Ladies and Gentlemen... Here we go! Time for an Enslaved story! Now, here is the deal, this takes place after my one-shot "Words We Couldn't Say." If you haven't read it... I suggest you go do so. You don't need to read it to follow this story... but I just REALLY want you guys to read it! :) Now, then... it's time for another adventure for Monkey and Trip. Here is how we are going to start.

Also, the rating is T for language and violence but nothing to overt.

Enjoy...

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the rights to Enslaved. If I did, I'd be working on a sequel. But I don't.

Chapter 1: New Start

Three days after the deactivation of Pyramid, most of the world is unaware the threat of the mechs is a thing of the past. So many people still cower in fear of the possibility of a mech attack that very few of them are even curious as to why the attacks have suddenly ceased. They just imagined that it is just a matter of time before the ships fly over head or another wave of mechs finds them. However, there are always those who stand ready for attacks from the mechanical oppressors and those who scavenge the world to survive. Through these strong few, slowly but surely, the revelation of mechs of being deactivated is coming to light.

One such group who learn of this new development in the world… is about to use it to their advantage.

The brown haired, lean and fit, Stern sat at his desk in his mansion in the town of Steel, situated 500 miles southeast of Pigsy's swamp. He was leaning back with his feet on desk, reading book, while his girlfriend, the raven-haired, curvy, muscular Hammer, sat on the desk reading as well. Suddenly, two of their cronies rushed in. They both looked to see the identical twin muscle bound, trucker brothers, Roadblock and Barricade, breathing hard.

Hammer noticed they were standing awkwardly and, while breathing hard, had their mouths open like they wanted to say something.

"What's wrong with you nimrods?" she asked.

"The bots, Boss Lady," Roadblock said.

"What about them?" Stern asked, never looking up from his book.

"They shut down, Big Boss," Barricade answered.

Stern stopped reading, as did Hammer. He looked up at them, curious by what they meant. He took his legs down from the desk. "What do you mean shut down?"

"They just turned off… just… off."

"Since when?"

"Our guys have said they all realized it about three days ago, Big Boss. Might'a been longer."

Stern stopped for a few seconds to let this news sink in. "So… they're not active? At all?"

"No… sir."

Stern couldn't believe it. He looked at Hammer, who was stunned as well. Soon, they both smiled. This was very good news.

Stern stood up, "Gas up the trucks, boys, and get all the boys and girls together. Business is about to pick up again. More than ever before."

Over a thousand miles west, the two responsible for the disabling of Pyramid, Monkey and Trip, sat at the edge of the river in the forest they found after shutting it down and escaping. With getting to Pyramid, disabling it, running from it, and the admission of their feelings for one another just days ago, they were both very exhausted and the rest was welcome. They had been at the river for four days, just taking a breather, enjoying being alive, and getting their strength back from all the constant battle. It was the first time Trip had been able to finally sleep peacefully since this all started and it was the first time Monkey had actually gotten a good sleep since… well, he couldn't remember the last time it happened.

Trip was fast asleep against Monkey while he stared up at the morning sky. He had only woken up 15 minutes ago. He enjoyed the peaceful scene and the beauty lying on his chest. This was the very first time he could remember waking up and not being on constant alert for mech attacks. He looked down at Trip, realizing that for the first time he could ever remember, he felt happy.

Trip started to move. She slowly opened her eyes and took a deep breath. She looked up at Monkey. A more welcome sight she had never seen, especially with everything else going on. "Hey."

"Hey."

She rubbed her eyes. "It's morning already?"

"Yeah."

She moaned and just put her arms around his waist, squeezing tighter. "So… I know we haven't talked about it but… what do we do now?"

He sighed. That was a good question. "Well… I do want my ride back."

She smiled. "I should've known that."

"But going back across the wasteland to get it will be hard without something to ride in."

She thought that over. "Soooo, we need a ride… to get your ride?"

He slightly shrugged, "I can see how that sounds… but yeah."

"No. I get it. It's not like we have anything else to do." She sighed. "So, how do we get back across the wasteland?"

"I think I remember seeing wreck yard not far from here when we got out of Pyramid. It's about a day or so from here."

She sighed. "Long trip."

"Yep."

She sighed, "Oh, well. At least there aren't any more mechs."

Monkey scoffed. "Yeah… but…" He thought back, "…there are some things worse than mechs out there."

She looked at him very surprised. "You serious?"

"You grew up in a nice community, Trip. I grew up out here. Believe me, there are things… people… out here that make mechs seem like a joy." He paused, "At least, with mechs… you know what you're getting."

Trip stared at him. This was a different tone for him. "Seems like you know a lot about that."

He paused for a while as he remembered a past he'd rather forget. "A little too much."

This was bothering him. That much was easy to tell. For a guy who never let things get to him, this really did. "So, what do you wanna do?"

"Let's find that junkyard. Then head back."

"And after that?"

That was another really good question. He really had no idea. "I don't know."

The duo made it to the junkyard which was a day and half's walk from the forest. They looked through the junkyard, trying to find something to ride or drive back across the wasteland. When they came across some deactivated mechs, Monkey jumped into battle mode, expanding his staff.

"Relax," Trip said. "They're off-line, remember?"

"Oh." He retracted his weapon. "Right."

She giggled. "Nice to know you're still ready to fight."

"Don't know how else to be."

They both scavenged around for a vehicle that could take them across the country back to Pigsy's swamp. They soon found a passable vehicle: an old tow truck with a sturdy frame and battering-like grill. It seemed in good enough condition to at least start. But it was still a wreck.

Monkey groaned, "Are you kidding me…"

"Don't be like that." Trip stared at it. "I'm sure it'll run."

A metal panel fell off the side.

"…with some work."

Monkey folded his arms. "Yeah. A lotta work."

"Maybe." She looked around and she looked back at the off-line mechs. "Hmm…"

"What?"

"I think… I think maybe we can use parts from the mechs to get this thing working."

"How?"

She looked at him. "Do you really want me to explain?"

He thought about the long explanation tied to her explaining how she would get it working and knew most of it would go right over his head. "Nope."

She giggled. "Can you drag a few mechs over so I can get to work?"

"Sure." He started to walk off but then stopped. He looked at her. "It's going to be a long night… isn't it?"

She smiled. "Oh… yeah."

He groaned.

Back in Steel, Stern and Hammer had their soldiers assembled outside of their mansion. They were very breathing, living example of the term "rough necks." Men and women, who were all dressed in clothing that had seemingly never been washed and they all had seen their fair share of battles. There wasn't one among them that didn't have tattoos or battle scars. The soldiers were all talking loud and making what others describe as rude gestures while waiting for their leaders to begin.

After a few more minutes of noise, Hammer stood up on a table and whistled loud enough to get everyone to quiet down. "Hey, you morons! Listen up!"

They fell silent.

"Thanks, babe," Stern said to Hammer. He climbed up on the table. "The mechs are shut down!" He spread his arms out, "They're off-line! Now, people think that they are going to just live the life the way they want to. But… but what do they know? People living in their perfect little communities. They don't know what it's like out here. Without mechs. Not like we do. No, no, they need us. THEY NEED US NOW MORE THAN EVER!"

Cheers came from the crowd.

"So, what do you say?! Let's show 'em, huh?! Let's go out there and show them all how much they need THE DREADS!"

Even more cheers came out.

Hammer spoke next, "So, get your asses out there…" She leaned on Stern's shoulder. "…and bring Momma and Daddy home something nice."

They all cheered and whooped and raced for their vehicles with bloodlust and a craving for damage coursing through them all. They all drove off into the night as Stern and Hammer went back into the mansion.

"And how long before people get tired of us just taking things?" Hammer asked. "How long before they decide to try and fight back?"

"Let them try," Stern said. "They'll find out we run things for a reason."

Hammer laughed quietly.

"After all, who in the hell is tough enough to take us down?"

Who indeed, Stern, who indeed?

How was the start? Trust me, you're going to learn a lot more about the Dreads and their leaders in due time. Be here for the next chapter.

Next Chapter: Dreads

Monkey and Trip are about to have their first run in with the Dreads. At least... it will be Trip's first run in.

You won't wanna miss it.

As always, REVIEW, PEOPLE! I LOVE THOSE!