Ruin And Rebirth (Mech Pilot and darkangel76)

[darkangel76]

The sky was just beginning to brighten, but it was thick with clouds as the haze from 'June Gloom' clung to the air and rolled in over the waves as they washed in upon the sandy shoreline of what once had been a friendly beach teeming with people, with laughter, with... life. But not any longer. No. Life as it once had been had long ago left the beaches of San Diego and as Cordy walked along the shores in complete solitude, she couldn't help but wonder...

What had it been like before?

Cordelia Harris often wondered such things as she took her walks each morning. They were becoming quite the daily ritual of hers, these walks. Something to help her focus and keep her spirits lifted when there was so much 'darkness' surrounding her and her people everywhere they turned. Yet still, every day, the sun rose overhead and life—the little that was left after the massive destruction, the... nearly complete annihilation—as they knew it, went on.

Of course, Cordy often met a bit of resistance before each walk. Rick often times trying to put a stop to it, telling her how dangerous it was, reminding her of all the possibilities of what could happen if she ventured out alone and unprotected. But that was why she carried the knife. She wasn't the best at wielding it, more she knew how to stab and cut and that was it. But it made Rick happier to know she had the damned thing at least. If only she knew how to use it properly... but she wouldn't let on about that worry. It would only make the worry and apprehension the man had even worse than it already was. And on this day of days she'd finally broken him down, gotten him to agree to let her go...

Cordy walked along the beach in silence, nothing but the sound of the crashing waves filling her ears. There were no more birds or other sounds of life any longer, though she'd heard stories, tales told around the fires at night about how it had been in generations past—a curious time indeed. She wondered if it could ever be 'fixed' somehow or if everything truly was... lost. The thought that things like that, such simple pleasures, could be plucked away and snuffed out without a care made her insides twist, her heart hurt. It was beyond agonizing and oh how horrifying to think that such creatures existed who just didn't care! It truly was beyond her grasp of reasoning! But unfortunately, they did. These being did in fact exist and they wreaked havoc on the planet, leaving it the chaotic, yet desolate mess it had now become.

A barren, nearly lifeless ball.

"Cordy!" Came a shout. It was Rick's voice. Cordy recognized it instantly, her head turning toward the sound of it. Just then the wind blew and she shivered, her hands moving to rub at her arms to stave off the sudden chill that crawled along her pale skin. Though it was June, the month was always unusually cold, the sky overcast and pearly gray.

"Coming!" Cordy called out in reply. She reached a hand up to tuck a stray blonde lock behind an ear as the wind continued to blow.

Cordy knew Rick and the others were probably getting ready to leave soon so that they could head north up to Mission Valley. They were starting to get low on water and a small town had sprung up in the area monopolizing the freshwater that was present there. Luckily, the people there were decent enough folk and usually willing to trade for their water. But they were still a suspicious lot and paranoid, then she couldn't blame them. They owned water after all.

Owned water... who'd have thought...?

As Cordy made her way back to her town and away from the beach, she saw Rick's silhouette become more pronounced. Larger. The man was definitely a force to be reckoned with and she still found it hard to believe she'd managed to convince him to let her come along.

"Can't believe I'm allowing this bullshit," Rick said to Cordy as she approached.

Cordy just smiled sheepishly as she ran her fingers through her hair. She then nervously brought her hands to her jean-clad thighs and rubbed them a bit. "Guess I was persuasive," she said.

"More like a pesky brat," Rick corrected.

Cordy pouted a little through a smile. "Mmm... maybe, but you wouldn't have me any other way."

Rick just shook his head, his sandy hair blowing a bit in the breeze. "That's debatable," he laughed.

Cordy pouted harder and stuffed her hands in her pockets. "Well, we'll have to continue that argument once we get back then since everyone is waiting on us," she said with a grin.

"Such a brat!" Rick stated. "Got your knife?"

Cordy nodded and pointed to the knife sheathed on her hip.

"Good. You might want to grab a coat though. I know it's spring, but you know June." Rick gave Cordy a wink as he handed her a jacket he'd already had on hand for her, having thought ahead.

Cordy blushed a bit and smiled. She reached out and took the light brown jacket and slipped it on over her shoulders to cover up the pale pink cami tank she wore. She knew Rick was right. The wind she'd felt blowing moments ago on the beach had been proof enough. "Ass," she mumbled, her lips turned upward in a smile.

"Brat," Rick stated. "Let's go."

At that, Cordy followed Rick back to where everyone was waiting so that they could head on out to Mission Valley and get the water that they all so desperately needed.

 

[Mech Pilot]

The Hybrid sped on the highway, lost in thoughts.

Humans had a saying that went a little along the lines of: "Sometimes you're the hunter, sometimes you're the hunted". If he had thought about it months ago, he would simply have discarded it as a misplaced attempt to wisdom by human's ever flawed common knowledge, or perhaps even from its vain philosophy. Maybe, that was simply the truth to a feeble species like they were, forever drifting along fate's twists and pulls. But of course, for him those words would never apply. He was the epitome of the hunter. A natural born killer, physical prowess on par with the most honed of senses, the sharper of instincts, no mercy whatsoever and devoid of all other emotions that affected the inferior races. He was the apex of evolution, the perfect survivor, a wolf among sheep. How could such a creature ever be the one being hunted? And still, there he was, on the run. A prey trying to lose his pursuers. The irony of it all would probably make him laugh, had he known how. It was a rather bothersome feeling he had to say, even more for someone who grew used to chase, not being chased. He couldn't say it was fear, but some kind of paranoia, a little red light inside his head that made him carefully consider his next moves and that got him aprehensive with every little action he took, alerted to any shadow around him. He was constantly looking over his shoulder to see if anyone was behind him. But it wasn't fear. Of course not.

A fast approaching traffic sign made the young man snap out of his thoughts and slow down, the engine of the run down Harley Davidson he was in protesting to the sudden changing of gears, its roar considerably increasing. San Diego, proudly announced a now very worn out sign. He was very close to the city now, speeding through Escondido Freeway, the road he'd been using since he left Escondido. As expeced San Diego wasn't in any better shape than all other cities he had been so far. It was one great pile of rubble. A quiet, dead one. The invaders had been pretty through in their attack against Earth. Not only humans, but most forms of life had been exterminated or at least reduced to just a few exemplars. That fact made almost everywhere very quiet, with the exception of the few pockets of civilization still standing. San Diego was not an exception. Nothing moved there, no sound echoed through the air but that of his motorcycle, and the only smell he could feel was that of the ocean.

What was he doing out there anyway? That lost soul had no place to go, that much was certain, and it probably was true to everyone on Earth at that point. No objective, no goal to keep him going, if not for surviving another day. He was being chased, that much he knew, and that would force him to always be on the move, but he never really thought as to where he was going to run to. He chose San Diego simply because it was there. It being close to the ocean, something he actually really wanted to see, was just a bonus anyway. He would have to leave, soon enough. And where would he go then? Where would those wheels take him after that?

A quick glance below, and the hybrid noticed he was running dangerously low on fuel. He kept his speed almost at 80mph, swiftly dodging any rubble or abandoned car that happened to be on his way as he entered deeper into the city, quickly getting to an intersection where he finally stopped. Calmly, the man took a map out of his back and quickly glanced at it as it unfolded. That quickly glance was enough for him to memorize what he needed, but he took his time to analize it anyway. When finished, he folded it back and neatly put it away on the backpack. He currently stood on the intersect of Escondido Freeway with Mission Valley Freeway. There was a river not far from there, where he could drink and store a little bit of water, and he decided to take the chance while he got it. His reserves ran out in while he crossed the Mohave Desert through Death Valley Road on his way to Baker. Since then, he was holding on to what little left he had on his body, but even his alien phisiology was reaching its limits. The raven haired man quickly took the exit to Mission Valley Freeway, and kept on it to the point he saw a gas station, where he parked among the the gas pumps.

After so much time on the road, it was very refreshing to finally stand on his own two feet. His boots clacked against the hard ground as he threw the other leg over the bike, his eyes scanning the place. Of course, it was just a ceremony. His other senses had already discarded the presence of any threat. The only smell there was of gas, obviously, oil, and some rotten food from the convenience store. The hybrid checked the pumps to see if he could find any with working, and gladly one of them was. Now he could only hope it actually had gas in it. Luckly, as soon as he pressed the button, the pump worked and he could hear the tank filling up. By the sound of the tank below the ground though, that station was nearing the end of its usefulness and would run out pretty soon. Someone probably had been used it for some time now. Some small setting of humans living nearby, most likely. The young man scanned the place for more clues, and found recent tire marks entering and leaving the yard. It mattered little to him, but it was good to be aware of such things.

With a somewhat bored yawn the hybrid took his leather jacket off, and drop it off on the bike's seat, proceeding to take of his shades. The unusual red eyes with yellowish thunder-like pattern that shot out from the middle of his iris to the edge of his eyes, as if it was shattering from a blow with great force, were completely and utterly unhuman, and the most apparent signal of his lineage. He left the shades hanging from the collar of his marine-blue t-shirt, a pair of black jeans finishing his outfit, along with short army boots with the upper part hidden by the pants. A fairly sized hunting knife was strapped to his hip and down along his leg, and in the back of his pants beneath the shirt, rested a military grade human pistol. The young man didn't bothered taking the gun as he made his way inside the building looking around for anything he could salvage from it.

The place had been looted already, so the only food remaining was that which could, and it already was, rotten. No water or any other beverage. No flashlights or batteries. Anything. Fragments of glass, furniture and products were scattered all over, being crunched by the man's boots with a rather satisfying sound. He left the convenience store, and assaulted the little mechanic shop right beside it. It had a metal door and a padlock with metal grids on rather high windows which probaly kept it safe until then, even more because few people searched for tools in times like those where food and water were the main concern and so no one considered to loot the place. The padlock was merely a toy for him, and broke with just a few pulls. The hybrid rolled the metal curtains up, and was inside the shop. And the place had a lot to be taken. Two gallons were found at the back, along with some other tools neatly arranged in a stand, which could help with the bikes maintenance. He carefully packed the tools in a black bag, and made it back to the bike. Once the motorcycle was full, he filled the gallons as well so he would have something to spare in a case of need, along with two other plastic bottles he found at the yard. Then he proceeded to accommodate everything on the bike. He was running out of space on it already, and considered if he should discard it for something bigger. He decided not to before, as the bike fit better in tiny space, had better autonomy, and a ot more of maneuverability. He decided not to once more, at least for now.

Having finished what he had to do at the gas station, the young man climbed back on the bike without delay, and resumed his way to Mission Valey East, throught the freeway as soon as his jacket and shades were back on. He rode for just a couple more miles when it finally hit his nose. The acre fragrance of sweat, piss and most of all, fear. He wasn't sure of where, but he could tell that a human settlement was nearby. Decided to avoid it with possible, the alien offspring took a detour, leaving the freeway and taking some sideways just in case anyone had heard the bike's engine. After some time, when he figured it was safe, he approached the river carefully where it was clear no one had been for some time. He rode the bike as close to the river as possibel and then got down, stretching. Finally he could enjoy the water to his heart's content. Hell, maybe he would even take a swim.

 

[darkangel76]

Cordy tugged at her jacket as she followed Rick and the others to the old beat up Jeep Wrangler they'd be driving up to Mission Valley. It wasn't a far drive from where they were, but it would still take a little while. The jeep they had was old and worn and been through hell and back again. It was a wonder the thing was still running sometimes. But it was the only vehicle they had that was able to carry the numbers they that would be going along with the supplies they wanted to trade and receive all while still running decently and relatively efficiently—all things considered, of course—on the gas that was still available in their area. They did 'gas salvage runs' every so often either on foot or via one of their smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. But those were trips done by one or two of their most experienced scouts. This, however, wasn't such a trip. This was one they'd done several times over. But it was her first time going and she couldn't be happier about it. Rick, on the other hand... it was plain as day he still wasn't thrilled about the idea.

"How long will it take to get there?" Cordy asked as she brushed some of her blonde hair away from her face. She reached up for Rick's hand so that she could step into the Jeep.

"Probably about 30 minutes, give or take," Rick answered as he easily hoisted Cordy into the vehicle.

Three others were going with them—Gordon, Harry and Ellen. Harry was as big as a tank. Cordy often wondered what on Earth the guy ate to make him get so big. Luckily, he was friendly not to mention on their side. She'd hate to see him get angry. Gordon and Ellen were siblings, both very athletic and heavy on the attitude. Gordon was the tamer of the two, Ellen having a temper that, at times, made Cordy wince a bit when she saw it flare. Fortunately, she'd never been a target. She was also just as sarcastic as Rick.

"Not much room on here," Ellen said with a laugh as Cordy got in the jeep. "Might want to sit on Rick's lap."

Cordy blushed a bit, but brushed off the joke and found herself a seat in the back. Harry was driving while Ellen sat shotgun. Rick just smirked and smacked Ellen in the back of the head. "Bitch!" he grumbled.

"Watch who's calling who a bitch, bitch," Ellen retorted as she turned around, her fist at the ready. Gordon remained silent, but Cordy could see that his muscles were already tensing in case his sister needed him.

Suddenly, Cordy felt very out of place. She so desperately wanted to help her people, to fit in, in some way. And she knew this was something they did every few weeks like clockwork. She trusted Rick completely and knew that the others going were good people, hard workers and, like Rick, knew they'd have her back, would look out for her.

Soon, they were off, heading north up 'the 163' and would be veering eastward toward Mission Valley. The potable water they needed was guarded and monopolized by the people up there, so they'd have to barter and trade. They made sure to bring supplies with them. Luckily, being near Coronado, they'd been fortunate to come across some old stores of orange seeds and thankfully they'd still been good. They'd managed to plant several and have them grow and bear fruit—a wonderful item for trade given its versatile uses for food as well as medicines. They had more than enough to spare and were able to replenish their supply, so it was the perfect trade for water.

Once they reached their destination, Cordy wondered how things would go. She'd never been outside her little town before, so she was excited to be elsewhere and to see fresh faces.

"Stay close to me and don't speak. Got it?" Rick commanded, his eyes staring directly into Cordy's as they got up and out of the jeep.

Cordy arched a brow and pouted. "Why?" she asked, her voice laced with disappointment. "You've been here several times. I mean..."

"Just do it. No questions," Rick spoke again.

"You heard the man," Ellen interjected. "Best listen, sweetheart." She gave Cordy a smile and followed Rick, Gordon and Harry as they began walking toward the town with the water.

Cordy was both curious and worried. Why would it matter if she spoke? She didn't quite get it or understand. It made no sense to her. They had a decent rapport with this town, been there several times over. They traded routinely—oranges for water. That was the deal and had been for a long, long time. Nervously, she ran slender fingers through blonde tresses, her mind reeling over why Rick was being so damned demanding.

It seemed... off.

As Cordy followed everyone, bringing up the rear of the group and trying to catch up to Rick, she could hear him shouting out. "Hey! Anyone home?" he called out. "Need some water. Got some oranges to trade."

All too soon, others began to emerge. As they did, Cordy was by Rick's side. She looked up at him, but he did not look back. Instead, his eyes remained forward, his gaze fixed on the leader of the rabble approaching them all.

"Water, eh? We got some water," the man said. He was dirty, scruffy. Odd, Cordy thought given they had water.

"Same old shit," Ellen muttered under her breath so that only her group could hear it. Gordon and Harry both chuckled softly causing Cordy to turn her head and look at them both.

"And what's this? Got someone new with you, huh?" the man asked. "Hrmm..." He walked closer toward Cordy. Finally, Rick put up his hand, a knife held firmly in its grasp.

Cordy gasped loudly, her blue eyes going wide immediately at the sight of the knife before her. Without thinking, she took a step back.

The man just laughed. "Skittish, eh? Hrmm... like that." He paused a moment, his eyes looking at Rick before he fixed them back on Cordy. "So, girly. A pretty little thing like you? How old might you be?"

"Eighteen," Cordy answered him just as Rick explicitly said, "Don't answer him."

"Eighteen, huh? Nice. Nice." Again, the man paused, his eyes finding Rick's once more. "I tell you what. How about this time instead of oranges, you give us here that girl and then we give you the water."

"Wha...?" Cordy sputtered, her face going white.

Gordon and Harry each grabbed their weapons while Ellen began grumbling obscenities under her breath. Rick just shook his head. "No fucking dice."

"I thought you might say that," the man stated as he suddenly rammed a knife into Rick's abdomen.

Cordy let out a blood curdling scream, her first reaction to freeze on the spot. "Don’t just stand there, run you idiot!" Ellen shouted at her. At that, Ellen, Gordon and Harry lunged after the man who'd just stabbed Rick. But his men were soon upon them to counter.

Not hesitating another moment, Cordy just turned to run. Her heart was pounding, her mind spinning. What had happened? Why? She didn't know and she didn't have time to think about it. She had to run, to keep going... she had to get away. Or else everything her friends had just done to save her would have been in vain.

Why? Why?

 

[Mech Pilot]

The hybrid approached the water, satisfied to see such a large body of water flowing so strongly through the desolated landscape. Still, it was clear as he got close that the water wasn't the kind he'd like to drink, at all. Tough luck. Still somewhere it was probably possible to get potable water, since he was sure that humans were living nearby. Even if that specific settlement didn't control the water source, they could probably point him in the right direction. What remain to be seen was if what he had was something those people needed. Because the only really important things he had to trade were the remnants of the gas he took from the now uselesd gas station, some batteries and, his trophies: Three unopened Kit-Kat boxes that he was able to get his hands on in an assault to a food storage facility near Salt Lake City. He wouldn't trade those lightly as they could prove really valuable for a lot of other people and could be used in a more do-or-die situation, but he was in dire need of water already and therefore one of the times he could consider the possibility.

Still that was enough for him to wash his face and enjoy the cool and pleasant sensation of the water on his skin. It was a little bit cold, but still, very pleasant. It also served to help with his sleepness. He had been driving for days on end, resting for about three to four hours every day. He enjoyed riding through the night, so usually slept on the afternoon, when the sun was too bright and hot for him. Another splash of water successfully took a smile from his lips while soaking his face and hair, some drops wetting his t-shirt. The young man briefly fought the desire to take a swim, in the end deciding to save that for when he finally met the ocean. Still, he hadn't find potable water, and his search needed to continue, as he prefered not to drink from the river itself unless absolutely necessary.

Back to his bike, he dried both hands and hair in a white, almost ragged towel, before puting on his leather jacket and the backpack over it. Confident that the human settlement wouldn't be too hard to find, at least for someone like him, he decided to just go there, get his water, and then leave before anyone had any chance to cause any trouble. Humans tended not to like him, he had discovered int the worst possible way, and that was the very reason why he always wore shades. He couldn't do anything about the pale skin, but humans could accept it as something unnusual but still within reason. His eyes though? Freaked out every single human being who actually got to see it. So it was for the best to just get things done and get the hell out, least he would have to fight, or even kill any of them.

It was certainly strange, his new view of humanity. During his indocrination process, he learn to see humans as merely cattle. They could be slaughtered, enslaved, and completely disregarded. They were lesser creatures, not worth of any kind of respect or pity. That was the vision he stepped out of his Pod with. And he was truthful to those principles in the beginning and for some time after it, as well. When did it changed, really? He guessed it was when he discovered the library. There was so much on all those books, a completely different point of view than what was taught by his creators. Yes, there was pretty messed up side to those inferior beings, but they were also capable of so much, from the smallest of gestures to the greatest of miracles. He read about it while studying the greatest minds to ever been born on Earth, its greatests philosophers and thinkers, and suddenly, he comprehended so much. Things that even his own creators were oblivious to. Now he couldn't say he valued human life more than anything, but still, as a whole, he saw worth in any living thing. Which was way better than seeing them as completely and utterly worthless creatures. At some point, Humanism became his favourite study subject and human philosophy one of his passions.

Knowing he was wasting thime there, the hybrid hopped on the bike, the engine roaring as it ignited, gladly showing all its horsepower through the soundwaves. He was about to leave, hand already twisting the accelerator and letting go of the clutch, when the wind turned and something sweet hit him. It was a light fragrance, smooth but ticklish in his nose. Some kind of delicate flower maybe, the ones that spent its day in sunny fields, but mixed with a slight hint of human sweat and female pheromones. Most of all it smelled of inocence. It was a girl no doubt, and her scent made him almost a little dizzy. She wasn't that far from him, he could tell by the intensity of the feeling. Probably someone from the nearby settlements although he was really surprised that someone could smell that sweetly in a desolated place like that. If he just followed that lingering sensation he would soon be getting where he planned to go.

The motorcycle advanced slowly, getting back to the road and gradually gaining speed as it dodged the debris scattered all around, the young man making sure not to go too fast. It was an error to blindly speed into unknown, but obviously controlled territory. He was already closing in on the source of his trail, showing he was even closer to the settlement than initially presumed, when a heart piercing scream cut through the silence, hitting his ears like a sledgehammer. The scent from before, so sweet and pleasant was suddenly washed away by the more acre and nauseating smell of fear. As many animals on Earth once could, it was simple for the hybrid to smell that particular emotion. Humans had a pretty distinctive odor when terrified, and it was that one that he felt from her now. And she was close. Very close. He was able to see her as soon as he turned the next intersection, not even a mile away from him.

The woman, if he could call her that, as she was still pretty young, was running away from what seemed to be a fight happening a few hundred meters further back. He couldn't say what side was winning or losing at that point. Two goons followed the escaping girl and were quickly gaining territory, being clear that sooner or later she would get caught. She was running with all her might one would guess, her golden blonde hair fluttering in the wind, her breath ragged with the exercise and the rush of the moment, the flushed skin on her cheeks glistening in the sun as she ran almost desperately. Time seemed to stop as he admired the young female, every beautiful feature of her very delicate face, the slender curves of her running body, and the clarity of her blue eyes, in what seemed to be a slow motion moment. Only one thing ran through his head as he watched that beautiful, scared creature:

'She's so damn slow...'

The motorcycle gained more speed, as the male pressed it to do so, the engine complaining with an angry roar that filled the silent morning. The hybrid would get to her a lot faster than her pursuers at that speed, taking what little time he had to wonder why he even decided to do it. It was hardly of his concern what happened to her, but still there he was, rushing to someone's rescue. Few seconds later they both crossed ways, his bike just a little to her right. The pilot hit the brakes, and suddenly the bike was skidding through the road, its rear turning completely as he used his left leg to support its weght. A moment later, it came to a halt between her and her pursuers. He dropped the sidestand with his foot, and got off the bike, while getting rid of his backpack.

"Hey, little girl. Are you alright?" - He asked, simply, as he turned to her, paying little to no attention to the goons that approached them.

 

[darkangel76]

Panting, gasping, Cordy's lungs felt like they were on fire. She had all she could do to keep herself going, to not stop so that she could catch her breath and give her aching muscles a moment to relax. But then those horrifying sounds would pierce her ears... those screams and shouts of her friends behind her as god knew what was happening behind her and that was coupled with the heavy footfalls of whoever it was that was running after her.

Tears began to sting Cordy's blue eyes, spilling down her cheeks as she ran. Her mind was a blur, her body wracked with complete and utter terror as she ran. Those footfalls were getting louder, faster. Ever quickening. Ever gaining. The urge to glance over her shoulder was great, to see how far behind they were, how much of a chance she had at escape. But she knew it would be crazy to do so. It would slow her down and it could be at a cost, that extra second she might need to get away at just the right moment, the right...

Louder... the thudding sounds of someone running behind her... it was louder. Louder!

Cordy gasped and whimpered, her body trembling as she ran. But her endurance was fading fast and soon she'd have to stop. She'd have no choice. Her muscles were hurting, her breaths coming hard as her heart beat faster and faster, threatening to burst out of her chest.

"No no no no..." Cordy mumbled under breath between pants as she ran, her hand reaching down to where she had the knife sheathed on her hip. It was still there. The one comfort she had, knowing that if she needed to defend herself, she at least had the blade.

Suddenly, when Cordy didn't think she could run any longer, her tiny body about ready to give up and collapse on the spot, she heard a rumble in the distance. Her ears perked up and soon there was a motorbike coming up along side of her. It screeched to a halt behind her and she immediately turned on her heels so that she could see who it was that was coming now... friend, enemy... someone else?

The man definitely wasn't from the town and he seemed... concerned. Cordy tilted her head slightly, the wind blowing just then causing some of her blonde hair to blow across her tearstained face. She reached up to push it away and looked upon the man with a watery gaze.

"Y-yes..." Cordy stammered, unsure of what to make of this new man who'd suddenly approached her given his dress and demeanor and being a girl on her own. Regardless, she was about to say more, but her expression turned frantic as she covered her face and let out another scream. Right then, the people after her were about to pounce upon him and after what she'd witnessed earlier with Rick...

Oh Rick!

Cordy wasn't sure she could take seeing the loss of another. "Watch out!" she cried as she shrank back in fear, her hand reaching for her knife. It suddenly felt so clumsy in her hand and she wondered if it had been the right thing to draw it out or not.

As the men approached, their grins were apparent and the greed and lust in their eyes made Cordy wince. If her body hadn't been so tired from her run, she'd have tried to run more. But honestly, she had nowhere to go and now another was involved. Her day had gone from serene and tranquil to an absolute nightmare...

Could it possibly get any worse?

 

[Mech Pilot]

The hybrid nodded at the girl, seeing she was indeed fine, just really shaken up. Probably someone not used with violence, which surprisingly weren't hard to find, even then. Knowing she was fine though, allowed him to fight the incoming threat without any worries. Fight... Calling it that was somewhat of a joke. He had no enemies to fight, just a couple of morons in over their heads. The young man was well aware of the quickly approaching foes, but couldn't care less for them. Only when the woman shouted her warning she got a reaction out of him.

"Oh, don't worry." - he stated, calmly. Before he could add anything those two were upon him. He hoped to talk to them first, maybe scare them out of it, but they decided not to present the oportunity. All the worst for them. The first one lunged against him, a knife aimed to his kidneys. The biker spun swiftly to the oposite side of the knife like a bullfighter dodging the horns of an angry bull as he turned to face his oponent. His hand pushed the enemy's fist aside as he finished his spin, the other hand grabbing the man's collar, using the man's own strentgh against him. The next second, the man was flung through the air in a rather violent way, crashing against the ground and rolling to the woman's feet.

The second enemy was on him just as soon as the first was on the air, attempting two strikes, the knife shinning in the morning sun as it whistled dangerously close to the hybrid. First was a slash to the hybrid's neck, and a thurst to his gut right afterwards.The red-eyed man quickly backstepped, leaning his body behind to dodge the first blow, and used his forearm to brush aside the second strike, sidestepping so he could be on the outside of the enemy's guard. Grabbing the man's wrist, the hybrid twisted his arm by the elbow, his other hand taking away the knife. A knee to the ribs pretty much finished the brief struggle, the horrible sound of cracking bones filling their ears. Just to be sure, the raven haired traveller kicked the back of his leg, forcing the assailant to its knees. A chop to the back of the head and the lights were out for number two. All of it happened in less than three seconds.

The other one was up by then, still shaking off the dizziness from the fall. Fortunately the man wasn't inteligent enough to explore the only strentgh he had at the moment, it being the girl right behind him. A hostage could have slightly improved his situation, since the man was obviously outmatched. Still, inteligence was even rarer than resources at the current state of Earth and the fool just decided to blindly swing his knife once more, forcing the hybrid to dodge a few more strike. His body leaned to the sides just barely avoiding the blade, every movement completely calculated. At the first oportunity, the biker threw a jab that connected directly to the assailant's jaw. The blow threw the enemy off balance, allowing a second one to hit him in the stomach, the air forced out of his lungs. The third one was an uppercut that hit the man on the nose, flinging his body backwards, his nape hitting the ground with a loud thud. The fight was over, the two settlers out cold in less than ten seconds thanks to the hybrid's brutal efficiency. For now, victorious male decided to ignore the fight still ongoing at the distance. If it continue like that, it would be finished pretty soon anyway.

He turned to the girl once more, adjusting the shades with his middle finger, so she wouldn't see his unnatural eyes.

"See? Nothing to worry about." - he stated, dusting off his jacket just as calmy as he had entered the fight. - "So, I take you're friends with one of those groups fighting back there. The smaller one, right?" - he looked at the fray, sighing. He needed to find the settlement and get some water, and probably one of those groups were from said settlement. He hoped it was the girl's group. - "You're from the closest settlement? I'm looking to trade for water... I may be able to assist, if you're willing to help me." - the hybrid adressed her, unfazed by the violence ocurring on the background.

 

[darkangel76]

Panicking, Cordy gripped the handle of her knife so tightly that her knuckles began to whiten. She could barely even feel the handle against her palm as she tried, in vain, to loosen her hold, to allow her fingers to move the thing a bit amongst them. But it was no use and it only served to make her mind swirl with worry. Yes. Fear was winning as her calm and cool was all but gone, totally lost as a result of what was going on about her and she knew all too well that was only serving to place her in further danger. Herself and this new arrival who'd come to check on her and was now barring the way of her pursuers.

Cordy's eyes darted back and forth between the dark haired man and the two she'd wish would just go away, leave her alone... She then somehow managed to get a glimpse of the chaos happening far away back from where she'd run. It was hard to see, but the scuffle was still ongoing, that much was clear to her pale eyes despite the distance she'd managed to make.

Suddenly, Cordy looked back at the man and the two henchmen, her hand tightening yet again around her knife's handle. Thankfully, this new arrival was good in combat, the best she'd ever seen. His style was very different from Rick's—oh, Rick!—and nothing like that of Harry's, Gordon's or Ellen's either. No. He was efficient, lethal... fluid grace who was somehow able to anticipate every move his attackers were about the make or try. It was as if he had a sixth sense, could predict their actions and movements before they even knew. It was quite a sight to behold, a deadly beauty to witness.

Cordy just stepped back, nearly toppling over as she did so. She didn't want to get in this man's way as he practiced his art, his deadly dance with these attackers. Once he was done, and was the only one standing, only then did her grip on her knife finally relax. Her breaths were coming quickly, her heart pounding hard as she stared.

"I..." Cordy stammered, her voice so soft it was barely audible. "Thank you..." She then moved her hand to re-sheath her knife at her hip. Blinking, she stepped forward and licked her lips, her expression one of total awe and amazement at what she'd just seen. "Y-yes. My friends are back there," she said, giving him a nod. "We came here from San Diego proper, near Coronado, to trade for water. We brought oranges." She could feel her eyes pricking with tears as she thought of Rick and how he'd been stabbed, left for dead. Turning her head, she brought up a hand to wipe them away. Sniffling, she looked back at the man who'd just saved her. "I'll help you if I can, but I don't know what happened, I... just... out of nowhere, they just attacked us... I don't know why..." She looked at him, her face full of confusion, her eyes glistening with tears. "I don't understand. We just wanted water."

 

[Mech Pilot]

For a moment, the hybrid thought the girl wouldn't answer him. She was clearly panicking, all color drained from her face, and it was obvious that violence wasn't something she was used to. He almost feel pity for her, but it was something else that stirred inside of him. He hadn't seen much humans in such a distressed situation before. Human emotions were something he had studied, in a very academic standpoint, as his stasis pod unloaded information for him to memorize and learn. Only a few of them he had experienced first hand since leaving the pod, and hardly anything as strong as what she was feeling. He could explain it all: the adrenaline discharge, along with other chemicals, which caused her heart to race, her blood to drain from her face and her need for air to abruptly increase. Trembling limbs, sweaty palms, dry throat, wet eyes. It was all there, and he could understand it all the biological aspects perfectly. Except for what it felt like.

So why was he bothered by it? It was true that he learned to see humans in a rather lenient fashion, but still never felt any obligation to help them or had ever been concerned with their emotional state before. Was that concern even? Pity? Compassion? It was a feeling, obviously, as he had no logical reason to worry about what was happening with her or with her friends. He considered it to be impossible, being a creature of pure logic and reason, incapable of feelings. So it could only be a feeling, something irrational and basic, akin to instinct. A little part of him, maybe some shred of humanity, was capable to relate to her in a very basic level of understanding. Even if unaware as to why, he felt he should help her even if the only logical reason for it was that he could.

She finally managed to speak though, making the dark haired male to wonder if she wouldn't stab herself trying to put away the knife. He was glad that she managed to do it without incidents. The sound of the ongoing scuffle further back reached his ears, and he supposed that if he was going to help her group, he should better go at once, so he would actually have anyone still alive to save. But it was the sound of her voice which really grabbed his attention. It was soft, a bit shaky from her current state, but still with a nice ring to it, in his ears at least. Normally, his very acute hearing tended to turn human voices into something very sharp and bothersome, but hers was so soft that the clarity of his hearing sense only made it more pleasant.

"Don't mention it. They probably deserved it, anyway." - he replied, throwing a side glace to the now passed out duo. She was clearly so disturbed by the events that she could barely explain what had transpired before his appearance. She was talking about oranges? Really? - "I understand. You came to trade and they attacked you. It happens." - he stated, and got back to the bike. She wasn't from the nearest settlement, but at least she agreeded to help him get his water. It was good enough for him. The other group had attacked him anyway, so he needed no more reason to beat them up. It good enough.

Before climbing in his vehicle, he picked up his backpack and threw it to her.

"Here, you take care of this. Don't lose it." - the raven haired young man got on top of the bike and ignited the engine that once again roared back to life. - "Hop on, little girl. Let's save your friends." - he looked at her through his shades, his red eyes almost glowing behind it, not in the slightest concerned about jumping right into a fight they were completely outnumbered for. War was his art, and that place was his new canvas.

 

[darkangel76]

Cordy let out a tiny sound as she caught the backpack thrown at her. She then gave her rescuer a nod when he told her to take care of the thing and not to lose it. She knew she most certainly would. The fact that he was entrusting it to her care after only just meeting her spoke volumes far as she was concerned and she was grateful to have earned even that tiny bit of trust. Of course, she understood that the man didn't have any other option for the objects care and safety besides her, given that she was the only one there and that he was clearly planning on helping her further, but she didn't care. It was the little things one had to hold onto to keep one's spirits lifted in such bleak and dire situations. When things were grim, you needed... something.

Swallowing hard, Cordy licked her lips, which had suddenly gone dry. She looked at her rescuer and gave him yet another nod of her head when he told her to get on his bike with him. The engine was loud, much more so than the old battered jeep she and her friends drove whenever they ventured out into the wild open. She then stepped closer and finally moved to get onto the bike so that she could sit behind this mysterious man who'd just saved her life.

Cordy pushed her blonde hair out of her face as she sat down, her legs straddling the bike as she did so. She bit down on her lip as she realized that she'd need to move closer to the dark-haired man who would be driving if she didn't want to risk falling off. She barely knew him, but... she had no choice. No time to dwell on such things. This was a matter of survival and possibly helping her friends. So without further hesitation, she shimmied herself forward on the seat until she was finally seated properly on top of the thing.

Immediately, Cordy could feel the heat emanating from her rescuer's body as she leaned against him, her nervous anxiety rising at being close to someone she didn't know but also at the fact that her friends were in trouble not too far away. Carefully, she then moved to place her hands on her rescuer's shoulders. She knew once the bike began to move, she'd have to hold onto... something or else she'd fall off.

Leaning a bit closer, Cordy spoke into her rescuer's ear, "I hope they're okay and... I'm ready."

At that, Cordy's grip on the mystery man's shoulders tightened and she buried her face against him. She hoped once they got there that they weren't too late, that some how her friends had managed to hold their own. Of course, she worried that her hopes were in vain given that they'd been clearly outnumbered. But a girl had to hope, had to dream... always. Rick had always told her that. She might have been a fanciful girl quite a lot of the times, but he'd said it was a good thing given how things were since the... That it was those dreams that kept people positive and motivated toward working toward something better, something brighter. So for Rick, she'd hold on to those dreams.

 

[Mech Pilot]

The hybrid felt when the girl touched him, a sudden soft breeze carrying with it the scent that just now had brought them together. She spoke in a very soft tone, just by his ear, and the dark-haired man nodded slightly. They were ready to go. Fingers tightened around his shoulders letting he know she was indeed ready for it. His hand pressed the throttle and the engine roared, the tire spinning wildlessly on the road as he released the clutch, smoke rising as the bike'ss rear danced with almost uncontrolable will. Seconds later, friction did its work and the bike lunged forward, quickly gaining speed as the hybrid forced it forward as fast as he could.

It didn't take long for them to reach the almost ending fight between the sweet-scented girl's friends and their attackers, all of them too caught up in it to notice the approaching vehicle. He forced the motorcycle to a halt, quickly dropping the sidestand and jumping off, ready to come to the rescue of the three in need. A fourth one was laying on the ground, his gut opened by a fierce stab and clearly in no condition to fight, so the red-eyed male decided to worry about him later. He reached a girl first, which was being held on the floor by two guys, while another one ripped her clothes off, a somewhat big and round breast with light brown nipple showing from the tear in her shirt, pants down to her knees and displaying white, simple panties. She was putting up a fight, her face already bruised and battered, but was clearly overpowered by the trio. A roundhouse to the face sent away the one pulling her pants down. The man rollied on the ground, an horrific sound bones, skin and blood vessels being smashed. The one ripping her clothes turned to the newcomer, knife in hand, and tried to stab his chest, maybe going for a lung, or even the heart. The hybrid sidestepped it and locked the man's hand on his armpit, using his forearm to break the assailant's elbow, the knife falling harmlessly to the ground behind him. A punch to the neck cut the air supply to the man's brain, and finished him, crushing his throat. The third one was still trying to understand what happened when he took a knee to the chin, making his brain bounce inside his head, and passing out.

The hybrid smiled. It was so easy and quick to just get rid of them. Blood was rushing to his head, his breath was deep and calm, but slightly faster than before. All his acute senses were focusing on the enemies, the smell of blood and their slightest movements. His body was getting caught in a rush of adrenaline and other alien substances that almost sent him into a berserk. His body became a killing machine, fit to cause destruction to anything in his path. He turned to his next oponents. Or, more accurately, victims.

The next one to be rescued was a man that very much resembled the woman who was now trying to cover what was left of her modesty and get up. He was down, as two other enemies kicked him in the face, back, and stomach. Blood was gushing out of cuts in his face, nose and from inside his mouth and the poor guy was almost out by then. The dark-haired traveller apporached the first victim from behind, quickly grabbing his chin and the top of his head, one with each hand. With one mercilessly, swift spin, the man's neck snapped and his chin was facing the air in an unnatural manner. It was over. The second turned to him, rather scared and tried to back away, but it was to late. The hybrid's speed was almost unhuman by then. A kick to the kneecap brought the man down, his leg bent backwards. The hybrid spun, and kicked the man's face with the the heel of his combat boots, teeth flying along the gush of blood, the jaw completely destroyed.

Only three enemies remained, and now their attention turned to the new enemy, entirely. That gave a really large man, the only friend of the girl still standing, albeit somewhat hurt, the oportunity to choke hold one of them from behind. The next one readied a knife, entering combat position. The man must had been in the army, as his stance was a lot more threatening then the others. The hybrid paid it no mind, and lunged forward, dodging a pre-emptive strike from the ex-soldier. The second slash gave the alien offspring the oportunity to get real close to the enemy, rendering the knife useless. Ex-military man tried to back away, just as he predicted, and a leg went inbetween the other's legs, forming a hook to his heel. A little push to the chest, allied with the man's momentum, made the enemy land heavily on his back, the air being drawn out of him in reflex. A massacre ensued, the hybrid's hand hammering the oponent's head against the floor with a barrage of wild punches, so strong it seemed to almost shake the ground. Five punches later, and the hybrid was back on his feet, blood dripping from his hand. All that violent efficiency delivered in a matter of seconds.

The last man standing, clearly the boss, as it stood behind the whole fight, was smart enough not to engage the outsider with his knife. His hand went to his back and pulled a very old six-shooter Revolver, probably a Smith & Wesson.

"Stop! Stop right there! Don't come any closer!" - cried the man, terrified with what his eyes had just seen. No man should be able to do something like that. Not that efficiently.

The hybrid almost smiled at the man's action. He couldn't be less worried about his gun. The only thing he had to ensure was that any of the others stood out of harm's way. Then that .38 Special could just as well be a water gun and the result would be the exactly same. Carefully, the alien offspring walked sideways, very slowly not to startle the man, getting all the others off the line of fire. As soon as he had only rubble behind him, he started to walk on the man's direction at his own leisure.

"I told you to stop!" - The man cried again, firing a warning shot on the ground, right in front of his executioner, that keep walking camly on his direction while staring directly into him from behind his shades. - "STOP"

This time, he aimed at the incoming threat, firing without hesitation. But the hybrid simple leaned to the side and the bulled travelled harmlessly into the unknown. Of course, the hybrid wasn't fast enough to actually dodge bullets. It was a trick that started in his very acute vision, which could predict the next movement from his oponents by the slightest contraction of its muscles, allowing him to see where would he aim and exactly when he would shoot. Something that could very well be considered supernatural. Next came his mind and its ability to calculate the angle and trajectory of the bullet based on his visual accuracy. Then came his body and its unhuman speed, that allowed him to simple move out of the bullet's path before the trigger was pulled. That was the reallity behind it. For the bystanders, things were very different. The stranger was dodging bullets while calmly walking towards the enemy. Four shots were aimed at him, and the hybrid effortlessly avoided them all. Before the last one could be fired, he was to close to the man. His hand went to the weapon and twisted the man's wrist, alongside his body. A quick pull to the opposite direction, and the weapon changed owners.

"Any last words?" - asked the red-eyed man, aiming the gun at the other's head.

"I-... No, pleas-" - he started. But never finished, as the hybrid pulled the trigger mid-sentence, blowing the man's head off. The body fell backwards, limp.

"Thought so." - finished the unnamed traveller, who turned to the ones he had just rescued, and then to the blonde, delicate girl who rode the bike with him. - "There. Saved your friends..." - he trailed off, turning his attention to the very big man who, unsure if the hybrid was a threat, approached him with his guard up and ready to fight. The demi-alien did the same, ready to take him on.

 

[darkangel76]

Cordy had held onto the mystery man rather tightly as he sped toward her friends in the distance. She feared what she might see once they got there, so to prolong the inevitable, she buried her face against his back, shielding her eyes from the horrors she knew awaited them both. As the bike came to a halt and she loosened her grip, she felt her heart pounding harder and harder, her breaths coming so quickly, she thought she might not be able to take another. When she finally dared to look at the scene before her, she nearly collapsed, her hands moving to her mouth to stifle the screams that threatened to roll over her lips.

Ellen had somehow been thrown onto the ground, overpowered. Ellen! How! Oh god! The man who'd wanted her instead of the oranges he... no, there were three! Just then, Cordy got off the bike and was on her knees, her stomach churning as the horrific realities of life outside her own tiny settlement snapped into place—all the things Rick had tried to shield her from, protect her from. Suddenly, she felt a pang of nausea hit her like a ton of bricks, her mouth tasting like a mix of metal and saliva. She could feel her skin turn clammy, sweaty and in that instant, she twisted around and began to retch violently until her body no longer could. She was trembling, shaking...

Oh Ellen... she'd saved her from that fate...

Tears spilled down Cordy's pale cheeks as she sobbed, her one hand shaking as she brought it up to wipe at her mouth. She brought another hand up and raked it through her blonde hair, pushing it away from her face. Turning, she saw her rescuer immediately moving to save Ellen and waves of relief and gratitude washed over her. Her rescuer was fast, moving quickly and efficiently through the mob of men attacking her friends, her people. For a brief moment, her eyes drifted to one of the lifeless bodies on the ground—Rick. The body lied in a pool of deep red crimson. Blood. She knew he was dead and if not dead, then he was close to it. The wound in his gut was large and deep and the blood that had poured out of his body... more tears rolled down her cheeks. The man had been like a brother to her, always looking out for her.

Cordy's attention turned back to the scuffles of the bloody battle ensuing about her as she huddled into a ball near her rescuer's bike. She felt all but useless now, realizing just how foolish she'd been for insisting she'd tag along. She hadn't been ready, not by a long shot and the fact that Rick had given in... she'd compromised everyone and this was the result of it all. If they all hated her now, she wouldn't blame them.

As Cordy continued to watch everything, her heart racing, her mind spinning, she just hoped that somehow the rest of her friends would manage to make it out of this whole mess alive. They'd already suffered greatly as a result of her coming along, not to mention Rick was dead. She watched her rescuer save Gordon next and he immediately went to help out Ellen who was definitely shaken and not all right given things. Harry was holding his own, thankfully, but even he was having issues. She never thought she'd see the day that the tank of a man would have problems in a fight, but there he was... nearly overpowered. It was a miracle that she'd been found by the mystery man when she had been.

Her mystery man was a wonder to watch, fluid grace as he moved through the crowd of men as they tried to continue their attacks. Cordy felt her entire body tense as her eyes remained fixed upon him, her mind still reeling as the events unfolded before her. She felt some of the tension ease once it became clear that her friends were no longer in imminent danger. Finally, all the men were down save one and Ellen, Gordon and Harry were safely out of the way. She watched in awe as he approached that final man, wondering just how he'd manage to take out an entire town such as this one. The odds had been... impossible. Yet... he'd done it.

He'd... done it.

Swallowing, Cordy moved to stand up. Her legs were wobbly, shaky. She had all she could do not to fall over as she willed her legs to move as she walked toward her rescuer, moving a bit closer to where he stood. Her tummy still ached, her body sore from how tense her muscles were, not to mention her earlier run. She glanced over at Ellen, Gordon and Harry. The three looked angry, though Ellen also looked mortified. Gordon placed an arm about his sister in a protective manner, a gesture letting her know it was all right to feel as she did, but that things were finally okay now.

Cordy hung her head a bit, though her eyes shifted to the man her rescuer was toying with. Suddenly, there was a loud shot and the man's head was... gone. Immediately, she let out a tiny shriek, her hand moving up to cover her mouth to stifle the sound. She gave her rescuer a nod.

"Th-thank you," Cordy stated. She then turned toward Harry whom she saw was starting to walk toward the mystery man. "No, Harry!" she exclaimed moving forward. "Wait!"

Harry stopped mid-stride and eyed Cordy. "You've done enough damage," he spoke.

Cordy just hung her head and choked on a sob.

"I'll say," Gordon muttered, his arm pulling Ellen closer to his body.

Cordy looked over at the siblings. It was unlike Gordon to be the one to grumble the sarcastic remarks. Yes, the guy had attitude, but the remarks were typically reserved for Ellen. The fact that he was doing the talking was evidence enough that she was in a bad way and as she looked at her... it was plain enough that she was. It should've been her that had been attacked in that fashion... her. Not Ellen.

"I... I'm sorry," Cordy began. "I had no idea."

"No idea?" Harry stated with an angry laugh. "I knew you shouldn't have come. But I went along with it since Rick allowed it. I voiced my concerns, but he wanted you to come along. God only knows why..." He wiped a hand over his face, his eyes darting over to look at the mysterious man who'd saved them all. "Sorry you have to witness my scolding of our resident brat."

Gordon just snorted as he hugged Ellen who was sobbing against his shoulder. "More like resident bitch."

Cordy could feel more tears filling her eyes in that moment. "Harry, I'm sorry. I..." She looked over at the mystery man. "I didn't know... I didn't know... " Her voice became a whisper as she buried her face in her hands and ran back toward the bike.

Harry just shook his head. "Jesus," he stated with a sigh. "Fine, let her cry." He then looked over at Gordon and Ellen. "You two hang tight here. I'm going to go get some water and load up." He then looked back at the man who'd saved them. "Again, thank you for what you did. We owe you. Take any of the oranges you want. They're in our jeep."

As Cordy approached the bike she rested her hands upon it and leaned against it. Her entire body was shaking. Rick was dead, Ellen defiled and both Harry and Gordon were beyond furious with her... and all because she'd screwed up. Swallowing hard, she glanced over her shoulder at everyone talking across the way. It was in that moment that she realized just how much of an outsider she was, just how much she didn't belong, didn't fit in. She wondered if she ever would.

 

[Mech Pilot]

The hybrid watched the exchange between the group he had just rescue, with a mix of uninterest and pity as he used the bosses' shirt to wipe of the blood out of his knuckles. Normally he wouldn't care less about it, but for some reason, once again something akin to a feeling stirred up inside him. He felt... bad for the girl. That was the only way to describe it. He wasn't used to being moved by irrational sensations, and for some reason, it was happening a lot on a single day. It seemed they blamed the very presence of the blonde girl as the reason for such situation, although the half-alien seriously doubted she was the reason for it. They would get jumped anyway, for whatever reason those guys could find. Do they really needed take it out on her that much? The poor girl was sobbing.

"Thank the girl. She's the one who saved you." - the hybrid stated, while looting the corpse of the last enemy. Luckly he found some extra ammo on him. Twelve bullets for the six-shooter. He took the gun as well. - "I had no reason to intervene."

He watched as the girl went back to his bike, and stood once more, reloading the gun. For a minute, he considered if he shouldn't just take those three out for being so selfish, but decided against it. It was human nature, as he had been taught. Scared, selfish animals, always seeking something or someone to blame when things went wrong. Still, for some reason he didn't like to see the girl sad. She was worried for them before. In panic, but she came back for them, when she could just keep running after she was rescue. She brought help, but there they were, blaming her for something that perhaps was completely unrelated to her presence there. He decided to ignore it, though, as the big man once again adressed him.

"You shouldn't be so harsh to her. These guys were probably planning on doing this for some time. Gutless cowards like this cunning lot doesn't decide to enter fights on a whim." - he vouched for her, although he saw no reason to do it. Anyway, he believed it was like that, even if unaware of the whole story. He shrugged, as if it didn't mattered if anyone believed his words, his red eyes piercing the taller man from behind his shades - "I have no need for the oranges, though, I'm just here for the water. Can you take me to it?" - He asked politely, going back to the bike where the girl cried.

The traveller looked at her as he took the empty black gallon where he stored his water, which was completely empty by then. The girl seemed pretty shaken up from what was happening. She probably had been well shielded from reality up until that point. And the fact that no one was actually supporting her seemed to make everything even harder for the blonde, delicate girl. Before going away, he adressed her.

"Take care of that back pack for me, will you?" - he asked, offering a white, clean handkerchief for her to wipe her tears with. He felt the need to say more, and was unable to hold it in. - "Look. I don't know what really happened. But I'm pretty sure its not your fault. So, hang in there, alright?" - and then left, following the man called "Harry" to the water source, thinking about those strange fellings that were assaulting him. Were those people really friends? They really didn't look like it. Not the way they were treating her.

 

[darkangel76]

Cordy rested her hands against the seat of the bike, her thoughts whirling through her mind as she tried to process everything that had just happened and was still happening about her. Her friends hated her now. That much was clear. And an impending sensation of dread began to form deep in the pit of her tummy. She honestly feared facing the rest of her people now. If Harry, Gordon and Ellen were this upset, she could only begin to imagine what the others would react like... she'd be an outcast for certain. Shunned. No one would want to talk to her after this and no one would forgive her for the loss of Rick.

And that look on Ellen's face. Oh god... Gordon would never forgive her for that. Cordy knew damn well the guy wished she'd been in his sister's place, taken the brunt of the brutality she'd been doled out even if she was the more delicate and younger of the two females present.

Just then, Cordy choked on a sob, her hand quickly moving up to her mouth to stifle the sounds escaping her. Suddenly, she turned when that voice struck her ears. It was that of the mystery man, her rescuer. She blinked several times when mentioned that he wished for her to continue guarding his backpack.

"I... I will. I promise," Cordy answered timidly, hesitantly. Immediately, she reached for the backpack, clutching it close to her body as she gave the mystery man a nod, her eyes glistening with tears as a few rolled down her cheeks. Without thinking about it, she automatically brushed them away with one of her hands and tried to give him a smile, but she knew it wasn't a very good attempt. Her fear and worry were abundantly clear. But she had to try despite everything, even if it was in vain.

Meanwhile, Harry just shook his head as the newcomer told him he should be thanking Cordy for having him come along to their rescue. He supposed the guy was right to an extent, but if it hadn't been for her they wouldn't have needed the help in the first place. They'd traded with these people time and time again. Why they'd chosen this moment to finally pull such a stunt was beyond him. Rick definitely hadn't seen it coming. Sure, he'd always told them all to keep their guard up, but he'd never suspected the group to ever pull such a heinous act. Ever. Then again, times were rough and getting rougher. Who the hell knew what was going on and why. Maybe they'd been having troubles for a while and it had just been a matter of time. Maybe they'd been stupid to think that nothing would ever happen. But whatever the case, Cordy still had gone against Rick's orders. She'd spoken out of turn, refused to stay back. And, in his opinion, she shouldn't have even been there in the first place. Her whiney insistence had softened Rick and it got him killed. It had nearly compromised them all.

Harry looked over at Gordon and Ellen. Ellen was a definite mess and Gordon was clearly pissed off. He definitely wouldn't be going near Cordy again. Not for a while, nor would Ellen. That much was apparent. And once word got out about Rick's death... yeah, it would be a fucking mess. Needless to say, there were going to be severe problems once they got back and Cordy was going to be at the center of them all. And quite honestly, his own anger about everything didn't make him feel any sympathy toward her about any of it. All he could do now was just hope that he could somehow keep everyone calm and keep the chaos and fear down as he let everyone know about Rick.

"Hard to have much sympathy for someone who shouldn't have been here in the first place," Harry finally spoke. "She shouldn't have been here and then she directly disobeyed orders." He let out a sigh. "That disobedience got Rick killed and nearly compromised us all." Raking a hand through his hair, he glanced over at Cordy who knelt down on the ground next to the bike, her tiny body holding tightly onto a backpack. "Sure, you helped us and I'm grateful she brought you. But if she hadn't been here and fucked up... we wouldn't have needed you. We've traded here before." He paused a moment, not wanting to think on the possibility that the men might have been planning the attack from the get go, that they might have been biding their time, waiting for the right moment to strike. Again, he sighed. "Now I'm gonna have a fucking mess on my hands when I go back. All because of her." He pointed his finger over at Cordy, his eyes glaring.

Gordon looked over in Cordy's direction, his hold on Ellen tightening as she continued to sob against his shoulder. Under her breath, she mumbled curses and obscenities against the blonde.

"It's her fault Rick is dead. Rick was our goddamned leader! You know what kind of shit is gonna go down when I go back and tell them our leader is dead?" Harry shook his head. "It ain't gonna be pretty. And I'm not gonna sugar coat anything to save her ass either. She fucked up. She suffers the consequences."

Cordy could hear everything Harry was saying and it made her tremble in fear. She was definitely going to become an outcast among her people. And where would that leave her? What would become of her then? She'd end up being pushed out beyond the protection of her settlement. She'd end up alone... with no one. She had practically no experience in anything. She couldn't fight, could barely defend... her life would be over before it started. At that, her teeth began to chatter, her body curling up into a slight ball. Oh how she missed Rick... she hoped that he forgave her...

"I'm so sorry..." Cordy whispered again.

 

[Mech Pilot]

Created by a superior race, and learning, at first, to see humans the same way the better race saw them. Even so, the hybrid could understand their need to blame someone so the could cope with situations presented to them, from all his studies and research about them. It was loathesome, for him, but understandable. The better race had nothing like that. They could really understand each other, and so injustices like the one he was witnessing right there were nonexistant. Completely. Were the creators really wrong to extinct such filthy, irrational beings like those humans? Self-centered, selfish and stupid animals, most, if not all of them. According to the historical information passed onto him in the stasis pod, humans themselves had killed way more of their own race on their long history than the creators during the first purge. The creators were simply a lot more efficient then humans in doing it. But was it wrong? He was taught it wasn't while in his pod, and for some time that stuck with him.

After leaving the pod, only fifteen years old and way before his own maturation point, the hybrid had wandered Earth by himself, learning what he could about that race that accoring to his creator's were just... inferior. Meeting them, living among them, he got to a different conclusion. Humans were capable of good, of beautiful things and the most beautiful of gestures. Just as much as they could do wrong. Horribly wrong. Researching their art, their literature, their philosophy and their very psyche, the hybrid began to understand them, even if in a very basic level. They were imperfect creatures, but the ones they hurt the more by their own mistakes, were themselves. So he stared to pity them and eventually even felt like helping them. Maybe the creators missed something? Maybe he could find a redemptive feature capable of convincing the creators that race deserved a chance. He believed that, to an extent. But moments like that, where humans showed their worst, made him doubt his own decision. Maybe they deserved to die, to be extinct and give way to a more inteligent, evolved life form. Maybe he should just kill those three he had just saved and be done with it, also.

"You people aren't any better than this lot..." - he stated very audibly, so the three humans shunning the petite blonde girl would hear it, comparing them to their attackers as he kicked the corpse of the enemy's boss - "I'd kill you three as well, but you're all doomed anyway."

That said, he entered the small city, leaving the human group behind. His instincts were still in dominance, blood boiling inside his veins, and it would be for the better to just give some space between himself and those people, least he would really kill them. Once adrenaline and all the other chemicals reached his brain it was somewhat difficult to keep his violent impulses restrained. He was a soldier, a hunter and once the scent of blood reached him, it was hard to keep his nature in check. Thankfully, it didn't take long for him to found a small well with a small pump that those people used to get the water from it. The hybrid could smell a few people in hiding inside the city. Women and kids, mostly. They reeked of fear, dirt and bodily fluids, an acre smell that hurt his acute nose.

The red eyed male tried the pump for a while but it didn't work so well. After a few minutes trying, a gush of brownish water, filled with dirt, splashed on the floor. After that it simply died, not responding anymore, a few residual drops of thick, dense fluid dropping lazily from inside the pipes. The pump was working just fine as far as he could tell, which implied that the well was dry. That would explain why a group of people in possession of a source of water to be so dirt and to appear so dehydrated. It also explained the attack on the girl's group, but he wouldn't go back to that subject with them.

"Shit." - cursed the hybrid, shaking his head. He would have to go a lot farther for water now. He hoped he could find another settlement with a water source, and also that those four could point him in the direction. In his way back, he crossed ways with the big man called Harry, and shrugged. Part of him wanted to smirk at the man and and point out that everything was in vain, and he was almost capable to refrain himself. But their obnoxious behaviour from before got the best of him. At least, when he spoke, he was serious as he had ever been.

"Their well is dry. You won't find water over here." - he said simply, as he made his way back to the bike, the empty gallon in hand. He guessed the man wouldn't take his word for it, so just allowed him to see for himself. He wanted as little interaction with them as possible. - "Guess you all almost died for nothing."

Once back outside the settlement, he approached his bike, shooting a glance at the almost raped woman and who he imagined to be her brother, without paying that much attention to them. Once he made back to the bike, he put away the gallon on the back of the motorcycle, tying it firmly on it. Then he turned back to the girl crying beside the vehicle, seeing she was indeed in a very bad shape. He was well aware that nothing could say or do would help her so decided, for now, to remain silent about her current predicament. The Half-alien believe to have said enough already about it, so a change in subject would be welcome.

"I still need water, though. Maybe you can show me another place to get it?" - he adressed the young blonde girl, his hand carefully brushing a tear away from her cheek with the back of his hand. It was something of a reflex, and his own act went unnoticed by him. - "It will avoid and awkward ride home, it seems. And, I can take you back to your settlement afterwards."

He guessed it would be good for the girl no to go back with those three. The mood would be opressive for her, and given her current state, he was unsure if she could take it. Of course, things would be even worse at their village, or whatever the place they lived was called, since they just lost their leader, and if those three had their way, she would be presented as the sole reason for it. It would be a miracle if a lynching could be avoided if things were presented the wrong way, and everything was pointing for it being described that way. If those three had some time to think things through and their village sometime to soak the bad news in, the worst could be avoided. Or not. Human nature would be the only decisive factor in her fate, without the hybrids intervention.

"But its your choice..." - he finished, his hand moving away from the soft, warm touch of her flushed skin.

 

[darkangel76]

Cordy shivered as she sat on the ground, her arms clutching the backpack tightly against her body. For some reason, it gave her an odd sense of comfort, of purpose to hold the thing. So she made sure to do so with all her might until instructed otherwise. At least then she could find some sense of peace as her mind ran wild with the thoughts of horror and terror that might await her once Harry finished up whatever he needed to do now that the fighting seemed to be over, Gordon and Ellen both glaring daggers in her direction. She winced slightly as she caught a glimpse of them, instantly looking away, not wanting to let her gaze linger on them any longer than it needed. It was clear to her that they wouldn't want anything to do with her for a good long time, if ever again.

Meanwhile, Harry was cursing under his breath. The mysterious stranger had just informed him of the well and how it had run dry. He let out a rather audible sigh, followed by a groan. He was angry, frustrated and now that he'd had to fight a slew of men... tired and sore on top of things. The day had gone from annoying to nightmarish in a matter of moments and now it was going to be complete and utter hell. It was bad enough that things had gone south with the attack and Rick's death, but now with no water... it was just going to make things all the worse. His eyes drifted over to Cordy and he in a way he felt a pang of pity for the blonde. He never quite understood the soft spot that Rick had had for her. Ellen had always tried to poke and jab that he'd had a secret crush on the blonde, but he could tell it wasn't like that... never had been. But now with Rick dead that secret was dead with him and though he somehow knew, none of the rest of their little group would ever understand that. But such was life...

Cordy bit down on her lip when her rescuer suddenly approached her, her eyes looking upward and fixing onto his even though she couldn't see them behind the shades that hid them from her view. She pretended she could see them—perhaps they were a pale blue much like her own, or a dark chocolate brown... Whatever their color, she could feel them staring deeply into her own as if trying to search them out somehow. She wondered what he saw, if anything... if he could read her and what she was thinking, feeling. She glanced over at Harry who seemed agitated and uneasy and once more her eyes fell upon Ellen and Gordon. Gordon just sneered before looking away.

When Cordy's rescuer came closer, his hand reaching out to touch her, she leaned into his touch slightly. It was amazing at just how much comfort the small gesture provided her as he spoke to her, posing a question that just very well could alter her life forever.

Licking her lips, Cordy nodded. The idea of traveling with this newcomer seemed far more appealing than returning home—if she could even call it that any longer after what had just occurred—though she really wasn't sure as to where they could go to find fresh water and, what's more, potable fresh water. Regardless, she didn't mind the idea of helping him, if he wanted her help or if he even thought she could be of any help at all. She knew she would try, do her best... but sometimes she wondered what that truly was. The only one who ever seemed to believe in her, to think she'd ever have anything of value or worth was now dead and gone.

Oh Rick...

"I'll help you search for water," Cordy said softly. She glanced over her rescuer's shoulder at Harry, but he was no longer listening or watching. He was off tending to both Gordon and Ellen now and, from the look of things, they were all heading over toward the jeep... empty-handed. "I'm not sure where to go, but I..." her voice trailed slightly and she bit down on her lower lip in slight worry. "But maybe north is a good place to start." Pausing, she let one of her hands remove itself from holding onto the backpack so that she could push some of her blonde hair behind an ear as the wind suddenly blew causing it to fall into her eyes a little. "I remember hearing that there used to be farms up there, but..." her voice trailed yet again as she shook her head. "Just they were too hard for us to get to and scout out. So, I'm not sure if they're really there or if it's just a rumor. But we can try."

Cordy gave her rescuer a hopeful look, one letting him know that she wanted to try and would do her best. She so desperately wanted to help and she was definitely fearful of staying with her people. Though she barely knew him, something about him drew her to him and made her feel safe. Maybe it was the fact that he'd helped her, saved everyone so easily, was willing to go that extra mile... Whatever the case, she wanted to stay with him if he was willing to endure her presence and, given that, her choice had indeed been made.

 

[Mech Pilot]

As expected, the girl seemed relieved for not having to tag along with her crew on the way back home. After all the accusations and glaring, it wasn't surprising that the blonde had such an easy time chosing her company. They had been really hard on her, and although the alien offspring did feel a little bad for her, it served his purpose perfectly. Now he had someone with a little pratical knowledge about the region, who could at least point him in a general direction to where water could be found. If things went right, they could even bring some to her people as a peace offering, as he guessed things would go pretty bad with everyone else on their camp, when those three delivered the news taht their precious water deal was a no go from that point on. He wouldn't mind helping the girl to that extent, of course, and would happily repay her for the help, that way. But first they need to visit said fams and actually find the precious, life-giving liquid.

"Thanks. That will be most helpful." - he nodded, carefully looking at the small girl that hold his backpack so closely. She seemed to be good at doing what she was told, at least. - "Let me have this for a moment..." - he pleaded, reaching for the backpack.

After retrieving it, the raven-haired male opened the bag, and fondled inside it, looking for something. Moments later, he took a Kit-Kat bar from inside and offered to the girl. Seemed like a pointless gesture, or simply kindness maybe, but it was a fairly calculated move. Chocolate was known for having substances that made the brain release Endorphin and Serotonin, which had impact on human mood. It wouldn't end her pain and sadness, granted, but it should make her feel slightly better, which in that situation was really something. He thanked the knowledge gained on the pod for those little bits of information regarding human physiology and their reaction to varied substances.

"Here. Have this." - he said as he offered the dainty. After she took it, he gave her his backpack once more. - "Also, you'll be keeping this while we ride, so put it on your back. It will bother you if I carry it myself, on the bike." - stating the obvious wasn't something the man particularly enjoyed, but still, in her situation it seemed she would be better of receiving a step-by-step explanation about everything.

He leaned against the bike, and crossed his arms as he watch her put on the backpack and eat her treat, without any hurry. It was still morning and they had a lot of time ahead of them, with the sun shining bright, for having any need to run. While watching, the hybrid figured he could try and make some conversation. Not for personal entertainment really, but because being together for a while, it would be nice if they actually knew each other to an extent.

"So, partner, what's your name?" - the young man asked her, his arms crossed in a rather relaxed stance. - "It will be rather weird for me to call you just "girl" the entire time, don't you think?"

 

[darkangel76]

A warm feeling grew in the center of Cordy's tummy as her rescuer spoke kindly to her, his voice seeming to give off a tone of understanding and even a bit of sympathy. Of course, a part of her wondered if that was merely wishful thinking on her part, that desperate need for someone to be sympathetic to her needs, her plight. After all, she'd more or less been ostracized by the only people she knew and thus the only way of she'd ever known, had lived. Rick was dead, she no longer had friends and she definitely didn't know how to survive out in the wilds on her own. It was plain as day now just how dangerous it was outside the protective confines of her little town. And she could see just how much Rick had shielded her from as well. Now this mysterious man seemed willing to help her and for that she'd be forever grateful. Sure, she'd be helping him in return, but even still he didn't need to show her the kindness he was. He was stronger, faster, a skilled survivor to say the least.

Cordy then handed the mysterious man his backpack when he asked for it. She was curious as to what sorts of things resided inside. Surely whatever it was, it was precious or else he wouldn't constantly remind her to take care of the thing. When he pulled out the chocolate, her blue eyes went wide and she immediately felt her mouth begin to salivate. She tried to recall the last time she'd tasted chocolate. She'd been about five or six and it was a treat indeed, a lucky find made by one of the scouting groups that happened to scavenge a nearby abandoned building that had a locked truck rammed through one of its walls. Somehow they'd gotten the truck opened and inside were two large cases of the stuff. They ate like royalty for the following month, the chocolate being their heavenly dessert after every meal.

"Thank you," Cordy said shyly as she took the chocolate. Slowly, she unwrapped it and began to nibble on it, cherishing every single bite.

Each bite that Cordy took, she felt herself feeling a bit better, a bit more at ease. She was glad of it and she relished how the sweet taste danced upon her tongue as she ate. It truly was decadent and she smiled sweetly at the man as she ate, her eyes expressing her gratitude.

Cordy then nodded as her rescuer told her that she'd still be the one to carry his backpack for him, that she'd be the one to guard it. She smiled when he suggested she wear it on her back and gave him another nod. Swallowing down more of the chocolate, she placed the bag on her back and blushed, her hand then moving to push some her blonde hair out of her face.

"Like this?" Cordy asked, her voice soft. She then showed her rescuer how the backpack looked on her body, hoping to get his approval. "And my name is Cordelia. Cordelia Harris. Though most people call me Cordy. So, please, call me Cordy." She smiled at him and nibbled some more of the chocolate as she looked over at him and into his eyes even though they were hidden behind his shades. Giggling a little, she then asked. "What should I call you then?"

 

[Mech Pilot]

The hybrid was pretty satisfied with the delicate and sweet smile the girl graced him with. It seemed that the chocolate had the desired effect on her, the pleasure released by the simplest of actions supressing, even if just a little, the pain from her current plight. Of course, a small gesture of kindness and the chocolate wouldn't be able to erase it completely or simply magically make it all go away, but it was indeed better than nothing. Still, there was something else that helped. If the young man had to take a guess, he would simply assume that humans now were tougher than before, hardened by the times they lived in. The information given to him inside the pod classified humans as a very self-centered, emotional race, and while that fact remained unchanged, her reaction it was blatantly different from what the creators would expect. No weeks of grieving, no desperate crying. She was shaken, sad, but not desperate on account of what happen. The circumstances made the humans, he guessed. Even someone clearly delicate end pretty much sheltered from the horrors of their reality, like the petite blonde girl eating chocolate before him, was now able to recover from something as traumatic to humans as the death of someone close in a rather short ammount of time. But then, how many time had she seen it? How much had she cried for lost, loved ones? Humans would never get used to it, but they would grow stronger from it, each time. That was probably the main reason for her surprisingly fast recovery.

Anyhow now that they were together, even if for a brief period, he was glad that she was able to smile so soon after experiencing what had happened in the morning of their fateful meeting. That girl was stronger than anyone would ever give her credit for.

The girl was showing him how the backpack looked on her while he thought about her current condition, in a manner that implied she was looking for approval. It seemed a rather dull attempt at it, being such a simple task, but he figure she would get whatever compliment and approval she culd get, given the situation. In any case he could hardly see a reason not to indulge in her need for acceptance. She had done, in a perfect manner indeed, what he was asked. Not to mention that the girl had a very pretty figure, and he could see that while not that well endowed in size, she was slender and beatiful. By the end of his considerations, he smiled at her in a very casual manner, nodding.

"That's Perfect, Miss Harris..." - he stated, then added with a litle, playful smile - "Or, Cordy, if you insist." - he finished, his body leaning against his black Harley Davidson V-Rod Muscle 2013

Cordelia's question troubled him a little, though. What should he say about his name. Putting it simply, the hybrid didn't have one. The creators had no reason to name them, as he was merely a tool for the second wave. A weapon, no different from the gun pressed against his back, tugged in his pants. Of course saying that would probably freak her out, something he had no need to deal with. And simply saying he had no clue what to be called would be considered, at least, odd. The hybrid had no need to refer to himself in the third person so adressing himself as "I" or "Me" was enough until that point, as he carefully avoided friendly interactions until that point, so while not being a completely new situation for him, it was the first time he was having trouble experiencing it. Usually, a simply "It's none of your business", would have sufficed but he could tell that wasn't the case. He thought about it for a few seconds, a little uncomfortable with her gaze that clearly expected an answer. It didn't have to be a name though. She didn't asked specifically for his name, but a way to call him. He remembered the only inscription on the pod from when he got out of it. A number. "Ekh". Six.

"You can call me Six, for now." - Answered the hybrid. He knew it was probably an odd way for adressing someone but it was the best he could think of at the time. Maybe later he could sort it out. For now it would have to do.

Trying to change the subject, Six took the Smith & Wesson .38 Special looted from the enemy's boss, and after taking the empty cases out, reloaded it with the (also looted) extra ammo. After a quick spin of the barrel, he closed it, leaving it ready to shoot. He played around with it for a moment, spinning it around his trigger finger, first backwards, stopping, then forward, and finshing by swiching the gun's side, so the grip was facing Cordy.

"Here. You hold on to this as well. Might come in handy for you." - He said, offering her the gun. He was pretty sure she had no idea of how to use it, and more importantly probably wouldn't have the heart to use it even if needed, but it wouldn't hurt to have it anyway. - "Do you know how to use it? Its pretty simple. This is the dangerous end. - He pointed the deadly hole on the gun's tip - "Point it, pull the trigger. The gun do the rest for you. Just be sure to never put the finger in the trigger if you don't mean to shoot it. Got it?" - Finishing his brief explanation he looked at her from behind his shades. Handling that would be something really worthy of his approval.

 

[darkangel76]

Cordy could hear the jeep sputtering as Harry revved the engine to life. She winced just a bit knowing full well that he, Gordon and Ellen would be heading back without any water and... without their leader. She dared to glimpse in their general direction and noticed that Rick's body was no longer strewn on the ground. Obviously, they'd carted it back onto the jeep and would be bringing it back so that they could bury him there. Their people would want to see him, want that proof of his death. They would also need the closure in how they grieved and mourned the loss. No doubt it would be a while before they got over this one and no doubt she'd be the one taking the brunt of the blame. Just then, her eyes locked onto Harry's and she knew right then that it would be a while before she saw any of them again. That was... if she ever say any of them ever again.

Swallowing hard, Cordy had all she could do to not let her emotions get the better of her in that moment. The jeep was moving, so she blinked and turned her head slightly, her eyes shifting so that she was looking at her rescuer once again. This was it. This was the moment when her life would truly change. She could shout out and stop Harry if she wanted to... one last chance to go back. Once again, she glanced over at the jeep. She then sucked in a sharp breath, holding it briefly as she watched the jeep drive away, leaving a trail of dust in its wake. As she let out a tiny exhale, she let her gaze fall back to that of her rescuer's once more and smiled. She missed Rick and hoped for the best for her people. She would be an outcast of some sort with them all forever. She was sure of it. But maybe time would heal things to some extent. Who could say? But right now, her time was with this mysterious man who'd found her and saved her.

"Six?" Cordy stated more than asked as she tilted her head. It was a strange name to say the least. It sounded so cold, like an assignment more than a name. Given it was a number, she was sure it was just a nickname of some kind though she wondered what the significance behind it might be. Perhaps it was his lucky number or maybe his favorite number. Perhaps over time he might just tell her why he'd been given such a peculiar nickname.

While Cordy continued to ponder Six's strange nickname, he suddenly handed her a gun. The thing felt awkward in her hands as she looked at it. She just nodded as Six spoke, explaining to her the basics on how to use it. It was funny. For all she'd learned and been exposed to back home, learning how to handle a gun wasn't one of the things she'd really been taught. Rick had made sure she knew how to handle a knife, though more for practical purposes over anything else. For some reason, everyone had always been opposed to teaching her anything, always wanting to keep her hidden away and behind the safe confines of the walls of the settlement. For what reason and purpose, she wasn't quite certain. Maybe it was because she had an aura about her, something that made it known she needed to be helped in some way. But whatever the case, she knew it was time she started to learn things, to come face to face with the realities of the world and the way life truly was.

What happened earlier was definitely a wake up call. Cordy just wished Rick didn't have to have died as a result of it and she wished that Ellen and the others hadn't had to suffer either.

It was so unfair.

But then, that was life. Or so Cordy was slowly learning.

"I've never used a gun before," Cordy admitted as she looked up into Six's eyes. "Just my knife, but..." Her voice trailed a bit and she suddenly felt so useless. "I don't even know how to use that very well." She scowled at herself, her eyes welling a bit as she began to worry about just how much of a burden she would be to her newfound partner. She feared that he'd become annoyed, want to leave her behind at some point, that he would abandon her. She barely knew him, knew nothing about him other than the kindness he'd just shown her just now and the fact that he could hold his own in a fight against all odds. But could she trust him? Her gut told her to, but... she was so young, so naïve to the world.

What would Rick do? What would he say?

Cordy honestly didn't know... and she would forever be at a loss now.

"But I'll try my best," Cordy then added as she pushed her blonde hair over a shoulder. "I always do. "Hopefully those farms up north will work out." She then gave Six a smile. "I have a good feeling," she stated trying to stay positive, hoping it would keep his hopes up and that it would help them to both focus and thus lead them to precious water.

 

[Mech Pilot]

Six watched as the girl clumsily handled the gun, and it didn't take long for him to reach the conclusion that, on her own, in that it would take some time for her to really have an idea of how to use the killing tool properly. It mattered little, though. They would be together for a while and in that alone should keep her as safe as she could be outside the walls of her city, or maybe even more. Afterwards, he would leave her at her camp, which should be safe enough as well. If she couldn't get used to it at all by then, she could just give it to her tall, strong built friend named Harry, and the weapon would probably serve its purpose in his hands. If she did manage to grow used to the gun, she could just keep it and use it for her own protection. She certainly needed it, as far as the hybrid could evaluate her survival and fighting skills. She promised to try, though, and that was all he was expecting for now.

"Trying your best is good enough. More than anyone can ask of you." - assured him, with a smile. He was sure, trying her best was a lot more than anyone else will do to another person, nowadays - "And yeah, with all due respect, I seriously doubt you're any threat to anyone with that little knife, unless you're facing a very, very threadbare rope." - he jokingly added. - "But like I said. Trying your best is good enough."

The hybrid watched as the jeep slowly backed up, then turned, facing the oposite direction, and sped away from them. That was certainly a view that should fill the heart of his new found partner with grief and doubts, but for now, there was nothing they could do about it, but to move on. Six planned to help her at least a little, by bringing her back home with another water source for herself and her town, which should do some good about her image and the blame they were casting on her. That was about all he could do to help her situation there. As soon as the jeep was out of their field of view, its noise vanishing from his very deep, acue hearing, the male turned to Cordy, in a very casual fashion.

"We should be going as well. We have a lot of time ahead of us, but we can't be sure how long it will take to find water. So we better get to it." - And finishing the sentence, Six pushed the shades back with his index finger and threw his leg to the other side of the bike, turning it on. The engine flared to life with its very distinctive rattle. - "Hop on"

As soon as Six felt Cordy straddle on the bike, he just gave her enough time to adjust and and hold on to him, and then got on his way, quickly gaining speed. She said to head north, as there used to be farms up there, so that was the way he decided to follow. The young man watched as the speedometer pointer danced on its way forward almost reaching 100 mph. He could feel the wind on his hair and body, one of the sensations he liked the most. Riding a bike was one of his favourite things ever since leaving the pod. Especially at high speeds. It was something akin to flying, one of the few things he couldn't achieve by himself. It was fast, but very manoeuvrable, dangerous but so much fun. Simply breathtaking. The roads there were very large and spacious, but filled with debries and abandoned cars, which made the ride a lot more interesting in his opinion. He had fun dodging obstacle after obstacle, always requiring more and more from the incredible machine he was controlling.

The motorcycle danced around in the road, quickly making its way north, swaying left and right, jumping up and down when hitting little piles of debris, or road holes. It was so much fun, he almost forgot he wasn't alone anymore, completely oblivious by how she felt about his little adventure ride. He was almost reaching 100 mph when he noticed she might not like it as much as he did, and he swiftly reduced their speed, before turning his head back and adressing her.

"Sorry. I almost forgot I'm not alone. I find it so much fun, and I'm so used to it, it came to me naturally..." - Six shouted, so he could be heard over the sound of the wind in their ears and the powerful engine beneath them. The hybrid would be able to easily hear any whisper from her, no matter how soft, but he knew very well that she lacked his inate abilities. - "Do you mind the speed?" - he asked?

 

[darkangel76]

Cordy tried her best to stay positive and smile, though it was difficult. Her mind was riddled with morbid thoughts of what had just happened—Rick's death, the trauma of what had happened to Ellen and the others and then there was the fact that everyone had made it clear that she was an outcast—not to mention worry over what crazy fate would befall her now that she was with this new mysterious man who had miraculously shown up and saved her along with the others. She had to admit, she felt a good deal safer with him than with Harry or Gordon given how things had gone, but she did fear that her lack of skills would eventually cause him to become annoyed. She would become a burden or even compromise their safety depending on how things went and that could mean trouble for her. She knew nothing of this stranger outside of his most recent actions, which wasn't much to go on, but...

Why did she feel as though she could trust him?

Rick would tell her it was her gut talking. He'd often times told Cordy that was how he knew what to do and figured things out. But still and all, this was new territory for her, new ground. All she could do was hope for the best and hope that her instincts wouldn't betray her.

Would they?

Cordy got onto the motorbike, her legs straddling the thing as she shifted her body close to Six's. Carefully, she brought her arms up so that she could hold onto him. She recalled the way he'd driven the thing back when he'd first found her and rushed to the scene and that meant they'd be driving fast. Very fast. No sooner had her arms taken hold and they were off, the wind whipping her blonde hair and kissing her skin as they raced along the road, heading north toward the farms she hoped would actually be there and not be just a rumor. Her heart told her to believe in the words and stories she'd heard buzzing about her people back at her settlement. Some had been mere fairy stories; she knew that full well. But others had that essence of truth, something she knew that gave everyone hope... even Rick.

There had been times when Cordy had been much younger when she'd asked Rick about those fanciful farms. And always the answers were the same: they were too difficult to get to, too far away, too treacherous a trip for the supplies and connections they had available. But now... now things were different. Desperate times called for desperate measures and somehow she found herself believing, hoping that with Six, they could somehow find them, make it there despite how hard it could potentially be. She had no idea of what dangers might cross their paths on the way—Rick had never mentioned what was out there, then he'd always kept such things from her.

So Cordy was now learning.

Cordy's grip suddenly tightened as Six's speed increased, his maneuvers on the bike only becoming more and more intense as he continued to drive along the desolate, yet littered, interstate. She buried her face against his back and nodded.

"It's all right," Cordy spoke, her breath almost sucked away as the wind zipped about their bodies. She could feel her adrenaline coursing through her veins as she tried to adjust to the speed and everything that was now new. "I... I don't mind."

Cordy continued to hold on tightly to Six. Briefly, she glanced over her shoulder so that she could ensure that the back pack was still secure. Of course, she knew it was, but it was something she did out of nervous habit. Giggling softly, she then buried her face against him once more as he continued to drive along the deserted roads.

"Hopefully we'll find those farms and our water," Cordy then whispered against Six's shoulder. "If we have troubles there we'll have to come up with something else, but hopefully..." her voice trailed and she swallowed hard. "Hopefully we won't have to."

 

[Mech Pilot]

Six was carefully listening to her while the bike sped through the desert, but still crammed, highway, dodging car wrecks and other obstacles along the way. She was certainly very concerned about their future, a worry he could understand but did not share completely. He was the ultimate survivor, and the hardships on her mind were far from being a very bothersome problem for him. At least he was confident that was indeed the case. Still, having some company, albeit a very strange one, was surprisingly refreshing. He had been alone for the most part of his time out of the pod, and although he had meet a lot of people before, he rarely had spent so much time with anyone. He figured by the end of the day he would be alone once more, after leaving her at with her people again, but still, for now, he decided to enjoy the company.

"Don't worry, the world is a big place. We'll find it somewhere." - he stated, confident in his words. - "You people never came this way before? That's surprising." - after all, he expected the people from one area to scout everywhere around them, to know it was safe and to find more resurces. He knew humans were cautious by nature, being sucha a fragile race, but still, desperate times usually called for bold actions. - "Those people I helped back there was the only scout team you had?"

As he asked, he once again ddged an abandoned vehicle, and sped up again hearing the bike's engine shout in response.

"I've been meeting a lot of people in my way south. Have to say most of them are way more organized in their hunt for resources." - he said, casually. - "Still, you don't have to worry. You're safe with me. And we'll find water for us, and for your people."

Then he yawned once more, which remembered him he had been driving all night long, and into the morning, and needed to rest a little bit. He decided that once they find the water they needed, he would make a quick stop and take a little nap. Maybe by the ocean, which he still wanted to see, if they happen to got the time once their search was done. That would certainly bright his mood to no end.

"So, how long do you think those farms are?" - he asked while still maintaining the fast speed that carry them both to their objective.

 

[darkangel76]

The worry in Cordy's heart only grew as her thoughts dwelled on the whys of which her people hadn't ever traveled to the farms of the north. Rick had always told her the same thing each and every time she'd asked him about it—they were too hard to get to, too far away, not worth the trip. She never really questioned it before though now was starting to wonder if perhaps he, or someone, knew something she didn't. And the more she was traveling and experiencing outside of her settlement, outside of Rick's protection—oh Rick!—the more she was realizing that was most likely the case.

Cordy then shook her head. "No, I've never been up this way. I..." Her voice trailed just then.

In that moment, Cordy's voice was lost. Dare she tell him she'd never ventured anywhere before until this very day? God, she felt so stupid, so very useless. What would Six think having his only company being a worthless girl who knew nothing of the world at all? She was a burden! Hardly an asset or any help! She wanted to curl up and hide, to scream. But where would that get her? A one way ticket to being abandoned.

"I..." Cordy swallowed hard and tried her best to change tactics. "And Rick has always said it was too difficult a trip, not worth it. Plus, we'd always had the other supply that was closer." She hoped her answer was good enough. It was all she had, all she knew. In all honesty, it was the only thing she knew as to why Rick and everyone else went to the others as opposed to anywhere else. She was young, naïve, knew so very little of anything else. "Those people were our best... yes..."

Cordy could feel her eyes tearing up as she and Six rode on. Her tears were hot as they streamed down her cheeks, but the wind quickly dried them as they fell. She was glad of that, glad that something right was happening that day. She then smiled a bit when Six reassured her that she was safe, that they'd find water... she found herself believing him in that moment, her fears disappearing as suddenly as they'd appeared.

Just then, out of the corner of Cordy's eye, she saw something along the road's edge. She turned her head slightly wondering what it was she was seeing, but they were driving too quickly, the object a blur. Her tongue then darted out to lick at her lips as she tilted her head and furrowed her brow. The object had been odd in shape, out of place. What had it been? A chill ran along her spine and her grip on Six tightened. A part of her wondered if he'd noticed the thing. She was sure he had seeing as he was driving and appeared to have an awareness that rivaled that of Rick's and anyone else she'd ever come across. Though perhaps it hadn't bothered him?

Again, another object... only this time Cordy got a better look at it. It was similar in height and form. Her eyes focused upon it and her grip tightened even more. "Six," she whispered. "What are those? That's the second one I've seen." Her voice was laced with fear as she gestured toward the spike on the side of the road that had what appeared to be a skull attached to its end, standing straight and tall like a grotesque and morbid trophy. But what she wanted to know... where was the body? Where was the rest of it?

 

[Mech Pilot]

It was clear that Cordy was a very trusting girl, by the way she seemed to already felt somewhat at ease with him, a misterious stranger, that could have any plan for her now that both of them were away from anywhere where she could ask for help. Six could guess that was due to her sheltered raising, where everyone was kind to her, protected her, and took good care of her. It made sense, from a psychological standpoint, but was something rarely seen in the world they lived. Actually, since leaving his stasis pod, it was the first time he actually seen someone like that. Someone that seemes willing to believe in the best of others and who had the courage to hope for the better always. It was a very dangerous disposition indeed, he couldn't deny, but still, that atittude undeniably had a charm of its own. It was strange to be in such company. But good. Heart warming.

Considering her words on the topic of not knowing the northern farms, Six quickly came to the same conclusion as Cordy. It was highly unlikely that her settlement ignored what was north of them. They called it "farms". Could be just a make up word to cover up the reality of what was really there, or maybe, it were really just farms. One way or another, he doubted they just assumed and never went to check it out, recon the area and maybe even trade some goods. The reason Cordy had no idea what really laid ahead, was that she was sheltered from the truth, whatever it may be. As a tactical advantage or a guide, the girl had pretty much no use whatsoever.

Of course, Six had no expectation for her to be of any, from the beginning. She told him where she thought they could get some water, and that was enough. Wiilingness to help, these days, was a very rare thing indeed.

Something ahead took the hybrid away from his thoughts, while they were still prety far from it, so far away that was probably just a dot on Cordy's eyes. Unnusual shape and height made it clear it wasn't any remaining road sign. What was it? They were closing on it pretty fast, but it was always a good idea to know beforehand. With a deep breath, Six squinted, forcing his vision to the maximum. As soon as they got a little closer, he could clearly see a human skull on top of a spike, in a very menacing sign. And right there, that was probablys the reason why Cordy's friends never came that way. They went through it pretty quickly, and the hybrid decided not to mention anything, less he would scare the girl who was already in pretty fragile state.

When the second spike came, though, he felt her body tense up against his own, to the very tip of her perky breasts, which he could feel resting comfortable on his back. She saw it, very clearly this time.

Six sighed slightly considering everything. He could see a single reason for those to be there: to scare people away. From that, three options remained. First it was a bluff from whoever lived up north, to scare attackers by appearing to be a lot more intimidating and dangerous than them. The second one, someone from this side of the "border" posted those there to warn travellers of the dangerous up north. Last but not least, people that way were a bunch of crazy, sadistic fuckers. Either way, He would have to find out on his on account. Still, Cordy deserved the choice to step into danger or to go back, and so Six decided to offer her such. The bike quickly lost its speed, and came to a halt near a third spike, Six keeping its balance with his feet.

"That's a warming welcome, huh?" - he stated, looking at the dirty, impaled skull. - "Are you sure you want to come along the rest of the way?" - he asked, turning his head to the side, so he could face her.

"Don't get me wrong, you'll be perfectly safe if you tag along..." - stated Six in an over confidently, almost arrogant manner, as if the dangers ahead were nothing for him to be concerned about. - "But it can get pretty scary for you I guess." - he finished.