User blog:DB Baxter/A Gathering Force - The Craftsman (5/9)

April 18th, 2285

Boston, Massachusetts, USA

10:29 P.M.



Saishu sat in the back of the aircraft, meditating and waiting for their arrival at the Corvega auto plant. It was difficult for him to find his inner peace, with Rick talking loudly and the radio blasting music at full volume. Someone was singing about how the times were changing.

“Mr. Deere, could you turn that down?” Saishu shouted, keeping his eyes shut. “I am trying to concentrate.”

“On what?” Rick spat, twisting the radio dial until the loud singing was only a low hum. “Trying to find your chi or some shit?”

Saishu sighed. “Something like that. Now please-“

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Well, I’m sorry, but I like to meditate too. And my meditation requires Bob goddamn Dylan and his guitar, So you can take your chi and-“

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Saishu calmly removed a knife from his belt and launched the projectile through the air and towards Rick. The marine moved aside, but the blade was not aimed at him. It instead landed in the radio, causing some sparks to fly and the sound of Bob Dylan to abruptly ended.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Rick looked at the radio for a moment. “You know, if this was my radio, I’d punch your teeth down your throat.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Over a song from Bob Dylan?” Saishu asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Rick snorted. “Kid, Bob Dylan was the best of his time. Bastard could play a guitar better than I could kill commies, and I was very, very good at killing commies.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Then why do they never play his songs?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Because society before the bombs dropped was worse than it is right now,” Rick laughed. “Sinatra came out and talked shit about Rock n’ roll, and everyone nodded their heads and agreed with him, and that’s how it was for a hundred years. ‘Oh, yes, Frank, please, save us from the music that takes some goddamn talent to pull off. Please, serenade us with your songs and all 3 notes in your goddamn range. You know he’s cool because he’s got more divorced wives than he does hit songs!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I don’t… I don’t understand,” Saishu frowned.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“People have no taste in music, son, that’s the big and little of it,” Rick shrugged. “Pilot, how close are we to Boston!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“We are exactly 3 minutes and 16 seconds away from landing at the designated site,” The pilot called back, in his metallic voice. “I recommend readying all arms and armor for the impending mission at this moment.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Alright, thanks!” Rick said, rising up. “Well, kid, you’re gonna show me what your made of here. Follow me and don’t muck things up, got it?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I can handle myself quite well.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“We’ll see,” Rick said, loading up his shotgun. “You a vigilante?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I beg your pardon?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“You don’t strike me as a mercenary,” Rick said. “You got that… reserved feeling about ya. You kill for honor and justice and all that shit right, right?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I guess…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Figures… You got a gun?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I don’t… I don’t use guns.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Really?” Rick laughed at him. “Let me guess, it’s against the code of samurai wisdom and the works? You always have to walk in with a knife to the gun fight, right? Because that’s honor?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Well-“

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Son, you ain’t gonna get anywhere without a gun.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I’ve… gotten pretty far with-“

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“No, you’re young. You’re fresh into that suit, I bet. You haven’t worn that armor for anywhere over 2 years, am I right?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Well-“

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“There’s gonna be a lot of situations, where you need something more than that sword,” Rick said, rising with a firearm in his hand. “You might be fast, but you ain’t faster than a bullet.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I just need be faster than the man.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Horse shit,” Rick spat, extending his hand out. “You know how to use one of these?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Yes…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Then as long as we’re working together, you’re gonna keep this,” He said, dangling a gun in front of him. It was a small 9mm pistol with a silencer at the end of the barrel. “And if you’re disarmed or your getting overrun, or your needing to kill someone that this sword can’t reach, you’ll use it.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Richard, this isn’t-“

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I have been stomping around this wasteland for 200 years, bucko. Do not tell me what is and isn’t necessary.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Saishu cast a funny look at the gun and took it from him. He put his finger on the trigger and got a feel for it’s weight. “I will… keep it close,” Saishu said. He had no intention of using this weapon at any time. <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Good,” Rick said. “Now get those robots in here. We’ve got shit to do.” <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">The Corvega Auto Plant provided any Raider group who decided to call it home with plenty of munitions and armor to last until the next nuclear apocalypse. The towers provided excellent cover and range for snipers, and the sprawling space of the factory allowed for a massive gang to be built in the heart of the commonwealth.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Rick and Saishu stood on the walkway that lead up to the factory, with only their eyes peering over the rails to get a good look at the defenses. The drones stood back, knelt down and weapons ready for Rick’s orders.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“You see anything?” Rick nudged Saishu, who was peering through a set of binoculars. He could spot no snipers up in the tower, no one patrolling the entrance. All he could see was two sentry guns that didn’t even look like they were functioning.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“No… the place looks empty…” Saishu said. “The sentries look non-functional.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“We need a closer look…” Rick decided. “Think you can handle recon duty, squintsy?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“With ease,” Saishu rolled his eyes, putting the binoculars down and moving in for a closer look.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">He glanced back up at the towers one more time, just to make sure he was not moving into a sniper’s crosshairs. No one was up there. No one was down the street to his left, not down the street to his right, and not at the gate. He slowly moved towards the doors, watching the sentries warily.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Don’t go to the gate!” Rick hissed across the street. “There’s gonna be a goddamn trap there!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Saishu turned around. “Well where am I to go?” He quietly shrieked back

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I dunno! I just thought you’d crawl up the wall and go look up in the towers!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I am not a spider, Rick!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Well fuckin’ shit, Samurai, I thought you’d know how to get up a wall with momentum!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I do, but that’s a big wall! I’m not gonna run 30 feet up solid concrete!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“You sound like a goddamn pussy!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I’m not the one hiding behind the concrete and telling someone to do something that physics won’t allow!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Oh my god, why don’t you just go knock on the fucking door then? Maybe they’ll open up nicely and ask us in for fucking Gwinnet!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Saishu frowned. “Look, I’m going to go and inspect the sentries, can I do that, sir?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Yeah, sure, get yourself killed. I’ll be standing right here with a bible and a shovel!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Saishu turned and continued towards the door, taking the steel walkway up to the sentries. They remained locked in place as he silently crept up on them. He noticed that there was a wire that plugged into these sentries and rand through a small hole in the wall.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">He put a hand on the sentry and slowly turned it to face him. He looked at the nozzle of the sentry, and realized that it was heavily modified. A long tube, with wires exposed and wrapped around it, all leading to a lensed cap on the end of it. There was a red dot lit up at the top of the lens, which meant it was active.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“It’s a camera!” Saishu said, before the nozzle shot up and looked him right in the eye. The sudden movement forced the normally calm samurai to leap back in shock, pulling out his sword and preparing to chop the thing in two.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">A voice came out from the machine. “I ain’t lookin’ for trouble. What’ja want?” it asked. The voice sounded distorted and buzzed out of the camera.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I’m… who am I talking to?” Saishu asked.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“No, you’re on my property. I’m asking the questions. Now, I’ve got… 3, maybe 4 sentries that can rip your ass a new one if you don’t tell me who you are and what you want. You a raider?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“No, I’m… looking for a man. I was told I could find James Gatling here.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“By who?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Rumor around to-“

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I know you ain’t from around here. Don’t try me with that ‘word around town’ shit. Who are you?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I am… Saishu Ketsueki, of Salvator Industries…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Salvator…” the voiced mulled it over. “Salvator, Salvator… you’re the merc group, right?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“That… yes?” Saishu furrowed his brow. “Am I… Am I speaking to James Gatling?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“No, this is a friend of his. He’s been talking about you. Said you’d probably send someone one to pick him up...”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Saishu didn’t know what to make of this. “Can we… step in and talk to him?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“There’s more of you?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Yes.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Armed?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“To the teeth…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">The camera was silent for a moment. “You’re the leader?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Me and Richard Deere.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“You two can come in. Anyone else, they’re staying outside. Got me?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Yes.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I’ll send an elevator down to get you both. You can come in and talk with him, but I’ve got defenses all over the place. Don’t fuck with me.” <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Wasn’t planning on it,” Saishu said, breathing a sigh of relief. He glided down the metal walkway and made way to Rick.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“You ain’t dead,” Rick noted. “I guess that Raider band is in a negotiating mood?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“No, it’s not Raiders. James and a friend of his are calling the shots here,” Saishu explained. “Whatever intel Castille had on Corvega, it’s out of date.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Rick cocked his head, indicating that he didn’t believe it. “Bull… he didn’t let you talk to James?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“No, but he’s wanting us to come in and talk with him. Just the two of us.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Ah, there it is!” Rick pointed. “That just smells like a trap. Yeah, we’ll walk in so we can talk to them. Walk right into an ambush and die or get sold off to some fuckin’ slavers.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Rick, they’ve got no one out on patrol. The towers are empty, the streets are empty, and even the gates are unguarded. All they have are high-tech sentries somewhere and rebuilt cameras. Does that sound like common raiders or does that sound like our machine building target?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Rick glared back up at the building.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Even if it is a trap, we have to go in… that’s the mission, remember?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Bah!... Fine, fine…” Rick sighed. “Drones, secure the perimeter! Don’t let anyone in, don’t let anyone out!”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“As you command, Captain Deere,” The robots automated response came, and the small squadron moved out to cover what territory they could.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Captain…” Rick chuckled. “You’re taking point, Sushi.” <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">When they walked in, they were immediately greeted by the sight of yet another robot waiting behind the receptionist desk. Unlike the drones, he seemed mored geared towards construction than those bots, and his laser pistol seemed primed to turn them into ashes. There were two Mr. Handy’s next to him, rusted and dented but functioning. Their arms, with a flamer nozzle attached at the end, were aimed directly at the two guests.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“You two sure don’t look the part of professional mercenaries,” The robot said. The accent on the voice was automated, yet it sounded genuine. Like someone was trying to talk through a broken radio (picture the Protectotron’s voice from New Vegas).

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“And you look more like an old trash can than a bodyguard,” Rick said, holding his shotgun up. It wasn’t with ill-intent, but it let the machines know he wasn’t intimidated by their firepower. “Now that the insults are out of the way, we’re here to see Gatling.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">The robot laughed. When he talked, a blue light lit up in the circle where his mouth should be. “Fair enough. James is upstairs, just step into the elevator.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">The Mr. Handy’s put their flamethrowers down and hovered out of the way. The robot waited for the men to move first, as he wasn’t going to turn his back to them.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Rick nodded and the two made for the elevator. “What kinda robot are you? You a modded up Assaultron?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“You’re not getting my designation,” The robot said. “You can just call me <span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height: 150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">Chester.” <span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Oh well pardon me, sir,” Rick growled. “Didn’t know robots came with a stick built up their ass..”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">Chester just glared at the marine with cold, steely eyes. “Keep your dog on a leash, samurai. I’m not in the mood for this.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Dog?! Son-“

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Rick!” Saishu suddenly barked, silencing the marine and forcing him to mutter under his breath. “We will comply, Mr. Chester <span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif">. We’re very thankful you’ve chosen to let us in.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">The robot smirked at the defeated man in the mask. “Alright. In you go now.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">The three stepped into the elevator and let the machine take them to the upper levels. As the elevator went up, Rick decided to get some clarification. “We were told that James was here as a hostage to a band of raiders.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Was. I wrangled up a few scrappers and went in after him,” Chester <span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%; font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"> shrugged. “That was about, a week ago. That band of raiders if floating up into Canada as ashes.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“If you were free to move over the last week, why didn’t you?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Place is loaded with scrap metal and steel,” Chester <span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif"> explained. “I’m guessing that intel told you James is a builder?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Yeah.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“He’s found a lot of good parts for his power armor,” He said. “He’s taking the upgrades on a test drive right now. So even if you still have thoughts of doing something, he’s got a shotgun and armor.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“You don’t seem to trust us,” Rick said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Oh, sorry. I’m not really trusting of two armed guys walking in and telling me they’re from some organization I’ve never heard of, trying to talk with the guy I’m tasked with keeping alive. Forgive me if I seem a little distrusting.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">The elevator doors slid open and they stepped out onto an empty factory of floor. The car parts had been pushed out of the way, up against the wall and piled up in the corners. The undercarriage, the engine components, and pieces of car frame were all separated. In the middle of the floor was a suit of power armor stomping around with exaggerated gestures. The head and back of the armor was heavily modified with devices for aiming and perhaps medical support.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“What’ja need, Chess?” The man in the suit asked, the armor squeaking and shrieking as he tried to squat in it. “That didn’t sound good… what is it?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Two gentlemen here said they need to talk to you. They claim to be from the Salvator company,”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Salvator? Well, I’ll be damned…” He said. The back of the suit flung open and outstepped a man that looked to be in his late 30’s. His features were rugged and scarred up, hidden under a scraggly beard.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“You are James Gatling, right?” Saishu confirmed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“That’s the name,” James said, sounding soft spoken. “And you two are…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I am Saishu Ketseuki. This is Richard Deere,” He nodded to the ghoul. “We were here on a rescue mission but we… seemed to have arrived a little late.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“A little?” James laughed. “A little late, is showing up to the 8:00 party at 8:05. I went from New York, to New Haven, to Hartford, to Providence, down to Plymouth, and aaaaaaall the way up here to Boston before you fella’s showed up.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“We’re here, aren’t we?” Rick asked. “We can walk back out the door if you’d like, fella.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Jesus Christ, would you lighten up?” James sighed, leaning on the power armor. “I assume I’m gonna be working with y’all, so if you would like to just ease off the screaming a bit…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“You’re coming along, then?” Saishu asked

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“’Course I am,” James said. “I’ve been waitin’ to see if you folks would come calling back. I was hoping you would. I’m under the impression y’all have a lot of metal to tinker with…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Most of it’s been tinkered with,” Rick informed him. “I’ve been there about 2 weeks and all I’ve seen is just robots flying out of their asses…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Well that’s all the better, then,” James said. “I could see what their robo-divisions like. Meet the brains behind the tech…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“He’s a punk-ass pushover,” Rick laughed. “Kid sent his robots on me in a test drive, and I fucked em’ all up.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">James rolled his eyes. “Then I’ve got my work cut out for me,” He said. “Few things before I shove off and outta here with y’all. I’m taking my tools, my shotgun, my power armor, and Chester there. The rest of these bots I’ll send down to Goodneighbor as a partin’ gift.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“That sounds reasonable,” Saishu said.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Then if you two would give me a few minutes to pack my things, we’ll get moving,”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Fantastic. That’s mission accomplished, and I’ll go ‘round up the damn bots,” He announced, moving for the elevator. “Make it snappy, grease monkey, I ain’t got all night.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">As the ghoul descended in the elevator, Saishu asked. “You seemed so… willing to join.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Well, I’ve already talked with the lady in charge, Miss Castile,” James explained, hopping back into the suit of power armor. “I was just waiting for the escort to come in.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I see…” Saishu said. “Quite impressive, to assemble these machines and defenses from nothing. I see why she wants you on this team.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Bah, I prolly don’t know anything that those eggheads don’t know…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“But I doubt they have the bravery to step into the field of battle,” Saishu pointed out. “You mentioned you journeyed from New York to here.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“That I did,” James said, putting his head in the helmet and stretching in the armor. “Tough as shit, too. All the bombs hit right along that line. Had to upgrade the filter in this hunk’a junk before I moved out.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“You’ve added a lot to that suit…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Yeah. Suit a power armor can only get ya’ so far. You gotta plan for every possible contingency,” He said, sounding very proud. It was obvious that he had been waiting to show off what he had built to someone. “Got a flamer in the right arm for Ghoul hordes… Scope here on the side, that’s for locking onto heat signatures so I can see snipers. Helps me lock on and aim for them raider bastards, too.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">Saishu simply nodded, humoring the crafter and letting him ramble on about his suit. “It’s certainly an impressive suit of armor, Mr. Gatling.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">   “Well, I try…” He chuckled as he grabbed his shotgun off the wall. The gun had a large, circular clip attached underneath. A riot shotgun. “When we get back, I can look at the armor for you if you want.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“My armor?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Yeah, I mean… I could ding out the dents in it, give a fresh coat’a paint, maybe even give you a proper holster,” He pointed to the silenced pistol, dangling on his belt. “You can’t just let that thing hang like that. Shit’ll fall off and you’ll lose it.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“I… it’s not mine,” Saishu muttered. “Rick wanted me to carry it.”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Ah, your ghoul friend?” James asked, stepping into the elevator carefully so that it wouldn’t damage the cables from all that weight. “Is he that loud all the time?”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“So far…”

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-size:10.0pt; line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif;mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">“Ah, shit…” James sighed. “Ah, well… you seem alright, Samurai. We’ll see how this goes..” <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">The elevator closed, and they began heading down…

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">(Here it is, 9 pages of writing! This is very much a get-it-done story as I have been stuck on writing this for the past few months now. I intend for the next chapter to be much more in depth and well put together than this one. I haven’t even checked this chapter for mistakes because I’m tired and wanting to get this thing on the Gravel Pit. If you see any, point it out to me.)

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">

<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:150%;border:none;mso-border-bottom-alt: solidwindowtext.75pt;padding:0in;mso-padding-alt:0in0in1.0pt0in"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;line-height:150%;font-family:"Helvetica",sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-family:"TimesNewRoman";mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi">(NEXT CHAPTER: The Good Doctor)