A/N: Sorry for being gone so long! Homework's been a bitch, plus I've been absorbed in watching some stuff and tons of games. I wanna try a first-person view instead of a constant third person one this time. Anyways, hope you enjoy!
Stomp. Stomp. Stomp. The rifle in my monstrous hand rang in a shimmer; the clattering of the open hatches and the rickety hinges rustling as I moved.
My cloak flowed through the wind. I stood on the edges of the Glowing Sea, approaching the wasteland of the I had heard stories of some woman, a pre-war Vault Dweller who got made a popsicle after Vault Tec did it's regular shit. Experiments, that is.
After sifting through the ruins of a few Vaults big enough for him to enter, I'd discovered the Overseer was basically a lab rat in charge of other lab rats. The bombs forcing people in the damn Vaults didn't help much, either.
It's sad. How the last remainder of hope for humanity was just a lie for eggheads to experiment on innocent bystanders. Granted, I may have been one of those eggheads for a while, but that was in the past! I didn't know how big it was! Was I really to blame?
.. Well, I'm old enough to acknowledge that I need to take some of it, I suppose. Certainly doesn't help when people come at you left and right just because of.. well, what I am. Oh, right. I haven't really explained yet. This is probably gonna be a shock but; I'm a Deathclaw. Y'know, bipedal, two big claws, green scales, ugly as all hell, tail..
I assume you're probably thinking.. well, whoever you are. Not sure why I'm doing an internal monologue, but I bet it'd make sense in the manga, whatever that means. Anyway, You're probably thinking; "If you're a Deathclaw, how come you're intelligent?" The answer to that is a bunch of technobabble. In short, I put my brain in a Deathclaw.
As I looked upon the cracked ruins of the Vault, I sighed to myself. I had been walking a while now. Since I started the monologue to keep myself sane, that is. I slowly lowered my left hand to the metal belt I had managed to make. On it was a revolver plated with scrap metal, resembling a metallic pipe pistol in it's form.
It felt sturdy around my thick green claw, but ultimately uncomfortable. I made a mental note to try and find a more comfortable material to use as a grip, because holy hell was it hard to hold. Oh, to recap; I had just found a cave overhang that had a broken-down Vault inside. The door was connected at the back end of the cave- well, connected was a strong word. It was still there, but it looked like it was barely hanging on by a screw.
I managed to pull it to the side when I walked through. It was a quaint little room- one I could barely fit in. There were a few crates on the side of the wall but what really got my attention was this big-ass door off to the side, one which I could fit in and then some. I sorta-crawled into it and inside was an essentially ruined room. Skeletons littered the floor as some big-ass tesla coil stood to the right of the room on the entrance. To my left was the shattered remains of another coil.
Taking a quick step down into the large room's dark concrete flooring, I saw the lighting panels almost falling from the wires that could barely support them just from my step. Sure, I was big, but the vibrations causing that? Bit weird. Anyways, at the back of the room were two more coils. They looked dangerous as hell, probably because of the electricity and the fried corpses of radroaches around the things.
Between the two coils was obviously the most untouched thing in the room. It was slightly rusted but still retained most of it's white plating and stuff. I saw a few ancient comics which had a giant cylinder thingy that could apparently travel in time or whatever. It looked a lot like that, but the door to it was transluscent and displayed the controls. Plus, it was way bigger than the one he had seen in the comics.
"Wonder what it's used for." I thought aloud, stepping closer and closer to the device. I gently tapped the glass, only for it to open rapidly. ".. Weird." I took a step inside. It was pretty cramped, but it was massive enough for me to fit, so I guess I couldn't complain. I kneeled down to get a better look at a small control panel (well, small for me, that is.) with some buttons and dials.
From what I could see, it was either some sort of torture chamber made to fry you with millions of volts of electricity, or.. I guess, a teleporter? From the terminals I had sifted through beforehand, the vault known as Vault 129 was experimenting with molecular displacement- teleportation, basically. So it was likely this was a teleporter. To where, though?
Well, it didn't really matter. I made my way to lea- As I had accidentally shifted the dial, apparently shifting it to the side a bit after I had began to leave. The glass door slammed shut, rattling the capsule as it did so. A distorted, monotone voice sounded out; "ATD MKII is online. Location survey complete. ATD MKII Receiver online. Activating. Have a nice day."
My reptilian eyes widened in shock. 'ATD? Receiver? What the hell does that mean?!' I thought, as I curled up my fists into a ball and slammed them against the glass, causing naught but a reverberation around the capsule. I looked down upon my green, scaline form but alas all I saw was what looked to be blue energy, enveloping my being and slowly- and painfully- converting me into what I assumed to be the very same blue energy.
'Ah. Basically, I'm getting turned into this stuff then the thing sends that living energy over to whatever the hell the receiver is. Dangerous. Probably gonna die. Probably.' I keeled over, hand scraping against the glass as I slowly slumped toward the floor. I was dying. In some way, that is. Ah, hell. Knowing my luck, I was definitely dying. I felt every particle of my body being converted. Slowly. Painfully.
I sighed to myself. I had supposed this wasn't too bad of a way to go. Since I sort of expected to be eaten by Deathclaws bigger than I, or blown up by the insane idiots of the Brotherhood of Steel.. Well, being turned into energy and then thrown into a receiver wasn't too good of a way to go either. Was this just the acceptance talking? He was a scientist, and it wasn't like he could see a way out. Not much point struggling.
The last waking moments of Humphrey Salt would be slowly dying. A shame. A damn, damn shame.
Ancient Ruins, Emerald Forest. Bullhead carrying Team JNPR.I stood uneasy. Jaune, the blond of moderate physical strength, Nora, the orange-haired petite girl who held more energy than the other three on the ship combined. Ren, the silent boy in green garb, and I were told to go investigate an influx of Grimm around an old abandoned crypt out in the Emerald Forest. Headmaster Ozpin was rather cryptic about it. It was likely he had an agenda. Given that he was a headmaster, was that agenda worth worrying about?
"Hey, are you.. okay, Pyrrha? You look.. well, not okay." Jaune spoke up, turning to face me with his bright blue eyes as he got off of his seat and approached me. I gave my brightest smile and nodded. "I'm fine, Jaune. Just a bit worried.." I gave a solemn smile and turned to Nora, who was hopping up and down happily, Ren at her side as always.
"Okay, kids! Time to drop, have fun!" shouted the pilot. I nodded toward Jaune, who returned the gesture and looked back to find the side door slowly opening, allowing them sight into the Emerald Forest. Specifically, a small overhang in the dirt leading to a dark cave. Grimm surrounded the entrance to it, trying to force themselves inside but being forced out and dissipating.
Entire packs of Beowulves had fell from the inconsistent fire coming from the small cave, as well as strange growls and roars. A Hunter or Huntress was likely trapped in that cave with a larger Grimm and was managing to both fend it off and attack the Grimm outside..? No, perhaps it was a matter of a small team of both.
It was far more likely than a lone hunter and or huntress managing to hold off more than four entire packs of both Ursa and Beowulf.
I brought out my trusted weaponry; Miló and Akoúo and readied them, bringing up a cautious stance.
I turned to see Jaune bringing out his own weapon, Crocea Mors, a simple shining silver blade of an almost ornate make.
Ren brought out his dual pistols known as Stormflower, the green pistols with sickle-blades attacked to the underside of the barrel.
Nora giggled happily and brought the grenade launcher form of Magnhild up to her chest, giddy in her albeit contained movements.
The drop was about seventeen feet down. "Let's go!" Jaune shouted, a nervous smile on his face as he readied himself.
Nora giggled and roared; "Let's get going!" She kicked Jaune off of the hovering Bullhead aircraft, then followed soon after. Ren sighed and jumped after her. I happily pursued my team members, and landed with minimal struggle and a little help from my own semblance.
Seeing Jaune slowly rise from the small crater he had made from his impact was a relief, however small. His aura flickered lightly. In fact, it looked like it had taken all of the damage and then some. Nora made herself known via firing her grenades almost as soon as she landed.
This attracted the attention of several Grimm. Specifically, a group of four Beowulves, and three Ursa that followed. Nora's explosions had caused one of the Beowulves to stumble back and reel in pain before a hammer connected to the underside of it's chin, sending it flying before it turned to whatever hellish ashes it had spawned from.
I brought Miló to it's rifle form and began laying down covering fire toward the group, my shield connected to my left bracer.
At a passing glance after I had shifted Miló back into a javelin then sent it barrelling into the lightly armoured back of an Ursa, I saw Jaune bringing up his shield to block an attack from a Beowulf toward Ren, and then bringing Crocea Mors into it's stomach, causing it to keel over.
Ren was peppering the remaining five Grimm with pellets from Stormflower whilst I cut and slashed into them repeatedly. Nora smashing into them with her hammer, occasionally firing off grenades that sent them flying.
Of the two Grimm that remained, there was a battered Beowulf and an injured Ursa, the latter of which charged Nora before being knocked off of it's feet, finding Crocea Mors planted in it's skull. The Beowulf attempted to turn tail and run, but Akoúo piercing through it's back and the dust rounds of Miló peppering the wound, causing it to fall to the fate of the Ursa before it.
We grouped up soon after, keeping our weapons readied and began moving toward the cave from the tiny clearing we had landed in. It was good that a minimum amount of Grimm had been attracted by the explosions. It was actually rather surprising how focused the dastardly beasts were.
They had finally reached the main clearing; and it was an impressive sight. Grimm laid there, riddled with bullet holes and in the process of 'dying.' Of course, there was still around thirty Grimm remaining, consisting of all sizes and variants of Beowulves and Ursai. She could even hear the distant screeches of a Nevermore.
At a quick glance upwards, there were three small Nevermore circling the clearing, flinging feathers into the cave as many times as possible whilst it flew around.
The crowd was noticeably focused; all of them were trying to at least get inside the cave, only to collapse to the ground with a bullet hole close to half a foot in diameter, either in their skulls or centred around their chests.
After the bullet holes opened, the clanking and clattering of falling shells echoed through the cave before a snap of a chamber roared, followed by three more Grimm dropping, three more shots ringing out as an Alpha Beowulf staggered to the ground, trying in vain to approach the cave further. It's skull basked in the shadow before a scaly foot stomped down on it, and a monstrous figure made itself known.
It was mostly shrouded in it's giant cloak that looked more like an ancient brown rain tarp that it had paraded over itself. The parts of it that were visible looked more like a lizard's hide than an actual creature. It's foot was with long, stretching talons that looked as sharp as they looked strong. In it's visible limb; a left arm, was a bastardization of a revolver big enough to be held by the creature.
It's grip tightened as it dug it's claws around the unruly revolver, forcing out the chamber and releasing the empty shell-casings from the chamber and letting the empty casings clatter against the ground. It reached into what looked like an ammo belt and reloaded the revolver, then fired upon two approaching Beowulves. The revolver didn't seem to be what made the large bullet hole, but took quick care of the Beowulves nonetheless.
It spared a glance toward us, but ultimately ignored us and began moving back into the cave. It seemed.. intelligent, but from the little I could gather from it's appearance, it looked like a scaly Beowulf, albeit larger than most..
She grimaced, turning to Jaune and asking; "What do we do, Jaune?" He looked uneasy and ill-willed, quickly reassured by a firm nod and a pat on the back. The team stood side-by-side, weapons at the ready.
A large portion of the Grimm focused on the creature, running after them. Seven, combined with one of the Nevermores that flew above, shifted their attention toward the group. Nora shifted Magnhild and fired off several grenades, exploding midair courtesy of the Nevermore's feathers.
The team's point fighters, Jaune and myself, quickly rushed into action. We slashed and struck, blocking strike after strike from the Grimm's claws. Ren pelted the Grimm with covering fire. Me and Jaune weren't as good against the stronger Grimm in the now-six group that were attacking us, but with Nora and Ren's support we were likely to win.
Grenades fell from the sky, exploding the Ursa that almost slammed it's claw into Jaune's back, the remaining Grimm scattering upon hearing it.
I blocked a slam from the Beowulf's claw, slicing away at it's hide with Miló in it's sword form, before turning it into a javelin and backing off, then smiling inwardly as I saw Miló embed itself in the Beowulf's skull. I quickly made my way to grab it, and turned my head to see Jaune decapitating another Grimm, and Ren slicing into a Grimm's eyes with his Stormflower's blades.
Judging from the distant explosions and screeches, Nora was probably occupying it. It was bound to be a problem. We didn't have much in the way of ranged fighters, besides Ren and I, and neither him nor I had much in the way of stopping power.
"We need to focus on the Grimm on the ground right now. If Nora needs our help, she'll call." Jaune shouts, before a distant "WOO-HOO!" is heard.
".. Which won't be for a while, I think.." Jaune continued in a less enthusiastic tone. The three members of now, team JPR, nodded to eachother then rushed toward the remaining Grimm, weaponry in hand as they fought.
"Victory is assured." I muttered to myself.
Ancient Ruins, Humphrey SalterI audibly groaned as I stood up, rubbing my harder-than-leather skin whilst slowly rising from what should have been my grave.
I looked around, finding myself in a far more run-down version of the capsule I had stupidly entered. Stupidly. Like an idiot. Which I then idiotically activated. Like a stupid.
I internally sighed. Depression wasn't going to win me any wars, and I like when I win wars. It was probably best to get moving.
I walked through the broken glass window of the capsule then rubbed the side of my head again. It was a feeling I was all too used to. The hide, that is. I looked around, and it was basically the same joint as before, give or take four hundred more years worse for wear.
The tesla coils looked rusted to shit and aside from sparks from the ones near the capsules, they didn't look like they worked. At all. Hell, I'd be surprised if they could supply jack shit any more.
I walked out of the narrow door and found myself in a strikingly similar room. In that it was the same, just rusted and there weren't any crates or cases. Plating was offturned and the tiles were broken apart.
I looked out toward the vault door; it was closed, and it had, barely even visible; "VA-LT", not even the numbers were visible, anymore. I took a quick glance at the rusted door controls, then I turned to my left hand. I didn't have a pip-boy, and these vaults were opened by them. Guess I'll have to rip it off..
It was actually fairly easy, but that was probably the wear and tear. It looks way older than the one from the Commonwealth, but it was probably a radically different place, so whatever.
I slowly slid my claws under the gear of the door, then forcefully dragged it out, which caused a loud creaking noise, then a screeching noise. As it made contact with the other side of the wall, I looked out into the entrance and or exit to the cave.
I held my left hand up above my head and slowly walked out, finding myself in for a five minute trek through a completely plain cavern only to wind up fighting a fucking horde of weird Yao Guai and furry.. well, versions of myself, I guess. There were also birds bigger than Vertiberds, but they didn't really do much besides fling feathers which couldn't hit me.
I stood in the entrance to the cave, firing off shots into any that came close. I had to pull out the Truthmaker (my tank cannon I.. repurposed into a Deathclaw cannon I've been calling a Deathcannon.) and make sure it laid down.
All in all, things were going well. I heard some explosions in the distance but they didn't sound too close to matter, so I just kept on dropping the Blackfangs (what else would I call em?) with my big-ass revolver, Six-Shooter. By the way, in case you haven't noticed, I'm a deathclaw. (No way! What else have you been keeping from us, you ask? Well, you'll find out..) so I need some pretty big guns, otherwise I can't really use them.
A while after I had dropped at least five or so more, a group of four kids came out of the bushes. They looked... weird. Their clothes were definitely pre-war, and their weapons were crazy. A weirdly polished sword, a weird, orange-red rifle, two pistol-sickles, and a hammer almost as tall as me.
.. Fucking scary, basically. I backed away after steppin' on the skull of one of the Yao Guai, then hid. I ain't fucking with that shit. They looked shaken up, but that was to be expected. Not every day you see a gun-toting Deathclaw, but they looked even weirder than me, so I backed off.
… Anyways, that was my day today. They're moving in the cave so I'm probably gonna die, so that's a thing.
Well, time to prepare for my 'last stand', it seems. Death by four killer teens. Wack.
I had ventured back into the vault, and tried to force the door back into place. Unfortunately, it just looked... well, more broken.
I ventured back into the Capsule Room (amazing name, I realize.) and tore off some of the tesla coils then put them infront of the door. Capsule too.
Now, I don't exactly know what the hell they were, and I don't exactly want to find out. Don't ask me how I pulled off a Deathclaw-sized capsule with minimal effort, you don't wanna know.
I heard distant noises. Rattling. Then talking. Then it was nothing. They were probably gonna try and search the Vault, and I really don't wanna know what happens when they come through this door. I checked the chamber of Six-Shooter, unhooked Truthmaker and held it, barrel down, akin to a sledgehammer. This was because I actually kept the firing and reload mechanism in reinforced steel I had gotten. Basically, it's a sledgehammer gun. I also have a combat knife and a really big pipe I can skewer things with, but that's less interesting.
I brought Truthmaker's blunt side down to the floor, curving it's blade at an arc to make sure I was ready.
I heard a light knocking. Then a slightly louder knock. I eased myself, then slowly pulled away the capsule, and sent it flying across the room with a thud. I did the same with the tesla coils.
"Come in." My gravelly voice responded, battered and broken by the radiation. I had to make a lot of cybernetic augments to myself. I have a few back implants that I use to carry Truthmaker, Six-Shooter, the knife and the spike dealio. The tarp is just something I found in my travels. It's a bit.. easier to talk to people like this.
Soon, the small door to this cavernous room rang as it opened, screeching across the metal like fingernails to a chalkboard. I stood near the back, Truthmaker's bottom connected to the floor with the blunt of the hammer nearing my right horn.
I had to stand hunched over lest I fall victim to gravity; a heartless wench of the highest order.
"Explain yourselves. Why have you trespassed on my abode?" The group looked taken aback- no, they looked fucking dumbfounded when I spoke to them! They could clearly see my mouth moving, even if it was pretty dark, so they had to know I was the one talking.
The blond guy took a step forward and asked; "W-we were sent by Beacon. Beacon Academy." He had a stench of cowardice around him, but, too, one of valour.
"I asked you why you came to be here, not who made you do so, child." The 'child' bit may have just slipped out. As a deathclaw, I found some.. need.. to keep myself respectable. I would not let loose my emotions. I was to remain steadfast and strong!
He looked even more nervous at my accusation which was delivered a drop too much scornfully, and the red-head next to him practically leaped five foot closer. "Wow! It's so cool! It's like.. it's like.. It's like a scaly Beowulf! And it talks! It's so cute! Can we keep it, Ren?" The.. energetic young lass turned to a particularly.. slothful youth.
"I have to insist that I remain... ownerless, child." My voice practically boomed, with a ring of stoic softness. Was that a thing? Can you be stoic and soft? Whatever, the girl slumped over at that then walked back to.. Ren, was it?
"Though, my curiosity hath overtaken me; what, pray tell, is a Beowulf?" I asked in a lesser tone. I.. I spoke quieter, okay? The group once again looked shocked, but not for reasons I would apparently enjoy.
"W-well, but, you beat up so many out there!" The energetic one said, quickly cutting off the.. redder head near her that looked too much like one of Caesar's legionares.
"I killed creatures that would have killed me. There was no 'beat-up,' as you called it. There was death. That is all I have brought." Perhaps I was a bit too.. truthful with that one, as she backed down once more and they all had almost solemn looks on their faces. Academy... Right, they're students.. with weapons? Weird. They probably don't understand that life isn't as easy as 'we don't wanna kill you but you can't win so give up.'
".. Right. What are your names? I go by Salter, but I am known as Old Salty." I gave a slight bow, tilting my head down and putting my left hand to my chest.
"I am Pyrrha Nikos." spoke the redder-head now known as.. that. Weird name, but I don't really care, How she delivered it was more interesting. She delivered it with a lot of pride, but with doubt as well. To doubt one's own name was idiotic. Perhaps she doubted what it meant..?
".. Lie Ren." The green-garbed boy spoke up. He was too hard to read. He had no.. particular.. smell. I don't really like using my innate Deathclaw abilities to read people, but being unable to didn't rest easy with me. But the name itself sounded like, uhh... Old.. Japanese? Asian? Korean? I wonder if any people from those places exist. Certainly never met one, though I did only stick around America for long.
"I'm Nora Valkyrie!" The now-revealed-to-be-orange-head practically shouted, raising her fist into the sky and smiling happily. It was delivered without fear. Without doubt nor pride. It was delivered, only, with excitement. A bundle of energy who has a check on her emotions. Scary combination with that hammer she lugs around.
"I'm Jaune, Jaune Arc." He replied, albeit hesitantly. Apparently, I reminded him of the.. Beowulf? That, I reminded him too much of that. He didn't really seem to have any pride or excitement in how he said it, he just.. Did. A man without scorn or hate, perhaps? No, he was a teenager. They have more of either than the Wasteland does caps.
"Right. I'd assume you'd rather not stick around in some stuffy basement in a backwater cave, and it seems you have a location nearby. Pardon my language, But I'd rather kick it with the damn.. Beowulves, was it? Those, than stay in this shithole longer." I replied.
They looked a bit cautious, but 'Jaune' said; "Sure. We'll have to take down those Nevermores, though." He made for the entrance whilst holding his chin in thought.
"I could probably bring them down with Truthm- sorry, my Tank Cannon." He held up his hammer again for the group to see.
"You're sure that can hit them from this range?" Pyrrha asked.
"Definitely. Let's get a move on." I made to move before noticing the group had taken several steps back from me. So they do know something after all. I let a smug chuckle escape my.. well, whatever the Deathclaw equivalent of lips are, then continued to the exit.
I heard the footsteps of the group behind me and continued onward. I was still a bit cautious, my hand was near Six-Shooter the entire time we walked, which didn't go unnoticed by the knock-off from Caesar's.
As I reached the exit of the cave, I held Truthmaker in a rifle's grip, batting the left of it exactly once. This caused a small panel to drop out near the blunt of the hammer. I pulled back the spike of the hammer and slotted it into the top of the weapon, then popped off a few of the hatches for the hinges, then let the hammer section fall down. I then connected it to a small railing on the cannon and brought out a round to insert into the opening of the barrel. After doing so, I felt my way around the now-collapsed section of the hammer before finding a small slit that I pulled up, bringing out both a box-shaped reticule and a cover for the barrel. After doing so, I flipped the metal head of the hammer back into place and brought my right knee to the ground. The weapon in this.. 'mode', was a bit uncomfortable as a lot of recoil combined with the head of what might as well be a super-sized hammer with several flimsy plates on the weapon. It could be improved, yes, but at this point, if it needed to be used, it was probably close-quarters or against a target too big to do anything until a bit after it had gotten set up.
"I' require a spotter for exact shots. Would any of you be so kind?" I said, not taking my eyes off of the skies for a second. All of the creatures had died (and unfortunately were unable to be sampled), and two.. Nevermores.. seemed to remain.
"I'll do it." spoke Lie Ren, who approached me calmly.
I lined up the sights to the skies, tracking the body of one of the over-head creatures. I let the head of the cannon fall to the ground with a light thud.
"Readings?" Lie asked me.
I took a quick glance at the degrees and stuff on the reticule. It was from an old pre-war artillery station. Well, not pre-war, and not old, since it was recently made by that Lone Wanderer over at the castle, but never the less, I had managed to use it as a scope for this project.
"Not an advanced scope, and I didn't learn how to read pre-war artillery scopes, I'm afraid." I responded quietly.
He nodded, despite giving a raised eyebrow at the "pre-war" part of my response. He was a young one, so I guess he didn't learn about them? Rather, hasn't learned about them yet.
"Target's occupied. No other hostiles other than secondary target. Proceed." Lie continued. He had a noticeable air of.. professionality toward me. More like I was an acquaintance than.. well, I wouldn't say friend. Hardly known the lad an hour. A person, maybe? The whole target, hostile, and secondary target thing was a tad frightening. It sounded military, but that might be a simple explanation, like a combat teacher being from a military settlement. Maybe he was raised with the Brotherhood?
"Complying." I replied in the continued hushed tone. Then, everything seemed 'hush' as I slowly collapsed my finger around the trigger. I felt the world slow as I observed the very movements of the feathers rustling on the creature's back. I took aim; near the joints of the wing. Then, I pulled the trigger.
The screech, the collapsing body, the agony of the creature, then the acceptance and dissipation of it's corpse as it landed in a group of trees was.. pure bliss to me. It was probably my military side talking. Or my deathclaw side? I wonder if I had that. Considering I could casually shrug off killing an (mostly) innocent creature like that, I'd say so. I let out a sigh of relief as the ringing in my.. ears..? finally stopped. I quickly dug a claw into an exposed panel of the steaming ammo chamber.
I unloosened the hinges and pulled the steaming metal off, tilting it to the side to let a large, empty shell fall out and thud against the ground. I brought one of the same rounds from an ammo bandolier on my right hip, then closed up the chamber.
I quickly pulled the reticle section back and plopped the round in, then connected it back to the barrel and let the head of the hammer collide against the dirt- this would have to be faster than last time. I winced at that. It was a hassle the first time, especially since the group had looked shocked and anxious ever since I fired it. I was beginning to think I had tinnitus-
"-at was that? It was so loud! My ears are still ringing!" came some of the cries of Jaune or Nora. It was hard to tell, at this point.
"Mortar round. Probably." I spoke in a half-whisper. I might have been louder than usual, but chances are, I blew up my ear-drums with that Nevermore. I adjusted my aim and looked back at Ren, who shouted; "Same as before! It's agitated! Expect sudden movements!"
"Hold on to your ears, kiddos. Or go further back into the vault. Actually, yes, go back into the vault." I responded in a louder tone. The ringing began subsiding, which was good.
I heard an almost collective "Okay!" save for Ren, who stood back for a few seconds before following after his running friends.
I let out as much of a grin as I could with this blasted face, then tracked the movements of the Nevermore once again.
The universe didn't slow, nor did my breathing hush. I simply began tracking it, making sure I had it's flight patterns correct.
Then, it's head turned into a vial of liquid that just spilt everywhere. As the dissipating corpse landed near the clearing around the cave, I began returning Truthmaker to it's hammer form, then brought it up and allowed the shaft to rest upon my right shoulder, turning to see the faces of the group behind a crate upturned around the entrance to the Vault, fingers plugging their ears.
I let out a hearty laugh. Rather, I assume I did. I let off two consecutive mortar blasts with whatever I have instead of an ear basically in the blast zone. If I didn't have tinnitus already, I did now.
I turned out to the cavern exit once more, then said aloud, to nobody in particular; "Truly, a beautiful land. Quite efficient terraforming technology must have been used to bring a wasteland to such a forest akin to this.."
"Terraforming? The Emerald Forest has always been like this, Since before Vale was made, I think." Jaune said, as his group ventured out from their stack of crates. They still seemed affected by the sound of the shot but Jaune seemed to have recovered the fastest. Never the less, This had me at a loss. Such bountiful land, 'greenery' as far as I could see. In the conditions the Earth was in? I must have traveled a long way. I'm lucky I ended up in an English speaking country, at least.
"I see. How interesting. These.. Beowulf, and Nevermore, are they perhaps of the same genetic chain? They bear many similarities, though you have yet to name the demented Yao Guai." I responded. Clear and concise. I was sort of ex-military, so I liked making myself as simple as possible. W-wait, not like that! I meant- oh, god damn it!
.. Anyways, the Jaune kid spoke again; "Genetic chain... oh, you mean, are they the same, like, species? Sort of. The Grimm are all the same thing, but they just.. look different. Like humans, except instead of some families being redheads or brunettes, some Grimm families are big wolves, and others are big birds. I don't really know what a.. Yao.. Guy.. is.. but, does that make sense, er.. Salty?"
"Intruiging! So they have the same overall basis, but belong to different families! Ignoring your, frankly, idiotic statement about Yao Guai, these.. Grimm, look to be an interesting study. If I had my laboratory equipment, I'm sure I would be able to keep one alive long enough for a hands-on autopsy!" I flashed my claws to imply my meaning of 'hands-on.' This caused a bit of unease within the group of teenagers, but alas, that was to be expected. Jaune looked more offended than uneasy. Perhaps my Yao Guai remark had done so? Well, if his parents hadn't taught him about one of the many predators of the Wastelands, is it my fault?
"Righty-o. Where is this Beacon? I'd rather not go to a place I have no knowledge of before-hand." I walked out of the cave. Then, an obvious fact hit me. I heard nothing besides the sounds of the forest. Not the forest creatures, just the forest. Had the creatures- the Grimm, decimated the wild life? Before I could ask my follow up question, Ren answered me, albeit louder than usual.
That was also to be expected, whatever equivalent this country had in place of mortars had just went off too close for their own comfort. Were it not for the fact I have good ears, I'm sure I would have gotten irreperable damage. Some of the many perks of being a genetic abomination.
"We're going to take that Bullhead to the courtyard, where Ozpin will meet with us!" He said.
I let out as much of a grin I could muster with this blasted body, then began looking around myself. "Well? Where is this Bullhead you have mentioned?" I asked. Distant engines roared as something practically shot across the sky.
As I looked to the source of the noise, I found myself staring toward what could only be described as.. some sort of civilian Vertibird.. It lacked guns nor the militarization of the usual Vertibirds, but it still looked too much like one for my comfort.
"Right. Will I fit?" I asked lightly.
Jaune let out a nervous laugh, followed by the Pyrrha girl letting out a slight nervous smile. Ren and Nora did not seem to react on the same basis.
"Ah. I assume it will land in this clearing?" I asked, met with a nod from Jaune. He seemed to be the leader, although for a reason not even I could find. I continued. "Good, good. I trust you'll explain my unique.. appearance yourselves. I'm looking forward to seeing this Ozpin fellow."
Jaune and Pyrrha collectively nodded and the former of which pulled out a strange device that he then opened up to reveal a holographic screen. Was this the work of the Institute? Perhaps they had gained control over a country? Would that be so bad? They were a shady group, and I didn't know much about them, but from what I had heard, they were impressively tech-progressive.
He then tapped the screen a few times, and the roaring Verti-, sorry, Bullhead, began flying into the clearing. It hovered momentarily whilst I was in clear view, but Jaune tapped it again and it landed soon after.
"I only hope it can support my weight. I'd rather not get on this bird only to have crashed it simply by doing so." I held my.. chin..? in thought. I kind of forgot I had one, since it was more like the spiky part of my bottom jaw than an actual chin.
The pilot looked nervous at my appearance, but the Pyrrha girl said; "It's fine. He's with us. Take us back to Beacon." and boarded. I managed to fit inside with some struggle and some yoga, but ultimately, I was in. I took up most of the space of the small cargo bay to the point the group looked like they were in the same room as a hot air balloon, but I paid it no mind as the pilot awkwardly gulped and began flying after the doors to the.. Bullhead.. closed..
Soon, we were off. Although the craft creaked and groaned a few times, the ride was.. surprisingly comfortable, if cramped.
I would have to apologize for said cramped-ness later, once we landed. Speaking of which (yes, I time-skipped in my own internal monologue. Alas, what am I to describe? The chippings in the paint?), here we are. The doors opened and I groaned as I made my way out. It was the middle of the day, and it was rather hot. The big tarp didn't exactly help, but I'd rather it be on my back than not.
As I exited, I saw various shocked faces, and one even drew a rifle toward me. Jaune quickly came to my (snrrk) defence and said that I was fine, and that I wouldn't hurt anybody. Whilst true, it was a bit insulting for that wimp to come to my aid as if I was some sort of damsel that needed his help.
The group, along with I, began walking down the courtyard and I began working out some cricks in my neck. "Apologies for the cramped space. I don't often get in vehicles, much less Ver-.. Bullheads."
Soon after, I found myself face to face to a seemingly young man with grey hair, yet not out of age. He had basic glasses, a green scarf and a modern black suit, although closed and without a tie. To his right was some sort of bdsm witch in long boots, a weird.. thing.. that covered her stomach up to her breasts, which were covered by an old white shirt which had sleeves that ended around her wrist, although held by small silver bracers. She had a riding crop in her right hand, almost as if she were about to use it against me.
"I take it you are the surprise the wanted to show me, mister..?" The young man spoke. I presumed he was Ozpin, and tilted my head down a bit.
"My name is H-.. Salter, just Salter. Most call me Old Salty, or Salty, but that is more of an alias than a title. I assume you are the Ozpin they have referenced?" I inquired, bringing my green-hided head back up to face the man.
"Yes.. Yes I am, Mr. Salter. It's a pleasure to meet you." He gave a slight nod of his head as well, and tapped his cane. The woman next to him turned around and began walking away, back toward the fantastical structure I was too absorbed in my little stroll to have even noticed. It looked far better than Pre-war. It looked like an ancient castle ready to defend against the forces of evil. As I tilted my head down, barely able to stop myself from staring at the location I could only now assume was Beacon, I saw the man named Ozpin walking away as well, heading toward a brilliant set of double doors more ornate than anything I had ever seen. "Follow me. We have.. much to discuss."
His ominous tone did nothing to put me at ease, but I followed close behind him. The group of children had also followed me. I assumed they were some sort of personal squad or something for him. It wasn 't too far a stretch, kids being taught from a young age to fight for their 'master.' Alas, I followed. Walking through the foyer of the brilliant Beacon, I found myself in awe of it's every detail.
And thus, started my adventure.
A/N: Yes, yes, I know, abrupt ending, but I really didn't and couldn't think of a better way to do it. Hope you all enjoy the first chapter/epilogue of... Not So Dangerous After all! God am I glad this is done. Humphrey Salter: Skills; Innate Lead Belly. (brackets dictate level, if without brackets, it's the very first rank) Iron Fist (+1) Science (+2) Armourer (+4) Blacksmith (+4) Strong Back Pain Train (special, doesn't require power armour) "Rifle"Man (+1, affects any ranged non-automatic weapons) Refractor Toughness (+2) Gun Nut (+3)
PERCEPTION - 6
ENDURANCE - 8
CHARISMA - 2
INTELLIGENCE - 7 (-1 Deathclaw deterioration)
AGILITY - 7
LUCK - 5
Moving Target Alright, now that that's over with; Truthmaker is a tank barrel with a large chiseled block of concrete affixed to it. Most of the mechanisms in it are moderately fragile as the Wasteland isn't a very good place to make big boom hammers. It utilizes 105mm artillery ammunition and has exactly seventeen rounds as per this chapter. Six Shooter is basically just a pipe revolver that's been made to fit in the hand of a Deathclaw. It has a small custom reticle like a crosshair on the top as well as a longer barrel and comfort grip. I'm an idiot when it comes to most things military such as calibres and stuff, and I don't really know what kind of calibre to say Six Shooter uses considering how big it has to be to be used by Humphrey. He also has a large lamp post he shortened and sharpened, but it's literally just a sharp metal pole, so it isn't really relevant as a weapon.
He has a custom-made combat knife (courtesy of his blacksmith perk) that he has strapped to his upper left bandolier.