In the year 2307, the Capital Wasteland remains the same as ever. Dust Storms and death spread its tainted ground. This current storm seems to be one of the worst. It's that time of year again after all, raiders and various wasteland creatures seem to come out in endless numbers during these storms.
A band of raiders prowls these storms ready, waiting for some unfortunate prey that may be a wastelander or some poor mole-rat.
They kill only for sport and joy, despicable!
These people, monsters are true filth to these wastes not any of the wasteland creatures. The storm seems to have picked up as the journey went on. Waiting and watching as a group of four raiders seem to have held up some unfortunate duo forcing them upon their knees in the middle of the road facing the ever so fading sun. The odds were not in their favor it was four against two and these wastelanders seem to just get by… barely, just like everyone else. Except for these raiders, they get everything by taking everything. A figure watched from on top of a cliff, unable to be seen past the flurry of dirt and grime through the air.
The Raiders tied the hands of their two unfortunate captures and searched them taking whatever little caps they had if any.
The bright amber eyes watched every move these raiders made their leader wore a makeshift, jury-rigged set of armor made out of street signs and rebars with what?
Human skull top shoulder pads, obviously all for a show, the typical mishmash of various cloth and metal bits not that we should expect any sort of decency or integrity from this bunch. Unable to hear what they were saying, the figure crept forward using the dust cover moving as quickly and elegantly as one can in a Sandstorm. Closer than they possibly wanted to be, should have just kept going... Why stop for these people? This happens all the time! What are two more dead wastelanders going to make in this Hell? Waiting, watching behind a rock cover from the storm and from sight. What is even the plan?
The leader swung their saw blade-covered bat around the heads of the two captures, scaring them too badly. Maybe it's a good thing they are blinded, feeling only the rush of wind from the swings.
"This sorry couple will make good caps, turn them in, putting a collar on em"
Slavery? Do they still do that here? Shouldn't be surprised any rules in the Wastes never will be. The other three raiders just nodded in unison. They must be terrified of this man, given his wicked smile he must find pleasure in tormenting others, especially if he is going to get paid.
Suddenly one of the raiders shot in the storm causing the two captured Wastelanders to jump on the spot, all the raiders began laughing like maniacs
"Damn stray dog trying to..."
Suddenly pausing as if listening for something she held her hunting rifle up, cocking her head, staring into the storm where the dog was.
Holding her other hand up in a fist as if to tell them all to quiet down all but the sounds of the storm and quiet sobs of the soon-to-be slaves. Then a pack of six vicious dogs came jumping out of the abyss of the storm; two managed to catch one of the raiders before they could react. Fortunately for them, the fancy bat leader hit those two across the neck in one swipe causing them to be thrown back, letting go of the unfortunate raider they got a hold of. That makes two down as the other four circled the two captors only able to hear the growls and pats of the paws against the sand. In an absolute panic, the man who was tied got himself up and began running into the storm.
Does he realize he just left his wife? Unless they made a plan.
The dogs started to give chase then turned their attention to the wounded raider who was now incapacitated due to her leg being bit open... And her rifle got jammed perfect! What a stroke of luck, one of the other raiders got pounced and knocked down and bit right on the neck, killing him instantly, their leader just seemed disappointed he didn't do more work not that he was dead.
This is the raider's life, no one will miss him. The remaining dogs focused on the leader once again not even realizing his other soldier left him for dead and the woman who was tied up is nowhere to be seen, when did that happen? In a sudden action, all the dogs turned together to see the hooded figure behind the rock watching the whole situation and was watching the whole situation, waiting for an opportunity. Looks like the time to shine. Standing up from the lowered position behind the massively bolder they made their way to the four dogs, they all charged in unison and all died in unison with a fatal slash splitting the majority open upon the sand.
Turning their attention to the raider leader trotting at them at full speed ramming into him, knocking him upon his back, making him lose the wind from his lungs, and tossing the bat aside.
"What have we here? A raider with all these numbers dead or left?" The same raider was still trying to recover from the bashing he just received.
"Fuck… you," he managed to breathe out.
Just got a deep laugh out of the hooded figure. "I don't believe you are in any position to play big shot here. Look around you all your people are dead and your Slavery plan failed and those wastelanders are most likely dead. " Picking up the raider from the neck and setting him back down.
"What the Hell are you?!" They shuddered, fearfully.
The hooded figure turned around and walked into the storm. "That is something you don't want to know, I'm pretty sure." Pausing for a moment before pressing onward. "Good luck getting out of the storm."
No reason to kill him, he's beaten and probably won't be making it out of this anyway.
Looking at the way the man ran to the figure made their way in that direction coming across a building along the road, the storm got even worse, peeking their head they found… Nothing, just an empty kitchen. Squeezing into the doorway creeping through the kitchen and entering a living room of sorts, eyes adjusting to the dark, there was one of the raiders, the one whose leg got all ripped open from the attack from the dogs.
Holding her rifle shakingly she spouted.
"Who the fuck is there! I heard you creaking."
Stopping for a moment behind the doorway. "Are you sure it's not just the house being old?" Making their presence known and darting past the doorway.
"What the hell are you saying, who are you?"
"That is none of your concern, I recommend putting your gun that doesn't even work down before this gets nasty."
In a moment of thought, she threw it down. "There it's fucking down! Fucking piece of shit doesn't work anyway" but then she thought. "Wait... How did you know my gun quit working?"
Lurking in the corner standing ever so vigilant. "I saw the whole ordeal, the capture of that couple and the dog attack. Your leader still lives, you know."
She almost seemed mad at that news punching the wall and then giving a pained grunt. "Fuuuck my leg, it's messed up. I'm stuck here."
The figure walked closer, tall and imposing inspecting the wound.
"Hmm, well you know I would help you out, but you are a raider, the scum of the Wasteland you do not deserve help."
Looking her straight in the eye, but she couldn't tell past that hood and robe, it kept their whole body and face hidden. They meant everything they said. Her face just fell at that even if it was true did she deserve to die like this? Probably.
"Tell you what, " pulling a stimpack from a satchel under their robe. "I am not a monster like you, however, if you want to live, you must work for it." Tossing the stimpack out the window behind the couch the raider was on.
She looked at him with disgust and hate "You motherfucker! Can't you just give it to me!?"
"No, you must suffer like those you make suffer, get a taste of your own medicine and maybe it will set you free."
She tried to get up, but couldn't, not even a little bit. "I can't even get up you bastard!"
"Well, guess you will die then." making their way to the kitchen again "Best get moving, I'm going to find that couple and once I do, I'll be taking that stimpack back, assuming you haven't found the strength to pick it up. Or end up dead."
Before she can even say anything the hooded figure left with a grin, satisfied. This outcome of that and only they would know of.
Making their way down the road they heard a scuffle, a barrel fall, wood break that sounded exactly like a fight rushing over there. It was the raider who had run away fighting a gun from the woman who disappeared. Not wanting to watch this the hooded figure made their way behinds the building and in one swift action pierced the back of the raider making sure not to hurt the woman he gasped and gurgled and she screamed bloody murder, pulling the raider back and throwing him to the ground our hooded figure leaned down introducing himself before she could even comprehend what happened.
"Hello ma'am, my name is John and I'm here to assist you."
