Chapter 7 The Courier
I had a really long writer's block with this chapter. I have been playing other games and have been short stories while this story has been a work in progress for about... oh man I want to say almost 6 months. With this new year, my theme is going to be FINISH WHAT I STARTED. This, among other projects that I have working on... going back to school for one.
I wanted for this to be out now and perhaps I will edit this chapter after a few chapters down.
ENJOY! Please rate and review! I would love any feedback!
Joshua Graham stood at the edge of the cliff, looking at the sea of men below. He felt a sense of pride when he saw his troops preparing for battle. In just a few hours, he would march across the Colorado with his army and fight the dreadful NCR. Beside him, his emperor admired the army below and placed his right hand on Graham's shoulder.
"My son, the Gods look favorably for us. Mars had granted us his strength to our brothers so we may take up in arms and fight against the profligates. And he has given you his power to lead them across the mighty Colorado to secure our victory."
Joshua Graham smiled at his master, "Yes, it is time for the Legion to extend our power over this land. I am ready, Caesar."
Caesar held out his hand as Joshua kneeled before him, "Cur ante tubam tremor occupat artus?"
"Ad victoriam, Caesar," Kissing the ring on Caesar's hand, Josuha stood up and both men turned to watch the sun set, prepared for upcoming battle.
But their victory did not come. After the Battle of Hoover Dam, it was known throughout the Wasteland that the Legion did not extend over to conquer New Vegas. They did not take down the NCR at Hoover Dam. They did not take them at Boulder City. The loss of the battle was on the shoulders of Joshua Graham. Caesar wanted him to pay for his humiliating defeat so he had Joshua doused in fire and threw him to the mercy of the Grand Canyon. However, little did anyone in the Wasteland know that Malpais Legate did not die on that unfortunate day; Joshua Graham was reborn and instilled within him was a chance to take down Caesar once and for all. He had already thwarted the Legion many times, but Joshua knew that his time will come when New Vegas will be his.
He lived his days reminded by his execution, its marks embedded onto body and mind. He found it hard to sleep or train with his soldiers, unable to teach them. He would stay up late, looking over reports about his former affiliation, keeping tabs on the Legion. His obsession with the utter destruction of the Legion allowed Joshua to deal with the pain.
On this particular night, Joshua looked towards the North and saw New Vegas gleaming the in the distance. Closing his eyes, his thoughts raced in his mind, the anticipation building up inside him. His best agents were looking for that item that would give him absolute control. He hoped Penny would join them, but it seemed that the assignment she was on was taking a little longer than usual. Knowing Penny, Joshua knew she was helping wastelanders in need.
As he laid on his bed, he remembered the first time he saw her. She was young, lips cracked, skinny, shivering. He could see a gashing wound on her leg and deep scars on embedded on her back. He wondered if she was too late to be saved, but decided to take a chance and took her in his arms. This was before he was brainwashed by Edward Calhoun's words, when was 16 and writing in his journal.
After two weeks, the girl finally sat up in the bed, weary of where she was. Joshua came in, carrying a tray of food. He watched as she took a look at the tray, hesitant about taking anything from it. He left the room to grab her some water and walked in, the girl stuffing her mouth with some contents from the tray.
It took her time for her to talk to anyone. Every time Joshua came to give her food, she was staring at the window, anxiously waiting for something. At night, Joshua would check on her and heard her scream in her sleep, suffering from same nightmare since she came along.
It was two months since he found her that she talked to him. She talked in a tribal dialect, one that he was familiar with. Unfortunately it wasn't one he could peg which tribe she was a part of. All he knew from her was that she was a slave and she was kept with the tribe for a long time. She didn't even have a name for herself. He decided to give her a name, which she loved. She didn't any give any information on how she was in the tribe or who she was treated. He knew most of it by the way she slept, whimpering up to screaming in her sleep each night.
After a few years together she was able to regain a true sense of self. She was happy, comical and curious. She wanted to learn about the world outside of New Cannan. At that point, Joshua taught her how to fight hand-to-hand, make herbs from the desert flowers, and cook food from the rodents the roam the desert. They grew extremely close, that was until she decided to roam the desert on her own and left him behind.
It was until after the Battle of Hoover Dam that he saw her again, and that this time she was the one who rescued him.
Joshua lay on his back and taught about Penny, the girl who he had rescued that day, the woman who would help reach his goal, because he couldn't. He had to finally rely on someone he trusted to warp the world of New Vegas, because he couldn't. He knew that she understood him, more than anyone could. And she would be the one who would change the face of New Vegas forever.
I will come and find you, mark my words child, you will see me again.
Penny woke up and she sat up, feeling a slight dull ache at her right side, and at on her forehead. She looked around, trying to figure out where she was at. She looked above and saw that she almost hit the bottom of the bunk bed where she was laying. Penny checked her pipboy on her condition, surprised by its diagnosis. It indicated that she had several broken ribs and a concussion. Sighing, she got up from the bed and started to move when she felt dizzy and fell back onto her pillow.
"God, this isn't the worst I have been, but man, what the heck happened to me?" Penny sighed and took a few seconds to regain her breathing.
She stood up and managed to walk to the door when she swung open and saw that Cass was holding a tray with stimpaks and food. Cass looked surprised to see her, almost dropping the tray she held.
"Penny?! My god, you shouldn't be up! Here, let me help you back there…"
Penny shook her head, "No, no. I promised to help you and this isn't the worst I have been. By the way, how long was I out?"
Cass stared at the tray as she responded, "About three days. For a bit there, we almost lost you. You were hurt badly when you came back, the docs here managed to save you. They told me you were lucky."
Penny chuckled as she grabbed some of the food off the tray, "Well, me standing should show you that I am quite resilient or just plain stupid. Don't worry, I plan to fulfill our contract and I will see it done. So with that being said, where's my gear?"
Cass pointed to the footlocker near the door, "Everything is there. I swear none of the miners went through your belongings, even though you almost died."
Penny took the box of Sugar Bombs and reached in, "Thanks. Look, I am sorry if I worried you and made you wait. The longer we try to make it to New Vegas, the longer it will take for you to gain some peace. Plus, it is my job to make sure we get to the bottom of this. I hope that we don't run into any more mishaps."
Cass nodded and sat next to her, "So, what happened? Did a deathclaw took a shot at you?"
Penny glance into her box, trying to figure out what had happened to her, "I was a little high when I went in: Psycho. I needed a fix until I went in there. I don't do well around creatures and situations like that. It helps me focus. Don't be alarmed, it hasn't been a problem. All I can remember is that I took my gun and shot one in the head. I just… yeah it's quite a blur from then on."
Cass remembered that she saw that an entire bag of chems in Penny's pack as she was getting her first aid kit. She felt a small twing of doubt at Penny's remark. Cass understood why Penny would take chems: her job was half deadly and half stupid. She needed whatever it was to help her deal with it then, not later. That's why the Penny Cass is watching was a Penny who hardly cared about how long she was out or how she got hurt. This was a Penny who was more excited about the Sugar Bombs than her own life.
Receiving an all-clear from the doctor, Penny was once again dressed head-to-toe in her Ranger armor, her .45 on her hip and her pack on her back. Everyone, including Chomp said goodbye, bestowing the women with gifts and words of caution.
"Here's my recipe for the deathclaw omelet! Don't share with it anyone else!"
"Travel during the day! There are super mutants out there! And Nightkin! Be careful!"
"Look up the twins in the Atomic Wranger! They'll take good care of you!"
"Thank you for taking care of the deathclaws! Now it is time to work! BE THERE AT SEVEN!"
Penny smiled at Cass, cranking her head towards the north, "Cass, let's us be off!"
Clutching to her shotgun, Cass smirked, "Now we can go? Finally!"
Logan couldn't remember how he got to the barracks. He sat up in the cot, only time lay back down, trying to calm his stomach. Sighing, he tried to recall the memories: he sat at the bar, he slammed some beers, talked to some soldiers, took shots with some of them, and then he woke up here in the cot.
Logan checked his pockets and his pack to make sure he wasn't pickpocketed. Fortunately, he found everything in order. He had all his belongings, everything that was precious to him and he was going to make his way back to New Reno. All he wanted was to return home.
Closing his eyes, Logan realized how long a journey it has been for him. He has traveled all over the West, experiencing life in the Wastes. There were even some events that had changed the land forever. But he didn't know that. All that mattered to Logan to get home.
Taking out a bottle of agave juice from his pack, he took his time to resolve his hangover. When he felt better, Logan grabbed his bag and made his way out of the barracks.
Stepping outside, he ultimately felt the sun bearing down on him. Cursing at himself for drinking himself silly the night before, Logan looked at the road ahead, According to the bartender, Logan figured that he had about 15 miles to Primm, which would probably take him the morning into early evening, given that he wouldn't run into any raiders or insects. Clutching to his pack, Logan sighed and gathered some strength to make his way to the Mojave Express.
Just several miles north from the NCR prison, a group of gangers followed by a man in a checkered suit were making their way to Primm. Benny was extremely optimistic; some of the Great Khans were going to follow the sixth courier into town and take him down, away from NCR soldiers. Today was going to be a good day, the Tops owner thought. Everything was according to plan.
Veronica and Boone were not that far behind. Traveling through the night and day for the past two days, they found themselves in the hills, overlooking in the town below.
"Great. We can cross out Nipton as the location for the sixth courier. Either he's down there, dead, or he's heading the other way, over to Primm. And I know what you're thinking Boone and the answer is hell no. We have to find this guy, not kill Legionnaires. We can do that later. Hell, I'll take you to a Legion camp. So don't even…"
"No. I cannot do that, especially if you are going to simply stand by and let the Legion take over this town. Veronica, we have to do something."
Veronica looked at her partner and shook her head, "You understand better than anyone here that we on a mission more important than our personal vendettas. We cannot afford to lose this one. Boone, I promise we can come back to the town and drive the Legion away." Veronica placed her hand on his shoulder and watched as the man before her struggle with his inner demons and his duty.
Slamming his fist into the ground, Boone got up and turned away, "Fine. Once we get this so called courier and his package, I am going to make sure that the Legion is gone from this area. Let's go."
Veronica sighed and followed her partner, "Ten-four red leader…"
After spotting a cazadore nest and group of nightkin, the women managed to go around them, trying not to get spotted. They ended up at the REPCON headquarters. There, they decided to take a break and have a bite to eat.
Passing over a box of cram, Cass sat down and took out a map and glanced at it, "Ok. Just a couple more miles down the road from here. Great. We can finally start to figure out what had happened to them." Penny, who was munching on a Fancy Lad Cake, turned to her pipboy and checked her messages. There were some progress on another mission, and from the looks of things, they weren't progressing as planned. Already five people were dead. She had no more information and hoped she can solve this mystery so she can help her friends.
Penny also located the place where the resting place of the Cassidy Caravan laid. Only about two miles towards the north and they won't have to use the road to get to it. Time was tight for Penny- not only she had found herself in mortal danger; she had strayed away from the original plan. Even if she didn't help the people in Goodsprings, she and Cass would probably be dealing with the Powders Gangers in force or deal with the deathclaws that would have crossed the highway. Even yet, she would have tangled with the nightkin at Black Mountain. As far as she knows, Penny lived a life short out of luck.
As they started to pack up, Penny was putting away her ammo when several shots fly soared passed her head. Taking Cass' hand, she dragged the caravan owner to a garbage bin nearby and whipped out her .45. From what she could tell, they were three raiders on the roofs across from the front of the REPCONN building. She knew she needed a long range weapon, but her sniper rifle was in the pack where she left it. Going through her pockets, she took out a case that contained her magnum scope. Quickly place it on her gun, Penny urged Cass to shoot back, getting the raiders distracted.
Penny crouched and after a few moments went by, she managed to take all three snipers down. Coming out of hiding Penny sighed and looked over at Cass, "If I can go one day without being shot, I would give up on drinking, I swear." Laughing, Cass ran over to pick up her things and make sure her Brahmin weren't harmed, "I think that's when it would truly be a nuclear winter. Sober-ass wastelanders, imagine that."
Penny threw her pack into the wagon and slung her rifle over her shoulder, "I would be out of a job then… Wait. That didn't come out right. I would like to have druggies and slavers to be ended once and for all. Hell, they are the reason for drinking!"
Cass threw her flask at Penny, "Then, drink up. And let's just go!"
The women crossed the road, following the quiet beeping from Penny's pipboy. It started to get louder the closer they reached the destination. Cass was jogging along her caravan, determined to reach what had remained of her family's name. Penny wondered if she was prepared for what laid ahead. If what the reports say is true, Cass is going to have a rude awakening. Penny jogged alongside the caravan, watching her companion. The sound steadied and the women finally arrived to the destroyed caravan.
Logan hated ants. As a kid, he would remember when he was eating a pear and the juice from the fruits dripped from his chin and onto his arms. Logan was thoroughly enjoying his pear when all the ants started to bite his arms and legs. He screamed and dropped his pear, running to his mother and trying to fling the ants off his arms.
Years later now, he had seen huge ants and they always brought the memory of those ants crawling all over his body. They weren't the small ants that were climbing up his legs but large, monstrous creatures that could take off a human head with ease. Sure he was scared, but he didn't want to deal with them. Yet they were blocking his way to Primm. No time to dwell on that, he thought, I have to get the town so I can finally get home!
He took out his plasma rifle, walked towards them, ready to shoot when a band of Great Khans appeared down the road. They hollered, rushing towards the little band of ants, pistols and hatchets in hand. Within a few minutes, the Khans took the giant ants down. Logan stood there, watching them as they tore the insects apart, throwing ant innards around. Logan didn't know whether to run or to up to them, but they decided to look upon the courier and walk over, guns raised.
"Woah, woah, is that how we treat newcomers into the Mojave? Welcome Stranger! Name's Tommy. Where are you heading?"
Logan still had his rifle raised. He has traveled the wastes to know he can't trust a friendly face, even if it was one who just took out the giant ants for him.
"Now son, we are not going to hurt you, unless you intend to do something with the rifle of yours. Look, we'll lower our weapons, then you lower yours. Deal?"
Logan remained silent, but nodded in agreement. The Khans looked at Tommy, who nods and they all lowered their weapons. After a few moments, Logan decided to lower plasma rifle, and smiled, "Sorry, I don't want to cause trouble. I am just making my way towards Primm."
Tommy looked at the courier and smiled, "We patrol our routes and we just wanted to make sure our shipment was going to arrive at its destination. If you want, we can escort you to Primm. We usually make it this far because we don't want to tangle up with those NCR bastards."
Logan took a few moments to contemplate the situation. He can go with these gangers and risk not getting eaten by large ants. He might end up dead if he goes with them. Or he could take a risk and try to take them all down before they took him down. He wasn't a great fighter and he didn't have enough ammo to take the entire group down. Logan also knew them enough to not fight unless given a reason to. He had nothing of value just and he wouldn't tempt them to find a reason to kill him. He didn't want to question their reason to escort him.
A small part of him couldn't help to wonder why the Khans were out this far. If they were going to make sure their shipments were coming in through the 15, why go directly into NCR territory? And he listened to the reports on the radio, knowing that Primm was under control by the NCR and the Powder Gangers and that this stretch of the highway was protected by the NCR. Nipton was the furthest east that the NCR border reached at. Maybe the Khans found enough boldness to make sure that their cache of chems was safe in enemy territory.
OR-Maybe he was fooling himself. There might be people who are trying to make the Wasteland a better place. Or maybe he was setting himself up for death.
After a few moments, Logan looked at the leader of the small gang, "I wouldn't want to trouble you all. Besides, time is money and I best be on my way to Primm. Thank you for your offer, but I think I can take it from here."
Tommy nodded, "It's alright sonny. However, are you sure? We would not mind just taking you there. It won't be a bother." Logan shook his head in response, "I am sure I can make it. Thank you. Hopefully the NCR don't give you all much trouble." Acknowledging his decision, Tommy waved his hand forward, "Alright, let's keeping going men. The boss gave us this job and we have to deliver."
The Khan moved past him and Logan nodded at the leader. Tommy returned the nod and continued behind his men. Logan started to walk, stilling holding onto his rifle. When he passed Tommy, he felt a bit anxious. He felt that even if he took up on Tommy's offer or not, he would see them again real soon.
He looked back and saw the group disappearing down the road. Stopping, Logan couldn't shake off the feeling that something bad was going to happen. He didn't believe the leader of the Khans. Why would they end up all the way towards the very place that plans to wipe the Khans from the Mojave? And why travel with so many men?
Logan tried to shake his paranoia away and decided that he would try his hardest to get to Primm. There, he felt that he would be safe. "But why can't I shake this feeling of impeding doom," he wondered out loud.
Boone and Veronica swiftly made their way from Nipton. As soon as the smoke from the town was out of sight from the landscape behind them, the pair of guardians raved down the road, hoping to catch the Courier at the Mojave outpost.
Veronica, dressed from head to toe in power armor, was struggling to keep up with the ex-NCR sniper. Trying as hard as she could, Veronica has already hit her wall several hours ago. It wasn't that the power armor was heavy-on the contrary the T-51b armor was light. What Veronica didn't like was running. Yes, even 40 pounds on her thin frame was too much for her. All they did for the past full days was run. She felt in her gut that ten minutes wasn't going to hurt them.
So she decided to stop and sit on the road, disregarding the Mojave sun pounding down on them. Boone halted and turned to face Veronica. Taking off her helmet and placing it next to her, she fished out a water bottle and took a sip. Boone gave her one of his signature looks.
"Alright, Veronica. Let's get moving. I have no time to deal with this. Rest up and move." She shook her head, took a few seconds to catch her breath and patted to the spot to left of her, "No. I suggest we rest up. We have been chasing ghosts for the last few days. Just. Ten. Minutes. Boone. Plus, how about you trying running in this power armor? Well, I mean this is the best model to show how light they are but…"
Boone sat down and took the water from her hand. "You have nine minutes, Princess. I'd use them wisely." Veronica smiled and stretched out her arms. Boone was already pulling out the orders from Graham, once again looking at the description of the sixth courier. They ended up with the list of the four possible targets and the sixth was there. However, the duo did come across with others on the list. The only two that haven't been seen were the seventh and the fifth. According to their local source the fifth courier decided not to take the job. All that was left was the last two couriers. The seventh was being tracked by two others of their organization, tracking him out east, near Jacobstown.
Boone had already memorized the face of the sixth courier. His name was Logan and little was known about him. All the information was lost, which was a surprise. Graham had many useful contacts all over the west and he could usually get info that he wants. Logan's history was too clean for Boone's taste. Both he and Graham suspected that someone covered up his history. That ultimately put him on the shit list for him.
Veronica looked at him and let out a sigh, "Jeez Boone. Enjoy the sunshine. Don't look so gloomy. We'll get this guy. Don't worry about it. Yeah, ok. We haven't caught the others, and yeah… they died. Yet, if anything we have a couple more guys to go for whatever it is we're looking for. I hope that it's this-Logan."
Boone continued to stare ahead, making no notice of her words. Frustrated, Veronica sat back and lay down onto the road. She put her arm on her head, trying to block out the sun from her eyes. For a few moments, there's was a still silence between. Both thinking of their objectives, it was Boone who broke the silence.
"Veronica, are you good now? I feel even more urgent than ever that we have to get this one, Logan. And I am completely serious."
The former Scribe moved her arm, squinting at the Sniper, "I know. I know. He's not going anywhere since we already know where he's headed."
"No. I mean it. I just have—"
"A feeling, something in your gut. I know. It's something that you can't shake off. I-"
Surprised at Boone's sharp look, Veronica stopped short and shook her head. She laughed and lightly punched him in the arm.
"Alright. I see your point. Let's go and save this guy."
Holding his hand out to her, Veronica grasped it and was brought to her feet. Nodding to her, Boone started to jog, with the Scribe following not too far behind.
ANY FEEDBACK WOULD BE FANTASTIC. I will update this story for sure EVERY WEEK. If not, every 2 weeks. Promise.