[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/NtDhiys.png[/img][/center][center][h2][color=FE9A2E]Lucas[/color][/h2][/center]
[h2][center][color=FE9A2E]On The Road[/color] - [color=39b54a]Wastelands[/color][/center][/h2]
 
The confines of the truck acted in a way which offered some measure of protection. Out of the rain, and within a vehicle, Miles felt like he could finally take a breath. In the midst of combat, it was difficult to see the path ahead, clearly. Of course, such held true both within the physical and spiritual realm but for Miles, it was difficult on a level where he didn’t know what had prompted his continued struggle. Was he fighting for Liberty due to the endless promises they had flaunted, or was he fighting for them simply because he wanted to stand against Erubesco? Clenching his teeth somewhat, the thought of being lost within his own mind tensed the young man’s frame but another deep breath send enough pain down his lungs to bring him back from the endless cycle of thoughts. Within the car, he had managed to grab hold of a gun and felt somewhat less defenceless in the face of danger. Speaking of danger, this blonde boy had suddenly willed them away from that building. His gift was astonishing, and would Miles have another inkling of energy left in his body, he would have undoubtedly commented on it. [color=39b54a]“Thanks..."[/color] Miles spoke quietly. [color=39b54a]“You sure to want to do this..? Erubesco will shoot on sight, if they see you with a soldier from Liberty..."[/color] 
 
[color=FE9A2E]“Oh, that’s fine,"[/color] Lucas replied, struggling to get the seatbelt across his chest. He kept tugging on it but it seemed to get stuck at each pull. He finally gave up and let go of it, sighing. He looked down at the pedals and the gear. [color=FE9A2E]“Let’s see,"[/color] he mumbled to himself as he pressed on the brakes and turned the engine on. [color=FE9A2E]“There we go!"[/color] He turned over to Miles with a grin. [color=FE9A2E]“If we get found, we could always just get them. Of course, we should do our best to not be found out. We should go find a neutral town. If we get somewhere like that, we can get you properly looked at and get a less conspicuous ride.”[/color]
 
[color=39b54a]“That’s a reasonable course of action..."[/color] The young soldier nodded, offering Lucas a soft though barely visible smile. It would be a lie, to claim that Lucas’ carefree nature was an unwelcome addition to an otherwise tremendously miserable day. [color=39b54a]“I’m Miles, by the way..."[/color] The soldier continued, sliding the full clip out of his new pistol. [color=39b54a]“Just a soldier..."[/color] He finished, placing the clip in his pocket before using his Gift on the ammunition and loaded a replicated copy into the handgun.
 
[color=FE9A2E]“Nice to meet ya, Miles. My name’s Lucas,"[/color] the young man responded. [color=FE9A2E]“Just a soldier, hm? I suppose that would make me your everyday wasteland lowlife!"[/color] His smile widened as he saw the clip replicate. [color=FE9A2E]“Woah! That’s pretty cool! Can you do that with anything? Like food and stuff? Oh, I should..."[/color] He turned back around to face the wheel. [color=FE9A2E]“Here we go!"[/color] The car went forward in an uncontrollable burst before the speed stabilized.
 
With a soft shake of his head, the soldier gently rested the gun upon his lap and made sure to toggle the safety. Once the car sped up, he nearly fell out of his seat but managed to keep his balance, and grabbed hold of the pistol before it slid down to his legs. [color=39b54a]“Shit..."[/color] He muttered, flinching from the pain echoing throughout his body at the sudden burst. [color=39b54a]“N-no..."[/color] Miles gulped. [color=39b54a]“Nothing organic...”[/color]
 
[color=FE9A2E]“Oh, sorry! I haven’t properly driven a car like this in… ten years? Give or take,"[/color] he said, his eyes moving up off the road for a few seconds. He looked back on the road, his right hand flicking a few switches behind the wheel, activating the windshield wipers. [color=FE9A2E]“Oh? I didn’t mean to do that, but that’s good,"[/color] he said before turning on the short headlights. [color=FE9A2E]“We should be out of this town soon. I [i]think[/i] I can find the settlement nearby. It won’t be too quick a ride, but we should get there before anyone can find us.”[/color]
 
[color=39b54a]“Ten years..?"[/color] Miles blinked. [color=39b54a]“Just how old are you..?"[/color] THis boy couldn’t be much older than Miles himself. Ten years ago Miles was seven. [color=39b54a]“Ugh, damn..."[/color] The boy clenched his teeth while leaning back in the seat. His wound was starting to hurt more, now. Adrenaline was leaving his system and pain proceeded to echo throughout his frame. [color=39b54a]“This...really hurts..."[/color] Miles chuckled softly, the otherwise serious soldier managing a level of irony in the midst of war. Perhaps Lucas was rubbing off on him. “The thought of getting cleaned up is a godsend..."[/color] 
 
[color=FE9A2E]“Hm… Between 18 and 19. I’m not sure which,"[/color] Lucas responded. [color=FE9A2E]“My family from back then taught me for a job we were doing. I had to tie wooden blocks on the pedals just to reach them and see the road."[/color] His tone seemed to get a bit sombre but his demeanor returned to normal in no time. [color=FE9A2E]“So, uh,"[/color] he said as they passed the last block in the outskirts of the town. [color=FE9A2E]“Why’d you become a soldier? It looks like a pretty thankless and demanding job, fighting things like that out here.”[/color]
 
[color=39b54a]“The alternative was to starve on the streets of Erubesco."[/color] Miles sighed, shaking his head. [color=39b54a]“I honestly don’t know what I’m expecting, anymore."[/color] The soldier continued, moving his eyes towards the armored window to see the vast road of destruction stretching out as far as vision allowed. [color=39b54a]“They say that everyone in Liberty is equal. No poverty, no suffering."[/color] Miles spoke, a sense of disappointment washing over him. [color=39b54a]“Don’t know, honestly."[/color] Erubesco had their own version of perfection, just like Liberty. What if it all was the different sides of the same coin? 
 
[color=FE9A2E]“I don’t really know much about politics,"[/color] Lucas said. [color=FE9A2E]“It’s probably easy to live in a place like that if you’re more powerful. Look at the wastelands. Any rules that govern any region of this place is more like a suggestion. There isn’t really anyone to tip the scale in your favours."[/color] He paused for a moment and glanced at Miles. [color=FE9A2E]“I try to stay out of stuff like that. Out here, it’s best to just look forward to making ends meet, and that’s exactly what I do! I don’t have too much to complain about, really.”[/color]
 
[color=39b54a]“Hey, Lucas..."[/color] Miles spoke silently, a lingering mist of silence engulfing them before he did so. Another moment of thought passed before he’d talk once more, the boy’s eyes lowering themselves to the bloodied cargo pants donning his tired legs. Just what would come of this war? Erubesco contained rumors of inhumane experiments that had been displayed in a very rough manner, and it was well known at this point that whatever whispers crept from ear to ear about the cruelty of the commanders was a common truth. Could Liberty truly be that much better? Was it this black and white? A defeated sigh escaped Miles lips before he looked up once more. [color=39b54a]“Don’t think I’m in a hurry to get back to the army, to be honest."[/color] He had already deserted the Erubescan army. Was he going to do the same once more, based on uncertainty? [color=39b54a]“Tell me, do you think that Liberty is the better alternative...?"[/color] 
 
Lucas looked at Miles in a bit of a surprise. With a smile he turned ahead and spoke up. [color=FE9A2E]“I don’t really like the ‘lesser of two evils’ thing,"[/color] he said. [color=FE9A2E]“If they’re both screwed up, they’re both screwed up. If you wanna change something, you could try to fix ‘em up, but otherwise, taking sides might prove pretty counterproductive."[/color] He paused for a moment before continuing. [color=FE9A2E]“The war probably won’t last forever, but I doubt the winning side will be very graceful in victory to their long time enemies. This kind of stuff is why I remained in the ash. No point in joining something you can’t fully get behind. Well, no matter what happens, there’s always a spot in the wastelands for deserters and scoundrels!”[/color]
 
Miles paused for a moment, calculating Lucas’ words. He had been living in the wastes for a while, no doubt. What he said did however hold merit. Miles had gone from one army to the other, all the while risking his life on a daily basis for something he was uncertain of. Why didn’t he have the luxury to fight for what he believed in? Or, did he? It was after all his choice to abandon one army for another, and in the end, he had found himself at the brink of death, unsure if he even felt it worth the struggle. [color=39b54a]“I wanted to get a better life."[/color] Miles explained. [color=39b54a]“The army was the only option, for that."[/color] There truly was no other option. [color=39b54a]“When I realized how messed up Erubesco really was, I turned to Liberty and what they offered."[/color] He paused, thinking it over. [color=39b54a]“It seemed so genuine, and so pure. Equality for everyone? If that was the case, why..."[/color] Miles sighed, shaking his head. [color=39b54a]“Why are there always so many secrets buried?"[/color] Of course, Lucas didn’t have the answer to these questions. Miles knew that, but he felt the need to ask them aloud, as if asking himself. [color=39b54a]“I guess...I can think more on this, after I get patched up..."[/color] The soldier finished. 
 
[color=FE9A2E]“I wouldn’t know, really,”[/color] Lucas said after a moment’s thought. [color=FE9A2E]“That’d probably be best. Think with a clear head and veins full of blood, that’s what I say,”[/color] he said jokingly. [color=FE9A2E]“Try and get some rest. You oughta be feeling better once we get you to the doc."[/color]