Going through downtown wasn't a very smart idea. Nate had to admit it. Occasionally there was sporadic gunfire coming from somewhere in the city, making him and Dogmeat stick to the road where they would be concealed by light foliage. One moment off guard, and you were dead meat. Nothing more than a decaying corpse waiting to be looted by the next asshole.

Nate swallowed,

He hadn't come to terms with this. Not at all. This new world he found himself in. Civilization hadn't fallen, it had decayed into a point beyond reasonable repair. The warm colors of grass, trees and anything barely even resembling the old world were wiped away the instant the bombs hit. It's over, for those who died they wouldn't bear the punishment of having to live in this terrible world. Those who were unlucky enough like him to get locked in a fucking freezer of all places were subject to the most terrible punishment any human being might receive.

Punishment. This is what it felt like for Nathan as he walked toward 'Diamond City', the oh so great big settlement…

Which must be a fucking dumpster…

There was an overwhelming amount of filth and dirt piled up around the streets he had been avoiding. Most buildings were annihilated. Rubble formed around the strongest buildings which remained intact. Civilization might've not fallen, but humanity certainly did.

They arrived at one of the bridges on Charles River. A campfire from below made Nate stop dead in his tracks. There was a broken down boat connected to several platforms hosting what he imagined to be the outpost of several raiders.

Raiders, the type of people he would've only imagined in a pre - war snuff film. They had gathered around the fire and were idly chatting about killing the next passerby on his way to the big city, until heavy stomping stemming from something mechanical interrupted the conversation. Now they were a reality. Death is lurking around every corner, waiting to snatch you when you aren't looking.

"Stop fuckin' around and clean up the bodies" The Raider wearing makeshift power armor demanded.

Nate gestured Dogmeat to be quiet and sneaked over the bridge. One slip up and he would be their next victim. He stepped accidentally on a rock, which slipped and fell into the water below him.

"What was that!?" One suddenly stood up and several other ones followed swiftly. The night was pitch dark and they could only see near their fire. To them, he would be concealed completely.

Unless I fucking fall into them on a silver platter

For what felt like the longest of ages, neither Nate nor Dogmeat moved.

"Alright boys, must've been the wind".

And then he exhaled.

Crossing the rest of the bridge was all about tiptoeing to the end as the raiders quickly resumed their business. Up head was a sign which read:

'DIAMOND CITY UP AHEAD'

With an arrow pointing forwards. "Looks like we're headed in the right direction boy" Nate began, until he was suddenly interrupted by a loud explosion from somewhere to the right. He readied his rifle as Dogmeat started sprinting toward the source of the noise. Nate followed suit, reaching a hail of gunfire pointed toward a rather fortified building occupied by supermutants.

"Shit, suicider!" What looked like a guard wearing umpire armor said as he grabbed another one and ducked behind a tree. Several other guards were firing a mixture of makeshift and professional grade weapons into the supermutants who were equally retaliating with fire of their own. Nate quickly took his rifle and delivered a killshot into a suicide mutants bomb, which exploded, causing scaffolding on which two other ones were firing from to collapse. The remaining two were dispatched by means of concentrated firepower by Diamond City security while Dogmeat jumped on their neck.

Nate slinged his rifle on his shoulder and helped an injured guard up. "Not afraid of muties eh?" He replied as he wiped blood of his busted lip. "You're just our kinda guy. If you're looking for the City, it's just up ahead" He pointed with his head toward the path leading to the city. "Safe and secure, greatest thing to happen to the 'wealth since purified water".

"What the fuck are those?"

"Muties, as I said. I thought everybody in the Commonwealth knew about them by now".

Nate simply nodded and took in the sight of several dead mutants crushed by scaffolding, and the other ones resting dead on the ground. He should've seen it coming, the apocalypse must've birthed all kinds of weird mutations. "Wow, that was… that" A young guard said as he peeked his head out from the street where the firefight had taken place, eyeing the Vault Dweller walk to the city, joined by his trust companion, who unbeknownst to him wandered off into a sidestreet.

Piper Wright couldn't believe the nerve that the guards had. Once again, she was trying to con her way out of exile, finding herself again in front of the gates of Diamond City, yelling loudly into the interphone to no avail.

"Last week it was raiders! This week I barely managed to escape from Slavers! And today? Today I almost get mauled by ferals while chasing stories across Salem!" Piper complained, throwing her hands into the air in a moment of desperation.

"Piper, we've gotten explicit orders to not let you in. I'm sure the Mayor has expressed concern over your recent articles" The guard replied, his voice turning into that of a drive - in restaurant through the interphone.

"Ugh, open the damn gates! I literally live here, you can't just… lock me out!" She finished her sentence punching the button on the interphone.

Her mind wandered off into the many times Danny Sullivan opened the gates for her, despite him knowing it was the nosy reporter and the clear orders Mayor McDonough had given him. She always knew she had a better chance of getting back inside with Sullivan on gate guard.

Sweet guy, really

The sound of combat boots marching interrupted her anger. She had just heard a gunfight happen in the vicinity and any raider could come and drag her away. She cringed at the thought of remembering stories being told about what slavers and raiders did once they captured women. She had escaped such fate one too many times already. Not that the guards would do anything either. Hell, some would even join them from her line of experience, glad to finally get rid of her stinking ass.

Loading the second to last magazine of her trusty 10mm, she positioned herself accordingly so that the stranger would walk directly into the muzzle. Instead of stepping into the supposedly safest settlement in the Commonwealth, Nate stepped into the still piping hot barrel of a 10mm with a possibly very well trigger happy individual behind it.

"You gotta be kidding me" Nate said, his breathing becoming heavier. Dogmeat was nowhere to be found, otherwise this encounter would have played out differently he thought.

"Don't move asshole" Piper growled, the venom and nervousness showing in her voice. "Put your hands up where I can see them" She would at least make sure the guy was no threat first. His face was obscured by a black balaclava and army goggles. He was wearing US - Army issued winterized combat armor. There was an inverted 14 - star American flag on his right shoulder. His left shoulder featured a patch displaying a white castle with three towers set on a red background. 'HOWARD' was prominently displayed on the right side of his chest armor.

"Alright Miss, calm down…" He raised his arms slowly and looked and turned to face her frontally. He took in her features. Her outfitted consisted of a red trench coat completed by a red cap which read press.

This individual is a journalist? Are you fucking kidding me? First a literal Minuteman, now a journalist?

The woman possessed a striking resemblance to that of his late wife and he would've almost called out her name had she not pulled the gun out on him. "Uh um…" Nate cleared his throat and pointed to the interphone which suddenly sprang to life again.

"We wouldn't let you in, unless we got a piece of that admittedly sweet ass you have, Piper" The guard on the other end said.

Piper groaned in disgust and dropped her weapon, holstering it again before yelling a train of swears into the microphone of the interphone. This went back and forth until she finally remembered the stranger she was holding at gunpoint until moments ago. She turned to the stranger, cleared her throat and spoke up. "You, you want into Diamond City or not?" while Crossing her arms and leaned on one leg. Nate knew damn well this was his chance to get into the city, even if this woman was in exile herself, the gates probably would remain shut due to very obvious outside dangers, such as having super mutants at your front door and raiders in your backyard.

After a moment of thought, a brilliant idea popped into the mind of Piper Wright. She would once again expertly get into the city. It was always either sweet talking and flirting her way in, or brashly conning herself in again.

"Oh, what's that? Uh… you're uh... a trader up from Quincy? No way!" She turned to the interphone and gestured Nate to come closer. "Enough supplies to keep the city stocked for a whole month?" Continuing her con, Nate gulped. "That's right, plenty of supplies, ammunition, stocked. But if you ain't cracking these gates open, I might as well head to Concord where I'm sure I'll find interested buyers".

That did the trick, the interphone crackled back to life. "Alright Piper, but this better be good…"

"Let's get in before they get wise" Piper whispered as the mechanical devices controlling the ginormous gates started revving. Piper stepped in first, Nate having to duck to compensate for his taller stature. As he entered the scene, he found the woman directly in front of an old man, wearing a clean suit and tie. To him it was exactly clear what type of guy this was, some filthy and corrupt politician.

Ah glad to see, some things never change do they?

"Piper! Who let you back inside? I have given clear orders to keep those gates shut! You devious, disgusting little slanderer. I'll have your paper removed for good!"

The older man was flanked by two baseball bat carrying umpire wearing guards, trying to put up the best menacing look on their faces.

"Now that right there is a helluva statement Mayor McDonough!" She gestured with her hands in the air as if it were an imaginary headline "Tyrant Mayor shuts down the press! Why don't we ask the newcomer, do you support the news? 'Cause the Mayor over here - " Piper turned to Nate and pointed with her thumb at the Mayor " - is threatening to throw free speech in the dumpster!" She finished by stuffing her hands into her coats' pockets.

Piper figured he would side with the mayor. After all, she just pulled out a gun on him, threatened him and on top of all of that, conned him and herself into the city. He had all the right in the world to not be fond her.

Good first impressions eh?

Rightfully so, she had practically zero friends at all in Diamond City. Security either wanted her permanently exiled, dead or wanted to sleep with her. She really didn't know which was worse.

Nate gave out a sigh. He was grateful for all the times Nora taught him how to make a basic argument or point sound formal enough through legalese.

"The United States First Amendment prohibits infringing on the freedom of the press and abridging of free speech" Nate declared, now crossing his hands while eyeing the Mayor suspiciously.

The words brought a faint smile on Piper's face. There were truly people who still believed in the old world ideals and such supported her newspaper. Not that it meant anything to Nathan anymore, what was the First Amendment to a country which no longer legally existed because it was blasted into fucking kingdom come? Nothing more than an empty definition. Beside that, the right of the media is one thing, what they pull off is another. The media is devious, they were the true enemy of the American people, stirring fear, broadcasting propaganda, making everybody's life miserable. What would qualify the woman standing in front of him of being a capable journalist? Much less a reputable one at that when living in a post apocalyptic world inhabited by southern like hillbillies, colonial civil war soldiers, corrupt politicians and apparently now 'journalists'?

Even if she has her trouble with the Mayor, all she would be is some two bit half crooked wannabe journalist playing chase the story and strike fear into peoples' minds.

"Newspapers only stir up trouble anyways" Nate casually shrugged as Piper's faint smile faded into nothingness. One moment he spits such an eloquently crafted sentence, honorably defending her and her holy crusade against lies and deception, and the next moment he casually drops that?

Asshole…

"... Oh no good sir! I uh… didn't mean to bring you into our little argument here, no - no! You look like prime Diamond City material, welcome to the greatest settlement in the commonwealth" McDonough stepped forward and opened his arms. "Please, feel at home!"

"I've had friendlier welcomes by the supermutants near your city, Mayor" Nate raised an eyebrow.

"Ha! He's got you there McDonough, guess not everyone gets won over by that shark smile of yours." Piper added while heading into the city, she had gotten what she needed anyways, no need to stick around any longer, unless… she sensed a tremendous story in this new individual…

Nate almost burst into laughter at his meek words. They were weak and hollow as if he was trying to get him on the good side of things. He simply ignored him and turned toward the entrance where Piper was headed. He just met the ghost of his late wife, got conned into the city by her and could potentially face trouble with the mayor now.

Nah no thanks, I got enough bullshit on my plate already

As he approached the entrance leading to the city, he was blocked by two guards who crossed his path with their baseball bats. Nate gave off an annoyed sigh this time, he turned around, facing the crooked Mayor once again, who flashed his pearly fixed teeth and spoke up in an attempt at gaining his side again.

"Now, ahem… is there anything particular you came to our great city for? We have every conceivable service known to man" He added in an overly enthusiastic tone, much to Nathan's annoyance.

"Mayor McDonough, if this is the type of reception I get here, I think I might have to fire my traveling agent" Nate mused, his voice earning a round of chuckles from the guards and Piper. "I believe it's best for us to each go about our business. Have a great night, Mayor". He turned to the guards. "Gentlemen, if you please". McDonough silently nodded at the guards while exhaling through his mouth, with them splitting in two, allowing Nate free passage to the stairs leading inside the stadium.

Every single person in the ticket area looked at the man who now started to walk ever so slowly to the city.

He ain't normal that's for sure, the hardware, and not to mention the pip boy.

Piper silently thought for a moment. Just as everybody started to walk away from the confrontation, the reporter decided to sprint up to the stranger. "Hey you! Wait up!" She stumbled over her words and ran over. Nate turned around and eyed her from top to bottom. She bore jet black hair, a pair of hazel eyes and cute little light freckles around her face. Donning a killer trench coat and the typical newsboy cap, she looked like something pulled straight out of classic comics.

Not every young and pretty woman with black hair is Nora, stupid

Nate facepalmed internally, of course, his subconscious was right. Up close, the differences were clear. But deep down, she made him uncomfortable, her hazel green eyes had that penetrating effect. Perfect to stare down to the very bottom of the soul of someone. Perfect for a journalist.

"I'm really sorry about pulling a fast one on you before, y'know…" Piper's lips rolled together after saying that. "Ah, well and thanks for helping me get in, even if we don't agree on… some stuff, you sure showed McDonough I guess…" Her hands extended outward before coming back down.

Nate pulled his goggles up to his helmet, and pulled his black balaclava down. A grin formed on his face "You're very welcome, Miss".

He was around her age, give or take a year. Black hair was visible from the lateral sides of his helmet. His brown eyes looked like they had seen tremendous pain, suffering and then some.

And quite easy on the eyes too aren't we

Maybe she shouldn't be fawning over some idiot who clearly didn't respect her newspaper, at least he wasn't on McDonough's side completely either. There is always more than meets the eye when Piper recognizes a story. Dogmeat would reappear, Nate was sure about that, after all, he indirectly guided him to the city.

"Well" Nate's left palm pointed toward the stairs going down to the city, "Let's head down then" He had quite a good view of the city. It was dense, many parts of the stadium seatings were removed to make additional space for housing units, the city had to hold a sizable population he reckoned. He noticed the huge generator powering the city right smack dab at the center as they descended. He was partially right, it was a fucking dumpster after all. No big surprise there.

All that aside, it turns out that there were indeed far more interesting things in the city than a repurposed, single line spitting, power noodle selling protectron…

AN/ Finally, I managed to get back on track to writing this. It's been nearly a year since I republished the story and I really wanted to get back to writing. It all comes in sporadic bursts of energy, which will probably lead to this chapter being reworked once I have more energy again. Uni has been getting way too much in the way, and I would like to update this more often than just 'once a year' which isn't a very satisfying rythm honestly. Personally I feel like I still have a lot to improve on and it doesn't fit my (old) style but anyhow, hopefully I'll update before November next year lol

(I Always imagined Diamond City as a bustling settlement, very dense in population and the (main) hub of trade in the Commonwealth, as such I'll try to also describe it like that)