Dododex

ARK: Survival Evolved & Ascended Companion

The Arks: Over Heaven (by Ben)

Chapter 48: Knowers

Original Post Date: Apr 2, 2024

Note: Story starts in Wyvern, Aerial ABC backwards filter and has a Prologue. Last chapter in Ichthyosaurus, next chapter in Leech.

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After Loki’s threat, many of the settlement’s scholars had helped create a saddle for Crusher. The rest of the day was spent hunting and gathering, for both Crusher and the people.

But, there were still things that had to be settled.

As Loki was feeding scraps of meat to Crusher, Mr. Ma walked up to Loki and cleared his throat.

“Loki? We need to have a talk. A talk about the Knowers.”

Loki took a huff of air and closed his eyes, gently brushing his long, luscious black hair to the side.

“Fine.”

Loki and Mr. Ma made their way into Mr. Ma’s office, where Loki found himself sitting back on that chair, facing Mr. Ma once more. Compared to last time when Loki had returned from his scouting trip, the room seemed a lot more messy and disorganized. Crates all around the room were scattered and opened up, and there were light scratches and marks on the walls. Loki got a bad feeling walking into the place.

It didn’t really help that Mr. Ma’s implant was glowing.

“So, uh, what were we gonna talk about?”

“The Knowers near the Redwood Forests. The ones you told me you saw taming a Tyrannosaurus. There were… how many again?” Mr. Ma asked. His right eye looked duller, and his left eye was fully shut. Odd.

“There were two, Mr. Ma.”

“Two. Hmm, we can definitely take them,” Mr. Ma replied with sudden nonchalance.

“I still don’t get why we can’t just be allies with them,” Loki said, “That would be triple the knowledge! We’d be even more unstoppable working together!”

Mr. Ma scratched his chin, then shook his head.

“Hmm, no. Most certainly not, I should’ve been the only one to know how to tame these beasts. The only way they could know is… the book. And there’s nothing more to learn so,” Mr. Ma concluded, “They are nothing more than an active threat to our survival. They must be slain.”

“Book? What book is he talking about?” Loki thought.

“Okay, but have we figured out who’s gonna… you know, finish the job?” Loki asked, uncomfortably shifting in his seat.

“Yes, yes I have,” Mr. Ma replied. Loki noticed that perspiration was building on his forehead. Which was strange considering they lived in the tundra.

“It’s going to be you, Loki.”

Loki’s eyes widened and he scooted back in his seat.

“WHAT?! Me? But- I thought we agreed someone else was going to!”

“Change of plans,” Mr. Ma said, “You know your peers are not to be trusted with our resources. And you are the only person I can trust to do this job.”

“What about Dr. Aston?” Loki argued, “Can’t he do it?”

“He cannot. You know he’s an old man, he’s not fit for combat,” Mr. Ma replied, “And it cannot be me either. I have to take care of this place. I’m counting on YOU to help me with these people.”

“But I-I can’t!” Loki protested, “I can’t just kill innocent people-”

“But you can.”

“What?!”

“Loki, didn’t you just…” Mr. Ma paused, catching his words and stopping himself from speaking any further, “Nevermind.”

A memory of Loki’s flew by his eyes. Flying over the green Obelisk, and spotting a group of seven with a variety of tames, he had thrown a grenade once they were distracted to stop them. He wasn’t thinking right… But there was no denying he had tried hurting innocent people.

“Please Loki. There’s no one else who can do this but you. They can raze our home if we don’t deal with them!”

Loki rubbed his eyes and leaned back.

“Fine. FINE. I’ll- I’ll do it.”

“Great,” Mr. Ma said with a smile, “I expect you to do it… uhhh, tomorrow?”

“Okay. Sure.”

“Great. Okay, thanks,” Mr. Ma said, “Um. And one more thing. Get some good sleep, okay? The living quarters are pretty much done with construction. You won’t have to deal with the bad smell anymore.”

“Thanks… I guess?”

“Alright. Well… Have a good night.”

Loki got up from his seat, and walked out of the office, closing the door behind him and being greeted with the smell of narcotics.

But as Loki stood there… He felt as if there was something off about Mr. Ma.

Loki looked around. Dr. Aston was nowhere in sight. He was probably taking care of the construction. Loki walked past the window that was on the door to the office, and took his karambit out. The reflection of the blade showed him what was happening inside Mr. Ma’s office. Mr. Ma was clenching his fists, and he looked really angry.

Then he slammed his fists into the desk. He swiped the items off his desk and slammed the drawer of his desk open, reaching into it impatiently and taking a knife out. Loki’s eyes widened, his heart beginning to beat faster and faster as Mr. Ma got up from his chair and began walking over to the door.

But then Mr. Ma stopped. He paused, blinked his eyes, and then dropped the knife onto the ground. It clattered, and he buried his face in his hands.

“No, no no NO, not now… Not now I need to wait. Tonight. Tonight and I won’t have to worry anymore,” Mr. Ma shouted. He picked up his knife, walked over to the desk, and put it back in the drawer, closing it shut.

Loki exited the complex without hesitation, still looking back every few seconds before making his way back to his living quarters.