I had wanted to go alone, but they had managed to convince me otherwise. I don't know if it was my fear of those mercenaries tracking me to their bunker and attacking them while I was away, or if it was simply the fact that I was getting used to not being alone. Then there was poor Nate, who in his condition could barely hold a tool, yet alone a weapon. It would be the most dangerous for him, but something tells me he would have been the one that felt the most put out if I had left them behind.

"Bunny. Face. Hard."

"Hard? Oh, you mean my expression? I was just thinking, and sometimes thinking is more dangerous then acting. You don't have to call me 'bunny' every-time either. You can just call me Olivia."

"Bunny. Nice. Bunny. Now. Olive."

"No, uh-LIV-ee-uh."

"Olivia?"

"Yes! I'm Olivia. What about the others?"

"Other. Bunny."

"Other bunny? I'm older than her! At least, I think I am older than her. Marki, am I older than her?"

"No, but you're… prettier?"

Holly punched him. "Was that a question brushbutt?"

"No! Sorry. Just a little distracted is all."

"Mark. Sad. Hurt. Cub?"

"Wait, you call him Mark and yet I am other bunny? How rude."

"No Drake, that isn't it. That singe ear doof has nearly blown himself up countless times, but I always manage to patch him up. It these mercenaries. I have heard… stories about them, and even with Olivia's insanity, Nate's ingenuity, Holly's weapons, and Drake's… Drake, I am not sure we can take them on head to head."

Insanity? I'm not insane, am I? "I won't lie. I don't think it will be easy. I will let you in on a little secret. Back in that… with the boar? I was positive we were all going to die."

"If you were so certain, why did you bother at all? You could have turned back at any time, yet despite your assuredness of death, why did you still try to save us, especially since we were strangers to you and to Hope?"

"Well, Holly. The thing is, despite what I thought, despite all the odds stacked against me, there is no certainty unless you try. If we were all doomed by the fates to die, then I wanted to die doing something to help, not sit back and watch. I know that I am going to die someday, but fates be damned, I will make it difficult as fuck for them to take me."

"If only more mammals had your drive and focus, then the world would be a better place."

"Yeah, but I'd be out of a job."

"Drake. Smell. Drake. Hide."

"You don't smell Drake." he pointed towards the distance, "Oh, looks like we arrived. Yeah, I doubt things will go over too well if we wonder into a trader camp with a deathwing."

"Oh! I forgot I made something for you Drake before my accident. Didn't have a chance to give it to you but," he tried to open his backpack but dropped it, probably due to the burns on his paws, "um… could someone help me?"

"I got it swe…" it almost slipped out, but why was I about to… they were staring. Fuck. "Err… I got it. No sweat. Yeah. Here you go." I tried to cover myself as I picked up his bag and unlatched it. I still was confused about what I was feeling. "What did you make?"

"I… I… oh, this." I pulled out a large black jacket. I couldn't tell the materials, but it looked like it was made from very heavy fabrics, but I was surprised at how light it actually was. "It's… a micro-weave. It won't stop a bullet like ballistic, but it's super light. Figured that Drake could use it to blend in better. Your head is very, wolf-ish, so I made it a tall neck. Maybe people will think you're just a very tall wolf. Wasn't sure about the arms though, with your wings, so I made the sleeves with quick release fastener, so if you need to fly, you can without needing to take it off, but it may be cumbersome."

I was impressed. I could make my way through a code, or build a robot from scrap, but making clothing? I never thought about it. "That was nice of you Nate. When did you find time to do this?"

"Well, I… I couldn't sleep. You were… drunk, but some mammals have an adverse reaction to it. I wanted to… make sure you were okay. Then your…, I was worried, and forgot all about it."

"That was sweet of you, for Drake and for… me." I handed it to Drake. "Here, try it on."

The poor lumbering creature had no idea what he was doing. Between his wings, and his large clawed fingers, he was unable to get it on right. I helped him the best I could. He was almost twice my height so it was rather difficult. It was a good idea making the arms partially detachable, as it helped me pull his wings through. While he didn't look like any mammal I have ever seen, when he was finally dressed in his new outfit he didn't look like a deathwing. At least until you look at his 'paws' and feet. The giant clawed finger was obviously out of place. His feet also looked more like a pair of very sharp skates than toes, but as long as it passed first impression, we should be fine.

"How does it feel?"

"Drake. Weird. Thing. No. Comfort."

"Sorry Drake, but it will have to do for now if you want to stick with us. I have a feeling that a giant deathwing approaching anyone would trigger a 'shoot first ask questions later' scenario."

"Drake. Wear. Olivia. Like."

Did he mean that he would wear it because he liked me, or because I would like him to? We really need to work on his vocabulary. "Now, it was from Nate, so thank him too."

"Drake. Thank. Cub. Make."

"Why does he keep calling me a cub? I am an adult!"

"Cub. Soft. Heart. Cub. Smart. Cub. Foolish. Cub. Like. Child."

"I am not a child!"

"Then stop acting like one bro."

"Olivia. Like. Cub. Drake. Like. Cub."

Even he can tell? Fuck me. At least he's not teasing me… better not leave him alone with Holly anytime soon. "Okay, all this aside, we need to get going before they leave."

The trader camp was just over a large dune. Once we got to the top, I was able to see them clearly. They had made their camp in a large flat area. Unlike the area near the wall, where it was mostly sand and rocks, this area looked more like part of a city. There were small buildings, but unlike the buildings in Savannah Central. Those buildings were mostly brick, steel, and glass, but these looked as if they were carved from stone or sculpted from clay. Every building around us had an earthen tone to it.

A long, one story building created a shadow that fell upon the camp. I had realized it was getting hotter as the day progressed, but my mind had been focused too much on other things to notice. They must be using that building's shade to keep cool. One of them must have noticed us, because he stood up, with a gun pointed right at us.

"Olivia, put your paws in the air. I should have mentioned this, but when you visit a trader camp, you need to show that you're friendly. This is the usual way we do it. No matter how gruff or rude they seem, don't show any aggression. They usually have one or two guards with sniper rifles hidden away. As long as we don't show any aggression, this will go smooth."

Is this world so fucked up that no one trusts anyone? I pulled my coat closed to make sure my gun was hidden and put my arms into the air. It was then that I noticed the others had already done so. I think I need a 'Wasteland's Guide to Etiquette' or something. Their guns were still trained on us, but they seemed a bit more relaxed. Wait a second…

"Where's Drake?"

"Even though he has his 'disguise' I suggested that he stay back. Too many traders come through here to get to know them all, and you can never be too careful."

"That's probably a good idea Mark," I casually glanced back to see if I could spot Drake, but I was unable to see him. I was also unable to see… "Onion's missing as well."

"Oh, he volunteered to stay with Drake." Nate seemed to put a little too much emphasis on that word.

"What do you mean, 'volunteered'?"

"Well, I suggested that he stay back, just in case. He gave me his tag and communication link. If anything were to happen, he and Drake would be our backup."

"That's a smart idea. Looks like you guys planned this all out."

They didn't know it, but I had a plan as well. I didn't want to tell them it, not just because I hoped to not need to use it, but they would have thought it to be insane, dangerous, or even try to talk me out of it. I had to have an ace up my sleeve, otherwise I may never get the information I need. If North truly did know everyone, then he must be able to point me in the right direction, and if I felt he was hiding anything, well then, the ace is wild.

We approached the camp slowly. Two foxes and two rabbits probably didn't look to be too much concern because once we got close enough, they lowered their weapons. One of them, an ewe that, if not for her bulky armor, would look very petite, came up to us and started to speak very informally.

"Here to trade? Show us the goods. Here to buy? Show us your caps. Here to steal? My boys will show me your blood. What'll it be?"

She was, direct. "We actually are looking for someone."

"You see here girl. We don't deal with those slaver asshats. If you want to be buying a slave, you gotta look elsewhere."

"Oh no, nothing like that. Just looking for someone. A ghoul named North."

"Oh that fucker. Yeah, he was here, 'till we kicked him out. That fucker does the same thing to all us honest traders." She spat onto the ground, "He slinks his way into our 'vans, travels to all the hot spots, and then does whatever he can to deal us out of the situation. Between you and me, I don't hate them 'live' ghouls, but that North West fucker? I'd gut him and leave him to hang if I could, but he always manages to slink off to whatever hole he came from. Don't know what you want from him, but he is trouble."

"Yeah, my 'dealings' with him has not been so good either, but he has something that I need. Do you know where he might have went?"

"Nope. But I may have an idea. He might be slippery, but I have seen him a few times hanging around at The Dam. Careful though, strange things happen that close to Darkwater."

The Dam? Darkwater? I didn't want to seem like some idiot, so I waited to ask my friends later. "Thank you for the information."

"That will be twenty caps."

"Um, excuse me?"

"I gave you information. That's just as valuable a commodity as a gun or food. Twenty caps. Unless you wanna pay us with your own blood. Up to you."

Oh that pissed me off. Having to pay for words? They aren't even tangible! I wasn't sure if I should take out my caps, or my gun. A paw on my shoulder stopped me from doing either.

"Don't mind her. She's had a rough few days, being the Hero of Hope and all."

Why did Mark just… I saw the tension among the traders decrease dramatically. The two camels that had raised their guns at me dropped them to their sides. Even the ewe had put her gun down on a nearby crate.

"You are that rabbit? You should have told us! Thanks to you, we were able to restore our normal trade route between Bullswick and Hope. Not to mention having some of Petunia's cooking. Best food in the wasteland and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Tell you what, that information? On the house. Hell, I will toss you a discount too."

"We need to be going, but I thank you for your help."

Funny how the mention of my deeds in Hope turned them around. I wonder if other traders might do the same thing? A discount might not be a bad thing in a pinch.

"Sure thing girl. Oh, and just so you know, I may be thankful for your services, but I still got a business to run. Discount only applies right now. Next time we meet? Full price."

And… there's the greed. Guess I can't be lucky all the time. Still, at least we didn't have to pay for the information.

"We should get going Olivia if we want to find this guy before nightfall."

We left to meet up with Onion and Drake. The entire way back I couldn't help but think of the trader's reaction to finding out that I was the one who saved Hope. I expected its residents to 'praise' me, but not some random mammals that don't even live there. Hope must have been a critical stop for many traders.

Once we were far enough away from the trader's camp, I needed some questions answered. "I didn't want them to think I was an idiot asking this, but what were those places she told us about?"

"The Dam or Darkwater?"

"Both."

"Well, I am not sure about The Dam. It's probably some kind of bar or hangout, but Darkwater, that is something everyone knows," Mark suddenly stopped when Holly elbowed him in the back, "… who has been here long enough to find out. You might have known it from the history books as 'Tundratown'."

"Tundratown? You mean that district full of ice and snow?"

"Not anymore. During the war, something happened to rapidly melt all the ice, and it became trapped in the district walls. It's a giant lake. No one dares venture in there. Besides having to scale a giant wall, the water is said to have so much radiation in it that if you'd jump in to it, you'd either be a ghoul, or dead, in seconds. There are also tales of… creatures that live there. I don't know if the stories are true, but people make them out to be more dangerous than a deathwing."

"Then I am guessing The Damn must be near one of Darkwater's walls. Any of you know where it's at?"

"No. We tend to stay as far away from Darkwater as possible. Even being near the walls gives me the chills. I can't imagine anyone wanting to reside that close."

"Well, first time for everything. If you wanna turn back, I won't blame you, but I am going to find The Dam, and hopefully find North while I am at it."

"If you don't?"

"I will keep asking. Plus, if this place is as seedy as she made it out to be, maybe someone else will have answers to my questions. Hell, maybe I will even run into some Legionaries, cut out the middle mammal all together."

We made it back to where Onion and Drake were waiting. From the sound of it, this Darkwater place really must have been that dangerous, because they were all torn between staying and going. Well, Mark and Holly were at least. Nate had already expressed his decision on the matter. As soon as Nate said he was not leaving, that had made up their minds. I don't think it was possible to separate those three, but I had the feeling that even if they all didn't want to go, they still would have. They must be just as stubborn as me.

"So, if there are no objections, let's head out."

I could see the towering wall that separated the two districts in the distance, but no matter how long we traveled, it always seemed right out of reach. We must have been on the outskirts of civilization due to all the buildings being so far and few between. We left rather deep imprints in the sand, so you would think tracking someone would be easy, but the winds were constant enough to erase any tracks we made. On the positive side, that was probably making it harder to track us.

This part of Sahara Square was very hilly. Large sand dunes blanketed the area, and the loose particles made climbing some of them very difficult. Half the time one of us sunk into the dunes, the other half we did not get a good foot hold and started to slide down them. Drake wanted to just fly us over, but I did not want to risk being seen, so we trudged our way past them.

We had just stopped at the top of a rather large sand dune to rest when I saw something, shining, in the distance. I grabbed binoculars that Mark gave me, but regretted it instantly. I had forgotten they were night vision, and I was trying to use them in broad daylight. I don't think I went blind, but it became very difficult to see.

"Did you just try to use those in the middle of the day? You did, didn't you?"

"Bah!" I blinked a few times, trying to force my vision back, "Just tell me what's out there, I saw something in the distance."

I still couldn't see well, but at least I could hear what Mark had to say.

"I don't see anything… oh I see it! It's small, very small. I can't make it out, but whatever it is… someone's there. It's… yeah, it's defiantly a ghoul. Hard to make out any greater details from here. That ghoul keeps tossing something in the air and catching it, that's what is making the reflection."

"Can you see what he is wearing?"

"Not really. A ragged shirt and some shorts, but they are both so faded that it's hard to make any details out. We'd have to get closer."

"It's him. It's gotta be."

"Well, he is between us and the wall, so I guess it wouldn't hurt. Shall we go say hi?"

"Not us… me. He knows me and I can use that to my advantage. If we all go down, he might feel threatened and run. He has the uncanny knack of disappearing. But just in case… Onion, come over here."

"Yes Miss?"

"Remember that glowing ghoul when we fell into that sinkhole?"

"That was a nasty one Miss."

"Remember how we, or should I say, you stopped it?"

"You mean with the…"

"Yes. Now," I pulled it out and handed it to Onion, "if I give the signal, you need to do the same thing to North. Okay?"

"But Miss, you don't intend on…"

"Don't worry Onion. I know what I am doing. Now, this next part you will not like. Drake? There is something that Onion might need to do, but he will need your help."

"I will? Whatever do you mean Miss?"

"If I need Onion to act, can you fly him right over that ghoul down there and drop Onion onto him?"

"I object Miss! I am not some kind of toy!"

"It may not even come to it, and I really hope I don't need to do this, but I need a backup plan."

"What exactly is this backup plan 'livi?"

"It's… complicated. Just trust me on this. Now, the last two times I 'ran' into him, he was alone, so it's a good chance that he is alone now, but just in case, keep an eye on me, but stay out of sight. If I can get the information I need, I will let you guys know it's okay to come down. If not, well, you will know either way. Wish me luck."

Before they could even respond I jumped off the side and slid down. My vision had thankfully returned, otherwise this short distance would have felt much longer. I made sure to move slowly. While I couldn't see that far, I could still see where he was. It was rather open area except for what I first thought was a tree until I got closer. It was a palm tree alright, but it was made of metal. I think it was some kind of lamp. They seemed to be scattered all over the place.

He still didn't seem to notice me as I got close enough to make him out. It was him alright. Despite the fact that I was looking at his back, I could tell it was North. The only question was, is it him or a holograph. From the sounds of it he was looking for holo parts, so he may have only had that one, but there was only one way to be sure. I carefully took out my gun, and popped the magazine out. Taking a bullet from it I tossed it with all my might at the figure before me.

"Ow! What the hell was that?"

He was real. Perfect. "Hey asshole, remember me?"

"Well, well. If it isn't carrots, the hero of Hope. Oh, sorry, I forgot you hate being called carrots. Look, Olivia, I am a rather busy ghoul at the moment so if you wouldn't mind…"

"Oh I would, I really would. You see, I have two problems. First, I just so happen to loose a couple coins, maybe you have seen them?"

"Like I told you, carrots, I don't have them."

"Then what is in your paw?"

He stared at me for moment longer before his face softened as he looked to his outstretched paw. He must have been doing out of habit and not noticed, because there he was, telling me he sold the coins, while casually flipping one in the air and catching it this whole time. He held it up and looked at it, as if lost in its image. It was the Luck coin. I knew because I remembered the rabbit on the front of it.

"I…," he looked as if he was considering it before clenching the coin in his paw, "No. No I will not."

I had a feeling he wouldn't. Whatever force seems to keep drawing me to it must be affecting him too. Maybe it was better to let him keep them. My luck they were probably cursed.

"Well, fine. There was one other thing."

"What is it! Didn't I tell you I was busy?"

He seemed, agitated for some reason. The past two times he never seemed to falter in his smoothness. Always moving a step ahead of me. This time? He seemed troubled. Maybe something happened? Or maybe it was just another trap to lure me out of a false sense of security. I don't think he would try to attack me, but the moment I took my eyes off of him, he would probably disappear again.

"Last time we met, you said you know everybody/. Is that true?"

"Look sweetheart, I have been around a very long time. Longer than you can probably imagine. So yes, I have come across just about everyone there is. So far, you have been the only oddball in my travels. Destroyer of Gangs, Hero of Hope. I have even heard rumors that you took out an entire nest of deathwings just trying to save some stupid rabbit. I don't know if even half of that is true, and if they were? Then you scare the hell out of me."

Was my reputation becoming that bad? Sure, this guy has given me nothing but grief since first meeting him, but to hear that he is scared of me? That was not the reaction I was looking for. I don't want to drive terror into other mammals. I just want to make the world a better place, even if it was just giving some people hope. Hope. No, I can't let North's fear drive me away from my goal. The lives of too many people, innocent mammals who have probably had to earn their living their whole lives be put at risk from some bastard who just steals and lies his way out of everything. He may not be a raider, but he certainly wasn't my friend.

"If you are so scared of me, then why don't you just give me what I need and I will be on my way. Where can I find the Legionaries?"

He might have rotting flesh for a face, but I could tell that look anywhere. Shock and confusion. "You want to find WHO?"

"The Legionaries. Apparently someone hired them to find me, and I need to find them, or rather, the one who hired them first."

"No. No way carrots. Even if I did know where to find them, no one crosses the Legionaries. You stand in between them and their target? Your good as dead, and I may be over two hundred and thirty years old, but I don't want to die, not like that."

I lifted my Pip-Boar. "You tell me, or else you will regret it long before they find you."

"What, you going to shoot me carrots?"

I forgot that I was still holding my gun. The magazine was still in my other paw, but I could use this. "You have ten seconds. Ten."

North started to back away from me. "You're supposed to be some kind of Hero, but you are not acting very heroically."

"Nine." I didn't need to wait till ten, but I did need to distract him. "Eight." I pushed a button on my Pip-Boar, disguising the action by loading the clip into my gun. I had made sure to have a message, rather than a verbal command to Onion, I didn't want him to catch onto my plan. I slowly turned in order to force him to back towards my friends. "Seven."

"Carrots, please! Don't do this! here, you want your coins? You can have them!"

I cocked the hammer on the gun. "Six." Despite what he told me moments ago, I was getting an odd pleasure from this. Maybe I really was insane. "Five." I heard Drake's wings, but I think North was too worried about me to notice. He looked terrified.

"You don't need to do this carrots… Olivia! You can't!"

"Four." Just about… "Now!"

"Wha…"

North did not have time to react before Drake dropped Onion onto North. Just like I wanted him to, Onion didn't land on North, but rather floated next to him as he performed his duties just as swiftly as before. I pushed a button on my Pip-Boar just as I heard the others catch up to me.

"Olivia! What the hell is going on? Is that a…" Mark knew what it was. They all did from their expressions.

"What is this? What did you…" I knew he saw it, they all did. That little green light.

They all stood there, faces expression shock, confusion, and even some horror at the fact that I had just ordered Onion to put around North's neck, a slave collar. With my finger on the button, I looked at North, and as spoke as calm as ever, knowing that this is my only chance for answers.

"Tell me where to find the Legionaries, or else."

—

Fallout: Zootopia After Show

Featuring:

'Stripes in the Morning'

[Stripes]

"Good morning Zootopian Wasteland! This is your host-ess with the most-ess, Stripes with today's episode of Stripes in the Morning!"

[Max]

"Uh, I think you may want to reword that intro Stripes."

[Stripes]

"What you mean? I always introduce myself this way."

[Max]

"Um, host… ess? Hostess, like as in, a female host? You… you're a guy, right?"

[Stripes]

"Most assuredly! I… oh, OH! I get my sudden faux pas. Guess I got caught up in the moment trying to spin my rhymes."

[Max]

"Damn it you striped bastard, you're a reporter, not a rapper, stick with what you're good at. Then again, I'm not so sure you're even good at this. Maybe I shouldn't have taken away your coffee and booze…"

[Stripes]

"No, you shouldn't have. Anyways, welcome folks to today's episode! Today's guest is the one and only, heroine of the wasteland, Olivia Springs! We caught up with Miss Springs outside the town of Hope. Good morning Miss Springs, how have you been?"

[Olivia]

"You? What the fuck are you doing here? Out of my way, I'm not in the mood."

[Stripes]

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. I'll make this quick then. Tell us, who do you think is responsible for sending these mercenaries after you?"

[Olivia]

"How the hell should I know? If I knew that, I would be beating down their door right now. Wait… how the fuck did you know about that?"

[Stripes]

"It's my job to know these things. It seems that subject is a bit of a hot plate, so let's talk about something else. What about your friend Nate Valiant? Something tells us that you two are a bit closer than that."

[Olivia]

"I… he's… what business is that to you?"

[Stripes]

"It's my duty to bring all the news, even the most… personal bits, especially the ones the audience might be curious about. On the subject of your boyfriend…

[Olivia]

"BOYFRIEND? What are you… things are not like… he's just…"

[Stripes]

"The reddening of your ears is telling me that there is something between you two, isn't there? Why are you un-holstering your gun? Max, she's pointing a gun at us!"

[Max]

"No, she's pointing a gun at you. I'm just sitting back and enjoying the train wreck you call a show."

[Stripes]

"Max! Do something!"

[Max]

"Hey Olivia? Mind not hitting anything vital? I don't think he's insured. Plus I'm wearing my favorite shirt, and blood stains are so difficult to get out."

[Olivia]

"Y-you two better leave, now. I'm in a hurry and if I see either of you again this won't be some idle threat."

[Stripes]

"Well then folks, I guess this is the end of today's After Show. This is Stripes signing off, and remember I'll be out there risking my neck trying to bring you all the news, no matter how much it hurts."

[Max]

"Yeah, and one of these days it's gonna get us killed. I don't know why I even put up with you."