Chapter 2: Partners
Ker didn't sleep well. Jeannie May's death had stirred up some long dormant feelings. Finally she saw the first rays of light through the window and got ready to head out.
With pistol holstered and knife sheathed, she headed out in her duster to meet the day. Her pack was still unusually light but there was nothing she could do about it. After locking the door she immediately noticed the sniper (Boone, she reminded herself.) leaning up against the dinosaur. He was dressed the same as last night, tan cargo pants and plain whitish t-shirt. He wore his sunglasses and beret and had a small pack and his rifle over his shoulder. He also had a 9mm pistol holstered on his hip and a combat knife on his belt. She approached him warily.
Threat level moderate at close range, extreme at long range. Her father sighed. Drunken sniper added to usable assets.
"You really headed to Nelson?" He asked when she was close.
"If those assholes in the NCR are just gonna let the Legion stay there, someone has to do something about it." She knew at 'assholes' she'd screwed up but finished her thought anyways. She saw Boone glare at her.
"You got a problem with the NCR?" He asked coldly.
Ker stepped into his personal space to indicate she did, indeed, have a problem with the NCR. She caught the unmistakable smell of alcohol when she did. Then her mind caught up with her and she took a step back with hands raised low in surrender. "No." She sighed. "My father had a problem with the NCR. He taught me to share that opinion. It's a hard habit to break though. Personally? I haven't had enough interaction with them to have really formed an opinion."
He looked at her sternly for a few seconds. "Fine."
"I'll try and keep an open mind." She added.
He merely grunted in reply. "I never caught your name."
"Ker, or Courier. It's doesn't matter. You're Boone, right?" She asked to be certain. A curt nod was all she got in reply. "Alright, let's go."
The walk east to Nelson was quiet. Ker was used to traveling alone and didn't have much to say. Her new partner was equally quiet.
Talk to him! Sable urged.
About what? Ker asked.
Umm… the weather?
Idle chatter is not required to complete the mission. Sniper seems to understand that.
They didn't say a single word all morning. Around noon they saw the makeshift barricade set up in the distance. A ranger ran toward her. Ker slowed a little and tensed up. She got the feeling her partner noticed.
Alert. NCR Ranger. Traitor, turncoat, deserter. Threat level high. Avoid interaction. Her father seethed in barely controlled rage.
"Hold up there. This area is locked down by the NCR military until we can dislodge some Legion snakes from Nelson."
"You're a ranger. Do something about it." Ker said, trying to hide the condescending tone.
"Back at 'Ranger School', they taught us not to run headlong into a battle when you're outnumbered ten to one." The ranger said sarcastically.
Ker shook her head in disgust. "Then sit back and watch, ranger." She walked passed the ranger toward the hills.
Rangers have gone soft. Disappointing. Unsurprising. Her father sighed.
"Wait. You should know the Legion has some of our men crucified down there." The ranger said and Ker stopped. "If you can 'remove' the hostages from the situation, I could rally these boys to help."
Mercy killing… Sable whispered. Why bother? With the sniper's help you can get them out!
Ker kept walking. She felt Boone walking beside her. Together they carefully made their way to a decent vantage point. Boone went prone and Ker did the same beside him. She didn't have a rifle, a scope or binoculars, but she could still survey the site by eye.
Assessing situation.
"Looks like three hostages." She said quietly. "Hmm… What do you see in the way of guns?"
"Sentries in the towers, north, west and south have rifles." He replied quietly.
"Take them first. I'll be the distraction." She drew her pistol and checked the clip was full. "Once it starts, keep those boys safe. I'll take care of myself." She saw Boone glance over at her. She ignored the look and drew her knife. "Wait for me to engage." With that Ker got up and disappeared back toward the ranger.
"What the hell am I doing?" Ker whispered as she circled to come at the camp from the road. She was trusting this stranger to watch her back. He had to take out the three guns so she'd be safe in melee. If he didn't, she'd be vulnerable. She didn't like trusting him. She didn't like trusting anyone. She tried to breath and focused on the problem at hand. She could see the Legion Recruit eyeing her as she approached.
When she got close enough, he spoke. "Have you come to Nelson seeking your death, Profligate?"
"Nope." Ker replied. "Yours!" She covered the distance between them in the blink of an eye. He barely had time to draw his machete which she easy danced around and plunged her knife into his throat. She heard the other Legionaries send up a cry and then heard a high caliber rifle round. She darted to cover between two houses. Screw trusting a stranger, she'd cover herself as best she could. The Legion started coming from both sides. Using her thirteen bullets sparingly she fended them off. She was a storm of strikes, using every weapon available to her; knife, butt of the knife, pistol, pistol whip, knees, elbows and feet. While she fought she heard a rifle sounding off at regular intervals. Soon the ground she was using was too littered with bodies to have proper footing and she had to push out into open ground. She found herself near the crucified troopers. The mongrels rushed her then. She used her precious bullets to kill them before they got close. She noted the two that died outside her range. Her last bullet killed the last dog and she quickly holstered the gun to free up her hand. One last Legionary charged her. She stood her ground only to have his head explode before he reached her.
This many legionaries would not mobilize without a decanus. Locate the decanus.
She stood catching her breath as she examined the buildings. She hadn't seen the decanus yet so he must be inside somewhere. "Hiding? Not very Legion-like." She yelled. "And from a woman. You should be ashamed of yourself." She smiled wickedly.
"Face me without your sniper and we'll see who should be ashamed." She heard the voice from one of the nearby barracks. She walked over to stand in front of the door. The door was open and she could see the decanus deep inside.
Ker heard fast footsteps from beside her and raised her knife only to see Boone approach. He slowed when she raised her bloody knife, grip tight on his rifle. She lowered her knife and he came to stand beside her. When Boone tried to line up a shot on the decanus, he moved out of line of sight.
"Ugh…" Ker said loudly in disgust. "We're gonna play this game? Fine." She walked toward the barracks boldly. She heard a sigh from behind her as she entered the barracks.
"Now the real question, bitch, is: are you brave or just stupid?" The decanus drew a very long machete and charged with it held high. Ker blocked the machete above her head with her knife. She then kicked the decanus in the chest before he could withdraw the long weapon. He staggered back and Ker advanced. He swung wildly trying to keep her at a distance. She stayed back, waiting for the right swing. When she saw her chance she dove in; one hand and Pip-boy deflecting the long blade, the other driving its knife straight into his heart. He held firm on the decanus's weapon hand as she twisted the knife. She then withdrew the knife and let the body fall to the floor. After making sure he was dead, Ker left the barracks.
She was panting slightly from her exertions as she approached the sniper. Behind his sunglasses he had a strange look in his eyes. He watched her cautiously as she approached.
Sniper's performance: adequate. Daughter's performance: adequate. No injuries sustained.
"Son of a bitch!" They both heard from the approaching ranger. "Where the hell do you learn to fight like that?!"
Ker shook her head. "That doesn't matter. You're boys on the crosses matter." She said as she walked past the ranger toward the crosses. She was already checking the boys over when Boone caught up to her.
"These two are still in good enough shape to take down. But this one… He'll need to be treated before we move him to stand a chance." Boone just looked at her strangely. "Give me a hand?" She prompted. He moved to help her and together they got the two troopers down. The ranger joined them as they sat the second one down. "Gimmi your supplies, ranger." Ker said impatiently.
"What?" The ranger asked, surprised.
"Stims, Med-X, anything. I'd use my own but I don't have anything." She said earnestly. The ranger grumbled but pulled out a Stimpak. "Thanks." Ker swiped it and went over to the last soldier and jammed it into his neck. "Where's the nearest NCR outpost?" Ker asked aloud.
"Forlorn Hope. An hour north." Boone answered her.
"Three injured troopers, one badly." She thought aloud. "Need a stretcher. Three able bodied, one ranger. Two carrying the stretcher. Legion's probably still got scouts out. Ugh…" Ker shook her head as she checked the still crucified soldier. "Shit. You'll need more hands to get there safely." Ker huffed. "Ranger, can you find or make a stretcher? I'll tend to these troopers until you do." Ker pulled out her canteen and the water she carried and passed it to the two sitting troopers. The she went to the crucified one and tried to get him to drink.
"You think he can be saved?" Ker heard coldly from behind her.
Ker will save him! She's awesome! Sable cheered.
She smiled sadly. "Mercy killing is a last resort. We still have options." She checked the pulse on the soldier. It was at least a little stronger. She looked for the nametag on the trooper. "Rollins." She said to him. "I wanna take you down." She said softly. "Can I do that?" The soldier's eyes opened slightly. "Alright. This will hurt. Boone?" Boone came over and they carefully cut the ropes and eased him down to lie on the ground. Ker was glad he survived the move.
The ranger and his three troopers returned then with a stretcher. While the soldiers got the wounded ready for transport, Ker and Boone looted the camp. Ker grabbed the three varmint rifles as well as the little bit of ammo for them. She noticed the three legionaries who had wielded them all died at their posts to gunshots. She also grabbed any food she could find. Otherwise there was little in terms of loot. Ker reloaded her second and last clip into her 9mm and headed back to the wounded.
"Boone, you mind leading the way and keeping watch? I'll handle one end of the stretcher." Boone led the way and the ranger took up the rear. They had to go around the minefield to the north, which added more time to the trip but by late afternoon, they were in sight of the camp. Ker saw one of the sentries signal toward the camp. By the time they entered the camp it was alive with activity. A solider took the stretcher from her and the wounded were hurried toward the infirmary.
Stay alert. The NCR is not to be trusted. Ker's father whispered.
Ker was nervous. This was her first time in an actual NCR camp and she wasn't sure what to expect. She just stepped back against a tent and tried to stay out of the way. Someone with authority walked toward the new arrivals.
"Ranger Milo, what the hell is going on here?!"
"Well major, that woman and the sniper came to visit Nelson. They didn't like the new residents and the woman just… charged in there like an angry deathclaw and tore up the place with covering fire from the sniper." Ranger Milo explained. The major looked intently at Ker. "The Legion no longer occupies Nelson."
Without taking his eyes off Ker, the major spoke. "You're telling me a single woman with a lone sniper as backup took out the whole Legion force at Nelson?" Ker stared hard back at the major.
"Yes, sir." The Ranger confirmed.
"I find that somewhat hard to believe." The major admitted.
Ker snorted. "Of course you do." She muttered. She felt Boone look over from beside her.
"I'm gonna need some names to put in my report if the higher ups are ever gonna believe this." The major prompted.
Be vague. They don't need any information on you.
"Uhh… sure." Ker began. She pointed to herself. "Courier." Then to Boone. "Sniper." She said with a dark grin.
"I see. A courier and a sniper, huh?" The major shook his head. "No one will ever believe this. Nonetheless you did save three troopers and it's too late to make it anywhere safe for the night so you're welcome to stay. We've got more than enough beds and there's food available in the mess hall."
"Umm… Thanks." Ker said hesitantly. The crowd of soldiers started to disperse until it was just Ker and Boone left. She looked over to Boone. "That worked out well. You're a better shot then I was expecting."
Boone jerked his head to the side, indicating a secluded spot away from the activity of the camp. He then walked off in that direction. Ker hesitated but followed. Once they were out of view, he raised his rifle, still in his hands from the walk back from Nelson, and leveled it at Ker. He stood with the barrel about a foot from her chest. Ker's gaze went dark as she eyed the sniper and looked for her opening.
Expected. Use caution. Camp is full of his allies. He's given himself extra distance for safety. It won't be enough. Ker agreed with her father.
"Are you Legion?" He asked through gritted teeth.
Ker's father laughed hardily. Wrong assumption, sniper.
Ker was momentarily surprised but kept her angry glare on him. "That's a bold question."
"Answer it." He ground out.
"If I say no, would you even believe me?" Ker said roughly. She noticed the slight tremble in the sniper's hands. He was also sweating even in the cool night air. She would capitalize on that.
"I might."
"Then lower the gun."
"Answer the ques-" Ker took her chance and slipped out of the way of the gun. The shot sounded as she caught the barrel in one hand. She used her other hand to roughly slam into his elbow, hard enough to be painful but not hard enough to break anything, and then disarm him. With one more twist she was behind him with the rifle pulled back against his throat. His hands came up to pull at the rifle across his throat. Ker had him pinned but she knew in another second the rest of the soldiers would show up.
Resist the urge to kill him or be prepared to deal with the whole camp. This is not the time, daughter.
"I'm not Legion." Ker hissed beside his ear. "I hate them almost as much as you do." She released the rifle when the sound of running soldiers got close. The scene the soldiers came around the corner to see was Ker standing innocently and unarmed while Boone was knelt down with one hand on his rifle and the other on his throat.
"Everything alright over here, sir?" One of the soldiers asked Boone.
"Fine." Boone said quickly. "Killin' dinner."
Hmm… A bold move, sending away his reinforcements. Her father sounded impressed.
The soldier eyed the pair but eventually nodded and headed off with the rest of the soldiers.
Boone stood and got into Ker's face. "If you're not Legion, why fight back?" He growled.
"Because that's the second time you pulled a gun on me." Ker growled back. "I let it slide once. Not twice."
"You know their fighting style, their tactics, their methods; even their torture techniques but you're no soldier." He seethed in barely controlled rage. "How?!"
Oh no. Don't freak out Ker! Sable said quickly. Deep breaths…
"What are looking for, huh?! My life story?! Fuck that!" Ker almost shouted. "But I don't think I'm getting out of here without answering your stupid questions! And while I could probably kill you first at this close range, I don't feel like wiping out an entire NCR outpost after I do it!" Ker shrugged off her duster. "You want answers? They say a picture is worth a thousand words." Ker turned around and pulled her shirt up off her back. "Take a good long look at my familiarity with the Legion." The cool night air on her almost bare back made Ker shiver in the night. Boone was silent. She knew how bad the scars looked and she knew he would recognize them for what they were. Ker counted to ten in her head then dropped her shirt and bent to pick up her duster. "Happy now?" Ker growled as she stalked away.
Too much information divulged to a questionable associate.
Go get some air Ker. Try not to kill anyone! Sable pleaded.
Ker stalked straight through camp and out the other end. As much as she wanted to just march off into the desert, it was dark and she was tired from a hard day. She climbed to the top of a cliff that overlooked the camp and sat near the edge as she tried to calm down. She wasn't sure how long she sat before her stomach started to growl. She checked her pack but she had little in the way of food. The NCR had offered her access to their mess hall, but Ker didn't feel like going back into the camp. She'd have to scavenge food in the morning.
It's really too bad. Sable began. I wanted to help the sniper.
A trustworthy sniper would indeed be useful but this one is broken.
Of course he's broken! He lost everything!
Irrelevant. Sniper is a soldier. If he wants revenge he should go out and seek it, not brood and mope.
That's pretty cruel. Sable chided.
The world is cruel.
The crunch of soil from behind her had Ker on her feet with gun drawn in a heartbeat. The figured paused. Even in the dull light she recognized the beret and rifle. She holstered her gun and sat back down with a thump.
"Fuck off." Ker said nonchalantly.
"A peace offering."
Ker glanced over her shoulder and he tossed a box of pre-war food toward her. She caught it suspiciously. "Why?"
"I didn't know."
"Yeah well, now you do." Ker heard soft footsteps behind her.
"Not many people get away from the Legion."
Not many people have your training, daughter.
"The wasteland isn't done with me yet." Ker said matter-of-factly. They both went silent as Ker ate.
"I thought you might ask me to kill those soldiers. Mercy killing is expected of NCR snipers." Ker looked up as he broke the silence. "The Legion likes to torture their prisoners within sight of NCR positions. We get called on to end it. I've had my share. Some of them, you think, maybe you could've gotten them out. Maybe it's not the Legion that got them killed. Maybe it's your orders and you following them."
Oh my god! I didn't think it was possible to feel worse for the sniper! Sable cried. Say something Ker! Something cheery and uplifting!
She let the silence envelope them while she thought of the right response. "The Legion does it for exactly that reason. They know it hurts us in ways a machete never could. Sadly, it always needs to be the last option. But if it ever becomes your first option," Ker glanced over at Boone who was looking at her intently. "Lay down your rifle, because you've already lost." Ker couldn't make out the expression on Boone's face. Surprise maybe? It didn't really matter to her.
Or… that… I suppose. You're really not good at this whole cheering up thing, are you Ker?
"You sound like you've been there." Boone asked, their eyes still locked. Ker pointedly looked away.
Sniper already has too much information.
"Drop it." She said sternly. He didn't press the issue. They were silent for a while. "Wanna try this whole trust thing, again? Not many duos can take on 40 legionaries."
Ker's father exploded at this. Alert! Critical failure at decision making. Rescind offer immediately.
"Think it's worth a try."
Yes! We get to try and help the sniper again! Sable said excitedly.
"No more pointing guns at me." Ker stipulated.
"Fair enough." After a lengthy silence he spoke again. "Staying here all night?" Ker didn't trust the NCR yet. She heard him sigh and saw him produce a bedroll from his pack she didn't know he had. He started laying it out a short distance away.
"You don't have to stay with me." Ker said in surprise.
"We're partners." Was all he said. He laid his pack and rifle nearby and settled in. "Wake me and I'll take watch."
Partner. The word alone made her shiver in the cool night. Someone she had to trust, someone she had to look out for. They'd gotten their frustrations out of the way. He seemed to trust her now, trust her more at least. And Ker figured she trusted him, partly. He'd had several chances to kill her already. Ker stared at her new partner's back in surprise. This was not what she had expected. There was a secure camp of his allies less than fifty yards away, yet he chose to camp in the desert, with only her to watch his back. Now that was trust or maybe…
Ker, are you sure about this? Sable whispered. I mean traveling companions I can see. But partners? Could this not turn out very badly?
Yes. Ker agreed. It very well could.
Ker sat in the moonlight and took time to appreciate the things that usually go unnoticed. She wasn't in pain, she wasn't hungry, and she wasn't cold. She listened to the tossing and turning of the sniper. She heard him mumble from time to time and she thought she could make out the word Carla. She knew he didn't get much sleep. Nightmares were something she was quite familiar with. When it was time to wake Boone, she stood up, only for him to sit up in the bedroll. He got up and took her spot by the cliff. Ker headed to a decent looking spot by a nearby rock.
"Use the bedroll." She heard him say. She hesitated, and then made her way over to it.
"Thanks." She said as she curled up under the still warm blankets. Ker was asleep in an instant. Years of long days and very short nights had taught her to sleep easily, if not deeply. She slept lightly, subconsciously still not trusting her new companion. She roused slightly when she thought she heard something. Then she felt a hand on her shoulder and she reacted before she could think. In one graceful movement she grabbed the hand, pushed its owner to the ground and sat on his chest with her free hand on her knife. Her mind immediately noticed it was her new partner. Boone only had a chance to glare before she was on her feet.
"God. Dammit!" She shouted as she paced toward the cliff. "I've been on my own for a long time." She tried to explain. She turned to look at him and saw he was sitting up.
"Should have been expecting that, after seeing you fight." He started to gather up the bedroll. "Where to next?"
"I want to check on Rollins, see if he made it through the night. Then I have business on the Strip."
"I thought we were hunting legionaries." Boone said with more than a hint of disappointment.
"As you are no doubt aware, I take great offense at people trying to kill me. I'm owed a bit of revenge. After that, we'll need to gather information on Legion activity." Ker explained as she led the way back to the camp.
"He made it." Ker said as she left the infirmary and headed toward Boone. She noticed his attention was elsewhere. "What is it?"
"Something's up. Come on." He jogged off and Ker followed toward the largest tent. Boone grabbed one of the men rushing out. "What going on, private?"
The private's eyes went wide and he stuttered as he started. "The-the-the Great Khans, sir! They took a patrol hostage in Boulder City."
"Great Khans?!" Ker asked quietly in surprise.
"What's the brass gonna do?" Boone asked gruffly.
"The order's still working its way up the chain of command but the major it pretty sure they'll call for an assault. Hostages or not."
Boone released the private and he ran off. "Goddammit." He said quietly.
"Where's Boulder city? Nearby?" Ker asked, hopefully.
"Half a day north."
Ker thought these might be the same Khans she was looking for. "Let's go then."
Boone turned to look at her and raised an eyebrow skeptically. "To save NCR troopers?"
Lie. Her father ordered.
Ker considered lying but she was supposed to trust this man. She sighed loudly. "Partly? I'm also looking for some Great Khans." She admitted.
"Let's go then." He agreed and lead the way north. The way north was quick and quiet but Ker was less tense about her traveling companion now. Ker took stock of her meager supplies. One 9mm clip with 13 bullets, barely any food and only a bit of water.
"Traveling really light, there." Boone said as Ker sorted her pack as they walked.
"The guy who tried to kill me also robbed me." She said as she fit her pack back in place. Halfway to Boulder City, Ker wandered off the road and came back with half a dozen prickly pear fruit. She handed half off to Boone and they continued on without a word. As they walked it became more and more apparent to Ker that the sniper was unwell. He was sweating, his hands were shaking and Ker could see him gritting his teeth, against pain she assumed. She said nothing.
Boulder City: snipers killed the Legion commanders and lead the rest into the explosive-rigged city. Her father explained.
Ker had heard of Boulder City but she'd never been there. It was exactly the mess she expected. She walked into the town and found it mostly empty, except for a group of NCR troopers around one particular building. Ker headed toward the soldiers.
A solider ran up to meet them. Ker tensed as he ran toward them and her hand hovered near her knife. "We've got a situation with some Great Khans right now. The brass at McCarran has ordered me to lock down the ruins until it's been resolved."
"What's going on with the Great Khans?" Ker asked.
"One of my patrols was on its way back from Novac when it came under fire from the Great Khans. They radioed for reinforcements, but instead of waiting for us, they chased the Khans into the ruins where they were caught in a crossfire. No deaths, but not all of the squad got out. The Khans have Private Ackerman and Private Gilbert as hostages."
"I'll go talk to the Great Khans. See if I can work out a deal or something." Ker said even though she wanted to kill the Great Khans herself.
Adequate subterfuge.
"Normally, I'd turn you down since I have no idea who you are, but considering that the hostages are as good as dead when we attack... All right, I'm going to give you a chance to talk to the Great Khans. Their leader is a man named Jessup. If we hear shooting, we'll be coming in, but it'll probably be late for you."
"Fine." Ker growled. She looked over her shoulder to her partner. "Following me in?"
"I got your back." He said.
Ker was again surprised by her new partner. "Alright, let's keep our hands where they can see them." Ker walked toward the building, with her hands open at her sides. She noticed a few of the Khans looked surprised and were whispering to each other. She reached the door and upon opening it she stepped inside.
"What the hell? You're that courier Benny wasted back in Goodsprings. You're supposed to be dead!" She heard when she stepped inside. She recognized the face and with two fast strides she was across the room and had Jessup by the shirt. She pushed him up against the wall. She heard all the guns around her come up and knew they were aimed at her.
"I. Got. Better." Ker ground out menacingly.
"And here I thought us Great Khans were tough to kill." Jessup gulped.
"Khans tough to kill?" She hissed. "The only thing stopping me from killing every last one of you is the fact that you have hostages."
Assessing situation. Threat level high. Success probable. Injuries likely.
"You think you can take us all on?!" Jessup asked with a hint of fear in his voice. "Don't make me laugh." He tried to knock Ker's hands off him. "You went down without a fight!"
"You ambushed me with twenty fucking men and knocked me out!" Ker held tighter to his shirt and forced him into the wall. "And then you let that classless fuck execute me! All for what?! Huh?! A metal poker chip?!" Ker was pissed. "Is that what Great Khans do?! Rob and kill strangers in the desert?! I should take some tips from the Legion when I kill you and do it nice and slow." She seethed.
"Courier." She heard a gruff voice from behind. "The hostages."
She glanced back at her partner. His gun was up and aimed at the only other person in the room properly holding their gun. She looked back to Jessup. She let go of his shirt with a low growl. "Where's the fucking poker chip?"
"Don't have it. Benny stole it, right before he stabbed us in the back. He's probably back at the Strip by now, laughing at me." Jessup explained carefully.
"Benny?" She growled.
"He's one of the Chairmen, big shots who run The Tops casino in New Vegas. A friend from the city contacted me with info on a big job. I should've known that the caps were too good to be true, but there was still no way I could pass up the chance."
"How much was my life worth?" She spat at him. He just looked away. "Fine. You tried to kill me. I want the hostages and we're even."
"And if I say no?" Jessup asked, a little worried.
"Then I will personally make sure the NCR kills every single one of you when they come in here."
"And what's stopping you or the NCR from killing us once they're free?" Jessup asked, not moving away from the wall.
"My word." She growled.
"The NCR's word is worth shit."
"Mine isn't." She waited. "I'm losing patience."
"Fine! I can't believe I'm doing this, but all right, the hostages can go." Jessup reached toward his pocket and Ker went for her knife. "Nice and slow, see? It's Benny's lighter. A souvenir for you. Shove it up his ass when you catch up with him." She took the ornate lighter. Then turned and stormed out.
Once she was outside she saw that the hostages were already freed. She stomped back to officer. He didn't look happy. "I'm glad you were able to get my people freed, but there's a new problem. I just got orders to take out the Great Khans, hostages or not."
"The Great Khans let the hostages go. I gave my word you'd give them freedom in exchange." Ker was furious.
"My hands are tied. I can't go against orders... can I?"
Escalate the situation.
"How bout now?" Ker drew her pistol and pointed it at the officer. "Tell your men to stand down and let the Great Khans go. When the brass asks, tell em a trigger happy courier threatened you and your men's lives if you didn't comply. Saves you a court martial and keeps my word."
"Alright. The Great Khans are free to go." The officer shook his head and Ker lowered her gun. The NCR soldiers stood down and the Great Khans made a run for it.
Everyone is safe! Everyone is safe! Sable cheered. Ker wins again!
When everything was clear, Ker holstered her weapon. "Fucking NCR." She said as she stormed away. She heard footsteps behind her and glanced over her shoulder to see Boone following her. "You mean that little stunt didn't scare you off?" She said, a little surprised.
"You saved the hostages, the Great Khans and the Lieutenant's career at the cost of your own reputation." He said as he shouldered his rifle. "I can't think of a better outcome."
Ker almost chuckled at that. "I wanna put some distance between us and the NCR for a while. Anywhere nearby that's not an NCR camp?" She asked.
"Trading post."
"Alright let's go there. Now that this Benny character has made it to the Strip things just got a lot more complicated." She sighed and they headed west.