The Wandering Mechanic
We passed the graveyard of robots offering prayers toward a faint black mountain in the distance, skirted the wind farm buried under snow, and drove through the street where bizarre graffiti was scrawled wildly across the walls. Just like that, we rode a still-functioning elevator up to the city atop the city. Our final destination, Eden, was still a long way off, so there was no room for slacking.
While cruising the Kettenkraft over the usual quiet snowfield as always—
Whirrr— An ominous sound that absolutely shouldn't have happened sent chills down my spine, and my hopeful wish that it was too early for this was spectacularly betrayed. The Kettenkraft's engine, which had been with us nonstop since we set out, suddenly cut off.
"Unni?"
The sudden stop leaves Hope and the chat window baffled. My mouth goes dry from the abrupt crisis, my mind blanking out. All sorts of grim futures flood into the white void. I freeze for a suffocating moment, but force myself to stay calm. I forcibly cling to reason and plaster on a face like nothing's wrong, same as always.
"Looks like there's a problem inside. Gotta check it out real quick."
The chat stays chill as ever, like a true third-party spectator. It's the same scenery I've seen forever, but today it stirs up dark clouds in my heart. Those innocent vibes feel especially cruel and resentful today. I ignore them, grab the toolbox, and pop the cover. I inspect every inch inside. A few parts look fried. Just like a human body, it's from pushing it too hard all the time.
At least I carry spares for times like this. If I swap 'em carefully, it should be fixable... but sigh.
Even after swapping parts, I can't guarantee it'll start again. It's an old beast. It could've crapped out any day. That day just happens to be today.
But.
We can't afford downtime—the road ahead is too long. Not yet. Gotta hold on a bit longer.
"Unni, anything I can do to help?"
Hope fidgets awkwardly. Just standing and watching must be frustrating for her. Her concern alone is enough, but I tap the toolbox to give her something to do.
"Yeah. I'll tell you what I need, you hand 'em over one by one."
"Okay!"
I detach the busted parts and start swapping in new ones with utmost care, nerves on edge. The chat, rowdy at first, starts tapering off as the repair drags on.
But to them, even this repair's just a sideshow—they toss light jokes and memes. Soon after, the drone goes dark and silent, just like the stalled Kettenkraft.
Ha, fuck. This is really fucked...
I did everything I could, but at the end, I'm short a part. Maybe a similar one would work? Part of me wants to risk it, but it might wreck it beyond repair. Too big a gamble. But right now, we got no other options.
Cheat power: Summon the part I need! Poof! Fixed! ...A ridiculous fantasy flashes through my mind. Laughable that I'm dreaming this up in a pinch—I let out an involuntary snort.
If it were that easy, we never would've left home. Time keeps ticking while we're stuck here. Gotta choose. Might as well bet on the side with some hope.
"Unni, you hear that sound?"
"Sound?"
"Something weird's getting closer."
Vrooooom— I hold my breath and listen. An unfamiliar engine roar approaches. I turn toward it and spot a guy on what looks like a scooter motorcycle entering view. He spots us too, stops his bike, and stares hard.
"......"
"......"
Tension and silence stretch taut across the short distance. A person? Survivor? There's still living people out here?! No time to rejoice—my hand instinctively grabs for my gun.
"Can't believe it's been this long since I last saw another soul. Never thought I'd spot more live ones besides me... oh."
The stranger approaching us raises his hands innocently at the sight of my gun. No hiding the grin spreading across his face.
"Sorry, sorry. Haven't seen people in forever—got a bit excited without thinking."
The stranger glances between our tools and the broken ride. He gets our predicament.
"Looks like your ride's busted. Want me to take a look? I know my way around machines, believe it or not."
Hope ducks behind me. Meeting a live human out here is shocking. And he's offering help first. But I'm no fool to take a stranger's kindness at face value.
"Why help us?"
"Ah, yeah... Makes sense. Random guy offers help outta nowhere? Sketchy. How 'bout this: Give me three days' rations, I'll fix your ride. Deal like that more trustworthy?"
A trade. Self-interest makes it somewhat believable over pure altruism. But is biting on this stranger's offer the right call?
I wonder what the viewers would spam right now. Too bad the drone's still off.
"......"
He waits for my answer. Gotta consider he might have shady motives. But... we're desperate too. Can't go farther without fixing this thing. Dead end? Might as well try the guy talking big.
He looks unarmed. I've got the gun. Any funny business, I shoot.
"Deal. Fix first, food after."
"Transaction complete. Don't faint when you see my skills."
He checks the Kettenkraft. Nods like he gets it right away, then grabs a few parts from his own bike.
I keep the gun trained on him the whole time he works.
"Parts are ancient across the board. But rolling this far means you maintained it well. Lucky for you—I got spares that fit."
The guy chatters nonstop. No bluff—his hands move like a pro. No malice in his voice, so I play along casually.
"So, where you two headed?"
"To Eden."
"Ah, there."
"You know it?"
"Heard rumors. Place full of survivors, self-sufficient even in this world."
Sounds decent from rumors alone. Can't confirm till we get there.
"You headed there too?"
"Me? Nah, no confidence I'd make it. I just wander, fixing busted machines here and there. Like I said, I'm handy with 'em."
His lifestyle baffles me—I give him a puzzled look. World's gone to shit, and he's fixing gadgets? What's in it for him?
And apparently I'm not the only one thinking it.
"Why do that?"
Unlike me swallowing the question, Hope blurts it out innocently.
"Reason for this?"
Not offended by the awkward query, he pauses briefly then answers.
"Just 'cause. Nothing else to do."
Just 'cause? He chuckles lightly at my dumbfounded face.
"World's like this—wanna spend the end doing what I'm best at. And who knows? Someone might find good use for the machines I fix someday."
He closes the cover and dusts his hands.
"There. Give it a spin."
I fire up the Kettenkraft. The deep-sleeping engine roars awake. Test drive—no issues.
"How's that? Skills on point, right?"
"You're pretty good."
The weight lifts off my shoulders like a miracle. Phew. Deserved that confidence.
"Heading to Eden, you said. Got a map?"
"Yeah."
"Lemme see."
I unfold it; he points to a spot.
"See this route? Take it. I fixed that bridge recently—should be a shortcut."
True to the deal, I hand over three days' food. In return, he tosses in extra parts "since it's been ages since I saw people."
Taking such good care—grateful guy.
Time to part ways.
"Nice meeting folks after so long."
"You too."
"Oh right, no names exchanged. I'm Baek Cheol-ho."
Self-intro now, when we're splitting? Almost bursts a laugh, but I give my name too.
And.
"This is my little sis, Hope."
"I'm Hope! Nice to meet you."
"Haha, splitting soon but... yeah, nice to meet ya."
No more chit-chat after quick intros. We hop in the Kettenkraft; he mounts his bike.
"Rough road ahead, but hope you make Eden. Drive hard with the ride I fixed."
"You keep at it too. Who knows? We might use one of your fixes someday."
"Hahaha, guess I better hustle."
We laugh and head opposite ways. Hope waves till he's gone.
Strange encounter, but a good guy. Or weird one, maybe. Wandering to fix machines in this world.
Still, thanks to that weirdo, we're rolling again.
Beep— Ding~. The drone, snoozing till now, slowly blinks back on.
"Calm down, everyone. Short version: Met a person."
I brush off the chat's grumpy spam and press on across the endless snowfield ahead. Should've prayed harder for the drone to stay on. If luck holds, we'll cross paths again somewhere.