[IC] Fallout: The rescue of Six

[Stitchblades]

As the sun faded from the sky a figure in a black trench coat wandered into Madison's Bar in Hub. After his eyes readjusted to the lighting he dusted his coat down, in a hopeless attempt to get some of the dust and dirt of it. With a friendly wave from the bartender he went and sat at the bar removing his black ranger helmet and replacing it with his black beret.
He ordered his drink of choice after trading some supplies he had gathered from his time in the wastes. He could always get a good price for bottled water and sealed food. His recent trip had taken him out to the owens lake, it was rather uneventful, killed the odd raider or junky but that was it.
As he sat drinking his whiskey straight from a bottle he felt the presence of a stranger standing behind him.
"Jackson Radford?" the stranger questioned
With a brief grunt jackson replied "who's asking?"
"Mr V asked me to give you this message" with that the stranger handed jackson a holotape.
"Mr V huh? that old man still kicking i see" jackson download the message to his pip boy 2000 So the old mans got another job for me? i'll need a team, get them to meet me here in two days"

[Mr_pink]

Randall sat in front of the fire that burned so brightly before him. He'd occasionally toss a small piece of wood or tinder onto the flames to keep it going. A metal contraption was positioned on top of the fire, there was a handle that Randall was slowly turning as time went on. A large piece of bighorn meat was impaled on the metal contraption and spun with the metal bar as Randall spun the handle. Both of Randalls machetes lay on the ground next to him while the combat knife he hid in his boot sat on his cross legged knee. His pistol sat in its holster where it always sat. He took down his hood to reveal his red hair, darker than the red of the fire. His eyes contrasted with his hair, they were a teal colour that was different from most within the wasteland. The radio from his pip boy played merrily while he cooked the meat.

Eventually the meat was ready and Randall could finally stop spinning. He used the combat knife on his knee to pry the meat off of the contraption without risking burning himself, he used the two machetes in their sheathes to stop the meat from being contaminated by the sand and dirt of the ground. He was soon eating the well cooked meat about as ravenously as a starved coyote who just found a crippled wanderer. He was soon finished and ready to sleep before he was promptly interrupted by a rather weary looking courier. The courier handed him a holotape and waited a bit for what seemed to be a tip. Randall didn't exactly take kindly to the outgoingness of the courier, he made him run off by unsheathing his machete to give him the message. He inserted the holotape into the pip boy he had scavenged off of some plucky vault kid who was desperate to fight and listened to the message. It was V's voice. He explained that he had a job for Randall to do, but it required teaming up with some guy called 'Jackson' and a few other creeps. He preferred working alone to working with people he couldn't trust. He sighed recalling the massive favour that V had actually done for him in helping him escape Caesar. Randall thought it over for a second before packing his equipment up and beginning to set out on his way.

~~~~2 Days Later~~~~

Randall arrived at Madison's bar. He opened the door and took a seat at the bar. He ordered some Rum & Nuka. For 25 caps it was a bit of a rip-off, but Randall had a mighty thirst to quench and regular Nuka Cola wouldn't do. He never really took to sunset saspirilla either. He looked to the trench coat wearing man next to him.
"You're not, Jackson by any chance are you?"

[Stitchblades]

Jackson taking another sip of whiskey and glanced up to see and unfamiliar face. "Do i have business with you? I can't say i recognize your face, yet i do recognizes that colour of armor you're wearing" Jackson takes another sip of whiskey before lowering his hand to his 44. "most folk round here don't know those colours, or if they do they certainly would think one of caesar's puppets would be this far into NCR territory" Jackson raises his 44. to his hip "speak quickly my drink is waiting" he stares straight into the strangers eyes

[Mr_pink]

Randall stared at the man. He could see his hand reaching for his pistol he soon stopped him with his words.
"The difference is, I've worked with the NCR and Mr. V before" He took a drink from the nuka alcohol mix.
"I was born into the legion then escaped, V told me to meet you here, you can put your can-shooter away, no need to cause a riot over nothing" He took another drink before turning back to Jackson.
"V told me about a job, but didn't go into details, mind explaining what it is I'm actually going to be doing on the job?"

[Stitchblades]

Jackson lowers his gun slowly before breaking eye contact with Randall and reaches for his whiskey. " Legion escapee, worked with the NCR and has had contact from Mr V," Jackson waves down the bartender and orders another whiskey bottle "Seen as we will be working together i'll be honest with you, i don't trust you, and in regards to the job i can tell why V wanted you apart of the team, you know the legion and arizona. we are heading there, for a mission, Though we work for Mr V this unofficially is a NCR mission, very hush hush and we wont have any support other than the team, but i'll explain later once we hook up with the rest of the team

[MarsAdept]

Angelica was minding her own business while sitting alone in a corner of a small establishment. She sipped on her sunset sasparilla as she thought about her life. She really did not mind the NCR. However, they failed where she had hoped they wouldn't. She had been running from the Legion dogs since before she could remember. The running was wearing her out. She was getting frustrated. She wanted to fight back somehow. The running from and the fear of the Legion had made her do things she wish she didn't. She had to steal, and lie, and swindle. She even stole from her old employers back in Vegas. Sure they were not exactly good people, but they dealt honestly with her. She repaid them by stealing. If they were still alive back in Vegas, they would want her head. She was happy to be lost in thought when a man approached her. Her eyes narrowed as she focused on the stranger and came back to the present. Her right hand slowly gripped the handle of her plasma pistol as she set down her drink.
"Pardon me, Miss, Are you the one known as Angelica Phoenix?" the large man asked her.
She smiled and said the cliche line, "Depends who's asking, sir."
"I am not hear to play games, Miss, I was told to find you by my employer." the man said
Angelica pulls her pistol out of its holster and holds it under her table. She could easily blow out the mans kneecap if this goes bad. Confidently she replies, "I am Angelica Phoenix. Let's hear what your master has to say to me..."
The man placed a holotape onto the table with a smile and just turned around and left. Angelica was surprised. The man only needed a confirmation to deliver the holotape. who was his employer? Whomever it was, this was a good to get her interest. She stood up and left the tavern taking the holotape with her. She went to a secluded place to listen to the holotape.

---2 days later---

Angelica walks into an unfamiliar tavern in the Hub. She had thought she had been to them all in the Hub. She looks around looking for her target. The holotape had told her to find a man named Jackson Radford. She had a gotten a good description of the man but she did not see him anywhere. She cautiously makes her way through the tavern to the bartender. Naturally the bartender asked what would she like to drink. She tried to asked about Mr. Radford but the bartender insisted she buy something. Reluctantly, she bought a sunset sasparilla. The Bartender then pointed her to two men down on the end of the bad. She walks up to Mr. Radford with her sasparilla in hand and with a polite smile and tone spoke, "Hello, would you happen to be Mr. Jackson Radford, sir?"

[Stitchblades]

Jackson Breaks his conversation with Randall and looks up at her "I am indeed" jackson said in a gruffty voice at the alcohol was starting to affect him "and you are my i ask?"
Jackson studies her in great detail, taking note of her combat armor Laser weaponry Then turns to Randal raising an eyebrow at him.

[MarsAdept]

Angelica continues to smile, "You may consider me your guardian angel. My name is Angelica Phoenix. I have been contacted my a man going by the name Mr.V. He told me to link up with you. I am very interested in working with you." She takes a seat at the bar next to Mr. Radford and sips on her sasparilla. The man looked like he could handle himself. He does not really need her. However he was going against the legion. She would love to put a dagger in the side of the Legion.

[Stitchblades]

Ahh then i say welcome aboard" waving his hand slightly at Randall "this is Randall, like yourself contact by Mr V to join me on this job" JAckson takes out his 44. and gives it a quick wipe down with a scrap of cloth, "So whats your stories?, Mr v isn't one to hire people who don't bring anything to the table, and he knows full well that i wouldn't accept anyone who i deem not right" placing his 44. back into its holster and covering it up with his coat before taking of his beret and using the same cloth to wipe his bald head

[Mr_pink]

"I've essentially told you mine" Randall replied
"Son to a slave and a legionnaire, born and bred to be Caesars alternative in case Lanius died." He took a drink from his beverage.
"I got fed up with that life, hated Caesar and everyone at the camp. I met V on a patrol, devised a plan with him to get me off scott free and it worked." He looked to the ceiling.
"And now I'm here, hunting down the very man who trained me to protect him"

[MarsAdept]

Angelica shoots Randall a suspicious a look. Calmly she spoke with a little bit of anger, "I have been running from the Legion my entire life. Always staying just one step ahead of the advancing troops. They have destroyed my home over and over again. I have seen tribes fall beneath them one after another. I most recently watched them walk over the Mojove. I know the Legion. I know how they think, how they behave, what they believe. i know how to get by Legion soldiers without drawing attention. I know how to survive off the land. And I have a burning desire to see the Legion advance be halted once and for all. I am tired of running" She drinks some of her sasparilla.

[Saarebas]

A enormous leather cladded figure was hunched over a crudely made fire pit, filled with what seemed to be whatever was flammable immediate area, that laid in the center of what use to be a raider camp. The partly crushed husks of a half dozen Radroaches littered the ground surrounding the figure. The large being kept it's hands extended as it warmed itself with the fire. The only thing that broke the silence was the loud crunching sound that was erupting from the brute. If anyone would look to the giant's mouth they would see an antenna sticking out of it as plane as day. The sub human juggernaut sat and contently chewed the roach limb, creating the perfect picture for the word bizarre.

This may have went on if not for the courier, who looked like he was about to lose his lunch, sheepishly making his way through the junkyard entrance. The large figure arose from the ground, letting out a low inhuman grunt as he did so, and peered down at the man from behind a pair of black tinted goggles. The courier shakily pulled out a holotape and meekly held it out to the non human before him. "Th-this is f-for Dirge.." The man said in a voice that dripped with nervousness. The giant reached for the tape, making sure not to crush it in the process. "Mail!" The giant yelled out like a victory cry, sending the antenna it was chewing threw the air only narrowly missing the courier. "Thank you human." It then said in a rough voice that sounded like he spent his days gargling nails. It then looked over the tape before looking back to the courier. "Can you make it say words human?" The giant asked before holding the tape out to the courier. After a few moments of fumbling with his pip boy the courier was able to get the message to play for the living mountain.

The message was as simple as simple could be. Dirge. I have a job for you. Go to Madison's Bar in Hub. Find Jackson Radford, DO NOT SMASH. You will be paid caps... *a heavy sigh* Jinglys if you do well. Do not smash the others. Mr. V. *end of message* The second the message was over the mutant let out a victories shot "Jinglys!" He said before looking back to the courier who still seemed terrified. "Human. You know how to get to Madison's Bar in Hub?"

-----------2 Days later------------
After a rather long and nervous explanation on how to get to Hub from the courier, Dirge had manage to make it to the city with only getting lost twice. He also by some miracle made it into the town with out being gunned down, though most seemed to be doing everything they could to avoid him. He finally found the building he was looking for and let out a rather loud cheer before opening the door and crouching down to enter the building. He lumbered his way up to the bartender and offered him what could be thought as a smile. "Human do you know... uh do you know..." He said before he pulled out a scrap of paper the courier gave him. "Uh do you know Ja... Jack.. Jackson. Rad... Radford. Jackson Radford?" Dirge said as he struggled to read the paper to the bartender, who was no doubt scared out of his wits and trying to reach for some sort of weapon.

[Stitchblades]

Jackson looks over and notices the super mutant and the scared bartender reaching for his weapon without a second thought jackson pulled out his trusted 44. lept over the table and held the gun to the bartenders head
"you dont want to do that kid, A super mutant can take more rounds than any human and you would only get us all killed" JAckson turns to face the super mutant,
"I'm Jackson radford, how about we go outside to talk?"
holstering his gun jackson gives the bartender a bag of caps and signals the other two to follow us, Once outside jackson turns to the super mutant
"as i said in the bar i'm Jackson, and i'm guessing that you was told by Mr V to find me her in return for caps?"

[Saarebas]

Dirge still had his attention locked on the paper in his massive hands as he tried to reread the name to make sure he had said it right in the first place. He only looked up from the paper when he heard the rather fast movement of somebody jumping over the counter. He almost reached for his club that was hanging from the strap on his back but stopped when the man spoke up. It occurred to him that he was being protected, causing him to dawn the same odd expression as before that was his way of smiling. As the man headed out side Dirge followed after him, making sure to duck down under the doorway again. Once he was outside he stood to his full height causing him to tower over the others.
"Yes yes V man said I find you he give me more jinglys. Do I get jinglys now?" He asked in his rough voice, but his tone was that of a excited child.

[Stitchblades]

Jackson looks up at the giant super mutant "Jinglys will come soon i need to explain the job before everyone gets here" he tried to keep a cheerful tone to keep the mutant happy.
he turns to face all the collected group, "right i'm addressing this now, we have to work as a team. our life will be in each others hand. i personally do not like this but it is what it is. so i do not want to be hearing a bs about each other. so leave any hate in the bar" got it?! jacksons tone is firm and strong as his eyes looks at each person

[MarsAdept]

Angelica was getting up to follow Jackson when one of the bartender's assistants offered her another sasparilla. She took it. She paid the ten caps for it but had to pay an additional ten to keep the cap of the sasparilla. The bartender just waved the additional caps off as a tip, but Angelica was smiling. The cap she just bought had a brilliant blue star underneath it. This rare find brought her novelty collection up to a fantastic total of five. She then quickly chugged her sasparilla and followed the supermutant outside. She stood just outside the Supermutants reach. The Mutant could still grab her if he moved fast enough, but this was the distance she felt safe with. She listened to Jackson as he gives his orders. She smiles politely, "I can definitely do that, but my hatred motivates me. Fortunately, no one in this group has given me a reason to hate them." She turns to the giant supermutant, "Hey big guy, you have a impressive talent. You make me feel smaller than I already am."

[Saarebas]

Dirge looked to the man he had came all this way for. The odd smile came to his face again as the man told him he would be getting his jinglys soon, he nearly clapped but he managed to contain himself. Though his good mood was faded some as the man started talking about them working together, he had gotten use to being alone through the years and the thought of being around people made him slightly uneasy. But that feeling got shoot down when he recalled his years with the wander and how she taught him to live in the wastes. He was smiling yet again when the he noticed the woman. Dirge looked slightly confused as he looked down at the woman who spoke to him.
"Big guy? No pretty lady me Dirge." He said pointing to himself.

[MarsAdept]

Angelica nods as the Supermutant introduces himself. She tries to keep her friendly smile, "It is an honor and a privilege to meet you, Dirge. Your name is not one I think I will soon forget" She points to herself imitating the giant, "Me Angel." She then gives a slight and cautious bow to the mutant. She drops her overly friendly tone and expression as she turns back to the leader of this group, Jackson. She speaks with a serious tone "Sir, our group consists of a Dirge, a former Legionare, and a angry refugee. However, who are you to lead us? What are we doing that we must trust one another with our lives? I personally have never met this Mr. V. However he has offered me enough caps to put of some of the fires i started. And he knows my skill set has value to your mission."

[Zordon]

Rina sighted down her scope, sizing up her targets. Three men standing over a figure huddled on their knees with what appeared to be a burlap sack over their head.

"Easy pickings," she whispered to herself as her finger ghosted over the trigger of her rifle. She began to inhale, preparing to unleash judgment upon the unlucky victims in her sights when Acosador, her canine companion, began to growl in warning. She could hear the soft crunch of dirt and rocks under clumsy and heavy footfalls.

"Stop there or my friend will tear your throat out," Rina said without ever taking her eye from the scope of her rifle. "State your business or leave now, I'm working."

"I.. I.. I'm a co-cou-courier with a message for ra-ra-ranger Blunt ma'am," stammered the nervous courier. "I-I.."

"Place it on the rock next to Acosador and leave." She stated cutting off the simpleton that was this courier.

"B-bu-butt..." he began.

"3-2-1..." Rina counted down before squeezing the trigger of her rifle in three quick pulls ending the lives of the three men with precise and effective shots to their heads. The thundering crack of her rifle fire echoed through the arid wastes as she exhaled calmly. As she turned away from the ridge she was laying on she was pleased to see the holodisk resting on the rock next to her patient companion and the back of a courier swiftly scurrying away in the opposite direction.

She stretched where she stood before leaning down to pick up the package the courier'd left for her. She slung her rifle over her shoulder as she began to load the holodisk, placing her steps carefully as she headed towards the captive who lie in the burlap sack, no doubt panicking from the sound of her shots ringing out. She pursed her lips, making a low whistle sound and Acosador obediently began to follow closely behind her at a dull pace.

Rina listened carefully to the voice of Mr. V and his offer for this team mission. She quickly decided that her schedule was abnormally empty and her caps purse far too light for her liking. The recording came to an end as her boots crunched the dry dirt around the captive, reaching out and grabbing the sack in a fist, yanking it up and tossing it aside.

"Mr. Andrews?" she asked, looking upon the dirtied face of the old man bound at his wrists behind his back. The sheen of dirt on his face was stained with the evidence of tears and he smelled to be in severe need of a bath.

"Oh my God... T-thank you.. " he stuttered, his jaw trembling as he spoke. "Who sent you to save me?" he questioned, pulling his squinted gaze up to her face, his eyes still adjusting to the bright Mojave. Rina silently wondered if a man of his status had even been exposed to the harsh weather of the wastelands much before.

She answered his question with the soft sound of laughter. bringing her hand to the bridge of her nose and pinching it in slight annoyance. "I was sent here by the NCR. You see, they don't take kindly to their secrets being leaked out to the enemy." She pulled her pistol from it's holster at her hip, placing the barrel firmly against his temple. "Surely, you understand. It's just business."

"N-no..! Please..." he began to plead through sobs, now freely falling. "I can pay you! I can get you caps, Denarius'! Anything! Name it just, please..." he begged, his shoulders sagging with he violent cries.

Rina smirked, tensing the finger on the trigger in preparation to end the mans life. "Please tell me, Mr. Andrews. How is it you can pay me with my own money?" His eyes grew wide in realization that his life was no longer his own, the bullet travelling through the shell of his skull and splattering on the harsh sands of the desert.

-- 2 Days Later --

Rina sat quietly in the corner of the bar, nursing a glass of sweet whiskey to her lips as she watched the interactions of the group of misfits. This was the group she was supposed to perform this task with? Surely these people had some actual skills that would be of use, other than being socially inept or unusually large. Tensions rose at the bar, causing the group to take their conversation outside. Sighing loudly, Rina dropped a fistful of caps on the bar, tapping it twice and giving the barkeep a nod and heading outside to the group. She didn't say a word once outside, simply leaning on the outside of the building as Acosador rolled in the dust outside, showing a random moment of carelessness, quickly perking his ears up as Rina was in view, but remained lying on his stomach with his eyes fixated on her. She called him over with a silent gesture and he dutifully paced over to her, seating himself at her foot as she eavesdropped in on the conversation.

[Stitchblades]

Jackson turns to Angel " I lead you because Mr V asked me to, we have had a few dealings before and for this mission said he requires the skill set i showed on my last job for him. I'll be honest i would rather do this alone but Mr V Insists i take a team, He showed me a list of names and what you're good at and i chose you, Now if i'm not mistaken, we are waiting for four more members, One is someone with medical training, no need to explain why he will be joining us, another is a marksman, another is a supermutant so Dirge you will have a buddy and another who i can't quite remember"
Jackson sits down on a rock.
"So we have
A legion runaway
A Energy weaponist
A Super mutant tank

We are waiting on
A Medical guy
A Marksman
Another mutant
and that other one
and then theres me who's supposed to lead you all"