# Fallout - Leads from Legends

Author: SrA havenofimage
Tags: Husky, Leopard, M/F, Military, Mystery, Porcupine, Snow Leopard

#7 of Fallout

&nbsp;

C/PFC Kirian Harper

2114 - 2133

"Service before self"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Is this who I am?"&nbsp; I wondered, gazing at the headstone before me.&nbsp; But, if that were true, why was I standing here, three years after a marker in a military cemetery claimed I had died?&nbsp; So far, it looked like this journey wouldn't yield any answers.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; We had stopped in Raleigh on our way east to find if the town held any more secrets from my past.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; All that, and I felt no closer to learning anything.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Jaimie slipped her paw into mine. "What now?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I don't know, I think we need to get moving again though."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As we traveled further east, I began to notice changes, not just in scenery, but also in my mental state.&nbsp; I discovered that I could begin to remember parts of my past.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; It was an odd feeling.&nbsp; Sometimes, they came to me gradually, like I would expect memories to.&nbsp; Other times they would burst into being, occasionally so forcefully I'd have to pull over and have Jaimie drive.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I didn't know what it all meant, or why it was happening now.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; I just couldn't seem to reach them though.&nbsp; At times, I felt like their presence would drive me mad, tantalizing me with the answers they held, but wouldn't let me know.&nbsp; I was certain that these were the contents of my dreams, only to wake and not know what they had been about.&nbsp; There was one dream I had had multiple times and remembered, though it made no sense, of flying towards a cliff face.&nbsp; I had the feeling that something would happen when I got to it, but I always woke up before that point.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; Among the other things which were troubling me, was my decision to travel to this northeastern range.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; I didn't know where to begin or even what to look for and I was afraid that I would be letting Jaimie down.&nbsp; My hind sight was telling me we should have stayed in Raleigh.&nbsp;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Maybe I could have found Kirian's parents, or an old teacher.&nbsp; I knew these thoughts were foolish though.&nbsp; 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.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You okay Xavier?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yeah, just worried."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "About what?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I don't know, all this, not knowing what I'm doing, you."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, don't.&nbsp; 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."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; Compared to the range back home, these peaks were strange.&nbsp; They were tall, jagged, and sparsely vegetated.&nbsp; One of their biggest differences was the lack of any foothills.&nbsp; Instead, they seemed to simply burst from the vastness of the desert but then again, there was something oddly familiar about them.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I drove through town until I found a hotel which offered covered parking.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; I hadn't realized how sore sitting in a car could make you.&nbsp; I finally extricated myself from the steamy interior at the sound of Jaimie pounding on the bathroom door.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; 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.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What'll it be newcomer?" the bartender asked over the din.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Something dark and cold."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I took my drink and picked my way to a small table in the back where the sound of voices was somewhat lessened.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; This whole idea is crazy, I told myself for the hundredth time.&nbsp; Leaning back, I sipped the imported beverage, while continuing to passively watch the room.&nbsp; Out of the corner of my eye, I notice an older porcupine who sat alone, watching me.&nbsp; He was wearing a faded black T-shirt and blue jeans.&nbsp; Long sleek hair which surrounded a black face covered his quills.&nbsp; I motioned to him and he obligingly stood up and settled back down at my table.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "You're not from around here are you kit?" he asked in a gruff, but friendly voice.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "No sir," I replied, some part of my mind automatically adding the honorific at the end.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "We don't need that sir b s.&nbsp; Call me Brenan.&nbsp; I won't bother with your name but, 'f you don't mind me askin', what you come this way for?&nbsp; Nothing out here but dessert."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "A few reasons.&nbsp; Looking for answers among other things.&nbsp; I'm not too trusting of people recently though."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Ah, I see.&nbsp; Well, since that's the case, we'll be direct with each other.&nbsp; How's that sound?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; My silence must have encouraged him to continue.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Good, now let me make a few assumption.&nbsp; People here think I'm an ol' crazy, but this head's got some sense in it still.&nbsp; I don't mind though, it lets me sit and watch in peace.&nbsp; You can learn a lot about a person, or persons, just by watchin' em.&nbsp; If you know what to look for.&nbsp; You my uncommonly white friend know what to look for.&nbsp; I saw it in your eyes while you were studyin' the room.&nbsp;&nbsp; Now, by the way you hold yourself, I'd say you're a lot stronger than you initially appear.&nbsp; Your movements are controlled, you don't spend an ounce of energy that isn't required.&nbsp; You don't blend in naturally, but I think if you wanted to disappear in a crowd, you could do so quite effectively.&nbsp; I'm guessing you are, or were in the military, probably Special Forces.&nbsp; These facts combined with the knowledge that you're looking for answers tells me that I probably have some of the information you want."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I stared at him indifferently, carefully controlling my expression.&nbsp; This man was to be trusted or feared, and I wasn't sure which it was going to be.&nbsp; I chose to see what he claimed to know before passing judgment.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; He didn't have the same feel about him though.&nbsp; He was more relaxed and passive.&nbsp;&nbsp; His observations were stated as if he were making them as he spoke, not reciting memorized information.&nbsp; Of course, it all could be an act to keep me here.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "And what's that?" I asked, not allowing any of my recent thoughts to enter my voice.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, that's going to cost you." he replied, grinning and tapping his glass.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Taking the hint, I flagged the waitress and got Brenan a drink.&nbsp; He accepted it gratefully, took a long swallow before setting it down and turning back to me.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I'd guess you want to find the bunker."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "What bunker?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, that is the question isn't it, seeing as the government denies its existence.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; It was 'supposedly' decommissioned, but three years ago, people start seeing this strange plane.&nbsp; They say it would appear in the sky from nowhere and disappear to the north.&nbsp; Not a normal plane either, one of these Air force stealth jobs right.&nbsp; Well, folks don't take much stock in it until last fall when it starts comin' and goin' like nothing else.&nbsp; Then it stops.&nbsp; Just like that, bout four... maybe five months back.&nbsp; No sightings since.&nbsp; My guess is that it had something to do with that old bunker, but don't ask me what.&nbsp; Strange things surround these artifacts from the war, but if you're lookin' for somethin' out of the ordinary, I'd check up there."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Well, I'm not sure if that's what I'm after, but thanks for the help Brenan.&nbsp; You seem pretty knowledgeable, is there anywhere else you might think to look?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "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."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Thanks again.&nbsp; Can I get you another drink?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Nah kit.&nbsp; The misses will be expecting me."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; He took his leave and I watched as he exited the bar.&nbsp; I was still contemplating what he had said, my glass only half drank when the bartender filled the empty seat.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Hey stranger.&nbsp; 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.&nbsp; His time in the service left him a bit cuckoo."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "He was in the service?&nbsp; Where?"

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "I dunno, some intelligence group under the Army.&nbsp; Couldn't tell you much else, but it left him without his sanity."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind."

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I followed the old Porcupine out of the pub a few minutes later and proceeded back to the hotel.&nbsp; Super bunker up north eh?&nbsp; The period he had told me fit closely into my mental timeline, but not quite perfectly.&nbsp; It was defiantly worth checking out though.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I unlocked the door to the room and stepped inside.&nbsp; Jaimie was asleep so I left the lights off and moved silently in order not to wake her.&nbsp; I sat on the second bed, it's worn springs sinking, and gazed at her prone form.&nbsp; In the end, despite what she had decided and said to me, it wasn't right to bring her into all of this.&nbsp; I would never forgive myself if anything happened to her.&nbsp; Restlessly, I climbed into the bed and tried to fall asleep.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Again, I flew through the air at breakneck speed.&nbsp; I seemed to be descending and a strange jagged mountain range was racing up to me.&nbsp; I was about to impact the rapidly approaching cliff when...

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The alarm sounded, waking me from my dream.

&nbsp;

-NEW MESSAGE

-FROM: BRAVO

-TO: HQ

-SUBJECT: #1

Ran into #1.&nbsp; I think he's headed to TC17.&nbsp; Will keep you informed.

END MESSAGE

Source: https://sofurry.com/s/qmyOl0P1
Part of the series Fallout
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