This is based off where i'm at in Fallout 3. Don't know why but i decided to write a brief story about, more or less how i thought my character felt at this point in time. I might continue this *Shrugs* Haven't decided yet. Not very good in my opinion, but eh, figured i'd upload anyway for the hell of it.
Please leave a comment/review if you read this.
You've lost Karma: Chapter one
The faint sound of sirens did little to disturb the armoured figure leaning against the rocks outside Vault 101. The door was opening; again, not that she was surprised by that. It had been a good two, maybe three hours since the former *lone* wanderer vanished inside and told her to stay there, not that she complained.
A message had led him here. The paladin knew nothing about it, though it was obvious it was from someone he cared about, judging by how he dropped everything to get here as soon as possible.
The vault, she wasn't about to go in looking for him even when several hours passed. For one he'd made a convincing argument, no one from the outside had ever gone in, and her presence, Brotherhood of Steel soldier or not, wouldn't help whatever crisis that had brought them out here.
Finally, the door of the old wooden shack that disguised the location of the vault creaked open and the wanderer stumbled out, his face, and entire body hidden behind the power armour he wore. She knew not where he'd attained it from. But Elder Lyons had been content to give him permission to learn how to use it. So it wasn't her place to question things.
And besides, after everything he'd done for the Wasteland, he deserved something in return.
Megaton was safe along with a number of people he'd encountered in his travels. Hell everyone in the Wasteland knew his name and exploits, thanks to GNR radio broadcasting everything.
The question the paladin had planned to ask was forgotten when the wanderer tore his helmet off and tossed it into the sand next to him with a loud growl. He continued forwards until he reached the rocks leading down to the wastes and promptly collapsed onto them, his gaze never once shifting to her, but instead staying on the vast ruined landscape set out before them.
Cross paused for a moment, before moving forwards to stand next to him. "I take it, things didn't go well?" She asked quietly, her words carefully chosen. He was upset, it didn't take a genius to figure that out, and making things worse certainly wouldn't help matters.
For a long time, he said nothing. The only movements that were visible being the wind playing through his shoulder length black hair, and the subtle shifting of his armour as he breathed slowly, but heavily. "The crisis is over…" He finally mumbled, his voice calm, but there was an obvious tinge of frustration, and sadness behind them. "Amata is Overseer now and is planning to open the vault for good. Let people come and go as they please."
Cross arched an eyebrow at the teenagers words. Surely that was a good thing, right? "But?" She asked her voice still soft and calm as she awkwardly moved herself into a sitting position next to him.
Again, silence followed for a long time. "I'm not allowed back in…Ever again." He replied, the frustration evident in his tone now. "My *friend* got control of the vault, and her first act was banishing me forever…"
The paladin was caught off guard by that. And it was her turn to remain silent. Though ti wasn't long before the silence was broken once again. "You know. A month ago, when I stumbled out here to look for my dad. And I got my first look at this place. I knew this wasn't going to be an easy life out here."
He paused for a moment, his head turning slightly in each direction as he surveyed the surrounding area, his pale blue eyes narrowed. The scar on his left cheek more prominent then ever it seemed. "In that month, I've watched my dad die, found out everything I knew and believed in was a lie. And now the girl of my dreams has just said she never wants to see me again…The American dream huh?"
Cross still didn't know what to say, and the wanderer simply continued. "I did everything to help make this wasteland a better place. Saved Megaton from that bomb…Saved that village from those blood sucking nuts…To many times I did my best to save the people trying to survive out here…" He paused for a moment, a hand idly tugging a beat up pistol from the holster on his belt.
The same pistol Amata had given him the day he left the vault and stumbled out into this nightmare. "And in return, lost everything I cared about. I didn't ask for rewards, or praise, just tried to help people survive…And this is the thanks I get."
Silence descended once again as he examined the pistol. Paladin Cross half watched, and waited for the wanderer to turn the gun on himself. She understood how he felt, though at the same time, she wasn't about to let him throw his life away just like that either.
"Fuck it. I'm through playing peacekeeper for a wasteland that only takes away, I'm through playing nice."
"Rogue…You don't mean that." Cross stated calmly, she knew his name, having been there during there original expedition to the wasteland. Though for some reason he refused to use his real name, and instead always told everyone a nickname, and wouldn't respond to anything else.
"Maybe I don't…Maybe I do…Only time will tell." The Wanderer slowly stood, the pistol still held in a loose grip as he examined it for a moment longer. "Only time will tell." He repeated, before tossing it into the sand and turning away. "For now, we've got a job to do." Without another word, he snatched his helmet and set off into the desert once more. Cross, reluctantly following close behind. The only thing on her mind, was what had happened down there, to cause such a sudden change in his personality.
