"I have a few questions for you, if you don't mind." Adam said as he continued to sit and chat with Bud for a bit longer. Of course he needed to head back downstairs soon, otherwise his friends might wonder where he was, since Mira set the 20 minute time limit. But since things seemed relaxed he didn't mind indulging in the conversation.
"Im all ears." Bud laughed.
"When I was told about this place I was under the impression this place was called the Highrise. But it's called the Tower, yes? What happened there?" Adam asked, deciding to hopefully get some closure on this entirely pointless question he has had since he arrived.
"Ah yes!" Bud began, surprised. "Truth be told, we used to be called the Highrise. However our name changed when we discovered the old sign of this building."
"What do you mean you discovered the old sign?" Adam asked.
"Every year the people of our settlement celebrate what we call 'restoration day'. It's a day to celebrate what we have as well as help rebuild a little of what we lost. Nothing major needs to be done. Anything from a repainting to picking up rubble will do. Our longest running project was fixing up the side of our home that got destroyed." He chuckled. "However, a few years ago we realized that we have virtually run out of things to restore in our home. So we looked outside and began to clear the numerous piles of rubble immediately outside to make the exterior more appealing as well. When moving one of the piles we discovered the stone sign you can see outside. Well, naturally, having found the original name we were quick to change the name of the settlement."
"Even though you all had lived with the old name for so long?"
"I will not go so far as to say there was no dissent, but the majority of us readily accepted it. We were more than happy to adopt a new name if it meant we could honor this building that had protected so many of us and our families for generations. Besides, it's just a name. Names have power, but ours carried more meaning to our history than to our future. It was fine to change along with the discovery." Adam nodded slowly, listening to the entire story.
So ultimately, it was simply a name change. All that great confusion and mystery for the most normal and mundane answer. Somehow it was almost… disappointing. But it was a small matter. It was simply the Tower, and that was all there was to it.
"I have another question, if you will indulge me."
"Of course. Feel free to ask."
"You took in the group of nomads the 55ers and the Patrolmen, yes? Did they permanently move here or are they just staying here for now? How did this situation even come about?" Bud looked at Adam, impressed.
"I must say you are quite well informed. Yes, both groups have immigrated here, however as for the length of their stay even I cannot say for certain." He finished his drink and then placed his hands on his lap. "Both groups came here together, but for different reasons. They have been long standing partners of our settlement here since before my father's time, however late last year they came here, as usual, but chose not to leave while they sorted out their own issues." He paused and then chuckled before adding. "Mind you, I am trying to convince them to stay. They have been nothing if not helpful. And since they arrived our population practically tripled. But I suspect that once the winds change on the roads they travel they will set out again. Until then, though, they are welcome here like any other."
"And what about your defenses?"
"What about them?" He asked back, curiously.
"I noticed you have a sentry bot and laser turret outside but no guards. And the sentry bot let us through without even stopping us. Aren't you worried that someone with ill intent could just walk into your town and cause damage?" Bud just laughed.
"To be brief, no." He smiled. "Newsie, our sentry bot, will stop any group larger than 5 at the door and request they wait until someone from the guard element goes to let them in. Furthermore, it's not as if we don't have guards watching the front. Our biggest advantage is our verticality." He gestured out the window to the landscape visible outside. "We have people watching from the windows and know far in advance of when someone is heading our way. In fact we saw your APC struggling to get here an hour before you arrived." He laughed. Adam chuckled too.
"Well if you know that you should clear a path to make it easier to get here. I swear I'm not even sure I can get my APC back out." Adam said with a soft joking tone.
"Well before you nothing bigger than a brahmin had tried to get here, and the rubble that blocked the roads served to disperse larger raider groups. But if you plan to visit again perhaps we can work on that next restoration day." He smiled.
"I hope so. I would like to visit your settlement again." Bud laughed again.
"Well then I'll have to ensure we do so!" He smiled brightly. "Now, would you mind if I ask a question or two?"
"Not at all." Adam smiled back. "Though as a forewarning Ray has already interviewed me and will likely be releasing the interview on the radio tomorrow or the day after so many of your questions will be answered then." Bud just nodded and then looked serious for a moment before speaking.
"I have heard some interesting rumors about you, most that enter you into the hall of legends but one in particular I am curious about… are you… a clone?" He asked, tentatively. Adam frowned and let out a big sigh. He had hoped the news wouldn't spread. Of course he had begun to loosen his lips about it, but it seemed even here, where he had not yet arrived, knew about him being a clone. His secret was out, there was nothing he could do about it.
"Yes." Adam said sharply, his eyes now studying Bud carefully. "I am." It was Bud's turn to nod slowly.
"I see…" He said slowly. "We had some traders come from Midway recently, and they began to spread that rumor. It seemed far-fetched so I had no idea of the validity but…" Bud petered off as he seemed lost in thought.
"To be clear, it was my secret for a long time. However it seems out of my hands…." Adam paused. "It's not going to be a problem now, is it?" He asked, as if testing Bud. Bud seemed to hesitate and then sigh himself, offering a cautious smile back to Adam.
"No. It won't be." He said as he ran his hand through his matted hair once. "I was merely curious. I hold no ill will to you for what you are. Our community thrives on embracing each person's unique talents and backgrounds. You are no different. I do not see why I should have a problem with this." His smile grew a bit more, now looking just genuine. Adam let off a sigh of relief.
"Im glad to hear it." He smiled back. "Truthfully I do not want this explicitly getting out to the public, to be honest. But I think it's out of my hands now. Especially if the rumors are circulating from Midway naturally."
"Yes, I do believe it is too late to stop the rumors from getting out there." Bud said, putting a finger to his chin. "Though I can promise that, at least, the information will not spread from me."
"Thank you Bud. It has been wonderful meeting you.' Adam said, standing up and offering Bud his hand. Bud stood up too and shook it.
"Not at all. It was my honor to meet you, Adam. I hope your adventures bring you our way again soon."