Wanderer's Diary: Week Nine
Day 57: Finish the Job.
I may have been slightly careless with Holmes. Should have realised the inherent problem with killing someone in their own room. Someone's bound to see you leave it.
Fortunately for me, I brought along my backpack to the kill room, which contained the Chinese stealth armour. I changed out of the power armour and chucked it and the chopped up and wrapped body parts into the backpack, and then carried it out of the room while both it and me were invisible thanks to the stealth armour's effects.
I am EXTREMELY lucky, because that was entirely unintentional. I never planned the escape with the stealth armour. I just had it with me and improvised a plan. If I had decided to leave the pack behind, I would have been fucked.
So, what then? Breaking into the Rivet City armoury and leaving the wrapped up body parts there. That's what. And you will not fucking believe this, but there were schematics for the rock-it launcher there too. These things are everywhere. I feel like we're being invaded.
I stole it. Because after you're murdered someone and hidden the body, what's a little theft on top?
But despite the close call, I think that was a good way to start my day. I was feeling so refreshed, I decided to stop moping about that whole cyborg mutant thing that got me so down, and went to do some good deeds for the day, starting with helping Angela seduce that church acolyte she's had her eye on, because she's alone and horny, and I can relate.
Everything else that people needed help with though involved work outside the city. So I decided it was time to head into the D.C. ruins again to get to work on some of them.
Harkness gave me his plasma rifle as we left. A gesture of goodwill for helping him, and compensation for me and Charon's injuries after the battle with Armitage. I asked what he planned to do with the other android's body. He thinks it should either be the property of Rivet City now, since it was killed here, or since I'm the one who killed him, I could take it, if I wanted to.
So yeah, Armitage is the property of Rivet City now.
Charon, Dogmeat and I headed into D.C. around midday. We stopped by the Ranger HQ for a spell to rest up and collect the caps for all the locations I've mapped, and then proceeded in the direction of Underworld.
Underworld was where we stayed the rest of the day, and where we are now. Charon's feeling strange being back home again after so long, and considering the way he left. Even more so now that he's wearing the very thing that Crowley was plotting murder over. And Crowley is super angry about it.
He won't be soon though. Tomorrow, he dies.
Day 58: Making People Happy.
Crowley's murder went by surprisingly without consequence. All I needed to do was get Charon to do it. As I instructed, he walked up to Crowley, and was all:
"Crowley. You killed my father."
And he was all:
"What?! The fuck you talking about, Charon?! I didn't kill nobody!"
And then Charon shot him.
And just as I predicted, because he was a ghoul as well and seemed to have a good reason for it, when he killed Crowley, no-one gave a shit. Charon wasn't happy that I made him do that, but I told him it was for the greater good. He grumbled at me a bit for a while after, and then seemed to forget about it later in the day and loosen up again. So I guess it didn't weigh too heavily on his conscience.
We then proceeded to head into the other sections of the Museum of History, away from Underworld, in search of that poster that Hannibal wanted. We found it, along with a massive load of Abraham Lincoln memorabilia.
Then we went to the Lincoln Memorial, where the Temple of the Union people had set up. I provided them with their poster, and they restored the statue to its former glory before the day was out. They also happened to inform me that Three Dog had been reporting about what I did at Paradise Falls on the radio, and that several of the slaves from there had come to them in recent days. They were very happy about that.
He gave me some schematics as partial payment, and this time, surprisingly, it was of something new. A dart gun, for incapacitating people. Makes use of trace amounts of radscorpion poison. Sounds damn useful, particularly for my line of work. I even have all the materials to construct one back home in Megaton. Just need a radscorpion poison gland.
I mean, not all these inventions are useful. The rock-it launcher, shishkebab and bottlecap mines are rather useless to me, but Nuka grenades are some of the best explosives out there, the deathclaw gauntlet was a lifesaver when it came to Armitage, and Charon has since made the railway rifle his weapon of choice over the shotgun, at least for long range encounters, and ammo for it is surprisingly common.
Our next stop was the National Archives, where we needed to retrieve the declaration of independence.
It was a son of a bitch to do, but we managed the job, fighting through robots and super mutants to do it. We were also assisted by a woman named Sydney, who was the last person that Abraham Washington in Rivet City hired for this job. She's just been having trouble getting through the mutants here, so she's been taking her sweet time doing it.
Once we got out of the place though, we did so with not just the declaration, but also the bill of rights, the magna carta, and a shitload of books. Also a novelty wig that was being worn by a protectron that was programmed to think it was Button Gwinnett.
From there, it was straight back to Rivet City. Through the Capitol Building. Where there were Talon mercenaries fighting super mutants. That went about as well as you'd expect.
Which is to say very well. We all came out alive and relatively unharmed at the other end, even though a behemoth was in our way. Then it was clear sailing onwards to Rivet City, where we collected our prizes. I got yet more railway rifle schematics, making this the third set of them I've come across now, and also some caps.
A decent amount of caps, mind you. I got even more than Sydney because I also brought him the magna carta, bill of rights, and all that Lincoln crap I collected too. Sydney left soon after for Underworld.
And once again, I find myself spending the night in Rivet City.
As you'd expect, the excursion into the ruins of D.C. today yielded loot. I sold most of it at Rivet City, and some at Underworld.
Overall, I shifted:
● x2 Chinese Army: Special Ops Training Manual.
● x2 D.C. Journal of Internal Medicine.
● x2 Tales of a Junktown Jerky Vendor.
● x2 Lying, Congressional Style.
● x1 U.S. Army: 30 Handy Flamethrower Recipes.
● x1 Nikola Tesla and You.
● x1 Duck and Cover!
● x6 other books that no-one gives a crap about.
● x1 stealth boy.
● A fuckload of weapons and ammunition including a Fat Man.
And in terms of things I kept, I got a few mini nukes, and two Quantums.
Overall, it's been an average day.
Day 59: We Take Shit Seriously.
An early morning check at the Jefferson Memorial revealed that dad still has not returned there, and I'm beginning to get concerned. It's high time I went west in search of him.
To that end, we headed up towards Megaton today to resupply for that trek tomorrow.
On the way, we passed by the Anchorage memorial, so I decided that since we wouldn't start the search until tomorrow at the soonest, we may as well take some time out to do Moira's task.
It annoyed me that I was unable to kill the mirelurks nesting there, but with the stealth suit, I soon was able to avoid them. Charon waited outside with the rest of the stuff. Moira's bug was planted, just how she wanted.
I also came out of the place with another Quantum, and six more intact books, including a D.C. Journal of Internal Medicine, a Dean's Electronics, and a U.S. Army: 30 Handy Flamethrower Recipes. Plus, my personal favourite, the biggest fucking sledgehammer I've ever seen. You know how I am with novelty weapons, so I had to have it.
We made it back to Megaton just as the daylight was dying. We didn't have time to see Moira, so we just went immediately back home to put away all the new stuff we've collected since our last visit here, like the Quantums and the mini nukes and the sledgehammer and the wig and Harkness's plasma rifle, and just sat around listening to GNR.
Three Dog's reports tonight have been informative. Evergreen Mills is getting antsy with Paradise Falls having just been wiped out, Tenpenny Tower continue to be a bunch of douchebags to ghouls, and my collecting of the violin for Agatha has somehow reached Three Dog's ears. I wonder sometimes what sources he gets his news from. Regulators or Brotherhood of Steel would be my guess.
I should appreciate the relative lack of other distractions right now though. I know it won't last.
Day 60: Westward Bound.
Moira paid us for the work at Anchorage memorial with stealth boys and a hat. Can't say I'm not disappointed. I sold the stealth boys right back to her along with all the books and such from yesterday, though I kept the hat and put that away in the locker.
I also changed my mind about the plasma rifle that Harkness gave me. It's actually a superior model to mine, so I sold my generic plasma rifle and have taken to using his one instead. And I stored away the Gauss rifle as well, because I'm sick of how long it takes for the damn thing to reload, no matter how damaging it is.
Think positive, though. Now that I'm no longer carrying the Gauss around, I finally have an excuse to use the sniper rifle again.
We went west to check out Jury Street Metro Station first. That ended with us fighting another super mutant behemoth, which I was forced to waste a decent amount of Nuka grenades on too. I may be mistaken, but I think this behemoth was the same one that was mentioned in those search party logs. If so, I'm pretty sure they were all wiped out, and Cheryl may have never been found. That's depressing.
I checked out the diner while I was here too. That guy, Prime? The one who was waiting for Jiggs from the museum to give him his share? Guy's dead.
And was carrying a pretty nice Chinese assault rifle on him, called the Xuanlong. This one was like new, pristine condition, and came with a number of modified features too, including a higher magazine capacity. It's definitely better than my current model. I've since started using this one instead of my old assault rifle too, and I'm going to sell the other once I get back to civilization.
Continuing west, we found not much of note. A ruined house inhabited by raiders and full of landmines was one discovery, and a tunnel inhabited by yao guai was another.
It's the weirdest thing, too. When we went into the tunnels, none of the yao guai were hostile. They mostly ignored us all. They didn't even warn us away from them. I went right up to one and stroked it, and it didn't mind. It even rolled over for me like Dogmeat does when he wants attention.
Charon was frankly stunned. I like these bears.
Today's loot was a Duck and Cover!, an early Grognak the Barbarian issue, (but like I've already said, I think I have them all by now), a pre-war book, (in fact that same stupid cookbook from before), a Quantum, and most notably, another new bobblehead. My collection is almost complete.
I've marked the house and the tunnels on the map, and we'll be staying here with the yao guai tonight.
Also, is it me, or have the last four days been really uneventful compared to just about everything until now? I feel like I'm way overdue for something zany and wacky to happen. Or at least something with high stakes.
Day 61: Something Zany This Way Comes...
Mothercunting shit fuck piece of-
Okay. Calm.
Calm.
Breathe.
Dad is inside a simulator.
We found Vault 112 surprisingly easily. It was the first location we came across, actually. Or more accurately, we found the garage it was hidden under. Place was full of molerats. Vault entrance was in the basement. Vault itself appears to be ran by robobrains, and is the first one I've come across aside from my home vault that's still active. The only residents appear to be the dozen or so that I've found plugged into simulation pods. Dad's in one of the pods too.
I have no idea what's going on, but if he's in that simulation, I need to go in too.
Charon's standing guard for me with Dogmeat. He'll make sure nothing bad goes down. I've tasked him with explaining things to my father if he exits the simulation before I do. I think he's been in it for several days, so it may be a really long one.
Wish me luck, diary. I'm going in.
Day 62: Rather Sad, Actually.
Audio file embed. Automatic transcription as follows.
[Whirring machinery.][Coughing.][Thumping.]
Lone Wanderer: ...I don't want... to set... the world... on... fire... I... just want to start...a flame in your h-h-heaaaaaart... [Loud crying.] Oh God, why does life suck so hard?!
Charon: [Deep, gravelly voice.] Woah, there. Are you okay?
Lone Wanderer: [Sniffling.] I think I need a hug, Charon.
Charon: [Deep, gravelly voice.] Really?
Man 8: Here, let me help you up.
Lone Wanderer: [Loud crying.]
Man 8: Ow! Son, I can't breathe! When did you get so strong?
Lone Wanderer: [Loud crying.] Since being left out in the wastelaaaaaaaand!
Charon: [Deep, gravelly voice.] I feel like I'm intruding on a personal moment here...
Man 8: Yes...[Gasping for breath.] Forgive me, but who are you?
Charon: [Deep, gravelly voice.] Charon. Personal bodyguard to the Lone Wanderer. And you must be James.
James: Well, yes. [Gasping for breath.] Please, son, can you just...[Inhaling deeply.] That's better. Now, did you say...Lone Wanderer? Do you mean T-
Lone Wanderer: Yes...He means me...
Charon: [Deep, gravelly voice.] Actually, can you please tell me what his real name is? I've been travelling with him for weeks now and I still don't know it.
Lone Wanderer: You won't tell me yours. Fair's fair.
James: I'm staying well out of this argument... But... Son, you've saved me. I thought I was going to be trapped in there forever! It's so good to see you, but... but... what are you DOING here?!
Lone Wanderer: [Loud crying.] Working out my abandonment issues!
James: I'm... I'm so sorry... I didn't-
Lone Wanderer: [Loud crying.] Vault 101 had a civil war, and...and...Jonas was killed...and I killed the Overseer-
James: You-!
Lone Wanderer: And a whole bunch of other people...And then I left the vault...and then I killed Moriarty...and then I went to Galaxy News...and then I fought a giant super mutant...and then there were ghouls...and then I met Charon...and then there was loads of fighting...and I wiped out Paradise Falls...and I wiped out Arefu...and I wiped out the Brotherhood Outcasts...and I've got mercenaries from Talon Company hunting me down...and I was abducted by aliens...and I went in another simulation...and I went to war...and I got mutated...and I got cybernetic implants...and I killed a friend by crushing her with a hug...and I found a knife named Stabhappy...and I murdered a whole bunch of people...and I cut some guy into pieces and cooked him to feed to my dog...and I had a fight with an android...and I...OH GOD WHAT IS WRONG WITH MY LIFE?!
James: It's okay, son! It's okay! Please, breathe. Breathe deeply. Calm down. I'm here now. Start again. What happened in Vault 101?
Charon: [Deep, gravelly voice.] Oh, this ought to be good...
Lone Wanderer: [Sobbing.] Give me your Pipboy... I'll show you my diaries... I recorded everything...
Day 63: Talking.
Audio file embed. Automatic transcription as follows.
James: Son.
Lone Wanderer: [Groggily.] Hmm?
James: Look, I know you're upset. You've been through more in these past two months than I did during most of my life in the wastes. I never wanted to expose you to this kind of life. I thought the vault would be the best place for you.
Lone Wanderer: ...And it was...
James: This is my fault. I acknowledge that. And, for that reason I think I also share some of the blame for... what you've become. But, I want you to know that, despite everything, I still love you. You've done some terrible things, but you've also done a lot of good. And you've helped people. And I'm proud of you for that.
Lone Wanderer: ...Thanks, dad...
James: It will all be better from now on. I promise. No more suffering.
Lone Wanderer: Maybe. Perhaps things really might get better. I don't know if I could ever adjust to a calmer life though. I've become so used to the killing, what if I can't live without-
James: You can. And you will. Because you'll have me there to support you. I won't abandon you again.
Lone Wanderer: ...Dad, I- [Hurried footsteps.]
Charon: [Deep, gravelly voice.] Hey, you two! We've got a problem upstairs! We've been hanging around this garage too long, and it's attracted some attention!
Day 63 Part 2: Fighting.
Audio file embed. Automatic transcription as follows.
Lone Wanderer: [Electronic voice.] Alright you fucking bastards, what do you all want?!
Man 9: [Electronic voice.] We're here representing the last contingency of the Brotherhood Outcasts! On behalf of all our fallen brothers and sisters of steel, we're here to bring you to justice!
Man 10: NO! The Lone Wanderer is a Talon Company contract! He's OURS. So BACK OFF you power armour-wearing rejects!
Woman 2: PARADISE FALLS suffered the worst thanks to this bastard! He should be OUR kill!
Man 11: Yeah! You! You fucking asshole! You killed all my friends, and my only family when you raided us!
Lone Wanderer: [Electronic voice.] Shove it up your ass, slaver cunt.
Man 11: THAT'S IT! [Gun cocks.] YOU'RE- [Several other guns cock.][Several Miniguns whirring.][Flamer primes.][Plasma rifle primes.]
Man 12: [Electronic voice.] Pull that trigger and you die, idiot local.
Woman 2: HA! Think you can take all of us, Outcast?! There's only six of you, and nine of us! And WE'VE got the Fat Man!
Man 10: Hey, in case you've forgotten, we've got a Fat Man too. And my boy Tyson here won't hesitate to fire! Ain't that right?!
Tyson: Locked and fucking loaded, boss.
Man 11: Jenny?!
Jenny: We're not scared of you! You don't even have power armour! At least the red rejects got that goin' for them!
Man 10: Clearly you don't know who you're dealing with! Talon Company regularly deal with super mutants! You are NOTHING.
Jenny: We're the Paradise Falls slavers! I've probably sold at least two of your friends and family to the Pitt this month alone!
Man 9: [Electronic voice.] Don't forget who has the superior equipment here. The Outcasts can outlast all of you.
Lone Wanderer: [Electronic voice.] Talking of superior equipment, I'm still here. [Shuffling.] Are you people serious? You're fighting over who gets to kill me? Implying one group of you on your own stands ANY kind of chance at all! You're pathetic! You're roaches! I have slaughtered so many countless Outcasts, slavers, raiders, super mutants, ghouls, and even fucking little green aliens from outer space that you can't even COMPARE to what destruction I can bring! I don't even need my guns! All I need, is THIS FUCKING KNIFE! [Crowd of footsteps.][Crowd mumbling.] Oh yeah, you little bitches are scared now, aren't you?!
James: Son, are you sure this is the best-
Lone Wanderer: [Electronic voice.] Not now, dad. I'm playing with the other kids.
Charon: [Deep, gravelly voice.] Boss, I really think you're in over your head here...
Jenny: You want a knife fight?! We can HAVE a knife- [Slashing.][Gurgling.][Thumping.]
[Awkward silence.]
Lone Wanderer: [Electronic voice.] ...You really have no idea what you're fucking with here, do you?
Man 10: TYSON!
Man 12: [Electronic voice.] HEAVY TROOPS IN FRONT! KILL EVERYONE!
Lone Wanderer: [Electronic voice.] IS IT CHRISTMAS ALREADY?! [Plasma rifle priming.]
Charon: [Deep, gravelly voice.] I fucking knew it...[Shotgun cocking.]
Lone Wanderer: [Electronic voice.] THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL, FOR YOU ARE WITH ME! [Plasma rifle firing.][Shotgun firing.][Screaming.][Maniacal laughter.] ON YOUR KNEES, CAPITAL WASTELAND! THE MESSIAH IS HERE!
