Werner nods and motions to the others sitting around them. [b]"As I said, a lot of these people have been waiting to get in, working their skins raw to prove their worth, and all they're getting from it is barely enough to eat and these walls you see. Oh sure, certainly better than eeking out a desperate living in the metros... But not by much."[/b] The old man looked at his hand nostalgically, gripping the wrapped blade. [b]"Bout a month ago a good size group of refugees tried to do something about it. Back then Underhaven was a bit more open. They went in and tried to talk to the mayor about letting them live inside the settlement instead of out here, but one thing led to another and they got boxed in. Couldn't get out, but didn't have the firepower to fight back. They had to resort to desperate measures, and escaped through Underhaven's nuclear reactor. Way I hear it most didn't make it, but some did. A lot of them were young folk, friends and families of the people you see here."[/b] Werner seemed to be telling a different side of the story that the head of security told Cat.

[b]"One of my daughters was with that group. Bright eyed girl, always saw the best in people. She really thought if she could just... Talk to them, they'd let the people in. Let us in. Should've... Nevermind."[/b] The man let go of his knife and looked back up to Cat. [b]"Anyways since that incident there's been word that those who managed to escape have started their own colony somewhere. Can't let people know about it of course, since a lotta folks in Underhaven would love to just gun them all down, so whenever someone here in camp gets fed up with waiting they go out and try to find them. I..."[/b] Werner looked towards the fire, his eyes seemingly blank and empty. [b]"I'm just telling you because it's only going to get rough from here on out. Underhaven ain't a perfect place, and no place really is, but there's a storm brewing and we're all going to get caught in it. Just like you said: problem is the people."[/b]

Another thing Cat might've noticed now that she's been with Werner for a while, he had the slight scent of alcohol on him. It was small, and she would've missed it if it weren't for her keen senses. Most metro hooch was in such poor quality that you'd need to drink gallons before you'd really get drunk off of them, and by then you'd likely already died by poisoning. So Werner either had a stockpile somewhere in this cramped camp, or he has some high quality booze hidden away.

[hr]

Donny listened to the kid, Ellie, as she critiqued his story. [color=firebrick]"I'm just telling it as it is kid. But ya know... Don't need too much imagination in this world to know how bad it can get."[/color] Donny felt a bit defensive about his story. He thought it was pretty good. But aside from that Ellie told Donny about some quake. From the sounds if it, might've been prospectors. A special type of scavenger who specialized in clearing away old ruins to get to the juicy bits inside. Naturally of course, prospectors had to be very skillful to deal with the various hazards and threats their actions cause. Most die on the job, but a few who don't come out very successful. From the sounds of it though, whoever found these tunnels didn't make it to salvage the rewards. At least if what Ellie said was true.

[color=firebrick]"Untapped tunnels huh? Well, maybe once I get settled in, might be able to prep for a big job like that. Not too keen on taking on a bunch of ferals without some serious firepower at my back. But thanks for the tip kid."[/color] Donny made sure to look over his belongings again to make sure nothing was stolen. As he did so, he did have an idea of how to jury rig some parts for the rifle. He'll just need access to a fire, even a small one, just enough to heat up metal to be malleable. [color=firebrick]"Say kid. Think you can get me some of whatever you guys are using to keep that fire going? I'll give you a couple of my knives for it."[/color]