Chapter 3...
Lincoln and Rusty journeyed south toward Junktown, a few days later while traveling, they spotted something unusual: A man standing behind a small sheet metal shack surrounded by old, rusted cars and there was a sign next to the house that read "Bob's Pre-Owned Car Mart". Curious, the boys decided to go investigate. The man said upon seeing the men approaching him...
"Hi, i'm Bob! Welcome to my previously owned car lot. Which one of these beauties interests you today?"
Lincoln and Rusty looked at the junks he called vehicles before Lincoln said to Bob...
"Seriously? These cars are all junk."
"But sir, these are fine examples of motor vehicles." Bob assured Lincoln.
"I don't believe they're in working condition." Lincoln told Bob.
"These cars have been given a full 100-point service by our dedicated service department." Bob again assured.
"No offense sir, but you are clearly a loony." Lincoln said full of snark.
"I'm insulted. I don't have to take that from a customer. Have a good day." Bob said feeling appalled.
"Allow me." Rusty told Lincoln as he got close to Bob and sucker-punched him in the face, knocking him unconscious. Lincoln took the opportunity the pick the lock on Bob's door, once unlocked he goes inside the house and came back out with two BB guns and some ammo for it, then he and Rusty makes a clean getaway and continued onward to Junktown. Upon arriving near Junktown in the middle of the night, they make camp, before he can sleep, Lincoln survey the town and see that the town is surrounded by all matter of junk, hence the name Junktown. The next morning, Lincoln and Rusty walked toward the gate leading to Junktown. The guard recognized Rusty and said...
"Rusty, Glad to see you again."
"Hey, Kalnor. How's it going?" Rusty asked his friend.
"All's quiet here, just how we like it." Kalnor answered. He looks at Lincoln and asked... "And who are you sir?"
"The name's Lincoln, sir, nice to meet you." Lincoln greeted.
"You too, Lincoln." said Kalnor. "Welcome to Junktown, it's a nice place to live, as long as you stay on our good side."
"Any rules i should follow while i'm visiting?" asked Lincoln.
"Good you asked." Kalnor said as he explained the laws of Junktown. "No weapons can be drawn except in self-defense. If you start a fight, it's your fault. Other than that, it's your right to go around armed. Just don't pull a knife or gun without just cause."
"Well, with all that explained, i'm going give Lincoln a tour of the town." said Rusty.
"Sure, have a nice day you two." Kalnor bid the men farewell as Lincoln and Rusty enter the town. First, Rusty introduced Lincoln to Lars, the security chief of Junktown, then he showed him several places of interest including the clinic owned by Doc Morbid, a motel called Crash House, the bar called Skum Pit and lastly, a casino called Gizmo's Lincoln saw a couple standing outside what appears to be their house, which is blocked off by a male pitbull terrier dog with small white ears, a small black nose, and a black spot over his left eye. He has freckles and a black concentric circle on his back. Lincoln got closer to the dog and the dog barked excitedly and ran to him begging him for love, in which Lincoln petted his forehead.
"Alright, Charles, let's go together." Lincoln told his new k9 friend.
"Charles?" Rusty pondered as he approached them.
"That's what i decide to name him." Lincoln replied.
"Whatever." Rusty sighed. "C'mon, I'll introduce you to the mayor."
Rusty leads Lincoln and Charles to the local general store called "Darkwaters" with two guards posted outside and went inside, there they see a man with brown hair wearing what appears to be a trucker's outfit and brown work boots. As soon as he saw Lincoln and Rusty, he asked...
"Can i help you?"
"Are you Killian Darkwater?" asked Lincoln.
"Yep, that's me." Killian Darkwater answered. "And who might you be?"
"I'm Lincoln, Lincoln Loud, i'm from up north." Lincoln introduced himself.
"Not much up there except desert and Shady Sands." said Killian. "You from there?"
"Actually, i come from a vault to the west." Lincoln told the truth.
Killian frowned and spat out...
"Oh yeah, sure you do. And when you were a baby, your crib was a safe."
"No no no, it's a fallout shelter called a vault." Lincoln said more specifically. "It protected my people from the war for over 80 years."
Killian smiles and chuckles before saying...
"Don't feel bad, ain't the worst story I've been told. So . . . what can I do for ya?"
"You know about the great war, do you?" Lincoln asked.
"Yep, my father used to tell me stories about the war." Killian answered his question. "His father was a solider before starting Junktown."
"Can you tell me more about the town?" asked Lincoln.
"Well, Junktown ain't much, but it's home." Killian replied. "Mostly we trade with people or let 'em forget their troubles for a bit. Of course, we have our share of problems."
"Who's been giving you and the townspeople trouble?" Lincoln asked.
"From outside, we've had the occasional to-do with the Khans. But they've been pretty quiet lately." Killian voiced his concern. "Inside, trouble's been from the Skulz. And I hear of some strange things happening down by the Hub, but they haven't affected us yet, knock on my mother-in-law's head."
'Uh, the Skulz, sir?" Lincoln pondered.
"The Skulz are a bunch of punks who worked for Gizmo who owns a casino on the east side." Killian explained who the Skulz. "They don't cause that much trouble, but me and Lars keep an eye on them."
"Interesting." said Lincoln. "So, is this store yours?"
"You bet." Killian replied. "May not be as big as some in the Hub, but people usually find what they're looking for. Take a look around."
Lincoln and Rusty browsed to see what the store has to offer. Unbeknownst to them, an African American man walked inside, Charles growls as the man pulls out his rifle and said to Killian Darkwater...
"Gizmo sends his regards."
Charles charged toward the assassin and bite him in the leg causing the man to miss his mark and allow Killian to duck and cover while he fall on the floor. Lincoln, Rusty, and Killian's guards heard the commotion and helped Charles subdue the hitman. Once the situation is under control, Lincoln petted Charles saying...
"Good boy, Charles."
"Take him to jail." Killian Darkwater ordered two of his guards as they nodded and dragged the assassin out of the store. Killian turned to the boys and said...
"Listen, thanks for saving my life."
Charles barks as he was saying he helped.
"You too, boy." Killian told the dog. "Looks like we got ourselves a situation here. I know Gizmo's behind it, but i need proof. You interested in helping?"
"Of course." said Lincoln. "What's the plan?"
Killian goes to his office and comes back out shortly carrying a concealable tape recorder and a mini microphone and transmitting device called a bug, Killian then explain his plan...
"You have to wear a recorder and tape Gizmo confessing or plant this wiretap in his office. Either way, and we got him."
"Okay, leave it to me, mayor, i got a plan." said Lincoln.
"All right, i owe you." said Killian as he gives him the devices. "Here's the bug and the wiretap. You let me know when it's done. And good luck."
Lincoln picks up the hunting rifle the hitman dropped and follows Rusty out of the store with Charles following them and headed towards the Crash house to book a room for the night, Lincoln decided to check out the room where the Skulz hang out, near the door at the end of the hall is a woman with red hair and slightly dirty clothes. Lincoln approached the woman and introduced himself...
"Hey there, i'm Lincoln. I'm new to Junktown."
"I don't care who you are." said the woman in a threatening tone. "You're standing on Skulz territory, so get out of here before we bring the pain on you."
"Easy ma'am, i'm not here for trouble." Lincoln attempted to reason. "I'm just curious about the Skulz, can you tell me about the gang?"
"That's simple, we're the meanest gang in town." the woman indulged Lincoln on the info on the Skulz. "Actually, we're the only gang. But nobody messes with us."
"And this town belongs to the Skulz, right?" asked Lincoln.
"Hell yeah! Nobody messes with us!" the woman replied. "Well, except for Killian, but he's cool and all. He's like the sheriff man. We do whatever we want."
"Who's in the Skulz?" Lincoln questioned the woman.
"Well, there's Victor, and Shark, who hangs out at the Skum Pitt." the woman explained the members of the Skulz. "Vinnie, too, and a couple other guys who stop by from time to time, and let's not forget yours truly, i'm Sherry by the way."
"Nice to meet you, Sherry." Lincoln said with a bit of flattery. "So, what do you guys normally do?"
"We just hang out, and sometimes we play games at Gizmo's or have some fun over at the Skum Pitt." Sherry told Lincoln about the gang's usual activities. "Sometimes we do odd jobs for Gizmo or for some traveler. Victor likes stalking people, too. Come to think of it, you might want to stay away from him."
"Gizmo, huh? I bet he's a charming fellow." Lincoln said Sarcastically.
"No, he's not. He's a fat guy who runs the casino." Sherry corrected. "He wants to run Junktown, but Killian keeps him in line. He pays pretty well, though. Occasionally he hires Vinnie or Victor to deal with people for him, if they've been a problem, like one stranger who showed up here a few weeks ago."
"How come you always run with that gang?" Lincoln asked curiously.
"We're like a family! We take care of each other." Sherry snapped at Lincoln. "Well, except for Shark, who's always breaking things. And Victor, who looks at people funny. But Vinnie is cool. And we do stuff together. You know, we're like friends and stuff."
"Sorry i didn't mean to strike a nerve." Lincoln apologized. "I gotta go, it's been nice talking to you."
"Yeah, whatever." said Sherry.
Later, the men were in their room when Rusty asked Lincoln...
"What's your plan this time, genius?"
"Simple, I'm going undercover as an outlaw looking for work with the recorder." Lincoln explained his plan as he conceals the recorder inside his leather jacket.
Rusty scoffs and said...
"I wouldn't get confident if i were you, from i heard about Gizmo, he won't be fooled that easily."
"Don't worry, i can do this." Lincoln assured his friend. "If this guy's desperate to get rid of Killian, it'll all be on this tape."
Lincoln and Rusty arrive at Gizmo's casino and went inside. Charles was forced to wait outside as the guards told them about the establishment's no animals policy. Rusty said...
"I'll wait here. I'll come and pull you out the moment i hear guns blazing."
Lincoln nodded as he enters the high stakes area of the casino where it has a door that leads to Gizmo's office. He goes near the door and takes a moment to push the record button on the tape recorder before he enters the office of the mob boss himself, Lincoln got a look of Gizmo himself, a fat bald man wearing a suit, sitting on his desk eating an iguana on a stick. Lincoln got closer to the man and clears his throat to catch his attention. Gizmo barked at the white-haired man...
"What do you want? I'm a busy man."
"I want to take the job you're offering." Lincoln offered his service.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Gizmo denied.
"You know, exterminating a really stubborn pest named Killian Darkwater, a job that requires a real professional." Lincoln gave him the details.
"And let me guess, you're that professional?" Gizmo asked sternly.
"Yep, that's me." Lincoln replied.
"Well, how can I trust you?" Gizmo demanded a good reason.
"I been traveling the wasteland for a long time, and i gunned down every two-bit SOB who asked for it." was Lincoln's attempt of persuasion.
"Hmm..." Gizmo pondered for a bit before saying... "All right. We can do this. But you work for me, you better know that nobody ever double-crosses Gizmo and lives to talk about it. You got me?"
"Yes sir." Lincoln agrees. "Any good reason you want him dead?"
"Huh. That's easy. I want him dead because he cramps my business." Gizmo confessed. "So, will you do him for me?"
"Yes, Gizmo sir." Lincoln agrees yet again. "I'll have your problem taken care of shortly."
"Good, return with the dog tags he wears around his neck as proof." Gizmo instructed as Lincoln salutes him, then he spoke in an intimating tone. "And we never had this conversation, you don't mention this to anyone. No one double crosses me. No one."
Lincoln nodded playing it cool, as he was led out of the office by his bodyguard Izo. Lincoln returns to the casino entrance, presses the stop button on the recorder and gestures Rusty to follow him back to Killian's general store, Charles followed them. Inside Killian's store, Lincoln takes out the tape recorder from his leather jacket and give it to the mayor saying...
"I got the confession recorded, mayor."
"Let's hear it." said Killian as he rewinds the tape and press the play button. After listening to the whole conversation recorded on the tape, Killian smiles and said... "That's the first time I've been happy to hear his voice. Thanks, friend. Now, time for you and me to take care of the other business."
"That shotgun could come in handy on my travels." Lincoln picked out his reward. Killian handed him the shotgun and all the shotgun shells in his store before Killian said...
"Well, thanks again. Oh, listen, I'm gonna take the guards and run Gizmo and his cronies out of town. I could use another gun. You up for it? Might be good for a laugh."
"Oh, you betcha, sir." Lincoln agrees.
"I'm with you too, mayor sir." Rusty offers his aid as well.
"Go to Lars at the guard station. He'll fill you in." Killian instructed the men. "And listen, this town owes you boys... a lot."
Lincoln and Rusty go to meet with Lars, the guard chief near the gate who upon seeing them asked...
"You fellas ready to help take down Gizmo?"
"Let's do it." was Lincoln's answer, Rusty nodded, and Charles barked happily.
Moments later, Killian Darkwater accompanied by his guards, Lincoln, Rusty and Charles busted down Gizmo's door and stormed the office. Killian confronted the mob boss...
"I'm here to take you in, Gizmo. This time, I've got the proof I need."
"So, it comes down to this, Killian." Gizmo snarled as he opens a cabinet on his desk and takes out a mouser gun and aims it at Killian. "Well, i never could put up with your stink, and now i'm gonna put an end to it!"
"Not if I send you back to your mommy, you fat fuck!" Lincoln taunted as he arms his shotgun and aim it at Gizmo. The insult angered Gizmo and turns his aim toward Lincoln and fires his gun, Lincoln ducked in time and fired back at the mobster as the guns blazed across the room. Lincoln fires another shot at Gizmo before he dodges another bullet and crawls toward his desk and reloads his shotgun as Gizmo focuses his aim at Killian, Lincoln reloaded his shotgun and jumps up just in time as he took a bullet for the mayor of Junktown, but Lincoln retaliated by aiming his double barrel at Gizmo's face and fires, the blast blew the gangster's ugly face off and Gizmo slumps to the desk, blood flooded his desk as the guards took out Izo, the battle was over. Later, Lincoln and Rusty were given a reward of 500 caps from Lars, Lincoln then asked...
"Anything else we can do for the town?"
"If you're not averse to a little skullduggery, I need someone to get some hard evidence on the Skulz, proving that they're involved in illegal activities here." Lars told the men about the assignment. "Or you can talk to Killian; he might have some work for you."
"Well, i got a plan for that." Lincoln told Lars confidently. "But first, i better get patched up."
As soon as Lincoln left for the Doc Morbid's clinic, Rusty said to Lars...
"I don't know what's he got planned, but screw it, i don't care."
After getting treated by Doctor Morbid, the men head back to the deserted casino and scavenged some items there, afterward, they went back to their motel room and wait for the bar to open, Lincoln decided to go see Sherry again.
"Oh, it's you again!" Sherry said feeling displeased. "You know, it's probably not healthy to hang out here if you're not one of the Skulz. And you're not."
"Actually, i just wondering what you're up to lately." Lincoln said as he thought of her worriedly.
"Not too much, actually." Sherry decided to strangely confide in Lincoln. "There's not much to do. I mean, Shark has been causing some fights at the Skum Pitt, as usual, but what else is there to do around here?"
"Surely, you must have talents or hobbies you love." said Lincoln.
"Well, I do sort of like to draw. "Sherry explained her hobbies. "And Vinnie says I'm a pretty good cook. But I mean, hey, we have fun and stuff, you know?"
"But what would you do if anything happens to your friends?" Lincoln voiced his concern to Sherry. "How are you planning to survive when the worst happens?"
"Um, well, I never gave it much thought." Sherry replied. "I mean, Vinnie and Victor make some money, and Shark occasionally does some bodyguarding for visitors here. I don't know."
"You should probably get out while you still can. I don't mean to pry, but i'm worried about you, you know." Lincoln gave Sherry some advice. "I can put in a good word for you to some folks if you want."
Sherry sighs before saying...
"I guess. I never thought about it much. Still, I appreciate your help, but i need some time to think it over."
Lincoln nodded and left Sherry in her thoughts, he decided to do her a favor and talk to the hotel owner. Evening eventually rolls around and Lincoln and Rusty hit the bar called the Skum Pit to celebrate with a few drinks. Lincoln scopes the bar and spots a man with an orange bowl shaped haircut at one of the tables, this man was wearing leather armor, tan leather jeans and brown cowboy boots. Lincoln goes to greet the man...
"Hello there, my good man."
"Howdy, stranger." the man greeted. "Travelers here are a dime a dozen. But you have the look of someone different. Care to join me for a drink?"
"One step ahead of you." Lincoln obliged.
"Great. I hope you don't mind your drink well-watered; they treat beer here like it's a potted plant." the man said with a smile.
"Uh Lincoln, what the hell are you doing?" Rusty got Lincoln's attention. "And who's this?"
"I could ask the same to both of you." said the man. "In the interest of amity, I suppose I'll tell first. The name's Liam Hunnicut, came from out east, what used to be called Nevada."
"How did you survive all the dangers out there?" Lincoln asked curiously.
"Had some pretty good training, and some good weapons, too." Liam told them his story. "My grandfather was a Ranger way back when, and he taught my father everything he knew. Dad passed it on to me. So, I know enough not to drink glowing water, so to speak."
"Really? Survival's tough these days." said Lincoln. "You must be pretty knowledgeable."
"Yeah well, my family taught me everything there is to know about survival." Liam explained his knowledge of survival. "Don't drink water that's totally clear and free of insects and moss, for instance. Only poisonous or radioactive water would be that clean in the wilderness. Lots of other little things to look out for, too."
"Like what?" Lincoln asked.
"Well, if you've got some time, I could go over some pointers." Liam offered.
"Yeah, that would be a big help." Lincoln said eager to learn. After a few hours on a lesson about Survival, Liam said...
"I hope that my little instruction course helped you fellers a bit."
"Yeah, thank you again." Lincoln thanked Liam.
"Hold on now, we never finished introductions, remember? What's your name again?"
"Lincoln, Lincoln Loud." Lincoln introduced himself. "And this is Rusty Spokes."
"Nice to meet you, Step carefully, my friends." said Liam.
"Oh, by the way, Killian asked us to help clean up the town, and we would appreciate your help." Lincoln offers Liam to join.
"Well, it's about damn time. Lead on, my friends, and let's do some street sweeping." Liam agrees to join the group. "I'd recommend knocking over Gizmo, if I may."
"We already helped Killian deal with Gizmo." Rusty pointed out.
"Wait, you did?" Liam asked. Lincoln and Rusty nodded. Liam was about to say something when he was cut off by a man's voice...
"You bitch!"
The three men saw a Skulz punk throwing a punch at the waitress, knocking her to the ground. The waitress scamped away shouting...
"Oh Saul, where are you?!"
The bartender pulls out a gun and shot the punk in the head as he shouted to the other gangers...
"Get the hell out of here, you goddamn punks! If any of ya ever touch her again I'll kill the whole lot o' ya!"
"We'll be back, old man. This isn't over." said another Skulz punk as he and his fellow gangsters leave the bar.
"In that case, we should deal with those Skulz before they hurt anyone else." Liam suggested. Rusty nodded as they looked at Lincoln who helped the waitress up on her feet.
To Be Continued...
Author's Note: Lincoln and Rusty arrive in Junktown and foiled an assassination plot on Killian Darkwater plotted by Gizmo, acquire the evidence they need to bring the mob boss to justice and added a new member to the party. Next time on Fall-Loud: Lincoln, Rusty and Liam go up against the Skulz gang and put an end to the Khan raiders once and for all.