Benjamin Alfred Doormen was of the 3rd generation of the GOOD empire. He wasn't particularly skilled at anything, but he wasn't bad at anything in particular. He'd start his days getting out of bed and giving his Salute to the GOOD empire then proceeded to the ration hall to get his rations for the day. He'd eat his morning rations and maybe talk to someone. Then he'd proceed with his tasks for the day which included cleaning up any liter that may exist, practice weapons training, and then eat his evening rations, clean up, and go to sleep. On occasion he'd have a conversation with someone or get some praise or reprimand by someone higher up, but it was his life supporting everyone the best way he knew how... Then came that faithful day.
One day when he was putting his Uniform on Benjamin had a knock on the door. He opened it and found a somewhat familiar face. It was Lauren Olivia Vulture-Eater in her Prestige white uniform. While he had seen her on occasion they had a somewhat previous relationship as Aptitude buddies. When they were young kids they were initially paired and slept together in the same bunks... but it became clear that Lauren just had so much more aptitude than Benjamin that it wasn't even funny. Then they were separated and while Benjamin was left to mediocrity in their fascist society Lauren skyrocketed to leadership positions.
Lauren curtsied and then said "Greetings sir Doormen. How do you do?"
Benjamin bowed and said "Miss Vulture-Eater, what brings you to my doorstep?"
"I have been selected for a mission to infiltrate and incorporate barbarian settlements into our empire. I get to take along someone with me, and I decided to take you." Lauren for a second waited for Benjamin to ask why, and then remembered that the lower members were drugged into complacency and taught never to question why. A bit of frustration crept into her mind and said "I decided to take someone from the lower percentile to get someone with better street smarts, and I figure why not my Aptitude buddy?"
Benjamin nodded and said "Great thinking Miss Vulture-Eater!"
Lauren said "Well then come with me. We'll go get our equipment, some rations, and get on with creating some GOOD settlements." There was a silence as Lauren realized her joke wouldn't be laughed at by this drugged up complacent citizen. "Alright follow."
A few hours of getting a decent stock of food and water, some "wastelander" clothes which came with light armoring, and a repaired salvaged jeep along with two simple pistols and ammo for protection Lauren and Benjamin were let out into the wasteland, and that name was appropriate. The area had maybe some light grass and shrubs, but it was mostly dirt and sand. Lauren was behind the wheel, and not even looking at the map they had chose a direction and went in that direction. After driving a decent distance away and at a high elevation Lauren got out, and just looked at the wasteland... Then yelled out "FUCK YOU GOOD ELITE ASSHOLES!!! WOMEN AND GEN 3 ARE JUST AS VALUABLE AS YOU!!!" Benjamin was stunned. He didn't think Lauren could be a traitor but there she was badmouthing the government leaders. Lauren turned to her and said "I've got a good reason for saying what I did. We'll talk about is as soon as those complacency drugs get out of your system."
The first night was decent enough. They were able to set up an alarm and huddle together in the back of the jeep as a makeshift shelter. Benjamin said he should and could easily just sleep in the dirt, but Lauren said they both should get a good night sleep... Although Lauren clutched Benjamin to keep him close which she told him was to better insulate their heat.
The next day they traveled and managed to stumble over...