Erin slows down to a stop as she approaches the N.C.R. territory wall. The walls are old, older than the infection, and from back when the states first separated from one another, but they suited everyone just fine once the outbreak happened. There are still incidents where people find their way to the other side of the walls, but life isn’t any easier for someone who has. In the majority of states, people are constantly tested to make sure they aren’t infected. To get a job, buy anything including food and shelter, or to even be scanned into homeless shelters, you must present your chip which is inserted at birth and which most No Man’s Land residents don’t have unless they’re an employee of one of the states.
Erin holds her arm out to allow them to scan the implanted chip. “Here for work.” She answers before the question is asked, having been through this plenty of times. The chip certified that she works under the N.C.R. as a mercenary, as well as many other things, including her infected status. They verify the information before opening the gate and letting her in. Erin pulls the visor of her helmet back down before speeding up, riding down the nicely kept highway toward the city.
As she drives farther past the walls, she arrives on the outskirts of a different town. She catches a traffic light and slows to a stop, watching as a school bus is loaded up. She can’t help but be amazed at how different these peoples’ lives are in the safe states, the same as she always has been since the first time she visited another state. The kids play around on the bus, throwing things, talking, and laughing. Before she can observe any longer, the light changes, and Erin drives off, wishing she could give her family a better life than the one they have.
Erin rides for a few more hours until the sun begins going down, and her stomach grumbles, signaling to her, it is time to stop for the night. She pulls off in a small town and finds a diner, paying for the dinner upfront. She notes that she doesn’t have much money left. Enough for a few meals and a couple nights’ place to stay, at most.
Each state has its own currency, except for No Man’s Land, after the Fall. In N.M.L., most places and people trade items instead.
After Erin’s meal, she heads to a nearby motel, the cheapest she can find in the area, and settles in. She tosses her helmet onto the chair and removes her boots before crashing on the bed, turning the TV on to the news. She watches for a while until the weather is shown before getting up to take a shower.
Her mind drifts to Skye as she showers, thinking about how she doesn’t take care of her kids right. How she puts so much of the responsibility on Scout, a twelve-year-old who should be enjoying what little of the childhood she has left, not mothering Skye’s kids. She loves Skye, and she’d do whatever for her, but she doesn’t know what to do. She can’t be everywhere, and Skye never seems to want to step up and take care of them properly. Erin tries to wash the stress away in the hot water and to turn her mind to sleep instead.
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The sun has already risen, and half the sunlight is gone for the day before Erin wakes up and gets back on the road. She finally makes it to the base and heads in to where the mercenaries can pick up jobs that the N.C.R. doesn’t have time for or can’t do immediately. She speaks with a few people and ends up with a tip about a storekeeper who was there in the morning, saying it was urgent but didn’t give his info. One guy knows where his shop is and points her in the man’s direction.
She makes her way down to the shop, greeting the man. He then explains the situation to her, saying he had some merchandise stolen and will pay her to get it back, but it’s off the record. Erin decides it is best not to ask questions and accepts the job, needing the cash anyways and reasoning the job is in the same city. He tells her that he even knows the guys and even saw which warehouse he went into. He explains that the ‘bastard’ is trying to drive him out of the city as they are business rivals, but he’s not going to just let him win.
He leaves the shop for a while and leads her to the warehouse. Erin breaks the lock on the door and walks in, looking around. The shopkeeper points out his shipment, and Erin goes to collect it, but the rival shows up.
“You!” He glares at the shopkeeper. “Get out of here. That shipment is mine now. It’s in my warehouse already. Nothing you can do about it.”
“Bet I can do something.” Erin makes herself known, stepping back into the light of the doorway.
“Who the fuck are you?” He glares at her, reaching for the pistol on his hip. Erin pulls hers out before he can take it out, though, stopping him.
“You pull that out, I have all the right to shoot you dead. Right now, I’m willing to let you go free, but you take that out, and I’ll shoot you.”
The man hesitates, his hand still hovering over the grip.
“Let us take back the shipment, and you get to live. Simple as that.” She shrugs slightly, never moving her gun off of him.
The man hesitates before turning around.
“Hey.” Erin barks, stopping him in his tracks. “You think you can just walk away and call some of your thugs? Think they can sort this out for you?”
“I--I…” The man stutters, having been caught.
“Don’t think I won’t hunt you down if I hear any more of his things have been stolen.” She motions her pistol toward the shop owner. “This petty beef between you two is done. Unless you want to deal with me personally. And trust me, I won’t just kill you. I’ll show you the darkest parts of No Man’s Land.”
The man can see in her dark eyes she isn’t kidding. That she very seriously means it. He nods, putting his hands up. “Fine. Sal. We’re good. No more stealing. You have my word.”
“Good.” Sal, the shop owner, smiles triumphantly.
“Get.” Erin nods her head in the direction he was originally leaving in. The once-rival scrambles away, trying to get away from the mercenary as quickly as possible. To not push his luck with her any further.
Erin walks deeper into the warehouse and picks up the boxed shipment, walking back to the shop with its owner. He thanks her deeply and begins to pull the money out to pay her for her work. She leans against the counter casually as he counts the bills.
“I’m serious.” She observes the quiet store. “If he causes any more issues, I’ll deal with him. My job is to resolve the issue, not put a bandaid over it.” She glances back at the man as he slides the N.C.R. currency in her direction.
“Thank you. I gave you extra.”
“Thanks.” She picks up the bills, fanning through them to count.
“You’re part of the family now. Find me whenever you need anything, and you’re in town.”
“Will do.” Erin bows her head to him slightly and heads out of the shop, planning to get some more work in for the day.
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Erin had gone back to search for another job, but after picking up a few requests to look into, she was informed that she had been requested by the higher-ups. She headed to the base and was directed to a large meeting room.
Presently, Erin’s sitting in one of the chairs, picking the skin off her fingers, waiting for someone-anyone to show up. She sighs, looking up from her skin-picking to observe the room once more. Like most N.C.R. facilities, it lacks any sort of personality other than the large New California Republic flags draping in each corner.
The door opens, and a man in an N.C.R. uniform walks in. He greets Erin with a small smile and an apology, saying he got held up but that he was the one who requested to speak with her.
“Who…exactly are you?” Erin asks cautiously.
“Major Hanlon of the New California Republic army.” He stands up straight as he answers. Erin has worked under the N.C.R. plenty of times before but never before by someone as high up as him before. He waits for her to respond for a few moments, but when she doesn’t answer, he continues. “I have heard of your work for us before. As well as your…history with some important people.”
Erin cringes at the mention. “So the N.C.R. knows about my relationships, then?”
“When they are notable. Yes.” Hanlon sighs. “We do not intend to pry; we just would like to make use of your pass across the states’ borders.”
“What do you want of me then?” She can’t fully hide her disdain towards the situation.
“You must fill out some paperwork before we proceed.” Hanlon walks over to where she’s seated, picking up papers from a side table along the way. “It’s a basic non-disclosure agreement. Well, a basic one for the N.C.R. If you disclose any information to anyone but the intended people, you will be sent to trial and put in one of our prisons. I’m sure you don’t want that, and nor do we, as we do appreciate the help you have previously given us.”
“Fine.” Erin briefly reads over the contract before signing it. She knows the N.C.R. well enough to know if something is this secretive, they’re going to be willing to pay a pretty penny to have it carried out. Or else they would’ve simply used their own men. She can’t help but wonder why they aren’t and what this job will entail. “Now. Are you going to tell me what this job is?” She slides the papers back towards him.
“Yes.” He walks the papers back over to the table they were originally on. “There is a package that must be taken to X-13. Biotech Solution’s headquarters, as I’m sure you’re aware.”
“I’m not doing anything for those bastards.” Erin growls. “Those fuckers are the ones who released this hell onto my family.”
“They’re also the ones keeping them alive, Mrs. Henderson.” Hanlon speaks calmly. “Their vaccines are the only thing keeping most people in No Man’s Land from turning once they’ve been infected. Working with them is a necessary evil to keep the doses coming. I will inform you that they have been talking about working on a more permanent antidote. This package will help ensure that. In addition to this benefiting the people of No Man’s Land, you will be heavily rewarded. Fuel, as well as six months’ worth of antidotes for you and your family.”
Erin’s eyes widen. An offer like that isn’t found every day. “Fine. What is the package?”
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Erin was sent out to kill some time while the package is prepared. She isn’t told what the package is and that it will be sealed, so she can’t. But regardless of that, she is expected to risk her life for it. No matter what, the package must make it to X-13.
Erin heads back to the mercenary outpost within the city to pick up some jobs to do along the way to Biotech’s state. She meets with a man, asking him about the job he had posted with minimal details.
“I have family in No Man’s Land.” He explains, running his fingers through his graying hair. “I was in N.C.R. territory when the outbreak happened, but I get the occasional messages from them through traders. I--I haven’t heard from them for the last few months. I’m worried. Worried something happened to them. I wrote down their coordinates. Will you please find them and check on them? I don’t have much, but I can pay you.”
“I’ll find them.” She nods.
After the man gives her their locations, Erin leaves, hoping she’ll find them alive and well, but knowing better than to get her hopes up.
She spends the rest of her free time getting other delivery jobs. Letters, packages with things you can’t get in N.M.L., and even some injections that she wonders where they came from. A soldier finds her and tells her it’s time to return to the base, where she will pick up the package and start on the journey to X-13.
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Erin is on the road again, now back in No Man’s Land on the decaying roads. Erin thinks to herself about her past jobs. Many of them simply take some sort of item to a location, whether it be in N.M.L. or outside of the walls. She has been doing this for the last few years now, spending most of her time on the road, constantly moving while doing jobs, and only going back to her family to get the injections. Erin does her best to care for everyone there, stepping up like she should’ve done all along rather than going off to New Vegas. She takes a deep breath and tries to think about things other than her past mistakes.
So far, the roads have been mostly clear from the infected, making the trip easier. Erin tries not to be out during the nights as that’s when more infected come out, moving in hoards.
Erin squints, seeing a figure on the side of the road. At first, she thinks she has jinxed herself and that it’s a zombie waiting to chase after her, but as she nears, she realizes it’s someone holding their thumb out. Erin slows down to a stop. She has to be cautious, as there are plenty of dangerous things other than just the infected, but she does her best to help others when she can.
“Glad you stopped.” The older man in scrap clothing smiles with a toothy grin. “I’ve been walking for hours, and my old feet are getting tired.”
“What brings you out here?” Erin tilts her head to the side slightly.
“My daughter is about to give birth. I’m planning on staying with her and helping her raise the kid.”
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
“Noble.” Erin smiles slightly. “Would you like a ride? As long as you’re headed in that direction?”
“I’d ‘ppreciate it.” He looks toward the back of the bike skeptically.
“Not much room.” Erin admits, looking back as well. “But if you hold on tight, I think we can make it work.”
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They finally arrive at the small colony. It’s in the mountains and reminds Erin of her home. Most of the houses are aged log cabins surrounded by makeshift greenhouses. Erin props her motorcycle up, dismounting it. Some leftover snow crunches under her boots as she walks over to the old man she gave a ride to.
“Hope the ride wasn’t too bad.” She smiles at him slightly.
“You saved me a lot of time.” He nods. “I never got your name.”
“Erin.” She holds out a gloved hand to him.
He shakes it with a smile. “Clay. Would you like to stay for dinner? I’m sure I can also find you a bed for the night. It’s going to be too dark to be out there soon.”
“That would be great.”
“Give me a moment to tell my daughter then.” He walks off, leaving Erin alone.
She wanders around the camp as she bides time. She rounds a corner, finding a group of people around a merchant’s stall. They’re selling fresh, still steaming, bread. Erin walks over with the intent to buy Clay’s family a loaf.
After waiting in line and getting the loaf, she feels as someone pulls against her belt. She turns around to see a child trying to pickpocket her, causing her to grab the child by the wrist. She observes them for a moment. They’re skin and bones, wearing only light rags.
Erin grows sad looking at the child, wishing she could help. She may not have the time to give them a new home, but the least she can do is give them a meal. “Here.” Erin holds out the bread.
The child stares at the bread uncertainly before snatching it from her grasp. As she lets go, they run away, their bare feet in the snow.
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Erin throws her leg over the bike, shifting to get comfortable in the seat.
“Thank you again, Erin. you are a very kind person.” Clay stands beside her bike. They had given her dinner, a place to stay for the night, and breakfast. Erin felt that they had paid her back more than enough.
“It was on my way.” She shrugs slightly, not thinking too much of the deed.
“I have something I want to give you.” He pulls around his gross body satchel and digs into it, pulling out a moon necklace that sparkles in the dawn’s light. “It’s not worth much, but it’s all I have to give.”
“I know someone who will treasure it.” She smiles slightly and takes it from him. “Thank you, Clay. And good luck with the little one.”
“Thank you.” He bows his head slightly.
Erin flashes him one final smile before driving off.
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Erin stops at a colony for the night and a refuel. Most of the colony is housed inside a couple of large warehouses. The large metal shipping containers inside have been converted into small homes for the colony’s citizens and passersby.
After refueling, Erin walks her bike through one of the warehouses, stopping at a shop that the gas station owner pointed her towards for dinner. She orders the chef’s special soup and some bread to make up for the one she gave away the day prior. As she tastes the soup, she’s not fully sure what’s in it but decides it best not to ask and be thankful for the meal.
Someone sits down next to her, causing Erin to glance over. “You a mercenary?” Erin looks over fully at the man as he asks. “Sorry. We just don’t get many people through here who aren’t mercenaries or merchants. You look like you can handle yourself, so I figured you’re the former.”
“I’m a courier mostly.” She explains, returning her attention back to her soup.
“We need someone to do a job for us. And seeing as you have a motorcycle, we think you’d be a perfect fit.” The man shifts in his seat, lowering his voice as he speaks.
“What’s the job?”
“We would like to tell you somewhere more private.”
Erin raises an eyebrow, wondering if this is how she’ll get killed or stripped of some organs, but agrees regardless. She agrees to meet with them after she finishes her meal.
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Erin follows the man to the back of the warehouse, where he slides a door open, motioning for Erin to enter. Erin has her hand casually resting on her pistol, just in case. The warehouse leads to another enclosed space filled with scientific tech, though it’s far from any labs she has seen before. Instead of pristine machines and clear spaces, there is stuff thrown around everywhere, and bunk beds cramped into the corner, some even having people in them. No doubt whoever works here also lives here.
“We’re scientists.” The man explains, closing the door behind him. “All of us were rejected by the other states when we were seeking a safe haven, so now we’re here, working together to find a cure that Biotech doesn’t seem to care about.” Erin makes a face of agreement as he continues. “We’re doing our best with what we have.” He motions towards their equipment.
Erin glances upwards, seeing children sitting on the walkways in the rafters, watching the two of them. “Not the best conditions.”
“Yes.” He clears his throat. “But we make do.”
“So, what do you need from me?” She looks back at the man.
“The next step is acquiring a live infected. We will pay you for your time and efforts, plus, if we succeed, you can be one of the first to get a dose of the antidote.”
“How do I bring a live infected through a colony full of people?” Erin raises an eyebrow.
“We have a back entrance you can bring it through.”
Erin looks back up at the kids. “It’s too dangerous to bring it here. Too much risk.”
“We agree. We will be housing it in another container outside.” He motions towards a back door. “Where it’ll be safe.”
Erin takes a deep breath. She had wanted to drive straight through to X-13, only stopping for her deliveries and nights, but doing this would stall her. “Can you not get someone else to do it? I have a tight schedule.”
“I suppose we could, but there is a hunting party happening soon. The perfect time to capture one.”
“Hunting party? For infected, I assume.”
“They’ve rigged a nearby cavern with explosives, and gunners will be set up to help thin out the herd.”
“Sounds like dangerous work.” Erin tilts her head to the side. “How do they plan to get the infected to the cavern?”
“Someone with a motorcycle will drive and alert the hoard.” He smiles guiltily.
“And let me guess; I’m perfect for that job too.”
He shrugs, the small smile still on his face. “I would say. Yes.”
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It turned out that the group of scientists had already made a deal with the leaders to have one of the infected captured for research during the hunting party. Not to mention that they had just been waiting for some well-prepared mercenary with a motorized vehicle to pass through to put the hunting party into motion. After talking to the leaders and the scientists, they agreed on the plan and sent Erin off to get a good night's sleep before the big day.
Erin was now lying in a hammock, looking out over the colony. She had to climb up a rickety ladder to get here, and the only thing keeping her from falling out of the container if the hammock broke was a flimsy gate. At least her room for the night has a great view.
She watches the people make their way to their homes as the night has approached. Everyone goes on, used to their new form of life. Erin is always amazed at how humans seem to always make due, no matter how bad things get, but she supposes that’s all they can do now. She smiles as she sees a family casting shadow puppets on the wall. They may not be very good, but she can hear the laughs from entertained children.
Erin looks away, missing home and turning to pull her attention away from it. She looks up at the holes in the ceiling of the crate. With the light coming through there, it almost looks like stars.
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Erin takes a deep breath, looking out over at the large hoard of infected. All she can do now is hope this will actually work and not end up with her dying. She exhales and revs the bike before taking off down the hill towards the hoard. As she nears them, she veers off in front of them. She gets a bit of distance between her before turning to check they’re actually following, finding out they are, in fact, running after the noise of the motorcycle. She speeds up a bit to make sure the distance is kept between them without speeding up enough to lose their attention.
Erin continues on the path as she nears the choke point, where one of the infected will hopefully get strung up. She slows down slightly, careful not to lose control of the bike as she’s currently off road. She sees the trap and drives around it before checking her mirror to see if one has been caught, watching as one of the infected goes flying into the air, hung up by the trap.
“Fuck yeah!” She cheers, fist bumping into the air. Erin speeds up once more, gaining some distance from the hoard as she nears the cavern. “Get ready!” She yells, hoping the explosives people can hear her. She takes a turn into the cavern, thankful she can see the sunlight from the other side.
She looks back to check they’re following in after her, thankful their plan is working. She drives through the cavern and ends up on the other side, yelling at them to blow it up. The explosives go off, caving both sides of the cavern. Erin slides to a stop, turning to face the destruction as a wave of dust and debris rolls her way. Tiny rocks hit the visor before landing on her lap as the dust settles.
“Fuck yeah!” She cheers once more, hearing gunfire as the riflemen take out any stragglers that didn’t make it into the cave. “Can’t believe that worked.” She sighs, relaxing. “Though I’ll happily take the pay for wiping out a hoard.”
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Erin flips the kickstand before dismounting the bike, walking over to the trapped infected. It’s splayed out in the air as one of its legs is hung up while the other is limply hanging to the other side. Erin chuckles to herself at the scene as it reaches out to her, trying to grab onto something. She takes a moment to taunt the infected, holding her hand out near its mouth before pulling away before it can do anything.
“I wish you all were as defenseless as this.” She smiles to herself as she walks back to her bike, grabbing a bundle of rope. Erin walks back over to tie the infected up and begins binding it until it can no longer struggle. She then cuts it down and straps it to her bike before driving off toward the colony.
Erin eventually arrives at the back entrance of the colony, the gate being opened for her and letting her pass with the bound infected. They lead her to the detached container, where she parks her bike and carries to infected to a surgery-looking table with straps. With the help of a few scientists, they get the infected strapped in and ready for their experiments.
“I have something for you.” The scientist she first met walks over to her, digging through his bag. He pulls out a canister, holding it out to her. “If you have a wound, ooze some into it, and it will clout it, preventing further bleeding.”
“Thank you.” She smiles, taking it from him. “Sounds useful.” After making sure they didn’t need her for anything more, she climbed back onto the bike with the intention of leaving.
“Remember, when we get that cure, you’ll be one of the first ones in line.”
Erin throws him a thumbs-up before driving out of the colony.
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Erin slows to a stop, putting the kickstand down and looking around. She thinks to herself: this can’t be the place. But it would explain the lack of communication from the man’s family.
The gate to the colony has been torn open, and all of the houses are burnt, doors and windows barricaded from the outside, trapping whoever inside. Erin notes the gas canisters thrown around the colony as she walks down the street. Along the way, she finds a mostly dead infected with a crowbar in its head. Erin holds the crowbar and puts her foot on its head to pull it out and finish the job, taking the crowbar with her.
She arrives at the right house, checking the number, before walking up the door. She begins pulling off the nailed-down planks before stepping inside. The house is falling apart, burnt thoroughly, as with the rest of the colony.
Her eyes drift over the room before stopping. She walks over to the remains of a couch, picking up the ashes of what seems to be a stuffed animal of some sort. She drops it back down as it disintegrates in her hand, walking through the house. Erin makes her way into the kitchen, finding two corpses huddled together by the back door, one smaller than the other. Erin clenches her fist, looking away.
“Fuck.” She curses, holding back her emotions the best that she can. Now that she’s got the information she needs, she leaves, hoping to never have to see something like that again.
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Erin finally arrived at Biotech Solution’s hub X-13. Erin holds her arm out as the machine scans. She rolls her eyes, waiting for it to finish. This has been her fourteenth time being scanned since being behind Biotech borders.
“She’s infected.” One of the men says to the other. They’re dressed in the usual Biotech armor, sleek and futuristic.
“I’ve got a pass from the N.C.R. Delivery.” She explains.
“We can see that.” The man’s eyes scan over the holographic screen. “We need to call someone to escort you from here. Please enter the room to your right and leave your weapons. They will be watched.”
Erin sighs. “Fine.” She follows his instructions walking into the room where she takes off her various weapons, putting them into a locker. Erin scans her fingerprint before it locks, keeping her things safe. She sits on one of the benches and waits for the next instructions.
Eventually, a man in an exquisite suit and an armed guard shows up and usher her along with them.
“You will take the package to its destination. Your things, including your motorcycle, will be kept for you.”
“Thanks.” She casually answers as they walk along a pathway. Erin looks out over the vast city of skyscrapers and rushing people. She’s only been to Biotech a handful of times and never X-13. She’s in awe of the sheer amount of people here, as well as how well-kept everything is.
“I apologize for the escort, but it’s better than letting anyone get infected.” He explains.
“I understand.” She shrugs as they step into the tram.
Erin notes the looks she’s getting. She wonders what exactly is attracting them but has no doubt it’s one of many things. Her clothes, her tattoos, maybe even her smell. She looks out the window as the tram starts.
She had always thought that Biotech looked like the future she had dreamed of before the Fall. Pristine, showy, like things that were shown on the TV before the infection. There’s a small tinge of sadness she feels as she sees children and their parents, knowing that she can never give her family something like this. That fate forced them to live out in the hellscape and not somewhere safe like this.
They arrive and get off at the station, walking to a tall building, even towering over the others. Erin drops the package off with an important-looking woman and some guards before being escorted back to the checkpoint.
The suited man disappears while she puts her weapons back on her person before showing back up.
“Your motorcycle has gotten new tires. They also did some upgrades to make it more fuel efficient.”
“We were barely gone thirty minutes.” Erin looks over at him in surprise.
“We are fast here in Biotech.” He smiles at her. “We are a useful ally.”
“Noted.”
He escorts her back to her motorcycle, where he says a farewell and sends her on her way back to the border. Erin can’t help the pit in her stomach as she drives away, not trusting Biotech and their intentions.
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