CHAPTER 16

'They'll be pulling in here. Rip-Off Station' Mordecai informed the siren, a he looked around. He hadnt been back in the Tundra for some time now.
'This place used to be absolutely crawling with low-life bloodsuckers. But ever since we blew up Molehill Mine after Jack, they got no reason to be here I guess' Mordecai sounded happier than usual as he spoke. This place, as much as it had changed, was familiar and comfortable to him. Junior sat on his shoulder. He bumped the bird under the beak.

'He likes being out on an adventure' Montayva noted, commenting on the bird.

'Yep. Though last time I was out here, it was with his mother' Mordecai turned away, and Montayva knew his mind was racing towards that dark place.

'Who dare goes there?!' A ferocious young voice echoed across the empty station.

'Aw crap! I had forgotten bout that' Mordecai pulled out his Potent Dart. 'Tina'

'Awww, man not you trigger happy vault hunters again. What you think Fluffybutt?' Tina was an insane orphan. But very talented when it came to making big bangs.

'We're not here to invade Tina' Mordecai assured, holding his weapon out to the side to show he meant her no harm. Montayva followed suit. She was picking up some very strange vibes from the kid.

'I'll leave that for Fluffybutt to decide thank you!' The voice over the speakers cut off, and a young girl appeared standing on the top story balcony of one of many abandoned buildings. 'Ohhhhhh, you didn't tell me you bought your girlfriend!' Tina exclaimed excitedly at the prospect of female company.

'Er, Tina she aint my girlfriend' Mordecai tried to explain.

'Whats that Fluffybutt? He's lying to us?'

'Tina, please. There's a mob of bandits on their way here' He tried to persuade her. There was no telling where she had explosives planted, and she was just as likely to blow them up for the fun of it.

'Liar!' She screamed, but her tone changed suddenly "Now bring you GF up here. It's time for a TEA PAR-TAY!' she jumped up and down excitedly and retreated into the building.

'Oh god' Mordecai sighed.

Tina seated them both at a small table. Chipped, mismatching chinaware was placed in front of each of them.

'You'll have to excuse the state of those. We found them after a little game of Bewm Ka-Pow!' Tina explained. 'I dont have much in the way of refreshments either. If you had of done the polite thing and radioed ahead...' Tina scolded like a mother would. Tina was approximately 15 years old. But she had adapted to the Pandoran way of life much better than most people, let alone an orphan, would. Mordecai had always been tolerant of her crazy requests, as he too was once an orphan in a cruel world.

Tina popped open a bottle of booze, and poured some into both of their cups.

'Er, Tina, I dont mean to be a party pooper, but what you doin with booze?' Mordecai frowned behind his goggles.

'Just shut up an be grateful your getting anything!' She huffed, with her hands on her hips 'Fluffybutt, where have peoples manners gone these days?' The stuffed toy was seated at the table with them. Montayva gave Mordecai a look that told him she didn't mind. So he shrugged, and downed the sour liquid in one gulp.

'Would you like some more Sir?' Tina held up the bottle, ready to pour.

"would I be considered "rude" if I said no?' He asked. Tina let a a wild cackle

'Good answer Sir!' She poured him another. Montayva tentively sipped from her cup.

'More for you Madam?' Tina asked with exaggerated politeness.

'No, thank you, I'm fine' Montayva smiled at the girl, who just looked at her with disappointment.

'Well, no pressure or anythang, but you'se got some serious badonkas strapped to the bottom of your chairs' The last half of her sentence came out in a cheeky whisper. Mordecai nearly choked on his drink, and when Tina turned away, he leaned down to check.

'Shit. She aint lying bout that' He said quietly to the siren. Tina turned back, another bottle of booze in her hand, and placed it on the table next to the already opened one.

'Soooooooo, how did the two of you meet?' Tina leaned forward, her elbows on the table, chin resting on her knuckles. Montayva looked at Mordecai, and he took that as his cue to lead the story.

'Well,' Mordecai began.

It had been hours after they first entered the seemingly empty station, that Tina finally let them leave. Montayva, obviously not accustomed to drinking, was heavily affected by the alcohol. Mordecai felt slightly intoxicated, but he was glad he didn't feel the same way the young siren did.

'Soooo,' She slurred, as Mordecai helped her out of the station, his arm looped around her waist, while her arm was looped around his neck, held in place by his grasp on her wrist. She stumbled every few steps, but didn't seem to notice. Mordecai couldn't help himself, and he chuckled.

'You really are a lightweight aren't ya?' He laughed, as he caught her from falling for the third time.

'Um, yeah' Montayva managed to get out. She suddenly began giggling. Mordecai stopped and waited patiently for her to regain her balance.

'Never had anyone haul my arse home' He said woefully.

'Welllllllll.' Montayva drawled 'Next time you become ane, aneeeb, aneeeeebriated' she finally got out 'I will come to your rescue' She promised. Mord laughed again.

'Hahaha, sure kid'

'I will, I promise' She replied matter of factly. 'Where're you takin us?' She glanced around the Tundra in the fading light.

'We need to get to shelter before darkness hits. Oh shit!' He yelled as a familiar foe sprung up out of the ground. 'Varkids!'

'Var-what?' Montayva slurred drunkenly.

'Shit, shit, shit' Mordecai cursed, trying to force his dizzy brain to think. 'Just wait here' He let go of Montayvas arm, and she fell to the ground heavily.

'Sorry bout that' He said before he sprinted off ahead.
Mordecai pulled his weapon, and began firing at the insects spawning from the ground. Junior swooped in, but only did minor damage. It was enough damage to allow Mordecai to finish them off easily. He ran forward, spraying bullets as fast as he could. Junior screeched and swooped, his talons short, but deadly. Mordecai suddenly realized how many there were, they were beginning to outnumber him. He tried to run as far away from where he left Montayva as he could. He was relentless with his assault There were so many, they kept spawning! All he could think of was the Siren. She was an easy target for the Varkids and their ravenous appetite. He couldn't lose. Couldn't lose! Just as they were beginning to overcome him a thought crossed his mind. "At least this time I wont be around to mourn those who died for my thoughtlessness".

'Arrrrrghhhhhh' He heard the cry, a cry not his own. It was Montayva. They had found her! But before he could take another step, The Varkids surrounding him exploded, their sticky insides spattering over his face. He fumbled to wipe the insects remains from his face, and he suddenly realized something. It was silent. All was still. When he finally had his vision back, Montayva stood across the plateau her arms still outstretched. She began to wonder over to him effortlessly, as if she hadn't touched the booze.

'You coulda just said you needed a hand' She said as she reached him.

'What? How the hell...' Mordecai began ask, but her face paled, and her eyes widened as she looked at him. 'You OK?'

But she didnt get to answer, as she leaned over and vomited at his feet.