double post.

All good, with any luck the next chapter will be up tomorrow, but after Sunday, you will not hear from me for one week. Sorry, but I WILL continue when I come back.

There's been a long suspension since the last post, and I thank all of you for waiting, some patiently, some. . . not so much. Now without further adieu, I give you my next installment.

Outcast Outpost

Honestly, if it wasn't 2277, I would have punched him. But I figured in order to keep that ridiculous hairstyle he had to be from the past.

"So, I guess you have the proper equipment for somethin' like that?"

"Well, yes I do, but I haven't been able to work it properly. The reason why is because the simulator takes place at a certain time frame, and we need our subject's memory to date back that far. In other words, we need a ghoul. That way the electron emitters from the simulator can connect with the subjects cerebral cortex, which is in charge of your memory, and activate the simulation based off of what time period you existed in."

He lost me at electrons, but I nodded my head appropriately to make it seem as if I understood what he was talking about. I never was quite tech savvy. I did peice together thought that they needed me, a ghoul, to enter this simulation in order to. . .what was is going to do anyway?

"What for?" I asked inquisitively.

"There's an ammo stash in some part of this bunker, which is locked. I believe it contains many of the weapons and armor form the same time as the simulation, which is why you need to complete it in order to unleck the doors. That's--"

"Where I come in." I finished, now knowing the full extent of what I about to do. I didn't think I had the time for this, but I needed to make sure I had these guys on my side, or I would never make it to her again.

"But you need to know one more thing." He added.

"Once you enter the simulator, you won't be able to exit until you complete it, which will take some time, we assume."
I nodded in affirmation, ready to get it all over with. He directed me down some halls and into a small, red room with a geek in a lab coat and pinned up blond hair. I guess one could say she was beautiful, but I prefer the ones with rotting flesh. All in all though, she was pretty, in a dorky kinda way. She rudely instructed me into the chamber, and without haste booted up the system. Suddenly, my brain began to radiate blueish purple light. My eyes were closed, but I could still see it. The light swirled and my head began to buzz and I became quite dizzy. Then there was a short, but sharp pain, then nothing. Simply blackness. It was in this blackness, I waited, until slowly my eyes opened again. But this time, when they opened, I was in Alaska.


Inside Operation Anchorage Simulation: Alaska

My eyes adjusted to the monotone mountains that surrounded me, and as I became more familiarized with my body, I realized something. That soft spot, when my skin had fallen off was gone. And so was the bare bone on my left cheek, and my hair. I ran my long fingers through my buzz-cut hair, and relished every strand of it. I was me again, back before the bombs, before the world turned me into a hideous humanoid. I was so happy I jumped int the air for joy, which was highly uncharacteristic of me.

"What the hell is wrong with you son? We aren't here to jump around like maniacs. I've never soon someone recover from a fall by jumping for joy. I can't believe those chutes were so lax, but not everything that glitters is good for landings. Now, we need to climb this wall here so we can rendezvous at the top. Step to it, soldier."

He lost me at electrons, but I nodded my head appropriately to make it seem as if I understood what he was talking about.

Love it.

...but I needed to make sure I had these guys on my side, or I would never make it to her again.

Great place to remind the reader why Marcus does what he does. Marcus staying focused keeps the reader focused.

There's more I'd like to say about your writing, but some of it is too complicated for me to explain by typing it. It's advanced writing skills you need to learn and I can't teach it.So I guess I get to sit back and enjoy what you offer and I'll just say 'Thanks!". :tops:

Thanks Spitt, your words are too kind. As a matter of fact, I give you the award for most faithful reader! I don't have a paper copy, but just visualize the best trophy you could. Yeah that's the one I dedicate to you. What about that author contact you have? Has she read the last copy?

Lol, yeah she's reading over my shoulder! I asked her a few things about this last entry and she explained them to me, but really, I couldn't explain it by writing it and posting it. I just tried to type it right now but what she had to say was all about abstract concepts. If you get the chance, join a writing group. ( either through a school or even online) A writing group would help with fine tuning your writing.

By the by, my friend just got a full request from an agent for her manuscript. That's no guarantee of publication, but she's pretty happy about it. I just wanted you to know that she's a serious writer. :fallout:

Which is good because that's pretty, much what I want. I'm oblivious to the writing style,but I'd like to use my talents, so everything you throw at me, I'd want.

I'm happy share what I know, which really isn't that much compared to some, but I'll share it. :foodndrink:

Been a while reader's, but I will entertain...

After he told me to 'step to it', he himself jumped up about a good three feet and caught a lump in the rock wall. With that little bit of leeway, he hoisted himself up and got one foot on the bulge. Without missing a beat, he effortlessly reached the next groove and continued the process. Then he looked back and noticed me in the same spot he left me, and called back,

“Your gear is still intact, so I’ll let you choose, quiet, or loud.”

“Quiet” I replied, decisively.

Even if this was all virtual I didn’t feel like getting shot; and stealth was a trait that I’d earned through my years of experience.

Alright, here’s your silenced 10mm pistol, don’t miss.” He handed it to me, the cold steel even colder still due to the freezing climate. My fingers recognized the feel of it in my hand. I also grabbed my trench knife, which was jagged on one side to make sure it did internal damage. I felt like a real soldier, even though it was all synthetic. I wondered if the feeling of my gun and knife was even real. I mean, was I holding anything in that dark confined space back at the bunker?

You’re getting sidetracked, remember your goal, remember her face.\

"Well everything, you got is over by the chute."

Then he turned back to the black rock wall and continued upwards.

Here goes nothing.

I ran and jumped up onto the same spot he did, and repeated his process. I kept at his pace, as the climb up was almost as effortless as he made it seem. This simulation must've transferred all my physical traits to my avatar, because as strong as any 200 year old ghoul, plus a few more body parts.

"What are you doing?! You're supposed to go around like we discussed. Did you lose your memory from that fall, cause you're acting as if you don't know what's going on."

Without a sound, I dropped back down and ran around to the side and, staying as close to the mountain wall as possible, made it up a small hill and onto a platform which supported a single soldier, some crates and a red tank.

My first enemy.

I took a breath, and focused the muzzle on the soldier's face. I had to make this shot. If not he would alert the other guards. Standing stock still, I steadied my hand until I could barely register the slight tremors. Then the shot exploded from it's barrel and instantaneously the crimson blood splattered out through his hat and he fell from the platform into the white abyss that hid under the mountaintops.

I ambled over to his position and inspected the red canteen. The first aid sign was on the front in yellow, and there was a tube connected to it than ran all the way to a needle at the end. Health dispenser. Thankfully, I wasn't injured, yet. I moved on up the stairs in a crouched position. Ahead was a single soldier, patrolling the stairs that led to a long bridge ahead. I decided I would follow him until I got a clear shot, which made me uneasy. I hoped he didn't turn and look back. While still crouched, I quietly followed him until he was on the bridge and I was on another, smaller platform like the one downstairs. I repeated the tried and true method or breathe, focus, steady, fire, and it worked. Down he fell, this time on the wooden planks, without a sound.

Then, his body did something peculiar, something I didn't see happen to the last victim. It dissolved into blue code. Anther reminder that this wasn't real. It didn't really matter though, I didn't give s**t if they were real or not, I would have killed them just the same. I crossed the bridge, anticipating someone to notice the man in gray armor walking across the bark brown wood, but no one noticed. When I came to the end there were more stairs to climb. My legs were beginning to ache from being in the same cramped position. In mid-step I noticed a soldier, and at the same time he noticed me.

"[censored]." I muttered to myself, clumsily fumbling with my hand-held until the muzzle was on his figure. But he didn't seem to have react to me, or at least his gun wasn't aimed at my face. He seemed to be squinting at me. I mean, squinting as much as any Chinese person could, considering they're eyes were already damn near closed. He couldn't see me! I didn't know weather to thank the snow, the armor, or natural selection, but I made sure I took advantage of this opportunity. Pewt, pewt, pewt. Three shots, all to the torso, sending him reeling back off the edge of the platform.

Another victim.

I looked ahead and lo and behold, more stairs. It was at this time I decided to walk up the rest, because my legs needed the stretch, and there weren't any enemies in sight. After a minute, I made it to the top and ran into another baddy. This time he really saw me though. After a short firefight I had two in my shoulder. and he had five somewhere on him. The funny thing about the simulator, not only did you feel solid substances, but you felt pain too. Soon I found a health dispenser, and a DKS-501 308. sniper rifle. As always, it was a sight for sour eyes. In my years of experience, I never really was able to keep possession of a good sniper. I either sold them, or they wore out on me. But this one was good as gold. And it came with twenty-four rounds. And I picked up a frag, which I actually only used twice in my lifetime.

Bout damn time i get to make some noise.

Out same the rifle, and onwards I rolled. I came into this room with a chair, cot, a couple tables, and a small station. Leaning on the table next to the coffee maker was a Chinese Assault rifle, which I ignored. My eyes were set on the frag grenades on the table next to the north wall. Two in all. Wasn't much, but better than wasteland standards. And what was even better, was an ammo machine next to it which refilled my pistol to the default sixty. Man I wished we had those in D.C.

Out thoe back doorway I was met by more stairs, and as I went down, I realized that my next checkpoint was above me. And the only way there was up a slippery, icy, cylindrical tube.

It was then I realized my second worst fear, heights.

Day... I don't know.
===========================================================================================
Special thanks to Orcidea from Youtube for providing his walkthrough of operation anchorage, without his video, my story wouldn't have been correct...even though I'm almost sure he won't read this.

Sorry for the short post, but I just exhausted myself on the last post. Perhaps in the morning I'll have more sound advice. But...

Just remember to re read your work, I found the missing comma, un-capitalized "i" and the random "\"

I hated OA and I hate the snow, but the story is good,

So keep writing. :thumbsup:

P.S. Good to see you again. Nice to see you haven't given up.

You know how I feel about your writing Ant, count me as a fan.

This section is hard to critique because it's so short and OA was so repetitive, it's hard to keep the storytelling fresh. Marcus' goal is out of his reach still, so you had a need to set this section up, which I felt you did well. I will add this;

He seemed to be squinting at me. I mean, squinting as much as any Chinese person could, considering they're eyes were already damn near closed

As amusing as this is, some might consider it borderline racist. It doesn't matter as far as the quality of storytelling because it isn't going anywhere outside of this forum, but if it were to go to an editor or print, you might have a problem. But that's really all I have for you.

As usual, I look forward to more. :thumbsup:

I did debate this in my head, but then, again who said I'm racist?! This is my character, who has the right to be whoever or however he wants. Virtually all people in the Wasteland hated the Chinese, as they illustrate many times throughout the game. Racism isn't new to anyone from the Fallout World, humans do it to other humans, Ghoul and Chinese. Hell, even robots do it to us! So they couldn't sue me...well they could, but they would lose.

Thanks though.

I hear you, and you make a fair point. You have every right to explore this subject anyway you want. I wasn't calling you a racist, not at all. (in case you thought I was) The sentence just stood out to me so I would be remiss if I didn't offer that opinion.

God, I'm having a bad week! :wacko:

Working on my next installment, just bear with. Give me like...an hour or two.

Sorry for the ending my dad had to take me home and he doesn't like waiting. Sigh. Also, thanks to Orcidea, who is unknowingly providing me with a step-by-step interpretation of his playthrough.
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It took two minutes to take my first step, and four more to get to the end of the pipe. But I had a goal though, and as far as I knew, I couldn't die in simulation anyway...

Finally, after a lot of bullets and bullet wounds, I made it to a red door with a window that revealed, ironically, aluminum walls.

At least no more mountain.

I opened the door and walked tentatively round the column and through the supposed exit. I feel a few inches and my feet crushed against the soft snow. It has been so long since I felt snow under my feet, back in 2077. I never did like snow, what with my low body heat, I could never make snowballs without getting frostbite. Nowadays it the wasteland it never snows, just scorching sunlight.

The skylight up above caught his attention, he looked up at it, next thing he knew some was firing into the skylight. He saw the bullets, then he saw the blood spray, followed by a single limp body falling through the air. As fast as he was falling it looked weird how little his limbs were actually moving. Then as quickly as he was seen, he dissipated into blue code just like the rest of 'em.

All this happened before he could even raised his weapon. And now that it was over, he kept his gun lowered.

Footsteps crunched into the snow. Other footsteps. It must've been the guy who shot the commie. Montgomery. That was his name. How I knew it? Hell if I know. I didn't know him, and I didn't recall asking his name.

Hmm, funny...

There was a short pathway I had to follow before rounding the corner, and when I did, there was no Montgomery, the only man waiting for me was a confused and alarmed Chinese soldier, standing under the skylight, probably wondering what happened to his friend, why his dead body wasn't on the ground. I took advantage of the opportunity of course, and watched as his head absorbed the impact of my bullets. It was eerily awkward to watch his head move while his brain was no longer functioning properly. Down he fell, silenced by my rifle, and out came another soldier, this time noticing the dead man before him. While his back was still turned, I popped a couple into it, sending him falling forward on top of his buddy. Then they both disintegrated as I kept it moving, now somewhat antsy for this to end.

I rounded the next corner and approached the wooden table. I collected the four microfusion cells, two frag grenades, left the tow frag mines, and restocked on ammo. I wasn't a big fan of frag mines, and didn't really think I would get an opportunity to use them anyway, so the two I already had was enough for now. I turned and began to continue the path upwards; some stairs carved through the rock, but something caught my eye. It was under the skylight, probably the weapon of a felled officer, but why was it still there? All the other weapons usually broke up into code along with the man wielding it. Curiously, I walked towards it, and then quickly realized it looked different from any weapon I'd ever seen. Its design was both old, yet scientific. I picked it up, and read the inscription on the side, it read "Gauss". As my eyes panned over the barrel, I also noticed the barrel was huge. With a chamber that large, I was sure it was capable of lifting a man off its feet. As I wielded it, I took note that it weighed more than any other sniper I'd ever used, and when I looked down its sights, I realized this was far more advanced than anything I'd seen in all my years. All two hundred plus of 'em.

The scope was more advanced than your average sniper, taunting ninety-to-negative-ninety degree tilt, with a dot located in the middle of a circle, to ensure direct hits. That's about as advanced as I could explain it. It must be electrical too because sure enough, it used microfusion cells.

Up the stairs I went and met yet another enemy, under an even grander skylight, this one dominating the rest of the area under its light, but not me.

Time to try this thing out.

I aimed, somewhat struggling to keep the weighted thing steady. I aligned the red dot on my scope with his silhouette, placing the reticle ahead of him and waiting for the two points to meet, then fired. The blast was big, sending a blue pulse through the chamber, while the recoil of the blast sent the gun reeling upwards slightly. I was taken aback, but not as much as the guard, who was vaulted into the air. The concussive blast was enough to send him smashing into a nearby wall, and slumping down to the ground. I looked back at the rifle, astonished at what I'd just seen. All in less than a second.

Damn.

The area from there was straightforward, as I followed it into a tunnel-like area, resembling the place I entered. I continued through the hallways and up a single flight of stairs to be met by another body, which dropped only a few yards away from me down a large vent. Then there was another body, this one alive. It was Montgomery.

"[censored] this place is swarming with Reds, I almost didn't make it."

You haven't a clue what I went through

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I know its a bad place to stop, but I'm dumb tired...

Sorry again bout the length, and stoppage, but still comment.

Too short, not commenting. Seriously though, it could just be me but descriptions of how the gun works bore me. A good number of people enjoy it though so appeal to whatever audience you want.

"[censored] this place is swarming with Reds, I almost didn't make it."

"Don't care. Lets move."

I didn't feel like talking to this auto-matron.

"Yeah, I almost bought it out on the cliffs. Didn't know the Reds were so handy with a Sniper Rifle."

[censored] pre-automated responses. At least he knows when to--

"So, what's the situation? We clear to blow the hell outta this place?"

At that point I was wondering what would happen if I drove the butt of my rifle into his jaw. I simply nodded my reply.

"I got your six."

Whatever.

When I first met him, I thought he was pretty nifty, but then again I'd just gotten my skin back, which put me in a good mood. That was one good about this simulation, I was a normal person again. One of the things I wished they'd take out though, was the pain. Why do simulated bullets hurt so much? By this time I was out of the cave-like area and back into the digital walls of rock, which was backdropped by more digital sky. We followed the fairly linear path down to a platform and then stopped, each noticing two assault rifle wielding pedestrians on guard below.

We were both crouched next to each other, and I looked at him. I rose his right hand in a clinched fist. He got the right. I nodded and equipped my pistol,there was no need for the Gauss rifle here. Silently, we counted to three. On the final second, two bullets rang out, both connecting with their targets at the same time. Another nod. We moved on.

We ran into another enemy, this one closer. He noticed us, and I leaped into action, bringing out my trench knife for the first time. Before he could yell out, my knife reached his throat, piercing his skin, the blade traveling into his windpipe. He clutched his throat, gasping for air, then slowly fell backwards to the ground. He was dead by the time he hit the ground. Suddenly Montgomery yelled from behind me.

"I'm gonna push you bastards right back to the Great Wall if I have to!"

What the [censored]?

"What kind of crappy AI are you? You could have gave us away, you incoherent [censored]! He was already dead."

He looked at me blankly, clearly not registering what I'd said. I buried my face into my head, then while my head was still down, shouting came from the other side of the catwalk. It wasn't English.

He gave us away. So much for stealth.

Out came my assault rifle, and as they came our bullets filled the air. One of them fell in mid run, landing on the thin catwalk with surprising weight. The other tripped over his still animated body, bullets still riddling his backside. We pressed onward, until I noticed an industrial-like building, built off the side of the mountain. Then I noticed the guard posted on the bridge, who wasn't yet facing us. I turned back to Montgomery.

"Please shut up."

Then, I brought out the Gauss rifle from across my back, and fired. The blast sent him into the rail and over, catapulting him into the white abyss below. I crossed quickly, taking heed not to look down. After we crossed, we dispatched the other guards before being met by yet another door. As if on cue, Montgomery spoke up.

"Through this next structure is the entrance to the Artillary Base.I dunno what they--"

Then his voice started to morph, slowly becoming more and more low-tone, and the words he was saying began to come out slower. All around, the area was beginning to collapse and lose its structure. The mountains disappeared and reappeared, the ground below awkwardly lurching from side to side.

The simulator is malfunctioning.

There was a rush of blue and purple code, then blackness. After a few seconds I was back in reality, and the pod I was in had opened. In front of me awaited the scientist who had placed me in the pod. Her hair was messy, and a few strands were stuck to her face, which was glazed in sweat. Before I could utter words from my confused face, she answered my expression.

"The Brotherhood have found us! The are outside now at Bailey's Crossroads, trying to make it in here. We already lost two men holding them off upstairs! You have to leave now!"

Ahh [censored].

Out I hopped from the pod, now back in reality. I ran full speed over to McGraw's station. He was there, standing, looking at something on the counter. The blueprint. But for what? He looked up, undoubtedly sensing my presence. His face somewhat calm.

"Bravo Marcus, I'm proud of what you have accomplished. Tell me, though, how'd you do it?"

He rose from his position behind the counter, and I noticed the pistol in his hand and pulled out my own. I had only a full clip in it, so I'd have to go for his head if he did shoot, because his Power Armor was too strong for my slugs. For the time being, I kept my hand at my side. It was the smartest decision under the circumstances.

"I didn't plan this. You know I'm on the run from the Brotherhood." I said.

"Lies." He retorted, still calm. "This base has been safely tucked away from society for the past twenty-five years. I have met Elder Lyons, he wouldn't do this."

"Even if I was a collaborator, why would Elder Lyons send me if he's so, "lofty"? Why would he be trying to kill you? I'm not the one you shouldn't be trusting."

This got him thinking. He, stopped advancing towards me, eyes meeting mines, lips pursed. I'd knew this gave him doubts. Nonetheless, he rose his weapon slowly. Then it stopped at my torso area, he'd hesitated. The grip on my weapon tightened.

"Then why is it, that as soon as you come, they come? How had you even found our base in the first place. No random [censored] could have pulled that off."

His voice was rising now, and as he began to take more steps towards me, so rose his weapon. I brought my gun up and aimed it at his face. He was now much closer to me, only a couple feet. We stood there, silently, tension between us becoming more and more tangible. I could feel the heat. The sound of the elevator caught my attention. The Brotherhood of Steel was here now. Footsteps were approaching us, but he hadn't noticed. I kept my face blank.

"[censored] you." He said through gritted teeth.

"I'm innocent," I replied, finger closing in on the trigger. Just a few more seconds before they reached us now, and they were my only alibi. I just hoped they shot him first.

Ant! Good to see you. You keep changing your avatar around, it's hard to keep up.

As for your writing, it's a neat twist on OA. I like how the simulation's been interrupted, I like the tension between Marcus and McGraw and I really like how you ended this section. Cliffhanger! I'm not in a nit picky mood so I'll say "Good job". :cookie:

This is like wayyyy past due, but I am proud to announce this thread has exceded 1,000 VIEWS!

WOOOT! PARTY! :deal: :clap: :woot: :twirl: :celebrate: :foodndrink: :intergalactic: :celebration:

random ninja :ninja: every party, he's always there

This might have been the hardest installment for me to write, and I hope ya'll agree with my decision, because there were so many.
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There were three men in the room. Me and McGraw, guns still pointed at each other. Then there was the real traitor. A defender from the Outcasts, tooting his own mini-gun, which was pointed at McGraw. The last one was a woman, blonde haired and stern faced, but soft-eyed. She looked like she'd been fighting all her life, but her eyes were tired, tired of fighting. Her gun was pointed at me as well.

All four pairs of eyes were switching from suspect to suspect. No one was sure who to shoot first. The tension just rose by another hundred degrees. McGraw was the first to speak, still looking at me.

"Sibley, what are you doing?"

"What the [censored] do you think I'm doing. I'm killing your ass. You know why? Cause I always hated you. I joined the Outcasts because I didn't want to deal with filth like that skinless sh**bag, and here you are making deals with him. What happened to tech first, humans second? What happened to you?"

"I was never gonna give this zombie the cut anyway!" McGraw said, turning his pistol to Sibley. "I just wanted him to open the gotdamn armory so I could get my gotdamn weapons! I never suspected treason from you of all people! Now you've brought Sarah into this."

"Shut up, both of you." This time from the girl. "How can you address me like you know me? You aren't the same man I knew. No, you changed when you and your sorry ass crew of cowards fled our base and scurried under this rubble. Before your balls left you, you were a good man. Taught me a couple things too, but then you got all selfish. Claimed we weren't completing the objective we were sent out to do. Well, sorry for looking out for humanity first, jerk!"

Her laser rifle was now aimed at McGraw.

I remained as still as possible.

"B*tch, you're coming to my base, trying to kill me! Who the [censored] do you think you are? How dare you go against your father's name and kill me out of cold blood!"

His gun now pointed to her. I was still aimed at McGraw, but I had realized no one was aiming at me. I didn't know weather I should shoot or run for it. If I stayed there would be alot of bullets, and I didn't know who's hit list I was on at the moment. I also was hoping I could maybe get Lyons on my side. I thought it best just to stay quiet and hope I wouldn't get noticed. I also hoped she wouldn't die.

"[censored] you McGraw. It was your Sibley here who told me about this place. Is that the kind of men you breed? Cowards?!"

Slowly, I turned my gun to Sibley.

"He's as dead to me as your going to be!" McGraw said. His face was contorted into disgust.

The barrel of my gun was now at Sibley. I was making a move. Sibley noticed.

"You don't expect to get outta this one home free, do you? Oh no, you're dying just like the rest of us."

He pointed his gun at me, as did everyone else in the room, and I fired at him. Two bullets to the face. His eyes roled to the back of his head, and the grip on his mini-gun loosened, until both things fell to the ground. Now it was my turn to speak.

"The only reason I'm here...is because slavers took my girl. They took everyone from Underworld and drug them out by the hair on their heads. Now all I know is I need to get to Paradise Falls so I can find her. One of your guys tried to kill me on the way."

I nodded to Sarah.

"I figured if I helped the Outcast, then they would have my back on the way there but [censored] all that now. I don't know what this thing is about, all I want is to get Jesse back...but if I have to, I will kill all of you, or die trying."

There was a pause. No one moved. I kept my gun at my side, staying calm. I was ready for anything.

"I don't want to have to kill anyone, and if you let me walk out that door with no strings attached, I will do just that. But don't think for a second that if I see anyone in Power Armor shooting at me, I'm gonna spare them my lead. I will find Paradise Falls."

My eyes remained to the floor, no one saw my face. I waited for whatever happened next, hand calmly gripping the handle of my gun. After a couple seconds, Sarah lowered her weapon. I looked up and met her eyes. She nodded. I nodded back. Then I turned, and walked out, without a sound. Outside waiting for me were rows of soldiers, both Brotherhood and Outcast, watching me. I glanced at them, face as emotionless as the masks they all wore. But there was something under those masks, regardless of what color the masks were. Weather red, or gray, that something was the reason I walked out. The reason I was still alive.

Then something odd happened, one of the men in gray armor began to walk behind me. I didn't stop though, I was set on a mission. I kept my mind focused on one thing as two more people joined my convoy, both in Outcast armor. I took the elevator up and into the dirt stained cesspool that was the wasteland. It was as hospitable as it had always been, and as the sun set ominously to the west, I had a new ultimatum.
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I don't know if this was good or not I ran out of great installment endings. Idk just comment.

I'm thinking about ending it here, what do you guys think?

Guess what's back BABY!? THis being my most fun and impressive fanfic here, I think it's time to continue it. :thumbsup: :goodjob:

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Chapter 12: Who's Back

Jesse Graves looked up for the first time since she regained consciousness. She was used to being beaten at this point. She wasn’t the woman she once was, now she was barely more than a slave. She was savagely beaten, starved, and threatened with death from the day she arrived. Thanks to her hideous exterior though, she hadn’t been sixually abused and most likely won’t be. Around her she saw her other cellmates, some young children, sprawled out on the cold musty floor, half naked. She was still fully clothed, wearing the same articles from three days ago, when she came. There was one little kid, Billy, crying to his sister Marie. He was missing a piece of his face. Jesse could see the flesh where the hanging shin should be covering. It was only thanks to Psycho and Jet that he was alive. They wouldn’t even waste real medicine on him.

Someone entered the room, slamming open the door. He stormed strait for the boy, gripping him by his scalp and puling him away from his sister. The boy kicked and screamed, but it was no use for the other man’s strength. Jesse jumped up, devastated at the sight of such pitiful helpfulness, and ran to the man. She punched at his face, but he caught her hand. “Despicable piece of trash.”

He reeled back his own free hand, and punched Jesse dead in her nasal cavity--she didn’t have a nose. She fell to the floor as he looked at her, triumphantly grinning. The boy was still screaming. “By the way, you wanna know where you’re going? We’re gonna sell you to some zombies over at Metropolis. So get that [censored] nice and neat.” He left the room laughing, little Billy still being drug by his scalp was bleeding now, and his sister. The look on her face was emotionless, as if she’d been pulled away from herself as she now watched helplessly, soullessly.
* * *
Sarah Lyons looked back at Marcus, knowing what she had to do. She couldn’t simply allow him to leave out into the wastes barely armed. He needed her. He needed the brotherhood.

“Marcus.” She said, her head direction to the ground, but still addressing him. Her rifle to the ground. “I understand that you want to get to her as soon as possible, but you need to come with me first. I can help you.”

I turned to face her, she was still standing at the doorway. The dead body of Sibley not too far away. McGraw however, wasn’t to be seen anywhere. He must’ve left the room, probably collecting his thoughts.

Good riddance.

“What do you have in mind?” I asked inquisitively, I still didn’t trust her yet.

“Let me take you back to the Citadel, from there we could give you supplies and even men, as long as y fathers sits well with it. I have a feeling that after you tell him your story, he’s not gonna have any problems.”

I simply nodded, I was too tired to do anything else. I gripped the pistol in my hand little tighter, but because I was threatened, but because it was comforting as me, Sarah, and some others went into the elevator. The men that seemed to be followed me from the Outcasts went into the lift with me as we rode to the top and spread out. From there I turned and faced the small group of men, Sarah was behind me.

“You men. I know you know what my plans are for the near future. I’m not one for speeches or anything like that, but before we go on, I would like to know who’s with me? I won’t lie to you, this will be dangerous, and if you don’t die on the way there you definitely might at Paradise Falls, there are a [censored]-ton of slaver’s there. All who still are willing to place their lives in jeopardy I am forever indebted.”

I backed up to where Sarah is, waiting for those who were brave enough to advance, noticing the admiration on her face from my peripheral. As I looked at the small crowd, I noticed there were two small groups, those Outcast, and those Brotherhood, and both teams were glancing at each other. I’m not sure exactly what happened to separate them, but based off of what McGraw said, they definitely had a past, I could feel the tension between the two. A few men stepped up though. No doubt the bravest of the men. These were two Outcast members.

Well, looks like the Brotherhood are out of the equation, they won’t be working with Outcast.
Shortly after them though advanced more, and more than I expected too. Three more, all Brotherhood. I silently nodded, commending them for their courage to put the past behind them. After all, they had no true reason to hate another men who had enough morality to put his life on the line for someone he just met. From the ranks I heard one of the Brotherhood members scoff obnoxiously, and at that I snapped.

“Hey chump, these men got more balls than you got mini-gun bullets, so shut the [censored] u before I shove this pistol up your helmet.”

No response.

I turned to the men, facing them, looking each in what I thought could be the eyes.

“Thank you,” was all I could think of saying, then I turned to Sarah, who still had that same look.

“Now, to the Citadel I suppose?”

Sarah turned to all the other gray-steeled men. “To the rest of you, I am disgusted that you cannot work with our comrades here. They still wear the same armor that we wear, they are still a member of the greater heath of humanity, despite the minor differences. You all can find your own way back, I no longer want you near me. Make it quick cause I’m thinking of relieving you all of your duties.”

She turned to me. “Lets go.”

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Not too long is it? I'm a little rusty.

Honestly? No one has anything to say? Or do I have to make a new thread for the Part 2 so as not to confuse everyone?

Modest as always Ant, there are a few instances where you have misspelled words like up as u, or my as y. It is good to see this fanfic running again although the writing in this latest piece is not quite on par with some of the others you'll probably get back into your groove soon enough.