Back at sanctuary, the other Vault Hunters were beginning to worry about Gaige. The house they were in was originally the property of a Crimson raider who was killed in the lunar bombardment 5 years ago. Since each vault hunter needed private space, the house had been divided into six rooms over two floors. The attic had been set aside for Krieg, as he wasn't really a people person. The attic door was fitted with a warning sign, and was strictly off limits for non-vault hunters. The entryway area housed the kitchen, lounge and office area. The bedrooms took up the upper floor. There was also a small metal ladder leading to the interior of Sanctuary. Gaige had a small workshop down there, which she had cleared of junk and pests. The vault hunters were currently gathered in the lounge, sitting on three of the four couches. Salvador was passed out on a couch. He had been out drinking all night, and needed to sleep it off.

"Where is that girl?" wondered Axton. "She just left without warning. I mean, she could've at least told us where…"

"She doesn't have to." interrupted Maya. "She's a Vault hunter. I mean, would you ask Zer0 where he was going if he just happened to wander off?"

"No!" said Axton. "Zer0 can go wherever he wants. But would you expect me to get a…"

"There you go Soldier/The Siren is Correct/Gaige is not a child."

Axton pointed at Zer0. "Don't you get involved in this."

The vault hunters continued squabbling, unaware that only a few dozen kilometres away, Gaige was having a very different kind of discussion.

Back at Opportunity, Gaige was sitting on top of a crate of materials, listening to Angel tell what happened after she 'died'.

"…and so after the Eridium injectors were destroyed," explained Angel. "I converted my consciousness to digital state, and remained in the ECHOnet for a short time."

"But why couldn't you just respawn from a New-U station?" asked Gaige. "Wouldn't that be easier?"

Angel uncrossed her legs, and stood up. She started pacing. Gaige tightened her grip on her SMG, and watched the young siren carefully.

"Because I'm not a Pandoran citizen, I'm not listed on Pandoran machines. Due to this, I can't use them, even if I hacked the network. Also, I think I didn't want to face the real world. Most of my time had been spent in the ECHO system. It felt…familiar."

Gaige nodded. She put her SMG in safety mode, and walked over to a machine resting against a nearby wall. It looked like a cross between a digistruct pole, and a MRI.

"What's this?" asked Gaige. "It looks like a modified New-U."

"It is," said angel. "I downloaded myself into a intact GUN Loader. Since all Loaders were originally unarmed engineering bots, it was easy to convert a newer loader back into a FIX loader. I then used it to build this unit, so I could have a proper body."

Gaige smiled. She walked over to Angel, and pointed to the door.

"I should bring you back to Sanctuary. The other Vault Hunters wil need to meet you….

Thirty minutes later, the other vault hunters were again sitting round the couches, listening to Angel explaining her story yet again. Maya was beside herself with joy, and Lilith was in the kitchen making angel a hot chocolate. Salvador had woken up, and was currently sipping coffee from a mug. He had turned the lights down low to stop his eyes from hurting.

"I see," said Axton. "So you managed to survive."

"I have one more question/You have omitted something/Why the cry for help?"

Everyone turned to zer0. He cocked his helmet thoughtfully. Then, Axton piped up.

"Angel," he started uncertainly. "Why did you send a signal?"

she looked down. "I needed help finding a place in the world. The only person I could think of who I though would help was…"

"Me," said Gaige. "You had access to each of our physiological assessments. Therefore, you knew I would be sympathetic."

Angel was about to reply when a series of explosions rocked the building. all the vault hunters were thrown to the floor, the mugs of hot chocolate smashing on the ground. Angel's tattoos glowed, and the young siren gasped.

"We're under attack!"

The vault hunters grabbed their guns, and rushed to the door. Krieg barreled down the stairs from the attic, and ran outside, screaming "My MOMMA SAID SHE LOVED THE PANCAKES!"

What will happen in Chapter 3? Is Handsome Jack behind this? Read Chapter 3 now!