» Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:01 pm "Hey there citizen. I doubt you know much about the Desert Rangers besides the fact that we try our best to protect you and your family. Well, why don't I give you a quick explanation about who we are, where we came from, and what we do.
The Desert Rangers are a wild bunch that survived around the Great War. You know, the war that resulted in us eating squirrel [censored]? Yeah, that war. Anyways, legends say we started from ghouls and people who didn't get in one of them vaults. I guess these folks had a passion for helping others out soon after the war ended. Anyways, it started off small in eastern California. We soon gathered some numbers and expanded into parts of Nevada, Arizona, and even a green place called Zion. Yep. We spread around these parts and fought savage tribes that tried to harm good people. We ended up coming to an end sooner or later, but our legend still lives on. I'm Joshua Reed, and I was a Desert Ranger."
Chapter One
-Where the Grass Don't Grow-
"Damnit Joshua, slow down!"
Four shadows move on the Nevada's desert sand as their owners walk. The Nevada sun beams down on them, trying to stop then in their tracks, but they won't stop. Why you may ask? Because they're Desert Rangers.
"Shut it Roy. If I read this map correctly, I'd say we are almost there."
Joshua Reed stood 6 feet 7 inches tall. He has lived in Nevada his whole life. When he was just a boy, he joined up with the Desert Rangers. Now, he's the sergeant and leader of a squad.
"So tell me Josh, when we get there, what are we gonna do?" asked Ashley in her ever so smooth voice.
Ashley was the squad's sniper. She was very cute and Josh had a thing for her. Especially since she saved him from death over ten times, but Joshua would deny it if you were to ask him if it was true.
"For the love of God woman, listen good, because I have been explaining this to you every five minutes," mocked Ivan.
Ivan carried an AK-47. He says it had good luck melted into the steel, considering his body count of 50, in one raid.
"We are gonna go scout out the outskirts of Caliente. Citizens of the town reported White Leg scouts in the area. By the time we get there, we can run them off," said Ivan.
"Man Sarge, I would really like some water. I don't wanna pass out," said the squad's medic and support, Roy. He carries a large M249, plenty of medical supplies, and plenty of ammo. He was pretty much weighed down, but he kept going, no matter what. That's why Joshua thought he was a one of a kind soldier, despite his complaining.
"Sheesh you big baby. Take a sip of mine," said Ivan grumpily.
"Oh yeah little twig? Your the one carrying pretty much nothing."
"That's because I'm not a fat ass," countered Ivan as he snickered.
"Knock if off you two, we are here. And umm, I think we are late."
In front of the Desert Ranger's lied the remains of suburban houses and littered crops. Small fires slowly flickered inside some houses as the team slowly walked through the center of the town.
"Sergeant, I don't like this at all. The White Legs must have been here. I mean, who el-"
"Your right," interrupted Joshua as he knelt over some destroyed crops. "Here, taste this," said Josh as he motioned for her to touch the ground.
Ashley, confused at his request, still slid her fingers over the ground and took of her helmet. Her long brunette hair flew in the direction of a breeze.
"It tastes like-"
"Salt," said Joshua silently. "It tastes like salt. That means Salt-Upon-Wounds was here." Joshua got up and grabbed his M95 Barrett from his back and flipped it over his head into his combat stance.
"We are gonna scout this village. They may still be here."
Joshua used his hands to issue the "go, go, go" order. And off the squad went.
"Ashley, climb onto of that small radio tower and keep us informed on what is up ahead. Roy, watch my back. Ivan, take point." Joshua whispered.
Each Ranger went to their ordered location.
"Hey Roy, you ever wonder if we are gonna finally get rid of these savages?" Ivan whispered.
"Well,'to be honest I-"
Suddenly, a loud gunshot boomed in the air, and soon after many more did.
"[censored], ambush!" Joshua screamed.
Each man slid into nearby houses and busted the windows into many tiny silver pieces.
"Roy, set that saw buzzer up!" screamed Ivan as he fired his Ak over his head blindly.
Roy shook his head and threw down the bipods of his M249 and set it up where the window used to be. "Get some, red legs," yelled Roy as he mowed down some White Legs who revealed themselves from cover.
"Nice going Roy," said Joshua as he stood up to fire his weapon.
Roy turned towards Josh and said,"Thanks Sarge, I apprecia-"
A bullet knocked Roy to the ground when he let down his guard.
"[censored]! Roy!" yelled Joshua as he began to run across the street.
"Damnit Josh get down!" Ashley ordered through her radio. As she tried to get him to respond, she noticed a White Leg holding something rather large. "Uh, oh." She looked through her scope and saw the Rpg-7 being held by a White Leg warrior. She than began to hold her breathe.
"Steady. Steady. Now!"
The sniper she held burst out a large bullet as it flew across the hotzone and into the White Legs head. "That makes it the eleventh time," she mumbled.
"Jesus Roy are you all right?"
"Damnit Sarge, the bullet gave me a bruise and dented my armor!" replied Roy.
"You big baby," laughed Joshua casually, until he noticed an Rpg-7 rolling towards him. "Damn. I wonder why whoever had this didn't fire it."
He looked up from the house and saw Ashley flicking him off.
"I heard you through the radio ass breathe," said Ashley in a stern voice.
"Love you to honey," joked Josh.
Ivan slide over the rubble and into the house Josh and Roy were in. "Stop making out will ya?"
Joshua ignored his comment while Roy tried to insult him back.
The sergeant used both his hands and lunged for the Rpg-7 that laid stuck in the rubble. He pulled the dusty rocket launcher out of it and aimed it at the main White Leg's ambush spot.
"Light the skies up b*tches."
Joshua pulled the trigger and watched as the curved rocket ejected out of the tube and ignited as it hit right inside the targeted house.
The house exploded upwards as White Legs flew with it or screamed in pain from the shrapnel in their legs.
"Finish them. They won't live to kill another day," said Joshua as the four soldiers gunned down what was left of the resistance.
"Well, the land isn't any good around this area any more, but at least we taught those White Legs some math, aye?"
"Yeah right Sarge. Rpg-7 plus m249 equals can of WHOP ASS," bursted out Ivan as he laughed like crazy until he had to sit down and take a breathe.
"Ehh. At least any citizens that died here were avenged," said Roy softly as he eyed the skeletal remains of two advlts and a child.
"Yeah Roy," said Joshua as he motioned his team to meet up.
"Ok squad, listen up. We are gonna go check on the main part of Caliente. This here is just the outskirts. I'm pretty sure you know this, well, maybe not Ashley."
Ivan giggled as he remembered all the repeated explaining he did as they traveled here.
A few minutes later the squad entered Caliente.
"Hey Stella. It is nice to see you alive and well," said Josh as he bowed to make her laugh.
"Hey guys. I heard the fighting a little while ago. I would have gone to check it out but I have to stay here and protect the civilians if the White Legs or 80s decide to attack us."
"I understand. It was just an ambush party that got butchered. The White Legs are no match for us."
"I see. Well, could I get you anything? We have a fresh water supply and electricity," offered Stella.
"Oh some rooms would be perfect. It's getting late and we are pretty tired. Roy has to have his bruise heal, right big baby?"
"Right Sarge," replied Roy as he made kissing faces to his bruise. "Hey Stella, if you kiss it, it will be all better."
Stella said that she would get the rooms ready and ran off until Roy would freak her out anymore.
"Wow Roy, your quite the lady's man," said Ivan.
"I know right?"
As the gang shared jokes and played rock, papers, scissors, chute, Joshua sneaked off to Larry's Liquor store and bought some wine in exchange for extra ammo he picked up in the ambush a while back.
"Yep. Need as much as possible to keep them damn raiders away. Enjoy your drink, dude," laughed Larry as he started to close up.
By now it was dark time and the squad were in their rooms. All except Ashley.
"Hey Ashley," said Joshua cheerfully," would you like to join me tonight?"
Ashley turned around and said sure.
