"Well, that's going to be a bit of a tight fit, no what how I look at it."
In just one hour, Goris, Meyer's team, and I reached the place where the mini-nuke was detonated, and sadly for us, everything was in the mountains. While I was no expert in demolitions, it was pretty clear that the path had been blocked by the explosion with only a small space between the rocks left.
Getting through that place would be suicidal, especially if something or someone was already waiting for us on the other side, besides, considering just how tight that space was, I doubt that we could move fast between those rocks, making us one juicy target.
"Well, it's the best we're gonna get I'm afraid, Dante. From what I remember there's no path leading deeper other than this. Now, I'm not forcing anyone to follow me, especially you and your friend, but your help would be welcomed. Other than the legion, the only faction that might have nukes in their arsenal are those technology freaks, but I doubt they are dumb enough to use a nuke on a mountain."
"Shouldn't we see if there's another path first? I mean I really don't feel like going through that tight space. Not to mention that my friend here won't be able to pass through, heck I doubt that any of you would even fit. "
"Yeah kiddo, you're right about how bulky our gear is and with how little space to maneuver there is, I thank you for volunteering yourself in the name of the republic. If we are to survive I will make sure that you will be awarded the highest medal an ordinary citizen could get."
"Wait for a damn second, Meyer! Why me?"
"Well my young friend, unless you've noticed you're the least bulky as well as the shortest one amongst us. I really can't imagine your friend fitting through that and let's be honest if there's someone on the other side they would shoot us on sight if they are enemies. You on the other hand don't wear any NCR uniform so they wouldn't think that you are one of us, ever more so since that's the truth. Good luck Dante."
"Fine, but you owe me a favor, ranger."
Meyer nodded at me as I began to slowly make my through the gap, dragging my body along the stone, something holding my breath to pass while other times having to duck a little so that I could fit. I don't know how long it took me, but once I managed to get past the rocks, I ended up in some wooden building. Now Meyer hadn't told me anything about this building being here, then again I doubt he even came up in those mountains. Taking a closer look around, I noticed that there was no sign of anyone being here in a very long time, no tracks, and no footprints on the floor. Besides the whole place was covered in a thick layer of dust that would make it impossible for someone to come and go without leaving some kind of sign, but still, I had to move carefully, since a mini-nuke exploded not far from where I was, at least I think so.
Once I was sure that there was no one in this small building, I venture out only to stop at the doorstep watching the aftermath of the explosion in pure horror. As soon as I saw the first burned body, I start to breathe heavily as I watched the aftermath. Most of the bodies were burned to a crisp, but some of them were clad in power armor similar to the one that we stole from the brotherhood of steel, but clearly a different model. Counting the bodies that weren't obliterated, I managed to count fifty-seven of them with six being clad in power armor. While I have no idea, which body belongs to what faction, one thing was for sure, whatever happened here wasn't an accident, especially when some of the bodies belong to kids.
Normally I should go and tell Meyer what I found here, but at the same time, why should I let the NCR get those power armors when I could use them for a better cause. Visa snarled angrily as her eyes roamed over the bodies strewn about everywhere.
My only problem would be hiding the armor and then transporting them without having the NCR find out about them, mostly because they would force me to respect their authority over the Mojave Desert. Then again I'm pretty sure I can make Meyer close his eyes about this if I cash the favor I just earned, but that would still be a long shot from where I would need to bring those beauties. I let out a sigh knowing very well that those are just fairy tales, especially since there was no way any sane officer or ranger would even consider letting someone that's not part of the NCR take away those advanced power armors that could change the tide of a battle.
With no other choice left, I slowly approach one of the knights, only to realize that the gun that was in the hands of the supposed dead knights was now aimed at me. My eyes went wide open when I realize that I was about to die. Never in my life would I have thought that my death would be anticlimactic and cliché, however, Lady Luck was smiling at me as the knight lowered his gun after a few seconds.
"Depending…on your allegiance, you might make it out of here alive…"
"Allegiance? You mean faction?"
"S…same thing. Your answer?"
"I'm not part of any faction as of yet, nor do I have any desire to be part of one in the near future. What about you sir? What faction do you belong to and what in God's name happened here?"
"At least you… are not some barbarian. Major Kyle West of the last Enclave. Would be willing to listen to my story?"