[center][img]https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1090900253932277866/1102095122478415912/Sunset_joyride.png[/img][/center] [hr] In collaboration: [@Product] as Katherine Green [hr] [center][youtube]https://youtu.be/N9NPePCvnWY[/youtube][/center] [hr] [center][i]Chu-Chink, Chu-Chink, Chu-Chink, Chunk, thump [color=gold]Ow![/color][/i][/center] The sound of a ratchet can be heard over the wind blowing across the dusty wastes and the sound of music. With it a whistling was heard from the man who was right now kneeling next to what seemed to be a [url=https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/1090900253932277866/1102038461122359316/2f6b98e92c080ab3d45d9585cb5c8b3f.png]3 wheeled motorcycle[/url] that was put together with many different pieces of other vehicles. The man was right now tightening the wheels as the sound of liquid poured into an empty gas tank. The man seemed to have finished with what he was doing before he called out to his compatriot, [color=gold]”Hey Katie, you done filling the tank?”[/color] Katie turned to face him, her arm visibly tired from manually pumping the gas from the prewar station. [color=abc980]"That's the last dribble,"[/color] she replied, wiping her forehead with the back of her hand. Since Desmond finished with the tires, she stepped away from the gas and offered her handyman a cigarette while she took one for herself. Her lighter sparked four times before finally firing. [color=abc980]"The bike is supposed to sound like that?"[/color] she teased after exhaling the first drag. [color=abc980]"This place is pretty much tapped out,"[/color] she added, referring to the fact that it had been years since the war ended, and these prewar gas stations and highway buildings were likely picked clean by other wastelanders and prospectors over the years, something she was sure Desmond was painfully aware of. Desmond took the cigarette Katherine offered and gave a nod of thanks before he took out his own lighter and lit the cigarette. He took a drag as he looked off into the wastes taking in what Katherine said. He breathed out smoke as he nodded his head, [color=gold]”Yeah, I assumed it would have been”[/color]. Desmond takes another drag as he seems lost in thought for a moment. He breaks the tense moment with another smoke cloud leaving his mouth and saying, [color=gold]”Welp, we really only got 2 options. We can fuck around here and think about what to do next, or we can do a quick joyride with what we got left and see where that leaves us”[/color]. Desmond shrugs with a smile as he looks at Katherine, [color=gold]”Honestly, a joyride doesn’t sound so bad to me. Might even be a little fun”[/color]. Katie paused for a moment, contemplating the risks of taking a joyride on a makeshift motorcycle in the middle of the wasteland. But the thrill of the adventure was too tempting to resist. [color=abc980]"What the hell, let's do it,"[/color] she said, mustering up some courage. As she finished her cigarette and flicked the butt away, gave a confident thumbs up to Desmond and strode towards the bike. With the wind whipping against her face and the dust kicking up around her boots, she carefully removed her glasses and tucked them away in a safe pocket on her jacket. [color=abc980]"Show me what this baby can do."[/color] Desmond’s grin stayed plastered on his face as he tossed the last bit of his cigarette on the ground as he heard Katherine seem for the crazy idea. Desmond takes the few solid steps forward to the motorcycle as he gives the large fuel tank a few taps and chuckles before he takes hold of the handle before quickly throws himself onto the machine with a solid lands as he looked to Katherine, [color=gold]”Let’s see where she leads us”[/color], as he lets out a laugh, asa it dawns on him how hilarious the situation is. The moment Katie mounted up behind Desmond, he looked over his shoulder with a smile as he said, [color=gold]”Let’s hear her purr”[/color]. Desmond lifts himself up slightly as he stamps down onto the starter as the engine roared to life. A laugh left Desmond's mouth as he took hold of the handlebars and revved a few times before he looked back with one last smile as the motorcycle roared and the wheels squealed, launching the vehicle forward. On the back of the bike, Katie’s blood was pumping with anticipation. The doctor held her doctor's bag tightly on her lap, knowing it contains fragile and precious contents, but is confident she can keep them safe. After she wrapped her arms tightly around Desmond's waist, she could feels the prewar power of the machine coursing through her body. An excited whoop managed to escape her lips while they take off. With her eyes closed tight and the wind whipping through her hair, it felt like flying. As they hit the open road, she couldn’t contain her laughter, exhilarated by the sheer speed and freedom of the ride. It's like nothing she's ever experienced before, and she hoped that tank would last. The motorcycle purred and roared as the wind howled and blew. The sun was still blazing down, even as it was getting later into the day, the heat was still visible across the desert, yet for Desmond and Katherine, they felt nothing but the chilling wind. The wheels tore up the little asphalt left behind as the motorcycle began to climb in speed as they had begun to find straighter and straighter ways. All Desmond could do was laugh as this was absurd, stupid even. Yet that didn’t matter, they were right now using the little bit of gas they had left and blazing past ruined vehicles, roadways, and…a sign? [color=abc980]"Las Vegas Exit,"[/color] Katie squinted to read the sign without her glasses. The wind howled in their ears and the heat of the asphalt radiated beneath them, and the two sped past ruined vehicles, crumbling buildings, and towering rock formations, pushing the makeshift bike to its limits. Katie had never visited Las Vegas before, but she had travelled the Mojave enough to know that the road ahead was full of dangers. She was getting used to the wind in her face now, and was beginning to look ahead on the road, scanning for any signs of trouble. Whether it was with a Brahmin or a bike, the caravan life was all the same, and Katie knew better than to let her guard down. [color=abc980]"Hey guy!"[/color] She raised her voice again, trying to be heard over the roar of the engine. [color=abc980]"Do you see a lot of raiders on this thing?"[/color] Subtlety didn't seem like an option on the bike, but Desmond seemed to get the message. This was exactly what she had signed up for. Desmond turned his head when he heard Katherine speak and answered her fair question, [color=gold]"Oh yeah, but mostly they are afraid of-"[/color] Desmond's eyes instantly flicked back forward and yanked on the handle bars, swerving hard and fast. Desmond abruptly swerved the motorcycle, causing Katie to fear he had lost his mind. However, the sound of a gunshot ahead revealed the reason for his maneuver. In front of them lay a primitive bunker made of rusted cars. Based on the size of the thing, only one raider could fit inside, and the rate of oncoming gunfire only further proved her suspicion. Desmond hit the accelerator, expertly dodging the incoming bullets as they flew past the obstacle. Meanwhile, Katie readied the fuse of a stick of dynamite from the back seat. With perfect timing, she managed to throw the explosive through a narrow opening in the raider's barricade just as they zoomed by. The resulting blast echoed through the air as Desmond let off another laugh as if he was just made a fool by fate itself. As the demolition duo rode further on, it came apparent that the little fuel they had had finally ran dry. On fumes alone they had made it another mile, Desmond sighed he looked back to his passenger and said, [color=gold]"Well guess we'll be coasting from here on, damn. I swore I had a good-"[/color]. In that moment a loud whistle blurred as their attention was instantly drawn to what seemed to be a convoy of NCR troopers. Many of them were walking as next to them was a large and imposing vehicle. A four wheeled personnel carrier that seemed to have a large gun atop it, baring down onto them. Desmond sighed as he stopped and turned the engine of the motorcycle off. Leaving about 100 feet of distance from where stood who he assumed was the commanding officer, a taller man grizzled from the wastes and wore a stern face as he called to the two motorcyclists, [color=Yellow]"What in the sam hell are you doing out here like that?"[/color] Desmond looked to Katherine and said, [color=gold]"Here, let me talk"[/color]. Desmond gave a wink before turning to the NCR soldier, [color=gold]"Oh just enjoying the sun set as we race across the desert with the no fuel we got left"[/color]. The older NCR soldier responds, [color=yellow]"Well that sounds like one tough pickle son, sadly we ain't got fuel to spare to-"[/color]. In that moment a loud bang and pop came from the engine of the NCR vehicle the grizzled soldier was standing in front of as his eyes widened and turned. Multiple soldiers began clambering out as smoke began to fill the air as there a smile grew on Desmond's face as it seemed fate still did favor him. [Color=gold]"Well, if you can't give the fuel, you wanna trade? I get some fuel and you don't get stranded?"[/color] The look of pure anger and shock filled the man's face as he felt as if the incompetence of some fool nearly stranded them with priceless military hardware in the middle of the Mojave. Yet the young man seemed to offer some trade, skeptical the man asked, [color=yellow]"I can tell you may know a thing or two with your bike. You sure you can do this?"[/color] Desmond responded simply, [color=gold]"A [i]Handyman[/i] can do anything"[/color], as he stepped off his bike and grabbed his toolbox to begin getting to work on the NCR vehicle. Just like any other day.