Lewis

The busy market of bothel crossroads never has a slow day it seems. Looking at the different services available from doctors to gunsmiths got a group offering mercenaries lots of food available lots of scrap and general stores selling whatever they can get their hands on.

"That place seems to selling robot parts and circutboards" i point ahead to a place with a couple mr handys calling out to the crowd.

Stepping up to the store one of them starts speaking to us.

"Hello hello welcome to mechanical hell we sell you parts after robots are sent to hell!" the cheerful voice of the mr handy contradicts the sentence but it works.

Going inside i can immediately tell we will be spending a lot of caps. Circutboards metal scraps left over from different robots, power coils and different pieces of robots from heads of asualtrons the tracks of a sentry bot a few disassembled automated turrets.

"Names mikari born owner of this fine shop how can i help you?" behind a reception desk stand a thin man with robot scraps forming armor across his body with multiple tool belts strapped around his waist and across his chest.

"Lewis, and im here looking for bits and pieces and maybe a full robot if you have any available" got the caps for it thats for sure. Best haul since we started.

"Thats certainly an option i can supply a couple protectrons either the police or firemen variety we keep the medical ones, we also have 2 mr handys, of course you can look around at our stock of robot parts so that you could build your own"

"So how much for lets say a mr handy and one of your police protectrons"

"For a protectron thats easily 400 caps and well for a mr handy thats going to be closer 1200 caps they do have many uses very versatile its a mark of wealth and expertise having a mr handy by your side" oh those prices. Here i thought i was rich.

"Well those seem like they much more pricey then my initial estimates do you mind if i take a look at the security protectron you are offering" we could make a few of those sell them back and get the mr handy then repeat.

"Well just for you ill hand over a bit of a storied character for you. This one was sold from an honest to bomb protectron merchant from the far south, his name is cititron ill be right back" with that he walks into the back of the store. Probably to bring back cititron.

"Do you think its worth it?" carter steps up behind me. Hes been busy looking through the different robot pieces mostly at the asaultron head. That would be fun.

"Maybe im thinking we get the protectron and depending on how much are the turrets we should get one" i respond. The turrets would work great in the bunker basement and we could sell the protectrons.

"Sounds good just bring that price down like i know you can" with that he goes back to looking through everything. Hes probably having the time of his life shifting through all the pieces of scrap laying around.

"Ah good you're still here. Now this is cititron a great security protectron that has the storied personality to come with" slowly out steps a lightly damaged protectron. Its body armor showing signs of bullet holes. It has atleast been repainted recently with a fresh coat of white and blue.

"Good morning sir how can i help you today?" the protectron atleast has a stable voice.

"Good moring cititron do you have a control antenna or are you programmed with something else" important distinction between is programmed to follow orders and one controlled to follow orders.

"I have been programmed by vendortron to follow the orders of the person that holds the badge" with that mikari holds up a badge from his tool belt.

"Well that simplifies things what is his capabilities as a security bot" lets hear the sales pitch.

"He has 3 lasers one in each hand and one in his head. His durability is a marked improvement from other variants and his advanced programming allows for independability ill give him to you for 400 caps right now" decent enough.

"You say his durability is improved but i notice quite a few holes and burn marks i enjoy stories but this looks more like damage then fantasy how about 325"

"But thats just proof that he is stronger then others even after being shot he still works 375" mikari does not accept the offer.

"How much are the automated turrets" throw him off a bit.

"Oh uh they are sold at a reduced rate of 300 caps" good enough.

"Ill buy a bundle then cititron and a turret for 600 caps"

"You got a deal let me get a deactivated turret" he shakes my hand before running back. I decide to take the time to count out the caps i brought.

Sliding the stacks over onto the counter available the man returns holding out a turret that was once hanging from a ceiling in some building and now its going to be remade with taylor.

"Badge and here is the turret you got wires here and here that you need to hook up to any central system before it will work i have a terminal here in the back to help program its new owners so you don't get shot up too" with that i gratefully grab the turret to put in my backpack. The caps already being stashed away.

"Good morning you are the new vendortron let us make many deals ill protect you" with that cititron waddles his way over to me now that im holding the badge. Ill have to find a place to keep the badge on me.

"We would also like to purchase one of the asualtrons head" i point at one thats sitting on the shelf.

"Of course of course i can hand that off to you for 140 caps" i go to carters bag to grab the rest of the caps pulling out 3 stacks of 50 removing 10 from one and handing it over.

"I think that will be it for us today thank you for the assistance" with that i drag carter and indigo out of the store before they decide to purchase anything else.

Cititron follows slowly as we make our way through the market staying behind us repeating the words "protecting" most robots don't have robust personality modules. Most have been corrupted after the years attacking most people on sight some have specific limitations that allow others to ignore their presence. Well known is not to have weapons out nin front of security protectrons, another is to have helmets on when near old construction sites.

Hopefully with this we can be more secure then ever.

We stop by a few other places not really finding anything that stands out. A medical equipment stall selling old stimpaks, a gun shop selling large pistols and only large pistols guy was obsessed with "hand cannons" one so called adventurer with funny glass and mustache selling different things from deathclaw hide to grenades which of course i bought a few of those grenades.

The next place we stopped at is some place called jacobs wear. A place solely run by ghouls.

Indigo excitedly runs off to check out some of the boots they have. Carter goes looking for a new coat and im just indecisive i don't really need anything new.

"Good afternoon welcome to my shop jacobs wear what can i do for you?" a ghoul wearing a white jacket comes by noticing my predicament.

"Just trying to figure out if i should really get anything here. The caps are really better spent somewhere else but i feel the need to get atleast one item" just something besides what i have worn for a year i may be growing out of my pants soon maybe thats what i should get.

"We pride ourselves with a wide variety of options don't hesitate to enjoy yourself and browse what we have available. Im here if you have any questions" with that she turns back going back to other tasks.

Might as well find a new pair of pants maybe ones that aren't always close to tearing apart. Looking through the racks of clothes knowing most of them are used doesnt get me too excited but its better then nothing.

In the end i found a really good pair of gray pants that had a large amount of pockets was stretchy seemed to be waterproof and the cuffs were able to be cinched around boots was only 40 caps. Carter found a good jacket that had some padded armor inside it without being too restricting. Indigo was disappointed to find any boots that were better then her current pair.

Comfy boots do matter. I remember one month where i had to wear terrible oversized boots because my feet were too big for the old ones. The amount of blisters and warts that formed on the soles of my feet kept me from walking for weeks after. Never again.

"I think thats it for today lets head back felt like we spent all the caps we just got and i don't want to do that again." i feel exhausted and drained this must be what carter feels like everytime a stranger tries to talk to him.

Ill have to distract indigo again as carter does his thing with taylor. Maybe she brought boardgames or card games.

"Indigo did you bring any cards or board games in that big bag of yours?" might as well ask.

"I brought a couple playing card decks got really obsessed with caravan when i was younger why?" she looks really hopeful for some reason.

"Was considering if you wanted to play a few rounds with me i have my own deck of playing cards but i haven't actually played any caravan" heard about it and seen enough people in bars and hotels playing it just never really interested me.

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"Oh i would love to! I know a few other games with just playing cards besides caravan if that isn't your style" guess thats one way to keep her distracted.

Carter

I hold the turret in my hand looking at the different pieces the barrel and the wires inside. I haven't really ever seen a working turret. I mean they are usually destroyed or torn apart by scavengers that came before me. I look around the garage the door blocked already and decide ill do the fast way to get the schematic for the turret and the slow way for cititron. Don't feel right to reclaim him. I lay it on the floor and start the process.

15 minutes later and its gone now i can start making them everywhere they need to be. Might need to find myself a terminal and some wiring to connect it all. Ill just make a few and wait to connect any of them up to power.

Ill start now just to take this chance while indigo is distracted to make a bunch. Nothing suspicious about scanning cititron so i can do that later.

I que up quite a few turrets but they seem to be quick and cheap to make. I really wish i could move around without having to keep it on my arm. Wait i never actually tried taking it off while its making things. I undo the latch on my arm slowly pulling TAYLOR off my arm. Its still on and its still shooting blue light out.

Huh

Well that makes things easier guess ill go join in on the card games.

Walking into the living room i spot both of them in deep concentration as they play their game.

"Whos winning?"

"Hah i am unsurprisingly" indigo puffs up in pride and lewis looks like he wants to flip the table.

Sliding beside lewis i can tell hes got a very unlucky hand.

I watch them play different games for another couple hours enjoying watching lewis and his luck go against indigos skill.

"You suck" i say to lewis just to keep him humble.

"Yes i know and i know that if you played your luck would do something crazy like give you 5 aces" i shrug. I have always been lucky. Just how it is.

"You play a lot of games carter?" indigo looks like she has a new toy to play with.

"Sometimes what game do you want to play?" i knew a few fun games.

"How about a simple game of speed" she offers like everyone knows the game. Sadly most people really don't play.

"Sure" with that i push lewis out of the way as indigo gets the game set up.

Lewis

I watch as indigo rages against carters luck this is what she gets. Atleast carter isn't one to gloat. Hes smiling though. Looks happy so maybe he is gloating in his own way.

I notice he isn't wearing taylor either so guess thats working in the garage. Wonder if we will be rich enough for a car.

Not much use of a car in a place as overgrown as washington. Maybe if we went to the far south i hear they have vast deserts that would be perfect for a car.

"Hey indigo is it true that the land past the mountains is a desert?" im curious.

"Huh oh uh no not really its dry but theres not that much sand i guess you could call it a cold desert yeah a cold desert works i haven't been and most people live close to the rivers they have that big city spokane from what i heard its mostly ruled by ghouls they hunt down deathclaws for sport so they must be cool" she looks excited to talk about it.

Then again it is close to home.

"You will be joining the caravan correct to go home?" i ask just to make sure.

"Yup they will finnish their route then when they reach gold bend ill send for a pick up ill finally be home" she has a wistful look.

Well me and carter will have our own place someday.

I hope that we can trust her we have secrets now that are too much to let go. I look over at carter as he sets up the next game. Ill have to talk to him about it again.

"Im going to go talk to the brotherhood discuss some things with them" i stand up deciding to bring the shotgun and the pistol. It may be an embassy but its also the brotherhood.

"Don't mention our last name they always get nervous" carter reminds me.

Santangelo seems like a touchy name. Must have been something but no one will mention it.

Walking down the road the day already close to ending i hope that they are still open to visitors. Stepping pass a few NCR officers that have some trouble hiding the sneer.

Each of the embassies were once 2 story suburban homes now they each have their own wall with barbwire just to add that extra bit of protection. Imagine if they put a bar around here. The amount of fights that would start.

Near the end of the line of houses i spot the brotherhood of steel. Its not difficult with their power armor. Stepping up to the edge they call out.

"Halt this is the brotherhood of steel property no trespassers allowed" in a measured tone one of the power armor sounds out warning me.

"I am here to discuss trade and opportunities" best to state your purpose in a position like this.

"Very well you may begin discussions with scribe jonathan inside. Don't pull anything funny we are watching your every move" with that the power armor continues to watch me walk inside.

Its a decent enough place banners hung on every wall showing off the washington charter of the brotherhood. Between the banners is of course statues made in the likeness of their current leader and some maxson. Feels like they have a near worship to the people but who am i to judge.

Stepping up to one desk with the nameplate jonathan i start talking.

"Good afternoon scribe i am here to discuss if the local brotherhood of steel is in need of fusion cores and how much they would be worth to the faction" let them show their hand first.

"Ah well we do have some need but if i may be so rude who are you?"

"I am lewis a guard and confidant for the heir to one of the bigger trade families in emerald city. Lets just say that we are looking to get some profit from certain opportunities recently taken" with that i pull out one of two fusion cores that carter has made.

"Now that is very interesting do you mind if i check it over?"

"Not at all" i hand it over to his outreaching hands.

He touches it with some reverence but thats usual for the brotherhood of steel. He begins looking over the different valves and gauges hats attached to the core before taking a few tools from his belt and fiddling with a couple things.

"This is the most perfect fusion core i have ever held in my hands i must ask where did you find this" ah got him.

"I was sent with this as proof of more to come if we can get some price guarantees supply and demand you know how it is"

With that he straightens back up and places the core on his desk.

"Very well let us talk business. For this i can offer 300" thats nice. Thats above market rate by a good bit.

"I would like a written contract for all fully charged cores to be at that price and i promise to deliver you atleast 5 cores of similar quality" theres the offer.

He looks utterly shocked by the deal or the implication i have no clue but its fun messing with them. He takes a bit to get hsi wits together.

"I will have to discuss this with senior paladin todd if i you don't mind taking a seat i will be back" with that he practically sprints up the stairs.

Didn't know they would have a senior paladin here. Guess it makes a bit of sense.

Soon enough a large power armor more fancy and detailed then the rest without a helmet walks in. hes a bit on the older side with graying brown hair but his eyes are clear.

"I was told you have something the brotherhood would benefit from well lets hear it" with that i repeat my offer.

"I would like a contract to sell you 6 pristine fusion cores fully charged for 300 caps each with a promise that any future fully charge cores i sell are also 300 caps" thats it.

"That seems very unlikely but i don't see any downsides besides a few lost caps. For fusion cores we can handle that loss" thats exactly my thought too.

"Then we have a deal yes? Ill sign the contract you make it according to whats been said" ill read it over 3 times before i sign but maybe they need a show of trust.

"Very well scribe jonathan get it made ill sign it then lewis here can put down his own signature" with that he pulls away only to come back holding a few stacks of caps.

"This must be for the core i brought today yes?" he nods so i gracefully stash the caps in my satchel.

Soon theres 2 copies of a contract each with 2 signatures. I carefully fold it before sliding into one of the pockets in my jacket.

"Well thank you for being honest with your dealings so far and have a wonderful day" with that i leave time to get some sleep its exhausting talking to serious people like them.

Tomorrow will be a surprise for indigo when we start selling turrets that we didn't have. Wonder how long it will take before she starts asking questions.