Chapter Twenty Three:

When I awoke it was dark out and I was covered up as the chilly night air nip at me. I had one hell of headache when I finally decided to see what was happening. The group had settle down a ways off from the incoming city. There was a small lit fire and mostly everyone gather around it.

"Could someone please elaborate what happened to me?"

"You were off your rocker. You chased after something you saw, but in the end you subcome to mirage." Jacob said.

"A deadly one which I devise, been crafted by WICKED." Soc said joining in.

"If it wasn't for Nyx quick thinking, you've would had gutted yourself." Leon pointed out.

"All of its a blur. Where is he by the way."

"Him and Jane are having alone time, said we be moving in hour." Curie yawn's. "Also I scouted a nice scrap yard in the distance, it's on the way so we going to have a little incursion." She said rubbing her hands together slyly.

"It might be all useless broken down junk that would serve no benefit, but there is still a possibility to find something worthwhile." Tesla said stepping in from the dark.

"Good news is we can find pieces to complete the compass. Might even find a mode of transport if we're lucky," chims in Soc with optimism.

"Or a hive of cranks waiting to tear us limb from limb." I said.

"Must you be such a spoil sport Ross?"

"Atlest I know the cups half empty, beside it's not fun nearly getting your thoart rip out by a Crank. Then again I did antagonize it "

"You see atlest you know your horrible."

"That's why you love me Soc, I'm one of a kind."

"You can say that that as you will, I'm off to eat." Soc said laughing as he walked off.

Going off to eat, I take small bits and small sips of water before packing everything away. Eventually our supplies are going to fade, that can get dangerous, fast. I place my back pack on again tighten up the robes but remove the hood to see better, the chill air a relief. After sometime the fire is put out and the group began to walk again.

I never got to see so many stars in my life, but I did know some of the name important ones. Like Polaris, the north star. Although it was pointing true north, I notice our path wasn't full align with it. We had been walking towards the west, in the day time it's harder to tell general direction. "Guys look up, the brightest star is the North Star. We've been drifting towards the West. We should follow It for the time being."

"Good spotting, Curie is right our next priority is to find a small magnet to complete the compass." Nyx said as he and the others gaze upon the night sky.

After correcting our path we made sure to go just a bit faster it would be easier just this once to get some distance to make up for my mistake of running away. It had to be midnight or later because of the position of the half Moon over looking the night sky. I felt a tinge of sleepiness forming prehaps same for the others, but I didn't know how far we wanted to get in a span of a night. Would we explore the junk yard or rest up before doing so.

A few hours later in the middle of the wastes and the city a bit further away, the junk yard is a bit closer but still a long walk. Everyone just plops down on the open sand, we didn't have the luxury of a shelter for the night. Something which I foresee happing more then less of. Nobody fusses as they took a spot, wrapping their body parts from the sun when it comes, it was lights out for each of us. Cold sandy embrace, I let it consume me whole for the night.

Nyx let most of them sleep for almost four hours. Not that he had to wake many people up. The rising and intensifying sun raged its heat down on the land, and it became unbearable―impossible to ignore. By the time Leon woke up, I was up and had the food repacked after breakfast, sweat already drenching the clothes. The smell of body odor hung over us like a stinky mist, and I just hoped I wasn't the worst culprit. The showers back at WICKED seemed like a luxury now.

The group remained sullen and quiet as they readied for the journey. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that there wasn't much to be happy about. Still, two things kept me going. I just hoped they did the same for the others. First, an overwhelming curiosity to find out what was in that stupid junkyard and the city coming to life as we drew closer. The sooner we did what we could salvage for, there be one less item to check off, although I notice food was becoming scarce. Water more the food at this point. I remember Soc grabbing iodine, if we can find a source of water there a good chance Soc could purify of it's contaminants. Then again, we each been given the Flare what could be worse then that? Honestly I wasn't too aspired to find out.

For starters I could come down with a viral infection which cause extreme diarrhea. That would put a damper on the journey. To end up stuck in a inhospitable environment with the runs isn't ideal. Although I can take a small laugh to imagine Janson or Ava out here stuck like that. No more ivory tower for the both of them. Now that would be ideal, stranding the pair out here when this is all over. Knowing my friends, the want for blood is going to outweigh sensibility, although I'd personally enjoy watching them go through the Scorch Trials.

"Just up ahead this is it, I've always dream of searching this place in my time out here, trust me there alot to be found." Tesla said joyfully.

"Hang on, you've come across this place before?" I ask.

"Tons of times, just never had the courage to go it alone. Just imagine all the forgotten valuables waiting. For a technician like myself it's Paradise.

"Uh-huh…"

"What? I've been alone since day one, excuse my excitement."

"Give it a rest with the third degree, it's to hot to be worrying about his enthusiasm." Jacob said tapping me on the shoulder giving me a wary look.

At last we reach the junkyard. Technically It was a scrap yard with an adjoining factory in the back. A good place to settle and set up to make much needed items. There was one problem. Cranks guarded the factory which seem to be operable. But I notice two individuals calling the shots and the rest were full gone.

Nyx lead the charge into the front of junkyard and over to a hidden area. There we had to devise a plan as Curie slipped away towards grab something that caught her eye as Tesla went to keep watch over her.

"Alright this place seems have what might help us. It's just I doubt them two guys won't help us, and the crazy Cranks are the guard dogs." Said Nyx keeping an eye out.

"What do you suggest boss?" Asked Jacob.

"Takeover, it's no secret we're running low on supplies and we going to need more equipment push onward."

"Got it. But we need two teams, one to eliminate the insane Cranks that are patrolling the factory. And one to take out anyone inside." I said

"That could work, very well actually." Soc said. Everyone trusted Soc judgement on operations. He hasn't been wrong yet.

"Fine. Team one will consist of Jane, Leon and myself. Team two will consist of Jacob, Ross and Soc. And Tesla and Curie will search the piles of scrap from items they might need." Nyx spoke sure with his decision. "The crazies are allow to be killed, but no killing the others we're not murders. I'm serious, you're only allow to kill if it comes to it."

It was simple we had our orders I just hope that they'll be able to kill the far gone Cranks. There no reasoning with them so it has to end in death.

Everyone knew what was at stake as the three of us ran at a moderate speed to the rear of the factory. Soc was plotting out a plan as I did what I could to find a entrance. Eventually I saw a small shed that could be climb to jump across too the second floor ledge that would lead into a upper floor factory.

"This way," I whisper as I point to the shed. I was there first and on inspection it was closed shut. Fortunately I would able to wall run up, but I wasn't sure they could. Further away the other team was starting their operation, but such a distance away from we started. This yard is about five block long and huge.

I stood against the wall and signal for Jacob to sprint forward. He did just such as I left my hand out like a cup. Once he had gotten close enough I dunk my hand forward and under giving him the quick boost to jump up which he did effortlessly."You're turn Soc." Just repeating the cycle he did it with some difficulty. But Jacob grab his arm and pulled him up. My turn. I walk away few meters them take off rushing towards the wall and cinch the wall climb.

Soc was out of breath by the time we scaled upward the roof. But it wasn't too far as just across by a few meters was open platform that leads to the factory. Jacob was pumped so am I, but I notice the hesitation around Soc.

He starting writing down his plan for us on a bit of paper used from his map. I didn't understand what was wrong. He was all for it a moment ago.

"You outta be more open Soc, you know why you shouldn't be up here." Jacob scolded.

"I know! But I don't wanna be without purpose in this operation." He said angered.

"I don't understand Soc? You could had stayed with Curie and Tes."

"No, I have to do this!" He demands.

"It's been a long time since you're Glory days of the Drone. I know I did a of damage by that injury i caused you."

"What injury?"

"It's nothing Ross." Soc said trying to push the conversation away.

"I cut his eye during a battle. He's lost more then enough of vision in his left eye. Long story short he has one eye and a half working for him. Up here his depth perception has to be spiraling out of control.

"Enough feeling sorry for me, that fight was fair it just comes with holding rank back in those days. I say we get in there knock out anyone we spot with the utmost slience."

We each took a step back then a step forward taking a small leap on to the balcony. We left most of our heavy gear behind like spears, but Soc somewhere manage to fine line of wire he could us to choke a person out with, Jacob would use his fist, I slip on the electro glove and proceeded into the shadowy upper level.

Automatically I was bombarded with the smell of iron and copper, it was hot in here like an oven. What kind of factory was this? Below was an assembly line a bit of a drop below but there are so many ways to be sneaky. The upper level was massive that Soc and Jacob was able to go separate directions as I went my own.

For awhile the sound of machinery blurred out any other sound making this too easy. I crouch which wasn't to hard adjusting. Eventually there was a short male leaning back on a post which lead towards a small office, he would not hear me coming and it thanks to him exposing his head. As I crouch close enough I shoot a quick open palm jab at his expose neck sending enough volts sending him to the ground in a instant. That wasn't supposed to happen. Something about the settings was wrong. I knell over to him and pulled off the glove on my right hand and went to find a pulse. I gasped shortly as there wasn't one. The man was dead, his mouth foaming. Shit… Did someone tamper with the gloves over the night while I was sleeping.

Suddenly I notice a rivet on the top of hand, so small that one wouldn't notice. It had what felt smooth and had reflective surface..What could it be? I haven wore them it what seem like a day in a half, and I found them in what seem to be the right and left mesh pockets of my backpack. They been exposed to the outside world. I only used them at night before. So what could cause a sudden overkill dosage to be emitted? Then it struck me, there had to be a way to power it up. Electricity doesn't come from nowhere. It was a fine piece of a solar panel. And with this outrageous sun rays these days, the output would be tripled in quantity. Tesla... I'm slowly gaining leverage to expose you! I make notice of.

He's insane, prehaps more dangerous then all of us combined. His weapon is science and with it he reigns over life and death. Jacob seems to be very wary of him, just how far are you willing to go, just to get your way. He evaded capture from who ever sprung them from their facility. We're talking armed men, something isn't right. It doesn't add up, but I can't worry about that. I got back up and carefully place the glove back on. Next time I'll try to not get expose skin, maybe it might be less deadly.

I snuck into the open office he was standing out of and found a nice desk and chair. On the wall was a few safety signs. Pin the table was etching of map of the surrounding area. It even had the mountains in the distance. Whoever drew this wasn't kidding around the attention to detail which outline city's and flatland leading to a second similar complex. It all led together as if all eyes we're set for the mountains. Beside this Safe Haven we need to find, something else of interest was up here. But what? I ponder to myself ultimately realising the only way to find out is by getting there.

I open the desk and found what appears to be a flare gun with only three flares. And some IDs that been scribbled on. One of them had a been burned but four ominous letters on the far right stook out. WCKD. It didn't make sense, the men around here look as if they been out here for a long time. Ragged and torn. Then under the IDs was a little letter.

- How many operatives are they going to throw at us, always the new recruits still wet behind the ears. They scatter like children when a large horde of Far Gone's chase after them. It's a good way to feed our boys. WICKED need to learn that their not getting this munitions factory. I guess having a industrial forge and blast furnace could be useful. But I know what secrets are bury under this place. Stuff from way back during the dark times after the sun ravaged our world. The truth must remain dead, it's too late to correct the past. Wrench-

Taking in everything I realized that I have to meet with the others soon. But there's one last note on the back of the page. - Note to self, try to save more operatives and make them recuirts. I fear Jorge might be ready to start a turf war. Wrench-

So much to digest but eventually I stomach it all and sneak out again. I searched for more people to takedown. For a while I only came across those already knocked out. But that's when a hand covered my mouth from behind. Then Soc appear in front of me and Jacob let's goes of my mouth.

"Where you wonder off, we been looking for you, we took out over ten people."

"I killed someone by mistake but I'll save it for later. I caught a glimpse of a map of the region it's In the room behind my by a few feet. This is more then a random factory. It design to make munitions, it also houses a forge and blast furnace." I whisper.

"There a lot we can do with a forge, but I most go jot down the map. I'll leave you guys to take out the people below. Once I'm done I'll retrieve the others." Soc spoke before sneaking off to the room.

"Alright there just four people down there, the two are patrolling the two leader are off into a back room.

"Got it!"

"No you don't, their armed. It most be a precise strike, you only get one chance."

"Alright because these gloves got a bit more lethal. What are you going to use?"

"This!" Jacob said pulling up a heavy duty flashlight he found.

Together we sneak down the stairwell that leads to the ground level. It was easy because the guards we posted on both sides of the area that was the factory. Once we reach the ground level we both took a guard, free running over the playground that is the conveyer belt. Delighted we both took aim at our targets.

Jacob swung down on the man head bringing him down like a ton of bricks. While I hit the back of my target neck shocking him to death. Unfortunately he posed a threat to us and the others, it has to be done. In mere minute the two of us reunite and ready ourselves. Jacob and I carefully sneak into the back area unaware what awaits us. If were cautious enough we might avoid more bloodshed. But that was unlikely to happen… Still if was worth the effort in that regard.

A/N: Gonna get out a few more chapters by the end of the day. Hopefully.