Chapter 4: Encounter

I wasn't able to sleep for long. Michael woke me up by nudging my head with his own.

"What's wrong bud-" I quickly stopped talking when I noticed light shine through the cracks in the wall.

I looked over at the window on my left and it was still night outside. Meaning that there were either raiders outside or that soldiers unit was here. It didn't matter which one it was because both would lead to the same outcome.

I crouch walked to the wall furthest from the door. Since I had made an escape route built through that wall in case of situations like this.

I carefully moved one of the planks aside just far enough for Michael and I to squeeze through. Once outside I peeked my head around the corner.

There were four men. Meaning the original unit was probably a five man recon squadron. One of them had some sort of robotic machine flying near him. It doesn't seem to be made for combat so it shouldn't be a problem.

I can only see four guys and a machine while I only have three bullets. Luckily only two of them are holding lanterns.

"Ok buddy, just like we trained. Michael surprise!" I commanded.

Just like that he bolted past the right side of the shed taking their attention with him. Allowing for me to pop out the left side. Taking aim and firing a shot at the closest guy with a lantern.

Once he was down the other men turned in my direction. Though before they could get a good read on my location. I shot the last lantern head on bursting the oil lantern. Setting fire to the man holding it and to the grass around him. Causing enough chaos to turn their attention off of me and to get close enough to the third guy to use my knife on him.

I got behind him and dug my knife into his neck. However now I was exposed giving the last guy the perfect shot on me. Though unlike him I wasn't alone.

Right as he was about to take his shot on me Michael leaped up and bit his arm. Giving me the perfect opportunity to rush him with my knife. Allowing me to slash his throat open before he could hurt Michael or me.

"Now that's a good boy." I said to Michael as he looked up at me tapping his little feet on the ground and wagging his tail.

I heard a rattling sound beside me. I looked over on the ground and it was the machine from earlier shaking on the ground. In the light I could tell that it was a V shaped machine that was painted all white with blue accents.

I crouched down and made my way to poke it with my knife. Before it shot backwards away from me.

"Don't touch me with that nasty thing!" It shouted at me.

"…Huh?"

"Don't huh me. You were about to touch me with your knife that has another persons blood on it." It said as I stood back up. "Actually from down here I can see where I stand. Please don't dismantle me."

"You change your tune pretty quick." I said as I turned away from it.

"That's it!? You really don't care about a flying talking robot?" The robot asked as he flew up beside me as I looted the men.

"Not really." I said tossing my gun for one of their side arms.

Giving that they weren't able to shoot a single shot at me I'm hoping they're full.

"Wow… These guys saw me and practically blew up with excitement. I mean it should be unusual to see technology like me on your planet."

"Not as unusual as to find something as annoying." I said as I stood back up and made my way towards the shed.

I tried my best to ignore the robot but it decided to follow me. And without even asking to continued to talk to me.

"Ahhh, I see. You're the funny guy. It's always nice to see that even on such an underdeveloped planet humor isn't dead."

"If you don't explain what you are and why I shouldn't dismantle you. Then the only thing here that will be dead is you." I said as I took out the map from my pocket.

"Well for starters I can confirm that the ship marked on that map is real." He stated to where I stopped walking. "Now that I have your attention. I'm here on your planet because of that spaceship. And my name, thank you so much for asking, is TOBOR. Yes it's an acronym but I can see you're the type that doesn't care. Also as to why you should keep me because you can't fly that thing without me. Think of me as the things key."

"Doesn't necessarily mean I need you alive then."

"I won't work as a key unless I work. Kind of like an engine key hybrid."

I looked at the robot then over at Michael. Who only seemed to think of the robot as some cool frisbee.

"FIne. But if you decide to do anything, you become his new toy." I said pointing at Michael.

"I.. I see. So what's the plan partner?"

"No. Not partners. But we should start making our way to that ship of yours. No point staying here." I said as I started walking in its direction.

"Lead the way!"