I stepped out of the transport shuttle, smiling yet exhausted. The landscape of Pandora seemed barren, nothing but sand and dirt across the horizon. Adjusting the bag on my shoulder, I followed the other passengers to the bus stop. There were only 5 of us, pretty large for a shuttle headed to the biggest shithole in the six galaxies. Most of us would probably be dead within the week, but not me. I have a mission, and I've already experienced what this planet can throw at me.
It was just 5 years ago that I obtained my doctorate in Zoology. At that time, the first vault had just been opened, the eridium just beginning its work mutating the fauna of the planet. It intrigued me. I didn't care about the vault or treasure, I was in it for the science. I wanted to explore this eridium, to study its effects.
But I must admit my interest in Pandora was twofold. My second reason? A famous zoologist by the name of Sir Hammerlock. I had studied his research since I was 12. I've read every book and almanac, I've collected every article in every scientific journal across the six galaxies. I guess you could call me a fanboy.
Anyway, I ended up on Pandora not long after the first vault opening. The wildlife had just begun to show evidence of mutation from the eridium. I was on Pandora for almost 3 months. I thought I was accustomed to battle, and so I went to a place called Skag Gully, where creatures known as threshers had began to gather. I was curious about how they had adapted to the hostile environment created by the skags.
I sat atop a cliff, binoculars in hand. My journal lay before me, and I scribbled notes as I watched. A flock of rakk flew overhead, tossing my journal aside. I rushed to catch it, as it nearly flew right off the cliff. But I lost my footing and instead fell. I landed in front of a group of Skag pups, who began crying at my presence. A badass corrosive Skag walked out of the cave in front of me, and I heard threshers approach from behind. I realized that my rifle was still on the cliff; I was defenseless. I sent out an emergency call on my ECHO unit as the creatures jumped me.
When the vault hunters arrived, I was a bloody mess. The corrosive skag sat, chewing at my skull. My left arm was... somewhere. A thresher had ripped it off at the elbow as I ran from the skag. The vault hunters made quick work of the creatures and began to drag me to their vehicle. I was just conscious enough to start screaming about my journal. I didn't give a damn about my life then, I just wanted to make sure all my research wasn't lost. Two of the hunters just laughed, but as I passed out, I saw one of them pick up my journal.
I woke up in the "hospital" of "Doctor" Zed. I didn't know what to think. My head hurt. My arm hurt. My everything hurt.
"Sleeping beauty awakes," a voice chuckled. I sat up, leaning on my right elbow. I could feel bandages covering most of my face, and I looked down at the stump of my left arm. It too was wrapped in bandages. I was happy to be alive, but I wasn't sure what to do with myself. I looked for the source of the voice.
Lilith smirked down at me.
"You're lucky to be breathing. For a while there, we thought Zed wouldn't be able to put you back together. But if you want to get properly fixed, Pandora is definitely not the place to be." She reached into her coat pocket and pulled out my journal. "And don't worry about this," she added, waving the book.
"Guess I need to get to a real doctor," I grinned. I spent the next 15 months on Eden-5 undergoing several surgeries. After having a metal plate screwed into my skull and a robotic hand attached to the tattered remains of my arm, I immediately returned to my work. I stayed on Eden-5 for a while. Until now.
I stepped out of the bus. The other passengers and I exchanged confused glances as we noticed the pit where the the town of Sanctuary was supposed to be. Marcus, the bus driver, gestured to the fast travel station on the side of the road.
"You'll have to use the Fast Travel station. Sanctuary has been... relocated." He laughed strangely and drove away. I was the first to approach the Fast Travel station. I found Sanctuary on the destination list and hit the travel button. I had forgotten how strange teleportation felt.
I appeared in an empty building near the center of town. I walked around for a bit, unsure of where to go. I had heard that Sir Hammerlock had recently moved here, but I didn't feel like striking up conversation with the townspeople. So, I found the only bar in town, Moxxxi's, and sat at the counter.
I had met Moxxi a few times during my last stay on Pandora, so I knew she was my best bet for information. Impatient to rekindle my scientific endeavors on Pandora, I decided to ask Moxxi right out if she knew anything about Sir Hammerlock.
"It's been a while, hasn't it Moxxi?" I asked with a smile. She smiled back and answered in a cheery voice.
"Sure has, sugar. Last time I saw you, you were a newbie explorer. Looks like Pandora made you a man." She leaned on the bar, smiling sensually at me. "But a busy scientist like you has no time for little ol' me, right?" she asked, playful disappointment in her voice.
"Sorry, Moxxi. I'm actually looking for Sir Hammerlock. Know where I can find him?" As much as I liked Moxxi (in a purely platonic way), the idea of meeting Sir Hammerlock had me nearly exploding with anticipation.
"Patience, kiddo. Old Hammy comes by every day. The vault hunters meet him here for jobs all the time. Just sit around, and he'll show up." I sighed, and chatted for a bit with Moxxi. Sure enough, I saw Sir Hammerlock walk in just a half an hour later.
I stared down at the bar, anxiety keeping me pinned to my barstool. I felt like a giddy fangirl, wondering about how to greet him and what I should talk to him about. Moxxi was talking to someone else as she served them a drink, so she didn't notice my panic. I stared off at nothing in particular, lost in thought.
"Well, hello there!" a cheerful voice called out. I looked up to watch as Sir Hammerlock sat down beside me. I was dumbstruck. "You're Dr. Proxis, aren't you?" He smiled at me and continued. "I must say, I rather fancy your research on the effects of eridium on local fauna. You're probably the only man brave enough to face the wilds of Pandora alone for science. And you most certainly bear the scars to show it."
I gaped at him. My mind was blank. Sir Hammerlock himself was familiar with my work!
"You haven't yet been published in larger publications, but I for one think you just need the right exposure. I've read your articles on Pandora in Eden-5's local scientific journal 'Biology Monthly', and I must say I'm quite impressed with your work. In fact, I helped arrange your return to Pandora in order to do some collaborative research with you."
I couldn't respond. I just sat there, staring. I must have looked terribly confused.
"Are you alright, lad?" he asked me.
"Y-yeah, yeah. Totally. I'm fine, ju-just fine. I, uh, well, just..." I babbled incoherently, and I felt my face burning. I didn't know how to respond. My idol, the one man I always aspired to be like, was sitting beside me, praising me! He was talking to me like an old friend, and I had no idea how to respond. He waited politely as my babbling trailed off into quiet mumbles and finally silence. I groaned as I buried my face in my hands.
I felt Sir Hammerlock pat my back. He chuckled.
"There's no need to be so embarrassed. Just calm down." I turned to look at him. I took a deep breath and finally spoke a normal sentence.
"I'm sorry. It's just that I've been a fan for a long time. I don't really know how to respond."
"Well, my boy, we are equals in the field of science." Sir Hammerlock grinned at me. I couldn't help but smile.
"Well, uh," I cleared my throat and gathered my confidence. "I'm interested in seeing your current research. The kind of stuff that doesn't make it into the almanacs and articles."
"I've several old field journals laying about in my home," he answered. "How about we pop over there and share our knowlege over a cup of tea?" He stood before I could answer and put a hand on my shoulder. "Well? Come on then, doctor."
"Call me Peyne," I said as I followed. When we arrived at his home, he unlocked the door and invited me in. His house was filled with countless notes and guns upon the walls.
I slowly wandered the walls, reading what I could from the papers. A few notes were written neatly, but most were scrawled messily, often with small diagrams or drawings alongside the words. I knew Hammerlock was watching me, and my eyes dashed wildly, unable to take in everything around me.
"it's beautiful," I whispered. Before I knew it, I turned around toward him, beaming. "This is amazing!" My fanboy side had officially taken over. We spent the rest of the day with the walls. I would read notes as Hammerlock outlined the chronology of the research.
Often, when he introduced a new set of notes, he would tell a story. I listened intently as he spoke. It was nearly midnight before we decided to stop.
"My, my. It's seems that nighttime is already upon us, Peyne," he said.
"Already?" I asked, disappointment evident in my voice.
"Do you have a place to stay, lad?" Hammerlock asked.
"No. I was gonna talk to-"
"Why don't you stay the night here?" he offered. "The sofa isn't much, but your only other option is probably renting a room at Moxxxi's."
"I don't want to be a bother. I've slept in worse places than Moxxxi's. I'll be fine." I started for the door. As I grabbed the doorknob, I felt Sir Hammerlock's hand on my shoulder I looked back over my shoulder.
"I won't allow such a brilliant mind to wallow in the squalor of a sleazy pub. You'll be staying here. I insist." He pulled me back and guided me to the sofa. I sat down as he walked out of the room. He returned with a blanket and pillow, and handed them to me.
"Thank you," I mumbled, setting the blanket aside and hugging the pillow to my chest. Hammerlock smiles at me as I stretch out and pull the banket over me.
"Sleep well, chap," he called, patting my shoulder as he left the room. I sit up, screaming silently. I run my fingers through my hair, a goofy grin on my face. I needed a moment to fanboy over the amazing day I've just had. I fall back and close my eyes, falling asleep immediately.
I awake to a bright light on my face. Sitting up and stretching, I look around. For a moment, I wonder where I am. Before my brain gets itself back in order, I hear a voice from behind.
"Finally awake, are you?" I watch Sir Hammerlock enter the room. He sits beside me on the sofa. "I was thinking of introducing you to all the major citizens of Sanctuary. Interested?" I nod, feeling my stupid fanboy smile returning. We spend the day speaking with the major inhabitants of the town: Zed, Scooter, Marcus, the old vault hunters, and Tannis. We end the day at Moxxxi's. We decide that it will probably be best for me to stay with Hammerlock, at least until a house becomes vacant.
Over the next few weeks, I continue to read through Sir Hammerlock's research. We discuss our ideas on zoology and share stories of our experiences out in the field as well as in the lab. I began to go back into the field to continue my old research, though I made sure to restrict myself to areas with low populations. I planned to work my way up to studying in the more dangerous areas. Every day ends at Moxxi's bar, where we continue to talk science over a few drinks.