Two days have passed and the crew have never felt more healthy. The doctor returned with fantastic news and a letter from his friend. He handed the letter to John and explained the path to the manufacturing district.
"My friend Kale has got a vehicle to your specifications. Great armour, new engine and a spacious interior for living." The doctor explained.
"Aw geez, thanks." Cried out Ehma, "What do we owe you?"
"Owe?" Laughed the doctor. "Just tell Kale that Bailey sent you."
With this information the crew prepared to set off to the manufacturing district. But before they could go, Kaze and Suki insisted on accompanying them inwards to the district. They happily invited the two and soon, they began their walk down the dirt path.
While the crew were chatting and taking in the view of the wheatfields, Kaze and Suki were walking a little further behind them.
"Kaze…These people have good hearts. I haven't been able to talk to anyone outside of Cat City before. Especially since they can fight quite fiercely like you." Commented Suki.
"I realised they are not too different from us. Those bandits have hurt them as much as they've hurt us." Replied Kaze. "What do you think about joining them on their journey, Suki?"
"What?" She said surprised. "But…who'll protect the village? Is it really okay for me to travel so far from home?"
"You'll be fine as long as you're with me. I still have much to teach you, and you have so much to grow still." Assured Kaze. He held her hand and looked forward to the crew. "If they are after the bandits, then maybe we can stop them from attacking the village. Attacking innocent people." Suki looked down at the road that was flowing by her foot.
"If its with you…then I'll be happy to come." She said as she looked up with a smile. The two of them quickened their pace to catch up with the crew in front.
After an hour, they finally see the large buildings of the district with an array of large towers looming over behind it. They followed John as he navigated the maze of alleys and large paths. The streets were shadowed by the buildings and scaffolds of the district. Looking up, they could see networks of cables, rope and laundry lines. There were many Cat people walking high up on catwalks and rope bridges.
The place they were looking for was fortunately on the ground floors.
After a few paces around some blocks, they finally reached the marked destination on the letter.
It was the bottom of a large building block with a massive door which was assumed to open for large vehicles.
A figure emerged from the darkness of the large doors bearing bright green eyes. It was a Cat Man with black fur and dust covered overalls.
"You must be the crew that Bailey was talking about. Come inside quick! I wanna show you the chassis I've been restoring."
As the crew walked past large cloth covered vehicles under the dim lights, they reached another room where the Cat Man had just flicked on the lights. With a buzz and a whir, the lights cracked on revealing the monumental image of their new tank.
"Sooo? Whatcha think? Hauled it all the way from the wasteland near Keilah Londrus. This beast is nothing to laugh at." Said Kale
"This beauty is amazing" Exclaimed Migs "But umm…where's the turret?"
"Yeaaahhhh…about that. When I found this thing, it was missing. Don't know how or why but it was just gone. Sorry about that." Kale nervously laughed.
"Nah she'll be alright. I reckon we take her to Oz Town. Know a few mates there who've got some parts for us." assured Migs.
As the crew explored the interior and viewed the outside from multiple angles, John excused himself to make a radio transmission to someone. Borrowing a radio transmitter from Kale.
After some extra tinkering by Ehma, the crew got some food from a local eatery and made a plan to head south to Oz Town.
Emha cranked the ignition a couple times until the engine roared and purred to life. They had just finished stocking up on fuel and rations for the journey. John was feeling the clutch and brake while Migs and Hugo were tidying up the living quarters.
"There's not much room in the sleeping lot so we might just camp outside like usual." Shouted Migs.
As the final preparations were made, Kaze and Suki approached the crew.
"If it isn't too much trouble, could we join your crew? We'd like to figure out who the 'First Hand' is and what the bandits have to do with them." Asked Kaze.
John smiled softly at the two. Ehma and Migs were both filled with great excitement.
"Hell yeah!" Proudly shouted Migs.