(Charon)
I did not expect this. I did not expect, either, that upon our arrival we would find this place in such pristine condition. It looks as if someone came here, and cleaned the entire thing on an almost daily basis. Even when I was living in this place, I never witnessed it so clean. Perhaps without the dirtiness of shoes and the presence of people, keeping it clean is not difficult. Yet, who would? There are no robots, and I cannot imagine someone from the upper levels would know of this place's existence. I should not be so shocked. Knowing now, there is a vault beneath this place, many more questions and opportunities present themselves.
My trainers were not stupid. Them building this vault should have been common knowledge with my observational skills, yet I overlooked it. People do not build vaults, however, to simply house secrets and files. I know better, than to have hopes of that. No, when the Wolf Cries would come, no one panicked. For good reason, too. I see that now. Since they knew that a vault was present nearby, there was no alarm to panic. No reason, for them to rush and give away the location of something so heavily guarded. This place was not only intended to house the secrets this place held, but the people and employers, as well. Often, I wondered what had happened to those who worked here after the bombs fell. In my travels I found nothing. I know now, why I found nothing. Everything was locked up here, safe, inside this vault.
As Dez clicks the option to open the vault tunnel, I step away from the desk. It moves away, a circular opening appearing on the floor. It gives way to a similar staircase that we traveled down, stainless steel, bright, yet smaller. I count only ten steps before the flooring begins once more. Whomever made this vault, made it easily accessible, and close to the facility. I would not be shocked, if they were the ones to keep this place so mint.
"Dezbe, I need you to listen to me."
I tell her to get her attention. Looking at me while she smokes her cigarette, I see the fear and fright upon her face.
"Whatever is down there, no matter what, I need you to stay close to me. Do not say anything to anyone, without my permission. If so, choose your words very carefully."
"Charon?"
"Dezbe, you have to listen to me or I will leave you here. Do you understand?"
"Yeah. Yeah, I do."
"Good. Come."
I do not like to give her orders, but it is necessary. I know, how these people work. I know, they will do anything to gain control over you. Nothing is too low or sacred for them, and if needed they will kill your own mother before your eyes to get you to obey them. There is nothing they will not do. I cannot allow them to know who Dezbe is, and what she means to me. She must stay close, and within arm's reach if not closer. My trainers were not stupid nor obvious. There were many trapdoors in both their methods of teaching, and their architectural planning.
We begin our descent, and although short, I feel as if years have past. My breath can be heard in my ears, and my heart beats faster and faster the closer I come. Footsteps echo upwards as we continue down. The floor you can see from the top of the steps, yet it takes forever to reach. Before I lay my foot down upon it, I look back at Dezbe to see how close she is following. Less than a step away from me, Dez puts out her cigarette on the wall. I have no objections to it, but she looks as if she is about to be scolded. I will say nothing to her, as long as she can follow my instructions. If something were to happen to her, if they were able to take her from me…I do not know how I will react.
Coming to the floor, Dez and I stand side by side. Her chest touches my arm, and the closeness reminds me of the dangers that may lie ahead. She grabs my arm, her nails digging into my leather sleeve. Before us, a standard vault-door with the number '110' on it. Two red-dotted turrets hold guard at the keypad needed to gain access.
"What do we do now?"
Dezbe asks me, in a hushed whisper. I say nothing, as I watch the turrets watch us. It is a long moment of silence, before noise is heard on the other side.
"Remember, say nothing. Do not leave my side."
"Even if they have candy?"
Her quick wit lightens the mood for me, but it is temporary. The familiar sounds of mechanical devices kicking in grabs my attention. I look first at the turrets that were so keen on watching us. Their red dots turn off, telling me they are no longer active. Dezbe goes to reach for her gun, but I stop her.
"Do not. Wait. I will protect you against danger."
Silently Dez's arm falls back down and she leaves her gun at her hip. I know they will take her weapons, but they will not take mine. If this place holds who I think it does, then they will know of me. They will know better, than to ask me to relinquish my weapon. If they do, it is stupidity on their part.
Frozen in fear, Dezbe watches the gear-like door in front of us hiss out steam. It is not nearly as filthy as the other vault doors, but instead matches the perfect cleanliness of this place. Shimmering, shining, the yellow numbers stand bright and tall in the center of the door. My heart beats louder, faster, as it begins the opening process. Memories of this place have been flooding my mind since the departure from Megaton. Only now, do they worry me. I cannot let myself be distracted, in a place like this. A place where I need to be on constant alert, and constant guard. A place I cannot allow them to find out, that we are suspicious of them.
As the door opens, I feel Dez holding my arm tighter. She may be scared, but I must not show my fear. It is alright for her to be scared, because I am here to protect her. Although this place is my own problem, the source of everything, she decided to come here. Her kindness in that, her willingness to help, will not go unheeded. Here, I will keep her safe. I would rather them take me, than take her from me.
Four figures appear behind the door. The smell of cleanliness and sterile areas fill my nostrils, as the figures make themselves known. All of them, are men in suits. Business suits, the same pre-war style one would wear at this facility. Three of them are wearing brown suits, white undershirts, and brown ties. The one up front, is wearing a black suit, with white undershirt, and black tie. He, I am assuming, is someone of importance here. Guns are on all of them, except the man of importance. He looks like he is in his forties, his skin is paler than most Wastelanders, and I am assuming that is because of vault-life. He has dark brown, almond eyes and combed back black hair with gray in it. A broad jaw, yet a weak one, and a pointed nose. I think of the marketing for perfect employers, when I look at him.
"It's nice, to finally meet you."
The man's sentence takes me back a bit, but I do not show it. There is something…strangely familiar about him. As if we have met before. I look down at Dez to see if she feels the same, but her expression is locked in shock and disbelief. I stare out at the man, men, wondering…what is the purpose of all of this? And what exactly does he mean, by his statement? Both Dez and I remain silent. I cannot think of any reply worth saying. Remembering my training, I also remember not to speak unless having something useful to say.
"Charon, isn't it? And your counterpart here, Dezbe."
"How do you know of this?"
I ask him, taking note of his calm if not pleased disposition. His men eye me carefully, up and down. There are scars on their faces. Scars that are all too familiar to me.
"There's plenty of time for that in a bit. Why don't you and her come inside, and out of that world. I can assure you, ours is much cleaner."
When we do not move, the man looks back, and gives a sly smile.
"That, friends, is an order."
With Dezbe clinging to my arm, I know far better than to disobey here. These people, with their scars and way of speaking, are the descendants of those who ran the facility. They know then, the ins and outs of my training, contractual obligations, and all the strings that bind me to the puppet master. They have the advantage here, and it does not sit well with me. As Dezbe and I enter, the door closes behind us. I take note, of what we are walking into.
The vault is built upon a series of catwalks. This is noticeable as we follow the nameless man blindly. Below, I recognize, are training grounds. Various machines for exercising, dummies and punching bags, targets, all the assets a well-stable and effective area needs to train good soldiers. There is a podium for announcements, as well as fights and public executions. I can see the blood, from where I walk. This place nearly, is an exact replica of the one that once was above ground. The sheer fact this is all below the ground is in and of itself amazing to me, whilst the purpose of it, the reason why it is here, makes my blood boil.
Below there are exits and entrances to cubic structures that are rooms and mess halls, The place is significantly smaller, and there is no lawn for training on. Simply steel and metal. Above, seem to hold the same cubic rooms. Each catwalk lead to another, and some lead to a four-way meeting of them. Some lead to cubic structures, others to different parts. It seems it is built this way, so that the supervisors and trainers can observe their trainees with ease and finesse. I hope, they do not show the children to me. I have only just quieted them in my mind.
"What do you think of the new grounds? I've only seen the ruins of the Pentagon and Citadel, but from the pictures of the past I'd say this is a great improvement. Don't you think?"
I say nothing, and the man looks back at me. He smirks, as if he knows something I do not.
"Vault technology is amazing. We're able to all live and train here with ease. Come, there is a lot to discuss. And, explain."
He leads us inside a cubic structure. Inside, it looks like a meeting room. A long, slender steel table surrounded by leathery chairs sits in front of us. There is a Nuka-Cola machine, and I catch Dez's wandering eye. She had best not try anything.
"Sit, sit. After all, this time around, you're a guest."
I do as he tells me, placing Dez in the seat next to me. Knowing their schemes and having an idea of their forms of plan, I wrap my foot around the leg of Dez's chair. As a man, these men would easily have matched my strength two-to-one, yet as a ghoul, it will take far more than three, or four if the man in black decides to join, to overpower me and my set of skills.
"Tell me, Charon, what brings you here after al these years?"
"I feel it is you, who needs to explain things to us."
I tell him, whilst watching Dez from the corner of my eye. As his followers sit obediently on either side of him, the man in black stretches and folds his hands on the table.
"Ah, right. I forgot you don't know much of this place. Where to start…where to start? Well, you do, or rather did know my father, Elder Lyons."
"Elder Lyons was your father?"
I ask although he has already answered my question. This tale, grows more and more abundant as it continues on. I am quick to realize that.
"Yes. You see, when you were here in this compound, or rather, above it, there was a lot more than simple training taking place. Not only were we preparing mercenaries for protection before the war, but after, as well."
"You knew the war was definite?"
"Of course. After all, why else would Vault-Tec agree to built vaults such as this? Either way, as my ancestors were busy at hand training you and your kin, they were also busy planning the future. As you now know, Lyons was my father. My name, Andrew Lyons. Elder Lyons left here when I was young, as did many of my grandfathers before my time. They would often come back, each reporting that the land was still too disorganized to go out in. None of us are stupid of the outside world, though, we just have unfinished work here. But, for more interesting subjects, it's finally good to see you in the flesh. Or, lack thereof, it seems. Radiation?"
"How do you know about me?"
Andrew lights a pre-war cigar, and leans back in the leather chair. Dez stares up at me, dumbfounded by the new knowledge.
"Charon who doesn't know? You were the best thing to come out of this place, and by far, most dangerous. We took special precautions with you. We needed to preserve you."
"Why?"
"Because of your outstanding abilities. Even now, no one has surpassed you in training, skills, knowledge, obedience, anything. Everything from the very minute of your release, was pre-calculated. Including your contract falling into the hands of John. You see, we needed an employer to own you who was against all that we had trained you for. One who also had money and access to a vault. He was the prime candidate, ensuring your survival of the war. Since then, we've been keeping tabs on you."
"Tabs? As in you have been watching me? I fail to see how that is possible."
"In your existence past the war, haven't you ever noticed anything…uncanny? People coming in and out of Underworld, watching you and only you, and simply leaving, never to be seen or heard from again? Here, I'm sure this lady can remember. About how Three Dog is always able to know where you both are, at any given time and moment? Dezbe, your suspicions of being watched at night while traveling with him were not for any displaced paranoia. I believe you remember the man who left the cryptic message in the dirt one night years back? Dezbe I'm sorry to have involved you in this, but when your hands fell upon Charon's contract it was against our planning. Ahzrukhal was one of my trained men, specially trained as they all were, to deal with Charon and his abilities, keep him within reach until we were ready for him. I had to send out people, connected all through radio of course, and working with Three Dog, to make sure tabs on your were kept. You've done quite a good job, I must say, at disbanding all my messengers. We've just lost sight of you, until now, that is."
Dezbe looks at me in fear, and I feel hear hand touch my thigh beneath the table. If all he says is true, then he not only knows of Dezbe and her meaning to me, but our relationship, and my learning's. This is dangerous.
"If you know all about me, why is it you have me here now, then?"
"You brought yourself here, it wasn't in my plan but it works either way. But, let me finish. Dezbe, your working with Charon has made him…change. It is a reason as to why we issue our mercenaries with same-sex employers. You threw a notch into our plans, but that worked itself out. Charon's mind cannot move onwards, without of course digging up the past. Normal regression for most people who undergo traumatic events. It brought him here, and ultimately, you did as I had initially planned. Brought him back."
"What is the need for my returning?"
"Charon, we can't have our best man forever free on the outside world now, can we? You've not only impressed us with training, but with your ability to learn and adapt to situations presented to us with this girl. Somehow, for a short time, you were able to be and feel and act as a normal being. This is a flaw in our plans, but a flaw we hope to fix with your help."
"Tell me what it is you intend to do with the people you train here."
"Do as the Enclave, Outcasts, Brotherhood, NCR, Caesar's Legion, and other useless groups did across the Wasteland and failed. Bring order and structure to this country once and for all. Simply, we've been waiting centuries for not only our army to be ready, but for you. Because without you, we cannot fix the flaws and therefore, cannot be ready."
He is wishing to do, what so many before him have tried at and failed. This will not be good, and I do not wish to take part in this, but for now I must pretend to be interested. Pretend, that I will be willing to help. Perhaps even, his ideas are not so far-fetched. With an army as obedient as I once was, there will be no riots or undeserving death. It is possible he can preserve order, as the world once was with the resources at hand. I wonder if it is I who thinks to agree with him, or the training that has so embedded itself into my mind?
"But, that's enough business talk. Dezbe, you look tired and famished. Why don't you follow Gail here down to the showers and mess hall while Charon gets reintroduced to the place?"
She looks at me, her grip on my thigh growing tighter.
"Dezbe stays with me at all times."
I tell Andrew. For a moment there is a look of anger on his face. He knows this game, and he knows I am aware of it as well. Small suggestions, will not win either one of us over.
"Alright, fair enough. Why don't you both go down and freshen up, then?"
The showers here are sex-related. I would not be allowed under any circumstance to follow her into the women's bathing room, and vice versa. It is still a shock to me, that they have not confiscated our weapons.
"We are in no need of fresh resources. We are fine."
Andrew smokes his cigar, a slight look of annoyance in his eye. He has me, and knows if he removes Dezbe from my side, I will be forced to comply. Not only because I will no longer be with her, but also because he knows how to get my mind back into his hands. I remember now, who he reminds me of. My own trainer, centuries ago.
"Very well. You do understand, though, we simply cannot let you leave Charon, right? You're too valuable."
"I have heard that before. Do not treat me as I am a prisoner here once more, and I will not act as I did then."
"What are you saying?"
I lean forward, making sure he knows my stance and girth is not the only thing threatening about me.
"I have induced riots here. Your forefathers were terrified of me coming back to this place. Is that not in your files? Is it not in your files, that although I was the best one to come from this place, that I was also the worst? The one most likely, to return and extract revenge?"
Andrew read only what he wanted to read. He did not read the space, specific for recording disciplinary actions and events. His face, tells me all of this.
"It said nothing of that."
"I suggest you do further research, before letting a former student back into the place he hated most in the world."
I stand up, and as I do three of the men stand with me. I position my body in front of Dez's, my plan not yet calculated.
"Show us a room for board. I will sleep on the choice to work with you."
Andrew knows it is best to do as I say. I am taller than his men, and much more dangerous. For a short time, I have the power. I must utilize this to the best of my abilities, before I no longer have control.
"I should warn you, Charon, there isn't much of a choice."
I decide to say nothing. Behind me, Dez stands and clings to my belt. That is a wise choice for her to make. Andrew and I stare at one another, both holding careful ground and treading dangerous waters. Yet he knows, it is better to listen than not. Waving his hand, one of his men comes over to us.
"Follow me. I will show you to your room."
I nod goodbye to Andrew, and follow the man. As we step out of the room and onto the catwalk, I glance down below. Young children, are being led out to the makeshift field for training. I remember my own, and look away. To turn my back on all of this, will be an insult to all I have learned and discovered whilst without contract, and with Dezbe. Yet, I cannot shake the motives, words, and ways of Andrew's plan from my mind.