Portal:History/Guiding star 6

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The storm left the Wasteland as unexpectedly as it struck it, and the torrential rains were replaced by a scorching sun. The sand and stones got so heated that the wheel rubber was melting on the cars of the travelers who were forced to move in the daytime. The inside of their cabins resembled the sixth circle of hell.
The ship of the seeker Ochre sailed smoothly along the hot sand dunes, as if on the wave crests. And the air melting above the surface only added to the feeling of flight.
Foxy stood on the deck, closer to the bow of the vessel, staring thoughtfully at columns of smoke that appeared on the horizon. This phenomenon used to be quite common in the Valley before, but now the remains of armoured cars and ashes, which were once inhabited buildings, have become integral companions of any journey.
— New victims of human unbelief, — Ochre said regretfully, approaching Foxy.
The scout sighed heavily and deeply:
— I don’t understand why Scar is acting so foolish…
— We will never understand the fear that makes a person afraid to see the obvious things. You can’t blame him. He’s trying to save his people.
— To die with them later by attacking the Syndicate?
— Don’t underestimate the Scavengers, Fox. But you’re right that right now everyone needs to unite and listen to the Dragons. Otherwise there will be no one to unite. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I hope the Lunatics turn out to be more... rational.
Foxy sighed heavily again and, carefully holding her hands, lowered her pet (invisible to the others) from her shoulder to the deck.
— You also think that all this is the work of the Ravagers, right?
— I found one of them on the ashes of the raiders. The robot was broken, but many modules were still intact… Judging by them, the fact that I found only one destroyed exemplar seems even more frightening. If the Nomads are right, and Lloyd is responsible for that, then it’s just a beginning. 
— It’s a shame that I trusted him once and couldn’t tame him after that.
Ochre took off her baggy hood and put her hand on Foxy’s shoulder.
— Those who do a lot make more mistakes than others. You’ll have a chance to face him and get even. I hope you will.
Foxy’s blue eyes dropped from the smoke to the hot sand and seemed to turn pale. Then the girl, as if she realized something, covered them with her hand. Ochre stroked her companion on her forearm and suddenly revived.
— You know, I got a surprise for you.
Foxy didn’t react.
— Scar was useful after all...
This time, the scout became interested and, fixing her hair, looked at the Seeker, who’d been waiting for just that.
— He told me about the place where the most titled Ravager hunter, Cash, can be found. Apparently, amnesia hasn’t taken away his memory completely yet. According to the coordinates, the old man is now in one of the industrial complexes, which is on our way.
— Cash? This name is familiar to me. Do you think that after all this time, he can still be useful in the fight against the machines?
— I don’t know for sure, but this is the only straw we can hold on to right now.
Foxy stepped away a little from the Seeker. Her eyebrows frowned and her lips clenched into a thin line. The ship sailed past the ashes again.
— And what if the Lunatics are all dead by the time we get to them? Then what? — the girl asked, raising her voice.
— There is nothing we can do yet. Even if the wandering city of the Nomads was so easily destroyed, our arrival to the Lunatics before the attack will solve nothing. We’re just going to die with everyone.
The scout’s face became even more tense, and her gaze turned to the void.
— But why did Scara tell you where this Cash is? What did you promise him?
— We made a deal. Listen, Foxy, the most important thing for us right now is to find Cash. We need to know how to fight the machines. Otherwise, our whole journey would be meaningless.
Foxy sat down on the deck and stroked the air in front of her.
— Can I see the robot?
Ochre thought for a moment, pulled the bandage from her face and sat next to the scout.
— It was the subject of a deal.
— Now Scar can create weapons based on new technologies and attack all his alleged enemies.
— So that’s why the Order has never intervened in anyone’s business before. Scar received only protective modules. It’s not that critical. Besides, I’m still hoping for his discretion.
Foxy grinned as she continued to play with her pet.
— You’re an optimist, Ochre. I feel like we’re getting close, aren’t we?
Ochre stood up and then went into the deckhouse.
— The factory is behind this hill. I don’t think the ship will pass through there, so I’ll hide it here, and I’ll go to Cash in my recon armoured car. I’m going to ask you to stay here and cover our back.
— You know how much I’d like to go with you. But you’re right. Bunny and I will stay guarding your ship —Foxy’s voice seemed to sound in Ochre’s head. She looked at the scout from the deckhouse. At that moment, the girl turned to the Seeker and smiled.
— Find him.
Ochre smiled in response and after several dexterous maneuvers drove the vessel into the rock recess and quickly descended into the depths of the ship. A couple of moments later, her spinning armoured car jumped out of the ship and disappeared behind the turn.
There was hissing in Foxy’s walkie-talkie.
— I couldn’t tell you in person, but given the circumstances, I’m glad your car broke down and we can share a part of the way together. I can talk alone, but I love listening even more. See you soon.
Communication broke off abruptly, not allowing Foxy to say anything in return.
At this time Ochre was passing the gate of the old factory. The Seeker was met by several brick semi-destroyed buildings. Knowing Cash, she headed for the smallest one. The yard was covered with sand and debris of scrap metal. The armoured car stopped sharply, as if hooked on something by the rear bumper.
— “Kapkan”?! Damn Scar lied to me? — Ochra cursed.
The turrets immediately began to rise from under the sand around the Seeker’s armoured car. The wheels were rolling on the spot, preventing Ohra from leaving. The car was blocked. In her last hope, the woman grabbed the radio and tried to contact Foxy, while her other hand tried to aim the machine guns at the traps... After a moment, a powerful impulse rocked the car, and all the electronics in the armoured vehicle turned off. Ochre closed her eyes, folded her arms across her chest, squeezing the medallion of the Order into them, and began to whisper her pleas for help, calling out to the Supreme Archon. 
Continued: part 7 >>
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