ONN ENTERTAINMENT: The Wastelander™ - Episode 6: Storm
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First Broadcast on August 31st, 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.]
Once the theme song stops, Anima Nera, the pilot, and Nalta are shown walking down a few ruined streets of Angel Settlement. Nalta was dizzy and had trouble keeping up, even if she was grinning from ear to ear.]
"How far is this person?"
"Not far around, just turn around the corner here"
[The trio walked through an alley, it was narrow but it led to a wider space. A wider dead end. The pilot heard the unmistakable sound of weapons being cocked.]
"Alright you two, nice and slow, hand over your valuables and you might not be sold off"
[Anima Nera was aiming her shotgun at the pilot, and there were three others with weapons trained on them.]
"Listen, I don't want any trouble, I'm just looking for answers, alright? We'll go"
[The raiders chuckle, it was clear Anima Nera was running the show.]
"Sure you'll go, just leave your weapons, gear, and water, and we'll let you go"
"But that's all we've got"
"I don't see how that is our problem"
[It happened fast, maybe too fast, in the blink of an eye Nalta had thrown herself against Anima Nera, as the other raiders strumbled at the surprise, the pilot got his weapon at the ready, hoping he had recovered enough not to miss his mark. The pilot had managed to shoot at the other three, but when he turned to Anima Nera, she and Nalta were in a fiery fight. Nalta was like a feral beast biting, clawing, and headbutting her. The pilot took advantage, kicked Anima Nera's shotgun away, and aimed at her. Seeing the situation under control, Nalta got off of Anima Nera, standing over her, only to finally lose control and throw up.]
"FUCK! Alright, alright! Take it easy, you got me... What do you want? Weapons? Water? Gear? Solcreds? I can hook you up"
[Now it was the pilot aiming his weapon at her.]
"I told you, I'm looking for answers. Can you help me or not?"
[Anima Nera, bested and humiliated, looked at the pilot, there was something different about him. Nalta was groaning, holding her abdomen.]
"You alright, Nalta?"
[The huntress groans again, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.]
"I'm out of practice. That is some kind of pain... Sorry for emptying over you"
[Not like Anima Nera was in any position to complain, for all she knew, the man was going to blow her head off at any moment.]
"I asked you a question, can you help me get information or not?"
[The statuesque woman nodded, slowly getting up with her hands in the air, to show she meant no harm.]
"You just ended my crew, so helping you is the only guarantee I have that you won't kill me... Unless you're going to do that anyway"
"We no raiders, not like you"
[She knew Nalta meant that like an offense, but Anima Nera didn't care, she knew what she was, she had made peace with that a long time ago.]
"I know some skycities, but I don't know the specific one you mentioned... But, there are some corporations operating on Earth that could help you. Not many around this particular region, but one comes to mind"
"Corporations? They have their own armies now?"
[The pilot was still aiming at the woman, and she was still standing with her hands in the air.]
"Where the hell have you been for the past couple of centuries? Almost every corporation has their own defense force, some corporations make a living offering security to other corporations"
[He could of course answer that question, but he didn't expect her to understand, or believe him.]
"Alright, which one are you thinking of?"
"Armitech, there's a small refueling base a few miles northwest from here... If you promise not to kill me, I'll guide you there, and I'll get you to talk to someone in charge, you'll get your answers. You have my word"
[Nalta intervened, her spear aimed at Anima Nera's throat.]
"Don't trust her, Ion, she some kind of wicked. She a raider. Can't be trusted! We kill her" [The pilot finally places his hand on Nalta's spear, lowering it.]
"You tricked us once, tried to rob us. You'll take us to this Armitech refueling base, and then you'll be free to go and do whatever you like... But I swear, pull a stunt like that again, and my friend here will feast on your insides and make you watch"
[Anima Nera looks at Nalta who snarls as if she was a beast. She then turns to the pilot and nods.]
"Alright, you got yourself a deal, I won't try any more bullshit, you won't blow my head off, or let your pet there eat my insides, got it"
"Hey! I not a pet! You are some kind of idiot! Pshká!"
[Anima Nera smirked, she was about to say something else as an alarm goes off in the area.]
"Seems we'll have to delay our departure"
[The pilot looks confused, Anima Nera picks up her shotgun and loots the bodies of her former associates.]
"Why? What's that alarm for?"
"Radiation Storm"
[Anima Nera points at the sky, a strange and eerie blueish green hue was slowly enveloping it.]
"We need to get indoors as soon as possible and wait it out... Unless of course you don't mind seeing yourself turn to goo"
[Nalta growled, but she knew Anima Nera was right, the woman guided them back to the bar where they met, it was packed now.]
"What's a Radiation Storm?"
"One of the gifts of the war, this planet took a nuclear pounding for decades, messed with the atmosphere and the weather in general. So every now and then we get the love child of a thunderstorm with unmitigated radiation. They aren't too frequent, but they can last up to five hours. Get comfortable, once we get the all clear, we'll be out of here"
[The patrons seemed used to the prospect, even when the winds outside were picking up speed and power, they seemed unfazed. As he waited, he was uncertain if he'd ever get his answers. The scene fades to black as the credits roll. The Wastelander™ is a Production of Orbital Content Programming and House Storm. All Rights Reserved 2493-2494.]