Fallout New Vegas: The Legion
Ch.1: Just a Normal Day
It was a just a normal day. The sun breaks out from behind the mountains, going right into my eyes and interrupting some dream I can't remember. I look at my homemade calendar, September 9, 2275. Today's a morning shift I tell myself. I slowly climb out of my bed and go into the bathroom. I brush my teeth and take a shower in our retrofitted bathtub, connected to a large water drum. The water is lukewarm, as usual, so I quickly clean myself with prickly pear soap made by Old lady Herrington down the street. Wearing nothing but a towel, I walk back to my room that I share with my best friend Miranda in the bunkhouse we rented together with five other residents.
I walk by the kitchen where the local Kings member James is cooking breakfast. James runs a local Kings School Of Impersonation, where any dork can try to become like The King of Rock himself. Of course, he has to try to flirt with me with his cheesy pick up lines he always says, " Hey baby, I'm no photographer but I can picture me and YOU together." He points at me Fonzie style. I roll my eyes, trying to pretend that I'm not laughing on the inside, " Will you ever stop trying to pick me up? You've tried for almost two years James." I put my hand on my hips. "Claire, my darling, the day I stop going for your heart is the day mine stops beating." he cooed. Unable to contain it I laugh.
James is good guy but a dork still. He bunks with Mattias, one of the local repairmen. It was him and his boss Frank who practically rebuilt the whole town, and he is James' best friend. "Where's Mattias?" I question James. "Frank told him to meet at the watershed. something about fixing the sift pump so we have drinkable water or whatever." he replied. "We kinda need that James, hopefully it's not too serious." I said. "Nah baby, If I know Matthias and Frank like do, they'll be back before lunch, speaking of lunch. Don't you need to get ready for work? The Nuka Cafe won't open itself ya know?" he said. " Oh crap I almost forgot!" I rush back to my room almost taking out our ghoul landlord and fellow resident Roger Rodriguez. "Hey watch it smoothskin! You trying to kill me?" he barked. Roger was rough around the edges but he was like a grandfather to all of us.
By the time we were teenagers, most of our parents were either dead or they disappeared. So Roger took it upon himself to get this bunkhouse up and let us live there till we could work and pay rent.
I get back into my room and I find Miranda was just getting out of bed. "Did you have another late night?" I asked her, "Ugh I feel like brahmin shit." She mumbled. " I told you not to drink on a work night, but nooobody listens to me." I mocked her. "Screw you" she said as she shuffled her way to the bathroom. I take my damp, towel off and hang it to dry. I go to my dresser and pull out my work uniform. I work as a waitress at a local diner called, The Nuka Cafe. As obvious it sound, my uniform is a red dress with the Nuka Cola label on the back. I noted some slight tears on my skirt that I would need to mend later and I put it on. Once I finished changing. I grab some mirelurk cakes James made, and head out the door.
The desert sun already shining down on the cosy, little town of Valiant, Nevada. It's a small, unassuming, town that traders and travelers stop through before they head to Denver, New Vegas, Salt Lake City, or even further west towards California and the NCR. What put it on the map is the fact that it has an underground water channel that brings up plenty of drinkable water, thanks to Frank and Mattias. Overtime it became a central supply point for most trading companies and our town became quite prosperous from it.
As I walk down the road towards the cafe I get greeted by everyone I pass by. "Morning Claire!" gets shouted to me everyday. Not only because of the uniform but because much to my dismay, everyone says I am the prettiest girl in town. I really don't consider myself to be that pretty. My hair is red and goes to my shoulders, it's nothing special I think. It's a pain to deal with a half the time. My skin is about as pale as can get which combined with the desert sun, means it's never fun to be outside. I'm skinny but nothing glamourous like the old pre-war models you see in the magazines. And as much I as hate them, I have a row of freckles that dot across my nose. As I said I don't consider myself attractive but everyone says otherwise.
A few hours into my shift at The Nuka Cafe, I take a break for my lunch. Miranda comes in to eat before she starts her shift as well. She sits next to me ordering the one thing she will only eat and drink. " A brahmin burger with cheese and a Nuka float please!" she says. "How do you manage to keep your figure with your diet choices?" I laughed "Simple, lots and lots of morning exercises!" she countered. We both sit there and look out the window to see the local detachment of NCR troops doing their shift changes.
Since the NCR arrived to the Mojave Wasteland a few years back they have been eager to establish bases and territories around the Hoover Dam area. With Valiant being located about 20 miles east from the Hoover Dam, it also became an important outpost for the NCR.
It worked in the town's favor as we enjoyed the extra money and security the NCR troopers brought with them. Their favorite hotspot was the local casino and of course, The Nuka Cafe. Most of the troopers being long away from their homes in California. Find the cafe to be a comforting, slice of home.
Not to mention they just love to try and flirt with the waitresses. One in particular who's been trying to date me is PFC Garrett Morrison. He's 22 years old just like me. He proudly proclaims to be his platoon's best marksman, and I will admit although I find him to be obnoxious like James. he is very charming and kind of handsome in my opinion.
Of course today he comes in with his NCR buddies for lunch as well before they return to their garrison. "Claire!" he shouts as he breaks from his pack and runs to me. " Hello Garret, how are you?" I reply. "Much better now that you're here today, you going back to work?" he asks. "No not yet, I just got on my lunch break." I tell him. "Do you mind if we join you ladies then? Hey cook! Get these ladies whatever else they want, it's on me!" He barks at the cook. Surprised I try to tell him that he doesn't need to only to be told "Wonderful ladies like yourselves make it worthwhile being stationed here. All we got back at base is field rations and Major Hamilton who thinks he's Genghis Khan." He jokes, getting laughs from his fellow troopers. " Well I don't know what to say Morrison. Thank you!" I tell him. "Don't mention it. However… if you want to pay me back, I'm off duty tonight and the film at the mess hall on base is showing, The Silver Shroud and the Boston Skinner. What do you say?" he asks.
Miranda unable to control herself, "Claire would love too!" she exclaims. "What! Miranda! Not cool!" I glare a her. " Well?" the PFC asks again. "Oh alright, sounds like fun." giving into the pressure. Everyone breaks out in laughter. Morrison smiles at me and I at him.
Maybe it will be fun I tell myself. I look out towards town hall, it's decaying roof and partially reconstructed walls serve as a reminder of the past, but as a beacon to the future as well.
Then…. A flash of light and a monstrous explosion completely engulf town hall. PFC Morrison jumps on top of me and another trooper jumps on Miranda to shield us from the blast. That's what began the worst day of my life.