Chapter 8: Varnish for Home
"Megaton, huh? I never heard of the place. It isn't far from here, I presume?" John asked, looking down the dirt path.
Mike pointed off in the direction. "You should see the walls from here. The storm still covers that far. It isn't far."
Mike and Cat made their way down the trail. John, however, glanced around. This was where Jeff was bashing those dogs into the ground. Surely enough, he spotted the bodies of the carnage not too far off from his location. Blood and bile soaked the dirt now. These dogs and raider corpses will just be more bones in the Wastes.
He shook his head and caught up to them. John decided he could use some relaxation and a bed. Passing this opportunity would just be foolish. He'll eat, rest up and be gone by the next morning.
Despite the storm, he saw it. The massive, welded metal walls of Megaton! It stretched far and wide. The sheer size of it was a sight to behold! The front gate was a behemoth of a criss cross gate. They are adjacent to each other; opened on opposite sides to split the left and right evenly. They hung a jet engine in the middle of the gate. It spun and spewed air. Powering the mechanism that opened it all to the world.
Cat and Mike were having a conversation with one of the roaming traders on the outside. No doubt going over the events that just transpired. Mike wished the guard and the merchant farewell and gestured for John to come over to the gate. Pointing to a rather rusty, mangled Protectron.
"Welcome, Citizen. The Bomb is perfectly safe. Megaton, the safest. Town. Around." he spoke with sparks and jolts of audible errors.
Cat spoke up, patting the robot on his cracked dome. "This is Deputy Weld! He's been here since before me and Mike! He always stood out front. Saying greetings to everyone passing by or coming to stay!"
Mike gave the robot a pat on the head too, passing him into the gate. John only noted the poor state of the robot. Many of his ruined circuits and frames were irreplaceable.
They entered the town. It was a real ramshackle settlement. Each building seemed welded together from various pieces of metal and elevated with intense supports. The interior wasn't too far off from the exterior.
"Welcome to our humble abode, John! We should go see Harden. He will approve of you staying here. He's in charge of the whole town. Just like his father." Cat opened her arms and spun down the hill, saying as she went.
Mike, shaking his head, jogged after her. John followed him. Taking in the scenery and layout. Some settlers and workers were around, but no one paid him any mind. He was more than glad to not draw any attention to himself.
It took a little time to stumble across Harden. He looked like a sheriff. A revolver on his hips, a duster and cowboy hat to boot. He was tan and had a mustache to make the manliest man jealous. He was sitting on a bench below one of the many elevated houses. He was just watching, observing his people. Drinking a beer and monitoring everyone simultaneously.
He didn't miss the fact that Mike and Cat were walking around with a hooded stranger. He just continued to chug his beer as they approached.
"Mike, Cat! I was wondering where you two went off to. Who is this with you? I had never seen him before. Why are you hiding, stranger?" he questioned, finishing his drink. "You should know that Megaton, my town. We welcome everyone here. Just as long as you don't cause trouble!" he said, more as a threat; not as a recommendation.
John spoke up first. "Greetings, Harden. I am John. Mike and Cat here got caught up in almost becoming slaves from a band of raiders in Springvale Elementary?" he inquired. "I saved them both from that fate, despite what Mike might say. I'm to ask your blessings to stay here for the day to rest up. Is that okay?"
Harden only laughed; it was a cheery one. "You saved them from raiders? Well, I'll be! You earned a ticket to stay. Yeah. I can work with that. Welcome to Megaton! Our home is your home. For the time being, as long as you stay."
He looked over at Mike and Cat. "Go get some rest, you two. Sounds like you could use it after today. We can catch up tomorrow. You can tell me all about how those raiders paid!" He slammed a fist into his hand for emphasis and sent them all on their way.
"Charming fellow, that Harden." John commented.
Mike laughed slightly at that. "You're not wrong there."
Cat sighed and got their attention in a few snaps. "Hey, you two? Can we get inside before we bicker? I just want to sit down in my chair at home after today."
"Oh, right. Sorry, John. Our house is this way. Past the massive pipe in the ground!" he pointed to the pipe and guided him up an unsuspecting ramp. It led to a secluded little shack, tucked in a corner.
"Welcome to our slice of heaven!" Cat said, opening the door and bowing them both in.
Mike entered, immediately taking a seat in one of the metal chairs at the table in the middle of the first floor. He groaned and leaned back so hard; he nearly fell over.
John entered, ducking in the doorway. He felt rather out of place in such a small space. "Nifty little space you two have here."
He looked around and saw that the first floor was rather small. It comprised a tucked away kitchen, and the middle room with the table and chairs. Nothing in between, and steps on the side.
"It's not much, no. But it is ours." Cat took her own seat next to Mike. "Take a seat, John! I'll cook us all something before bed. Just let me take a breather. I haven't processed everything that happened today."
John moved a chair over and sat down on the floor. "I'll probably break your seat…" he said, in passing.
End Chapter 8: