Chapter Six: Honest Hearts
Now That The Semester Is over and I have free time, I can actually work on this. Btw sorry about half-assing the last chapter.
As Paul and Sunny left Nellis, Paul received a radio signal from Happy Trails Caravan Company and the guy who called himself Jed Masterson was asking for assistance with an expedition to New Canan.
Paul and Sunny decided to investigate the signal and see what it was about. They arrived at the Northern passage and went into the cave. Once inside they spoke with Jed masterson. He explained that only one of them could go.
"Paul, I think you should go. I will be back in goodsprings when You return." Sunny stated.
"No, I want you to stay in our room in the Lucky 38," Paul stated. "You would be much safer there than in good springs." Sunny agreed.
Jed then spoke up: "Another thing, you can only be carrying about 75 pounds with you, we're traveling light."
Paul and Sunny left the cave and walked back to the Lucky 38. When they entered Freeside, they saw about 7 guys that were all armed with various metal pipes and tire irons. The men approached them.
Sunny pulled out a Service Rifle and Paul pulled out a grenade launcher. The group of men scattered and allowed Sunny and Paul to pass without a problem. Though one of them tried to steal something out of Paul's back pocket.
Paul pulled out Benny's Pistol and put a bullet in the thug's head. They then continued walking like nothing happened. They made their way to the gate, showed their passports and entered the Strip.
They went inside the Lucky 38 and made their way to their room. Paul left behind a ton of stuff that he would not be bringing and he gave Sunny a kiss goodbye and then made his way back to the northern passage and spoke with Jed.
"I Understand this Caravan is headed to Zion. What can you tell me about the area?" The courier asked.
"Well, I ain't never been inside, myself. Did some trading with the New Canaanites from their mission there, but that was all on the outskirts." Jed Answered honestly.
"I haven't been through Utah recently, What's the situation like?" Paul asked.
"Well it ain't good, I'll tell you that. It's Not like The Mojave or the NCR — Hell, even Arizona under Caesar is safer."
After talking for a little while longer, the team set out on the long road to Zion.
Once the crew had arrived in Zion, Paul heard what sounded like hushed voices all around him. Next thing he knew, he heard gunshots and tribal screams and all around him was his dead team.
He dove behind a nearby rock for cover and pulled out his Service rifle. He peeked out from the rock and estimated about 20 or so of these tribals. He took aim at a solo tribesman and killed him.
The Courier switched to his grenade launcher and aimed for a group of anywhere between 5-7 tribals. He fired and watched the grenade soar through the air and impact one of them in the side of the head and then explode, killing the tribals.
The Courier saw the tribals retreating and so he switched back to his service rifle and he ran the other way. He saw a man standing on a rock who appeared to be shouting something at him. The Courier took aim but did not fire once he heard: "Hey I'm Friendly Don't Shoot!" The courier lowered his rifle to his side.
"Hoil white legs don't leave survivors often, you're some kind of lucky, let me tell you." The mysterious tribal said.
"Who are you?" Paul asked.
"I am Follows-Chalk, I am a scout for the Dead Horses Tribe. May I ask, who are you?"
"My name is Paul, some people call me the Courier. I come from the Mojave. I was here with a Caravan to trade with the people of New Canaan."
"Joshua will want to hear about this. Come on, follow me."
"Wait, Joshua as in Joshua Graham?" Paul asked, confused.
"Yes, him."
Paul followed Follows-Chalk to the Dead Horses camp.
He was instructed to speak with Joshua. Paul went into the cave and saw a man covered in bandages sitting at a table inspecting what seemed like a never ending pile of pistols.
"We should have given you a better welcome on your first visit to Zion, but from what I hear, the White Legs beat us to it. White Legs seem to be the only visitors we have these days, and I wouldn't have expected anyone from the Mojave to come looking for us. And you're a courier, no less. Not the one I was expecting, but I suppose he wouldn't have come with a caravan. I don't know if you were close to the other members of your group, but you have my sympathy. I pray for the safety of all good people who come to Zion, even Gentiles, but we can't expect God to do all the work." Said Joshua in his hauntingly steady and unique voice.
"I came here with the Happy Trails Caravan Company to make contact with the New Canaanites."
"Happy trails, I remember, they were good friends." Joshua continued to speak about the white legs and he explained to the Courier what was going on in Zion as well as a bit about himself.
"I have a question." Paul asked.
"What is your question?"
"Why hasn't Caesar sent some of his Legionaries after you? I mean no offense but they make quick work of people."
"Well that would put Caesar in a difficult position, if he sends them after me that will signify that I am alive and thus show that he failed. Also they may be his elite warriors but say they were to get here after finding where I am, they would have to fight me and the entire tribe not to mention the sorrows as well."
Paul brought Follows-Chalk with him to collect several of the things they needed. On their way to the crashed bus, Paul entered a park ranger hut and found a snow globe inside. They then made their way to the fishing huts and encountered some white legs which were quickly defeated by a Yao-Guai.
"What the hell is that?" Paul asked,
"That Yao-Guai. Before the bombs fell from above, they were called Bears."
Paul then noticed what appeared to be a duffel bag under a tree. He made his way over to it and opened it, inside was what looked like an NCR service rifle but with a bunch of different markings on it. He then found a note inside the bag and he read it. The note was something of a diary of sorts and was by a man named Randal Clark who sounded to be some sort of survivalist.
The two stealthily made their way past the Yao Guai and continued toward the fishing huts. They found what they needed inside and then went off to the general store to get the last item that they needed.
Once they collected the items they handed them off to Joshua and went to speak with Daniel.
"Uh... I apologize if this comes across as a less-than-cordial welcome, but how did you get in here? You from the Mojave?" Said Daniel.
"Yes I'm from the Mojave, I came here with the Happy trails caravan Company."
"The Dead Horses told me details about the attack on your caravan. A stranger's sympathy might not count for much, but for what it's worth, I'm sorry. The Sorrows will mourn your friends, too. They mourn everyone, even the White Legs. They have sensitive souls. Innocent, if there is such a thing."
"In spite of what's happened, I hope that Joshua and I can help you out of here. But to be frank, we need your help, too."
"What do you need?" Paul asked.
"There is a cave not too far from here and inside is a map. The tribe members won't go in there because of the father of the cave." Daniel said.
"You mean the survivalist?" Paul asked
"Yes, him."
"I would like to ask you to venture into the cave and find the map so that the Sorrows and I can leave Zion in peace."
"I can do that."
"Thank you."
Paul then was approached by a woman named Waking-Cloud who asked to travel with him. Paul spoke with Follows-Chalk and Chalk said that he was needed by Joshua so Follows-Chalk went back to Joshua.
Paul and Waking-Cloud traveled to the cave and were able to find the map that Daniel needed. They traveled back to the sorrows cave and Paul noticed a cave far up on the cliffside.
He went up on the cliffside and entered the cave. Inside he found what he believed to be a suit of Veteran Ranger armor. After carefully inspecting it, he realized it was actually National Guard armor. He figured that due to the custom markings on the helmet that read 'forgive me mama' it belonged to Randal Clark.
He then went on with all the other stuff that he had to do in Zion including the She bear.
Joshua approached him and told him about the choice he needed to make. Paul sided with Joshua and they went to work. Now they had to crush the white legs.
They went through Zion and saw heavy fighting but once they got to their leader, Salt-Upon Wounds, Joshua was tempted to go against everything he believed in just to kill Salt Upon Wounds.
"Joshua listen to me, If you kill him now it will come back to haunt you. Don't do it." Joshua listened and then they left Zion.
Once Paul got back to the Mojave, he missed Sunny So much that he practically ran full sprint towards the Freeside North gate. He entered Freeside and since everyone thought he was a Veteran Ranger, he was able to walk around no problem, he even scared a few KIng gang members just by walking past them. He went into The strip and since it was night time a few NCR soldiers saluted him. He went into the Lucky 38 and up to the suite that he and Sunny were given.
Paul opened the door to the suite and saw Sunny standing there.
"Who are you?" She asked with her hand on her holster.
Paul took off his helmet. "Relax, it's me."
"Paul You're Back!" Sunny said with excitement as she joyfully went over to him and embraced him followed up by a kiss. Paul wrapped his arms around her and whispered: "I missed you."
"I know that silly, you do have an Honest Heart."