Basically, this is an attempt at turning Fallout 4 into a full written story. As such I will be using the base name for a male Sole Survivor, as well as lifting a fair amount of dialogue directly from the game. There will be changes from the game however, such as the fact that in certain situations there may be multiple companions, or changes in dialogue, or even changes in the reactions people give. That being said, there will most likely be major spoilers, so I would recommend playing the game before reading this story. Due to the game being rated M in America and 18 in Britain, I have set the rating of this story as M just in case.
A little word of warning however, I haven't completed the games main story yet and as such update times may end up being fairly spaced out. That being said, I do intent to finish this provided all things go well. As I will be basically playing along side writing this I shall do my best to keep characters from acting out of character as much as possible, as such I will avoid bashing on characters and factions (even the ones I disagree with). This does not mean I won't have a character act like an arsehole if they're an arsehole.
Also while I am English I shall endeavour to use American spelling and try to use the correct American words (e.g. pants instead of trousers), I would greatly appreciate if you let me know if I miss anything.
Before I forget, Fallout 4 was developed by Bethesda Game Studios and Published by Bethesda Softworks. Both of these companies are owned by ZeniMax Media Inc. I mention all three as, aside from knowing that Bethesda Softworks filed for the Fallout 4 European trademark (which I believe was nullified for some reason), I am unsure who exactly owns the rights to the game and the series as a whole. Either way, I would like to say that I own none of this content, after all any changes I do make would still likely fall under their copyright.
"War, War never changes.
"In the year 1945, my great-great-grandfather - serving in the army - wondered when he'd get to go home to his wife and the son he'd never seen. He got his wish when the U.S ended World War II, by dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The world awaited Armageddon.
"Instead something miraculous happened. We began to use atomic energy, not as a weapon but as a nearly limitless source of power. People enjoyed luxuries once thought the realm of science fiction. Domestic robots, fusion powered cars, portable computers.
"But then, in the 21st century, people awoke from The American Dream. Years of consumption lead to shortages of every major resource, the entire world unravelled. Peace became a distant memory. It is now the year 2077, we stand on the brink of total war, and I am afraid. For myself, for my wife, for my infant son. Because if my time in the army taught me one thing, it's that war, war never changes."
As Nate finished practising his speech for that night, the fog obscuring the bathroom mirror cleared. Nora, his wife slid up behind him wrapping her arms around him and resting her chin on his right shoulder.
"You're gonna knock 'em dead at the Veteran's Hall tonight, hon," she told him, turning to give him a peck on the cheek.
"You think?"
"Absolutely. Now get ready and stop hogging the mirror," she gave a small laugh as she spoke.
"Right," finishing his shaving, and moving his hair out of his face - he'd have to go to the barbers at some point, maybe tomorrow. He moved out the way of the mirror.
"My turn, big guy." Nate gave a chuckle at that as he left the bathroom.
The house wasn't overly large; two bedrooms, a bathroom, a utility room, and the main open-plan kitchen and lounge. Stepping into the hall Nate headed to his and Nora's bedroom to change from his pyjamas to a white t-shirt and pale pants. Now ready to face the day, Nate headed into the main room of the house, stopping briefly to pop his head into Shaun's room to see how his son was doing - still sleeping.
Stepping through to the Lounge Nate saw Codsworth, the Mister Handy robotic butler that Nora and he had purchased not long ago, flying around the kitchen preparing breakfast. Codsworth's eyes, or two of them at least - the middle one stayed fixed on the stove where the robot was frying some sausages, turned to Nate.
"Ah, good morning, sir!" Codsworth's cheerful voice exclaimed as two of his arms reached out to pour a cup of coffee. Codsworth seemed to exclaim nearly everything, though that may have been due to the setting they had used. "Your coffee. 173.5 degree Fahrenheit. Brewed to perfection! And today's newspaper, just delivered!"
Only now did the robot leave the stove, tuning it off and expertly putting the bacon on an awaiting plate at the same time, to put the cup of - in Nate's mind at least - liquid heaven on the island next to a copy of Grognak the Barbarian.
"Thank you, Codsworth," Nate gave a grin as he picked up the coffee and moved over to look at the newspaper. "More of the same," this was said with a sigh.
With this Nora walked in from the hall, she looked breathtakingly beautiful. Shoulder length hair, not much darker than Nate's own, hung framing her angelic face. Placing the now empty cup on the island - swiftly taken by Codsworth and placed in the washing up - Nate turned to Nora, "hey, hon."
"Nervous? Don't be. Everyone's going to love the speech."
Nate couldn't help the smile that made its way onto his lips, the nervousness that had been coiling in his gut subsiding for now. This was one of the innumerable things Nate loved about Nora, how easily she could push away any of his worries or fears with barely any effort - a trait he was also capable of with her.
Opening his mouth to reply, Nate was cut off but a cry emanating from Shaun's room, their son announcing his awakening from sleep - loud enough to even drown out the T.V behind Nate, even if the volume was on low.
"Ah, sounds like someone made a stinky!" Codsworth announced, already heading toward Shaun's room he continued, "I shall attend to young Shaun."
"You know," Nora chuckled. "I was nervous at first, but Codsworth's really good with Shaun."
"Just glad his A.I's smart enough not to take out the buzzsaw or flamer when he's around Shaun," Nate couldn't help but chuckle at his wife's horrified expression, she couldn't stay mad for long however as she cracked a small grin herself.
A knock came from the door as the two calmed down.
"You get that," Nora said. "It's probably that salesman. He comes for you every day."
Nate recalled Nora mentioning a salesman from Vault-Tec who had come by the house every day since Tuesday looking for Nate, unfortunately for the salesman Nate left for woke early most days but as today was a Saturday that didn't matter now.
Heading over to the front door, Nate looked through the head-height window to see that it was some sort of salesman. Giving a sigh he opened the door.
"Good morning!" The salesman took a step forward, not into the house but close enough to hold a polite convocation. "Vault-Tec calling!"
" Vault-Tec? Remind me again," Nate tried racking his brain but past the name couldn't really think of what Vault-Tec did.
"Why we're about you sir! And helping secure your future," the salesman replied. He seemed to have a friendly enough demeanour, though that was most likely just to help with whatever it was he was selling. "You see, Vault-Tec is the foremost builder of state-of-the-art underground fallout shelters. Vaults, if you will. Luxury accommodations, where you can wait out the horrors of nuclear devastation.
"You can't begin to know how happy I am to finally speak with you. I've been trying for days. It's a matter of utmost urgency, I assure you."
Nate frowned as he asked what was so important.
"Why nothing less than your entire future!" the Vault-Tec salesman replied. "If you haven't noticed, sir, this country has gone to heck in a hand basket. If you'll excuse my language.
"The big kaboom is...it's inevitable, I'm afraid. And coming sooner than you may think. If you catch my meaning." While Nate felt the salesman to be a bit pessimistic with is he couldn't help but agree, it was only a matter of time. The salesman continued, "now I know you're a busy fellow, so I won't take up much of your time. Time being a, um, precious commodity...
"I'm here today to tell you that because of your family's service to our country, you have been pre-selected for entrance into the local Vault. Vault 111."
"There's room for my entire family right," Nate felt worry twist in his gut, after all what if only he could get in due to his military service. What would he do without Nora and Shaun.
"Of course. Of course!" that eased his worries, some-what. "Minus your robot, naturally." - Damn, Codsworth had cost a fair amount of money, that being said Nate would rather Nora and Shaun be safe and lose Codsworth to the alternative - "In fact, you're already cleared for entrance. It's just a matter of verifying some information. Don't want there to be any hold ups, in the event of...total atomic annihilation."
The salesman seemed unsure how to phrase that, Nate couldn't really blame him.
"Sure let's do it"
"Splendid, splendid! Now let's see..."
In the end the information the salesman, or representative Nate supposed (after all he wasn't trying to sell anything, merely sort out what they already had), wanted to confirm was; the names of the family members; Careers, retired for Nate and Lawyer for Nora; and a few other miscellaneous bits of information. In the end it only took a few minutes.
"Wonderful!" The Vault-Tec rep said with a smile. "That's...everything...Just gonna walk this over to the Vault! Congratulations on being prepared for the future!" As this was said the representative put his pen into the inside pocket of his long brown coat and started backing away from the door.
"Um..Thanks again?" Nate called as he shut the door.
"Hey, it's peace of mind," Nora's voice came from the sofa to his left, looking over he saw her splayed there watching the T.V. "That's worth a little paperwork, right?"
"For you and Shaun, no price is too high."
"Good answer," Nora chuckled.
"I have my moments," this was said just before Shaun decided that he was in need of some attention.
"Master Nate," Codsworth said, flying down the hall into the lounge. "Shaun has been changed, but he absolutely refuses to calm down. I think he needs some of that 'paternal affection' you seem to be so good at."
"You hear Codsworth," Nora grinned. "Go on."
Walking up to Shaun's crib, Nate couldn't help the soft smile that wormed it's way onto his lips as he looked down at his son. Reaching down he stroked a finger over Shaun's cheek getting the infant's attention. Shaun, seeing his father, calmed down almost immediately and giving a giggle as his father tickled his belly.
"How are the two most important men in my life doing?" Looking up from Shaun, Nate saw his wife leaning against the door frame. "Spin the mobile a bit. He loves that."
Nate gave a chuckle as he turned back and span the rocket mobile, as he did so Nora came up behind him and hugged him as she had earlier in the bathroom. Shaun giggled reaching for the rockets.
Letting go of Nate, Nora reached down and picked up their son as she said, "hey, how's my little guy? Much better now, huh?"
Bouncing Shaun a few times, and earning a delighted scream from the baby, Nora turned to her husband.
"Listen, after breakfast, I was thinking we could head to the park for a bit. Weather should hold up."
Nate didn't even think it over as he smiled saying, "yeah, sounds like fun."
The three started heading to the door so they could have their breakfast, bacon sandwiches for the adults and a bottle of milk for Shaun, when Codsworth's voice sounded from the lounge. He sounded concerned.
"Sir? Mum? You should come and see this!"
The two parents looked at each other briefly before hurrying to Codsworth. Whatever it was, it couldn't be good.
As they headed down the hall they could hear the T.V, it seemed Codsworth had turned it up.
"Followed by...yes, followed by flashes," the news anchor, Jack Bailey, spoke in a resigned voice. Nate and Nora felt churning in their stomachs as he continued. "Blinding flashes. Sounds of explosions...We're...we're trying to get confirmation..."
"What?" Nate turned to look at his wife as she spoke. "What did he say?" The fear and worry was evident in the tremor of her voice.
Jack Bailey continued, "but we seem to have lost contact with our affiliate stations...We do have...coming in...confirmed reports. I repeat, confirmed reports of nuclear detonations in New York and Pennsylvania. My God"
Nate didn't even think, turning to Nora and seeing Shaun in her arms he fell back on his army training.
"We need to get to the Vault," Nora hesitated. "NOW!"
"Let's go," Nora said as she ran around the sofa.
Nate chose a quicker route, leaping over the back he threw open the door.
As they stepped onto the street, they heard an announcement from a load speaker somewhere telling the residents of Sanctuary Hills to head for the Vault. No one seemed likely to disagree with that, not even those who were likely to be unregistered.
Nate ran with Nora, making sure she didn't fall behind. He was glad she had worn sensible flat soled shoes, unlike Mrs Flinch from over the road. She miss stepped and ended up flying, Mr Flinch came up behind her and hauled her to her feet and the two continued hurrying.
Luckily the path to the Vault was only one house down, after that it was a short, only about ten minutes or so, walk through the forest before hitting the fence blocking entrance to unregistered people from the Vault. Given their rush Nate and Nora made it in a little over three minutes.
As they hit the parameter fence, Nate pushed his way to the front of the crowd, all the while making sure Nora and Shaun were right behind him.
It appeared the Vault-Tec Rep wasn't cleared for entry as he ran off just as Nate got to the front.
"If you're in the program, step forward," the soldier guarding the gate, flanked on each side by two other power-armour clad soldiers, ordered. "Otherwise, RETURN HOME!"
"We need to get in," Nate said breathlessly. "We're on the list."
The guard eyed them up, Nate couldn't help but feel this was wasting time. But then, the Vaults could only hold so many.
"Infant...Adult male...Adult Female...Okay, go ahead," as the guard moved out the way Nate and Nora continued running meeting up with a member of the Vault-Tec security who shouted for them to follow.
"What's going to happen to all those people outside the gate?" Nora gasped.
"We're doing everything we can, now keep moving," was the only answer she got. As they reached the entrance the security officer shouted, "step on the platform, in the center."
Here, he broke off from the couple as he ran to a booth, Nate assumed that was where the controls for the platform were located
"Almost there," Nate said, as Nora, Shaun, and he made it onto the platform. "We're going to be Okay. I love you. Both of you."
"We love you too," Nora replied.
Not even half a second later, before the platform could jerk into action, a bright light flashed across everyone's vision. Nate looked over Nora's shoulder, grabbing both Shaun and her in a tight protective embrace.
He could barely hear the shouts of a soldier shouting to lower the platform as he saw the mushroom cloud form.
"OH GOD, NO!" Nora screamed. Nate tightened his embrace, being sure not to injure Shaun accidentally.
Nate could just see the approaching shock wave from the explosion.
"HOLD ON!" He shouted as he closed his eyes, burying his face in his wife's hair.
A whoosh of hot air, much less severe than what he had been expecting, blew around them. Looking up and opening his eyes slightly, Nate saw the hole left by the platform closing above them. It appeared they had made it, though only just.
Well that's the first chapter of what I hope to be a good story finished.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Edit: I have made a few edits to this as it has been brought to my attention that there were some small grammatical mistakes, should there be any missed I would be grateful if you could let me know