Violent System

by slumbertillthestarsburnout

A/N: Redoing this from the ground up, did not like my original formatting in the least. I won't spoil it but I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I'm enjoying writing it. c: also, LEMONS

2. Interlude: Origin Tales

Atlas stood behind the much larger, renovated shack. He had fashioned an indestructible punching dummy. The ground quaked with every bone shattering thump. Nobody would disturb him, he had the entire 10 meter yard to himself. Tess had gone out to deal with a problem in Techtown. He stood out too much to join. A behemoth with no fashion sense and entirely too much untapped fury couldn't really "blend" well. Atlas accepted that fact without so much as a wince. He gave Tess a self recharging pistol that ran on a pulley system. It can blow through 8 solid cm of steel, you get one shot before it has to recharge. Make them count, recharge takes about 20 seconds. Good luck. If you kill anyone, transfer back into me. Will take you back immediately. If you get hurt and can't transfer, just fucking book it. Petty cash disputes aren't worth your life. "Thanks for the capper, momma bird. Don't you worry sunshine, I'll be back in a tick, chek?" Tess had picked up the slang of Techtown, its oddities highlighted by her strong accent. All thse years later, and he still didn't understand her very well.

She sauntered out the door, pistol tucked into her inner jacket pocket. Late night cycle, not many people out save for sweepers and "dealers". Acidic, frigid rain fell to the ground, mildly dampening her and her jacket. On her way to Techtown, Tess walked into a small bar by the name of Six's Emporium. The owner, Jackie-6-Bolts was a known con woman and overall kind of a garbage human, but Tess was madly in love with her. She stopped by any chance she got. The small grubby place was essentially just a long bartop an d four large booths, all with cracked leather seats and scratched tables. A large warehouse was just out of sight when you walked in. F-Zero was manning the bar this time of night. The Solaris stood behind the bar, wiping down an already clean glass. The place was walked over and sat on a stool. She slapped 300 credits on the bar. "You know what I want, and how much of it to give me. Pour em up, Foe." As Tess called him. He took her money off of the bartop and pocketed it with a smirk. "You should pay first, your tab is really adding up, Toe." Tess smiled back and drew a fake pistol she had fashioned from metal scraps. "Give me the drinks! Unless you wanna get capped!" F-0 laughed and leaned in to the fake gun. "Do it. Save me from these awful wages." Tess pulled the trigger and made a mock gun sound. "Right, ghost of Foe. Pour me a goddamn nitrogen stout!" Foe held out his hand. "No weapons allowed." Tess handed him the fake gun. He examined it before placing it in his pocket. "Very nice fake, nearly believed it." He reached below the bar and grabbed a frosted canister labeled: NITRO, HANDLE WITH CAUTION. His robotic hands didn't even flinch at the freezing fluid. He took a large glass, filled it halfway from a tap before sticking the canister upside down in the drink and pressing the release switch. The drink instantly frothed and turned to sludge. He grabbed a bottle of dark brown syrup from below the bar and poured a large dollop of the stuff into the already ebony colored mixture and stirred with a long drink spoon. He topped it with a deep black citrus. "Mourner's Brew, Toe. Try not to cry into it." He grinned and pushed the freezing drink over to her. "Gloves?" Tess shook her head. "I'm so bloody used to it at this point it doesn't even bother me." She grabbed the odd black and grey citrus fruit into her mouth. She chewed it, got all the fruit off and spat out the rind onto the bar, puddle of spittle forming around it. She picked up her drink with both hands and slowly downed the entire sludgy mixture of pitch stout, nitrogen and fermented salt syrup. She emptied the entire glass in less than 10 seconds and burped. She gave a satisfied 'ahhhh' and wiped her mouth. "Highlight of me bloody evening. I gave you enough creds for two, but I think I'll do some shots. Give me some gargor liqueur. Highest grade you've got." He looked her in the face, slightly bemused. "Toe, I like you. I'm gonna pour four shots and we can each do two. Since we'll be passing out shortly, I'm gonna give you this bag of mixed nuts," He pulled a large bag of mixed nuts from under the bar and slid them over to her. "That'll be twenty creds. Those were imported." Tess slid him the specified amount, along with 2000 more. "Make it ten shots, five each. Bet you 2 grand you pass out first." Foe shook his head. "I'm on the clock, Toe. Two is my limit. I'll bring you into the back if you pass out, deal?" Tess nodded. "Deal. Paint me the color of Jackie's couch, maybe she'll sit on my face." Foe laughed. "You're a funny one, Toe." He pulled 10 shot glasses out of nowhere as well as a nozzled bottle of a bright pink substance. He filled each glass to just under the brim, all 10 perfectly even. He pushed them forward gently. "I fucking hate gargor liqueur. It tastes like Corpus asshole." He picked up his two shots in one hand and did them both at once, with a shudder. "Bloody awful taste. Syrupy texture makes it worse. You're up, Toe. All 8, down the hatch." Tess started slamming down the shots like they owed her money. all 8 in under 30 seconds without a flinch. Foe was already slurring his words. "Less.. Fuggin get you to the coush, ogay Tesh..?" Tess stood up from her chair and fell back on her ass. "Thet kinna fuggin hurt.. I needa lay down man.." Her mouth and throat felt like someone had rubbed gravel and iron shavings up and down the insides. "Gimme more pitch, big man.." Foe pulled himself around the bar. "Nuh, you don' need annymorr." He wobbled over and picked up Tess. An incredible feat for someone who had been drinking shots of gargor.

The door to the place opened, a very wet Jackie-6-Bolts walked in, acid rain dripped from every part of her. "Bit of a cold one. Foe! Where've you gone? I need a drink." She saw him dragging something, stumbling the whole way. "Just throw them out, and then pour me a goddamn drink, Foe! What do I even pay you for?" She caught sight of who he was dragging. She rushed over and swatted Foe away. She caught wind of his breath. "Close up, mop this floor and if you insist on vomiting, do it in a garbage disposal! While you're at it, pour me a neat glass of nitrocca. Light it on fire, bring it to me in my office." She scooped Tess off of the floor, who was about to pass out. She held her close in her muscled arms with the robotic hand, with her titular 6 bolts. Tess, in her alcohol induced haze reached up and cupped one of Jackie's large breasts in her hand. Jackie tossed her in the air and caught her. Tess shouted entirely too loudly. "Stobbit!" She slurred. "Hands off, missy!" Jackie playfully tickled Tess's stomach. Tess giggled and held herself close to Jackie. They watched Foe bring out the mop bucket and Jackie carried Tess to a panel behind the bar. She entered something into a keypad and a hidden door slid open. She walked in, pressed a light switch with her hip and closed the door. She locked it. She set Tess down on a large couch lined with leather. She took off her jacket and hung it on a hook. She slipped off the straps of her overalls and removed her shirt, leaving her in nothing but a bra and pants. She looked Tess in the eye. Tess practically drooled looking up at her. "Will yuu sit on muh fass now?" Jackie laughed and opened a large dresser behind her. She changed her underclothes and pants behind a paper wall, Her voluptuous yet muscular form visible through it. She stepped around the paper wall in nothing but her underclothes, bottle of yellow fluid in hand. She handed the bottle to Tess. "Drink if you want me to sit on your face." Tess sniffed it and then drank the bottle. Her head cleared and she no longer felt drunk. She looked up to see Jackie's half nude form. "Well? Lose the clothes!" Tess hastily stripped.

She crossed her legs and covered her moderate sized breasts with her arms. She flushed bright red, avoiding eye contact with Jackie. Jackie stepped forward and held her head up so she could see her. Jackie unhooked her bra with one hand and slid her underwear off. She stepped out of it and spread her legs, revealing her velvety smooth sex. Tess stared down at it, drooling. Tess uncrossed her arms and legs. Jackie bent down a bit to be on Tess's level. She pressed Tess's head onto one of her large breasts. "Suck. Don't bite." Tess sucked at the large breast as hard as she could. Jackie groped her with her good hand and eventually settled on fiddling with her little man in the boat. Tess leaned backwards. Jackie inserted her fingers as deep as they could go, touching a sensitive spot inside of her. She moved her fingers up and down rapidly. Tess squealed in pleasure and a rush of clear fluid drenched Jackie's arm. She pushed Tess's head off of her breast. Tess's face was flushed and she was breathing heavily. Jackie grabbed her by the shoulders and laid her on her back. "You know that thing you always ask me to do?" Tess nodded. "I hope you can use your tongue." Tess's pulse quickened, beating like a drum. Jackie dropped her large ass onto Tess's face with a plap and lined her dripping snatch up with her mouth. Tess wrapped her arms around Jackie's thighs and pressed her tongue into her as far as she could get it. Jackie took a deep breath and rocked back and forth a bit. She gripped Tess's breasts and gently squeezed them with both hands. Tess grinded her legs together in pleasure, dripping like a leaky faucet onto the couch. Jackie dripped into Tess's mouth, who drank like she had never been hydrated before. She licked and bit and groped her large ass, leaving scratch marks and handprints up and down the smooth mounds of soft flesh. She aggressively fingered Jackie, bringing her to a violent orgasm. Soon they were both out of breath and tired. Jackie lay on her back, bathed in sweat. Tess climbed on top of her and ran her tongue up and down her sweaty breasts and abs. She even cleaned her armpits with her tongue. "You are so fucking gross, Tess." Tess backed off. "Sorry, you just taste so good..." Jackie broke into a grin. "I love it." She grabbed Tess's head and smushed it in between her breasts. Tess licked her sternum while lightly squeezing her breasts. Jackie aggressively finger fucked Tess in both holes. Tess came over and over but Jackie kept going. Tess's legs cramped til she couldn't feel them. She pushed Jackie's legs apart, pressed their parts together and she pulled Jackie's face to hers and put her tongue down her throat. Jackie pushed her off. "Shit. I'm sorry. I thought-" Jackie picked her up and pushed her to the floor. She crushed her with her entire weight while aggressively making out with her. Foe opened the door and stepped in "Jackie, I've got your- Oh. OH!" He dropped the drink and ran to the bar. "Sorry!" He shouted. The two didn't even notice him. They kissed until they couldn't anymore. They pulled apart, a string of saliva holding them together. Jackie picked her up and held her close. Tess looked into her deep blue eyes, two pools she could dive into and never come out of again. Jackie looked back at her, thinking 'she was a good fuck.' Tess kissed the nape of her neck, over and over again. Jackie pulled her away. They were both bathed in sweat, spit and orgasmic fluid. "I've got a shower a bit further back, if you wanna clean yourself off." Tess didn't have anything to say, just looking her toned body up and down, practically drooling all over again. "Tess. Riddha to Ms. Lovey Dovey." "What? Oh. Nah, I've got places to be. I can rinse when I get home. What time is it, anyways?" Jackie walked over to the spot where she had dropped her clothes. Tess watched her bend over to grab her watch, wanting to shove her face right back into that heavenly valley again. She turned her head back. "Currently? It's day cycle. You should get some sleep, you little firecracker." Tess watched her thick, smooth lips move as she spoke. "Mhm..." She said absentmindedly. "You're where I want to sleep." Tess beckoned her over and stood up. She pointed at the couch. Jackie lay on her back. "Roll onto your side, facing out." She complied. Tess lay back to her, her soft breasts pressing into her, her hard abs supporting her back. Jackie draped her arm over Tess's chest, interlocked their legs and then pulled a blanket behind the couch over both of them. They fell asleep, content and exhausted.

Tess woke up alone in the dark, a syringe of glowing blue liquid sitting on the floor below her. It had a note stuck to it that read "Here's some Bluejay for the good time you gave me, come back later and I'll have some more of both. - J" There was a dark red lipstick kiss on the note. Tess checked the time. Atlas was surely looking for her by now. She picked up the large, penlike syringe and walked to the shower. She sat down on the floor of the large, beige shower. She jammed the syringe into her thigh and clicked the plunger, her body immediately warmed up and the room started slowly spinning. She smiled at the small birdlike creatures sitting on the curtain rod. She wobbily stood up and pressed a button on the wall. Pleasant music began playing from the speakers, its slow rhythm making the high even better. She sat back down on the floor and the birds chirped along with the music. She looked at her hands, they looked as though made of steel, glowing with an odd blue light. Her legs were much the same. She giggled, enjoying the hallucination, unaware it was a prophesy. Bluejay sometimes gave people insight into the future or the past. She closed her eyes and watched Jackie's deep, intense blue eyes look into her soul. She may have been a dumb, horny 19 year old, but she felt as if she had a grip on the world, and that she was in love for real this time. Dani, the pretty girl from Earth with the unique "parts" and promises of eternity, Dean-180, the idiot Grineer defector with the excellent music taste and designer drugs who she thought was her soulmate, and so many more over the years. She hoped Jackie was the one. Her attractive body, her strong personality and good taste in drugs. She had killed more Enforcers over the years than Tess and Atlas combined. She had a grip on most of the colony and she knew it, she owned it. Tess wanted to be at her side til the end of time. Pet, first mate, fucktoy, she didn't care. She would drop her life saving people for her, any day. A knock came from the door, Tess didn't notice it. The Bluejay was still slowly making its way through her system. The door swung open and Jackie stepped in, wearing an expensive fur robe. "You're where I want to be. But, you could use a little cleanup yourself." She dropped the robe and picked Tess up. She was completely limp. Jackie pressed a switch on the side of the Bluejay syringe and injected the rest in one go. Tess's mouth foamed a bit and she sneezed. She saw an angel lift her off of the ground. A clicking sound and a rush of hot water hit her in the face. "Mmm..." Tess groaned. Jackie pulled the syringe out, a drop of blood following it. She held up Tess's arms and rinsed her. She rubbed her up and down with a condensed bar of something resembling soap. She rinsed the suds off. She took a bottle of something from the shelf and lathered it into Tess's hair. She held her limp head up and rinsed it. Her long black hair dripping water from its tight curls. Jackie gingerly set Tess down on the floor of the shower and faced her back to her. Tess looked up at her smooth, slick form. Her eyes drifted to the bite marks up and down her posterior. Jackie looked through her legs and waved her robotic hand at her. "Now you know. I don't take it off when I shower." Tess wobbled to her knees and placed her face on Jackie's behind. She sunk her teeth in and scratched with her nails. Jackie grabbed the bottle of hair stuff and plunked herseld down on Tess's face. Tess slowly moved her tongue back and forth, scraping her nails up and down Jackie's ass. She gave the meaty rump an aggressive slap. Jackie grinded on her face and continued to wash her hair. She came silently and without warning, drenching Tess's face in her warm nectar.

She rinsed herself off all the way and stood up off of Tess. She turned off the shower and grabbed a nearby towel. She dried herself off and put the robe back on, blood dripping from her scraped buns. "You're rough, and I like it." She threw a pair of her underwear that had been sitting next to the door at her. Tess pulled it over her face, inhaling her scent. A few hours later, she came down, wondering if it had happened at all. Her only confirmation that it had happened at all was the pair of underwear pulled over her face. She stood up, dry as bone and thirsty as sand. She walked into the office, where her clothes were hung up in Jackie's closet, her helmet sitting below them with the pistol on top of it. She pulled on her clothes and put Jackie's panties into her pocket. She put on her helmet and put the pistol in her inner pocket. Having a little fun, Tessa? Atlas's deep voice came through the Transference link. "What is it to you? Did.. Did you watch?!" Atlas laughed. No, I don't intrude on what you do. I'm not your baby sitter, but I might just have to be if you don't do your goddamn job. Were you with 6-bolts again? "N-no.. You told me mobsters are bad. Why would I be?" You can lie through your teeth to anyone else, but not me. Clearly you didn't hear me the first time, so let me speak up a bit. STAY AWAY. FROM THE FUCKING MOBSTERS. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR? HAVE WE REACHED AN UNDERSTANDING OR DO I NEED TO SHOW YOU WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE WHO FUCK WITH GANGSTERS? Atlas boomed at the volume of an explosion. Tess replied in a small voice. "..No. I get the idea. Don't hang out with Jackie anymore." You're on a first name basis now? Tess. This needs to stop. She's caught up in all kinds of things you don't want any part of- Tess concentrated as hard as she could and temporarily closed the Transference link. She thought as hard as she could about Jackie. With her nut brown skin and voluptuous curves. Her smooth body and sharp tongue. Tess practically melted any time she touched her. Her strange, deep as the abyss blue eyes. Her muscled yet soft body. Tess would follow her to hell and back, thinking Jackie felt the same. How naive she was to think a relationship with someone like Jackie was feasible. She scribbled a note and left it on the wooden desk. She entered the code written on the keypad. She walked out of the office and the door shut behind her. The bar was full, Foe and a newbie Tess had never seen before were serving up drink after drink. The patrons didn't even notice her as she left. Foe called as she walked out the door. "Check your helmet lining, she said she left you something!"

Tess gave him a thumbs up and walked into the street, the blinding light of the artificial sun scorching her hung over eyes. She dimmed her helmet and walked in the direction of Techtown, workers trudging past her towards the labor district, Enforcers nudging them along with their guns. Tess gave a curt nod at one of them, who nodded back. One of Jackie's spies, she presumed. She reached Techtown within 45 minutes and stepped into a dive bar. "The Aching Robot" it was called, a neon sign with a robot wrapped in bandages sat above it, flickering blue and green light, despite it being daytime. She sat down in a nearby booth. A waiter came to take her order. He stood there, not speaking. "Can I get a number eight with extra pepper sauce, as well as a tall pint of the feather lager?" She asked. He nodded and came back momentarily with a tall man in an expensive suit, smoking fragrant tobacco from a long stemmed pipe. "Follow me." She followed him to the back. He sat at a large polished titanium desk and gestured at a chair in front of it. "You're late. I don't care for late people. From what I understand, you were with 6-bolts. Allow me to be candid. I do not tell you who you should and should not 'hang out' with, but 6-bolts is ruthless, dangerous and she will be your worst enemy if you aren't in her good graces." He set his leg on the desk and rolled his pant leg up to the knee, revealing a prosthetic. "She sawed off my leg for embezzling from her. I didn't embezzle, I was just a day late on a payment. Now, down to business. You have something I want, and you will hand it over, or there will be problems. Am I clear?" Two guards walked into the room and stood behind her, hands on her shoulders. Tess concentrated as hard as she could and reopened the Transference link. She calculated his pulse, gauged his bodyguards interest levels and then drew her pistol. She aimed for his chest and fired. His heart exploded, sending blood everywhere. Before the guards could so much as touch her, she nabbed a disk from the dying man's suit and transferred back into Atlas, leaving nothing but a wisp of scentless smoke behind. She transferred out of him and hit the ground, landing on her knees hard. He stood up from his chair and helped her to her feet. "How'd I do?" You were several hours late. Did you get the drive? She held up a thick disk and tossed it to him. That's the one. This contains data on every Enforcer secret in this colony. Tess yawned and tossed him a piece of rare steel she had stolen. "Don't know why you like these, but all you, mate." Atlas picked it up and his jaw unhooked. He opened his mouth, grey teeth showing. He tossed the piece of metal. He chewed slowly, savoring the piece. Atlas finished chewing and swallowed. He stuck out a long, bumpy purple tongue, spit dripping. He pulled it back in and sealed his mouth. Scare ya? Tess laughed. "Fuckin ell you did. Going out again, want to come? Stoppin by the market to pick up a few things." Why not? Beats the fuck out of working out anymore. Tess opened the shabby door of the shack. Atlas walked through. Tess walked over to her bedroll and set down a personal teleportation module. She took the note Jackie had left in her helmet out and looked at it again. "Meet me in the market district, I'll be behind a stall selling fruits and vegetables. Homegrown. Ask for an aubergine de flambe. The owner will take you back, bring me back to your place once he does, I have something for you. Yours, - J" Hurry up, dammit! Leave the helmet, just tie a bandanna over your face if you don't want to be seen. Tess pulled a case of pills from the inside of her bedroll, opened it and dry swallowed 3 of them. She stepped outside to meet Atlas. "Off we go." The two walked in silence, save for Tess's slightly offkey humming of an old song she couldn't place but enjoyed anyways. Twenty minutes later, they were in the market district. Tess took three compressed bags from her belt and took out a shiny card, platinum colored. "Go buy whatever, there's a little under 100 grand on there. I'm gonna use physical credits." Meet you by that fountain in an hour or two? He pointed to a water feature with a spitting fish, a nude cherub riding on top of it. "Sounds good to me. See you then." She walked off to find a produce stall. After five minutes or so, she came accross a large produce stall, a large building behind it, the owner was a rather tall Warframe in a Hawaiian shirt with a mouth on his stomach, a rare sight in New Riddha. She walked over to the behemoth. "Oi, can I get an aubergine de flambe? Can I also get three of those red stalks?" She pointed at a pile of red stalk bunches. "Would you like bag for those?" She nodded and the Warframe pulled out a plastic bag from below the stall. He took three large bundles of red stalks and bagged them. "Twenty five credits, please." Tess raised her eyebrows and gave him the requested amount. "Now then, for your aubergine you must come with me." He beckoned her around the side of the stall. She went back and stood in front of the metal door. He pushed the thing open with ease and she walked in. "If you bother or hurt Sia, I will tear your arms off and beat you with them, understand?" Tess nodded in fear. She looked ahead, another Warframe sat in a chair, reading something while a small child played in front of him. He put his book down for a moment and looked at her. He jerked his head towards the back and went back to his book.

Tess walked to the back of the room and opened the door to her left. A robotic hand tugged her in by the lapels. Jackie slammed her into a wall and kissed her, putting her hand up the back of her shirt. She snapped Tess's bra strap. She pulled away, her breath smelling of fragrant leafsmoke and expensive wine. She reached into Tess's jacket with her prosthetic, grabbed Tess again and pressed a few keys on the personal teleporter. In a flash of light, they were transported to Tess's large, soft bedroll. Covered in thick comforters and soft blankets, keeping her warm during the chilly nights in New Riddha. The painkillers Tess had taken were kicking in. Her heart slowed and she relaxed. She pulled Jackie in, hugging her tightly and placing her head in the nape of her neck. Jackie sat her up and placed her in her lap. She wrapped her arms around her and gently slipped a hand up her shirt, fondling her breasts softly. Tess gave a slight groan, enjoying the caress of her cool hands against her warm skin. The metal didn't scratch or hurt her in the least, the energy field around it keeping her from cutting or pinching anything. Her touch lost its tenderness and she pressed down on Tess's sternum, hard. "Why did you kill my associate? He might have been a snake, but he was still useful. You might be cute, and loyal besides but understand this: you ever kill one of my men again, you're gonna get those pretty little legs of yours cut off at the knee." Tess's eyes brimmed with tears and she nodded. She went limp, her heart had been punctured like a balloon by this. She sniffled and then silently cried, Jackie went back to feeling her. Tess reached into her bedroll, took out the pillcase, opened it and took a large handful out. She chewed the nasty things like candy, the powder hitting her much faster than swallowing them. Jackie took a few and popped them into her mouth. Tess could feel her consciousness fading. She puked up a bunch of the pills, waking up rapidly. She cried aloud, shaking with emotion. Jackie took her hands out of Tess's shirt. "I," she snuffled "Di-didn't know he was y-yours. Or I wou-wouldn't have ki-ki-killed him.." She bawled. "Puh-please don't cut my legs off, I'm so suh-sorry Jackie." Jackie tightened her grip, pulled her face up and kissed her passionately. "I would never cut your legs off. Not much fun to put my face between if they're not there. You kill anyone you want, far as I'm concerned. Just do me a favor, love dove." "A-anything." Tess replied. "Help me out by bringing in my gang members for 're-education' instead of killing them outright. My rivals, kill them in bulk. They're even more crooked than I am. They burn down buildings for the insurance money and then blame it on faulty coolant injectors, which makes people lose their jobs, things like that. We kill Enforcers and liberate work camps. We make sure the drugs pretty little things like you are using aren't laced with anything like purple ice. I only hurt my own when they cross me. You didn't know he was mine, I can tell. I'm kind of drunk right now so don't think too much of it, but I think I love you, firecracker." Tess was taken aback. She pulled out of her arms and passionately turned around and kissed her, squeezing her ass through her pants as she did so. Jackie pulled away and kissed her neck, leaving gentle bites here and there. "I think I love you too, Jackie." Tess said. Jackie took a case full of what looked like thin sheets of paper. "Open your mouth, love dove." Tess complied. Jackie spat into it and then gently placed two sheets of the paper on her tongue. "Let those dissolve." Jackie put two on her tongue and closed her mouth. After a few minutes, they dissolved. Tess's already altered mind went further, as did Jackie's. They both saw things. Jackie stripped and Tess followed suit. They curled up under a comforter and stared into each other's eyes, each seeing their own fantasies. Jackie saw a girl who could be used for whatever she wanted, knowing she had her wrapped around her finger. Tess saw a goddess who she would devote her life to, if she would only ask. Their eyes both turning a bit pink around the edges, drying as the high hit them like a truck. Jackie pulled Tess in close and put her throat into her mouth. She made a suction. Tess moaned lightly, a hickey forming.

Meanwhile, Atlas was buying various different meats and cooking oils. He was haggling with a meat salesman who was trying to scam him. It was difficult because he was from a different part of the system and spoke a different language. He thought about what Tess would like. He gestured at a large slab of light pink meat, bones inside, wrapped in plastic sitting on some ice. The man shook his head and pointed at the sign. '50c' Atlas facepalmed and conceded. He handed the man his card. He scanned it and bagged the meats Atlas requested. Atlas took the bag and walked off. He walked past the fountain and over to the other side of the market, stopping to admire a well crafted sculpture of a strange creature. He reached a stall with a Warframe nearly as tall as him manning it. "Fellow Tenno! Hello, good friend." The Warframe boomed, his large stomach moving up and down as he spoke, very animated. "We have many wares you will not find in other places. All of these vegetables are grown and harvested in New Riddha, picked by yours truly. No labor involved save for me and my good friend Gauss. Will you buy anything?" Atlas marveled at the sheer volume of vegetables before him. Gourds of various kinds, bunches of various fruits, red stalks, pitch citrus, maprico, firebush leaves, and many other pieces of exotic produce. "I'll take one of each." Atlas used his voice, which he did quite rarely. "A fine choice. Would you like them to be bagged individually?" Atlas shook his head. "Just do a bag for the fruits and a bag for the vegetables. I'll take four of the pink maprico instead of one." Grendel rapidly bagged all of the requested things. "That will be 150 credits." Atlas gave him the card. Grendel held it up to the light. "Platinum. Very nice." He scanned the card and handed Atlas the groceries. "Thank you, come back sometime! Is so rare to see other Tenno around here." Atlas nodded and walked off with his groceries. He checked the time on a nearby clock and went to the fountain. He waited. And waited. And waited some more.

Nearly an hour passed and Tess didn't show up. He forced himself into her mind. He saw wobbly vision, and a hand stroking her cheek. She was high, and with that mobster 6-Bolts. He groaned angrily and stomped his foot, cracking the cobblestone in front of the large fountain. He stomped in the direction of the shack, groceries in hand. He jogged, the ground quaking under his weight. He reached the shack in record time and shoved the door open. He hung up his long coat. He walked over to the refrigeration unit in the corner and placed in the groceries. He took out a scrap of metal from a bucket full of them and calmly ate it. He walked over to Tess's bedroll. Her head was poking out, lying next to a brown skinned woman with dark hair and blue eyes. They didn't even notice him there. Tess leaned forwards and kissed the woman, eyes still open. She stroked her cheek and rubbed their noses together. Atlas ripped the comforter off of them, exposing their nude forms. A steel hand coated in an energy field was on Tess's hip. The brown skinned woman caressed Tess's pale thigh with her hand, the 6 bolts on top of it slowly gyrating, as if in response to the motion. Atlas shouted. "I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO DISTANCE YOURSELF! YOU WANNA FUCK MOBSTERS?! YOU CAN GO DO IT SOMEWHERE ELSE!" He picked up their clothes and started flinging them onto them. They hardly reacted. Atlas grabbed Tess by the hand and yanked her to her feet. Jackie pulled her back down again. They intertwined once more. Atlas placed his hand over his face and walked over to a chair in the corner. He sat down and put his head in his hands. Tess, you've fallen into a hole I can't pull you out of. "It's not a hole I mind so much." Tess croaked. "She's soft and lovely and I sodding love her. So feck off." Jackie pulled her head into her neck. Tess sighed contentedly. Jackie pulled another blanket over them. Tess grabbed a penlike object with a mouthpiece on top of it. She pressed a switch on the side, put the nozzle into her mouth and took a massive inhale. Her eyes glowed slightly, the leafsmoke forcing hidden photophores to ignite. She kissed Jackie and blew the smoke into her lungs. She held it, and then blew it back into Tess's face. She took another deep inhale and then passed it to Jackie, who reciprocated. They traded the smoke through a kiss. Jackie coughed heavily. "Can't handle your leaf, gorgeous?" Tess's strobing eyes seemed to say. She took a deep deep inhale, feeling it in her stomach and chest. She held it as long as she could and breathed it out, the fragrant smoke filling the air. Her head lolled forwards and her eyes half closed, the whites of her eyes a deep red. Jackie's already deep blue eyes got even darker, with flecks of light in them. The whites turned deep red, her eyelids closed a bit. They moved closer together.

Atlas stormed out of the room, grabbing his coat from the rack. He walked out of the house and went down to a certain bar. Six's Emporium. It was mid day cycle, the artificial lights dimming a bit. He shoved the door open with one hand, ducking below the frame. The place was bustling and hardly anyone noticed him. The long bar was full, the booths were packed and people were standing around, laughing, talking, drinking. Atlas pushed his way over to the bar. He shoved his way between two stools and set his hands on the solid bartop. He leaned down, his head just beneath one of the lights. "Barkeep! I need to talk to you in the back!" He boomed. F-Zero slid over to stand in front of him. "What'll you have, big guy?" Heads turned, people watched Atlas as he gave a hand signal to the barkeep. "Ahh. A number 15. Foe will getcha set right up. We keep it in the back. Follow me." He motioned for Atlas to follow him. "Dea! Keep everything running!" The robot nodded and started serving drinks, faster and faster. Atlas vaulted the small gate leading behind the bar and walked up to the panel on the wall. Foe entered some things into the keypad and they stepped into Jackie's office. The door slid closed behind them.

Atlas picked up Foe by the throat. "You tell your boss to keep her fucking mitts off of my friend. You fucking got that?" He growled. Foe struggled to pull his hand off, his face going deep red. "C-can't br-br-" Atlas loosened his grip on the man. He slammed him into the wall, frames rattling. "You don't get her the FUCK away from my friend, I will come back here and crush your head like a fucking grape. Am I clear?" Foe nodded, terrified. Atlas stared him in the face. Foe kept his eyes on Atlas, drew a Plinx from his belt and took a potshot at Atlas's chest. He didn't even flinch. He ripped the pistol from his hand and crushed it. "I can crush mountains, did you know I once turned an asteroid the size of this colony into rubble with one hit? You don't wanna see what I can do to little punk motherfuckers like you and your boss." He dropped Foe, who massaged his purpling throat and tried to walk away. Atlas tripped him and then landed in a push-up above him. Foe trembled in fear. Atlas's voice softened a bit. "I'm willing to work with you and 6-Bolts. But you'll need to prove that you're not gonna hurt my friend." Atlas put his knee just below Foe's crotch as he talked. Foe didn't cry, but trembled as if he would. He kept his eyes on Atlas's helmet as he spoke. Atlas leaned down closer, his helmet inches from Foe's face. Foe's face turned bright red. Atlas felt something poke him in the knee. He looked down to see a bulge in Foe's tight black pants. "Are you hiding another weapon? Do I need to disarm you?" He said in a sultry voice, leaning closer and moving his hand downwards, examining the 'weapon' in question. Foe nodded with a gulp. Atlas tore his pants with two fingers and wrapped his hand around the smaller man's shaft. He unhooked his jaw and revealed his lipless mouth, his razor sharp grey teeth. Foe's eyes widened in fear. Atlas opened his mouth, revealing his long tongue. Foe opened his mouth, terrified. Atlas moved his rough hand up and down Foe's uncut member. He put his drooling tongue into Foe's mouth and pressed his crotch onto Foe's. His happy camper swelled in his tent. He slid down his slacks and pressed his massive member against Foe's. He took them both in one hand and slowly rubbed them together, while tongue fucking Foe's mouth. Foe closed his eyes and moaned. Atlas propped himself up with his free arm and pushed himself as close to Foe as he could get, in a one armed push-up. Without warning, Atlas picked Foe up and flung him onto the couch. Foe landed with an oof. His erection throbbed as he watched Atlas and his massive, crested member walk over. Atlas tore the rest of Foe's clothes off. "H-hey! Those were expensive!" Atlas shushed him. "When was the last time you ate?" "I-I run on a liquid diet, I don't really use the bathroom or whatever-" Atlas got down below him and pressed his face into Foe's ass, caressing his smooth, hairless body with his rough hands. "Where did you get these scars?" "A-accident from when I was a Solaris.." Atlas ran his tongue over his smooth, scarred abdomen. Foe moaned gently. Atlas flipped him over, face down ass up. He pulled him up so his head and hands were planted face down. He pushed his tongue as far into Foe as he could get it, flicking it up and down, feeling his prostate. Foe shuddered in pleasure. He came quickly, onto Atlas's hand. Atlas pushed his hand in front of his Foe's face and made him eat it. Foe sucked his fingers. Atlas pulled his tongue out and wrapped it around his own member. He rubbed it up and down, leaking syrupy pre as he did so. He tapped Foe's ass with it. "I-I don't think I can fit that in." He whimpered. Atlas wrapped his hands around Foe's neck and rammed himself in in one go. All 8 inches of hard grey flesh, crested on the bottom. Foe couldn't think. He could feel Atlas through his stomach, Atlas wrapped his long tongue around Foe's torso and rubbed him up and down, its sticky saliva coating his body. Foe moaned. He clenched the leather couch with his robotic hands, tearing into the leather. He knew Jackie would kill him, but he didn't care. Atlas rammed in and out of Foe, bruising his ass as he did so. He came hard, with a loud groan. He filled Foe to the brim with his thick, hot seed. He pulled out with a wet pop, Foe's breathing was ragged as he came over and over again. The couch was coated in both of their juices. He gave his dick a squeeze, letting out more. He picked up Foe, who was limp and exhausted. He sat down and plunked Foe down in his lap, just above his still hard cock. Foe's neck was bruised and his dick had gone soft. Atlas wrapped his tongue around his neck and put the tip of it into his lolling mouth. Foe couldn't help but suck on it. His sore cock twitched, pre leaking from under the skin. It hardened, slightly. Atlas rubbed his massive fingers up and down his chest. He took one of Foe's nipples between his fingers. He ever so gently squeezed it. Foe moaned softly and fully hardened. Atlas wrapped his tongue around his cock and mercilessly rubbed it up and down. He put Foe in a full nelson and shoved his drooling cock back into Foe's gaping hole. He thrusted in and out with increasing fervor. Foe moaned with every thrust, his dick leaking like a sieve. They came together. Atlas pulled out, continuing to cum excessive amounts. He stood up, Foe got onto his knees. Foe looked up at him, eyes practically full of hearts. Atlas filled his mouth with his baby batter. Foe swallowed it with a gulp. Atlas tousled his short dark brown hair, breathing heavily. Atlas retracted his dick, wiped his loincloth off and put it back into place. Foe sat in a pile of his ripped up clothes, exhausted. Atlas pulled his tongue back in, knelt down and pressed his closed teeth into Foe's lips. "You're too cute to be involved in this. It would be a goddamn shame if I had to kill you because your boss won't stay away from my friend." He picked Foe up and cradled him in his arms. He shoved his tongue up Foe's butt again, stabbing his prostate aggressively with the meaty thing. Foe came while flaccid, coating himself with a fluid so diluted it was nearly clear. Atlas plunked him onto the couch. "That said, I think we should do this again, maybe your boss will be good to Tess." Atlas walked over to the armoire and took out a large, light orange turtleneck sweater. Far too big on Foe, sized for Jackie. He grabbed a pair of underwear from the bottom drawer and threw him a pair of thick cotton pants. "Put those on." He ordered. Foe complied quickly, the pants tight in the waist, the sweater went down to his upper thighs. His thin frame looked ridiculous in the outfit. Atlas rolled the neck up to cover his choke marks. Atlas looked him up and down. He pulled his own clothes back on, wiping some jizz off of his wifebeater. Foe wore a sheepish expression, one arm behind his back, holding the other. He looked down at the floor, his face red. "I said it once, I'll say it again. You're too goddamn cute to be a mobster. You should get out of this life. I can help, if you so choose." Foe nodded. "I-I'd like that." Atlas walked up to the door, he lightly slapped Foe's ass as he did so, making him trip a bit. He slowly typed in the code on top of the keypad. Foe watched him leave, his massive shoulders turning as he walked out the door. Foe turned and looked at himself in the fullbody mirror hung on an adjacent wall. He liked the look of the too-big clothes on him. He felt... Pretty. Dea popped her head in. "Need a hand out here, boss! Customers are getting restless!" Foe rushed out, dripping from his hole as he ran. Atlas's juices running down his legs as he served brews to people. Nobody commented on his messy hair or new clothes.

Atlas left the bar, stares following him. He walked slowly towards the shack, thinking about Foe. He shoved open the door, pretending to be angry. Tess and Jackie lay facing each other. The house reeked of leafsmoke and the air was hazy. "I talked to one of your associates, 6-Bolts. I think we can build a rapport, if you're willing. Do you know what Foe likes to drink? I need a bribe." Tess lifted her head up slightly. "Alass? 'Zat you? You should get Foe a lil drink of wine. He likesh the white stuff." Atlas nodded. "Noted. You- Hrm. You can do what you wish, I don't control you. I'm going to make a little dish I like to call Earth Stew. It's very good, almost as good as the iron oxide I'm so fond of." Jackie mumbled something and Tess giggled. Atlas dragged out the metal pit he had fashioned from sheet metal and other various things. He dropped in some hunks of processed cloth bricks and lit them on fire. He put on a grate and took out a cast iron pot. He took some root vegetables from the fridge and chopped them on the counter. He tossed them into the pot with some flaxseed oil. He put in some orange stalks of sorts and then added a halved onion. He poured in vinegar and dry white cooking wine. He added a few cups of water and put a lid on the pot, the kitchen smelling of cooking vegetables. Tess sniffed. "Izzat a cooking food? I'm sodding 'ungry I tell you." Jackie squeezed her butt and Tess squealed. "Mm! Noggit off!" Jackie groped her with both hands and started kissing her. Tess gave her the leafsmoke pen and she took a long hit, they traded it back and forth in their mouths. Atlas sat down in his large chair and read a book he had picked up at the market a while back. His lack of a nose didn't detract from his keen sense of smell, the aromatics were done cooking a bit. He got a few cups of kuaka stock from the fridge -homemade of course- and poured them into the pot. He added some various powders, imported from Earth. Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder. He removed a large container of cut up meats from the refrigeration unit, kuaka, mostly. But also some rare cuts of plains swine and bovines. He set down a cast iron pan on the burning stovetop. He dropped in the swine meat, letting the fat render off, creating fragrant steam which fought off the haze of leafsmoke a bit. Once the swine had rendered down a bit, he added the kuaka and let it get nice and tender, and tossing it into the pot of stew to let it finish cooking. The swine was now fat free, and crispy so Atlas pushed it into the pot with his finger. He dropped the thin strips of bovine meat into the pan, getting it warm before tossing it into the pot to finish cooking. Atlas took out a flat piece of clean metal from a cabinet nearby and placed some tubers onto the sheet of metal. He chopped them into small pieces and put them into the pot. He placed a lid over it and added more cloth to the fire, allowing it to get hotter. The steam flowed out of the vents in the ceiling, coming out the top of the shack. Atlas read while the stew reduced a bit. After an hour or so, he got up and added more water to it, producing more broth. He took it off of the heat, gave it a stir and scraped some of the fond from the bottom of the cast iron pan into it, mixing it in. He left the lid ajar to let it lose some heat. He took three chipped clay bowls from a cupboard and some utensils from a drawer. He ladled a few scoops into each bowl, placing spoons into each of them. The tall steaming pot he placed onto the stove, keeping it to embers, lowering the heat. "Stew's up. Get up if you want some. If not, more for me." Tess rolled off of her bedroll, Jackie had fallen asleep. She crawled over to the table Atlas had set up and sat in her place. Atlas picked up one of his massive t-shirts from the floor. "Cover your shame." He averted his eyes and pushed her bowl of stew over. Tess pulled the massive shirt on and took a mouthful of the scorching hot stew. She blew on it as she ate it. Rich, brimming with an oddly sweet flavor amidst the savory meats and vegetables. She rapidly emptied her bowl, one spoonful at a time. She ate the chunks of tuber and stalk with such fervor, one would think she was starving. She drank the remnants of the bowl, scorching her esophagus in the process. Atlas unhooked his jaw and spooned some of it into his mouth. Not his best stew, but certainly not his worst. It was a bit too sweet, the blue tubers adding too much sugar. Otherwise, it was delectable. Jackie stirred. Tess belched and staggered over to her bedroll. She shook Jackie awake, still high as a kite. Jackie gave an addled smile and yanked her under the covers.

"'S food." Tess mumbled. "Souns good.. Cannu bring mesome? Would 'preciate, lovedove." "Mm.." Tess wobbled over and grabbed the bowl set out for Jackie. She set it on the counter and slid it to the end. She picked it up in both hands and stumbled to her bedroll, miraculously not spilling a drop. Jackie sat up, propping her back against a wall. Tess fed her the stew, Jackie seemed to wake up as she ate it. Soon she held the bowl herself, eating dramatically quicker. She tipped her head back and gulped the whole bowl down. She set it on the floor. Tess placed her face on Jackie's stomach and curled around her. Jackie lay back down. Tess inhaled leafsmoke underneath the comforter and blew it out. Her skin tingled the more she blew. Jackie popped a few pills from Tess's case. She climbed under the blanket with Tess, who immediately started clawing and biting Jackie's already scratched up rear. Jackie swatted her off. "Jus hol' me, lovedove. None o' that righnow.." "Mhm.." Tess assented and kept smoking leafsmoke. Jackie took it from her and took a massive hit from it. They mubled filthy things and giggled beneath the blankets. Atlas tuned them out and ate more stew. He got through over half of the pot before he couldn't ignore them anymore. "Enough! You wanna do what you're doing? Do it when I'm not eating, you goddamn degenerates!" Tess peeked her head out. She blew a massive smoke ring. "I know you slebbed with Foe. You can even lie.." Atlas raised his head and looked her in the face. "You stay out of my head. We need to have a talk about boundaries, when you're done being high and having sex with gang leaders. More importantly, we need to have a talk about an Enforcer problem. From what I found on that disk you got, they seem to be working on something big. They're gonna get their hands on New Riddha if we let them." Tess sat up and did her best attempt at a serious face, understanding what he was saying through the haze. Jackie yanked Tess back and leaned against the wall, resting Tess's head on her breasts. Jackie did her best attempt at a serious face as well. "I'll rally th' troopss, ivf you wan' me to. We c'n take care of this wivth teamwork.." Atlas nodded. Tess piped up. Atlas avoided eye contact, not wanting to look at her glowing eyes, with the red scleras. "We've got thish. No prollem. Don't sweat it momma bird." She slurred. Jackie pinned her arms with her prosthetic and tickled her with the other. "An' I've got youu..!" Tess laughed and tried to squirm away. Atlas put a lid on the stew, keeping it warm. He wrapped it in a towel, set it down and put on his long trenchcoat, draping his body in its umber hue. He picked it up and walked out the door with it. He went to a vagrant's rest. He gave the pot to a tired looking old man. "It's still hot. Share it." The man nodded and walked the heavy pot to the middle of the shabby encampment. He called out in a language Atlas didn't recognize. People flooded out, bowl shaped objects in hand. Atlas waved and left.

He took a right turn, went through the slums and came to the backdoor of 6-Bolts' Emporium. He gave a knock. A guard peeped his head out. "Fuck off. We're closed." Atlas shoved the door open, knocked the man off of his feet and caught him by the lapels. He pulled back his massive fist, ready to crush the guard's head. The guard calmly drew his gun from his belt and peppered Atlas with lead rounds. They bounced off of him, like rain pattering off a roof. "Nice try. Where's F-Zero?" The guard shrugged. "I don't work in the bar, I just run the storehouse. He probably went home. Why do you care? Plenty of other bars." "You know where I can get some imported white wine?" He set the guard down, who promptly stood up and holstered his pistol. "You can buy some here, double price because you broke into the warehouse. Follow me." He walked through the maze of crates, piles of ammo cases and thick bags full of various powders. He moved quickly, Atlas had to jog to keep up, his feet thumping on the linoleum floor. He brought him to a tall shelf full of alcohol. Labels from up to 50 years ago. "How much for a dry white, 20 years aged?" "30 grand per bottle, this is imported from beyond the belt." Atlas didn't even flinch, he handed the man the platinum card. The guard pulled out a card reader from nowhere. He scanned the card and gave Atlas the two bottles. "He lives off of Centaur Way, in the redlight district. 2 miles or so from here. He likes his wine cold." The guard held out his hand. "I'm Seth, Foe mentioned you when we talked earlier." Atlas scratched his head. "Good friend of his, we hang out during his break. Tell him I said hi, and don't fuck him up too bad, he's got work in the morning." He winked and sent Atlas on his merry way. "Wait! Take this!" Seth ran up and handed him a slip of paper. "This is his address, don't let him drink all of it, white win is his favorite and he'll regret it. Especially since it's so fancy." Atlas nodded and trod out the door. He took off at a jog. He read the slip of paper.

He took a back alley to the redlight district, avoiding patrols of Enforcers. Curfew might not be enforced, but being caught out at night was just asking for trouble. He got to the towering apartment building, its waterstained walls protected by a tall fence with a hefty looking gate. He rang the buzzer for apartment B11. A rather tired sounding Foe answered. "Can I help you?" Atlas found himself nervous all of a sudden. "It's me. Atlas, from earlier." Foe felt his cock twitch at the sound of his voice. "Uh.. Come on in, I guess?" The gate swung open, Atlas walked in, wine in hand. He pushed started climbing up the stairs, knowing he would be too heavy for the elevator. Three flights of stairs later, he was in front of apartment B11. He gently knocked on the door. Foe, wearing nothing but a thin cloth robe opened the door, his metal hands poking out of the sleeves. Atlas pushed past him wordlessly. The apartment had a relatively high ceiling, which was nice. It was a small place. A couch for a bed, a small television set, a kitchen with minimal counter space and a sink by a microwave oven, a toilet, a shower and a large table next to the couch, chairs around it. There was a beanbag on the other side of the couch, shaped much like Foe. A blue minifridge covered in random decals sat under the table. Atlas slipped off his coat and hung it over a chair. He stooped down and placed the wine in the minifridge. He looked the Solaris United posters pasted on the walls up and down. "Any special reason why you left?" He asked. Foe plopped down on the couch with a sigh. He patted the cushion next to him, beckoning Atlas to sit. He sat down, the cushion sinking under his weight. It was warm in the apartment. Atlas took off his shirt and tossed it off to the side. He looked over at Foe, who couldn't help but stare at his hulking chest. Foe shook thoughts of how hard his chest must have been and told Atlas why. "My parents were repo'd when I was little, so I lived with the Ventkids for a while. Was never one of them. When I got a little older, I would say 13 or so, I went to work to pay off my parents' debts. Of course, they were already shelved and I didn't have any hope of changing that, but I was a naive kid who didn't know any better. Time goes by, Taxmen take my hands. I build a new pair of em, and do my best to get off the colony. I didn't want to be part of Nef Anyo's bullshit anymore. Killed a Taxman, took his clothes and flew to a nearby Jupiter gas city. Got on another ship, and boom. Now I'm in New Riddha. Solid 14 years now." He gave a world weary sigh. "These suckers were designed by me. Magnetic pulse generators in the fingers, so I can pull things to me." He picked up a small metal cube that was sitting on the couch and crushed it. He placed it on his palm and turned on the magnets. The cube uncrumpled itself, nearly perfect. "Eh?" He looked over at Atlas, who was vaguely impressed. He gestured at the cube. "Let me try." He crushed the cube with ease, completely annihilating it. It was practically just shards. Foe's face flushed. "You-you're pretty strong." Foe crossed his legs. Atlas opened his mouth and tossed the metal scraps in. He chewed them for a good bit before swallowing. "Good metal." Foe's pulse quickened. Atlas looked at his red face. "Sorry kid, I'll buy you a new one." Foe's face lost its flustered expression. "I'm 28. Not such a kid anymore." Atlas nodded slowly. "Since you're not a kid, would you like a drink?" Foe nodded. "Never had a 20 year old bottle before. You want some?" Atlas nodded. "Got any glasses?" Foe shook his head, leaned over the side of the couch and grabbed a bottle from the fridge. Atlas watched his robe drape more closely over his nude form as he moved. His slacks bulged a bit. He crossed his legs. He heard the pop of a cork. Foe pulled back over the couch and took a big swig from the bottle. He gave a small belch. "Scuse me. Pretty good, bit drier than I expected, but otherwise amazing. Never had wine from beyond the Origin System before." He handed the bottle to Atlas. He put the head of it into his mouth and took a swig, taking a good 3rd of the bottle. "I bought this for you, you got anything cheaper so I don't drink away your stuff?" Foe took a big gulp from the bottle. He pushed the cork back in and placed it on the table. He reached into the fridge again. His robe opened a bit and Atlas could see more of his skin. It was paler than he remembered. He removed a 6 pack of cheap beer, the kind one buys from a corner store. Atlas cracked one open and slammed one back. "Not the best." He set the rest of the pack on the floor, near Foe's feet. Foe slowly drank the rest of the wine bottle, watching Atlas's chest move as he spoke. So odd, he didn't breathe yet his chest moved.

Foe stood up to stretch. He tripped on the 5 leftover beers and landed in Atlas's lap head first. He looked up at his helmet. "Hey there, gorgeous." Atlas said. Foe took a shuddering breath. The exhale smelled fragrant and smooth, not unlike the wine he had been drinking. Atlas placed a hand on Foe's chest and moved his thumb in circles under his breastbone. His robe parted, revealing his hardening cock. Atlas closed his robe and picked him up, placing him back on the couch. He fumbled and found the remote, turning on the television. Foe kissed him on the helmet, rubbing his cock against Atlas's stomach. Atlas removed the robe from him with a flourish and laid him down on his back. He pulled his slacks down to his ankles and kicked off his shoes. He turned the tv up as loud as it would go and opened his mouth. He viciously tonguefucked Foe's hole, his shuddering breaths making him move faster and faster. Foe wrapped his legs around Atlas's head and came, transparent and thin. He took deep breaths. Atlas pulled his tongue out. "That's it? I was hoping for more. Tsk." He mocked getting up to leave. Foe grabbed his hand and pulled him back down. "I wasn't done." Atlas sat down again. Foe spread Atlas's legs apart and stroked his massive member with one hand, drawing circles on his thigh with the other. His cock was warm, the precum dripping from it was hot. Foe placed his mouth on the tip and opened as far as he could. Atlas grabbed the back of his head and forced his monster down Foe's throat. His bruised throat hurt more and more with every thrust. He was cumming hands free from the sheer pleasure of serving someone. Atlas pushed himself into the deepest part of Foe's throat, looking right into his tear filled eyes. He came, harder than he had in a long time. Foe didn't even taste it, he just felt Atlas's cock throb and his stomach grow warmer. Atlas pulled out, his cock still oozing. Foe swallowed. "Fu-fuck. You're gonna break my fucking throat." Atlas lifted him up by the neck, gently this time. "You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Foe nodded enthusiastically. He face-fucked Foe again, drinking a beer as he did so. Foe fell asleep on the couch beside him. Atlas covered him up and sat next to him, still nude. He watched tv the rest of the night cycle. Foe gave soft snores, his head resting in Atlas's lap. He stroked his hair and began to realize the armor around his heart was cracking. First taking on an Operator, now falling for someone he had only fucked twice? He chuckled darkly. "Enjoy it while it lasts." He said aloud, to nobody but himself.

Atlas fell asleep at some point. He woke to a sizzling sound coming from the kitchen area of the studio. The microwave oven was whirring gently, a smell of processed meat permeated the air. Atlas stretched, a loud crunching came from his spine. He picked up his tank top from the floor and pulled it over his head. He pulled up his briefs and walked over to Foe, who was sipping hot water with a caffeine pill in it. His face had stubble on the sideburns, jawline and mustache area. He scritched his face. "I'm out of razors, need to shave." The microwave oven dinged and the door opened. Atlas took the piece of meat from the tray with his bare hands and ate the salty bit of meat in one gulp. Atlas knelt down to stretch his back. It cracked like nut shells. Foe winced. "That sounded painful, are you okay?" Atlas looked up. "Mm? Oh, yeah it feels good. Just have dense bones so it's loud. I think the facial hair is cute. Never had any, but always wanted some. Why don't you grow body hair anywhere else?" Foe shrugged. "Chemical exposure, burned the shit out of me, killed all the hair follicles I guess." Atlas cracked his knuckles, Foe flinched at the sound. "Errgh. Can you not do that, please? Makes me very uncomfortable." "Sorry. Just do it when I'm pissed. Filthy fucking Corpus, putting kids under those conditions for money." He put his hands at his sides, so he wouldn't be tempted to do it again. "How did you become a.. Tenno? I don't really know how the whole thing works, honestly. Only ever met one of you guys when I was a kid and I honestly don't remember much about your type." Atlas shrugged. "Don't know. Most of us don't walk and talk, I guess I'm different. Talking is actually quite hard and took a lot of practice to learn. My entire chest moves when I do it because I'm using the muscles to talk, I don't have proper lungs." "Interesting. What's the deal with your long ass tongue? I love it and would honestly date you if for no other reason than to get to it." Atlas would have blushed if he could. "Hell if I know, just came this way." Foe raised an eyebrow. "You made me cum, that way." Atlas stared him in the face. "How's the neck and throat?" Foe gingerly rubbed his purple and black throat. "I've got work soon. Jackie is gonna kill me, but I'm wearing her turtleneck again." If Atlas could grin, he would have. "You look so cute in it, I wanna chokefuck you all over again so you wear it more." Foe turned tomato red. "Alright you big lug, I've got work. Let me get dressed." Atlas walked over to the couch and pulled on the rest of his clothes. "I can get you there fast, if you want." Foe pulled on clothes hung over a chair. He rolled the neck of the turtleneck up, covering his throat. He coughed, painfully. He pulled on the lacy pair of Jackie's underwear and a pair of soft pants. He looked up at Atlas, who watched him, arms folded. Foe stood up and walked over to a mat by the door. He pulled on his padded boots and tied them. "So, how can you get me there fast?" Atlas scooped him up over his shoulder, and leapt off of a balcony in the hallway. He landed, three stories down with a massive crash. The stones beneath his feet turned to dust. "Holy shit. Holy shit. Run!" Atlas leapt the fence in a single bound. He barreled down the street. He ran into an Enforcer patrol. They raised their guns to open fire, Atlas slammed the ground with a fist, cracking it and knocking them down from the sheer force of the shockwave. Foe whooped and cheered. Atlas gave his ass a slap, causing him to cry out, the tender flesh aching from the impact. Atlas reached 6-Bolt's Emporium through a back alley, once again at the warehouse. He set Foe down, who gave a secret knock on the door. Seth opened it. "You're late. Get to the front, Dea is being worked ragged." He raised his head and gave a knowing wink at Atlas, watching Foe limp. "You really fucked him up, huh." Atlas chuckled. "He's a keeper. Gang member or not. Later days, keep him safe. Gonna pick him up later for something I'm working on." Atlas jogged home, doing his best to whistle but mostly just making an odd humming sound.

He pushed the door open. Unsurprisingly, the house was so hazy with leafsmoke Atlas couldn't see his hand in front of his face. Two lumps were in Tess's bedroll. He heard the heavy breathing of deep sleep. He hung up his coat and sat down in his chair with a contented sigh. Jackie mumbled something in her sleep. Atlas focused and tried to hear her. "..Supply chain issues, moving too little purple ice. Sell off-grid to anyone who buys.." She mumbled incoherently. Atlas had been in their main warehouse. He saw many other drugs, but no purple ice. He shelved the idea in his brain and opened his mouth. He took deep inhales of the leafsmoke, hoping to get a contact high. It didn't work, so he walked over to Tess's bedroll and snatched the pen from her sleeping hand. He stuck it into his mouth and took the deepest breath possible. He blew a smoke cloud the size of Tess. It barely hit him at all. He tossed it onto the bed and walked back over to his chair. He closed his eyes, thought of Foe's slim body and submissive mannerisms. The guy was hotter than the surface of Venus and he didn't seem to know it. Tess popped into his head, seemingly able to use Transference while asleep. "So, whatever happened to not sleeping with gang members? You forget about that? If nae, maybe I should 'remind you what happens to people who fuck with gang members'," He could practically hear her smirk. "I feel we could form an alliance that proves to be.. Mutually beneficial." "I think you just wanna get in Foe's pants. Not such a bad thing. He's lonely. He likes old tv shows, he's an excellent bartender and he doesn't eat normal food. He basically runs on alcohol. He doesn't like concentrates like hard liquor, liqueurs, or dark beers. He likes light ales and wines. He seems to be sexually repressed and needy, but overall when he's drunk, talks about wanting to be held and needed. You provide that for him, you're golden. Keep on keepin on sunshine. I'm goin' back to bed now." He felt her leave his head. He put his head in his hands. What the fuck am I doing with my life? I'm supposed to be a titan, but I'm acting like a.. A dumb horny teenager. Get your shit together, Atlas. New Riddha needs saving. Since Tess is too high to do anything, I'll go it alone. Time to kill some Enforcers.

Atlas stood up, put his coat back on and dusted himself off to dissipate the leafsmoke smell. He went left into an alleyway, knowing Enforcers were looking for the house. He moved silently from building to building, surprisingly stealthy for a man of his size. He did his best to imitate the posture of a Runaway (Jackie's gang), knowing they wouldn't mess with him. He snapped his fingers loud enough to get their attention, a known signal to let people know the coast is clear. An Enforcer patrol was walking past at that exact moment. They halted. After some deliberation, two Enforcers walked over to the trashcan Atlas was crouched behind. One stepped around him, not seeing him. The other one saw him and was going to call out, but Atlas grabbed him by the head and leapt on top of the nearest building. He pinned the man to the floor and tore off his boxy helmet. Atlas shushed him and looked over the edge. The Enforcers were looking for their buddy. The one behind him leveled a rifle at him. He held down the trigger, spraying Atlas with plasma, cutting through his coat. Atlas launched himself at the man and grabbed him by the head again. "You goddamn tell me where it is! Where is Project Samson?" The Enforcer shrugged. "I don't know. I just a foot soldier." He spoke in a very stilted manner, struggling with English. Atlas squeezed just hard enough for it to hurt. The man cried out in pain and punched at Atlas. "Where can I find someone who does?" "Workplace in labor district, outside of slums. Large building, drones surrounding it with holograms of our great leader. Can't miss is." Atlas nodded. "Goodbye." The man tried to scream. Atlas crushed his head. He wiped his gore stained hand on the man's corpse. He looked down in disgust, his coat covered in blood and chunks of skull. He did his best to get it off. He jumped over to a nearby building, much taller than the first one. He leapt from handhold to handhold, people down below staring up at him. He reached the top. Way off in the distance, about a mile away, he saw the building. He gave a mighty jump off of the building and landed on a nearby Enforcer truck, crushing it, sending the alarm into a frenzy, and pissing off the nearby driver. The streets were largely clear of cars, as per usual. Since the vehicle ban and the Enforcer occupation, Atlas had no choice but to walk. He was too big for buses and lightrails never went where he wanted them to. He tried to be inconspicuous, but had difficulties as passersby couldn't help but stare at his hole covered blood stained coat. Not to mention his massive stature. A platoon of Enforcers was waiting for him in front of the workhouse. "You motherfuckers disgust me! I feel no remorse killing you!" The Enforcers wordlessly opened fire on him, hot plasma burning his coat to threads. He was left with just his undershirt and pants. "You done?" They were trying to reload. "Good." Atlas smashed his fists into the ground. With a quake, two creatures that dwarfed even Atlas built themselves from rock that came from nowhere. They stomped forth, the ground shaking. The Enforcers ran off in terror. Atlas lunged for the one in the Captain's uniform. "Oh no you don't!" He dove to grab the man. A strong jolt of energy made him lose his grip. He gave the captain a punch to the leg, shattering his femur. He screamed through his helmet. The Rumblers smashed holes in everything they found, vehicles, the walls of the work camp, Enforcer chest cavities and skulls. Atlas picked the sobbing man up by the helmet. He clawed to get Atlas's hand off of him. Atlas held him up to a scanner. His face id was recognized and the doors to the place opened. He threw the man as hard as he could into the wall adjacent to him, splattering him like a fly beneath a flyswatter. Atlas smashed his fist into the floor. The Rumblers bounded into the room, their rocks soaked in blood. Atlas punched one, the rubble from the thing attaching it to him like armor. He punched the other one. He was coated from head to toe in stone. He sprinted as fast as he could, an unstoppable force. He liquefied any Enforcer he hit, he was so solid. He heard the clattering of boots on steel floors. An Enforcer platoon came flying around a corner. They got into stances to fire, but before they could even pull the trigger, Atlas was on them. He grabbed the captain and used him as a weapon to destroy the platoon members. He punched and kicked and screamed, his bellows shaking the walls. His stone fists turned their heads and helmets to mush. He picked the struggling captain up by the head and bullet jumped into a wall, smashing through it. He leapt like an animal, moving faster than the Enforcers could process. He smashed the captain through walls, abutments and staircases. He stopped moving, only part of the captain's head and helmet left. He crushed it in his hand, the way one crushes a rotten tomato. He roared at the top of his lungs and charged into a room full of people on computers. They cowered beneath their desks. In large vats in the back of the room, there was a chunk of glowing steel. It almost looked like.. Warframe flesh. He shouted in anger. "YOU DID THIS! YOU MADE ME DO THIS!" He trashed the entire room, putting his fists through monitors and crushing desks, with the scientists still under them. He stomped holes in the floor and punched holes in the walls. He ripped a vat off of the floor and threw it as hard as he could. It shattered, pieces of thick glass flying everywhere. A scientist he hadn't quite killed was trying to open an elevator on the left side of the room, his back was broken and he was struggling to move. Atlas heard his cries and walked over. He picked the man up by the back of his labcoat and gently sat him on the floor. "We can do this the easy way, or we can do it the hard way," He gestured at the carnage in the room around him. The blood, the bits of guts and the embryonic fluid everywhere. "Where. Is. Project. Samson?!" The man whimpered, too terrified to speak. Atlas yelled in frustration and stomped a desk right next to him, blood gushed from under the thing, one of his crushed comrades beneath it. "WHERE IS IT?!" He shouted. A puddle formed under the man. He had pissed himself in fear. "I-i-i-it's o-o-on the s-s-second f-f-floor si-si-sir.." He quaked in fear. "All I needed to know." He leaned to look around at the man's back. "You won't be walking again with that back injury. You want me to put you out of your misery?" "I-it c-can't b-b-be th-that b-bad." "Your spine is poking through your back. I'll make it quick." The man hesitated and then nodded slowly. "Do it." Atlas lifted both fists above his head and then slammed them down on the man. His head and upper torso exploded. Atlas's undershirt was drenched.

He pressed the button on the elevator the man was trying to open. He got in and pressed 2 on the panel. Corpus blared over the loudspeaker. Atlas figured they were coming for him. With a ding, the elevator reached the second floor. He opened the door and was met with an Envoy rocket, blasting him onto the floor. Another and then another hit him. He felt bits of metal shrapnel go through his stone armor. He pulled himself up, what could be called his ears were ringing like bells. He stomped the floor. A single, slightly larger rumbler formed. It roared. Atlas continued to take rockets from nearby turrets, the Rumbler killed most of the men, but Atlas was still hurting. The Rumbler crushed the sentries. Atlas's undershirt was full of holes, and he was leaking some blood. His pants were completely shredded up to the knees and he was covered in plasma soot. He lightly punched the Rumbler, absorbing its stone flesh. He looked down at his feet. One of his boots was gone and a large chunk of steel was lodged in the bare foot. He tore it out, and limped to the end of the corridor. Another group of Enforcers was waiting. He made a wall of rock, closing off the hallway. He heard them shooting at it, but was too tired to care. He took a right and found himself in front of an airlocked door. He wearily kicked the thick metal in and walked through. The lights inside of it blared red and a shrill alarm went off. Atlas kicked in the second door and walked into Project Samson. It was a massive steel room, thick cables running across the walls. Scientists sat in front of monitors. Without so much as glancing at Atlas, they pulled out pistols and shot the monitors they were using and then themselves. "FUCK!" Atlas slammed his fist into a wall. He started grabbing cables from the walls and floor and ripping them out. They ran over a ledge in the back of the room. He heard a gurgle as he ripped out cables. He tore as many as he could find off of whatever they were attached to. He heard a gurgle and then a growl come from the back of the room. A multi clawed hand reached up to the ledge. It was the size of Atlas's head. Another followed it. The growl turned into a roar as the giant thing jumped up over the ledge, onto the platform before it. It pulled the rest of the cables attached to it off of itself. It was about 8 feet tall, coated in black scales with a pale blue stomach. It had a perpetually open mouth full of rows of jagged serrated teeth. And its head and back were covered in long, thick golden hair. It gave a blood curdling scream and lunged at Atlas. He dodged the thing, running to the back of the room, looking for anything to use against it. He found a cable he had missed, it sparked electricity. He ripped off his shirt. "LET'S FUCKING GO, YOU UGLY SON OF A BITCH!" He gave a scream and barreled for the creature.

Samson swatted Atlas to the ground and then picked him up. With his unmoving mouth, he spoke. "I have seen more than you could ever comprehend. These 'Corpus' thought it prudent to try to harness my strength. I was a gladiator of sorts, once. Now I am nothing more than a slave. I can see inside your head. You have ones you love. I must have my revenge, you can leave me be or you can die. I give you this choice, titan. I eat worlds, I spare few. Choose wisely." Atlas felt like he'd been sucker punched. "I only ask one thing." "Name it." "Please don't kill the people of New Riddha. It was not their fault you were imprisoned here, old one." "Ahh. You forget. I eat all worlds, guilty or innocent. Stand aside and let me feast, or die. Choose now!" Atlas gave him the finger. Samson threw him across the room and roared, pouncing onto him. Atlas hit the ground hard, the wind knocked out of him. Samson stabbed his claws into him over and over again, only sometimes penetrating. Mostly, he just chipped and broke them. Atlas grabbed his hand, the hard scales rough on his hands, digging into him. He cracked the hand onto his knee, the bone breaking through the thick skin. Samson shrieked and backed off. Atlas ran for the cable, blood leaking from his side. He swung the cable over his head. "You wanna eat this world? You gotta eat me first, fuckface." Samson pulled his hand into its normal position, bones cracking and crunching like bits of metal. The flesh sealed over. "You cannot hurt me, try as you might." Atlas flung the cable at Samson. It struck true, hitting Samson right in the mouth. He jittered violently as the electricity surged through his body. His hair stood on end. He reached a quaking hand up and pulled it from his mouth. He took deep breaths, smoke coming from his mouth. "Refreshing. Now die." Samson lunged for him again, teeth even more bared than usual. Atlas rolled under his massive claws. Samson caught him coming out of the roll with a kick. He flung Atlas into a wall, one of his claws lodging into his side. When he hit the wall, it went deeper. He coughed. He pulled a cigarette from under his belt. "Let me have a smoke before I die?" Samson shrugged. "Makes no difference to me. I have all the time in the world." Atlas lit it with a nearby arcing cable. He unhooked his jaw and placed it in. He took an inhale, held it and blew out the smoke. Small puffs, to savor it. Tobacco was expensive. He did his best to focus on Tess, numbing the pain. He felt himself enter her mind.

I need help, Tess. She was up and about, moving around crates for Jackie. Project Samson is real, I need your help. Please. Tess ignored him. Tess. I will do anything, just help me now. I beg you. "Anything?" Anything. "Let me join the Runaways. I trust Jackie and Foe." Done. Now then, New Riddha is at stake. Bring your best. "Got it." Tess shouted to Dea that she had to go. Dea gave a thumbs up. Tess grabbed a nearby rifle and a bunch of hollow point bullets, loaded into 50 round magazines. She strapped it over her back and transferred into Atlas.

Tess transferred out of Atlas and slipped into the Void. "Never had tobacco, even when I was human. Does it taste good?" Samson didn't seem to notice Tess. She crept behind the giant thing and pulled back the bolt on the rifle. She held down the trigger and pumped the monster full of lead. The bullets exploded inside of Samson. He spat up blood and fell to his knees. Samson turned around and roared, charging at Tess. She shifted into the Void. Atlas leapt up onto Samson, tired and weakened. His cigarette held onto his mouth for dear life. He punched his hands into the grapefruit sized holes in Samson's back. Samson screamed and flailed, trying to pull Atlas off. Atlas punched as far as he could, Samson's green blood coating his arms. He got a grip on Samson's rapidly thumping heart and squeezed it, popping the thing. Samson fell to the ground. Atlas dropped with him. He climbed off of Samson and stomped on his upper spinal column, severing his head. He ripped teeth from it. The head began speaking again. "I will be back. I, Samson cannot be killed or destroyed. Rest assured, I will eat Riddha once more." Atlas pulled out more teeth. He gripped the things in his hand, the serrated edges cutting deep.

He hadn't even noticed the claw lodged in his side. He fell over, unconscious. Tess sighed and pulled out a cell. She dialed in Jackie's signature. The cell rang for a moment. Jackie picked up. "Hey lovedove. What's up?" Tess heard a scream in the background, followed by a cracking sound. The scream turned into hysterical sobbing. "Is now a bad time? That guy needs some help." "No, no. Now's a fine time, just teaching a lesson to a Deran who thought it would be a good idea to deal in my territory. He can get new fingers if he wants em. Whatcha need?" Tess laughed. "You're such a bloody sadist, I would come over and shag you right now just for that, but my good friend is passed out on the floor here, and more Enforcers are coming. Think we could get a hand?" "Sure thing lovedove. Workplace in the labor district, right?" "..That's the one. How did you know where I am?" "I have my ways. Mostly that most cells have location tracking, didn't even need to lift a finger. Says I'm in a repo warehouse off of Phoenix, see?" An image of Jackie's breasts in a tight t-shirt (the picture Tess used for her on her cell) with an address beneath it popped up. "Right, can I get a few guys to help me carry Atlas?" Jackie called something over the phone. "They'll be there in about 5 minutes. What floor are you on?" "Second floor I think, in R&D. It's labeled. Place is a bloody mess. One thing I've learned today: don't piss off Atlas." The man over the phone shrieked in pain, another crunching sound came over the phone. Jackie made a gagging sound. "Just cut off one of his toes. So gross. Dinner later?" "Sounds lovely. Anywhere in mind?" "Figured I could take you back to my place, make you something special." Tess gave a suggestive growl. "Maybe some of that too, if you behave. Talk to you later! Guys are fighting their way in now, most of em are just robotics so it'll be quick. Mwah." She made a kissing sound into the phone and hung up. Tess shuddered a bit. "Bloody hell, Atlas. She's so perfect. Love her to pieces." Atlas didn't stir. Tess watched 8 mostly robotic Runaways walk in with heavy weapons in hand. "You Tess?" One of them asked. "Aye. Gimme a hand here." Tess transferred into Atlas and managed to get him to his feet. "He's.. Bloody.. Heavy.. Gimme a feckin hand!" Two of them walked over and Tess leaned Atlas onto them. She forced his legs to sort of walk forwards. The other 6 provided covering fire. One of them was streaming fuel all over the floor behind them as they made their way to the exit. They crouched behind a shield some dead Enforcers had set up. The Runaway with the pink painted chest shot an Envoy rocket into a crowd of Enforcers. Gibs flew everywhere. "Can we keep moving? I dinnae how long I can carry his heavy arse for." They stumbled out the front. Blood was everywhere, but med drones had already picked up the Enforcer corpses. "Just take us to Foe's house, it's closest. Tess and the other two made their way to Foe's house. The other 6 covered everything in flammables. They opened the gates and killed all of the guards who kept the workers in check. They cut the shackles and let the workers leave. "Find a place outside of the slums." He handed them each some credits. "If you spend it on purple ice, you'll get no sympathy from me if you get captured again." The workers nodded and left. They burned the place down as best they could. The steel walls held, but everything else was gone. Fire crews showed up, but the damage was done and the Runaways were gone.

Foe was sitting on his couch. His one day off per week, he intended to enjoy it. But he couldn't. He cried. And cried. And he couldn't stop and he didn't know why. He was confused about who he was and how he would find himself. He didn't want to wear anything but Jackie's sweater and underwear. The feel of his old clothes bothered him. He felt more like.. Himself when he wore her clothes. He didn't have a mirror, but spent a few hours polishing some thin sheet metal. He couldn't help but watch himself in the makeshift mirror. He felt better when he imagined himself differently. He sat on the couch, softly cried and contemplated his life's decisions. A knock came on the door. "Fuck off!" He said, his voice thick with tears. The knock came harder. "Wrong apartment! I didn't buzz you in!" There was a sound of a cracklekey and his lock clicked open. He reached under his couch and pulled out a sawed off plasma shotgun, both barrels loaded. "One more goddamn step and I turn you to giblets!" He saw Atlas's head poke through the frame. Tess transferred out of him and Atlas went limp. The two that were holding him lost their grip. Foe lowered the gun. Tess put her hands on her knees and took deep breaths, panting like a kubrow. She held up a hand, 1 finger up. "Fuckin 'ell. Gimme a moment.." She stood up and then transferred into Atlas again. The two robots helped her get Atlas into the house. Foe dried his reddened eyes and kicked the shotgun under the couch again. "Put him on the couch." "You sure?" Tess said through Atlas. Foe nodded. She made Atlas sit. She transferred out of him. His head lolled and oily blood trickled from his skin onto the pleather couch. She shooed away the two robots, who saluted and left, closing the door behind them. Foe covered his mouth with the long sleeve of the turtleneck. "What happened?" "Long story." She took a long bandage from her belt and handed it to him. "I've got work to do. Take the claw out of his side and patch him up. Open his mouth, give him metal scraps. I have not the foggiest why, but they make him feel better. Here, I'll open it for you." Tess transferred into him and opened his mouth. His tongue hung out of his head. "Good luck." Tess walked to the door and opened it. She left and closed it. Foe and Atlas were left alone. "Fuck me. Fuck me. Fuck my fucking life." He placed his head into Atlas's still chest and sobbed. Atlas groaned, startling Foe. Atlas placed his hand onto his forehead. He pulled his tongue in and closed his mouth. "Ugh. I feel like shit." Foe jumped off of him. He sniffled and did his best not to cry anymore. Atlas looked over at him. "I'm alright, I've had worse than this." Atlas looked down at his side, seeing the giant claw lodged there. "Well, maybe not. Either way, I'll be fine. You got a place where I can rinse off?" Foe pointed to the corner, with the small shower. "I don't think I'll fit. Lemme step out for a minute." Atlas tried to stand up, but could not. Foe pushed him back down with little effort. "You should stay here. I can help you, the couch washes easily. Toe said to give you metal bits?" Atlas nodded. "Anything works, love em to death." "We should patch you up." He held up the large roll of bandages Tess had given him. He leaned over the claw. "Will you be okay if I pull this out?" Atlas nodded. "I heal pretty quick. Blood is hard to clean though, so I'm gonna step into the hall, if you'll help me." Atlas staggered to his feet, wincing in pain. Foe tried to let him lean, but he was too heavy. Atlas opened the door and walked to a nearby wall. He ripped the claw out, screaming in pain. "FUCK! FUCK! FUUUUCK!" Blood gushed from the wound. He slid down the wall, holding his side. Foe ran over and gave him the bandages. Heads poked out of nearby apartments. One old looking Ostron man shouted in accented English. "Keep down the noise! It is too fucking late for all that! Die quieter!" Foe shouted back "It's not even evening! Cram it you old bastard! And tell Hilda I said hi!" Foe wrapped Atlas in as many bandages as he could, Atlas did his best not to cry out, being mostly successful. The old Ostron man came out again, 10 minutes later. Foe was doing his best to mop up Atlas's blood while stroking his head. Atlas took off the remains of his boot, blood slowly leaking from the wound. The Ostron man brought out a woven mat and an ornate teapot with three chipped mugs. He placed down the mat and sat criss cross on it. He placed down the tea and mugs, his hands surprisingly steady. He poured three piping hot mugs of tea. He handed one to Foe, and offered one to Atlas, who politely declined. He took a sip from the mug using both hands. "Ahh.. We don't get much chamomile on New Riddha, consider it my treat, Surah." Foe nodded in thanks. "What happened to your friend here? He looks as if an Eidolon used him as a chewtoy. Does he speak?" "Yes. I speak, I'm just trying not to because it hurts when I do. Killed a monster." He pulled some of Samson's teeth from his pocket and set them on the ground. "Gonna make a necklace." The Ostron clapped him on the back. "A proper hero. Keeping New Riddha safe." Foe slowly drank his tea, blowing on it as he did so. He got to the bottom and held out his mug. The old man took it and swilled it around, studying the leaves. "There is an old myth about tea leaves, and how they tell the future. Children's play, of course. But when I was a boy-" "All those many centuries ago," Foe interrupted and the man socked him in the shoulder. He took a sip of tea and continued. "I learned the shapes and what they mean. They say triangles represent bad luck, rectangles are good, and they get more specific. A hammer represents decisive actions, a cloudy sky represents bad things to come, a mountain is an obstacle to climb, a kavat means you will save yourself from something, and an ocean represents love. You move the leaves nine times, and what you get determines your future." He swilled Foe's mug in circles, watching the leaves. He swilled it clockwise three times and then stopped. "Hmm. Rectangles." He swilled it counterclockwise three times and stopped. "An ocean. Some lucky lady out there's just waiting for you. Or maybe it's your love for your friend here." Atlas was still, his head facing the ceiling. "You okay, Atlas?" Foe asked. "Just peachy." Blood was soaking through the bandages. He swilled the tea leaves a third time. "A hammer. Seems you will take actions with someone you love, and it will go well. It's fun, you see? Drink your tea, big man." Atlas picked up the mug between two fingers, unhooked his jaw and poured the cooled down liquid down his throat. "Mmm. Never had chamomile before. I quite like it." He closed his mouth and handed the mug to the old man. "Hmm. A kavat. Seems you may have already saved yourself! You're not dead." He swilled it again. "Rectangles. A good sign." He swilled the leaves a third time. "An ocean. Glad for you." He chuckled. "I cannot read my own leaves, but there is not much to see anyways. I have grown old, my life will end sometime in the near future, I have made peace with it." He poured them all another mug of tea. He drank his while it was still steaming hot. Foe sipped his, doing his best not to burn his lips or drip any onto his oversized turtleneck. He drank using both hands, very daintily. Atlas drank his in one large gulp, like a shot. He could feel his wounds closing a bit. His foot had stopped bleeding and was sealing a bit. "Foe. Can you go get me a shirt? I feel my chest wounds closing a bit. I think I left one last time I was here." "Yeah, I can do that." Foe went back into the apartment and looked around for anything that would fit Atlas. He found one of his undershirts sitting draped over the couch. He picked it up and sniffed it. The telltale smell of petrichor and cold metal clung to the thing. He couldn't help but press his face into it and take in Atlas's scent. He brought it out of the apartment and tossed it to Atlas. "All you." Atlas pulled the shirt over his blood caked chest. The shirt stuck a bit but didn't bleed much.

"So, do you have a name?" Atlas asked the old man, who just laughed. "Foe calls me 'old bastard' which I think is funny. So I don't tell him my name." He cackled. "Okay..." Atlas dropped it. Old bastard drank more tea. "Excuse me for a moment, I need to use the bathroom." He stood up and walked back into his apartment. He was gone for nearly 20 minutes. Foe climbed on top of Atlas and stroked his chest. He brushed his slightly longer than before black facial hair onto Atlas's chest. Atlas held him up. "I fucked you up, didn't I?" Foe nodded. He leaned down and kissed Atlas's helmet. Atlas wrapped his aching arms around Foe and pressed his face into Foe's chest. "We should see more of each other. And to think I was going to kill you." Foe nodded. "I'm a bit tired, think I can catch a nap on this big hard chest of yours?" Atlas nodded. Foe lay on his back, his head on Atlas's chest and his legs part of the way down his thighs. Old bastard walked back out. "Aha!" He shouted. "I had a feeling! I once knew a boy like you two. Other children threw stones at him for being different, I did my best to be kind to him. We don't choose the way we're made. Love is love, as far as this old bastard is concerned." He tossed Atlas another roll of bandages and a large towel. "Wrap up more, and clean up when you're done." He picked up the pot of tea, and drank the remnants through the spout, the scorching liquid scarcely bothering him. He gave a satisfied sigh, took the mugs and rolled up the mat, tucking it under his arm. He left the two sitting in the hallway. Foe slept quietly. Atlas removed his bandages. His wounds were mostly healed, leaving only lines and blood stains. He laid his hand flat and made a tiny stone golem, no taller than a pencil. He made another one, equally as small. He made them fight, something he did when he needed to think. The clicking together of rocks didn't disturb Foe's sleep. Atlas watched the tiny duelists destroy each other. He rebuilt them and then added a third one, much smaller. The small one climbed on top of one of the larger ones and started hitting it in the head. The other large one grabbed the small one and shattered it. They went back to fighting. Atlas absorbed the rubble from the small one. He saw the golems falling apart, so he reinforced them. He grew tired of them, they fell apart and he absorbed them, to be used later. He stretched, his newly healed shoulders still tender from the damage taken. Foe woke up. "Mmm..?" He blearily opened his eyes. For a brief moment, he felt as though he was laying on the most comfortable bed ever. He wiped his eyes and looked up at Atlas. "Morning gorgeous. I'm all healed up. Help me clean?" Foe nodded and stood up. Atlas wiped down the floor with the towel. Foe watched him bend down. He had never noticed how well defined Atlas's glutes were. He might have been top heavy, but his legs were still nicely sculpted. Atlas managed to get most of the strange oily blood off of the tile. "Head back to your place?" Foe nodded, walked over to his door and opened it. Foe stepped out of view from the doorway. Atlas walked in and closed the door behind him. Foe jumped from his little corner and pantsed Atlas, who tried to whirl around but tripped over his pants and landed face first on the couch. Foe wrapped his arms around Atlas's thighs and pressed his face into his ass. Atlas's cock stiffened. Foe pressed his face in deep and stroked Atlas's dick. Foe removed his mouth and stuck in two fingers, pressing down on Atlas's prostate. Atlas's member throbbed in his hand as he reached an orgasm. Foe aggressively fingered Atlas, and continued to stroke even as Atlas came. He softened in Foe's hand, still cumming. Atlas shakily stood up, kicked off his pants all the way and plunked down on the couch, Foe's drool still dripping from him. Foe jumped on top of him, ass above his crotch. He peppered Atlas's helmet with kisses and wrapped his legs around his abs. Atlas gave his ass a tired squeeze. "I don't have the energy. Sorry." Atlas laid his tired head back. Foe pulled a blanket over them and Atlas placed one hand over his back, and the other on his buns. He did his best to sleep off the pain.

Time passed, night cycle came around.

Tess was at Jackie's house, a surprisingly normal looking place for a gang leader. Spartanly furnished. Large kitchen, full bathroom with shower, bathtub and toilet. Her room was cool and dark, her soft bed covered in pillows and blankets, rivaling even Tess's bed. Tess sat on a chair, watching Jackie cook. "Chicken wings, incredibly hard to get around here but very tasty. You'll love em. Gonna cover them in a vinegary hot pepper sauce after baking them in an oven." Tess watched her lips move and stared at the cleavage her apron offered. Jackie turned around to face the stove, where she was cooking some kind of leafy vegetable in a pan. She poured on a red pepper sauce. She tasted the sauce and licked her lips. "'Zat what you're putting on the chicken wings?" "Smart girl." Jackie said without turning around. "Beers in the fridge if you want one, if you want to smoke leafsmoke I ask that you go outside. I like my house air to be clean." "Right. You got any Bluejay I can buy? Cravings are bloody killing me." Jackie pointed behind her at a large wooden cabinet. "Supplies to manually inject. Mid quality stuff, not laced. I also have laced. No charge, just because you're my lovedove and that would be unkind of me. They're labeled, you'll know which is which." Tess opened the cabinet and took out a belt, a large syringe and a clear vial filled with a glowing teal blue fluid. She wrapped the belt around her arm just above the elbow. "No need to cook it, come's precooked." Tess stuck the syringe into the bottle of clear fluid and filled the syringe til the bottle was empty. She tapped just below the needle to get any air out. She clenched her fist and laid back. "Lay on your side, manual injection sometimes makes me barf, don't know if it'll do that to you. Couch is in the living room." Tess gave a thumbs up and walked to the living room, syringe in hand. She stuck the needle into her raised vein and pushed down the plunger. The initial hot flash hit like the sun, she was sweating and nauseous. She hated the manual injects, but used one out of necessity. The nausea subsided and the hot flash was over. The room turned slowly. She saw small blue birds flutter from side to side mid-air. She laughed. Jackie poured in some more hot sauce onto the greens, turned the heat to low and placed a lid on them. She walked into the living room and turned on the tv with a voice command. "On." It took a moment to boot up, it flipped to a channel about cooking. She clicked past it and went to propaganda cartoons for Solaris children. She laid Tess's head across her lap and watched the tv. Tess felt her head get placed on two velvet pillows. She gave a sigh of contentment. She smelled cooking meat. The high just got stronger. Twenty minutes later, Jackie got up and went to the oven to take the wings out. She let them rest for five minutes, and tossed them in a whole bunch of sauce while they were still warm. She placed them back in to crisp up more. Ten minutes later, she took them out, tossed them again and set up plates at the table. She put the large bowl of wings in the middle of the table, as well as a large plate of greens with tongs next to them. "Food's ready. Get that sweet ass in here, lovedove." Tess coughed, coming down from the high. She stood up and stretched, feeling as though she had woken up from a nap. She switched off the tv and walked into the dining room. She sat at the table. Jackie came out of the kitchen holding a large glass of black liquid and a can of beer. "I don't pour em like Foe does, but I think I did alright." She set the Mourner's Brew in front of her. Tess squeezed the grey citrus onto the top of the drink. She took a sip of the bitter, sludgy and vaguely savory, salty brew. "Bloody hell you pour them good. Can I have a chicken wing?" Jackie had already started eating, removing all the meat from the bones by scraping it off with her teeth, chewing it briefly and swallowing. She dabbed at her sauce stained lips with a napkin. "Have as many as you like. I made enough for four or five people, hope to have leftovers. Imagine you're hungry after that Bluejay." Tess took twenty wings onto her plate and devoured them, her face blushing red from the hot sauce. She got through ten wings in under a minute, leaving the bones with ends chewed off. Her face was streaked with hot sauce and her fingers were coated in it. Jackie grabbed her hand, which had a wing in it. "Slow down. These are meant to be enjoyed, they're 300c a pound. This is 10 pounds. Slow down." Tess swallowed and nodded. "They taste so bloody good." Jackie scooped some greens onto her plate. "Try those. Favorite of mine." Tess wiped her face with a napkin and ate some of the greens. They weren't what she expected, but quite tasty. She picked up a hot wing and removed the meat with her mouth. She ate all of the greens in three or four bites. She had a few more wings and gave a burp. "Scuse me. I'm full, best food I've had in a while. Rockhead mostly eats soups and things, solid food is nice. Drink is a nice touch too." She took a big sip of it. "Bloody hell that's good. Thanks love." Jackie nodded and wiped her mouth. "I'm stuffed. Wanna watch an oldass film on galactic history? Older than the original Riddha. So interesting." Tess downed the rest of her drink. She held her temple. "Bloody sodding brain freeze!" She held her head and danced back and forth in pain. Jackie grabbed her and pressed her head into her breasts. "This warming up your brain at all?" Tess shook her head. "Warming up some other parts." Jackie grabbed her tall beer can from the table, tilted her head back and chugged it. She walked into the living room, Tess's head still against her chest. She sat down on the couch, pulling Tess's head into her lap. She smushed Tess's face into her crotch. Tess tried to fight, but found that Jackie was stronger. She felt a hand creep down her back, reaching her waist. The hand squeezed her butt before making its way back to her head. Tess rolled onto her side, enjoying the warmth. She grabbed a blanket from the floor and pulled it over herself. Jackie reached down and snapped Tess's bra strap. She turned on the tv and continued to feel the part of her back underneath it. She stuck her sharp nails into the spot, drawing blood. Tess groaned slightly. "What, you like that? You little freak." Jackie flicked her fingers in a circle, leaving a trail of scratch marks and blood. Tess wrapped her arms around Jackie's midsection and pressed her face into her thighs further. Jackie smirked, knowing she'd won. "Tele, put on 'The Grineer Strike Pt. 2" The tv spoke back. "Confirmed." The documentary started, Jackie kept digging her nails into Tess, who felt her southern lips moisten with every deepening wound.

Foe pretended to sleep, but really all he could do was think. Am I a girl? Can I be a girl? I hate my face. I want to change it. Do I really want to date a giant who clears rooms with only his fists? Is it love or do I just like how he makes me feel girly? Will I ever understand this? Is there anyone who can answer these questions? He sat and brooded. In the middle of the night cycle, Atlas was asleep, in his oddly still manner, not breathing. Foe climbed off of him and walked over to his shiny piece of metal. He admired how slim and pretty his figure was. He hated the facial hair, he wanted to keep it because Atlas liked it so much, but it also didn't feel quite right on him. He took a knife from a drawer, wiped the dust off and sharpened it as best he could. He held it by the tip and the handle. He sliced the hair off of his face, down to the skin. He brushed the loose hair off. He looked in the mirror. He pulled down the neck part of his turtleneck. His throat was bruised black and he loved it. Atlas made him feel so pretty, when he squeezed him with his big hands. A thought occurred to Foe: "Do I really need to be a man? We're the culmination of the things we feel inside, not out. I.. I think I've always been a girl. I'm going to tell Atlas when he wakes up." Foe spent the rest of the night cycle trying to feel prettier. He didn't succeed. Somewhere in the night, he realized he was really she. She smiled, realizing who she was. No more sense of unrest, no more late night crying sessions, and no more insecurity about masculinity. She felt her neck and how tender the flesh was. She knew it had to be love. All her boyfriends up to this point had just been stepping stones leading to Atlas. Tomorrow, she would go out and buy some skirts and a helmet to hide her face. She climbed back onto Atlas, who made a sound not unlike a sigh and held her close.

Foe woke up early and heated up some water. Atlas was still asleep. She dropped in a caffeine pill. She waited for it to cool a bit before drinking it. She sat next to Atlas and waited for him to wake up, she kept her legs crossed. Atlas woke up with a groan. He rubbed his head. "Feel like somebody punched the crap out of me. Feels like I've been chewing on hot copper coins. Awful." He turned his head to look at Foe. "Well don't you look cute. How you feelin' handsome?" "I-" Atlas looked at her face and waited for her to speak. Her eyes filled with tears and she put her face in her hands and looked down. What if he doesn't understand? What if he hates me for what I am? What do I do if he does? I don't want him to leave. How do I tell him? Atlas put his hand on her back. "What's wrong?" She took a deep breath and looked him in the face. "I-I think I'm a g-girl, Atlas. I understand if you don't see it that way, but I've thought about it long and hard, and realized that's what I am." Atlas shrugged. "You're cute as a guy, you're cute as a girl. You're a goddamn gem, I don't care what gender you are. What do you want me to call you?" Foe didn't have words. She just squealed and jumped onto Atlas, holding him tight. "So, is Foe alright? Assuming you want me to refer to you as a girl, calling you she and her and all that." Foe giddily nodded into his neck. "Well, never had a girlfriend as cute as you. Assuming you want that. Never known what to do in those types of situations, but if you'll be mine, I'll gladly keep wearing you out if you want me to. Guy or girl." Foe wrapped her legs around him and kissed him in the helmet. Atlas rolled down her turtleneck. "Your neck is looking pretty gnarly, and that turtleneck could use a wash. What say we go out and buy you a few more? My treat." "Really?" "Just call in to work, I'm sure whatshisface can cover if needed." "Seth? That guy couldn't cover a spot on the ground with his boot. I'll go in today, wearing this. Get me some more in this color, size XXL. I like the baggy ones. While you're at it, you should get some pants. I love that big dick and tight ass of yours, but I don't think everyone else will share that point of view." Atlas took some paper from the table and a pen off the floor, he scribbled down the specified items. He grabbed his ragged pants from the floor and pulled them on. He turned to face her. "Got a shirt?" "I don't think you'll need one." "No shirt, no shoes no service is the policy. I have neither." He picked up his ragged boot and held it at eye level. "Not gonna work. You gotta come with me... Erm. Good girl?" He said apprehensively. Foe nodded her approval. "Good start, your pet names need work." "Duly noted. We leavin' or not, good girl?" Atlas opened the door and gestured for her to leave with him. She stepped out, jogging down the hallway. Atlas closed the door and locked it, then followed behind.

Tess lay naked on top of her bedroll in the shack. She heavily smoked leaf from the pen, thinking about Jackie. She stretched one of her arms out, watching her fingers move up and down. She heard a knock on the door. She ignored it, lost in her own world. She took another hit from it. The knock grew louder. "Open up! I have a message from 6-Bolts!" Tess groaned in irritation and stood up. She pulled a blanket over her nude body and walked over to the door. She opened it, leafsmoke drifting out in reddish clouds. "Aye?" "Aubergine de flambe. It's urgent. Go to the Emporium." Jackie giddily nodded and closed the door. She threw down the blanket and the pen onto the bedroll, opened a nearby trunk and yanked out some clothes. She settled on a ratty t-shirt with a faded robotic fist on it and something written in Corpus she couldn't make out, and a pair of thick black cargo pants that fit loosely. She looked out of one of the cracks in the walls. Cold outside, still early morning. She grabbed her best hide jacket off of a nearby coat rack and put it on. She snapped the lapels, pulled her hair back and tied it with a bit of ribbon she kept in one of the pockets. She left the place and locked the door behind her using an old lock system, pins inside a knob. She cheerily jogged in the direction of the Emporium, moving her way through the crowded streets of New Riddha. She was so excited to see Jackie she didn't even notice tall, cloaked figure loosely tailing her. The deep red sigil of the Deran was tattooed on his dark skinned forearm. Tess happily skipped through the crowd and down the street. She turned into an alley network. The figure followed her. She made a right, walked a good ways past the huddles of people in canvas tents, and in circles around wastebins with fires in them, holding their hands close for warmth. Tess didn't see them, she continued skipping. She went a long ways, her pursuer gradually getting closer and closer. Tess stopped for a moment and took a small bundle from her pocket. She took out a pair of wired earbuds and a small device. She plugged the earbuds into the small device, pressed some buttons on it and returned it to her pocket. She walked slower, moving her head and shoulders as if to the beat of something. She made a hard left. The pursuer was within feet now. Tess was about to turn a corner leading to the warehouse of the Emporium, when the pursuer grabbed her by the back of the jacket and hit her in the face, shattering her nose and knocking her out. He took a small device from the inside of his cloak. "It's done. Bringing the girl to the place." A crackle of static came back. The man picked Tess up and slung her over his shoulder. Blood dripped from her face, but seemingly slid right off of his cloak. He pulled a red mask over his face and climbed onto the back of a building. He leapt from building to building, until he reached a ledge with a waste truck below it, filled with garbage. The top of the truck was open and it was running. He leapt two stories down and landed inside of the garbage, the pungent reek making him gag. He knocked on the inside of the truck and the lid above him closed, shrouding them in darkness. Tess did not stir, her breathing was deep and near silent. She did not dream.

After a long period of time, the truck stopped. They weren't in New Riddha anymore, but on another part of Europa. The area was hardly terraformed and the atmosphere was thinner than in other places, and everything had a weird blue glow. The man pulled on another, smaller mask. A breather. The top of the truck opened and he jumped out, Tess over his shoulder. The truck peeled off. In front of them stood a massive square building, small airlock at the front. Tess's breathing became short and shallow. She woke up a bit. Her vision spiraled and she felt like she was choking. The air felt like poison. She tried to swing her fist down at the man holding her, but couldn't muster the strength. She went more limp than before and tried not to breathe. They reached the airlock. The man pulled his mask down and put his eye up to the reader on the side. The airlock whooshed open and the man stepped in. Tess's ears popped painfully, her vision blurring a bit. The first door closed behind them. After a moment, the one in front of them opened. Tess did her best not to vomit. The effects of the leafsmoke were still apparent, even through the haze of pain she still had a weak smile on her face. The man walked her to the middle of the large warehouse and dropped her onto a metal chair with a large grey tarp beneath it. A long metal table stood a few feet away, laden with all manner of sharp objects and guns. The man tied her to the chair, hands behind her back. Her head lolled. The man whistled and then walked away, headed for the airlock. He left. A man in an expensive looking suit with a deep red tie and an entourage of 4 people, all in surgical gear stepped forward, the man in the suit holding a pair of wire cutters. Tess did her best to look at him "Aye. What's the word, captain?" The man began to speak. "My name is unimportant, as is my role in all of this, but the message I bring is of the utmost importance. We fucking own purple ice. We cook it, we own the ingredient farms and everything surrounding them. 6-Bolts fucked with that. We can't get to her, so we're using you. You tell us everything you know, or this is gonna be the worst night of your life. That's all. All you, boys." The man handed the wire cutters to one of them and walked towards a small office in the back, shades down. One of the men in scrubs walked forward and gave Tess a shot from a syringe filled with yellow liquid. Tess groaned and felt herself sober up.

Another one grabbed a pair of fabric scissors from the table. Wordlessly, he cut Tess's pants off, leaving her exposed. He drew lines on around her upper knees with a marker. Another walked over with an electric saw in hand. The 4th one took notes on a clipboard. The saw turned on, the blades slowly moved back and forth. Clipboard stood in front of her and examined her up and down. Tess shuddered at the sight of the saw. "W-what are you going to do to me?" "Whatever we need to." Clipboard said while examining the muscles of her calves. Tess couldn't help but be terrified. Clipboard started pulling things out of her pockets. Scissors handed him a bag and he placed them into it. They cut off her jacket, leaving her in nothing but her t-shirt. The 4 stood in front of her. Clipboard held his clipboard at his side. "'Kay. Here's how this is gonna work. You tell us what you know about 6-Bolts and her involvement in all our ice disappearing, or we'll do the worst things you can imagine to you until you do." Tess spat, hitting him right in the upper lip. "Fuck you. Over my dead bloody body you twats are getting information on Jackie." Clipboard wiped her spit off of his face. His neutral expression hardened into a cold frown. Scissors pulled her boots off and took out the wire cutters. He placed the cold blades on Tess's little toe on her right foot. Clipboard spoke again. "This is your final chance before we start our little lesson. How did your boss get our ice?" "Kiss my bloody arse, you sack of snot." Clipboars nodded. Scissors closed the wire cutters on her toe, lopping it off with a snapping sound. Tess's face twitched, she did her utmost to ignore the pain. She bled. A lot."That all? Still don't have an answer for you." "Take another, and stick something sharp into the first one." Scissors jammed the scissors into the first wound before cutting off the second one. Shock wore off. Tess screamed in agony, her eyes filling with tears and a lump forming in her throat. "Ready to talk?" Through shaky, shallow breaths Tess said, "Fuck... You!" Scissors stabbed the scissors through the top of her foot, going all the way through. He yanked it back outwards, creating a massive valley of gore and coating the blades in bits blood. "Give her a blood clotter." Saw stuck Tess with a syringe of clear fluid. The blood stopped gushing from her right foot, slowing to a sludge. "Well?" Tess shook her head. Scissors cut off another two toes. Tess chomped her teeth together. Scissors took the last o ne on the foot, the whole thing redder than an overripe apple. He stabbed the scissors through her calf a few times. Tess couldn't look down, afraid of what she might see. She tried to wriggle her toes, but found she couldn't. She looked down at her feet. She screamed, louder and louder. She violently vomited all over herself, continuing to cry. Scissors shook the blood off of his gloves, spatters hitting Tess's face. "Well? You want to talk now? We can end the pain right now, big syringe full of nice painkillers here." He wiggled a needle from side to side. Tess didn't see it, her eyes were closed. Without warning he lunged forward and hit her in the face, feeling her eyesocket crunch. "LOOK YOU DUMB CUNT! LOOOK!" He hit her again, knocking teeth everywhere. Tess opened her painfully red eyes and looked. She spat syrupy blood at him and did her best glare. "Fug. You." She managed to choke out. He stepped back and nodded at Scissors, who moved to her other foot, bloodstained wirecutters in hand. Tess could feel herself beginning to pass out. "Adrenaline." Clipboard said. Saw stuck her with a penlike needle. Tess felt more awake and could feel every wound, like a million million iron filings pushing themselves inside of her. She hyperventilated, the lack of air exacerbating the pain.

This went on for hours, from toes to feet to knees. She couldn't speak, flail or do anything. Her face had begun to swell and she could hardly see. They gave her so many clotters she hardly bled at all but was still lightheaded. She felt herself passing out. Scissors slapped her in the face, her ears ringing from the blow. She heard an odd scraping sound. A steel operating table was dragged over to her, straps at the ready. They undid her bonds and transferred her limp form to the table. They strapped her arms down, biceps and fore-arms. They strapped down her legs just above the knee. Saw walked over, blades revved and moving back and forth. "Last chance before you lose a leg, Tess." Clipboard said, his voice barely audible through the sound of her pulse and a telltale shrieking she felt in the back of her mind. She felt the teeth of the saw touch her mutilated right leg, slowly chipping into the flesh. She closed her eyes and moved to the back of her mind.

Tess moved herself into the part of her mind she feared and tried to avoid. The effigy of herself in her head held fire in its hand. It held the fire up like a torch and walked into the strange, grey abyss of the untapped Void. She bravely set forth, howls and shrieks of people she once knew echoing through its strange chambers and steel trees. She walked a short distance before running into a massive version of herself, staring down at her with starry eyes dark as coal and flecks of light bright as the sun. She had massive rotating platforms around her. The giant cocked her head. "Figured out that you need me, kiddo?" "Aye. Let's get this over with." "Come closer." Tess complied. The giant picked her up and held her at eye level. She held out her other hand in a shaking position. She was somehow bigger and smaller than Tess at the same time. "Shake. You know the deal. If you want our strength in its fullest, you must shake." Tess didn't even hesitate. The howling doubled in volume as she shook hands. The giant threw her down into the abyss below her feet. Tess fell out of her mind. When she came back, her legs were gone at the knees. She opened her mouth and let out a wall rattling scream. Her eyes turned pitch black and the things around her turned greyish blue, warping in and out of existence. Her severed legs dissolved into nothing. She grew strange, glowing orange replacements. Time froze. Her restraints came off like tissue and suddenly she wasn't the victim anymore. She leapt off of the table and onto the floor. Testing her newfound strength, she sent a colossal wave of energy through the men, deconstructing them at a molecular level. Time unfroze and they fell to the floor, nothing more than blood and clothing. She howled again. Her legs and face were still in agony. She picked up Scissors's wirecutters. She moved into the office in the back, the place seemingly moving through her, rather than vice versa. The man in the suit sat in a chair, working at a desk. He startled when she appeared. "Hello, shitstain. Would you like your death to be quick and painless or would you like to experience what I am currently?" The man shook his head, too terrified to respond. "I was just being polite. Option number 2 it is." He tried to scramble for the back door, but Tess slid through time and space and got there long before him. He drew a small pistol and fired at her, his shots striking true. They were very small bullets, but all 8 hit her in the torso and head. Tess acted as if they weren't even there, blood flooding from the wounds. The man was frozen in place. Tess telekinetically removed the bullets from inside of herself and made them fly through every one of his sensitive spots. Joints, genitals, areas with a lot of nerves in general. All he could do was sit and take it, unable to move anything but his eyes. Even then, the small bullets eventually made their way over to them. He was shredded to paste. Tess howled again, feeling something awaken inside of her. A surge of Void fire surged through her body and her surroundings warped and folded. The coagulent had worn off and Tess was losing blood. Her newfound Void legs crumpled beneath her. She managed to crawl to the desk and press some keys. Jackie's voice came over the speaker, "Hello?" "Help me." Was all Tess said before passing out in a puddle of her own blood. The warehouse was coated in her own blood, and the blood of the men. Tess looked like she had gone through a blender.

Jackie was sitting in her office, fretting over where Tess might have gone. She reached for her cell. It rang, an anonymous call she couldn't trace. "Hello?" She heard heavy breathing and then two words. "Help me." It was Tess. The line didn't hang up, all she could hear was an odd humming sound, with strange gasps in between. She dropped everything and kept the line open. "Lovedove? You there?" All she heard was shallow breathing, and a sound like a faucet dripping onto the floor. Quiet, but noticeable. She took her cell out to the warehouse, still on. She ran over to the back entrance, shoving past Seth. "Everything okay, boss?" She knocked him onto his ass and continued off in a sprint. She turned a corner away from the warehouse. She saw an Enforcer truck and drew her pistol, running to the driver's side. There was an Enforcer officer without his helmet, absentmindedly whistling with the window rolled down. She shot him in the face and pulled him out of the car, dropping him to the ground. She put the car into gear and peeled off in the direction the phone was giving her. She had a suspicion that Tess was in a certain Derin warehouse out in the boonies. She heard the breathing in the phone speed up a bit. Tess gave out a strangled gasp of pain and violently sobbed. "My legs! My bloody fucking leh-heh-heeeegs!" Jackie smashed the pedal as far to the ground as it would go. She pressed a key on the center console to activate an energy field around the vehicle. The outside heated to the temp of a welder and she melted through anything in her path. Soon she was out of New Riddha and in a less developed part of Europa. She flew past smaller places, farms, industrial material producers and domiciles for unionmen. Soon she was away from signs of people and all that was left was bots out doing work, and a large warehouse off in the distance with a collapsing roof and a strange blue glow. Jackie tried to go faster, but the car was at max speed.

She skidded to a stop twenty feet from the door. She tried to open the door but it jammed. She punched it with her robotic and knocked the thing off the hinges. She ran over to the airlock. It wouldn't open so she kicked and kicked and kicked until the infernal thing opened. The gave the one inside the same treatment. Her ears popped at the slight pressure change. The air was thick with the smell of blood. "Tess?" She shouted. Her voice echoed back through the phone. In the middle of the room was a tarp, a chair and a table. They were all soaked in blood. She saw a pile of clothes and some sharp instruments, but no Tess. There was a trail of blood leading to an office in the back. She ran through the gummy blood to the back. There was blood pooling from under the door. There was a small window inlaid into the door. She peeked through it. There was a desk and chair soaked in blood, two small hands were on the desk and she could still hear blood dripping. There was a strange pile of black and pink goop next to the back door. She kicked at the door. It didn't budge. She kicked and kicked and kicked. She barely dented it. She stepped back, head in her hands in anger. She bumped into a crate. On top of it was an electric blowtorch. She picked it up and hurried to the door. She turned it on, shielding her eyes. Using her robotic hand, she burnt a hole into the door, turning it off to look. A start, but not big enough. Through the hole she heard a quiet sob. She turned it on again and hastily burnt a bigger and bigger hole until the door was practically gone. She stepped through. There, laying on the chair was Tess. She was glowing faintly. Her legs were mutilated stumps and her face was so bruised and swollen it was nearly unrecognizable. "Jaggie..?" She tried to lift her head but failed. Seemingly, that glow was the only thing keeping her alive. Jackie had seen some truly awful things in her time as a Runaway, but this took the cake. Her lovedove, so hurt. "I dint break Jaggie. I dint shell you out." She said through a mouthful of blood. Jackie knelt down wordlessly and threw off her jacket. She tore off her shirt, leaving her in a bra. She tore it into strips and tightly wound them around Tess's legs. She was too weak to wince but would if she could. The bleeding stemmed even more, coming to a stop. The blue glow slowly subsided and it began to bleed again. Jackie wound more cloth around the wound, tighter. She hung up the phone and dialed one of her off grid medical people. "Nate. 6-Bolts here. Got an injured Ten-Zero here, need immediate med evac. Don't care what you're doing, priority target so get your ass over here." "I'm in the middle of a-" "Now! Or it's your fucking job! I will throw your ass to the Derin right now if you don't get the fuck over here!" "Righto. Sok! Finish this. Just need to patch him up." "Sir, I'm just a lowerclass, I can't do this-" "Now, Sok." "Yes, Doctor." Jackie pulled up a screen and entered some numbers. "ASAP." She sent them and hung up. She tossed the phone onto the desk and gently pulled Tess into her lap, sitting on the floor. "It's gonna be okay, lovedove. I've got you." Tess's breathing was unsteady and her eyes were closed. Jackie's eyes welled with tears. A large van stopped outside and a group of people tromped in, less than 5 minutes later. Jackie cried quietly, begging Tess to stay with her. They filed into the room. Wordlessly, one of them scooped Tess out of her arms and put her onto a stretcher. They lifted her up. Nathan walked into the room once they took her away."We'll get her feeling better in no time. I don't do ride-alongs most of the time, but since you're blackmailing me, you wanna go into the van with her? She's not awake but I'm sure a familiar face would be nice when she wakes up. Didn't get a good look, but estimated recovery is two weeks, max." Jackie kept her head down and wiped her eyes with the back of her arm. She stood up and looked down at Nathan. "Thank you, Nate." "Hate it when you call me that." He suppressed the urge to stare at Jackie's chest, but caught a glance anyways. "Eyes are up here, doc." He flushed red, barely visible on his umber skin. "Sorry. Follow me." They walked out silently. Nathan got into the van with Tess, a few techs and Jackie. They stuck all kinds of needles and things into Tess. The swelling went down and her bleeding stopped. Jackie zipped her jacket, hiding her stomach and breasts. They peeled off Tess's makeshift tourniquet. An hour later, they dropped Jackie off a few blocks from her place. She walked home, reading her dossier on all Derin hideouts near her. They were going to pay for messing up her lovedove.

Samson put himself together piece by piece, using the bodies inside the ruined lab to fuel himself. The Corpus's stringy oily flesh was foul, but sustaining. His body found its head and it grew back on. The teeth that foul rock had taken grew back. He looked for his sword but found it gone. He chuckled. "I shall make a new one, I suppose." ,He thought aloud. He walked through the facility, eating bits of steel as he went. He felt himself grow stronger by the minute. He peered through a window. The sun was blinding. He covered his eyes and stepped backwards. "I must grow stronger. I am not strong enough. My hands shake like an old woman's." He looked down at his hands. He tore off hunks of metal from everywhere he could reach and ate. It took him weeks to finish the place. It stayed empty, mercifully. During his endless feast, things happened on the outside. He could feel them, but scarcely cared so great was his gluttony.

Jackie and three of her best operatives were going to a Derin owned bar. The smallest scaled the back wall and broke in that way. Jackie threw stasis grenades into the place, freezing everything in the vicinity. She went in with a knife and cut every throat she saw, uncaring who. Far as she was concerned, they were all Derin. The smallest came over the radio. "Boss's up here, tied him up. He's awake. Says he knew the guys who took your dove." "Copy." Jackie jerked her head towards the stairs, the other two followed. She walked up the stairs over to the tied up the man. She knelt in front of him. "Cover all points of ingress you three. Cover your ears if you don't want to hear what comes next." She cut the mans bonds off and yanked him to his feet. He tried to draw a pistol but Jackie knocked the air out of him before he could. She nabbed the pistol and kneecapped him. Her men didn't even flinch at his screams of pain. She flipped him over with a kick. She knelt on his lower back and grabbed an arm. She broke it backwards. He screamed and sobbed. "Why are you doing this?! I told you where it is!" She broke his other arm. She stood up and flipped him over with her foot. She kicked him in the head. Hard. He was struck dumb, unable to form a sentence. She threw him out the open window. "We're leaving. Kill anyone who comes in. If they're Runaways or stray kids, leave em alone. Anyone else is meat." "Confirmed." They said in unison. Jackie took a capsule from her pocket and threw it down the stairs. It sprayed flammable liquid everywhere. They walked out. Jackie threw a lit piece of firecloth inside and watched it go up in flames. They were gone by the time the firesquad came in. They hit another bar, killing the owner and Derin inside. Even the ones she was on neutral terms with. She put up posters of Solaris fists. Foe and Atlas stayed by Tess whenever Jackie was out. Bits of the city were a scorched mess. Jackie couldn't get over her anger at everything, try as she might. She drowned her sorrows in leafsmoke and aged maprico wines.

Tess faded in and out of consciousness. She saw angels over her. They had Jackie's face. She smiled. Her legs were oddly numb. She didn't dare look at them, she feared they might be hurt. One bright day cycle, when Jackie was at her side she sat up and looked down. Her legs were gone. Jackie scooted her chair closer. Tess pulled out the IV inside of her and dropped into Jackie's lap. She cried and cried and cried. Softly sobbing into Jackie's chest. She couldn't even muster banter. The medical center didn't allow leafsmoke or tobacco. She craved Bluejay but Jackie declined her request. "You need sober sleep, lovedove." A few weeks later, she was out of the place. She couldn't walk and refused a wheelchair. "It's humiliating. I don't need it." Jackie cradled her like a child. "Take me to a forge. I've a plan." Jackie complied, talking to the inhouse smith. He took one look at Tess. "No. Absolutely not." Jackie held Tess with one arm, reached into a belt pouch and took out 2 grand. "You have two choices. Take the bribe, or I'll just get a guy in here to slap some sense into you and use your forge anyways." He accepted the credits. "Not responsible if you hurt yourself. Don't think about breaking anything neither, I have insurance on all my equipment." "Duly noted." Jackie walked Tess over to some steel plates and rods. "What do you need lovedove?" "I need three hundred rods. 150 for each prosthetic. I need molding sand and parts to make Void transmitters." Jackie looked at her in shock. "That's a hundred thousand credits worth of stuff. I'm good for it, but you owe me." "Right. I don't have 100 grand currently, so it'll take me a while to pay you back." Jackie raised an eyebrow. "You can pay me back in other ways. Now then, to the molding sand."

Together, they made two 150 fold hollow legs and feet, with transmitters inside. It took two weeks, all time told. Tess had to do all kinds of physical therapy. Her bandages were off and her spirits were high. What were Atlas and Foe up to? I hear you asking. Let's look, shall we?

Foe was more and more confident in being a girl. Atlas was supportive. She begged Atlas to choke her senseless. Atlas gave a resolute no. "No. I can crush titanium into dust. I don't want to hurt you, lovie." Foe spent more and more time at Atlas's place. She cleaned up Tess's bedroll and made a small bedroll for herself in Atlas's corner. She organized his rather monochrome wardrobe. White shirts, black pants and a couple of brown trenchcoats. She wore skirts and turtlenecks. Atlas cooked quite a bit. Foe watched him from the couch, his muscular form bulging from his white wifebeater. He was tossing some vegetables in a pan. He caught her staring and gave a small wave. "See something you like?" He said with an amused exhale from the spot where his nose would have been. "Yeah, I see a rock monster cooking some food. Whatcha makin'?" Foe responded. Atlas turned to his vegetables again. A wooden spoon moved on its own next to him, or so it seemed. The spoon was stirring in a circular motion, making smaller circles all the while. "Didn't have the stuff I wanted for stirfry. No capsicum. I'm improvising. You'll like it." Foe stood up and walked over to see how the spoon was moving. It was a small rock creature, in a little paper hat. She laughed. "Did you make that?" She pointed, laughing. "Mm? Oh. Yeah, just a simple golem." "Look at you! Such a cutie!" Atlas laughed. "You're such a cutie. Hand me those red pepper flakes from the counter over there." He pointed behind him. She passed them to him. He put a couple taps into the thin brown sauce the golem was stirring. He turned the heat off of it and moved it to the back to cool a bit. "Need to let it cool a bit, it'll finish cooking in the sort of stirfry I'm making currently. The golem continued stirring as if nothing had changed. Atlas tried to take the spoon but it refused to let go, continuing to try to stir. "Why doesn't it do what you tell it to?" Asked Foe. "I try to give them simple instructions, they're hard to manage otherwise." "Can you make it dance?" "Sure." He held his hand over the golem. It crumbled to rubble and Atlas reabsorbed it. He put the spoon onto a spoon holder in the center of the stove. He made some pebbles and idly dropped them onto the counter next to him. He moved his fingers in some strange patterns and they formed themselves into a little humanoid and started doing something resembling dancing. It alternated between three moves. Foe was enraptured. "Can you make bigger ones?" "I can make some bigger than me, just takes a lot of energy. I can make about 100 of these guys if I don't have to make the rocks myself. Fortunately, I can make some by turning an object to stone." The sauce was hardening a bit. Atlas took the spoon, gave it a stir and then poured it onto the vegetables with a sizzle. He grabbed a fork from a nearby drawer. He concentrated for a moment. The golem stopped dancing and walked over to Atlas, awaiting instructions. He handed it the fork. It kept still for a moment before tossing it into the air. Atlas stared at it as it fell. It turned to stone. The golem smashed it onto the counter. Atlas absorbed the rocks it created. He made the golem fall apart and absorbed it. Foe watched in awe. "That is so cool. What else can you do?" "Nothing right now, I'm pretty tired. I say we eat and chat, and I go rest a while once we're done? You can stay up if you want, I'm a heavy sleeper." Foe grabbed two plates from a nearby cabinet and put them next to the stove. She gave the vegetables a stir before spooning portions onto the plates. She poured excess sauce onto them. There was enough for two portions. Atlas made a tiny golem to carry his, knowing it would amuse Foe. "Aren't you worried it will drop it?" "It's programmed not to. They're about as close to unstoppable as it gets. Nothing short of an act of god will make it drop that plate. Try to kick it. Hard as you can." Foe swung her foot at the plate as it walked past. The plate didnt break. The food flew off, but it caught it all out of the air, even the sauce. "Holy fuck." "Right?" It brought the food to the table. Foe took off her turtleneck. Her chest was bare. Atlas stared at her chest. "Nice tits. Very hot." She flushed red. "Oh stawp.." He opened his mouth and took out his tongue. He pulled in the food and sauce in one go. He pulled his tongue back into his mouth and closed it. Foe ate quickly and quietly, her face still red. Atlas yawned and stretched. He made a golem subtly. It brought Foe a baggy t-shirt with a Solaris United symbol on it. It placed it in her lap and then crumbled. Atlas reabsorbed it. "Thanks." She put it on and finished her food. "Fucking awful what happened to Tess." Atlas took a deep breath. "I should have been there. I could have helped her. She isn't going out again without me, your boss or someone else who can keep her safe." "Atlas, it wasn't your fault-" "Don't. Just don't. I need to have a minute. Please don't follow me." He put his plate into the sink gently. He walked out the back door. He created a dummy again and started rapidly hitting it. Each his thundered like a cannon, spraying dust from the ground below it everywhere. He was coated with dust and some of the outer "flesh" on his knuckles was gone when he came back. He dusted himself off. "Sorry. I needed to get that out of my system, I wish you weren't here for it." Foe jumped onto him and kissed him over and over again. "Do that to me. I want you to break me like the slutty bitch I am." "Don't need to tell me twice." He tore off his pants and boxers undereath. He ripped off his shirt and threw Foe onto her bedroll. He gently removed her shirt, knowing it was her favorite. He tore a hole in her new pants, exposing her twitching hole and leaking cock. His member throbbed in anticipation. They made love, passionately and roughly. Atlas fell asleep quickly afterwards. Foe pulled a blanket over them both and lay on his massive chest a while, believing all was right with the world. A few months since Tess's torture and everything was fine. Until it wasn't.

Samson ate his fill. Nobody seemed to notice that the facility was gone. He took time to digest and ponder.

Tess was getting the hang of her legs. She channeled the Void as best she could. They fused with her, relearning to walk sucked. Jackie was there the entire time, holding her hand through it all. Jackie killed more Derin in those weeks than any other time combined. They stayed far from her turf, regrouping outside of New Riddha and in the less terraformed areas.

Tess could walk on her own, the only thing that would end up saving her in the end. Samson climbed out of his home. He gave a strange, ethereal roar and clicked his claws. It sounded like strange drums. People scattered left and right. He tore up anything he could reach and ate it. After consuming some, he shifted out of the physical plane. He became large enough to see all of New Riddha, and the areas outside of it. Our heroes looked outside. "Run, Foe." Said Atlas. "I can fight!" Atlas made a 9 foot tall Rumbler. It picked up Foe gently and ran for the escape pods. She kicked and punched and fought all she could. The golem ignored her. Atlas crawled into Tess's mind. She was attaching a strange device to her wrist, moving towards the colossus as people ran past, headed for the pods. Something had hit the CPUs controlling them. All but one had left. Foe and the golem watched as New Riddha faded behind them. She cried. The golem hugged her. She cried into its chest. "H-he's gonna die." She tried to push to the controls but the golem held her.

People rioted trying to get into the last pod. Samson destroyed and ate everything. Enforcers shouted over a PA system to stay inside. The few who complied ended up dying to Samson. He roared and guffawed as he ate. "TREMBLE BEFORE ME, WORMS! I AM SAMSON THE MIGHTY, AND I HAVE COME TO EAT YOU ALL! HA HA HA HA HAAAA!" He spat his razor sharp teeth and raked deep holes in the stone with his claws as he ate. Tess took potshots at him with her Amp. Samson ignored every bullet he was hit with. Enforcers, Runaways, Derins, civilians, they all opened fire on the colossus but none dealt him any damage. They all rushed for the pods, realizing it was a lost cause. Samson slung out a wave of claws, which he regrew as he lost they struck true on most and those who weren't hit the first time were trapped under debris or hit by a second wave of claws. Tess and Jackie were on top of a roof, still shooting at him. Jackie scooped up Tess and jumped to a lower building, her boots absorbing the shock. She leapt from building to building, Tess shooting over her shoulder the entire time. They reached the drop pods, where a riot was taking place. Blood everywhere, people bludgeoning each other trying to get in. Samson was eating everything in his wake, even debris. He left nothing behind but soot. Jackie landed on a building by the crowd. She set Tess down and took a couple shrapnel grenades from her belt. High grade explosive shrapnel. Custom made. Tess looked up from her shooting and watched Jackie pull the pin. "What are you doing?!" She tried to lunge for it but it was too late. Jackie lobbed it into the crowd. It hit some poor slob in the head. It liquefied everyone around him, leaving chunks of smoldering bone and blood everywhere. Now people were running away. Samson slung out more claws. One missed Tess and Jackie by a hair. Jackie flung the other grenade, killing the few who remained. "I'm doing them a favor." She said, Tess squirmed in her arms. Jackie took an odd looking knife from her belt. She pried up the plating of a nearby console and jammed it into a slot. Samson was very close, all buildings around him were destroyed. A massive claw flew down and went through Jackie's back. "NOOOOO!" Tess screamed. Jackie managed to open the drop pod. She pulled herself off of the claw. She staggered over to Tess and pushed her into the drop pod. She dropped on top of Tess and kissed her, blood leaking from her mouth. Jackie took her hand off, revealing the stump. She put it into Tess's hands. "Don't forget me." She pushed Tess into the pod again, leaving her chest and mouth covered in blood. The door closed and Tess was trapped inside. She pounded on the window. Jackie leaned against a nearby console and watched Tess leave. She formed her hands into a heart shape and then blew a kiss. Tess sobbed uncontrollably inside the pod. Jackie turned to watch Samson. She heard a massive roar and saw a figure come running up to him.

As Tess took off, she felt a massive quake. She saw a gigantic hole in the ground, someone inside of it. Samson staggered back. Atlas dashed forwards and swung his fist upwards. He let loose as much as he could. He wasn't in a lab trying to preserve data. He was pissed. This waste was his punching bag. Samson needed to die. He would make that happen. He leapt onto Samson while he was in the air and hit him with a flurry of punches. Each hit shook the ground below them. He slammed Samson back into the ground. Samson's ethereal form dissolved and he was back to 7 feet tall. The remaining skyscrapers and houses looked like nothing more than objects to use against Samson. Samson, still dazed from the attack lay on his back. Atlas raised two fists over his head and brought them down on Samson's head as hard as he could. The ground beneath him turned to dust but Samson himself was fine. He roared and tried to pick up Atlas. He didn't give. He gave Samson his hardest right hook. Samson flew through a nearby building with a crash. He roared and lunged for Atlas, who caught him midair by the head. He hit him until the end of his snout was crooked and an eye popped out of his head. Samson started to say something but Atlas just kept hitting him. He threw Samson to the ground. Suddenly, Samson glowed green. His eye popped back in, his teeth regrew and his aching bones fixed themselves. He stretched. "Refreshing. My turn." He swept Atlas off of his feet and threw him by the leg into the ground. He skipped like a stone before catching himself. He threw a chunk of debris, hitting Atlas in the face, knocking him down again. He threw punch after punch with his many arms. Atlas grabbed him by the head again. Samson struggled. He flipped him over, caught him by the leg and pounded him into the ground, head first. Atlas pounded the ground. A Rumbler the size of a building came up from the ground. It beat its chest. Samson pulled himself from the ground and stuck a handful of claws into Atlas, who ignored them. The Rumbler used its giant fists and feet to pummel Samson to a pulp. His hair stayed intact. As he started to heal, Atlas took his spine and broke it in half. He tore off the hair and gave it to the Rumbler, who shredded it. It opened like a small star. The air lit up. The Rumbler was incinerated. Atlas was fine at first, until he crumbled. Jackie was incinerated. New Riddha, all of its outer reaches and Europa as a whole were incinerated. Nothing remained of Samson.

Jackie watched in awe. "Glad I didn't piss him off. If you hear this somehow, with all this newfangled tech, I love you Tess. I love you so fucking much." The console was transmitting, Foe and Tess heard her. "I love you too, Jackie." With a cough, Jackie died. Tess sobbed uncontrollably. Suddenly there was an explosion. The transmission cut off. Atlas was ripped to bits by Samson's hair as it exploded. As was all of Europa. The moon turned to nothing but debris. "NNNOOOOOOOO!" Foe screamed.

A small, glowing stone floated next to Atlas's sundered body. Foe managed to break free from the weakened Rumbler. She pulled on a suit, took out a maglev and flew out to grab it. She did her best to kiss Atlas, who was dissolving. She took the stone and magleved back. The stone was warm and heavy. She could feel that it was him. She kissed it until her lips hurt. She cried gently.

It was much the same for Tess. The hand stunk of Jackie and she drank the scent in. Fragrant leafsmoke and spicy maprico wines. And something else. A pungent stench. It reeked of dirty love, of Bluejay. The hand twitched a bit. Tess hugged it and kissed it and incoherently babbled Jackie's name. After a while, while still holding the hand she walked over to the console. She opened the channels. She switched through a few until she found the escape pod by her. She heard Foe quietly sobbing. "Foe?" She said, congested from crying. Foe sniffed. "Yes?" "I'm going to dock with you. Is that okay?" "Yeah." Tess flew to Foe's stationary pod. The two airlocks opened and intertwined. Tess stepped into the pod. Foe was curled up on the floor, holding something. Tess walked over and did her best to hug her. Foe turned to face her and cried. They held each other and sobbed for what felt like hours.

Soon, Tess received a transmission from a woman with an odd voice. "Tenno? Tenno?" The woman said. "Dinnae why everyone calls me that. What d'ye want? 'Avin a moment here if you 'aven't noticed." Her accent shined through in her grief. She didn't want to put the hand down. "Tenno, go to Earth." "Right."

Tess went to Earth, where she would be frameless for a long time. She met the Lotus, whom she saw as an annoyance more than a mother. She was assigned a Cephalon, who she also found annoying and she worked to defend the Origin System. One day, she would meet a man who she would call master, and perhaps father. She would never love as strongly again. Jackie really was her one.

Foe returned home, this time with enough to pay her debts. She made a necklace with unbreakable string and an inlay that freezes anyone who touches it. Foe would miss Atlas to the end of her days, and never see someone else in the same light. She would meet another man, but he would prove to be a snake.

And thus the interlude ended. Now you're up to speed. (Didn't think I would publish this, just really liked writing it and maybe you'll enjoy reading it :shrug:)