Forsaken

*WHACK!* *WHACK!*

AJ rammed the butt of his shotgun into the door handle, trying to break it open. "Penny...?" he called. "Open the door, Penny! Answer me!"

If she's... AJ couldn't finish the thought. The idea that his daughter, his precious princess, was dead was too much to bear. They'd been through so much, struggled so much, that losing her would destroy him. All of his work, all of his time and effort, would be for naught. He'd have to start all over again, but it just wouldn't be the same.

"PENNY! OPEN THE DOOR!"

Suddenly there was a click and the door slid open. His daughter stood there, a hand on her stomach. Her lip was cracked and bleeding, and she looked pale. Her carbine was on the floor, the barrel bent. She collapsed and AJ caught her, dropping his shotgun. "Penny, Penny, look at me look at me... Oh Jesus, what the fuck." He gently set her on the floor and she coughed, a sheen of sweat on her forehead. "SCOUT AHEAD!" he yelled at Cassandra, who nodded and took off into the hall beyond.

"Stomach..." Penny whispered, and AJ cupped her cheek. One of those things had gotten to her. She was still breathing, which was the good news, but if they didn't get it out of her then...

"I know, I know," he said. "Just hold on, I... I gotta stick my fingers down your throat, princess. OK?"

Penny smiled weakly. "I wish you'd stick something else in my mouth," she said. AJ used his left hand to keep her mouth open and shoved two of his right-hand fingers into her mouth, pressing them as far into throat as he could. She gagged and retched, her body convulsing. Her eyes widened and watered, the gagging noises intensifying as his fingers went deeper and deeper. He brushed against her uvula and gently pulled, and her whole upper body convulsed. He quickly pulled his fingers from her throat and she rolled onto her side, vomiting onto the floor. Amidst the pile of sickness was an egg the size of a ping-pong ball. Penny wiped her mouth off with the back of her hand and shakily stood, holding onto AJ as she did. She crushed the egg under her shoe and sighed, a shudder running through her. AJ hugged her tightly, stroking her back.

"You're OK," he whispered. "You're OK, you're OK." Cassandra came back a moment later, reloading her Calico. She slowed as she neared the duo, a concerned look on her face. She saw the vomit on the floor and AJ nodded, and she sighed with relief.

"Way's clear, I think," Cassandra said. "No robots, and none of those nasty fuckers. Not anymore, at least."

AJ released his daughter and she wiped her mouth again, fury passing over her face. She kicked the body of the Copulator and stomped on it. "FUCK YOU," she screamed. "Stupid gross worms, I hate you!" He looked at her broken carbine, noticing for the first time the blood on the floor. "I shot it like five times and it still grabbed me."

"It's OK," he said, and hugged her again. "You don't have to say anything more." She pulled her pistol back out and reloaded with shaking hands. "Let's go, we'll find you a new gun." The three of them got moving again, even quicker than before. AJ followed Cassandra to the hall that contained the tunnel to the armory, stepping over the bodies of two Copulators. They traveled down the length of the tunnel to a spiral staircase, leading up, and slowly advanced up it. They came out in a wood-floored room, the walls a reinforced stone. The corner nearest to the admin building was collapsed, the smoldering Sentry Bot that had blown itself up just outside in the street.

"Armory's locked," Cassandra said. AJ took a look for himself and saw that she was right; it was sealed up tight, the heavy steel door firmly locked in place. The terminal responsible for unlocking it was mounted to the wall next to it, smashed to Hell and back. There was a heavy glass window to the left, lined by steel bars and partially scorched by what looked like laser hits, allowing them to look inside and marvel at the arsenal within.

"Damn," AJ said, both impressed and frustrated. "Guess I'll have to buy her a new gun, then." They were about to get moving again when Penny's foot hit something on the floor, moving it aside. She bent down to pick it up, and AJ looked over her shoulder.

"What is this thing..." she whispered, looking at it. It was green, and rectangular. There was an oddly-shaped shoulder stock, with lightening holes in it, and a strut underneath the foregrip that ran from the muzzle all the way back to the trigger guard. On the rear end of the weapon, behind a cradle holding a microfusion cell, were letters and a number: AER-9.

"It's a laser gun," AJ said as his daughter looked it over. "Careful with it, they can be finicky." He saw the look on Cassandra's face and smiled forlornly. "My wife had one, before she passed. A Wattz 2000."

There were a number of MFC cells on the floor, all of them fully charged and ready to. Penny picked them all up and replaced her carbine mags with them. She shouldered the laser rifle and aimed it at the Sentry Bot hulk outside. She pulled the trigger and a deep *FWANG!* filled the air, a red bolt flashing out and blasting straight through the machine's hull. Penny looked at the gun and smiled. "There's no kick at all..."

Her joy at the find was quickly killed by a sudden, immense crashing sound from the admin building. AJ looked up and saw the overcompensating Sentry Bot from before squeezing its way out the remains of the front door, its guns up and at the ready. "RUN!" AJ yelled, and grabbed Penny's wrist. They booked it straight for the M113, still parked where they'd left it. AJ practically threw his daughter up on top of the vehicle and climbed after her, yanking open the driver hatches at the front. Penny crawled inside, followed by AJ and Cassandra, and immediately got on the grenade machine gun.

AJ growled in frustration as he turned the APC on. "Can't get over how fucking complicated this damn thing is," he said. He put it in drive and they lurched forward, turning around to head back to the main gate. He popped the hatch and peeked outside for the better view and watched the Sentry Bot grind into view, its solid tread-wheels chewing up the pavement and sand like a meat grinder. It turned on its axis and was about to open fire when Penny lit it up with the grenade gun, raining grenade after grenade into it. Plates of steel and shards of shrapnel were torn off the combat bot, turning it into scrap metal. One of the explosions tore the upper half from the bottom, setting off the machine's ammo stores and popping it into the sky like a jack-in-the-box. AJ whooped and they accelerated away from the admin building, leaving White Sands Missile Range and beginning the long drive back to the City of the Sun.

"You continue to impress, Alex!"

AJ nodded and sat down in one of the chairs that Startender Brooke so kindly offered, pleased that they were back in the city and safe at last. He rubbed the side of his head and sighed, and Penny took a seat next to him. "It was a nightmare, let me tell you." He recounted the whole sordid tale to her, finally revealing what he knew about the North Peak Intelligence Facility and General DeWitt. Brooke remained silent as he filled her in, a concerned expression on her face.

"Stars above," she whispered when he was finished. "If this General DeWitt and the Machine God are connected, and both are at North Peak, then the end of all this is finally in sight."

"Yeah, well, getting in there is gonna be a different story. I'm gonna need to stock up majorly before we go. Pulse slugs, pulse grenades, the works. I figure a repeat of White Sands will be the safest bet; charge right in with the APC, blow away every bucket of bolts that stands between us and the front door, and then make our way through the base until we find General DeWitt and the Machine God, whatever the Hell that is," AJ said.

Brooke nodded. "Yes, I agree. You might also consider taking Zimmerman and McCoy with you. It sounds as if you need all the help you can get." She produced three cigar cases, San Fransicso Sunlights, and set them on her desk. "Your pay for White Sands, as agreed."

AJ picked up all three cases, satisfied that their weights were equal. He handed one to Penny, who opened it and marveled a the piles of gold Eagles inside, and put the other two in his pack. "Thanks. Gonna need all this when I hit up the merchants. I'll do that now, and then Penny and I'll go back home to rest up."

"It's late already, Alex. Surely you should take a few days before you go on to North Peak," Brooke said, and he checked his watch. It was late in the afternoon, almost 6:00pm. He frowned and nodded.

"Yeah, you're right. We'll go in a few days. Still gonna hit up the merchants tonight, though. Get stocked up ahead of time." He bid his goodbye to Brooke and then he and Penny left the office, walking downstairs and out the front door. They stopped on the steps, looking at each other. Penny smiled and folded her hands behind her back, rocking back and forth on her heels. "Don't worry, I know what you want, princess."

Penny grinned and moved closer to him, her hands on his chest. "I'll wait at home, if it's OK."

"Go ahead, princess. I won't be long," he said. She turned to walk away and her slapped her butt, making her yelp. She looked over her shoulder at him, at his shark-like grin, and stuck out her tongue. He watched her all the way, their house within sight of the church's steps, staring at her rear as she went. He bit his lip, restraining himself from going after her and doing it there and then.

God, I don't know where she found jeans that fucking tight but thank God she did.

AJ waited until she entered their home and vanished from sight before turning and walking around the corner to the U-shaped hotel behind the church, where the market was. The merchants were all still there, along with a few caravanners, taking advantage of the day's waning light to get some last-minute sales in. AJ went to the nearest arms dealer and stocked up on pulse slugs, pulse grenades, and medical supplies. He knew from experience that plasma and laser bolts were difficult to treat, but plenty of combat bots used small guns, and such wounds were easier to treat. While there he bumped into Cassandra, who grinned at him.

"Hey there, partner!" she said. "Got my money?"

AJ laughed and handed her the last case. "It's all there, I'm sure. Better stock up while you can."

"Why? We going tonight?"

"No, we'll go in a few days. I've got a plan to get us inside the facility, and once we're inside we'll find a map, find General DeWitt and the Machine God, and kill them," AJ said. "You staying at the hotel?"

"Yup," Cassandra said. "It's only a couple'a Eagles a night, so I figure I'll just rest up here rather than bum a ride back to Sunshine. Still don't trust these cultists, though."

"You don't have to trust them, just tolerate them. Once we kill General DeWitt and put an end to this mechanical menace you can go back to managing the bar and enjoying life." AJ checked his watch and smiled. "Sorry, gotta get back home. Penny's waiting for me."

Cassandra nodded. "Bet she's still shook up over what happened. God, what nasty fuckin' creatures those things were. Say hi to the little lady for me, will ya?"

"Will do," AJ lied. "See you tomorrow, Cassandra." The two parted ways and AJ began the walk home, admiring the purple hue of the sky as the sun slowly slipped beyond the horizon, the temperature a perfect balance of warmth and cool. A minute later he was at the door, reaching for the knob. It was locked, just as he'd expected, and he smiled. It wasn't often that they stayed in settlements, but he was glad that his little princess had taken the lesson regarding locking doors to heart. He produced the key, unlocked it, and stepped inside. He set his pack and the trench gun in the corner by the door and stretched, glad to be rid of the weight. The AMP clung to his thigh, the clasps stretching out his belt loops, and he couldn't wait to be rid of that, too. "Princess?"

"In here, daddy~" she called from the bedroom. AJ licked his lips, struggling to hold back. He quickly walked to the threshold, pausing for just a moment to fantasize about what she might be doing or wearing, and then he stepped inside. "Oh, wow..." he said.

She looked over her shoulder at him and shook her hips, a smirk on her face. She was bent over the bed, completely naked from head to toe. AJ nearly lost it right there but managed to hold back long enough to walk over to the nightstand and dump the AMP. He sat next to Penny and put a hand on her back, stroking up and down. "What did I do to deserve a reward like this?"

"For letting me shoot that grenade machine gun all the time, daddy! It was so much fun! You can do whatever you want, OK? Hurry up!" she demanded, and AJ stood. He yanked his belt off, pulled it taut, and whacked her bottom with it. She shrieked in delight and looked back at him, at his crotch. "Hurry hurry, please!" she begged. AJ was about to make her beg even more when there was a knock at the front door, making him curse and scowl.

"Damn it," he said, and set his belt on the bed. "Wait here."

"Tell whoever it is to go away," Penny said with an impatient huff, wiggling her bottom. AJ squeezed it and walked out into the living room, making a brisk beeline to the door. He released the lock and opened it, surprised to see Starlight McCoy on the other side of the threshold.

"Yes?"

"The Startender asked me to come see you," McCoy said. "She said that you might need help for your next mission, and that I should accompany you on it."

Fuck this retard, AJ thought. "I might need help, yes. Can it wait, though? It's late and I'd like to spend some time with my daughter before I turn in."

"I understand, Arbiter, but it might be a good idea to go over the basics of our plan tonight. At least to lay them out, if nothing else. I saw the armored vehicle you recovered, and I might be able to come up with some ideas for improvements. With Starlight Zimmerman's help we could probably shore up its armor; enough to stand up to a few plasma hits, at least. Probably nothing we can do about Sentry Bot rockets, though."

Go. Away. You. Fucking. Dullard.

AJ rubbed his brow and sighed, trying to show McCoy that he was very tired. "Alright, but it's gonna have to wait until the morning. I'm too beat to think about this crap right now. I'll talk it over with my friend tomorrow morning and then we'll come see you and Zimmerman, got it?" he asked. McCoy opened his mouth to say something when he looked over AJ's shoulder, and AJ's blood turned to ice even before she opened her mouth.

"Hey!" Penny declared. "Hurry up and go away idiot, we're busy!" AJ looked over his shoulder and there she was, standing by the open bedroom door with her hands on her hips, stark naked. He couldn't even say anything, his mind racing as he struggled to think of an explanation for McCoy and coming up blank, the absolute worst-case scenario for him playing out right before his eyes. He didn't even have time to look back at the man before he rammed the door open, hitting AJ in the face with it. He staggered back, his hands coming up to his face. Penny screamed as McCoy jumped on him, trying to subdue him. He dragged AJ to the floor, trying to pin him in place.

AJ recovered quickly, though, and started fighting back. He didn't have his guns or knife on him, but he was no stranger to squaring up with a man. McCoy had him on his back on the floor, trying to knock him or subdue him long enough to roll him over and restrain him properly. He started with the element of surprise and the first hit, but AJ knew he could beat him. He grabbed one of McCoy's wrists and gripped it, locking the arm down. McCoy scrabbled at his face and AJ used his other hand to grab the man's throat. He flexed the leverage he had and rolled over, taking McCoy with him. He put the other man on his back and slugged him in the side of his head, dazing him. McCoy recovered quickly, however, and clocked AJ in the jaw. Stars formed in his vision and he grabbed McCoy by the collar, yanking him up before slugging him again. He scrambled for the trench gun and McCoy grabbed his ankles, making him trip.

McCoy was about to jump on him again when AJ kicked him in the chest, holding him at bay. The other man grabbed his leg and shoved it aside, crawling on top of him and punching him in the face. AJ could taste blood, flowing down from his nose, and narrowly ducked another one of McCoy's punches. He tried to flip the man back over but he had AJ pinned, using his weight to keep AJ's upper body constrained. He put his hands to AJ's throat and pressed, choking AJ out. He opened his mouth to try and call for Penny but nothing came out. He tried again to flip McCoy but the other man held him firmly in place, and darkness began to creep into the edge's of AJ's vision.

*BAM!*

Starlight McCoy suddenly released AJ and fell onto his side, groaning in pain. AJ scrambled back and saw Penny standing at his feet, pistol clutched in shaking hands. AJ wiped the blood from his face and struggled to his feet, his daughter immediately rushing over to help him. "Daddy, daddy!" she cried. "I don't understand! Why did he attack you?!"

"Get your things and get dressed, quick!" AJ said, clutching his pounding head, and Penny rushed back to the bedroom. He lowered his hand and took a deep breath, the pounding in his head intensifying. He didn't have a concussion, as far as he could tell, and nothing was broken. "Fucking Christ..."

He was about to grab the trench gun and head into the bedroom to grab his other stuff when he heard footsteps behind him. He looked over his shoulder and saw two guards standing at the threshold, guns in hand. They saw the body on the floor and were about to raise their weapons when they realized who he was, and he saw confusion pass over their faces.

"That's Starlight McCoy!" one said.

"That's the Arbiter!" the other said.

"What the Hell happened?!" they both said.

AJ was about to come up with a story, no matter how weak, when Penny came running back out of the room, fully dressed and holding onto the strap of her AER-9 with one hand, her Model 39 in her other hand. She saw the guards at the door, raised the gun, and fired again. AJ ducked behind the couch and looked back to see one of the guard's drop, a hole in his chest. "OH SHIT!" the other yelled and scrambled back.

"Penny!" AJ called. "Penny wait!" He stood and his daughter rushed to his side, her eyes wide and body trembling. The other guard peeked into the room, holding his gun.

"Drop the gun!" he shouted. Penny looked between him and AJ, and AJ reached out for the 9mm. She looked between him and the guard again and dropped the Model 39, hyperventilating shakily. Other guards came up, their guns out as well, and all of them lowered their weapons when they saw whose house it was.

"What the Hell is going on here?" one of the guard's asked.

"He..." AJ started, unsure of what to say. He figured honesty was the safest choice, so long as he left out some details. "He attacked me. Tried to strangle me. My daughter shot him..."

"That's McCoy, though... Why would McCoy attack the Arbiter?" a guard asked.

AJ was about to answer when McCoy groaned again and rolled over, pressing his wounded side to the floor. "He's...a pedophile. I came over to talk to him and...the little girl was naked. Fucking pedo scum..."

"What the fuck?!" a guard said.

"There's no way that's true..."

AJ rubbed his head again and eased himself to the floor. Fuck, why didn't you die, he thought. "It's not," he said as the guards entered the house and secured his trench gun and Penny's pistol. One of them gently coaxed his daughter away from him, her expression immensely fearful, and another crouched beside McCoy to dress his wound. AJ slowly stood, still clutching his head. "He's a liar."

The guards looked at McCoy and then between themselves before one of them spoke up. "Come with us, Arbiter. We'll take you to see the Startender in the morning, and see what she makes of all this." They didn't restrain him, didn't cuff him, but he knew that they weren't asking. He looked at Penny, desperately wishing he could kill them all and escape with her, but there was no way out. Not yet, at least.

"Lead on, boys," he said, letting the guards take him away.