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Gunfights are a common sight on Kairos, especially now that the vault hunters are wreaking havoc among the Timekeeper’s forces. Amon and Rafa are an especially deadly combination even before you add guns into the mix.
Their latest missions had all been going well, taking some simpler missions for a quick buck to buy another round at Moxxi’s or to top up on gun grease. This mission was different, a higher cost for a higher value target. Rafa had been looking at getting a new upgrade for his deadframe and Amon was more than happy to help if it meant more shooting was involved. Besides, Rafa was good company.
“Keep up jefe or I’ll take this squad all by myself! Vamonos!”
“You keep those unfamiliar words to yourself, metal legs!”
The only response Amon got was Rafa practically flying through the scene, only the muzzle flash from his augments showing he was ever there to begin with. The synths trying to take pot shots at him could hardly aim before they were shot down or cut in half, depending on what Rafa felt like using that hour.
Amon was close behind, laughing while hurling elemental axes at the nearest enemy. He did not hide any exhilaration he felt for the fight and was throwing insults to every synth he took a shot at.
“I hoped you would last longer… I’ll remember your passing later!”
Clearly, the devastation they left behind them was more than enough proof that they were the guys for the job. Too clear one might say as they attracted dangerous attention during their missions. Normally it's a beast or a Ripper, not that they were too different from the other category…
During this mission that kind of attention was exactly what they wanted, they had been sent to take care of a skilled sniper hiding in the area. So to bait them out Rafa and Amon used the best tactic in the metaphorical vault hunter book; mayhem.
“You guys should’ve spent more time at the range, I can’t tell if you're missing on purpose or-”
His words were cut short from the sudden feeling of gravity pulling Rafa towards the ground, cracking his visor in the process. His breathing got erratic and he could hear his own racing heartbeat as he found he couldn’t move a muscle. Looking around at what had just happened he saw it, a wire had been shot with a high calibre, their target was in the area. There was no other way it had been hit with such precision.
The sound from the bullet came a moment later and upon seeing Rafa laying flat on the ground, unmoving, Amon halted and turned on his heel to run towards his companion. Quick to his side, Amon gently but quickly flipped Rafa over so his frame wasn’t crushing his insides anymore and picked him up by the legs and shoulders. Rafa was about to complain when his voice failed him, the suddenly heavy gravity was taking a toll on his body already.
With a practiced determination Amon quickly got the two of them out of the gunfire and into an Order container, hitting the closing button with his back before setting Rafa down gently against the wall. He could only shudder at the cold metal and wheeze instructions to Amon while staying as mentally and physically stable as he could.
“That damned… rat! He shot at me with sub-sonics! Aeugh… Close that circuit before you do anything else, yup that one… I would tell you to be careful but I don't think even your big hands could mess this up more than it already is” Rafa said with his usual humor.
Amon gave an understanding grunt and got to work giving the wire a temporary fix, not battle worthy but enough to not crush Rafa. The exo-soldier gasped and coughed as his frame finally could build up the necessary pressure again. Slowly but surely he could move his limbs again, catching his breath. Amon let out a sigh of relief and put one hand on his knee to get up, looming over Rafa who looked up and met his eyes.
“What happened out there? I have not seen you fall to such simple footsoldiers before.”
Rafa sneered before responding.
“That shot was not from any old rookie Ripper, that was from our francotirador, sniper. And he knew exactly where to hit me, damned hijo de perra…”
“Hmm… Our target, no doubt. Can you walk? We need to get you to a safehouse so we can repair your faulty exoskeleton before we give this battle a second attempt. Perhaps we focused too much on baiting them out… I should have kept an eye out”
Amon had his hand on his chin, looking at his wounded friend from the periphery of his eye, clearly thinking about how to get Rafa there safely. If their target had knowledge on the deadframe to the point he knew where to hit it and the skill to actually do it too… It could prove a distressing drive back, he would rather not have his chariot shot at… Or himself.
As he had been standing there deep in thought, facial expressions to go along with it, Rafa had been slowly getting back onto his feet while keeping a hand on the wall for support. The fluid in the frame was pressurising but a moderate amount had already leaked out. Like a body with too little fluid in its system, his frame had difficulty keeping up with sudden movements.
“We should get moving before we lose the target, I need to get this all fixed before the upgrade now too.” Rafa said while taking a few trial steps towards the door, slowly finding his balance. Amon stood still while watching him carefully, like a snake waiting to strike passing prey. Just as the smaller man took another, more confident step, his knees gave out under him and-
“Caught you.”
Rafa was once again in Amons’ arms and he could not help but feel safe and secure right where he was, even if they were in the middle of a battlefield.
“Don’t fret, I’ve got you… Amigo.” he said.
His deep voice plucking on a heartstring deep inside Rafa which made him shiver, he knew the old man had to have picked up on some words after their numerous drinking nights. Rafa was famous for almost entirely losing English when he drank. But that was different from actually hearing it spoken. Rafa looked up at Amon, looked down at himself being gently held, and speaking to no one but himself uttered a single word, because nothing more needed to be said about the situation he found himself in, “Mierda…”
Amon didn’t say anything more but just gave him a sly smile before getting out a gun, he was getting Rafa out of here safely and no one would be able to stop him. Or his chariot.
Some art I made while thinking about these two during sessions of games.... Very gay sessions