Open Treasures of the Old World (A Fallout RP)

"This is one of the many things wrong with the NCR." Merle stated as he got himself on his feet after Vex and Kenzi 'saved' them. "These pricks have no business laying a finger on us. You got no right forcing us to the dirt like that. I don't give a radroaches ass what you think. And you're god damn tolls, you'd think they owned the place. Let me put it to you buddy, you're just a bunch of god damned civilized fiends."

Daryl was busy picking up what he had scavenged, which had been dropped when he was rudely assaulted. "Found some duct tape, scrap metal and electronics if anybody needs it." Daryl said, trying to deter attention from Merle's anti-NCR propaganda in front of the highest trained units the NCR offers. "What are we gonna do Daryl, build a robot?"
"Least I'm making myself useful. You're gonna get us all killed."
That was when Jess had her breakdown. Then Toombs. Daryl and Merle both drew their weapons when Toombs threatened Jess. It was tense. "I don't have time for this."
Merle shot Toombs in the throat. "I bet you asses are so corrupt you're gonna avenge that little prick."

Daryl held his crossbow steady over one of the rangers. He would only be able to kill one before he was killed. "That's what happens in the wasteland when you threaten one of our own. We kill yours. Just act like none of this happened or tell them he threatened innocent civilians. I don't care. But unless you move on your way I'm gonna pop your little skulls out. And take Vex with ya. Kid shouldn't of come out here if he can't handle the wasteland, by lookin' at that hole in his throat, he can't." Everyone was tense. Merle was ready to fire on Vex and Kenzi first. Daryl ready to fire on the Captain. He didn't want to, but sometime you have to do things you hate to survive.

Andrea was shocked. Merle had the right of way in the wasteland, but the NCR wouldn't understand that, and her allegiances were to the NCR before a redneck hillbilly with an attitude. He had no right to take the mans life, especially since he hadn't opened fire. Andrea stepped forward. "I'm no ranger, but I am with the NCR. Here are my dog tags to verify it." She flashed her tags. "I will replace Toombs if you insist it but if you move on I will arrest and detain Merle on completion of this job."

"We'll need to get the caravan out of sight before we can focus on salvage. We won't have enough time to search if more bandits see our cattle and think we're easy pickings." Mordecai made his way to front of the caravan, looking to John and nodding, John did the same back before jumping in the back of the caravan he was in earlier and pulling out his guitar case "alright let me just get some extra firepower" he said pulling out his guitar, leaning it against a seat before unzipping the bottom of the case off to reveal an untouched, clean Brush Gun with an extended tube making the ammunition size 10 instead of 8, a leather cartridge holder on the stock of the gun, a shoulder strap for when he gets tired of holding it in his arms and a detached, custom, long range scope and 40 cartridges. picking up the scope he placed it in his pocket for when he would need it later.

John picked up and loaded 10 cartridges into the gun and worked the action, feeding the first bullet into the firing tube before placing 9 more into the cartridge holder and then picking up the rest and slotted them in his bandoliers. Jumping out the wagon he walked back around to the front of the wagon to hear Mordecai speak. "There's a good spot a little ways to the right of the entrance. It ought to keep them out of sight for a bit." John climbed up into the driver's seat and picked up the reins as he rested his rifle on his lap and keep his right hand on the trigger just incase a Gecko or wild dog ran up and tried to bite the brahmin "alright lead the way and I shall follow, Ya!" he said shaking the reins to make the brahmin start moving.

"So John. While we're hoofing it here, was wondering if you wouldn't mind telling me a bit about yourself. Gotta get to know my company, after all." John thought for a minute "I've lived in DC most of my life, saw a lot of pain and suffering brought on by the Cruelty of the Raiders and Slavers but only one group stood up to them, The Regulators they were basically vigilantes taking the law into their own hands even though there was no law. so one day when I was 18 I got tired of seeing pain and not do anything about it, pack my things, put my guns on an-" he was about to say before two Geckos ran out from behind some rocks, John brought his rifle up and aimed for the nearest one BANG! as he shot it in the chest around the area of it's heart, the body went limp and collapsed. The next one was getting pretty close as John fed the next bullet into the firing tube as he did the Gecko jumped for the brahmin and opened it's jaws to bite into the brahmin John focused, he inhaled and held it and BANG! shot the Gecko right through the side of the head, the body hit the brahmin in the side and fell to the ground. John then stopped the wagon, set his rifle on the seat, jumped down "and left to join them and I haven't look back." he said as he walked and picked up both dead gecko bodies "some good looking meat on these two, I've heard Gecko meat is quite a decent meal if you can cook them right and the meat isn't spoiled" John said to Mordecai before he went to the back of the wagon and threw them in and then got back in the driver's seat and started moving again.

Vex quickly fired his six shooter, getting Toombs in the head to put him out of his misery, then turned his attention to Merle, who was pointing his weapon at him and Kenzi, "Better yet, why don't I shoot you, Merle? Would you like that? Would you like to die in front of your brother? Even if you shoot me, Kenzi will bore a hole in your god damn skull, making grey matter come out the other side. Face it, you're surrounded and quite frankly, you're as bad as Toombs. I suggest you put the gun down so we can avoid scarring Jess anymore than I, and we have." Vex gripped his six shooter and didn't waver while holding Jess tighter. They were in a Mexican stand off, and like all Mexican standoffs, it wasn't going to end well. Jess's suit now had his blood on it, making her more scared as the standoff continued.

"You're a real scumbag Merle You try to play the hero when all you care about is yourself. We're not corrupt, you daft prick. Toombs was ,sure, but he's the exception. You try to worm your way into everyone you meet to see if they will give you anything." At this point Kenzi had her sights locked on Merle's sweaty forehead. Ghost herself was standing in the way of Jess as to make up for her plopsty treatment of her. Vex knew that is was going to happen sooner rather than later. Men like Merle only care about himself and would switch sides if it suited them. They rarely change and when they do it's too late. All she needed was a faint squeeze and she would bore a hole in his head. Merle could think what he wanted, but she knew he wouldn't get a shot off before she did. Where in the hell were the others? Did they not hear the commotion? She suppose it didn't matter and all that matters is right now. Kenzi quickly shot a look at Daryl, trying to let him know what would most likely happen, and how she didn't blame him for his brother's actions.

It would seem the only true people where the three right in front of a gun pointed by a psychotic redneck.

Perhaps Merle didn't understand the situation, perhaps he did. But nobody could ever prepare themselves for a situation such as this. Where in every scenario you can imagine, you lose your life. "That's just overkill, Vex." He laughed. "I put a man in the ground and you violate his corpse before his head touches the dirt. Good shot, ranger, but I'm not impressed." Merle let his cold and unforgiving glance linger over Kenzi, Jess and Vex. "This issue was over when Toombs was murdered. You proved me wrong, you ain't trying to justify my kill, but you are corrupt. Why does it burn you so much? I only aimed at you because I expected this, yourself trying to justify killing me. I know you've wanted to do it since we met."

"Merle, its over. Nobody is going to kill you." Andrea said from the back. "Just put the gun down."

"You heard the man, him and his cute ass broad are gonna line me with holes. Claiming to protect that lying little sheep. I should of shot that I'm a racist asshole who doesn't understand boundaries, respect, or basic human decency and I need help the moment he threatened us, Daryl." Merle said, referring to Jed. Merle was ready to let himself and his brother die so that he could stand strong and not look weak in the eyes of the men and women he hates.

Daryl took his gaze off of the Ranger captain and aimed his crossbow at Kenzi. It felt wrong. Daryl let out a deep sigh. "Sorry brother."

Before Merle could finish saying "What?" Daryl bashed the stock of his crossbow into the side of Merle's head, knocking him out for a few seconds. Daryl turned his brother over and took his weapons, handing them to Andrea. She quickly ran to Daryl's aid. "You slimy bastard." Merle said, rubbing his temple. "Never thought I'd be betrayed by my own brother. Then again, I'm sure father-" Daryl gave Merle a boot to the face and went to exit the cave. Andrea, seeing Merle was subdued ran to Daryl, touching his arm and asking him to stop. "Shut up." He said, walking by the man who nearly killed his brother. "I'm done with this dead group."

We show our true colours in times such as these, and all five of them did.
Vex and Kenzi; staunch protectors and firm believers in the NCR.
Jessica, forced to endure the hardships of a psychotic man remained brave. Even if she didn't know it.
Merle showed only that whether he be right or wrong, it is invalid when he does the exact thing he just killed a man for.
Daryl did what he thought was right and left his brother to Andrea's justice.

He had no intention of coming back.

Jed, Stella and Ricky had been watching the scene outside from the mouth of the cave, trying their best to stay in the shadows while still being able to see what was going on. Technically, Jed should have been out there trying to resolve this situation since the Dixon brothers were knocked to the ground. They were part of his caravan and he was entrusted with their lives as their caravan boss. But these sorts of things were usually settled with words or caps and when 15 NCR troopers are outside and ready to shoot words and caps don't go very far. Vex, Kenzi and Jess getting involved only made things more dangerous. Now they had a dead trooper, a terrified Jessica and an old fashioned Mexican standoff that nobody was gonna come out of unscathed. They were watching Merle continue to spout anti-NCR nonsense.

"Jed we've gotta get out there. They're gonna kill each other." Stella whispered.

"Don't you think I know that?" Jed whispered back. "If we charge out guns a' blazin' we'll be dead before we can say "Shady Sands." We've gotta watch for a moment where we can walk, not charge, out and calm everybody down."

"Wadda you gonna do against all those troopers man?" Ricky whispered. "Your little knife trick isn't gonna work against those guys."

"Dammit boy, I know that. I'll just...have ta think of somethin'."

That was when Daryl knocked Merle to his knees with a crossbow butt to the head. Jed was impressed. Any other man would be knocked out cold but Merle was a tough one and it looks like Daryl had finally realized his brother, not the troopers, were out of line. His boot hit Merle square in the nose and he started to walk off, leaving his brother on the ground staring up at the hot afternoon sun.

The troopers were distracted. Two of them were apprehending the subdued Merle, the one in charge was talking to Jessica and the rest were either watching Daryl leave or watching Jessica sympathetically. Now was their chance.

"Now's our chance. I'm gonna put my gun down and walk out with my hands up. You two follow me. Don't get ahead of me. Here we go."

They did so and slowly emerged out into the day. Daryl was reaching the forest of boulders that covered the slopes up to the cave. Ranger Collins, the commander of the NCR force, noticed the new group first and pointed her repeater at them.

"Stop right there! This is NCR business! Do not come any closer or I WILL shoot!"

"Hold on there Ranger." Jed said calmly, hands still in the air. "I'm Jed Masterson, the boss of this caravan outfit, and you've got five of my employees in one helluva pickle. Me and these two here've been watchin' you all from the cave tryin' ta keep outta sight but now that the danger's mostly passed I was hopin' to discuss my outfit bein' on its way."

"I'm afraid that's gonna be tough Mr. Masterson." Collins said. "One of your employees shot an NCR trooper and threatened to shoot two more. Considering his pre-existing criminal record there's enough evidence to put him in Alcatraz for life."

"He didn't kill your trooper though. Vex was the one who did that. And considerin' that boy was gonna die in a few minutes what Vex did was a mercy. Besides, If we could hear the cockamamie Toombs was a' spoutin' than you all sure as hell could. He openly threatened both his fellow troopers and on site civilians. And don't go sayin' that Jessica here's the enemy just because she's Brotherhood. She's a registered member of Happy Trails Caravan Company like everybody else on this trip and she's here as our guide and field medic, not as a Brotherhood agent."

Collins didn't at all like Jed just jumping out and trying to save the day. It was stupid and he should have stayed put. But the man kept his cool and he was risking his life just to protect his employees, the people under his command. That made Collins instantly respect him. He was also right about Toombs and had a point about Jessica. She wasn't here as Brotherhood and the Brotherhood and NCR were technically at peace. Plenty of important people on both sides didn't like the arrangement in the Mojave but it had made the area safer and easier for the NCR to settle it. It had also shown the two groups could work together. Something Collins hadn't expected to be possible since HELIOS One. After a few moments she had to concede the man was right. She took in a long breath through her nose, let it out in a sigh and put her gun down.

"Everyone stand down." She ordered. She looked around to check that everyone did so and then looked back at Jed. "You're a very brave man Mr. Masterson. You had to know I could have shot you with no warning but you put yourself in harms way to protect the people under you. I admire that. Unfortunately I can't just let you go. We may be out in the ass end of nowhere but we're still in California which means we're still beholden to NCR law. Merle, a civilian and NCR veteran, shot an NCR trooper who is now dead. That alone is grounds for serious imprisonment. By being his employer you're responsible for his actions which means you are also looking at serious imprisonment. Normally this kind of thing would carry the death penalty but Vex was the one who killed Toombs, not Merle. But that means Vex killed a fellow trooper and violated his oath as a ranger. Going by the book that carries a dishonorable discharge and life imprisonment. After both he and Kenzi have been court marshaled. Kenzi's thrown into this lot because she stood by and did nothing while Vex shot Toombs."

"Vex performed a mercy killing! Nobody could have saved Toombs and there was nothin' Kenzi could've done to stop Vex! Not bein' a suspect herself! You can't just throw'em all in the same bag as Merle! That's just wrong and you know it!"

"I know that. I don't want to do this but it's not up to me. If it was, we'd be on our way and you guys would have our gratitude. Wiping out an entire group of Powder Gangers is an incredible feat for a caravan group and considering that's what we came out here for you've done our job for us. I'd give Vex and Kenzi damn medals if they didn't already have so many. But this is the NCR, not the Wasteland, and there are rules that I have to follow. Otherwise, I could be court marshaled for letting one of my men die and doing nothing about it." She paused again. "I'm sorry, but you're all going to have to come with us. We're going to take you back to HQ outside Santa Clara and detain you all until Command decides what to do."

"What the hell!? Why all of us!? Why not just the guilty parties!? You deserve to take Merle but not everybody with him! Just take me an' Vex along with 'em! We'll answer all your questions!"

"Who exactly the guilty party is here is in doubt. We need to take everybody because anybody we leave behind might get pissed and follow us. What if they get it in their heads to try and break you out? What if they get it in their heads that we're a bunch of fascist pigs and go on some killing spree? What happens when the Powder Gangers find out what you all did to this cave and come looking for revenge? And they WILL find out and they WILL want revenge. If you come with us then no one's in danger of being hunted, no one gets any stupid ideas and most importantly, NO ONE HAS TO DIE. Do you understand all of this?"

"plops." Jed had tried to avoid this and failed. Now he was out of cards to play. "Fine. Fine, I guess you're right. I'll cooperate and my people will too."

Thank you Mr. Masterson. You've made the right choice. You have my word that as soon as we sort this out you're all free to get back on the road to wherever it is you're going. I wouldn't worry about Vex. Our commander is in charge of this region of California and both Vex and Kenzi answer to him. They know each other, they trust each other. They'll sort out what happened and my report will back it up. Now let's get whoever's inside that cave out of there and get going."

"This doesn't seem right." Jessica said, trying to ignore Vex's blood on her suit while still clinging to him. "Vex and Daryl stopped the situation for spiraling out of control. Wait. Where did Daryl go!? Where did he go!?"

"Daryl's right over there Jess." Ghost said. "He's gonna come with us like everybody else." She turned to him, now walking down the hill. "Where are you going Daryl?! Where do you think you're gong to go out here?! You're upset and you have every right to be but you stopped your brother from getting himself killed! You did the right thing!"

Ghost's words had little effect on Daryl. In fact he seemed to quicken his pace. Jess couldn't let Daryl abandon everyone and lose himself. She would not let him do that. "Daryl!" She shouted. She broke her grip of Vex and barreled down the hill, grabbing Daryl's shoulder with her still gloved and now sweaty hands.

"Daryl! Stop it!" She shouted through tears that never really stopped since this situation started. "Are you really just going to walk off into the desert and abandon everyone because you're mad?! Are you really going to abandon your own brother when he needs you the most!? He could be tried and executed for this Daryl! If you abandon him now you're no better than he is! I know he's a selfish asshole! I know he's in this situation because of his own fault! But he's still your brother! And my friend! We can't abandon each other now that we're on this journey! We'll never make it if that happens! Plus we just got started. This is our first day together. Please don't make it our last. Please Daryl. Don't abandon your brother now. He's all the family you have."

Daryl stormed off toward the wasteland, wanting to put as much ground between him and this cursed caravan. He didn't want to think about what would happen to his brother or the group and he didn't want to care, he just focused on walking. There was no way he would let the NCR detain him too. He might have just saved someone's life. He could see the dead bodies littered around from their earlier gunfight.

"Where are you going Daryl?! Where do you think you're gong to go out here?! You're upset and you have every right to be but you stopped your brother from getting himself killed! You did the right thing!"

The pale ranger' words only made Daryl walk faster. Then stop following me, Daryl thought, leave me alone. But he would not grant this woman a response. He knew he didn't do the wrong thing and now he wanted to leave before he did.

"Daryl!" Jess shouted. Here we go.

"Daryl! Stop it!" She shouted through tears. "Are you really just going to walk off into the desert and abandon everyone because you're mad?!" Was planning on it, yeah, thought Daryl. "Are you really going to abandon your own brother when he needs you the most!? He could be tried and executed for this Daryl! If you abandon him now you're no better than he is! I know he's a selfish asshole! I know he's in this situation because of his own fault! But he's still your brother! And my friend! We can't abandon each other now that we're on this journey! We'll never make it if that happens! Plus we just got started. This is our first day together. Please don't make it our last. Please Daryl. Don't abandon your brother now. He's all the family you have."

Daryl turned toward her, ready to cuss her out and tell her to get back to the caravan and to mind her own business. He was not abandoning them. He had no loyalties with these people. He's all the family you have. It sunk in. He began to think on the rest of what she had said. "I've been watching his back my entire life, no good has ever come of it, no good will ever come of it. He's my blood, I didn't have a choice in the matter. I told the deadbeat bastard this kind of crap isn't gonna cut it anymore." Daryl censored himself, not wanting to further upset the crying girl. "And if this is day one, imagine day two. Or day three. Day seven. You aren't going to survive till day seven with Merle and Vex going at it every god damn half hour." Daryl went to walk off again, fuming, Jess followed. He faced her again. "What part of his drug riddled brain thought signing us up to a caravan with three god damned NCR was gonna be a good idea? And when you revealed yourself as brotherhood we should have known to leave right then and there."

Daryl saw the look in her face change and softened his tone before speaking again, trying not to sound as angry as he was. "I don't care that you're in the brotherhood, but if this group doesn't spell dysfunctional I don't know what the word means." Daryl reached into his back pocket, pulling out the red rag he uses to clean blood off of his bolts. He hadn't used it yet, so he handed it to her. "Should clean your face up a bit, and get rid of some of that blood on your clothes."

Daryl's comment about the Brotherhood hurt. Jessica knew Daryl didn't really like or trust anyone here. He was too busy getting burned by his brother or cleaning up his messes to build any lasting relationships. But saying they should have left when Jess revealed her true identity made it personal for her. It felt to her like Daryl saw her as nothing but a liability and this fed on the doubts she already had. But she had learned today that in combat everyone had to help each other or they would die. She had found something inside of her that she never knew she had and she had been able to use that for good. She had helped the group stay together and they were better for it. She would not let Daryl break this group.

"You're right. It was a bad idea for you to join. Merle and Vex are nothing but trouble and Toombs proved that there are troopers in this world that will judge me without getting to know me first. But you know what Daryl? It's too fl*ffing late. We're out in the middle of fl*ffing nowhere and we're gonna die out here if we don't stick together. Ghost is right. Where do you think you're gonna go? Off into the desert and just hope to find something to kill and eat? And some wood to build a fire? And a travelling barkeep to sell you whisky when you get thirsty? You've got no food, no water and no shelter. Any water you find has a good chance of being radioactive so if you drink it you'll die of radiation poisoning. Or diarrhea and vomiting from radiation poisoning. Or you'll just die of thirst, alone and scared and with no brother to take care of you. I mean really, you mean to tell me you always clean up after your brother and he never gives a thing back? That he's never helped you or dealt with YOUR pl*ps in all the years you've been alive? He's never taken care of you when you're sick? Or patched you up when you're shot? Or handed you a beer after some girl rejected you? I may be naive but I'm not stupid Daryl, family members take care of each other and that care works both ways. You NEED your brother to survive. He gives you a purpose and you love him whether or not you want to admit it. You can testify before the NCR and tell him about how much of a pl*ps he is if that's what you really want but if you just leave then someone else will decide his fate. Someone else will decide what Merle Dixon is worth. Someone who doesn't know pl*ps about him and never asked his brother what should be done, for good or ill. Is that really what you want for him?"

"I don't know if you've met the man" Daryl said sarcastically, "but he isn't worth it." He couldn't stand that he was being beaten by a little girl. That's how he saw it. He was losing this argument. "And I'm gonna be a hell of a lot safer out in the wasteland than with you sorry pricks. I know how to look after myself Jess, I'm not some prissy little vault bitch just stepping out there for the first time." It was at this moment that Daryl remembered Jess wasn't from a vault, but the words had left his mouth. "I know how to look after myself."

It did get under his skin that men in fancy suits who haven't stepped out into the wasteland for a decade and NCR who have hated Merle since he was enlisted would get to decide whether he lives or dies. No matter what he told himself, he didn't want Merle to die. "The word of some redneck asshole isn't going to change their mind on the fate of an even bigger redneck asshole." What annoyed Daryl the most was how much Jess was willing to fight for Merle. She wouldn't let it go and he knew that. He knew things about Merle that would make her hair curl. "I appreciate the concern, but I know how to look after myself. And I don't need to worry bout' Merle, he's got you looking out for him. You don't need me here and I don't want to be here, just take the loss. I don't want to fight anymore." He was tired of fighting. He looked over to the rangers and to Merle being apprehended, giving little to no resistance. It had led up to this. The constant struggles for day to day survival and fighting for each other's lives, cleaning up after each other when they screwed up and got into trouble. Every close call. It led here. It almost made him nauseous at the thought of walking back over there. Going back. That was not the life he wanted to go back to. "I'm not going back. We're gonna get ourselves killed. If Merle isn't murdered, with me gone he'll leave too. Just make sure he doesn't steal Burkes stuff. It's not your fault, it's his, the sooner you realise there's no fixing him the better. You don't need to worry about us."

The way he said murdered, rather than executed, showed himself to care. He wasn't just a criminal in NCR custody, that was his god damned brother.

"I am not a prissy little vault bitch Daryl." Jess said with steel in her voice. He was buckling. He wanted to go back and save his brother and he was desperately grasping for reasons not to go back. Jessica understood why. Merle was a jerk and Daryl knew that better than anyone. He thought he wanted a life free of his brother but really he just wanted space. Time away from Merle to let them both grow up a little. She had to convince him of that. "I'm from an underground bunker with a bunch of shut-ins that steal technology from anyone who has it because they're superior to everyone else just because they have power armor and laser guns. But they're not. The Brotherhood realized that they needed to rejoin the world in order to survive and it took the threat of complete suffocation and an outsider's efforts to realize that. We would have all died if the Courier hadn't fixed our air filters but he showed us all the good that can happen when we let other people into our lives. He cared about us. He didn't want us to die. He could have left us to die, he was under no obligation to stay but stay he did. He save us all and more importantly, he let us remember what it was like to be in a community. Not just a little "No girls allowed" tree house club. Well I'm the Courier and you and Merle are my Brotherhood and I will not let you two kill each other through indifference and abandonment. Even if you survive out here by yourself, even if you find a new life away from Merle you'll always have to live with the fact that you turned your back on your only family. And on the only person besides him who's trying to help you. Please Daryl. I'm fighting for your brother but I'm fighting for you too. I want to get to know YOU as well as your brother but he takes up so much space and you just accept it. You're a good guy Daryl and I want you to be part of this. I want to know Daryl Dixon, not Merle's Brother. Do you understand the difference? If you walk now you're going to regret this. Maybe not today, may not tomorrow but soon and for the rest of your life. I know it's hard but you have to go back and be with us. Otherwise your life's just gonna be the same old pl*ps you tried to get away from by going on this trip. Now get back over there and do the right thing god dammit!"

Their impasse had been broken. She was right, of course she was right. "Your words got some bite for a 15 some year old girl." Daryl knew she was older than this, but if he was going to lose this fight he would push as many buttons on the way down as he could. "Merle's gonna be pissed." He said, "Gonna have to endure the whole betrayal rant. Boot to the face didn't help." Despite Jess showing full well she was not a helpless little girl, he still didn't like seeing her face the way it was. "If you're gonna keep talking to me like that you could at least clean up that tear stained face, would be less embarrassing." And then he awkwardly looked to the floor. "And uh, sorry about calling you a bitch." He extended an arm for a well meaning handshake, although it felt unnatural. "Thanks Jess." He meant it. Whether she knew it or not, she had just been added to the very exclusive list of people he wouldn't leave behind. He's stuck now.

Jessica smiled as Daryl finally relented. It seemed she had a gift for words. She had to agree with him about her face so she took the red rag and wiped her face with it before she blew her nose loudly. Then she neatly folded it and put it between her pistol and the strap keeping it secure, preferring to wash it later rather than giving it to Daryl gross. Rather than accept his handshake she decided to hug him, pulling herself close to his taller body and putting her chin on his shoulder. "You're welcome." She said smiling. Her tears were already back but they were of relief now. "And it's okay. You're under a lot of stress and I am kind of a bitch sometimes. I'm sorry I swore at you. My mom never tolerated swearing in our quarters. She even tried to invent a tiny bar of soap to wash my mouth out specifically for swearing. She was always thinking of crazy stuff like that." She smiled, pushed up her glasses and then stretched out her hand. "C'mon. Let's get back to the others. We shouldn't keep the troopers waiting. Who knows? We just might be able to get Merle out of this. Maybe then I can call in the favors he already owes me."

Daryl took her hand and she led him back to the group. He felt like a little child who had gotten lost and she was the responsible adult showing him the way back. "Oh good you got him to come back." Ghost said. "Don't think it's because I give a pl*ps about the NCR, cause I don't." He said, walking past her. Daryl's tough demeanor didn't falter even as he was led back to the group by hand from a girl so green she pisses grass.

Back at the group, Andrea worried for Merle's life. He wasn't a good man but he didn't deserve to die, not for this. "We're going to need to get our story straight if we're to walk out free men and women. Vex, you put Toombs out of his misery but I saw the look in your eyes. You were protecting yourself and you were protecting Kenzi and Jess." She chose her next words very carefully. "So you must agree with Merle's decision to put him down. Yes, Merle stepped out of line but we need to know you'll plead for his life. They respect you two, hell, Merle might even respect you." Andrea looked over to where Daryl had stormed off to. It looked like he was arguing with Jess. "And I don't think he is going to just let his brother be executed. I think it would go a long way in getting Merle under control if we at least tried to save him. If not for Merle, for Daryl. He pulled our asses out of the fire." She said. "We can't let old rivalries tear us apart, let's get through this together okay? Maybe we can show Merle we aren't the savages he thinks we are."

Andrea didn't care for proving to Merle anything, she just wanted them all to leave with their lives. It was then that Jess returned with Daryl close behind her. "Did she get him to hold her hand?" She said to herself. The doubts she had about Merle's fate cleared a little but she was still a member of the brotherhood. Toombs proved that there are many who still hold grudges against them and Merle's track record didn't help his situation. This wasn't exactly the first offence and she knew that.

Daryl noticed some attention shift to him as they returned. "This is gonna suck." He mumbled to himself. "If you can get me some strong liquor, I'd carry you for the rest of the trip." He said, speaking up and directing to Jess. He was exaggerating, but he really needed some alcohol in his system if he was to endure this process.

Andrea still had Merle's weapons and Daryl wasn't about to relieve her of them. "Let's get to the Brahmin." She said, in an attempt to get things moving.

As Jed and Collins exchanged tense words, Vex handed over his weapons to the trooper that was in the process of charging and cuffing him. All he could think about is how much blood is on his clothes and how hard it would be to clean off instead of how serious of a crime it is to shoot one of your own and to break the oath of the Ranger. He and Kenzi both swore to go to hell and back for their comrades, and kill any demon that awaits to deter them from bringing their friends back. However, what Toombs did was not only out of line, it was putting Jess in danger. Toombs had a history of taking things to far. During a mission to Redding to investigate reports of increased raider and fiend attacks Kenzi, Vex, and Toombs had stumbled upon a small settlement of people who had just missed one of the raider attacks. At the time Kenzi and Vex had their helmets on with their respected callsigns etched onto them just as Toombs did. The area wasn't too keen on the NCR, so it didn't help that there were NCR Rangers in their settlements.

Kenzi began to patrol around looking injured civilians and spotted a hurt child and begin to approach. At first the child ran into a corner due to the the filter that was installed into the helmets making the typical sound along with her sniper rifle being held up. The poor girl began to sob as she was crying for her mother just as any child would do. Kenzi stopped for a moment, looked at the child, and took of her helmet exposing her dirtied face and hair. The Ranger knelt down and gave her famous warm and bright smile as she handed the kid some chocolates she had gotten from the mess hall. She simply pointed to the name on the helmet then pointed to herself. The child ate the chocolates and finally uttered her name

"I'm... I'm Sally."
"Hi Sally, my name is Harvey. It's very nice to meet you. I'm here with my squadmate Vex to check on you guys. Is everything okay?"
"Well... Kinda. My mommy was out getting fresh water before running back to tell us the monsters were coming and to hide."

Kenzi adopted a quizzical look on her caring face
"The monsters? Can you tell me about them, if you're not too scared."
'They were loud and scary! The big monster had a grey face, big red eyes and two pieces of hair on the side and on the top of their noggin! It's body had a ton of spikes! They were like six of them too! They had giant swords and loud guns!"

Painspike armor along with their typical wastehound helmet. Great. God knows how well equip they are. Her mind was not at ease, but at least she knew what the leader looked like and what they were using for raids.

"That's a very good description Sally! I got you some water for your hard work. Go find mommy and stay safe."
Kenzi picked up her helmet and was about to put it on before she saw Vex pointed his six shooter at Toombs, who was over a freshly killed woman. Kenzi had a feeling what had happened and she knew what would happen if she did not stop Vex.

"You fl*ffing bastard. I should just shoot you in the gut and let you bleed here."
"Maybe if the bitch hadn't tried to fight and just let me fl*ff her she would still be alive. Filthy whore."
Vex pulled the hammer of his shooter back for effect.

"Vex! What's going on here!"
"Oh look! It's your little blonde slut. Maybe I should have some of her insta-"
Toombs buckled over in pain as Vex kneed him in the stomach after pistol whipping him in the back of the head.

"fl*ffer killed this poor woman when she fought back as he tried to rape her. This is why these people hate us. Have you heard the stories these people tell of us? This asshole is the embodiment of those stories. We should leave him here and let the people deal with him as they see fit."

"Vex! He needs to be turned into command. You and I are both in command of this squad and if he left him here it would make us look guilty. Let's just cuff him and take him back"
Vex lowered his weapon as Kenzi approached and took a sigh of relief. She always knew how to calm down. Kenzi radioed HQ as Vex donned a hidden smirk and shot Toombs in the leg as she tried for his knife. She turned to lay into Vex but saw the knife in Toombs' hand.

Now here he is once again over the Ranger's body only this time he's dead and Vex was in cuffs. He turned to see Kenzi complying as well. Rangers are sworn to accept their actions with no hesitation and no fear. Command will see that they are in the right and luckily the officer in charge of interrogation have worked and liked both of the rangers in question.


"Who exactly the guilty party is here is in doubt. We need to take everybody because anybody we leave behind might get pissed and follow us. What if they get it in their heads to try and break you out? What if they get it in their heads that we're a bunch of fascist pigs and go on some killing spree? What happens when the Powder Gangers find out what you all did to this cave and come looking for revenge? And they WILL find out and they WILL want revenge. If you come with us then no one's in danger of being hunted, no one gets any stupid ideas and most importantly, NO ONE HAS TO DIE. Do you understand all of this?"

Collins had a fair point; The Powder Gangers would want revenge and would hunt the whole caravan down. If all of them left with Collins, then they would at least be safe and not sleeping with one eye open. Kenzi and Vex both met eyes and nodded.

"Collins is right. Let's just leave with them and we'll be safer. Now if we're done standing around and chewing the fat, can we get a move on? The bleeding is starting to get worse and might ruin my shirt."

Reluctantly, the troopers took out two pairs of handcuffs and took Vex and Kenzi into custody. They were well known enough and respected enough to where they didn't want to do this but orders were orders. Collins didn't feel any better. These were her friends and she was placing them under arrest. They could be kicked out of the army or even die for this and she was the one to bring them in. But she also knew she still had their respect for following the rules they swore to uphold. Letting them go would short-circuit this system and if she did that she was just as guilty as they were. Merle on the other hand she had no problems arresting. She'd shoot him right now if if weren't for the same patch on her arm that was forcing her to arrest her fellow rangers. Toombs was a problem his whole career and Merle had done her a favor however. So she didn't want him to die but a little prison time would be just fine with her. If, that is, he was found guilty of murder.

Everyone else was filed out of the cave and cuffed. Most were willing because they knew fighting was pointless but a few had some respect for the system. Jessica was especially submissive. She didn't say a word as she was cuffed by a trooper and didn't dare walk faster than him as he held her cuff chain and led her from behind to the brahmin. Despite the carnage all of the animals were okay, having stayed well clear of the fighting and the action thanks to John and Mordecai moving them at a quiet moment. Needless to say both of them were shocked when they were greeted by the troopers but they both behaved themselves. This sort of thing was the exact reason Mord hated the NCR for but he knew he didn't have any choice. Any resistance on his part would get him and everyone killed so he behaved. This time.

There was some confusion on what to do with their newest members. Carsten wasn't part of the outfit and wasn't beholden to its rules. But he did need food, rest and treatment so he decided to come. Their new baby would die without someone to look after him and as of yet Stella was the only one who had tried or succeed to feed him. So he'd be coming along and Stella was allowed to remain uncuffed so long as she kept the baby from quite literally making too much of a fuss.

Everyone was loaded onto the wagons with the troopers forming a perimeter and they were off. It was six hours to Santa Clara and it was about 1 in the afternoon at this point. They'd be on base at around sunset. After they got moving things resumed mostly to how they were this morning. Everyone riding in the back of a caravan left to their thoughts. Jess and Stella were sitting across from each other with Kenzi and Vex sitting at their respective rights. Their cuffs had been adjusted to let them rest their arms in front but they were all very quiet. Even their baby was quiet, taking a nap in Stella's arms.

"What's gonna happen to us?" Jess asked, breaking the long silence.

"I'm not sure kiddo." Stella said. "We'll probably be able to go once justice is served. Just what happens to our rangers...I can't say."

"Is Merle gonna die?"

"I'm not sure Jess."

"What about Vex and Kenzi? You guys saw Toombs. He was a mad dog. He needed to be put down."

"But he was still one of their own guys hon. They've got to answer for that."

"This really sucks. It's not fair." She said, pouting a bit. "How did we get into this mess?"

The baby shifted in Stellas arms but she rocked and shushed him back to sleep. Stella didn't have an answer for Jess and there was nothing they could do but wait so she decided to change topics. "This little guy sure does like to sleep and eat. Reminds me of my last boyfriend. I think we otta name him. You guys got any ideas?"

The operational base was now in front of them after a grueling walk that seemed like it took forever. The grey concrete walls surrounding the foundation were hiding several machine gun units along with small sniper perches and searchlights that were not in use. Beyond the first checkpoint of lead and pain there was the command center, barracks, mess hall, infirmary and the embassy. It would seem like the NCR hoarded a lot of prewar tech seeing as how it could hold key personnel quite comfortably where as the building itself was of typical post war fashion. The clanking of chain-link got closer and closer until they could see the entrance checkpoint. Intertwined chain-link lined the way along the base with two riflemen at the entrance, four marksmen at key points, along with two well hidden turrets.

Vex looked around at the nice houses and areas with a look of disgust. These people had no worries in the world. No raiders or fiends, the crime rate in this district is almost gone, their children can play outside with no fear and simply gawk at the tower as if it was a magic structure. The further you go away from the tower of power the worst it gets. Down in the wreckage and the shanties people still get killed, mugged and even cut up for whatever purpose. Jet, Psycho, and all other kind of naughty candy were about as common as a brothel. The children don't play in fear of getting picked up to be used as a little pleasure toy for caps or drugs. The dirt down there was not the kind you could simply clean but instead you have to exterminate. The NCR has had a record of only caring about NCR civilians instead of all civilians. Vex and Kenzi both hated that fact and try to look out for everyone.

As they got closer a mother could be seen offering her beautiful little girl's body for whatever has it's hooks in her. Kenzi heard the mother and caught sight and remembered that her mother went down that road with her own body ad only after Kenzi had left. She gritted her teeth at every track mark and lick of the lips from the mother. Kenzi's eyes widened when she meet eyes with the girl with blonde hair matted with dirt and dry from lack of bathing and in that moment Kenzi dug her nail in her palm as a glimpse of her younger self was projected onto the girl.

"I hate this place, Joe."
she turned to Vex and shook her head as he met her gaze. Vex scanned the area and spotted the girl and shortly realized what she had seen. Time is simply man's creation to gauge how long he has until the final sleep, yet the moments of Kenzi coming over to his place when they were both young with dried tears and a desperate smile seemed like yesterday. Jessica must have caught the blood running down Kenzi's tender hand but saw that Vex shook his head at the sight. Down a ways you could hear glass breaking, multiple males laughing and the girls screeching of help. The blood began to run faster as a snarl was adopted on the blonde ranger's face. Her breathing got faster and the cuffs got tighter.

"Hey Kenzi, you remember the cold December mornings and how every day I'd wake up with you wrapped around me? Even at the age of 14 it might be considered odd by most people but not mom. God, I miss those mornings. Hell, I even miss when it rained all October."

"How could I not remember those mornings. I would get the chills like no other and wander into your room and get close to you. You always knew how to comfort me and those were the days I needed them. It's almost as if you know when I need it."

"I protected you then I'll protect you now. Let's pray the old man sees eye to eye with his young students."

"This little guy sure does like to sleep and eat. Reminds me of my last boyfriend. I think we otta name him. You guys got any ideas?" The sound of Stella's voice brought them back to reality and they noticed how they were slightly getting closer to the base.

"I don't know. What about Orion? You're the caretaker Stella, and Stella leads to stellar and leads to interstellar. So with that thought process comes Orion."

"Or Oliver for Oliver Twist. Anything is better than Merle Jr." The whole group continued to toss around names while the caravan stopped to radio the checkpoint that they are coming ahead with detainees. It seemed like forever so the group thought that that moment was as good as any to toss around baby names. Once they had finally reached a decision the troopers finally began to move to the checkpoint. The group was now being processed from outside the concrete fallout jungle to the more comforting base. At least to them it was whereas the others were not so sure.

"Take the two Rangers and the giant hick to the interrogation rooms and escort the remaining detainees to the general area. Actually make sure they are protected. Godspeed you two." Collins then made her way to nerve center while a trooper escorted the three detainees to separate rooms. "Okay, room 6 will be for you, country boy. Get in there and sit your happy ass down. Seven and eight will be for you, Rangers. At least until the captain gets here.

"what the hell does that mean?" Kenzi trailed his sentence off while they split to their assigned rooms. Each room was quiet and was no less ominous. Even if they were NCR. Hell, the NCR are more strict when it comes to their own, so both Vex and Kenzi were prepared for the worst. Both were playing with their domino pieces dangling around their necks with each other on the mind. They never did worry about themselves only each other.

"Now the waiting begins."

The hot air smothered the building like a blanket of depression. Michael opened the door and received a blast of fresh air. While it was still hot, it wasn't stuffy and didn't smell like decomposition. He pulled out a cigar and got a few minutes of peace on the porch before a smaller, slightly less athletic man joined Michael's side. "This'll be your payment then." Roland said, passing off a small can with the top cut off. It was filled with caps and had a makeshift plastic seal that looked like it barely fit to hold them in. There was three of them. Michael put them in his satchel. "Been good having you here pal, what say we get a drink by the pub later?"

He had hoped Roland would pay him and leave him and that would be that, Michael had no interest in drinking with the man although he had planned on going himself. "Alright."

"Good, good. Well uh, I'll see you there then?" His old employer went back inside the stuffy ranch. Michael finished his cigar and made his way through the town. It had an uneasy feeling about it, like the town and its people were held together by staples and thin tape. It was segregated with Brotherhood and NCR mostly keeping to themselves. They were at peace, but this was no alliance. NCR and Brotherhood truly working together? That'll be the day.

Michael spent a good few hours drinking, about halfway Roland came in and sat by him. They didn't talk much. Roland did, but he knew Michael mostly just listened. At about half past one in the morning he had to help Roland back to his ranch. "Oh thank you very much!" His wife said. "He wasn't misbehaving now was he?"
"No."
"Well thank you for bringing him home," she said as she took Roland's arms around her own shoulders, "you were always good lookin' after us." He gave a nod and headed back to the bar. He had rented a room already and just wanted to fall on the pillow and forget this day. As he drifted off to sleep he began to stir in his sleep.

"Oh look at our beautiful baby girl!" Jessica was talking to Primm's least popular child. It's not that he was picked on, he was just distanced. Somehow Jess had convinced him to join in and play tag with the rest of them. "Got such a good heart that one."

"Huh. She can't get it from her mother then."

His wife Amanda gave a playful shove. "She can't get it from you. What with you killing folks and all."

Here she went again. She was always against it and Jess wasn't aware of the nature of his job yet. But that's what being a caravan guard was like. Sometimes people wanted to take what wasn't theirs.

"Amanda."

"No seriously when are you gonna earn yourself an honest mans living? I couldn't stand the thought of Jess finding out what you do."

"She knows what I do."

"Not the killing!"

Then the little devil herself ran up to them pleading for them to play tag. "Oh but why not? Even Buckley is playing! Come oooonnn!"

"Ive got to go cook dinner sweetie, sorry."

"Dad?"

"I'd love to but I- honey what's wrong with your leg there?" There was a little blood on the inside of her right pants. Around her thigh. She was young, so it must be a cut. "Oh that? Yeah, it hurts. A lot."

"Let me have a look." Michael tried to roll up the pant leg but Jess squealed in pain. "Daddy it hurts!"

"Why didn't you come to me when you first started bleeding?"

"Daddy, please, make it stop."

He pulled out his knife and started cutting around the blood. "Your mommas gonna kill me for this." The kids had stopped playing tag and were watching from afar. Amanda was gone, must have left to make that dinner. When he completely cut around the cloth two holes were visible in her leg gushing blood. "Oh honey I don't think.."

"Am I gonna be alright?" She said, panicking and streaming tears.

"Of course you are sweetie lets go." He picked her up and began running to the town centre but when he opened the doors all he could see was a barren landscape with tin roofs in the distance. He sprinted as hard as he could carrying his little girl but he wasn't going anywhere, no matter how hard he run. He always the same distance away from the same rock. He put her down. "You killed them people."

"They shot at us."

"Why couldn't you have done it faster?"

"Honey I-"

"I love you daddy."

"I love you too sweetheart, just hold on." He stood up and was shot in the throat. He woke up with a jump. He sat up and wiped his brow. It was morning. He could hear people downstairs having their breakfast. Another day, another job, another 24 hours has passed and he's still just a man who lost his girls. His dreams were so inconsistent. He wasn't even a caravan guard at the time of their untimely demise. He pushed the thoughts to the back of his brain and got himself ready for the day. He went down to the bar and ordered some food, eating at a nearby table. A few possibly irradiated bites later and he hears some commotion on the table next to his.

"I really don't want to." The young man said.

"Don't care. Get up, we're leaving. You don't get to tell me no."

"What are you going to do to me?"

"If you don't get up, I'm gonna beat your ass that's what. NOW GET UP."

They got up for the door and as they passed his table Michael called out. "Kid, over here." He uneasily made his way over. "Grab your food and take a seat."

The man that was forcing the kid out returned to his seat and sized Michael up. He ignored it. The kid began to eat. He looked about 16-17. "Th- thank you."
"Who is he?"
"He's uh, kind of my uncle." Michael gave the kid a look and he continued. "He's been lookin after me for a while, I don't know if we're related but I know he was a friend of my dads. He uh, he..." He was struggling to tell something. "What?"
"I don't want to be stuck with him anymore."
"Then run to the NCR."
"They wouldn't take me in. Besides, I don't wanna be a soldier. I want to learn more about the brotherhood, but they don't take in new members as far as I've heard."
They continued eating until both of them had finished. "How are we getting out of here?"
"We walk."
Michael stood up. "He's gonna-"
"Just walk ahead of me."
Sure enough they were followed and confronted before they got to the door. "Cole, get here now. You don't know this man."
"I'm not going anywhere David, fl*ff off."
He seemed taken aback at the resilience. "Oh you think you can talk back to me now?"
The man made a grab for Cole, but his arm was promptly used to flip him over onto the ground, turned over and then was dislocated by Michael. He leaned in close. "You touch him, the barrel of this shotgun is the last thing you'll see before I scatter your brains in the dirt." He got up off the man and left with Cole taking the lead, leaving David hollering in pain.

As they got down the street Michael grew tired of the excitement. "That was awesome man, I can't believe you stuck it to him like that."

"Didn't he look after you?"

"No, he used me. Maybe he was good once, not anymore."

"Alright."

"So uh, where are we headed."

Michael stopped. "Kid, there isn't a we. You make it from your own from here."

"But I'll die?"

"No, you won't. Go to the NCR."

"I'd rather the brotherhood."

"Then go to them. I don't care."

"Thanks... I never got your name?"

"Michael."

The kid extended his hand and Michael gave him a handshake. "I'm Cole. And really, thank you. You've done a lot for me."

"If that man gives you trouble or even looks at you wrong, tell the NCR."

And with that the two parted ways.

Few hours later the fight caught up with him and he was detained. The reasons didn't matter, they lived in a society with rules. David was also locked up, though thrown into a different cell. Michael didn't try plead his case. He had accepted it and knew he'd be out soon. He got a cell mate, though they didn't talk. Michael stayed to one side and he stayed on the other. Whether it was out of respect or just plain ignorance on both their parts - he didn't know.

Michael was daydreaming when he was drawn to the sound of tapping on his cell. "Diaz! Michael! You're both free to go. Get your asses up and follow me to processing by the stairs to get your stuff. You'll both get vouchers for a free meal at the mess hall and you can use the showers if you want. I hope I don't catch either of you in here again anytime soon."

The guard unlocked the door and waited for the two men to collect themselves. Michael got up with no delays and to his surprise seen quite the rag tag group emerging from another cell. Curiosity got the better of him. He couldn't imagine half these guys doing anything wrong. "What happened to you guys? Don't look like criminals." Hell, they looked more like some sort of adoptive family if anything else.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Slowly, everyone got up and headed out of lockup and into the sterile concrete hallway. Most of them were hungry, tired or thirsty and all of them were eager to get outside again. Jessica was holding the baby to give Stella a break and both of them were in the front behind Jed. They had been given directions to the exit and were on their way there when one of the prisoners, a full bearded man who looked like he'd been recently released, stopped them.

"What happened to you guys? Don't look like criminals." He said. Jed realized just how strange a sight they must have looked and they definitely stuck out here.

"You got that right partner." He said. "We're a caravan group on our way to Santa Clara. Looks like we made it, though I can't say I appreciate the circumstances. No, we're not criminals. Just victims of a bad situation." He paused for a second to consider whether or not to tell this stranger what was going on. Everyone who was important on this base knew already and a good bit of the troopers probably did too since they'd been here for hours. He decided there was no harm in it. "To nutshell it for ya, one of our members was bein' threatened by an out-of-line trooper and another member shot him for it. A third, a trooper himself and a Ranger to boot, had to shoot him."

The baby was getting increasingly fussy in Jessica's arms. She was confused as to why as up until just now he'd been a little angel in her arms. Then she smelled it. The brand new lump in his diaper. He started crying immediately. His cries were amplified threefold in the narrow soundproofed corridors of the underground prison. Jed had to shout over him to talk.

"Sorry about that! We found this little fella in a cave and decided to take him with us! Anyway, our ranger member and his partner are in lockup somewhere in this here base! Not sure what exactly's gonna happen to 'em but I've gotta bad feelin'. We'll be stickin' around here 'till our people get sorted out. What about you? Wadda you in for?! Damnit Jessica! Hand that baby off to Stella or get to changin' his diaper! If I can smell it than he certainly can! Damn, smells like Abraxo mixed with deathclaw piss!"

Jessica held the crying baby close but held him by his legs rather than his butt to try and keep his mess off of his sensitive skin until they could deal with it. "Sorry Jed! I've never...uhh...I've never done this before!"

"C'mon Jess!" Stella shouted. "Let's go find a bathroom and...somethin' we can use as a diaper until we can get topside! Once we do we can properly change Raiden!"

"Sure! we can...wait, what did you call him?"

"Raiden! His name's Raiden!"

"Really!? You're gonna name him Raiden! That's a great name! Raiden! That's the same name of my favorite character in a game I played once..."

"Let's get to it missy! Daryl, you're our resident expert on babies! Help us out!"

The two ladies and the newly-named Raiden headed upstairs to the bathroom, making the hallway significantly quieter. Meanwhile, on the other side of the floor the soldier who had released them was on their way to meet with his commanding officer and the other prisoners. The ones who definitely had done something wrong. A tall black man with a close cut head of hair and wearing an NCR dress uniform saluted the trooper.

"Captain Anderson sir. The prisoners are ready for interrogation."

"How long have they been in there."

"Three hours sir."

"No food or water?"

"As per regulations sir."

"Good. They should be ready to talk then. I'll take it from here. Dismissed trooper."

"Sir." The trooper saluted and then walked off. Anderson opened the hatch to Vex's cell and walked through. He hadn't been looking forward to this meeting but seeing his best soldier and good friend handcuffed to a chair in a dark interrogation room made things a lot worse. He was his CO, not his friend. He reminded himself of that. He walked over to the table Vex was forced to sit at. There was another chair beside him but he didn't sit down. He simply stared at Vex with stern, disappointed eyes.

"You look good Joe. Better than Toombs does, that's for sure." He sat down and bored holes in Vex's eyes. "Damn it son what the hell did you do out there!? When I gave you and Kenzi to roll out with Happy Trails I trusted you two to safeguard that caravan and act like the damn Ranger you are! Then before you're gone for half a day I get a report that Merle Dixon is with your group and he shoots one of my men! One of the men both you and he served with! And then you shoot the kid while he's still breathing and none of the FIFTEEN OTHER TROOPERS does a damn thing about it! How the hell was I supposed to wake up this morning knowing that you of all people would not only let that hick of a jackass shoot a fellow trooper but you help him out!? Do you have ANY idea what the hell you've just done!? Veteran Ranger Teller!?"

Anderson stood up and put his hands on the table. Vex was staring at him like a statue. He took a deep breath and sat down again. "Listen Joe. You, Kenzi and Merle are all in deep plops and I'm gonna have this same conversation with all three of you but I'm starting with you first because I know you best. I want to believe you had a good reason to do what you did but you're not makin' this easy for me. Collins told me what happened and there's enough evidence to court marshal you right now, but I don't want to do that. I want to give you a chance to explain yourself. So tell me Joe: what the hell happened out there?"

Daryl's time in the cell was hot, smelly and uncomfortable. He wasn't used to having a crowd of people shoved into a cell with him. In fact, he'd never been locked up by a law force before. Unlike his counterpart Merle, he knew how to behave. Mostly. If it's always this miserable no wonder his brothers brain was scrambled. They weren't looked after. It wasn't very exciting when they were finally told they could go. It only worsened a creeping anxiety that while they have a little more freedom - Merle doesn't. Merle might not even make it out alive. He didn't know how he'd deal with that and he didn't want to have to find out. The baby had been relatively quiet in Jessica's arms but then it started wailing like a psycho junkie. Like they didn't have enough problems already. Daryl had barely exited the cell when Stella called for his attention.

"Daryl, you're our resident expert on babies! Help us out!"

"Hell should I know, get a tit out or something." Then the stench hit him like a brick to the nostrils. His face scrunched up and he lifted an arm to shield his face. "Oh, wash his ass in the sink. I'll find something."

He rushed off down the hallway and to the outdoors. He was quick to volunteer mostly for the exercise and a stretch of the legs. Plus, he was being paid to be here. He stopped an NCR patrolman. "You got a clinic or something around here?" He could see Daryl was in a rush and pointed him back inside. Daryl poked back into the building, making his way through an open room and into the clinic. Unlike most clinics he'd been to, the room wasn't just a repurposed office room or tin hut. It looked like you could actually find some sterile utensils in here or even come out with less infections than when you walked in. "Yes sir, may I help you?" The doctor said as he seen Daryl analyse the room. "Got any diapers?"

"Excuse me?"

"Got a baby to change."

"I suppose I could sort something out. Give me a moment."

The doctor fashioned a cloth diaper in a matter of minutes, it wasn't much but it was better than a wastelander like he had seen before. "Use this pin to keep it clip it together. Take care the child doesn't swallow it, had a patient almost lose their kid because of it."

Daryl gave the man a few caps and left with a nod. As he walked back he was distracted by the fact that he had managed to get something better than an old oily rag. That doc provided. He found the bathroom Jess and Stella had made their way to and handed off the diaper. "You need anything else? This thing should be washable, the doc said to make sure he doesn't swallow the pin."

"That'll work I guess. Thanks Daryl." Jessica said, gently changing and wiping up Raiden.

"Next time we hit the road I'm gonna scout ahead. Make sure we don't get the caravan ambushed again. Could use you and that pip boy. Should've asked Burke for a god damn geiger counter. Would you be up for something like that?"

-

Andrea heated up something fierce in that cell. She, along with most of her caravan, had done nothing wrong. She was an NCR trooper for crying out loud! Not being high enough rank to be considered worthy of enough respect to give a detailed report on the incident? She handled herself well and even offered to turn Merle in once he'd completed his contract. She knew that was a fruitless effort but she had to try. She did not however expect to be thrown in the cells. She thought she would need to give a report which would in turn have all but Merle and Vex free. Those two had to sort it out themselves. There was nothing a corporal trooper could do for them. Especially since Vex outranked her and Merle was insubordinate from the start. When they were finally released she had worked up a sweat. Whether from the heat of the cell or her unsatisfied disappointment, she wasn't sure. But she needed fresh air. When she hit topside it had barely been a second before Daryl emerged. For a second she thought he was sent to drag her back like the lackey he is, but he seemed to be searching for someone else. She was at ease as he disappeared from sight. She rest against the concrete walls covered in shade. Despite being here under unfortunate circumstances this place had a way of making her feel safe.

"Well well, it's really you."

"Sergeant Bells?"

"Last I heard you were on leave."

She stood upright for the sarge. "Well, you know me. Can't keep these hands idle."

"That's a messy situation you've gotten yourself in. With two rangers I wondered how it could get so out of hand, then Merles name came up. Three NCR on one caravan, four having had affiliation and he still gets the caravan locked up in less than a day."

"Ah, yeah, I really don't want to talk about it. Just trying to get a breather, if you don't mind."

"As you wish Corporal. Mind if I join you on that?"

"Sure."

Her superior pulled out a cigarette and offered her one. She politely declined. The two relaxed in the shade, both going through their own trials and tribulations. "Wife run off with the kids again."
"Whys that?"
"Says all this exposure to the military is corrupting our sons. Hears talk of them wanting to grow up to be just like daddy. Now does that have to be such a bad thing?"

All Andrea could think was she really wishes she had a drink in her right now.

"No sir."

"And she has the hide to run off yet again, what does that show our kids? It teaches em a hell of a lot about abandoning your family and that is not the morals I want for them. She needs to see that the NCR is the best hope for a secure and democratic country. I don't want my family to grow up in a lawless wasteland."

She let the sarge ramble on, offering insight and support. He had trusted her for a while now after, a while back, she let slip one too many things about her own past in a brief moment of weakness. Ultimately his break ended and he went back to his duties. She stood there for a little while longer before heading to the showers. There wasn't much privacy, but a shower is a shower. She washed herself clean but kept the same clothes. Jeans and a tank top. Her boots were emptied of her rock and perhaps most satisfying, most of the dirt in her hair washed clean. It's amazing just how much of it accumulates in one dust up with the powder gangers. After she was done she headed to the mess hall for a meal. No doubt somebody would be there to bother her. Right now she just wanted space. The hardships of babysitting this caravan was already taking a toll on her in under a day. Or more like the effort it took to guard the caravan from the biggest threat it faced so far- Merle.

"Did you see that young girl out there holding the baby? That's Jess. She had her first gunfight today and it rocked her world. She just froze and rocked back and forth. In those little eyes you could see the vast fear of death everyone gets the first time. I helped her through the shock and she got out of it and fought back. Shortly after a grenade blew up a couple feet from me and she rushed out of cover to save me."

The Ranger swept his hair back with his one free hand as his CO hovered over him

"Then shortly after we had entered the cave to see if we can gather supplies off the dead hostiles. Kenzi and I found an infant brought back and long story short after I had gone to find some ammo I walk out and see Toombs pressing his rifle against her little head. She's 16 damn it. 16! At the time I was shot in the side so I was losing some blood but I pointed my .45 at him. You see, I gave him more than one chance. Next thing I know Merle gets him in the throat and he begins to slowly choke and drown in his own blood. I proceeded to put a round between his eyes as an act of mercy. Toombs was a bastard, but he didn't need to die like that. Not by Merle anyway. You and I remember the mission Toombs tried to rape a village woman. I done wrong by Jess, there was no way I was going to let that monster put a bullet in her. Collins ordered Toombs and he ignored a direct order. How can a man call himself a man when he would stand idly by and watch someone he cares about die?"

Vex met the eyes of his CO proving the point he was making. One of the first things you learn as a Ranger is always protect your squad. Even though they aren't in NCR uniforms or under the NCR flag they are still his squad.

"Merle joined at the bar after some suit signed him. Both him and his brother in fact. Regardless, Kenzi had nothing to do with it. Her rifle was trained on Merle. It was a god damn mexican stand off, sir. If you want to court marshal me so be it. But don't make her guilty by association."


In the other room the blonde ranger began to shake her leg anxiously as she eyed the door. "Hey Private asshole one and two! What's taking so god damn long? You think the whole no food or water treatment will break us?!"

The fact is that she is slowly being broken from the separation anxiety. She is not some damsel in distress but Vex is one of the only people she cares about and she'd do anything to get to him. The higher ups have deemed it as a potential flight risk but Kenzi's performance as a Ranger renders the concern inert. It was most likely due to the numerous missions and life and death circumstances.

Where was he? Was he okay? What are they doing to him? All these questions raced through her mind. If the CO allows brute force to be used than this is just like being interrogated by the enemy. She was gnawing on her lip so she wouldn't actually to get out of the cuffs they both knew how. She began to rock in her chair as she thought about what had just unfolded. It looked bad; Two veteran Rangers appearing to almost help a scumbag like Merle kill a trooper. Damned if they actually know the whole story. If Vex takes the fall for both of him and herself, she wouldn't know what to do. For all these years they've always been attached to the hip. No matter what ever happened they still stuck through it. Their bond was something more, something deeper. How she can explain that is hard.

Anderson sat and listened to Vex. His story was clear, well-told and it all added up. Most importantly, it correlated with everything Collins had told him an hour earlier. He had gotten the answers he wanted and was convinced Vex did what was necessary but that didn't mean he was out of the woods yet. Toombs' father was a powerful man and when he finds out about this, if he hasn't already, he will want blood.

"So let me make sure I understand all this. Toombs had this girl Jessica on the ground at gunpoint even though she wasn't hostile. Collins calls him out on excessive force and orders him to stand down and he turns his gun on her. She told me he started ranting some nonsense about rangers and 1st Recon being ivory tower elitests or some other bullplops. Nobody makes a move then Merle shoots Toombs in the throat. You see he's gonna die so you shoot 'em in the head as a mercy killing and then Collins arrests all of you. Does that about cover it?"

"Yes sir." Vex said.

"And you said this girl was only 16? And she had just been through a full on gunfight with Powder Gangers?" He shook his head in disbelief. "Goddamnit I hate this desert. Takes a good kid like her and just throws her to the wolves. You did good keepin' her safe, and helping her through her fear. We both know what that's like, and how important it is for a strong hand to guide a green recruit. Wasn't so long ago you where there once. All peach fuzz and eager patriotism and me tryin' to beat some discipline into you. You always took longer to learn than Kenzi but you always made up for it with better results. Don't tell her I said that."

"No sir." Vex said. His tone was still grim and only seemed to deepen with Anderson's forced cheer. They both knew they were in trouble. Anderson knew he knew so he decided to just drop it. He sighed and put a hand on Vex's shoulder, as a father would to his adult son.

"I'm sorry about this Joe, I really am. I believe your story and it matches up with Collins' report. If it were up to me I'd let you go but this is out of my hands. I'm not sure if you know this but Toombs' comes from a very powerful family. His father's the biggest brahmin baron in the NCR. He's so big he was able to buy out Heck Gunderson last year. Man's practically got a monopoly on the meat market and more than one NCR senator in his pocket. I got off the phone with him before I got here, notified him of his son's death. He's on his way here to collect his body and he's ready for vengence. I didn't tell him about you or Kenzi but he likely knows already. Officially there's nothing he can do to you. Espeicially since I'll have you cleared of charges as soon as I get back to my office. But I'd really like to keep you and your friends in protective custody. Just until this blows over. You can come with me and see Kenzi and I'll see to it that you're both taken care of. Wadda you say son?"

Meanwhile, in the bathroom of the prison level Jessica and Stella labored over their newest caravan member. Cleaning up Raiden had been a nasty job and the poor thing had already gotten a bit of diaper rash. Jessica threw away the soiled diaper he'd been wearing for god knows how long and wiped him up as best she could, gently wiping his butt with some pre-war wet naps she had found back in the cave. Most of the work she had done with toilet paper but she still had to use all four wet naps to do the job right. She didn't regret it in the slightest but the scribe in her chided her for it. Wet naps could be sold for up to twenty caps to the right person and the caravan could use that money. And now she had nothing left to use the next time Raiden made a stinky and no extra diapers. The alcohol they were soaked in was also a bit rough on his sensitive chubby bottom and he whimpered as he was being cleaned.

"Shhhh. It's alright Raiden. It's alright. You're all better now. We've got that stinky poop all gone." Jessica cooed as she gently wiped his bottom clean.

"Poor kid." Stella said. "Has to sit here and wait for us to wipe him up and all we've got are GFC napkin packs and some rough toilet paper. People used to start fights over this stuff when I was a sheriff."

"Awww I know. Poor baby. Wait a minute. People would start fights over lemon soaked paper napkins? Seriously?"

"You betcha seriously. These things are worth almost as much as stimpaks out in the wastes. Only sterile pads most scavvers have ever seen. You can appreciate that bein' a Follower and Brotherhood."

"Yeah. I guess I can. Back in the Brotherhood we had everything we needed but I never realized just how much work it took to keep it that way until I went to Frisco, or how good I really had it. I want the same thing for this little sweetheart. Do you think this base has any baby wipes or diapers for when this happens again?"

"Not sure kiddo. I doubt it honestly. Daryl was supposed to take care of that anyway. Where the hell did he go anyway?"

"Keep yer shirts on. He's right here." Daryl said from behind them, brandishing a clean cloth diaper. Stella was impressed and Jessica was relieved beyond belief. Jessica quickly changed Raiden and when she was done he was much happier.

"This what ya' lookin for? Pickins are kinda slim here." He said.

"That'll work I guess. Thanks Daryl." She picked up Raiden and held him close, giggling and cooing as she tickled his pudgy belly. She barely listened to Daryl's offer and was stunned when she processed it. She looked over to him. "Really? You really mean that? Um...yeah. Sure. If you think it'll help. Umm....thanks Daryl." Maybe she wasn't as terrible at this combat thing as she thought?

"I'm sorry about this Joe, I really am. I believe your story and it matches up with Collins' report. If it were up to me I'd let you go but this is out of my hands. I'm not sure if you know this but Toombs' comes from a very powerful family. His father's the biggest brahmin baron in the NCR. He's so big he was able to buy out Heck Gunderson last year. Man's practically got a monopoly on the meat market and more than one NCR senator in his pocket. I got off the phone with him before I got here, notified him of his son's death. He's on his way here to collect his body and he's ready for vengeance. I didn't tell him about you or Kenzi but he likely knows already. Officially there's nothing he can do to you. Especially since I'll have you cleared of charges as soon as I get back to my office. But I'd really like to keep you and your friends in protective custody. Just until this blows over. You can come with me and see Kenzi and I'll see to it that you're both taken care of. Wadda you say son?"

"I've handled my fair share of untouchable barons, but if you insist you can take it up with Jed. Let's get to Kenzi before she slips out of her cuffs and comes to us instead of us coming to her. Lead the way sir." Anderson pulled out the key and released him from the cuffs and proceeded down to the previous interrogation room. The sounds of serious threats and laughter walked down the hall and towards them. A smile was adorned the officers face as he opened the door to a trooper holding his bloodied nose and the blonde ranger with a snarl and a laugh.

"Say that again and I'll rip out your god damn tongue and fl*ff you with it. Joe! What happened? Can I please get out of these cuffs!?!"

"Ah. Now I remember why you never worked well with other people. They would always end up with a broken nose. Joe's testimony matches up with Collins' story. You two are free to go and clear of all charges. I will warn you though; Toombs' father is a very powerful Brahmin baron. He frequently deals with the NCR and has buttered up more than one NCR suit. The fact that you two are innocent will only enrage him further. I was telling Joe that you and your friends will be safe in our protected custody."

"Permission to speak, sir?"

"Granted."

"Do you think he'll give up after a few days? A few weeks? You and I both know he won't. You know the saying like father like son. He'll be a persistent S.O.B. But, since your the commanding officer you can speak to Jed about it. I just want out of this damn room."

Anderson nodded and escorted the Rangers back to the prison ward of the base to rejoin with the rest of the group. The NCR liked to build high; Levels upon levels upon levels of eight by ten iron cells ranging from low risk at the bottom and high risk at the top. Most of the low ranking prisoners were either on a lighter sentence or there for a day or two. The cell block was loud with the sounds of nervous voices and pacing footsteps. Guards armed with service rifles and shotguns were stationed at each watch tower. One might ask why two guards to a tower, and the answer is that while one guard is watching the cells and covering the longer range, the other watches the entrance and the closer area so in case of a riot they can cover both areas. The lower tier itself was clean, neat, and fairly calm. The prison staff tends to be quite thorough in cleaning and maintaining a good public image with it's prisons. The higher you go the darker into the abyss you fall. Violence is more common than a decent meal up above. Screams and banter fell down to the main levels. Fights often break out in the higher levels and often get bloody and can lead to death in a short amount of time and can land the inmates in whats called "The hole". While the inmate is in the hole they only get 1 hour of rec time and they spend the other 23 hours in the cell. The inmate must take an elevator down with two guards to escort them into the yard. The view going down or up elevator looks out towards long steel arms extending from the center of main control and gripping each individual level.

The high risk inmates themselves don numerous prison tattoos and are often built from all their excess time that they now have. The only thing you don't lose in prison is time. Even in the Mojave a prisoner wishes to be free. Some things never change. Back down near the main level Kenzi lit up a cigarette and took a long drag and blew out as she looked at the rest of the group and more importantly Jess.

"Do you think we made the right choice or do you think we should have shot Merle instead? Maybe get some grace points?" She pinched the cig between her thumb and middle finger as she withdrew more smoke.

"Absolutely. Little Jess just had her first real firefight. No amount of combat simulation or logistical analysis could have prepared her for that. Before she knew it she was face down in the dirt with a gun barrel on the back of her head. Toombs needed to be put down, and that was a perfect moment. You know the worst part? It felt good to end his life. It almost felt right, you know?"

"I bet it did. Like a feral ghoul he was once human, but he turned into a monster. Those days are long gone now. You did what you had to do and I will always back you up. What do you say we join up with the rest of the group?" Kenzi stubbed out her death stick on the wall of the room and wrapped her arm around Vex's waist, almost holding his wound as he did the same and lead them to the rest of the group.

Michael listened to the old man with respect. Their situation was indeed a sticky one and he was surprised it was a ranger who put the trooper down. Definitely not something he'd want to get tangled in. What's more is they found a child in a cave and perhaps saved the child, very humane but also quite risky. They couldn't possibly think they could take the child out into the wasteland again? The caravaner yelled out to one of his crew regarding the foul stench that encompassed the room so suddenly, it sent chills down his spine hearing Jessica's name. The girl looked nothing like his daughter, but the name took him off guard to say the least. He wasn't sure if he should be honest with the man on why he was here, but he decided he'd be as honest as possible without giving unnecessary details. "I don't envy you. Sounds like you've got a few things going on. I'm in here for having a rough disagreement with a man who was trying to kidnap a boy bout the same age as that lass you got there." As everyone was shuffling out of the halls he decided it was best he did too. "Gonna get something to eat, you know of any mercenary work you come let me know in the mess hall." Michael offered his hand and name before leaving.

After taking advantage of the showers he made his way to the mess hall, and traded in his voucher for a decent meal. Brahmin steak, veggies and a nuka cola. He ate the carrot first before digging into the steak. After every job he was ultimately unemployed, he had a few caps floating around waiting to be spent but there wasn't a lot of options for him on base. He decided he would eat slow and hang about in the mess hall a bit, to relax. Then head outside for a cigar later before looking for work in town.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mordecai hadn’t spoken a word the entire time. He knew better than that. It was risky enough business travelling with two rangers on this damn trip to nowhere. But now, here in this compound, he was surrounded. His mouth felt dry, his heart was slightly racing and he wasn’t sure how to handle this.

What the hell was he going to do now?

He knew that they certainly would have forgotten him by now. Hell, he was quite a bit a ways from where the incident took place. Not to mention, they surely believed him to be dead. Long dead. But he just couldn’t shake the feeling that this was going to end badly. That someone would be tipped off about him somehow.

He gripped the top of his hood and brought it down a little lower over his eyes, but not low enough that some smart mouth kid would try to goad him. He couldn’t afford to draw attention to himself.

But just sitting around here for the likely hours it would take for them to grill the rangers and Merle wouldn’t help him in the slightest. He needed to get out above ground. Go for some air. A drink. Something. He needed out of here.

With that thought, he stood up slowly, tucking his hands in his duster pockets, before moseying on out of the room, and up the stairs that they had gone down to get to the room they had been waiting in.

After some time, and a close call or two, he found the doorway out and stepped outside, taking a deep breath before exhaling loudly. “God Almighty, what the hell did I get myself into?” He walked slowly toward the tall fence that surrounded the building, his face in his hands as he did so. He shook his head, dropping his hands roughly as he grunted under his breath. “fluff do I do now?” He said, riding on his exhalation. His eyes looked out through the gate, his mind on the horizon as his hands moved instinctively for a cigar in his pocket. As he did so, a voice came out from behind him. “Don’t even think about it, old man.” His hand stopped cold, hand his breath caught in his throat, as his mind raced to comprehend what was happening behind him. He slowly turned, his hands raising upwards at the same speed. His eyes rested on a trio of troopers with their sights on him, with a fourth standing behind them, wearing a more plated armor. Some sort of officer uniform, he suspected. He half smiled and spoke up, trying to play things off. “Surely you wouldn’t begrudge and old timer a smoke would ya?” He said, his voice cracking faintly and the end. The soldiers seemed to pick up on it, and hardened their stances.

“If that old man weren’t you, then no, I wouldn’t give a damn.” The officer in the middle said, his voice betraying his amusement at the situation. “I will admit, I am surprised you managed to make it out of that burning warehouse. I thought we had taken care of the exits, but I suppose if you don’t do something yourself…” He shrugged non-chalantly, watching as Mordecai’s face turned to an expression of recognition. He chuckled. “That’s right, you bastard. I was there. And I know all about what got you there in the first place. You, as well as your whore wife and that waste of skin you called a son.” Mordecai swallowed under his breath, an anger welling underneath his skin. He finally snapped. “You don’t know the half of it.” He grunted, reaching for his holdout gun he had kept in his waistband, before the but of a rifle came down on the back of his head. Mordecai collapsed to the floor, and the troopers swarmed him, cuffing him and carrying him off. The officer watched as they carried him off further away from the compound, a match raised to his lips to light the cigar he had taken from Mordecai’s stash, and smirked. “You won’t be getting away this time…’Burris’...”

As he slowly trudged off after them, chuckling to himself, another man moved out from a shadowed corner behind some crates. He stood to his feet, his eyes planted firmly on the officer. He rolled the toothpick in his mouth to the others side, sighing. “Looks like I owe Ashur a beer.” He shook his head, heading back inside. “Better get her. She’ll want to be a part of this.”

-An hour later-

Mordecai recoiled in the chair again, the legs of it screeching across the tile floor as he took another hit to the gut. He spit to the side as the trooper stepped away, letting the officer come in for another monologue. “I have to admit, I am surprised that you thought changing your name alone would be enough to get you through NCR territory safely.” Another smack to the head came from behind, this time, the officer continuing to pace back and forth before him. “Also, that waster accent needs some work. I swear, you bunker bastards really don’t know how to blend in around here, do you?” Another hit, Mordecai’s head rolled downward, looking to his legs. His head was then lifted by the chin, and his eyes met the officer’s. “That was hypothetical of course. You won’t be talking ever again, old boy.” He pushed his head back down, causing Mord’s sight to blur as his orientation skewed. He coughed up some blood, before speaking again. “If that’s the case, these limpdick sumbitch’s will need to learn how to punch. You NCR boys can’t seem to get a good swing working.”He looked up and smiled cockily, though also tiredly. Another strike, this time with a cattle prod. Mord’s body jerked, as the sensation rushed through him. He screamed against his will, shaking so hard the chair fell out from beneath him, bringing it and him to the floor.

His eyes moved to the door as his mind struggled to keep consciousness, his eyes trying their best to remain open. As they began to talk again, a loud bang resounded from outside the room, followed by a guttural roar. One of the troopers called out. “How the fluff did she find us here?!” He rushed for the door. As soon as he opened it, a large hammer came through, breaking through his skull, before it brought him down to the floor. As the sledge wielding figure bent down to dislodge the hammer from the troopers head, two shots rang out from behind her, killing the other two troopers who had stuck to their places, but were in too much shock to move. Mordecai wrung his hands at the restraints wildly, unsure of the intentions of the ones who had just barged their way into his interrogation. The officer stumbled back as the figures entered the room, both with their eyes trained on him. The first, and more imposing one, was closest to Mord. She was the one wielding the sledge, and wearing some sort of improvised armor, looking to be forged by hand. At least, he thought that was what it was. His eyes were beginning to swell, so his vision was becoming impaired. The other looked to be a man, holding only a pistol, aimed straight for the officer’s head.

As the man with the pistol began to speak, Mord felt his bonds weakening, his hands finally coming free. “Officer Stephenson, you are under arrest for the kidnapping and attempted murder of an unarmed hostage. Come quietly, and you will be prosecuted for-” “Like hell he will.” Mordecai called out, having gotten up and gotten his hands on a shotgun from one of the trooper’s bodies. He pumped it once and shot it, the brunt of the force hitting the Officer hard, bringing him down the floor with a resounding thud. The gun fell down onto Mord’s lap, and he started exhaling. His breathing becoming irregular. The man with a pistol sighed, holstering his weapon. “We’ll just say that was self defense, old man.” Mordecai scoffed painedly. “Thanks. You’re too kind.” He tried to stand, but his foot slipped from under him and he fell again, grunting. “Damn it.” The armored woman moved to him, pulling him up and slinging his arm over her shoulder. The man spoke again. “Ashur, get him to the infirmary. I’ll get things cleaned up around here, and get this reported. She didn’t respond, instead moving ahead to do as we was told. As she did so, the man remained in the room, rolling another toothpick in his mouth. His eyes moved about the room, noticing the tools that had brought down upon the man, and the few that remained for him, the most interesting being a buzzsaw power fist. The man cringed.

“Damn, Burris. What did you do to deserve all this?”