[color=39b54a][b]Dr. Arthur West - Salem Clinic[/b][/color]

With the fighting seemingly done, Arthur crawled out from the storage space he'd been taking cover in and examined the damage. The Deathclaw had finally been killed and he was surprised to find a mutant now standing in his clinic holding an unconscious Steve. He froze for a brief moment when he saw the hulking green humanoid but quickly regained himself. 

[i]Another non-aggressive mutant?[/i] He thought to himself. [i]No wait...[/i]

Unlike the previous mutant he'd come across in Salem, Rook he believed was his name, this was was different. It wasn't one of his. This mutant must have been created with a different strain of FEV. The physiological characteristic were all distinct from Commonwealth mutants that had been created by Bioscience. Perhaps to the untrained eye the mutants might look the same, but there were indeed visible differences.

He continued watching the mutant as the lumbering mass of muscle picked up the ghoul, evidently having been his companion, and then just simply walked out. Arthur stood gawking out the door for a couple minutes, the wheels in his head turning rapidly thinking up new theories as to where the mutant might have originated from, when his thoughts were interrupted by Frieda,

[i]“Thanks for visiting!  Have a fantabulous-fucking day!”  [/i] She called out. Arthur looked over to her with a puzzled expression. 

“Sorry, I just…”  Frieda blushed, again.  “Sorry.”

"Its quite alright," He said, "Its been.....well I was going to say 'stressful', but doesn't really cover today's events very well....I err....Frieda?" He realized Frieda had begun changing her shirt and immediately looked away with a slightly reddened face. 

“Well, that’s a little better, hm?" She said finally, "Can I help you with anything?” 

Arthur opened one of his eyes tentatively, before opening the other. He re-composed himself and adjusted his glasses, 

"Uh, well yes actually," He said, clearing his throat, "I don't suppose you'd be willing to go out and see who might need medical attention? And help them to the clinic if they need assistance of course. I'll begin treating Steve as best I can and then start on anyone else who might need help. Afterwards I'd like to have a good look at one or all of those Deathclaws...if possible..." He pondered aloud, "I've just...well...I've never seen one before...in the flesh that is.."


[color=8dc73f]Hooded Figure - Crater House  [/color]


"What is your name, visitor?  Where are you come from?  And why have you come to this congregation?" 

"I'm a humble servant of our lord, just as you are holy Inquisitor," The hooded man replied. He turned his ragged head and looked up at Ian with glowing eyes, "I'm a wandering holy man to some: a demon to others. The truth is I simply serve the will of Atom, preach to those who would listen, and chastise those who might offend. I've gone by a number of different names in my long years, but you may call me Zhelk if you wish."

Zhelk got up from his seat and stood before the Inquisitor, leaning on his staff for support. Hunched and malformed, he was an embodiment of decay and a conduit for the glow. Even as he stood there, radiation quite literally emitted from him, and especially from the spiked censer attached to his staff. 

"I've come here because Atom has led me here. He has shown me visions of a town in need of Atom's guidance. Of an ancient darkness that lurks among the unwitting and a fell shadow that threatens to engulf them all should it be allowed to. We must lead the people of Salem to Atom's holy glow brother, and thereby save them from the evil that dwells among them."

Zhelk began pacing back and forth, his censer swinging ominously as he did so, and the room itself seemed to glow brighter with radioactivity,

"Yes, it us up to us. Don't you see?" He muttered, "Atom's chosen. Atom's children. The glow must pierce the dark and thereby shine through to the outer void. The void beyond the stars...yes...yes.."

The tone of his voice became quickened, almost frantic,

"The great enemy has revealed itself. The great deceiver...that eldritch abomination and the hated foe of our Lord! Ug-Qualtoth!" 

After uttering the name, Zhelk smashed his staff hard against the floor, and a great wave of radiation burst from him, illuminating the entire house like a beacon. Afterwards, Zhelk breathed heavily and calmed himself. He leaned against his staff as if clutching it for dear life.

"Forgive me," He said, "But Atom's words come through me like a tempest sometimes. Its difficult to control: a curse in many ways. I would very much like to visit Salem soon brother. We [i]must[/i] do Atom's will. Convert those willing to listen and watch for the right signs. Will you join me in this? You and all in this congregation?"