บท 1: Welcome To Pandora,
Everything descended into darkness, an impenetrable void that engulfed me completely, leaving no trace of the world I had known.
Slowly, I blinked my eyes open, straining to adjust to the dim, flickering light around me. Instead of the expected urgency of paramedics and EMTs rushing to my side, I found myself nestled within the cramped confines of a rickety bus.
This wasn't an ordinary mode of transportation; it felt more like a menagerie of misfits trapped together on a chaotic ride. The air was thick with a cacophony of overlapping voices, blending into a dizzying hum as a diverse collection of humans and rugged Nomads animatedly engaged in conversation, the rhythm of their words rising and falling like the tides of a stormy sea.
The bus driver, a weathered old-timer with a wild, bushy beard that danced like flames in the breeze, turned towards me with a grin that exposed a knowledge of life's rugged humor. His laugh lines, carved deep by years of navigating life's rough terrains, told stories I couldn't quite decipher. "Howdy there, new blood! Name's Marcus," he boomed, his voice a gravelly mix of warmth and mischief. "Welcome to the bus ride from hell!"
Before I could process the absurdity of his greeting, he slammed down on the accelerator. The bus lunged forward violently, nearly causing me to topple out of my seat. Desperately, I clung to the fraying vinyl seat beneath me, my heart pounding as the world outside the grimy windows became a blur of chaotic movement.
This was no ordinary Earth – the sky above roared a furious shade of crimson, casting an eerie glow across jagged mountains of twisted rock and rusting metal that pierced the atmosphere like the jagged remnants of a shattered nightmare. The ground below was strewn with relics of a bygone civilization—rusted car husks decayed with time while crumbling buildings loomed like sad ghosts, remnants of what once thrived in this now-unfamiliar landscape.
As a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions spun within me, I struggled to piece together this surreal reality. Had I slipped into some coma-induced dreamscape, or was I genuinely dead, doomed to wander through a purgatory reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic video game?
"Yo, rookie! You better buckle up!" roared a deep voice from beside me, cutting through my haze of confusion. I turned to see a towering figure beside me—a man whose sheer size and strength seemed almost otherworldly. His arms were like tree trunks, and his voice was capable of shaking the very foundations of the bus.
With a surprisingly gentle motion, he clasped a meaty hand onto my shoulder, his grip firm enough to leave a lingering impression. "The name's Brick. What's yours?"
I gulped, suddenly feeling infinitesimally small in comparison to his massive presence. "Uh...just call me Alfred," I stammered, my voice almost a whisper under the resonance of his thunderous laughter.
Brick burst into a hearty guffaw that resonated within the metal confines of the bus, the sound rich and contagious. "Alfred, huh? Alright, I can dig it! Stick with me, kid, and I'll make sure you get your bearings in this twisted world," he said, his tone balancing between playful and reassuring.
As the bus jolted and bounced along the pitted, uneven road, the atmosphere around us thickened with a mix of excitement and dread. Marcus, the driver, leaned nonchalantly against his steering wheel, expertly navigating the treacherous route. "Next stop - Fyrestone!" he called out, his voice cutting through the air.
"Who's getting off?" The words ignited a flurry of raucous laughter and shouted replies, each voice adding to the chaotic symphony of our strange journey, enveloping me in a whirlwind of noise and anticipation as we barreled onward into the unknown.
Before I could fully comprehend the gravity of the question posed to me, a soft and soothing female voice penetrated my consciousness, reverberating deep within my mind.
"Don't be alarmed. I need you to keep quiet about this, okay? You must start making your way off the bus now," she urged, her tone almost melodic yet tinged with urgency.
"You have no reason to trust me but believe me when I say I'm here to help you find the Vault. Just go with it for now."
As her words swirled around in my thoughts, the voice continued, "In a moment, you'll meet a... unique little robot. Do exactly as he says, got it? I'll be in touch again very soon."
With that, the ethereal voice of the Siren known as Angel began to fade, leaving behind an unsettling silence that enveloped the bus like a thick fog.
My heart raced, confusion and trepidation settling in. I glanced around at the other passengers, who were oblivious to the strange exchange happening in my mind.
What the hell had I gotten myself into? My palms grew clammy as I prepared to stand, the weight of the unknown pressing heavily on my shoulders.
As the five of us stepped away from the rickety old bus, the reality of our adventure began to sink in.
We shuffled forward, slightly dazed by the overwhelming sights and sounds of this new world. Suddenly, a small, quirky robot zoomed up to me with an energetic whirr, its wheels clattering on the rocky ground.
"Greetings, vault hunters!" the robot announced with an enthusiasm that was both infectious and a bit grating.
"I am a C.L.4.P-T.P, but my friends affectionately call me Claptrap—or at least, they would if they were alive or existed in the first place! Come, new friends! I'm here to assist you on your journey!" His mechanical voice was annoying and chipper, even as it echoed slightly against the barren landscape around us.
With a flourish, Claptrap extended one of his metallic arms towards me, revealing a sleek black Rectangle device that looked surprisingly polished.
"But before we proceed with our epic quests and daring escapades, please accept this ECHO Communication device and heads-up display," he continued, his voice filled with faux gravitas.
"It's provided entirely free of charge by the Dahl Corporation—because who doesn't love free stuff?"
Boot-up sequence initiated..
INSTALLING….
downloading Health display module…
Downloading weapon display module….
Downloading experience point module…..
downloading digital compass module…
COMPLETE
As I stood there, completely captivated by the scene unfolding before me, I couldn't help but think to myself, "Oh my goodness, this is just like the video game!" The vivid colours, the intricate details, and the immersive Heads up Display.
All transported me into a world that felt remarkably similar to the virtual adventures I had experienced on screen.
"Fantastic! I can see that your ECHO device is operating perfectly. Now, to get started with our first task, we need to upload your DNA to a New-U Station."
"Off we go then!" proclaimed Claptrap, his voice filled with excitement as he extended one of his thin, metallic arms toward a striking red and yellow pole that stood prominently in the distance.
The bright colours of the pole caught the sunlight, casting a playful glow around us, and it seemed to beckon us closer with a sense of adventure.
"Step right up and activate the New-U Station! This powerful device will immediately identify and store your DNA profile. Don't wait—engage with the New-U Station now!"
"Excellent now that your DNA is registered you now have the best horrific death and dismemberment insurance should, an unfortunate fatal injury occur Your New-U will appear at the nearest Station."
"Now, we can make our way to the tranquil and charming town of Firestone, known for its lush landscapes and friendly atmosphere. Alright, let's embark on our journey!"
As we strolled along the winding path, the distant roar of an engine began to grow louder, gradually piercing through the sounds of nature around us. The low rumble seemed to echo off the trees, suggesting that something substantial was approaching.
I could feel a mixture of curiosity and anticipation building within me as the sound became clearer, each rev of the engine hinting at the power of the vehicle drawing nearer.
Typical bandit sounds.…..
Typical bandit sounds.…..
"Wait, what is that?! Oh no, not again! We have to run—quickly!"
As we all crouched in our hiding spots, my heart raced with anticipation. I caught a glimpse of a couple of bandit cars, their engines roaring with rebellious energy, speeding toward a makeshift ramp.
With a sudden burst of acceleration, they soared into the air, tires spinning wildly, before crashing down into the dust-filled streets of Firestone.
The chaos they left in their wake sent adrenaline coursing through my veins as I braced for whatever came next.
"Are they finally gone? Phew! Those bandits certainly have it in for us claptraps. Using us as target practice is definitely not what we were designed for!"
BEEP…BEEP… BEEP…
"Annnnnd openn.. YES!"
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