Chapter 1
2282
Capital Wasteland
Location Unknown
11:42
(Recording Start)
"Scouting Report 14. Saw several dead raider parties this morning, most of them killed by well placed headshots. Someone's doing some serious clean up, will try to find killer's trail. The earth of this land is mostly barren and rocky, not much is growing around here. Old satellite stations indicate technology worth searching for. Curiously several pieces of Enclave Power Armor are scattered around. From the looks of it someone has been hunting them, successfully so. A cave in high in the mountains looks suspicious, need to check it out for further information.
(Recording End)
xxx
"To the NCR!" Katherine shouted over the table where the heroes of the NCR were celebrating their victory over the Legion.
"You sure it's a good idea to drink after we just fixed your head?"
"No time like the present", Katherine responded with a drunken grin "And besides what's the worst that could happen? Never say no to free beer!"
Some soldiers were laughing at her antics and the Lone Wanderer had to shake her head at her cheerfulness. She noticed Boone standing alone outside the tent and looking across Camp McCarran and she decided to ask him if everything was alright.
"Hey Craig what's wrong? Why aren't you celebrating with the others?"
He was silent for a few moments before replying, "How do you do it?"
Taken back by this question she asked "Do what Craig?"
"Don't play stupid. The others might not notice it, but I find it strange how you are aware of enemy movements each time we are about to be attacked. A lot of people died at the dam and here we are standing with barely a scratch on us. You caught the machete that would've killed me. So I ask again, how do you do it? Be honest, you owe me that much."
The Lone Wanderer didn't know how to answer the question without sounding crazy, but luckily a drunken Cass joined them, swearing like a sailor and the Lone Wanderer refrained from answering, giving Boone only an apologetic look.
Just as they were about to enter the tent again, a loud beeping noise was coming from one of the other tents.
"Shit that sounds like-"
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The Lone Wanderer groaned and hit the alarm clock on the side of her bed. She closed her eyes for a moment and sighed tiredly. What a strange dream. She could've sworn she knew that person. She pushed away her blanket and sat at the edge of her bed. A bright green light illuminated her room, her personal vault computer. She forgot to turn it off before going to sleep last night. She looked around her old room and thanked Amata silently that she welcomed her back home. She knew not many people were happy with this decision, but after she saved them from certain doom, the unhappy opinions were drowned out by the supporters of this decision. Having the Lone Wanderer back in the vault meant being safe, or at least that was the general consensus.
The woman got up from her bed and stretched herself before putting on a clean Vault Suit and checking the messages Amata might have send to her computer. Indeed a new message was sent the night before, but the Wanderer was too tired to read it.
Hi,
Can you see me sometimes during the day? I want to talk with you about some things.
-Amata
She closed the window and turned off the computer and went straight to the bathroom. Thankfully it was unoccupied. She hated talking to people just after waking up. She never understood how people were so cheerful and talkative in the morning and she need at least 15 minutes before she was herself again.
She looked in the mirror and let the water run down her face, not bothering to dry herself off right away. A worn out face with dark rings under the eyes was staring back at her. The stress of her life was slowly beginning to catch up to her. Drying herself up she went straight up to Amatas office, hoping to avoid any and all contact with her former vault dwellers. It wasn't that she didn't like them, but after Amata opened the vault for trade, the stories of her accomplishments reached them as well and many started to treat her like some goddamn hero. Not like the girl they used to know. She hated it.
The Wanderer took the stairs up to the Atrium and went straight to Amatas office, pushing the button to open the door without first ringing the bell to ask for entry permission. Amata looked up at the potential intruder and smiled when she noticed her friend walking in.
"I'm glad you're here, please sit down. We have much to talk about."
The Wanderer sat down unenthusiastically and awaited for Amata to begin.
"Is something wrong, are you ill? You don't look good? Maybe you need to see Doc Hanson or Alice?"
The Wanderer sighed heavy and answered, "No, it's Sarah, I spoke with her again yesterday."
Amatas face darkened and she asked, "Did she treat you like crap again?"
"Being treated like crap would be actually a nice change for once", the Wanderer joked humorlessly. "She treats me with polite professionalism at best. No names, only "Paladin this" and "Paladin that". She blames her father's death on me and barely talks to me. I guess she only tolerates me because the other two Brotherhood members vouched for me, you know the one that were with me when we found the Elder."
"But that's just unfair, you did everything you could to save as much people as possible, how can she be so blind!" Amata said angry and disappointed. To her understandably the Lone Wanderer was a hero and friend and seeing her being treated like this made her blood boil.
"Trust me Amata, if I were responsible for your father's death, no matter the circumstances you wouldn't react much differently." The Wanderer said.
"I don't know, I hope this wouldn't be the case."
The Wanderer only smiled sadly at this and asked, "Anyway, you wanted to talk with me about something?"
"Ah yes, back on my original topic. As you know we have been regularly getting good business with the Caravans and I was hoping that you might help establish a more permanent trading outpost in Rivet City? It would definitely get us more access to weapons and medicine. Besides with your reputation it would be child's play right?"
"Sure, no problem Amata, I have to leave today again anyway. Might as well stop by there on my way to Three Dog."
"Thank you, I really appreciate your help in all this." She replied gratefully.
Before the Wanderer could leave though, a sound came from the door, announcing a visitor.
"Huh, I'm not awaiting anyone right now…"
"It's Stanley."
"Stanley? How do you-", Amata was cut off when the door opened and indeed Stanley stepped into the office looking tired as ever.
"Hey Amata I just wanted to- Oh, hello kiddo, haven't seen you in a while. How are you?"
"I'm fine Stanley", the Wanderer replied with a smile. "Sorry, no time to chat, I have to leave the vault for a few days. Don't overexert yourself too much Stanley or you'll end up in the clinic one of these days." With that she patted the old man on the shoulder and left to gather her things.
She had to see Sarah at the Citadel and dreaded how their conversation would play out. Ever since the day she decided to save the vault first a few years ago, Sarah held her at a distance. And who could blame her, she ignored her duty as a Brotherhood of Steel member, even if honorary, to save her friends. Even if Sarah had not forgiven her, she was smart enough to see how capable the Wanderer was and with the ever lingering doom of an invasion of the West Brotherhood chapter they had to take action. The Wanderer planned to use the Metro system as a last line of defense, with its narrow tunnels it was a great place to set up traps, but she hoped it wouldn't come to this. Only a few selected people in the Capital Wasteland knew of the danger that would sooner or later overrun their home and they needed to come up with a plan soon.
The Wanderer regularly visited the outer border of the Capital Wasteland to check up on any signs of enemy movement but so far everything stayed quiet.
When she reached her room she got into her Chinese Stealth Suit and packed a bag with some vault food, water and various medicines. She noticed an empty syringe sticking out from under her bed and quickly disposed of it. She was ashamed to admit it, but she developed an addiction to Med-X and found herself drifting in and out of consciousness on some days, shooting herself up with this stuff. She tried getting fixed at a clinic before, but sooner or later she reached for it again. She never told anyone of this, it was better for people to believe in the iconic Lone Wanderer than to see her true self.
A sniper rifle and a Chinese Assault rifle were more than enough for her trip and lately she didn't pack more than that. Satisfied with her gear of choice she locked her room and made her way out of the vault. She nodded to the occasional vault dweller and greeted Christine Kendall who ran the shop next to the heavy vault door. Mr. Gomez was on security duty and she was thankful for it. Sometimes it was Wally Mack who couldn't refrain from insulting her in a childish manner, but she learned to ignore him. Some people never grew up.
Outside the sun was shining brightly and she inhaled the fresh air deeply before putting on her helmet and making her way towards the Citadel.
(Recording Start)
"Scout Report 20. Finally reached the cave in I saw earlier and it turns out a massive set of doors have been blocked off by rubble. Checking it out would probably lead to some interesting answers. The wildlife in this land shows extreme growth by radiation as it does back home. Deathclaws seem to have reproduced in these parts quite well as well. No signs of Super Mutants, yet. The savages here live in shacks and don't look like they can defend themselves much. Witnessed raider rape squads pillaging small settlements. It seems there are no factions big enough to establish safe zones. Found more signs of the mysterious raider killer though. Whoever it is, leaves little to no trace, very professional, very dangerous. Will try to make my way towards D.C., more reports coming soon.
(Recording End)