Erin lifted her head to look up at the bandit-looking guy with the dreadlocks. He looked like the real-life equivalent of a mummy, only fleshier and lest rotted. He was called… what? Murderguy? Mundy Fie? Mummy- Oh hell, she already forgot. Dreadlocks 'll do. At the very least she'd like to remember the name of the asshat that might be killing her. Just so she could- maybe haunt his skinny ass, assuming he even had one. And… she sniffed, good lord he smelled like Skag shit. Like the kind of Skag shit that'd been sitting around in the sun for the past three cycles. Hell, the mask made him look like it too.

She glanced at the other man, the one who introduced himself as Roland, as he placed a hand on Dreadlocks' arm, "put that away, we're not looking for a fight."

Dreadlocks jerked his hand away and shoved his gun in his holster. He growled, "she started it." and stalked away.

Roland shook his head then looked at her, "I apologize for my friend's behavior, he doesn't take nearly being killed well."

"I don't either." Erin studied the armor on his shoulders and recognized it. Crimson Lance? Then she took a glance to the woman that previously had a gun pointed to her back. Erin recognized the blue markings on her skin. Fuck, is that a Siren? If memory served correctly there was a siren in charge of the soldiers stationed on Pandora. Immediately she felt her muscles tense, "You're… Not with Atlas and the Crimson Lance are you?"

The soldier looked at his shoulder guard and blinked, almost as if he'd forgotten he was wearing it, "Oh, no ma'am. None of us are."

She narrowed her eyes at him and waited a few seconds before he continued, "though, I used to be, but not anymore."

Only mildly comforting.

"Great, a former Crimson Lance soldier. Just what I need."

"My apologies, you were saying something about your plan in helping with Mad Mel?"

Erin studied him a little longer, then shrugged. Crimson Lance or no, she still needed to get back to New Haven. She'd been out in the headlands long enough and felt as though her stomach was about to get a hole in it from how little she'd been able to eat the past few cycles.

"I was planning on stealing one of Mad Mel's runners and sneaking into his arena disguised as one of his bandit goons. You know, attack him while he's least weary." She glanced over to Dreadlocks and the hulking brute, "that's why I attacked you two earlier. I thought you were a pair of his goons out on patrol."

This earned a frown from both Dreadlocks and the Big guy.

Erin turned back to Roland, "I guess I ought to find another bandit patrol vehicle to hijack."

"A good idea, wish we thought of it."

"Thank you"

"It's unfortunate that it won't work."

Crap.

She straightened and folded her arms, "Alright, then…" She tried thinking of something else.

The soldier continued speaking, "No nothing's wrong with your plan, except we already alerted Mel to our presence by destroying his patrol runners."

Well shit.

"Why?" It was all she could say.

The soldier coughed into his hand, then glanced at the red-haired siren.

Tattoo sighed "Lucky told us to do it and it seemed like a good Idea at the time."

"And you listened to that piece of shit?" She couldn't help herself. Lucky was the worst scumbag she'd ever met and if Scooter didn't want to kill him so much she would have tied him to the back of Lady and dragged his sorry carcass across the headlands.

Wait, OHCRAP LADY!

Tattoo saw her expression and asked "Whoa, what's wrong?"

Erin grabbed her head, "MY BIKE! IT DIDN'T COME BACK!"

She franticly began looking around and was directed by the big guy who pointed at Lady who was upside-down in a shallow ditch. Her tires were still going around in circles, desperate to return to Erin.

Erin ran to the Bike, "Oh my god! Lady I'm so sorry!"

Lilith didn't know much about the motorcyclist, but it seemed once she knew that they weren't part of Mad Mel's group she lost her interest in fighting them. Of course, practically being surrounded by four people with a gun aimed at her head helped. Lilith was certain that Roland would object to killing her, being that she seemed to be merely a misguided teenager and she was the younger sibling of their current sole provider of fast transportation.

Erin explained the reason why she attacked Mordecai and Brick, which was because she thought they were Mad Mel's' men. She had planned on using them to infiltrate the Bandit Leaders' arena using their runner, a plan that was shot to hell when they told her what they had done to the bandit patrols.

Still, they decided to keep her around when they learned she had actually jumped onto Brick and Mordecai's runner and pulled him out of the seat.

The Siren glanced at the bike Erin was tending to, and it looked vaguely familiar. It was a sleek design, and looked light weight, as if it were built for speed and nothing else. Though it did look like it had seen better days.

"That looks like an old Z3w Hurricane Sprinter."

"That she is," Erin replied simply, then cussed when the bike let off a weak electric charge.

She shook her finger at the bike, "Lady, stop that, or you won't get that new paint job."

Lilith had only heard about the bike because she happened across an old gossip magazine and read an article on a whim. The bike was made by a company called Zephyr, a company that was famous for their self-driving smart vehicles and race bikes. Then thanks to its experimental anti-theft technology the company was sued and later bought out by Hyperion when one of their executives died trying to use one.

"Didn't they stop making those years ago for being a screaming metal death trap? I heard someone got electrocuted to death by one."

Erin shrugged, "that's what happens when someone tries to touch another without permission."

She stood dusting off her hands, seeming to be satisfied with her work.

"Anyway, do we have a deal? We're headed the same way, and both need to kill Mad Mel, so why not go together?"

Brick narrowed his eyes at Erin and loomed over her "you're not planning on shooting one of us in the back are you?"

Erin glanced up at Brick, pulling her pockets out of her oversized jacket and jeans.

"Not armed, you don't have to worry about me shooting anyone."

The group drove back to Lucky's Last chance watering hole to get supplies for the upcoming fight with Mad Mel.

"So, you've fought him before? We could use any information that you have." Roland asked.

Erin, filling her bike's tank with gas, leaned against the pump.

"He's a brute, but he's slow and has a shit aim," then she nodded her head at Mordecai, "like your friend here, he can't shoot or punch worth a damn."

The hunter looked as though he was about to blow a gasket, "If I remember correctly, I almost slit your throat niña,"

She shot a look at Mordecai and let out a laugh, "Yeah, after you wasted five rockets from the RPG, seven machine rounds from the front guns, and getting pulled out of the turret seat. You would have died like if that bird didn't swoop down and save your sorry ass."

His face turned red with rage and he jumped down the car turret seat and walked up to her. Mordecai pulled out a pistol and pointed it at her head.

"Do you want to die?"

Stubbornly, Erin moved forward and had his gun press against her forehead, she stared him in the eye, "I doubt a skinny bitch like you can even hit me point blank."

Lilith was certain a fight was about to break out until Roland stepped forward, grabbing the gun, and forcing it away from Erin's head. He glared at the girl, "Erin, I'd appreciate it if you didn't pick fights with us," then looking at the hunter, "Mordecai, you can't get riled up every single time someone insults you, you're an adult ignore her."

The siren was a little disappointed that a fight didn't break out. She would have loved to have seen what loot they were carrying.

"Sounds like an easy fight." Brick chuckled once everyone cooled down.

Erin shook her head as she returned the hose to the gas pump, "I never said that the fight was going to be easy."

"But you just said- "

"I doubt you're going to be walking into a fist fight. Expect extremely violent vehicle combat with excessive explosions and psychos volunteering as road bumps."

Brick looked disappointed but perked up when she mentioned violence.

"Go on…"

Erin snorted at his enthusiasm and continued, "As much as it disgusts me to admit, Mad Mel is one of the most dangerous drivers I've ever seen, and most any vehicle becomes a deadly weapon when he gets his hands on them. No offense, but I don't think you're going to be able to beat him in any vehicle arena."

"We just took out five of his vehicles no problem, how hard can it be?" Lilith asked.

"They're using the same cars as you right?"

"Well, yes- "

"Childs play." Erin shifted her weight then approached their runner. She paced in front of it for a second before continuing, "I've got nothing against my brother's work, and his cars will get you where you need to go no problem, but if you want something fast and hard, the poor girl's gonna pass out in the middle and leave you hangin'," she patted the hood of their car and leaned against it, "not to mention, from what I've seen, your guys' expertise in vehicle combat seem … well not so good. No offense."

Roland folded his arms, "then what do you propose we do?"

Erin leaned against the car, thinking, "well… I know that when we get there he'll send out his goons to fight you first, in order to get a feel for how well you can fight. Then assuming you're not dead yet he'll take that bitch out for a spin and try and kill you himself."

"That bitch?"

"His monster truck. She's a nasty piece of work with an annoyingly strong shield. If she hits you, you're dead."

Lilith felt she was starting to sense a theme.

Erin continued, "Your safest bet is to take down his goons but the moment he comes out, run to the entrance of the arena where he can't run you over. I'll take care of him myself."

"Yourself?"

"You won't last in Mad Mel's arena with him behind the wheel. Not to mention it'll be difficult to fight him because Scooter's runners don't move very well in tight quarters. Lady, on the other hand can. The way I see it, I'm the only one here that can beat him in vehicle combat."

Mordecai felt his anger simmer in his stomach. A teenage girl with no gun nearly killed him and now they were listening to her advice on how to fight Mad Mel. Then there was that bullshit about him being a lousy shot. She had some nerve to press his gun against her head, but she was lucky Roland stepped in to keep him from pulling the trigger. Erin was one hell of a motorcycle driver, she knew it and knew everyone else knew it, which made her just valuable enough to not kill right away.

"Keep an eye on that one, Blood," he murmured to the bird that was perched on his shoulder.

More than anything he wanted to watch her head go pop. A child or no, she'll get what's coming to her.

Erin felt thankful when the drive to Mad Mel's arena was uneventful. She had a bad feeling, like someone or something was watching her, waiting and ready to strike. It probably had to do with the fact that she was about to face off with the monster truck.

"One last thing before we enter!" She called over to the travelers, "If you can't get out of the ring soon enough, just make sure Mel doesn't ram into you! If he does that it's all over!"

"Noted!"

After launching into the arena, his goons came out as she predicted. Lady roared as Erin pressed her foot against the pedal to speed up. She could feel her bike tremble with excitement.

"Me too Lady, now if only blood could be used as gasoline, amirite?"

After running over psycho, she grabbed the axe-saw he was using and slashed the tires of an enemy car that had the misfortune of driving too close to her, which caused the driver to fish tail and crash into the wall.

She glanced quickly over her shoulder to see how the travelers were doing.

Tattoo and Soldier (she really never caught their names) seemed to do be doing alright. She wasn't confident in their abilities because of how slow the soldier drove, but thankfully for them they switched seats. Soldier knew how to shoot. Tattoo knew how to drive. Erin could respect someone like her. She really needed to learn her name.

Then there was Dreads and Muscles. Muscles was a decent driver, not great, but he knew how to slam his foot against the gas, which helps. Dreads… His name was mentioned a couple of times, but it sounded like medical condition, so she didn't bother to remember it. When they were back at the Watering Hole, the pair redeployed their vehicle, changing it from an RPG turret to a Machine turret. A better choice honestly. At least then they'll hit something.

Once there was a small remainder of Mad Mel's goons, the shit himself came out. Behind the wheel of the monster truck, he laughed when he saw her.

"Why if it isn't the piece of shit who keyed truck. Back for another ass kicking or are you gonna run away again?"

"Last I checked I was the one I kicked your ass, and you hid behind your posse like a little bitch." A lie, but no one needed to know that.

Mel laughed again, "let's see how long your bullshit lasts when you have a giant hole in your head."

Erin nearly jumped when a rocket was shot at her, and she quickly drove away from the blast.

That… That was new.

She looked at the new mounted turret on the truck, when the hell did that jackass attach a rocket launcher to it?

The RPG turret had a remarkably fast fire rate. Erin hit the boost button twice. She rarely had to hit it even once. The bastard must have figured out how to attach a Vladof Rocket launcher by taking apart Scooter's cars. Not good. Not good. Not good. Shit.

Erin glanced at the other cars. Tattoo and Roland were able to get out in time. Dreads and Muscles? She saw an explosion out of the corner of her eye, it wasn't their car, but she could tell from the smoke stacks and fire on their car they were in trouble. Dreads was still shooting, but their car was slowing down from all the damage.

"Brick! Mordecai! Hurry up and get over here!"
"What the hell do you think we're doing? HAVING A FUCKING TEA PARTY? THE BITCH DIDN'T MENTION THE BASTARD HAD A ROCKET LAUNCHER."

The shouting caught Mel's attention, and he turned his attention on the travelers. She watched as Mel just barely clipped their vehicle, causing it to flip over. Erin was certain that they would have died, but to her disappointment they didn't. Muscles crawled out from under the car with Dreads, it seemed that their shields absorbed most of the damage. Mad Mel turned his vehicle around for a lap around the ring. He was going to run them over.

"Oh fine!" Erin turned her bike in their direction, and to her relief Tattoo came into the arena as well to pick up one of them.

Erin skidded next to the pair "One of you! Get on! Quickly!"

Once one of them, she didn't quite pay attention to who, was behind her she took off when another explosion shook the ground around her. The second man would have to get picked up by Tattoo. Erin returned her attention to Mad Mel.

"Hold on to me if you don't want to fall off!"

Arms were wrapped tightly around her waist, and from how skinny they were she concluded it was Dreads on the back of her bike, and not Muscles. She aimed her bike toward the ring exit and pressed the speed boost button three times. When they were launched into the air she glanced in the direction of where Muscles was left behind and saw that he was picked up by Tattoo, who was following her lead.

Her bike landed with a skid, and she moved a little to the side to allow for Tattoo to land next to her.

Tattoo jumped out of the car. "You didn't mention the fact that he had a rocket launcher."

Erin straightened, gripping the handlebars on Lady, "Fuckin hell, I'd liked to have known that myself."

"Well, what now?" Muscles asked, "You're the vehicle combat expert,"

When the hell did she say that? If she did say that, she was building a time machine to kick herself in the mouth. She took a deep breath. "Lemme think for a second."

"What do you need to think for? Just do the same thing you've been doing."

She turned to look at Dreads, narrowing her eyes.

"It's not that simple."

A smirk formed on his lips, "What? You tellin' me that your driving skills aren't good enough to face Mel?"

Erin growled.

"I never said that."

"Sounds to me that you are. You're nothing but talk aren't you? You've got no skill."

"That's something coming from you."

"Remember, I was the one who won our fight at the speedway."

She tightened her grip on the handlebars.

"I'm gonna make you eat those words."

Erin pressed her foot on the gas and speed into the arena once more.

"Wait! I'm still-!" Lady's roar was so loud, she scarcely noticed the skinny man yell in her ear.

[Mordecai]

Mordecai had to hold onto her as she launched them back into the arena. He had planned on getting off her bike before she went back in the ring, hopefully getting herself killed in the process, but he had overestimated her temper. It was an impulse that he grabbed onto her, and now he was in danger too. At least he had read her correctly, and she took her pride in being skilled in vehicle combat seriously.

Mad Mel was already shooting rockets at them, and he cursed under his breath when one nearly took their heads off.

"Can't you get this thing to move any faster?!"

Erin ignored him, "Dreads! You got any grenades on you?"

Dreads?

"A few caustic stickies!"

"Perfect! Hand em' over!"

Mordecai wasn't in a position to argue or question and took a few from his pocket and held them out to her. She took them, steering the bike one handed and turned sharply toward Mel's truck. She threw the grenade at his truck when they passed each other, then circled around to be on the opposite side of his truck, again narrowly avoiding a rocket in the process. The grenade detonated and began dissolving the back-left tire.

"You bitch! You threw acid on my tuck!"

Erin threw another grenade, this time it landed on his face. She veered the bike away as he began screaming, clawing at his face to remove the grenade before it exploded, reducing the bandit into a puddle of liquid flesh. The truck, with no driver, crashed into the side of the arena and burst into flames.

The bike skidded to a halt and Erin laughed triumphantly.

"Good riddance!"