Claws of the Wastes

by Claws of the Wastes

A talking, intelligent Deathclaw wanders to bring some semblance of justice. Perhaps creating a better future, in the process. With a cross-country trip, a bit of vengeance along the way. Suspecting they are the last of their species, this is going to get reckless! Everyone wants to believe that a Deathclaw is one of the worst creatures in the Wasteland, after all. (Reworked!)

29. Alone Amongst the Wreck

Chapter 29: Alone Amongst the Wreck

Despite my reluctance; I decided to humor him. Usually, I would be pretty dismissive with such... private details. Myles however is a different case, I'm pretty sure.

"So... it's similar to humans despite some anatomical differences?" He asked with acute uncertainty.

I had to ask. "Why are you so interested? This information won't help you. Not in the slightest."

He stammered for a moment. "Ca...can I not be curious? You are telling me that you, in my situation. Wouldn't you be wondering how things work for another species? I don't know about you but I'm not exactly curious enough to go observing deathclaws, just because!"

"There is such a difference between being curious and perversion. You are borderline on the latter. You don't go and see me prying and bothering you about many personal matters! Now, If you don't mind; I want to sleep now. We have to make some good distance tomorrow, get out of Rose Bloods territory." I turned away from him to face the rock face. Didn't even give him a moment to argue my decision to sleep.

I didn't pay much attention to what he was saying but I did still wish him goodnight. This area seemed fine. The fire should die down before the night fully falls. These Rose Bloods must be such an issue.

I can't wait to wipe them all from this accursed Earth. The thoughts that filled my head before I fully fell asleep would put a Raider to shame...

"I am proud of you, son. Don't worry about what anyone else says. You are doing great!" Dad enthusiastically addressed me.

Here I was, surrounded by the cold unforgiving walls of our home. Relaxing on my own with a pile of various Books and Magazines, in our Library.

I didn't even turn back to face him. "The other kids are mean, dad. So mean. I'm always getting picked on for being smaller, weaker! Here I am trying to improve myself, learn about our technology and understand our Vault, our home. They come by and throw my nicely organized piles of books all about the place. They…!"

He just sat down next to me on the rather large-sized bench. Pulling me in a gentle, silent embrace. We sat there silently, he swayed me back and forth gently. "Hush, son. We talked about them already. You are doing great things! Your ability to take information that I don't even understand is mighty impressive! You are me and your mother's miracle. We couldn't be happier with who you are, other kids be damned! It shouldn't matter what you are doing. While you are improving the Vault for everyone they are having meaningless fights amongst each other."

I know he was trying to cheer me up but I couldn't help but feel... powerless. "I'm improving the Vault for a bunch of bullies who will only get worse as they grow older!'

"Nonsense. Your mind is aging far faster than your body. You will be so far ahead of them by the time they're sorry hides reach adulthood!"

He patted me on the head and stood up. "You think so, dad? Most of them my age seem like mindless brutes. They don't listen to reason and just want to toss me around simply because they can!"

"Tell me this, John. Do they know how to fix the filtration system with their brawn? Can they operate a terminal by beating it up? So they know what dials to press to clean our water system? Can they change the pipes on the food processor? Do they know the intricacies of our power generators?"

I thought for a second. "No, I don't see anyone else working on any of our purifiers and such. If anything they would end up sabotaging it."

He couldn't help but laugh. "Haha! Yes, exactly! Ocrum and I were talking; we wanted to ask if you would like to start a teaching course for everyone. Many of your brethren are not nearly as... advanced as you are. We think you could do some good for us all and maybe it will help the children your age understand you! What do you say?"

"You think I can do it? How would we even be able to ask everyone to partake in it? Where do I even begin? They will probably have plenty of things to ask me that I won't know about." Needless to say, I was skeptical.

He gave me a nod. "Yes, it will be pretty difficult, to begin with. Ocrum was suggesting getting some of his higher-performing children to partake first. They would be a good way to determine if you are capable of teaching us all. You should go see him, he can tell you more."

"I think he's been...busy, lately. I would rather not disturb him. He's usually occupied with others far more important than me! I don't want to interrupt-"

Dad stopped me. "Okay, John. We both know what you mean. I'll try and ask him to meet with you. We don't need you being stuck in that situation of interrupting him."

Oh, thank goodness! "Thank you, dad! I haven't quite figured out how to... handle that."

He went to leave the library. "You should ask your mother about that one. She will help you far more than me. She always was much better at putting those into more comprehensive sentences."

Yeah...I don't think I'll do that. Despite his intentions, I'll keep that one to myself. I never thought getting older would be such a rollercoaster. Wonder if any of the other children are feeling the same? My dad said my mind is processing faster than my body. Is that such a good thing?

Maybe I'll ask my mom some questions after all. I don't quite understand these feelings. Everything feels wrong. Dare I say sadness? What reason do I have?

I went back to my books, not bothering to delve deeper into my own despair. Our library mainly held Pre-War literature about society before the bombs fell. I've never been outside the Vault, sure. But I can get a pretty vivid imagination of how the outside world is or...was.

Never seen a human before either. They don't let us outside or make contact with any people that do show up. Ocrum says to keep our Vault secret but why? Humans seem so progressive and advanced. They built the Vault, after all, right? No way we managed all this with our claws.

I'm not going to pretend that everything is alright in our home. Ocrum and his inner circle aren't telling us everything. Dad even isn't giving the whole picture. They want me to be a teacher? I'm not even an adult yet! According to Ocrum, you aren't an adult till he gives you the privilege to mate. I'm sure it's based on age rather than eggs sired, what the heck do I know.

I would rather not get into all that though. It all seems strange to me anyways. No one questions it though. Ocrum is our Overseer, Pack Alpha, and Leader. Everyone just follows so blindly without even questioning or asking the "why" of it all.

I'm not blind to the fact that he went from wanting me dead to wanting me to help him. When I first hatched he debated having me killed simply because I was different.

I'm happy my parents both fought against him, killing me as a youngling. I won't ever forget it though. He's no better than the rest of our pack.

Just because I'm the only Albino in the Vault doesn't make me a plague, right? Most other males my age are brown or darker scaled. Neither of my parents are Albino.

Was I really a mistake?

Not from my parents, no. Maybe from a genetic standpoint. My mother and father tell me I'm special. I don't get treated like I'm special though. They tell me about how there was another Albino, long ago. I was never given a name but he accomplished great things and came from a Vault of talking deathclaws too.

I wish I could meet him.

Speaking of. Recently a lot of us got told we are intelligent deathclaws. Turns out there are wild, feral versions of our species. I can't even comprehend that. Nothing in our Library says as such.

I would like to know more but no one would say anything. Just like I thought beforehand, we only get half said measures of any situation. We aren't allowed to ask too much. Just to get dismissed, every single time.

Delving much deeper will just end up getting me watched more than I already am. Part of me hopes this is all just some elaborate joke to just keep me in the dark till I'm 15.

Only time will tell.

My dad always tells me how special I am. How I will, and have done amazing things.

My mother tells me I'm destined for greatness. Just got to get a little older to understand it all...

I awoke in a panicked gasp, hitting my head against the massive boulder behind me. I was fully awoken by the shock of the impact.

"You are destined for greatness," I repeated to myself as I laid back against the rock. The looming, Wasteland sun glaring down on my scales and blinding my eyes to nothing but a bothersome blur.

It was way past morning. We slept through nearly half the day at this rate. Gathering my things, angling my Bumper Sword so that the light will shine in Myles' eyes, waking him up.

He pretty much grumbled and groaned instantly when the light made contact. "Goddamn it, I had the perfect angle out of the sun." He held a hand up, blocking the beam from the shimmer.

"Too bad." I snapped back at him, "We have to get going, we slept long enough. Get your things together. I want to be out of enemy territory by tonight."

I watched as he reluctantly got up, wiping his eyes, and glared at me. As much as he could with the sun blasting his vision. "Do we ha-"

"Yes! We overslept. Now get your ass up or I'm leaving you here."

Myles knew arguing wasn't going to win him anything. But he did just lay there still, facing away from me.

I patiently waited for a moment. Then after a few more moments, I kept waiting and waiting. "You like to explain to me why you aren't moving?" I asked him, as calmly as I could muster.

He stammered his speech. "W...well you see, John I just woke up and I have a bit of a problem that I am...waiting to go away."

I couldn't help laughing at him. It was a small chuckle at first and then grew more and more till I couldn't control myself!

"It's not funny!" I heard him blurt out in-between me trying to contain myself.

"Oh but it is! Just think, we are here, out in the open. We are going to get jumped and ambushed because you woke up with Morning Wood!" I nearly collapsed at the thought. Everything we have been through and survived and that is what gets us.

He attempted to justify himself. "You know how long it's been since I had any action? You're telling me you don't get these or that you would expect me to react the same way you are?"

I stood up, shaking my head. "Not saying that I don't but it would be a bit more revealing for me, wouldn't it?" I looked down at myself and raised a leg, slightly off the ground. "Lack of pants does that to you. As for action, it's been much longer for me than it has for you. I am certain of that!"

I leaned against the rock in silence for a few moments, resisting the urge to lean over him just to get a reaction. I simply said. "I'm waiting."

You could almost feel the distress in his voice. "It won't go away! Normal conversation usually does that but, nope!"

I pondered for a moment and weighed our options. "Would you like for me to leave so you can deal with it?" I asked him, seriously.

"Out here, in the open? Are you crazy?!" He protested, adamantly.

"Well, you are behind a rock. The road is behind us," I pointed behind me with my thumb claws. If you are quick enough you probably won't get sniped, probably," I suggested.

"Are you telling me you have experience doing that or something?"

I paused for a moment and simply gave him a. "Yes."

"Not helping!" He yelled at me.

"Do you want me to stand guard then? I mean I can he-"

He stopped me with desperation. "No, no, and no! I don't want you to do anything! I want you to shut up!"

"Fine, fine! I'll just wait. No rush, we are just in enemy territory."

With that, he just instantly stood up, turned around, and glared literal daggers at me for a solid minute. "Okay, let's fucking get going."

He gathered his things, quickly and stormed off past me. It was a quick and decisive action. He wasted no time and said absolutely nothing. That look said it all.

Myles was already storming himself down the roadway. I grumbled to myself and avoided looking at sunlight, adjusting my eyes on the ground.

"Myles wait!" I called out to him from behind.

He stopped in his tracks, I could almost see the glare already even though he never even turned around. He just gave me a nasty "What?!"

With a frustrated huff, I kept myself together. "Look, I just wanted to get back to you for all the inappropriate questions last night. I wasn't messing with you out of spite. Just friendly revenge. I am sorry for taking it as far as I did, can we both agree to disagree and move along?"

He spun around to face me, counterclockwise and just gave me a look that I couldn't tell. It's almost like he was trying to process and make sense of my reasoning. "Really? You could have just not-" He stopped mid-sentence and slapped his forehead, turning back around. "Okay, fine. No argument. Let's keep going. You are right about the fact we are in enemy territory. Come on."

"Fine by me, lead on. I'll keep an eye on our flank."

I checked my watches to make sure everything was accounted for before we got too far away. So far, so good.

We strolled along the road for a good while, in silence. This roadway was more decrepit than usual. It was littered with a massive car pile-up. Almost like a crash had happened. Was this before or after the bombs?

Myles stopped and placed his hands on his hips, looking upon the wreck. "Look at that. I've never seen such a massive pile of crashed vehicles. Military and civilians alike. They are blocking the entire roadway and stretching past the horizon."

I joined him at his side, finishing his sentence. "Must have been a checkpoint, before the war."

Do...you want to look for some resources?" He asked me with uncertainty.

All it had to do was glance down at the first military vehicle, seeing the ragged skeleton with a hole in its head. It laid down on the steering wheel. "No, this has been long looted, before the world fell. You can see the remains of how events went down"

I pointed at the crashed vehicles, piled up around the military truck. "See? This military soldier probably crashed, got swarmed by an angry mob of civilians, and then got killed on the spot."

Myles only scoffed and walked past the vehicle. "I would say poor bastard but the military, up to the bombs dropping? Yeah, they sounded like a bunch of pricks, from what I heard."

I only gave a nod of approval, following him. "I hear tales told of them being not so pleasant, leading up to the end of the world." We both stopped completely dead in our tracks after going around the massive pile-up.

"Oh."

"My."

"God."

We both uttered at the same time upon crossing the horizon. It was a massive wall built out of wrecked and ruined cars. It sat directly on the crumbled roadway and stretched for miles. It was cylinder-shaped, for the most part. I did notice some jagged edges here and there. The whole thing looked like it was forged and melted together. The various colors of the smorgasbord of cars all clashed and rusted together under the Wasteland sun. It looked just like more of the crashed vehicles below, from a distance. You wouldn't think anything remarkable about it at all until you were right on it.

Myles almost went charging up the roadway, I stopped him. Tugging back at his shirt I pulled him back, behind one of the crashed vehicles, below the hill. "You can't just charge a place like this!" I scolded him, despite his unconcerned look. "That's a good way to get us both shot."

"But it looks so cool! I want to see it up close!" He whined like a brat.

Is he serious right now? "You are actually joking, right? Like did you lose all your brain cells in the time it took for you to lose your-"

We were both distracted by the sounds of various degrees of guns cocking and getting their safety turned off…

Wait, most guns these days don't have a safety button.

"Come out, hands up, and don't do anything stupid!" I heard a rather vicious-sounding woman scream from the top of the hill.

Myles, being the genius he is, leaned his hand over, from behind the slab of metal we were stuck behind and despite my concern, wasn't shot.

"What are you guys, exactly? Raider? Scavenger? I can't look at you without getting my head blown off. So, what is it?"

I heard some chatter among them and concluded there were 7 in total. I relayed this to Myles with a tap of my tail and holding up 7 claws. He gave me a nod of acknowledgment.

After some silence, the same lady spoke. "We are the guards and citizens of The Flea Garage. You are an uninvited and unintended guest. You are trespassing on our home, it's our job to know who's walking our turf. Got to protect our own, you see?"

"I understand ma'am, what's your name?" Myles asked.

I heard her grumble, unwavering. "I'm not looking to get personal. If this gets ugly. You are trespassing. We only allow expected traders and caravans through here."

I heard some chattering amongst our opposing force. I, unfortunately, couldn't determine what they were saying. They could just charge us, they have the numbers.

"Well, my name is Myles. My companion and I are just looking to pass through. We are following the road to Nevada, you see. I'm not looking to cause any trouble or give you all any kind of issue. I wasn't aware this was an exclusive territory. I have never been out this way. We will turn around and leave but you are going to ensure our safety."

I heard one of the men speak up. "Myles? Is your companion a Deathclaw? Did you meet Adam outside of Megaton? He's told us about you. Thought he was crazy. Your story does line up with what he said though. Going to Nevada, traveling with a certain special companion. Didn't believe it for a second but here you are."

Myles himself only paused for a second, peeking his head out. "That's me, can you put the guns down now? We just want to pass here. We aren't raiders or anything you would consider trouble, believe me."

I could almost visualize the lady waving her hand to tell the men to lower their weapons. "Sure, sure. You left a decent impression on Adam and Styx. Those two are inseparable. They are part of us. We have stations all over but they stopped by here yesterday."

I could hear some mumbling between the guards. As well as a small crowd of what can only be assumed to be citizens. Myles was trading pleasantries with the boss lady. "Malic, call me Malic. I'm the head guard and I suppose the leader of this establishment."

Myles revealed himself. Trying to be as non-threatening as possible. He didn't even consult me first before going around the car pile we currently were held behind.

He shook her hand and she dismissed the guards and everyone else standing around. "We should get inside. I have an odd feeling someone is watching us. Raiders get brave when people are distracted."

Myles pointed back at my location. "What about my er...Deathclaw?"

I heard her stop, shuffling the dirt. "You mean that isn't a made-up thing? I haven't seen him yet. I was under the impression that it was all a joke. Well, bring him out then!"

"Sure thing!" He peeked over the pile of cars and whispered. "Okay, act normal and follow my lead, just like before"

I gave him a nod without saying a word.

"You promise not to shoot him? Heck, don't even raise a gun. He might take it as a threat."

She confirmed. "I promise. You hear that everyone?" She addressed the guards along the walls and anyone nearby. "No. Shooting. The. Deathclaw."

Here goes nothing, right? I followed Myles' movement and slowly, cautiously leaned around the corner of the wrecked pile of vehicles.

To my surprise, I wasn't met with raised weapons or gunfire. Rather fearful expressions and those debating to run on previous experience with Deathclaws. I can only imagine.

Malic approached me. She trod lightly and was just far away enough to not get in swiping distance. "Well, that is indeed a deathclaw. Quite impressive to keep one docile. How do you do it, does he have a name?"

Myles came by my side, padded me on my shoulder, and leaned around my side. "I raised him from an egg. We have been together ever since. You can call him Lambert."

She clasped her hands together, nervously turning around and seemingly to intentionally show off her rump. I wasn't...looking or anything but it was difficult to miss her intently protruding it out in our direction. "You two may run along or enter our walls. I'm sure we can give you a job or two, supplies to purchase, and trades to make. I see Lambert is carrying most of your goods. I will allow you both passage and I'm going to go see everyone, let them know you are clear." She paused, turned back around, and addressed Myles. "Come see me in my office before sundown, Myles. I may have a...proposition for you both."

Before Myles could press her for more information she was already off. I'm not sure if that was her intention but it all felt very...playful. I wasn't sure how to feel because she invited us both! No doubt about anything regarding innocent conversation.

I watched as Myles nervously crossed his arms, leaned against me, and quietly said. "You are aware of what she just offered us, right? I wasn't the only one who got that vibe. What do you want to-"

He was interrupted by a bulky tin man in reinforced, reinforced metal armor. He might as well have been in a Power Armor suit at that rate. It clanged and clacked as he slowly made his way past the gateway of cars. I couldn't deduce any other features than it was a man, I think. Through the muffled sounds of his visors, I heard him say. " I have been given clearance to search you two. I'll be looking through the deathclaw first. Have him raise his arms above his head and no sudden movements!"

Myles stopped him as I stood there like...an animal. "Woah a second there Metal Man. There is no point in searching him. Before you bother asking why I'll tell you why. Did you happen to miss he is a Deathclaw? You can't exactly confiscate those talons. Secondly, he doesn't like being touched. You'll earn yourself a nasty gash that way. He doesn't have anything illegal on him, I promise. He carries my goods to trade. We aren't here to blow anything up...if I was going to do anything I would use him to do it. Not just hold my crap."

"But, sir. I have to-"

"Are you going to let us in or can we take our business elsewhere? Seems like you guys need us a lot more than we need you." He grumbled at the man.

He gave a defeated sigh, looked up at me, and clanked his way backward. "Fine, but the Deathclaw stays outside."

To that Myles shook his head. "Lambert comes with me, or not at all. He's not a threat." He paused to rephrase that. "Okay, he is. But only if you make him one. He's loyal and smart. You and everyone here have literally nothing to worry about. He knows better than to slaughter random people. As reassuring as that may or may not be. Besides, Malic invited us. Did you miss that?"

"No, no I didn't! It's a regulation to search people. We get those who try to sabotage us all the time." He sputtered under his enclosed helmet.

"Go on then, if you are brave enough to search a deathclaw. Go ahead, see how good your metal suit holds up." Myles raised his arms for a second, smirking confidently.

The man approached me, shaking slightly. I could only tell from the way the sun reflected off his impractical suit of armor, practically blinding me. I gave him a threatening growl as he drew closer and raised an arm to rifle through one of the pouch pockets. He, of course, hopped back and shuttered. "Okay! Jeez, you win. I'm not brave enough. Can you just show me what's in them? I admitted, are you happy?"

Myles confidently and easily removed one of the satchels from my shoulders. "Only because you admitted what a chicken you are." He said while opening it. Revealing our stock of ammo and medical supplies from one and our extra weapons and food stocks in the other. "See? We don't have anything suspicious or contraband. Just stuff travelers would have. Can we go in now?"

He re-strapped the bags to me and glared at the metal man. I adjusted my shoulders slightly to get them back in a comfortable position.

"I swear to god, if you deny us again we are walking…" He angularly stated. Tapping his foot impatiently.

He only shook his head, somehow in that metal suit. "You two can pass. Have a wonderful time. Please don't cause trouble."

"Yeah, yeah. Thanks for the time waste. I will, however, tell Malic you did a good job. Keeping the place safe, while annoying. I can appreciate it. What's your name, metal man?"

He paused and almost seemed amazed at the compliment. "I'm...Brandon. Brandon Wallace. Go ahead. I'm sure Malic has already announced it to everyone. I recommend you two check out the bazaar, the chapel, and the brothel. Though the last one is not for what you probably imagine." He fiddles around his pockets and hands Myles a small, written-looking card. "When you enter the Brothel ask for Lily's Leggings. Something is going on here. Something dangerous. We need a stranger to deal with it. Malic will probably set you up with more information. You didn't hear any of this from me!"

Myles looked down at the card for a moment and missed Brandon walking away. "Lily's leggings." He murmured to himself. "At a Brothel no less. Seems we might have some decent work ahead of us. Let's get a feeling of this area."

I gave him a subtle nod and followed him through the entrance gate. This place was much more sprawling and massive than I thought from the outside. The walls that made up the pile of cars stretched much further than I could have imagined. It wasn't just a circle of cars and metal that was made up from the outside, no. It was split into different sections. The entrance that we were in seemed...lacking to the rest of it. It had plenty of people going about their day and trades, mingling and going from section to section. The different points seem to be split into sections. As in, one for residence, one for trading, and another for utilities.

We got plenty of looks and glares from many of the passing citizens. I took note of the citizens in pre-war clothing. None of them seemed armed. Women in old timely skirts and dresses. Men wearing sports shorts and jeans. Clothing I only ever heard about in stories about pre-war life. What's the point of embracing the past if the surrounding area is still of reality?

There was a man, someone who stood out massively. Golden lined suit and a white flashing silk laden with his entire outfit. He was greeted and met with pleasantries from nearly everyone.

He came up to us, smoking a cigar, and looked like a pompous, rich, sniveling Pre-war bastard. He wasn't bulky like one might expect, no. He was thinly built and had a scruffy beard. It was unevenly shaved on each side, probably a style choice so he can stand out. As if his blinding suit wasn't unnecessary enough. His skin was brighter than my own. White as a ghost.

He puffed a circle of smoke in Myles' direction and stared at me for a good moment, looking me up and down before throwing the cigar upon the ground and firmly stomping it down, drawing the attention of many of the nearby citizens.

"I wasn't aware we were letting mutants into our humble citizenship. I haven't built my whole life to let someone like you walk around like you own the place." God, his voice was high-pitched and absolutely annoying.

Myles just scoffed at him and kept walking. I followed suit, fully avoiding the now rage branded man. I wasn't sure where or what we were heading to but anything to get away from this bastard was better.

We found ourselves in what can only assume was the center of the sprawling, I suppose city? It was much larger than Megaton. Maybe not vertically but horizontally, for sure. There was a signpost. It had a whopping 5 different directions.

Behind us, Entrance/ Workspace

To the Right, Barracks/ Utilities

To the Left, Residential Area/ Bazaar

Forward, Brothel/ Bar

Some odd diagonal path, in between the Brothel and Bazaar was labeled one thing. "Savior"

Curiosity filled me with that one. It was so different from the other labels. I looked at Myles and pointed at that signpost.

All he did was look at me and then back to the post. "Really? That's where you want to start? Not the Brothel?" He cleared his throat and sighed. "You want to find out what's going on. Okay, fine. Let's get going."

We made our way up a much different looking and feeling path. It was spread out with many effigies and candles leading up the pathway. The path itself was met with a different wall. The metal here was much more high quality almost as if it was forged for such a purpose.

Myles and I ended up at the top of the hill. Met with a massive cathedral-looking building. It seemed almost untouched by the war of the world. The entire structure seemed...pristine. Its bright, rainbow window panes illuminated the inside. It's a V-shaped, slanted roof with a spike in the middle. The symmetry of the building was obvious. During our approach, we heard some faint voice blasting in the distance.

"Come and join me, wash away your sins! Sacrifice your misery to me! Give me your sorrows! Open your heart to me!"

We heard the booming of some enthusiastic man, going through the loudspeakers…

Myles and I skeptically approached the medieval-looking set of double doors that adorned the from of this lost-in-time-looking cathedral building. I gave him a nod.

He silently pushed the doorway open. The man's spouting of nonsense grew more and more vocal. Once the double door flew open we were met with...an empty room.

Aside from the silhouette of a Pastor looking individual and the row of pews and seats that adorned this dusty interior.

I could see the spectacles of dust and dirt that flowed around the room. The various colors of beams from the window. They landed so perfectly through the flowing abyss. Time has not treated the inside as well as the outside.

Support beams and flooring were all too ruined and broken. The inside looked on the verge of collapse, a massive crack in the ceiling right above where the Pastor sat, turned away from us. Sitting at a bench with unlit candles. Only shown as a shadowy figure in the dusty darkness.

"Excuse me, sir? We heard you from the outside we are-"

Before Myles could even finish his sentence the Pastor stood up, turned around, and grabbed at the speaker, just like before. "Myles, and John. I know who you two are. I have been following your journey. Quite an impressive feat, you two pulled off. Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me. Come, you two. Let me hear your sorrows. Maybe I can help set you along the right path. Oh, and lock the door behind you. I wasn't expecting you two so soon."

I brushed Myles forward and fiddled for the lock.

I made sure to take an extra amount of time, waiting to hear what Myles decided to do.

He asked the Pastor. "Who are you, exactly? How do you know about us?"

He turned himself around, standing up and receiving himself to the peaking strands of sunlight. He was a Super Mutant!

He instantly raised his bulky hands to make peace. "They call me Uncle Leo. I'm not here to bring you any harm or trick you two. If anything I can help you two. There is something fishy going on here. It's no coincidence that you two ended up here. Please, give me a moment to explain."

Myles didn't want to hear at all what this Uncle Leo was saying but I figured we should hear him out…

The Mutant addressed me directly. "Please, John. You and I are both outcasts, Victims of F.E.V. I can help you two if you let me."

I finally decided to speak up, if all he says is true I have no reason not to. If he's lying, we can kill him. "Fine, we can listen to you. You so much as tell us a single lie, try to run, or do anything stupid. You'll be dead."

The large Mutant stood up, revealing himself completely to us. He was Green colored and seemed very different from all the usual ones. "Okay, thank you. To begin, I have access to various radio and signal channels. Enclave and Brotherhood. My technology was cryptic and secure. No one else knows I was listening and that's why I know about you two. It happened completely by accident." He paused for a moment. Adjusting his large Pastor uniform and continued, facing away from us. Looking out the rainbow-tinted window behind him. "When I heard that someone was standing up to the Enclave and their efforts to stop them and the Super Mutant's reign. The reports were...concerning."

I just had to ask. "Why do you care? You are a Mutant, you should be on their side."

He only shook his head, adamantly. "No, no. I am a remnant of the Master's Army. I already saw enough of that during those years! Once his influence passed, once The Vault Dweller killed him all those years ago. Rather than letting myself fall into disarray, I decided to find something to live for, on my own. No more Master, no more murdering Mutants. You two helped that effort." He scanned us both with his eyes and tried to smile despite his teeth being exposed already. "Thank you both."

"Why did you end up"

I tapped Myles on his chest, gently to stop his question. "Hold on, Myles."

"Leo, you were with the Master's Army? I only ever heard things. What can you tell me?"

He sat down, pushed over a table, and rested his legs on it. "You don't need to know about The Master. What I can tell you is that there is a rumor going around. There is some kind of Massive Metal, Mutant, Hybrid, Thing! I have no doubt that's tied to the Enclave being destroyed and ruined. Sent here to check who, or what is responsible. Whatever, or whoever this is should not be trifled with. You two should be warned. I have all the reason to believe that whatever this thing is, it's after you!"

"Do you have a name for this person?" Myles asked him, somewhat concerned.

Leo only shook his head. "No idea, only bits of reports and some initials. F.H. That seems to be the leader. Sorry, that's all I can tell you."

"What about all that religious talk, Leo? Why did you talk in such a way as we approached?" I just had to ask.

He only laughed and laughed. "I wanted to draw your attention. I am a Preacher. I give people something to believe in, something for me to believe in. We can't hide away from the reality of the world we are in. I'm not here to shed people in lies, more to open them up to themselves. Live with their choices to survive. We have all done things we would redo."

We both agreed on that one. "Ain't that the truth."

I decided we were here long enough. "Okay, Leo. Thanks for the information but I think we have more matters to attend to. You'll keep anything said here to yourself?"

He stammered for just a moment. "Ye- yes, I won't say a single word of what we discussed. If anything got out, it would be me, right?" He looked at me, almost fearfully. "I have no doubt you would kill me, John. You are ruthless and deadly to a point. Farewell, you two. Stop by again before you leave. I don't like going out into the square where everyone wanders."

With a nod of agreement, I turned around. "I understand that. I don't like being around so many people either. The looks I get are...unpleasant, fearful." Another thought came to mind as I watched his movement with Myles.

"What makes you so against other Mutants as well?"

Leo paused for a good few moments, across the way. He almost seemed to think long and hard on why he was specifically against other Super Mutants."When Project Purity was still underway. I took it upon myself to...join the Mutants in their Vault, where they were being created. I managed to make it off like I was made there, like the rest of them. Despite my arrival being sudden, unprepared. They accepted me only for a short time. I couldn't bear to see them drag settler after settler to expand their numbers." He said, remorsefully. "I already saw it with The Master and his army. It's something I didn't want to relive. I first made efforts to convince them that these efforts were unnecessary. Once they didn't listen to the use of violence and capture to not be the only option. I freed the prisoners that were there and banished myself in the process. It was soon after Miss 101 ran through there. In search of a G.E.C.K. I don't know the details after that. All I know is Mutants still run rampant and no one knows where."

Before I turned to leave with Myles I decided to give my condolences. "Leo, you know me and Myles took out a Super Mutant operation that the Enclave was supervising. I have reason to believe that whatever remnants remain are still operating and creating Mutants. Their numbers are weak and dwindling, it's only a matter of time."

"You are right." He said to himself silently. I heard him turn back to his radio and gospel writings. Feels almost...strange leaving him here all alone. But I could tell that Myles wanted out as soon as we could manage.

Speaking of he was waiting for me outside, leaning on a nearly broken fence, and gave me a look of uncertainty and questions.

I asked him "What is that look for?" While I strode past him.

He trailed behind me, slightly. "Nothing, just...feels strange, everything Leo mentioned. I got some pretty sketchy vibes from the whole thing. He almost seemed to know more about us than he let on. I just wonder if there are anterior motives or if there is more to his story than he said."

I turned around to face Myles, walking myself backwards down the slope to the signpost. "You worry too much. If anything weird happens from here we will have probable cause to blame him. The worst comes to worst if he sells us out. We will kill him, simple. If he really knows us, he will know better." We approached the bottom of the hill."Guess I'm going back to being your pack animal."

I scoffed at my final sentence, turning back around, and ended up just before the signpost. Activity seemed slightly less than before but large groups of people still wandered around. They paid us no mind for the most part.

Myles scampered in front of me and pointed to the signpost. Of course, Brothel.

Upon seeing my look of disappointment shook his head. "No, not for that. It's our only lead at the moment." He leaned in and whispered. "Lily's Leggings, remember? If it's anything dicey or inappropriate we will leave, promise. I want to get back on the road by tonight. We don't belong here, after all. Checking the stores won't hurt though."

I gave him a growl of approval and we made our way to the Brothel. The entire setup to this seems like it is leading to something else. I couldn't help but wonder how filthy and vulgar the place was going to be. Not to mention the...sounds that will most likely echo through the halls. The world has gone to Hell, might as well enjoy it. Or so some people say.

Too bad I can't tell Myles I would like to get this done as quickly as possible…

We went under a massive, ripped-looking tarp. It was adorned over some kind of shoddy-looking gateway that contained no door, it was just open. The majority of structures and decorations were man-made, self-sufficient. This place can sustain itself without touching the outside world ever again if it wanted to. They had the numbers, space, and utility. It had all the makings of a thriving community. Which means they have some deep, dark secret, hiding from the general populace.

Some of the glares I got made me incredibly uneasy. Especially with one woman, walking with her barely adolescent child. She seemed so disgusted that we were not only traveling together but that we were going in the direction of the Brothel.

How did I even end up in this position?

Yeah, Myles, let's go to Nevada! I wanted absolutely no distractions, especially not of the Brothel variety! If he books a room with some whore, I swear. I will foil that plan.

As thoughts filled my head of how I would foil any situation he would get himself into. I never even considered the possibility that he would try and get me in with someone.

I should have explained to him that I have absolutely no interest in spending the night with some subpart whore. Not to mention the amount of disappointment and shame that would come from stooping to such a level of depravity. I always told myself I was better than that, more in control than that.

Myles has grown good at ignoring people. He was usually pretty confrontational whenever we got harassed. It was almost 3 times we had some kind of annoying or condescending comment on our track there.

Part of me wished we stopped to deal with that. Stall for more time…

Despite the diversity of metal shacks and towering piles of scrap. I knew we were at the Brothel just from the look of the building.

I saw it, in the distance. All lit up and alluring for those of broken souls. Or needy loins, whenever one afflicted them more.

As we approached there was a scantily clad...woman, at the entrance. She might as well have had nothing on. It somehow would have covered more if she was completely nude.

The lights and beams that lit up off the estate were blinding even from a distance. A light that seemed to be a leg, moving up and down, changing color and shape from being extended and down. It looked Pre-war and was definitely from another vulgarity-funded establishment.

White, to red, to green. Wonderful, all the colors of Christmas for all your bodily needs!

The lady, if I can even call her that. Lit up as we approached. She looked like a classic Chem addict upon drawing closer to her features. Her bags under her eyes had bags. She was dirty to such a degree that I wonder how anyone could be so desperately needy to get that thing in bed! Whatever excuse for excessively exposing attire she wore looked like it was made of elastic, easily removable material. The only way it makes sense is to draw the attention of people who are easily enthralled by...fleshy mandibles. Or it's the dress code around here.

"Mhm, my, my. You're a new pretty face. Looking to get you and your Deathclaw rangled for the time of your lives?" She said in a very forced seductive tone. "Welcome to The Garden of Eden! We allow all forms of Individuals and Creatures, Mutants, and beings! From Robots, to Super Mutants, to Ghouls, to…" She paused for a moment, looked behind Myles, and winked at me. "Deathclaws."

Myles stopped her right there. "We aren't here for that, believe it or not. We-"

She seemed to lose the cheery demeanor almost instantly. "Aw? You know how many of our ladies would love to be ravaged by such a big, beastly reptile?!" She sighed and continued, seemingly only for the job. "What brings you here then if it's not for the pleasure of the flesh? For either of you."

He cleared his throat, walking in front of me but stayed away enough from her to not be in touching distance. "Lily's Leggings mean anything to you?"

She pondered for a moment and got a wicked smile. "I'll tell you, on one condition."

Oh no…

Myles crossed his Arms and asked almost viciously. "What would that be?"

She didn't even hesitate, shamelessly pitching her idea. "Have a threesome with me, with your deathclaw and I'll tell you everything you want...maybe even more..." She trailed on as if her brain would consist of anything that would be considered useful to the world.

Myles was appalled at such a suggestion. He looked at me, back to her and then back to me. Not for approval, no. More of a; Can you believe the audacity of this bitch? Unfortunately, yes I can. I expected this otherwise I would be more surprised.

"Do...do you know how much that won't work? Have you seen the difference in size alone? I can't believe you would even think that I would go through with that. You must be Jetted out of your head! Not only will I refuse you. I am going to tell you how stupid you are! I will find my information elsewhere, have a terrible day, Whore!"

I had to resist the urge to laugh at Myles' little outburst as we turned around to leave the skank to process what just happened.

He sighed, angularly. "I suppose we should see Malic. Tell her about this whore and figure out if she can tell us anything useful. If not we can just check the stores and leave."

I gave him a nod. Resisted the urge to turn around and look at the crier to The Garden of Eden but, alas. We kept going. I did have a question I had to ask Myles, once I'm able to.

We quite literally ignored everyone and everything along the way back to the center of town, where the signpost was. How can I suggest to Myles we check the Bazaar along the way to Malic?

I walked my way in front of him, shook one of my satchels gently, so he heard the changing of jewelry we got from our previous...excursion.

"Oh, right. We can go to the Bazaar on the way to Malic, sure. That way we can just end up leaving if need be. I'll let you lead." He pointed to the left of us.

I know he had to make it seem like I'm being directed but damn, he must enjoy this. Being about to "boss" me around. I don't doubt that he doesn't mean it out of spite but, it could be fun to hold such a "power" over me. If I'm to be a pet.

It would seem that the residential area is completely a part of the Bazaar. It's just rows upon rows of stalls, homes, and tables. It's heavily guarded and maintained. Wonder if they get a huge problem with thieves? Myles carefully walked behind me, trying to ease the tension of a deathclaw walking through the marketplace.

I'm not sure if he shared the same opinion as me but, these stalls seemed lacking. Decorations, toy cars, conductors, and various other scrap was aligned on most of these. Each trader saying they have better deals than the last, typical.

Myles was trying to be interested in the stock but kept denying the offers. Nothing here we can use, at least not on the road.

He stopped one of the salesmen and asked. "Excuse me, where can I sell things. For Caps? We are new here, just passing by."

He did pay attention to him for a moment. Adjusting his shoulder strap and then jumped up on realizing it was, in fact, him he was talking to. "Oh, pardon me. I was observing some scrap. What did you want, to sell? Yes, uh...there is a station at the end of the row you are currently in, it looks like a train cart."

Myles gave him a nod of appreciation and a typical "Goodbye."

The man stopped him though. "Wait, you aren't interested in anything I have here? Got some really special stuff, maybe give me a tip for the information?"

Myles sighed probably to avoid confrontation, pulled out a single Bottle Cap, and put it on the merchant's table. "What can this get me?"

After a moment the man ruffled through a box and set a single 9mm bullet on the counter. "Just that!" He said, smugly.

Myles just told him. "Deal!" Picking up the bullet and quickly walking off.

We decided to ignore the rest of the stalls. Just making our way to the train cart. Fortunately, it was easily spotted. What was also easy was ignoring all the attempts to grab our attention.

The design was just as one would expect. A bright red toppled over Train Cart. It was large and imposing. It had a few lights here and there on the outside but nothing too remarkable.

Myles knocked on the outside. "Hello? Is anyone available? I was told I can appraise and sell things here?"

It took a moment but someone did answer the knock. A figure in a bulky-looking hazmat suit was on the other side. The interior was completely pitch dark. The first thing they said, through the respirator was. "Hmm, Deathclaw. That's new."

Myles shook his head. "What? No, no. He's not for sale. I-"

He interrupted Myles, monotone as before. "Good, I don't want to take care of him anyway. Why do you bother me then? I thought I made it clear I wasn't interested in all those toys and scrap."

"Would you be interested in Pre-war jewelry and accessories?" He asked the trader.

The Hazmat man pondered a second and said. "Let me see what you got before I make a deal."

Myles only nodded. Pulling out the golden watch, asking. "How about this? For starters?"

He saw that the man went to reach for it but Myles pulled it away.

"I can't appraise it without seeing it, feeling it. I need to see if it's real or not." He said, annoyed.

"Fine, if you try to run or steal this I'll send my Deathclaw on you. I promise that he will kill you." He paused, raising the watch, slightly before slowly allowing it to trade hands. "You best be sure you aren't going to do anything stupid."

With another hand, he gave the typical. Yeah, yeah gesture. "I know better than to steal from strangers, let alone one with a damn deathclaw." He kept looking at it, poking at it, and turning the dials. "Seems real to me. Authentic even. Where did you get this at?"

Myles only smiled. "You'll never believe it. I was bathing myself in a lake one day and hit my foot on a seemingly surfaced crate. When I opened it, it almost seemed like a time capsule, from before the war. Almost everything else was useless but that was unique so I kept it."

The appraiser gave a nod and gave us a price. "I'll pay you 2000 caps for this. I have never seen anything like it and I think I can fix it. A functional watch will be pretty impressive. What do you say?"

"Sounds good to me!" Myles shouted, seemingly excited.

It sounds good to me too. That will last us a while if we are smart.

He handed back Myles the watch and went back to his cart. "Wait here a moment. I need to count the dough."

Myles looked down at the watch while we waited. He almost seemed sad to let it go. He does realize we have more, right? We can't sell them all at once. That is too suspicious.

He handed Myles a large, clangy sack. "Feel free to count it but I based it off of weight. It will take a moment to do it that way."

Myles only took the sack, strapped it to the other two I was carrying, and smiled at the trader. "I trust your efforts, believe it or not. If it's a little off I don't think I'll mind. We have places to be anyway. Can't be spending all day counting. Thank you for your time and Caps, sir!"

He wished us farewell and went back into his Train Cart. Locking it back up with a *click* This clanging and clacking of the caps upon my waist only reminded me of Brandon and his metal suit.

I didn't doubt that someone saw that transaction go down. Despite the fact of the Cart being, for the most part. Secluded. I made sure to look over our shoulder as we made our way to the assumed direction of Malic's home.

Logically speaking I feel like it would be past the bazaar. Residential areas split into wealthy and important, away from those less fortunate.

Myles stopped me and pointed out to two individuals up ahead. "Hey, I think that's Adam and Styx up there. I thought they weren't here?"

"Well, I'll be! It's Myles and Lambert, Adam! I heard they were here but never thought I would run into you two, how the hell are you?"

Adam seemed as unimpressionable as last time. Watching us like a hawk, eyes untrusting and silent.

"Hey, Styx! It's you two we have to thank for our entry. You told some people about meeting us? Thanks for the opportunity but we won't be staying here much longer. Malic said she had a proposition for us. Can you tell me where she usually is?"

Much to my surprise, it was Adam who spoke up. "She's got a line of people making complaints and bitching about the world. You most likely won't reach her tonight." He paused, rested his rifle against his leg, and leaned on the buttstock of it. "Any idea what she could have wanted?"

Myles just shook his head. "No idea. She gave us no hint or indication of what she could need us for. Say, do either of you know what Lily's Leggings mean? We kept getting bits here and there but no one will give us a proper answer."

Adam scoffed. "Lily's Leggins is the code phrase for some secret underground of people who Malic set out to discover about some disappearing people. They use it as a code phrase to not draw any attention. Given the Brothel here, most will think it has something to do with that. It's an operation where people need to lay low and make discoveries and report back to her. That's probably what she wanted to enlist you with."

"Why us, exactly?" Myles asked.

Styx cleared his throat and rummaged through his backpack. "Well, think about it. You two are strangers here. No one knows you, no one will suspect you would be investigating such an occurrence. It is easy to ignore you. Despite the Deathclaw."

"We think whoever is behind the disappearances has connections inside our walls."

"Is this tied to the girl you are looking for, at all?"

They both shook their heads, simultaneously. It must be true then. "No, she's a different issue entirely. Unfortunately, we cannot do much regarding getting information. The enemy suspects us both."

"Have you any leads?"

They looked at each other and then at us. "Well, there is an awfully suspicious camp at the edge of a cliff. It's really close to here. We think it's a Rose Blood encampment but we want to be sure" Adam kicked up his gun, catching and cocking it in preparation.

"Yeah, and we don't want to look at it alone. Malic can't and won't spare anyone. If you two would join us, we would go, make sure it's safe."

It does give us something to do. Myles thought about it for a second asking. "What cause do we have to think this is a threat?"

"I'll tell you along the way, let's go."

We walked past the bazaar and made it back to the signpost. They seemed to be walking at an exaggerated speed. "Okay, so. This isn't like the typical Wasteland camp. This thing is made of metal and seems to be almost a whole ass building. It was erected almost out of nowhere, right outside by a cliff. Adam and I have been scouting and watching it grow. We have tried to make contact, once. No one answered or seemed to be there these last few days."

We exited the front gates and gave our farewell to the guards and Brandon. Styx and Adam pointed out in the direction we were heading, off in the distance a massive, rocky cliff. "On the opposite side of that rock base. It's tucked away right at the edge of that. Looking over The Flea Garage. That's no coincidence."

They took the lead, Myles pointed out, looking behind us. "Yeah, I can see what you are saying. I would find this suspicious too."

We all made our way to the cliffside. No doubt rushing to beat nightfall.

As we began our ascent, a worrying sensation filled my body.

I got a bad feeling about this…

The camp was much closer than they let on. It was at about the halfway point. Not only was it not a camp it was a structure, an Enclave structure! Built into the ground.

"You have to be kidding me…" Myles blurted out, annoyed.

Adam and Styx loomed at him, confused.

I could see it, in the dirt. Landmines. Quickly grabbing them both by their shirts and pulling them back.

The action made them both jump and gasp in a small panic. "Why did he just grab us?!"

Mykes put his hands out and pointed at the dirt. "See? Landmine. He just saved you two. Now, keep it down. Lambert, let me see the sword."

With a growl of approval, I turned myself around, allowing Myles to remove the Bumper Sword from my back.

Inch by inch he carefully and methodically defused each landmine that blocked our path. Using the tip of the blade to hold the switch and his other hand to defuse the device. Fortunately, they all seemed like Frag Mines.

"See? Not so bad. As long as you have some kind of lengthy pole or stick you can defuse any Mine with relative ease."

We all stood outside of the massive, metal pillar-looking building. It was bulky and black as night. It seemed like it was uplifted from the ground itself, Enclave insignia proudly for display on the assumed doorway.

The three of them got guns ready and aimed at the doorway. It was closed tightly and lit up like it was powered. "Open the door, Lambert. We will blast whatever is through there."

Styx faltered for a moment. "It's amazing how he knows exactly what you mean, and listens."

I used my body to block the fact I had to operate a small terminal on the side to open the door and it...wasn't locked. The only option was to "Open the Bulk Frame Door."

This has trap written all over it. Probably some Death Box made to trap some unsuspecting Wastelander.

Despite my gut telling me not to press the button I still did anyway. The doors opened with an audible shing, crossing both sides of the metal casing together, revealing the dark insides.

"Hands up! Any sudden moves and you will be shot, we have you surrounded!" I heard from the outside.

Before I could even manage to turn around I was picked up from the darkness. A massive, silver-lined hand grasped me at the neck, lifting me into the air. Bashing my horns against the metal ceiling. All I heard was a booming, robotic voice. "I don't recognize you!" Before I was tossed back outside, landing on the ground so harshly I felt something crack.

I tried to stand up as quickly as I could but...couldn't. I was met with the barrel of a super-charged-looking plasma rifle against my head. I could see the waves of plasma energy flowing out of the corner of my eye, lighting up just enough to see the rest of the features of the weapon. This, this here was going to kill me.

I couldn't turn my head or it would surely draw attention. The stomping of whatever was in the building came rushing out in full swing. Whatever that thing was, it was massive! Not as massive as a Behemoth but larger than myself. "I grew tired of waiting for some sorry fool to initiate that. It's about time someone did." His voice boomed and shook the ground beneath me. It seems Myles, along with Styx and Adam had surrendered.

I could see him scanning across us all. "Who do I start with?" He then jerked his neck to me, I couldn't see under that heavy, metal respirator but I could sense the smile.

Everyone else grew silent, holding their positions. Whoever this was their own Soldier's seemed to fear them. "Been quite some time since I saw a special Deathclaw like you, let alone an Albino. Living, breathing. Go on, say something. I know you can. I know that look. Your whole species should be dead but here you lay, submissive and pathetic."

I just stared at him, defiantly. Despite the gun against my head and his imposing figure.

"Still no? Maybe this will convince you." With the speed of light, he pulled a sidearm from his waist and quickly shot two bullets into my chest. Which caused me to roar out and jitter in pain.

He crouched next to me, his gargantuan frame covering my entire vision. He stared at my two bleeding wounds and calmly said. "Now, the next one is going in your head. Speak, or die!"

I snarled at him. "Go. Fuck. Yourself!"

He stood up, content with that. "Pick him up and bring him to the rest. I have a point to make."

I tried to struggle out of the grip of the two soldiers that grabbed under my arms but it was futile. They almost seemed like Super Mutants with the added strength of Power Armor.

He paced back and forth, from Myles to Styx. I was in the middle next to Adam. They had us all standing up, held, and at gunpoint. I could see that there were only 5 in total. Including the huge leader.

"You have no idea who I am, do you?" He asked me directly. Keeping his hands behind himself, leaning in and seeming very obsessed with my eyes, he kept checking them.

"No, I don't know who you are. Nor do I care. If you are going to kill us, get it over with. Save your fanatic nonsense for the dogs!"

One of the soldiers commented. "As feisty as the last one! Do you think they are related?"

The gargantuan Mutant grabbed my horn and shook my head, violently. "I don't doubt that. The color, the attitude. They must be. So, where is Goris, Lizard? I have a score to settle."

I have never even heard that name before. "You are mistaken, I don't know who you are talking about!"

I only got a look from him that spoke (Oh, really?) He took out the same sidearm and aimed at us all. Almost as if he was playing at who was going to get shot next.

Without a second thought, he shot Styx, right in the head. Making him fall to the ground in a *thud*

"Holy shit, Styx! I'll fucking kill you all!" I heard Adam yell.

I saw him, with the corner of my eye break free from his grasp and absolutely light up the person who had him held. Now was our chance!

I quickly got in front of Myles and used all my strength to push the soldier that held him. Using myself to block an incoming shot and kicking him a gun all in the same action.

Styx was punching at a soldier and pushed him off the cliff, that soldier also grabbed him on the way down. I didn't hear a scream or a crunch. I'll have to check that later...assuming I get out of this.

I body-checked someone else and picked up another with all my might. Breaking their spine on my knee and tossing them aside. Their screams echoed throughout the setting sun and then he was upon me…

The large Mutant creature. Stood up to nearly double my size. His imposing stature and demeanor made me quiver. I will not falter, not here.

He just stood there. Cracked his knuckles and snickered at me. "I am Frank Horrigan reborn! You are a mistake, of science. I will cleanse you from this land, just let me!"

He picked me back up, by the neck and began to strangle me. He attempted to snap my neck but couldn't get the force behind it to pull through. "So weak, so pathetic. You should never have been created! You are a stain on humanity. You are-"

As he was spouting nonsense I managed to twist his wrist and kick him back, using my weight to sway myself forward enough to knock him back. Grabbing at my neck and coughing up whatever air my lungs could manage. "The only stain on humanity is you, and the Enclave."

I looked around for Myles who was currently in a gunfight that he looked to be losing. I gave Frank no opportunity to catch me again. I quickly pulled the Bumper Sword from my back and ran to Myles, just on the opposite side of the building.

With a leaping slash over the structure, I hit the soldier dead on the middle of his helmet, splitting the thing in half, all the way down to his torso. They never even saw it coming. I slammed down with so much force that the sword was stuck in its lower half. I couldn't get it unhinged.

Myles joined my side and unloaded an entire magazine into Frank which did. Fucking nothing. He didn't even flinch or anything. It didn't even seem to get through the thick frame of his suit.

"Your bullets are pointless, your efforts are futile! Just give up. I'll make it quick."

I scoffed at him, looking down at Myles who was on the verge of panic. "I hope it will be quicker than your movement!" I yelled back at Frank.

"Myles…" I said looking down at him. We were at the edge of the cliff. Running out of room to back up.

"Yes, John? Is this it?"

I shuddered my last word but I managed to tell him. "I'm sorry."

He couldn't even ask me what. I pushed him off the cliff. Despite how it might sound it was a calculated move. I don't think anyone else noticed but I heard running water below us from where we stood. That's why Adam didn't splat. That's why Myles won't splat. I didn't look but I can only hope it's a river or something with a straight shot down.

He'll find his way out. We can't win this one. I picked up the handle of my blade, still attached to the body of the previous soldier, and flung it at Frank, projecting it in his direction.

Sharpening the bloody blade upon my other hand, I ran the red-soaked, sharp tip through my talons. "Close your eyes, Frank. It's time to say goodnight."

End Chapter: 29