S3, 02 The Aurelians (LB) (April 17, 2016)

Corresponding text underneath each picture.

**18th April 2094**

There was a metallic ‘clank’ as the bullet struck the can and knocked it flying.

I fired again at my lined-up targets and struck another, then a third time and knocked the final can down.

Jarred: “Good!” he encouraged. “Much better! You’re getting there! I said you would!”

Tank: “Yeah, but I’m still slow.” I complained as I moved forwards to reset the makeshift targets.

Jarred: “Practice. That’s all it takes, pal.” He comforted as I placed the can and rock selection back onto the crates.

I “Mmmm”’ed in reply, uncertain.

Jarred: “Come on. Again.” He instructed and I took up position at the makeshift range again.

Jarred: “As fast as you can, this time. But remember not to sacrifice precision for speed.”

I took aim and opened fire again.

This time, I was much faster and still took down all of the targets, but I also hit the rocks several times too.

Lowering my stolen gun, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that round.

Jarred: “Good! Not bad at all! Much quicker!”

Tank: “Yeah, but I also missed several times.”

Jarred: “Ahh, I think that’s alright. An acceptable amount of misses for the speed you were going for.” He smiled. “And you’ll just keep getting better with practice.”

Tank: “Yeah. Seems how that’s pretty much all I do these days.”

Jarred: “Not much else *to* do!” he laughed bitter sweetly.

Tank: “Mmm…”

Jarred: “Oh well. Hopefully not long now and I’ll be able to get us a ride out of this place. We’ll finally be free of this hell hole!” he grinned and inside, I loved the idea of getting out of this desert at last, but I also knew that I didn’t agree with the means Jarred was using to get us out.

Tank: “Can’t wait.” I said aloud, smiling to hide my concerns. Jarred laughed.

Jarred: “You’re not the only one! Once we get a ship, we’re out of here! In fact, I have a job in the works that will hopefully speed things along a little.”

Tank: “What do you mean?”

Jarred: “Don’t you worry about the details, pal. I got them covered. But let’s just say I’m hopeful a new contact of mine will work out quite nicely. Although I am a little suspicious that it’s all been a bit too easy so far. Never trust anyone but yourself; remember that, Tank. Always take care of number one.” He told me, placing a finger on my chest.

Jarred: “You. Everyone will sell you out for the right price. You just gotta know what that price is.”

I nodded in understanding.

Jarred: “Now, come on. Again.”

**24th March 2096: Present Day**

Tank: “Come on! We’re nearly there.” I urged as Tracks, Captain Brass and myself ran through the corridors of the Imperial base, heading back the way we had been led less than an hour ago, back towards the Viper.

The ground was still shaking as, outside, the bombs continued to fall and as we skidded around the final corner and barrelled towards the landing pad door, dust rained down on us from the rattling ceiling.

The door ‘swooshed’ open and ahead of us we could see for the first time, just how badly the base was being damaged by the bombs.

Fires were raging all around and there were craters everywhere. Sections of building lay partly demolished and smoke billowed from every hole.

Tank: “Come on.” I urged again, noting that the Captain looked rather shaken. Whether from the very recent attempt on his life, or simply from seeing the damage the bombs were causing, I wasn’t sure. He swallowed and followed me out onto the walkway that led to the landing pad, with Tracks bringing up the rear.

Chunks of debris lay strewn across the walkway and we had to clamber over a fallen communications antenna halfway along.

As we picked our way closer to the pad, the sound of multiple engines made us freeze. We looked up as overhead, a squadron of Aurelian bombers, ‘True’ Aurelian bombers, flew by, preparing for another bombing run.

Tank: “Come on! We’ve got to move!” I shouted over the roar of the engines and we began to full of clamber and sprint towards the Viper, which, so far, looked undamaged, thankfully.

We reached it and I threw open the cockpit and leapt into the pilot’s seat. I began the preparations for flight as Tracks helped the Captain up and into the back. He pulled the canopy down after him, just as I flipped the start-up switch and the engine burst into life.

Tank: “Here we go! Let’s get out’a here!”

We took off, just as the True Aurelian ships returned and started dropping bombs again.

Tank: “Hold on!” I told my passengers as we darted up and away from the base.

Just seconds after we had taken off, in the rear-view mirror, I saw the pad being torn apart by a bomb and felt a wave of relief wash over me.

Tracks grunted a waring, pointing over my shoulder and I saw, up ahead, a single True Aurelian cruiser.

Cap. Brass: “Look!”

Tank: “Yeah, I see it.” I confirmed and no sooner had a finished speaking, several lasers flew past close by, coming from the direction of the cruiser. “Whoa!”

Cap. Brass: “Looks like they’ve seen us!”

Tank: “You don’t say.” I muttered as I jolted the controls to the left to avoid another laser.

I continued dodging the incoming lasers as we heading towards the cruiser.

Cap. Brass: “What about the bombers?”

Tank: “They’re too slow to chase us and anyways, they’re too busy with the base down there.” I replied as I jinked us to the right and followed it through with a barrel roll to avoid several more shots.

I heard Brass groan as the G’s pulled at us as we came back out of the spin and flew straight over the top of the cruiser.

Tracks whooped.

Tank: “We’re not out of this yet!” I countered as the turrets on the cruiser swung around, tracking our trajectory and continued firing after us.

For another tense minute or so, I twisted and turned the Viper in the air, heading for the atmosphere, doing everything I could to avoid us being shot out of the sky. Then, finally, the lasers stopped coming.

Nobody spoke for several seconds, all of us waiting to ensure we didn’t jinx the moment. Brass was the first to speak up.

Cap. Brass: “I think we did it.” He said quietly.

In my mind, I couldn’t help but think ‘*WE*’? Seriously? ‘*WE*’ What did *you* do?! But aloud I said;

Tank: “So it would seem. The question now is, where do you want to go? I was instructed to get you to safety but wasn’t told where exactly that was.”

The Captain thought for a minute or so before replying.

Cap. Brass: “Weller Base. It’s on Zarus. Tzarduek Territory. Zarus is a hotbed at the moment with everything that is going on, but I know for certain that Weller is still under Pax control, so I should be safe there.”

Tank: “Very well. Zarus it is.” I confirmed, just as we rattled through the atmosphere and into the inky dark of space.

**1st April 2096: Present Day**

A little over a week later and we were approaching Zarus. I was glad that we kept basic supplies in the Viper, otherwise we would have had to stop at every planet we passed to get food!

As we entered the atmosphere, Captain Brass gave me directions to the notoriously hard to find Weller base. I’d heard about it during the battle for London, but other than knowing it was somewhere on Zarus and was one of Aurelia’s main command locations, I didn’t really know anything about it. Although to be fair, I think that was the point.

It took us another hour or so after entering the atmosphere to reach our destination and when we finally got there, Brass pointed out where I should set the Viper down.

In the past hour, Brass had also been in touch with the controllers at Weller Base to inform them of our impending arrival and so as we reach the designated landing zone, a crew were also just arriving by landspeeder and speeder bikes.

We touched down and after switching the systems off, I popped the canopy and the three of us climbed out.

I groaned as I stretched my aching legs and watched as the Captain made his way over to greet a couple of Pax Aurelian officials who were making their way forward from one of the speeders.

They began talking but I hung back, not wanting to eavesdrop on an official conversation. However, just a few seconds later,

Cap. Brass: “Tank!” he called and beckoned to me, so I walked over and joined the group and as I did so, I realised that I knew one of them; Lieutenant Codder.

Tank: “Lieutenant .” I greeted with a smile as I reached them.

Cap. Codder: “It’s Captain now, actually.” He smiled in return. I had met Lieu… Captain, Codder during the battle for London. It had only been briefly, but the man had made a good impression on me. For somebody who was not massively older than myself, he was doing well for himself in the ranks of Aurelia. I hadn’t actually thought about it before, but now, seeing Codder again, I wondered which side of the civil war the other Aurellians I knew had taken. Clearly Captain Codder had sided with Pax Aurelia, but I wondered which side others, such as the infamous Jakor, had taken.

Tank: “It’s good to see you again.”

Cap. Codder: “Likewise. Now, Captain, if you’re ready, the General would like to de-brief you.”

Cap. Brass: “Of course. Lead on.”

Cap. Codder: “You’re more than welcome to freshen up and stick around for a while if you like. My men will take care of your ship.” He added, addressing me.

Tank: “Thank you. That would be appreciated.”

He nodded and then led the way to the landspeeder. I beckoned for Tracks to follow and then we all piled in.

**Later That Day…**

I was laying on the bed in the guest room that had been assigned to me, playing a game on my datapad when there was a buzz on the door intercom.
Tracks happened to be sat just next to the door so I nodded to him and he opened it.

Cap. Brass: “Hi.” The Captain greeted as he stepped inside.

Tank: “Hey.” I replied, getting up from the bed. “How’d things go?”

Cap. Brass: “Yeah, fine, thanks. I’ve been debriefed and am now going to be stationed here, so… yeah.” He nodded.

Tank: “Great!”

Cap. Brass: “Yeah, so, you can tell whoever sent you to rescue me that you did your job well. I can’t think of anywhere safer at the moment. Weller Base is a fortress. Corvin would be mad to try and attack us here.”

I nodded in understanding.

Cap. Brass: “And thank you, by the way. For everything. General Convo informed me that the Imperium base you rescued me from has gone dark, presumably destroyed. They know Tane got out, but that’s about it. So, you really did save my life. If I’d have stayed like the Commander wanted me to, I’d probably be dead by now. So… thanks.” He said, sincerely.

Tank: “It’s fine. Honestly.” I replied.

Cap. Brass: “Good.” He nodded. “Well, I’d best be going. It’s been a pleasure to meet you and… thanks again.”

Tank: “Likewise.” I smiled and with that he withdrew from the room.

I turned around and walked back towards the bed, a feeling of quiet success settling over me, knowing that I’d once again saved somebody’s life. It didn’t make up for the rest of the bad that I’ve done, but saving somebody really did feel good.

However, before I’d even sat down, Tracks gave a startled whir from behind me and I spun around to find a hulking red figure standing in the doorway.

Max: “IT IS THE ROBOT BUILDER!!!!”

I couldn’t help but grin as the bizarre Aurelian cyborg, Max Power, stepped through the doorway. I had fought alongside Max during the battle for London and he had proved himself a formidable ally as we had battled our way through The Shard.

Tank: “Hello Max.” I greeted, still grinning.

Max: “HOW IS THE TINY, HATTED HUMAN?” he asked. “OH… YOU SEEM TO BE MISSING YOUR HAT.” he pointed out. “SHALL I ASSIST YOU IN FINDING IT?”

Tank: “No!” I interjected before he could continue rambling. “I left it at home, it’s not lost. Thank you for the offer though.”

Max: “WELL, IF YOU’RE SURE… WHY ARE YOU HERE?”

Tank: “I brought Captain Brass here.” I explained, giving a simplified version of the story so that Max wouldn’t ask a million questions about it.

Max: “AH! I HAVE HEARD OF CAPTAIN BRASS! ALTHOUGH OUR FEET HAVE NEVER CROSSED BEFORE.”

I frowned slightly before realising what he meant.

Tank: “Paths, Max. You mean your paths have never crossed before.”

Max: “OH… OKAY. HOW ARE YOU, MY MECHANICAL FRIEND?” he asked, suddenly turning to Tracks. Tracks whirred and grunted in reply and I was about to try and translate for him, however, Max seemed to understand just fine.

Max: “GOOD. BUT WHEN DID YOU PEE? DO YOU PEE?”

Tank: “Wait, you can understand each other?”

Max: “OF COURSE!” he replied and Tracks nodded excitedly.

This was potentially great news! Tracks’ voicebox had been broken since the GI took him from me when I was arrested and I’d tried everything I could think of to get it working again, but nothing had and so I’d resigned myself to the fact that he would never speak again. But if Max could somehow understand him, maybe there was a way after all!

Tank: “But… how?”

Max: “EASILY! NOW, I HAVE TO GO. IT WAS NICE TO PUNCH INTO YOU AGAIN!”

And with that, he turned with surprising speed and marched out of the room.

Tank: “No! Wait!” I called, desperate to know how he understood Tracks, but he didn’t listen. By the time I reached the door, he was already at the far end of the corridor.

Tank: “Damn!” I cursed, but made a mental note to get in touch with whoever helped maintain him and try to find out from them if they knew how it worked.

I sighed and returned to my bed.

Tank: “I don’t suppose you know how he understood, do you?” I asked Tracks but he shook his head sadly.

Tank: “Ah well… I’ll fix you one day, buddy. I promise.” I smiled.

Just then my comlink started bleeping from my belt pouch and I pulled it out and activated it.

Mr. Grey: “Good afternoon, Tank.”

Tank: “Afternoon.”

Mr. Grey: “I have it from a reliable source that Captain Brass is now in safe hands. Well done.”

Tank: “Thanks.” I replied, wondering who that source had been.

Mr. Grey: “The Brain has also received some intelligence that might be of use to you.”

Tank: “Go on?” I prompted, intrigued.

Mr. Grey: “We *might* have found a lead on Zeth Stripe.”

My heart leapt.

Tank: “What? Where?!” I asked impatiently.

Mr. Grey: “There is a secretive drug maker on Rerador named A. Bowen. We couldn’t find his full name unfortunately. However, he *may* be a former associate of Mr. Stripe’s. Why don’t you pay him a visit and find out.”

Tank: “Thank you! Thanks, I will!” I grinned at the prospect of finally having a lead on the man who’d killed my parents.

Mr. Grey: “I shall send you the coordinates.”

**BONUS PICTURES**

I recently bought a new storage tub just for the recurring sets in my TI series.

The set for the landing site on Zarus.

I've been playing lots of Fallout 4 recently and have just created Tracks in the game!

Tracks with Tank in Fallout 4.

Tank and Tracks again.

The set for Tank's room at the Aurelian base.

As my series is going to be jumping around though time, I will include a date on each episode and add it to the timeline at the end of each episode so that you can follow it.

TIMELINE