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Level 1
The Pioneer: Huh? I don’t remember posting a delivery order. Hell, not once in my whole life have I ever looked to a porter for support—just not my way. Whoa! This is that shit I lost the other day! Awesome! Hang on a tick while I check it out! You found this? You seriously found this shit? Oh man, this is like the greatest day ever, thanks! I like you, dude! Like maybe too much—and I’m not just saying that. But I bet I can like you even more so I’ll toss you extra work. Q-pid? This part of that trailblazing comms tech I’ve heard so much about?
The Pioneer: So, this is that chiral network folks’re all raving about! I’m the Pioneer, by the way. I travel the world, like my father and his father, and so on. Gotta say, I didn’t think network stuff could hold a candle to roughing it in the real-word. But, like, you can use this thing to research past events and whatnot right? Maybe even the voidout that tore shit up around here back in the day. Oh, I shared one of my grandfather’s favorite gadgets with you. Call it a thank-you gift or whatever. It’s a deployable shield. This isn’t the safest place, if you know what I mean. Wind up in a firefight, and you’ll learn to appreciate its value real quick. Why not take it for a spin sometime?
Sam: There was a voidout here?
The Pioneer: Yeah, there’s this massive crater just over to the west. Was made by a voidout, of course. The same one that took out North Fort Knot in the blink of an eye. I don’t know the details, but word is that people saw an omen or something. Like right before the voidout, this huge shadow fell over everything. Sounds pretty weird, doesn’t it? That’s why everyone’s convinced this voidout is different from all the others. And if we could figure out what the deal was, it might help us avoid a repeat someday. Worth looking into, at least.
Sam: You’re a pioneer, huh?
The Pioneer: I’m the third-generation pioneer, actually. It’s my calling—I was born into it. My family’s been traveling the world since my grandfather’s time. Searching for stuff no one had ever seen before. But then, a dramatic twist: Cause of the Death Stranding, we had to dramatically reduce the scope of our epic “journeys of discovery.” And then another dramatic twist! The expansion of the chiral network across Australia has a chance of making a brand-new plate gate appear, or so I’ve heard. And if it does appear, we can travel to another continent. Meaning, this network might just allow me to carry on my family’s globe-trotting legacy!
Sam: Deployable shield?
The Pioneer: It’s a shield you can deploy in a flash just by holding it at the ready. Talk about a name that tells the whole story, am I right? So yeah, it’s perfect for defending against frontal attacks—and if you wanna just stick it in the ground, hell, you can do that too. With that strategy, you can use it as cover and pop out to take shots. I guess you already know how to use a shield, though, yeah? Anyway, with this little baby backing you up, you can power through a fight taking minimal damage—or make a break for it if you need to. Makes life much easier—I guarantee it! You won’t know how you got by without it. For real!
Sam: See you around.
The Pioneer: Just wanna say again that I appreciate you. Alright, back to it! Oh, I mean wait—wait just a sec. Sorry. I forgot to mention that I’ve got some cool shit here that I’ve found, as well as a couple of rare gizmos that my grandfather left me. So come back again if you’re interested. Good luck with the deliveries, dude.
Level 2
The Pioneer: Thanks for popping in, dude. I’ll get on the order check for you. For real, I can’t believe you brought me this cargo. I think I might be getting a crush on you, dude. You’re crazy—like why you gotta work so damn hard? It’s overwhelming having a buddy like you to back me up. I boosted your materials allocation, dude. How ‘bout it? Did I boost your spirits as well? I got something super neat for you. Well, maybe not that amazing, but useful, at least. I think our “connection level” just went up, dude. So I’m gonna hook up with this camel hood. It’s your best friend when humping through the desert. It’s even got a special compartment for storing extra water. And high temperatures won’t take as much of a toll on you when you wear it. If you do start to get a sweat on though, you’ve got the H2O you need to recover stamina right on board. How can you not use it in the desert, am I right? Have fun!
Level 3
The Pioneer: Yo, take a load off dude. I’ll just need a sec to give the order data a once over. Yeah, this cargo is, like, pretty okay-ish. Thanks man! You found this, You seriously found this shit? oh man, this is like the greatest day ever, thanks! Goddamn! Is there anything you can’t do? You deserve a reward for your work, so take this, you crazy bastard! I boosted your materials allocation, dude. How ‘bout it? Did I boost your spirits as well? We just hit connection level three, dude! So let’s celebrate with some fireworks! Now I don’t know why this is… But when you set off fireworks, lots of folks will just stand around and stare like they’re in a daze. Ah, and these fireworks are kinda big, too. Really couldn’t tell you why they’re this size. I’m sure there’s some special reason. Wait, I’ll bet the DHV Magellan could launch fireworks this huge without any trouble! So you can get your ship to use them as fire support, maybe? Whatever—if you don’t get what I’m saying, check your corpus. See you later.
Level 4
The Pioneer: Oh, is it night already? And you’re here even though it’s dark out? That’s crazy man, there’s no need to risk your life. Let’s see if you’ve been doing alright with the orders. I am super ultra blown away by your super ultra huge delivery. Goddamn, dude! For real, I can’t believe you brought me this cargo. I think I might be getting a crush on you, dude. Damn, you’re like a helping machine. I’m getting teary-eyed, for real. Quick… take this… Have some more materials, Sam! Use ‘em all, I don’t give a fuck! Would you look at that—we just hit connection level four, dude. Probably because you keep trudging through the desert just to check in with me. Mad respect, for real. Now, this may come across as a little random, but I’ve rustled up a nifty new pattern just for you! But like, what even is a “pattern” anyway? Eh, fuck it. You’ll definitely dig it. I mean, you just gotta, dude! See you when I see you.
Level 5
The Pioneer: He’s been working real hard, Sam the man. And I’m gonna see about his orders right away. That’s a crazy amount of cargo. Like a legit insane amount. You got me shook with this delivery! You found this? You seriously found this shit? Oh man, this is like the greatest day ever, thanks! You’re no average porter. You’re like a trailblazing pioneer of the porter world—and that’s why you should have this. Have some more materials, Sam! Use ‘em all, I don’t give a fuck! Connection. Level. Five! yeah buddy, we got it! You’re the best, dude. Seriously, do you really care about me that much? Cause like, I’ve got a crazy amount of love for you too. Maybe love isn’t the right word. Respect? Admiration, maybe? I’m your biggest fan for sure, though. Like, I could give you a standing ovation for days. Almost wanna call you the fourth gen pioneer, after me. Come back anytime. You’ll always be welcome here, my dude.