Chapter XVIII:

Ten Thousand Bullets


Benny


I can't tell you how relieved I am to see even this glamorous shit of a city. But I am. For weeks I'd been tagging along with those uber testosterone ape men. Weeks spent twiddling through sand, the cold nights and atrocious selection for food. Stuff smelled like jet and tasted like coke.

Don't mind me having a party. Come to think of it, could use one. Have Swank get some elegant call girls from Phoenix Fire or hell even the Luxe. Get myself high on LSD and snort some of that white goodness off some broads beautiful knockers. Goddamn, I deserve it.

I passed through the outer gate. Place smelled like a sewer, and considering the live rounds of pigs and Brahmin running around you wouldn't be surprised. Freeside lay before me. It was ugly as usual; crumpling buildings and ragged looking people that could use a high rise for a week. But I can't deny it does have its appeal. Yellow, red and orange neon lights flooded the atmosphere; the streets chocked with midnight shops and markets: selling all kinds of food stuffs. I waded my way through the still sizable bunch milling in the streets, some oddling at my particular digs.

Started to get to the center of things. Place were starting to get adorned with jack-a-lanterns and spooky ghosts. Pumpkins burning bright like some kinda psycho trip. Hollow's Eve is tomorrow. Don't get why kids are into this crap, but guess they like spooky stuff.

More shops, more danky looking alleyways. Now there apartments and tenements. I shuffled to the side as some cute character pumped his garbage out a window.

"Got booze, woman and gambling! Come get some hot action boys at the Atomic Wrangler!"

Call girls, too young for my taste. I like my girls mature and experienced. Makes the time more fine and worthy. I kept on running past. Now I was in the King Street.

Bunch a punks playing tough guy dress up tryna look like Elvis were about. When a couple gave me the stink eye, I drew Maria. They finked off and I kept on going. Man I shoulda taken Swanks offer for cardio. I feel like I'ma bout to fall over.

Can't stop though. I gotta make it home. Gotta get clear of the Bosses eyes and twiddling fingers. Passed by the Old Mormon Fort and their do-gooders. Passed by Mick and Ralphs convenience square.

A little further down was the Silver Rush and those Van Graff pyscho's. Add killing those unrespectable sods to my list of things to do. And there it was: the big giant gate separating me from my palace and my army of fine men with guns. Of course there'd be Securitrons there. Of course they'd try to stop me.

"Chairman Reeves, Director House has ordered your detainment," the big TV on wheels bellowed at me, "surrender now and—"

"The big cheese can kiss my fine ass!" I shouted back at him before using the code I got from Yes Man, "Echo 4 9 Charlie Oscar!"

Then like magic the TV men went into shutdown mode. Wouldn't last long. Maybe thirty seconds but it'll last me long enough. I hit the lever and the gate opened for me. There before was the golden lights and warm sweet air of paradise.

Like the king on a white horse that I am, the whole world looked my way. Had me time, I would've bowed. But right now I gotta get to the Tops fore House sends more TV goonies after me. I sprinted past the glorious stuffs one could only dream of. I ran past the kingdom I wanted to reign on over.

The Heaven I wanna be Christ of. I ran on and on I felt like I was gonna puke. Then when I hit the high rock and dazzling lights of The Tops Casino and Hotel, I did. I threw out my lunch for a good minute. Ah shit, I got some of it on my pants.

"Chairman Reeves, do not move!"

More of 'em were rolling after me. I got up and ran. I heard the retracked motors of their guns unlocking.

"Lethal force is authorized."

The twin glass doors to my glass palace lay before me. Goddamn it, why were they closed!? Ah screw it.

"Geronimo!"

I tackled through them. I felt glass bite through my clothes. Could see my blood on the floor. But I didn't care. I got up and kept running.

"Benny! You're back! Where—"

"Oh for fuck's sake, Swank! Get some boys and don't let those tin cans get in here! And open my private elevator!"

About a half dozen of my Triggermen with really big guns ran past me as I ran past the glammer of my kingdom. There was the elevator. There it was. Please God or Gods don't screw me now. The doors opened and I jumped on through.

I banged my head on the wall but I didn't care. As the doors closed, I started laughing. Laughing loud and manic like a big rubber faced clown. I'd done it! I'd actually done it!

I'd beat the great and powerful, the all mighty and all knowing Robert Fucking House! From my torn jacket I pulled out the Platinum Chip and spun it in my fingers.

"You sir have cost me a lot. But I know you were a lovely investment, darling."

The doors opened and red carpets with platinum walls showed themselves to me. I got up and strolled out like the cool cat I was. I'd won. I was safe now. I could take some leisure.

Walked on and on, passing so many doors till I got to the one. I popped open my key, and unlocked the door. After I closed it, the lights kicked on. I was never happier to see my suite. As I walked, I took off my clothes and tossed them away as I stepped into the bathroom.

"Shower, hot water but not too hot."

Steam bubbled from my private cleansing. I stepped in and let the liquid goddess do her work on me. Blood, mud, grime and probably shit swam away from me and down the drain. Minutes later, I stepped out and found Yes Man waiting for me. Normally I'd give him an earful for stepping in on my baby suit, but right now I'm just too happy to be breathing.

"Hello good sir!" his creepy child optimism echoed, "Have you accomplished your mission?"

I smiled at his smiling TV box face and procured the chip.

"How long till you can decode what's on it?"

"A day at most. I'll get started right away!"

"Good, and tell Swank to send me the usual lasses from Phoenix. I need a woman's touch right now. And after that, tell him I'll tell him everything once he brings me that 1948 Che'laret he's kept from me. 'Tis time to celebrate 'cause soon… well, shah mat."


Gideon


Under the cover of the night we hit the street. I was in front, Boone directly behind me followed by Raul, Kowalski, Veronica and Cass covering our six. Just ahead was ED-E who was keeping a silent vigil over the overlapping streets. We hit the corner, and I poked my head out to see him coming our way.

"See anymore patrols, buddy?"

He shook his head and zoomed back down to the end of the street. Quickly, with weapons covering every possible angle we trotted down to the next corner. My eye kept shifting from what was in front of me, to the Sensorium and then to the ruins of this dead city. Over a thousand dead bodies call this place home. I do not plan to join them.

For the past couple of blocks the roar of gunfire and explosions were distant, but getting louder with every stepped forward. Now we could feel the vibrations in our boots.

"Getting warm," Boone whispered at my elbow. Raul silently chuckled:

"Gonna need que llamar al departamento de bomberos."

"More like a divine intervention for a place like this," I replied. Though if things got as bad as I thought it would, I just might get it. I poked my head around the broken wall and there it was. The trio of three story apartment building surrounding the one. We could see the muzzle flashes to and from the buildings, the exhaust of mortars arching high, the loud whoosh of rockets and the arching explosives as they hit their targets.

Jesus, I'm surprised the bar hasn't imploded from the damnable weight of shrapnel being thrown at it.


Boone


Gideon called for a halt and I saw why. Exactly 50 yards ahead was our target building. He waved his hand and we all huddled back together.

"Alright, here's the gameplan."

"Futbol mucho?"

He gave him a death glare and he slinked back. He then continued.

"A raiding party this size would mean at least 30 or 40 legionaries, but also counting in the mortars and rockets it would bump it up to 50 or 60. That translates to at least 20 per building."

I picked up the briefing:

"The apartments are three stories each. The Crimsons will be stationed on the last two and the mortars would need to be on the roof."

Then Cass added in:

"But these guys ain't stupid. They'll have sentries on the bottom floor."

I nodded.

"Count on at least 5."

"That means we need to take them out each quietly," Gideon continued, "if even one gets a warning out, we'll have the rest down on our heads. Now me and Boone are the only ones with silent weapons. Do not under circumstances fire your weapons."

"So what are we supposed to do?" Kowalski snorted, "Use harsh language?"

"No joven tonto, you use this."

He then smacked him lightly on the head with the butt of his pistol.

"Ow!"

"And you use this."

I plucked his combat knife from his belt sheath.

"I didn't get much training on hand to hand," Kowalski mumbled. I nodded.

"Sneak up from behind, stab them in the neck, through the spinal cord and then twist. Extract cleanly. If you can't, slit their throats."

I demonstrated each maneuver with his weapon before I returned it to him. He nodded somberly:

"Okay. I can do this."

"Hey if worst comes to worst, we'll use your buen cuerpo joven as a shield! Relax, I'm follando con usted."

"Alright," Gideon concluded, "we'll go our separate ways here. We go on five, understood?"


Kowalski


I'm not gonna lie. I'm fucking scared shitless. I don't wanna be here; I wanna be back home in Redding: with ma and sis. But I can't, not while these bastards are here shooting at Monroe and his guys. I'm going to make them pay; for what they did to Jimmy, to Sarge and the rest of the guys.

God, I swear I'm going to avenge them all.

"Alright let's move out."

I nodded and followed Boone out; my weapon shouldered at a proper 45 as we trotted to the dark looming building ahead. The Ghoul was close behind me; his Service Rifle at the ready. The guy kind of freaks me out. I've seen other Ghouls before, but this guy… I dunno, but there just seems to be something off about him. He seems a little… nutty. I really hope this guy doesn't shoot me in the back.

We dived under the cover of a fallen house thrown into a giant crater. Jesus, they weren't kidding when they said they blew this town to shit. I peeked out under the steel graters and I could see the back door about 50 feet out.

"Alright, we'll take this one at a time. I'll go—"

"No," The Ghoul interrupted, "I'll go first. You keep me covered, Senior Tirofijo. You've got the long barrel and I don't trust mine or El Nino's accuracy at this range, and I mean no offense by that, kid."

"None taken, I'm not a good shot."

"When I hit the wall, we'll send him after, then you."

"Okay, that sounds like a plan," Boone replied. He then signaled me and I got my weapon up to cover the building. Jeez, that's a lot of windows.

"Go."

The Ghoul then scurried out from cover. He low trotted first to a rusty old car, stopped, peeked around, then moved up to low ditch with a drain pipe. He popped his head out, looked around again, then rolled out and started crawling the rest of the way until he hit the building about twenty seconds later.

"Wow, guy knows his stuff."

"He's had two hundred years. Now you."


Gideon


I'd had the advantage of V having night and thermal vision in her helmet. She scanned the rooftops and windows.

"Not seeing anybody up there. Should be clear."

"V, I'm getting jealous of that suit."

"Hey, if somewhere along the way we pick up an exact copy, you'll be the first to get it."

"Ah, thanks," I replied with a smile, "okay we move together. Stay close behind me."

"Uh shouldn't I be in front? I'm after all bulletproof."

"That's a good point. You go first."


Cass


We hit the building. This place is givin' me some messed up vibes. The door was left ajar. I drew my knife and got ready.

"Okay Disco, I'll open the door and you zoom in nice and quiet like. We take these rooms one at a time and we nail these bastards 'fore they nail us."

He nodded.

"Okay, let's get some badguys."


Boone


We went through the door. I had hunter out and ready, scanning for targets as we moved in. Directly ahead of us were a hallway with six doors, three on either side and two more splitting off on the right and left. I advanced slowly, taking every step with the upmost care. I signaled left and Kowalski swung over to cover the door.

I looked right and saw Raul close behind. He signed:

You, me, walk over there?

He pointed to the end of hallway. I nodded and then signed back:

Turn around and go to each door.

Okay. Watch floor.

Why?

He put his fingers together, pulled them apart and then made an explosion sign.

Boobytraps?

He nodded.

I go left. You go right. Keep a—I pulled my arms apart—distance behind.

Okay.

I turned to Kowalski.

Stay here. Cover.


Gideon


We were in somekind of lobby with multiple rooms full of tables and weights. I looked left and spotted what looked like some indoor pool. Ahead of us was stairs going up and the reception desk to our immediate left past the corner. V had taken point. Normally I would have the Sensorium out, but the thing makes a low beeping noise anytime it picks something up and I didn't know how to shut it off.

So instead we were going to use V's supersuit to give us an early warning. She paced the wall very slowly, only peeking her head out the inches need to look around the corner. She quickly darted back.

I see three.

Where?

Front, left, close left.

How close?

She then signed going up, left turning and seeing him there. I nodded.

I saw, hallway, left, back there. You stay. I go.

Okay. Watch your— she patted her rear. I smiled:

You too.


Cass


We'd checked a bunch of rooms back there. I had to cover my mouth with my bandana from the amount of fuckin' dust left over. Saw a couple skeletons in 'em too. Harsh way to go out. We'd gone a few more feet when suddenly I heard footsteps.

We quickly darted back in one of the rooms as one of the Crimsons came down the hallway. He stopped and started walking slower. Must've saw the open doors. Goddamn it that was stupid of me. I pointed to ED-E and then pointed at a closet behind him.

Get in there and hide, I mouthed. He spooky like zipped in and hid under the clothes. I hid behind the door. Fucker's steps were getting slower now. Then he stopped.

I dropped down to the floor and I could see his boots just in front of my room. I could see his shadow moving left and right. He then turned my right and went into the other room. I tippy toed around, looked down the hallway ta see if he had buddies. Fucker was alone.

I drew my knife and got up very slowly. He was in the other room, poking his nose through there, had his back turned to me. Then he started sneezin' like his head was gonna blow. I made my move, runnin' over to him. He turned, his weapon turnin'.

His eyes went wide. My knife went high, his gun was on me. I felt the sickening blow as it went into his head. My hand grabbed his pistol as it did, pulling it away from him as he fell. His eyes went dead and I let him drop.

I flinched when it made a thump. I whipped around the corner, 'specting more ta be comin' my way. But nothin' did. I wiped my brow and ED-E came out, checking the corner.

"One down, 19 ta go."


Boone


We checked the last room, and like the others found it empty. We headed back to the hallway. Then Raul went back into the room.

"What's he doin'?" Kowalski whispered. I held up my finger. A few seconds later he came back with plastic bottles and some tape.

What, for?

Make, rifle, quiet.

I raised my eyebrow. He took his rifle and stuffed the bottle onto the end of the barrel, then wrapped heavy tape around it until it was snug.

Block, air, coming out of—pointed to the barrel—make silent. Only one.

One what? Kowalski mouthed. He imitated firing. He then took his weapon and then did the same thing to it. I nodded and we head down to the hallway. The one on the right was just a fire escape, so we head left. Then I felt Raul grab me.

What?

Look down.

I didn't see anything, but I froze anyway.

Tripwire.

Shit.

He then crouched forward and took out a wirecutter. A second later I heard something snip. I then ran his hand along a length that I couldn't see until he came to a hole in the wall. I reach his hand in and yanked out a can. There was a grenade tapped inside it.

How, you, see?

See, better at, night.

I smiled slightly.

You take point.


Gideon


I was ninjaing my way down the hallway when the door just in front of me opened. A Legionary stepped through. I put a round to the back of his neck and caught him as he was falling. I looked inside to see it was a bathroom, so I stuffed him back inside and shut the door very quietly. There was a second door just 10 feet down.

This one was marked "Ladies". I brushed up against the wall and waited. About a minute later there was movement inside. Ten seconds later the door opened, and my weapon was in the guys face.

"Sorry," I whispered, "Forgot to knock."

POP

He dropped back onto the toilet, the wall splattered red. I closed the door and just for shits and giggles put an Occupied sign on the handle.


Veronica


One of the guys from the front started moving from his seat and was coming my way. I ducked back and hugged the wall as best as I could. My armor was largely gray and black (I'd taken off the robe a bit back), so I hoped I could blend in with the darkness. This cat came around with a lever-action, peering down the hall. I completely froze, not daring to make a sound.

Even with the gun fire upstairs I knew that if this guy got a round off it would alert the others. I could take these cosplaying rapists, but it would also alert the rest in the other buildings and the rest of the guys (and one gal) would be in trouble. Then he looked right at me. I glared at from behind the mask; studying his green outline for any funny business. He shrugged and walked past me.

I let him get five feet before I spun. My hand went to his mouth and I twisted. His head came off in my hands.

"Oops."


Cass


There were three more of the bastards. These guys were clearly lookin' fer their buddy cause they had their guns and sharp sticks drawn. I saw 'em pass by the hallway down from me. I'd hidden the Crimson in a closet and shut all doors on the way in. It'd take 'em a bit to find him, so I had an idea.

I'd let them find the body. They'd search the rest of the place, and come back to here. Me an' Discoball would be waitin' fer 'em.


Kowalski


This Ghoul must have some kind of freaky nuclear superpowers or something, cause he'd spotted three more of the damn tripwires in the past two minutes. This place is so goddamn dark I can barely see a thing, let alone a really thin fucking wire. I'd spent the majority of the time covering these two from the back or when ever they'd clear a room. I'd honestly didn't mind. These guys moved like pros and I didn't want to get in their way.

They were checking a final room when I heard footsteps coming our way. I spun and he was at the fucking end! He saw me. He was raising his weapon. I didn't even feel the trigger moving or the recoil in my shoulder.

First he was upright, then there was a loud pop and he was on the floor with his brains and whatever else spattered against the wall.

Oh shit, oh shit, I mouthed. Then I felt a hand grab my shoulder and I was pulled back into the room. Boone and the Ghoul had their weapons on the hallway for a good thirty seconds. Then they looked at each other and Boone stepped through the doorway. The Ghoul followed, and about a minute later they came back with the body.

"Guess he was alone?"


Gideon


After about another minute of checking doors, creeping through the shadows, and freezing everytime I heard rats scuttling in the dark, I'd finally swung round to the other side of the of the lobby. The last two jokers were still sitting in the front entrance; sharpening their knives and loading their guns. The third guy (who Veronica had described as being just around the corner) wasn't there. Instead there was just an empty chair. I pondered my options.

I couldn't take these guys both out by myself. I drop one and the other would notice, maybe get a shot off or call out for help. But then a few seconds later I didn't need to. The black silhouette of V's armor poked around the corner.

You okay?

Yeah.

She then pointed at the last two sentries. I nodded:

You, right guy. Me, left guy. You—

She interrupted my speech by smacking the air a couple times with—a head?

Chair guy, I—she imitated breaking his neck—too hard—she held up the head.

Holy shit, I mouthed.


Veronica


Holy shit indeed. I didn't mean to take his whole head off! He then shook his head and then pointed at the bad guys. I nodded. I crept up behind my guy, Gideon behind his.

He drew his combat knife.

On three. One… two… three.

I lurched forward and slammed his stupid head right into the wall once and then twice. Gideon grabbed his guy and tossed him over. I'd expected him to go for his throat but instead he performed a coup de grace: stabbing his blade right through his heart before extracting and finishing him off with a blow to the back of the neck. It was smooth and calculated; without even an impulse of hesitation. Gideon's been clearly trained just like me and just like Boone.

But by who?

You good?

I nodded.

Let's go upstairs.


Cass


Me and the Bot were waitin' fer a good minute or two when finally we heard boots on the creaky wood. Only way to get upstairs was through us. I was hiding in one room, Disco in the other across from me. I clutched the knife tight in my hand, my heart beatin' like I'd been goin' twelve rounds a vodka knives. I kept my breathin' as normal as I could but goddamn the tension is killing me.

Now they were just at the corner. Then they stopped. Come on, ya stupid pricks. Keep on comin'. Now I could hear 'em in front of me.

First guy passed, then the second. Now the third. Just as he passed the door, I opened it wide and buried my knife in his fuckin' skull.

"What the—"

Then the Bot shot from the room. I ducked as he slammed into the first guy, knocking him over 'fore he broadside the third to the ground. I grabbed one of their knives and went to work on both. When all was over I grabbed my flask and downed a couple gulps before I put it away.

"Nice job Dis…er," ah what the hell, "ED-E."

He actually chuckled and then looked like he took a fuckin' bow. I had to restrain myself from laughing at that.

"Okay," I whispered, "let's go kick the rest of their asses."

"With pleasure," ED-E whispered back.

"When did you learn how ta talk?"

"—Sunny boy."

Then I got it. He was playin' Bogart in that one flick. Good taste all 'round.


Kowalski


There was one final room up ahead. Boone and the Ghoul were about to clear it when he pulled on his shoulder and pointed. I crept up and saw why. There were three of the bastards in a room down the hall. They had candle lights lit watching the front.

The Ghoul then signed at Boone. He nodded and went to watch the door. The Ghoul then pointed at me and then at the last room. I nodded and I got in position. I got my knife out.

He opened the door and there was a loud click.

"Mierda! Get down!"

Then he grabbed me and we went flying. Then there was a loud boom and everything went dark.


Gideon


We felt the explosion rock the stairwell. This one was a lot closer than the previous ones and we could hear them going nuts upstairs.

"Well so much for subtlety."

"I was getting bored anyway! Let's punch some jerkfaces in."

"Marcus! Atticus! Referre velim vos!"

"Vos invenire eum!"

"Two are coming down."

"Okay here we go."

V quickly took point, putting aside her weapon as I drew Parabellum. A few seconds later these guys came running. Suddenly Veronica reached around and grabbed the first guy; tossing him down the stairs! As she brushed past me I round the corner and slammed my blade right between the unlucky bastard's eyes. I then drew Lowlight and went up the foot of the stairs.

When I round the corner there was another at a doorway. I dove back as he fired a burst from an SMG: shredding apart where I'd been standing less than second earlier. I drew the grenade from my pouch, pulling the pin and cooking it for exactly two second before I tossed it. It hit the wall and bounced around the corner. I then jumped from the stairwell and ironically running into V as the upstairs went out with a bang.


Boone


My head was spinning. My ears ringing. I couldn't see. I tried to get up but I felt too nauseous. I fell and my jaw hurt doing so.

I gritted my teeth and tried to get up. I looked up and saw a gun barrel in my face. I followed it up until I saw the crimson uniform.

"Carla… Ben… I'll be seeing you soon."

Then his head exploded. Then I saw something green fly over me. I looked down the hall and at a funeral pace the other two crimsons at the end were literally ripped apart. Limps went flying. Chests burst and a head lost its mind.

Then time went back to normal and they fell to the floor. With smoking pistols, Raul rose to his feet.

"Gracias a Dios por el Tiempo Bala."

He then looked down at me and cocked a grin.

"Not your time yet, mandibula de cincel. On your feet."

Then we heard the sound of boots coming down the stairs.

"Hold on a second."

He then spun and fired both magnums directly into the wall until they went dry. About 9 separate fist sized holes decorated it. Then a series of bodies fell down to the foot of the steps.

"Okay, now on your feet."

He reached a hand down and I took it.

"Hey Kid! Tu bien?"

Kowalski came around the corner, blood coming from his ears.

"What!?"

"I'll take that as a yes!"

I rose on shaky legs and drew the MPL.

"Let's go to work."


Cass


We were on the stairs goin' up when I felt a big 'ole tremor in the floor. From the rhythm of the shock and the length it lasted; my guess was a grenade. Then about thirty seconds later there was another one, this time much closer and much stronger.

"Gid, whacha got yerself into this time?"

I heard movement directly ahead of me. I went to the wall, ED-E close behind me. I held up my fingers, counted down to three and then spun round the corner. I fired both barrels off the moment I saw crimson, flooring the first guy in front.

" You can run on for a long time! "

Suddenly ED-E zoomed in front of me.

" Run on for a long time! "

They started shootin', he started whipping about blockin' the shots.

" Sooner or later, gotta cut you down! "

The world went red and the guy went on fire!

" Sooner or later, God's gonna- "

He then vaporized the third!

" Cut you down! "

More jackasses came screamin' out and I unslung my Lever-Action.

" Go tell that long tongue liar! "

As ED-E covered me, I started firing away at 'em.

" Go and tell that midnight rider! "

One came out from my right. I swung round and delivered a one-and-two ta the face.I heard more rounds pinging off ED-E's armor and the loud whoosh of his laser followed by the burnin' dead. Suddenly some bastard tossed a big damn net at ED-E. I heard the clank of metal weights and now three of 'em came out. I unloaded on the first two, but the third came at me with a machete.

I ducked to the side as the fucker took a swing at me. I backed a couple of steps up and he advanced on me. He licked his fucking lips, his eyes tellin' me right off what he had planned for me. At this distance, he'd skewer me 'fore I'd get my 10mm. I was gonna have ta play this game out.

"Come on then, shithead," I laughed, "and let's see if yer man 'nough."

He snarled and took a swing. I ducked sideways, and then hit 'em over the head clubend first. He dropped back and I then knocked his big boy knife away.

"Bitch!"

"Ass-face!"

Then he tackled me and I hit the floor hard. Things went white then black then I had this disgusting lookin' face droolin' over mine.

"I'm gonna take my time with you, slave!"

"Fuck you!"

I reached my hand fer the 10mm, but he then grabbed it and tossed it aside. His hand then went to my throat. My vision started goin' blurry and breathin' went out too. Then I felt him startin' ta unbutton my shirt.

"Such a fine body. A little old for my taste, but I'll enjoy you either way."

"Who…you…callin'…old!?"

I then slammed my knee into his groin. He went slack and pale. I reached over to the Winchester and I smacked him over the head. Then I rolled him over and grabbed the 10mm and had him drawn. At this point I wanted ta unload on this prick, but I knew he was gonna have buddies.

I put one to his chest, and ran over to ED-E. I pulled out my knife and slit the net. He then rose and zoomed over to where my would-be-rapist was lyin'. He didn't have long. He was already chokin' on his own blood. Then ED-E growled:

"I got somethin' special fer you, Charlie Brown!"

Then he fired and the bastard was on fire! His screams—I can't possibly describe them. Creepily, ED-E chuckled:

"Writhe little man. Writhe."

Then I heard more boots comin' down the stairs.

" Tell the Rambler- "

I slung over the Thumper.

" The Gambler- "

Seconds later six more came out and one was holding a bazooka.

" That Backbiter- "

They may have the better hand.

" Tell 'em that God's gonna— "

But I got the faster draw.

" Cut 'em down! "


Kowalski


"Feel that?"

"Yup. To our right. Too distant for Gideon's party."

"Heh, our little pirotecnia been busy."

I kept my rifle trained on the stairwell. About a minute prior we'd tried to go through there, but they opened up on us almost immediately and almost cut us to fucking pieces. So the Ghoul had this really, Brahmin-shit crazy idea. Directly to the right of the stairwell was another room. By his guess it was right underneath the hallway above us.

"No way in El Infierno we'll get through there. So I propose we take this grenade here, put it right here," he pointed up to the roof, "pull the pin and blow a hole up their collective culos!"

"And then what?" I asked. Boone had the answer.

"There's still the fire escape back there. We blow them here and come up that way."

"Cierto, pero they may be ready for us by then."

That's when I threw my own sense of crazy into the mix.

"We secure it up there, and we tie a string to the pin," I pulled out a piece of survival cord I'd found a while back that ran about 12 feet, "we get the fire escape ready, then blow it."

"That—that sounds asomborso! Where did you get that idea from?"

"I—I just kinda thought of it."

"Well from hence forth it shall be known as the Crazy Walski!"

I had to laugh at that. That was actually kinda funny.

"Alright, let's put it to work."

"Ah pero primero," he knew reached around to the bedside cupboard and pulled out three bottles of Tequila along with three pieces of torn sheets, "whose up for some química?"


Gideon


"Well that's a problem."

The entire stairwell had completely caved in. Which meant they couldn't get out, but we couldn't get in.

"I believe that's called a stalemate, V."

"You play Chess?"

"A while back. So got any ideas?"

"Um… wait does your Pip-Boy have access to local maps and diagrams?"

"Yeah it should, why?"

"See if you can pull one up for this building."

"Hold on."

I hit a few buttons, transferred over to Maps. It showed where I was in the county, so I then went to Local, which brought up Boulder City. I then hit Current Location, and we had our diagram.

"Sim Sim Salabim!" I chuckled.

"Go get a Turban and a tan and then we'll talk, Hadji."

"What? I always thought myself as Race!"

"Well I've got some dye if you want it then, oh Army-of-One!"

"Don't touch my hair. Okay so what are you looking for?"

"Here let me see."

And for the second time this night, my left hand got manhandled. Then she pointed at something on the screen.

"There a service elevator."

"No power, remember?"

"True, but service elevators have emergency ladders. They wouldn't be expecting it."

"Alright, but let's go up to the third floor and work our way down."

"That sounds like a plan."


Kowalski


"Ready, tu dos?"

"As ready as I'll be," I replied. I turned to Boone and he nodded.

"Pull the string."

I gave it a tug and I heard metal hit the floor.

"Start running!"


Gideon


"Wow, that's taller than I thought it would be."

"Heights are deceiving."

"Got that right. Need a boost?"

She laughed. Suddenly she leapt straight up through the trap door and with a dull thump was ontop of the elevator. She then reached a hand down.

"Come on, lightweight."

"Yeah sure thing, Tin Tin," I chuckled back as I took it. And then like she was picking up a grocery bag she hoisted me up through the elevator and I was standing next to her.

"You were able to benchpress a motorcycle so I guess I shouldn't be surprised."

"Don't be so jelly."

"Oh shut up, Tweety."

I then descended the ladder, with V close behind.

"Tweety?" she whispered in exclamation, "Tweety!? In this outfit?"

"Yeah," I grunted back, "and Boone's Sylvester."

"Oh that's just not right."

"Don't mean it ain't."

About a minute later we were at the very top and now had a very big door in our way.

"Care to do the honors?"

"Thought you would never ask."

At this point it was going to be largely pointless to be going silent, so I tucked Lowlight away and had my .45's out and ready to rock. Veronica grabbed the door by both hands and started to pull them apart.

"Knock Knock—"

"By Mars—"

"Room Service!"

I then sprung out from the door and opened up on the first Stovepipe wielding bastard in sight. My .45's rang out like echoes of piano keys as I blasted off limbs and then a head.

"Choo Choo, here comes the Pain train—gah!"

Suddenly there was a thunderous vibration and the floor caved in. Veronica fell through and almost took me along for the ride. I grabbed onto an open door way and hoisted myself in. No sooner than I did than more these clowns came to punch my ticket. Under the rain of fire I rolled across the hallway and knocked down a door.

"Uti pellentsque!"

Firestick? Oh shit. I got up and ran, tackling down a door as the room behind went out the window. The blast knocked me on the door and I went sliding first through a kitchen, across a dining table and then finally in the middle of a living room…full of grinning pale skeletons watching a destroyed TV.

"Goddamn it, America," I groaned as I got up. I heard them coming and I spun with my guns drawn. I didn't bother waiting for them to come through. I just proceeded to shoot straight through the plaster walls. I emptied both mags into 'em, and then I drew That Gun.

I knew that they'd try the whole Bazooka to the face routine again, so I decided to take my chances China Town Style instead of going out like Jim Bowie (much as I admire the man). I dived through the doorway, firing off a round down the adjacent doorway and hitting some schmuck square in the chest as I rolled in a big whole whiteout of dust. Visibility went to nill as did any sense of breathing. I didn't care though. I just got up and started running through the dust storm, firing off random rounds in the hopes I might hit something.

I got to the blown out room when something reach out and grabbed me.

"Oh come on, not again!"

And sure enough I was flying through another doorway before I hit the floor. Unlike that last barfight I'd decided to take a roll instead of a flop and managed to come up with That Gun drawn. The big guy who'd tossed me went first (not making that mistake again). His head went out in red chowder. Then another guy who came out on my right had his ribs redecorated to match his uniform. Then a third, who had not one but two machetes drawn.

"Really?" I asked him as I held him at gunpoint, "At least the big guy brought a—"

CLICK.

"Uh… time out?"

"Uh uh."

He leapt across the room and took a swing at my head. I rolled to the side, drawing Parabellum. As he came for another I stepped in; blocking his striking arm and then burying my blade in his throat. As he dropped to the floor, more came running in. He had an SMG raised and I rolled forward, drawing my throwing knife in the process.

As his burst rolled after me the knife went flying and he doubled over. I then proceeded to tackle his buddy to the floor but before I got the chance to do anything else a boot sent me right back into the room. Now they had their weapons drawn on me, and mine reached for the first things close enough. The two machetes.

I grabbed them and-

"Whoa," I whispered as they came to hand. I'd expected them to be clumsy, unfitting to me but instead they felt… natural. I felt a sudden heat on my shoulders, like the heat of the sun bearing down on me. I could hear the thunderous roars of…cheering? Chanting?

I felt a coarseness filling my boots, like I was standing in sand. I felt the roars of the crowd; their appetite for death calling for a display of carnage.

"We will grant you a warrior's death, then," a cold voice shot through my thoughts, "even if you do not deserve it."

Then I heard the sound of blades being unsheathed and now they had me boxed in. Two to the right, three to the front and the only way out was a three story drop. I couldn't run. Well, so much for not going out like Bowie.

I rose to my feet. I'll give them their carnage.

"Hope you got money for that mouth of yours, 'cause I'm gonna take it from you."

My left hand went to an armguard and my right stretched to an offense stance; bladed angled slightly upward.

"Let's dance."


Kowalski


The rusty metal stairs leading up rocked and shook like a royal son of a bitch. This thing must've been a couple hundred years old and it still held up. I moved up with my rifle drawn, Boone directly behind me with his sub and a hand on my shoulder as we moved in up to the window. As I took the left, he dodged down under the sill and took the right. Raul moved up between us, directly under the sill.

I couldn't see shit in there. Whole place was like a fucking smog front back in 'Frisco. But I could hear them. Bastards were screaming something fucking fierce. Good.

Scream all you want. I'm coming to kill you all.

"Estas listo?"

"Light 'em up."

Raul took out a lighter and the Molotov flamed. With Boone covering, I lifted the window up and he tossed it in. There was a crash and something burned.

"Ignis!"

"Cover me," Boone stepped through the window firing a burst as he went. I heard the dull thumps as rounds went through walls. I spotted movement in the next room and I opened fire on 'em. Didn't hit shit save for a whole lotta dishes, but I got 'em to duck their heads. Heard more shooting on Boone's side and some return fire.

"Go nino, I've got you covered."

I nodded and then slid through the window. I tripped and fell hard on my shoulder.

"Fuck," I cursed as I rose on my elbow. The Molotov had cooked a crossroads hallway, lighting the dimmer than shit dust mess into a blazing dust mess. The flames still had cut off one access route, leaving only one for us and the enemy to take. Then suddenly Raul started shooting over my head into the next room. I went to one knee and started shooting into the room; the walls were shit for cover and the rounds tore right through.

Logic turned double and I hit the ground as they started shooting back. Suddenly a loud burst of fire went off and I was pelted in hot casings. Boone was prone; shooting into the room. As he changed mags, he grunted:

"Shoot at their feet."

I took aim, switched to burst, and let myself go. I tore fucking holes through them, moving from wall to wall until I heard bodies drop and the fuckers screaming. I was changing mags when I heard footsteps to my left in the hallway.

"I've got 'em."

Then Raul tore apart that particular wall at waist level when one really long burst. Splinters and other white shit flew all over me. He tossed the empty rifle in and came through, those fucking hand canons of his in hand. He walked over to the shred-to-fucking-pieces room and moved inside.

"Bien. La gente are muertos."

"Come on," Boone grunted as he pulled me up by my arm. We swept through the room and on the floor were two really fucking dead Legion sons of bitches. But to make sure, I put a round into each of their heads and spat on the corpses.

"That's for Jimmy, Sarge and the rest, you pieces of shit."

"Stay on your guard, Kowalski," I heard Boone growl at my shoulder, "we're not done yet."

The wall on the left had been ripped to shreds by our combined fire. All Boone had to do was give it a good kick and the rest of the plaster fell out. He moved through the man sized hole and I followed. The Molotov down the hall had burned out, but it still stunk like tar or some other nasty shit. I put my bandana to my mouth as we moved through.

There were two more bodies ahead. Same story as the other two. Raul was directly behind me and he stiffened like a whipped dog.

"What is it? I asked as I dropped to a knee, expecting trouble.

"Too easy."

"Mebbe the grenade…"

"No," Boone interrupted, "I know how they operate. They wouldn't have had all their people on the stairwell. There should be more than just four here."

"Heh, bien mierda. They've pull back…waiting for us."

"We take it slow, then. And get the Molotov's ready. We may need to cook 'em out."

We moved down the hall in a staggered line: Boone in front, and Raul behind. There was a door on our left. Boone shifted to one side and I moved up to nod. On a count of three, I opened it and he moved in, sweeping it before coming out. He headed to the corner when suddenly he froze.

"Sine ictu his liniri!"

"Get back!"

My back hit the ground and something flew past us with a loud whoosh! It went through the broken wall and suddenly the back room exploded! The walls blocked most of the shockwave, though it didn't stop part of it from falling on us. We looked like fucking snowmen up in Sacramento.


Raul


"Miera! Estos chicos son tenaces… Eh, Boone?"

I looked left to see el hombre melancólico lying soundly on the floor. I shook him mu pocu, then a finger en el cuello. Sip, there was a beat. Ligero, pero hay. This is why yo prefiero trabajar alone.

Mierda. I could hear them reloading. Cataracts hacer que mi vista a la luz, pero my ears are like a cats. Maybe it's compensation. No saben no les importa. What is that I have about quince segundos to kill these barbaros before they explode us in a spectacular paint show.

I got up, mis articulaciones que hacen estallar como un verdadero hijo de puta, but I got up anyway. I'd perfect fine with them turning me into puddle, but niños still has a few more decades to live, so he gets my doloroso esfuerzo for today. I looked to the room Boone had cleared veinte seundos ago. Eh it's worth un intento.

"Hey chico, I need to borrow these."

I took his coctel Molotov y subfusil y comprobado the mag. Si, this will do. I need para hacer a new door. I stepped through the room and fired into the wall until it looked like un herradura. I drew las Manos de Dios, and braced myself.

"Bien esto va a doler…bala tiempo, don't fail me now."

I charged forward and smashed through the plaster wall. Like I hoped; everything ralentizado. The breaking wall, the bastardos loading their tubo de la fatalidad y all this gypsum cagar floating around like its Navidad en el rancho y it decided to be a good year! Y everything sounds like I'm in el medio del oceano. Ya sabes, that weird distorted slowness? Lo que sea.

Point being these tarados were moving so slowly; only now shifting to mi buen aspect looking all ridiculo while they did: that it era demasiado facil to bring up las Manos de Dios and start putting holes in them. They make me laugh; them reacting all extranamente as I blew them to pieces. As arms and ribs went flying they all screamed these dramatico Aaahhh y Gahhh! They make me laugh, pero not enough for me not to groan as I hit the floor.

I hate being old.

"Man's got to know his limitations."

I rose really, really slowly. I want to avoid romper las rodillas today, tambien. Still, had to smile. Three down and all got was a hombro doloroso! Then of course more were coming my way. I could hear them hitting the stairs. Las Manos de Dios need to take a nap, so I took out the Molotov.

"Retrib—"

I held up the Molotov y se congelaron. I then, ah what is it that Gideon keeps calling it, a 'shit eating grin'? Well, I gave them a shit eating grin.

"Go ahead muchachos, make my day."

The tres de ellos tried to run, but I gave them a fiery death! Muhahaha! …Though I do admit that tarados ardientes, well you never get used to the smell. I turned to see Boone standing at the hallway.

"I hope you like your beef well done."

"And rare, tambien!"

"Heh."

Well what do you know? He can smile! And laugh too!


Veronica


"Fricking potholes."

I rose to my feet, knocking plaster and wood off my helmet. I then looked up and I saw I'd jumped into a snake pit full of cosplayers…with a lot of guns.

"Oh hi! I'm Veronica and I'm here to kick your asses!"

"Kill the helot!"

I knew what was coming. Sizing up the arsenal of everybody in this room and their calibers: I knew that my armor would hold against them. But it didn't stop it from hurting like hell. Imagine a dozen guys giving you a beatdown for the course of two minutes. I stood there, bared my teeth and dug my heels in and I took it.

The twelve seconds it took for them to empty their guns in me felt like an eternity and I went to my knees. My entire body felt like it should have been blasted to pieces and that it was just hanging on to my pathetic remains of a skeleton out of pure stubbornness… at least for the six seconds afterwards before the Med-X kicked in. My body felt utterly warm and weightless, like I'd taken a dive in a hot tub. Mmmm, I feel like a marshmallow… I really want a dress… focus girl, badguys in front. I rose to a fighting stance.

"My turn."

I lunged at the nearest one. With one hand I disarmed him of his Rifle and with the other I punched him in the throat. As he flew back into the wall another was at my shoulder. I spun and smashed his head in with the rifle; the stock exploding on impact. Another was on my tail so I proceeded to grab this lump of meat and toss him right into the other lump of meat.

I then heard a distinctive shink and they'd decided to make this personal. That's alright. They still don't have a prayer. I bobbed low as one took a swing at me with a big Panga. I hit him with a one-two to the chest and chin, and then followed up by kicking him straight into his buddies.

Some tripped, a few dexterous sorts leapt over him. One came down on me. I sidestepped, letting him fall flat on his face. The second in line went with a combo of swings and stabs. I dodged each before catching his arm and then breaking it in two with a twist.

I then uppercut him and he went into the ceiling. Two more came at me. I stepped back blocking their slashes; their knives sparking off my hydraulic arms. The guy I'd dodged early came up on me; hitting me over the helmet. Fat luck of good for him; stupid cross dressing jerkwad.

I spun delivering an elbow to the face, then blocking one attacker while jabbing another and knocking him over. I then grabbed jerkwad#2 by his chest and then left him over head until his went through the floor. Jerkwad #3 came back for some more, swinging and cursing at me. I blocked each attack, but then I was surrounded again as Jerkwad #4 brought a friend. My arms went alive with sparks and clinks as I blocked all their feeble assembly of hits.

I punched one in the face, grabbed him and tossed him into another. Kicked #4 across the room. #3 and 5 got back up for some more thrilling beatdowns by a girl in a power suit. Then I felt something hit then wrap around my legs before weights knocked me over. Oh great, they have boas.

Now all three of them were stabbing, slashing and kicking away at me. I blocked each hit for a few seconds before I elbowed on in the face and punched another in the stomach. Then I felt a boot in my face and I went back to the ground. Then I saw the sudden flash of- god fucking oh Goddamn that hurts! I looked over to see a knife embed in my shoulder and hurting like I was fucking on goddamn fucking fire despite the fucking useless Med-X rolling through me.

Okay now I'm mad.

"Pathetic whelp, you bleed like—"

"Shut your fucking stupid rapist jerkface! Never mind I'll do it for you!"

I grabbed him by his head and then proceeded to bury my thumbs into his eyes and my fingers into his skull. Over his screams I crushed in his skull like I was crushing a fucking grapefruit. I FUCKING HATE GRAPEFRUITS! I grabbed him and tossed him over into his buddy. The motherfucker who stabbed me tried to smack me with a metal weight.

I headbutted him and threw him across the room. I'll get to you soon enough. I ripped the boa's off and then tossed the metal weights at the other pissants head. They and his head went into the wall and stayed there. Now it was stabbing shit's turn.

"Mars protect me!"

"Fuck you and your fucking make belief god!"

"You dare!"

That's right come here. As he lunged I grabbed him by his arm and then broke it once, then twice and then a third time cause I fucking feel like it. I then started hammering him in the gut until I felt his ribs break. I then grabbed him by the throat and smashed him into the wall. I then extracted the knife from my shoulder and then slammed it into his shoulder.

I let him scream for a bit before I finally got tired of them. This evil pile of death worshipping garbage doesn't deserve screams or my fucking mercy or the chance to plead when he's never offered the same to anybody else. I dug my fingers around his windpipe and then proceeded to rip it out in big red splatter. It took about a minute for him to choke to death afterwards. I deactivated my helmet and spat at him:

"Tell the boatman I'll come and kick his ass too if he bothers me again with—oh goddamn that hurts!"

Then ten more seconds of liquid hot fucking fire boiled me until… okay Med-X has kicked in. I really could go for a hotdog right now. But first I need to peel off this armor and go take a warm…

"Oh shit, Gideon!"

I ran back to where I fell through and jumped straight up.


Gideon


The ones on my right came at me first. As I spun to face them a familiar calm overcame me and I smiled. The world went into slow motion; my attackers bathed in that orange hue and I wasted no time making my selection. Block, step in and slash upward, turn, slash downward, spin, block, slash across the leg, slash across arm… My focus waned and I took what I got.

He swung downward. I blocked and slashed across his throat then brought both of my weapons down upon the man behind him. As he fell in a snail's crawling pace, I spun and blocked an incoming stab aimed for my chest. I threw aside and then racked his leg and arm with my weapons. And then it happened. The calm shattered and I was hit by an icy gutpunch that made my brain lurch forward in my skull.

The other two were still coming at me. I let myself fall and I managed a sloppy roll that took me out the door. I kept rolling until I hit the wall. I grabbed it and dragged myself off the floor. Now sooner than I did than they decided to cut the chase and go straight for decapitation.

I moved forward as the blade hacked through the wall. I stepped back and turned to face my attackers. The second guy took a stab at me and I was barely able to redirect it to the side as I shuffled back to get some breathing space. I shifted my stance. My left hand went for a reverse grip to act as my guard, my right down low as my parry. They dropped back a step; reassessing me and getting coordinated.

Then they both lurched forward. I parried and countered, blocked and fenced with the life of me, but they kept driving me backwards. I spotted an open door to my right and I ducked through it; sliding over a table and using it as a barrier. They came running in and took to my flanks. Instead of waiting for them to come to me I went to them.

I struck out at the one on the right, swinging and slashing at him with a figure eight pattern to which he masterfully blocked. But as he went to an upward block I kicked him back into the wall. Then I heard the other guy coming up from behind so I ran into the next room. Inside I spun and deflected his flying upward stab but before I could finish him the other guy was swinging at me. And before I knew it I was defending myself against both of them.

Then I felt my right blade get knocked right out of my hand. The guy on my right advanced and I was soon shifting back and forth to block spark flying blows that were battering me away. Then finally the other weapon went flying. But that's okay: I'm better with my hands. I tackled into the Legionnaire on my left; grabbing his weapon arm and throwing it up as I hit him with an elbow before I wrapped my arm around his neck in a headlock.

I then twisted and sent him crashing right back into his buddy. As I did, my hand ran across his arm and I managed to steal his machete.

"Didn't see that coming did you?"

I went for a reverse grip.

"Scumae!"

"Me? Scum? I've been called a great many things but scum has not been among them."

They looked at me slightly dumbfounded.

"How do you know the Linguae?"

"Good question. Why don't you find out?"

They retrieved my fallen blades and started to advance. Why did I have to open my big mouth? Too late now. I dropped back into my fighting stance, retreating a few steps behind until I reached a really tall grandfather clock. Oh man this is a nice grandfather clock.

I hope whatever place in Heaven carpenters go will come to forgive me for destroying their craftsmanship, cause I can't take on both these chumps at the same time. So once I got where I needed to be I stood my ground and got ready. Sure enough they came charging in. I grabbed the clock and pulled. The clock descended like the hammerblow of a blacksmith at work and exploded greater than the fiercest bass of a lightning strike.

But my timing had been off.

"Shit."

The plan had been crush one of them. But the lucky son of a bitch dodged back at the last second and avoided being pancaked. Still I can salvage this (I'm tenacious, sue me). Instead of holding them right there behind this giant barrier, I backed up. And like clockwork, no puns intended, the bigger of the two leapt over the clock which was angled at waist level.

As he landed I closed in.

"C'mon here, I've got something for your face."

I didn't bother playing cautious anymore. I went straight in for the kill and I swung with the might of a bull. I practically started using that machete like a bat. I slammed and smashed at him over and over again; never once giving him any sort of breathing space. We got so damn close we could've grappled and I took full advantage of that.

As he blocked my strike, I grabbed him by his arm and then proceeded to run a knee right into his groin. But I didn't stop there. I kneed him in the gut, the stomach, his chin once it got in range which sent him flying back into the clock. As he was disoriented, I went for the kill strike. I swung back and hard, burying my weapon right through his collar bone.

Blood exploded from the wound for the first few seconds before it ran from him like a river. He choked on his own essence; great torrents of it bubbling from his mouth. Then he slumped to the floor with a dull thud. As I went to retrieve his weapon I heard running. I looked up and I saw the smaller man sprinting towards me.

I had plenty of time to pull away, but I didn't. Stupidity at its finest. I just stood there like a big fool; staring at him coming my way. And before I figured out what he was going to do it was far too late. He vaulted over the clock and put a boot right in my face.

I hit the ground hard. I was seeing white and whole fuzzy stuff as my brain swamped in its own disgusting bath of slime. I tried to get up but then my chest was electrified as this prick used it for soccer practice. I recovered enough to see him hovering over me and there in his hand was a really long skinning knife.

"May you burn in Hades."

Then he was right over me, forcing this knife on me with both hands and his weight against my raised arms. I've seen this show before. I let go softly and moved just a little to my right. The blade smashed into the floor and I knocked him off me with an elbow to the back of the head. When I tried to get up, nausea hit me bad.

I braced myself against the wall. Man I really need to puke.

"Die!"

I dropped to the ground as he slashed the wall apart with another goddamn machete.

"Haven't you tried to kill me enough for one day!?"

He raised his weapon.

"Hey jerkwad! Catch!"

Suddenly the grandfather clock flew out and knocked him down. Like some mechanized Fem Fatale, V strolled through and then grabbed the Legionnaire. She then threw him head first through a wall and he was now in the other room with the remains of his head splattered against the wall.

"I had him on the ropes."

"I know you did."

She extended a hand down to me and I took it gratefully. Then my guts decided it was dumping time. I was then on the floor again vomiting the contents of anything I'd eaten in the last couple of hours.

"That's it let it out."

This went for about a minute before I was ready to get back up.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Paying for overusing VATS."

"Adrenaline dump is never pretty. But from the looks of things you put it to good use."

That's when I noticed the darken hole in her shoulder. And all the smashed imbedded slugs stuck to her armor. She shrugged.

"Bullet proof or shank proof. No middle ground there."

She sounded a little weird.

"Are you high?"

"A little bit. But I feel its wearing off."

"Well then here," I pulled a Stimpack from my medkit, "let's get you fixed up."

"No I—"

"You will pay!"

We both spun around. There, at the end of the hall was another Legionnaire… and he had a Bazooka pointed at us. But before he could put finger to trigger there was a familiar looking Magnum pointed to his head. And with a flash the head disappeared.

"Glad to see you could drop by, Arcanum!"

"You have a damnable habit of attempted homicide, Mr. Maddox…"

And from the shadows and all its glamour stepped forth into the light my trench coat and fedora wearing guardian angel. He smiled softly at me… or us.

"…And it makes my job of protecting your sorry hide all the more difficult."

"Oh…my…God…" Veronica gasped. Arcanum tipped his fedora lightly:

"I am an angel of the Lord, Ms. Santangelo."

As if to punctuate his point a bright light flashed out like thunder and there in the illumination were the silhouettes of really long and very large wings. And with another flash they were gone.

"Holy shit! I mean, I didn't mean to—"

He raised a hand gently.

"There are far more worse blasphemies that can be made. You needn't fret."

"Oh I'm sorry, uh Mr. Angel person um thing—oh God, I'm…"

"Arcanum will do, Ms. Santangelo."

"So wait, you can see him too?"

"Of course she can see me, if I choose to. I'm not a simple hallucination in your mind."

"Sorry, I had to ask."

"Now if you'll excuse me…"

"Wait a second! Just hold on one second please! I gotta—"

"Ask about… Elijah?"

"How'd you—Oh that's a stupid question. But I have to know. Is he still alive?"

"Who's to say I would know?"

"But you're an Angel. You're supposed to be all knowing!"

"Not always. Not even the Lord himself can foresee all things yet to be unfolded."

Veronica sounded incredibly desperate in this moment. She shook softly and I could feel her tears building up there.

"V…"

"He is."

She gasped in relief. But then… he gave me a look. A look of cold foreboding. A look of death.

"You will both see him soon."

He opened his mouth to speak more, but he stopped midsentence. Was he trying to warn me? And if so: of what?

"There are things you must discover yourself, Mr. Maddox," his voice utterly startled me, "but I can say this. Be careful what you wish for... both of you."

"That's really vague."

"That is all I can say."

And then he was gone.