After.

Part 5: Metal Susbstitutes Meat

Immediately upon getting out of the Casino, the rugged quarted rode madly back to Makina village on the motorcylce, the litter of the long road turning it into an obstacle course. The corpses on the roadside became rapidly-passed blurs. Multiple lives reduced to bloody blurs, left to be forgotten by the painful world.

Umbriel felt sick to his stomach just looking at it.

Setré sat behind Umbriel still, holding the black feline tightly. A soft flow of tears came from the Jackal's eyes - he'd never truly experienced the harshness of the wastes before, and having to confront it alongside being scared for his partner weighed heavily upon him.

The whole crew was deathly quiet the whole ride. Nazar sulked to himself in shame, and Ryder was too focused on his driving to talk. Umbriel's heavy stomach was left uncomforted.

The bike finally came to a stop beside Ryder's workshop. Everybody stepped off, and the silence was finally broken as Setré slammed his fist into Nazar's cheek.

"You FUCKING piece of shit." The jackal cursed, cheeks dried of crying.

Nazar pulled a knife as he recovered and lunged, but was stopped by Ryder.

"Hey-hey-hey-hey hey! Guys. Guys! Calm the hell down. Talk."

"You could've gotten him fucking killed!" Setré lamented.

Nazar didnt reply.

"Got nothing to say, huh? Did you want to get him killed?"

"...No..." Nazar grunted.

Umbriel stood facing away from the group, breathing hard. He collapsed to his knees, using his one arm to prevent himself from eating dirt. It was all too much at once. He vomitted in one intense hack, getting everyone's attention.

Setré immediately went over and helped the black cat get back up, hurridly saying words of comfort.

"I c-can't man... m-m-my fuckin' arm..." Umbriel groaned, waving his severed nub of an arm.

Ryder stood still for a good while, looking at the scene. He shook his head and went inside his workshop, Nazar following out of interest.

The german shepherd took a dusty radio which sat on his workbench and turned it on.

"James. Sierra. Do you copy? I'm cashing in the favor. Come to Makina. Bring everything you need to make a metal arm."

Nazar was puzzled but didn't bother to ask about who Ryder had contacted. He wasn't exactly in a well-liked state; it wasnt wise to try and prod for information.

They went back outside, Ryder still holding his radio. Umbriel sat dazed against the metal walls of the workshop, Setré still by his size. Ryder nudged Nazar to the other two as a voice cracked through the radio.

"We copy, Ryder. Be there by morning."

"Understood"

Ryder tucked the radio into his pocke and talked to the group, specifically looking at Umbriel.

"I just called some old friends to help us out. They'll be here soon. Let's just... call it a day."

Everybody was in agreement, worn down by the day's drama.

The townsfolk of Makina were hospitable, and gave safe rest under their roofs for the two cats and the jackal. Brought into a deep sleep, the gang was only woken back up in the morning by the sound of an engine screaming into town.

Everybody got outside as the sound died. Newly besides Ryder's worksharp was an intimidating jeep. Looked like it was a salvage; the parts were inconsistent and lacked any uniformity, but were expertly crafted to make a very sturdy and sound vehicle.

Two men desembarked from the jeep. A small, skinny fox, and a larger human with deep complexion. They were clad in leather jumpsuits with various padding and pouches all over, with equally rugged satchels over their shoulders. The human had a welder's mask over their face.

The gang grouped up in meeting them.

"Hello again Ryder. What favor do ya need?" The fox said.

"It's not for me. It's for this guy."

Ryder nudged Umbriel between the two groups.

"Umbriel, meet James and Sierra. Marty and Sierra, meet Umbriel."

"Pleasure to meet you." James shook Umbriel's only hand.

"You too." He said in reply.

Sierra stood idle for a moment, the welding mask giving him an intimidating aura.

".....Hi." He finally spoke.

"...So! I'm guessing your friend Umbriel needs the arm. We'll do it."

Umbriel's eyes opened with delight.

"Wait... 'the arm'?"

"Yessir! We can make a spiffy metallic arm for to replace what ye've lost there."

Umbriel stood speechlessly happy.

"Thank you. But uh," Nazar interjected, "this is a favor for what?"

"Not much," Ryder answered, "I just helped them in a pinch. They first came here being followed by a full-on gang. Took care of the threat for 'em and let them stay a few nights."

"Interesting..." Nazar spoke, receeding.

"Anyhow, let's get to work shall we? And oh - Oberon!"

Suddenly metal clanks came from the jeep. A strange figure emerged. It was a metallic being with a television for a head, dawned in a pink poncho.

"Almost forgot to have our third member introduce themselves. Say hi to Umbriel eh?"

Oberon paced forward and extended his hand - it and the arm was all metal. Umbriel timidly shook the robot hand.

"Ok, now let's go."

Oberon went back into the jeep, rummaging through the back. It pulled out a table, some cleaner spray, a sewing kit, and some very neat and clean metals. The gang sat watching the process as Umbriel laid on the table, the three opeeators standing over the table.

The process wasn't too hard. Sewing the upper part of the arm onto the nub was the most difficult, and then it was a rather quick mechanical assembly. Within a few hours, it was done.

"Well Umbriel, get up. Give it a feel."

The black cat slowly sat up on the table and... began to move his arm. A brand new, metal arm. It took only a minute before it felt nearly as fluid as his natural limbs. He stared at it, wide eyed.

"....How...?" He asked in astonishment.

Marty shrugged and smirked, walking over to the rest of Umbriel's group.

"I really respect this, Ryder. I'll let this one not count as the favor being cashed in."

"Well... there's another thing I'd like as a favor - you and your two crew members join ours. We could always use more men."

"....why?"

"We're heading to the fissure."