They brought the man inside Docs clinic and laid him on a bed. Kirk immediately grabbed gloves and handed them to Doc. "I can suture the cuts and handle the burns, but I'm not adept enough for the bullet wound. Can you treat it?" Kirk asked. Doc took the gloves but didn't put them on. "You paying for his treatment?" he asked. Kirk looked at him confused. "Pay for his treatment?" Doc raised an eyebrow, "200 caps total, 50 for the sutures, 50 for the burn treatment, and 100 for the bullet wound." Kirk raised an eyebrow as well, "Caps?" Simms decided to speak up at this point, "Doc treat him, we need answers and I'll pay half now, the kid will pay the other half when he gets the caps." Doc put the gloves on and grabbed his tray of tools. Kirk went to do the same but was blocked by Simms. "You come with me kid, he is in good hands." Kirk pulled away and turned to Doc while continuing to put gloves on, "This man asked for my help, as a doctor, I can't ignore it. Do not worry I will not get in your way doctor." Doc grunted, "Fine, but if you hinder me, I'll kick you out." With that said they both got ready to operate.
Simms left and went straight to Stockholm, his overwatch above the gate. He needed answers and more info on this kid. When he arrived, Stockholm chuckled, "Told you it was a situation you didn't want to ignore." Simms sat down across from him. "How did you know it would be a raider situation?" he asked. Stockholm smiled and responded, "That's not the situation I was referring to Sheriff." "The kid, huh? Tell me what you saw." Stockholm told him what transpired. "So a vaultie has come from 101 for the first time ever, and his first instinct was to help a complete stranger." Simms concluded. "He's a good one, sheriff. I have high hopes with that one." Stockholm said. "The real question is; why did he leave his vault?" Simms pondered.
Half a day passed, and Kirk exited the clinic and sat down on a nearby bench. He was contemplating what could have happened to that poor man. Thankfully, he will make a full recovery. He remembered the Doc saying raiders when they first met. 'Are they a gang of some sort? Why would anyone do such heinous things to a man?' Kirk wondered. He then got a flash of Jonas body in his memory and shook it off. His father once said their were bad men in the world. In hindsight, it was a bit odd since the vault was all they ever knew. Was he referring to the Overseer all along? While contemplating this, he noticed the sheriff approach. "Let's have some proper introductions, I'm Sheriff Lucas Simms." he said with hand out toward Kirk. Kirk shook the hand and responded, "Hello Sheriff, you can call me Kirk." They released hands, and Simms asks, "Just Kirk, huh? No title or full name? Bit rude, ya know." Kirk nodded, "Kirk is my last name and the only thing I prefer to be called, and I don't have a title." Kirk responded. "I thought you were a doctor? Your actions at least showed that." Simms questioned while sitting down on the bench. Kirk joined in, sitting next to him. "Technically, I am in training to be one, I know quite a bit. However, due to recent... events my training has been put on hold." Kirk answered. "May I ask what brings you out of your vault and to my town then kid?" Simms asked. Kirk nodded and said, "I'll give you the short version."
Kirk found himself eating at a place called The Brass Lantern, with a pretty woman named Jenny Stahl serving him what they called squirrel stew. Kirk hadn't eaten since yesterday but was still hesitant. Simms was eating it, so it had to be edible, at least. Kirk took a bite and found it fine. They were waiting for a man named Stockholm to be relieved and meet them here. Apparently, he would've seen his father earlier that day. While they ate, Simms asked questions about the vault and him. While Kirk did the same but about him and Megaton. Out of everything, he told him the bomb was the most alarming thing so far, but before Kirk could ask more about it, Stockholm showed up. "Hey Sheriff, hey vaultie, I'm Stockholm pleased to meet you." he stated, shaking Kirks hand. "Likewise, you can call me Kirk. I'm told you watched the gate this morning. Did you happen to see an older man in a suit like mine come here?" Kirk asked. "As a matter of fact I did, however, I didn't pay much attention to him since he walked with such a purpose into our town, I figured he was a wastelander who got lucky with a vault suit." he answered. "So he is here?! Kirk responded with excitement. "Sorry bud, but he left shortly after entering with another fella, I think it was Jax a merc for hire." Stockholm answered. Kirks' excitement faded, and he finished his stew. "Alright, which way did they go?" he asked calmly.
"Hold a moment, son." Simms requested. "Regardless of which direction he went from here, it is suicide for you to go after him." he stated calmly. "He is right, kid, besides even if I told you the direction, that doesn't help you without a destination which I do not know." Stockholm added drinking a Nuka Cola Jenny gave him. "Alright, I need to know his destination, and I need to prepare for the trip. Can y'all help me with that?" Kirk asked. Simms and Stockholm looked at each other and nodded. "If anyone in this town knows about your pa's destination, it would be Moriarty up in his saloon." Simms states pointed up behind them. "As for prep, I can give you some pointers and some other folk to help you out with other pointers." Stockholm added. "Thank you, guys. You both are very kind." Kirk said. "Now, before you go up to see Moriarty, a warning, DO. NOT. TRUST. HIM." Simms stated boldly. "The man is a snake and parasite in my town." he added. "Well, you are the Sheriff, right? Why not kick him out?" Kirk asked. Both men and Jenny groaned. "Because hun, that man has dirt on everyone here, and hate to say it, is an asset to the town's economy." Jenny explained. "She, unfortunately, is correct. He has his uses. Be careful up there. I need to make my rounds. I trust you can handle him. It will also be good for you. Lesson wise." Simms said before leaving. "Good luck, buddy. Come find me after, I'm usually here or up there above the gate." Stockholm said, leaving as well. "Thank you for the food, Ms. Stahl." Kirk said, standing up. "Oh hun call me Jenny, and thank Simms for paying for you." she responded. With that, Kirk made his way up to the saloon.
A lot was in his mind, the town, the people he met, prep, dad. Too much. He needed answers. He never liked being in the dark about things, and his dad seems to have a big one. Stockholms statement of his dads purposeful walk was stuck in his mind. Gave him a sense of unease about his dad. How could he be so relaxed out here when it has taken everything Kirk had to keep it together? Regardless, he will find answers in this saloon. He took a deep breath and entered.