Chapter 11- Mojave Outpost

"So …how are we going into the Mojave?"

"There are two ways, one that would make the NCR know about us while the other would need some clearing to be done before going through there so what's your choice, Dante?"

"I'd rather go through the outpost, being just a little bit formal with our moving, what about you?"

"Alright we'll follow this route then, but just be on the lookout for raiders as well as NCR scouts or rangers, I'd rather not get into a conflict with them if it can be avoided. For the raiders, we are an easy target and while the NCR won't necessarily shoot at us, they won't be our friends either."

"What's this? The mighty Vito turning down the chance to start a fight with the NCR? If I didn't know any better I'd say you'd been replaced by an identical clone."

"Piss off kiddo. I'd rather not become a fugitive as soon as we step into the Mojave, after all, it won't do good to your future business."

"Come on, big guy, we have a few kilometers to walk until we reach the outpost."

Sadly, for us, as soon as we reached the hundred meters mark from our position to the outpost, the troopers stopped us.

"Halt! Don't move or we will shoot at you!"

Sighing, I raised my hands in the air while Vito did the same. Maybe I should have listened to his idea, then again, that would have meant that we would have to sneak inside the Mojave. While NCR troopers and rangers wouldn't have aimed at us, we wouldn't have been able to open a business legally since the Mojave was kind of owned by the NCR. Nevertheless, now that we are in this unfavorable situation, the only thing we can do is to hope for the best, worst case scenario, we blast our way out of here.

A few seconds later ten soldiers approach us alongside a man wearing a different outfit, most likely the ranger, who was their superior. The man looked completely different from the troopers, and seeing how he was the one giving commands to them, made me think that maybe he was a ranger or at least someone with the same commanding power.

"Now, what do we have here? A kid and a super mutant? If I didn't know better, I'd say that we have a kidnapper, but let's be honest, the big guy would have attacked us if that were to be the case, so who are you two?"

The ranger looked between the two of us, resting his eyes on Vito for a little longer before looking at me, trying to find any sign of struggle or torture. I've got to say the man seemed to have some experience with things like these.

"We are travelers, sir. My name is Dante Castillo and this is my friend Vito, he saved me from raiders a while ago and since then we stuck together, wandering the wasteland."

"Looks like someone else indeed had the same idea as you two, three someones, in fact, look here you two, I don't give a living shit about your reason, as long as you don't start any trouble, you can do whatever you want. Even more so, if you actually help us with a few problems that we, due to some people up in the government, can't do shit about it, unofficially of course. After all, the NCR doesn't work with mercenaries."

Both Vito and I, as well as all ten soldiers looked at the ranger in disbelief, not understanding how someone could be so blunt and at the same, one of the few people that found a loophole in the NCR system.

"Before we accept your offer, ranger, what would our payment be like? After all, I don't think you hope we will help you guys out of our kindness, right?"

"Don't worry, mutant, you two will find the reward more than plentiful if you two get rid of our problems."

Before Vito could continue asking the ranger any more questions, I decided to interfere, asking my own question.

"Sir, have you or your men perhaps seen a robot, acting as a sheriff coming into the Mojave recently?"

"Oh, you mean that one-wheeled bastard that calls himself Victor? Yeah, that bastard act like a sheriff only when House gets something, otherwise, he would ignore everything and everyone."

House, like in Mr. House? That's interesting, and sadly that proves my theory, Mr. House does indeed have some ulterior motives for becoming "an ally" of the NCR. Otherwise, why would he allow those corrupt bastards in his backyard? As well as letting one of his soldiers roam the Mojave and its surrounding? To be fair, I didn't like the thought of running into that robot again, especially since, despite his size and mechanical parts that thing was quieter than the night.

Nevertheless, right now, this ranger just gave us the best possible way of becoming "friends" with the NCR and earning some caps at the same time. The only problem was the kind of missions he needs help with, after all, Vito and I won't go to our deaths for a few caps.

"Thank you for answering my question, sir. As for the jobs that you have just mentioned, can you give us some details?"

"We have a slight problem with some insects infesting our roads. Sadly for my boys, the top dogs aren't keen on letting us do our job. Because of that, the trade slowed down and that means fewer caps for the republic. I want you two to clear the road for us and I'll make sure to forget where a service rifle, some caps, and ammo were left if you ease our burden. So what do you say, fancy some bugs spraying?"

It might just be what we need to start up in the Mojave, a friendly relationship with the NCR, however, that's for the future, right now, we need to take some baby steps.

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