Chapter 1: The Inventor and the Juggernaut
At the Atlas corporation on Promethea, the sound of running echoed through the halls revealing Rys, head of the Atlas Corporation trying to escape his assailant only to turn around, trip, and fall on his rear. In front of him walked out the assassin Zero but wearing Maliwan attire as well as having an 'M' logo on his helmet. Zero held his katana in his right hand at the ready before raising it overhead and bringing it down intending to cut Rys in half. Instead of cutting the owner of Atlas, Zero's blade had clashed with an invisible force revealing the real Zero.
The two began to fight in the way of the sword, Moze aimed with her Atlas assault rifle in hand with an Atlas pistol hanging on her right hip. Due to how fast the two were fighting, she could not help Zero in his battle due to the risk of friendly fire. Both assassins fought one another until the real Zero performed a spin swipe which caught the other assassin off guard and knocking his helmet off revealing it to be Katagawa Junior, head of the Maliwan Corporation. Katagawa glared at Zero before taking another swing at him only to force him to take hold of Rys and disappear leaving Katagawa to fight against Moze.
"Well well well. Look at what we have here," A voice called out making Katagawa narrow his eyes and look around along with Moze.
"Smoke?" Katagawa asked before a scientist walked out of the shadows revealing himself as he had his left hand in his pocket and his right hand holding a joint up to his lips taking a nice long drag.
"The one and only man," Smoke answered as he came into the light revealing his form.
Smoke was a male who stood at six feet and one inch tall with an average build and white skin while he had spiky black hair also blue eyes hiding behind a black visor. His attire was combat clothes and a white lab coat with a box of cigarets in his front chest pocket and a Maliwan sniper rifle on his back. Katagawa scuffed while aiming his katana at Smoke.
"We had a deal! I let your little pet go and you never show your face to me again!" Katagawa shouted.
"That was not our deal man. Our deal was that you let me and J go with no problem...because of that, you got yourself the full rights to every last blueprint I had...including prototypes. That was our deal. And let me tell you...I had a lot of blueprints to give," Smoke replied while taking another drag of his joint smiling.
"Speaking of J, where is he?" Katagawa asked raising his head while scanning the landscape around Smoke.
"Oh, you now. Preparing," Smoke answered with a shrug before closing his eyes.
"Are you high or something? I am pretty sure you can't fight up close and personal. That! Wasn't your specialty. I know all of your tricks Smoke," Katagawa said with a grin as Moze took at the head of Atlas Corporation only to be blocked by Smoke.
"Man when am I not high? I got the money to be high all day every day!" Smoke said opening his left eye slightly. "Plus. You never saw me fight man so you have no IDEA what I am capable of. Enough about me though, you said where's J? Look behind man"
"You think I would fall for such a stupid? I may not have seen you fight but I saw how quick your hand is," Katagawa asked only to feel the ground shake slightly followed by heavy breathing.
"Maybe," Smoke answered.
Katagawa quickly turned his body while swiping his katana toward what he thought was J's neck but stopped midway as his sword was caught by a pitch-black robotic hand revealing a short male standing behind Katagawa gritting his teeth.
"You have no idea how long I've waited for this," The young male said glaring at Katagawa
J was a young adult male that stood at five feet nine inches tall with a toned body and tanned skin. He had short messy black hair and brown colored eyes as he wore nothing but cargo pants while leaving everything else for all to see. His body was covered in surgical scars and even had a tag he wore around his neck labeled '96' along with a scratched up name with his limbs being mechanical.
"Juggernaut," Katagawa whispered before bringing his foot up to kick J's torso and allowing him to pull his katana out of the male's grasp so he could distance himself.
"That is not my name!" J shouted while gripping his right hand into a fist causing it to ignite and become engulfed in flames.
"It's the only one you have," Katagawa replied with a smirk before jumping backward and sending four digi-clones after the three.
"Moze was it? We're friends of Zero. We'll handle this guy," Smoke assured as he took his sniper out and cocked it with a smirk.
"Reinforcements are always welcomed," Moze spoke before taking looking at the two digi-clones that were fighting J and two more ran toward them.
Smoke smiled before pulling his sniper rifle out and switching to his weapons second function which shot out a tracker grenade that would explode and mark two clones. Smirking at this, Smoke aimed and pulled the trigger of his sniper causing its barrel to start rotating. Moze looked at the clones drawing closer and closer before looking at Smoke who kept his smirk. Just when she was about to open fire, the barrel of the sniper began to spray the two clones with bullets completely tearing them apart and causing them to fade. Although one of the clones tried to roll out of the way, the bullets simply followed it and pierced through the clone.
"What kind of gun was that?" Moze asked eyeing Smoke's sniper rifle.
"A new gun I just finished making. Although Katagawa there had all my blueprints...that don't mean I can make something else," Smoke said placing his gun over his shoulder and looking at Moze.
"What about him?" Moze asked before looking over to J seeing him holding a clone in one hand while shooting the other in the face point blank with a shotgun.
"You mean J? He's fine," Smoke said before looking up at where the real Katagawa was smirking.
Moze looked up to the real Katagawa on top of the building and raised her gun only to be stopped by Smoke who placed his hand in her way. Smoke chuckled and switched the function again but instead of firing it at Katagawa, he fired it upward before taking his sniper and whacking the grenade just like a baseball. This sent the grenade straight toward Katagawa before exploding and marking him. Katagawa's eyes widened at what just happened as he looked down at Smoke who had already primed his sniper grinning.
"Gotcha," Smoke whispered before firing bullets at Katagawa and watched as the projectiles raced toward his direction.
Katagawa was forced to run along the side of the building while deflecting as many bullets as possible but even if they were not shock, it was still tearing away at his shields. Just as he reached the end of the building, he was thankful to be in cover now as the bullet pelted the barrier that he placed himself between him and Smoke's weapon. Suddenly the bullets had stopped hitting his cover causing him to peak out to see Smoke humming calmly and reloading his gun without a care int he world. The Maliwan owner glared at Smoke and took aim with his gun to fire at Smoke but stopped seeing the inventor looking up at him snickering.
"No," Katagawa whispered to himself before feeling a powerful kick behind him sending him crashing into the hard ground as J landed right in front of him breathing heavily.
Katagawa turned and look up at J and scrambled to try and back away from the young male.
"Juggernaut! Enough! That's an ORDER!" Katagawa Jr commanded as he stumbled on to his feet with his katana at the ready.
"I take orders from no one! Not anymore!" J shouted before throwing a burning right jab toward his face.
Katagawa used his katana to block the punch before redirecting it and glided his katana toward J's neck. Instead of hitting flesh, his blade had come into contact with another metal hand but this one was freezing the blade. Widening his eyes, Katagawa pulled his sword back and jumped onto another building with his focus now on J. Looking down at J, he could see fire coming from his right hand while ice flowed from his left. While he was in his train of thought, he heard a sudden clang under him causing him to look down to see a shuriken had landed right between his legs with a soft beeping coming from its base.
"What the?" Katagawa whispered to himself before it eventually exploded and sent Katagawa flying backward and slam into the ground with his shields completely knocked out.
"Alright. Right between the legs. Damn, I'm good," Smoke complimented himself with and nod before walking over to the downed Katagawa.
"Damn it!" Katagawa shouted as Smoke walked up to him taking a short drag from his new joint. "Why?"
Smoke exhaled the gas from his mouth at Katagawa before sighing and squatting in front of him. "Because man...I never respected your way of doing things. The moment you killed your family was the moment you lost all my respect...and also stole my pack of weed. That was the last straw man,"
"What's respect have to do...with business?!" Katagawa asked glaring at Smoke.
"Everything! Without respect, there's no motivation, man. What's the point?" Smoke asked with a soft chuckle.
"What are you...going to do now? Kill me?" Katagawa asked while backing up into a wall groaning in pain.
"Me? Kill you? Nah," Smoke said standing up and dusted himself off while slipping his hands into his side pocket. "I got no beef with you. By the way. Suit Code: lockdown. Password. WeedisLife."
"What?" Katagawa questioned confused before Smoke laughed as the owners zero suit began to spark out of control only to lock itself, and the user, in place preventing him from moving. "What did you do to the suit?"
"You think I would not know my design? I mean I did invent it. Just because I don't have the blueprints does not mean I forgot it. All that is right here man," Smoke said poking his head with his pinky smirking.
"What?" Katagawa asked still not following as he struggled to move.
"...plus I would not want you blowing yourself up or running away from someone who DOES have beef with you," Smoke said nudging his head to behind himself before moving out of the way revealing J standing there with his right fist engulfed in flames and his left being frozen solid.
"J-Juggernaut...come on now...there's no need for revenge!" Katagawa begged.
"No. There is need...for revenge...you've tormented my life...for years," J answered while narrowing his eyes.
"I SHOWED YOU KINDNESS! YOUR PARENTS LEFT YOU FOR DEAD!" Katagawa shouted while gritting his teeth.
"And now...I will return your kindness...in full," J replied while grinning widely. "You will feel a portion of what you did to me."
"No," Katagawa pleaded while shaking his head.
"I will take from you what you took from me..." J started before bringing his right hand up and causing it to burn bright red. "My limbs...and my life."
"B-But you got it back!" Katagawa pleaded while trying to move but to no avail.
"Only because someone gave me a new life. That does not wash away what you have done to my past life. A life of pain and suffering. Although your pain will not be as much as mine...from what Smoke has told me...you treasure your life over everything...even your company. Do not put your hopes up though...I will make your suffering last. I can promise you that," Juggernaut promised while grinning.
Moze eventually walked up beside Smoke to see what was going on. Smoke raised his brows before turning around and bringing his hand over to Moze's shoulder to have her follow him back over to Rys.
"Alrighty then, while my friend is finishing his personal business...who are you?" Smoke asked with his left hand placed over Moze's shoulder and his right hand holding a joint in between his pointing and middle finger.
"Moze. I'm with the Crimson Raiders. You?" Moze asked while moving Smoke's hand off her shoulder.
"Right, names Smoke. I used to work for Maliwan Corporation as head scientist and inventor. Long story short I was let go on good terms," Smoke said while looking up at the sky taking a small hit.
"Good terms?" Moze asked with a raised brow while glancing at Smoke.
"I gave my former boss ALL my blueprints for future weapons, as well as armor and gadgets, in exchange for him to let me off and J free," Smoke explained after exhaling the smoke he just took in.
"Just blueprints?" Moze asked with doubt in her tone.
"That suit is one of the many I created. Kind of a cheap one now that I think about it...idiot must have used a shortcut to make it faster," Smoke said in a disappointed sigh while shaking his head.
"What makes your blueprints so special. For all I know you might be making it up," Moze said making Smoke burst out laughing while coming to a full stop as he nodded his head.
"My weapons will kill...and weed is good. That's my motto. Better to show you than tell you. Actions speak louder than words I always say," Smoke said as Moze came to a stop to turn and look at Smoke bringing her hands to her hips waiting.
Smoke nodded his head as he raised his left hand and snapped his fingers causing a sentry to appear over his left shoulder with yellow sludge dripping from its barrel.
"Corrosive ammunition. I got a gadget for each of the well-known elements. Incendiary and Shock are no exception. Like a boss right? Oh yeah," Smoke complimented himself while raising his arms in the air and applauding himself.
"What about your friend?" Moze asked looking over at J to see a leg fly up in the air followed by it being blown to pieces by a shotgun.
"What about him?" Smoke asked not even looking to his friend while.
"What's his story?" Moze asked turning her attention forward bringing his hands to his sides. "That's his story girl. You wanna know it...you gotta ask him."
Moze stood there silently before looking at J once more seeing him standing up and panting heavily.
"Come on Moze, you came here for something right?" Smoke called out now standing with Rys and Zero.
Moze sighed before looking at Smoke and making her way over to Rys.
"Well done vault hunter. Thank you for saving my bro. That creep is finished, " Zero thanked.
"I didn't do much. Smoke and his friend are the ones who offed him...and with ease too, " Moze admitted while looking at Smoke.
"You kept his attention here...long enough for us to arrive, " J said as be walked past Moze to stand by Smoke. "If he had known we were coming, he would have fled long ago."
The sudden appearance caught Moze off guard causing her to jump slightly.
"Jesus Christ! When did you get here?" Moze asked looking at J than back at Katagawa seeing nothing more than a limbless, faceless body laying on the ground causing her eyes to narrow.
"That was fast. I thought you were going to take your time, " Smoke said blowing out the smoke from his mouth.
"I lost my patience and tore him apart, " J answered while turning around to face Moze while balling his hands into fists. "Except for his face...I burned that off."
"Alright. Chill bro. No need to ball your hands again. We're all cool here, " Smoke said softly nudging J's side laughing softly.
"Is he always aggressive?" Moze asked looking at J.
"...it's a work in progress, " Smoke answered looking over at Moze who sighed and nodded her head as she turned her attention to Zero.
"Zero, where were you?" Moze asked while crossing her arms under her bust.
"Zero here was helping us out in getting here. Not easy sneaking into a Maliwan ship without some help...also he was helping us out with a hunt, " Smoke explained while looking at Zero.
"Could not give us away. Radio silence, " Zero added.
"Like I said, Zero! Super trusted you the whole time, and it was completely justified, " Rhys shouted with a wide smile.
*sneezes* "BULLSHIT! Sorry. Allergies, " Smoke said causing Rhys to laugh nervously while Moze smiled faintly.
"Right. Now. As for you vault hunter. I owe you everything. You've fought off an all-out corporate assault, saved my company and killed my creepy business stalker. But before I give you the key fragment, I have one last question for you. Am I pulling off this mustache or what?" Rhys asked.
Smoke raised a brow and looked at Rhys not noticing the mustache due to certain events and paused for a moment. J did not care about the question and simply stood in silence. Moze seemed slightly annoyed at this and was about to say something until Smoke raised his hand for her to wait a bit.
"That mustache looks really, dope man. I thought the damn thing was real so I never asked, man. It suits you man," Smoke complimented.
"Woe. That's a lot to take in. Thank you...vault hunter. Oh, here's the key fragment, " Rhys said handing Moze the promised item. "If the Crimson Raiders ever need help. The Atlas Corporation will be ready, "
"Alright, thanks. Now, what about you two?" Moze asked pocketing the key fragment away and looking at Smoke as well as J.
"Well, we got nothing else to do. Plus the Maliwan ship we were on kinda blew up so...I don't know...what do you think J? Wanna join the Crimson Raiders?" Smoke asked looking at J.
"So long as no one pisses me off! " J said answered in a calm tone.
"Alright! We're in! Where do we sign up at? Also, I smoke A LOT! Hope that ain't a problem, " Smoke said with a soft laugh before taking a hit from his joint.
"So I see. I'll let command know, " Moze said before walking off to the elevator while pulling out her ECHO-3 to contact her higher-ups.
"Alright, Zero. Thanks for the help man. Would have been hell of annoying without it, " Smoke admitted while smiling softly.
"Not at all vault hunters. That guy was a total douche. Sorry, I could not help with your other hunt, " Zero said with a said emoji appearing on the front of his helmet.
"Nah don't worry about it. They can't hide forever. We found them once...we'll find then again, " Smoke said while closing his eyes smirking.
J only nodded his head to the assassin before the two looked to the elevator seeing Moze was waiting for them. Smoke shrugged with a chuckle before they made their way to Moze's direction to make their way off Promethea.
-Sanctuary 3-
Moze left the pod followed by Smoke and J as they came to a stop and began to look around the hangar bay with curious and cautious eyes. The first person the two saw was none other than Ellie as J could not help but raise a brow while his eyes scanned her up and down.
"How's it going Moze? And who might these fine gentlemen be?" Ellie asked looking at Smoke and J with her eyes lingering on the shirtless man slightly longer.
"New recruits. They can introduce themselves, " Moze answered with a smirk while looking over her shoulder at J seeing a faint smile.
"More help is always appreciated, " Ellie said with a wink.
"Names Smoke. I gotta say though, damn your huge. In a good way of course," Smoke complimented before letting out a soft whistle. "Oh, this here is my buddy J. He doesn't talk much but he's a good man...with anger issues."
"Pleased to meet yall. Names Ellie. Engineer and technician of the Crimson Raiders. If yall need a tone up, let me know, I'll gladly help ya," Ellie said before looking at J smiling.
"I'll be sure to keep that in mind. So, do we get a quick tour of this ship or do we get straight to work?" Smoke asked with his joint in between his lips as he started to look around again.
"Moze will give you all a quick tour as well as show you to your quarters, " Lilith said revealing herself at the top of the stairs before she began to walk down until stopping right in front of her and placing her right hand on her hip smiling.
"Cool. So uhh who are you?" Smoke asked tilting his head slightly.
"Names Lilith. Leader of the Crimson Raiders. With my name out of the way, mind if I get your names?" Lilith asked with her head raised slightly.
"My names Smoke. This here's my bro J, " Smoke introduced while bringing his arm over J's neck smiling.
"Can you talk for yourself J?" Lilith asked looking at the short juggernaut.
"I don't talk much...due to...anger issues, " J answered earning a slow nod from Lilith.
"Right. So, what're your stories?" Lilith asked looking at Smoke.
"Meh, wanted to follow my childhood dream to be a vault hunter...and here I am, " Smoke answered with a smile.
"And you?" Lilith asked now looking at J.
"Uhh, I don't think..." Smoke started but was stopped as J hit his gut softly with his elbow causing him to cough and groan. "Bitch..."
"I was a lab experiment from Maliwan to become a living weapon. Smoke was able to get me out. Now I owe him my life...and so here I am, " J answered with a calm tone while his left hand slightly balled into a fist.
"Also we need money to either fix J up or for my new gadgets...and weed, " Smoke added while he had his right and over his gut.
"What about your families?" Lilith asked with a raised brow.
"Younger sisters fine. She's safely doing her own thing, " Smoke said with a shrug.
"...my family abandoned me ever since I was born. Left to die, " J answered now balling both hands into fists.
After hearing this from J, Lilith looked at the ground and rubbed the back of her head.
"I'm sorry to hear that...one more question and Moze can give you a tour around the ship real quick, " Lilith said crossing her arms under her bust.
"Ask away, " Smoke said with a smile.
"The Crimson Raiders are a family. We watch out for one another. Can we trust you BOTH to always have our back? No matter what?" Lilith said with a serious tone.
"Yes, we will. Provided they do not betray us or treat me like a freak, " J answered as his tone calmed down.
"Do you speak for your friend as well?" Lilith asked looking at J than to Smoke.
"He won't mind, " J said looking over at Smoke who just gave a thumbs up.
"Alright. That's all I need to hear. Moze, give them a quick tour but remember you still have to give Tannis the key fragment, " Lilith said with a smile before she began to walk to the flight of steps. "When you're finished with everything, meet me at the bridge...all of you, "
"Roger that, " Moze said watching Lilith leave.
"Alrighty then! Let's get this tour going!" Smoke shouted while raising his arms in the air.
"You've already met Ellie. She's the mechanic of Sanctuary 3. She built this entire ship with the help of some engineers. If you have any problems involving machinery, she's your girl," Moze introduced while looking over at Ellie who simply gave a small salute.
"Pleased to meet yall," Ellie said before winking.
"A little warning, the next two members of the Crimson Raiders your about to meet are a bit on the arrogant and rude side. Just don't kill them alright?" Moze warned in which Smoke stood still in deep thought.
"How arrogant and rude are we talking?" Smoke asked with a raised brow while taking a small hit from his joint.
"A bit is an understatement!" Ellie called out while laughing.
Moze only rolled her eyes and nodded her head in agreement.
"J, stay here and chat with Ellie. I'll go greet our new friends," Smoke said looking at J who simply nodded and looked to Ellie who simply leads him to the other side of the hangar bay to chat up a conversation and even tried to flirt with him time to time.
"Smart move," Moze commented as she walked by Smoke's side.
"Well if these guys are as arrogant and rude as Ellie says than I think it would be best not to get this ship torn apart on the first day," Smoke added while puffing out a small cloud of smoke sighing.
"I warned you," Moze said with a shrug as they reached what seemed to be the closet of the hangar bay.
Before Moze could say anything, Smoke moved forward with a smile while squatting down to be on the same level as Claptrap.
"AH! A Claptrap steward bot! I thought these guys went extinct. Cool," Smoke said poking at him only to get his hand slapped away.
"I am Supreme Commander Clapttrap and you will address me as such recruit!" Claptrap spoke before he placed his hands on his sides.
"Supreme Commander? Never heard that rank before but yeah, glad J ain't here. He would've torn your arms off and beat you to death with them," Smoke pointed out while laughing softly.
"He's annoying but he plays his part," Moze said with a sigh.
"Does he now? I wonder what part that is?" Smoke said narrowing his eyes while reaching his left hand out to grab Claptrap's eye but stopped mere inches away. "...another time though. We're in a hurry after all. Good entertainment can't be rushed."
Moze looked at Claptrap who was already shaking from the small exchange of words. Smoke sighed as he stood up and dusted himself off while turning to look at Moze.
"Alrighty then. Who's next?" Smoke asked with a smirk.
"Right this way," Moze said a little unsettled by Smoke's positive attitude before she walked past the scientist and down a narrow hallway to come up to a heavily fortified door.
"Who dis?" Smoke asked before Moze knocked on the heavy door.
"Whatchu want?!" Shouted Earl from the other side of the door until a slit moved to reveal the lone man's face.
"I hear the rude but I've heard worse," Smoke said looking over at Moze.
"I don't got all day skaglicker!" Earl shouted making Smoke's eyes close slightly.
"I stand corrected," Smoke said before turning to look at Earl. "Sup man. Names Smoke, the new guy in the Crimson Raiders with my pal over there. Just saying hello is all."
Earl gave Smoke a long cold look before shaking his head and snarling at the scientist.
"If you ain't buying anything then SCRAM!" Earl shouted before closing the slit.
"Friendly," Smoke said jokingly causing Moze to chuckle lightly.
"Come on. We still got more people to meet," Moze said turning and walking out of the hallway with Smoke following behind her.
As they left, Smoke saw J already talking to Ellie about repairs and what he needed in case his limbs broke down. Both were doing a simple brainstorm on what could be used for spare parts.
"Come on J. We got more people to meet. You can talk to Ellie later," Smoke called out as both Moze and himself began to walk up the stairs.
J looked at his friend and nodded before glancing at Ellie just to bow his head in thanks. With thanks given, he turned and made his way to Smoke and Moze.
"So J, what were you two talking about?" Smoke asked glancing over his shoulder to his friend.
"Repairs to my limbs and how she would be more then delighted to fix me up," J answered.
"And what did you say, man?" Smoke asked with a smirk.
"It was not needed. You already do my repairs for me if I need them. Also, I am more than capable of repairing my limbs if I have to," J answered earning a light chuckle from Smoke.
"Dude she was hitting on you," Smoke said turning around to look at J who had a confused look on his face.
"Hitting on me? She hasn't touched me at all," J countered causing Smoke to facepalm while shaking his head and turning around to face forward.
"So much to learn young grasshopper...so much to learn," Smoke said with his hands behind his back.
"I'm going to punch you in the face Smoke," J warned while narrowing his eyes.
"Pfft, I know you will...but some other time. We have more important things to do," Smoke replied followed by a soft chuckle.
"Meet everyone important?" J asked blinking a little.
"That's right! Much to do man. So much to do," Smoke commented as Moze lead them to the bar and gambling room.
As the three entered, Moxxie would be standing behind her bar supervising her bar but looked at the doorway seeing Moze leading two new faces in. She smiled and walked out of her bar to makes
"Names Moxxie. What're your names sugar?" Moxxie asked as she looked between the two vault hunters.
"Well hello there. Names Smoke...High Smoke," The scientist said while raising his brows to Moxxie.
"And you Sugar?" Moxxie asked looking at J with her head tilted slightly.
Her eyes looked into J who had no emotion nor reaction to her looks making her blink her eyes.
"J," He introduced bluntly while looking at Moxxie.
"A fiery one we got here, " Moxxie whispered while bringing her hand to brush against his chest and down to his abs. "Very Fiery."
Smoke groaned at this while gritting his teeth before Moze pulled J away from Moxxi's hand earning a confused blink.
"Alright, let's go meet another member of the Crimson Raider's," Moze said with her eyes closed.
"Wait? Don't you want to give my slots...a try?" Moxxie said while walking up to Smoke and placing her hand upon Smoke's cheek making him both blush red and laugh nervously.
"I don't see why not," Smoke said walking past Moxxie and to one of her slots in which he inserted the credits to start the game.
The slots sprang to life as Smoke and J watched carefully before three bars of eridium revealed themselves followed by the same picture coming out of the machine.
"Magic hands indeed," Moxxie said pressing her pointing finger to her lips smiling.
J shrugged and did the same after watching Smoke as the machine came to life only for the slots to land on three bandit masks. Moxxie moved back with her hands behind her form as she watched the game spit out a grenade followed by laughter from a bandit. As the grenade jumped out, J narrowed his eyes and quickly slapped it to the corner of the room before it exploded causing no harm to anyone but the corner itself.
"Luck is never on my side. Which is why I only trust my instincts...and friends," J said looking over to Smoke who smiled and nodded his head.
"Hmm come back now you hear me. When you return...maybe I can help you with your...luck," Moxxie said while blowing a kiss to J.
J had no idea what she meant but simply nodded his head and turned to face Moze. She was a little taken aback at how Moxxie's charms worked on Smoke but not J. Moze soon lead them to the other side of the ship and down a hallway coming up to Marcus Kincaid the gun salesmen. The large man looked over to Moze and waved before his eyes locked onto Smoke before laughing loudly.
"Well if it isn't my good old friend Smoke! What brings you here to the Crimson Raiders?" Marcus asked leaning over his counter chuckling.
"Marcus? Yo! Nothing much man. Just joined the Crimson Raiders and well...here I am seeing all the important people on here," Smoke answered walking up to Marcus and as the two shook hands.
"You know him, Marcus?" Moze asked with a raised brow.
"Of course! This man here would give me free guns for my business. Because of him, I was able to get a good sum of money until eventually, the shipments stopped coming. I thought you were dead," Marcus said looking at Smoke with a smirk.
"Nah. I just got fired from my job so making weapons have become kind of difficult man," Smoke explained before rubbing the back of his head laughing softly.
"I see. Well since your here why not come back here and upgrade some weapons. Free of charge," Marcus offered now standing up straight.
"Nahh maybe some other time man. Still gotta go chat with Lilith on the bridge...but I'll hold you to your offer man," Smoke said with a smirk. "Oh, snap almost forgot, Marcus, this is my close buddy J. Helped him out and now here he is,"
"Well it's nice to meet you J. Tell me, would he be willing to buy guns? He looks like he wouldn't be interested in any weapons," Marcus asked looking at Smoke.
"Well, he ends up breaking his guns pretty frequently so he will probably be one of your top customers with me around man," Smoke answered crossing his arms over his chest.
"Breaking his guns frequently? What does he think they are? Toys?" Marcus asked chuckling.
"Does it matter? You're getting money right? Plus, there are plenty of weapons out there we're probably going to sell or even give to you," Smoke said with a shrug.
"...alright...but only because it's you Smoke," Marcus said while placing his hands on his hips now.
"Alright well, it was good to catch up with you man. Later on, I'll come over and do some upgrades," Smoke said before waving good-bye before turning to look at Moze. "Next?"
"Alright, we have a few more people to meet and we will be heading off to the bridge," Moze said before nudging her head for them to follow.
J simply followed after Moze up to the next level of the ship and toward what seemed to be a lab. Smoke's eyes widened as he saw the small lab and rubbed his hands together.
"A lab? Are we going to visit a scientist?" Smoke asked looking at Moze who nodded her head.
"She is many things but a scientist is one of them," Moze answered as they entered the medical lab.
Smoke followed Moze into the lab to see an alpha skag laying on a table to eventually see Tannis herself standing in front of a drawing board.
"Smoke. J. This is Patricia Tannis. Tanis, these are the new recruits. Lilith ordered me to show them around as well as have them introduced to everyone," Moze said while looking over to J and Smoke.
Smoke stood there frozen in place as his eyes were locked on Tannis with his mouth almost a gap. J looked at his friend and brought his elbow to his gut snapping out of his daze as well as rub his belly.
"Well, more vault hunters. I am not for long conversations...but welcome," Tannis said with an awkward smile.
"I LOVE YOU!" Smoke shouted unexpectedly causing J to turn around and sock the inventor across his jaw knocking him out instantly.
Tannis and Moze looked at the unconscious inventor while J just glared at his friend panting softly with his hands balled up.
"Dumbass. He should know that yelling triggers me," J said looking at Smoke before rolling his shoulders back as he exhaled the air in his body to calm himself. "He should have learned from the first time he did that."
"Will he be okay? You hit him pretty good," Moze asked looking at J.
"He'll be fine. like I said...he should have learned his lesson from last time," J said looking at Moze.
"Well, that was...unexpected...I'll see to it he is well treated," Tannis spoke while looking at Moze and J before turning her attention back to Smoke.
"I can bring him with us still...although I will be dragging him along most of the time," J said looking at Tannis now.
"He's in good hands. Also, Lilith told me to hand you the key fragment to make the vault key," Moze said before pulling out the key fragment for Tannis.
"Wonderful. I'll get right on it," Tannis said taking the key fragment before walking over to her workbench and start to connect the pieces.
"There are two more people you should meet before we make our way to the bridge," Moze said glancing at J than back at Tannis.
"Is there anything I have to worry about?" J asked with a raised brow.
"So long as you don't give her a reason to fight her there shouldn't be anything to worry about," Moze answered looking at J.
"And done. Here you are vault hunter," Tannis said turning to Moze who nodded her head in thanks as she took the key.
"Thank you...Tannis," J said with a bit of struggle as he narrowed his eyes slightly.
Moze looked at J with a raised brow before sighing and softly elbowing his side followed by nudging her head to the door in which J nodded in agreement before the two of them left.
"You aren't used to thanking people are you?" Moze asked glancing at J.
"I am not. Smoke is usually the one who does all talking while I only listen...and learn," J said sighing while looking to the wall.
Suddenly the speakers of the ship came to life.
"Crimsons Raiders, meet up in the bridge," Lilith's voice spoke through the speakers causing J and Moze to look up than at each other before continuing their way to the bridge.
"Maya and Ava will be on the bridge than," Moze explained.
"...can they be trusted?" J asked looking at Moze.
"Yes," Moze replied bluntly before coming to a stop and turning to look at J with her hands on her hips. "How does it feel to speak for your self by the way? Without worrying about your friend interrupting?"
"Strange...and dangerous," J admitted with an annoyed tone.
"Dangerous?" Moze asked with a tilted head.
"Smoke keeps me from saying things that would only cause trouble. I am still learning about...conversing casually. My normal life was robbed from me and replaced with one that only takes life. Juggernaut. That was and still is my name. A weapon," J explained while looking at Moze. "The smallest thing can set me off. Thanks to Smoke...most of my rage or triggers have been eased."
"You are not just a weapon?" Moze said as her arms rested to her sides now.
"Than what am I Moze?" J asked narrowing his eye. "The only life I knew was being a lab experiment to become the perfect weapon."
"Sounds like a soldier to me almost. Minus the lab rat thing," Moze said with a shrug.
" A soldier? I do not know much about the outside world but I am very sure that soldiers are not cut open or their limbs removed for the sake of science. Soldiers are not forced to fight one another to death. I...am no soldier Moze," J explained while gripping his hands into fists before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath to calm himself down. "...I am sorry."
With that J opened his eyes to reveal his blank expressionless face as he walked toward the bridge feeling it was only up ahead. As J entered the bridge, he looked at Lilith as she was talking to Maya and Ava by the controls of the ship. Their attention turned to J with Maya tilting her head as if seeing almost a mirror image of someone she knew. As they entered the bridge, the door behind them slowly closed.
"Good job killer. It'll be a while before Maliwan forgets the thrashing you gave'em," Lilith said impressed while looking at J and Moze.
"All that credit goes to Moze. All Smoke and I did was kill Karagawa Junior...for personal reasons," J admitted while looking at Moze before turning his attention back to Lilith who nodded her head.
"Humble. A rare trait out here," Lilith commented. "Now, we've got an opening and we're gonna take it. Rhys, where's the vault?"
Behind Lilith, a large holographic form opened revealing Rhys from his neck up.
"First off, I want to say a little something. You saved my skin and the skins of every Atlas employee. And skin's important! Stop saying skin. Right, the vault. It's hidden underneath the Apollyon Transit Station," Rhys answered after clearing his throat faintly.
"It's in the middle of the city? How did no one ever find it?" Ava asked surprised.
"The old Atlas corporation just paved right over it when I took over, but I wasn't about to pop the top on that thing in a populated area. Opening a vault is...messy stuff. But I'll leave that to you, Rhys out!" Rhys explained before the call ended.
"We'll have to be fast. We go in through Skyway by vehicle," Lilith said looking at J, Moze, and Maya.
"Got it. I'll take point with the vault hunters," Maya said looking at J with her arms crossed under her bust.
Lilith looked at Maya and began to discuss with one another causing J to look to Mozie.
"I can sense...a power coming from the other woman..." J said as he looked back at Maya.
"That's Maya. A siren. The one behind her is Ava, her student. From what I've seen, she can hold her own against an army," Moze explained while looking at Ava. "She gets into trouble but she can handle herself pretty well,"
"Siren?" J asked with a confused look.
"I don't know much about them either but from what I saw, a force not to take lightly," Moze answered causing J to nod his head and look at Maya.
"Next vault, we do it together. Once you've got your wings back," Maya said while placing her hand on Lilith's shoulder.
"Alright, Maya-let's go gear up. First vault, what should I bring?" Ava asked with excitement.
"Nope. Stay with Lilith Ava," Maya scolded while looking at Ava which J looked toward the child.
"Seriously? What have I been training for? I'm ready, Maya," Ava said looking up at Maya.
"Not yet Ava," Maya said before turning to look at the vault hunters. " You must be one of the recruits that Lilith was talking about. Names Maya."
"Are you sure it is wise to leave such a child on a ship where she can easily follow us?" J asked looking at Maya. "Her eyes...are filled with determination. People with such eyes will follow through what they want."
"And how would you know?" Maya asked with a smirk.
"Experience," J answered bluntly with his blank expression.
This caused Maya to blink at J's answer before turning her head slightly to look over her shoulder at her student Ava before sighing and looking back at J.
"Your an observant one aren't you? She'll be fine. She still has much to learn," Maya replied before looking around for the second recruit. "Where's the other recruit?"
"He is currently..." Moze started before the door to the bridge opened revealing Smoke walking in with a joint in between the left side of his lips.
"What I miss?" Smoke asked looking around and hands in his pockets as he too entered the bridge allowing the doors to close again.
"Nevermind," Moze said with half-opened eyes.
"Sup? Names Smoke. Vault Hunting scientist inventor, " Smoke introduced himself while taking his joint out and waving it forward before putting back between his lips.
"Nice to meet you, Smoke. Names Maya, " Maya said with a chuckle while SMoke began to scan her form up and down only to nod his head.
"Cool. Cool. So that's a siren tattoo. I've only heard of them but never saw one before. Neat," Soke commented with a smile.
"Alright, are you all ready to open a vault?" Maya asked looking at the three while Smoke blinked at the question.
"Wait what?" Smoke asked looking at J.
"I'll fill you in on our way down to Promethea," Moze said looking at Smoke who nodded.
"While you're at it, fill them in on the Children of the Vault," Lilith said looking at Moze who nodded her head.
"See you planetside," Maya said with a smile
-Promethea: Planetside-
As the three reach Promethea by Lorelei, Smoke was filled in about the situation and nodded his head slowly trying to contain his excitement. Along with past information, Moze also gave them a heads up on who Lorelei is as well as her role in Atlas.
"Let's open that vault," Smoke commented with a wide smile.
"Slag me, you're really openin' that Vault? Good luck! And whatever you find in there...try not to lead it back to the surface," Lorelei said with a smile while shouldering her gun and waving them off.
"Alright, so this catch-a-ride constructs a vehicle that Ellie made herself? Got a truck or anything we can use to transport all of us?" Smoke asked with his left hand in his pocket.
"Sure do," Moze answered as she accessed the catch-a-ride before a technical vehicle was constructed in front of them.
Smoke let out a soft whistle fore nodding his head.
"Very nice, " Smoke commented before looking at J. "Can you handle being in the back J?"
J only nodded his head before Smoke smiled and clapped his hands together. Moze nodded before entering the driver seat of the truck while Smoke got into the turret and J hopped onto the back of the vehicle. Once everyone was inside, Moze started driving off toward their destination.
"Heads up, a, uh, squad of Maliwan holdouts have fortified the access ramp. You'll have to kick them out if you want to get through. I'm sending Atlas forces that-a-way," Rys notified through Moze's echo-3.
"You read my mind, Rhys. Vault Hunters, secure the ramp and push through," Lilith shouted.
"Copy," Moze said before exiting the vehicle along with Smoke and J with their guns drawn and firing at the Maliwan soldiers only for the scientist to unload an entire clip on five unfortunate soldiers before they could fire a single bullet.
"Do we need backup?" Smoke asked as he was in the middle of reloading his gun while J had tackled a soldier to the ground and immediately set him on fire.
"Better safe than sorry," Moze answered while firing at some of the soldiers.
"If you say so. Little heads up, gonna try something out," Smoke warned making Moze get into cover and look at his direction.
Smoke took a long drag of his joint before moving out of cover to sway his left hand and quickly balled it into a fist as he took aim at two approaching Maliwan soldiers. His wrist-mounted flame thrower kicked in but instead of just spewing out fire, lightning was mixed in with the flames breaking shields and roasting the soldiers alive. A crazy laugh escaped Smoke's lips as he slowly moved his shock flame thrower across the field wiping out any Maliwan soldier in a two-meter radius.
J turned to the sound of laughing to see what his friend did before looking down at his own hands in thought only to be hit in the shoulder by a heavy soldier. The juggernaut quickly turned his attention on the heavy and glared at him before making a mad dash toward the pyro heavy. His flamethrowers spewed out fire causing J to dash to the side and avoid the fire before rolling into cover. Gritting his teeth, he swayed his left hand down causing his shoulder to glow white before he ran out of cover and took aim with his shotgun. With a pull of his trigger, he fired white bolts freezing the heavy in place before he brought his right fist down on his form shattering the soldier to pieces.
"These soldiers fight on./ Though their leader has been killed./ Honor them death," Zero through the echo-3 as a group of Atlas soldiers arrived to assist clearing out the remaining Maliwan soldiers.
As soon as the outpost was dealt with, the three vault hunters gathered in front of the gate.
"Well, that was fun. Never thought my gadgets could merge like that,"
Smoke commented before looking at J and Moze.
"You never tested that out and choose to do that here?" Moze asked with an annoyed tone.
"Why not? There were a good amount of test subjects for me to test it on. Worst case scenario, I would have blown my left arm off," Smoke answered with a shrug as J only shook his head.
"Stupid," J commented.
"Well, it worked so...I would say it was smart...after all...I'm not the only one who was testing was I?" Smoke said with a smug look while raising his eyebrow.
"...I thought about it but I would rather test it in a safe area rather than risk a friend," J replied making Smoke blink.
"Always so serious. Alright, I will TRY not to test things out in combat alright. I ain't promising anything," Smoke said with a sigh while shaking his head.
"This barrier's going to be a problem," Moze said standing in front of it with an annoyed expression.
"You seek the highway./ I will clear the path for you./ Cool swords are handy," Zero said as he walked by Moze while pulling out his katana causing its blade to glow a crimson red.
Moze backed up between J and Smoke as the three of them watched as Zero plunged his katana through the barrier causing a loud hissing and static echo from the energy before it shutdown.
"Now that...was cool," Smoke admitted before beginning to applaud Zero's performance.
"Alright, let's move out," Moze commanded in which surprisingly J followed catching Smoke off guard.
He watched this for a few seconds before laughing to himself and following to the tactical and entering the turret once more. Just as they were about to drive off, Moze's echo-3 sprang to life.
"What's up, chucklenuts? It's been a grip. So life update: Katagawa shat the bed, but you knew that already. Troy's whining that we haven't opened the Vault yet, and I can't get properly laid because I keep leeching my partner's to death so...that's a whole thing. Oh, you're busy! It's cool. But let's catch up real soon kay?" Tyreen said through the echo-3 before it cut off.
"So she's a virgin?" Smoke asked with a smile while looking down at Moze smirking.
"Seems like it," Moze answered while shaking her head as they continued toward the station.
-A few minutes later-
As they exit the tunnel, the first thing Smoke saw was a building with a large garage as well as Maya waiting within it with her arms crossed under her bust smiling. To her right laid a platform for a catch-a-ride for Ellie to deliver them a vehicle.
"Heya, badass. You ready to crack open a vault?" Maya asked watching the three Vault Hunters exit their tactical truck.
"You know it," Smoke answered while rubbing his hands together.
"That's what we're here for," Moze said gesturing to herself and everyone else.
J only nodded his head before looking at their vehicle that was a little banged up from the small skirmish than back at Maya. "Will we be using this vehicle?"
Maya only smirked before shaking her head.
"We're getting a better one. Yo Ellie, we'd like to make it to the Vault in one piece. What you got for me?" Maya asked looking up with a smirk.
"Girl, I've been waitin' for you to say that. Get ready for project Double-D!" Ellie said through the Echo-3.
Suddenly, a heavily armored tactical truck constructed itself in front of the four Vault Hunters.
"Hell yeah. Oh, Ellie. Never change," Maya said as she walked up to the vehicle smiling while inspecting it.
"Now this is a ride," Smoke commented with a wide smile.
"Moze, you're drivin'. Need my hands free," Maya said looking at the gunner.
"Roger that," Moze replied.
"I will join you in the back," J said looking at Maya.
"Be my guest. There's plenty of room back here," Maya said gesturing to the bed of the vehicle.
"Guess I'll hop in the turret again. Hey Ellie. Mind if I do a bit of tinkering with the weapon system?" Smoke asked raising his right wrist revealing a communicator in the form of a large watch.
"Smoke. What is that?" Maya asked looking at the inventor's watch. "And where did you get it?"
"This here is a prototype Echo-4. I made it during our trip back to Promethea. It was kind of a throw together so it's the only function is a radio," Smoke answered while swaying his hand about to pull up a holoscreen of Ellie waiting on her answer. "When I have more time I'll tinker with it some more."
"...but you were smoking the whole time," Moze said with a look of disbelief.
"I work better when I'm high...which is all the time actually," Smoke corrected with a soft chuckle.
"A natural builder. Just like our Ellie," Maya said with a laugh while crossing her arms under her bust.
"Usually I don't let people mess with my beauties but I'll make an exception this time," Ellie answered.
"Woo! Alright. Shouldn't take too long," Smoke said jogging over to the front of the vehicle while swaying his hands about like a magician.
"Make it quick. We wasted enough time chit-chatting," Maya shouted while watching Smoke sway his hands about with a raised brow.
"DONE!" Smoke shouted as he looked at Maya with a wide smile.
"Wow...that was fast," Moze commented before the two walked beside Smoke to see what he did but saw no real outside changes.
"Come on. Let's go give this girl a test drive," Smoke said climbing up to the turret seat and sitting down.
"What'd you do? It looks the same," Moze asked looking at Smoke
"Well, that first tactical vehicle we used had a primary weapon system so I installed my sentry into the truck in a means to add corrosive to its ammunition. Easy tinkering. Now the second bit I did it installing a small function into the secondary weapons construction matrix...to add a little vortex into the barrel. Although it decreases its overall damage by a lot, its main role is to keep a target or targets still long enough for the secondary weapons to finish them off," Smoke explained before taking a nice long drag as he looked at the two smiling lightly now.
"Well damn. You are a badass," Maya commented and letting out a soft chuckle before she made her way to the back of the truck while Moze nodded her head before going into the driver's side and starting up the vehicle.
Moze checked to make sure everyone was ready before continuing onward to their destination marked on her Echo device.
"We need some tunes! Let's see what Ellie's got on here," Maya said looking upfront as Moze turned the radio on to hear a sick electric guitar rift.
"Classic," Maya said with a smile as Smoke raised his right fist held up while head banding only for the radio to static and cut off the guitar solo.
"The rift! No!" Smoke shouted while looking down at the radio.
"That doesn't sound good," Maya said tightening her grip on the rail she was holding onto while narrowing her eyes.
"Hey, superfans! What's the hurry? Going somewhere important? You wouldn't mind if I, I dunno, broadcast your location to every manic on the planet?" Tyreen asked through the Moze's Echo device.
"FUCK YOU!" Smoke shouted with an annoyed tone.
"I'll take that as I no. I was going to do it anyway," Tyreen said before cutting off the connection.
"What the fuck was the point of asking?!" Smoke shouted as he leaned is head back. "Where's my rift?!"
"SMOKE SHUT THE FUCK UP!" J finally snapped making a ball of ice in his left hand and throwing it at Smoke's head knocking him forward.
"BITCH!" Smoke shouted as he turned the turret around and looked at J while rubbing the back of his head.
"You want a bigger one?!" J asked gritting his teeth.
Smoke did not reply but simply narrowed his eyes and slowly turned the turret forward without breaking eye contact with J until he was fully facing forward.
Moze could only chuckle while shaking her head at the two friends yelling at one another as she continued to drive. Maya, on the other hand, watched the two and laughed at their interactions as well as their arguing. Suddenly, Moze came to a full stop after she went up a large ramp as two large holographic forms of the Calypso twins appeared in front of them. J and Smoke immediately looked at the twins as if memorizing every detail of their forms.
"So that's what they look like," J said narrowing his eyes.
"Whaaat is up my brothers and sisters! Impromptu stream for you today! Vault Thieves are trying to gank your Vault right from under you. You gonna take that? Or are you gonna show them your sharp teeth? Daggerteeth clan, this one was practically made for you," Tyreen announced before the holograms disappeared as the sounds of engines surrounded them.
"Here they come, let'em have it!" Maya shouted as outrunners, as well as tactical bandits and cyclones, came out of the garage of buildings from the right of them and behind them.
"No need to tell me twice," J said taking out his shotgun and aiming with his weapon as his gun began to turn a mix of sickly yellow and cold white.
"Let's get this party started," Smoke said with a grin as he took a quick puff before taking hold of the turret controls.
As the bandit vehicles grew close enough, Smoke released the first barrel and watched as it glided through the air and crashed into a bandit cyclone. As the barrel made contact, it exploded before quickly turning into a medium-sized vortex sucking in a second cyclone allowing Moze to quickly open fire on the two trapped bandit vehicles and watched as the corrosive bullets shredded through their armor. It took a second before both vehicles exploded.
"Oh yeah, that's my upgrades," Smoke commented as he loaded the second barrel.
Maya and J were also teaming up as the juggernaut shot at a tactical bandit, it not only heavily damaged the vehicle but greatly slowed them down to the speed of a turtle allowing Maya to finish them off with a phase shift. Eventually, they cleared out the bandits and continued onward to come up to a large opening with a couple of bandit towers and a blockade preventing them from continuing.
"Hey, hey, hey, over here. They're trapped. Tear'em apart. For me!" Tyreen shouted as the twin's large holographic forms appeared once more.
"We gotta get these crazies off our back before I can clear the way!" Maya shouted before using her phase shift to lift a mine out of the ground and throw it at a tactical bandit destroying it completely.
"Keep trying. Tyreen Believes in you!" Tyreen said with a smile making J look up at the hologram before gritting his teeth.
"False hope will only kill more of your follows...stupid woman," J spoke with an annoyed tone.
Suddenly his attention snapped to a bandit vehicle that was trying to crash into the juggernaut in a means to try and crush him. Instead of crushing him, it was stopped by his right foot while he aimed at the driver with the gun glowing a faint red before he pulled the trigger. The driver was incinerated before he kicked the vehicle toward a large stone pillar causing the truck to crash and explode killing the bandit that was on the turret. After a few minutes have passed, the clearing had no bandits insight.
"Okay, those guys are on fire now. Don't worry, we'll see them again at the Great Vault. Until then, make those Thieves pay for what they did to your family!" Tyreen announced before their holograms faded.
"Get me near that entrance and I'll clear the way!" Maya spoke with a smirk.
Moze nodded her head before driving in front of the blockade. Maya gripped her right hand into a fist and started to charge her siren powers before firing it at the obstacle that stopped their progress as it blew a hole big enough for them to continue.
"All clear," Maya announced allowing Moze to drive through the hole and toward the transit station until eventually running into another blockade followed by Tyreen's hologram appearing once more with an amused as well as shocked look on her face.
"Ohhh, hiding in the gutter. I've always called you trash, but it's good to see you living your truth now," Tyreen said before laughing softly.
"She's really pissing me off," J said glaring at the hologram as his grip on the rail began to bend under J's tightening grasp.
"You and me both bro," Smoke agreed before taking a light dab.
"I can clear the way again but we'll have to take out these idiots off our back first," Maya notified.
J's rage continued to grow and with each passing second, his arms began to glow a sickening black energy as steam began to flow from his shoulders. Maya used her free hand to block the sudden glow that was almost blinding before turning to look at J seeing his arms were pitch black. As he heard Tyreen laugh again, J could no longer hold in his rage causing him to let out a scream of rage while throwing his gun to the back of the truck and hopping onto the bed of their vehicle with feet locking himself down to prevent him from falling off.
"Uhhh Smoke, we have a situation back here," Maya said looking at J who gripped his hands into fists now while closing his eyes.
"What situation?" Smoke asked before looking over his shoulder to see J's arms glowing a pitch black now. "Oh. That situation."
J's eyes shot open as he looked at the closest bandit vehicle and quickly punched toward their direction shooting out a large corrosive ball that tracked the enemy truck. As soon as the corrosive ball slammed into the truck, it exploded almost immediately before J quickly turned his gaze to another bandit vehicle and punched with his left fist firing a pure white ball toward it. When this ball crashed into the vehicle, instead of destroying the vehicle, it froze it in place before he punched his right fist again destroying it completely. Maya watched wide-eyed before J began to rapidly send a flurry of punches at any enemy vehicle he saw killing every bandit. After a minute had passed, there would be no bandit in sight aside from frozen figures locked in place.
"Maya. Let J get the blockade this time," Smoke advised as Moze drove toward the wall.
Without the vehicle stopping, J unlocked his feet from the bed of the truck and jumped up over Smoke to fly over his form. J screamed with rage as he brought his left hand to his right shoulder causing his right fist to glow both yellow and white as he slammed his fist into the blockade. For a second nothing happened before the point of impact froze which spread like wildfire only for it to decay a second later. Moze had stopped the vehicle as soon as she saw J come into view as the three watched his display of power.
"Yo J. You okay buddy?" Smoke asked looking at his friend seeing that the arms had lost a small bit of its glow causing its normal grey color to show but only slightly.
J slowly turned his body to look at Moze than up at Smoke before jumping over his friend again and land on the bed of the truck causing it to shake slightly. The three Vault hunters held on as to not hit their head or fall off before J's arms finally shifted back to normal.
"The way is clear," J said turning to look forward. "As for you question Smoke...no...I am not okay...just give me some time and I will,"
"Alright, man. Just checking," Smoke said as he was looking over his shoulder at his friend before looking forward.
Soon enough, Moze came to a slow stop a smaller tunnel was seen up ahead.
"Pretty sure this is our stop," Smoke said climbing off the turret and hoping down along with Maya and Moze before the four Vault Hunters met at the face of the tunnel.
"Transit Station up ahead," Maya notified before taking lead with Smoke and J being at the back.
-Apollyou Transit Station-
As the Vault Hunters exited the tunnel, the first thing they saw was the logo of the CoV placed onto the station's front.
"Damn it. They're already here," Maya shouted with an annoyed tone.
"That's right, you dumb sharp-tarps," Tyreen's voice said through their echo devices. "We've had our followers combing the city for the Vault since before you got here'"
"Tch. Idiots. Did you really think you were going to beat us to it?" Troy added with a snicker.
"...uhh...but we have the key. Even if they found the Vault, they can't do anything. They made it easier for us to find it," Smoke explained while looking at Maya and Moze with a chuckle.
"Exactly. The Vault is ours," Maya commented with a confident smile as Smoke looked to his friend to see steam coming from his shoulders again along with his entire body glowing a sickening black.
"Uhh J? You okay man?" Smoke asked with a nervous laugh.
Maya and Moze turned slightly to see J glowing black.
"Smoke. What's going on?" Maya asked looking at J while bringing her hand up to block the bright light along with Maya.
"He's pissed! TAKE COVER!" Smoke shouted before jumping behind a large crate with Maya and Moze following behind him.
As they got into cover, a loud explosion took place behind. As the sound died down, Smoke peeked out of cover to J who was clad in full heavy black armor with steam coming from his mouth and shoulders now. His image was almost like that of a heavy but more built and taller.
"Well that's not good," Smoke whispered before taking a small dab.
Just when Moze was about to ask something, the sound of shooting and screaming came from the transit station. J's attention snapped toward the direction he was shot at and let out a booming scream before leaping at the bandit that shot at him as he disappeared into the crowd of bandits.
"Oh thank god. Yeah. We're staying out of this fight," Smoke said turning to look at the wall and sitting flat on his ass taking a long dab now as the sounds of explosions took place as well as body parts being flung everywhere.
"What the hell just happened?" Maya demanded as she glared at Smoke who was just chilling.
"J snapped and is on a killing frenzy. When his rage hits a certain peak this is what happens. This isn't the first time this happened either...nearly got myself killed last time I tried to fight by his side when he was in this state," Smoke explained while shaking his head.
"What do you mean this isn't the first time this happened? You never thought to tell us this beforehand?" Maya asked looking over the cover to see a badass bandit with a large arm rush toward J only to be torn in half with ease.
"Yup. Now as for telling you this bit of info, I kind of did. I said we were working on it. Never thought it would get out of hand this fast..." Smoke said closing his eyes and leaning his head back against the crate.
"Will he be okay?" Moze asked looking down at Smoke.
"He'll be fine. Thankfully he can't keep that form. When he runs out of steam he should turn back to normal," Smoke answered opening his left eye slightly to look at Moze who nodded her head and turned to look at J who ran through a volley of bullets like nothing before continuing his slaughter.
"I'll be honest I was getting kind of worried," Smoke said with a laugh.
"Why do you say that?" Moze asked looking at Smoke with narrowed eyes.
"You don't see what he's doing? If it wasn't for the bandits, we would have to be fighting him. In that state, he doesn't see friend or foe...he just sees things he can kill...and does it," Smoke said looking up at Moze with an annoyed look. " Do you think we can take him?"
Just as Maya was about to answer, the yard had suddenly become deathly silent in which all three of the Vault Hunters peeked out of the cover to see J standing in the center breathing heavily. Around J laid either frozen pieces of bandits, yellow goo, ashes, or burnt bandit parts. J was still clad in full black armor but remained unmoved and even worse, unharmed in which Smoke went back into cover sighing while tapping Maya and Moze to get back into cover.
"Where's our next destination?" Smoke asked looking at Maya.
"The train station. Why?" Maya asked with a raised brow.
"I'm going to have J clear out the transit station for us. It should be enough for him to blow off the steam he had against the Calypso twins," Smoke said before crossing his legs and taking a long dab of his joint before blowing out its contents with a confident smile. "Let's do this."
Smoke snapped his fingers causing his sentry to form over his left shoulder before he brought his right hand to tap the right side of his visor. This allowed Smoke to see what the Sentry sees while using his left hand to move the sentry before it flew out and stayed in cover as to not attract J's attention to soon. After a few seconds passed, Smoke could see the entrance of the building and nodded before using the sentry to peek out of its cover to be a few inches away from J's face. The inventor held in his scream and shot J in the face before avoiding a swift right swing from him as the sentry flew into the building. As soon as the sentry entered the building, Smoke could see a group of bandits already preparing to fight whatever came through the doors before his sentry was swatted out of the air by J.
Moze and Maya peeked out of cover to see J was no longer in the yard as flashes could be seen coming from the transit station.
"Your plan..." Moze started until she turned around to see Smoke had his right hand raised in a means to stop her for a bit as he took in a deep breath.
"HOLY SHIT!" Smoke let out while throwing his head back and accidentally slamming his head to the crate earning a loud groan from the inventor.
"What was that for?" Moze asked with a raised brow.
"...when my sentry...went out of cover...J was right there...I nearly pissed myself," Smoke admitted as he brought his left hand to rub the back of his head only to laugh a second later. "That was fucking awesome,"
"...really?' Moze asked before shaking her head. "Nevermind. So when are we heading in?"
"Hold up...let me catch my breath," Smoke said as he started to cough a little before standing up to his feet and dusting his rump off while looking at Moze with his sniper at the ready."Alright, let's go."
"Well, it's gone silent a second ago. Think it's safe?" Maya asked looking over at Smoke who only shrugged.
"Only one way to find out," Smoke answered before Maya nodded her head in agreement.
"Let's see what J left for us," Maya said as she leads the team to the entrance of the building to see the same display of chaos like the yard but this time without J anywhere insight.
"J's not here," Smoke announced as he took a small hit and looked around the ground.
"How do you know?" Moze asked looking at Smoke.
"That," Smoke answered as he nudged his head to the tunnel ahead of them that had a trail of dead bandits.
"That works," Moze said before looking at Smoke who followed the trail before Moze and Maya followed close behind.
The three Vault Hunters followed the trail until it suddenly ended with J standing in front of them with his back turned and his bare skin being visible again.
"J? You good man?" Smoke asked with his gun placed on his back while he swayed his hand at Moze and Maya as if asking them to lower their weapons that were trained on J.
They reluctantly did as asked before they lowered their guns.
"I'm good," J answered as he looked over his shoulder at the three with his arms also back to normal.
"Good to have you back bro. You had us worried for a bit man. For a moment I thought you were going to come out of the tunnel and murder us," Smoke joked as he brought his hand up and pat J's shoulder.
"The Vault is close now. Whatever power is inside, the Eridians locked it away for a reason. You must not let the Children of the Vault acquire it," Tannis notified through their echo devices.
"Alright, you heard her gang. Let's get that Vault," Smoke said with a giddy voice as he walked past J with Maya following after him while Moze stopped by J's side sighing.
"If we knew you were that destructive, we would have sent you in first to clear the field of enemies," Moze said jokingly before turning to look at J.
"...that would be a bad idea," J said before following after Smoke and Maya.
"It was just a joke man," Moze said walking beside him.
"...what's a joke?" J asked coming to a stop and looking at Moze.
"Something that makes you laugh," Moze explained with her hand on her hip and head tilted to the side.
"...I don't get it," J said looking at Moze.
"What don't you get?" Moze asked leaning her head to the side.
"...your joke...I do not get why it would make me laugh," J answered before walking past her and meeting up with Smoke and Maya.
The four arrive at the entrance to the vault to see an Eridian surveying the area with its back turned to them.
"What the hell is that?" Moze asked looking at the Eridian with her gun at the ready.
"Guardians. They protect the Vaults from anyone crazy enough to open one. They won't be happy to see us," Maya informed the team while smirking.
"I heard about them. Beings made of pure energy. This should be easy," Smoke said swaying his left hand to create his arc star before bringing out his gun and slapping it on the left side of the weapon smirking.
"Tannis?" Moze asked looking at Smoke.
"Tannis," Smoke confirmed with a chuckle.
"Makes sense. You were left alone with her when J knocked you out. Still makes me laugh just thinking about it," Moze said with a smirk.
"Alright, so J use code 01," Smoke said while looking over his shoulder at J who did as told causing his right shoulder to glow yellow with his left shoulder glowing blue.
"Let's get to that Vault," Smoke said loading his gun.
After the group had eliminated every Eridian that got in their way, they finally came across the Vault of Promethea.
"Wow. Wasn't sure I'd ever see another Vault. I'm glad you brought me back," Maya thanked with a smile while Smoke walked by her side smiling.
"That goes for me and J too. I never thought I'd be able to see a real Vault," Smoke said with a proud smile.
"Imagine all the people who lived out their lives on the surface above, never knowing they were standing on top of this," Maya said with a light chuckle.
"What about this thing that could be in the Vault. Will we be ready?" J asked looking at Maya.
"We'll be ready," Moze said looking at J with a confident smile causing him to nod in approval.
"Are you all ready?" Maya asked looking over at J and Moze.
"Yes," J said bluntly causing Maya to look forward at the arc.
"Good, that arch is the entrance. Put the key in that pedestal," Maya instructed while taking the key out and handing it out to whoever wanted to open it.
Smoke immediately took the key before making his way to the pedestal as he inserted the key and watched it sink into the stand.
"Get ready!" Maya shouted while preparing her phase shift powers.
"Come on. How tough can this thing be?" Smoke asked as he laughed and turned to look at Maya than back at the arc with his weapon also at the ready.
The arc came to life as nothing came out making Smoke chuckle and shake his head. A second later, the Rampager ran out of the Vault and started to pound the ground. Smoke's eyes widened at the large creature before starting to open fire on it.
"HOLY SHIT! WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT!" Smoke cursed as he rolled out of the Rampager's charge before getting to his feet and running back to the group.
/To be continued...
Alright, I will be ending it right here everyone.
Stay tuned for the next chapter on how they deal with the Rampager.
Till next time everyone.