As the lift reached the top of the shaft I had to shield my eyes from the glare from the sun overhead. The first thing that I could make out after my vision cleared was the ruins of several houses at the base of the moderate hill I found myself upon. My old home, Sanctuary. I could barely recognize it now, not that there was much left to recognize.
Looking around I took in the sight of several dead trees with their gnarled limbs reaching out at odd angels, giving many of them the appearance of claws. There were a few strange looking black birds flying through the withered limbs but they barely made any sound. The once green landscape had been reduced to shades of sickly yellows and browns. Even the very earth was cracked in places.
There were skeletons littered all over the place, they looked like civilians who had tried to force their way in after the bombs fell. Overturned cars and equipment littered the area around the Vault opening and I noticed some crates nearby that looked undamaged. Opening them up I was shocked to see that I had gotten my hands on a military shipment of some sort, judging from the US Army logo on the sides of the boxes.
Looking around I found a piece of steel and was able to pry the lids open. All together I had found five containers that were still in one piece. Inside one I found a few Stimpaks and a small supply of RadAway. In another I found some Army uniforms and a full set of combat armor. Thankfully one of them that I opened had a handful of MRE's and a couple bottles of purified water. The next one had miscellaneous ammo, but the last one was a score. Inside were a few military issue N99 10mm pistols*, my personal favorite sidearm.
After the phase out of the N80 in 2051, the N99 sidearm became standard issue military gear. The N99 is known for its ability to survive in the harshest of conditions. Vault-Tec had even issued them to several of their Vault security forces. Having one with me now helped calm my nerves as if I had been reunited with an old friend. I had been deployed several times with this model of sidearm and it had never let me down.
Following the path away from the Vault I wound my way down the side of the hill towards Sanctuary until I came to the gate that had held out several of our neighbors that day. Stopping for a moment I could still almost make out the panicked cries and the horrified screams. Their pleas for salvation falling upon the hardened hearts of Vault-Tec security forces and US soldiers barring there way. The bombs were coming and many outside the gate had begun to realize that they would not be saved because their names weren't on a little piece of paper.
Looking down at the remains of some of those who had died here that day I thought I could see glares of accusation and contempt staring back up at me from the dark, empty eye sockets. Tears came to my eyes as I found myself starting to shake slightly. I quickly collected my wits and moved on with one last look back at the gate before continuing on towards my destination.
Soon enough I made it into streets that I used know so well. Everywhere I looked the buildings were in ruins. Some still looked salvageable but most were completely leveled. Fallen trees had crushed anything unlucky enough to be under them at the time. Destroyed cars littered the streets and debris was piled up all over the place. Turning up the street I headed towards what had once been my home.
As I neared the house I was relieved to see that it was still standing. I took in the faded blue paint and the rust spots that marked the walls and roof. Once I got to to the front door I was shaking, half hoping that I once I opened the red door I'd find my husband Jason and our son Damien. I knew it was childish of me but I couldn't help it. Nor could I help the sting I felt when I pushed the door open and the room was empty.
For a moment I stood their taking in the reality of the situation I had found myself in. I sat myself down on a nearby couch and contemplated my next move. As I was sitting there I almost didn't hear the sound of something approaching. I turned around to look down the hall where the sound was coming from when I received a very welcome surprise as a figure entered the room.
"Mum! As I live and breathe. It's... it's REALLY you!" The shape exclaimed as it came into the light cascading through the broken ceiling. There hovering in front of me was my old robot butler, a Mister Handy that my parents had gotten us for my baby shower. His once gleaming chrome finish had worn down and began to rust but all in all he looked the same as I remembered.
"Codsworth! You're... you're still here. So... other people could still be alive, too." I said as I stood up and turned to face him.
"Well, of course I'm still here. Surely you don't think a little radiation could deter the pride of General Atomics International?" The robot replied as if the very idea that he would't be here was preposterous. He then focused all three of his optical sensors on me, looking at me up and down. "But you seem the worse for wear. Best not let the hubby see you in that state. Where is sir, by the way?"
His question seemed to salt the wound and it brought back all of the negative emotions I had pushed aside to deal with later. I felt the tears begin to sting my eyes once again as I tried to formulate a response. "They... they came into the Vault. M-maybe you saw them? They had guns and strange outfits?"
Codsworth seemed to stop for a moment, as he was trying to recall seeing anything. "Hmm, only Ms. Rosa's boy, running around in his Halloween costume, more than a week early. I swear, the nerve of the woman leaving her brat unsupervised." Was his answer. Dashing my sudden hope that he may have clues as to who the were or where they went. As far as I knew, the only way to the Vault was through Sanctuary. "Not like you, mum. You're the perfect mother. And sir is... oh, where is sir, by the by?"
His comment about being the perfect mother had the hole in my chest flare up. If anything I felt like I had failed my son, not something a 'perfect' mother would do in my mind. Then I focused on the question. "They... they k-killed him-m." I sobbed as I remember the scene vividly.
"Mum... these things you're saying. These... these terrible things... I...I believe you need a distraction." Codsworth declared, as if what I was saying couldn't be true. "Yes! A distraction to calm this dire mood. It's been ages since we've had a proper family activity. Checkers or perhaps charades. Oh, Damien does so love that game. Is the lad... with you?" The robot asked as he looked behind me and around the room.
Still sobbing and and now slightly frustrated with him I don't know if my next response was to him or myself. "I-It just d-doesn't make s-sense. Th-there's just n-no... no reason someone would t-take my b-baby..." I put my face in my hands and tried to get a hold of myself.
"It's worse than I thought. Hmm hmm. You're suffering from... hunger induced paranoia." He stated very candidly. "Not eating properly for 200 years will do that, I'm afraid."
Hearing that last part was enough of a shock that I was able to break through the ice that had started to form around my mind. "200 years? What? Are you...?" I asked incredulously. After all, there was no way it had really been 200 year, right?
"Well a bit over 210 actually, mum. Give or take a little for the Earth's rotation and some minor dings to the ole' chronometer." He replied as if the span of time was inconsequential. He barely paused before he continued. "That means you're two centuries late for dinner! Ha ha ha. Perhaps I can whip you up a snack? You must be famished."
As soon as I heard the words come out of his vocal processors I was reminded of how hungry I was. I hadn't opened any of the M.R.E.s yet and now that I thought about i, I was starving. "What? Food? Yeah, sure. I... I need a minute to think..." Was my response, as I was finding it hard to focus.
"Then I'll be right back!" Codsworth stated happily before he turned towards the kitchen area and started rooting around for something for me to eat. Soon he came back carrying a box of SugarBombs, one of my favorite cereals. "Here you go, mum. Now, I've been thinking. If something is amiss... you're loved ones may simply be hiding. From... the Red Menace." He said conspiratorially as he handed me the food.
"Codsworth, I don't think the Reds are gonna be a problem anymore." If what I saw outside was anything to go by I figured everyone that was left would be to busy rebuilding for awhile to be concerned with the old grudges. Maybe I was wrong, maybe they were still a threat in some way, but for now I had other worries. I had to find out what was left of the world. I had to find my son. I had to avenge my husband's murder. I didn't have time to worry about things that were probably long gone.
Codsworth suddenly perked up as his voice spoke up. "I have an idea. Let's search the neighborhood together. After all, Sir and young Damien. They're... they're my family too." He said shaking slightly.
"Codsworth, are you sure you're holding up okay?" I asked him, noticing the small shakes and how he seemed to have trouble staying still.
He suddenly froze up and for a moment I thought something was wrong. Then his optics focused back on me as he replied. "I... I... Oh mum, it's been just horrible! Two centuries with no one to talk to, no one to serve. I spent the first ten years trying to keep the floors waxed, but nothing removes nuclear fallout from vinyl wood. Nothing!" The robot said as he waved his servos around wildly. "And don't get me started on the futility of dusting a collapsed house. And the car! The car! How do you polish rust?!"
I watched him carefully before I continued. While I knew he would never intentionally hurt me that didn't mean accidents couldn't happen. "It's OK, pal. Just tell me, what do you know, Codsworth?" I asked as I put my hands up in a placating manner before reaching out and resting my right hand on his nearest optic sensor.
It seemed to work as he visibly calmed down thought about my question. "I'm afraid I don't know anything, mum. The bombs came and you all left in such a hurry. I thought for certain that you and your family were... were... dead." He said as he brought up one of his servos to give me something. "I did find this holotape. I believe sir was going to present it to you. As a surprise. But then, well... everything happened."
Looking down at the tape in front of me I was thankful to have something from Jason to keep with me. "Thank you, Codsworth." I stated calmly as I took the gift from his grip.
"Y-you're welcome. Now enough feeling sorry for myself. Shall we search the neighborhood together? Sir and young Damien may turn up yet." Codsworth claimed hopefully as he went and hovered near the front door.
"Have you seen anything dangerous?" I asked as I approached the door, thinking back on the giant roaches I had encountered in the Vault. I did not want to run into anything I wasn't prepared for.
"Oh, just the usual, mum. Pesky neighborhood dogs and mosquitoes. Shall I investigate?" He declared once I had made my way over to him. He seemed eager to go and was bouncing slightly.
"All right. Lead the way." I said as I checked my gun to make sure it was loaded. I figured that if anything, we may find clues to finding my son while we were at it.
"Proud to serve, mum!" Codsworth declared adamantly as he went ahead of me out the door and waited for me just outside. I followed him out and shut the door behind me. Turning around I gave him a nod and we set off around the neighborhood. As we walked down the streets I was looked around for any signs of movement.
"What's all this then?" Codsworth suddenly spoke up before darting towards one of the houses nearby that wasn't completely wrecked. As he zipped inside I thought I could hear a buzzing sound. As I entered behind him with my gun at the ready I noticed a swarm of large flies. As I took aim I noticed Codsworth fighting them off with his buzz saw and a flamethrower. "Not this time!" He cried as he sawed one in half as it tried to fly around him and come at me.
When the flies were all dealt with, we searched the house quickly. We didn't find anything that would help me find Damien so we went back outside. "Don't worry. My search protocols are on full alert. Nothing here but a few flies. Wait... my sensors are picking up movement in another house. Follow me!" Codsworth said as he started moving again. This time he was moving a little faster as we raced across the street.
"Mum, somethings afoot." He said as we approached the last house. Once again I could hear that buzzing sound, so I figured that there must be more flies inside. Sure enough, as we got closer the buzzing grew louder. As we entered the house we were faced with swarm a little bigger than the first.
"Found you!" Codsworth cried as he rushed them with his saw out. I took aim and shot at the nearest two. Between my shooting and his saw and flamethrower we had the house cleared in no time. After taking down the last pest Codsworth turned towards me and came over with his optical sensors drooping and his servos sagging. "Miss Daphne. Your... your family isn't here either. They're... they're really gone, aren't they?"
I walked closer to him and brought his metallic chassis into an embrace. After consoling each other for a moment I held him out at arms length as I looked him in the eye. "Damien is out there somewhere, Codsworth. I need to find him."
Taking a moment to compose himself perked up a little before he spoke up. "What about Concord, mum? Plenty of people there and last I checked, they only shot at me a few times before I had to run back home."
"There's still people alive in Concord?" I asked as we left the house and headed back towards home. The sun was just beginning to sink beneath the horizon and the stars were starting to come out. A sense of calm creeping over me as I looked up at the sky before returning my gaze to my butler.
"Yes, although they're a bit rough. You remember the way? Just across the old footbridge out of the neighborhood and past the Red Rocket station." He reminded me as we arrived back home. We entered the house and I shut the door behind me. Going back into the kitchen Codsworth turned around to address me. "I shall remain here and secure the home front!" He said before turning around and tidying up the place a little more, not that it did much help with all the debris.
Looking out the large window in the main room I saw the sky darkening outside. Turning around I went down the hall until I came too two rooms at the end. In the one on the right was my son's room and on the left was our bedroom. Entering Damien's room I walked over to the crib in the center of the room. "I'm coming sweetheart," I said as I fiddled with the rocket mobile on top. "Mamma's coming, baby." A small smile crept up on me as I remembered his smiling face looking up at the rockets with glee.
I left my sons room and crossed the hall into Jason and I's old room. The place was a mess the the bed was destroyed. 'I guess I'm sleeping on the couch.' I thought to myself as I turned around and went back out to the main room and got comfortable on the couch. The last thought that I can remember going through my mind was that tomorrow would be full of work searching the town for anything usable. Then I'd fix up my home a bit before heading for Concord. As my eyes drifted shut I felt Codsworth placing a blanket over me and I knew no more.
*The N99 10mm pistol was the 10mm pistol used in Fallout 3.
