A/N: Hey there!
This is a new story from me! I have been wanting to create a Mad Max/Fallout crossover for quite some time now. With the help of a few other writers, I managed to bring this first chapter to life. I hope you all enjoy it!
Please review the story, and give some feedback on it all.
For notice: The fallout in question is going to be Fallout 4, but I'll let the story speak for itself
Everyone thought the collapse would be quick, that it would be over before it really began. And then, the world would be in ruins, nothing left to miss, only thing left to do would be survival. Maybe that was the case somewhere else, but not here. Max vaguely remembers the events leading up to it all. It wasn't quick, and it wasn't pretty.
In his childhood, everything was normal. There was nothing out of the ordinary, he even remembers a few siblings. But, their names are forgotten to time. He remembered the Oil wars, it happened somewhere else, not here. The television showed oil fields on fire. Max remembered people panicking in the streets. Riots breaking out. The government trying to keep control.
Oil became sacred, it was the lifeblood of the world. The Main Force Patrol was supposed to keep control, that's why Max signed up. A feeling he always had, a feeling of protection towards the weak. The death of his wife and son was a turning point for him. A realization that the world truly was changing. Then, soon after, the bombs fell. The earth became sour, the oceans pulled back. Everything except death was a luxury. Whether it was God's doing or Humans' doings, was beyond Max's understanding.
Over the years, Max resigned himself. Only things he cared about was himself and his car. Yet, several times his trusted walls broke down. He allowed himself to care about things that could never be. That's why he left the Citadel, Furiosa and the wives behind. His contract was over, he helped them. No reason to stay around and watch it fall apart in due time.
He backtracked as long as he needed to. He looked for the one thing that kept him going for so many years. When he found it, he almost wished it hadn't. The Interceptor, or the Razer Cola as it was now called, was anything but a functional car. It was torched, the crisp corpse of Slit still inside.
Luckily, the place was a graveyard for car parts. The giant battle that only so few will ever remember, would at least become of some use to Max. It took him several weeks to rebuild. He even gave Nux a proper funeral. It was the least he could do.
It wasn't what it used to be. The chrome finish left a lot to be desired. But at least most things were there. He scavenged everything he could. He even ditched the new army boots he had taken from the bullet farmer and returned to his MFP boots. Whether or not it was useful was not a discussion he wanted to have with himself.
Then, when he put on the final touches on the car, a question dawned on him. What now? Peace was the only thing nagging at the back of mind. When he looking over the salt ground, where there once was a great ocean. Waves crashing on the shores, giant metal ships traveling it. His mind settled on what he always wanted.
Peace.
He warned his allies of what lied ahead. He had told himself the fact several times. But, he realized something as he looked on. There could be two things lying ahead. Salvation or death, and at this point, either option sounded great. Sometimes he wonder if it was a punishment from God, or the Gods, or whatever higher being was in office. Being doomed to walk the same path, unable to die. Just relive the same situation, but with different actors.
He was probably better off alone. Fending for himself. There was no light at the end of this tunnel, only more death, either directly or indirectly done by him. He spent close to a week just thinking, all while stocking up on the important things, like gas and ammo. He even found his old sawn off.
Then, he made the decision. The only justification was, "Why not?". He was at a crossroad, he drove out. Whether or not he would make it, would be a small bet with himself. Perhaps... Perhaps he would really find that peace.
He drove for days, only stopping to drink or eat from his stockpile. He saw the same thing for days, and it began to drive him to madness again. His time with Furiosa and the wives had given him some sanity back, but that was a mighty short supply. He didn't care. He was out here for a reason, finding peace. If that would be what killed him, then he would say it was worth it.
That was until he saw something remarkable. Water, and so much of it. It was so far off what used to be the coastline he thought he might be seeing stuff. He blinked several times before getting out of his car and running towards it. Indulging his own urge to drink it all up, he threw his head down under.
As soon as he tried to drink it down, he coughed it up just as quickly. He remembered. "Salt water" He said to himself, reminding himself of the days it was still here. But one thing was true, it was real. Now begged the question how the hell he was supposed to get past it. His mind already racing with ideas. He was certain that whatever was on the other side, was the peace he had spent years looking for.
For the longest time, he sat on the shore line and thought deeply about what should happen next. He loved his interceptor to hell and back, but even the last of the V8's was no match for an ocean. No, he needed a new plan. Ideas came, some good and some bad. Best one was Pink Eye's mission for her young ones. Send them out with a homemade boat, complete with a sail.
Whatever happened to them? Somewhere, deep down in his soul, he hoped they found what they were seeked. Another part told him chances were good that they were dead, and another one told him not to think about it. It was a job, not his idea.
Since he knew he couldn't swim there, and that the black on black would sink like a rock, he decided to scout a bit. His binoculars could only see so far, and not enough to see the other side. Where ever that was. He then scanned up and down the shore line, until he came upon something.
There was black smoke in the distance. It was faint, but is was there. It seemed to be to the north. Max quickly decided not to waste any time and jumped back in the interceptor. Black smoke puffed out the side pipes.
The trip wasn't long, but it felt long. This could be the last long mile for Max. If they had a way to go over the ocean, he would be home safe. Of course, that was probably wishful thinking. Didn't matter to Max, if there was a chance, however small, he would take it.
How old was he anyway? He had stopped counting a long time ago, and at some point he forgot how long a year was anyway. For all he knew, the collapse happened 10 years ago, or 100 years ago. Did it matter? What was the use in crying over the things lost, and how long he had gone without them.
He got closer to what appeared to be a pretty decent sized settlement. There was a big sign at the edge of the settlement. It read:
WELCOME TO NEW HOPE!
The settlement appeared to have been created out of an old oil tanker. It's hull was rusty, but otherwise intact. They appeared to have tried to paint it over. Do something to make it look nice. Small makeshift houses were made out of wood, a rare material. Max was in awe at what he saw. The outline was a lot like Gutgash's stronghold, but improved in every sense of the word. It might even give the Citadel a run for its money.
He pulled up to the gate, hoping that they would let him in. The guards seemed to be dressed in what appeared to be old industrial/chemical suits, coupled with some military gear. Must have been the uniforms from the tanker, passed down with each generation. One of them held up his hand for him to stop.
"Turn off the engine!" He yelled as he slowly approached. A few guards pointed their gun at Max from their place on the wall. They were uneasy with this stranger. It was clear that strangers hardly ever came through, at least by land.
Max did as requested. He didn't get this far just to die by the hands of a trigger happy guard. The black smoke ceased coming from the side pipes. The roar of the engine died down.
"What's your business here, stranger?" The guard asked while still keeping his rifle pointed at Max. Max raised his hands to show he meant no harm. But it would probably take more than that to satisfy them.
"I seek to cross the big ocean." Max remarked as he gestured to the still water, seeming so calm... Almost calling to him.
The guard looked up to his comrades. Giving them a gesture to lower their guns. "And how do you expect to do that?" The guard asked while laughing a bit. His buddies jumped in and laughed with him.
"I was... hoping... You could help." Max said, not much above a whisper. His hopes almost being shattered.
The guard's laughter began to die down and he looked more serious now. "Maybe we can, stranger. But not for free." The guard replied.
"What do you need?" Max asked.
"That's not for me to say. Go see the captain." The guard answered. "Let him through boys!" He yelled to the other guards. "And don't try anything. We won't hesitate to put you down." He said as a last note to Max.
Max drove his car slowly through the compound, and found a place to park it. He had to be quick about this. These people weren't used to seeing cars around. Some were already eyeing his black on black.
Now, he needed to find the captain. The entire thing was based out of an old oil tanker. It was huge, but it was broken up several places. Best bet would be that the captain is at the bridge. That's where the captain usually was... Right? God, it was hard to remember anything from the old world. He had trouble remembering certain things.
"Nice car. How much?" A man came up and asked. He looked much like a trader, he was getting ready to show Max what he had to offer him.
"She is not for sale." Max bluntly out and walked past him.
"You would be a fool not to sell it!" The trader yelled after Max.
It took some time to find the way up. It was a maze of corridors, and there were a lot of guards. This was a strong settlement. No doubt about it. Max knew he should try and keep himself in good grace with them.
The bridge had been converted into a office for the Captain. It wasn't pretty or well cleaned, but no things in the wasteland were. The supposed Captain had his feet kicked up on his desk. It seemed he was lightly sleeping. Max shook his foot a bit, waking the captain up.
"And who might you be?" He asked as he rubbed his eyes. The captain had an unruly bushy beard like Max. Expect the captain's hair was more blondish. His uniform seemed to be an old uniform that had been fixed multiple times during its lifetime.
"I'm looking to cross the ocean." Max said.
"Is that so? What's your name?" The captain asked as he straighten up in his seat.
Max thought long and hard about giving his name to him. What would be the purpose? Give them his name so they could scream it out loud when they were in need of help? Fuck it, he would be out of here soon enough,
"Max... My name is Max." Max finally said.
"Well... Max... First up, where do you want to go? Crossing the ocean can lead you to many places." The captain replied.
"Somewhere... Peaceful." Max added.
"Peaceful? Are you running from something? Do we need to worry about some war parties coming knocking?" The captain asked while raising a curious eyebrow.
"No... There are no loose ends. I just need... peace." Max continued.
"Well... Max. We can get you across the ocean, but we don't do it for free." The captain said.
"A favor for a favor." Max suggested.
"You read my mind." The captain replied.
"What do you need?" Max asked.
"A month ago, my daughter was kidnapped by raiders. They live about... 15 miles up the coast. I have sent my men there several times, but it has already cost a few lives... Now, if a desperate man were to... Go get her, safe and sound. I could secure a trip to the other end." The captain suggested.
"One condition." Max started.
"What is it?" The captain jumped in and asked.
"I need the car with me." Max demanded.
The captain seemed lost in thought. Finally he spoke up: "Okay, if you can bring my daughter back in one breathing piece. Then I will transport both you, and that car of yours, across the ocean." The captain promised as he arose and offered his hand in a handshake.
Max looked at him, but finally accepted the gesture. The deal was sealed. Now... He needed to save another girl. Hopefully this one wouldn't end up dead, for both their sakes.