Old Conductor, Possessed Anew
Interlude 1
Pov: Tierna
"We must leave to survive."
That had been the cause of a lot of commotion and arguing a couple weeks ago. This message, delivered by the Seer Starum, was contested by much of the High Council. And honestly, while she believed in the Seer's message, she couldn't blame them.
The Taneum Tribe had been a successful one over the years, having shown their power and ability over others, both tribal and raider, that attempted to oppose them. They weren't even aggressive and warlike, yet their master marksmanship with rifles combined with solid tactics and modern knowledge had seen to their victories.
This had come about due to a group of refugees, escapees of a pillaged town named Thorp, having arrived decades ago. Her parents were among these refugees, with her being born a decade later.
The Taneum had accepted them in, and prospered because of it. New knowledge and information was taken in and accepted, helping to unlock ways and methods of the old world, and a couple surviving guards had helped instruct Taneum Tribals in how to best shoot and pick off targets from hundreds of yards away. They had made the tribe strong, and with that they dealt more and more blows upon long time opponents. Dangerous wildlife were dealt with, the occasional trader was invited in and bartered with, and what few raiders and threats came from the distant highway were defended against, the area avoided by the tribe due to stories of Thorp's downfall among other dangers.
Well now all the success had come back to bite them, as the Taneum had refused to withdraw and flee from their homes. Instead, her fellow tribe members fortified- readied themselves for battle against whatever foe would find them.
And yesterday, that foe had been found. A large army coming from the south, wicked men proudly bearing the skulls of those slain by them, their stores of meat looking unsettling and not like an animal's from a distance. Little was learned about them, only their names by a fleeing person- the Salemites.
The Taneum Army had marched out to oppose them, and indeed from a distance we were able to see that they gave a great fight! However the Salemites were simply too cruel, too numerous. On-par or better weapon wise, and with chems to dull the pain and fear, they decimated the army sent against them.
Only then was the decision made to flee, and even then instead of the organized evacuation it would have been a couple weeks ago, it was a chaotic affair. Only helped by those that had the foresight to prepare, they had started fleeing when the Salemites had appeared.
Now Tierna watched sorrowfully at what was once her home from a distance, those that had managed to escape too nearby. In the far distance her home burned, what warriors remaining fighting alongside those that weren't able to flee in time against the Salemites flooding the settlement. They would fall, yet they fought fiercely- hoping to buy enough time for her and the others to flee.
With tearful eyes they would do so, turning as they and a few separate Taneum groups would split and run- hoping to escape
1 Week Later
It had not been enough.
She along with over two dozen others would listen nervously over their sole radio, listening as they heard one of the other escapee groups fall- their fellows having been caught by surprise by a Salemite attack while exchanging information. They listened as cries of pain, fear, and determination sounded out along with clashes of weapons and guns. Then static as something knocked out their radio.
"...We'll be next."
That statement caused many to whip their heads around to the speaker, one of the few warriors they had left. A couple seemed to be on the verge of a breakdown as he spoke further.
"They're hunting us down, one by one. We confirmed that with Tan-erd's group, just before they got attacked. Two out of five escaped groups ambushed and attacked, three now. We've been picking off Salemite scouts over the past few days, but they may not be scouts. Watchers more like."
"B-but why? Why hunt us like this, and HOW!?" One of the others would shout out, near hysterically before the others shushed her. They were in the wilderness, and while possibly safe such noise can attract unwanted attention.
"We know they surrounded our town, cut it off from people escaping." He grunted out. "What are the odds that at least some noticed those that had already gotten out, timing was close after all. They probably kept an eye on us and watched as we split, and once the main group finished sacking our homes- they pursued. As for why, who knows? Those people are savage Cannibals after all."
"The real question we should be asking though, is what do we do now?"
At the heated conversation broke out, people suggesting or arguing for all kinds of actions- some possible and others improbable. Tierna herself remained quiet, as did a handful of others, wanting to listen or having no ideas of their own. It was looking like the arguments would happen for much longer, until one previously silent voice cut through the crowd.
"South east."
Despite the voice being on the quiet side and singular, it cut through the crowd as all stopped speaking. Turning, they witnessed Seer Starum sit up, the old man wincing a bit as he struggled upwards. A couple others rushed over to help him, the man having been unconscious for much of their exodus. It wasn't surprising either, as he had been caught in an ambush just as they had fled. It wasn't even Salemites either, instead the foes being a flight of Radwasps.
"South east… there lies salvation. There an Orchestrator lays, a band of metal and light commanded before them. A piece of the Ancients." He would pause, shaking as he let out a series of wheezing coughs, before continuing.
"They will save our people. The ruins of the Taneum's Blessing is where they lay."
At that Tierna couldn't help but gasp, and more then a few had that same reaction. Taneum's Blessing was occasionally what the refugee group she had been descended from had come from, so the ruins must mean…
"You mean Thorp, our Seer?" One of the others, an older man from Thorp itself, would ask critically. This drew a couple glances from others, but the Seer would merely nod.
"Yes. Find salvation there, and once the avoided path has been seen, call out. Call and they shall come to save all of you."
As everyone's hopes started to increase, Tierna couldn't help but voice something she had noticed.
"But not you Seer?"
At that everyone quieted, turning to the old man who gave a sad smile.
"Unfortunately so, young Tierna. My body is too weakened from the stings of the Radwasp, and even should I survive that along, I will not be able to move. At least, not fast enough to join you." He would say as he collapses back onto his cot, pain wracking his body as one of the others brought forth a medical pack, withdrawing a syringe only to pause at the Seer's shaking but raised hand.
"N-no child, save it for o-one that will need it." He would gently yet painfully say. Remaining silent, everyone would silently start preparing to move out as one of the others stayed by the Seer at all times, keeping him company and praying.
Finally though the beginnings of the morning light would be seen, and the man would nod to the person who had grabbed the syringe. Nodding sorrowfully, they would grab a few different ingredients from their pack, quickly using the dimming fire and a pan to boil and mix together a concoction.
Soon finished, they would bring the drink to the Seer. Smiling softly, the Seer would shakily take off his necklace, a heirloom of his family, before handing it to the vigilant man. Grasping the cup, with a bit of help he would down it, making a bit of a face as it goes down.
Once empty, he would lay fully down. Eyes already drooping a bit, he would utter once last sentence.
"Let the story of the Taneum live on, my family."
With that, he would close his eyes. The man would silently let a few tears fall as he brings up a simple lighter. Once the old man's breathing stills, he ignites it and lowers it, letting the lower end of the small amount of bedding catch on fire.
By the time the Salemites would arrive hours later, they would see nothing but a charred corpse- unsuitable for their use.
The Next Day
"We're going to have to turn it on." Tierna would say grimly. As second in command of their group, she had been present when she and their leader, Gale, had listened to the reports of their scout, and it didn't paint a good picture.
They had currently reached the Highway, or the 'avoided path' as a few of the more tribal-minded called it. They had started moving southeast, staying just off to the side of it, but a scout sent ahead had returned with bad news.
"Salemites at our front, and likely more at our rear. We may have a bit of time as they organize with one another, but attacking one would slow us down long enough for the other to finish us off, even if we did win." Gale would comment, grimacing as he thought.
That was a big if too, as of the 29 or so left, only 6 had been warriors or hunters before the fall of their people. Another 14 were capable of fighting, but only a few had adequate experience with weapons or fighting. The rest were either too young, too injured, or too important to risk.
"Then we fortify this spot, and wait for whoever may answer to arrive." She would comment. They had all just reached a creak, the old bridge going over it still sturdy enough to go over. In the distance would be the highway, currently empty of anything but wrecks and the occasional skeleton, while in front of them laid a large hill.
Gale would simply grunt as everyone trekked upwards, seeing the small but long building before them. What purpose it served in the past is unknown, but now it would serve as their momentary shelter.
"Few spots that would provide cover, but at least the elevation helps. Some solid debris that could be moved up to, and that wrecked vehicle can provide cover on the main path up." She would note as they approach one of their fellows, the older man bringing out their dinged up radio equipment.
"Fredric, you think the radio can reach Thorp from here?" Tierna would ask, catching his attention as Gale laid out the old map they had been using, marking down the hill they were on.
"...It should. Transmitter's a bit damaged, but it should last long enough to be heard. Won't last long though."
"We don't need long, just have to get the message through. Can that be done?" Gale would ask, getting a nod from the man.
"Good, get it set up quickly. Won't matter if the Salemites hear us now, we just need to get it through."
Some minutes later it would be set up, and as the first sightings of Salemites checking their position comes through, Gale would get on the radio.
"This is Warrior Gale, leader of the fleeing Taneum Remnant. We are about to be besieged by Salemites, brutal cannibals that have invaded our lands, and we need assistance."
"We are located at… Watt Canyon Hill. If anyone is listening, please help. They're hunting us, and will kill everyone, including our young."
She would watch as her leader grimaced, ending the transmission and ordering it to be looped. Wouldn't last long, as already a slightly burnt smell was beginning to come from the set.
If they were close enough as confirmed, it would have to be enough.
"Everyone, listen up. We have the transmission going, now we just got to hold out for as long as possible. Delay these savages for as long as possible, and help will arrive. By the Seer's words, we will live on! Now get to your positions, and when the cannibals come, give them hell!"
The message, while short, seems to help reignite the determination in many of our people, and as they disperse he would go to one of the more capable injured together, a makeshift sling showing why he wasn't carrying a rifle.
"Get those not fighting into the building, and keep them safe. Should we be overrun… you and the others know what to do." He says grimly as he hands him a pistol. The man, boy really due to being a teen, would grimmly nod as he accepts the gun- shepherding the others inside.
As this happened, Tierna would let out a sigh as she brought up her lever-action rifle. This would be tough- they were outnumbered, and while many of the Cannibals would have lever-action rifles, hunting rifles, or shotguns like they did, they'd also have assault rifles and submachine guns. Of that, they only had two assault rifles, and one of them was an older one that needed constant maintenance.
With luck though, and perhaps the guidance of the Gods, they would prevail.
An Hour Later
She took her statement back, it was already becoming too much.
They had expected the Salemites to merely start probing and scouting out what they had established first, and indeed they had done that. However, they had begun their attack sooner then expected, and with a ferocity that almost immediately required them to bring up those that had been in reserve. They couldn't pull off anyone guarding the other sides either, as they were busy with the slow but dangerous shootout with the other Salemites surrounding them, keeping them from pushing forward as the main battle was fought.
Already they had lost three people, and another two had become too injured to fight on- their last few diluted stimpacks being reserved to those that would die without them.
They had gotten their due, and well over a couple dozen Salemites had been taken down. However, many of those had been evidently new blood or poorly trained, equipped with only melee weapons or basic weapons. Now though they were pressing the attack with more heavily armed fighters, including three assault rifles pouring fire onto them. And one of their own had finally broken, leaving just one automatic gun of their own.
If a miracle didn't happen soon, then they were-
"TAKE COVER!"
The yell would just barely occur before Tierna's world was rocked, flying for just a brief moment before she hit the ground. Her ears would ring lightly, and a pain in her arm would cause her to look at it, seeing the fragment of shrapnel embedded within.
Looking up, she'd see the wrecked vehicle that had been used as cover destroyed. It lacking an intact nuclear engine saved them from a radioactive explosion, but as is the three behind it were flat out dead- including Gale.
"Seal the breach, quickly!"
"Gale is down, fight on!"
"Get the wounded back!"
"Find whoever threw that grenade and take them down! That grenade wasn't a normal one, and we can't let them throw another!"
'So that's how they blew it up.' She would dazily think before shaking her head, wincing at the aching pain rising from the action. Trying to ignore it she would pick back up her rifle and return to cover, raising it up-
-only to come face to face with a Salemite.
Yelling in surprise she'd manage to fire first, blood bursting from his chest as he fell back- only to be replaced by two more as others got into close range with the front lines.
Working the lever of her rifle, she would barely get off a second shot as she was forced to fall backwards to avoid a slash from a bayonet, the round wounding one of them in the shoulder. The other would be right on her, a snarl on his face as he raised his rifle up before bringing it down.
Panicking, Tierna would barely block the blade with her rifle, damaging it but stopping the plunge. His strength would be greater though, slowly inching the blade downwards towards her chest.
Around her others would engage in close quarters fighting, drawing blades or wielding shotguns as they fought the engaging Salemites. Even if they won against their foes however, it would just let the others approach. Already she could see others from other areas of their defenses running forward, firing into the attacking mass. While providing some relief, this would no doubt let other Salemites take advantage and charge.
It was over.
They had failed.
They were going to- what?
These thoughts would pause as the pressure lessens. Gazing up, she'd be shocked to see a blade run through the Salemite's chest, the man's eyes comically open. The other, wounded Salemite would be gaping too as something appeared out of thin air, some kind of robot if she remembered the term correctly.
They would not get the chance to respond though as it swung it's other arm, carving open a deep cut into the savage's head and causing them to fall backwards.
New chaos ensued as another one of them decloaked, the two robots surprising both sides as they begun tearing into the savages. They would start to rally and charge the feminine looking robots, only for one of them to suddenly let out a beam of bright red light, a laser that would carve through three cannibals in it's sweep, turning two to ash, as it ended upon a fourth- the person intact but dead.
This would make the other Salemites withdraw in fear, not knowing just what this thing is and fearful of it's abilities. It would be then that she heard the sounds of fighting occurring elsewhere.
Shakily standing up, she'd lean upon a piece of wrecked equipment as she gazes upon the Salemite forces.
And they were being decimated.
Robots advanced upon them, these ones more recognizable from one of the few books that had been brought from Thorp. Two Sentry Bots slowly rumbled forward from the direction of the highway, letting loose bursts of lasers and bullets. As she watched, one of them would fire a missile, hitting a Salemite bringing out an odd grenade from a pack, killing him and three nearby cannibals as the rocket also detonated the explosives.
Just a bit further back would be a few flying robots, Mister Gutsies and Eyebots both providing their own support fire with lasers and plasma. Shots would be fired back, and one of the Eyebots would fall to the ground as one of the Mister Gutsies would fall back, it's cursing hearable from here as an arm sparked.
They would last however, and what few Salemites remaining would try to flee- only to be cut down by both the robots and a reinvigorated Taneum defense; rifles joining gatling lasers as the retreating foe was mowed down.
It would be over just a couple minutes later, with the sounds of fighting on the other fronts fading.
The robots would spread out as one, a Mister Gutsy, approached. Her fellow tribals would look on equally hopeful and nervous, glancing at the approaching bot and the pair of feminine robots still among them.
Taking a breath, she'd walk forward, only stumbling a bit. A few would start walking forward to help, only for a raised hand to keep them back. She was their leader now, and she would represent them.
Stopping before the robot, the two would regard each other for a moment. Just as she was about to go to her knees, half out of exhaustion and half out of a plea, the robot would speak.
"Are you this group's leader?" A voice would come out, it surprisingly different from the one she heard from a Mister Gutsy just a few minutes ago.
"...I am. I am Tierna, leader of the last known survivors of the Taneum people. I ask of you, please help us."
The bot would merely hover there, the moment dragging on and causing Tierna to start having doubt. However, she would get an answer.
"I'm called the Conductor, but we can talk in greater detail later. For now, let's get you to safety."