[color=00a651][b]Dr. Arthur West - Salem Clinic [/b][/color]

[i]"They are a curious group Dr. West. They believe themselves to be descendants of the old world government, the true "remnants" of the US government. Long ago we had contact and they pretty much demanded we submit to their authority."[/i]

"Hmmph, a ridiculous notion," Arthur replied with a dismissive huff, "As if any organization has any kind of legitimate claim of being the so-called 'Government' anymore. Did they expect us to just bow to them because their great-great grandfather was a senator for the United States?"

Rick got up from the chair and started to make his way for the door while he continued explaining, Arthur followed suit and made sure he was steady enough to walk,

"However, we did share a common enemy, the Brotherhood of Steel. I always though they were destroyed by them... I guess there were survivors very much like us, after their presumed destruction."

"One thing we have in common then I suppose," Arthur remarked grimly. 

"To be honest I doubt many outside their high echelons and intelligence services knew of us. Aside from Brotherhood, we probably were the one other group that could stand against them. " Rick stopped for a moment, "They hate anyone outside the Enclave...they would never be among us "mutants" as they put it... If she's here, it could mean she left the organization or was kicked out, though a secretive organization might have killed her rather than let her go."

"Mutants? Us?" Arthur was surprised at the idea. He had to wonder if The Enclave had truly understood what being a 'mutant' meant. Perhaps Arthur could have illustrated the point to them more...succinctly. He knew all too well. 

[i]"In all honesty it's up to you Dr. West whether or not you tell her background, considering she might be suspicious. Just do not tell her of Vault 88. As far as these surface dwellers are concerned, we were destroyed and survivors were scattered through commonwealth."[/i]

"Hmm. Noted," Arthur nodded in agreement. He didn't want to tell Rick that he'd already mentioned the Vault to her before. But, then again, there was no real indication that she'd know or even care where the Vault was. Vault 88 had been an unfinished project, so perhaps it wouldn't be listed on any kind official documentation that the Enclave might have access to. Arthur hoped that was the case. 

Once they'd descended to the first floor Rick had greeted Frieda and struck up a conversation. Frieda seemed happy, even a bit giddy, and she soon explained why,
[i]
 "Oh, and, good news!  I've decided to work here for you, full time.  Security guard-slash-assistant."  Frieda paused, finally realizing how bold it was for her to assume.  "That is, if you're okay with that.  You look like you could use an extra set of hands, and I just thought...ahem."  She fidgeted, then, feeling awkward.  "If it's agreeable to you, then I'll be sure to carry my gun much more often.  I could even go get it right now, if you want?"
[/i]

Arthur was surprised, she'd taken quite the initiative in setting herself up at the clinic as his assistant. His first thought was that it might be distracting having someone else around here, but he quickly warmed up to the idea the more he thought about it. Having someone who was well-trained and with obvious military experience to guard the clinic and help protect him and his vulnerable patients made perfect sense and might even be necessary. What's more, he had to admit, he [i]did[/i] rather like the idea of Frieda sticking around....

"Alright then..." Arthur relied as shook himself out of his imagination, "I could certainly use the help around here and, god forbid, if someone were to ever try and attack this place I'd be well...in a pickle. I don't exactly have any formal weapons training. Although...I don't charge for my services so I'm not sure what I could pay you with. I suppose I could offer to split any food or supplies that the townspeople agree to provide. That is, unless you've worked something out with Mayor Barney perhaps? Either way I..."

Arthur was cut short with the not-so-distant echo of gunshots resounding through the town. The shots seemed sporadic and certainly didn't sound like Ace was out hunting..

"Oh my..." Arthur muttered fearfully, "What's happening you think? Are we under attack?"