Ch5. Searching for the light

The hot Mojave air that smelt like the devils ass crack assaulted Boones nose, he couldn't wait to get to Searchlight and take a break in some air conditioning. Everyone was making quick work as they traveled along the road, most were still wearing slave garb and legion boots. But thankfully, Colonel Moore had a few male and female NCR soldiers with her geared up in NCR colors so hopefully the soldiers at Searchlight won't shoot first, question later their asses. The journey however was longer then expected due to some large fire geckos, thankfully no one was injured, but it took almost two extra hours to wipe them all out and continue on.

Now they were within distance of the first checkpoint, Boone could see a few soldiers rushing around and taking positions. Probably spooked due to the large explosion from cottonwood cove, putting them on high alert to any travelers coming from that direction. Especially with the large plume of black smoke rising in that direction.

"Everyone keep your hands visible and no sudden movements when we reach them, let me do the talking" Cassandra spoke in a loud enough voice for everyone to hear her.

Everyone agreed as they slowly made their way to the decent sized checkpoint manned by at least 20 heavily armed soldiers and a large .50 caliber machine gun.

"Halt, this is an NCR base of operations, speak your name and purpose here!" A tall lanky man in NCR mantle armor spoke up.

Looking at his name Cassandra cleared her throat before speaking. "Ehem, My name is Cassandra Moore, a colonel in the NCR, in charge of military operations at Hoover Dam, may we pass and see your superior in charge for a debriefing?"

Eyeing up the woman in NCR gear that obviously didn't fit probably, and all the people behind her in slave garb, the man chose to radio someone with authority.

"Please wait one moment, don't make any sudden moves towards the outpost or my men will open fire. "Walking over to a small shack the man picked up a green handheld walkie-talkie. "Command, this is checkpoint bravo, we have a large group of individuals held here being lead by someone claiming to be Colonel Cassandra Moore. Please advise?" After a second of static a woman's voice could be heard on the other side of the walkie-talkie.

"Sergeant Astor, this is Major Kendra Hammond, please hand the walkie-talkie over to the woman in question please."

Quickly the man confirmed his order and walked at a brisk pace back to the woman claiming to be Cassandra Moore. "For you."

Taking the walkie-talkie, Cassandra clicked the talk button. "Kendra? was that your voice I just heard? So this is where Camp McCharran stuck you after Huh?" After a few seconds of static a sigh could be heard as the walkie-talkie barked.

"What kind of trouble did you cause this time Cassandra, you cause that nice big pillar of smoke in the distance?" The radio cut out as Cassandra smiled before clicking the talk button again.

"That dear Kendra, is the handy work of Alexander Sinclair, who should be on his way here very soon." Soon after the radio crackled back.

"Ehem is that s-so? We'll hurry into the town so you can get everyone settled. W-when is Alex going to be here exactly??" The radio cut out once again as Cassandra let out a chuckle. This girl never could hide her little crush very well.

Pressing the talk button once again, Cassandra made a cute kissing noise.

"Aweee does Kendra have a wittle crush??"

Immediately the radio crackled back to life as a high pitched girls voice yelled no before going silent. Looking up at the bemused soldier called Astor, Cassandra cleared her throat. "So can we pass through?"

Snapping out of his daze Astor simply nodded. "Um yeah, I'll have a couple men bring you all to the medical building, docs gonna be pissed she has all the extra work, but better safe then sorry. You all look like you've been through hell." Moving back Astor waved two Privates over. "Bring all these folk besides Colonel Moore to the Med Building, bring her to the Command center." Both men nodded and moved aside, ushering everyone through the checkpoint.

Turning to Astor, Cassandra moved close before whispering to him. "If a man in scary black armor with silver engraving on the right arm shows up, let him through immediately! Radio me and the major and send him our way." Astor nodded his head at the woman's command, before turning away and heading back to the heavy machine gun nest.

"Alright everyone, let's head into town and get settled, after a check up I'll see to it your all fed and properly clothed." Many of the former slaves had smiles appear on their faces for the first time in a long time.

Walking over to Boone and his wife, Cassandra smiled at the man. "Go get her looked over by the doctor and fed. When that's settled I'll send for the both of you for a debrief." Looking over at Carla, Cassandra felt pity for the girl, to be sold into slavery by someone simply because they don't like you, dealing with the legion is a double edged sword however. Sell one person too them and in time they'll come back and force you to sell others, and you can't resist or else they make it known and you end up lynched by your own people, a fitting end in Cassandra's opinion.

/// 10 minutes later - town hall mayors office///

*Knock Knock*

"Come in?" A melodious voice rang out in the office, followed by the door gently opening and a short haired brunette walking into the office.

*Whistle*

"You seem to be settling into Searchlight quite comfortably." Looking at the girl with hazel eyes and long flowing auburn hair with a braid down the left going over her shoulder, Cassandra wondered why she was out at such a dangerous posting.

"Says the Colonel in charge of the army at Hoover Dam." Giving Cassandra a smile, Kendra looked over the short lithe woman before her. Furrowing her eyebrows Kendra stood up and walked around her desk towards Cassandra before grabbing both of her large breasts in her hands.

"Seriously how the fuck is this fair? Your already 33 and these puppies only get bigger every time I see you!"

Cassandra simply gave a sly grin before reaching back and pinching Kendra's large soft ass. "Still lose to you in this department tho."

Kendra let out a yelp and rubbed her butt where her big sister pinched her. "Meanie."

Looking at her beautiful little sister Cassandra let out a laugh. "Missed you too goofball." Kendra smiled bright and nodded her head. "Likewise sis"

After both girls took a seat Cassandra let out a long deep sigh, looking at her sisters desk stacked with reports and a 9mm pistol with a bottle of wine as well.

"So care to tell me why they moved you out here? Last time I checked you were posted at the embassy on the strip? Then bam McCharran says you were reassigned."

Letting out her own sigh, Kendra grabbed the whole bottle of wine and took a big swig from the bottle before offering it to her big sister. Cassandra didn't hesitate and grappled the bottle from her sister and wet her pallet as well.

"It was great, the strip was fun and the work was easy, till that fucker showed up. Seems dear dad and mom pulled some strings to get me that posting and a nice apartment at the Ultralux."

Cassandra raised her eyebrow. "That's mighty nice of them, I knew they must have had a hand in the posting, but I'm guessing you figured out why." Cassandra said Before handing the wine bottle back.

Kendra sneered and took another gulp of wine.

"Yeah, Wanted me to marry the nephew of some old Brahmin baron for political reasons or other, sent the playboy down to the strip where he spent more time at the Gomorrah getting his dick wet with some drugged out whores then trying to woo me. Not that I care, made me happy. Until his old as dirt uncle told him he had three months to make me his or he would cut him off and disown him. That's when the harassment started and where I said fuck that. Now here I am, far away from where that fucker can get to me. Won't be sold off like you or Amanda….S-sorry that was harsh." Feeling guilty for her last words and remembering her sisters forced marriage, Kendra looked down with shame.

"Don't feel bad, with any luck that scumbag has drank himself to death in an underground brothel in Arroyo. God knows he'd be doing me a favor if he did."Stretching out on the chair Cassandra let out a groan before straightening up.

"Right, we'll care to tell me what brings you out this way sister?" Kendra asked her sister and watched as the older woman deflated.

"What else other then corruption and betrayal, discovered some massive inconsistencies with our supply shipments and the shipments to other outposts. Then out of the blue a friend of mine at Forlorn tells me she believes someone is messing with our supply chain and field reports from the inside. Only one person capable of that, and he sits his ass at camp golf. I sent a message to the rangers there telling them I was on my way in plain clothes to investigate with some MP's. Next thing I know we're getting ambushed on all sides by legionnaires, not a fucking coincidence in my humble opinion."

Kendra went pale at her sisters deduction, only one man at camp golf saw every report and had the power to sign off on new supplies sent to outposts. "I love you Cassie, really I do! But are you one hundred and ten percent fucking sure? You can't throw around accusations like that…especially when it all points to Hanlon. That man is almost on par with Alex when it comes to the Veteran rangers and respect."

Cassandra gave a weary look. "I know that's why I'm conflicted, if I'm wrong then I hurt Hanlon's reputation and the real traitor gets to escape, but if I'm right… the damage he can do can get much worse. That's why I was just going to confront him, see if he did and maybe find out why! But those legion bastards were waiting for us, in Ranger gear Kendra…"

*Knock Knock*

Before Kendra could say what was on her mind, a knock was heard before Kendra cleared her mind as allowed the intruder to enter, shelving the conversation with Cassandra for later.

The door quickly opened revealing a short redhead female in military desert fatigues that were a size to small for the girls body.

"Ah Lonnie, what is it?"

Kendra's personal aid simply saluted the two women before looking over at Cassandra.

"Colonel, we just got word that a man was seen ten minutes out walking towards Searchlight from Cottonwood coves direction! The man matches the brief description you gave to Sgt.Astor ma'am."

"Mm seems Alex finally caught up, didn't take him long at all, then again he's moving by himself and we cleared all the hostiles ourselves."

Kendra abruptly rose from her desk knocking over the half bottle of wine.

"Shit, shit, shit."

Quickly moving her reports out of the way and picking up the bottle, Kendra grabbed the closest thing to her to clean up the spilled wine.

"Seems like a waste of a beautiful emerald green dress to me."

After hearing Cassandra's words Kendra looked down at the cloth she had grabbed to clean up the wine, only to see the 900 cap dress she bought at the strip's emporium Bazaar, the best traders market in NewVegas. The dress she only took out to wear so she could impress Alex…

"FUUUUUUUCK!"

//Outside Searchlight//

Humming Bad moon rising, Alex could see a outpost ahead with about 20 soldiers meandering about, none of them reacted much as he approached other then a taller one who moved out to meet him.

The man moved and met Alex half way, reaching his hand out to give Alex's a shake.

"We heard from a couple freed slaves what you did, mighty fine work! Please allow me to shake your hand young man! Im Sgt.Astor, care to share yours?"

Alex nearly fanboyed when Astor introduced himself, the man was one of the NPC's he actually respected! A man who after the fall of Searchlight decided to stay behind and warn others of the danger, also to put down mercy for those who went feral.

However Alex kept cool on the outside and simply reached out and shook the man's hand.

"No problem, and the names Alex."

Smiling Astor got to the matter at hand quickly. "Ah Major Kendra Hammond wants to meet you at the town hall with Colonel Moore, I'll have one of my men lead you to them.

Alex simply smiled and nodded. 'Huh? Kendra Hammond…why does that name seem familiar?' Alex thought about the name but couldn't place it… until.

'Uh oh' was the though that passed through Alex's mind as he started to follow behind the soldier in front of him. Hopefully she wouldn't remember or even care about the promise that his current body's former owner made right?

That promise being…