Will made a well-meaning attempt to bluff. *"We're looking for beds and food to heal ourselves for maybe a week or two. We've been through one hell of a trip."*
The chief guard shook his head, scoffing. “A likely story, one of which I ain’t prone to believe. What do you take me for, a fool? We’ve heard reports of Rockhill’s warehouse being broken into, the assailers’ description matching your group. A bunch of *aliens* disguised as kids. What did they say, the warehouse now has permanent water and fire damage? Holes blown through the walls?” He asked the lieutenant standing beside him.
“Yes sir,” The short lieutenant pushed up his circular glasses, speaking evenly. “They had similar abilities to the aliens we’ve previously encountered.”
The chief nodded, returning his untrusting gaze to Will. “See? Now what’s to say you’re all not the very thing killing humanity?”
Phil whispered in Cora’s ear. *"They don't seem to have high opinions of the Vygorn, maybe if you tell them the tr-"* A warning shot made Cora flinch, and Phil stepped back obediently. She furrowed her brow, wondering what message he had tried to give. Did he mean to tell the city-guard the truth? Alas, she knew the outcome wouldn't be pleasant if they already considered them aliens. The truth would warp in their minds. The time wasn't yet to reveal their true mission. But… what other excuse did they have?
Cora looked around with desperate eyes, trying to see another clue in the Elementals around her. She could feel their silence drawing out and the guards were anxious. They needed some ingenuity, something the deepest part of her couldn't fathom.
It was then Yahtzee maneuvered around her, taking the front position. He presented something small in his hands. *"Registered name, Alex Stone. Used name, Yahtzee.”*
The chief slightly frowned as Yahtzee spoke, but remained unmoved. Yatzee gestured to the group behind him. *"These are as of yet unregistered. Registration will commence after a successful interview with Ee-el Circus Of Wonders. An unsuccessful one will result in termination. Do we have your clearance and authority to pass?"*
Amused. “I certainly didn’t expect one of you to be registered. Hm… The Appling’s famous circus, eh? Is this true?” The chief said slowly, scanning the faces of their small group.
Cora chimed in, going with it. “Yes sir, we’re their new recruits. Yahtzee was tasked with, uh, finding the circus fresh talent earlier this year.”
The chief seemed to mull it over a moment more before sighing, raising his hand. “Lower your weapons, men. Open the gate!”
Cora breathed a sigh of relief, only registering then that her knees had been shaking the entire time. The great scrap metal gate creaked open, and they walked into the city as free, to-be registered citizens. Under their feet lay coarse cement, and above their heads were lines of pipe and irregular structures reaching the sky. The city smells were that of burnt metal and old urine, but despite it’s unpleasantness Appling had an air of welcoming.
The chief was waiting for them inside, helmet and goggles removed. He was a tall, dark-haired man with a face baked in the sun and lined with moderate age. The one thing untouched were his eyes, blue and sharp. He nodded to them. “Welcome to Appling. I’m Chief Serguson, military leader and first line of defense for our city.”
He barked out a command, and two guards joined him, holding their assault rifles in a relaxed manner while still having a finger on the trigger. The chief gestured to the group. “They are here to register with the circus. Be a dear and escort them in an orderly fashion.”
The guards nodded, one taking up a position at the rear, one at the front of the Elementals. The front man half-turned to them. “Follow me.”
Cora swallowed hard, staying silent as the guards marched them through the streets. Her heart still raced as they neared their destination. At any moment their story could fall through and they’d get locked up for falsified information. Maybe even destruction of property. Hell, she still had a food bar from the warehouse in her pocket. If they had been searched their journey would have already been over. So for now, she waited, eyes open to the city.
