Chapter 10-Another Bites the Dust
Penny woke up early that morning, her body sore and her head heavy, similar to a night out at the Strip. She dusted off the mist formed on her coat and looked around to find her sleeping companion. Cass was snuggled up in her brahmin blanket, snoring away. Penny stifled a giggle as she rose up, stretching her back. Quietly, she moved around the camp, checking up on the brahmin and gathering kindling for the fire. A few minutes later, Penny started the fire and began to cook some iguana when she heard Cass stir.
Beady-eyed and her hair sticking up in places, Cass glanced at Penny and smiled. Penny waved and stood up, cup of coffee in hand.
"Good morning sunshine. Hope I didn't wake you." Taking the cup of coffee, Cass took a sip and grimaced. Penny chuckled, reaching into her coat and taking out her flask. Pouring a shot of whiskey into her cup Cass took another sip and smiled, "Now that's better. No, I just smelled breakfast and got up. How did you sleep?" Crouching, Penny sighed, "Good. Thank you. I'm sorry for worrying you like that."
Cass shook her head, "No, I'm the one who should be sorry. I didn't realize how much you pushed yourself for my sake. And I completely forgot about the deathclaws. Seems a lot has happened in just a few days,especially with you." Cass handed her cup and Penny drank a bit of the coffee, "I've been in this game for a long time. Sometimes I don't know when to stop. I apologize. I should know my limits by now, but sometimes I don't. This is a big thing we're doing. I've been following this for some time. It matters to me." Cass sat up and looked at the ranger, "You have been saying that for some time. Why is this important to you? All I want is revenge."
Taking some time, Penny was deep in thought and Cass shifted in her seat. After taking a sip of coffee, Penny reached into her pocket and took out a worn out folder Cass stared at it as Penny talked.
"My organization, like I said before, works internally to make this wasteland a better place, in whatever way we see fit. We have been keeping tabs with several groups in the Mojave and we have been seeing some interesting dealings at New Vegas, ones that may compromise many. I guess you may say that we are forcing ourselves onto the people, but we actually hear the call of duty from the people. In short, your story ties into this problem." Penny drank some more coffee, "You see, we have been watching the Crimson Caravan, even their contacts from California. We are seeing them completely monopolizing the caravan out here. That's not the problem though. Their methods are questionable in taking over smaller caravans. Yeah, some caps under the table, offering deals for their business. They want to expand, no problem. But, killing people in order to get their caravan, extortion is unacceptable. We had the order through one of our splinter cells in California and here we are. Your revenge is just the cherry on top." Cass took this all in and pulled out a cigarette, "Wait, there's something else you're not telling me. There's seems to be more."
Penny lit up her cigarette, "Yes, well...we're also tracking other groups. One in particular: the Silver Rush. My boss seems to think that they are responsible for the attacks here in the Mojave. And I am going to find out why." Cass sat there for a moment, again stunned at the information and Penny casually sipped the coffee.
"So you're saying that the people who took out my father's caravan are the same ones who run that gun shop in Freeside?" Penny nodded and finished the cup. What she didn't expect Cass standing up and grabbing her shotgun and starting to run. Penny laughed and walked over to the fire while Cass shot in the air, shouting expletives. Penny checked on the iguana, smirking as Cass let her anger out. Once she was done, Cass returned and sat by the fire. Penny held out her plate, "Iguana anyone?"
Boone tacked them all the way to Goodsprings, late at night. Arriving at town, he and Veronica went into the bar and sat down (Veronica got out of her power suit in a shed nearby. Boone suggested that they had to use discretion and not the spotlight on them). Ordering a couple of beers and sitting in the stools, Boone And Veronica were searching around the bar, looking for anyone out of place.
Boone, being a sniper, was also good in subterfuge, melding himself into everyday situations. He had been here several times during his term with the NCR and also with Penny (who he introduced the bar too and she loved the quaint, little bar.) and Boone subtly looked around, observing all folks. He recognized most of the people there, all who seemed to be happy about something. Veronica (a lightweight compared to Boone and Penny. The former Brotherhood scribe never tasted alcohol until she met them. Her drink of choice was wine) smacked him on the arm, "Boone, our dearest friend Penny came through here!" Boone turned to his spotter, noticing her flushed cheeks and frizzy hair. Grabbing her glass and setting it down, Boone asked, "What makes you say that?"
Veronica grabbed her glass again and pointed at the girl with her dog. "She mentioned about these two ladies who came through and took down the Powder Gangers who terrorized the town. She mentioned her by name." "Hmm. Sounds like Penny. What else?" Veronica spilled some wine onto her before answering, "Looks like she rallied the troops and got all of the townsfolk to fight against a group of them. She ended up taking the leader down after some dynamite and...and it looks like they were defending this guy who has some beef with the Crimson Caravan. I think. All I know is that Penny was here! What an angel. I wonder where she's at right now."
Boone listened to his partner when he noticed someone out of place. He watched the man, who sat out of sight from the rest of the people. He was watching all the people, just as Boone did, but something about him irked Boone. The man didn't belong here.
Boone continued to watch until the man got up and paid his tab. At the same time, Veronica, apparently tipsy, knocked her glass on the counter. She tried to clean up but made a bigger mess than she intended to. Boone apologetically looked at Trudy, who only smiled and reached for a rag. After Veronica fished cleaning up, she ordered another drink, much to Boone's disapproval. He went to check on the mysterious stranger, but saw he was gone. Somehow, Boone knew he was connected to the last courier. Sniper's instinct. He couldn't leave the Scribe alone to track him. Boone spoke with Trudy for a room and she winked at the sniper, who gathered Veronica in her arms. She slurred parts of the Codex to whomever nearby as Boone followed Trudy out. Once they got the mobile home next to the bar, Boone placed Veronica onto the sleeping bag, in which she began to snoring immediately.
Tucking her in, Boone grabbed his bag and took out his handy scope and a box of .308 bullets. Packing a few stimpaks into his front pockets, Boone stood up and secured his beret. He had some hunting to do.
Penny grabbed her coffee pot and tossed out the rest of the coffee out. Cass hoisted the blankets onto her wagon, tossing things in there with irritation. Penny watched the woman carefully before approaching her. "Hey, is everything ok? You were silent after I talked about everything?" Cass threw her shotgun and turned to the ranger.
"Actually yes, there is something. Not that bitch Alice… It's someone else." Cass lit up her cigarette before she walked over to the back of the wagon and sat down.
"It's that bitch Gloria or rather the whole lot of them. The Van Graffs and the Cassidy's never got along. We always had relations way back in my dad's day. Some shootouts and bar fights later, my father's company decided to part ways with them. Yet, they made themselves clear that they don't want us to succeed or rather live. They have been silent with us over the year, but…I just don't understand why they would stoop so low to kill off innocent wanderers for their own gain. Wait, fuck. They would do that."
Penny smiled and patted Cass' shoulder, "Well, I wouldn't be surprised with many firms to take shortcuts to gain a profit. With the NCR expanding, they cannot account with all the violence occurring within their territory. That's where we come along." Cass passed over her cigarette to Penny and finished packing, "Well, I am glad that I have you to take care of those bastards. I can't wait to storm into Freeside, guns packing."
Placing her hand firmly on Cass' wrist, Penny gave her a stern look, "Wait. Before we do that, we need solid evidence. I don't do well with guts alone."
"You have everything, let's just go and take them down!" Penny shook her head, "One thing at a time. Now, let's go the last stop. If my suspicions are correct, I will have everything I need. Alright, please give me time."
After a few moments, Cass nodded, "Ok. Ok. We have gone all this way with your way. But if shit hits the fan, we're taking the shotgun route." Chuckling, Penny grabbed her gun and started down the road, "Well, let's get going. We have some more tracking to go!" Cass followed quickly behind her, dragging her Brahmin along.
Just over the ridge, not too far from their campsite, a couple of grunts packed up their recon gear and swiftly moved down the ridge. They had orders to follow the pair of travelers to their next destination and if things got too hot, they were to terminate them. They both looked like two ordinary soldiers, ones that served under the bear, but they were paid off by someone who was higher, someone that wanted to get rid of anything that stood in their way. The Crimson Caravan always had a knack of getting rid of trash.
Benny watched as the Khans arrived at the graveyard, the prisoner in tow. He smiled as he watched they carry the lifeless form of the courier approach him, relishing this moment where he would finally have what he desired the most. Too bad I have to can the kid though… caught up in bigger mess that he knew…
Oliver had informed the Chairman about how they captured the courier, nearly in tears when the Khan told him that the man fell and knocked himself out. What a run of bad luck.
Jessup and Tommy dropped the man in front of Benny and walked over, passing Jet between themselves. Benny frowned at the pair, clearly disapproving of chem use. Tommy liked Benny, but Jessup was in a hurry to take the caps and leave the Chairman. All this trouble to get this guy? Give me a break…
Benny shook their hands and turned to face the Khans, "Boy oh boy, I have to congratulate you all in bringing this gent over to me. I know, there's been some trouble along the way, but here's the grand finale and I will keep my word. You Khans will be swimming in caps here soon. But, I take it that you have the merchandise?"
Jessup pulled the package from his pocket and handed it over to the Chairman. Benny took it and started to pull the twine apart, grinning like a kid on Christmas. His hands were shaking, unable to contain his excitement and once he opened the box, he grabbed the item inside.
The item was an ordinary poker chip. Jessup and Tommy exchanged looks, clearly baffled from the item. Benny, however, was in heaven. He laughed, holding up the chip.
Finally, I have it! There is a God somewhere. Oh man, the Old Man is not going to like this…but his time is over. It's now my turn.
Placing the chip inside the front pocket of his coat and turned to Jessup, "Do you have any water? Wake the guy up. It's time to get dirty."
Jessup grabbed one of the canteens that he carried and walked over to the courier. Tilting his up, Jessup poured the entire canteen on him. The head started to thrash, but Jessup didn't remove his hand. After the entire contents were gone, he finally left go and the body fell forward. Benny let out a low whistle, "Boy-o that was harsh… I like it."
Jessup took another shot of Jet and walked over to admire the New Vegas skyline, Tommy walked over the finished off the Jet, "Well old boy, nothing can stop us now. " Another Khan walked over to the duo and clapped Jessup on the back, "Yeah, we are finally moving up in the world. Here we come Vegas." Jessup smiled at him, "McMurphy, you old dog. Feels good doesn't it?" McMurphy held his head low, "I know. Chance. It's gonna be hard, but you know it had to be done!" Jessup shook his head, "No, it didn't. Fuck, we didn't need to let him die like that…fuck."
Jessup shoved Tommy as he advanced onto McMurphy when Benny stepped in.
"Boys, what's the deal? I don't want things to get too rowdy now." Jessup turned to the Chairman, grabbing the shovel from the ground, "How dare you? Chance died because of you! You and that fucking chip. When are we getting paid?!" Benny stood in front of the Khan, bracing for impact.
"Go for it buddy. Hit me. Just try it." Benny stared down the Great Khan and Jessup felt the Jet completely hit him. He could take this man out, take the chip and run back home. Yet, he knew what if he did that he would face the wrath of Papa Khan. He also felt the ruthlessness of Benny. Jessup immediately backed down and stepped away, still holding the shovel.
"You got what you were after, so pay up." he asked. Benny straightens up, turning away from the angry Khan, "You're crying in the rain pally. You'll get the money here soon—"
Behind all of them, the courier started to move.
"Guess who's waking up over here," said Jessup.
Logan's head was pounding. His knees hurt. His hands were tied up. He had no idea where he was. All he could remember that he was being chased from the Great Khans. Logan has to wonder though why he was still alive. If they wanted the package, they could have still killed him and take it away. Yet, he was tied up with a bag over his head.
He sat up and tried to remove the rope around his wrists when he heard voices. He was not aware that there were people around him.
He recognized the voice, but the others he didn't know. Someone behind him grabbed the bag and pulled it over the head. It rubbed against the wound on his forehead and Logan seethed. Blinking a couple of times, Logan looked up. He stared and noticed the two men from earlier. The third looked like he didn't belong there. Benny threw down his cigarette and stared down the man, "Time to cash out."
Benny walked forward, continuing to look straight into Logan's eyes. Logan shifted his gaze away, suddenly feeling uneasy. He immediately felt that he was going to die soon. Those eyes were ones he knew very well.
McMurphy stared at the Chairman, "Will you get it over with?" Benny lifted his hand, "Maybe Khans kill people without looking at them in the face, but I ain't a fink, you dig?"
Jessup, who was too high to care, stood behind Benny incase he couldn't finish the job. McMurphy shifted his gaze from Benny and the courier. The look that Logan had was one who couldn't shake off. It was the face of a man who knew his end was coming.
Benny pulled out the chip and showed it to Logan. So that's what was in the box… Logan knew that those were the last thoughts in his mind.
"You made the last delivery kid." Benny put back the chip and took out his gun, "Sorry you got twisted up in this scene. From where you're kneeling it must seem like an 18-carat run of bad luck." Logan started to sweat, quietly saying goodbye to the world.
Benny pointed the gun at Logan, "The truth is the game was rigged from the start."
Boone was on the move, killing several bark scorpions until he heard the shot. Freezing, he quickly got his surroundings and started to run towards the direction of the gunshot. He was on the other side of Goodsprings, over by the Doc's house. As he ran, Boone realized that he should've followed that man. He knew it.
Boone started climbing the path towards the water tower, still going strong. Finally arriving to the graveyard, he looked around. What he wasn't expecting was a robot pushing dirt away from a fresh grave site.
The Khans quickly dumped the body and started to fill up the site with dirt. Benny shook hands with Jessup, handing him a large bag full of caps. "Boys, this is for you. I would love to stay and chat, but this gal makes a sound loud enough for all of Vegas to hear so I'm running. Tell Papa my thanks." Jessup nodded and watched the Chairman disappear into the darkness.
"Hurry it up boys. We need to make it like snakes and go. Hurry." In just a few minutes, the Khans buried the courier and started to travel west. Jessup and Tommy discussed a way to get back home, but knew that they barely made it through the way they came. So they decided to go the long way home, with caps enough to buy an entire life supply of top-shelf chems.
Boone approached the robot, gun raised, "Stop what you're doing and move away." The robot flashed it's headlight over to the Sniper and Boone got a glimpse of the automaton. It was a securitron, like the ones that guard the way in Sin City. Except for this one; instead of the face of policeman, this unit's face was that of a smiling cowboy.
"Howdy there partner! Beautiful night, isn't it?"
I hope you enjoyed this chapter! We got some showdowns all over the Mojave. It's getting GOOOOOD.
Any thoughts, please let me know!
-C