Gun Powder and Maps – Chapter 1 – Current Day's Haze
Security had been something that the Wastelands had always lacked. However, for certain people, safety was of a lesser concern.
The courier was one of those people. She was a young woman of strong build, her body firmly packed with muscle and fat, giving her a slightly carved and curved body. Her face was pleasant with two, pink-colored scars on the side of her skull. Green eyes surveyed anyone she passed, their large size lending her a certain quality that people could not help but notice, whether good or bad.
She was always covered in heavy armor that masked her from the world, but few and far between, she would wear recon armor with a boomer's cap and rebreather, her curly auburn hairy dangling down from underneath. The even rarer moments came when she wore a dress with heels. That only occurred in New Vegas.
And Mr. House was one of the few who saw all three. She had been his faithful lieutenant through it all, the recovery of the platinum chip, the ousting and gaining of allies, and the final takeover of Hoover Dam. She basically secured his authority in the Mojave, and the courier was sure to never let him forget it.
Once more courier six stood in front of the green glow from House's telescreen, her suave tone flowing into his auditory sensors. "Is there anything you wish of me today?" "Not today Brooke. I will beckon you if something arises." With a nod of her head she left. The securitrons turned towards her as she walked away and House focused on her intently until she left through the penthouse elevator.
"I like what I see…" The male hooker whispered to Brooke as she reclined against the velvet seat in her private room. She was decked in her nude colored pumps which glistened in the sterile lights. A rose lace dress lay across the mattress on the other side of the room leaving her to bear her flesh colored brassiere and garters to her companion. A shiver ran down her spine as the prostitute moved a hand over her stomach, and she spread out her arms upon the seat. As Brooke leaned back she groaned, "Take the pain away, Johnny" The handsome man dove for her neck, nestling it and sucking upon it as he fondled her. The courier fell into ecstasy as her favorite courtesan dispelled her current thoughts.
House's gaze followed her fingers clutching Johnny's back and he turned the connection to the camera off in a heartbeat. Oh, how many times he had watched her walk into the Gomorrah, converse with the Omerta's and settle into her escapades. It was a regular thing, yet each time it occurred, the overseer of New Vegas became disgusted, severing the connection and hiding himself away in his many calculations.
That night she was back in the Lucky 38 penthouse, buried in House's library. "Don't kid yourself with those books, Brooke. You can't read," Came the overseer's mocking voice. It was a joke made countless times and the courier waved him off. She had been raised in Vault 101. Of course she could read.
For the umpteenth time she was in the maroon leather chair underneath the heated floor lamp, reading her favorite book, Orwell's 1984. She was nearing the end of the book and one solemn tear fell from her eye. The text wasn't quite finished, but the known ending was overwhelming. "Why do you relish in that book?" came the familiar voice of her superior. She put down the book and stared at the always smirking face of Pre-War Mr. House on the small screen upon the nearest wall. "It always reminds me of how mankind can be so cruel and so loving. Orwell knew what he was talking about. So few people can say they do the same." House's silence came as a quiet contemplation of her answer and he lingered for a moment before scanning the various Vegas connections.
"Raul, I need you to read this. You've gotta learn how to fix cars," Brooke said as she stood in front of a seated mechanic. His denim jumper was dirtied but still intact with a dancing Latino bearing a traffic cone on his head stitched onto the back. On his shoulders sat a skeletal head with rotting flesh, but inquisitive brown eyes. "I swear to God you are just like that damned Cuddles," the old ghoul grumbled in a very Mexican accent, reminiscing on a certain mutant who wanted him to fix a car for him. She grinned and added, "I brought you a manual this time. And it's even for this type of car."
Raul followed the space suit decked courier onto the irradiated Black Mountain. In front of him stood a gleaming, sky blue vehicle, gorgeous by wasteland standards despite the chipped paint and broken lights. The handyman scratched his neck and chuckled at the two securitrons that had dragged it to his base of operations. "Well, what's wrong with it, boss?" She looked dumbfounded and said in a low voice, "I'm not sure… everything is there. I figured your mechanical aptitude could mull it over."
Reluctantly he popped the hood and stared at the filthy engine with his hands on his hips. "Mi dio…" cracked his throat.
Suddenly one of the securitron's screens flickered and the face of House appeared. "Brooke, I'm working on a new project. I need components and you need to make finding them your number one priority." Raul and Brooke stared at him and she whispered to her companion, "Thanks again… it may be a while before I'm back." Raul saluted her and Brooke walked back slowly down the mountain with the robots abreast. Her voice spoke up, "This has nothing to do with the moon settlement does it? Because the very thought right now is impractical." House chuckled and then responded gravely, "No that is business in development. This one I have just undertaken."
"May I know what I'm risking my neck for?"
"No."
"What the hell, why not?"
"It is too hard to explain, but don't worry. All will be revealed soon."
The courier scoffed as she listened intently to what she was required to find for his pet project. No matter the subject matter, she had grown faithful to House and would do as he asked…or rather demanded.
She had come to believe that he was Humanity's last hope.
A/N: Story statuses are located on my profile page. I try to update often. Thanks for reading and reviewing!