A/N: these two chapters have gone up back to back to properly have the buildup and the actual entering Fallout 3 universe. Reviews are welcome and appreciated.
Once the meeting was over, all of the agents were escorted to their "offices". They were essentially living quarters with information desks and computers that mimicked the agents real like counterpart. "So theres a nother question miss Garcia," Mason started to asked.
"Just Grace please or I'll call you Agent Kellogg until you either retire or get kicked out. I hate when people use my last name, makes me feel like theyre talking to my mother," she said as they entered their office.
"Alright… Grace. So if we're all agents to this uber secret organization that for some reason chooses not to reveal itself, why have us work from home? I mean a ton of us live with other people right?" he asked.
"In the beginning we tried to limit membership to just those who lived on their own actually. But that again left us with very few agents to work with. So we expanded outward to include almost everyone we felt met our requirements. As for secrecy, we provide top of the line assistance to keep our existance a secret, plus it incentivizes agents to work more," she explained as she tapped commands on her computer.
"Assistance? Like what?" mason asked as he sat across from her.
"Hiring others to do certain jobs or even homework. We even reach out to professors of the agents in school to give them passing grades in exchange for monetary compensation," she said as she flicked her sscreen.
"So bribes… well money does make the world go round. I thought funding was-" he started to say.
"I said a chunk of funding comes from Youtubers. And there are a metric ton of them outthere in our payroll remember? The rest comes from government support and private backers," she said. More questions still buzzed but something told him now wasn't the time.
"So… my mission then. I'm protecting the Lone Wanderer of Fallout 3? I thought I was going to be the-" he started to say.
"I know what you thought Mason. But sadly, not every mission will get to play out like in the game. Sometimes the mission has you as the protagonist, other times youre just a side character. Happens to everyone. Heh though for CaptainShack he usually becomes some sort of high commander position," she said as the final details loaded in.
"Lucky him. Must pay to be the boss," mason said offhandedly as Grace stood up, making a holographic board come to life and transferring data from her screen to the board.
"We all get paid don't worry Mason. In fact when you return from your first few hours inmission, you'll find your frist paycheck in your bank," she said before taking off her coat and relaxing, earning an approving look from her agent. "Heh don't go getting excited, you haven't shown me much," she said. Mason blushed as she walked to the board.
"Right uh so… what if this starts getting too heated? The mission I mean not uh… not us," he asked.
"You can call in a friend to help. but you have to prove its getting hectic and hellfire bad. But luckily, you got me. Just say the word and tell me who want as backup and I'll get them locked in," she said. Mason nodded as she circled Vault 101 and Megaton. "Alright currently our informant in V101 has reported Emgerence day is coming up for them. Lone Wanderer will exit and likely go straight for Megaton. Your job is to find him, make contact and make sure he gets project purity online. You of course have the fifth freedom to take down any and all threats," she said.
"So basically be his sidekick until endgame. Got it… how am I being sent in?" Mason asked.
"Glad you asked. This is my favorite part. As you probably guessed, youre using your VR headset to essentially control your current avatar. Notice I said avatar, it and all bodies used by our organization have surgical implants that allow for total control over the body. The nanobots you likely never noticed have converted your PC into basically a gateway controller. In addition to high endind gaming on your days off, it opens a micro Quantum Relay hole to a certain universe. Once the connection is made, your electrical impulses in your brain are then rerouted thorugh and into the head of your new body," she explained.
"So… this is just a way more complicated version of Surrogates," Mason said after she finished.
"Essentioally yes. The science isn't too far off. Its just we are using a Quantum network of intergalactic communication relays to allow for one brain to control a different body. Now we've spent enough time talking. We've got a lock and I'm itching to wake up that you," she said with a smile. Mason sighed and laid himself in the bed.
"So what happens with this body?" he asked.
"I'll take care fo it. Don't worry, you'll need it to attend meetings here, so… good Luck Kellogg," she said as she typed away commands. He took a deep breath before suddenly his vision faded and he was propelled backward from his body and then sent forward, almost like a car reversing and then accelarting forward. Moments later he was gasping awake in a fairly well preserved bunk.
"Welcome back to reality sleeping beauty. Transfer went smoothly. Took only two minutes to get here," she said with a proud smile as a still image of her face popped up in his vision.
"Whoa! Jesus! Am i- am I wearing a helmet or-" Mason asked as he jumped in shock.
"Nope. Heh, one thing I forgot to mention. That body was pretty damaged before we recovered it. Took a long an you should see the medibots finishing patching you up," she said as he looked down. Before his eyes, what looked like a scar was flowing back into near perfect skin form a warm green laser. "This is your command bunker in Megaton. Consider it yours and his base of operation. Two stories down and well stocked as per your style," she said, her image popping in.
"still didn't-" he started to rebuttle.
"The body has specialized nanites in its system. Designed to make you the closest thing to a real life video game character. Communications via our Quantum Relay network, localized and wireless hacking, health updates and even keeping an eye on your charge," she said proudly.
"Does it tell time?" he asked as suddenly a watch flashed in the bottom corner of his vision.
"Careful though. It can be a bit disorientating if youre not careful. The necessary apps will flash for you when they become needed. So get yourself equipped now and head uptop. We have work to do," Grace said before cutting out. Mason sighed and stretched his limbs before going to the equipment lockers and pulling on US Army combat armor and equipping himself with an M4 carbine, two M1911 .45 pistols and a survival knife. He loaded up on ammo and grabbed a equipment rucksack for when he would most certainly loot bodies of his enemies.
"So… tell me before I head out… those medibots… do they-" he started to ask,
"Only once a day. They're apart of you and need time to recharge. If you want, you can order them to do a emergency heal on either you or a comrade. Those are more to stabilize a person to get them to a doctor so don't expect to rely too heavily on it," she explained. He took a second look over the bunker, taking a note of the weapons lockers, food provisions, water purifier and workbenches.
"So… I'm in a Fallout world where mods exist?" he asked as he started to climb the ladder.
"Technically speaking yes. Its complicated. We've actually yet to discover a fully Fallout universe and those we have aren't quite like the games. This one has the fifties styles coming in swing in the later 2050s and much of our current popculture still being referenced up to the year 2077. How much has survived after two hundred years though is… up for grabs. Again this isn't a perfect world by any stretch of the word. But in addition to more familiar firearms, you'll be able to blend in better if you get in a conversation over say what was better, Star Wars Star Trek or Jangles the Moon Monkey," she explained.
"Star Wars of course if that ever comes up," he said noticing the pipboy on his arm.
"oh lovely, a fellow StarWarsian. Oh before you ask, this you had been one of the very few to venture into Vault 106 and come back alive. Part of his bounty is the Pipboy 3000. Sadly this model does not have VATs installed, you'll have to make do without it," she said as he used it to open the door.
"So maps, inventory management and music. Can this play games?" he chuckled, earning an exasperated sigh from his liaison.
"Of course but remember, youre supposed to be an elite agent helping keep this world on track," she said as he clambered up into Megaton. For the first time ever Mason was climbing into the Fallout World, about to see the settlement of Megaton and begin his quest to help the Lone Wanderer purify the waters of DC. And… it was about as anticlimactic as you would expect. The whole of the town was the same color of rusting grey and his first step up… landed him right in brahim shit.
"Well… brahim shit… wonderful. Wonder what'll happen next," mason muttered to himself as he closed the hatch to the bunker and sealed it. No one had seen and it would appear he could slip into the town and start his search for the Lone Wanderer. And as he made his way to the front gate, he ran headlong into the person he was looking for.
"Hey watch it!" the vault suit wearing man said, half shoving mason back. Taking a step back, Mason saw the man was easily maybe an inch taller, had jet black hair, hazel colored eyes and was a mite lanky looking. He was wearing a now dirtied Vault 101, a security vest on his chest, protective greaves and a pistol strapped to his hip. His eyes were also darting around, as if trying to relax but unable.
"Hey take it easy man. Whats up with you?" mason asked, already knowing why the man was on edge. If this was the Lone Wanderer, then likely he just got done running for his life out of the Vault.
"I… I'm sorry im just. Im on edge right now. My dad… my dad I need to find him," he stuttered out as he started to walk by.
"Hey man, wait a minute," he said grabbing him by the arm. Both were partially aware of the approaching black man with what looked like an M16A2 on his back. The vautdweller had his hand on his pistol ready to strike back. "I don't know what happened but right now you need to calm down. You look like youre on edge, trust me I know the look when I see it. Now how about I go buy you a drink cause you… you need one bud. Trust me," Mason said trying to keep his voice low and even. The dweller finally took a deep breath after a few seconds of pondering and nodded.
"Yeah okay. i… I am on edge. Thanks," he said letting his hands fall to his sides.
"Good now come on," mason said, leading him up to the saloon towards the rear of the walled up settlement and up a couple flights of stairs. The obvious sheriff was thankful everything had been settled but still wasn't far off from keeping an eye on the two men. "Names… Mason Kellogg. And you?" he asked as they sat down.
"Allen, Allen Colder. Nice to meet you," he said as the bartender came up them.
"What'll it be smoothskins," he asked, earning a slight gasp of surprise from both men. It was the first both had seen a ghoul, or rather first time right in front of him for mason and frst time ever for Allen. The term zombie was always used to describe what youd picture a ghoul to look like, whether it be from an NPC in the Fallout games or a person whos played those games. And… honestly it didn't quite fit. Zombie usually meant being devoid of all life and possibly missing a few body parts.
The ghoul looked like he was just missing his skin to be honest and his muscles underneath had simply become discolored from time exposed to the open air. That and was possibly rather rough and just needed some extra heavy duty industrial moistener. "Uh depends on what you got sir," mason heard Allen say in reply. That caught the ghoul by surprise.
"Huh? Not gonna yell at me? No insults?" he asked.
"Um… no I uh… I don't know you well enough for that," Allen replied. That actualy made the ghoul smile and made Mason realize something crucial about this world. This Allen is more of a positive karma character, more so than my recent playthroughs anyway, Mason thought to himself.
"Heh, you know what youre alright kid. Maybe I'm going soft but… what the hell. Don't tell moriarty this but, I'll give you a special discount. The names Gob by and by," he said getting a couple of beers from under the counter. The label was long worn so there was no telling wha brand or flavor it might've once been. Mason paid the tab there and looked at the Wanderer.
"so… aside from looking for your dad, what brings you to Megaton?" Mason asked
"Just that really… my vaults databanks said this was the closest nearby settlement. Figured Dad might come through here. On the map it looked like a shorter way to go," he told him.
"Always does. But uh… word of the wise, next time try to calm yourself down before you chuck yourself into the town like that. Tends to bring more than a few eyes," Mason said.
"Yeah… didn't think about it hehe," he said a mite embarrassed. With that they proceeded to somehow gain the attention of one Colin Moriarty. A tall man who looked like at one point he might've been in an Irish mob, if the Irish mob swas still standing anyway. He came up to the duo from the back and smiled.
"So I hear tell one of yous is here looking for someone. Someone- hey wait a moment… oh dear… you… it is you," he said looking at Allen. Allen was obviously taken back and oblivious to what he was talking about. Mason on the other hand was trying to keep his twin pistols in their holsters. Of all the NPCs in the town of Megaton, Moriarty was easily one of his most disliked. Mainly because the guy is an absolute asshat about handing over information on James.
"Easy there tigegr. Don't get too trigger happy. Only when you absolutely have do you draw on someone her remember?" he heard Grace's voice say in his head. He simply nodded as he watched their conversation go on. And inevitably the subject of Allens dad ccame up.
"… you know where he went?! That's… that's amzing! Can you tell me?" Allen asked. Moriartys nose crinkled at the request before giving a smile and slapping Allens shoulder.
"Of course I can ya little bastard. Hell I'll even throw on a discount for ay. I'll talk for the low low price of five hundred caps!" he said almost sing songy.
"F f five hundred… I… I don't have that much," Allen said clearly heartbroken and dismayed. Mason groaned inwardly, Moriarty was a dick in al playthroughs of the game and in several playthroughs he made it a point to put a few bullets in this Irish dicks head. "Come on… theres... you got to help me please!" Allen said grabbing Moriartys shirt. Mason wanted to slap his charge right in the face for acting like a bit of a pussy.
"Sorry boyo, but in this world ya gotta have caps to get what ya want. Come back when you have those!" Moriarty spat before shoving Allen back. Mason almost went for his pistol before noticing something in Allens hand. A key. Most likely the key to the back door of the saloon. Moriarty just smirked and walked off, clearly content with his work and leaving the two patrons to their drinks.
"What an asshole. Come on kid. Lets see about getting you some gear. That stuff wont last you very long out there," Mason said downing the last of his beer. Allen just sullenly nodded , getting out of his seat and fllowing Mason out. Once outside, Allen immediately cheered up.
"Hah! Got it! Holy shit that-" he started to say. Mason was quick to shove Allen aside to the railing.
"Shut the hell up! this aint a game! He could possibly hear you!" Mason said through clenched teeth. Grace giggled in his mind, most likely for the realization that technically this could arguably be a game right now. Allen just nodded before moving away from the raiing and following Mason to the bunkers entrance. Both unaware they were being followed by a certain perky inventor.
"So… you own this then?" Allen asked once down below.
"Yes and no. my employer doe I imagine. I just use it for a base. Armaments pretty basic sadly. Some rifles, decent collection of pistols and ammo, Kevlar vests, some clothes that might fit you and medical gear of course," Mason said as Allen just nodded. The former vault dweller set his gear on a nearby table before turning to look over hs choices. He settled on a M4 carbine, kept his 10 milimeter pistol, and Army combat gear to go over his vault suit. "Alright then. We'll have to wait for night before we try to sneak into Moriartys office. I imagine that'll be an issue next is hoping wherever your dad is reachable of course," mason started to say.
"Wait you're gonna help me? You sure that's wise?" Allen asked. Mason just looked up from the map before responding.
"Youre using my gear. Only makes sense to follow along in case you get dead," Mason jested. That earned a scowl from Allen who only gripped the grip of his pistol tighter. "It was a joke, lighten up," mason corrected as he half surveyed a map before him and used his mighty HUD vision to access his computer.
"Right… thanks. i… I just… I'm glad I got someone helping. I just hope you don't try to kill me," he said cracking a half smile. Mason chuckled at that, making a remark that the day wasn't over yet.
"Oh I almost forgot. Theres been unknown energy spikes in this world for the past few weeks. I'll mark where they were on your map. Ensuring your charges survival until Operation Take it Back is your number one priority but CaptainShack has aksed you investigate the positions if you can. No telling what they may hold," Grace told him. His next blink say several holo markers placed over the points of interest.
"Gonna take time to get to these… but I'll do my best," he said silently. The two waited for night to fall before attempting to sneak into the saloon. Once the moon took hold, they made their move. Screwing on a suppressor to their pistols, they slipped into moriartys back office, careful not to make nosie to wake him.
"Alrihgt… watch the door for me. Hopefully it shouldn't be too ahrd to hack," Allen said as he looked over the computer. He immediately logged in and easily cracked moriartys rudimentary security functions and looked through the small trove of information. "Christ… ths guys got a ton of info… like on everyone in this town," he remarked silently.
"Heh that's moriarty for you. He technically runs this town kid. Hurry up and reset the system, should reinstate the security protocols. I hope," Mason said peeking outside. Allen downloaded the data he needed and did something that mason didn't see. He deleted the information within the computer and restarted the computer, its security protocols reinstated but damning info gone. "Whats the hold up? we need to move," Mason said as Allen made use of his slieght of hand and putting moriartys key back on its original keychain. The two bandits then slipped back out into the night, hopeful no one had seen them.
"Alright… I think we're clear. Nice job watching my back," Allen smiled, slapping Masons shoulder.
"Yu weren't bad yourself kid. Bit risky putting the key back though. Lets just hope he don't ssuspect anything tomorrow. Come on, lets get some shut eye. Got a big day tomorrow. Finding your dad and everything," Mason said as they walked to their bunker. Inside… they found that their mission was about to get just a bit crazier.
"Hey guys! I knew there was something off with ya! I had no idea there was a fully stocked bunker down here! Lucky dogs!" a peppy overly enthusiastic brown haired woman half yelled at the two men.
"Oh no… how did… when did-" Mason started to wonder as he went back to investigate the hatch on the bunker to see nothing broken but knowing how pretty smart Moira was she likely could've picked the lock.
"sorry its just I've seen you before and you didn't show up for the longest time. And then you crawl out of this hole and partner up with a vault dweller? Its gotta be something interesting about to happen. And I want to help," she said with a proud smile.
"Uh… I uh… I don't know Moira we uh… youre not exactly the best for a fight," Mason said in response. To that Moira put her hands on her hips and looked at him
"And yet youre going with him? Also I can still be helpful in other ways. Be a base for you, supplier and help you keep your equipment in decent shape so you don't get stuck without working weapons. So… what do you say?" she asked extending her hand out to him.
Mason was naturally more than alittle apprehensive about even thinking about Moiras offer. But of course… he thought to himself, perhaps it would be prudent to have a helper. Afterall, Moira was one of his favorite people in the wastes. So… he clasped her hand and shook on it, sealing the deal.