I would lie if I were to say that I wasn't surprised when we saw the NCR surrounding the town. Even more so, after the lieutenant called out for us since the whole area had mines buried all over. However, rather than looking at Vito like some kind of freak, the lieutenant simply told us to wait while he contacts the Mojave outpost. Thankfully, we didn't have to wait for too long, before the lieutenants returned followed closely behind by two sergeants.
"I'm sorry for this treatment, but I had to be sure you two were the guy, Ranger Jackson mentioned. So what brings the two of you near Primm? You know, since you were supposed to clear the ants and all that."
"About that, sir, we did take care of the ants as well as their queen. The road should be a little safer now that these things are dead. As for what we are doing here…let's just say we decided to take a detour before we return to the outpost for our reward. By the way, we cleared a place called Prospector's dean in our way."
"I see, thank you for your help. Our prospectors would be happy to hear that their safe house is now ready to be used again. While I can't reward you for your help, I'm more than sure that the prospectors would be happy to let you rest for the night in their safe house if you ever need a place to sleep. Also, you called the big boy Vito, then you must be Dante right?"
"Yes, sir."
"A pleasure meeting you. While you two hadn't done a lot of things for us, the fact that you risked your lives for the citizens of our republic is more than enough for me."
"Sorry, to interrupt your conversations boys, but I have a question for you lieutenant. You don't particularly seem surprised to see me or worse, unease that I might kill all of you."
"Well, about, Ranger Jackson did warn all of the officers that a super mutant is traveling with a boy and that they are hoping the republic. Besides, it's not like we didn't see stranger things in the Mojave than a friendly super mutant, though not all of us share the same sentiments, so be careful you two when you deal with other NCR officers or rangers."
"Sir, what's with all of the defenses around the town?"
"A group of ex-cons has holed up in the Bison Steve Hotel, the town itself isn't NCR territory as they don't pay the taxes so the higher-ups won't let me and my boys clear the town and save those people or even send us some reinforcements. As much as I would have loved to help those poor souls, I can't, but luckily for me, you two stumble across this place, so maybe I might have a job for you two, unofficially of course."
"Might as well earn some caps before we head up to the Outpost. What do you say kid, fancy some quick rescue and cleaning?"
"I'm all for doing it, but why would your bosses not want to save the people and have them officially join The NCR? I mean won't it be a problem if the raiders are so close to the outpost?"
"They are a problem and that's why we have been sent here to build this encampment. The town is surrounded by a metal fence that's almost impossible to climb over, at least for most humans. That makes us the only way out of Primm and for that they would have to fight and kill all of us."
"I take it another reason is the Legion, right?"
"Unfortunately, you are right. We do have some problems dealing with the legion and the sheer amount of soldiers they have, but we hold our ground, until now and I reckon we will continue to do so."
"Putting the knock-offs aside, how are you going to pay us? Since the NCR isn't exactly known for their mercenaries."
"If you two can get rid of all of those raiders, then I would pay you from my own pocket, as well as let you two get whatever loot these guys have, since well you took care of them."
"Care to tell us more about the town?"
"There's not exactly anything more than what your case I can tell you about, but the townsfolk have been holed up in the Vikki and Vance casino for a couple weeks now. We have tried to get them outta there but the whole damn place is covered with traps, mines, and shotgun traps. I almost lost two of my men trying to check the closest house, when those bloody criminals start firing at us. Thankfully, the town itself acts as one big trap for the criminals, but at the same time, makes us unable to enter either, at least not using this kind of force. We managed to kill two of their sniper in the first week, but after that they got smarter, hiding when the sun was up and firing at us when it was night. While the raiders might shoot towards the encampment, I suggest you two go at night when it would be harder for them to see you, maybe even disarm some of the traps and mines, so that we could advance a little and help you guys from outside with some cover fire."
"Sounds like a plan. Let's go kiddo, we have some criminals to catch."
We waited inside the camp for a few hours, helping around wherever we could, well I did most of the work, repairing weapons or radios, but after an entire day of fixing stuff and getting better at doing it without the use of my ability, the sun had finally set, giving us the perfect opportunity to clear this town. As soon as we left the camp, the first thing that we saw was a bridge that had seen better days. The whole thing had missing pieces and it was a miracle that it still stood, considering the amount of punishment it had gone through.
Nevertheless, we had to stop not long after we step on the bridge since the whole god damned concrete bridge was filled with armed mines as if this was some kind of active warzone. Since the raiders were so rich, they left those things for us to take. At the same time, whoever designed these things should have thought of a better night camouflage, after all the dim red light every single mine had kind of made them pointless when you know there are mines in front of you.
"Vito, cover me. I'm going to disarm all of the mines, we might as well make some extra cash."
"Fine by me, kiddo, but be careful, those things can kill a super mutant, not to mention a teenager like you."
Once Vito aimed his rifle at the town, I deactivated my collar and kneeled, exanimating the closest mine. As soon as I focused on it, the same familiar panel appeared in front of my eyes, telling me everything I needed to know about the mine as well as something that I hadn't seen before.
[Frag mine: able to kill a human if the right condition happens, however, it serves a better purpose to injure than to kill
Damage: 1-100
Value: 75
How to disarm(general) -You have to brush the top of the mine so you can recognize it. Afterward, you need to clear the dirt from the sides and try to reach under it. Remember, if they put a PMN on it, that's only 3 lbs of pressure to go off, so you need to be as GENTLE as possible. Assuming it's not wired, you can now find the fuse. Using a combination of clipped 10g wire snips, maybe some duct tape, you should be able to undial the fuse thus disarming the mine]
Not even in my wildest dreams would have I thought that my ability would "evolve" slightly, giving me tips on how to disarm mines, and while this seem to be a general disarming technique, it was still valuable for someone like me, who doesn't have any prior experience.
Since there was no way to test this in a safe environment, I had to do it on a real mine so while Vito watched me approaching the mine, he almost dragged me away when it started beeping. Luckily, for the two of us, I quickly lifted the mine and pressed the button underneath its casing, successfully disarming the mine and at the same time saving our lives.
"Bloody hell Dante. You almost gave me a heart attack for god's sake."
"Sorry, even I was shocked when it started beeping. I didn't know it was motion triggered rather than pressure triggered."
"Is it disarmed now?"
"Yeah, only four more to go."
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