Walking in Balance (2/4)

Emma's eyes widen slightly at the sight of the mutated scorpion stinger in your hand.

You survived. Good.

She examines the stinger, still glistening with venom.

Fresh. Full potency. This is perfect.

She sets it carefully on her workstation.

You're learning fast. That's what you'll need out here - the ones who adapt slowly don't last.

Are you ready for the next step?

Emma glances up from grinding herbs as you approach.

Those scorpions aren't going to hunt themselves. West of camp, near the dried creek bed. The stick I gave you - aim behind the head plates where the chitin's thinner.

The juniper gives the tonic its base, but for real medicine, we need something with more... bite.

She reaches for a worn leather pouch and unfolds it to reveal several vials of different colored liquids and a dried, curved stinger the length of your finger.

Mutated scorpion venom. The radiation changed them years ago. Made them bigger. More dangerous.

She holds the stinger up to the light.

Also made their venom valuable, if you know how to process it. Turns out some mistakes create useful things.

There's a nest about half a mile west, near where the creek dried up. Heat shimmer makes them hard to spot until you're close. You'll hear them before you see them - chitinous scraping on rocks.

She gives you an evaluating look.

Most locals know to avoid it. But for newcomers like you, it's a good place to learn what the wasteland looks like when it's paying attention.

She nods.

That's what it's for. One solid strike behind the head plates usually does it.

Her tone shifts slightly, more serious.

They're faster than they look. And they travel in pairs sometimes.