Roadtrippin'

[Techno Beat]

*The desert is flashing past the window quite quickly. Las Vegas, or at least the outskirts, are hours behind us and the Zones are probably another hour away. From how loud the engine is roaring, Neon Paint must be pushing our old Chevy Camero pretty hard. I don't know exactly why she's driving so fast; it's not like we're in a life or death situation.*

Neon, can you slow down at all? I don't want you to bust the engine again. You know how hard it was to find parts the last time you over-worked it.

[Neon Paint]

*I look over at Tech, letting my sunglasses slide down my nose so I can look over them with a deadpan look. The loose strands of my blue-streaked hair are flying into my face, considering I have the windows down.* Oh come on Tech. I've been wanting to push this baby for the last few weeks. The roads around Vegas aren't the greatest for speeding.

*Plus the fact that Chemical wasn't too thrilled at the fact we left Electric alone in the Zones. I have never heard him that angry with us before, and I've done plenty of stupid shit in my time. But I think that could go unsaid between the two of us. I mean, Tech was sitting right there when Chemical contacted us this morning, supposedly after talking with 'Lec. I sigh, thinking back to Chemical basically screaming at us. Electric's a big girl, she can take care of herself. I've seen her take down hordes of Dracs since I've known her. Chem's being way too overprotective, which I can't blame him. I wish I had a brother like that, but it's times like this when I'm happy I don't.*

*I stop my mindless ramble in my brain, looking up over the dash at the road ahead of us. I realize that I'm not exactly sure where we're heading at this point. I'm just heading in a general south/south-west direction. It's been a while since I've taken the route between the Zones and Vegas.*

Uh, Tech. Do you know where we are? I'm not sure which Zone we're heading towards at the moment.

[Techno Beat]

*My already slightly sour mood gets worse as this latest revelation comes to light. Leave it to Neon Paint to get us lost, and we aren't even in the Zones yet!* Are you serious?! *I let out a deep sigh, trying to calm myself. Nothing ever gets accomplished in anger, I've found out.*

*I unbuckle my seat belt before maneuvering myself into the backseat where our gear is located. It takes a while for me to dig through our bags of food, water, clothing, and whatever Neon decided to purchase in Las Vegas. Eventually I'm able to dig out our modified GPS system that I had reprogrammed with some help. I turn it on before returning to my seat. Within moments we have a location, and we're still a good half-hour northeast of Zone 2.*

Zone 2 is just over the horizon. Isn't Pika-chan in Zone 5?

[Neon Paint]

*I shake my head as Tech uses Electric's nickname she made up. We've known each other for years, and it still cracks me up.* I think that's what Chem said. At that old airport we found when we were leaving. If you can give me directions, I think we could make it there in a few hours, tops.

*Just as I say that, the car shudders violently as a loud, clunking noise comes from the engine. I have to pull over to the side of the road as smoke comes billowing out from underneath the hood. I look out of the corner of my eye, watching as a frown forms on Tech's face. All I can do is give her a sheepish smile back.*

Oops.

[Techno Beat]

*I can't help but shake my head at Neon as I sigh in disappointment. Sometimes that girl is so absent-minded.* You better take a look and make sure you didn't damage anything with your reckless driving. So much for getting to the airport in a few hours.

*I watch Neon get out of the car before I look down at the radio on the floor. We haven't radioed to Pika-chan yet, letting her know we were heading her way. The less she knows about Chem basically ordering us to watch her, the better. Though I have a feeling she'll know once we show up. I pick it up, debating about calling on Pika-chan's frequency.*

[Neon Paint]

*The smoke coming from underneath the hood of the car is white, but it's blowing in the wind and pretty thick. I slide my gloves on before opening the hood, feeling the heat soak into my gloves. The smoke angrily escapes the engine, and it's a few seconds before I can even start to take a look. Nothing looks damaged from me pushing the engine, but I'm not a mechanic in any way. I'd rather get a second opinion, and unfortunately, Tech isn't that person.*

Hey Tech, why don't you radio us some help? We're gonna have to sit here for a while to let this baby cool off.

[Techno Beat]

*I lean out the window as Neon decides to settle herself in the sand next to the front passenger wheel. Thankful that I'm not having to specifically call Pika-chan, I set my frequency to a general Killjoy thread.*

*rb* Attention Killjoys. Looking for assistance just north of the Zones. Anyone with any kind of mechanical knowledge is a plus. Contact using this frequency.

*I open up the car door letting my feet settle upon the sand, looking out at the asphalt in front of me.* Well, the message's out. All we can do now is wait and see what happens.

[Moonlight Revenge]

*RB* message received. We're on our way, killjoys. We'll head there as soon as possible. Just send the exact coordination. In which Zone are you?

[Neon Paint]

(I'm so sorry for not getting on here sooner! Very busy at work recently!)

(writing partly for Neon Paint, also my character) *The radio buzzes to life, nearly scarring the living daylights out of me. I fumble with the radio for a minute before I'm able to reply back.*

*rb* I'm so glad somebody got my message! Starting to wonder if anybody was out there. I'll send you the coordinates right away. I'm not exactly one hundred percent sure where we are, but I know we're just north of the Zones heading south south-east from old Las Vegas. There's only one highway heading that way that's still passable, if memory serves me correct. You'll see a Camero sitting by the highway. That's where we're at.

*I sigh, looking up from the radio. The sky is getting dark now. Neon's back tinkering at the engine, no doubt checking to see if she can try to fix it herself. She is so stubborn sometimes. I have a feeling we'll be sleeping in the car tonight, which is not necessarily the worst thing in the world. But we probably should keep watch. I don't know if Draculoids do come around these parts anymore, and I don't necessarily want to let them know I'm in the area.*

[Moonlight Revenge]

(It's okay. We all get busy sometimes)
*As I'm driving through the highway. I find a car pulled over by the road so I jump out of the car*
Hey guys! I'm Moonlight Revenge. I'm the one who was talking to you on the radio.
Let me guess. The engine broke, right?
Just let me take a look at it. I know some stuff about cars. I can help you. Or you can jump into my car to drive you anywhere you want.
I also have a rope we can tie both cars with it, so you can take it with you.

[Neon Paint]

(PS-I just realized I wrote the wrong character last night, that was supposed to be Techno Beat, not Neon, and now I don't want to ruin the thread. Sorry!)

*I'm busy digging around inside the hood as I hear a car pull up and a voice call out. I nearly hit my head on the hood as I look up and see a girl walking up to Tech and me.*

Hi. I'm Neon Paint. The one in the car is Techno Beat. She's the one that's been contacting you. If you wanna take a look under the hood, go ahead. I think I busted a gasket from what I can see, which isn't much now in the dark. I really don't want to abandon this car; it's my pride and joy, but I think we can tie the bumpers together and take it slow down the highway towards the northern edges of the Zones. I'll keep it in neutral so it's easy to pull. But it's completely up to you!

[Moonlight Revenge]

(Never mind. It's okay )
Nice to meet you, Neon Paint.
Just one minute, I'll switch on the headlights of my car.
*I run to the car and switch the headlights on and then run back and look under the hood of the other car*
Umm! I'll search for gaskets in the back of the car, and if I couldn't find any gaskets then I'll have to tie both bumpers.
*I run and search in the back of the car* gosh! Rainbow! You never keep any spares! *I take the rope* I think we'll have to tie them up together and we can all go to that safehouse I know in Zone 6 so you can guys rest and wait until the morning so I get better lights to search for the spares

[Techno Beat]

Moonlight, tie the rope around your back axle. It'll be more sturdy and safe for both of our cars.

*I grab the other end of the rope and tie it to our Camero's front axle, tying a few half hitches and making sure it's secure.*

Make sure you drive slowly. I don't want either of our axles to break, or we'll both be in trouble.

[Moonlight Revenge]

Don't worry. I'll make sure to keep them safe. Just jump in my car. It's more spacious.
*After I make sure that the knots held good, I jump in the driver's seat and start the engine* we're ready to go.
*I look at Neon Paint and Techno Beat sitting in the back seat* so where are you heading guys?

[Neon Paint]

*I look over to Tech, who's looking absolutely exhausted at this point. I know she's not so thrilled about being back, but obviously we don't need to say anything major at this point. After all, Moon and her friends in the car are still strangers.*

Just a couple of rebels that are making our way back to the Zones. *I yawn. The adrenaline of the day must be wearing off.* How far away is this safe house of yours?