Following Mojo's map, he was surprised just how close Megaton really was to him. Back at the beginning, the map showed the quickest way to Megaton was through Springvale. When he got there, the bodies of the three raiders were gone, and so was the enclave eye-bot. He guessed scavengers picked at whatever they could use.
The dirt path was well worn, indicating that the drawings that Mojo made were the trade paths and roadways that the majority of people used to get from place to place. Pegasus didn't really like that it was well known, he felt more exposed out here now.
"Don't panic. Don't let paranoia get to you." Pegasus told himself. Since he left, he'd been looking over his shoulders expecting someone to start shooting him. That wasn't doing him any favors, and even with Mojo's vigilance he still had gotten killed. He needed to start acting casual, unless, of course, paranoia was casual out here.
As he walked up a steep hill, he heard the grinding sounds of machinery. Seeing large metal walls of scrap, he saw what was making that noise, an old plane turbine that was opening solid metal gates. A man wearing a jacket with forks, butter knives, keys, and even old bottles of turpentine stepped out, along with another person wearing dark leather armor and carrying an R91. The strangest thing of all, was what was between them, a two headed cow that looked as though its skin had been blasted off. He stopped to turn towards the protectron guarding the gates.
"THANK YOU FOR VISITING MEGATON. PARTNER." the protectron said.
"And a pleasure to you as well, deputy Weld!" He said. "Though I am sad that Lucas won't allow Moira to install that toaster in your chest."
"HAVE A NICE DAY." Weld said.
"Excuse me." Pegasus said walking up to the man.
"Ah. Welcome to Crazy Wolfgang's. Where I sell an assorted amount of garbage, junk, and crap."
"Isn't it bad to refer to your own stuff as crap?" Pegasus asked.
Crazy Wolfgang laughed. "Not at all when that's what you're selling. Would you like to take a look at my wares?"
He hit a latch on one of the packs dropping it revealing an assortment of all kinds of oddities: a pool ball, an old pipe, dishes and utensils, and many things that Pegasus had trouble recognizing.
"Why carry all this?"
"Because I'm the craziest Wolfgang around! I'm the caravan of Garbage! And I have what people want! Assuming of course they're looking for the kind of junk that I got." He finished laughing.
"You're crazy."
"In my name!"
"Do you take guns?" Pegasus asked, wanting to get rid of his hunting rifles.
"Sorry, but no. You want my colleague, Lucky Harith. He specializes in what he calls 'problem solvers'. If you're looking to sell those try Craterside Supply. Moira takes in all kinds of things."
"Thank you." Pegasus said, heading for the entrance.
He saw a hand shoot up from behind some rocks. A man in tattered clothes, and scarred face, pulled his way over the rocks. He reeked of dirt, and looked as though he crawled his way to this point. rasping something that Pegasus couldn't make out. Walking over to him he stood a few feet away from the man.
"Wa..." he rasped.
"What?" Pegasus asked. he wasn't about to get too close to a stranger.
"Wa...ter. Please." He managed to whisper.
Taking out one of Mojo's old plastic water bottles, he uncorked it, and poured a little in the man's mouth. The man made a desperate grab for the bottle, Pegasus pushed him to the ground.
"Sorry!" He blurted out, gasping as though he'd been suffocating as well. "Oh thank you! I haven't had a drink in days." He tried to stand up, but his legs couldn't hold him, and he sat on the ground.
"What happened to you?" Pegasus asked.
"Raiders. They caught me over by the old school, had me and a few others digging when we hit an ant nest."
"An ant nest? That doesn't sound too bad?" Pegasus said.
"I wish I was as brave as you. There was chaos and I managed to slip out of there. Didn't get very far though. The pricks were starving us and only giving several sips of water a day. I think that's the most I've drank in a week."
"Your exaggerating." If that was true, the man would've been dead a long time ago from dehydration. The raiders gave him just enough to continue working, but not enough to actually quench his thirst. "Still, I'm glad you're alright."
"Your glad? You don't even know me?" The man seemed genuinely confused.
"Still no reason not to help out a stranger in need."
"My name's Micky." He said. "What's your name?"
"Pegasus."
"That, is a really strange name." Micky said. "But now it doesn't feel so strange that you helped me, now that we know each other."
"Whatever makes you feel better." He handed Micky the bottle. "Take another drink."
Micky drank the entire bottle. Pegasus was glad he still had the other, and a near full canteen.
"You are a lifesaver Pegasus." Micky said. "I'm going to rest here, and get my strength back before I move."
"Your right next to Megaton?" Pegasus pointed out.
"I know. But I got no money to spend there. This place is safe, Stockholm watches out for any trespassers."
Pegasus looked where Micky was pointing to see a man standing above the turbine with biker goggles and a sniper rifle in hand, he didn't acknowledge Pegasus or Micky. "You sure that guy is good at watch?"
"Believe me. If he thought you were a threat, you'd be dead already." Micky said leaning against some rocks.
Pegasus hoped that was true, then again he hoped that Stockholm never perceived him as a threat ever. "Is there anything-"
Pegasus heard Micky snoring. He must feel safe to sleep outside the gates. Pegasus just hoped it was as safe inside.
"WELCOME TO MEGATON." Weld greeted. "THE BOMB IS PERFECTLY SAFE. WE PROMISE."
That didn't make Pegasus feel safe at all.
The downward slopes, and the rising buildings, and ramps of scrap metal, and old plane parts, made all of Megaton to look as though it was built upon layers of stacked planes. The air reeked of metal and moisture was in the air. That was a familiar feeling, he remembered back in the Vault how sometimes the pipes started to leak, making the rooms in the Vault hot and humid. From how scarce Mojo made water seem, either Megaton was lacking in maintenance, or they were flaunting it.
A man in a dirty green long coat, with a shiny star badge upon his breast, came towards him. His dark skin, and harsh face, were in contrast with the kind smile he gave towards Pegasus.
"Well I'll be damned, another newcomer." He greeted. "Names Lucas Simms. I'm the Sheriff of Megaton."
"A pleasure to meet you Sheriff, my name's Pegasus." Pegasus said, holding out his hand. For some reason, he felt he could trust Lucas. He had the same kind of presence his dad had, an aura of trust that emanated the moment you met him.
"Good mannered and friendly." Lucas smiled, shaking his hand. "I think you'll fit right in."
"You said another newcomer, was there someone else wearing a Vault uniform like me?" Pegasus asked.
"Yes actually, older gentleman, also showed good manners. I've come to expect it from you guys down in the Vault." Lucas said.
"Guys? Are you saying there have been more?" He knew his dad and himself were outsiders, but just how many people have left the Vault in the past?
"About eight of you. Last I figure. You even had an embassy here at one point, until Mrs. Taylor had to leave."
"Agnes Taylor?" Pegasus asked. He remembered her telling all kinds of strange stories back when he was a kid.
"Yeah that's her. I was in my twenties then, a deputy to my father."
Eight others, and at least one was living in the Vault at the time. "Fucking Overseer!" he muttered.
"You know, all of you from the Vault complained about someone called an Overseer, take it he's a bad man?"
"We were told that the outside world was impossible to survive in. Yeah, he's bad mojo alright." He was getting sidetracked. "Is the man you talked about still here?"
"No, he left two days ago." Lucas said. Pegasus' heart plummeted. "I don't know where he went, but I do know where he was in town, Colin Moriarty's Saloon."
"Thanks, I'll go talk to Colin."
"Word of advice. Do not trust anything that man says to you." Lucas warned. "That man is a slippery weasel who will pretend to be your best friend, then stab you in the back."
"Thanks for the warning." Pegasus said, hefting the bag. "I was told there's a place where I can sell this?"
"Craterside Supply." Lucas said pointing to a building on the second story to the right. "And Moriarty's is right there. Though I'm sure you can see the sign." Pointing at the highest building overlooking the entire town, in big white letters were: Moriarty's Saloon.
"Thanks sheriff. If I may ask, who's in charge here."
"Me." Lucas replied. "I'm the Sheriff, Mayor, greeter, damn near anything should the need arise, and just so you know, Moira Brown is a bit...eccentric."
"I heard she wanted to put a toaster in that robot outside."
"Yeah she's being normal right now, but don't spend too much time with her, if you value your sanity."
A horrid smell hit Pegasus as he entered Craterside Supply. The only thing he could compare it to was a vault suit being set on fire, after it had been soaked in grease, and sewer waste, for several days. A smoky haze filled the entire building as far as he could see. A man leaned against the wall, his face scowled by the stench, glaring at Pegasus standing in the open doorway.
"Can I leave this open?" Pegasus asked trying not to cough.
"I'm just here to protect the merchandise." He said. "Ask that crazy lady. But if it were up to me, please do!"
"Hey!" A cheery voice said from above. "I'll be right with you in a moment, I think my experiment was a success!"
Usually if something smelled like burning garbage, it was rarely considered a success, Pegasus thought. She came down, her dark red hair had a grease shine to it, and her face was darkened with soot. She had a sharp look. Her skin looked sunken, like nearly everyone else he'd seen so far, from lack of water. She smiled and attempted to wipe the soot from her face, only smearing it.
"Hey! I just finished with my experiments!" Moira smiled. "Try one and tell me what you think!"
She set the plate on the counter, taking one of the balls, and offering it to her guard, who vehemently shook his head. She took a bite and contemplated as she chewed.
Not wanting to be rude, Pegasus picked up a ball. He expected it to be a charred husk but it was surprisingly soft. Ripping it open, he saw that it was some sort of greyish meat. Taking a bite, he gagged on the taste, and spit it into his hand.
Moira swallowed and rubbed her belly. "It does still taste like old feet, but at least it settles easier." She said in cheerful contemplation.
"What is it?" Pegasus eyes were tearing up from how bad it was.
"Radroach meat!" Moira answered. "It's plentiful, and easy to find, but hard to digest. So now I just have to wait to see if it comes out easier. Oh, I hope this works! So far I think it is."
"I'll stick to dog." Pegasus said, taking a drink.
"I know it doesn't taste like Brahmin, but it really can help people out in the wasteland. That way they can keep the food down in them, instead of it forcing its way out." Moira said, stepping behind the counter. "Hey! You're from that Vault!"
"What gave that away?" Pegasus asked, putting the bag on the counter.
"Well, you are wearing one of those vault uniforms silly!" She said. Sarcasm apparently didn't work on her. "I even had one custom made!"
She pointed to an old Vault 101 uniform displayed behind her. It looked very faded, but it also had reinforced armor at key areas of the body. It looked like it could be worn over a security vest.
"Where did you get that?"
"Oh, this woman came in several years ago, looking for improvements on her Vault uniform. So I took it, and added a few gizmos, and doodles, and now its bulletproof! Well, okay, not bulletproof, but the first few bullets won't kill you."
"The word your looking for is resistant." Pegasus said taking out the hunting rifles. "I hear you're the person who I can sell things to. How much can I get for these?"
He handed her one of the rifles, and with the skill of countless repetition, she did a weapons check on it so quickly she grabbed a screwdriver and started taking it apart while humming to herself.
"Well the bore is in definite need of cleaning on this one." Her tone was as cheerful as ever. "The bolt likes to stick. Oh, it's rusted, that can lead to problems. The woods rotting in the middle, another shot, and this thing could fall apart in your hand. That wouldn't be very nice!"
She quickly reassembled the gun, and did a thorough examination over the others, all while singing to herself. "I can give you a hundred and thirty-four caps for all of these!"
He didn't know if that was a lot or not. "Deal."
"Super duper!" Moira said, putting the guns down behind the counter. After a minute coming back up with several stacks of chips. "Here's fifty, and fifty, and thirty-four! Now how about you be nice, and spend it back in my store?"
"Maybe later. I still need to see the rest of the town." Pegasus replied pocketing the caps.
"Just one moment. Can you tell me about the Vault?"
"Sure." Pegasus said unsure of Moira's intention. If she's dealt with people from the Vault in the past, what did she need to know from him? "I can tell you a bit about the vault."
"Great!" She sounded jubilant. "Tell me what it's like living underground and seeing the outside for the first time! Or whatever else strikes your fancy?"
"Oh, the outside place is great; in the main room, I can't even see the ceiling!" Pegasus joked.
"Hah! Yeah, you wouldn't imagine how hard it is to replace that big light bulb up there too!" Moira joked along. "That would be a good forward for my book- opening with a joke, you know something, you want that Vault suit?"
"You're just going to give it to me, why?" Pegasus asked.
"Because something tells me you're going to need it." Moira said taking it down. "It's been in this shop for ten years now, and since the original Vault dweller hasn't come to pick it up, I told myself to give it to the next Vault dweller who showed up, and now here you are!"
She took down the suit, and handed it to him. Pegasus felt the chest, and realized that this thing was more armored then he thought, but still lighter then he would imagine it would be. "Thank you, Miss Brown."
"Just call me Moira silly." Moira said blushing. "No need to be all formal. By the way, what's your name?"
"Pegasus."
"That's a beautiful name! So Pegasus how'd you like to help me out with my book? I can pay you and it'll be fun!"
"I-" he wanted to say no, but how could he, after she just gave him a new suit of armor for nothing? "I-can't. I'm sorry Moira, but I'm looking for my dad, and I've already spent a lot of time out in the waste, just learning how to survive out there on my own. So I don't know where he could be or if he's dead. I need to find him."
"A runaway dad huh? Well there's a lot of them out in the waste." Moira sympathized. "And you said you're still trying to survive, well that's what the book is all about! I'm calling it the Wasteland Survival Guide, and what I need is someone to go out there and bring back practical knowledge of how to survive."
"That sounds like a great idea Moira." He meant it, if he had gotten a guide back in the beginning, perhaps Mojo would still be alive. "And when I find my dad, if you're still looking for help, I'll gladly help you."
"You will?" Moira sounded shocked. "Most people laugh at my idea of The Wasteland Survival Guide, you'll actually help!?"
"I promise, when I know my dad's okay."
That was enough for her. She started jumping up and down in joy. "thankyouthankyouthankyou! You have no idea how much that means to me!"
Pegasus smiled, Moira's cheerfulness was infectious. He'd never seen anyone so happy before, he waved goodbye, and left with the armored Vault suit stuffed in his bag.
The thick haze of cigarette smoke, and the stench of booze, filled Moriarty's saloon. the sounds of glasses, and chatter, reminded him of the cigar lounge and cafeteria back in 101. Though back in the Vault, not everyone was carrying some type of gun. Seeing an open stool at the counter, he sat down waiting to be served. An old radio was off next to him, curious, he turned the dial to hear only static.
"Hey, don't touch that." A raspy voice said, it sounded like someone took sandpaper to his throat. "Moriarty doesn't like anyone messing with the radio."
Pegasus looked at who said that, and jumped in shock. The man's flesh looked dried and cracked, and that was on the parts that even had flesh, in several places Pegasus could see muscle tissue. He wondered why he wasn't screaming in agony of the exposed nerves instead of looking offended.
"What never seen a ghoul before?" he asked.
Pegasus was still finding his voice so just shook his head.
"Really? Oh, you're from the Vault." he said looking at his outfit.
"Yes, I am. Sorry if I offended you." Pegasus said taking out two caps and sliding them over to the ghoul.
"So, what do you want to drink?" he asked, looking suspiciously at the caps.
"Well, what do you have to offer sir?" Pegasus said, being polite.
"Sir? Nobody's ever called me sir before? It's always zombie, or freak, or rotting corpse, or stupid bastard." He muttered.
"What's your name?" Pegasus asked.
"I'm Gob." he said introducing himself.
Pegasus offered his hand. "Nice to meet you Gob. I'm Pegasus."
Gob smiled through blackened teeth, shaking his hand Pegasus saw that Gob's hand was also missing some of his skin. "Wow! You're one of the few people to treat me like a person in forever!"
"Not true Gob sweetie." A silky voice said behind Pegasus. "Don't I count? Or what about that gentlemen from a few days ago?"
"What gentlemen are-" Pegasus stated turning towards the voice, the rest getting caught in his throat when he turned to face large breasts pushed tightly together in a pale blue jacket. Pegasus looked down to avert his eyes, feeling himself blush. He started looking up to talk to her, her stockings were torn in places, revealing smooth legs leading up to a petite body, past her chest to a beautiful face of pale blue eyes, and hair of fiery red, cut short.
"Like what you see handsome?" She asked seductively, rubbing her hand on Pegasus' leg. "Hundred and twenty caps, and you can see a lot more."
He felt himself swell at her suggestion, the thought of Amata stopped him from entertaining any of those thoughts. "Sorry, not interested miss." His thought turning to Amata seductively pulling off her jumpsuit didn't help any though.
"That's too bad." She said, but she didn't sound disappointed, she actually sounded kind of relieved instead. "Well, if you ever change your mind handsome, just ask for Nova." She winked. "How about a drink Gob?"
"You know the rules, Nova." Gob said, taking out a bottle marked whiskey, and a clean glass filling it.
"Yeah, I know." She whispered, taking a drink. She jumped when someone grabbed her ass from behind.
"Hey Nova baby, you got the time for me?" He asked.
Nova closed her eyes before forcing herself to smile, and turned towards the man. "Of course Jericho, if you got the caps?"
He held out a bag. "Course I do baby, you worth every one." Jericho roughly pushed Pegasus on the shoulder. "Get out of my seat, asshole!"
"I was talking to these two before you interrupted. When we finish our conversation, then I'll leave!" Pegasus said turning towards Gob. "May I get a glass of water, please?"
"Thirty caps." Gob Muttered.
"Seems a bit much?" Pegasus said. Jericho laughed, and so did half the bar.
"Look at this Vault Asshole!" Jericho shouted pointing. "This fucker must think water out here is free, just like back in his little cubby hole. Just look at him!" Jericho pinched Pegasus's cheek, Pegasus knocked away his hand. "Oh, The water fat asshole thinks he's got some fight in him? Throw a punch asshole, let's see what you got."
"You first, you're the one starting this, old man." Pegasus said, standing up and gauging Jericho. He was old, possibly in sixties, like others his skin was rough and leathery, but also deeply scarred from years of surviving out here. His bulk underneath his leather outfit showed strong muscles, and his scarred knuckles told of a man who fought a lot in the past, Pegasus guessed Jericho must've fought all his life out here.
Jericho grabbed Pegasus by the collar, leaving his chest wide open, Pegasus delivered a blow to the ribs before knocking Jericho's arm away and pushing him to the floor. An unorthodox Vault takedown.
Pegasus got into a defensive position. "I don't want to fight you Jericho."
Jericho coughed and stood up, cracking his neck. "Then your just a Vault pussy!" He said, throwing a punch.
It was good, Jericho did know what he was doing, but Pegasus had been dodging a boxers punch for years, and Jericho was leaving his sides open. Backing up, letting Jericho overextend before elbowing him in the ribs again, and tripping him to the ground.
Nobody was laughing anymore, instead there where murmurs, and people pointing at Pegasus. "We don't have to do this. Just give me a few minutes, and I'll gladly give up the seat for you."
Jericho got up, and reached behind him. Pegasus instinctively went for his own pistol. "Jericho, you can have my seat!" An old man said. "I'm done drinking anyhow."
Jericho stopped what he was doing, glaring at Pegasus. "Well, it appears you're not such an asshole after all." He said, walking past Pegasus. "You're a pal, Nathen."
Jericho took the seat, Pegasus sat back in the corner stool, and the two people that were between them both decided that they had overstayed at the bar and got up and left. Leaving Nova between the two of them.
Gob turned on the radio, hearing nothing but static. "Come on you piece of junk!" he said hitting it a few times. "Work!"
"It's not the radio, Gob. The Enclave Station comes in fine. It's Galaxy News, their signals been shit lately." Nova said.
Gob ignored her and continued hitting the top. "Work Damnit!"
"Knock it the fuck off Gob! It ain't working!" Jericho snapped.
"Turn it to Enclave radio!" Nathen suggested. "I want to hear one of our Presidents' little chats!"
"Fuck off, Nathen!" Jericho said.
Pegasus could make out someone saying something over the sounds of static, but it was impossible to make out. Sighing in defeat, Gob shut it off. "So you still want that water?" He sounded disappointed.
"Sure." He said, taking out the thirty caps, setting them on the table by the other two. "Those two are yours you know."
"What for?" Gob asked.
"For being so rude to you."
Gob laughed and cheerfully poured a glass of water in a misty looking glass.
"If your done giving that fucker his water, hurry up, and get me a beer!" Jericho shouted.
Gob didn't lose his smile, as he pulled a dark bottle out from behind the counter, and a dirty glass. Pegasus smiled at how Gob handled things, he gave Nova the cleanest glass, Pegasus a clean glass, and Jericho one with stains and dust on it. Passive way to get back at assholes, but getting back nonetheless.
"So Nova, who's the gentleman you where talking about?" Pegasus asked. "I'm looking for a man who passed through here, from a Vault like me."
"James?" Nova said. "He was very kind to both Gob and myself, turned me down just like you did. He talked to Colin for awhile before heading out."
"Do you know where he went?" Pegasus tried to keep his voice calm, though his heart was beating a mile a minute.
"No." She said too quickly. Pegasus noticed both Gob and her didn't want to look Pegasus in the eye. "You're going to have to talk to Colin about that."
"And where's Colin?"
"Are you looking for me, my young friend!" A bulky man with thick dirty blonde hair, and goatee beard, stepped from a door that must've led to a storage area. Pegasus had no idea where to place his accent, just that whatever it was, was not from the Capital Wasteland.
"Name's Colin Moriarty, and I take it that you're looking for a friend? Step outside with me, and let's see if I can be your friend in need?"
"Okay?" Pegasus remembered what Lucas said, don't trust anything Colin says. He went towards the door, stopping when he saw someone wave from the corner of his eye. A man in an old business suit, and fedora hat, waved at him. He smiled at Pegasus, though with the dark glasses on, the smile looked more sinister then friendly.
Turning to see Colin, he saw him snapping his fingers at Gob, forcing Gob to hand over the two caps Pegasus had given him. He whispered something harshly at Nova before pointing at a room upstairs, and took the bag of caps from Jericho. Nova headed up the stairs with a solemn look on her face. Colin smiled friendly at Pegasus as he approached. "Let's chat."
They stood outside, overlooking the entire city of Megaton. Pegasus looked down to see an atom bomb in the center of town, and a man with his hands raised in praise of it.
"Don't want to talk in there. Too many gossipers about." Colin said. "Now I take it you want to know about your dad, right?"
Pegasus was glad his back was facing Moriarty. Taking a second to compose himself. "He was a Vault doctor, doing important experiments. I've been sent to reacquire him."
"Don't play the agent man with me boy. I saw the resemblance between the two of you the moment you walked in." Colin said, putting a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I haven't seen you since you were a babe."
"We've met before?"
"Yep. Your father, and some paladin, came into town almost twenty years ago now. Trying to get his way into the Vault, with you in tow. Take it he didn't want his only child to come out here in the wastes. Looks like that failed!"
He laughed at the predicament. "I can see why. Heard what brainwashing they do down there. And seeing your little scuffle with Jericho, I take it you weren't one to cooperate with that?"
"Yeah." Pegasus agreed.
"And you beat him with a raging stiffy!" Colin joked. "Though looks liked you calmed down a bit now, eh? Or do you still want a bit of Nova?"
"I'm just looking for my dad. Thanks though." Pegasus said, adjusting himself so he wasn't showing anymore. "Can you tell me where he went?"
"Oh I could, but it'll cost you a hundred caps for that information." Colin said.
"Why can't you just tell me?" It was simply asking for directions, why would that be nearly as expensive as paying for sex?
"Because little man, Caps are what make the world go round." Colin explained evenly. "And everything needs to spin. Food, sex, drink, even information are what helps spin it. So spin the world!"
Pegasus felt a little cheated by the price, it was nearly everything he had. Taking out the two stacks from Moira he handed them over to Colin.
"He left Megaton, two-hundred more ,and I can tell you the place."
"That was the point!" Pegasus shouted. Outraged that Colin just stiffed him, he was tempted to take out his baton, and smash it across Moriarty's smiling face.
Colin must've known. "Temper, temper, now boy. Do anything stupid, and you'll never find out where he went off to."
"I don't have any more money." He said through gritted teeth. He did, but no way was Colin going to get another cap out of him.
"Then I have a proposition to make!" Moriarty said, with a veneer of cheerfulness. "You see, this bitch Silver used to work for me. I treated her like a queen, and paid her well. Then one day out of the fucking blue, she ups and robs me of two-hundred caps! So, find the bitch, off her, and get me back my money, what do you say?"
I say you're a lying fuck, and you had this planned out. Pegasus thought. "And where can I find her?"
"I don't know. That's your business kiddo." Colin said, patting him on the shoulder. "I just want my money back, you can do whatever you want with the bitch. Just find her, she should have the two-hundred caps you need."
"Why should I if you're just going to stiff me again?" Pegasus countered.
"My dear boy, consider that a lesson out here in the wastes, you have to be specific. I told you where your dad went for the hundred, and with the two-hundred you get the destination. I am a man of my word, regardless of what our Sheriff might've told you." Colin explained. "Well, I'll let you dwell on it. Got to get back to running the saloon now!"
He walked away from the saloon towards the bomb, trying to figure out how he was going to get out of this. He was searching the wasteland for his dad, and the only person who'd tell him wanted him to find another person in the wasteland that also could be anywhere. Getting his mind off his frustrations, he stopped by the atom bomb, it sitting in a pool of murky water. checking it over he saw that the water was irradiated which meant the bomb was leaking slightly. which meant the bomb wasn't perfectly safe, this thing could still go off, and wipe out the entire town! The radiation wouldn't kill him in an instant. He stepped into the waters and started looking for a panel.
"Have you come to drink from the waters of the glow?" Someone asked.
Pegasus thought it was the man who was preaching to the bomb from the balcony. "No, I don't wish to die."
"Die? The power of Atom does not kill! Instead it brings us ever closer to enlightenment!" He preached.
All frustration towards Moriarty was temporarily gone in bewilderment. "You lost me."
The preacher looked ecstatic to enlightened him. "In each of us are atoms, and in each atomic mass is all of creation in the entire universe! So when atoms divide, a new universe is created and life flows!"
"Okay." Pegasus remembered reading the book of genesis in the bible. When God created the world, nowhere in it did he set off a nuke in the creation process. "This is still a very dangerous weapon, maybe I can see if I can disarm it?"
"You would desecrate our holy relic?" he demanded. "This weapon of war is our salvation! For in each of us, we carry the power of Atom, and with it is infinite possibilities in infinite universes for us to explore! You would dare deny us children of Atom that?"
Most definitely at this point. "How long has this church existed?" Pegasus asked. Worried that some crazed cult would set off the bomb.
"Before Megaton was even made." He said proudly. "We Children of Atom even had a hand in creating this very town. That way more people can come seeking both safety and fulfillment."
They may have a strange take on nuclear annihilation, but if they haven't set off the bomb in twenty years, they probably weren't going to set it off now, and maybe this church could help him. "You make an interesting point Mr.?"
"Confessor Cromwell." He introduced himself with a bow.
"Well Confessor, can you tell me where a miss Silver went, or even someone named James? He was just here, not too long ago."
"James? I do not know who that is." Cromwell explained. "But Silver, she came to us for comfort sometimes, when the sins of the flesh became too much."
"Do you know where she went?" Pegasus might have a lead, on one of them.
"I do not. Though I'm afraid that if she did leave, she, more than likely, was captured by the raiders in the school." Cromwell said sadly. "But enough small chat, I must get back to my duties!"
That was the third mention of that school, and whatever they were doing, it involved digging, according to Micky. Maybe he could find both of them there, Silver and his Father.
