Chapter 27: Old Yellow Bricks
Maxwell was in the middle of a set of push-ups, feeling each muscle as he focused on his breathing.
"One hundred five, one hundred six, *hiss* one hundred seven, *huff* one hundred eight..."
[STR: 17 > 18]
[STR: 18 > 19]
Sweat dripped from his forehead, hitting the floor. The quiet morning atmosphere was broken by an unexpected voice in his mind.
"Max?" A disembodied voice echoed in his head, sounding somewhat annoyed. "Where is your ECHO? You know I'm completely blind without it."
Maxwell paused, propping himself up as he recognized the voice instantly.
"Good morning, Angel. How's it going?" He smiled faintly before getting back into position and continuing his push-ups. "I think I left the ECHO with my sweet wife."
[STR: 18 > 19]
"I can't believe you two are a thing," Angel sighed softly. "I mean, you met one day and already kissed. Wasn't that a bit fast?"
[STR: 19 > 20]
"No," Maxwell answered curtly, keeping count mentally so he wouldn't lose his rhythm.
"Why?" Unsatisfied, Angel pressed, finding the whole situation absurd.
"Because, from the start, she was open about looking for a partner, and I had only two goals: to find an engineer and, if possible, get a date with Moxxi." Maxwell paused in his push-ups, wanting to convey his thoughts accurately.
"She's a mature woman who knows what she wants, and I'm no different. She found what she wanted, and so did I." Maxwell closed his eyes, adjusting his breathing. "Back in my time, serious relationships among young people took years because neither side knew if they'd found the right partner, or whether they should focus on a career or romance… there were so many factors."
"You sound like an old man now, and that's still a bit confusing to me."
"You don't need to understand it all now, you're young. Relationships get put on a pedestal, but life is much more than… you know, baby making."
"..."
"Max..." Her voice returned, but this time it seemed different, a bit shaky. "I... I've been thinking about something, but it's kind of silly."
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Angel never sounded like this.
"Go ahead, Angel," he replied, encouraging her to continue. "You can ask anything… except my bank PIN or browser history. The latter I'd keep secret even at gunpoint."
"H-how,*sigh*... how does a kiss feel?" The question came out with hesitation and innocent curiosity, so different from the usual apathetic Angel projected. "I mean, how would you describe it?"
'This girl, is she jealous, or am I going senile?' Maxwell chuckled softly, surprised and a little amused by her unexpected question. Rubbing the back of his neck, he searched for the right words.
"Well… it's warm," he began, recalling the intensity of his last kiss. "Warm and kind of wet. Like an electric current running through you, making everything else disappear until only that moment remains."
"It's one of those things that's hard to explain without experiencing it firsthand," he admitted, a sly smile forming afterward. "When the day comes when you're free, I'll show you in person. You'll feel it for yourself."
"Okay…" Angel murmured in the back of Maxwell's mind.
"Hmm?" That wasn't quite the reaction he'd expected, but it seemed she was starting to get used to his teasing.
*Knock* *knock* *knock*
A soft knock on the door interrupted their telepathic conversation, and before Maxwell could respond, Moxxi entered. She looked visibly tired, with oil stains on her arms and dark bags under her eyes, yet her face lit up with a contented smile.
She paused when she saw him, his body sweaty and muscles defined from the push-ups. Moxxi's eyes gleamed slightly, and, unconsciously, she ran her tongue over her lips before regaining her focus.
"Have you eaten anything, Max?" she asked casually, though her gaze lingered on him for just a few seconds longer.
"Not yet." Maxwell shook his head, wiping his forehead with a towel.
"Great, I made breakfast, so come with me. I want to show you something."
He followed her, noticing the contained excitement in her step. Moxxi led him to her room, where one of the walls was slightly ajar, revealing something unexpected. What once looked like a simple weapons rack was actually a secret passageway.
They descended the stairs into a dark room. With a touch on the panel, Moxxi turned on fluorescent lights that buzzed softly, illuminating the metallic figure of a fully assembled MRVN, unpainted. The robot stood in the center of the workshop, surrounded by scattered components and tools.
She looked at Maxwell hopefully. "So, what do you think?"
"Moxxi… this is impressive." Maxwell was genuinely amazed, studying every detail of the build.
Moxxi grinned, her dimples showing. "It took me longer than I expected, but there he is—a brand new MRVN. He still needs some tweaks and a paint job, but it's a start."
"All that's left is to program the AI," Moxxi said, removing an oil-stained glove and leaving it on a nearby table.
Maxwell smiled, shaking his head confidently. "That won't be an issue, I know someone who can handle that part." He examined the MRVN closely, assessing its potential. "What about the cost, Moxxi? Do you think mass production is viable?"
Moxxi sighed and sat down on a nearby chair.
"The materials to build MRVNs are cheap and easy to find. They just need visual sensors and nothing too complex beyond that." She yawned, covering her mouth with her hand before pointing to a corner of the workshop. "But the Simulacrum? That's a different story. They have much more advanced components, some I've never even heard of. We'd need a specialized factory to make those."
Maxwell frowned slightly but found it within expectations. "Maybe with a mothership, we could manufacture those components," he murmured, already thinking of solutions.
"Hmng~~" Moxxi stretched, her joints making soft cracking sounds.
"Now, you should go clean up and get some sleep."
Moxxi didn't disagree, nodding lazily. She pointed to a table nearby. "I made you a meal. Coffee and some sandwiches."
"Thank you, Moxxi." Maxwell went to the table, letting the aroma of fresh coffee wrap around him. Blowing on the steam, he took a sip. Meanwhile, Moxxi left to take a shower.
After a while, Moxxi returned, wrapped in a purple towel, her hair still damp. Maxwell finished his coffee and, with the last sip, asked as he saw her approaching, "Is the next Underdome challenge ready?"
"I canceled the Underdome." She hummed.
"Well, the Underdome is yours to do with as you wish, but I thought it was your main source of money." Maxwell wasn't shocked by the news, knowing that the whole event was created to find a husband.
"The Underdome was just to raise enough money to invest in something more stable. Too many people die or get maimed and come back seeking revenge." Moxxi sat close to Maxwell, pulling a large blueprint from her ECHO.
"I've had a dream since I was a young, innocent girl with the Hodunks." Moxxi laid the blueprint on the table. Unrolling the paper, she allowed Maxwell to get a good look at its contents.
"A casino… in space?" Maxwell's mind raced, memories flashing to a certain DLC in Borderlands 3.
Moxxi's Heist of the Handsome Jackpot.
In summary, Moxxi had hired Vault Hunters to rob Jack's casino. In one dialogue, she'd said that the casino's design was hers before Jack stole it. She'd probably shared the plans with him while they were dating, right after she'd broken up with Mordecai, the winner of the Underdome.
Maxwell couldn't resist a soft snicker. The reason for their split had been 'Mordecai was more interested in pluckin' his bird's feathers than plucking my...' Maxwell could only wonder how he managed to ignore Moxxi. was it your love for Bloodwing or alcohol, or both?
After Mordecai, Moxxi had met Jack, who'd seemed like a decent guy at the time. Confident in him, she'd shared her casino designs, but they'd somehow ended up at odds, leading to the bitter rivalry in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.
But none of that had happened in this timeline, Mordecai hadn't won the Underdome. Hell, Maxwell had taken the Vault Key with Tannis, delaying the Vault Hunters from the first game. They were probably still hunting down Tannis or had fled Pandora, thinking Steele had already opened the Vault.
Returning to the present, Maxwell tore his eyes from the blueprint, realizing this wasn't something to take lightly. He needed to show support and encouragement. It seemed Moxxi was opening up to him, and he couldn't waste this chance to deepen the trust and affection between them.
Maxwell nodded fiercely—he had to make this work!
Turning to Moxxi, Maxwell was ready to shower her with praise, but the words caught in his throat.
Moxxi had her head resting on her folded arms on the table, and a soft snore could be heard.
"Never mind. She must be exhausted."
Carefully, he lifted her in a "princess carry," surprising her slightly. Moxxi awoke with a start but, upon seeing it was Maxwell, she relaxed, resting her head against his chest with a sleepy smile.
"You need to get some rest," he said softly, carefully climbing the stairs to her room. Once he laid her down, he adjusted her to ensure she was comfortable.
"Get some sleep," Maxwell responded, covering her with a blanket. "I have some things to take care of, but I'll be back soon."
"Don't forget to close up the workshop, Max," Moxxi murmured, curling up like a cat.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it." Leaning down, Maxwell placed a soft kiss on her forehead, watching a slight smile appear on the sleeping woman's lips.
Slowly closing the door, Maxwell stepped out of the room after closing the Moxxi workshop. Leaving the bar, his Spectres were still patrolling near his Samson.
"Let's go. I want to find a secluded place." Maxwell quickly climbed into the car, slipping on his pilot's suit. The Spectres followed orders, driving away and disappearing into the Badlands desert.
"Where are you going?" Angel asked, not understanding his sudden need for privacy.
Maxwell replied, propping his legs up on the dashboard.
"To pick up my spaceship."
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Querubim_
Querubim_ I feel like there are just a few more chapters to go before I finish this volume and start the fourth volume: Secret Armory | Death Rides a Steel Stallion
I was wondering if I should write about claptrap new robot revolution.
Chapter 28: I don't like sand
Maxwell walked slowly through the desert, each step raising small clouds of dust that quickly disappeared in the dry wind. The heat was oppressive, and he raised a hand to shield his eyes from the intense sunlight. Removing his pilot helmet to ease the stifling sensation, he found that the pilot suit only made the heat feel even more unbearable.
"I should've installed a cooling system in this damned suit," he muttered to himself, pulling a water bottle from his ECHO storage. He had left the Spectres in the Samson, as Angel could use the visors to see, which would save him the headache of explaining how a spaceship the size of a city had appeared out of nowhere.
Pouring the refreshing liquid into his mouth, a few drops trickled down his chin before he capped the bottle and put it away. He looked around, searching for any kind of shelter, but the horizon stretched on endlessly, devoid of shade or reprieve.
"Angel, about the Corporate Wars," Maxwell began, trying to distract himself from the heat and discomfort. "I've heard a few versions, but I want the real facts, no narratives or half-truths. Also, what year is it exactly?"
"The First Corporate War began between Atlas and Dahl in the year 2681. Currently, it's the year 2713." Angel's voice resonated in his mind, her tone laced with concern for Maxwell's condition. "Haven't you found your ship yet? Is it cloaked? You're going to die of dehydration at this rate!"
"Thirty-two years since the war, huh?" Maxwell shrugged, ignoring her scolding as he trudged toward a cluster of rocks that offered a bit of shade. "Tell me more about this first war."
"*Sigh* You're so stubborn." Angel paused as if organizing her thoughts. "It all began in 2648. The Atlas Corporation was funded by the Central Government to consolidate control over the six galaxies. They were essentially an extension of governmental power. But in 2671, a major financial recession weakened the Central Government. With resources depleted, Atlas stepped up, assuming the role of maintaining security and order across many systems."
Maxwell nodded, murmuring, "Of course, when governments crumble, corporations become the new feudal lords."
"Not exactly. The Central Government still exists today but has no influence over Promethea. Instead, they serve as a private judicial system." Angel continued, briefly addressing his comment. "Dahl saw this as an opportunity. In 2674, they launched 'Mercenary Day,' offering free mercenary services for a day in exchange for future contracts. It was a brilliant strategic move. By the end of that year, Dahl had taken control of several planets, offering 'protection' and services at reduced costs. People, exhausted by insecurity, accepted."
Maxwell reached the rocks and leaned against them, pulling at his suit collar to release some of the heat. "And Atlas just let that happen?"
"Not exactly. In 2675, under political pressure, the Planetary Sovereignty Act was passed, prohibiting corporations from directly controlling planets. But tensions continued to escalate. By 2681, things hit a breaking point. Dahl was expanding aggressively, occupying and oppressing planets with brutal policies. Resistance arose, starting with a man named Vladof."
Maxwell raised an eyebrow. "Vladof? I didn't think that corporation was formidable enough to stand up to two giants."
"Vladof wasn't just strong because of his intelligence. His ideology resonated with the oppressed, forming one of the largest armies in terms of sheer numbers. He began by leading a rebellion against Dahl on a planet called Northern Siberian Bear Star. Through guerrilla tactics, he drove Dahl out, inspiring resistance on other planets and giving birth to the Vladof Corporation we know today."
Maxwell took a deep breath, pondering how a single individual could alter the course of a war. Dahl could have potentially bested Atlas with its underhanded tactics. If Vladof had achieved so much as a mere man, what could Maxwell accomplish with Titans at his side? "So, Dahl was dealing with both Vladof and Atlas at the same time. That explains why they didn't dominate completely."
"Exactly. Dahl was aggressive, but Vladof's resistance wore them down. Meanwhile, Atlas, desperate, turned its attention to the ruins of Promethea. There, they hired Typhon DeLeon, who became the first Vault Hunter. He discovered the Eridian Vault and brought advanced technology to Atlas. That completely shifted the tide of the war."
Maxwell rolled his eyes. "Eridian technology, aliens are always the miraculous answer, aren't they?"
Even in Titanfall, it was the same. The IMC had discovered alien tech and developed weapons like the Fold Weapon and PhaseShift gloves.
Angel agreed. "With this new technology, Atlas managed to tip the scales in their favor. However, in 2689, the war ended in a ceasefire. Atlas, Dahl, and Vladof reached a stalemate, officially ending the conflict. But the scars remain. Dahl and Vladof are now in an arms race, hunting for Vaults, while Atlas doesn't seem satisfied with just one Vault, leading to their expeditions here on Pandora."
"A never-ending cycle. War, rebuilding, and more war." Maxwell looked at the sky, a hint of emotion flickering across his face. 'The year is 2713... Did I really reincarnate into another universe? Or am I still in the same one, just sent into the future? Does Earth even exist here?'
Shaking his head, Maxwell opened his hangar menu, scanning his options for a vehicle.
[Vehicles] IMS Odyssey {Warship/MotherBase}: Self-sustainable vehicular spacecraft, transportation for Titans and aircraft, modular factory. 20630[C]
Without hesitation, he selected the Odyssey. Its modular factory could produce nearly any Titanfall technology, provided he had the blueprints. There were larger, more war-oriented ships available, but without a crew, operating one was impossible.
[Attention: The selected ship bears another faction's logo. Would you like to change the corporation branding?]
Slightly surprised, Maxwell scrolled through the options, erasing the IMC logo and replacing it with a black snake in the shape of an infinity symbol devouring itself, with the name Ouroboros below.
Once finalized, the Odyssey materialized as if emerging from a void, creating a massive cloud of dust in an instant.
"*Cough* *Cough* Damn it, I should've kept my helmet on!" Maxwell could swear he swallowed a bit of sand.
"Max, what happened? I suddenly felt a massive energy signature. Why haven't you hooked up your ECHO? I want to see this ship, damn it!" Angel complained, her excitement palpable even through telepathy.
When the dust settled, the majestic form of the Odyssey stood revealed to the world.
"OOOHHHH!!!" Maxwell's eyes sparkled with delight as he ran eagerly toward the ship's entrance.
"Holy shit, it's so big up close!"
"That's what she said."
"What did you say, young lady?" A vein bulged on Maxwell's forehead. "Where did you learn to spout such nonsense?"
"From you! Now connect me to the ship already; I want to see too." A laugh, like the sound of a bell, echoed in Maxwell's mind, bringing a smile to his face as he watched the girl brimming with joy.
"Call the Spectres here. You can see through their lenses and connect via one of them."
"Okay, but how am I supposed to do that without the coordinates?"
"Right, I forgot," Maxwell almost smacked his own forehead, realizing he was in the middle of nowhere. "I'll use the ship's systems, then."
Maxwell turned his attention to the Odyssey. Taking a few steps forward, he heard a notification in his helmet. Upon putting it on, he noticed an administrator request. It seemed the system had already granted him permission.
With a voice command, the ship's doors opened, and a staircase descended to ground level, granting him access to the vessel.
Maxwell ascended the stairs with wide strides, like a child exploring a new amusement park. The moment he stepped inside the Odyssey, the internal lights turned on automatically, illuminating a perfectly polished metallic corridor. The sound of his footsteps echoed lightly through the empty space, making the ship feel even larger inside.
"Smells like something brand new." Maxwell took a deep breath.
"You're acting weird, Max."
"Let me have my moment, woman."
Walking through the entry corridor, he reached a metallic door that appeared to lead to the center of the ship.
"Welcome aboard, Administrator," a calm and professional artificial female voice said.
"No way! Does the ship come with its own AI? What a bargain!"
"No, it's just me." Angel mocked.
"..." Maxwell mumbled something inaudible.
Placing his hand on the panel, the door slid open, revealing the lobby of the Odyssey. It resembled a reception area, with cozy sofas and a low table, like a lounge.
"It's like a luxury hotel mixed with a military base," Maxwell commented, impressed.
"Yes, I literally just saw that," Angel replied sarcastically.
The floor was made of polished metal, subtly reflecting the overhead lights but not to the point of being slippery or excessive. Subtle blue LED lines ran along the walls and floor, creating a futuristic yet functional aesthetic.
Moving forward, he passed through another door that led to a corridor lined with several doors. Each was marked with holograms indicating their functions—dormitories, a mess hall, a gym, and even a simulation room.
Intrigued, he entered the simulation room, which strongly reminded him of the opening of Titanfall 2, where Cooper trained with Lastimosa.
A quick count revealed exactly 94 simulation pods, ready to train promising soldiers to become Titan pilots. These machines could simulate shooting drills, parkour with jump kits, piloting, and even team deathmatch scenarios. The possibilities were endless.
"Honestly? This is an amazing ship, judging by your reaction. If you don't wreck everything before figuring out how it works, this could be a game-changer."
"Don't underestimate me. Now let's head to the command bridge. I want to see what this beauty can do."
Leaving the simulation room, Maxwell decided to make his way to the command bridge. There was still much of the ship to explore, but he was eager to get the ship to Outer Haven as soon as possible.
Taking an elevator, Maxwell was carried to the ship's fifth floor, where the high-ranking officers' quarters and the command center were located.
After passing through numerous security doors, each equipped with turrets ready to shred any intruder like paper, Maxwell finally entered the command center. The room was cold and comfortable, a stark contrast to the ship's exterior.
At the center of the room was an oval-shaped holographic table, glowing softly. Its display showed various data: star maps, system diagnostics, and the ship's overall status. Around the table were ergonomic chairs, indicating that the space could double as a strategic meeting room while managing the ship's operations.
The walls were made of reinforced glass, allowing a real-time view of the space outside. Maxwell was excited to see how it would look in orbit, as his previous space travels hadn't allowed him to appreciate the cosmos properly.
Heading to the far end of the command center, Maxwell found the Odyssey's main control station. It was a spacious, well-designed area with sophisticated consoles and interactive panels arranged in an arc around the main command space. Each console seemed dedicated to a specific function: navigation, defense systems, environmental monitoring, and energy management.
At the heart of the piloting area stood an elevated chair that was unmistakably the captain's seat. It resembled a throne, with plush cushioning and an array of controls built into the armrests. Holographic screens floated nearby, ready to be manipulated with simple gestures. Maxwell couldn't suppress a grin, he was living the dream of countless men.
"Well, Angel, what do you think? Do you think we can get this thing off the ground?" Maxwell asked, settling comfortably into his throne.
"If you don't mess everything up, yes. Everything seems operational. But I still need to connect to the ship."
Resisting the urge to play with the holograms, Maxwell used the communications system to send the ship's coordinates to the Spectres.
Minutes later, the Odyssey's cameras captured a dust cloud in the distance. The Samson, piloted by the two Spectres, approached rapidly. The ship detected the vehicle and activated guide lights in the hangar to facilitate entry.
Maxwell accessed the hangar controls, opening the ship's large lower bay doors. The ramp descended smoothly, providing a direct path into the vast hangar interior.
Once everything was ready, Angel used one of the Spectres to connect to the ship, enabling her to understand and manage its systems. Her Siren abilities were impressive but came with heavy limitations, something Maxwell understood well. In a universe rich with technology, what couldn't Angel control?
"Ready for the engines?" Maxwell asked, his enthusiasm evident.
"Almost. I'm just monitoring the nuclear reactor's temperature," Angel replied calmly. Controlling a ship this massive would have fried anyone's brain, but Angel was already used to pushing her limits.
Angel fine-tuned the main controls and activated the propulsion systems. A faint hum reverberated through the ship, growing into a controlled roar as the engines roared to life.
"Next stop, Outer Haven," Maxwell said, a smile breaking across his face. "But first, let's swing by the Red Light. I want to see how Moxxi reacts to having a warship over her bar."
"You're going to scare the woman to death, Max. This is overkill."
"Just a little prank."
Maxwell leaned forward, resting his arms on the chair as he monitored every panel closely.
The Odyssey began to rise slowly from the ground. Desert dust billowed into a colossal cloud as the ship's thrusters stabilized its ascent. Maxwell's heart raced. This was the moment he had been waiting for.
Standing from the throne, Maxwell walked to the front viewport, watching the ground grow distant. Then, he paused in silence.
It was happening. Everything was falling into place. He was mere steps away from initiating the next phase of his plan. Yet, a weight lingered in the back of Maxwell's mind.
"..."
"Angel," he said quietly, "do you think this will ever change? Or are we trapped in this cycle?"
"What exactly are you talking about?" Angel asked, surprised by the question.
"War," Maxwell clarified. "I'm talking about war."
Angel hesitated, her voice softer now. "I don't know, Max. But maybe you're here to be part of the change. Don't you want to create a corporation?"
"Ouroboros, my corporation..." Maxwell whispered. Looking at the horizon, distorted by heat, he fell into deep thought.
"Have you thought of a name?" Angel asked. She hadn't seen the logo since her Siren abilities only allowed telepathic perception.
"Yes. Do you know the Ouroboros symbol? The snake is eating its own tail." Maxwell crossed his arms behind his back, gazing at the vast expanse of sand. Stretching his hands as if to grasp it all, he continued: "All the people on planets under my domain will have only three rights."
Angel's stomach sank at Maxwell's words. She was about to witness the birth of either a great leader or a great dictator.
"The first is the right to freedom."
"The second is the right to private property."
"And the third is the right to life."
"Our motto will be..."
"Don't tread on me!"
CREATORS' THOUGHTS
Querubim_
Querubim_
The last few weeks have been tiring, apart from having to remove a truck engine and replace it with another, on Saturday I had to help my old dad build a fish tank. Yes, I was exhausted and just wanted to rest.
sorry for the delay with the chapters
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