When life gives you lemons make an A-bomb

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Looking at the contract Ranger Jackson rubbed his Forehead Looking like he's going to have a migraine.

"Well, this is a real cluster fuck. Folks this is a real big issue I can't do anything at this moment. The only thing I could do is send a letter back home and get it to the right people, if you make me a promise. I need you to swear you won't take revenge. If you do, then your case is over, and we can't see that justice is done. I know some things are hard to let go, but you and Miss Betty need to understand that, hear me?"

Betty looked furious as she responded.

"How can you say that? Aren't you in charge here? You're the army! Don't you have soldiers to enforce your authority?"

Six held his mother back to prevent her from lunging at Ranger Jackson.

"Soldiers? No, recruits, yes. The Mojave Outpost is under orders to maintain a standing force at the NCR perimeter at all times. Sending anyone out would reduce our numbers and directly violate my orders from back West. So, are you accepting the deal?"

Ranger Jackson gave them a serious look.

"What choice do I have? Of course, I'll take the deal. But you better ensure they receive everything due for the downfall of our family business and the deaths of my employees."

Betty said, her emotions on full display, crying and barely able to stand without her son's support.

"Will do, ma'am. You have my word."

Ranger Jackson replied with a tone of sadness.

"You sound frustrated, sir."

Six interjected into the conversation.

[Speech check pass: receiving 20 MSP]

"Frustrated? No. I have my orders signed and approved all the way up the chain from Kimball. And I understand the reasons. The Outpost isn't a Legion target, yet, not like Vegas or the Dam but if the caravans get choked here, that's going to bite NCR hard. Anyway, didn't mean to talk your ear off. Some days. just feel like more requisition forms and daily reports come across my desk than results."

Exiting the main office, Betty conversed with the survivors rescued by her son's group to see if they wished to remain. The women unanimously declined to stay, citing discomfort due to the leering from many males at the outpost and concerns for their children's safety. Consequently, they opted to try their luck in Goodsprings. At that moment, Six received a system alert.

Ding!

[Quest: The Pen Is Mightier Than the Sword. Complete]

[Objective: Successfully show undeniable proof of the Crimson Caravans crimes]

[Reward: Rare Silver-Tier Item Settlement Builder Workshop]

Settlement Builder:

Within a settlement's confines, users can dismantle objects and structures to gather resources and construct their own buildings, including homes, vegetable gardens, defenses, shops, and crafting stations. Settlements can connect via Brahmin caravan, sharing resources among them. Towns may harness electricity through a dynamic power line system and support water pumps and crop gardens. Merchants and NPCs can settle in these towns, contributing to the community's sustainability. Users can erect various defensive structures like turrets, guard towers, and traps to protect their settlements from raids.

Ding!

[Level Up!]

Upon accessing the skill screen, Six decided to continue enhancing his GUNS skill, investing all 15 points into it before proceeding to Perks. He chose the Educated perk: gaining two additional skill points with each level advancement.

This perk was essential; an extra 92 skill points across 46 levels could nearly maximize all his skills. Ultimately, selecting Educated was straightforward, as the benefits it provided were too significant to overlook.

Six was thrilled to acquire the Settlement Builder, eager to craft a settlement in his own style, reminiscent of his designs in Fallout 4. 

With a plan to gather as much scrap as possible for crafting materials, he enlisted his mother's help to trade with merchants, ensuring fair deals. Betty managed to sell the excess goods acquired from the slavers, along with several cases of purified bottled water, from the system store. 

In exchange, Six acquired a sheriff's duster, a Desperado cowboy hat, ammunition, various junk items, and an assortment of Mini Nukes, of which there were five types. 

Betty, with a hint of nervousness, questioned her son as he affectionately handled a Mini Nuke, his grin stretching wide. 

"Son, why all the nukes? You're not contemplating something drastic like destroying the Crimson Caravans, are you?" 

With a maniacal laugh, Six replied.

"Oh, Mother, I haven't the faintest notion of what you imply... But that's an intriguing suggestion." 

"Fear not, Mother, exhilarating times await in the Wasteland." 

"Look, Rebecca! See what I've got for you!" 

Shouted Six running while holding the Mini Nuke above his head.

Betty could only facepalm and sigh, hoping the pair would provide her with grandchildren before any catastrophic mishaps. Yet, considering their nightly escapades, she mused it wouldn't be surprising if Rebecca were already expecting.

Betty kept her attention fixed on Six, pondering what he would do with all his nuclear ammunition.

"He's not going to do anything dangerous with it, right... right... Right!"

Eventually, he approached Rebecca, who safely stored the Mini Nuke after realizing its nature. Her son, acting foolishly, lifted Dora into the air and spun her around as though she were a toddler.

Six considered the advantages and disadvantages of possessing nuclear weapons. On one hand, there was the potential for mass destruction; on the other, the opportunity to save caps for other purchases. The decision was easy for him; he promptly bought them and had no regrets, especially when Rebecca hurried him into the carrier and pounced on him, causing the carrier to sway.

Watching her future daughter-in-law pull her son into the carrier, Betty knew what was about to transpire. She led her daughter and the rest of their group to the mess hall, where she treated everyone to a meal.

Half an hour later, Six and Rebecca returned, looking disheveled and sweaty. They bypassed their group and headed straight for the bar, where Rebecca ordered drinks. Six tipped his hat to the bartender and inquired about recent events in the area.

He discovered that Operation: Sunburst had occurred a few years prior and that the NCR was still recovering from the initial battle at Hoover Dam.

As he looked around, he noticed someone he didn't expect to encounter so soon: 'Rose of Sharon Cassidy'. He informed Rebecca that Cassidy was essentially a taller version of her. Unexpectedly, he watched as she offered Cassidy a bottle of whiskey and shot glasses.

Cassidy was enjoying her whiskey alone when a short girl in a revealing outfit attempted to strike up a conversation with her.

"What brings a tough woman like you to this bar tonight?"

Cassidy lifted her gaze for a better look. She saw beyond the girl's frivolous attire and recognized the eyes of someone seasoned in combat.

"Ha, if I had a cap for every time I heard that line... I'd be richer than Mr. House."

Cassidy retorted.

"Apologies, I have a soft spot for those cheesy lines ever since I met my man here."

Rebecca said, flaunting Six as if he were a prize stud.

"I thought it might be nice to grab some drinks and chat for a bit."

Cassidy, swirling her drink, was open to the idea of company, especially since she had given her caravan crew a week off in New Vegas.

"Ah, what the hell! I've got nothing to lose. Besides, we'll have your man cover the tab."

After a passionate kiss, Rebecca persuaded Six to purchase two additional bottles, and they proceeded to down shots of whiskey.

"You two don't seem like typical guards—are you caravanners, or maybe couriers?"

Cassidy inquired.

"Caravanners, to be precise. We're the VI family from Shady Sands, looking to start anew in the Mojave."

Six replied promptly.

With that, he acquired another bottle of whiskey, which they consumed effortlessly. Despite this, Six felt uneasy; his body metabolized the alcohol too quickly for it to have any effect.

'System... Is there something I can buy from the system store to counteract my alcohol tolerance?'

[Searching]

[Searching]

[Item located]

[Standard White tier item Self Minus]

Self Minus:

Allows the user to temporarily suppress selected Stats, Skills, and Ability Traits to that of a common man.

Six didn't think twice and bought the Self Minus, quickly feeling the effects as his suppressed alcohol tolerance made him a lightweight. He began telling Cassidy about the ordeal his family caravan faced and the betrayal by his guards.

"Damn, I can't believe the Crimson Caravan would do that. But then again, it's the Crimson Caravan, and those guys would probably resort to any underhanded tactic to get what they want. I really despise politics!"

"Alright, I'll join your party for the day, but only if you can outdrink me first. Just a heads up, I can drink anyone under the table at the base."

Six smirked triumphantly at Cassidy. She laughed, looking down at Six and Rebecca, doubting they could handle the challenge.

Two hours in, Cassidy was chuckling at Six, who had passed out. To her surprise, Rebecca was downing hard liquor as if it were water, not showing any signs of intoxication, which made Cassidy regret her challenge as Rebecca became increasingly mischievous with each drink.

"What are you, girl, some kind of miniature Super Mutant? Because there's no way... anyone could... handle that much alcohol without... showing any signs of... nearly dying."

Slurring her words, Cassidy concluded, her head thudding onto the table as she passed out next to the gleefully inebriated Rebecca.

"Well, I'll be. Someone's finally outdrunk Cassidy. Name's Lacey. I run the bar in the barracks and have a variety of goods for sale."

"Howdy-do, friend. You wouldn't happen to have a room for rent, would you?"

"Today's your lucky day, Miss."

"Don't worry about the bill for the drinks. Cassidy's account has it covered... This isn't the first time she's done this."

After renting a private room from Lacey, Rebecca, with assistance, carried Cassidy and Six to the beds in their room. Then she licked her lips when she was left alone with both of them.

"Hehehe!"

Slurp, Slurp, Slurp, Slurp.

Level: 4

NAME: Six XI

GENDER: MALE

STRENGTH: 10

PERCEPTION: 10

ENDURANCE: 10

CHARISMA: 10

INTELLIGENCE: 10

AGILITY: 10

LUCK: 10

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BARTER: 42

ENERGY WEAPONS: 27

EXPLOSIVES: 27

GUNS: 87

LOCKPICK: 27

MEDICINE: 27

MELEE WEAPONS: 27

REPAIR: 57

SCIENCE: 42

SNEAK: 27

SPEECH: 27

SURVIVAL: 27

UNARMED: 27