Stop Raiding My Heart

Chapter 29

In the morning the raiders loaded into the buggy and began traveling to the Strip. They sped past towns like Nipton. Once they reached the area around Novac Violet grew irritable.

"Mom can we stop? I don't wanna sit anymore." The child complained. Iza nodded and the raiders stopped into Novac. Gage hopped out and picked the child up from the buggy and he placed her on the sandy ground.

"We will walk around for a little then it's back to our journey." Iza explained to the child as Gage helped her out. "Stay close." Iza said as she walked beside the child.

"I'm tired mom."

"You wanted to stop Violet. You could have slept in the buggy."

"Fine I'm thirsty." The child said as she crossed her arms and furrowed her eyebrows. Iza picked up the child before walking to a tent with a pack Brahmin and a trader and caravan guard.

"I would hold onto that kid closely around these parts. Too many children are stolen now days. Since the courier came and let the legion take the dam." The trader in the yellow jumpsuit said looking at the child. "How old is she?"

"She's three and well protected." Gage growled at the woman.

"The legion won't be a problem for us. We're all heavily armed and have plenty of battle experience." Iza explained to the woman as she held Violet closer. "Tell me more about this courier? Do you know where they are?"

        "He stays on the strip in the Lucky 38. Good luck getting in without an arranged meeting. Robots protect the place. Though you don't seem like just anyone so he might be interested." She looked up and down at the raiders. "Who are you exactly?"

"I am the Overboss of Nuka world, Iza and this is my person guard and advisor Gage. Now that you know who we are, we must know what do you know of this man?" Iza pressed the woman.

"All I know is that thirteen years ago he vowed to free us, but that freedom was also granted to the legion and now the courier control the towns and cities and Cesar controls the rest. It is just how things are now days. You can only get alcohol and gamble up near the strip because of this. Legion doesn't allow drugs or alcohol or even automatic weapons." She looked at the raiders near the buggy. "The legion and robots will eat your small band alive. The Mojave is a cruel place."

"Good news for you I have come to take over Vegas. I will restore your freedoms and rid you of this legion. I am a woman in a place of power I think you know why I want them gone." Iza said as she readjusted the child. "This is not my whole army. Just enough raiders to scout the area that will be mine."

"Leave us we don't want to be led anymore. It's only caused us harm."

"We will use this town to send a message." Iza turned to the buggy. "Raiders in position." The raiders went from calm to battle ready in seconds. "Burn it to the ground." Iza ordered and the raiders pulled out a box of explosives and Molotov cocktails. A shot was fired at the raiders but they dodged it. "Hold fire." Iza said as she handed the child to Gage. "I'm going to find out who's in that snipers nest. Gage stay with the raiders and Violet."

       Iza began to walk towards the dinosaur gift shop. She entered the building and say the stairs leading to the nest. She unholstered her pistol from her thigh before opening the door. She held her gun to the man's head.

       "Who are you?" Iza questioned the man in the red beret. "Answer quickly and no one gets hurt."

        "Are you from the legion?" The man asked.

        "No we're from Nuka World. Now answer my question." Her voice became annoyed.

"I'm a Boone. Why are you so far from Nuka world?"

"I'm on business. We're taking this area or at least parts of it."

        "You can put your gun down I told you who I was." She lowered her pistol and then holstered it. "The courier will not let you take the Mojave. This is the legions territory under him."

        "Do you know him?"

        "I thought I did many years ago but you never truly know a man. You headed that way?"

"We are we could use a local in our squad to map the area. We both want the legion gone it seems." Iza looked at the man and crossed her arms. "So you coming with us sniper?"

"I'll come but I'm not your slave I can leave when I want. You don't let me I kill you."

"Sounds fair let's go." Iza said leading Boone back to the group. Gage was slightly taller than Boone. He looked down at the man. "He's coming with us. I'll have no complaints or I leave you here. We clear?" The squad agreed with their Overboss as they all got into the buggy. Boone sat across from Gage. He watched as Violet played with Gage's boot spikes. His gaze softened at the child.

      "You got kids?" Iza asked trying to make conversation.

       "No I don't. I'm surprised she is still with you. Many kids don't make it out here." Boone looked up at Iza.

      "She's been protected since the day she was born." Iza said picking up the small child.

      "I can tell by the way he's looking at me that he's the dad." Boone said as he noticed Gage glaring at him. "Or maybe a very defensive guard."

       "This is my husband Gage. Yes he is her father. And yes he is also my personal advisor and guard."

       "No one tell you about inappropriate workplace relations?" Boone looked at Gage.

      "We are a family yes but our actual relationship stays out of the way of what we do. Other than protecting this  little one. She comes first." Iza said as she held Violet close to her. They arrived outside Freeside.