"I don't know how you pulled that off, but I must thank you for gettin' our deputy out of deep water." Johnson Nash said in thanks to Alessa, after she proudly strode through the door with ED-E and Deputy Beagle trailing behind her. The girl smiled, flushing a bit at the praise.
"It was nothing I couldn't handle, sir. But if I'm not mistaken, we have more important matters to discuss." Her tone turned serious, and Nash sighed.
"I told ya already, I don't know anythin' about those thugs what shot you." He replied irritably. Alessa shook her head.
"I don't mean that. Beagle may be a deputy, but...Well, no offense, Beagle, you're really not equipped to defend this town." She shuffled her feet nervously, worrying that she might have offended the young man beside her. To her surprise, he chuckled in response.
"Don't I know it? Well, we've got few choices for Sheriffs around here. The others might not be too happy with one of the choices, but at this point we've gotta take what we can get." Alessa nodded, speaking up again.
"Okay. Which candidates do we have to choose from?"
"Well...If you were willing to stay around, I'd suggest you." Beagle replied, and caused Alessa to blush deeply.
"P-Please...Just because I rescued you doesn't make me a Sheriff. Besides...I...I have my own business to take care of." She trailed off, once again thinking of the man in the checkered suit. Beagle nodded.
"I understand. Which is why I won't name you as a candidate."
"There's the NCR down the road," Nash piped up. "But they haven't made any move to help us yet. I heard they were gonna take over the Correctional Facility, where all these convicts escaped from, but...Well, I dunno what the hold-up is."
"I'm guessing the NCR is the choice most people won't be happy with?" Alessa asked.
"You got it." Beagle replied. "People 'round here prefer to keep their business to themselves. Don't like the idea of a government that controls their every move."
"But the NCR won't control everything." Alessa interrupted. Personally, she hadn't had any issues with the NCR, and from what she'd heard, it sounded like they were just trying to bring some stability to the Wasteland, which she whole-heartedly supported. "Sure, they might bring in some laws and maybe a bit of taxing, but in the long run, isn't stability more important?" Seeing Nash and Beagle's incredulous looks, she sighed heavily. "A-Anyway...What are our other options?"
"I heard one of the convicts was a former Sheriff for a town somewhere west of here. Dunno how he got himself into this mess, but maybe you can get him out of it." Beagle gave Alessa a hopeful look, but the girl didn't like the idea of a convict running a town that already had a problem with other escaped convicts. She then remembered the robot with the Cowboy Hat, called Primm Slim.
"What about Primm Slim? Could he do the job?" Nash thought about it, "hmm"ing for a moment or so.
"Well, he's more of a novelty than anything. But if you can program him to act like a Sheriff, I guess he could do the job well enough. Personally, I agree with you on the NCR." Beagle gave Nash a surprised look, about to jump in when an older woman walked up, raising her hand to silence Beagle.
"For once, I agree with my husband." The woman spoke playfully, and Alessa realized she must have been Johnson's wife, Ruby. "The NCR may have a few rules some of us may not be happy with, but if they can get rid of these convicts, maybe this town can be the next New Vegas. Goin' south down the main road, you'll find their main outpost in these parts. Mojave Outpost, it's called." The woman smiled at Alessa. "Can't miss it. Might be able to talk to somebody there about our, er..."situation." Might be a good idea to talk to those boys down the road first, though." Alessa nodded, thanking Ruby for her information. After a few more moments (and a nice supper prepared by Mrs. Nash, herself), Alessa stepped out of the Bison Steve. It was now dark, but Alessa just wanted to get all of this finished. She knew the people of Primm couldn't hold out much longer against the Powder Gangers. She didn't want to hear about Primm being overrun by convicts. She headed down the road, towards the NCR camp she'd briefly visited on her way in, ED-E chirping behind her as the tiny robot continuously scanned for threats.
* . * . * . * . * . *
As she approached, McGee smiled faintly at the sight of her, waving.
"So, we meet again!" He said in greeting, and Alessa smiled in return.
"Yes. It seems so. You said your commanding officer was in the large tent over there, correct?" Alessa asked, and McGee nodded in return.
"Yeah. Just knock on the "door" first. He doesn't usually like bein' disturbed." Alessa kept that in mind as she walked over to the tent, knocking on the sheet of metal that served as a makeshift door. It was pulled aside by a young woman, perhaps a little older than Alessa was, wearing the standard NCR uniform.
"Can I help you?" The woman asked.
"I'd like to speak to your commander." Alessa said sternly. The woman nodded, stepping aside. Sitting at a table, looking bored, was the man Alessa assumed was the commanding officer for the NCR forces at Primm. He was older, probably in his thirties, good looking but tired looking. He glanced over to her, sighing.
"I'm Lieutenant James Hayes of the New California Republic Army, 5th Battalion, 1st Company. What's your business here?" The man sounded annoyed, but Alessa mustered up the courage to speak.
"Alessa Grant. Courier for the Mojave Express. I'd like to discuss the situation in Primm." Hayes shook his head.
"Look. We'd help the town if we had the men to spare, but right now we're in deep shit, ourselves." Alessa was surprised at the man's use of language, but he continued when met by her silence.
"Right now our primary goal is to contain the Powder Ganger threat. As you can see, we aren't doing a very good job."
"Clearly. Is there a problem with the mission?" Alessa asked.
"The mission isn't the problem." Hayes replied. "What we need are supplies, and more importantly, we need bodies. We don't have the manpower to occupy Primm and complete our primary objective at the same time." Alessa nodded.
"Then I'd like to help. If it means the protection of this town, I'll do anything." Hayes was surprised by Alessa's go-getter attitude. It was certainly rare among even soldiers.
"As much as I'd appreciate the help, NCR business is classified."
"I already know you plan on retaking the Correctional Facility. What I'm telling you is that I am willing to help make the attack."
"How'd you-?" He sighed in exasperation. "Damn that Johnson Nash. Knew he couldn't keep his mouth shut. Alright," He began, almost reluctantly. "I'll send you out with Sergeant Lee and his men. There aren't many of you, but at this point, we can't afford to wait any longer. He should be scouting the hills around the Correctional Facility. I'll radio ahead to let him know you're coming."
"You have my word, sir, that I will not rest until this mission is finished." Alessa headed out of the tent, and began the trek to the NCR Correctional Facility.
* . * . * . * . * . *
"Hayes said he'd be sending someone." Alessa was greeted by a man who looked to be about the same age as Hayes, an Asian man with a wry smile on his face. She guessed this was Sergeant Lee. "I was expecting more troopers, not a mailman." Lee said playfully, causing Alessa to frown.
"I'm the best he can do." Lee nodded.
"No need to get upset. I was just joking." He turned his attention to the Correctional Facility. "Orders are to shoot anyone who attacks. We'll be blowing open the fence, there," He pointed to two men who were setting explosive charges on the barbed-wire fencing that surrounded the facility. "We rush in, take out the boss, and get out. Boss is some assbag named Eddie." Alessa giggled at the word "assbag."
"G-Got it." She composed herself, drawing her laser pistol, checking her ammo. "I'm ready, if you are." Lee smiled at her eagerness.
"Let's do this." Just as he finished his sentence, the explosive charges blew a hole in the fence, and Lee's men stormed in. Alessa followed, opening up on any convicts that came her way. One man managed to sneak up behind her and crack her in the back with a baseball bat, causing her to cry out, falling forward. She growled, turning, and firing at him. The lasers hit the man, and caused him to disintegrate into a pile of ash before he could even speak. Alessa gulped, amazed at the power of her pistol, and slowly got back up.
"You alright?" Lee shouted, having seen the spectacle.
"Fine!" Alessa called back. Once Lee's men had taken down the men outside (with one casualty), they headed for the administration building. Alessa stood with them.
"Alright. On the count of three, we bust in and take everyone out. 1...2..." Lee was unable to finish as one of the more excitable soldiers rushed in. "Dammit, Jones!" Lee cursed, and the others followed suit. Jones had been quickly dispatched by a man they assumed to be the Powder Gangers' medic. He was holed up in a room with two beds and some Doctors' Bags. Alessa took cover behind the desk in the opening room while Lee and his men went for the stairs leading up. Alessa peeked over the desk and fired at the medic, causing him to disintegrate. She soon rushed into the main room, only to find a firefight ensuing. Three Powder Gangers and one more NCR soldier had already been taken down. There was only three of the NCR soldiers left, not counting Alessa or Sergeant Lee. Alessa joined the fray, taking down one Powder Ganger as Lee blew the head off another. Suddenly, a green glow sped towards Alessa, and she narrowly dodged, turning to watch the green plasma turn a man behind her into goo. She gulped, turning her attention to the stairs. A stern, red-headed man stood there, smirking, holding a strange pistol.
"He's got plasma! Watch your backs!" Lee shouted. The man, Eddie, turned his attention to Alessa.
"Heard about you. One of Cobb's boys got out of Goodsprings. I take it you're the one who organized that little militia?" He chuckled. "Cute. Too bad I'm not amused." He fired another shot, but Alessa ducked, firing as well. Eddie dodged swiftly. "Tch. You really think you can stand up to me?"
"You're the only one left." Alessa glared daggers at the man. "It'd be more sensible to give up this fight, and keep your life." Eddie laughed.
"You've got nerve, I'll give you that. But I'll be damned if I spend the rest of my life blasting rock for rail lines!" Lee cocked his rifle, as did the two remaining NCR soldiers, training their sights on Eddie.
"Give it up." Lee snarled. "It's over!""Not by a long shot!" Eddie soon fired a shot at Lee. Alessa's eyes widened, and she reacted instinctively. She threw her Laser Pistol in the line of fire, the pistol turning to goo, effectively saving Lee's life.
"OPEN FIRE!" Lee shouted, and a hail of gunfire sped towards Eddie, taking him down quickly. Lee reloaded and holstered his gun, turning to Alessa. "You saved my bacon, there, kid."
"It was nothing." Alessa strode over to Eddie's body, picking up his Plasma Pistol. Well, he wouldn't be using it, she thought. She turned it over in her hands, admiring its structure, and the pretty green glow at the tip, where the plasma was generated.
"Those are pretty rare." Lee stated. "I wanna know how that bastard got a hold of one." He shook his head. "Anyway...We can take it from here. Might still be some resistance, but Eddie's a deadie." Alessa chuckled at the rhyme, and Lee smiled. "I'll radio ahead to Hayes and let him know you're coming back. And, hey." He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small satchel of caps. "This is from me, personally." Alessa was shocked.
"I...I can't accept this." Lee pushed it towards her.
"I insist. Least I can do, since you saved me and my men. Without you, this would've been a disaster." Alessa gulped, taking the caps a bit shakily.
"Thank you, Sergeant Lee."
"No. Thank you, Alessa Grant."
* . * . * . * . * . *
"Gotta say, I'm impressed." Hayes congratulated Alessa upon her return to the NCR camp outside of Primm. "Not many people would sacrifice a weapon for a life these days. Wish I had more men like you. Maybe this would've gotten done a long time ago."
"Thank you for the praise, Sir," Alessa spoke timidly. "But...There is still the matter of Primm..."
"If we had more men, I'd assign Sergeant McGee to be the Sheriff of Primm. But, I need more men before I can sacrifice one. We lost some good guys at the NCRCF." Alessa nodded, feeling sorry for the youths that died in battle.
"What would you propose, then?"
"Take this to Major Knight at the Mojave Outpost." Hayes handed her a letter, and she carefully placed it in her boot, hoping it would stay protected as she trekked across the desert. "He should be able to help us out."
"Alright. I'll be on my way, then." Alessa turned to leave, but was stopped by Hayes.
"Hey. Thanks." She blinked at him, and he continued. "Like I said. Wish there were more people like you in the NCR. Maybe we wouldn't be having so much trouble if more people were like you." Alessa blushed at the compliment, looking away shyly.
"Th-Thank you, Sir." With that, she exited the tent, her cheeks still flushed as she headed towards the main road, then turned to head in the direction of the Mojave Outpost.