"The Atomic Wasteland is a massive cesspool of radiation and mutation. In other words, a shitstain in the universe, a fucking death pit. We left the Vault and encountered new creatures who were slowly mutating and changing. Ants were the size of a large bicycle. Roaches the size of a car tire. We had no idea what it was we were entering. Seasons have stopped working, every day neither hot nor cold. Nights were dangerously cold sometimes but most of the time it remained the same as the day. The sky change from the blue it used to be, to a yellowish muck color. Trees are gone. Snow is gone. Water is a very hard commodity to find. Luckily it still rains it…"
- Journal Entry 23: Two Years on the Outside. Francis Durango, Vault 43: Mile High Area, Colorado. Date: August 27, 2112
##############################################################################
Chapter 3: Welcome to the Wasteland, When Would It be Convenient For You to Die?
Kate slammed closed the slatted wooden door, exclaiming because of the pain. Her left hand was now soaked thoroughly with red. The sun blinded her and she was taken aback by the climate, neither warm, nor cold. Dust blew around in a wind that wasn't effecting the temperature. She looked out from the cave entrance seeing a destroyed town. She needed some shelter so she fix herself up. She stumble down a pile of rocks toward the rubble called a town. The walked almost drunkenly through the street, passing a fly robot. It didn't attack so Kate pressed on through.
Surprisingly, Kate stumbled upon an intact house. She opened the unlocked door and entered into a dimly lit kitchen. A radio was on, playing a relatively fuzzy broadcast. Music from the 1950s played and seemed cherry for the environment.
"Who the hell are you?" A stranger asked. Kate turned her gaze to the voice. A tall, blonde woman stood in the entryway into the living room. She held what looked like a .32 caliber revolver defensively.
Kate sputtered out, "I'm.. sorry.. I'm just.. do you have any.. bandages?" Wincing at every pause. She pulled her hand painfully from the wound, showing it the woman.
The woman's hard expression turned to one of concern. She indicated to a soft looking chair. "Here, sit down, I'll get some for you," she left quickly and the sound of things being moved filled the rooms. Kate sat and produced her bottle of whiskey. The drink burned as it slithered down her throat, but it numbed the pain slightly. The woman returned with a thick roll of gauze.
Kate took it and unzipped the jacket. She then unzipped the top half of her jumpsuit, revealing her brassiere. She felt on her back for an exit wound and found one, sighing with thankfulness. She began meticulously wrapping the gauze around her abdomen, covering the hole. After a thick wrap was in place and using some adhesive to secure it, Kate took another swig of her whiskey. She injected a stimpack just above the wrapping, biting back the pain of the needle. She stopped feeling intense pain; it was replaced by a dull prong.
Kate sighed again. "Thanks," she moved to hand the rest of the gauze back, but the woman waved a hand.
"Keep it. Now, answer my question. Who the hell are you?" Her face returned to hardness, "Did Moriarty send you?"
Kate was taken aback, but hid it. "I'm Kate, from the Vault. Who the hell is Moriarty?"
The woman's expression changed again to understanding. "Just some shithead who wants me dead," she said.
"Um, I don't want to pry, but why?" Kate asked, curiously.
"He thinks I stole from him," she replied, sitting in another chair.
"Did you?" Kate asked.
The woman returned, "Well, yeah, but it's not enough to want me dead. It is just some money. It's like, half of what he makes a week,"
Didn't sound like a lot, "So, why'd you do it?"
"I needed the money. I was practically a slave for him," she replied. "By the way, my name's Silver," she said.
Kate reached over and shook her hand, "Nice to meet you, Silver,"
"Pleasure's mine, Kate,"
"Is there anything I can do to help your problem?"
"I'm not sure. You have any ideas?"
"Maybe you can give me some caps, and I'll tell this Moriarty you're gone," Kate suggested.
Silver responded, "I guess it's as good of an idea as any. Hold on," she stood up and returned to the living room. Kate took the second to drink some more whiskey. Her throat now burned and scratched slightly, but she didn't really care. Silver returned with a small knit sack of... something that jingles when jostled. "Here's 500 bottle caps. Moriarty runs a saloon in Megaton, just over the hill to the south, so if you're ever there, you can relay the information," Silver instructed.
Kate looked a little confused, "I'm sorry, did you say bottle caps?"
Silver explained, "Oh yeah, you're from the Vault. Caps are our currency in the wasteland, just like dollars used to be," Kate made a sound of understanding. She thanked Silver for her hospitality and left. Just before the door shut, Silver yelled, "Come back anytime!" Kate nodded and shut it. Her torso no longer hurt and pangs of dull throbbing replaced it. Just like Silver said, a sign was painted on the side of the road, with an arrow pointed up the hill, and word saying MEGATON. Kate followed the sign, assuming civilization was a place to start looking for her dad. She also wanted Silver's problem out of the way.
She walked, right leg, then left leg, up the hill and near the top, was a large gate. Kate couldn't really explain it. It looked like a bunch of airplane parts placed haphazardly together. Another friendly looking robot stood in front of the gates. In a robotic sounding, highly imitated southern accent, it said, "Welcome to Megaton, pardner. Grab a nice drink at the Moriarty's saloon," The gates sld upward with a loud wrenching sound and Kate entered the town. The town followed the theme of "airplane parts place haphazardly together".
A stocky, large African American man, wearing a grimy trenchcoat and texan hat strolled up to her. Kate could see the stock of some weapon just over his shoulder. "Well, hot damn, another newcomer!" Kate returned his greeting. "Name's Lucas Simms. I guess you could call me the sheriff and mayor of Megaton,"
Kate replied, "Nice to meet you, Lucas. I'm Kate,"
The sheriff said back, "Yeah, nice to meet you," They shook hands.
"I wondering if you've my dad. Middle-aged guy?"
Simms answered, "I'm sorry, I don't keep track of who comes in and out. I'd ask over at the saloon. Anything else?" Simms asked.
As Lucas shifted to his other leg, Kate saw the reason that the city is Megaton. Sitting in the ground at the bottom of the pit in the middle of the town, was a large 100-megaton nuclear bomb, undetonated! "About the bomb…" Kate started.
"We're pretty sure it's a dud. I don't really trust anyone to tinker with it. There's even a religion based here that worships it!" Simms answered.
"Would you mind if I just looked at it?"
"Hell, there would be a reward if you can deactivate it! Listen, you look like the smart type, so I'll let you try. You also don't look like one who like killing people. 200 caps in it for you and the deed to a house here in Megaton if you work it out," Simms finished.
Kate thanked the sheriff and found her way around the city. It was built creatively, like a series of catwalks around the pit. Ramps were built from certain bits down to the pit and started creating multiple levels. Kate made her way around to the big sign saying, "Moriarty's Saloon". Kate assumed that was a saloon.
Outside the door stood a man wearing a sleeveless leather jacket over a short sleeved white t-shirt. Kate walked up to the rail to smoke as well and the man turned to her. In an Irish accent, he greeted her. "Hello, lass. Colin Moriarty, at your service,"
"Ah, so you're Moriarty. Heard from another that you had a problem with a chick named Silver?"
"Aye, yes, she stole money and a supply of drugs from me. Why, any news?"
"Yeah, she's gone," Kate said.
"Oh, ho ho! I knew someone would finally do it! I thank you, lass! Now, what can I do you for?" Moriarty asked.
Kate replied, "I'm looking for my father. Middle aged guy. Have you seen him?"
Colin looked surprised, "Oh my God. It's you! The wee little baby girl, all grown up! Yeah, I've seen him, and I knew where he was going. Since you took care of Silver for me, I'll tell you for free. He came in here, a little while ago saying something about heading to Galaxy News Radio in Washington D.C. I'd start there," Colin finished. He flicked his cigarette butt away, into the small pool of irradiated water at the bottom of the pit. He said his well wishes and goodbyes and walked into the saloon.
Kate finished hers and did the same thing. She approached the counter and sat on a stool. A man strolled up. He looked like a zombie from an old Romero film, but more fucked up. He greeted her, "Hey, smoothskin, what do you want?" 'Gah, Fuck! What are you?' she wanted to say, but that wasn't good etiquette.
Instead she said, "Um, let me think for a second," a little nervously.
The zombified man replied, "What, you're not going to hit me? Not even berate me?"
"I wasn't really thinking about it," Kate replied.
The man responded, "Well, you're alright! I'm Gob, by the way. Hey, Moriarty would have my ass for this, but for you, I'm willing to risk it. You get a permanent discount,"
Kate ordered, "Thanks. I'll just have a bottle of whiskey, please," Gob grabbed a small bottle of the golden liquid and put it on the table.
"Twelve caps, friend," Kate counted the caps from the little sack that Silver gave her. She picked up the whiskey.
Kate suddenly realised, "Hey, is there a store of some kind in town?"
Gob answered, "Closest thing we have to a store here is Craterside Supply. Girl named Moira owns it. She can get you almost anything," Kate thanked Gob and began walking out, but not before noticing a particular gentleman in the corner; he didn't look like he belonged, wearing a nicer suit and tortoiseshell glasses. He caught her eye. She walked over to him.
"My, my, just when I had all but given up hope. My dear girl, I am very pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Mister Burke," he spoke in a soft voice. He smiled, as if he'd finally won, or something.
Kate responded, "Uh, hello. I'm sorry, but what is this about?" She asked.
Burke looked happy, "Straight to the point. I like that. Just when I thought i'd seen the last person in this…" he paused, choosing his words, "cesspool. I have a little job that I think you'd be interested in; you see, it'll be a blast," he winked.
"I'm interested," Kate said, not sure of what would be coming next.
"I'm glad," Burke nodded, "You see, all I need you to do is attach this fusion pulse charge to the bomb in the center of town. 500 caps if you do it," Kate was outraged, and a little taken aback. 'He wants me to destroy the town?! This guy's nuts!' she thought.
Then, an idea spawned in her head. "Okay, I'll do it. But I want 1,000 caps instead," She had no intention of actually going through with it, but she'd at least mess with him a bit.
"Done. Meet me at Tenpenny Tower when you've finished. From there, we can see the fireworks," he handed her the pulse charge and went back to his drink. Kate walked out of the bar, making her way to the gate, where she hoped that she would find Simms. Sure enough, the man in the duster coat walked up the hill and Kate approached him.
"Sheriff, there is a man, goes by the name of Burke, who wants to blow up the town," Kate started.
Simms looked angry, "He wants what?!" He asked.
Kate held out the pulse charge. "He gave me this to detonate the bomb," Simms slid the Chinese assault rifle out of it's holster on his back. He pulled back the bolt, readying a 7.62mm round.
He looked pissed, "I think we should go chat with this lunatic," he ran, Kate in tow, to the bar. Surprisingly, Burke had not left yet, and was finishing his drink. Lucas leveled his rifle, "The jig's up, Burke; I know of your plan," Kate stepped into Burke's view and gave him a middle finger.
Burke responded casually, "Sheriff Simms, I don't believe I know what you're talking about," he looked calm.
"You know full well what I'm talking about. You're planning to blow up the bomb in Megaton!" This attracted a few worried onlookers. Simms continued, "You're coming with me, Burke,"
Burke nonchalantly replied, "Fine, Simms, I'll follow you," Simms turned around. Burke took a second and then reached in his suit coat. He produced a 10mm pistol with a silencer on it. Kate grabbed for her own pistol. Burke fired at Lucas, hitting his leg and lower back. Kate fired, hitting just below Burke's armpit; a heart shot. He was dead before his legs gave out. Lucas twisted and fell to the ground, bleeding heavily.
His hand went to his stomach, where Kate could see the bullet went through. The 10mm round struck his spine, then punctured three organs, causing internal bleeding. Lucas was dead and he knew it. He coughed some blood and sputtered out at Kate, "Tell Harley, I never would've left him," he reached into his duster pocket and gave her a key. Written, it said, "Simms' house". He also handed her the assault rifle.
Kate took it and Lucas' arm dropped as he rasped out the last breath. Kate reached into his pockets and pulled out some ammo before standing up, not ready for the world.
Wow, that took me a while to get right. I had to rewrite both Burke encounters quite a few times before they were right. I didn't want to use as much in-game dialogue; the result is pretty good, in my opinion. Let me know how I did. RRR.
