Chapter 12: Vacant Doors

Sleep took me almost as soon as I hit the sheets. I really should rest rather than move about. Luckily for me, my bandages became obsolete quickly. I removed them once I woke back up. The night came and went. Nothing catastrophic, at least. It is nice for no nightmares either.

The morning hit through the cracks in the metal. A beam of light hit me directly in the face. Rays soon illuminated the room and prevented me from sleeping. It made a decent alarm, at least. I arose with a disappointed growl. I much rather sleep much longer than what I was doing.

I sat up on the bed, my legs clanging on the metal below me. I probably should keep quiet if Mike and Cat aren't awake yet.

Standing up, I gave a good stretch and my bones cracked in places I didn't even know I had! The bed is much too small for me. I'm practically falling off it as is. The thing is comfortable, no doubt. It beats any dirty floor.

Standing up, I looked down at my claws. I could use trimming now. I opened up my satchel and took out my sandpaper slab. Usually, one would use their other hand to shave them down. Makes me feel like too much of a beast.

I couldn't even start trimming. I heard yelling outside, two people arguing, and not only that; it wasn't voices I recognized.

To play it safe, I donned my robe and hood once again. The actual process was quick and no distractions. It was nice while it lasted, without hiding. I crept my way downstairs. Cat and Mike are nowhere to be seen, assuming they are still asleep.

I left their building. The town was completely desolate. No one was here. It looked almost like a ghost town. People were hiding, but from what? Going down the ramp from their upper house. I noticed two people standing at the gate. I just realized one of them was Harden and the other… a person in power armor, not just any power armor, it was Enclave power armor! I recognize that insignia from any nightmare!

No... fucking... way. They really are here too?! I had to keep myself together. This was the first lead I have had in a long while. They are no longer just a rumor!

They were arguing, and the soldier hit his plasma rifle against the gate and it opened. 7 other soldiers all geared up flooded the town surrounding Harden and the only exit, and the entrance of Megaton.

He drew his revolver and threw it down. I wasn't close enough to hear exactly what he was saying. All I knew was he needed help. I used the various buildings as cover as I made my way to the gate. These damn Power Armor soldiers have no honor or even code. Whatever government they think they have, it's a lie!

"You better know whose side you are on Wastelander, the Enclave is coming back. You are going to be an enemy of us if you keep this up! Or join our cause! There is no other option." One of the closest soldiers threatened.

Before Harden could say a word, I shouted, "Why are you threatening this harmless town, soldier?"

He and his entire battalion turned towards me, and Harden gave me a nervous look at me. His entire demeanor broke that instant. The entire force walked at me and made a formation of a circle around me. Their leader approached me, assuming I would get scared, but I know what they were capable of. No way am I getting scared by these powerhouses.

"Here, I thought we told everyone to stay inside, or are you planning on playing the hero here, stranger?"

"I don't believe this town has your best interest, even if the Enclave is coming back. Everyone knows what you are up to! Maybe come up with a different name before you try to brainwash everyone?"

One soldier said, "Screw this!" And went to hit me with their super sledge, but stopped right before hitting me. I didn't even flinch. They are monsters, certainly. But they will juice for all the fear they can get first.

"Well, God damn! You don't scare easily, do you?"

Oh, if only you knew what you were dealing with, you bastard!

"So, why the robe? Are you hiding from someone?" the one in front asked.

I immediately tried to answer. Bluffing my way through. "I suffered from some severe burns and suffered deformities because of it. I prefer to keep myself like this, if you don't mind."

He reached to remove my hood, which I leaned back on promptly. "If you wish to see me, I expect you to remove your helmet as well. Is that not fair, soldier?"

They considered for a moment and then aimed their rifles and lasers at me."How about we just kill you and laugh at your deformed body instead?"

I sighed. "That's a bit of overkill, don't you think? With that much firepower, I don't believe there will be anything left of me to make fun of, besides killing me won't help your case?"

He stomped his clangy feet against the dirt out of frustration and called his men off. "Fine, stranger, fine, you are right." He looked over at Harden, who was wide-eyed and had a nervous sweat. He looked like he was ready to ditch any minute.

"You know our proposition, take it or face the consequences!" he made a circling hand motion to his troops, "Move out!" he shouted, and with that, they all followed him. Making their way out and traveling into the vast Wasteland. None of them even tried to look back.

Harden regained his composure. "Holy shit, holy shit. I thought the Lone Wanderer destroyed them years ago." He then turned his attention to me, picking back up the revolver, and placing it back on his hip. "Are you fucking crazy? They could have shot you, figured out who you are, and, or then turned us all to ash!"

"You looked like you needed help. Besides, I owe you. I've encountered these pricks before, not these guys specifically, but the Enclave."

"For all you know… Never mind, they will be back. They want a tally of all the people living here and anyone going in and out. I'm assuming so that they can keep track of literally anyone for when they "take back the Wasteland" What a joke!"

"Indeed, I must take my leave of this town. Then, in that case, I cannot let them discover me. No chance I'm risking that. They will kill me on the spot or do experiments! Or both!"

"So soon? That's a shame, but it's safer than staying here and having god know what happens, huh? You will return someday, right? To visit?"

"Of course, Harden, how could I not? Maybe I grew to like this Wasteland town. I see it as a place worth protecting."

That was the truth, too. This place has offered me much and accepted me mostly, but as with any good thing, this would not last. "I'm going to go say my goodbyes to Cat and Mike. Can you inform everyone else, like Moira and the doc?"

He gave me a nod and made his way up the ramp towards Moira and her shop. I want the opposite way back to the house. I'm sure this will upset them so soon, but I was going to leave today anyway, if not tomorrow at the most.

I cracked the door open and peeked in to see if they were awake and to my expectations; they had been sitting at the table drinking some, I'm assuming coffee.

"Oh, John, we were wondering where you had left. Off to go for a walk?"

I removed my hood and shook my head. "No, the Enclave came here demanding to make a deal with Harden. They are back to reclaim the Capital Wasteland!"

They set their cups down, looked at me and then at each other, and then back at me. Looking even sadder than before.

Mike gave a tap on the table with his fist a few times. "But you will be back, yeah? We have a lot to ask you and, well… we enjoyed having you around," he admitted.

I gathered my satchel and organized my belongings. "As much as I have enjoyed being here, I simply cannot stay. I still have a mission of my own to accomplish and no, don't worry, I'll come back to visit. It's just a "when" it would be the question."

I checked my things, making sure I had everything, before placing my satchel under my robe once more. "You two may follow me to the gate, if you desire. If not, I bid you farewell and this won't be the last time you see me, I promise." I grinned, leaving the front door, casually mentioning. "Oh, please no more getting captured by any Raiders!" I teased them both.

I left the house with a chuckle. I thought it was funny, at least. I gave them the choice to accompany me to the gate and shortly after I started down the ramp; they followed behind. They asked me what I was going to do or where I would go. I did not know or even have a clue of what to do now. So, I didn't answer. I just gave a semi-genuine. "I am still unsure." To most of their questions.

We reached the gate and Harden, Lucy, and Moira were all there talking and waiting on me, I'm assuming. Moira noticed me first. "John, such a shame it has its end as soon as it started, huh? That pesky Enclave is always ruining everything!"

I placed my hood on my horns and adjusted the rest of my attire. "Yes, those damn Enclave, but to be honest with you all, I was probably going to be leaving in a day or so anyway."

As I made my way to the gate, Mike told me to wait and grabbed Cat by the wrist, pulling her along with him in my direction. "How about you let us go with you, I mean the more the merrier, right?" he seemed unsure about his choice the moment the words left his mouth.

All I did was shake my head and tell him, "Sorry, Mike, but you two are safer here. I don't even have a destination and I work much better alone. You two would just slow me down with how much I would… worry about your safety." I admitted.

He nodded and let go of Cat. They both seemed simultaneously glad and saddened by my decision. I told everyone my goodbyes and that I would return someday. Before I left, Lucy stepped up and stopped me.

"Hey, John I have a letter here for my brother, it isn't the most important thing in the world but if you stop or hear of a place called Arefu it's a short distance from here on one of those Pre-war highways to the north?" she paused, pointing in the direction. "Anyway, ask for Ian West. They will know it's from me and, of course, you will receive payment upon delivery. Oh, and no need to come back here and tell me when I get his letter from someone else, I'll know then."

I took it because who knows if I'll be going that way anyway, it's a lead on a new settlement, maybe; just maybe someone can lead me in the right direction. I intend to keep that promise. That, assuming I don't die a horrible death by something in this relatively new territory.

Part of me was worried about leaving the town again. With their luck, another raider attack would happen; but that one wouldn't be a responsibility of mine. I had much bigger goals for myself. I can't be worrying about some settlement that will be okay in the end either way

I passed Deputy Weld on my way out. He sputtered and sparked as I went by him. I couldn't make out a word he said because of so much static. It was entertaining, if not a little sad. Maybe it was time for this robot to be decommissioned.

I wouldn't be the one to do it, a waste of time. There was another traveling merchant outside of the walls, just like the last one. They must frequent this town. I don't suppose any rumors have gotten out of me. If it had, that could mean some trouble.

The guards eyed me as I continued my trot along the path to Springvale. I read the sign and directions properly now without the dust storm blocking it or my vision. I reached the Red Rocket pumping station. There was a Nuka Cola machine next to a rusted-out Corvega vehicle. I know nothing about the models or even how these cars functioned. I'm sure pre-war America was quite the technical marvel, either way.

I inspected the Cola machine; I tapped on the side and it didn't sound hollow, which would mean there was something inside, still a drink perhaps? Then again, it is sitting out here all this time near a decently busy town and the odds it had to be touched? Highly doubtful.

I gave the thing a couple of shakes and nothing. At least there wasn't some explosive rigged to it. I cut my losses and continued onwards, the Wasteland sun shining; oh so bright upon the world today.

I turned around and remembered that they mentioned a vault 101 up in that direction. Perhaps I can check that out now. It would hurt unless it's infested with ghouls. I always hated those things.

I passed by four dilapidated houses as I jogged up the sloped road. This place was barren and picked. You wouldn't be able to find even a can of food here. I mean an empty one.

When I reached the top of this summit overlooking Springvale, I noticed a blue sign all torn and withered with rust. I couldn't decipher what it once said; in its old and rusted nature. I can only imagine it said something about the view. What a view it was indeed. I could see all of Springvale from up here, and the way in the distance, I could see the capitol building. I wonder if anyone is there or has that all been forgotten? Probably taken over by some gang of raiders who don't even know how significant that all was.

I stopped looking at the distant terrain and turned myself around and entered the cave that I can only assume led to Vault 101 after I had squeezed through the doorway leading into the cave with much finessing.

I left the door open. It shed a ray of light just long enough that I could see the end of a goliath of a door with a massive 101 on the front of it. This entrance wasn't all that long. Usually, vaults have some kind of labyrinth before you find the actual door.

I crept through the dimly lit cave. This place feels...off. Something is wrong in this air. No one was intended to set foot in here again. A few skeletons with various worn signs were outside of the Vault door. I could read one, "We are dying assholes!" I see these people are pleasant. I concluded that this was before the war, which means the vault hasn't opened.

No, no, that can't be right. There were tales of a Lone Wanderer that came from here, so it opened at least once from what seems like quite a time ago.

I looked at the control panel for a moment and listened inside the door, silent as could be. I heard absolutely nothing at all, not even a ventilation system. I finally pulled the lever after silently waiting for a few moments. That signature alarm was blaring as the door shifted with a screeching echo throughout the cave. That was much easier than every other Vault I've seen. No elaborate password?

As the door pulled back, a skeleton had to just swing out from behind the door and dangled there. It has been recently too. Their ankles hung upside-down from the light in the ceiling. It was a long rope. It was like the one at the vault door entrance. Far too old to be a resident. Or anyone who opened it. I jumped and cut the rope with a slash of my claw real quick. The body hit the ground against the metal with a thud. This is a detriment for people to not enter this place. What else could be here? It means that it hasn't been touched since they strung the skeleton up.

I put my hood down and open up my robe so my movements aren't heavily restricted. I took a door to the left; various floor signs and graffiti lined the walls. I could tell it wasn't from raiders. It was more like an art, probably some rebellious group.

I entered some kind of hallway leading to a central room. I could see the Overseer's window with blood splattered all over it, and the feeling that I'm not alone. The central room had a table flipped over. It was facing the door I just came out of, an attack on the vault, perhaps? Many of the doors seem to have been sabotaged. Broken electric panels are still sputtering with electricity. This whole lower section has everything broken and in pieces, especially the door controls. It looks like someone had taken these apart.

I attempted to lift the door by force, but it just got stuck about halfway. I could attempt to rush through it. Only if it fell on me and I got stuck. I'm pretty sure I won't be able to get out of that.

I peered through the windows of each room. There were three on the right and three on the left. They all were too dark to see, but the farthest one on the left I could open. It led to a set of stairs going up. I ascended them, slowly. Keeping my talons from scratching at the metal flooring, just like at home.

I came across another body. This time, it looked like a security guard. There was a bloodstain on the wall right above them. A burn mark against the wall too, and a decent hole in their chest. The body wasn't even decomposed yet.

Something or someone was here, or is still here; curiosity led me to continue. I entered a walkway above that center room I was in. All the doors except one were open.

Wait, open? It leads into a maintenance room past a closed window, the red computers still on and processing the vault information and needs.

I went through cautiously. The bodies of residents and security soon piled up. There was a room to the left as I went toward the Overseer's office.

I looked into the window, and I could only see what looked like an execution. Various people lined in a circle and were seemingly just killed one by one. I know someone in particular who would do that, the Enclave, of course!

They must have been here in search of something. I don't know what. Possibly a G.E.C.K, maybe? If it has anything to do with the blasted Enclave. I just need to make sure they don't get whatever it is they are after.

I made it to the end of the hall and made a right into an office looking room right before the Overseer's room. I heard a clanging against the metal below me; like someone walking in a suit of power armor. I went up the steps and got closer; going through the hall, it kept going slower and slower as it drew closer and closer to my location. I hid against the wall, a hand already raised to strike.

I saw their black mass enter the room before they could even react! I hit downward, leaving a scratch in their armor. They grabbed my wrist and picked me up and threw me to the ground. I hit them with a fast recovery; I landed on my back and rolled over; they went to hit me with their super sledge but missed.

I quickly stood back up and spread my arms out, ready to strike. They charged at me again with full force. I jumped to the side and turned behind them. Their sledge got stuck in the wall. They tried to get it out. I took a swat at the fusion core, sparking it and pulling it out before making a broad slash across their back and pushing them forward, removing their helmet as I hit them against a wall.

Tossing the bulky helmet aside, I used a leg to stand on their back. So, they couldn't get up and I forced them on their chest, face down and restricted.

"How many of you are there!?" I asked, aggressively. Applying more force upon their back. Keeping a firm pressure on all their limbs as well; with their own arms.

They struggled with a grunt before they stopped squirming. "I am alone! Since when did a deathclaw gain the ability to talk?"

I didn't believe her and didn't comment on my ability to speak. "Why are you here, then? Back to searching for any survivors?"

"Dammit, I'm not with the Enclave! I used to live here. I came here looking for a memento of my father!"

I, to my surprise, believed her now. She seemed far too decent to be tied with those degenerates with the Enclave.

"Well, who are you then?" I let off some of the pressure from her back.

"My name is Mia, but everyone knows me as The Lone Wanderer."

End Chapter: 12