This Chapter features a character belonging to https://www.furaffinity.net/user/mordenheim/

Amber, with Kara on her back, along with AJ, and their new allies, Nora, Preston, Cait and Piper, walked into the community of Sanctuary Hills. Amber was impressed with it, to say the least. There were rebuilt homes lining the single street, with turrets at key points and entrances. There was a half acre, fenced off area, with people tending crops. She looked to the river, and saw what she assumed was a water purifier. Several vendors with impressive looking booths, also lined the streets. Most impressively was the fact that all the buildings were lit up with power.

“Amber is impressed with your community, Nora.” Amber said as she followed the group to were the vendors were.

“Thanks.” Nora smiled. “It took a lot off work, and materials, and help, but I managed to rebuild my hometown again.”

“Your... hometown?” AJ asked as the walked up to a vendor and set the boxes down.

“Oh, yes!” A floating, round, robot with three legs/arms said suddenly. “Ms. Nora used to live here,” He “pointed” to the least rundown house, “Just over there.”

Amber and AJ looked at the building and then back at the robot.

“Um...” Amber said. “Are... you a Mr. Handy?”

“Why yes, Ma'am, I am. Oh, my... where are my manners?” The Mr. Handy chuckled. “Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Codsworth. I've been Ms. Nora's butler for over 200 years.”

“Over... huh?” Amber asked as her face screwed up in confusion.

Nora sighed. “I was a vault dweller. Frozen for over 200 years. Long story.” She smiled. “Anyway, lets get these supplies sold.”

AJ nodded. “Sure.” She looked at Amber. “See anything you like, Amber?”

Amber was looking at the vendors. “Clothes for Kara would be nice.” She looked past the vendors and saw a workshop, of sorts, under a covered drive way, beside Nora's house.

“Oh...” she spotted a wall of weapons and workbenches. “Are those weapons for trade?”

Nora looked at the workshop and then at Amber. “I think we can make a deal. Sure.”

Amber removed Kara, bag and all, from her back and handed her to AJ. “Can you watch Kara while Amber trades with Nora?”

AJ smiled and placed Kara on her back. “Sure thing.”

Nora and Amber walked over to the workshop. Piper, curious about Amber, as reporters often are, followed them.

Amber examined the wall of weapons, consisting of laser rifles, shotguns, machine guns, and pistols. Her eyes settled on a M1 Garand. She whistled.

“Is that an M1 Garand?” She asked Nora. “Amber only saw those in pictures.”

“You have a good eye, Amber.” Nora said as she took it off the rack and cocked the action back in a locked position. “More specifically, it's called “This Machine.” I bought it off a Trader from New Vegas. It holds 8 rounds instead of the standard 5, and it's been modified with a high-powered 3x scope. Perfect for mid and long range combat.”

Amber looked impressed. “How much would Nora want for it?”

“Eh...” Nora said as she thought for a second. “It's kinda special.” She hummed in thought. “Tell you what... we'll have a competition for it. If you can out-shoot me, I'll give it you. Sounds fair?”

“Blue...” Piper said suddenly. “Is that really fair? How do we know Amber can even shoot?”

Nora looked at Piper for a moment and then back to Amber. “Oh... you can shoot, can't you Amber? You don't survive in the wastes without picking up a few tricks. Or spotting a few things.” She smiled “You might look cute and innocent, but I see a soul of a warrior in you.”

Amber blushed at being called cute. “Amber can shoot.”

Nora winked. “Excellent. Follow me.”

She lead Piper and Amber away from the workshop. They walked up the street, past a large oak tree, and to a large concrete platform overlooking a small hill and the river. Across the river was a rusted hunk of a car, a Corvega Blitz, 100 feet away.

“See that car, Amber?” Nora said as she loaded a clip of 8 rounds into the rifle and cocked it.

Amber nodded. “Amber sees it.”

Nora braced the rifle against her shoulder and readied it. “Friendly fire!” She shouted as she lined up her shot. She fired a single round and shot out the right headlight. The shell ejected automatically.

Acting instinctively, Amber caught it before it hit the ground.

Piper gasped. “How the heck?”

Nora blinked. “You caught that?”

Amber held the shell between her forefinger and thumb towards Nora. “She did.”
“Whoa.” Piper said as Nora took the shell from Amber.

“O-okay...” Nora said as she safetied the rifle and handed it to Amber. “Well, your turn. Think you can hit the other headlight?”

Amber took the rifle and smiled. “She can try.” She braced the rifle against her shoulder and lined up her shot. “Friendly fire!” She shouted as she took aim. She fired a single shot. Instead of hitting the other headlight, she hit the arm of the wing mirror, knocking it off. Before it hit the ground, she fired again, hitting the centre of the mirror itself.

Amber lowered the rifle and switched the safety on. “Amber believes she wins.”

“Holy cow.” Piper said in disbelief. “100 yards against the wind, and you hit it twice. Are you ex-military or something, Amber?”

Amber blinked. “Wind?”

“Yeah.” Piper nodded. “See how the trees are moving? That's the wind. You don't know what wind is?”

“Am-amber has amnesia.” Amber admitted sadly. “But Wind... sounds familiar.” She looked at the tall Oak tree behind them, as its branches moved. “Was... was she called Wind?”

She clenched her eyes shut. “A soft voice... friendly and warm... her mother... saying that Name. Wind.” She opened her eyes and dropped to her knees. “She... her name is Wind?”

She started breathing heavily, nearly hyperventilating, showing signs of a panic attack. She

Nora knelt down in front of the clearly hurting girl. She took the rifle out of her hands and handed it to Piper. “Piper, go get AJ. Quick.”

Piper nodded and shouldered the rifle. “Right, Blue.” She took off at a quick jog.

Nora placed her hands on Amber's shoulders. “Hey. It's okay, Amber. Breathe. Just breathe. In through the nose, hold for 4 seconds, and out through the mouth. Come on, Honey. You can do it.”

Amber started to calm down as she followed Nora's instructions. Her breathing steadied and she settled down as she visibly relaxed. “Amber... Amber is feeling better. Thank you, Mama...”

Nora smiled and quirked her eyebrow. “Mama? Is that another memory coming back?”

Amber nodded. “Amber... remembers bits and pieces. Her mother... called her Wind. Wind... called her mother 'Mama'.” She sighed. “Mama... slipped out. She won't call you that again.”

“Hey. Don't worry. I was a mother before the war.” Nora admitted. “If you feel comfortable calling me Mom, Mother, or Mama, I'm okay with that.”

Piper returned shortly with AJ in tow. AJ, with Kara still on her back, knelt in front of Amber.

“Amber?” AJ asked her gently. “Are you having another memory recall?”

Amber nodded. “Yes. Amber... is. Piper said the word Wind. Amber remembers being called Wind. She...” she looked at Nora. “She called Nora Mama. That is what Wind called her mother.”

AJ looked at Piper and then to Nora. “Nora? You calmed her down?”

“I did.” Nora said with a nod. “Amber was having a panic attack. Before the war, I served in the Military. I was a Medic.”

AJ smiled. “Thank you.” She looked at Amber. “Your name was Wind?”

“Her name was Wind...” Amber nodded. “But she is no longer Wind. The Institute named her Amber... she doesn't want to be called that either.” She sighed. “All of this is so confusing.”

“Breath, Honey.” Nora said as she noticed that Amber was getting worked up again. “Deep breaths.”

AJ took Amber's hands in hers. “It's going to be okay... I'm here. You're safe. I love you.”

“She loves you to, AJ...” Amber said as she smiled brightly. “Her Memories are a little rusty.”

“Hey. Rusty.” Piper said with a smile. “I call Nora blue because she's from a vault and wears her blue suit all the time. Your hair is a beautiful copper colour. It stands out against your black fur. What about Rusty?”

The cat girl looked at Piper. “Rusty?” She looked at Nora and AJ. “What do Nora and AJ think?”

“It's up to you, Honey.” Nora said.

AJ nodded. “I think it's cute.”

The cat girl smiled. “I like Rusty.” She stood up with AJ's help. Piper handed the rifle back to Nora. Nora, in turn, handed it to Rusty.

“Here, Rusty. This is yours. You won it fair and square.” She smiled warmly. Also...” She handed her a pouch. “There's 80 .308 rounds, with 10 clips, in that pouch. Should be enough for you. For now.”

Rusty shouldered the rifle and took the pouch and clipped it on her belt. “Thank you, Nora.” She looked to the horizon. “Is there, by any chance... a large, broken, water-pipe nearby? One near a death-claw nest?”

Nora looked to the horizon as well. “Uh. Yeah.” She pointed to a hill. “Just over that hill. About half a mile. Why?”

Rusty looked at the group. “Rusty... was found inside a large pipe. She was attacked by a death-claw and climbed inside to escape.” She readied her rifle. “She... has to know.”

AJ bit her lower lip. “Are you certain, Sweets?”

Rusty nodded. “She has to look. Maybe... unfog her brain some more.”

“What if you find something and it triggers your PTSD?” Piper asked. “Someone should go with you.”

“If I may...” A female with short black hair, wearing white combat armour, and carrying a green laser rifle, walked up to the group. She spoke with a soft french accent. “Perhaps I could go with her? I am a Medic after all.”

Rusty looked at her. “Who are you?”

“Oh, I am so sorry to intrude. I am Curie.” She said, smiling at Rusty. “I am more then happy to assist you with your quest, Rust-y.”

Rusty nodded at her. “Rusty would like that.”

AJ sighed and stroked Rusty's face with her hand. “Just be safe, Sweets. Don't take any risks, okay?”

“No need to worry about her safe-ty, AJ.” Curie assured her. “I promise to keep her safe.”

Nora nodded. “Well, you best get going.” She checked her pip-boy. “Right now, it's 1PM. It should take you guys about half an hour to get there. If you're not back by... 3PM, we'll come looking for you. Okay?”

Rusty nodded at Curie. Curie, in turn, nodded at her. The two girls took off at a brisk run. They went down the hill, crossed the shallow river, and ran past the car that they used for target practice.

“You are very fast.” Curie commented, as she tried to keep pace with Rusty. Rusty smiled.

“Rusty isn't even running full speed.” She admitted as they kept running through the small collection of trees.

“Impressive.” Curie said, as they fell into silence.

15 minutes later, the two girls crested the hill that Nora had pointed to. About 50 feet below them, Rusty spotted a broken pipe. However... a tall... person was standing in front of it.

Rusty knelt down and used her scope to get a better look at him. He was dressed as a Raider, covered in scars, very tall, and carrying a large hammer seemingly made of a concrete block and rebar handle.

“Do you see him?” Rusty asked Curie.

“I do.” Curie nodded as she too, used the scope on her laser rifle to look at him. “He is dressed like a raider, but is nearly as big as a super-mutant.”

“Do you think he's... friendly?” Rusty asked.

“Only one way to find out.” Curie said as they both stood up. “Best to keep our rifles ready, yes?”

The two girls walked/slid down the hill, slowly, towards the pipe, and the giant man. As they walked up to him, her turned around and nodded at them.

“You do not need to fear me.” He said in a deep baritone voice. “I'm not a raider. Just dressed like them.”

Rusty looked up at him. He was almost twice her height. At least 3 feet taller then her. “Rusty will keep her distance. If he doesn't mind.”

“I will as well.” Curie said. “I am Curie, by the way. If we may ask you your name?”

“Sledge.” He answered. “And I don't mind if you keep you distance. That means you're smart.” He smirked. “What brings you out this far?”

“Rusty wants to look at that pipe.” Rusty answered. “She was attacked here 3 years ago.”

“I see.” Sledge nodded. “Interestingly enough... I moved into this pipe nearly 3 years ago. Shelter is hard to come by and...” He gestured to a skeleton of a death-claw. “Since the previous occupant was already dead I thought it would be safe.”

Rusty looked at the skeleton. “That...” She walked up to it and knelt next to it. “This is the monster that attacked Rusty...”

Curie stood next to her. “It chased you here?”

Rusty shouldered her rifle and picked up its skull and examined it. “Yes. She remembers... she... came to this place and the monster ambushed her. Slashed her face. She...” She dropped the skull and stood up and noticed that the skeleton only had one arm. “She... ran from...” She walked quickly to a spot 10 feet away. “She had a sword... tried to kill it. Cut its arm off. The monster... took her right leg off.” She found the arm laying in a green pool.

“Do not touch that pool, Rust-y.” Curie warned her. “It is radioactive. Highly corrosive.”

Rusty nodded. “She dropped her sword. It must of melted in this pool.” She walked back to Sledge and the pipe. “She tried to climb inside. The monster ripped off her tail trying to pull her out. She... kicked it...”

She looked at the skeleton of the death-claw. A small set of leg bones, below the knee and tail bones were next to it. “It ripped off her other leg.”

“How did you escape?” Sledge asked.

“Institute synths...” Rusty said. “They came and shot the monster.” She looked at Sledge. “Did Mr. Sledge find anything inside the pipe?”

“Just a torn up shoulder bag.” Sledge answered. “the death-claw must have torn it when it took your legs. Nothing else.”

Rusty sighed. “She wishes she could have found something... to help her remember where she came from.”

“You have done well.” Curie said to her as she placed a hand on her shoulder. “For someone with major amnesia, remembering what you have is very good.”

“I am sorry that there is nothing for you to find, Rusty.” Sledge said with a surprisingly gentle smile. “I agree with Curie. Remembering what you did, is impressive.”

Rusty nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Sledge.” She looked at Curie. “There isn't anything else she can find here. We should go back.”

“Here.” Sledge said as he walked over to the death-claw arm that Rusty had chopped off. He broke off the large, long, middle claw from its hand. He then walked back to Rusty and handed it to her. “You took its arm. It is your trophy. Keep the claw. You can make a bayonet for your rifle. Or a sword. Your choice.”

Rusty nodded. “Thank you. She thinks she will.”

“If you wish, Mr. Sledge, you can come with us.” Curie offered. “Perhaps live in Sanctuary Hills?”

Sledge shook his head. “I don't like crowds. I am... content here.”

Rusty looked at Curie. “Let's get back ourselves. Before the others come looking.”

“As you wish, Rust-y.” Curie said with a smile.

The two girls walked up the Hill, back the way they came. Sledge watched them as they left.

“Good luck with your life, Little Warrior.” He murmured.