Kirk was in the saloon drinking. It had been a couple of days since he defused the bomb. He had talked to Simms about venturing out to D.C. soon. Simms said it was fine but wanted to send Jericho with him. Simms said to give him some time to convince him to do it. Kirk was wondering what kind of person Jericho was when he entered and sat next to Kirk. "Did Simms-" Jericho raised his hand. "Yeah, he told me to get ourselves killed in D.C. just so we can find your daddy." he said, glaring at Kirk. "I don't give a shit about your abandonment issues, and I'm sure as shit not gonna die for it either. Grow the fuck up and get over it. He is probably dead anyway." he finished saying. Kirk finished his drink. His intention was to break the glass over his head, but was interrupted by a woman. "Hey, I was told by the Sheriff I would find you two in here." she said. Kirk recognized her as the one who stopped him from pulling his pistol on Moriarty when he beat Gob.
"What do you want, girl?" Jericho asked harshly. "I need to get to Arefu to check on my family, I haven't heard from them in a while, and who better to accompany me than you two?" she asked. "Is Arefu in D.C.?" Kirk asked. "No, it's north of here in the wasteland." she stated hands on her hips. "I'll pay you both 200 caps each for escorting to and back if necessary." she continued. "Fine, we leave tomorrow morning." Jericho said, leaving. 'That easy? He was bitching about going to D.C. just a moment ago. Is it because it's for her? Or the pay?' Kirk wondered. She looked at Kirk expecting his answer. "Why me? I don't have any escort experience. Or any experience out there." Kirk asked. "Well thats easy, you're a raider killer right? If we run into raiders, I know you can handle them!" she said confidently. Hearing these words made Kirks heart drop. Dread was the feeling. Memories flooded back in from the school and he did his best to shake em. 'Well at least this would be good experience for me.' he thought. "Okay, I'll help." he said. "Great! I am Lucy West by the way. See you in the morning! Lets say at the gate by 7 yeah?" she said leaving. Kirk turned to Gob who watch the whole thing. He already poured a glass of scotch for Kirk. "You got this bud." he said pushing the glass to Kirk. "Thanks Gob." Kirk replied drinking it.
Kirk went to Moira after agreeing to the trip. "Is it ready? I have a trip planned tomorrow." he asked. "It sure is!" she said, walking to the back. Kirk waited patiently, thinking of the trip, his nerves getting the best of him. "Ta da!" Moria said, laying the vault suit down on the counter. "Wow." Kirk said, touching it. She had repaired all the damage from the raiders and reinforced the suit with a heavy mesh lining. Next to it was an assortment of leather armor and plates. He also noticed pouches, a holster, and utility belts. "Let me show you how it all comes together!" she said with excitement.
He looked over himself in the mirror with his new suit and armor on. He looked ready for anything and really badass. It was also surprisingly simple on how to take it off and on again. "Thanks, Moira, it's perfect." he said, admiring it. "I got a few more things for you, bud." she said, going behind the counter. She pulled out a backpack, a small box, and some sort of device. "Okay, this backpack is my creation for the ultimate survivor!" she explained. She showed him all the compartments. Food, ammo, medicine, junk, and holsters for weapons on the sides. She even stitched 101 on it for him. "Now for my favorite creation of this product!" she announced and showed a strange leather pouch with a tube coming out and ran through one of the bags straps. She held up the end of the tube. "Put this in your mouth and suck it like a straw." she said. Kirk did and started drinking water. "Wow, that is neat!" he said. "I know, right?" she squealed. "Just fill up this pouch with water, and you are all set to hike and sip!" she explained happily. "Now, this box is a repair kit for your weapons and any modification you want to add to them." she explained further. She went on to tell him how he can salvage parts from guns he may find to store for repairs of his own weapons later. "Now for the big surprise!" she squealed, grabbing the device. "Plug this into your PIPBOY." she said. He plugged it in, and she flipped a switch on the device. Moments later, a map popped up on his PIPBOY. "Is this a map on the wasteland?" he asked, shocked. "It sure is! A trader came in months ago and sold it off to me for caps. He told me what it was, but I didn't have anything it was compatible with! Until you came along with that rare PIPBOY of yours!" she explained giddily. "You can even mark locations you find into it! The arrow is you on the map as well! Isn't that neat!" she said, jumping up and down. "This is amazing, Moira. I don't know how to thank you." he said. "Oh, you just keep helping me with my guide, and we will call it even!" she said. "By the by, where are you going?" she asked. He told her of the planned trip and she got up and ran to the back. She came back with a map and some funny looking stick with green stuff smeared on it.
"Okay, on your trip, do you think you can knock out two things off the guide?" she asked. "After what you just did for me? Of course!" he said. "Perfect on your way to Arefu and back, keep an eye out for Mole Rats and test this stick on em. It should act as a repellant and make them flee. I think it will really help out homes or storages with mole rat problems." she explained, handing him the stick. "Okay, but.. uh... what the hell is a Mole Rat?" he asked, putting the stick on the side of the bag. She showed him a picture of one. "Okay, second thing. There is a place called Minefield further northeastish from Arefu. I need someone to explain the experience of navigating through hazardous conditions! Mines are a perfect start, and this town is apparently full of em! All you gotta do is go there, make your way to a park that is in the center. Then, defuse a mine for me and bring it back." she said cheerfully. Kirk stared at her. She stared back with a smile. "Moira... I don't know how to defuse a mine. Let alone comfortable to navigate a field of them without blowing up." he said plainly. "Oh, sure you do! You defused a nuke, silly! A mine will be no problem for you!" she explained. "Moira, I had schematics and you to help me with that!" he exclaimed. "Could you try, please? I really think you can do it!" she said, hopeful. Kirk let out a sigh. "Fine, I will TRY. No promises, though." he said. "YAY! I am so excited!" she squealed.
Before he left, Kirk remembered one last thing. "Moira... are you still working on that other... item?" he asked. "Oh... yes, hang on." she went to the back and returned with a wrapped item. "I'm sorry Kirk, I am a tinkerer, but I am no blacksmith. I did my best to repair it, but you really need a blacksmith to fully repair it." she explained, unraveling the wrap and showing the kitchen knife. It was chipped badly still, but the handle was tightened, and parts of the blade were sharpened. He grabbed it and looked it over, feeling the dread settling back in. "Are you sure you want to keep this? You always look unhappy with it." she asked, worried. "I'm okay. Thank you. Where could I find a blacksmith?" he asked, wrapping the blade and storing it away. "Any settlement might have one. The best bet, though, is a ghoul that was one before the war. They would really know what to do since they have been around so long." she explained. "Thank you for everything, Moira." he said about to walk out, but she stopped him. "Bring it in, pal." she said her arms open for a hug. Kirk hesitated strangely but shook it off and gave her an awkward one. He walked home after.
Kirk was settling in the for the night, after asking Wadsworth to dispense as much as he could throughout the night and set up food for the trip, when he heard knocking at his door. He opened to see Simms and Stockholm. After letting them in and sitting down, they started to make sure Kirk was prepared. "This will be a good expedition for you. Really get your feet wet. See what the wasteland is like." Simms explained. "I agree, but why Jericho?" Kirk asked, sipping on Nuka Cola. "Because the man has a wealth of knowledge on how the wasteland is." Simms said. "I'd go with you, Kirk. You know that." Stockholm said sadly, holding his side. "I know, bud. I hope you get better soon." Kirk responded. "However, I do have something for you." Stockholm said, reaching down and picking up the package he brought with him. He handed it to Kirk, and he unwrapped it. It was an old hunting rifle but well maintained. "That was my old rifle before I got an upgrade. It still does the job, though, don't worry." he said with a smile. "Thanks Stockholm, this is great." he said. Simms pulled out a black tube and handed it to Kirk. "Found that in Burkes place, it's a silencer. I think it attaches to a 10mm like yours." Simms said, leaning back. "Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it." Kirk said, putting the items away. "Wadsworth, go to Moira and buy 50 rounds of .32 caliber and 3 magazines for em at Moira's, she should still be open." Stockholm said, handing it a bag of caps. "Of course, sir. I will be back shortly." it said and floated out. Stockholm then proceeded to show Kirk how the gun operated the rest of the night. As they left, they said farewells. "Come back alive, kid." Simms said, putting his hat on. "What he said." Stockholm said and patted Kirk on the shoulder. "I will." Kirk said and showed them out.Before he could lay down, there was another knock on the door. Gob, Nova, and Silver were outside. He let them in, and Wadsworth gave them all Nuka Cola. "We just wanted to see you before you left." Gob said after they all settled in. "Thanks, guys, but it sounds like it will be an easy trip." Kirk said. "The wasteland is unpredictable bud, you never know what will happen out there." Gob replied, pulling out a metal thing. "For the road kid." he said, handing it to him. " What is it?" Kirk asked, looking at it. "It's a flask. Think of it as a canteen but for alcohol. It's already full of scotch for ya." he answered. They talked for a while longer before they left. On their way out, Nova and Silver turned to him at the door. "We got something for you too, sweetie." Nova stated. "Oh?" Kirk said, wondering what it could be. The girls kissed him on his cheeks. "For good luck." Nova said, giggling. "Good luck, Kirk. I'll see you when you get back?" Silver asked with a hint of worry. "Of course." he answered. After they left, he went to sleep that night with the usual nightmares still haunting him.