Legions Of War

Book 2
Chapter 9
Marc stepped into the older building with his ears still ringing from the blast
outside. From the doorway Marc smiled at a lady behind a desk and started
heading over to her.
Marc didnt see the other lady who suddenly placed her hand on Marc's arm.
Sir?
Marc jumped in surprise.
Oh! Hi, Marc said with a smile.
Host, can you follow me, please? The pool is all ready for you, the lady
said.
Pool? Im sorry I didnt think to bring any swimming trunks.
Cora appeared, Im sorry. We hurried over, and I havent had time to brief
Marc, yet.
Ahh. Well, Cora, I would like to thank you in advance for responding to our
call. Marc, I am Director Frow. I would like to welcome you to our little
Sanctuary.
Well, hello, Director, and whats going on and why a pool?
Well, Marc, we have a very sick host who needs a break, so that we can
treat him, Frow said as she and Marc walked down a hallway.
And the pool?
Marc, they use shallow saltwater pools instead of pods, Cora said.
Marc stopped dead in his tracks, I hate being podded.
Cora pulled Marc close, I know but there are times we need to do things, to
help others.

Are you kidding? This place is full of hosts. That's what you were telling me
earlier.
Yes, but not all are the same as Corgroff. We really need your help, Host,
Frow explained as she started to worry that Marc was going to back out from
helping them.
What is so special about this Corgroff? Marc asked.
Host Corgroff is a Mulniti, Frow said.
Marc gave her a look that clearly stated he had no clue.
A Mulniti lives for six to seven hundred years Marc, when they take on an AI,
they are placed in major world hubs to run everything, Cora explained
For us, Corgroff has run Harvest for the past hundred and six years. But a
few months ago he began getting sick. We can treat him, but what he needs
is rest. Thats why we asked you to come. Frow said.
Marc, if we dont help, Corgroff will die. Cora said.
Cora knew she hit a good point with the expression on Marc's face.
Just a couple of days, right?
Thats right, a couple days and we will be on our way.
Marc slowly followed them to a room and entered.
The room was warm and the air humid. Inside there was a pool of water
about three feet deep and two more females completely nude.
Welcome, Host, both ladies said at once.
These were not girl, but much older graying hair ladies who smiled warmly at
Marc making him very self-conscious and uncomfortable. Then from Marc left
a male approached.
Hello, Host, we've got everything ready for you.
Marc, they have been getting this ready for you all day, said Cora as she
walked around the room.
Marc walked over to the pool and looked into the water. The pool was about
four feet deep and had off blue fish swimming around in it, the two ladies

seemed very comfortable in the water. As Marc watched the fish, a bolt like
lighting flashed between two fish causing Marc to jump back towards the
doorway.
Oh, fuck no!
Director Frow and the ladies seemed really shocked at Marc's exclamation.
What is the problem? Frow asked.
You're not sticking me in that water to get electrocuted! Marc shouted.
The ladies smiled as Frow looked at Marc deciding how to handle things, The
Stanguards would never ever harm another host or a child. As to getting
electrocuted I promise you that you will never feel a discharge.
Marc you need to strip, Cora said.
Marc hesitated but slowly he undressed. Once Marc was undressed the two
older ladies stepped to the edge of the pool, and each took one of Marc's
hands.
How am I going to relax and meditate in this?
Frow stepped to the edge, and the male came over holding a small clear
glass with a blue liquid in it. Taking the glass, one of the older ladies passed
it to Marc.
This is Arbulal. It will help you relax.
Marc took a sip on the drink and made a sour face, This stuff is super
bitter.
It will be just fine, Cora said.
Marc looked over at Cora, So why a pool, and people in it?
The older looking lady smiled, You will find here on Harvest many things are
run a bit differently. We rely on more natural systems. As for us in the pool, it
is because our understanding is you cant breathe underwater, so while you
sleep we will ensure you stay above the water.
Oh, Marc said. Okay.
The ladies helped Marc to lie back in the water and then one of them placed
a soft blindfold over his eyes.

Slowly Marc drifted off into a deep sleep.

As Marc fell deeper into sleep, Cora expanded herself outwards.
Okay, hand off has been established, I can give you two weeks, Cora said
as she felt all the worlds systems touch her.
What about your ride? Frow asked.
It seems that has been canceled.
Cora suddenly looked down at Marc, The load is greater than I expected, we
need to drop the water temperature a bit. Director, you will have to have
someone monitor his body temperature. If he reaches 101.5 F you will need
to drop the water temperature to keep him cool.
I understand. Appoint who you need and schedule the extra caretakers to
handle the host while he sleeps, Frow said as she looked at Marc sleeping in
the water.
For the first week Cora ran everything from the public water systems to
power transmission systems, worldwide. Twice she threatened to shut
everything down if Marc wasnt cared for as she demanded. Then Corgroff
died.
To Frow's horror, Cora wasnt playing games. Frow had gone home one night
after promising Cora she would arrange to cycle fresh water into the pool.
Failing to do so resulted in Frow going home and finding no power, no water,
and no com working. It wasnt until after she went back to Marc's pool and
personally cycled the water that Cora reinstated everything.
I will have you know, Director, how you care for a host is pitiful. I really feel
sorry for what happened to Corgroff. I at first thought he was just old and it
was his time, but now. I know for a fact that the reason he died, is that you
didnt care for him properly, Cora said as she walked around the council
chambers.
We did everything in our power to care for that Host, Director Frow
responded.
You cant even take proper care of a human child host! And I know for a fact
that Marc is easier to care for then a Mulniti. I will inform the Host Grand
Forum of how you treated Corgroff before his death, and my fears of how you
will treat Mortoff, Cora said.

Frow stood up, And what do you think they will do?
The look Cora gave Frow made her sit down, When they find that you have
mistreated a host they will remove the replacement.
NO! exclaimed others in the room.
Cora gasped as she was suddenly cut off. Something was wrong with Marc!
In a blink of an eye Cora appeared in the pool chamber.
Marc was standing, fully awake and gasping as he spit up water. There were
no caretakers in the room and from what Cora could see that Marc had
almost drowned. Cora stepped over to the edge of the pool.
Marc made his way to the steps and crawled onto the floor outside of the
pool. Then, to Coras surprise, Marc curled up into a ball and started crying.
Cora knelt down and asked, Whats wrong?
Marc spoke so softly that Cora almost didnt hear him, My head hurts.
The door to the room opened and a lady in her early twenties stepped in, and
dropped her drink in shock.
Cora flashed over to the lady, YOU LEFT HIM ALONE! and with a swing of
her arm, the lady was slammed against the wall outside of the room.
Before the lady could more than fall to the floor, Cora was there, I SHOULD
KILL YOU ALL!
The lights went out. Not just in the hallway, but planet wide.
A form shimmered a few feet from Cora, and then solidified.
Coraniria Arc, the form spoke.
Cora spun around and found a Tressurac standing there.
Huldies Den.
At your service, newly arrived World AI for Harvest. Why are you
accusing/harming that young Kuil female? Huldies asked.
She left my host, alone, and he nearly drowned, Cora said with an icy tone.
Huldies looked down at the lady, Did you leave a Host unattended?

The lady looked at Cora and then to Huldies from her curled up fetal position
on the floor, Yes. I needed a break, and my replacement was not scheduled
to be in for several more hours.
There are supposed to be two of you here, at all times! Where's your
partner? Cora asked.
The lights suddenly came back on all over the world, Coraniria, you should
attend to your host.
Excuse me? Cora snapped.
Huldies stepped over to Cora, You're rightfully upset, but your host is alive,
and is calling for you.
As fast as light can travel was how long it took Cora to return to Marc, and be
kneeling at his side.
Stroking Marc's hair, she said, Im right here, Marc.
Hurts, Cora. Why does it always hurt to be your host?