Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to the Fallout games, though I do own copies of Fallout Tactics, Fallout 3 (and all DLC) and Fallout: New Vegas (and all DLC). I also own the play-through and this incarnation of Courier 6.

AN: This story is based on a play-through I am currently working. The story will involve same sex pairings of a non-graphic nature, though sex may be implied and hinted at. There will be swearing, and some graphic depictions of violence (this is the Fallout universe after all), so if any of this offends you, you have likely not played the game and I care not about your opinions/flames. Also, this is my first story I've ever posted (if you don't count Role Play sims on forums), so if the start of the story sucks, it is because I was initially focused on gathering info from the game, and formatting it into the story.

Day 1 (10.19.81) Waking up in Goodsprings

The first thing that popped into Laura's head was either God had decided she got a pass on her sins (at least according to that preacher in New Reno said were sins, but Laura didn't believe in any of that crap), or by some miracle she was still alive and able to think. The ceiling fan and elderly man who was talking to her didn't help until he asked her name, as 'God' and 'Satan' should know that. "Laura. Laura Howlett."

"Good, try walking to that vigour tester, slowly, it isn't a race." Says the man who introduced himself as Doc Mitchell. "Let's see if you have all your faculties back. Look at that, seems that bullet may have improved your brain. Let's walk to my couch." Laura follows him, still trying to get a feel for using her body of her days of unconsciousness.

"Let's Try some word association. Tell me what you think of when I say a word. First up, dog." Starts Doc Mitchell.

Laura quickly answers the questions until the last one which gives her pause.

"Mother." Finishes Doc Mitchell.

"Regret." Ends Laura, sadness in her voice.

"Now for a few statements, tell me if they sound like something you would say..." Doc Mitchell goes through a list of questions, and Laura answers the questions as best she can.

"Almost done. Look at these and tell me what you see." States Doc Mitchell, showing her so odd drawings

"A chain, a distant tower, and two guys in animal skins dancing."

"OK, one last thing, a record of family history. Not that I'm expecting a history of surviving bullets to the head, though that would certainly be something."

"Well, most of my family on my mother's side tend to be a little fragile, and a couple of cousins on my father's side have been a bit unstable."

"OK, that should do it. Here, I'll show you out," says Doc Mitchell, and when Laura follows him to the door, he turns to her hands her everything she had on her when he found her. "Oh, and I'll think you find these helpful. My old Pip-Boy and my wife's old vault suit."

Laura looked over her items while Doc Mitchell went and got the Pip-Boy and vault suit. Seems she had quite a few things, guess her attackers only wanted her package. A Laser pistol, a 10mm pistol, machete, a grenade rifle, shotgun and some other weapons she recalls not using very well among her weapons, as well as a meagre supply of ammo for them. On the clothing front, she had an armoured Vault 13 suit, a lightweight version of standard leather armour she'd taken off a dead traveller she'd run across, lighter then normal metal armour she recalls winning in a poker game, and some tribal armour she got from killing the tribal wearing it when she'd attacked the caravan Laura was travelling with at the time. She had some bobby pins, a canteen that went with the vault 13 armour, some medical supplies, a note and 18 caps.

"Thanks for patching me up, Doc, but what should I do now? I don't seem to have the Platinum chip from the note anymore, nor do I know where I was taking it." Assesses Laura

"I suggest talking to Sunny Smiles in the saloon. She can probably teach you how to better defend yourself. Maybe talk to Victor, the robot who pulled you out of that grave." Doc Mitchell suggests.

"Thanks, maybe I will. At the very least, it should help me survive a few days. You know anything about the men who shot me?" Asks Laura.

"No, Victor is the one who brought you to me after he dug you up. He has a shack in town if you want to ask him, though I also suggest you ask the saloon owner Trudy, she speaks with most everyone who comes through Goodsprings, the name of this town. You can speak to Sunny Smiles there, she could teach you how to survive out in the desert." Responds Doc Mitchell. "You can check Chet's store next to the saloon of your looking to trade supplies.

"Thank you again for saving my life. Maybe one day I'll be able to repay the favour." States Laura as she heads out into town.

As Laura left Doc Mitchell's home, she was blinded by the sunlight. After waiting a minute for her eyes to adjust, she saw a robot wheeling across the road. Heading towards it, she spoke out, "Excuse me, but are you Victor?"

"Well howdy! Yes, name is Victor, glad to see you up and about." Replied Victor the robot.

"Thanks for saving me, but how did you happen to find me?" asks Laura of the robot.

"I'm always willing to lend a helping hand. I was out for a stroll when I heard the commotion at the old bone orchard. Saw some bad eggs and laid low, and when they left, I dug you up and saw you were still kicking, so I hauled you over to Doc Mitchell's.

"You wouldn't happen to know who the men who attacked me were, would you Victor?" questions Laura, hoping for some answers.

"Can't say I'm familiar with those rascals, might want to ask some of the towns folks around here though." Responds Victor.

"I've seen a robot like you before, how did you end up in Goodsprings?" Asks Laura.

Victor responds with,"I'm a Securitron, RobCo security model 2060-B. If you ever see any of my brothers, tell them Victor says howdy. I moseyed into town, ten or fifteen years ago, but before that, I don't know, strange huh. But it's as good a place as any to live I suppose."

Having run out of questions, Laura replies with, "Thanks, that helps a little, and thanks again for saving me, goodbye."

"Happy trails." says Victor as he continues on his way.

Seeing the General Store and Saloon, Laura decides to head to the Store first to unload some of her excess gear, wondering why she had so much of it. Entering the store, the proprietor greets her from behind the counter. "You must be the one Doc Mitchell was patching up. I'm Chet, and I got supplies to sell if you got the caps. Also got weapon mods and special ammo if that is what you are after. Also got surplus ammo, but it isn't as good as the rest, but it is cheap. I'll also buy anything you have to sell."

"I know something about guns and ammo. Do you know anything about the people who attacked me?" Inquires Laura, hoping to finally get some useful info.

"The leader was a New Vegas type, typical city boy. He had some Great Khan muscle with him. They usually stick to their territory up north due to their troubles with the NCR." States Chet.

Laura considers the info she had just been given, before asking, "Have you ever been to New Vegas? And is there anything else you can tell me about the Great Khans?"

"Twice. Both times I got drunk and lost all my caps at the tables, in that order. I suggest visiting the Gomorrah at least once, you won't regret it. Just don't cause any trouble. Between the NCR and Mr. House's Securitrons, you'd end up regretting it. As for the Great Khans, they're tough sons of bitches, mean but not crazy. They'll leave you alone unless you got something they want. The Khans deal in illegal chems, and odds are any chems you come across in the Mohave were made by them." Chet informs her.

"I'd like to know more about this Mr. House you mentioned." Laura says, figuring she might need deal with him to get the man who shot her.

"I'm afraid I don't know much. Has his own Casino, the lucky 38, but no one goes in or out save his robots. The other casinos follow his rules, so I guess that makes him the leader of New Vegas. As far as I know, nobody has ever laid eyes on the guy. I think that robot who pulled you out of the ground belongs to Mr. House. If Mr. House is looking out for you, that has to be good, right?" Comments Chet, not quite sure about that last part.

"Guess I'll see what you have for sale then." states Laura, who begins to look through Chet's wares. She sells off much of her excess gear, keeping her Laser Pistol, her machete, grenade launcher, shotgun, 10mm pistol, Lightweight leather armour, and Vault 21 jumpsuit. She sells her cigarettes, not using them herself, but knowing there was always a market for them. She buys some ammo for her Laser Pistol and her shotgun, coming away with just under 600 caps for her troubles.

Leaving the store, Laura heads to the saloon passing an old man. Upon entering, she is greeted by a dog growling and barking at her, but her apparent owner calms her down. "Cheyenne, stay. Don't worry, she won't bite unless I tell her to. I'm Sunny Smiles."

"Ah good, I was going to look for you. Doc Mitchell said you could teach me to survive in the desert. Thought I was pretty good at it, but my recent encounter makes me think I need to brush up on my skills." Laura admits, a little sheepish.

"Yeah, I guess there is a thing or two I could show you. Meet me behind the saloon when you are ready." states Sunny as she heads out, with Laura following her.

Once outside, Sunny set up some bottles on a fence and moved away from them, signalling Laura to follow her. "Now see those sarsaparilla bottles over there? Try hitting a few with this Varmint rifle, so I can see how well you handle a gun." Says Sunny, while handing Laura a gun.

Laura took careful aim and shot 3 of them in a row before Sunny spoke to her again. "That was pretty good, but I doubt you came to me to learn to shoot bottles. Tell you what, I gotta chase some geckos away from the water supply, you interested in shooting some moving targets?"

"Sounds good to me. Lead the way."

"Follow me, it's southeast a short way's away." States Sunny, before heading off.

As Laura followed behind her, her mind drifted back to that night, when her life looked to be over. The man in the checkered suit would pay for what he had done. The Great Khans were hired muscle, so as long as they didn't interfere with her getting even with Checkers (good enough a name for him for now as any), she'd likely let them live especially if they led her to Checkers.

Reaching their destination, Sunny gives Laura some info on geckos and the problems Goodsprings faced from them, before suggesting they sneak up on them, which Laura agreed with. Letting Laura take the lead, Laura put a bullet in the heads of both the geckos, with Sunny showing her how to harvest meat and hide from them, before moving on two more wells where the geckos were not wanted.

Sunny and Laura made short work of geckos at the second well, and arrived in time to save a local woman from being mauled to death. Receiving the promised caps, Sunny offered to teach Laura to live off the land.

"Sure, sounds like a good idea. Anything to reduce the amount of stale Old World food I am forced to eat appeals to me." Agrees Laura.

"OK, you'll want Xander root and Broc Flower. You can find the former at the old schoolhouse, and the latter at the cemetery. I'll wait here for you to return. Good luck." Sunny says as Laura makes her way to collect the needed ingredients.

Travelling to the schoolhouse, Laura first harvests the two sets of geckos she'd killed, for nourishment and barter. Dealing with a pair of Giant Mantis Nymphs, she harvested 3 Xander Root and a pair of mantis legs, having eaten them grilled a few times. It was the trip to the cemetery that proved difficult, though it wasn't because of the the Bark scorpion or Bloatfly attacks, but the memories of that night she almost died. It figured her almost grave would be near the flower, and after picking it, she forced herself to inspect the grave. It was rather shallow, and odds are a single storm would probably would have exposed part of her corps to the birds, Bloatflys, and coyotes in the area. She found seven distinctive cigarettes butts near the grave, most likely belonging to Checkers, as she recalled him smoking right before he shot her. Her desire to see him brought down back to the forefront, she picked up three more a few feet to the right of her almost, before she headed back to meet up with Sunny.

"Yes, this is all we will need to make something called healing powder, here, I'll teach you how to make it." States Sunny, who proceeds to explain to Laura how to make it, and several other useful recipes, which Laura saves to her new pip-boy. "You should visit Trudy at the the bar, she kind of the town mom, and likes to meet all the visitors to town. I'm heading back there myself, Cheyenne won't let me hear the end of it if we missed something good on the Jukebox."

On the walk back, Laura asked Sunny about how to get to Primm, about possible work for some extra caps, Laura getting a locksmith magazine and some bobby pins to help crack a safe from Sunny, learned more about Sunny herself, and about nearby places and wildlife. She also learned a bit about the NCR and Caesar's Legion.

Arriving in town, Laura decided to investigate Goodsprings, finding some low value items in an abandoned house, and an unusual bottle cap and a rare Chinese manual that she felt a little guilty taking, but suspected it wouldn't be missed based on where she found it. She also hit the schoolhouse after hearing there was an unopened locked safe there, where she found 16 cap, some mentats, some Pre-war money, a Super Stimpak, and a Stealthboy.

After heading over to Chet's store to sell off her scavenged goods, Laura heads over to the saloon to unwind. While she is chatting up Sunny, and dark skinned man comes into the saloon, causing a look of disgust to cross her face and Cheyenne to let out a low, but menacing growl. Getting up from the table, Sunny speaks to Laura, "Sorry, but I think I'll head home for the night. It was nice talking to you, maybe we can speak again tomorrow, when I'm in a better mood."

Laura sadly watches Sunny and Cheyenne walk away and out the door. Turning to the man who had ruined her plans, Laura over hears the man threatening a woman whom Laura assumes is the owner Trudy based on Sunny's description of her. After he leaves, Laura speaks with the woman who turns out to indeed be Trudy. "Who was that? And what was that all about?"

"That was a convict known as Joe Cobb. About a week ago a trader by the name of Ringo came into town asking for a place to hide, claiming bad men were after him. We figured he was in shock, so imagine our surprise when it turned out he was telling the truth." Responds Trudy.

"Where is this Ringo now?" asks Laura.

"He's holed up at the abandoned gas station up the hill." Replies Trudy.

"What are you going to do about it?" Laura asks.

"Sunny and some of the others might help him if he asks, which he hasn't, yet. Personally I hope he sneaks out one night and takes the Powder Gangers with him." Trudy supplies.

"Powder Gangers?" wonders Laura.

"Chain gangs really, NCR brought a bunch of prisoners from California to work on repairing the railroads. Turns out giving criminals blasting caps and dynamite wasn't too smart. There was a riot and the prisoners took over the place." States Trudy, seemingly mocking the NCRs lack of forethought.

"Why not kill Cobb and be done with it?" Asks Laura, wondering while they don't just take out the criminal.

"You mean murder him? Even if he is scum, it's not the right thing to do. He can bluster and threaten all he wants, it's all he can do." comments Trudy.

Wondering if perhaps she could do something for the people of this town after they had saved her life, Laura contemplated this information. Laura didn't like owing people, because not everyone understood the limits of what she accepted as appropriate payback. She'd had more than one person think they owned her after helping her out of a potentially serious situation, and she wasn't one to prostitute herself or others to pay off debts. She may have saved that woman earlier, but there were always those who need more then that to feel like she wasn't trouble. Trudy seemed like the kind of person who do whatever she felt would protect her town, even if it meant turning over the poor guy. "What would happen if I help Ringo?"

"If you can aid Ringo and get rid of those Powder Gangers, the people around here would see you in a good light, I'd even set you up with a discount." Trudy offered, depsite her earlier comment.

That could be useful, don't know how long it'll take me to find Checkers, or how expensive it'll be if he is indeed a wealthy New Vegas type, as his hiring of those Great Khans indicated, thought Laura. "I'm trying to track down the people who attacked me, know anything about them?"

"They expected a few rounds on the house, but I got them to pay up. One of the Khans 'accidentally' knocked my radio to the ground on their way out. Self entitled pricks." Mutters Trudy.

"Did my attackers happen to say where they were going by any chance?" Questions Laura, ignoring Trudy's grousing over her radio for the moment, since her pip-boy worked as a radio.

"The man in the suit kept shushing them about that, but it sounded like they cam through Quarry Junction, so I can't blame them for not wanting to go back that way. The whole area is overrun by critters that just get angry when you shoot them. Traders avoid that area of the I-15 like it was radioactive, which it could be for all I know." Answers Trudy.

"So where were they headed when they left?" Asked Laura.

"The leader was talking about the Strip. If someone wants to get there and avoid I-15, they'll have to travel east on the I-88." Trudy informs Laura.

Finally having some useful information, Laura decides to see what she can do to help out around town, maybe she'll find a way to deal with the Powder Gangers if she is lucky. "Want me to see if I can repair your radio?"

"Sure, seems to be fine on the outside, so the problem should be on the inside. I'll pay you some caps if you can get it working again. That Mr. New Vegas sounds like such a gentleman." Comments Trudy.

Heading to the radio, Laura sees the problem and quickly fixes it. Heading back to Trudy, she reports he success. "Fixed your radio, turned out to be a loose wire."

"Yeah, heard it come back on the second you finished tinkering with it, here is 50 caps." Replies Trudy, handing over the money.

"Only 50 caps? Are you saying I did shoddy work? Not many people have my expertise." States Laura, doing her best to come off as professional and deserving more pay.

"Not at all. Never know exactly what to pay for this kind of thing, here is 25 more, that should cover right?" Replies Trudy, knowing that a reputation of not knowing what the true value of someone's work could potentially cost her customers.

"Yeah, that sounds right, thanks." States Laura, pocketing the extra caps. She then proceeds to the gas station in the waning light, figuring she'll speak to Ringo before heading to that abandoned house for then night.

When she arrives at the gas station, she finds a gun pointed at her by a man whom she assumes is Ringo. "Who are you, and what to you want." He asks.

"I'm not an enemy, if that is what you want to know." States Laura, hoping he wasn't trigger happy.

"Yeah, sorry about the gun, you can never be too careful you know?" Ain't that the truth thinks Laura, before Ringo continues to speak. "Looks like we got off on the wrong foot. How about a friendly game of Caravan for a few caps? You know how to play?"

"No, I've heard of it before, but never had a chance to play." Answers Laura, thinking it could possibly be a good way to kill time and make some extra money in the future.

"Here, take one of my spare decks and upload this holotape with the rules to your pip-boy. I am always willing to teach people how to play, gives me more people to gamble with outside the casinos. So, wanna play?" Asks Ringo, as he hands over a deck and the holotape.

"Sure, just let me go over the rules a few times first, and I'll be reading to try my luck." Replies Laura as she begins to check out how to play. She loses the first hand, but wins more in the second, before she speaks up. "Do you know that there is a man named Joe Cobb looking for you?"

"Yeah I know. I hear he's afraid I'll shoot him from a window before he gets a chance to spot me, and it's true. The real problem starts when his Powder Ganger friends show up." Replies Ringo.

"Why are the Powder Gangers after you?" Asks Laura.

"My caravan was returning from a run to California when they attacked our caravan as it headed back to the New Vegas branch of the company. Not even a warning shot or request for us to lay down our weapon before they shot us up. I manager to take a few of them out before I ran for it. Figure these guys are after me for revenge." Ringo surmises.

"What plan do you have for dealing with the Powder Gangers?" Wonders Laura.

"I plan to lay low as long as I can, so long as the town doesn't throw me to the wolves. I got no chance against them on my own." Admits Ringo helplessly.

"Perhaps I can help. I owe the doctor and the robot here my life for pulling me out of that shallow grave and tending to my head wound. Getting rid of those Powder Gangers should do it." States Laura, a partial plan forming in her mind.

"If it is just the two of us, we'll end up sharing that grave you so recent vacated. Now, maybe if we could get some of the other townspeople to help, we'd stand a chance." Comments Laura.

"I'll ask around and see who I can convince to aid us." says Laura.

"I'd start with Sunny Smiles, she has been friendlier than most in town." Suggests Ringo.

"Sounds good. I think I'll start in the morning. She wasn't in the best of moods after Cobb showed up at the Saloon, otherwise I might not have to sleep in that abandoned house. I'd also like to get a some sleep, it isn't every day you come back from the dead." States Laura as she heads out the door.

Heading to the abandoned home, she places her laser pistol under her pillow and her shotgun next to her bed leaning on a nearby dresser, in case one of those Powder Gangers or a drunken or craven townsman decided to try their luck. Her time as a courier travelling the wastelands had taught her to sleepy lightly and cautiously. As she drifted off to sleep, a thought occurred to her. If they did beat Cobb and his men, there was a prison full of convicts that might seek revenge...

AN: Well, this story will update usually after a game day has passed, or a major story event has concluded in the play-through this story is based up.