A Courier's Wrath

by PsychoticPsy

[Feedback Appreciated] Working as a courier should have been easier and safer compared to the other available jobs. However, whatever was inside of Six's package was valuable enough for him to get ambushed. Too bad the courier survived a shot to the head. Six might not remember much of anything anymore, but his memories will catch up eventually.

6. No Vacancy

Stat Updates

Troy Volk
Level: 8
S - 5
P - 7
E - 7
C - 5
I - 5
A - 8
L - 4
Tagged Skills
Unarmed
Sneak
Survival
Perks
Fast Shot
Rapid Reload
Gunslinger
Intense Training
Cowboy

Griffon Crowley
Level: 8
S - 7
P - 5
E - 8
C - 6
I - 4
A - 5
L - 6
Tagged Skills
Explosives
Guns
Lockpick
Perks
Power Armor Training
Intense Training
Heave, Ho!
Toughness
Demolitions Expert

Harley Furr
Level: 8
S - 4
P - 6
E - 4
C - 8
I - 7
A - 6
L - 5
Tagged Skills
Guns
Barter
Speech
Perks
Black Widow
Cherchez La Femme
Shotgun Surgeon
Travel Light

---

The three were now in a canyon looting the dead corpses of some gang members. After meeting reuniting with Griffon in Nipton, Troy learned about how the town was the home of his sister. Troy admitted that the dead Legionnaires were his doing. It eased his friend up a bit, but the thirst for revenge now lies within him. Nipton was the reason Griffon came into the Mojave. Troy felt the need to help him find a new reason. At first Griffon was hesitant, but proceeded to accept the invitation to travel with Troy again. This time, it would be permanent. Unless of course, the time for the two to depart comes.

Troy would lead the three out of the canyon while the other two stood behind him and socialized. Griffon looked like he was enjoying his conversation, but the feeling of distress was noticed in his eyes. All Harley could do was try her best with the conversation. It was gonna be a while before the man could get over what he just saw.

"Hey Six" Griffon suddenly called out.

Troy turned his head while walking. "Hm?"

"Novac right?"

The courier nodded. The lack of communication sort of worried Harley. The truth is, Troy doesn't really know what to say. Instead, he just let Harley do all the talking. After all, she has a way with words. Be it a good thing or bad thing.

Eventually the group saw some large lizard like statue in the distance. Troy and Griffon looked at the sight confused. It was such an odd thing in the wasteland to come into their view. Harley wasn't too surprised. She's already seen the large lizard once.

"That's Novac by the way" the girl interrupted the two's gaze at the structure.

The three wanderers would approach the dinosaur statue. There was a building next to a fence. On the fence was a sign that read 'No Vacancy.' The twist is that the O in No and -ancy in Vacancy were turned off. Troy chuckled a bit after noticing.

The three would continue into the building. They were greeted by an old lady sitting behind a desk.

"Well. Welcome to you three. Ya'll look tired from the road. Why don't you relax a spell, let this fine town take care of you?" she'd request.

Harley decided to take speaking to others into her custody. Troy and Griffon weren't even allowed a chance to speak.

"Hello there. I'm Harley" the girl greeted. He'd point at Troy. "This guy right is Troy" she then moved her finger towards Griffon. "And this one is Griffon."

"Oh, what am I doing?" the old lady chuckled a bit while shaking her head. "I got to thinking about making a good impression and pain forgot to tell you my name." Harley gave the old woman a warm and innocent smile. That alone made the woman ease up. "I'm Jeannie May. I take care of folks here at the motel" she'd introduce. "Long as they aren't trouble makers" she added a little more quietly.

Troy took a step forward and ended up next to Harley. The girl looked at her companion and noticed a serious look to him. She opened her mouth to speak, but it was too late since Troy's business was with Jeannie.

"I'm looking for a man in a checkered coat" the courier would start. "Have you seen anyone like that?"

"Still looking for him" Griffon quickly asked. The only response he got was Troy looking back and nodding at his friend.

"Well he might've been wearing a fancy outfit, but he wasn't any kind of a gentlemen to me." Troy's insides were ready to jump. He was so happy that it was this easy to get a lead despite how far behind he is.

Jeannie May would continue to answer the courier's question. "Had his nose stuck so high in the air, you couldn't see it above the clouds. City folk, they always think they deserve better than what they got. Those hoodlums he was with seemed to know Manny for some reason. He's our daytime sniper, up in the dinosaur's mouth."

"You could enter the dinosaur?" Griffon blurted out.

Jeanie May looked ready to laugh. "That's right. Cliff runs the souvenir shop inside of it. Tell him I mentioned you. I think he gets lonely standing around in that dino belly all day. He'll be glad for the company." Griffon was overreacting with the news. He was really eager now. It made Troy and Harley happier to see that he's acting more normal. Hopefully it'll last.

"Thank you" Troy would say before heading off.

"Whoa hold on Troy" Harley quickly stopped him. "Don't rush off so quickly." Troy had an impatient look. He was ready to argue, but Harley turned towards Jeanie May. "Any chance you got a room for sale?"

The old lady nodded. "I'll give you a flat rate, and you can stay as long as you like. Least till the busy season comes. Sound good?"

"Oh Jeanie you're too generous" Harley complimented. She felt bad she was being offered a deal like this.

"No, no. I insist. The three of you are all good young kids." Ironically Harley's the youngest being 26.

Harley uttered a sigh as she pulled out the caps needed. "I appreciate the offer."

"Why thank you darling" Jeanie replied. The old lady grabbed something from under the counters. She'd then set a key in front of Harley. "I'm glad you can stay with us. Your room will be the one upstairs, closest to the lobby side. Let me know if there's anything I can do to make your stay better for you."

Troy was immediately headed towards the t-rex. Without thinking, Griffon followed behind. The guy probably needs a bit of supplies. That and some drinks to forget about Nipton.

Harley rolled her eyes as she watched the two walk off. "Fine I guess I'll check out our room on my own" she'd holler at them. Griffon looked back with a smirk on his face while Troy ignored her and kept walking. The girl was happy that at least one of them reacted. She'd soon head to their room.

"Welcome to the Dino Bite Gift Shop" an African-American man greeted the two guys. "My name's Cliff. If you're here for the t-rex figurines, you're just in time. There's still a few left."

"Jeannie May sent us" Griffon said, ignoring the mentioning of figurines.

A smile formed on the cashier's face. "Bless her. Seems like every traveler I get in here tells me the same thing. "They see the sign and think, gift shop? That's just too good to be true. But Jeannie May always points them back at my direction. Well, a friend of Jeannie's is a friend of mine. And my friends get a discount at my store."

Both Troy and Griffon blinked while shaking there head like they were in synced. Two generous acts in less than ten minutes was enough to surprise the two.

"Man, Novac is too polite to the point where I don't believe it" Troy said while looking at his friend.

Cliff threw his head back and laughed. "Well, that's our town for you. So anything here you're interested in?"

"Right, so whatcha sellin?" Griffon asked.

"Well, there's t-rex figurines, of course."

Weird. That's the second time that was mentioned. Troy thought with a bored look on his face. Is he just trying to get rid of them?

"We also have an assortment of the REPCONN factory souvenirs - rockets, things of that nature." Troy still wasn't interested. He had the same look on his face.

Griffon scratched the back of his head. He also wasn't interested, but unlike Troy he was trying to be polite about it.

"Do you sell guns?" Troy suddenly blurted out. Griffon jumped by the sudden question and glared at Troy. It seems that Troy didn't change much when it comes to manners. If he has guns, he'll have other things that we need. Troy thought.

"Guns?" Cliff nervously repeated. "I, uh, well... yeah, I guess I might have a few" he'd answer with a disappointed tone. "Darn it. No one ever buys the t-rexes" the clerk muttered. Unfortunately, Troy and Griffon heard.

The two childishly looked at each other both with faces that were holding back laughter. Griffon, still trying to be polite frantically shook his head hoping that Troy wouldn't burst out any second.

"I'm gonna go check that sniper out" Troy blurted out before scurrying out of the gift shop. He was now in the mouth of a t-rex with a smile on his face. A sniper wearing a red beret and a black vest over a red long sleeve shirt was sitting on a chair. He turned after hearing the door shut behind him. He was of Hispanic decent, had a trimmed mustache and beard on his chin.

"What's going on man?" he'd say to Troy.

"You're Manny right?" Troy asked. The sniper would nod his head at the courier. Troy's smile faded away. It was time to get serious. "I'm looking for a man in a checkered coat."

"Sure, I know him. What do you want with him?" Manny replied. The quick response made Troy uncomfortable. Everybody else took a couple seconds to think.

"I have a score to settle" Troy answered.

Manny shrugged. "Doesn't surprise me. Guy seemed like he'd do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Probably makes a lot of enemies." The sniper stood up and would take a couple steps closer to Troy while rubbing the back of his head. "Well listen, I can definitely help you find him, but I've got problems of my own. Maybe we can do a trade. You need my help. There's something I need too.

"Go on" the courier responded with eagerness.

The sniper took a deep breath. "Novac, it's home for me now. I want that to be for good. I like it he-"

"Just tell me the job" Troy impatiently interrupted.

Manny gave the courier a dirty look. Troy didn't really seem fazed by it. The sniper would continue his request. "There's an old rocket test site nearby. A bunch of ghouls showed up one day and took it over. We can't get in there now" Manny informed his contractor.

"I'm assuming you want them gone?"

"You got that right" Manny simply replied. "Doesn't matter to me what you do. As long as the ghouls are out of there, that's good enough for me."

Troy sighed. He didn't want to clear out the test site, but if it was how he's gonna learn more about his murderer, then so be it. "I'll get it done" he promised.

"It'd mean a lot to me" Manny would timidly end the discussion.

---

Harley would let out a loud groan while dragging herself closer to her two companions. "Is clearing this site gonna be worth it at all?" she'd ask Troy.

"To us, no. To Novac, maybe."

"Griffon, what's your take on this?" Harley asked.

Griffon didn't notice Harley until she punched his shoulder. He looked up from the newly purchased assault carbine he was inspecting. "What?" he'd ask with a dumbfounded look.

Harley opened her mouth to insult the guy, but managed to hold it in. "Nevermind" she'd respond with another groan.

Troy stopped and took out his hunting rifle. He'd crouch down and look through the scope. Harley crouched down with him, but Griffon continued walking while staring at his new weapon in awe.

Harley had an irritated look on her face. She opened her mouth to scream at the guy, but Troy interrupted.

"Just leave him be. My gunshot will wake him up." The courier found the head of a feral ghoul in the crosshair. He pulled the trigger and watched as the head blew into bits.

Griffon jumped and raised his assault carbine. He fired it at a couple of nearby ghouls that were attracted by Troy's gunshots. He then glared back at Troy and Harley. While Troy reloaded, Harley rolled on the ground with laughter.

"The look on your face!" she'd point out.

Griffon looked ahead and advanced ignoring the two. Eventually, Troy and Harley followed.

"There's a lot of loot here" Harley indicated. She'd start scavenging while the others scouted ahead.

"So how's Lucky?" Griffon suddenly asked Troy.

The courier looked at his friend with a confused look at first. "Oh! That revolver?" Griffon nodded. "I haven't used it yet. I don't know if I'd be good with revolvers."

Griffons shrugged. "It's yours so it ain't gonna matter to me what ya do with it."

The three now stood in front of the entrance. There weren't as many ghouls as expected in the courtyard. If the amount inside wasn't at least tripled, then Troy would have been disappointed that Novac actually required mercenary assistance instead of having their own settlers take care of this minor problem. Once inside the building, a voice in the intercom startled the three. Each one of them raised their weapons expecting a fight. Instead, it was just a greeting.

"Hey! Over here! Are you listening?" Troy, Griffon, and Harley had their full attention on the intercom. "Go to the big room on the east side of this building and take the metal staircase all the way up. And hurry." Troy winced at how raspy the voice sounded. There wasn't much he could remember, but he knows that there were certain wastelanders that didn't necessarily look or sound pretty. Perhaps this was one of them.

"Who are you?" Troy tried asking.

"Who I am doesn't matter, smoothskin. Stop wasting time and get up here." That nickname did it for Troy. This person was a ghoul. And not a feral ghoul. A ghoul that can do the exact same things humans can. The only difference is their looks and voice. Troy looked at both his companions. They were ready when he was.

The three would proceed with the directions given to them. The feral ghouls were no trouble. What concerned them were the dead bodies of ghouls with robes on. They were armed with laser weapons as well. Not only that, but there were piles of dust here and there which indicated that they were killed by the armed ghouls. It just doesn't make sense that these the dead ones were killed by ferals it had to be something else.

"Weren't there some dust piles outside?" Harley pointed out. Troy and Griffon looked at each other and shrugged. She was the only one scavenging, so it wasn't a surprise that she was the only one that noticed.

The three of them soon found themselves in a big room. The room was empty other than the bodies of a brahmin with its gut open, a couple dead ghouls which robes on, and a large blue humanoid figure.

"Mutants" Griffon muttered under his breath as he glared at the dead body. Troy and Harley looked at each other with concern over their friend's sudden mood change. "Let's keep going" Griffon demanded. Wanting to avoid a fight with the big guy, Troy and Harley followed behind him.

They followed Griffon up some staircase into a hallway. As they approached, a metal door came into view. A sudden voice from out of nowhere made the three survivors jump.

"All right, Smoothskin, I'm letting you in." Troy noticed an intercom on the wall next to the door. "You better watch yourself. I'll sure as hell be watching you" the ghoul continued. A click was heard behind the metal door. It signified that it was now unlocked.

Upon entering, the three stopped and stared at the figure ahead of them.

"God, but are you ugly! Get upstairs and talk to Jason before I throw up just from looking at you" the voice from the intercom ordered. The thing about the situation is that this guy isn't what he considers himself to be. The guy had a very thin tonsure haircut with a mustache. He wore a labcoat with a shirt and a tie underneath. To top it all off, this guy was what he's been calling Troy and his friends. This guy was human, but forced out the voice of a ghoul.

"You ain't no ghoul" Griffon blurted out. Troy and Harley looked at him, then back at the 'ghoul.' Each of them had a dumbfounded look on their faces.

"Your pranks won't work on me, smoothskin. They won't work on Jason, either" the 'ghoul' replied.

"Your skin looks pretty smooth dontcha think?" Griffon asked with a worried expression.

"Stop wasting my time, smoothskin. Go waste Jason's" the 'ghoul' commanded before walking off.

"Is this guy for real?" Harley asked in a quiet voiced. Both Troy and Griffon stood there speechless.

After regaining their thoughts, the three of them looked around for this Jason the smoothskin ghoul mentioned. As they wandered around the area, they encountered other ghouls with robes on the dead ones outsides. Troy along with his friends assumed them as casualties of this odd group. Suddenly, some sort of brightness blinded the three. When their eyes adjusted, they noticed a particular ghoul with a green glow on its body.

"Hello, wanderer" the glowing one greeted. The voice of the glowing ghoul was odd. It was electronically resonating. Similar to a robot. "Please forgive us of our humble surroundings. Our true home awaits in the Far Beyond" the ghoul would apologize. "Have you come to help us complete the Great Journey?"

"Maybe let us know what's up with your human friend" Griffon asked before giving his companions a chance to speak. It seems that he's more disturbed about the smoothskin ghoul more than Troy and Harley combined.

"You're referring to Chris. I doubt you had much luck if you tried telling him he's human."

Griffon astoundingly threw his hands up in the air. "Unbelievable!"

"We had the same discussions when he first appeared, and the same lack of success. He believes he is one of us" Jason continued. "Soon enough we realized that Chris was a gift from the creator. He is integral to the success of the Great Journey."

Harley looked at Griffon. "You done talking?"

Griffon slowly nodded with a defeated look. Hopefully there won't be anymore strange things going on to put more stress on him.

Harley took in a deep breath. "So who are you suppose to be?"

"I am Jason Bright, the prophet of the Great Journey. All the ghouls you see here are members of my flock."

"Okay. Well it's nice to meet you" Harley attempted to be polite. "So what's this 'Great Journey' you keep on mentioning?"

"We wish to escape the barbarity of the human wasteland, especially the violence and bigotry of human inhabitants. The creator has promised to my flock a new land: a place of safety and healing... a paradise in the Far Beyond."

"Sounds like a loud of bullshit" Troy mumbled under his breath. Nobody heard which was probably a good thing.

"Preparations for the Great Journey were nearly complete when the demons appeared" the glowing ghoul finished.

Harley tilted her head, Troy raised an eyebrow, Griffon's head shot straight up with his back erect. "Demons?" they'd all ask.

"The demons appeared from nowhere... except it might be more accurate to say they never actually 'appeared' at all" Jason explained. "The demons are invisible."

"Nightkins" Griffon interrupted with the attempt to correct the ghoul. Jason however would continue his explanation.

"Where one of them stands, the most one sees is the air shimmering, like sunlight on water... They set upon us as we were on our way to worship the one morning. We had just entered the basement. My flock fought bravely, and killed a few, but at such cost. Nearly half of us died or went missing. The rest of us retreated up here. One of the demons raved at us, but they have not tried to attack us since. Still their demonic presence brought all progress towards the Great Journey to a standstill. But now you have come. Once again, the creator has sent a human to help us across a seemingly insurmountable obstacle."

Troy rolled his eyes at the whole creator and Great Journey bullshit.

Harley was still curious on the whole situation. "What do you mean by 'raving?'"

Griffon groaned. He has been bored of Jason talking for a while now.

"Yes, over the intercom. Threats of death should we step outside, guarantees of safety should we stay locked away. It went on for hours, and did not always make sense. But was the first day only. Since then, silence. Will you drive away the demons, wanderers?"

Griffon, excited that the conversation was about to end, opened his mouth, but was suddenly interrupted.

"No" Troy blatantly answered.

His two companions quickly turned their heads towards him. "NO!?" they'd scream. If it wouldn't be for them, Jason would have said something.

"There's only one god damn reason I'm here, and that's to help Manny so he can give me information about this fucker who shot me. I don't give a damn what you two say. I'm not clearing out the basement" Troy would cross his arms and stand his ground.