The ground trembled beneath my armored boots. The mushroom cloud in the distance could only mean one thing: Raiders had found my secret stash of weapons and armor, including my trusty fatman in the tattered bunker near Raven Rock. I sighed with dismay at the thought of heading there to try and get my gear back. As I had a decent share of caps in my rucksack, I thought maybe I could barter with some trader nearby and fancy my chances with some standard weapon. "The one place no one would ever think to raid!" I muttered in a frustrated tone. 

The skies were a charcoal black as I walked cautiously across the baron wasteland. In fact, I wasn't that sure if I would make it through the long night to HQ, so I sent a broadcast to my team back at base. "This is Ashton reporting to Riley, over". I heard a faint crackling sound, then a rough voice I knew only too well. "Ashton, what is your position? Over". I quickly checked my coordinates then gave Riley my position. "Wont be back 'till dawn I'm afraid, got held up by some raiders looting my gear up at old Raven Rock. One of 'em took my Fatman and tested it out on an old truck about a hundred yards from me, over." The crackling came again followed by the same rough voice. "Be careful out there, Ashton. Take refuge in that old mill � it's just southwest of your location, over." I glanced at my compass and started picking up pace as I made my way briskly towards the mill. As I stumbled aimlessly to towards the mill the lack of sleep subdued my thoughts. Despite the being tired I kept going until reaching the derelict mill. I stepped inside and took a small rolled up mat out of my bag, sealed the bag shut and laid the mat out and set myself on it for the night.

My eyes fluttered, opening and closing as my eyes adjusted to the piercing ray of light through gaps in the door. I sat up for a moment then yawned. As I regained focus of my surroundings I heard voices coming from outside. "Something's in there. I just heard rustling coming from near the door. If it's Ashton or not I'm not sure." I also knew this voice as it was my good friend Jeriah. Just as I was about to make a jokey remark to tell him I was here. he then said "This is Jeriah reporting to talon base. That Ashton bastard is not to be found outside so I'm going to go inside." My mind paused with confusion. I then came back to reality and heard him laugh, then say said " Well if there's a price on his head I'll take him out first, then head back to the ranger compound and take out Riley. In an angry rage I reached for a gun but realized all had been stolen during the raid last night. The only weapon I had on me was a flimsy knife. As I heard him co.ck his gun I quickly headed to the far exit and just as I made my way out I heard the door swing open. I made a run for it. This time I didn't check my compass. I wasn't taking any chances.