The fighting that was more of a slaughter than anything else went on for a few minutes and once those minutes had come to pass the bandit boss that had tried to flee from one of the structures laid lifeless on the arid ground riddled with bullet holes, missing chunks of flesh, and leaking a profuse amount of blood. Eyeing the pool of blood under the bastard that was quickly diffusing into the arid rock filled soil below, I turned my attention to the ratty structures and searched them.
I covered them with my perception field and scanned them extensively, but I didn't find anything of real interest within them, not even any wastelanders that required saving, unfortunately. Finding nothing much but junk and bones within the structures, obviously because they cannibalized whoever they captured most recently, I left everything as it was and picked up the gear I wanted from the many bodies strewn about.
After retrieving everything of value which there wasn't much of, I left the bandits' remains to be dealt with by the local wildlife whilst I rapidly trekked up the mountain to retrieve my companion so we could get moving again.
Right as I reached the top, I investigated my female companion's state. "You good?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm more than fine. This isn't exactly my first go around putting some of the wasteland's more undesirable folk in the ground, if you know what I mean, Dom."
"Just checking, beautiful."
"I appreciate the thought, handsome." Mary responded in that signature southern accent of hers.
Assured that my soon to be third romantic partner was doing just fine mentally after slaughtering an entire encampment of humans, although the human equivalent of scum, I was about to take back my FBARC Rifle I loaned her and stow it away when she asked. "You mind if I keep this, big guy? I quite like this lightning rifle you lent me."
"Sure, I got plenty back at home."
Shrugging my shoulders, I let the lass keep the weapon and as she was busy smiling at the thought of her first gift from me; I picked her up suddenly. The pretty cowgirl released a yelp of surprise and as a smile made its way onto my mug, I hopped off the cliff with my companion in hand and jumped from footing to footing till we reached my autonomous combat bike that was waiting for us below.
Letting the young woman that was in the prime of her life down, I said. "I Hope you found the ride enjoyable."
"Well, it was certainly exciting, to say the least." She replied when she spun towards me.
Back once again at my ride, I strode over to it and took my place on it. And Mary, who was still recovering from the effects of me storming down the mountain, soon joined me. The moment the slightly blushing girl took her place right behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist as best she could, I drove the two-wheeled vehicle into the valley that was more of a canyon.
Zooming down the worn and torn multilane road, I found a number of sizeable stones strewn about that had no doubt come from the now eliminated bandit camp up top, along with a plethora of remains from most likely deceased caravans and traders that no doubt tried to utilize this route in the past.
Looks like wastelanders will once again be able to safely use this route... Or as safe as one can be when traveling on this danger filled and mutant infested planet.
Speeding past the remains of the bandit I sent careening off the cliff's edge above earlier, I weaved through the debris and potholes, slayed a dozen or so creatures in passing, and shot out on the other end of the canyon-like valley with not a single scratch on me or my companion. When the two of us finally made it through the canyon, I briefly scanned the surroundings with my exceptional vision and discovered the same old terrain with arid mountains rising tall. Looking them over for the briefest of moments, I found all kinds of mutated fauna and flora covering them.
There's few new species roaming about but there don't appear to be too many distinct differences from what I've seen in the previous environments.
Finding many of the same species of creatures and plant life in the surrounding area, I turned my focus to the town of Crystal Springs in the distance. About 6 miles from where we found ourselves was an agricultural wasteland town surrounded by a substantial wall made up of a combination of sturdy local stone, concrete, and metal fencing that was on the thicker side of things, probably so it could stand up against the many large creatures that roamed this substantially different Earth.
"We'll be coming up on your hometown in around 10 minutes."
"Really?" Mary asked as she poked her head out from behind.
"Yeah, it's just right ahead." I affirmed her.
"I'm surprised we're making such good time, but I suppose it makes sense since you possess a whole assortment of unknown powers... I hope you'll reveal a few of those to me one day soon, big guy."
"Mm, sure thing. But only if you tell me a few of your secrets in return." I countered as I continued to close the distance between us and the wasteland town.
"Of course, I was already planning on it, actually."
"I guess we have a deal, then."
"It appears so." The wildflower followed up before breaking out in a small bout of laughter.
Sharing a laugh with the young, charming woman in the prime of her life, I continued following the sun bleached asphalt southward. We kept progressing towards our destination at a rate of 60 miles per hour and after taking care of several aggressive mutants on route, we finally began pulling up to the well defended town gate.
With only a couple hundred meters remaining between us and the checkpoint, I began decelerating and once I slowed to an acceptable speed; I approached the town's entryway as the aged patinaed turrets mounted atop the tall defensive walls trailed our approaching figures. This was quickly followed by the guards stationed around the checkpoint when they spotted who I had sitting right behind me. Not making any big moves, I further reduced my speed and came to a complete stop right as I and my female companion had neared close enough.
Keeping my hands on the handlebars where they could see them, the surrounding men kept their weapon trained on me and just as I was about to start attempting to deescalate the situation with that medallion gramps gave me, Mary popped out from behind my back and nonchalantly said. "Hey uncle Barry. How's it going?"
*Sigh* "Not too great, lass, since you've gone missing. Do you know how worried everyone has been since you disappeared?" A scruffy looking tanned caucasian responded from the dozen or so gate guards.
Checking the man out from top to bottom, I found a rugged man in his late 40s to early 50s donning dark brown cowboy hat, a pair of aviators, a leather overcoat, a matching set of clothes, and an armored vest all of which were similarly colored to his deep brown leather hat. Transitioning from his outfit, I saw the man was wielding a custom high end TZ-9.26 Heavy Assault Rifle with all the bells and whistles as well as a pair of engraved 44 magnum revolvers on his hips.
Those are some unique armaments he has there.
Finished scanning that man and many of the nearby guards in the matter of a split second, the conversation continued between the rambunctious country girl and the so-called uncle Barry.
"Well, it wasn't exactly my choice." Mary responded, before patting my thigh. "And if it wasn't for this handsome guy right here, there's no way I would've been able to make it back home, let alone stand before you all in one piece."
The second she finished revealing that bit, all the eyes in the area turned and locked on me.
I suppose this is where I introduce myself.
Needing to show my face, I removed my helmet and let my long wild hair cascade and fall onto my armored full body suit. "I would've preferred to introduce myself in a less tense situation, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen, so I'll do so now."
As the guards were watching with the same weariness and hostility, I introduced myself while gesturing to the gal behind me. "My name is Dom Mason Woods, and I rescued this pretty wild flower from a band of bandits on my way home."
"Oh, and my grandpa John said this would help in diffusing any troublesome situations I may find myself in." I added whilst pulling out that medallion gramps gave me.
A few moments after catching sight of the small metal object, uncle Barry, who seemed to be the leading figure amongst the guards, lost his hostile-ness almost immediately when he recognized what I brought out. "He's a friend. Stand down." The rough and tough looking man said in a commanding tone.
As soon as he gave the order, the checkpoint personnel collectively lowered their weapons at once, and the aged turrets lining the top of the town's wall resumed scanning of the surrounding region.
Following the dissolution of that somewhat tense situation, uncle Barry led us through the town's checkpoint and had me park my vehicle in a nearby designated parking spot. Retrieving the keys from my combat bike, I alighted from it alongside my female companion and ran my eyes over the area.
What entered my vision was a relatively rugged town filled with multi-storied buildings constructed of all kinds of materials one could find around these parts, although many of them were constructed from light sand colored bricks, concrete, and metal that had accumulated a surface layer of rust. Observing the section of town I found myself in, I watched the seemingly happy residents going about their days in this human settlement that combined the wild west with future sci-fi tech.
"So you're Old Man John's grandkid, aye?" The leader of the security forces asked.
"If he's a bear of a man, then that is certainly my gramps."
"I can see the resemblance in your figures... Though I will say you appear to be a size or two larger when compared to that old timer of yours."
The three of us chatted for a wee bit before uncle Barry spoke up. "Alright, we've wasted enough time here chit chatting. Let me escort you two back to the mayor's home. I'm sure the sooner you return home, Mary, the better."
"If that's what you want to do, uncle."
Since her uncle Barry wanted to lead us back, we followed the man and headed off down the main paved street running through the middle of town. As we progressed through the town, the west side opened up to reveal fields of grain, vegetables, and other kinds of produce and many people managing pieces of equipment that were designed for taking care of those fields of food. Watching them work as we traveled through the Crystal Springs, the fields were eventually hidden behind rustic sci-fi looking structures again.
And not that many minutes from then, we came strolling into the town square with a number of sizable buildings positioned all around the town center. I gave the place a brief once over before Barry began leading us in the direction of one of the large buildings on the eastside of the square. No more than a minute later, we arrived in front of a 5 story residence constructed from the same material most of the town was.
"This is quite the home you got here, Mary."
"Thanks, but it falls quite short when compared to yours."
Just as I was going to respond to the girl, the large double doors of the residence beyond the perimeter gate and wall that ran along the entire exterior of the property opened up.
[ Loot Gained ]
| Weapons |
AKMs (55) - Colt Python .357 Magnum Revolvers (5) - M249 SAW (1) - M4 Carbines (37) - M5 Assault Rifles (30) - M90 Frag Grenades (155) - M101 Frag Mines (3) - Mossberg 500s (19) - Pipe Bombs (49) - Sawed-off Double Barreled 12 Gauge Shotguns (13)
| Weapon Magazines |
.357 Magnum Speedloaders (6) - 5.56 STANAG 30 Round Magazines (301) - 5.56 STANAG 60 Round Quad Stack Magazines (40) - AK-47 30 Round Magazines (253) - AK-47 40 Round Magazines (30) - AK-47 75 Round Drum Magazines (5) - M249 SAW 100 Round Box Magazines (5)
| Aid |
First Aid Kits (35) - Maxigen Bottles (19) - Medstims (58) - P-Dex Bottles (10) - R4GE Injectors (25)
| Ammo |
.357 Magnum Rounds (171) - 12 Gauge Shotgun Shells (661) - 5.56x45mm Rounds (15,482) - 7.62x39mm Rounds (9,001)
| Money |
Dollars (259,907) - Gold (1) - Silver (9)
[ Creatures Killed & EXP Gained ]
Bandits (79) Exp 89,369 - Bandit Veterans (12) Exp 19,005 - Bandit Squad Leaders (3) Exp 6,380 - Bandit Boss (1) Exp 3,168 - Rock Scorpions (13) Exp 17,648 - Wild Dogs (7) Exp 3,168 - Total Exp 138,738