Melina woke up quickly, taking short breaths and panting heavily. Melina looked around, and wondered, 'Why do I keep having those horrible nightmares? I don't want to re-live the hell that I did while I was back at Orion, but something inside of me is itching to get out.' Melina paused at her thoughts and looked out the window, and it was still dark. Melina shuddered and got up, rubbing both of her eyes and walking out the door to investigate. She then realized what had awoken her.

Melina heard the screech of a car outside. She ran to the window, but the sound was coming from the car yard. Melina put on her boots on and sprinted downstairs. Melina tiptoed out, trying to not wake up her neighbor and walked to the Hangar. She looked around, not watching where she was going and soon there was an immediate collision. Melina fell back, and looked up, rubbing her butt. She stood up, wiping her outfit of the dirt and rubble.

"Hey! Watch it!"

"You were the one who ran into me! And who are you?" he asked, a note of question skimming his voice...

"My name is Melina", she replied, her voice filled with both determination and fear...

"The name is Jak." he said, "And why are you out so late?" Melina just cocked an eyebrow and opened her mouth to answer.

"I was hungry so I decided to do some late night shopping", she said trying to put on an innocent face, yet one with attitude. Jak just looked at her, smirking wildly. "I haven't seen you around before," He started, "Where'd you come from. Or do you not know?"

"I came from the city of Orion. I had escaped from the jail, and the experimentations that I had received. Baron Aksel was the leader of the city", Melina said, replying his question. She looked at him and gave a stern look.

"Same here", he said folding his arms.

Melina watched him, placing her gun back on its holster, and putting her dagger back onto her boot, "May I ask why you are here?"

He put his hands on his waist and looked up," I was cast out of Haven city, after the falling of the city. Everybody had blamed me for allowing the Metal heads into the city, and the council claims that I'm 'dangerous'". Melina looked at him, grinning slightly.

"Sounds like fun." She said bluntly, smirking at her comment. Melina could see that he was grinning as well and she gave him a half-smile.

"Well", he said,"I guess I'll see you around". Jak walked past her and she sighed heavily. Melina watched as he disappeared behind a few huts and she headed back to her hut. She layed back down, sleeping throughout the night without any dreams or nightmares.

Melina woke up, groaning loudly as she tried to stand up. She moaned again and rubbed her inner thigh. It had a rather large bruise on it.

"Dammit, why is it so bruised?" She yelled, keeping the volume down to a minimum. It looked rather intense for a normal sore.

Melina got up, and walked to her closet, opening the door to reveal a new, shiny outfit. She got in and looked at the tag:

"Thought you might have needed these. Wastelanders need all the protection they can get. These are of the finest Metal Head Skins, and will be of use to you later. Take good care of them. –Damas"

Melina looked puzzled and smiled. The items contained a tan vest that showed her belly, a thin white top with a high neck to go under the vest, forest green breeches, and some Black Hand gloves. Melina looked down next to her black boots and there laid a brand new gun holster, a larger one to go across her back, with suspenders to hold them over her shoulder. She walked out, shifting in the armor and made her way to Damas' throne room. Once the elevator stopped, Melina walked out, passing beautiful fountains and making her way up to his throne. Melina bowed and then stood up at his command.

"We will try our best to train you to be an even better female warrior as you get older. No one makes it to the wasteland just so we can protect them and feed them. You will soon have to hold your own. So we will assign you a teacher. Only to help you hone your skills in combat and to make you even better. Remember, you only need one more metal before you become one of the Wastelanders. He is waiting to train you in weaponry, first hand combat, and vehicle skills. After long weeks of lessons and labor, you will be assigned a permanent job that you will hold until you die. You will be promoted to harder jobs as you get older and it comes easier to you. Do you understand?" Melina nodded slowly, grinning under her breath.

"Yes sir!"

"Good. Your teacher will be waiting for you on the bay. Now go! I am busy." Melina bowed and walked back onto the elevator. She took a last glance at Damas before the elevator began to lower.

Melina waited until the elevator let her off, and she took yet again, a rather long trip down the tunnel. Melina kept walking, smelling the gun powder and other substances. Melina looked over towards the direction of the bay and followed the trail, passing numerous Wastelanders and their Leaper Lizards. She kept going until she reached her destination and searched high and low for her tutor. He was no where to be found, until Melina spotted something over top a rock. Her eyes widened in surprise.

Jak was going to be her instructor.