13 1st Mission (1/2)
Blood-Lust HQ. World Walker was sitting behind a desk in his office on the 2nd floor. Stone stood across from him. Ed, Jarrod, and Mordy were carried in his arms. He tossed them to the floor.
”How did they do?” World Walker questioned.
Stone spoke in a deep voice, ”Ed and Mordy did well. Jarrod was trash.”
”Hmm.” World Walker rubbed his mustache. ”I expected for Mordy to well. Jarrod isn't suited to combat, so I expected that as well…” He glanced at Ed and his new metal arm. ”I thought Ed would be the weakest one. Was it the arm that made the difference?”
”No.” Stone shook his head. ”The arm was comparable to a strong steam rifle. Maybe even a cannon, but if it was just that he wouldn't even be comparable to Mordy. Ed melted the ground underneath me and trapped me inside. If it had been someone else, they may have been trapped for a while.”
”I see…” World Walker closed his eyes and thought for a moment. ”Combat notwithstanding, how did Jarrod do?”
”Hmph!” Stone snorted. ”Completely useless. He abandoned the others, begged for mercy, and even promised to sell them out.”
World Walker leaned back in his chair. *Tap, tap, tap* He repeatedly tapped his chair's armrest with his finger. ”That's too bad then. We don't need useless people after all... Send Jarrod to Luny. She's been wanting some new espers.”
Stone nodded. ”Okay.” He grabbed Jarrod and left the room.
…
Ed slowly woke up. He saw Mordy sitting in a chair conversing with World Walker.
”What's going on?” Ed questioned. ”Where's Jarrod?”
”Oh good!” World Walker smiled. ”You're finally up. Jarrod has taken his first mission and should be gone for a while. I was just discussing with Mordy about what type of mission he would like to take.”
”Mm.” Mordy nodded ”I was thinking of a hunting mission. We'll hunt low-level mutants for their mana-cores.”
”Right.” World Walker nodded. ”We are always in need of more mana-cores. They're hard to buy on the black market after all. It's a good first mission to gain experience. Mutants are powerful, but they're also dumb. I don't wish for you to take any missions involving espers yet.”
”So, about the equipment?” Mordy questioned.
”I won't lend you any.” World Walker shook his head. ”You may use the materials you gather in the wastelands in exchange for equipment or money. We're currently in need of mutant hides and bones as well. They're much stronger than metal at the higher levels.”
”Alright. I'll trade the materials for what I want.” Mordy turned to Ed. ”How about coming with me Ed? You still need to contribute for all the materials Blood-Lust gave you.”
World Walker frowned. ”There's no need for that Ed. You can just make equipment for us. I heard from Stone about how powerful your arm is. I think you have a lot of potential here. It'd be a shame if you died to some low-level mutant.”
”Stone?” Ed questioned. ”Oh, right! What happened with Stone? How did we get here?!”
Mordy explained that they were just being tested. He had already learned the explanation when he woke up earlier.
”I'll take the mission as well.” Ed nodded. ”I won't get stronger just spending all my time in a lab.”
”Okay then...” World Walker sighed and shook his head. ”Go get prepared. I'll send you outside the city walls in a few days.”
The two boys left their room and returned to their home they had built. They prepared food, water, and other necessities for the trip to the wastelands. Ed made minor adjustments to his arm and Mordy practiced with his acid.
…
Several days quickly passed. Ed and Mordy met with World Walker in his office. A black portal appeared and they stepped through it. They appeared inside a large building with big glass windows.
Ed looked outside the windows. Ruined buildings were everywhere. The streets were covered in debris. He turned towards Mordy, ”Any idea where we are?”
”Not sure.” Mordy shook his head. ”World Walker said he would send us somewhere relatively safe. Most of the wastelands would be a death sentence for us. I was surprised to find out there were areas we would be capable of hunting in.”
Ed and Mordy headed downstairs and exited the building. As they walked the empty streets they saw some buildings were completely smashed apart. Others had large scorch marks on them. After walking a couple of streets Ed stopped. ”I know where we are.” He spoke, ”This is Reef city.”
”What?!” Morty yelled in surprise. He looked around him and examined a street sign. His face turned ugly. ”You're right. The ground is flat, it's hot out, and the street signs match up.” He sighed, ”No wonder World Walker said it would be safer. The mutants couldn't have taken over the entire city yet. Still… There should be survivors hiding. We'll probably run into espers as well. We should be more careful. Damn World Walker. Is this another one of his shitty tests?”
The two proceeded even more carefully. They kept an eye on their surroundings vigilantly. They walked for several hours…
”This isn't right.” Ed frowned. ”There's no way we wouldn't run into mutants or people by now. The streets are completely empty. It's like a ghost town.”
”Mm.” Mordy nodded. ”It doesn't make much sense.” He closed his eyes and began to think.
”Watch out!” Ed yelled. He grabbed Mordy and pulled him aside. *Swoosh* A spear flew past where Mordy had just been standing. Several dozen men appeared from several nearby buildings. They all wore ratty clothes and carried crude spears.
”You fuckers have some nerve!” Mordy screamed in anger. Acid began to cover his arms. A sizzling sound rang out as some drops fell to the ground.
”Shut up and die!” One of the spear wielding men screamed. He hurled his spear with all his might. Mordy swung his acid towards it and the spear corroded into nothingness. He shot a ball of acid towards the man that attacked him.
”Aghh!!!” A scream rang out. The man had been hit by the acid right in the throat. It quickly corroded his flesh and a blood gurgling sound could be heard as the man gasped for air. He fell to the ground dead. The acid completely separated his head from his body.