When You're High on Life

Krubis and a Krootabulan Named Kiara

Derek, after making his way through more of the lush, colorful yet dense jungle environment, arrived at the entrance to the mines.

Kenny said, "alright, let's use this passcode and get in."

Derek said, "got it."

Derek used the access code, putting in the code on a keypad that looked like one you'd see at a store register, unlocking the doors and allowing them through.

Kenny exclaimed, "nice!"

They made their way through the outskirts of the mines, seeing the local Mytes in cages. Guess the G3 wanted to domesticate the angry little bastards.... Which didn't go well, since they came across multiple G3 goons getting attacked by the Mytes, making it much easier for them to sneak past and get to the mines unseen, which was already arduous, given the jungle terrain.

Soon they finally made it to the mining facility itself, but had to face a huge group of G3 goons when they got there. But at this point, killing G3 was easy for the most part. For multiple reasons. Such as how their aim was shit, the Dodge Unit made Derek faster in his feet and made it easier to dodge attacks that his shield usually blocked. The problem was with how there was a shit ton of these jerkwads to deal with. But after a few minutes, Derek and his weapons were the last ones standing.

Kenny said, "okay, great work. Alright, now let's try that elevator."

Derek nodded as they went over to an elevator that would take them down into the mines. Derek pressed a button that started to take them down.

As they went down, Kenny asked as his face reflected against the helmet Derek wore, "hey, um, I wanted to ask.... We've killed a lot of G3. I was wondering, does it phase you at all?"

Derek replied after a few moments, thinking deeply about what Kenny said as he lifted him up so they could look directly face to face, "in the beginning.... Yeah. Yeah, it did. I nearly puked a few times. Doing such gruesome actions. But.... My Uncle used to say, 'sometimes ya gotta get down and dirty if you wanna help people.' That saying.... I keep repeating that in my head anytime I see something rather gruesome.... Which is a lot.... I guess it's a way to keep myself from snapping.... To remember why I'm doing all this.... I'm not killing these people for some sick pleasure.... I'm doing this to save my species.... Friends and family.... Everyone who the G3 puts under their boot...."

Kenny gave an unreadable look before he said, "well said partner.... Well said."

Derek smiled at Kenny and said, "thanks man."

Kenny smiled back.

Suddenly, the elevator randomly stopped.

Derek groaned, "sonuva...."

Knifey blurted out, "I think the elevator's stuck...."

Derek rolled his eyes and said, "no shit, Sherlock."

Knifey asked, "who the Hell is Sherlock? I'm Knifey."

Derek tried to say, "it's just an expression- oh, nevermind...."

Derek, with very few options, had to climb out of the elevator and climbed through a small cavern that led them into a mineshaft, where they once again had to deal with some G3 goons. As they made their way through the G3 goons, they came across a small makeshift shop run by a Moplet. They bought a small volleyball since it was cheap and looked fun to toss around. Maybe Derek could toss it around with Lizzie.... If she wasn't "too busy", as she always put it, that is. He put the ball into his backpack before they continued onwards through the area.