-Hunted-
Taylor escaped the Rust Commons East and found himself in the Rust Commons West. Ironically, this is where Taylor and Jaynis practically formed their new found brotherhood and stuck together. Now, Taylor found himself back in the same place but as a fugitive of their brotherhood. Jaynis' search party would search the areas around Jaynistown before moving on to neighbouring sections. Taylor wasn't sure if Jaynis would even try and search the places other than the Rust Commons East.
Taylor found an abandoned Runner by the Catch-A-Ride station and hotwired the ignition. Taylor knew a quick way to get to New Haven without running into any bandits but he had to drive through spiderant infested swamps. Taylor drove down a slope and into a flooded ravine which was crawling with spiderants. Taylor drove straight through them. A spiderant hung onto the Runner's bumpers here and there but with quick movements of the Runner the spiderants slipped off. The engine started smoking from the damaged sustained from the spiderant abuse. As Taylor climbed the slope into the heart of the Rust Commons West he saw two Rakk fly high above and no doubt that when Taylor would drive beneath them they would swoop in to kill him. There was no way around it; he had to drive beneath them to reach New Haven. Just as Taylor predicted, the Rakk dived in to kill him. Taylor floored the Runner and sped down the following slope cutting through two bandits walking across the road in front him to the New Haven gate. One of the Rakk in pursuit snatched up a severed leg from the floor and flew off into the distance. The Rakk left behind dived into the tunnel where Taylor was where it was met with an incendiary rocket propelled from the Runner's turret. The Rakk was hit between its left wing and its head where it exploded into pieces. Taylor opened the gate and reached New Haven.
It was only by chance that Erik Franks and Taylor Kobb found each other. Taylor had an inkling that Erik would go to New Haven since he had already lived there before. Erik led Taylor into his shelter which Taylor found comforting. It was cosy, cramped but cosy. The buildings of Jaynistown were spacious but they stank. One of the buildings reeked of the stench of rotten bodies. That was the building where Taylor brutally killed three people with knives when he and Jaynis invaded. Despite the surroundings of junk the smell was bearable. Erik brewed up a strong soup which was deep coloured, perhaps almost black. Taylor was hesitant to try it but it was hot and it soothed his mouth. Taylor spoke in between drinking.
"It was all a hoax then?"
"Yes, I joined him to save myself." Erik confessed. "I thought you would be pissed?"
"We're all out for ourselves. The only difference is you admitted it to yourself. Besides, I've got bigger fish to fry with my brother."
"Now you mention it how did you get here?" Erik asked.
"I bandit approached me in hiding called Roman Kevellic. We struck a deal and tried to invade Jaynistown with the objective of capturing Jaynis. We failed, Roman was killed in front of me and I was captured alive." Erik listened intently while stirring the soup which was bubbling to the surface. "I found myself tied down on the Jaynistown main road where a Runner was getting ready to run me down. I barely escaped and made it here. I assumed you would be here." Erik was genuinely impressed; he didn't mention however that he met up with Roman prior to Roman finding Taylor. Erik decided to leave out unnecessary information to avoid confusion.
"While you were away I managed to get in contact with that mad archaeologist, Patricia Tannis. She knows a vault hunter who needs access to the Trash Coast. Apparently, Jaynis holds the keys to do so. The vault hunter kills Jaynis they get the Trash Coast and you get Jaynistown." Taylor liked this offer. Although, he did wonder how Jaynis became the gatekeeper to the Trash Coast. Did Jaynis pull something off before Taylor was exiled to gain this level of control? Taylor finished his soup and dropped the bowl. He looked at Erik and spoke.
"Tell the vault hunter where I'll be. I'll be waiting for them." Taylor left the shelter and leaned his hand on the outside wall of the shelter looking directly at Erik. "Take this as our final meeting; we will never see each other again." Taylor left Erik alone inside his shelter as Taylor set his sights on Jaynistown.
Day 26
(That Evening)
Erik Franks was freezing cold. He rubbed his hands together and breathed in them. New Haven was very quiet, it was one in the morning and Erik was waiting for the vault hunter. He would discuss with the vault hunter about what needed to be done. All building lights were turned off, everybody was asleep. Erik grew impatient as the minutes turned into hours. He had been waiting since eleven at night. Erik looked at his watch regularly and had doubts that the vault hunter was going to show up. Mordecai, the vault hunter walked along the main alley of New Haven and found an anxious Erik Franks pacing to and fro. Erik caught sight of Mordecai and looked at his watch. "Where have you been?"
"Have you ever crossed the Dahl Headland at night?" Mordecai asked.
"No, I haven't."
"It's more dangerous than whatever you've done in your life, old man." Mordecai silenced any future smartarse comments from Erik. "Tannis tells me you have what I want?" Erik gulped and straightened himself up.
"Jaynis Kobb who lives in Jaynistown in the Rust Commons East has access to the Trash Coast. You kill him and take the appropriate data you can walk in the Trash Coast." Erik continued, "Firstly, you'll need to meet Taylor Kobb. He lives in the small canyon where you'll find the Trash Coast entrance. He'll brief you more on the details." Mordecai smirked, his body language spoke that he thought it could be a cakewalk. "Rewards?" Mordecai's expression turned to a stern look at Erik.
"Who the hell are you to give me a reward? Tannis is who is paying here."
"You're a vault hunter; your living is all about blood money. Vault hunters, hitmen or tradesmen, whatever profession they are they all line up against blood money. I'm offering you one-hundred thousand notes and pennies for Jaynis' life. You'll collect it here when you're done." The vault hunter accepted and left Erik as he disappeared from the scene.
The time was set; the vault hunter would be the catalyst of Jaynistown's liberation. Taylor would soon be approached by Mordecai and Jaynis would soon fall before his feet.