Chapter 11: The Beginning of the End
I awoke after reliving that nightmare, it was ages ago and here I am still full of loss, regret and rage my entire family and friends butchered like Brahmin set up for a slaughterhouse.
Enclave the name just rings in my head a forever reminder of what I've endured a forever reminder of what I search for. They created us gave us life and intelligence and ended it all the same.. maybe it is best and we are meant to be just monsters, not capable beast as the last of my kind it is my decision after all and I shall end my legacy with myself but not before the Enclave burn
"John are you awake? Kat and I are making breakfast if you wanted any."
I laid there in a daze, shaking my head enough to realize I need to actually get myself up.
"Yes Mike, I'll be down in a moment just let me wake up"
I finally decided to stand myself up with a wide stretch my arms almost reached the other end of the room, I heard a crack in my legs felt great though I haven't had this much rest in what feels like years!
I made my way down the steps opting out of putting back on my robe even if my own insecurities tell me to wear it, you know being a creature of the waste after all
Cat lit up when she saw me "Good morning John! I hope you slept well I'm throwing us all together a breakfast to get the day going" I gave her a nod and the typical good morning before taking my spot on the edge of the table sitting down on the floor.
"Where did Mike go? He did wake me up did he not?"
She stopped stirring the pot tapping the spoon against the edge of it "He went to Craterside Supply to pick up some extra spices and meats, we are almost out after all I made more today assuming you need to eat more than a human right?" She said with a chuckle.
I gave her a nod "Generally yes I try not to make it that obvious though and I am pretty much starving as I hate to say it, I haven't had a satisfactory portion of food for a while."
She sat down in a chair adjacent to me on the table I sharpened my claws together as she rested a hand upon her chin looking at me.
"Is there something you want Cat?" I had asked her
"Well John" She paused "I have a lot of things to ask you and all but I would seriously feel like prying and that is just rude!"
I agreed with her "As true as that may be I don't blame you for being curious, I think I would be too just I ask you respect my privacy and I'm not telling you anything specific for a reason." I stopped gave a sigh "But feel free to ask whatever you want " leaning back I made myself conformable.
She tapped her other hand against the table "Well for one why did you even come back? Like you could have just left and never come back avoided this whole situation with the raiders"
I raised a hand and scratched my head "Well you see, it's funny really I never even knew Megaton was under attack till I came back originally I came to warn you about some Chem addicts I came across on the bridge past Springville Elementary, I kept them alive but I had some fun toyed with them a little they wouldn't know how to kill a damn mole rat."
She gave a slight laugh at that "Chem addicts on a bridge, really? How could you tell?"
I told her I simply just knew and with that Mike came in with various containers of goods and things I could make out a "Sublime Spice" in one of the containers
"Oh hey John you are awake! Thought you would have slept a day at the rate you were going " he stopped, set down the various containers and began to sort them on the table. "I must have already grown use to you, I just never thought I would be comfortable next to a giant bipedal lizard of death er..no offense" with a nervous chuckle.
"I take no offense Mike, I completely understand hell I would even be uneasy around myself assuming I was in your position, this is surreal still I'm certain of that."
Have to give that assurance rather than get mad at him for what is entirely the truth.
"After we eat I'm going to receive that famous tour, yes? Perhaps some history as well maybe?'
"Oh yes the tour it's about time we got around to it huh? After we eat we can get going."
I gave them a nod and sat patiently not exactly how I would like to spend my time sitting around but alas I haven't eaten as much as I should in a decent amount of days.
Cat mentioned how the food was smelling good and it that was definitely the case whatever spices and salts they have here in Megaton were alien to me, nothing I had ever had before even in the vault.
"Am pretty excited to see what we got today honestly Cat, I am absolutely starving and no don't worry I don't fancy eating people" I said with laugh but they didn't seem very humorous about it.
I leaned up and prepared myself for the upcoming feast, Cat began to set the table as Mike too his spot across from me and Cat set a giant pot in the middle of the table a nice hot steaming portage, she gestured with her arms as she sat down almost as if saying (Ta-da!).
Mike clapped his hands together "Well I believe our guest of honor should go first eh? Hungry reptiles go first"
I reached over and got a decent portion it seemed like another Punga fruit juice over a shred of meat probably Brahmin, definitely something I can enjoy though one doesn't get picky in the Wasteland.
"Well thank you both for the meal, how many people can say they fed a deathclaw?"
"I would consider it an honor or maybe we are crazy, either way glad you can enjoy it"
Mike stopped his consumption and asked "So John, what is your full name? I'm assuming there is more to it after all.'
What an odd question "That isn't usually people's first concern but yes, we have a first and last name just like you do and mine is Johnitan Lambert I always went by John to keep things simpler, and John-Claw was a nickname I had when I was younger" I gave a somberly sigh those were much better times..
Cat also asked "So since you mentioned when you were younger, how old are you actually?"
I actually pondered this for a moment this isn't something I kept track of I was silent for simply too long.
"Do..you not know?" They asked and for the moment no I didn't.
"I..left the Vault 31 years ago and I was only 14 so I'm 45 years old more or less, I only went back once since then."
"How long will you live? I mean it's not like we know how long a deathclaw lifespan is."
"Funny enough I don't know the average lifespan either but my kind live as long as a human maybe even a little more."
Well all finished our bowls at around the same time, I had a decent sizable portion myself and was pretty content with my dinner for the day. I finished drinking the contents of my bowl and inquired about that tour.
They had figured it was time and we cleaned up the table and made our way out, I followed behind then both as we made our way back to the entrance gate, various stares and glances at myself from the settlers. I decided not to take my robe no sense hiding when they already know
"Well here is the entrance, as you already know and on the left there is the Sheriff house and going to the right you reach the upper portion which is just residential homes and living quarters."
I gave a nod and saw someone hiding behind the side of the Sheriff house I leaned over to Mike "You see that person hiding behind the building there?" As I purposely turned that direction without pointing to give away I knew they were there.
"Oh that is Lucy, I recognize that hair anywhere you two probably never met I'll go talk to her."
Cat stayed with me and Mike went to talk with Lucy as we stood at the entrance various settlers stared and stopped to look, so far no one tried to shoot me good, good.
"Do you ever worry what people might do if they figured out or knew what you are?" She suddenly asked me
I crouched down more to join her height "Yes I worry even now if someone will come by and just shoot me in the face with a .44, I almost feel me revealing myself is more of a danger to myself than it is for anyone around here."
Lucy came up finally, very slowly and steady holding her hands together as she walked with Mike. She wore a green jacket and brown pants with some makeshift shoes, blonde hair in a ponytail she was pretty tiny as well actually.
She stopped right in front of me and Cat I looked her down as she stared up from my talons up to my horns almost as if seeing if I was in fact real.
"Wow Cat I never thought you of all people would ever be able to tame a deathclaw let alone approach one "
Before Cat or Mike could say anything I decided to step in, I still back up to full height "Tame? Not only would that be nearly impossible it's suicidal! I saw you staring Lucy of you are so certain that I am tame why don't you approach me?"
Suddenly her whole demeanor changed "Holy shit, it talks? I never knew deathclaws can talk, are you magic? Did the radiation change you? How long have you been like this?
Can you.."
I held up a hand not in a threatening manner simply to pause her "Hold on a moment there Lucy, you are asking far too many things at once and too relevant to each other, oh and it's "He" I'm not an it" I said with a chuckle.
I suggested why don't we continue that tour while I answer everything to her heart's content, we left down the path downward to the bomb past the clinic Doctor Gone gave me a wave and I gave him as well we entered the center of town near the bomb.
"Okay John, over there is the Brass Lantern, we will be stopping there after we finish everything up." Cat pointed at a nifty little shack with a yellow lantern light over a sort of bar table.
I gave her a nod as she mentioned the towns history regarding that bomb in the center, also how someone named the Lone Wanderer defused it and saved the town, that name had been floating around ever since I entered the Capital Wasteland I've heard it almost nonstop.
I continued answering Lucy as we made our way up and over the Clinic to a place called Craterside Supply, huh so this is where Mike went a fair distance away from their house nearly on the other side of town. The metal creaked and shifted beneath my talons I'm hoping I'm not too heavy..
Suddenly a woman in an old Mechanic Jumpsuit came out of the store Moira Brown she introduced herself as and Hugged Cat and Mike along with Lucy, it was then I realized everyone here seems pretty close, Moira instantly went up to me.
"Wow, you must be that Deathclaw everyone is on about! I never been so up close to one not without them trying to play jump rope with my insides at least" she made a down gesture with her hand after saying that.
I leaned down to join her level and made eye contact "Well Moira it is nice to meet you, I'm assuming the Sheriff went and informed you already?"
She rubbed her hands down her cheeks almost in awe "Somebody pinch me am I dreaming?" She turned to Lucy and gang "I must be dreaming!" Before pinching herself with an audible "Ouch!"
"Okay I'm not dreaming it seems?" As she turned back to me
"You are already gaining my interest, I am a curious sort but I mainly tinker with junk and various scrap, but I also and one for studying and research, A talking Deathclaw seems right up my alley of research, if you didn't mind of course."
I thought for a second scratched my chin and asked "You mean like measurements and general questions no?"
She gave a very firm nod "Yes, sir see no one ever got close enough to a Deathclaw at least a live one to observe then up close and I've already wrote a book see? The Wasteland Survival Guide! Very popular and saved plenty of lives I was helped by the Lone Wanderer herself! So it must be true and helpful!" She paused and opened her door and invited us in.
It was a room with a terminal in the corner and a bunch of shelves and desk lined with various Wasteland amenities, guns, ammo, aid items such as radaway and stimpacks a decent selection from what I could tell.
"Wow I'm surprised you fit, good thing the ceiling is so tall huh!"
Cat and Mike inquired where the guard was as soon as he came down the steps up from their rooms and yelled "Holy shit a Deathclaw" before drawing his rifle before Moria can say anything he cocked the chamber and aimed in my direction. With a swift step to the side I approached him faster than he couldn't react as swiped the rife out of his grasp holding the barrel in my claws and held it up so he couldn't possibly reach it.
"Excuse me mister trigger happy, I much rather not be pumped full of lead today thank you very much" I looked over at Mike and gave him a gesture to throw the rife at him which he caught and unloaded and set on the table.
I went back to the other end of the room and sat back down, the guard was dumbfounded "Moira, you can let people just take my gun like that what happens when someone decides to take advantage of that and rob or even just kill us both?"
Before Moria could respond I gave my thoughts.
"Well maybe if you didn't have a damn murder boner you wouldn't lose your precious rifle all the time."
Suddenly Cat and Lucy both broke out laughing "Murder Boner oh my God!" And Mike tried to console the Guard.
Moira joked too now "Yeah and it isn't the first time he's acted out and pointed a gun at someone for no reason, but he does his job very well."
The guard leaned against the wall and mumbled under his breath "Sorry I decided the first action was to shoot the giant death machine."
I looked over at him a said "Any other time that been fine but really, did the sheriff not inform you that I am "okay" to walk around?"
He crossed his arms and said "He did and I just didn't care you are a monster and deserve to die"
Mike and Cat were in shock it seemed and Lucy was chatting with Moria.
I stood up and approached him leaned myself down his level and firmly said "Yes I am a monster but that is simply appearance, I am more human if anything and inquire me this" he went to say something and I shushed him and he shut up real fast "If I was the monster you accused me of would I be in a room with 5 people and have them all be alive and well? Would I have done nothing harsh or rash after you had pulled a gun on me? Would I have just killed you for downright threatening me? You sir have got to get your tough guy act together and stop being such a pretentious prick, if you don't like it then get out till I leave but don't you dare compare me to my mindless brethren because YOU are wrong." I poked a claw into my other hand just to emphasize my point and finally made my way back to my spot next to all the shelves.
"Right we all situated now?" Mike asked as he and Cat got comfortable in a bench next to the door
Lucy got up and went at the door "Well everyone it's time I leave I got purifier duty today, find me later you all okay?"
I gave her a nod and everyone gave their own agreement to meet later. Moira sat behind the desk with the register and the guard said he was going for a drink and left.
"It's probably best he had left honestly, he blames you for the raiders attacking you know brought back some bad memories for him don't take it personally" Moira told me.
That is something I understood all too well bad memories and raiders seem to coincide that way for almost everyone.
Moira clapped her hands together and made her way to the terminal "I would like to keep a record of everything you tell me here, but you see my terminal has been acting up lately and usually I would know how to do all this but this error is completely unknown to me"
She turned it on and all it was, was a green screen no files and no password searching.
Mike and Cat both mentioned how they tried to fix it and their technical support guy doesn't like Moira so he won't ever bother.
I told her to let me take a look at it and she was amazed that I even knew how to read let alone understand a terminal.
"Wait a Deathclaw who can read and understand and use a terminal? How is that possible that is almost as amazing as you talking and comprehending everything!"
"You see Moira there are more like me, and we all grew up and live in a Vault,now I'm not going to tell you the number but we are located in Nevada. Anyway terminals and technology were a specialty of mine, because most of us knew how to use there things just not fix them."
"A whole Vault of talking sentient Deathclaws but how, I mean what made you? Obviously you didn't just hatch like that randomly right?"
I continued working on the terminal making some progress crouching down almost to my knees. "No, originally we were made by the Government or Enclave as war machines and they gave us doses of F.E.V in order to give us enough intelligence to follow orders but not enough to question those orders."
I continued "See I wasn't mutated by F.E.V well not technically see I was actually hatched from an egg not an experiment, eventually they escaped and made their own society and here we are. Of course that was all before my time I'm like a third generation i believe from the original Deathclaws who talked our history doesn't mention much in between"
"But you are a Vault Dweller? I never imagined that been possible, but doesn't F.E.V ruin or downright make creatures infertile?"
My eyes widened at the terminal for a moment and had to ask Moria before I answer "How do you even know about that?"
She thought for a moment "I remember some trader mentioning the tale of someone called the Master who once ruled all the Super Mutants and wanted to eventually rule the world. Obviously that means F.E.V makes humans, Super Mutants, and super mutants can't reproduce and gained amazing strength but lost a lot of intelligence so the Master's plan to rule to world fell apart soon as it started."
I always heard tales of this Master apparently they forced people to become Super Mutants, and killed a whole bunch of innocent people in their quest for world domination.
I continued off her statement "Yes and it seems it has the opposite effect on us Deathclaws I'm not sure if it's because of our previous exposure to radiation or what but it gives us the ability to speak and comprehend everything, we were all worried it go away randomly but it seems it is here to stay" I said with a laugh.
Moira paused and then asked "So..it doesn't make you sterile,sorry for the weird questions just F.E.V is known to ruin entire species."
I didn't think it was weird personally "It seems not my species will thrive and live through many generations to come, I uh can't personally confirm anything from my perspective because I've not sired any children myself but as far as I'm aware I should be able to if that's what you want to know"
They all gave an approving nod and said that's a good thing I am not to sure myself maybe we shouldn't continue this existence is almost wrong as we are not meant to be intelligent.
I finally got the computer working "Ah ha! I got it Moira you can now use the terminal." I stood up placed a hand against my belly,did a circle around with my other hand in the direction of the terminal and gave a small bow very formal.
She almost didn't believe it I am a master technician she said far too high of a praise I thought but I'll take a compliment over being shot any day.
Moria was practically prancing with joy standing up "I can now continue any research I was doing and I can also make notes on you" She paused and continued "So, sir..you are a sir right?"
I gave a laugh and said "Yes Moira you can usually tell by our horns as one determining factor of our gender" as I ran my claws across my set. "Males have forward facing horns and females usually curves that go sideways or go backwards, just because we can talk doesn't mean the Biology has changed which is supposed is a good thing yes? As studying a wild Deathclaw for any reason big or small definitely be quite a challenge."
Cat mentioned "I never knew that about the horns but that does make much more sense now."
"I have something you might find interesting, see when the intelligence Gene was made for us to be able to talk it was made to be "Male" specific which means I'm actually the one who transfers that Gene if I decide to have a child. In other words I could mate with an unintelligent and normal female and the egg that hatch will be intelligent no matter what just like me."
They took a moment to get that and almost seemed a little uncomfortable I didn't understand why myself but I decided not to should keep quiet.
I decided to joke "Don't ask me how that would even work because I have no idea, it's nothing I'm interested in even trying just the option is there."
Great now I sound like a damn freak.
"Well..John we will remember that if you ever need to species for whatever reason, I guess it was an emergency plan but the military?"
That was the only conclusion I could imagine I had mentioned.
"Well Moira as fun as it's been the sun is setting and we need to finish our tour for John, we can catch up later yeah?"
As she finished her notes she said "Oh yeah definitely I appreciate the time and the science there mister Deathclaw, John I hope you enjoy our little town and I bid you all farewell."
We all said our goodbyes and made out the door, it was becoming sundown I must have slept longer than I thought.
They pointed upward to a place called Moriarty's Saloon, somewhere I should stay away from bad business and the owner is a prick from what I understand.
We left down the ramp we came up at, they mentioned that the water purifier is above us and that it's been here almost as long as the bomb, it's an old contraption but still working the best it can.
Ignoring the onlookers we were outside the entrance of
The Brass Lantern once more place seems pretty busy, must be lunch time for here in Megaton right before sundown.
I entered first with a scratch my talon as the went across the metal floor, it caused the couple residents who were sitting at the table to turn around and look at me.
"Uh hello, I stopped by here for a drink I'm not here to make anyone uncomfortable or you know cause any trouble, despite my appearance I would like to be treated like one of your own" I said with a wave..I felt incredibly out of place here.
I noticed they seemed partially approved I took a seat on a stool at the end of the ordering table, I had some difficulty getting to it at first but I managed and crossed my arms on the table awaiting my service. Mike and Cat sat on the left of me as well.
"Well, well full house tonight! And that Deathclaw I been hearing all about has stopped by too what a surprising day indeed,name is Jenny and you are?" As she made her way across the table to me
I was surprised such a warm welcome. "I am John, pleased to meet you I don't believe we met yet, but you know of me I'm assuming the Sheriff made his rounds?"
The rest of the customers sat and murmured to each other I couldn't make out what they were saying with all the commotion of glasses and people moving about
"Yes he did inform me that you may come to me to eat or get something to drink, so what I can I get you I could read you out menus or.."
I decided to cut her off "Don't worry I can read, it's fine you assumed that I couldn't I take no offense." I tried to reassure her as she handed me the menu which had a wide selection of pre-war package foods and various mixtures of Creature meats, I wasn't very hungry at this time I could use a drink though
Mike and Cat ordered a shot of whiskey mixed with a rum and I decided to go with a Nuka Cola Quantum, see if it tasted the same as out west.
"I'll have a Nuka Cola Quantum, and don't worry I can pay for it I'll just need to go back to Mike and Cat's house"
With that she said "Oh don't worry it's on the house we would all be dead if not for you and you did save Andy."
I knew not who she was talking about I'm assuming someone else who worked here at least. Suddenly there was a slam of a glass and a gruffy and angry looking man stood up from across the bar and walked the way to the ordering table,
The ended up walking behind me I made a casual comment of "Watch the tail" just as a reminder nothing more and it seems to have set them off
"And what the hell is a Wasteland monster doing in our town anyway?" Turning around and pointed at me.
I glanced back and gave him a simple "Aren't we all monsters here in the end? Done something we aren't proud of in an effort to survive?" I turned back at the counter "You shouldn't be judging or assuming someone based on how they look."
"Yeah and why aren't you drinking any alcohol too pussy to stomach anything hard to drink?"
The crowd began to look anxious but this guy was simply talking put his ass, being difficult just to be difficult.
I gave a simple sigh "See I am unable to drink alcohol because it tears up my insides too much, besides I don't need it as a crutch to get through my sorry existence.."
This seems to set him off "See he's a bitch not drinking.."
"THAT is enough!" Harden said while entering the building
"I saw you come in here John, I had expected people to start trouble but not over something so small as you not drinking."
The irate settler started once again "Well it's his fault the raiders came and attacked us anyway.."
Before he can even continue Mike stood off of his stool and socked him right in the jaw with a surprise hook from the side knocking him to the floor, this move certainly surprised me.
"You ruined the dudes face!" said Cat with a laugh.
This whole confrontation just was kind of pointless, especially if it was addressed to me I could care less about some raging settlers.
"Listen here you ill tempered shit, those Raiders would have killed me and Cat or made us slaves had it not been for John, if you think he lead them here you are very wrong and you all would have been slaves or worse had he not come back which he didn't even have to do that." He gave him a slap across the face while holding him down "I had spent enough time with him to know that he isn't a monster, he is someone with feelings and regrets just like the rest of us and you better damn well show some respect because without him you would be dead!"
With that he was shoved out of the Brass Lantern and my Nuka Cola had arrived.
"We had this ready sooner but, I figured you would want to wait for everything to settle down first you know enjoy it "
Jenny said while putting it down in front of me the purple hue if the bottle was much different than the blue I was use too interesting either way.
Harden and Mike came back in chatted a bit to the other patrons and made their seats next to me
I had to turn over to Mike and ask " Did you really mean all that Mike? See I was always under the impression that you weren't very favorable of me, a sort of unhelped predigest against me you know being a beast of the Wasteland and all."
He thought for a moment "You know John I couldn't help those feelings you know? But after you talked with Moira and gave a bit of history on your kind I realized you were kind of forced into this and I believe your knowledge of the past will help reform this sorry excuse of a future we have."
Harden stepped in "Yeah John, I happen to have grown quite fond of you if I can be honest."
This was strange such welcoming and even being defended by people this is impossible but it feels..nice I haven't felt so welcomed somewhere since I left home.
I gave a smile "We thank the both of you sincerely, it's nice to be welcome somewhere after not being welcome for..so long." I took a drink of my Cola and it was incredible!
They gave me approving nods and continued their drinks and food.
Setting the bottle down "Hot Damn Jenny this Quantum is much better than the ones out West!"
She put down a rag she was cleaning one of the tables with "Why thank you, and you said out West where are you from?"
I finished my Cola with a tap on the table I told everyone in the room "I am from a Vault in Nevada, I am in search of a doctor who? That's the problem I have no idea. Seems stupid I know but I'll know him when I see him."
She mentioned how she had an aunt out West, not sure if she was alive we though
"Well Mike and John I believe it's time we head to sleep, did you enjoy the tour?" She stood up and faced me.
"Oh yes I had an absolute blast met plenty new people, and got a decent grasp on the layout of the town, shall we head out now?"
They both nodded and said their thanks and goodbye's, and I did as well and made my way out to the now dark outside of the Brass Lantern, must have stayed there longer than we intended.
"Alright John we are heading to sleep, it's much later than we thought we will see you in the morning."
I told them their goodnights and made my way up to the extra room I call my temporary sleeping quarters, I laid down and soon dozed off to a sound sleep another day survived.
End Chapter 11:
