The days that followed fell into a steady, grinding rhythm. The rugged terrain meant the massive mobile base, for all its virtues, was more of a lumbering beast than a sleek vehicle. The constant strain began to take its toll.
It happened on a long, dusty incline. A loud, jarring clunk echoed from the undercarriage, followed by a disheartening sputter. The vehicle shuddered to a complete halt, a cloud of dust settling around it.
Silence, broken only by the sigh of the wind.
From the driver's seat, Julian let out a quiet, controlled breath. "We've stopped."
A collective groan came from the cabin.
"Again?!" Veronica complained, peering out the window at the desolate landscape. "This heap of junk!"
"It is not a 'heap of junk'," Aya defended loyally, though she looked worried. "The stress on the transmission must have been too great..."
Julian was already out of the driver's seat. "Fey."
