They started their final preparations to leave. Kiro took one last look back at Scrap Town, its jagged silhouette etched against the fading light.
TITAN: (From the ground, raising a massive hand) "Good luck out there."
SAHARA: (Waving, a hint of sadness in her smile) "Leaving so soon? Come back again."
Saber sat on his haunches and gently nudged Kiro's leg with a giant paw. The eagle, now perched on Titan's shoulder, let out a soft cry a sound of freedom and gratitude.
Kiro knelt, giving both animals a firm, affectionate pat.
KIRO: (Standing up, resolve hardening) "Time to go."
RAIJI: (From the ship's ramp, his gaze sweeping the horizon) "Might have to come back."
They boarded the Reaper. Veyra gave the town a final, appraising glance through the viewport.
VEYRA: (To herself, then to the crew) "Might have to."
The ship's engines whined to a higher pitch, then roared. With a gust of sand and a surge of power, the air ship lifted off, climbing steadily before banking west, turning its nose toward the distant, wooded horizon of Briarwood.
The air ship flew through the day and into the mooring twilight.
VEYRA: (Knocking sharply on the boys' bunk room door) "Wake up, hero. We ran out of food. And water. There's a village nearby. We stop there."
Kiro wiped the sleep from his eyes. "I'm coming."
He walked out into the main corridor, stretching. "How's the village look? Is it big?"
VEYRA: "It's small. Does that mean they're poor, too?" She sighed. "Two broke cities, okay one's a village. It's our only chance. And you're a heavy eater."
KIRO: "Fine. Let's go."
They landed on the outskirts. Kiro and Raiji stepped out first.
RAIJI: "Nice. Fresh air."
She paused, looking back at their ship. "Before we leave... we need to name our airship. Maybe... Ghost?"
KIRO: "Bad name. Let me think..."
RAIJI: (Deadpan) "Maybe Trash. Or Deadbones."
VEYRA: "Those are worse, Raiji. Come up with a better one."
KIRO: (Snapping his fingers) "I got it. The Reaper."
VEYRA: (A slow, approving smile) "Nice. I'll take it."
RAIJI: "But Deadbones is better"
Veyra fixed him with a death glare that could freeze a desert sun.
RAIJI: (Sighing) "...Fine. I'll take Reaper."
They walked into the village. It was desolate. A few desperately skinny men sat against crumbling walls, their eyes hollow, begging silently. The only sounds were the mournful wind and the hiss of sand over stone. It was emptier than a ghost town.
KIRO: "This place is worse than Scrap Town."
RAIJI: "You can say that again."
KIRO: "If I ever build a city, or look after one... I'm skipping this model."
VEYRA: "Never say never. And they remind me of you, Kiro. Before the bulk-up. Before the money and that Cube."
She approached a random beggar, his ribs visible through his threadbare shirt. "Hi. For a bit of information, where can we get food and water? We need supplies for the road."
BEGGAR: (His voice a parched rasp, vision seemingly blurred) "Soda? That's so expensive... Are you joking? We don't have any. You three must be new..." He eyes squinted at them.
VEYRA: "Explain." She pulled a bottle of soda from her hip pack and offered it to him.
The beggar's eyes widened. "Thank you... thank you..." His hands trembled, struggling with the cap.
Kiro stepped forward, gently took the bottle, twisted it open, and handed it back.
BEGGAR: "Thank you." He took a long, desperate gulp, life seeming to return to his eyes for a moment. "We are a broke village. Dying out. The closest place is a government outpost. Only men can enroll... for food and water. Our best join for it. Just to eat."
KIRO: "Thanks for the info. So we just ask the army for supplies."
VEYRA: "Sure. But you forgot the government hates you. Even if you're not a wanted man yet." She crossed her arms. "And don't you want to help these people? More adventure. Raiji, what do you think?"
RAIJI: (Not looking up from cleaning his sword) "I'm too lazy for that. They should help themselves."
KIRO: "I'm with Raiji on this one."
VEYRA: (Exasperated) "You two are hopeless. You only help if it serves you." She pinched the bridge of her nose. "Okay, okay. Fine. If my negotiation goes wrong, then we fight them. Do we have a deal?"
BEGGAR: (Eyes wide with panic) "You three... fight them? You can't! They're too strong! The commander... he's a one-star brigadier general! No one can beat him!"
KIRO: (A fierce, eager grin spreading across his face) "And now I'm in. Call dibs."
RAIJI: (Finally looking up, a flicker of interest in his eyes) "No fair. You always get the strong guys."
KIRO: "You had the last one!"
SMACK! SMACK!
Veyra slapped both of them over the back of the head. "No fighting! First, negotiation. Talk things out. For now, it's just info gathering."
They looked around the barren village: sand, stone houses, and one completely empty inn. They moved on, spotting a unique structure a squat tower of metal grafted onto a sandstone base. A crude sign read: CHIEF.
Veyra knocked.
KIRO: "So why can't we gather info alone?"
VEYRA: "Because both of you are dumb and have no experience with this. For now, just look strong. At least do that."
Raiji peered in the window. "She's got a point."
The door creaked open. The mayor stepped out a gaunt man standing a surprising seven feet tall, all elongated bones and despair.
CHIEF: (Voice a low, sad monotone) "Who comes to my place? Newcomers. We've got nothing here for you three. Food's almost gone. Water's gone. Stolen by government scum. My people are leaving me. So if you want a tour... go somewhere else." He looked down, the weight of failure crushing his already stooped frame.
VEYRA: "Slow down, boss. You're the chief around here, right? We know you've got no food. We don't need any. We need info. We want to help you."
KIRO: (Muttering) "But we're not going to"
THUMP.
Veyra's elbow dug sharply into Kiro's gut, cutting him off. She smiled sweetly at the mayor.
VEYRA: "Don't mind him. Got knocked on the head too many times."
RAIJI: (Clearing his throat loudly) Read the room.
The CHIEF looked at them, a flicker of confusion and fragile hope in his weary eyes. "Okay. Come in. I'll explain our story."
They sat down on a worn sofa. The Chief lowered himself into his own, solitary armchair.
KIRO: "Okay, let's start. You said your people are leaving you. I'm thinking they have no choice. So, you must know more than anyone in this village. About what was stolen by the government."
CHIEF: "You're right about that." He let out a long, weary sigh. "Long story. About five years ago... we were a small village, but great. Enough water, enough food. Then army scouts came for a visit. Turns out they were spies. We served them too, because... they worked for the government. They said they were here to clean up the Frontier and help our little village."
He stared at his hands. "Then they reported back to the Brigadier General."
VEYRA: "Then they built that base. But how did you lose the food and water?"
CHIEF: "That's correct, young lady. They built it. If you look around..."
RAIJI: (Gesturing to the window) "This is a desert. Hard to grow crops."
CHIEF: "There was a spring. A lot of water. We used it, provided a small amount of food. And we had a unique ore here. Sold it to some cities, like Briarwood and Silvercity." His voice grew thick with bitterness. "Then it was all taken. The Brigadier General built his outpost on top of it. We had limited land left to work with, but we could still grow some crops. Then the 'offers' started. A few of our strong young men enlisted. But then... last year... they poisoned our land. Only I know. And my secretary. So now we're running out. Our men try to bring in food from their rations, but the General found out somehow. Now he limits the food given to soldiers and has sent a few of our boys away..."
VEYRA: (Her expression hardening) "Don't worry. We'll beat some sense into him and kick him out."
KIRO: "Wait, wait! We should talk this out first you said"
THWACK.
Veyra punched Kiro in the gut again. "As I said, don't listen to him."
CHIEF: (Looking startled) "But... he's strong. To the point no man can land a hit on him?"
VEYRA: "Kiro. Do your job. Look strong. Flex."
Kiro rolled his eyes but obliged, flexing an arm. The muscle bulged impressively under his shirt.
VEYRA: "Don't worry. They might look dumb, but they're strong."
RAIJI: "Then first, we need a way to get in without just walking in plain sight."
VEYRA: "Sneak in. Only me. Then blow their main gate. My suit is fast enough."
CHIEF: "Impossible. They've got top-notch security." A faint, shrewd smile touched his lips. "I've got a better way. My son gave me four passes. Just in case someone from the village ever wanted to enlist with my recommendation. I never thought I'd use them. Here."
He handed over three gold medals, each stamped with the profile of a coyote.
KIRO: "Nice. This'll work. Veyra should do the talking."
VEYRA: (A smirk playing on her lips) "Now that's a plan. Knew you had it in you, hero. You can think."
KIRO: "I am not stupid."
CHIEF: "The base is up ahead, over the sharp cliff. You'll find it. You can't miss it."
They walked to the cliff's edge and saw it a few miles away: a fortified base with four tall watchtowers and massive walls surrounding a heavy gate. A comms mic was visible by the entrance.
Veyra cleared her throat, pitching her voice into a higher, more polished, aristocratic register. "Hello! We're here to enlist! Came from the village. Two men and one woman."
A soldier's gruff voice crackled back. "One woman? The Junior Officer who does the recruiting won't like this. We've got a 'no women' rule. Okay... I'll get him."
Five tense minutes later, the gate groaned open. A man stepped out, 6'1", with a crisp uniform and an arrogant stride, followed by an armored transport vehicle.
JUNIOR OFFICER: (Looking them over with disdain) "You three want to join?"
They silently presented the coyote medals. He inspected them, his sneer deepening.
JUNIOR OFFICER: "Fine. Get in." He turned his gaze specifically to Veyra. "How did a woman get this? You can get a job in the kitchen. That's the best for you. Or clean my boots." He let out a condescending laugh.
Raiji's hand twitched toward his sword, but he held himself perfectly still, a statue of controlled fury.
Without a word, the three of them climbed into the back of the military vehicle. The gate closed behind them with a definitive clang.