Let's see, I have to go to the vale-stone valley. Last time I checked, it was around 236 miles away from here, If I was going to do this, I would need some supplies before I go, and I should deal with the raider's bothering Gem.

I started to walk out of the building when a voice called out.

“WAIT!”

I turned around to the same chem addicted pony now falling onto his face.

“Ah wan ta come wit you.” He said looking up to me with a wide smile on his face.

“Hmm, okay… If you really want to, Though I don’t see why.” I said the last part under my breath. I don’t normally bring ponies along with me for things like this, but I thought maybe he could help somehow, he did know about where he got that Pip-buck of his. He probably knew about different chems as well.

The pony slowly started to get back up to his hooves, I could see a few new marks on his legs from the fall. I walked over to him to help him up, I should probably help him with his addiction.

“By the way, what is your name? I don't think I heard it yet.” I said with curiosity in my voice. If I was going to have somepony with me I would want to know their name.

“Uh, Is Bait, well my friends only call me Bait, I don’t got's many friends.” He had a sad look on his face. after a moment he then regained his happy expression again.

“My names is Toothy Grin, I personally still like Bait though.”

"Okay, I'll call you bait." A strange name if you ask me.

I put the package and the message into my pockets. The items weren't very large so they could fit easily without any trouble.

"Okay, I'm going to have a chat with some raiders, so right now I want you to stay here for a little while."

"Mm, okey. I'll wait here." He said as he sat back into a stool.

Well, he sure is very persuasive, must be all the chemicals in his system. I'll come back and get him when i'm done with the raiders.

I walked outside, the clouds in this area didn't seem to cover this place as badly as the rest of the wasteland. The suns rays felt good, it was rare to get this much. I picked my sniper riffle off of my back and re-attached it to my battle saddle. I made sure I had it loaded in case things got out of hoof, I didn't care much for raiders, if I had to kill any, I wouldn't mind much.

It was time I had my talk with the raiders. I made sure I had all my stuff and I went my way.

*** *** *** ***

It took a little bit longer that I had first thought to get to the gate of the camp. I had to fight my way though a few wasteland creatures and some unfriendly terrain.

Luckily there was still light out. I didn't want to have a conversation during the night and I didn't want to sleep anywhere near the raider camp.

I walked up to the entrance, I saw two guards in towers wielding crossbows and two more guards with makeshift revolvers in their mouths. There was one more guard with a enclave battle saddle, I don't know how he had gotten that, and he clearly wasn't a pegasus.

I walked up to the gate hoping they wouldn't shoot me on sight, I was okay with them opening fire, I could probably take them out fairly easily. One of two things could happen, One, they could open fire and I kill them, or two, I talk to them and make out some kind of deal while both sides walk away unharmed.

"Well here goes nothing." I said to myself while they all spotted me an started to aim their weapons.

"Wait, I don't mean you any harm, I just want to talk for a minute." In truth I was kinda hoping a little bit that this would turn to be a shootout.

The raider with the battle saddle had stepped towards me. I am guessing that he is the one commanding this post.

"What do you want?" He said with a flat gravely voice.

"There are a few ponies that work in a bar a distance a ways over there. Some raiders said to have come from here have been giving them a hard time. I want to make some sort of deal that would work out for both sides."

"Maybe, what do you have that is of value?" He then grinned which didn't really make me feel good.

I only had a few bits of food from the bar, some assorted ammunition, my shoutout sniper battle saddle, my lockdown enchanted pistol, a mini dart crossbow and some stabilizer crystals. half of them were drained, but they still had value, I could also give my lockdown to them as well, I could always build another one.

"I have a few things that you might like." I said as I stepped closer and showed him the items that I had to offer.

"Hmm, these are good, Ill tell them to not bother the ponies anymore." he said as he took the crystals and the pistol while turning to go through the gate.

"Okay then, well cya I guess." I guess that was It. It was a little too easy if you ask me.

The ponies lowered their weapons and continued to watch me. I decided it was best to leave before they changed their minds for some reason.

I then headed back to the bar where Gem was to tell her that her problem was probably over.

*** *** *** ***

It was night by the time I had got back. I was really tired, I hadn't gotten any good sleep in days.

I stepped though the door, the bar didn't appear to have any more customers within and guessed they went home, continued traveling or whatever. The lights were still on, though they were mostly dimmed.

"Hey Gem, ya here?" I walked to the other end of the building when Gem had come though the door to the back room.

"Yeah I'm here." She said and smiled.

"I was hopefully able to stop your raider problem."

"Really? Thank you, that will make this job easier, they have burned at least one thing a day, if they kept it up they would probably burn this place down. So thank you for that. you probably want a reward huh?"

"Nah, I'm just glad I could help out. What I really want is some sleep. Um, do you by any chance have somewhere I could sleep for the night?"

"Actually yes, you could stay at my place, It is the small building outside. I have to stay here and clean up though."

"Well, Thanks. I'll leave in the morning." I turned and went outside.

The stars were shining though the spaces between the clouds, ponies that have been around a while say that the starts don't look as good as they used to since princess Luna was around. They do look nice anyway, the moon looks great as well, wasn't often that the clouds would move even a little bit for a peak the the stars.

I walked to the small building that I guessed was Gem's, the door hadn't been locked, but before I stepped in, I heard what sounded like snoring. I stepped back outside and looked around, what I found was bait laying on some cardboard boxes fast asleep. I guess he had waited for me the whole time. I'll talk to him in the morning.

I went into the building and pulled out a worn sleeping bag that I had stashed in my bag, it wasn't pretty, but it was do-able. I dropped my belongings into a corner of the room near the door and laid down into the sleeping bag. Today had been a little interesting, I haven't don't a lot in a while, I hope this trip I will be taking will be interesting as well.
I closed my eyes and fell asleep.