Chapter 4: A New Lease On Life
It had been 4 days since my encounter with Burke, and I spent them trying to weigh my options. I liked some of the people of Megaton, it was true. On the other hand, a thousand caps could go a long way towards helping me find my father. He was the reason I left the vault in the first place, and I owed it to him to keep my eyes on the prize.
Eventually, I made my decision and headed to Craterside Supply just before closing time. Moira was her usual chatty and cheerful self, but I didn't plan on hanging out for too long. I gathered the supplies I needed, and left the store without having to spend too much time listening to her.
The sun had set, but it was still early in the evening. I headed to Moriarty's and took a seat in the same chair I had sat in a few days earlier. I didn't know if Burke would be in, but I had a strong suspicion that he'd turn up.
I didn't have to wait long. After maybe an hour, he walked in, and immediately came over to sit next to me. "Good evening, Mr. Nomad. Have you come to a decision?"
I nodded. "Tomorrow night…I'll be there."
Burke grinned that unsettling grin of his. "My employer will be pleased. He's eager to meet you."
"Rest assured, the feeling is mutual." I forced a smile. I swallowed my drink as I stood up and walked out the door without looking back.
I had waited long enough. The night was dark and cloudy and there weren't many people around. Most of the citizens were either behind locked doors, or at Moriarty's, so I got down to work.
I found a dark corner behind a building and opened my pack. I grabbed a small box of Mentats from the chem stash that Moira had let me keep, and popped one in my mouth. The wafer-like disc dissolved under my tongue and I instantly felt it take effect.
For anyone who doesn't know what popping 'tats feels like, let me describe it. Your mind feels entirely focused. For me at least. I feel like when it hits me, I can look at a thing and know exactly how it works. The shit is amazing when it comes to repairing my gear, or for the type of job I was about to attempt. I'm no junkie, but then again, I'm sure that's what they all say. At any rate, I would be putting myself in significant danger, and I needed any advantage I could get.
Next, I found one of two Stealth Boys I had purchased from Moira. I attached the device to my belt and activated it, instantly disappearing from sight. My body gave off a rippling shimmer when I moved, but as long as I could stay in the shadows and try not to be spotted moving, I would be just fine. The thing was amazing. I had no idea how it actually worked, and had to suppress a Mentats induced curiosity inside me that was dying to take it apart.
I crept my way down to the bomb and opened the access panel to the keypad. I pulled out the device that Burke had given me and my small tool kit. I detached the keypad and after about five minutes of tinkering around, the job was done. I gathered my gear and left Megaton behind.
I set out in the dead of night. The sky was overcast, like a dirty sheet draped over the endless wasteland. As I moved across the rocky area southwest of Megaton, my Stealth Boy finally died, and I saw my limbs begin to reappear. First, my fingertips appeared, then knuckles, hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and so on, until my entire body was revealed. It was very fucking cool.
Tossing the device aside, I pressed on and eventually made it to the open plain. Behind me, the rising sun caused the cloudy sky to glow an eerie blaze of orange. The wind whipped dust and dirt freely across the wide expanse of the wasteland.
The trip took most of the day, but I trudged along, marking the locations of each building I encountered as I passed.
Around 4 in the afternoon, I made my camp in a fairly secure house I'd located along the way. I set my PipBoy to wake me at 9 pm and caught some rest.
I awoke at 8:53 and disabled the alarm setting. After another hour of hiking through the darkness, I made my way to the tower marked on the map. As I neared the large front gate, I crouched in the shadows and watched as a ghoul argued with the security box mounted on the large stone wall surrounding the building.
"I already told you, no fucking zombies allowed!" came the voice from the box.
"I'm no god damned zombie, you asshole smooth-skin! Let me in!" replied the clearly pissed off ghoul.
"Yeah, yeah. Just beat it, you shuffling corpse!" taunted the man on the other end.
I stood and walked towards the ghoul, pressing one finger against my lips and shushing him quietly. The ghoul had a confused look on his face, and reached for a large combat knife on his hip. I wagged my finger and raised my other hand respectfully. He got the picture, and yelled out to the box, "Ahhhh, fuck you pal!"
He motioned for me to follow him, and we hurried away from the gate. We made our way to the southwest, traveling past the entrance to a metro tunnel until we reached a small, abandoned store nearby called "Lucky's"
"What was that all about? Who lives in that tower?" I asked him as we entered the place. It was obvious that the ghoul knew more than I did about the place, and I wanted to know everything I could about it before I went in.
"A racist scumbag named Tenpenny. Him and a bunch of snobby, rich pricks. They think they rule the fucking world just because they have the caps to live in luxury." He replied.
I was looking around as we talked, and scavenging for items I could use. I strolled past some shelves, picking up various items that were scattered around and depositing some of the more useful items into my pack. A small box of cleaner, a small can of cram. I walked up to a mannequin and pulled a pair of cool looking shades from the featureless face.
"And you want to hang out with people like that?" I asked incredulously as I put the glasses on. "Nice. I could always use a pair of sunglasses," I thought to myself as I pulled the glasses off and settled them onto the top of my head.
"I don't want to hang out WITH them, I want to fucking live LIKE them!" he shot back. "Ghouls are people too, you know! We're not like those fucking ferals! And that place is like a palace! Why should I have to live in a filthy god damned tunnel?"
"Hey, I'm on your side. I'm no ghoul hater. What's your name?" I asked him.
"Roy Phillips. What the fuck is your name?" he replied indignantly.
"Just call me Nomad." I said. "I think we might be able to help each other, Roy. I'm going in there to meet someone. Once I get in, I'll do some looking around and see what I can find out."
"What's in it for you?" He asked.
"If everything goes according to plan, we both stand to gain a lot." I answered. I hoped I was right.
I spent the next 15 minutes or so laying out the plan I had formulated earlier while we were scurrying away to the store. Roy told me what he knew of the tower and after we agreed on a plan and exchanged a few supplies, I left the store and headed back over there.
The tower was quiet as I approached. The wind continued to blow harshly as it had all day and was whipping irradiated dust into every crack and opening available on my clothing. I clutched my jacket tightly against my body and slid the sunglasses down to the bridge of my nose in a vain attempt to keep the dirt out of my eyes. I wished I had worn a hat, but those are the breaks sometimes. I'd just have to keep on the lookout for a good looking baseball cap or something.
I pushed the button on the intercom box, and pressed myself against the wall, trying to seek some shelter from the howling wind.
"For the last time…get the fuck away from here, or I'll personally come out there and feed you your own rotting asshole!" the man on the intercom shouted.
"You blow your boyfriend with that mouth?" I replied in a casual tone.
"What? Oh! I uh, I thought you were someone else," the man stammered.
"I am someone else. Now let me in, I have business with Mr. Tenpenny. He's expecting me." I said forcefully. Name dropping? You bet your ass.
"Right away, sir." The man sighed, and the heavy gate opened slowly.
I couldn't believe the guy was just going to let me in like that. Either I really had been expected, or these clowns must be the world's worst security force. I was amazed that raiders or slavers hadn't torched this fucking place a long time ago.
I stepped through the gate and it immediately began to close behind me. The man on the intercom was dressed in black armor stretched over a tubby paunch. I figure the entire security force must have been comprised of former mercs and tough-guy wasters. It did look like good armor, though. I'd have to remember to ask around and find out where I could get a set like that. You didn't last long out here without being either smart or tough, and this guy didn't look like much of a scholar. No, he looked like a guy whose best days were behind him and just didn't realize it yet. He stopped me with an outstretched hand and a pissed off look on his face.
"My boyfriend, huh? I ought ta break your fuckin' head open for talkin' to me like that, ya punk." He glowered.
I smiled. "You're welcome to try, tubby. Just make sure you don't fuck it up, or by the time you wake up, you could be laying on the other side of that gate. Whoever you THOUGHT you were talking to might still be out there." I taunted. "Hell, a big fucker like you'd probably make a real good feast for a hungry ghoul…you might not wake up at all, get it?" I pushed him aside and started towards the front door of the tower.
"Smart-ass little dickhead." He sighed as he returned to his post. "I knew this guy was a pretender." I thought to myself with a chuckle.
I entered the spacious lobby and took in my surroundings. Jesus Christ, that ghoul wasn't lying…the place was magnificent. A long balcony ran along the perimeter of the room, and huge chandeliers hung lazily from the high ceiling above. Resting between twin staircases that led to the balcony was a worn out security desk. At the desk, a frazzled looking man sat in front of a monitor, scribbling away at paperwork.
"How's it going, friend?" I asked, with a smile.
"I'm not your friend, buddy or pal." He replied without looking up from his work.
"Oh…okay." I decided to start over. "How's it going, you stupid piece of shit?"
That got his attention. He tossed his pen aside and rose to his feet. I would have been worried, but the guy was about 5'6" and couldn't have weighed more than a hundred forty pounds. I probably shouldn't be starting shit with these people, but I decided I couldn't care less about what any of them thought of me.
"It's CHIEF Gustavo to you, kid. Now, you interrupted my work…what the fuck do you want?" He asked.
"I have business with Tenpenny, buddy. Where can I find him?" I inquired.
He pointed to an elevator against the wall opposite the front door. "Top floor. Mr. Tenpenny and Mr. Burke are already waiting for you. A word to the wise…I'd watch the way you talk to THEM. Your smart mouth might get you into more trouble than you can bargain with."
"I'll keep that in mind. Thanks a lot, pal." I grinned. What a little bitch.
I wasn't quite ready to meet my new "employer" yet, so I decided to look around the building a bit…you know, give myself the tour. The first floor was reserved for several businesses, which was classy, I must admit. There was a clothier, a supply store, a restaurant, and a small tavern.
I made my way into the tavern and sat at the bar. A strange looking combat robot was hovering around, and it took me several minutes to realize that the fucking thing was tending bar! I ordered a flask of whiskey and set 30 caps on the bar. The robot sucked the money up into a tube, floated away and returned with my bottle moments later.
An old man made his way over to me and took a seat at the bar next to me. "Hello there, young fella!" He began. "Name's Dashwood. Herbert 'Daring' Dashwood, at your service!"
"Yeah right. Nice try, old timer! I suppose you want me to buy you a drink?" I replied dismissively.
"Hahaha…you've heard of me! No, no, my boy, I buy all my own drinks! I assure you, I truly am the one and only 'Daring' Dashwood!" He insisted. The man was beaming with pride, and I realized he was telling the truth. Or, at least he believed he was.
"No shit?" I played along. "I've heard quite a few of your adventures on Galaxy News Radio!" The guy may or may not be Herbert Dashwood, but it hardly mattered. I was more interested in getting information.
"Always nice to meet a fan! And what might I call you?" He inquired.
"Folks just call me Nomad." I answered and took a swig of whiskey. Fuck, even the booze in this place was top shelf! I was beginning to enjoy myself.
"Nomad, eh? That's a great name for an adventurer, I must say! Wise idea, too, keeping your real name to yourself like that! A name like Nomad carries mystery with it…a little mystery can make you famous faster'n anything!" The old man replied excitedly.
"Glad you like it, Herbert. So, how do you like living here?" I asked.
"Eh, it's okay. Not a whole lot of excitement, though. Most folks are too afraid of the ghouls that live nearby to even open the gate. I'm bored out of my mind most days!" He said with another laugh.
"What's their problem with ghouls?" I wondered.
"Your guess is as good as mine." He replied. "I imagine it's just because they're a bunch of rich snobs. Most of them come from well-to-do families. Never earned a single cap the hard way. They stay here because Tenpenny only allows the crème de la crème in. And the crème de la crème are usually assholes!"
"And you're not like them?" I raised my eybrows.
"Haha! Hardly! I earned my fortune the old fashioned way, my boy! Adventuring! And I don't dislike ghouls at all! My trusty manservant, Argyle, was a ghoul, and he was like a son to me! Well, maybe a brother….actually, now that I think of it, I'm pretty sure he was much older than me…" he trailed off then asked, "and what's the name of YOUR ghoul manservant?"
"Don't know what you're talking about, old fella." I shrugged, changing the topic. "So…you're just living out your retirement in luxury, huh? What can you tell me about the building?" I pressed.
"Well, there isn't much to tell. It's frightfully boring here. Tenpenny mostly stays in his suite, Burke comes and goes every now and then. I'll tell you something else, boy…there's something not quite right about that man."
I nodded.
He went on. "The rest of them are just wasting their lives milling about in here, rolling around in each other's petty dramas! What's the point of living if you don't have a single real tale of your own to tell?" he shouted loud enough for several of the other patrons to overhear. They huffed loudly and waved his remark away.
"So what do you do for fun?" I interrupted.
"Well, every now and then, I'll take a trip to the basement…that's kind of exciting, I suppose." He said with a sigh.
"How do I get down there?" I asked with a smile.
"Ha! I knew you were an adventurer!" he smiled again. "Take my key! I rarely use it anymore. Think of it as an old adventurer passing the torch to the next generation!"
I took the key, and tucked it into a pocket. "Thanks a lot, Mr. Dashwood. I appreciate it."
I stood, shook his hand and left him with a last bit of advice before I walked out of the bar.
God damn. That couldn't have worked out any better. My luck hadn't failed me since I got here. I crept into a dark corner and pulled the key from my pocket, setting it on the floor in the deepest shadow I could.
I went to the elevator, and pushed the glowing yellow up button. The car arrived and I stepped in and rode it to the top floor.
A security guard was snoring loudly to my left as I stepped off the elevator. I slipped the keyring from his belt and let myself into Tenpenny's suite.
I made my way through the opulent rooms, and stopped for a moment to dig into my pack. Finding what I was looking for, I produced a large, brown bottle, twisted the cap and shook a pill out into my palm. I popped it into my mouth, and stretched reflexively. I capped the bottle and tossed it back into my pack.
I opened the outer door to the balcony. Burke was leaning casually against the railing, standing next to a large transmitter. Tenpenny was sitting next to a small table, a book and a bottle of brandy resting on top of it. I stepped through and left the doors wide open.
"Mr. Nomad. I'd like to introduce your new employer, Mr. Tenpenny. I trust everything is in order?" Burke began.
I nodded. "Nice to meet you, sir." I said to the old man.
"Ah, a well mannered young man!" He replied. "It's very nice to meet you, as well. Mr. Burke tells me I'm in for quite a show!"
"Yes sir. I guarantee it." I said seriously.
"Excellent!" Burke piped up. I can only speak from our limited interaction, but the outburst seemed very unlike him. Tenpenny was caught off guard, too.
"Mr. Burke seems to be looking forward to it as well!" said Tenpenny.
I laughed and said "Mr. Burke is clearly a man who loves his job."
"Indeed!" Tenpenny replied with a nod.
He and I had gotten off on the right foot, which I suppose is always good. I wouldn't want to anger a prospective employer, now, would I?
"Is everything all set?" asked Burke for the second time.
"Yeah. I told you, it's ready." I confirmed. It was all I could do to keep my muscles from tensing up.
"Then push the button, boy." he said in a voice tinged with menace.
Burke turned to face the horizon and I stood right next to him. I pointed to the outline of Megaton in the far distance.
"Keep those sunglasses on, Mr. Burke." I said. His fucking grin would have melted ice. He was almost quivering with excitement.
I stepped to the transmitter and let my hand hover over the button. I slapped it down and the transmitter emitted a loud beep.
Two seconds later, Burke was startled by a buzzing vibration in his pocket. He reached in and pulled out the receiver I had slipped in there a moment earlier. Realization dawned on his face, but my hands were already gripping his collar and belt.
"You'll pay for this." he said so quietly I could barely hear him.
I lifted him over my head and launched him well over the waist high railing. The Buffout had me pulsing with rage, and he flew silently out into the night. I had expected a scream, but instead, I swear I saw the man straighten his tie on the way down. He landed on the other side of the wall with a barely audible thud.
Tenpenny was completely stunned for a moment. The absurdity of the moment seemed to catch him off guard. He quickly gathered his senses and reached for his sniper rifle. Just then, he slammed back into his seat and his head snapped back. A large red gash spread across his throat, as Roy slowly began to appear behind him. First the large bloody combat knife appeared, then his head and hands appeared…which, I have to say, was fucking surreal. Unless you've been bugging out on Buffout and seen a ghoul's floating, detatched head and hands slashing a man's throat, you don't quite know what I'm talking about.
Roy stepped around and faced Tenpenny as he gurgled blood from the gaping wound. Tenpenny's eyes lolled around in his head, as he struggled for life.
"Fucking ghoul hater." Roy spat and plunged the knife deep into Tenpenny's heart. He turned and faced me.
"Are your men in place?" I asked.
Roy nodded. "I met them in the basement and let them into the courtyard. The guards on the ground should all be dead and my men should have their uniforms on by now."
"Alright, they know the plan? Posing as guards, they sweep the building and take out the rest of the guards inside, then round up the residents. I don't want a fucking bloodbath in here." I insisted.
"Don't worry. They'll do their job." He replied.
We went back into Tenpenny's suite, and within a minute I had located his safe hidden behind a large painting. Roy went into the hallway, and came back into the room a few moments later, dragging the dead guard behind him.
"Leave him in the corner. You didn't damage the uniform?" I asked as I got to work on the safe.
"Nah…broke his neck." He replied with a shrug. He let the body drop in the corner with a thud.
I carefully worked the lock pick into the lock and gently began to add torque. My hands were still trembling from the Buffout I had taken earlier. The pick bent, but didn't break. My luck held and I heard a loud 'clink' as the tumbler found the right spot.
I opened the door to the safe slowly. I wanted to savor the moment. I peered in and couldn't believe my luck. I pulled the cool looking sunglasses up onto the top of my head, and called out to Roy, who was in the next room. "Roy…get in here! You're gonna want to see this…"