Looking from the weather-worn green dino, to the small motel storefront, Veronica frowned. Over her shoulder, the sun was already on its descent in the sky. The distance between the small town and Vegas sounded so much smaller in Six's stories, but, the courier always did have a knack for downplaying things.
Approaching the door to the small motel, she shouldered it open, Rex following her in. A balding man behind the counter perked up, "hey!" He growled, voice gravelled as though he was trying to imitate a ghoul, "no mutts in here."
Rex growled back at the man. Veronica pet his brain casing to calm down, "wait outside, boy," she soothed. Rex whimpered and retreated, sitting down just outside the door.
"You need to train that thing to be less aggressive," he chastised, "what do you want?"
"I was looking for a friend," she stated, looking the man over, "you're pretty angry for a motel manager."
He snarled at this, "I'm an engineer," he said firmly, "but this place needed someone to run it after the owner died."
Veronica quirked a brow, "what happened?"
"Apparently some lunatic shot her in the head," he dismissed, "not that it's my problem. Anyway, welcome to the Dino-Deelight," he huffed, "get a room or get out."
"Wow, you sure know how to be hospitable," she stated. "Have you seen a short woman come through here? Wears goggles and a bandana over her face? Or a tall angry man with an NCR First Recon beret?"
He scowled, "what's it to you?"
"They've been missing for a few weeks, pretty nasty break up, I'm worried about them. So, are our friends," she explained.
"Those two were dating? Coulda fooled me," he dismissed, "the guy in the beret didn't seem like he could stand her all that much - can't blame him, she talks too much."
A bloom of hope burst to life in Veronica's chest. "So, you've seen them? They were together?"
He shook his head, "not for a couple months."
She looked him over, turning her thoughts over in her head, the man matching a description she'd heard before. "Are you Chris?"
The man quirked a brow, "you've heard of me?"
"Six tells a story about how you guys helped a bunch of ghouls out at the Repconn facility," she offered him her most charming smile, "she says you're a saint! Helped them even after the leader - what was his name? Jayden?"
"Jason," he said.
"After he led you on," she beamed, "you're a really good guy!"
He blushed, grinning like an idiot, "well - I - ah…" He cleared his throat, "it was pretty great of me…" He thought for a moment, "you know I saw that NCR sniper over at Primm a week ago when I was stopping by for some supplies. You'll probably find him there."
She nodded to herself, "thanks so much, Chris." She waved goodbye. "I'll see you around…" Stepping back outside, she was greeted by Rex wagging his tail; happy to see her. "Matches what that saloon owner stated," she stated, crouching down and scratching him behind his ears, "seems like we might spend a little extra time around Primm."
After sharing a bottle of water, Rex and Veronica hit the road again, travelling down its winding war-torn path through the winding mountains, and passing through a valley that carved apart the cliffs.
Trudging onwards they drew close to a town, a few people shambling around within. The closer she got to it, she managed to spot a ghoul dressed in NCR trooper armour posted by a make-shift gate. He perked up, watching her approach, service rifle at the ready.
Veronica nodded in greeting at the Ghoul. "Visiting or passing through?" The Ghoul asked.
She glanced down at Rex, "passing through," she stated, "ah, this is the road to Primm, right?"
He nodded, turning behind him and unlocking the gate before pushing it open. "Head straight through," he instructed, "don't stare."
Frowning, she passed through the gate and into the town. Inside, ghouls and super mutants shuffled about, some of them mingling and chatting in the street. She walked the small stretch of street between the gates, eyes catching on a small grocery store near the exit.
Another ghoul was waiting for her who looked her over, "heading for Primm or the NCR Outpost?"
"Primm," she stated.
"Make sure to keep your wits about you, you're crossing into Powder Ganger territory," he stated, "good luck." He opened the gate behind him and she headed out onto the road.
Despite the Ghoul's warning, she found the walk to Primm to be quiet, save for the occasional ant and scorpion. She arrived at the town, looking around for a moment, her eyes catching on a courier's office.
Approaching the ragged door, she pushed it open and stepped in, an old man perking up from behind the counter. "Welcome to Primm, Youngster, this is the Mojave Express Outpost," he offered her a weathered smile, "how can I help?"
"I was looking my friend," she stated, "a-"
He shook his head, "if you're looking for anyone best you speak to Sherrif Meyers," he explained. "The Sherrif knows all the comings and goings here in Primm."
She frowned, "how do I find the Meyer?"
"Gun in a cowboy hat and a pinstripe button-up, can't miss him…" He explained.
She pouted and nodded, heading back outside. As she pulled shut the door and took a step, she almost bumped into a man with exhausted eyes and a greying beard; dressed just like the man inside had described.
"Are you Sherrif Meyers?" Veronica asked, well aware of what the answer probably was.
He quickly looked her over before nodding, "how can I help?" He asked.
"I was actually looking for someone," she stated, "I heard a rumour that my missing friend had come through this way. His name is Boone, he's tall, wear sunglasses and a first recon beret."
"You're looking for Craig Boone?" He asked. "He should be back before nightfall, he just headed out to Novac to pick up some Merchants who were worried about the trip, since The Powder Gangers have been acting up."
She nodded, "is he working as a mercenary?"
Meyers shook his head, "well know, he's-" His attention snapped to an approaching pair of footsteps. "Ah, Deputy, welcome back."
Veronica looked over her shoulder, looking at the ex-trooper with wide eyes. "Boone!"