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I don't own fallout 3
Italics mean thought[*]
Verea regarded her situation… she was surrounded by Brotherhood Outcasts, all of whom were pointing various firearms at her. Her hands were up, far away from her guns. The sun was at her back. This was a situation where good speaking skills would solve the problem at hand.
"What can I do for you gentleman or ladies" It was hard to tell with Power Armor.
One of them, definitely a "gentleman" stated: "This one is a lot prettier than the average local. She should be fun!"
"I wouldn't recommend that if you want to remain a gentleman." Said Verea reaching for Wazer.
The rest of the squad noticed her hands and they all cocked their weapons at her.
"Enough local! This area is currently occupied by the Brotherhood Outcasts! What is your business here?"
"Well there are, that is were" gesturing at the corpses. "A lot of Super Mutants here and I came to take them out."
"Well that's very kind for a local. Why don't you just run along now, and, wait… What's that on your wrist?" His helmet aimed for the Pip-Boy on her wrist.
Verea's hands quickly covered the Pip-Boy's screen. "Its mine and you can't have it"
"Easy local, I'm not asking for it. Although knowing that you have it may make you useful to us."
Verea raised her eyebrow, "Useful how?"
"Hold on" the Power Armored man reached up and activated the suits radio. A few muffled words later and he spoke to her again.
"You need to see Protector McGraw, he wants to speak with you. And just so you know…this is not a request. Follow us."
If Verea had brought her Tesla Armor and/or Fawkes she might have stood a chance. But clad in Talon Combat Armor. She stood little to no chance. Faced with little choice, Verea relented.
The squad of Outcasts led her over a makeshift ramp into a ruined building where they passed several Super Mutant corpses. Verea managed to snatch a few of their assault rifles before a sharp jab to the shoulder urged her on.
The small crew emerged from the old office building and went down another makeshift ramp. Verea behold a large steel-beam construct inside of a large depression in the city block. A trio of Outcasts were guarding it. After being led down the stairs Verea finally noticed the elevator.
"Inside, talk to Sibley," said Morrill
The Outcast raised their weapons to emphasize his point. So Verea entered the elevator and descended to the bottom.
[*]
"Why can't we just ice the chick and take the computer ourselves."
"Because McGraw gave us orders"
Those were the words Verea heard when she emerged from the old elevator.
Two Outcasts were arguing in the room in front of the elevator. Verea couldn't see one but the other had dark skin. The man turned and regarded the Lone Wanderer.
"So you're the local who's going to help us eh?" The man spoke with a really raspy voice. Verea thought he might enjoy cigarettes a little too much.
"At your service, I assume you're Sibley"
The scowl on the man's face deepened. His eyes drifted down to her left arm spying the Pip-Boy.
"Don't get smart local, follow me. McGraw wants to talk to you." Without a moments hesitation he turned around and walked deeper into the base.
Verea simply shrugged and followed.
[*]
The bunker was different from the other military bases and bunkers that littered the former Capitol. Not only were the walls a different color, it was much cleaner and in better shape than others. Of course there was the possibility that the Outcasts had cleaned up a little.
Speaking of the Outcasts. There were several of them, all attending to various things.
One thing they all attended to however was bad manners. Now, manners were not that common in the Capital Wasteland, especially since Verea was a young woman, but while the various male jibes were annoying, the Brotherhood Outcasts were just plain insulting.
As Sibley led Verea inside, one of them rounded a corner and bumped into Verea but instead of saying, "excuse me," the Power Armored woman said,
"Watch it local, who knows what's breeding on you!"
Verea desperately wanted to say, "The words you're looking for are excuse me!" but, for some reason decided against it and continued to follow Sibley.
They were just about to enter a small room when one Outcast nudged another and said, "Hey look, it some of the local wildlife."
Verea was just about to introduce them to a frag grenade when she heard Sibley speak.
"He she is Protector, just like you asked"
"Thank you Sibley, that will be all" said a bearded man with a sarge haircut. Presumably McGraw.
"Sir, I tell you once again that trusting this local is not good idea."
"For the last time Defender" said McGraw in an annoyed voice, "you objections have been noted. Thank you"
"Yes Sir!" And with that Sibley stormed off glaring at Verea.
Verea and Protector McGraw both stared at each other, the other sizing each other up.
"Verea the Commando, also known as the Lone Wanderer" said McGraw.
"Protector McGraw" said Verea holding out her hand.
"Might as well extend a gesture of peace"However McGraw ignored the hand and continued to speak.
"Daughter of James and Catherine, scientists at Project Purity. Resident of Vault 101, until 26 months ago. Alternates residency between Megaton, the Citadel, and Tenpenny Tower. Lawbringer of the Regulators and member of Riley's Rangers, Honorary Knight of the Brotherhood of Steel, Coauthor of the Wasteland Survival Guide, The Sacker of Paradise Falls, and of course, Collection Agent for the Outcasts, traded spare parts for aid and ammo by order of Protector Casdin at Fort Independence. "
"Am I supposed to be impressed? You can learn most of that from Galaxy News Radio"
"The Brotherhood Outcasts like to know the who's who of the Wasteland. Makes interacting with the populace easier."
"Maybe getting some manners would help as well," muttered Verea under her breath.
"What was that?"
"Nothing, so anyway do you want something from me because I have places to go."
McGraw cleared his throat and began: "All right this is the rundown. I'll keep it simple: There's some high-value tech in this base, but we can't get to it. We're pretty sure anyone who completes the facilities VR simulation program will gain access. I won't lie to you; we're talking front line heavy combat. Safety protocols disengaged. Sim death, real death."
Verea mused on this for a few seconds and spoke one of the few rules of the Wasteland:
"What's in it for me?"
McGraw raised an eyebrow, "Really Lone Wanderer? Your acts of charity are known throughout the region. You help that water beggar outside of Megaton and you recently helped a village take care of a group of super mutants, a very poor village mind you."
"Seems their intelligence goes beyond GNR"Verea placed her hands on her hips.
"I always receive payment Protector. When fighting those super mutants, I took their weapons and ammo, and I found a lot of valuable salvage at their base, which I sold at Tenpenny Tower and got wasted on. So you see, even if the hiring party has no funds for payment, I always get a reward from loot or salvage. And what you are asking of me provides no opportunities for profitable scavenging. I basically play a computer game and risk my life to open a door for you and you'll just send me on my way. So tell me, what is my motivation for helping you McGraw?
McGraw closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. Just like your average wastelander, if a little smarter.
"Simple Wanderer" going back to his professional stance. "As I said before, our intelligence indicates there is a large cache of Pre-War tech in there. When you open it, you are free to whatever you want. There should be plenty for everyone."
"The Outcast is not known for their generosity, Protector. Why would you give me, a wastelander, access to some valuable pre-war weaponry and tech?"
"Weapons are good but what is really valuable is computer data, which there is no shortage of here. And, once again, I say there is plenty for everyone.
Verea pondered this. On one hand: dangerous mission. But then again almost every mission was dangerous. On the other hand…lots of Valuable Pre-War Tech.
"All right I'll do it"
"Very Good, report to Specialist Olin in the VR room, she'll bring you up to speed.
Without another word Verea left the room. Defender Sibley was waiting outside the door.
"So he suckered you into it huh? C'mon this way"
Verea and Sibley walked in a large room at the end of the hallway. Verea had a flashback to Vault 112. There were rows of computers, all surrounding an egg shaped pod. It looked more advanced than the ones in Vault 112. Still the comparison unnerved her.
A woman was sitting at the end of the room typing away at a computer. She was wearing outfit that was almost exactly like a Brotherhood Scribe robe, except it was black instead of red. She looked stressed.
"Hey Olin got a new test subject for ya'. Hope she turns out better than the last one. Ha Ha Ha!"
"Screw you Sibley, you know that wasn't my fault"
"Sure, just make some progress this time"
Specialist Olin rose from her chair and regarded Verea with the same derisive stare that all of the Outcasts seemed to share.
"So you're the subject that McGraw roped into this?
"Guess so."
"Fine put this on, get in the chair and we'll run the simulation" said Olin handing Verea a strange, white suit.
"Not so fast. First of all what kind of simulation is this?"
Like McGraw before her, Olin pinched the bridge of her nose.
"It's a combat simulation. That takes place during the Battle of Anchorage, during the Liberation of Alaska, a significant event in American history.
Ah Yes. Verea remembered reading about that in the Capitol Post building.
"And this is?" she asked, holding up the white suit.
"A neural interface suit now put it on!"
Verea scanned the suit into her Pip-boy and then summoned it from within. While the suit materialized around her body she asked,
"What happened to the last recruit?"
"Never mind that, hop in," replied Olin.
Deciding it was best if she didn't know, Verea climbed into the pod and sat in the seat.
The pod sealed shut around her, and a screen around her began to flash, and Verea felt a familiar "rushing" sensation.
"I hate this part!" And with that she clenched her eyes shut as she entered the world of the game.
[*]
Review please. Constructive criticism appreciated.