"It's huge..." (1)

The Novakid are a race of interstellar gas-bag people. They have in their heads what scientists call "Brands", a dense metal symbol that is responsible for metabolizing fuel and producing a magnetic field, the membrane that defines the shape of the body, keeping their plasma from dispersing. Breaking the "skin" results in plasma leaking/bleed-out, which if left untended leads to fuel depletion and inevitably death.

They have no known story since none of them were interested in keeping any sort of record. They often use clothes, weapons, and armor that resemble those that was used in the Wild West, and they behave like cowboys. Their being is so spread out and out of touch with the affairs of the universe that they are a rare sight.

(A/N: There is a more detailed description in the "Races" auxiliary chapter)

Or at least they were supposed to be a rare a sight.

In front of John, there were two Novakids fiercely fighting against each other.

Both of them were wearing clothes that resemble those used at the Wild West. Long gaiters, leather vest, leather gun holsters, wool trousers, and denim shirts.

*Bang, bang, bang...*

The revolvers from both of them kept firing at each other and they only stop when it's time to reload. They are using physical bullets rather than the usual energy bullets.

They have been like that for more than 5 minutes.

The one that had a blue plasma and a cross symbol as his brand were slightly in disadvantage against the one with yellow plasma that had an omega brand.

From the intensity of their colors and light, John was able to deduct that both them were middle-aged, similar to a 30 years old human.

John was hiding behind a rock near the entrance of the tunnel. He was inside a huge dome, artificially made. There were Core Fragments everywhere and they were radiating a light strong enough to illuminate the whole dome that had about 50-meter radius.

There were wood pillars, rails, and minecarts all around the dome.

*Bang*

Another gunshot. The bullet just so happens to hit right beside John's rock.

He stayed hidden, waiting until they got tired or they run out of bullets.

*Bang, bang, bang, bang...*

John looked over and saw that the yellow Novakid was slowly pressuring the blue Novakid. It became a game of catch. The yellow one was pursuing the blue one that kept trying to hide and rest a little.

*Click, click...*

They were out of bullets. John looked over.

"Damn... Stop running and fight like a man" The yellow Novakid shouted.

"Why would I do that? You are a better shooter than me why risk my life and fight for something as useless as honor" The blue Novakid mocked.

"Fuck you. I'm going to-"

*Bang*

The gunshot echoed in the dome. The bullet hit the place right in the middle of the both Novakids.

The two looked at the source of the gunshot and they saw a young black haired human wearing what looked like a blue uniform. In his hands, a complete black pistol that was pointed straight at the yellow Novakid.

"Who are y-"

"I am the one who will ask questions" John interrupted the yellow Novakid.

"Fuc-"

*Bang*

John fired again. The bullet missed the yellow Novakid's head by mere millimeters.

"Want to speak again? The next one is going for your head" John threatened.

John took a glance at the blue Novakid and saw that he was rejoicing by seeing other's misfortune. He couldn't quite read their emotions because they don't have facial expressions. He was able to read a little because of the tone of voice and body expressions.

He squinted his eyes and sternly looked at both of them, "One of you killed a middle-aged human male that on the surface, who did it?"

"It wasn't me!"

"It wasn't me!"

Both of them answered at the same time

The yellow Novakid was instantly enraged, "Of course it was you, Oscar. Stop lying motherfucker"

"What!? Stop falsely accusing me, Lenny. There is no doubt it was you" The blue Novakid retorted.

[The blue one is Oscar and the yellow is Lenny] John noted their names, [I am a Protector. I must protect the weak and uphold justice when needed. I have to find out the truth] John thought.

He reached for the handcuffs in his Inventory. He threw one of them toward Lenny. From his observation earlier he saw that the yellow Novakid was more skillful than the blue one, so John decided to lock the most dangerous looking one first.

"What's this?" Lenny picked up the handcuff.

"It's a handcuff. Put it on" John ordered.

"What? No way-" Lenny was about to get angry again when he saw that John was almost pressing the trigger, "Okay, okay. I'll put them" He discovered how it worked and then he handcuffed himself, "Happy?"

"A lot" John indifferently answered. He glanced at Oscar who was gleefully looking at distressed Lenny. John threw the other handcuff toward Oscar, "You too"

"What!? Why?" Oscar was confused, [He already locked Lenny why me too?] That was Oscar's thoughts.

"One of you is the murderer. I'm a Protector of the Terrene Protectorate. I must uphold justice. I don't know which one did it, but the interrogation can be properly made when we leave this mine"

"Ha! You thought you would get away, didn't you?" Now it was the time for Lenny to rejoice over other's misfortune.

Oscar picked up the handcuff from the ground. He hesitated a little, but when he found that John was impatiently looking at him he decided to do it. He was about to put it when...

*Roarrrrrrrrrrr*

A monstrous roar shook the entire mine. Some debris even fell from the ceiling.

From the other tunnel that leads deeper into the abandoned mine a figure appeared.

"It's huge..." John muttered while he stared with his eyes wide opened.

The creature that had surfaced was at least 3,5 meters high and had a somewhat plump body. It was mostly white, only the arms, that were connected to the head and not from the torso, that was black. Its dangerous red eyes gleamed with savageness when it spotted the three intruders.

John only recovered from the stun when he heard S.A.I.L's voice, "That is a Mother Poptop. It has the same appearance of Adult Poptops, but it is a lot stronger, faster and aggressive. They are usually found deeper into caves and mines. Threat Level: 2. I suggest that you retreat"

John turned around and was about to retreat when he saw Oscar, who was just in front of him a moment ago, now at the entrance of the return path.

Oscar stared at Lenny and John. He gently smiled, "I will be taking my leave. Don't have too much fun, kids" He took a dynamite and exploded the entrance causing debris to fall and block it.

"Get back here!!!" Lenny shouted with all his strength.

"Sssssshit" John's face twisted. He glanced at the Mother Poptop and saw that it was starting to charge toward him.

[I'm fucked...]