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Chapter Text

"Please won't you come along with me?"

"you can't be serious right?"

Just a short few months had passed since news of inhabitants on Deponia had reached Elysium and the blast orders were shortly called off. In that time people were left waiting and wondering what would be done now. The Organon had started taking up vacancy and resources after all. Plenty of pressure was being put on the floating city and the Elders running it. During the passing months they were all restfully planning the next move that should be made. Ultimately there was only one plan that would ensure Elysium's immediate safety from possible destruction. 

The plan was to land the city back on the surface of Deponia and keep it there until the next plan for reaching Utopia could be thought out and executed. It was the only next step the city could take with all it's dwindling recourses that could keep it going. With returning to the surface they could send the Organon back across the planet and gather more resources for Elysium and build any new needed contraptions.

With landing though that also raised the big question, what would that do to the Elysians? There was an entire generation after all that was born without ever setting foot on the planets surface, never knowing it's conditions first hand, growing up in the pure cleanliness of Elysium and never once knowing the harsh conditions below. Of course there wouldn't be a large need for people to leave the city, but some may grow too curious and venture off. And it would give a much more ample chance for Deponians to try and reach the city. 

There was also the possibility of Elysians just returning to reside on Deponia and try their best to clean the trash left behind. But of course that was no one's first choice. But the possibility couldn't be wiped away. So the Elders all agreed to start a secondary project alongside the landing. Several teams would be sent out to research Deponia in it's entirety to get at least some semblance of all the conditions on it. Learn of it's people, of it's new terrains, and see just how dangerous it all would be to the Elysians. With this project it was to be led by Elysium's ambassador inspector Cletus, the leading Deponian revolutionary Rufus, and the new Prime Controller of the Organon. His name was not shared to the public.

The plan was simple. Have Organon soldiers repair some of the smaller cable boats and return to the surface, repairs included a lot of jumping Organon. Then the soldiers were to make extra preparations for the Elysians by constructing land cruisers much like the rail cruisers the Organon use. Though they would be about half the size and of course not be confined to the rail system but rather travel along the ground. 

While the Organon prepared for everything on the technical side, that left the social aspect back on Elysium as the teams needed to be organized. The Elders gave word of their new plan and looked for any and all volunteers that would care to join in the project. Of course they looked towards people carrying high knowledge towards what team they would be joining but after the first sweep of searching they opened it to all volunteers as the remaining roles could be filled easily enough by anyone willing to join.

One person that joined during this time was Aurora. She signed up to be the medical personnel of one of the teams. She joined in the project early enough that she could pick any team she well pleased. She decided to go for one that seemed simple and also enjoyable to herself and signed up for one of the floral teams. She always adored Elysium's floating gardens after all, discovering what plants may thrive below sounded almost exciting. 

As the time was coming close for the teams to set out though the Elders were growing more desperate for any volunteers to join the remaining spots on the teams. Aurora's teams was one still holding a spot or two that still needed to be filled. Going along with this project would also mean that she would have to leave the city for quite some time, and doing so without anyone else she knows going with her was going to make her homesick very fast. So there was only one thing to do. Turn to a friend and plea for him to join.

It was the last week before all preparations would be ready and the Elysians would be making their way down for research. Everyone was already well aware of Aurora's choice to join in the project. Because of it a lot of her free time recently has been filled with everyone wanting to spend as much time as possible with her until she's gone. Especially her best friend Octavius.

Today was just another day where they spend some time together at the gardens. As Aurora's favorite spot she can spend as much time as she pleases here. The two got drinks before reaching their usual spot to sit and talk. Aurora got some tea while Octavius got himself some coffee. The two were already in the middle of a conversation when Aurora started to wonder how she was going to ask.

"Honestly I'm surprised he doesn't break his nose more often."

"well he does seem durable."

"it's like he's a toy made to be rough handled."

"hehe right ... hey Octi?"

"hmm?"

"Well, of course you know I'll be heading off Elysium for research in a few days and well my team is still looking for some more members. So I was wondering if maybe you could join in?"

It was quiet for a moment until Octavius finally spoke. Scoffing as he did.

"right, heading down to a planet full of trash on such a short notice. Of course, why not."

He spoke with a somewhat sarcastic tone. Treating the question as some little joke. Aurora wasn't as amused.

"Octavius, please won't you come along with me?"

"You can't be serious right? Not only is there the possibility the place is a hellscape covered in garbage but I also have no qualifications to do proper research on anything and I don't much care for it."

"The research wouldn't be hard, it would mostly be writing down all the information the equipment says and simple observations."

"That still doesn't change that none of us know just how bad it is down there. I'd rather not be possibly poisoned while having a look around."

"Yet you're fine with me going?"

"You know I'm not, but I know there's no changing your mind once it's set."

"I know you're concerned but I'll be fine. I can handle myself ... though of course you could also be sure I stay fine if you come along."

"Really trying to pull my strings now are we?"

"I'm not trying to pull anything."

"sure you aren't, but my answer is still the same. I won't be going." 

Octavius took another sip of his coffee believing the conversation to be over. But Aurora wasn't done trying to get her way and pulled out her ultimate weapon. She lowered her head with a soft sad expression and spoke more hushed.

"Please Octi, I don't want to go alone and I don't know who else to ask to come along."

He was doing his best to not look at her but that woman knew every last trick to tug at his heart strings. And it wasn't long for him to start looking like he was caving.

"... oh you truly are one devilish woman."

The two sat in silence once again as Octavius thought for a moment. Then soon gave an exasperated sigh.

"Oh alright, but only because I know that if I do get poisoned down there you'll be there to fix me."

Aurora's solemn expression was than instantly gone as she looked back to her friend.

"Oh thank you, it really means a lot to me."

"Nothing of it. Now I'd like to go back to enjoying normal life for a little while longer."

"Of course."

The two continued their time together and over the next few days Octavius had signed up and was being prepared just the same for this new mission. It sure was a shock for some people to hear he was going but knowing Aurora, it wasn't surprising she was able to twist his arm just enough. When the week was over the two were packed and ready to head down. On the trip down they could also chat with and get to know the rest of their team, along with who would be leading said team. It was just a young man that seemed calm but serious for his work. He helped give everyone an extra detailed rundown on all they would be doing over the next few months. The project was estimated to go on for about half a year to eight months until everyone would be returning home. Deponia was a large planet after all, and there would be plenty to observe.

This would officially be day one of the project.

Chapter Text

It had been about a month since the project was finally launched. The two settled into their roles quite nicely as they fit into the daily routine. Wake up, write some information down, step outside and have a look around, write more things down, rest, repeat. For Aurora there was also of course the occasional accident she needed to attend to. Someone getting too close to a cactus, showing an allergic reaction, falling and getting a scrape or two, or just trying to help deal with one person's chronic back problems that he had. It was all still simple enough.

Simple and a bit boring. Octavius was already getting a bit tired of the repeating cycle, especially since there was almost nothing to research. At most it was just cacti or half dead stray trees. There were multiples of some teams so they could cover the whole planet and the area this specific floral team got wasn't really known for it's thriving plant life. At least not on this side of the continent. The team would be looking over the entirety of Three Quarters and Drexico. There was also the possibility of exploring more but that depended on the team's schedule. Nevertheless they were still in an area that didn't leave much to work with and it would still be months more of this.

The only thing keeping Octavius from being unbearably bored was the rest of the team. Of course mainly because Aurora was there but the rest were pleasant enough to talk to as well. Each team was made of a leader that usually had prime knowledge in the research they were conducting. A medical personnel, though half of those positions were just filled with bots as the Elders couldn't find enough volunteers to fill those particular spots. And then four more members to fill the rest of the team. 

This team was currently on the move to their next location. It was to nowhere in particular, just somewhere a few miles away to get some new area to look over. So it was basically just another boring moment to Octavius with even less to do since he couldn't step outside. For now he was just passing his time in the small lounge they had. For a good bit of time he was alone, just humming something to himself and if you payed close enough attention you could see his fingers twitch. His solitude got broken though by one of his teammates who decided to give the poor man some company. It was the older gentleman named Yoland who quickly got known for his back troubles. He was prattling on about whatever came to his mind again.

"And let me tell you, shoes without soles might as well not exist. At least if you want to still stand when you're getting to my age." The man gave a heartied chuckle to his own statement.

"I see."

Octavius gave a half response to give a sign he was paying attention. He barely was. The whole conversation was being carried by Yoland. He either didn't care or just didn't notice. Octavius was doing his best to at least appear to be paying attention. He even looked like he was giving eye contact the whole time. Though really he was just staring past him, just above Yoland's head.

"Yeah, though I do think I'm starting to wear these old things out. Might need a new pair soon. You think they got spares somewhere around here? Oh even if they don't I can just ask the Organon when we need a restock on other things."

Even when just asking a question Yoland could just answer it himself. It really was a wonder if he liked talking to people or at people.

"speaking of restocks, I could use some more of my drink. Be back in a second."

Yoland got up then and winced as his back ached once again.

"Oooh, and some more of that cream doc has."

And off he went, letting Octavius have another moment to himself. Some time passed and it didn't seem like Yoland was coming back. Maybe he found someone else to talk their ear off.

The new silence didn't last long though. As he could feel the cruiser shift as it came to a stop a speaker sparked up with the voice of the team leader Guff.

"Alright everyone, we've reached our next spot. Please step outside and have a look around. And please be careful not to touch something that'll poke you back."

The warning at the end was apparently needed as if it happened again, that would be the fourth time. Octavius got up then and made his way outside.

Just a look of outside gave already a lot of information on what would be around. That information being next to nothing as the junk piles were finally a bit more cleared up, but it made way for a desert with plenty of sand to see in any direction. Aurora and Yoland were the first ones out and he was already going on about the scenery around them.

"You know with this much sand around you'd think we'd be at the beach or something."

"I think we're still a good distance from the coast line." Aurora was much more invested in actually holding a conversation.

"Yeah, though this does make the job a little easier. I'm not seeing anything for a while ... except that bathtub. Hey you think there might be something under it?"

Before he could get a response Yoland was already walking over to move the thing since it was upside down on the sand. Aurora was quickly catching up to him to stop him.

"Please don't, you'll hurt yourself."

Octavius just watched the exchange then turned towards the landscape. A little more solitude sounded nice right about now and the scenery was at least different from the weeks before. As the rest of the team stepped out he turned towards their leader.

"I'll be taking a walk to see if I can spot anything. If I'm not back within an hour you can start to get worried."

"What, alo-"

Guff could barely get a word in as he was cut off by the sound of yelping. Yoland had indeed hurt himself trying to lift the bathtub anyway. Him and Aurora were immediately heading back inside. Guff could only sigh.

"... fine, it'll cover more ground at least with a third of our team down. Don't get hurt."

"I'll keep that in mind." With that Octavius turned on his heel and started walking.

To make it easy to know how to get back he only stayed to one direction. He figured wandering out for a little while could be nice. And of course he was doing the job he said, he's keeping an eye out. Though there wasn't much to look out for. Random small piles of trash, a stray weed or cactus here and there. There really wasn't much to see down here, and it was only just the first month of this duty.

"I have to stop letting myself be convinced by that girl."

Didn't hurt to talk out loud since there was no one around. Not like anyone would hear him right?

He walked for what felt like a good 15 minutes. Though the scenery was new it was also quickly showing it's own kind of repetitive. Octavius was just about ready to turn back but right as he was something stopped him. He swore he could hear talking. He couldn't make out what at all was being said but it definitely sounded like a voice. As he turned to the direction it was coming from the voice stopped and was followed by a soft thud. Well that certainly didn't sound good.

Octavius made his way over to where he heard the noise come from and sure enough there on the ground was a passed out Elysian.