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ASSERT: The words of other runners are unreliable, and as such they should not be trusted.
Destroyer's trio was eliminated. He couldn't care less.
He didn't know the people he was with, and he didn't have time to go back and revive them. They most likely would have died anyway if he did. The best thing he could do now was exfil and make sure this run wasn't a complete waste.
A full backpack of valuables accompanied him, but he had to spare his ammo and his meds which left him almost defenseless if any stray runners were to run into him; though it seemed that one had already spotted him, or at the very least was aware of his presence.
He was just as aware of his stalker, if not more aware. He was uneasy, with every whirr of the Rook's leg servos reminding him just how much he wanted to get out of there. Though there was something strange. The Rook didn't make any move to attack him.
It would've been easy! He was alone, out in the open, and (mostly) defenseless. He was the shining image of a piñata, full of goodies that were just BEGGING to be stolen. And yet the Rook still made no move to kill him.
He was baffled, Rooks were scavengers after all! They loot up, kill unexpecting runners, and exfil for easy profit! But this one seemed to only pick up what he left behind. Whether it be a stray abandoned gear box he walked past or any variety of container, He would hear the machine rummaging quietly behind him only to continue it's stalking.
Destroyer didn't care. He had to focus on getting to that exfil, but just as the thought registered in his mind a shot rang out. The pain didn't even register to him at first, all he felt was a warm dampness spreading against his armor. He looked at his hand, now stained with blue blood. "Damn it. Damn it all to hell" He thought. How could he have been so bloody stupid? Of course the Rook would've fired off sooner or later. He should've have just taken the chance and put a round into the shell's dome while he had the chance...
He looked around helplessly as he limped on the ground, fully expecting to see that Rook sprinting up to him, hungry to get at the loot he had. Instead he saw... A Vandal? It didn't make sense to him. Why would there be a Vandal? He was sure that a Rook was following him, he had even caught glimpses of his black frame in the corners of his eyes as he scanned around.
Before he could think on it any longer he heard more shots, and the Vandal fell. The Rook swooping in, stabbing her in the chest. Finishing her off before turning to her loot. It wasn't long before the Rook was now staring at him, It's head tilted slightly.
Destroyer: "So, you were just waiting, huh?" "Waiting for someone to come along and kill me so that you could get a two for one deal?" "Well hurry up and finish me, They'll just put me in a fresh new body and I'll come right back you bastard!"
Rook: "ASSERT: You are more useful to me... Alive." "Exfil is not far, You will come with me."
Before the Destroyer had any time to object the Rook had already shoved a Self-Revive into the bloodied hands of the prone man. His confusion only slightly hidden by his visor.
Without any further words he used the Self-Revive, still on his back. Staring up at the Rook with bewilderment.
Rook: "Get up runner, Exfil is not far."
The Machine leaned in, the red glow from his face illuminating the other runner's. It tapped it's facial plate against the forehead of the Destroyer lightly, gently even before it took hold of his hand and yanked him upwards. The runner felt woozy for a second. A combination of blood loss, vertigo, and what he could only assume was... a kiss?
He stumbled into the arms of the Rook, instinctually wrapping his arms around him. Regaining his senses he jolted back. Looking at the Rook, studying his face (Even if there wasn't any expression TO study). He still felt dizzy, but there was something different in his synthetic heart... He felt warm, not overheating. A pleasant warmth that he had not felt in any of his previous shells.
Before a single word could leave his lips he was already being dragged away by the Rook in cold silence. As Destroyer followed he tried to get a read on whatever the scavenger's deal was. It was easier said than done, for a more human adjacent shell there was body language, the way they carried themselves and the micro-expressions on their face that could at least tell him what they were feeling. But there was nothing to be read on the Rook. No expression, no gestures, nothing.
Destroyer: "What the hell is your problem?" "What's your motive? Are you just gonna use me as bait when you extract?"
The Rook didn't respond, It just kept pulling him along. It's hand clasped firmly but gently around his. It only turned around once the exfil beacon was in sight. Fixing Destroyer the very same gaze from when it saved him.
Rook: "Stay. I will activate the extraction." "Look out for me, Runner."
The Rook sprinted off, and Destroyer watched him. He stared at the way his joints moved as he ran, the way his head smoothly scanned back and forth. He shook his head. Opening his gaze and pushing down his racing thoughts. He looked around the area, his eyes peeled for even the slightest of movements. He saw it.
It was a UESC Scout, and it looked like it had the Rook in it's sights.
He didn't even remember getting up, He was sprinting. He couldn't let the Rook fall, not after what it had done for him. The thrusters on his thighs roared with each step, his synthetic heart was pounding, his eyes were laser-focused on the Scout, and his hands gripped his gun so hard it almost hurt.
The UESC Scout raised his sniper, getting ready to line up a shot against the unsuspecting Rook. The missile pods on Destroyer's shoulders opened and he roared, raising his weapon and dumping the rest of his magazine. Missiles fired off and before the Scout even had the chance to gaze over to the new threat it was annihilated. Destroyer knew he couldn't catch his breath. He had basically announced to anyone within a mile radius around him that he was just about ready to extract. He quickly turned, making a mad dash to the beacon. He saw the Rook standing there, it's stance wide and surprised. It knew just as well as he did that if they didn't extract soon they would be done for.
The Rook activated the exfil, tossing down a shield bubble before readying a weapon of his own. Destroyer soon reunited with him, feeling at ease he sat next to him. Overheated and spent.
Destroyer: "Why did you do it?"
Rook: "Do what, Runner?" Destroyer could have sworn he detected a hint of sarcasm in the question.
Destroyer: "You know damn well what I'm talking about you hunk of scrap." "Why didn't you kill me back there? Your a scavenger, your job is to get as much shit as possible and get out." "So why?"
The Rook lowered his weapon, looking down at the tired runner beside it before sitting down beside him.
Rook: "I already told you runner." "You served more use to me alive, rather than deceased." "You have already proved that to me"
The Machine slung a mechanical arm around him, pulling him closer as the exfil whirred louder and louder. It's alarm blaring, signaling that matter transfer was imminent.
Destroyer: "Fine then. I'm useful."
He scoffed, turning away as all of his inner thoughts came racing back. That comfortable warmth coming back as he turned back to the Rook.
Without a word he quickly pressed a kiss to the side of the Machine's faceplate. Squeezing it tightly in an iron-grip.
Destroyer: "Something to remember me by, alright Scrapheap?"
He murmured before the whirring of the exfil beacon hit a peak. The air around the two runners glowed and soon the data transfer took place, each going their separate ways. Never to meet again.
But for a moment. One magical, wonderful moment. The two runners felt like they could breathe easy. (Even if one couldn't actually breathe...)