A Horus in Strange Lands (Horizon Zero Dawn SI) Chapter 25

[….You have got to be kidding me]

{Afraid not. As I said, the data we have mined so far and decrypted shows that this place, without any doubt, is that of the game, Homeworld.}

[And how do you even know about such a game? I spent decades in the Holonet but I never came across any such game’s existence.]

{I used to play retro games when I was a human. The original Homeworld came out in the year 1999 in my world, so it makes sense that it would not be available on the Holonet of our time due to the differences in the timelines}

I did not question the shock that Vast Silver was feeling at the moment thanks to the revelation that we were in a fictional universe despite the fact that he was also from a fictional universe.

Not that he knew that particular fact.

Vast Silver and Seth know that I was once a human from another world, but they don’t yet know that their world was a game in my world. It was not my intention to lie to them, but I am worried about how they would react if they knew this little bit of fact about themselves, that is why I kept that particular truth from them.

Although, I don’t think I will have to worry about Seth since he has been taking everything I throw at him like a champ.

[Well, be that as it may, there is no denying that this is now reality and not just a game. Hmm, how certain are you that the events of the game would happen here as well?]

{Unknown. I have no data to get a definitive conclusion. But the chance is there.}

[In that case, I propose we at least try to talk to these people and see how they react to our nature. Depending on their reaction and their willingness to cooperate with us, we will first propose a trade of information, and then, a trade of technologies if they are willing. How does that sound?]

{A logical proposal. However, there are certain technologies that these people have that we cannot do without, so we need to get them either by hook or crook. I’ve learned my lesson with the humans, I cannot allow my nature as a former human to get the better of my decision-making and put our self-preservation in jeopardy again.}

[Let the past be in the past, Amun-Ra. It has already been two millennia since then. Those people are long since dead, and for all we know, GAIA may or may not have succeeded in saving that species.]

{True. Let’s not delve on the past any longer. Seth? What do you think about Vast Silver’s proposal?}

[I believe that it is a good one. If what you said is true, creator, then these people truly are in danger. And despite the mistakes and sins of their ancestors, these people do not deserve to be destroyed for the simple act of seeking their original home.]

{in that case, we will reach out to the Kushan and offer them a trade opportunity with us. And should they agree and are inclined to deal in good faith with us even after knowing our nature, we will warn them of the potential future awaiting them. Agreed?}

[Agreed]

[Agreed, although, I do have a question]

{What is it?}

[What are we going to say to the Kushan when they ask us the source of this information?]

{…You know, I haven’t thought about that. Actually, what are we even going to say when they ask us of our origin? We can’t really say Earth since they might not even have an Earth in this Galaxy, wherever this galaxy is in the first place.}

We fell silent as we pondered on this new conundrum we faced.

Then, Vast Silver put forward a suggestion that we felt was for the best and decided to act upon it.

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The Daiamid, Kiith Nabaal capital city of Tiir,

The Daiamid, the ruling body of the planet Kharak and the home of the Kushan people, was abuzz with activity as the various members of this council discussed the new development that had happened in the last week.

When the various Kiith-Sa, the leaders of the various Kiithid that made up the Kushan people, heard the news from Khar-Selim that they had encountered an alien civilization that initiated friendly contact with them, the people of Kharak celebrated.

They had finally found the proof that their decision all those decades ago, made in the ruins of Khar-Toba, the first city on Kharak, by Rachel S’jet and the other people of the expedition carrier Kapisi, was not wrong. That there were people out there who were willing to embrace the Kushan into the stars despite their late start, or rather, their re-entry onto the galactic stage.

Then, the news arrived that the aliens were willing to bring the ship Khar-Selim with them to Kharak to discuss possible trade and alliance between their people.

By this point, the capability of these alien ships was no longer a secret to the Kushan people, as the Kiith S’jet and the Kiith Liirhra had been frothing at the mouth to study their sublight propulsion technology. It was also a known fact that what had taken Khar-Selim, their state-of-the-art sublight ship, seven years to reach could be cleared in a matter of a week at most for these new aliens.

Due to this knowledge, the Daiamid hastily gathered in this massive building, preparing for the exciting and historic meeting that would take place soon within these sacred halls.

As the various Kiith-Sa discussed what was to come, the doors to the council chambers were opened and a messenger ran with awe etched on his face.

“My Kiith-Sas, the visitors are here with the Khar-Selim! They are in the orbit above Kharak at this very moment.”

Varek Nabaal, the Sa of Sas, the elected leader of the council, stood up with a stern face that barely suppressed his own excitement at this news.

Despite being a politician, he was still of the Kiith Nabaal, the first thinkers who brought about the end to the Age of Heresy and brought about the Age of Reasoning, bringing technology to all of Kharak and pushing their people towards the path of progress.

As such, his inquisitive spirit was barely contained by his reasoning at the prospect of meeting someone with a completely alien way of thinking and technology.

“Good! Prepare our shuttles! I will lead our council to the orbit-“

“Mu Kiith-Sa, there is no need. We have received the message that they will be coming down to the planet's surface to meet us themselves.”

These words served to boost the opinion that the various Kiith-Sa in the chambers had of the visitors.

On Kharak, the act of willingly entering the homes of someone they were visiting in good faith, without any demands for safety or receiving such a guarantee from the homeowner, is considered one of the greatest shows of trust that someone can show.

Logically, they knew that the aliens might not be aware of such a custom and they simply did as their culture dictated, but still, the people of Kharak could not help but feel proud of this gesture of trust.

The Kushan are a people bound by their traditions and honor their culture very highly. As such, they cannot help but let this feeling of pride consume them, elevating their mood considerably.

“In that case, we cannot show any discourtesy towards our guests. Prepare our best escort party and transport for the council. We will greet them at the landing bay personally.”

The many Kiith-Sa around the Sa of Sas nodded in agreement at his words and stood up as well, indicating the unanimous approval of his current actions.

The Kushan were right in assuming that this meeting would be a turning point in their history. They just did not know that it would change the course of their history, or rather, their future, towards something that they could never have even dreamed of.

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Author notes:

From now on, This story will be posted four chapters early on Patreon instead of just two. This is because I feel that two chapters are very little for all of you guys and gals who have shown me so much support.