Mike was dragged by ropes attached to his wrists into the camp as Saya crawled up the dune that Mike was on looking at the cannibals camp. His anti material rifle in hand and Rex by her side she still didn't know what to do. She brought the rifle up and rested it on the sand, and took a hold of the pistol grip before looking down the scope.

She watched as Mike was strung up to two posts as he began to wake up. As he did two topless pregnant women walked up to him. They made him nervous as one unzipped his jacket with the other undid his armour straps. The armour fell onto the sand as they then brought up knifes and cut the jacket off. The strips of leather fell onto the sand with a balletic grace as his muscular chest showed.

Saya saw it and was mesmerised by his abs. The girls also seems to be too as their long nails stroked around his abs making him stiffen.

"This one strong." one of them said in the sexiest voice Mike ever heard.

"But he stronger then Vax?" the other asked.

A gate in front of him opened and a large muscular man walked out. He was covered in scars and cuffs around his hand and ankles. In his had was a large bumper sword and human skin coving his groin. His face was covered with a bag. He roared as Mike's bonds where cut. Stripped of his weapons a machete was thrown a his fee. Seeing it as his only weapon he picked it up and readied himself against this beast.

As he looked around he could see plenty of tribal with guns. Even if he killed this beast of a man then there was still no guarantee that he would survive. Saya watched as well with Rex growling knowing something was up. Looking through the scope she looked around to see that some of the cannibals had bags over their heads. This beast was worshipped, and the two of them knew it. Saya panicked slightly as she didn't know what to do.

Mike and this beast of a man circled each other waiting for a moment to attack before the beast lunged at him but thanks to his size he was slow allowing the Courier to dive between his legs. Acting fast he then jumped on the beast's back holding onto the chain around his neck. He held on for dear life as the beast man flung him from side to side. As he did this Mike pulled himself up machete in hand and brought it down on the beast's head. He cut half the beast's head off killing him instantly.

The beast fell face first onto the ground with Mike standing on top of the dead body. Many of the tribal pregnant women looked at him with lust in their eyes. However several of them men began to aim weapons at him. Saya noticed and took aim at him, her finger rested on the trigger as she hesitated. She stroked it slowly not sure about what to do. She knew that she had to do something but she didn't to kill, but if she didn't then Mike would die someone her daughter started to look up to.

"Ah screw it." she said in her native tongue.

She aimed and fired. The shot rang out across the crater allowing Mike to run up to one of the tribesman with a machete. Bringing the blade to his neck made the man freeze guns now pointed at him and began to fire. Apparently they didn't car if he had hostages or not making him dive into cover. 5.56, 10mm and .308 rounds hit around Mike's cover as he moved slowly.

Saya pulled the trigger again but nothing happened. Grunting in anger she pulled again but all she got was a click. She had no idea what to do, Rex then nudged the handle on the side. She then remembered that Mike used to use this this to get rounds out. Taking hold of it she pulled it up and pulled back before sliding it back and down loading another round in.

Her hands shook uncontrollably as the recoil of the rifle rushed through her. Panic and fear flowed through her like never before as she looked though the scope again. Her shaking made the scope and hard for her to aim. Mike ran behind the buildings trying to find a weapon, until a rocket luncher fired at him. The missile missed but sent him flying into a hut with weapons in. he smile as he saw his harness with the survivalists rifle on the back as well his .45 and ammo pouches. Smiling he got up and gabbed it before throwing it back on.

Looking outside it seemed that the cannibals has split into worshippers of Vax and the traditionalists. Seeing this as a way out he ran out being ignored as he climbed the dune to reach Saya was laying on the dune with the anti-material rifle in hand. She was shaking like no tomorrow, worrying, about her he moved up to her as the fire-fight in the crater continued.

"Calm down." he said taking hold of the weapon.

She looked to him with water in her eyes before pouncing on him.

"I did it... I did it I took a life." she cried.

"Calm down, it's over." he said helping her up.

Arm across her shoulder he helped her back to camp.

OOOOO

Back at the camp Rex and Naya were asleep as Mike dabbed at a scratch that she had on her arm, with a wet cloth. Saya didn't say much but he was getting worried about her. Something that traumatic shouldn't last this long but then again it was part of her culture to be peaceful. He didn't blame her but he had to teach her that it was ok.

"Saya, if you hadn't shot I would be dead now. So thank you." he said in a calming tone.

She looked to him, her eyes where red and puffed up from crying so much.

"I know but I killed someone."

"I know, but listen, you have to learn this. Killing people is normal in the wasteland. It ether kill or be killed. That's the rule in the wastes and people follow it to the letter."

Saya looked down. "I know but it's a little hard to accept."

He took a hold of her chin and made her face him before locking lips with her. She didn't resist, after a moment the two looked at each other with red faces.

"Feeling better?"

"Yeah, but still I feel a little weird. Can you help me?"

"Yes I can to the best of my abilities."