A/N: I do not own or will ever own anything by Bethesda Softworks or by Obsidian and Fallout New Vegas. This is just about a regular soldiers journey through New Vegas and the NCR.
(As a warning I am aware the grammar is rough at best...believe I know. If you can read through it and still make sense of it, then that's all I am asking for.)
Chapter 3
Ain't That a Bullet to the Head
Feeling herself starting to wake up, Cass slowly opened her eyes. Immediately she was greeted with the sight of Hawke sitting patiently by the door. Right when she was about to get up and let the dog outside she felt the resistance of someone holding her in place. It was only then did she realize that she was laying on Tristan's chest with his arms wrapped protectively around her.
Cass couldn't remember much of what happen the previous night. What she did remember was how the night started. They (Veronica, Boone, Tristan and herself) went late into the night playing cards and drinking. After that, the rest of the night was blur to her. Looking down, she could see that she was still wearing her pink and white plaid shirt and a pair of pink panties. Tristan had on First Recon survival tan under shirt and tan military khakis.
Sighing in relief, Rose was grateful they didn't end up having drunk sex. While Cass was positive that she must have tried, she was happy to see that once again Tristan had turned her down. Studying his face, the former caravan owner couldn't deny how peaceful he looked sleeping. Nor could she deny her growing feelings for the 24 year old NCR captain.
Running a hand across his defined chest, Cass couldn't explain why in only two week since they met in Junktown they seem to have gotten so much closer. Sure they were good friends long before she decided to join up with him, but deep down she knew it was something else that was making her feel this way.
While thinking about these feelings was one thing, but acting on them was something totally different. Wanting to separate herself away from this situation she found herself in, Cass tried her best to pull away from his strong grip on her body.
Unfortunately for her, he instinctively tighten his grip on her the more she tried to pull away from him. Trying once again to separate her body from his arms, Rose suddenly spotted her friend beginning to stir. Pulling back very quickly she managed to free herself, but the force she put behind her movement sent her flying off the bed and falling on the floor.
"Ouch!" She said out loud as ass impacted the floor of apartment.
Immediately Hawke raced over and started barking at her, causing Tristan (who was already close to waking up), to suddenly sit up.
"I am okay girl,"she said softly petting her long brownish fur.
Licking the side of her face, Cassidy gently scratched the dog on her chin, making her lift up her head in order to give her better access. After scratching the smart dog for a few moments she finally gave the dog a finally pat before she made her way back towards the door once again.
"What?" She asked, noticing that her friend was staring at her.
"Nothing,"he added with a smile and lowered his hand down her,"I was just thinking how cute you look sitting on your ass."
Rolling her eyes at him, Cass took his hand and stood back up. "Your so lucky I like you...as my friend of course,"she added very quickly.
Giving her a curious look, Tristan merrily gave her right shoulder a squeeze before walking over to the front door and letting Hawke finally go outside. Taking a deep breath, Cass found her worn pair of blue jeans laying near on top of the foot locker that she was using for her personal belongings. Walking over to the wardrobe that lay next to the kitchen counter, she opened it and found a blue and white plaid shirt, blue panties and pair of pre-war leather brown pants. Dumping her panties in the laundry basket, Cassidy went inside the bathroom and turned on the water inside the tub.
Once the water had reached an high enough level for to get in, she took of rest of there clothes and got into the warm water. Sighing in relief, Cass allowed the warm water to relax herself and ease her slight hang over she was feeling. Turning off the tap, she lowered her head under the water shortly before popping back up.
"You alright in there!" Yelled Tristan through the door.
"Yeah! I know how to take a fucking bath on my own. I am not a damn child!"
"Jeez...well excuse me for being worried about you after what happen last night!"
Hearing the hurt in his voice, Cass immediately regretted what she said. She knew that sometimes when she was piss drunk that she could act very irrational and being quite emotional. While this nights were few and far between, she could understand his cause for concern. It was then Rose feared that she might have said something to him that she didn't want him to know.
Quickly finishing bathing and rinse out of the shampoo and conditioner, Cass stood up and grabbed her towel of the side rack he had installed years ago. Drying off, she put on her fresh pair of clothes and exited the bathroom.
Sitting at the dinning room table, Tristan was busy eating a bowl of sugar bombs with brahmin milk. Directly opposite of him was a fresh apple and a cup of hot black coffee he had laid out of for her. Taking a seat, Cassidy blew on the coffee before taking a sip from it. Taking another sip from her coffee, she began to feel the affects of the strong drink. Looking up from her black coffee, Cass could see that Tristan was avoiding her eye sight. Normally she would have given him some time so that he could blow off some steam, but since they were roommates they didn't have that luxury of time. Besides, she didn't want these needless tension hanging over their heads the whole day.
"Look...I am sorry, okay? I shouldn't have snapped at you, after all you were just looking out for me."
Lifting up his head, captain Walker finally met her gaze. "I am sorry too Cass. Your 31 years old, you don't need me to hold your hand every time you fall."
"It's not about that Tristan. I am just not use to having someone I know and trust watching my back."
"Really? I mean didn't you run a caravan company? One would think you would have to do that in order to survive."
Shaking her head, Cassidy grabbed her fresh apple and took a big bite from it. "Not really. I was one responsibility for everyone else, not the other way around."
Nodding his head in agreement, Tristan finished his sugar bombs. "Fair enough whiskey Rose."
Smiling back at him, Cass took another bite from her apple. Taking a deep breath, she knew it was best she got this out of the way now.
"Hey soldier boy. I don't remember much of what happen last night. So what I need to know is that did I say anything last night that might have not mean."
Chuckling, Tristan reached inside his front military khaki pants, pulling out the diamond shaped pendant that had an image of a flower in the middle of it. Instinctively she reached around her neck only to realize that indeed she was her pendant her father had given to her.
"Yeah you were on some tangent about how your father was such a bastard for deserting you and your mom Pamela. After that, you ripped it off your neck and tossed it across the room. It was then you went inside your foot locker and found a broken harmonic and also tossed that near the fridge,"he said pulling out the dented and broken harmonic as well.
Taking both items her father had given her, Cassidy closed her hand around them. "Yeah sorry about that. Try as I might I still can't forgive him for leaving me and mom like that."
"Understandable my friend. It took me a long time to get over what my uncle did to me. But I guess in my case it helps that he got was coming to him in the end."
Cass was aware of the fact that Tristan's uncle had sold him into slavery in order to settle a debt he had. While he was only a slave for three days, she could still see the bitterness it cause him every time he brought it up.
"Um... thanks for holding on too these for me. Despite my anger towards him, these things still mean a lot to me. Anyways, did I do or say anything else?" She asked putting the pendant back around her neck.
"Yeah something about not being like your mother and how you didn't need a man in your life. Then you tried to kiss me, but instead I helped put you in bed. After that you said you didn't want to be alone and begged me to join you. Soon after that you passed out in my arms,"he said giving her a nonchalant look.
Breathing a huge sigh of relief, Cass secret was safe for the moment. "So captain Walker...what's on today's agenda?"
Standing up, Tristan went over the gun cabinet and pulled out his modified marksmen carbine and her personal hunting shot gun. Closing the door behind him, he grabbed both of their gun belts off the counter and placed them on the bed.
"Now that General Oliver is finally done stalling were are going to Camp McCarren and get this little assignment I was given by the President under way."
Cass like Boone, and Veronica were all finally filled in about the real reason Tristan was back in New Vegas a few days ago. In truth she kinda guess it was something along the lines about another STF agent's team, but now at least she knew what was ahead of them.
Watching him put on his desert ranger armor and duster, Cassidy walked past him and grabbed her own bounty hunter duster.
"Should we alert Boone and Veronica?"
"No need. I already did while you were bathing."
"Well alright then, lets get this show on the road."
"Um, cousin... I think we past Camp McCarren,"replied Veronica who had her head turned towards the direction of the NCR camp.
Going North past the NCR sharecropper Farms, Tristan turned his head around to look at her. "I know."
"Okay, I am just making sure,"she said looking down at Hawke and gave the dog a few her a few soft pats on the head.
Moving past the Gun Runners base of operations in New Vegas they went inside Freeside's North Gate. Taking a moment to look at the run down slum of Freeside, Tristan was pleasantly surprised to see that things seem to be doing okay despite the dangers that came with living here.
"That's it! I can't take it anymore!" Shouted Veronica who grabbed the head cap on her Recon armor and pulled it off her head.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Asked Cass who like everyone else was staring at the former Brotherhood member.
Moving her neck around, Veronica ignored her comment. "Hey cowgirl can you do me a favor and cut off this head cap and neck part for me?"
"I will if you agree not to call me cowgirl for the rest of the day."
"Deal."
Pulling out her bowie knife, Cassidy made her way behind his cousin and began carefully removing the cap of her Recon armor. Watching the two woman talk amongst themselves, Tristan turned his attention on his First Recon survivor armor wearing friend.
While Boone didn't speak much of it himself, he knew what happen to his wife. And how she ended up on an auction block at some Legion camp were he was forced to kill her himself in order to stop her from being sold. He also knew she was about 7 months pregnant with his child, making the situation ten times worse for him. So it was understandable that now his demeanor had changed to a cold and emotionless killing machine. But Tristan knew better than anyone he couldn't keep going like that or sooner than later it was going to catch up with up. For now, he was content on giving the former sniper his space.
"Aren't you done yet cowgirl?"
"Shut the fuck up soldier boy!" Shouted Cassidy tossing the head cap at him.
Dodging the cap, Tristan gave her a smile, causing her to smile in return. "You throw like a girl."
"You keep talking and this girl will punch you right in the face."
Out of the corner of his eye he spotted Craig chuckle slightly at their banter. "Well it's nice to see that you do still laugh."
Shrugging his shoulders, Boone readjusted his custom hunting rifle. "I have no idea what your talking about."
"Uh-huh."
"C'mon, lets get this over with so we can get back to the primary objective."
Giving the rest of his team an amused look, Tristan led them farther along the road until they approached the Old Mormon Fort. Going inside the Followers of the Apocalypse main headquarters, they could see a dozen or so doctors and aids helping the large number of refuges who came flooding into the Fort seeking aid. Normally a group like them would have long been overrun by the vagrants and criminals that called Freeside home. But instead the Followers had set up a deal with the Kings for protection. While the Kings where just a gang themselves, for the most part they did there best to keep things in Freeside some what stable.
"Well I'll be damn if it isn't lieutenant Walker,"said the voice of Arcade Gannon, who came walking out of a nearby tent.
Laughing, Tristan reached out and shook his sister's mentor. "Actually it's captain now."
"Ah I see,"he said looking at his insignia,"and miss Cassidy it's nice to see you as well. Although I am surprised you don't have any injuries for me to take care of?"
"Call it an off day for me."
Chuckling, Arcade turned his attention on his dog. "Your looking quite healthy girl."
Barking in response, Hawke circled around him for a little bit before stopping beside Tristan again. "So what brings you here?"
"My sister of course. I just rolled back into town two weeks ago and this is the first chance I got time to see her."
Nodding his head, he pointed towards the southern tower entrance. "I believe I saw her and her husband doing inventory of our supplies a few minutes ago inside the tower."
"Thanks Arcade,"he said before turning back to his teammates,"I won't be long."
"Alright, but don't keep me waiting on how your sister reacts to me being her cousin,"added Veronica in an excited tone.
Giving her a brief wave, captain Walker went past a few guards and entered the southern tower. Heading up the spiral stair case, he camp up to the last room which had it's door open hanging wide open. Inside, he could see his sister holding a clipboard while her husband Charles Woodcomb was busy counting the number of supplies they had in each container. In between them was their 2 year old son Tristan Andrew Woodcomb, who was busy playing with ED-E.
"Can I help you sir?" Asked his brother in law haphazardly, before turning his attention back down to the crate that had fixer inside it.
"Perhaps Charles,"he said taking off his sunglasses,"although if I was honest...I wouldn't mind speaking to my sister first?"
Immediately Samantha turned to look at him with a shocked look on her face. "Brother!"
Holding open his arms, Tristan embraced his sister with a huge hug, lifting her off ground and swinging them around briefly. "What the hell are you doing here!"
"To see you, you silly goose."
"Does that mean you're back for good now?"
"Indeed it does."
Pulling back, Sam instantly embraced him again. Laughing the two siblings finally parted allowing her husband to finally greet him properly.
"Captain Walker."
"Oh C'mon Charles, I think we are past those formalities. Please call me Tristan. After all...your family."
Nodding his head, Charles shook his hand. "Okay, Tristan."
It was then Sam walked over to her son and picked him up. "Do you know who that is Tristan?"
Shaking his head, the two year old boy with blonde hair turned to look at her again. "That is my brother and your uncle. The man you were named after."
Smiling, Tristan held out his hand to the little boy. Hesitantly he reached out and shook it. "The last time I saw you were barely 2 months old. Boy have you gotten big."
Turning away from him, Sam bent down and kissed him on top of his head. "Awe, it's okay Tristan. He's just a little shy."
"I understand. I mean after all I am very intimating person."
"Shut up,"she said with an amused look on her face.
"Hey sweetheart, I think I will take little Tristan outside so you two can catch up okay?"
Nodding her head, Sam put her son down. "Let's go and see if Julie has any new magic tricks to show you?"
"Yeah!" Shouted the little boy before Charles picked up his son and closed the door behind them.
"Can I offer you a drink?"
Shaking his head, Tristan pulled the canteen of his gun belt. "No thank you."
Taking a swig from her cup, Samantha offered her a seat at the table in the back of the storage. Taking the seat, Tristan took off the cap of his canteen and drank deeply from it.
"So when did you roll back into New Vegas?"
"About two weeks ago."
"Well I am glad that you found time to come and see me,"she added with a grin on her face.
Grinning back at her, captain Walker playfully smack her knee. "Your my sister. Of course I would get out here as soon as I got my new team assembled."
"New team?"
Standing up, Tristan pointed out to the window. Inside the main area of the Fort Boone was watching Cass trying to teach Veronica how to quick draw her plasma defender. The seen was rather comical as his cousin kept getting her plasma weapon caught her holster and would come wielding nothing in her hand.
"Hmm... While I recognize you First Recon friend Boone? And is that Cass?"
"It is indeed."
It was then she pointed to Veronica. "But I don't remember ever meeting her?"
"That's Veronica Rinata Santangelo, an exiled Brotherhood of Steel member and...my cousin."
"What?" She asked with a shocked look on her face.
Nodding, Tristan ran a hand through his goatee. "It's still hard for me to believe but, it's true."
"How is that even possible?"
"Well it turns out my father was actually a man named Andrew Michael McNamara, a brotherhood of steel knight. He left the Brotherhood for certain reasons and decided to change his name in order to hide among the NCR. I only found this out a week ago. Not to mention he had two younger brothers. One who is the elder of the BOS here in New Vegas and the other an exiled scout who died last week. It was the youngest brother who actually is Veronica's father, making her our cousin,"he finished telling by leaning back in her chair.
Soaking in the information he had told her, Tristan could see that Sam was finally ready to respond. "I must say I didn't ever expect this. But then again at the age of 8 I never thought I would be sold as a slave or that I would find someone I would call my brother for the rest of my life either."
"Your not lying about that. Sometimes it's still hard for me to believe that was 16 years ago."
"I know. I mean look at us now,"she said raising her hands out in front of her,"I am a doctor who married another doctor and has a two your old son. Your a captain in the military and an STF agent who is known through out the entire NCR."
Giving her a slightly surprised look, Tristan took another sip from his canteen. "You've been keeping tabs on me while I was away?"
"Of course you idiot. Your my big brother, why wouldn't I?"
Grinning back at her, captain Walker winked at her. "Thanks sis."
"Not a problem bro."
It was then he noticed his sister had a somber look on her face. "I hate to bring this up, but how you are you holding up since you came back to Novac?"
Tristan knew she was talking about Jen. She knew seeing her grave for the first time since he buried her four years ago must have been difficult for him.
"It was hard at first to see her grave again. But thankfully I didn't have to do it alone. Cass was with me the entire time. In a short period of time she has become my best friend and has helped me in more ways than I think she even knows."
Chuckling, Sam gave him a mischievous look. "Is that all she is too you?"
Giving her a amused look, Tristan stood up. "Will just let fate decide that one sis. Now come on, I think it's time I introduce you to our new cousin."
15 minutes later they finally found themselves arriving inside Camp McCarren. Immediately Tristan could see the morale around the camp was one of the lowest he could ever remember. Considering this was the most important Camp next to the Hoover Dam, it sad to see the camp in this way.
"So who died?" Asked Cass noticing the same thing he did.
"It's general wait and see Oliver,"added Boone with a hard expression,"he's doing this."
"What do you mean?" Asked a confused looking Veronica.
"It's not just Oliver it's the entire NCR back in California. Most of the citizens and the military don't understand why they were throwing away lives and money for this place. Not to mention the treaty we sign with Mr. House has handcuffed them from making any real decisions when it comes to New Vegas either. So because of that, it has made this 2nd war with the Legion very unpopular back home,"he told them while not even trying to hide his frustration with the situation.
"So...how does one go about acquiring a nickname like that?"
"Boone, why don't you take this one?"
Nodding his head, Craig removed his First Recon beret and wiped some sweat away from his shaved head. "Right now the Northern California Republic is position across a wide front. Oliver has given strict orders to hold all positions and not to pursue any attackers. It's kinda like having a loaded gun and not being told able to use it to defend yourself. So now the NCR is losing men and woman every day, with nothing to show for it. Not to mention Caesar is gathering his strength and continues to harass the Republic across all fronts. It's part of the reason why I left, the other is...personal."
"It sounds like this general Oliver needs a swift kick in the balls,"added Cass by making kicking motion with her right leg.
Chuckling, Tristan lowered his hands to his groin. "Watch were you swinging that leg woman."
"Don't worry my friend, I heard it only hurts for a little bit."
"Actually, I punched this guy in the balls once with my powerfist and apparently his testicles exploded,"said Veronica causing both Tristan and Boone to cringe at the thought.
"On that note I think it's time we start moving again."
Heading inside the front entrance of the former airport, Tristan led them past the small security station that was in front of them and walked up the broken escalator. Making their way across the second floor Tristan spotted a female officer standing outside her office smoking.
"You stick out like a sore thumb around here. You sure you're in the right place?" Asked a familiar voice, causing Tristan to stop dead in his tracks.
"Carrie?"
"Tristan?" She asked with the same surprise look on her face.
Chuckling, captain Walker made his way over to her and gave her a hug. "I haven't seen you since that insistent in Shady Sands."
"Obliviously or else I would have done this,"she said kissing him full on the lips.
Returning her kiss, Tristan slowly pulled back. "I thought you told me I would never see you again."
"I thought so myself. But after you dropped my name back at HQ they promoted me to lieutenant and put me in charge of the MP here at Camp McCarren."
Turning around, Tristan put his arm around her shoulder. "This is lieutenant Carrie Boyd. We met a little over two years ago when she was on vacation and I was on a mission."
"Yeah well I was trying to enjoy some time off as I had just gone through a nasty divorce. Instead I found myself mistakenly identified as the daughter of some corrupt senator. A would be group of hit men attempted to kill me, but instead Tristan jumped in and saved my life.
"To make a long story short, Carrie and I worked together and not only put two brahmin baron's in jail, we made the senator resign,"he said finally taking his arm of her shoulder.
"Afterwords we spent a week getting to know each other...a little better,"she added with a sly grin on her face.
Laughing, Tristan turned to look at his friends when he spotted Cass glaring daggers at Carrie. "You okay Cass?"
Folding her arms across her chest, Cass turned away from him. "Fine as the fucking sun."
Shrugging his shoulders, he turned his attention back on lieutenant Boyd. "Hey maybe when you get some free time we can meet up and have some fun?"
"I think I would like that."
"Okay...it's date."
Smiling back at her, Tristan finally pulled away from her and continued down the hall. Stopping in front of the General's door, he took a deep breath and knocked softly on the glass panel. When the door opened in front of him, he was not surprised to see Colonel James Hsu was the man greeting him.
"Ah captain Walker...it's been too long,"he said holding out his hand, which he took.
"Likewise Colonel."
"This is your team I would assume."
Nodding his head, Tristan stepped a side so that he could get a good look at them. "This is Craig Boone, Veronica Rinata Santangelo, and Rose of Sharon Cassidy."
"We don't have all day colonel,"added the annoyed voice of general Oliver.
Sighing, colonel Hsu rolled his eyes. "Yes sir. Right this way captain Walker. The rest of you I am afraid will have to wait outside as this is for NCR military only."
"Whatever,"replied Cass with an irritated tone as she avoided making eye contact with him.
Giving her one last look, Tristan walked inside the general's office and closed the door. The small office looked very clean compared to how general Hawke use to have it, although judging by the lack of personal affects and even books on the shelf told him the general wasn't staying.
"Take a seat...captain,"added Oliver with a distasteful look on his face.
Taking the seat, Tristan watched as the general stood up and walked over to the picture of President Kimball. Putting his hands behind his back, Oliver gave the picture hard look. "I am gonna be honest with you...I don't like you."
"The feeling is mutual...sir."
Turning around, Oliver stopped in front of the desk. "If President Kimball didn't personal insist that you be here, you wouldn't."
"I am aware general."
"Good. So let me make myself clear...stay out of my way. You STF types have a nasty habit of poking your head around where it's not wanted."
"Well if you nothing to hide than it shouldn't be a problem,"he added with a sneer.
Glaring at him, general Oliver readjusted his tie. "Colonel I leave this camp in your care. Please don't make me regret not bringing Colonel Moore over here instead."
"I will not sir,"he replied before raising his hand to salute him.
Standing up from his chair, Tristan did the same thing despite how much he didn't want too. Saluting them back, Oliver turned sharply on his heels and walked out of the office. Once the sound of the general's foot steps disappeared, James turned to look at him.
"Alright...bring everyone in."
"I thought you said this was only for NCR military."
Chuckling, Colonel Hsu put the folder he hand under his arm down on the table. "I only said that to appease the general. While they may only work for you, this mission will involve each of them. So it's only right they know everything."
"Your placing a lot of trust on people who aren't even apart of the army?"
"No...I am placing my trust on you. You've earn that Tristan. Or don't you trust me?"
Shaking his head, Tristan made his way over to the door. "Of course I do James."
Opening the door, he let Boone, Veronica and Cass inside before each of them took a seat in front of the colonel. "Okay now that BS is out of the way, straight to business. I am sure that captain Walker has informed you off the main details of the job."
"Yes sir,"added Boone who gave the colonel his complete attention.
"Well now it's time you learn the identities of our missing Special Task Force team here in New Vegas."
Flipping through the folder, Hsu pulled out four papers and made his way over to the old hologram-projector. Flipping on the switch, he put the first paper under the light.
"This is Kira Emerson, AKA Bullet Eater. Race Caucasian. Age 42. Rank two star ranger. "Next we have Joseph Levi Chang, AKA Silver Strike. Race Asian. Age 36. Rank 2nd lieutenant. Third is Rebecca Frost, AKA Hammer Fall. Race African American. Age 33. Rank Tech Sergeant. Finally the man in charge of Ace's Wings, Samuel Hancock, AKA Ace of spades. Race Caucasian. Age 31. Rank First Recon Captain."
Instantly Tristan recognized the last person that James had showed through the projection. "Wait a minute? Are you actually talking about the Ace of spades?"
"The very one captain."
"I don't get it,"added Veronica with a confused look,"whose is he?"
"A legend among the First Recon. It said he killed an Elder inside his bunker through a small opening along a ventilation shaft over a mile away,"said Boone with determined look on his face.
Nodding his head in agreement, Tristan ran a hand through his goatee. "Although despite having the most high profiled kills of anyone inside the NCR, his mouth stopped him from advancing as far as his skills should have let him."
Turning off the projector, James made his way back over to the front of the desk. "Indeed what Tristan says is true. This assignment here in New Vegas was suppose to be redemption of sorts after his numerous flags of disrespect and out right abuse of rank. He was hand picked by the general to led this team after he sent you away Tristan. So there failure is makes him look bad, that is another reason why he doesn't like you very much too."
"I don't get it,"said Cass speaking up for the first time since they had entered the room,"besides the fact Tristan made him look incompetent all those years ago when they saved the President's son, why does he still hold a grudge?"
"Well besides getting him demoted, it was the way their team got things down. Before Tristan and his fellow STF agents were assigned in New Vegas...things had stalled for the NCR. But with there help, things began to turn around. Not to mention people back home began to hear about their tales and this made the general look even worse. It made him look like a fool and in the military that could be a death nail to your career as your image can be everything,"he said with a slightly bitter tone,"it's part of the reason why I haven't achieve achieve the rank of Colonel yet."
"What a fucking asshole!"
Sighing heavily, colonel Hsu sat on the front of his desk. "I couldn't agree anymore Miss Cassidy, but our hands are tied."
"At least this time you know things will get done for a change,"said Veronica as she pounded her fist into her palm.
"Indeed Miss Santangelo,"he said with a small smile on his face,"now as I you already know the last known transmission we received from their badges and radios came from Cotton Wood Cove. Unfortunately that place is crawling with Legionaries so thick it would take a an entire platoon to eliminate them. Which at the moment we don't have one to spare. But I did manage to pick up a possible lead near the town of Goodsprings."
"GoodSprings, that's miles away from Cotton Wood Cove,"said Boone as he looked at Tristan before looking back at the colonel.
"I am aware of that Craig. But that's where my sources tell me they were seen around the same time they disappeared shortly there after."
Taking off her cowboy hat, Cass grabbed a bottle of whiskey off out of her duster and drank from it. "But why would anyone from Goodsprings tell you anything. I've been and done some runs back when my business was still a float. They don't like the NCR or any outsiders very much and aren't known to opening up at...all."
"I dropped your name,"he said looking at Tristan.
"Me?"
Nodding his head, James got off the desk and made his way back behind it again. "Believe or not captain but the people around here remember you. You made quite an impression on them and they haven't forgotten it. Your some kinda folk hero to them, the general from California who actually gives a damn about New Vegas."
"Well we wouldn't want to disappoint anyone by not showing up would we?"
Reaching the top of the hill, Cass along with Veronica could see the small town of Goodsprings finally coming into view. In front of them both Boone and Tristan were busy scouting ahead to make sure the road was clear. Despite running into a group of coyotes and cazadors, the journey south down the Long 15 went pretty smooth.
"Okay were all clear to move again,"stated Tristan into her radio and Veronica's pip-boy.
"Roger that."
"Are you mad at me Rose?"
"No,"she said very direct before putting away her walkie-talkie.
Looking to her right, Cass could see Tristan's cousin giving her a curious look. "What?"
"Nothing Cassidy. But you're acting kinda mean to him."
"So what? Someone has to knock him off his pedestal from time to time."
"Perhaps, although you didn't start until after that lieutenant kissed him,"she said with a teasing grin.
"I have no idea of what your talking."
"Of course not."
Turning away from Veronica's gaze, Cass kept her eyes on the horizon. Watching the sun turn the desert sky into a multiple shades of purple, pink and orange, Rose realized the former Brotherhood of steel was right. She was acting like a jealous girlfriend.
"What's a matter Hawke?" Asked Veronica, as she noticed the large dog had stopped and began to start growing towards the Goodsprings Cemetery.
Instead of barking, the female dog growled even more before raising her tail level with her body."Hold up you two. I think Hawke smells something?"
"What is her tail doing?" Asked Tristan through the radio even as he and Boone made their way back towards them.
"It's sticking straight out parallel with her body."
Reaching them Tristan took off his marksmen carbine, causing the rest of them to ready their own weapons. Looking up at the large hill that had the Goodsprings Cemetery on it, Cass switched off the safety on her weapon.
"I am guessing that means danger,"replied Veronica looking at Tristan then back at Hawke.
"You better believe cousin."
"So how do you want to approach this then?" Asked Boone who was scanning the hill for any signs of movement.
Turning her attention on captain Walker, Cass could see him studying the cemetery for a moment. "Boone I want you take the southern approach. Get on top of that water tower and provide us with a birds eye view of the situation . Cass and Veronica I need you take the east and west sides of the hill. Wait for my command before you do anything?"
"Understood captain,"said Boone with a quick nod.
"What are you going to do?"
Smiling at back her, Tristan gave her a quick wink. "Do what I do best...stir up the carazdor's nest."
Rolling her eyes at him, Cassidy finally returned his smile, causing him to start moving with Hawke towards the front of the cemetery. Since they were facing the left side of the hill from the road they were on, Cass had to walk around the bottom of the hill before reaching the right side. Slowly climbing up the steep incline, she found herself narrowly falling a few times before catching herself. After a few minutes later of intense climbing, she managed to reach the top part where the hill finally flattened out a bit. Leaning over the edge of the hill, Rose could see a group of people were inside the Cemetery. While only 3 of them busy digging up the grave, the other 6 were busy proving a looking out for everyone. Immediately she recognized they were Caesar's Legion. But judging from how well armed they were they were more than just scouts or even veterans.
"I think we've got Legion assassins here,"she whispered into her walkie-talkie.
"I am already on it,"stated Craig, causing her to look up and barely see him laying down on the water tower.
"Veronica you ready?"
"Oh yeah."
Putting her radio back inside her duster, Cass was sure that Tristan had heard their conversation. Cause barely a minute later he came strolling up the front entrance of the cemetery with his carbine behind his back.
"Desecrating a grave...how low can the Legion go?"
Instantly the 6 assassins turned their guns and melee weapons on him. "Caesar has demanded we leave no one alive we run into. Now you prepare yourself for death NCR dog."
A second later Tristan pulled out his marksmen carbine and fired one shot hitting the Vexuillaris in the middle of his forehead. Standing up, Cassidy spotted another assassin drop from the sniper round that Boone put into the back of his head. Taking aim, she fired .12 gauge shell into the back of two assassin before they could even fire their trail carbines at her best friend. Pumping the spent shell out of her shotgun, she fired again hitting the second Legionary who was only injured from her first attack in the back of the head.
Racing forward, Cass saw Tristan dive to behind a headstone in order to dodge wave of gun fire that was aimed at him. Immediately Veronica hopped over the run down fence and punched one assassin in the chest (with her power fist) just as he had turned around. Spinning around, she fired her plasma defender at point blank range into his chest three times.
Hopping over the fence herself, Rose fired again at an assassin who was running away from her. But instead of hitting him, her blast hit the top part of the head stone he ran by, blowing into pieces. When suddenly out of no where a Legionary wielding a thermal lance appeared in front of her. Just when she was about to brace herself for the pain, Hawke came jumping down, latching onto the man's wrist.
Screaming in pain, the man attempted to shake off from his wrist. Raising her hunting shotgun, she burred the but end of her gun into his gut. Making him bend down in pain, Cass pumped the spent shell out of her shotgun and fired at right in front of his face. The shotgun blast blew apart the assassin's head, sending bits and pieces of his skull and brain all over the surrounding area.
Looking up, the former caravan owner got to see Tristan shot another Legionary in the back four times while Boone hit one in a full sprint right in the side of his temple. With only one assassin left, Cass began to race towards the grave site.
"Frag out!"Yelled Veronica making her hit the deck right before the explosion went off.
Waiting for the small amount of ringing her ears to die down, Cass slowly lifted her head up. Looking through the dust the grenade had set up in the air, she could see Tristan kicking at the few bodies to make sure they were dead.
"Were all clear people!"
Standing back up, Cass could see that Hawke was still standing protectively around her. "Thanks girl...I owe you one."
Barking back at her, she quickly joined Veronica and Tristan over at the grave. Looking up, she could still see Boone was on top of the tower providing them with cover fire.
"Do we know whose grave they were trying dig up?" Asked Tristan, making Cassidy bent down and looked at the bullet ridden wooden T shaped head stone.
Upon closer inspection she could see there was nothing on the wood at all. "Nope. The headstone doesn't even had any writing on it."
"Hmm...well they were hear for a reason. Caesar would have sent out his assassin's here for nothing,"he said looking around the cemetery.
"Heads up! It appears our gunfire has brought the militia from Goodsprings our way,"called out Boone through the walkie-talkie.
Raising her shotgun, captain Walker immediately put his hand on her weapon. "Relax Cass."
Sighing, she shouldered her gun and waited for them to finally appear in front of them. With a woman wielding a caravan shotgun holding up her hand, the rest of the militia group stopped as well.
"You've got a lot of nerve having a gun fight in a cemetery Tristan?"
Shrugging his shoulders, captain Walker gave her a somber look. "Sorry about that Trudy, I am really am. But the Legion really didn't give me much option I am afraid."
Lowering her shotgun, Trudy nodded her head. "If anyone else from the NCR said that I would have you thrown out of the town with a slug in your ass. But...I guess you've earn some credibility around here."
"Not to mention your not looking either,"added Sunny smiles who ironically smiled back at him.
Shaking his head, Tristan had an amused look on his face. "Thanks Sunny."
Immediately Hawke raced forward and began sniffing her dog Cheyenne. In response Cheyenne started sniffing her in return before both dogs started barking happily amongst themselves.
"Awe. It appears Hawke has made a friend,"added Veronica in an exited tone.
"So besides having two dogs sniff each others butt, what brings you four here?"
"Where here because we want to know if you know anything about a missing STF group that was seen around here about a month ago?"
Thinking for a minute, Trudy turned to look at Sunny. "Yes I believe Doc Mitchell treated someone a month ago who he said belong some important NCR faction."
"If you want I can show you to the good doctor's house?"
"By all means Sunny...lead the way."
Fallowing Sunny Smiles into the small town of Goodsprings, Cass found it to be place that one could easily get lost in. It was these small towns where very little changed made her think about her own home. Pushing these thoughts out of her head, she could see they came up to the first house next the Prospector Saloon.
"Doc! You in!" Shouted Sunny as she knocked loudly on the door.
At first there was no response, but then a old man dressed in a field hand outfit finally opened the door. "Ah Sunny, I am afraid I didn't here what you were yelling about as I was trying to make myself some dinner."
"This is captain Tristan Walker, he and his group are to see if you remember the person you treated a month ago with the gun shot wound to the head."
Nodding his head, Mitchell stood aside and let them enter his home. "She said someone would come looking for her one day. And quite frankly I am glad to get this burden off my chest."
Right when Tristan was about to say something the good doc disappeared behind the corner of his house. Standing in silence, Cass decided she need a drink. Reaching inside her bounty hunter duster, she pulled out her half empty bottle of whiskey.
"You want some?" She asked Veronica who shook her head.
"Find more for me,"she said taking a swig from the bottle when suddenly Boone grabbed it from her,"what the fuck Craig?"
Drinking what was left of the whiskey, he tossed the empty bottle back at her. "I'll pay you back later Cass, you have my word."
Sighing, she put the empty bottle back inside her duster. "You better asshole."
"It seems like wherever I go its always the same. Folks just never leave each other alone,"said Mitchel who reappeared holding a pre-war book, dog tags and STF bagde.
Passing the stuff to Tristan, she could see him hold the dog tags up in the light to read them better. "Ranger Kira Emerson."
"About a month ago Sunny and a few of the settlers found her near Goodsprings source in rough shape."
"How bad?" Asked Tristan while he was rifling through the book.
"Like getting shot in the back of the head bad. Anyways, when they brought her here I was sure she was dead. But much to my bewilderment she was still alive. I did what I could to try and stop the bleeding, but the bullet was in too deep for me to even try and remove it. She hung to life for the next three days when suddenly she regain conscious for a few brief moments."
"What did she say?" Asked a curious looking Veronica
"Just that she was sorry and that the truth needs to get out. That some people both good and bad would come looking for her after she died. It was then she asked me to hide her personal belongs and that he burn her body instead of bury it. After that... she passed away,"he said with a sad expression on his face.
Closing the pre-war book, Tristan ran a hand through his goatee. "I know you did everything you could doc. But with her death that makes this trail a cold one."
"What about that book? Does it have anything useful in it?" Asked Veronica before Tristan passed it to her.
"No. Its written in code. So whatever it does say it will take awhile before we begin to decipher it."
"I am sorry I couldn't be more helpful captain. But if you want I can offer you some bighorner stew I just finished making?"
Feeling her stomach beginning to grow, she nudged her friend in the ribs. "That does sound pretty good . I think will accept your offer."
Grinning back up at her, Cass took Tristan by the hand and pulled him towards the front door. Going out the front door, she leaned up against the front of the railing."Hey I am sorry for acting like a jerk to you after that woman kissed you."
"It's okay Cass. I know your just looking out for me...remember it's part of your job."
Laughing, she took off her hat. "I just don't want to see you get hurt. Something about that woman just rubbed me the wrong way. And my gut feelings are usually never wrong."
Removing his first recon beret, Tristan looked her dead in the eyes. "You've been a good friend to me for years Cass. I will always respect your opinion...even if it's something I don't want to hear."
"Hey don't go and get all soft on me,"she said by smacking him in the arm,"your going to need the killer instinct if you plan on seeing this through."
"Oh I know that whiskey Rose. And hey, maybe one day soon I'll be one giving you some relationship advice as well."
Shaking her head, Cass gave him an amused look. "You know I don't do relationships. There too messy and someone usually ends up getting hurt."
"I am aware of that my friend."
"Then why do you even bring it up?"
"Because...you never know. Whose knows, maybe some time in the future you might find yourself married with a few kids."
Staring at him, Cassidy could feel her heart beating fast inside her chest. Deep down she knew sooner than later she would have to deal with these feeling for him, but today was not that day.
Laughing back at him, Cass put her arm around his shoulder. "Your funny soldier boy."
"It's a gift my friend."
"Well how about we give that a gift a rest and enjoy some good home cooked food."
"I think I can manage that for at least one evening."
A/N: If you haven't read my Part One story, I recommend you do. As some of the background and characters might not make sense to you then. I welcome reviews and comments about my story. Even if it's to address my poor grammar and spelling. This story will take me a while, but I promise to finish it.