Claws of the Wastes

by Uriziel

A talking, intelligent Deathclaw wanders the Wastes to bring closure. For himself, for the Wasteland. With a cross-country trip, spawned by the desire for vengeance, along the way. Believing that he is forever; the last of his species. This is a journey that is going to get reckless! Wandering with little of an ultimate purpose. He might just find one.

32. Heaven Can Wait

Chapter 32: Heaven Can Wait

(Happy 4th Anniversary to Claws of the Wastes!)

It's easy to take this scenario as paranoia. Who would sit down and think that a sauna is doubling as a secret raider operation? Suspicion is all I have to go on.

"Is everyone ready?" I asked as we clung to the door, ready to go.

With the nods of uncertainty from Myles and Adam, I charged through the door to find… an empty hallway.

"Are you sure we aren't just being paranoid?" Myles asked.

I signed and leaned against the rusty wall. Glancing around, Myles and Adam were at the ready behind me. "I…don't know anymore. My gut was telling me that this place had something strange going on. Maybe we are just wrong?"

Adam spoke up next, after being quiet and listening for anything suspicious. "I think we should investigate, anyway. What's the worst that can happen? Let's continue deeper into this underground hallway. Just to look around, and then leave."

We all agreed to this plan, and I led through the hall. Despite the rusty and crumbling infrastructure of this underground passage, I wasn't too worried about a cave-in. Not like that bunker, we stayed at after our encounter with Frank Horrigan.

Frank…I wonder where the hell he ended up at?

I crept through his hallway and signaled for Myles and Adam to follow. This rusted interior of pre-war wonder was an unsettling sight. Some supposedly active establishments in this underground area.

"We don't have to press deeper," Adam suggested as we clung to the walls. "We can just leave and go back through the entrance. Nothing is stopping us."

"I feel we are now invested enough in the mystery to not just walk away now. Besides, if this is an underground operation, I want to stop it."

I couldn't deny that. "Let's stop being indecisive then. We have surely faced worse than anything that could be down here."

With nods of agreement from both Myles and Adam, we pressed on. Glad we are all on the same page here. Do I doubt my instincts here? Is suspicion enough to go on? Truly, this isn't even our responsibility.

The teamwork we displayed was quite the sight. With me leading the charge, we crept through this unnaturally long hallway, no tunnel. Aside from various debris and pallets on the side, it was clear.

I sensed…nothing. This place was completely void of life aside from my companions behind me. No doors, no side rooms, nothing. Just this increasingly foreboding tunnel. The stretch of aluminum pipe followed deeper and deeper into the darkness. Steam, creaking…hmm.

I feel…heavy. An impending doom washed over me. "Turn back," my mind is telling me. Don't approach the darkness.

Turning around, I went to see where Myles and Adam were, but…they weren't there at all. How? They were just behind me! The tunnel felt so long and endless both ways…which direction was I even going?

Fumes…they have drugged us. In whatever clarity I felt at that moment, it hit me like a mini nuke. Whatever I am experiencing isn't even true. What am I doing now?

My eyes felt heavy as the encroaching darkness washed me in its embrace. I can't let it take me! Some kind of stimulation, toying with my mind. It felt so much stronger. I fell against the wall with a tunnel-shaking thud. Then…darkest darkness.

Despite my drugged-out state, I heard the mumbles and musings of…something, someone. I scarcely remembered details despite my effort to retain some kind of information.

I slowly eased myself awake. It felt so strange still…the lingering effect of whatever drug I was inhaling in that tunnel. The first thing I noticed was that they fully stripped me of my two satchels, my sword, and the bag of caps, classic. I was alive and unhurt, also untied. That's curious. I didn't immediately get up. I was facing a concrete wall in a corner. I tried to listen to what was around me, but it was so silent it was freaky. I attempted to move my legs, arms, and tail just slightly in case anyone was watching me. Everything still functioned.

Assuming my captors don't know I'm awake…I might only have one chance at this. No steps, no talking, nothing. This concrete wall is also very chipped, with chunks and parts actively bursting off. The floor felt the same. It was a cold and hard gray slab of concrete. Whatever is put in this room will never get out. Huh, that must be intentional.

Once I was coherent enough to get myself to pay full attention, I waited. But nothing happened. I laid there for a multitude of minutes, but I can no longer delay! Myles and Adam are no doubt in trouble.

In a single, quick motion, I shot up from my lying position and simultaneously turned around as well. Arms up, ready to swing at anyone who was there and…

It was completely clear. I was in a concrete box not much bigger than that of a cell room. For all intentions, they trapped me. There was nothing in the room. It was just a box of concrete. There wasn't even a door, not that I could see at least.

One of the first things I noticed, aside from the shape. Was the light? The room was lit up despite not having any source it was coming from. No lamp, or switch on the wall. That was strange. Assuming no one had immediate eyes on me, I took the time to look myself over and I didn't have any cuts or tampering. Horns, check, and tail functioned just fine with a slam against the wall. I felt myself up and down for any kind of prodding, but I was free of the usual signs of experimentation.

After fondling myself, I decided I was going to figure out how to escape this shoddy box of trapping. I felt around the walls. Steadily pressing myself against it and pushed decisively against what I would imagine would be a secret entrance but, alas. No side hid any secrets.

I felt against these walls enough for someone to think I must have quite a fascination with concrete texture. Was this some sick joke? I am not impressed! I'm just standing here thinking, a box. This is just insulting.

Despite my panic slowly setting in, I would not meet my demise in some cube! I began going about this more aggressively. I used my namesake to scrape against walls. Extensively lashing into the very fibers of this wall, I decided to be my target. If this didn't lead to anything, I had three other sides to mess with!

Being trapped in such confined spaces isn't good for nerves. Remain calm, you'll get through this. I keep telling myself. Yet, despite my confidence on the outside, my insides are freaking out. My collected pacing on the walls became more desperate as I began to push and shove my body into the whole thing. Circling to each side and repeating the motions as much as possible.

I was going to wear myself out in this panic…

I pressed my head against each of the four walls and just tried to listen. A voice, airflow, steps… anything! Dead. Silence. Was I just dumped in a room and left to rot? Not only that, they robbed me!

Myles and Adam need me…

If I stretched my arms out, I could touch the adjacent side wall. This room was that tiny. But I can stand completely upright. That's strange.

The ceiling… I haven't tried the ceiling yet.

Using the tightness of my confines, I used whatever leverage I could to push my head right into the ceiling. Jumping myself upright in the center, my horns absorbed most of the impact. Oh, I felt it too. The cranial damage I would sustain from trying to crack the ceiling and my skull was immediately apparent.

The force of my jump shook the whole room. It felt like it wasn't solid on the ground. I jumped again, this time without hitting my head, and the same thing happened. Huh, I could be suspended in the air…somehow.

I stomped the ground with all my might. Bending and shifting the concrete beneath me. The cracks showed, the beam of light seeping through the cracks. My escape from this box of insanity!

The moment I saw the tiniest light ray, I felt a wash of inspiration, desire, and anger all at once! My fury would drive me to pummel this floor to smithereens!

I didn't even take a moment to look below me. I backed up and leaned my entire body into the ever-increasingly wide hole. Leaning back, I angled myself, cleared out more with my hands, and jumped directly down.

I landed in this massive warehouse…it's not even that. It's a large storage room with various boxes, concrete slabs, and various other boxes like the one that contained me. The floor was a mix of metal depressions and…carpet! What the fuck is this place?

I quickly trotted myself to a more secluded area, behind a stack of plenty of boxes, and looked around this place. It didn't have any sign of residents or seem guarded. It was eerily quiet, too. Not even outside…is there even an outside? This could be underground for all I know.

I feel so naked without my blade…

This moment of downtime let me take in everything I was seeing. From this middle section, I could see the core that held me suspended above the ground. It looks like it was in the middle of being moved. It's just haphazardly hanging in the air, with no organization. Are these other boxes containing people then?

No one seems to be here. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to do some snooping. I don't smell any blood. Knocking on one of these crates, it sounded…hollow. Huh, why have a bunch of hollow crates in this hidden storage room?

I checked more and more as I left my hiding spot and the entire tower of crates that I could reach all had that same hollow knock. Alright, I don't have time to check them all.

Treading my way carefully along this filthy carpet! I guess it was a light purple at one point. Ugh, unkept and unclean are such a common trend with bastards like this.

Huh, this seemed familiar to that sham of a hotel. I and Myles took out on the way here. Rose Bloods. I wonder if they have ties to the latest disappearance here too. Lilly's Leggings, we were told. Still don't know what that means.

I assume this is an underground operation. Probably directly under the sauna, too. How many travelers get unaccounted for? They drugged us in that hallway. That much I know.

I felt my way over to some of the concrete boxes. These were still on the ground and not suspended like the one I was in. Still fully formed and ready for trapping.

I tapped on them. There were three, and I didn't get a single answer from any of them. Part of me wanted to open them; another part of me didn't want to delay any longer. Myles and Adam could be in trouble.

Some fucker is probably blowing all our caps on some whore right now, too! I will tear them both apart, I swear!

I'll come back to these.

I crept around the room and kept my senses alert. I would hear someone before they heard me. The room, however, was much more expanded than I thought. It wasn't like a tunnel, but it was long. Boxes and boxes lined shelves like an old grocery backroom. Both an effective and inefficient way of storing goods.

Here, probably very ill-gotten goods…

There are far too many boxes to check in a reasonable time. I could, however…hmm.

Topple them all over!

You bastards want to trap me in a box, okay, fine. I'll fucking ruin all your stuff.

I approached one end of the shelf and shook it furiously. Using all my strength, not only would I cause a ruckus with this action, but I would also trash this storage space! Once I began with one shelf, the dominoes began.

One after another, the towering crates all fell and crashed into one another. One shelf set off a chain reaction. Splinters, chunks of wood, and various goods scattered the floor. The consistent crashing would send any man into a heart attack.

I relished in the destruction I was causing! Despite all the noise I was intentionally making, nothing came of it. No guards, investigation, nothing.

What the fuck!?

There goes all my fun, and now I have to navigate this trashed room. I waited and waited for nothing. I even tried to find an exit, but I didn't see any exit door.

Great, trapped in one box and led to another. I was getting bored with this, too. Breaking the shelves wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. Not as destructive either. Most of the crates were empty. Just a floor of splinters, various cloth, hides, and metals. This looks like all the things you would find in a general store out in the Wastes.

Whatever. The wake of destruction behind me is someone else's problem. I followed the outer wall; going along the edge of a carpet and tried to find myself a doorway. Either I am an idiot or this place doesn't have one.

If I have to break through another floor, I swear to god…

I'll save this rage for something else. Use it when it's needed. First, a way out. I pressed myself up against one of the outer walls and just shimmied my way across. Despite my efforts, I wasn't able to find anything that resembled a door, exit, or entrance. This place was almost certainly underground, too.

Fanfuckingtastic.

Seemingly out of options, I weighed my other possibilities. There were more of those concrete cubes. Much like the ones I was in back on the other side. I can bust those open and see if anyone else is down here with me. If that leads to nothing, then…fuck.

Traversing my way through the sea of toppled-over goods and materials from the shelves, I knocked over. I made my way back to the original cube in which I found myself trapped.

I knocked on the first row of three, all lined and spacious. Just enough to squeeze through each one. Hollow concrete, much like mine. I don't think I can do anything about the ones that are fully suspended, however, I can break these three.

It's just concrete! I looked around the room and found…nothing to help with this cause. Drat! Backing up, I reared myself down onto all fours and prepped to charge into the first chunk of concrete. Stupid? Surely, but I lack other options at the moment.

Fortunately, I would not ram into it with my horns. This will be more of an inertial, weight kind of force. I slammed into it with my body. This caused enough force for the whole thing to shake and crack. After a few more forces on my body, it will crumble!

I felt fine enough after the first ramming. I can do it again. Getting back into the same position as before, I prepared myself to charge at it once more…

I heard something from the opposite end of the massive room.

It sounded like…an elevator.

I quickly dove myself down into a prone position. Surely the sheer amount of toppled things would act as my cover. I inched myself closer to the sound. It was multiple feet away, but I could see it. The floor opened up into a huge, square platform. It meant for this place to be a secret! Duh, I could have determined that.

The two occupants of the elevator were none too pleased with the warehouse toppling act I had performed earlier. I couldn't quite see any features of them from here, and the rubble I so expertly kept myself covered by. It was a man and a woman. They argued over why it happened, blaming each other. Getting more and more irate.

Damn, he smacked her to the ground in a single slap. That shut her up well enough. She toppled back onto one of the many piles of previously stacked goods. I didn't see her get back up. I also lost the man. Great! Domestic abuse can be so distracting sometimes.

I turned myself over onto my back so I could turn around without absolutely flopping everywhere like a fish out of water. Backing up wasn't an option from here and I wanted to keep maintaining my cover.

Heh, the funniest thing about cover is that it can be completely blown.

Now, this was a full happenstance that the man just so stumbled across me. He probably saw me even before I even rolled myself around. So, here I was lying on my back in between a massive pile of trashed and thrown goods of all kinds.

Fortunately, for me. The man was wearing a rather dirty pair of overalls and had no weapon in either of his hands. There was a massive wrench on his left side hip but that was of no consequence. His brown eyes widened like he had seen a literal ghost and his skin turned a sickly white at the sight of me. His short and similar-colored hair was greasy and unkempt. He smelt of booze and disappointment.

I went to say something before he screamed bloody murder and toppled himself backward, tripping over the sea of toppled goods in his effort to escape me. I couldn't help but laugh to myself at the sheer energy he exhumed to try to "evade me" Surely, if I were to hunt him; he would be an easy kill.

With an annoyed sigh, I stood myself up. I am surprised the woman didn't make her way over her. Or she's knocked out in some pile of stolen items right now over then. Oh well.

The man kept his feeble attempt to scoot himself away from me. Being barred by the pile of stuff that surrounded us.

Dude, chill. I'm not even moving. I just stood up!

"Would you stop already? If I was going to get you, I would have already."

The look he just gave me was both bewilderment and shattering fear. Hearing me speak. The reaction was great!

I stood there, awaiting a response, and then I saw his eyes dart past me. It seems his female companion was sneaking up on me! It's…kind of hard to do that when there is little room to not kick any of the myriad of objects, let alone the uneven terrain.

I just glanced behind me, directly at her. "Don't even try it." I got a better view of her and…wow. She was, uh, far worse than I expected. A jet junkie doesn't even describe the beast behind me.

Her hair is all puffed up like she experienced the shock of an electric chair. It's missing patches all across her head. Her hair is…supposed to be a light red, but it is so filthy, with black spots, and stains of god only knows what scattered around her entire…style, let's call it that.

Her clothes are a tattered, patched-up hose and leggings. She didn't even wear any pants. Just a sewn-together large gray and black patched-together shirt. Her legs had large, see-through leggings and nothing else. Lovely. Her face is covered in blemishes and her clouded eyes have bags that also have bags.

She looks like she forgot to die!

She didn't stop approaching me, despite my warning. I gave her a quick tail whip, and she crumbled like an old paper bag. Honestly, not a bad analogy at this point.

I turned back to the man and addressed him. "Speak, fucker!"

"Uhhh, ohh, I, ohhh,"

"Uh, um, duh, duuur" I copied with much more intensity. Staring him down in annoyance.

Oh, ho! That got a rise out of him. I can see an emotion in his eyes that wasn't just drunk, deadbeat!

"He-hey, that ain't cool!"

"Oh, yes. Very uncool. Someone trapped me in one of those concrete cubes in this warehouse that you both entered. I'm sure that isn't a coincidence!" I pointed toward my concrete prison. Past the groaning wench, lying in the pile of stuff still.

"That wasn't our doing! We didn't even know there was a," he paused and took in my presence this time. Despite having stood in front of him for multiple minutes, my existence is just perplexing. "Please, I'll tell you everything. Just leave us be. They will kill us for this mess you made, anyway. There is no point in you doing it…"

If a man could look more pathetic, this one would take that prize. "They? Who are they?!"

"The Rose Bloods, I don't know anyone by name! They force me and Marge here to maintain their stolen and murder loot. Please, I don't know more than that. We are prisoners here, like you."

I grumbled at him, taking a step forward. "I am not a prisoner!"

The woman finally gathered enough jet fumes within her soul to rise; coughing and laughing behind me. Wheezing horribly. "Looks to me like you are stuck here like us, Claw. A prisoner too. Like it or not." She continued to keep herself sitting behind me. Coughing whatever lungs she had left.

I turned my attention back to the man, asking him. "Where are my friends? My things? Where are we even?"

He raised his hands and said. "Whoa there, Clawy, one thing at a time. As for your friends, I don't know. I didn't even know you were here. As for your things, you are probably looking at it in this pile." he looked around the room as if waiting for something. "As for where we are…"

He reached into his overalls and pulled out a 44 magnum. The damn barrel was bent more than a dog's hind leg! He aimed it at me and his confidence grew.

I quickly lunged myself forward and snatched the gun with my index claw, just enough length to swat it out of his hand. I toppled over him in my lunge and sent the gun flying. Fuck knows where!

Now, I didn't land on him fully, but enough to pin him in place. Now that I was making contact, he was filthy! He tried extremely feebly to kick and push me off from my crouching state. I held him down on one of his legs with my own and placed his neck in between my spread claws.

"If you want to return to your sorry excuse for an alcoholic life, I suggest you tell me everything!" I shouted at him.

He only chuckled and then it turned into a full laugh, with the woman behind me still sitting up, not moving a muscle, cackling like a maniac, too. "Oh, Claw. Don't you get it? The Rose Bloods took everything from us. Our farm, our herd, our crops. They burned everything and captured us. Because of our experience with labor, they drugged us. Kept us on a leash and made us work for their purpose, for our fix. Death would be a mercy to us both. It will be less ill than they are capable of."

I sighed and stood off him and backed up. I offered my index claw to help him up. To my surprise, he took it. There was an uncomfortable silence for a moment before I spoke. "Look, I am sorry these bastards did you so wrong. But, I can help you. You need to help me, though. I have things, and people I cannot lose. Do you understand me? I will make the Rose Bloods pay for every single injustice against you and others, but I need information without the threat of guns!"

He flopped himself back down onto an uneven pile of things and grumbled. "We're done for, anyway. Fine, Claw. What do you want to know?"

I backed up to give him space and asked. "Why aren't you freaked out by me talking?" I had to know.

He gestured with a single hand out. "Someone in their ranks knows about a "Talking Albino Deathclaw" I could only put together in my noggin, that is you."

I was going to regret asking this. "Do you know my name?"

He thought for a good, long moment. Before shaking his head. "No, but whoever it is seems to know you. I don't know what that means. You aren't with the Rose Bloods. It surprised me at first. But they have reports and records. You are being watched and followed. It's no coincidence you ended here."

What the fuck does that mean!?

Marge butted in the conversation, finally. "Something about one of the higher-ups had experience with you before. We only overheard it accidentally. It only makes sense you are here."

She wheezed and sat there, looking up at me, and then, like a light switch, she shouted. "John! That's your name."

"Okay…" Feeling thoroughly creeped out, I asked. "What the fuck?"

The man chuckled, leaning back even further into the pile. "An appropriate reaction. Someone in the Rose Bloods knows you, how? That we don't know."

I nodded, keeping my internal freakout off display. "Where am I? And where are the Rose Bloods?"

"You, Claw, are on the outskirts of The Flea Garage. This is…an abandoned warehouse they used to smuggle their stolen goods. They buried it on the side of a cliff. Very hidden. You need to take the elevator down to reach the entrance. It's the only way in and out." he pointed in the direction that they came from. "As for where they are. Surely you didn't miss the fact that The Flea Garage was a little…off? They have their filthy grasp on everything along this interstate. You can't go anywhere without finding them somewhere. You'll find their main compound yourself, I don't doubt that. But, I cannot guide you there. Never seen it myself."

Marge coughed and spoke up once more. "Follow the road, Claw."

"Did you two get a bundle of 2 satchels? A Bumbersword made with a vertiblade and a blue necklace?" I asked, specifically.

They looked at each other from their lazing states and both shook their heads at me. "No, we got nothing these last couple of days. Just the concrete boxes."

Blasted. "Okay, I wasted enough time here. Thank you both. I have two friends to save and mementos to get back!"

"Wait, wait. You will not help with this mess you made?" he asked me.

I began my climb of the pile of goods. "Unfortunately, I do not have time for that! My friends are in danger. You won't have to worry about this mess after I'm done with the Rose Bloods! Do me a favor and check the other concrete boxes, too. They trapped me in one."

I didn't even wait for them to respond. Time is of the essence right now! I reached the elevator platform and now that I see it, it's obvious! I flicked the switch and braced myself for the lift to move. It descended, finally. I am getting somewhere. The elevator was…uncomfortably long. I just stood there, fiddling my claws, awaiting the end.

It took long enough, but I reached it. With a stiff ending to the elevator, it landed on what I can assume was the ground. I pushed the door open, and the sunlight blinded me! I didn't even wait for my eyes to adjust. Pushing through the blindness, I greeted the Wasteland once more. Naked and fully ungeared to the extreme. Armed with nothing but my horns and claws. I was out for blood.

Outside of The Flea Garage, this place looks familiar. I can't believe they buried it in the cliff this close. No one thought it was suspicious to see two unconscious bodies and a Deathclaw get moved.

Oh, right, they are all in on it. Which means…the sheriff…Malic is an accomplice, too. Many thoughts and possibilities went through my head as I trotted my way back to the entrance. I can see it on the blaring horizon. This secret cubby hole was on the full opposite side of the settlement. I'm on a mission. No one is going to stop me. Not even those damn guards!

Who did we meet when we first came here…Brandon Wallace! I might appeal to him, the Metal Man.

I found the entrance with ease. Navigating my way through the park and elaborate cars. No guards were present at the entrance, curious. Wasting no time, I barged myself into the settlement. It was…empty. This was freaky! The roaming streets of people were now completely void.

No time to investigate this, to the Bathhouse. My first and only lead right now. It was…left, left, and up from the church. The sign labeled spa…and was my fucking idea.

No matter, they will pay for this.

I ran on the zig-zag path to the spa at insane speeds. I barged into the door and found there was…no one. Time to poke around. I rammed the back door with my body and crept on all fours through the hallway. I heard shuffling!

Poking my way through the steps leading to the "spa room", it was…locked. Huh. I feel just angry being here. Taking my rage out on the double set of doors, I broke it down in a single, wide slash. Growling furiously as the dust settled, I saw…a tied-up woman.

She had dark black hair and tanner skin. Her hair was swept and styled brilliantly. She lay on her side, hands bound against the wall, and was unconscious. Probably another poor victim like us. I couldn't help but notice the well-kept lab coat as well. Jeans and sneakers, hmm. This was no junkie or raider. This was some kind of…scientist! I swear I saw her earlier before we entered the spa! I sympathized with her situation. She was innocent here, no doubt. I carefully used a claw to free her from her bindings, feeling for a pulse. I covered her with one of the cleanest tarps in the room while I trudged deeper. This should keep her hidden enough from any potential threats while I took care of this operation.

This hall was already looking differently from before. I didn't even make it beyond the door before I could tell. Those must have been some potent drugs they pumped us with. I trudged through this rusty interior. Surely my things would be…somewhere!

It didn't take long before I entered a massive room. It was rectangular shaped, and it seemed like a storage facility. I had my fill of these for today! I looked around the shelves and found nothing of worth or familiarity. Damit, they could have taken our stuff and just skipped town.

I noticed a backdoor that was ajar, just beyond the shelf. That would have been easy to miss! I pulled it open with such aggressive force, trudging my way deeper and deeper into the accursed place.

Barging through the halls, I was sick of playing the stealthy approach. This was looking more and more decrepit as I trudged through. Although, this tunnel was feeling added on, not initially here before the war.

I was getting thoroughly annoyed. My friends are gone, my things are gone…someone has to pay! I will find them all. Not even this creepy-as-hell, seemingly descending tunnel will stop me. I am getting somewhere. I can feel it. That pit in my stomach before something terrible happens.

Pressing on is my only option. I reached the end of the tunnel. It had a…vault door. Not a Vault-Tec vault more akin to a bank vault. It was closed and latched, of course. A terminal on the side of it and a full dead end. Pipes and metal lined into the room and it was dead silent. Minus the occasional creek of metal and droplet of water.

I was going to hack this terminal but, fuck it! I don't have time for games. I slashed the inner workings of the screen, dug my claws into the center, and snapped the three arrays of cords in the back. I decommissioned the entire device and fiddled with the wires until I heard the vault door unlatch.

The reason I could get this to work is that, well, the tunnel was made after the war. This means both the terminal and the door were too. Plus, these guys are Raiders at their core. Security may seem advanced, but their equipment is shoddy as hell. It's always the case.

I wasted no time prying the door open with all my strength. Despite the effort, it was still quite a lot to pull the damn thing.

And…

It was a brick wall. There was nothing behind the damn thing. Was this a trap? A ruse? Fuck's sake.

I didn't even wait around for whatever, whoever, or however, was going to happen. I wasted my time here. Fuming with pure anger, I turned myself around and began my trot back. I was going to leave this place. Where else could I check in this place?

…Malic's office. We never went there.

Back in the storage room, I just followed the tunnel path and continued through. These damn tunnels are just a joke. We got trapped by the worst operation! Now, I am playing hide and seek with a bunch of fuckers! I glanced at some of the spa rooms I passed before and they were unremarkable.

Despite my speed, I still checked on the scientist lady. She wasn't there anymore. I hope she woke up herself and got the hell out of here. No matter, she isn't my concern right now. I wasn't down there that long, was I?

I scanned the front desk for a moment, hoping to find something, some kind of hint. I threw things like pencil cases and papers that had nothing but gibberish. They sure made this place seem legit. How could we have been so stupid?

The cost of relaxation is always steep. This desk held nothing…except a key. I only noticed it because it rattled under the stream of papers when I bumped the desk with my tail when I turned to leave.

It was old, rusty, and worn. It had a yellow attachment to it, too. Some kind of card? It was a key with a ring and a card. Couldn't have been to anything here. Well, seeing as I lacked anywhere to put the thing…I clung in the ring down my left horn and before I pressed on outside, I checked the floor tile I noticed before and it was just a flimsy tile. I tore it up, and it just had dirt.

…

…

Suspiciously fresh-looking dirt.

I pressed my index claw into the dirt and surely enough; it was loose and newly dug. There was something buried here!

Pushing my way through the influx of more loose and loose dirt, I found a hatch. Not big enough to fit a person, but to store goods.

Wait, it wasn't a hatch; it was a box! A large, rectangular metal box. It was heavy, secure, and long. They stored it horizontally under the tiles. That's why it felt so weird to walk there. I hoisted it up with a massive clang. It was loud! Heavy as hell.

I turned it around and found the latch. Huh, a keyhole.

You don't think…

I tried the key in the lock and…yeah that would have been too easy. I latched it back onto my horn and shoved the box behind and under the desk. Surely moving it a little will distract them?

I left the building and found with…being surrounded. Okay, expected, I went too long without getting attacked.

I sighed as I left the doorway, plenty of guns aimed at me. "Damn, you all were quiet. Impressed."

They were a mixture of citizens and Rose Bloods. I can tell from their attire. Helmets adored with red streaks, clothing stained with long-forgotten blood. A range of weaponry comprises assault rifles, Miniguns, laser rifles, and explosives strapped to plenty of them.

The head honcho approached me, past the sea of 10 others in the front. I, even while fully surrounded, felt sorry for the poor bastards.

He cleared his throat. I couldn't tell his face from the rest of them with all the stains and blood that dried upon his mask. But, this must be the leader of the group. "Well, well, you are the troublemaker that has been causing so much ruckus lately? You know, if you didn't kill Doug, we wouldn't have to execute this order."

"Why are you talking, then?" I asked, looking around the flock of people to see if I recognized anyone. "You have me cornered. Why talk?"

He grumbled under his mask and held his gun up above his head, speaking with such disdain. "Because our mistress has demanded that we offer you the chance to join us. I would have sent the firing squad on your sorry ass if it was up to me."

"If I was so important to your mistress, maybe half your troops wouldn't have comprised civilians from the Flea Garage?"

I just stood in the doorway as their stances all shifted. I knew most of them were untrained from this situation.

"She…gave us an order. Now, is that a yes or no!?"

I raised my hand and waved my index claw at him. "Tsk, tsk, mister. You are in no position to raise your voice to me."

He just started laughing maniacally, clearly the only one who thought this was funny. "You. Can't. Be. Seriously! I have 20 separate guns aimed at you. I have my men strapped with grenades, and mines, and even one has a nuke! You don't think you are walking out of this alive, do you?"

I growled at him, spreading my arm slightly, ready to jump him, asking, "Do you?"

I could see him visibly shake from this statement. His troops noticed too. The nervous shifts and changes I saw from everyone were only helping my case.

"God, you're insane!"

I prepared myself to jump back into the building and asked him. "You say that like you know me?"

I could see his stance waver. I left whatever cover I had saying "Wait, wait. I do know you."

He raised his rifle and pointed at me, growing like a dog. "No, you don't!"

His troops were all too curious to see how this would play out nervously and looked on.

"No, no, no. You can't be." My heart broke in that instant. I realized it, without a doubt. I looked away from him. "Let me see your face." I tried to keep myself together.

He, much to my surprise, granted me that. He removed his mask and looked at me with…regret.

Much to my horror, I was correct. This…was Rick. Sophia's son.

"Rick…how, how could you!"

He stomped the ground and shouted at me. "That isn't my name anymore!"

I fired right back. "Oh, what is it now? Scumbag Raider!? This is how you choose to honor your mother!?"

He shot right back at me. "You let her die!"

I had to back away from him in unprecedented levels of sorrow. I didn't even care about the small army that surrounded me. "I-is that what they told you? I was there! I held her, Rick, as she died, she bled to death! I buried her myself!"

He shook his head. "It doesn't matter. You still got her killed."

"Ho-how could you! You are alive because of me! Your mother was too good for this world." I looked away, backed up, and got in the middle between him and the door. "Walk away, Rick. I'm granting you this one chance. In the name of Sophia, leave me be."

He twisted his neck so much you would have thought he broke it. "You are joking? I have ordered. My troops are already here. You can't be."

I didn't even give him the chance to finish his sentence. This wouldn't be enough. Our history. I took the gamble. In swift action, I swept up one of the kamikaze troops, pulling a grenade pin as I lifted him, throwing him forward, in Rick's direction, and dove for cover myself. The cover was just an elevated patch of dirt. The spew of surprised gunfire missed me at my speed.

The explosion took out plenty of them and injured a few more, and I quickly stood up, rushing past the gunfire behind the spa building.

"God, FUCKING DAMNIT, GET HIM, YOU FOOLS!" I heard him shout. At least he was still kicking.

I leaned against the wall. Panting heavily. I was truly still outnumbered. No one had an angle on me from here, but they pinned me. I have these claws, sure! But, I'm not looking to become Swiss cheese.

"Tell me, Rick!" I intimidated them from behind the building. "Do cowards bleed?"

I heard footsteps approaching. From the side, I raised a hand; ready to strike. Thank. Fucking. God, I have restraint. It was that scientist!

"Past, Talking Lizard, over here!" She guided me. In her direction, not even shaken by the fact I could have swiped her head off. She crept past the back of the building and looked behind for me to follow. "Listen, I was hiding. I couldn't help but notice you speak. I know now isn't the time-"

A bullet whizzed past both, hitting a rock. "Okay, lady, make it quick!" I demanded from her.

"Your friends are on the way!" she got straight to the point there.

I shook my head, baffled, demanding. "Prove it!"

She raised a hand at her head and just looked at me like, fucking how?!

"I ran into them when I woke up. They asked about their Deathclaw."

"Okay, fantastic. Lady, do you have anything that can help us right now?" I asked her.

She padded her coat from her crouched position. "I have a… never mind, they took everything from me."

I grumbled, "We are sitting ducks!"

She picked up a rock and stood up, peeking over the top. "Maybe not. It seems the cavalry will arrive. Come on, now's our chance!"

I couldn't even argue before she leaped from the side, tossed a rock at the nearest for, and quickly came back. "Okay, now it's your turn. Show us what you are made of!"

"I'll do a lot more than chuck a rock!"

I jumped from behind my cover and saw that their forces were mostly scattered. The pile of 5 that lay there in pieces from my explosive human did great. Swiping up a loaded minigun from the ground, as I ran by. I charged down the target that she threw the rock and bashed into it with my body, causing it to go flying.

"Surrender!" I demanded out of them, revving the minigun in their face.

They coughed and feebly said, "O–kay." flopping completely, trying to catch their breath.

I quickly aimed my newfound minigun at the few that remained and threatened them the same. "You want to end up like the rest!?" I asked.

They weren't armed, just trying to hold their blood in from the explosion. "We didn't sign up for this. Don't you see we already dropped our weapons? They forced us into this."

I growled. "If you are lying, I'll kill you all!"

I left them and charged down the winding hill. It seems my grenade maneuver shattered their ranks. That was both expected and unexpected. Most of them were citizens, after all.

I found myself at the signpost. Where an all-out firefight was breaking out. I revved the minigun and blasted 2 of the Rose Bloods from behind. They turned into a tear of red paste in an instant. "Oh-ho, I like this gun!" I shouted, holding it up over my 2 kills.

One guard was there, hiding behind a stand. "Oh, thank goodness. I thought I was done for. They moved way too soon. I'm assuming that boom was you?"

I gave him a nod. "You are correct. Where is Myles?"

He pointed toward the bazaar. "The Rose Bloods tried to get as much as they could as part of their operation. We expected this attack, but not so soon. Don't worry, everyone knows about you. Myles and Adam had to inform everyone when the attack started. They are expecting you."

"When did the attack start?" I asked.

He thought for a second, adjusting his helmet and setting his gun on the bazaar table. "Probably…30 minutes ago? Go on, John, I will hold here. Make sure no one follows you."

I gave him a nod. "What do I call you?"

"It's Brandon. Malic will know me."

I paused. "So, she isn't with the Rose Bloods? But, you also aren't the same Brandon we ran into at the entrance a couple days ago?"

"Oh, heavens no! She didn't even know they were part of the Flea Garage until Myles came to her earlier today. We put together so many forces to find you. But, it seems you escaped on your own! Which they also expected," he laughed. "Go on!"

Well, this is good news. I gave my final farewell and changed into the bazaar, minigun in claw and ready to ass blast some Raiders.

I mentioned the woman to him as I left. "Be mindful of a scientist, lady. She will surely be lurking. She is not an enemy!"

They completely trashed the bazaar. Bodies of citizens and Blood Rose littered this once-organized street. It was a bloodbath the further I went in. I took careful steps, following the sounds of gunfire. It didn't take long to reach the site of the battle.

I could see Myles leading the charge. I recognize that robust and brazen nature anywhere. Despite seeing him in a full suit of combat armor, I am unmistaken that this was him. It seems they were holding the front of a building. This was one we didn't visit. It looked like some kind of bar or restaurant. It was, by default, heavily fortified. A brick prewar structure that survived the bombs and erosion.

Joining the force that held them up. I asked, "I assume I don't need to make any introductions here?"

It's not that no one noticed me. But judging from how I wasn't shot, it was a good sign. Myles broke his stare on the building to look back at me. "I knew you were fine! This attack was so sudden."

I gave him a nod and smiled. "Glad you are okay, too, Myles. Let's get these bastards and then we can go over everything."

He turned back and focused on the building's entrance. I couldn't help but notice all the windows were barred from the outside already. "Are we sure they are in there? I noticed quite a few bodies on the way here. I even took out a few myself."

Malic was a part of this force. I recognized her voice before I saw her. "Yes, John. They banded citizens by force as bullet shields. We, of course, saved as many as possible. Now that you are here…can we use you?"

Oh, dear, what did she have planned? "Alright, I'll bite. What is it you want from me?"

She jammed the tip of her rifle into the ground and turned around to face me. "Okay, so that building has no exit, just the front. It's laid out like an L, with tables on the bottom and a kitchen in the back. They are probably using tables, or they have taken cover in the kitchen," she gestured and pointed across the way. "There are 3 in total. We got threats of a nuke, but nothing has come of it yet. John, this has already caused casualties for my people. I want this done and buried. Can you help?"

I gave her a nod, pushing through this small crowd. "Of course, these bastards knocked us out in the spa and kidnapped me into a concrete box. Took all my things too."

Myles spoke up from that. "Damn, me and Adam got tied together. We could escape easily. Oh, our things are safe and sound, John. Malic broke that operation when she noticed an unsolicited caravan trying to leave earlier today."

Oh, thank god! "Thank you, Malic. Many important objects would have been lost."

"Don't mention it. Just doing my duty. Now, what is your plan for here?"

"Just follow my lead. No doubt they are-"

If they are listening, we can bamboozle them. "Okay, I got it," I said loud enough to make it obvious this wasn't what I was going to do. "Let's all charge into the room and take them by sheer numbers. I'll lead, and they can never blast past me to get you all."

I am glad that my fake plan was interpreted. They knew I was just making a ruse in case the three inside were listening.

Myles stopped me, reaching behind himself and pulling out my…sword from his back; I didn't even see it! "Here, John, you are going to need this." he flipped it in his hand and turned the hilt down to hand it to me with the handle.

"Oh, thank goodness." The relief I felt grabbing that hilt could never be expressed. Emma's necklace hung on the handle just as I left it.

I set the minigun down and donned my blade once more. Heavensplitter, I am going to call it.

I heard a set of steps approaching us. Everyone turned, aiming their guns and it was that lady! She was persistent. "Hold your fire, everyone! She helped me earlier." Even though I gave the order. They impressed me as they followed it through.

Malic addressed her first. "What are you doing here, civilian? Can't you see we are in the middle of a standoff!?"

She was panting a bit and adjusted her side-swept hair, approaching our little armada. "I have information that might help you all. The nuke that they threatened was nothing but a ploy. When our clawed compatriot tossed the suicide bomber into the crowd, they all scattered. The guard and other folk have picked many of the stragglers off." She paused, looked at me directly, and pointed at the building. "I can flush them out if you show me the outer tanks."

Ooh, I get it. "Spike the gas line and then burn them out!"

She nodded and leaned down, catching her breath. "Precisely. Fumes will suffocate them or light a blaze."

"You're baffling, lady. If you go near the building, you'll be lit up!" one guard pointed out.

She only smiled, brushing off her pants, and approached me. "Silly, that's what the giant lizard will be for. He'll act as my cover while I work. I assume the gas is in the back?"

Malic was skeptical about the plan, but still directed her. "On the left side. We can hold the front if you two can do this fast. They ain't going to have a choice."

"No sense in waiting. Let's get this done!"

It impressed me how closely she followed behind me. I kept myself in the way of any potential fire. The scoot we did to reach the left side was such a display of slickness and elegance two strangers should never be able to display.

We found the gas tanks in no time at all. So open, so dangerous. "Are we overdriving these?"

She crouched down and fiddled with the inner workings of the wire. "We are going to do worse. Have you ever lit an open gas line?"

"I can't say that I have intentionally, won't this backfire, er, literally?"

She looked up at me and twisted a valve, tied a tube, and tested a spark with one of the many stones that littered the ground. "I'll tell you if we get out of this alive. I'm going to need you to cut…" She looked at the tube for a moment before continuing, "Here!"

She pointed at a spot just short of being halfway up the exposed tube. I did as I was told and gave a quick slice with the tip of my blade. "That's good?" I asked.

Like the more and more mad scientist I was piecing together, she picked up the cut tube and tied them together, just saying, "Perfect!"

She continued, handing me the flat piece of rock. "Now, mister, Claw. Since I am not as flame-retardant as you, would you do the honors? Just strike it like a match with your claw. Make sure the sparks, yes, I mean plural sparks, fall into the tube where it's cut."

I couldn't help but scoff at her. "Listen, lady. I'm not some usual Wasteland fool. I am very aware of how to cause a gas explosion from a spark. But please, stand back if you are so afraid of a little fire."

She gestured with a bow, awaiting me to light the tube. Well, no time like the present! I held the rock flat in my palm, reached my arm out toward the tied gas tube, and adjusted the trajectory of the spark to land…perfectly in the tube. With a heavy smell of gas, followed by an explosion on the inside of the building. Sounds of clanging metal and screeches of hellfire.

"Sounds like we did something!" She got all giddy.

I couldn't help but smile at her excitement. "Isn't murder fun?" I asked her jokingly.

She grumbled back. "When they deserve it, this is just elaborate justice."

"Let's get a status report of the entrance." I strapped the blade upon my back and we carefully strolled our way past the now burning building.

It seems they caught one as a hostage. His suit was all scorched and his mask was…wait that was Rick!

I quickly ran beside Myles who was holding him down at gunpoint and stopped him with an admittedly hasty action. I lept, swiping the rifle out of his hands and landing just in front of them both, shaking the ground.

"John, what the fuck?!" he asked me with a fair disdain.

"I'm sorry, Myles truly. But let me explain." I looked around to make sure not everyone was just going to blast me. "That's Rick."

Almost like clockwork, everyone asked, nearly simultaneously, "Who the Hell is Rick?!"

He spat a clump of blood and said in the most condescending way possible, laying there with his multiple burns and wounds. "Yeah, John, who is Rick?"

I scooted Myles away, standing over Rick myself. I hoist my sword from behind my back, ready to stab into his skull. "Rick…Rick is Sophia's son," I looked down at his pitiful state, struggling to keep myself together, not only at his state but also at who he's become. "Her final remaining legacy. Turning into nothing but a dirty Raider. The same people who murdered her, for no reason."

Rick wiped a strand of blood from his lips. His words pierced my soul like a dagger of pure venom. "John is the bastard who abandoned me after she died. He left me all alone. I went from gang to gang because nowhere else wanted me!"

I had to brace myself. Everyone just looked at this personal display in front of them. "I didn't abandon you!" tears welled in my eyes. "They banished me, Rick! I hunted the Raiders all down. I killed them. All of them. For what they did to Sophia." I sniffled and lost all the pressure I had on him. "Yo-you were still on a caravan trip. I couldn't stay around. They didn't let me! Do you have any idea how much her death still haunts me? There isn't a moment that goes by where I don't regret, every moment I wasn't there to save her…"

I couldn't hold back the tears that flowed down my face. It was quietly visible. "Wow, crying over me. You are pathetic. Too pathetic to save your vault, and my mother."

My tears turned to anger, and I yelled out. Every fiber of my being was telling me to just stab his lights out…you've done it so many other times. Why is this one so hard? I only stood there, like a stump. Breathing heavily.

I stopped right at his head with the sword tip. I can't do it…

I threw my sword to the side and back up. "In the name and honor of your mother. I am letting you go." Turning back to everyone in my mess of a state, I made it very clear. "If anyone tries to stop him, hurt him, shoot him. I will end you myself!" I hissed in a vile cohort of words.

I said feebly. "Get the fuck out of here, Rick. Let the Wasteland sort you out."

We exchanged no more words between us. He took a few tries to stand himself up. Holding his side; he trudged past everyone and didn't even look back.

I just fell back onto the ground and used a single hand to wipe down my face. Malic approached me, standing above my head, and just looked…disappointed. "You know, I wouldn't let threats like that fly, John. Why did you let him go? He attacked us and captured you and your friends."

I took a few deep breaths. "His mother, Sophia. She took me in on the worst day of my life. I owe her this. That monster is the last remaining legacy she has."

Malic just rubbed her forehead. "If she is dead, you don't owe her-"

My eyes shot open, glaring right at her almost imposing figure standing over me. "No, Malic, you don't understand. I helped raise this fool. My love for Sophia is what lets him walk. This wasn't for him at all. It was for her."

She just scoffed and walked away. Gathering her forces to take care of the burning building. I laid my head back and closed my eyes again.

It was short-lived. I felt a tap of a boot against my shoulder. "John, we need to get the rest of our things. Adam took care of that while I joined the guards. I'm sure he will be happy to see you."

I opened my eyes to see Myles standing over me with his peach fuzz facial hair gleaming nicely in the sun. "Save the lecture, please."

He only shook his head, unstrapping some bits of combat armor from his legs and shoulders. "No lecture. I was going to shoot him right between the eyes if you didn't stop me. He jumped out of the door and was fully on fire." he stopped fiddling with his straps, holding out a hand, and offered to help me up. "We aren't done here. We can go over everything later."

Despite the gesture not doing much to help me up. It was what it symbolized. I used most of my own strength to stand up. "That almost sounded not condescending. Are you feeling okay?"

He shook his head and placed his hands on his hips, looking up at me. "I am a tad disappointed, yes. But…I understand why you did it. Sophia is important to you still. Her memory is meant to be respected, not trashed because she is gone."

With the causal whistle of the scientist lady, she eased herself in between us both and tried to act as casual as possible. "That sure was intense! Myles, I believe you have more things to go get. I have something I need to ask John."

Myles was confused, me too. "Excuse me, miss? What would I need to leave for that?"

She realized how that sounded now. "Oh, no, no. Sorry. It's not because you are here that I can't ask him. I just thought you wouldn't want to be bothered by all my mumbo-jumbo of curiosity and scientific persistence. When you still have your stolen goods to retrieve!"

I sighed, looking at her hopeful, boundary-breaking state between us both like this. "Myles, I say she has earned…a couple questions. Considering she tried to ask me some in the middle of a firefight!"

"Hey, we were behind cover. It was fine! The statistical odds of a stray bullet hitting us were even slimmer than that of a talking Deathclaw!"

He raised his hands, stopping the pieces of combat armor along his shoulder for easy to carry, and backed up toward Malic's office. "If you say so. I'll be back here. Soon. With Adam, so make it quick."

He walked off, and I swear I heard a little chuckle from him. "Alright, lady. What do I call you? Surely Mad Scientist won't fly."

She shook her head and quickly circled me from each direction. Taking literal mental notes. "No, but it wouldn't be too far off if you let me be. I'm Cynthia! We met earlier, technically. When you cut me free."

"How did you-"

She placed a finger on my muzzle and shushed me. "It isn't rocket science to figure it was you. Now, quiet and stand up straight, arms out!"

"Right here, in the street?" I asked her.

"What, got performance anxiety? Stretch those limbs!"

This was ridiculous…

With a defeated sigh, I did as I was told. Straightening my posture and stretching my arms out horizontally. "Must I do this?"

She felt my hands and claws all the way up my arm, to my biceps. "Yes, I need to get proper records. Besides, I am also looking for injuries."

"I didn't get shot in the slightest, you don't have-"

I interrupted my sentence when she reached my abdomen from behind and used both her hands to graze up to my chest, from my stomach. Saying, "Such Physique…"

"I'm almost done for the moment," she said, letting me go.

"I didn't think a scientist would have groped me today!"

She giggled and approached my front. "Dear, Claw. If I were trying to grope you, I would have started lower than the stomach!"

"Yeah, and I said I would answer a couple of questions and not get felt all over!"

She swiped the key and card from my horn and said, "I am answering questions, though. Wouldn't you want me to come up with my own conclusions? Speaking of, what is this for?" She dangled the key in front of herself, asking me.

I couldn't help but smile and answer. "Come up with your own conclusion."

She pocketed the keys; reaching up and tugging at a horn. "Okay, smartass. I am still missing things. Maybe this is the key to that. You thought it was important enough to take with no pockets!"

I lowered my arms and suggested. "Why don't we go find out when Myles comes back with Adam? I'm sure your things are somewhere here."

"I would like that. Besides, I can't do much more examination without equipment and something to take notes on. Don't think you are out of this, mister!"

End Chapter 32: