The news about the day 10 events was huge.
After dropping that truth bomb on everybody, Atlas gathered with the other leaders and said, "So, the settlement knows what we're going to be doing, and here's what I need you to help me with. John, you need to think of the laws, regulations, and the security of Fort Bone. Everyone's going to be portaling into that transport area outside of town. We need to set up the auto toll that charges coins for when they enter. I'm going to be turning our transporter settings from off and closed to open. That means anyone can come here from anywhere in the Wasteland Apocalypse. And when they get here, they'll probably want a couple of things. Food, water, entertainment, maybe even a place to sleep."
He paused, then added, "One nice thing about all the upgrades we got from yesterday is we increased our capacity again from 100 to 250."
"Whoa," said John, letting the realization sink in.
"That's right, we have about a hundred something people here. I'm going to list them all on the info system as citizens. Anybody else, though, will be listed as visitors, so they can be kicked out with a push of a button. If they try to cause a fight or try to invade us, we can just hit the button and they're kicked out," said Atlas.
"That's nice," said John, nodding in agreement.
"Amber," Atlas continued, "I need you and the rest of the crafters to now expand your role. You're no longer just crafters. You're now the merchant association. Think about how much we want to charge to use our vending machines."
"We can change the prices?" asked Amber, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, yes we can," said Atlas with a grin. "It's a setting in the settlement kiosk. It couldn’t be done until we've hit this point, though. It takes two upgrades. And the reason people will pay for things here is because those upgrades include things that they can't buy in their original settlements, especially things that make them comfortable, like better food or entertainment devices."
"That's nuts," said Noi, shaking her head in disbelief.
"Yeah, go check them out after this meeting," Atlas said, turning his attention to Isabella and Alexander. "You two are going to be working with John and figuring out the security. We need to train some people not just to be warriors now, but to actually be guards within the settlement. Whenever you get big groups of people, you're going to get big groups of assholes getting into fights, especially if the beer is as good as Alexander and Hank are going to make it."
Alexander smirked at the mention of beer, already imagining the chaos that could ensue.
‘Heh, beer, drunks, and women. This is gonna be fun,‘ Alexander thought.
"Back to you, John," Atlas said, refocusing. "We're going to have to set up some concrete laws. Nothing hard. Nothing fancy. Just some simple laws like don't steal, don't litter, don't fight. Pretty simple stuff."
"Did you say don't litter?" asked John, slightly surprised.
"Yeah," Atlas replied, dead serious. "When people start coming in, they're going to start chucking garbage all over the place. I don't want to live in that. Do you?"
"No, no, I don't," John admitted. "We're not going to cut their hands off for that, are we?"
"No," Atlas laughed, "but we will fine them. And make sure that that fine stings. I'm thinking 10 coins."
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"Wow," said John, impressed by the thought.
"It's pretty easy," Atlas explained. "Just buy the trash cans from the vending machines. The cans are self-automated, so there's no reason not to use them."
With the plan laid out, the leaders nodded, understanding the stakes and their roles in the new, rapidly growing Fort Bone. They knew this was just the beginning of what would either be their stronghold or their downfall, depending on how well they executed these plans.
As the day wore on, more ideas began to bubble up among the inhabitants of Fort Bone. With the settlement's recent growth and the promise of more visitors, people were eager to establish new services that would not only benefit the community but also attract more coin from the increasing traffic.
One of the first suggestions was a market area. Noi proposed this, thinking of the refugees who had crafting skills but hadn’t yet joined the crafters' guild. “If we set up a market,” she explained, “we could have people sell their wares directly. It would give everyone a chance to make some coins, not just those tied to the guild.”
Another idea came from Lark, who was enthusiastic about creating a sauna, steam room, and spa. “We could charge a small fee, and it’d be something everyone would want after being out in the wasteland.” The idea of a spa gained quick support; after days in the wasteland, a massage sounded like heaven. They had a bathhouse already, but it was barely big enough for their current population. Let alone tourists.
Alexander and Hank, who were already set on getting their brewery up and running, took things further by suggesting a tavern attached to the brewery. “We’ll need a place to serve the beer,” Hank said. “But why stop there? We could have games, maybe even some light entertainment. Get a few musicians in here, and it’ll be the place everyone wants to end up after a long day.”
“Won’t that compete with the inn?” asked John.
“Nah, I’m thinking the inn will serve beer but it’ll be more quiet. While the tavern will be more rowdy.”
And then, there was the more controversial proposal: a brothel. Lavender, a member of the Coven Clique, mentioned it first. “It’s a service, like any other,” she argued. “If we do it right, with proper oversight, it could be a significant source of income.” The suggestion drew mixed reactions. Some, like John, were hesitant, worrying about the implications, while others saw it as a practical response to the needs of a diverse and growing population. “It’s better we control it,” Lavender continued, “than have something underground spring up that we can’t manage.”
Atlas said, “I’ve got no problems with that, as long as all the girls are willing and they get checked in the MediPods regularly.”
“Alexander, when you’re heading to the vending machines to look at the brewery, can you check the Medipods to make sure there’s a good solution for taking care of the girls at the brothel?”
“Sure,” said Alexander. “Happy to.” He was thinking about using the brothel himself.
‘‘‘
“Are you serious about this?” asked Tasha, leaning against the wall, her arms crossed. “I mean, it’s a brothel. It’s not exactly a glamorous job.”
Dina shrugged, a sly smile on her lips. “It’s not like we’ve got a lot of options out here. Plus, if it’s run right, we’d make good money. More than any of us are making now. You’ve seen what people will pay for, right?”
“Yeah, but…” Tasha hesitated, glancing around. “What if people judge us for it?”
“Oh, they will,” replied Dina, laughing softly. “But they’re all hypocrites. The same ones that talk shit are the ones lining up when the lights go out. It’s about survival, Tash. And I’d rather be fucking than fighting.”
“Maybe,” another girl, Lila, chimed in. “But I’m with Dina. It’s better to be upfront about it. No shame in doing what we need to survive. We can set our own rules, and make sure it's safe. This isn’t the old world anymore. There’s no point in pretending it is.”
Tasha looked between the two of them, biting her lip. “You’re both that confident?”
“Hell yeah,” Dina said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “I’m not letting the world tell me what’s right or wrong anymore. If I want to make a living off what I’ve got, then I’m doing it on my terms.”
Lila nodded. “And it’s not like we’re alone. Lavender’s already pushing for it. If she’s got our backs, no one’s gonna mess with us.”
Tasha thought for a moment, then sighed. “I guess... I just don’t want to feel like I’m throwing away the last piece of me, you know?”
“You’re not throwing it away,” Dina said, putting a hand on Tasha’s arm. “You’re using it. There’s a difference.”
“Yeah,” Lila added. “Besides, at least this way, we can take control. No more doing stuff for free or getting cornered by some creep.”
Tasha gave them both a small smile. “Alright. I’m in. But we’re doing it OUR way. No one else gets to call the shots.”
“Damn right,” Dina said with a grin. “Now let’s go find Lavender and see what the deal is.”
As the ideas flowed, it became clear that Fort Bone was transforming into a true settlement, one where commerce, comfort, and even the complexities of human desires would all have their place.