ICC- Lone Wanders Chapter 2

finishing up

OCC- This is my second time posting this conclusion. It's unfinished and hurried. Sorry.

ICC-
“Let’s go people, Get those damned bodies out of the way!” Yelled Krieg. The dead and dieing deathclaw had piled up high on the El, blocking the cart from the El. The Brahma snorted their frustration, eager to flee from the hordes of deathclaw around them.

Policeman and townies quickly grabbed what bodies they could, tugging and dragging the dead leathery monsters out of the way.

“Borderman, Hai’s forward. Give ‘em cover damn it!” Moving forward, past the cart, the rescue force was mixing up with Gabriel’s wedge, both pushing back the monsters.

There were fewer deathclaw and those that were visible were smaller and younger. The rising sun might have meant that many had gone back to their dark lairs. Or perhaps so many had been killed that only the young ones were left.

“We’re getting short on ammo again Krieg,” Said Drake, easing his fire just momentarily.

“On it.” Said Krieg, bringing his radio up. “Dobbins, we need resupply now damnit.”

“Nana just left ten minutes ago with a second run. They should be there in a couple of minutes.” Dobbins voice responded, his voice full of static urgency. “What’s the situation.”

‘We got em Dobbs, we got em, but their pretty beaten up. Must have figured to break out on their own. Good thing ‘cause I doubt we could have gone much further.”

“Causalities?” asked Dobbins.

“Light, we lost a couple of good men, but overall pretty light. But we got quite a few wounded heading your way.”

“Got it covered. We got triage at the gate and surgery in a factory nearby. Now bring the rest of ‘em back.”

“Well we ain’t havin’ a party out here. We’re sending back the wounded first and then the locals and regular Pos first. Just be ready for the wounded. Over.”

The cart had now moved past the forward line. The terrified but exhausted brahma would have continued to run down the length of the El. But Ibis’ calm hand steadied them, bringing the cart to a halt.

He glanced down and was happy to see Cerebus licking at a long red cut across its side. The dog was cut up in many places, but it had suffered worse wounds before. One of the eyes of the wolf’s head looked up at Ibis, and the tag gave a big long wag. Stopping its licking the wolf’s head gave a woof, as if saying, “You see, once again I protected you.”

Nearby he could see both Jeeva and Caleb, catching their breath. Jeeva, finally resting his tired arms. For the first time since leaving the Fort, Jeeva’s plasma rifle was held at ease. The big slaver looked up at Caleb, met his stare and gave a big smile, as if saying. “We made it, together, we got through.” But Caleb face was as if made of stone. He shook his head and looked away, eastward, past the El and past Tabis. To GreyCliffs no doubt, where the other Blades were.

Jeeva shook his head. He had lost so many comrades and now would have to find some new purpose for his life. He hobbled over to the cart where Fury was getting off to make room for more wounded men. She looked up at her former leader and smiled, reached out and the two grasped each other by the forearms. Together they went back to look to Knox.

The big, muscular slaver was still bleeding, although Yacob was doing what he could to bandage him up. A police officer joined them and quickly injected a stim into the warriors shoulders, whispering “He’ll be ok for now.” Then moving off towards the others.

Ibis looked over the cart. Already townies and policemen were filling it with wounded. Other locals were helping the wounded that could walk back towards the gate, leaving room on the cart only for those who could no longer move. Ibis looked to Ferris and Talon, both badly burned, Ferris’s legs bloody and blackened, skin torn away. This one would be awhile if he walked again. Yacob now off the cart and helping place wounded ontop.

Ibis turned his attention to Caleb, who was reloading his weapons but still looking East.
The man was somehow older, more weary, more tired. The years of pain and death taking their toll.

He was thinking of going it alone. Ibis knew this, instinctively just as he knew that Caleb would deny the prophecy, just like he knew that Caleb would survive this ordeal. It was destiny. Ibis, old and tired, nearing the end of his time, was also a servant of destiny. Whether he left alone or with the others, it was Ibis that would carry Caleb across the river of death.

Oh Caleb, you think you carry the world on your shoulders. Whether because he feared the others would turn them down, or he was afraid to disappoint them, Caleb preferred to be on his own. It had always been true. Even among his Blade brothers, Caleb walked alone. But Ibis also felt that the old gunslinger had his phantoms, his reasons for being afraid of the company of others.

There was so much he would tell the old Blade if he could, but it would be little use. Some men needed to learn their own way. Some men were thick headed. And just as the Blade was thinking that he would journey alone, Ibis knew the others would follow wherever the Blade left.

There was a new dawn rising on the wastes, but whether that down promised rebirth or renewed torment, Ibis could not tell. Destiny, Fate were often blurry, even for one who could see. It was upon this one man that the future would be made.

“Where the hell are my men” The voice shook Ibis from his thoughts. Krieg, standing so tall he almost looked Ibis in the eye, spoke, his voice demanding. “The Bordermen who went to the Fort, where are they?”

But Ibis didn’t have the energy or the will to speak.

“One of them made it, the other two didn’t” Spoke Caleb, matter-of-factly.

“Only one.” Krieg repeated, his voice lower.

“They died bravely.” Said Rogue, looking up at Krieg, “Wheeler and Kirk died getting us to safety, and Ferris helped keep us alive. Your men died well, and did the Borderpatrol proud.”

Krieg looked back where a police medic was working on Ferris’ legs, applying an disinfectant and then badges. Krieg’s fist tightened and for a moment the battle was forgotten. But only for a moment.

“One man. Crooked Christ. Alright damn it, get this cart loaded and moving.” Krieg’s voice becoming loud, the voice of authority again. “Lets go, those of you wounded who can walk head back. Townies help ‘em back. No one left behind damn it. HAIs and bordermen keep the fire up.”

Ibis watched as Nana ran by, the first of her crew, a box of much needed ammo on her back. She moved to the forward line and crouched down, handing out much needed ammo.

Yacob, saw his wife, and smiled. Figures Nana would come out to get me.

“Nana!” He called.

Nana turned and saw her husband. A smile lit upon her face, a smile which, to Grim, turned back time to when the female badge had first met her husband, so many years ago.

She got up and went to her husband, holding him fiercely and kissing him. They held each other a long moment.

Then Nana eased her grip and stepped back. And slapped Yacob, loudly, across the face. “That’s for making me worry!”

Those who could hear the slap, audible from a distance, laughed.

Then she hugged her husband again, kissing him fiercely, as was her nature.

OOC- Ok I will finish this later. Anyone else, feel free to add. Sorry, got to run!
 
finished

OCC- I think this is the last of Chap 2.

ICC- “Come, help me with the ammo.” Nana said, returning to the line

Yacob nodded and followed, only stopping to clutch his chest.

“Yacob?” asked Nana, worried.

“A bit of an injury. I got hit on the chest and its been sore ever since. Little short of breath.” He said, with a grimace.

“You’ll have to get that taken cared of if you are going to be the new police chief.” Said Nana.

“No, none of that nonsense. I’m just a bartender and now a businessman. I’m tired of this. Better left for the young.” Yacob said, shaking his head. This has been too close and now, with Nana, he was painfully aware of all he might have lost.

“Don’t be a fool, Yacob. A deathclaw can’t change its claws. You were born to be a badge and a badge you’ll always be. What better man for the job? Besides, the Council has already approved. All is needed is for you to accept.”

Yacob didn’t respond but as he passed out the ammunition to the men on the El he thought about it. If it were to be, he would be making more than his share of money soon, and Horus could run the business well enough. It would be good to be the local marshal while his businesses profited.

Grim, finally rested, got up. Damn stiffness, he thought as he twisted the knots out of his muscles. Either age or rigormortis setting in. Wish my skin didn’t itch so damn much.

On the El the locals were returning to the gate. Grim could see the cart moving slowly, its back filled with wounded. Rogue was helping Fury along the way back, Fury hobbling and Rogue, as usual, the backbone that one could rely on.

Skik, the only ghoul on the El, seemed out of place. There’s a new world coming, thought Grim, and you are going to have to get out of the sewars and realize that you are part of it.

Skik reached into his pouch of grenades, didn’t find what he was looking for, tried again, then took out his hand empty handed. Then looking around at the humans, seemed unsure which way to go. You and I have more in common that it seems, my friend. Thought Grim.

The ghoul, deciding to stay with friends, ran up to the cart and began talking to Ibis. About what, Grim couldn’t make out. But it was good to be among the company of friends.

Even while the others continued to fire, Grim new that this episode was over. Now would come time to heal. And after that?

He looked to Caleb, but Caleb was looking East. Grey Cliffs and the bordermen there. He was going to leave soon. Yeah, but am I going too? Thought Grim.

Well why not? In for the yard, stay for the mile. There was the girl in the vision to consider to. Perhaps Ibis could shed some light.

Grim noticed that Gabriel was also watching Caleb, but the boys eyes were uneasy, as if carrying a terrible burden. Probably tired.

Grim gripped the young man on the shoulder, “Son, You did good. I’m damn glad I saved your ass before and glad to know ya. You did damn good.”

Gabriel looked up in surprise, obviously lost in thought. At first his eyes were cold, and then, as the words sunk in, the eyes eased their cold and took on unfamiliar warmth. He nodded. “Thanks Grim. I’m just glad we got you all out. But I got to say, you look like you caught your own death. Are you sick.”

Grim kept his smile even as he thought to himself, You gave me ghoul blood you little punk! How the hell are you suppose to feel when you’re becoming a freaking zombie.

Then, thinking better of it, Grim said, “Yeah well, it seems I picked up something unexpected, but we can talk about that later.”

Gabriel nodded and turned back to look at Caleb again. Caleb turned back to the line, saw the young man watching him. He nodded and then, a rare smile cracked across the old gunslingers hard face, and Caleb nodded. It was enough to signal, well done Gabriel, you did good.

Gabriel nodded back and then glanced back down the El, to where Rogue was helping Fury. Rogue, thought Grim, fine looking and about the right age. These youngsters and their hormones.

Gabriel, picking up a flamer, went back to join the line.

On the El, the line was retreating. More townies were among the men, picking up what weapons they could and doing their best to follow instructions. Krieg was shouting his orders. The troops were falling back, but it was an organized withdrawal. There were few Deathclaw left. Today, the humans owned the El.

Kreig watched the men withdraw, trying not think about the two men he lost. Wheeler had been a rock, and it would be difficult to replace him. But considering the enthusiasm of some of the townies and local Pos, Krieg was quite sure the Border Patrol would have new recruits by the end of the day.

“Drake, bring em back! Let’s go. This ain’t a freaking picnic! Bordermen, wait, wait ok, torch em and back!” As soon as the line of heavy armored infantry retreated back, the bordermen lit the El aflame.

Grim could feel the wash of heat and this shook him from his thoughts. He would have to talk to Wally and figure out why his bones felt so stiff, and damn that itch.

Before joining the line, Grim looked to the sky. Dark clouds coming out from the South. An acid storm coming. Soon the town would feel the whip of the whirlwind.

The rearguard retreated well, organized, and no more men fell that day on the El. Within an hour the last had cleared the gate, and once again Wainright, and the deathclaw, were locked away. Krieg went to check his men as the first drops of rain began to fall. By the end of the day, 5 men will have joined the Patrol. By the end of the week, another 12.

Those at the gate quickly brought the wounded under the shelter in the old factories that populated that part of town which was now used as a temporary rest station and hospital. The doctors continued to work on the wounded, the tired rested and those who had braved Wainright shared their stories of bravery.

From a factory door, Grim watched the rain begin with a few drops, the drops sizzling on the broken asphalt. In Tabis, the market cleared, patrons found shelter in Inns and the guards sought their shelters as everyone sought to escape the stinging drops.

The shower quickly picked up in volume and soon it became a downpour. Pot holes filled with muddy acidic water, as the rain pelted the broken surfaces of Tabis, filled the streets and found its way down drains and into the sewers.

It would last an hour, maybe two, and eventually the acid would neutralize and the water would sink into the ground, giving nutrient and vitality to the seeds that survived this barren land.

Rain, life-giving rain, so long denied this barren region, comes down hard in the wasteland. Its burning touch falls evenly on the living and the dead.

______
OCC= Ok, that's it. Time for Chapt 3
 
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