Chapter 14: The Thing

Wilson stood there, his eyes fixed on the staff Ryland held. His disbelief was palpable, his finger trembling as he pointed at the intricate design of the staff. "Is that...?"

Alan, with a serene smile, gently waved his hand, signaling Wilson to lead the way. "Let's talk inside," he suggested calmly.

As they walked towards the warehouse, the enormity of the place became evident. What was once a vast open space had been transformed into smaller partitions spanning multiple floors. Each partition buzzed with activity—metalworking, mechanical work, workshops, a recreation area, and even living quarters. The hustle and bustle indicated the diverse range of services being offered, from transport modification to metallurgy.

In this post-apocalyptic wasteland, the aftermath of a nuclear blast had rendered many vehicles useless. The only way to keep them running was through extensive repair and modifications, and Wilson's gang seemed to have mastered this craft.

Lambda, ever the businessman, queried, "So aside from monopolizing Mercurial, you've been recruiting New Humans with specialized abilities for your workshops?"

Wilson nodded proudly. "Indeed. Telekinesis for handling delicate machinery, enhanced strength for heavy lifting, and even pyrokinesis for metal smelting. My vision? To produce vehicles that could revolutionize transportation in the wasteland. I aim to go legit."

The group was visibly impressed. It was rare to find a gangster with such noble ambitions.

Wilson opened a door to reveal a spread of food and drinks neatly arranged on a table. Lambda, Alan, O'kuyo, and Ryland—with White Boy perched on his shoulder—entered the room. From inside, Lambda called out to Rocco and Juice, instructing them to wait outside for a moment.

The duo requested their pickaxes. Lambda handed the tools to Wilson, who then passed them to Rocco and Juice. Their hands trembled slightly as they accepted the pickaxes from Wilson. He responded with a gentle smile. After collecting their tools, they nodded to Wilson in a gesture of respect before departing.

Wilson's shout echoed through the warehouse, instructing his men to treat Rocco and Juice with respect. He then turned his attention back to the group, and close the door.

Lambda leaned forward, intrigued by Wilson's account. "So, how did you manage to counter Rocco and Juice's Tornado Spin technique?"

Wilson leaned back, a confident smirk playing on his lips. "Well, when my guy went to check on Olha Mine that morning, he noticed you weren't there—just Rocco and Juice, with no mining activity in sight. Instead of keeping his cool, the idiot decided to pick a fight with Rocco, asking why they weren't working."

He paused for effect, "Rocco didn't take kindly to that. He sent my guy flying with one swift move." Wilson chuckled

"Upon hearing this, I decided to pay a visit to the mine myself, seeking answers from Rocco and Juice. I gave them a choice: face me individually or both at once. They chose the latter, attacking simultaneously, which resulted in the bruises you saw."

Wilson continued, "But here's where the tables turned. Olha Mine is a treasure trove of Mercurial. During our skirmish, we accidentally struck a barrel of it near the storage area. That provided me with additional Mercurial to forge a stronger hammer and a sturdier shield."

A glint of mischief sparkled in his eyes as he elaborated further, "When they attempted their Tornado Spin once more, I transformed my Mercurial into a whip, allowing them to whirl around in their tornado. Just as they were about to reach me, I solidified the whip, trapping them in their own vortex. After that, the outcome was all but certain—a straightforward victory for me."

Lambda extended his hand towards Wilson, admiration evident in his eyes. "You've got some impressive skills, Wilson. I respect that." Wilson grasped Lambda's hand firmly, sealing their newfound understanding. "Yeah! It's decided then," Wilson said with a nod, "There'll be no hostilities between Wilson's Gang and Lambda Mining Company."

Alan interjected, his tone serious yet diplomatic, "That's a wise decision, both of you."

Ryland leaned forward, his youthful enthusiasm evident. "Now, onto more pressing matters." He exchanged a glance with Lambda before diving into the narrative. "Yesterday, we stumbled upon something unexpected at Olha Mine."

Lambda took over, detailing their recent discoveries and the staff, and Alan explain to Wilson about Ryland and O'kuyo's roots.

Wilson's keen eyes scanned the intricate details of the staff that Ryland held, then shifted his gaze to Ryland's face, bringing his own inches away. The intensity of his scrutiny made Ryland instinctively flinch. With a slight smirk, Wilson remarked, "You do bear a striking resemblance to Xavier and Xania. The universe has a funny way of weaving connections, doesn't it?"

Without missing a beat, Wilson moved over to O'kuyo, getting just as close. Instead of flinching, O'kuyo responded with a playful and exaggerated expression. A burst of laughter escaped Ryland, breaking the tension.

With a chuckle, Wilson added, "And you, my friend, are unmistakably Kalitesi. Fate has a way of intertwining lives and stories in the most unexpected ways." He leaned back, giving them room to breathe but maintaining the weight of his gaze.

"As for the staff," Wilson continued, "My theory aligns with what you've already surmised. Given its weight, it likely got catapulted during the blast, but its trajectory led it to Olha Mine while I found myself in a different location."

Alan approached Wilson with a determined look. "We're gearing up to search for Xavier's Lost Party soon. Do you have any insights on where we should start?"

Wilson paused, reflecting on his past explorations. "I've scoured the area before, but it yielded no results. However, with a larger group, we might have better luck. There's a town beyond the mountains called Aulia Town."

Intrigued, Alan probed further, "Why Aulia Town specifically?"

Wilson leaned in, recounting a memory, "During the ill-fated flight, I overheard Xania expressing a desire to visit someone there. Xavier seemed to agree, though I never caught the name of the person she wanted to see. If Xania survived the crash near Minty Town, Aulia would likely be her destination."

The group nodded, absorbing the information. Wilson then inquired about their travel plans. Lambda proudly mentioned his truck.

A chuckle escaped Wilson's lips, quickly followed by an apologetic tone. "No disrespect intended, but traversing the mountainous terrain with potential high-level beasts and monsters? That truck wouldn't last a day."

Lambda, undeterred, asked, "So, would you be willing to upgrade our truck for the journey?"

With a sly grin, Wilson replied, "I have an even better proposition." Gesturing for them to follow, he led the group to his workshop. Inside, Wilson summoned Luke-Man, a peculiar figure boasting a human-cyborg hybrid appearance with a robotic right hand.

Approaching Wilson, Luke-Man announced, "The plasma emitter from Professor Abishek Kapoor was successfully integrated."

Impressed, Wilson commended Luke-Man's engineering prowess. Luke-Man humbly credited Professor Kapoor's precise design for the smooth installation. Wilson smirked, hinting at future collaborations. But for now, he urged Luke-Man to unveil "The Thing" to their guests.

The group exchanged puzzled glances, collectively asking, "The Thing?"

A massive hangar door slowly lifted, revealing a colossal truck. It was a behemoth, reminiscent of the vehicles from Mad Max films—armored plating, mounted guns and cannons, reinforced wheels, and a menacing presence that commanded respect.

The group was speechless. Alan, ever the diplomat, asked if Wilson intended to lend them the vehicle. Wilson grinned, delivering a bombshell: "No, I have a better idea. I'm joining you!"

The room buzzed with a mix of shock, surprise, and anticipation. The journey ahead had just become a lot more interesting.