In all honesty Nick can't imagine any possible scenario where things could be worse; and the day had started off with such promise…

Through the scope of his rifle Nick watches a group of scavengers pick through the wreckage of a pre-war vertibird. There are three visible at the moment. Two inside the wreck and one standing watch. They don't seem to be armed. At least nothing substantial. Poor bastards have the look of starving dogs to them. Likely haven't eaten in days.

Without taking his eye off the scope, Nick shovels a spoonful of Pork'n'Beans into his mouth. It isn't cooked, but he is much happier to eat cold food than announce his presence to whoever is looking by building a fire. Not his favorite meal, but by far not the worse.

Reaching out a hand he gives Dogmeat an affectionate scratch behind the ears. The canine thumps its leg appreciatively. An unconscious smile spreads on Nick's face. He shifts his weight, taking his eyes away from the scope, and grins at the large dog. "What do you think boy?" he asks, "It look worth it to you?" Dogmeat snorts slightly and thumps his tail against the ground. "Yeah?" He snorts again.

Nick nods his head, "I thought so too." The distance between where he and Dogmeat are verses the scavengers is nothing to laugh at. It is a lot of open ground. Currently the two of them are concealed at the top of a rocky rise. Plenty of crevices, holes, and lots of other forms of cover. Exactly the sort of place anyone with two caps to rub together knows as a good place to start a fight from.

The vertibird seems to have crashed in the exact opposite of that. The area all around it is mostly flat and empty. Aside from a few car husks on busted pavement, and the bird itself, there is no real cover. It is a lot of open ground. Those with enough sense would steer clear. Fear of being taken down at range or even getting ambushed would normally prevail over the small chance that the wreck contains some supplies.

Again the level of desperation in these scavengers becomes obvious. The need to eat must be the only thing driving them. At least they had enough sense to have someone stand guard.

He looks through his scope again. What the hell! He snatches up the rifle and scans the area, sweeping the gun around. They are gone! How could they just disappear like that? "Shit!" A jolt goes through him and he drops onto his back, his eyes darting about the area around him, searching for any sign of movement.

Beside him Dogmeat has picked up on his panic and has raised himself to a crouched position. His teeth are bared and his hackles raised, but he makes no noise. Nick knows in his head that if the dog smelled someone nearby it would be giving him warning growls. Warily he lowers his rifle and turns back around, looking through the scope once more, just to make sure.

With a nervous swallow he lowers the gun. There were people out there. There were damn it! Dogmeat presses his head against Nick's leg. He reaches down and rubs behind his ears. "They were there right boy?" He does not expect an answer. "I was not seeing things. Not this time. They were there!"

He does not like the idea forming in his head. It would not be safe. It would not end well. Everything you have learned goes against it. It isn't worth the risk. You would learn nothing. Yet, still…

Grinding his teeth he makes up his mind. "Let's go."

His rifle is held tight against his shoulder as he makes his approach. The wind keeps pushing his coat out behind him. Dogmeat pads along next to him, keeping low to the ground, eyes watching everything. The wind picks up for a moment. It carries a scent immediately recognizable. "Damn."

All three scavengers are arranged side by side. Whoever killed them took the time to lay them side by side and cross their arms. They have been gutted. Their entrails spread about the inside of the vertibird's wreckage. Nick has to stifle a gag and look away. "God Damn…"

The smell says they have been there for at least a day. That still does not make any sense. They were up and walking seconds ago. Nick steadies himself before moving closer to examine the bodies.

Someone took their time with them. The incisions on the bodies were made with an almost surgical expertise. Looking closer, it is clear to see that all three were still alive whilst being gutted. Their faces have been set into almost peaceful expressions. It is sickening that someone could do this.

There is a click and metal is pushed against the back of Nick's neck. He immediately stiffens. "Good," A silky voice speaks behind him, "you know not to move."

Dogmeat stairs at him, whimpering and crawling backwards. "It's okay boy."

"Smart dog you have there. It knows when to back down."

"What do you want?"

There is a pause. "I want you." Thoughts race through Nick's head. Is there a bounty out for him? He thought he had been careful to stay under the radar. "Been looking for you for a while now. Ever since we meet in the cave." Fear reaches up and seizes Nick's heart in a vice grip.

"You…"

"Me."

It is the man in the suit. The man who has haunted Nick ever since he ventured into the depths of that damned cave. "Why are you after me? What did I ever do to you?"

Another pause. "Nothing. Nothing at all. There is no reason for any of this. I just enjoy watching you squirm." The gun pulls away from Nick's neck. "Now say your prayers."

Nick readies himself, but is still caught off guard when he is shot! The bullet rips through his side, just below his left arm! He is whipped around by the force of it and thrown to the ground! His vision swims as he cries out in pain. Dogmeat is barking and growling ferociously! For a moment he catches sight of the man in the suit before he disappears, seeming to grow smaller and smaller until out of sight.

He crawls forward through the wreckage. The pain confusing his thoughts. It seems like there is a group of people coming towards him, but he can't make them out. A sharp blow to the back of his head sends him sprawling. "Don't move! You are under arrest!" His face is pressed into the ground and he cannot see, but he can hear people talking all around him. They are arguing about something, but he can barely make out their words. He is aware of a bandage being tied around him, but nothing much else…

That brings them to present, or at least as close as Nick can really recall. Seems he was actually shot by an NCR Veteran Ranger. A NCR diplomacy group then picked him up. Seems they have been sent to deal with a group in a place called Two Bears. Only one problem, the leader of this group is a pompous asshole.

The guy is too young and trigger happy. Nick can tell that this is the man's first real assignment. The soldiers with him are also greenhorns. The only one with them who is worth anything is the Ranger.

Currently Nick has his hands bound behind his back. They are all inside the tribes main lodge house. The NCR officer is standing before the tribe leader and the two are arguing heatedly. The tension in the room is palpable. The tribesmen are obviously looking for any excuse to attack.

The veteran ranger is standing in the corner next to Nick. The man has his arms crossed. Despite wearing a full ranger helmet, Nick can tell the man is aggravated. "So," Nick whispers, "I guess you really didn't want this assignment?" He turns himself slightly so as he can start working his hands out of the bonds.

The ranger doesn't look at him, "No, I demanded I get assigned to this op." Nick raises an eyebrow. Now the ranger looks at him. "I know Hsu, he is young and stupid. This op is doomed to fail. I am here so as I can try and get as many out as possible. Same as those two mercenaries over there." Nick looks to the men, he hadn't realized they were mercs.

"So you are here for when shit hits the fan." The Ranger nods. The officer's voice suddenly raises. "Seems you are going to get your chance here soon." The officer and the tribe leader continue to argue. "Hey, by the way, where is my dog?"

The ranger starts to answer, but as he does the whole situation explodes! With seemingly no warning all of the tribesmen attack! The tribe scream out all manner of war cries! They leap at the NCR soldiers with clubs and axes!

One charges Nick. Without hesitation Nick steps into the man's attack, taking the damage of his attackers blow on his armored shoulder. He surges forward, slamming his head into the man's! The man staggers back and Nick finally manages to slip his hands free of his bonds! He leaps forward, wrapping his arms around the man's head and snapping his neck!

Nick grabs the man's club and charges into the melee. Three tribesmen fall to his attacks before he just manages to stop himself from bashing in The NCR officer's face. Nick lowers his weapon and looks around. All the tribesmen inside are dead, as well as most of the NCR soldiers and both of the mercenaries.

The Ranger, bloodied and angry, grabs the officer. Dragging him to his feet the Ranger barks out orders. "Alright. None of us will get out of here unless you do as I say!" He pushes the barely conscious officer towards Nick. "You, take him. We need him alive for now. You three, give us cover. This valley is a kill zone! It will be a miracle if we make it, but we will make the attempt. Move!"

Nick drags himself forward, dragging two nearly dead people behind him. He lifts his arm and waves frantically at the fort he is approaching. Shouts are heard and soon a group of soldiers run out to assist him. "What happened?" Demands a high ranking female officer.

Nick struggles to salute, barely able to raise his arm due to the injury to his side. "Ma'am, the tribe turned on us. We barely made it out. These men are badly wounded."

The officer snaps some orders and the two other survivors are taken away. "You yourself don't look all that good Ranger."

Nick shakes his head, "I will survive Ma'am. I can't stay. I have other orders, but any medical supplies you could spare would be helpful."

"Of course, you are a hero as far as I am concerned." The officer leads him into the base to get his supplies. Nick, dressed in the armor he took from the dead ranger, gets many salutes and awed looks. Seems the legends about the respect Rangers hold are true.

After resting for a bit he heads out to look for his dog. What a strange day. First the man in the suit and then that shitstorm. He honestly hopes that that officer dies from his injuries. He really doesn't know why he was so set on dragging those two people back to that base, but he did, no sense in thinking about it now.