(Edit) Chapter 1 - Back From The Grave

In the town of Goodsprings, all was well and quiet for everyone. People were either out tending to some of the bighorns and whatever few crops they got, or they were inside the local saloon, downing a bottle of whatever they can get for a few caps. Though there was one man in said saloon, who stood out from all the rest.

Said man, was currently sitting at the bar, with long dark brown hair going down to the back of his neck, with eyes of the same color, and a 5 o'clock shadow adorning his face. He was currently wearing a set of worn leather armour, and had a rifle slung around his shoulder. The funny thing about this man is that over a week ago was dug out of a shallow grave after being shot in the head, and robbed of his package. The small scar atop the side of his head proves it. You see, this man was a courier for the Mojave express, and was charged with making a delivery, at least that's what he remembers.

After being dug up by a securitron named Vic, and healed by the miracle worker known as Doc Mitchell, it turned out that the bullet caused some severe head trauma which gave him amnesia, with only bits and pieces of his memory staying in tact. The only thing he remembers was what happened before he was shot, bits of his past job, and his first name, John. Sadly he cannot remember his last name, and that seemed to be a real pain the ass for him. Though there was a possible solution to the current problem, and that solution relied on the other woman that was dug up. Said women was currently in bed in the doc's house, and still unconscious. Seriously, that guy either had the worst aim, or was shooting rubber.

Though back to the topic at hand, whoever the woman was, hopefully she had a clue as to who he was and could shed some more light on where the son of a bit while he waited for her too awake and prepared to go after that man in the suit who shot him. Though while he was busy waiting he spent his time getting use to the feeling of shooting a gun again and helping out the town.

There was also an incident with a gang known as the Powder Gangers, but he was able to drive them out of town, and manage to save one caravan worker named Ringo. Though he now has to pay the price of being on the bad side of a rather annoying gang. He didn't have any problems with them ever since he drove them out of Goodsprings, but according to some of the townsfolk, they are known to attack wanderers on the main road, and can be a real problem in large numbers. Didn't help that they seem to have an unlimited amount of explosives, and just decide to throw them at people like it was bloody new year's eve.

But those were thoughts for a latter date, right now the courier could only sit at the bar, and drink in somewhat peace, and await for the mysterious woman to wake up.

"Well look at you, not even past noon and already at it." A voice called out from beside John.

The courier looked over to see a young woman, wearing the same armour, with a rifle just like his slung around her shoulder. She had tanned skin like his, but had a lighter brown hair color than him, but had similar eye color. Sunny Smiles, the local town guard of Goodsprings, and town gecko hunter, and the one who helped John get back his bearings. Beside her was a dog, with grey and black colored fur, and was happily wagging her tail while she started at the courier. Cheyenne, Sunny's proud partner in crime.

"Oh leave him be Sunny, Johns had a rough week." Another voice called from across the bar.

Everyone looked over to see an older woman standing behind the bar. She had Caucasian colored skin, with messy dark red hair, and darker green eyes. She was wearing a simple blouse shirt, with a tan jacket over it, and tan slacks. This was Trudy, the bartender/owner of the Prospector Saloon.

"Yeah, busy waiting waiting for his lady friend to wake up probably has him on the ropes right

now." Sunny said with a grin on her face.

The Courier just sighed at Sonny's playful attitude, but brushed it off. Ever since he first woke up and met everyone in town, Sunny would sometimes tease him about not wanting to leave his 'lady friend' behind. She had the intention that the two were probably an item or something, and the courier couldn't exactly say no, since he had no idea if it were true or not. Another annoyance caused by that jackass in the checkered suit.

"Yeah yeah keep talking Sunny, I just love it when you say things like that." John said with the utmost sarcasm.

"Well, I'm happy to be of service, but it's gonna cost you." Sunny said with a smile. (hehe)

"Well Sunny if that's the kind of work you're trying out for, I don't see a bright future for you." Trudy said as she leaned over the bar.

"Oh shut it, people love my voice, right Johnny?"

"First of all, don't call me that. Second of all, stick to gecko hunting, this town doesn't need to die due to the sound of you rambling on about random shit." John said.

"Oh you're just jealous is what you are, ain't that right Cheyenne?"

*bark bark*

The Courier just smiled and placed his drink on the top of the bar, and decided to change the subject.

"Well moving away from this ever so graceful conversation, I am a bit worried about that woman. It's been a good week now since I woke up, and I'm worried, both for her, and for how much farther that jackass Benny gets. I can do patience, but every moment counts, and I can't let this trail go cold forever."

"Well at least you have kept yourself busy this past week. From fixing that old radio, to saving that Ringo fella, and helping with the occasional gecko here and there, you have gained a reputation here in Goodsprings, and have really helped out." Judy said.

It was true, ever since the courier woke up, he did nothing but good for Goodsprings. Other than the Powder Gangers, and helping the caravaner Ringo, he also helped out to make sure that the geckos weren't too much of an annoyance for Sunny and the town. If the geckos got to close and personal with the water supply, it could tamper with the water, and ruin it. Clean water was hard to come by, especially in a war torn wasteland where everything is either burnt away, spoiled, or mutated into something really weird. Such example would be the geckos themselves. Over 200 years ago, they were nothing but cute little lizards you could keep as a pet, and only ate small insects. Now they are like the size of a greyhound, and are vicious as hell.

Like what the hell?

"Yeah, and I have also been trying to get back into shape again. Getting buried alive doesn't do well for my back." John joked.

"Oh quiet you, you're like what, 20 or something?" Sunny asked.

"Don't know, can't remember."

Everyone just chuckled at the couriers nonchalant attitude. He had proved to be an easy going guy, thought he seemed to be real serious when required. Was pretty easy on the eyes as well. The courier then got up from his seat, and walked towards the exit of the saloon, deciding to go check up on the woman once more, and see her condition.

"I'll go check up on her again, maybe see how the good doc is doing." He said as he walked out the door.

As the courier walked out the door, the two remaining patrons stood there, and decided to take a quick drink of gin.

"I still have 20 caps on she is his wife or something like that." Sunny said, bringing up the bet she and Trudy had started.

"I didn't see a wedding ring on that finger hun." Trudy said.

"Where the hell would you find a wedding ring out here in the wastes?"

"Doesn't matter."

"Yeah yeah, just be ready to pay up when she wakes."

Sore.

That was the only feeling Glynda Goodwitch felt.

She felt her eyes try and open up, only for the light to invade her eyes, and causing her to try and shield them from the brightness. She tried to move her body, but once again her body felt sore, like it hadn't moved in days.

"Whoa whoa, I wouldn't try that mam." A voice called from the side.

Glynda looked to her left to see a man, somewhere in his 60's or something. He had Caucasian skin, was bald, had a grey handlebar mustache, was wearing a flannel shirt with suspenders, slacks, and even a little red bandanna tied around his neck.

"W-where am I?" Glynda asked, feeling her strength slowly return to her.

"While you're in my house little lady. And might I say you are officially the second luckiest son of a gun to ever walk the desert." The man said.

Glynda looked at him questionable, trying to remember what was going on.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you remember, you and your buddy where a little off to the center of a one way trip to the afterlife."

Glynda was trying to understand what the man was talking about, but then it hit her. Her mission, the thugs, that man, the courier, getting shot. She felt herself try and jolt up from her spot, but her body just wasn't ready for it, and she ended up falling back onto what felt like a bed. The man got back up, and quickly moved to her side to prevent her from moving.

"Whoa there take it easy, you've been out for a whole week, and your strength hasn't come back yet."

Glynda was hesitant at first, but she decided it would be best to listen to the man for now. The man helped her sit up a bit in the bed, to where she was laying against the edge of the bed, with the man sitting in a little chair next to her.

"Alright, let's just take a quick moment to let your body wake up, and check up on the damage.

Can you tell me your name?" The man asked.

"My name, is Professor Glynda Goodwitch."

The man seemed to perk up a bit after hearing the word professor come up, and let a small smile adorned his face.

"Well it's a good thing you remember your full name, last fella wasn't so lucky. And judging how you mentioned you were a professor means you would have all your memories, is that right?"

"Yes, I can remember my past, would that be a problem?"

"Quite the opposite actually. Let's just say that a bullet to the head seems to be the major problem with memory these days."

Glynda didn't know what the man meant, but decided to let it slide and try to gather an understanding of the situation.

"Well besides that, may I know you name Mr-"

"Mitchell, Doc Mitchell. I run the clinic here in Goodsprings, and the one who managed to get you and the courier back in good shape. He's doing fine by the way. Hopefully you won't mind that I had to go rummage in through your noggin and pick out all the lead. And although I believe my needle work to be in top shape, and proved it with the last fellow, let's just see if I left anything out of shape."

With that said, the doctor handed Glynda a small mirror, to see if there was any lasting damage or scarring on her from the bullet. When she looked in the mirror, she saw the same prim and proper face of hers like always, although there was a slight faded scar to the side of her forehead, but it was barely visible unless you looked close enough. But all in all, no permanent damage or anything life changing. Her hair was also down, but still had that little curl on the right side of her face, and her glasses were off of her face, but she saw them on the bedpost next to her, and put them back on.

"Well everything looks just fine doctor. Thank you for taking care of me, you seem to be quite the medical expert." Glynda said while giving back the mirror.

"Why thank you professor, good to here nice words in times like these. Though I believe we

should continue out little check up, and see if everything here is alright."

The doctor than got up from his seat, and went to go help her out of the bed.

"Alright now, nice and easy, let your body get use to moving."

When Glynda took her first step, she almost fell over due to not moving in a long time, but thankfully the doctor was there to help her, and after a few steps, and a quick stretch, she felt good enough to move on her own, but still felt a bit sore. She took a good look at her surroundings, and saw medical equipment of all kinds, and some sort of machine that looked like something you would see at a fair on the other side of the room. She than looked over her body, and noticed that she was not wearing her usual clothes, but some form of grey t-shirt that clung to her body, and black shorts.

"Sorry about your clothes, they were a bit roughed up, and I had to give you what I could while I fixed you up. And while I mean no offense, I don't believe heels are the best mode of transportation."

Glynda felt a bit of relief at the doctor's words. She was worried he might have done something indecent, but remembered he was a doctor, and didn't seem like the man who would take advantage of someone.

"It's fine doctor, nothing to worry about." Glynda said.

"Alrighty then, let's just see how you can move. Head over to the vigor tester over there on the other side of the room, take it easy too, don't want you to fall or anything."

Glynda looked over to where the doctor was pointing, and saw it was the glowing machine. She slowly began to walk over there, the doctor following her to make sure she was okay. The first few steps where a bit jittery, but after going halfway across the room, she felt her composer return to normal, and was standing right in front of the vigor tester.

"Well you are one strong lady let me tell you, good to see everything going well so far."

"Thank you doctor."

Glynda then took a closer look at the machine in front of her, and noticed that it had the words Vit-O-Manic on the top, and that there was a series of numbers and letters on it that spelled S.P.E.C.I.A.L.

"Alright now, just place your hand on the handle, and the machine will do its job." Mitchell said.

Glynda was a bit hesitant once more, and wondered what exactly the machine did. Could it be some sort of Aura tester or something? It would certainly help, considering how her Aura was not acting up, and she could maybe see what was the matter. She held her hand out, and grasped the handle on the machine, and it than began to light up, before the numbers began to light up, and slides began to move around, before stopping, and laying out a slide containing some form of information.

Strength - 4

Perception - 7

Endurance - 5

Charisma - 5

Intelligence - 7

Agility - 6

Luck - 6

"Well that's a pretty standard score, good to see that everything seems to be in order so far." Mitchell said as he looked over the displayed screen.

"Excuse me doctor, but what exactly is this suppose to do?"

"Well it's nothing much, just a simple machine to give us a somewhat good reading on you, strength and endurance and whatnot, make sure your body is good and all. Don't mind the luck part though, pretty sure that's just there to make people feel easy, unless they have terrible luck of course. Shall we continue on with your little check up, the hard part is pretty much over."

Glynda let out a small sigh. She didn't have any problem with the doctor so far, it was just that she wanted to know what was wrong with her Aura, and the machine just felt a bit weird and all. But the man did put her brain back together, so he isn't some loony, at least that's what she is

hoping he isn't.

She turned to face the doctor, and with a silent nod, followed him to continue on with the examination. After which, she could hopefully find out what was wrong with her Aura, and get back to Beacon.

As John walked up towards Doc Mitchell's house, he began to wonder how long it would be before the woman woke up. He wasn't a very impatient man, but considering how he wanted some answers badly didn't help at all.

After trekking up the hill to the doc's house, he opened the door and walked right on in. He gazed around the old house, the walls adorning the same 200 year old faded wallpaper. He walked over towards the living room, where he began to hear something.

"Alright, everything seems to be in order." A voice called from the other room.

The Courier recognized the voice to be Doc Mitchell's, and by the sounds of it, he was seeing another patient.

"Well thank you Doctor Mitchell, but I would like to ask you a few questions." Another voice called, this one female.

John didn't recognize the voice, but from the sound of it, it was that of a woman's. Could it be? John walked into the room, and there in the middle of the living room was Doc Mitchell, with the mysterious woman he was buried with, sitting where he did when he first woke up. By the looks of it, he made it just in time to where the doc must have finished her little check up.

When John walked in, the doctor had his eyes on him and smiled. The woman seemed to notice the docs expression, and turned around to see him standing in the doorway. John looked into her lime green eyes with his dark brown, and just stared at her face. her skin was pure, as if she hadn't been touched by the wastes, and her hair was clean a beautiful shade of blonde, with a cute little curl to the side of her face. All in all, she was a beautiful woman.

"Ah, good day John, didn't hear you come in." Doc Mitchell said, knocking John out of his trance.

"Don't worry doc, just here to check on her, and looks like she's doing just fine." John said.

John saw the woman eyeing him, and than seemed to perk up as she recognized who he was.

"You're that courier." She said.

"That would be correct. It's a pleasure to meet you. The name's John, least that's what I can remember."

The woman raised an eyebrow at his words, and pondered at what he meant.

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Well you see, that bullet happened to cause some severe head trauma, giving him a bad case of amnesia. When I gave him the rundown after he woke up, all he could remember was his first name, with bits of his past job, including the events of the night you were both shot." Doc Mitchell said, saving John from having to explain.

The woman's eyes widened for a bit, and seemed to understand the situation.

"So as you can see, I was hoping you would be able to help me out. You were buried in that grave with me, perhaps you could shed some light on the situation?" John asked, hoping to get answers.

"I don't know what to tell you. I don't have amnesia, but I have no idea who that man was, or who you are." The woman said.

John only sighed, and looked down. Looks like he was at another dead end. He still had the lead on where Benny was heading, so at least there was a silver lining.

"It's alright, I'm not completely hopeless at least. Might I know your name at least?" John asked.

"Professor Glynda Goodwitch, a pleasure John." The woman said.

"Well seeing that we are all well acquainted now, I believe our little check up to be well and done. You're perfectly healthy Professor, but I believe you had a question for me." Doc Mitchell said.

"Yes, I was wondering if you had any idea what was wrong with my Aura. When I tried using it, it wouldn't respond." The woman said.

Both John and Doc Mitchell were really confused as to what the woman said. They had no idea what Aura was, or what the woman knew about it.

"Pardon my question professor, but what exactly is Aura?" Doc Mitchell asked.

The professor just looked at him with as if he just grew a second head, and looked like she doubted what she heard.

"Pardon me doctor, but how would you not know what Aura is?" She asked.

"Is it some kind of Hubology mumbo jumbo?" The doctor asked.

John could only watch as the professor looked really confused, and a bit annoyed at what she was hearing. He sighed as he only had one thought in mind.

'This is going to be a long day.'

END

Beta - almost stupid