The rest of the tour went smoothly. Adam got a longer history lesson of the Chicago art museum, which was quite skewed with its accuracy and had a few amusing mistakes, however he didn't correct them, none of them amounted to more than a slight glorification of the museum itself so it was fine to let them keep thinking that.
The first floor turned out to be mostly housing, the second floor was mostly for farming and other tasks that were needed to keep this place functional, and the roof was largely left unchanged. Adam had learned that all decisions about the management of this community was done by a communal vote, though most people don't like to involve themselves in such things so it usually ends up being the same 17 folks for every decision. There was, therefore, no formal leader. Chet could be considered the closest thing to a leader, though truly all that set him apart was he was the front man for the settlement, talking to newcomers and helping settle disputes, but he had no extra authority.
Adam noted that this settlement seemed to be a step down in terms of population to The Pier. It still had enough people for a sizable community, but it didn't stack up to The Pier, and it was naught but a small section compared to Midway.
Adam couldn't help but worry what would happen if this place was attacked but they hadn't been in their entire history and every entrance was extremely well boarded up and the only remaining entrance was secret so perhaps it was a non issue? In either case as eccentric as the people seemed they also seemed to be quite friendly. Though more than one person seemed to be severely introverted. Regardless by the end of the tour he had a firmer grasp on how these people live and even had a few souvenirs to take back with him, a keychain of a boat at sea made of clay, a hand drawn line art sketch of a mirelurk, but much cuter than the real things, and a whole head of cabbage from their gardens. He had come for Buddy but left with more than just his robotic friend.
As the sun was beginning to get low in the sky Adam said goodbye to his new friends and left with Deccanus and Buddy in tow.
"Those are… strange people…" Deccanus said uncertain himself of what he just witnessed after spending nearly the whole day silent. Perhaps he was just taking it all in.
"As they say, it takes all types." Adam chuckled. "But I do agree, they were… interesting." Adam said, soft balling it. "Still, any place that I am met with smiles and not hostility is a good place as far as I'm concerned." There was a pause from Deccanus before he nodded.
"I suppose I agree." He then went silent as the only sound was the sound of Buddy's loud clanking feet.
"What's on your mind, Deccanus?" Adam asked, sensing that he was mulling something over.
"In the Legion, everyone was part of the whole, there was no difference between I and my fellow Legionnaires. However if the Legion was to encounter a tribe such as theirs they would be… undoubtedly… stripped of what makes them unique." He muttered the last part softly "I can not say if their way of living is right or wrong, but perhaps there are more ways to find meaning in life than to just seek a greater community… They value their freedoms, their individuality. Such a thing would be unheard of in the Legion, I am unsure how to process that." Adam nodded slowly.
"You will find that out in the world there are many people each with their own ways of living, there is nothing intrinsically wrong with any of them, and in fact one might argue that our differences are what makes us strong." Adam paused to consider. "The country I fought for, America, was once, a long time ago, a nation of immigrants, people from all walks of life came together to create a stronger country where all people could be considered American. We all took pride in that, our diversity was strength, though the resource wars stripped those thoughts… practical matters came first, of course."
"Of course." Deccanus agreed. "Do you think that these people add something worth keeping to Chicago? That they wouldn't be better served elsewhere?" Deccanus asked now.
"Well besides the fact I don't think it would be right to force them to move to somewhere else or live in a way they dont want to, I don't think the sum of a person's life should be how useful they are." Deccanus gives Adam a strange look.
"What purpose is there to living beyond making society stronger?" He asked, seriously.
"There is no answer to that." Adam shrugged. "I think we all have our own purposes to find in life. For some that is to strengthen society, for others it is to pursue happiness, others will spend their whole lives seeking the answer. I think that the fact we do not all share the same goals is what gives our world color. If we were all the same mindless drone nothing would ever move forward. I like being unique… but maybe that's the American in me." Adam shrugged. Deccanus remained silent for a little while before he let off a soft sigh.
"I simply do not understand. If one's life isn't dedicated to their leaders how does society progress?"
"That's just something you will have to keep asking yourself as you explore this world, there are many places for you to see, many things for you to do, maybe one day you will be able to answer that question yourself."
"I am not a fan of critical thinking." Adam laughed.
"I can see that." He smiled. "But don't worry, you will get the hang of it eventually."
The two men arrived at the Pier and they were let in without issue again. Adam decided to grab a light dinner before turning in for the night. He paid 19 caps for his meal and then took Buddy back to his room for the night.
He did get questioned about the protectron when he got back to the Hotel, but due to Adam's fame already being somewhat known throughout the town and the fact he had been staying here for several days up until now they didn't hold him up for long.
After taking a nice long relaxing shower and listening to the radio station for about an hour he turned in for the night, the day he was supposed to follow the caravan was coming soon and with Buddy obtained he truly did not have many things left to do before he left.
Adam slept well that night with Buddy standing quietly in the corner.