Cinder Fall
Cinder waited for Six and Rex to arrive at the base of the mountain with ED-E at her side. She saw an aircraft fly overhead as two figures descended the slope through a light dust cloud.. One was a human, and the other was a dog. A smile grew on Cinder's face as The Courier and Rex got closer. As they approached, a third figure began to reveal itself behind them.
"Six, get out of there!" Cinder yelled as she and ED-E charged forward to assist in the fight to come. The creature behind them had two tendrils, a large, black head and two feet. The Courier turned to face the menencing foe, aiming his grenade launcher at it and firing off a plasma grenade.
"Cinder! Use your fire, all of it!" Six shouted as he fled from the creature. Cinder started creating a fireball in one hand, and activating the flamethrower in her robotic arm. She focused her aim and the intensity of both flames.
"Duck!" Cinder shouted as she shot a thin but powerful flame at the incoming creature. The Courier ducked to avoid the incoming flame. The black beast howled and wailed in pain before it finally died. "What was that?!" Cinder questioned in both terror and annoyance.
"That was a wanamingo. They were thought to have died out, but it looks like nature found a way," Six said with a nervous chuckle.
"Do you think there are any more?" Cinder asked, scanning the slope.
"I wouldn't care to find out, let's get going," Six said as he led Cinder, ED-E and Rex towards the nearby Followers safehouse. The moment they entered the safehouse, both Cinder and Courier Six collapsed onto the ground.
"Well it's certainly been awhile since i've seen this sorry excuse for a mailman," a female in a doctor's coat said as she helped Six and Cinder to a cot.
"Doctor Luria, it's nice to hear your comforting voice, how have things been?" Six asked.
"Could be worse. And whose the lady friend?" Doctor Luria asked with a raised eyebrow.
"A patient turned ally. She can be quite the partner to have in battle," Six chuckled.
"And he has been quite the doctor," Cinder said. Rex slowly walked over to her, receiving a nice scratch behind the ears as a reward. ED-E floated over to Six, giving off some concerned beeps.
Luria calmed the robot. "Don't worry eyebot, your master will be fine. So Courier, I assume your stay will be brief?"
"Yes, just for the rest of the day, then we'll be on our way."
"And where are you four going exactly?"
"New Vegas, and you?"
"The usual route. Now as your doctor I advise both of you to get some sleep." Six nodded as his eyes slowly closed followed by Cinder's. Her mind moved to her past, an image of a ten year old Cinder forming in front of her. There were bags under her eyes, the eyes themselves were drooping and her shoulders were slouched. The young Cinder was wearing a ragged shirt and pants. She was holding a wooden broom, sweeping the room she was in. It was snowing outside as she swept. Three laughing women entered the room, paying the young Cinder no mind.
"Hey… could one of you help me?" Cinder asked the three woman.
All of their faces distorted into ones of disgust. "You expect us to help you? You're not even part of the family. The only reason you're kept around is so that mother doesn't have to pay for a maid," the eldest of the three woman said.
"I-I'm sorry…" Cinder said sheepishly as she looked away.
"Look at me when you apologize!" the eldest one shouted at Cinder. "Girls, lets teach this little brat some respect." the two others grabbed Cinder by the arms as the eldest one led them to the back door. She opened it and Cinder was thrown out into the cold snow. Cinder banged on the doors, begging them to let her back in. Her cries for help went unanswered as the snow continued to fall. Tears started to form under her eyes as Cinder walked into the nearby forest. She couldn't tell whether it had been minutes or hours, but she had been walking a long time in the snow cloaked forest. She couldn't feel her feet, hands, and ears. Her movement was starting slow.
"Is this where I die? Out in the cold, uncaring snow?" Just as her hope was starting to wean, a figure draped in all black approached her. Her skin was as pale as the snow, just like her hair. Her eye's sclera were red, and her pupils were black. She picked up Cinder and sheltered her from the cold in her arms.
"Are you alright, young girl?" the woman asked. Cinder nodded, wiping away tears from her eyes. "Why are you crying?" Cinder explained everything to who she now knew as Salem.
Cinder's eyes began to open as the sound of Six waking up did the same for her. She watched silently as Six put on his equipment. "You know, it's rude to stare," Six said to Cinder.
She quickly flipped herself to the other side of her cot. "How did you know I was looking? Your back was facing me."
"Instincts. You live in the Mojave, or any wasteland long enough you tend to develop those type of skills. It's not something that can be taught, it comes naturally. Any other questions?" Six asked.
"Just one more. Are you going to tell me about how you got those scars on your back?" Cinder asked as she put on her armor and holsters.
"Not now. When we get to the Lucky 38. Let's get moving," Six said, calling ED-E to his side as Cinder whistled to Rex. The four of them set off for Freeside with Six taking the lead. "So Cinder, enjoying your new pet?" Six asked with a chuckle.
"Well I can't complain," Cinder responded, giving Rex a pat on the head. The two of them bantered back and forth as they made their way to the east gate of Freeside. They promptly arrived at the Kings' HQ. They moved up to meet The King.
They were greeted warmly by the man himself. "Why Courier, its so good to see you! And Rex ain't looking like a hound dog anymore! You've done so much for me, please allow me to do something for you in return."
"Well now that you mention it, we could use a fake ID for the both of us," Six said.
"Consider it done. Just head over to Mick and Ralph's they'll make them for you. Anything else before you go on your way?" The King asked.
"Nothing that I can think of, thanks for all you've done for us," Six said with a bow. The two of them made their exit.
"Mick and Ralph's? What kind of place is that?" Cinder questioned.
"An all-purpose store."
"Do they have anything good for sale?"
"If you know what to say," Six said as he held the door open for her. They were greeted by the two store owners. "Hey Ralph, The King sent us here to acquire some incredibly official passports. Are they ready for pick up?" Six asked.
"All we need is a picture of each of you," Ralph said, pulling out a camera. The two of them had their pictures taken. "It should only take about five minutes to make the finishing touches. In the meantime you can talk to Mick if you're up for some barterting. Six nodded and walked over to Mick's corner of the room.
"So, you folks need some new equipment?"
"We do. Would you happen to be selling any… upscale items?" Six asked.
"Are you looking to buy?" Mick asked in return.
"Of course we are! Why wou-" Cinder's yelling was stopped by Six giving her a serious look.
"No." Cinder was shocked, why would he say that? They were certainly here to buy better weapons and gear. Then here question was answered as Mick opened up a secret vault hidden within the wall.
"As I always say: an armed society is a polite society. Just tell me what it is you want," Mick said.
"Is that a… katana?" Six asked.
"Indeed it is. Would you like it? It'll only be three thousand caps."
"Sure. Do you have anything smaller for my companion?"
"What are you looking for?" Mick asked.
"A semi-auto and fully automatic weapon would be nice," Six answered.
"I have just the thing. A hunting revolver and a 12.7mm submachine gun. The combined cost would only be two thousand caps."
"I'll take it!" Six said, exchanging the caps for the weapons. "Here you are, your new weapons. Use them well." Six handed Cinder the submachine gun and hunting revolver as he admired his katana. Cinder rolled her eyes as she picked up the passports. They took a long, leisurely walk to the Strip North Gate enjoying each other's company as they held hands. Cinder noticed how tense Six was as they walked.
"What is it he's nervous about? I've never seen him like this before." They arrived at the gate with their passports in hand. One of the many robots approached them.
"Submit to a credit check or show your passports," the robot ordered. Both Cinder and Six showed him the passports. "Right this way," the robot said, leading them to the gate. As they passed through the gates, Six's grip on Cinder's hand started to tighten.
"Six, you're hurting me," Cinder said. The Courier abruptly released his grip.
"I'm sorry about that, it's just… i'm a bit nervous. You see, I was supposed to deliver a certain item of extreme importance, but I was robbed of it."
Cinder nodded her head. "So you're afraid of the consequences?"
"Yea. I don't want to face Mr. House empty handed. You've seen his robots. If he wanted to, he could kill me right now," Six said as his entire body began to shake. Cinder cupped her hands around his, calming The Courier down.
"You'll be fine with me at your side, not to mention ED-E and Rex. You'll be fine," Cinder said with a warm smile. The Courier took a deep breath and walked up to The Lucky 38. A robot similar to the ones at the gate approached Six, welcoming him into the building. Cinder followed him into the building only to be blocked entry by that robot.
"Woa missey, what do you think you're doing? This is private property!" Victor asked.
"I'm the patient of Courier Six, and I need to stay with him at all times," Cinder answered.
"I see. Even so, you can't enter. I'm sorry little lady, but I can't let you pass," Victor said.
The Courier looked over his shoulder. "Victor, let her through. She's harmless," Six lied as Cinder entered the building. They took the elevator up to the penthouse to meet Mr. House. As they exited the elevator, Six downed a full bottle of sunset sarsaparilla.
"Remember Six, you're not alone. I'll be right behind you," Cinder said reassuringly. Six nodded and walked up to the monitor.
"Hello, Mr. House." The monitor lit up, and the face of Robert House appeared on the screen.
"You must be the courier I've heard so much about. It seems you are not in possession of the platinum chip. Luckily for you, I happen to know who does. He's the same man who tried to kill you." Six's eyebrows began to raise. "His name is Benny, and is currently hiding out in the Tops casino. Kill him or don't. Do what you must to retrieve the platinum chip."
"I will," Six said.
"Now I must ask you, who is that with you? I don't recall hiring two couriers for this job," Mr. House said with a stern tone.
"My name is Cinder Fall, and if you wish to speak with me, you need only say my name," Cinder said, moving to Six's side.
"That's quite the interesting name. Are you a companion of The Courier?" House inquired.
"I'd say I'm his significant other," Cinder said with confidence.
"Is that so?"
Six stiffened his posture as if he were a soldier. "Yes. Now if there's anything else you need to know, I'm ready to answer."
"No. That will be all." Six and his pyromancer companion moved to the elevator. They went to the Presidential Suite to get some rest. As they entered the bedroom, Cinder decided to have a query of hers answered.
"Six, how did you get those scars on your back?" Six sighed after hearing the question. He led Cinder into the bedroom, closing the door behind him. Six sat on the bed, taking off his armor and shirt. Cinder sat down next to him, gently tracing the scars with her fingers. She noticed that The Courier did not flinch.
"Alright, so now I will tell you about how I got all of these scars," Six said, looking over his shoulder at Cinder.
AN: I hate to end it on a cliffhanger, but I need to go to bed. As for the events of last chapter in regards to Veronica: I felt that neither Veronica nor Adam would leave the other alive in a situation like that. Veronica saw him try to kill the man and tried to stop him. Adam saw Veronica as a serious threat once he took a blow from her power fist. It was a fight to the death. I don't think I need to say this, but the Mojave is a cold and dangerous place. As such, it should be expected that most, if not all battles are to the death. I'm sorry if that outcome was upsetting to you, but it was how I decided to write my story. The next few chapters might take some time to come out as the semester is coming to a close and I must focus on my school work. Thank you for reading!