yeerk pool either, and Ethan's face wasn't recognizable as being voluntary yet. They'd only just arrived in Miami on Empire orders, and this was the first day Kifen had needed to go to the yeerk pool after the move.
Ethan held up his hands in a show of good faith to the Hork-Bajir guard, giving the ugly alien a wide smile. "Is it okay if I move, big fella? I'm just going to go over there." He pointed over to the double doors where voluntary humans were allowed. He couldn't see what was beyond the frosted glass, but he knew what to expect. Some array of creature comforts, perhaps a bar or small restaurant. A T.V. if they were lucky.
After a moment's hesitation, the guard finally relented and allowed Ethan to pass by. Directly to the right of the pier was a winding line of people separated by metal bars that stood around hip height, much like one you'd see at Disneyland. There was even an air of anticipation surrounding the line of people and aliens waiting, as if they were getting ready to go on an exciting ride. That was, of course, far from the case. This line was for the yeerks exiting their hosts, and soon enough many of faces he saw would be twisted up in anger or fear once they were freed. The sight of so many people lined up made Ethan feel a bit uneasy--it seemed with each day that the number went up--but he pushed the feeling aside before it could reach his face. As Ethan moved to the left, the exit area, he was met with curious glances from some of the controllers waiting in line. He could just imagine what sort of names he was being called internally by the hosts. He returned their questioning expressions with a preoccupied smile and then headed over towards the Voluntary Controller area.
The doors swished open when he got close, and the delicious smell of food drifted out to meet him. He stepped through the door, taking in the place. He'd been right before; against one of the walls was an extensive bar, the alcohol back-lit by a soft, blue-hued light. Only a couple feet away was some sort of lounge area, complete with a couple LCD T.V. screens hanging from the walls, coffee tables (surprisingly, some game consoles had been placed on the ones nearest to the T.V.s) and fluffy couches. On the opposite end there looked to be a cafe, steam rolling lazily up to the ceiling somewhere in the back. The yeerk pool here was very newly built, which meant that most of the stuff in the room was new as well. It even had that faint freshly painted smell to it.
Excluding the controllers manning all the food and bar stations--and the serious-looking Hork-Bajir guards scattered around the room--there weren't many other people around. A quick estimate brought the total to around nine or so, not a number that he was surprised at.
Ethan pulled out a pack of cigs that Kifen had left him and tapped the bottom of the box against the palm of his hand. He flipped open the top and slipped out a cigarette, rolling it between his fingertips as he tried to decide what he wanted to do. Food. Food sounded good. He tucked the cigarette behind his ear for later use and shoved his hands into his pant pockets. The edge of his lip quirked. Just outside, above the noisy fray of T.V. reruns and game noise, he could barely hear the screams and moans of freed humans trapped in their cages. Of Hork-Bajir shouting orders at disobedient hosts. Of metal grating against metal as cage doors were slammed close. All the while, some nineteen year old boy was glued to a T.V. screen in here, shooting imaginary Nazis. It was an odd juxtaposition.
Whistling a sigh through his lips, Ethan shook his head slightly and headed over towards the cafe. The controller behind the counter perked up at his appearance, waiting patiently as Ethan's eyes scanned over the menu. "Coffee and a sandwich."
