Fallout 0 Ch. 2

A/N: For those of you who emailed me asking yes the number on Dogmeat's tag is a reference to the movie Mad Max what is fallout without a few Easter eggs after all, good eye if you didn't get it check the Mad Max wiki page the info box on the right contains it. Keep shooting me messages everyone! And thank you for the follow and favorites!

A/N: the other question I have gotten is why toilet paper would be so valuable, well think about it, whatever government exists after a nuclear war making comfortable paper to clean yourself with isn't going to be on the top of their list to be honest I doubt if the BOS has any, if I had to guess I would say the only place you could find it would be in the cities of the NCR

CH.2

Foley Dismas ran a hand through his long blond hair as he looked out his RV's window to his Flock of madmen and women; all those who had been burned had flocked to him being thrown out of other communities for reminding them of the war and just looking hideous. He provided them with a cause, drugs and booze to forget the pain, and he let them kill those who spurned them. Running around the camp were his master race children who had been burned or were taken from camps they raided they would be the massive army and all he had to do was keep this up and he would rule the America it was more than he ever dreamed back when he was a televangelist. Traveling around and putting on his religious show was caught on I-80 when the bombs fell and now just 2 years later he was the leader of a…no of THE most powerful force in the wasteland soon they would be large enough to take on one of the trade caravans he just needed a few more people. He looked back at the Asian woman's corpse lying in his bed getting colder by the minute, perhaps he had been a bit too rough last night, well no matter it was a lesion to learn from she was far from his favorite anyway, he was about to call for his servants when they knocked and entered anyway bringing him breakfast and clearing his bed. "Yes." Foley thought to himself "Life was much better now than before." Foley ate as his listened to the screams of those who were being initiated burned by acid to make them look like the nuclear burned victims, the sound was sweet music to his mutilated ears yes, and life was defiantly good.

"How did you get the name Dogmeat anyway? It's not a very good name." Mark looked away from cleaning his rifle by the fire and up to Dogmeat as he talked to her thankfully she didn't answer only stared at him confused. "Anyway Dogmeat as I was saying before I got side tracked was, no one seems to have any hope anymore I mean take the caravan we just came from sure we got you some dog food and I got some nice boots. But that man just up and killed himself on what was a nice day you would think with all that preaching praying and singing that group would be holding together the best, but from what I've seen they aren't holding together all that well. What this world needs is hope and if I was a betting man I would say you could provide that with a source of fresh water and maybe some crops. Just a chance to see that we can get back to the old days"

Dogmeat for her part was watching the man she had adopted confused, it was a clear night with a big full moon and they were sitting by the warm fire, only he was not throwing anything for her to play with, he especially wasn't talking about food, or making food, and sitting here they weren't going to find anymore food, but he was especially not scratching her ears! The whole point of having a human was to get your ears scratched All he was doing was cleaning that metal stick that was flat out no fun to bite and the one time she tried he scolded her for it, what was the point of a stick you couldn't play with. Dogmeat's deep thoughts were side tracked when her ears twitch at the noise of something approaching and she let out a low growl, Mark quickly put a clip in his M-101 and rammed a bullet into the chamber aiming in the direction Dogmeat was growling at. In shock Mark slowly lowered his rifle and even Dogmeat stopped growling confused by this human he had messy brown hair that looked like it hadn't been washed in a year matted down by blood he was wearing a vault dweller outfit that was coved in blood and the smile on his face screamed insanity, but the strangest thing was the vault boy puppet that dawned his right hand strangely not covered in blood it was perfectly clean. "Mind if we join you by the fire" the stranger said holding his hand and puppet up to show he was unarmed the pip boy glowed green crackling from static a far off radio signal barley coming in. "Um, alright." Mark replied the hesitation clear in his voice, as the stranger sat down enjoying the warmth of the fire leaning forward mark spotted the number 77 on his back. "So" Mark started "I'm guessing you came out of one of the vaults?"

"Mmhmm" the stranger replied as if it was no big deal.

"What was it like?"

"Kind of like being buried alive in a clean house, though from what I heard from that zombie guy his was much worse, they didn't close the door all the way on his … though he could have been a she hard to tell he was missing his chest."

"Oh well not sure what to say to that, I thought the vaults were suppose to stay shut for like 10 years, how did you get out?"

He looked up at mark as if he was the dumbest person ever. "We walked out the front door obviously."

"Right…"The man was clearly nuts, and mark couldn't think of much else to ask not getting many answers so far, well he could think of one more question but he was worried about asking it, but why not. "So what's with the puppet?"

"Vaultboy? Oh he's the reason we had to leave the vault killed the king, regicide I was his accomplice so I decided to take my chances out here with his advice, came outside got myself an ant to ride named Mr. Pinch" the stranger seeing the worried and confused look on Marks face smiled. "Don't worry though he's not going to kill you hasn't stopped saying how much he likes you." The stranger moved the puppet with his fingers as if Vaultboy was talking.

"And how about the blood?"

"Oh that well I met a bunch of cannibal slavers a few hills back they killed Mr. pinch and tied us up, and…well it was partially Vaultboy's fault but I...We flew into a rage when they tried to eat us and I killed them all with my bare hands, I'm still trying to figure out why they didn't shoot me they kept firing around me like they were too scared to hit me."The stranger just shrugged and continued to stare into the fire as if hypnotized.

"Alright, so I'm Mark Sone and this is Dogmeat" Mark nodded to Dogmeat who was looking at the stranger confused trying to decide whether to growl or just go to sleep.

The stranger sat for a long while after that, clearly deep in thought before finally speaking up and saying. "You know it's funny but for the life of me I can't seem to remember my name, why don't you just call me PM for Puppetmaster it's what those cannibal slavers called me, the ones who got away at least."

Mark watched the Vaultboy puppet moved as if talking to PM and he nodded understanding "But enough about me I have been locked away for 2 years and that zombie I talked to didn't have much to say tell me what's changed what is it like up here?"

Mark described how he had watched society burn itself to the ground from those in the city's who went wild, to the start of the trade caravans that now barreled across the wasteland constantly on the move trying to avoid any trouble from the evil groups who lived in the wasteland PM just nodded at parts and seemed interested in others while he stared in the fire for parts he found boring. After Mark finished PM looked up. "Fascinating all of it is very fascinating." Sanity seemed to return to PM for a moment before his eyes glazed back into insanity, "alright then it's decided Vaultboy and I both agree we will travel with you as a companion! After all safety in numbers and I seem to have gotten quite good at hand to hand combat. It's like my muscles don't feel pain anymore I can just… crush a man's throat like a paper cup."

Mark didn't know what to say to this exactly he wasn't sure he wanted PM accompanying him, but how could he refuse without upsetting a man who wasn't all there if he turned down PM it was likely the madman would turn on him. Mark didn't need this man as an enemy maybe he could lose him after a bit or just let him sleep late tomorrow morning and vanish into the waists, well that was for tomorrow for now Mark would appease PM

"Sure why don't I take the first watch you get some sleep looks like you need it."

PM nodded and without another word lay down next to the fire and began snoring away so loud Mark was sure every raider, gang, and cannibal in the wasteland heard him. Mark let PM sleep and nodded to dog meat as he lay down on his own knowing the dog would bark if anything didn't so much as smell right, she had really taken a shine to him over the past few days and had become a loyal watch dog, and now it looked like Mark had attracted a new companion in a crazy man who talked to his puppet, he found himself falling asleep wishing the bombs had never dropped and he was still in his apartment complaining only about not having a girlfriend.

No luck ditching him today PM was already up when Mark's eyes opened he was cooking a pot of irradiated water and dumping some kind of meat in it Mark looked around in a panic for dog meat thankfully she raced up the hill carrying another one of the fat rat/mole things that had sprung out of the hellfire, she dropped it in front of PM who scratched her ears causing her to pant happily.

"Traitor" Mark thought to himself as he sat up and stretched watching PM make up mole rat stew for breakfast. Mark ate the breakfast provided to him without complaining it wasn't bad PM mentioned something about finding rat recipes in the vault storage and had memorized a few. After breakfast the 3 set out together Dogmeat running out in front of the group to keep an eye on things PM was surprisingly silent for the walk probably having a conversation with Vaultboy, until suddenly PM looked around and asked simply, "why are we walking this way?"

Mark looked back at PM confused. "Why? Because it's the way we are walking?"

"No why did you choose this direction?"

To that Mark didn't have an answer, he just headed in the direction at random something he wasn't sure what was sending him that way it had just felt right to go this direction. "Because it's the way I'm heading why do you ask?"

PM ran up and showed mark his pipboy and saw they were walking to a radio signal from one of the caravans it wasn't the religious signal from Coexist that was back in the other direction.

"Can you put that on your radio?" PM nodded at the request turned up his volume, and the radio signal from Drifter's caravan (made up of scientists and tradesmen) came blaring through with the calm voice of a man named Glass Iris, Mark remembered him as a public radio announcer from before the war.

"Welcome to WSR Wasteland Science Radio no music just ways to help those in need make it to tomorrow, here once again is a reminder of the things you need to stay alive think W.F.P.A.D. that's Water, Food, Protection, Armor, and Drugs the helpful kind none of that stuff sold from Folsom drug trade. Stock up on these when you find them or else you will wind up another unmarked grave in this new America."Marks shook his head.

"Suppose we should change direction that signal comes from drifters market and I don't have anything to trade, and I'm not paying to get in if I got nothing to trade" Mark started to look around trying to pick another direction, but the feeling was still there he was suppose to be going this way but why he didn't have anything to trade! No other reason to head to a Caravan unless you were looking for, entertainment, there hadn't been that kind at Coexist they didn't allow it and the girls who provided it in secret were best stayed away from but Drifters they kept their ladies clean!… well it had been a while since he laid down, maybe…but then…oh what the hell! And more importantly maybe one of the doctors who worked there would be able to take PM off his hands and keep him in a rubber room.

Mark nodded making up his mind. "On second thought we should head to Drifters it will be good for you to see a caravan, get you used to the wasteland and all."

PM nodded excitedly then he moved the Vaultboy puppet with his fingers and a look of anger came over his face. "You wouldn't happen to be planning on leaving me there would you?" PM stared daggers into mark eyes telling him there was only one right answer in this situation. Putting on his best believe me smile Mark shook his head. "Now why would I do that you and I are traveling together." Mark leaned in close whispering so only he and PM could hear not that there was anyone else around to over hear them. "There might even be a doctor who can take a look at Vaultboy's brain you know his psyche, no offence to him but he seems to me to be a little off if you know what I mean."

PM thought about this and nodded at the thought and returned the whisper. "Yea you're right, I trust the guy but we should probably get a second opinion."

And just like that the group of 3 continued on the WSR giving them good advice the whole way.

"Remember always use your purifier the night before so you have a fresh bottle the next day rad poisoning eats you from the inside out."

Mark nodded having learned that one after throwing up his guts rad water could be lousy for sure.

"Stimpacks though easy to find and for caravans like us easy to make, should be horded and not just used every time you have a cold they will save your life, let the cold pass save that Stim."

Pick up extra Stimpacks got it, Mark mentally noted, Nice of them to work an advertisement and a helpful hint together. Mark thought as he rolled his eyes.

"We are getting reports from our sister caravan Coexist, one of their traders Fat Charlie as he is known has gotten sick of poisoning from eating the meat of a giant scorpion, as we do not know how there system works yet do not repeat do not try the meat of giant insects at least not until they are properly studied or you could wind up like Fat Charlie."

Mark sighed that one was on him, even if Fat Charlie was an idiot it was hard not to feel bad and accept responsibility for that but not like he would be able to do anything about it, Fat Charlie was a sucker who got taken in by a crooked deal and feeling sorry for himself wouldn't make him better any time soon, well Charlie had learned a lesson, at least Mark hoped he did from the bit he had met Charlie he could easily see the idiot going right back to the scorpion meat.

The rest of the advice were nothing special a few conversation with scientists on how long it would take the earth to come back, they didn't have a idea and no were near enough information, a few warning about the major gangs Mark paid attention as The Order was mentioned raiding and claiming another 3 towns burning those they deemed worthy the groups was on its way up in threat and is now listed as the 3rd most powerful in the region right behind the Linchers, and the Army of Bones.

Those names made Mark shiver, The Order was relatively new growing but the Linchers a large gang who organized around a noose and enjoyed watching people struggle in their final moments at last count they were around 6,000 strong. The Army of Bones was far worse only second to the Linchers because of their smaller size only about 200 soldiers but they were well trained Under their Colonel Adam J. Kortz built them close to the level of special forces and considered all who fought against them a source of food they were brutal and nightmarish in battle. Those 2 had formed shortly after the Great War and had roamed the wasteland ever since seeing this new world as freedom. Mark couldn't help but wonder what the Vultures the former number 3 gang was going to do about losing face.

Mark would have gotten his answer soon enough had he been in the know, as to his south the Vultures had heard the same radio report and were gearing up for battle heading to The Orders position, setting to destroy this new group that had challenged them. The Order meanwhile celebrated preparing themselves for battle it wouldn't be long and Foley Dismas had chosen his Caravan to destroy.

Midday had struck when the 3 came upon Drifters Caravan, it hummed with activity though lightly guarded its small size made it fast and those guards it did have had taken the name of rangers and prided them self on keeping an eye out for threats and their caravan, and home safe. Mark, PM, and Dogmeat started their way down the rangers who were standing guard showed very little interest in them only asking for payment mark paid with a few 9 mil bullets he had picked up from ammo box he found a few hills back and the rangers waved them through into the caravans ring. Mark looked to the part of the ring lit up by a red lamp longingly but, maybe it would be better to take care of PM first, he nodded so PM would follow him and lead him over to a group of doctors and scientists he told them the situation and what had happened most simply shook their head at him not able or not willing to help. He was about to give it up as a lost cause when he was tapped on the shoulder by a gloved hand. He turned to find a doctor who smiled at him pleasantly. "I have heard you're looking for someone to take a look at your friends head maybe I can help." He offered "I'm Doctor John H Holms specializing in psychotic cases, and I wouldn't mind having a chat with him." Mark shrugged as he looked the doctor over he wore a dirty lab coat had short blond hair that curled naturally, wore a pair of rubber gloves on his hands, and looked like he had managed to shave this morning impressive considering shaving cream was impossible to find, he really didn't mind or care he just hoped this guy would be able to take PM off his hands he introduced Dr. Holms to PM and headed off to the red light district Dogmeat following behind.

Mark left Dogmeat outside and went into the trailer with a pretty brunette girl, spending his hour on a relatively clean bed with a woman who knew how to touch him was just what he needed, Mark left the trailer with a smile on his face and was heading to the bar when PM and Doctor Holms came up to join him. "Sir, I think it would be best if I accompanied you with Mr. PM" Marks jaw hit the ground but quickly recovered himself. "Now hold it Dr. Dickface! I'm not looking to start up my own caravan I only took on PM because…" Mark looked over Dr. Holms shoulder at PM who had a confused and annoyed look on his face. "PM knows why, I don't need you tagging along with us I quite enjoy being alone and not having to worry about anyone aside from maybe Dogmeat here!" Dogmeat growled adding her voice to the conversation. PM glared at Mark from behind the doctor, had Mark lied to him was he really planning on abandoning him here…maybe, but Vaultboy kept telling him to trust Mark so he kept his mouth shut as Mark continued to argue with the doctor. Dr. Holms held up his gloved hands defectively, "Mr. PM has insisted on traveling with you and I need to study him and especially that Vaultboy the research on him could provide us a cure for chronic loneliness in the wasteland, also I might add I think you will find I can be a great asset in your travels."

Mark spit on the ground getting angrier "A great ass you mean I don't need a doctor that's what Stimpacks are for! Besides you're a psychologist what the fuck can you do out in the wasteland!?" Mark waved his hand taking in all the emptiness surrounding the world outside the caravan. "I still went to medical school and I know more about healing then you do!" DR. Holms shouted back getting offended now.

"What do you know about surviving AND Fighting in the wasteland then!?" Mark demanded in anger stressing the fighting portion.

Dr. Holms got quiet and slowly removed his gloves revealing 2 hands covered in scars long cuts all along his fingers and palm the back of his hand it looked like someone had tried to write his name, "I got these from a raider group when I couldn't save their friend from all his combat wounds they told me I would never be able to use these hands again." Mark coughed back bile that filled his mouth and forced it back down at the sight of Dr. Holm's hands, guilt was starting to creep over him, but he really didn't want any more companions. "What exactly are you brining that's worthwhile to the party?" Mark asked in a last attempt to be alone

"Aside from my medical skills, and my personality" Holms took off his pack and showed mark the contents hidden down at the bottom 3 bottles of pre war water, 3 rolls of toilet paper, 2 boxes of cigarettes, and 2 bottles of old world whiskey. With this bag they could get into any convoy get any woman hell they could by anything.

"How?" Mark asked in a shaky voice.

"I know when to save things and how to keep them safe" Dr. Holms answered

"Alright you can come but when we part ways I keep the bag!" Mark said excitedly

"Half the bag!" Holms replied

"75% or stay here!" Mark responded putting a bit of anger in his voice.

"Fine!" Holms smirked after Mark turned away he had plenty more stored here in his foot locker, he might be a "brilliant doctor" but his real skill was his ability to con others, an evil smile curled on his lips at least that's what the judge had said.

That night in the camp of the Order

The Vultures mounted their cars and bikes and charged into the center of the camp screaming and shooting wildly daring the order to come out and face them they reached the center of the camp the massive RV trailer Foley Dismas used for his headquarters, the leader of the gang of 600 thugs, murderers, and coke heads simply known as Peck kicked open the door to find the trailer deserted "The bastard bugged out!" was his last thought as the trailer exploded setting off a series of explosions that tore through the Vultures line men screamed and tried to run for it as they realized what was happening those that escaped the blasts were hit by parts from the cars or bikes they had been riding others were covered in the body parts of the former people they once called comrades. As the body and machine parts started to fall a light appeared in the smoke filled night, shining on a raised platform were Foley stood in his silver robes and gave the command "Now my order! Attack in the name of god!" the Order rushed in hacking apart at the shocked and dumbfounded Vultures anyone who didn't immediately surrender was cut down with machetes or battered with clubs a small group 0f 10 held out firing their guns wildly and keeping the order back but the sharp shooters of the order took care of them one screaming vulture at a time. Out of 300 only 50 survived to switch sides and join The Order. Foley laughed he had all the solder he needed now as the former Vultures were dragged to the barrels of acid time for some more initiations.