CHAPTER 1

Today was the day. Lillith and Maya waited at the train station. You could slice the air with a blade it held that much tension. Both women were anxious, and for good reason. After the vault hunters defeated Warrior last year, they had sent out plenty of ECHO recordings to whom they hoped would become allies, in the quest to destroy the many remaining vaults across the galaxy.
Fewer than they thought would, had answered their request for help. And today a train arrived with a fresh batch of 'vault hunters'.

Most were the typical thrill seeking space cowboys, chartering across galaxies chasing fresh bounties. Most would say it was the easier care free lifestyle that attracted people to that type of job. But the mercenaries on Pandora, (or what few where left) knew that that statement couldn't be further from truth.

They were first faced with the tedious task of rebuilding on Pandora before they set off across the galaxy, and most new recruits were put to the test in Pandora's borderlands. None had come out of it alive yet, and seeing as the New-U technology that belonged to Hyperion had been destroyed with handsome Jacks demise, they had to be cautious.

The two sirens sat in the small, whimsical shelter that served as the station.
"Do you think she will know anymore of our abilities?" Maya asked Lillith. Lillith sighed and sat back on the bench seat, flicking her short red hair out of her face.
"I'm not too sure. Her reply was short and sweet to say the least. It gave me the impression she was running from something"
"or someone" Maya added. "well we have all been down that road haven't we?" Maya sat back as well, and glanced at the digital device strapped to her wrist. The sun was high above them, around midday on Pandora and the light breeze blew across the dusty plains that stretched out around them.

"The train is running late again" Maya huffed. "what a day to be out here waiting!"
"Your telling me!" The gruff male voice sounded from their right side, as Axton rounded the corner of the shade hut. "Mordecai sent me to check on you." He shrugged as if he knew all along that the two sirens would be fine by themselves. An angry flash ran through Lilliths' eyes.
"He is so paranoid of late" She said to the soldier.
"Can you blame him? After losing his beloved Bloodwing, then Roland on top of that..." Maya said in the hunters defense.
"yeah well, maybe the poor guy just needs a distraction!" Axton threw in. "Hasn't he always had a thing for you Lillith?" He cocked his eyebrow at the red headed siren.
"nah, too much history there" was all she said. Maya knew they had grown up together, along with Brick and the now deceased Roland. But she wasn't sure if Axton knew it or not. And it wasn't her place to tell him. There was also Lilliths romance with Roland, the blue haired siren wondered if her friend would ever truly get over his death.

Lillith stood as she focused on the distant train line.
"Trains coming in" she muttered. Maya stood too, and walked a little closer to the concrete platforms edge.
"Bout time" she said as she raised a hand to shade her eyes from the sun a she peered into the distance.
"What? How do you see that?" Axton walked as close to the edge as he dared, and peered off into the distance. He could see nothing but emptiness in the baron plains. Even when he raised his rifle and looked through the scope. Lillith just crossed her arms and stepped back into the shade.

"its coming, kiddo, dont you worry about that"

"Well, guess I'll have to take yer word for it" he sighed, he still hadn't gotten used to the pairs surreal abilities. Their blue, spiraling tattoos down the left side of their body was the only thing that marked the women as different. Axton remembered back to when they had to kill Angel, another siren who was being used to destroy Pandora with her eridian powers. He shuddered with the memory. Just as Maya frowned at him, obviously wondering about his weird reaction, he heard the train humming in the distance.

After they had destroyed the Warrior, Axton had chosen to remain with the original group of Vault hunters, as did Maya. Axton was never the type to share in glory, or let others take his slice of the action, for that matter. But Pandora wasn't like any other planet he had been on. His former military training indeed served him well in this hostile, untamed environment. He reached up and dusted the sand from his short blonde hair, and peered out to where the train tracks disappeared over the horizon.

As it came into view, it didn't take long for it to reach the platform.
'STOP 3-19. SANCTUARY' an electrified voice sounded over the speakers inside the train. The doors slid open.

First to step off was a kid. He didn't look any older than 18. But the ammo belt, gun holster and echo headset confirmed that he was here as a soldier. He wore a cocky grin on his face, and smiled a little too eagerly when he lay eyes on the two women. Lillith bought her hand up to cover her face. Maya smirked.
"Think he'll last long?" she said quietly into Lilliths ear.

Maya continued to watch as the next contender stepped forward. An older man in a military uniform. He had dark grey hair, cut short and neatly. He clutched his SMG with ease, like it was an extension of his thickly muscled limbs. He had
the appearance of a well qualified veteran. Maya guessed he would have quite a few kills under his belt. A slightly more promising contender than the first.

"Ladies" He saluted as he came past the pair of women, Axton still at their side.

"I forgot I was wearing my tutu today" Axton grumbled on Mayas other side. Her eyes showed her silent laughter.

The third man stepped into view A tall, dark skinned man. Maya thought for a second that his features resembled the late Roland, and wondered how Lillith would react. The blue haired woman glanced sideways. Lilliths face was cold as steel. Either she didn't see the resemblance or she was forcing herself not to take notice. Maya guessed it would be the latter.

The dark man carried an odd assortment of weaponry. Many that all three of the veteran vault hunters hadn't seen before. He stepped down onto the platform and smiled a wide toothy grin. Obviously greatly anticipating his newest campaign.

There was only one left now. Both women seemed to be holding their breath, Axton noted. He had no knowledge of whom the latest recruits were. And previously he hadn't gone to any great lengths to get to know them either. In his opinion, they wouldn't be here long to be worth the effort the two women obviously knew who was aboard the train. And as soon as the fourth passenger stepped into view, he understood immediately.