Aiden's Song

A Fallout Story

II

T-Minus one week until launch...

A group of vagabonds stand on a flat barge in the northern wastes. In the pre-war years, before the nuclear fire, this irradiated marshland was known as Maryland; but now, due to the sparse number of boating communities dotting the waterways of the Chesss, it is known as Ferryland.

The Wastelanders mill about waiting for their names to be called by the recruiters sitting at makeshift tables in the center.

Aiden sits apart from the rest, thumbing on his guitar, passing time…

"Aiden!"

Aiden leaps up, throws his guitar on his back, and heads over to the recruiter who called his name.

The recruiter looks him up and down.

Recruiter, "So Wastelander, why do you want to join the Brotherhood of Steel?"

Aiden, "Ad Victoriam!"

The recruiter blinks.

Recruiter, "Next!"

Aiden, "Please sir, I can carry my own, and I'm good with a pipe rifle…

Pause.

"Raiders came through about a week ago, they killed everyone… I got nothing left."

"Lose your Parents, did you?" the recruiter asks.

"They've been dead a long time sir, these where the ones who raised me…"

Recruiter, "Look boy, the brotherhood of steel ain't looking for runners, we run towards the fight not away, and ALL these low-lives know how to use a gun…"

One of the other Wastlanders smiles and nods revealing a creepy toothless grin.

"Hey, I feel for you kid; and maybe someday the brotherhood'll find enough tech to set the world to rights; but there are plenty of other ways to see the world, now turn around and start walking before you get yourself killed. Next!"

Aiden hesitates for a moment, then turns to go.

The Recruiter spies the guitar on Aidens' back.

"Hold it… where did you get that guitar?"

Aiden turns.

"I found it."

The recruiter blinks.

"Didn't steal it?"

"No sir… I sneak into prewar places sometimes, found this once."

"It's a solid find, in good condition from the look of it." Said the recruiter. "Tell you what, you seem to be good at finding shit, and that's a skill we can use. Name?"

"Sir? Aiden sir."

"Welcome to the Brotherhood Scribe Aiden."

Aiden nods with swells with pride, but realizes he is holding up the line and jumps out of the way.

"Next, wake up people!"