CODA:

MISSIONS ACCEPTED

"I see," Athena said, peering at the files in her hand. "So, I will probably be babysitting two Hyperion assets, as well as Vault Hunters, a couple of whom may not be very pleased to see me?"

"That is a somewhat pessimistic way of looking at it," Blake said, adjusting his tie. "You have decided to accept, of course?"

Athena frowned. She nodded, though. The remuneration was quite…she decided not to call it handsome in her head. And there was another thing. "I've been meaning to catch up with the original Vault Hunters for a while, only, I wasn't sure what they thought of me, when I worked with Jack. Janey may take some convincing, though."

"Which is why I took the liberty of arranging for a mechanic's station in the Crater that Miss Springs can work at," Blake purred. "It's practically next door to Mad Moxxi's establishment in the Crater, though apparently she has gone missing. By the way, you'll need to take these in your Storage Deck."

Athena frowned, looking at the items Blake was proffering. Blood bags. "Why?"

"The Vault at the Crater will only open when the blood of the ultimate coward is spilled, or so Tannis claims. Snyder suggested, albeit without much hope for a result, that either his blood, or Jack's, may suffice."

Athena took the blood bags with a sigh. It looked like this was going to be a long job…

The climate was too damned hot and humid, the woman reflected as she walked along the corridors of the ruined and wrecked ship, following the hunched-over, wiry man. Still, Aegrus was at least not that boring, what with the savages, the Drifters, the Boroks, and all sorts of beasties.

The woman was of an indeterminate age, at least in her forties if not her fifties. She had a regal, haughty air, a tanned, imperious and aquiline face framed by black hair styled into an immaculate style. A single stripe of white adorned her hair, giving her the vague air of an aristocratic skunk. Her clothing was blue, and seemed to be a hybrid of high society dress and a battle uniform. A choker with a pale-blue diamond on it adorned her neck, and gloves adorned with similarly-coloured jewels were on her elegant hands. A very large, and very expensive rifle, Jakobs manufacture, was strapped to her back.

"It's good that you came, Lady Hammerlock," the wiry man said. "How has life been treating you?"

"By burying me under fetid heaps of ennui," the woman responded in a posh tone.

LADY AURELIA HAMMERLOCK AS

THE HUNTRESS

Vault Hunter. Ice Queen. Evil Bitch.

"Well, hopefully this might bring you out of it," the man said good-naturedly.

"Professor Nakayama, you do realise who you are talking to? It takes quite a bit to interest me. What is it that you think could bring me out of my boredom?"

Nakayama grimaced as he waded through a puddle. "Let's just say that my employer wants you to help make some people's lives a living hell."

PROFESSOR NAKAYAMA AS

THE WOULD-BE MAD SCIENTIST

Lacks Dignity, Common Sense, and Bravery.

"Hmm…may be interesting. But who is your employer? I mean, now that Jack is dead…"

"Oh, you'll see," Nakayama said, with a grin that actually made him look slightly scary. A remarkable achievement on the ratty little man, Lady Hammerlock noted. Even with those Eridium crystals apparently growing out of him like purple acne, or the cannon mounted on his shoulder (was that Wilhelm's old cannon?), he needed every bit of intimidation he could get.

Lady Hammerlock had been summoned to Pandora some time ago by Nakayama. He said very little, only that his employer needed her help. Said employer also knew that she didn't do things for money (she owned a planet, and her fortune was so immense, it would take a lot to put a serious dent in it), but instead, offered her the chance to hunt the wildlife of Aegrus, as well as to hunt the most dangerous game of all. Not to mention putting the boot into her brother, which was always something guaranteed to get her interested. After all, she hated her brother.

Which was why she deigned to trudge through the ruined Hyperion ship the HSS Terminus. Otherwise, it would be tedious and disgusting.

Through half-flooded chambers and ruined walkways, they finally made their way to a decrepit room, mostly filled with shadows that hid whatever lay within. Lady Hammerlock frowned. "And where is your employer, Nakayama?"

From out of the shadows, a voice rasped, "Right here." Then, a mangled, warped figure shuffled and limped from the shadows.

For the first time in a long time, Lady Hammerlock could truly say that she was shocked and disturbed. For a time, she was speechless, before she recovered her composure, like the aristocrat she was meant to be. "I say…this is most unexpected."

"I thought so too, myself," the figure rasped. "But you're still with me, right, Lady Hammerlock? I can assure you, it's going to be very interesting."

"I can see that," Lady Hammerlock said, a smile gracing her features. "So, when do we start?"

"Very soon," the figure rasped. "Very soon."

THE SHADOWY FIGURE AS

THE VILLAIN

Well, That's Fucking Ominous.

CODA ANNOTATIONS:

Nothing much to say here, really, except, keep an eye out for Welcome to the Jungle.

Lady Hammerlock and Nakayama have teamed up, and someone else is their leader. Who is it? Well, wouldn't you like to know? I'm sure many of you will guess who it is. All will be revealed later in Welcome to the Jungle, once they get to Aegrus.

This won't be the end of this actual 'story', though. I will be posting more files and even a few omakes later. Watch this space.