Primm

“Who goes there!?” the sentry’s voice shouts warningly.

“Just simple travelers.” Ward yells back.

“Very well—come on slowly, and keep your weapons holstered.” The strange looking soldier in tattered looking rags replies, a rifle at the ready.

As the travelers near the sentry relaxes and assumes an almost casual nature.

“Thought you folks might have been Powder Gangers, y’all see any on your way here?” he inquires.

The group looks lost.

“What are Powder Gangers?” Seth asks stupidly stumbling over the question.

“Ah they are a gang of robbers and thieves—prisoners that the government had locked up just north of here. Had em doing hard labor. Evidently some dumbass gave em dynomite to help build or some shit—anyway they overran the prision and have taken a lik’n to throwing TNT when they get a chance. Got some hold up in Primm. So if you’s was looking to make some caps you are out of luck.”

“Caps?” Seth interjects before Ward or the others can do anything productive.

“Uh yeah.” The sentry says awkwardly “caps. Ya know. OOOOH wait—you are a bunch of fucking tribal aren’t you. Of course. You don’t seem like no tribals I have ever seen. Look if you got fucking questions go to the big tent over there and talk to Lieutenant Hayes.” He nods his head toward the direction of a large dusty tent where more soldiers are standing.

Madeline and the group move slowly toward the large tent area and discuss what all this means briefly as they walk.

“What the hell is going on. What are caps? Tribals?” Ward notes.

“Caps must be some kind of currency from the way he talked about them.” Dr. Giles said academically.

“LT. you got some company here.” Says a soldier outside the large tent as the group of travelers approaches.

“Send them in Jones.” A muffled voice from the tent calls out.

Inside the tent is a young, clean shaven man in a motely uniform and some type of armor. Atop his head a dusty beret. Madeline thought he was rather handsome. Very similar to Captain Ward in his looks with short brown hair and a martial looking face and physical build. He is looking over a large map with numerous markings on it. He folds it over as the group walks inside of the tent.

“So what brings you to Primm? Had any trouble on the road?” He asks.

“No trouble on the road.” Madeline speaks, Ward gives her a sour glance. “But we aren’t from around here—we wanted to know about the New California Republic.”

A bit in awe from the seeming stupidity of the question and the stunning good looks from the girl delivering it he takes a moment before he responds.

"Where do you come from that you haven't heard of the NCR? Never mind, it doesn't matter much. If you haven't heard of us, you must not be from the Legion. Put simply, the NCR is the greatest nation currently functioning."

“The Legion?” Ward interjects.

“Caesar’s Legion—the hordes of crazy bastards east of the Colorado River. They have been at war with the NCR for some time. What are you guys? Tribals? Look—I am sorry but I don’t have time to explain the current geo-political situation. I got plenty of problems with these Powder Gangers and brass who won’t help us poor bastards in the trenches down here.”

He points to the tent door “You are welcome to hang around Primm, its probably safer here even with some of the Gangers inside causing chaos than being outside of the town. Best of luck.”

The adventurers shuffle out of the tent awkwardly.

“Damn it. What the hell. Doc did you see anything on that map?” Ward asks the engineer.

The tall doctor readjusts his glasses. “No I didn’t, only saw that it was this area. Had lots of markings on it.”

“That info on there sure could help us out. Damn it. We will just have to make do with our ancient fucking road map.” He pulls out the old pre-war map from the vault’s storage. “Maybe we can pull in here at this gas station and get an ice cold nuka-fucking-cola on the way.” He says sarcastically while slapping the map.

“I can get us that information.” Madeline replies.

Everyone turns toward her.

“How?” Ward crosses his arms. “You saw how that guy just threw us out.”

“Relax.” Madeline says “I can just go in there and give him some sob story. Bat my eyelashes and get that map or the information we need.”

“I don’t know…” Ward looks concerned.

“It would save us a considerable amount of time if we knew current features of the country side.” Doctor Giles remarks.

“It’s worth a shot. He seems to be a government type official anyway with this whole NCR story.”

“Fine.” Ward relinquishes “But we will be just over here in case shit hits the fan.”

Madeline knows she can get the information she wants. She could try appealing to the Lieutenant with her charm and persuade him or working out a deal with the Lieutenant.