—Author's Notes—
Well, fuck. I feel like ass for not posting anything sooner, but I really have nothing to defend myself with, soooo, here ya go! its super short compared to my normal chapters. Normally i post anywhere from three to five thousand words. As time goes on, the chapters will get longer.
—Pandoran Airspace—
"MAYDAY, MAYDAY, THIS IS NEVAN STEELE BROADCASTING ON ALL CHANNELS. HYPERION SHUTTLES HAVE JUST FIRED UPON MY SHIP. MY ENGINES ARE DOWN, REQUESTING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE!"
NEVAN STEELE
VAULT AND SIREN RESEARCHER
The flashing, red, warning lights and constant beeping was keeping Nevan on the edge of his seat. He wiped a bead of sweat rolling down his forehead as he tried changing all auxiliary power to air brakes and landing thrusters. He knew this would be close, down to the inches, he was over the ocean now, but he could see Opportunity coming up on his left. He was gonna crash in the highlands, and with proper aiming, he might be able to get close to the settlement of Overlook.
He could see Sanctuary floating a mile or so in the air, high above the ground, he'd land almost right beneath it. He switched on the comms for the fourth time in an attempt to find anyone who could assist him upon landing. "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, CRASH LANDING WILL TAKE PLACE ROUGHLY 2 KILOMETERS PAST OVERLOOK, SEEKING IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE!" He roared into the microphone. He knew no one would come to help him. "AUUUGH, FUCK IT!" In frustration, he threw his headset to the side, breaking it. Not knowing it crackled to life, someone telling him they would be there to help soon.
He saw the ground getting closer and closer before everything went black. When he next cracked open his eye, he instantly moaned, putting a hand on his head to ease his pounding head ache. He tried to take in his surroundings, but he was fading in and out of consciousness. He was still strapped to his seat, he could feel the heat of the fire getting closer to him. He didn't just survive the landing to be burned alive! With new found energy, he roared as he ripped off his restraints and ran to the back of the shuttle. He moved around the fire and under the collapsed hull, grabbing his digi-struct pack, shield, grenade mod, and relic of his personal choice. He looked at the mechanism for the back door, realizing it would have to be forced open.
He pushed with all his might, trying to get the metal door to budge. Noting the creaking of the metal, he pushed harder, trying to win the war of flesh vs metal in a race to save his life.
He looked behind him to see the flames rising, consuming the seating, flooring, and other cargo he was going to use in his research. But in dire moments, priorities must be made. Research can be redone, destruction of the mind cannot.
He kicked the door harder, and more rapidly, not leaving a dent, but hearing the mechanism creaking harder this time. He needed something to get the door open, and fast!
Time was running out as he sprinted through the flames to grab a standard breaching charge he was going to save for an expedition. As he set up the charge, he realized that while inside the ship, this blast would kill him from the shockwave alone.
Once the charge was set, he ran through the fire once more, parts of his body catching in multiple places. He screamed in pain, swatting the spots on him, until a smoldering patch remained. He hid behind one of his beloved research stations, pulling open the cabinet and crawling inside.
Once sealed, he pulled the detonator from his belt and closed his eyes, hoping this wouldn't truly be the end.
*chink* *beep beep beep beep beepbeepbeepbeep* *BOOOOM* *FWOOSH*
He realized now that the fire had access to air again, the fire was probably twice as big, and much closer to the fuel-
"Aw, shit.."
He paled instantly and forced the cabinet open. He was met with an inferno that scorched his arms. He was grateful for his flame retardant helmet and leg armor, but he had kept his torso armor off because of the heat during the shuttle ride.
He forced himself through the flames once more, trying to escape the burning ship. He was met with a half torn hatch door, meaning he would have to climb over the jagged, red hot metal. He grimaced to himself, but thought about his key to survival would be his persistence, and you needed a shit load of that on Pandora.
Another idea took root, as he ran at the hole and dove forward, trying to dive through the hole as opposed to climbing through, and succeeded in having a deep gash torn across his torso. The heat of the metal simultaneously cauterized the wound, leaving a deep fresh, burnt wound down his chest to his stomach.
He howled in pain, pulling himself forward, but having trouble in the dirt and gravel. He tried standing, but only succeeded in sitting on his knees. He pulled his helmet from his head and tossed it aside, also ripped his tattered and burnt shirt from his body. He digi-structed his helmet before trying to stand once more, but not having the energy to rise from his knees.
He let the cool breeze relax his burnt and busted body. He noticed several figures off in the distance, eight to be exact…or maybe four. Double vision made things hard to tell. He didn't know if they posed a threat or not, and right now he didn't care, he was alive god dammit, ALIVE! He saw they were getting much closer now, they were all running.
He didn't have time to wonder if they would kill him or not, as the fire finally reach the ships fuel supply, and he, along with his ship, were engulfed in flames.
— — — — — — — — — — —
Vault hunters watched in horror as the man they came to rescue was engulfed by a fireball. For the second generation vault hunters, it was Corporal Reiss all over again. The continued forth, trying to get to the wreckage.
The wreckage was unsalvageable, shuttle parts were strewn about haphazardly, many of them still on fire as the black smoke bellowed into the air. Upon arrival, the blue haired siren stepped forth. "My healing powers aren't the best, but I'll see if I can help him."
MAYA
FORMER MONK, TURNED VIGILANTE VAULT HUNTER
ALSO SIREN
Maya wasted no time running to the smoking body of the man whom landed beneath their city. She saw a pool of blood forming underneath him, meaning he probably had several shrapnel wounds. As she approached, she noticed the damage from the massive fireball was much smaller than she anticipated, although his burns were still frequent and severe, him being outside the ship seemed to mitigate the damage.
She kneeled next to the dying man and held a hand over his body. As she closed her eyes, and concentrated, her tattoos began to glow with a brilliant blue, purple, and white hue. She tried her damnedest to concentrate the energy on closing the wound, but in her panic, summoned corrosive energy.
The man's eyes shot open as he lurched forward, letting out a bellowing, thunderous cry. Maya made a split second decision and hit him in the side of the head with the butt of her Maliwan SMG. She turned to here fellow vault hunters. "I need help moving him, Sal, Brick, go get the techincals!" She ushered them swiftly.
SALVADOR
A LOTTA POW IN A SMALL PACKAGE
Salvador nodded and sprinted as fast as he could towards the technical. Brick saluted before he too ran off, scooping up Sal and placing him on his shoulders, and making for the cars.
BRICK
LVL 50 SLAB KING IN BUNKERS AND BADASSES
Axton ran up to the group and pulled out his med kit, searching desperately for an Anshin vial anywhere, but coming up dry. He looked to a young woman sitting on a massive robot.
GAIGE
DEATH MACHINIST EXTRAORDINAIRE
"Gaige! search the wreckage for any Anshin vials, he needs them, bad!" Axton yelled. She nodded before patting DT's hull and floating off. He didn't mean to be rude, but his soldier mode is kicking in, too many memories in Dahl, of losing people. Then the corporal, then Roland… He wasn't gonna lose another soldier, not again, not ever.
Axton shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He felt Maya's hand on his shoulder and he looked over his shoulder to give a half hearted smile. She returned it with one of her own. "What can I do?" The voice startled them both.
MORDECAI
SNIPER AND BRID LOVER
He stood next to Zer0, awaiting orders, offering a hand to a dying man. Axton smiled, proud of them for stepping up. Mordecai that is, after his loss of blood wing was nearly inconsolable, but still managed to come back around, through the return of the woman he held dear, Miss Mad Moxxi, now a hopefully permanent Mrs. Zer0 has always preformed admirably, so nothing new to note.
ZER0
STILL A NUMBER
AND A BADASS
Axton wasted no time in pointing out different spots they could travel to near by to keep an overwatch on the wreckage. Both snipers took off to separate positions, keeping an eye out for hungry threshers or stalkers. Angel came over to her Siren sister and tried to show her how to help sooth wounds and even heal minor injuries in the time it took the two zerkers to return.
With much haste, they picked up the injured man and hauled him into the back of one of the techincals. He surfaced only for a few seconds to look at Angel and Maya. His smile, although a pained one, was genuine. "I..I did it, I made it. Than-" Before the man could finish his sentence, he passed into the darkness.