Adam left The Colonel in peace. Certainly he was eager to leave but he needed some time to rest before he did, plus many of his men had injuries. Adam was getting ready to go soon too but he was fine to let the morning pass him by, after all, everyone had fought incredibly hard yesterday, they deserved a break. They had a long trek back to the APC otherwise.
However he was getting antsy, and had a feeling that his friends would be happy to go soon too so he was at least preparing himself for the trip back. But while he was staring out the front door looking at the bullet filled former battlefield from last night outside, he noticed something strange. People. And not just any people. People from Midway.
There were, very obviously, men in black suits, at least a dozen of them travelling along with a moderately large group. In them were some Midway Guards, some mercenaries, a huge number of refugee looking folks, and then that same older looking man whom Adam had seen wrapped in his cape in War's camp. The sight was… confusing. And raised more questions. However they walked right through the gate and almost seemed to move right in. People began to unpack, some began to clean up, and the man from War's camp was led, slowly, into the auditorium by the men in black suits.
"That's the Duke." Someone said from behind Adam as he watched the caped man walk out of his view. The voice caught Adam so off guard he momentarily jumped and turned around only to see the doctor standing behind him. "He was in War's refugee camp with me." The Doctor said with a frown.
"Who's the Duke?" Adam asked, trying to see if that name rang any bells.
"This place used to be called the Dukedom. So naturally it had a Duke." The Doctor said, matter-of-factly.
"Wait, he's the former leader?" Adam asked, incredulously, now seeing the tired older man in a different light.
"Yeah…" The doctor said as he turned to look down the hall where Adam was looking. "I don't know the details but it seems like when his home was invaded he fled. He told me that the reason he hid amongst War's people is because there was no safer place to be. Hidden amongst the Cult's enemies and all." He paused. "But considering he is now with those black suits…"
"You think they have something over him?" Adam asked.
"Either that or they are looking to install him back into power as a puppet. Nothing happens in The Guild without their Boss' notice, if they are here, he is involved. But I can't guess at their scheme. I am a doctor, not a politician." Adam nodded and then glanced at some of the people who had arrived with the Duke before looking back at the doctor.
"I'm sorry, was there something you needed from me?" Adam asked politely, his curiosity sated for the moment.
"Yes actually." The Doctor said as he straightened himself up a bit. "I, Abraham Tott, would like to formally request to move in with you and your people." He said professionally. Adam blinked.
"E-excuse me?" He asked back, confused. Dr. Tott sighed.
"Look, I know it may be presumptuous of me but I moved to War's camp in the first place to help people. However I am Chicago born and raised. I never had any intention of leaving with War when he left. As evidenced by the fact I am still here. However, my former home was destroyed by Famine long before you and your army wiped them out. I have nowhere to return to." He said boldly.
"But why with me? Surely a doctor with your skills could find work at Midway? Or The Pier, even."
"True, I could find work there." He paused. "But that is not what I want, I want to help people. I've asked around about you, from what I hear you are a very upstanding man. I do not feel my talents would be put to misuse if I were to follow you. Furthermore, because I know you will argue my point. I do not trust most of the established leadership anywhere in Chicago. For one reason or another they do not have my faith. It may be out of character for me to say, but I would rather follow you, who has the actions of a good man countless times over than leaders who are only self interested."
"I um…" Adam began not even sure how to respond to this bold request. In truth, this man was a doctor, one of the jobs desperately needed at the Vault, especially with an expecting mother on the way. Not to mention the nature of his line of work meant that he and his friends could not always rely on stimpacks to save them. He did still need to be looked at by a professional, his bones may be broken, after all. Still this was very sudden, however, try as he might, Adam could not really see a reason to tell him no.
"I live in a Vault." Adam said back after a moment, now resolved. "Underground, metal walls, all that."
"So long as the Vault does not have any active Vault-Tec experiments running, I do not mind, nor care. So long as there is a sanitized place to practice medicine I will adapt, as I always have." Adam paused again and then shrugged.
"Alright, far be it from me to deprive my Vault of a good doctor. By all means, when we leave you are welcome to come along." Adam said with a smile as he offered the man his hand. Which, after a moment's hesitation, he shook.
"I would like to inform you that I have been called, in the past, a germaphobe, so the act of shaking your hand was a massive effort on my part." He said with a soft sigh as he reached into his pocket and then pulled out a small handkerchief and wiped his hands.
"Oh, well then you will love the Vault. It's a very sterile environment." Adam offered with a small laugh.
"Wonderful, then I shall look forward to it. I shall work out a payment for you or whoever owns the room I shall rent at another time so I-"
"Oh, uh, don't worry about that. I don't charge rent. It's more of a… contribute to the greater good sort of thing? I don't know. We got plenty of space so just make yourself useful and I'm sure it will be fine." Adam shrugged. Dr. Tott looked impressed and pensive for a moment and then nodded.
"Well then, in that case, I shall simply see what the situation is on site and adapt from there. Once more I look forward to working with you, Mr. Baxter." Dr. Tott said before turning to leave. However, before he got too far he paused and turned to look at Adam again. "Oh, by the way, I am not the only one interested in moving with you. You will find that there are others who share my same sentiment."