Norman Jayden (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
leanonstuff) wrote2011-10-14 08:21 pm
leanonstuff) wrote2011-10-14 08:21 pm
PSL post for daughterless
[The NCR had sent Norman to the Vault because the area was surrounded by Fiends, and he was damn good at blending among the various "criminal" groups around the Mojave. No way an ordinary NCR trooper would be able to get inside without being attacked. And according to their intelligence, exactly what was inside was of such great importance that they couldn't possibly wait to go after it just in case Caesar's Legion got wind of it and acted first. Norman was searching for a box of special bottles that appeared to be beer or vodka bottles, but were actually filled with a chemical that, when introduced into a water supply, could spread a deadly bacteria that would wipe out anyone who drank the contaminated water for at least a month.
Unfortunately, finding the bottles was turning out to be far more difficult that Norman had anticipated. He'd gotten into the Vault in the first place by wearing old, torn and dirty clothes that could pass as those a typical raider or Fiend might wear. He'd even bought a few chems from them to help gain their trust (and to use them later, though he planned to tell the NCR that he'd disposed of them instead). The Vault seemed to be empty of Fiends, luckily, but he wasn't too optimistic that he wouldn't eventually run into ghouls or worse.
10mm pistol in hand, Norman opens the door to the Vault infirmary, hoping he might have some more luck locating the bottles in there.]
Unfortunately, finding the bottles was turning out to be far more difficult that Norman had anticipated. He'd gotten into the Vault in the first place by wearing old, torn and dirty clothes that could pass as those a typical raider or Fiend might wear. He'd even bought a few chems from them to help gain their trust (and to use them later, though he planned to tell the NCR that he'd disposed of them instead). The Vault seemed to be empty of Fiends, luckily, but he wasn't too optimistic that he wouldn't eventually run into ghouls or worse.
10mm pistol in hand, Norman opens the door to the Vault infirmary, hoping he might have some more luck locating the bottles in there.]
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That bullshit stunt is the reason we're still breathing right now. I know what I'm doing... give me some credit.
[He tinkers with the rifle a bit more during Joel's silence. The response isn't too reassuring. Yeah, he clearly knew those people, judging by the guy whose head got stomped in back at the station. Nearly everything about Joel is suspicious as hell, but he's all Norman has right now. The thought that everything he's built up in his life is gone now makes his chest tighten a little, and with a good deal of effort, he forces himself to focus on the present situation.]
I guess if it'll help us get through their territory without any problems...
[If both the Legion and NCR are shooting at them, their chances of survival are depressingly low. So that's the positive side of what he's learned, he supposes.]
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[Yeah, being a shitty, shitty person gets him through the Mojave just fine. By now, Joel's stripped a couple of shotguns down, frowning at the crust of dirt on some of these parts. What the hell is with people who don't take care of their guns...?]
As long as you can get us round all the NCR stations out here. [This close to base camp, there's bound to be patrols every which way they go. Maybe he'd be able to mark them out on a map. They'll probably have to take the long way around either way. And if they get spotted... Joel glances back at Norman, a sharp look.] They catch sight of us, then it's shoot to kill. You got the stomach for that?
[Despite the blunt question, there's no condescension in his eyes, no judgment. Joel's feelings about the NCR aside, loyalty is loyalty, and trust seems to be a quality the other man has in spades (why he was trusting a man like Joel, who'd already turned on him once and left him for dead is really beyond him.) It had to burn-- the two of them had been betrayed, tossed aside like so much trash. He'd gotten his own back, but Norman...]
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[He knows where they won't go... and that's too close to major Legion outposts. So if Joel somehow has connections that'll keep them safe in Legion territory, he hates to think of it but sticking around there might be their best bet.]
W-well... [The falter in voice is obvious, and Norman pauses as he looks down at the rifle he's working on fixing up. Those are people he knows, if not necessarily his friends. The higher ups might be more corrupted than he thought, but the regular guys? He sure as hell doesn't want to kill them.]
Yeah... yeah. I can do it. [He'll just have to work extra hard to make sure they don't come across any NCR guys. He'll do what he has to in order to survive and keep those bottles safe. But he doesn't want that guilt on his shoulders either.] We'll be fine. It's gonna be okay.
[He's talking more to himself than Joel, and doesn't sound all that convinced either.]
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Joel hefts the newly patched up shotgun, gives it a tug to make sure everything was secured, nothing loose or rattling around. The metal warms under his hands, and it's... reassuring, in a way. They can do this. If it's just a matter of staying out of sight and killing whoever might try to catch them, Joel can do this.]
We'll give it til nightfall-- then you lead the way.
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[It isn't long before Norman's fixed up the rifle. Placing it aside, he goes to sit himself down on the floor and rests his head against one of the boxes, eyes sliding shut. After everything they've been through today, from the Vault to the encounter with the Legion, then the NCR, he's exhausted.]
Mind if I take a quick nap before then?
[Ordinarily he would never want to sleep around someone he doesn't fully trust. But at this point, it's hard to imagine things getting any worse. And beside, what could Joel possibly do? If he wanted to kill him and run off with the bottles, he'd have done it already.]
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[If anyone comes bursting into the cave, they're probably already dead, and the best Joel would be able to do is take out a few before he goes down. Even so, it goes against his every instinct to leave them unguarded. He'd occupy himself for the next few hours rigging up a couple homemade bombs and packing and repacking the contents of his bag.]