Helloooo!
So I didn't hit my goal. When do I ever ;). But, good news, next chapter is the last chapter. XD
Enjoy!
I didn't know what else to do. Everything last shred of hope I had in me was completely obliterated. And I didn't even have anyone to talk to. Colonel Autumn was gone on some other important matters. Even if I wanted to talk to him, he wasn't there. Nobody came down at all, actually. All of my orders were sent by e-mail. The Enclave had some pretty good hackers, but nothing compared to what I could do. After hours of securing my computer, I sent Margret an e-mail asking what the hell was going on. No way in hell would the Enclave be able to trace it. I didn't even know if she was going to be able to check it, let alone send back. But it was a risk I was willing to take. I needed to know what as happening up top…. I had to know. Day after day I was given one mind dulling task after another. Nothing made me excited anymore… only when I checked my e-mail, waiting for Margret's response. It wasn't until the the second week that I had realized I was basically imprisoned. I was going crazy. I needed human contact, and I needed it now. I could feel my brain slowing down, feeling as though my blood was replaced with molasses. I didn't even know what the fuck that was. It just sounded right.
Then, finally, the long awaited e-mail. It was short, but it was affective.
Ally,
I don't have much time. The soldiers are watching our every move now. And I mean EVERY move. It's getting fucking annoying. Ever since you told those Doctors about us, the Enclave has been keeping secrets. That much I know. But I do know this much. Your girl, Crystal? Yeah, she's been taken hostage at the base. If you still feel like being a hero, she's in the hostage chambers.
Go for it.
Crystal was… here? My hands began to shake, the world sharpened, and all at once I was on high alert. Whatever they wanted with her… it wasn't good. And they weren't going to ask nicely. I rushed out of my office as quickly as I could, and straight to my room. I needed supplies, I needed to disguise myself inconspicuously… Finally, I found a tech-guy jumpsuit, and I threw it on as quickly as I could, already getting my fake story straight. I was called up to the higher chambers, because a light was busted out. I was to replace it. Simple, yet I'll be invisible. Looking at myself in the mirror, I tried my hardest to make myself look as unpleasant as I could. Teasing my hair, rubbing some oil on my face, clothes and hands. Roll up my sleeves, showing my blindingly white skin. This was more than enough to keep the attention off of me. One thing that I've noticed while working for the Enclave was that if you weren't important, then you were ignored. And being a tech-girl was 'not important'. Until something goes wrong in those obnoxious power suits of theres. Finally, after I deemed myself worthy, or unworthy, enough to slip past the guards, I picked up a tool box, and quickly made my way to the elevator. Once I the doors opened I was surprised and somewhat startled to see a commanding officer standing patiently, hands behind his back. Okay, breath, act normal. Wait, no don't act normal, being myself is shunned upon. Okay, be rude, in compliant, cheeky and a bit a bitch…. Oh okay, then actually act normal. Without making eye contact, I shuffled into the elevator, and went to press the button to the top floor when I noticed it was already pushed.
"Going to the same destination, aren't we?" The man asked, almost startling me. It was the first time I've seen an actual human being in two weeks. It took almost everything I had to not hug him profusely. But would that be the best thing to do right now? I took a deep breath, crossing my arms, leaned against the wall, and crossing my legs in aggravation. After a few more seconds of awkward silence, the guy chimed up again.
"Coffee's getting better down there, isn't it?" He asked.
"Yup." I said, over pronouncing the P at the end, making it echo through the awkward silence.
"How long have you been working here?" He asked, looking over at me happily.
"Nine…. Nine years…." I could tell the guy was shocked. And so was I. I hadn't realized just how long it was until now.
"I've only been here two years." The guy mentioned.
I wanted to say 'Cool, what made you want to join? Do you like it here?' and 'Run away as soon as you can'. But the only thing my facade could hold up was a nod. And so that's what I did. Despite me being a total bitch to him, he seemed quite intent on just chatting anyways.
"I always thought that the country was lost. You know, God Bless America and all that jazz… I used to think that it was all over and done with. I wanted to know more about. I wanted to live in America for what it was before the war. So when I heard about the Enclave and what it stands for, naturally, I got interested. I never thought I would actually join." He began to ramble on and on. The part of me who wanted to hug him grew stronger as he did. I wanted to grab his hand, and lead him out of this hell. Because I saw myself in him, before all of this happened. It took a lot of will power and strength to not do just that. Instead I just nodded my head, with the occasional 'uh huh'.
"Well, enough about me, let's hear about you. How are you doing?" He asked.
It took me a few seconds to actually register that he was talking to me now, and when I did I took even longer to respond. Nobodies asked how I was doing in… four years. Not since Charles… I looked up at him, and for a split second I seriously considered telling him everything. From when Charles woke me up that one normal morning, when things seemed so simple, so easy.
"I'm…" I muttered, and just at the last second the doors opened, turning both of our attention away.
"Well, nice meeting you. I hope to see you around." The guy said with a wink, and walked off the elevator simply. I stared after him as he turned the corner, and out of my vision. The elevator doors began to close, and I lunged forward to catch them. Off to a bad start. Shaking my head, I quickly retrieved my tool box from the ground, and sauntered off the elevator as easily as I could. Okay, hostage chambers. Right. I fast walked towards the area, when I remembered I was playing a facade. Huffing, I calmed my steps, even though nearly ever inch of me urged me to move faster. My little charade seemed to pay off, as a soldier passed right by me without even a glance my way. If I hadn't played up the tech-girl part, I'm sure they would have called Autumn by now. Finally, once I reached the hostage chambers, I heard two soldiers outside of one of the chambers, one holding a bag loosely at his side.
"Tal Almodovar's belongings are to be placed in the equipments locker. Go." The soldier said. The other soldier nodded, and headed into the chamber, bag in hand. I knelt down instinctively as the first soldier turned towards me, and focused on a small light on the ground. Luckily, he didn't even notice me, and passed by me easily. Still I felt like I needed to have a real reason why I was here. Taking a wrench from my toolbox, a smirk twisted at my lips. In one swift movement, I smashed out the light. It sparked for a few seconds, then went dead. Smiling triumphantly, I looked back up at the chamber, to see the door open quickly. I turned back to the light quickly, and waited patiently for the soldier to leave. It felt like forever when he finally did. I looked around, making sure nobody was around the halls. Once the coast was clear, I took my toolbox, and rushed into the chamber. There in front of me, levitating in one of the holding cells, was Crystal. Her hair was pitch black, she wore nothing but her bra and underwear, her skin was scared and bruised, her whole right arm was metal, while the other one carried a pip-boy. I walked towards her slowly, completely taken by her. As I got closer I noticed the metal part of her face, and perfectly linear scars on her left arm. For some reason I had the urge to reach up and touch the metal part of her face, but I had to hold myself back. If anybody new I was in here I would be killed on sight. That was when I had finally realized I rushed all the way over here with no real reason to. What exactly was I going to do? I was shit with a gun, even worse when shit hits the fan, and I've never killed anyone before. How was I going to take Crystal and escape? Shaking my head, I continued to stare at her. The wastes had not be kind to her, in the least. But she had survived. She was still alive. Whatever drive she possessed was definitely something to envy. What in the actual fuck am I supposed to do? What can I do? Obviously if she's gone this far, she wouldn't give up with a little Enclave force. Maybe she just needed a little push. I swung open her locked to find a Lincoln repeater lazily thrown at the bottom. I whistled in astonishment, resisting the urge to touch it.
"You sure do get around, don't you, Crys?" I asked. Right, so, the Lincoln repeater takes….44 magnum rounds. Right, got it. I dug through my tool box, remembering the ammo Charles had stashed away. Luckily I found a box of rounds, and I placed in the locker tenderly. I further inspected the locker to find a radiation suit, and after a little glance at it I noticed it was recently used. What the hell was she doing with that? Suddenly I heard footsteps coming up the hall, and I began to panic. I quickly grabbed my toolbox, and slipped out of the chamber, incidentally just before Autumn rounded the corner towards us. I turned the corner sharply, throwing my back on the wall behind me. A familiar voice startled me, making me jump.
"Nice to see you again." The commander from the elevator chimed up.
I stared at him wide eyed for a few seconds, as if I was a child who had been caught stealing cookies.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"Yeah… um, I was actually on my way out…" I mumbled.
"Oh? I was looking for you." He said.
My eye's widened, and I blinked a few times as the information processed.
"Were you?" I was beginning to get suspicious, and I readied myself for a fight.
"Did you hear about Tal Almodovar? The cyborg that killed all those troops four years ago?" He asked. I only nodded my head in response.
"Yeah, well, she's here. Apparently…" His voice softened, and he leaned in closer. "And I hear that she was looking for the G.E.C.K with her husband. He didn't make it out, but she's in the hostage chambers. They need the code to start the purifier." He explained.
I blinked a few more times at this random guy, who I didn't even know the name of, completely unaware of how to process this. She was married? Her husband died? Code for the purifier? G.E.C.K? They… they were going to rule the world…
"This isn't good…" I muttered.
"Tell me about it." The man huffed, crossing his arms. "They're not even trying to revive her husband. They're about to harvest his fucking organs."
"Look, what's your name?" I asked quickly.
"David… why?" He asked.
"Look, Dave, you need to get me to a terminal, and you need to get me there right fucking now." I explained, moving away from him.
"Why?"
"Because President Eden is trying to take over the world. And if he needs to kill Crystal, and everyone else in his path, he won't hesitate to do it." I explained harshly.
"Well what do you plan to do about it?" he asked in shock.
"I plan to blow him the fuck up."
