Author's Note: I do not own The Loud House or any other story depicted.
Chapter 2
In her 22 years of being the Overseer of Vault 76, Emily Nelson is hearing the most unbelievable story from a mysterious man.
This man is one of two strangers that came from what they say is an alternate universe.
While the older of the two is more of a meet and greet person, introducing himself to all of the senior staff and shaking their hands, the younger guy is describing to her the horrors that lurk outside Vault 76.
"Sooo… yeah. Everybody ends up dying and becoming these scorched creatures. If I remember correctly, it's some kind of virus that came from these mines. Couple that with the radiation, FEV, and rouge A.I., your people won't last a week out there."
"I… I appreciate you telling me all of this, Lincoln. So there isn't going to be any hope for the future of all these residents!?"
"Well… I wouldn't say THAT! If everything goes the way I want it to go. We'll come back and take you all to a safe place. In the meantime, however, there's something in this vault that I want."
"Whatever it is, we will be happy to give it to you."
"A Pip-Boy. Version 2000 Mark 6 to be exact. I always wanted one since I was a kid and now I have an opportunity to get one. If you would."
Emily gives a warm smile to Lincoln. She then opens a drawer on her desk and pulls one out.
"We have a few to spare."
Madison Li, the head of the Advanced Systems division of the Institute, is shown to be having a conversation with Lincoln shortly after his return.
"I'd say this courser chip would come in handy, but then, you know, you'd say handy is a bit of an understatement." Said Lincoln.
Dr. Li crosses her arms.
"That is exactly what I was thinking. Are you some expert at psychology… or anything similar?"
"Well… psychology to me is one of my… least talented skills. I don't think about WHY people do things. I just see them for who they are. At least in my opinion.
But enough about me, doctor. Let's talk about these weapons that are used by the Institute. How much do you know about alkaline lasers?"
Dr. Li raises an eyebrow in confusion.
"Alkaline lasers?"
"Beneath the Commonwealth, there is a cancer. Known as the Institute. A malignant growth that needs to be cut before it infects the surface."
Elder Maxson, leader of this faction of the Brotherhood of Steel, is giving a speech to half a dozen paladins and senior scribes.
"... The Institute and their "synths" are considered enemies of the brotherhood and should be dealt with swiftly and mercilessly!
This campaign will be costly, and many lives will be lost! But in the end, we will be saving humankind from its worst enemy… itself.
Ad Victor-"
"ELDER MAXSON! IT'S A BLOODBATH DOWN HERE!
EVERYBODY'S DYING! WE CAN'T STOP THEM!"
"WHAT!?"
"Elder Maxson… is dead." Said Dr. Li.
"The new alkaline lasers that Lincoln had introduced to us… cut the Prydwen… in his own words… 'like a hot knife through butter.'"
There is now an awkward silence in the Director meeting.
Dr. Li. sighs. Whoever this alternate and younger version of the leading director is, must really LOVE the Institute since he wishes to take over.
It's not just the love of the Institute. He probably knows what she thinks personally of Elder
Maxson. 'Delusions of grandeur,' she calls it.
The only one that she saw as playing God. He probably knows that too.
Whatever decisions that he may make going forward, it's probably not a good idea to get on his bad side. No matter how much she may disagree.
Maybe she'll warm up to it.
"Hey… father? I would like to play you a song… before you go to sleep."
The older Lincoln, lying down on his bed knowing he won't wake up again because of the cancer inside him, looks up at the younger version of himself.
"I'd like that."
With a guitar in his hand, Lincoln sings into the microphone.
"They say misery, loves company.
We could start a company, and make misery.
Frustrated, incorporated!
Well, I know just what you need!
I might just have the thing!
I know what you'd pay, to see…"
Lincoln "Father" Loud" looks up at the ceiling of his room, and closes his eyes.
His final thoughts:
"Father… mother... I hope to join you soon."
Author's Note: For the Overseer of Vault 76, I just took two common names and stuck them together.
Also, think of the alkaline lasers as the same laser that Pickle Rick used in that one episode.
I imagine that the Institute weapons have similar structure to laser printers. It was the batteries that would make them powerful enough to pierce even the strongest power armor.
Told you the creative laziness would be heavy on this one.