From where he was standing there was a single road heading outwards. It was neatly presented, made from a firm bluish material that differed greatly to the dirt roads Cassian knew well.
Strange armored machines lined each side. He vaguely recalled hearing rumors about the transport used within the inner city. Vehicles that could cross any terrain at high speeds, protecting the user from all manner of threat.
If those rumors turned out to be true, then what else was?
As he stepped out into the open air, perspective revealed large ornate buildings that towered over the road below. As if they were fighting to be the first to touch the heavens.
Logically this shouldn't have been possible. The decrepit walls should have yielded to the height of these buildings, making them visible to those outside- and yet this was his first time seeing their splendor.
Perhaps noticing his confusion, the guard smiled slightly.
"I don't know the finer details of it, very few do. But i can tell you that the inner city enjoys concealment from all outside eyes" He shrugged while continuing "some sort of energy domain I think, but then again don't trust my understanding of it"
Cassian turned back towards the wall behind him. In a stark contrast to the crumbling remains of the outside, here it was made of a pale white material- completely smooth to the touch.
"It's like a completely different world.. Separated only by a wall" He mused. "So, what now then?"
He noticed the guard stop at the base of the road. Looking around expectantly.
"Now we wa-"
"Wait for what exactly?"
A male voice jumped out from the empty space in front of them. Cassian's mind inadvertently triggered its flight reflex as he retreated from the location of the sound.
"Hah! Calm down lad, I'm here to pick you up"
As the voice said that, a peculiar soothing sensation washed over him. A feeling that seemingly did not belong to him, yet affected him all the same.
His mind now calming down registered that there was a person standing at the location of the voice. One who was definitely not there a second ago.
Questioning this, he was interrupted by the guard.
"Captain sir, here's the marked rat as discussed"
The newcomer frowned slightly.
"I'm sure the 'rat' has a name Anderson"
Cassian was able to get a better look at the fresh face. The man must have been in his mid 20's, echoes of youth still clearly evident on his sleek face. He was reasonably short, though not as small as Cassian himself. Emanating from him was an unmistakable sense of authority hinting at his station.
The captain held out his muscled hand in greeting, his alabaster skin pale enough to reflect the sunlight.
"Greetings friend! my name is Dawn and I'll take you from here"
Cassian grinned at the man, sensing a more amiable energy compared to Anderson. He met the outstretched hand, shaking it politely.
"Cassian, but just call me Cass".
As their hands shook, something peculiar occurred. The mark carved into his arm began to emit a stronger light, seemingly growing in size and traveling up towards the intersection of the two hands.
As this happened, a similar soft luminescence appeared on the lower neck of the man who had introduced himself as Dawn. In contrast to what Cassian carried, his mark emanated a light purple color.
"Hah! looks like it's the real deal after all". Dawn grinned back at him, the smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
Anderson, who was standing idly by watching this display, spoke up.
"I take it I can go.. then?"
Dawn looked up, seemingly forgetting the man was there.
"What? Oh. Yes of course, back to work!"
As he said this he brushed his hand dismissively, as if ordering a subject around.
Scowling, Anderson wordlessly passed something to the captain. Before walking back towards the gate.
"So, can I get any context as to what is going on?" Cassian quizzed the man. Unlike Anderson, the captain clearly carried a similar mark to his own.
"All in due time friend, firstly- let me take you to the registrar and get you set up"
Cassian tilted his head slightly.
"Set up..?"
"Unless you're about to tell me you already registered with the city and was living on the outside for the love of the game, you are going to need to follow me to the registrar"
Dawn reached into his pocket, pulling out an odd device about the size of his hand. A soft clicking sound could be heard from it, like it was trying to track the location of something. A moment later, Cassian noticed the metallic hum of an engine approaching from the end of the road.
Raising an eyebrow at Dawn, he contemplated how exactly the man arrived at the gate so fast. Especially as the vehicle assumed to belong to him was not already nearby.
Dismissing that currently useless train of thinking, he wordlessly waited for the vehicle to arrive at the road's base. Dawn- as if sensing his mind wondering slapped Cassian's back in a joking manner.
"All will be answered Cassian- Cass even, I promise it's in my best interest to get you up to speed with everything"
He watched as Dawn opened the vehicle's door, waving him inside.
"Come on, come! Lets go already".
"Not like I really have a choice" Cassian jested back. Climbing into the back of the vehicle. Entering the front, Dawn responded to him.
"No, not really. But that doesn't mean we can't get along!"
The same foreign smile touched Cassian's face. He felt something was vaguely off with it, but was unable to keep hold of this uncertainty for long.
"Fine, lets get along then".