Jesus, this thing is fast! I firmly grasp the moose's antlers, as it jerks me back and forth. The bones eat into my grip, leaving a couple of minor lacerations on my hands.
At least we'll make it on time.
"Estimated time of arrival: five minutes." The pod hovers next to me, keeping its pace with the moose.
We speed forward, passing a couple of ruined buildings, which are soon replaced by tall maroon rocky walls. The strip of road turns into sand and a rock arch presides over a circular entrance, leading into more narrow passages.
The moose's hooves start kicking up sand and I cover my face with my torn shirt. Still, sand manages to enter my mouth and eyes, making for an even more uncomfortable ride. Each time I move my jaw, I feel the sand grinding between my teeth and at the same time, my eyes are burning, probably bloodshot at this point from the irritation.
This harsh environment, baking hot and accompanied with a tan and yellowish color palette, reminds me of a far worse time...
"Stop!" A voice calls out to me, teetering between masculine and feminine, thought leaning somewhat to the latter.
Stopping is probably a good idea, conflict won't do me any good right now.
I give a light tug on the moose's antlers and it skids to a halt.
I hope this isn't any trouble...
Dismounting my moose, I land on the sand below, which floods my shoes. It slithers its way into the gaps of my toes, making for grimy footing. I look at the person who ordered me to stop with a quizzical look on my face.
Now who could this be?
A woman like figure steps out from a propped-up tarp, under which a busted vending machine sits.
The woman strides along the sand, headed towards me. She's fit with camo pants and some busted up knee pads. She wears a tan, long sleeve shirt, blending in with the surrounding area. Her right eye is covered with a black bandana and the rest of her head is wrapped with a ragged grey cloth, in a hood like fashion.
She doesn't have the same colors as those other three androids and she doesn't seem to have any gigantic swords. Maybe... she's another human?
"Yo, what's your business in the desert complex? Dontcha know it's filled with a' buncha machines? We had a couple a' YoRHa mooks clear it out before, It's still dangerous out there ya know, I wouldn't risk anyone getting killed unless it was important."
"Well, I'm here to retrieve something from the housing area if that's alright. It's very urgent, and I'm running low on time."
"Hmm. Well, if that's the case I guess I can make an exception this time. Just don't say I didn't warn ya when the machines are tearin' ya limb from limb."
"Yeah... I'll keep that in mind, miss...?"
"Jackass, nice to meetcha!"
"I'm-I'm sorry what was that?"
The woman scoffed and rolled her eyes, "Jackass, dontcha have an ear? Haha! So whatcha retrievin' from the complex?"
"Well uh... Jackass... I'm looking for a decision making chip or something like that. Know where I can find one?"
"Standard issue for all YoRHa type androids! Yeah, I know where to find em, there's an android grave yard of sorts not too far from here. If ya head to the dunes, take a right till ya find another rock arch. There'll be a' huge clearin' and a sandy slide which leads to the housing complex. Head further in and you'll find a buncha decommissioned androids, ya can scavenge a chip there!"
"Sounds great, thank you uhhh..."
"Jackass! Dontcha know it's rude not to call people by their given name?"
It's not exactly a name you hear every day...
"Sorry, sorry... thank you Jackass..., you've been a great help."
"Ha, it's no problem! Say, think ya could get something for me while you're over there? I've been doin' research on those stupid machines to help the YoRHa Commander and I need some things I can't get myself."
"Well, since you gave me information on the chip, I guess I owe you one. What do you need?"
"Ya see, I forgot my explosives over at the complex when I was trying to gain access to an area with special machines. It was for my research. Before I could use 'em, some whacko machines started attackin' me and my buddy. Why I oughta whoop their ass next time I see those machines. Everything seemed fine and we were about to get out in one piece. But, there were too many of them and along with the explosives, I lost my buddy..."
"Oh... I'm sorry..."
"Haha! Don't worry about it, he was annoying as hell anyways... He never wanted to help me in my experiments anyways," Jackass hangs her head to the ground with a dejected look, "say, think you could also find his body and retrieve his dog tags?"
I give a small smile to Jackass, "Sure I'll try and find him for you, I'll bury him as well if I get the chance."
"Bury him...? You're a strange one arentcha? I'm not sure why'd you do that, but feel free as long as ya get the tags."
She must be an android, she probably doesn't know, "Well, think of it as a way to honor the dead, umm... it's a tradition...! It's returning them to the earth that created them. It's what the humans used to do.
"Oh I see! I like the sound of that! Well ya do your thing, be careful out there. Never know when those damn sand machines will pop out and getcha!
"Thank you for everything, Jackass!" I wave good bye and head back to remount my moose
Jackass yells one last thing at me as I'm about to leave, "Say, what are you gonna do with that chip?! It's for YoRHa units only, I'm not sure if you can make much use outta it!"
"It's um... for a friend!" I yell back.
"Oh, alright! That means your friend is probably in trouble, get back to them soon and don't forget the tags!"
"Will do!"
She was a colorful character...
We press on and head further into the desert area. After passing the rocky arch and getting through some narrow passages, we find ourselves in front of another ruined building, buried to the brim in sand. Next to the building, a broken piping system dips in and out of the sand. I dismount my moose and decide to head into the ruined building and take a rest.
I set myself down on a decayed sofa and begin to untie my boots. The building is empty and is just one large, wide open room with openings to the outside. There are still a couple of pieces of worn out furniture that lay about. It's so destroyed, it looks like the start of a construction project.
How long did it take for this to happen?
"Enemy presence detected." The pod to my side warns me.
Better get ready, this is it... I-I can do this...
I lift up A2's sword with both hands and hold it in front of me.
All you have to do is slash and stab, right? That's how swords are used... right?! This thing, with its handle, it looks like a gun sword or something... should I hit the red button?
I turn to the left hand side of the building, waiting for the machine to round the corner. The mechanical whirring I've heard so often, now barely fazes me.
A towering machine makes its way around the corner, it has no appendages or anything, just layers of itself that reach to the ceiling and a spherical head to top it off.
Well, it's a machine nonetheless so I should be careful.
The machine gets closer and I feel the sweat gathering up on my forehead, the hilt of the sword gets harder to grasp as well.
Let's let it make the first move, if its attack is wide then I can possibly dodge it and take advantage of the wind-up time. How is this thing gonna attack I wonder?
The machine continues to approach me and stops a couple of feet in front of me.
Come on... let's see what you got.
Both the machine and I sit idle, just staring at each other.
Is it waiting for me to do something, is it trying to play a trick on me?
Its head is small like the one that attacked in the desert me and it looks down at me, staring with passive, yellow eyes.
Come on, do something!
"Machine combat ability: zero percent. Threat: minimal."
Gah!
"Why didn't you say that before?!" Irritated, I respond to the pod that made me jump, like I was about to be killed.
"Proposal: Machine can be used as ample combat practice."
"Hmm... That's not such a bad idea..."
Though, what if this thing just attacks me all of a sudden? If I let my guard down now, it could surprise me... The pod has usually been reliable before but... there's always a chance of error with machines.
I take a step towards the machine. It doesn't move.
Just one more step. Still not moving.
I take a couple of steps closer and my sword is within stabbing distance. The machine stays perfectly still.
Here goes nothing...
I thrust forward, putting my whole body into the movement. Metal screeching erupts from the guts of the machine, as the sword slides right through. After a couple of seconds, I pull back and see a clean hole right through the machine.
Hah, take that you bastard! Let's find out what this does...
I press the button and the sword erupts with electricity. Lighting courses through the sword and glows with a light blue hue.
That's kinda dangerous.
I swing at an angle and make a clean slash through another part of the machine.
I'm already winded from attacking twice... but at least I know I can use this thing decently.
I set the sword down and glance back at the machine. A slash and a pierce. Static and sparks exit the wounded machine and-
Holy hell!
The air heats up while a bright explosion launches me back.
Owww....
I sit up and find myself outside in the sand. That took me for a ride... Just a couple of scratches but other than that, seems like I'm okay. The sword is lodged into the sand, pinned right next to my neck.
My head could've been there...
I pick up the sword and head into the building to retrieve my boots. Instead, I just find a pile of scorched rubber.
Oh, that's just swell...
Well, at least I still have my loyal-
Moose prints in the sand lead away to the entrance. Must've been scared by the explosion.
Bare foot it is.
Edited and polish by: Recycler
Thank you! Hope you guys enjoyed this one!