Onion and I followed the mayor through the busy path that cut from the entrance through to her office in the back of town. Every trader stall was packed with eager buyers and traders, and Olive's Garden had a line so long it was a wonder she and the cook could keep up with the orders, let alone with supplies. I was glad to see this place lively. That is until I noticed that everyone was staring. At me. What was really bothering me was the fact that it wasn't actually everyone, but rather, every resident. Visitors and traders were not paying any heed to me, but the rest of them…

"Mayor, what is going on? Why are they looking at me like… that?"

She was silent as she led me to her office. When the people wanted to kick Nate and Mark out, they stared too, but they also whispered, and glared, as if the mere vocalization of their troubles, and the piercing of their eyes, would have made them go away. Now? Nothing. There were no whispers, and their stares looked more like their very life was drained from them. Something happened while I was gone. I just couldn't imagine what it could have been.

We reached her office, but I still wasn't able to get her to tell me what was wrong. I don't think Hope was attacked. There was no sign of violence, and I was only gone a day. So if it had been attacked, I doubt it would be this busy. Did the leader of the Berserk-kings threaten them with another attack? If so, I need to be fixing the defense systems instead of standing here. Then a thought hit me. What if she couldn't convince the town to let Mark and Nate back, what if they still thought they were spies and that I was with them. What if they found out about…

"Miss Springs," her normally sweet voice was completely gone. Her tone made it seem like I had just been called to one of my 'disciplinary' meetings with the Overseer, but this felt even more serious, "while you were gone, we found out some… troubling news involving… you."

News? What kind of news would cause such a thick air of… I still don't even know what it was! "What news? What happened while I was gone?"

"The Legionaries."

"The who?"

"Sometimes I forget that you are a Burrow dweller. The Legionaries are a group of mercenaries. Unlike the raiders you have come across in the wasteland, these guys won't kill you for fun, they won't rape you just because you are an easy target. No. These guys are worse than that. They represent all that I hate in a mammal. They do it for money."

"Greed is everywhere, what makes them more dangerous?"

"They will do anything as long as the price is right. Pay them to kill a child? Done. Kill your own mother, daughter? Done. They don't care who they hurt, what they take, as long as they get paid. That's what makes them dangerous."

"But what does this have to do with me?"

"Miss Springs, it was you who they were after."

Wait… what? "ME? Why would they be after me?!"

"We don't know. They came to me first, asking to hand you over. When I told them that you were not here, which incidentally you weren't, they paid a 'visit' to every single resident asking the same thing."

"No one got hurt did they?"

"Thankfully, no. Like I said, they do anything for money, but they won't do anything if there are no caps in it. They must have only been paid to find you, not stir up trouble, or else I don't think any of us would be standing here."

"Are they really that bad?"

"They are organized, they have weapons and armor that look like they were just made, they have training and tactics. Not even the Steel Guardians want to tangle with them. Yes, they really are that bad."

"If that's the case, why am I just now finding out about this? If they asked everyone, someone must have wanted to give me up. I mean I was helping the two foxes that they all wanted to be rid of."

"I thought the same thing. It happened soon after you left, and I did not have time to try to convince them of the brother's innocence. The Legionaries came empty pawed, and they left the same. No one was willing to give you up. Honestly, I don't know who they fear more, them or… you."

"They are afraid of me?"

"Yes. And no. They are not afraid of you as you are. To them, you are their savior, their hero. But, there has been talk… of events involving you. The Theater, the Stadium, Little Rodentia. Every time someone hears about a major commotion, you are always at the top of it. I have… friends, that said the Theater was you, but the other stories…"

"Are all true."

"You mean… all of them?"

"Yup. And a few more. Such as me recently fighting off a wild boar who was controlling an army of deathwings. Speaking of which, you haven't seen a boar with a white streak on his head, and, oh yeah, a newly missing tusk, have you?"

She seemed, taken aback by my question, breaking her previously serious demeanor, "No, I haven't. Should I?"

"I fucking hope not."

"I see…" she grabbed a few items on her desk and moved them around hastily, "Anyway, back to the matter at hoof. If these mercenaries are after you, for whatever reason, you are not safe here, and…"

"They are not safe with me here, are they?"

"… no, they are not. While collateral damage with the Legionaries is usually minimal, if whomever is paying them to get you decides to increase the fee to tear apart Hope in order to find you…"

"Then me staying here is a liability. To you and to them."

"I don't want to tell you to leave. We need you, they need you, but this town can't handle another attack. Not yet anyways."

"Well then, its settled. The last thing I want on my conscious is the death of more innocents. I don't want to leave as much as you. More so, honestly. I have only been here a short time, but this place makes me feel more at home than anywhere, even my Burrow. However, if the only way to protect you, all of you, is to leave, then…"

"What will you do? Where will you go?"

"I have a place in mind. As for the what?" I turned to the door and opened it, "I am going to find these Legionaries, and I am going to make them tell me who is paying them."

"They won't be easy to find, and they would sooner die than reveal a contract holder."

"Well then if that's the case," I cast a smile towards the mayor that made her look, uneasy, "there may not be any Legionaries left to fear after I am done with them."

"Olivia! Wait!"

I didn't want to leave. I had just returned, but I couldn't put this town in danger because of me. The longer I stayed here, the bigger the chance they would return. I knew nothing about these guys, but from what I have seen in this world, if someone is willing to kill another living being for something as petty as caps, then they have no good morals. They are just trash, and trash needs to be disposed of.

"Miss? You appear agitated."

"YOU THINK!?"

"Miss, I…"

No, don't yell at him Olivia, don't take it out on your friend. "I'm… I'm sorry Onion. I didn't mean to yell at you. It's just that… I thought things would be different. I figured, once I was settled in a nice place, the road ahead would get smoother, clearer as to where I am going, but I keep hitting detours along the way and getting lost - needing to turn around and start again. I am not sure if I can lead a normal, happy life."

"You were happy with them Miss."

I was. Yes, I was thrilled at having a home, a place to sleep in safety, a place to do what I want to, not what others wanted me to. I didn't plan on making friends. I didn't plan on finding happiness in others, but as I have learned time and time again, things don't usually go how they are planned. In some cases, that non accordance to plan turns out to be…

"Elevated Hear Rate Detected. No Imminent Threats. Activate B.A.T.S.?"

"Did I tell you to 'kill'? No I didn't, so shut up."

I was feeling flustered again. I felt my tail quivering, my heart racing. Why was I feeling this way? The only thing I thought of was Nate… oh fuck me. No! Wait! Wrong choice of words Olivia! I am so glad that they were not here, and able to read my thoughts. That would have made this past day much more embarrassing then it already was. Still…

"Miss? What are we to do now?"

A distraction, just what I needed. "I honestly don't know Onion. I can't stay here, I can't put anyone else's life in danger, especially over mine. They knew I was here, and if no one was willing to give me up, then it is a matter of time before they return. I grabbed everything I could that might prove useful. Parts and supplies. Clothing, what little I had. Then I found the mayor's other gift, the sexy little nightgown. Last time I saw it, all I could think about was the mayor wearing her similar one, now I look at it and all I think about is…

"Hello? Anyone here?"

I quickly shoved the nightgown into my bag. "Yes? Who is it?"

I looked around but only saw an open door, with no one standing there. Was I hearing things? I heard a small cough and looked down at the floor. A small red squirrel with an overly fluffy tail, who was dressed in a two-piece pinstripe suit, had made his presence known. I looked at him inquisitively as I saw him dragging a large bag behind him.

"My name is Francis Rattigarian. I am in charge of the town's finances."

He's not trying to collect rent is he? She said I wouldn't have to pay rent, but then again, I haven't fixed anything since arriving. I sighed and grabbed the bag with what little caps I had in it. I tried to hand it to him, but he seemed like he was slightly offended.

"I am not here to collect money from you, I am here to give it to you." He pushed the over-sized (to him at least) bag to my feet. I opened it as saw hundreds of bottle caps.

"… say again?"

"Mayor Swift," he jumped up onto the workbench and beckoned me to bend over as he whispered in my ear, "and I will tell you this is in utmost confidentiality that no one is to hear of our transaction," he sat up straight and adjusted his suit, "has generously offered to fund your, excursion, away from town."

"Wait… What?… Excursion?"

"Yes. Due to, recent events, the Mayor will be making an announcement later today informing the town that you, Olivia Springs, have been called away due to an emergency, and is unsure when you will be coming back. She asked me to give you this stipend of five hundred caps. Despite previous financial arrangements between you and Mayor Swift, this was the typical weekly allowance we offered our previous mechanic. The Mayor feels that even though you have been unable to perform your duties as town mechanic, the fact that we still have a town to fix is reason enough to allow the payout of the first week's stipend."

"Why didn't the mayor give it to me in person?"

"As the official accountant, I am…" he sighed and looked at me, not as an official, but as a resident, "I will be blunt Miss Springs. She doesn't want you to leave, none of us do. I've known the mayor for a long time, ever since she was a child, and she has always been sweet, kind, and innocent. Now? She's scared."

"Scared that if I leave, the town will get attacked again?"

"No, she's afraid that she will… lose you. This town is called Hope, but recently, some of us have wondered if there was even any meaning to that word left in the world, until you arrived. Your actions not only saved us, but showed most of us that there is still some resemblance of hope in the world to cling onto. In one day, trade has returned, our income has doubled, and people feel happier… all thanks to you. If you leave, if you… die, then that hope may die with you."

They really did care about me. That just made leaving harder for me, but I had to. I vowed to protect the innocent, and by staying here, I may just break that vow. If I can find out who was after me, then maybe, just maybe, I can find the solace I am so desperately seeking.

"Thank you. Thank you all. I… don't think I will be here when she makes that announcement. It's already hard enough to leave as it is. I need to put some distance between me and Hope before they come back and find me here."

"She thought you would say that, and she sends her love, and this. I hope your travels are safe, and that you can return to us unharmed."

Rattigarian jumped down, made a small bow and left. He had given me a small folded paper. I opened it, and inside was a note.

Dear Olivia,

Part of me had wished that you would have chosen to stay. We all would have fought for you, but in the end, as mayor, I need to think about the sum of the whole. You are our greatest hero, but also our greatest danger. I want to tell you to not do this, to find somewhere else, start a new life, away from all the evil of the wasteland, but I know as well as you that nowhere is safe. Even among friends do our enemies grow, but leave knowing this. Your actions have inspired us. Mammals young and old are no longer cowering, using the ignorance of the world as a shield. Some have started to join our security, while what few have the technical skill are working to get our defenses online. You have shown us that we have the ability to stand up for ourselves without needing to rely on others. I thank you, the town thanks you. And remember, you will always have a home here.

Sincerely, Jessabell Swift

Don't cry. Please don't cry. Damn it Olivia! I sat there, re-reading the note, letting my tears fall onto the paper. I folded it up and put it into one of my pockets. I remembered that… nightmare. I may not be able to save everyone, but I will do whatever it takes to save as many lives as possible, to protect as many as I can. I won't just shield them from danger anymore, I want to encourage them to shield others as well.

I may not be able to save the world, but I will die trying to save those I can.

I had cut though the outer edges of the town where there was no activity. I wanted to leave without being seen. If someone else gave me a gift, or a letter, or even gave me that look of loss, then I don't know what I would be able to do. I didn't want them to see me cry.

I used a group of camels to sneak out of town. They did not show me any acknowledgment, so I figured they were traveling traders. Onion had slipped between the crowd rather unnoticed as well. You think that out of everything here, a large metallic vegetable would have attracted attention, but the residents who weren't busy with traders has started to form a crowd around the center of town. Her announcement probably. I wanted to hear what she said, but I just left.

Once I was far enough away from the crowd, I turned my radio to the bunker's frequency.

"Is that? 'Livi! We were wondering when you would call."

"Hey Holly, um, is everyone…alright?"

"Yeah everyone's… what's going on? What's wrong?"

How could she tell there was something wrong? "Listen, I need to… take care of something. Something important. I don't know how long it will take, or even where to start. I just wanted to make sure you guys were safe."

I heard Mark's voice come over the radio, "Is that Olivia? It is? What did she say? Olivia! Holly says there's something wrong. Are you okay? Nate! Drake! It's Olivia! I think somethings wrong!"

I managed a smile. I came from a place where no one liked me, no one wanted me, to having two places where no one wanted me to leave. I think this will be even harder though.

"I don't think Nate heard me. I got him a gift and he has been fiddling with it all day. What's the matter Olivia? Holly said you sounded sad."

I did? I didn't think I did. Then again I was just crying. "I have already put Hope in danger, I don't want the same for you. I am not sure when I will be able to return to Hope, or you guys. Keep an eye out for Legionaries, if they find out where I was this morning…"

"Legionaries? Why would they be…" there was a loud noise that caused the transmission on their end to become garbled. It kept going in and out as I hit my Pip-Boar hoping it was just interference.

"Nate… workshop… explosion… Drake… get… Holly!" The static was too much and I couldn't get a clear signal, and then it suddenly cut off altogether. Fuck! Were they under attack? I should have called them earlier. I should have warned them!

I took off in the direction of their bunker. Thankfully its location was hard locked into my map, and didn't need a signal. Whatever was happening, it was still too far off. I wouldn't make it. I had to make it. I had to!

I don't know how long I was running. It felt like an eternity. My legs hurt, I couldn't breathe, but I couldn't give up. I had to push myself to the breaking point, and then push past it. If I stopped, even for a second, then that was a second too late for them. I tried to jump over some large debris that was blocking my way, but I didn't have the energy to do it, and instead I tripped causing me to hit the ground. No, get up. Get up! I heard a rustling noise above me as something jabbed into my sides. I watched as the ground below me gained distance.

"Bunny. Safe. Drake. Protect."

"Drake? Oh, thank goodness. What happened at the bunker? Is everyone okay?"

"Cub. Break. Others. Help."

Cub break? Nate? Did he…

He must have sensed my feelings, or seen my how I looked.

"Cub. Good. Cub. Safe."

I felt a tear fall from my eye as I sighed in relief. "There was an explosion, and yelling."

"Cub. Poke. Blue. Break. Hurt. Ears. Loud."

I could usually pick up on what he was saying, but I was clueless as to what he meant. I just sat there and let him carry me back to the bunker.

"Miss? I think I'm starting to hate heights."

"Ball. No. Talk. Drake. Drop."

"I object!"

"Drake. Joke. Ball. Funny."

In that moment, despite everything going on, I started to laugh. "What exactly have they been teaching you?"

We reached the bunker a short while later. To my relief there was no one near it, and it wasn't a smoking pile of rubble. Maybe they would be safe. Hope was inside a giant building, but even in broad daylight, it was still hard to tell that this wasn't nothing more than a pile of earth and sand. Maybe I should convince the mayor to move Hope underground. It would be a lot safer.

Holly was at the door and let us in. "That singed ear doof really did it this time."

"What happened? I heard an explosion and then yelling."

"Oh, he was working on a little 'toy' Mark bought him a bit ago from a trade caravan a short distance from here, and that doof must have done something to have it blow up in his face, literally."

"Is he okay? Where is he?"

"Aww, 'livi is worried about her foxy."

I felt my face turn red. Did she always do that? "I… just… I mean. Is he okay?"

"He will be fine. Marki is in patching him up, although, it might take a few days for his fur to grow back."

Holly lead me to where the medical area was. I realized that I really didn't know this place too well. We were so tired and things got a little…, that I didn't even think about what kind of place this was. It looked very fortified. It reminded me a lot of the Guardians base that they patched me up in, although this place was much smaller.

When we finally got into the room where Mark was tending to his brother, I could smell singed fur, and skin. It started to bring back… memories, ones that I have tried ignore. I closed my eyes. Just in case.

"Your fox has gone and done it this time Olivia."

"What did he… wait, my fox?"

"Well, he ain't my fox. That spot is already taken, and he ain't Drake's fox, so that leaves you the only one left."

"Cub. Smell. Cooked."

"Well 'livi, if you don't want him, I can always put him back into the oven. What do you say Drake?"

Nate jumped out of bed, causing Mark to drop all of his supplies. He was wearing nothing but… my face started to burn as I quickly turned away.

"Oh yeah, forgot to tell you 'livi. His clothes were, kinda on fire."

Why did I come back here? Why? I'd rather be fighting ghouls and giant insects right now. I need something to shoot. Or drink. No. Not drink. Drinking bad. I think my head was still fuzzy from last night, and that dream. I couldn't face another one. I tried to think of something else, to keep my mind off of things. Small trails of smoke were still coming from down the hall where Nate's workshop was. I know he was okay, but that smell, the singed flesh, burning fur, the smoke filling my eyes, my lungs.

"Bunny. Cry."

I felt Drakes clawed wing touch my arm, like a paw trying to comfort me. His claw was sharp, and it felt as if it was going to pierce my flesh. I knew he wasn't bad, and he probably didn't know what he was doing, and he cared.

"Get Nate some clothes Mark. Olivia, are you okay?"

"It's…" I wiped away my tears before turning to face Holly. "…nothing. Just bad memories."

Holly grabbed me and started to hug me. "We all have them. Some more than others. Just remember, we are all friends here, and you are safe as long as you are with your friends. Now, tell me what's troubling you."

I didn't go into the reason why I was crying, I still couldn't face those… images, but I told her of the reason I had called them in the first place. I told them everything that the mayor and Rattigarian had told me. The looks on the faces of the people, about the Legionaries. I showed them the letter that the mayor left me.

"Those guys are trouble, with a capital T. You sure you don't know why they want you?" Mark had just finished putting the last bandage on the now fully clothed Nate.

"No, the only thing I could think of would be that boar, Baird, but the mayor said it happened shortly after we left and we didn't run into that fucker for at least another few hours after that. Sure, maybe it was the Gray Quills, or the Berserk-kings, but would they even hire mercenaries to come after me?"

"Anything is possible in the wasteland. Maybe the face that a single rabbit outwitted them, along with taking out a large chunk of their forces, made them second guess sending their own mammals after you. The Legionaries have been hired for less than that. If it involves caps, they don't care what the job is." Holly sounded a bit… proud retelling my outings with the raiders.

"That's what the mayor said. I still can't believe that mammals would do that, just for petty cash."

"It's not that hard to believe. There are rapists, slavers, mammals who wouldn't hesitate to kill you just because you looked at them funny. To be honest, mercenary work is one of the more… reputable jobs, between them. People like the Legionaries don't just kill for money. Although, I will admit, that is the brunt of their work."

"I still don't think it's right. Still, I need to find out who hired them. The Legionaries, they are just doing their job. They probably don't care who I am. They don't care who they hurt trying to get to me. They just want their money. The contractor, however, that's who I want to find."

"If they can't get paid… they usually won't continue." Nate spoke for the first time since I arrived. Up until now I either kept catching glances from him, or he caught glances from me. By now I would have thought Holly would have continued the teasing, but I think after my news, she was too concerned with what I had to say.

"But how will you find them, and should you?"

"I don't know where to start, but I know I have to. As long as they are after me, I can't live a peaceful life. I can't just keep looking over my shoulder, wondering who lurks in the shadows. I also can't let anyone close to me get hurt. What if they decide to attack Hope looking for me? What if they find this place and hurt you?" I was including all of them, but I just couldn't help but focus on Nate.

"From what my boys told me, you are not a rabbit who is easily stopped when your mind is set on something. But you can't just go traipsing all over the world, hoping to get lucky. You need a plan."

"I know. I just… while I mull this over, I have to know. What exactly happened Nate?"

Half of his face was wrapped in bandage, along with both his paws. Looking at him like this, and knowing that the was safe made me feel better.

"Well, Mark found me a power source from some traders."

Mark interrupted him, "He kept on complaining that he did not have anything 'good enough' for his project. I know nothing about these things, but I know a good deal. Tell him what it's for, fluff head."

"I… it's… a gift." He whispered that last part so quiet I almost didn't hear it, a gift? For who? "I… was trying to modify it to take a reversal charge, when the core went critical and blew up right on my workbench. I triple checked everything! I even had a redundant safety system going on. It shouldn't have done that! That's why I don't let him buy my stuff. A good 'deal' is pointless if it doesn't work."

"Maybe you can get your money back?"

"I doubt it. Usually in cases like this they will go 'user error.' That ghoul was muttering on about a replacement holo-chamber, maybe we can trade one for what we paid? Do we even have a holo-whats-it?"

Mark and Nate kept bickering back and forth. I would have found it rather endearing, but something was bothering me about that conversation. There was something familiar about what they said. A holo-chamber? Not sure what that is, but I assume that it must be for some sort of holographic tech? I remember that those were a thing, and a ghoul? Why does that… bingo!

"Why did you just suddenly jump up? What is it 'livi?"

"I know exactly who can help me!"

The last time we met, he told me he knew 'everyone.' The mammal I was looking for was out there someplace, and if anyone can help me, he can. He 'owed' me after the last two times, and I think it's about time to collect, even if he doesn't think so.

"Where were the traders Mark?"

"About a mile south east of here, why?"

"Because, south east lies North West, and that is the one direction that can help me."

—

Fallout: Zootopia After Show

Featuring:

'Stripes in the Morning'

[Stripes]

"Good morning Zootopian Wasteland! This is everyone's favorite zebra, presenting today's episode of Stripes in the Morning! We managed to catch up with the lovely cream colored rabbit, Holly Kerrigan. Holly, as you're probably aware, is Mark's significant other, life-mate, main squeeze, big…"

[Max]

"We get it you inebriated striped bastard! Do you really have to drink, now?"

[Stripes]

"Well, since you were rude enough to cut me off of coffee for today, I had to resort to my second favorite beverage, a nice hard cider."

[Max]

"You idiot. You're no better than B…"

[Stripes]

"Spoilers! Now, where was I? Oh yeah. Interview. We caught up with Holly while she was at a nearby trader market. Good morning Miss Kerrigan."

[Holly]

"It's four in the afternoon, what do you mean… IT'S YOU!"

[Stripes]

"Always happy to meet a fan, now t…"

[Holly]

"You're the one who kept pestering Drake! I'm surprised he didn't eat you. What, are you stalking me or something?"

[Stripes]

"No, no. Nothing of the sort. I'm actually with the Savannah Caller. I host an After Show called Stripes in the Morning. Just wanted a quick interview."

[Holly]

"I've listened to that station for a long time and I never heard of that show."

[Stripes]

"Well, it's a special broadcast. Now, would you be so kind as to do a small interview? Won't take but a moment."

[Holly]

"If it will get you out of my fur, then make it quick."

[Stripes]

"Excellent! Now tell me. You're relatively new in the spotlight, what's your take on Olivia Springs?"

[Holly]

"She put her own life on the line to rescue me and protect my boys, so she's alright in my book."

[Stripes]

"Now, next question. What do you think… whoops. Almost fell on my butt, sorry."

[Max]

"Now will you stop drinking on the job?"

[Stripes]

"You gonna give me some coffee?"

[Max]

"Not until you apologize for last time!"

[Stripes]

"Well then, that answers your question. Now Holly, if you wouldn't mind answering another of mine. I know the citizens of Hope are not too happy about recent events, despite you and the fox's non-involvement in them. If you were given the opportunity to live there in peace, would you take it?"

[Holly]

"While I doubt even their mayor can erase thousands of years of hatred and suspicion towards foxes, if that actually were to occur? Yeah, I think we would. Our home might be where we keep our stuff and sleep securely, but it's not a real home. If we were given the opportunity to have a real home, I think we would all jump at the opportunity."

[Stripes]

"Well, hopefully Mayor Swift can turn a few heads. Lovely girl that one. Reminds me of a certain singer from long ago. You know the one. Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh. Oh, oh, oh…"

[Max]

"That's it! I'm cutting you off from coffee and booze!"

[Stripes]

"You can't! You shan't! Whatever will I use to parch this unquenchable thirst?"

[Max]

"Uh, water?"

[Stripes]

"That tasteless piss? Looks like this will be the last airing of Stripes in the Morning. Oh woe is me."

[Holly]

"Um, I think I'll leave you two… alone. It's been… interesting. Um, why are you staring?"

[Stripes]

"Sorry, but I couldn't help but notice that lovely russet stripe. It goes from the tippy top of your nose, and all the way… how far does it go I wonder?"

[Holly]

"…The only one to know that carries a revolver the size of my arm. You're lucky he's preoccupied at the moment or I'm sure we'd find a nice hoof sized crater in your chest. Now if you excuse me I must be off. Pervert."

[Max]

"Great. Public intoxication and sexual harassment. That's it. I'm looking for a new job. Good luck getting your coffee now you striped bastard."

[Stripes]

"No, it was just… I wasn't… ahem. Well, looks like that's all for today's episode of Stripes in the Morning. Tune in next time where I'll be seeking out the brave heroine Olivia Springs for her second interview, where I promise I'll be much more sober. Until next time folks, I'll continue to bring you the truth no matter how much it hurts! Now, if you will excuse me, I think I will go pass out for the next few days."