Sand steamer. They are the standard mode of transportation on the uncharted area of this earth. From city to city, the only thing that can cross such a harsh enviroment. There is no one route that one person could travel on.
This gargantuan locomotive takes the most direct route and provides an important service. The caravan are private cars that follow in a line behind the sand steamer. They buy support in emergencies and tag along on the trip accross the sea of sand.
"Yes, yes. The Sand Steamer Flourish will be leaving for May city for two weeks tomorrow. People who want to ride go to the blue window. If you want to register a caravan, go to the red window!! First come, first serve."
Karius stood not far from the ship's officers who were giving instructions to the passengers. She was waiting for Edward who was still struggling with the queue in front of the red window.
"Do you have three or so guest rooms left?" came a familiar voice. Karius turned and saw Vash chatting with the ship's officer who was a big man with a thick beard.
"If you go now you will get it. It will be tough during a long journey though. Is that okay?"
"Karius-sama, here is your ticket," Edward called from afar. It seemed he had made it through the long queue and was now running excitedly to his master.
"Thank you for queuing for me, Ed," said Karius while accepting the ticket that was handed to her.
"With pleasure, Karius-sama," Edward said. "But, are you sure you want to ride the sand steamer alone? We can hire someone to drive the jeep while I escort you."
"Nice idea, but you won't do it. Just this once, I can't entrust our vehicle to anyone other than you," Karius refused.
"Why?" Edward didn't seem to agree.
"You'll find out later."
"Fine..." Edward complied disappointedly.
"Hm... he looks like a puppy who was forbidden to eat extra snacks..."
"No way! I don't like doing things like that!!"
"Huh? What's the fuss over there?" Edward tilted his head to look at the source of the commotion behind Karius. "Hm? Young Master? Looks like he's in trouble."
"Aw, come on! Please!" The big officer was now embracing Vash's legs so that the man had to hold on to the legs of the merchant's tent near them.
"No, no, no!!!" shouted Vash insistently.
"Should we help him?" Edward glanced at his master.
Karius, on the other hand, laughed at the ridiculous scene.
"Nice! We found him, Senpai!" Milly's exclamation made the atmosphere more lively.
"Um... Karius-sama?"
Karius was still chuckling as she waved her hand. "Never mind, don't mind them. This will be over soon," she said casually.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Get ready, there will be a farewell party tonight."
That night, the city was unusually surrounded by joyful cheering. Voices celebrating the long journey. Voices trying to forget the ones who would go.
"It's gonna be lonely!!"
"Come again, Vash-san!"
"Now drink, drink!"
The atmosphere of the bar that night did not escape the joy of the city. Vash gulped down the large glass of beer handed to him to the bottom amidst the jubilation of the townspeople. The women dance happily. Even the kids performed acrobatic stunts like somersaults in the air when Vash slammed his empty glass on the table to enliven the atmosphere.
Meryl watched the cheer from one of the tables. A young sheriff engages her in conversation while watching Vash dance merrily with the townspeople.
At another table, Karius and Edward did the same. Enjoying a beer while watching the fun at the bar. Karius was busy with his cigarette, while Edward stared at Vash in amazement. Since this was the first time they had been this close to Vash in quite a while, Edward finally understood. He is a Humanoid Typhoon who brings not only chaos, but also joy and happiness. No wonder why Karius trusted him so much.
The next day, the sand steamer departure was accompanied by celebrations by the townspeople. Since boarding the sand steamer, Karius went straight to his room and never came out until they actually left. He had just come out after taking a walk and accidentally saw Vash who was sleeping in the hollow of the wall.
"Do you mind!? I... am... a... customer!! I have greeeat faith in this ship's security!!" came Vash's scolding in his shrill voice and his trademark accent.
Karius squinted when the man got up from his place and went somewhere. He knew where Vash was going, but he decided to return to his room.
"I'd better sleep while I still can."
"That will be 12 $$ and 75 cents. You're going to eat all this after dinner?"
"I wanna know why you guys're here!" Vash grumbled while taking money from his cute wallet. Beside him, Karius with a confused face was drinking her boxed milk until the package deflated.
She was chatting with Meryl and Milly when Vash suddenly came to buy some food. It seemed he didn't expect that the two insurance girls would go to any lengths to chase after him. Including working part time in this sand steamer.
"It's like you've got the appetite of a growing boy!" said Milly with her cheerfulness. Karius chuckled at this.
After Vash left, she threw her milk packaging in the trash and took the rest of her unopened groceries. "Then I should go too."
"Eh? Now? What's the rush, Harlan-san?" Meryl asked.
"I have to sleep for a while. That's why I buy lots of milk and coffee," said Karius. "See you again."
"Have a good rest, Harlan-san!" Milly exclaimed.
Seeing Karius' figure disappear at the crossroads of the corridor, the two girls continued their work in the kitchen.
"Being a mercenary is really a tough job, Senpai," began Milly.
They took a rag and started drying the dishes they had just washed. "You're right, traveling from town to town to finish something that has nothing to do with them is not something easy," she said. "But as far as I know, Saberthrone's agency is one of the best even though it doesn't have too many members. I guess that's the reason why Harlan-san was able to stick with his job."
Milly nodded. "I agree with you Senpai."
Sometimes I wonder, if it really a happy thing for us to have come to this planet...
In her room, Karius arranges boxes of milk and coffee for her groceries in a certain partition in her trunk. She glanced up at the bedroom window. It was very dark out there. There is only black as far as the eye can see. She quickly closed her trunk and pushed it under the bed.
"Seven minutes from now, chaos will begin…"