Chapter 35: The road to Hell is full of good intentions
The Vault Hunters were gathered at the entrance of New Haven, observing the calm, routine bustle of the city.
Brick crossed his arms, his expression stern as he muttered to himself, "I hate this city. Every time we come here, Helena pops up with more stupid missions. And, of course, they never pay enough!"
Roland, his gaze fixed on the road ahead, replied without turning. "We won't stay long. We just need to wait for the delivery guy the Guardian Angel mentioned. After that, we're out of here."
As he spoke, the sound of footsteps echoed down the main street. The Vault Hunters turned their heads simultaneously, alert. A humanoid robot with worn yellow paint and scratches all over it was walking toward them.
The Marvin stopped in front of the Vault Hunters, its calm demeanor doing little to ease the tension. It made a slow gesture, reaching toward its back.
The New Haven guards tensed at the suspicious movement, their nerves frayed by recent attacks from Atlas deserter groups.
One of the guards raised his rifle, aiming it directly at the Marvin. Before he could fire, a firm and massive hand shoved the weapon down. "Lower that, idiot," Brick growled. "Let's see what this tin can wants before we put holes in it."
But instead of a weapon or explosive, the Marvin pulled out an ECHO device and extended it toward the group. Cautiously, Lilith stepped forward, took the device, and activated the ECHO deck.
"It's... the key to—"
Before she could finish, Roland covered her mouth with his hand, giving her a stern look. Lilith giggled, embarrassed at almost spilling the secret in front of everyone in New Haven.
"I've marked the Vault's location in your ECHOs. Good luck." Angel's voice came from the Marvin. With its task complete, it turned and began walking back down the street.
"Hey, Roland," Mordecai whispered, watching the robot walk away. "Should we follow that thing?"
Roland nodded. "Seems like a good idea. I want to know who's behind all this."
But before the group could act, the Marvin, as if perfectly understanding their intentions, began emitting a high-pitched sound. A moment later, it exploded, sending glowing scrap metal flying in all directions.
Mordecai flinched but quickly relaxed. "Well, at least it had the decency to explode away from us."
"Whatever!" Lilith exclaimed, clutching the ECHO to her chest. "Let's go after the Vault!"
Suddenly, Roland smacked the back of Lilith's head.
"Ouch! What's your problem, Roland?!" Lilith rubbed her head, looking hurt but still smiling.
Roland didn't answer, pinching the bridge of his nose in disappointment.
"Come on, the coordinates are near Salt Flats. She could've just told us to wait there!" Brick shouted, frustrated with the whole situation.
"At least now we know whoever's behind this isn't too far," Roland thought. The person who sent the robot clearly needed them close, as the longer the journey, the greater the chance of bandit attacks. Unfortunately, that investigation would have to wait. The Vault was more important, Roland decided.
...
Maxwell ran on a treadmill in the gym, a facility fully equipped for a pilot to stay in top form. His breathing was heavy, sweat dripping down the side of his face as his feet blurred across the belt. His eyes were focused on a screen.
[END: 44>45]
[END: 45>46]
[END: 46>47]
Free Bird: Cover 250/520/975 Kilometers running
1 - Adrenaline Transfusion
2 - Prosthetic Legs
3 - ???
(Augments) Prosthetic Legs: It's a very minor procedure. We will start by removing your legs...
Permanently increases your running agility by 70 points, allows you to jump too high, and falls lethally far. Increases the sound of footsteps by 30%.
"70 AGI? That's about 50m/s, I could be almost twice as fast as a cheetah, crazy!" Maxwell thought. "But I'm not cutting off perfect legs for metal ones. Flesh can be trained to its limits and beyond with the right stimuli, while metal is always at its maximum potential, only improvable with upgrades."
Prosthetics in Titanfall were mostly used by pilots who ended up in unfortunate accidents or some crazy person who wanted to chrome the shit out of their body. But Maxwell liked the sensations of touching the grass and feeling the earth. He didn't throw the prostheses away but saved them for a certain cyborg who would love them.
"At least I know the third reward is a skill," he consoled himself. He had been focusing on gaining muscle but decided to run a bit and ended up completing another challenge. "I guess I'll stick to removable augments for now. At least I can take them off without compromising my body."
Recently, he discovered he had grown a few more centimeters. Maxwell guessed that rejuvenating a few years had caused his body to resume growing. This growth spurt had taken him from 6'2" (1.88m) to 6'5" (1.96m), which resulted in his strength per point increasing to 24 pounds (11 kg).
"I'll have to buy a new pilot suit," Maxwell said in frustration, realizing his current suit had become tight. Fortunately, his pilot helmet still fit. His love for loose clothing meant his entire wardrobe wouldn't need to be replaced.
Taking a break to catch his breath and let the nanites repair his damaged muscle fibers, Maxwell opened his Status screen to check his progress.
_____
Name: [Maxwell Willians]
Regeneration: 1
[STR: 39] [END: 47] [DEX: 42] [INT: 25]
Skills: [Trigger Discipline lv.30] [Blade Mastery lv. 51] [Mithridatism Constitution lv.15] [Assassin's Instinct lv.92] [Fast Learner lv.1] [Neurolink Lv.5] [Driving lv.9]
—
Functions: [Hangar] [Questboard] [Most Wanted List]
Credits: 769
_____
"As usual, my intelligence is my weakest stat. I guess I'll have to play a few chess games with Spyglass." Maxwell murmured. Fortunately, Intelligence was easier to manage since it didn't require physical effort, but it demanded creativity to find effective mental exercises. With his breath back, Maxwell started running again, there was no time to lose.
"Max?" Angel's ethereal voice cut through the rhythmic sound of his steps.
He nearly tripped in surprise but quickly adjusted, keeping his pace.
"The Vault Hunters are heading toward the Vault. I'm tracking their movements through the ECHOnet."
"Good. Make sure to keep an eye on them. I want to know their every move."
"Do you think they'll cause trouble once they find out about us?"
"They always cause trouble. 'Vault Hunter' is just a fancy term for mercenary. But that doesn't mean you can't use them to your advantage. Everyone has a price." Maxwell paused, catching his breath while drinking some water. "Have you found any information on a girl named Jess?"
"Having only a first name didn't help much, but I think I found her. It's a small village 400 kilometers south of T-Bone Junction."
"That's too far. We'll head back to Outer Heaven first. Tannis is running out of food." Maxwell closed his eyes, pondering his next decision. "I'll take a smaller, more discreet ship to pick up Jess. Flying around in the Odyssey will attract Atlas."
The sound of someone entering interrupted the conversation. Maxwell smiled when he saw Moxxi leaning against the doorframe.
"I secured the mining operation," Moxxi announced triumphantly, placing her hands on her hips. "And, in case you're wondering, I already stashed all the ores from the warehouses. You wouldn't believe the mess Dahl left behind."
Maxwell raised an eyebrow, wiping sweat from his face with his forearm. "I'm surprised there was anything left. I thought the bandits had looted everything."
"Well, it was well-guarded. The Marvins had to clear the way by force," she admitted with a slightly awkward tone. "The Marvins helped, of course. But I had to put some orders into them. One of them tried to shove its head into the miner. Can you believe that?"
"It'll survive," Maxwell rolled his eyes, tossing two blueprints to Moxxi. "Now that we have everything, let's move out."
"Oh!" Moxxi opens the projects before closing them, her eyes shining as she runs to the Odyssey factory.
Maxwell is paralyzed by his empty eyes, his outstretched hand. "I still had things to say, couldn't you be more patient?"
...
The Vault Hunters pressed on through the icy tundra, heavy snow falling around them and blanketing the uneven terrain. The battlefield was covered in a layer of fresh powder, its serenity masking the chaos of earlier battles.
They had been relentlessly attacked by Guardians, who engaged them the moment they trespassed into Vault territory.
Breathing heavily, the group resumed their trek through the deep snow. The silence was broken only by the sound of their heavy footsteps.
"Have you guys noticed these Guardians seem to be getting stronger?" Brick commented, flexing his fists, which were starting to ache from punching his way through the enemy horde.
"Either that, or we're getting soft," Mordecai quipped, adjusting his hood as Bloodwing landed on his shoulder, shaking snow off its wings. Everyone was wearing clothes suitable for the cold, except Brick, the man didn't seem at all bothered by the sub-zero temperatures
*Crunch*
Mordecai stopped immediately, looking down. "Hey, I think I stepped on something."
Brick moved closer, digging into the snow with his massive hands. He pulled something up with effort, making the group recoil in surprise, not by the corpse, which was a common sight on Pandora, but by who the corpse was. It was the body of an Atlas soldier, partially frozen, his armor chipped and frosted over.
"That's not a good sign," Lilith said with an uneasy tone.
Roland approached, his expression grim. "Be careful. There might be more around here."
Lilith called the group over, pointing to something further ahead. They hurried to her and found another corpse. This one was in worse condition, starting to decompose, but the snow and cold had preserved enough for clear identification. Mordecai crouched beside the body, examining it closely.
"This is... Steele," he said, looking up at the others. "Commandant Steele, from Atlas. Looks like she died pretty close to the Vault."
Tension rose among the group as they stared at the corpse. Lilith frowned, uneasy. "So, does this mean her squad failed to open the Vault? They must have run into the Guardians..."
Roland shook his head, pointing to the wounds on the body. "The Guardians didn't kill them. Look here." He indicated a bullet hole clearly visible on Steele's body. "This was a firefight. And over there..." He gestured to a nearby crater, where charred pieces of Atlas armor were scattered.
"Someone fought Atlas here," he continued, scanning the scene intently. "And it wasn't a small skirmish. This was the work of someone prepared."
Brick scratched his head, trying to piece things together. "So, you're saying... whoever gave us the key... is the same person who did this? Why the hell would they do that? My brain's about to melt trying to figure it out."
Roland closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. The icy air calmed his inner turmoil. It seemed another mega-corporation was fighting Atlas and using them to achieve its goals.
He wanted to give up and leave the key right there, but those thoughts evaporated when he opened his eyes. Seeing the determined look on the redhead's face, he knew they couldn't stop now.
Roland sighed. He didn't have anything better to do after deserting the army. After this, he planned to retire to some faraway planet, out of Atlas' reach.
Chapter 36: The Less I Know The Better
"He's late," Tannis muttered, frowning as she adjusted her glasses. "I'm dying of boredom, and soon also of hunger. Frankly, I must admit he's one of the least worst bosses I've ever had."
"Mr. Maxwell is precise. He must have had a good reason to be away for so long," Spyglass replied in a tone designed to calm her. "They're already nearby. Tracking confirmed."
Cutting through the clouds, the Odyssey appeared above Outer Heaven. The ship slowed, hovering over the ocean before gently landing on the water's surface. Its characteristic ramp extended to the island.
At the top of the ramp, two figures emerged. They were closely followed by a dozen Spectres escorting a line of chained Psychos.
The Psychos, known for their uncontrollable savagery, were surprisingly quiet, walking in an orderly rhythm. Each had their arms bound by shackles, with chains around their necks connecting them to the group, an effective measure against any escape attempts.
"Welcome, Sir Maxwell. It's good to see you in fine condition," Spyglass greeted his superior with a swift military salute. "If I may say so, the new uniform suits you perfectly."
"I can say the same, Outer Heaven looks well-maintained," Maxwell replied briefly. "I had to get a larger size and decided to go with an Apex Predators uniform while I was at it. I haven't had much downtime lately, but I plan on squeezing in a few more chess matches soon."
"Certainly, sir, it would be a pleasure."
Turning to Moxxi, Spyglass immediately assessed her status, noting the pheromones of his superior mingling with hers.
"This is Moxxi, a genius mechanic," Maxwell gestured to Moxxi, introducing her to the others. "Moxxi, these are Spyglass, my all-purpose butler, if you need something, just ask him. And Tannis, my scientist who volunteered to work here on Outer Heaven."
Moxxi snapped out of her awe and waved at the pair. She had been marveling at the tropical scenery of the island, almost forgetting she was still on Pandora. It felt like a slice of heaven in the deepest pits of hell.
"Volunteered, you say," Tannis huffed before turning her attention to the Psychos. "Oh, dear God, this might be my first experiment with human subjects. I believe I'm finally venturing into the less ethical areas of science."
"Second thoughts already? Look, we're about to become a corporation. Human testing won't be the last sin we commit before we kick the bucket. Besides, I don't recall you being religious."
"I'm an atheist, thank God."
"I didn't know you could tell jokes, Tannis."
"This place is stunning," Moxxi interjected, interrupting their banter. "Will you show me around Outer Heaven?" Her excitement about exploring the island took precedence over socializing. She grabbed Maxwell by the arm and pulled him away.
"Take the prisoners to the cells, and don't let Tannis move without a squad of Spectres escorting her. Also, make sure the Marvins store the food properly, some of it's perishable, so keep it well preserved."
Maxwell gave his final orders to Spyglass before joining Moxxi for a tour of the island. They strolled along the beach before venturing deeper into the island, passing by some of its older structures, including the general hospital and the treehouse where Ned had been killed. Maxwell made a stop at the graves of his former squadmates, adding more rocks to their graves as it seemed some wild animals had tried to dig them up.
After showing her most of the island, Maxwell and Moxxi decided to have a picnic on the beach, relaxing on lounge chairs, drinking coconut water, and enjoying the cool shade of an umbrella. The occasional salty breeze and the sound of crashing waves created a peaceful ambiance, perfect for a nap if the couple hadn't been so excited and ended up in a sweaty and sticky session of physical exercise.
...
"Hey, Max... Max?"
"Just five more minutes," Maxwell groaned, feeling the afternoon sun against his eyelids as he tightened his embrace around the naked body on top of him.
"The Hyperion satellites detected General Knoxx's warship entering the atmosphere, and I lost the signal of the Vault Hunters after they entered the cavern The Descent," Angel's voice echoed in Maxwell's foggy consciousness. "I've powered down most of Odyssey's systems to conserve energy, and our little Marvin friends finished unloading everything. Speaking of which, I'd like a Marvin chassis for a Claptrap that I really like. You wouldn't mind, would you?"
"Sure, sure, do whatever you want," Maxwell muttered, his focus more on Moxxi, who was waking up and slowly pulling herself off him. His member slipped out of her with a sensual sound, and the sight of the white liquid trailing after reminded him of a pressing question.
"Do you think it's safe for me to finish inside you?"
"I stopped menstruating two years ago, so I can't get pregnant," Moxxi yawned, stretching out her arms and giving Maxwell an unobstructed view of her ample chest. He felt a pang of loss at the sight of those breasts being hidden under her bra.
"Huh. That's a shame," Maxwell muttered, feeling a mix of emotions about the revelation. Some things were better left unknown.
"Angel was talking to you, right? That telepathy thing is so handy. Sirens are really strange; I wonder what it must feel like."
"Has she used telepathy on you? What were you two talking about?" Perhaps it was the clarity of post-nut thoughts, but Maxwell's mind raced with ideas, some involving twins. Moxxi was like a succubus, and Phaseleech fit perfectly for one.
"Girl stuff..."
"Okay, keep your girl secrets then," Maxwell shrugged, brushing the sand off himself before getting dressed.
"Looks like Knoxx has arrived on the planet. I wanted to spend more time here, but we'll need to fetch Jess soon," Maxwell said as he and Moxxi began heading back to Odyssey, leaving the mess for the Marvins to clean up.
"Is this girl that important?"
"Individually, no, she's not that important. But her sister is, and it's not just me who thinks so." Maxwell explained as they stepped into Odyssey, taking an elevator to the flight deck above. "Athena's going to want out of Atlas, but the Atlas higher-ups will send her on one last mission, involving the destruction of a small town, a town where her sister lives."
"I get that a Lance Assassin is important, but all this for one?"
"She's the leader of the Lance Assassins. If I have their leader, I have all of them, with the right contract. Can you imagine those women piloting Ronins and Northstars?"
*Ding*
The elevator doors opened, strong winds whipping their clothes around.
"Ready for a ride on the Goblin?" Maxwell asked casually, pointing to the smaller ship already prepped on Odyssey's launch platform.
The small craft had cost him a combined total of 185[C], including the new uniform, leaving him with 584[C]. The Goblin's original paint was in black and white tones, with a reinforced glass dome offering wide visibility for the pilot. Its cockpit window had a faint bluish tint from the anti-glare coating. Two main engines sat at the rear, with smaller maneuvering thrusters on either side for tight environments or zero-gravity control.
Moxxi gave a broad smile. "With you piloting, always."
"I'm not piloting. You are," Maxwell replied, leaving Moxxi with a look of amused surprise as he walked toward the smaller craft.
"Okay~ But no guarantees," she teased.
The Goblin's rear door opened, allowing them to enter the transport space, which could carry up to six people or an equivalent amount of cargo. Moxxi inspected the interior in awe, making her way to the cockpit.
Seated in the pilot's chair, Moxxi leaned forward, squinting as her fingers danced over the controls. "Okay, seriously, Max... Are you sure this didn't come with a manual? Because I swear half these buttons look like they'll launch a missile or eject us."
Maxwell, seated beside her, looked utterly relaxed, as if on a casual Sunday drive. "I have no idea. Good luck."
Moxxi arched an eyebrow, a provocative smile forming on her lips. "So you let me fly because… you're scared?"
"I can't feel fear, so not exactly," Maxwell replied, giving her an indifferent look. "You've flown something before, right? I just figured you'd enjoy it. Plus, if you crash, I can blame you. On the bright side, if we fall, our Jumpkits will act as parachutes, so relax."
Moxxi rolled her eyes. "Thanks for calming my nerves, you're really helping."
"You're welcome."
Moxxi started rummaging through the cockpit, eventually finding a manual in a compartment overhead. They spent a few quiet minutes with the occasional cough and the rustling of pages.
"Do you still smoke?"
"My stress has been way down, so I quit smoking recently," Moxxi replied without taking her eyes off the manual.
"Huh. I used to smoke a bit, but I got kicked out of school for it. My dad beat me so bad back then that every time I tried smoking again, I'd feel a phantom pain."
"Funny, I never got beaten by my parents."
"Good for you. Were you the typical good girl?"
"No, it's because I don't have parents."
"Oouh, that makes sense."
"…"
"Now… where's this Jess you mentioned?" Moxxi asked as she stashed the manual away.
Maxwell reached over to one of the panels with a map. Zooming out, he pointed to a town in the middle of the desert. "Four hundred kilometers south of T-Bone Junction. We'll fly low to avoid Atlas drones."
"T-Bone Junction? That's where my son's garage is. I need to call him to get his sister there."
"Couldn't you call Ellie yourself?"
"She hasn't spoken to me since she left."
Maxwell noticed Moxxi's shoulders visibly slump, her mood turning somber at the mention of her daughter. He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"It's just a phase."
"It's been five years, Max."
"She's just stubborn, but if she's your daughter, she has a good heart. Maybe she's just ashamed and doesn't know how to express herself."
Maxwell was about to continue, but a red light began blinking on the Goblin's dashboard, signaling the ship was ready for launch. Spyglass's voice echoed through the internal speakers.
"Launch sequence prepared. Countdown starting in ten seconds."
"… Three. Two. One."
With a thunderous roar, the slingshot mechanism engaged, propelling the Goblin forward with impressive force. The pressure slammed Moxxi and Maxwell into their seats as the ship accelerated rapidly, gliding along the rails before shooting into the air.
Moxxi gripped the controls tightly, guiding the ship as it disengaged from the rails and its main engines roared to life. The turbines thundered, spitting fire as the Goblin gained altitude. Moxxi carefully adjusted the controls, retracting the landing gear as the Goblin stabilized in the air.
"I think I could get used to this," she admitted, her voice tinged with exhilaration as she watched the ocean grow smaller below them. "I just hope she's there."
Weekly Power Status
200+ Power
Ranking 
164 Power
stone 
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