_______________
Narrator POV
Thud
Thud
???: "Tsk, the other gangs territory has been decreasing ever since those fixers started popping up…"
Thud
???: "Hah, I'd rather have that than fighting for scraps every day!"
???: "You're right! More for us to keep!"
Thud
???: "Still, those guys sure are intimidating…"
???: "I don't even know where they came from, only that they started cleaning up the backstreets just yesterday!"
???: "Tch, I heard they killed a bunch of small syndicates along with purging the backstreets!"
???: "Sigh…"
Whoosh
Shing
???: "I mean the amount of ahn you would make by just wiping the syndicates ou-"
Thud!
Spray!
Before the man would finish his sentence, he would see his own headless body standing before it swayed and fell down with a rain of blood spraying everywhere.
???: "Wh-"
Whoosh
Slash!
Slash!
Spray!
The man whom the thug was having a conversation with was swiftly decapitated and slashed in half with a single strike. Blood sprayed everywhere and his own torn organs swiftly fell from his body along with his brain matter.
The last thing the thug would see was a man draped in shadows and a steaming glowing blade with rustic steel and red patches.
???: "How many small crime Syndicates is that Cresht…?"
Squeak!
???: "Two of them huh…? Continue writing these reports and their specific crimes, I will treat you to some coffee later…"
Squeak!
As the figure walked out from the shadows, he would be wearing what appeared to be treated iron armor and an Iron Face mask of strange metal.
On his left hip were two katanas in which while sheathed, released steam and a gleaming red glint could be seen.
On his right was a holster in which an Treated Iron 6-round revolver could be seen holstered with the Initials "P.V" engraved upon it.
Squeak!
On his right shoulder stood standing a small distinguished rat with a black suit, black sheathed rapier with an gold handle and a small gleaming Treated Iron revolver.
The small rat named Cresht, was writing a report about this small syndicate and current crimes committed by them in this district.
Soon enough the young man left the area and if one were to look behind him, they would see corpses in pools of their own blood, which were either decapitated or cut in half with a single slash.
The man took out a small iron compass but instead of the arrow being red it was white and as he exhaled softly he dissapeared entirely along with his rodent companion.
A few moments later
???: "Here we are…"
Squeak!
???: "Ah…hah…sorry about that Cresht"
The young man looked around what was the empty alleyway with some thugs beating up random civilians and above a door
As Cresht squeaked in annoyance, the man walked out of the dark alley and looked up at the tall building in the distance with the Hana Association's logo and distinct white material shining brightly with the victorian building around it.
But that didn't take from its grandeur with so many people of all types and sizes walking in and out some smiling and some with cold bloodthirsty looks.
The man entered not caring about the greedy looks many sent his way with his armor as he walked towards the front desk and to the female clerk who held a neutral face doing her job robotically.
Clerk: "What business do you have with the Hana Association today?"
???: "I'm submitting the combat-related Syndicate annihilation Contract along with the combat report of the dead, their possessions, and crimes…"
The man grabbed the written report from Creshts hands that handed it to him from his hardened leather pouch and to the clerks hands who took it and started reading through it.
Clerk: "Understood, please wait a moment for me to verify your report and fulfillment of your contract"
???: "Alright…"
As the man waited, there were three black robed men in what appeared to be metallic brass armor waiting behind him and one of them kept staring strangely at Cresht who turned and stared back at him.
Squeak….
???: "Ahem…"
Hearing someone cough strangely, the young man turned to look at the three of them and a certain sparkle found its way in his eyes as he stared at what were a trio of robots with glowing white eyes waiting patiently.
???: "Do you three need something…?"
???: "Me? No…but if you don't mind me asking, how did you manage to train a rat to use clothes and help you hand you your report…?"
???: "Ah? Cresht? He's my… companion who helps me with stuff, guess it was luck that he trusted me enough to work with me giving it orders"
???: "Hmm…i-interesting…"
As the robotic person spoke, our young protagonist took a look at their weapon which was a long chainsaw sword reminding him of the blueberries who charge into battles with their chainswords.
???: "S-Syndicate huh? Quite impressive seeing as you only have your katana and your gun there…"
____________
??? POV
???: "S-Syndicate huh? Quite impressive seeing as you only have your katana and your gun there…"
The second robed person spoke after I finished my conversation with their friend or colleague and I took a good look at them as it appeared to be their leader.
But it had a bit of a feminine touch of it surprising me but nontheless I spoke back as I stared at their rather old metallic armor and lever rifle.
???: "Indeed I have, since I answered a question do you mind me asking you one back?"
???: "N-no, not at all"
???: "Do you three mind if I can check how your own prosthetic bodies work? I see that you three stutter whenever you talk so I wanted to try and fix it…"
All three trembled and I saw them want to raise their weapons but stopped as I felt the Clerk eyeing me from behind coldly as she worked on the white tablet.
???: "T-thats impossible! We can't let you mess up our b-body's we were fortunate to get a hold of!"
???: "B-be careful about him Mo, Consta!"
???: "I mean no disrespect and I am willing to pay to try and fix your stuttering issues as I know my way around mechanical issues"
Mo: "H-how can we trust you!"
???: "Well you can tax me if it doesn't work at all, so how about it?"
Consta: "W-we do need repairs Mo…the last Workshop we went to s-scammed us…"
Mo: "T-thats…fine but Consta you better prepare to s-swing your Chain sword if anything goes wrong!"
As all three agreed to let me work on the female sounding leader named Mo, I felt glad and full of curiosity of how this worlds prosthetics work and if I can use the repair kits and tools from the other mods.
Clerk: "You're reports information has been verified, thank you for completing the task Mr. Kaiser"
Clerk: "It also appears you have enough accomplishments to rank up to fixer rank 7, would you like to take the exam now or wait for it to be scheduled for another day?"
Kaiser: "I will schedule it for tomorrow afternoon if you don't mind, I have to talk with these three today"
Clerk: "Very well, I will be adding your appointment for tomorrow afternoon… your payment has been sent to your account Mr. Kaiser"
Kaiser: "Got it"
Mo: "R-rank 7 fixer!"
Consta: "Arnold you were r-right! This guy's dangerous!"
Arnold: "I-I told you two!"
Kaiser: "Don't worry, I won't harm any of you three but I simply want to fix your current issues in your full prosthetic body"
Mo: "D-do we trust him…?"
Arnold: "He seems amicable and isn't part of an syndicate…"
Mo: "Ve-very well then, once we finish our business we will join you if you have an workshop to work our bodies in"
Kaiser: "Well not necessarily a workshop but a similar one with the tools"
As the trio agreed to my request I felt exitement again like fighting the Cataclysm bosses solo or Panzerscamp.
I waved them farewell and as soon as I left the main doors I saw multiple people staring at my armor, sheathed katana and my revolver but I simply smiled and walked past them.
After I walked a couple meters more, the group of 4x from earlier surrounded me and just when they were about to speak someone stepped in.
???: "Halt! It is dishonest to gang up on a fellow fixer by himself!"
The person who had stepped in was a dark skinned woman in a black vest, blue tie, blue cape, and cavalier hat with white feather.
???: "Wh- Tsk of course it had to be a Cinq Association fixer!"
???: "Listen missy, we just want to talk with this…man here! So don't get involved!"
???: "Why have though decided to challenge this fellow fixer, I Jeanne will act as mediator if you both are willing to agree with me to oversee this match!"
???: "Fuck…tch whatever…we'll have another chance later"
Hand on her rapier, she looked at both of us and I nodded and the fixer groups leader who sighed and grumbled under his breath.
???: "Fine damnit! We accept!"
Jeanne: "Does thou want me to be your partner for this fight young fixer?"
Kaiser: "No but I do appreciate the thought, Ms. Jeanne"
Jeanne: "Then let this match start!"
As she finished speaking, I saw with the corner of my eye the crowd growing bigger and the trio from before watching attentively.
I hummed as the first two charged forwards and before they could raise their swords Cresht threw out 2x flashbangs from my hardened leather pouch.
Whoosh
Clang! x2
Bang! x2
???: "Wh-!"
???: "ARGHHH!!! MY EYES!!!"
???: "IT BURNS!!!"
I closed my eyes when I heard the pin drop and memorized their locations as I was launched forth by an invisible force giving me a moderate boost as I appeared behind the two struggling fixers.
Whoosh
Thud! x2
I took a deep breath and slashed at the back of their heads knocking them out and stared at their leader who looked at me seriously and raised his longsword as he charged forwards in a defensive position.
Kaiser: "Hmm, Cresht deal with the one moving around"
I asked Cresht to deal with the other fixer that was trying to flank me and he simply let out a squeak and jumped off my shoulder as he held his rapiers sheath tightly and with a cold glint in its small beady eyes simply vanished.
Whoosh
Clang!
Crack!
Thud!
The man who tried to flank Kaiser, would find his chest caved in with Cresht standing on both his hind legs.
Creshts left arm was raised with his small sheathed rapier pointed where the knocked out fixer was.
Seeing such strength come from a rat alone surprised many but I simply smiled knowing Cresht had the "Non-believer" rat upgrade.
While I don't know if flavor text impacts anything…but judging by Cresht's response in hurrying the fight quick was anything to go by…yeah should probably hurry it up too on my end…
Whoosh
???: "That wasn-"
I raised my sheath, blocking the overhead strike and counterattacked with a punch straight to the face making him crash into a building.
Bam!
Crash!
Jeanne: "The victor is the unknown fixer, all your disputes are settled from here on out!"
Squeak!
After the Cinq Association woman finished announcing the victor I picked up Cresht from the ground and onto my left shoulder as we were prepared to walk towards the trio from earlier but stopped by Jeanne.
Squeak!
Jeanne: "May I have thou name of thy victor?"
Kaiser: "Hmm? Sure thing, name's Kaiser Lady Jeanne"
Jeanne: "Nice to meet thee, If thou would not mind giving thou small companions name?"
Squeak…
Kaiser: "His name is Cresht, judging by your eyes focused on his rapier its going to be about his rapier and skills no?"
Jeanne: "Hah, indeed! While I barely could see his movements he moved swiftly with just six steps yet he built up enough power that he unleashed it all in one epicenter!"
Squeak?!
Hearing Cresht's surprise squeak I chucked as Cresht jumped off my shoulder and onto her blue cape.
Jeanne: "Hmm?"
Squeak
Kaiser: "Cresht is surprised you were able to see that and says it wasn't six steps but three short bursts"
Jeanne: "Hah, quite the strong companion Kaiser!"
I simply nodded and told her we have business to attend to but before we could leave, Jeanne asked if we could visit Cinq Association Section 5 for a friendly spar.
Kaiser: "We don't mind, I do want to make sure Cresht is content and he doesn't like staying in one place for too long"
Jeanne: "Worry not! The fany fixers of the Cinq Association shall duel Ser Cresht with his skill!"
Squeak!
Kaiser: "Very well then, it was nice to meet you Jeanne"
Jeanne: "I could say the same to you Kaiser and Cresht"
I nodded and Cresht actively bowed then jumped back to my shoulder as I walked back towards our rented apartment with the trio of prosthetic robots Arnold, Mo, and Consta following us.
2 Hours later
Kaiser: "And we have arrived at my humble abode"
I said as I let them in my rented apartment and they looked surprised at the turning gears and what appeared to be machines pressing down on copper, gold, and iron ingots.
Arnold: "W-what is this…?
Kaiser: "Just needed some sheet metals and I guess this should be enough for some plates…"
I stared at their prosthetic bodies and felt exited to operate on their prosthetic bodies and see if I can instead fix their stutter and to upgrade their brass body with treated Iron or Treated Brass.
Mo: "T-then where will you start fixing my stutter issue?"
Kaiser: "Sit on the sofa and try staying still while I grab my tools and other stuff"
I swiftly turned around to grab the tools from the Create Mod Toolkit and some extra wielding tools.
After getting everything ready I started working on Mo's body first and luckily enough it appeared that I could see their status with their armor, health points, weapons, rusted or nearly broken down prosthetic parts, modules durability in red.
Kaiser: "I hope you three don't mind me taking awhile to replace your prosthetic bodies"
Arnold: "T-that is fine, we don't hunger or sleep in order t-to take contracts…"
I hummed in thought and took a look at the parts and a smaller screen showed up on how to craft this part then another part.
Kaiser: 'Man am I glad JEI exists for every type of minecraft mod out there'
I walked back towards a nearby crafting table and grabbed a handful of iron sheets, copper sheets, and gold sheets before walking over to another machine that cuts the shits into thin yet sturdy wires.
20 minutes later
Squeak!
After rolling up the three distict wires into a spindle, Cresht brought them over and I grabbed them from his small claws and put them near a crafting table.
Having to replace their prosthetic bodies motor functions, I had to use extensive amounts of redstone repeaters, pistons, iron ingots, copper ingots, redstone blocks.
Arnold: "W-where do you manage to fit a-all of those items…?"
Kaiser: "Hmm, a tinkerers toolbox that holds everything…most of the parts are finished I just need to create shock absorbers, coils and small gears…"
Consta: "Gears? Shock Absorbers?"
Kaiser: "Makes you run quicker and any fall that may result in your death or fatal injury can be avoided or reduced to a minor injury"
While I continued getting all the parts ready I sighed internally at all the parts just Mo needs for internal repairs.
God I can't think about Consta if he is their heavy hitter or guy who tanks the hits for them but why does it feel enjoyable to work…?
I pulled myself off after gathering everything I needed for a full repair and if possible use of Treated Iron plating or Anthrallite plating.
Kaiser: "Well you three, I will begin by taking off your prosthetic body's plating and I need to know if there is flesh or anything to not touch?"
Mo: "N-no flesh in our bodies… only our brain fluid within the tank thats keeps our sanity from deteriorating in our prosthetic body"
Arnold: "O-our bodies are made of steel since we didn't want to grow hungry or have an d-disease a human body does…."
I nodded and got to work on Mo's body slowly taking apart the rather old and worn plating of their armor and was surprised to see how messy their prosthetic parts were.
Kaiser: "Why are some torn and broken down fully…"
I whispered to myself as it showed small unaccounted parts being broken and sighed before I asked Cresht to enter their body and take some of the smaller pieces off like torn gears or wires that were cut, not giving full power to their body's overall power output.
Kaiser: "What fixer rank are you three…?"
Arnold: "W-we are fixer rank 9…"
I looked at the three of them and simply hummed in thought as I thought they were stronger due to their full prosthetic body and large tank on their back.
1.5 Hours Later
Kaiser: "Alright…did you connect everything correctly Cresht?"
Squeak!
Kaiser: "Did you connect the new voice box?"
Squeak….
Kaiser: "Well we can try and channel through a couple of voices Mo, so pick one that fits you before I seal up your upper body plating with the new Treated Iron plating"
Squeak!
Kaiser: "Try speaking as Cresht tinkers with your voice box Mo"
I saw Mo nod their head and Cresht tinkered with the voice box once I told him to start and soon enough Mo spoke slowly without stuttering.
Each voice and tone that came out of her voice box were surprisingly good sounding ones until Mo told Cresht to stop at one voice.
Mo: "Stop!"
Mo: "Wait this voice!?"
Consta: "M-Mo you're old voice!"
Hearing their surprise I hummed in thought and let Mo talk with both Consta and Arnold and couldn't help but feel prideful about the new prosthetic body Mo has.
Luckily enough I stock up on a ton of ingots and other materials so I can finish making the next materials for Consta and Arnold.
Kaiser: "Well then, who wants to go next and be operated on to fix their issues?"
Consta: "M-me! I can't wait to hear my old voice a-again today!"
Arnold: "W-what will you want us to do to p-pay you back…?"
Hearing Arnolds words, I thought hard about what to say and thought of the Hana Associations harder contracts that requires an fixer office equivalent group for better pay.
But at the same time my desire as a collector for any mechanical machine, vehicle, or weaponry stirs within.
Kaiser: "Well, how about you three join me and form an fixer office seeing as I will have to do maintenance on your prosthetics than the shitty cheap job you were getting back then?"
All three stayed silent, so I gave them time to talk to themselves as I motioned Cresht to follow me further back to not disturb them.
Squeak…?
Kaiser: "Well despite my interest I find them to be a fresh change of pace with how the city works …"
Squeak!
Kaiser: "Yeah don't remind me, but I feel like they would be genuinely good people to join us compared to others and Jeanne is part of the Cinq Association"
Squeak….
Kaiser: "Mmm, well I do want to know how it feels to actually lead my own fixer office than the others who simply followed commands and couldn't speak really"
Squeak!
Kaiser: "Tell me about it, but this is a new beginning for us both and I can't seem to stop myself from exploring everything and dealing with the problems that are the syndicates"
Squeak!
After a couple more minutes Arnold stepped forward and simply asked me a question that I responded to honestly.
Arnold: "W-will you be willing to accept the maintenance of our prosthetics and the fact we are part of the B-brotherhood of Iron?"
Kaiser: "Judging by your tone, the Brotherhood of Steel has some history with you?"
Arnold: "I-Its only us three and we warn you that we have taken down other fixer workshops and few fixer office's…"
Kaiser: "Then why haven't the Hana Association taken care of you three while you were inside their building…?"
Mo: "Arnold warned us not to attack stronger fixer offices or workshops otherwise we would be targeted and he managed to convince me to try being fixers and take many contracts"
Kaiser: "So it also works that way? I guess having stronger fixers amidst their ranks is great…"
Kaiser: "Hah, if you think I would care about those who you guys attacked in the past I don't mind at all!"
Kaiser: "But I wouldn't mind having a spar with them especially since I accept all three of you if you're willing to join my fixer Office"
All three Brotherhood of Iron members looked at eachother and nodded and they accepted my offer.
Mo: "Thank you for your repairs boss…"
Consta: "I wonder if we can finally remember the taste of food…?"
Arnold: "T-thanks for letting us join your fixer office, but w-what is the name of your fixer office..?"
Kaiser: "No problem, the name is the Scorched Office due to our weaponry and armor if I decide you three have proven yourselves"
Mo: "The Scorched Office…"
Arnold: "W-what an interesting name…"
Kaiser: "Now then, let's get ready to replace both of your full prosthetic body's parts and repair the broken parts!"
Kaiser: "Lets get to work Cresht!"
Squeak!
I made both of them power themselves down keeping only their brain fluid active as we got to work on both of them.
I could only think of the future and how I would manage this small group and explore the many districts of the city.
.
.
.
.
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To be Continued