Chapter 8: Crazy Times
With Carnivora immobile, the Vault Hunter's continued inside with their weapons ready. Due to the space being so small, Moze was unable to bring out Iron Bear again making the three get into a formation. J took the lead as the vanguard with Smoke acting as the sniper leaving Moze to be the support as well as a mid-range fighter.
"What the hell is happening? Why is nothing working? Terror! Fix this! Get the engineers back in here. I want the agonizer 9000 backup and killing! Now, Now! NOW!" Pain screamed enraged over the Echo-3 radio.
"Vault Hunters? I'm running out of time!" Tannis spoke before her voice faded away.
"I'm coming babe," Smoke said with determined eyes.
As the three Vault Hunters advanced, they came across a large courtyard made of scraps. Smoke immediately started to scan the layout before looking at his two friends and nodding his head. J and Moze not of their head in return while preparing themselves. It did not take long before the sound of screaming could be heard throughout the yard as bandits started to pour through the makeshift buildings.
Once the bandits were in view for Smoke, the inventor immediately shot his tracker puck marking a good amount of the bandits that were far off. Before the bandits were even marked, Smoke started to rev up his Gatling sniper. By the time the bandits were marked, Smokes bullets were already traveling towards their targets. Moze simply got into cover only to peak out and provide support fire for Smoke. Even with all their firepower, Smoke could not help but construct his sentry while fusing his arc star to it so that it could fly off and help J in his fight.
They continued to push through the hordes of bandits and psychos, even a badass was dispatched with ease with an uppercut from J followed by a bombardment of bullets coming from Iron Bear.
"So very close, my spotlight-hogging Vault Thief, but you can't pull our plug that easily. We're going to sacrifice this heretic one way or another!" Pain explained over the Echo-3.
"If these are my final moments what have I left behind? A thousand half-completed experiments? Countless undiscovered artifacts and unanswered questions. I never found the Eridian home world, and now it appears I never will," Tannis said as if her time was running out.
"Not unless we got something to say about that," Smoke commented as he blew off a bandit's head gritting his teeth.
After a few minutes of fighting the children of the Vault, the voice of Pain could be heard through the Echo-3.
"Incompetent sweat weasels! Every minute we aren't killing people we lose half a million subscribers!" Pain shouted enraged before pausing. "-What's that Terror? Terror's given me a great idea. Until we get the agonizer 9000 working we're going to broadcast a Vault Thieves while the murder or crew! How's that for entertainment huh?!"
"You gotta give him some cred. Man knows how to please the crowd," Moze spoke up while crushing a tink under Iron Bears foot before they continued their onslaught even to the point of ignoring Pain's compliment but what Smoke could not ignore was when Tannis started giving her last will as if her time was mere seconds from up.
"SHUT THE FUCK UP! I KNOW YOU CAN HEAR ME TANNIS SO LISTEN UP! I LOVE YOU WOMAN AND NO ONE IS GOING TO TAKE THOSE I LOVE EVER AGAIN!" Smoke said gripping his weapons tightly. "WE'RE GOING TO SAVE YOU OKAY SO DON'T SAY STUPID SHIT AS IF YOUR TIME IS UP!"
"Couldn't say it better myself," Moze said while looking over at Smoke.
"Less talking and more killing," J spoke while running ahead.
"Took the words right out of my mouth buddy," Smoke said hoping on Iron Bear as they followed after J.
With that said, the three Vault Hunters continued through Carnivora only to come up against what seemed to be an elevator. Seeing this, Moze hopped out of Iron Bear and stood beside J with Smoke now taking the lead.
"Hey, hey. This is a professional gig. If you wanna continue then you Vault Thieves will have to pick one," Pain spoke over the Echo-3 causing Smoke to look at the choices only to scuff.
"These choices aren't to my liking right now," Smoke said swaying his hand over the choices. "Cause this is what I am feeling right now. If you'd be so kind, Corah,"
"You got it!" The AI spoke cheerfully. "What am I adding in?"
"Calamity Infinite. Soundtrack one, I am all they fear," Smoke answered.
Seconds later, the soundtrack he asked for started to play causing Smoke to bob his head up and down while bringing his gun onto his shoulder.
"Let's get this party started," Smoke said glancing over his shoulder at his teammates.
The three Vault Hunters rose with the elevator to eventually come face to face with the streamers themselves, a large bulky male followed by his partner who was no bigger than a tink.
"Welcome...to the greatest show on Pandora!" Pain shouted with Tannis chained to an iron circle that looked like a CoV emblem before the two streamers jumped down into the hole while the historian was lifted into the air.
A second later, the ground opened up revealing giant robotic tink with a large right arm which was non-other than the Agonizer 9000. Smoke looked at it with disgust while shaking his head and glancing at Moze.
"Moze. I'm gonna borrow Iron Bear alright," Smoke notified causing the soldier to blink her eyes.
"Like hell you are," Moze replied as Smoke slowly looked back at the Agonizer 9000.
"Wasn't asking...but I'll owe you later," Smoke said rolling his shoulder back while running forward, jumping up into the air, and swaying his hands causing Iron Bear to take form.
As Smoke entered Iron Bear, he immediately hit the red button for Iron Bear and his fusion. With a smirk, he nudged his head and placed his left hand upon the center of the controls of the mech and closed his eyes. The moment his eyes closed; Iron Bears fusion was altered since Smoke was the main pilot rather than on top of the machine. Iron Bears body started to shift but instead of becoming an immobile heavy rail turret-like what Moze was expecting since she saw it transforming.
Iron Bears body almost looked like an upgraded version of what GenIVIV was in but more refined and packing a lot more firepower. The wings were completely removed with all of Iron Bears' weapons floating over Iron Bear form.
"Now THIS...is a mech. Sure your Agonizer 9000 is bigger, but I can promise you these assholes...Iron Bear X...has a lot more firepower," Smoke Promised while glaring at the enemy mech before Smoke's mech flew off the ground and did a quick scan of its entire body. "I got this ugly scrap...you two deal with the crowd if they want to try and help,"
Moze looked at J who nodded earning a soft groan before doing the same with her weapon at the ready. With that out of the way, Smoke rammed Iron Bear X into the Agonizer 9000's face before wailing away at it doing minor damage.
"You think that would do any damage to our Agonizer 9000? You must be pretty bod and STUPID!" Pain commented before laughing only for the CoV mech to jerk forward revealing that Smoke had the weapons float to behind the enemy mech and fire away at its fuel tank.
"Not stupid. Just in a rush. Gotta save my girl, so I am not in the mood to explain anything to anyone. I just wanna kill you two and save her," Smoke replied as Iron Bear X flew over the Agonizer 9000 as it tried to grab him while its weapons continued to fire away at his weak spot.
Once Smoke dealt enough damage to the Agonizer 9000, the CoV mech sank into the ground until only its head was visible causing Smoke to groan.
"If you wanna hide your weak spot then I'll gladly make another," Smoke spoke with his eyes going wide with enthusiasm while Iron Bear landed on top of the Agonizer 9000 and took aim with his left arm watching as it transformed into a full-on laser cannon. "Now...open wide,"
As soon as Smoke finished what he said, his left arm fired at the head of the Agonizer 9000 watching as its skull started to crack. Pain and Terror noticed this and started to freak out causing the CoV mech to smack Smoke away. Smoke grunted at this and flipped in midair to balance himself seeing he was face to face with the Agonizer 9000.
"You little insect!" Pain shouted in which Smoke chuckled.
"Not my fault you guys made such a big target," Smoke countered as he aimed with his left arm once more only to see the same arm that hit Iron Bear X racing toward his direction.
Seeing this, Smoke scuffed and took evasive maneuvers while having his guns continue to fire at his weak points marked on his scanners. Smoke had most of Iron Bear X's guns continue to focus on the marked weak points while the rail gun was positioned over the Agonizer 9000 taking shots at the weak point the inventor made prior.
"You pesky little flea!" Pain continued to complain while turning the Agonizer 9000's attention to the rail gun shooting at the crack in the head.
"Should you be focused on those?" Smoke questioned as the railgun easily flew out of reach while the inventor raced toward the Agonizer's right shoulder bringing Iron Bear's left arm back and thrusting it forward.
With a flick of his finger, an energy saber formed over Iron Bear's left hand before it pierced through the Agonizer's shoulder. Seeing this, Smoke chuckled before extending the blade and widening causing the Agonizer 9000's right arm to come off.
"ENOUGH!" Pain screamed as the chest part of the Agonizer 9000 opened and shot a laser at the railgun knocking it down for now.
"Laser battle!" Smoke shouted as he flew back and shifted his left arm blade into its laser cannon mode only to fire it at the core with the Agonizer 9000 firing at the inventor.
The two beams slammed into one another seemingly evenly matched if it were not for the fact that Iron Bear X had more weapons available. As the two beams continued to battle one another, the remaining weapons of Iron Bear flew over to the sides of the Agonizer 9000's core and opened fire.
"No fair!" Pain shouted seeing the one-sided battle before the Eridium core exploded and with it the Agonizer 9000.
A second later, the two streamers were shot out of their mech and fell on their rears dazed while J walked up to the two. Although Smoke wanted to finish them, he had better things to do such as fly up and free Tannis from her binds. J shrugged before shooting pain in the face along with Moze doing the same to Terror. As Smoke landed on the ground with Tannis in hand, he released his hold on the historian and allowed her to grow white angelic wings before gliding to the ground. Once Tannis touched the ground, Iron Bear X faded away with Smoke landing on the floor softly with his hands in his pockets.
"Well...that's...taken care of. You...must have questions," Tannis asked looking at J and Moze followed by turning her attention over to Smoke who was smirking. "I can explain,"
"Please do baby," Smoke said standing before Tannis who blushed faintly while looking at the ground and clearing her throat.
"She's a siren?" Moze pointed out earning a soft chuckle from Tannis.
"Yes. That is how I have been speaking in your head and charging the Vault Keys. As for my particular powers, I am able to manipulate machines and anything else with a current. It is known as 'phase-shifting.' You could call it a gift from a guardian angel. I had intended to keep this a secret, but... best-laid plan, robotic murder machine...well, you were there. And now the whole galaxy knows. I'm a star! See you back aboard sanctuary," Tannis said before pausing for a second and turning to look at the inventor. "Thank you Vault Hunters...for saving my life...especially you Smoke,"
"Then why not head back together," Smoke said with a chuckle.
"That'd be nice..." Tannis replied before the four of them returned to Sanctuary.
-Sanctuary III-
As soon as they entered Sanctuary, Claptrap's voice could be heard through the speakers.
"Lilith wants to see you on the bridge, recruits! You might think you're a big shot now that rescued Tannis, but don't forget I still outrank both of you!" Claptrap complained. "And don't forget...I know where you sleep. Kidding! Not kidding. Bridge! NOW!"
"Pffft like I give a shit about rank," Smoke said placing his hand on Tannis' shoulder chuckling.
"Right. Well let's go to the bridge then," Tannis spoke speeding up ahead.
"You saved her but try not to get ahead of yourself there Romeo," Moze spoke standing beside Smoke who scuffed.
"I know..." Smoke said while shrugging and looking forward. "It's only a matter of time after all,"
As they entered the bridge, the three Vault Hunters could see Tannis and Lilith talking to one another before their attention shifted to Smoke and his friends.
"Hey, killers. Thanks for saving Tannis. Seems like no matter what happens, I can always count on you three. I wanted to tell you, but - these days, being a Siren puts a target on your back," Lilith explained.
"Nah I figured it out some time ago," Smoke pointed out with a chuckle gaining everyone's attention. "What? It's not my secret to tell,"
"Speaking of which how did you find out?" Tannis spoke up with a raised brow.
"That time you told us about a new device you made to speak to us through our minds. When we met up, I did a quick scan on your body to see this...device...and I got nothing. So I simply deduced what we know about Sirens," Smoke explained looking between Lilith and Tannis.
"Right... We should deal with the matter at hand. Although the Vault Hunters cut off the Calypso's pledge drive, they have already collected massive amounts of Eridium. They are preparing to use it for something. Perhaps to open the Great Vault," Tannis pointed out while looking at Lilith now.
"So the Great Vault does exist?" Moze asked looking between the two Sirens.
"Yeah. I'm with the Vault Hunter...what?" Ava added confused.
"I am merely addressing the evidence we have at hand. Lilith, if the Great Vault is real, there must be a creature of incredible power within," Tannis explained with worry in her voice.
"The Calypsos are already monsters, I don't want to see what happens if they steal that kind of power," Ava added while clasping her hands together.
"When I was taken they held me at a stronghold where they were amassing all of their Eridian offerings. Whatever their plan entails it will happen there," Tannis pointed out before facing the Vault Hunter's.
"Then that's where we strike. Vault Hunters, head down to Roland's rest until Vaughn to rally the raiders. We're ending this," Lilith said with narrowed eyes.
"Over and out boss," Smoke spoke with a faint salute while J nodded.
The three left the bridge and made their way to Pandora once more only to be contacted by Vaughn mid-arrival.
"Vault Hunter! You're here! We're under attack! Help!" Vaughn shouted through the Echo-3.
-Pandora: Roland's Rest-
Upon arrival, the three were immediately shot at causing them to get into cover. The Raiders base was swarming with Bandits earning a chuckle from Smoke.
"They don't waste any time do they?" Smoke asked getting his Gatling sniper and preparing its puck shot while J smirked.
"Numbers do not win a battle," J commented gripping his hands into fists.
"...true...but they sure do help," Moze corrected while getting to her feet and jumping up into the air while Iron Bear materialized. "Smoke...I still want to ask about what you did to Iron Bear when you were fighting the CoV's mech."
"Yeah, I know. And I'll tell you later," Smoke fired his puck marker and marked a group of bandits before he sat in cover while shooting up at the sky watching as his bullets raced towards the targets set on his radar.
After a few minutes of fighting, even an Anointed was no match for their combined firepower. By the time the Children of the Vault were wiped out, the three Vault Hunters made their way over to Vaughn with Moze hoping out of Iron Bear.
"So spill it. What did you do to Iron Bear when you fought against the Agonizer 9000?" Moze asked walking up beside Smoke who chuckled.
"Striking when the irons hot. I respect that," Smoke commented before taking a deep breath. "When I upgraded Iron Bear I placed in a lot of fusion functions. You've seen three of them. What you don't know is the fact the fusion function operates differently depending on who the operator is. If it's you then it will be the basic forms. Any fusion function you operate will have some form of balance. The fusions I operate are more about...mobility...since it can fly...at least when I fuse with it at least. Never tried fusing it with J on board yet but I am sure there will be a time for that,"
"What if J was the operator?" Moze asked causing Smoke to stop in his tracks for a second while looking up at the sky in deep thought.
"Probably make Iron Bear into a total beast. A mech that prioritizes power over everything so...kind of like a glass cannon," Smoke answered looking at Moze before glancing at J. "Hopefully it never comes to that. The last thing we need to worry about is J here going berserk while operating Iron Bear Z,"
"Iron Bear Mark II, X, and now Zero. What's with the numbers?" Moze asked confused and raised brow.
"To keep track of who is operating," Smoke answered while turning his attention to the task at hand. "Now. To Vaughn!"
"Hey, I hear we're launching an attack on the Calypsos' stronghold! It's about time! I'm all in, bro! I'm through bein' the Calypso's plaything. Blood feuuud! "Vaughn shouted while raising his arms before turning and making his way to a vehicle along with the rest of the Raiders and even the Vault Hunter's. "Hear me, bros and bronettes! This is our moment. We're gonna ride to the Calypsos' gates and show those posers what happens when you mess with the Crimson Raiders! CRIMSON RAIDERS, INTO THE BREACH! TO THE CITADEL!"
As soon as Smoke reached the vehicle pad, he immediately selected the modified truck that they used to save Tannis. Once the vehicle appeared Infront of the three Vault Hunters, they immediately entered just as before. Smoke took the driver seat with J sitting behind him to take control of the arms leaving Moze to operate the heavy turret up top.
"Ride, my Crimson Army! Ride toward victory!" Vaughn shouted as he entered his truck before driving off taking the lead in the coming assault.
After a few seconds of driving, the Echo-3 kicked up revealing Troy's voice.
"You're attacking us? Are you serious? Eat turrets, you shit waffles," Troy spoke over the Echo-3.
Smoke watched as the Crimson Raiders defense turrets appeared throughout the landscape in front of them before they started to open fire on the group.
"Can you hack those turrets Corah?!" Smoke shouted as they started to retreat along with the rest of the Crimson Raiders.
'No. I need to be plugged in to do anything...' She admitted earning a long frustrated groan from Smoke.
Once the Vault Hunter's and Crimson Raiders returned to Roland's Rest, Tannis' voice could be heard through their minds.
'We cannot reach the Calypsos' stronghold while those turrets are active. I might be able to shut them down with phase shift, but for a task that large, I will need my Eridium amplifier. It is in my secret lab hidden beneath an old Dahl mine nearby. Vaughn will show you the way,' Tannis notified earning a nod from Smoke as he and his hunters exited the vehicle to meet with Vaughn again.
"Back to Vaughn," Smoke said groaning while rubbing the back of his head.
"Could've been worse," Moze said earning a shrug from the inventor.
"Yeah but...we had high moral and then..." Smoke stopped walking while raising his left hand only for it to slowly come down while making a crashing aircraft fall.
"I get it," Moze said rolling her eyes as Smoke continued walking forward.
As soon as they reach Vaughn, the nearly naked man sighed heavily while looking out in the direction of the CoV stronghold.
"Well, that went real bad. But, as long as YOU three survived, we still got hope, bro! So, anyway, and this is a little weird - uh, a ghost in my head told me you'd need help getting into the old Dahl mine? I'm into it. One sec!" Vaughn said before turning and running off towards his office. "Cardio liiiife!"
The brawler could not help but growl lightly at Vaughn's enthusiasm making Smoke chuckle at his friend's reaction before the Vault Hunters followed after him. It took only a few seconds before the group of four came to a stop in front of a big metal gate causing Vaughn to turn and face his friends.
"Right through these gates will take you to the mines. Good luck bros," Vaughn spoke with a nod.
Smoke looked at the gate before opening it seeing a long path before shrugging and taking the lead again.
"Than on we go," Smoke called out with his hands in his pockets only for his left hand to come out holding a blunt where he placed it between his lips and lit it with his thumb.
-Konrad's Hold-
"When my Siren powers first manifested, I knew I would need a covert area where I could experiment with them. Using an Eridium-based amplifier in the open world would draw unwanted attention, and this abandoned Dahl mining operation provided a perfect cover," Tannis explained as the Vault Hunters came into view of the structure.
"Well this should be easy," Smoke spoke swaying his left hand to bring out his sentry before sending it ahead as a scout only to find bandits wandering around the facility. "If bandits weren't here,"
"Is the route blocked?" Tannis asked slightly worried.
"Nah. I'm sure we can improvise our way in. Ain't that right buddy?" Smoke asked glancing over his shoulder at J who nodded his head. "Well get through. Just mark where we gotta go and we'll go there baby,"
The Vault hunters could hear the sound of Tannis clearing her throat before speaking up again.
"It's been marked on your Echo-3 Smoke," Tannis spoke before the inventor nodded his head.
"Through the gates and onward my friends," Smoke spoke up while taking out his Sniper Gatling while Moze smirked and hopped up to have Iron Bear Mark II materialize around her. "We'll deal with the bandits J. You handle our path,"
J nodded his head as Moze made her way to the right side demolishing any bandit insight while Smoke stayed by his friend's side covering his back due to some bandits coming out of the towers and building structures.
As time went on, the Vault Hunter's left the mining facility and entered the catacombs under the structure. Inside the cavern, Smoke took the lead in finding Tannis' secret lab while Moze and J dealt with the wildlife. Truthfully, J was the one killing everything in sight due to his anger getting the best of him since his prior job was breaking walls and doors but nothing else. While J was dealing with the insects, Moze was still in Iron Bear but this time she was in charge of protecting Smoke.
Eventually, they got to a point where Smoke had to caress the mining cart she labeled her ex. Smoke's eye twitches at the mention of this before doing as he was told with no interruptions thanks to J going into a frenzy. Once all the bugs were dealt with and Tannis' secret lab was opened, Smoke groaned and eyed the cart in deep thought only to have Moze get in the way.
"What? I was just kidding," Smoke said chuckling and looking forward while advancing. "Sort of," He whispered.
After confirming the amplifier, Smoke wasted no time in detaching it and loading it into the left before the three met up only to hear Tannis notify them of their next object. Escort the amplifier back to Roland's Rest with Vaughn.
"Alright if that is the case...Moze. You drive the escort vehicle with Vaughn," Smoke notified before making his way to the stairs causing the soldier to blinker her eyes while J followed his friend.
"What about you and J?" Moze asked following behind J.
"We're going to take Iron Bear X and escort you two back to Roland's rest," Smoke answered.
"Before you do I want you to tell us the names of all these Iron Bear mechs and fusions..." Moze spoke up causing Smoke to stop in his tracks and sigh heavily.
"Do we have time for this?" Smoke asked with a raised brow.
"I agree with Moze. We should not need to learn on the fly every time something new makes itself known. "At least summarize for us and keep the names simple...please,"
Smoke looked at his friend and groaned before nodding his head in agreement as he turned around.
"Fine. I have eleven variants. Each one takes form depending on who is operating Iron Bear and with whom you are fusing. I'ma go over this quick so keep up," Smoke started as he turned to face the two with his hands behind his back. "Just the names for now. If I go into full detail we'll be here longer than we should since we are so pressed on time already."
"Lay it on us then," Moze spoke up with a scuff.
"Moze, your default is Iron Bear Mark II. Fusing it with J makes it into its Elemental Variant. Fusing it with me shifts it into its Turret variant. Now if you fuse all of us while you operate it becomes its Fortress variant," Smoke started while looking at Moze whose eyes grow wide at the mention of the fortress variant.
"You mean..." Moze was stopped as Smoke placed his hand out in front of her to stop her questions.
"Another time. Now, J my buddy. Your default is Iron Bear Zero. Fusing it with Moze shifts it into its Soldier variant. Fusing it with Me shifts it into its Berserker variant. Using all three of us shifts it into a Juggernaut variant...yes it is like your previous name. Details later," Smoke said looking at his friend who nodded in understanding. "Now my default is Iron Bear X. Fusing it with my best friend shifts it into its Reaper variant while doing so with Moze turns it into its Sentinel variant. Fusing all three of us shifts it into Iron Bears strongest variant when I named Overseer,"
"Strongest variant..." Moze said with half-opened eyes.
"Pffft bite me. I upgraded it for free. Now let's go!" Smoke said turning around and making his way down the stairs.
"What are your thoughts on these variants your friend told us about?" Moze said glancing at J who shrugged.
"If they work in battle then there is nothing to complain about. After this mission we will have to listen to the full briefing of Smoke's variants," J answered looking at Moze before earning a nod from the soldier as she faced forward and followed after their teammate.
As they reached the bottom of the stairs, they came face to face with Vaughn who was sitting in the back of a modified truck with the Eridium amplifier strapped in.
"Alright let's do this," Smoke spoke hoping up and entering Iron Bear making its form become slim as it materialized around the inventor.
Unlike before, that was all that changed, Iron Bear was humanoid and agile followed by the weapons on the mech detached and started to levitate mere inches from its form.
"Iron Bear X ready for battle…and with my buddy in toll, w shall become the Reaper variant!" Smoke shouted causing J to roll his eyes before jumping up and landing on top the mech.
As soon as J landed on the mech's form, Smoke flipped the fusion switch causing its body to change but only slightly with its armor becoming stronger. With the main body finished shifting, the weapons merged together only to split into two separate handles which each was taken into a hand. Moze got into the modified truck while looking up at Iron Bear X Reaper variant seeing the handles expand. In the right hand it extended into an energy spear while the opposite turned into a tower shield. A long grin grew over Smoke's lips while J appeared right behind the inventor seeing the two were back to back now.
"How did I get in here?" J asked looking around causing a screen to appear allowing him to see what his friend was seeing.
"Don't worry about it buddy. All you need to know is that you are the mech. No controls. No difficulties. Just cut them down," Smoke notified while glancing over his shoulder at his friend who nodded.
"I can do that," J confirmed while bringing his fists together which Iron Bear X did while the energy weapons faded.
/To be continued…