Chapter 2: Chance Encounters

I meant to have this up yesterday but my dad was like let's get some exercise, so we then went on a 2 hour walk and my legs got absolutely destroyed so after I got home I ate dinner and just fell asleep.

Anyone else super hype for Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition? I wish I could get it right away but I'm in Korea rn.

Also, the battle theme for Future Connected SLAPS SO FRICKIN' HARD.

….

"Hey, wait! Rex! Stop!"

His calls were either not heard or ignored, and Rex dove into the Cloud Sea. Brandon let out an extremely frustrated sigh.

It had been two years since that fateful day Rex rescued him in a salvaging trip almost like this one. Since then, he had essentially been adopted by Gramps and Rex took him as his own brother.

"You know," Gramps commented, "it is partly your own influence he's this headstrong."

"Oh come off it Gramps!" Brandon groaned, "when have I ever been that reckless? I'm less impulsive than that even when we were fighting pirates!"

"Oh? I seem to recall you jumping onto their ship the moment they managed to land a few anchors on my back."

Brandon growled, "I was fully armed and prepared, it was smarter to get the edge in and surprise them while they were getting ready to jump," he sighed, "whereas in this situation, Rex just dove without proper inspection. I just found out that the depth probe is off by over one hundred and fifty peds to the east. I have a guild mission in a few days, I should have been getting some rest for that instead of helping Rex with this, especially since I've just got back from one."

"Then why aren't you resting?" Gramps asked, "you usually rent a room before and after missions. Not to mention you prioritize your own health over helping Rex make a few more gold."

"That's because the last mission was light security detail at an Argentum Trading outpost on the edge of Gormott. The Ardanian military's presence there is light and there hasn't been any rebellion in a few decades."

"What is your next mission? Assuming you're at liberty to say," Gramps asked.

"Uh, I'm not too sure myself actually," he looked sheepish as he explained, "but it was given as a high priority job by the chairman himself. He's even got the Maelstrom booked for this and has hired third party security companies on top of Argentum's own."

"I supposed you can hardly refuse a job when you work directly for the Guild," Gramps sighed, "that's why I recommended that you should become an independent contractor like Rex, instead of signing up with the Guild."

Brandon rolled his eyes, "I know what you said, but security isn't exactly a stable job if you're third party. Most companies use their own team."

"You would have had recognition from the several months you spent selling weapons."

Brandon's lips pulled tight. "I sold weapons to third parties and people looking for self defense. I-"

"I'm not accusing you of anything," Gramps said, "I know you feel guilty that some of yours was obtained by the military and was used to kill dozens."

"I- yeah. I know it's not my fault, but I was the one who made them."

"You were the one who made them, but not the one who pulled the trigger. An axe, a tool used to cut down trees, could just as easily be used in cold blood."

"I know I know," Brandon shook his head.

Gramps sighed, "you know that we are here for you. Rex, me, aunt Corrine. Just come to us when you need to talk."

Brandon smiled weakly, "thanks Gramps."

"Anyways, you would have done fine even as an independent contractor. And if there aren't any jobs, you have Rex to rely on."

"Money isn't the only issue," Brandon said, "the Ardanian military wants my weapons. Signing up with the guild guarantees that they can't get me because of how much power Argentum holds. Also Rex worries over every Gold. You think he would listen if I asked for money?"

"Well that boy barely even listens to me anymore."

"And feels no guilt over it," Brandon grumbled, "he's going to get an earful when he gets back."

The crane on Gramps' back suddenly started rattling as the winch turned, obviously straining to drag something heavy up. "Speak of the devil."

Brandon stalked over the moment the crane pulled its cargo to the top. Rex jumped off and took his helmet off, only to be immediately bopped on the head by Brandon.

"Ow!" Rex rubbed his head and staggered back a step, "what was that for?"

"For being an idiot you moron, what the hell was that?" Brandon demanded, "how the hell did you even find that? The depth probe was off by over a hundred and fifty peds!"

"It didn't take long, it was just sitting there, I didn't even have to do any structural reinforcement to bring it up."

"You moron, what if you didn't find it? That would have been three days of prep time wasted, not to mention that you might have lost your life if your suit had malfunctioned because I didn't do a final diagnostic."

That sobered Rex up. "Sorry," he mumbled as the gravity of his actions hit.

"You'd better be," he sighed, "I swear, if I didn't know how naive you are, I would have thought you were doing this on purpose."

"Trying… what, exactly?"

"To make my head explode," he rolled his eyes, "no, obviously, to give me an anxiety attack."

Rex laughed as he walked over to his storage and pulled out a crowbar. "Well we should be able to turn a decent profit with this," he said, inspecting the crate before wedging his crowbar in and trying to lever the box open, "so it won't be for nothing."

"Whatever you say," Brandon shook his head, "I don't know how you're able to spend over two days running the structural analysis but you can't wait two minutes for me to run a safety check. And don't say it's because you forgot, we've been doing safety checks for over a year now after I found one of your cylinders punctured."

"I got it," Rex grunted in exertion, "you're not going to let this go, are you?"

"Not on your life," Brandon grinned.

"Whoa!" Rex exclaimed, falling backwards as a Crustip exploded out of the crate.

"You spent TWO DAYS on structural analysis!" Brandon held his hands out in front of him, "how did you not realize that something was living in the damn thing?"

"I don't know, I didn't get any signs of life while I was hauling it up!" Rex responded.

Brandon just sighed and drew the handgun he had holstered and fired it, killing the crustation instantly.

"At least we know what we're having for lunch!" Rex said.

Brandon sighed again and just popped into the little shack on Gramps' back and dragged out their makeshift grill. He poured some charcoal in from a larger bag they had before lighting a match and starting the fire up.

"Go nuts, I picked up some new seasonings after my last mission. Just check the cabinet."

"Ugh, I'd ask why you can't do it for once but I know if you did you would burn it."

"Good call. I wish I could actually cook but all I've got are some basic recipes." He frowned in annoyance. It was simple enough to slap a good sandwich together, but another thing entirely to tell when seafood is well done. Also he tended to put way too much salt and pepper on food and destroy it. He was too used to just putting a bag into a flameless ration heater and having a premade meal… that tasted like crap.

At least Rex had learned how to cook so food was actually good now. He did make food on occasion but that was usually something simpler, like a burger or pizza… wait, did he only make fast food? Oh god.

"I really like those burgers you make," Rex said, "I've never seen them before you made them so I'm assuming those were from your home titan."

"Probably."

The pair, or well, Rex had slowly pieced together that Brandon had been from a long gone titan, one that had figured out how to make lifepods. Brandon had just played along. Not like anyone would believe that he was from Morytha. His mannerisms and technology made Gramps think that he was from a titan known as Judicium?

Either way, it was a good enough story for him, especially since he let them come up with it on their own.

It also provided a convenient cover for the stuff he built. Like when he sold weapons, though they were on a smaller scale from what he built during his time in the Coalition.

Once he saw signs of potential war between Mor Ardain and Uraya, he stopped and changed over to the only other thing he could do which is to fight. After a lifetime of war and killing, he didn't want to use his firearms and given that he didn't have a lifetime of sword training like Rex did and given that he knew some martial arts, he decided that a pair of gauntlets weren't the worst idea. Especially once he hooked it up to a taser system.

Now he was working on a jump pack used by Reaper divisions during the second civil war as well as some light power armor, but neither of them were even close to completion.

"Are you just going to stand there and brood?" Rex joked, "or are you going to join me?"

"Brood?" Brandon said in mock anger, "I'll show you brooding you little…"

A mournful wail pierced their conversation and drove them to silence. Rex stood up to try to get a better view but flinched when he saw a titan barely manage to get above the surface of the clouds with its dying breath and sunk with one last pitiful cry as the crystal in its chest winked out.

Brandon grimaced. When so many life forms had a crystal or gem embedded in them with light signifying life, it was so much harder to stomach when you see that light going out. "That's three this week already," he exhaled, "that's not good." He looked up to Gramps.

"Don't look at me, it's going to be a little while longer until I snuff it. Multiple times your lifespans."

"And to think that titans are being weaponized when we're already running so low on land," Rex frowned, "I wish we could just find a way to Elysium."

"I don't know about that," Brandon said with an eyebrow raised, "I believe that you believe in Elysium. But I'm not so sure myself."

He did know what Elysium was, but short of building a ship that could take the pressure of the Cloud Sea or could fly up high into the atmosphere, there was no way to enter the World Tree to reach the city and he almost considered it a mercy to crush Rex's dream of reaching Elysium now before his hope grew out of control.

He knew about the stories of the Architect. He knew that it had to have been just someone in the Coalition pulling the trigger and activating nuclear doomsday and reset humanity, though he wasn't too sure where the titans and the Cloud Sea came from.

"Whatever, I'll be the first to find a way for all of us to get there!"

Brandon chuckled, "I'm sure you will. But before that, you need to get that stuff you salvaged sold."

"Oh right, Gramps, you mind getting us to the guild headquarters by tonight?"

"I don't know, that might be a bit of a stretch, I've already been heading in that direction."

"Oh come on Gramps, you can step on it a little."

"Of course you had to pick up Brandon's slang," Gramps sighed, "I'll try to get you two there by tonight but no promises."

"Thanks Gramps!"

"Do you have my docking fee this time?"

Rex laughed nervously, "uh, I owe you?" He rushed off.

"Every time," Hirkham groaned.

"You know it's because you let him get away with it every time, right?" Brandon leaned on the railing, "you should charge interest."

"Man, you are ruthless," he laughed, "maybe I should, but he's never not paid me, besides, he's still a kid."

Brandon flipped him a few coins, "here, unlike him, I don't flake out on payments."

"Thanks."

"By the way, have there been any updates on my requests?"

"Oh you mean the parts you wanted? Nothing yet."

"Damn it," Brandon sulked back to the shack.

"Oh right, you have a meeting about the guild mission," Hirkham called after him, "it's mandatory and starts in half an hour."

"Oh come on, it's already seven thirty!"

He held his hands up, "hey, I don't make the rules man."

"Ugh, alright, thanks for the heads up."

"Hey Brandon!" One of the people on his team called, "what do you think this is about."

"I don't know dude," Brandon shrugged, "I thought one of you would know."

"Well you're the, uh, what is your official title? Manager?"

"Chief of security of the main Argentum division."

"You're the chief of security, shouldn't you know?"

Brandon shrugged, "I was away." The team filed into the conference room and took seats around the table. A few minutes of waiting later and a peculiar pair made their entrance. A Gormotti girl and a… tiger? Ah it was a blade judging by its core crystal.

"Ahem, we are part of the group that hired your salvagin' team. However, we are no longer in need of your services."

"Just the security team?"

"Obviously, we are more than enough as security."

Brandon looked them up and down. "I can see that you're driver and blade, but as the contract states, we are heading security or the job doesn't happen, I hope you understand."

"What do you mean it doesn't happen."

Brandon sighed, "look ma'am, while I'm sure a Driver and Blade are more than capable of managing security, and probably more competent in combat than us, but unfortunately, you are not able to cut costs as the contract that has been signed requires that we are present for security. Our insurance policy on the Maelstrom also requires that we are present or any accidents that occur immediately void the policy."

"I-"

"If that's all, then we have nothing more to discuss, good day."

"Why you-"

"Ahem," the tiger cleared his throat causing everyone to jump, "apologies for my lady's rudeness."

"Dromarch! What have I told you about speaking for me?"

The tiger, Dromarch, sighed, "my lady, this gentleman was very clear about the current situation. He also appears to carry some level of authority, it would be wise to not jeopardize the agreement over a little spat."

The Gormotti growled and just spun around and stalked out of the room, her Blade following right on her heels.

Brandon laughed, "that was weird."

"Why do we always get the crazy ones?" He heard someone mutter as they left the room.

"Well, I guess see you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see ya dude," Brandon gave a lazy salute before leaving himself. "I have to go and grab some nickel, and lithium… what else?" he muttered, "well I should have enough spare batteries for the job… oof. Sorry-"

"Ugh, you again," the silver hair Gormotti growled.

"Look ma'am, I think we got off on the wrong foot, I don't want this job to be unbearable for either of us," he held out a hand, "my name is Brandon Hunter."

She considered it for a moment before taking it, while regarding it as if it was trash, "Nia."

"Nice to meet you Nia," he pulled away, "I'll see you on the ship then."

"Christ," he muttered to himself, "why is she so pissed off? Is she always like that? Ugh, and I have to work with her on security."

"Hey Brandon, guess what?" Rex said excitedly as he returned to Gramps.

Brandon had just arrived a few minutes before and had just started to work on his jump pack project again.

"What's up?"

"I just got two hundred grand for a salvaging job, asked for directly by the chairman."

"Damn, that's a lot of… wait, is it a third party?"

"Yeah?" Rex seemed confused, "why?"

"Did you meet the third party?"

"Actually, yeah. Again, why?"

"Was one of them a Gormotti girl in a yellow jumpsuit with a white tiger as a Blade?"

"Yes."

"Okay, so I think we have the same job… Christ it must be a massive operation if they're even hiring independent salvagers."

"Actually they said that it was a small team but they wanted me specifically because I was from Leftheria and they didn't have enough Leftherians on their team."

"Leftheria? That's weird. What's so special about the Archipelago?" Brandon tilted his head in confusion. There really wasn't anything special about the place, it was mostly a small town with its chief export being young adults wanting to move out and its chief import being older folk who want to settle down somewhere quiet. Other than the fact that it was the only titan, titan group, that stayed in one place, there wasn't much to it. It did provide a convenient place for an Argentum Trading hub and fast passage through the cloud mountain.

"I don't know," Rex shrugged, "maybe they just heard that Leftherian salvagers are the best in the trade, but either way, does it really matter?"

"They said Leftheria specifically, if it wasn't important would they have requested that? Also I doubt that their reasoning is that Leftherians are the best at salvaging. Mostly because there just aren't many salvagers from Leftheria. If anything, you would think that Mor Ardain would have the best salvagers because everything they do now at this point comes from salvaging."

Rex just shrugged again, "I don't know why you're looking into this so much."

"This is just such a big operation, I don't like it. It's not being done by the trade guild or a big corporation or even a government, it's done by a random third party. Think about it, they're paying tens, if not hundreds of millions of gold for this," he fidgeted with his hands, "getting the Maelstrom alone is easily ten million for the one job."

"Then we were hired by someone who's really wealthy," he shrugged, "what more is there to it?"

Brandon sighed, "you're right, I'm probably looking into this too much."

"I would still keep an eye open," Gramps said, "even if this is fully sanctioned by the guild, they do anything for people with money."

"Of course Gramps. I'll make sure to stay safe."

"Here," Brandon handed Rex's sword to him, "I've finished all the modifications you wanted, go get whatever else you need and book us a room, I'll catch up once I finish this," he held up a piece of the jump pack.

"Alright, meet you there."

….

So in the original, we got all the way through the first chapter… in the first chapter lol. But as it turns out, I write more when I'm not just copy pasting the game's dialogue, hooray! Admittedly it was a bit shorter than my regular chapters but I think that makes a good transition as they go from day 1 to day 2 like in the game where Rex sleeps one night in the hotel? It's not really an inn is it… hm. I guess I'll call it a hotel.

I've also upscaled a lot of the stuff, because it's supposed to be canonically a lot bigger than what the game showed whereas in the original version I kept a lot of things as their in game size.