Wiz and Pete appeared in a large room filled with strange vehicles. They were large and seemed to have no way to attach beasts of burden to pull them. Pete asked Wiz, “Have you ever seen anything like this before?” as a weird small metal beast zipped past. Wiz replied, “No, definitely not. We must be somewhere in the city of glass. These strange lights in here, and that gizmo that flew past us. I think this is advanced technology. Those vehicles too, I think people build these things but how I cannot imagine. Look at what the gizmo is doing now!” The drone was spraying the vehicles down with a preservative mixture. Wiz whistled, “I can't wait to find out what all this does.” Pete replied, “It sure is something.”
Pete and Wiz watched as more and more refugees filled the chamber. A disembodied voice echoed out telling everyone to remain calm. A few people, including an unpleasant gentleman Pete knew as Jim, were shouting, arguing, and generally unhappy. Jim was heard shouting at his wife “I knew that club you were in was going to cause trouble! Look at us now, we are fugitive of the crown! We are ruined! Everything I have built and worked hard for is gone!”
Pete frowned and said to Wiz, “I'll try to calm them down. This is going to be a pain in the ass.” Wiz for his part just shivered, “Better you than me.”
Soon it became clear that Alley was getting drained and Wiz watching her began to get concerned. It wasn't until she appeared with a group coughing and smelling of smoke Wiz ran to her side. Alley dropped to he knees with tears in her eyes. Wiz said, “Alley, What's wrong, where's Jake?” Alley looked up at him and shook her head.” I am all out of energy and the last I saw of Jake he was holding off the crown's forces. Wiz called to Pete, “ Hey Pete, get over here.” Pete hurried to them and said, “What's wrong.” “It's Jake he's still stuck there and Alley here is out of energy. To make matters worse the local crown's goons caught up to our hideout location. Pete looked pensive, “Hmm, I'm sure Jake can handle the local goon squad. How long before you can teleport? Alley rose to her feet, “Too long, I have a better idea!”
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Wiz and Pete looked at her quizzically then were startled as a section of the wall started to rise revealing a sleek vehicle with short wings. With large eyes, Wiz inquired, “What's that?” Alley said to hurry and follow me! This is a prototype VTOL. That stands for vertical take-off and landing. Pete said nervously what do you mean by takeoff? That sounds suspiciously like flying and I am not good with heights.”
Wiz said, I think you should stay here I don't want you vomiting on or around me... again.” Pete said indigently, “That was one time, and I warned you before you strapped me into that contraption of yours I was afraid of heights.” Alley interrupted their banter and said, “Fine, Pete you can stay here and get your people settled in. Wiz, you can help me work the guns.”
Wiz immediately perked up, “Guns you say, well then no time to lose let's go!” Pete watched with a mixture of relief and envy as the two rushed to the 'VTOL.' He muttered to himself, “No one mentioned guns...” With a sigh, he turned back to the crowd. As arguments stuck up again his shoulders slumped as he went back to try and herd cats.
Wiz and Alley strapped themselves into the VTOL's cockpit. Wiz looked out of the window and inquired, “How are we getting out of here there's no exit here. Alley just said, “Hold on.” A hatch opened up above them and a long tunnel appeared reaching up what looked like a mile above their heads. Alley pressed a series of buttons in a blur. A loud humming sounded out while the vehicle vibrated.
Alley pressed a lever forward and jerked up on the yolk. The VTOL lifted up and quickly gained speed. Wiz felt as if all the blood in his body had just dropped into his lower extremities. They shot out of the tunnel at blinding speed. Alley flipped a switch and just as fast the rocketed forward. Wiz caught sight of the desert below and said this is the most amazing thing I have ever seen.
Alley said, “Grab that stick in front of you, I am going to arm the machine guns. If we have any problems just watch the watch the cockpit window. Threats will be displayed on a graphic overlay. Just make the targeting sights line up with the red square and press down on the finger trigger.” Wiz played with the joystick getting used to the feel and before long they were in visual range of the oasis.