This story got its own logo and cover art now. Do you like it? I sure as hell do. I drew them myself while simultaneously writing this chapter. Maybe the pretty picture will attract more readers :D
I hope you enjoy this chapter, because things are already starting to kick in.
T'was a cold morning in the Mojave. The sun had just risen to illuminate the somewhat lively wasteland, barely peering through the Bison Steve Hotel. Ravens perched on the roller coaster trail, cawing at each other in a language only they could understand. Overall, a relatively comfortable morning.
Madoka was sitting on a chair that was set up in front of the building that she had stayed on this whole time, drinking a mug of hot chocolate that she made herself. She likes hot chocolate, it reminds her of her father, who would make her hot chocolate in the morning. Finishing her drink, Madoka was in deep thoughts on what her next course of action would be.
It had been 3 days since Madoka first appeared in the Mojave. Even though she intended to search around the wasteland to somehow find a way back home, she has yet to actually do it. Perhaps…
Madoka had found out that she had been taking refuge within a building with the sign "MOJAVE EXPRESS". Judging from what she saw at the front of the building, she concluded that this Mojave Express is probably some sort of a postal service. Perhaps she could ask Mrs. Nash about it. Getting up from her seat, Madoka reenters the building to once again ask Mrs. Nash about it.
Ruby Nash was sitting on the front counter of the Mojave Express post office, sorting out a few documents while her husband is out fetching radscorpion poison glands. Her husband, Johnson Nash, is actually the Manager of this Mojave Express outpost, but sometimes Ruby would help her husband in his business. She sighed, for she was having trouble hiring enough couriers for this particular job.
Yesterday, a securitron who calls himself Victor asked for seven couriers to deliver some items to Mr. house, the leader of the New Vegas Strip. Each courier was tasked with bringing a single item to him. It doesn't seem to be a difficult job at first glance, and yet she already encountered a problem. The first guy that was hired as courier number six turned down the job for some reason, and so the job falls upon courier number seven to replace him.
It should have been the end of that conundrum, until she found out that courier number seven was not even present for the job. So now they are left with only five couriers. Six couriers would still be sufficient to do the job, but only five of them were not enough. Before she could figure out how to solve this issue, Madoka entered the building with an empty mug.
"Good morning, Mrs. Nash." greeted Madoka.
"Ah, good morning, Madoka. I see someone's finally putting that cocoa powder to use. We certainly don't drink those all that often. You can put the mug in the back." replied Ruby.
Madoka nodded and put the mug in the back, before returning back to the front.
"Um, Mrs. Nash?" asked Madoka.
"What is it?" replied Ruby. Madoka had an idea that if she goes out into the wasteland, she could perhaps find some clues on how to return to her own time.
Maybe she could try to convince Mrs. Nash to let her go. As scary as the wasteland is so far, the idea of her friends and family being worried about her whereabouts was more frightening. She knew that she should at least try finding a way back home.
"Can you tell me more about the Mojave Express?" started Madoka with that question.
"Hm? Are you interested in a job as a courier? Aren't you a wee bit young for that?"
"N-no, I just want to know more about it…" although Madoka faltered a bit from that, she had an inkling of an idea that Mrs. Nash was currently looking to hire someone for the job.
"Good, being a courier ain't exactly the easiest job in the world. Anyway, the Mojave Express is a courier group that was formed to take on the task of carrying letters and packages from over the Mojave to New California, and everywhere in between." Ruby explained, "It ain't for the faint of heart, you know?" continued Ruby.
"Ahh. And what about these couriers?" Madoka asked more questions.
"They're the people that do the deliveries, some only do it for the money, some others believed that they were helping folks live out there. Well, they ain't exactly wrong. Just last week, one of our couriers was tasked with delivering a water chip to one of them vaults, which they needed to keep a supply of freshwater."
Madoka knew about the vaults. She was told that some people used them to survive the nuclear apocalypse by taking refuge within the vaults.
Silence reigned in the room as Madoka mustered enough courage to ask the next question, "Can I be a courier?" asked Madoka, the idea of helping people of the wasteland felt naturally appealing to her, and it certainly boosted her confidence.
Ruby only took a sip from her cigarette, and interjected, "Weren't you listening, kid? I told you it ain't for the faint of heart."
"But I can't just stay here, I need to find a clue on how to get back home! My family might be worried sick about my disappearance..." Madoka pressed further, convinced that this was the only way that she'd be allowed to explore the Mojave Wasteland.
"Well, if you're so insistent, then...maybe," Ruby muttered. "I suppose I could ask Johnson if you can be hired to do courier work. This next job sounds easy enough, even for someone like you. Besides, the pay's pretty decent."
This made Madoka perk up in interest. She finally found an excuse to be allowed to explore the Mojave. Although she was still quite afraid of this idea, she also felt a little excited.
"I'll let you know if you're allowed to do the job. Alright?" Ruby offered, and Madoka felt grateful, "Thank you, Mrs. Nash!".
It was high noon in the Mojave Wasteland. Madoka was having brahmin steak for lunch. She doesn't even know what a brahmin is, but she was told that brahmins are basically mutated, two-headed cattle. She had yet to see one in person.
Having finished her lunch, Madoka let the plate be on the table, she didn't exactly see any dishwasher around to put her dirty plate at. Maybe it was somewhere hidden? Madoka could only shake her head to get rid of such idle question from her noggin.
Madoka was anxious about whether she was allowed to be a courier or not. She certainly wasn't expecting Ruby to walk in with an answer.
"Well Madoka, I talked to Johnson about it, and he gave you the approval to do the job."
Madoka felt somewhat happy that she'd be able to help, "Thank you! When do I start?" asked Madoka, perhaps a bit more eagerly than she usually would, even Madoka herself had to admit.
"You're pretty eager, aren't you? You'll be starting your courier work sometime in the afternoon. I'll let you know the detail of your work later. So you'd best be prepared to move out at any time now." answered Ruby.
Madoka had not expected herself to be doing this courier work so quickly, but she was certain that she is ready. Or at least, she felt like she is ready.
"Oh, and before you go, I want to give you something. It should help keep you alive out there. Come with me." Ruby beckons Madoka onto the pile of crates at the corner of the room. Ruby started rummaging through the crates, trying to find...something.
"Ah, here it is," said Ruby as she pulled out a bag and put it on the counter.
"A bag?" questioned Madoka.
"Not just a bag, but also what's inside the bag. Go have a look at it yourself." replied Ruby.
As Madoka examined the bag, she found out that there were indeed some items in it. One by one, she put the contents on the counter, which includes: a water canteen with the number 13 on it, two bottles with the label "SUNSET SARSAPARILLA", two boxes of caravan lunch, a couple of Anti-Materiel Rifle magazines, an olive green duster, a pair of khaki pants, and...an armor? As well as an instruction on how to wear said armor.
"What is this armor?" Madoka figured that it was only logical for her to be using armor while out in a wasteland full of dangers, but she was nevertheless curious about it.
"This, including the duster and pants, is a set of Desert Ranger combat armor. It was left here because it was too small for anyone to wear, and I don't think any folks here nor back in New California would even be able to wear it, let alone buy it. So we decided to keep it." explained Ruby.
"Desert Ranger?" Madoka asked further.
"Yep. A few years ago, the Desert Rangers used to be around the Mojave, trying their best to make the lives of the folks around better."
Ruby paused, took a sip from her cigarette, and continued, "But ever since Caesar's Legion decided to come here, the Desert Rangers started to dwindle. Eventually, the Desert Rangers decided to merge with the NCR Rangers in order to stop Caesar's Legion from advancing through Hoover Dam."
Madoka was impressed after listening to a bit about the Desert Rangers. Even in a post-apocalyptic world like this, some people are still willing to help others and make life better.
"Although this armor seems to be missing its helmet, you should be fine without it."
Having said that, Ruby started to leave, "I have to go fetch Johnson now, he hasn't returned for lunch yet. Probably lost track of time again…"
As Ruby opened the door, she stopped and looked at Madoka one more time, "You should try putting that armor on now, the size seems to suit you just fine, I'm sure. Oh, and since that armor is yours now, feel free to modify it to your liking."
Madoka smiled at her, "Thank you for this, Mrs. Nash!" Madoka felt thankful for all the equipment that had been provided for her.
"Heh, don't mention it."
It was 4 PM when Madoka prepared herself to start her courier work. Checking her bag for the final time, she concluded that all her equipment are in the bag, alongside her pajama. She refused to leave it behind. Besides, it was light enough for her to not mind.
Having already donned the Desert Ranger combat armor, she felt that the armor was a bit too big and a bit too heavy for her. Sayaka would fit in the armor more perfectly, but her own smaller frame would still be sufficient enough to comfortably move around in it.
In addition, she had also printed her own name on the collar of the armor, in English. She found out earlier from the instruction that the collar can, and has been used to display information regarding the owner of the armor.
"Here is your delivery order, and here is your package." said Ruby, as she handed over the aforementioned items to Madoka.
Madoka first opened her delivery order to read the instruction within:
INSTRUCTIONS
Deliver the package at the north entrance to the Vegas Strip, by way of Freeside. An agent of the recipient will meet you at the checkpoint, take possession of the package, and pay for the delivery. Bring the payment to Johnson Nash at the Mojave Express agency in Primm.
Bonus on completion: 250 caps.
MANIFEST
This package contains:
One (1) Oversized Poker Chip, composed of Platinum
CONTRACT PENALTIES
You are an authorized agent of the Mojave Express Package until delivery is complete and payment has been processed, contractually obligated to complete this transaction and materially responsible for any malfeasance or loss. Failure to deliver the proper recipient may result in forfeiture of your advance and bonus, criminal charges, and/or pursuit by mercenary reclamation teams. The Mojave Express is not responsible for any injury or loss of life you experience as a result of said reclamation efforts.
Madoka raised her eyebrows at the mention of caps. She understood completely regarding the rest of the letter, but she doesn't know what caps are.
"Um, Mrs. Nash. What are these...caps? Are they like bottle caps?" asked Madoka.
"Yep, those are exactly what they are. They're the only valuable currency around here." replied Ruby.
"Ahh…" Madoka understood now.
Afterward, Madoka then examined her package. Just like what the delivery order said, it was indeed an oversized poker chip, composed of Platinum.
"Are you sure you want to do this? We could delay the order for a bit to find someone else to do the job." asked Ruby, who was still worried that Madoka wouldn't be able to handle the wasteland.
"I have to do this. It's the only way I know to find clues on how to go back home." Madoka insisted, being already adamant on this idea of hers.
"Well, if you managed to do this job, then I wouldn't have anything to worry about. Just be careful out there, alright?"
"I will!" Madoka reassured.
Making her way to the door, Madoka waved her arm, "Goodbye Mrs. Nash! I'll see you later when I'm done with it!"
After Madoka closed the door, Ruby Nash muttered, "Best of luck to ya, Courier Six."
It has been 7 hours since Madoka left Primm. Along the way, she encountered some of the mutated critters that had left her alone. Giant scorpions, giant geckos, etc. These creatures, for some reason, avoid the road that she walked on, which is fine by her.
The moon illuminated Madoka as she continued to walk along the road. So far, her travel had been straightforward, until she eventually encountered a fork in the road. Thinking for a few seconds, Madoka decided to head left. Perhaps both roads would lead to her destination.
This proved to be a good decision. In the distance, Madoka could see a town. Perhaps she could stay there for the night. Despite the nighttime breeze and water canteen keeping her from getting exhausted too quickly, her legs were getting tired from all the walking.
As Madoka approached the town, she could see a sign that says "GOODSPRINGS". But before she could take another step further, she was suddenly knocked out by a blow to the back of her head.
Madoka woke up with her hands tied and mouth gagged. Slowly regaining her consciousness, she heard some people speaking in front of her.
"You got what you were after, so pay up!"
She tried pulling the ropes off her wrist, but it didn't budge.
"You're crying in the rain pally."
One of the people noticed what she was doing.
"Heh, guess who's waking up over here."
Her vision finally cleared. When she looked around her, she was surrounded by six men. One of them wearing a checkered jacket.
The man in the jacket was smoking a cigarette, before stomping it. "Time to cash out." he said.
Madoka wasn't sure what he meant by 'cash out'.
"Would you get it over with-" said the man with the thick moustache.
But the man in the jacket lifted his finger to make him go quiet, "Maybe Khans kill people without looking them in the face. But I ain't a fink, dig?"
Madoka wasn't sure what a 'fink' is, but the man with the thick moustache seemed offended by it, judging from how he momentarily clenched his fists.
The man in the jacket was pulling something from his jacket, and her eyes widened when she saw what he was holding. "You've made your last delivery, kid." he said, as he pulled out the oversized poker chip that she was supposed to deliver.
And then he put the chip back in his jacket, "I ain't the type of guy that go around shooting kids, but I can't have you runnin' around, knowing that I took this chip right out your hand."
And then he pulled out a gun from his jacket. Madoka thought that she was already in a bad spot, but when she saw the gun, she instinctively screamed through her gag. Her screaming was ignored.
"From where you're kneeling, it must seem like an 18-carat run of bad luck." he said, before he pointed his gun at her.
Tears started to form in her eyes. It wasn't fair! She only just started her journey, and already she's going to die before she could even get a single clue on where she could find a way back home.
"Truth is...the game was rigged from the start."
And the last thing that she saw was the muzzle flash of a gun.
Just as she was about to enter a place to stop and rest, Madoka was ambushed by a group of people who then proceeded to take the thing that she was supposed to deliver out of her hand. Not only that, but Madoka was shot in the head as well. How will this affect her? Find out next time on Puella Magi Madoka Magica: New Vegas.
