Chapter 147

Adam proceeded to enjoy himself at the bar with everyone for the next few hours, getting chummy with the locals. It seemed that this was not an uncommon occurrence around here. The lakelurks attack, usually, most often during spawning season. And since they just handled the attack with nothing more than a few light injuries as tradition they will be throwing a festival the tomorrow. Since the next attack would likely not be for a while. Adam, being a guest who stood up to the wave of lakelurks, was practically strong-armed into joining the festival. Not that he would have said no.

After the bar fun was over Adam noticed that somehow, despite the fact that everyone's eyes were on the outsiders who participated in the town defense, Deccanus had managed to slip away unnoticed and escaped from the bar at some point. Seemed even now he still hated parties? He could only guess why. Perhaps he could ask. But he had done the same exact thing back in Naper.

Regardless Adam headed back to his hotel and booked 5 more nights totaling 375 caps. He was down to 2600 caps, but that was more than enough to not worry about funds. Still, he wanted to go on a run tomorrow regardless because it was his job after all. Just because he could lounge around doesn't mean he should. Besides, he had realized a few days ago he had a new goal, one that would cost him quite a few caps to set up right. He would need a lot more money before he could enact his plan so it was best he started saving now.

Adam slept well that night, thanks in part to the buzz he had from the drinking. They had even given him food too so he didn't even need to buy dinner.

The next day he met up with Deccanus at the front gate, ready for a day's work.

"Are you ready?" Adam asked, beating Deccanus to the gate for once.

"Indeed. Lead the way." He said with a soft nod.

"Good, then let's get going." He smiled before signalling to the gate guard that he was ready to leave and watching as the heavy concrete door slid open. 

The two men then set out to head to Adam's next destination; a lakeside apartment and shopping building that was still standing. It was not even too far away, just an hour's walk. He had no idea what he might find there, it likely wouldn't have any big ticket items, but anything he could do to fill his bags was worth the trip.

"Deccanus, I have a question." Adam asked while they walked. Deccanus turned and looked at Adam without breaking his stride, indicating he was receptive to a question. "Why do you always flee from parties? You left yesterday from the bar without anyone noticing, and you did it before in Naper after we took out the raiders." Deccanus sighed a bit.

"I do not like celebrations, it reminds me too much of my days in the Legion." He paused. "Everytime I think about what I have lost it makes me bitter and I do not wish to bring down the mood with a sour mood." he said, thoughtfully. "In addition… I do not like crowds. I prefer the outside, however I have learned to overcome this and no longer sleep only outdoors."

Adam nodded slowly, understanding Deccanus' position.

"So it sounds like you might be claustrophobic… or agoraphobic… or both, which is almost funny." Adam offered.

"I do not know, I just know it has always been this way, however I am not hindered by such concerns. I am Legion, we do not fear anything. As such I have overcome these issues many years ago."

"Well honestly, good for you, it's not easy to get over fears."

"As I said, Legionnaires do not feel fear." Deccanus insisted.

"My apologies, forget I mentioned it." Adam said with a small chuckle.

The two men arrived at the destination shortly later. A large building that towered over the lake several floors high. The bottom floor seemed to be occupied by a number of shops, judging by the shop signs that some still had, and then every floor from the second to the sixth was apartments. With any luck there would be some goodies here worth taking.

However as Adam began to approach the building Deccanus stopped him and looked around suspiciously.

"What is it?" Adam asked, quietly. Deccanus remained quiet for a few moments before speaking up in a hushed tone.

"I believe we may have wandered into a lakelurk king nest." Adam immediately went on alert and looked around but saw nothing.

"What makes you say that?" He asked but had his gun at the ready and was taking Deccanus' words seriously. Deccanus gestured to the lake nearby.

"Do you see how the seaweed is clustered on the side of the lake like that, how it seems to have parted in only a few spots?" He asked, motioning to the seaweed he mentioned. However even though Adam was looking at the same thing he was he just simply saw seaweed thrown carelessly on the side of the lake, nothing out of the ordinary.

"No?" Adam returned, confused. Deccanus shook his head.

"In addition, look at the surrounding buildings, they all have traces of seaweed residue, that building over there especially." He continued. This time, though Adam couldn't see it everywhere he did begin to notice random pieces of seaweed thrown about the nearby buildings and even the street.

"Lastly … the lake." He gestured back to the lake pointing a good ways off, from where they were but just barely in view. "There is a near continuous stream of bubbles coming from over there, likely from the mirelurk kings protecting their eggs underwater." Adam squinted to see the bubbles he was talking about, he could see what Deccanus was pointing at but after a moment he decided to just simply use his binoculars. Sure enough, as Deccanus said, there was an unusual part of the lake where air bubbles continually rose to the surface. Adam was convinced.

"What do you think we should do? Leave?" Adam asked, not necessarily feeling the need to engage an enemy he could avoid.

"No." Deccanus replied curtly. "We are already inside their nesting grounds, even if we leave we may still be forced to engage them, lakelurk kings are unlike lakelurks proper, they have a large hunting ground and will track down prey well into land. Besides, the Legion does not run from a fight." Deccanus said as he drew his spear. Adam sighed and then nodded.

"Alright, we will push on then, you take point, I will follow your lead." Adam said, resolutely.

"Stick close, and stay low, we may yet take those on the surface by surprise."