Guard Duty

The engines on the aircraft were remarkably quiet, especially given the incessant high-pitched pinging that it made, echoing off all the surfaces.  If he didn't need to use his sonar, he wouldn't have, but he needed to if he was to see where he was going.  Sight was especially important when flying - it would be a disaster if he smacked into something, even if he wasn't physically damaged.  A wide and tall mass approached but he was flying too high to be worried about hitting it.  There was a mess of moving things behind it, and something that also appeared to be moving above it.  The blind robot quickly was able to recognize it as the boarder.  A twinge of fear sent the plane banking to one side.  Once he was over a tall post, he shifted his form into robot mode.

Toothpaste dropped and landed on top of the preach.  He went totally silent for a moment.  Turning his head in the direction facing the undead horde, he let out a brief, bleating wave of sonar.  He had not been mistaken; those horrible things were definitely down there.  Quiet again as he turned to face along the path of the wall.  Hearing didn't satisfy him, so the ringing came again.  The robot was made aware of Tristan there, but without seeing, he didn't know the difference between a real human and a zombie.  His pale, eyeless-looking face stared on blankly.  Toothpaste just waited for a response, ready to run away if he had to.

His heels made a scrape as he brought one of his legs behind him.  A zombie hadn't ever spoken to him yet.  Maybe it was safe to assume that wasn't what was in front of him?  Even if it wasn't, he didn't want to drop his guard.  Toothpaste wasn't exactly the trusting type.  His mouth tightened.

"My armor was created by - someone else," The mech had to give pause with his answer, hating to mention the name of the warlord monster who created him out of pure fear.

"But no.  There's nothing magic to it," His next utterance had a more nasty tone to it, "I take it you've never met a Transformer?"

Toothpaste was about to mention he was, in fact, a really small member of his race too, but didn't want to remind himself of his inferiority.  Shifting his weight around uncomfortably, he turned his head away.  He was making a steady retreat away from the groaning, brainless flesh-eaters below him.  What on Earth was compelling this guy to stick around?  It was obvious the robot was openly afraid, but he was curious enough not to fly away yet.

Tristan frowned in thought, completely at a loss. If there was no magic involved with the stranger's armor, what more could it be? But the slightly nasty tone that accompanied the word transformer reminded the young knight of his manners.

"I must ask that you forgive my ill manners. Sir Tristan, at your service. I have never had the honor of meeting one such as yourself," he said, giving the creature a short bow of his head.

"Halt. Who are you and what are you doing here? This wall is patrolled by Crystal Guard only."

Tristan turned, and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, glaring at the newcomer who dared to point a crossbow at him. If he'd had a shield, he'd have attacked the young man where he stood. But, as it was, he couldn't depend on not getting shot in the face, close as the newcomer was. "You dare threaten me, knave? I'll not answer to any man who is coward enough to hide behind a crossbow," he retorted angrily. He might have been more civil if a weapon wasn't pointed straight at him.

Jace scowled. Did they have no respect for the Guard? Idiots. His face redeemed with rage as the knight literally not only insulted him, hut his mother as well. Jace knew he couldn't fault him for that, but the fourteen-year-old was still going to hate that remark. The robot wouldn't be so easy to take down. Perhaps, if he could hit the eyes?

"Standing on the wall is the job of the Guard. Which, I know to the best of my ability, you both aren't apart of." He relaxed, but only slightly. They both didn't seem to try anything. The knight wouldn't be able to attack and the robot seemed too confident, perhaps waiting until Jace made the first move. "So identify yourselves or leave!"

This was really staring to grate the boy's ears. Did this fool know nothing? Jace was naturally a suspicious person and seeing someone on the wall wasn't helping at all. Glaring, his finger tightened on the trigger. "You don't get it, do you?"

Eyes narrowed as Jace started his ranting. "You're trespassing. I don't know where you're from, but here, we protect our places from attack. And considering you're standing on one such place in the middle of the apocalypse, I would suggest backing off."

He took a step back, aiming his weapon higher and right at the knight's head. "How am I supposed to know if you're not part of the Thieves Guild? If you were truly going to join us, you would've come to the temple. Not sneaking around the Walls!"