Before we start I want to say thanks to those who have followed this story if you'd like to leave a review that would be great also if you have any suggestions for the plot I will hear them I may not use them but I'll be glad to hear them. Any way on with the story!
Chapter 3 The real adventure begins
Back in the Lucky 38
Cass knew a good bit about the others in their little group. Alex had made them into a team and Cass knew the team had gotten closer then they ever expected. They had become like a family. Cass never really had people to count on until the day Alex,Boone and ED-E came into the bar. Alex had convinced her to sell her caravan company to the Crimson Caravan company. The NCR hero even helped her bring down the bastards that killed her men off. Then they added Veronica. Then Lily who acted like a Grandma to all of them. Rex and Arcade weren't far behind. Even with Alex gone they stayed together. They helped keep people safe. But they all missed Alex in their own ways. Boone tired to keep up his cold act up but he wasn't fooling any of them. Rex well that poor dog may have a new brain but the King said he misses the adventure which is why he is currently laying in Veronica's lap. At least he got over his hat thing. Veronica missed talking to Alex about machines and Arcade who was really smart he didn't quite have Alex's drive for conversation. Lily was still Lily but you can tell whenever Alex comes up in conversation her face saddens just a little. ED-E Jr otherwise known as the divide ED-E and ED-E seemed like they were hiding something. Yes Man had been reprogrammed to help the NCR so long as they didn't try to get control of the securitron army away from Alex. After all the trouble it took to kill Mr. House he didn't want them falling into the wrong hands. Victor who was helping NCR troops with finishing off the few remaining raiders in the area was thinking about trying to find him. Cass had to admit that was tempting. It would defiantly be interesting hell she knew if anyone could make the trip alone it would be Alex. That was it she was going to talk to the others. She couldn't just sit here.
Back in DC a few days later.
Dani's P.O.V
Alex and I have gotten so close in only a few days. I wonder if I can get him to stick around after we find dad. As we walked out of town. I could see the damage to the Megaton walls. I really hope we never run into these things. Alex has taught me a lot in the few days we spent stuck inside that house. Firing my rifle, how to move with it, better targeting methods. Plus he isn't wearing his helmet so now his face is visible all the time! Oh I think I'm falling in love with him. It's like one of those old fairytale holotapes. The brave, handsome hero helps a girl and they fall in love. Oh who am I kidding? I'm just so...I feel his hand on my shoulder. Oh just hold me close. "Dani? We're almost at the distress signal location." Alex and I picked up a distress from a group calling themselves the outcasts. I hope they know where dad is. "Alex I..." The sounds of gunshots fill the air before I can finish my sentence we hear screaming and roaring. We open fire on some big green guys. "Well there really are super mutants great." "Is that a problem?" "Well when you find a smart one usually they're OK but stupid ones." He pulls out his LMG and starts firing. I follow suit with my assault rifle. After all is said and done an outcast approaches us.
"All right locals, mind explaining what you two are doing here?" I speak up. "We heard you're signal and thought we'd lend a hand." "How the hell did you hear my signal? It's not broadcast on a standard frequency... oh, I see. You two have got those wrist mounted computers. Well, well. Isn't that interesting?" "What our pip-boys what about them?" "Listen kids, maybe you could help us out. We've been looking for people like you. Why don't you two head inside and talk to protector McGraw? I'll radio ahead and let him know you're coming." We enter the elevator. I feel nervous. So my hand grabs Alex's on instinct. "S..sorry Alex I just have a bad feeling about this." He gives my hand a light squeeze. "Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise." I want him to hold me tight. Oh god I feel like I made a mistake in coming here. He let's go of my hand and pulls out a laser RCW. They don't make them here so these guys might find it impressive. We hear voices.
"All I'm saying is, why can't we ice these two and use their computers ourselves?" Another voice speaks up. "Because McGraw gave orders. It's that simple." "Come on, man. How long are we gonna let McGraw screw us over like this?" The door opens. "Alright, you two. Keep your weapons holstered, your hands to yourselves, and your mouths shut. Follow me." Man this guy is an asshole and based on the look on Alex's face. He's thinking the same thing. As we walk through the halls we get insulted and treated like we're barbarians. "Here we are." The asshole escorting us leaves. "So you're the ones Morrill sent down. I'll be perfectly honest. I'd trust a Wastelander to shine my power armor, and even that's pushing it. But you two have got those computers on your wrists. Hmph. I can see now that Morrill made the right call. Maybe you two can be useful after all." With my intelligence I figure out what they might need us for. "So our pip-boys make us unique. And you need our help because of that..." "So you do have half brain. That's good. I'll keep it simple. I need you two, and I need those computers of yours. You help me out, and I'll do what I can to help you two. This isn't an offer the outcasts extend to anyone so you two should really think carefully about it." "What do you want us to do?" "The records tell us that there's some high value tech in the armory. But we can't get to it. The armory is sealed by a blast door, and we can't get it open. We're pretty sure when two people complete the VR simulation they'll be granted access. But it requires a certain interface. We don't have one, you two do right there on your wrists. I need you two to go into the simulation and complete the program... which will unlock the armory. You'll both get a share of the gear of course." Alex cuts in. "So a military simulation? Let me guess if we die in the simulation we die in real life am I right?" "I won't lie to you. It's heavy combat and we can't turn the safety protocols on. So yes either one of you dies in the sim... you'll both die. You're still listening, so I'm assuming that means you're both interested. But time's wasting. If you want to walk away, you're free to leave my men won't stop you." "Well Alex what do you think? Should we help?" He sighs. And whispers into my ear. "I doubt they'll let us leave. So I guess we have no choice. We walk into the pod room with two pods right next to each other. "Well here goes nothing." We enter the pods.
Two hours later.
The simulation ends and our pods open up. "Good job making it through that simulation. All you have to do now is open the armory. And, as agreed, you'll get your share of the gear. Feel free to take whatever you want If our records are right there should be plenty in there for all of us." As we walk to the armory someone says quietly. "Never thought a couple of savages could do it." we open the door to the armory. Alex let's out a whistle "This place is huge! There enough gear here to arm and supply 3 armies for years." "Alright McGraw this has gone on long enough!" "Dammit Sibley, now's not the time." "No, sir . Now IS the time. There's no way in hell I'm letting these locals walk out with anything!" "I've made it quite clear that it's not your call. A deal's a deal." "Sorry, Sir, but it is my call now . I'm not taking orders from you anymore." "Treason, Sibley? You're not gonna getaway with this." "No, you're not going to get away with giving up the tech we risked our asses for!" "Burn in hell traitor!" "I'll see you there!" Both McGraw and his officer are gunned down within seconds. Alex draws his laser RCW and fires killing everyone else except the asshole. He hits the guy with the butt of his gun and stick the barrel in his mouth. He smiles and say's "Goodbye asshole." Just a cloud of ashes is left where his head used to be. "Dani are you okay?" "I...I'm just a little shaken. If you didn't act when you did. We...we would be dead wouldn't we? I'm sorry I just wanted to believe my dad was here so bad. I...I"he put's his finger to my lips. Then he pulls me into a tight hug. "Hey this wasn't your fault. Okay? You can't control how other people behave. That's a lesson I learned a long time ago. Plus now we have all this gear to ourselves! Oh I also wanted to give you this." He hands me an Omnipack. "I had an extra one in case I found someone I could trust. Hey mind if I ask you something?" "Go ahead." He rubs the back of his neck. Is he nervous? "I was wondering if you wanted me to stick around after we find your dad?" I can't believe my ears. "I...I …. I ...Of course I want you to stay! I mean we make a good team and I feel safe when your around plus other then my dad or Amata I've never really been able to talk to people. Well okay Jonas was a great friend too but he's gone so I" I just rush to hug him. "You know I've have met a lot of people but never anyone a special as you. You just make me feel different." "Really? How so?" "The best comparison I can make is like the difference between hearing and song and singing a song. You make me feel good just by being around you. I've never felt this complete before. It's like a part of me I didn't know I was missing, came back." "I feel the same way. No one ever really cared about me. Well that's not true I had friends. But you care and listen to what I have to say and I … feel different when you look at me. You don't see a geek or a loser you see me. A …" "Smart, beautiful, amazing girl. That's what I see. Huh. I finally get what Boone meant about his wife." "What do you mean?" "He said listening to her could make you forget. Like she was from a different time, a better time. I never fully understood what he meant by that. But now I get it." I feel so safe in his arms. I never want him to let me go. He starts laughing. "Wow could this revelation happen in a weirder setting? I mean me saying stuff like this in an armory full of god knows what? I never would have thought I would ever feel like this." We stay in each others arms for awhile.
"Um Dani? I hate to break up the moment but we really should look around. I let out a sigh. "I know I just really enjoy this feeling. I never knew my life could change in such a short time." he reluctantly lets me go and I follow suit. "There's a terminal over there that should tell us whats were." he activates the terminal. The screen lights up with data. After a few minutes Alex downloads something. "Find anything interesting?" "Oh yeah. A part of the armory is full of prototype weapons and their schematics." "Well shall we go check it out?"
He smiles gently and grabs my hand. As we head the to prototype section my thoughts drift to vault 101. Is Amata OK? I wonder what she would think of Alex. I also wonder what dad will say when we find him. If he doesn't have a damn good reason for leaving I may just punch him. Alex's eyes light up like he'd just entered paradise. "Whoa just look at all of this stuff. Gatling plasma guns, ion rocket launchers." and in the corner of the room I spot a tube holding some sort of armor. Alex, was busy looking at something called a medical ray. So I decided to get a closer look. It was defiantly meant for a woman. It was slim jet black with slightly bulky shoulder pads. This armor actually looks kind of sexy I wonder if... oh my god it's a prototype of power armor! But it didn't look like any of the ones a had seen in the history tapes. In fact this isn't even metal. It's some kind of nanoweave if I'm reading this log right let's see.
'The lightest, strongest power armor we've ever made. It works and could protect it's user from anything! Unfortunately those brain dead morons are saying it costs to much! Just a handful of soldiers outfitted with these could level the enemies army on it's home ground. Sadly the nanoweave will never see it's use outside of the live fire tests we put it through. Such a waste.'
So this armor was never used in the field huh? Well that's about to change. "Dani find something interesting?" I hand Alex the log. He reads it. "Well that armor would look great on you." "You think so? I guess I can just wear the armored jumpsuit as casual wear." "I'll stand guard." Alex turns around and I slip out of my clothes. According to the specs the user has to be naked while in the suit or it could ruin the form fit. I put the armor on and it shifts to match my body perfectly. "OK Alex how do I look?" He turns around and blushes. "You look great. Just wow." I turn to see a mirror. Whoa I do look good. Alex is having a hard time looking away from my body. "So this trip was good for something. Did you find anything cool?" He snaps out if his trance. "Oh yeah I've already downloaded the successful designs to our omnipacks so we should be very well armed in the next few hours. Other plans I've sent back to the big empty which the think tank can fix the problems and send us the working versions." "Really? That sounds useful" He smiles. "So I guess we head to the radio station?" I nod. But then an idea pops into my head. "But frist one more thing. "And what would that..." I kiss him on the lips. It takes him a second but he returns it. His hands wrap around my waist and mine around his shoulders. The kiss last for about a minute we pull apart and look into each others eyes.
"W...what was that for? Not that I'm complaining." "I just wanted to kiss you. To be honest that was my first kiss." He raises an eyebrow. "Really? Cause it didn't feel like it." "Oh and how many women have you kissed?" I sounded more nervous then I wanted to. "Well to be honest I don't have much experience with this stuff either." "Really? I thought the courier would have his pick of girls." He starts laughing. "Well they tried lord knows a lot of them tried but meaningless hero worship sex doesn't really appeal to me." I blush. "So what um does get you going?" "Well I've always wanted it to be special. When I do get around to it. It will be with someone I love and truly care about." "So you've never been with anyone before?" "Well no. Until recently I've never known anyone that I'd be comfortable with." The gears in my head turn faster as images of that implication. My cheeks must be very red right now. He just smiles and pulls me into another kiss. I can barely belief my life has changed so much. I break the kiss. "I wonder what my dad will think about this. Hmph and Butch said no one would ever want me." "If we ever go into that vault of yours remind me to punch that guy in the face." "OK but if we ever do go you have to meet my best friend Amata." "Deal but let's find you dad first." As we walk out Alex locks the base up. "Just to make sure the gear down there doesn't fall into the wrong hands. I'd hate to be the cause of a raider gang finding hi tech weapons and armor."
An hour later we're walking through a scrap yard when we see a dog take out two raiders on his own. The dog approaches me and whimpers. "What wrong boy lost our master?" He barks in response. "I know how you feel. I lost my dad." He whimpers. "Hey do want to travel with us?" He barks and wags his tail. "Now what's you name." I check his collar. "Dogmeat? Well OK" Alex come over and scratches his chin. "Aw he's really cute." Dogmeat licks his face. "Whoa down boy." Dogmeat obeys. "Well I guess we should get going." Alex and I head off .
Meanwhile...
James had finally found vault 112. All he needed to do was find Dr, Braun's notes on the G.E.C.K then he would have what he needed. The only thought that brought him peace was that his daughter was safe in the vault. Little did he realize that while she was safe she wasn't in the vault and he would find that out sooner rather then later.
Well there's chapter 3 I hope you guys and gals out there are enjoying the story so far. Any questions or suggestions? Feel free to PM me or review. Well until next time.