The Cogheart Chronicles Volume 1: Gears of Destiny

The Cogheart Oasis

Mirage

"Logbook Entry, 14 Mae, 3786," began Riff, his voice echoing in the vast desert. Bat-like ears twitched in the wind, picking up the faintest whispers of the desert. A fluffy fox tail swished behind him, leaving a playful trail in the sand. Dressed in a weather-beaten leather jacket adorned with various trinkets and a pair of goggles resting on his forehead, he was every bit the desert explorer.
"Location: the middle of the blasted desert. Objective: Reach the illustrious city of Leverville, as per the Oracle of the Sands' grand expedition plan," he continued, a smirk playing on his lips as he glanced at the stern-faced Captain Skylark.
The Captain seemed less than amused with his anthropomorphic companion. He busied himself gathering the meager supplies they had brought with them. Riff paused, casting a pointed look at their grounded hovercraft.
"Status: Stranded. Our trusty hovercraft decided to take a sand bath. The gears are clogged, and our mechanical bird refuses to fly." Riff continued, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Challenges: Oh, just a minor hiccup. We're on foot in the desert, with the sun as our unforgiving companion. Who needs a hovercraft when you've got boots, right?" That was what would seem the proverbial last straw for the Captain. He couldn't ignore it anymore. 
"Look, I told you we would've been better off going along the coast, but you had to insist-"
"And you assured me that that bunch of bolts would make it!" Riff answered back pointing at the lifeless hovercraft. Skylark gaped like a fish for a moment and then collected himself. 
"No use in crying over clogged gears. Let's just get going before your bad luck gets worse," the Captain muttered and started in no specific direction. Riff sighed and rummaged through the remains of the hovercraft for his trusty pistols. He slung the belt across his hips and ran his fingers lightly over the butts of The Gearslingers.
Riff's fingers traced over The Gearslingers' polished mahogany handles, feeling the cool touch of silver filigree inlaid with precision. Underneath their glass panels, brass and copper gears interlocked seamlessly—a testament to their craftsmanship. These weren't just pistols; they were extensions of Riff's ingenuity, capable of firing grappling hooks or tranquilizer darts with a flick of a switch. The retractable blade gleamed under the barrel—a silent promise of defense in close quarters—and within the handle's secret compartment lay lock picks, ready for any lock that dared stand in his way.
"Look! Over there!" Skylark called out. He was pointing a finger at the horizon, a frown on his face. "I can't make it out, Riff. Is it an oasis or a mirage there in the distance?"
Riff's eyes followed where the Captain was pointing. He had to squint to make out proper details, but that was water and those were definitely trees.
"Water! It's water, Captain!" He called out, turning his attention back to Skylark, who was smiling smugly.
"If you weren't human, I'd kiss you," Riff stated and sprinted towards the oasis, the Captain on his heels. They staggered forward, falling over themselves and each other as their thirst urged them forward.
Riff reached the water's edge first, a clear pool cradled by palm trees and ferns, and plunged his face into the life-giving coolness. The relief was immediate, a balm to his parched throat. Never had he tasted water as sweet as this. As he drank his eye caught on an object half-buried in the sand. He reached out a paw and pulled it from the mud, simultaneously coming back up for air.
The object was a book, its leather cover worn, the pages inside soaked through. With a careful dexterity born of his kind, he opened the book, wondering if it might be worth a penny or two.
"Look at this!" Riff called out, looking around to find the Captain. He didn't have to look far, the Captain was sitting mere feet away.
"I don't want to see anything unless you find food," the Captain replied.
"It's better than food."
"Better?" The Captain raised an eyebrow in doubt.
"Treasure..." Riff whispered and watched as Skylark perked up immediately. "It's in this book,"
Riff continued, producing said book. "And it's close by. According to this, there's a ship behind those rocks over there," he pointed to three huge boulders on the other side of the oasis. "and in the depths we'll find a chest. Easiest heist we've ever had," Riff concluded and slammed the book shut, water flying everywhere.
"With your luck, I doubt it would be easy," the Captain commented, but got up and dusted himself off, ready for the adventure or, more likely, danger that would be awaiting them.