Chapter 6: Overdrive Unleashed
The Vault Hunters arrived on Eden-6 to speak with Wainwright about the location of the next key fragment. J suddenly came to a stop five steps from the door gaining the other Two Vault Hunter's attention. Smoke could not help but raise a brow before turning halfway to face his buddy while slipping his hands into his pockets.
"Everything okay buddy?" Smoke asked tilting his head.
"I want to think about something," J answered as he turned and walked to the edge of the cliff just to look out at the blue sky.
"...all right man. If you need anything just let me know...or Moze," Smoke spoke looking at Moze who shook her head.
"I'll stay outside with J and see what's on his mind," Moze replied before walking over to the fighter earning a soft sigh from Smoke.
"Alright...guess I'll chat with the two guys and get our next mission," Smoke said turning and entering the building leaving the soldier and fighter outside.
"I want to be alone," J spoke glancing over his shoulder at Moze who raised her hands to show she means no harm. "Want to think...alone..."
"Haven't you heard? Two heads are better than one," Moze said causing J to blink his eyes before looking at the ground in thought only to slowly face Moze and nod his head gently.
"...different opinions..." J said turning his gaze back to the sky.
"So what makes you want to think so much on your own?" Moze questioned earning a faint groan from J.
"Offer..." J answered bluntly. "The CoV want me. Instead of forcing their ideals, they wish to recruit me...my own choice"
"They are giving you a choice...but look it this way...can they watch your back as well as us? Look at how they're treating those already under their command...they throw them out like cannon fodder...you are not a weapon to be used by others J. You are a human being born to do great things...what are they? I don't know..." Moze admitted with a soft shrug while looking up at the sky as well.
"Born to do great things," J repeated.
"Doesn't Smoke allow you to make your own choices already? That's why you're here," Moze countered with a raised brow.
"Smoke...I see him as a brother...but I want more Moze. I do not know what that want is, but I cannot feel it here and I do not know if Smoke will help me," J admitted while closing his eyes.
"He will," Moze answered causing J to open his eyes and look at the soldier with wide eyes.
"He will?" J repeated.
"He's a loyal friend...he proved that when he fixed you up J. You shouldn't take that for granted. Having such things is very rare in such times, "Moze lectured before looking out at the sky sighing. "I don't have friends like that. The only one I know that can cover me is Iron Bear,"
"...you can trust us," J said causing Moze to glance at the fighter before chuckling lightly as she turned her attention toward the landscape.
"I appreciate it J," Moze replied with a confident smile. "Just as you can trust me...you can trust us. So long as you don't betray the Crimson Raiders, I don't see how I would betray you,"
"This helps me settle some thoughts...but a lot still lingers in my mind. It will take time to settle them all," J admitted while turning his attention to the landscape as well.
"I understand that" Moze said with a nod.
Just as J was about to say something else, Smoke came out of the building groaning loudly gaining the others attention.
"Alright so we got a plan... we're going to the Jakobs Gunpowder Cellar. Clay's gonna lead us through a secret passageway while the rebels and Jakobs them vanguard for us. They will be the distraction while we infiltrate the cellar..." Smoke admitted while scratching the back of his head.
"We have a plan but why do you look so irritated?" Moze asked with a raised brow.
"Alister wants to give his bitch of a sister, a chance...mercy," Smoke answered before taking a deep breath while leaning his head back.
"And you're against this?" Moze continued whole tilting her head with a smirk.
"Fuck yeah I'm against it. She stole from me," Smoke answered snapping at the gunner who could not help but chuckle. "...nah fuck it I'm killing her...she took my weed...ALL TWO TONS OF IT!"
"And your invention..." J pointed out.
"Yeah...and other shit," Smoke commented with a nod.
"Let's just give her a chance. Otherwise...I'll report you to command and have them deal with you," Moze threatened while narrowing her eyes.
"...you think the same J?" Smoke asked with a raised brow while looking at his friend who simply nodded his head. "Alright...fine...one chance. After that...SHE...IS...MINE!" He said with wide eyes.
"Deal," Moze agreed with a nod causing Smoke to blink his eyes and return the gesture.
"Alright. Then let's head out," Smoke said swaying his hand for them to follow as he walked off.
-Black barrel Cellars-
"I'm just saying that the entrance was nice and classy. It was pretty cool," Smoke complimented as they walked toward the estates' cellar with his hands in his pockets and a joint between his lips.
As they entered through the cellar, the three came face to face with a single fanatic in which they smirked and gunned the lone psycho down.
"Rest in pieces..." Smoke commented before holstering his gun chuckling.
"Pieces? Really?" Moze spoke while reloading her assault rifle.
"What...it was perfect timing. The guy got lit...by all three of us," Smoke countered earning a sigh from Moze who shook her head.
"Let's continue," J said while taking the lead.
The sound of footsteps echoed through the hallway causing J to roll his shoulders back while gripping his hands into fists again.
"Then we'll provide support buddy. You go wild," Smoke said with a wave while bringing out his sniper turret again.
"As Smoke said...we have your six," Moze confirmed cocking her assault rifle.
J could only grin at this while nodding his head in agreement as he charged forward.
As they continued through the estate, J would be tearing bandits and psychos apart. More aggressive than usual to the point that it started to worry Smoke a little.
"Ah, Moze...anything I should know about?" Smoke asked glancing at the gunner before looking back at the massacre taking place in front of him.
"If he did not tell you then there's a reason for it. It's not my place to answer someone else's question," Moze replied with her assault rifle in hand and at the ready while Smoke casually walked forward with his sniper rifle on his shoulder.
"Right so there is something on his mind and I can already tell what it is," Smoke said sighing heavily. "The offer from the CoV..."
Moze could not help but flinch which Smoke caught a glimpse of.
"It's not hard to rule out what he's thinking about. It takes a lot to make him this annoyed...and honestly, this is one of the few times he is given a choice...a free will...we all got it...but we are also chained by it..." Smoke lectured before chuckling lightly to himself.
"It doesn't bother you?" Moze asked looking at Smoke confused.
"Why the fuck wouldn't I be worried? Do you think I'd want to fight or even kill my best friend?" Smoke asked with a raised brow while shaking his head. "I don't wanna fight him..."
"Then why not talk him out of it? Reassure him?" Moze continued.
"I will...but after all these shenanigans," Smoke answered with a sigh. "Until then I'll give him his space..."
As they continued through the gun powder factory, the three underwent a small hit or miss with Wainwright and Alistair figuring out certain puzzles. Even though it took some time, they eventually gained the key fragment. Once they had the key fragment in hand, the three made their way toward the gun powder cellar's exit following Wainwright's directions. That was until Aurelia's voice was heard through the Echo-2 causing the three to speed up their pace seeing a hole in the ground and quickly jump down it.
"Aurelia. As your brother, I implore you to stop this," Hammerlock begged while bringing himself between the Baroness and his lover.
"Step aside...while I trim the last loose end of the Jakobs line," Aurelia said with a grin while aiming a handgun at her brother.
"If you want to kill Wainwright, then you will have to..." Hammerlock was interrupted as his sister shot the hunter in his gut causing him to fall back into his lover's arms only to be frozen together by Aurelia.
"I know..." Aurelia chimed with a smirk while turning her attention to the three Vault Hunters. "Well if it isn't Smoke, his science experiment, and...a nobody,"
"There goes her chance..." Moze whispered looking at Smoke who could not help but grin widely.
"Bitch...you have no idea...how...FUCKED YOU ARE! Cause if you did...you would have listened to your brother," Smoke said before walking forward and rolling his shoulders back. "But thanks to your choice of arrogance...you're all mine,"
J stood back along with Moze before the sound of psychos were heard.
"Leave the bandits to me and J..." Moze spoke looking at J who nodded in agreement.
"I'll leave you to it," Smoke said as the two split up and positioned themselves on the side of the room bunkering down.
"You think you can take me by yourself?" Aurelia asked with a chuckle. "Your jokes know no bounds, do they...but enough games. Time to die,"
"Overdrive function, Smoke Out!" Smoke shouted.
Smoke chuckled as Aurelia threw a large glacier toward the inventor's direction. Seeing the glacier fly toward his direction, Smoke rolled out of the way while slapping his left shoulder causing steam to come from it. A wide grin was visible on Smokes face as he aimed his left arm at Aurelia before gripping his hand. Doing so caused Smoke's flamethrower to kick in but larger than normal as it was big enough to engulf Aurelia's entire form. Her eyes grew wide before she swayed her hands to herself creating a sphere of ice protecting her body from the flames.
"Catch this you bitch!' Smoke shouted opening his left hand and quickly swaying it at Aurelia and watching as his single arc star split into five more before they exploded on the Baroness' sphere of protection.
"What the devil?!" Aurelia questioned as her sphere of ice broke into pieces and saw Smoke aim at her with his left arm.
"FOR MY WEED!" Smoke shouted as he gripped his left hand again firing a stream of fire toward Aurelia.
"Don't underestimate me, you ignorant child!" Aurelia screamed back before firing a beam of ice at Smoke making it a battle of elements.
Smoke's eyes grew wide as he closed his eyes seeing his stream of fire losing.
"No...it can't be...I'm...losing..." Smoke said gritting his teeth only to hear Aurelia laugh.
"Grovel, peasant," Aurelia shouted while grinning.
"PSYCH!" Smoke screamed as his eyes shot open.
As soon as Smoke opened his eyes, he swayed his left hand and snapped his fingers empowering his flamethrower with Shock and Corrosive elements. It was none other than his tri-thrower that had his three elements in one that fought against Aurelia's stream of ice. Eventually, Aurelia gave up on the fight and brought up a wall of ice to take the attack for her while she backed away gritting her teeth in annoyance. Once the wall of ice shattered, the combined elements stopped only mere inches from the Baroness' face before dying down.
"Smoke out fusion..." Smoke said with a chuckled.
The inventor brought out both of his weapons with his left hand holding his sniper Gatling while his opposite held his rocket launcher. With a smirk, Smoke released his grip on his sniper Gatling followed by sliding his arm up causing the weapon to merge with his limb. With a faint scuff, Smoke tossed his rocket launched over to his left side and did the same causing the heavy weapon to merge with his robotic arm.
"Ever heard of Epicman? Well, I got a cannon for an arm to bitch! Just on my left instead!" Smoke shouted before aiming with his robotic four-barrel rocket Gatling arm.
Aurelia's eyes grew wide before she narrowed them and was about to fire a rain of glaciers at the inventor screaming at the top of her lungs. The next thing she felt was a single grenade hit her square in the forehead before exploding in a flash of light marking her form completely. As soon as Aurelia was highlighted by the smart-link, Smoke's robotic armor opened fire on the Baroness watching as his tri-elemental rockets slammed into her form. It took only a few seconds before Smoke's robotic arm stopped firing due to overheating and also being completely out of ammo. What was left of Aurelia was nothing more than a crater where she crashed while Smoke panted softly.
"A little overkill don't you think?" Moze asked walking up to Smoke while J was freeing Wainwright and Alister from Aurelia's icy prison.
"Nahh...it's the right amount of MURDER...and REVENGE," Smoke answered while his left eye twitched a little long with the corner of his lips.
Smoke chuckled while looking at his left arm watching as the robotic limb detached itself and split into his two guns once more only to fall to the ground. The inventor could not help but sigh heavily at this before picking up his rocket launcher and placing it on his back as Moze picked up Smokes' Gatling sniper and returned it to him.
"With Aurelia taken care of let's get Alister treated," Smoke said looking over at Wainwright and his lover.
"Alister! Alister, are you all right?" Wainwright asked holding his lover.
"Me, what about you? You were shot just as much I was!" Alister argued.
"Oh, I'll be fine. Not the first time I've had lead in my belly! Just have to clinch it! Oof" Wainwright spoke with confidence only to grunt in pain.
"So now that Aurelia is dead, what now?" Smoke asked rolling his left shoulder back a bit while walking up to J.
"They want to thank us first Smoke," J pointed out earning a slight nod from Alister who stood up as straight as he could while holding his bullet wound.
"Thank you, vault hunters. For giving her a chance...and for humoring a blinded fool brother," Hammerlock spoke looking at Smoke before facing the ground.
"All ends that ends well. So let's get you both treated before we continue our hunt for the vault," Smoke spoke up with a smile.
"We will survive the trip back to the lodge. It's up to you to finish the task, vault hunters," Alister replied.
"Right. The Vault. To reveal the entrance, you'll have to solve some light statue-based riddles out in the gardens," Wainwright pointed out.
"Puzzles? Fucking serious? Is this really the best time?" Smoke questioned with a raised brow.
"Oh! Oh, I do apologize! Are you hearing this Alister? The Vault Hunter's lost all when whimsical intrigue!" Wainwright snapped while narrowing his eyes at Smoke causing the inventor's right brow to twitch along with his left hand.
"Forgive Winny, he gets cranky when he's been shot. Do just to try solving the riddles, Vault Hunters," Hammerlock begged while looking at his lover while shaking his head.
"...fine...but only because you asked nicely Alister...but don't expect me to do it peacefully," Smoke said looking behind the two seeing the doors open revealing the gardens.
"...the first is out there in the terrace. You just have to recreate how the subject died," Wainwright explained earning a nod from Moze and J before the fighter shoved the inventor causing him to start walking.
'Once you clear the path to the vault I will join you with the rest of the vault key,' Tannis spoke through the communication device.
"So overdrive function..." Moze spoke glancing at Smoke.
"Yeah what about it? Interested in installing it into Iron Bear?" Smoke asked glancing back at Moze.
"I'm thinking about it after the performance I've seen against the Baroness," Moze answered as a lone statue came into view.
"Welp I wouldn't recommend it. Not yet at least. There is still a lot of kinks I have to fix in the overdrive function. One of the main issues is ammo consumption and energy efficiency. Right now I am completely out of ammo and because of the overdrive function I cannot use any of my other abilities. So no flamethrower, grenades, or Sentry turrets until we make our way back to base so I can repair...well...everything," Smoke explained while slipping both hands into his coat pocket while leaning his head back groaning.
"Aren't you worried?" Moze asked with a raised brow.
"About me being defenseless? Nah. I got you and J to protect me...and even if I can't use my equipment, I still have my shields to help me out, so I got nothing to worry about," Smoke answered with a chuckle just as they reached the first statue.
-Ten Minutes Later-
The puzzles were handled with ease by the three vault hunters with Smoke being almost bored if it was not for the last statue which required them to shoot the stone figure in the balls which gave the inventor a good laugh. As the bridge to the floating tomb appeared, Smoke came to a stop and sighed heavily while looking up at the sky.
"Alright before we enter the vault, we should head back to Sanctuary III to do some fine-tuning. Cause I sure as hell need to fix my equipment," Smoke pointed out while looking at his two teammates.
J looked at his arms then at his friend before nodding his head in agreement. Moze could only sigh before nodding as well causing Smoke to smile.
"Then off to headquarters," Smoke pointed out while walking forward.
-Sanctuary III: Garage-
Smoke would be in the center of the garage fixing his equipment and even more so increasing its effectiveness if he ever needed to use his overdrive function again. J's limbs were already tuned along with Moze out resupplying herself with better guns. He had already finished bringing his equipment back online and was beginning to work on his two guns.
"So buddy let's talk since it is just you and I...are you still thinking about their offer to join the CoV?" Smoke asked as he continued to work on his sniper Gatling.
"...yes," J answered honestly while looking around the floor with half-opened eyes.
"Nothing to be sad about buddy. I mean it's not every day some crazy chick wants you," Smoke pointed out while narrowing his eyes over
"Wants me?" J repeated while looking up at his friend who could not help but chuckle.
"The way she wanted you and only you...sounds like a crush to me and her ain't afraid to show it. After all, crazy bitch is still a virgin," Smoke reminded before he was zapped by his Gatling sniper causing him to jolt back a bit. "And seeing you are half-machine, there is a chance you'd be able to take her V card buddy,"
"V card?" J repeated earning a heavy sigh as Smoke continued to work on his weapon.
"Forget about that. So just so you know they have been trying to kill us. Me included," Smoke pointed out as he paused on his tinkering to glance at his friend before going back to work. "You know I got your back buddy...and if you join the CoV then I am probably going to join you. Am I going to like it? Fuck no...but it's better than having to fight you to the death,"
J stood there in silence before Smoke completed his gun and nodded his head.
"Just know that I got your back buddy," J said while putting his primary weapon away just to take out his rocket launcher. "Go get Moze. Shouldn't take me more than a minute to finish tinkering with this big boi,"
J could only nod his head before leaving the garage to get Moze.
-Eden 6: Floating Tomb-
As the three walked the bridge of the floating tomb vault, Tannis could be seen causing Smoke to increase his pace in a means to be the first one there. Once the three vault hunters arrived in front of Tannis, the inventor smiled and gave a slight nod of his head before winking slightly. This caused Tannis to blush faintly before clearing her throat.
"Good. You all made it. The fragment, Vault Hunter," Tannis spoke before raising her hand out.
Smoke, not missing a bit brought his hand out that held the fragment and handed it over to the historian who nodded in appreciation.
"We haven't much time. Forgive me, it's a thing I heard someone say once and I always wanted to try it. Anyway, there's no time for parlor tricks. I will assemble the vault key," Tannis spoke before making her way to the door of the vault is not to stop by the side of the keyhole and began to put the fragments together.
After what seemed like a few seconds, the two pieces merged before Tannis moved out of the way.
"I trust you know where to out that," Tannis spoke earning a nod from Smoke.
"Yes I do," Smoke answered before leading his teammates forward through the entry.
As the three sled down, Smoke could see the pedestal for the vault key causing the three to advance to the platform. Once they were arms reach of the pedestal, Smoke took a deep breath before hopping up and down while rolling his shoulders and head back. This caused his teammates to look at him with raised brows which did not go unnoticed by the inventor who chuckled.
"I am hyping myself up okay. Don't judge me," Smoke pointed out before grinning. "Alright. Let's do this,"
Smoke lead the way while Moze rolled her eyes and J groaned before following behind him. Smoke smiled and made his way toward it while J and Moze began to scan their surroundings while being at the ready.
'Take care of the Vault Monster. Then, we will eradicate it before the Calypsos arrive,' Tannis notified earning a nod from Smoke.
"Then let's get this party started," Smoke said installing the vault key and watching as the key and pedestal sank into the ground.
As the pedestal sank into the ground completely, two guardians appeared in front of the Vault Hunters. Smoke could not help but smirk before he swayed his left hand to create a single arc star. That was until J lunged forward and took hold of one of the guardians only to shoot it in the face point blank with his gun. Smoke nodded at this and turned his attention to the second guardian watching as it leaped toward the inventor's direction. Moze narrowed her eyes and opened fire on the guardian gaining its attention for a split second long enough for Smoke to throw the arc star and watched as it blew its head off. Tannis was unable to comment anything due to how quickly the guardians were dealt with before she laughed softly.
"Live and learn...bitches," Smoke said with a chuckle while readying his Gatling sniper.
Once the guardians were dealt with, their energy forms flew off causing the structure in front of them to break apart from the platform revealing a large floating creature. Smoke's eyes grew wide while J and Moze immediately readied themselves. As soon as the large monster freed itself from the platform, it released a bellowing roar revealing its second face.
'Well...wish for a monster and you get a monster,' Tannis commented while chuckling nervously.
"A monster it is," Smoke replied before taking aim and firing his smart link grenade at the vault monster watching as it exploded and marked the creature. "AND WE ARE ABOUT TO FUCK IT UP!"
J and Moze nodded their head in agreement before Smoke revved his sniper Gatling as it began to spew out a rain of bullets. This caused the monster to bellow in pain as it brought its arms up in defense to its face while floating backward. As the monster began to back up, Moze jumped up and materialized Iron Bear. As soon as Iron Bear materialized and Moze was set and ready, J jumped up allowing the soldier to bring her mech to punch forward while the fighter landed on her fist allowing her to launch him toward the monster. It took only a second before J crashed onto the monster's right arm making it flinch back. The moment J made contact with the monster; he ran up the creature's arm as a means to get to its face.
"Give J some cover fire!" Smoke shouted as he continued to fire away at the monster.
Moze nodded her head in agreement before taking aim with all of Iron Bears' armaments and fired upon the monster's body taking note not to aim for where J was. As they bombarded the monster, J had finally reached its face and used his feet to anchor himself down before beginning to wail on the creature's face. It did not take long before the monster slapped J off its face while releasing a corrosive beam from its lips. As J crashed into the platform, his eyes looked at the beam of corrosive gush rush in his direction.
"Shit..." J whispered before raising his hands causing both palms to open and begin to absorb the corrosive sludge shot at him.
Seeing J under fire, Moze could not help but glare at the vault monster whose full focus was on her teammate. Even with the combined firepower of Iron Bear and Smokes Gatling sniper, it continued to fire a steady stream at the fighter causing J's arms to crack. Smoke saw this and gritted his teeth before putting his Gatling sniper away to run toward Moze.
"MOZE! PRESS THE RED BUTTON!" Smoke shouted jumping up toward Iron Bear.
Moze did not hesitate to do as told as she pressed the red button. As Smoke landed on Iron Bear, he placed his left hand on the Mechs head causing it to shift and morph into a large rail gun. The heavy rail gun was aimed with Smoke being the operator for the weapon systems while Moze was in control of firing the turret.
"FIRE!" Smoke shouted causing Moze to open fire watching as the rail gun fired a single slug that was empowered with every element the inventor had.
As soon as the slug slammed into the vault monsters face, it stopped its onslaught of corrosive damage and turned its attention to Iron Bear with its face cracked. Moze was about to fire again only to show it was still recharging for the next shot making Smoke grin while crossing his arms.
"Checkmate bitch," Smoke commented as J got to his feet with both arms overcharged with corrosive energy.
J said nothing but rather released a powerful scream before firing a large beam of corrosive energy. The large beam of energy was half the size of the monster before it slammed into its form earning a bellowing scream of pain. As the monster moved back, Smoke notified that the next slug was ready before firing once more watching as the slug slammed into its head once again. Upon hitting its head again, the monster crashed into the ground with its eyes losing their light in a means to show it was dead now.
"Detaching function and reform," Smoke spoke as the back part of the turret opened allowing the inventor to exit.
Once Smoke exited from the turret, it immediately shifted back to iron bear before fading. Moze would land on her feet before looking at Smoke and opened her mouth to complain only for the inventor to raise his left hand to stop her words.
"You think I made a fusion function for just you and J while leaving myself out? With how much firepower you have? Pffft in I don't think so," Smoke said while shaking his head. "Unlike yours and J's fusion which makes it more mobile and efficient, our fusion is focused on pure destructive power,"
"Why?" Moze said narrowing her eyes just as J met with the two.
"Cause why not? We won. What's the problem? We even saved J. If it were not for our fusion, there is a high chance he'd die," Smoke replied flinging his arms out as if he was ready to fight.
"Moze. That's enough. Smoke speaks the truth. If it were not for the fusion function I would not be standing here now..." J spoke making Smoke nod his head in victory. "After all...you do owe him for fixing and upgrading Iron Bear for free Moze.."
Moze blinked at this before closing her eyes and nodding her head in agreement.
"...but take into mind she is not like me Smoke. I do not mind being surprised but as a soldier, she needs to know all that she has to use in a fight. She is not used to adapting on the fly like you or me," J spoke glancing at Moze whose eyes shot open and glare at the fighter.
"I am capable of adapting on the fly!" Moze argued while gripping her hands into fists.
"Yet you complain about new functions rather than trying to figure out how to better your performance," J replied while narrowing his eyes.
Moze froze at this before clicking her tongue and looking away allowing J to face his friend and nod his head.
"Tell her about the fusion at least," J whispered earnings heavy sigh from Smoke who walked past J and made his way over to Moze.
"Our fusion makes it into a heavy turret with three forms: rail gun, rockets, and duo turrets. With heavy armor it takes a lot to take it down and not to mention being boosted by corrosive, incendiary, and shock," Smoke explained with his hands in his pockets while Moze looked at the inventor.
"...thank you," Moze said nodding her head slightly.
"Thank J. He's the one that told me to explain it better," Smoke nudged while looking over his shoulder at his friend who was looking at his arms that were slightly damaged. "Plus we have to wait for Tannis now..."
\\To be continued...