Down To Earth

Chapter One: Not of This World

BAD CHEDDAR! FINISH. OLD. STORIES. BEFORE. STARTING. NEW. ONES.

Agh! Regardless, here you go.

All Kieran knew now was to run. Run in the opposite direction to whatever the guards were running towards. Upon their armour, they bore the insignia of Vault 146 and they held in their hands the rifles specifically designed for its defence. The Golden Vault, they called it, on account of the fact it was reserved for the rich businessmen and woman of 200 years ago. Kieran's great-grandfather had been Montgomery Richards, one of the board members of Vault-Tec. His family's place had been guaranteed, of course. One thing in particular set Vault 146 apart from the others, however.

Kieran stopped and stared out at the black void of space and down at the planet below. It looked so grey and barren, not like the old tales of Earth. Of rolling green planes and the deep blue, sparkling ocean that encompassed the world.

And then the mothership arrived.

It shot out of the blackness in a blinding burst of light and energy that shook the vault and knocked Kieran over. As he got up to look through the window, he gasped at the massive floating saucer that dominated the view out of the window. It was some time before the Vault shook violently again and the automated PA system was barely heard of the alarms.

"WARNING. UN-AUTHORIZED ENTRY DETECTED. ALL NON-SECURITY PERSONNEL EVACUATE THE VAULT IMMEDIATELY."

The message repeated over and over as Kieran ran for the escape pods, following the signs that were now illuminated by the emergency red lighting.

"Mum? Dad?" Kieran called as she ran, poking his head down corridors and up stairs to yell. He couldn't see them. In fact, he hadn't seen anyone, except for security guards. He tried not to think of their fates and quickened his pace.

He arrived at the escape pod hangar, bent double and panting heavily. He straightened up as a Mr. Handy glided remarkably calmly towards him, considering the current situation.

"Greetings...scanning...KIERAN PARKER. An escape pod has been reserved for you and your family. WARNING. The station is not safe. The escape pod will launch as soon as one descendant of Mr. Richards is occupying it. Please proceed into the escape pod."

Kieran moved to turn back. Maybe he could find them. His mum might be in the science lab trying to salvage some data or his dad might be helping hold back the invaders.

Another Mr Handy sealed the door as he ran for it and then turned to him.

"The time to reach the escape pods has expired. Exactly 44% of Vault 146 has been evacuated. 27% are deceased. 29% are unknown. You must get your escape pod."

"But there are still people out there! Can't you help them?" He attempted to push past the Mr Handy but it advanced to block him.

"Enter your executive pod now. I am programmed by Dr. Parker to give you two friendly warnings before I use force. This is the second."

Kieran's face was white, as he slowly stepped back from the Mr Handy and slowly made his way inside the pod. There were three leather seats inside with seat-belts. The pod door hissed and closed as Kieran sat in the middle chair. A female voice echoed through the pod.

"Hello, Kieran. Vault-Tec hopes you have a relaxing flight. How about a drink?" Before Kieran could answer, a glass of Nuka-Cola appeared in front of him on a metal tray.

Then it all happened so fast. Kieran heard the engines fire and then the G-force shoved him back into his seat, as Earth began to get closer very quickly. Before he knew it, he could just see the fog he had heard so much about.

"We will be arriving on Earth in 5 seconds. Nearby attractions include Vault-Tec Vault 101."

Then was an almighty earthquake and the crushing blackness. The next thing he knew, a giant green hand grabbed him by collar and hauled him out into the harsh sunlight.