Author's Note: I just want to say thank you to all the people out there who have read this story. There's still plenty of chapters to write, so keep on reading. Thanks for all the great reviews, everyone! I'm so glad that a lot of you find joy in reading something that I'm writing. Again, thank you.

Chapter 26: Only The Strong Survive

The King paced back and forth in his bedroom, worry set on his brow. Rex barked a few times at him but the King didn't seem to acknowledge him. Rex whined and nudged his nose into the King's hand, and the King sighed while stroking Rex's neck. The King was definitely worried about Raven with the Boomer situation. He knew exactly what they were capable up, what with blasting bombs at anyone who neared the base. Or at least that is what he'd heard. He knew that if anyone could get into the base, it was Raven, but still...the King needed to know if she was alive or dead. He just had to. He sat down on the bed, head in his hands. This was driving the King nuts. He'd never felt so impatient before. Just then there was a knock on the door.

"Come in," said the King.

A King member opened the door. "King, we figured it out."

The King stood and paced toward the other man. "All right. What's the skinny?"

A few other members walked in and one of them put a map down on the pool table. They opened it up, revealing the entire Mojave Wasteland on paper. "Ok, there's the Nellis base." one of them pointed to an area on the map. "But they have bombers shooting anyone who gets near the front, but I did some scouting around there area. There's an old train track station not too far from the base. I think it can lead us into the base, but I'm not entirely sure. The one problem preventing me from actually trying is that it's inhabited by a bunch of Deathclaws."

The King considered this, placing two fingers on his chin. "Hmm. Is that the only other way in?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then we're going to need some help. You," The King pointed at one dark haired man. "Go find Raven's friend Boone. You two," he pointed at two other men. "Go to Gun Runners and get some supplies. Gather up some of our best men, too. Then meet back here in an hour."

They all nodded and left the room. The King was left to his own thoughts, along with Rex. The King walked toward his closet and opened it. Inside was a suit of metal armor, along with a shotgun and a machete. The King sighed heavily and leaned against the frame of the door. This was going to be one hell of a doozy.

Raven bit down hard on the piece of wood in her mouth as Doctor Argyll was preparing to set her leg back into place. Her shin had split pretty well, and Raven stared down at the oozing wound. The ivory and red of her bone contrasted highly to her tan skin, and the girl shuddered. It was one thing to see someone else go through such physical trauma, it was an entirely different story when it happened to her own self. The doctor nodded, signaling that he was ready. Raven nodded and shut her eyes tightly. The doctor yanked on her leg a bit and Raven howled. Tears began rolling down her cheeks as the doctor managed to set the bone back in place. Raven began taking deep breaths, wishing her adrenaline had still been going. But alas, it had stopped just before she got to the doctor's place. Raven laid back on the bed, shuddering from the pain. She removed the piece of wood from her mouth and handed it to the doctor.

"T-thank you," was all she could say.

"You're welcome. Now, I'm going to use a stimpak so that the break will heal faster, but you're going to have to stay off that leg for at least a few days until it fully heals."

"Aw shit. Well, I suppose that isn't so bad, but the King is going to worry about me."

Argyll blinked at her. "The King?"

Raven chuckled a little. "Oh yeah, I forgot. You guys don't get out much." Raven sat up and looked at the doctor. "The King is the leader of some gang over in Freeside. It's kind of part of the New Vegas Strip, but not really. It's a slum, really. But the King is a nice guy."

"Uh huh. But why is he going to worry about you?" Argyll arched a brow, then smiled with realization. "Oh, I see. He has a soft spot for you, huh?"

Raven blushed. "Um, well...maybe. I don't know for sure."

Just then, Raquel walked into the place with an elderly woman trailing behind her. "Raven, this is our leader, Mother Pearl."

Raven nodded, and the woman stepped forward. "Welcome, child," said Pearl. "Took your sweet time getting here, didn't you?"

Raven laughed so hard she snorted. She blushed, then coughed. "Well, I just had to enjoy the scenery. Nothing like a bunch of broken down 200 year old houses to make you feel a wave of nostalgia."

"Ha!" Pearl barked. "I like you." Pearl pulled up a chair and sat next to Raven's bed. "I've been waiting a good five years for an outsider to come along and visit!"

"You didn't exactly roll out the red carpet."

Pearl nodded. "These howitzers of ours aren't just for entertainment, child! Explosive ordinance is what keeps the savages at a distance. Except you! There's something special about you, child, and it was the howitzers that gave you a chance to show it."

"Wait, not just for entertainment? You mean you use the howitzers for entertainment as well?"

"Why not? We've got to get our kicks somehow!"

Raven laughed and shook her head. "Oh my God."

"Now, I did invite you here for a reason, child."

"Yes. How might I be of assistance?"

"Oh, so many ways! Small ones to begin with, so we can get used to what it's like to have a sav- uh, outsider around and about. Should that go well, it may be you can help in big ways, too. We'll have to see."

Raven sighed. "How can we trust each other if you're going to be keeping secrets?"

Pearl crossed her arms over her chest. "You have to keep in mind that you;'re our first contact with the outside world since I was barely a woman. Seclusion has kept us safe, but the world around us is changing. Neon lights in the distance, patrolling robots, soldiers... My youngers think our guns can keep out the world, but I think we need to let it in, just a little, or become its victim. You're that little bit of the world, child. Welcome to Nellis."

The King, Boone, and the King's men crept slowly through the darkness so as not to alert any "wildlife" to their presence. Rex trailed behind them all, panting away like crazy. They'd already taken down a few Deathclaws, but they all knew there were more to be found. Boone lifted the flashlight up and stared down the ray of it into the train tunnel. Nothing. They continued at their slow pace, but the King was growing impatient again. He wanted to be at the base, knocking heads down in order to find the courier. Suddenly a roar was heard, and Rex began to growl. The team stopped in their tracks and the King wet his lips. Something was coming now, for sure.

Boone shut the light off the flashlight and pocketed it. The King's eyes soon adjusted to the darkness in time to feel the breath of a Deathclaw on his face. Instantly the King brought up his shotgun and shot the creature in the face. The monsters howled in agony and stumbled back a little, but then charged forward at the King. The King pulled out his machete and ducked out of the way just in time for the Deathclaw to collide into one of the King's members. Screams echoed down the tunnel as the man was mauled to pieces by the creature, and the King roared angrily as he sliced his machete through the air. The Deathclaw's head clumped to the ground, and its body shortly after.

"Let's keep moving," ordered the King. "The sooner we get to the base, the better."

"I can't believe you're risking your life with a bunch of Deathclaws for the bitch," said Pacer. "She's just a woman."

The King froze, then turned and glared at Pacer. "Mind your mouth, Pacer. She's earned some respect."

"Yeah, she's also earned your bed, too, I take it."

"I mean it, Pace," the King warned. "Knock it off."

"Just like Charlotte." The King suddenly punched Pacer right in the face and Pacer went down to the ground, startled. "Ow! What'd ya do that for?"

The King knelt down in front of Pacer. "I've told you repeatedly to shut the fuck up, Pacer! If I hear one more, just ONE MORE bad thing about Raven from your fucking mouth, I will kick you out of the Kings! Is that clear?"

Pacer grumbled, "Yes, King."

"Good." The King stood up and looked at everyone else. "Let's go."

The King turned in time to see another Deathclaw racing toward them. His anger fueled his reflexes to react quickly, and he charged toward the Deathclaw, machete in hand. He swung his machete and blood splayed across the walls of the tunnel. The King had managed to take off one of the Deathclaw's claws, and the beast screeched in pain. The King quickly holstered the machete, grabbed his shotgun, cocked it, and shot the creature in the head repeatedly until the Deathclaw went down. Boone walked up beside the King, crossing his arms.

"Damn," was all that Boone said.

"Yeah. See, I didn't become the leader of the Kings with only my charms and my looks. I had to fight for it."

Boone motioned toward the wall and the King noticed a door. He walked to it and opened it, noticing a slight stench from inside. He backed up a little.

"How bad is the smell?" asked Boone.

"It's...tolerable."

The rest of the men, including Pacer, as well as Rex, caught up with Boone and the King. The King opened the door again and this time, the stench was a bit more strong. The King held his breath and Boone took out his flashlight. He clicked it on and aimed it into the room. Dozens upon dozens of eggs were spread out through the room. And in the middle of the room was the Bull of the Deathclaw pack. He was way bigger than any normal Deathclaw, and from the looks of it, twice as malicious. The Deathclaw growled at the group.

"Uh, King?" said Pacer.

"Yeah?"

"Now would be a good time to get the fuck out of here, yeah?"

The King swallowed and slowly backed away. "Agreed."

They all turned and ran away from the door down the tunnel. All except Rex, who just growled at the monsters. The King stopped and yelled at Rex to come, but he would not listen. Just then a molerat came out of the room and Rex attacked it. The Bull Deathclaw came staggering out of the room and raised his claw to Rex. Rex looked up and cowered down, still growling at the beast. Thankfully, as the claw came crashing down, Rex moved out of the way and started biting lon the creature's leg. The beast leaned his head back and roared loudly from the bite. Rex, in fear, let go of the leg and started running toward the King. The King blew out a sigh of relief and he started chasing after his men. The Bull Deathclaw began to run after them and he was much faster than the current prey.

"Look! I see a light at the end!" yelled one of the group members.

"Get moving!" yelled another.

The King and Rex increased their pace, running past a few of the King's members. The Deathclaw stomped angrily toward one and clawed him down. The man went down instantly and the Deathclaw started biting into his flesh. The rest of the group bolted down the tunnel, sweat beading on their brows and their chests hurting. Soon the Deathclaw lost interest in the corpse and started chasing after the group again. Closer and closer, the team got to the light. And closer and closer, the Deathclaw got. Soon the men managed to run into the light and outside the tunnel. Not too far off in the distance they saw the Nellis base. The Deathclaw Bull came running out of the tunnel and screeched at the men. They all got their guns and started firing at the Bull, but it didn't seem to affect the creature much. They all started backing away, still firing. Suddenly the King had an idea.

"Hey, any of you got a grenade?" he yelled.

"Here!" one man pulled out a grenade and tossed it to the King. He catch if flawlessly.

The King pulled out his machete. "All right. Hopefully this will work. Keep him distracted!"

The men kept firing at the beast and the King charged toward it. This made the Bull stop in its tracks, as if it was stunned that its prey was coming to it. It resumed its running and the two ran toward each other. Suddenly, as they closed in proximity, the King slid between the Deathclaw's legs and sliced one of the legs with the machete. It only caused a small gash, but it did what the King wanted it to do. The creature roared in pain as the King stood up behind the creature. He jumped onto the beast's back but dropped the machete on the ground. He pulled out his shotgun as the beast flayed about, trying to get him off. The King stuck to the Bull like a fly on shit, and he shot the creature in the back, causing a huge hole in the skin. The beast roared and ran around trying to get the King off, but to no avail. The King took the grenade, yanked the pin out with his teeth, and smashed the grenade into the hole. He then fell off the Deathclaw and started backing up. The Deathclaw turned and started charging toward him, but not before suddenly exploding into a thousand pieces. Some of the pieces got on the King's armor and face, and he grunted in irritation.

"Oh, ew." he said, brushing himself off. The others just started at him, their mouths agape.

Ok, I really hope I wasn't god modding too much, lol. If I was, please let me know so I know not to do it again.