I got a mod called Combat Zone Restored where you fight Cait and it made some other changes (you can fight for caps, bet on fights, etc.) When I fought her the first time I very nearly lost. If I hadn't crippled her arm early on in the fight I would've lost. My character's a wuss, I swear.


IN WHICH Renee agrees to fight Cait, the reigning champion of the Combat Zone, in exchange for Piper to get an interview for an article.


Renee stared up at the old theatre. It was the Orpheum, if she remembered correctly. She had never seen a show there herself but Nate told her it was quite nice inside. Or at least, had been.

"Wow, getting a story here sure would sell a lot of papers…"

She glanced at Piper before turning her attention to the marquee. "What's the Combat Zone?" She raised an eyebrow.

"It's a bloody free-for-all fighting arena. Raiders and other unsavory characters bet on fights for caps." Piper frowned. "Oh no. I know that look. We are not going in there."

"You said a story would sell, right? Can't hurt to take a look." Renee threw open the door.

The theatre's lobby greeted them, trashed though it was. Renee walked through carefully. "Huh. Not much fighting going on for a place called the Combat Zone."

"The fightin's through the doors, moron." A raider, trapped behind the barred desk, glared at them. "You should skip outta here."

"I can handle myself, thanks." Renee opened the second set of doors to reveal the theatre itself.

Raiders cheered as a fight went on in the caged arena on stage. A Ghoul in a suit yelled commentary into a microphone, blasting his gravelly voice all through the building. Renee and Piper strolled down the center aisle as the fight ended.

"And the winner is our reigning champion Cait!" The announcer laughed as Cait, the red-haired woman in the arena, gloated over the still body of her opponent.

"She's not…dead, is she?" Piper whispered once they were closer, referring to the unmoving and bloody body of the raider within the cage.

"I think she might be." Renee swallowed hard.

They caught the attention of the announcer. "What's this? Some new blood? Should we get them into the cage?" He laughed again as the Raiders around him hollered.

"We're not here to fight." Renee glanced between the Ghoul and Piper. "Well?"

"Oh!" Piper whipped out her pen and notebook. "Piper Wright, Publick Occurrences. I was hoping to get an interview."

"Tommy Lonegan. And I'll even let you interview my best fighter if you can beat her." He grinned. "Whaddaya say, doll?"

"So, if one of us beats her—" she gestured to where Cait stood impatiently in the cage, "—then you'll grant me an interview."

"No fight, no interview."

Piper put away her pen and notebook and tipped her cap. "Thanks anyway! Okay Blue, let's get going."

"I'll do it." Renee stepped forward.

"Blue! Don't be stupid!" Piper hissed, gripping the Vault-Dweller's arm.

Tommy laughed. "Well all right! Cait, ready for another round?"

"I'll take on any one o' these low life's ya throw at me." Cait hefted her Swatter on her shoulder.

"Don't kill her, capiche?" Tommy jerked his thumb behind him. "Elevator is down the stairs and to the left."

As Tommy began going over the rules and otherwise working the crowd, Piper followed Renee below stage. "You can't be serious, Blue! We just watched her kill someone!"

"I'll be fine. Besides, you want this story." Renee began emptying all her weapons into a crate by the elevator.

"Not this badly! What the hell's gotten into you?"

"Piper." Renee dumped her gunslinger hat and sunglasses in the reporter's arms. "You worry too much. Now get up there so you can cheer me on." She punched the elevator button.

"I swear, you're gonna get us both killed someday…" Piper grumbled as she turned to go upstairs.

The platform carried Renee up into the cage, opposite Cait. She raised her fists. "Ready?"

"You ain't seen nothin' yet, love."

Tommy riled up the crowd one last time. "Remember, the only blood allowed in the Combat Zone is in the arena. And seriously Cait." He put his hand over the mic. "Don't kill this one."

"Aye, fine." Cait rolled her eyes.

"That's my Irish girl." He winked. "And… Begin!"

Renee shifted her weight from foot to foot. Cait didn't seem too interested in starting the fight. "You gon' stand there dancing or actually fight me?" She gripped the Swatter with both hands.

"Seems a bit unfair, doesn't it? You have a bat and I'm completely unarmed." Renee kept hopping about. "Well?"

"Argh, fine. I'll start this meself!" Cait swung at her.

Renee jerked back just in time to avoid a hit. She heard the rush of air by her head. "Shit…" I know Tommy said not to kill me but goddamn, I think she's trying anyway.

"Come on then!" Cait swung again.

They went back and forth for some time as Renee kept dodging swings. The crowd began to grumble, disappointed by the lack of action. Tommy chuckled nervously. "Looks like the new blood's a bit scared!" He clapped a hand over the mic. "Come on you two! Give the people what they came for!"

Renee took advantage of the distraction to smash her Pip-Boy across Cait's face. The Irishwoman growled and staggered back, shaking her head. "I thought you said you was unarmed!"

"Yeah, well." Renee smirked and followed it up with another punch.

"Now we're getting somewhere!" Tommy yelled, earning cheers from the crowd.

She managed to land a few more hits but she felt her strength draining. Sweat trickled down her face and neck and the Vault suit clung uncomfortably to her body. I'm gonna need a long bath after this… She wiped her sleeve across her eyes to clear away the sweat there.

"End of the line for you!" Cait swung the Swatter, aiming for Renee's head.

Renee grunted as she blocked it with her arm. A distinct crack sounded from the bone and she stumbled back, holding her right arm close. "D-damn…"

"Blue!" Piper scrambled on stage and made for the door to the arena, but a guard held her back.

"Ooh, looks like the new blood's having a hell of a time in there…" Tommy's voice rang through the hall.

Cait smirked. "Good luck tryna beat me with a busted arm."

Renee winced at the growing pain from her injury. "I only need one arm to lay you out." She breathed heavily, trying to compose herself.

"You cocky little bitch…" Cait snorted. "Time to put you outta yer misery."

Renee dashed up close as Cait swung again, this time connecting with the Vault-Dweller's ribs. Renee grabbed the Swatter with her injured arm. "I was just thinking the same thing." She punched, hard, with her left hand and brought a knee up to Cait's gut.

Cait coughed as she went down. She pushed herself into a seated position and looked up at Renee. "Finish it. What are you waitin' for?"

"Tommy said not to kill. Besides, I think you've had enough." Renee knelt beside her and offered a hand.

Cait glared at her for a moment before hauling back and punching her, smirking as the Vault-Dweller sprawled backward. "I'm done when I decide."

"What a performance, ladies and gentlemen! Winners, collect your caps! Losers, better luck next time." Tommy turned away from the mic and walked up on stage.

The guard let go of Piper, who rushed into the arena. "Blue! Blue, can you hear me?" She cradled Renee's head in her lap. "Blue!"

Renee forced her eyes open and blinked a few times to bring her vision into focus. "Hey Pipes. Did… Did I win?" She flinched. "Because it feels like I lost."

"No, you technically won. Though Cait pulled a fast one there at the end. Even still, you lasted a lot longer than I thought you would. So I'll give you that interview if you want, Miss Wright." Tommy chuckled. "We could always use more fighters like you, if you're interested."

"No thanks." Renee groaned. "I'm just gonna lay here until the room stops spinning if that's okay."

Piper shook her head. "Oh Blue…"


Reviews/comments are appreciated.