Adam came to realize that Dr. Tott's words were prophetic as quite soon after that conversation he was met with a line of other people who were asking the same thing. They all had their reasons but more or less it came down to the simple fact that: they were refugees with nowhere else to go and trusted Adam more than they trusted other places. Adam was flattered to have people think of him that way but it was not a small group that was asking to join him.
Besides the doctor it was the 3 women they had rescued from the basement and then also an additional 34 refugees from War's camp who did not leave with them. Adam was hesitant to take in this many people all at once, especially when the Vault was already not yet sorted with the food issues but ultimately Adam was a pushover and a sucker for sob stories so he agreed to take them in too. However the refugees from War's camp were not the only ones asking to join him. One of the mercenaries was asking to join in too. Specifically the one mercenary that was notable. The Ranger.
"Why do you want to come with us?" Adam asked the Ranger who had his helmet off and had approached Adam about 45 minutes after he had spoken with the Doctor.
"Quite simple, actually." He said with a low chuckle. "You are good people." He grinned.
"That's not much of an answer."
"But it's not much of a reason to say no." He smiled.
"Look, I'm just saying, you are already working as a mercenary in Midway, why would you want to migrate to the Vault?"
"Well for starters that's not entirely accurate." He said as he brushed some of his short hair behind his ear. "Im freelance, sure, and perhaps that makes me a mercenary. But I don't live in Midway, I was just passing through when I got stuck here like everyone else."
"So if you didn't plan on staying, why stay now?"
"Who knows? Maybe it's because I finally found a place worth settling again? Maybe it's 'cause this old drifter is tired of drifting? Or maybe I just like the cut of your jib." He grinned again. Clearly he was dodging the question but he was not specifically acting suspicious, just vague.
"Alright look, I'm not going to force you to tell me your motives. But it's a Vault. And that comes with its own share of challenges. In addition that's where Deccanus lives so you and him would have to see each other often."
"Well that don't bother me none."
"It might bother Deccanus." Adam replied.
"Oh." He said as his smile finally faded. He sighed softly. "Look if it's not meant to be it's not meant to be, I ain't gonna cry about it. But do me a favor? Ask? Cause I'd hate to lose out on this prime opportunity just cause things were left unsaid." Adam raised an eyebrow and then grinned himself.
"Coming from the man who won't tell me the reason he wants to move in the Vault." Adam teased.
"Ain't a man better when he's a bit mysterious?" The Ranger grinned again. Adam chuckled softly.
"Alright I'll speak to him on your behalf but no promises. If he says no that's the end of it."
"You won't hear a peep of complaint from me if the answer is no." He smiled and then put back on his helmet. "I'm gonna help these folks clean the place up, looks like the lot of them are gonna be moving in. Least I can do." He said through his filtered mask before sauntering off.
Adam then immediately turned around himself to find Deccanus.
"I don't care." Deccanus said offhandedly to Adam when asked.
"What do you mean you don't care?" Adam said back.
"What I mean is if he wishes to join the tribe, who am I to stand in his way?"
"Deccanus…" Adam said with a sigh as he sat down in a chair nearby. "You are a member of our… tribe, you are my friend, and you have as much say about who is allowed into the Vault as anyone else. This is a man you have a deep personal history with. If you don't feel comfortable…"
"It is not him I do not feel comfortable with, it is his people."
"In this case that is one in the same."
"I disagree." Deccanus said, turning to face Adam fully now. "You have said yourself that us soldiers must try to let go of the past and grow into better versions of ourselves. Perhaps if you were dragging me to the NCR itself I might put up a fight, however one man, no matter how much he may represent, is not enough for me to halt your decisions. I will abide by our tribe leader, you. And if you say he will be joining us, that is enough for me."
"Will you be comfortable with that though?" Adam asked, desperate to get some sort of answer out of Deccanus.
"That is irrelevant."
"No, it is not." Adam said with a frown, slightly frustrated. Deccanus stared at Adam for a moment and then sighed quietly.
"I am… uncomfortable with the idea. However, he is a worthy warrior and would only do honor to our tribe. If he were to join, the benefits would be far greater than my own ill feelings. Besides, I do not hold any ill will towards him. I may just need time to… accept it…" Deccanus Admitted, sheepishly. Adam nodded slowly.
"I can respect that. You don't need to go on any missions with him or even talk to him if you do not want."
"I would appreciate it if you grant me that option, Adam. However I do plan to try to get along with him. If he is a member of the tribe then he is worth fighting for as well."
"I am curious about one thing though." Adam asked.
"What is that?"
"Why do you keep referring to us as a tribe?" Adam asked, changing topics entirely.
"Because that is what we are, a tribe, a united people, one goal, one society, one tribe." Adam pondered on this for a moment and then nodded slowly.
"Well I don't really disagree so call it what you will." Adam chuckled.
"And so I shall." Deccanus said with the tiniest smile.