Chapter Text
The desert landscape behind the train windows stretched endlessly. Red-orange rocks, tall cactuses, bushes dried to dust and telephone lines were the most common elements. Sometimes an animal sneaked into the distance, blurred to the point where it can't be identified.
(y/n) sat alone in a train compartment where she could hear the laughter and loud conversations of other mercenaries behind both walls. Probably as she they got orders to move to the individual units from Miss Pauling. A folder with specific instructions was lying on the seat opposite her.
The war of robots ended only a month ago and this old woman as If nothing happened, send her to the front to continue fighting in this never-ending war. Of course, at the beginning it even seemed to be a well-paid job for her. Now the money didn't play any role here. She was just hoping that, like Miss Pauling said, she'd forget about what happened in the past, and...
Tears have slowly flowed into your eyes. Actually, to the right one you still have. In the left one there was now a big hole with a scar that stretched from cheek to forehead. You remembered that day when you went into battle with those six giant robots supposed to look like Pyro. You destroyed five of them without any problem, skillfully avoiding flames. Unfortunately, the last one was able to strike a painful blow with his axe. Your Medic saved what was left of your eye.
The same day you found out that you lost it forever. The same day Demo gave you one of his eye patches. From that moment on, you never took it off.
The sign Teufort appeared on the information board. Your station of destination. You wiped tears with your jacket sleeve and grabbed the only bag you had and the folder from the seat.
Walking through the hallway, you heard the conversations of people passing by getting silent and being replaced by a whisper.
- Zhat's her? -
- Yeah. -
- Sure she is! -
- I can't believe it! -
- What happened to her eye? -
- You saw those scars? -
- They say she can defeat the entire opposite team alone. -
- Ha! We'll see about that. -
You tried to stay out of sight and get to the exit before the train gets to stations. Suddenly a tall man stood in your way.
- They say you're one of those legendary mercenaries who fought first in this area, maggot! -
Soldier put his hands on his chest. From your position, you saw his eyes hidden under the helmet slowly scan your figure. His eyesight stopped a little longer on your left eye and quickly returned to your face.
- I won't let you through until you prove it to me. -
Great. The only thing you need now is a fight with a mercenary who has the same uniform colors as you. Well, you might need a refreshment.
(y/n) carefully put the folder and bag on the ground.
- Well, how much longer do I have to wait! -
Before he could open his mouth again, your foot, wearing a heavy military boot, met his cheek. There was only a crack and a few teeth mixed with saliva and blood flew towards the glass. The warrior's body fell to the ground with a thump.
(y/n) took things and moved slowly ahead. Behind her, only the shouts of joy, laughter and juicy curses of the man could be heard. Taking a few pills to calm her down was now the most sensible solution.
|Meanwhile, in the base|
- All right, folks, listen up! -
Engineer's voice silenced everyone in the living room.
In the middle was an old leather sofa, which was occupied by Scout and Pyro. Two leather armchairs beside it were taken by Spy and Soldier. Medic stood, as usual, straightened right next to the entrance, followed by Heavy with crossed arms. Demoman was lying on a worn carpet, leaning against a couch.
- Sniper went to get our new comrade, so they should be back about an hour. Doc? -
- Ja? -
Medic's name ripped him out of a silent conversation with his partner.
- Miss Pauling gave me all of our new guy's medical records. -
Engi pulled a pretty thick folder out, which were a couple of papers, some of them already yellowed. German took it carefully and started looking through. His companion, behind his back, could easily look at the contents of the pages.
- Wait a second egghead. Explain to us all why the arrival of the new team member is so special? -
Scout lazily flipped another channel on TV.
- Well, why is zhis person so important to us as Miss Pauling says? -
Spy lit a cigarette and gave a lighter to Soldier who was smoking cigars. The Texan smiled.
- It can help us solve our problem. -
Then he walked away to the kitchen, leaving the talkative company behind.
|Back to you|
You were picked up from the station by a tall guy who introduced himself to you as Sniper. Now, you were driving through town together and then across the desert towards the base. You two traveled in silence.
None said a word from the hello, but you felt that your companion wasn't a talker so it isn't uncomfortable silence. You just noticed that occasionally Sniper threw a stealthy, quick look at your scar behind his sunglasses. Actually, if this guy only saw the explosions specialists with one eye covered, you can't blame him. So maybe...
- Miss Pauling wrote to me that the other team got out of control and there are incidents when there's a free days. Right? -
Loud swallow was a proof of this information.
- Yeah. It started before they moved me here. First kidnappin', then breakin' and attackin' on our days off. My previous colleague was so exhausted, he was sent to the hospital because couldn't get himself together. -
The shooter pushed the clutch a little too hard.
- Scouts and Pyros also change often. The ones who are now... record-breakers. They've been sittin' here for over a month. Engi and Demo have been here the longest, but first one "leads ". Doc and Heavy are a year shorter than them. Me, Spook and Soldier have been here for six months. -
Behind the rocks a narrow, stone road emerged and in front of you two in the distance appeared brown, wooden buildings, sometimes separated by concrete elements.
- You know how it all started? -
You were curious about this situation, and hoped Sniper would give you some more information. He seemed to think about something for a while and concentrate on the distant.
- Oi think this has somethin' to do with the new trio that joined that team. Spy, Heavy and Engineer. At least Oi think so. They haven't changed at all since then and the Administrator has lost access to the cameras. Nothin' has changed on the battlefield, but we rarely win now. Mainly so they don't kidnap one of ours... -
(y/n) turned her head towards him.
- What? -
Sniper smiled sadly.
- The punishment for they loss is usually to kidnap and torture one of our men. -
His hands clamped tighter on the steering wheel until his knuckles became white.
- If such a guy comes back, and they usually don't, he's broken, completely destroyed. Most often they catch Scouts or Pyros, but the second ones probably only because they'll go too deep into enemy base and won't be able to escape in time. Once they managed to catch Medic and Demoman. Oi and the rest of us are lucky for now. -
He sighed and slowed down. The entrance gate opened up and you entered an orange-sand dusty area.
- What about my class? -
Sniper froze up and looked at you with a shock. After a while, he shaken up and stopped the car.
- You'd better go to the Engineer and report yourself. I'll take your things to your room. -
That was weird. You went out of the car and followed the directions to where screams were coming from.
- Jesus, calm down, man! It's just a stupid card game! -
On the wooden table, you saw a boy trying to break out of Soldier's grip. He nailed him with two hands around his neck to a hard surface and didn't think to let go.
- I'm tired of your cheating kid! Show me where you hid your spare cards. -
- I don't have them! -
- Do you two always 'ave to behave like zhis. -
The man with the mask on his face was clearly having a nervous breakdown. The Medic sitting next to him just shook his head with disapproval, while the Demoman pulled another sip from the bottle.
Your quiet grunt has interrupted all the chaos. All eyes turned towards you.
- I'm looking for the Engineer and maybe you know where I can find him. -
- Ah'm right behind ya, darlin'. -
The warm voice behind scared you a little anyway. (y/n) turned around and was greeted by a friendly-looking man. He held out one hand towards and you shook it.
- Howdy. Ya must be (y/n). Let me show ya around our humble base. -
You just nodded your head and followed him. After you left, Spy was the first to speak.
- Who would 'ave zhought zhat such a person would 'onor us. -
He muttered pleased.
- Who exactly? -
Scout took a few deep breaths when he managed to free himself from a murderous grip. Spy smiled at the thought that he knew more than the others.
- She's one of zhe members of zhe last robot fighting teams. -
Scout and the others looked at him in unbelief.
- You mean "Mann vs. Machine" thing? When Mann.co fought against Gray Men and his gang of cans? -
- Oui. And we 'ave zhe 'onor of guesting 'er 'ere. What do you zhink of zhat, Doctor? He gently poked him in the shoulder. Medic didn't answer, but looked intensely at the place where you disappeared. -
- Sie ist so schön. -
To be continue...