The Legendary Junkmaster

"We don't know what happened to the Old World," Sentinel began in a solemn voice. "But we do know that it wasn't pretty. The leaders of the countries that existed at the time worked together to solve many problems. On the surface, most of them had quite a good relationship with each other."

"But something changed. As I said, we don't know what it was that sparked a conflict, but the world soon devolved into chaos. The people who tried to abduct you belong to a collection of countries who work together called The Old World Alliance."

"They are the remnants of the rulers and governments that existed before our world became like it is today."

Jason sharply inhaled when he heard that. If these people belonged to governments that had survived since the old era, then they had to be powerful! Right?

After all, they would have knowledge that nobody else did. Surely they must know what the old machines around the world were actually used for! Jason began to wonder what their countries might look like. He even felt a pang of regret for not being taken away!

Even though that was completely illogical of him, he just wanted the chance to see how things used to look like. Jason sighed as he stared at Sentinel expectantly, a slight glimmer nested in his eyes.

"When everything went to hell, these rulers had to give up on their old territories and shrink it down to something that they could manage at the time. They cut away their citizens that lived in their cities as if they were a diseased limb that threatened to spread poison to the entire body."

"It was a massacre… Beasts appeared and started to hunt humans who had to hide like rats for a few generations. They were always on the move. Too afraid to stay in one place for too long."

"That was, until, the first Emperor appeared. Amongst the ancestors of our Empire, she was the first human to develop a Power. No records remain of what it was, but with her protection, the humans began construction of Bridgend as a permanent home."

"Over time, they came into contact with other groups of survivors who flooded towards what was, at the time, believed to be the only human city. As more people developed Powers, the fledgeling city became safer, and finally, we could afford to extend our reach."

Jason mulled over this part of Sentinel's story. He never knew that in the Old World people did not have Powers. All the stories that had been passed down never mentioned this part. 'That means they built all of those amazing things without any kind of Power to rely on.' This thought truly amazed Jason when he thought of the giant buildings and things he had seen throughout his life as a scavenger.

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-Antihero]

"This led to us coming into contact with other cities and countries that had been started from scratch. One by one, they joined us, and we became an Empire. The five Pillars of today are based off of the five strongest rulers that joined the first Emperor."

Jason nodded as he listened to the history lesson. It was certainly interesting, but shouldn't it be the first Empress? Or did the Empire decide to just use Emperor for everyone who took the throne?

However, he could already see where this story was headed. Jason frowned as he waited for Sentinel to confirm his guess.

"Of course, with all of the expansion came wars. Some did not want to join us, which was fine. But then they would try to take the territories that we had already claimed. By the time the dust settled, what is the Empire today was formed."

"Before we could recover from the many battles, we were discovered by The Old World Alliance. The Empire was in a weakened state with only two Pillars at the time left alive. The Emperor decided to try and negotiate a trade deal while refusing entry into our lands."

Sentinel sighed as he stared at the cup of water in his hands. "You should know that it didn't work out. The Alliance demanded for us to submit to them since we were occupying their lands. They claimed to have the right to govern us based on what their countries used to be."

"Since then, we've been in a passive war with them. But they're not the only ones out there. We've heard of other countries on the other side of their borders. The problem is, we don't know how big the world is or when more enemies might appear."

"On that note, I've been searching for Old World locations called NESTs. I've only found one so far, though." Sentinel sighed as Jason's heart skipped a beat. "They one I found held immense knowledge. But even I haven't been able to crack everything it is hiding. You need to grow up fast, because I have a feeling you'll be the key to understanding the past."

Jason stared at Sentinel and did his best to keep his face straight. He had no idea that what his Gramps had found was so important! He would be an idiot to give it up until he understood what it was that he actually had access to.

"You should think about these things and understand why I told you the history of our Empire. Hopefully, you'll understand how much the Empire will need you, and how much you'll need it."

Sentinel nodded as he noticed that Jason appeared worried. Sentinel had actually been worried that Jason might have been tempted to join the Alliance after discovering their existence. He could not allow that! It would throw a serious wrench in his own plans.

Sentinel decided to leave Jason with his thoughts. He knew it was a lot to digest, but hopefully, it would inspire Jason to work hard. 'How do we ensure his loyalty? Maybe I should speak to the Emperor about giving him his royal certificate to help boost his own business. What was it again? Star Gear?'

Jason stared at Sentinel's back as he left the room. 'I don't think he noticed.' Jason heaved a sigh of relief as a bead of sweat ran down his forehead. 

He had no doubts that Sentinel would do his best to get the information from him if he discovered that Jason knew where another NEST was. 'I need to find a chance to go back to Highrise. Maybe I can find out something with my new skills.'

Jason frowned as he wondered what secrets were just waiting there to be discovered, especially when he thought about the lizard in the tank. 

There was bound to be something valuable considering the efforts that the Old World had gone to hide them. 'Maybe the Alliance knows where they are! If they really are the remnants from that time, then that information may have been passed down!'

Jason gulped as he thought about the guns that the Alliance soldiers had used. He wondered how many of them could survive if an army that was armed with those weapons invaded the Empire.

But then, his mind wandered to the item that had stuck to the Infinity and blown up. Jason's eyes wandered to the hole in the Infinity's chest. He was silently elated that he had switched to heavier, thicker metal plates. 

'That probably would have killed me if it was the old design.' Jason sighed as he wondered about what other marvels the Alliance might still be hiding.

"What do you think?" Syssie asked as she slid onto the seat beside him and fixed her dress.

"About what?" Jason replied as he ran his hands through his hair.

"About the Alliance. Sentinel's story. All of it." Syssie had a complicated look on her face as she mulled over all of the information.

"Depends. The story was interesting, but only a fool would take a biased view from one side as the truth. But then again. I wouldn't say I like how the Alliance went straight to violence to abduct some of us."

"If they wanted to recruit us, they should have tried to approach us quietly. Then again, how long could they hide in the area with Friday lurking around?"

"I don't trust either of them. We should find a chance to track down the NESTs ourselves. No matter what you choose, you're either a dog on a leash or a well-kept prisoner." Syssie had a disgusted look on her face as she realised that the entire Empire was just a guided cage under the Emperor's rule.

"What can we do? There's no way to escape and take Gramps with us. And what about Adam and Dani? They've already bought into the whole thing by doing their best as cadets." Jason sighed.

"Well, it'll take some time but will they really try to contain you if you get enough power? Just build yourself up and stockpile weapons and other gadgets. Enough to make even the Emperor afraid. Either way, the answers are with the Old World..."

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