Fallout: Wasteland Wanderers

Chapter 9: The Gamble

The vertibird touches down on an empty road as Rollins and Isaac hop off onto the street. They ready their guns as the bird lifts off back to Atlas and the two start walking up the street. Not too far in the distance a old rusted house that looks almost like a trailer can be seen with an actual trailer house not too far next to it. Isaac can barely make out what the sign in front of the building says but as they approached the building it had the words "The Wayward" spelled out on the deteriorating stand. The two make it to the front door where Rollins stops Isaac and says

"Look we are just going to go in and see if anyone heard about the cultist movements lately. I'll take lead, just listen around the room to see if you can eavesdrop on any of their conversations."

Isaac nods in agreement as the too enter the bar. Walking down a small hall the two are met with a nearly full house of patrons, half of whom look drunk or passed out. There is a drunken man singing on a stage not too far left of the actual bar. Some of the people look at the pair and then keep their heads down to avoid attention from them. Isaac elbows Rollins

"What's with them? They scared to talk to us?"

"The Brotherhood wasn't exactly known for its kindness the first time they were in Appalachia. More or less people like to avoid coming in contact with us if they can."

Isaac and Rollins sit on stools at the bar before Isaac continues the conversation

"Sounds like you guys were real assholes."

Rollins shoots Isaac a stern glare with Isaac holding his hands up in defense

"I said it in past tense, relax."

Rollins lets go of his face a bit from the frustration and talks more

"The Brotherhood before was more closer to its roots. Capture and secure technology from anyone looking to abuse it, which in our case is anyone not Brotherhood. They were more militaristic and commanding than the people liked so we grew a bad rap. Luckily with people like Rahmani who separated from the core rule of the Brotherhood and runs her own chapter separately not cooperating with the elders back at base, the people might actually start to like us again. She runs things with the intent of putting the safety of the people of Appalachia above reclaiming technology. Not to say we still don't gather and secure dangerous weapons so people like raiders don't get a hold of it."

"Sounds like you guys are fighting a pretty noble cause."

Rollins waves the bartender over for drinks while continuing

"If you feel that way why not join us? We can always use new recruits to fight the good fight."

Isaac laughs a bit

"Thanks for the offer but I'll have to pass. There is still a lot about this wasteland I have yet to discover and being stuck in one place taking orders from higher-ups isn't actually my thing."

Rollins smirks at his response and right before the bartender comes over he leans to Isaac to tell him

"Your loss, we have great healthcare."

Isaac and Rollins exchange a chuckle as the bartender leans on the counter waiting for them to finish. The woman wears a jean sleeveless jacket with a old possum beer shirt with a welcoming smile

"Welcome to the Wayward travelers, Rollins."

The bartender nods towards Rollins as he nods back

"What'll it be boys?"

Rollins leans on his arm over the counter

"We're looking for anyone who might know about the cultist movements around Appalachia lately."