Gun Powder and Maps – Chapter 3 – Home on the Range
"I hope this is a visit that doesn't require any patching up," the old, graying Doc Mitchell chuckled as Brooke settled into his raggedy couch. So many months ago the doctor had saved her from death's grip, and she made it a point to let him know she was grateful for it. Brooke smiled back and retorted, "Not this time around. Though a few supplies would help... But we can get to that later. I wanted to stop for some of your hot tea."
"And you know it's always abundant."
"I do, I do…"
The doctor exited as Brooke shed her huge metal helmet. He returned with a large, tarnished tray complete with chipped china and a lackluster coffee pot. The sweet, soothing smell of the rare chamomile made the broken wares forgivable.
Doc Mitchell sipped from his cup and asked, "How is the old wizard within his tower doing lately? Rumors have been spreading about a totalitarian regime coming to New Vegas and the Mojave." ED-E darted around the room, focusing on the two momentarily, and then hovering away again as Brooke shook her head. "No, his sights are more on a Republic. Complete rule would make the masses rebellious, and democracy would turn chaotic since most of the population is either running on booze or chems. He wants to be 'Big Brother' without being 'Big Brother'. If that makes any sense." Her friend nodded his head in understanding, mulling over the Mojave's political future. The thoughts made him groan.
"Don't think too hard, Doc. I've done the same thing countless times, and thinking gets you nowhere except closer to a headache," the courier smirked as she crossed her legs. A chuckle left the elder's graying mustache and he sank into his chair, "What're you up to now a days?"
"Running around like a chicken with its head cut off. You?"
"Sounds more interesting than my life. It's always just an influx of Gecko bites. The little bastards never tire of chewing off your arm."
Suddenly ED-E's war music began to play as his laser weapons hummed to the ready. "What the hell-" escaped Brooke's lips when a flap of wings filled her ears, followed by the sound of a laser pistol going off. A noise like sand falling upon the floor was all that ended the situation and the two humans stared at ED-E's craftsmanship. A pile of disintegrated insect lay upon the nearby rug, bits of mantis nymph wing crumbled near the wall.
Brooke leapt from her seat, "Oh ED-E, not on the carpet! Ugh…." She dragged the rug outside and shook it out, the glowing soot falling into the brown grass. She returned, carefully placing the mat where it had been and apologized to Doc Mitchell. He waved a hand at the courier, "No trouble. One less creature to cause another wound I have to fix."
A while later, Brooke reclined upon the couch, letting her cup of warm tea rest upon her chest. The heat and the aroma wafted towards her face, and she let her body melt into the stained cushions. Doc Mitchell was readying himself for his afternoon nap and invited Brooke to do the same if she pleased. She accepted readily.
Her robot guardian was landed on the nearby chair. His antennae folded inwards and his mechanical whirs became a soft purr. Brooke placed her cup aside on the coffee table and let her eyes droop until her body fell into the sleep it constantly craved.
A couple of hours later the courier stirred from her slumber and wearily packed her travel bag. The Mojave dragged her down and every so often she wished she was somewhere else. Upon the coffee table she left a small bag of bottle caps and a note thanking the doctor for the supplies.
The two companions left Goodsprings and traveled until they came upon the former NCR Sharecropper farms. A drink from the spicket quenched the wanderers thirst and Brooke grabbed a few ears of corn on her way through. She settled upon the long rusty pipeline, savoring the fresh corn as the sun beat down on her T-45d Power Armor.
"ED-E, what have we done to get caught in this mess? Hm?" she asked while picking the kernels out of her gums. The robot continued to hover without answering. She shook her head. "Look at me… why do I bother talking to you?" ED-E seemed to stare at her and she apologized, "Sorry…You have been with me through a huge portion of my life… And I can't thank you enough. Ignore my complaints."
Upon the horizon Brooke spotted a long caravan train. Her heart began to race and she sprung to her feet, running after the merchants in hot pursuit of a potential vendor.
A/N: Story statuses are located on my profile page. I try to update often. Thanks for reading and reviewing!