Hello everyone!

This is my contest entry for Ben’s challenge. I wrote it up today (9/2/12) after obtaining an idea for it this morning.

I don’t know how good it is (I’ve never entered a writing contest before), but I thought I’d give it a try!

I know it was in the challenge rules to include a page of a different project we’ve been working on, but, due to certain complications, I’m not going to be able to fulfill that part of the challenge. I apologize to Ben for this fact, and if I do not qualify, I understand.

Anyways, without another word not pertaining to my entry, my contest entry!:

The bright, LED headlights of my truck illuminate the dirt and sand ground before me, giving me the light I need to be able to drive off-road in this pitch-black night.

Though, I know this area so well that I might not even need my headlights. I’ve driven it so many times, this long trek from the nearest town to collect supplies, to the secluded place I call home.

The wide range of light from my headlights is still appreciated, I fear I would unwittingly broadside or ram one of the innumerable stone spires that give this place character, even after how long I’ve been driving this route.

I hear, can almost feel, and see the sand and dirt kicking up from the tires of my truck; creating dust clouds and throwing small stones. Erasing any sign of the car wash I had taken the truck through hours ago.

But hey, what could I expect? This is the South Dakota Badlands, after all.

The GPS console fitted into my truck suddenly beeps, notifying me that I am within a hundred yards of my home. I press a button above the console in response, instantly sending a message to the computer system of my home to activate the outside lights.

It obeys, and a split-second later, the outside lights flicker on, eliminating the cloak of darkness that had been hiding my home.

My home, though inelegant, will always be a jewel to me.

It’s basically a huge, massive garage, built to house and give me a space to build and work on my creations. It is outfitted and stocked with pretty much any and everything I could need for what I do. It doesn’t have an upper-floor, due mostly to what I house in it, but it does, however, have a number of underground levels, some of which I use for mass-storage.

And when I say ‘mass-storage’, I mean mass-storage. 

I pull my truck up next to the massive garage, put it in park, take out the key, and then exit.

I casually walk back to my trucks large bed, in which is the supplies I obtained at town many hours ago. The supplies are, in majority, items to assist in my building. Mostly consisting of special parts and a certain AEF (Advanced Energy Filter).

I open up the truck bed, take out a few bags, and then head for the average-sized door of my home. (Let’s just say I have a few non-average-sized doors.)

The door is locked, as I always make sure it is before leaving, and I stop to unlock it.

“2056-1134-7607” I say, unlocking the door by voice command.

It buzzes, and then automatically opens, giving me way into the air-conditioned interior of my home.

I walk in, the door automatically closing behind me.

“Lights.” I say plainly, and the interior is suddenly bathed in the bright LED light emanating from the overhead fixtures.

The light reveals the interior, and I once again let out a sigh of satisfaction as I gaze at the twelve battle machines (positioned along the walls to the left and right of me) that are some of my greatest creations.

They are Mechs, or more specifically, Battle Mechs.