"Seems to be growing well."
Nate, the soul survivor from Vault 111, leaned over the bushel of Hubflower and picked a few of the leaves. He cupped them in his hands, walking over to the chemistry station nestled in the corner of what used to be a fully enclosed garage a little over two hundred years ago. Before the Great War- Now it's an open cavity attached to the dilapidated remains of the house that it was once part of.
Nate recruited some settlers to join the cause of rebuilding this Sanctuary Hills community, from freedom fighters that he met in Lexington, to others that he's befriended in his travels. He once lived here before the bombs fell, it is their home now. Maybe not long term, but they've band together to make this a comfortable home base while supporting Nate with his ongoing efforts to search for his kidnapped son.
Nate was on the evening guard, joining Piper, and Nick. Keeping the settlement safe in case of any enemy attacks from the likes of Gunners and Raiders, who want to spread anarchy throughout the Commonwealth. He hovered over the station extracting some juice from the leaf stems that he picked, when an unexpected shadow cast behind him blocking his light. While being hunched over, he had a well hidden trigger finger, wrapped, at the ready. But a fresh, familiar scent and a dainty silhouette made him realize that he was in no danger. It was Piper, the cute and sassy journalist from Diamond City standing over his shoulder.
"What'cha making?" She asked him curiously.
"Piper!, working on those sneak skills, I see. And, it's- never mind what it is, I gotta ask you something."
"That depends, you gonna tell me what you're making?"
"You're adorable," he smirked. "I'm just messin' with some different elements here, making shit up - "
"I've never been able to craft anything on there, maybe you could show me sometime, Blue?" She quickly interrupted.
Piper affectionately referrers to him as Blue, ever since they first met, and he was still wearing a blue Vault 111 jumpsuit. They share a pretty playful relationship, they've spent some time together in her hometown of Diamond City, and have frequently traveled together, doing a lot of bonding along the way.
He was poking her in the ribs in a ticklish manner, keeping her away from what he was making.
"I wanna ask you about Nick." he said, and quickly went from flirty, to serious.
"How long have you known him? Ya know, I mean, before I came along?"
"Damn Blue, I don't know- a long time. Diamond City's a big place, but you get to know your neighbors." We've been in that town as far back as I can remember, and when he started the detective agency- he used to come see me for any scoops I might have. He's always been nice to me." She spoke fondly.
"I'm confused though, why are you asking while he's just over there? What's wrong?"
She pointed to the rusty, old park bench across the street, next to the security turret. There he sat, the synthetic man: Nick Valentine. Mostly referred to as a Synth- he's the humanoid cyborg version of a well respected Chicago detective. Nate glanced over at him to acknowledge her gesture.
"Yes, that's Nick, the one we know and love, but... He's not the real Nick."
"The human Nick." He said, thinking it sounded awkward aloud.
"Blue. What in the hell are you talking about? That Nick was from your time, like- two hundred years ago your time. I'm thinking he's pretty dead by now."
"It's complicated, but I don't think he is." He said softly, to bring down her heightened state.
She dropped her cigarette to the dirt, and she gave him a blank stare.
"How? Where? Alive? - "Are you fucking delusional! That's not even close to being possible! What kind of nutty quest are you mixed up in now?"
Determined to get to the bottom of this new found information, she crossed her arms and waited for an explanation, knowing damn well that he wasn't going to get directly to the point. Something she learned all too quickly in their previous travels.
"Look, here's the deal, I got some information about his existence, and did some digging. I wanna follow up, I thought it'd be cool if they- ya know, actually met. But, I gotta talk to Nick first to gauge whether I'm gonna mention it, and then I'll tell you everything alright? I promise."
He moved a hair away from her eyes and gave her a wink seeking her approval.
"And what exactly are you gonna tell him? Don't you think that's some pretty deep shit to suddenly drop on someone?" She insisted.
"Of course it is, C'mon Piper, I'm pretty confident in my ability to deliver the message."
"But, think about it Blue, how would you take it? I think it's nice that you want them to meet, I'm not completely clear on why you might not tell him."
"And why now?" She wondered.
She had so many questions. Good ones. Nate knew that the wheels in her investigative mind would just keep turning.
"Its... His memories, Piper. Unfortunately, he's old technology. He's programmed to keep human Nick's memories, but has to push out his own as he has new experiences, because the human Nick's are programmed in him as non-deletion. He's slowly beginning to not remember- people, and places he's been... I can't watch that happen to him. I need to help him."
He struggled to get that out without becoming too emotional or confused.
"Wow, how would you even piece something like that together? I can't even begin to understand."
"It's tough, but trust me Piper, I see something that others just don't see."
"What are the chances this human Nick is actually where you think he is, and even still drawing breath?" She voiced her concern.
"I promise, I'll explain everything." He assured her.
He's seen that look in her trusting brown eyes before, she was genuinely concerned that he was walking into danger as usual, but- she also smelled a story through the bullshit of his being vague. Twirling her pencil, she tapped the leather cover of her reporter's notebook, while giving him a crooked smile.
"Well, I'll admit, it sounds like you might have a pretty good scoop for an article too, Blue."
And that was one of the things that he loved about her, she was so passionate about writing a good story for Publick Occurrences, her Diamond City newspaper, that she reeks of charisma and confidence- it was so charming. But, although he admired her journalistic swagger, he knew deep down that she would take a bullet to protect him, before ever scribbling one word for a story.
"Look, maybe, when we're done, if all goes well, you'll have yourself a pretty damn good article." He assured her confidently.
"Wait, we? When we're done?" Her gawking surprise, anticipated a road trip.
"Well, what'd ya say, how do you feel about doing some more traveling together?" He asked her with an inviting gesture toward the open road.
"Hell yes!," She agreed. "You point- I'll shoot."
"Alright. I'll get with Nick and figure out how I want to approach this, how 'bout you gather some supplies, and we'll leave when I'm done. First light-'ll be here soon enough, It'll give us an early start." He said, glancing toward the sky.
She blew him a kiss, adjusted her cap, and marched away into the darkest part of the night- before the dawn. Without letting her go too far, he yelled out-
"Don't forget to bring your notebook"
"Never hit the road without it, Blue. Never hit the road without it."
Nate took a deep breath, turned, and looked in Nick's direction.
A light shower of rain was beading on the polymer cheek of Nick Valentine as he sat there on the bench, drops falling from the brim of his adventurous fedora while he looked down. Synths don't sleep, so he's just been sitting there all night while on guard, continually playing memories that he has programmed into his A.I. over, and over while trying to make some new ones of his own.
A little beam of yellow light emitting from the iris of Nick's eyes, along with an outlined image, were the only things that Nate could make out through the foggy mist of a dawn rain as he approached where Nick was sitting.
"Ready to hit the road ?" Nick questions enthusiastically.
"Not right now, Nick.. I've got a question for ya."
"Of course, whatcha got?"
Nick was intrigued, he has seen that look before. Nate wants to help his friends, just as much as Nick wants to solve a case, but he had a feeling that this ran a little deeper than a mere side quest for some extra caps.
"Nick- How much do you actually remember?.. Ya know, about what happened to you" He took a seat on the bench next to him, and continued.
"I know we've talked about it briefly, and I know some of it is painful, but do you have any memory of the treatment you received at the C.I.T.?"
Nick's position changed, he pulled on his fedora and wiped away the rain on his face as if it were a tear.
"Wow, The Commonwealth Institute Of Technology. Haven't thought about that place for a while. Why bring this up? I thought after we took care of the Winter's End case, I was pretty clear that I was at peace with the way things turned out."
"You were clear" Nate reassured him, "I'm not trying to make light of the situation." He added. "I'm more so, just trying to put the pieces of a puzzle together. I'm helping Piper out with a story, and I'm concerned with protecting the integrity of the truth, and the friends around me."
Nick nodded with appreciation at the sole survivor's consideration.
"Well, I thought I was the detective here, Popsicle. Why would you be fishing around for those kinda clues?" He asked curiously, shifting his creaky steel legs as he humors himself referring to Nate as popsicle- an inside joke between them.
"You are the detective, there's none better. I was just thinking, since things are sort of quiet right now between all the factions, that Piper and I would do a little traveling so I could help her with the story she's writing... And it wouldn't hurt to help out a friend along the way."
Nate knew he wasn't telling Nick the whole truth, but he feared that he wouldn't receive Nick's blessing to dig into his past.
"Look kid," he began, "I woke up in a trash heap in Cambridge. I know that I have this guy's memories, and I had to somehow start my own life. When I finally made it to Diamond City- the opportunity presented itself to open the detective agency, so I did."
"It gave me purpose, a real sense of helping people, makes things… sorta, full circle for me." He adjusted his trench coat and peered at the rising sun, hoping that Nate would understand that he felt content.
Nate tried to seem confidently truthful, but he knew his real intent was to investigate things further, even though Nick probably wouldn't approve. If the real Nick was still out there, how would he feel about Nate trying to bring them together. He was very unsure about telling him, asking him, or even bringing it up just yet.
Nick put his boney robotic hand on Nate's shoulder, the yellow beam in his eyes began to fade with the light of daybreak as he looked at him and said,
"Trust me Popsicle, I know what you're capable of, I've seen you do things that I didn't think anyone could do- human or synth. I've watched you dismantle a Deathclaw with ease, and destroy a dozen Raiders with one explosive shot." He continued-
"And whatever it is you wanted to do, I'm not mean enough, strong enough, or smart enough to even try to stop you. But please, if I happen to be that friend that you wanna help out along the way- Don't go walking into traps, or risking your neck for an old bucket of bolts like me."
Nate looked at him, and smiled.
"You're my friend Nick, not a bucket of bolts, and I would walk into any battle with any creature in the entire wasteland if it meant protecting you. I just wanted to see what you remembered," he continued the lie, "it's just a little passion project, that's all."
Nick looked at him with a clinched lip, feeling like something wasn't quite right, but wasn't going to question further.
The rest of the Sanctuary settlement began to awaken into their morning activities as the sun was achieving a full daybreak. Nate had but one more question for Nick before he elected to begin his journey.
"So- We're gonna head out for a few days then, maybe more. Would ya keep an eye on things for me? Hancock has been a bit pissy, and Danse is acting kinda strange... I just wanna make sure some order is kept."
Nick put his hands on his knees and raised himself up, making sounds of shifting steel like a rusty car door opening. He looked around at everyone, straightening his necktie and glancing over at Nate, he assured him-
"I'll look after these misfits. I have a great way of seeing- without being seen. I won't give them the impression that I'm babysitting."
And with that, Nate also stood, and extended a handshake.
"Thanks Nick, for the most part they can all take care of themselves, I'm just more comfortable knowing that a guy with your leadership is present. We're gonna take Dogmeat too. And don't worry, we're just gonna trust our instincts and see where it takes us."
He turned from Nick and scanned the area for Piper, hoping that she was all prepared and ready to go. She emerged from the dilapidated doorway of where she rests her head, to begin the walk toward him. Her steps crunching gravel under her boots, the leather on her rust colored trench coat and matching press cap glistened from the light rain. She brushed away strands of the jet black hair from her eyes, and stood before Nate as an eager soldier reporting for duty.
"Ready to go, Blue?" She blurted, ready for the journey.
Nate stepped in front of her. He wore his faithful Reginald's Suit that he obtained in Trinity Tower by helping a stranger, which he often did without expectations. He skillfully crafted ballistic fiber into it, which makes it nearly bulletproof without losing its charismatic edge. The brown weatherbeaten leather matched his armored newsboy cap. Both garments were chipping with battle damage from the elements, and other lurking surprises in the wasteland.
Piper's reflection was in one lens of his sunglasses, and his favorite death dealer in the other. As he held out the weapon, he swiveled the incendiary tactical advanced .44 pistol from left to right, admiring the gleam of the barrel. He looked at it as if they understood each other -
"I squeeze your trigger, You fuck shit up."
He looked in Piper's eyes, and simply stated-
"Yeah, I'm ready."
In the reflection of the rain puddle on the ground, he noticed Dogmeat a few feet away. He bent down and stepped toward the loyal German Shepard canine,
"You ready to go boy?"
Dogmeat cocked his head with a curious whimper as Nate cupped the dog's cheek, stroking fur with his thumb, confident to have him along.
Nick watched as the trio got smaller in the distance, heading out of Sanctuary and blending into the Commonwealth. He gazed at their disappearance and mumbled aloud -
"Not quite sure what you're up to kid. I hope you know what you're doing."