Nipton The Bud
"Just lookin' around," Lucas coolly replied, "maybe lookin' for some work as well, would you happen to have any leads? I've already cleared out the road between here and Primm of ants."
"Well no shit, have a drink on me, then.," the cowgirl began while handing Lucas her freshly poured whisky shot, "well if you're lookin' for work you could ask the sniper on the roof."
"Sniper on the roof?"
"Yeah, she goes by 'Ghost' if I aint mistaken. Real spooky.," she said while rolling her eyes, "other than that you could ask Alice McLaffery at the Crimson Caravan Company just east of Vegas."
"I appreciate the tips and the drink," Lucas said before downing his whisky, "would you care to come with me?"
"No, I'm pretty much stuck here.," she lied.
"Really now? What's keeping you here? The roads are clear and the caravans are trickling out."
"I didn't mean the outpost," she furthered her lie, "I meant NCR territory. My dad founded a caravan - my caravan - but it's reduced to nothing but ash. I'm basically under NCR protection as I'm seen as a person of 'utmost importance."
While the caravan story was true; she just wasn't sure if she was willing to leave the bar. Her caravan was the only thing she had to live for and now that's gone she felt the outpost was the only place she felt any sense of belonging.
"Do you really wanna spend the rest of your days in this place? Seeing the same people day in and day out. The same walls, the same drink. There's more in the world than drowning your sorrows at a bar on the edge of the wasteland."
She knew he could see right through her.
Lucas continued, "besides I could use someone who knows the roads. Plus having someone to converse with wouldn't hurt."
ED-E beeped in what could be described as a downtrodden tone.
"No offense, ED-E."
"You drive a hard bargain, fine, I'll tag along. By the way, I never got your name."
"Lucas Matthews.," he stuck his hand out.
"Rose of Sharon Cassidy. You can just call me Cass, though.," she said shaking the courier's hand.
"Nice to meet you. This little guy is ED-E."
Cass waved while ED-E joyously beeped.
"Now, let's go see this Ghost."
The trio worked their way up to the roof of the tavern and were met with a woman who was roughly in her early 30s. Her blonde hair was tied in a ponytail similarly to Cass; her skin was almost bleached white. A pair of shades hid her eyes while a ranger hat topped her head.
"If you've got something to ask - make it quick. I'm watching the road east for any legion.," calmly and firmly the NCR ranger stated.
"Do you happen to mean Caesar's Legion?," the courier asked.
"Indeed. Recently, several towns and settlements to the east have been ransacked by those marauders. And now Nipton has gone dark. I've spotted trails of smoke arising from that direction.," Ghost pointed.
"If you'd like I would be willing to investigate. Hopefully it's nothing serious."
"Hell, if it's legion I wouldn't mind getting some target practice in!," Cass confidentially exclaimed.
"I would appreciate the help and here take this with you. It's an NCR radio feel free to keep it as a token of good faith on behalf of the NCR. Feel free to radio in what you find.," Ghost saluted out of force of habit.
Lucas couldn't believe he was helping the NCR; however he knew how barbaric and depraved Caesar's Legion could be. He thought back on his journey west.
"What the hell?!," the Brotherhood of Steel pilot shouted, "come in Citadel, this is Skyknight 0-1, we're taking heavy ground-to-air fire, I repeat-" the pilot panicked.
Just then a rocket cut through the hull of tje veribird causing half a dozen knights and paladins to be ejected from the vehicle.
"Mayday, Mayday this is Skyknight 0-1 actual we're going down!"
Lucas couldn't remember what happened; all he remembered was waking up amongst what remained of his transport. Three of his brethren laid around him; as well as the pilot who was making a vain attempt at reestablishing contact with the Citadel.
"Citadel, come in, Citadel. This is Skyknight 0-1 actual. We have been shot down. We're awaiting your response, over."
A hand suddenly presented itself to Lucas. Grabbing it he knew who it was; Star Paladin Cross.
"Come on, Sir, we need to clear out ASAP. Roughly three dozen combatants are advancing on our position. That's a conservative estimate.," she said in a hushed but alarming voice.
"Shit, maybe it wasnt wise to abandon our power armor.," Lucas expressed.
"Perhaps not, however, our combat armor should suffice.," Cross pointed out, "while not as durable as power armor it sure helps against basic small arms and fragmentations."
One of the other three Brotherhood soldiers kneeled next to them.
"Sir, Ma'am, we don't have much in terms of food nor ammunition."
"What happened to it all?," Lucas asked with a sense of urgency.
"It all got ejected out when the rocket tore through the vertibird.," the Knight explained.
"We'll make do. Hold your fire until our assailants are within throwing distance. Only shoot when you're confident in hitting your shot.," Lucas commanded to his squad who all now had taken cover inside the remains of their transport.
"Search the carcass of the profligate shuttle and bring me any survivor you find.," a baritone voice coldly commanded.
Immediately severely dozen footsteps could be heard approaching the survivors. Lucas fixed the sights of his rifle on the soldier adorned in what looked to be football gear.
Before the man could think he was felled by a burst of gun fire from the would-be courier's assault carbine.
Not long after the sounds of gunfire from his squad would erupt. This firefight would last until the break of dawn. Still only 6 Brotherhood troops remained and at least 20 legionaires stood firm.
"Fuck I'm down to my last mag!," another knight called out.
"Here's my last spare; make it c-"
"NO GODDAMN IT!!," the first knight screamed involuntarily to the sight of her brother's head being exploded by a .45-70 caliber round.
She rushed towards the man who fired the shot only to be met by a barrage of gunfire to the torso.
"Sonofabitch.," Cross muttered, "we can't keep this up, Lucas."
Cross's voice began to break but Lucas couldn't take time to console as another wave of Legionaires were on the advance.
"If worst comes to worst I want you to retreat, paladin.," the Head Paladin commanded.
The two knights watching the flanks kept up with a volley of gunfire.
"And leave you?," a defiant Star Paladin asked, "out of the question. My assignment is to ensure you make it to the Mojave and I'll be DAMNED if I didn't see my mission through!"
Both Paladins took down another three legionaires.
"I don't care if I don't reach the Mojave.," he said bluntly, "if one of us makes it then consider it mission complete."
"But Elder Lyons said-," Cross began.
"Elder Lyons is dead! And so is Sarah!," tears began to flow freely from Matthews and Cross alike, "do you think I wanted any of this to happen? I couldn't save my own fucking father, Elders Owyn and Sarah were my second chance at a family and I've let them down!"
Cross was speechless. She knew how highly both Lyons thought of their Head Paladin; his words cut deep. Sarah had confided to Cross that she was in love with Lucas the night before she left on her expedition to the Commonwealth; the very mission that would be her last.
Before the two knew it the last two knights were dead. Down to the last two Brotherhood members they kept fighting. Cross tossed her weapon aside and grasped Lucas's shoulders.
"Lucas. Lucas! LUCAS!"
"LUCAS!!!," Cass shouted into his ear.
"CROSS, N," he began realizing he wasn't at the crash site anymore but inside the remains of a destroyed brick building.
"What the hell happened??," Cass asked concerned, "you blacked out during our firefight, damn near killed every one of them Jackals yourself."
"Oh, well, I just," Matthews stammered, "I guess I got caught in a massive adrenaline rush. Where the hell are we?"
Cass wrote off his explanation, "we're damn near at Nipton now. Also some guy named 'Tomas' gave me this. Some sort of necklace made out of bottle caps. I think it looks tacky."
Cass handed the necklace over and without hesitation Lucas set it in his rucksack. The three amigos set off once again bound for Nipton.
"Hold up, someone's running towards us." Lucas spoke to his companions, "looks like a Powder Ganger. Keep your eyes up; might be more of em."
The Powder Ganger advanced on them quickly but briefly hesitated to approach then resumed his approach. Cass and courier realized that the man was unarmed and holstered their weapons.
"YEEEEEAAAAH!!! GUESS WHO WON THE LOTTERY? I DID! HAHA WOO!," the 'Powder Ganger' shouted obnoxiously.
"Uh, what lottery did you win?," the cowgirl companion asked while exchanging confused looks with her travel partner.
"What lottery? THE FUCKING lottery!" the once-upon-a-time Powder Ganger ran off into the vast unknown of the Mojave wasteland.
Scanning the area; Lucas felt his heart drop. Tqo crimson flags with a golden bull emblazoned on them stood on each side of the road.
"Legion.," the man and woman spoke simultaneously.
Without another word the two darted off towards Nipton city hall with ED-E fast on their heels. While Lucas didn't feel pity for those who preyed on the weak; never did he wish for those kind of folk to be crucified. Along the road through Nipton; several dozen Powder Gangers were strung up on crosses.
Abruptly, the trio stopped. An estimated fourteen legionaires stood out front flanking a man wearing a wolf's pelt as a headdress.
The wolf man spoke softly - but his voice was piercing.
"Don't worry, I won't have you lashed on a cross like the rest of these degenerates. It's useful you happened by. I want you to witness the fate of the town of Nipton. Memorize every detail and when you move on; I want you to teach everyone the lesson Caesar's Legion taught here; especially any profligate troops you run across."
Author's note:
I hope those of you reading are enjoying my version of events thus far. Although, it's mostly the same as the game I opted to cut out minor bits of dialogue and quest objectives. To me quality over quantity any day.
I hope to receive reviews as any questions, comments, and constructive criticism is appreciated.
Also; I intend on writing the DLCs and further integrating them into the main story. Basically, this story is gonna be my personal headcanon. I do hope you, dear reader, enjoy what I'm cooking!