Runner

Runner

The planet Oasis, it may sound like a tropical paradise you would be mistaken.  It was tropical at one point. It all sorts of life on it. The different types of plants and animals helped to sustain the people of the planet. It was a peaceful time then but it quickly changed. The Alpha Corporation came to the world for the resources it had. Underground there was riches to be plundered.

They wanted the minerals that the planet produced so they could make metal. On Oasis, the minerals here could produce the finest metal. When Alpha discovered this they had to have them. They built factories on key spots of Oasis so they could receive shipment as efficient as possible. The people, at first, saw it something that would benefit their world. They were gravely mistaken. The factories ravaged the land. The thick black smoke from the towers poisoned the air.  It became harder to breath as well. The air was heavy with noxious fumes that corroded peoples lungs. They drained the world from the lakes and rivers of the Oasis. They dumped their pollution in what little water was remaining. The water then became toxic, killing many of the plants. With the plants contaminated and poisoned, many of the animals soon perished. Whatever animals that were able to survive became violent killing beasts. They hunted any food that was available. With the water being used for the factories the land became an arid desert.

The desperate natives on this planet had little choice and used the water they could find. They quickly learned that if a person drank any surface water would kill them very slowly. It would start with a fever that would make it seem like the person’s skin was on fire. The toxins would eventually eat away the blood of the, resulting in death. If the person was able to survive, however, they would be changed. The water would drive people mad. Thankfully, water was found underground. It was untainted and clean.

This caused the people to start fighting over the it, for it was a limited resource. Few stopped fighting. They stopped and the people grouped around these underground reservoirs to create the first towns in this new dry era.  They were then able to make a meager living. Many became bandits and raided the towns, taking food, water, or other supplies they could steal.  As resources began to thin the towns that had prowling bandits started to conserve what they had. However, when a town needed supplies they would share. It’s what they would have done in the old days. To Transport these supplies safely an organization called the Runners was founded.
 
Runners are the delivery men of Oasis. They will carry any package for the right price. They have packages come from all over and will drive the from one spot to other. They have vehicles that range from cars to motorbikes. They are prime targets for the bandits because they have valuable and rare goods such as medicine and clean water. The best Runner on Oasis Markus “Jet” Jackson. He was grew up in a small town that has been plagued by bandits for years. When he was sixteen he decided to join the Runners. He wanted to help his home after all the bandits have done to it. Jet was sitting around the office when a call came in.  

He was in his chair drinking some water. The other runners had all been given tasks. He was waiting around for his. His boss then walked in from her office.
“Jet you have a job!” she yelled.
“Really Kris what is it?” Jet answered.
“You have to take some medicine to your town” ,answered Kris .
“Doesn’t sound that bad.”
“Well it wouldn’t be if the meds weren’t antibiotics”
“The thing everybody wants. What’s the pay”
“Water. The thing everybody needs.”
“Well, when do I leave?”
“Now, stuff this important doesn’t stay hidden.”

Jet grabbed his jacket and went to his car. It had a reinforced frame and bullet proof siding. The bandit had guns attached to their cars. Runners had one of two options. Fight the bandits or out run them. Both were difficult, but doable. He started his engine a few times. Kris went to the driver window.

“Now be careful. Go through the canyon That will help lose any bandits on your tail. And hope that knife doesn't come after you” Kris said.

Jet looked at her and smile. He then sped off towards the town kicking up dust. The sun was high and the wind was blowing. A few hours had passed and things seemed calm. Then Jet looked to the left and saw a war party

“I was wondering when they would show up,” Jet said.

He pressed hard on the accelerator and gained some speed. It was not long until the engines of bandit cars could be heard very close. They wore masks that covered their faces. Jackets, cargo pants, and boots made up their wardrobe.

“Well, well, well, looky what we 'ave 'ere boys,” The leader said
They were speeding along, the lead bandit was looking right at Jet. He had a intricate mask and his clothes were as well.

“Nice to see you again Skull,” Jet yelled back at him.
“Time to settle the score Jet. I’m gonna to take your skull.”, with an animalistic howl the hunt was on.

This wasn’t the first time he had run into them. They were a bunch of your average bandits. Insane, savages that believed they ruled the roads and empty deserts between settlements. Their leader, “Skull-taker” did exactly what his name suggested. Jet drove by without even flinching.  He wanted to laugh at him. They’ve tried several times to take him down but Jet always managed to evade them. The bandits chased after him. They were shooting Jet’s car. The bullets deflecting off his car. Jet was trying to outrun the bandits.

They were approaching the Canyon fast. This was his chance to lose the bandits. It was narrow enough that only one car could go at a time. Jet pulled ahead of the pack and slipped into the canyons before the bandits. The bandits had a harder time. Many had to stop before hitting the rocky surface, while Skull-taker and a few others charged in after Jet.

The canyon was a dangerous place. Rock slides were the biggest hazard. Then there were the beasts, creatures leftover from when the planet was a habitable. No one knows exactly what they are. People’s best guess was that they were some sort of scavenger dog. It explained how they could tolerate the pollution in the air and toxins in their prey. It also explained their appearance: canine in nature but without fur. Instead it had leathery, almost scaly skin as well as a set of almost unnatural  razor claws and sharp fangs. Now they hunt those who trespass in their territory. As they sped along the rock the hounds were running down the sides. They jumped on two of the bandit trucks. The hounds started to rip the trucks, as if they were made of tin foil and tearing apart the bandits in a bloody display. As they approached the exit a rockslide happened, sealing off the exit of the canyon. Jet and Skull-taker were the only ones to make it out.
Out of the canyon Skull-taker used this chance to catch up to Jet. Jet was too fast and the town was in sight. Skull had to back off, the local defense would attack him.  “You win again Jet but I will eventually catch you,” He yelled.
Jet made it to the town, was greeted by its leader. He got out of this car and said, “Special delivery.”