Ghost Town Gunfight

Note: Sorry about the long wait...it's the dog days of summer. Hope you enjoy this.

Doc Mitchell's office was unusually crowded as Marcus, Sarah, Follows-Chalk, Sunny Smiles, Trudy and Easy Pete waited to hear on Melissa's condition. Everyone listened to Follows-Chalk and Sunny's account of their battle with the Powder Gangers, and what they had seen while scouting their camp.

"How many men did you say they have?" Marcus asked.

Sunny was the one who answered. "We thinned their ranks, but they probably still have over two dozen."

"And after what we did," Follows-Chalk said, "I suspect they will attack very soon….probably at sunrise."

Marcus looked at the time on his PIPBOY: 12:48 am. "We don't have a lot of time."

A sound from the back room caused everyone to look up. Dr. Mitchell was removing his gloves as he approached them. "Aside from a few bumps and bruises she's going to be alright." He turned to Sunny and Follows-Chalk. "You two managed to get to her before they…." He let the sentence trail off.

Trudy turned to Easy Pete. "What do you say, Pete? Do you still need more convincing? We need those explosives you've got tucked away if we'll any chance against Cobb and his boys."

The old Prospector let out a sigh. He felt very uneasy about letting just anyone handle his explosives. During his years of prospecting he'd seen first hand the tragic results when someone mishandled them….and he knew it was by mere luck that he too hadn't been killed. "Alright. But I'll be the one to set'em up. This is going to be a short gunfight if we blow ourselves up."

"Thank you, Pete." Marcus said. He turned to Dr. Mitchell. "How about you, doc? Can you help us?"

"I'm not much use in a firefight on the count of my bad leg, but I'll give you any medical supplies I can spare. And of course, I'll have my office ready to receive any wounded."

"I'll help you."

Melissa was standing in the doorway of the back office. "I can stay here and help the doctor with the wounded."

Everyone thanked the brave young woman, and Sarah turned to Trudy. "Have everyone meet us at the Saloon. We've got defenses to build and not a lot of time to build them."

As expected, Cobb and his remaining Powder Gangers arrived just outside of Goodsprings as dawn approached. Losing ten of his men, including Chavez during the night enraged the ex-convict and he was determined to make the shit-kickers in this town pay. Before he was content with burning the town to the ground, but now he and his boys were going to kill everyone stupid enough to still be in it.

The men riding the fifteen dirt bikes were reving up their engines and kicking up dust, while the rest of the convicts shouted and fired their guns in the air. Several of them shot up the 'Welcome to Goodsprings' sign, determined to intimidate anyone still in the town.

"KILL'EM ALL!" Cobb screamed and the Powder Gangers charged up the main road towards the town. Five of his dirt bikes drove on ahead, while the rest of them split off from the main group. The riders on the first five bikes rounded the corner and were within site of the Prospector's Saloon - and that's when the road underneath them was blown sky high.

Cobb and his men stopped dead in their tracks as they watched the five bikes and their riders blown off the road, or blown to pieces entirely. Before any of them could react, one of Cobb's men was killed by a single microfusion round to the head. Sarah Lyons, who was perched on top of the Prospectors Saloon, reloaded her guass rifle and fired; taking off the right leg of another Powder Ganger.

As Cobb and his remaining convicts scrambled for cover, they began taking fire from everywhere. All over the town people suddenly appeared from behind makeshift barricades, in store and home windows armed with rifles and pistols. Marcus, Trudy, Ringo and Easy Pete opened fire from a stack of crates in front of the saloon, pinning Cobb and his men down.

Several of the remaining bikers cut through the center of Goodsprings and made their way up the road past the old elementary school, determined to outflank the town's defenders. Sunny Smiles, who was standing in the school's bell tower took aim with her Varmint rifle and shot one of the bikers in the chest, causing him to crash into the school's metal fence. Follows-Chalk appeared from behind the school, with Cheyenne and Dogmeat by his side, and opened fire with his repeating rifle, killing another biker.

The Powder Gangers, having gotten over the initial attack, were not about to cut and run so easily. Four more of the bikers came charging up the road, two of them firing submachine guns at Follows-Chalk, causing him to get to cover. Sunny opened fire on the attackers but missed, and as she chambered another round, the other two bikers tossed sticks of dynamite through the windows of the school as they sped by.

The explosion blew out the windows and one of the walls of the two-hundred year old school, and Marcus watched in horror as the building's roof and bell tower collapsed.

"SUNNNY!" Ringo cried out, and Easy Pete had to tackle the caravan driver to the ground as the four bikers were now driving towards them; spraying the area with machine gun fire. Marcus activated his VATS and fired two rounds with Lincoln's repeater taking out two of the bikers before his armor's shields went down, and Sarah managed to take out a third with her guass rifle.

As Marcus was behind cover he watched as another biker tossed a stick of dynamite through the window of someone's home. A second later the building exploded and two people, their bodies engulfed in flames, ran out of the building screaming.

Follows-Chalk's ears were ringing as he frantically made his way inside of the buring elementary school. He called out for Sunny, but there was no response. By some miracle he managed to hear the faint whine and bark of a dog over the sounds of battle raging outside, and he clawed his way through the rubble and smoke towards it. He found Dogmeat standing next to Cheyenne; who was pulling on Sunny's arm trying desperately to free her half buried and unconscious master.

Follows-Chalk began clearing away some of the debris, but the harder he worked the more hot smoke would burn his throat and lungs. He knew what remained of the school's roof would come down any second, but he had no intention of leaving the young woman behind. His eyes burned and his hands were becoming bloodied, but he struggled through the pain to free her. He grabbed hold of both of her arms and pulled with all his might, but he was tired, out of air, and did not have the strength in his arms to free his friend. Just as he was about to pass out, a set of massive hands reached down and pulled Sunny free as if it was nothing. Through his blurry eyes Follows-Chalk could see that it was Lily, and before darkness claimed him, the Nightkin hoisted both he and Sunny over her shoulders.

Sarah tried to take aim with her guass rifle but was met by a volley of bullets, forcing her to duck back behind cover. "Cobb's men got me pinned," she said into her ear piece, "I can't get a clear shot!"

Marcus could see several of the Goodsprings residents begin to break and run. He knew they had to end this quickly, and as his mind searched for answers, he spotted one of the Powder Gangers' bikes lying in the middle of the road still running. He turned to Trudy and Ringo. "Cover me!"

He ran out into the street and quickly mounted the bike. Moira's avatar decided to appear on his PIPBOY screen. "Marcus, just wanted to remind you that you have never operated a bike like this."

Marcus took a deep breath and revved up the engine. "How hard could it be?"

No sooner had he said it, and the bike lurched forward and up on the rear wheel; nearly knocking Marcus off of it. A few more ungraceful lurches later and the Lone Wanderer figured out how to steady the bike and began heading down the street. The sudden increase in speed filled Marcus with both fear and exhilaration, and he aimed the bike directly towards Cobb and his group of seven convicts. Several rounds struck Marcus' shields and he knew in a few seconds they would collapse. The Wanderer raised his right hand, locked in three targets with his VATS and fired his gauntlet. The blue beams turned two of their targets to ash, but the third missed due to Marcus' erratic movement with the bike. One of the Powder Gangers lite a stick of dynamite and cocked his arm back, ready to toss the explosive. Marcus locked onto the dynamite and fired the gauntlet again, scoring a direct hit. The explosion killed two of the Powder Gangers and scattered the rest.

Marcus let out a whoop of triumph as he drove through the smoke….but it was short lived when a police baton seemed to come out of nowhere and slammed right into his face, knocking him off the bike. Marcus' hand instantly went to his now broken nose, and through blurred vision he could see someone standing over him.

Cobb stood over the Courier who had caused him so much trouble. "Should've minded your own damn business!" The convict growled as he raised the baton above his head.

A full burst of 9mm rounds peppered Cobb from behind, and the gang leader was dead before he hit the ground. Marcus lifted himself up, and as his sight become more focused he spotted his rescuer. Victor rolled over to him; a smoking 9mm machine gun sticking out of the securitron's right arm. "You okay, partner?"

Marcus slowly stood up. "Yeah. Guess that means I owe you again."

"Don't mention it."

"I need more bandages and stimpaks now!" Doctor Mitchell screamed over the chaos inside of his office. Melissa ( who had to literally pry herself away from the frantic mother of a wounded teenager), ran into the back room for the supplies. Mitchell was trying to clamp the artery on his current patient when the sound of the door being kicked open caused him to turn. Four Powder Gangers charged inside; two of them armed with fire axes and the other two armed with shotguns.

Doc Mitchell didn't hesitate. Stepping back from his patient he drew his 10mm pistol and fired, striking the first Powder Ganger in the chest. But before he could fire again another convict charged forward and pushed the doctor against the wall - pinning him with the handle of the axe. Mitchell tried to push the Powder Ganger off but the older man's upper body strength was no match for the convict, and the handle was now being pressed against his throat.

With the doctor subdued, the remaining two convicts turned their attention to the ten wounded people inside of the infirmary and raised their shotguns, intent on massacuring them all. The crash of a 12 gauge sawed-off was followed by the sight of one of the Powder Gangers' head being blown to pieces. Melissa fired her second round, and the force knocked the other convict across the room. The last Powder Ganger released his hold on the doctor and ran out the door - and smacked head first into the chest of a large and angry Nightkin. The impact caused the convict to fall flat on his back, and he screamed as Lily's massive foot came crashing down on his head.

With Cobb and most of their brethren dead, the remaining convicts had had enough and ran into the desert. Trudy fired her last two shotgun shells into the direction of the defeated Powder Gangers. "AND DON'T COME BACK YOU SONS A BITCHES!" She raised her gun in triumph and let out a rebel yell, and soon the rest of the beligurd defenders of Goodsprings joined in.

Marcus was wiping the blood from his broken nose when Sarah suddenly appeared by his side; concern and anger on her face. "Are you alright?"

Despite the pain Marcus managed to nod. "I'll live."

Instead of a hug of reassurance, Sarah jabbed him in the shoulder.

"What was that for?!"

"Because that was really stupid!"

"Well it worked, didn't it? Besides," he flashed her his trademark lopsided grin. ",you gotta admit I looked pretty good on that bike."

As much as she wanted to scold him more, Sarah just shook her head and grinned. "Alright maybe a little."

Once the fires had been put out, Trudy, Ringo, Marcus and Sarah made their way over to Doc Mitchell's office to see what their casualties were. When they arrived the first thing they saw were the four dead Powder Gangers lined up on the ground outside of the smashed in front door. Trudy was the first to enter, and she had to contain a gasp as she took in the scene. Blood was on the floor and walls. Several wounded were lying on gurneys, couches and mattresses. Melissa's white surgical gown was splattered with red, and the woman looked emotionally exhausted. The group spotted Doc Mitchell coming out of the back room, and it was clear to everyone that he had just finished performing surgery. The man looked even older than he was, and as he approached Trudy she braced herself for the news. "What's the butcher's bill, Doc?"

Mitchell took a deep breath. "Eighteen wounded….four dead."

"How's Sunny?" Ringo asked.

"She got banged up pretty bad, but she'll be alright."

Ringo let out the breath he was holding. "Can I see her?"

"Now's not a good time. Maybe in a day or two."

Trudy swallowed the lump forming in her throat and did her best to compose herself. "Let us know if you need anything, Doc."

Doc Mitchell nodded and walked away. Trudy turned and faced Marcus and Sarah. "Four dead."

Sarah placed her hand on the woman's arm. "I'm sorry. I know it's small consolation but it could've been worse."

Trudy looked down at the ground and nodded. "You're right….but even one of us dying is one too many." She raised her head. "I don't know how we'll ever repay you."

Ringo turned and faced the couple. "Same goes for me. You guys stuck your necks out for me when you could've just turned me over to Cobb and his men." He reached inside of his pocket and removed a small satchel full with caps. "Here….this is part of the payment I received from the Crimson Caravan. If you ever make it to the main office in Vegas I'll give you the rest."

Marcus took the satchel. "Thank you, Ringo. I'm glad we could help."

"We'll stay for a while and help you to recover." Sarah said. "But I have a feeling it will be awhile before the Powder Gangers show up here again."

Trudy let out a deep breath, and it seemed a great weight was lifted off her shoulders. "That's the best news I've heard all day."

Three days later….

Sunny took aim with her Varmint rifle and squeezed off a shot, missing the empty sarsaparilla bottle perched on the fence. "Damn it!" she cursed. Though she had recovered rather quickly from her wounds, the young hunter had suffered nerve damage in her right arm. Doc Mitchell told her it might go away in time….might. Gritting her teeth, Sunny chambered another round and took aim. The rifle felt like it weighed three times what she remembered and she struggled to keep it steady as she squeezed off another round.

Miss. Sunny cursed again and threw the rifle to the ground.

"Sunny."

The voice caused her to spin around, and she was staring at Follows-Chalk.

"I'm sorry." He stammered. "I didn't mean to startle you."

Sunny quickly composed herself and picked up her rifle. "It's okay. I was just a….I was just…."

The young tribal took few steps closer. "It will take time for your wounds to heal….but they will heal."

Sunny stared at the ground. "You don't know that for sure….and a hunter who can't shoot is pretty useless around here."

Follows-Chalk was now standing just inches from her. "You are strong, Sunny. You just need time….and a little help. Here, I'll show you. Take aim with your rifle."

Though she let out a sigh in frustration, Sunny chambered another round, turned and raised the rifle. Follows-Chalk was now standing directly behind her, and he carefully placed his left hand on her left shoulder, and used his other to help steady the rifle. The sudden physical contact caused her to initially tense up, but she soon found the tribal's touch to be - comforting.

"Now just concentrate on the sites. Don't fight the pain in your arm - ignore it - just as you ignore the rifle's kick back."

The feeling of Follows-Chalk's breath on the back of her neck caused Sunny's cheeks to become flush, and she realized it wasn't the pain in her arm that was currently distracting her. Refocusing on the empty bottles, Sunny let out a long breath and squeezed the trigger.

The bottle shattered into a dozen pieces, and to Sunny it felt like the first time she'd ever hit a target.

"You see." Follows-Chalk said. "I told you you could do it."

Sunny turned, and the smile on her face was as vibrant as the day the young tribal first laid eyes on her. For a moment they both stood in silence, lost in each other's eyes. The smile suddenly faded from Sunny as reality came crashing back. "Thank you but….you won't be able to aim the rifle for me forever."

Follows-Chalk shook his head. "That won't be necessary. Like I said, you are strong, and you will be able to shoot once again."

As she stared once again into the young tribal's eyes, Sunny felt heat rush to her cheeks, and she decided to change the subject. "Listen I um, I never got the chance to thank you for what you did."

Follows-Chalk shifted uncomfortably, as if he suddenly felt a sense of shame. "You should be thanking Lily. She's the one who saved you….saved both of us."

Sunny took his scarred hand inside of her's. "The point is you didn't leave me. You almost died trying to save me. That makes you a hero in my book."

The young tribal still averted her eyes. "I'm not….I'm not a…."

Before he could finish the sentence Sunny pressed her lips to his. It felt as though a lightning bolt had passed through his body and filled him with warmth. When Sunny backed away she stared into his eyes, nervously waiting for his reaction. He responded by taking her into his arms and repeating the gesture. The sound of a dog howling and whining caused Sunny to break contact, and panic was suddenly in her eyes. "That was Cheyanne! Come on!"

They both took off running towards where the sounds had come from, behind the Prospector's Saloon. When they rounded the corner, Sunny and Follows-Chalk stopped dead in their tracks. Dogmeat had mounted Cheyanne….and this time, the female had welcomed the Austrian Cattle dog's advances.

"Oh my god!" Sunny laughed, and soon Follows-Chalk joined in her laughter.

"I guess….Dogmeat finally wore her down."

Sunny laughed even harder, but soon the sight of the two canine's mating caused her to experience another feeling….a deeper more, primal feeling. "You know….I think they have the right idea."

It took Follows-Chalk only a few seconds to figure out what she was alluding to, and as his eyes shot wide open Sunny slammed her lips into his again with more force than before. When she broke contact, the look in her eyes could only be interpreted as hunger. "Fuck me, you wild tribal!" She breathed.

As Sunny pulled him into her trailer, Follows-Chalk managed to cry out how much he loved the civilized lands.

The next day it was time for Marcus and his companions to depart Goodsprings and continue on towards Primm. To show their appreciation, the town's people had managed to salvage two of the Powder Gangers' bikes and gave them to the five heroes. For obvious reasons they also rigged the bikes to each tow a wagon: one for their gear, and the other for Lily and Dogmeat.

"Are you two going to be alright back here, Lily?" Marcus asked.

The Nightkin responded with a tooth filled grin. "Oh we'll be fine, dearly. This will be just like those bike rides we used to go on."

A whine from Dogmeat got Marcus' attention. The canine was sitting in the wagon with Lily, but his attention was on Cheyanne who was standing next to the wagon. Both dogs began rubbing their noses together, and each of them let out a low whine.

Marcus rubbed Dogmeat behind his right ear. "I'm sorry boy, but we've gotta go."

He responded with another whine.

"I promise, we'll back and visit. Okay?"

Both dogs responded with a bark, and their tails waged in excitement.

Sarah made her way over to Marcus and tapped him on the shoulder. "It looks like Dogmeat's not the only one finding it difficult to say goodbye."

Marcus turned around and spotted Follows-Chalk and Sunny Smiles locked in an embrace outside of Sunny's trailer. A few kisses and low whispers later and the two reluctantly seperated and Follows-Chalk made his way over to his companions. Everyone noticed the extra spring in the young tribal's step, and Marcus couldn't help himself. "Did she finish you, or bring you back to life?"

Sarah responded by slapping him in the shoulder. Follows-Chalk took it all instride and smiled. "Daniel used to say: a gentleman doesn't kiss and tell."

Marcus laughed, and after mounting his bike, turned back to Sarah. "So….race you to Primm?"

Sarah pressed her body to his. "You're on, cowboy."

Marcus chuckled as he placed his cowboy hat on his head. He certainly felt like a cowboy these last few days. "Been a hell of a week, hasn't it. We got in a gunfight with a gang of outlaws, saved a small town, and now we're riding off into the sunset. Maybe I should leave a silver bullet behind."

Follows-Chalk shot him a puzzled look. "Why would you leave behind a silver bullet?"

"It's from an old….I'll tell you about it later. Hope on."

Follows-Chalk looked the bikes over, and was suddenly filled with a feeling of dread. "Are you sure these….things are safe?"

Marcus shook his head. "After everything we've been through, this frightens you?"

The tribal shrugged. "I'm just not used to going so fast."

"Don't worry," Sarah said, "you can ride with me."

Follows-Chalk seemed slightly relieved, but Marcus looked insulted. "Are you saying you're a better driver than me?"

Sarah looked him dead in the eye and grinned. "How's your nose feeling?"

Before he could issue a retort, Sarah turned and headed to her bike. Marcus turned and stared at Follows-Chalk, and after a few awkward seconds the young tribal hurried to join her. Easy Pete made his way over to the Lone Wanderer and shook his hand. "Thanks for everything, Six. And thanks again for the pack brahman."

"Well if it hadn't been for your explosives things might have turned out differently."

Easy Pete looked the bike over. "You should have enough micro fusion cells to make it all the way to the Mojave Outpost….even further if you can find some in Primm."

Trudy was the next person to present her hand to Marcus. "Thank you again. If you ever need a place to put your feet up, you're more than welcome to come back here."

Marcus shook her hand. "Thank you….though I admit….I kinda feel guilty leaving your town like this. It could be months before these repairs are done."

"Don't worry about that." Trudy said. "We finally managed to contact the NCR, and it seems there's quit the bounty on the heads of those Powder Gangers - dead or alive. So with all that money we'll be able to rebuild this old town better than ever."

Relief washed over Marcus. "That's great news, Trudy. Tell Doc Mitchell thank you for us, I know he's busy with his patients."

"We will. Good luck."

Marcus started his bike, and both Trudy and Pete took a few steps back to give him room. Over the roar of the engine, Marcus put his right hand in air and yelled: "Hi ho Silver, away!" And they speed off. Trudy, Pete, Sunny Smiles and the rest of the residents of Goodsprings waved at the group of heroes until they were out of sight.

One of those residents was the securitron, Victor. As the bikes left a cloud of dust in their wake, the robot sent an encrypted message to it's master.

[Subject is on the move. Believed heading towards the town of Primm.]

The reply came a few seconds later. [Continue surveillance of courier.]

[Acknowledged. Surveillance mode engaged.]

Note: I hope you like the line I used from "The 13th Warrior". If you haven't seen it...what are you waiting for?! Also, I hope you enjoyed my little Lone Ranger reference. Next stop is Primm, and you know what that means...ED-E! Thank you all for your support.