PLEASE STAND BY
An alternate Fallout 3 story set in the UK featuring own characters and own story.
This is a prologue; designed to bring everyone up to speed. History is mostly taken from the official Fallout timeline; parts of it have been hijacked by me. I've tried to set it as a 'montage' style, following chapters will be more uniform in structure (and won't begin and end so abruptly). Character development and plot will continue in the main chapters. Oh, and don't lynch me for the commentary :-)
The following Universe is owned by Interplay/Bethesda Softworks - original characters belong to the author.
PROLOGUE – Alternate History 101
"Greetings, valued Vault-Tec inhabitant! Welcome to Vault Red!"
Evelyn let out a light chuckle at that; she'd been here for 16 years already. It was hardly her first day stuck in this steel-lined coffin.
"Tomorrow will be one that shall shape your future with us," boomed the stuffy voice. "As you all should know, the taking of the G.O.A.T. is instrumental in deciding your career as a Vault-Tec inhabitant."
"Yours will be 'Unrecyclable Material Removal Technician'", whispered Eddie from his desk next to Evelyn, which brought a stifled giggle from the class and a reproving glance from the teacher.
"Therefore," continued the disembodied voice from the projector, "today you shall be given a brief overview of the previous 300 years of British history, starting with the end of the old Second World War up until present day. This history has been exhaustively researched and compiled ever since the beginning of the Great War, almost two hundred years ago. This will be the first time in your lives that you will have had full access to the unabridged, objective archives."
This raised another chuckle; it wasn't as if Mr. Bridges had exactly kept the history of the world a secret. The class knew everything there was to know; the aggression from the Middle-East, the American-Chinese war, even the existence of the 'Enclave' American Government, which justly and rightly ran the New World. Still, Evelyn could not help but be impressed by the promise of the 'objective' history of her own little universe, given that the Overseer's viewpoint always seemed somewhat... subjective.
"Are you ready?" The voice took on more warmth, and the static cartoon poster of Vault Red (complete with the thousands of happy, smiling families patiently waiting their turn to enter as the bombs were falling) disappeared to black. "Then we'll begin...
[An old black and white video of gunpowder-smeared captives, being led from a smoking bunker]
"In 1945 the victorious Allied Armies rebuilt the world from the horrors of the war. With absolutely no help from their cowardly French and Canadian neighbours, Britain and America ushered in a new period of calm and peace the likes of which the world had not known for thousands of years."
[A brief still of the Defiance 7 and Captain Carl Bell – then a colour video of the launch of the Valiant 11 and Captain Wade's first steps on the Moon]
"Under the two countries' guidance, a new wave of scientific breakthroughs thrust the expectant world into the future. By 1961 the United States had put a man into space; by 1969 the Lunar Module Valiant 11 landed on the Moon."
[The three leaders' faces flash up; they seem hard at work behind desks in their respective offices]
"With leadership from the likes of such men as Richard Nixon, George W. Bush, and Gordon Brown, the two countries entered the new millennia as the two superpowers of the world."
[A Mr. Handy robot floats over a green landscape, to much silent applause from a watching crowd]
"By 2037, the USSA firm General Atomics International releases the first of the 'Mr. Handy' robots. These floating wonders are quickly upgraded to perform all manner of construction tasks, building houses in mere days and handling all maintenance concerns in every major building in the world."
[Jeeves, the Mr. Handy of Vault Red, briefly flashes up, to ironic cheers from the class]
"Today, these robots are still our faithful servants, keeping Vault malfunctions to an absolute minimum. And thanks to later breakthroughs in Artificial intelligence, they are now our faithful friends!"
[The class jeer again before the video changes to a ruined city; Mr. Handy robots are swarming over the rubble like ants, clearing debris and rebuilding the damage]
"In 2042, following the great earthquake in Mexico City, the robots prove invaluable in clearing the wreckage and rebuilding the metropolis; Mr Handy become a household name and are quickly accepted into all walks of life."
[The jaunty music takes on a slightly more sober turn; a riot is shown in the streets, followed by a factory belching out plumes of smoke which reach miles into the air]
"Unfortunately, despite this healthy start to the 21st Century, in 2051 the government of Mexico began to destabilise. Wide-spread looting and rioting, combined with the heavy pollution of the industrial estates, threaten America's stability as the leader of the Free World. Reacting quickly, American troops peacefully take control of the country's oil fields and prevent them from shutting down; thereby attempting to save the world's supply of fuel."
[A desert; troops are racing across the camera's viewpoint, tanks charge past in the background]
"Despite these measures, wasteful countries in the Middle East are bleeding the world's fuel dry. In a desperate attempt to solve this crisis, European forces occupy Jordan the following year; Britain leads the advance..."
[An angry, red-faced man, shouting from behind a podium with the French Tricolour behind; at this, the class jeer]
"...despite severe objections from the French government, whose only wish appears to be to return humankind to the Stone Age. The disagreement destabilises the United Nations, and Britain and America are quick to distance themselves from the ailing organisation."
[A gruff but friendly face, sitting from behind a desk. The Union Jack is draped from a pole behind. The face speaks directly to the camera, the narrator is silent]
"It is with the deepest regret... that we must resign from the United Nations... we feel we cannot fight the greatest threat to our way of life when shackled to such a repressive system... we shall continue to fight the good fight against our greedy foes in the Middle East... and once again, secure the precious lifeblood that rightfully belongs to us..."
[The picture changes to that of a hospital; the narrator returns. The beds are full to bursting with clearly sick patients; their skin is pallid and grey]
"The New Plague virus strikes the world; the virus is believed to be genetically-modified and purpose-made by America's and Britain's enemies. The virus kills tens of thousands; in an attempt to save the lives of her citizens, America closes her borders."
[A shaky, hand-held camera seems to record a blinding flash of light; the film is poor quality, but buildings in the distance are clearly turned to dust in a moment]
"In December of 2053, terrorists take advantage of the instability of the Middle East and detonate a nuclear warhead in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. British forces step up their assaults, determined to bring the group responsible to justice."
[The music takes on a sudden positive turn; scientists garbed in white coats sport the familiar Vault-Tec logo. They appear to be unveiling new technology to the delighted public; Terminals sit beside large generators and Mr. Handy Robots (Mk IVs) float alongside]
"In 2054, American scientists make the breakthrough that will save the human race; safe houses, known as Vaults, are manufactured and distributed throughout the United States. Britain is given the unique opportunity to join America in the project, and several hundred vaults are planned to make their way across the shores."
[A virtual representation of Vault Red flashes up; the camera pans down the gleaming, metal hallways, through the medical bays, engineering section and even offering a brief glimpse of the Overseer's office, before ending in the cafeteria]
"The Vaults are designed to protect citizens in case of a nuclear attack or epidemic. Sealed off from the open, those who live in the Vaults are guaranteed safety from anything the worsening world climate could throw at them."
[Another video; a pipeline stretches to the horizon across an icy, barren tundra]
"The Vaults are in their first stages of development in 2059; Meanwhile, while America sends troops North to protect the Alaskan oil fields, the Canadian government refuses to accept their responsibility of defending the pipeline that runs through their territory."
[Another Mr. Handy floats past, this one shakes a tentative girl's hand]
"In the same year, Artificial Intelligence is developed and installed into various machines of the world; this technology, while still in its infancy, paves the way for our robotic counterparts that make our lives so much easier today."
[The music slows once more; an American city, the roads full of empty vehicles]
"By 2060, the irresponsibility of the Middle East rocks the world; the oil supplies run dry, and factories across the globe shut down."
[A laboratory with various engines in differing states of repair]
"American scientists continue to work on the benefits of Fusion and Electric power; however, they are hampered by the world's energy crisis, and progress is slow."
[Another desert; olive-skinned troopers are led dejectedly away at gunpoint by a mass of smiling men]
"In the same year, the countries of the Middle East surrender. Despite this victory, the oil over which the British have been fighting for years is all but used up."
[A gunship; it appears moored off a coast, but still fires several rounds into a smaller ship almost out of sight of the camera. The Royal Ensign is flying atop the larger vessel's mast]
"French troops, finally aware of the fuel crisis, desperately attack British vessels on their way back through the North Sea in an attempt to hijack the remaining oil; the Royal Navy is quick to see them off, and the British government swiftly declares war on France."
[The class cheer as Paris is shown; there are no tanks or vehicles, but a contingent of men are demolishing the city hall with sledgehammers]
"Victory is swift, and France's remaining oil supply is quickly commandeered by the British."
[A confusing map of Europe, which shows the movement of several divisions under a score of different flags]
"Over the next few years, Europe would descend into anarchy; Britain retreated into herself, content to protect her own interests and avoid outward contact. Several small invasions are quickly beaten off, and the countries of Europe, one by one, descend into anarchy. The United Kingdom is the shining beacon of hope across the continent. By 2064, Vault Red is completed, and the safety of the British citizenry is assured."
[Another flash of the Vault Red poster; another ironic cheer from the class. Suddenly a battlefield flashes up; thousands of armed men are throwing themselves toward a thin trench filled with other combatants]
"In the winter of 2066, following months of fuel shortage, China invades Alaska. The Americans hold them off; barely, and take horrific losses. The American government becomes frustrated with Canada's reluctance to support her neighbour, and forces her troops through the Canadian's territory to the front line."
[Another laboratory; a massive, metallic suit is hanging from the chains. High-ranking military officials nod approvingly at the machine]
"Fortunately, American tenacity and determination overcomes China's superiority in numbers, and the first Power Armour is produced. Powered by a fusion core, and able to cut swathe through the remaining Chinese artillery, the Alaskan line is held."
[The pipeline again; the Star-Spangled Banner is waving proudly in the background as clean, crisp American soldiers line up and parade next to it]
"In 2072, Canadian saboteurs are foiled in breaking the Alaskan pipeline, and the American government are forced to annex Canada to keep the fuel supply open."
[Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament; the Sun is setting across the Thames]
"Meanwhile, Europe has turned into a wasteland; with a variety of nomadic tribes being the sole occupants of the continent, Britain is the only country with any semblance of power. The citizens are safe, the borders are closed, and the United Kingdom joins America in being one of the only two countries of the world that proudly boasts of its sanity in the face of worldwide aggression."
[A coastline, men suited in large, dominating metallic armour are storming ashore]
"In 2074, in an attempt to bring an end to the war, America invades China. Armed with the new and improved fusion Power Armour, the Americans make great progress and come close to ending the conflict for good."
[A packed highway of empty vehicles followed by a video of men, women and children storming a supermarket; they are mainly armed with melee weapons]
"By 2077, however, the war had taken its toll; despite their best efforts, the American government was pushed to the brink. Citizens revolted against their protectors. Even though the United States tried everything to restore order, many dissenters were uncontrollable and certain cities had to be abandoned."
[The music and video fades... a cheery Vault Red poster is displayed in silence, declaring "Don't Leave It Late!" and showing happy people underground, safe and secure in their vault, toasting to their good fortune. At the top of the poster, supposedly above ground, unhappy people are being vapourised by a multitude of Atomic blasts. The narrator does not say anything for a moment]
"On October 23rd, 2077, at 9.16 AM Greenwich Mean Time, the sirens sound around the country. Men, women and children quickly file into the several hundred vaults that fill the country moments before the bombs began to drop. It is estimated that, despite the British government's best efforts, several million people still die in the explosions."
[A stock-file footage of a nuclear submarine, launching a warhead from the ocean]
"Reports come quickly that it is China who has fired first; striking out at all other countries in a terrifying display of power. Retaliation is swift; British Trident submarines return fire upon Shanghai, Xi'an and Beijing. Safe in their vaults, our citizens begin a new life underground."
[The video fades. A Vault Red poster is again displayed; A cartoon version of Boadicea, resplendent in armour and draped with the Union Jack, is smiling proudly at her many industrious subjects in Vault-Red emblazoned Jumpsuits. All are working in some manner, be it fixing a generator, stitching up a patient, or twirling a police baton]
"So what of the history beyond? We cannot be certain. The vaults were designed to be self-sufficient, and almost all communication capabilities we once held were destroyed on that fateful day. However, we have been in contact with other vaults around the country, all of whom are reporting that they are operating at peak efficiency; much like our very own!"
[Another ironic cheer, this so loud that the teacher shouted a warning of silence. Another series of posters flash up, showing the different occupations of the vaults; a varied selection of characters each smiling as they go about their menial tasks]
"One day, we may be ready to leave this vault; but as we cannot be sure of what is outside, be safe in the knowledge that we will continue to live on underground for as long as it takes; as long as we have you, the young dwellers of the vault, who will soon undertake your own careers, and go on to pass the sad history of the world to the next generation. For you... are our new hope, and without you, there would be no bright future."
[The Vault Red anthem plays, and the class stand as one]
"Thank you for listening...and good luck!"
The lights blinked on, and Evelyn sighed. That wasn't as informative as she'd hoped. What happened after the bombs fell? How come they were all still stuck down here? Her reverie was cut short as the teacher dismissed the class and she quickly remembered she had to punch Eddie in the arm for his little outburst earlier. The pair raced each other down to the cafeteria, tomorrow's G.O.A.T. not troubling their minds.
END OF PROLOGUE