AUDIO;

[engrishdetective]

Deckerd's missing. He's not answering the Link or the badge.

So I'm thinking: must be that calling business.

Which means he's probably in the Badlands. Hmm?

Guess I know where I'll be for awhile.

Comments

[mccrane]

I haven't seen him, either. [He thought he was with you.]

...

Gunmax, where are you going?

[engrishdetective]

Out there. The Badlands.

How bad of me! The Firstforged always insisting I stay away. Suppose I've always been so awful about following rules.

[mccrane]

We weren't built to follow these rules...

[He wasn't even entirely sure what they were, but they weren't like laws on earth.]

[Still, he shakes his head.] Please do not go. Getting too close to the badlands was what make Breakdown disappear. [He doesn't want that to happen to you, instead.]

[engrishdetective]

What if Deckerd's out there?

[mccrane]

[That's too hard a question to answer. He knows he'd risk himself to save Deckerd, and he knows you would, too, but still.]

This isn't like Deckerd. If he was leaving, he would say. Which...

[Which means this is bad.]

Which means you might not be able to save him.

[engrishdetective]

You can't just decide that! I'm not turning my back on him-- I'm not losing another partner!

[mccrane]

I--

I understand.

[So that was what this was about.]

I just don't want...

[How did one decide something like this?]

I don't want to lose you, too.

[engrishdetective]

McCrane...

[He sighs, frustrated.]

What the hell am I supposed to do?

[mccrane]

...

[He has no idea, but having no idea isn't an option. This...it's just another case, isn't it?

It's a case involving Deckerd and everything is complex but if they're going to solve it, then they have to do what they always do.]

...

[...]

Go. [It's probably what Gunmax would do, anyway.] Drive back into communications range at least once a day and check in with me, but go. I will try to find someone who can track Deckerd's last whereabouts and possible direction that he left in.

[engrishdetective]

All right.

McCrane, I...

[He pauses. This isn't easy for him to say.]

Thank you. I'll be careful. I won't leave you or Drill Boy.

[mccrane]

[He only nods, quiet for a moment considering those words he isn't used to hearing but appreciates.]

If you can, take someone with you.

I'll feel better.

[He'll make sure to mop up and maybe put a pie in for when you get back and everything.]

[engrishdetective]

All right, all right. I won't go by myself.

I get it.

[You can hear the smile in his voice, at least.]

Thank you.

[Wow you're the best housewife.]

[mccrane]

Find Deckerd. Point him in the right direction.

And most importantly, come back, too.

I trust you.

[He smiles.] Which is why you're welcome.

[engrishdetective]

So sorry, but you guys won't be rid of me.

No matter what happens, count on me to come back.

[mccrane]

I will.

[And he will, so you'd better come so he doesn't have to go out there and drag you both back, Badlands or no.

However, he does let you go for now, so he can pick up clues from this end.]