I knew the ride to the Guardians was going to be a long one, but I didn't realize how right I was. Mark had volunteered to take the wheel so that Nate and I could sit together. The sudden realization that he had lost control of himself again had thrown him into a state of regret and self-loathing. This wasn't new to any of us, but unlike all the other times, he wasn't trying to hide it anymore.

"I-I… I don't like not b-being myself…" Nate was stuttering like he usually does when his emotions were bothering him, but he was also speaking slow, as if unsure of what to say next.

"You didn't do anything wrong. You scared me, but you didn't hurt anyone, and I was able to snap you out of it."

"B-but what if y-you couldn't…"

"Then I would keep trying until I did. I know you're stronger than that, we all do. There is nothing that I wouldn't do for you other than leave you like that."

For the first time, Nate had buried his face in my chest as he held me and wept. It felt a bit odd with our size differences, but I wouldn't let that stop him. I just held him until he was ready.

Mark, Holly, and Onion were all quiet the entire trip except for a few times that Mark said we had to dodge potential aggressors. He was also taking it real slow, to prevent the core from overheating again. After what had happened, despite me trying to convince them that somehow I knew that Letty was genuinely sorry for what had happened, I don't think any of us were in any condition for another impromptu stop.

When Nate was done with his tears, we just sat together, his tail entwined around my body, my head resting on his shoulder. I tried to distract him a bit by fluffing his tail, stroking my paw over it in one direction, and then the next, all while watching the colors seem to change as I did it. I think he caught on because I felt him rubbing his paw gently on my ears. It actually felt kinda nice. I looked at him and smiled and was met with a similar one back. I couldn't help but feel his was ever so slightly forced. He might be showing his emotions to a much greater extent now, but I don't think he was letting everything surface just yet. I think there are still a few things better left for when we're alone.

We finally reached Guardian HQ just as dusk was settling in. It felt like we'd spent the better half of the day crammed into that tin can, but it must have felt much worse for Jasmine. After she got out, she stretched for a few minutes, trying to loosen her cramped muscles. I still wasn't used to being next to someone so tall as her, and her stretching made her feel even taller. She went to put her veil on but I assured her that it wouldn't be necessary, but she said she wanted to, that it made her feel safer.

Mark had radioed Chief Lazlo when we were close informing them of our arrival, so we were greeted outside the primary garage by him and a few of his men. Once we had everything we needed out of the APC, Lazlo ordered one of his soldiers to park it as he saluted us. I don't think I've ever seen him informally before. I wondered if he even knew how to relax.

"You don't know what a relief it is to actually have you all visit without needing to involve Doc Hedgeworth and his team."

"Well, we had a small run in with some nasty chemical cocktail, so I think Nate should get a bit of a check over with real equipment to make sure it's out of his system." Mark still sounded like he was in medic mode the way he addressed Lazlo.

"So something did happen?"

"We'll brief you on it Chief, but first I think we all need a breather."

"Right. Mark, Holly, could you take Nate to see the Doc? I think Miss Springs and I need to have a little discussion about our new… guest."

I knew he was addressing Jasmine, but it was hard to make out his opinion on her. I know that he had already been informed on her background, and of events that transpired that brought us here with her, but I wish he wasn't so… emotionless addressing her. I needed to know that she was safe here. I trusted Lazlo and Stalker Logan, but I wasn't familiar enough with the rest of them. I stepped back towards Jasmine and motioned for her to bring her head down to my own.

I tried to whisper so that no one could hear me. "Do whatever they say, but I won't leave your side until I'm sure you'll be fine. It's not that I don't trust any of them, it's just that I've learned more than once that when pressed, a mammal can show their fangs, especially if presented with a situation that goes against their fur."

"I'll do my best not to stick out too much."

"Your legs are taller than a quarter of the Guardians here, sticking out should be the least of your worries. If you're not sure what to do or say, I will be here."

"Thank you."

"If everything is in order, it's getting dark out." Lazlo was scanning the horizon behind us as he spoke.

"Yes Chief, lead the way."

"Good. Defender King, I'd like you to take a small squadron and make sure they were not followed."

"But Sir, can't some of the scouting parties do that? That is their job, isn't it?" He stared right at Jasmine, "plus, shouldn't you have your best Defenders here… just in case?"

Defender King was a very large and burly rhino. He was in a full suit of Exo-Armor, minus his helmet that he was currently cradling between his arm and body. Both his voice and his outspokenness towards Lazlo made me instantly dislike him. The way he looked at Jasmine, with an obvious distaste made me dislike him even more.

"You have your orders Defender. If they were followed, I'd rather it be stopped at the source than to risk them getting any closer while waiting for the Stalkers and Defenders to show up. We're still recovering from the Legionary attack."

"Sir!"

"You have your orders! Now move out or else I'll have you detained… again."

"Yes… Sir." Defender King said that in a very spiteful manner before moving out and taking a few of the others with him.

"I apologize for the Defender's attitude. Things have a been a little… tense around here as of late. Between you bringing a deathwing here and now a Red-Neck? Some of them have been questioning your motives."

"Former Red-Neck, and do you question them Chief?"

"Not at all Miss Springs. I've been following your actions as close as possible ever since you rescued me from the Quills. While you may have chosen some rather… questionable actions, nothing has shown me you have any hostility towards us, nor any of the good folk that still reside within the Wasteland. Others, however, just see you as a danger."

"I get that a lot, actually."

"So, any news on Drake's whereabouts?"

I felt myself slump a little bit upon hearing his name. "No. Nate tried his comm unit, but there wasn't any response." I sighed. "I just hope he's okay."

"I'm sure he is. Those things are harder to kill than you know. Every time we find a nest of them, we secure the area and leave it be. Trying to fight a creature that can slice through a Defender's armor like butter isn't something I'm risking my soldier's lives on."

"Heh, yeah, Drake's claws have come in pretty handy."

"I bet. Come, let's head to the infirmary first and check on Nate. Once the Doc is freed up, him and Engineer Tuskgen want to see if they can do anything for Jasmine. Tuskgen is actually a bit excited to look you over, but don't worry, she's harmless, just a bit excited to see a Red-Neck… err, former Red-Neck's modifications."

I assured Jasmine that it would be alright as we started towards the entrance to the base. It was weird entering the base through its hidden entrance within the interior of the small building. Every time I had been here, it was usually me being rushed in unconscious after doing something stupid. A large elevator opened up that looked as if it could easily fit five rhino's all decked out in armor. It took ten minutes of riding it before the doors opened into the overly familiar military instillation.

The short trip to the infirmary was also something I was all too well familiar with. While it was Nate's health potentially on the line, I was a bit glad it wasn't me for a change. The sliding doors opened into the clean medical lab. In one of the chairs sat Nate with the gruff, but friendly badger standing nearby.

"Ah, perfect timing. While I've only run some basic tests, I feel that Nathan will be fine. No residual traces of the toxin remains. Although, I wouldn't mind running a few more tests after he gets some food and rest. The body has the tendency to give false readings during times of hunger and exhaustion."

"I'll make sure the kit gets back to you in a few hours. I have a few things I need to discuss with you Doc before I send you and Jasmine to see Tuskgen." Lazlo turned towards us. "I'll give you two hours to get fed and cleaned up, then it's down to business."

"Yes Chief." I didn't know what to do, so gave him a very weak salute like I've seen the others do. He chuckled as he returned it the proper way and left with the doctor.

"What was that 'livi?"

"I don't know what to do in situations like this!"

"A simple yes can suffice. I thought you were trying to swat a fly or something." Knowing that Nate would be fine allowed Holly to start slipping back into her usual self.

"Very funny Holly." I moved to Nate and placed my paw in his. "How you holding up?"

"Everything is just so… clouded."

"It will clear sweetie. I promise. Now, let's go get…"

The sound of someone clearing their voice rather loudly stopped me in mid conversation. I was slightly irritated that someone had interrupted me and Nate, but when I turned to see who it was, that irritation faded away faster than it came. Standing in the doorway was a large brown bison wearing a Guardian jumpsuit. I couldn't believe my eyes.

"BO!"

I ran to him and jumped up to give him a hug. He returned it with the same gentle crushing hug that he had given me the day I saved him and his family from those slavers. When he put me down, I had to wipe away the tears that I didn't realize had started to fall.

"What happened to you? Is your family safe? Why are you here? Is that a… Guardian uniform you're wearing?" I asked the questions so quickly, I wasn't sure if he was able to even register them.

"It's nice to see you're still alive Olivia. My wife and daughter are safe. Actually, they're better than safe. They're helping the Guardians with some agricultural projects. We are farmers after all."

"I'm so glad. When I got to Hope and Mayor Swift said you never showed up, I was worried that something bad happened."

"Well, that's a… long story. First, you may wanna introduce me to your friends who are giving us rather awkward stares."

I turned and saw that everyone, even Jasmine had a very confused look on their faces. "Oh, yes. Everyone, this is Bo. Bo? This is Jasmine, those two are Holly and Mark, they're pretty much my family now. And this fluffy fox is Nate my… my boyfriend." I didn't mean to hesitate saying that, but after seeing some of the looks from those in Hope when they saw a rabbit and a fox together, I was unsure how Bo would react.

"Nice to meet you all! So you got yourself a boyfriend, huh? Good for you. One thing I've learned in all my years is that having someone there for you is sometimes your only reason for going on. Without my family? I woulda succumbed to the horror of the wastes a long time ago."

"So Bo, what exactly did happen to you three after I left you?"

"Well, ain't that a tale ta tell. Not a very proper place for it here I don't think."

"Well we're all hungry and were about to get some food. Maybe over a meal? If you don't mind that is."

"Oh a tale is meant for telling, and I'm sure you have quite a few of them yourself. My night shift starts in thirty, so I reckon a small snack before wouldn't kill me."

Since we were all in agreement, we headed towards the mess hall to get some food. Despite it being late, Lazlo had made sure that the quartermaster had set out some rations for us. Bo and his wife can't get that garden going any sooner. I hate this stuff and I'm sure most of the Guardians do as well, but it was nutrients, and well needed ones. We had the place to ourselves, so when we were settled in, Bo began his story, although he opened rather solemnly.

"Well, after you left I was right angry at those slavers. I… well I'm ashamed to say I put my foot down, quite literally."

"You didn't…" It took a moment to figure out what he was saying, and disbelief filled my head as I connected the image.

"Afraid so. Like I said, I was angry. Despite who they were, they didn't deserve to die like that, and I have to live with that."

"I… I know all too well that feeling." I felt Nate's tail wrap around me as Holly and Mark both gave me a sad nod. Jasmine might have heard about some of my actions, but other than my meltdown when I rescued her, and when… Blanche died, she hasn't even gotten to know the horrors I have. I hope she never does.

"I've heard some. When I told the Chief about how you rescued me, he didn't seem all that surprised to find out I had a connection with you."

"He knows that I get around. So, what happened next?"

"I decided to take the slaver's belongings to Hope in order to sell off everything to hopefully get enough for us to settled down."

"You never made it to Hope, did you?"

"'Fraid not. Didn't know it at the time, but all slavers have distress trackers in their wagons. Guess it makes sense now that I think of it. Probably not the first time a slave turned on their slavers. Not sure when they set it off, but we didn't even make it two hours before we were being followed. I managed to find a place to hide my family, and just in time. When they found me, it wasn't pretty." Bo stood up and unbuttoned his suit. There was fur missing in large patches, large scars and burn marks were littering his chest. "They punished me just far enough as ta not break me. A big mammal like me tends ta take in plenty of caps as a laborer."

"I'm… sorry. I wish… I wish I could have. I should have followed you. Made sure all three of you made it to Hope safely."

"I don't be blamin' you. I saw the fire in your eyes. When one has a specific goal in mind, it's very hard ta extinguish that fire. I don't blame you one bit. Now, here's the part I was rather reluctant ta mention when I finally saw you again, but I've got too much on my chest already ta keep this."

I didn't like how he was sounding. I knew the tone of shame and self-hatred all too well.

"I was at Wild Times, being held for the large monthly market. Usually happens on Fridays, but it was delayed due to a special 'event'."

I already knew where this was going. "It was… me, wasn't it?"

"Yes, I'm afraid. Seems that boar had friends in high places that he was able ta sanction a special event for some small critter. It wasn't until I heard some of the guards that I knew it wasn't just some simple show. The moment I heard your name, heard what… what that boar did to you. What he took from you. Believe me, I wanted to help you just like you helped me. It tore me up not doing anything it did. I couldn't though. I didn't know if the slavers had found my family, but they kept telling me that if I did anything other than what I was told, that they would suffer. I wanted ta help you, I knew I could if only I tried, but… I couldn't."

It was hard to see anyone cry, but for some reason, it was even harder to see someone so big, and so strong do it. I walked up and did my best to comfort him. He wasn't as tall as Jasmine, but he was still a very large mammal.

"I don't blame you. Not one bit. If the tables were turned… well to be honest, I would've probably gotten myself killed trying to rescue you…"

"'Livi!"

"I'm not trying to make you feel any more guilty than you already are. No, it's just that, it's in my nature to help others, no matter how much danger it puts me in, just like it's in your nature to put your family's safety before others. You made the right choice, and I wouldn't blame you for even a second."

"Thank you little one." He gave me a much more gentle hug. "It feels good to get that off my chest. It's been keeping me awake for a long time."

I looked over at Nate and smiled. "I know that feeling too." I put my focus back on Bo. "So, how did you end up here?"

"Well, when an entire army showed up to free you… did you really make friends with a deathwing?"

"Yeah. I did."

"Next you'll tell me you befriended a Red-Ne…" I stopped Bo and lightly nodded towards Jasmine. "Oh. Sorry Miss. Didn't mean to offend."

"I-It's… it's okay."

"Any friend of Olivia's is a friend of mine. Anyways, back to the tale. Well once the smoke cleared and most of the slavers were either dead or running, I tried to find you but was stopped by the Chief and his Guardians and was informed that you were being rushed back here. I told him about everything, and I think he was gonna simply place me with the other freed slaves who were being tended to, but when I mentioned your name, he asked me to come with him back here. Told him that I couldn't go anywhere 'till I found my wife and daughter, so he personally lead a team to go where I had left them. Turns out those slavers were lying. They hadn't found 'em, but they were still scared and hidden where I left them. Once we got here and we were all looked over, fed, and rested, I told him everything. He offered my family protection if we helped them with their garden issues, and offered me a position amongst the Guardians. Might not be the dream I was seeking, but it's a damn safer one than we could ever hope for. We're treated right here, and I figured me serving my time is the least I can do to repay the Chief."

"That's quite the tale Bo. I'm glad all three of you are safe. Can't think of any place safer than amongst the Guardians."

"I reckon so. Chief says he offered you a place here as well, how come you refused?"

Before I could answer, Holly butted in with her own comments. "Well if you followed 'livi's track record, I think it'd be safer for the entire wasteland to join the Guardians than her!"

"Holly! I'm not that bad… am I?"

"Hey Bo, if you ever need to find her, just follow the bodies. I'm sure she's the treasure at the end of them."

"Holly, you…" I picked up one of the silverware and tossed it at her head, nearly hitting her before she dodged it. I would have pulled my gun out to scare her, but last time that happened, Lazlo wasn't too happy.

We all sat there for another hour or so just talking. We all shared some of our 'adventures' with Bo, and every tale just made him seem more and more surprised that any of us were even sitting there. I left out a few bits, things that I was still working out myself, but otherwise, I filled him in on most of my happenings since I last saw him. Every time I mentioned Blanche or Drake, I still felt my heart sink. I may not be in tears over them anymore, but I still can't shake this feeling that it was all my fault. From the look on Nate's eyes, I wasn't sure he could either.

We spent more time than we planned on with Bo. He was forty minutes late for his shift, but Lazlo didn't seem to mind the tardiness based on current goings on. He may have been a strict leader, but he knew when to show lenience when it was needed. I admired that in his leadership.

When it was time for Jasmine's appointment, I made sure to stick with her just as I promised. Engineer Tuskgen was an elephant who towered over many of her projects, but watching her work, I saw how precisely she held her tools in her trunk, and how elegantly she moved it while working that I almost forgot that she was an elephant.

I spent half an hour in there, getting to know Tuskgen. I trusted the doctor, but I needed to know I could trust her as well. Not once did she ever mention the word 'Red-Neck', only ever alluding to it as 'them' and 'they'. She seemed much more interested in the false jaw than anything else. Once I was sure that no harm would come to her, I left towards where the others were, but not before asking Onion to stick around, just in case.

Mark and Holly kept saying that Nate and I have changed a lot, but I can also say the same for Onion. Usually when I asked him to stay and serve as a communicator in case of an emergency, he objects despite the fact that he'd do it anyways. Lately he seemed rather… happy to be of use. I feel bad constantly neglecting him like I have been, but to be honest? While I don't want to lose him, I don't need to rely on him like I used to. I still don't see him as a simple piece of machinery, but that void that I built him to attempt to fill is now overflowing. I need to make sure he doesn't feel left out. I just don't know how.

Entering the room everyone else was in, I was met with all their gazes. "What? I just wanted to make sure everything was alright with Jasmine. Did I do something wrong?"

"It's not what you did 'livi, it's what we're afraid you might do." Holly sounded a little worried.

"Um, come again?"

"Okay Miss Springs. Before we brief you on the matter, I want to tell you this, you and your friends are not allowed to leave this place until morning, agreed? You are all exhausted and need some proper rest."

"Wasn't really planning on leaving just yet… why?"

"Well, my scouts have confirmed reports of Legionary activity."

I pulled out a chair and sat down next to Nate. "Go on."

"What? No sudden speech on how we need to cut them off at the neck before they can get away again?" Holly seemed a bit surprised.

"No, not really. Why, were you expecting that?"

"Um, yes, actually. That's usually how you respond to news like this." Now Holly seemed confused.

"As much as I would love to finally nip this in the bud, I've also come to learn the depravity of rushing into things without plans, or a clear head. Plus after everything, I'm too exhausted, mentally and physically, to set out this moment. Those Legionary fuckers are not gonna simply vanish as long as they have a contract on me, and I doubt they would have the gall to attack here again after last time. So no. I don't plan on leaving until morning at the earliest."

Everyone, including Lazlo had an almost horrified expression. What? Was I really that predictable? I've learned a lot in my time in the wasteland. First, trust your friends. Two, trust yourself. And three, rest, rest, and more rest because you never know when you will be able to again.

"Since I'm obviously still here, can you tell me what you told them please?"

"Ahem, yes. Well, while we still don't know the reasoning behind the Red-Neck's attack on the Legionary base, we do know this. The Red-Neck forces have taken over the area, forcing out the Legionaries. Since that was their primary base, they've set out to fortify their outposts, creating a network of messengers who carry information between each outpost. Seems they're not willing to use radio communication as of right now. One of the scout parties intercepted a Legionary messenger and we found out that while this is a setback for them, all open contracts are still active, including your own, Olivia."

"Figures I wouldn't get a break."

"Quite the opposite. Whoever hired them is apparently not only offering them a larger sum of caps to finish the job post-haste, but also promising them a new and improved base of operations, safe from any potential attacks that their old one succumbed to."

"Any ideas on where this place is, or who hired them?"

"Unfortunately, it seems the messengers don't carry, nor know that information. From our reports, only the Elite Legionaries know this, and they're scattered along with the rest of them."

"So how does that help us?"

"The last messenger we intercepted had a transport schedule. While they use coded messages that our ciphers are having difficulties translating, we at least know this, three outpost locations, and that one of them has an Elite stationed there. We don't know which one the Elite is located at, but if this information is accurate, capturing him or her might lead us to stopping the Legionaries once and for all."

"Well, that's a much better plan than I had."

"And what was that plan 'livi?"

"Kill everyone until there was no one left to claim the contract." I gave Holly a very large smile.

"Y… your joking, right?"

"Yes I'm joking." What I didn't tell her was that not too long ago, that's exactly what I was planning to do. Those feelings were gone, so there wasn't any reason worry them any further than they already were.

Chief Lazlo briefed us on a few other bits, but mostly it was the same things we already knew. He also said that there were two small teams, one looking for Drake, and the other for Baird. While I would love to get my revenge on that fucking boar, I also knew that the Legionaries were a larger threat. Once this whole thing was settled, I plan on finding that boar, and when I do? There will be hell to pay.

After the briefing, Lazlo gave us leave to head to our quarters for the night. He gave Holly and Mark their own, while offering a separate one for Nate and I. Knowing we were all safe here, neither of us hesitated to take it. I told Nate to go make himself comfortable while I checked on Jasmine. I wouldn't be able to sleep very well if I didn't know how she was taking being poked and prodded.

The doctor was gone leaving just Jasmine, Tuskgen, and a third that I didn't recognize. It was a zebra dressed in a similar outfit that Bo had been in. The only thing that was different was that he had some odd device attached to each of his hooves. I slowly walked in, not wanting to interrupt them, as I noticed Jasmine staring at the zebra.

"Miss! How are you doing?" Onion's voice seemed to echo through the room, causing Tuskgen to drop a tool.

"Gah! Use your inside voice Onion!"

"But you only gave me one voice Miss…"

"That's not… oh never mind. I'm doing surprisingly well. How you holding up Jasmine?"

"Oh, I'm very good. I mean he's very good. No I mean…" Was she, blushing?

"Care to introduce me to your friend?"

"Oh, this is Stalker Zachariah Grant, he's been… kind to me."

"That's much too formal for you Miss Springs. Your tales have been heard across these halls and I'm mighty impressed. You may call me Zack."

"Well, Zack, you can just call me Olivia." I turned to Jasmine with a bit of a smile on my face. She noticed and I saw her face turn a bit red. "So Jasmine, how did you meet this rather, eloquent equine?"

"Well, he came in to fix his… thingie?" She sounded unsure. Or embarrassed. I couldn't tell.

"What she means to say was my digi-hoof here." He held up one arm and I got a clearer view of what was attached to it. It was some kind of mechanical paw with three 'fingers' on it. He moved two of them, but the third one just flopped around. "Darn thing broke on my last mission, but Tuskgen has been a bit preoccupied with helping the lovely Jasmine here."

And they told me I moved fast.

"Sorry, sorry, just… this tech here is amazing. I built that, so I know it, but this, this is new." She sounded just as enthralled in her work as I must at times.

"How about you let me take a look?" I reached for my tools and forgot that I had taken my belt off already. I saw a large desk full of them against the wall. "Mind if I use some of your tools?"

"Yes, yes. I wonder if… oh, no, sorry." A small spark popped off of Jasmine's jaw, but it didn't seem to faze her.

I went over and grabbed what I needed and took a look at this 'digi-hoof' thing. From far away it looked rather impressive, but up close I realized it was simply a larger version of Onion's own claw, just a greater number of joints. It only took me ten minutes before I had it working again.

"My, maybe you should be working here Olivia." Zack seemed impressed as he practiced picking stuff up. Seems a rather useful device for someone with hooves instead of paws.

"Sorry to disappoint, but I already have something lined up. Well, I can see that Jasmine is doing just fine, so I'll leave you guys alone." I pulled Zack close to me and whispered. "You take good care of her, okay? Or else you'll be experiencing my 'tales' first paw."

"You're just as protective as I've been told. I admire that. You have no worries, I'll protect her just as if she were my bride."

"Gah what are you…"

I think Jasmine heard that because she jumped up out of her chair, causing the elephant to tumble down onto the ground. I think her face was redder than Nate's fur. I had a feeling that I could trust this zebra. It also amused me, mainly because I now know how my own reactions around Nate seemed to amuse Holly. If that girl teases Jasmine, I'll probably have to punch her.

"Well, looks like things are good here. I'm getting tired, gonna go crash. See you in the morning Jasmine. Don't do anything I wouldn't." I gave her a knowing wink. She was just as bumbling as I was, maybe even more so, so I highly doubt anything would happen, otherwise it would put my own speedy relationship to shame. Still, it felt nice having someone to look out for her. I wasn't kidding though, if I found out that zebra mistreated her in any way, even Lazlo wouldn't stop me, but I think that was just me being a bit too overprotective. I had to protect my friends.

"Everything alright with Jasmine?" Nate was under the covers tinkering with something on his Pip-Boar.

"Yeah, I think a bit better than I expected to. So, what you doing?"

"Just downloading a little gift."

"What do you mean…" I was cut off by a small beep on my own Pip-Boar. I looked at it and saw a new file. It was named Pip-Boar 101. "What's this?"

"Well, I promised you, what felt like forever now, that I would teach you everything about your Pip-Boar. The way things have been, I haven't had time to give it to you."

I sat down next to him, flipping through the digital files. It had everything I needed to know. Sure some of it I had learned on my own, but there was features that I didn't even know existed. Toxicity scanners for food and water, the ability to add a camera through one of the expansion slots, an inventory tracker, tons of useful things.

"Thank you. This…" I took a look at him, the blanket slightly undone, "are you… naked?"

He suddenly pulled the blanket up. "No! It's just that… I know how you like…"

I grabbed the blanket from his paws and slowly moved it down. He was fully clothed from the waist down, it was just his shirt that was missing. I sent the 'I'm not in trouble' message to Onion before taking off my Pip-Boar and tossing it on the ground. I slipped out of my clothing, just leaving my underwear. It didn't feel right me being naked if he wasn't.

Before he could react, I jumped back onto the bed and laid my head on his chest. His tail wrapped around me as I felt his arms do the same.

"Did you want to…"

"Shh, no talking. Let's just enjoy the moment. There'll be plenty of time for talking tomorrow."

We remained in silence, the only noise was the sound of his heart slowly beating through his chest. It was quiet, but a calming one. Sometimes there was the need for words, but sometimes, especially when words and emotions have been spilled already, silence can be just as rewarding, just as long as we're there for each other.

I wanted this experience to last all night, because tomorrow, who knows what fate will throw at us. But I was ready. I was more ready than ever to finally see this through, and with my friends and family by my side, nothing can stop us.

—

Fallout: Zootopia After Show

Featuring:

'Stripes in the Morning'

[Max]

"Hello Zootopian Wasteland! So a fair number of you are probably wondering where I've been… Contrary to what Stripes believed, I WASN'T stuck in Inventory. Truth there is that I keep that up to date on a weekly basis. He's never in there so it's a great excuse to escape his terrible mind numbing ideas for a few hours… Or in this case, a few days. Instead I got to spend those wonderful few days tucked away with a certain Otter. Now though I'm back and I've got a bit of a fun history lesson for you all! I was asked, before skipping out, about the current political climate of the Wasteland and well folks. I'm gonna do my best to deliver. Hopefully with the help of my lovely Girlfriend here.

[Celeste]

"Hi everyone! Don't worry, I'll do my best to keep him on track… No promises though. He gets too cute when he's flustered."

[Max]

"I… Really… ? On air?!"

[Celeste]

"Yes, definitely on air. Now get started hon, before that Zebra finds out you're back."

[Max]

"Right… Right… Now we all know about the two largest political foundings in the wasteland being the Guardian Factions. They're but a slice of the pie that makes up the current situation. Out in the East in what used to be Sahara Square we have what I like to term the Burning Lands ruled over solely by the Red Necks and their ilk. Up in the North East we have Darkwater and only until recently was it ruled over by a bunch of Raiders who seemed to have fancied themselves as pirates. Don't ask me folks, they're probably the loosest screws of the bunch. Up in the North West we have what used to be the Rainforest District. Nowadays it's more commonly known as the Swamplands. What's so interesting there you may ask? Well they're most commonly referred to as the Council, but other's may know them as the R.C.S.G., and the swamplands are where they reside. They're one of the split offs from the original Guardians and little is ever heard of them outside of those borders. Finally we have Savanna Central, the most fractious of all the most obvious surviving districts. Of course there are further districts but aside from a number of trader caravans it's been nigh on impossible to make contact with a majority of them."

[Celeste]

"Now we know there are other districts out there but sadly, they're so isolated or so remote the only news we ever get from them are by Trader Caravan. And most of the time that news isn't very clear or helpful. So instead we'll focus on what we immediately know. Now two districts we know are so locked down that news rarely, if ever, escapes. From the Council's holdings we sadly almost never get much out of them and anyone brave, or stupid, enough to try to get in is almost never heard from again. The Council sees anyone trying to enter or leave as their 'property.' It's a rather horrible idea if you ask me and I'm rather glad I don't live there. The same is pretty much true of the Burning Lands, though if anything can be said, they're even more xenophobic than the Council is. The Burning Lands have been made for just one species according to the Red Necks, and only that species. Anyone else looking to enter can expect nothing more than hours of excruciating torture followed by the chance to die as a suicide bomber. Then there's Darkwater and until recently they were considered the fourth major political party in the wasteland. If… Well, if you could consider a loosely commanded bunch of raiders a political party. We can thank our own Steel Guardians for taking care of the Darkwater Pirates after they went so far as to kidnap Hope's Mayor. As I understand it, Chief Lazlo was NOT happy with that news and had enough of their shenanigans."

[Max]

"Sorry that it seems like we're rushing through these areas but truth is, those three districts are probably the most elusive and stable of anywhere that we actually know about. They have one specific ruler and one specific goal in mind. Subjugation and domination. NOW though, we come to Savanna Central, probably the most fractious and contested domain of mammals in the wasteland. So let's see if we can't start listing off all of the players! We have the fair City of Hope, probably the best place to find some measure of peace in the district and thanks to the recent intervention of their local Hero and the Steel Guardians it's truly become a place to rest one's weary head. Then we have the Slave Prince, though thankfully his influence in the area has recently seen some rather… Drastic declines. Mostly again thanks to the Steel Guardians, though as I understand it a young fox that may or may not be involved with one Hero Of Hope may have had a bigger part in the decision to burn the Prince's former palace to the ground.

"I'll be honest, this is going to be repeated as until recently there were no fewer than five different raider groups all trying to lay claim to the Savanna. At any given time you'd have the Razor Backs, a rather small raider group obsessed with Swing music and Motorcycles, The Grey Quills, The Berserk Kings, and the former Rail Heads all trying to lay claim to our fair little district. None have been successful for long. At one point the Rail Heads almost had it all in the bag… At least until someone laid waste to the old monorail system that used to run through every district. Some say it was the Quills who had gotten tired of hearing the Rail Heads brag all about their rails, others say the Razor Backs were looking for vengeance after being dethroned and were looking for "One last big ride" into the sunset. No one can really say anymore as it seems almost any instance of these two groups has disappeared into the wastelands. After these two groups had disappeared it ended up with the Grey Quills and the Berserk Kings fighting a constant battle to dominate the local communities. Hope of course was always the jewel and since the Guardians had gone underground after their last big face off against the Council, anything was up for grabs!

"Now as I said, destruction seems to be a regular theme when it comes to trying to dominate the Savanna and a little auburn Bunny seems to be the source of destruction for at least one of the major raider groups and a bloodied nose for the other. The Quills are practically no more folks as a few weeks back our very own Olivia Springs jumped right into the middle of the Quills own backyard! Not only did she save Chief Lazlo, it seems she also laid waste to all of their heavy hitters in one fell swoop! Of course, we all know what happened when she arrived at the gates to Hope. The Berserk Kings were finally almost within reach of claiming the Jewel of Savanna Central when she stumbled upon the situation. She wasted no time in making her presence known and jumped right in, dispatching no fewer than six raiders! That's not all course, she also ended up disabling their sentry Bot, a rather nasty one too as it turns out. We haven't heard much from the Kings lately and until we do, there ain't much for us to go on. Which brings me to the remaining two big players for our part of the wastes.

"In one corner we have the Resurgent Guardians, they've recently stepped up their operations once again. Letting the wastes know they're back and they're most certainly motivated! Not only have they decidedly wrecked two major players in the fields, they've gone and started rescuing a number of communities from Raider groups! So far we've gotten no fewer than three reports of conflict, all with the Guardians coming out on top. This though does bring us to our other current player in the game for Savanna Central. One I'm loath to speak of. We all know their paws are mixed in some pretty dark and dirty deeds and we all know their name. The Legionaries, and until recently, they were poised to be the new masters of the Savanna. Turns out someone did something stupid enough to piss off the Red Necks, or the Red Necks themselves were just too paranoid, and they've gone and lost their fortress headquarters. Just so recently after a major defeat at the paws of the Guardians too!

[Celeste]

"Talk about lucky coincidences folks, though with the Red Necks now sitting at our door step and Legionary goons running amok through our territory I'm loath to think of what kind of headache this is gonna be for the Guardians to root out. It's not an easy quagmire to navigate right now and I'll be honest, unless someone on one side or the other steps up their game, I fear we're in for some rough times ahead. The Guardians haven't been seen until recently and they've only just started pushing back against the disparate raider groups. The Legionaries may be down, but they're certainly not out as reports have constantly filtered into our office about random sightings and repeated gun fights with a few small bands of their ilk. There's been no peep from the Slave Prince's forces and that's rather more frightening than hearing that Red Necks are now in the neighborhood."

[Max]

"There isn't much in the way of politics going on in our little slice of the world, but what is happening will shape our lives for generations to come. So here's hoping that our Guardians are able to keep up! And always remember folks, they aren't the only force out there fighting for the betterment of our lives. There are many small and disparate groups out there, all trying to eke out a living and if we can find it in ourselves to try and help them then by God help them! Now… There IS one other group we haven't talked much about and that's mostly because they haven't been showing up on anyone's radar in a big enough way. Sure one or two have bumped into a patrol but that's about it."

[Celeste]

"Are you talking about those assholes who call themselves Guardians… ? The… Corrupted or whatever?"

[Max]

"One and only, beautiful. The corrupted are probably the worst party in the wasteland. They don't care who or what you are unless you're willing to fight under their banner. They have a sick obsession with Plasma weapons and love to hear your screams. They claim to be a further offshoot of the Steel Guardians, but truth be told, they're nothing but a bunch of Scavenging Raiders who got their paws on a few suits of Power Armor. They've run around trying to make the Guardians look bad for decades and thankfully have had a pretty bad time of accomplishing that goal. Word is they're mostly focused on trying to break into the old Precinct One building now."

[Celeste]

"Ugh… Those ass-hats give me the creeps every time they're mentioned… Thankfully folks! That's all the time we really have for this show today! As disjointed and crazy as it sounds, this is the current political geography of the Zootopian Wastelands. The two most stable districts are currently run by despotic mad mammals and the third livable district currently finds itself stuck in sorting its own mess out! There's hope on the horizon though folks as Maxy and I have seen things getting a little better every day lately. Isn't that right Max?"

[Max]

"Far too true and far too honest. I'm still nervous and worried, but things have been getting better. There's no doubt about that. Trading is up in the few safer communities and the Guardians are resurgent! If things keep going this way, ten years down the line I think we'll actually be able to stay out at night… Boy there's a thought… Ahem! Anyhow folks, I hope you've enjoyed this little jaunt through a minefield of confusion and please, as always, let us know what you wanna hear about and who you want us to talk to! We're always eager to bring you the facts."

[Celeste]

"You know Max… I think I'm starting to LIKE this kinda gig. I could defini-Oh… Oh damn it I think I hear him coming!"

[Max]

"Crap… Alright c'mon, I know a few good hiding places!"

[Stripes]

"Hey guys, I'm back! I am all caffeinated up and ready for today's show! Hello? Anyone?"