Catherine took a closer look at the apparent Underbelly, the base of operation for gang Roger was apart of “What is this place?” she asked, looking at the multitude of hanging buildings and thew people traveling between them. Either by using small, personal ships or by the hanging pathways.

“Like I said, it’s the Underbelly.” Roger answered while navigating his Stunner to a lower level of the area “The base of operations for the Underground.” He gestured to 3 different areas of the Underbelly “There are three different layers we have here, the top layer closer to the top is mainly homes and housing for many of the members, fashioned along the metal walls we have a lot of vertical room to take advantage of.”

He then motioned to the middle layer, where slightly bigger buildings were attached to the wall or hanging from the ceiling above “The middle layer is for recreational facilities or some management. We also have food and several distribution centers for the upper layer. Also some docks for smaller vehicles.”

Now motioning to the bottom layer he continued “The lower layer is for higher management, manufacturing, logistics, training, pretty much all the heavy and complicated stuff.”

Catherine listened, following his motions and taking in the sights even noting a few larger ships parked towards the top of the Underbelly, and a few towards the bottom. Some the size of the larger facilities. “impressive but, where exactly is this?” she asked “Still apart of the ship? Why is there such a large gap here?”

Roger shrugged “All big ships have empty space, Don’t know the specifics but Judging by the GPS I have this place is inbetween the residential district and some production facilities of the Empyrean.” He shrugged “But we call it the Underbelly for a reason, if you would go any lower then where we are now? You’d hit fuel pipes and thrusters for the main ship, if not just open space.”

Nodding, Catherine noticed the large oval shaped building they were approaching “so what is this place then?” she asked, as they pulled up towards the metal sheeted hanger doors.

“Scrap yard, parking the Stunner inside.” He pulled up parallel to one of the hanger doors, and took out a little black box “watch your hands.” He said, then with a *click* he pressed a switch, causing the doors to open.

Catherine watched as the doors lifted and two metal arms extended from within. Stretching out and attaching themselves to the side of the Stunner with metal pads and pulling the ship neatly inside. Once the ship came to a complete stop along a dock, the shutter doors closed and Roger stood up, jumping to the concrete pathway and holding out his hands “Throw your friend to me and let’s go.”

She eyed him, then picked up Nyoka. Swinging the unconscious girl over her shoulders and leaping the small gap, landing next to Roger.

Roger whistled “Ok then, could of just said you didn’t need help.” He said, glancing over Nyoka with a worrying look “We’ll go get her fixed up first, but before that follow me.”

Catherine nodded silently, following him to the small entrance while glancing at the machinery over head, several robotic claws and conveyor belts hanging inert on the ceiling of the room.

As if noticing her gaze, Roger commented “This is a docking and loading room, usually when I bring back some cargo those machines would load it up to be processed.” He said, approaching a door he tapped the panel besides it “You’d mess with this panel here to get the system going, maybe if you are interested we could come back here later to see if anyone else caught anything today, yeah?” he then hit another button to the side of the control panel, opening the door “anyways, this way. Follow close and watch your step.”

Catherine couldn’t say she was interested, more so she would be interested in seeing how the cargo was processed. The machines being ripped apart, forced open, and wondering what else was compatible. She followed him out and into a small hallway, windows on the opposite side revealed stockpiles of scrap metal, and the slight glimpses of large metal claws ripping away at the piles.

Roger motioned her to follow, then started walking down the hallway “In there we have the main part of the scrapyard. All the metal waste gets separated from what’s actually useable, then the raw metal is taken away for processing.” Seeing her stare into the room, Roger smirked “You a mechanic or something? If you are interested… when you join us they could stick you here?”

“huh? Oh… no not a mechanic. Just like watching the machines, rip everything up.” Catherine said, the machines at work reminded her of just how long it had been since she had any real combat, remembering the fond first memories of terrorizing the ship. Now that she thought about it, she never did catch the name of that ship. “huh…” she mumbled, feeling a bit disheartened, strange feeling…

Roger looked back towards her “oh, well… we have several combat roles open, I’m sure… what were you even in jail for?” he asked “Never did get an answer for that.”

Unsure of how to answer that, Catherine just silently followed behind, readjusting Nyoka a few times as she followed.

Sighing in defeat, Roger continued on down the hallway. Every once in awhile they’d pass a few people, some greeting Roger, asking how big the catch today before noticing the two cat beastmen and moving on silently. Some didn’t even acknowledge Roger if they noticed the two before attempting to talk to Roger.

Catherine raised an eyebrow at this, though not exactly sure of social norms herself it did seem, odd. They came to the end of the hallway, and exited out the building “what was up with people in there?” she asked, glancing around the somewhat shabby scenery, nothing but large buildings to their sides, and looking up just allowed her to see the upper layers.

“Ah, just ignore them. New face and all and it’s better to mind your own business when it comes to new faces around here.” He said, taking a quick glance around he pulled out his radio “excuse me for a sec, we should have been meeting someone here…” he then looked up towards the wall behind them, at a small black ball and waved before clicking on the radio “Roger reporting in, brought the newcomers and waiting outside the scrapyard driver entrance, over.”

She watched him, looking up at the black ball. Somehow it seemed familiar to her but at the same time… different? The way it was attached to the wall reminded her of her dungeon core and how it was stuck halfway into the wall. She didn’t get too much time to dwell on it, as a female voice coming from the Roger’s radio brought her attention to him.

“We see you, how is the condition of the other cat? Over”

Roger glanced at Nyoka “Still unconscious but breathing from what I can tell. Over”

“Copy that, Personal pods have been dispatched to your location. Please place the injuried cat in her own pod. Inform their companion she will be taken care of and returned. In the meantime the boss has prepared their interview, you can join if you want or be dispatched out again. Over.”

Roger once again glanced over to Catherine, giving the radio a little shake “heard that?” he asked, upon seeing Catherine nod he clicked the radio “Gotcha… This isn’t counting for my quota? Over?”

“As we do not know how useful this individual is, or if they are willing to join, as of now that is a negative. Over”

Roger cursed under his breath “…copy that, over.” He then flicked the radio off and placed it back in his pocket “Looks like you are on your own for now, I’d rather not get behind… it was a slow day already.” He then watched as two white pods hovered over from down the pathway, stopping infront of them “well, there is your ride anyways, do me a favor and join us, yeah?”

Catherine walked over to the pods, one of them opening up to reveal it’s cushioned interior “… no promises.” She said, tossing Nyoka into the pod. Once she was safely inside the pod closed, then zoomed off.

Roger cursed again “figures it would be too easy… well at least do something good for us in exchange for me getting you out of the Guts, yeah?”

Catherine nodded, approaching the other pod and stepping inside “sure, we will see.” She said, the pod closing. Catherine felt her insides lurch as the pod zoomed off, leaving Roger behind.