{"sf1_id":207101,"sf2_id":"qmyOl0P1","title":"Fallout - Leads from Legends","author":"SrA havenofimage","words":2017,"posted_at":"2010-12-27T02:27:00.000Z","tags":["Husky","Leopard","M/F","Military","Mystery","Porcupine","Snow Leopard"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/207101-fallout-leads-from-legends","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/qmyOl0P1","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/88/e4/88e4a619-eefd-4d4e-8655-5560099246ad","description":"#7 of Fallout","content":"\u0026nbsp;\n\nC/PFC Kirian Harper\n\n2114 - 2133\n\n\"Service before self\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Is this who I am?\"\u0026nbsp; I wondered, gazing at the headstone before me.\u0026nbsp; But, if that were true, why was I standing here, three years after a marker in a military cemetery claimed I had died?\u0026nbsp; So far, it looked like this journey wouldn't yield any answers.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; We had stopped in Raleigh on our way east to find if the town held any more secrets from my past.\u0026nbsp; I'd tried everything from the local high school to the heritage section of the library and the department of records in the city hall.\u0026nbsp; The only information I'd been able to find on Kirian was his, my, name on a few trophies, a couple more pictures in old year books, and now this grave.\u0026nbsp; All that, and I felt no closer to learning anything.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Jaimie slipped her paw into mine. \"What now?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I don't know, I think we need to get moving again though.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; As we traveled further east, I began to notice changes, not just in scenery, but also in my mental state.\u0026nbsp; I discovered that I could begin to remember parts of my past.\u0026nbsp; It began with glimpses of my childhood, but progressively grew until I began remembering events from middle school, learning to ski, my first shooting coach, dancing with an attractive otter at some high school formal.\u0026nbsp; It was an odd feeling.\u0026nbsp; Sometimes, they came to me gradually, like I would expect memories to.\u0026nbsp; Other times they would burst into being, occasionally so forcefully I'd have to pull over and have Jaimie drive.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I didn't know what it all meant, or why it was happening now.\u0026nbsp; Still, always on the very edge of all this was the hint of my recent past, the events prior and leading up to my accident.\u0026nbsp; I just couldn't seem to reach them though.\u0026nbsp; At times, I felt like their presence would drive me mad, tantalizing me with the answers they held, but wouldn't let me know.\u0026nbsp; I was certain that these were the contents of my dreams, only to wake and not know what they had been about.\u0026nbsp; There was one dream I had had multiple times and remembered, though it made no sense, of flying towards a cliff face.\u0026nbsp; I had the feeling that something would happen when I got to it, but I always woke up before that point.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Two days later, as the mountains became visible over the horizon, I decided I would just have to settle for any information I could find here.\u0026nbsp; Among the other things which were troubling me, was my decision to travel to this northeastern range.\u0026nbsp; Sure, I hadn't really had any other place to go, but now we were here, I was constantly questioning the logic of the decision.\u0026nbsp; I didn't know where to begin or even what to look for and I was afraid that I would be letting Jaimie down.\u0026nbsp; My hind sight was telling me we should have stayed in Raleigh.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Maybe I could have found Kirian's parents, or an old teacher.\u0026nbsp; I knew these thoughts were foolish though.\u0026nbsp; The longer we stayed in one place, especially one with such a high military presence, the more likely it was that the JIA would catch up with us again.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You okay Xavier?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Yeah, just worried.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"About what?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I don't know, all this, not knowing what I'm doing, you.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, don't.\u0026nbsp; I'll be fine, and even if we don't find anything, we can stay on the move for a while, and then find some place new to settle down.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; As the sun set over the desert turning the red dust to shades of violet, we came to a large town at the base of the mountains.\u0026nbsp; Compared to the range back home, these peaks were strange.\u0026nbsp; They were tall, jagged, and sparsely vegetated.\u0026nbsp; One of their biggest differences was the lack of any foothills.\u0026nbsp; Instead, they seemed to simply burst from the vastness of the desert but then again, there was something oddly familiar about them.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I drove through town until I found a hotel which offered covered parking.\u0026nbsp; I immediately found my way to the shower and allowed the hot water to run over me, un-matting my fur and washing off three days of driving grime.\u0026nbsp; I hadn't realized how sore sitting in a car could make you.\u0026nbsp; I finally extricated myself from the steamy interior at the sound of Jaimie pounding on the bathroom door.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; That night I found my way to a small pub which the hound at the front desk had recommended due to its abundance of locals who I might be able to learn something from.\u0026nbsp; Jaimie had opted to stay behind and I allowed it on the condition that she keep the door locked and not open it to anyone.\u0026nbsp; The interior was slightly run down and very noisy from the myriad of patrons, but it gave the whole place a close and trusting sense.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What'll it be newcomer?\" the bartender asked over the din.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Something dark and cold.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I took my drink and picked my way to a small table in the back where the sound of voices was somewhat lessened.\u0026nbsp; A young seagull waitress came by to take my order, but I waved her away while studying the faces of the many individuals who crowded the space.\u0026nbsp; This whole idea is crazy, I told myself for the hundredth time.\u0026nbsp; Leaning back, I sipped the imported beverage, while continuing to passively watch the room.\u0026nbsp; Out of the corner of my eye, I notice an older porcupine who sat alone, watching me.\u0026nbsp; He was wearing a faded black T-shirt and blue jeans.\u0026nbsp; Long sleek hair which surrounded a black face covered his quills.\u0026nbsp; I motioned to him and he obligingly stood up and settled back down at my table.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"You're not from around here are you kit?\" he asked in a gruff, but friendly voice.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"No sir,\" I replied, some part of my mind automatically adding the honorific at the end.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"We don't need that sir b s.\u0026nbsp; Call me Brenan.\u0026nbsp; I won't bother with your name but, 'f you don't mind me askin', what you come this way for?\u0026nbsp; Nothing out here but dessert.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"A few reasons.\u0026nbsp; Looking for answers among other things.\u0026nbsp; I'm not too trusting of people recently though.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Ah, I see.\u0026nbsp; Well, since that's the case, we'll be direct with each other.\u0026nbsp; How's that sound?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; My silence must have encouraged him to continue.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Good, now let me make a few assumption.\u0026nbsp; People here think I'm an ol' crazy, but this head's got some sense in it still.\u0026nbsp; I don't mind though, it lets me sit and watch in peace.\u0026nbsp; You can learn a lot about a person, or persons, just by watchin' em.\u0026nbsp; If you know what to look for.\u0026nbsp; You my uncommonly white friend know what to look for.\u0026nbsp; I saw it in your eyes while you were studyin' the room.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Now, by the way you hold yourself, I'd say you're a lot stronger than you initially appear.\u0026nbsp; Your movements are controlled, you don't spend an ounce of energy that isn't required.\u0026nbsp; You don't blend in naturally, but I think if you wanted to disappear in a crowd, you could do so quite effectively.\u0026nbsp; I'm guessing you are, or were in the military, probably Special Forces.\u0026nbsp; These facts combined with the knowledge that you're looking for answers tells me that I probably have some of the information you want.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I stared at him indifferently, carefully controlling my expression.\u0026nbsp; This man was to be trusted or feared, and I wasn't sure which it was going to be.\u0026nbsp; I chose to see what he claimed to know before passing judgment.\u0026nbsp; It was a risk, but JIA agents hadn't swarmed in yet, so I guessed they wouldn't be here any time soon even if he was one of them.\u0026nbsp; He didn't have the same feel about him though.\u0026nbsp; He was more relaxed and passive.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; His observations were stated as if he were making them as he spoke, not reciting memorized information.\u0026nbsp; Of course, it all could be an act to keep me here.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"And what's that?\" I asked, not allowing any of my recent thoughts to enter my voice.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, that's going to cost you.\" he replied, grinning and tapping his glass.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Taking the hint, I flagged the waitress and got Brenan a drink.\u0026nbsp; He accepted it gratefully, took a long swallow before setting it down and turning back to me.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I'd guess you want to find the bunker.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"What bunker?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, that is the question isn't it, seeing as the government denies its existence.\u0026nbsp; That being said, I'd bet a good deal that it's out there in those mountains. You see, rumor has it that the military had a supper bunker up north a ways, built during the Great War.\u0026nbsp; It was 'supposedly' decommissioned, but three years ago, people start seeing this strange plane.\u0026nbsp; They say it would appear in the sky from nowhere and disappear to the north.\u0026nbsp; Not a normal plane either, one of these Air force stealth jobs right.\u0026nbsp; Well, folks don't take much stock in it until last fall when it starts comin' and goin' like nothing else.\u0026nbsp; Then it stops.\u0026nbsp; Just like that, bout four... maybe five months back.\u0026nbsp; No sightings since.\u0026nbsp; My guess is that it had something to do with that old bunker, but don't ask me what.\u0026nbsp; Strange things surround these artifacts from the war, but if you're lookin' for somethin' out of the ordinary, I'd check up there.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, I'm not sure if that's what I'm after, but thanks for the help Brenan.\u0026nbsp; You seem pretty knowledgeable, is there anywhere else you might think to look?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Bah, I just notice things, but if you don't find anything up there... I guess I'd do some research on defense contractors, they always have a hand in these things.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Thanks again.\u0026nbsp; Can I get you another drink?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Nah kit.\u0026nbsp; The misses will be expecting me.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; He took his leave and I watched as he exited the bar.\u0026nbsp; I was still contemplating what he had said, my glass only half drank when the bartender filled the empty seat.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Hey stranger.\u0026nbsp; I don't know what you and ol' Crazy Brenan were talking about, but if I were you, I wouldn't take too much stock in his words.\u0026nbsp; His time in the service left him a bit cuckoo.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"He was in the service?\u0026nbsp; Where?\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"I dunno, some intelligence group under the Army.\u0026nbsp; Couldn't tell you much else, but it left him without his sanity.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.\"\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I followed the old Porcupine out of the pub a few minutes later and proceeded back to the hotel.\u0026nbsp; Super bunker up north eh?\u0026nbsp; The period he had told me fit closely into my mental timeline, but not quite perfectly.\u0026nbsp; It was defiantly worth checking out though.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; I unlocked the door to the room and stepped inside.\u0026nbsp; Jaimie was asleep so I left the lights off and moved silently in order not to wake her.\u0026nbsp; I sat on the second bed, it's worn springs sinking, and gazed at her prone form.\u0026nbsp; In the end, despite what she had decided and said to me, it wasn't right to bring her into all of this.\u0026nbsp; I would never forgive myself if anything happened to her.\u0026nbsp; Restlessly, I climbed into the bed and tried to fall asleep.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Again, I flew through the air at breakneck speed.\u0026nbsp; I seemed to be descending and a strange jagged mountain range was racing up to me.\u0026nbsp; I was about to impact the rapidly approaching cliff when...\n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The alarm sounded, waking me from my dream.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n-NEW MESSAGE\n\n-FROM: BRAVO\n\n-TO: HQ\n\n-SUBJECT: #1\n\nRan into #1.\u0026nbsp; I think he's headed to TC17.\u0026nbsp; Will keep you informed.\n\nEND MESSAGE\n\n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Fallout","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/202350-fallout-where-now.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/207596-fallout-an-illusion-to-follow.json"}}