Chapter Seven
Nate had removed his power armor and was sitting in a lounger by the Tarberry pool at The Slog. He was enjoying a glass of fresh Tarberry juice. It was a clear, sunny but hot afternoon. No time to be traversing the wastes, it was too hot now. He placed his glass on the table next to him and lay back in the sun. He was about to drift off when the gruff voice of Wiseman roused him.
"Nate," he growled in his ancient ghoul voice. "Nate. There's a message for you on Radio Freedom."
Nate looked up at him. He could never get a moments peace in this Wasteland.
"What does it say?" he asked.
"The minutemen at Sanctuary Hills are worried," he replied. "They want to know where you are."
"Well I'm here," replied Nate in a tone that hinted sarcasm.
"I told them that," replied Wiseman. "They are going to send Cait to come and get you."
This should be interesting, thought Nate.
"Alright," he said smiling. "Tell them I'll be here waiting."
Wiseman nodded. He turned on his heel and returned to the Ham radio. Finally, thought Nate I can get a few moments of peace. He lay back in his lounger once again and closed his eyes. He drifted quickly into a dreamless sleep in the afternoon sun.
Piper lay asleep on her bed in the tiny cell. She had once again tried to escape from her prison. Failing that, she used all her remaining energy to shout insults and threats at her captors. She then ran out of steam and fell asleep. Her synth guard watched her. An institute scientist entered the room, he approached her cell and watched her for a moment.
"How is the patient?" he asked the guard.
"Patient is sleeping," replied the synth. "What is your purpose here?"
"I need to draw some blood," replied the scientist. "For tests. We want to see how the radiation has affected her biological processes."
"As you wish," replied the synth. "Proceed."
The scientist placed his hand on the scanner and entered the password. The door swung open. He pulled out a syringe and stuck it carefully in her arm. He drew a sample of blood before removing the syringe. Piper stirred but didn't awaken during the process. The scientist exited the cell and closed the door behind him. He turned to leave, but stopped himself.
"You shouldn't leave her in a stressful environment," suggested the scientist. "Stress can harm the unborn child."
The synth nodded. The scientist, realizing he was talking to an emotionless machine shook his head and carried the blood sample away back to his labs. The synth watched him leave before returning to watch Piper like a hawk.
It took Cait a day and a half solid walking to reach The Slog. At around midday she ambled up the access road to the settlement. She was greeted by two guard posts with guards armed with Sub machine guns. On the roof a two missile launchers and a laser turret pointed at her. This was followed by the rattling of roof mounted machine gun turrets.
"Whoa!" she called. "I'm not a raider. It's Cait."
The guards lowered their weapons.
"Go on through," said one of the guards. "Nate is by the pool."
She entered the building and walked through it to find Nate sat by the pool drinking a bottle of Gwinnett Pale.
"Someone told you needed to rescued," called Cait. "Doesn't look like it from here."
Nate looked up to see Cait walking towards him. He beamed. Cait took a seat next to him.
"Did you save one for me?" she asked.
"Always," replied Nate. He cracked open the bottle and handed it to her. She took it and took a long, deep swig.
"Looks like you needed that," said Nate watching her drink.
She looked over to him.
"You have no idea mate," she replied.
She took another swig, draining half of the bottle in one.
They were silent for a moment.
"I heard about Piper," she said. "Is it true?"
"I hope not," said Nate. "It's going to be tough to get into the Institute."
"That's not what I was talking about," said Cait. "Is it true she's pregnant?"
Nate looked at her.
"Yes," he said. "Apparently so."
Cait gave him a disconcerting look and drank more of her beer.
"I'm feeling better now that you are here," said Nate.
She stopped drinking and frowned.
"If anyone can make it through the wastes unharmed it's you Cait," he said. "Thanks for coming to get me."
"I didn't volunteer," she said. "I was chosen."
"Yeah," said Nate, but he was unconvinced. "You were chosen."
She downed her bottle. She put it to one side and opened another.
"There's no rush to get back," she said casually. "They know you are here. It seems a shame to waste this six pack."
Nate giggled. Typical Cait.
"Yeah," he said. "Why not? Let's finish this and then go first thing."
"Now you're talking," said Cait beaming.
