When he'd seen enough of the bottom of Megaton, Nathan began exploring the bridges and iron walkways above for a different view.
He made his way up, walking through an old section of a plane that may have covered a cargo bay in the past. It was an interesting archway and Nathan stopped for a moment, admiring it.
He kept walking and soon his thoughts were of his father. He was healed and he was fed but the anxiety of his situation and the worries of the vault remained a terrible burden.
He immediately felt better thinking about Jenny and the warmth she'd shown a stranger. Nathan felt even better thinking about how beautiful she was.
He closed his eyes, imagining her callipygous figure, before tossing one of her mirelurk cakes into the air. Unused to his new strength, it went much higher than he expected. He triggered V.A.T.S., slowing the falling pastry and positioned himself beneath it.
He switched off V.A.T.S. and the little cake fell into his mouth.
"Wish I'd kept the plate," He thought. "Would've been a nice excuse to head back down and see her again."
Nathan tossed the remaining cake into the air and bumped into someone trying to repeat his feat.
"Hey! Watch it, dickhead!" The scruffy man yelled.
Surprised, Nathan backed away, quickly catching the cake in his hand. "Sorry man, I didn't see you."
The big older man stuck his leather clad chest out and curled his lips in disgust. "Yeah, whatever motherfucker, just keep your filthy ass outta my way, and there ain't gonna be no trouble."
"Sir, I apologized," Nathan said. "No need to show your ass out here."
"Heh. You ain't seen my ass yet. Keep fuckin' around. You're gonna find out why ol' Jericho's the main man around here."
"I don't know what your problem is but you better get over it," Nathan hissed.
A big grin spread across Jericho's face. He took a step back and started to pace the ground in front of Nathan.
"Well, shit. The little vault asshole's got some scrap in him. Look here vault asshole, I don't like you, and that means you better wisen the fuck up. Cuz I run shit around here."
Nathan too began to pace around Jericho, the two men circling each other now. "Is that right? Where's your badge, Mr. Sheriff?"
"Yeah. Ol' darkie might think he runs this town but he ain't shit. He's foolin' his self if he thinks that badge keeps folks scared," Jericho snickered. "I've seen the worst and beaten the best and I'm telling you kid, you got nothin' on me."
"You're doing a lot of talking," Nathan said making a fist out of his free hand. "You want this to happen? Make a move."
Jericho laughed. "All in due time. I got someplace to be and ol' Jericho never forgets a pretty face."
Nathan shooed him away. "Run along asshole."
Jericho smiled and wiggled his fingers at him in a girly way. "See you tonight pretty boy."
The older man turned his back on Nathan and sauntered down the walkway, his Chinese Assault rifle swaying rhythmically at his back. Nathan burned with anticipation as he watched him disappear into the bottom of Megaton.
Nathan turned to leave but bumped into another tall man.
"Whoa! Careful daddy-o," He said putting up his hands. "Hey now, don't be like that. Jericho's an asshole but he still does alright for folks around here."
Nathan lowered his shoulders once he realized the man wasn't trying to pick up where Jericho had left off. "Yeah well, you're going to have to do without him if he keeps running his fucking mouth like that."
The man whistled. "Hey now, language partner. What if Maggie was 'round you?"
"I'm sorry, who's Maggie? And who're you?" Nathan said swelling with irritation.
"Forgot my manners. You're the new cat in town ain't ya?" He said slapping his forehead. "Name's Billy Creel. Maggie's my daughter. Good to meet you."
He stuck his hand out and smiled, relieved when Nathan finally returned his gesture. "Don't let Jericho get to you. Folks are mostly good round here."
"I didn't mean to come off to you like that," Nathan apologized. "No harm done?"
"None at all," Billy said shaking Nathan's hand with even more gusto.
Nathan relaxed. "Glad to hear it. What the hell does what's his face do around here anyway? I don't see the sheriff putting up with assholes like him."
Billy chuckled a bit and fiddled with the pouches draped across his sleek black and red leather outfit. "I know he runs his mouth, but when it counts, he's the best gun in town. Hell, he might be the oldest one too."
"How old?" Nathan asked.
"Hmm…" Billy looked up in the air and adjusted his bandana. "Ol' Jericho has gotta be in his 60's. At least."
"He doesn't look it," Nathan mused. "Doesn't act it either."
Billy smiled. "Well, ol' Jericho doesn't look and act like a lot things that he should be. Still, when the raiders come a knockin', Jericho puts em away."
He motioned with a nod for Nathan to follow him back into the bowels of Megaton and towards its entrance.
"Raiders, who're they?" He asked.
"They're the worst," Billy replied. "Nothing but killers, thieves, rapists and child molesters. Absolute psychos. Don't tangle with em if you don't have to."
"I think I met a few, down at the old school."
"Ah, Springvale. Don't know why you went by there but yeah, that's definitely one of their spots. Hope you didn't see nothing you shouldn't have. Might cost you an eye."
Billy reached up and lifted his eye patch, winking with his good eye, and pulling the patch back down over the old wound.
"Jesus, so that's what happened," Nathan said running his hands through his black hair.
"Nah, this here's from something else," Billy said patting Nathan on the shoulder. "But that's enough horror talk for today, you eat anything yet?"
"Way ahead of you. Got a few of these cakes from The Lantern. Have you seen the cook? Holy shit, a real 10, absolutely gorgeous," Nathan gossiped.
Billy laughed, reaching into his pouches to retrieve and light up a cigarette. "Ms. Stahl's a beaut alright. Hell of a lay."
Nathan was shocked. "So, you and her are a thing? You're lucky guy, no fooling."
Billy exhaled smoke and looked towards the noodle stand. "I wouldn't say that. We have our fun, that's about all there is to it. It's better that way. Besides, she's a little heavy for my tastes. But hell, I'd sample the food too if I ran a restaurant."
Nathan felt a twinge of something. "That's a little harsh Billy. Seems like a sweetheart to me man."
Billy smoothed down the bandana he was wearing. "I ain't saying she isn't, but she's the type that don't listen when you talk. Keep living young man, you'll see what I mean."
The two passed the massive bomb again and Nathan had to ask the question that had been on his mind since he first saw it.
"So, the bomb. It is safe isn't it? I mean, that thing isn't still active."
Billy scratched at his chin. "Couldn't say. But It's been quiet all this time. Wouldn't choose now to go off. Would it?"
"Can't say I'm convinced," Nathan said. "Anyone here actually taken a look at it? A researcher maybe?"
Billy choked with laughter through his smoke. "Jack, if you ain't noticed, we're living in a rust heap."
"I was trying to be polite," Nathan said.
Billy patted him roughly on the shoulder. "And we all appreciate the sentiment. But all niceties aside, the only person I've seen poking around the bomb is Moira."
"She's not with them is she?" Nathan said motioning to the preacher chanting cryptically near the bomb.
"God no. lil Moira is nuts alright but she ain't that kind of crazy, yet. Speaking of which, if you're looking to make some money, I'm fixin to meet the caravans outside. Beats the hell out of asking her for work."
"Caravans?"
"It's how we stay supplied," Billy said putting his arm around Nathan. "Word is you're looking for someone. Ain't no better place to get the lay of the land and make a few caps than with the caravan folk."
Nathan nodded. "Sounds good. What do I do?"
"Let me do the talking," Billy said. "I used to run with these guys. Help me get them unloaded and I'll pay you to haul the supplies inside. There is a little extra in it for you if you don't mind delivering some of it to the businesses around town."
"I'm game," Nathan said cracking his knuckles. "Anything else I need to know?"
Billy stopped at Megaton's gate and thought for a moment. "Yeah, Crazy Wolfgang's just a name. Now Doc Hoff, there's a real psycho. Seen him load up on his own supply and beat six men to death with his bare hands. So, move easy around him."