Chapter 610 - Not So Lonesome Road...

Tamia squints her eyes in thought, finding discrepancies in the man's story. "So, I'm just supposed to take your word that you were here, and somehow managed to survive many nuclear bombs simultaneously exploding?" she questions.

"Should've died there... But now I know you live... The machines here... saved me. I was the only survivor, or I thought I was. The device did not just activate the bombs, but the rest of the facilities... Medical machines began to build themselves, then others. They only take what parts they find in the Divide, never roam beyond it... Can't even leave the silos without a human to shadow, like hounds... Maybe they saw the flag on my jacket, thought I was of America. If so, history saved me again. A sign."

Tamia shakes her head, wondering if this guy was wise or just crazy... She certainly couldn't understand some of the gibberish he was spouting, yet... "So what, this is just revenge then? For almost accidentally killing you?"

"Not the name I'd give it. Not the name the dead would give it. Soldiers of the Bear died here... Legion died, too, our brothers. Still dying both of them, all around us. None of the people that lived here survived, yet all the west and the east, they hold on as the Divide tears at them... Revenge, isn't the message I have for you. More than that... Courier." he states.

She shakes her head, "What are the NCR and Legion both doing here anyway? I don't remember any battles occurring here?" she questions.

The man chuckles, "That. Is the question, isn't it?... We are both at fault for this. You inadvertently created this place, a Courier that breathed life into these lands. After the settlers arrived, the Bear saw an opportunity. Decided to take it as its own... We. You and I. Did our duty as part of the Legion, alerted Caesar." he states, and Tamia slowly nods in realisation.

It's true... Looking at the map now, the Divide would allow the NCR direct access to the Mojave. If it was left open, the Legion would never have gotten a foothold in the Mojave, even miles east of the Colorado would have been impossible due to the NCR's technological advantage.

"I do not know if Caesar knew of the device, nor do I know if you intentionally brought it here... Regardless of your intentions... You. Still. Did it..." he sighs, "History does repeat itself. Human nature cannot be directed otherwise. You created this place, destroyed it. And now you are back..." he trails off.

Tamia shakes her head, "I might not have even been responsible for this... My friend said that dealing in absolutes is the way of a tyrant, are you going to take revenge even though I might not even be responsible?" she asks, still confused about whether or not she had caused all this destruction.

"If you had been there when it happened. If you had seen the Divide break, you would know it. You carry death wherever you go, you know this, and the Mojave knows this too... What happened here... Can happen again. You've already proved that back in Ashton, launching that bomb."

"How was I supposed to know that lever would launch a nuke!? It wasn't exactly obvious!" she retorts, but knows full well that she's in the wrong for that one in particular.

"Didn't stop you, though. Like carrying the Chip to Vegas, Old World death in your hand. Pieces of the old world like that just need someone careless enough to take them where they need to go, to do their killing."

...

"If you're so bent on taking revenge then just come! I'm right here! Stop hiding behind these 'lost souls' and fight me!" she challenges, wanting to get this over and done with so she could forget about this place.

"Your roads not done. Haven't walked it full yet, not nearly enough. The way ahead and below, leads to the heart of the Divide. And there... You and I, we'll have an ending to things." he states.

Tamia shakes her head, "How do I know you won't run before I find you!? You've already shown how cowardly you are, hiding behind the radio to taunt me like some yellow-belly asshole!"

The man chuckles again, "At the end of the Divide, through the trenches and wreckage. That's where you'll find me. My new home, here, amongst dead men... Keep your eyes on the tower that cuts the horizon... You'll find your way. Made it this far, not much farther to go.*Bzztch!*"

Tamia honestly felt like tearing her Pipboy off and throwing it from the Skyscraper. She didn't know what that man would try to do once she reached him, but she was sure he had some plan.

She shakes her head, stepping towards the ledge and looking down at the landscape. In the distance, looking like ants, more flayed men decorated the landscape. They hadn't noticed her presence yet, but, if she wanted to get to the man, she'd have to go through them.

She examines the canyon for a moment to try and find the best vantage point to strike, but realises her current position was probably the best she'd get... Though, she was wary of the stability of it. She reckoned one good hit would be enough to bring it down... But, she'd just have to take her chances.

She gives her one remaining Cyberdog a pat on the head as she prepares her attack, getting out the Red Glare rocket launcher and taking note of the enemies positions. Mentally noting their campsites, hideouts, and the buildings they occasionally enter. Each would need to be thoroughly cleared before she started moving... She couldn't risk another ambush, even with her Power armour, taking too much damage would either kill her outright, or make her too weak to face the man at the end of the road.

She slides a canister into the rocket launcher and prepares her attack. "What would Afton say here?... Ah, I know... "Death from above!" she shouts as she begins firing like a madwoman.