Scarfire: Paradigm Shift- Episode, 'Harvesting History', Pt. I
#32 of Darkfrost: The Scarfire Database
A transcript from the third 'Scarfire' story, 'Paradigm Shift'.
'Paradigm Shift' Journey Log I: Harvesting History-
Zeke wakes up inside his module located up in the thick lofts of a coral deciduous tree, in the heart of the Chonactacclachtl Jungle. He clears the brush away from his front door as he exits and averts his natural eye from the sunlight. The simple village of the Ytalka'Wonjudo people is shown in a panoramic view before him. Children are jumping around and chasing each other through the mucky, overshadowed mazes of the jungle floor between the thick roots of the trees above, while fathers carry lumber through the village and mothers hang tattered clothes on lines across their huts in the slivers of sunlight. Here and there, primitive fires are carrying smoke throughout the morning smog laying between the village and the massive trees. Zeke takes a deep breath of contentment.
Zeke: -Sighs- Better here than in the heat of the battle. Yes...I'll take this any day over the common struggles of the D1 ambassador. These good people have life at its finest. ...Well, maybe I shouldn't be so quick to misplace myself. I'm still a D1 ambassador nonetheless, and these people--
Apryl: -From behind, gets up from cot and walks over to him, caressing his shoulder- Who are you talking to, hon?
Zeke: Oh! Apryl, you're up. Heh, I was just contrasting reality with the voices in my head.
Apryl: Ha! Voices, huh?
Zeke: Yep, them good ole voices.
Apryl: And what do "them good ole voices" tell you?
Zeke: Only what's unreal, my darlin'. -laughs-
Apryl: -giggles, holds his hands, leans head into his chest- What's with the ridiculous redneck accent?
Zeke: I donno. I was thinkin' maybe we'd go catch some wild reedboar hide and roll it over a spit. Whaddya think?
Apryl: -snickers- Oh my god, Zeke Rollins...
Rocky appears quickly out of nowhere from inside the cab.
Rocky: Whoa! Cool your pipes, Ron Perlman. You're not as alone as you think.
Apryl: Rocky?!
Zeke: Rocky, what the frick are you even doing here right now?!
Apryl: Yeah, aren't you supposed to be in Mumhùalhsa doing a LockRad prime-recon?
Rocky: -pauses, smirks- I was relieved.
Apryl: Relieved? By whom? And for what reason?
Rocky: Hey, calm down; don't worry. I got it under control. Vanny's at the helm monitoring the transcripts of the tours while the rest of the guys take it two per ship! I'm a genius, I tell ya! -smiles with eyes closed innocently-
Apryl: Rocky, that is a terrible idea! You know those lowlifes aren't gonna get scrap done. Why would you do such a thing?
Rocky: Hey, Apes, relax. It's like I said: the situation is under control. After all, I trust my brother more than I trust my own good intentions!
Zeke: -discretely- You're not the only one...