Fallout: Strains

[Haylie]

(If you would be so kind as to check the very last post of my sign-up thread...)

*Click*
"'Cuz one dog ain't enough, and two is too low, it's me, Three Dog! How you kids handlin' Post-Apocolypia today?

And heeeeeeere's ME! Hahaha, with the news!
Good golly holly. This is the worst thing to happen to our neighborhood since the HOA instituted the mandatory scavenged rags dresscode. All around the Capital Wasteland, the Enclave is on the scene. Children, I don't care if you've ignored every other word that's come outta my mouth for the past FIVE YEARS. Please, hear me now, and believe:
The Enclave--and that includes their homecoming king, President John Henry Eden, and his gorilla, Colonel Augustice Autumn, are NOT here to help you. Wake up, children! The Enclave have a giant truck full of Brahmin... and they've been spoon-feedin' you the bulls***. And the faster you realize this and stand up to their oppression, the better. THAT, my friends, is fighting... The Good Fight.

And now a super-important public service announcement: Don't feed the Yao Guai! That is all. And now, some music. Here's Jax Maniquine with A Wonderful Guy."
*Click*

"Hello again America, this is John Henry Eden. And I'd like to have a talk, if you've got a moment.

All citizens of the Capital Wasteland are hereby ordered to attend a cleansing process being held in--"
*Click*

Max hit the switch on his Pipboy's radio. He'd just found what he'd been looking for: A big, juicy Yao Guai, asleep in the early afternoon sun. He'd been tracking this one in particular for some time now, just waiting for the right moment to strike. All that was left to do now was step quietly over, shotgun at the ready, and fire right between its black, beady eyes...

POW! Mission accomplished. Now came the daunting task of dragging the carcass back to Megaton. He was currently sitting under a cliff, not too far from Scrapyard, if his Pipboy map was to be believed. It was in pretty bad shape when he found it on the corpse of a girl near a locked wooden door. His lockpicking isn't the best, and he's not all that curious anyway, so he left the door alone, but decided the gadget would be worth a few caps. He slipped it on his wrist because he was already struggling with his pack, and discovered the thing was worth three times it's weight in gold. Now it never left his arm.

No point in wasting time. Max hefted the muscular beast onto his back and began dragging it southward across the dirt.

[Blaze]

Felix sat in Moriarty's bar in Megaton, knocking back several beers. He admired his new toy, a Pip-Boy 3000. He had found it while scavanging through Vault 112. The place really creeped him out, all those people in capsules. There was two spare ones, but he had been smart enough not to get in one. He had managed to hack the terminal to the medical unit and found a lot of loot, including a Laser Rifle he used to repair his old one. He had sold a lot of the stuff he found and was spending his caps on booze and repairs.

"Thanks for the drinks Gob. I'm off to Craterside Supplies."

He set off down the ramp that lead from Moriarty's bar to Craterside Supplies. He took a deep breath before going in. He always hated dealing with the owner and that merc she had hired. He entered.

[Mystic Mina]

"Yet another ****ty day in the Capital Wasteland.... Wait, what the hell am I saying? Every day here's ****ty." Rico muttered to himself as he checked the map on his Pipboy 3000. He found the handy device back in his Slaver days from a corpse sitting outside of one of those vault things, and it helped him out more than a few times. "Let's see, there's gotta be a place around here for me to shack up in for a bit. I need a rest or somethin'.... Megaton, huh?"

Megaton. It's been a while since he was last there, and it wasn't a great experience. He almost got his head blasted off when they found out he was a Slaver. Still, he needed food and ammo, and there wasn't any other place close by. Hopefully, the folks there are a bit more hospitable this time around.

[Knight Errant]

Blake rows his boat along the side of Rivet City, the bottom of it filled with newly-scavenged tech from a sunken submarine his family had just found and claimed. It was very deep... and still untouched. The run was an easy one, an outside sweep to grab the easy stuff. The later ones would be much more deadly.

He packs up the tech, waterlogged ancient navigational gear, a couple of warheads, and some navy side arms... ties up the boat, and makes his way to the market!

[Haylie]

"Hey, kiddies, prepare to be astounded, bedazzled, and otherwise stupified! It's me, Three Dog!

Neeeeewwwwws Tiiiiiiime, children!
I've been getting some scattered and very vague reports of some strange activity goin' down in the area far north of Little Lamplight. My contacts have reported some sorta' mutations, but nobody could get close. Word is, the Enclave's doin' something big. Might wanna steer clear of that area until things settle out.

Thanks for listenin', children! This is Three Dog, AOOWWW! An' you're listening to Galaxy News Radio: Bringin' you the truth... no matter how bad it hurts.

And now we have a Public Service Announcement! Listen up, children, this stuff's important:
We all know the dangers of radiation--"
*Click*

Damned if Max hadn't heard that PSA a thousand times already. He hated PSA's. He also hated walking too much. And Bloatflies. Especially Bloatflies. They always had a way of breaking your concentration when you're heaving a heavy, male Yao Guai in the hot, desert sun. He'd killed four already.

He eventually came to Megaton's large metal gate and waited impatiently for Deputy Weld to open the door. He hated Deputy Weld. But walking, sweating, and lifting Yao Guai with Bloatflies, he didn't like much of anything.

_______
As Felix entered Crateside Supply, he was greeted in the usual manner: A youthful smile from Moira and a cold sneer from her mercenary.
"Hi, there! Welcome back to Craterside Supply!" came the usual greeting from the owner. "Whatcha' need, hun?"

As usual, the merc said nothing.

_______
Rico was almost immediately spotted by the town's sheriff, Lucas Simms, who came from the direction of the clinic.
"You, there. I hope you're not lookin' to start any trouble here again," he said, wearing an expression of cautious criticism. "I only just now got Jericho calmed down from your last visit."

_______
Blake didn't see much on his way. The usual rocks and dirt, but about halfway there, he might have spotted what looked almost like a black devil standing on a cliff. It didn't seem to notice him, however, as it was quite a ways off and facing the other way. It was holding what looked like a long cylinder attached to a wider cylinder, but it's obvious it was a weapon of some sort.

[Blaze]

Felix glared right back at the Merc before checking his inventory on the Pip-Boy. "Damn, this thing is useful. Let's see... I need 50 Energy Cells and 50 Microfusion Cells for my weapons, 5 Rad Away and 2 Rad-X."

[Mystic Mina]

"Yeah, nice to see you too, Sheriff. Blunt as ever, I see." Rico gave Lucas a friendly pat on the shoulder. "You can rest easy this time. I'm just here for some supplies and things.... Is that crazy redheaded lass still sellin' junk?"

[muffinstud]

Elijah raked his fingers down his face. "F---in' losers! I told 'em to be careful with that guy, but nooooo, they go rushing in! F---!" He winced as his left arm reminded him of the bullet inside it. He wouldn't be able to use it properly until he got some treatment. Trudging over to the corpse that should have been the only one, he checked to see just what this guy had on him that made him so good. Honestly, not much. Other than the guy's brass knuckles, the only object of interest was was a green thing on his forearm labeled as a "Pipboy 3000." After fiddling with the knobs for a minute he grins from ear to ear.
He would have gladly killed these morons for this little gem.

After dragging the bodies off to his little hideout near the Jury Street Metro Station, he turned on the radio and started heading for Megaton. The Pipboy's little map showed it was close by, and seemed to have plenty of little places around it. Prime real estate for stupid, and Elijah knew just how to make a killing off it.

[Knight Errant]

Blake didn't see much on his way. The usual rocks and dirt, but about halfway there, he might have spotted what looked almost like a black devil standing on a cliff. It didn't seem to notice him, however, as it was quite a ways off and facing the other way. It was holding what looked like a long cylinder attached to a wider cylinder, but it's obvious it was a weapon of some sort.

Blake had a thing about spotting dangerous looking shapes... one usually had to in his line of work, because those who didnt tended not to get a second chance. He pauses, double-takes, then rummages around for a spyglass, holding it up for a better look at this black demon.

[Haylie]

"Wassup, Wastelanders? This is Three Dog, bow-wow, and you're listening to GNR! That's Galaxy News Radio, in case you forgot.

We interrupt our regularly schedualed program for... SOME NEWS!
Okay... it seems the settlement of Grayditch has gone quiet... Residents haven't been coming out to trade with the caravaners, and attemts to make contact have been met with... silence. So if you're out by Grayditch, you may want to pop in and see what's what.

You're listening to Galaxy News Radio! We're radio-free Wasteland, and we're here... for you!

And now a super-important Public Service Announcement:
For all you bigots out there, remember: Ghouls are people, too. Sure, they may look like hideous zombies from an ol' monster flick, but their hearts, their souls, their tears, are all very much human. So if you run into one of the Wasteland's many Ghouls, leave your prejudice at the door... and your pistol in it's holster.
Ah, yes, one important caveat, kiddies: If you see the ones that prefer the dark, dank underground, they ARE pretty much mindless zombies--so kill as many as you damn well please."

_______
Moira smiled again at Felix and said, "Sure thing!" She then disappeared into a back room to return with the requested items. "50 caps, please!"

_______
Lucas didn't so much as flinch. His expression doesn't change.
"Moira? Yes, she is. You can head up there, but I repeat: Don't cause any trouble, y'hear?"

_______
This little device does seem a bit heavy on his arm at first, but Elijah eventually gets used to it. After a little fiddleing, he's eventually accosted by a small group of Raiders, four of them: One girl with a Chinese pistol, a man with a pool cue and a grenade attached to his belt, and two more men with 10mm pistols.
"Hey! Dumb***! Get the f*** away from our s***!"

_______
Through his spyglass, Blake could see that the devil is actually a man in a large, cumbersome Power Armor suit. He could see the power pack from his station. He appears to be talking to someone, but he can't quite tell who.

[Knight Errant]

Through his spyglass, Blake could see that the devil is actually a man in a large, cumbersome Power Armor suit. He could see the power pack from his station. He appears to be talking to someone, but he can't quite tell who.

Blake weighs the risks... and decides anyone in power armor would probably consider themselves too important to waste ammo on a curious wastelander. Besides, he was a trader... and in front of him was an obvious user of pre-war tech.

He drops the salt-encrusted spyglass, letting it fall back on its string to dangle with the other trinkets he has tied or sewn to his leather jacket, then starts walking towards the power armored figure.

((Something I thought of last night... you cant be a legitimate salvager without all kinds of interesting things tied to your clothing. He would have things like compasses, scopes, energy cells, and also salvaged navy symbols like captain's patches and service medals. Oh and of course some seashells, pearls, and bits of mirelurk shell XD))

[muffinstud]

[I am assuming this occurs before he takes the bodies back... Also, that's 4 raiders, not three.]

Great, raiders. Just what he needs, what with an injured arm and all. Perhaps he could turn the situation to his benefit though. "Your s---? Oh, of course, since you worked so f---ing hard to kill the retards wearing it. Tell you what." Elijah pulls out his SMG with his good arm, trying to hide just how much his left is hurt. "I'm feeling like a generous f--- today. You can take their clothes and what weapons you will, just leave the bodies for me. Then leave. If not, you'll all be breathing through the gaping holes I'm gonna rip through your guts. How's that sound?"

[Mystic Mina]

"Hey, it was Jericho who threw the first punch!.... Damn near knocked my jaw out of alignment with it too. There's this ****ing popping sound whenever I open my mouth now. ****ing annoying." Rico waved the sheriff off and headed off towards Moira's shop. "Say hi to your kid for me, will ya'?"

[Blaze]

Felix blinked. Damn, that's cheap! Is she even more whacked-out then usual? Never one to question some good fortune, he takes out the necessary caps and slides them across the counter before collecting his purchases. "Thanks Moira." He left Craterside Supplies and placed his hand over his stomach. "Gettin' pretty hungry..." He sets off for the Brass Lantern for some food.

[Haylie]

Blake eventually reaches the man in the black suit, but even then he doesn't turn around until prompted by a second one. Blake can't see his face, but his tone suggests extreme boredom.
"What's your business, Wastelander? And make it quick."

______
(Yeah, I realized I mixed up the numbers about... three hours later. )

The three nearest Raiders grin, but the one in the back looks confused. He looks a bit spindly compared to the other three, and also quite a bit younger. "Huh? Why d'you just need the bodies?"
"Shut the f*** up, new meat!"

______
Lucas decided to ignore this last line. Upon reaching Craterside Supply, Rico's greeted in the typical manner from both occupants: A smile and a wave from Moira and a cold stare from the merc.
"Hi, hun! Welcome to Craterside Supply! Anything in particular you need?"

______
Felix managed to leave before meeting Rico, but he does run into Max at the Brass Lantern, who is listening to his radio and carrying what looks like an enormous black teddy bear on steroids. Max glances at Felix, but doesn't say anything. He appears to be waiting on someone.