Prelude
Nora couldn't smile. The day was lovely with a clear sky and cool air and she could hear her baby boy cooing and gurgling across the hall, but all Nora could see was grey. One day to the next was all she could handle. She made sure the necessities were covered and Shaun was happy and was looking forward to returning to work and once again have a routine she wouldn't have to put too much thought into for a while.
It was near 9am on October 23rd and Nora had yet to get out of bed, even though she hated being in bed as it always seemed cold no matter the number of blankets she used. She currently was piled under five comforters and huddled on her side, facing outwards and as close to the edge as possible. The clock read 8:47am.
From the bedroom doorway, she never bothered to shut it, she heard the quiet hum of the Mr. Handy, Codsworth. He had been a present from Nate to help when deployed. Being a robot, Codsworth was had already registered her being aware of this presence, but still approached slowly to the bedside opposite Nora.
"Excuse me mum, but you had mentioned last evening there was some paperwork needing to be done and mailed off today? I do believe it is to complete the process of your return to work," he sounded awkward and unsure. Nora didn't know how a robot could do that, but Codsworth managed it. "I, ah, just want to let you know the mail carrier will most likely be here within an hour."
Nora hardly registered the words, but instead slowly breathed in and out, shoulders rising and falling with the air. She knew it was something she had to do, that she was fully able to do, but could not seem to find the energy to do so. From behind her she heard Codsworth give a digital sigh and begin to retreat from the room. Another intake of breath, Nora squeezed her eyes shut and slowly swung her legs over the edge of the bed.
"Alright Codsworth, I'm coming."
The jet propelled floating steel ball that was Codsworth rotated all three eye stalks to her in astonishment. It was his duty, his programmed duty, to do everything he could to keep the household running smoothly and the residents of said household happy. Though initially it had been wonderful and simple, it had rapidly declined since January. Nora had struggled through pregnancy and a more than harrowing birth that had left her scarred in more ways than one, but since the birth she had gone deeper within herself. Each day was enough to do what was necessary and avoid interaction with others. Codsworth was constantly struggling to stay on that line between obedient and pushy to the point of breaking protocol.
"Jolly good mum, I'll make sure your coffee is ready!" he flew out of the room and hoped this was a step towards reclaiming the bright faced woman with the beautiful soul he had first met.
Nora shook her head at the exuberance and slowly rose from the bed, wincing at the stiffness in her joints from laying still for so long. One day and then another, and another after that. Just going through those motions so no one would confront her or ask questions. Codsworth got away with it because it was his job and he was around her day in and day out. And, if she was being honest with herself, which she avoided, he was the reason she made it through each day. The push to get out of bed, eat something, take a shower, and hold her child. To hold Shaun, who had his father's eyes and could make her smile and cry all at once, was the hardest thing she did some days.
She made her way over to the dresser and avoided looking at the dusty frame on top. In front lay equally dusty military tags and a man's golden ring, all on a simple chain. Ripping off the overly large man's shirt and tossing it in the laundry bin, Nora dug out a simple blue dress that could slipped over her head with no fuss and turned to leave the bedroom, but her eyes hung on to the bed, specifically the side she did not touch. It looked untouched, the blankets barely wrinkled and the pillow smooth. That pillow had not been used in just under a year, it was empty and cold, like the bed. Nora shook her head and quickly exited in favor of the bathroom and cold water.
The moment she gazed at herself in the mirror under the harsh white light, Nora wondered why she did so. She was pale and her face had thinned to the point of gaunt. Once bright blue eyes dimmed and heavy with pain. There was no doubting she looked awful, and considering she would most likely have to interact with more than just Codsworth today, Nora set about covering up the emptiness she felt. With quick and movements, hard edges were smoothed out and dark circles lightened to something more natural. She paused before working around her left eye, considering the bright patch of skin whiter than the rest of her tone. Nate had loved it, had even told her it looked like a star in one of his moments of being sappy, but now it just reminded her of all the cruel words she had received about it growing up. Nora had never seen it as beautiful until he did.
Angrily she finished going over the rest with the heavy make-up she used. There was no point in thinking of all that in her mind. All it would go to was more thoughts that also were not necessary. Another ten minutes and some carefully and subtly applied eyeliner later, Nora Isham stood back from the sink and once again regarded her reflection. It would do for now she conceded.
Codsworth was just placing her coffee onto the Kitchen Island when she entered the main room. The Television was on, displaying a male newscaster droning on about something involving the Chinese and death and things she no longer cared to listen to. Knowing Codsworth preferred it on to keep abreast of local and global events she strode to the door leading to the driveway, snatching her coffee on the way by, and chose to enjoy it in silence outside and away. There was a risk of a neighbor seeing her, but she felt she could safely make it without notice as long as kept to herself and made it to the table and chair out back.
Upon exciting the house, making sure the door closed softly behind her, Nora made note of the large blue van a few houses down the street. Vault-tec, she mused internally, still trying to save everyone from blowing up, but only if they can pay for it. Her face twisted at in a sneer and made a note to not answer her door for a few hours.
Plodding barefoot across pavement and then through grass, she settled into the slightly rusted blue chair and reached under it to the small medkit. Codsworth had taken to hiding her cigarettes, no matter how little she smoked. In turn she had taken to hiding them before he could. It probably wouldn't work much longer as the lawn needed mowing, but she would take advantage of it while she could. With a flip of the silver lighter and a quick puff, Nora allowed the small cloud to envelope her face and leaned back in the chair. These were the times she didn't feel irritated or lost, but could just drift. This time her mind drifted back to the empty spot in the bed and Nate
XXXXX
Nate sighed inwardly as the taxi pulled up to the police department. Why he had agreed to pick up his idiot fellow officer and friend after the previous night's drunken debacle he was still unsure of. Then again, if he didn't then no one would most likely and the man would end spending much longer in a cell than necessary, causing him to miss shipping out which would then lead to no end of issues. This was the easier solution even if it cost Nate a pretty penny that he was doubting would be paid back.
Stepping out into the rainy day, he cursed the fact he had left his umbrella behind and tugged his long overcoat tighter, hoping to keep his uniform as dry as possible. A quick conversation with the cabbie proved futile in getting him to wait until he came back, and Nate strode up the steps after handing over the owed fare. A step through the doors allowed him passage out of the pouring rain and into a dimly entryway containing a few battered chairs and an even more battered desk manned by a tired officer.
"Excuse me, an idiot friend of mine became a resident of your facilities last night and I am here to retrieve him."
The man at the desk eyed his pristine uniform and resisted the urge to straighten his own and instead drawled out in a surprisingly southern accent "Yer gonna have ta be more specific than that, we have a few rowdy gents penned up currently."
Nate allowed a small smile to grace his face at the man's candor "William B. Driscoll, looks intelligent until he opens his mouth."
"Ah yes, the man of many words but says little. I hear he mentioned something about someone coming to get him. I take it yer the someone?"
"You are correct sir. What must be done for his release?"
The man shuffled and peared at some papers on his desk "Looks to be paying some damages and his bar tab and securing his belongings along with promising to never enter the Shamrock again."
"That will not be an issue. I will be paying the fees and will have William write a letter if necessary, though we are shipping out tomorrow and will likely not be back for a year or longer."
The man, Officer Carson, Nate noted, ran a hand through his thinning blond hair and nodded. "A letter wouldn't hurt considering the situation, especially if it's including that he will be leaving town." The tone of Carson's voice caused Nate to pause before responding
"Do I want to know all he did?"
Carson pondered for a moment "I can give you a brief rundown of the events, but your friend seems like one who will be tellin' you the whole of it himself."
Nate's mouth tightened at the prospect "That he will. Well, I supposed we should get this over with. Where do we start?"
Carson gestured to someone behind him "Ms. Falkenrath, good timing. Would you please take this man to one of the interview rooms so he can organize his friend's release and payment of fees in peace?"
"Of course," The voice from behind Nate was cool, firm, and polite and the melodic thing he had ever heard. Turning to view the owner of such a sound, he was stunned to find a very young woman in a knee length black pencil skirt and a stiff white blouse covered by a simple black jacket. Her dark hair was pulled into a tight and tidy bun on the back of her head and she had the bluest eyes Nate had ever seen. His mouth went dry and it felt as though his tongue had become a lead weight in his mouth though his face retained its characteristic straight, almost stern expression.
XXXXX
Nora allowed a small smile to grace her lips. He had been such an ass she had thought he disapproved of a woman, especially one as young as she had been. It was only later and mostly thanks to Will that she and discovered Nate was so tongue tied and awkward that he had forgotten what manners were. Will, idiot that he was, was adept and weaseling his way out of hairy situations and getting his best friend into them. In some way he had managed to talk Nora into agreeing to go out with Nate in apology for his rudeness. Apparently he had seen some type of potential and decided to be a match maker.
Reminiscing about Will had brought a more recent memory to the forefront. He was currently on his way to her little house in Sanctuary Hills to meet Shaun for the first time. Within in a week of pregnancy discovery and engagement, Nate and Nora had named William not only the best man at the wedding, but also god-father and honorary uncle. This was the first time in the four months since Shaun's birth he had been able to make it up to see her. If she recalled correctly, he was also bringing his most recent lady friend, as described by Will himself.
The USA may be in a Nuclear War and the idea of the world blowing up was in everyone's minds, but it was also the year 2077 and in the last few months many troops were being sent home, allowing William some free-time from training new recruits. She checked the large watch on her wrist, 9:20. He'll be here in a couple hours, which means I need to go in a get everything ready that Codsworth can't do.
She shook the last of the ash from the end of her smoke and stubbed it out on the chair's arm. Flicking the butt into the bushes, normally Nora didn't approve of such littering but she didn't want the evidence easily found, she made it back inside with no interactions and noting the Vault-tec Van was no longer in view.
Within two minutes of being back indoors, Shaun started fussing from the back. She had been about to sit at the pile of papers at the table, but before she could even take a step towards the hall, Codsworth beat her to it.
"Oh! Sounds like someone has a stinky! I'll get it mum, don't you worry," and off he floated, tucking in his lower appendages to get down the hallway.
Nora shook her head at his antics. She knew he was all programming and code and such, but his attitude was really the only thing that kept life in the house progressing. She supposed she should be thankful, but for the most part he served as another reminder of what was missing. Once again Nora made to sit at the table and finish going through piles of papers from her job. Just as she picked up the pen, a knock sounded at the door. Her eyes narrowed in thought as she stood, Will said he would be here between nine and ten, but we both know that really means almost noon, so this would be early for him. It didn't hit her who it would actually be until she was already opening up to the door to the man from Vault-tec.
"Good morning! Vault-Tec calling!" Nora managed to not wrinkle her face at his obviously rehearsed greeting.
"Morning, what can I do for you?" the words were kinds, but the tone was decidedly guarded.
Ignoring the inference behind the words, the man in yellow hat and trench coat and plastered on smile surged forward in his endeavor "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."
Nora pasted on her own false smile, not sure if she wanted the man to notice or not, and managed to stick to the niceties "Well then, I'm glad I opened the door."
He nodded in excitement, oblivious to anything else and stumbling over his words "Now, I know you're busy, so I won't take up much of your time. Time being a, um, precious
commodity…" he trailed off for a minute, realizing he had gone off the beaten path in his lines, but managed to pick up the pieces to continue "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."
My family's service to our country? What is he...oh. Nate. Nora's expression darkened and her full lips thinned to the point they almost disappeared. "My husband was the one who served, and he never returned from Alaska. For this I and my son have been pre-approved to live in a Vault should the US and China decide to blow each other up? Do I have that correct?"
The man at her door looked decidedly uncomfortable and apologetic "I…uh…yes m'am. I'm very sorry. I just need to verify some information and go over a couple things to make sure all is in order if you would like to take advantage of this option."
Nora gazed at him sternly, making him shift awkwardly on his feet, and almost regretted her phrasing. Finally she sighed, "All right, let's get this over with so you can get on to the next house."
His eyes lit up so much with the prospect that he would actually be able to do his job, Nora almost felt sorry for dodging him for so long; almost. He ran her through a standard series of questions, overall health, number of family members, and ending with the fact Codsworth would not be able to join. "Wonderful! That's... everything... Just gonna walk this over to the Vault! Congratulations on being prepared for the future!"
She huffed out a breath and felt even more tired than before. Closing the door, Nora turned to find Codsworth waiting to speak with her. Shaun was still fussing down the hall.
"I apologize mum, I've cleaned his nappy and made sure he is comfortable, but it doesn't seem to be working. I think he needs some of that maternal instinct as you humans call it."
Both she and Codsworth knew she hadn't been very good at the maternal instinct part of motherhood so far. Additionally Codsworth was aware she knew he was making her get better at it. He was forcing her into human interaction as it was all he could think of to do. It may have been programming, but Codsworth did appreciate this little family. Nora was a good person and treated him with respect instead of just like a machine. Before and shortly after her husband's passing had come to bond with the bot to the point that deep discussions on law, justice, and more would often be had between the two.
Initially Nora barely utilized the Mr. Handy bot, wanting to do everything on her own, rarely asking for or accepting help when it was offered. The idea of not just another person, but a robot with a claw, saw, and such in her home around her baby made her uneasy to say the least. The only reason Nora agreed to the Mr. Handy was because Nate hadn't asked her. He had purchased the bot before leaving for Alaska and arranged it to be delivered and set up after he had left.
After the shock of Nate's passing wore off though, Nora had completely retreated into herself and Codsworth was not only at a loss of what to do, but was finding he was missing his friend. It was because of all these reasons he had resolved to force Nora into living a little at a time. Codsworth had seen the man from Vault-tec approaching the door when Shaun sounded from the back. Knowing Nora had been avoiding the man he rushed to attend to the baby, forcing her to have to answer the door and speak to someone outside the house.
Nora tried to give Codsworth an annoyed look, but failed, and instead nodded and made her past him to her son's room. Halfway down the hall, she paused and called back to him "Codsworth? Thank you."
If the robot could have smiled, he would have. Instead he gave a slight bob with careful control of propulsion and quietly responded "Always m'am."
As Nora entered the door to the nursery, she was, as always, astounded by the site of the little boy in the crib. He had pulled himself up into a sitting position and, upon seeing her, let out a happy gurgle and reached chubby hands out to her. It was only a few steps from doorway to crib side, but it seemed the longest distance in the world to her. Just a moment passed had managed to make it to the crib and slowly life the tiny form to her, holding him gingerly. Shaun didn't seem to notice how unsure his mother was. He giggled and placed his little fingers on her face, incidentally squishing her cheeks together and almost poking her in the eye in the process.
She chuckled at him quietly, surprising herself with the warmth in her chest from her little boy. Over his head she caught site of the rocket mobile above the crib. It had broken a while ago, but it looked as though Codsworth had finally been able to fix it. With a cautious touch, Nora made the rockets spin slowly around causing the gentle lullaby to play forth. Shaun cooed at it happily and Nora couldn't help but rest her head against his and allow a full smile to touch not just her lips but her eyes as well.
"Mum! You better come and see this!" the obvious sound of distress from the robotic voice had her rushing back to the living room, Shaun held closely to her chest.
There on the TV in front of which Codsworth was floating was the normal news man, but he looked different. His hair was out of order as though he had been running his hands through it repeatedly and his face shown with sweat. As he spoke, his hands shook while shuffling the papers before him. His voice shook too, stuttering over words and his eyes couldn't seem to focus. The worst part was the small corner image displaying a mushroom cloud.
Nora couldn't focus on the words the news reporter was saying clutched Shaun to her all the tighter. The man on the TV was in mid-sentence when the screen went dark. Codsworth swiveled and sped over to her, but Nora was still routed to the spot, eyes wide and mouth slightly open in abject shock. Fear had not had a chance to seep in yet. The robot didn't fully understand human emotion, but he knew he didn't want to allow the fear to hit her. She needed to get to the Vault.
He called to her, but she still didn't move. There was no other way around it he supposed, and disobeyed his programming. Carefully hooking his claw appendage to the end of her black braid laying over her shoulder, he gave it a yank "Mum, please! You need to get going!"
Realization swam back into her eyes and she sucked in air as though she had stopped breathing. Codsworth saw the fear start to cloud it but herded her towards the door, not allowing her to think just yet. "Please mum! You have Shaun, now get to the Vault before it closes!"
The Vault? Yes, the Vault, I have to keep Shaun safe. He's all that matters. "Okay Codsworth," her voice was choked but audible. Groping her for the door behind her, she yanked it open and turned to leave, giving Codsworth a pained look. "I hope to see you soon."
He bobbed again "Yes, mum, I'll be here. Now go!"
The run to the Vault was a blur to Nora. She saw her neighbors around her, but couldn't register their faces. Some were standing in the middle of the street just staring at the sky, others were screaming and rushing down the road with her, and some were trying to load up belongings into cars, most likely thinking they could outrun the nuclear devastation about to be dropped on them.
She took a right at the house next to her's, following the directions of soldiers gesturing down the dirt path and across the little stream below. Up the hill on the other side and she was halted by the gathering crowd outside the gates to the Vault compound.
The soldiers stationed there in Power Armor were stopping people from entering,
one man holding a clipboard full of papers and checking names to the identities of those in front of him. It was then Nora remembered each Vault only had limited capacity, not everyone had a place in one of them. This one particular was very small and each person was preselected from unknown criteria. Nora resettled Shaun against her and dove through the crowd, shoving past bodies until she was able to confront the man with the list.
"No entry unless you're cleared!"
"We're...on the...list! Last name...Isham!" she managed to gasp out between heaving breaths.
Quick eyes skimmed over the list and he nodded. "Woman and child, you're good to go. Follow the soldiers up the hill!" with those words he stepped slightly out of the way and allowed them entry.
"You can't do this! I'm Vault-tec and I should have a place in that Vault!" Nora turned as she ran to view the owner of the voice. It was the Vault-tec rep from earlier, the one who
had asked her all those questions. She didn't hear anything after that, but saw him try to charge the line until the men in Power Armor surged forward so he could instead look down the barrels of their guns. The look of anger abruptly fled his face and was replaced by more fear. He caught Nora's eye at that moment and in them she saw that fear, terror really, and hatred. Nora knew that hatred was directed at her while she ran on and left him on the other side of the fence.
The soldier leading them up the hill shouted at her to keep up and she tore her eyes from what was behind her to run up and around the hill. There at the top, in midst the chaos stepped from fear and desperation, Nora was directed to an immense platform in the shape of a gear, the entrance to Vault 111. They were practically shoved
onto it and within seconds it began to lower, adding the sounds of heavy machinery to the rest of the surrounding noise. Nora stumbled with the sudden motion, but kept her feet and managed to resettle her stance to sooth Shaun. Her son who was screaming from noise and running and the fear of those around him.
Nora was terrified, but still managed to speak calmly in her son's ear. Slowly quieting him as the walls rose around them both. Suddenly her skin prickled and Nora followed the gazes of those around her to look up at the sky. It was in that moment the world exploded. The sound was deafening and combined with a blinding light that left all around in complete silence. Then the door closed, everything went dark, and the platform continued to descend.
