Radiance

Chapter 77: Way of the Warrior.

"And it's up good job people now let's check in to see if we can raise Seven and the others," Raymond said as the radio pulser clunked into place at that top of the tower and the dishes all began to align themselves.

After such a long period of inactivity and exposure to the harsh elements, he had been worried that the relay would be inoperable leaving them cut off from the others, but as it turned out that other than a few feral Ghouls that they'd cleared out pretty quickly the tower itself was in a remarkable condition which now thanks to Cho and Spectre was fully online, or at least he hoped it was.

"Gold two to Gold one are you receiving us over?" Spectre said into the radio handset before releasing the PTT to let the replay come through if there was one.

Now Seven's team was the only one not actually carrying a handset as their radio was built into Seven's power armour which incidentally also made it the most powerful set of all of them due to the armour having a built-in booster unit and far more powerful ariel than the handheld sets that they had, so all they could hope was that Seven was actually in his armour and not in a bush with Visa somewhere.

Though Raymond did know one little trick that Seven's armour had that he himself might not even know about as Timothy had taken great pleasure in telling him about it before they had set off if it received a Radio call and its occupant wasn't inside the armour would actually begin to flash its headlamp on and off to alert it's wearer to an incoming broadcast which he thought was hilarious as it conjured up images of it shining a high powered torch on him and Visa essentially catching them in the act.

But as it turned out they didn't have to wait long for a reply, "Gold one to last call sign check in over," Seven's voice came through the handset which made Raymond smile as not only had it worked but he had indeed been outside of his armour when the radio went off.

"It's Gold two checking in and letting you know we got the local radio relay working down here so we have comms, also reporting that we have made an interesting discovery oh and tell Visa we apologise for dragging her man back into his tin suit and out of her arms, I can practically feel her pacing from here, over," Cho said with a giggle as they all knew about the power armour trick as Raymond had kinda let it slip while they'd been walking.

"Wait how did you......you all knew my armour did that when I wasn't in it didn't you? Over," Seven's voice said and they all broke down into a fit of giggles as they imagined the angry Claw pacing around him.

"Someone in Gold one kinda let it slip to us but refuse to name any names, over," Cho said stifling a giggle as she spoke.

"Well I'll let you explain it to her when we get back as right now I have a rather unamused looking Claw girl pacing around me, so what's this discovery you mentioned? Over," Seven asked.

"We believe we have located a splinter group of the Greasers from DC down here apparently they are called the Roaming Ronin and we are going to try and make contact before we proceed on with our mission over," Cho explained.

When Seven's voice came back it had lost its edge of irritation and was now curious, "Wow they walked a long way to get all the way down there ok roger that then, keep us in the loop and let us know how it goes, tell your leader that I have faith in his abilities to pull this off as I can feel him fretting from here, Gold one over and out," Seven said and all of his team looked up at him making him sigh, Seven seriously was an astute one.

"Roger that Gold one and don't worry we got his back Gold Two over and out," Cho said making Raymond smile and chuckle as he noticed Lia moving close to him and he felt the large claw-tipped hand on his shoulder.

"See? Seven has faith in you as do we," she said and he smiled at her gratefully.

"Alright then people let's get this show on the road then shall we?" he said and with that, the group gathered up and headed down towards the ruins.

En route, Raymond had wondered how they were supposed to find both Riss and Runs in this place as they were both masters of the shadows and expert trackers, but as it turned out there was no need to as one of the pair was waiting for them on the outskirts.

"Ahh good you are back, come I'm will guide you to where glorious wife awaits us, now be careful, is many traps here, tread where I tread and only where I's treads," Runs said as he emerged from the shadows making them all jump as not one of them had seen him hiding among the shadows of the buildings.

It turned out that the Ronin were very meticulous about their security as they found numerous traps that ranged from landmines through to simple can chain noise maker traps absolutely everywhere along their route through.

But finally, they reached what appeared to be a rather well-hidden bunker in the basement of what appeared to be a book store towards the centre of the ruins, there they met up with Riss who was waiting for them.

After she embraced her husband lovingly she turned to the rest of the group, "I have scouted the place and they are indeed insssside, I count twelve mutantssss all heavily armed sssso we sssshould be cautioussss," she reported.

"Good job Riss, well alright here's the plan, these guys are gonna be pretty cautious, to say the least, but they all know me so it's best if I handle the introductions so you guys wait here while I go and speak to them and if it goes well I'll bring them up," Raymond said and instantly he saw Lia begging to twitch.

"I do not like the thought of you going in there alone I should go with you in case there is a problem," she said and Raymond shook his head.

"I appreciate the offer, Lia, I do and in any other circumstance I would not hesitate to have you backing me up but not here, these are my people and misunderstandings need to be avoided and without any offence being offered here Claws appearing out of the shadows in amongst your group who are not used to good Claws can cause them real fast," he said making the big Claw girl huff in annoyance.

But she had told him that she would follow his lead and believed in him so he kinda had her on her word of honour here, if she refused she would essentially be saying she really didn't have faith in him as a leader and was merely saying kind words to make him feel better.

But as he guessed he already knew in his heart Lia was a woman of honour who believed in keeping your word, so begrudgingly she nodded and acquiesced to his plan, so with a deep breath Raymond turned and headed for the doorway to the stairs that led down into the basement.

The stairway was rather narrow and most definitely not made with super mutants in mind when it was constructed given how bloody tight it was, he pretty much had to turn sideways to squeeze down it, but eventually, he made it to the bottom and instantly saw where his brothers were hold up.

On the opposite side of the room was a section of the wall that had been slid back like a door that was obviously made to disguise the short tunnel that led down to the bunker beyond it, but even from here, he could see the glow of fires used to light the place as well as the smell of cooking coming from down the tunnel.

Keeping his eyes peeled for a trap he moved slowly trying to make sure he kept his weapons holstered and shouldered so as to appear non-threatening, but it appeared that the Ronin were not as clueless about his approach as he originally thought because no sooner had he stepped into the tunnel than the door closed behind him with a thump and dead ahead of him the second door that led into the bunker ahead of him slammed shut as well plunging him into darkness.

Raymond's heart was going a million miles a second as he spun on the spot after he fired up his torch trying to see a way out but there was none, he was trapped!

Around him, he heard slots in the walls sliding open with soft metallic grinding noises, "If I was you I'd put the weapons down big guy," a voice that Raymond instantly recognised as Jack Hemming who was the leader of the Ronin said.

Raymond rapidly racked his brain for the right thing to say and that's when it clicked, "Truth is like the sun, you can block it out for a while but it ain't going away," he said and instantly there was dead silence from all those watching him.

"Animals don't hate and we're supposed to be better than them," the voice he recognised as jack replied giving the Greaser countersign and instantly all the lights in the tunnel snapped on nearly blinding Raymond.

"Holy fucking shit! Raymond is that you lad!?" Jack exclaimed and now Raymond could see the little metal firing slits set into the wall around him.

"Aye, it's my jack long time no see," Raymond said feeling his heart slowing down to a much more normal beat, suddenly he was very glad he hadn't brought Lia in here with him or right now there might have been a hell of a firefight with an angry Claw bounding around like a pinball in a box.

The inner door slid open and an absolutely massive male mutant strapped out into the open with a massive grin plastered all over his surprisingly handsome face, to Raymond's surprise he seemed to be dressed in what looked like Samurai armour or at least a close approximation of it given that it was made out of scrap metal.

The massive man strode forwards and threw his humongous arms around Raymond and lifted him in a bear hug off his feet, now he was really glad he didn't bring Lia as Claws get real territorial when people touch someone that sees them as theirs.

"Fucking hell it's so good to see you laddie, but what in the name of fuck are you doing all the way down here?" jack said placing him back down on his feet.

"It's a real long story but I'd be happy to tell you but first I kinda have a bit of an odd request," Raymond said and Jack cocked his head making both his braided beard and his tightly wound top knot hairdo shimmy.

"Well then out with it?" he said in his deep gravely voice.

"My friends are outside, I told them I'd come in here and handle the introductions between us so there were no misunderstandings but I don't want to leave them waiting out there as well err one of them is a Deathclaw and they aren't exactly known for their patience, so I'd kinda like to bring them down so you can meet them and visa versa if that's alright," Raymond said.

Jack's trimmed but still bushy eyebrows shot up and now he looked really curious, "You got a tame Deathclaw with you? Now this I gotta see, aye bring them in any friend of yours is a friend of ours," Jack said gesturing for someone hidden behind the wall to open the outer door which slid open moments later.

"Oh tame is the furthest thing in the world from what she is but you understand when you meet her," Raymond said with a smile and a chuckle.

When he reemerged from the basement Lia was on him before the rest of the group had even realised he was there, the big Claw girl gripped him and proceeded to begin turning him all while examining him closely.

"Are you hurt Raymond? Did they harm you? If they have tell me now and I will show them exactly what happens to anyone who harms a Claw's prey!!" she demanded moving around him so quickly that she kinda reminded him of an oversized snake trying to wind itself around him.

"I'm all good Lia no harm done not a scratch see?' he said turning on the spot and holding his arms out to the side but she didn't seem convinced until she had personally checked pretty much every inch of him for herself, or maybe it was just an excuse to manhandle him, either way, once she was satisfied she stepped back and nodded her horned head approvingly.

"Good I am glad it would have been a shame to have to shred potential new allies," she said.

"Well fuck me sideways with a yardstick you weren't fucking kidding lad," a voice said from the doorway behind him and Raymond turned to see Jack leaning on the door frame, for such a big guy dressed in heavy metal armour he moved like a fucking phantom.

Lia snarled and flicked out her claws dropping into a combat stance but Raymond placed a placating hand on her broad shoulder and she glanced at him, "Easy big girl, this is Jack Hemmington the leader of the Roaming Ronin, he's a friend, Jack these are my people," Raymond said gesturing first to Jack and then to his group but before he could even blink both Spectre and Cho were at Jack's sides looking up at him.

"Good to meet you I'm Cho," Cho said holding out her hand to him and Jack looked taken aback but she took it and shook it enveloping her hand in his massive one.

"And I'm Spectre," Spectre said doing the same and also getting a handshake.

"Well err good to meet you, lassies, so why don't you come inside and make yourselves comfortable, I get the feeling we have a lot to talk about," Jack said glancing at Raymond for an explanation but all he got back in return was a look that said 'Welcome to my world,'

The group trooped down into the bunker which once everyone was inside the Ronin sealed up, it turned out they'd been aware of the team tracking them to the place so they had made ready for a fight and the group were impressed but the arrangement of both armour and handmade weapons laid about.

It seemed the Ronin really had taken their name to heart having designed their armour to look like that of the Samurai of old and even their weapons had that kind of flavour, every single one of them had a collection of swords and even large bows that had been hand made from scrap metal but turned into both beautiful and lethal weapons of war.

The two groups sat in the lounge area of the bunker looking at one another with both Raymond and Jack in the centre facing each other over a low table that forced them both to kneel on cushions.

"Can I offer you some sake lad? Found it in a Japanese a week ago, Jerry there has been trying to learn how to brew the stuff and he's getting better I must say though it's a little hard with rice being so hard to find," Jack said lifting a clay bottle up and placing down two dish-like cups.

"Thank you," Raymond said nodding his accent.

Jack poured them both a shot and pushed Raymond's towards him before taking his own and the pair saluted the other with the dish before necking it in one, the powerful alcohol burned Raymond's throat on the way down but it did warm him which was nice.

"So lad you gonna tell us how you got teamed up with a walking talking Deathclaw and Nightstalker or do we have to guess?" Jack asked and Raymond grinned as he felt Lia growl behind him.

"First of all please call her by her name which is Lia and call them Claws," he said and jack raised an eyebrow but nodded his head before looking up at her over Raymond's shoulder.

"Sorry didn't mean no offence big lass," he said and Lia let out a huff.

"Very well, apology accepted as you show honour by apologizing," she said.

With that Raymond began to tell the Ronin his tale and all of them listened intently as he told of them of Seven and what he was doing and the people he had gathered to him, before he was even halfway through all of them were on the edge of their seats and cushions.

"Well I gotta say this laddie that's a hell of an adventure you got yourself wrapped up in there and boy I gotta say this but damn is it good to see that we aren't the only ones out here fighting to show people that not all non-humans are mindless animals, this Seven guys sounds like someone I'd really like to meet, sounds like a hell of a swell guy," Jack said nodding approvingly.

"Aye he is one of a kind he really is, he's the kind of leader we really needed if I'm honest, leads from the front and stands tall and true no matter what we face, he's always the one right at the front ready to meet the challenge, you'd like him," Raymond said.

Jack nodded approvingly, "Aye sounds like it and this Visa lass too, a human and a Claw now that's a twist to the tale I never saw coming but I gotta say it kinda makes me happy in a way because if a guy can look at a girl like her and see nothing but beautiful then it means that there are minds out there that are open to new possibilities and that is seriously good news for all of us," Jack said.

"Hey, you don't have to worry about a thing big green trust this girl when she says you are not hard on the eyes at all and any girl who says differently is either lying to herself or is just not interested in men because from where I'm sitting all I see is a whole lotta man wrapped up in a pretty green package," Cho said making Jack's bushy eyebrows shoot up in surprise and the tinge of a deep green blush peek out from behind his facial hair.

"W-Well I err thank you miss," he said very obviously flustered and that made Raymond smile because Jack was as about unflappable as a man came so to see him so completely taken off guard by the candour of the young human woman was actually quite heartwarming.

"Don't you sweat it big green trust me when I say this little group of yours is a feast for the eyes of a human girl who prefers the more exotic things in life and do you know what for the first time in my life I actually feel fully comfortable saying something like that and you can than both these good people here and the rest of this crazy group that Seven has put together for it, they are good people and believe me when I say I know bad ones when I see them, I escaped Paradise Falls," Cho said and that really got Jack's attention.

The big male Super Mutant's features instantly darkened into a scowl that would have sent anyone it was intended for running for the hills, "Those slave-taking cunts again eh?" he said and Cho and Spectre nodded.

"Yup them but here's the beautiful kicker, I got to be there when Seven and his people who are now my people turned that place and the people into rubble, he went full-on Dark Angel and fucking levelled the place like a living nuclear bomb it was fucking glorious to see but even before that I got to see all these different people of all these different races fighting for us and the slaves they were currently holding simply because they felt it was the right thing to do because they fully believed that no sentient being regardless of who or what they are belongs in chains, so I got to watch her incredible brethren cutting through those fuckers like living bulldozers and since then our number has grown and our diversity along with it because more and more see who we are and what we stand for, something new," Cho said proudly.

"In the time we have spent with them we have seen these people do incredible things all guided the simple want of two things, to be free and to make things better for ordinary people regardless of who or what they are, they are ideals that they live and breathe i mean look at this group, we have a Seven leading from the front a human man with psyonic powers who is madly in love with a Claw girl who loves him back so fierce that I simply dare any one to look at him with malice in her presence, then you have Gregory and Ven a bisexual Claw and a gay human man who found love together, we have Riss and Runs here a Nightstalker girl married to a human boys, in one of our other groups we have an Arachnakai boy who is basically a half human half spider who is in love with Wisp who is a non-coporeal girl living inside a synthetic body and the list goes on hell look at Lia there, she's a Claw girl who is crushing so hard on Raymond there that she's one step off licking his bloody footprints," Spectre said making both Lian and Raymond's heads snap round do fast that Lia's horns whistled through the air.

"I would not lick his footprints! Why would I do such a thing when I could lick his legs or his chest or his face?" Lia said proudly and Raymond felt himself flush so deeply as he felt the eyes of every single one of the Ronin including Jack fall on him.