Disclaimer: I don't own the Scorch Trials.
Chapter Twenty Six:
"Finally we can start planning out." I rejoice.
"I'll start drawing out a few designs. I'm sure we gather enough hardware to make something, I'll be back soon." Soc went off into a quiet area to think.
Nightfall was here, so Nyx went to close the shutters. Now nobody could get in and ambush us. He also ran to the back, locking the doors in the shipping and receiving area. We had working lights, our Oasis in the desert. Sure it was bound to bring attention sooner or later. But we had one advantage. People know this was Wrenches place of operation. He's managed to capture and kill WICKED operatives.
He even kept, Cranks as guard dogs. He had a huge crew which I'm positive anyone wouldn't dare tangle with. To the Scorch he was still alive. If anyone had been keeping an eye a on us, one could assume we worked for him. The only one who would come a knocking is that Jorge fellow. That chance of that was slim to none.
Soc had return some time later, as Jane and Jacob did right after. Unfortunately we didn't have the clothes I've scored back then. So the same bloody clothes had to due. He seems a bit better, yet still sporting a black eye and fresh gauze on his nose.
"We can keep the wagon slightly the same. Remove the seats and place them front to back. Attach the wooden wheels to the sides like intended. Attach a super bicycle to the front. And crave our a space on inner left and right sides of the front and back. Attach more wheels on those sides connected with a cylinder with the pedals where one foot will rest so four people can help peddle to adjust for weight." Soc said in a tangent not making alot of sense.
"Sound monstrous." Jacob retorted.
'It make sense to me.' Jane says to both Nyx and I.
"Jane says it makes sense. I trust her intuition." Nyx said getting in the conversation.
"Yeah if four on the inside can pedal it would distribute equal weight. Which take off the burdens of the main driver." I bring up.
"Yes our beautiful monster wagon will save the day." Soc laughs like a madman.
"We can even give ourselves protection from the sun. If we take that large curtain and make holes we could potentially use the shower curtain rings loop and tie them to the wagon." Curie beams with excitement.
"Oddly enough I notice a electric saw around here, if I locate a outlet taking apart things will go smoothly." Leon mentions.
"I found carpentery gear around the back when we was fighting Tesla and Spanner." Jacob said.
"Alright then, we need to get into action. I'm not going to assign a task but where you see capable at. You do." Nyx tells us.
"Curie if you can pass me the screwdriver I take care of unbolting the wheels to the broken bike's."She then tosses it which I caught."I forgot to mention, I still have my homing device. Do you all have yours?"
" clean out our pockets but I managed to hide the transceiver before we got captured. Pass me yours I could manufacturer more by copying the make-up of it." Curie said eager to do something that wasn't heavy lifting.
Passing her the beacon, she scuddles off to work in peace as she has alot to do just a short while. It was always interesting watching Curie or Soc work their magic at creating. I could stand and observe and still it be anywhere like them. I'm joyful to have such brightmined friends to pick up where I can't seem to comprehend.
"One of these days, could you two teach me how to craft. I'd like to learn something useful."
"Sure but now's not time nor the place to nurture a budding blossom, to a ripe full bloom." Called back Soc.
"That his way of letting you down nicely," Curie said further away from us.
With screwdriver I ready myself, diving straight into work mode. Everyone went to taking care of what best suited them. Hours went by and by as we burned the midnight oil. Soc sawed and welded the broken cylinders into something worth wild. Nyx drilled precise holes on all the sides so we could swing and connect the curtain. Jane went to work using her quickness with a her small sharp iron scrap that was used as a needle to sewn the curtain. Jacob sawed and arrange the seating. Three in the back and front with space to get in and out and room to make the internal peddling mechanism.
Leon was working with the bike of choice and did work you'd expect from a mechanic. It was place and adjoined to the wagon in equal height and proportion. I slowly marvel at our work taking form.
"I have and idea." I say alerting the other's. "We just make the inner wagon function as bike using the tricycle method. Crave a space infront of the middle seat of each row where two peddles can do it full rotation. Attach the cylinders with frames so the only two people have to peddle inside, both back and front." I add.
"It isn't as cut and dry, but I'll figure it out. It's called adapting. Get some rest,you and Jacob you've had alot of action today." Soc said in a caring tone.
Telling everyone goodnight, the two of us headed upstairs. I took one of the vacant rooms without any windows or decor while I let Jacob take the room with the matters. I couldn't believe I could just fall asleep, but once I got on the warm room floor, I passed out in no time.
I dreamt of the Glade. It was peaceful and calm just myself and Teresa. But as the dream progresses, Newt appears and suddenly I'm drawn to him homesick and lonely. We spend our time back in a shack talking about normal things as if the Maze wasn't there. This was our life and somehow I felt safe knowing he was there in my arms away from harm. But eventually my sleep comes to an end. When I awake and its late in the afternoon. I'm pretty sure everyone else is up.
Might as well take a shower, while I can. Sadly I walk into one of the messiest bathrooms, I've ever seen. I dare not describe it.
Taking a deep breath before undressing, I soon after hang up my clothes on a towel rack. There's a mirror here. I give myself a good look over. My hair unkept which smells like oil and sweat, eyes droopy with bags and I'm getting splotches on my hands from exposure. Taking a shower is what I needed honestly. Turning on the water, it runs out brown for a while. While the pipes sound as if their chocking and dying. Such an annoying pitch and screech before an odd clear water squirts out. I notice the shower curtain and rings are gone. I take my chance as I didn't want to waste water.
Stepping in I shout for dare life. The water is freezing. How do you have freezing water in a desert? What the ever loving shuck! I wash and clean to my best abilities without soap and fast, before drying off in the hot bathroom. Once I'm dry I dress back up and lament as my teeth are chattering from the shower.
Heading downstairs awaits monster of a wagon. The curtain is drawn and sewn in and over. The adjusted measures were put into place. Soc is working on the spears, which he's made shorter for traveling purposes. Everyone greets me over to the table. The mason jars have been clean and filled with water that's been treated. The blankets robes have be gathered in a pile. Over the forge is more rat and what appears to be a lizard being cooked.
"So we have the compass and a map now, thanks to Curie and Soc. Question is do we venture into the city? Or reroute and go through the sand wastes?" I ask.
"The wagon will do better on the road that's inside the city with less effort, but rubble has to be taken into account." Soc said tapping his fingers.
"By sand it would be more taxing on the main driver, but we put that into consideration when adding the pedals inside. But it's a clearer path then the direct road." Curie adds.
"Best of both worlds, we ride along side it and In it alternating." Brings to point, Jacob.
"Alright then. Nextly I say we go find the Jorge person. See if he willing to help point us in the right direction. A man of his talent and time amoung the Scorch has to have knowledge." Leon mentions.
"Are you insane. He might be worse then the two that were here." I agure.
"I agree with Leon. He might have Intel on your friends, might of seen them. He be the person to look up. I've see his hideout on Wrenches map. It's huge and not far just beyond the city, pass that is a larger city before the mountains." Nyx points out. "Beside with Tesla running wild we owe it to inform him, since we failed to deal with him ourselves."
"You know what, you're right. He might have Intel on a faction fighting WICKED. The Right Arm, and knowing my friends they'd be the type to join and bring the fight to WICKED. It's something too look into joining once we receive the Cure."
"The food should be done soon, I might as well rearm the traps for food on the go." Soc said getting ready to leave.
"What are you baiting them with?" Asks Leon.
"Crank flesh they can't resist it. But once they go for it, the trap springs snapping their necks."
"I regret asking." He laughs.
Once again we gather for a meal, same as the last but there was more to go around. We had a lizard to divide. We're happily sharing a single jar of water. You took a sip and pass. It was the best to conserve water. Putting away the plates and opening the shutters, everyone went out side to find last bits of items to use.
I found twine and a working lighter. Curie recover the transceiver since she made the beacons again. Leon found a suitcase which was locked it looked heavy. Jane found a porcelain doll with a cracked face. It was in a dirty white blouse and dirty yellow hair with matching bonnet. Some little girl most of adore that doll for sometime or another. Jane held on to it, wouldn't say why. Jacob found a tent that wasn't torn. Underneath were servals sleeping bags and a mesh netting for what I assume fisherman used to catch fish. But it could be used for trapping someone. Nyx found a uniform with matching hat.
We soon gather back inside deciding on what to do with that stuff. Nyx put on the hat after dusting it off. He wore as his badge of office. The jacket didn't fit but he kept the pocket knife. Jane wouldn't let the doll go. But once Curie return with the things she made, Jane handed her the doll.
"I don't know what to say, but dolls aren't my thing."
"She said by now an entire year has passed you've aged a year. So think of it as present." Nyx said speaking for Jane before kissing her on the forehead.
"I appreciate at it, but right now we gotta worry about getting this Cure. Once this nightmare is over we can do birthdays." Curie said sternly putting the doll on the table.
She did give Jane a hug to show the gesture wasn't wasted. We folded the tent and rolled the sleeping bags to a fine point putting them on the top of the curtain. We put the child's red wagon minus the wheels in the back of the beast of transport. Inside were the water jars, the sheets and cans of baked beans and left over meat pick from the trap's now cooked and wrapped up.
The six of us throw netting over the tent and sleeping bags and tied it with the twine so they don't fall off. Everyone got a new transmitter and Soc held on to the map. In a empty box's was the short spears and the supplies we used to make all the stuff. That was also put into back of the wagon after final check offs and reinforcement of all parts to make it work. I went upstairs to the office and got the flares and the flare gun. Heading back downstairs Leon was doing his utmost to open the suitcase. It was a number pin. There's a number code, nine digits. Many possibilities. Curie eventually fed up drags the case anyway, if force open like he'd attend to. Who knows what'll trigger.
"Ten minutes I'll have it solved." She said dragging it along to quite spot.
Like promised she had returned and the lock is solved. She left it closed bringing it back to us. Leon did the honors and to our surprise, it was money, loads of it. Fifty Grand in cash. Under it was a small bag of diamonds.
"What are we going to do with green paper." Leon complain.
"It's currency used to buy items or knowledge. Doubt it has a value theses days but the jewels have been used before paper currency was created. It will have value even now. Maybe Jorge could take either or. Seeing what we ask for."
"Fine then we keep it. Put it with the rest. Ross you hold on to the diamonds." Nyx instructed. "Alright then I believe it's time to head out once it gets night time."
For the remainder of the day we did random things. That's when a eerie sound drowned out our voices from above. We all ran out catching a glimpse there of a huge aircraft. It roared loud right above the factory. But it soon passed by with it's speed. It was heading towards the northwest. It had to be WICKED. With it finally gone we make sure everything is ready.
"I'll do the driving in the front, let's leave now." Jacob said not taking a no.
"I got the front peddles." Leon mentions.
"I'll take back then." I said.
"Wait this baby needs a name." Soc said.
"The SS Ingenuity. Since it took a lot to get it up on going." I propose.
"Yeah I'm feeling it. The SS Ingenuity." Soc said rather pleased. "Hello beastie, you're ready for the maidan voyage?" He said running his fingers across the wagon.
It's astounding what we've made happen. Yeah it was bulky but it should last, giving us the time to make up what we missed. Will it see us the whole trip? No! Of course not. But for now she'll do, she'll do.