ONN ENTERTAINMENT: The Wastelander™ - Episode 8: Gates
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First Broadcast on September 4th, 2493
ONN Entertainment/The Wastelander™ is a Production of Orbital Content Programming and House Storm.
[The credits start after a short recap of the previous episode, once the recap ends, the theme song kicks in.]
The path to the fueling base was tougher than he had anticipated. It hadn't been one hour since they left the Angel Settlement and they had started fighting off wandering chimera. Monsters of all kinds, with more claws and fangs than the pilot cared to check. Some flew, some moved too fast, and some even acted as if they were wearing body armor of sorts. To her credit, Anima Nera was a terrific warrior, her size and sheer brutal power oftentimes was the last thing any chimera would experience in this world.
In one occasion, they were even ambushed by raiders, the pilot was curious to see how Anima Nera would react, maybe she had reservations attacking them, maybe their words the night before would have triggered something within her. But that wasn't the case, she would deliver a shotgun blast to the face, or pummel any opposition and turn them into a bloody pulp.
Nalta's attitude and knowledge of healing herbs was the glue that kept the unlike trio together. He had to admit that the three of them made quite the team.
As the sun was starting to set, exhaustion was setting in. The pilot considered setting camp, but both Anima Nera and Nalta advised against it. He learned then that there were chimera that also moved underground and had a penchant to attacking unsuspecting travelers after the sun had set. They had to press on until they had at least reached a safer spot. Right after the sun had set, Anima Nera stops them, pointing in the distance, a light in the distance.]
"Home stretch, that right there is the Armitech fueling base, it has a name, but there are so many corpo bases around that I forgot what's called"
"Anything we should know about it before we get close?"
"Yeah, no sudden moves, keep weapons holstered, don't do anything stupid, and let me do the talking"
[The pilot agreed with Anima Nera's assessment, he looked at Nalta, she wasn't so sure about keeping her weapons holstered, but this was beyond anywhere she had ever been to, so she would play by their rules.
Night had already set when they reached the base, spotlights were immediately set on them, and the sounds of powering up turrets and men getting ready for combat wrapped the otherwise quiet base.]
"Halt! You're about to reach Armitech Corporation's property, identify yourselves, and establish your intentions"
[Anima Nera looked at the pilot and Nalta one more time, as if reminding them what they needed to do and she walked forward with her hands up.]
"Calm down, Billy, it's just me... Is the boss in?"
[The tension didn't diminish even if the statuesque woman was approaching slowly.]
"We told you before, and we'll tell you always, whatever you are peddling we're not interested, you made your bed, fuck off and lay on it"
"Listen Billy, you and I both know I could get over there with one move and snap your scrawny little neck after what you did to me... I'm trying to play nice, is the boss in or not?"
[There was a brief silence.]
"He may be, he may not be... Whatever you want with him, you can tell me"
"I got with me a man, he's looking for a skycity... But not any skycity, he's looking for one called The Haven"
"Name don't ring a bell"
"That's because it's from the Transcendence War, this man was a fighter pilot from back then"
[The spotlights were immediately set on the pilot.]
"Bullshit"
"Yeah it's what I think too, but the man talks about back then like he lived it, I figured I'd bring him to you fine people, you run some tests, see if he's lying and see if he can be of use to you, guessing having a genuine article of about three centuries ago would fetch a pretty penny for the corp, don't you think?"
[There was another moment of silence before a reply was heard.]
"Stay where you are, I'm coming down, no tricks and no bullshit, got it?" [A few moments later, the gates opened, a middle aged man with a cybernetic right arm, and a cybernetic eye replacement was standing before the trio. Compared to Anima Nera, he was short, but the scars on his face showed he had seen as much action, or maybe more than her. He looks at the trio, looking unimpressed. He then address the pilot.]
"What's your name, 'soldier'?"
[The pilot frowned momentarily, but nodded anyway. If he were in that man's position he'd also have doubts to say the least.]
"Morgan, John. ATF-8973---"
"I only asked for your name, leave the serials for later"
[Anima Nera nods and slaps her hands.]
"Right, that's my part done, so I'll be off"
"Don't even think so"
[The pilot didn't need to see to know she was getting weapons trained on her.]
"I'm taking John here to see the Major, but you and the mutant are coming to detention, once this man is free, you are also free to go"
[Anima Nera groans, looking at the man.]
"Billy, seriously? Is this really necessary?"
"You know the drill, surrender your weapons, and get ready for processing"
[Nalta was getting jumpy, and when one of the soldiers tried to get her spear, she almost bit his face off.]
"Nalta! It's alright, just give them your weapons, you'll get them back when we get out of here... When we all get out of here. It'll be alright, trust me"
[Groaning, the young mutant lets the soldier take her weapons. Anima Nera revealed concealed weapons on her person besides her shotgun, which made the pilot wonder why she didn't use them when she tried ambushing them. Once the trio was searched, the man motioned for them to enter the base.]
"Please exercise caution at all times, aggressive behavior will be met with non-lethal neutralization protocols"
[As the three of them walk past the gates, they realize there had to be dozens of soldiers in the facility. The Wastelander™ is a Production of Orbital Content Programming and House Storm. All Rights Reserved 2493-2494.]