leanonstuff | PSL post for daughterless

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.]

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[Joel's philosophy goes something along the lines of "when in doubt, kill people." It's not exactly a prospect he relishes, but you have to admit, it's worked alright for him so far.

As the Legionary turns, he immediately makes a run for it, not looking back to see if Norman had followed his direction. He scoops up the rifle in one smooth motion, ducking behind a low counter even as he checks the gun. Two shots. The smoke bomb goes off with a dull 'whumf', and he immediately peers over the top of the countertop, sighting down the barrel of the gun. Everything is a haze of white and grey, the Legionary nowhere in sight, but he fully expects that to change...

"Hey! The prisoners--" The noise is more than enough for Joel to pump a bullet into its source, and the man's sentence is cut off with a low gurgle even as footsteps pound the ground and they both hear shouting from the far end of the room. Joel is off, ducking into a side door and hoping that there's some kind of connective hallway for him to sneak around and flank these assholes.

There's no telling what Jayden's up to, and at this point it'd be a dead giveaway to shout directions to the man. He can only hope that he's found a weapon of his own, or a place to hole up before the smoke clears.]

[That seems to be the philosophy of most people in the Mojave, which is why Norman would much prefer to stay in California. Unfortunately, he was stationed here, so there's really nothing to be done except try to "fit in". Luckily, he's good enough at acting to usually avoid killing anyone when he's on these sorts of missions. Not this time, regretfully.

Norman ends up ducking behind the main counter when Joel shoots the guard, grabbing a tire iron he finds on the ground when he hears other Legionaries moving into the area. His heart is racing again, adrenaline flooding his system in anticipation of a fight. One of the men heads in the direction Joel went off to, while the other searches the area for Norman. His hands tighten on the iron as he listens to the footsteps approaching.

When the man steps behind the counter, he suddenly leaps to his feet and takes a swing at him with the iron. The man cries out in pain and staggers, disoriented even as he reaches for his machete. Norman takes that opportunity to beat his brains out with the iron, so hopped up on adrenaline that he barely realizes what he's doing. When the man is clearly dead, he breathes deeply, checking to see if anyone else is around.]

[Hearing the sound of the Legionaries behind him, Joel ducks behind the door of the room, gripping the rifle tight to his body so that it doesn't knock against the wall and give his position away. It's always the same problem with these big guns. There's only one bullet left in the chamber, and he'd really rather save that if he can. Instead, he listens for the slight scuff of a footstep on the other side of the door, the light breaths of a man trying to be sneaky.

One mississipi, two mississipi, he counts down under his breath, listening to the pattern of movement before surging out from behind the door, wrapping his arm around the other man's throat and pulling tight. There's a quick struggle, the Legionary's nails scoring long red lines down his check as Joel grunts and bears down harder. Something gives under his arm and he feels the final rattle of the man's lungs, the body going limp against his.

Joel eases the body to the ground as quietly as he can, glancing around to see if anyone else was coming after him.

It's quiet, but that doesn't mean a damn thing. After a long moment, Joel purses his mouth and calls out, low and soft.]

....Hey. You still alive over there?

[Noticing nothing else alive in the immediate area, Norman goes to wipe some sweat from his forehead, only for the back of his hand to come away bloody. It's not his blood. He shivers after looking down again at the corpse he'd just made, feeling nauseous now that the immediate threat to his life has passed. Killing never feels good to him like he knows it does to some other people. With a shaky sigh, he bends down and swaps the tire iron for the Legionarie's machete.

At the sound of Joel's voice, Norman scans his surroundings one more time for any other Legionaries before stepping out from behind the counter.]

Yeah. I'm okay.

[He follows the voice, pausing in front of the other crimson-clad corpse on the floor. He's still wearing Joel's pack, and there's an obvious wariness to his stance that isn't all to do with the Legion threat. Joel attacked him before, and Norman isn't confident that it won't happen again.]

Time to get outta here.

[Joel catches the wariness in Jayden's eyes and looks away. It's every man for himself out here, and Joel won't apologize for what he's done. That said, he's also fully expecting the man to punch him a good one later on, and he'll take that as his due.]

One sec.

[The Legionary he'd brought down had carried a pistol on him, and Joel tugs it out of its holster, reloading it with quick, deft movements, when he hears-- something, a faint sound nearby. His head goes up, eyes narrowing, and he follows the noise to... a tiny closet with his contact wedged inside, looking somewhat worse for wear and minus the cocky grin. Joel had learned his name way back when-- Ralley? Riley? Something like that.]

Well, look who we've got here.

[His voice is cold and measured, and the man in the closet is now visibly sweating, even as the corners of his mouth curl upward in a nervous caricature of an ingratiating grin.]

"H-hey, Joel. Uh. Sorry 'bout that, I-I- look, man, what was I supposed to do? Say no to the Legion? I mean, I would have been dead meat! H-haha, but I guess you've done okay for yourself, right? Always knew you had it in you--" [Joel doesn't say a word, and the white show in other man's eyes as his gaze flickers frantically from Joel to Norman and then back.]

We don't really have time to wait around.

[Still, Norman follows, thinking his best bet of getting away alive is with company. That, and he highly doubts Joel would just let him run off with his pack and those bottles without an explanation. After all this, he's got to be suspicious about why the Legion wanted them, and why they'd kill him over them too.

He's surprised to see the contact still there. His hiding place would've been good enough if he'd just stayed quiet. The sight of the man he betrayed and another, covered in Legion blood can't be too nice for him. The way he stumbles over his words and pleading with his eyes is evidence enough of that.]

Come on, Joel... we really gotta get moving. Shoot him if you have to, but hurry it up!

[While Norman prefers avoiding murder, this one... could've led the Legion to killing a heck of a lot of people. Now he knows who they are and what they have, so he'll probably blab that to the Legion as well. He can understand the need for this one to die, and Joel's right to be the one to do it, seeing as he was the one betrayed by him.]

Just hold your goddamn horses.

[As much as he doesn't want to admit it, Jayden's right. They need to go, and fast. But just shooting the man outright feels like he's letting him let away with something, and besides, Joel has a few more questions for him.]

Don't worry, I'll make this quick.

[Without preamble, he squats in front of... Riley, yeah, he's pretty sure the name's Riley, pulls out the little knife from its sheath, and with one quick, brutal motion, jabs it into the man's knee, popping right behind the kneecap. There's a scream, a scrabble of movement, and Riley freezes as Joel presses the gun into his ribs with his free hand.]

Look here, buddy. Hey-- eyes right here. Now tell me, who else knew about this drop?

[The other man is shaking now, and just a second too slow to answer. Joel twists the knife slightly and and is rewarded by another scream. He doesn't flinch.]

"Fuck- FUCK, Joel-- N-n-no one else knew, please--!"

[Norman paces impatiently behind Joel, arms folded as he glances between him and the contact, and the door to the station. If those other Legionaries come back, there's gonna be trouble. He really doesn't want to deal with that.

He tries to make his impatience as obvious as possible, but it's clear that Joel isn't paying attention to him right now. Norman isn't sure what Joel is planning here until he jams a knife into the other guy's kneecap, and even gives it a twist. Eyes widening, Norman takes a step closer.]

Christ, Joel! Is that really necessary? Let's just go, alright?

[The NCR has a strict policy against torture (which he at least follows), and witnessing this sort of behavior makes him extremely uncomfortable. If he has to die, he has to die. But it should be done quickly and painlessly.]

[Joel more or less ignores Norman. The other man's squeamishness isn't his problem, and this.... this is business.]

You willing to swear by that?

[Another twist of the knife, and the other man's voice is more of a wail-- fuck yes fuck i swear i fucking promise god joel please. After the pleading dies down to low whimpers, Joel exhales, a sound full of contempt.]

Yeah, I believe you.

[He pulls out the knife with one swift motion, reaching out as he pushes back up to his feet to haul Riley up by the collar with him. He drops him just as quickly to the ground, like so much trash. The man makes a sound-- maybe relief, or gratitude, as he curls up on the floor, just as Joel slams down on his head with a booted foot. There's a crunch of bone as blood and more splatters across the floor.]

Right. We're done here.

[He's relieved when Joel finally pulls the knife out of the guy's leg, hoping this'll be over and done with now. What he doesn't expect is the method the man uses to kill his former contact.]

Fuck! [Norman has seen a lot of shit during his time with the NCR, but he's never seen someone smash another man's skull in with his boot before. That's Legion-level brutality there... although still admittedly quicker than being strung up on a cross. He suppose he is lucky that Joel only decided to knock him out rather than dealing with him like that guy.]

You're a psychotic asshole, you know that?

[Yeah, he'd also knocked a guy's brains out with a tire iron earlier, but that had been self defense. There's a pretty big difference in his mind.

Without saying anything else, he goes to grab his own pack too (as well as still wearing Joel's), and heads outside. The other Legionaries aren't back yet thankfully, so their way out is clear for now.]

[Joel turns his flat, dead stare on Norman for a long moment, and the contempt in his expression speaks volumes more than his words.]

You don't survive out here without learnin' to play rough.

[Left unsaid: that Joel had thought that Jayden already knew that by now. Brutality is a fact of life in the Mojave. He doesn't owe the man an explanation, and if this little show makes him more wary of Joel, well, all the better.

He follows after Norman-- even if he doesn't trust the man, at least he believes that he has an idea of where he's headed. Better than Joel does, at least.]

I think it's 'bout time I got some kind of explanation for what the hell is going on around here. You ain't actually working for the Khans, are you?

[Norman stares right back, trying not to reveal any intimidation he might feel under Joel's gaze. Who knows what this man has done over the years? It's sometimes difficult for a man like him to understand, who grew up in the NCR where there has been much more order where killing like that wasn't necessary to make it day by day. He's learned a lot more since joining the army and taking on these undercover missions, of course. But these sorts of acts still have the power to shock him from time to time.]

You could've shot him. He would've died either way.

[The first thing he does upon exiting the station is head in the opposite direction of the nearest Legion camp. McCarran isn't too far from here. This mission might not be a total failure after all.

It's also pretty obvious that his lie isn't going to hold up any longer. The question is, can he hold off on the truth long enough to get to McCarran, where Joel wouldn't be able to attack him even if he wanted to without risk of being shot?]

Nah. But at least my contact isn't with the Legion.

Would've been too good a death for him.

[Two years of jobs, building up a fragile sort of ~~trust~~ professional camaraderie between the two of them-- Joel for his reliability, Riley for always having the caps to pay him off, and now he turns 'round and sells him to the Legion? That deserves more than a clean bullet to the skull. And now, after being lied to twice from Jayden, Joel isn't about to be given the runaround again.]

So, what's in the bottles and who else wants 'em?

[There's a definitely note of warning in Joel's tone. That's his pack Norman has slung over his shoulder. He had taken him out once before. Even if Norman would be expecting an attack this time around, Joel thinks he can take him again.]

Hm.

[He doesn't know the history between the two, and decides it would be wise not to comment further. What's done is done. No one will be talking, and that is certainly important.]

I'm sorry? [He asks, pretending not to have heard the question despite obviously being close enough to hear. McCarran is already in sight once he crests that hill. He only has to bullshit him for a little while longer...

Or at least that's what Norman believes, when a pair of NCR rangers come into view. Perfect, he thinks, knowing that rangers are some of the finest of the NCR. They must be here to meet him. He gives them the special salute the'd instructed him to use to signal his success in his mission, ignoring Joel for the moment.

Norman is awfully confused when the Rangers respond by aiming their rifles at him.]

Wha- wait! [He flails his arms in a 'NO' gesture, but the rangers are clearly aiming at him despite having obviously seen the salute. Joel hasn't quite come into sight over the hill yet, or they'd probably be aiming at him too. Norman drops to the ground just as they fire, and then scrambles back down the hill, grabbing Joel by the arm and pulling him along as he runs. The Rangers won't be far behind. He's too worked up to think about what all this means now, his only current goal to make it somewhere safe to gather his thoughts and assess this new, disturbing situation.]

Edited 2013-11-17 05:01 (UTC)

Don't give me that--

[Jayden's already jogged ahead of him, up and over the hill. Joel speeds up, following after him with a growl. The first thing he sees as his head clears the crest is a distant settlement, military in appearance, and... two soldiers with their guns pointed at the other man.

NCR...?

And then there's shouting and Jayden has him by the arm, dragging him away even as the Rangers begin to reload and take aim again.]

What--?!

[They're sitting ducks out here. Joel tries to shake off Norman with a snarl, struggling to draw his own gun even as he's dragged back.]

We have to get away!

[Norman knows he's no match for a Ranger, and doesn't even want to try fighting two of them. They have a good enough lead on them that he thinks they could find somewhere to hide... like a cave or a big rock formation or anything.

Whatever the best option is, Norman certainly isn't thinking as clearly as he should be. He can't understand why his own people would be shooting at him. Releasing Joel's arm when the man shakes him off, he looks left and right, trying to decide which way to run off to.]

There's gotta be a mix up or something! But I'm not gonna try explaining shit while I'm being shot at!

[Joel is torn between fight and flight as he glances back at Norman, but he can't count on the other man to back him up-- or hell, not shoot him in the back, and two-against-one aren't odds he favors. Finally, he turns to follow him, but not before he shoots an angry glance at his back.]

You workin' for the NCR?

[There's an ugly, accusatory growl to his words, and it's very clear that this is going to be a problem, but they're already full up on problems, and

Joel exhales sharply, shaking his head to reorient himself. Where the hell are they? Hardly a stone's throw from Camp McCarran (fucking NCR, he should have known), to the... west.]

There's a cave to the south. It's [a personal smuggling den of his, but beggars can't be choosers] hidden. That way! [He gives Norman a none-too-gentle shove to direct him.]

Not important right now! Just move!

[Though he can tell it's going to be important judging by Joel's reaction. He hasn't shot him or left him behind, however, so there's something to be said about that.

A cave to the south? Okay... yeah. Good. Norman stumbles when he's shoved, but runs off in that direction once he's gotten his balance back. It's good that the Rangers started shooting before they'd gotten closer, since it gives them a chance to get around the rocks and into the cave before they're sighted. Once inside, Norman leans back against the rock wall to catch his breath; or at least try to. Goddamn, if he doesn't want another fucking Med-X. But no, not now. He doesn't want to overdose or anything.]

[The cave is really more like a pit in the ground, set into a huge lump of rock. The only light for a moment comes from the slivers of sun escaping through the hatch, and then Joel battens it down, sliding the bolt into place with a 'ka-chunk.' The room goes pitch black.

There's the sound of metal against rock, a spark, and then a small flame appears in a lamp full of brahmin oil, its dim light casting long shadows across the room. The room itself is full of sacks and crates full of various items, everything covered in dust and the evidence of rough living. The lamp also illuminates Joel, now pointing his gun at Norman.]

Think I'm about overdue for an explanation. [And it better be a damn good one, from the implacable tone in his voice, and the hard look on his face.]

[The darkness is oddly comforting for the few moments it lasts. But then the cave is illuminated with shadows and Norman quickly notes the gun pointed at him. It seems like this has been happening a lot today.]

Yeah. [He breathes out slowly, heart still racing. Maybe if he could have a moment without a goddamn gun pointed at him, he'd be able to calm down and talk.]

Lower the gun, alright? I'm not going anywhere.

[In fact he goes to sit down, just to make his peaceful intentions all the clearer. What's there to keep secret now? If the NCR wants him dead, he has nothing to go back to anymore. Norman's isn't sure that the enormity of the situation has sunk in just yet.]

Yeah, I work for the NCR. Or did... doesn't look like they want me around anymore. [He lets out a short, humorless laugh.] They sent me to retrieve these bottles on account of the biological hazard they contain. They thought if the Legion got hold of them, they'd poison all the waters around Vegas and kill off thousands of people. Said they weren't gonna use them themselves... but now I'm not so sure.

[Joel doesn't lower the gun. He hasn't decided yet if "Jayden"-- if that's even his real name-- is going anywhere" or not. Into the ground, maybe.]

And you believed 'em?

[Contempt again. Joel never expects anything less than the very worst from big military groups. Legion, NCR-- different levels of brutality, maybe, but in the end they're all the same.]

What were you, freelance? Some contractor? Or one of the pet soldiers they shipped in from the coast? [If nothing else, he didn't seem like a hardened merc for hire. Didn't have the stomach for it.]

[He guesses it's too much to hope for a civil conversation right now. He has lied repeatedly to Joel, so he guesses he understands, even though he isn't pleased about it.]

Of course I trusted them. I was born in the NCR. Grew up there... my parents both fought and died serving the NCR army. I've been with them for years now. I mostly do missions like this one, espionage... finding out about their enemies before they strike. That kinda thing.

[In other words: not a front line kind of guy. He kills in the course of those missions if he has to, but always prefers to find another way. Norman has always thought all the best of the NCR, seeing as they're bringing civilization to the Wasteland. But if they mean to use these chemicals... then, well, he doesn't know what to think.]

I'm sorry you got tangled up in all of this, I really am. But if they've seen you with me, you're gonna be in trouble too.

[The gun pointing at Norman stays rock steady even as Joel grimaces. So the man's a spy for the NCR. Great, just fucking great. He half-wonders if he should still shoot the guy-- just for the principle of it, not that Joel has much in the way of principles anymore, but the first rush of anger was past, and he'd just end up with another body to deal with. Slowly, Joel lowers the pistol.

That doesn't mean he isn't feeling damn spiteful.]

Well, ain't that loyalty for you. Guess they got all they needed out of you, thought it was time to cut their losses. [He scoffs, shaking his head.] Unbelievable.

[He can't believe this guy's gotten him dragged into this. And with the NCR, of all people. But now they're faced with a whole batch of problems, and being pissed doesn't solve a damn thing.]

The hell are we supposed to do with these bottles?

[He's grateful when Joel finally lowers the pistol, though he doesn't feel quite in the clear yet. Really, it's been a miracle that he's survived the day so far, and doesn't want to be too hopeful that his luck will continue.]

Bet they didn't want me around if they plan to use them... since I could spread word about it.

[Problems, problems everywhere. How to even begin solving them? Norman removes Joel's pack and places it beside him, glancing at it thoughtfully.]

Well, we can't have the Legion or the NCR get hold of them now. So... we'll have to protect them.

[He doesn't know about destroying them. Seems like that'd only release the chemicals, and he doesn't want any accidental deaths.]

Feel like playing the hero? [His tone is a bit snide, but the question is in all seriousness. Does someone like Joel give a shit about something like this? Or will he leave the burden on Norman's shoulders alone? The guy doesn't seem to care too much about morality, but then again he did leave Norman alive at the vault when killing him would've been easier. It's difficult to say what Joel's thinking.]

[Joel gives Norman an look, like Are you fucking kidding me? This kind of stuff is way, way beyond his paygrade and gets filed squarely as shit that is None of His Goddamn Business. His own primary concerns here are A) not dying, B) getting the hell away from the NCR troopers no doubt crawling through this stretch of desert, and C) ditching the bottles as fast as he can, in about that order. And here Jayden's thinking up some kind of crazy protection racket? His voice is hard, and faintly incredulous as he responds.]

I ain't no hero. And there is no "we" in this plan. You wanna stick your neck out and play dodge-the-bullet with the NCR and the Legion, then be my guest. But hell if I'm joinin' in.

[That said, he hasn't really thought through the implications of having a free-floating bioweapon either. As far as Joel can see, this is still someone else's problem.]

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