S1, 02 Home Sweet Home (FB) (January 23, 2016)

**10 January, 2096**
The Skarr, Republic of Australia

Earth

The encampment was a disorganised mess, Dustin thought to himself as he trudged up the broken street, wincing slightly as each step made his bruised stomach ache. He liked things as neat, but whenever he was gone for more than a few days, his home usually fell into disarray.

However, he still grinned as he glimpsed his only remaining friend that life had given him, a burly man sitting by a cooking fire, waving like a madman.

Brom: "Look who finally crawled his way back!" Brom Cornella boomed loudly, rising to shake Dustin's hand. Dustin pretended not to notice the strain on his fingers. He smiled before replying.

Dustin: "Well somebody's got to make sure you can look after yourself. The camp's a mess already! I swear, if I'd been any later, you'd have shot your own foot!"

Brom grinned and released his hand before gesturing to the stumps of timber around the fire.

Brom: "Care for a meal? You've been gone for nearly a week, you must have brought back something good?"

He gestured to the sack Dustin had left at the door of the small hut.

Dustin's smile grew as he sat on the stump, his mouth watering slightly as the aroma of fresh stew reached his nostrils.

Dustin: "Not too much really, though I did get in a brawl with two workers with a reputation for trouble and half a brain between them."

Brom laughed at that, a booming laugh that made anyone smile, whether the joke was funny or not. Dustin had grown to like Brom, blunt, straightforward and utterly loyal. They'd met almost two years ago, when Dustin had first arrived in the Skarr. Since then, the large man had been his constant companion. And the constant source of laughter in a grey world.

Brom: "Well, I've been manning the fort each night. Nobody's been through so far, so I've made myself comfortable."

Dustin: "I see that; the camp looks very comfortable by your standards."

Brom: "What are you saying? I'm deeply hurt by your remarks!" He said with an appalled look on his face, though he ruined the effect by winking.

Dustin: "I'm just saying. I don't know many people whose definition of 'tidy' is wtaking twenty minutes to find anything."

Brom digested this before retorting.

Brom: "At least I keep my hair tidy. You look like an upside-down mop, Duster!" He smirked at that.

Dustin: "Hey, I do this on purpose! Nobody bats two eyes at a disheveled slum-dweller. And don't call me Duster; it makes me feel like an old bookshelf. Or a coat"

Brom laughed again as he rose and placed the steaming pot of stew on the second stump. Dustin's mouth started watering again at the idea of a hot meal. Brom hesitated no further.

Brom: "Grab a bowl and dig in. Made fresh from our stores."

Dustin smirked at that; barely anything was fresh in the Skarr. Regardless, he took a sip of the steaming broth, taking in the temperature and flavour, though the texture of the lumps was similar to an ancient boot. He gulped it down, coughed once and turned to Brom.

Dustin: "Your cooking's as good as it's always been. Leaves nothing to the imagination."

Brom: "Well, I was running low on the little flavour enhancers. Like meat."

Before Dustin could reply, Brom had already turned and walked towards the boxes at the far side of the area, where they kept their drinking water. He returned carrying two bottles, one looking much older than the other. He tossed the clearer one to Dustin, taking the other for himself. Dustin's curiosity was peaked, so Brom answered the unsaid question.

Brom:"Found an unopened bottle of vintage ale, thought I'd wait to you got here to open it."

Dustin: "You know I'm not a fan of alcohol?"

Brom: "I only said I'd wait, I never said I'd give you any!" He retorted with a laugh

Dustin: "Well, water's fine with me. Unless you've got a glass of wine to spare?"

Brom: "Nope! Ale and water's it Dusty, though I don't get why you don't drink the strong stuff."

Dustin shrugged. "Keeping sober-minded, I guess. " he replied before taking a swig of the water bottle. Brom quickly followed suit, though downing far more than necessary.

Brom: "Ahh, that's the stuff, my boy. Luxury in the Skarr!" He exclaimed before hiccupping loudly.

Dustin:"Most things are Brom, not sure if you noticed. Here, I'll put them back, wouldn't want to use it all in one go, would we?"

Reluctantly, Brom surrendered the bottle as Dustin returned the drinks, making sure both were packed correctly and neatly, before walking back to Brom. The burly man was grinning again and held out a large rifle, notches, scratches and scuffs covering it's entire length.

Brom: "You're on first watch." He said with a grin.

Dustin: "C'mon, I just got back! Besides, I'm wearing a bruise the size of Qoter. I need at least one night in a proper bed!"

Brom: "If you could even call it that! Hey, I've had to keep watch for about seven days straight Dusty. Sure, I didn't have to sleep in the gutter but c'mon, give me a bit of credit. I've kept the place safe haven't I?"

Dustin: "Yeah, though it still looks like a whirlwind's hit it. Besides, you're a better shot than I am."

Brom: "Duster, we both know that if someone tried to get in, you wouldn't use the gun."

He said it with a sense of certainty. He knew enough of his friend's past, and what he'd been through.

Nobody got in a fight with Dustin Vorn.

Dustin finally relented and took the gun. Brom's smile grew back as he marched over to the hut and grabbed the bag, grunting slightly at the weight. Dustin yelled back at him.

Dustin:"It's only sunset Brom! You'll only get eight hours, like it or not!"

Brom: "Fine by me! That's eight hours of blissful sleep! Better than the cold, hey?"

Dustin: "It's the middle of summer Brom, since when is it cold?"

Brom: "When it rains. Goodnight Duster!" He boomed before entering the hut built into the alley wall.

Dustin sighed as he filled his bowl with a second helping of stew, still steaming hot. He took another mouthful, swirling it round to get as much flavour as possible.

He made sure the rifle was cocked and ready. Unlike the exterior of their home, the mechanics and chamber of the rifle were perfectly clean and well kept. Brom was definitely disorganised, but he wasn't lazy. He knew what things needed to be kept working.

Dustin turned to the barricade and leaned up against it, groaning at the ache in his stomach, but grinning all the same. A conversation with Brom could lift even the most defeated spirit.

His eyes gazed over the setting sun, just visible over the skyline of crumbling buildings and ruined pathways. Millions lived and toiled within the Skaar, but tonight it was as if they had all gone silent.

"Home sweet home." He said as he settled in for the long night ahead.