The colonist slowly steps out of the teleport and takes in the cool evening air that caressed the remains of Zychion Citadel. The once proud and thriving city now stood in ruins, a collapsed reminder of the Robot Uprising long ago. The parched hunter takes long strides between the vacant buildings that loomed over the debris covered ground. Taking cautious steps over the scrap metal and pipe that littered the terrain, rounding the corner his keen eyes sweep over the collapsing road systems of old. It’s a pity, he thought to himself, that this superior city wasn’t rebuilt. Ahead, a vivid green sign highlights a weighty metal door, to which the hunter was headed. He gingerly steps over another heap of scrap, avoiding scratches on his O’Reilly boots as he approached the door. 

The heavy sheets of metal gradually slide aside, then came to a thunderous stop halfway, blocked by some unknown mechanical error. Slipping threw the gap in the door the hunter’s boot makes a ominous echo along the hall. Electrical currents flick sparks up and down the corridor, generated from lose wires that hang lazily from the ceiling and walls. Strips of light illuminate the corridor from the walls, showing that litter was strewn about the floor, supporting the fact that the city was more or less abandoned and uncared for. At the end of the hall a monitor scrolls through a message as the hunter turns the corner, passing another steel door before he heads up a large flight of stairs. The deserted corridors propel his lonely steps as he reaches the top step and turns onto a landing. After another lengthy stair climb his eyes descend upon the establishment that he came to visit. 

Walking down the hall he inadvertently kicks a piece of waste on his way to the already open door underneath another illuminated green sign labeled, ‘Berk Bar’. His dry throat tingled as he stepped through the door and into the entrance of the bar. Nothing decorated the walls or floor of the room he was standing in, and at the end of the room green arrows direct colonist to a gap in the wall that lead to the rest of the bar. Although nothing or no one meets his eyes as he entered, a familiar tune was accepted by his ear from the jukebox in the other room. Smiling he strides to the beat of ‘Gamer Chick’ as he follows the arrows and turns into the bar. 

? Lets go hunting, she never lets me down- ?, the hunter lets the music fill his ears, suggesting that the bar may have a patron or two but no such luck, the empty bar was inhabited by only a bartender who looked tremendously bored and smiled gratefully as he entered. The dimly lit bar, although open to business, looked much like the rest of Zychion. Stray wires snaked out of the walls, spitting sparks at the unwary. On his right red bench seats ran along the wall, stained and tattered from years of abuse without repair or consideration. ? -if I get resurrected, she meets me back in town- ?, his body moved slightly and uncontrollably to the tune as he made his way across the room to the bartender. The bar was set up in the far left corner of the room; miniscule black stools lined the counter and were torn same as the benches. In the corner behind the bar old Omegaton crates were stacked, appearing as though they have not moved in decades. 

Taking a seat at the bar the hunter silently sings along with the jukebox, which was currently spitting out an array of colors that synchronized with the song, ? -My girls a gamer chick, I really love her so- ?. 

“The usual Outlander?” asked the bartender as the hunter switched his attention from the jukebox to the polite female behind the counter. Her brown hair was fashioned into a well groomed mohawk that went from her forehead to the back of her neck, her bright green eyes and pleasant smile was very comforting to the colonist who came here, maybe that was what helped this bar survive for so long in such a remote area. Her vivid red shirt streamed well into her urban-pattern pants which were adorned in soft tones of purple and teal. 

“Heya, yes just the usual” the hunter said, tipping his rancher hat as he orders. 

“Of course, it will be one second” she said kindly, reaching under the bar and preparing his drink. The hunter looked around instinctively, admiring the paintings hanging above the bench seats. It felt good to relax after a long day; it was the perfect post hunt ritual he thought to himself. A few minutes later she returned with his drink, thanking her he slipped a couple PEDs on the table. After downing a third of his drink the hunter began to do a check of how he well he profited on his trip, nothing too exciting, he thought as he counted out his ammo rounds and examined a heavily damaged Katsuichi blade. The large sword was chipped in spots and so dull it would have difficulty wounding a young daikiba. Pulling out a generic skill implant he smiled, without that his trip today would have left him in the negative. Slipping over to the jukebox he hears the end of the song slowly fade out, scanning the selection carefully he picks another song and reclaims his seat at the empty bar, taken another drink and letting the tune envelop him. 

“Have you heard about the increased robot attacks lately” said the bartender as her eyes scanned over a small monitor on the wall. 
He turned to face her, finishing his drink and sliding it down the counter it made smooth scraping noise before coming to a stop, “Yea, I’ve seen a lot of robot activity in this area lately, wonder what they are planning” he said, more to himself than her. 

“I know” she replied, “seems like Zychion is the only city that hasn’t been attacked in the area, most likely because there isn’t anyone here to attack”. That was true thought the hunter as he accepted another drink from the kind barkeep. 

Taking a sip he smiled and set down his glass with a soft clap. In the distance another sound brought his attention away from the tranquil bar, laser fire could be heard from down the hall. At first the hunter thought nothing of this, it aroused the bartenders’ curiosity but only for a second and she continued to read her monitor. Picking up his drink the hunters ears are abruptly filled with a chilling sound, panic rippled through the face of the bartender as she glanced at the hunter, terrified. 

The ear piercing sound of an alarm could be heard wailing outside, “There here” she said, barely audible. Jumping up the hunter produced his Katsuichi, sounds of laser blasts echoed up and down the hall as the robots began to pour through the building, finding any and all who had been seeking refuge in the abandoned city. 

“Get down” the hunter yelled as he made quick strides to the door of the bar. Standing silent and still the hunter’s heart made loud beats against his chest that echoed in his head, sweat glistened under the rim of his hat. The combat in the corridor had stopped but the formidable sounds of drone footsteps continued to haunt the bar as they drew closer. Gripping his sword tightly in both hands he prepared himself for the attack, clank-clank-clank, the louder their steps got the louder the hunters heart thudded. They were on the third floor landing now, had to be just outside the door, his clammy hands gripped the katana even harder, then the footsteps stopped. A very disturbing silence had covered the bar, and then the nearly inaudible sounds of pistons and hydraulics meet the hunter’s ears as the first robot stepped quickly into the bar. 

Waiting silently the hunter seen another protrude through the small slot, the mechanical beings were not a very formidable sight, they were comprised of bars and sheets of metal, oval shaped heads with sinister red eyes. They had no arms, instead some kind of laser weapon had been installed, they were indeed war machines. With little time to react the drone heads swiveled towards the hunter, soon followed by their arms. The hunter dove quickly behind them, narrowly missing laser fire and producing his sword in front of him as he came to his feet. With quickness that only experience can grant the hunter swivels on one foot, bringing his sword around to the backside of the drones, catching one on the upper arm, causing it to simply go limp and fall to its side, firing uncontrollably at the floor. 

From the doorway on his right another drone had appeared, lasers revolving and firing at the unaware hunter. A searing shot of pain sweeps through his body as the first beam grazes his shoulder blade. Diving into the bar’s main room he sees the frightful bartender watching in horror from the other side and motions for her to get down. Sliding up against the wall that concealed the drones on the other side he quickly pulls out his first aid pack and generously rubs some ointment on his shoulder before wielding his dull sword once more. As the first drone comes rushing in he is surprised by the prepared hunter, taking the tip of his blade he shoved it straight through the drone, resulting in a small light show as the drone began throwing sparks in all direction and made a dieing yawn before it fell backward and ceased to operate. 

Giving himself a silent victory shout the hunter hastily produced one of his replica axes, preparing for the next drone to try and step into the room. After a few seconds of unsettling silence he saw the barkeeps head slowly rise above the bar, followed immediately by two laser shots from the drones, scoring her hard in the head as she collapsed backwards. The drones moved forward into the room purposefully and were caught off guard as the hunter leapt at them with his axe, the dull blade glanced off the sheets of metal protection and two shots followed him across the room as he dove behind the bar. What he feared was true; the bartender did not survive the blast. 

Panicking the hunter pulls out his Marber-Bravo rifle and a handful of cartridges. With a scream of rage he pops over the top of the counter, rifle pointed squarely at the wounded drone. Pulling the trigger he releases a blast so powerful, it nearly kicked him over. The laser shot straight at the drone, catching it just under the chest, melting metal was clearly visible before it sunk to the ground without resistance. Dropping below the counter his rifle recharged for its next shot and the drone’s steps echoed closer and closer. Crawling along the bar he prepared his rifle and waited for the drone to show itself over the counter top. 

Silence now, it has carried for a few seconds with no noise from the hunter or the drone, getting anxious the hunter pops up finding the drone right in front of him. Simultaneous laser fire as both guns go off at the same time, both making solid hits. The drone stepped backward awkwardly, a smoldering hole left in its torso. The hunter was not so lucky, the blast sent him back and into the stacked Omegaton crates, the force toppling them over on top of him and slowly his eyes start to fade from the world as darkness consumes him. . . 


Looking for any critism that can help me, if you say it sucks, please let me know why. More to come if there is a audience.

to be continued...