Vin’s office was a stark contrast to the chaotic atmosphere of the Nexus Bar. The walls displayed old maps and technical schematics; the faint hum of machines working tirelessly filled the background. A low, dim light illuminated a desk cluttered with papers, data-pads, and a half-empty glass of liquor. Vin was sitting behind the desk, his enormous frame barely fitting behind it, his hands confidently gesturing as he spoke.

  He slid a data-pad across the table to Andy, showing the schematics of a device—small, rectangular, about the size of a fist. It was sleek, with circuits running through its design, yet it held a certain ancient quality to it.

  “This is what we’re looking for,” Vin said, his voice steady but intense. “It’s not much, but it’s the key to everything. We know it’s not here—this part, anyway. It’s out there. In the Wasteland.” He tapped the schematic for emphasis, his finger tracing the lines of the design. “There’s something in the catacombs that this device needs to be placed into, to activate it. But we’re still looking for that exact spot. So, one step at a time. I’m a patient man, Andy.”

  Andy studied the schematics carefully, trying to keep his composure, but the weight of the situation was settling in. This wasn’t just some treasure hunt or salvage mission. This device, whatever it was and whatever it could do, affected the city’s future—perhaps even the world’s.

  “Alright," Andy said, his voice steady despite the storm of thoughts racing through his mind.,” So, what do you want me to do?"

  Vin looked up from the data-pad and locked eyes with Andy. His gaze was piercing, measuring, as though evaluating Andy’s every reaction. “What you’ve already been doing, kid. But this time, it’s different.”

  He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms as if contemplating his next words carefully. "You’re going to accept the deal with the Vanguard. They’re the ones that go into the wasteland regularly. Why do the job when other can do it for you? I need you there. You’ll be their mechanic, their tech expert, their soldier, whatever they need. But I need you there. You’re the only one who has the skills to understand what they might find out there. And you’re the one who’ll recognize the device for what it really is whenever you come across it.”

  Andy frowned, uncertainty clouding his features. “But why would they take me? I’ve never even been to the Wasteland. Last time I was there, Bastion hadn’t even fallen yet. I was just a kid then. Why would they trust me?”

  Vin leaned forward, a small, knowing smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "You got the smarts, kid. You figure that out. You’ve been moving around this city long enough to understand how things work. You make the right connections, acquire the right skills. And if the Vanguard needs someone who knows their way around tech and repair, they’re going to need someone who can think on their feet." He gave Andy a pointed look, his smile widening slightly. "And you’ve got that spark. Trust me, they’ll take you."

  Andy felt a sense of unease creep into his stomach. There was too much at stake, and the idea of being part of an expedition to the Wasteland, something he had only heard about in stories, filled him with both excitement and dread. He had always stayed within the city’s boundaries, never venturing far into the wilds where even the hardiest of survivors feared to tread.

  Vin’s voice broke through Andy’s thoughts, his tone softer now, almost reassuring. “Think of this as your chance to make a real impact, Andy. You’ve spent your life fixing things—machines, people, scraps. But now, you have the chance to fix the world itself. Or break it.” He gave a small, almost imperceptible shrug. "The choice is yours, but I’d suggest you make it quickly. Things are moving fast."

  Andy’s heart raced, torn between the opportunity to understand the mysteries of the Wasteland and the fear of what might lie in wait. The tension between ambition and survival gnawed at him. But there was no turning back now. Vin was right: the world wasn’t waiting for him. The game had already started.

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  He exhaled sharply, meeting Vin’s gaze one more time. “Alright. I’ll do it. But what’s the actual story with this device? Why is it so important?”

  Vin stood up, the air around him shifting as if the room had suddenly grown colder. “That, my friend, is something for me to know. But let me tell you one thing: what happened before the Severing, and what’s buried out there in the Wasteland, could change everything you think you know about this city and the world. This device? It’s not just a tool. It’s a key—a key to something far greater than any of us.”

  He paused, letting the weight of his words settle in. "So, get to work, Andy. Time’s ticking."

  With that, Vin turned and began moving toward the door, his body language signaling the end of the conversation. Andy stood there, the blueprint of the device still in his hands, a cold sweat running down his back as he realized the full scale of what he had just agreed to.

  The Wasteland. The Vanguard. The Relic. And the future of everything.

  Whatever came next, it was going to be bigger than anything Andy had ever imagined.

  As Andy stepped out of the Nexus Bar, his mind still reeling from Vin’s ominous words, he headed straight to Lana’s café. His hands were stiff, his chest tight, but he knew what he had to do. The decision to join the Vanguard was no longer just about him. It was about his grandfather’s safety, his future, and the promise he’d made to survive.

  The rain had slowed to a drizzle as he approached the café, the familiar glow of the neon sign offering a slight comfort. When he walked in, the warmth of the café and the smell of freshly brewed coffee filled his senses. Lana was behind the counter, wiping down the bar, her face lighting up when she saw him.

  "Hey, you," she greeted, though her smile faltered when she saw the look on his face. "You okay?"

  Andy didn’t answer right away, taking a deep breath before stepping up to the counter. “Lana... I need to talk to you.”

  Her brow furrowed, concern washing over her features. She gestured for him to sit. "What’s going on? You look like you’ve been through hell and back."

  Andy sat down, running a hand through his hair. "I’ve made my decision. I’m going to join the Vanguard."

  Lana’s expression shifted immediately, her eyes scanning his face as though searching for some sign that he wasn’t serious. "What? No, Andy, you can’t be serious. The Vanguard? That’s—"

  "I don’t have a choice," Andy cut her off, his voice firm but soft. "I need to do this. It’s the only way to make sure Grandpa’s okay. They’re already taking care of him, and I’ll be there with him. And look, it’s not like we won’t be able to see each other, okay? I’ll be sleeping in a new place, but we can still meet up. It’s not like I am going to drop off the corner of the world."

  Lana stood still for a moment, her hands gripping the counter as she processed what Andy had said. Her gaze softened, but there was still a flicker of concern in her eyes. "But Andy, joining them... it’s dangerous. You don’t know what you’re getting into. The Vanguard isn’t just some group of soldiers—it’s a machine, it’s really dangerous. You’ll be right in the middle of everything, and I don’t want you getting hurt."

  Andy reached across the counter, taking her hand gently. "I know you’re worried, Lana. I am, too. But I’ve seen how things are going, and I have to do something. I can’t keep waiting around for a miracle. But I’ll be close to you, and I’ll be close to Grandpa. We’ll make it work."

  Lana looked down at their joined hands for a moment, her mind clearly racing. Finally, she sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly as she looked up at him with a mixture of affection and reluctance. "I don’t like this. I don’t like the Vanguard, and I don’t like what this means for you, but... if this is what you think is best, I can’t stop you."

  Andy smiled weakly, relieved at least she wasn’t shutting him out. "I know. And I’ll still be me. We’ll still have our time together. It won’t change that."

  Lana squeezed his hand, the tension in her shoulders slowly dissipating. "Just... be careful, okay? I don’t want to lose you to them."

  "You won’t," Andy whispered. "I’ll make sure of it."

  Lana gave him a small, tight smile. "Alright then. Just... keep your head on straight, Andy. And come back to me in one piece."

  Andy nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of the decision, but at least feeling a little lighter now that Lana understood. "I will, Lana. I promise."

  The two of them shared a quiet moment, the sounds of the café and the soft patter of the rain outside providing a gentle backdrop. It wasn’t the easiest goodbye, but it was the beginning of a new chapter for both of them.