Moze would be driving through Pandora with Smoke within Iron Bear X with the mech being in its Reaper variant giving it access to a holdable energy shield and spear which he could throw. With Smoke and J together, the inventor took it upon himself to guard Moze since their speed was faster than the armored vehicle as they could be seen running ahead. In front of the group were Children of the Vault vehicles trying to intercept the Vault Hunters which were only met with a shield bash or a thrust of Iron Bear's spear.
One group of CoV was unfortunate enough to come out of hiding only to come face to face with Iron Bear X. Smoke saw this and chuckled before doing a quick spiral allowing J to cut the CoV vehicle in half. As they continued, towers came into view with bandits using rocket launchers. Iron Bear X Reaper blocked the rockets with ease while taking the lead but eventually saw drop ships coming into view.
"Moze. You're going to have to deal with the enemy ground vehicles for now so be careful. We're going to handle the dropships and towers," Smoke warned while aiming with the energy spear before throwing it at the furthest dropship.
The Vault Hunters watched as the spear pierced through the dropships form followed by its form crashing into the ground. Smoke nodded at this and pulled Iron Bears hand back causing a new energy spear to form before taking hold of it again.
"Energy weapons baby!" Smoke shouted with a wide grin before J brought the energy shield up to block another rocket launcher.
J narrowed his eyes as Iron Bear X raced toward the tower seeing the bandit panic as he fired another rocket toward the Vault Hunter's mech only for it to be blocked. Now in reach of the tower, J simply tackled the tower causing it to fall and collapse on the unfortunate bandit. Continuing, the Vault Hunters destroyed CoV vehicles left and right before eventually reaching the lift leading to Roland's rest just as Iron Bear X ran out of energy causing it to shift into its default form followed by spitting Smoke out onto the ground.
"Ow...eject needs some tinkering," Smoke said picking himself off the ground before J was released normally allowing the brawler to softly land on the ground.
"You think?" Moze said looking over at Smoke with a raised brow while J helped his friend off the ground allowing the inventor to dust himself off sighing heavily.
"Thanks for the assist buddy," Smoke thanked him while looking at his friend before turning his attention to Moze. "I don't think...I know,"
Moze only rolled her eyes as J and Smoke got in the back with Vaughn while the lift started to take the four of them to Roland's rest.
"We made it! My blood is PUMPIN'! I love this planet! Go Sun Smashers! - I mean Crimson Raiders! Woohoo!" Vaughn shouted earning a soft groan from J who shook his head.
"Let's finish up our delivery then I will go into full detail about all the variants," Smoke pointed out while following after Vaughn who was making his way into one of the buildings along with his friends.
As they all entered the building, Vaughn turned to face the Vault Hunters.
"Vault Hunter, bronette. I gotta say - I've been on a lotta crazy road trips, but your driving skills? They're tasty, bronette. They're tasty! So if you wanna ride sometime, you let me know, bro. Bro-add triiip!" Vaughn shouted before bringing his hand to his mouth and clearing his throat. "Whoa. Sorry. I, uh, got a little carrier away there. Anyway..."
"A little?" Smoke whispered with a chuckle only to get elbowed by J.
"We'll guard the Eridian flippity-floo and rally the troops. When Lilith gives the word, it's go time. Oh, and can you ask the lady ghost head friend to stay out of my head from eight to eleven? That's where I keep the special thoughts," Vaughn warned earning a chuckle from Smoke.
"We'll let her know bro," Smoke said with a smile.
As the three left the building, Smoke took a deep breath before he turned and slipped his hands into his pockets.
"Alright so let us begin," Smoke said looking between his teammates. "I'll start with the default Iron Bear Mark II,"
"Sounds good," Moze agreed with a shrug while folding her arms under her bust.
"Alright as we all know," Smoke said bringing his right hand out and swaying it upward creating a holographic screen to show Iron Bear. "Three Variants with this beauty with Moze being the main operator. Elemental, Turret, and Fortress,"
"I know what the Elemental and Turret variant but I've never heard of the Fortress one," Moze spoke blinking her eyes.
"The Fortress Variant is similar to the Turret variant but is more mobile and has a better fire rate. Hell, it has the highest armor of all the variants," Smoke admitted while turning to look at the Turret variant they started to talk about. "Unlike the normal variant...this one is equipped with three turrets instead of one. One main turret with two support ones,"
"Damn," Moze said surprised before Smoke nodded his head understanding her surprise.
"Now let's move on to our next variants shall we," Smoke said swaying his hand swapping Moze's Iron Bear Mark II and shifting to its X form. "This is Iron Bear X. Mine. You all saw one of its variants...the Reaper variant. One that replaces all of its ranged weapons to give Iron Beat energy equipment. An energy shield and spear. The spear can be remade when used for long-range use but eats up a shit ton of energy that keeps the fusion going,"
"Makes sense," J said rubbing the back of his head.
"Yeah so next time use it when you have to," Smoke pointed out with a chuckle. "Now with Moze, it becomes its Sentinal variant. One that specializes in long-range combat. Unlike its energy equipment, the Reaper variant has, it is replaced with a single long-range weapon that has different modes. Railgun, mortar, and sniper,"
"Neat," Moze said with a smirk.
"Damn straight it's neat," Smoke said with a chuckle before clearing his throat. "Now for the maximum fusion, the Overseer variant. The fastest variant. Not only does this one have access to weapons but also has floating armaments and even the ability to teleport,"
"And for mine?" J asked crossing his arms over his chest.
"Your variants are the most dangerous since it becomes a glass cannon. Iron Bear Zero still has armor but not as much as the other variants," Smoke pointed out while sighing. "Monarch, Ronin, and Juggernaut is the variants for Zero,"
"Monarch?" J repeated while tilting his head slightly.
"Monarch variant is you and Moze. This gives your Iron Bear more armor than its default as well as some range thanks to the flame revolver and its energy shield," Smoke pointed out swaying his hand creating a holographic image of the Gunner variant Iron Bear Zero holding the flame revolver in both hands. "This variant packs a punch but it's very slow owed down. Focusing more on firepower than mobility,"
"And once the shield breaks it's only a matter of time before Iron Bear Zero gets taken down," Moze pointed out earning a nod from Smoke.
"Correct...but this variant is the best at suppressive fire," Smoke explained. "Now on to our fusion buddy! Ronin variant! It has no real guns BUT it has access to energy sabers and is hella fast to boot! Not the fastest but faster than anything this universe can throw at us,"
"Sounds like an exaggeration," Moze said with a scuff.
"You'll have to wait and find out," Smoke said while glancing at the soldier. "Now if we all fuse while J here operates Iron Bear...we get Juggernaut. The most powerful variant in Iron Bears Arsenal. Although it lacks speed and armor...it far outclasses all the other variants in firepower. Hell, I dare say that it can destroy a mountain! I did not test that out yet...kind of afraid to..."
"These are all the variants right?" Moze asked tilting her head slightly.
"Yes, it is," Smoke confirmed while swaying his hand downward closing the holoscreen before smiling. "Now let's head back to Sanctuary 3 and talk with Lilith. With the amplifier here, it's only a matter of time before we start our assault,"
"Agreed," J said looking at his friend then at Moze.
"Then let's head out," Moze replied as the three Vault Hunters made their way back to Sanctuary 3.
-Sanctuary 3: Bridge-
Chapter 9: Chaotic Variants
Moze would be driving through Pandora with Smoke within Iron Bear X with the mech being in its Reaper variant giving it access to a holdable energy shield and spear which he could throw. With Smoke and J together, the inventor took it upon himself to guard Moze since their speed was faster than the armored vehicle as they could be seen running ahead. In front of the group were Children of the Vault vehicles trying to intercept the Vault Hunters which were only met with a shield bash or a thrust of Iron Bear's spear.
One group of CoV was unfortunate enough to come out of hiding only to come face to face with Iron Bear X. Smoke saw this and chuckled before doing a quick spiral allowing J to cut the CoV vehicle in half. As they continued, towers came into view with bandits using rocket launchers. Iron Bear X Reaper blocked the rockets with ease while taking the lead but eventually saw drop ships coming into view.
"Moze. You're going to have to deal with the enemy ground vehicles for now so be careful. We're going to handle the dropships and towers," Smoke warned while aiming with the energy spear before throwing it at the furthest dropship.
The Vault Hunters watched as the spear pierced through the dropships form followed by its form crashing into the ground. Smoke nodded at this and pulled Iron Bears hand back causing a new energy spear to form before taking hold of it again.
"Energy weapons baby!" Smoke shouted with a wide grin before J brought the energy shield up to block another rocket launcher.
J narrowed his eyes as Iron Bear X raced toward the tower seeing the bandit panic as he fired another rocket toward the Vault Hunter's mech only for it to be blocked. Now in reach of the tower, J simply tackled the tower causing it to fall and collapse on the unfortunate bandit. Continuing, the Vault Hunters destroyed CoV vehicles left and right before eventually reaching the lift leading to Roland's rest just as Iron Bear X ran out of energy causing it to shift into its default form followed by spitting Smoke out onto the ground.
"Ow...eject needs some tinkering," Smoke said picking himself off the ground before J was released normally allowing the brawler to softly land on the ground.
"You think?" Moze said looking over at Smoke with a raised brow while J helped his friend off the ground allowing the inventor to dust himself off sighing heavily.
"Thanks for the assist buddy," Smoke thanked him while looking at his friend before turning his attention to Moze. "I don't think...I know,"
Moze only rolled her eyes as J and Smoke got in the back with Vaughn while the lift started to take the four of them to Roland's rest.
"We made it! My blood is PUMPIN'! I love this planet! Go Sun Smashers! - I mean Crimson Raiders! Woohoo!" Vaughn shouted earning a soft groan from J who shook his head.
"Let's finish up our delivery then I will go into full detail about all the variants," Smoke pointed out while following after Vaughn who was making his way into one of the buildings along with his friends.
As they all entered the building, Vaughn turned to face the Vault Hunters.
"Vault Hunter, bronette. I gotta say - I've been on a lotta crazy road trips, but your driving skills? They're tasty, bronette. They're tasty! So if you wanna ride sometime, you let me know, bro. Bro-add triiip!" Vaughn shouted before bringing his hand to his mouth and clearing his throat. "Whoa. Sorry. I, uh, got a little carrier away there. Anyway..."
"A little?" Smoke whispered with a chuckle only to get elbowed by J.
"We'll guard the Eridian flippity-floo and rally the troops. When Lilith gives the word, it's go time. Oh, and can you ask the lady ghost head friend to stay out of my head from eight to eleven? That's where I keep the special thoughts," Vaughn warned earning a chuckle from Smoke.
"We'll let her know bro," Smoke said with a smile.
As the three left the building, Smoke took a deep breath before he turned and slipped his hands into his pockets.
"Alright so let us begin," Smoke said looking between his teammates. "I'll start with the default Iron Bear Mark II,"
"Sounds good," Moze agreed with a shrug while folding her arms under her bust.
"Alright as we all know," Smoke said bringing his right hand out and swaying it upward creating a holographic screen to show Iron Bear. "Three Variants with this beauty with Moze being the main operator. Elemental, Turret, and Fortress,"
"I know what the Elemental and Turret variant but I've never heard of the Fortress one," Moze spoke blinking her eyes.
"The Fortress Variant is similar to the Turret variant but is more mobile and has a better fire rate. Hell, it has the highest armor of all the variants," Smoke admitted while turning to look at the Turret variant they started to talk about. "Unlike the normal variant...this one is equipped with three turrets instead of one. One main turret with two support ones,"
"Damn," Moze said surprised before Smoke nodded his head understanding her surprise.
"Now let's move on to our next variants shall we," Smoke said swaying his hand swapping Moze's Iron Bear Mark II and shifting to its X form. "This is Iron Bear X. Mine. You all saw one of its variants...the Reaper variant. One that replaces all of its ranged weapons to give Iron Beat energy equipment. An energy shield and spear. The spear can be remade when used for long-range use but eats up a shit ton of energy that keeps the fusion going,"
"Okay. Tannis' Eridium amplifier is in place and Vaughn's forces on the ground are at the ready. We're not going to get a better chance to move on the Calypso's," Lilith pointed out before Claptrap was heard by the comms.
"Incoming transmission from the - " Claptrap paused as Lilith turned to sigh.
"The Calypsos. Got it. This should be interesting," Lilith said as the holoscreen turned on showing Troy smiling.
"Hey, turd farmers! Check this out!" Troy spoke cocking his right hand back while the camera shifted to Tyreen who chuckled.
"Take a look out the window. Troy's about to blow your spine out your ass," Tyreen said looking at her brother.
Lilith and Tannis immediately look to Pandora to see a beam of energy burst from the planet and toward the moon. As soon as the beam of energy collided with the moon, it was phase-locked.
"What the fuck?!" Smoke said wide-eyed.
"Ay, pero, how did you, like, phase lock the entire moon? Wow," Tyreen complimented.
"What the hell is going on?!" Marcus questioned through the comms.
"I don't know Marcus buddy but it's hella crazy," Smoke answered.
"It's a freaking Moon, you idiots! The key to the great Vault has been in front of your dumb faces the whole time," Troy bragged.
"See I was planning to Leach enough Vault monsters to charge it myself but... Then you handed us your stupid Siren friend, and now Troy can just use Eridium!" Tyreen spoke with a chuckle.
"Once I charge Elpsi, the great Vault will open..." Troy continued to explain.
"I'll reach the monster inside and, heh, we become gods!" Tyreen finished.
"We'd invite you to our place for the grand opening but it's kind of a family thing," Troy added.
"See you at the end of the world!" Tyreen finished before their communications were cut off.
"We're doomed! Unless... Is it too late to join the children of the Vault?" Claptrap asked looking at Lilith.
"Don't joke about that Claptrap. J here might help you with that...by dismantling you like all the other CoV we fought," Smoke pointed out while nudging his head to J who in turn glared at the unit who jumped in fear.
"Lilith we must stop Troy from opening the great Vault but as long as he is infusing himself with Eridium he will be nearly invincible," Tannis pitched in gaining the Vault Hunter's attention.
"Then we cut off his supply. Vault Hunters once Tanis takes out those turrets you lead a ground assault," Lilith commanded as she looked at J and his teammates.
"Consider it done," J said bringing his knuckles together.
"And...also whoever has a death wish can take on Tyreen and Troy!" Claptrap spoke up causing Smoke to grin.
"And that would be mostly me...with help from J and Moze," Smoke answered.
"Ava, you good to back up the Vault Hunter's?" Lilith asked looking at the girl.
"Yeah? You sure?" Ava asked with wide eyes.
"You were right. We've got to run towards the fire. Let's go everyone," Lilith spoke up while looking to the Vault Hunters. "Vault Hunter's. Get geared up and say your goodbyes. This is it,"
"I'll take that time. I'll go chat with Marcus and give him some gifts. Who do you both got? You gonna go together or separate?" Smoke asked looking at his friends while tilting his head.
"We'll stay together. Chat with Moxie then move Ellie," Moze spoke earning a nod from J before they went their separate way for now.
"I thought you didn't like Moxie?" J spoke glancing at Moze who sighed.
"What woman would?" Moze replied
"Ellie," J answered earning a soft chuckle.
"Ellie is nice to everyone who is nice to her," Moze countered.
"Lilith," J added earning a scuff from Moze.
"They have history," Moze answered.
Eventually, the two come face to face with Moxie who stood outside her establishment with her hand in her hip.
Moxie's eyes looked at Moze for a quick second before coming across J. Her eyes scanned J's body up and down causing her to bite her bottom lip a bit.
"Heya sugar. Off to shut down those Calypso twerks up for good, are you? Well, I feel better knowing the fate of the world rests in your...capable hands. Before you leave you might want to give my slots one last goal - I've got a feeling it's your lucky day," Moxie said walking up to J and bringing her hand to his chest before slowly dragging it to his shoulder. "And maybe more...if you'd like..."
"The slot machine is more than enough Moxie," J spoke keeping eye contact with the woman before she chuckled and moves out of the way.
"Then by shall we?" Moxie said swaying her hand to one of her slot machines.
Moze walked up to the slot machine and started it up watching as the sevens lined up one by one.
"Well well well. I'd wish you good luck but it doesn't seem like you need any more," Moxie said as the sevens stayed in place earning the two Vault Hunter's a purple weapon from its exit. "...and if you ever want to try a different game J...the offer is still open,"
J looked at Moxie before nodding his head and turning to leave the bar with Moze in tow who stared at the bartender a little longer.
"After all, he isn't taken yet," Moxie whispered as she looked at Moze. "So if you want him...you better get him fast suga,"
Moze simply scuffed before turning and following after the fighter as they made their way toward the cargo bay where they met up with Smoke who was talking with Ellie. Seeing his friends, Smoke waved causing the mechanic to face the direction the inventor was looking at. Once Ellie caught sight of the two, she could already tell what happened due to Moze's eyes looking at the ground in deep thought.
"See my ma gave you two a hard time," Ellie said with a chuckle which gained Moze's attention.
"No. She rigged one of her slot machines to give us a weapon," J replied causing Ellie to blink her eyes in confusion then look at Smoke for answers only to turn her attention back to the fighter.
"She didn't try to flirt with ya or nothin?" Ellie asked tilting her head.
"Oh I bet she did...but my buddy here is very...how can I say it in a polite way...soft," Smoke said walking beside his friend followed by placing his hand upon the fighter's shoulder.
The next thing Smoke felt was all the wind in his gut get knocked our revealing J's right elbow was driven into his friend's stomach. Smoke cough loudly before falling on his rear catching his breath.
"Not so soft am I," J said glaring at his friend.
"That's what she said..." Smoke joked earning a confused look from J while Moze rolled her eyes and Ellie chuckled.
"You two are such good friends. Just be sure to come on back to Sanctuary when you get done kickin the Calypso' asses," Ellie spoke bringing a thumbs up.
"We will Ellie," Moze said with a soft smile.
"Zero you can come out of your cloak now," Smoke called out after catching his breath and looking over at the top of the stairs.
"Sorry, Vault Hunter / Force of habit / The battle to end the war / Crush them, Vault Hunters," Zero spoke looking between Smoke and J before turning his gaze to Moze before nodding.
"That we will Zero. That we will," Smoke said with a wide smile.
"Did you talk to Tannis already?" Moze asked causing Smoke to blink his eyes and chuckle.
"Surprisingly I did not...but I'm gonna...I just want you two to come with me when I do. I wanna tell you two about something very important," Smoke said glancing at his teammates before facing forward and making his way to the historian's lab.
It did not take them long to finally get to the lab with Tannis waiting on their arrival as if expecting it. She cleared her throat and smiled while straightening up her posture.
"Took you long enough," Tannis said looking at Smoke.
"I know I know. I had a good chat with my old buddy Marcos. He gave us some stuff to use on our mission...I gave him new guns for him to sell," Smoke said with a shrug. "Also went to meet up with these two and chat with Ellie...and Zero...can't forget Zero. That ninja,"
"I understand. Now, what is it you wanted to talk to me about with your friends here?" Tannis asked looking at the other Vault Hunters in thought.
"Don't look at us. We're just hearing about this," Moze said with a shrug before looking at Smoke along with J.
"It's about my history...as well as Corah...my origins," Smoke said leaning his back against a pillar while closing his eyes.
"You don't have to tell us if you don't want to Smoke. We'll understand if you don't," Tannis pitched in leaning forward slightly.
"Nah it's something that's been buggin me for some time now. No secrets between friends...and future ba of course," Smoke said opening his eyes and looking at Tannis before winking a little. "As such...Corah you can show yourself now sis..."
A second later, a pink holographic sphere appeared over Smoke's right shoulder. Its light was soft and around the where seemed like a belt that hovered mere inches away from the sphere within it. On the built were two white ovals that represented her eyes.
"Hello! My name is Corah and like Smoke said...I am his baby sister," Corah introduced herself while bouncing upon the inventor's shoulder happily. "You all must mean a lot to him if he's going to tell you all about his past...I mean I get you Tannis but the others. Never would have guessed,"
"Well that's hurtful," Moze said narrowing her eyes at the sphere.
"I am sorry. It's just not like my older brother to do something like this," Corah replied while facing the ground.
"Ah, let's not be hard on my lil sister alright? It's been a while since I let her talk to people...she's rusty with her communication skills," Smoke defended while straightening out his posture and sighing before taking out one of his joints and placing it between his lips just to lit it with his mechanical thumb.
"I'll keep out any eavesdroppers," Corah spoke as Smoke inserted her into the ship's mainframe preventing any noise from escaping the room while also making it a dead zone so no AI could listen in. "You are welcome,"
"Alright so at a young age I helped my parents who also worked for Maliwan and directly under Katagawa. Me being at my rebellious stage I went on my own to start my own thing. Suprise, that shit blew up in my face...horribly. You see the Baroness wanted to make sure no one else got powers like her so she sent a gift to my family. One delivered by a special navigation AI she personally bought with her money. So I was on my way home after the fuck up with the bitch queen and lord behold there's my parents waitin on my arrival...but they were made nor were they stuck up. Hell, they were just happy I was back home. They even prepared gifts for my return...one from the bitch herself...an 'apology' gift she had written on it. Not sure why the family scanners weren't able to pick up the bomb...but when I was a few meters away the bomb went off. My parents had energy shields...but Corah didn' so they placed all their shields on her at the last second...I wanted to help by stretching my left arm out...what a move right?"
"You tried Smoke..." Moze pitched in.
"I was young and stupid. Because of that, I lost my parents in a flash...but thanks to them they were able to save my sister Corah. Her body was dying so I put my all into saving her...which I did...by downloading her mind into data..." Smoke finished only to pause and lean his head back so he could look up at the ceiling chuckling. "Funny thing is she always complained that she was stuck at home learning more coding so she can hack systems...now that she was nothing but data...she never leaves my side,"
"...we didn't know..." Moze said looking at the ground. "You had it rough...a lot more than us,"
"Almost...J here beats me by a mile. You see I got my mind as a gift but J here...all he had was his endurance to take the torture Katagawa Jr. put him through," Smoke said lowering his head to look at Moze then turning his attention to J.
"...is that why you do not like Balex?" J questioned earning a loud scuff from the inventor.
"I still don't like em...but...I can bare him. He's part of the Crimson raiders," Smoke said with a shrug while closing his eyes before taking a long drag of his joint.
"Bare him?" J repeated with a raised brow.
"I can stand him okay. Let's leave it at that," Smoke said bringing his free hand to rub the back of his head.
"He just doesn't want me dating Balex," Cotah pitched in causing Smoke's eyes to shoot wide open followed by heavy coughing and almost dropping his joint.
"Where the fuck did this come from?" Smoke questioned while looking over to his shoulder that Corah was still on. "
"I always wanted to see what dating was like...and Balex seems like an ok AI. He helped us get a key fragment," Corah pointed out causing Smoke to roll his eyes.
"No. Not gonna happen. If he wants to date you! He'd have to prove to me that he won't betray you OR give you jabbers. Horny little bastards," Smoke said with a shiver.
"And that explains why J doesn't like the wildlife...noted," Moze said looking at the fighter whose hands tightened into fists.
"Yeah...we won't talk about that...touchy subject...but mostly dangerous...for us...mostly me," Smoke explained with a nervous laugh while looking at J who was glaring at his friend. "So STOP GLARING AT ME!"
J scuffed and looked away earning a sigh of relief from Smoke as he turned his gaze to tannis.
"So what do you think? Interested in being my girlfriend?" Smoke said with a smirking and leaning toward the historian's direction.
"I-I...there is still so much to do so I'll answer your question on a later date...maybe after this mission is over," Tannis spoke looking away trying to hide her flustered face.
"Hmmm, you drive a hard bargain but...alright fair enough. Now, what about you two. When are you two going to get together?" Smoke asked with a smirk causing Moze's eyes to go wide while J simply blinked in confusion.
"We are together...are we not?" J asked looking to Moze who turned her attention away from the fighter rubbing the side of her arm.
"Yes and no...I was more talking about you two dating after this mission. We only live once you know...Yolo is what people say ah?" Smoke said while pointing at the two causing Moze to grit her teeth and turn to leave the room.
"I'll be waiting at the Hanger Bay," Moze said leaving the lab causing Smoke to chuckle.
"You heard her man. Let's head out. The sooner we complete this mission the sooner I get my answer," Smoke said walking past his friend who eventually followed suit.
/To be continued...