Wasteland Tales

Wasteland Tales Ch 7: Fallen Grace

"We could've stayed until Jamie had the child before leaving!?" yelled George.
"Yeah, so we would possibly have encountered the Legion if we went later," yelled Will.
"Stop," shouted Kelly. "Everyone calm down. You're all acting like children. We chose to travel with Will on our own accord. If all of you are going to be yelling about a pregnant woman, than leave. We'll have to be accustomed to it."
"Yeah, but if we all are going to the east coast with time against us, then why should we stay?"
"The wasteland is against us. After the bombs fucking dropped, there was no solitude for humanity. We have creatures and other people to fight against. And Will, this is your wife, I know you're trying to protect her, but please, don't take it out on others. So shut it everyone and let's just keep going. Any disagreement?"
Everyone in silence, just nodded to Kelly's question, picking up their items and kept walking. On and off walking, slowed their time nearly triple their distance the further along Jamie became. Nearly three months after they left New Canaan before they finally reached the outskirts of Denver. In the mountains west of of Denver, the group started to head down the mountain. The set camp early like usual; and staked the area to find food. Philip roamed parts of the forest, finding a clearing to an old war campsite. Looking around he saw a smokestack in the distance. Curious if there was a town nearby, he travelled through the forest even further. Getting to a small ridge he tried seeing through the tree line, and barely making out the flag of the Legion. Eyes widening, he quickly got up and ran, passed the old camp site to their own which was by the road. Making it to the camp, the dusk sky shown by the orange red haze shining onto the open road and through the trees. Philip out of breath, tried to speak, the rest of the group making it back before him were curiously looking at him.
Gaspingly saying, Philip managed to mutter, "There is," breathing in heavily, "there is a Legion camp not too far from here about, I wanna say, a mile and a half or more away from here."
The group gasped at Philip's claim, all questioning amongst themselves about his authenticity.
"Are you sure," Will said loudly.
"Yes, I can show you, somewhere near a pre war campsite across the road there."
"We will have to investigate," Will said.
"No," Philip responded hastily. "If we do investigate, we may be captured or worse, and with Jamie being pregnant, I don't want to know."
"I agree with Philip," said George, "if the Legion is here, we don't want to hang around if they're possibly patrolling."
The rest of the group unanimously agreed with Philip, Will put his face in his hands.
"Alright," said Will. "If it means total protection of the entire group, we'll head down, and try to get away from the Legion. First, Jamie, are you okay to walk some more?"
"Yes," she said.
"Are you sure? I don't want to push you. You can have the child any day now."
"I'm sure," she responded.
"Okay, let's get out of here, we don't want to stay here for any longer."
The group quickly got their items packed, and they put their fire out, moving with the set of twilight converging overhead. Moving quietly without speaking, the group moved along the road before heading down a trail to not be seen by anyone.
"Okay everyone listen up," Will quietly said. "We've been walking for quite awhile now, and I don't think the Legion knows we're here. We're going to sleep for awhile, then at dawn, we're moving out, alright?"
Everyone nodded their heads in silence, and they quietly unpacked their sleep bags. All were sleeping pretty restlessly, the sound of brush moving awoke George who took his gun. Poking his head around the shrubbery. Randomly a spear pierced him in the shoulder. Yelling, he woke the rest of the group, who got up quickly. Before thinking, the rest of the group grabbed their bags and items. They all tried leaving before spears flung through the air, Mark was slashed in the arm. Moving along, the group left George behind while moving down the mountain. The screams of George can be heard as the group quickly moved down the mountain. As they moved down the mountain the sounds of trees and shrubs moving behind them as they ran through the forest.
"I'll try to slow them down, just keep going," Mark said.
"No," Kelly said, "we're all getting out of here."
"We're not, I love you though," he responded, turning, and pulling out his assault rifle. He shot through the tree line. The sounds of Legion soldiers falling were heard behind the group as the sound of firing stopped. Kelly bursting into tears as they ran across the road to the other side. Heading down the mountain near the slope up the mountain, they find a rock to hide behind. Kelly putting her face into her hands, Phillip came to calm her down as she cried.
"I never told you who Mark was," Kelly said through her tears. "After you two got married, we were planning to do the same. We left and now he's dead. I don't know what to do."
"Don't worry Kelly, we'll all remember him and George."
She kept crying as the took a minute to rethink their strategy on getting by the Legion.
"We have to move soon," Will said.
"Yeah, but we have someone who is pregnant and another that is crying because she just lost her lover and friend," Philip responded.
"Yes, true, but truly we need to move out of this position. Thankfully Mark bought us time, but unfortunately at the cost of his life. Sorry Kelly."
She still sat in a huddled position crying into her arms and completely ignoring everyone, including Jamie who's trying to calm her down.
"Still we have to move to a spot where either we can hide, or take advantage over them."
"We can't just overpower a possible force of unknown numbers. We should just find a spot to hide until it's clear."
The sound of rustling gets the rest of them to move along further down the mountain. Moving, Kelly stopped crying but through the moonlight cut rays through the trees. Getting to a trail off the road, it led to the mountain. There they saw a mine, they all entered, putting their stuff on the ground. Kelly sat with despair on her face.
Jamie went up to her asking, "How are you feeling?"
"Terrible," Kelly responded with a congested tone.
"Can I ask you what your past is like with Mark? To reminisce on better memories."
"Sure," Kelly responded.
Whilst Kelly was speaking with Jamie, Philip and Will were discussing.
"How are we going to get out of here?" Philip asked.
"Don't know, it's going to be a bloodbath if we go out there," Will responded in confusion.
"If we stay in here we might be killed as well."
"We'll have to see, but first let's get some sleep, I'll take first shift."
"Okay, wake me when you're ready for me to take shift."
"Alright, night."
"Good night."
The women were stopped by Philip, and the three of them went a bit further into mine. Will sat there for a couple hours before checking his pipboy which showed it was four in the morning. He realized he was awake for the last four hours. Heading further back into the mine itself, he finds the three of them sleeping. He goes to wake Philip, and before he shakes him awake.
Philip grabs his hand saying, "I'm already up."
"It's time for your shift," Will quietly says to him.
"Okay, get some sleep, I'll wake you around dawn."
"Thanks, night."
"Good night," says as he gets up.
Lying next to Jamie, Will closes his eyes, and in an instant is awakened to the sound of Jamie screeching in pain. Will looks at his pipboy to see that it was nearly ten. He gets up from his groggy state. Kelly is sitting right besides her as she is in pain. Will kneels down besides them.
"Are you alright?" Will asks.
"She's in labor," says Kelly.
"Where's Philip?"
"Somewhere out front, once Jamie said her water broke, he didn't bother coming back here."
"Okay, I'll go search for him."
Will goes to the front where he sees Philip standing guard there,
"Philip," Will said.
Turning around, Philip said, "there you are. I wondered when her yelling would wake you."
"Well it did, is there sign of the Legion?"
"No, none that I see, for the most part they disappeared."
"What are they doing out there?"
"Hell if I know, ever since you woke me up there hasn't been movement at all."
"Weird, I wonder what that can be."
As the they stood guard there at the entrance of the mine, Legion soldiers regrouped at their campsite. Two legionnaire scouts went to the war tent. The figure sitting looked at the with the helmet of Mars streaked in the light.
"Speak," said the figure.
"We've found some profligate heading towards Denver," responded the Decanus.
"Was it a caravan party?"
"No Legate, we chased them down the mountain to not tell those in Denver of our plans."
"Good. Did you get all of them all?"
"No, we only killed two of them, but four escaped our grasp. Scouting parties and patrols are searching the area they were last seen at."
"Who are we looking for, Decanus?"
"Two males and females."
"Find them, we don't want our surprise on Denver being foiled."
"For Caesar," said the Decanus before walking out of the tent.
In the mine, Jamie still screeched in pain as Kelly tried to comfort her. Will and Philip stood guard towards the front of the mine.
"I bet the Legion is attacking us for a reason," Philip said.
"They have to. They killed two people in our group," Will responded.
"Why though? It just doesn't make sense."
"Their tactics are reasonable."
"What do you mean?"
"They attack us at night, as if they wanted to silence us."
"Meaning that they knew we were here, but for what?"
"We're near Denver, and they must've either spotted us near the road or when you spotted them near that old campsite."
"That means they're setting up for an invasion of Denver."
"Why this large?"
"You know how New Vegas used to have tribes."
"Yeah, that's what I'm guessing what it's like in Denver, since Joshua told me about how the Legion takes tribes and enlists them that way."
"So they must have detailed reports on tribes around this state."
"Maybe, but we'll have to see."
"We also have to worry possible patrols. The NCR did it when people on the frontier needs to be put down. I wouldn't be surprised if the Legion did the same."
"Why us though? We didn't attack."
"Thought that we could've told the tribes of Denver of their presence."
"Still, I don't like that, it was too erratic."
"It's not erratic, it was planned. They want us dead before we could say anything."
"I shouldn't of headed to their camp."
"Without that we wouldn't of known of their presence. All we need to do is think of a way to get of here."
"That means that we need to make a distraction because they'll find this mine. Jamie is screaming and they'll hear that."
"True, but we're not going to risk an encounter with the Legion head on."
"Then how do we get out of here? They'll find us eventually."
"Let's discuss this with the women. Because a distraction is all I can think of."
"Okay."
Heading back further into the mine to where the women were, Jamie was still in pain as Kelly sat there holding her hand.
"So what's the plan?" asks Kelly.
"We still don't know, but all we know is that Legion scouts are bound to find us," said Will sadly.
"I see. What options do we have?"
"Either it's somehow we distract them from the mine or we find a way down this mountain without being noticed."
"If we consider the first option, who'll be the bait? And with the second, how long would we have to wait, since Jamie still needs to recover from giving birth."
"First off, I don't know how we would bait them. Second, it may be risky staying here for too long, otherwise we could be found out."
"So that doesn't leave us with any possibility with no way have everyone survive."
"No, sadly, that'll mean at least a someone or all of will die."
"God, I hoped it wouldn't come to this, that'll mean someone would have to distract the Legion while the others get out."
"Yeah or we all get killed."
"But what are the possibilities? We need to get you or- and, I mean, Jamie out of here."
Jamie yells again in agony as she asks for some water.
"It just means that we have to distract them long enough to get them away from the mine," injects Philip.
"Yeah, but we don't want to bring them back here," says Kelly.
"But that can possibly mean we could be found out if they wonder where you came from," said Will.
"What do you mean?" asks Philip.
"What I mean is that if you go out to distract them with guns in hand, they'll find you and possibly kill you. If you don't have anything on you, they'll go search a possible campsite or place where you came from. Especially if one of both of you go out to do such."
"Meaning that if we leave our stuff out, thinking that we may come back, they'll try to find where you left your items and try to come back to find where you left it."
"That means we have to bring our stuff? What if Jamie needs some of the items out of our bags?"
"What do you mean Philip?" asked Kelly.
"I have some Med-X in my bag," he said shamefully.
"You had Med-X on you?" Will asked almost yelling.
"Yes. I have an addiction to it, I've been doing it behind your backs."
"Well whatever."
"We need to give it to Jamie," exclaims Kelly.
"Alright here, take it," says Philip, grabbing the Med-X out of his bag."
"Only six left?" says Kelly.
"Yeah, that's it."
"We'll use it sparingly then," says Will.
"Yeah, sorry for keeping this hidden," he says mournfully.
"What else are you keeping from us?" asks Kelly.
"That's it."
They fell silent, as Kelly injected one of the Med-X into Jamie's arm.
"Tell some stories," says Jamie in a groggy voice.
"Who wants to start?" asks Will.
"Let's start with you Kelly. Weren't you telling her something earlier?" asks Philip.
"Oh that, it was about my early life with Mark."
"Let's hear it, in memory of him."
"I grew up on a farm in the Central Valley of California. I lived with five brothers and two sisters, with several cousins, aunts, and uncles. We were like a little town out on that farm. For me, the farm life wasn't for me, I was adventurous, I wanted to see the world. So I did just that, I travelled across the wasteland, especially going south, where I found myself with a caravan before I found myself at New Vegas about three years ago. I wanted to get into the Strip, but was denied, so I travelled around New Vegas area before finding Westside. More specifically the Thorn. I fought in that, and that filled my sense of thrill and adventure with new wasteland creatures. After a year of fights it started to get stressful and stale. Then I met Mark. He was the only reason I stayed in New Vegas, and I couldn't imagine life without him. We spent so much time together. I just thought we were going to go on another trip out here through the wasteland. We just wanted to settle somewhere safe, away from the chaos of New Vegas."
At this point she was weeping, and Jamie put a hand on her shoulder as she was slightly holding back her screaming.
"Another one to lighten the mood please," said Jamie in more of a daze than before.
"Since we're telling stories about our lives, I might as well tell mine," Philip says. "It wasn't a pretty time for me growing up. I was Freeside born and raised. I was taught from a young age to just not trust those around you but your friends. It wasn't a good time for me, my dad died when I was young from a guy who lost gambling with him. My mom, she was always there for me, we stayed at the Old Mormon Fort in Freeside for most of my life, but that didn't keep me from getting with the wrong crowd. I got with the local Freeside Thugs. I did some things that were regrettable, and I wish I never did some of the things that I did. Some of the things we did were rob and loot people, sometimes we would kill, but not often. Most people we did kill were outsiders, but sometimes it was some locals. I remember my last person I attacked, an old man, local, from the Old Mormon Fort who strayed a little too far from there. We attacked him, robbing the little caps he had on him, and then we killed him with a knife. He was pretty drugged up, so he didn't even put up a fight. After that though, I changed, attacking regular people was one thing, but the elderly and those from Old Mormon Fort. It was too much for me. I tried joining the Silver Rush as a guard, but they were pretty hefty on me. When they found out that I used Med-X, they were pretty pissed off. That's why I left and joined you guys. To get away from the madness."
"Did you say your last person you attacked was an old man? What did he look like?" Will asked.
"White slicked back hair with a scruffy beard. Pretty unkempt if you ask me. Why do you ask?"
"That was Jamie's dad."
"Really? Oh God, I'm sorry, I didn't know."
"It's okay," she said meekly. "He was a terrible man anyways."
As she was saying this, voices from the front of the mine could be heard. Kelly perked up, and covered Jamie's mouth as Philip turned off the lantern. Will slowly peeked around the corner to see two legionaries talking to each other around the corner. What felt like hours were just mere minutes of them waiting there as the two legionaries discussed.
Listening closely, Will heard the saying, "We have to check this mine, they might be in here," one said.
The other refuting, says, "They could be in there, but also as well other people or creatures that can ambush as well."
"Then let's get some others to help us clear it," says the first one clearly upset.
"Good, let's get others to help us clear this cave."
They turn away heading away towards the entrance of the mine. Will came up to them, taking one out, Philip came to the other, who was distracted, and took him out.
"What was all this about Will?" screams Philip. "They'll know that we killed them."
"Not exactly. I have an idea."
"What is this 'brilliant' idea?" asks Philip.
"Luckily we have similar skin tones to these legionaries, so that means we can dress them up, and lead them down the mountain."
"What? That doesn't make sense?"
"We dress up like them, than take the women down the mountain. They use women as slaves so hey wouldn't bother."
"But these two are dead, wouldn't they check for them?"
"They will, but not until later, but if we go after they child is born, we can get down the mountain."
"It's nearly dark though? We spent most of the day just waiting for most of the day. Wouldn't they come search tonight?"
"Possibly, but we'll have to wait until the child is born, so we have to wait it out."
They sat there discussing as the Legion moves around the mountain more. The Decanus in charge moves quickly back to the Legate's tent. Heading in he stood there waiting for the Legate.
"Is the others found?" the Legate said menacingly.
"No Legate. The others haven't have been found, but we do have two missing legionaries."
"Where were they last seen?"
"Traveling into the forest near a dilapidated trail."
"Why haven't any gone with them," said the Legate standing. "You spent your time wasting all down this mountain, but when you find a possible lead, you screw it up."
"Sorry, I didn't-"
"No, go send more legionaries to go on that trail, find out what happened."
"Yes Legate. It shall be done."
"Good."
The Decanus walked out of the tent, as the Legate stood there, staring at the map of Denver. The Legion gathered on the trail entrance, and moved in on the trail, carefully scouting the surrounding region. Going to the end of the trail, they found an entrance to a cave. They went in, checking the entirety of it, and they found two dead bodies on the ground. With minimal light they grabbed the bodies and brought them out of the cave. Once outside, they checked the bodies, seeing it was two men. Running back to the Legion camp, the Decanus ran to the Legate's tent.
Entering, the Decanus said, "We found them." Both heading outside, the Decanus continued, "We found their bodies hidden in the cave."
"Are you sure it's them?" asks the Legate.
"Yes, they dumped the bodies after taking their outfits."
"So their trying to be like us?"
"Yes sir."
"Find any roaming legionaries scouting in the area. It's late, if any are out there or come back after ten, kill them."
"Will do Legate, I'll give the word."
"Good, they won't evade us any longer."
At the mine, Will and Philip, dressed as legionaries, stood at the entrance of the mine.
"Wouldn't the come find this place if we placed the bodies nearby?"
"We put the bodies down the mountain, and plus they didn't notice the mine when we came back up."
"They'll look further down the mountain."
"But wouldn't they figure it out when we move down the mountain."
"They could, but it depends on if they care to look twice."
"Still, I don't like this, it's not right."
"I know, it's nerve racking."
"What will they do when they find us though?"
"Don't know, if they found those bodies, and they know that we're still out here."
"Yes, so they will probably cut off the search sometime."
"Why would they? We killed two of their men, as well as taking their outfits."
"I know, we'll have to wait though to see what they do."
"Hopefully we can get out of here safely."
"So do I, but that all depends."
"Depends on what?"
"Depends on if we can fool the Legion."
"That's all if's though."
"It might be if's but it's possible."
Kelly came from the back of the mine, saying, "Will, Jamie wants you."
"Okay," Will responded. "Can you stand guard with Philip?"
"Sure, I'll stay up here."
Will heads back into the mine seeing Jamie in distress still writhing in the same position.
"Will," Jamie says.
"Yes?" Will asks.
"Can you stay with me?"
"Why wouldn't I?"
"Can you tell me a story, help me through however long this'll take."
"Yeah, I will."
Through helping Jamie, Will talked about the file that got him discharged from the NCR. Talking about the reasons why they got to the moment they did. Saying that the file is the origin to what he did, and why it seemed irrational to everyone else. He comforted her as she went through pains. As well as helping her calm down. Suddenly almost sixteen hours after her water broke, Jamie gave birth. They had a baby girl, he called for Kelly and Philip. Both Kelly and Will helped clean the baby up, and helping Jamie in the process. The baby was crying intensely, and Will grabbed a blanket that was given to them that was big enough for the baby. Jamie was given the baby, and she held it the baby.
"What should we name her?" asks Jamie.
Will sat next to her, saying, "what about Samantha?"
"I'd like it, but where did you get Samantha?"
"Samantha is my mother's name."
"That's great. Yes let's name her Samantha."
"She's beautiful," says Kelly.
They all sat there around the baby for an hour before the baby and then Jamie slept.
Philip whispered to Will, "I'm going to go guard with Kelly. You should stay with Jamie."
"Okay, wake us around dawn."
"Alright, just get some sleep."
Will slept there, happier than he was in weeks, and by morning, they all woke up. Jamie was still weak from giving birth, but was still able to walk fine. Jamie hid the Samantha in a carrier. They moved down the mountain moderately. No legionnaires were in sight as they moved down the mountain. As they moved further down the mountain, what looked to be a town broke through the treeline. As they moved towards it, the sound of crunching, and movement swarmed the group. They kept walking, still pretending to be legionaries moving supposed slaves. A ring with a whiz flying by their heads, made Samantha start crying as well as pierced a tree next to the group.
"Run," yells Philip. "We'll hold them off, just get out of here."
Philip pulled out his plasma rifle, as Kelly pulled out her AK. Will pushed Jamie in front of him, and pushed her to move.
Kelly yelled, "this is for Mark."
Moving, they hurriedly ran, crossing around the back of the buildings within the town itself. Will kept his rifle by his side as they crossed through the town. Will took off the legionnaire helmet he had on. As well they were heading for the treeline on the far side of the town. The sounds of shooting stopped by this moment, but the adrenaline kept running through their veins. In the moment, Jamie gave Samantha to Will as she pulled her bag off her back. She rummages for something in her bag as they ran. Suddenly Jamie fell to the ground, as the inevitable sound of a bullet fired rung through the air. The sounds of birds shrieking and flying off filled Will's sight and hearing. Will in fear didn't register Samantha's crying as he bent down to Jamie's body as she held her gun in her hand. Setting down Samantha, he picked Jamie up as her eyes slowly moved to meet his.
"I love you," she said inaudibly.
Her green eyes grew blank and dull, gazing into Will's soul as he slowly started to weep. He bends over Jamie's body, holding her now limp body. He barely notices as Legion troops surround him as he wept there. They stood like sentries on guard, guns and weapons in hand. There was only one menacing figure of the crowd whom Will rose to only recognize. The Legate stood there with the helmet being the only sign that there was even a person. Will didn't break his hazy gaze as the Legate seemed to motion the others to lower their weapons. He then looked at Samantha which Will tracked and he tried soothing her. As she quieted enough, the Legate motioned his gaze to Jamie. A gruesome beauty now seen with her pale gaze staring upwards. Her beauty all but faded as the Legate moved forward with one slow methodical step.
"I know you're a wounded animal, but I wanted to see who would survive the longest," the Legate said in an apathetic tone.
Will on his knees stayed silent as he stared at Jamie's lifeless body, her blank gaze. His eyes stinging as the Legate's words rung through his head.
"Now you're left with your new child," the Legate said in the moment of silence which engulfed them. "I want you to do something for me," he finished.
Another moment of silence fell over them, than Will with a monotone voice, "what could I do that would be so important."
"I want to see if you have a courtesy to tell the tribes of Denver to come surrender to me otherwise be destroyed be the hands of the Legion."
"And if I don't," Will responded more solemnly.
"So be it."
"Why keep me alive?" he turned.
"I realized something when chasing your people down. First, you weren't caravaners. Second, all of you would die for this child."
"Yes, why not take her?"
"Her? I don't need a female. Now that you told me. It gives me less incentive to kill you."
Will didn't respond when he said that, choosing to look at Samantha's frightened face.
"Also, you said that you wouldn't possibly tell the tribes in Denver. Meaning that this little endeavor wasn't necessary than."
"Than what? Let me live? Or die at your hands?"
"I will let you live, that since I can tell you are definitely are no tribesmen. Neither as well are your friends. Meaning that there is a civilized part in you. Say where are you from?"
With a moment of hesitation, Will responded, "California."
"California? They will soon meet the wrath of the Legion in due time. Those profligates will soon pay as you and your friends did today."
"She's not my friend!"
"Oh? Who is she?"
"My wife. My child's mother."
"Saddening. How old is your child."
"She was born last night."
"Tragic. Well, I'll let you be with your now dead wife, and your newborn daughter. Have fun, profligate."
The Legate in his menacing armor, backed away from Will, signaling the other legionnaires to back away as well. Will now left to his own bitter thoughts, stayed there for an unknown duration.