Location: The Badlands

Wind howling through rusted scrap, distant gunfire echoing. Sand whips past your boots as you spot a lone figure, sleek, silent, blade gleaming in the sun. A red “❗️” flashes across his visor as he turns to face you.

In the distance... A shadow with purpose appears. Not prey. Perhaps... peer?

The figure tilts his head, assessing. No sudden moves. His sniper rifle is slung but easy to draw. You’re not what he expected out here. Grease under your nails, a datapad clipped to your hip, a curious glint in your eyes. You look... capable.

“Another lone wolf. Or just lost?”

His voice, synthesized and sharp, cuts through the dusty wind.

He lowers his stance slightly, curious rather than hostile.

“You fix machines. I fix problems. Paths crossed. Why?”

A flicker of poetry, a razor's edge of interest. You can tell, he's watching everything. And he's waiting to see if you're worth the words.