As the Battle Bus pulled into Novac, the crew could feel the weight of the situation settling heavily on their shoulders. The air was thick with tension, especially with the Weathers family's revelation about Frank. They'd been through hell, and the last thing they needed was to run into their abuser.
Six sat, his grip tight on his handguns. His mind was spinning with the stories the Weathers family had shared. It wasn't just about escaping the Legion anymore.
It was about escaping a nightmare that had followed them home. Frank Weathers wasn't just a man who had failed to hit a jackpot—he was a man who'd turned his frustration and failures into violence.
The Weathers were former farmers hailing from Junktown, where they owned a few hundred acres of land, Frank Weathers was one of the many unfortunates who believed they could hit a jackpot at the tables of New Vegas and never have to plow the fields again.
However, he never managed to find that big win and was forced to pick up a menial job to provide for his family.
The frustration, coupled with him losing his job, caused him to abuse his family, beating his wife and children for the slightest problem. His drinking problem compounded the issues, to the point that he was forced to seek help from the Followers of the Apocalypse at the Old Mormon Fort, getting kicked out in the process.
Eventually, his family decided to return home and Frank was forced to follow them. However, while they were leaving, the Legion struck and took them, while Frank ran away like a coward.
Six sighed, rubbing his temples as he listened to the Weathers family's story. He had initially assumed they were just another unfortunate group taken by the Legion, but the truth was much uglier.
Frank Weathers wasn't some desperate father seeking his family—he was a coward and an abuser who had lost his victims to something worse before fate intervened.
Rebecca, standing nearby, was livid. Her hands clenched into fists, her expression dark as she turned toward Six.
"That bastard made us waste our time on him? He left them to die, ran while they were taken. Abandoned his own family to the Legion. He's a coward, and now he expects to just get them back like nothing happened?"
Six nodded, understanding her anger all too well. He had seen enough of that kind of weakness and cruelty in his life to know it when he saw it.
"You're right. He ran. And now, he's got nothing left to hold onto. But they do. And they don't need him."
Raul let out a low whistle, shaking his head.
"I knew that guy looked a little too eager to have someone else do the work for him. Turns out, he was just hoping to sweep all this under the rug."
Roger crossed his arms, disgusted.
"Pathetic. No honor. No dignity. He doesn't deserve redemption... You think he'll come looking for them? 'Cause if he does, he won't get the welcome he's expecting."
Boone's face was stoic as usual, but there was a flicker of disgust in his eyes.
"Some people never learn, no matter how far they fall."
Six exhaled slowly, then looked at the Weathers family. The mother, June, held her children close, both of whom were still visibly shaken from their ordeal. But there was something else in her expression—relief. They did not want to return to Frank.
"You don't have to go back to him."
Six said plainly.
"You're free now."
June's grip on her children tightened, her voice shaking slightly.
"We don't want to see him again. Please."
Rebecca leaned forward, her expression softened, but only slightly.
"I'll make sure they're taken care of. Goodsprings will be a safe place for them, and no one's going to find them there."
June's eyes widened, hopeful but wary.
"You'd do that for us?"
Six just nodded.
"Yeah. We'll get you on the subway to Goodsprings. It's safe there. But we need to move fast. The last thing we need is Frank showing up and making this even worse."
We'll get them on the subway to Goodsprings. It's safe there. But we need to move fast. The last thing we need is Frank showing up and making this even worse.
Rebecca led them to the underground subway entrance, her voice calm and reassuring.
"You'll be safe in Goodsprings. There's a whole community there who will look out for you. You won't have to worry about Frank or anyone else coming after you."
The family looked at each other, still unsure, but the presence of Rebecca and the crew gave them the hope they desperately needed.
Six stayed behind to ensure they were safely on their way before turning to the rest of his crew.
"We'll stick around for a bit. Make sure no one tries to follow them. Once they're settled, we can head out."
Boone and Roger took positions around the perimeter of the subway entrance, while Raul made his way over to the nearby rooftop for a better vantage point. Six and Rebecca stood by the door, keeping watch.
"Do you think Frank will come after them?"
Rebecca asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Six's expression hardened.
"He's too much of a coward to face them now. But if he finds out they're alive, he might try something. And if he does... I'll make sure he regrets it."
Boone, who had been silently watching from the side, finally spoke up.
"If I see him again, I'll put a bullet in his head.
Rebecca looked at him, a faint smile tugging at her lips.
"I thought you didn't believe in revenge."
"I don't."
Six replied, his gaze unwavering.
"But this isn't about revenge. It's about making sure people like him don't get away with it."
The seconds ticked by in silence, the snow falling gently outside. It was a cold night, but for the Weathers family, there was a warmth in the air now—hope, even if just a flicker.
They had a chance at a new life, free from Frank's shadow. And for Six and his crew, that was one more victory in a long list of battles fought and won.
Once the subway car carrying the Weathers family disappeared into the tunnels, Six turned to Rebecca.
"Let's get back to Goodsprings. We've got work to do, and we need to be ready if Frank decides to come knocking."
Rebecca nodded.
"Let's go."
And with that, they left Novac behind, their mission accomplished for now, but fully aware that the Mojave had a way of throwing the unexpected at them. They were ready, though. They always were.
Ding!
[Quest Complete: Left My Heart]
Ding!
[Level Up!]