To Goodsprings...

With trouble not far behind her Madeline made her way north toward what she new was supposed to be a town known as Goodsprings. She took time to grieve and morn the loss of her companions and consider her own position in life. She was scared and alone, but she knew she had to move on--her vault was counting on her. All those she loved waited in hope on her ability to retrieve a chance at life. She didn't even have a weapon, only an old stick she had managed to grab along the way.

She spent the night in the cold, not daring to get a fire going. The sound of gunshots--kept her up. She slept poorly but by the next evening she had encountered a small town that gave the air of a friendly genteel spirit. She noticed that no guards or patrols marked the town's boarders and she saw that people, mostly farmer types milled around.

Strange two headed cattle also showed a prominent role in the community. Madeline attributed this to latent radiation. She noticed a few key points of interest. A General Store and a Saloon stood out to her. She headed toward the "Prospector Saloon" in hopes to get some aid, or at least some answers. As Madeline approaches the saloon an old man in a rocking chair with a grizzled old beard smiles at her and eyes her up a bit more than needed and gives her a "howdy" as she enters the saloon awkwardly.

A single male patron enjoys a solitary drink as a young woman with a dog rests in a booth. Behind the bar is a tall brunette woman with the look of worry on her face.

"Another wayward traveler I suppose," the woman says with a sign "Whats your poison stranger?"

"Me?" Madeline looks shyly. "Oh I don't need anything to drink but water." She was parched, her canteen failing her a day ago.

"Ah" the bartender says "A shame, was hoping to make some caps. Why did you come in here then?" She eyes Madeline up and down with a scowl.

"I....I am trying to get North--to Las Vegas...I mean New Vegas..." Madeline lets out as she takes a seat on a rickety stool.

"Haha" the woman laughs "Well lots of folks are trying to get there. Lots of trouble though these days with the Powder Gangers and **** Claws north of here. Gangs of Khan raiders to the west, and Geckos too. Not easy getting north this way--of course you could go east and risk the Legion. Not that that is any better."

"Whats your name anyhow sweetheart?" the older woman asks with a wry smile.

"Madeline--how about you?"

"The names Trudy--good to meet you. Glad to see you came into town safe--lots of Powder Ganger activity lately I am afraid. They seem to--" A sudden shock of the door and a looming figure in riot gear steps into the saloon. A black man with Powder Ganger markings all about him barges into the saloon and up to the bar not even noticing Madeline.

"Alright Trudy--where the fuck is he?" the new comer demands.

"What are you talking about Joe?" The older woman asks, crossing her arms.

"Where is that son of a bitch who shot my men? We KNOW you are hiding him." The black man puts his hands on his hips, his hand touching his holstered pistol.

"We ain't hiding no one." Trudy stands her ground.

"You are so full of shit Trudy---you and this whole town are gonna be finished when I come back. I got plenty of men who can tear down this whole place looking for our man. You best watch yourself Trudy. We WILL be back." And as soon as he entered the stranger left without even acknowledging the others in the saloon.

Madeline had seen the man before, but only in passing. He was a Powder Ganger named Joe Cobb who was known for leading very successful raids in the area surrounding the Correction Facility. With the facility attacked--maybe he was the new Powder Ganger leader--maybe just a guy trying to collect the pieces and be the man on top.

"Well--sorry about that stranger. Things just went from bad to worst." Trudy shakes her head.

"I am sorry to hear about all that..." Madeline says awkwardly. "I am afraid I am just looking to get north to New Vegas."

"I'll help you out," a feminine voice pipes in form the young woman wearing a leather jacket, sporting a rifle and a faithful looking dog.

"You would!?" Madeline asks--almost in shock.

"I would---but seems like right now I gotta focus on this situation with the Powder Gangers." the woman sticks out her right hand "Name is Sunny, Sunny Smiles." She lets out a big grin, pats her dog and smiles up at Madeline "and this is Cheyenne."

"We know these parts real well and can help get you north, we take care of strangers when we can. But right now looks like we got a bit of a shit storm brewing."

"That's for damned sure." Trudy concurs.

"You look like you might know your way around a gun." Sunny eyes Madeline up "even if you seem to not have one on you ha ha--not many folks can simply walk into Goodsprings. Its a tough road out there. Maybe you got other skills? You help us take care of this Powder Ganger issue and I'll guide you to the Strip myself."

"So what do you say stranger?" Trudy asks looking at Madeline intensely.