A/N: Time for the next chapter people! In this one, I plan on getting to Sanctuary, so this'll be a fairly long chapter. Let's go!


Burning and freezing. Those were the sensations I could easily recognize when I woke up. I could feel it searing into my arms, my chest, and all of the way down my body. I opened my eyes and my breathing came out ragged and heavy. I was easily in pain, but I knew if I was in danger, I was going to have to put that aside if I wanted to get out alive.

"No, you killed every bandit in the Southern Shelf, remember?" I thought.

So I decided to relax where I was and endure the pain that was traveling through my body. It was reaching a point where I had to had to keep biting down on my tongue to prevent myself from screaming.

If I opened my eyes, I would've notice the faint glow emitting from my body. Specifically, on my arms and chest. But I didn't. At least for right now.

The pain was too immense for me to even think about doing so. I started writhing, seemingly going through a type of internal torture that was naked to the human eye. Or maybe it wasn't.

I decided to take a look to see if anyone was around me. I looked up to see the sky passing by. We were obviously in motion, and by the looks of things, we were still in the tundra, but I think Claptrap was taking us toward Sanctuary. Good. Though I have a feeling it wasn't going to be as easy as getting there.

But then I registered the glow on my body, and that's when the pain started to make sense.

Slowly and deliberately, as if someone was tracing my skin with an invisible pen with glowing ink, strange tattoos were drawing themselves across my chest and arms. Both of which were exposed to the cold air considering I didn't have a shirt on, so that explains the cold I felt. And the burning was from I guess the tattoos burning into my skin!

Memory from myths registered into my mind and with a nasty thought that caused me to freeze, I remembered the most likely possibility. Sirens. I quoted what I remembered from the book.

"Sirens are female beings with mystical powers," I recited aloud. "They are born with their tattoos, and their powers develop as they begin reaching the their late teen years, nearing early adulthood. There are no official records of Sirens ever existing, but there have been confirmations of there being a number of Sirens on Pandora. Caution is advised when going near these deadly creatures."

I frowned. If their transformations are anywhere like mine, then they'll be no more human than me. But something tells me my transformation was not common. As uncommon as being a Siren is, I somehow managed to make it even more uncommon. Just... what the hell?! Why the hell was this happening to me? I didn't know the first thing about controlling these powers.

"Oh god," I said with a horrible realization. I didn't know how to control my powers. I didn't even know what they were! And Sirens were hunted among the community. There would be a huge reward for my head. I would have more than Pandora to deal with. I would have people from galaxies all over trying to kill me. How would I deal with that? Then the obvious answer came.

"I can't let anyone know," I said, nodding.

No one knew yet luckily. The only one who possibly knew was Claptrap, and hopefully he was too stupid to figure it out.

I would just never have to roll up my sleeves and make sure not to try to expose anything... unnatural. And it was unlikely I would find another Siren to train me. The only Siren that I knew in existence was a 'evil witch' known as Lilith. Hyperion managed to kill her though, so I had no options as far as training. I would just have to hope I could self teach myself.

But there's also the fact that Pandora was notorious for Siren sightings. Hopefully I would be able to find one to train me so I would be able to control myself and not blow damn near everything around me up.

Then I could hear my ECHO going off. It wasn't a call. That has a different type of ring. This was more than likely a planet wide ECHO. My faces turned into a confused one before becoming horrified.

The bounty that was on my head just went up. Gradually. Like, to a trillion gradually. And this wasn't planet wide. It was galaxy wide. Siren or not, I would be hunted until I die, or I kill Jack. That way the bounty would be invalid.

I sighed heavily. I go to Pandora for one day, and I nearly get killed, find out I'm a Siren, a male at that fact, and get a 100 billion dollar bounty on my head. Damn. Be careful what you wish for when you say you want a challenge.

I was used to the burning already, so I was able to get to my feet and take a good look at the view that was passing by. Rather it was nothing but glaciers and water, but it did instill a type of calm. A stillness to my racing mind and I when I was able to think about it more logically, I didn't have anything to worry about as long as I was able to keep stay calm and think rationally.

I scratched my itchy neck and looked in the distance as I began to see land coming up.

"We're nearing Sanctuary, buddy. You go on ahead. Tell the locals what we'll need for my 'welcome back party.'" On that note, I immediately left the ship. I was in pain and was freezing with no shirt on, but that was better than listen to Claptrap go on endlessly.

I drew my Torgue shotgun and ran up when I could see a car pass by. It fired rockets behind it and destroyed the bridge. I was probably going to have to make a hell of a jump to get over.

"Sanctuary's off limits. You Bloodshots can stay in your hole," someone said over the ECHO. By the fact I was able to pick it up, he was not far.

"I SEEEEE YOU!" a Bloodshot yelled. I could hear the other man sigh heavily on the other end.

"Awesome," he said depressingly. "Why don't you boys run on back to your camp?"

"Oh, good idea. I think we'll just turn around and head back to our... DIE!" another Bloodshot said before deafening gunfire was all that could be heard.

"Are they headed for Sanctuary, Angel?" I asked, just now remembering the omnipresent woman.

"They've led attacks for on the city for quite a while, but can never get past the city gate. Speaking of which, you'll need a vehicle to there city gate. Get to the Catch-a-Ride," Angel explained.

"Can do," I said. It didn't sound like she knew what happened, which was somewhat of a relief. I was trusting her right now and I felt like I could trust her, but I didn't want anyone to know this little tidbit.

But first I had to worry about the numerous Bullymongs. I ran up shot each Bullymong in the face and that was all it took, but 3 more came out after I killed the larger ones in front of me. But they were Monglets, so this would be easier on me.

I swapped to my Jakobs pistol before grabbing the arm of one and smashed its tiny head into the ice wall before tossing turning without moving my feet and shot both Monglets in the head. I continued and more Bullymongs were coming out of the ice walls.

Losing patience, I jumped on the back of one of the larger Bullymongs and stuffed a grenade in its mouth. I stood there for a minute before jumping and the explosion actually gave me some more height and boosted me close to the Catch-a-Ride.

"This machine will digistruct a vehicle for you. Give it a try," Angel told me.

I shrugged and put a hand on the screen, but I got a big red hand in return.

"Whoa! Unauthorized user all in my grill! You trying to hack my Catch-a-Ride? Uncool, bro. Uncool," a voice said from the machine.

"Well, that went well," I said dryly.

"Dammit. Sorry. Uh, darn it," Angel said.

"I don't really care whether you curse or not," I said simply.

"It's just a habit to apologize. Anyway, a man named Scooter controls these Catch-a-Rides. Now he may be short a chromosomes, but he's a savant when it comes to vehicles. He's locked this station to prevent the bandits from using it, but I'm reading an inactive Hyperion interface adapter in the nearby bandit camp. If you can attach it to the Catch-a-Ride, I can hack the machine and get you a car," Angel explained.

"Seems pretty straight forward," I said, turning off my ECHO in case the bandits try to announce my... body work to the whole world. Sure enough as soon as I sniped 3 bandits from my location...

"Whoa! He's one of those Siren people! We're getting paid tonight boys!" a nomad yelled.

"Does that look like a chick to you? It's just one hell of a tattoo job. Either way, kill him!" another nomad yelled. I sighed in relief. At least they didn't believe I was a Siren.

I swapped to my Jakobs pistol and started sharpshooting heads like there was no tomorrow. My movement was very limited considering the tattoos were still trying to burn themselves into my flesh. So I had to stay in cover at least until my shield recharged when it was whittling down.

As soon as everyone was dead, I took a leather jacket and shirt off a marauder and put it on to cover my tattoos. I also grabbed the gloves off a bandit and put it over my hands so I wouldn't absorb any Eridium unless I wanted to. Particularly, when there are no witnesses. I strode over to the broken loader and took the adapter that Angel was talking about.

"Just attach the adaptive interface to the machine, and I'll get you a free car," Angel said.

I strode over to the Catch-a-Ride and attached the adapter on the side of the machine. While Angel was busy hacking it, I was over at the machine filling up on hypos and ammo.

"Authorized user accepted. Enjoy the ride, and there's a Pimento taco. A Pimentaco- in the glove box," the voice said as I was finishing up.

"Hell, I'll take anything right now," I said, realizing how hungry I was.

"Cool. Try requesting another car," Angel said.

I placed my palm on the screen and a digital screen popped up showing the Light Runners and their possible guns and paint jobs. It took me forever to decide on a paint job, but I decided to got with a Light Runner with a machine gun turret and the Hypnosis paint job(I'm only missing 10 of these mofos).

"Thanks for using Scooter's Catch-a-Ride beyotch!" the voice exclaimed.

I chuckled to myself. They guy was unnecessarily excessive. Maybe that's why he's so funny.

"Real charmer, that one. You should now be able to summon a car from any Catch-a-Ride machine. Now use one to jump that gap," Angel said.

I grabbed the Pimento taco in the glove box as promised and started devouring the food. i wasn't very fond of Pimentos, but I wasn't going to be picky. (Note: A pimento is a red, sweet pepper. So you can guess that with lettuce and a bunch of other stuff wouldn't make the most delicious combination) At least it was fresh.

After I finished eating, I used the Catch-a-Ride to jump the gap quite easily.

"Great! Now head to Sanctuary and find Roland. He'll want to meet the Vault Hunter who stared down Handsome Jack and lived," Angel said excitedly.

I sped through the cave, ignoring the Bullymongs that were jumping from the ice wall at the sight of my speeding car.

"Sometimes I envy you bandits. You're so... unburdened with things like intelligence, culture, morality, honor, ambition, good looks, I could go on, but I won't. But I could."

"That suggests you know me well enough to know I don't have any of these qualities. You are horribly wrong," I said, leaning back in the car in relaxation.

"All of you bandits are the same," Jack said. I shook my head at his short mind.

"Last time I checked, I'm not a robber or an outlaw. I'm a former mercenary turned Vault Hunter," I explained calmly. "These words have specific meanings to them, you know."

He seemed to have no comment to that, which I was satisfied with. Finally, I shut him up for a bit.

As I was nearing the gate, I could see a bandit trying to get in. So I turned up the turbo on my Runner...

"Let us in-" That was as far as he got before he was turned to mush by my vehicle and the gate.

"Look out next time," I said simply. I noticed the bandits in the camp next to Sanctuary, so I hopped in the turret in the back before unloading on each of the bandits. Under the power of the turret, they did not last long.

I then hopped out of the turret and hit the intercom. A digital image of a soldier was on the screen. It looked somewhat familiar...

"Uh, the bandits are dead out here. Could I get in and talk to Roland?" I asked directly.

"The bandits are dead? Who are you?" the man asked.

"I'm Robert Morgan. I'm the only surviving Vault Hunter from that train explosion," I said.

"You're a Vault Hunter?! Just a sec. Roland wanted to talk to you. Lemme ECHO him!" the man exclaimed.

"I'll wait," I said, turning from the digital communicator and pacing around the Runner I had.

I noticed that if it doesn't get shot for a while, the vehicle repairs itself. That'll come in handy.

Then I got contacted by who I could assume was the leader of the Crimson Raiders. Finally. Sanctuary (the city and the traditional definition) was in reach.

"Ah, so you're the one I've been hearing this radio chatter about," Roland said.

"Probably because of the bounty, right?" I asked.

"Unfortunately. You must have not been a fan of Jack's. The bounty he set on you is high. Even for Jack," Roland said.

"I survived and got out of that Tundra alive. That hasn't happened before, and I'm pretty sure he doesn't like it. Anyway, can you open the gate?" I asked.

"Right. We'll catch up when I get to Sanctuary, but right now? I need your help," Roland said.

"What is it?" I asked.

"My men tell me Corporal Reiss hasn't returned with the city power core we need to keep the city's shields running. Bring Reiss back to Sanctuary, and you'll have earned your place in the Raiders," Roland explained.

"Consider it done," I said, getting back in my Runner. I drove off for a bit, tracking an ECHO signature. "Angel. I've made contact with Roland."

"How did you know my name?" Angel asked, for the first time sounding surprised. I smiled. So I did get her name right.

"Just a guess. Anyway, I just wanted to let you know," I said.

"Roland's contacted you? Good. Listen to what he says. He can help us defeat Jack," Angel said, once she got past what seemed like shock on her end.

The ECHO signal I was tracking led to one that was lying on the ground. By the looks of things, this thing had barely survived being blown up.

I got out of my vehicle and quickly scooped it up before getting back in and driving away. I did not trust my aim now. My vision was starting to go blurry and the world was tilting. I'm guessing it was a side effect from tattoos that are about halfway down my legs. They were moving extremely slow, but at least it's almost finished. I drove away, nearly crashing into an electric cactus in the process, but I was able to move a safe distance away from the Bullymongs before playing the ECHO.

"Got the power core from the Bloodshots... blew the bridge... I'm hit... gonna lose them in the Marrowfields... GAH!" Reiss said on the other line. That did not sound good.

"The Corporal's in trouble," I told Roland weakly. I felt weaker and weaker as the these tattoos were finishing up.

"Reiss is in trouble? Dammit, we're spread thin enough as it is. Find him soldier," Roland said.

"I'm not a soldier. I'm a Vault Hunter," I corrected him, before using my ECHO to find the Marrowfields.

I reached a location where it was almost all the way blocked by a giant bone structure, but I was able to slip in between.

As I felt the tattoos completing themselves, I got even more dizzy. To the point where I fell to the ground on one knee. I was breathing heavy and my brain felt like it was trying to break through my skull. I let out a small, agonized cry before my body went rigid and I started shaking.

"God damn Bloodshots, there's too many of them. If anyone can hear me, I need HELP!" Reiss yelled.

"You're not the only one man," I thought, struggling to get to my feet.

"You're skagbait, grinder!" a Bloodshot yelled.

Only the realization of what was at risk here cause me to get to my feet and hold my pistol in my hand and concentrate. Granted, the wind was able to influence where I leaned, but at least I was moving.

Bullymongs started coming toward me and before I could fire my gun, I went rigid again. Only this time I staying in on my feet. When suddenly, the entire area was hit with a beautiful, yet powerful and terrifying fire nova. Every Bullymong in the area was caught on fire and ice formations around me began to melt.

When I looked at my body, I was glowing with a bright, white hot energy. My tattoos were glowing. Even through the fabric of my clothes and I felt high off energy. I had never felt so elated. It was pure ecstasy as my body coursed with some unknown power in my veins. To put in a simplest terms, I felt like a god.

I ran forward even faster than before while feeling more agile. I came up to 3 psychos and smirked. This was going to be fun. I ran up and grabbed one psycho's head before tossing him off of the edge of the cliff with little effort.

When the other 2 psychos charged at me, I grabbed their heads, and to my surprise and delight, their faces burned as soon as they made contact. It was easily one of the most badass things I have ever seen.

Then I looked at the person they were beating up and I injected a few hypos into him. He looked considerably better shape and stood up.

"You all right?" I asked.

"Thanks to you. Well, a Vault Hunter, huh? Didn't think I rated that much of a rescue. One of those psychos ran off with the power core. Without it, Sanctuary will be defenseless," Reiss explained.

"Then lets go get the core back," I said eagerly.

"Gladly. And... thanks. I owe you my life Vault Hunter," Reiss said, standing at attention and saluting me. I smiled.

"At ease. It was no problem Corporal. Plus it was fun to kill a few psychos along the way," I said.

"Glad we think within the same mindset. I need to contact Roland. We'll make it a conference call if you'd like," Reiss said, activating his ECHO that I handed to him. "Commander Roland, come in."

"Glad to see you're still in one piece Corporal," I heard Roland say.

"If it wasn't for your Vault Hunter here, I wouldn't be. He saved my life with those hypos, because I was bleeding out fast when he found me," Reiss explained.

"Good work Vault Hunter," Roland said.

"Call me Robert. The both of you. I'd prefer not to be labeled as 'just a Vault Hunter,'" I said with finger quotes.

"Understandable. Now lets go steal this core back," Reiss said.

I smirked.

"My pleasure," I said, walking forward.

He drew a Maliwan SMG from his ECHO in the shock element and my eyes widened. Looked very much rare too.

"Wow. Corporal's privilege?" I said with a smirk.

"Owned it in the Atlas corp," Reiss said, which wiped the smile off my face in an instant.

"You worked for the Atlas corporation?" I asked, my voice shaking with barely restrained anger.

"Yeah. Why?" Reiss asked confused at my change of emotions.

"Atlas made a raid on my home and nearly killed me. You better be glad we're on good terms Corporal. Otherwise I'd shoot you on sight," I said, walking toward the bandit camp.

"How did I not see that this guy was obviously a Lanceman?" I thought furiously.

I know it was unfair to associate this man with the rest of Atlas, but there was a bitterness I had for the company since that day. Yet in 1 day, Hyperion managed to beat that bitterness and turn it into an anger more intense than that nova I released a few moments ago.

I took up a position a considerable distance from the camp with my Jakobs sniper.

"Lead a small assault and attack the bandits. I'll keep you covered. Even though I have a reluctance to work with a former Crimson Lanceman," I said, crouching down and aiming down the sights.

He nodded and went down the hill, firing at a group of bandits on the far left. I sniped the psycho running at him directly in the head.

Reiss lowered the shield on a nomad and put a few shock rounds in his stomach, but he still stood. I finished the marauder behind him who was trying to get a few rounds from his SMG into him. Reiss then strode up the nomad and snapped his neck in a quick move.

"The psycho that I sniped dropped the core. Grab it," I said, sniping all of the other bandits on the higher level. Figured I might as well wrap things up here while I'm at it. They kept coming out in plain sight, which made this even easier.

"Got it," Reiss told me. He walked up to the psycho and grabbed the core before putting it back in his ECHO. Though he continued to finish off the remaining bandits. Couldn't blame him there.

"Roland. We got the core," I said, continuing to snipe more bandits.

"Good. Jack won't destroy Sanctuary today at least. Get back to the city. Welcome to the Crimson Rai-" Roland said before a loud crash cut him off.

"Roland? What happened?" I asked quickly.

"Ah, dammit. I'm being attacked. I'll see you-" the transmission was cut off by a loud screech of static.

"Fuckin' A," I said, lowering my sights. "Reiss! I think Roland's in trouble. We need to get back to the city quickly."

"Can do. Let's go," Reiss said, running to catch back up to me.

We hopped in the Runner that I still had parked outside of the Marrowfields and drove quickly to Sanctuary.

"This is a message to Sanctuary. 'The last stronghold of the resistance,'" Jack said in a mocking voice. "Pandora as you knew it. The chaos, the bandits- That time has passed. If you let it, this could be an era or order, of peace! Just turn yourselves in and I promise your deaths will be quick."

I rolled my eyes. Yeah, like they're going to take that deal.

"Did you like my speech? I was lying about the last part by the way. I'm going to spend a long time torturing you bandit scum to death. And I'll enjoy it even more because... I-I shouldn't say anything. I've got a little secret that... You know what? You don't need to hear it. It'll probably just confuse you. Ciao!" Jack said.

I ignored his statement. His statements really mattered nothing at this point. Unless it involves him sending soldier or loaders down to kill me.

Anyway, when we got to the gate, we got contacted by the Raider I talked to when I first got here.

"Roland, is that you? Oh, it's the Vault Hunter and Reiss. Get in quick! Roland's communicator went dead! We need your help!" he said in a panic.

Me and Reiss looked at each other at the same time. This was bad.


A/N: I'm going to cut it here! I hope people are enjoying this story. I'm not going to be updating on spring break. Possibly. I might if I can get my hands on a laptop. Who knows?