Chapter 554 - Lead Trader

The trio looks at one another with furrowed brows before quickly jogging over towards where the sound had originated. Which wasn't all that difficult considering it was literally just ahead on the path they were on.

The group ran between the trees and eventually reach a clearing that held an NCR waypoint, small chain fences restricted a good part of the area, but not by much... It looked more to stop caravans trying to avoid the waypoint, Tamia couldn't blame them either considering the sight before them...​​

A caravan pulled by a Brahmin had been stopped in front of the NCR encampment and a ranger wearing shades was pointing his revolver at the trader's head... The bodyguards looks conflicted and didn't seem willing to act either with the other NCR troopers pointing their rifles at them.

"S-sir, I need to take my goods or-" the trader stutters out but the NCR Ranger just presses his revolver into his forehead. "OR WHAT? I tell you that you can't, and I got my gun pointed at your head. You think you can weasel your way outta this motha-fucker?"

"B-but my livelihood!" the trader continues, clearly unwilling to be threatened into compliance.

The ranger scowls and pulls the hammer of the revolver back, *Click!*, "Your livelihood!? Bitch, I'll take your life! Don't fuckin' play with me!"

"Y-you can't do this! THE NCR CAN'T DO THIS!"

*Smack!*

The trader gets pistol-whipped and falls to the floor and the ranger crouches over him, "Well, I ain't the NCR, and I do what I mutha-fuckin' want." he glances to the other troopers, "Get his bitch-ass off the ground, I need'ta hit'em again." he states, turning around and lighting a cigarette as his men get to work.

Josie looks horrified at this while Tami and Boone just scowl, all of them had seen corruption before but this kind of blatant abuse of power had them reeling. The trader had finally been pulled to his feet, but before he could be hit again Tamia had finally had enough. "Boone, Josie, cover me. Dogmeat, with me." she states and walks out of the treeline towards the group, Dogmeat following by her side.

The NCR soldiers quickly notice her and the ranger puffs some smoke with an intrigued look, "Well, what do we have here? You lost little lady?" he chuckles.

Tamia's stern face relaxes and she slowly nods, "Y-yes... I've followed this path for hours but I have no idea where I am..."

The ranger grins, "Well, maybe I can keep you company and show you the map. Good thing you found us, you'd either freeze or starve up here alone." he says and begins to walk towards her before being stopped by a trooper. He looks down at them with a scowl, "You gotta problem, soldier?"

The soldier gulps and nods, pointing at Tamia anxiously, "Look at her coat... Didn't command describe something like that?"

The ranger raises a brow and focuses on Tamia's coat, eventually spotting the Bulwark insignia on her chest. "Huh, a shame, you were cute, but Commies only get one end." he states while pointing his revolver at her.

*BAARK!*

Before Tamia's even able to move, Dogmeat barks, sending a sonic blast at the group, flipping over the caravan and flinging all the soldiers into the air, some losing their rifles while others manage to keep hold of them. The Ranger is hit the hardest due to being at the front, losing his revolver and being flung so hard at the wooden cabin behind him that *Cracks!* ring out.

*Bang!BangBangBang!*

Shots begin to be fired from the treeline, some hitting, some not. But the sudden firefight causes chaos in the NCR's ranks regardless. The caravan guards who'd been held at gunpoint had start moving as well, using the upturned caravan as cover while shooting the troopers.

*BAANG!*

A loud shot rings out as a .50 cal bullet shoots directly at the ranger embedded in the wall, it hits and blows the man apart, punching a large hole in the cabin behind him as well. The ranger looks down at his wound before raises his head, "Mutha-fucka..."

*Thud*

Seeing their commanding officer instantly killed like that certainly had an effect on the remaining troopers, causing a few to flee while others surrendered... The caravan guards weren't willing to be merciful however and simply mowed them down with a barrage of bullets.

Once the dust was settled, Tamia, Josie, Boone and Dogmeat walks towards the caravan, the former giving a small wave towards the trembling trader, "Hey, you alright?" she asks.

The man sheepishly nods, "Y-yeah... I-I just didn't expect to make enemies with the NCR today... It's... It's very, very unlucky." he mutters.

Tamia scoffs and looks towards the pile of dead troopers, "What're you even doing up here that you'd risk your life for?"

The man shrugs, "I... I may have made a bad business decision... Are you aware of the supermutants that live up here?"

Tamia nods, "Yeah, Jacobstown." he states.

The man gives a dim smile, "Well... I thought this was my opportunity, there was a merchant selling irradiated food for almost no caps at all, so I bought the lot to sell to the Supermutants... They are the only people aside from Ghouls who can actually eat them... I never expected the NCR to threaten me like this..."

"What did they want anyway? Didn't seem like they stole anything?" Josie questions from the side.

The man shakes his head, "They didn't steal anything, but they seem to be stopping any caravans heading for Jacobstown... If I didn't know any better, I'd say they were trying to starve the town out."

Boone nods, "Wouldn't surprise me, NCR has used similar tactics before..." he muses.