He shoved his brothers from behind, each nimbly stepping out onto the narrow edge that ran along the building. One foot after another, one hand trailing the building, the path thankfully looped back down a narrow canal that was clogged up with junk. They had to scale a few items, but thankfully they continued to run long past being unable to hear shouting. Just as the area was becoming incredibly dark, the route finally opened up to the light once more-
And let them fall right into another hole.
“Uuuugh.” Rufus rolled Cletus off from on top of him, “I knew we should have gone left. We could have fought them from above…”
His brother simply groaned as well, “I’m sick of adventures now. Can we go home?”
Surveying their surroundings, Rufus got the sense they were in something- It was that all encompassing metal tomb kinda feeling. There were no windows in this space, but there were two ramps leading up to a giant curtain, and then a few other doors. The colour and style reminded him of the fancy building they had found the pirates at.
He rested his hands on his hips, “Okay Argus, now what?”
“Uh.”
“Argus?”
The brothers looked around for their third, but caught no sight of blue hair.
“...Did he wander off already?”
Cletus shot an anxious glance back to the door that had spat them out.
“I bet he did. Probably thought we’d slow him down. Well! I’ll show him.”
He went for the first door: It was empty, barely a cupboard. The second: It was much, much bigger, but still entirely empty. The third and fourth: Empty! This whole place was bare of anything to mess with or pick up. Cletus was looking back up where they’d come from, but even that looked like there was meant to be a ladder, but no one had made one yet. Some animal must have been living there, as a quiet quack rang out.
“What gives! This place is like a… an empty dump!”
“Is it really a dump if it's empty?”
A quiet quack agreed.
“Who says dumps need things? Though it would be better if there was anything here.”
As they sauntered back to the main room, the quacks followed.
“Rufus… I don’t… I don’t think Argus is here-”
“Shhhhh. I’m trying to think Cletus, stop quacking!”
“I’m not!”
-Quack!-
“Oh, maybe I am.”
He patted down his pockets, finding in his jacket lining a small, white puggle. It must have been the egg he’d tried to catch earlier.
“Aww, cute!”
It blinked owlishly at them.
“This doesn’t change that I don’t think-”
“You’re right, I haven’t checked the curtain!”
Ignoring Cletus, he marched up the ramp, pushing aside the heavy fabric to squeeze behind. There was space up here for…something, but moving further into the next doorway, Rufus could finally see a window,and what was beyond it.
They were underwater!
Fish and junk floated past the curved glass, showing a new world of mystery to the adventurer. The space itself looked to be controls, buttons and switches his Dad would have blocked from him from pressing. Well, before he did any pressing here, something hanging from the roof caught his eye. It looked like binoculars, but attached to a pipe. Climbing onto the chair, he could just lean over to peer in, giving him what he realised was a view above the water.
“Whow, perfect for spying.”
He swung it back and forth, spotting a bridge with-
With the two uniformed adults on in, a limp Argus tucked under one of their arms. A streak of red trailed down from his hair to his face.
Something seized in his chest. The bitter part of his mind laughed, jeering that it served his overbearing brother right. The rest of him rapidly began formulating plans, wondering how to get out there and rescue his brother.
“Rufus!”
He flinched at Cletus’ shout, scampering off the chair and back to the main chamber, spotting him now overshadowed by another figure who gripped his arm.
“Well well well, looks like we’ve got two rats aboard.”
“Let him go!” Rufus kept his chin high.
“What was that little rat?”
-Quack!-
“Look out!”
He ducked as a guess, just as another figure stepped out from a fold in the curtain and swiped at him.
“I don’t have time for you and your-” He looked at them, realising both men were wearing glasses with one side blacked out, “-Dumb eyes. I’ve already got one rescue to perform without adding one-"
-Quack-
"-Two more!”
He ran at the man holding his brother, but at the last second he shifted place with his hostage, causing the two boys to collide and tumble into the storage closet.
“What should we do with ‘em?”
“Let’s see what the Donna thinks of ‘em. If she likes ‘em, more members. If not, then we got a first meal for when the sharks are brought in.”
“Heh, sounds good.”
“Hey, wait! We’ve got something more important to do than be shark food!”
“Too bad.”
And the door closed on them.
“Junk!”
Cletus sat up, though it was too dark to tell where either of them were.
“What did you mean, rescue?”
“I… I saw those two guys who were chasing us got Argus.”
“What?! Then- but how do we-?”
Rufus got to his feet, putting on an uncertain grin he was glad Cletus couldn’t see, and began banging on the door.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get us all out of this mess…
Somehow.”
—
[Meanwhile…]
When he started to come to, Argus resisted squirming.
The arm around his waist was firm, and his original struggle had failed against the two, their gloves and uniforms too thick to get his teeth and nails into. He had spied a gap between the collars and helmets, but he’d need a whole other angle to reach. So for now, he played sleeping and tried to figure out where they were going.
They were still traversing the market, and people were keeping a distance as they crossed paths and headed up a long set of stairs. The air almost smelt better higher up, and after a few turns, they must have gone into a building, even whipping their feet at the entry.
“Reporting in, Sir!”
Someone moved some papers around, and a buzzing sound filled the air.
“With what… one? And not even the one I reported? How useless can you be!”
Argus twitched at the sound of that voice. It had been a few years, but it was hard to forget after what had happened.
So why was the stupid ex-mayor here?
“Sorry sir, the other two gave us the slip while this one held us up.”
He was relieved to hear his brothers got away, though he couldn't tell if he hoped they would get back to the boat and keep to their quest, or that they'd figure out what happened and come back for him.
“Now hold on here, this is- Why, you may have just found my golden goose!”
That voice was different, muffled and static filled. The buzzing sound came closer, and Argus ever so subtly tried to peer up at it, but instead his captor simply shook him and held him out.
“Wake up! The Prime Controller wishes to observe you.”
He growled at the rough treatment, glaring at what he could now see was a floating box with a rotor on top. The front face of it showed a moving picture of a man in a different helmet.
“Looks like we’ve got a match. Hermes you always did get caught up on the little things like hair colours.”
He couldn’t help but question the box, “You… know my Dad?”
“We were good friends once, has he never mentioned me?” The man seemed to gloat.
“I think I’d remember hearing about some dumb floating picture box.” He got another shake for that, “Hey!”
“Well don’t you worry. You and I are going to become very well acquainted. Troopers, bring him to me. Oh, and make sure our friend here is well compensated. What do you say, a house with a view?”
“You’re too kind Ulysses.”
“Just keep our friendship at the forefront of your mind, and report in if you catch sight of the others. It never hurts to have contingencies.”
Argus was tucked back under the man's arm, but he wasn’t liking anything going on here, so he began to thrash about, trying to pull the gloves down to reach some skin to bite. The second one stepped in to try to help restrain him.
“LET ME GO.”
The two actually froze, so his squirming began to gain him some leverage-
“Useless. Can’t even deal with a child.”
A firm backhanded strike to the cheek stunned him for a moment, though he quickly bared his teeth-
“They’re sturdy, don’t worry about damage.”
And another blow hit the back of his head, plunging him into darkness.
“If we don’t find anything leaving sooner, then we can just come back here. Easy.”
Argus clearly was holding his tongue from complaint, nodding in agreement.
“But no wasting time and no risking missing this boat by getting into trouble.” He couldn't help from saying.
His gaze was fixed on Rufus, who ignored him in favour of pocketing a few small items that had ended up on the deck.
“Rufus-”
“Yeah, yeah, whatever!” He waved dismissively, before taking off down the dock. “Let the search begin!”
With a grimace he turned to his remaining brother, “Cletus, you’ll still listen to me right?”
There was a hearty pause before the boy shrugged.
“Cletus-!”
“Look, Dads gonna ground us forever no matter what, so I was thinking, this might be our only chance to see somewhere different. I mean, look! There’s so many buildings here, and people must come here from lots of different places.”
The shine of wonder in his eyes almost swayed Argus, but he held firm. Well, as firm as he could.
“Just- don’t go too far, don’t cause trouble, and stay on time.”
He only got a wave as his green hair vanished down the road.
----
‘Pah, there's so many boats around, he’s just way too.. Too.. too much!’
Darting through throngs of people, Rufus let the excitement carry him.
The sights, sounds and smells were all brand new, and he felt like he needed to draw them all in right this instant. He only had to stop himself from looking back once, before he fully indulged in the moment.
He was Rufus, the grand explorer of new worlds! He needed no one by his side, only his impeccable sense of adventure, and grand tinkering skills.
There was stuff everywhere, and yet his pockets were already at critical capacity.
“I really need an inventory upgrade…”
He followed a stream of people that led him to an open space. It was more vast than his homes town square, and dotted around were shops of all sorts, with wares beyond just daily junk. Some things even looked only third or fourth hand!
Most displays were right at his eye level, but others crowding in blocked his view, so he had to squeeze into the corners and between legs, which only got him a few kicks. As he search, he pondered.
‘Need more pockets…or perhaps an external pocket? A pocket with pockets? How much should I expect to gather?’
A flapping caught his eye- fabric dangling from an awning, in the shape of a beautiful rust coloured coat. Its form looked perfect for an adventurer, and glances at its inner side looked full of pockets.
‘So cool!! But… it's probably too big. One day coat! You shall be my partner in adventure.’
He continued to look over the stall. The adults were passing over coins, currency he lacked. In the moment of exchange though, they had no eyes on him, and he’d just spotted an excellent new pocket. The scuffed brown leather was between two ends of a belt, and looked to have a sturdy zipper with only a little rust. It was right in front of the merchant though, so he had to be ready to cover his tracks.
He sampled his already full supplies, pulling out a little round pellet. When the customer finally made the move to leave, he tossed it towards their feet.
“Urp!”
They lost balance immediately, though their flailing arms reached for everything. Things began flying everywhere, and the shopkeeper began to shout, until the bar holding the awning was knocked and it fell right into their face, jostling even more of their stock.
And the bag fell right at Rufus’ feet.
“Thanks!”
And he ran once again.
----
Midmorning was a busy time in the markets, people ebbing and flowing like the tide between alleyways and the square. Trade and travel passed though like a coursing river. There was a life that was only comparable to the few other major hubs in the Three Quarters.
Even with the masses, chaos drew his attention, and Seagull almost choked at the sight.
‘What is that brat doing here?!’
Apparently disappearing to a floating town wasn’t a good enough to escape from the past.
He left the merchant a handful of zlotti and moved out into the square, watching as the red hair darted in and out of sight, before it vanished into the crowd.
He cast his gaze around, but didn’t spy any further headaches.
He’d really been making a name for himself here and he wasn’t about to lose grip again. He had to deal with the issue swiftly and subtly.
And he knew just who to call on-
----
No matter how he tried to hold his posture, he pace was swift. There was street upon street here, stretching deeper and deeper. All of Kuvaq could be seen from one roof top, but here Cletus had no idea how far he could search within their time limit.
He didn’t know what he was looking for, if anything. It was just… nice to be somewhere a bit more civilised. These houses weren't made from strange looking hat designs, and a few were only made up of a small handful of metal sheets. In fact, he followed the slowly improving housing up a stairway, before he hit a gate. Beyond it was an even more beautiful place, a grand home overlooking the whole place.
“Um, open sesame?”
He couldn’t see a lever for the gate, only a nose high above on the other side. There was no one else around the area-
“E-excuse me.”
He easily squeezed through the large gap between the bars and continued to explore. He trailed his fingers upon the clean walls and took in the view, trying to imagine what it’d be like to live in such a place.
“I bet the beds don’t smell here, not that Rufus would appreciate that. And Argus would probably try shouting at people down below. And Dad…” He frowned, “Right… we still need to find Dad.”
“Are you lost kiddo?”
He jumped a little, turning to see a man in a… platypus hat?! That was the coolest hat he’d ever seen.
“This here's the Platypus Paradise! You like Platypodes?”
He stepped closer, “They’re… okay.”
His eyes must have betrayed him though, because the young man also looked at the platypus plush he had sitting off to the site.
“We’ve got all sorts of Platyous items here, but you seem to be drawn to one specimen in particular.”
“Why is it white?”
“Ah!” He drew over a book and opened it up, showing him a page, “That’s because it's modelled from the flying platypus! They like to hide their eggs in high places. Us enthusiasts have a local club you see, and we put everything we learn about them in this handy field guide.”
“They’re that interesting? All the ones back home do is burrow into the mines and make Dad grumpy.”
“Well ya what if you bring your Dad here, I’ll tell him about all the cool things about Platypuses, and even convince him to buy you this squishy little guy.”
“Really-?”
He was cut off entirely when the man began to scrabble over the counter.
“HEY, HANDS OFF!”
Over by a food stand of sorts, someone was trying to poke at something nestled in a sock on the line.
“THAT ONE AINT FOR EATING.”
“But I’ve got nothing for the grill!”
The platypus man began squabbling with the other, which jostled the sock even more, eventually knocking an egg loose than began rolling down the awning, bouncing off with quite the arc.
"Catch it lad!"
Cletus stumbled as he tried to guess where it would fall. He stepped back once, twice- It struck the tips of his fingers-!
And then they both began to fall-
---
Argus swore he could taste dust in his mouth from how much his teeth were grinding.
He’d very quickly surveyed the docks, identified none heading to Porta Fisco and returned to Boat to wait for his brother's return.
“Are you sure you don’t want to have a bit more of a look around? Dad said it’s going to be a bit longer before we sail again.”
Bozo stood beside him, box of junk in hand. Rufus would have loved to rummage through it.
But both his brothers were off who knows where, and the sense of unease continued to build.
“...If they don’t make it back, we’re leaving without them.”
“Hm, I don’t think you really mean that.”
“I do.”
“Those two, that you have done nothing but fuss over the whole ride here?”
“But they don’t listen to me! They almost never listen, and they get in trouble and-”
“And you have to get them out?”
He slumped, “...Usually Dad gets us all out of trouble.”
The teen crouched down, “And you all came on this trip to find him, right? Then I’m sure they both know how important your quest is. They just need a little reminder, now they’ve had a little time to get the excitement out. The Markets aren’t as fun and friendly as they seem on first glance.”
Argus scrunched his face in thought. He didn’t really want to leave them, and surely they would both remember they were doing this for Dad…
“Fine. I think you’re right. But how am I going to find them?”
As if on que, a firework rose into the air and burst with a shower of sparks.
“Oh, right. Follow the smoke.”
---
He groaned.
Something had thankfully broken his fall, but as he squirmed to dislodge whatever was poking his very sore back, a high pitch sequel had gone off right by his ear, before a burst of sparks exploded in the air, raining down sparks.
“Uh oh.”
Cletus clambered out of what he could now see was a cart, and backed away as other people began to shout. Small fires were lighting around the area, putting the rest of the explosives at risk.
Normally it was Rufus who was prone to starting fires-
----
“Ooh, I want one of those.”
Rufus did his best to follow the trail of smoke, and shouts for buckets of water-
----
“Hopefully if I find one the other will appear…”
Argus’ marching steps faltered as he came out at an intersection close to the shouting, and instantly struck two others.
“““OOF.”””
They all looked up.
“““YOU!”””
“Where have you been!?”
“Look, you don;t have to start accusing-”
“Do you know what time it is!”
“Listen, I don’t know anything about the fire-”
“You were making fires without me?”
Suddenly, the hairs prickled on his neck as a look fell upon them. Argus looked back towards where Cletus had come from, and amongst the panicked people, he spotted two adults in identical uniforms, helmets obscuring their faces. They seemed to be studying something on paper, then looking up at them, before one pointed directly at them and taking a first step in their direction.
“Junk! RUN!”
He took his brothers wrists and got them running in the opposite direction, down the empty alley, heavy steps following behind. The adults had longer strides, so they began to weave into the maze of buildings as best they could, trying to put space between them and their pursuers. However the area was limited, and no sooner did they come to an impasse;
A fallen gutter to the left made a ramp up towards the rooftops.
Ahead was water, but a few floating trashstacks were drifting down towards a bridge.
And to the right a narrow ledge no adult could pass looped out of sight.
In this future the Heralds have already been helping defecting Organon find purpose, what's one more? Sure he's a bit... Intense? Obsessive? Unconditionally loyal? But the more hands the better.
Toni was very surprised at first to hear the the brothers managed to put their heads together and not only have a decent thought, but show results in starting a movement among the population. She absolutely loves to stir the pot where she can and make sure they're still the same stupid boys she grew up with.
Argus is definitely under a lot of pressure, but his priorities always stay with family first, close friends, and then everyone else. Fork begrudgingly realises he also has to help everyone else to get Argus' attention. He'll do it, but he won't enjoy it.
Ask split part 2! What if: Rise of the Reclaimers!
Its a tough job trying to save everyone, but if its what their Dad wanted, then they're gonna damn well try! Rather than 'resisting' (as the Organon have been getting less and less hold over Deponia) the Reclaimers aim to take back Elysium and its people and technology it holds to restore Deponia to a thriving state.
It's a lot of work. Argus manages logistics: schedules, supply movements, people organising. Sure he was built for it, but he's only been managing two so far so it's still daunting.
Cletus sticks to paperwork. Things need to be kept track of, and as long as he's not out getting dirty he's fine to put in the long hours.
Rufus is thrilled for a challenge. Rally Deponians? Take on Elysium? There could be nothing more exciting! He's putting his best tinkering foot forward and crafting up whatever his family needs.
(( @zoomerinaboomercostume & Anon I've chopped up some asks because there were some lovely matching questions hehe - This lot features OCs in the Kuvaq Brothers world))
Welcome to major depression - with the lack of Bailiff and disarray of Prime Authority, Fork without a purpose is a sad sight, poor guy doesn't even cut hair anymore. He never sleeps and give zero effort on patrol. (Spoon out here living his best life doing nothing)
As for the rest of the Maintenance Squad (which is never formed), 500 looses his freedom of expression and conforms to a clerical life under 5000. Fours injury was deemed too significant and he was recycled. Spots was saved from recycling by forged medical docs and lives in the storerooms, counting supplies. Griz get the best deal as he simply defects and becomes a junk trader, dealing primarily in weapons.
No plans but potential I'd never considered as the Three Idiots Dreamer was born when Rufus was around 18. So depending on how early intervention with other clone factories goes, the brothers could encounter the original Dreamer (and Kenny before his growth spurt).
As for Cou.... Yeah Cou would still be a danger to find. Not much could fix her.
Gisa certainly lends an ear to the disillusioned Organon on their walk. Learning they have other options and Hermes is still alive, whispers spread among the the troops...
Question: Will Seagull factor into the plot when the bros search the Floating Black Market? Even if he's not running the operation, he'll have no doubt clawed his way into some influence. If he learns of the Herald boys showing up here...well, that will not be good for them at all.
On a side note, what exactly is Hermes' plan for saving Elysium & Deponia? Is there one yet, or will he need some help putting it together?
Oh yes, Seagull has settled into the Markets echelons- and he's not going to risk losing it to the same children who basically drove him out of Kuvaq. Just what will he do?
A question for Hermes: What was the general plan for after you left Elysium with the boys? Maybe a tower or such to lower Elysium into as to keep it from crash-laning into Deponia?
I admit, I didn't really have a plan. Running away was probably the most spontaneous thing I've ever done.
My thoughts were only for preserving the boys lives and disrupting Ulysses operation, but now I realise that I've given myself a much larger task. They'd given up on the planet for a reason.
Dropping Elysium back to it's launch point would be massively destructive, like setting off a few towers. Its mass has increased since launch and while Elysium could weather it, the planet is at greater risk.
There's no other propulsion source in our reach to get it out of the atmosphere, or perhaps ease its decent (we probably should have put more thought into how it'll arrive on Utopia...), and it can't stay there indefinety.
The safest plan I can think of is to evacuate the population and deconstruct the city bit by bit.
Though, convincing the population to leave their pristine homes for the trash left behind? If only I could trade my engineering for sociology or psychology.
Maybe Gizmo is right. Maybe I can't manage this all on my own...
On @creepichan 's suggestion, what if?: Organon Bros
Rather than running away, Hermes decides to challenge Prime Authority and spend his time searching for a solution that involves not blowing up the planet using the power of the Organon.
His attachment to the Prototypes is what he comes to blows with the most against Ulysses, who is firmly set as seeing them as disposable tools.
In this, there are more than just the three brothers. While some Prototypes don't survive testing (or encounters with Rufus), there are still a number around.
Ulysses is determined to complete his job and thus tries to steer Argus on the path of being Bailiff. For the rest, he let's Hermes assign them jobs as he deems fit.
Cletus is assigned a Administrator role, which he does not to disappoint others and prove he has just as much worth. Rufus is considered a major hazard and Ulysses has come close several time to just, yeeting him into the wasteland.
Rufus loves having a big family tho. His preference is the drag Argus and Cletus into shenanigans, because their higher rank let's them get away with a lot more. It's also a great way for them to relax and let loose. Otherwise the attentive preproto Organon are usually up to listening to him
Unfortunately, being torn between Ulysses "You must be ruthless and strong to destroy this world and your fellow clones with it" and Hermes "We must find a way to save everyone so please let's be family" means Argus is horribly conflicted. Which leads to aggressive outbursts when stressed.
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