Hey everyone! Sorry that this is late coming out. Midterms hit and have been taking a lot of my time with college. I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and all I ask is that if you enjoy the story, feel free to leave a review. Be it criticism of any kind, or pointing out any mistakes I have made, or even just letting me know that you guys are enjoying it. Anyway, on with the story. Fortunate Son, out!
"So, y'all heard about that vault over near Megaton right?" The card dealer said as he shuffled his deck. "A caravan coming out of Megaton reported some heavy weapons fire near the old school. Then, as they were headed here. They said they saw a bunch of people in those blue jumpsuits riding in some brotherhood trucks, headed North towards Canterbury Commons."
Butch DeLoria nearly did a double take from where he sat at the bar. He only knew one group of people that wore blue jump suits, and they should still be in the vault safe and sound. He eased around a little to hear better as he continued to nurse his beer
"Did the Brotherhood force them out?" One of the other poker players asked as he took his hand from the dealer and looked it over.
"Nah. I don't think so. From what the caravan guys said, the Lone Wanderer was right there with them. If it was 101 that them people came from, then those are his people." The dealer said as he slid some more poker chips into the pot and lit a cigarette.
"Damn, his people? If they are anything like that crazy bastard then I feel sorry for anyone who gets on their bad side." Another said as he downed a shot of moonshine.
Butch didn't bother with the rest of the conversation. He left a few caps on the table, then headed out of the Muddy Rudder as quickly as he could. If there was any truth to this, then he had some tracking to do.
Collin sighed as they rumbled along the broken highways and empty expanses of wasteland. The sun was low in the sky, casting its twilight glow across everything. In the distance he could make out the buildings of Old Olney. He nudged Amata, who had fallen asleep at some point next to him. She took a moment to pull herself up into a standing position next to him, then gazed out at the town as they neared it.
"That's Olney, there's quite a few good places to set up residency thankfully." He told her as he rested against the cab of the truck. "For tonight, everyone might have to bunk together. We can figure out proper rooming arrangements tomorrow." He said as the trucks slowed down and turned onto the pavement stretch that led into the town. The Brotherhood members had already built up the walls around the town with what looked like cut up rail cars and semi-trailers. He could see a guard tower above the front gate, and two power armor clad soldiers stood at the open gate.
"Wow, you weren't kidding about making this place an outpost. Were you?" Amata asked him as the trucks rolled to a stop.
"Nope. The Brotherhood works fast when it comes to securing an area like this. It's been on our objective list for quite a while anyways." He said with a small smile. "I didn't think they would work this fast though. I'm glad that they did though. I want you guys to be as safe as possible." He said as the gates opened, allowing the trucks to roll inside.
He could see the heads of the vault dwellers looking around as the trucks rolled into town itself. The gates led them right past the Olney Fire House, which the Brotherhood had set up as their headquarters. They pulled the trucks into the parking lot next to the fire station, and the area went quiet as the engines for each truck were shut off. Some floodlights powered on, illuminating the parking lot and trucks as two Brotherhood scribes opened up one of the garage doors of the station. Inside was a good amount of supplies, including bed rolls and folding cots, all old world military issue. A woman stepped forward, wearing a black long sleeved shirt and tactical vest. The rank on her shoulders showed her to be a paladin, and she certainly carried herself like one as well.
"Knight Sharp. Glad to see that you've made it here. I am Paladin Randall's, Commanding Officer of Outpost Olney." She said as she walked up to him, offering him and the rest of the soldiers a salute. Collin returned it, then jumped over the trucks railing.
"Glad we've finally made it Paladin. I just wish it could've been more peaceful." Collin told her as he looked at the bullet marks riddling the trucks.
"We'd received reports of the trouble. A patrol will be getting dispatched to clean up Bethesda so it will be more peaceful." She said as she first looked to the nervous people in the trucks, then back to the supplies in the station. "Well. I think it's time we start helping these people get set up. At least temporarily. We've started clearing up those two apartments buildings. Making it more spacious and things like that. These bed rolls and cots are for them as well." She told him.
"Okay. I think we can handle getting the people put up for the night. Thank you for the supplies Paladin." Collin said as he saluted her one last time. She returned the salute, then headed back to the fire station. Collin climbed back up into the truck. Amata was waiting for him, along with Dogmeat.
"So. Is everything set up?" She asked hopefully.
"Yeah. Everyone will have to bunk together tonight, but we've provided cots and bed rolls for everyone." He said as he offered to help her out of the truck. "It won't be the most comfortable thing on earth, but we'll be warm and dry."
Amata nodded in understanding as they started getting everyone from the trucks. They all seemed tired, and Collin could see Allen Mack glaring at him from one of the distant trucks. He'd promised to keep them all safe, but so far he'd managed to get them shot at. He climbed into the back of the trucks and whistled to get everyone's attention.
"Okay. Welcome to Outpost Olney. This is where we plan to build a new settlement, and home for everyone." Collin said as he looked around. Many of the people seemed unsure, and he couldn't blame them considering the derelict state of much of the town. These people had been used to living in relative comfort, and now they had to adjust.
"I know it doesn't look like much. But. Well that's why we're here." He said as he looked out over all of them. "Brotherhood, and the other settlers that are coming here are going to help you acclimate, so we can all make a life for ourselves!" He told them. He helped Amata up into the truck with him.
"I know it will be rough on everyone. It was on me too. If we work together though, we can make it." He told them as he pointed to the blue and white apartment behind him. "Tonight, we will have to bunk together in that apartment building over there. In fact, it may be that way for a while because of winter nearing. But it's warm, its dry, and its stable. We can work on giving everyone some privacy later. For tonight, let's just get everyone fed and into a warm bed. The Brotherhood has folding cots and bed rolls with blankets in that garage. Enough for everyone. Please form a single file line and we will provide every man, woman, and child." He said. There were some slight murmurs, but many of them seemed to tired to question him. Amata stepped forward.
"Everyone. I know you are tired and hungry, but we can sleep here as soon as we get to the building. Officer Gomez, help keep everyone organized and make sure they are okay. Get your men to help anyone who needs it." She told him. Gomez nodded as he rallied his men and helped to get everyone moving. Some Brotherhood initiates were already there to help distribute the supplies to everyone.
The apartment itself had rubble all around it. Piles of torn out dry wall and insulation, old furniture, concrete, and various other items had been piled up by the soldiers who had cleaned it out. Collin could see how unsure everyone looked about it, but he forced himself to remain optimistic as he pushed open the two double doors that led inside.
The lower floor was fairly intact. Two soldiers stood guard in the front lobby, sitting behind what had once been a welcoming desk that was now reinforced with sandbags. One of them looked up to Collin and nodded.
"Knight. We've cleared the upper floors to offer people as much space as possible. They are still sound, or at least sound enough to hold power armored soldiers." He said chuckling. "We have the generator systems and battery banks down here, with enough wiring to light the rest of the building." The man said as he took a bite from an MRE. Collin nodded in thanks as he made his way upwards with the rest in tow.
"Boy, they weren't kidding when they said that they'd cleaned this place out." He heard Officer Gomez say as they made their way to the second floor. All of the nonstructural walls had been torn out, and instead of the old carpet he'd expected to see, the floors were hard concrete or wood in some places.
"No, they weren't, but there are a few nice amenities here." Collin said. "It's lit well. The walls are sound and insulated, and they've made sure the windows have some form of curtain." He said, making note of the tarps that had been hung over most of them. "And look here, two wood heating stoves." He said, pointing it all out.
"Well, the way you're talking about it, seems like we have a nice starting set up here." Gomez said as they let everyone file in. Collin nodded, then watched as Amata and Alphonse made their way to the front of the crowd.
"Okay everyone. Let's go ahead and get things set up. Remember how they showed us to unfold the beds and set them. We can work on making this home later, but for now I think we have all earned a good night's sleep!" She said. Most everyone said something in agreement as they dispersed, families gathering together to set their beds up and be close. Others moving away to get privacy. Collin grabbed his personal bedroll from his pack and unrolled it on the ground. He took his armor off and set it nearby, along with most of his other belongings. Dogmeat was quick to pad over and lay down beside him as Collin stretched out. Before anyone could even notice, he had fallen into a deep sleep.