Roter flew off and barely made it to the Hip-Hop Saloon. When he arrived there, he headed to the bar.
Roter: Krew, right? I've got a shipment of Eco ore from Torn, completely undamaged.
Krew: That's good, huh? Because a load of rare Eco ore is more valuable than a person like you. Mmmmm, and I would pay you verrrry slowly for it.
Heh, heh. The underground these days accepts anything that breathes.
Roter: I helped you, now it's your turn. Why is Baron giving Eco to the Metal Heads!?
Krew: Questions like that could cost you your neck, huh?! Sig, give "El Capitan" his bonus here. If you want to know what this baby can do, check out the shooting range outside. Let's see what you can do with it, and I'll give you a couple of jobs, huh.
Roter went to the shooting range next door and completely aced it. Then he returned to the bar.
Krew: Great shooting, Roter! Ever thought about becoming a wastelander, hmm?
Roter: Can't say that I have.
Krew: Wastelanders search for things outside the city walls for me. No artifact or good weapon that doesn't go through MY HANDS. Work for me, and I'll let you have the best pieces, hmm?
Roter: Killing Metal Heads? Getting cool stuff? Sounds good.
Krew: Sig will show you everything.
Sig: So, YOU want to become a wastelander, huh, little weakling? We'll see what kind of iron you're made of when it comes down to it. Krew wants new trophies to attract more guests to the Hip Hog. So, I'm going to grab five lousy Metal Heads for him at the pumping station. Don't let me down, kid, 'cause we've got the Peacemaker.
Krew: You need to cover Sig's back while he goes after the Metal Heads, huh?
Sig: Then let's get going. But listen up, don't leave me hanging out there, got it!
Roter: Let's go!
Roter met Sick at the pumping station.
Sig: Come with me, stay close behind, and watch out. This is gonna be fun!
Roter: How are we gonna get through that? *I can't even do it with my abilities...*
Sig shoots with the Peacemaker, and the obstacle goes up in the air. Roter is surprised and impressed.
In front of them stands a big Metal Head that even Roter is afraid of. Sig blows it away with one shot. Roter is impressed by the Peacemaker. Roter defends Sig while he takes out the remaining four Metal Heads.
Sig: BAM! Home team five, tin cans zero! That was the last one. Tell Krew we've finished them all. I'm grabbing the Peacemaker now and getting the trophies. Well done, kid.
Roter makes his way back to Krew.
Krew: You're pretty useful, huh? Hmmm, I have a new task for you. Before the Baron secured everything, the sewer was my best smuggling route.
Roter: I bet you've come up with another "brilliant" plan in your greedy little mind. So, who or what do I need to finish off, knock out, or blow up now?
Krew: Wellll, I need someone to disable all the guard turrets in the sewer. If you can do that, you'll get a weapon bonus.
Roter: I won't do anything until you tell me why the Metal Heads are dealing with Baron's forces.
Krew: I should have someone shoot your kneecaps, huh? All I know is that Baron reluctantly made a deal with the leader of the Metal Heads. Mhmm... The Metal Heads need Eco, so Baron supplies them with it regularly. In return, the Metal Heads keep the city in check, ensuring the reign of our honorable Baron remains unchallenged.
Roter: Yeah, but how long do you think this deal will hold?
Krew: Well, Baron is running out of Eco, huh? And the Metal Heads aren't very patient. Baron Praxis NEEDS this war to stay in power. Otherwise, the city would put the true ruler on the throne, wherever that brat is.
Roter: I'll take care of the sewer. But... remember, you promised me a weapon bonus.
Krew: You bloodsucker.
Roter ventures into the dark depths of the sewer, accompanied by the foul stench and dripping water. With sharpened senses, he searches for the guard turrets.
Step by step, he moves through the labyrinth of narrow passages and dark tunnels. Suddenly, he spots the first guard turrets menacingly mounted on the walls, ready to attack any intruder with deadly precision.
Roter doesn't hesitate for a moment and uses his abilities. He gracefully leaps through the air, skillfully dodging the projectiles, and lands on an elevated platform. From there, he takes aim at the guard turrets.
With his flames, he melts the turrets away.
Roter returns to Krew, who is satisfied with his work in the sewer.
Krew: Good work down there, huh? I suppose you want the promised weapon bonus now, hm? It's waiting for you at the shooting range.
In the shooting range, a man with striking yellow hair awaits Roter.
Sick: There you are, Roter. I've heard so much about you.
Roter: How do you know me? And are you my "weapon booster"?
Sick: Let's just say I've heard a thing or two about you. And yes, I'm your new partner!
Roter: I don't need a partner.
Sick: Come on, don't be like that! Give me a chance, please!
Roter: Forget it. Relying on others is foolish.
Sick: I'll still follow you and prove myself!
Roter: Do whatever you want...
Roter makes his way back to Krew, with Sick following him. They meet Krew again, who has an interesting offer for Roter.
Krew: I have an offer for you, Roter. Racing is the most popular sport in the city, and Erol is the undisputed champion. He's a dangerous lunatic on the race track! Ha, ha, just my type. Only a fool would dare to challenge him. And that's where you two come in. A client of mine is looking for a good driver for her racing team. Here's a security access pass to the stadium district. Uh, and your contract, with a few tiny clauses. Ha, ha, ha. I... uh... already signed it for you, mmm.
Sick: "We, the racers, hereby assign Krew the following rights and revenues:
Race earnings, advertising income, broadcasting royalties, betting proceeds, sponsorship money, for our cars, appearances in shopping malls, trading cards, fast-food chain openings, exploitation of our personas, talk shows, shoe and fashion collections, printing rights for books, novels, comics, brochures, confetti, neon advertisements, and bathroom graffiti designs, rights for the marketing of toys, video games, advertisements for vitamin tablets, urban bribes
, movies, and, of course, all insurance claims in case of death or dismemberment."
Krew: He, he, he... we'll take care of the details later. If you can make it from here to the race stables at the stadium in less than 3 minutes, my client might consider letting you drive for her team. Don't disappoint me, mmm!
Roter immediately sets off and races to the stadium, while Sick tries to keep up but struggles. Roter reaches the race stables just in time, while Sick arrives a bit later.
Roter: Um... hello? Krew said someone here needs a racer?
Mechanic: I'm busy. Are you Krew's new errand boys? Listen, I don't mean to be rude, but I'm not interested in new drivers at the moment, and I really have work to do...
Sick: Is there any way we can help?
Mechanic: No! I... um... I'm working on a secret, uh, vehicle project.
Sick: Okay... sorry.
Mechanic: Look, if you think you have what it takes to race in this city, try out the stadium track with my jet-board prototype. If you manage it, I might consider adding you to the team.
Sick is completely smitten, and Roter pulls him along to the stadium track.
Roter: We haven't even done anything yet, and you're already causing trouble. Get yourself together.
Sick: Oh, come on, Roter. You noticed how cute she was too. And that voice... it makes me all dizzy.
Roter: Oh, man...
Both Roter and Sick complete the track and pass.
Roter: Well, at least you can do something.
Sick: I told you I would prove myself.
Roter: Don't overdo it. Come on, let's go back to her.
Sick rushes ahead to speak with the girl again.
Sick: We completed the stadium track.
Mechanic: Bravo. Even a blind squirrel... well, never mind. Listen, don't you have some debts to collect or someone to beat up or something?
Sick: You don't like us, do you?
Mechanic: You work for that scumbag Krew. Am I supposed to like you?
Roter: You must have won a few races. Does the winner really get to visit the palace?
Mechanic: Yeah... Why?
Roter: Could you take me to the palace?
Mechanic: A "friendly visit"?
Roter: Sure, I'm a huge fan of the Baron.
Mechanic: Okay, I'll help you if you stop annoying me.
I saw an old service elevator at the base of one of the support towers of the palace. That elevator could take you up to the palace... if you can manage to get it running.
On the way to the elevator, Torn calls Roter over. When they reach the hideout, Torn wonders who Roter's partner is.
Roter: Just don't ask... spill it.
Torn: The Metal Heads attacked one of the Baron's mines.
Roter: That's not MY problem.
Torn: It IS your problem because the foreman is one of our best informants! His name is Vin, and he's worth saving. Find the warp gate at the power station and use it to get to the strip mine so you can save Vin's sorry hide. Whatever deal the Baron made with the Metal Heads, the city is almost out of Eco, and time is running out for him. If we don't get the kid back on the throne soon, there might not be a city left to defend!
Roter and Sick head to the power station and discover the lab. While Sick examines everything closely, Roter jumps straight through the portal to reach the strip mine. Sick quickly follows behind.
Sick: Isn't it beautiful here?
Roter: You wait here.
Sick: Please?!
Roter: I don't need your help, how many times do I have to say it? You'd just get in my way anyway.
Sick: Give me a chance to prove myself!
Roter stops listening and storms ahead. A new type of Metal Head appears, one that can also shoot. Roter is surprised and dodges and takes cover. As the creature approaches Roter from the cover, he thinks it's over for him. But then the creature gets blasted away by a yellow energy.
Roter: Wait... you did that?
Sick: Yeah, exactly. I have the power of yellow Eco.
Roter: Thanks, but I would have handled it alone.
Sick: Yeah, yeah, you had everything under control.
Roter and Sick laugh and give each other a fist bump.
Sick: I'm Sick.
Roter: I'm Roter.
Both: Good teamwork.
Together, they continue fighting until they reach Vin. They open the door and Vin shoots at them.
Vin: Aaaah! Stay back!
Roter: Heh! Are you Vin? We're the reinforcements, Torn sent us.
Vin: Stay back!
Roter: Man, if we were here to kill you, you'd be long gone!
Vin: Oh... friends? Thank God! We... So... Where... Where's the army?
Sick: Um... We are the army.
Vin: WHAT?! Just you two? They must want to get rid of me!
Roter: I'm starting to believe that too! You stay calm here and let yourself be turned into Metal Head food, but Sick and I will get out of here before those monsters come back.
All three jump through the portal one after another, returning to Vin's lab.
Vin: Hey, thanks, guys, for saving me out there at the strip mine.
Sick: And thanks to you for being such a lousy shot.
Vin: Uh, yeah, sorry about that, guys. I've been, uh, a bit nervous lately. Those Metal Heads keep attacking our mines, and we're running out of Eco! The Eco energy keeps the city's shield walls intact, and when the shield weakens, well, I'd say goodnight.
Roter: I have a few surprises for the Metal Heads.
Vin: You have to maintain the defense walls until the Shadow finds a solution. My readings show a drop in Eco flow at the drilling platform - those Metal Head eggs must be siphoning the energy. With the warp gate, you can reach the platform. You have to destroy all the Metal Head eggs you can find.
Roter and Sick now make their way to the drilling platform and have to fight through many Metal Heads. When they reach the center, they encounter a new Metal Head with a shield and faster reflexes. Sick doesn't take it too seriously since he can shoot himself. However, this Metal Head is faster than Sick and hits him directly. Sick falls to the ground, and Roter takes care of the Metal Head. Sick takes it a bit slower now and lets Roter destroy the eggs while he shoots down the Metal Heads in the air from a distance. When they return, Vin is gone, and they go to Krew. Krew is not there, but someone else is... Tess.
Sick: Hey, sweetheart. New here? Tell me,
Roter interrupts Sick.
Roter: Wait... I know you. You're part of the Underground.
Tess puts her finger on Roter's mouth and whispers to him.
Tess: Shhhht! I'm Tess. I'm spying on Krew for Torn. Join in, maybe we can uncover some of Krew's secrets.
Sick: But, uh, it's much better to do it together. Come on, I'll help you. Wow! There are a lot of bottles back here. Whee! Oh, that, ohh, that goes down, aaahh- Oh man, do you think there's real gold in there... And what about the purple stuff? Glug, glug, glug... Wow!
Krew: Roter, you and your new partner have to go collect a few things for me.
Sick: Hey, flabby cheeks... how's it going?
Krew: What's wrong with him, huh?!
Sick: Nothing... I'm fine... mind your own business... Hello, hello? Is anybody home...
Krew: Listen, six of my "customers" in the city have deposited money for me. You have to collect the money bags as quickly as possible and "
take care of" any nosy guards, mmm. If you're late, some townsperson might snatch a money bag.
Sick: You know what your problem is, Krew? You lack vision... You could have a great business here... Hop, Heg, Hiven wants to dance, more alcohol, more women...
Krew: Retrieve the 14 money bags for me before they're gone and bring them here. If you lose one, you better never show your face here again, understood?!