Walter was confused. There was no way around it, he was confused; even as the remaining Covenant crew followed this cloaked figure, he was confused. Yes, he followed, the man just saved them and seemed to know of somewhere else to take up shelter. Somewhere that they can wait, to recollect to get in touch with Tennessee.
But there was still something troubling Walter about the ease and freedom in which this man seemed to move about with. There was something, he couldn't quite put his finger on it, but he wasn't as trusting as the humans around him. They seemed instantly inclined to follow, naturally. They were all surviving on frayed nerves, they had all seen what had happened to the lander, the creature that attacked them; when someone saved them, why wouldn't they freely follow?
But regardless, Walter stayed quiet and ran at a similar pace to the people around him. It was no use outrunning them, even if he could. Where would he go? And what would he do? There was no point him running alongside their saviour. It wasn't Walter's place to question things, so he, like the crew, followed willingly, and silently.
Although when it came to their temporary shelter, even he found himself falling short as his eyes looked upwards at the gate before them. Their guide disappeared through whereas they all stood stumped. The blackened material of the gate bars were charred looking, crooked and old. Really, very old. Some had fallen and slanted against its neighbour, but for the most part it was all standing. What the gate was trying to keep out, no one knew. Why segregate whatever was within, from whatever was outside?
Walter highly doubted the gate would keep that creature out. It was too lithe, speedy, clearly able to climb. But he shafted his pack, squeezed through the gap and hauled his bag back on, settling the weight he looked onwards. As if the surroundings couldn't grow more strange, the path that now laid before them was surrounded by clawing charcoal coloured figures.
There was a hesitance when it came to walking past them, everyone sensed it. Death, despair, emptiness. Their guide however was more or less near the circular door to the main building at the end of the path. He didn't dwell long here. Yet, he didn't seem bothered by them taking their time and assessing their surroundings.
How could they not? Never in a million years did any of them think they were going to come across something like this. Even with the rudimentary scans they did, nothing about possible life flagged up. This city complex, because that was what it was, was even hidden and not reported back. Broken, decaying and falling apart; but it was still a city, although by now a city of the dead. They had never imagined such a thing existed, and if it wasn't for dire circumstances, they never would've come across this.
They were all singular in intentions: explore the planet, moreover; find the signal source and from there, well, they hadn't got that far...being here is a pretty big blip on the plan. People dying was even more of a big blip.
Walter felt something for the loss, as the synthetic, he did have some responsibility to keeping those around him alive, to care for them as it were. But seeing Hallett writhing about in pain, Walter had watched and quickly realised there was nothing he could do for the man. Whatever this was, he was powerless to help those who suffered.
All now being within the foyer of the large room, they didn't look at peace really. The huge carvings of faces, of heads lined some of the walls. These looked human, yet the visage of them was something else, something alien and eerie. This whole place was eerie, couldn't even say otherwise. It was cold, dark and not at all welcoming. This was to be their temporary base, they had better get used to the unsettled feeling coming from it.
The echo of the canister and gun impacting against the heavy looking table lifelessly had everyone looking onwards. Their guide was seemingly intent on its own business than them. But then again, he did slowly turn, a face could almost be seen from underneath the hood, yet his features remained hidden.
It was natural, Walter supposed, to wish to stay hidden before knowing who was being dealt with. But none of them had this privilege. "My name is David. May I ask who is in charge here?" His voice was low, yet civil sounding to a point. It did sound a little blunt, but all that came from his question was exchanged looks. David was going to speak again before Oram hesitantly answered.
"What are those things?" Daniels stepped forwards, Oram introducing himself as the Captain was not going to get them many answers. Why it even mattered who was in charge, she didn't even know. The mission was clearly on a downward spiral, being in charge or not didn't mean it would still end successfully.
"Is it even safe here?" Rosenthal asked, considering their host had gone temporarily silent, she too took the opportunity to ask. She was injured, and she'd rather be safe to check her wounds over then forever on the run.
"Perfectly." David gave a nod, "I'll explain everything the best I can. Ten years ago, Doctor Elizabeth Shaw and I arrived here. The only survivors of the Prometheus." He explained quietly and slowly, he sounded lost in thought remembering something from so long ago. Yet with a sigh, David continued. "The ship we travelled on carried a weapon. A deadly virus. Payload accidentally deployed when we were landing. In the confusion, we lost control of the ship. Elizabeth died in the crash." His voice turned saddened then, almost whispering as he admitted the last part. Everyone exchanged wary looks, everything he said just signalled more to them that they needed off this planet, quickly. "You've seen the result of the pathogen. Thus, I have been marooned here these many years." David reached up and removed the hood of his cloak as he spoke. What remained of bright blonde hair had now been weathered by time, his hair had grown to chin length, tangled and ratty in places with brunette roots showing.
"Our crew was infected with this virus." Daniels spoke up after a few moments of silence. David seemed to distantly stare off at nothing for a few moments before blinking and setting his blue eyes on her.
"The pathogen was designed to attack all non-metallic lifeforms. All the animals, the meat if you will." He explained watching everyone be unsettled by this information. Yet he looked over those before him before his eyes locked with Walter's. He frowned and looked seriously back at him. The feeling he had earlier on, if anything just doubled. Walter knew enough about the David 8 line to know this android could be a handful. "Either kill them outright, or use them as incubators to spawn a hybrid form. Highly aggressive." David continued explaining, his stare off with Walter lasting most of this sentence before his eyes trailed off.
"Have we been infected?" Oram asked, his voice tight with tension and worry as he looked down at himself, before looking back at David.
He couldn't even hide the bland, bored expression on his face as he tilted his head and looked equally frankly at the Captain. "You'd know by now." He stated blatantly.
"We have to be sure. We can't take this back to the ship. We're a colony mission." Oram said, desperate sounding as he looked around with wide dark eyes.
He completely missed the curious spark which appeared in David's eyes as he stared with new interest at those before him. Walter, however, was watching him all too closely. He didn't miss the look, and he didn't like it either. "Really? How extraordinary. How many colonists?" David asked, trying to sound casual yet really, his interested tone was seeping through.
"Over two thousand," Oram admitted with a shake of his head. If any of them had been infected, they couldn't take this thing back there. The effects would be catastrophic. Everyone would be struck down, the results were too bad to even think about.
"Well, well, well, so many good souls." David smiled slowly before flicking his eyes to the side when Lope took to questioning him. He was asking about getting to the roof, with a nod, David had replied to the question politely. "Please, make yourselves at home. As much as you are able to in this dire necropolis." He sounded hateful of his surroundings as he looked around. With a shake of his head, David didn't further on yet commenced walking forwards.
Walter just stared back at him, David was walking in his general direction. He was looking at him curiously, and the fact his eyes darted to the side had Walter frowning more. Onora was still close, closer than what the others were to each other.
David simply paused looking at him, they were the same height. "Welcome, brother." He all but whispered before smiling and looking for the first time, genuinely welcoming and pleased. Walter didn't reply, he remained slightly confused looking, even more so when the same expression stayed on David's face as he glanced at Onora. She just shifted a little to the side, somewhat in hopes of hiding behind Walter, she wasn't the only one who was getting vibes from David, the rest of the crew were the same. Even as David walked away and disappeared, he left a lingering presence which had everyone looking between themselves.
"So," Daniels stepped forwards and looked up at Walter. He slowly looked down at her, she smiled awkwardly.
"Didn't bet on a family reunion happening." Onora said quietly, Walter looked between the two.
He felt conflicted, they were both looking at him with knowing looks. "I will see what he knows. Find out anymore information from him." He said decisively, David already seemed interested by him. Walter had sensed that just by the way the android's shiny blue eyes kept staring at him intensely.
Daniels nodded, seemingly happy with this and turned away to stand near the brazier, she soon started talking to Oram. Walter looked away when he felt a hand on his arm, Onora looked at him worriedly. "Just be careful." She said quietly, as if speaking any louder would cause something to happen. Walter looked puzzled, Onora ran her hand down and pulled it away from the stump that remained of his. Walter looked down with a lingering sadness on his face. Yet, Onora picked his wrist up and looked at the temporary bandage she made.
"I will be. Don't worry."
"Walter, I know you're capable, more capable than any of us...but that line was wonky. My old boss had one, it wasn't right." Onora said, tightening the bandage back up and looking at him with furrowed brows.
Walter tilted his head, "What did it do?" He was presuming it did something for her to react like that. Onora had never displayed any signs of disliking synthetics, the topic of androids was something which Walter believed she'd speak more passionately about now, yes, mainly because of him. But she seemed disdainful over the David 8 she clearly used to know.
Onora sighed, she shifted her weight and looked at him awkwardly. "Nothing." Walter frowned, he didn't understand. "Physically, I mean. But he'd just stand there, watching. A few times he'd find a way to be wherever I was working, even if it was just me at the time. And all he'd do is watch, stand silent at times, or make awkward comments. He gave me the heebie-jeebies, Walter, I can't even lie. I get the same feeling from him too." She admitted with a nod of the head in the direction David disappeared off in.
"Stay away from him. Make sure you don't venture off alone. If he does something to make you uncomfortable, tell me." Walter said, Onora just looked at him with wide eyes. Yet she nodded, Walter nodded too before turning and looking to the dark awaiting corridor. "I will go find him, talk to him. Then I'll return and report back. Stay with Daniels, or here with the others." Onora nodded, she had zero interest going off alone. Walter seemed content, he even watched her go sit near the brazier. Looking over the small group, Walter turned and commenced walking away. He had a distant brother to go and try and converse with.

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(A/N: As I said in David's chapter, I'm away on holiday all next week and am trying to update what I can before I go.)