Lewis
I wake up to the sound of carter doing his best to stay quiet. The slightest movement wakes either of us up and eh always needed less sleep then me. He probably doesn't even know the reason i am so specific about sleep is him. Well that and the warmth of these furs are difficult to escape. No breakfast today need to start dismantling the traps.
I grab an empty bag by the door taking apart the strings of cans packing them tightly. Got the straightest stick i could find to wrap all the metal wire i keep. Moving along to the different rooms each with their own specific noise traps. Skipping over the explosives since ill pack them later. Sided step one of the steel pressure plates i have. Diggin under for the pin i have in place. Moving it aside to move the plate safely off. Now it can be put into the bag and taken with us.
Outside is where i have a large amount of my focus. Easy to make a hole and cover it with small sticks so that people stepping on it get a a few spikes in their foot. Most raiders dont have the discipline required to stay quiet after that. For any of the more trained "militia" well opening a door to have 3 grenades go off usually works. Leaving aside the spike traps is fine but all the metal wire is very need. It takes a long time to gather it all up but i do eventually.
Now to grab a steel box for the explosives. Lots of fragmentation mines and frag grenades. Tons of tin grenades stuffed with small bits of rusted scrap. Same with the nuka bottles. Get a wire holding a cap which is separating a few chemicals from mixing and drop the bottle onto an unsuspecting group does enough. Carters mom taught me a few tricks with the chemicals she found over the years. Doesn't take much to cause destruction.
Another favorite trick is of course having a shotgun clamped to a tripod shells loaded trigger tied a closed door handle. Got 3 double barrel shotguns one short barrel and one pump action shotgun all ready to be stored in the box.
Now with a steel box filled with devices that go boom i can watch as carter makes his finishing touches on the sled. Last winter we used the same pieces to travel around but this time we would need more space and make sure none of metal fittings have broken since the last time its been touched. This thing is going to be a pain to drag but we don't have a cart. Might be worth renting one once we reach the crest family.
Haven't spoken to them for a couple months now.
"Think the crest family are still kicking around?" i ask.
"Sure they got that deal with the robco campus guys and they like to keep their word. Probably makes selling the turrets easier if you can trust the same turrets wont go turning on the buyer." i nod agreeing with the sentiment. Just wish i could trust that.
Stacking everything we own doesn't take long. Almost all of it is what we are selling. Got the guns close to front of the sled on top fo the steel box. Said box is covered in all the furs we both hoard. Then its our personal stuff. A small bag filled with photos that we say we will sell one day. I love to take them out sometimes just to imagine the world and peace that once existed. Then there's the bag of stuff carters mom used to own. Next is all the cans and wire i am keeping. Finally its the scrap and junk we have found and collected.
"Perfect and its still dark out so we should be good to go without worrying about any raiders for now" raiders don't like the dark probably from hunting deathclaws that usually convinces people to stay inside.
"Its going to be a pain moving all this but i did the same thing i did with the snow and put the blades on their side should make dragging them along easier. Wish we could just do wheels but we don't have a cart and this we already had on hand"
"I don't blame you i know you are proud of what you made i was thinking we could possibly rent a cart form the crest family" might be a waste of caps but we have enough to splurge a little.
"Cap wise it'll be pricey hopefully they can give us a discount"
"Maybe but we owe them from last time so maybe not" grabbing the rope attached to the front of the sled i start pulling it. At first its weight resists but soon enough its own momentum helps push it along. Carter helps but only with one hand he has his pistol out in the other to keep watch. My personal semi automatic shotgun with its different modifications set aside just in reach. My preferred magazine in with its quick ejection. The long barrel sticking out one side does let people know its there but it should also warn them.
Turning left through the suburbs the sled catching on a few things but its easy enough with both of us moving it. I may be the quicker shot but im also the strongest so ill be the one to pull. Plus hes a better shot he just takes too long.
Theres enough asphalt road left to move around the cracks for the most part. Stepping over one of the more large roots thats pushed through carter on the back side of the sled pushing it with me pulling it over we make it over.
The powerlines from ages past surprisingly still standing for the most part. The lines dangling from the steel skeleton towers. Heard stories of some people trying to take the copper they climbed and climbed only for the entire thing to crash doubt he survived long.
The trees atleast provide a good amount of shade. The sun making its presence known through the haze after the cloudy days. Night leaving finally. Nature was quick to take over the area and the radiated wildlife around make great blankets.
"Last time we went down this way was during that constant month long rain we had i remember having to fix so many leaks im surprised it didn't flood" carter likes to talk when its just the 2 of us he makes up for it by being completely silent around other people.
"Yea i remember we needed some tarp or coverings so we had to go further and further out. The only thing we could keep dry was in the steel box. I lost so many grenades because of how soaked everything was" i remember being very very upset about it. Every other day i was checking every explosive trap just to make sure none of the grenades suddenly sprouted a hole that let water in.
"Well atleast we got to meet that robot and crest family"
"There has to be something wrong with that robot i mean why does it wear a cowboy hat?"
"I have no clue but i find it hilarious" yea and i find it terrifying because of the implication that it wants to wear a cowboy hat.
We both got a little silent as we past by an old park the sing saying meadow park the only meadow being the left overs of some concrete flooring. The sled getting more and more difficult to pull. Its barely been a couple hours and im getting exhausted. Atleast now its a bit more downhill.
"You know if we knew about this road before winter we could have used it to have some fun with the snow" carter idly notes as the sled practically glides down the road compared to the previous 2 hours.
"You are always looking for fun aren't you" its not terrible idea though. Would be fun to go down one of the bigger hills in the area and not worry about what might be waiting to eat either of us at the bottom.
The suburbs continue on the road curving just enough for the sled to be readjusted every 10 minutes. The only thing either of us have spotted was a herd of radstag that thankfully ignored us. Didn't want to die by hooves.
Then again with the shotgun it might make short work of a crowd like that. Turning the sled again as the road makes a curve in the other direction only to curve back again. None of these roads are straight.
Looking around i notice that its been another hour and we are half way there already. Wont be long until we see the fields. I wonder what was so special about peoples yards that they have towering bushes to surround them or to have wooden walls to encase everything in. maybe the peace they had was an illusion and they still needed defenses from their neighbors. Well ill never know.
Another hill to glide down only to trip halfway but a sudden large crack that was hidden. The constant sound of metal and concrete stopping for a moment. Carter whips around looking for any danger but its just me on the floor hands a little bloody.
"Fine just a fuckin crack keep an eye out around us we are very close to the main road for the area" sometimes carter needed to be reminded that safety is important too.
"Yup looking around for any sudden yao gaui" now that would have both of us moving quick.
"Do you think we should have packed any meat to use as bait?" we left all the radroach meat and the few tubers carter still had around that grow over the winter since we planned on buying meals at crest stables.
"Nah plus i decided to bring along all the vegetables" of course he did should have known. Probably has a few containers full of herbs.
Getting the sled moving again isn't difficult but im probably going to have to rest once we reach a safer spot.
The slight decline ends of course at the main road and that isn't exactly the most secure and safe place to stop and rest. Moving on to the side road is simple enough just keep straight then immediately turn right. The intersection involved was under construction when the bombs fell. The vehicles involved have already been stripped of everything except the steel. Makes passing through very difficult. Luckily the dry dirt doesn't have any massive trees in the middle so its just sliding over top the grass.
"Got cart tracks don't know how recent but atleast this month" turning to look at what carter was mentioning i can see 2 long ruts in the grass that continue on. Cant tell the direction but its good to know this road is still used often. Maybe even used this week. Thats pretty busy out here.
Bright green leaves create a perfect blanket of shade for the morning sun. a rock with an engraving on it marks the start of the road down to crest family now its just a straight shot for half a mile. Except the road is still twisting and turning following the contours of the valley side. To the left through the trees i can spot the crest farms where they keep their brahmin and horses.
More decline to truly enter the valley below. The trees around here atleast don't get massive roots to be a pain in the ass. Im still heaving particularly out of breath.
"You know i can take a turn right? You don't need to force yourself to carry this the entire time" i look as carter grabs the rope with both hands fully committing to helping without listening to any response i could come up with. I let myself recover taking a seat on the road my shotgun on my lap.
"Fine ill take a little rest" i say between breaths. He might now have heard me over the small bit of wind picking its way through the fields.
"Theres a small cabin just right there we can take a short rest and eat some potatoes" looking at where carter is pointing i notice the knocked over metal fence and wooden roof peaking over. The house itself resting below the road further into the valley. The wooden cabin with vines crawling all along its walls. No door to speak of but it has 4 walls and a roof.
Inside the smell of rot is ever present but thats fine not planning on staying here. Its maybe an hour walk 10 minutes without the sled but that thing weighs so much. Finding an old table i sit down.
I don't want to set the world on fire, honey
I love you too much
I just want to start
A great big flame
Down in your heart
The music slowly plays as carter moves closer. He lets the sled rest by the door the TAYLOR blaring out music.
"You know everyone for miles will hear that" reminding him that we are still in danger.
"Yes like how they will ear this sled miles around"
"Well the sled is useful"
"And the music is useful to a good rest and we are resting"
"Cant argue with that" plus i like this song nice and slow. And no one wants to set the world on fire. Listening as the radio continues on catching my breath for a bit. Carter meanwhile is busy looking for where he put the food.
"Here should hold ya over for another hour" grabbing the offered potato noticing its a little warm i quirk an eyebrow.
"I boiled some water while you were gone they have been wrapped in some cloth to keep it warm. They still lost most fop the heat but atleast its a cooked potato" i didn't realize i took that long but im not complaining.
Now with a bit of food we can start moving again.
"You know i think that sound has scared off all the animals. I mean no one enjoys the sound of metal on concrete and they have better hearing then us" it was a thought i had with how we haven't even seen anyone yet.
"We saw the radstaggs but they might not have had much to fear in a herd that size" i nod thinking back to what seemed like upwards of 2 dozen redstagg.
Taking place next to carter one hand on the shotgun the other helping pull the sled we begin to move again. Hard to get back on the road but carter wasn't as tired as me and he still had some strength. Now its smooth ride down deeper into the valley open and used fields to the left the herd of brahmin and a couple horses very visible now. As well as the distant automatic turrets that round out the wooden log fence.
it doesn't take long before we can see the small wooden fence reinforced by metal sheets. A tall gate made out of car hoods with a sign posted next to it. "Crest Family Stables" and underneath that. "Trade in caps protected by the jackson ridge traders" the local big shot raider group that hold the old robco campus.
Once we are no more then 40 feet away from the gate multiple turrets start popping up their lasers painting our bodies showing where they aim. Stops most people from moving forward and stops us. Soon enough a MR Handy with a cowboy peaks over the wall.
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
"Howdy there pard'ner haven't seen you around in a while what can the crest family do for ya this afternoon" the heaviest and most fake cowboy accent sounds over the walls.
"We got trade and we are hoping to rent out a cart" i yell out hoping one fo the humans hears. I don't mind talking to the robot he does unnerve me but not enough for me to not be friendly and polite. Carters mom taught us to be polite and so ill be polite.
"Well thats not something you hear about everyday now pard'ner ill need to have you leave all the weapons by the gate and you have my word that they wont be touched" one of MR Handys arms point just below the gate right next to one of the many turrets which are no longer pointing at us.
sliding the big sled isn't too difficult with both of us focusing on it. While working on that the gate opens up towards us. Out comes the cowboy robot and one of the crest family. Same one that we met last time an older man with gray hairs and a messy beard that is close to reaching his chest. Wearing good leather boots thick denim jeans to top it off with some light tank top thats more yellow then white.
"Good to see you alive sir we have some good scrap and a few caps if you're up for it" i say reaching out for a handshake. Carter already pulling the stash of caps that i had in the steel box its the most protected case we have so thats where it goes.
"Great seeing you two still out around last time i saw you was like seeing a couple wet strays walking in like they had their first bath and wont be having a second" his big laugh was always a shock for a man the same size as me his calloused hand already gripping mine.
"Well how about we come inside and talk dont feel too safe out here maybe i can give you some news as well" i gesture behind him at the open gate. He takes the cue and leads us inside the cowboy robot following not far behind.
Inside is practically a paradise a couple large barns filled with pigs brahmin and chicken. In the distance is a grove of peach trees. On the other side is another grove of mangoes. Tending to it all is a good couple dozen people most looking similar to the man in front of me. Crest family has been around for hundreds of years. The man known as finn crest is the younger brother of the current head of the family. His wife is juniper crest me and her got along really well last time i was here.
"The summer has been real kind to us this year we got a lot saved up for years when it aint as kind" old man finn remarks as i look at what amounts to a lot of wealth.
"We had a great run too its difficult pulling that sled along so were looking to lighten the load maybe rent a cart" i point at one cart he has 4 wheels and a wooden box isn't difficult to make for those that know how to.
"Well i know you boys so i wont fleece you but i wouldn't mind a look at what you got after we got a deal goin. For now lets get lunch juniper has missed you and i got finished making sandwiches for her" following him into a massive estate he picks up a large silver plate filled with sandwiches.
"Need help with anything?" would be good to get some goodwill around here.
"You mind helping me carry up these glasses of peach juice ill let you have some as well" he points at the doorway which leads into a kitchen. I nod making my way over hoping its just been left out a counter. Luckily a pitcher of juice is there with some ice cubes in it. Taking that and 5 cups i follow the same steps i took last time hoping the quiet carter doesn't do too much.
Stepping into junipers room i see her sitting on her bed talking to finn. An old scarred woman with muscles to match the strongest workman. She told me she was once a berserker in one of the reformist outfits that float around the skills required to rush in sword and rifle every time and survive yet here she is being pampered by her husband.
"Ah good you're here too you brothers were a great fun last time. Now what can this old frail woman do for you" she is anything but frail could probably snap me in half.
"We are heading up to bothel crossroads to sell off what we got this year but we have too much so we are hoping to rent out one of the carts maybe get a brahmin to pull it. Had to pull it here ourselves and it was a pain" i sit down in one of the chairs in the room carter still standing looking very awkward.
"Hmmm i don't see any issue with that now whats that on carters arm it looks like you got yourselves a pipboy" her eyes now firmly on carter who is now standing very very still. She releases his hold on him by grabbing a sandwich offered to her by finn.
"Thats a story to tell but summarize carter found it in some vault locked up below one of the towers on the outskirts of downtown redmond" we are on a timer and while i would love to spend hours here with these two we have to keep moving.
"Well thats a shame would have loved hearing things that remind me of my own youth. Now a vault thats very impressive now honey here mentioned you got news?" she pats her hand on finns their love is very obvious.
"Deathclaws have moved south again and that new raider group are being pushed out of downtown by supermutants. Said super mutants have mini nukes so thought i should bring a warning"
"Ah so thats what that was couple nights ago. Got all the animals worked up. Bet ya animals tell their children about the bombs same way we do" finn remarks. He is very sure that the animals are much smarter then we give them credit for. I wont deny horses have their own intelligence but brahmin are not included.
"Yes we were nearby when it happened its how we found the vault. They were fighting that pack of otters from the samm lake"
"I have seen what those otters can do so im not too surprised those bastards are way too intelligent" juniper probably has seen enough friends die by their hands and claws.
"Well having them fight supermutants is better then them fighting here. Just thought i should mention it in case they decide to come up north more"
"Well thank you. Now eat these are great finn you do great work as always dear"
"Of course june for you anything"
I watch them out the corn of my eye taking a good sip of the juice. Haven't had juice in years. Last time was spending time in emerald city. I have never had it cold though. Holy shit thats good. Im going to savor this. Carter of course finally relaxes with food in front of him.
Taking a moment to appreciate the gift and then devouring the delicious sandwiches made from the wheat grown across the river with slices of brahmin cheese and ham between the pieces of bread. It really does mix well with peach.
"This is amazing food thank you very much i really appreciate the efforts made into creating whats been given to me" carter finally speaks but when you give him food well theres no better wayto make him a friend and this is the second time they have fed us.
"Anytime dear its best to be friendly in a world filled with horrors and the crest family can afford to do so" once again i wonder how the 2 of them met finn is a working man that probably rarely leaves the stables. While juniper is a dreamer who wanted to help reform the northwest commonwealth using her fists.
"Now how about for trade we have this near pristine 9mm hauser we found this week with accompanied ammo we also have a used fusion core at 72% but here is the real kicker. We have a fusion core at 100%" i start the conversation back up. Its difficult but we still need to leave and move on.
"That is interesting. Finn why dont you grab your brother see how he feels before we start makin promises" the rough old man that was turned into putty in her arms goes back to the same happy rough man we met at the entrance.
"Of course ill be back in but a moment"
"I can tell by your face you want to stay here" her words shock me not because of my own thoughts but because she was talking to carter.
"I like it here but we cant we are nomadic cant handle staying in one place"
"Ah but you could find yourself a nice boy or girl here for you" thats the one way to move into the crest stables. Marry one of the crest family and you are part of the family. Dont matter who you are what you are as long as you love the one you marry.
"I couldn't put that on someone to have to handle me or lewis and i don't think i have it in me to change for someone else" i nod along i dont have plans on changing my lifestyle.
"Well its an offer wouldn't mind having you guys stick around longer" at that finn walks in with the family leader victor crest.
"I hear you have trade and want to rent out a cart" his voice a low rumble he is used to giving out orders thats for sure.
"That is correct we have a few items that might be of interest and would like to take what we have over to bothel crossroads but its a long journey and the sled is very heavy"
"It sounds like something we can do how about i rent out the cart for 20 caps and one of our brahmin for another 80 caps but you leave another 100 caps here and you can get that back when you bring it back" its not a bad deal but thats practically everything we got. Leaves just enough for a stay at totem but we could do it.
"I can take that deal. Lets shake on it then move on to what i can do for you" i hold out my hand which he readily takes in his own.
"Good good ill have one of the girls get it set for you lets head over to your sled and see what we got" he steps out of the room yelling for some girl named pepper.
"Ill help as well doubt you boys have any experience with brahmin" finn heads out the room leaving just me carter and juniper.
"Guess you boys are leaving soon" she stands up giving carter a quick squeeze. "C'mon over here lewis" walking over i give her a hug too before leaving to go back to show off our wares.
Outside theres already a small crowd forming a couple are helping with the cart and animal while the rest look hopeful. Guess not too many traders make their way out here so far away from all the known routes.
Outside the gate now i drag the sled in guess victor doesn't mind the weapons.
"Think the items most interesting for you folks will be the small pieces of jewelry i have" i let my voice carry around the yard. Pulling free one of the bags filled with precious metal i pull out one silver locket with a small photo inside.
"This here is a silver necklace unblemished now all you need is a small photo made of your love to keep them with you at all times" i begin listing off other things a couple rings made of gold another necklace and a small bracelet found on a skeleton. All in all i make around 90 caps off the various bits of jewelry that i was able to sell. Mostly the gold bands they would make perfect wedding rings. The silver locket itself earning me a good 25 caps.
"Now onto some weapons for those that need to defend themselves i have a good 9mm hauser in near pristine condition left in a safe protected from the elements of time. Next up are 2 couple barreled shotguns that have been modified for more quick release on the side you will notice on both are shell holders with my brothers custom design that can in 2 seconds reload a double barrel" carter made those mods after a few ideas i made. Seemed like a good choice.
"Ill take that 9mm for 80 caps!" one yelled
"Ill do you better with 100 caps" juniper walks out calmly walking through the crowd.
"Sold" i smile at her happy to take that over 80. Handing it over i also sell the ammo for another 10 caps. Decent profit all told sadly no one really wanted the shotguns. Its fine i will keep them.
"Good to go boys the cart is ready you just hold these reigns and the brahmin will follow you anywhere" finn came by holding said reigns i take them in hand giving the animal a strong side eye.
"Her name is bess and she wont bite unless you're holding food. Now in the cart i left some special feed if she wont eat the grass for whatever reason she will eat the feed" i nod grateful that he thought of that issue.
Taking the cart with its back to the sled i begin moving it all in. set the shotgun in the front where someone can sit with carters big rifle.
"Ill hold the reigns you relax the rest of this trip and keep watch with that quickdraw you have" carter walks up taking it from me he slips the rifle back onto his shoulder. The crowd around us dispersing now that the trade is over. Finn sticking around to help move things. We both help move the explosives into the most secure position on the cart. Furs are going to be my seat and the rest easily fit in. putting the sled on top of everything is the final touch.
"Thank you for the help i don't think my legs or arms would have survived another 5 hours journey" i give finn another handshake as we depart.
"Don't mention it friend ill look forward to you coming back and im happy you both enjoyed the food i made" i blush a little knowing that he saw my look of absolute euphoria while drinking the juice.
"We will be back in a couple months a the most don't worry" carter steps beside me looking ready to leave. Atleast hes talking some more.
"Well pard'ner enjoy that ride out in town and don't forget to be quick on your sixshooter or you might now make it back. You look like you know the troubles of the road as well as i" the robot surprised me enough for me to bump into the cart. Holding back the hiss of pain i give a nod.
"You are right about that cowboy but as they say its not my first rodeo" i jump onto the cart taking my seat enjoying the cushion the furs provide. Carter leading the way out.
Looking back as the gate closes i consider what it would be like to really live here. I dismiss the thought knowing how cooped up i would feel in only a month i would be scratching at the walls. Now its a quick walk to totem lake farms to stay the night before the final trek to bothel.