~O~
Taken for a Ride
"Well, I'll be damned! Laura's in the home stretch! You know what that sound means. Get your ass down to Cola-Cars. The main event's about to begin!"
Hearing that should have been a good thing; every raider was thrilled to see new meat taken down in the arena. But not this time and not for Mags. He watched the door where countless wastelanders had come through, only to meet a gruesome demise. She didn't want to imagine Laura's pretty face marred by bruises and blood. Not again.
Laura had made her way into the locker room, exhausted from her trip through the Gauntlet. She was sore and aching, not to mention terrified at the thought of facing Colter. He was just on the other side of the room, waiting in that armor to crush her and she had no idea what she was going to do to stop him.
She noticed a few Chems in a container and contemplated taking them; one of them was Psycho, the same she'd seen Needles and Jet use before their raids. She knew that Psycho would keep her from feeling any pain at all. It would probably be useful for the fight in a desperate situations, so she would risk it.
"Hey! Laura, over here." Gage's voice called to her from a speaker in the wall.
Laura turned her attention to it and approached, letting out a groan of relief. "Gage, I've never been so happy to hear your voice."
"Yeah, yeah, don't kiss ass just yet," Gage told her. "Listen the hell up if you want to make it out of this alive. You made it this far, you obviously got skill. But this fight coming up is rigged. You know that. His Power Armor's set up to draw energy from the electric grid in the arena. Damn thing's invincible. You name it, someone's tried it - miniguns, grenades. Not a scratch. You get what I'm saying?"
"That's bullshit." Laura hissed, struggling to calm her voice.
"Exactly why you're going to do something about it," Gage assured her, "You came back to us with one goal in mind, I'm guessing. Mags is in the stands watching you. She's worried."
Laura managed a weak smile. "She is?"
"Damn straight. She puts on a hell of a front, but I see it in her eyes." Gage continued, "Look, I'm trying to help you out. I stashed a weapon that's gonna turn the tide of this fight in your favor. It's in one of the lockers on your right. You'll know it when you see it."
Laura looked around, scanned the lockers for signs of the weapon Gage was talking about, but all she saw was a Thirst Zapper; it was a toy that Nuka World sold before the Great War.
She picked it up, noticed it was filled with water and laughed, staring at the speaker in disbelief.
"Is this a squirt gun, Gage?" Laura asked.
"Yeah, yeah, I know what it looks like," Gage said, "You gotta trust me. I ain't steered you wrong before."
Laura nodded her head. She knew better than to trust most raiders, but Gage had always been right before. After all, if Colter used electricity to power his armor, the water would definitely be useful. "Okay. I think I get it."
"Good. Now I'm gonna let you through. Good luck, kid."
Laura looked up, listening for the sound of the door opening before she stepped through.
O
Colter was there in his armor and everyone had filled the stands. All that stood between him and Laura was a sheet of glass. Laura swallowed the knot in her throat and watched the stands for signs of Mags. She could see the woman there, watching her. She could read the concern in her eyes and gave her a weak smile in return, waving half-heartedly with one hand at her side. Mags scowled at her, shook her head and whispered something to William that Laura couldn't make out.
"There she is..." William whispered to Mags.
"Yes, and she's worse for the wear," Mags muttered, continuing to glare in Laura's direction. She didn't approve of Laura returning, and even so, under the circumstances.
"You think Gage knows what he's doing?" William questioned.
"He'd better."
Lizzie was also there and seemed a bit surprised that Laura had made it this far through the Gauntlet. She wasn't sure what surprised her about it; she'd gone through Nuka World on her own, clearing out the parks. So why was Colter such a terrifying person to face?
"All right! Disciples! Are you ready for blood?" Colter shouted to the gangs.
"Death... Death... Death..." came the chanting.
Nisha was watching Laura and smiled, but it was hard to tell what sort of smile it was. Dixie was cheering and clapping and Savoy simply looked bored with the entire ordeal.
"And the Pack! Are you ready for things to get wild?" Colter continued to shout.
The Pack let out wild cheers and howls. Of course they'd be excited, but Needles and Jet simply looked at each other and didn't howl. They looked toward Laura in the room and grimaced. They didn't want to see her crushed beneath Colter's boots.
"Operators! Are you ready to see me notch another kill?"
Colter looked at Mags when he said it; it was a clear challenge and one that made her shake her head with a cold smile in return. A few of her Operators gave halfhearted applause in response, but she was not.
It was a shame she couldn't put that filthy piece of garbage in the dirt herself.
Colter turned his attention to Laura now, a wicked grin in his voice. "All right, Gage. Let her through. Something tells me I'm really gonna enjoy this."
Laura stepped through the second the door opened and Colter was already charging for her.
O
Laura hid behind one of the ruined bottle structures as Colter opened fire on her with his pipe pistol. Bullets narrowly missed her head and she gave a yelp, shielding her eyes with her arms. The raiders were cheering, yelling and shouting obscenities out at them; but for who, she didn't know.
Gage watched her from his place behind the glass. "Come on, kid. Just do what I told you." he mumbled, under his breath.
Laura took hold of the squirt gun and jumped out, squeezing the trigger. Several shots of water struck Colter's armor and he let out a shout of anger and disbelief; bolts of electricity surged from his armor, drawing stunned cries from those in the stands.
Smoke poured out of the joints in his armor and Colter snarled, enraged. "What the hell? Was that a FUCKING water gun?"
Laura looked stunned for a second before she laughed nervously, delighted to see him struggling in his armor. But even if he was forced to escape, she was still in danger. But Gage's idea had worked and that was what mattered right at this second.
She dared a look toward Mags, who blinked in astonishment.
"Gage, I swear, if you're behind this..." Colter hissed.
"Hey, come out of that armor!" Laura challenged.
The challenge halted Colter and now, he turned his full focus to her. "You really want me to do that?"
His words were low, threatening; to Laura, it was frightening to hear, but if he was out, she'd have somewhat of a chance. But she wasn't an idiot; even out of his armor, Colter was three times her size and could still crush her if he was able to get his hands on her. She had her small size and speed to her advantage.
"Yeah, show these guys you're not a coward!"
Colter's snarls sounded thick now as he stepped out of his armor. His eyes were black, his teeth bared; he looked like an angry animal. Laura forced resolve in her expression, eyes scanning her surroundings as she looked for a way to keep herself safe. She could see a few tools thrown about, a machete in the corner and a bat - probably from other wastelanders who'd been foolish enough to fight him.
Colter crouched low, stalking toward her slowly, shaking his head with a wicked grin. "You're so dead, little frog." he promised. "I'm gonna tear you apart and spill your guts all over this arena!"
Laura had no doubt he could do that; she backed away, pulling out a small knife from her boot. Colter looked at it and laughed with vicious glee.
"You think that little toothpick's gonna stop me?" he laughed.
Laura stepped into a crouch and the two combatants circled one another, waiting for an opening. Colter lunged for her, but Laura quickly ducked out of the way, narrowly missing those fists as she took cover behind a bottle structure. Colter reached for his pipe pistol, but Laura tossed her knife at his hand and the weapon cleaved through it, embedding itself into the gear of the pistol.
Colter snarled in frustration, tossing the gun to the floor, stalking toward her. "You think you're hot shit, don't you?" he spat, "Cleaning out them parks all by yourself and suddenly, you think you can take on the boss?"
Laura knew that if he got his hands on her, it would be over. She had to think quickly.
She quickly avoided his grasp and ducked around him, running for a machete. Colter caught the sight and also dove for it. But he kicked it out of her way and just as she looked up, a huge, meaty fist was in her face, cracking across her jaw and sending her stumbling to the floor.
Pain shot through her head and she tasted blood in her mouth. Dazed, Laura attempted to retreat from the next punch, but Colter was already there swinging and another fist struck her on her other cheek, sending her falling to the floor with a wet groan.
"Heh," Colter hissed, "Come on then, little frog! Show me what you got!"
Mags looked away when Laura was kicked in the stomach. The woman was stomped at again and again before Colter pinned her to the floor with one foot at her chest. She struggled, mouth shining with blood and he laughed cruelly before turning his attention to the watchers.
"THIS WON'T TAKE LONG!" he bellowed, "Look at her now! She ain't so tough! I'm gonna show you what happens to those who scheme behind my back!"
Laura frantically reached for a sharp piece of metal and grabbed it, slicing her hand in the process; plunging it into Colter's leg had him recoiling with a shout of pain. His foot lifted from her and she was able to take a few seconds to crawl out from under him as he struggled to take the metal piece from his leg.
Laura choked, wiping her mouth on her sleeve as she slouched forward, taking gulps of air and struggling to ignore the pain in her chest.
Pain, of course.
She reached into her coat, pulled out the Psycho and several members of the Pack hooted and yelled, chanting her name in the crowds. Colter caught the name and scowled furiously toward them, indignant to their chanting for her. He started to yell, but paused and watched as Laura stabbed the syringe into her wrist.
"FUCK." Laura gasped out, grinning widely as the effects immediately took hold.
Jet and Needles yelled in the stands for her. "YEAH! LET OUT THE BEAST, GIRL!" Needles shouted.
Mags and William looked at each other, not quite certain of this outcome.
"She's holding up." William said, with a frown.
"For how long?" Mags wondered, "Psycho will only keep her going for a short time. I don't like this, William."
She didn't. Psycho had a few benefits, but Laura wasn't used to the drug; it wore down eventually and if she felt no pain, she wouldn't know how much damage she truly took.
It was like nothing Laura had ever used before; her body was alight with a surge of strength. Colter punched her in the face and she didn't even feel it; it was like a small bump against her. Another punch knocked her almost off of her feet, but she just grinned continuously and punched Colter in the throat.
The man backed up, gagging from the blow. It only enraged him further and he lashed out, punching Laura in the chest. She didn't feel the blow at all and panted wildly through her nostrils, charged from the drug and the exhilaration of the fight. She was bleeding and barely even noticed it.
Colter received a kick to his face that knocked him back onto his hands and knees. Laura listened to the roars from the stands and the chanting from the raiders who screamed for blood.
They were ecstatic to have the two fighting, but it seemed as if they were on her side, eager to see her high on drugs and beating Colter to the ground.
"I'm not scared!" Laura hissed, high on the drug.
Colter looked down, noticed a screwdriver lying nearby. He grinned wickedly, seized it into his hand. Just as Laura reached for a machete, Colter whirled and plunged the screwdriver directly into her eye. It cut of another "I'm not - " just as the end of the tool went into her head.
" - scared." Laura finished in a flat, dazed tone.
She buckled to the floor and the noise in the arena abruptly died down. Colter panted, holding his throat and rubbing it before he grinned down at her, watching as she laid there, her good eye wide and unseeing. He looked up toward the watching raiders and expected their cheers and chants for his victory.
But it was dead silent.
Several Operators looked toward Mags, who watched Laura laying there; her eyes were wide, she swallowed thickly and attempted to make no expression to give away the emotion she felt. Gage simply looked away with a disappointed "fuck" under his breath.
Even the Disciples were silent; they didn't know what to make of Colter's "victory", so the Overboss snarled and addressed them with rage in his voice.
"After what I did to get all of you here, you wanna take a shot at me?" he snarled.
Laura's fingers twitched and she lifted her arm, reaching for the machete with weak, disoriented fingers. The sight was seen by Gage, who widened his eyes in shock. He shook his head slowly, grunting out "Stay down, kid. Stay down". Colter didn't see it and he continued to rant to the raiders, spitting in wrath and pain.
Mags watched the sight with shock. Laura was staggering to her feet, limping toward Colter while he had his back to her. She mumbled nonsensical words, raised the machete and in a burst of strength, buried it into the back of his shoulder.
Colter made a sound no one had every heard from him before; a terrified scream of agony. He whirled, falling backwards. Everyone watched, shouting at once as Laura was on top of Colter, bringing the machete down upon his head; he tried to block with his arm, but it cleaved through to the bone, spraying her face with blood.
"Shut up!" she shrieked, bringing the blade down over and over again with each word, "Shut up! Shut up!"
Dan's hand went to his mouth.
Jet and Needles were watching, stunned to silence.
Dixie was yelling her encouraging words for violence.
It went on for a few good, solid minutes and Mags was up, making her way into the arena; several others followed and she ordered that Gage unlock the door so that she could rush up to Laura, seconds as the woman collapsed into her arms.
"Holy shit, Gage!" RedEye's voice filled the air, "What the fuck just happened?"
"Looks like Colter's dead!" Gage yelled, "You saw it! We all saw it!"
Laura's good eye looked around dazedly and William reached for the screwdriver, but Mags' firm voice halted him. "No!" she ordered, "Don't take it out."
"Girl fucking did it, I'll be damned."
Laura lost consciousness the moment those words left Gage's lips.
O
Laura awoke to the sensation of lancing pain in her head.
She could hear voices talking and struggled to focus on her surroundings - Mags' room. But she couldn't focus on that for long when she sat up and nearly threw up onto the floor. Her face was hurting and it took her a second to realize one of her eyes was covered up.
It all came back to her; the fight with Colter, the screwdriver in her head...
"You sure, Gage?"
"The decree stands. She's our new Overboss."
Laura could scarcely make out the conversation between the Operators and Gage in the Parlor. She frowned thoughtfully, held her hand to her face and struggled to stand, but a wave of dizziness had her falling right back into the bed.
Mags entered the room now and she smiled when she saw Laura awake. She walked up to her, lowered herself to her knees so that she could study the other woman's condition.
"Let's see..." Mags' voice was quiet in the room.
Laura hesitated and looked away, but Mags shook her head and gently pulled the bandage from her eye; Mackenzie had done decent work on her face, it seemed.
Laura's eye had to be removed and it left her with hideous stitching, but it would heal in time. She seemed to be ashamed of it for a second until Mags chuckled; the sound was warmer than usual and it made Laura look up in surprise to hear it.
"It's amazing you came through with just a missing eye." she said. "Still, it's a strong look for you. They're all talking about it out there."
Laura laughed now, feeling bolder. "What about you? Are you saying this isn't attractive?"
"Mmm, perhaps a little."
Laura giggled, lowering her head. She hissed sharply, held her arm and rolled the joint a little. Mags' smile disappeared as she focused on the action. Then, she delicately cleared her throat, watching the other woman for a moment before she spoke.
"You were resting for a good day." Mags said. "We should take some solace in the fact that Mackenzie has the skills to keep you alive."
Laura could absolutely appreciate it; the other woman had helped her with her Gatorclaw wounds, so she could definitely take care of her eye.
She felt Mags' eyes on her and glanced up, noticing the deeply contemplative look on the other woman's face; it was intense and always had a way of making Laura weak for her alone.
"You came back..." Mags continued.
"I came home."
Mags smiled thinly, nodding her head. She cupped Laura's cheeks, brushed her thumb across the space beneath her eye and leaned forward for a kiss. Laura met her quite readily before eventually pulling away. Mags studied her for a moment, the warmth in her eyes returning.
"I should be grateful to see you again." she said, softer now.
"I couldn't stay away..." Laura's voice was also softer, "After my father died, I had to come back when I realized I was meant for this place. But I knew that you wouldn't take me back any other way. I had to do it how raiders did it and prove I could come back."
Mags smiled and nodded, taking Laura's hand in hers and pulling her closer for another kiss. "And I'm proud of you for it. I don't say that often, so I hope you appreciate it."
Laura leaned into her, running her hand through Mags' collar, to her neck and she held herself there, quite content to remain. Mags rested her chin on the top of Laura's head and sighed softly.
"They're all waiting outside of my Parlor..." she told her, with a note of disapproval.
Laura giggled now, burying her face in Mags' neck. "Could we keep them waiting a little longer?"
"I suppose if you must. But if one of those mutts decides to start howling, the bullets will go flying."
Laura crowed with laughter and shook her head. Mags watched her, irritated frown disappearing. It was so typical of Laura to be so sentimental, but all in all, she decided that this was nice. She had no complaint and she wouldn't deny that she missed the other woman. The idea that Laura would have died to Colter wounded her more than she would ever admit.
No need for weakness.
Someone outside started to howl and Mags scoffed, slowly rising; she absolutely intended to carry out that threat, but Laura rose now on shaky legs.
"Wait, wait, don't do that," she said, with another laugh, "Let me go out and see them."
"You and your sympathy for animals..."
Laura struggled on her feet and she looked up at William who waited by the doors; the man said nothing, but just nodded his head once, a gesture of approval. She nodded back and said nothing as well. Lizzie was also there and she just chuckled.
Once Laura stepped outside, she was stunned to see several members of the Pack and Disciples waiting for her. Needles and Jet were the first to step up and Jet was grinning, studying her face with delight.
"WHOA, look at your face!" he exclaimed, "It looks awesome!"
Needles guided Jet aside with a skeptical frown. "Forgive him. He hit some Jet too hard this morning. He was excited to see you."
"GUILTY." Jet confirmed, with a grin and a wave of his hand.
"I wish I would have seen the look on Colter's face when you chopped that fucker to bits!" a Disciple hissed, with malicious glee to Laura, "We should have kept his head!"
Nisha was there as well, smiling now. "Nuka-World's going to attract people far and wide, and we're going to bleed them dry in more ways than one. It's good to know Gage didn't screw us over a second time." she remarked. "It's not everyday I like someone better alive than dead. I guess you're one of the lucky ones."
Laura gave a nervous laugh, but nodded.
"Alright, alright, let me through, give the boss some room." Gage's voice piped up from the crowd and he made his way through.
Laura blinked, stunned when she heard how he addressed her. "Wait, boss?"
Gage looked at the others, reading their mixed expressions before he gestured for Laura to follow him. "Come on, let's talk."
Laura looked at Mags and the other woman nodded, gesturing with one hand. "Go on. We'll speak later."
It felt strange to leave her side, especially after what had happened, but Laura knew it was important. So she followed Gage toward Fizztop Grille.
The group departed, but Mags and William lingered at the doors of the Parlor; William was watching his sister, then Laura and Gage's departing forms. William looked at Mags, who was smiling her approval.
"So, you got the girl back." he said. "What's this mean for the rest of us now that she's the boss?"
"I suppose we'll have to see, won't we?" Mags was quiet for a moment before looking at William. She knew her brother had something on his mind. "You want to say something else, William. I know you do."
"Heh. Nah." William replied. "You got somebody to warm your bed at night and we're in business. Turned out differently than I expected, but I think it's gonna be fine."
"You have faith in her now." Mags laughed a little.
"She's proven her worth. That's all it took."
Indeed. That was all it took.