Sledge's death and New Heaven

[sorry had some problem with my family so I didn't have time to do this chapter.

Also i want to know what did you think of the last chapter. Thanks in advance.

And did you know there's comics about Gaige doing reference to pop culture from earth ? Don't know if that's cannon but it's funny anyway.

Anyway good chapters to you all !]

We took 3 Outrunners from the Catch-a-ride station but we barely could afford them because you have to pay for it unlike in the game but fortunately you can get 25% of your money back if you returned it in an at least working state, and up to 80% if it is in the same condition so technically you're just paying for the fuel.

I took the turrets while Lilith was the one who would have to drive since i never drove a car before.

Mordecai was with Brick and Roland would drive alone in front.

We headed toward Headstone mine and after a few minutes we arrived in front of gate that was blocking our way.

We parked our Outrunners, Roland approached the gate and examined it "it look heavily fortified, we'll need to blow it up."

"Why don't we use rocket launcher turret from Brick's Outrunner ?" I suggest.

"Good idea ! Brick you know what to do." Roland said before getting back in his Outrunner.

Brick grinned "Let's make some noise."

He aimed the rocket launcher turret at the gate and fired 3 shots. The explosion was massive, sending debris flying and creating a gaping hole in the gate.

Inside the mine, we encountered heavy resistance. Sledge's men were waiting for us, and ready for a fight.

Roland lead the charge.

Lilith expertly maneuvered our Outrunner as i fired the bandits with the turret while Brick and Mordecai followed closely behind, shooting everything they could.

As we pushed deeper into the mine, there were more and more bandits but we fought our way through them and arrived at the end of the mine site.

We got out of our Outrunners and headed to the big building in the middle of the mine.

Sledge was there, a hulking figure in heavy armor, wielding a massive hammer "Sledge not like you ! Sledge kill thing he not like !" He shouted as he charged at us.

Brick charged at him without hesitation, meeting Sledge head-on. He deflected the hammer with his fists and delivered a powerful punch that sent Sledge stumbling back.

Other bandits appeared from the shadows, opening fire on us. Roland and I quickly took cover, with Roland activating his Scorpio Turret to provide suppressive fire.

I pulled out the T.K. Wave, the shotgun I got from T.K. Baha, and aimed at the nearest bandit.

The shotgun's unique wave pattern spread the pellets, hitting multiple enemies at once. I followed up with my pistol, taking precise shots to finish off any survivors.

Brick continued to engage Sledge, Sledge swung his hammer but Brick tossed it asside and sent a powerful punch sending Sledge crashing to the ground.

Lilith phasewalked behind Sledge, she delivered a series of rapid strikes to his back, each blow making him roar in pain.

Then Brick took Sledge's hammer and swung it at Sledge's head pushing it into his body with a sickening crunch. Sledge fell to the ground, lifeless.

[Authors note : imagine it like in Doom 2016 and eternal when you do a glory kill you can push a demon's head into it's body. Same thing here but with a hammer.]

The remaining bandits, seeing their leader defeated, either fled or surrendered.

"Good job, everyone. Now, let's see what Sledge was guarding." Roland said as he took back his turret.

We moved deeper into the building, finding a stash of weapons, ammo, and a weird alien thing.

'That must be the vault key. Or at least a part of it.' i looked at it.

"I bet you would like to know what that is. The vault is real. What you're holding is the key that open it... One part of it, anyway." Angel said through our ECHO.

But she was interrupted by another female voice "This is Commander Steele of the Atlas Corporation Crimson Lance,...." I saw Roland expression darken at the mention of the Crimson Lance. If i remember correctly he was a part of it before the start of Borderlands 1.

"...I've just been informed that you have arrived on Pandora in search of the Vault, and in just a few day, have started killing locals and causing disturbance. This planet is under the authority of the Atlas Corporation and any Eridian artifacts found here are Atlas property ; possession of such property carries a stiff penalty. I invite you to turn yourself in at once to the nearest Crimson Lance outpost and surrender any information or artifacts in your possession. Consider this your one and only warning."

Lilith scowled "Steele can shove it. We're not handing anything over to Atlas."

Brick grunted in agreement "Let them try and take it."

Mordecai smirked "Looks like we've got more company to deal with."

Roland's eyes were steely "We've got what we came for. Let's get back to Fyrestone and figure out our next move."

We took our Outrunners anf got back to Fyrestone.

When we arrived at Fyrestone we where greeted by Claptrap who told us Dr. Zed wanted to see us.

"I'll drink to that ! Busyed up Nine-Toes and beat the hell up outta Sledge ? You're making a name for yourselves in these parts ! I already put into Pierce to give you clearance on through to the Dahl Headland. She want you to go to New Heaven and meet with her. So, drive West to the Dahl Headland gate, and speak with the Claptrap there. He'll let you through." Dr. Zed greeted us with a grin.

We thanked Dr. Zed and headed back to our Outrunners.

Lilith and I took our positions in our vehicle, and with a roar of engines, we set off toward the Dahl Headland gate

As we approached the gate we heard a man's voice through our ECHO that i recognized as Marcus "So, you think the Vault is real, eh ? Hmmm.... Everyone is talking about it. This is the biggest thing that happened here in a long time. Think of all the visitors we will have ! Listen, if you find it, what's inside it could be worth a fortune, but only if you get the right partner to help you sell it. So.... Partners ?"

Lilith smirked "Well, he does sell weapons. Could be useful."

Mordecai shrugged "As long as he doesn't try to rip us off, I'm fine with it."

Brick grunted in agreement "Better him than some random bandit."

"I'll just follow your choice." I told them as i knew there was no treasure in the Vault so it didn't matter.

"Alright, Marcus. We'll keep you in mind. But remember, we're the ones doing the hard work out here. Don't try to screw us over." Roland replied to Marcus.

Marcus's voice came back with a chuckle "You have my word. Partners it is. Now go find that Vault and make us all rich !"

We reached the Dahl Headland gate, where a Claptrap unit awaited us.

"Downloading and analysing your DNA record... Human status confirmed ! Access to the Dahl Headland is granted. Please stand by while i activate the gate for you." As he turned to push a button that opened the gate.

As we entered Dahl Headland we where greated with skeletons of enormous creatures scattered across the landscape.

"Pandora sure knows how to roll out the welcome mat," Lilith remarked as she scanned the horizon.

Mordecai let out a low whistle. "I've seen some big game but nothing like this."

"How can people live here if creatures like that roam the planet is behond me." I sighed.

After around half an hour we arrived at New Heaven.

"They call that New Heaven ? It's a junkyard." I remark.

Then we heard a female talking in our ECHO "Welcome to New Haven, Vault Hunters. I'm Helena Pierce. I'm transmitting to inform you that i've made a decision i think you won't like. As administrator of New Heaven, i am responsible for the well being of it's citizens. And in that capacity, i mist keep the road to sanctuary closed for now. Baron Flynt's tribe and that infernal contraption of theirs are out on the Salt Flats, and i don't want citizens getting killed trying to get past them."

"If we want to open the Vault we will need information. Let's ask that Helen Pierce maybe we could get info on where to start." I suggested and everyone nodded.