The flight in the Shrike out of STAR territory and back to Jasper was quiet. Leah kept her eyes closed as she perford whatever agent functions she had, and Graves was focused on piloting, as eager to talk as he always was. I was surprised to find myself thinking of rcy, and wondering whether or not she was still reading the book Id given her. Things were likely to change for her people in the Republic sooner rather than later.
I took so ti to categorize all the information I had so far. The Remnants had arrived, at least partially. So far they consisted of maybe thirty people in power armor, but they also had intel, tech, and what seed like near total control of STAR. Theyd made their goals clear, and even if my trip across the Cut for them amounted to nothing, theyd certainly remain a force to be reckoned with either way. They seed friendly, but that just made trust them less.
I thought back to the Cabinet mbers. Masters was definitely in charge, there was no doubt about that or attempt to hide it. Matthews reminded a little of Julian, had the sa burning curiosity behind her eyes. The others hadnt really made much of an impression on , though Adams had seed familiar. Not in terms of looks, but his voice. I went through my supplies, triple checking my ammunition and making a few notes of the topography we flew over, and the route that the plane was taking. I placed the notebook back in my pack when it hit . He was the voice on the radio, the one that had been broadcasted giving speeches about Arica and boosted my nationalism stat. Leah had ntioned that theyd been paving the way for their return, I shouldve guessed that was part of it. I was surprised that a man with such conviction on the radio looked so pathetic in person. I suppose he just really had a face for radio.
It was after dusk by the ti the Shrike landed. Graves gave a nod as I hopped out, and Leah followed close behind . She handed a tube much like the one Id carried the initial agreent with Potts.
I took it. How will I contact you? I asked.
Her eyes closed for a mont and I received a notification.
Soone is attempting to use an ability on you. Allow? Y/N
I looked at her with nonexistent eyebrow raised.
Its just a ssaging attempt. If you allow it, then itll allow to establish a ssaging system between us.
I hit Y, and a small box appeared in my vision.
Hello
How do I respond?
Just say what you want and it should appear. You can also subvocalize.
Okay
She nodded, and hopped back into the Shrike. Dont rush anything. Youre our only chance at this, and we want you to be ready. Also, be aware that the ssaging may not function as well in deadzones.
I gave her a nod and started walking back on the path toward Jasper and my Deadzone. Another thing Id have to add when considering the strength of the Remnants was long distance instant communications. It seed limited, but I knew the importance of communication from my ti as a courier. If they used it correctly, it amplified the threat they could pose imnsely.
Originally I planned on going straight ho to my boat for a nights rest in comfortable familiarity, but I decided to walk close enough to Jasper to at least make sure I didnt hear any new gunshots. When I got close enough, I began to sll smog, and noticed smoke rising in several places. I drew my rifle and started running toward the settlent expecting another attack, but when I got closer I realized that the only sound I could hear was engines. The Horde had arrived.
I was surprised. News could travel surprisingly fast, but considering Id been gone for less than a day, they shouldnt already be here. I slung my gun back over my shoulder and walked closer. I could see several n and won already hard at work digging a trench in the towns periter as I approached, and I gave a wave to a tower guard who was squinting to see in the dark dressed in black clothes. He lowered his gun and waved back when he realized who I was, and I walked the rest of the way into Jasper proper.
The damage to the town was still there. Fresh bullet holes, and blood were everywhere, though most of the debris from the armored bus plowing through town had been cleared. Instead of the usual fear or revulsion I was used to on peoples faces, I instead saw relief in the eyes of those I passed as I walked into town toward the sound of engines. Those looks made avert my gaze and focus my eyes forward.
In the center of Jasper, where the damage was most severe, I saw a number of motorcycles and Horde soldiers gathered around. In the center of them I saw Rose, the foul mouthed mayor of the town, speaking with Angela. She seed to have earned a few new tattoos since the last ti Id seen her, when shed driven to the edge of the Black Woods, and was wearing so ursan leather and fur. Her mohawk was still proudly on display, making her look like a rooster.
The gathered Horde riders parted as I approached, offering respectful nods of acknowledgent, a few of them whispering to one another as they noticed . Angela and Rose were speaking in what, to , seed to be a coded language composed of the most foul words and taphors imaginable. I stood in silence listening for a few monts.
-four other settlents more fucked than a Horde riders woman after he earns his first tattoo, said Angela. Youre lucky yours is only half fucked.
We pay tribute for protection not for the Horde to show up late making excuses. Maybe if you spent more ti patrolling and less ti sucking your own-
There were multiple attacks? I interrupted..
Rose and Angela turned their attention to .
Cocks Rose finished, in spite of the pause shed just taken.
Good to see you too, Donny, said Angela. Not gonna bother with a hello, how do you do?
I gave her a blank stare.
She sighed. Yes. Five including Jasper, at least so far. All attacked by female raiders loaded into armored buses. From what we can tell the attacks happened simultaneously.
Were they all caught off guard? None of them managed to kill all the raiders?
She shook her head. They targeted settlents that usually dont see a lot of raider action. Jasper seems to be the only one that managed a half-decent defense.
Howd you learn about Jasper so quickly?
We didnt. Khan ordered patrols out to every settlent after the first two reports. We just happened to co to this one.
I nodded. That explained how they couldve arrived here so quickly after the attack. Do you have any leads on the raiders? Know the location of their base? Their leader? Anything?
We know they go by The Widows, and theyre made up entirely of won. Up until now they focused on smaller scale raids and manipulations. Tricking n into ambushes, pretending to need saving, that kind of thing.
I didnt ntion the fact that it wasnt just n that theyd tricked, considering the encounter wed had with them on the way to the Black Woods. No information on how they got the buses? The fuel? They seem very well ard and equipped for a raider group. I doubt they got all that gear just from petty raids like they were doing before.
No clue.
I opened up my system, and put in the details. Once the investigation was successfully opened I returned my attention to Angela.
Im starting an investigation now. Ill need to head to Fette to gather so information.
Angela nodded. Thank fuck. You can give the bad news to the Khan that this settlent got hit too.
Youre not heading back to Fette soon too? I asked. I had expected to be able to convoy with her crew. I preferred to travel alone, but with the danger vehicles posed, it was usually a good idea to have a few extra bodies around .
No. Khan wants us out patrolling more heavily, this region is the lot I drew.
Rose scoffed. Good. Better to have soone competent fucking these widows, rather than a bunch of useless cun-.
Im going to head out for now, I had spoken more in the last twenty four hours with different people than I had in certain entire years of my life and I had a distinct desire for solitude that felt almost overpowering. I tipped my hat and started the trek out of Jasper and back toward my deadzone. Id had enough of people for a while.
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