August 22nd, 2279
The food arrived about fifteen minutes after they had ordered. Zack had already finished one bottle of Nuka Cola and Kade about a third of her wine. Everything on Zack's plate was warm and tasted excellent. They both ate ravenously from their plates. This side of the saloon that they both were on seemed more pleasant of the two. There was laughter, delighted conversation, and relaxing music. The other side held the rants of drunks, the curses of missed shots at the pool table, and the anger of a losing hand at the poker tables.
Kade was the first to finish her food, she pushed her plate forwards and drank more from her bottle of wine. As Zack continued on with his meal, he watched as Kade glanced around the saloon, taking in all the excitement. She had a smile on her face, most likely glad that she wasn't forced here by a slaver and placed on some wooden stage to be sold off to the highest bidder. As Zack finished the last of his Brahmin steak, the saloon started to clear out considerably.
"Alright guys, that will be a hundred and five caps for everything combined. Please don't tell me now you want separate checks, cause I don't really feel like breaking it all down." The waitress told them seeing now that they had finished.
"One total is fine, thanks." Zack opened his pack up and took out the small pouch that he had taken from Spoon Jacker. He started counting out the caps as the waitress gathered up the dishes. Zack scooted the pile of caps in front of him to the side of the table.
The waitress brushed them into a pocket in front of her apron and picked up the dishes. "I'm going to go count this in the back, so it all better be here." She then walked off towards the kitchen.
Zack smiled at the waitress's words and scratched the top of his head. "The price seemed a little high for what we ordered."
"Yeah about that, when I spoke to that couple before, they said that the commander of the Rangers places his own tax on everything in Cherry Cliff. So as he sends shipments of copper back to California, he is making a killing off the residents, merchants, and wastelanders. They told me he lives in that house by the power storage unit that was fenced off."
"It might not be as bad as it sounds. The money from the taxes could be going back into Cherry Cliff. He probably had to purchase both the NCR barracks and the other building he lives in, which probably also acts as headquarters for the settlement. Since he is the one in charge of the copper shipment, he has to pay the ghouls to mine it. He has to keep his Rangers fed, stocked with medical supplies, and have plenty of ammunition on hand. He has his Platoon guarding this settlement, putting his Ranger's lives in danger everyday to keep them safe. The Rangers probably get paid a monthly wage as well."
"Wow." Kade dragged the word out as she said it. "I didn't think of all that stuff."
"Yeah, you see how costly it can be when you're on the other side."
"They didn't mention anything like that. They seemed terrified of this, uh, Lieutenant Green. They described him as a large muscled dark skinned man. A long scar runs from the top of his head over his right eye and nose. He wears an eye patch over the socket. They say he always has a cigar in his mouth, along with a gold front tooth. The boots he wears are huge and have metal plating on the front with a grinning skull on the tips. He likes to drink whiskey all hours of the day. Sometimes he gets drunk and rides a donkey around Cherry Cliff pulling his revolver out and shooting it wildly at anything or anyone. Usually only the other Rangers can get him under control."
"Really?" Zack shook his head chuckling. "He must've pissed off the wrong officer or something and got sent out here to baby sit this copper mine."
"Yeah, he doesn't sound very friendly, I'd rather just avoid the man altogether."
"So did that couple say where we could stay the night?"
"Yes they did. Once you leave here and walk near the edge of the cliff you will see the bridge that goes to the other side. Once you make it across you walk to the left. You will see the hotel there. If you go right by accident you will come across the resident's homes."
"Alright, that sounds like it will work."
Zack reached over to his pack and opened the part with the hidden compartment in it. He took the pouch from earlier, which still had some caps in it, and filled it with it with more caps that he kept hidden here. He tied the pouch and placed it on the table. He grabbed the bottle in front of him and finished the last of his Nuka Cola.
"Now for the hard part."
"Well." Zack stared down at a disfigured knot within the wood of the table. "I guess this is where we go our separate ways." He looked up to her face. "I'm going to go check out that hotel. Are you going to try the Good's Store to see about a caravan?"
Kade nodded slowly. She was looking down at the wine bottle in her hands, moving her thumb up and down across its label.
"Here." Zack moved the pouch across the table in front of her. "This should be enough to get a room at the hotel, buy a couple more meals, and pay your way with a caravan."
Kade looked up from the bottle to Zack. Her green eyes were shaking slightly. "Thank you Zack. You've been so helpful to me these last couple of days. Your kindness is a real rarity."
Zack stood up from the table. "I'm glad we arrived here together without injury and I hope you get back safely to Dedge. Take care of yourself Kade." He held his right hand out as to shake hers.
Kade looked to Zack's hand and then to his eyes. She quickly got out of her chair, jumped up wrapping her hands around his neck, and hugged him tightly.
Surprised, Zack had no choice but to return the hug. He could feel the cool metal of her bracelet on his neck as her head rested on his chest.
"Thanks for everything." She said softly.
The hug broke after a few moments and Kade sat back down grabbing her bottle of wine. "I'm just gonna finish this first before I leave. Don't want it to go to waste."
Zack nodded. He grabbed his pack and placed it on his shoulders. "Farewell Kade." A lump in his throat was present as he spoke. He quickly turned, walked to the entrance, pushed the swinging doors open, and made his way down the steps.
Zack located the wooden bridge not too far away. There was a burning barrel sitting next to it. He crossed it slowly holding on to the rope that served as the guard rail with his right hand. The bridge was wobbly, but seemed like it was built to last. When he finished crossing, he looked to the left. He saw the building that must be the hotel. It was two stories and had a lot of windows. He made his way slowly towards it, staring at the ground as he walked. He saw a rusted tin can lying on the ground and kicked it a few times till he neared the building. Zack stepped up on the wooden planked sidewalk, and opened the door which its top portion was mainly a glass window.
The lobby was kept clean. Immediately to his right was a small sofa. The fabric was a faded green. It had gaudy gold arm rests and legs. Further right was a hallway which looked to lead to rooms. In front of him a ways was a staircase to the second floor. The lighting in here was run by power as well. A man wearing tan slacks, blue vest, and red tie was standing behind a small counter to the left. His hair was brown and was hanging down past his shoulders. He looked like he was busy reading something that Zack couldn't see. Zack made his way over to the counter and placed his hands on upon it.
"How's it going?" He asked the man.
The man jumped a little from Zack's question. "Oh. I'm sorry man. I got lost in this book. What can I do for you?"
Interested Zack looked over the counter. "What is it you are you reading?"
The man picked up the book and showed Zack the cover. "It's one of those Sherlock Holmes crime novels. This one is called The Hound of the Baskervilles. I'm about halfway through and it's starting to get really interesting. I thought I had an idea of what was going on, but not so sure anymore."
Zack nodded. "I might have to read it sometime if I find a copy. How much is a room for the night?"
"Well we have single beds, doubles, and then a deluxe suite, which has a large bed and its own bathroom. Otherwise you have to use the community bathroom at the end of the hall."
"A single will do. Do they have powered lights in them?"
"Sorry, no. Only the deluxe suite has power to them."
"No worries. Is there a bathtub in this community restroom?"
"Yes, it will cost extra for that. I can have someone bring water and soap if you would like to have one this evening."
"Yeah I'd like that."
"Alright, single room and water for bath. That will be five hundred caps, and I'll need that up front before I can give you the key, just policy."
Zack took off his pack and withdrew the amount from his hidden compartment. He put the caps on the counter and waited while the man counted them. Zack sat down on the sofa and waited patiently.
A few minutes passed. The man looked over to Zack. "Okay. Here is your key. You'll be on the second floor, room seventeen. That will be on the left. Once the bath is ready someone will knock on your door to inform you."
Zack nodded, stood up, and walked over to the counter and received the key from the man.
"Anything else I can do for you?"
"Yeah, do you have the time?"
The man looked at a spot behind the counter. "It's a little after eight."
"Thanks." Zack picked up his pack and walked up the stairs holding it at his side.
Zack located his room. It was the second door on the left. He inserted the key and unlocked the deadbolt. It seemed like it would be difficult to pick and would be safe to leave his belongings in the room. He opened the door and entered the room. The room was quite small. Along the right side of the it against the wall was the bed. The frame was wood and it had gray sheets and a pillow on it. Next to the bed's headboard sat a small nightstand with a kerosene lamp and a pack of matches next to it. Above it was a window which only faced part of the mountain, hardly worth installing in the first place.
Zack placed his pack and canteen down in the space between the foot of the bed and the entry wall. He made his way over to lamp and lit it with the first match. He walked back and closed the door, locking it as he did so. He placed his goggles and head wrap on the nightstand. He undid the strap to his pauldron and took off his duster placing it on the bed. He sat down next to it and removed his boots and socks, and slid them underneath the bed. He sat there staring blankly at the wall, with its paint peeling at the edges. He sighed and closed his eyes. The silence was eating at him.
"I didn't think that saying goodbye to her would be so difficult."
Zack had become quite used to having Kade to speak to the past couple of days. She came from an interesting place and seemed very talented with technology and explosives. It was amusing to hear her thoughts on the topics they discussed.
Zack was not sure how much time passed while he sat there thinking with his eyes closed when a small knock was heard coming from his door. He opened his eyes.
"Excuse me sir." A muffled female's voice came though the door. "Your bath is ready at the end of the hall."
Zack got up, unlocked, and opened the door. A young woman stood before him. Her face was smudged and she wore torn garments. She stood with no emotion not making any contact with Zack's eyes. Zack reached back to his pouch and withdrew some caps.
"Thanks for getting it ready." Zack placed the caps in the girl's hand.
A smiled appeared on her face. "Thank you very much sir, enjoy the bath." She quickly turned and vanished down the hall.
Zack went to his pack and withdrew his razor and toothbrush. He left the room and locked it. He then made his way barefoot down the hallway towards his bath.