Heartache by the Numbers
Chapter 2.) Heartache by the numbers.
"Well it all started when Me and Rumi wound up inside a place called the Mojave Wasteland. We had just gotten hit by that quirk." Izuku explains as Miruko and Izuku are now in the middle of a scorching hot desert with rusted out cars and destroyed roads and ruined buildings.
Miruko taking a look around is confused as to where they are but her hero instincts kick in and she checks on Izuku to find injuries.
"Well no injuries so that's good but we have to find out exactly where we are." Miruko says as she pulls out her cell to make a call only to see she has no signal and her GPS isn't loading.
"Shit it's not working, useless piece of crap."Miruko says as Izuku is muttering up a storm of his own that Miruko is able to follow.
"Vibrational resonance, able to vibrate molecules of any item containing mass including the user. Amped up by trigger multiplying the output of said quirk by 100 times the normal...vibrational resonance meets with how science has proven the human vibrational frequency is the same with earths harmonical vibrations so perfectly indicating ...oh god!" Izuku says as his eyes widen in realization.
"Whoa kid calm the shit down! What are you talking about. What about human resonance theory are on you on about? What does Humans having the same vibrational frequency as earth have to do with our current situation?" Miruko asks as she gently grabs Izuku's shoulders.
"It has everything to do with it. That villain, professor Phantasm used his quirk to vibrate his molecules to kill people and phase through walls to rob banks and jewelry stores. Vibrational Harmonics Studies have proven that every planet in our universe and even our own universe itself has a specific harmonic frequency tied to it. Using that frequency you can use it to accurately indicate exactly where any species is from. Since Professor Phantasms quirk works off vibrational harmonics principals and it was amplified 100 times the normal power. Instead of vibrating us out of existence as he planned we instead..." Izuku says as his widened eyes meet Miruko's own astonished yet clarified eyes she finishes his statement.
"Were vibrated into another reality entirely...Shit kid you're one hell of an egghead. That is gonna cause a shit ton of problems however. We need to lay low, find shelter and ...what the hell is that?" Miruko says as a group of bipedal purple lizards are currently running at them. One gets close enough and takes a leap at Izuku only to be kicked by Miruko so hard the creature turns into a red mist. Miruko currently is fighting off the largest of the groups members as Izuku is running around the area dodging and avoiding the creatures as they lunge at him. Izuku thinking quickly leaps into the back of an abandoned car through the open door before closing it.
Izuku is in a panic as the creatures are trying to get inside the car tearing and smashing st the window. As Miruko finishes off the largest members of the pack she see's about 5 trying to get at Izuku and rushes over to try and help only to hear Gunshots ring out as the creatures are hit with bullets and either die or run away. Shortly after the creatures run Izuku opens the door and runs towards Miruko who immediately puts herself infront of Izuku as a strange 22 year old black man walks up to them both.
"Hey are two okay? I saw the commotion and decided to help out." The black man says as Izuku knows the language to be english. He calms down as the man isn't trying to hurt them.
"We're okay mister. Those things just came out of nowhere."Izuku says as the man just nods and laughs a bit.
"The names Malcolm. Malcolm Holmes. Im a prospector who was in the area heading to Primm to resupply and sell my stuff. Also yeah Gecko packs are vicious. Do you not have any ammo to fight them off? You two don't seem to be from the Mojave so word of advice. Stay strapped or get clapped. Its a rule of the Mojave." Malcom says as Izuku nods some and loons towards Miruko seeing her scratch and bite marks getting worried.
"Im sorry sir but we have no weapons...we're not from around here is right. I don't think you'd believe me if i told you where We're from and uh, we could use some help."Izuku says as Miruko just watches the two of them. The kid doesn't seem to be scared snd the man seems to be non hostile but Miruko would be damned if she let this rando come and take the kid.
"Really no weapons and this far into the Mojave? You two must be some tough sons a bitches. Listen as you saw even the critters here pack a meaner punch than some raiders. Here take this plasma Pistol. I found it in an old research facility but i've never been good with energy weapons. I have about 68 electron charge packs for it so you can have those too. Things don't hold a charge worth a damn and are essentially useless so no need for me to keep them. I was heading to Primm a town nearby. Wanna join up for now and head there together?" Malcolm asks as Izuku nods his head before turning to Miruko and speaks.
"This man is Malcolm Holmes. Says we're in the Mojave. Essentially south western america. He's heading to primm which is a town nearby and he's offering us a weapon for defense. I think we need to take it." Izuku says as Malcolm hearing the strange speak shrugs his shoulders and hands off the Plasma Pistol and the ammo for it to Izuku who is blown away at the tech displayed in the pistol.
"Yeah i don't speak english at all so you'll need to play translator kid. In the mean time we need to head with him and separate from him when in town. We have to gather Intel cause last i heard, even the american desert wasn't this hostile." Miruko says as Izuku nods and agrees before telling Malcolm and the three head off towards primm. Izuku expertly keeping things close to his chest but asking questions to gather information.
Throughout the 2 hour walk Izuku was able to gather information about the area, the surrounding settlements, the politics of the wastes and even warned about the raider groups of the area. Playing it off as being tribals from far away with no tribe Izuku asks Malcolm why things are the way they are and gets the story of the pre-war america, the resource wars with china and eventually the great war and wastelands that followed. Along the way he and Miruko even got to talking and she learned about him and his past. As they enter Primm Malcolm heads off on his own and leaves Izuku with Miruko who than explains everything.
"And that's essentially it. We're in a post apocalyptic 1950's future art deco united states. They use bottle caps as currency as it's backed by water. One cap equalling 1 liter. We need to find jobs." Izuku says as he sees a building with a sign on it.
"Mojave Express! Couriers Wanted. Its one of the only ways to learn about this land and we can earn money to provide for ourselves. You okay sticking with a kid?" Izuku asks wondering if Miruko would leave him now that she knew he was quirkless.
"Not happening kid. You're stuck with me. I'm a hero and i would never abandon someone for something as stupid as quirk status. Besides no one but me has a quirk in this shit hole planet so now I'm the freak and you're the normal one. Besides you're 14, im not leaving you alone even if i wasn't a hero. lets get these jobs." Miruko says as they walk into the Mojave Express building.
"Hello there, looking to have some mail delivered? No one better than the Mojave express. How can i help you?"The older gentleman asks as izuku walks up.
"Hi my name is...Izuku. Me and my guardian are tribals from the north and we just arrived in the Mojave. I'd like the courier job please." Izuku says as the older gentleman nods his head and gives izuku and his guardian a once over.
"Hmm really now? Tribesman don't usually leave their land. Im guessing you were pushed out by a stronger one or wiped out entirely. Im sorry for your loss. As for the job absolutely. Fill out this card." The man says as Izuku fills out the small card with his information discovering that the dates are the exact same as from their world. So he just puts his own birthdate, name and for tribe name he puts "Shrubs" after the older gentleman examines the card he walks over to an old computer and putting the card in a slot and loading the information in along with a picture of the kid. After its all said and done The old man hands izuku a new ID card, a leather wallet, a package satchel, 2 canteens reading 13 in bright yellow Numbers, a 9mm pistol and some ammo, a new outfit for him and Miruko along with a few metal lunch boxes, 10 bottles of what's labeled Purified Water and a small bag filled with around 250 caps.
"Here you are. I noticed you had nothing on you besides that plasma Pistol. So i gave you some caravan lunches, a few bottles of purified water, new uniforms and 2 Vault 13 canteens for convenience. The pistol and caps are your sign on bonus. Welcome to the Mojave express Courier 6." The old man says as Izuku gathers the supplies and changes with Miruko before grabbing his satchel and gets handed a package.
"This package is from Vault 21 in New Vegas. It's heading to one "Doc Mitchell" in a town called Goodsprings. It's about 6 miles north of here. Get on the highway you walked in on and just go right. Welcome to the Mojave i hope you last out there." The old man says as he leaves to the vicky and Vance casino to earn a little bit of money.
Izuku looks at his ID and smiles some before he and Miruko head out. Sure enough as they were walking they were hit by more gecko's Izuku now having a way to fight back uses his plasma pistol and nails one right in the head with the green energy ball causing the creature to melt into a gooey pile of glowing green slime. He's surprised as he continue's firing at the creatures while Miruko is able to fight off others in hand to hand combat. After the fight having heard skins and meat from gecko's sell well from Malcolm Izuku skins and butchers the animals he can for usable parts.
After what seems like a few hours Izuku and Rumi wind up in Goodsprings and see someone gathering water from the pipes with her daughter and an old dog.
"Excuse me miss. Do you know where Doc Mitchel is? We have a package from Mojave Express for him." Izuku asks as the older woman looks at them and nods.
"Yeah he's at the house on the hill nearby the general good store. Go up the main road, follow it till it forks uphill and to the left and he's that house with the white picket fence." The woman says as Izuku thanks her and follows her directions and knocking on the door to the docs house.
"Hello there, can i help you youngun's?"Doc asks as Izuku shows his Mojave Express ID and holds out a package.
"Doc Mitchell, this package is for you. Also my guardian here needs to be seen to. We fought some gecko's on the way here and they took us by surprise. We need to know of she caught anything." Izuku says as Doc guides them into his house.
Izuku sees the mans wife and notices the strange devices on their arms and smiles some as Doc begins examining Miruko and docs Wife begins talking with Izuku.
"So you're a courier and you took your wife with you? That's pretty smart. It'll keep you both safe."The woman says as Izuku blushes deeply before shaking his head.
"She's not my wife honest! She's just a guardian assigned to me by our tribe before it was wiped out. Also safe? What do you mean? Also what are those things on your wrists? It looks cool." Izuku says as he points to the object.
"Oh that's too bad. You two look cute together. Older woman and a strapping younger man on her arm. Oh she's so lucky. She'll be yours soon i know it. Well to tell you the the truth, raider groups will attack anyone and anything to either eat them, rape them or steal their supplies. Raiders mostly go after solo travellers and merchants travelling the wastes. As for these? Well they're called PIP-Boys and they are essentially personal computers given to vault dwellers. They keep track of health, skills, inventory, caps, has a heart rate monitor and a geiger counter for detecting radiation. Though me and Doc haven't needed them in years. Honestly we're only wearing them now so they can recalibrate and reset. We were just gonna get rid of them. Would you and your "guardian" like them?" The woman asks as Izuku blushes some after looking at the pipboy.
"If you wouldn't mind. I would love to have them for our travels.Oh Miruko done already?" Izuku asks as Miriko nods to him.
"Yeah, nothing caught luckily but he gave me some antibiotics and a few things called stimpacks. Didn't even charge us despite me threatening him to take the caps. I just left the 50 caps on the desk and ignored him when he tried handing them back to me." miruko says as Docs wife laughs at then both heartily before speaking with her husband a bit and they both take off the Pip-boys handing them over to Izuku and Miruko.
"Thank you for the package. The Mojave express Mail box at the general store has a package needing to be delivered inside it. Believe it's heading west towards NCR territory. Quickest way out west would be taking the I-95 to HWY 101 down near primm. It's getting dark soon. No one lives in the gas station up the hill and it gets cold at night so you two best stay there tonight. The place still has drinks and food inside it so you'll be set on that. Enjoy the PIP-Boys, we haven't needed them in years." Doc Mitchell says as Izuku thanks them both and heads up to the Red Rocket Truck stop with Rumi. Izuku is able to open the two drink machines out front and grabbing some soda's from them he and Rumi head inside the station. The place is old, full of dust and decrepit. But the shelves still have food, drinks and even alcohol which Rumi immediately takes and drinks.
"Izuku, today has been one hell of a banger... We have to accept that we may be stuck here forever...are you okay with that possibility? I couldn't give two shits about going back except to meet up with old friends but they're big girls and can take care of themselves. What about you?" Rumi asks.
"Back home, i wouldn't have been able to even get a job or a proper education. I only had my mother Inko and my aunty Mitsuki as people who cared about me. Here we were attacked by animals saved by a kind prospector, walked in a building, i asked and got a job and our first job netted us information on another package, these pipboys and a place to bunker down. The information about what happened to this world is insane but i get it. We have to improve, adapt and overcome everything in our way. I'll be fine here Miruko...so long as you're by my side i can be confident that we can keep each other safe. Lets get started on the new package tomorrow morning after we buy some water from the saloon and supplies at the general store." Izuku says as the pip-Boys he and Miruko are wearing kick on and lock onto their DNA activating and showing everything stated by the Mitchell's. Soon Izuku finds the radio section and tunes into Radio New Vegas hearing a very charismatic and smooth voice start playing into his head directly along with Miruko doing the same thing as him and hearing the voice too.
"This is Radio New Vegas and I'm your host Mr. New Vegas here to remind you that You're nobody till somebody Loves you and that Somebody is Me. I love you. We all know the Pain Numbers can bring. Heres Guy Mitchell with Heartache by the Numbers." The radio DJ says as a song begins playing and it helps both of then sleep soundly. Not realizing how close they were only to both latch onto one another in the middle of the night and snuggle into one another for warmth and safety.
"After that first day we left goodsprings with supplies and a job to do. Soon after we met raiders and had to fight and kill to keep ourselves safe. It was the law of the wastes that you either kill or be killed. Hell, that first encounter with raiders ended differently when they captured us and saw my package satchel and nearly shit themselves and offered up supplies to me and her as an apology since according to them they broke one of the most important rules of the wasteland. "Never fuck with the person who delivers your mail" it was strange getting a free pass through most raider territories untill we learned they also used the mojave express to deliver supplies and letters between groups for peace and territory upkeep. So we still had small raider bands, creatures and strange encounters but we soon had the experience to have everyone with a brain leave us alone. All the while me and Rumi grew closer to one another and still had the goal of finding anything we could about returning here to our home." Izuku says as Joshua graham finishes applying a fresh set of bandages to himself and he speaks up.
"The tales of courier Six are legendary throughout the Mojave and the wasteland in general. Your sons action in running the 101 between New Vegas and NCR territory spread all across the country. Taking out 6 story tall super mutants, 2 story tall deathclaws, armies of ghouls, bugs, critters, raiders and robots... They border on the mythical but each and every one of those tales is absolutely true. Your sons route of running the 101 and killing any hostile creatures caused merchants to begin safely travelling those routes cutting out dangerous mountain routes filled with wild animals and raider ambushes. The raider groups that owned the 101 territories soon became bustling settlements people flocked too from all over the country. your son single handedly built the western front in the mojave wasteland and over the full 20 years he walked those sands he saw to it that it prospered to be what was described as a Utopia. A Utopia where no one faced discrimination. Super Mutants, ghouls, ex-raiders, vault dwellers and normal prospectors and merchants all clamoured to the new safest territory your son created. However that new era of peace and hope he single handedly created was ruined one day." Joshua graham says as he recalls what Ulysses said.
"Your son was unknowingly tasked with delivering a package to the territory he grew. Upon delivering it and going about his new task he left the territory and was in shady sands. Soon after the quaked and the territory your son made was destroyed. The package he delivered was a transponder and when activated it detonated all of the hidden nuclear missiles inside the hidden silos. The new Utopia Izuku had created was soon called "The Great Divide" as the only thing left of it was a massive creater spiralling down into the earth dividing the 101 from the I-95. His Utopia was no more."Joshua graham says as Izuku just rubs the back of his head.
"It wasn't that impressive Dad." Izuku says as Joshua glares at Izuku.
"Son, you single handedly built the most prosperous, industrious and hopeful people the wasteland had ever seen. Your actions are that of legend and they deserve the proper recognition. Take what pride you can in your accomplishments." Graham says as he looks towards the blonde woman who id astonished alongside Inko who still couldn't fathom her sons actions.
"So what happened after your Utopia was destroyed?" Inko asks as Izuku sighs.
"I was tasked with delivering a platinum chip from shady sands to new vegas and along the way i was ambushed while Rumi was investigating a rumor of a scientific haven in the mountains. After i was captured the man stole my package, shot me in the head and then buried me in a shallow grave on top of goodsprings. It started my journey for the 2nd battle of Hoover Dam." Izuku says as he begins the story. While pointing at the scar on his head.