Chapter 108 - 108

Words : 1760 Updated : Sep 17th, 2025

"Do you mind if I join you?" Deccanus said as he took a seat at the table first. His posture was rigid, straight, like he was ordered by a superior to look presentable while sitting, but he was doing it naturally. "Uh yeah, feel free." Adam said back slightly confused what this was about. The order of events were reversed since Deccanus sat down without asking first, but he did ask so it didn't matter much. "I have spent time… thinking over what you have said at our last conversation." "Our last conversation? About doing what you can in the now?" Adam asked for clarification. "Indeed." He said with a slow nod. "How… it is hard for a soldier to leave the battlefield behind them, but they must learn to create a new future for themselves." Adam nodded slowly. He remembered the conversation, it didn't go exactly like that but the sentiment was right so it was fine. "I remember." Adam said, putting his fork down and looking at Deccanus seriously now. "I still… do not yet know how to live without my Legion, do not know how to survive without my Caesar. For half a decade I have been a dead man, chasing ghosts and a memory. I do not wish to be that man any longer." Adam smiled softly and gave him a firm nod. "That sounds like a very inspired position to take, Deccanus. I'm glad you are finally moving forward. It's not easy to come to that decision, but even just taking that first step is big." "I thank you for your kind words." Deccanus said, still sitting up straight, his posture still as rigid as ever. "But I did not come here to merely inform you that I am taking your advice…" He then slammed his fist against his chest and kept it there while he bowed slightly to Adam. "I wish to learn from your example, follow your lead. If you will permit me, I would like to accompany you on your adventure and try to discover what I can become without the Legion." Adam was momentarily flustered by the display. "Uh… De-Deccanus…" Adam was not sure what to say to this. Deccanus pulled out of the bow but his fist remained on his chest. "I shall not slow you down, I promise." He said with a determined look in his eyes. Adam took in a long breath of air and then sighed. "Look Deccanus… I'm flattered but I'm not sure if I'm going to be the best role model for you, after all I'm still trying to put the pieces of my life together myself." "That does not matter. Few would understand my plight as you have. From one soldier of a dead country to another. If… I may be so bold, perhaps then we can help each other find that which we are lacking. I am willing to do any task." He said, still resolute in his words. "Deccanus, I am a scaver, I regularly put myself in danger to collect old world artifacts to bring back to sell for profit, I don't exactly live the most normal life." "Maybe not, but you are doing as you said, putting your skills from your former life to use in your new one. I simply wish to learn from your example." Adam blinked twice and then sighed again, putting his hands up in defeat. "Alright, if that's what you want, I'm not going to stop you from joining me on my adventures. Salvatore is out of town now so having someone along would be a great help. So long as you understand what you are getting into I will be glad to have you along." Adam smiled and offered Deccanus his hand for a handshake. Deccanus stared at it for a moment and then shook it. "Then we have reached an accord." Deccanus said as he stood up now. "If you need me I am staying at The CheckInn." He said turning to leave. "Alright, I'm not sure when I'm leaving next but I promise I will keep you informed." Deccanus nodded and left Adam alone in the food court once more, with a new surprise companion he had not expected. In fact the whole encounter was like a whirlwind, he was happy to have a new partner, especially since Salvatore would be indisposed for a while, but it was entirely unexpected. Adam finished his meal and then went back to the mall. He had noticed a small bookshop when he came through last time, it must have been closed for a while since the space had always been locked up until now. He was looking for a new book anyway so it was perfect. Walking inside the shop he was met with rows of bookshelves covered from top to bottom in books. Though to be honest this was not unexpected. However there were so many books and bookshelves that he could not even see the counter at the back of the store. So he started to browse. Honestly he was not the biggest book fan, but the means to entertain himself nowadays has dropped significantly. Back before the world ended he- er, the other him? No, screw it, even if he is a clone he will still refer to those memories as his, he is Adam Baxter. No more jumping through mental hoops. For the sake of his sanity he is the same man who lived in the pre-war world. Anyway, before the world ended, his most common past-time was watching TV or movies. Both of those things were gone now. Well there were still movies, in fact there was a movie theater in Midway, he wanted to try it sometime but just hadn't gone yet. But there was certainly no TV. He enjoyed reading well enough it could become his new thing, so it wasn't a major big deal, just required some adjusting on his part. Besides books were portable, and with how on-the-move his life was now, something like that was nice. Maybe he could also look into picking up a second Holo-tape game. They were portable too, but that was a thought for later. After spending a solid ten minutes looking through the books on display he found one he liked. A fiction story based on true events from during the war. From the synopsis it sounded like a dramatized version of the latter half of the Resource Wars. It resonated with him. His book selected, he navigated through the maze of bookshelves and found the counter. No one was standing there but there was a little metal bell sitting on the counter, presumably for him to press for this exact situation. So, with a gentle press, a soft ding rings out through the store. "Oh, my. I'm coming." An elderly female voice said from behind a doorway behind the counter with a cloth sheet over it. Out from the cloth doorway emerged a woman much like her voice. An elderly woman dressed in a brown smock like dress with silver white hair tied into a braid, glasses, and a heavy hunch. She had a very gentle smile. "Well dear, I'm sorry. I haven't had customers in so long I'm not used to sitting in the front anymore." She said as she walked over to the counter. "No worries at all." Adam smiled softly. "You didn't even make me wait." She laughed very softly into her hand. "Well we have a kind customer today." She then shuffled up onto a stool in front of the cash register, and then patted down her dress. "What can I do for you, young man?" She said sweetly. "I would like this." Adam said back as he gently put the book down on the table in front of her. "Oh! This one." She smiled as she picked it up. "I remember when George found this one, he was fond of it." She smiled sadly. "George?" Adam asked. "Ah, my dearly beloved, who has passed away." She paused. "I was unsure if I was even going to reopen the shop after he passed away, but eventually I got tired of sitting at home and returned. Besides…" She gently ran her fingers along the cover of the book Adam brought up. "What would I do without all my books?" She said wistfully as she stared at the book. Then she seemed to remember that Adam was still here. "Oh dear, I apologize, I didn't mean to ramble on. You didn't ask for my life story." She said as she began to ring up the book. "I don't mind." Adam smiled warmly. "I'm glad you reopened the store. I wouldn't have found this book otherwise." "That's why I do this, I love connecting people with stories." She said gently and then rang it up, 25 caps. Adam reached into his pocket and pulled out 25 caps for her, handing it over. "I hope to see you again, dear." Adam nodded. "You probably will." He smiled and then took his book, planning to head back to his room to wind down the night. On his way back to his room he stopped by the flea market and picked out a nice wine to enjoy a peaceful end to his evening. It was only 20 caps, a steal really. That's the benefit of the flea market, you never knew what you might find. He made it back to his room, settled into his bed, grabbed his book and wine and had just opened the first page of the book when he heard a knock at the door. He was confused, who could it be? He hadn't asked for room service, not that he had ever used that feature, maybe he should try it. But he had not needed anything nor was he expecting anyone. Cautious, and careful, Adam took his 10mm and held it in his hand behind his back as he walked over to the door, opening it slowly and carefully. What he was met with was not what he expected. Men in Black Suits. "Are you Adam Baxter?" One of the three men asked with a stern but almost monotone. "Uh, yes?" He responded, not sure how he should act in front of them or if he should be worried. "The Boss would like to see you."

Chapter 108 - 108

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