Knight in Power Armor

Chapter One: Not in Kansas Anymore

A/N: Just a FYI to readers out there, this is the first fic I've written. That said, I'm more than willing to read constructive criticism, so long as it isn't flaming. Enjoy the fic.

'At last. After two tours to Iraq, one to Afghanistan, and ten years of active duty I'm finally free to do what I want, when I want, how I want. No more sergeants yelling in my face, and no more officers looking over my shoulder. Freedom never felt so good.' These were my thoughts as I entered my house, left to me by my father. I had no idea the fate that awaited me the following morning; I just set my stuff down in the living room, and walked upstairs to go to sleep. When I woke up, I found an adventure I had never thought I would have.

The first thing I noticed was my bed was much less comfortable than it was when I fell asleep. I sat up to see what happened, but was only more confused when I found myself in what looked like the end of a sewer system, smelled like one too. My 'bed' was a simple mattress on the ground, no frame, no sheets, no blankets. Taking in my surroundings, I saw a set of combat armor, with helmet, what looked like an AK-47, and a foot locker. My own attire, also changed from when I fell asleep, was a white(ish) T-shirt and blue shorts. More strange was what was on my left arm, what looked like an oversized metal bracelet. It looked familiar, and on closer inspection, I found it was Pip-Boy. I kid you not an honest to God, genuine, straight from the game, Pip-boy. A 3000-a model if I was reading it right, but with everything else going on, I wasn't sure of even that.

My initial thought was one of panic (Wouldn't you?) but if the Pip-boy from the game was here, I knew some other things from the game might be as well. Things that I didn't want to meet in bed clothes. I quickly put on the helmet and armor, over the combat fatigues I found under it, and the boots I found under the fatigues. I checked the rifle, AK-47 like I thought. I'd seen enough of those on dead insurgents to know. It didn't have a magazine though, so, keeping vigil on the sewer tunnel, I opened the locker. I found a LBE (See A/N at the bottom) with seven mags, fully loaded by the looks of things, a combat knife with a hook up to attach it to the AK for a bayonet, a leather pouch full of bottle caps, three bottles of water, looked clean, but you never know, and what looked like a passable imitation of food. On the bottom of it all was a backpack to put everything. All of it, besides the food, was in good enough condition for use, considering that it was probably 200 years old.

Now properly dressed, armed, and supplied, I turned my attention to the Pip-boy. How it knew what I had, I'll never know, but the inventory listed everything I had on and in my pack. I checked the notes to see if I could find something to make sense of what the hell happened. I'm not sure I liked what I found. There was one audio recording listed 'Welcome.' I hit play, like I had anything better to do.

"Williamson, Jason R. Specialist in the army of the United States of America. Promoted to Sergeant twice, twice demoted. Once for insubordination, (refusal to lead troops into what was later confirmed as an ambush) once for striking a superior officer. (The records fail to note that said officer was attempting to rape a female soldier) You have been chosen to help heal this world, ripped asunder by war. Your personality profile and martial prowess match that which is needed in this wasteland. What you do from here is your choice, but note that if you chose inaction, many innocents will die from your absence. The artificial intelligence in this Pip-boy, which will be activated at the end of this recording, will help you in any difficulty you find yourself that does not involve direct confrontation with the inhabitants of this wasteland. We will contact you when you have made sufficient progress. Welcome to Washington D.C. 2277"

I just stood there in a daze as I tried to absorb all this information. It seemed like something straight out of a fan fic. That was the when my oversized wrist watch decided was a good time to speak.

"Good morning, sir! I have been monitored to respond to the name Robby. I will be accompanying you in your quest into the wasteland." It said. I almost laughed.

"Robby? Really? What, your programmers watch Forbidden Planet one to many times?" I replied.

"I wouldn't know, sir. I wasn't activated until just this moment. Is there anything I can help you with at the moment, sir?"

"First off, you can stop calling me 'sir,' I work for a living."

"Of course you do, sir." I hung my head.

"Second, where the hell are we?"

"It would appear to be a sewer system, sir."

"Oh! Is that what that smell is? I never would have guessed."

"In my defense, sir, you did leave yourself wide open for that." I face palmed.

"Alright wise guy, how about on the map?"

"We are approximately one half of a kilometer southwest of the settlement known as Megaton. A wonderful town, I'm told, sir. So long as you don't mind the bomb sitting in the middle of it."

"Yes, I'm aware of the bomb. Can you patch into the GNR radio broadcast?"

"Childs play, sir. Patching in now." The broadcast was heavy with static, but I could make out Three Dog talking about how James had recently left Vault 101. Good, the wanderer shouldn't be too far behind.

I climbed out of the sewer, getting my first good look at the Capital Wasteland. Just like the game. I checked the position of the sun to get a sense of direction, should be east southeast. Using that as a reverence, I headed northeast toward Megaton.

"Rob, bring up the map and orient it to the direction I'm traveling, and put a waypoint on Megaton, please."

"Please? Such manners. I see the profile was accurate in reference to your personality."

"I'd prefer if that were not mentioned any time soon. Still coming to grips with it."

"Of course, sir. Map and waypoint are in place and auto aligning to your direction." I check the screen, and he was right. I turned a little, and the map turned with me. I grinned, always easily amused.

"Thanks, and could you kill the radio? No need to draw unwanted attention."

"Indeed. These critters are known to be a bit nasty, sir." The radio cut out as I made my way to Megaton, AK at low ready in case it was needed.

A/N: A LBE is basically a vest that soldiers were in combat to hold ammo, first aid kit, grenades, and other useful stuff. Other than that, there is the first chapter of my first fan fic. Now that I actually have one up, I wonder how many people will read it.

Also, do to some of the reviews; I have made some slight modifications in paragraph structure. Hopefully it works.