Wild Bill's Rodeo
Wyatt
"Stand up kiddo." He commanded. So I did just that, "Adda boy, now come on. Take another swing, and don't telegraph it so much." I breathed in, I breathed out and I swung as hard as could. He caught it without even taking his eyes off mine. I waited for the hit but it didn't come. I tried to gut punch him but he swatted it away and swept my legs out from under me. His huge boot hovered over my head forcing me to close my eyes.
Again I waited for the hit to come and again it didn't, "W-why aren't you hitting me?"
I stepped back and helped me back up, "I told you kid, this isn't a punishment. You gotta be able to hold your own if you wanna stick with us. And we both know we're your best option."
He was correct. If you asked me six months that I'd be in the Mojave desert running with a group of fugitives. I'd would called you psychotic. Still it was these guys or the business end of an NCR baton, boot or most likely bullet, "I-I just want to go home…" I regretted it saying instantly.
Fuck! You fucking idiot don't say shit like that! They'll kill you over shit like that!
He reached in his duster coat and pulled out a pack of cigarettes. The box was to old to read the label, "Smoke." It wasn't a request, "I know you're probably used to higher class shit but, well, you know."
He scared the hell out of me. He had a reputation and I was well aware of it. And people like me were always targets for him. People like me were his favorite targets. Running into him should have been a death sentence a 'The End'. So why was he being so nice? That was the ten million dollar question and there seemed to be no answer. I've done nothing to make him think any different of me than anyone else yet he's treated me like we were old friends. I never asked because the potential answer seemed scarier than whatever was going on.
"You have potential believe it or not. You're just too hesitant. You're soft." I was already stumbling over my own tongue to defend myself when he waved me down, "No, it's fine. I get it. You never thought you'd be in this situation and you are. It's disorientating. Everyone has a hard time when Madame Violencia enters their life for the first time." He chuckled, "Even me. Christ that was a long time ago."
I still struggled to look him in the eyes though I had improved from day one when where I wouldn't stop begging for my life. I looked out the window watching all those houses we burned down.
Did I kill anyone during all of that? Why did I ask myself that everyday?
He gripped my shoulder to get me to face him, "I know I scare you. I know that I was likely a bogeyman for you when we met. But I give you my word. I am the absolute last person you need to fear in this desert."
I… I had to trust him. I think I did trust him. If he was going to hurt me he would've done it by now. I had to believe that, if nothing else, "I trust you Bill. I do, more than anyone around here at least."
He grinned wide and shook me by the shoulders, "I knew you were a smart kid. Come on. The others aren't sure about you and I have just the way for you to prove them wrong."
Amelia
Goodsprings was a distraction. It was amateurish of me to let myself get caught up in all that. That's why after taking off I made a solemn vow. I was not going to let myself get drawn into anyone else's shit. If only I knew how far out the window that plan was going to go.
The desert air rushed through broken windows and whipped my hair into a frenzy. If I had known that I was going to be driving this thing the next day I would have tried to find a way to take it out without forcing it to crash. Regardless, the thing was remarkably well equipped. Food and water were fridge that came up to my waist. Two lockers worth of storage. Sleeping spaces. This isn't even to mention my favorite feature, the fully functioning radio which was tuned into a shitty instrumental rack since it was the only signal I could catch.
I didn't mind it however. The nondescript rhythm allowed for me to comfortably drift into my thoughts. All of which were particularly violent at that moment. And all of that violence was directed towards a certain greased up New Reno reject and his gaggle of nomadic hasbeens. I thought about how I'd save him for last, how I'd put a bullet in his throat with his own gun, how I'd sell it for a cap right afterwards. But I didn't think about how one of those was a lie.
I had passed the prison a short while ago. Just by glancing I could see snipers on the watchtowers ready to pick apart anyone who they deemed a threat. And considering my involvement with their failed raid I more than sure I count as one. Survivors can really fuck with you like that but it's damn hard to kill all the insects when they scatter.
I could see a dilapidated rollercoaster peak out in the distance which was Primms way of saying "Hey, come on over." And I was happy to oblige. I threw the ride into fourth gear and spend the rest of the way there. Upon nearing my destination I noticed a makeshift checkpoint.
The NCR. The largest organized civilization in the West-Coast. Big, pretty and powerful is what they are and it works to their goal of expansion across the whole continent it seems like. They got more people under their thumb than any old raider boss could ever pray to. Being powerful doesn't necessarily mean you're liked however. They never did me any favors and I never pretended to be a stand up citizen.
My car came to a slow and steady halt as I approached the checkpoint which was manned by three boys-in-beige, "Stay right there, miss, state your business." The presumed leader ordered as he tightly clutched his AR-15. They didn't need to be marksmen to get the job done with those things.
"I need to enter Primm on personal business." I replied without a second thought. I've been around enough to know the know the bells and whistles behind these exchanges.
"Are you armed?"
"I have a semi-automatic 9mm pistol with 8 rounds in the magazine and one in the chamber. I also have an uncertain amount in my jacket pocket. That's in the holster and the knife's in the boot."
He seemed surprised about how straightforward. Most wastelanders would be inclined to tell him to go fuck himself and while I'm no exception I was in a hurry, "Very well. You may go back where you came from." He stated before turning his back to me.
I leaned out of the window to find a rifle barrel pressed to my ear. I got real still but continued with what I wanted to say, "Hang on a damn second! I have important business here and I ain't leaving until it's done with!"
The leader stormed towards me with all the rage a bored soldier could muster, "listen here, civie, I have strict orders to keep all none NCR personnel from entering the premises. With deadly force if need be. I don't want to shoot you, but I will. Go home."
My gaze met his and we dueled for a moment before I gave up. I wasn't in the position for this to work in my favor, "Very well, sir." The magic words were all that was needed for him to give his little buddy the signal to put the gun away. I sighed, "Could you at least tell me what is going on over here?"
"A group of escaped convicts have moved in and taken the town hostage. That's all I'm at liberty to discuss." The stoney look in his eye met I truly wouldn't get any gossip from him.
"Well is there anyone who is at liberty?" I asked, fluttering eyes and giving a little smirk.
This time it was him who lost the staring contest, "My superior, Lieutenant Hayes would be the only one who could tell you anything about our mission. But he's on the other end of the camp and like I said, no ones allowed beyond this point."
"What if I told you I could be a real asset in this little war game you got going on?"
He chuckled thus conveying the only real emotion I've seen from him yet, "Good one. I doubt one measly traveler is going to make a mole rat's ass for difference for us, You don't look like a ranger to me."
"You're telling me never brought on a mercenary before?"
"Yes, I am. I don't have the authority to do so. And to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't have the inclination even if I was able to."
"But you aren't. Does your superior like his men making decisions for him?" I phrased the question more like a statement.
With another exasperated sigh he pulled his walkie talkie to his mouth, "Lt. Hayes? Sir, I have woman here who says she can help with our... Problem. Well, I would have but I know that things are tight and help in any form might be something you'd appreciate. Yes sir, I'll send her in." He put the device back on his belt, "Take your vehicle and park it on the side of the road, mam. Then you can go inside. But I'm warning you, if you do anything that can be considered interference we will not hesitate to detain you."
The camp was poorly staffed, no more than a dozen soldiers, most of whom seemed to be below average in both intelligence and experience. Bombed out buildings and tents seemed to be what counted for housing around here. I assumed that this operation wasn't getting all the attention the Bear could afford. There was akrge metal door latched in place flanked by two guards on either side. It was the entrance to Primm, the only visible one anyways. I assumed that Hayes was taking residence in the largest tent and I was correct. I entered unannounced and was surprised by the smoke that came spilling out There he stood, slouched over a poorly-made map of the surrounding area, "Excuse me?" I said.
He took notice of me and turned around so I could see his face. He was dressed in the same brown fatigues all of the troopers wear with the only difference being his dark green cap with the two-headed bear emblazoned on its front. That and his chest armor was carelessly left on the floor and his uniform was unbuttoned, "You the so-called merc? I sure hope you're one of those 'Stronger than they look types'." He spat dismissively with his cigarette hung loosely in his mouth.
"Do you want help or not?" I shot back.
He huffed, "Why do you want to help anyhow? Forgive me if I'm mistaken but most wastelanders don't just go jumping into military situations for no good reason. And I'm sure you know I can't pay you."
"I need to get into Primm. If that means I have to ventilate a few gang bangers then so be it." I paused and thought about whether I should vocalize all I wanted to say, "And that's all that ought to concern you, chief."
The lieutenant gazed at me with his steely eyes as if to inspect me for ill intent before conceding, "I guess that'll have to do." He circled around the table to give me a look. I'll make it short, that town is flooded with escaped prisoners and they have more than we were originally lead to believe. It's the only reason I haven't totally disregarded you entirely. We need just about all we can get. I want you to know that you're not my responsibility and if you get a bullet in the brain I'm not to blame."
"Are we gonna talk about this or what?"
He breathed out a gentle chuckle and traced his finger around a part of the map, "Here, that's the entrance. We have that fortified and guarded at all times. So far the cons haven't made any serious attempts to take us on. That could mean one of two things. Worst case, they have the resources to remain comfortable enough to stay. Best case they aren't confident that they could take us. We managed to snatch one who did attempt to get out but he wouldn't confirm either theory."
"Did you put the screws to him? I could give it a swing."
"Can't, it's illegal for members of the NCR military to torture prisoners of any kind."
"I'm not military."
"Well he's also dead. Managed to get the man watching off guard and had a blade to his throat. No choice but to put him down." He shook his head regrettably, "Brightside, he did give us a little to work with. The cons are primarily holding up in the Bison Steve hotel. And they are being lead by an outlaw named William Ruskin: Nicknamed 'Wild Bill'. Got a rep for being quick on the trigger and notoriously verbose. He killed a number of bounty hunters before being caught up in a raid on an arms dealing operation in the Boneyard. Was dealing to some local anarchists after he got into this huge anti-NCR kick and started fucking with the barons."
"I think I've heard of him. Any other notables?"
"Just him as far as I know. The con did mention somebody named Wyatt. We don't have any sort of prison records on hand so I can't really know who that is. All I do know is that he's made friends with Bill and that he isn't the one-man army type so I don't really care."
"Got'cha." I stayed silent to make sure he was done giving me the rundown. He reached into his pocket to pull out a pack of cigarettes. I took one out as he open the box, "You're in charge here so when do we head out?"
"We don't." He answered whilst lighting me up, "You are slightly less likely to get shot on sight than we are which is why you're gonna be the scout. Head in, see if any of the civilians are breathing and if they are, where. When you've done that I want you to check around for any defensive flaws we can exploit when we move in."
"Oh is that all? You sure you don't want me to just clear the place out all on my own. Maybe I can take the Mojave for you guys while I'm at it."
"Look, you go in, look around, get out. I'm not asking for much. Besides, it might give you a chance do do whatever it is you came here to do."
I still looked away, upset, I hate doing peoples jobs for them, "I want my gun back." He nodded, "And some ammo."
The good lieutenant granted my request for ammo. I was handed two extra clips for my pistol. This would likely be more than enough for a scouting mission.
The gate guards These ones were different than the other soldiers in the camp. They had hard faces as opposed to soft, young ones and they carried those weapons with intent, not fear. Not much compared to a Ranger but it's always interesting to see the contrast from recently arrived conscripts and enlistees to veterans.
When I reached the gate the largest of them stuck and massive meaty hand in front of me, "This area is off limits to unauthorized personnel."
"Hayes sent word I'm being sent here. You know that. Open the door." With a nod the woman stood behind him began unlatching the gate with noticeable effort. Must've been heavy.
Once again he interrupted my attempts to get in with his hand, "I have been instructed to inform you that if you get injured we will be unable to move in and get you out. Not without knowing the situation, that is."
"Wouldn't expect anything more." I sneered before pushing pass him. The town was what I expect of a village under siege. I could just about see the Bison Steve pass all the buildings. I crouched into a nearby alley way knowing that walking out in the open like an idiot was a good way to get shot like one. There was no way of knowing how many of those guys were hanging around and I didn't want to draw any unnecessary attention to myself. The town was small by Pre-Ward standards but that's still plenty of room to run into Powder Gangers. And even more room to fuck up.
The path I took was calm, all things taken into account. Not to imply that I didn't have to hide every now and then. I certainly did but most of the the convicts seemed to be in their hotel. I only ever saw small groups of about four of them. I never managed to find survivors.
All the buildings I entered proved to be dead ends. It seemed that anybody who didn't abandon their homes got killed in them. It was all fairly one-sided as far as I could tell. Sure, you had your occasional dead thug at the doorway, the alley, the street and what have you but they clearly got the jump on this place. It looked to me that the Western part of town got hit the hardest.
Just when it seemed this little scouting mission was a bust I had arrived at the place I actually came to Primm for. The Mojave Express though I was not excited. There was nothing to suggest that this building would be any different. In fact, by that point I would have pleased to find it empty cause that would atleast give me hope that the owner wasn't dead.
Just before I grasped the handle a startling crash could be heard from the inside. Without thinking my weapon was drawn and my back was pressed on the wall opposite of the dead man. My ears perked up at the realization that I could here not one, but two voices inside. They were muffled but intelligible, "-idn't know you were a fucking robotics expert. Were you'd get your degree? Cocksucker University?" As he got more heated I inched the door open.
"You want the robot or not? Just think about it. We won't be taking orders from that fucking wannabe outlaw anymore." A little more, I needed to be able see what they were packing before I barged in all willy nilly.
"If he's such a pussy why'd you shit your pants when he pulled his gun on you the other day?"
"Because he had a goddamn hand cannon with my nose in the barrel. Pussy or no pussy that isn't the time flex."
"Face it, you're a bitch, I'm a bitch and he could kill us no problem."
With that rebuttal the sound of metal being flung across the room could be heard and I could see him get up to face his pal, "Alright! Fine, he's a big damn spooky son of a bitch and he scares the shit out of me, that's why I ain't doing this. Little fella here is."
I barged the door open which knocked the above leader of this conspiracy over. Not missing a beat my foot stomped into the back of the other gentlemans knee keeling him over. Then I backed up and leveled my pistol their way. I would have fired but their argument peaked my ever misguided curiosity, "Hey fellas. What's going on over here?" They both looked down without a word, "Come on, you were plenty talkative a moment ago." Again, no response. My eye was drawn to what lies behind them. A robot, just as he said but this was one not like I've ever seen.
It was relatively smaller than most, in a ball shape like a Mr. Handy but without any of the limbs or eyes. On the front was a 'grill' for a lack of a better descriptor with a tiny satellite dish above and what appeared to be a speaker below. It's back was protruding with what I'd call metallic whiskers and a large antenna. Without turning my back to the cons I moved to inspect it closer. Little thing was beat up something fierce. Dent's scattered about the chassis like acne and various stickers and pieces of scrap metal that must have been used to cover large holes. The most notable ones being a bumper sticker proclaiming someone's kid was an honor student and the other was a licence plate that read "2ED-E59". Whatever the hell it was it had seen a lot.
I couldn't help but notice that these thugs had opened the side with various tools scattered about which gave me an idea. I stuck my pistol right in there which made them jump up immediately, "Wait! Wait! Wait! Stop!" They shouted frantically.
The click of the safety going off shut them up, "What's going on here! Why is this thing so important to you?"
They looked at each other before the leader spoke up. He looked surprisingly intelligent in a thuggish sort of way, "That little bot is part of our plan. The de facto boss around here: Wi-"
"Wild Bill, yes I know."
"Oh, sweet. That guy is ahhh… Well he's a-"
"He's the biggest shiteater out of a brown uniform. He thinks he wants to kill us. Well, more him than us. I'm more guilty by association." His friend spoke up. He was little bigger and a little prettier than his friend. Still not along the lines I saw in those Powder Gangers in Goodsprings.
"Yeah. But the deal is he's also real good at killing people. And that's what passes for leadership in that funhouse. We like to think that we could a better job. Problem is that when I raised my problem with how he runs things he pressed that stupid fucking revolver he loves flashing so much in my face."
"Get to the point."
"Right, my thinking is that while any attempts at killing him by ourselves would end in getting a brass castration. He wouldn't see it coming if that cute little guy went crazy."
"Not sure I follow."
Just as the "smart" one opened his mouth to continue to not say anything is friend butted in, "Clark thinks that if he can get working again it'll do what we say and kill Wild Bill. Say's that the speaker thing is actually a powerful laser gun and that armor is way more sturdy than anything he's seen off a Securitron. We give it to Bill as a gift. It kills him when we're alone in a room with him. Pass it off and say we did it an-"
"And we use the resulting power vacuum to take over ourselves. A Trojan horse in a way. It's all about might makes right in there."
"And then what?"
"Then I take over and… Well I have a couple dozen men to back us up."
"Fuck you, Clark, they'd listen to me way before they do you. You're the biggest bitch in that joint. Only reason Bill hasn't pulled your tongue out through your belly button is because you're the only one there who can make heads or tails of what to do with the electric closet."
"I know he would that's what the point in this is. Pull your head out of your ass for a minute. Big Boss Matt. Fucking laughable."
Entertaining as I found this I stopped them before they could start it, "Boys! None of this matters. The NCR is moving in pretty soon and they're not likely to take the same prisoners twice."
The smartass giggled about that one, "Right, we've been here for a week and a half and they haven't so much as fired a potshot at us unless some retard literally tries to march through the gate."
"Whatever you say. I'm the one with the gun and you're about to bring a swift conclusion to my scouting mission. But first…" My drifted back over to the robot, "Were you getting anywhere with that robot?"
Clark smirked clearly proud of himself, "Yeah, little dude had a rifle round punch through him. I fished it out and have been repairing him over the past few days. Been hard to keep him secret. All that's left would be is to-" He finally shut up when he saw me do just what he was about to explain. Not to imply I am robotics expert myself but the way the tools were positioned it was clear what I had to do.
After I put the side back on I stepped back cautiously. At first nothing seemed to change but a subtle rattle of the floorboards proved that was not the case. The rattle grew to so that the thing was visibly vibrating while making a rapid series of beeps in every tone I could imagine. The voices came next. It exclaimed unrelated messages in different voices like a radio was having a seizure, "Our boys on th- Purchase war bonds! It's wh- Aaaannndddd it's out of th-" Before the broadcasts started sharing consistency in the voice department, "We live a age of poverty, gre- I AM your preside- The so called Broth- Rural Kentucky- Baseball will live again!- Honey- Autumn- Eden- God bless the- God Bless America!" With the final message out of the way it shot up off the ground without warning.
It looked all around, scanning the environment, "Robot?" It ignored me still looking in every possible angle. With my weapon still grasped I reached to touch it. The very instant my finger made contact it spun around impossibly fast and fired laser right at my face. I dropped to floor just in time and shot it but the bullet bounced off harmlessly. It then shot the ground I layed on just after I rolled away. I stood up and fired three more shots which did little more than piss it off. Predicting as much I hoped over the counter again narrowly avoiding getting charred. What I didn't predict is that it was smart.
When I landed on my feet I turned to continue and pick away at it, after all he couldn't be invincible. Instead of attempting to shoot me once again it rushed into me, pinning me against the wall. It then slammed into me several more times. I slide to the ground in pain and my pistol was out of my reach and directly in my face was a bulletproof flying deathball that was pissed off at me. I was not confident in my ability to take a shot to the head from it.
It hovered over me, ominously and doing a great job at intimidating me. Or it would have if I hadn't noticed something very peculiar. It was shaking. Not like it's thrusters were damaged, in fact I couldn't see any thrusters but like it was shivering, for a human comparison. Like it was… Scared. I never thought that to be possible nor was entirely convinced in that moment but it had to clear advantage and I was lacking on options. I reached my hand out once more and made it quite clear that I was doing so. At first it pulled away but I tried again and got closer before it jumped back, this continued until I laid my hand on it's grill which seemed to have calmed it down a little.
"H-hey there. I'm Amelia. I fixed you up. You were in bad shape. What's your name little… Fella?" I chuckled to myself over how ridiculous this seemed.
I don't know what I expected but I got seemingly nonsensical beeps in return, "BRRRR NAAHHHHHH."
"Y-you don't know? That sucks." Funny thing is that I understood that. It's a communication system used by a few robots in the military back before the war. I stood up and looked at him or a moment. My attention was brought back to his licence plate and for whatever reason part of it just stuck with me, "How about… Eddy?" It, or I guess he, tilted his head or body or whatever in way that I suppose was to indicate confusion, "You know like on your plate. ED-E. Yeah, ED-E. You like that?" He was still for a moment.
"SUU WRR!" He exclaimed while spinning and bobbing up and down bringing an honest to god laugh out of me.
"Hey lady, I'd hate to interrupt your little moment. But could you tell that thing to not shoot us. We'll come quietly."
They did just as they said. Stayed infront of me, no sudden movements, no pretending to tie their shoes. Before we left I had to talk ED-E into behaving around the camp. I knocked a few times on the gate to the camp, "Password?" The guard said.
"People trying to break out of places don't knock." I replied which he deemed passable. I made my way back to Hayes' tent all the while getting suspicious looks from the soldiers, can't say I was surprised. Leaving and coming back with two thugs and a robot would be bound to raise some eyebrows, "Hayes, I just made our lives easier." I said as I walked in like I owned the place. It seemed to bother him.
"I highly doubt you were able both search for survivors and probe the place for weaknesses in under an hour. Why are you here?" He growled before bothering to turn around. The sight of two guilty looking thugs made him jump and almost grab his sidearm, "How the hell are these guys?"
"I found them dicking around in the Mojave Express office. They kindly agreed to come with me. My thinking is that they can easily tell you everything you need to know. And no knife twisting will be necessary."
"That so…" He mumbled, unconvinced. He grabbed them both and pushed them down on the sleeping bag on the floor, "Ms…."
"Amel-"
"Amelia! Right, please step outside for a moment. I'd like them to feel a little bit less comfortable when I question them."
I threw my hands, "Eye eye captain." Then I backed out
Hayes
Very little made me happy these days, but having two thugs shaking in their boots right in front of me was certainly one of them. Without a word I quickly fished in my loose shirt for a cigarette causing them to flinch, "Smoke?" I asked.
"I-I could really use one sir." The small one stuttered out.
"Sorry, only have one." I fibbed. After taking a good long time lighting it I leaned forward to meet their eyes, "What are your names?"
"My name is Matthew and he's Clark." The slightly larger one was notably less nervous than his friend. Not by much but it was enough for me to direct myself to him more.
"What are you both in for. Something tells me that you were just as much buddies out of the system as you were in." They looked to each other as if they were debating whether or not they should answer, "Fellas, you don't get to decide if you answer that."
Matthew narrowed his eyes, "Tax evasion. And in case you're wonderi-"
In flash I was up, looming over them like they were toddlers. With a huff I circled around the table behind me to fetch my flask. Then I was back in my chair and sipping it like it was fine wine. Fine wine it certainly was not, "You were saying?"
"Nevermind…" He mumbled.
"Something tells me you weren't the toughest guys in the joint."
"No we tri-"
"Shut the fuck up, dumbass!" Matthew whisper screamed after he smacked Clark over the head.
"No, go on. I'd like to hear it."
Again they looked at eachother but this time I let it slide. This staring contest ended with Matthew shaking his head before Clark reluctantly continued, "After the breakout the prisoners split into groups. Four, to be precise. There was Eddie who thought it'd be best to hole up in the prison. Nice and defensible he said. He got the majority behind him, typical types, you know the sort. Then Joe Cobb wanted to start a gang, like the Fiends, little lighter on the drugs of course. He also had a lot of boys behind him. They were more psychopathic ones. Wild Bill wanted to take over Primm to sort of make it a little haven for all opposed to the NCR. Then there was Samuel Cooke who led the breakout, he broke off with the smallest group."
I rolled my eyes at how long he droned on for, "Get to the point, punk." I sternly ordered.
"I'm trying!"
Matthew found himself taking over once more, "The point is this. We fucking hate the NCR after what they did to us. After breaking out we wanted in on some anti-NCR action. Eddie just wanted to dick around in the prison and Joe was a damn psycho. We wanted to go with Samuel, dude was a damned legend. He didn't think we were tough enough and wouldn't take us on. Bill was the next best thing."
"So you're pussies. Could have just said that. Least you answered at least three questions in that little story. Two more questions. Whose Wyatt?"
Confusion became a momentary replacement for their nervous dispositions, "Wyatt? Who the fuck cares?"
"I care. One of your buddies brought him up like he was important."
"Which 'buddy' would that be? We have several buddies wh-"
"Theodore? Theo? Ringing any bells?"
"Ah, yes. Theodore, makes sense. Wyatt is… How do I put this? A bitch, weak, it's a miracle he didn't die in the breakout. Surprised anyone took him on but Bill said something about liking his last name so he brought him aboard."
"What's his last name?"
"I am remiss to say that I don't know. My memory is fleeting. Anyhow, Wild Bill has been keeping a leash on the kid. Said anyone who lays a finger on him answers to his gun. No clue why. Must have felt bad for him and took him under his wing.. He's even weaker than we are. I can run the equipment, Matthew can do maintenance we serve purposes but Wyatt? He's worthless. Only reason he's still around is because he has the Wild Bill seal of protection." Holy fuck he liked to talk.
"Well, that's truly tragic but I only wanted to know if he's dangerous. Now, last question. Do you want to help us take back that town? Because the way you do that is by helping us make a plan of attack."
"Why would wanna do that?"
"Yeah, we made it relatively clear that we don't much appreciate you jackboots very much. What could possibly be in it for us? You know, we had plans before your girlfriend showed up."
I had finally had enough of this smartass, "You know, they say brevity is the soul of wit."
"W-what do you mean?"
I was right in his face as I breathed these words at him, "Shut - the - fuck - up." I then pulled out my Glock and switched the safety off, "And you didn't let me finish. Do want to help us or do you want to be executed?"
"W-will you let us go if we help you?" The succinct one managed to squeak out as he cowered on the ground.
"I won't kill you."
"You'll let us go?"
"I won't kill you."
"Oh… Well, show me the map then."
Amelia
Just before I was about to walk away from boredom the tent flat opened. With Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dummer marching out with that scared puppy dog look, "You two, escort our friends to the holding cells." He ordered to two soldiers who were playing a game of Caravan nearby.
They both examined the area before looking to their superior, "But sir, we don't have holding cells."
"Do you have guns?" They both nodded, "Do you see a building?" Again they nodded, "Then we have holding cells. Make sure they don't do anything dumb."
Then he turned to me, "You did what was asked of you and for that you have my thanks. Have you done what you've needed to do?"
"No, haven't been able to find any survivors."
"The prisoners you brought me have told me that there are some in fact. They're holding up in the Vikki & Vance casino. Quite a few from what they said. Whoever you're looking for, they must be in there."
"Really? Well, atleast something's going my way. I presume you don't mind if I go back into town?"
"Nope, go on ahead. Try to kill a convict for me while your in there."
Not much changed as I walked back up that route I took last time from the fact that I had company, "WEEE RRR DRRRRR?"
"I'm looking for someone."
"WRRRR?"
"Because he shot me."
"WRRRR?"
"Don't know for sure. All I know for certain is he wanted this poker chip I was carrying. So to find him I have to ask around here to see where he went."
"ROWWW ZRRRR?"
"Yeah, I'm gonna kill him."
"ZEEEEE!" He shouted as he bobbed all over the place. Made me a tad nervous.
"Quiet down now. I don't want to spoke the locals." We approached the casino, slowly rounding the corner to find a man sat in wooden chair facing the doorway along with two big men dressed in the typical Powder Ganger garb. One was holding a fire axe and the other a submachine gun, "Come on, old man what's it gonna be this time?" The Axe wielder questioned the door though I couldn't hear a response, "We go back to Ol' Wild Bill empty handed he might take things to a level you don't want it to get to. You don't wanna draw straws again do you?" I slowly creeped up on them which I allowed me to just about hear what the response was this time.
"Please, you know we're running out of things to hand over. Can't you just pick through the rest of town? 'Till we can find more to give?"
"You know that ain't an option. If you don't pick imma take this gun and empty the entire fuckin' clip into that door, again." Now that I was close enough I took my knife and stabbed him in the back of his head. His shocked gasp caused his buddy to turn around but ED-E slammed the asshole into the door and pinned him for me to press my gun to his head.
"W-wait…" He pleaded before I made sure he never could again. I looked to around to see if the ruckus attracted any unwanted attention. No one in sight but a man slouched in a chair. He was obviously dead.
He was older, moustached man with a badge pinned on his brown shirt, "This must've been the sheriff. Throat slashed, bruises all over, cuts all over, detached retinas, missing fingers… You unlucky bastard. They must've caught him alive, made an example." In playing detective I negated to acknowledge the cute little sign on his chest, "SAME GOES TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO PLAY REVOLUTION." It read written in crayon funnily enough. Guess blood would have been too melodramatic, "Well, let's meet the locals."
Not really sure how I was supposed to proceed with this I knocked on the door casually. How far would that would take me? I was surprised that the door opened cracked open moments later, "You don't look like convict." A scared, gentle voice noted.
"I'm not."
"Maybe so, but how can I be sure you won't try and hurt us?"
"Would I have knocked if that was my intention?"
He paused and peaked his out a little, "I suppose not. You can come on in. But don't cause any trouble… Please." Then he opened the door. He was small, frail looking older gentleman dressed in a scrappy but generally decent tan suit, "Welcome to my establishment." Place was trashed to put it bluntly. Garbage in corner, sad people milling about doing fuck all, half the slot machines were broken, the poker table that weren't flipped over and smashed to pieces were overflowing with empty bottles, holes in the walls and I am sure I saw a dead person by the cashout counter. I couldn't shake the deja vu I was feeling. It made sense that I've been here before, sure. But it felt as though something relatively significant happened to in this building. I could only hope that the feeling would pass, "Names Frank, Frank Gerst. Owner of a casino turned refugee camp. You might be…" He inquired as he took of his thin brimmed hat.
"Amelia, I'm a courier. Do you know anything about a man who passed through recently? Slick black hair, checkered suit, some Great Khans, talks like cartoon character?"
He itched his face and looked at the ceiling for a moment, "I might have. I don't interact with the customers much. That's Lani's territory."
"Can I talk to her? Where is she?"
"She was in the Bison & Steve when those thugs hit town… She didn't make it out." He confirmed with a sad certainty.
"Sorry to hear that."
"Me to, she was good at her job. Really nice girl. Bit dim but hey, don't we all have flaws? Take my security for example, about half of them up and ran out of the building when those punks marched into town. The majority of the other half got gunned down trying to stop these pricks. A few got killed not too long after. People starting flooding here for shelter and they tried to keep the crowd organized. Now I got about 3 or 4 left and the only reason they stuck around is because they're still getting paid. Moral of the story?"
"Your guards are all either inept or cowardly?"
"No, I'm a shit judge of character!" He burst out laughing though I failed to find the same enthusiasm. When he settled down he pointed in the direction of a lone black man sitting at the bar towards the back of the casino, "He's the man who runs the Mojave Express. If your jobs got anything to do with whoever you're looking for you might wanna speak to him."
"Thanks, Frank." I smacked him on the back almost knocking him off balance. The man, my boss I suppose, was nursing a cup full of gin. Or I think it was gin. That's what the bottle closest to him claimed to be. I hopped up on the counter next to him and kicked the it a few times to gain his attention.
"Would you stop that…" He requested not looking up from his drink.
"I'm gonna need to burrow a moment of your time."
"And I'm going to have to ask you to leave me alone, missy." A glance up from the glass and at my face set him on his feet in an instant. The very moment I saw his snub-nose clear his holster my gun was in my hand and pointed at his face while his looking primed to shoot me in the chest.
"BRAA BEEDLE BRRRR!" ED-E growled as he charged up his laser.
"ED-E no! Stay!"
"Oh, so you're gonna steal my robot to add insult injury. You damned ingrate!"
"Come down old man…" I said in a calm and level tone, "You wanna start a gunfight in here for no reason?"
"You wouldn't be the first person to get shot in here this week." He was unfazed. Despite his age he looked to be a rough man. Tall, broad, hard leathery skin and this steely gaze that was unfaltered by the weapon he was staring down.
"Well that is hardly necessary. I just want to ask you a question and I'll be on my way. I'm not looking to fight you, mister."
"Don't mister me! You know my name and you sure as hell can pronounce it, so use it."
"No, I don't."
He lost that sureness to his stance, "I ain't senile jackass. Don't treat me like I am."
"I swear to you. I don't know why you're mad at me. But I am just a swell gal when you get to know me. I got shot in the head and I seem to have forgotten everything shortly before that. Whatever I did to piss you off I'm sorry."
"So you really think I'm stupid don't you? I've heard that one before."
"You know what a bullet wound looks like?"
"Obviously…"
"Well look at mine. If your so sure that is." A smug grin joined that last comment. He snarled in response.
"I ain't doing anything 'till you put that damn thing down." I nodded slowly and handed him my pistol even moreso. I brushed my hair aside to show the two scars where Benny's bullets impacted my skull. The old man's face relaxed ever-so-slightly but his gun was still trained on me. He reached for my forehead with his calloused fingers to asses their authenticity. With a slight touch his hand jumped back and the barrel of the revolver was at last not aimed my way, "I'll be damned. You aren't lying…" He mused before shaking his head and finding another antagonistic expression, "Doesn't change what you did and if you did it once you can do it again."
"Will you at least tell me what I did? I know I worked here before all of this but that's it."
"Unbelievable, you really can't remember. Tell me, Miss Amnesia, do you ever get the inclination to kill innocent people? People who aren't harming you? People you didn't even look in the eye? That sound like something you'd enjoy?" With each question he got closer to me until he as a nose length away from me.
I finally had enough games and shoved him away, "Goddamnit old man! What the fuck did I do?! Riddles aren't doing anything but wasting my time and yours! And you already look like you're about to keel over any second now."
We both stared at each other for another few seconds which felt like a solid minute before he chuckled, just once but it broke the tension, "There was a boy working for me, you two would actually be co-workers I suppose. In fact you were damn near friendly to each other. You killed him. Shot him right in the head for no reason while you were sharing a smoke. Walked away like it didn't matter, like it didn't even phase you. Sound familiar, miss?" The way he filled every syllable of his last sentence with venom let me know he wasn't joking. So if that was so why couldn't I recall this in the slightest? Nothing, not even a vague recollection.
I thought about lying and saying yes or saying I was sorry but I didn't. I didn't need to complicate this anymore than it already was, "No, it doesn't."
"Hmpf, that's probably because it didn't mean much to you. And the names Johnny Nash, so no more 'old man' crap." He took his seat back and went right back to his drink which miraculously didn't spill in any of what transpired, "What do you want, Amelia? I know you're not here to check in on me."
"At last we're in agreement. I'm looking for the asshole who shot me."
"And why do I care?"
"Because he stole the object I was trying to deliverer. Hate me as much as ya want you still need the money."
"Welp, I never accused you of being stupid. What exactly can I help you with."
"Simple, he came through this way and I just wanna know whether or not you saw him. Checkered suit, Great Khans up his ass. Sound like something you've seen?"
"Ha! Now that's funny! You was with the very same man when you shot Dan. Looks like you got what was coming to you after all. Just wish I coulda done in the sack a' shit myself."
"Back up Mr. Nash… You're saying me and him were…"
"Pals it looked like, can't say for sure. I was watching from my window when it happened. You and him walked out of the V&V, stopped over by Dan after I sent him out for the job. You and your friends talked to him for a bit, the pretty boy whispered something in your ear and just like that: Blam! Shot em like a wounded dog. I woulda done something but seeing as there was four of you and one of me I did all I could. Talked to the sheriff when you left. Said there wasn't much to be done with no evidence and the fact that you both already left town. I figured I'd never see you again. Unfortunately that wasn't the case."
"I-I don't recall any of that. I-is there anything else you can tell me? Anything at all?"
"Yes, actually. Your friend ca-"
"Not my friend."
"Your friend came here about a day before this all happened. Walked back in like he owned the place, not a care in the world that he was an accessory to murder. Still had his Khans too. So I went back to the sheriff and as useless as he ever was he appoints the deputy to this job. Now Beagle only had the job because he looked the part well enough and because he was the sheriff's brother-in-law." He paused and sipped his drink. Seeing this got me thirsty so I reached over to the bottle next to him but he snatched it before I could and emptied the rest of it into his glass, "'No evidence' said the sheriff so Beagle set out to acquire some. Followed those boys around the whole day, taking notes. I guess he figured this was his time to shine. Those men came and went and all those notes he took were useless. But he held onto 'Maybe they'll be back' was his reasoning. If you want to find out where your friend went that's your very best bet."
"Great, where is he."
"In the Bison & Steve." Johnny informed like he was telling me what the time was. A sly smirk creeped up on his face, "He was doing some 'scouting' around the Bison Steve a little after it got taken over. He got snatched up in a little under a minute. Damn idiot, he had a gun! Dude who got him managed to swing a bat into him. How's that even possible?"
"Are you trying to tell me he's dead?"
"It's not unlikely. But, if he was dead I assume they woulda dragged his body out infront the V&V like they did his brother-in-law. There's a chance they didn't off him yet and are just beating the hell out of him. You might have time."
"Shit, of course! Of fucking course! Come on ED-E." I whined while storming away.
"Hey! Is that my robot?! Goddamnit!"
With all the petulance of a child who just broke their favorite toy I slammed the doors open and after giving ED-E barely enough time to get out I slammed them shut. After I turned around to walk away a bullet grazed my arm. The door was locked. I found that out quickly and I was completely out in the open. So I dived infront of the late sheriff and just out of the way of the bullet that pierced the door instead of my head. That was the best cover I could see, "Bill's not gonna be happy about what you guys did!"
I had no clue where he was except that he was above me. With that knowledge I decided to see just how good a partner ED-E was, "ED-E, I'm going to distract this guy so you get an angle. Understand?"
"SUU WRRR!" He hummed before taking off. I took the corpse's arm and tossed to the left which brought a bullet zooming by just above it. That fact that he was a half decent shot joined my character profile for this man. Scanning the environment brought the awareness of a car a short sprint away and I ran that distance easily enough while I fired wildly at where I assumed the convict was holding up. Soon after I reached the car it was meant with a rapid series of plinks, "Stop moving! Your running my coun- What th- Oh! Ah! Arghhhh!" His screams all but completely drowned out the sound ED-E's blaster firing into him.
"BRRR ZAAAA!"
"Come on before more show up!" I screamed while sprinting back to the NCR camp, "Lt. Heyes!"
"Miss Amelia, stop barging in without permission! You do it again and I'll have you removed. State your business."
"When do you think you'll be moving against the Powder Gangers?"
I look up from the his map, "You know perfectly well that I can't tell you that. You did what I asked and Iet you do what you came here to do. Our business is concluded."
"I wanna help you in taking the town."
And why would that be? And this time I'm going to need an actual answer."
"I need to talk to someone and he happens to be held captive by the Powder Gangers at the moment. So let's talk turkey. Don't tell me you don't need my help."
The Lt. took off his beret and tossed it onto his rucksack and lifted his flask to his lips. It was empty he soon learned, "The situation is worse than we thought. Wild Bill has those Powder Ganger running a tight ship. He's got people watching all sides of town day and night. You can slip past easy enough but a whole platoon? No, a fights going to happen. No way around it."
"And you'll need any help you can get."
"Hmm… Our numbers are roughly equal so having a capable ally would do a lot to turn the tide. You have been in large-scale firefight, right?"
"You could say that."
He breathed a tired sigh, "This vague thing you're doing here is not as cute as you think seem to think it is." Hayes went quiet again. He seemed to have a habit of just stopping mid-conversation. It was rude, "Fine, but you have to follow every single one of my orders. At this point you're taking part in official military action. Insubordination will be considered an attempt at interference and I'll be forced to arrest you."
"Yeah sure, what's the plan."
"Miss Amelia," He slammed his hand on the desk, "I'm not joking. You have to say you understand, no 'cute' comments, no 'clever' remarks."
"Yes sir. I'll do what I'm told…" Pause for effect, "Now can you please tell me the game plan is?"
"I have to consult my major first then I'll be explaining the whole plan to my men. Sit tight until then." I'm not patient. I get bored easily, always have. In knowing this I decided that I'd best get started sooner rather than later on finding some entertainment.
Wyatt
I stood over the deputy with a rusty knife in my hand and I had been told to cut off one of his fingers. Despite doing my best to keep my hesitance on the inside I couldn't help but shake at the prospect, "Come on you pussy. Do it!" My brain screamed at me, "He's watching. It's you or this guy!" I crouched down behind him and firmly gripped the captives bound hands which made him attempt to jump away. With a few deep breaths my knife was pressed to his thumb hard enough to draw blood. His screams of terror and barely audible pleas reminded me of… Of that soldier.
I tried to press on but I physically couldn't will myself to go one with it. It felt as though hours had passed before he came over to me. I closed my eyes expecting to get hit but instead my shirt was pulled up and me with it, "Wyatt, I can't protect you in here if you don't prove yourself. There's only so much my authority is worth when I'm protecting someone who can't even draw a little blood." His breath reeked of shitty booze. I could see some on his thick moustache.
I fumbled to find words whenever I spoke to him. It only got worse after he started wearing that damn duster coat. Jesus, it still had dried blood from that sheriff, "B-but I… I k-kil… I-"
He threw his hand up to shush me causing me to flinch. I don't know why I kept doing that, he never hit me. Not even once, "I know you did. That's the only reason I saw fit to let you aboard. Cause I know you have it in you. But the others? Well, you know." He chuckled suspiciously, "You have to prove yourself to them. Otherwise one day when I'm not looking you might piss off the wrong person. Someone at some point is going to try and call my bluff and it's your job to make sure they don't have to. They'll kill you if you don't harden up."
My eyes widened with completely unwarranted panic. It was just me, him and the deputy in the room but what he just implied made me feel like someone just pressed a gun against my head, "Y-you won't let that happen! Will you?"
He brushed off my worries with a deep, hearty laughter, "Relax, son. Relax. Wild Bill is a fair man. That's why he's taking so much time out of his day to help you out." He pulled out his own, sharpened hunting knife and handed and pressed it into my chest hilt first, "But you do have to prove I'm not just wasting my time." The smirk he wore the entire conversation faded and was replaced with this deadly seriousness, "Do what you have to do to survive. You're not a city boy anymore."
With a slight pause I took the knife looking him in the eye as I did. Sort of as to say 'I got this'. Every footstep on the way over to the bound man was slow and deliberate not out of a desire to draw this out or to scare him. I had to make sure that I acknowledged the gravity of what I was going to do. Without near as much hesitation I was back behind the deputy. He seemed unaware of any change from last time as he did not struggle.
It was so fast I barely realized that I had already done it. A quick flick was all it took and like that his index finger was on floor behind him and he was screaming like a banshee into a pillow. He rolled on the floor choking on his tears and I picked up the finger to present to Wild Bill, still not quite sure how to feel. His face glowed with pride as if I were his child. I almost forgot for a moment that my dad once took precautions so that this very man didn't damage his livelihood.
"Adda boy!" He exclaimed before smacking me on the back so hard I dropped the finger. He was quick to swoop it up before dragging me out of the room and to the cafeteria, leaving the deputy to his painful wails, "Boys!" The shout boomed throughout the large room were most of the Powder Gangers liked to hangout, "Our friend Wyatt here just popped his goddamn cherry!" Then he held up the finger which brought a thunderous roar from the thirty or so men while they slammed on the tables, floor and the clinking of their drinks, "See son? I told you I knew what I was talking about."
It was odd. I don't think I've ever had praise this genuine and it was coming from people that used to scare the shit out of me. From a man who kept me up at night as a kid. I've only been here a few days and yet it was… Nice, "If you think this is nice just wait till tomorrow." He whispered in that voice that gave me a chill down my spine.
"W-what happens tomorrow?"
"No spoilers but it'll be a big milestone. You won't like it a first but you'll thank me." The refusal to tell me worried me. I knew it wouldn't be pleasant but, well, neither was this whole situation. But Bill seemed to be helping me make the best out of it. I put doing this off for days and after finally getting it over with I'm almost glad I did it, "Wyatt Holdings. Right-hand man of Wild Bill. That'll make headlines, won't it?" I got a chuckle at that mental image. Maybe Wild Bill knew what was best for me. That wasn't a thing I'd normally say but hey, this is the new normal I guess.
Amelia
The clock had struck midnight which by the laws of cliche meant it was time to move out. The plan was simple as far as military assaults go. One squad of five would make their way to the hotel from the West part of town where the small, poor house were. These were the quote unquote "Elites" composed of three of the platoon's resident veterans and me. I blushed at the prospect. Hayes was to guide the central group of twenty or so to the hotel parking lot were the primary offensive was to take place. Clear lines of sight, lots of cover and most importantly, well lit. They keep the pressure on themselves while we slip in and and do our thing.
Heyes' group made it a point to announce their presence while we cut through through the chain link fence. I could already hear the gunshots on the other side of town, "Keep it quiet. Don't shoot unless necessary until we get the target." The largest of us and the man in charge, Colonel McGee, ordered for about the fifth time.
I had ED-E as an eye in the sky as we made our way through the tiny, burnt out homes, "BRAAA…" My Pip-Boy echoed.
"ED-E says there's a guy perched on the rollercoaster with this place in sights." I had the thing tap into my Pip-Boys radio waves so that we could communicate over a distance.
"Carver get your your rifle on those tracks." Carver crawled out from behind the house and did as told, "You see him?"
"Yes sir."
"You have that suppressor on?" He nodded, "Fire." Before the he could even finish the word the trigger was pulled and the sniper crumbled into the darkness both figuratively and literally.
"Anyone else ED-E?"
"BRRR."
"Well, keep your… Optic's? Yeah, sure. Keep your optics peeled."
The fight from the parking lot ended sooner than Heyes predicted. Not as many men actually came out to fight as he hoped. We could see that the soldiers were already moving in, granted, with less men than they started with. Now they were rushing the entrance. McGee insisted that the plan didn't change and I agreed. The lack of people rushing outside suggested one of two things. Either the Powder Gangers are scared to come out or Wild Bills confident that they can take them, "Always assume the worst, Amy…" I could hear it clear as day.
At last we reached the side service entrance and to our lack of shock it was locked, "Get ready to breach everyone." McGee commanded. We all took the positions we rehearsed back at the camp and Luke pulled out his shotgun and took aim at the the lock.
"Three! Two! One!" The thunder of his shotgun was immediately followed with his boot. Two men were behind that door on of which was wounded by the shells piercing the door and the other looking awful confused before he was utterly destroyed.
"Everyone to their assigned areas now!" We broke up into teams of three. Carver and Luke to the basement level, McGee and Charlie to the the first floor to flank the convicts and assist the the assault and me and ED-E to the upper floor.
Wyatt.
I had a pistol in my hand and I was certainly firing it. But I'm fairly certain I was aiming at anyone. Wild Bill didn't notice, "Yee hawww!" He had his customized revolver in one hand and some other hand-cannon in the other and was just firing away with incredible accuracy. My mind went back to breakout. Red lights flashing, explosion and bullets flying everywhere. I saw him strut up to a cluster of guards. His revolver raised at the hip. Six rounds, six dead men and two seconds between them. His line of sight was a No Man's Land. Every man that came into view was taken out of the fight.
This time the battle was less one sided. Once things got going it was clear the inmates were on the winning side but today? I didn't know.
Am I gonna get shot? Are they gonna capture me?
Thoughts like that raced everytime one of our own fell.
This mini panic attack I was having stopped when everyone went quiet and I heard a metallic thump, "Get down kid!" Bill screamed while tackling me to the ground. I went deaf for short period of time but I could see clear as day a couple of our guys stumbling about covering their faces almost unaware of the advancing jack-boots. Jack-boots? I think I picked up some of the lingo around here.
Regardless Bill was unperturbed it seemed and was right back to firing. Two troops who made it up the stairs were sent right back down, with a bullet to the head each, "We have to get out of here, Wyatt." He whispered, "Everyone stay your ground! Ain't the first troops we killed!" I was clueless so I simply followed him as he walked away. If I were just watching him I wouldn't know there was a gunfight going on at our front door. That is, until he waltzed to the interior balcony overlooking the front lobby. The fighting was thick here so we ducked down as we navigated while he shouted commands at the Powder Gangers taking cover behind overturned dressers and such, "Keep the pressure on! Watch that left hall! Our boys don't need any more heat than they already have! I'll end this before things get too crazy, don't worry!"
They all seemed completely ready to do what he says. I wished I knew whether that meant he really knew what he was doing or whether they were just desperate for direction. All I knew was that if we were going to lose he didn't seem to acknowledge it.
Ahead were two men firing into a room. They both crumbled to the ground right before my eyes. An NCR soldier rolled out of cover and was primed to fire. Time slowed and I could see his shot lining up right at my chest before a he took a round to the shoulder sending the shot just above my head.
He rolled on the floor in pain only stopping once Bills footsteps gave away the fact that he was nearing him. In a scramble he crawled to his rifle but wasn't fast enough and received the full force of Bill's boot on his ankle. A sickening crunch drowned out by his scream were what followed.
"Do the honors." Bill gestured to the man like he was a present.
"What?"
"Shoot him. I'd like to be able to tell the boys that I saw you shoot one of these boot lickers after we're done."
The look he gave my stuttering hesitance was nothing short of contemptuous. He was not going to take the time to give me a pep talk or explain himself this time. He rolled his eyes, unsheathed his blade and stabbed the man in the left lung. Then the right lung, "I don't have time for this bullshit, Wyatt." He explained while the soldier gurgled on his own blood beneath him, "I'm going to go finish this raid. You can leave the fucker to choke nice and slow or put him out of his misery. Either way you're not getting out of this."
Staring at the man was hard since he was staring right back at me. No words came out as he sputtered and gasped so I couldn't tell if he was begging me to help him or kill him. I knew exactly what I had to do. If not for the moral reasons then because Bill would probably kick my ass if I didn't. Raising the weapon was unreasonably hard to do.
It's not like I haven't done this before.
I pulled back the hammer.
He said it gets easier.
I looked away. Then I looked right at him. I had to see myself do it. This was a descion I was making this time. I had to own it.
Does that make it better or worse?
I shot him head. That damn dizzying feeling came back for just a moment and it passed as fast as it came. A pair of hands hoisted me and dragged me away, "Not bad kiddo! I told ya you could get used to this." I didn't reply the whole walk over to wherever his plan B was.
"While you were having yourself a little nappy time earlier I got news of three of our boys being found dead. Plus two missing. The stiffs were all found near the V&V. Some chick and her robot they said. I didn't like the sound of it, not one bit." He didn't break his stride as he went towards the doors to a series of collapsed suites opened into each other. Place was too fucked to do anything with so we left it alone.
He was looking at me clearly wanting for someone form of indulgence so I went along, "What are you talking about Bill?"
"I had a feeling we were going to get some trouble real soon. So I took some precautions…" He had this sly grin beaming with confidence as he stuck the key into the lock, "William 'Wild Bill' Ruskin's secrets to success, chapter one, lesson one…" With a dramatic swing he opened the doors, "God helps those who help themselves, Wyatt." The room was filled to the brim with people bound in ropes and mouths taped over. All on their knees, some seemed to have beaten into submission, others were untouched, "Had to put a few down but the rest were like duck in a row."
It was… I was… I didn't know what to say. I never in a million years thought I would be party to something like this, "Are you going to kill them?" I asked, mouth agape. He only shrugged.
"That's up to the NCR." He pulled out his hand-cannon, "Alright folks, you've been well behaved and I appreciate it. Keep up the good faith we've got between us. Will the leader of you kindly rise?" An old man dressed a decent suit rose about as slow as he could, can't blame him, "Thanks, come here. I won't hurt you."
So he did. Bill didn't lie and only took the tape off his mouth, gently even. I was so fucking confused, "What do you want from us?"
Bill placed his large, violent ridden hands on the man's shoulder. The size difference was nearly comical. Bill isn't a brute but he is a large man. A very muscular and hard man. He looked like he could snap that man like a twig, "I want to use you as a bargaining chip. If you're good for that than I'll let you free. If you're not I am going to be forced to kill the lot of you." He sounded apologetic in a way. Not very much so, just like he was apologizing for breaking their radio, "Either way, you'll have the NCR to blame."
"Don't give me that you damned liar…"
"Sir, I apologize for what I am being forced to do. But you did technically fail to honour our deal. That means what I am doing is in no way me being a liar." He then swiftly drug him out by his shirt, "Let's go Wyatt. You should see how it's done." I sorrowfully looked back at the captives. Would saving my own skin excuse this? Would it matter?
We were back at the the overlook, "Boys, go head to the holding area and keep your guns on them." The soldier stopped firing for a moment after watching the Powder Gangers run away for seemingly no reason. Bill popped over the cover with the old man and his gun pressed firmly into the back of his skull, "I'd like to speak to the chief.."
Hayes
For a moment I almost fired regardless of what he just said. But this was Wild Bill and no matter what the scenario was I knew to not take any threat he made, spoken or otherwise, lightly. I gave my men the order to stand down and had them radio the command in, "What do want William?"
"I'd like for you to stop kicking dirt all over my house to start."
"If you don't get to the point you're going to be seeing a lot more than dirt very shortly."
"Careful mister, I'm jumpy these days. Might have a slip of the finger. Anyhow, I'd like to claer up what appears to be a great misunderstanding. You probably assume that we came in here, guns ablazing and took over, right?"
"Yes, that is most likely what happened."
"Wrong, We stumbled upon this place weary and tired from out escape from slavery we came to this town. And this town's lawmen fired at us the moment they say our colors. We defend ourselves, when all was said and done we found ourselves the only force left. We took responsibility for what we fell into. We let people stay around so long as they submitted to a mandatory interview so that we might be able to evaluate their intentions. We let them stay at the casino so long as they followed a few simple conditions. They had objections and instead of taking them up with me they what do they do? They organized a little revolution and after we crushed it we got more harsh. What did we do that you haven't?"
"I didn't come here to listen to your excuses William!"
"Of course you're not! You're here to take over other our home!"
"You aren't even being a little bit ironic are you?" The delusion of this man was astounding. It was a shame so many people bought into his crap as to form a gang this large, "I'm not here to listen to your excuses or to play games. What do you want?"
"Simple, I want you out. Out of my town, out of the area and to leave us to our own devices." I opened my mouth to tell him how stupid he really way but I was cut off, "Before you say no. I want to make it clear that I'll only make this offer once and after that it'll get worse. Much worse." I knew of his reputation. I knew it well in fact and I knew he wasn't to be brushed off. I knew that despite his nature he wouldn't have given us the option to run if he could have just killed us all.
"Not happening William. Surrender or it will get worse, for you."
He simply smirked and whistled, "Darrell! Bring out the old lady!" Then we waited with our rifles trained on him. Couldn't fire, no good angle that wouldn't have hit the old man. He's done this before. The old man was held out infront of him at an arm's length. I hate waiting and he seemed to draw it out. What was he doing?
A Powder Ganger dragged an old black woman out and tossed her to the blonde kid. He looked like he was holding a bomb before Bill threw the old man infront of him. The old lady was infront of him now and he ripped her tape of her mouth, "Lady, tell them what your name is."
She was sobbing, "Ruby, Ruby Nash."
He gave her this apologetic look. At least I think it was, hard to tell from our position, "They could have saved you… I want that to be clear. And I also would like to say, I'm sorry…" He shot her point blank without giving her time to even process what he said and swiftly grabbed the old man, "Every Time you don't give into my demands I will kill another hostage! And everytime I have to I will add more conditions! I can keep that little shtick up for a real, real long time. Tell them Wyatt."
"Y-yes! A lot o-of… Yes." Where have I seen that kid before?
"You fire, you move, you even look like you're going to try something! And I'll have my guys toss some molotovs into their room and roast them alive! Up to you chief!" His lacky went go get another hostage while he cocked his revolver.
"Stop! If we leave will you let them go?"
He smirked, "I promise!"
"Give me, your word William! Your word!"
"I promise on everything I have ever held dear that I will not harm a single hair on their heads if surrender right now. Nor will I hurt your men. They will not be harmed. You know my reputation so you know I'm a man of my word."
I came to this stupid goddamn desert to help people. I didn't care if it meant I got discharged. I didn't care if I was a laughing stock. The only reason we came to this town was to help the civies. I was not going to let them all get slaughtered when I could have manned up and saved them. Wasn't even a choice, "Fine! Throw your arms down everyone. Radio in the order." Hell, maybe this will go a ways toward making the natives trust us. Trust the Republic. Probably not.
"But sir…" Private Driver muttered.
"Now dammit!" They complied with nary another breath, "There you go William! Let them go!"
"Very well. Don't move, chief. I would like to, look you in the eye." Him and his kid friend slowly and quite proudly made their stay down to the lobby. When left our line of sight the Powder Ganger marched all the men that made it the main stairwell at into the lobby, at gunpoint of course.
Once he got there he clapped the whole way until we were face to face, "You're a brave man." He bent to see my dog tag, "Hayes, Lt. Hayes. I have a lot of respect for you. Not many NCR men would have sacrificed their own dignity for the sake of others. Know why?" I was silent, "Because they aren't real men. You however, are of a different stripe."
"Just say what you have to say so we can go."
"I plan to." He turned to his blonde friend. He was of average height which put him a good foot shorter than Bill and while in an all-around athletic build he was noticeably less muscular as well. He was young, 18 at the most. And he looked so familiar.
"Y-yes, Bill?"
"You see what I've done? I've won. It's not all about being quick on the gun. Though that does help. Take notes, this'll save your life one-day."
"William! I'm waiting."
"Right sorry. Remember when I said it'll get worse every time you killed a hostage? I don't break my word. So with that in mind... You'll die." I could only roll my eyes. I wasn't surprised in the least, I knew this wasn't over, "To send a message and all. I still intend to let everyone else go. I can't afford you the same courtesy. You unde-"
"Quit being so fucking dramatic and shoot me." I demanded with a monotone voice.
"E-excuse me?" He was visibly shocked.
"Brevity is the soul of wit and you're not impressing me. Now shoot me. So I can stop hearing you drole over your own bullshit speeches."
He shook the shock away and put on a stern look, "As you wish." He drew his gun lined it up so that he could peak over into my eyes.
Despite what I said. I couldn't help but indulge in some theatrics myself. I turned around I smirked and I saluted my men. One thing crossed my mind.
The needs of the many outwe-