Tender Butt Touchers

We write shit from our little friend group. For the most part we'll enjoy your cooperation-Robin

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 4, TBT Steampunk Story rewrite

Chapter 4: These words are poison, for me, for you.     

                                JARED

“What is this?” Jared whispered to himself.

It was another day working at the bar, when a capital man had left his file behind. He remembered him dully. He was twitchy, and held his drink in a tight grip, he never socialized either. Not with the other capital soldiers. He was a strange guy indeed. He wore a white labcoat, and standard slacks, along with standard, well, everything. He was unremarkable.

Jared really wouldn't have remembered him, if not for the way he just seemed to run out of the bar. The other capital men didn't even seem to care. In fact no one really payed attention. Except of course Jared.

As the man left the bar, Jared had felt his eyes being drawn to the simple tan folder the man had left on the counter. He couldn't help but stare at it for most of his shift. Something inside him drove him to figure out what was in that folder.

So as the last patron left the bar, his drunken footsteps echoing in the quiet establishment. Jared leapt from his post at the bar, to sink his claws into the file. His eyes scanned over the contents quickly. Confused, he tried to take it all in. Before separating the mound of papers.

There were a mass of documents inside, and Jared, his curiosity peaked started to read them.

Subject 18- Osiris Project

Trial Runs-

While many of our findings have been trivial at best. This subject seems promising. When he was brought to us, we didn't have much hope of him taking to the experiment. But, surprisingly, the subject flourished!  

He took to the implants so nicely we’re thinking of taking the trial further. He breezed through the regular trial runs. His implants are sustaining his life, and I have hope that he will be the perfect prototype.

Trial 1-

When subject 18 was brought to us, he was in quite disarray. He was a male, around the age of 20 we’re guessing. He was drugged of course, and he was hard to control. The amount of restraints necessary made us think the trial was going to fail from the beginning.

But as we placed the implants in, he took to it better than expected. His organs (those that were kept in.) Were working well with the implants. The first trial was a success, and his body showed no signs of rejection.

Trail 2-

The pain tolerance of subject 18 is phenomenal. With regular shock treatments, his whole body has stabilized. The implants are sustaining just as we had hoped, and he is growing stronger each passing day. Of course his memory is in ruins, but that just makes the experiment run that much smoother.     

Trial 3-

This is our latest trial, and we can almost say the experiment was a full success. The subject takes commands obediently, his strength, speed, and vitality have increased amazingly. He is almost ready for the first real test. The capital has funded the project thus far, and we are confident these findings will stop the rebel cause in its tracks.

Jared felt the breath leave his lungs in astonishment. He frantically looked through the rest of the files. All of them had similar findings, except they were all different test subjects. Jared felt his insides twist. Was the capital really doing human experimentation?

And just what exactly were these implants…?

Jared knew he just stepped into deep shit.

Looking down at the folder once again, he closed his eyes resigned. His damn conscious was yelling at him again. He needed to do something. He couldn't sit by while this happened. Not anymore, he needed to tell someone-anyone.

He paused.

The rebels.

Would it be possible?

He had heard stories of the rebels, a lot of it capital propaganda. How they ate babies, and killed massive amounts of people. Jared didn't believe any of it, but this could be his best choice. The rebels would know what to do with this information.

He just hoped he could find them.

                                  EREN

“What’s your name?” He asked gruffly.

“Robin.” She said briskly.

This girl was strange.

“Yours?”

“Eren.”

She had convinced him to come with her too her workshop. Which was only a few miles out from town, and he couldn't help but be concerned by the lack of people. How did he know she wasn't taking him to a trap? Another part of him reasoned that she wouldn't come all the way out into the desert just to kill him in the end.

He kept his eye on her though, he wouldn't hesitate to kill her if she didn't keep her end of the bargain. It had been awhile since anyone had asked for his services. The robed girl motioned him forward and he eyed the tiny shop. It was sagged against a large boulder, and it was made of sanded down wood. A tan color, that was only a shade darker than the sand.It had a creeky door, that hardly seemed to close properly. It did not adorn any window’s.

Yet the tiny workshop seemed to have a quirky, and homely feel to it. The girl entered through the falling door, and he followed. The inside was surprisingly much more intact, if not a bit messy. A workbench was settled on the opposite end of the tiny bed. Metal, and strange machines were scattered around the room.

A table and chairs were placed out of the way, along with a giant map of sky-dome stretched across the wall. He marvelled at it’s vastness.

His attention was quickly brought to her when she took her scarf off from around her face. She was definitely not what he was expecting. She had a dainty frame, with pale skin. Her eyes were hooded, and were a mixture of blue and green. Her dark hair was of medium length, brushing her shoulders. She looked very much like a young teenager.

He shifted uncomfortably. “Just how old are you?” He asked.

She stopped digging through a pile of scrap to stare at him strangely.

“What..?”

“A kid shouldn't be tasked with killing someone.” He coughed slightly uncomfortable.

She looked at him as if he was stupid. Her mouth scrunching up in a way that made him wanna curl up in shame.

“Im 17.”

His eyes widened.

“Oh.”

She chuckled. “Alright, lets go over the plan.” He nodded following her toward the table and chairs. She placed some schematics on the table. He noticed it was the structural plan of a building. She pointed at a small door that led into the heating system of the building.

“This blueprint here, is the blueprints of the Red Tridents hideout. It has three main entrances, but we’re going through the door with the boiler room.” She pointed to it on the paper, and Eren nodded.

“Then we head through the lower levels. He will be heavily guarded, but im sure you’ll have no problem with them.”

Eren again nodded, low level thugs were nothing to him.

“We head up the main stairs and boom.” She smirked darkly.

He smirked back. This was the start of a beautiful partnership.

                                             ROBIN

It took them awhile to make it to the Red Tridents hideout. While she did live close to the sandy dune. The sand made for slow travel, and as such night was steadily approaching. From behind her scarf. Robin frowned, Eren seemed to get more and more antsy as time wore on. His hands twitching at his sides.

She kept her hand close to her knife just in case. It was hard to tell just how unstable he was. She just hoped he held out until the job was done. She motioned for him to stop as the hideout came into sight. It was a large compound made out of sand bricks. Fires could be dimly seen from the outskirts. And Robin clicked her tongue.

That meant everyone was accounted for.

She motioned her head toward the entrance they were to approach from. Eren nodded sharply, and ghosted across the sands. She followed quickly, the sand muffling her footsteps. She knelt down in the sand quickly, bringing out her lock picking device. With a small wurl, it drilled into the keyhole, making quick use of the lock. She opened it slowly, and nodded. She entered the dimly room silently, and brought out her small hammer, and Wrench.

It was time to make a distraction.

Assessing the boiler quickly. Robin went into a hyper aware state of mind. Quickly aware of what levers to pull, and what screws to loosen she made short work of the machine. Soon is was clanging, and whirling. Spilling gas fumes into the living quarters below.  She could hear the coughs, and yells below the floor she was in and smirked.

Dragging Eren, out the door opposite the one they came she stepped into the compound. She ran forward quickly, Eren on her heels, now it was a mad dash into the main room, it was surprisingly empty on this floor.

They made a small detour into an armory to let a group of disgruntled thugs pass before they were on their way again. Erens ticks were growing more and more in intensity, and Robin hoped he could hold out just awhile longer.

   Soon they made it to the door. Robin breathed in deeply to ready herself, bringing out her dagger. She quickly busted open the door.

Zander was in a meeting it seemed.

Robin smiled.

“Hello Zanders. It sure has been awhile.” She almost purred out the words. Eren stalked into the room, and looked at all the gathered faces. Robin almost wanted to smirk, the neighboring clans seemed to have come for the show too.

Too bad no one was leaving the room alive.

“Robin?” Zanders asked surprised. Rising she narrowed her eyes. His snow white hair fell along his jaw. His brown eyes were still cunning, and narrowed. Nothing about him seemed to had changed.

His jaw tightened, and he edged away from Eren.

“What are you doing here?”

“I came for what’s mine.” She said coldly.

He backed away, “It’s not yours anymore!”

That was the wrong thing to say.

Robin nodded at Eren.

That was all the prompting he needed.

Eren went crazy, and Robin almost retched at the bloodshed that befell that room. Eren certainly was the madman of the desert for a reason. Pulling twin blades out of his boots, he painted the room in red. Body parts went flying screams decorated the air, entrails spilled onto the sand. All the while he was smiling. Whatever could make a man smile while killing, was something Robin never wanted to face.

Soon, after the room was covered in blood, and Robin had red staining her clothes, all the room had left was her, Eren, and Zander. Walking over, she knelt over his shaking frame. Eren was behind her, his blank eyes staring down at the fallen man. His smile wide and bright. She almost shuttered away, but held her ground.

“Where is it.” She asked. Her eyes cold.

“Bottom floor, second to the right.” He whispered shaking, his eyes locked onto Erens. Robin nodded.

Standing she turned away at Zanders screams. She made her way to the lowest floor, everyone backed away from her. Her blood covered frame giving away what she had just done. she was going to have nightmare’s for days.

Opening the door to the room quietly she smiled. Her trident stood against the wall, unused and with no damage. She picked it up in her gloved hands. She could feel the electrical pulses, and she sighed happily. Pressing a button in the side it shrunk down to the size of her forearm, instead of the size of her. She attached it to her belt.

She froze. Eren was staring at her darkly.

“Follow me. I have what you want.”

He nodded, and Robin quickly left the room.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 3, TBT Steampunk Story Rewrite

Chapter 3: The Meeting.

                                                       THOMAS

Thomas wasn't sure what to make of him. The man stood tall, his hair reaching around his face in an unkempt manner. He was thin, but had the telling signs of being athletic. he stood a foot taller than Thomas as well.

He wore simple green combat pants, that reached down to his ankles. His feet bore black combat boots, and he had a belt that was adorned with different types of pouches, and pockets. He wore a white tunic, and leather belts crisscrossed across his chest. and over his shoulders he wore a dark brown over coat. With metal gears sown into the fabric like metals. His hands adorned black leather gloves. On his head held a black gentleman's top hat, across the middle band. There was a set of metal brass goggles.

This man obviously had experience with sky ships.  

His brown eyes stared boldly into his own, he looked in complete control.

Thomas scratched the back of his head.

“I suppose I should thank you?” he posed it as a question and immediately wanted to kick himself.

The man smirked' and Thomas wanted to laugh awkwardly. The capital soldier who just tried to mug him groaned on the ground. The gentleman kicked him while giving a click of his tongue. The man took his large gun and hefted it against his shoulder.

“No need to thank me. Someone has to do something.” He sighed.

Thomas nodded. “Yeah that's what I'm planning to do.”

The man raised his eyebrow slightly skeptic. “Who are you?”

“Thomas Peters.”

The last name registered, and the man grabbed his forearm. Dragging him into a dark alley he hissed, “What are you doing out here so casually? Everyone know’s that name!”

Thomas chuckled quietly. ‘Its alright I've been keeping a low profile. who are you anyhow?”

The man heaved out a sigh. “Artemis Boweman.”

“Ah, an army man i’m guessing? or you were?”

“Was. Just what are you planning?”

“Right now? Well finding someone.”

“Who?” Art blinked in confusion.

“My sky ship is in well..Disrepair? I’m looking for someone, there are rumors of someone so skilled with engineering the capital is offering a bounty for whoever finds them alive.”

“I've heard of that rumor. Good luck finding them. The only thing distinguishing their work from others is the bird carved on all of them.” Art sighed, sinking down the wall. Sitting on the ground, he grimaced at the cold.

“I’m also looking for a crew.”

Art looked at him surprised.

“A crew?”

“Yes, normally people wouldn't offer strangers this, but, you're welcome to join me. You have the talent.”

Art looked off into the distance and smirked.

“You have your head gunner.”

                                                       LINA

She didn't know what was happening. When the bells started to ring, her sister started to frantically tuck on her wrist. She in only been in town a few days, and she understood what her sister meant now.

Hell had fallen upon Holden Marsh. While Lina had always had a distaste for the capital, she had no idea that their cruelty could reach this far.  Just yesterday, she had witnessed her first public execution. Her landlord.

Mr. Gentry had always treated her and her sister well, gave them a place to stay. Warm food, a comfortable bed to sleep in. He was everything their father couldn't be.

As he stood upon the makeshifts stage in the town square. His eyes frantically searching for anyone to help him. To stop this madness, she couldn't help but look away. She would never forget the way her sister looked at the chaos with an eye so used to death.

So when the bells started to ring she knew something terrible was about to happen. Her sister dragged her into an alleyway and up a flight of stairs into one of Holden Marsh’s notorious hidden buildings. It was there her sister banged on the wall four times, paused then knocked twice. The door was immediately opened, and Laura dragged her in.

It was there she came face to face with Timmy, the town resident Drug lord and smuggler. Lina gaped.

“Timmy?”

“Lina?” He stared at her strangely. “Your back? how did-” He sighed rubbing his temples. He muttered “Rat.” Under his breath before sighing deeply.

“What the hell is going on?” Lina hissed, looking out the window from a hidden vantage point.

“A raid.” Laura sighed sitting down next to a table. Everyone gave her wide berth, and Timmy immediately came to her side.  Lina narrowed her eyes, her overprotective side coming out. It faded a bit when Laura looked up at him gratefully. Lina wasn't going to dwell on it too hard.

“Whats a raid?” Her voice grew hard, as she watched capital soldiers take to the streets.

Her sister looked down quietly. “They come into homes, take what they can, whatever they want. If it comes down to it-” A gunshot rang out from across the street, and Lina felt her breath leave.

“They kill for it.”

Lina looked around the room in horror. Timmy’s men shuffled in solemn silence, and Lina had to sit down before her legs gave out. “What the hell is happening.” She muttered into her hands.

Timmy came to her then placing a hand upon her shoulder. While they were never on friendly terms, they didn't hate each other. So Lina allowed the comfort.

“Boss! We found two guys snooping around outside!”

Timmy whirled around, and Lina placed her hand on her switch blade.

“Uh….Can we talk about this?” The blonde one smiled charmingly, his hands held up in surrender. His companion looked at all the weapons pointed at him, and grunted. Lina looked at them closely, and was confused.

The blonde obviously wasn't a fighter, but the way he smiled made her believe he was more suited for words. As well as the way his palms, and hands looked deeply calloused. A pilot maybe? It would make sense based on his short stature, and wiry frame.

His hair was swept to the side, and his eyes a striking blue, she couldn't help but believe he reminded her of someone… She shook her head to rid of the thought. He was short for a young male, and he seemed almost…

Confident?

She narrowed her eyes and unwillingly felt herself relax, he just exuded charisma.

The other was strikingly different. He was tall, and he towered many of the smaller men in the room. It was obvious he was a soldier, by the way he stood, and the way his hands were placed near his waist. Where weapons would be. She could also tell he didn't need them. He could probably take all of them on and win.

His hardened gaze met her own, and his eyes were dark, his hair long and brown. It was in waves that fell around his ears. He was assessing her as much as she was him. He slowly raised his hand, and the room filled with more tension.

The blonde boy simply smiled.

Like a match was suddenly snuffed out the room all at once relaxed, and all at once Lina could tell he was extremely dangerous.

Timmy cleared his throat. “Stand down.” Everyone obeyed even her. “As we’re in no position to kick you out into the streets. With the raid happening, we’ll watch you until you can leave. What are your names?”

“Thomas.” The blonde smiled reassuringly.

“Artemis.” The taller grunted.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 2, TBT steampunk Story rewrite

             Chapter 2: The Cultist, The Smuggler, The Defender, and The Scribe

                                               EREN

  Eren closed his eyes, breathing in evenly. He leaned back on his haunches, he could feel the heated desert wind against high cheek bones. The white scarves that wound around his head itched slightly. But he didn't really care, he had things to do. The empty desert called to him, its heated golden waves reaching into his eyes.

He bowed down to it, his head touching the sand.

He worshiped the sand, he lived for the sand. He was the sand.

He stood then, looking off into the desert, his eyes almost crazed as they took in the unchanged scenery. He was closer to Death Valley then he wished to be, being around people was not something he was good at. To this day he interacted with as few people as possible.

There was only a select few he could talk to, they were the ones who hired him for jobs. His special skills had people seek him out from all over. He was a cultist of the desert, he knew exactly how to bring retribution down onto his enemies.  

He was well trained in the art of murder. Death Valley let him practice his skills frequently. He could only hope his mistress, the sand, could forgive him for the blood he spills in her name. looking out at the desert he squinted his eyes, he could see someone in the desert. Striding toward him, with no care in the world.

He got ready for a fight, but soon settled. This was an inhabitant of Death Valley. He could tell by the way they glided across the sand, the person was one with the sands just like he was. He put his dagger away. No need to gut this person.

Although the blood in his body was churning urging him to do just that. The person was soon a few feet away. Out of arms reach, he tilted his head. The style of Death Valley left it hard to tell gender. He didn't know if this was a male, or a female standing in front of him.

Then she spoke, her voice too soft to come from Death Valley.

“I heard they call you the madman of the desert.” She said quietly, her bluish green eyes gazing at him with a hint of wicked intent. He narrowed his eyes, he shuffled his weight. His skinny form towering over this small girl. He stared down at her before slowly nodding his head.

“Good, then you’re exactly who I’m looking for.” She chuckled. “There is a man in Death Valley known as Zander. He has become a thorn in my side, sending his men to kill me, as well as trying to take my machines.”

She almost growled out the last part, and he tilted his head.

“If you come with me to Death Valley, to kill Zanders. I can give you what you want most in this world.”

His eyes widened, she could…?

“You have a deal.” He rasped, his voice quiet and gritty from disuse.

The girl nodded to him, before motioning him to follow her, they had work to do.

                                                  LINA

  "You know that's not gonna cut it right?" Lina drawled, tilting her head.

The man waved his hand nervously, and Lina smirked. The little toad obviously didn't have all her money, hell she smuggled that thing over county lines. She definitely deserved her due. She whistled cheerfully as she prowled in circles around him.

"You don't have my money do you?" She chuckled darkly. The warehouse almost shook with the plump man as he tried to back away. Lina had a strict business, and it was obvious the man knew what was going to happen.

"Listen! I-I'll get it tomorrow. Timmy didn't pay me today!" His voice cracked slightly, and he shifted away farther.

"Oh? So Timmy didn't abide by the trade off?" That was interesting. Timmy usually paid her dues, messenger boys like this toad always seemed to hold up on their end of the bargain when he was involved. This was strange indeed.

"How about this?" She smiled falsely, "You tell me everything you know, and I wont kill you." She pulled out her switchblade from her jacket pocket, and twirled it expertly.

The man paused and his shaking, his eyes whipping around wildly.

"Okay! Alright!" He heaved out a heavy, shaky sigh. "Timmy has had a run in with the police. They've been snooping around in his territory, and the regulator is getting more uptight with the goods. People are finding it harder to get what they need, you know? So Timmy is paying people off to keep out of the Police's sight. While trying to keep his men afloat."

Lina tilted her head considering his words. Before he spoke up hesitantly, "I'm surprised you haven't heard it yet."

Lina's eyes sharpened. "Just how high have goods rose?"

The man hesitated. "A lot."

Lina sighed rubbing her temples.

“Alright, I've decided to let you go.” The man perked up. “But you have to tell Timmy that I wish to meet with him.”

The man’s Spirits fell and he quickly skittered away. Lina groaned, this day just getting worse and worse. She decided she needed to see her sister. Better check with how she was doing, then slip away on another meeting again.

Walking through the streets of Holden Marsh she sucked in her teeth. The place sure had fallen while she was away. The sky ships overhead made for that seemed to block out the sky, the wetlands seemed to trudge mud everywhere, and people were starving and begging in the streets.

She started to search for her sister. She found her in a soup kitchen, giving to the poor.

“Laura?” She asked surprised.

Laura looked up, she quickly abandoned her post and hugged her tightly.

“Thank goodness.” She muttered.

“Laura, what happened here?”

“Hell. Hell happened.”

                                                 JAKE

  “Captain! They’re here!” The subordinate shouted. His eyes looking out over the distant sky, his hands shook as they gripped his long sword. Captain Jake shook his head.

“Keep your wits about you men! We need to stay strong until the rest of the resistance can send back up! We just need to hold fast!”

Immediately his men straightened up, Jake grinned. He hefted up his large metal shield. It was a piece of artwork that was for sure. It had been modified so many times by so many tinkerers he didn't even know who made it anymore.

It was his only weapon, as the captain refused to kill. The shield on his arm defended his troops, and battered his enemies. It could take bullets, it could take rockets. With his shield of iron he would never surrender.

The fight was just getting started after all.

With a valiant cry he charged into the front lines. His hair, and battle kilt flowing behind

him. His men followed close behind, their guns and spears meeting closer and closer. He just had to hold them off, he could do this. He believed.

One by one, he cut a line through the army. Allowing his men to do the finishing blows, until finally his small platoon came to the inner generals of the fallen enemy sky ship.  They were bloodied by the crash, and they stared up at him with no fear. He motioned to his men.

“Capture them, we need information. Allow the other rebels to do the rest.”

“Of course sir.”

As his men led the fallen generals away. Jake looked up, the ally resistance had finally arrived. As they started to come down from the sky ships, Jake stood at attention as the oldest temporary leader of the resistance came to greet him.

“Sir.” Jake stood at attention.

“Jake.” The man nodded. He motioned for him to follow, and Jake knew it was as much of an order as a beckoning.

“What’s wrong sir?” he asked, tilting his head to the side.

“I have an important mission for you.” He said, keeping a critical eye upon Jake.

Jake felt himself grin, his boys were getting more action. “You name it sir, what can we do for you?”

The general shook his head. “Just you Captain Jake.” Jake felt his eyes widen.

“Just what do you want me to do?”

The general gave a slight smirk. “Thomas Peters lives, you're tasked with finding him.”

Jake gaped, they had heard stories of the famous Bartholomew Peters, and his iron army. They were the first to create rebellion, and they had almost succeeded. Now there was nothing left of the great army except the ships in fog bay.  

To know Bartholomew’s son was alive…

“I accept.”

Jake would find him, no matter the cost.

                                                   JARED

  He was tired of this. This constant annoyance.

How dare they treat his people like this?

Jared washed the glasses in the small bar in which he worked. the people in the bar were utterly silent, as the capital men who had taken over the town walked in. They had flipped over a table, forced a man out of the bar at gunpoint, and were now drinking to their hearts content without paying.

He remembered the day the capital had invaded the Market District. Everyone had fallen to poverty as it’s resources were drained away. More and more people were dying of capital brutality. He had managed to get a job, and was keeping his head down. he had survived this far that way.

He flinched as another capital man had thrown his glass onto the ground. The shattered shards falling across the ground. One by one his patrons had left the bar, and Jared made his way over to the mess.

Kneeling he silently picked it up, quickly, and silently. He went unnoticed as he slipped behind the counter once more. He held his breath as they left an hour later. Jared felt his hands shake as he fixed the table, and put the spilled glasses away. He was lucky to leave without confrontation. No one wanted to get in their way. Jared placed his palms flat on the table, and shuttered out a breath.

The door behind him swung open, and he smiled. Maria gave him a tired smile, and stood next to him in silence. She looked ahead as he collected himself.

“Someone needs to do something.” She swung to look at him, her red hair shifting from her collarbones. Jared shook his head.

“Don’t get those ideas into your head.” Jared shook his head, grabbing her hand. “We just need to hang low, get enough money to leave. Then head to the untouched places. There are still places in sky dome.”

Maria sighed, deflating like a balloon. “I just hope someone will-”

“Don't think about it too hard. One day, One day someone will. Now we just need to get by.”

Maria nodded, her face looking a bit defeated, and as Jared led her through the back entrance all he could think about was how much he’d do to see her smile again.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 1, TBT Steampunk Story Rewrite

Chapter 1: The Engineer, The Captain, and The Soldier.

ROBIN

  When you're walking through a dust cloud. You don't pay much attention to your feet, or the world around you. In fact you hardly pay attention to anything at all. Maybe that was her problem, because when the wind picked up she didn't notice the figure behind her.

She wasn't a pushover though. Growing up in Death Valley had made her tough, her reflexes quick. Her small stature a blessing rather than a liability. So when his hand seized her shoulder, she reacted quickly and effortlessly. Her hand whipped out, knocking his arm from her space. He teetered dangerously on the sand, and Robin knew he was an outsider.

Everyone In Death Valley knew how to walk on steady legs. Her eyes narrowed, just who was this guy? Why was he after her? She kicked at his ankle, and like a toddler he fell easily. Kicking sand toward his face, she heard his shriek. Dirt in the eyes was painful.

"Why are you after me?" His voice came out loud and muffled from under her scarf, she adjusted the brass goggles around her eyes. He was rolling back and forth on the sands, and Robin grew irritated.

Lifting him up to a sitting position she tried to recognize his face through the dense sand. He was covered in the standard headgear of a Death Valley inhabitant, but it lacked the finesse in which they wrapped it. He was definitely an outsider. Grabbing his hands harshly she looked for any sign of gang branding. Then his neck.

Bingo.

Robin hissed out a breath, Zander was on her trail again. The small girl could tell by the tattoo of a red trident, with a black handle stretched on the side of his neck.

She had left the fool Zander in the dust long ago after a deal gone wrong. He thought he could pull one over on her, and take her machines. She snorted, as if. The machines were uniquely hers, and Robin was the best Mechanic Dust Bowl had ever seen.

Not that they knew that of course, as Robin kept a very, very low profile.

           She really had to with the new capital men coming into the deprecated city.

           She shook her head. She needed to think of other things right now, like how to shake this guy off her trail. She could always kill him, but that's not what Robin was about. She had a horrible kind heart. She grimaced, nothing else to do but leave him in the sand storm she supposed. It was up to him if he lived or died then, wasn't Robins problem.

The sand would also mask her footsteps, so she couldn't be followed. The guy swaying in the sand made a rookie mistake, and he was paying for it. Robin stood, letting the man fall from her grasp. Quietly she made her escape, she had important things to do, and being stuck in a desert wasn't one of them.

Pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders. She couldn't help but smile darkly.

She had an old friend to visit.

                                                         THOMAS    His mother was asleep.    Good, he could commence plan alpha.

   He tiptoed to his room. Grabbing his duffel bag, he tried not to slip on any of the squeaky boards. He quietly set the note on their kitchen table, and slipped out the door. Looking up at his small house' he gave a sad smile. The remote tiny cottage seemed to lean on one side. It gave a feeling of tiredness, as though the rickety walls, and the stone foundation was melting in on itself.    Thomas hoped his mother would be okay, he was leaving for a long time after all. He had to do this however, he had to make his father proud. 

   His father was the greatest sky pirate this land had ever known, and he needed to live up to his legacy. He clenched his hands into fists, he hoped this foolish plan would work. First he needed to get his father ship rebuilt, then he needed to gather his crew. Then he set out on his journey. 

   He just needed to find a way to get his ship out of fog bay. He shivered thinking about that unholy place. It's foggy hands reaching out from the great chasm. His father had made his last stand there, in that gray place. Against the capital, it's regime spanning all of Sky Dome. His father had been the first to stand up, then others followed his example. Thomas remembered his fathers strong gaze in his childhood, his smile, his warm hugs. All of that was taken away from him when his father was defeated. He swore then, that he would succeed where his father didn't. Thomas took his first step into the unknown, as he knew that he had a long way to go.

As he entered the steam powered car, and barreled away towards the nearest town. Thomas leaned against the car window, looking out at the passing scenery. He had rented the taxi two days prior, and he could see the driver out of the corner of his eyes. He was a tall man, with a gangly beard, and thin fingers. His eyes a cloudy blue looked at him briefly. Before looking back at the road.

"Where you headed?"

"To town."

"Which one?"

"Nearest."

The cab driver gave a snort before grinning to himself. "You got it, why you leavin' anyway?"

"I have things I need to do."

"Important things?"

"Very important."

The man left it at that and Thomas felt grateful. He wasn't used to talking to people, considering the few times he went into town he had to keep his head down, and keep a low profile.

He looked at his reflection in the window.  His blonde hair, reaching just below his ears. Shaggy, and swooping over his forehead betrayed just how young he was. His blue eyes looked back at him, and his pale skin. He was thin for a seventeen year old.

He looked out toward the approaching town and all at once his throat seized up.

  Artemis

  "Fifth battalion leader Artemis Bowe reporting for duty."

His commander looked up at him stoically, and Art held his gaze. He wasn't going to lean over and take this. He was a soldier dammit, not a lowly page boy. He gritted his teeth as the man handed out his letter.

"Take this to the house described. Captain'" The commander saluted him briefly, before steadfastly walking away. Art gritted his teeth.

"Dick." He muttered under his breath before stalking away.

Frowning he looked at the address, he knew it. His eyes narrowed, the address was a shady house in the poor district. He knew of it from the younger recruits.

It was a hangout place, they could go there when they needed to get away from the eyes of the capital men. Art rolled his eyes, he had no idea why. All these stories of the capital being corrupt were just fairytales. As far as Art was concerned, the capital was mighty and just. His parents shared his sentiment.

His parents were high ranking officials on the capital board. Once they had been dedicated soldiers willing to do anything for their country. Their service had been rewarded, and now they lived a life of comfort and luxury.

Art chuckled as he made his way down the sparkling capitol hall, and down toward the lower district. Wearing his army suit for all to see, making his way down the poverty stricken streets of the lower district he couldn't help but frown. The people down here avoided him like the plague.

Many of these people were in horrible living conditions. Art didn't know why the capital didn't just help them, surely they had the resources? Art shook his head, no it was bad to think about his country that way. They were doing all they could, he knew it.

Once he entered the apartment complex he headed up the stairs, and into the left wing of the building. The room number he was looking for stood out with it's faded green lettering.

"42b." He mumbled as he entered the room slowly, nothing seemed to stick out of the trashy room, besides the ripped up carpet, the faded blue curtains, and the lack of furniture in the room.

Except for who was standing in the middle of the room.

"Mary?" He gaped.

Mary whipped her head around, her beautiful green eyes wide. Mary was his girlfriend, the love of his life. Why the hell was she here?

"Art what are you doing here?" She sounded frightened, and something seemed to be averting her gaze. Her blonde hair curled around her face, and he was shocked to see her out of uniform. She was a soldier just like him.

"I should be asking you that, I got an assignment to deliver a letter here. I never expected to see you." Something was nagging at him, from the back of his mind. His instincts were telling him to beware. To run, something wasn't right.

"A letter?" She asked suddenly standing straight, "Please I need to see it."

Art hesitated, this was confidential. Mary's eyes poured into him, and he sighed. He could never win against her. He quickly handed the letter to her. She ripped it open violently, and Art stepped back surprised.

Her eyes quickly looked over the letter before her eyes went wide in fear.

"Art we need to leave-"

That's when the first shots rang out.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

TBT Rewrite in the works.

Hey everyone who still reads The TBT Chronicles. The story is being rewritten, yeah sorry bout' that. I'm really excited about the rework though, and I hope you all will enjoy the newness. 

-Robin out. 

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 69, TBT Steampunk Chronicles

069 Gathering courage

  Thomas gave a deep sigh, this was his moment. This is where he set the tide, where everything came to light. Where he started his campaign of greatness. The secret meeting spot was already bustling with activity. He could see it.

Art’s call for mercenaries, and run away soldiers from the capital had been strong. The huge group was almost two sizes compared to the other groups. Jareds Merchant contacts were on the edges of groups, bargaining, and trying to get what they could from this huge meeting. The funding to this operation was definitely needed.

Lina’s smugglers were off in corners dealing contraband, and talking quietly amongst themselves. It was strange.

Robins odd group from death valley were stoic. Wearing long sand colored capes. They looked terrifying with Bandages all over their bodies. They looked like thugs. He hoped they’d stay loyal to the cause.

Thomas took a deep breath. Standing out in front of the large group. He gave a small smile. He needed to stop over thinking. With his crew standing behind him. The large hall grew silent.

“You are all here for many reasons, Money, Fame, tradition, resistance. Whatever the reason. I’m glad you're here.” He raised his head grinning.

“I hope you will all stand in fight. Fight for freedom, for a future. I hope you will stand with me. It’s time this tyranny has ended!”

The crowd started to stir and cheer. Thomas grinned.

“Fight with me!” he yelled strongly.

The crowd started to cheer. Their heightened voices igniting the fire,  starting the revolution they all so desperately needed.  

Thomas closed his eyes. Gathering courage was a great thing.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 68, TBT Steampunk Chronicles

068 Working with a devil

Robin worked silently next to him. Not looking into his face. Alexander moved uneasily, he could tell she was angry at him. She angrily smashed a wrench on the metal table, and Alexander moved away uneasily.

"Why did you do it?"

Alexander looked at her uneasily.

"We gave you shelter, we let you go. We did everything for you. Hell we were ally's at one point. What made you do it?" She asked quietly.

Alexander looked away.  His thin arms waving slightly on the bench. His body was still frail from his capture. The s.s Little Dipper were less kind than how they once were. Although better here then on a capital ship.

"They had my sister."

She stopped then. Before continuing on less noisily on her pounding of machines.

"They threatened to kill her, if I didn't become a spy. What choice did I have?"

"You could have told us." She said quietly. "We could have helped you."

He scoffed. "You wouldn't have. I did what I had to, to save my sister."

"Was it worth it?"

Alexander looked down and it was silent in the engineering room.

Perhaps working with the devil was better than nothing.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 67, TBT Steampunk Chronicles

067 Half an hour before dawn

They looked out to the gray wasteland, it seemed fitting it would end where it all had started. Thomas looked out at the fog bay, it's ghostly fog rising up from the fallen ships. His father had made his last stand here against the capital. He had ultimately fallen, and the capital had rained victorious.

The older captain looked over his small crew.

Lina her eye hard looked out at the fog. He could tell she was thinking of the future. Of her son, he felt his heart sink. As he realized he had taken away the family she had gained. She looked at him, and he smiled sadly. She shook her head. There was no need to talk of it now.

Art stared into the abyss of gray, his face was drawn into sad lines. He had left behind his new wife, and son. He had married the bartender, and she had a son from a previous marriage. Art had it all for a short while. Thomas nodded to him, he nodded back. Art would be willing to do anything for this fight, Thomas had no doubt.

Robin grabbed his hand.

Looking up at him, she smiled. He could have had it all with her too, but the future depended on them. If that meant sacrificing everything. He would do it. He would do it in a heartbeat.

He looked behind the ship. His army was massive and strong. June followed up on their left. Jake on his right. They were the vanguard. The rest were the carriers to the battle. In just a short while fog bay will be stained with blood once more.

He gripped Robins hand tightly.

"Robin?"

"Hmm?" He voice sounded lazy and tired.

"I'm sorry." All the things he wanted to say we're unsaid, and Robin grinned at him.

"You Dum dum." She chuckled quietly.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 66, TBT Steampunk Chronicles

066 Small victories

Art Liked the Small victories the best. When they had hardly lost any men, and it was hard to tell a battle had happened at all.

These were the battles where every move mattered, every play. Who would go left? Would there be a follow up?

Things were on the edge of your seat, and Art could never get enough of it. That’s why, as Art maneuvered his gatling gun to the right, he laughed. His head thrown back, his chest heaving. A laugh which those on the other ships heard.

They looked at him like he was crazy, and maybe they all were they all had their darkness. Him and his bloodthirst. Lina and her below the belt cruelty, leading them to beg her for mercy. Thomas and his outright anger at his enemies, he didn’t care what happened to his foes. So long as he won in the end.

Jared and his cold uncaringness. When someone had wronged him, they were dealt with swiftly, and coldly. Robin had her false innocence, lulling them in with happy smiles, and a bright visage. Only to deal with them with gore and anger.

They all had their madness.

So what if Art liked his Small victories.

It was better than what the others liked.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 65, TBT Steampunk Chronicles

065 Pain you can hear

  When the bullet ripped through his shoulder. Thomas swore he could hear it. As a ringing started in his ears, his vision swirled, and suddenly Robin was screaming above him. His crew had been out doing things for the day as they docked at the port city. Things were going fine, Thomas and robin had stayed behind to secure cargo, and keep things in order.

They hadn’t expected the Sniper.

Nor the bullet lodged in his shoulder.

“Thomas!” Robins voice sounded strange, really panicked and high pitched. Why was there this strange copper smell in the air? He groaned at the waves of pain rotating from his shoulder.

“Thomas! We need to get the others!”

Others?

Oh yeah, his crew. How?

Robin started to bang around the control panel until she found the radio. Turning it on, she could hear her frantically yelling into it. When she got a response she told them to hurry. Before she quickly sank to her knees next to him, and started to put pressure on the wound.

Muttering to herself she got out the spare medical box out from under the control panel. He looked at her, things were fuzzy, and he was finding it hard to concentrate.

She was saying something.

“This is gonna hurt Thomas, i’m sorry.”

Then he felt a gut wrenching pain come from his shoulder. He seized up and screamed, but Robin had deft hands, and managed to get the bullet out quickly. She put gauze over wound, and was in the middle of trying to tie it when the pounding of footsteps entered the room.

He heard Robin again then.

“About time you got-”

She was screaming.

With hazy eyes he watched her blurry figure be picked up. As she kicked and screamed, Thomas felt his heart race. he needed to get up, he needed to help her. He Heard a male scream, and Flesh hitting flesh. And a short scream.

“She bit me!”

“Holy shit she did! Your bleeding man!”

“We weren't supposed to hit her man! Alexanders orders!”

“Screw Alexander just bring her in!.”

“Thomas! Thomas!”

Things went black.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 64, TBT Steampunk Chronicles

064 It was poison

It was poison the way the capital operated. The way they would gut the land. Killing its citizens, and ruling the world without anyone ever knowing. Jared blew out into the foggy air. It was a cold morning. Everyone else was still asleep. He looked around in his crows nest, the ship was gently swaying in place as the dawn started to pool around the edges of his vision.

It was quite beautiful out here in this early morning air. He looked at the small city miles in his vision. Every from here he could tell that the land was scorched by the capital. Lack of food, taxes, and good ps have sucked this town dry.

The poison was filling it's streets, damning it's world and killing so many.

Watching someone die, because they had nothing. Was the worst thing. Jared sighed, puffing out a breath once more. He could imagine his parents, slowly dying, waiting for him to come home with his fortune.

He gave a sad smile. He had many months yet, until he could see them.

He could only hope they weren't decaying by this poison too.

The capital needed to be stopped.

Jared could feel it in his bones.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 63, TBT Steampunk Chronicles

063 A promise you never meant to keep

  Lina leaned down, looking at the small boy. She smiled, almost tenderly. He looked at her with utter devotion, and her breath caught.  

“Mama?” he asked. His head tilting, she chuckled ruffling his hair.

“Mama has to go for a little while she said gently.” Lina felt her throat close and she held back her tears.

Michael had his arms crossed, leaning against the door he stared at her. His eyes were no longer accusing, or angry. They were just sad. Lina looked back toward her son, and he stared into her soul.

“You promise you’ll come back?” His voice was soft, as he hugged the stuffed lion his uncle Art had given him. She grinned at him, "of course I will."

"You have to promise." He stated firmly.

Lina stared at him for a long time memorizing his face, his curly hair. His brown eyes.

"I promise." She whispered thickly.

As she left Michael hugged her tightly. A frown on his face, and Lina shook her head, she couldn't dwell on things that could be. This was the last shed see of them, she knew it was. As the pit in her soul grew larger she bit back her tears. She had a job to do, and she would do it.

It was was a promise.

This was a promise she never meant to keep.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 62, TBT Steampunk Chronicles

 062 No longer who I used to be

  Jared watched from the Shadows as the crew ran on the ground. his mind whirled and spun. They looked so familiar, like he had met them before. Maybe they knew the truth about him, maybe they knew who he was.

He shook his head. They were targets, the man had said so. If he killed them, eliminated the threat. He’d be told who he was. The man had promised.

Why did the thought make him so cold. Jared shivered. Something was calling deep within him. To trust them, to come home. Jared did his best to ignore it. It lingered, its fingers teasing at his thoughts. he shook it off. Targets, thats all they were.

A bomb shook the earth, and Jared looked at the chaos with no emotion. Men and women fought, with guns, with ships, with teeth and claws. Jared almost felt sorry for them. These S.S Little Dipper people.

They looked so refined in their teamwork. In their loyalty. Something stirred again.

When The littlest looked up, to meet his eyes. Suddenly he knew.

Her eyes Wide, hopeful, scared, above all else baffled. Her jaw fell, and he saw the mouthed words.

He knew then.

They knew him.

Something inside him snapped.

He was no longer who he used to be.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 61, TBT Steampunk Chronicles

061 The price paid

Lina was screaming.

Robin was crying.

Jared was yelling.

Art was grabbing his gun.

Thomas was spinning the ship around as fast as he could.

There had been a battle, and the bombs had been extra heavy, as a tank ally ship had drawn itself in front of the S.S Little Dipper. It had been blasted to bits. Shrapnel flying everywhere, it had rained over the S.S Little Dipper. Thomas had a cut along his arm, nothing to bad. Art had a piece stuck in his back that he could barely feel. Robin had her shoulder impaled, Jared had managed to duck down and away from the flying metal.

But Lina…

Her eye had been dead on pierced. She screamed bloody murder, and Robin had rushed to her side.

“GET US OUT OF HERE!” Art yelled firing another explosive Round.

“I’M TRYING!” Thomas screamed back.

Robin’s hands shook as they attempted to get the shrapnel out. Jared was using his entire body to hold her down. Lina was writhing in agony, her voice already going raw. Finally Robin evened her breathing, and quick and precisely she plucked it out. The eye was beyond repair. She’d have to operate more later. When she had good supplies, and steady footing. For now she kept pressure with a cloth.

It was already matted with thick dark blood.

Jared grunted as Lina lurched once more. Her scream leaving him pale and shaken.

“C’mon.” He muttered looking at the fading chaos behind them. Soon the carnegie was no more than a dot in the distance. Robin nodded to him.

“Help me get her to medical.” She said, Jared nodded, and together they brought their fallen comrade to the medical bay.  

It was a long and sleepless night that night.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 60, TBT Steampunk Chronicals

060 The small mistakes

When Robin saw the smoke billowing from the engine all she could think was, “Oh shit”. The next, “we’re gonna die.” Swearing heavily she sealed the engine core, and flipped on her radio. Coughing she tried to contact their captain.

“Thomas. I may have made a small mistake.”

There was a pause. Before Thomas came through the line. “What do you mean ‘mistake.’”

Robin could feel the trepidation in his voice. She chuckled nervously as one of the engine gave a loud groan.

“I may have tried to hold the core together with duct tape.”

“YOU WHAT!?”

“In my defence, the label said it could fix anything! Plus, I was out of supplies.”

“...Are you even real.”

“Hey, I’ve gotten this baby out of a ton of scraps! I just need uh…”

Thomas sighed and Robin rubbed the back of her neck. “What do you need?” He asked, groaning into the radio.

“I’ll need a cooling rod, and some defrag jelly. Oh! and a fire be-gone sprayer.”

“...What the hell is that stuff?”

Robin groaned. “Nevermind, how close are we to the next town?”

“Three miles..?”

Robin swore, looking at the engine nervously she narrowed her eyes determinedly. “Alright, Thomas, get us there as quick as you can.”

She grabbed two rolls of duct tape. “You better hold up to your logo, or I swear…” She snarled under her breath.

Sometimes the small mistakes were the funnest.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 59, TBT Steampunk Chronicles

059  Very cold and very young

  Lina shivered, her little feet brushing the pavement. she was waiting for her sister to be done with the exchanging of goods for the day. Lina puffed out streams of air, it coiled in the air around her and she was so glad it was only fall.

“We’re done Lina.” Her older sister smiled at her tiredly, and Lina huffed. Even though they were twins Laura still held it over her head that she was the older twin.

“When’s our next delivery?” Lina asked.

Laura tilted her head looking at the sky, the sun was setting. “Sundown.” Lina frowned, it was never good to be out late at night.

“Why so late?” Lina asked, skepticism rising into her voice.

Laura Shrugged, “I don’t know. I assume the Client likes discretion.”

“I dont like it.” Lina muttered.

“Me neither.” Laura sighed.

They stared at eachother for a long time.

“Wanna skip?” Lina’s voice was teasing, and Laura grinned. “You know what? Sure.” Laura laughed, spinning she turned on her heel and ran. Her laugh vibrating in Lina’s ears.

[tenderbutttoucherswriteshit]

Chapter 58, TBT Steampunk Chronicles

058 We’d best get on with it then

Thomas walked resolutely into the weapons bay. They were on the eve of battle and everyone was gearing up for the big showdown. Adjusting the pistol on his waist, he pushed the door open. The first person he saw was Art. Art had an assault rifle on his back, and a multitude of guns on his person. He was definitely ready.

Lina had daggers on her waist, and pistols strapped to her thighs. Her hands were wrapped with tape, and she looked ready as ever.

Jared had canisters hidden all over himself, which held some dangerous chemicals.

Robin slipped on some rubber gloves, and twirled around her staff. It crackled and Thomas winced. She also had some strange traps stuck in pockets, and strapped around her waist.

Thomas chuckled.

“Well, we’d best get on with it then.”

His crew grinned fiercely.