It started raining. ''Great and now it's raining, and my poncho is in my backpack.'' Mark said to himself and thought about his backpack that was laying on the ground 5 meters to his right. ''Maybe he won't notice if i move for a minute.. No, i'm gonna stay here until this bastard raider is dead.''
Mark had been crouching at the window in a room that was missing the wall facing the street for about 40 minutes now. And right above him there was a hole where the ceiling should be.
Mark had been walking back to the ranger compound when he was attacked by a group of five raiders. He was initially surprised by the attack but his reflexes quickly took over and he dove for cover behind a wrecked car. A bullet had grazed his left leg when he jumped for cover. He could still feel some of the blood on his leg.
Mark had managed to take out four of the raiders with his Marksman Carbine, mostly because three of the raiders only carried close quarter weapons, 2 had crowbars and the third carried a rather sharp and rusty axe. And because they came running up to him screaming like hell. The fourth raider carried a 10mm pistol which he had tried to hit Mark with but miserably failed. When he had reload Mark popped up and fired one bullet at the raiders head. ''He must had been on jet. Or he had a terrible aim.'' Mark thought to himself.
Mark probably would have been dead right now if it wasn't for the last raider's hunting rifle jamming when Mark exposed himself when he shot the raider with the pistol. When Mark noticed the raider fixing his rifle Mark ran into the room he is currently in now.
''Shit I should have just killed him right there. Though I had no way to know that he was the last of them.'' He mumbled to himself.
This wasn't the first fight Mark had been in. And he was determined that it wasn't going to be his last. He could still see where the raider was hiding. He was sitting behind a another wrecked car, with his rifle barrel sticking up a little bit over the hood. ''Stupid to give away his position like that. Though he was stubborn. He dove for cover as fast as myself. I wish I had my sniper rifle right now. I am not moving though, this fucker grazed my left leg he is gonna pay for it.''
Mark could hear panting on his left. That's where Luna was, close to floor. Luna was Mark's dog, she was an Belgian malinois. Mark had found her outside Rivet city, she was stuck with her paw under a rock. Mark freed her and cared her back to health for about a week.
It was at that point Mark had a plan. ''Hey girl.'' Luna looked up at Mark. ''I need you to run to that overturned trashcan and hide behind it. Can you do that for me?'' Luna started panting faster and waved her tail. ''Go girl'' Luna took of with a jump and headed for the trashcan. Mark got what he wished for. The raider exposed himself and took aim at Luna. A loud crack filled the air as Mark pulled his trigger and watched through his scope as the bullet connected with the raiders head and sprayed blood on the pavement below. ''Finally I got you, you piece of shit.'' He said out loud.
Mark went to his backpack and pulled out his poncho and put it on. He then took out a gauze roll and applied it to his wound on his left leg. He picked up his backpack and put it on and walked out towards the last raider. He whistled for Luna and she came running up to him. ''Good job girl. Now let's see if these bastards got anything good on them.'' He said and patted her.
The three raiders that carried the close quarter weapons didn't have anything good on them. Just some basic crap, though one had a roll of duct tape in his pocket. Mark took the tape and put it in the side pocket of his backpack. He then searched the raider who had used the 10mm pistol. Mark took the pistol and the extra bullets, looked like there was only eleven bullets left. Last was the raider who has survived the longest. Mark examined the hunting rifle. It was in a pretty bad shape, there was cracks on the stock and the mechanical parts looked alright. ''Hmm, maybe Flak at Rivet city could find a use for it. And it's not that far away, we are already on the east side of the potomac, it should only take one hour or so. We could stay there for the night. What do you think girl?'' He asked Luna who panted and waved her tail.''Okey girl, let's go.'' Mark said and started heading for Rivet city, he could already see the Jefferson memorial in the distance. ''Yep we'll be there before nightfall.''
After an hour of walking and two dead feral ghouls later Mark and Luna arrived outside Rivet they have been able to see it for some while now. Its lights glow like hell in the darkness of the wasteland. It's the biggest settlement in the capital wasteland.
The city had grown rapidly the last decade ever since the Enclave was defeated by Brotherhood at the battle of the purifier twelve years ago. Actually every settlement had grown and new ones have been founded, one up at Old Olney, it's one of the very few Brotherhood guarded outposts. They are manufacturing Fusion cores up there and a settlement grew around It, it currently has 130 inhabitants. With about 20 Brotherhood Knights as protection. Mark had seen vertibirds flying up there numerous times.
Rivet city itself had 1800 inhabitants and was the location of the biggest marketplace in the
Capital Wasteland. The market is the first stop for Mark. But first he had to be let on the massive carrier.
He made his way up the runway and saw that the drawbridge had been retracted. ''I'll have to use the intercom then.'' Mark said and went up to the intercom and pushed the button that said talk.''
''Name and business in Rivet city.'' Mark could hear that the voice belonged to a women.
''Mark Emerson from Reilly's Rangers. I'm here for some trading and then spending the night on your lovely boat.'' Mark said.
''This is a carrier, smartass.'' The guard said.
The bridge swung into place and Mark walked on to it. While he was crossing the bridge he examined the ships outside. In the last decade the city council had authorized the construction of added defences. With the grow of the city it became an even bigger target for all the Wasteland thugs and mutants.
The extra defences was two guard tower that had been carved out of the hull above the main entry. Both of the towers had a 50. Caliber machine gun each. And probably some more weapons that are hidden from the eyes.
Mark was halfway across the bridge when he looked to his right. There the council had authorized another construction project. Though this one had nothing to do with the defence, but with the economy and trade.
The construction workers had build a freight elevator that transported the merchants brahmins and other goods up to the top of the carrier. And up there they offloaded the goods which was transported to the marketplace using another freight elevator that took them directly down to the marketplace. The merchants then either trade or buy goods and return from where they came from.
Mark now arrived at the main entry, there he meet with the guard that talked to him over the intercom.
'' Good evening guard.'' Mark said and nodded to her.
'' Good evening ranger. You're not the first Ghost ranger that arrived today.''
Mark smiled at the mention of the name Ghost ranger. It's not the official name of the class of ranger that Mark belongs to, they are only specialists. But the people of the wasteland started calling them Ghosts because of the times they had saved people from raiders or mercs or other dangers without ever revealing themselves, like ghosts.
Mark entered the marketplace. The marketplace was bustling with activity, people are buying and selling, agreeing over the prize or haggling to get more or pay less.
He made his way down the stairs and headed for Flak 'N shrapnel's shop.
''Well well if it isn't our very good friend ranger sergeant Emerson. You lookin mighty this evening.'' Flak said and shook Mark's hand.
''Good to see you again Flak.''
''Now what can I do for you this late in the evening, be quick though, we close in fifteen minutes.''
''That should be enough of time. I got a hunting rifle and a 10mm pistol for you today. With regard from two dead raiders.'' Mark said and put the weapons on Flak's table.
Flak started to examine the weapons. He started with the pistol. He looked it over very carefully, not to miss any damage to it. Next he picked up the rifle. He immediately noticed the cracks in the rifle stock and hand grip.
''Well here's how it is. The pistol is in good shape, could use a cleaning though. The rifle is another story though. It got cracks all over it. The mechanical parts and the scope looks good though, so i'll have to scrap it for parts. With the ammunition that comes with the guns I can give you 150 caps.''
''Sounds good Flak, let's shake on it.'' Mark said and reached out his hand for Flak's. They shook hands and Flak pulled out two small bags made out of fabric. One with 100 caps and the other with 50 caps.
''Here you go ranger. Have a good night''
''You to Flak.''
Mark now went over for Rivet City supplies shop. Run by Rivet city council member Seagrave Holmes.
''Hey there. I'm in need of a gauze roll.'' Mark said
''Well you're in luck then. This is the last one I got. I got another shipment coming in three days. That will be 10 caps.'' Seagrave said.
Mark took out 10 caps from the 50 caps bag and gave it to Seagrave.
The next place Mark went to was Gary's Galley. He sat down at one of the empty barstools.
''Good evening ranger. A little hungry are we?'' Gary asked him and handed him a menu.
''Good evening Mr. Staley. I'll have a brahmin steak and some instamash. And I'll take a bottle of water with it.'' Mark said looking over the menu.
''Coming up in a few minutes.'' Gary said and took the menu again.
While Mark was waiting for his food he tried to figure out who that was the other ranger that was at Rivet city. There were 13 specialists rangers with Mark included. But only 5 of them was in the DC area last time Mark checked. So it could any of them. ''I hope it's Tony, I like him.'' Mark said to Luna.
''Here you go ranger.'' Gary's daughter Angela said while she served Mark his plate and bottle.''
''Thank you miss.'' Mark said and started to eat. But before he started he carved out half of the steak and gave it to Luna.
Mark finished up his meal quickly and signaled Angela to get the check.
''I hope it tasted good sir. That will be 15 caps.''
''Here you go. And I would like to order some radstag jerky for tomorrow when I leave. I'll pick it up around 9 am.'' Mark said and gave her 25 caps. 5 for the jerky and 5 for the tip.
''Of course sir. Here is your receipt. You will have to show it tomorrow.'' Angela said and handed Mark his receipt.
Mark took the receipt and started heading for the sleep quarters. Reilly's Rangers had a permanent room in the city, the deal was made 7 years ago in 2282 when the rangers aided in the defence of the city from a super mutant attack. The deal says that the rangers have to come to the aid of the city and vice versa. Mark walked up the door that had a sign that said ''Rangers only. Keep out''.
Mark picked up the key from the hidingspot behind the sign and opened the door and looked around in the empty room. Well it was empty of other people. But he could see the traces of the other ranger. There was another backpack on one of the three beds. And a modified 10mm submachine gun. The gun had a extended barrel and stock, it also sported a forward hand grip and a detachable scope.
Mark immediately knew who the other ranger was. There is only one ranger with that has gun like that. ''Well I like her to'' He said to Luna that was already up on one of the beds.
Mark put down his own backpack on the last bed. He hanged up his rain poncho on a hook on the wall to let it dry. He then took out a fresh pair of socks, underwear and a clean T-shirt for the next day.
He then took his marksman carbine and went to the workbench and started to pick it apart and clean it. The carbine was modified with a rail system on the handguard. On the bottom he had a forward hand grip attached. On the left side there was a holder for his flashlight that he had in a pocket that was attached to his armors right thigh plate. He also had an retractable stock and a 1,5 magnification scope.
His carbine was one of a kind. Mark found it 4 years ago when he was only a lance corporal back then and still a regular ranger. The squad he was in back then was called Charlie-Bravo, he was in 3rd platoon 2nd squad. His and two other squads from 3rd platoon had been sent to secure a pre-war US national guard armory located 90km north of Old Olney. It had taken 5 days to walk that distance. He still remembered how many times his sergeant had remembered his squad to change socks. Mark also remembered the 8 casualties they had taken on day 4 on that mission when they were ambushed by a group of organized raiders. 4 from his own squad and 4 from the other 2 died. It had taken a toll on his sergeant. Mark had to take over command of the squad from his sergeant. That task should have fallen to the second in command, who was at that time Mark's oldest friend in rangers but he was one of the ones of died. A 308 caliber bullet from a combat rifle hit in right in his solar plexus. He died before he hit the ground. His name was Corporal Tommy Winters. Mark still had Tommy's dog tag in his backpack.
Mark had to lead his squad the remaining way to the National guard armory. There they could treat a wounded ranger and radio back to the Ranger compound in DC and report that they had succeeded in finding their objective and secured it. There were only a dozen of feral ghouls there. No problem for the remaining 16 rangers to take out. The supplies of weapons and gear they found there was the biggest find the ranger ever had made ever.
Mark shock the thought of that mission out of his mind and took out his 9mm pistol that he had strapped to his left thigh. He hadn't used it but he stilled liked to check it. Then he took out the 2 fragmentation grenades that he kept in a pocket on his below his ammunition pockets that was attached to his chest plate. He had 4 more pockets attached to his armor set, 2 ammunition pockets on his stomach plate with 2 magazines in each, 1 pocket with some basic medical supplies on his left thigh plate and the 1 with his flashlight and and some other extra weapons equipment on his right thigh plate.
Mark looked over the grenades to make sure there weren't any damages to them, wouldn't want to throw one that doesn't explode.
After he checked all of his distance weapons he pulled out his kukri that was strapped on his right thigh. He inspected it carefully. The last time he had used it was when a super mutant with an axe had gotten a little too close for comfort. It cut the arm of the mutant right of.
Giving Mark time to pick up his pistol that had been knocked out of his hand and pumping 6 bullets into the mutants head.
''I'll probably need to get this sharpened it when I get back to the compound.'' Mark said while feeling how sharp the kukri is.''
He then moved on to count his ammunition. He had 3 magazines with 30 5.56 and 1 with 28 for his carbine. 2 magazines with 9mm for his pistol, he also had a magazine loaded in his pistol over time.
After he finished looking over all his combat gear he went on and looked over his supplies. He had 4 bottles of clean water, 2 pieces of radstag jerky, one can of soup and one can of beans.
Mark looked at his mechanical watch. It said 10pm. He was ready to go to bed when the door to his room opened. He had his left hand on his pistol when he recognised who the person was.
''Cheez calm down Mark.'' The other ranger said.
''It's good to see you again Beth. it's been a while.'' Mark said and relaxed.
Elizabeth Black. She was 23 years old, 2 years younger than Mark's 25 years. She had ginger hair, pale skin, green eyes, some freckles, about 170cm tall. Many have mistaken her for a weak wastelander. But she was one of the 13 specialists ranger, and a damn good one.
''It's good to see you too Mark. I thought you were supposed to arrive at the compound today?'' She said making her way to her bed but stopped to pet Luna.
''I was but I ran into some trouble with some raiders. I'll go there tomorrow.''
''Ah okay.'' Beth said and started to undress.
''Don't you want to do that in the bathroom with some privacy?'' Mark said while untying his boots.''
''I don't mind with you. And it's not like you haven't seen me naked before.''
Mark smiled at the mention of the previous times they had shared rooms and other spaces.
''Actually I recall those time have been very pleasant. Care to relive them for a night?'' Beth said standing in only her underwear.
''I have to get up early in the morning tomorrow Beth.'' Mark
''Oh come on now Mark. when will be the next time you'll have the pleasure to see me again. And we both know that we always pleasure each other. Beth told him and pulled of his shirt.
''Alright but I have to be up at 8am.'' Mark signaled Luna to go into the bathroom. He unhooked Beth's bra. And Mark and Beth both fell down onto his bed, pushing their bodies against each other.