Queen's note: ... :D

Welcome to the Wasteland

Chapter Seven:

Bunker Raid...of the Raiders

It ended up taking a few days before Deegan and Lana managed to get over to the bunker. Watching for a bit and planning with Blake and Connie. Then another few days after that to start their plan. It was Valory that spooked them at the other entrance, with a wild male, to stay put for a while. Though it was all of them that planned a joint spooking on the side of the sole lonely church.

Uncovering the hatch for a day, Valory pointedly spent that time in the church with the remains of the deer carcass she was finishing off, leaving it right by the hatch.

Other than the morning when Valory helped clear the rest of the bridge of the old cars and the very useful trailer. She settled for dozing as her humans worked on the trailer in the morning, sorting out the cargo. Something to do with window panes for cars and engine parts.

Lana and Blake had been exited, Deegan amused and the sisters confused.

All Valory knew was that it meant Lana could do a bigger water filtration system here. The one over at the Abernathy farm could be improved as well. The small trailer that Valory had pulled closer to the farm was mentioned, something about the widows being fixed or rigged up in the Camper.

Making something for Mary to be able to sleep in while she healed, and did not have to keep struggling with the stairs. Connie was finishing making the door for it yesterday morning. Keeping the young woman from freezing at night.

Mary, and Lucy were both having a blast being allowed to ride on Buck though when coming to visit the Co-Op. Learning about the new plants and animals, Valory had the feeling it was to spend time with Lana for the former sister more than 'learning to help watch the co-op.'

Valory thought it was cute.

Lana was pretty sure she might run the risk of losing one or two of her rabbits. With the way the sisters fell in love with them, and the quail. Not...that that was a bad idea, to have a breeding pair or two with someone else to take care of them at a different location. As it would be a good back up.

Valory was stirred awake from her dose, the half formed thoughts and memories stopping at the sound of the hatch opening up. Just an inch or two of a crack, enough for whoever was in there to see the bloody bones Valory had pointedly chewed on and placed by the hatch on a dirt patch. Her tail stretched out and a clawed foot was near as well.

The deathclaw took a deeper breath, letting it out in a long, rumbling sigh. Her eyes barely cracked open, watching through the closed inner lid. She could just barely make out the human under that hatch.

Valory could smell the fear stink though.

There was the softest of curses breathed out, and the hatch was eased down to close with as little sound as possible. Though there were muffled voices and then hurrying feet that ran off in the tunnel below.

The deathclaw chuckled and stretched out. Yawning as she moved, pointedly making sounds until there was a second muffled set of feet running off. Shifting to get up, Valory pulled the pews back over the hatch. Having to be a bit more delicate with her hands, as the wood still seemed to be good, and nicely heavy.

The deer carcass was picked up and tossed a good ways down hill from the Co-Op, people and the explanting herd. Valory made a mental note to bury the mess later.

Making her way back up the hill, Valory studied the fencing made stalls. Most were placed between the farthest cabins to where the humans were sleeping in. It was well enough to keep the super tame cows... brahmin. Even that bull was quite content to settle down, more so after the tarps had been used to help make a wind break and a sun shade spot. The moose though… Valory suspected they tolerated it to help keep their fawn safe, and that they were tired still from the long trip east.

There was a scent that caught Valory's attention, making her pause beside one of the cabins. Surprised at first thatshe missed it, sniffing to be sure. Then again the breeze may have shifted when she had been in the chapel.

There was that scent of new birth, fresh birth. That scent was fairly universal In Valory's opinion, with only a slight difference between species. Birthed or hatched, it was the scent of new life.

Two very small brahman calves were the newest additions. After a few days in a safe, protected place, with having her cargo and gear removed and just undisturbed grazing time, the cow felt safe to drop her calves.

Valory tilted her head, cuffing to alert the humans but not alarm the brahmin as most were in the same pen as the cow. Blake and Lucy helping to be sure the main heads of the calves found the udder. Lana was careful inspecting the placenta, making sure everything was there and nothing was left inside the cow. Not unlike with the moose and elk from home.

Deegan was watching them from the porch of the in use cabin. Dressed in full armor, with an assortment of weapons in front of him on a table. The scared man had been cleaning and inspecting not just his, but Lana's and Blake's weapons while waiting for the sign.

Three full quivers and Lana's bows were not far, Valory recognizing all three of Lana's bows. Blake and Deegan had been given a crash course of how to use them over the last few days. Decently enough at very short range. Valory put more faith in Lana's shooting skills with a bow then most anyone else outside the Rookie Mountains.

...she was slightly biased here and Valory knew it. Yet could not help her pride in her human.

"It is time," Valory spoke up, starting a low calming humm as she slowly walked closer. "Two of the raiders….peeked? Saw me and ran." She chuckled.

"You think you can make it to the main entrance in time?" Deegan asked sitting up from cleaning his combat knife.

Valory grinned wide in her way, like and unlike a human smile, her spines lifted and fanned out as well to show her excitement. "I can be there soon, the lesser male is there already. He knows I'm interested in the place."

"Using the local young men are you?" Blake could not help the moment of sass as he stood up, picking up a dark colored towel to clean his hands. "That hardly seems fair."

"No dad, he's a smart boy," Lucy put in from where she was on a stool, not bothering to get up. "Learning what the big beautiful woman wants and what not to go hunting for."

Valory chuffed at Lucy, still smiling for the compliment, "Yes. Smart male. Lesser does not mean bad most times. He is smaller, but smart."

"It's the best translation Blake," Lana grinned too, getting the sack outside the birth stall and taking the offered towel. "Lesser males and females, greater males and females. It's like spoken shorthand for full-grown deathclaws that top out at a lesser or a greater tonnage. Mass. Smaller wild males tend to be smarter to survive and ...mostly not as aggressive. I wouldn't recommend head boop-ing one."

"Nooo," Blake shook his head at the cheeky look from Lana. A look the man knew all too well with his daughters. And wife...and his sister when she was around. He still reflexively twitched though when Lana hugged Valory.

The man started after the young woman, paused to look back at his daughter, "Are you sure you're going to be okay here Lucy?"

"I'll be fine dad." Lucy promised as she got up, the pistol holster on her right leg was so odd to see, and though the straps had to be pulled down to the lowest setting, it did fit. The 10mm was not big but fit well enough for Lucy's hands. It was lent, possibly given, to her from Deegan.

"I have this, the shotgun that I'll keep beside me, and the moose." Lucy came over, hands still covered in the birthing fluid as she picked up a towel, more for the calves. "I'll be fine I promise, I get to play with calves, fawn, bunnies, birds and new plants. Go help keep us safe again dad."

There was such warmth and pride in Lucy's voice and smile. Looking up at her father only slightly taller than her now. Proud of him for once more helping to keep their family and the area safe despite the risk. It was not the giant spiders but a different, as deadly if not more so pest and threat.

Blake rather shamelessly hugged Lucy in the gate of the new pen. Hugging his younger daughter tight for a moment, trying to shake the fear in his chest, "I'm so proud of you Lucy. I don't know what I did right with you girls to turn out as wonderful as you are."

"Oof, dad, why are suddenly getting sappy?" Lucy flustered, blushing as Deegan laughed lowly at them. "You'll be back before dinner."

"He's having a dad moment." Edward called as he finished putting everything into their proper places.

"Of course I am!" Blake said, holding Lucy in that way a parent can do to embarrass their child when both meaning and not meaning to do so. A tight hug that lasted for a few extra long seconds.

"Dad!" Lucy batted at her father until the mother Brahmin nosed over to be sure everything was alright. Attracted by the commotion and higher voice, plus the abundance of hormones and emotions for bonding with her newborns.

Blake set down his daughter, chuckling himself, reaching out to rub the broad head, "Okay, okay, no need for you to worry about Lucy even more than me."

It was incredibly hard to resist to hug his daughter again, but Lucy was firmly pushing him out of the pen and over to where Lana and Deegan were finishing getting ready. Blake washed his hands and arms before coming to get his own pistol and the basic of the three bows. "At least in short range I don't think I'm that bad with this."

"You have a really good eye for a beginner." Lana reassured, as she extended her compound bow, checking over all the parts and then attached it to her back where there was something built into her black leather jacket. "And a little better accuracy than Edward does. As you practice archery more, you get better at longer distances."

Blake ran his fingers down the arch of the bow, at least feeling comfortable for it not being complicated. It was such an oddly primal yet sophisticated weapon, no matter what form the bow was. He knew how to pick, make and throw spears and pikes from years of hunting spiders in the commonwealth, and remembered a few far off travels carrying bows and arrows. He just never thought of using one for stealth.

It made a lot more sense now that he was introduced to it.

"Good thing we'll mostly be shorter range." The man said as he made sure there was nothing dangling from his person, strapping on a pistol offered by Deegan and a shotgun, shells in the deeper pockets on his jacket. He was not sure where the ghoul had gotten everything in the last few days but he was willing to use them.

"Yep!" Lana laughed, zipping up her jacket and flipping up the hood. With the built in mask on the inside and her hair tied back you could barely see just her eyes. Warn dark grey paints looked like they were made from something alike to her jacket, but not as stiff. She had her quiver on her side, tied to her belt on the right and her own pistol in its holster under it, almost being hidden from sight.

Lana intended to move her quiver back up on her back once through the hatch.

The young woman walked over to where Valory was, still with that fearless that came from growing up with the Deathclaw, something the others were not quiet able to understand how.

Valory lowered her head, ducking down to put it at Lana's level. Golden eyes squinting, and hummed happy at getting hugged around her head, "Be safe Lana, walk slow to keep quiet as you hunt."

"You be safe as well," Lana hugged tighter for a moment, as Valory was her only family in the Commonwealth. "We don't know what the Raiders might have hidden in the bunker."

"I intend on seeing a hundred years soon, I will be careful." Valory shifted and nudged Lana to start moving down to the lonely little church. "Hunt to be safe, I will meet you on the other side, my little one."

Lana kept her balance, walking down the hill from the Co-Op as the big deathclaw turned and strode out too before launching into a run to make it to the main entrance. She eyes the old church and wondered not for the first time if the glass could be replaced. She had to find out if someone was doing glass work in the area. The old church would be a great greenhouse and small house not far from the main settlement.

"Blake, you go down first, I'll lower you then Lana," Deegan's voice rumbled as the group made it inside, stepping around the dear remains. "That way you won't catch on things."

"And we can clear," Lana nodded, helping lift the hatch, standing to the side so not to be directly in view from below and going quite to listen.

Deegan checked to be sure it was clear before the scared man lifted Blake down. Lana had to sit in the edge before grasping the larger hand and sliding down. For a moment dangling in the air as she was lowered most of the way. Much like the man before her, Lana caught her foot on the end rungs, though Blake took a moment to help balance Lana so she would not drop and make extra sounds with her set up.

Blake was also feeling protective now with Lana, like he was with his own daughters. Though Lana had a sort of confidence that came from living and traveling in the wild lands. Maybe how Lana focused or how she moved, right now putting her quiver over to her back and bow in hand.

Maybe the difference was Lana was active? Actively seeking to improve what she saw. Not that Mary and Lucy were not trying to find ways to help and make things easier for the farm and family. They were not quiet to the point of being willing to root out raiders like Blake used to track and hunt spiders.

Deegan dropped the last foot down, scanning where the other two were, and then taking the lead.

It would be slow going, slower then what Edward was used to but with each rader they came across there was almost no sound, and very little blood spill. Deegan could appreciate that.

The scarred man took a deep breath before opening an inner door, Lana and Blake falling into a rhythm with Deegan's movements. Not a well oiled machine or professional fighters, yet they had experience with hunting wildlife.

There was something… odd though that nagged at the back of Deegan's mind as he led the way. Having to resort to breaking the neck of two sleeping raiders...

"There's more beds and sleeping areas then there are raiders." Blake whispered from another doorway. Checking to see if the room had any one with Lana.

"They could be up front." Lana pointed out, standing by the door to the next hall deeper in, listening through a crack in the door frame. An arrow notched but she was resting. "I think I hear a turret in the distance… being as this is the back side keep an eye out for a terminal?"

Edward nodded, "And lookout for any bits of paper with a random word. Not all raiders are completely literate for computers and typed in passwords."

Blake half followed over to the door, lingering back to only half watch the door, but mostly watching behind them. He and Lana had started to fall into the motions of alternating in who helps with the door and who was keeping an eye on their back trail. "They might be clustered near the turret. It's a reflex most people have."

Lana considered that, and nodded as she pulled out another arrow, only one notched but having the other ready in hand. It made sense, people staying near a thing they knew that could help protect them, even raiders were human in basics.

Not that Lana cared for Raiders and those that preyed on others.

She slipped out of the sleeping rooms as Deegan motioned her to. Holding up two fingers and pointing to the right. The young woman focusing her attention in that direction, Lana saw the two men on the far side of the hallway. Staying low to the ground she shifted to the left side of the hall and drew back.

There was a soft creak of the bow and then a double titch-tich of the arrows. One Raider fell and then the second, and Lana was focusing intently on the long distant. She had to trust Deegan and Blake to watch her back as Lana drew back on another arrow.

Wait.

Wait…

"What in the hells?" A man staggered into the far room, pausing as he saw the slumped and dropped bodies. Only to have his head jerk back as an arrow found it.

Lana took a deep breath. She hoped there was not too many raiders, not wanting to kill a lot of people, or the long process of dragging them out.

Reviews!

Justsomerandombastard:
Thank you! Yes, as you can read, I don't want to get into too much detail with the raiders just yet but there will be some more encounters for later.

And Yes! I've going on the assumption that the Deathclaws across the old states and canada have altered to fit their areas. In part incorporating the differences in game modules are different for the different areas.

Thus with Valory she has some key differences, like with her hands, sacrificing to have only two main killing claws instead of three for dexterity, longer tail and a slight internal change in the hips that let her stand up higher for longer, or moving not unlike say how a raptor might. and of course a change in her neck to have a basic vocal cored system [Later generations will help with talking human easier], I can see her able to produce more heat and get a fat layer in the snowy winters where she's from, but doesn't really like hotter areas like...New Vegas, where those native Deathclaws are suited to the higher temperatures.

Water inclined ones I can see but more like the gatorclaws, but other then fresh water streams I don't see a lot of Deathclaws lounging in lakes. More so in areas that have mirelurk