[Laura Samson]

Duncan Talson - Diner - Dawn


Duncan could feel his breathing going deeper and slower looks like it is my time after all, he flung his eyes open to take in his bearings one more time, the bar was a mess and he could see Celeste looking distraught, two strangers were now standing in the room along with Ryler who also looked as though he’d been in a struggle.

Duncan gave a cough and brought his hand to his mouth when he pulled it away he could see blood caked to it well that sorta seals the deal I guess. He looked up to Celeste and gave a small croak too tired to worry if she heard him. “Celeste” he said weakly “Thank you, thank you for allowing me to stop harbouring resentment and feeling like the world was against me at every turn. I have one last request of you please look after Jane, without her I never would have made it to the age I am now. Do that for me and i’ll rest in peace."

He was starting to weaken but turned his attention to Ryler. “Ryler you’re going to be busy it seems, but do what you can for the town don’t worry about me, i’m already to far gone, just focus your attention on the ones who can live, it’s a shame I didn’t get to know you more, it seems like your a good kid.”

He gave a wheezing cough his energy almost spent and turned his attention to the two strangers “You two, please, look after the town, see that no harm comes to it, don’t make me come back in another life to do your job.” He gave a weak laugh and fell back to the floor, his vision was starting to blur, he was beginning to feel cold and his breath had become nothing more than a little puff of air.

Then finally it came, the blackness that ended his miserable life and brought him peace. But had it really been miserable? Sure in his middle years it had been bad, but in his short time at Grayditch the wounds that had been opened had begun to heal. He could trust people again, have normal conversations without deflecting questions all the time and so many more things that he thought he would never feel again. In the end he had died happy but isn’t that what all men want he thought to himself as he went towards the Big Brahmin ranch in the sky.

[Cayal]

--Dawn--
--Red House--
--Pawnee--

Harold stooped down and slung Brandy over his shoulder like she was a rag doll. He gripped her around her legs while her head and arms dangled behind him.

“Careful with her,” Pawnee wheezed.

"You on point." Harold muttered to Harlen. He then pointed at Frieda. "You keep him up and mobile. Stay close to me and keep your pistol drawn."

Pawnee put his good arm around Frieda while Harold handed his assault rifle to Sue. Everyone then made their way towards the door.

"Pawnee sets the pace,” Harold said while walking outside, “ we move no faster than he can manage. We move as a group."

It was bright outside – early morning. The road looked clear. Pawnee was able to keep up a slow but steady pace. Harlen and Sue soon walked ahead of him while Harold stayed behind, watching their rear.

The morning air began to clear Pawnee’s head. His arm still ached – a dull constant ache. He motioned for Frieda to pause and then pulled a small bottle out of his sack. He struggled to open it one-handed and eventually removed the twist cap with his teeth.

Buck barked and rubbed his nuzzle against his leg.

“For the pain,” Pawnee guzzled down several mouthfuls of alcohol, “I hope Ryler’s got some good pain meds like he did last time. I liked those. They made me feel all floaty. . .like I was lighter than air.”

Pawnee put his arm back around Frieda and the group continued to walk on. He stared up at the sun. He had never expected to see another sun again and tried to bask in its warmth. He remembered all of the other things he thought he’d never experience again – another kiss with Frieda, the smell of fresh punga, the feel of Buck’s fur, a ‘Drifter Style’ breakfast made by Celeste.

“Celeste must be worried sick about all of us,” Pawnee thought aloud, “I – I want to offer to buy everyone here a meal after we get Brandy some help.”

Pawnee reached into his pocket. Harlen had returned the gold coins to him.

At least everything didn’t go to hell. . .I’m still a rich man.

The thought made Pawnee smile. He pulled one coin out and gave it to Frieda. He then whispered to her.

“From what I remember of last night, Scythe took my arm so he could tell Cree I’m dead. That means that Pawnee, as of right now, is a dead man. I’m going to need a new name so word never gets back to Cree. You have any suggestions? Since I get to pick my own name I guess I could make it something cool. Nightstalker. . .Sniper. . .maybe something more normal like Micheal Boreman. What do you think?” Pawnee cocked his head and then grimaced, “no nicknames about my arm though. . .like Stumpy or anything.

[N3T4]

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Dawn

"She passed during birth, the baby did too. I couldn't go back home, it just wasn't the same." J.T. confessed.

"How awful," Celeste murmured, tears escaping from her eyes. Sure couldn't tell he had experienced such sadness by looking at him, that's for sure.

He stood up, stretched his arms above his head. "So, I started wandering the wasteland." He placed his guitar case on the counter, opened it up, "Haley gave me this" he pulled a pick off his necklace, "she taught me to play, we had a passion for music. Its all I have left of her, this and the gift of music she gave me."

Celeste sniffed. "That's so beautiful, though so sad."

Pulling the guitar strap over his head, "That's why I'd kill anyone whole tried to take it from me" he ran his hand down the fret board, "Anyways, no need for a radio darlin' I can play ya something if you'd like? So, there ya have, I'm an open book, what about you beautiful?" He lightly strummed a melody as he stared at Celeste.

She was captivated. Celeste hadn't ever really met other musicians. Her mother had told her that one of her potential fathers was a man like this, a wanderer with a guitar...

...and she suddenly knew why. The sound of the guitar played in front of her was nothing like anything that came through the speaker of an ancient radio. The sound was so clear, and just so much more satisfying. She closed her eyes and just listened to the notes as J.T. deftly picked them out.

Movement by her feet snapped her out of her daydream. She heard coughing from Duncan. Celeste looked down and saw he had stirred to consciousness. "Duncan!" she shrieked, immediately kneeling down.

His voice was raspy and very quiet. She had to lean right over his face in order to hear him speak. “Celeste,” he said weakly “Thank you, thank you for allowing me to stop harbouring resentment and feeling like the world was against me at every turn. I have one last request of you, please look after Jane, without her I never would have made it to the age I am now. Do that for me and I’ll rest in peace."

The tears came again. "W-what? Duncan, what are you talking about? You're going to be okay! Ryler's here, he can take a look at you right now, just hold on!"

Duncan continued to talk, as though she hadn't said anything at all. First he spoke to Ryler, then to Jordan and J.T. Eventually he closed his eyes and let out a little sigh.

"Duncan?" Celeste shook him gently by the shoulders. "Duncan, wake up. Duncan? Duncan!" She began to sob and continued to jostle him as though it would rouse him. "Duncan, don't do this! Wake up, come on, wake up!! WAKE UP!" She wiped tears with the back of her hand. "Come on, Duncan! You're gonna be fine! Brandy is going to build you a brahmin pen, remember? We need you! The town needs you! Please!"

Duncan was entirely unresponsive. The harsh truth was seeping into her mind but it was too much for her to bear.

She fell over his body, her own body convulsing with her sobs. "No," she moaned, "no, no, no, no! Nooooo..."

[sam smith]

James Wilson – Grayditch – Dawn

James looked at the dinner as another stranger walked inside dinner, this was second one to arrive on the day of attack… James turned around and faced the injured raider, who was bleeding to death.

I guess I shouldn’t of shot of his leg, need to ask him quick before dies

“ Do you know those people? “ James asked, pointing to new people in the dinner

The raider stuck his middle finger at James “ fu-u y-ou [censored] you” the raider struggled to say as the last drops of blood poured out of his body...

Great was hoping to get some info out of him, better get those medic supplies and get to house before they leave

James walked back inside the Grayditch arms and searched around for three items: a doctor’s dog; a box of stimpacks (10) and copy of DC medical, James had found in a hospital.

--
After finding the items, James injected himself with a stimpack, and the pain in chest almost went away but it still hurt when bending his left arm.

This place is a wreck, I better get someone to look after it, someone who won’t rob me and isn’t injured in the dinner attack, Mirvin, I wonder if he’s okay?

Putting the items inside his backpack, James walked outside and towards Brandy house, James knocked on door and walked inside there was a death raider on floor and Mirvin was cleaning.

Nice shot a bit messy though

“Good morning Mister James, How are you today” the robot Called out

“ Not good mirvin, a bunch of people got hurt today and I need to help them but a raider broken into my house and messed up the place, could you do me a favour and look after my shop? it's the house down the street."

-------

OOC:James will tell Mirivn about the shells when he leaves )

[Kevin S]

FRIEDA ~~ Capital Wasteland/Grayditch outskirts ~~ Early Morning

"Pawnee sets the pace,” Harold said while walking outside, “ we move no faster than he can manage. We move as a group."

Frieda clutched Pawnee, and together they made slow, deliberate progress. They walked along quietly for a while.

Things were starting to settle in Frieda's mind. I really thought he was going to be left dead, his head missing or something horrible. I don't know what I'd do if I'd found that. I'd have left town again, I guess. Celeste would probably have found a way to blame me and I don't think I could face that.

Pawnee stopped and pulled out a bottle. She made to take it from him, to open it up but he pulled it away and struggled with it himself before pulling the top off with his teeth. As he drank and engaged Buck, her mind wandered again.

I guess I fell a lot harder for him than I thought. You're in deep now, Frieda.

Even though he'd go back to his old girlfriend in a heartbeat?

You can't spend your life worried about the "what if"s and figuring out all the ways to avoid being hurt. That's no way to live a life. You don't know who you are or where you came from, and you were given a second chance -- for whatever reason. He loves you and he makes you happy, right? People spend lifetimes to get to the point you're at now.

Relax, already.

Pawnee was pushing a coin into her hand and leaned over to whisper into her hear. He leaned on some of her hair and it pulled painfully. “From what I remember of last night, Scythe took my arm so he could tell Cree I’m dead. That means that Pawnee, as of right now, is a dead man. I’m going to need a new name so word never gets back to Cree. You have any suggestions? Since I get to pick my own name I guess I could make it something cool. Nightstalker. . .Sniper. . .maybe something more normal like Micheal Boreman. What do you think?” Pawnee cocked his head and then grimaced, “no nicknames about my arm though. . .like Stumpy or anything."

Frieda reached to put the coin into her shorts pocket when she realized she was still wearing the raider armour. I'll be glad to get back into my usual shorts and t-shirt...this strappy S&M stuff just isn't me. She smirked and replied very quietly, "you can't have a cool name like 'Nightstalker' while Buck is stuck as 'Buck'. That's just not fair." Despite herself, she yawned, feeling very tired. Frieda looked forward to sleeping off the rest of the day.

He wants a new name, huh... She looked up at the sky as though she could read the answer off the heavens. "It's the start of a new life for you. A rebirth. An obvious suggestion would be, you know, 'Phoenix'...but I wonder if that sounds hokey...though you'd keep your initial."

She rubbed her eyes with her injured left hand. "Sorry I'm not much help right now. It's a big decision, don't choose something lightly." Frieda nuzzled his temple gently. "Don't be changing your name every week, though, either. Try to pick just one."

The town was coming in to view ahead. The air was still and very quiet. Just hang on a bit longer, and then you'll get to go to bed.

[Craig Martin]

J.T. - Celeste's Diner - dawn



The bald man on the floor started to stir, and cough, "Duncan!" Celeste shrieked, immediately kneeling down.

J.T. Stopped playing, putting his guitar down he could hear Duncan start out thanking Celeste. His voice gradually got lower as he spoke to Celeste.

Celeste began to cry again. "W-what? Duncan, what are you talking about? You're going to be okay! Ryler's here, he can take a look at you right now, just hold on!"

Duncan continued speaking to Ryler, then turned to J.T. And Jordan, He gave a wheezing cough, “You two, please, look after the town, see that no harm comes to it, don’t make me come back in another life to do your job.” He gave a weak laugh.

"Of course" J.T pressed his lips together and nodded.

Duncan fell back to the floor, letting out a small puff of air.

"Duncan?" Celeste shook him gently by the shoulders. "Duncan, wake up. Duncan? Duncan!" She began to sob and continued to jostle him as though it would rouse him. "Duncan, don't do this! Wake up, come on, wake up!! WAKE UP!" She wiped tears with the back of her hand. "Come on, Duncan! You're gonna be fine! Brandy is going to build you a brahmin pen, remember? We need you! The town needs you! Please!"

Duncan did not respond, Celeste fell over his body, her own body convulsing with her sobs. "No," she moaned, "no, no, no, no! Nooooo..."

J.T. Knelt down next to them, "I...I'm sorry for your loss Celeste, sounded like he was a good man." He placed his hand lightly on her shoulder, "whatever I can do, let me know" He sat down on the floor, closed his eyes and bowed his head.

[e.Double]

Ryler North--Diner--dawn

Celeste inroduced Ryler to the stranger - J.T.

“Ryler you’re going to be busy it seems, but do what you can for the town don’t worry about me, i’m already to far gone, just focus your attention on the ones who can live, it’s a shame I didn’t get to know you more, it seems like your a good kid.” A weak raspy voice choked.

Duncan turned to to Jordan and J.T and spoke to them to look after the town.

"Duncan?" Celeste shook him gently by the shoulders. "Duncan, wake up. Duncan? Duncan!" Tears coursed down from Celeste's eyes to her lips, crying aloud, shaking him gently. "Duncan, don't do this! Wake up, come on, wake up!! WAKE UP!" She wiped tears with the back of her hand. "Come on, Duncan! You're gonna be fine! Brandy is going to build you a brahmin pen, remember? We need you! The town needs you! Please!"

Celeste hugged his body, "No," she moaned, "no, no, no, no! Nooooo..."

J.T. knelt down next to them, "I...I'm sorry for your loss Celeste, sounded like he was a good man. Whatever I can do, let me know"

Ryler strode over to Duncan. His beady eyes stared up into his, no judgement, no fear, but calm and serenity. He'd must have reached to golden hour during his time of unconciousness. There was no way back during that time until medical attention was sought. Why could he not have been there? Guilt bit into him, not letting go. Poor woman. She'd never experienced loss before.

"He was a good man, I could see that. Come, let us not mourn his death, but be glad he is in a better world - Heaven." He chose his words carefully, "I am sorry, but there is nothing I can do. The golden hour is fatal, and I failed to save him." A mask of guilt was heavy on his chest.

[Alexander Lee]

James wilson – Brandys house – Dawn

"I will of course take care of your shop Mr James. I will be there as soon as is possible. However I must continue to clean Miss Brandy's home for now. I made a terrible mess and she will be most upset to find her house in this state”Mirvin replied

It must take twice as long with only one useable arm

“thanks Mirvin, the raider knocked over my ammo box, so all of my ammo is scattered across the floor but any shotgun shells you find, you can keep okay” James said

Need to hurry and get back to scythes house

“ I have to go now goodbye Mirvin, I might have something extra for you when I get back. ” James said and walked outside

reloading his Magnum James walked pass the Dinner, everyone appeared to gathering around something on floor but James had no time to check and quickly walked towards the Grayditch wall and out of town, In the distance he could see the group returning....

I though i told them to wait , oh well they seem okay

Sue cooper – red house/outside – Dawn

Harold walked over to Sue and held out his Chinese assault rifle to her. "You take this," he rumbled, "if you see any trouble then open fire, it's the closest to a warning you'll be able to give. You cover the rear."

Sue nodded and walked towards the door whilst Harold continued speaking "Pawnee sets the pace, we move no faster than he can manage. We move as a group."

lets hope he can walk okay , i don't want to waiting to long around out here

Sue walked outside into the sunlight and over to the dead Female merc and took off the merc's combat armour, packing the pieces to her backpack, leaving the bloody bodysuit, boots and sniper rifle behind.

Jogging back over to door , just as Pawnee & Frieda walked outside. the group began the slow walk back to Grayditch…

[victoria gillis]

Spoiler

Character Sheet: Tiberius67

Name: Bob Dobbs

Age: 35

six: M

Basic physical appearance and attributes: Caucasian, brown hair and eyes. 6', wiry and in good shape. Scars on left side, arm and leg, also hard of hearing in his left ear due to injuries suffered in combat against the BoS.

Weapons and armour: .45-70 Single Shot Rifle (w/detachable scope), Police Pistol, Combat Knife. Roving trader hat, wears suit of Rivet City Combat armor (Rivet City property marks struck out) if getting into combat, a Roving Trader outfit otherwise. Has a basic set of hand tools. Has a pack Brahmin that he may or may not sell once he reaches Greyditch.

Personality: Comes across as taciturn and somewhat aloof to strangers due to his fear of discovery and the fact he hasn't entirely come to terms yet with living amongst the people he had been practically raised from birth to regard as the Enemy....though meeting people over the years has worn away his hate of Wastelanders and resentment over the destruction of his faction. Now he's mainly concerned with staying alive, and lately has thought to himself it was better that the Enclave had failed as most of the people he has met didn't deserve to be killed as Eden had decreed. To people he knows (his fellow remnants and people he worked with in his various jobs), he's loyal, thoughtful and has a wry sense of humor. Would like to take a wife and settle down but sees that as problematic as he is basically a fugitive.

Occupation: Enclave Remnant- Combat Engineer

Faction: Grayditch

Backstory: Born in a Enclave facility in Southern Illinois, near what was Scott AFB near St Louis. As Eden began re-building the Enclave's strength, he had outlying outposts send their children East for incorporation in the Enclave's armed forces as they reached fighting age. Drafted at 16, Dobbs was brought to Raven Rock and then sent to Adams AFB for training. Induction testing showed a talent for mechanical repair, explosives and small arms so he was assigned to a Combat Engineer Company. Trained as a Combat Engineer, Dobbs is proficient at building field fortifications and erecting buildings, as well as the use of explosives and small arms but his main specialization is construction, specifically plumbing. By 2277 Dobbs was a Sergeant and led the squad that made up his Company's plumbing shop.

When the Enclave seized the Jefferson Memorial in 2277, Dobbs and his squad was transferred there from Raven Rock to support the scientists and technicians trying to bring the facility online. While they were able to provide considerable assistance, they were not scientists and were not directly involved with trying to get the purifier started. When Liberty Prime made it's famous assault on the Memorial, the Lone Wanderer and Lyon's Pride close behind, Dobbs and his men were ordered into the Taft Tunnels to hold open Col. Autumn's line of retreat once it was clear the giant robot could not be stopped. Autumn and his bodyguards escaped the purifier one step ahead of the Lone Wanderer and Lyon's Pride, and together with Dobbs and his men they escaped into the maze of tunnels under Washington. Fighting their way clear of the city, Autumn and his men parted ways with them and haven't been seen since. Dobbs and his men eventually rejoined with surviving Enclave forces and fought in the futile campaign to slow the Brotherhood's momentum. When Adams AFB was taken and the Mobile Crawler destroyed by the Lone Wanderer, the Enclave forces dissolved as all their leaders were now dead or missing, and their bases captured or destroyed.

Of the eight men and women in his squad the day the Brotherhood marched on the Purifier, only Dobbs and four others had survived. Realizing the Enclave was finished, they decided to go to ground and make what life they could in the Capital Wasteland or elsewhere. Hiding, selling, or discarding their equipment, they separated....but maintained contact...and blended into the mass of Wastelanders and hoped no one found out about their former allegiance. For the past several years Dobbs has worked mainly as a caravan guard, afraid to settle too long in one place...supplemented by odd jobs using his trade skills. For the past year he had been working for Rivet City security escorting water caravans, a well paying job but fraught with danger as Rivet City worked closely with the Brotherhood and the risk of discovery was high. Finding a flier for Grayditch, and a chance meeting with Susie Mack, Vault 101's Trader, in Rivet City's Market gave Dobbs an idea of how he could finally settle down safely.

Susie told him that Vault 101 was looking to upgrade their security forces, and the Overseer was reluctant to involve the Lone Wanderer due to past incidents. Dobbs decided to sell his suit of Hellfire Armor, which he had hidden and didn't dare wear anyway, to Vault 101 (and train one or more of their security guards in it's use) and trade for or buy tools to set himself up as a tradesman in the new town of Grayditch. Since it was a new settlement people didn't know each other and he stood a excellent chance of fitting in without having too many questions asked.

Dobb's intention is to set up shop as a plumber and/or mason, both skills he is proficient at. While he has no problem with it being known he is proficient with firearms his knowledge of military explosives will be kept carefully hidden unless events make it necessary to reveal it. The only item of Enclave issue on Dobbs is his old ID card....sewn into the base of his tool bag.

Bob Dobbs

Vault 101 Entrance - Early Evening

"Home, sweet home", said Susie wryly as the klaxons began to blare.

Dobbs winced as the mechanism that opened the multi-ton door of Vault 101 began to work, the metal screeching in protest as the door unlocked and was pulled back and slowly rolled aside, revealing the inside of the Vault. "It was here that the mission planners projected we'd take the heaviest losses.", Dobbs thought. "Fortunately for them...and me...the Vault Kid made sure it never happened." Command had known where the Vault was, of course....the Enclave practically owned Vault-Tec, after all. When the scouts discovered this Vault was still inhabited, and had changed their door access codes, the Colonel had tried to talk his way inside but the Overseer would have none of it. A few years ago, he was just as miffed about that as the Colonel had been when he ordered a operation to force our way in and take the Vault...which he would have played a significant role in...now, well he was almost tempted to tell whoever was in charge how they had made the smartest decision of their life. That bought them the time they needed to live safe in their bubble while the Vault Kid eliminated the Enclave before it could get around to commandeering it...and them. He'd read the file on the Vault 13 op back in '42. Most of it, especially the part about the disposition of the inhabitants, was redacted...even in the days when he didn't question the Cause that had given him the creeps...so he doubted it ended well for the inhabitants. "Now I'm here to sell them the armor I would have worn when we stormed the Vault", Dobbs thought. "How ironic is that?".

Once the door fully opened, Susie walked into the Vault and motioned Dobbs to follow her. In front of the door leading out of the entry chamber were three men, dressed in armor like Susie's but wearing helmets. Two of them were carrying R-91s, which they were not quite pointing at him. The third, a middle aged Hispanic man, only carried a pistol. All three had name-tags on their armor, the man with the pistol...who appeared to be in charge as he was at the door control...had the name Gomez on his name-tag. As they walked up to them the klaxons began again and the door began to shut.

"Hello, Mr. Gomez!", said Susie brightly. "I brought a visitor!"

"I see, Susie...we've been expecting you.". Security Chief Gomez then turned to Dobbs and extended his hand. "Welcome to Vault 101, I am Herman Gomez, Chief of Security. Susie told us you could help with beefing up our security. Miss Almodovar felt it best if you get a meal and some rest before she sees you."

"Good to meet you, Herman...I'm Bob. Bob Dobbs.", said Dobbs as he took Gomez's hand and shook it. "I have something which you could use...and more importantly I can show your men how to properly use if you acquire more. Speaking of security...I'm sure you want these", said Dobbs as he gestured at his revolver.

"Oh, yes...I almost forgot", Gomez chuckled. He hadn't forgotten at all but if the visitor was being cooperative there was no point in not going along with it. "Would you please put your weapons on the table over there? You won't need them in here anyway, we'll keep them safe until you leave."

Dobbs then put down the bags he was carrying and slowly unholstered his revolver, cleared it then put it back into it's holster and removed his pistol belt...which also held his Combat knife...and laid it on the table. He then unslung his rifle, opened the action and caught the .45-70 cartridge in mid-air as it ejected, then laid the rifle on the table with the action open. He then placed the bags on the table. He then stuck the seven loose cartridges in empty loops on the leather bandoleer he was wearing over his Combat Armor then took it off and placed it, along with a number of speed loaders for the revolver that he removed from his pocket on the table with the weapons. Gomez then produced a metal detector and ran it over him, finding nothing. Satisfied Dobbs was unarmed, Gomez nodded at the guards, who then slung their rifles, collected Dobbs's weapons and bags then left the room, followed by Susie after Gomez handed her his helmet.

"Now that we've gotten that unpleasantness is out of way, lets go to the diner and get some hot food into you!", said Gomez cordially. "Susie will join us once she's turned in her rifle."


Vault 101 - Residential Level - late evening

Dobbs lay in bed and listened to the gentle whir of the ventilation system. "Clean sheets, air conditioning...haven't been this comfortable in years", he thought contentedly. "I wonder if I can figure out a way to get them to take me in." Dinner with Herman and Susie had been nice too...the people in here were good people. His armor would certainly be put to better use protecting them than anything he had ever done with it. Not being in the mood to wallow in self-pity right now, Dobbs squelched that thought and considered what the morning would bring. First, meeting the Overseer...Amata Almodovar...to negotiate a price for his Hellfire Armor, then the process of training Herman's entire security detail to use it. Herman told him he already had two suits...T-45b...that Susie had scavved from Outcasts killed in a skirmish with Talon Company she had stumbled into and been obliged to shoot her way out of. While his suit was far better than old T-45s, the big problem was they didn't know how to use power armor. After one of their guards hurt themselves trying to teach himself Herman wisely realized they were going to have to bring in someone from outside to show them. Enter one Bob Dobbs. "I trade them the last piece of baggage from my old life, for the means to start a new one", he thought as he fiddled with the Vault radio console. "At least, that's the story". He finally found a channel that seemed promising and let it play.

...I'm a hunted fugitive with just two ways:
Outrun the law or spend my life in jail

I'd like to settle down but they won't let me
A fugitive must be a rolling stone
Down every road there's always one more city
I'm on the run, the highway is my home

I'm lonely but I can't afford the luxury
Of having one I love to come along
She'd only slow me down and they'd catch up with me
For he who travels fastest goes alone...

"http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oxvti9WdedA&feature=related", Dobbs thought as he began to drift off to sleep. "How sadly appropriate. Hopefully things are finally going to change once I get to Grayditch". Just before he finally fell asleep, he was awakened by a gentle knocking at the door. Dobbs got up, put on his pants and answered the door. Standing there was a man in his late fifties, with a obvious air of command. In one hand, he held a wine bottle with two glasses inverted over the neck of it. If he didn't know the Overseer was female, Dobbs would have assumed this man was the Overseer himself.

"Good evening", said the man. "I hope I didn't disturb you. I'm Alphonse....the Overseer's father. If I may, I'd like to talk to you about some things before you see my daughter in the morning. May I come in?".

[Nikki Morse]

OOC - Sorry for the double post...i'm impatient.


Bob Dobbs

Vault 101 - Overseer's Office - Morning

As Dobbs, Gomez and Susie Mack at his side, sat across from the Overseer, he was so glad that her father..the former Overseer...had come by to explain how things had come to be here, amongst other things. Otherwise, he would have never believed that a Vault would have a girl barely out of her teens serving as Overseer. "She's not even twenty-five", thought Dobbs, "and she is the Law down here.". Not that there was necessarily anything wrong with it....the LT had been even younger than this girl and she proved to be a good officer after the Captain...and Dobbs himself nearly...got killed by Liberty Prime at Raven Rock along with most of the Company. Dobbs hoped she had made it and was well out there somewhere....she had loathed the Enclave and everything it stood for, he had
had to cover for her more than once so the higher ups didn't have her shot for sedition. "Everything she said about them turned out to be true", Dobbs thought sourly. "I should have deserted instead of staying in to the end. If I had, I wouldn't be in this situation now." Pushing that aside for the moment, Dobbs focused on what the Overseer was saying.

"We can fill just about everything on your list from stores, Mr. Dobbs", Amata said. "Between the armor, and the training...I kinda feel we're short-changing you though. We've got only a limited amount of caps to make up the difference, is there any other items we may have you could use?".

"Well, ma'am", began Dobbs. "I wouldn't mind a 10mm pistol and ammo if you could spare it. Also, if you've got a spare Pip-Boy, that would be much appreciated."

"A pistol and ammo isn't a problem", Amata replied after checking the terminal at her desk. "Dunno about a Pip-Boy, though. We don't have that many unissued and once they're on you it requires a special tool to remove and calibration by a specially trained technician to get the vital signs monitoring to work right. We do have some never issued Robco Hand-Comp 4000s intended for Hazmat teams...they do everything a Pip-Boy 1000 does but aren't semi-permanently attached to you. Vital signs monitoring is fussier, but any decent electronics tech can recalibrate it. How about one of those instead?"

"Sounds good to me", said Dobbs. From there they were able to negotiate a deal. In exchange for the armor and training Gomez and his 20 strong security team to use power armor, the Vault would provide the tools he needed, the Hand Comp and a pistol and 200 rounds of 10mm ammo....as well as 500 caps and a standing offer on any more armor suits he found. Everything he needed to get started...and a good deal for them as most of what they were supplying would never have been used anyway. Alphonese had told him last night that 101 was a Control Vault that had been intended to stay closed indefinitely...all the systems were ridiculously overbuilt and the reactor was good for at least 500 years at full output.

Once the deal was struck the discussion turned to the schedule to train Gomez's men....a task that would take two days. They then broke for lunch and he got to work that afternoon training Gomez and the first group.

Vault 101 - Entrance - three days later - Dawn

Having supervised loading the last of the tools on his pack brahmin outside, Dobbs retrieved his weapons and prepared to leave Vault 101, his business concluded. Waiting at the entrance room to see him off was the Overseer and her father, Chief Gomez and Susie Mack. After thanking him for his assistance and wishing him well, the Overseer handed him a package and shook his hand. Dobbs then left the Vault and walked outside, the blare of klaxons and screech of metal behind him. Saying farewell to the Vault's outer sentries who had been tending his brahmin for him, he set his course for Springvale and beyond that Grayditch.

Springvale - one hour later

Rifle at the ready, Dobbs led his brahmin through Springvale. Oddly, the town seemed deserted though Susie had told him a small settlement had recently been established here that they had started trading with to encourage it's growth. He didn't have time to investigate though, he wanted to reach Greyditch by noon.

"Hey smoothskin!", came a voice from his right. "Got a light?"

Dobbs looked and saw a ghoul had stepped out of the ruined house he had been passing and was walking up to him with a cigarette in his withered hand. Dobbs fought to hide his revulsion, but as he had been surprised he wasn't entirely successful. He was tall and rather menacing, with patches of red hair still on his head.
Unlike most people...especially ghouls...one finds in the Wasteland, he was well equipped...wearing leather armor in excellent condition and carrying a Chinese combat shotgun slung across his back. He noted Dobbs's involuntary reaction to his appearance and seemed to be amused by it. "Don't worry, I'm not contagious.", the ghoul said.

"Yeah, I've got a light.", said Dobbs, pulling a battered Zippo out of a pants pocket and sparked it, letting the ghoul light his cigarette with it. "Those things will kill you, you know".

"I should be so lucky", said the ghoul. "If I get sick I'll just sit on a barrel of reactor waste for a day or two and be right as rain. An advantage of being a walking corpse. But I've got a question."

"Yes?"

"I saw you coming out of the Vault....did you happen to come through Springvale on the way here?"

"No, I came from the south, why?"

"There were about ten people living here......about four days ago they vanished. Left thier stuff behind. Whole thing smells worse than I probably do to you smoothskins. Know anything about it?"

"I'm afraid I don't. People disappear all the time out here."

"That they do....that they do. But not normally in such numbers all at once."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. If I were you, I'd move on to wherever you are going. It's not safe here."

"Thanks for the warning...I'll be moving on now."

"You do that. Good morning."

"And to you." With that Dobbs then continued on down the road, picking up the pace to get clear of Springvale as quickly as possible.

The ghoul stood by the roadside smoking and watched Dobbs until he passed out of sight. He then turned back to the house he came from and gravely beheld his handiwork, the bodies of four freshly killed Raiders, lying inside with their smashed weapons lying next to them. He then lit another cigarette with the butt of the one he had been smoking and flicked the butt at the head of one of the corpses contemptuously.

"You got what you deserved", the ghoul spat. "I'm done here."

[Stephanie Nieves]

OOC: Welcome back me, and hello to Tiberius. :wavey:

--Morning--
--Greyditch--
--Pawnee--

"It's the start of a new life for you. A rebirth. An obvious suggestion would be, you know, Phoenix," Frieda smiled, "but I wonder if that sounds hokey . . .though you'd keep your initial."

Phoenix?

"Phoenix might be a good last name," Pawnee thought aloud, "but I want something more. . .ordinary for a first name. So I don't stick out."

Frieda rubbed her eyes with her injured left hand.

"Sorry I'm not much help right now. It's a big decision, don't choose something lightly." she nuzzled Pawnee's temple gently. "Don't be changing your name every week, though, either. Try to pick just one."

"Don't worry," Pawnee smiled, "I'm not that clever. I'll think it out."

The group reached the outskirts of Greyditch. Something about the town seemed off. The bodies of several dead raiders littered the streets.

Pawnee tensed, wondering if they had arrived during the middle of a raid. He peered down the road and could see Celeste's Diner. Celeste and Ryler were standing inside. He couldn't see their faces very well, or get a read on what they were thinking, but they didn't look on edge. No weapons were drawn. There were no other noises down the street or any echoes of gunfire.

Guess something big went down here too. . .looks over now.

Pawnee turned towards the others.

"Frieda," Pawnee began, "why don't you get Ryler to come out so he can treat Brandy and your hand. We don't want Celeste or the rest of the town to panic when they see how bad we've been cut up . Harold, you could take Brandy to Ryler's house now, and have her lay down? I'll come over later."

Buck barked loudly and began to sniff the body of one of the dead raiders.

"I'm going back to my place. I - I need to lie down and clear my head for a little while," Pawnee wheezed, "I'll come by your shop, Frieda, after I check up on Brandy and get Ryler to look at my arm."

After the others parted ways, Pawnee staggered his way over to his house.

There were two dead raiders at the top of the stairwell inside of Pawnee's house. He probed them with his boot tip to make sure they were in fact dead and didn't move. Buck checked them out as well, growling at their scent. Nothing else seemed amiss inside, and Pawnee wasn't worried about anything being missing. He didn't store any valuables in his home. Instead, he carried everything with him, on his back. He kicked the bodies down the stairs, listining to them smack against each step with a satisfying 'thwack.'

Pawnee looked up at the sky and then collapsed into the rubble. Buck eagerly followed him and he pet and then kissed the dog.

"We're back boy," Pawnee took a deep breath and reached into his pocket for the gold, "we made it. Unbelievable. . ."

Pawnee dumped the coins onto the floor. He quickly realize that Scythe had taken five of them. There were only nine left. He shrugged - nine was still a fortune. He uncovered his arm and rummaged around in his pack, searching for something clean to bandage the stump with.

[Vicki Gunn]

(OOC: welcome back to you indeed...do you want the red carpet or something? )

CELESTE BROWN ~~ Diner ~~ Early morning

Celeste was a mess of tears and sobs. J.T. knelt next to her and spoke softly. "I...I'm sorry for your loss Celeste, sounded like he was a good man." He placed his hand lightly on her shoulder, "whatever I can do, let me know" He sat down on the floor, closed his eyes and bowed his head.

"He was, he was a great man," she gurgled between sobs. "He didn't deserve this! He...he must have saved me from that...that man."

"He was a good man, I could see that. Come, let us not mourn his death, but be glad he is in a better world - Heaven." Ryler spoke next. He had approached to join her and J.T. "I am sorry, but there is nothing I can do. The golden hour is fatal, and I failed to save him."

Celeste wiped her face on her sleeve. The pain of the realization that Duncan was really dead made her want to cry, scream, yell, and yet she also felt hollow and numb. She continued to sob quietly.

A familiar voice spoke from the other side of the bar. "Ryler? If...you aren't busy, Brandy needs some medical attention. Oh, and I guess I do, too."

Celeste looked up and saw Frieda standing there, her face a canvas of a number of emotions. The tall woman's blonde hair was unbound and a gorgeous curtain on her shoulders. Her face looked tired and dirty and yet her beautiful face shone out underneath. [censored] you, Frieda. "Duncan's dead, so I guess Ryler's not busy," she mumbled bitterly. She stood up and reached for the water she had been sipping on. She missed it, again. "Ryler, when you're finished with Brandy and Frieda, maybe you can take a look at my eye. I wish it would open."



FRIEDA ~~ Grayditch ~~ Morning

The group finally reached the edge of town. It felt like they'd been shuffling along for hours. Frieda wondered if she was leaning on Pawnee as much as he was leaning on her. Her hand was painfully stiff and she had lost all the feeling in her fingers. She hoped she'd be able to get the bullet removed soon, before some kind of permanent damage could take hold.

The town was a mess. The inside of the diner was black, the fridge was tipped over and open, and broken glass was everywhere. Dead bodies were strewn about -- but none that Frieda recognized as town citizens. Raiders? They picked a good night to try and take over the town. Doesn't look like they won, though.

"Frieda," Pawnee said, stopping suddenly, "why don't you get Ryler to come out so he can treat Brandy and your hand. We don't want Celeste or the rest of the town to panic when they see how bad we've been cut up . Harold, you could take Brandy to Ryler's house now, and have her lay down? I'll come over later." Buck barked loudly and began to sniff the body of one of the dead raiders.

Come over where? My house, or hers...? She merely nodded.

"I'm going back to my place. I - I need to lie down and clear my head for a little while," Pawnee wheezed, "I'll come by your shop, Frieda, after I check up on Brandy and get Ryler to look at my arm."

So it is her house, that you meant. I guess I'd be worried if someone was injured trying to rescue me from a bounty hunter... "Okay," she croaked. Pawnee shuffled off with Buck and disappeared between the houses.

"Bring her in here," she directed to Harold, referring to Brandy. Frieda walked into the diner and motioned to a nearby table. Harold gently laid Brandy down. Frieda approached the bar and peered over. Duncan was laying on the floor, and Celeste was kneeling next to him in absolute hysterics. There was a handsome stranger crouched next to her, and Ryler nearby as well. They all looked miserable.

Duncan wasn't moving. Frieda quickly figured out what had happened. Poor Duncan...we never did have that proper catch up. Unfortunately, there are living people who still need some attention and I am fading fast. "Ryler? If...you aren't busy, Brandy needs some medical attention. Oh, and I guess I do, too."

The busty barmaid looked up at her. Celeste's right eye was swollen shut and there was some dried blood on her face. She looked awful. "Duncan's dead, so I guess Ryler's not busy," she mumbled bitterly. "Ryler, when you're finished with Brandy and Frieda, maybe you can take a look at my eye. I wish it would open."

Frieda opened her mouth to apologize but the words wouldn't come. She would just apologize later. She turned and sat on a chair next to the table that Harold had placed Brandy onto. "Thanks, Harold," she breathed. Harold simply nodded, then turned and left the diner, walking towards the security shack. She took a deep breath and tried hard not to fall asleep in her chair.

[Robert Jr]

Brandy - Grayditch - morning


Brandy's head was bouncing back and forth, as if she were on a boat. She could hear talking, but she didn't pay any attention. Now, for some reason her jaw hurt terribly. She slowly opened her eyes, everything looked fuzzy. Where are my glasses? I never hit my mouth, why does it hurt so bad now too, she never moved her head, only seeing who had to be Harolds backside. Her head bounced with each step he took, she closed her eyes again, trying to get the nauseous feelings to go away.


Celeste's Diner

"Bring her in here" it sounded like Frieda's voice. Next thing Brandy knew, she was laying on something hard again. It sounded like Celeste was sobbing, Brandy opened her eyes and strained to see why. The pounding in her head, throbbing in her shoulder, and blurred vision without her glasses caused her to just get dizzier. She just laid back, all the voices just sounded like noise, not really making out all the words.

Frieda, is everyone ok? Mirvin?, her jaw was tight, but she managed to mumble to Frieda, "They ok? And Mirvin?"

[Noely Ulloa]

OOC: NOTICE: This is in the afternoon so everyone has a chance to be around, even you Tiberius, if you so choose

--Afternoon--
--Greyditch--
--Zardoz the Munificent--

Nikita glared at the town ahead. It looked like most of the capital wasteland. It was dusty, crumbling, and filthy. The bodies of several dead raiders were lying in the streets, beginning to rot. The wagon rolled right over one of them, severing its leg with a sickening squish. She handed the reigns over to Zardoz's merc, hopped out of the driver's seat, and ran towards the back of the covered wagon, jumping inside.

Zardoz's covered wagon was crammed with glittery, gaudy, glitzy, and utterly worthless trinkets and talismans. He was separating them out into an orderly, yet eye-popping display.

"This town looks like a dump," Nikita pouted, "There are more dead bodies in it than live people. Let's skip this place and go to Megaton. . .or Tenpenny."

Zardoz poked his head out of the back of the covered wagon. He had to crane his neck to see the town ahead.

"I was told that there are quite a few settlers here," Zardoz's smile was hidden under a thick mustache "You'll just have to lure them out. Make a scene. Create a crowd."

Nikita tucked back her hair. It was dyed purple and tinged with golden glitter. Her eyes were painted a dark shade of midnight blue that looked black.

"What part should I play?" Nikita squinted, "A witch? A gypsy? Or do you want me to be a plant in the crowd?"

"Hmmm," Zardoz furrowed his brow, "gypsy. Go now. Butter them up for my grand entrance."

Nikita hopped out of the wagon and almost tripped over her long, blue dress. She motioned for the mercs to slow the wagon so she could enter town ahead of it.

There was a small crowd inside of a building that looked like it used to be a diner before the war. A sign hung over the front door.

WELLCUMMING CUMMITEE. . . .[censored] rubes.

Nikita glanced back at the wagon for a moment.

The wagon was being pulled by two brahmin. It was covered in a purple tarp, decorated with two, large yellow suns. Both suns were made of glitter. They sparkled brightly.

Nikita collected herself and walked up to the diner's entrance. She stood smack dab in the doorway so people inside and outside could hear her.

The wagon pulled up to within view.

Breathe, Nikki. . .just breathe. . .it'll be fine.

"Greetings wastelanders!" Nikita shouted, trying to get everyone's attention within earshot, "I come to you to herald the arrival of an absolute wonder of the world! A man who has traveled all the way east from California - through the dust bowl that once was Texas - all the way to your humble abode. He has been south past the Broken Banks, and north of the snows that blanket Ronto. He has seen the ends of the Earth and has meticulously scoured its scorched surface for the rarest of rarities and most hidden of treasures and gems. He is a purveyor of black magic and the dark arts, a university trained physician and herbalist, an ordained minister, and a wandering holy man. He is all knowing. He is all seeing. He is an unfathomable enigma. He is - ZARDOZ THE MUNIFICENT!"

On cue, a row of sparklers ignited on the back of Zardoz's wagon. They crackled loudly, shooting out sparks, before snuffing themselves out. A billowing cloud of purple smoke then poured out from the rear gap in the canvas, momentarily obscuring the wagon from view.

"Come one! Come all!" Nikita's voice was now at a crescendo. She beckoned everyone outside, towards the wagon, waving her arms like they were wings, "Come see the wonder that is ZARDOZ! Gather round and lay your eyes upon the most fantastical inventory you will ever live to behold!"

[Amie Mccubbing]

OOC: warning the last bit about the book is 100% medical inaccurate (because of stimpacks)
@surfer: will catch up to you later (but feel free to give James the letter)

James Wilson – grayditch – morning

James slowly walked towards the group as they arrived back in town, he was too far around to hear what they were saying but Pawnee appeared to be telling the others what to and walked off towards his house (with buck), rest walked towards the dinner and James followed them inside…

James was inside the diner; the counter was cover in a black subtance, the fridge was tipped over and open, and broken glass was everywhere. Several dead bodies ( or pieces of them) laid around dinner none that James recognised, after from the one at the back, it was Duncan, the farm guy that had started a Brahmin ranch in the old car park

Poor Duncan I should of put more effort in getting to known you well at least everyone else is arrive…

Frieda spoke”Ryler? If...you aren't busy, Brandy needs some medical attention. Oh, and I guess I do, too."

The cleste looked up at frieda . her right eye was swollen shut and there was some dried blood on her face. She looked awful. "Duncan's dead, so I guess Ryler's not busy," she mumbled bitterly. "Ryler, when you're finished with Brandy and Frieda, maybe you can take a look at my eye. I wish it would open”

Dam that looks bad

James walked over to Sue who was holding an assualt rifle “Sue did you get the armour “ James asked, Sue nodded pint to her backpack

“ Good “ James said whilst looking out the window “ looks like raider attacked after we left, keep a look out but I think there all dead” Sue nodded, walked outside and began searching one of dead female raiders…

James sat down in an empty booth, knocked of the broken glasses on the table and took out the doctors bag, stimpacks box (9 inside) and the Dc journal medical placing them of table

James opened the book to page 192 – broken ribs 101 , there was faded image, how people can break there ribs and description of what to do:

• Injected a stimpack into the patient ’s broken rib and wait 24 hours if the subject continues to have pain, injected the patients with a super stimpack.
  
  
• the patients injured area will go numb for first few hour , this is normal and is nothing to worry about but will stop around six hours after injection and may cause a slight pain for the paitent
  
  
• If the patient continues to have pain after three days their rib may be broken and will require surgery

Here goes nothing, I bet Jess would of known if this works

James raised his left arm and injected his rib “ oww “ the stimpack had caused a pain in James chest, as if he had been stabbed with a kinfe but just like the book had said his lower-left chest appear had gone numb with seconds and James could no-longer hurt to move his left arm

I can’t believe that worked

James looked around the dinner Brandy was still knocked out, Frieda had sat down next to her and Celeste was covering her eye

Should help them now but i guess Ryler has better training, that what I read out of a 200 year old book!

“ Celeste take one of these stimpacks it will make you feel better, Frieda you can have one as well but give one to Brandy first, Ryler take this doctor bag” James said holding a stimpack out for Celeste.

[Lauren Graves]

Frank-Diner




''Erm...is any one alive?''

He peered inside heard some talking and saw Celeste had a busted eye looking pretty woozy. A man with long blonde hair and a fuzzy beard was trying to console her. The man he believed to be called Duncan was passed out on the floor and there was a third body lying near the bar.

"Celeste here, and this fella are pretty beat up, but alive." the ma replied looking at the Frank, "that guy over there, I'm not sure about" he nodded towards the man wearing the white outfit, "if ya could lend me a hand, it'd be much obliged, are there any doctors in town?" He looked around, "did that other fella really leave? We coulda used his help since he was able bodied."

''I will do my best sir, but I am not as fit as a once was.....I have no idea what the deal with that guy was.''

Glory craver

He scooped up Celeste, "we have to move them if we can, so they ain't laying on broken glass and [censored]."

''Yes, yes,'' Frank replied calmly, looking back and forth at the two man, trying to work out who would be easier.

The man then continued to fuss over Celeste.

Celeste began babbling about angels, then began crying into his shoulder.

Whilst this was happening Frank crouched down next to the man in white whom had appeared not to have moved since the blast. He prodded him with his foot try to identify him, rolling him to see his face....you again? Haven’t I already hauled your ass once already?

Celeste continued to talk about how dangerous it was out there, with the sounds of gunfire she was probably right he thought, the blonde continued to try to comfort her. Frank wasn't trying to be rude, but he wasn't really listening. He was just pondering whether his back could take carrying a man once again.

Suddenly the man approached him with a gun in tow,he thrust it upon him, before Frank could say anything, he said smoothly,

''I owe ya a beer, be back in a few,'' and with that he swiftly left the diner.

''There he goes to save the day....'' Frank joked to himself quietly, ''well maybe this one might actually see it through.''

The hunting rifle felt strange within his grasp, but he had no real choice,
I mean I did just kill a man with a pair of scissors, which I forgot to retrive Frank suddenly relised,[/i]no one will probably find it, if it wasn't for those bloody lights being turned off I could of yielded my real tools.....this will survice for now.[/i]

Suddenly Celeste seemed to be abit more altogether now, ''Wasn't Rusty here? Has anyone seen him?''

''Well, madam,'' Frank replied as he pointed the gun towards the door,'' he......left.''

No point upsetting her that he just disappeared without helping the injured

She seemed to be in a world of her own,''oh poor Duncan!'' As she spotted him crashed on the floor.

Suddenly the blonde returned to the diner.

"Thanks man" he nodded to the man, "Celeste? Told ya I'd be back, now let's take care of ya'll."

Frank returned the nod without words.....unsure how to act in this situation.

Celeste began apologizing for how well....crazy she was acting earlier. Then offering him food or a drink. Frank had to smile at this, always the hostess he thought.

Ryler then entered the building, ''You alright Miss Celeste?'' he enquired.

Frank was amazed he was still alive, he didn't see how he could be of much help now the doc was here, so he just stood out the way and them get on with it.

J.T. turned to Ryler and introduced himself, extending his hand. "Name's J.T., you wouldn't to know where a medic may be would ya? These three need tended to." He motioned to Celeste, the man in the white outfit, "we have another here behind the counter too." He grabbed a bottle of water, "here Celeste, take a drink, it may help a little."

Celeste missed it at first. Frank guessed because of her eye,''Thanks,'' she said sipping at the bottle.

"Ryler is the medic," she smiled at J.T. "He looks a little worse for wear, though. Are you all right, Ryler? None of us in here are about to die, I don't think, you can just sit and rest for a moment." She began looking round the diner, her glaze set on Frank.

"Frank, do you think I could bother you to go and find Joe? I haven't seen him. I...I hope he's not hurt, or..."

''Yes Celeste, of course,'' he headed to the door,no point hanging about now anyway But he also felt obligated to help.
He had to admit though he was really starting to change thoughts about certain people, the little lady had certainly grown on him. Not in the way every other man his seemed to....just that she seems so genuine. Not the busty dumb girl he thought when he first arrived. Sitting in the diner most of the time he saw how much she really cared.

He arrived at the security shack, he is the town head security this would make sense No one was inside,''Hmm,'' he muttered to himself, ''it would also make sense he would live next to the shack.''

He approached the door and began pounding heavily upon it.

[Joie Perez]

Bob Dobbs

West of the Super Duper Mart – 7:00am

I'm a rolling stone, all alone and lost
For a life of sin, I have paid the cost
When I pass by, all the people say
"Just another guy on the lost highway"

Dobbs checked the Mapping feature of his Hand-Comp 4000, as it played the http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcIgQWdWWag he had downloaded from the Vault’s entertainment files. Surprisingly, the 101ers had pretty good maps of this area for being shut ins. “Probably the Vault Kid”, thought Dobbs. “Susie and Alphonse told me he had come back one time then had been exiled for good. If he linked his Pip-Boy to their mainframe it would have downloaded what maps he had.” Dobbs thought receiving such unwitting assistance from the Lone Wanderer was somewhat ironic, considering. It had been fascinating to hear about the Lone Wanderer from the people who knew him best….his fellow Vault Dwellers. His relationship with them was certainly….complicated. On one hand they were intensely proud of him and how he had been relentlessly fighting “The Good Fight”, as the fellow from GNR calls it…but he had been exiled and was forbidden to ever set foot in there again. Susie, Herman…and Alphonse had all asked Dobbs to not mention him around the Overseer. Alphonse himself talked about him with a wistful sadness, he clearly regretted something in his past dealings with him he had been reluctant to talk about.

If he took the road South from here, he would pass by one of the Municipal Sewer Way Stations….a potential source for the peculiar types of salvage he would probably need. If it did not appear to be inhabited he would return later and poke around. Putting away the Hand-Comp, he began traveling South down the road.

Approximately 200 yards from the Red House – 7:15am

Just a deck of cards and a jug of wine
And a woman's lies make a life like mine
Oh, the day we met, I went astray
I started rollin' down that lost highway

Dobbs studied the Red House as well as he could without binoculars. He could take the scope from its specially fitted box and use that but didn’t feel like it. The dying campfire behind the house and the birds circling it gave him a bad feeling. “Raiders?”, thought Dobbs. He then noticed a Yao Guai dragging something away from the house. “Not Raiders. Dinner”. The Yao Guai was in the way of his progress towards Grayditch…rather than wait for it to drag off the poor b*stard it had probably killed to cache for later he would take it and get some free provisions.

Tethering the brahmin to a road sign, Dobbs moved a bit away to where he could get a clear shot then sat down into a sitting firing position. Setting the micrometer rear sight on his Express rifle, he took aim at the Yao Guai and pulled back the external hammer and then activated the set trigger, careful not to touch the rifle’s trigger…now set to break at a mere 3oz of pressure. “Watch it”, Dobbs thought. “A baby’s breath will set this off and I won’t get another shot.” Taking careful aim at where the Yao Guai’s lungs should be, once he was confident he had his shot lined up, he caressed the trigger and…..

BOOM!

Rather than the flat crack of a .308, the .45-70 bellowed like a cannon and a fraction of a a second later just under an ounce of lead smacked into the Yao Guai’s vitals at 1,400 feet per second, destroying both of it’s lungs. Dead on its feet, the Yao Guai immediately pitched over onto its side and lay still. “Four-hundred and five grains of concentrated whoop-ass”, smirked Dobbs as he ejected the spent cartridge, palmed it then reloaded the rifle and got back to his feet. “God, I love this gun!”


Rivet City Market – Two Years Ago – 3:00pm

“Get over here, Dobbs!”, Flak said excitedly as he waved at Dobbs, who had been on his way to Gary’s Galley to eat. “You simply have got to see this….you’ll s***!”

Dobbs made his way over to Flak and Shapnel’s, where Flak, Shrapnel, Harkness, and a Brotherhood Paladin were huddled around the table in the middle of their stall staring intently at something. Seeing that Dobbs had come up, Flak moved aside so Dobbs could take a place at the table.

“Get a load of this, man”, said Flak in a awestruck voice. “I’ve dealt in guns for twenty years and I have never seen anything like this. Ever. It’s f****** beautiful.”

On the table was a long barreled single shot rifle with a external hammer and what looked like two triggers, one in front of the other. Mounted on the barrel was a scope as long as a man’s forearm with what looked to be external adjustments. It looked like something out of one of the old cowboy movies they showed sometimes in the aft hangar deck with the projector one of the Scribes had managed to fix. What was really unusual though is that the rifle was new. Not a scratch on it.

“May I?” Dobbs asked Flak?

“By all means”, replied Flak. “Drop it, and I’ll kick your ass though.”

Dobbs carefully picked up the rifle and examined it. On the barrel was the inscription

Gun Runners – The Boneyard – Model 1874 Express - .45-70 Gov’t Cartridge
- Made in the NCR - Nitro Proofed -

“It is a new rifle”, thought Dobbs. “Who brought this all the way from California?”

The scope had the Gun-Runner’s brand mark on it, along with the inscription “- 15x - Unertl Type -“. It had two serial numbers, one matched the rifle indicating they were sold as a pair.

The more he looked at it, the more he understood why the others were acting like they were. The quality of this weapon was unbelievable. The walnut fore and buttstock were so perfectly fitted to the metal parts of the rifle you could barely make out where one ended and the other began. The action was perfectly fitted and solid as a rock. There were no machining marks anywhere on the stock or metal surfaces he could see…and the metal parts of the rifle were blued with the deepest blue he had ever seen except for the hammer and buttplate which were color case hardened. The serial number, or at least the last two digits of it, was carefully stamped on every metal part. The rifle also had a set of iron sights so it could be used without the scope if so desired. This was no mass-produced tool, it was a work of art created by craftsman with deep pride in their work. If he weren’t looking right at it, he wouldn’t have believed that things like this were still being made.

“Get a load of the set trigger”, said Flak. “Normal pull is 5lbs, with the set trigger it’s 3oz. You touch it at all, it’ll fire”. He handed Dobbs a dummy round and showed Dobbs how to use the set trigger and the difference in trigger pulls.

“Wow”, said Dobbs as he gently placed the rifle back on the table. “I’m impressed.”

“That isn’t everything, neither”, said Flak. “Look at the cases”. He then showed Dobbs the two fitted wood cases, with labels glued inside the lid marked “Gun Runners Custom Shop” and made to the same standard as the rifle, one for the rifle…which Flak explained disassembled into two pieces…and a smaller one for the scope. With the larger case was tools for assembling/disassembling the rifle, a set of three specially fitted screwdrivers, a simple reloading tool, a small adjustable powder measure, and even a bullet mould that could cast two slugs at a time. It also had a manual, and a test target. The smaller case was well cushioned to protect the scope, and also had metal scope covers that threaded onto the ends of the scope to protect the lenses when not being used. It also had another cover that was a dull copper mesh fitted for the front end of the scope. “Kills the flash from the scope lens”, said Flak noting Dobbs’s interest in it. “They thought of everything….including this.” Flak then flipped open a round cover on the buttplate, revealing a data port recessed inside. He then ran a data cord from his terminal and plugged it in, tapped a few keys and up scrolled schematics of the rifle on the screen. “Non-volatile memory. Contains schematics for everything but the receiver….even the tools.”, Flak said. “So you can fabricate replacement parts if you have access to a machine shop and cannot get to one of their shops. Warranted for the life of the weapon if you ever head West, just so you know”.

Dobbs had to have this rifle. “How much for it?”, he asked.

“This one isn’t for sale…I’m keeping it for myself.”, said Flak. “But for four thousand caps you can have one of its sisters, if you’re willing to wait 9 months to a year for it. I ordered ten, four haven’t been sold yet. That price isn’t negotiable, by the way…if I didn’t like you it would be five thousand like I charged that [censored] Tenpenny. It’s worth every f****** cap and you know it.”

“What are the terms?”

“Half down, half on delivery…. which as I said is nine months to a year from now. Ashur and the Midwestern Brotherhood are at it again, that could complicate things”.

“How much will give me for my plasma rifle?”

“I’ll give you 1,200 for it, and a week to come up with the remaining 800. That’s when the Trader leaves for parts West.”

“Deal.”, said Dobbs, as he and Flak shook on it. Being as how it was in front of Harkness, both their reps were now on the line.

“One thing though”, said Flak. “If anyone asks, you paid five thousand….not everyone is gonna get the price I gave you.

“They don’t know it, but they’re helping pay for Brother James’s next birthday present”, interjected Paladin Glade sarcastically. “If someone tells them, I want pictures.”

“That reminds me….if you run into him somewhere don’t tell Vault Ki…, I mean Brother James about this either.”, said Flak as he looked at Glade sideways. “It’s going to be a surprise from the Pride.”

“No problem”.

The Red House – 10:30am

I was just a lad, nearly twenty-two
Neither good nor bad, just a kid like you
And now I'm lost, too late to pray
Lord, I've paid the cost on the lost highway

Having finished the grueling work of field dressing the Yao Guai and strapping the carcass to his now skittish Brahmin, Dobbs looked around. There had been some kind of firefight here recently, apparently during the night by the not quite dead campfire. The front of the house had been damaged by what looked like a C4 charge placed in front of the house and detonated, and bullet casings and some depleted Energy Cells were scattered all over. By the burn marks, at least one of the participants was using a plasma pistol. Finding two spent .45-70 casings inside the house (along with a dead ghoul), he looked around the area for more but found none. He did find the Ghoul’s Chinese Assault Rifle, which had taken a direct hit that cracked the receiver, making it useless as a weapon and good for only parts. Making a sweep in front of the house, he found a sniper rifle left lying on the ground. As the blood trail from the other corpse (a woman that looked like she was turning into a ghoul) the Yao Guai had been dragging away led back to it, he assumed it was her weapon. Whoever killed her had partially stripped her of her armor but left a rifle worth twice as much behind…..Strange. Dobbs decided to leave before the gut-pile and corpses attracted another Yao Guai or something worse. Taking both rifles and what ammo he could find on the bodies and their packs and lashing them to the Brahmin, Dobbs continued his journey.


Greyditch – Main Entrance – 11:30am

Now, boys, don't start your ramblin' round
On this road of sin or you're sorrow bound
Take my advice or you'll curse the day
You started rollin' down that lost highway

Dobbs led his now heavily laden Brahmin into Grayditch, and his first sight of the settlement gave him pause. He could see at least two corpses lying in the street, one in front of an old Dot’s Diner that had a crudely written sign saying “WELLCUMMING CUMMITEE” on it.

“ ‘Welcoming Committee’, indeed”, thought Dobbs grimly. “Welcome to the Wasteland!”

There appeared to be several people in the diner, so he cautiously approached it. As he drew near, a tall skinny man with long, greasy black hair shuffled out of the diner and paying Dobbs no heed, headed for a sheet metal shack across the street. As he did not look particularly threatening, and a closer look at the corpse in front of the diner showed him to be a Raider, Dobbs surmised that the townspeople had prevailed in whatever happened here and relaxed. He decided to not worry about the other man for now and enter the diner first. Tying up the Brahmin, Dobbs slung his rifle then walked in cautiously.

The inside of the diner was a shambles. Someone had thrown a grenade or some other explosive charge inside. At least two bodies lay on the floor, and townspeople were tending to three wounded women. Two of them were wearing poorly fitted Raider armor but clearly weren’t Raiders….they were too clean and looked like they took care of themselves. One had a bandaged hand, and was trying to comfort the other, who lay on a table and appeared to have been shot. She was calling out to the first woman, apparently named Frieda, to tell her if everyone was OK and asking about a fellow named Mirvin (her man?). The third woman had a badly bruised face…and Dobbs couldn’t help but noticing she had an ample and quite appealing bosom as well. Dobbs hadn’t been noticed yet.

“Time to introduce myself, I guess.”, thought Dobbs. “I hope I haven’t made a mistake coming here.” Dobbs cleared his throat and spoke.

“Hello, is there anything I can do to help you folks? I’ve got some first aid supplies if they’re needed.”

[StunnaLiike FiiFii]

J.T. - Celeste's Diner - morning


J.T stayed by Celeste's side, trying to comfort her, he could just tell that she was a caring person. More concerned with others, rather than herself, a rarity in the Wastelands.

"He was, he was a great man," she gurgled between sobs. "He didn't deserve this! He...he must have saved me from that...that man."

J.T sat and listened, then the young medic walked over by them.

"He was a good man, I could see that. Come, let us not mourn his death, but be glad he is in a better world - Heaven." Ryler spoke, "I am sorry, but there is nothing I can do. The golden hour is fatal, and I failed to save him."

"He's right Celeste, Duncan is in a much better place, a peaceful place." J.T softly spoke.

J.T heard the shuffling of more people walking in, "Ryler? If...you aren't busy, Brandy needs some medical attention. Oh, and I guess I do, too." A tall blonde, with long beautiful hair spoke.

Celeste looked up at the blonde, "Duncan's dead, so I guess Ryler's not busy," she mumbled bitterly. She stood up and reached for the water she had been sipping on. She missed it, again. "Ryler, when you're finished with Brandy and Frieda, maybe you can take a look at my eye. I wish it would open."

J.T stood up, a brute of a man had laid a pretty little brunette on a table top. Her right shoulder bandaged front and rear, she appeared to be unconscious. Wonder if they were in that gunfight I heard last night?, he thought, they definitely aren't raiders, that's for sure he smiled to himself.

"Thanks Harold" the blonde said to the brute a he shuffled away, simply nodding to her.

Would hate to piss him off, J.T looked around for some more water to offer the ladies. Frank had left to check on a guy named Joe for Celeste. The other Taylor, Shawn was still standing inside, a man with blue combat armor walked in, his chest plate damaged from what looked like a shotgun blast. He was followed by an attractive black haired woman sporting an assault rifle. The man had said something and the woman just nodded and walked outside, she started searching a dead female raider.

The man in the blue armor sat down in an empty booth, sweeping the debris off with his arm. He placed a bag and a book on the table, and opened the book and began to read. He pulled a stimpack from his bag, injecting it under his arm, "oww" he moaned as the needle penetrated his skin. He then walked to Celeste, “ Celeste take one of these stimpacks it will make you feel better, Frieda you can have one as well but give one to Brandy first, Ryler take this doctor bag” the man said holding a stimpack out for Celeste.

So, the blonde is Frieda, the little brunette is Brandy, J.T cocked his head to side noticing Frieda's plasma pistol, "That's a nice piece you got there." He gave her a pleasant smile, another guy had walked in.

“Hello, is there anything I can do to help you folks? I’ve got some first aid supplies if they’re needed.” The man said.

"I believe those young ladies over there could use a little help" J.T pointed at Frieda and Brandy, "looks like they had a helluva night to. I can help him Ryler, if you want to look at Celeste's eye." J.T looked at Celeste, "I wished I could help you with your eye, but I'm no medic and might end up making it worse, I'll help that guy with the others, maybe it'll free Ryler up to look at you, you ok with that?" He wiped some more tears from her cheek.

[Terry]

FRIEDA ~~ Diner ~~ Morning

Frieda had closed her eyes for a brief moment, feeling thoroughly exhausted. She wondered if she'd fallen asleep when she heard a strange voice speaking. She opened her eyes and saw the handsome stranger from earlier speaking to her. "That's a nice piece you got there," referring to her plasma pistol.

What's it to you? She furrowed her brow, briefly, wondering if the stranger was hinting that he knew it was Enclave issue. "It does the job," was all she could muster in response.

Someone else walked in. He was tall and a little older. “Hello, is there anything I can do to help you folks? I’ve got some first aid supplies if they’re needed.” The man said.

"I believe those young ladies over there could use a little help" the guitar-toting stranger pointed at Frieda and Brandy, "looks like they had a helluva night too. I can help them, Ryler, if you want to look at Celeste's eye."

Frieda turned to the man who just walked in. "You could start with your name...I'm Frieda, and this is Brandy," she motioned to the woman on the table tiredly. "She just needs...well I don't know. I don't think the bullet is still in her shoulder. We just need to make sure she's okay before she gets sent off to bed." She cradled her left hand. She could barely stand to look at it.

"I just need the bullet pulled out of my hand, and a bandage. I'd do it myself, but..." Frieda shuddered. "I'd make it up to you," she said, looking between the two strangers. Too many strangers... "I'm an electrician, when my hand heals I could do some work for you on whatever you want." She closed her eyes. "...or, I could just pay you." Too [censored] tired.

[Cat Haines]

OOC I'm putting this up as I write. Feel free to PM me any concerns.



Bob Dobbs

Greyditch Diner – Morning

"I believe those young ladies over there could use a little help", said the man kneeling next to the woman sitting on the floor. He then pointed at the women dressed as Raiders. "Looks like they had a helluva night too.” He then turned to another man in the diner, and spoke to him. “I can help him, Ryler, if you want to look at Celeste's eye." He then turned back to the woman sitting on the floor. "I wished I could help you with your eye, but I'm no medic and might end up making it worse, I'll help that guy with the others, maybe it'll free Ryler up to look at you, you ok with that?" He then gently wiped some more tears from her cheek.

The blonde, who the girl on the table called Frieda, then turned to him and spoke....she was clearly exhausted.

"You could start with your name...I'm Frieda, and this is Brandy," she motioned to the woman on the table tiredly. "She just needs...well I don't know. I don't think the bullet is still in her shoulder. We just need to make sure she's okay before she gets sent off to bed." She cradled her left hand. She could barely stand to look at it.

"I just need the bullet pulled out of my hand, and a bandage. I'd do it myself, but..." Frieda shuddered. "I'd make it up to you," she said, looking between Dobbs and the man by the woman he now knew to be Celeste. "I'm an electrician, when my hand heals I could do some work for you on whatever you want." She closed her eyes. "...or, I could just pay you."

“I’m not looking for any payment”, replied Dobbs gently. “I just want to be neighborly. I’m Bob Dobbs, I found a flier that said you folks need people that can do plumbing and masonry, and I just happened to be in the market for a new home. I’ll get my supplies, and I’ll be right back.”

Dobbs hurried outside and got the saddlebags containing his medical supplies from the Brahmin, and the leather scabbard for his rifle. He unslung the rifle and placed it in the scabbard, then threw the saddlebags over his shoulder and went back inside. When he got back inside, he saw that the man…whose name he didn’t know yet…had sat with Frieda at a nearby table and he was removing her bandage. “She’s taken care of”, thought Dobbs. “I’ll take a look at the other…Brandy is what Frieda said her name was”. Placing the rifle on a empty table nearby, he then moved up to Brandy to introduce himself.

“Brandy?”, he said to her gently, she nodded yes. “Hi, I’m Bob. I’d like to take a look at your shoulder, is that OK?” She nodded yes again. Dobbs removed the bandages as gently as he could and examined the entry wound. Someone had stuffed gauze into the bullet hole….good enough to keep her from bleeding out before she could get to a doctor, but it couldn’t be left like this. He then helped her turn onto her side so he could see the exit wound. She had been hit with a high velocity rifle round…probably a .308 and it went straight through her. Fortunately it seemed to have missed her clavicle…she would be fine as long as the wound was properly disinfected and closed up.

“Brandy, did anyone give you any medicine?”

“Just some Jet”, said Brandy. “That was a couple hours ago, though.”

Dobbs looked over at Frieda to confirm that, she confirmed Brandy had been given a dose of Jet several hours ago and nothing since then and handed him a Stimpack. “James gave me this for her, but you arrived before I could apply it.” After thanking Frieda, Dobbs turned back to Brandy.

“I’m going to give you some Med-X then close up the bullet wound and re-bandage you.”. Brandy visibly brightened at the mention of Med-X and nodded vigorously. Between the bullet wound and the ugly bruise under her jaw…Dobbs didn’t want to think how that happened…she was obviously in some pain. He pulled one of the Vault-Tec First Aid kits he got from the Vault out of the saddlebag and took out a Med-X injector. “She can’t weigh more than 120…I’ll set the dose for 100. Safer to go light, don’t want to get her hooked on this crap”, thought Dobbs as he set the dosage. He then swabbed her arm and gave her the shot. As he waited for the Med-X to take effect, he talked to her.

“I’m curious, why are you dressed as a Raider? Were you considering a career change?”

“No”, Brandy then giggled a little. “I didn’t have better armor to wear to help Pawnee against the bounty-killers. I don’t think I’d make a good Raider.”

“Well yeah”, said Dobbs. “You don’t look like the kind of girl who bathes once a decade whether she needs it or not.”

“Yuck!”, laughed Brandy. “I forgot the no-bathing part. That’s a deal killer for me”.

“I heard you asking about a fellow named Mirvin when I came in.”, asked Dobbs. “Is he your man?”

“Mirvin?”, said Brandy. “No, he isn’t my man…he’s a robot. Me and Frieda found him and got him working again. He’s funny.” Say…have you seen my glasses? Everything is so blurry.”

Dobbs looked her up and down. It was only now he noticed that under the blood she looked to be rather attractive. Her Raider armor had no pockets he could see, and he wasn’t about to go fishing for it. He then noticed a arm sticking out of one of her boots and gently pulled a pair of eyeglasses out of her boot. He wiped the lenses clean then gently put them on her. “Here you go, Sweet Pea. They were in your boot.”, Dobbs said.

“Thanks, Bob”, Brandy purred. “Now I can at least see. My jaw has even stopped hurting.”

Dobbs checked her eyes…sure enough her pupils were dilated. “She’s ready”, Dobbs thought. “Okay, Brandy, we’re going to get this wound taken care of now.”

“Sounds good. I want to go home and get some sleep.”

Turning her back on her side, Dobbs carefully removed the gauze from the exit wound, cleaned out the wound, applied disinfectant from the Med Kit, then closed the wound with a skin stapler, with only a occasional minor protest from Brandy. Chatting with her to keep her distracted, he cleaned off the blood, applied a bandage to the wound then helped her back onto her back so he could work on the entry wound.

About that time Dobbs heard a disturbance at the entrance to the diner, and looked up to see a man wearing a beige pre-war business suit storm into the diner holding the poorly spelled ‘Welcome’ sign which he threw disgustedly across the counter of the Diner.

"LISTEN," the man yelled, pulling out what looked to be a gold-plated .44 Magnum and brandishing it. "Last night me and my fu---" He then noticed the dead Raider laying on the diner floor in front of him and jumped back like a scalded cat and aimed his revolver at it. "Who is this?", the man shouted. Then he noticed the man who had just fixed up Frieda’s hand and pulled down on him.

"Come here," he whispered. "COME HERE!" The man looked around him at the other people in the Diner angrily, holding his pistol steady at the man.

"Who is this man? When did he enter the town? For all you know he may be a [censored] raider!"

The man in the suit did not seem to have noticed him, Dobbs considered what to do. He was clearly one of the townspeople, and acting put Brandy in danger as she was right in front of him. He decided to wait and see what happened.

"ME?”, guitar man roared as he walked towards the man in the suit. “Boy, I know you're not pointing that at me. I heard some [censored], came to see what the [censored] happened, and helped the best I could. Let's get two things straight right the [censored] now. ONE, I aint no [censored], and I aint no dog, don't treat me like one…..and TWO, you had best get that gun outta my face before I shove it up your [censored] ASS SO FAR, THE DOCS IN RIVET CITY WON'T BE ABLE TO PULL IT. OUT. What's it gonna be?"

“Oh, s***”, thought Dobbs. “This isn’t going to end well.”

But then the man in the suit smiled. Not a friendly smile…..more a calculating “I’ll f*** you up later” type smile. "I am not a boy. And I will not be spoken to in that manner," he said icily. "A group of raiders attack the town last night. When did you arrive? You have to think logically here. A man just happens to wonder into town around the same time raiders do. What can you say to convince me you are not simply a raider dressed up fancy? Playing nice and undercover until your leader returns? That said..." he then lowered his .44, and took a step forward.

The guitar man met him halfway and stood nose to nose with the man, "J.T. Taylor...from Atlantic City" he replied angrily. "For the sake of these injured folks, my folks owned a casino, they both died, I inherited it along with my dads wealth. Now you tell me, do I need any caps, do I need to steal anything? I don't think so. Don't know who you are, where you’re from, doesn't really concern me but, don't storm in and try to push me around, especially while pointing a gun at me!"

"For [censored]'s sake," Frieda interrupted tiredly. "You're right, the town got attacked by Raiders and the rest of us had our own...fun...outside of town. We're all beat down, injured, exhausted. If J.T. wanted to take advantage of us, he'd have already done it. Most of us are total pushovers right now. Now, sir, you're either part of the problem or part of the solution. [censored] off or help out. This place is a shambles and there are other injured people around. Once Brandy is seen, I'm taking her home, and then I'm going to crash for a couple hours myself." She winced as she clenched her injured hand.

J.T took a deep breath, "Frieda's right, there are other people needing a medic, I pulled the bullet from her hand. As far as Celeste's eye, I'd prolly do more damage then good, and Brandy, well pretty much the same thing." He pointed outside, "if ya wanna talk, fight, whatever let's show a little respect and step outside while these people get the help they need."

"My apologies everyone" he said then left the diner. The man in the suit appeared perplexed by this, but it looked like the confrontation was over. Dobbs then felt Brandy tugging on his sleeve.

“Remember me, Bob?”, Brandy said playfully. “Did I turn into Mole Rat meat or something?”

“Sorry, Sweet Pea”, said Dobbs as he gestured at the man in the suit. “Who is that guy? Seems rather excitable”

“Don’t know”, replied Brandy. “He pretty much only talks to Joe and Harold. I think he’s going to run a clothes shop or something.”

Dobbs then repeated the process with the entry wound, removing the gauze and making sure every trace of it was removed, then cleaning and disinfecting the wound and stapling it shut. He then applied a bandage and wrapped up her shoulder. Once that was done, he applied the stimpack James had left for her.

“You should be OK. If you notice any signs of infection, let the town doc or me know.” Dobbs then fished through his saddlebags and pulled out a partially full bottle of ibuprofen pills and gave them to her. “Take these for the pain….don’t exceed the dosage on the bottle. There is enough in there to last you a few days.” Dobbs helped her to her feet. She was a little unsteady, but could walk with some help.

“Thank you, Bob”, said Brandy. “So tell me, what do I owe you?”

“I’ll take that ‘Thank you’ and call it even”, said Bob. “If you still feel obligated…. just keep this in mind if you find me shot in a ditch somewhere.”

“I’ll do that”, Brandy giggled as Frieda came up to usher her away. “See you later”. Frieda then helped her to the counter, where she spoke to Celeste, who was being tended to by the town doctor and paid her respects to thier friend (Duncan?) when had died in the attack then out of the Diner. At the door, she stopped for a moment, looked at him and smiled, then left.

Dobbs watched them wall away from the diner. “She’s cute”, he thought. “Wonder if she’s seeing anyone.” He then got up and walked towards the counter to see if anyone else needed tending to….hoping the man in the suit wouldn’t threaten him next.

[Sabrina garzotto]

J.T. - Celeste's Diner - Morning


The blonde furrowed her brow after J.T had commented on her pistol, "It does the job," she wearily replied. She turned to the guy who had just arrived offering help, "You could start with your name...I'm Frieda, and this is Brandy," she motioned to the little brunette on the table tiredly. "She just needs...well I don't know. I don't think the bullet is still in her shoulder. We just need to make sure she's okay before she gets sent off to bed." She cradled her left hand.

"Frieda, I like it." J.T smiled, "J.T Taylor, pleasure to meet you. She....Brandy looks somewhat content right now, I'll help with your hand."

J.T took Frieda's injured hand, and gently placed it in his to get a good look at it, "I can fix ya right up, done this in the fie.....before." He turned and dug in his guitar case, pulling out a bottle of Wonder glue, "stuff lives up to its name for sure." he then looked around, spying a half full bottle of Vodka on the floor, he grabbed it up.

J.T sat down next to Frieda in the booth, putting the bottle of glue and vodka down, he pulled a multi-tool from his belt opening it revealing the needle nose pliers. He rinsed the pliers with a little vodka, "you must be tough, ya have to be to stay looking that pretty. I'm not gonna [censored] ya, this may tickle a bit."

Pouring some vodka over the wound to clean it, he could see the backside of the bullet, "let's make use of this stimpack that guy gave ya." J.T gave poked the needle into the backside of her injecting the chems. He picked up the pliers, "ready? You can squeeze my left arm if you need too" he placed his left hand over her wrist to hold her hand still. J.T leaned down, carefully inserted the pliers, managing to get ahold of the bullet. Frieda winced, he pulled it out and promptly covered the wound with a rag while applying pressure.

"Hard parts over" he winked, wiping away some blood, J.T popped the top off the glue, "I have to pinch it a little, ok?" He pinched it closed as easily as he could, and then ran some glue across it and held it. He wrapped her hand with the rag, "There ya go sweetheart, now maybe you can rest a little easier. I'd still let Ryler look at it, but it should be alright." He smiled, "maybe we could chat some other time. Hope ya feel better."

[Luis Reyma]

FRIEDA ~~ Diner ~~ Mid-morning

"Frieda, I like it." he smiled, "J.T Taylor, pleasure to meet you. She....Brandy looks somewhat content right now, I'll help with your hand."

Frieda offered a small smile. Glad someone does... "Thanks," she replied.

J.T took Frieda's injured hand, and gently placed it in his to get a good look at it, "I can fix ya right up, done this in the fie.....before." He turned and dug in his guitar case, pulling out a bottle of Wonder glue, "stuff lives up to its name for sure." he then looked around, spying a half full bottle of Vodka on the floor, he grabbed it up. He sat down next to Frieda in the booth, putting the bottle of glue and vodka down, he pulled a multi-tool from his belt opening it revealing the needle nose pliers. He rinsed the pliers with a little vodka, "you must be tough, ya have to be to stay looking that pretty. I'm not gonna [censored] ya, this may tickle a bit."

"I am who I am." She rubbed her eyebrows with her good hand, wondering if she should just stop talking. She was feeling so tired, she wondered if she were just babbling out of a delusion.

Pouring some vodka over the wound to clean it, he could see the backside of the bullet, "let's make use of this stimpack that guy gave ya." Frieda turned her head away, unable to watch herself get the needle. J.T gave poked the needle into the backside of her injecting the chems. He picked up the pliers, "ready? You can squeeze my left arm if you need too" he placed his left hand over her wrist to hold her hand still.

Frieda clutched onto his arm with her good hand, squeezing her eyes shut. Cold metal was making contact with her skin and the pain she felt as J.T. wiggled the pliers looking for the bullet was unbelievable. She winced, and suddenly the pain was gone. J.T. pushed a bandage onto her hand and she finally let out her breath.

"Hard parts over" he winked, wiping her hand. Frieda simply nodded. J.T popped the top off the glue, "I have to pinch it a little, ok?" He pinched it closed as easily as he could, and then ran some glue across it and held it. He wrapped her hand with the rag, "There ya go sweetheart, now maybe you can rest a little easier. I'd still let Ryler look at it, but it should be alright." He smiled, "maybe we could chat some other time. Hope ya feel better."

"Thanks," she breathed. She didn't try to bend any of her fingers just yet, still feeling tender about how stiff her hand had become, and not wanting to really cause herself more pain. She was yet too tired to suggest he not call her sweetheart, and he just did her an incredible favour, so it would have been rude to snap at him. "I owe you one, and I mean it."

Frieda felt her eyelids drooping but forced herself to stay awake. She couldn't go home without making sure Brandy was okay, first. "So," she spoke up, trying to distract herself from falling asleep. "Raiders, huh? What happened in here?"

Celeste was sitting on a stool, her head tilted right back while Ryler worked on her eye. "Raiders came at midnight, but I don't know what else happened. I...passed out. When I woke up, I was like this, Duncan was almost dead, and J.T. was here."

"I see," Frieda replied. I hope there wasn't some nasty surprise for Pawnee when he got home. She glanced over to Brandy, finally getting some medical attention, and waited until she could accompany the younger woman home.

[Lexy Corpsey]

OOC: Sorry for the absence.

Jimmy Leggio - Leggio house - morning

Jimmy awoke. Laura was resting in his arms, Lucille in hers. They were huddled in the corner of the bedroom, Jimmy clutching his golden .44. Petey was sitting at the door to the bedroom, holding his assault rifle and staring silently into the hall. Jimmy shuffled carefully from his wife, slipping out from underneath her. He grabbed a pillow from the nearby bed and tossed it on the ground before gently lowing her head onto it. Lucille was laying against her shoulder, grasped tightly in Laura's arms.

Petey realised Jimmy was up and he stood from his post. Jimmy motioned towards the door, and the both exited the room.

"No attacks, sir. There has been the odd bit of shooting going on throughout the night, but nothing to report."

Jimmy nodded. "I'm.. stay here with Lucille. And.. and have someone bring in water to the slaves. They can't [censored] die, not before I come into contact with a trader." Jimmy heard Petey reply, but didn't listen. He was feeling angry and frustrated. Jimmy just left the man and descended his stairs. He left the house, his .44 magnum still in his right hand.


Jimmy hadn't changed into his sleepwear the night previous, and was now walking down the street in a dirty business suit. The town of Grayditch was beginning to annoy Jimmy, a man not too easily annoyed. The lack of effort Moriarty put in to the town was astonishing. He basically just rounded up Rennie and Harold and threw them into an abandoned town. He also took the leader of Paradise Falls, the boss, and placed him there. Jimmy was having serious thoughts about entering Megaton and placing a bullet between his eyes, for the lack of respect.

At first Jimmy didn't mind working in Grayditch. It was much less stressful than his job at Paradise Falls. As the hours and days dragged on, however, Jimmy began resenting the town. Unorganised. Boring. Jimmy even began to miss the amount of work and responsibility he had at Falls.

Jimmy rounded a broken building, bringing the diner into distant view. Jimmy stopped and stared at the sight before the diner. A purple wagon behind to bramhin lay outside the diner. But the back of the wagon seemed to be... sparking. Ferociously. Yet it seemed.. controlled. A woman stood before the odd caravan, bellowing towards the diner. Jimmy shook his head and continued on.

As he neared the curious woman, Jimmy heard what she was shouting.

"Come see the wonder that is ZARDOZ! Gather round and lay your eyes upon the most fantastical inventory you will ever live to behold!"

Jimmy shoved past the woman and approached the diner. Before entering, the sign outside caught his eye. Wellcumming Cummitee.

These [censored] morons haven't even corrected her yet? Jimmy thought, grabbing the sign and ripping it from the wall. He then kicked the door to the diner in and launched the sign towards the counter.

"LISTEN," he yelled, raising the golden .44 to the air. "Last night me and my fu---" Jimmy saw a man laying on the diner floor, one he hadn't seen before. He lowered the .44 to the man. "Who is this?" Jimmy demanded. Before anyone could answer, someone else caught his eye. A man standing next to the blonde. Jimmy changed his aim.

"Come here," he whispered. "COME HERE!" Jimmy looked to the rest of the diner. Celeste and the young lad who had entered Grayditch near death were next to what seemed to be an unconscious, or dead Duncan. Jimmy also noticed Harold, and swore under his breathe. He then turned his attention back to the unknown man.

"Who is this man? When did he enter the town? For all you know he may be a [censored] raider."

[Kristian Perez]

J.T. - Celeste's Diner - morning


J.T was putting the cap back on the wonder glue, "Thanks," Frieda breathed, "I owe you one, and I mean it."

"No problem, just take care of that hand" J.T smiled back at her.

"So," Frieda spoke up,"Raiders, huh? What happened in here?"

Celeste piped up, "Raiders came at midnight, but I don't know what else happened. I...passed out. When I woke up, I was like this, Duncan was almost dead, and J.T. was here."

"I see," Frieda replied.

"I was staying just outside of town, heard some gunfire and then an explosion. A little bit later a Raider came running by" J.T motioned to the Raider laying outside the diner, "I walked in here to see if I could help." He explained.

A man in a dirty suit walked in, launching a sign towards the counter, he was holding a golden .44. He raised the gun and yelled, "LISTEN" he began his rant, "Last night me and my fu---" he looked down to the man with the white outfit. He lowered his .44 at him, "Who is this?" He demanded. Before anyone answer, he aimed at J.T.

"Come here," he whispered, "COME HERE!" Still aiming at J.T while looking around the diner.

"Who is this man? When did he enter the town? For all you know he may be a [censored] raider."

"ME?" J.T didn't take kindly at the gun being pointed at him and was starting to see black, "Boy, I know you're not pointing that at me" he stepped towards the man, "I heard some [censored], came to see what the [censored] happened, and helped the best I could." J.T's eyes were on fire, "let's get two things straight right the [censored] now. ONE, I aint no [censored], and I aint no dog, don't treat me like one."

J.T took another step closer, "and TWO, you had best get that gun outta my face before I shove it up your [censored] ASS SO FAR, THE DOCS IN RIVET CITY WON'T BE ABLE TO PULL IT. OUT. What's it gonna be?"

[Shelby McDonald]

OOC: sorry for the delay surfer:(
OOC MK2 : can anyone find my hidden Game reference :ninja:

James Wilson – Celeste wrecked dinner – morning

Giving Celeste, Frieda, brandy stimpacks and Ryler his doctor’s bag, James looked at doorway just as another Stranger walked into the dinner “Hello, is there anything I can do to help you folks? I’ve got some first aid supplies if they’re needed.” he asked

That’s the third one day

The stranger and the guy with the guitar known as "T.J" began helping Frieda and Brandy with their injuries, James turned and looked at Celeste, who was holding her eye” I’m going to get some sleep now but if any more raiders, just wake me or grab a gun from my shop” James said whilst yawning

Picking up his bag, James walked out the dinner and looked at the stranger that was healing Brandy “take good care of brandy” James said as he walked by..

James walked up to Sue, who was trying on one of raider’s shin guards (blast master) “I’m going to have a nap, I told Mirvin to check on shop,so if he comes around give him some shotgun shells”

--------
James Wilson – Grayditch arms – afternoon

James awoke on the upstairs bed and looked out of large hole in side of house, James hadn’t realized there was an emergency exit staircase, meters away that anyone could climb up and Jump into James house

Taking of his Combat armour, James put on a faded short sleeve blue business shirt bussiness shirt and dark blue jeans and looked at the hole in the wall.

I really need to get that hole fixed, maybe Brandy could do it

James walked downstairs, Sue was sleeping the couch but she had cleaned up the mess that the raider had created and even put a few shells out for Mirvin.

Lets go and check on the dinner

James walked outside and towards the dinner just as jimmy and some lady had walked into the dinner,by the time James reached the dinner he only heard the last bit of her speech.

!Come see the wonder that is ZARDOZ! Gather round and lay your eyes upon the most fantastical inventory you will ever live to behold!" The lady shouted

James walked over to the wagon, just as a row of sparklers ignited on the back

This remind of that dikeens fella that tired to sell those horrible drinks at the ranch.

James looked up at the guy on wagon, he appeared to be merc hired to protect zardoz wagon from raiders and mutants

" welcome to Grayditch, the names Wilson, James Wilson, were is Zardoz? I wanna see his "fantastical" inventory" James asked the man on the wagon...