Shit who gave Woodland Sasquatch Wraith a flying weapons platform?

He's a Samurai so he probably gave it to himself.

Naw man. Did you see the color scheme and decorations on the outside? That shit belongs to Steampunk Shotgun Sally.

Either one of them having it means bad things are coming.

This is way I kept trying to shut you all up but NO you all had to tempt Demon Murphy.

***************

BILL GRAZER

We had dropped all but one of the people Lurkeroff had imprisoned with the military. Even though we had one passenger left, I went to my quarters and exited my power armor. I returned to the control room and sat in the gunner's chair again. Liza had removed her hat and mask. Liza and Melissa were talking over by the pilot's station. During a lull in the conversation Melissa looked around and saw me, she flinched and started to hide behind Liza, until she recognized me.

"William, where did you come from?" She asked. This confused me, until I realized that Liza and I had only talked to each other through comms, so no one had heard her call me Woodland.

"I've been here the whole time, just decided to change into something more comfortable." I replied with a smile.

"Wait. You were in the armor? Did Liza buy it for you?" Melissa looked very flustered.

"Lissa, Billy is a Samurai too. In fact, without him, I wouldn't have been able to rescue you." Liza said, putting a hand on our friend's shoulder. "A lot happened today, so just take your time when you start going through the feeds."

"I can't go through feeds anymore. That bastard had doctors remove my augs when he locked me in hell." Melissa started crying, and Liza set the autopilot then hugged her.

"Come, why don't I show you to a room where you can rest, while we get to my Uncle Winston's shop?" Melissa nodded and they left the control room.

I was scanning the streets looking to see if there was anything worth shooting. There was, when Liza returned there were several more demolished buildings. They were owned by Lurkeroff and had a good amount of antis in them based on the number of points I got.

"Billy, can we talk about how working together will work, and what that means for us?"

"Of course we can, but that will mostly depend on what you want, Liza. I plan on returning to the woods and forests and hunting the fucking antis out there. Mara says that there are a lot of hives out there, trying to hide for some reason, and not many Samurai go out after them. If you want to work with me, I can hunt for them around any city you want to go to. Then, if I find one, I'll call you and we wipe it out. Unless you have something else in mind."

"That sounds like it would work nicely. What does that mean for us, though? I mean, Billy, are we going to be a couple, or a married couple?"

Pretty sure my jaw hit the damn floor. Once I collected my jaw from the ground and enough scraps of my blown mind to put coherent thoughts and sentences together, I responded.

"Are you sure that's what you want? Marrying me, I mean."

"Of course, who's going to tell me that you're not a suitable candidate for marriage anymore? Who's going to try and look down their nose at you now? Who would dare try to make me or my family suffer for marrying you? Aunt Millie told me no one can tell me who I had to marry, now. She didn't take the thought far enough though, no one can tell me who I can't marry either."

"No one, of course. You're right no one can tell you who the hell you can and can't marry. You didn't take that thought far enough yourself. You sure you want to settle for me, when I know there is someone, you'd like to marry a hell of a lot more?"

"Who's going to tell me I can't marry both of you?"

Pretty sure my jaw somehow made it through the floor and landed on earth.

ELIZABETH BERTARELLI

I don't think Billy was quite as prepared as he thought for this conversation. I know he thought he played second violin to Lissa. That is why he was able to leave so easily three years ago. He didn't think he was going to be missed much, but he was wrong. Yes, Lissa played first violin, but he didn't play second violin, he played first tenor saxophone, usually in a nice duet with her. I wasn't happy when he left. Lissa tried but she couldn't take his place, any more than he could take hers. Then she was ripped away from me, and there was no one to help me pick up the pieces of myself.

It was one of the reasons I came to New Pittsburgh. To everyone else we told, it was just a shopping trip to see my Aunt Millie and Uncle Winston. Mother and Father had set it up so I could meet and talk with Billy.

"I guess that means you and Melissa need to talk about how you two would relate to each other." I said, once I judged I had given Billy enough time to collect his thoughts.

"I don't see why? If she goes along with this, she would be marrying you, not me. I guess we would need to work out who gets to spend which night with you, but what would really need to change between me and her?"

It was my turn to have my jaw hit the ground. I love Billy so much right now!

MELISSA LOCKHART

William is crafty, sneaky, and quite possibly devious. He had turned on the system that allowed passengers to be able to talk to the control room. Maybe he thought I didn't know what they were about to discuss and wanted me to know he wasn't going to stand in my way. I always knew Billy thought Liza was happiest with me. In a way he was right, but she had more peace of mind with him. A peace I couldn't give her. That was made abundantly clear when he left, and she grew more agitated and irritated by the day. Nothing I did could calm her. Yes, I could distract her and make her laugh, but she was still tense and wary. While I definitely wasn't into guys, I knew Liza needed him and she needed me. For her I was willing to try to make this work.

My mind went blank when he said nothing needed to change between us. He was right, we both counted each other as friends. We had been letting her split her time between us for years without causing problems for each other. The only thing changing was where we were all living.

"Thank you, Billy." I used the name he only let Liza use. Hoping he understood.

"You're welcome, Lissa." The tone he used was the same as when he called me Melissa. He understood.

BILL GRAZER

Liza brought us down close to the building that housed Winston's shop. She bought Lissa her own umbrella. I had to put on the power armor again and we disembarked. The autopilot function would keep the airship stationary above the building so we would be able to leave when we were ready. As we entered the shop, a little green blur came barreling down one of the aisles and launched itself into Liza's arms. Haley had come to welcome us back! Liza introduced Haley to Lissa (it's strange calling her that but I'll have to get used to it I guess.) The three of them walked down the aisles with the Lissa and Liza listening to Haley, as she pointed to various items in the and told them what she had learned from Winston about them (is it strange to be proud of a five-year-old explaining how different parts of a gun work correctly?).

Winston came through his shop and his smile got wider when heard Haley's explanations. When he caught sight of Lissa his smile faltered for a second but returned.

"It's good to see you again Melissa." He said, to greet her. He approached and offered a handshake.

"It's good to see you again as well Winston." She said and shook his hand.

Then Winston left the ladies as they headed to the back where I assume the therapists were. He looked at me and smiled.

"You want to see the latest Bertarelli shotgun or are you here for ammo for your unrefined guns?"

I couldn't help myself, I started laughing, which caused the other three to look back at us. A smile came to Liza's and Haley's faces and Lissa looked like she relaxed a bit.

"You know, Winston, I might not buy them, but I'll take a look."

For the next little while he brought out shotguns. We talked about pellet spreads, and which was better for hunting duck, pheasant, and Canadian Devils (geese). Which were better to be used to fire slugs. Eventually we moved on to 'unrefined guns' and spoke about which rifles were better at shooting with a strong crosswind, or better against a headwind, and those best fired when you had a tailwind. We were interrupted when Voretexia came in, but not for long, as she joined our conversation. We had to go over some of the rifles we had already spoken of with her, as she had a particular interest in weapons that could hold up against crosswinds. We talked of powder charges, weights of bullets within the same caliber. The ladies must have finished their discussion or having one they didn't want Haley hearing, as Lissa came over to Winston and I, with Haley following. Both noticed Voretexia immediately.

"Hello, my name is Megan. I don't think we've met before." She said, taking Liza's advice to not use her real name around anyone she didn't trust. As she approached and offered a handshake, and Haley hid herself behind Lissa.

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"My name is Voretexia, it's a pleasure to meet you, Megan. Are you already acquainted with Woodland Sasquatch Wraith?" This caused Melissa to raise an eyebrow at me.

"Yeah, it's a whole fucking thing. People were arguing over calling me Woodland Wraith and Sasquatch online. They couldn't make a damned decision. So, Voretexia decided to combine the two while she was live streaming, and it stuck." I said as went over and picked up Haley. Which caused her to squeal and giggle.

"Woodland and I have been friends for a while." Melissa said, to answer Voretexia's question.

"Steampunk Shotgun Sally calls you that as well. Is that a name only friends call you?" The fact that Voretexia was ignoring Haley was starting to irritate me.

"It is. and before you ask, no, you fucking can't call me that. We are allies now, not friends, not yet. Even if I do end up considering you a damn friend later you still might not get that privilege."

"Woodland, there is no reason to be mean." Melissa tried to intervene on Voretexia's behalf.

"She chucked a fucking monster of a tornado down a street I was walking on. I was lucky to be able to get the hell out of its way."

"I did? When?"

Winston started laughing. "He shot the 11 that tried to drop a car on you."

"I AM SO SORRY."

"Shit, don't worry too much about it. I probably would have chucked a tornado or two at it myself, if I could have. So, I assume you're here for something other than a discussion about firearm ballistics and what type of ammo would give you the best chance to shoot through one of your own tornadoes."

"Yes, I am. Matchbook and I were wondering if you would be staying in New Pittsburgh for a while or if you were planning on leaving. If you were planning on staying, there is a meeting of Samurai from around here coming up that we would like you to attend."

"Well, I'll ask Sally and see what she wants to do, then get back to you."

"So, if Sally says she wants to leave, you'll be leaving as well? You're whipped already." Lissa would be a hell of an opponent during a round of poker, Winston not so much, based on their reactions to what Voretexia said.

"If that's your fucking opinion of me, then fine, Voretexia. I have no obligation to explain a damned thing to you. Winston, unless Sally can convince me otherwise, I'll be heading home in the morning. It has been a pleasure to do business with you."

"It's been a pleasure for me as well. When you get home, tell your folks to come and visit, seeing them in person again would be nice." Winston said, while trying not to laugh at a Samurai who can summon a tornado inside of his store.

With that, I set Haley on the ground, and I returned to my quarters on the airship. I was in a discussion with Mara about what the timing of my next upgrades should look like and if there was a Vanguard equivalent of engagement rings and wedding bands, when an angry Elizabeth called.

ELIABETH BERTARELLI

I can't believe Billy would just foist his problem with Voretexia on me like that. Reckoner had been watching the situation in the shop proper and had been providing me updates. So, I was not completely blindsided, when Voretexia came into the back of the shop.

"Steampunk Shotgun Sally, do you think you could talk Woodland Sasquatch Wraith into staying here in New Pittsburgh? We would like his help finishing off this incursion and also have him attend a meeting with other local Samurai." Voretexia said, interrupting my conversation with the therapists who had stayed with Haley, without even saying hello or asking how everyone else in room was doing.

"If he has decided that his business here in New Pittsburgh is finished, then there isn't much I can say to get him to stay longer. Nor should you want him to decide that his business isn't done. Besides I have little interest in trying to talk him into attending a meeting of Samurai that it has been made abundantly clear my own presence isn't wanted at. He and I already have something of a plan of what we will be doing in the future and staying in any one city is not in it. Also, he is very much not 'whipped' as you put it. If he was, he'd never have left New Harrisburg. Now if you excuse me, I would like to get back to discussing how best to ask Haley if she wants to move to New Harrisburg and become Woodland's sister."

"Steampunk Shotgun Sally, you need to get your priorities straightened out a little. Outside of this building only a few streets away people are in need of a Samurai's help and here you are worrying over a single child. Secondly, the meeting is for local Samurai. If you wish to attend you may, but we didn't think that the Heir of the Bertarelli's would take much interest in New Pittsburgh. Thirdly, his Samurai name is Woodland Sasquatch Wraith, and you disrespect him when you shorten it."

"Voretexia, my priorities are exactly where they need to be. Her mother was either an ally or friend of Woodland's and there is no point in any of this if we don't protect our families, friends, and allies. Secondly, my Uncle Winston owns and runs this shop himself, he and my Aunt Millie live in this city, so of course I am going to take some interest in New Pittsburgh. Thirdly, Woodland is even less of a local than I am, if he had his way, he would stay out of cities entirely and only do business with smaller settlements. Fourthly, I have called him Woodland for over six years. I called him that BEFORE everyone started calling him Woodland Wraith. Fifthly, I noticed you didn't give Woodland a lecture about his priorities. Now if you don't mind too terribly much, I have things I need to finish discussing with these ladies, and then I need to speak with Woodland."

The silence in the room was complete. Thankfully, Lissa had taken Haley out to the shop proper and hadn't come back yet. The therapists because there were silent because two samurai were arguing and didn't want to draw our ire by interrupting. Voretexia, was silent probably because she wasn't used to having a 'newbie' back talk instead of fangirling and thanking her for her 'sage advice'. I was silent because I had said all I wished to. Voretexia, much to her credit, having taken a beating due to her rude behavior, realized I had dismissed her and started to leave, then immediately damaged her standing with me again, by deciding she had to have the last word.

"I don't see what Woodland Sasquatch Wraith sees in you, but when you mess up, I'll be there, and you won't get a second chance." I'll give Voretexia points for making that declaration, however, I had a card to play still.

"You think you know what he's capable of, but you don't! Many corps are monstrous when it comes to dealing with threats to their bottom line, yet they left him alone. He left New Harrisburg and the protection of my family, and they left him alone. So, if you are serious about getting between us, be ready. He might not like that idea even if I make a mistake." She turned and left. It's too bad she wears a helmet, I'd really have liked to see her reaction.

Having dealt with that distraction, the next problem we needed to address, was to tell Haley her mother wasn't coming home. It was time to have a word with William.

BILL GRAZER

Liza had some 'constructive criticism' for me on how I had not dealt with Voretexia by making her Liza's fucking problem. Her use of cuss words was... creative. (God help me, not fucking laughing was hard.) She explained just how much of a bitch Voretexia was, and that Voretexia wanted me stick around and help New Pittsburgh. After she had calmed down, she told me that was a problem for another 'fucking piss poor' day, and to get 'my thrice damned ass' back down to the shop. Haley had known me the longest, and the therapists said that me being there would be best, when we fucking told her that her mom was dead. So, I put off the upgrades for a while longer, and got back in my damned power armor to get back down to the shop. Once in the shop, I got out of the armor. When Haley saw me without my armor on, she tried to knock me the fuck over, by running full speed and jumping at me. I caught her, then set her on the ground and hunkered down to look her in the face.

"FUR MAN! When are you going to take me back to Mommy? Is she super busy? She's not answering when I click on her name." SHIT! This is rough. How the HELL do you do something like this?!

"I'm sorry, little one, but you remember what I said about the monsters that eat people?" Winston asked, stepping up to be the one to break the shitty news to a little girl who had been through too god damn much already.

"But Fur Man and Gear Girl are Samurai now. They can get Mommy and bring her here, right?"

"l wish they could, little one. It's why they left you here with me. The place she went to stay wasn't as safe as it should have been. Your Mommy isn't going to be coming home anymore. The monsters got to her before they could."

"Fur Man? Mommy! Please! PLEASE."

I looked around the shop, there is no help to be found. Liza, Lissa, and the therapists, had tears streaming from their eyes. Even Winston had tears starting to fall down his face.

"I'm sorry Haley." She ran from me and buried her face in Liza's dress. Liza knelt down and hugged Haley to her, but she looked to be at a loss as to where to go from here as well.

Fortunately, the therapists, Winston, and Lissa, while still looking emotional, had a plan.

"Well, Mr. George, we thank you for your hospitality, but our instructions were to look after the girl until her mother got here and talk to her about the situation. Now that she no longer has a legal guardian, we will be taking her to CPS to have her processed." The eldest of the therapists said.

"Come, Haley. We have some people we would like you to meet." said one of the younger women.

"No." was all Haley said to that.

The therapists tried several more times to get Haley to leave with them, with her getting more and more worked up.

"Say, Fur Man, you think your parents would mind looking after Haley?" Winston asked.

"I can ask, but Haley has to be okay with it too." I replied

"Haley, would you like to meet Fur Man's Mommy, Daddy and brother and sister?" Lissa asked.

"Fur Man has a Mommy?" Was Haley's response, that brought strained smiles to everyone else's faces.

"Of course I do. Did you think I didn't?"

"If you have a Mommy, why do you use such bad words?" That got larger smiles and a few chuckles. OUCH.

I called my parents, and we talked for a bit and plans were made to go back to New Harrisburg. Haley, exhausted from the day, fell asleep in Liza's arms. So, Liza and Lissa took her and returned to the airship. The therapists talked to me. Starting with concerns, and things Liza, Lissa and I would need to be on the lookout for. Then they started asking me questions, giving me the distinct feeling they were trying figure out what the fuck was wrong with my brain as well. The 'conversation' wasn't going well. Winston ended the shit show. He handed me a glass of whiskey and waited till I had nearly finished it.

"Wraith, what would have happened if Sally or Haley had been dead when you got to them?"

"... Nothing fucking good." The therapists excused themselves quickly after that. By chance, I caught a glimpse of myself in a mirrored display case, apparently the eyes on my helmet aren't the only ones that change color. I returned to the airship myself and checked on the room we had decided would be Haley's, to find both Lissa and Liza with her. I went to my own room and started all three of the upgrades I had been putting off. It hurt like hell, but I was going to be faster and stronger when it was done. If something like this happened again, the results would be different.

The next morning, Haley ended up with a miniature umbrella, with is flight functions severely fucking restricted so that she could only use it while Liza, Lissa or I was around, or if she was falling from a great height. Liza and I had been planning on talking with her mother, about what restrictions to put on the various functions of her dress but now that was going to be up to us. I ended up buying jump jet upgrades for my boots and gloves of my Ghillie Suit armor. I figured going everywhere wearing the power armor might be a bad idea.

The shelter that we had helped evacuate had been the one Janelle and her family had gone to. I figured I'd say goodbye and tell her how things had gone. She and her family were staying in a hotel together. Haley went with me; she didn't want to stay in the airship. This gave Liza a chance to start her own invasive upgrades. Once the pain hit her, Lissa decided to stay with her.

Haley and I got some looks, but no one caused us trouble. Maria was the one who let us in. She started making a fuss over how cute Haley was. That brought Janelle into the room, who gave Haley a hug. Then Maria led Haley to the room Rossetta was playing in. Janelle also gave me a hug.

"The Great Hunter returns victorious." She said, before releasing the hug.

"I don't feel very fucking victorious right now."

"I'm sure there's a lot the feeds left out, but from everything I saw you did the best you could, and no can ask for more than that. Rumor has it you're going to be heading back to New Harrisburg. Do you mind if my family and I went with you? Rumor has it that your parents are going to be looking out for Haley. From what little you have said over the years I have gathered that your siblings aren't much younger than you. Rossetta would be a good friend for Haley."

I have taken the liberty of informing Elizabeth, and she thinks this is a good idea.

"Thank you, Mara."

"Janelle, if you're willing to give up your business to start fresh in Harrisburg, I won't argue." Strangely enough she smiled at that.