1
Men and women in dusters watched the lithe, female figure in her stealth suit walk into their headquarters: an old barn surrounded by the sounds of grazing brahmin.
"Long time.", Sonora Cruz greeted. "No fingers."
The Lone Wanderer crossed her arms and looked away. "I thought I could solve problems another way. And for a time, I did. But now the warlord/"
"The General does present a pretty pickle for the Capital Wastes.", the leader of the Regulators agreed.
"She's going to pickle the Capital Wastes if she gets a chance.", the Lone Wanderer spat. "The Brotherhood of Steel is going to do what it can to preserve freedom."
Cruz smiled sarcastically. "Arthur Maxson's Brotherhood preserving freedom?"
The other woman objected. "Proctor Jameson and Sentinel Cross are running the show now."
Sandora softened. "I can see that."
"But they're going to need help.", the Lone Wanderer continued. "I want Minutemen marked for bounty. Every invading, town conquering thug that announces themselves with a LASER MUSKET."
Sandora crossed her arms. "I see where you're coming from. And it's on mission. But that's a lot of bounties to finance."
The Lone Wanderer held out a sack. "There's five thousand BOTTLE CAPS."
"How did you/"
"You know who I am. What I've done and where I've been?", the Lone Wanderer asked. The other woman nodded. "That's where I got them.
"Is it enough?"
"To fund bounties?", Cruz confirmed. "Yes, this will cover more than I think are out there to cover. But you realize that all bounties are on a volunteer basis."
"I'm not expecting the Regulators to fight this war.", the other woman stated. "At least on a form fronts and press the line sort of way. I am expecting that everyone who cares about justice and helping people enough to declare themselves a Regulator to live up to the name. That will provide enough of a disruption for the Brotherhood of Steel to finish the job."
Sandora shifted the sack of bottle caps from hand to hand. "You have any names?"
"I'm not looking for priority. Every Minutemen brute that's signed on with the General is a threat to the good people of the Commonwealth.", the Lone Wanderer replied.
"Understood.", Cruz acknowledged.
"Good. Good hunting."
2
The type writers kept churning out reports as the secretaries kept clacking away at them.
"It's been some time since you've acted as a proper employee of Little Horn and Associates.", coughed out the little old man behind the big desk.
The Lone Wanderer planted both of her hands on his desk. "I didn't come here to make small talk, Daniel. I came here to talk business."
"And how many ears have your brought me?", the man asked.
"None.", she answered.
"Have you forgotten what our business is?", Littlehorn asked.
"Of course not.", the Lone Wanderer responded. "It's why I'm here. But as the employer, not the employee."
"Oh?"
The woman stood up and dropped a sack on the desk. "That's five thousand caps. I want Minutemen dead."
"The General's men?", the old man mused. "Hmmm... I would very much like to know why."
"We've never asked questions of each other.", the Lone Wanderer told him.
Littlehorn folded his arms. "I'm not asking. I just would like to know.
"3 caps per contract administration fee. You'll like it and keep quiet about it."
"You just bring me my ears.", the woman instructed. "And it would be best for our relationship if your acceptance of interfering with the Brotherhood of Steel were to end. Immediately."
"Are you asking me about my business?", Littlehorn asked.
"Offering free advice.", the Lone Wanderer stated. "You know how effective my sword is at collecting...ears."
