"So if we're headed to Vault 95, why are we going to the Atom Cats compound?" Cait asked. Nora had switched out of her General's outfit, and into her Atom Cat jacket.

"The Atom Cats and the Tunnel Snakes, from what I understand…Share similar values. I was hoping to arrange an introduction. Besides, I have to deliver something to them," Nora explained. She slipped on a pair of sunglasses, and approached the gate. Duke was standing guard.

"Zeke wants to talk," was all Duke said.

"Good. I was hoping to talk to him anyway," she headed in, headed straight for the garage. Zeke was drinking with Bluejay leaning against the bar. The founder and leader of the Atom Cats was usually a jovial man, always with a smile on his face. He was not smiling.

"Well if it ain't the High Paladin. You sure I gave you those colors? My memory's getting fuzzy these days," Zeke said.

"Come on, Zeke, she's done us solids. She's one of us," Bluejay reminded him.

"Is she? We thought you were cool, Jack, but now, I'm starting to wonder. We agreed to work with the Minutemen because they know what's up. But the Brotherhood? They've got no chill. Every time we see those Squares, they're telling us to hand over our plates, and you're one of them, so I've gotta know, what's the deal?" Zeke folded his arms.

"The deal is that they got orders from someone down south. Someone that's not here, in the Commonwealth. The Brotherhood, sure, they've got a stiff stick crammed up all the way in, but if you keep them honest, they'll keep straight. Don't worry, I might be a Sentinel of the Brotherhood, but I'll always got your back, Jack. I talked things over with the local Big Cat, Brandis, he's a friend. He just didn't know what we were all about, is all, and we struck a deal, but I gotta run it by you first," Nora said. Zeke took a drink, and leaned back a bit.

"I'm listening."

"The Brotherhood's not going to cramp us for our plates anymore. But they're gonna send their coolest cat down here, and they're gonna want to see what it takes to ride with us. They want to be an Atom Cat. They're gonna be pretty square to start, so they gotta be taught how to chill first. The Brotherhood's gonna want to make friends."

"They'll have a lot to prove to be one of us. But if they can swing, we might just open up," Zeke conceded.

"Well, the Brotherhood still wants to be able to get new equipment. Mods and plates and frames, but they ain't gonna take it. In exchange for some of what they know, the Atom Cats give them a discount on equipment, so they can keep up their suits. They might drop one off once in a while for repairs. And once in a while, in addition to the Minutemen, they might want you to roll with them on a patrol. Ever been on a Vertibird? Man, that's one hell of a ride. Nothing more than you've already been doing."

"You know, you've got the smoothest tongue of any cat I've known. Let's hope the Brotherhood can be as cranked as you. And if any of them want a swinging paintjob other than silver and square, we'll be happy to show off their plates."

"Well, if you've got a few new designs, we'll certainly ask. Course, they'll probably want their emblem, big and white in the middle of their chest, whatever you make for 'em."

"I think we can work with that. Here to pick up your plates?"

"Yeah, but I wanted to ask a favor, too."

"Sure. If you've got our back, we've got yours."

"There are some new guys on the other side of the Commonwealth, the Tunnel Snakes, maybe you've heard of 'em?"

"The radio squawked about 'em. They seem like chill lizards."

"Yeah, well, I need to talk to their leader, and I figure I'd bring the coolest cats in the Commonwealth with, see how they roll, you dig?"

"I dig. Me, Rowdy and Johnny D will come with ya, and we'll get some of the MinuteJacks to cover for us while we're gone. Sound cool?"

"Cool. This is the sort of thing where I don't want word getting around about. If the wrong people know the details, a lot of people could get hurt. I know I'm stretching your trust here, but it's important."

"Well, consider us even, then. I'll radio in, and we'll suit up."

"I always liked the suit ye built fer me. All these spikes and plates, made me feel like I was bringin' my cage with me fer a fight. Still got it, too, in me basement. Just haven't had a reason to slip it on in the last coupla years. I'd've brought it with me, too, if I knew we were all gonna be suitin' up," Cait said.

"Dang, you can borrow one of ours, then, if you're rollin' with the Professor," Zeke said.

"Naw. Doubt it has enough barbed wire on it to suit my style."

"How about shark teeth painted on the chest?"

"That'll do."

"Woah, what's this? Awww, this ain't cool, this ain't cool at all," a Tunnel Snakes scrambled to his feet, holding up a laser rifle and pointed it at the Atom Cats as they approached the entrance.

"Yo, what's with the piece? We ain't here to squabble, we're here to chill," Zeke held up his hands. The Tunnel Snake looked between them. Nora and Cait kept their helmets on, while Rowdy, Johnny D, and Zeke showed their faces.

"Uh…Who are you guys?" the Tunnel Snake asked.

"We're the Atom Cats. I'm Zeke, the leader. This is Rowdy and Johnny D, the Professor, and, uh…Sharkbait."

Cait and Nora looked at each other, then back to the Tunnel Snake.

"We heard about the Snakes on the Radio, and we thought we'd come se the new guys for ourselves. Heard you've got it."

"Got what?" the Snake asked.

"Got it, you know. You're down, you're chill, you roll from Fat City to Coolsville."

"Yeah!...Uh…Tunnel Snakes Rule!"

"Yeah, Tunnel Snakes Rule!" Zeke agreed, "Heard your head Honcho was a guy named Butch. Will ya let us in?"

"Uh…" the Tunnel Snake looked around, then back into the Vault, "Hey, uh, Lacey? I-I got some guys in Power Armor here, they wanna talk to Butch."

"Power Armor? Is that what that clanking is?" a woman with a Tunnel Snake jacket appeared in the doorway to the Vault. She jumped at the sight of five Power Armored figures, "Damn! Scared the scales right offa me! We don't mean to be square about this, just, we had some nasty dudes swing around."

"We heard about that. You did good from what the squawk says," Rowdy said.

"Well, we took care of it, but we're a bit on edge. We ain't got the defenses all back up and running yet."

"What kind of defenses? Maybe we can help," Rowdy offered.

"Well, if Butch says it's OK, we could use the assist. Who…Who are you, anyway?" Lacey asked.

"We're the Atom Cats. We heard you moved in, we wanted to see for ourselves," Zeke explained.

"Gotcha. Heard about you guys in town, explains the Power Armor. Let me give Butch a call, see what he says," Lacey said, and she motioned them to enter. They stepped inside, but she held up her hand for them to stop once just inside the Vault. More Tunnel Snakes, each armed with some kind of energy weapon, stood guard, while she headed deeper into the Vault.

"So…I like your Power Armor," the guard said after a few moments.

"Thanks. I built it myself," Zeke said.

"Woah! Really? That's cool! We got a couple of tricks, too!" the guard beamed.

"Yo, Kenny! Shut up!" another one of the guards shouted at him.

"Like, uh…I didn't build this but I modded it, see?" Kenny held up his laser rifle for Zeke to observe.

"Never could get my head around laser weapons," Zeke admitted, "You got skill there, kid."

"Thanks," Kenny grinned.

"Oh! Oh! I love that hair!" a voice rang out. A man with brown hair and a Tunnel Snake jacket over a Vault Suit approached, "Just…Love it!"

"Woah! Yours ain't so bad, either!" Zeke replied.

"Just…I gotta know, what do you use for a conditioner?"

"I make my own batch. Some Tato sauce, Mutfruit, Bloodleaf, and a little bit of Wonderglue. Use a bit of Abraxo to soften it up, works wonders," Zeke replied.

"You gotta teach me that recipe! I'm Butch. Longest Tunnel Snake in Vaults Ninety-Five, One-Oh-One, and Vaultton. You must be the Atom Cats. Welcome to our new digs! Ain't much, but it's home," Butch welcomed.

"Thanks. I'm Zeke, leader of the Atom Cats. This is Johnny D, Rowdy, the Professor, and Sharkbait."

"Sharkbait! I like it! Why don't you come on down, take a load off, chill!"

"Hey sounds good," Zeke led them in. Butch wiped his shoes on a rub laid out in front of the entrance, before headed down. The Atom Cats did the same, tearing up the carpet but cleaning their suits' boots.

"Aw man, now I gotta buy another one," Lacey lamented. Once inside the Vault, there were at least a hundred Tunnel Snakes down here, and they all seemed busy with something. The lights had been restored to working order, and the doors had been fixed up, though rust and dirt on the walls was still a problem.

"So what brings you up to the Commonwealth?" Johnny D asked.

"Overseer Amata sent us up here, actually. Old school buddy of mine, you know," Butch declared, "Said there was rumblings, and wanted us to check it out for her. Plenty of merchants, but nobody that'll give it to her straight, you dig?"

"I dig. So you work for Amata?"

"Naw, Tunnel Snakes work for the Tunnel Snakes. Amata's just a good friend, and she's got things handled down there in the Capital Wasteland. We still got Snakes in the Metro, keeping things clear," Butch explained.

"What's the Metro?" Rowdy asked.

"I think you guys call it…The T?" Butch said.

"Gotcha. What did you do in the Metro?"

"Cleared out bad guys. Merchants wanted to get to Rivet City and the Citadel to do some trading, so we escort them through. Super Mutants, Feral Ghouls, Radroaches, whatever gets in their way, we clean 'em out. It's hard work but it keeps the Raiders out of the city," Butch explained, "Now, we're the toughest gang in the Capital Wasteland. We thought we were gonna be the toughest up here, but then we met the Minutemen. And, uh, you guys, too. Power Armor, sheesh! Thought only the Brotherhood and the Enclave had that stuff."

"We put ours together ourselves, or pulled them from the wreckages," Zeke said.

"Right on. Why don't you leave your armors here in the Atrium, where we got room for 'em?" Butch motioned.

"I'll stay with them, keep an eye on things," Johnny D said.

"Sounds god, Jack," Zeke agreed, and they all opened their armors, stepping out. Nora was still wearing her Atom Cats jacket, and slipped a Trilby hat on her head. Butch led them upstairs, into the Overseer's office.

"Much more cheery than the last time we were here," Cait commented.

"Yeah. They must have someone who knows how to fix up a Vault," Nora replied, "Which makes sense."

"We came up through the Steel Road. We swung by the Pitt on our way here. I thought the Capital Wasteland was bad! But they're making it for themselves out there," Butch said, "Ever been?"

"Can't say I have," Zeke admitted.

"I'd say you should go, except it sucks. Nothing good to eat or drink. Everyone's working all the time. You might like it, though, they make steel. It's something else to see," Butch spoke as he opened the door to the Overseer's office, and they slipped inside. There was a refurbished couch in front of the Overseer's desk. The Tunnel Snake logo was painted over a faded Gunner skull on the wall.

"So what do you think of the Commonwealth so far?" Nora asked.

"These Minutemen seem to know what they're doing. We ain't got that down in the Capital Wasteland. The Brotherhood of Steel used to keep things straight, but they fell on hard times, then that Maxson guy took over. Pain in the ass you know, they tried taking all our guns once?" Butch shook his head.

"We've been dealing with something similar," Zeke said, "They tried taking our suits."

"Yeah? What'd you do?"

"We struck a deal. Not sure how it's gonna pan out, but I'm optimistic," Zeke admitted.

"Heh. Wish they'd struck a deal with us before roughing up some of my guys. We showed 'em who the toughest gang in the Capital Wasteland is, though, when we got Rivet City to blacklist their Quartermasters. They backed off after that."

"Dang! You got some chops, Butch!" Zeke grinned.

"Thanks. So what can I do for you guys?" Butch asked.

"Your lady upstairs mentioned you wanted to get your defenses running. Mind if I take a look, see if I can help you out?" Rowd asked. Butch shrugged.

"Go right ahead. Of course, if I got shot in the ass by one of my own turrets, I'll be bringing the issue to you," Butch warned.

"Hey, all my turrets aim for the upper center mass!" Rowdy insisted. Butch grinned.

"All right. Let's see what you Atom Cats got. What about you? Just lookin' to chew the fat?" Butch asked Zeke. Zeke looked to Nora, who leaned forward.

"I'm sure you and Zeke will have plenty to talk about, but I'm looking for a particular member of your gang, Butch. Someone with the initials LW?" she held up the switchblade. Butch frowned.

"LW? Ain't got anyone with those initials. Sorry. What happened? One of my gang try to shank you? What'd you do to piss 'em off?" he inquired. Nora gazed at Butch in the eyes. They were passive, disinterested, and his tone was flatter than it had been. Butch was lying.

"They left this knife and a note in my bedroom. Gave me a warning about someone I trust, and I tracked them back here. I figured that's what they wanted."

"Well you can ask around, see if any of the Snakes heard anything. I'd start with Lacey, she's the one that keeps track of where everyone is supposed to be. If anyone was anywhere they shouldn't have been, she's the one who would find out for you. In the meantime, Zeke, wanna see some of the styles I've been working on, if you show me how to make your conditioner?"

"You got it," Zeke beamed. Nora and Cait stood, and left the Overseer's office.

"He knows more than he's lettin' on," Cait noted.

"Yeah, I caught that, too. I think Butch was in on it. He-"

BAP! BAP! BAP! BAP!

A series of bullets rang out as a Tunnel Snake stood at the bottom of the stairs and opened fire on them. Nora took one in the chest and one in the arm, while Cait was grazed on the breast and leg, but their under armor coating caught the rounds.

"OH YE DONE MESSED UP, BOYO!" Cait bellowed, and she practically leaped down the stairs in a single bound. The Tunnel Snake tried getting another shot off, but she was on him before he could line up another shot, and it pinged off the ceiling. Cait held the Greaser by the shirt and struck in in the face, when she let out a yelp and, in a spasm, let him go; he held a shock baton in his offhand. Nor rulled out her silenced 10mm, a special little number known as the Deliverer, and fired back.

The man tossed some kind of dust towards Nora, and ignited the shock baton. The air turned to fire, throwing off her sight and blinding her a moment, allowing her attacker to get a new stance and line up a shot. Instead of standing there and waiting for her sight to return, she charged him, able to make out his figure through the blurry vision. She slammed into him, pinning the man against the wall, but Nora took the shock baton to her arm, and she spasmed.

Cait had recovered, however, and seized the offending weapon, slamming his hand against the wall until her dropped it. The man responded by trying to kick out her leg, but her stance was too solid. Nora backed off, allowing Cait to get a firmer grip on the man. She tripped him, and held him over her head, and tossed him at the railing and into the atrium.

Instead of falling onto the tables below, however, their attacker latched a grappling hook onto the railing, and instead dangled over the edge. The other Tunnel Snakes were pulling out weapons, and Johnny D was already getting suited up, when an announcement played over the PA.

"Let them fight. This is something they gotta do," Butch declared.

Cait was upon the man, who was hoisting himself back up, and she punched him in the face, sending him reeling and falling back down. She produced a knife and, with it in hand, she began cutting the rope holding him up. In response, he lowered the rope, allowing him to fall safely onto the atrium.

Nora had gone around and down the stairs, the Deliverer ready to pump the man full of rounds. She got a few into his chest, but the blood wasn't nearly enough to have been anything more than surface wounds; he had an under-armor coating, too. He responded by chucking a grenade at her, forcing Nora to turn the corner and avoid the explosion.

Cait rode what rope there was over the railing, and landed in front of the man, kicking him in the chest towards Johnny D, who grabbed him in a bear hug.

"Gotcha!" Johnny D declared. The Tunnel Snake, however, wasn't done, and latched a device on the power armor. There was a distorting pulse, and the Power Armor stopped, allowing the man to simply move Johnny's arms and escape.

He took two more rounds in the side, and grunted, prompting Nora to reload, while Cait tossed a cafeteria tray at him. He blocked the tray, then Cait's punch at his face. She head-butted him, and the sound of his nose breaking could be heard by Nora across the hall. Johnny's Power Armor returned to working order, and he stepped in, firing his weapon at the attacker.

Then the man vanished.

"Stealth Boy! He's got a Stealth Boy!" Nora announced, scanning the room for distortions of light. She found it too late, as her jabbed Cait in the side. She let out a cry, as this weapon was also electrified. This time, however the shock was enough to take her down, and she slumped over, unconscious.

Green bolts of plasma erupted from the distorted shape, tearing into Johnny's armor and melting the joints of his leg armor together. Nora fired, and blood spurted from the nearly invisible man, who replied with plasma bolts, forcing Nora into cover. He approached, and Nora pulled out a long, wavy blade, and swung, slicing open his arm. He let out a grunt, and she kicked him in the chest back into the atrium, and came at him with the weapon again. This time, he caught the weapon with his weapon, which hissed and oozed plasma, melting both the pistol and the blade, forcing them both to drop their weapons. She fired the Deliverer, now nearly point blank, into his chest, forcing him to the ground, bleeding.

"All right, I've seen enough," he said, "I give up."

"That's-That's a new one," Nora admitted.

"Well, I figured, if you're as good as they say, I wouldn't be able to kill you, anyway," he admitted, "I'm the one you're here to see."

"You're LW."

"Yep. The Lone Wanderer."