>...-= Speartip =-...
 
>Sentry-Express, Office.
>Post Graduation
 
>Sunset had taken in as much of the old picture as she could. Admiring the artwork on the side of the vehicle.
 
>Along with the name on the front-left of the turret, the barrel of the main gun proudly proclaimed "COMPLAINT DEPT." in black letters on the side. Opposite the Tank's namesake, a pair of red batwings flanked a scowling grin of the face of a rather generic looking gargoyle head, all of this in front of a pair of parallel tank tracks running vertically downwards.
 
>The tank featured a few peculiar attachments near the turret, most notably a loudspeaker. From what she could see, it was crudely welded onto the tank's body.
 
>Along the sides were random doodles. A person intune with their artistic side might consider this more canvas than war-machine.
 
>Erran had did all the art himself, he made sure that she knew this.
 
>"I just kinda got bored on slow days and had at it."
 
>Her heart warmed and she nodded as a cute smile formed across her lips. The stories so far hadnt been too traumatizing for either of them.
 
>She handed the picture frame back over to its owner and Erran accepted it with great care.
 
>"What was it like over there?"
 
>"It was boring. We would sit on post for days at a time waiting for them to show up."
 
>"In a way, it was kinda scary."
 
>Her eyes pleaded for an explanation, hoping that his next words would soothe and quell the worst thoughts that she had been fearing most.
 
>"You never knew when something was gonna jump out and 'git ya"
 
>"And Im not talking 'bout no skeletons neither."
 
----------
 
>Twenty-Four Hour Post
>Sandbox.
 
>The four men sat in their own reclused compartments within the machine.
 
>Private Errant sat alone, separated from the rest of the crew in the front as Outback Hellion's jockey and navigator.
 
>He lifted his leg up and into his chest and lifted himself up. He crouched down on the seat, letting the blood pump back into his legs.
 
>He righted his helmet and relaxed back down into the tight confines of the cockpit, letting his head lay back for a few brief moments of peace.
 
>The radio in his earpiece buzzed alive.
 
>"C.P. Movement"
 
>"I got two on the left, an' one the right, one and a half miles out"
 
>"Looks like 62's lets have a little fun. swing it around, baby. Driver, close up shop."
 
>Private Sentry obliged, swinging the hatch around and pulling the combat locks down, sealing himself inside the iron coffin.
 
>Quiet guitar chords echoed across wind and sandy valley through Hellion's loudspeaker
 
>As the tempo of the heavy metal suddenly increased, a low booming came from the other side of the valley.
 
>The screaming shell struck the left side of the turret. The armor clanged and echoed on the inside.
 
>Hellion Refused to move.
 
>The dust cleared, and Hellion stood its ground.
 
>Hellion's armor denied any effect to the gun across the valley, and resulted in hardly a scratch.
 
>The loudspeaker erupted in a discordant volley of cackling and taunting guffaws from the crew inside.
 
>Their laughter carried through the air and reached Hellion's three attackers.
 
>The music began to melt into a loud and unintelligible mix of vocals, drums, and frantic yet skillful strums.
 
>Private Sentry began to churn the body of Hellion, rotating the bottom half of the sandblasted tank in a continuous 360 degree arc.
 
>Hellion's gun maintained it's turret directed onto his target even as its treads continued to spin.
 
----------
 
>A large blast struck nearby at the sand just off to the right of Hellion
 
>The laughter erupted in volume again over the megaphone.
 
>"Joker, show them what you do, bro."
 
>"ROUND UP!"
 
>"Fire"
 
>Hellion roared with a high velocity SABOT round of his own. Flames erupted on the other side of the valley. Hellion's treads continued its churning against the sand, taunting the other machines across the way.
 
>"ROUND UP!"
 
>"Fire"
 
>As another explosion rendered the second attack dead, the third tank threw its treads into reverse and attempted to flee forwards over the sandy dune behind them.
 
"ROUND UP!"
 
>"Sentry, theyre runnin, get after em."
 
>Hellion ended its taunt, the treads turned into the direction of the escapee.
 
>62 tons of war barreled down the valley at the enemy.
 
"Fire"
 
>Hellion breathed forth another shell, and the frightened enemy cooked inside of their vehicle.
 
>"Hey C.P." Erran spoke over the radio
 
>"You think they're out of tanks yet?"
 
>"Shit I hope not" The voice of the gunner joined the conversation.
 
>"Have a little faith baby. Have a little faith"
 
----------
 
>...-= Ruminate =-...
 
>Present day.
>Somewhere in the wilderness.
 
>The pup had claimed Panzer's saddle for his own as Sunset pushed Panzer by its handlebars through the maze of trees and branches.
 
>The plan was to continue heading West, as that's where she deduced the road would eventually curve around at.
 
>'Find the road, get to Elwood, find Torque, and put everything behind me as fast as I can...'
 
>She looked down, and tousled the ears of the napping wolf.
 
>'Except for you. You stay.'
 
>The puppy was bearlike in nature, and potential was rife within his growing muscles and fierce blue gaze.... At least when he was awake.
 
>As she continued to push the bike westward through the tress, the tip of her jackboot grazed the top of a hidden rock.
 
>She stumbled and struck her shin against standpegs.
 
>Sunset sucked air in through her teeth sharply and lifted that leg off of the ground, bouncing on her unwounded one.
 
>"Oh ouch! Shit. ow ow ow ow ow..."
 
>The puppy righted itself up in all of the commotion, his tail rocketed upwards, standing tall in the air.
 
>Her fell upon his ears and sparked a response.
 
>The pup sat firmly and squeaked out a short call to the sun.
 
>He tried again, this time pouring every ounce of strength into his cry that his lungs could muster
 
----------
 
>As Sunset ceased her mantra, the Pup met eyes with her, and tilted his head slightly.
 
>This amused her greatly, she laughed to herself and set the bike down on the kickstand.
 
>"Hey, you talkin' to me buddy?"
 
>The attention from his master caused him to wag his tail
 
>She placed her hands on her knees and leaned over, bringing her eyes down to his and began to sing to him.
 
>"Aaaaahooouuuuuu" Her lips formed a tiny 'o' allowing her dogspeak to mimic his.
 
>The puppy immediately flattened its ears against the top of his skull and raised its muzzle into the air and began talking back
 
>"AO- AOUUWWWWW"
 
>"Aaaaaouuuuuuuuu!"
 
>"AAAAOOUUUUWWWWWWWWWWW!"
 
>The two howled together for a number of minutes, the howling growing in intensity and enthusiasm as time went on.
 
>Sunset giggled gleefully as she brought her palm to the wolf's face, scratching his skin gently.
 
>"Are joo talkin' to me buddy, huh?"
 
>The wolf licked at her fingertips, coating them with a generous film of saliva.
 
----------
 
>She scooped her companion up into her arms and cradled him lovingly, taking the time to scratch his belly chest.
 
>THe pup grunted in protest as it thrashed around, begging for release.
 
>Sunset set the pup down. The wolf set his nose to the ground and began to search.
 
>He squatted his rump down and relived himself, immediately returning and sitting down at her side. A pair of ice-blue eyes gazed back up at her.
 
>"Smart do- Er... Wolf" She slid her hands underneath his armpits and lifted him up eye-level with her own.
 
>"This would've been a very different story had you not warned me, you know."
 
>Sunset at the pump gently back down onto the saddle and pressed on through the woods, the line of trees grew thin, and the three travelers made their way out of the forest.
 
>The road ahead told a tale of epic proportions. Huge dramatic hills spilled down into a valley below. The sun kissed the grass in such a way that suggested this place to be of some holy significance.
 
>As Sunset soldiered on into the valley, she locked eyes with the curious pup, who no doubt had the same feelings of wonder and excitement coursing through his veins as well.
 
>The wolf was already stocky at such a young age. His eyes filled with naivete but also great untapped strength.
 
>He needed a name.
 
>It was on the shoulders of his new mother that the burden of identity laid upon.
 
----------
 
>Her eyes scanned the terrain ahead of her.
 
>'Dragging the bike around is going to be hell...' The jagged and uneven hills warned of this.
 
>As far right as she could see, all the way into her left, no towns or signs of civilization in sight.
 
>"Shit."
 
>The sun hung its highest in the sky, a reassuring notion. It guaranteed a few hours worth of heat and sunlight. Of course this also brought forth the concern of spending another night outside in the open. Sunset wasn't sure she was ready to do a repeat of last night.
 
>Decisions had to be made once again. The notion of leaving Panzer behind seemed unthinkable, but the terrain ahead dared her try.
 
>"Alright..." She mulled over the options, deciding on a new plan.
 
>She laid the bike down gently in the treeline and removed the set of saddlebags, throwing it over her shoulder and setting out down path ahead of her with [REDACTED] by her side, and following faithfully at her feet.
 
>"Ill be back Panzer... I wont abandon you."
 
----------
 
>The hike was much too peaceful. The hike reminded her of...
 
>Her thoughts drifted back to that day, Sophomore year. Spending the night alone and scared the night before, only to be crushed and cast aside the next morning.
 
>Yeah... That day.
 
>The oppressive grey skies above that morning, coupled with the conformity of the school had no place for a troubled and heartbroken mind.
 
>Her reminiscence took her back to the front doors... watching the boy she gave herself to invalidate everything that they had ever shared together.
 
>She shook her head.
 
>'Look at how beautiful it is out here...'
 
>The suns rays shone beautifully over this golden valley.
 
>It was totally untainted by the will of mankind.
 
>...The way things were supposed to be.
 
>Sunset continued on down into a small grove at the pit of the valley.
 
>It offered good shade. A sinkhole in the middle of the trees also provided an astonishingly clear pool of water.
 
>The pup had taken curiosity with some of the frogs leaping about, waisting no time claiming one for his own.
 
>Sunset nodded in agreement, watching the wolf instinctively devour his prey, she reached into the saddlebags and sat down in the relaxing grasses for a short picnic.
 
----------
 
>She reached into her pocket and produced the switchblade.
 
>Rummaging around for the box of crackers and the peanut butter, her lunch was set.
 
>With the knife she spread a generous helping of the creamy paste over the flaky and crunchy wheat tack.
 
>The food coupled with the serenity of her surroundings conjured something up inside of her.
 
>This wasnt the first time she had sat alone with her own thoughts.
 
>The difference here being that rather than feelings of abandonment and grief, her heart beat pure and painlessly.
 
>She compared the openness and the freedom of the natural world to the iron and grey concrete laden streets and laws.
 
>Was it something about the nature of mankind that corrupted those who could not find a way into the system?
 
>The social norms of man had a way of casting out and punishing those who disagreed with it. Four years of highschool could attest to this.
 
>Ponies didn't seem to have nearly as many of the same troubles as Men did, despite the fact that there were faces who existed in both realms.
 
>Something about the human environment was toxic... But Sunset found that it could be cured simply by witnessing the natural beauty of what the Earth had to offer, as opposed to the laws and regulations of mankind.
 
>"Freedom..."
 
----------
 
>The wolf hungrily smacked and licked its muzzle before laying his head down against the grass.
 
>His ribcage rose and fell rapidly as he panted.
 
>Dragonflies and gnats buzzed around him, visiting the resting pup in his relative motionlessness.
 
>His teeth bared and his jaws snapped at a pest hovering in his periphery.
 
>Sunset reached out for her friend, stopped abruptly by a vibration from her pants pocket.
 
>Instinctively, she retrieved it. He held her palm over the screen as the sunlight prevented her from deciphering the message.
 
>'Hey Sunny called but no answer shipping out tomorrow and wanted to see you. want to meet up?'
 
>Flash Sentry.
 
>Her hands shook, immediately her eyes began to water.
 
>She stood up.
 
>The phone was clutched tightly in her hand. With her other, she dusted off salty crumbs from her jacket and pants.
 
>She looked at the phone, and then at the lake.
 
>A lone splash hit the surface of the water.
 
>Sunset and Faust continued on.
 
----------
 
>The pond lay just at the foot of a small mountain.
 
>Not quite steep enough to scale, but a strenuous path to take on foot.
 
>Her thighs burned with overexertion as she trekked upwards against the giant mound of stone and earth.
 
>Faust* on the other hand, had no trouble galloping forth and back down to sunset, telling a story of remarkable proportions through his tail and wild eyes.
 
>As the crest of the hill sank below her vision she had a seat. Her reward was a good long rest.
 
>The sun was beginning to set now, her namesake shone almost as beautifully as she had felt during her time in this place.
 
>As her panting subsided from the climb, Sunset took the time to survey the area.
 
>Buildings could be seen just mile or two outwards to the west, just as she had suspected.
 
>She thought about Faust* at first. Worried at how the town's denizens would handle such an 'uncouth beast' in their presence.
 
>'Cross that bridge when we get to it.'
 
>'First things first'
 
>She pulled the canteen out of her saddlebags and took a long drink. The puppy at her feet stared upwards at her with curiosity and she obliged him with a pool of water within the palm of her hand.
 
>Satisfied, the two set out for Elwood.
 
----------
 
>...-= Well Earned Comforts =-...
 
>Nightfall had passed by the time Sunset and Faust* crossed over, back into the world of normality.
 
>Before her lay the small town of Elwood. Its streets bathed in the amber and white-blue glow of mismatched streetlights and neon colored 'CLOSED' store signs.
 
>As her jackboot struck concrete, she bent over and picked up her little one.
 
>She had doubts in her mind, that the man she was seeking would still be working at this hour. Nevertheless she pressed on, cradling Faust* in one arm and navigating with the paper that Jack had given to her with the other.
 
>She stopped in front of a world that she had known well.
 
>Before her was an old and rundown autoyard, an old aluminum sign hung out front.
 
>"TORQUE and CO. Auto Repair."
 
>The lights inside the building were off. And as she had suspected was quite empty.
 
>Her feet and legs ached terribly. She took a seat on the steps out in front of the building, setting down her bags and Faust* down as well.
 
>Going back to the bike was clearly not an option.
 
>She did have an ample supply of funds, hovering around the 1k mark thanks to her jackpot yesterday.
 
>Sunset looked up at the sign, gathering information for her plans tomorrow.
 
>'MON - FRI OPEN 7AM-4PM'
>'SAT - SUN OPEN 8AM-4PM'
 
>She wasnt sure what day it was.
 
>'Eight it is then'
 
----------
 
>Sunset rested her elbows on her knees, cradling her chin in her palms and watched Faust* sniff around the empty parkinglot. So many smells that were foreign to his young nose.
 
>After a few minutes of rest, she collected her bag and her hound. And began the search for the hospitality.
 
>Just a block down the street, a cluster of buildings alive with buzzing light fixtures made themselves known to her.
 
>A gas station and a hotel on opposite sides of the road.
 
>Her scheming began.
 
---------
 
>A bell rang as she pushed open the door to the gas station.
 
>Brightly lit with freshly mopped and polished tile floors.
 
>"Hello". The clerk behind the counter had halted her task of stocking cigarette cartons to greet her.
 
>She had seen Faust*, but didnt seem to mind him.
 
>'Good'
 
>Sunset browsed the shelves in search of a few items.
 
>She brought them to the counter.
 
>Four cans of dogfood, a can opener, and fifty yards of nylon rope.
 
>"Fifteen twenty-seven"
 
>Sunset fumbled around in her pocket for a twenty.
 
>"I think im in love with your dog. What is he?"
 
>"Hes a uh... Shepherd-Malamute mix."
 
>"That's why he's so wolflike"
 
>Well that wasnt suspicious.
 
>The clerk handed over change and a receipt.
 
>"Hes a good'un, theres something about those eyes. Theyre gorgeous"
 
>Sunset smiled and stuffed the things away. She placed a finger and thumb around Faust*'s paw and waved goodbye to the clerk with it.
 
----------
 
>Across the street, Sunset and Faust had taken refuge behind the hotel.
 
>She removed the nylon rope from the bag and cut tied together a temporary leash and collar.
 
>Faust* hated it.
 
>The pup jumped and growled, attempting to gnaw at the constriction around his neck.
 
>Her hand shot into the bag and produced a can of dog food and the can opener.
 
>Faust continued to whimper and protest further as Sunset tied the rope around the chainlink fence in the alley behind the hotel.
 
>She tore open the top and set the can down in front of the pup.
 
>Almost immediately, his tail began to swing back and forth. His nose flexed and analyzed the delicious aroma of gravy and beef chunks.
 
>As the puppy began licking and tasting the goodies inside of the can, Sunset jumped up and quickly made her way into the Main office of the hotel.
 
----------
 
>"Hi there! I need a room"
 
>The Host looked up from his newspaper, and set it down begrudgingly.
 
>"How many beds?"
 
>"Just one"
 
>"Double, King?"
 
>"King please."
 
>Faint growling could be heard outside.
 
>"Goddamn dogs again..."
 
>The seconds of silence in between responses became sharp sensations of worry.
 
>A series of young wolf barking.
 
>"Alright, do you have any pets with you?"
 
>Shrill howling.
 
>"No"
 
>"Good. We dont allow pets in the rooms. How many nights?"
 
>"Just tonight"
 
>"That brings you to $60. Sign this here, and Ill go get your key"
 
>She scribbled frantically, hoping to speed the process along.
 
>Clattering tin ecchoed from outside in the alley.
 
>"Goddamn dogs..."
 
>The man disappeared and returned with an envelope, the key inside.
 
>'108'
 
>"Checkout is at eleven, if you need anything call the desk. Number is on the phone in the room"
 
----------
 
>Sunset dived into the bed, burying her face in the soft and welcoming feather-stuffed pillows.
 
>The cool from the fabric soothed the tense and sweaty hike from the day, and offered a welcome and relaxing sleep.
 
>Scratching came from the bedskirt below. Sunset rolled over and rested Faust* on her chest.
 
>Their blue eyes locked with one another, Sunset and the wolf studying for meaning behind reassuring black saucers that stared back at them.
 
>The baby wolf rested its poor weary head in between his mother's breasts and fell asleep at the lullaby of her heartbeat.
 
>Her belly quivered and demanded her attention.
 
>With her pup sound asleep, she seized the opportunity and went for a quick supply run.
 
----------
 
>A short while later, the door opened and locked.
 
>Sunset had entered the room with a paper bag full of guilty pleasure in her hands, and a sinful, yet anticipating smile across her lips.
 
>She pulled the opening of the bag apart and allowed the heavenly aroma of fried and tainted foods float upwards into her nostrils.
 
>Her mouth watered.
 
>Was it wrong? Yes...
 
>But its fun to sin every once in a while
 
>Sunset crashed on the bed happily and nurtured herself.
 
..........
 
>After the meal, she stripped down and out of her clothes.
 
>She stepped her bare feet down on the questionable linoleum of the shower and allowed the cleansing waters to wash on over her.
 
>Steam fogged the mirror and the glass encasing her inside.
 
>A number of times, washing had brushed over a select few sensitive areas over her fatigued body.
 
>Her hands floated upwards, grasping and kneading her wettened cups firmly.
 
>The water was hot, yes, but something burned warmer deep inside of her.
 
>She laid back against the back of the showerstall, allowing her head to roll backwards as her fingertips snaked down her belly.
 
>She ghosted a fingernail across her lips.
 
>A hushed gasp escaped her lips...
 
>Her knees trembled and buckled inwards.
 
>Two fingers pressed up against her sex, circling her clit lovingly
 
>"A...mmm~"
 
..........
 
>Sunset stepped out of the blazing shower a new and relaxed woman.
 
>She tied her hair up in a towel and strolled around the room naked, turning off the lights.
 
>She tossed the towel to the floor and let herself and her freshly washed and wet crimson and gold hair fall across the pillow.
 
>Her cheek dampened along with the pillow.
 
>She pulled her child close to her and kissed him goodnight.
 
>"Faust can you cuddle?"
 
>The baby wolf licked her nose and settled back down against her.
 
>She smiled happily and closed her eyes.
 
>"Figures".
 
END