The Independents
The independents are just nicknames given by the Nationalist Order for the survivors of the US, they want no troubles for the N.O and the American Resistance making them neutral for both sides, though most blame the N.O for why they live like rats.

since the old federal government no longer exists, and is replaced by a new government by the N.O, survivors scavenges around the barren wasteland of what used to be cities, some manage to create settlements, permanently living there instead of traveling around worrying about possible ambushes and traps set by other wastelanders, most settlements if not all, are relying on the fertilized crops that they’ve managed to succeed in planting, only problem is that they become large targets for Violent Groups.

Due to that, some may resort to supporting a specific faction by lending food and resources to them for protection, some examples can be the N.O, and the New American Resistance.

Others who doesn’t live in settlements are usually contractors, lone wolves, mercenaries, traders, and adventurers, their motives are completely different or similar to eachother, some do it to survive, to be rich, to find sanctuary, to find fame, or to learn more about the new world they are in.

National Order in my version