"Jeurridam: The Vault Matrix" - Chapter 11

JULIO:

June, Heaven and I stood before Alistair, the man utterly livid. He paced around the garage, looking at the security feeds. He was upset for a very good reason! A militant group from the west had come during the early morning, investigating the deactivated manticores scattered around the city. This military group wore sandy grey cloaks and had an insignia all too familiar to Alistair. These were Revivalists.

“You boys,” He began, “We may be in some shit.”

“Why?” Heaven asked.

“Because, the network that shut down the manticores is right here! I’m pretty sure the Revivalists are tracing it and we have one of their manticores! We got to get rid of it!” He responded.

“How do you suppose we move a one ton mech?” June asked.

“I don’t know but we need to get it out of here, somehow!” Alistair said, quite frantic.

“I got an idea…” June said, going over to the long range transmitter. He punched in some frequency codes waiting for the ping to drop, “Hello, this is June using the ninteen hundred megahertz emergency frequency! Please get Zanir on the line! It is an emergency! I repeat, get Zanir on the line now! This is an emergency!”
“Roger, give us a moment.” A respondent said.

“We might not have a moment.” Alistair said, looking at the security feeds on the computer.

“Shit,” I said, rushing over to the buggy, “Heaven, help me get this booze! Don’t want the Revivalists to take our merch.”

“Okay.” He responded, speeding over to the buggy. We grabbed the crates of liquor and and began toting them up the platform.

“This is Zanir…” The radio buzzed.

“Zanir, this is June! Revivalists are in The City of Rust and tracing the network that shit down the manticore mechs! They are closing in and we need you to get rid of this mech, like... now!” June said.

“...On it.” Zanir responded.

Suddenly the mech’s optics began to illuminate. It got off the table, having to crouch in the cramped upper levels of the garage.

“Here they come!” Alistair said, glued to his computer, “You boys get out through the panel in the warehouse!” We did so, the mech following. As we did, knocking on the garage entrance surprised us all. Heaven and I reached the panel door, however the mech was too big to fit. Strange figures began to appear all around the warehouse. We had to think fast!

“Shit!” I said, looking around, “You two follow me!”

I led him and the mech up to the upper levels, the loft where Alistair and Galveston called home. As we did, two investigating Revivalists entered the warehouse. It was a narrow escape. We ventured deeper and deeper into the home, eventually reaching Galveston’s space on the far end.

“Fuck…” Heaven said, making a stark realizations, “These mechs are Revivalists… They’re here because of them.”

“I know…” I responded, not pleased by the news. The mech’s head turned towards the door as it’s keen auditory sensors picked up the faint sound of footsteps coming up the stairwell to the loft. It whirred cautiously, alerting us that something was wrong.

“What is it?” I asked. The mech pointed to the door, telling us something was coming. It was so damn nerveracking!

I began to think fast, realizing this loft had nothing but broad windows, each one able to be opened. It gave me an idea.

“Okay,” I began, turning to the mech “I’m going to need you to take this crate to Zanir! Make sure no one sees you, okay?” The machine picked up the crate with its long powerful tail as Heaven and I led it towards the window. Heaven crooked the massive window open, peering out.

“The coast is clear,” He said, smiling at the mech, “Go…”

The massive thirteen foot tall machine, nimbly snaked out of the rear of the facility into The Outskirts. It disappeared into the vast hills of junk, heading north towards Area 51. Both Heaven and I sighed as we closed the window. Just then, the two Revivalists bombarded into the room as though they had caught something.

“You’re just barging into a home! Knock next time! You don’t know what you could have walked into…” Heaven said. The two soldiers ignored us, having strange scanners searching for something.

“It’s gone…” They said, before heading back out. We followed, eventually ending back up in the garage. About two dozen Revivalists stood on the garage floor looking up at Alistair and June.

The Revivalists had the most badass suits. It was a nylon and kevlar suit with a number of electronics, including infrared goggles, sensors and communications. Strapped to the militants chests were strange assault rifles that seemed to be far more advanced than the stuff we used. They wore brown cloaks and scarves that concealed their faces. Both were embroidered with the phoenix-like Revivalist insignia. They just looked fearsome.

One looked at our analog buggies before looking at Alistair.

“Those look quite familiar…” The Revivalist smiled.

“They’re common buggies of the region.” June said, arms folded. Two soldiers went and searched the buggies over thoroughly. The Revivalist that seemed to be in charged, looked around the massive garage.

“I find it hard to believe that this place is the epicenter of the pulse that whipped my mechs out.” He said,

“Well it is. They were a nuisance.” Alistair responded.

“Well,” The man said, stepping forth, “You’ve cost us a lot of resources, shutting down our machines…”

“Why do you need them? What’s their purpose?” Alistair asked.

“We,” The Revivalists general began, “Do research… The areas we quarantined are our research zones! We…”

“Well why let your research come onto my soil?” Alistair interrupted.

“Why harbor an insurgent of war?” The general asked, confusing us all.

“What?” We all said, unsure what the hell he was talking about.

The general held up a holographic projector, showing a rough picture of Zanir. Every single last one of us seized in shock.

“This young man has stolen property from us and we need it back! We believe he’s responsible for shutting down our mechs and many other problems that have plagued the Revivalist. He has information of ours that is incredibly sensitive and you people have been dealing with him.” The General responded, “Where is he?”

“We don’t know him and you have no proof beyond that picture.” Alistair said firmly. It seemed to upset the general.

“We know he is the hacker responsible for disarming our mechs,” The general said, “We know, he has an incredible knowledge of mechs, and know he poses a great threat to the Revivalists…”
“Nope,” Alistair shrugged, “Doesn’t ring any bells.”

“Oh really? Because, we tracked the very mech that got the footage of Zanir back to this place. This mech was here moments ago. Now tell us where the boy is and our mech so we can take what’s ours and go.” The General said, trying to use informational intimidation as a means to get what he wanted. Alistair came down the platform, the big man making all the armored Revivalists get uneasy.

“How about this? You get your mechs… and leave! You have no leads, no evidence beyond a doubt what you think you know. I’m here to tell you that I made the infrastructure that brought down your mechs, so know what? You’re gonna get all stone cold Revivalist on us? You’re in Jeurridam, a place where people stick together no matter what. Depending on what you do next, you’re gonna have to fight your way out of the City of Rust…” Alistair said.

“You think we’re afraid of some thieving hoodlums with varmint rifles and smoke bombs? You think this place poses a threat to us? We came for what we want now are you going to give it to us cordially or do with have to get bloody?” The General asked, not backing down. Alistair looked at us all, laughing quite hysterically. We couldn’t help but join in also.

“Wow,” June smiled, “Varmint rifles and smoke bombs? You don’t know what you’ve walked into do you…?” He held up a remote, the Revivalists pointing their guns at him. Every single buggy in the humongous multistorey garage pointed their turret barrels at the men.

“The Merchant clan is not what it was twenty years ago.” Alistair said, prowling around now with the upper hand, “It is a big, big military group… You may be right thow. You might defeat us all, all ten thousand of us! But I guarantee you’ll lose a lot, close to all of your insurgents. If you knew what I’ve lost, how little fucks I’ve got to give right now, you wouldn’t tempt me!”

“And you think it’s just the twenty of us? We prepared for a scenario of this kind,” The General said, swaying the balance, “We didn’t want to use them, but we brought our ships! We brought our military and we brought a weapon that could decimate this region so we wouldn’t have to break our own blood.” He seemed confident that he had the upper hand. Alistair just smiled at him.

“I know.” He said, causing alarm to spread across the General’s face, “An accelerated particle cannon. Fancy… I saw it when it and the three other cruisers surrounded The City of Rust. I think it’d make a good addition to rest of the junk in the Outskirts.” The General looked at Alistair, not at all pleased by the turn of luck.

“How do you know this?” The General asked.

“I’m sorry. I come across a little too humble don’t I? I’m just a mundane little mechanic running a son and pop shop, right? I’m not at all the very man who founded the Merchant Clan, a computer and tactical genius and one hell of a resourceful ass man! I own The City of Rust! I have eyes in crannies you wouldn’t expect to look. Try your luck, son! Fire will rain down on us all! You’re young… Don’t you want to live? If you proceed with getting what you want, you’ll die so fast, you wouldn’t even understand it in the afterlife! You still got a whole life ahead of you… Don’t blow it on some suspicions. My turrets love to mow grass…” Alistair said.

Heaven, June and I were terrified but the three of us stood firm, carrying on the facade Alistair presented. The General sighed, tapping his communicator.

“We’ve reached a dead end in the Merchant Flats…” He said, into the tiny machine. His Revivalists began exiting the garage, the General eyeing Alistair with nothing but malice. He left last, every single one of us rushing to the windows.

The general and his battalion fled away in those strange animal-like speeders Heaven and I were chased with. Following behind them were the very same tanks as well. A huge sense of relief fell upon us as we watched the Revivalists leave. June powered off the turrets.

“That was intense for the morning.” June sighed.

“Those fuckers were lying through the teeth of their ass! Zanir’s been stuck in A99 for the ninety percent of his life.” Heaven said, quite upset.

“That’s what you call tactics of intimidation.” Alistair responded, “A game I mastered well before that kid ever did…”
“I thought we were all going to go up in bullets.” I said, still in disbelief. Alistair looked at us all.

“I want you all to get out! Tell this boy what he’s brought to my doorstep…” Alistair snarled, heading back up the platform.

We did so, heading back to Area 51. We parked our buggies in the lake bed, rushing over to Zanir. He was busy in the junk heap with a number of engineers and mechanics. They were building the micro-reactor to power this place. He didn’t look too happy.

“No… I said use a torque ripper on the side beam! If the cut isn’t even, friction will occur and boom! Nuclear fallout all over again!” He said.

“So sorry about that!” The engineer welding the base to the reactor said.

“It’s fine just,” Zanir said, clenching his head, “Rip it out and solder a new one.” He was quite stressed.

“Zanir.” June said.

“I already know…” Zanir growled through the grit of his teeth.

“You do?” June asked, surprised.

“Yeah, I was listening on air, saw the ships fly in and knew exactly what was going down…” He responded.

“Wow…” June said, scratching his head, “So, what are you gonna do?”

“I’m going to finish what I’ve started…” Zanir said, quite calmly. Still though, it was clear he was distressed.

“You’re going to cut it awfully close, don’t you think?” June warned.

“I um… I…” He seemed to be at a loss forward, utterly stressed. June simply looked at Zanir, knowing the boy was having a difficult time. He was holding onto many things he didn’t want to let go. Zanir often came across as fearless, as undaunting! He was the first to often dive into adversity and was willing to make sacrifices. However, he was afraid! He didn’t want to leave the very little world he knew for something he didn’t! He didn’t want to say goodbye to the ones he loved. It was all understandable but after today, we could see just how much danger he was in. Heaven stepped forth.

“Zanir, I don’t think you understand! They know your name! They know what you look like! They… Want… You and it’s all because of that manticore mech you tried to save.” Heaven said. It caused Zanir to turn around in horror. He put down his laptop, sighing, heading out of the hangar. We followed as he walked towards another hangar where Big Daddy, Orb, the manticore, and the Leer were.

Despite the emotionless face of Big Daddy, he was definitely upset about something. Upon seeing Zanir, he knew something was terribly wrong.

“Dad,” The boy began, “I um… I fucked up.” The machine whirred with concern, “The Revivalists are in Jeurridam because of the manticores. They know who I am because of that manticore.” Big Daddy slowly looked at the mech.  He whirred out, this time a low cooing, “I know… I know! We should leave but…” The mech interrupted this time with angry whirring, “I’m trying!!!!! You know how close I am to my goal, a goal for us to be able never have to worry about the acid you need to survive! All I need is a bit of time.”

Big Daddy fell silent. He got up, walking over to the massive manticore. The mech looked at the sentinel with curiosity as he reached to pet it. It pered, loving the contact from the sentinel. Big Daddy then grabbed the manticore by the head, pulling it’s jaws apart. The manticore tried to get away but Big Daddy was too powerful. The sentinel rendered a pulse beam cannons and shot powerful blasts down the manticores throat! He ripped the mechs head apart causing it to bleed it’s tainted circulatory on the tarmac floor.

Both the Leer and Orb watched in complete horror, seeing such a brutal slaughtering unfold. Zanir was shocked beyond speechlessness! He didn’t even breath. Several people rushed into the hangar after hearing the loud gunshots.

“We heard explosions. What’s going on?” Basil asked. Zanir’s eyes welled up with tears as he gave Big Daddy one menacingly penetrating glare. The boy walked away, leaving the mech to stand in the pool of tainted acid.

“Zanir…” Heaven said, rushing out after him. We all did… It was about to happen! Zanir was finally about to break down after it all!

“I just wanted to do that one little last thing because it was what Galveston and I were going to do together, what he would have wanted. The manticore was going to be his, it was going to be my way of remembering him but now…” Zanir cried, barely able to stand.

“I understand but you’re in danger! Your dad has your best of interest in mind. You need to be leaving, Zanir.” Heaven said. All Zanir did was shake his head, too burdened down to think clearly, even with that powerful brain implant. His lip quivered as all he hid prepared to come out.

“I miss Galvy so much.  He was supposed to come along… He was supposed to be there with me, every step of the way. I don’t want to do this alone. No,” He said, sitting down on the side of the hangar, “not after knowing what it feels like to have someone… I can’t.”

“I don’t know what to say.” Heaven said, at his wits end over Zanir. None of us knew Zanir was this heartbroken. It certainly was tear jerking for us all.

“I’m going to get Beth…” June said.

“No. I already know what she’s going to say.” He responded, halting June.

“Well,” I began, sitting in front of him, “Cry… kick… scream… get it out! Bottling it up, acting like it never happened won’t let you heal!” He looked at me with cold indifference, or so it seemed.

“Yeah… I don’t think you’re in any state to make the trip when you’re down like this. You need to heal. Everyone here has licked their wounds and bounced back except you. You’ve taken care of us. Now we’re going to take care of you.” June said, extending out his hand. It left me surprised. June was never this empathetic with anyone.

It was all the more shocking when Zanir took his hand. June pulled Zanir up off the hard stone ground, Zanir gathering himself.

“I just don’t know what to do.” Zanir sighed, heading towards the vaults.

“Take it slow. Think about what you’ve lost. Come to terms with the fact that you’ve lost something and that there’s nothing you can do to get it back. Then you’ll eventually get over it. But this, stressing yourself out with work that takes weeks and weeks to finish when you  don’t have weeks.” June responded.

“Do the Revivalists know of this place?” Zanir asked.

“No but it’d be nothing for them to find out.” June said.

“It really wouldn’t. So what ever you want to do, we’re going to have to lie low and not do anything to draw suspicions to this place…” Heaven noted.

“GUYS!!!!” Basil shouted, running over to us, “What happened in there? That’s a big mess!”

“There was a bit of a disagreement between the mechs.” June sighed.

“Well why are you all being so cryptic today? Did something happen? The radio boys told me about something was happening in the south…” Basil responded. We all looked at each other, deciding if we should tell him. Zanir walked off, heading towards the vaults. It was clear he was quite upset right now and these questions did nothing but fester in his mind. He was doing the right thing, getting away from them.

It left Basil quite perplexed as he watched Zanir walk away from us all.

“What’s with him?” Basil asked. June sighed.

“Look, the Revivalists are here and they’re bringing some new heat that none of us are prepared for. We’re trying to decide how are we going to keep quiet about it but it’s hard on Zanir right now. We kind of need to back off and let him cool down…” I responded.

“So he’s not going to be able to complete his work?” Basil asked.

“Look,” June said, losing patience, “Zanir has completed his work. He’s wired this entire facility, designed an impossible to build machine and is showing your people how to build it! Don’t push it!”
“Sorry.” Basil said, holding up both hands, “Wasn’t my intentions. Um… Sorry. Just tell him that whatever happens, he’s good with me.” Basil then disappeared, heading back to the hangars. All I could do was shake me head.

“He’s only using us…” I sighed.

“We’re only using him.” June said back, watching the boy enter the vault.

“Zeek should be back soon. He always seems to be able to make Zanir smile. Hopefully he’ll brighten Zanir’s mood up a bit.” Heaven sighed.

“Wait, Beth just told me Zanir turned twenty one yesterday.” June said, hatching an idea.

“Yeah.” Heaven said, wondering what the boy was thinking.

“Does Zanir drink?” June asked.

“Eh, first time for everything?” Heaven asked.

“Julio, get us some Nopal Sangria out of the ice. Heaven, you go get some board games. We gotta do something…” I responded.

We did so, finding Zanir sitting alone with his computer in the downstairs lounge. We sat beside him, the boy looking at us without a clue.

“You could have mentioned it yesterday…” June said. Zanir rolled his eyes, leaning back in the chair.

“Don’t start…” He sighed, clenching his head.

“Bruh, you’re twenty one now. You need to live a little.” June smiled. Zanir looked at him, quite bothered by us all.

“Okay.” He shrugged. June held up a bottle of wine, surprising Zanir to seize in surprise.

“You need this more than any of us.” June said.

“Alright…” Zanir said, willing to try it for the hell of it.

“We’re gonna play a little game of chips…” I said, putting the the board on the table, “Who ever loses a round gots to take a shot of some sneaky.”

“Sneaky?” Zanir asked, not liking the way this sounded.

“Oh God, it’s this wine that tastes like nopals and papaya. It tastes like really pungent fruit juice with a really smooth consistency. You’d never know it’s the most nausea enduc….”

“SHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!” June interrupted, slamming his hand into Heaven’s face, “Let him find out…” Zanir looked at him, completely unimpressed.

“Let’s get this shit underway…” Zanir said, taking the challenge. The game went underway.

Each one of us had a deck of thirteen cards. It was a typical card game to try and see who could beat the others hand. Who ever won, got a pick of chips. As the game progressed, one had to bet their chips to keep them circulating in the game. Who ever lost had to take a shot of sneaky. It was often a very intense game, even when played casually. Of course chips was the number one gambling game in the entire desert.

I passed out the cards, each man getting a deck. For the sake of fun, we let Heaven go first since he was the youngest. He dropped a mid range card, waiting for everyone to go. No one dropped a card too high, June winning this round with a seven of diamonds. June raked in seven chips of diamonds, some of the most valuable in the game.

Next was Zanir’s go. He dropped a nine of diamonds on the table. Heaven rolled his eyes, sitting back in the seat, not having a superior card. I dropped a nine as well, just to play it safe. June dropped a nine of diamonds as well, pissing everyone off.

“What?” He asked.

“BAM!!!!” Heaven said, dropping a King of spades. He dooped us all.

“Fuck…” June sighed, reaching to the floor to grab the shot glasses. He poured, Zanir, himself and I a bit of wine and we took the shot. All eyes, fell upon Zanir who puckered, surprised by the pungent kick. It burned hard on the way down.

“Wow.” He said, blinking hard and slow as his eyes watered. We all laughed at him, Heaven raking in thirteen chips of spades. The little fucker was in the lead by quite the margin.

“I hope you didn’t play your best hand.” June said, looking unimpressed, “I’m in it to win it…” Heaven looked equally as hardened.

“Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t… We’ll see.” He said. This boy had a trick up his sleeve but his pokerface was strong!

I played my hand, dropping a fairly powerful ten of spades. No one had a more powerful card except Heaven who, had a queen of spades. We had to take a shot again.

“Damn, do you have nothing but spades?” June asked. Heaven looked at his deck, then to June.

“Nah, I got more than spades.” He said, “I’m just whittling my hand down.”

“Why?” June asked, not getting the boy.

“Why would I tell you?” Heaven responded.

We continued playing, all of us becoming shitty drunk as the hours elapsed. Not a single person wasn’t talking shit about the other. Heaven had won two rounds, June two, me one and Zanir, not a single. It was so funny because he seemed so good at everything but incapable of playing this silly game.

“You motherfuckers ain’t shit…” He said, causing us all to laugh. He clenched his head, obviously hella drunk.

“We are if we’re beating you.” June responded.

“Shut up!” Zanir said, seeming as though he was about to gag.

“Bro you okay?” I asked.

“Nah, I’m about to…” He said, suddenly puking all on the floor. Heaven got up, not pleased at all.

“Damn, you got mouth-shit all on my shoes!!!!!” He said. Zanir looked up at him, not caring.

“Wash them…” He shrugged.

“You’re going to wash them…” Heaven responded. Zanir stood up, obviously a very confrontational drunk.

“You’re gonna make me?” He asked, coming face to face with Heaven.

“Nooooo…” June said, getting between them, “You’re both tip-overs… can’t take a lick of alcohol…”

“Hey, can someone come over and clean this up????” I asked.

“Right!” A custodial worker said, rushing over with a mop and bucket.

We sat Heaven and Zanir down, Heaven just a giggling mess. Zanir on the other hand clenched his head, not favoring his intoxication. Heaven began laughing harder and harder. Soon, everyone in the lounge was just looking at him.

“What?” June asked the boy. Heaven pointed at Zanir.

“He threw up…” Heaven continued laughing himself into damn near strangulation until he puked himself. The custodial worker looked at him, so not pleased about the additional mess.

“Sorry…” Heaven said after it all.

“Well we both know now not to give you liquor any more…” June sighed.

Beth came into the lounge, hearing all the laughter. She looked to see her brother and Zanir wasted. June and I became a bit on edge, with the feisty girl seeing all that unfold. Her eyes fell upon the gambling table.

“Oh my god… You got these two drunk, and played chips,” She said with plenty of fire in those eyes, “Without me????”

“Bruh… you’ve been gone all day!” June responded.

“Still though… I need to unwind too. Figuring out this school schedule is tough.” Beth sighed. June came over to her, smoldering her with those emerald eyes.

“I’ll help you unwind…” He said, grabbing her by the waist.

“Um….” She tried to say but found June’s lips locking onto hers. She was then lost in the moment, the two somehow making it out of the lounge and into the lower vaults. It made me mad as hell. I now had to watch out for two incredibly drunk kids, one violent enough to projectile vomit, the other laughing himself into dangerous puking.

I sat beside the two boys, Zanir eventually falling asleep. Heaven just giggled.

“They’re the weirdest couple.” He said.

“I know.” I sighed, “Just stay right here. I’m gonna get Zanir back to his quarters then I’ll take you back to yours.”

“I ain’t going no where. I’m staying right here…” Heaven said, his hand falling between my legs. He smoldered me with those eyes, arousing me quite a bit.

I politely removed his hand, waking up Zanir. Zanir waved me away.

“FUCK OFF!!!!!” He shouted, before kicking me in the leg.

“Fine… Sleep right there!” I said, going back to Heaven. All Heaven did was laugh pitifully at him, “Don’t you fight me…”

“I won’t fight you…” He said getting to his feet. He tried to kiss me but I moved him away.

“Vomit mouth…” I teased, Heaven just rolling his eyes as I wrapped an arm around his shoulder. We walked out of the lounge down the stairs to the housing vaults. We reached his room, the boy tripping over his own feet. I laid him across the bed. He didn’t know how bad I wanted him but considering he was drunk, I wouldn’t dare take it from him.

“Julio…” Heaven said.

“Yeah?” I responded looking at him.

“Fuck me…” He said bluntly.

“Sorry, can’t do that bro. Maybe when you’re sober.” I laughed.

“Pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaassseeeeee!” He begged, reaching for me. I moved out the way, the boy falling from the bed to the floor. He crawled towards me faster than I could react, creeping up my legs, “Just do it! Being a virgin sucks!!!! Just fuck me for the sake of iiiiiiittttt!!!!!!!!!!”

“I’m a virgin too. Well a virgin dealing with men anyways. Why would you want to have sex drunk?” I asked, “Wouldn’t it be more memorable when you’re not about to pass out?”

“I just want you… to FUCK me!” Heaven said, trying to undress me.

“Dude!” I said, laughing, pushing him off. He was so funny when drunk. Not even gonna lie, I was loving this! I wanted to bone Heaven bad but considering he was drunk and there was a chance he wouldn’t remember this night, it wasn’t worth the risk. Not to mention, I wasn’t packing anything serious down below. It was an average length with an above average girth. I didn’t want to leave the wrong impression with Heaven. I wanted to impress him in every way! He looked at me, those narrow green eyes getting all wide and cure.

“You don’t want to fuck me?” He asked, getting incredibly sad.

“Bruh, don’t do this to me.” I sighed shaking my head.

“All I wanted,” The boy weeped, “Was to lose my virginity to someone special.”

“Heaven.” I said, truly feeling bad now.

“You don’t want me, do you?” He asked, a drunk illogical mess. Hell I was too.

“No, I do want you!” I pleaded.

“THEN FUCK ME!!!!!!” He demanded.

I couldn’t take it any more. I picked the boy up, throwing him onto the bed. We began undressing each other, kissing each other hard and passionately! His pants came off, revealing a throbbing boner. It was cute, clean with no veins and a very nice girth. Being a virgin though, I didn’t know what to do with it. I just wanted his ass!

He rolled over revealing a very, very plump ass, one he hid under layers of clothes. I spread his cheeks, spitting between them. The boy squirmed, eagerly anticipating my entry. Two fingers slid between his cheeks before spitting again. For safety measures, I spat on my cock too. It was now time enter the boy.

I stuck the head in slowly, knowing anal sex is a very delicate process in the beginning. Slowly, I placed the entire length of my shaft inside the boy’s workings. The thing he did with his ass, pulsating it fluidly, like some type of exotic dancer made me shutter in pleasure. I grabbed the boy’s waist, beginning to thrust into him.

He moaned out, laying his face across the blankets. I grabbed his head, pushing it into the covers. Didn’t want anyone to hear us... He spread his legs even more, propping his ass up in the most irresistible way. It brought us even closer together. He now was laying on the bed instead of in doggy-style position. I loomed over him, pounding his ass from above. The boy seemed to love it, squirming backwards in an effort to bring is even closer.

It was all I could remember before waking up beside him. Both of us were naked, staring at each other. Heaven sprung up with very little recollection of what happened that night. I was a bit nervous. Considering how cut and dry Heaven was, he might not be happy about what happened last night.

“Oh my God… did we?” He asked, unable to complete the words.

“Yeah, I think so.” I shrugged, knowing God damn well we fucked!

“Oh my God… I don’t remember it. Do you?” He asked.

“Not much…” I sighed, leaning up to look at him.

“I mean…” He said, thinking hard, “I wanted it to be something I remember, losing my virginity…”

“Hey I gave you my virginity last night as well. I wish I could remember it better too.” I said, laying back on the bed. I remembered every detail from the night.

Heaven looked at me, full of intrigue.

“What do you remember?” He asked.

“Both of us being pissy drunk and falling all over each other until something happened. Then we woke up staring at each other.” I laughed. Now this wasn’t a lie. That’s pretty much how it happened.

“Oh…” Heaven responded, not liking how uneventful that sounded.

“Eh, we can try again some other time.” I offered, smoldering the boy. He leaned across the bed, kissing me.

“I’d love to.” He said.

“Well, now we gotta get ready. We have a lengthy ride to Ciudad Juarez. We were supposed to do it yesterday but got a bit distracted.” I laughed.

“Okay…” He said, getting to his feet. His head was spinning, quite hungover, “FUCK!!!!”

“You okay, bruh?” I asked.

“This is what I hate about being drunk.” He said, slowly drifting towards the floor. I caught him before gravity did.

“Someone obviously doesn’t drink much.” I laughed, leading him to the shower, “Let’s just get cleaned up and be on our way.” I turned on the lights, the boy shutting his eyes tight.

“SHIT!!!!” He screamed.

We showered, freshened up and were on our way. We met up with June and Beth outside the main facility. Beth seemed a bit concerned about something.

“Did anyone see Zeek last night? He didn’t come home.” She asked.

“Nah, I didn’t see him.” June said.

“Neither did we.” I said for both Heaven and I. Beth looked at her younger brother who was hidden behind layers of desert cloaks and the densest sunglasses.

“You’re wasted, bruh?” She asked, laughing.

“Yeah.” He chuckled.

“Drink like a gallon of water and tough it out… Got work to do…” She said, patting his shoulder. We watched her as she left. For once Beth wasn’t being crazily overprotective of Heaven.

“I’m still drunk, I guess.” Heaven said unable to believe the sight as we walked to the buggy.

We met up in the Merchant Flats before heading out on the mission. Upon entering, there was an intense standoff! The juggernaut Logatti Clan was there with their entire force, the Merchant Flats completely surrounded. I looked at Heaven who was utterly shocked.

“What the hell?” He asked.

Our buggy was stopped by the Logatti’s armed goons. They pointed their guns at us. I wasted no time in climbing up to the turret, aiming it at them.

“MOVE!!!!” I demanded. The Logatti goons moved out the way, allowing us to get to the garage. Heaven drove us in, parking the buggy near the exit. June parked his next to us.

Sitting at the tables up the platform was Dale Logatti and Alistair in an intense discussion. Logatti goons were on Dale’s side, Merchant Clan members on Alistair’s. Alistair looked at us, giving us a quick gesture to get out of here. The three of us looked at each other, heading back to the buggies. As we did, Logatti goons snatched up Heaven.

“Boss… Heaven’s here!!!! He’s here!!!” The man who was restraining the boy said.

“LET ME GO!!!!” Heaven screamed. Dale got to his feet, surprised to see his son here. He then turned back to Alistair.

“Where are the rest of my children?” He asked.  Alistair just sat there staring, silently, “If you won’t speak, I’ll slaughter everything you own…”

“You won’t get the chance. All it takes is one button, June,” Alistair said, June holding up his kill switch, “For my turrets to rip everyone of you apart. Now since things have changed, there’s something I want to talk to you about…” Dale looked at Alistair, quite angrily.

“Talk to me about? You just sat here and lied to my face saying you didn’t know where my kids were after I had evidence that every single last one of them were here! There’s nothing to talk about. We’re leaving…” Dale said walking down the platform.

“First of all, I didn’t lie! If your kids weren’t here what makes you think I knew where they were? Secondly, I never denied they were ever here, I just said they're not here and that I didn’t know where they were. And thirdly, the choice to leave is up to Heaven!” Alistair responded, the strangest smirk on his face. Dale slowly turned to the Alistair, the most formidable look etched into his face.

“And let him affiliate with scum like you? He’s my son and I will take him back home no matter… what!” Dale said through the grit of his teeth.

Heaven really began to struggle now.  He pushed and shoved the goons hard, the men couldn’t quite restrain him as they’d normally restrain someone, Heaven being Dale’s son.

“LET ME GO!” Heaven screamed, kicking one dude hard in the groin. The goon released him, giving Heaven the leverage to beat the shitty pulp out the other one.

“STOP!!!” Dale shouted, shocked by just how vile Heaven was being. He and his son exchanged menacing glares, “You’re coming home… no discussion…”
“I’m not going anywhere!” Heaven quickly refuted, “Why are you doing this?”
“Because Revivalists are back in town and I’m rangling up what’s mine until the UCAC can get here and push these tyrants out! You’re coming home.” Dale said, slowly approaching the boy.

“Dad…” Heaven said shaking his head, backing away. It was clear he was quite frightened of his father. It did nothing but surprise Dale.

“Why don’t you want to come home? What’s out here for you that’s you don’t have back there?” Dale asked. steadily coming forth. June and I backed out of the huge man’s path.

“Um, how about freedom? Choice to do what I want to do? I’ve learned so much being in Jeurridam that I’d never learn being trapped at home. You call it a home, I call it a prison and I’m not going back! You’ll have to kill me to bring me back…” Heaven said through the grit of his teeth. It did nothing but frustrate his father.

“Now Heaven, I never had to discipline you before… Don’t make this be the first time…” He said.

“I’m not Ezekiel. I’m not AFRAID of you! I’m not going to SIT HERE and let you beat me!!!! I’ll fight you if it’s the last thing I’ll do! I’m not coming home… You should let Zeek go too! Let him do what he wants to! It’s not fair to us that you treat us like prisoners rather than family!!!!” Heaven fired back, not backing down from his father’s advancements. Dale looked at Heaven in confusion.

“We don’t have Zeek, we came here looking for you, Zeek and your sister.” Dale responded.

“What?” Heaven asked, surprised.

“Wait, you all were together?” Dale asked, trying to make sense of this.

“Yes! We were together… Zeek didn’t come back to camp last night and we got worried.” Heaven said back.

“Ugh, that boy… probably has gotten himself into all kinds of shit for himself…” Dale said, shaking his head.

“You’re wrong,” Heaven said, eying his father with nothing but wrath, “Ever since you kicked him out! Zeek has been doing good for himself! In fact, he’s making it his mission to prove that he doesn’t need you!” It was a shock to Dale’s very system. He was staggered by the heavy words.

“Really?” Dale asked, “So where is he?”

“That’s what I wanted to talk to you about.” Alistair said, coming from up the platform.

“Why did something happen to him?” Heaven asked, rushing over to him. It left Dale in nothing but shock, his youngest son seeming to cling towards the leader of a rival gang that he was supposed to detest.

“I’ve been sending my best informants out into the town to relay information to me about the Revivalists… What they found out is that several people have been abducted and taken down into a vault inside Dredge Valley… They were all in Henderson where you know, Ezekiel works. I’m not putting it past anyone that Ezekiel may have been one of the many people abducted. You know the Revivalists have resources… They would have known who he was from a crowd.” Alistair explained.

“That’s the vault Zanir mentioned the other day.” I said.

“Zanir?” Dale asked, stepping forth towards me. I backed away from the looming man.

“Yes… He’s been helping us make it on our own without you.” Heaven said in my defense. It was then things began to make sense to Dale.

“So it’s true… Zanir did destroy Da Lagon, but why?” Dale reflected. Heaven just looked at his father with so much pent up rage.

“That is a long story but, is Zanir still here? He hasn’t left yet??” Alistair asked.

“Zanir is still here.” Heaven responded.

“You know Zanir too?” Dale asked, hating how things have gotten out of control.

“Yeah,” Alistair said, “And you were wrong to do what you did to him! If we weren’t fighting for the same team, I’d punch you out cold…”
“Don’t act like you wouldn’t use him the same way! You’re not as high and mighty as you might think, Alistair.” Dale said, stepping forth towards the man.

“Prove it.” Alistair fired back, ready to brawl.

“Ya’ll ain’t proving shit!” Heaven said, rushing between them before a massive brawl broke out between the ginormous men, “We need to find Zeek because Zeek could be in some serious trouble… We need to tell Zanir this first and foremost! He’s the only person who can help if Zeek truly has been captured by the Revivalists…”

“Even then, the Revivalists are nothing like Da Lagon. He can’t mow through them like he mows through us! They’re are a militarized conquest! We’d need an army to stop them.” Alistair said.

“Well,” Dale began, “I’m willing to put all differences aside to find my son. We can join forces if things take that sour of a turn.”

“And who said I wanted to partake in this battle? I’ve already lost too much as is and I’m not losing anything else…” Alistair said, quick to shoot it down.

“Alistair, please…” Heaven begged.

“Kid… I understand you’re on ice right now but if I help you this time, I lose everything.” Alistair, responded.

“Well it’s a loss I’m willing to accept.” I said, standing beside Heaven.

“Me too.” June responded, “For my brother Swish! I know he’d sacrifice everything all over again just to help us out. And what would your son do?” It struck a chord with Alistair.

“Okay…” He said.

“Alright, we’re going to Zanir…” June said, looking at us all.

“But Merchant Clan must stay…” Heaven added.

“As well as Logatti Clan…” I finished.

“Where Zanir is camped out at is a strict no conflict area and I’m only bringing the leaders! Dad,” Heaven said walking over to Dale, “Can I trust that you will act decent when I take you to him…?”

“Of course…” Dale said, his face void of any emotion. Heaven wasn’t bought at all.

“Can… I… trust… you?” He asked again, his tone biting.

“Yes!” Dale responded. Heaven shook his head.

“I don’t believe you… If you come, we’re blindfolding you.” Heaven said. Dale wasn’t happy at all with how much strife Heaven was giving him but it truly put into perspective how all his kids felt about him. If one of them had a problem it was just that kid’s problem. However if all of them had the same problem then it most certainly was something Dale had to change…

“Very well.” Dale said, “Miguel… Take our forces back to A99.” It was clear Dale was very much hurt by Heaven’s brackish attitude towards him.

Alistair squeezed his watch.

“All Merchant Clan fighters stand down and let the Logatti leave without incident.” He said.

“Roger.” A Merchant Clan commander said back. We watched as the militants left the garage. The tension diffused a bit but weren’t at all dissipated. Everyone was on edge about Dale’s arrival to Area 51.

“You know,” June said to Heaven, “We don’t have to bring either of them to give the information… I just don’t like the idea of bringing Dale to the place…”

“I’m not so certain how Zanir would react either…” Heaven responded, “But it could drive the message home. We’d have two leaders of the Mojave teaming together for one cause… It’d show the importance of what’s at stake! It’s not just about Ezekiel! It’s about our home!”

“But still. Your father is not someone…”

“Look…” Heave said losing patience, “I’ll watch him… make sure he does nothing to place us in jeopardy. He’ll be blind folded…”

“He should also be tied up.” June added.

“If it makes you boys feel more secure then sure…” Dale said, not pleased one bit about what he had to go through.

We soon were on the road, heading north to Area 51. Dale was blindfolded and tethered to the turret above his head. The whole ride back, Heaven watched his father, the boy’s eyes filled with nothing but resenting feelings towards his father. I knew Heaven and his father’s relationship was, bad but I didn’t know it was this bad! It just seemed Heaven was quiet for so long and things finally unraveled and snapped. Not to mention, he was still quite worried on whether this was a wise decision or not.

It was not long before we were parking the buggy in the lake bed. Heaven and I untied Dale from the turret and he took his blindfold off. Upon seeing this place, Dale became very confused.

“What is this place?” Dale asked, looking at the various desert buggies neatly parked here. Heaven didn’t bother to respond, only leading him forth towards the facilitation area. June and Alistair met up with us.

“Basil is not going to be happy about this…” June said.

“Fuck Basil… If he has a problem he can suck it. Today’s reeeeeeaaaallllly not the day…” Heaven said coldly. It left Dale, once again surprised. This was not the same son he knew three months ago.

“He’s hungover…” I mouthed to Dale, hoping to lighten the mood.

We reached the square, the median between the hangars and the main facilities.

“BASIL!!!!!!!!!” Heaven screamed out. It didn’t take long for the anxious little leader to appear. He wasn’t at all happy.

“Why do you all persist on bringing more and more people? What the hell is wrong with you?” Basil asked.

“Because shit is getting rather serious and he’s another person who can help now where the hell is Zanir?” Heaven responded.

“Why? What’s going on? Who is he and why is he here?” Basil insisted.

“I’m his father,” Dale said, “Leader of the Logatti, now where is Zanir. I need to speak with him…”

“Logatti? You let him know where this place is? Heaven, how could you?” Basil asked, quite upset.
“We blindfolded him and tied him to a turret and spun it around so he couldn’t possibly have the slightest clue about this place’s location. He and I aren’t exactly on good terms right now but can you please show us where Zanir is?” Heaven asked, nearing his limits of patience.

“Well if you’re not on good terms, why bring him here?” Basil asked.

“BECAUSE THIS IS AN IMPORTANT MATTER!!!!!! STOP BEING SO DAMN CHALLENGING AND TAKE US TO ZANIR!!!!!!!” Heaven exploded. Everyone stopped to look at us.

“Okay…” Basil responded, leading us to the hangar where the power cell was being built.

There Zanir was, overseeing the construction. He patrolled around, making sure not a bolt was out of place.

“Zanir…” Basil said. Zanir looked at us, knots forming in his stomach as his eyes fell upon Dale. He came over.

“What the fuck?” He asked.

“Long time no see?” Dale teased, knowing it’d piss Zanir off.

“Explain…” Zanir demanded staring at the man with nothing but rage.

“Zanir,” Alistair began, “You know about the Occupancy, right? Revivalists are in Jeurridam to stay and a few people have been disappearing in Henderson, where things are a bit serious. We’ve learned that Ezekiel didn’t come home last night.”

“Are you insinuating that Zeek has been taken by Revivalists? Why would they do that?” Zanir asked.

“For a number of reasons,” Alistair responded, “They’d know his title, they’d know who he has ties with and they’d use him for a ransom to get to you… ultimately, we believe it is about you.”

“How the hell would these people even know about me? Why is this man here?” Zanir asked, disgusted by the sight of Dale.

“I’m here because I’m rangling up what’s mine, and my kids are here!” Dale said in his defense. Zanir rolled his eyes.

“I don’t get it? You want me to find Zeek? For all we know he could have run off again! Jeurridam is huge and things are not so hot for me right now… Finding Zeek would be a huge undertaking and I don’t know if I can…” Zanir said.

“And what’s stopping you?” Dale asked, not satisfied with Zanir’s answer. Zanir looked past us all.

“Him…” He said. We all turned to see the giant thirteen foot tall sentinel standing there, in shock to see Dale. Beside him was Beth, holding a laptop. Her eyes fell upon her father.

“Dad?” She asked, not able to believe the sight.

“Awe, my baby girl…” Dale said, rushing over to her with arms out stretched. Beth sidestepped him, not wanting to be touched by him.

“Why are you here? Who brought you here? Why’d Basil even let you in! You shouldn’t even know about this place…” She said, deeply upset.

“I’m here because of the Revivalists. After seeing them come into Jeurridam, I had to rangle up my family… It’s too dangerous for you all to be out here by yourselves…” He said, looking back and forth between Beth and Heaven. Big Daddy whirred in skepticism as he began to make his way over to Zanir. The sentinel gave Dale some serious side eye.

“Zeek’s gone missing and now we’re blaming the Revivalists…” Heaven sighed, clenching his head. It was clear he hated the extreme direction this was going.

“What? How…?” Beth asked, quite shocked.

“The Revivalists are occupying Henderson right now.” Alistair said.

“Are we absolutely positive this is the Revivalists doing?” Zanir asked.

“Not quite… I’m sending informants to ask questions at the Henderson Justice…” Alistair said.

“Why there?” Dale wondered.

“That’s where Zeek worked to pull in a few extra pesos.” Heaven answered.

“Wow… this boy was working in a judge’s office? How did he manage to get that?” Dale asked, unable to believe it.

“It’s beside the point! The point is that Zeek is gone and no one knows where he is…” Heaven sighed.

“And what are we going to do if the Revivalists have them? We certainly can’t face off with them.” Zanir said.

“I’d back you…” Dale said, warranting a look of surprise from, Beth, Zanir and Big Daddy.

“So will I.” Alistair added. Big Daddy whirred out angrily, warranting a sharp head turn from Zanir.

“What do you mean you’re not letting me partake in this? It’s me decision… I’m doing it!” Zanir fired back, as big Daddy whirred in response, “No, these people are not worthless! In case you haven’t realized, they’ve helped you out,” Zanir was starting to get angry, “I get Dale betrayed you but it’s not about you! It’s about Zeek and the fact that he and this city may need our help!”

Big Daddy stomped, pushing on the frame of the power cell, causing the entire hangar to rattle.

“STOP!!!!” Zanir screamed, “This isn’t about you! YOU’RE NOT THE ONE IN DANGER!!!!!,” The sentinel pointed at Zanir, whirring wildly, “I know I’m in danger, I know what’s at stake! You and the Leer can fucking LEAVE!!!” Those words seem to upset the sentinel. He began to rampage in the hangar, pushing over what Zanir and the engineers worked so hard to build. The workers had to flee or risk being crushed by falling debris. All this did was make Zanir angrier and angrier, “QUIT!!!!!!!!! I SHOULD HAVE NEVER ENDED YOUR COMMAND PROTOCOL!!! You’re acting like a child, destroying this stuff! This is not fair AT ALL!!!!! You act like I asked for ANY OF THIS!!!! I DIDN’T ASK FOR YOU TO PUT THIS BRAIN IMPLANT IN MY HEAD! I didn’t ask for the responsibility of being in charge of the MOST SENSITIVE DATA IN ALL OF HISTORY!!!! Everything I’ve went through was BECAUSE OF YOU!!!!!!!! I’ve lost a person I loved already and I’ll be DAMNED before I lose another!!!!”

Big Daddy and Zanir were face to face. The mech was completely taken aback by this. He looked down, seeing Zanir was levitating under some strange power. The mech whirred in alarm.
“I’m hovering?” Zanir said, looking down. He slowly drifted back to the tarmac of the hangar, seriously shocked.

Not a single jaw was held in place. All hang from surprise. Zanir clenched his head as he tried to make sense of this. Big Daddy whirred, telling Zanir exactly what had caused it.

“It’s the nanites?” Zanir asked, surprised, “They’re made of gravitanium?”

“Yes,” Beth said, stepping forth with the laptop, “According to your vitals, your nanites comprise of over thirty percent of your body's organ mass after your latest injuries. Like the nanites that compose of the gravity blades, yours are triggered by electricity via your nervous system. It just so happened that thirty percent nanites for organ mass is enough for you gain gravity repelling properties.” Big Daddy whirred once again.

“So this is a side affect of my brain implant?” Zanir asked, big Daddy steadily whirring, “No this is not enough reason for me to leave. I know how important the brain implant is, how much more advanced it is than others, but a friend needs me! Everyone here would stop at nothing to help you if you needed it. Stop being so damn SELFISH!!!”

“Zanir…” June said. He looked back to see everything lifting off the ground around him.

“Shit…” Zanir said, panicking. Everything fell to the ground with a thud.

“Okay,” Beth said, recovering from the fall, “The gravity-kinetic abilities are highly emotion based. Anger reduces gravitational pressure. Fear, panic and stress may amplify it. This is a very, very dangerous property to harness…”

“I can’t believe this.” Zanir sighed, pacing around back and forth. This was something hard for us to wrap our heads around. We couldn’t imagine how hard it was for Zanir. This was yet another thing he’d have to learn about, to control, to master…

“We can get through this…” Beth said, hoping to calm the boy.

“If it isn’t one thing it’s another! Shit just never goes to plan…” Zanir said, sounding as calm as ever. However, the amount of frustration written across his face spoke volumes. He certainly felt hapless under all this pressure. Big Daddy whirred out once again.

“I know we need to leave but I’m not leaving… without… ZEEEK!!!!” Zanir fired back, “You’re your own person… and can get up and go. You have the power to take your sensitive data north… Again, I didn’t ask for this, didn’t ask you to do this to me! If you want to continue with your vision of spreading a mechanized military. Do it yourself… You made it clear it’s all about what you want…”  

“Whoa, whoa, whoa…” June said, stepping before Zanir, “You risking everything? The future of the world rests on your shoulders and you’re stepping before an entire military for one person…?”

“That person, is my son!” Dale said defensively.

“I hate to say it, but June is right. Everything we’ve done over the past few months, has been for you Zanir. We’ve built you up, so you can accomplish this all… I’m not saying don’t help Zeek. I’m saying don’t go about this the same way you go about everything else, head first…” Beth said.

“You think this is just about Zeek and not ALL of Jeurridam? I always think out everything. Why are you saying this?” Zanir asked.

“Because, we’re going against people who have more advanced weapons than we do, more advanced tactics and an insane amount of numbers… How do you expect to go head to head with them…” She asked.

“I don’t want to get head to head with them. I know nothing of the Revivalists apart from what I’ve heard, what I’ve read. I don’t know how they operate! I just want to find out where they have Zeek, where their base of operation is. I’m not going to engage them like I’d do rogue banditos. That would be stupid… I’m going to get something from them that I know could hurt them, information…” Zanir said back.

“I can help with information. My informants are all in Henderson, figuring out what’s going on, what’s where. We do know that the abducted people have been taken to a vault to the west within Dredge Valley…” Alistair said.

“Really? So we’re going to start with the Vault Matrix?” Zanir asked.

“Yes… It’s a labyrinth. If the abductees are there, getting in would be one thing. Getting out would be something else entirely though if not impossible.” Alistair said.

“I know where I can get maps of the vaults. Every single vault, even the ones here, are connected to a central Vault Network near the Hoover Dam.” Zanir said.

“We have detailed maps.” Basil said.

“You’re partaking?” Zanir asked, surprised.

“No… Not at all. I’m only helping because, despite us being Revivalists posers, we all have a common enemy and that is the Revivalists! I won’t get my hands dirty like you all but I will do what I can. Just know that you won’t be allowed back here after this… Once you leave this place this time, you can’t come back. I don’t want you bringing war back here. We’d get decimated…” Basil said.

“I told you, we can protect you! We can help you even build.” Alistair said to him.

“No! After this, I don’t want anything to do with you people! You came here and brought your problems! I put up with it long enough. I’ll help you while you’re here but once you leave, we’re done…” Basil responded.

“That’s fine…” Zanir said, not really caring, “Let’s get a move on. I want to be up in the highlands…” Zanir pulled up his hollo-watch, summoning forth Orb.

This moment was one of the most heart shattering ever! Zanir slowly turned to to Big Daddy, punching in codes.

“You’re completely free. The Leer is no long under my command. It’s under yours… All the sensitive data you created, is back in your hands.” Zanir said. Big Daddy shook his head, stepping forth, refusing to let Zanir go.

The angry boy sent his gravity blades in with a mere thought, the invincible weapons stopping the sentinel right in his tracks. Big Daddy whirred out in his defense. Zanir’s hardened gaze softened up as Big Daddy began to reveal some very sensitive information.

“Nooooo…. No… How could I forget… how could I forget?” Zanir said, Big Daddy steadily stepping forth, trying to plead with Zanir. The blades grew tense, causing Big Daddy to halt once again, “Stay back!!!” Big Daddy did as was told.

“Oh my God…” Beth said, looking down at her laptop. Her laptop was still linked to Big Daddy’s communications.

“What?” June said, rushing forth. Big Daddy whirred out to Zanir in a last ditch attempt to plead with his son.

“You split the information between the Leer and the brain implant because you knew something like this would happen. You knew that if it ever came down to something like this, I’d still be dependent on you! That’s just… wrong. So wrong… But I did something you told me never to do and that was duplicate the information on the brain implant to something less secure… You want your complete information, here…” Zanir said, grabbing the laptop from Beth, “Here’s all one hundred percent of it!” He shut down the laptop, taking off the bottom plate. He got the solid state drive out, tossing it to Big Daddy, “Put it in the Leer for security…”

He left Big Daddy standing there, heart broken. The sentinel had to watch his son walk away and it was nothing he could do. He couldn’t force him to comply anymore, not after seeing how dangerous Zanir was becoming. It was just a brutal and heart wrenching separation.

We got the map from Basil, the boy walking us to our buggies. He seemed quite conflicted.

“I wish I could help more, had something to back you up but we don’t have a strong militant force. We’re literally nothing and for that, I apologize we have to depart like this.” Basil said.

“I understand. You have a city to run. Good luck and fairwell.” Zanir said, his tone having a serious bite. Basil nodded, hating this reality.

“My offer still stands, boy. The Merchant Clan will always be here to help… Your city is starting off in a similar fashion to mine and I can help.” Alistair said.

“I’m sorry,” Basil responded, “But the trust just isn’t there… I can’t afford any more risks…”

“Very well…” Alistair nodded, smiling at the boy.

We were off, heading to the highlands. Dale reluctantly was tied up and blindfolded again. He was in the buggy with Heaven June and Alistair. Beth decided to ride with Zanir and I. She plugged up a back-up SSD to the laptop. She began reviewing the changes in Zanir’s vitals more thoroughly.  

“Okay, there are some things I’ve terribly overlooked…” Beth said, shocked.

“Like what?” Zanir asked, wanting all the details on the matter.

“Each one of the nanites in your body has the capacity to repel gravity just as well as the blades. Considering the nanites compose of thirty percent of your organ mass and are now your blood, that is an extreme… amount of power! An god level amount!” Beth said.  

“Am I hearing this right?” June asked over the air.

“Yes, the same blades that have the power to lift a truck off the ground, penetrate any material! Travel at speeds that outpace bullets! These blades alone are quite powerful, and it’s just over thirty of them. Zanir has millions upon millions of nanite clusters in his body, fuzed with organs, fuzed with his blood!!! I can’t even begin to put into perspective the amount of power that is coursing through his veins. Zanir is a walking doomsday weapon…” Beth said.

“Okay, what do you advise?” Zanir asked, completely at his wits end with this information. Beth looked at him, equally as lost.

“Just don’t get mad… Since we don’t know the extent of the control of your powers, only that they’re tied to your emotions, you need to stay calm.” She responded.

“Wow… the one thing I thought I lacked enough of actually has the power to wipe out the city entirely. This fucking day!!!!!!!” Zanir sighed full of frustration.

“Zanir…” Beth said, looking out the window.

A sense of weightlessness came over us all. Zanir suddenly scrambled to his hands in knees.

“Shit!” He shouted as we suddenly came crashing to the ground. We were thrown around the cabin, hard but the durable analog buggy kept on trucking, “This shit is scary…”

“It is…” Beth laughed nervously.

“You think I can take out the Revivalists?” Zanir asked, truly hopeful.

“Without taking us all with you, no…” Beth quickly refuted, “All things considered though, I’m not against you using it if shit takes a turn. Destroy it all, everything…”

“Hopefully, it won’t get that bad.” Zanir chuckled, quite nervous.

We reached the highlands, overlooking Jeurridam. Zanir read the map of the Vault Matrix, looking for the vault in Dredge Valley.

“It’s not on here…” Zanir said, looking hard.

“It’s not?” Beth asked.

“Yeah, so the vault must be new or something.” Zanir responded, fidgeting with his watch, “Orb will have to get scans…”

“I need a signal booster. I need to get into contact with my boys back in The City of Rust…” Alistair said.

“Okay.” Beth said, “Gimmie your watch.” Alistair handed over his beacon, the girl connecting it to the laptop, “Zanir, can you make one of your blades produce a sustained EMP for broadcast?”

“Sure…” He said, a blade whipping out of the rear of the truck. It hovered above the laptop, beth connecting two wires to it. The blade then began to rotate...fast!

“We’re live!” Beth said, pressing the H key. Alistair walked over to the laptop.

“Sandles, come in… Come in Sandles…” He said.

“Yes boss?” Sandles responded.

“Any new details?” Alistair asked.

“Actually, yes. This is in fact a take over… The Revivalists are here permanently and are starting with Henderson. As for Ezekiel, we sent informants into the inner town to ask about him where he worked. Um… The Revivalists came in and put up a chase with him and eventually caught him as well as others who were considered affiliates. Ever since then, things in Henderson have been taking a sour turn. The Revivalists have gained complete control and have pushed off the Logatti who protect Star Nursery. Informants say that the next step is to come for Paradise, get rid of all the smaller gangs and last, take down the City of Rust…” The informant explained.

“So they do have Zeek and are planning to add Jeurridam to their roster…” Zanir said, not liking this one bit.

“They already have control over California, have pushed the UCNC out completely. They’re working their way up the coast, from here to the Temperate Rainforests of Vancouver up to Beringia.” Sandles added.

“Damn, so it wouldn’t have made a lick of difference if I headed north across the great spine. The Revivalists are all there…” Zanir said.

“Yeah, it was better you stayed.” Beth nodded.

“I guess I really am stuck here. I might as well push these fools out of Jeurridam. I think I may have an idea but we must see what Orb’s scans say about the vault in Dredge Valley.” Zanir said.

“We’re listening…” Alistair said.

“A diversion from the west so we could come in from the east and get into the vault.” Zeek responded.

“And how do you suppose we do this?” Beth asked, not too pleased at how brash this plan sounded.

“I don’t know yet but I’m going to have to think of something. Alistair, do you have antitank weapons you can outfit on your buggies?” Zanir asked.

“Yes… But those are the least of our concern…” Alistair responded.

“I know. The ship batteries are the issue. They’re incredibly long range. I know how to take them out though. Beth, this will require your delicate touch.” Zanir said.

“What are you gonna have my daughter do?” Dale asked, quite concerned.

“She’s going to remote control all my blades. First thing she’s gonna do is take out the main communications. Then she’s going to go after the ship's batteries and last, propulsion… Alistair, you’re going to tell your forces to ready all antitank weapons and engage them! Dale, you’re going to provide anti-personnel forces and place a wedge between the Revivalists and Dredge Valley. But this is just preliminary. The plan could change depending on what Orb discovers…”

“Okay. I’m liking where this is heading. If we cripple the Revivalists main defenses, escape and communications, the playing field will be more even.” Beth nodded.

“This is about causing a big enough distraction to get the prisoners out… We still don’t know where they could be in this massive network of vaults. “ Zanir noted, looking at his watch, “And she just arrived.” He began projecting the image.

Orb was flying quite low and fast, homing in on the vault. Her scans showed that this vault was connected to a network of tunnels near the dredging factory. They ran for four miles, facilitating something akin to a lab, deep beneath the surface of the Bay of Vegas. Further scans showed that a huge underwater base was hidden beneath the Hoover Dam.

“What the hell?” Dale asked, having to look closely.

“This puts all my suspicions into perspective…” Zanir sighed, sad to confirm what he had been suspecting, “The Revivalists never left here… The dredging project was a cover up for their operations in the quarantine zones. They’ve made some considerable advancements all under the rug…”

“This also means they may have another coms system somewhere.” Alistair noted.

“Most certainly… That one will be hard to find but we just need a diversion. My blades can locate Zeek once I’m inside.” Zanir responded.

“You’re going inside the facility? I don’t think that’s wise. We just discovered this base. We don’t know anything about what they have inside of it!” Alistair advised.

“Which is why I need you all to hammer the hell out of the fleet.” Zanir said back.

“What about us?” June asked, pointing at himself and I.

“You know what you’ll be doing! You’re getting us in there!” Zanir nodded, “And Beth, after you take down the ships and the coms, launch the turrets into the air and sit them closer to the action. Anything that comes to the dam or becomes too much for the Merchant Clan to handle, make sure the turrets shoot it!”

“Please! There are are these fast little dog looking racers that are super annoying on an analog buggy potentially deadly on anything with light armor. We’d need the extra ranged support.” June noted.

“It’s now or never.” Zanir responded, ready to pop things off.

Things went underway. We began driving back to Jeurridam, Alistair mobilizing his forces. Beth, destroyed the intended targets, the Merchant Clan attacking within a matter of seconds of the incident. The explosions could be seen from way over here. Things were going as planned for now. The blades returned to to the buggy, returning to Zanir’s control.

“We got a small window of time…” Zanir said as we arrived at Hoover Dam. We drove down the steep slope, eventually stopping near the base of it, “You guys, provide gun support if anything comes our way. I’m going in for Zeek…”

“How?” Beth asked, looking at the dense concrete.

“Really now?” Zanir responded as his blades began to carve into the the dense concrete.

“Wow…” She she said as a man sized hole began to appear.

“I’m rescuing all the prisoners! Make room in the buggies!” Zanir said as his blades rapidly carved into the dam wall.

“Boss, we’re decimating them,” Alistair’s radio buzzed, “They didn’t see this coming!”

“Keep the pressure up. When I say withdraw, withdraw…” Alistair responded.

“Roger…” Sandles responded.

“I’m going in…” Zanir said, leaping from the buggy to the hole.

“Be careful!” Beth responded.

“I will…” Zanir responded, disappearing into the Vault Matrix.