Disclaimer: I don't own SAO, belongs to Reki Kawahara, A-1 Pictures and Bandai Namco Ent.

SAO: Fatal Bullet – Dissonance of the Core

Chapter 4 – First Steps in the Wastelands

AN! – Remember to vote in the poll on my profile for Kaito's "harem" members before reading this, if you're a fan of my Infinite Stratos story be on the lookout for that poll too! Thanks Again! :)

After meeting with Kirito and his company of friends, Kaito and his small group headed back to his room to strategize a way to go at finding Yuzuki's missing parts.

"Well if were going to find Rei's missing parts its best if we scout out the Remnant Wastelands first, before diving head long into trouble." Kureha immediately brought up.

"Remnant Wastelands?" Kaito inquired. "Oh yeah, the Wasteland is the first area you can visit as a beginner you can only advance to certain areas by clearing off seals and defeating certain enemies and quests." Kureha explained.

"I see, so your saying we should scout out the lay of the land and see where our limit stands?" Kaito deduced. "Yep, we'll go as far as we can until we hit a wall we can't climb." Kureha replied.

"I see then we should contact some of Kirito's friends and help us in mapping out the terrain. We should also find that Argo person Kirito told us about maybe she has some secrets on the Wastelands." Kureha proposed to the group.

"Well that sounds like a plan, Yuzuki I know you really wanted to go with us, but for now can you stay here for now, I promise next time It'll be just the two of us on a quest to make up for it?" Kaito asked his android companion.

"Of course, master, I don't mind, I'll be organizing your items and inventory while you're gone. But if you don't mind master, I'd love to meet this Argo person." Yuzuki replied, the two other players nodded, and the group went outside.

SBC Glocken Central Street

As they stepped outside, they saw an older looking man in a red and brown winter coat and eyepatch getting in an argument with another player.

"Darn you, Joe I was just about to get my quota and then you step in…" A player in almost all black replies in a nasty tone to the player named Joe.

He simply responds, "You lot disgust me, always trying to swindle newbies if their money, well not when I'm around."

"Tch… to be caught by you of all people." The black-covered player walked off annoyed. Joe then noticed the group and began walking over. Kureha looked noticeably uncomfortable…

"Kureha what's wrong? Your body temperature skyrocketed just now?" Yuzuki inquired to the pink girl's condition.

Suddenly the man from before lets out a hearty greeting, "Hey there, wait aren't you…? You're the newbie that got that Arfa-sys from the tournament?"

"Yeah, is that people are talking about right now?" Kaito asked with a bit of annoyance in his voice.

"Well, that's me, name's Kaito what's yours mister?" Kaito inquired the older man of his name. "Ha, a player that respects his elders' we'll get along just fine, name's Bazalt Joe by the way." The man, Bazalt Joe answered.

"Ah, so this cutie is the Arfa-sys you found, I'm going to be straight up with you please, give your Arfa-sys?" Bazalt Joe asked with a deep bow. All three players were surprised at Joe's forwardness but was almost immediately denied.

"Sorry, guy she's not for sale, she's my newest friend, and nothing will ever make me give her up." Kaito replied, Yuzuki with a look of relief on her face.

"Enough of this charade Joe, were on business so just leave!" Kureha yelled at the guy.

"Well at least you're not like some black-clad swordsman who's always surrounded by beautiful women." Joe simply replied, almost ignoring Kureha entirely.

Kaito raised an amusing eyebrow at that statement, "My that's very specific, Joe"

"Sorry, Mr. Number Two, but I have a master and do not wish to go with you, nut I appreciate the compliment." Yuzuki bowed replying to the man.

"Tch, your stubborn, but know this I'll have that Arfa-sys if it's the last thing I do!" Joe replied as he walked off.

"Well, that was… something?" Kaito replied shrugging his shoulders. "Ugh, that guy is just a creep. Come on, lets get to the base station, before he comes back." Kureha implored her friend.

The group then walked off to the left under-passage to see a girl in whiskers and blonde hair in an aviator suit making a deal with another player, who went by B123 walked in another direction.

Kaito looked at the player and saw his avatar resembled Archer from the Fate anime series, "This game really can let you be anything." Kaito said t himself as they say Argo, the info broker looking at them.

"Ah, a new customer, wait… you're that newbie that got that Arfa-sys Kii-boy was telling me about." Argo replied meeting Kaito for the first time.

"I was told he wouldn't…guh Kirito you'll pay for this." Kaito replied under his breath then cleared his throat.

"Your Argo, I presume?" Kaito inquired the cat-like info broker. "The one and only! You ever need info or need it spread we can come to a deal, so what you here for info or selling?" Argo proposed.

"Were about to enter the Remnant Wastelands and we just wanted some basic info n the area, layout and mobs stuff like that." Kaito asked.

"I see you are still a noob, so I can do that and since your one of Kii-boy's friends, I'll give you my friend's discount: 30% the usual pay." Argo once again proposed.

"What?! 30% more for basic info, that's a discount?" Kureha replied.

"I'm not running a charity here, but since this is from Kirito, you only have to pay the normal price." Argo said, and the group breathed a sigh of relief.

Argo pulled up a terminal and its showed a map of the Wastelands.

"Well, in the wastelands the most basic enemies you'll encounter are Needle beetles, essentially oversized scorpions that use their stinger and claws to attack. There weak points are their stingers." Argo began to explain.

"Next you have Lurker Insects, these guys red in color and are just like NBs but hit harder and they have chance at paralyzing you if they sting you so be careful. Next, there's a field boss to there called the Wanderer Eater, it's an enlarged lurker insect that mutated and despite its size is quite fast and powerful, thing is its attack pattern is the same as Lurker insects, so you won't find things to bad, so long as your careful." Argo finished her explanation of just the lifeform creatures.

"Next… are the mechanical enemies in the wastelands, there are lots of automatons guarding the inner city and the dungeons, they mostly fall into four categories; Assault, Recon, Sniper and Barrage. Each simply uses a different weapon based on its designation. So be careful, they all can pack a punch." Argo explained the mechanical enemies.

Also, there's said to be an "Elite Automaton" somewhere near the tower in the center of the city, it's a lot stronger than the others and if it can get a few headshots, you'll be down before you know it." Argo let off a final warning.

"Alright, that's enemies. What about terrain and climate?" Kaito inquired and Argo let off a small smile, his analytical mind reminding her of a certain someone…

"For terrain, the wastelands are as you'd expect, hilly and rocky. Further to the west is where some rock formations and a small plateau are along with the caves. To the north of the abandoned city is large hill overlooking the city. Southwest of the caves, lays a small path to a watchtower on the sea line, but that's quite a dangerous path for newbies, so I'd avoid it." Argo described the terrain to the best of her knowledge.

"Well, that's everything I got on the wastelands, that'll be 15,000 credits my friend." Argo asked of Kaito.

Kaito opened his menu and made the transaction with Argo, he had plenty of money still in his account, so he wasn't worried about running out soon.

"Thanks, fer' your patronage. Come again, oh I'll send you a friend request. With new UFG you got some info gathering would be a cinch, I'll compensate you handsomely if you do." Argo inquired.

"We can work out something, but I wanted to ask you something and you don't have to tell me know but, I heard that there's some way to modify weapon's memory chips is that true?" Kaito inquired.

Argo said nothing but have a smile and nodded and mouthed 'Yes' to the newbie, after that the group walked away and began to talk about their next step.

"Well now that we have our info, what now? Who should we invite to go explore the wastelands?" Kureha inquired.

Kaito sat down on a bench nearby and started thinking to himself.

'Open terrain and hilly areas, Shino would be perfect for this, with me and Kureha doing the close-ranged work we'd need someone to respond to quick threats though… Kirito, Leafa, Philia and Yuuki all use Photon swords in their arsenal, but only Kirito uses them exclusively. So, the best choice is…'

"I think I know who we need to take with us." Kaito said as he opened his eyes. "Who?" Kureha asked.

"We'll ask Shino and Yuuki to join our party and travel the wastelands. With Shino's range and Yuuki's sword skills as well as her machine pistol, she'll be able to assist us with threats that need to be quickly dispatched." Kaito explained his reasoning.

"I see so that's your reasons. Alright, I'll get some supplies. You message them and we'll all meet in the center of main street." Kureha said as she walked off to the gun shop to replenish her supplies.

"Yuzuki, we'll head out soon, so head on back, we'll come back later, I promise." Kaito asked his AI partner. "Of course, master, it was nice to meet some new people today, I can't wait for next time." She replied as and Kaito walked to the door of the apartment and Yuzuki disappeared inside.

Kaito opened his friends tab, a scrolled through looking for Sinon and Yuuki, he saw the unread messages and opened them first Sinon's:

From: Sinon

Title: Thanks for adding me

Thanks for adding me to your friends.

I know your still probably getting a feeling for GGO. I'm not an expert on swords unlike someone we know, but I can show you the rope when it comes to guns at least. Anyway, talk to you later.

'Short and to the point, I guess I'm still a stranger to her, but I hope this will get her to open up.' Kaito thought to himself. He then went to Yuuki's message and it read:

From: Yuuki

Title: Hey! It's Yuuki

Just thought I'd check in and say hi. :) I've got to ask, though: are you really that new to GGO? You're not secretly a veteran just playing in the lower pools for funsies, are you?

I'll keep it a secret if you are…but only if you duel me so I can see just how good you really are!

'Ha, that girl. She really is energetic, I must say she is definitely my type, I may have Kirito tech me the basics of Photon swords, so I don't get absolutely dependent on guns.' Kaito once again thought to himself.

First replying to Sinon:

From: Kaito

Title: Thanks. Need some help.

Me and Kureha are about to explore the wastelands and we figured we'd need a sniper's eye to cover our backs out there. I was wondering if you'd like to join us?

I know its nothing exciting, but I hope you join us, Kirito told me about your skill, and I love to see it up close and personal.

Thanks again. :)

Sending that message off, Kaito began to craft his reply to Yuuki:

From: Kaito

Title: Looking for adventure?

Kureha and I are about to explore the wastelands for the first dungeon for Yuzuki's parts an I was wondering if you'd like to join us?

I know its nothing exciting, but I hope you will. I've seen Kirito's moves, so I'd like to see another swordswoman in play if you don't mind.

P.S. I was wondering… if you have time would you show me the basics of swords in this game. I'm honestly intrigued by them.

"That should do it." Kaito said to himself sending the message off, he walked off towards the center of main street and waited near the teleporter he first arrived through.

Suddenly heard two dings from his menu and saw that both had replied…

From: Sinon

Title: Of Course

Thanks for the invite, I'm more than willing to tag along with you guys, if getting to Flugel means getting stronger along the way. I'm willing to help with what limited strength I have.

I'll meet you near the teleporter in few minutes, see you then.

Then Yuuki's reply:

From: Yuuki

Title: Anytime. Any Reason

Thanks a ton for the invite. I'm more than willing to go exploring with you guys anytime. Thanks again, I have to make sure of a few things then I'll come and join you guys at the teleporter.

P.S. Of course, I'm more than happy to show you, but you may want Kirito's help with the more advanced stuff, like blocking bullets and stuff like that…

After a while Kureha rejoined Kaito and now the two were waiting for Yuuki and Sinon. After a few more moments they saw two figures approaching and saw the two girls jogging towards the teleporter.

"Sorry if you've been waiting long. We ran into each other and realized you messaged both of us, so we decided to come together." Sinon answered for their slight delay.

"It's alright we've only been here for a few minutes anyway." Kaito replied. Everyone checked their equipment one last time and stepped on the teleporter…

"Teleport, Remnant Wastelands." Kaito said and then the group was suddenly enveloped in light and the group were then taken to a small clearing between a canyon and in front of them was an open path.

"Alright, first steps are always the one's to remember, thanks for everything guys." Kaito said to the group behind him.

"Anytime, what are friends for?" Kureha replied as she gripped her SMG.

"I'm always up for an adventure! Anytime, anywhere!" Yuuki replied excitedly with her sword out.

"Its always the journey I've enjoyed, so let's make the best of it." Sinon said holding her Sangfroid sniper rifle.

The group turned and started running off towards the wastelands…

Special shout out to reviewer B123, I put him in the story for all the help he's given me, if you guys are interested he's got story challenges and ideas for FF authors so go visit his profile and see what you can make!

Thanks for everything, my friend!

P.S. Also wanted to remind you guys I'll be putting this story to the side for now and focusing on my othe series, but I'll be back so keeping up choosing stuff on the polls daily!

AN#1 – Welcome to Chapter 4, Kaito takes his first steps into GGO and begins his journey to conquer the SBC Flugel. We meet the eccentric Bazalt Joe and he's got his eye on Yuzuki. This might be a problem...

AN#2 – Remember to Review, Favorite and Follow. I wouldn't be here without you guys! :)

AN#3 – I have made an executive decision on the poll about Kaitos harem. Since I'll be taking out Bazalt Joe, Itsuki and Eiji's 'sleepover scenes' that leaves three new slots for new choices.

I've decided to go with the original cast of girls that like your MC in-game, so you guys will vote for who fills those three empty slots.

Here's the new harem: (You guys have two slots left make your votes count!)

· Kureha

· Zeliska

· Yuzuki

· Philia

· Strea

· Premiere

· Rain

· Seven

· Yuna

· Yuuki – (New Member!)

· ?

· ?