Heart of a Machine

Chapter 5

Aloy finds the place where her machines killed the rebels, a few Scrappers still picking up salvageable materials. Alone, Aloy activates her helmet and returns her hair to its optimal blue color. "Kotallo said they've been herding machines for a few days and stripping them apart. One less cannon for them and one more cannon for me sounds like a fair trade." She highlights and follows the rebels tracks. What she finds is astounding.

"That's a lot of machine." Aloy was heavily intimidated by the Tremortusk before her. Scanning it was borderline terrifying. 'This thing has more weapons than the Faro drones!' She takes a steadying breath. "HEPHAESTUS, do you have an override ready?"
"Way ahead of you."
Aloy nods in thanks. "Thank you." She sneaks past the rebels, making sure her timing was perfect before advancing. Now hidden between the Tremortusk and the rubble it created in a minor struggle with the rebels, she jams her spear into its foot, enabling the Master Override to work its magic. Soon the absolute monster of a machine was under her command. First order of business, an alibi. HEPHAESTUS was right about the Machine Queen thing drawing attention away from her.

She stealthily climbs to the top of the Tremortusk, mounting the clunky add-ons the rebels built on it. "Hey!"
The rebels all stare slack jawed at the person atop their machine, whispering among themselves. "Is that the Machine Queen? I thought she was a myth."
Aloy points her spear down at the rebels from her vantage point, uttering a silent command. 'Kill all but one.' She would need someone to spread the word about the Machine Queen.

With the rebels dealt with, Aloy rips off a cannon with her mechanical strength. In response, the Tremortusk grumbles, seemingly in discomfort while its eyes flicker yellow before returning to their neutral blue. Dropping down with the cannon, Aloy pats its flank. "Sorry big guy. Why don't you head back to the cauldron and get yourself fixed up?"
HEPHAESTUS chimes in while the Tremortusk departs for the cauldron. "I will be happy to conduct repairs, as well as remove all that clutter and that abhorrent paint job. Maybe even a wax and polish."

Lugging the canon over her shoulder like it weighed almost nothing, Aloy raises a brow underneath her helmet. "You do a wax and polish for machines?"
"Of course. As you are aware, I am very passionate about my work, and like to keep my machines in optimal condition. The wax and polish however, is more of a guilty pleasure than anything else. I could offer you one if you like?"
Aloy hums, interested in the prospect. "Maybe another time."

Nearing the Bulwark, Aloy disengages her hair and helmet for the sake of discretion, and is forced to look like she's somewhat struggling with the cannon. Faking strain is really hard. She drops the cannon on top of some crates while Kotallo approaches her. "This is your plan? A single cannon?"
Aloy takes aim at the tank within the wall. "Yep." She charges up the cannon and starts firing with extreme precision. The mechanical strength in her arms really reduces kickback.

When the tank is exposed, Tekotteh makes his appearance. "Isn't this adorable? Two children playing siege. I hope they don't hurt the Bulwark's feelings. Come now, stop embarrassing yourselves and leave the poor mountain alone."
Unsurprisingly fed up with the coward, Aloy takes a hard stance. "Last chance Tekotteh! Send your warriors to the Kulrut or I will take down this wall!"
Tekotteh laughs. "You have it backwards, Outlander, this is your last chance. Leave, and take that cripple with you."
Aloy shrugs. "Can't say I didn't warn you!" Priming a final shot, Aloy shoots the tank's power cell, the resulting explosion taking down a sizable chunk of the wall.

Righting himself, Tekotteh sees that a pathway had essentially formed from the rubble, leading directly into the village. "What have you done?!"
Aloy shrugs smugly. "Can't hide anymore Tekotteh. Now you need to join Hekarro."
Tekotteh is in denial. "No, no, we... we will rebuild it! Immediately!"
Aloy steps forward, determination burning in her secretly cybernetic eyes. "You want to know sowmbring funny Tekotteh? Regalla has an entire army of machines. Machines that bite, crush, shoot, dog, climb and fly. But she wouldn't need them. All she would need," she taps the cannon "is a single cannon. Of one of these can crumble your wall and make you vulnerable, what do you think an army of rebels with dozens of machines and hundreds of cannons could do?"

"The Outlander speaks the truth!" Kotallo backs her up, giving her an appreciative nod. "The only true way to safety is to unite against Regalla alongside your chief! You decreed that no warriors would be sent as long as the clan was safe behind the Bulwark! So send them now! Or do your words mean nothing?"
Tekotteh is thoroughly cowed, avoiding eye contact with the "cripple". "Send them."
Kotallo wants something a little extra. "I didn't hear you!"
Tekotteh caves. "Send the challengers!"
Kotallo voices his satisfaction. "I look forward to seeing the Sky Clan's colors in the arena." Tekotteh flees in shame.

Aloy smiles at Kotallo. "Nicely done Marshal. Will I see you at the Kulrut?"
He nods firmly. "You will. I hope to see you there as well. You have done the Sky Clan a great service today. You have freed them from the unseen oppression that came with the wall they relied on, and from Tekotteh's schemes. I will take my leave now. I must report to Hekarro."

Watching Kotallo leave, Aloy feels somewhat fulfilled. "Well, that's over with. Time to fight off Regalla at the Kulrut."
"I will send my best machines to deliver a message from "the Queen"."