Chapter 154 - 154

Words : 1523 Updated : Sep 19th, 2025

The tunnel was well lit and decently maintained. While it was clearly just a carved path underground there were support beams, stone brick on most walls, and an even floor. It was clear that the people of the town seemed to keep the path in good order. Which was good because an underground tunnel isn't always the safest place to be. Adam arrived with Deccanus inside the underground parking lot after a short walk. The exit to the underground parking lot was sealed with a mix of poured concrete walls, scrap steel, and wooden braces. With the exception of something huge, nothing was getting down here. The main staircase leading from the parking lots to the main floor had a bright neon sign with lights all over it that read 'Welcome to Renaissance'. They walked up the stairs and what they saw was quite surprising. Every single surface, every table, chair, wall, even the ceilings were covered in some form of art. Whether that be paintings, statues, carved stone, clay art, glass, and any other number of arts all on display all around them. It was easily the most colorful place he had visited thus far. And there were quite a few people too. Just judging by the foot traffic this building was home to a number of folks. "Hey man." A guy wearing a raggedy A shirt, long baggy jeans, with pain stains all over his clothing, and his hair all swept to one side said as he walked over. He sounded incredibly nonchalant as he spoke. "Welcome to the Renaissance." He said as he offered a bright smile as he outstretched his arms. He sounded high. Not like out of his mind high, but buzzed. "Uh, thank you." Adam said with a smile. "No problem man." He smiled back. "The name is Chet, local people person." He slapped his chest twice lightly. "I'm guessing you are new in town?" "Yes we are." Adam said, getting his composure again quickly. "I am actually looking for a friend of mine, he's a protectron, he is white and I sent him here a little while ago, I didn't see him outside so I was wondering maybe if-" Adam began before getting cut off by Chet. "Oh yeah! Robo-bro!" He laughed. "Yeah! He's big chilling with us in the community hall! Come along I'll show you to him, man." He said as he waved Adam and Deccanus to follow. Deccanus shot Adam a look and Adam just shrugged, following behind Chet as he led them through the place. "So like, I'm also sort of the tour guide to this place. So if you want a history lesson I can give ya one, if not it's cool." He said casually as he led the way through the halls which also had been completely overtaken with art. The entire building seemed to be intact, more or less no structures or extra rooms were added, however everything was converted to a grand living space. Tapestries on walls separating spaces, communal kitchens and tables out for anyone to use, people talking amongst each other amicably on benches. There were no windows looking to the outside, obviously since they were covered heavily with reinforcement, however the giant skylight provided more than enough natural light for most of the central rooms. "Sure, I wouldn't mind a bit of a history lesson." Adam said, intrigued, figuring he had nothing to lose by learning. "Cool." Chet said with a grin as he spun around and started walking backwards while still leading them. "So like, pre-war this place was a hotspot for artists, art from all over the world came here to be shown off to the people of Chicago, then the bombs went boom." He began, making an exaggerated hand gesture when he said the word 'boom'. "Lots of time passed and the place was left abandoned, not really much to loot here after all." He shrugged. "But eventually a couple of artists got together and decided they wanted to bring art back to life! So they came here, fixed the place up and called it home. Soon enough others hearing about the place came here too. What we have now is an artists' safe haven. A free place where like minded individuals can express themselves without the shackles of society." He grinned and finally spun back around as he opened a set of double doors leading to a large converted conference room, now a giant 'hang out' spot. Judging by the spray painted 'hang out' on the wall. "Everyone here is from somewhere, some even from all the way in the west. Some from Me-hi-co~" He said with emphasis. "But we all get along." "How do you guys sustain yourself? Like as a society." Chet just chuckled at Adam's question. "You overthinking it man. We grow what we need on the second floor and buy what we need from traders, otherwise we vibe out." "And your defenses?" Deccanus inquired. "Been a long time since anyone threatened us, entrance is hidden so only the brainy bunch or those we trust can come and go, and no one here fights. If there is a disagreement we have make up sex." He chuckled. Adam gave him a weird look but did not inquire further, he assumed he didn't want to know. "Besides, if anything ever did really get hairy that's what these bad boys are for." He said as he casually pointed towards the ceiling at one of the handful of ball turrets that had been scattered around the building. There had not been that many but perhaps enough to make any would-be invaders think twice before attacking. "And here is Robo-Bro. How's it going my man?" He said as he brought Adam over to a corner where Buddy was standing at attention, his backpack was still full of goods from Second life when he last saw him but he had changed drastically. On his head was a purple fedora with a feather and a leopard skin print ring around the inner rim. As Adam found out, was glued to his head. However the most striking thing was his mostly white body was covered, head to toe in art paintings. Each one done in a different style, some with more pizazz, some that were quick sketches, and some he wasn't even sure what to make of. However each art piece was separated from the others, giving space for the art to shine on its own. Just skimming through he saw a Nuka Cola logo, a Vimm! logo, a cute deathclaw, a cyberdog, a pin-up girl, and a large number of other things from chips to green vines. Adam wasn't sure what to make of it however when he walked over Buddy noticed him and spoke up. "Administrator Adam, I have arrived at my destination. Awaiting further orders." Buddy said, suddenly activating to life like he was awoken by Adam's arrival. "Yo!" Chet said surprised and happy. "This little guy hasn't moved an inch since I brought him here from the outside. He wouldn't talk to anybody, figured he was broken." He laughed. "Good to see you moving robo-bro." "His name is Buddy, actually." Adam corrected with a soft smile, glad to see, despite the strange state Buddy was in, he was perfectly fine. "Buddy!" Chet said with a small cheer. Adam turned to look at Buddy again. "Resume normal operations mode, set to Guarding Target: Adam Baxter." Adam ordered. "Understood, moving to guard." Buddy repeated before taking one step forward and then not moving any more. "Well I am always happy to reunite family!" Chet said enthusiastically. Adam turned to Chet again. "You said you were the one who brought him inside? I wanted to thank you. When I sent him here I had no idea what to expect but I'm happy to see him uninjured." "Oh no worries man, we liked having him around. We took good care of him for you." He chuckled. Adam glanced at Buddy and, now that he was looking, his entire frame had been thoroughly cleaned to a polish, his rust removed, and all the wear and tear he had received up until now when he found him at Second Life had been largely buffed out or fixed up. He didn't look good as new but he looked close. "Well still, I wanted to say thanks. Do you want me to compensate you or…" Adam asked, unsure if he should pay them for babysitting Buddy but Chet just shook his head. "Nah man, don't worry about it. He's a card." He smiled. "Are you and Buddy planning on sticking around long?" Adam looked at Deccanus who gave him no response and Adam shrugged. "I need to get back to The Pier before nightfall but I suppose I can spend a day here." Adam smiled. "Excellent!" Chet said enthusiastically. "Come on, I'll introduce you to our chef! She's the best in the entirety of Chicago~"

Chapter 154 - 154

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