Fallout: HellFire
The Road
July 2nd, 2298
Washington D.C. outskirts
Maryland
The small caravan train trudged along like it had done for 2 years. All the way across the United States straight to the nation's capital, Washington DC. The road had been fraught with endless danger. Super Mutants, Raiders, Ghouls, anything and everything. They'd lost people, of course. It was to be expected, but for a certain family of four, they'd finally closed in on their destination. The city of Megaton.
"Blue," Piper said quietly. "I'd hate to ask again but, are we there yet?"
"Closer than we've ever been." Blue replied.
Blue looked back into the makeshift wagon. There sat his wife, Piper. A former reporter from the Commonwealth. after Sanctuary was destroyed, she came with him out west where they once again encountered the Captain, the brutal monster that destroyed their home and killed their friends.
Beside her were the two most important things in the world to Blue; their children, Adi and Laura. Adi was the daughter of the Captain, the final agreement between the adversaries was that Blue would bring Adi in as a daughter and treated as such. Laura was 2, almost 3. She had been born on the road to Megaton and was a handful ever since the beginning. Blue helped in any way he could. Having had experience with infants from 220 years prior.
That thought of the past sent Blue into a stir. Flashes of his past life. A home in Sanctuary Hills, a wife; Nora, a son; Shaun. They're both gone now. Nora was murdered and Shaun died of old age. Ever since, every time he slept, he was greeted by Nora. Begging him to give in and join her.
Admittedly, the thought of suicide had crossed Blue's mind more than once. But he'd need to be strong, giving in now would be a death sentence to everyone he cared about. No, he wouldn't do it. Not when there were people who depended on him.
Blue snapped out of it. Out in the distance, the sun began to rise over the scorched horizon. A silhouette still masked by shadow stood on a hill. Large fragments of metal strung together into structures. They'd made it, finally.
They were in Megaton.
/
The caravan train stopped at the gates of Megaton. People began disembarking and walking towards the imposing gates. Suddenly, the crack of gunfire rang out and the ground around Blue's feet jumped up with the impact of bullets.
"Stop right there!" a man atop the structure shouted.
Blue raised his hands. "We're not Raiders, we're travellers!"
"Sure as hell look like Raiders!" the sentry shouted back.
Travis, the leader of the caravan stepped out with Piper and Adi. "We got women and children, you stupid fuck!"
Even though the sentry was shrouded in shadow, Blue could tell he had lowered his once trained rifle. "Fine, come on in. Don't start shit, or you answer to the Sheriff."
The gates opened with the loudest shriek imaginable. Sparks fell from the cracks as the rusty metal scraped against each other. Inside the place was bustling with early morning activity, children going about a game of basketball in a makeshift court, people heading out to tend to crops outside the city walls and men in uniforms performing peacekeeping duties.
"Welcome to Megaton, folks." the sentry called from his vantage point. Travis flipped him off in response.
Nobody seemed to notice the group of travellers except a man in a trench coat and cowboy hat, long dark hair that had begun to gray and a trimmed beard.
"Don't mind Stockholm. He's been sentry for a long time and has a hard time trusting newcomers." the man said.
"We appreciate the hospitality." Travis said sarcastically.
The man frowned. "I assure you, most of us in Megaton are far more welcoming than Stockholm."
"And you are?" Blue asked.
The man smiled faintly and tipped his hat back. "Names Marshall. I'm the sheriff around here."
It was only until Marshall tipped his hat back did Blue notice the Pip-Boy strapped to his left arm. Needless to say, Blue's grip tightened around his sidearm.