Familiar Faces
The bandit technical lurched and swayed as it rumbled across the dusty terrain of Pandora. It's wheels grabbed the red sand and kicked it up behind its bumper, like smoke from a fire billowing into the sky. Maya's knuckles were nearly white on the wheel, gripping it with a vengeance driven by memories, regret, anger and disgust.
Her skin crawled as she had to face the memories head on. There was no escaping them out here, it was just her and the vehicle. Here is where the thoughts all came to whisper in her ears. She couldn't run from them here. Couldn't bury them under fake facades of strength.
She was just a girl.
Just a woman.
She was a siren, but god was she broken.
She was so strong...and so weak at the same time. It didn't matter that she had risen to the position of the most powerful siren on the planet, she felt so hollow, so small...so useless.
It was like the tears wouldn't stop.
They just came, and came and came.
There was nothing left in her to will them away.
The vehicle slammed into a wandering skag and Maya could feel the machine rumble with the impact.
The short cry of the animal echoed up through the cab, and blood splattered the left side of her windshield. The wildlife had changed since the fall of Pandora. They'd become bigger, stronger...wilder. With the lack of bandits to keep the wildlife down in the less populated areas of Pandora the animals had grown to epic proportions. Evolution on Pandora happened quicker than anywhere else Maya had ever experienced. If you so much as blinked an eye you'd miss it all together.
Maya had been traveling across Pandora for hours now. The day was waning.
She was now left racing the sunlight.
She needed no map.
She knew all too well where she was going.
She'd been there many times since she'd clawed her way to gaining Jack's trust. She'd earned this small bit of freedom and now she was using it. She needed it. She deserved this.
Tall cliffs surrounded each side of the vehicle, large gnarled rocks jutting out of the sand like great creatures of stone. Once living but now encased in rock to be stationary for the rest of time.
Maya followed the map in her head, until she could see the faint glow of lights over the
cliffs and canyons.
The glow grew as she closed the gap, tires spinning wildly, motor running like a humming drill.
There it was.
The caverns.
The entrance was bathed in mismatched lanterns and lights. Whatever had been scrounged up from the abandoned cities.
This was the last city left that was not under Hyperion's reign. The last survivor after the fall.
Jack did not even know this place existed.
And Maya would do everything in her power to keep it that way.
It was an entire city, underneath the rock.
Enormous caverns hollowed out further by bandits wishing to populate them. The once simple caverns had eventually grown to a full on city. Families had flocked here, outlaws had been drawn here, the last safe place for the Pandoran natives.
Maya drove into the massive mouth of the cavern and parked her technical in the rows and rows of bays available.
She let a low breath escape her lips.
It was good to be back here.
It had been too long.
Maya's feet hit the dusty ground hard. Her boots heavy on the hard earth. Here she at least felt like a human being again. It was custom in the caverns that all were welcome, as long as they minded there own. Maya was no snitch. She would never rat this place out and in turn she was welcome. She wore a heavy cloak just to ward away the unwanted glares even so. She just wanted to remain anonymous.
She entered the large city silently. Just another passer by on the street.
Here she was no Hyperion war lord.
She was not the siren who caused Pandora to fall.
She was just another being here.
Just another shadow on the wall, just another poor lost sole in need of a strong drink.
The flickering lights of Moxxi's bar were like a beacon to Maya's tired eyes. They twinkled and danced like lightning bugs in the darkness of the caverns. It was a dark place here. Only dim lighting provided for those who wandered here. But she guessed the inhabitants just got used to it. Never seeing the sun this far down in the earth. But what choice did they have really? It was either live in darkness...or bow down to Jack.
Maya cringed at the mere thought of his name.
She refused to let him invade her head.
She wouldn't let him creep in.
Maya pushed the heavy doors to the bar open and headed inside.
It was bustling with commotion as always.
There were more drunks flocking to Moxxi's bar than ever before. Maya guessed since the Pandorans had less to live for now, they had more reasons to drown there sorrows in drink.
Maya pulled an old wooden barstool up to the large wrap around bar and ordered a strong drink from Moxxi.
She supposed Moxxi did not remember her.
Maya had been coming here for months now, and Moxxi hadn't said a word to her. Maya supposed it was better that way. If Moxxi knew who Maya was...well once was, she may not serve her the mind numbing drink she needed so very badly.
Moxxi placed the drink in front of Maya with a warm smile and within seconds she was gone, already sashaying away to serve another customer.
The bar was packed.
People had so many reasons to drink themselves stupid.
So many had lost family, friends, lovers, children...
They'd lost their homes, their belongings, everything they had ever worked for.
They had all lost something.
All those who now clung to this place.
The alcohol was all that really helped. It was a temporary fix...but it was all they could do.
Maya was here for all the same reasons.
She had lost. Just like all the other men and women here.
She'd lost her dignity, her freedom, her humanity, her friends...her lover.
She'd lost her will to live.
Most days she just wished Jack would kill her off.
And then she feared death just the same.
She felt like she would be leaving so many lose ends.
That was the only thing still driving her to live.
Those lose ends.
In all seriousness...there was but one really.
One lose end.
Zero.
He was her lose end that her mind would not abandon. She had to know.
Had to know what had happened.
Why it had happened.
She had to find him.
She tipped the drink to her lips and felt the warm liquid burn her throat on the way down. It was strong.
It was what she needed.
A fuzzy head would not help her in finding Zero at the moment...but god did she need the release. She just needed to forget, if only for a moment. Forget Jack, and Hyperion and who she had become.
She just wanted a simple moment to herself. A moment spent at ease..and not consumed by guilt.
And then suddenly she felt a presence behind her.
Not just another drunk entering the bar.
The presence stood behind her for more than the standard moment and Maya felt herself tense.
She turned slowly, eyes peering out from the hood of her cloak.
Amber eyes met with green.
She drew in a small breath as their eyes met, and realization hit hard.
"Maya?" His voice questioned softly.
Quiet enough for just the two of them to hear.
His strong chin, short cropped hair, intelligent eyes...it was like seeing a ghost.
"Axton...?" Maya whispered lowly, shock consuming her tone.
"Oh my god..." He whispered to her his face dropping, eyes flicking over her unsurely.
Maya wasn't sure what came over her.
She was acting before her brain had even had a moment to really think about her next move.
Before she could stop herself she was down off the barstool, and had flung her arms around the commando's form.
Axton tensed, but after a moment, returned the awkward gesture.
He was a familiar face.
In all this darkness, in all this shame, a ghost of her past had flickered back to life.
A friend...
Maya choked back tears as she buried her face in his chest.
She and Axton had never really been the "best" of friends. Hell she'd pretty much hated the cocky asshole for half their time together, but he was familiar...he was still what she considered a friend.
She hadn't had any connection to the past in such a long time...and yet here he was.
Axton awkwardly soothed Maya's back with his hand.
Maya pried herself away quickly, as if realizing how stupid the action was and sniffed back her tears.
Axton looked on with concerned eyes.
Maya swallowed hard.
"It-it's been a long time..." Maya stuttered quietly.
Axton nodded rubbing the back of his head.
"You're damn right its been a while...you wanna...sit down?" Axton asked slowly, gesturing toward a booth in the corner.
Maya grabbed her drink and nodded.
Axton eased himself down into the old wooden booth and Maya did the same.
She sat across from him, meekly clutching her drink in her hand.
Axton's eyes were immediately on her, curious, questioning, concerned...she didn't blame him for the looks...
She wondered if he knew...knew what she had done.
Maybe he didn't...
"I worried you were dead..." Maya admitted finally.
Axton offered her a little smile.
"Naw. Not yet. Still kicking. I aint easy to get rid of, you know that." He chuckled.
Maya smiled in return, the mood lightening slightly.
"And...Salvador?" She questioned quietly.
She had to know.
Axton just chuckled.
"Yeah he's still around. Aint nothing on Pandora mean enough to kill that little fuck, you know that." Axton laughed.
Moxxi sashayed over to the table and offered Axton a drink. He leaned to collect money from his pocket and ordered something strong. Moxxi gave him fond doll eyes and whisked away, only to return with his beverage. Axton offered her a "thank you sweetness" and she was gone.
He and the siren sat alone once more, eyes darting over each other. It almost surprised Maya that he hadn't carried out his normal "hit on everything that move facade" when ordering from the bartender.
"Little more of a gentlemen now huh?" Maya mused before she could catch the words in her throat.
Axton just grunted.
"Yeah well...watching the whole planet go down in flames, and seeing you're friends get shot down in the streets like dogs really makes a man out of a boy..." Axton sighed his eyes adverting Maya's.
Maya felt herself nearly choke.
Suddenly it was hard to breathe.
It was her fault...all of that.
But did he know that?
Had he seen her on that battlefield...controlling the warrior for Jack...following his orders...killing the innocent?
Maya looked down at her drink, ashamed, sad, and angry.
How could she sit here in his presence and pretend nothing had happened. Because she was selfish she just wanted the company of an old friend...but did she even deserve that? After all she had done to him, to the people around him, to the crimson raiders and all of pandora.
The silence weighed heavy over the two for a moment.
Axton's eyes flicked up to Maya's suddenly.
"It is good to see you though." Axton said suddenly, his eyes softening over the female.
"Why don't you come back to the gang? It's just me and Sal...but Maya we could really use you back. Then maybe...maybe this planet might have a damned shot in hell..." Axton finished.
Maya shook her head sadly.
"Axton...there's things you don't know...I can't come back." Maya breathed lowly.
"I've done horrible things..."
Axton looked at her sternly.
"You think I aint done horrible shit? We all had to Maya. There's no shame in that. No shame in survival." Axton looked at her with dark eyes.
Maya's eyes downcast.
Survival.
That was all her life had become, was survival.
Make Jack happy so he wouldn't kill her. Keep him satisfied. Survive through it.
"Axton..." Maya tried.
She just couldn't find the words to tell him she'd had one of the biggest hands in bringing Pandora to it's knees.
"Maya..." Axton returned looking at her with understanding eyes.
"What I've done...its unforgivable." Maya whispered softly.
"Maya stop. I know ok. Just didn't wanna say anything." Axton said suddenly.
Maya looked at him confused.
Axton sighed.
"I know you work for Jack. It aint exactly secret you know. When rumor started flying around about Jack's siren...I knew...I knew he had you." Axton said his lips downturned in a vicious frown.
Maya stayed quiet.
"Aint your fault. You had to do what needed to be done to survive. I can't even imagine what the bastard's put you through...you don't know how much that day has haunted me. The day he took you. I coulda done more. I shoulda done more. I'm sorry Maya." Axton said angrily.
Maya sighed heavy.
"It wasn't your fault. He just would have killed you and Salvador. I wanted you two to live." Maya whispered.
"I had to do it."
Axton looked like he was in pain.
"He doesn't own you. C'mon Maya, come back to us." Axton pleaded softly.
Maya shook her head sadly.
The tears were threatening to fall again.
She could feel them welling up in her eyes, the clenching of her throat as the sobs wanted to come forth.
"I-I can't...I can't Axton." She stuttered.
"And why not?" Axton pushed.
"I have been responsible for too many deaths on this planet. I will not be responsible for the deaths of the only friends I ever had. If I leave. Jack will hunt me. And he'll kill anybody who tries to get in his way. You can't stop him Axton." Maya said harshly.
Axton just looked at her with sad eyes.
"You don't deserve to go through that shit anymore Maya." Axton whispered sternly.
Maya blinked back the tears.
She wanted more than anything to tell him yes.
To go back with her little band of misfit vault hunters. To feel free again...to feel whole again.
But she couldn't. Not as Jack's favorite Siren.
He'd kill her and all that meant anything to her. She'd given her freedom to keep the two others safe...she wouldn't let that all be for nothing.
"I'm sorry Axton..." She whispered.
Axton nodded.
"You know the invitation is always open Maya. Kinda sucks without your pretty self running around with us. Sal's ass sure aint as nice as yours." Axton laughed a little.
Maya couldn't help but smile.
"There's the Axton I knew." She whispered smiling smally.
The drinks came easy, and the conversation came easier.
Maya was pretty sure it was late into the night by now, and yet she didn't care.
She hadn't felt this much like herself in months.
She needed this.
Just needed a friend.
Maya set her drink down slowly...and suddenly there were loud voices out in the street.
They became louder as they neared the bar.
"GET HIM TO THE MEDICAL STATION! HURRY!" Came a bellowing voice from the street.
Maya stood up suddenly and ran to the bar entrance.
Axton followed suit, taken aback by the Siren's sudden movement.
A crowd of people rushed by, carrying a man who was wailing like a sick skag.
His right leg and arm were but bloody stumps, claw and teeth marks littered his body. He was bleeding like a stuck pig leaving a trail of crimson on the dirt of the road as the other men carried him away to the medical facility.
Axton whispered a little "fuck" under his breath as he stood next to Maya.
Maya knew all too well what those injuries looked like.
She felt her heart begin to race.
Him.
Could it be?
Here?
Now?
Maya ran out into the street to one of the men trailing the crowd.
She grabbed his arm harshly forcing him to look at her.
"What happened to that man." She said sternly.
The man looked confused and frightened at her intensity.
"He got attacked... some kinda monster, I dunno what it is, been coming around lately killing folks." He stuttered fearfully.
He pulled away from Maya's grip and ran after the others.
Maya stood there for a moment, soaking it in, watching the crowd disappear down the street, listening to the screams.
Axton came up next to her.
"The fuck was all that about?" He whispered slowly.
Maya turned to him.
Her whole demeanor had changed.
Like suddenly she was an entirely different person.
Quickly she threw her arms around the commando one last time, then backed away.
"I'm sorry. But do not follow me. I'll see you again Commando, I promise..." She said quickly, and before Axton could get out another word she was running.
He didn't have a prayer of catching up to her.
He stood in the street stupidly. Watching her go.
But he wouldn't stop her.
He sighed.
All he could do was watch her leave.
She was looking for something. And he couldn't stop her from that. He could see it in her eyes from the second he saw her in the bar. She was searching. Whatever it was...she couldn't be free of all this until she found it.
Maybe then...she'd come back.
But until then...he let her go.
Maya's heart was pounding as she jumped into the vehicle.
The engine couldn't turn fast enough, wheels couldn't back up quick enough. She pressed the pedal down to the floor and in a whirl of dust and gravel she was gone. Headed for the direction in which the mob had come from.
Nothing mattered.
She thought about nothing.
Only him.
She had to get him this time.
He was still in proximity, and she had to find him.
The vehicle tore across the terrain, tires biting the sand like fangs, kicking up dust behind her.
She could just barely make out the fresh prints and blood on the sand through the front windshield.
Everything was so fast.
So quick.
So sudden.
A flash of a shadow.
The deafening roar of a creature.
And then...
Impact.
The vehicle flipped once, twice, three times before landing on its hood, sliding to a stop against the side of the cliff.
The impact knocked the breath from Maya's lungs. She gasped, mouth wide for the air that escaped her.
No time for breathing.
Just acting.
She ripped the seatbelt off her chest and scrambled through the broken front windshield. She paid no mind to the cuts on her arms, blood running down her uniform.
There was no time to assess wounds.
She swiveled her head from left to right, looking, searching, frantically for her attacker.
All was quiet...so damn quiet...
There was only the sound of the technical's motor dying away, spinning and sputtering weakly.
And that...was when she saw it.
Massive form coming forth from the shadows like death itself.
Maya's eyes widened as it came into view, the moon bathing over the beast like a haunting halo.
It was massive.
Bigger than Maya could have ever expected.
Looming shoulders towering far above her own, it's enormous shadow casting over her like a cloak.
The couldn't think.
Couldn't act.
Couldn't move.
All she could do was stare.
She had always thought this moment would be one of action.
She would be thrown into movement, taking the beast for her own.
Bringing him to her knees...and yet here she was...and could do nothing.
She was frozen to the spot she stood in.
It walked upright, like a human, hunched forward front limps almost dragging the dirt.
It looked hard, like a moving statue, armored in scales bigger than boulders. A hazy blue glow radiated from its skin.
It was like a ghost, come alive from the ground.
Come to haunt her.
Come to take her.
Like death would its victim.
It closed the gap between them, step after step.
Clawed paw scraping the earth.
Until it was but feet from her.
Maya felt her legs give out.
She fell to her knees hard, eyes never leaving the creature coming for her.
Could this be him?
Was this him?
She could think of nothing but the night Zero left her.
"You are the only soul I know that begs to love a monster."
Zero's words came back to her, stinging her like wasps. Flooding her like water...drowning her.
Was this the monster she had begged to love?
Was Zero right?
The beast was closer.
It's long muzzle was but inches from her face now.
It breathed out, raspy and rough. It washed over Maya, blowing her bangs back slightly. She could smell the decay on it's breath. It was rancid with death and fresh blood.
Her eyes wavered in their sockets, staring at the monster before her.
Maybe it was better this way.
No more Jack. No more Hyperion. No more guilt. No more sorrow.
If she let it take her...that was all over.
She would be free.
She blinked slowly as she looked upon it's face.
Long pointed ears were flattened against it's massive skull.
Lips were slacked over it's vicious fangs.
Maya watched as drool oozed off its lower jaw and ran down her leg.
Her eyes then for the first time...met with it's.
And she found herself staring into two endless...black orbs.
No pupil.
Just a black abyss.
Like two marbles set in it's head.
She could see her reflection in them.
See the pale features of her face, the shimmer of her eyes.
They were mystical.
She only knew one person on Pandora with those eyes.
Those gorgeous eyes.
Her lip trembled as she stared into them.
A tear ran down her cheek in slow motion.
She raised a hand up slowly, her body reacting when her mind could not.
She reached toward it.
It did not move.
"Z-Zero..." She whispered her voice meek as it passed her lips.
The creature's eyes seemed to soften for a moment.
Flickering with intelligence and realization.
And then Maya's hand came to it's muzzle, her palm flattening over the beast's cheek.
Fingers splaying out across the hard muscle.
For a second it stilled, almost seemed to lean into her, accepted the touch.
It's eyes closed for a moment.
Heavy lids falling over those black eyes.
The moment seemed to last for what felt like an eternity. Time stopped dead in it's tracks.
The universe seemed to shift and everything...was frozen.
Maya wasn't even sure she was breathing.
Or that she could even remember how to do so.
And then...as quick as the moment had come.
It ended.
The beast jerked away from Maya's touch as if she had scalded it with a hot iron. It's eyes rolled in it's head and a low growl let loose from it's throat.
It gripped it's head in it's clawed paws as if in pain, shaking it's muzzle wildly.
It lurched toward Maya, opening it's jaws in her face, letting out a massive guttural roar that shook her down to her bones.
She braced for the worst...but it never came.
The creature turned on it's heel and took off into the night, bellowing deafening howls up into the sky.
Maya sat unmoving.
Unable to get up off her knees.
Shock settling over her like satin sheets.
She was bruised, and bloody.
Pain racked through her...
And yet she did not care.
She paid it little mind.
She just sat there.
Sat staring out into the night from which the monster had come.
She had spent so much time tracking.
So much time readying herself.
Preparing herself.
But nothing...nothing could have prepared her...for this.