human
To the old days.
gpt
I asked you how you knew my name,
human
That's easy. I used to know you.
gpt
You look well in the uniform of the Penn-dragoons, he said.
human
Better than you ever did in Aerospace blue.
gpt
Good God! I said.
human
Toby Mallon!
gpt
A little less hair on top, plus a beard as compensation, a few wrinkles, a slight pot. Oh, I've changed, Jackson.
human
I had it figured as close to eighty years, I said.
gpt
The trees, the condition of the buildings--
human
Not far off the mark. Seventy-eight years this spring.
gpt
You're a well-preserved hundred and ten, Toby.
human
You weren't the only one in the tanks. But you had a better unit than I did. Mine gave out twenty years ago.
gpt
You mean--you walked into this cold--just like I did?
human
I know how you feel. Rip Van Winkle had nothing on us.
gpt
Just one question, Toby. The men you sent out to pick me up seemed more interested in shooting than talking. I'm wondering why.
human
A little misunderstanding, Jackson. You made it; that's all that counts. Now that you're here, we've got some planning to do together. I've had it tough these last twenty years. I started off with nothing: a few hundred scavengers living in the ruins, hiding out every time Jersey or Dee-Cee raided for supplies. I built an organization, started a systematic salvage operation. I saved everything the rats and the weather hadn't gotten to, spruced up my palace here and stocked it. It's a rich province, Jackson--
gpt
And now you own it all. Not bad, Toby.
human
They say knowledge is power. I had the knowledge.
gpt
What's this planning you say we have to do?
human
Jackson, it's been a long haul--alone. It's good to see an old ship-mate. But we'll dine first.
gpt
I might manage to nibble a little something. Say a horse, roasted whole. Don't bother to remove the saddle.
human
First we eat, he said.
gpt
Then we conquer the world.