"Ah, you're here! Good." Said the grizzled, old, white bearded man known in the Vault as 'The Overseer'. "We've got a problem. A big one." Perhaps it was rather awkward of him to send such a stare to the only other person in the room. But said person needed to know just how much chaos and destruction would rain upon their home if he was to succeed in his mission.
The other man was in his late twenties, 27 to be precise. He had a strong looking chin and short black hairs, two small tufts of hair slithered down the front side of his forehead. His name was Albert, Albert Cole. The Vault Dweller's gaze was concentrated on the Overseer, he walked further towards the main platform and crossed his arms. He wore a special jumpsuit with a number 13 on his back.
The Overseer pressed a button and lowered the platform. Not only did it act as main computer and data storage from where the various Overseers would control the Vault, but it had special advanced weapon systems which went from 5mm minigun shots to tear infantry to rockets for bigger and more powerful threats.
"The controller chip for our water purification system has given up the ghost. Can't make another one, and the process is too complicated for a workaround system. Simply put…" It was the first time Albert saw the man swallowing and closing his eyes. "…we're running out of drinking water." Cole sharply inhaled but allowed the old man to continue. "No water, no Vault. This is crucial to our survival, and frankly, I…" He paused. "I think you're the only hope we have."
Albert opened his mouth to speak and the Overseer raised a hand. "Please, let me finish. You need to go find us another controller chip. We estimate we have have 4 to 5 months before the Vault runs out of water. About 150 days, if you will. We need that chip. We've marked your map with the location of another Vault. Not a bad place to start, I think."
The device on Albert's wrist beeped and shined a green light. It was a PIPBoy 2000, a small computer like monitor which acted not only as data storage but also as a tool to access the Vault's equivalent of an internet connection. Everyone could connect together and play video games if they chose to.
"Why me?" He could finally speak. "I am, using the Old World terminology, a simple lawyer. I studied as much as I could and reached quite the position in my group's faction." He narrowed his eyes. "You're not fooling me into getting out there to let the Wasteland kill me because you think I can start a revolution in the Vault, right?"
The Overseer sighed. "While I do not approve your group's ideals and the power it holds, I certainly wouldn't make up a story this surreal. I could probably ask the security to cover up your abrupt disappearance and create a story where you decided to venture out yourself in the Wasteland to prove how it would be the best course of action for our future. Yet you died in the cave and we captured the event on camera." He showed a strained smile.
"As for why I chose you. Well, I thought about calling Max Stone and Natalia Dubrovhsky first. You might wondering why I didn't." The old man chuckled. "Max is strong, yes, but he isn't the sharpest tool in the shed; the last thing we want, is a big child trapped in the body of a massive adult wrecking the place. Natalia is the more specialized in stealth feats, but in the Wasteland her abilities could come in handy until a certain limit. But you?" He pointed a finger. "Your bartering abilities are the right tool out there. And I know you have read many documents and magazines on firearms as well as weapons like the energy ones."
"We could finally head out there and be free, sir! It's our chance!"
He stepped towards the young man and placed a hand on his shoulder. "We both know that isn't possible, my boy. Such an overzelous decision would prove to be the end to, perhaps, the last batch of pure genetic
human beings. Even if the tails out there are true, what kind of mutated fauna would we encounter? No, we can't go out there. Not yet at least. Maybe in a hundred years or so, we'll be able to."
Albert didn't argue. "How much time do I have to prepare myself? And what about my parents? I wouldn't want my mother to have a heart attack if she discovered I suddenly disappeared without a trace."
"I will tell them, all of them. Your parents will be the first ones to be notified of course. You'll have fifteen minutes before your imminent departure. We must not linger on meaningless exchanges any longer. Take what you hold as most valuable with you and only that. I shall ask your inventory to be made of a few stimpaks, mentats, flares, a small laser pistol and a 10mm gun." He sighed. "Look, just be safe, alright?"
Albert stood in front of the main door on the main level of the Vault. He had travelled on the first level through a nearby elevator, two guards greeted him before returning to their job. A Vault Dweller led him to the entrance, the number 13 drawn on it like on his jumpsuit. Cole waved his goodbyes one last time to his parents and nodded to the guy, who tapped the console and initialized the process.
He walked inside the new chamber, red lights and an alarm rang while the door behind him closed. The mechanism was turned on and the big metal door was casted aside to reveal…
A cave.
He took a deep breath and exited his home. The Pipboy thankfully a provided a small light source in the darkness and he didn't want to immediately waste flares.
Ten steps in and Albert froze in his steps, one single skeleton was lying on the ground, the remaining bones of his hand reaching out towards the Vault's direction. Perhaps he was crawling away to safety while injured and the final blow was delivered.
He knelt down and examinated the body. His eyes caught something and he winced while burying his hands in the skeleton's empty chest.
10mm ammo and another knife! Even if of another type. But ammo was ammo, right? That would give him a boost until he'd find more in the Wasteland, resources were already scarce after all.
Albert stuffed the supplies in his backpack and crept ahead.
Something sticky and organic splatted under his boots. He almost vomited at the sight of feces.
Wait a moment.
He had read of Old War's animals in the history books and in the biology's lessons. The bites on the deceased Vault Dwellers closely mirrored those of…
SQUEAK!
Rats.
Albert grabbed his knife just as the animal opened launched towards him and buried the tip in its head. He waved the weapon multiple times until the rat's body dropped on the ground.
Squeaks and hisses echoed ahead and he gritted his teeth.
Too many of 'em and I'm fighting in the dark. Gotta find an exit and return later on to eradicate these pests.
And so he ran… ran like he had never done in his life.
Albert passed near more mutated rats but their reaction time hadn't been enough to stop his advance.
He bursted out of the cave in the opening near a mammal's carcass. The mountain opened in a road to connect itself to the walls, the sun was hidden as it was still early morning, but the reflexes enabled him to witness its glory anyway.
For the first time in his life, he was looking at the outside world.
