I shouldve taken that ssage and traveled straight for Potts Field. I was already pretty close to The Cut as it was, and with all that had happened I knew was well overdue to take a trip that way. In spite of that though, I chose to take so ti back ho before I did anything. For the sa reasons that I needed to go to Potts, I also was in desperate need of so rest. Not for physical reasons, between my enhanced healing and stamina that wasnt really an issue, but for ntal ones. I needed to absorb everything, rest my mind and let it do so of the work it needed to in the background while I spent so ti on recreation.
The trip was relatively uneventful. I made much better ti on the way back through dina without Leah, Graves, and rcy holding back. I took so ti to explore the deadzones on the way as well. Most were just high radiation, but one surprised . There was a sandstorm there that covered three square miles. It didnt shift, or end, and I found nothing inside that explained the phenona. It was just a continuous storm that locked in place.The only issue I had during my trip was a couple drugged up raiders that ambushed outside of dina. Id slled them long before they made their move, and they were dead before they managed to fire a single shot in my direction.
I stopped into Murphys to drop off all the salvage Id claid. It was mostly ammunition I couldnt use, and a few guns that had stayed in good shape. I kept the lasguns to myself of course.They also werent the kind of thing it was smart to drop into Bills lap for a handful of points or credit. There was no way of knowing where they would wind up.
I myself was still a bit wary of them. I didnt know how they were loaded, or anything else about how they worked other than that pointing them and pulling the trigger killed things.
After I was done at Murphys, I headed to my boat. This ti Gus was there to greet . He normally occupied another portion of the lake further north from my boat, but this ti he was lurking just below the surface of the water, his eyes and snout peeking out. He was covered in softly glowing green algae that reflected off his white eyes as he regarded ..
Been awhile since your last al, huh? I asked.
He answered with a lazy blink.
Fine. Ill feed you, then take care of myself. I hung my pack on a tree, and left with only my rifle and sword. It took a couple hours to find anything big enough to feed Gus, but eventually I ca across several dog sized squirrels who were tearing into the flesh of a smaller gator with razor sharp claws. I lined up a shot with my rifle, and dropped two of them before the rest could react. The remainder charged , covering ground shockingly quickly, their chittering reminding of the sound my geiger counter made in the deepest depths of a deadzone. I Took out one more before they reached , and drew my sword before the remaining two could actually close the gap.
The first one leapt and and I swung my sword in a wide arc, cutting it in half. In spite of that, the top half of it reached and its teeth sunk into my shoulder. I cursed and tore it off of myself along with a chunk of flesh. The last one bit into my boot, and I was thankful that its thick leather made it so its teeth were only able to scratch , rather than take out a chunk of flesh as the other squirrel had done. I reached down and grabbed the creature by the scruff, it attempted to scratch at , but before it could I brained it against the nearest tree.
I shook my head. Id just had more trouble subduing those creatures than Id had with most raider groups recently. It was mostly due to the fact that animals werent affected by my R.A.S. abilities. Perhaps that was a problem Id have to look into. I couldnt rely on my new powers if I ran into sothing like an ursan again. They had already nearly killed twice. I had to make sure I had my other skills honed just in case.
I collected the bodies, tying them all together with rope, and headed back to my boat. When I ca around to the lake, Gus didnt wait for to lay out the food, instead climbing out of the lake and coming toward . I tossed the tied at in his direction, and let out a breath when he stopped at the food instead of continuing in my direction. I hadnt seen him out of the water in quite so ti, and Id forgotten just how massive he was. He had to be more than twenty feet long, and four feet wide. His scales were a pale white that was hidden by a heavy coat of glowing green algae. If one of the Rens saw him, theyd probably think he was a dragon.
As he dug into the bodies Id brought I spoke. As you can see, I continue to honor our little understanding, Gus.
He didnt respond, which was a little rude, but I let it go. I headed to the raft I used to get to and from the boat. I climbed in and let out a long sigh. Ti for a little break. By that, of course, I ant it was ti to clean and maintain my weapons, update my maps and journals, sharpen my sword, double check my supplies, and make sure that my boat was still in good shape. Staying still was difficult for , even in the place Id built for just that purpose, and what I considered relaxing was likely busier than most wasters working their jobs.
I found myself truly lucky this ti. Rather than getting only a day of rest at ho before trouble ca knocking on my door, this ti I got two. I was woken in the morning by my boat rocking as Gus hit it, and the sound of sloshing water. I bolted up for a mont, but hesitated. He may have just been drowning so prey, there wasnt necessarily any indication sothing was wrong. I took a deep breath and slled the air. I only slled myself and the deadzone.
I almost laid back down, but stopped myself. Paranoia had gotten this far, no reason to stop now. I got out of bed and walked onto the deck of my boat. I looked across the water and saw Gus sitting still at the edge of the water. Just a short distance from him was a woman. She was dressed in much the sa way as I usually was. A wide-brimd hat, long coat, gun at her hip, bandana and goggles around her neck. She was a deadman like myself.
Gus took a step out of the water toward her, and she took a step toward him and showed her teeth. Gus hesitated, then slowly slipped backward into the water. The womans toothed scowl turned into a smile briefly, until she looked up and saw .
Donovan, she said, just loud enough to carry over the water to .
Nico, I responded. That explained why I hadnt slled anything different. Nicos scent was too much like my own for to be able to differentiate them.
I sighed. The Honored Dead had tried the carrot with Deux, and now Nico was here to be the stick. I wasnt surprised. The two of them were the deadn I knew the best, and I had a helluvalot to answer for back at Potts.
I sent my raft to her on the shore. She hopped onto it, and I pulled her back to my boat. She leapt onto the boat with ease, and looked up and down. You look like shit.
Been through so, so that makes sense.
She nodded. You know why Im here?
Trying to get to visit Potts?
Yep.
I was going to after taking so ti here. Planned on heading out at the end of the week.
No waiting. Youve done too much too quickly. They need details. If what youd done hadnt affected other Deadn it would be fine, but youve made too many waves.
How much do they know?
All of it. From Boon to STAR territory and everything in between.
I grimaced. There was going to be a lot to talk about. Any idea how they feel about it?
Nico leaned against the railing and adjusted her hat. Its a mixed bag. So people like what youve been doing, like seeing a bit of blood spilled for deadn for a change. Others arent so happy. They just want us to keep collecting the dead, living in Potts and never worrying about the outside world. Its all old argunts, youve made them new again.
Fuck, I muttered. It had been a divide since Potts had been founded, and Id kicked it all up again. I shook my head. How do you feel about it?
Nico picked at her teeth with a nail. Fuck the mayor of Kind, and fuck Springfield. They deserved what ca to them.
I smiled a bit. Nice to know she had my back.
She saw my smile and shook her head. I agree with your actions, but not your thods. There was no reason to be a showman about it. Those things couldve been accomplished quickly and quietly.
There went my smile. We agreed on a lot of things, but thods had never been one of them. I ran a hand along my face. Lem get my bag together, and we can go.
Nico nodded. Dont rush, we just need to get going by morning. She gave a small grin, Besides, Deux told you have coffee?
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