Just as Alam started examining a thermal machine,
Baihu leaned in, her voice sultry. “I can tell you’re way too excited right now… so I think I should punish you for it.” She leaned even closer, her tone playful, “Do you want to feel my punishment?”
“Whoa, this isn’t that kind of deal!” Alam chuckled,he trying to hide his emotion. and patting her head. “But hey, tell me your story.”
Surprised by the gesture, Baihu giggled, leaning into his touch. “Aww, thanks for that! My story? Well, what do you want to know?”
“Let’s start with how a woman like you ended up leading an army in a foreign land.”
Baihu’s eyes sparkled with pride. “You find it surprising that a woman can lead men in battle? Isn’t that adorable?” She whispered, “It’s not easy, you know. Many doubt my abilities just because I’m a woman. But I’m smart and skilled, and I’ll prove them wrong!”
“Sounds like you climbed the ranks,” Alam said, intrigued.
“Oh, I did! My journey wasn’t a walk in the park. Being a woman in command isn’t a cakewalk. But I’m here to show everyone that we can kick just as much butt as the boys!” She leaned in, her voice low. “But do you really think a man could do a better job than me?”
Alam, amused, replied, “Well, men and women are equal in mind…”
Baihu giggled, her whisper teasing. “That’s true! But our biology gives us unique advantages. So, are you okay with the fact that you’re chatting with a female General? Does it bother you?”
“Not at all,” Alam replied, “But what’s your relationship like with other mercs?”
With a deep breath, Baihu smiled and said, “We keep close ties with most merc groups in Central Asia. We’ve got our competition, of course, but we maintain a cordial relationship. What about you?”
“I’ve got strong connections with the European mercs. But what do you think about the Blood Khaganate and the Red Nation?”
Baihu’s expression sobered. “The Blood Khaganate? They’re one of our top adversaries in Central Asia. Their military strength is nothing to sneeze at. When we meet them in battle, it’s always a bloodbath.” She paused, then added, “And the Red Nation? They’re our main enemy, armed to the teeth with advanced technology.”
“Do you have plans to ally with anyone to take them down?” Alam asked, curiosity piqued.
Baihu hesitated, weighing her words. “I’m open to temporary alliances with any merc groups, as long as they share our common enemy and our partnership isn’t forever.” She leaned in, lowering her voice. “But there’s one group I won’t ally with…”
Alam leaned in, eager. “Who, and why?”
“Flying Dragon,” she whispered, her voice laced with caution. “Led by the infamous Dragon Master. They’re the most brutal and feared mercenary group in Central Asia. Nobody wants to mess with them. But if we could take them down, our path would be much clearer.”
“Interesting,” Alam said, intrigued by this new player. “What do you think of the Wanderers?”
Baihu’s interest was piqued. “The Wanderers? They’re a mystery! They show up when it’s critical and vanish like magic. Do you know more about them?”
Alam decided it was time to drop the mask. “I’m actually one of them. My mission is to stop the Blood Khaganate.”
Baihu’s eyes widened in shock. “Wait, you’re a Wanderer? They’re the most enigmatic mercs around! So, you’re here to stop the Blood Khaganate too? But why not protect Central Asia?”
Alam grinned, seizing the moment. “How about we swap some tech for an alliance? We can team up to take down the Blood Khaganate together.”
Baihu eyed Alam, her expression a mix of intrigue and caution. She toyed with a strand of her hair, a thoughtful silence filling the room. Finally, she nodded, a slow, calculating smile spreading across her lips. "A temporary alliance, you say? To eliminate the Blood Khaganate?" Her voice was low, almost a whisper. "Perhaps... But once the dust settles, we'll each pursue our own goals."
“Deal!” Alam exclaimed,. “But here’s the kicker: if I’m working with you, I can’t ally with the Flying Dragon”
Baihu’s smile widened, clearly enjoying the banter. “You’re really into this, huh? The Flying Dragon’s base is in Hong Kong, and their strength? Well, it’s a mystery wrapped in an enigma. They take on any client with cash, and their numbers? Just as cloudy as my morning coffee!”
Alam chimed in. “I’m planning to visit other mercs to build my power base and form alliances.”
Baihu nodded enthusiastically. “I’ll be doing the same! Once the Blood Khaganate is history, I’ll be expanding my mercenary empire. Let’s rally the troops for our temporary alliance!”
Alam extended his hand, beaming. “Alright, darling. I’m Alam.”
Baihu took his hand, shaking it with a flirtatious twinkle in her eye. “Pleasure to strike a deal with you, Alam. Can I call you by your first name?”
“Absolutely! You can throw in ‘sweetie,’ ‘dear,’ or even ‘honey’ if you like,” Alam replied with a playful grin. “And after this chaos, I’ll gladly make a lot of love with you.”
Baihu blushed, leaning in closer, her voice a sultry whisper. “Oh really? You want to make love with me? Well, since you’re being so open, let me be open too. When this chaos is over, I want to feel your warm touch…”
“Alright, alright, let’s not get too carried away,” Alam chuckled, redirecting the conversation. “Shall we do some paperwork first?”
Baihu nodded, following him with a mischievous smile. “Of course! Let’s finish the formalities… hehe…”
After, that they leave the geothermal machinery complex. and go to surface, and like after what felt like an eternity of paperwork and treaties, Alam announced, “Well, dear, I need to report back to my base soon.”
Baihu glanced at the clock, surprised. “Oh my, it’s already late? I didn’t even notice we spent hours on paperwork!” She giggled, “Well, it seems it’s time to wrap things up. But before we go, can I ask you something?”
Alam leaned in, gently kissing her hand. “Shh, is that enough? Hehe.”
Baihu, blushing, couldn’t help but grin. “I guess that’s enough for now… But tell me, do you want to go somewhere else? Maybe somewhere more… private?”
“Shh, I’m still on a mission, dear,” Alam said, keeping his focus. “Maybe later, but thanks”
Baihu sighed, understanding. “Ah, I see… Well, maybe next time…”
As a parting gift, Alam removed his sword and handed it to her. “This is a sign of our relationship. If you miss me, just hug it, hehe.”
Baihu’s eyes sparkled with surprise. “Are you sure you want to give me your sword? Because I won’t give it back… I might just hug it… or kiss it too…”
Alam chuckled, patting her head one last time. “Alright, see you later!”
Baihu waved softly, her voice sweet. “Farewell, my honey… I will wait for your return…”
Alam pushed the memory of Baihu's flirtations aside. This was business. He had an alliance to forge and a war to win. Personal matters would have to wait."
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Meanwhile, Baihu was busy expanding her empire, knowing she had backup. The Khaganate forces on her border turned to ash under her relentless tactics. Had Alam just unleashed a new monster on this powder keg, or would this alliance truly bring an end to the chaos?
In a different realm, a town plastered with military posters touting freedom, glory, and family was buzzing with activity. The Blood Khaganate’s flag waved proudly, while officers donned animal horned helmets mixed with high-tech exosuits. Their soldiers, armed with rusty bolt-action rifles and simple SMGs, looked like a bizarre mash-up of WWII Japan and the Mongol horde, complete with skull-decorated tanks and camel-mounted mortars.
Among the men, three figures stand at the front of the parade. A woman in black ornamented attire speaks, "We must attack before Zion arrives. That is the only way we maintain our autonomy." A man beside her, with a scar on his eye from shrapnel, responds, "We don't have the numbers again. Defense is the art of victory." A man in the center, with black hair on his wrinkle-free face, declares, "We must prioritize our army to defeat the traitor first. Alam must fall; he is only a symbol of resistance. If he goes down, all opposition will lose cohesion." The other two nodded in agreement, plotting their next move against the chaotic forces of Alam and Baihu.
in current asia map. its was full of rainbows. in left corner. wanderer set foot the there. and in east siberia, china and mongol. the khaganate is dominate all. while smaller faction like Garuda Legion, in south of wanderer. alam and baihu now are in convinient position.
other than red nation. there is other major nation who playing complicated game of chest on the eastern wasteland.
in south. there is a purple nation, at bellow corner of west map. just at edge of himalayan mountains.
other than that is was other factions of scavangers, tribes, and city-states ruled by warlords – the usual wasteland fare.
As the Wanderers set out to expand into the eastern wasteland, they rolled out in a mobile base that looked like a train of trailers. It was equipped with water tanks and living quarters, making it a cozy little home on wheels. Bikers zipped around, scouting ahead, while drones buzzed overhead, keeping an eye on the terrain. The air was dry, and during the day, it could get scorching hot, but at night, the temperature dropped, leaving them shivering under the stars.
After a while, they reached a cliff area with high, uneven terrain. The landscape was dotted with plateaus, shaped by erosion and earthquakes, revealing a maze of reddish-brown earth that surrounded the Altai Mountains. It was a stunning sight, but they had to stay focused on their mission.
Then, out of nowhere, they encountered a bipedal traveler merchant. This guy was something else—he was using a giant robot to scale the cliffs and jump around like it was no big deal. It was an epic sight to behold! At first, the merchant tried to avoid the Wanderer convoy, but after some convincing, he decided to chat.
The merchant ended up selling them a map and some cool elastic textile that could fit anyone’s body, perfect for avoiding radiation He mentioned there was this tech hub down south, run by these "tech brahmins," a trade spot in the middle of the desert that was the source of these suits. The merchant also warned them that the usual trails were crawling with warlords and bandits shaking down travelers for passage money. He said the only way to avoid them was to take the robot-only routes.
The Wanderers stocked up on supplies, mostly food boxes filled with grains that could be turned into a soup-like dish. To make it more appetizing, they added some aroma and ingredients to spice things up. It was clear that the eastern wasteland wasn’t just an empty stretch of desert; it was a complex labyrinth, and the Wanderers were gearing up for the journey ahead.
baihu and alam now fierce duo. start they expension for open path and gather resource to defeat the flying dragon. in tip of other side of map.
first alam baihu victim was a The Syr Darya Scavengers, led by the ruthless Scrap Queen, scavenged the ruins of old Soviet cities, preying on anyone foolish enough to cross their path, especially those with cybernetic implants
. they rob and mutilated their victim for money. but they are disorginized. alam wanderers just act as refuge, for bait. and the queen herself confront them. her dark skin is illuminated from glint of desert light, she waring purple grab. and her left eyes are had eyepatch implant to able to see the person had implant or not. baihu then reveal herself from the rugged cloak and just slung to the scrap queen. followed by wanderers, and guruda legion. after baihu brutal swift move. she manage behead the scrap queen. then their entire territory is annexed.
Next stop south: The Vanara Vanguard. These guys were nimble mountain tribesmen, basically monkey warriors inspired by the Ramayana. Think guerrilla tactics and archery, The Vanara Vanguard's explosive arrows rained down, catching the Wanderers off guard. Alam deployed his drones, their camera eyes pinpointing the archers' hidden positions. The counter-attack was swift and brutal, but the Vanara were elusive, disappearing as quickly as they appeared.
. until alam is tired and just used rocket launcher. one lucky shot created avalance. and make vanara guard took heavy casualties. now they subdued for alam role. their leader offer his golden bow act of submission,
Finally, they pushed towards the center of the map and ran into the Cyber-Brahmins. These guys were tech-savvy engineers, survivors from India, using salvaged robots to rebuild. But here’s the kicker: Khaganate assassins sabotaged Alam’s tech. Major setback. He’d have to head back to Europe for more mechanics and tech support.
With the East under new management, the Wanderers geared up for a westward trek across the Central Asian steppes. It was a brutal slog, the sun a relentless hammer, but they pushed on.
Days later, their makeshift convoy – part armored truck, part mobile home – rolled into the Cyber-Brahmins' scrap city. Where there’d been nothing but sand before, now stood a buzzing hive of tech, a testament to the ingenuity of some surviving Indian engineers. Robots of all shapes and sizes bustled about, working and guarding, the whole place humming with repurposed tech.
Alam, figuring they weren’t hostile, hopped off his ride, strolling through the city with his crew close behind. Baihu, meanwhile, was off doing her own thing.
"Damn impressive," Alam muttered, watching a robot zoom past. "These guys really made this wasteland their own."
He wandered over to what looked like a bar. Behind the counter, a clunky but kinda charming robot with a vaguely human shape gave him a nod.
"Greetings, human," it said, voice all synthesized and polite. "How can I help you?"
Alam chuckled. "At least you sound like a proper robot. So, what's on tap?"
The robot’s head tilted slightly, a whirring sound replacing a laugh. "Plenty. What's your poison?"
Alam glanced back at his crew, who shook their heads. "Coffee for me," he told the robot.
"Coming right up." The robot got to work, its movements quick and precise. A few seconds later, a steaming cup was in Alam’s hand. "Enjoy."
thanks.. "alam take a sip" mhhm. you know. in otherside of the world.. if people see robot working usual work. they will mad. because a iron steal their job. hehe
The robot nods, its metal face looking surprisingly earnest. "Yeah, I get the irony. Used to be everyone worried we'd steal their jobs. Now we are the jobs." Its eyes flicker, like it's doing a quick system check.
Alam rubs his chin. "So… this scrap town… got a boss or somethin'?"
The robot bartender tilts its head. "Yeah, the Techno-Priest. Runs the show around here." It gives Alam the once-over.
"Can I meet this dude?" Alam ask
The robot nods again. "Sure, I can set that up. He's over in the Eastern quadrant right now." It gestures for Alam and his crew to follow, heading down a narrow alley between scrap metal towers.
Alam but the ask"...Hold up. You're just… leavin' your bar? You could just tell me how to get there."
The robot stops, a faint metallic smile appearing on its face. "Could do. But getting to the Techno-Priest ain't exactly a walk in the park. You'd hit a ton of security checkpoints. Faster if I tag along. Plus, keeps you from getting flagged and locked up."
Alam nod "Fair enough."
The robot nods and keeps leading them through the scrap city. Other robots give them the side-eye as they pass. They finally reach a big, reinforced building in the middle of the junkyard, surrounded by guards and drones.
"Techno-Priest's digs," the robot says, pointing at the building. "I'll let the guards know you're here."
Alam eyes darted on his surounding "Cool."
The robot walks over to the guards, beeping and clicking, explaining the situation. After a quick exchange, the heavy door slides open, revealing a surprisingly fancy interior with soft lighting.
"Go on in," the robot says, gesturing to the entrance. "He's expecting ya."
Alam and his crew step inside. The place is a weird mix of scrap and wires. Dim lights highlight the mechanical junk lining the walls. Definitely Techno-Priest HQ.
They walk down some twisty hallways and reach a huge, locked door at the end. Two big security robots with glowing red eyes block their path.
Alam shifted uncomfortably. "Damn… I miss humans."
The security robots scanned Alam and his crew, whirring and clicking. After a beat, they apparently decided these guys weren't worth the trouble, and the heavy door hissed open.
Inside was like some kind of high-tech temple, all circles and smooth metal. At the center stood the Techno-Priest, half-man, half-machine, blending right in. His voice, though robotic, was deep and serious.
"Greetings, travelers," he droned, his metal eyes sweeping over them. "I have been expecting you. State your purpose."
Alam stepped forward. "Yeah, I'm Alam, leader of the Wanderers. We're heading to Hong Kong to take down the Flying Dragon. We need to cut through your scrap city to bypass the Khaganate. So, we're asking for military access."
The Techno-Priest gave a slow nod, his metal face blank as a screen. The robot guards stood still, their red lights blinking.
"The Flying Dragon," he said, his voice echoing softly. "A formidable foe. And you seek passage through our territory?"
Alam nodded, his expression stoic. "Yep. I noticed this region is... more like a hub. So I don't plan to conquer the place. Because it's counterproductive to our trade... policy."
The Techno-Priest nodded again, the whirring of his internal mechanisms the only sound in the otherwise silent chamber. The security robots remained motionless, their optical sensors fixed on Alam.
"Interesting," he said, his metallic voice devoid of inflection. "You do not seek to conquer territory, but rather to utilize it as a passage for your own purposes. A pragmatic approach indeed."
"Yep," Alam repeated, meeting the Techno-Priest's gaze.
The Techno-Priest’s head tilted slightly, a barely perceptible movement that sent a shiver down Alam's spine. A faint red light pulsed within the Priest's visor as if some internal process was analyzing him. The silence stretched, each second amplifying the tension. The air grew heavy, the only sound the low hum of the surrounding machinery. After an agonizing half-minute, the red light flickered and died.
"Very well," the Techno-Priest finally spoke, the flat tone returning. "You have military access. You may pass through our territory to bypass the Khaganate."
"Thanks," Alam said. "Quick question. How many… actual people are here? I'm mostly seeing robots."
The Techno-Priest nodded, a light flickering through his metal body. "You are correct. Robots are the majority here. There are a few human survivors, but they are few."
"Right," Alam said. "So… how did a robot city even happen?"
The Techno-Priest's voice softened a bit.
"This city was founded by human survivors after the… troubles. The robots were built to help them. But over time, the humans dwindled, and the robots took over running things. Now, it’s pretty much all them."
"Got it," Alam said. "So, while we're here, can we, like, recruit some of your… population?"
The Techno-Priest considered this, his metal eyes blinking. After a pause, he said,
"You may recruit those who are willing. But I must warn you, they are accustomed to their way of life. They may not be eager to join your cause."
"No worries," Alam said. "Alright, guess that's it then. Farewell."
The Techno-Priest dipped his head in a robotic nod.
"Farewell, and good luck on your journey. May your path to Hong Kong be swift and safe."
just that, alam then manage to able to recruit extra technican and mekanic. even a group of hacker from scrap city. he just sell the golden bow from Vanara leader and other mechanical limb from the scrap queen in the city.
The golden bow from the Vanara leader and the scavenged cybernetics from the Scrap Queen were quickly converted into resources, fueling his war machine. He glanced at the map, his gaze settling on the eastern edge. The Flying Dragon. Then the Blood Khaganate. The Red Nation… that was a problem for another day. For now, he had a path forward.