Fortnite: Island

Chapter 7: Morals

The man standing before Drift as he got out of the car resembled the Foundation, but was too bulky to be him. And his armour was darker; unlike the Foundation, which Drift thought he could've mistaken for a statue, this new man was easily distinguishable as being a living person in a suit, especially as the man appeared to be fiddling with something on his gun. He would never be able to be still long enough for the mistake to be made.
Stood beside the man was Shanta, with her glossy black hair, the way it always looked. Except something was wrong with her; she looked discontented. It appeared that she was aware that something or someone wasn't working as she'd like it to.
"So, uuh, who are you?" the Foundation-looking man said.
"Drift. And Lynx is in the back, Shanta." Drift added to Shanta, who nodded and headed to the car.
Shanta was helping Mothy in towards the building, whilst Lynx said her goodbyes to Fable. Drift walked up to the Foundation man just as Fable drove away. He crossed his arms and nodded in Mothy and Shanta's direction.
"He's pretty rough." the armoured man sighed.
"The Foundation, and Shanta, and Haven, if you know her... we know them, and we know your mission." Drift explained as him and the... the... "Actually, what's your name?"
"I'm the Scientist, and I don't know what's up with your friend but I'm sure I can figure it out." the hulking man assured him.
Lynx showed up and the Scientist introduced himself to her before the trio went into one of the many domed-roofed buildings where Shanta was with Mothy. She was scanning Mothy with some sort of odd device that was mainly grey, with vibrant red wires poking out of every crevice and a dull, green display screen plastered on top.
"Right, what is it?" the Scientist sighed as he plopped himself down on an office chair.
Drift was about to explain when Shanta said, "He was hit by a Caretaker, no biggie."
"Well, you say no biggie but he looks like... well, that."
"I'm dying." Mothy said as he did a weak thumbs up.
"Not if we have anything to say about it!" the Scientist clapped, "Come on, Shanta."
The Scientist started to prep a machine that was large and chunky, and reminded Drift of the Rift Beacons that had been around on the original island near its end. Drift was about to ask if the Scientist had made it when Shanta said;
"You two need to leave before the procedure."
"What? Why?" Lynx asked.
"The Scientist likes to keep his... tricks a secret."
"Hey! They're not tricks; this is science!" the Scientist gasped theatrically, "Ignore her, she hates me."
Drift and Lynx were quickly ushered out of the room, and other than the quiet humming of the machine, there was silence. Drift turned to Lynx and sighed.
"So, are you also wondering why Shanta hates him?" Drift asked.
"Yes, actually." Lynx folded her arms, "Shanta's smart, and she wouldn't judge someone without reason. But... he seems pretty kind, if not a bit over the top."
"Yeah, he has morals, unlike some people on this island."
"Aura." Lynx coughed.
"Exactly."
Drift sat down on a weird-looking sofa that he found to be really comfortable. Its colours matched those of the Foundation's armour. The sofas were almost definitely his purchases. And there he sat, with Lynx at his side, listening to the whirring of the machine as it did its work

***

He had been in a lot of places, and had done all sorts for lots of people, but he knew that he had never been in this room and had never seen the people around him. Being a bounty hunter, this was normal for Boba Fett. Adventures and mysteries like this often meant money.
"I- Gordon!" a lady shouted from the other end of the room, "Does that look like Master Chief to you?"
The lady was dressed in a black jumpsuit, and had striking yellow glasses that contrasted her dark skin and hair. Her eyes pierced through a black costumed man's head like bullets, and the guard quickly scurried away.
She then collected herself, and strode on over to Boba Fett as he watched, confused and concerned... but also excited. He knew that himself and this woman were going to be great friends. But, just in case things didn't go well, he had his hand on the sidearm on his pocket.
"You're not a Spartan, but you'll have to do." the woman sighed.
"Excuse me?" Boba Fett cocked his head.
"Never mind. My name is Doctor Slone." the lady held out her hand, and Boba Fett shook it apprehensively.
"Can I just call you Slone? The whole Doctor-y thing is a mouthful."
"Can I just call you Fett?" Slone mimicked, "I associate the word Boba with beverages."
Boba Fett tightened his hand on his sidearm and prepared to fire at her. Contracts like this were too good to be true; always, the person who was to do the job knew about the contractor, even if just that the contractor existed.
"I didn't tell you my name." Boba Fett snarled.
"I know a lot about a lot of people. It's a part of my job." Slone shrugged.
"If you know so many people, why me?"
"Pardon?"
"Why'd you summon me?"
"I have a job." Slone confirmed his suspicions, "For you."
"Go on."
She raised her hand in a gesture for him to follow her. She took him through a corridor, and Boba Fett realised that he may be this group's last hope, for whatever was going on. Other than the main room, the place was crumbling like a pastry. Everywhere.
"Do you know who did this?" Slone asked, slowly. Angrily.
"No, but I have a feeling you're about to tell me." Boba Fett answered. By now, he had stopped holding his gun.
Slone began, "A group of vigilantes called the Seven. They think they're saving the people of this island by destroying it or whatever they think they're doing, but really? They're just being a pain. And there was two, specifically, that destroyed our base. There's the Foundation, but he's gone off somewhere."
"And the other one?" Boba Fett asked.
"I'm getting to him." Slone nodded, "The Scientist."
"So, my job is to hunt him?"
Slone nodded.
"How much will you pay me?" Boba Fett continued.
"More than you can imagine."
"So, I think it's a deal."
"Good. I'll update you on the details, first chance I get."
"Thank you. Now - is it just me or is the floor on the ceiling?"

***

Shanta and the Scientist sat down on one of the Foundation's many sofas that he'd bought from Amazon. He'd meant to get 5, but instead bought 50, and that was why they were everywhere. Shanta thought that this was funny, but she would never say that. To anyone.
"That went well, didn't it?" the Scientist sipped his coke.
"Indeed. It normally takes a day to sort out a Caretaker wound, but it only took a few hours." Shanta complemented the Scientist's work.
"Just in time for Christmas, yay us."
In all of the hustle and bustle of the last few days, Shanta had completely forgotten that the date today was Christmas Eve. It only felt like yesterday since last Christmas! How time flied when they were always in the action.
"Did you get me a present?" the Scientist asked.
Shanta sighed, "Yes. Do you want it early?"
"Ooh~! Yes! Gimme gimme!" the Scientist cooed.
Shanta stood up and opened the Scientist's wardrobe. He gasped when she reached under a navy coat and pulled out a packet of Beef Stripz. The name basically described the product - strips of beef that were mediocre at best but, of course, being the foodie that he was, the Scientist loved them.
"OH MY GOD!" the Scientist gasped, "How did you get these?!"
"I had to fight a cat man and his son to get them but your reaction was worth it." Shanta smiled.
The Scientist gasped, "Oh- and- uhh- your present! It's..."
He reached under his pillow and he presented a record vinyl of Loot in the Mountains. Her heart felt warm when she saw it - the song was her favourite of all time, ever. How did he know?
Shanta looked up and said, "Merry Christmas, Scientist."
"Call me Sean." the Scientist replied.
Shanta gasped, "You're not supposed to tell people your real name! What if the Foundation found out?"
"He's not here to tell me otherwise, and he doesn't need to know." Sean smirked in that way he did, "Now hush, and let me enjoy my Beef Stripz."

To be continued...