The captives were a mix of women and children disheveled and weak, they hesitated for a moment before slowly rising to their feet. Some were covered in dirt and grime, others with the marks of old wounds. Their eyes flickered between the group of mercenaries, still unsure of their freedom, but a flicker of hope was beginning to burn.
Rebecca moved toward the closest one, a gaunt woman with dark circles under her eyes.
"Are you okay?"
She asked gently, her voice softening as she crouched down to meet her gaze.
The woman nodded, but her voice was shaky.
"I… I didn't think anyone would come for us."
Six stepped forward, scanning the room to make sure there were no remaining threats.
"You're free now. We're getting you out of here."
Roger wiped his sword clean with a cloth and tossed it into his Pip-Boy.
"Yeah, but we need to move fast before anyone else shows up. This place is too exposed."
Boone scanned the tunnel ahead, his rifle still in hand.
"We'll take the side passages. It'll be harder to track us."
Six nodded, his mind already working on the logistics of their exit.
"Alright. Stay close to us, and keep quiet. We're taking you out of here and back to safety. Don't look back."
The captives moved slowly at first, still unsure of the chaos that had just unfolded around them. Some of them limped, others hunched with fatigue, but they followed in the wake of Six and his team as they made their way through the labyrinth of tunnels.
Rebecca looked back, her eyes meeting Six's.
"You think they'll come after us?"
She asked, her tone low.
Six grunted, his expression unreadable.
"It's possible. But we'll be ready."
Raul raised an eyebrow.
"I hope so. The last thing I want is to be running into more of these assholes."
"Let's just get them out of here first."
Six said, his voice firm.
"Then we deal with whatever comes next."
As they moved through the dark, narrow corridors, the sound of dripping water and the distant hum of the city above filled the air. The atmosphere was thick with tension, but there was also the unmistakable weight of victory—no matter how small it felt in the grand scheme of things.
The group emerged from the sewer system into a hidden alley, far from the main roads, where Six's War Bus was parked.
The captives were safely loaded into the armored vehicle, their tired eyes reflecting a mixture of fear and disbelief, watching the shadows. For many, this was the first time in weeks—or months—that they had felt even a sliver of safety.
Raul climbed into the driver's seat, while Boone took up a defensive position outside, scanning the darkened streets for any sign of pursuit. Rebecca helped the weakest captives inside, offering a reassuring nod to those who hesitated. Roger and Six secured the perimeter, ensuring no stragglers or hostiles lurked nearby.
Once everyone was accounted for, Six turned to Boone.
"Let's go."
Six said as Boone gave a final sweep of the area before stepping inside, securing the heavy door behind him.
In the driver's seat, Raul roared the War Bus to life, its reinforced frame rolling smoothly through the empty streets. Inside, the captives sat in silence, the reality of their freedom settling in. There would be a reckoning soon enough, but for now, they had accomplished what they set out to do.
One of the younger children, no older than ten, clutched at his mother's side before peering up at Rebecca.
"Are you the good guys?"
Rebecca smirked, ruffling the boy's hair.
"Yeah, kid. We're the good guys."
The mother gave her a weak but grateful smile, nodding in thanks.
Six's eyes narrowed as he glanced in the rearview mirror, watching the dark streets fade into the distance, taking a roundabout route back toward Aerotech, ensuring they weren't followed. The Mojave might be a wasteland, but tonight, at least, they had brought a little bit of light into it.
"I'm telling you Six, Captain Parker's not gonna like that most of the people we freed weren't from the camp."
Boone muttered, his eyes scanning the dimly lit streets through one of the bus's armored slits.
Six sighed.
"He'll deal with it. These people needed saving just as much as the others."
Raul leaned back against the wall, reloading his revolver with a lazy smirk.
"Hey, amigo, as long as I get paid and don't have to crawl through another sewer, I'm happy."
Rebecca rolled her eyes.
"Oh, quit your whining. You got to shoot slavers and play the hero. Admit it, you had fun."
Raul chuckled, tipping his hat down.
"A little."
The bus rumbled forward, the lights of Aerotech coming into view on the horizon.
They had won this battle, but deep down, Six knew—this war was far from over.
Captain Parker sighed, rubbing his temples as he took in the news.
"Sorry Six, but out of forty people you've brought only five or six were from my camp."
Six nodded.
"So? You're telling me that you can't accept the rest that was probably taken from other places—traders, travelers, even some from New Vegas."
Parker let out a weary breath.
"Damn it, but yes I can't… I appreciate what you did, but I can't take them all in. We barely have enough food as it is. If I house that many extra mouths, the entire camp will starve."
Both Roger and Rebecca frowned.
"So what, we just send them back out there to fend for themselves?"
They said in unison.
Parker shook his head.
"I didn't say that. I just can't keep them here. If you have another place for them, then by all means."
Six crossed his arms, considering.
"Goodsprings can take them. We've got food, shelter, and security."
Parker looked surprised.
"You sure? That's a long way to move them."
Six smirked.
"Not for me. My underground subway runs straight from here to Goodsprings. I'll get them there safely."
Parker exhaled in relief.
"That would solve a lot of problems. Alright, I'll have my people help organize the transfer. In the meantime, I did hear something else that might interest you."
Six leaned in.
"Go on."
"I remember some of the missing refugees were last seen dealing with a couple of scavengers from Westside—Dermot and Saint James. Word is, they've been involved in some shady business for a while now."
Rebecca cracked her knuckles.
"Sounds like we need to have a chat with them."
Six turned to his team.
"Then we head to Westside. If they had anything to do with the disappearances, we'll make them talk."
Parker nodded.
"Be careful. Westside might not be openly hostile, but it's got its fair share of trouble. And if those two are in deep with the wrong people, you can bet they won't go down easy."
Six smirked.
"We'll handle it."
With that, the team set off toward Westside, ready to uncover the truth—and put an end to anyone profiting off the suffering of others.