Rook was alert when the sun rose, but decided to be courteous and shield Morgan's face with his arm. To an artificial intelligence, a second was an eternity. He never had to worry about wasting time because he already had so much of it.
Gabriel woke up and put his head, seeing the two. He quietly got out and walked away before coming back a few minutes later. He hopped back onto the bed and just stared at the ceiling, thinking.
Morgan turned round and opened still slightly damp eyes. She got the fright of her life when she saw Rook lying there beside her.
Stupid man. You're gonna get sick...she thought, shuffling forward and curling up beside him anyways.
Gabriel got up again, Whiskers was moving right next to Morgan and slept on her. "Whuskers, get off, whiskers." Gabriel whispered.
Morgan groaned and huddled closer to Rook. Her sides and back were killing her.
Rook watched her sleep for a moment, just make sure she was out cold, before lightly poking her up and down her arm and side, as if he was trying to gather information.
"I told you to be quiet, if you can't I'll make you shut down." Gabriel whispered again. This time he was angrier.
"I am not speaking, Gabriel." Rook said in response, now wanting the boy to leave him alone.
"I'm not talking about you speaking, your making loud noises while moving, so shut up!" Gabriel whispered to the Android. He then tried to go back to sleep.
Rook did so, draping his arm over Morgan's waist and stilling.
"Idiot..." Gabriel whispered to himself. Whiskers woke up and walked over to Rook and slept beside him.
"Human boy." Rook whispered, getting his attention. "Human boy." He repeated. "If you do not cease your hostilities, I will terminate this creature."
"Don't you dare or I'll shoot my revolver in your head, probably almost breaking your titanium, and anyways, he's fast." Gabriel whispered. He held his hand on his revolver to see if Rook would do anything. Gabriel also gave rook a mean look.
"I am faster than both of you. Regardless, a .357 is a minute round that possess very little velocity, not even to penetrate denser metals. If I were to deem you a target there is naught that could stop me." Rook stated factually. "The only thing halting me from destroying either of you is Morgan's current status and my orders. Now initiate a sleep and do not bother me. If you emit any more sounds, I will kill you."
"I'm going to kill you both if you don't shut the fuck up." Morgan growled from beneath Rooks arm.
Tears ran down Gabriels face. He patted Whiskers and Whiskers got up. He was shaking and his face is red.
"Rook, do not kill my pet or me! You know what, I don't wan't to be with a person who is sending a death threat to me!" Gabriel shouted. Gabriel then ran out as fast as he can.
Rook watched Gabriel go.
"The child has run away." He informed Morgan, as if she hadn't heard.
"Oh for..." Morgan sighed, shoving Rooks arm off her. "Now I gotta go after him. Fucking hell Rook, could you not have just shut up?" She asked before striding out the door.
Rook sat up as he watched Morgan hurry out, wondering what he did wrong.
Perhaps I should have incapacitated him.
Gabriel then stopped and went down against the wall, keeping his gun right by him, clicking it. He closed his eyes, and put his revolver back into his pocket. He was crying even more.
"Gabriel!?" Morgan called out, walking around until she ran into him. For the second time in as many days, she slid down the wall to sit next to the kid.
"Look, Rook is...a little awkward. I'm sorry he's been like that, but you gotta give him a chance."
"No, I can't, he threatened me! I don't want him to be here, he's just another killing machine, no, NO! I don't want to die, or my pet!" Gabriel shouted. He then rocked back and forth.
Oh lord...
Morgan put her hands on Gabriels shoulders. "He listens to me. I won't let him do that, ok? No matter how much he threatens you. Hell, he threatened me too."
"No, he's something else, I want him to go away, I just want him to go, I WANT HIM TO GO!" Gabriel shouted, and then cried even loyder. His pet shaking too, looking back at the hallway.
"Then I will have to go as well." Morgan sighed, pulling him into a hug. "Where he goes, I go. I wouldn't have survived without him."
"Don't go, you're the kindest person I ever saw after my mom and uncle died. Rook is a jerk, a killing machine, I just don't want him here!" Gabriel said. He cried even more louder than everyone could hear. His pet shaking even more too, and keeps on snorting.
"First time anyone's called me kind." Morgan sighed. "But I can't just get rid of him. We've been together for a very long time, kid..."
"I know he killed my uncle, threatened me, took thousands of live, and that is not enough for you to get rid of him. Well fine, let's have a murderous android here." Gabriel sarcastically said.
"He...didn't kill your Uncle..." Morgan whispered, though she wasn't really sure. "Look, we're uhm...quite close kid. We're special friends. He protects me, and I protect him. He isn't going anywhere without me."
"He did not kill my uncle?" Well how do you explain that you are acting weird whenever I say that, he got silent when I mentioned it around him, and he looks like a murderer, huh? You want to stay around a guy who is acting weird, and is a killing android? Huh? Huh?" He kept on asking her.
"We've all killed people." Moran whispered quietly, letting the kid go and leaning against the wall again. "I act weird too. He..." She paused, trying to wonder how best to word this.
"Rook completes me, so yes, I wish to stay around him for as long as I can."
"So you like a guy like him, and call him family? Families are not androids that could kill you, or kill millions of innocent people.
An android is also not family when he threatens you or other people, he is not family, he is an android from the Commonwealth! The Commonwealth! He could kill you any minute, so that is not a family!" Gabriel shouted, and reloaded his revolver to make sure, that if Rook tries anything, he'll shoot him.
Morgan remained quiet for a long time. She rose to her feet slowly and carefully, her eyes never leaving the kid.
"I'm from the Commonwealth too, Gabe." She finally said. "Maybe you should bun with Heather and Garry next time."
This isn't going to go well... Morgan thought to herself. She followed on behind the kid, veering off to Rooks room to make sure the two of them don't kill one another.
Whiskers ran in front of Morgan and licked her, trying to get her not to follow Gabriel. Gabriel then finally went to the room and raised his gun at Rook. "You murderer..." Gabriel whispered.
"A feeble attempt..." Morgan mumbled, taking Whiskers in her hands and carrying him with her. "That boys gonna get himself killed, I swear..."
She continued on.
Whiskers got out and then hopped back onto Morgan licking her and doing everything he can, to not get her to get to the room.
"You are a stupid rat..." Morgan grumbled. "I ain't letting the kid kill himself."
Rook looked at Gabriel, meeting the boy's eyes with an inhuman stare. He had been cleaning his shotgun, as usual, and the lever-action repeating firearm sat in his lap.
"Lower your weapon or I will not be responsible for my actions." Rook said calmly.
"Killed my uncle, did a death that to me, you are inhuman, took away many lives as you can!" Gabriel shouted. Tears ran down his face, and he was shaking.
"You monster, Monster!" Gabriel shook really bad.
"It's alright Whiskers..." Morgan soothed. "We'll just have to go and stop them okay? C'mon."
Rook watched Gabriel unflinchingly, setting the shotgun aside, and slowly rising to his feet.
He made calculations .357 revolver. Repeating action. Muzzle velocity at 495 m/s. Six shots. Heartrate at 122 b/m. Pupils dilated. Body tremors. Target condition: terrified.
Determination: danger not eminent.
"Judging from your current status, I detect an 89% probability that you will not pull the trigger."
He clicked his gun and took a shot at the ceiling. "I won't do it!? Yea I'm not sure about that." Gabriel said.
"Fucking hell..." Morgan gasped, now picking Whiskers up off the floor and making a mad dash to Rooks room.
Don't do anything dumb!
Either of you!
When Gabriel pointed his revolver at the ceiling Rook took the opportunity to draw his own pistol and level it at Gabriel's chest.
"Drop it."
His mouth dropped. Gabriel picked up his gun at Rook's head, clicked his revolver, and ran as fast as he can.
I'm not going to die, not yet.
Rook watched Gabriel run away before holstering his weapon and going back to cleaning his shotgun, as if nothing had happened.
Morgan appeared in the doorway a moment after. "W-here? You...you didn't shoot him did you!? Please, tell me you never!"
Rook just watched Morgan with a blank stare.
"I did not shoot him. That would have been bad." Something broke through his lips, and held the firing pin out to open air with his teeth.
"It wasn't functional and I did not want to injure him with a disarm."
"Thank fuck.." Morgan exhaled, with a shaky sigh. "You make me proud sometimes.."
Rook smiled at her, appreciating the compliment.
"He needs therapy." Rook recommended.
The Scientists head turned sharply in the direction of the noises that Gabriel emitted.
"Right, he's not very stealthy, is he? Let me go see him. Best you stay here." She added, before sighing again and jogging off.
"Why are you coming towards me Morgan, did he order you kill me too?" he asked Morgan. He was shaking very badly before he fainted.
"Oh...you are so lucky I am a doctor." Morgan murmured, taking the kid in her arms and bringing her back to her room. "He isn't going to kill you. He wasn't even going to fire on you..."
Rook looked up Morgan as she entered with Gabriel.
"You in capitated him?"
Morgan shook her head, laying Gabriel on the cot. "He fainted Rook..." She sighed, walking over to sit on the floor.
"What're we going to do with him..."
"He is a liability. He has already jeopardized the mission multiple times within the short period of time he has been in our company. It would be best if we left him on the mainland."
"What? All alone? That's..." Morgan paused, pursing her lips and furrowing her brow, much like her special friend. "Cruel."
Gabriel woke up and screamed shooting at Rook 2 times. "You're not going to kill me!" Gabriel shouted.
Rook rolled as he heard gun shots echo behind him, and tackled Morgan to the ground, shielding her with his body. When the retorts of the firearm silenced. He spun around and launched himself at Gabriel, seizing the puny human's wrist and smacking the gun from his hand.
"Don't do that."
"Let go!" Gabriel shouted. He tried to get out of his grip, but only failed in the process.
"I cannot comply." Rook replied to Gabe, keeping the boy restrained. He plucked up the revolver and stuck it in the back of his belt.
Morgan scrambled to her feet; her face fearful.
"Rook." She hissed. "Gabriel. Both of you! Calm the fuck down and act like adults!"
The android glanced over at Morgan, deadly serious.
Rook began a speech for Gabriel, looking into the boy's eyes. "No more weapons. We are neutralizing you as a threat. There are two commands. From now on you will speak when spoken to and you will follow orders. You are a subordinate. No more guns. No more crying. No more restroom breaks. There is no restroom! You will be obedient, like your rat creature. Do we understand each other?"
Morgan hung her head and sighed.
This isn't going to go well...
He looked into Rook's eye. He then finally got out of the grip grabbed his gun and whistled to his pet. "I'm not taking orders from a person like you, I'm leaving, I don't want to be with a sicko like you." Gabriel said and quietly walked out of the door.
"Mph..." Morgan mumbled, looking extremely conflicted. She watched Gabriel walk off, her eyes sad...
Rook sat down on the bed, obviously ignorant to Morgan's emotional strife otherwise he would probably be more proactive.
"The issue has handled itself." Rook declared, going back to cleaning his guns.
"Totally." Morgan muttered. She scowled and walked out, not even saying goodbye. She did however grab her Sniper Rifle from the wall.
With that she headed out into the Wasteland.
Have to go looking for a kid...
Who woulda thought? Screw Rook anyways. I told him several times to stop it...Fucking...dumbass...
Rook glanced up, watching Morgan go. He was frozing in place, his head on a swivel, until she was out the door.
"Morgan." He protested, following her out. "Where are you going?" Despite the question, he already getting an inkling.
"To get some air." Morgan growled. "Alone." She didn't look back.
"You've fucked up enough..."
"How? Why am I the enemy?"
"Because you are antagonising a child!" Morgan snapped, spinning round on the gangplank. "He does not know any better. He is...young! You don't understand that children need to be treated different to adults like me!"
"That does not make him your responsibility." Rook countered.
"You do not understand." Morgan repeated. "If I haven't found him within two days, I will meet you at Fresh Grove, okay? If I have, I'll meet you back here."
"We're not supposed to split up." Rook argued. "It is supposed to be just you and me."
"Yeah well...sorry." Morgan shrugged. "I gotta go look for him. He's small, alone and scared..."
Like I was...
"You need to look after Heather and Garry!"
"Heather and Garry did not need me prior. Nor do they now."
Rook swallowed his pride or whatever it was that kept him from saying what he meant. Maybe it was his old functions, the outdated things that made him more machine than man.
"But I need you, Morgan. I do not like the thought of you going out there by yourself."
"Well he won't come back if you're here, so just...leave me alone while I search, ok!?"
"Okay. Be careful." Rook not liking how this day was going. He could not fathom why Morgan had to trouble herself with the human boy. She was much too important for that.
Rook pulled his pistol free and shoved it in her waistband before she could protest.
"Go. I must not watch or I will follow you."
"Turn around then..." Morgan whispered, before biting her bottom lip and rushing over to hug his back. "Won't be too long."
With that, she scurried away, rushing out into the Wasteland, her eyes and ears open.
Hamilton continued to wander the streets between Palowski and Lady Liberty's head, the Wastelander cared little for the dangers of the lower wasteland, he just knew that the upper parts of the Empire Wasteland were inaccessible to those who weren't willing to brave a jungle to reach them and to him, they sounded the least accessible.
As he made his way through the side streets, he could feel his injuries flaring up a little, a faint sting in his side from where the mirelurk had dug its claws into him. He winced and grabbed at his patched suit, turning his head off to the side as he wrapped his fingers around it, suppressing the pain as best he could.
Christ... I need some fucking pain killers... He thought, wincing and giving his head a stern shake before turning his attention back to the road ahead. There was something about this clearing that seemed off to him, it was too tranquil. Normally there were a few rad roaches scuttling around along the ground, which at least indicated that there wasn't anything worse nearby but here? Nothing...
Ending on that cheery thought, Hamilton glanced up at the sky above him as he came to a halt, his wounds were starting to flare up to the point that he just had to. He considered the possibility that he wasn't ready to leave his 'wife's' hospitality but then he remembered where exactly he was sleeping and he was pretty sure that she would have fed him oil, thinking that it was 'tea.'
Hamilton paused, panting heavily to catch his breath as he felt his vision blur in and out as he tried to control his breathing... There was a sure-fire way to close this wound, he just needed to feed...
It was then that he was startled by the echo of a rifle blast, followed immediately by the 'plink' of a nearby car. A sharpshooter had tried to surprise him but he unfortunately couldn't shoot for shit, Hamilton ducked as soon as he heard the shot and took cover behind one of the vehicles.
He heard the gunshot ring out across the district a second time, feeling the bullet flying over his head but completely missing him as it flew into a nearby building, shattering what remained of its ancient windows.
The Slaver hopped up to his feet and rushed across the street, finding himself to be followed by voices, who were argued about his current position.
Hamilton ran through the apartment building and rushed through to the back, where he found himself in an old courtyard, he looked around, frantically as he heard the sound of boots pounding against the stone behind him, the sound of which was rapidly approaching.
"There he is, let's fuck 'im up!" One of his pursuers yelled, elegantly spoken as he was.
Hamilton veered off to his left and ran into the building, that was apparently important enough to have a courtyard as he burst through the open door, he heard the radio echo throughout the hallways, echoing a song that he knew but just couldn't place...
He looked around, panting for breath as he tried to find a room to use as a stronghold before darting off up the stairs. These rooms typically only had one entrance and one exit, so at least he'd be able to hold his ground for a bit before the onslaught came...
The Slaver ran up two flights of stairs, circling around the spiral staircase as his sides began to split, causing him to stop at the top as he collapsed against the wall, taking a moment to catch his breath as he did his best to resist the pain. He took a deep breath as he looked around, trying to find an ideal spot...
He pushed his way through the corridor, drawing his Barretta as he got it at the read, frantically looking from left to right before entering one of the rooms. Tucking the Barretta in behind his shirt, he drew his Chinese Assault Rifle and kept it aimed at the door, wrapping his finger aroudn the trigger as he got ready to gun down the first son of a bitch who entered.
The first Raider, donned in Red American Football gear, brandishing a nail board, entered the room and immediately met a 5.56 round to the face, sending his head flying back as his brains sprayed across the hallway, giving the cream wallpaper opposite a new coat of red.
"Fuck!" A Raider snapped, leaning against the wall as he got his barely cobbled together pistol, which was most likely being held together by its rustic metal frame. Hamilton fired three shots into the wall, which went right through the wall and through the Raider's exposed back, killing him instantly.
He slid down the wall and fell sat up, his hands relaxed and fell to the side as his head slumped forward, his final act of resistance came out as little more than a weak groan. The Wastelander didn't have much chance to celebrate as he began to hear Dogs barking on the lower levels, most likely sent in to flush the building out.
Hamilton hissed as he realised that he'd have to run, he decided that he wouldn't waste his time and got to it, jumping up to his feet as he peered out of the doorway as he heard the tiny pounding sound of dog paws as they hits the stairs, their barks, growls and snarls as they closed in on their prey.
He immediately ran for the suite at the end of the hallway, figuring that it most likely lead somewhere that could be used as an escape route. Any other day, he would have stuck around and killed every last one of these fuckers before killing their dogs and eating like a king for weeks but he knew his limitations, due to his weakness.
He turned around and fired his last shot at the dogs, tossing his now empty rifle to one side before he burst through the old, Edwardian-style doors, examining his surroundings and seeing the multiple exits before nodding and turning his attention back to the doors, slamming them shut together...
Hamilton turned around as he adjusted his tie, which was still a little jagged from where that prick tried to grab at it. Either way, the threat had been dealt with, if he even was a threat to begin with...
"Well?" A nasally Old British voice snapped, prompting the Assassin to turn back, looking his employer in the face.
"No, Mister Tenpenny, no evidence to suggest that he wanted to kill you. If Shipton has sent an assassin, they aren't among his bodyguards."
'Mister Tenpenny' sighed, folding his arms as he veered off to the right and shook his head, just as frustrated by the situation.
"It seems that Mr Shipton's assassin maybe hiding else were... Couldn't he have sent me a band of mercenaries instead? That would've been far more tolerable, I could've bought them off..."
"What makes you so sure that he's trying to assassinate you?" Hamilton asked, folding his arms and narrowing his eyes in suspicion as he honestly couldn't see any evidence that Tenpenny's potential business partner had been hiring assassins, hell he'd found proof that he hadn't in the fact that none of his bodyguards were carrying anything that suggested that they would make an attempt on his life.
"It's obvious, the deal he offered me suggests that he's either an idiot, a madman or someone who knows that the best thing that he can get out of it is a chance to meet me face to face and try to kill me himself, maybe take the tower in the process.
These high roller types, from up north... They think that they're brilliant players, when actually they're losers, who have moved down a league."
"If you're so certain, why did you invite him inside?" Hamilton asked, confused by the Old Man's tactics but willing to learn from them if they weren't random shots in the dark.
If they were, then he'd just kill Shipton, after he'd killed Tenpenny and secure a place for himself, Burke or Gustavo.
"Well, better to deal with the problem here and now, than to allow him time to come up with a better plan. I have enough enemies out in the Wasteland, I want to keep the more powerful and influential ones, no matter how pathetic they may seem, to a minimum."
The soon to be Slaver fell silent, wondering if Tenpenny was really testing Shipton or if he was testing his newest assassin's deduction skills.
Either way, Hamilton got the feeling that this was going to be a long night...
"I fear that I must return to my Guest, in the lounge... There's only so long that Burke can keep him entertained with pointless filler conversation." The British Landowner sighed, turning back towards the lobby as he begins to walk away.
"I'll have Mister Burke with me at all times, don't disappoint me now..."
Hamilton fell silent as his gaze veered off, realising that he would have to start examining the guests some more. The only member of staff that Shipton had left was his close, personal bodyguard but he wouldn't use such a man for the assassination. He'd be too close to the action and would risk getting caught in the crossfire.
That meant that the assassin, assuming that there was one, was walking among the guests. After ensuring that his tie was appropriately adjusted, Hamilton stepped out of the room and re-entered the party as he continued his search for the other killer...
Garry and Heather lay still in their cot, they had been up for a few hours but neither of them wanted to abandon their beds...
"Looks like we've got to be up soon..." Heather whispered, getting a heavy sigh in response as Garry slowly opened his eyes again, wishing that he could sleep on will so that he could relive his time with Anna once more...
"A'ight... Don't wanna keep Moody Morgan waiting..."
Where do I even start? Morgan thought. I can't shout his name, that'd just give the Raiders an easier target to shoot...
She sighed and looked up to the sky, the M40 Sniper slung lazily over her shoulder.
No Rook to keep me safe...Heh.
I am surprised he listened...
Morgan can slowly hear a mole rat snort in the distance, along with footsteps.
Jesus, you are the epitome of stealth, kid. How have you not died yet?
She sighed and wandered in the vague direction of the sound. Morgan was rather perceptive, and could follow things like this pretty easily.
Well...here's hoping this'll be easy.
Riiiight.
Gabriel turned around the corner to see that Whiskers was walking to Morgan. He raised his gun. "Why are you following me? Did rook send you?" he asked her.
Morgan stopped and raised her hands in protest. "Nope. Came here of my own free will, kid. Can't have you wandering here alone. I wouldn't be able to rest from worrying."
"Your...treating me like my mom did, she would be worried nonstop and tried to find me if I ran a way. But why would I want to be with him, I want him to leave and never come back." Gabriel said. He then started to lower his gun at her.
Morgan took a few hesitant steps forwards. "I know kid, but I've already said, he sticks by me. To be honest, I am surprised he let me go off alone..."
"Well then you want me to deal with that psycho! If you want me to come back, then get rid of him, forever, if you can't do that then let me be on my own, got it? Good." Gabriel said firmly.
"Urgh but I..." Morgan paused, folding her arms and thinking. "Is... there no way you two can go and get along?"
"He killed my uncle! He killed innocent people, from the commonwealth and threatened to kill me! Telling me to do orders, telling me I can't speak, telling me I can't use the bathroom! So no! Why should I get along with him!? Let me be on my way, and unless you make him leave. This is goodbye." Gabriel said before starting to walk off.
"Kid wait!" Morgan yelled, jogging to catch up. "He just has issues understanding, you have to be… patient, you know?"
Gabriel stopped. "I am not going to be with your group, unless you get rid of him, until then, let me be on my way." Gabriel explained to her before walking off again.
"How about we...just go?" She suggested. "We can go find other people to live with. Or...I can at least take you somewhere better before heading back? I'd worry les if I knew you were with a good group..."
Gabriel sighed. "You're the closest I ever been with a person, I can't ditch you with another group, fine I'll stay, but if Rook bothers me once, I will leave." Gabriel finally admitted to Morgan.
"If he bothers you again, just let me know, alright?" Morgan smiled, turning her head back in the direction of the boat.
"I'll...get him sorted out, do not worry."
He nodded and followed back with Morgan.
Morgan slowly lead the way back to the ship before pausing to ponder. "We should at least go look for supplies, right?"
"You got to be kidding, right?" We're all tired, and I'm not ready to get back up again." Gabriel said, sighing after.
"Fine, fine. I'll go, alone shall I?" Morgan mused aloud. "Getting away to just be by myself for a while was pretty refreshing..."
"Okay." Gabriel said. He finally reached the boat and got inside, walking towards Rook.
"Please, do not fight each other!" Morgan called out before waving and turning back to the Wasteland.
Gotta run fast so I can have at least two minutes alone before he follows me...
He then entered the room, and found Rook. Gabriel was silent and stood right by the doorway.
Rook glanced up at Gabriel.
"Morgan reacquired you?"
"Yes, and one thing, don't talk to me, don't bother me, and don't even look at me, don't give me orders, or anything!" Gabriel shouted.
Rook simply nodded and looked away, now thoroughly minding his own business.
Gabriel then hopped onto the bed, and looked at his revolver, just looked at it.
Stupid android, why can't I just shut you down, man, if he even looks at me, I'm done with him.
Rook, realising that Gabriel had now claimed this territory, went to go occupy himself.
The acid burns were starting to fester and Rook knew that the radiation in the water would kill any bacteria.
He dismounted the boat and moved down the riverbed before shedding what was left of his vault suit and walking into the water. He sunk like a rock, probably because he was a three-hundred-point weight, but managed to swim to the surface. He then maintained position, letting the current wash over him.
Morgan sat down further along the bank of the River, certainly out of Rooks eyeshot. She hugged her knees and looked down to the murky irradiated waters.
I don't want to go to Governors...I...
It scares me. Not like I will admit that to anyone, though no doubt Rook will be able to tell or something.
Raiders, Plants, hell even Hammy, I can take...
Ah I know why he isn't coming after me, I said I might be gone a couple of days. Well then, let's go scavenge!
With that, Morgan rose to her feet and started to walk off, freshly motivated.
Once he deemed himself decontaminated, he dressed back in his tattered Vault pants and went to go find some Rad-away, so that he could scrub himself of radiation.
As they both fanned out into the ruins bordering the river, Rook spotted Morgan at a distance, his targeting sight picking her up, and he closed the space between them in a matter of seconds.
"What are you doing out here?" He asked, his voice a usual monotone but with a touch of concern. "I thought you were back at the vessel." He had assumed so, with Gabriel being retrieved in record time.
Gah so...close...
"I was...going to go find some supplies and just...relax and think a little." Morgan said quietly.
"Relax and think? You are troubled."
"Yeah, I just...want to work some stuff out Rook, that's all..."
"What is the issue?" Rook asked, facing her completely now as to give her his undivided attention.
"It's...nothin..." Morgan grumbled, hefting her rifle onto her shoulder as she spotted Garry and Heather approach on the Horizon.
"I just...really want to...go is all..."
"Go where? To Fresh Groves?"
"No... I want to go scavenge food, love..." Morgan mumbled, shifting uncomfortably.
"They have food." Rook pointed out, now just looking confused.
"Rrgh..."
Fuck...
Morgan glanced back again, seeing how close the other couple had gotten to them. "I w-want to stockpile for later..."
"You are acting suspicious."
"No I am not!" Morgan snapped. She started walking off, hoping to get away, but knowing it would be terribly difficult to escape an android.
"I wish to gather supplies. L-last time I checked; I didn't need permission..."
"Morgan, what's going on?" She confused him constantly with both woman and human things, but now he was thoroughly bewildered.
"I already said. I want to go gather supplies and I wish to think on things..." Morgan sighed, her frustration building as she repeated herself again.
"Alright." Rook said, falling in step with her and quieting, content to be as silent as always. He naturally assumed he was invited.
"That's the thing Rook..." Morgan said softly, placing a gentle hand on his arm. "I... wish to think on my own."
Rook actually flinched when she spoke the last word, but immediately tried to play it off as cool, brushing his shoulder.
"Ah. I will go make myself busy elsewhere." He said, before shuffling off.
Morgan glanced to the ground, sharply biting her bottom lip. She looked back at Rook shuffling away so innocently and exhaled sharply before turning around and running off in a panic.
Rook turned as he heard Morgan ran away, wondering what the hell she was doing. Regardless, she had made it abundantly clear she wanted to be alone for the moment, and thus turned back to head towards the ship.
Morgan's blood pounded in her head as she ran. Her legs carried her a fair distance away before she eventually staggered into a dilapidated building that looked like it used to be part of the University.
Slowly and quietly, she closed the door to the Student Accommodation and slid down to rest alongside it.
University...What I wouldn't give to have been alive in that time. I'd find someone to accept me there. I would have had actual friends. An actual family...Not some...robot and a stupid kid.
Why was I abandoned? What did I ever do to my parents?
Fuckers left me to rot...
Morgan exhaled a shaky breath to calm herself down and keep her from crying.
Gotta keep moving...
He won't be fooled for long!
Morgan was notoriously easy to track. Depressions left from boots. Handprints from stumbling or placed on surfaces from balanced, he searched fervently, before rounding a corner and coming face to face with Morgan.
"You are not scavenging." He noted. "You are putting distance between yourself and the boat."
"Couldn't you have just...left me alone?" Morgan asked quietly, getting up and walking off before he could answer.
Please. Go away...
"Morgan." He said, keeping pace with her. "I am your partner. Tell me what's going on."
"I want to be left alone..." Morgan growled, her voice low.
"We are supposed to talk to each other." Rook protested.
"Sorry Rook..." Morgan whispered. "I just...can't."
"Morgan stop!" Rook begged. "Why are you doing this?"
Morgan tried her best to ignore the pang of guilt in her gut as she heard the scuffle.
Got to constantly keep moving. He'll find me eventually...but if I can just get far enough away...I'm not going to that island! Ever!
Rook felt like he was chasing a target.
He eventually caught up to Morgan and snagged her arm,
"Morgan." Why are you doing this? Why are you fighting me?
Morgan almost tore her arm out her socket. Goddamnit!
"I..." She panted, refusing to look at the Android. "Want to be alone. Let me be alone. I want to be alone! How many times do I have to tell you!?"
Please...I...c-can't go there. I have to leave...
"Because... because I fucking love you, Morgan!" He said, with added emphasis, unusual of him.
"I know..." Morgan said in a shaky voice. "I do too, but please..." She turned her head to face him, her eyes watering heavily.
Rook watched her face, dramatically furrowing his brow in concern. He reached out to take her other hand with his own free one.
"Tell me what is wrong. I am your partner. I am here for you. I will make it better."
"I want to be on my own for a while, but everyone keeps following me and trying to make me stop..." She sighed heavily and hung her head as Martin burst in. "Or assholes just want to run in randomly."
Gabriel sighed and let go. He looked at the two. "I'll be outside if you need me." Gabriel told the,. He walked until he heard something.
"That's it? I assumed we had our Vault-deal for times like that. I can render myself silent if you would prefer." He said, willing to do anything for his special friend.
She glanced back at Rook, giving him a pained look that suggested how badly she just wished to leave.
"You are afraid." Rook said, flashing back to their earlier conversation. "You do not want to come."
Morgan simply nodded. "Correct."
"Why did you not just say so? I never wanted you to come."
"Because I am an idiot..." Morgan sighed. "But I can't go out there..."
"Then do not. You and Gabe can wait on the mainland. I will come to you when we are finished."
"You might not come back..." Morgan whispered sadly. "Nobody comes back from there.."
"That is irrelevant. I have to go, because if I do not, you, Garry, and Heather will never be safe."
Morgan bit her lip and nodded. "You won't be safe if you go there. They'll probably have...EMPs. We'll have to look out for one another..."
"I... really don't want to, b-but I can't risk never seeing you again right?" Morgan mumbled as she hung her head even more.
"If I am to be truthful, I prefer having you with me as opposed to at a distance. It is... better."
"Yeah I...I know Rook." She whispered, giving in and resting her forehead on his chest.
He wrapped his arms around Morgan then, pulling her into his embrace.
"I apologize if I scared you. I was worried as to what your intentions were."
Morgans lips trembled. "S-s'ok. I'm never scared of you, Rook. J-just scared of not coming back from the island. Scared of what's on it..."
"I cannot pretend to protect you from every danger, Morgan. But I will do everything in my power to ensure your safety."
"I know, I know..." Morgan whispered. She wrapped her arms around the small of his back, cowering and trembling, which is very unlike her.
"I'll b-be safe with you..."
"Do you want to go back to the ship?" He asked, trying to find some remedy to the situation. Morgan's behaviour was unnerving him. He was used to her being almost as aloof and stoic as he was.
Not all... emotional. He wasn't quite sure what to do.
"I guess we have to..." She sighed. "W-we're close to Fresh Grove but...Garry and Heather..."
"Hello?" Garry's voiced echoed, throughout the university, slowly pacing through it with his combat shotgun at the ready, pacing as slowly as possible in case there were traps.
Knowing Morgan, there probably would be...
Rook just nodded, silent, trying to figure out what to do.
"Hello?" Rook picked up Garry's voice and called back.
"Here."
"Oh...they found us too?" Morgan said to herself.
I need to cover my tracks better...
Garry entered, seeing that everything was calm and collected, he rested his shotgun on his shoulder as he came to a halt.
"Sorry, came back and the boat was empty, figured that somethin' might've happened."
"We are fine." Said Rook, reluctantly lowering his arms to his sides.
"Are you prepared for Fresh Groves? We should depart soon with the utmost haste."
"Yeah, I left Heather with the boat, she's pickin' the bits of shell out of the mudcrab meat we found." The Wastelander shrugged, he was actually itching to shoot something.
"Well it's not too far from here." Morgan said quietly. She hastily dried her eyes and peered out around the room. "Shall we?"
"Affirmative. Let us depart for the target location then."
"Yeah, let's go break somethin'..." Garry sighed, his voice didn't exactly convey any form of enthusiasm.
Rook took the lead, constantly glancing back at Morgan, like she was a faulty grenade.
Gabriel heard the group and ran to them. "Wait up!" Gabriel shouted
Morgan was staring off to the distance, keeping incredibly quiet for a change. She was barely acknowledging their environment.
The group trudged on, until Fresh Groves appeared in the distance.
"We go in, secure fruit, we depart."
"I wasn't plannin' on stickin' around for long." Garry muttered, this place sounded shit already.
Morgan looked over the horizon to the small village. She sighed quietly. "I can see smoke..."