Snippet #2483311

Jarrod waved down the bartender and smiled at Jena after stating his conditions. Jena laughed as her body began to shift into the figure of a white male in his late twenties wearing a desert robe.

"Hmm you know I preferred the pretty form", Jarrod said with a smirk.

Malaficus told Jarrod that he was different from most brutes that visited his prison. Malaficus then said that the terms Jarrod spoke of were acceptable and that he preferred to be called Malaficus.

"Fair enough Malaficus it is then", Jarrod said.

Malaficus then summoned two hundred drachmali and told Jarrod to buy some gear as the journey was a long one. Malaficus made it clear that the journey would take months and that he needed Jarrod to survive.

"Don't worry about me Malaficus you just worry about talking me through the magic crap we will undoubtedly encounter and let me worry about not dying", Jarrod said.

"Malaficus could you not simply.....", ARI started to say.

Malaficus cut ARI off and said that he had no power in Katash and therefore couldn't just teleport us straight there. Jarrod just sighed as he expected there was a reason that Malaficus hadn't simply teleported them straight to Katash. Malaficus also stated that he needed Jarrod to learn to survive in Blackrock.

"It has to be easier then surviving on Cryo so again let me and ARI worry about not dying", Jarrod said.

At that moment the bartender walked over with another beer and Jarrod excitedly took it a began drinking. As Jarrod was drinking Malaficus then said that Jarrod could not simply leave the asteroid as Malaficus had buried it under two thousand meters of sand. Jarrod instantly spit out his beer as Malaficus told him that they would meet again tomorrow and disappeared with a laugh.

"You buried my ship!", Jarrod shouted furiously then, "Malaficus! Get back here!".

"I believe he is gone Jarrod", ARI said.

Jarrod grabbed the drachmali from the table and stood up from his seat. With a determined walk Jarrod walked towards the exit of the bar and walked out into the sandy street. The sandstorm had past, but the scorching heat still beat down on him. With a shrug Jarrod walked to the nearest market and purchased plenty of supplies ranging from food and water to bullets and explosives.

"I have calculated that a compass is usually brought on such journeys Jarrod", ARI said as she hovered to the side of Jarrod.

"ARI you practically are a compass....anyway remind me to update your defense and assault programs tonight just in case", Jarrod said as he filled his pack with the freshly bought supplies.

"Noted Jarrod....will my current upgrades not suffice?", ARI said.

"Probably, but better safe than sorry when dealing with magic", Jarrod said.

Jarrod then walked side by side with ARI towards the first in that they could find. After paying for a room Jarrod flopped down on the uncomfortable bed and looked over at ARI.

"Well....it's not exactly my water bed in the Trinity is it?.......I still can't believe that six thousand year old coot buried her", Jarrod said.

"The sand won't damage the ship Jarrod", ARI said.

"Maybe not but you don't just bury a man's a ship ARI! It's not cool and oh boy are we going to have a little chat about that before we take off tomorrow", Jarrod said.

Then Jarrod let out a long yawn and placed his revolver under on of his pillows just in case and then got relatively comfortable.

"Night ARI go to sleep mode, but keep your threat detection software running", Jarrod said and closed his eyes.

"Goodnight Jarrod", ARI said before she powered down.

Jarrod was awake awhile longer contemplating all that occurred through the day, but before long fell fast asleep.