The following day was a drag for Mason in addition to filling out paperwork all class online and keeping Kyle off his back while doing so, he was having to reresearch a great deal of Fallout's lore and a lot of it revolving around Fallout 3. During their usual foray of classes, Mason also wound up in a chatroom with Grace and CaptainShack having to explain the breach in security so soon into his mission. He half feared this would lead to a revoking of his real world aid and half wondered why they cared. Of course his fear would be unfounded; as it seemed this sort of breach into bunkers happened quite often. More than once great allies came forward through stumbling upon an agents bunker and their arrival being a godsend for the agent. CaptainShack mentioned that with Moira on board, she can write up the findings on the various POIs and have Mason forward them to the Intelligence men. "Hey pay attention asshole, you're gonna need this info for the exam," he heard Kyle hiss with a nudge. Rolling his eyes he tore himself away from the wiki page on ghouls and tried to focus on the math class. And promptly jotted down a few equations before returning to the tablet in his lap.
"Yeah I hate math. Why call it math? More like meth," Mason muttered under his breath as he tapped to a new page.
"Yeah I know but come on dude. I'm trying to help you here and youre just on FalloutWiki. I aint gonna be here forever to help you out. So just humor me for now?" Kyle asked, giving him a sideways glance. Mason sighd and set his tablet away, showing his hands and giving up.
"There all gone happy?" he asked with a shit eating grin. Kyle rolled his eyes and went back to jotting notes with Mason doing the same. But in Masons head he was wondering how he'd tackle his mission. Having "recruited" Moira and now teamed up with the Lone Wanderer, the only question was where to go. Shoot straight for GNR or maybe meander about and get the Wanderer set up as a fairly good traveler. The shitty part was that he was still limited on time.
As far as he could tell, time in the two worlds passed at the same time. The only way they were out of sync was due to the fact the Fallout universe was formed earlier than his own. But thankfully while his mind was almost perpetually awake, the Agency had certain safeties in mind for sleep deprivation. His 'true' body for all intents and purposes was asleep while his mind was deployed to the Fallout universe and the headset was designed to send out certain microwaves to relax the brain tissue to simulate the effect of being asleep. So once he ended the session, an eight hour session of the waves hitting his brain matter would translate roughly to about four to five hours of sleep. Not the best sleep regimen but something was better than nothing.
The teacher handing out surprise quizzes snapped Mason out of his thought process and he saw the first of his employers aiding him in school. Until they could discreetly outfit him with say glasses or contacts that offered direct feeds to the Agency, the Agency pulled strings with teachers to give him a somewhat unfair advantage in quizzes and homework. In this case for their multiple choice quiz, tiny nicks in the paper signifying what answers to mark and the distant reminder in his head to not be too obvious. Smiling to himself he made the marks and on his separate sheet made random equations to make it look like he was working the problems out. Kyle was too engrossed in his own work to notice or care about his friends lazy work of the record time it took for him to finish the quiz. And since he had a habit of turning in quizzes or exams before Kyle, Mason just stuck to that and got up to tunr in his work. Class was over and he could leave, go home enjoy down time and then boot up for his mission.
"Man, that quiz was actually kinda hard. Think you did okay?" Kyle asked on their way out.
"Yeah I think so. Might be your work ethic rubbing off on me finally," Mason said stretching as he walked, earning a content smile from his friend. "Or I'm coming down with a flu or bug. I can never tell which. Both make me feel lethargic afterwards. Kyle proceeded to punch his friend in the shoulder for his remark.
"Shut up! its my work ethic that's got me a date with a lovely lady thank you very much!" he said with pride, pointing his index finger upward to accentuate his point.
"Your mom taking you out for dinner for cleaning your room doesn't count dickball," Mason said with a laugh. Kyle gave mason a second punch for that.
"You know what I mean. But hey, maybe if my ethic is rubbing off, maybe you'll nab a significant other yourself," Kyle stated aloud.
"Yeah your mom isn't my kind of lady mate. Shes nice and cool but not my type. I have a rule about- hey ow!" mason started to say before getting a rapid fire series of punches from Kyle.
"You asshole! How dare you speak ill of my mama! I'll make you pay!" he proclaimed. Mason just smiled before shaking free and making a run for his car.
"hah! Work on your grip bucko! Else everything will slip through your fingers sooner or later!" Mason called out, hopping into his car. Kyle just laughed and flipped him the bird.
"I should be saying the same to you! I remember your last girlfriend!" he called back. Mason promptly returned the hand signal telling him to "shove it" before sliping into the car and turning it on, a soft smile on his face.
A short car ride later and he was back home. Both his parents cars were gone this time, meaning he could jump into the Fallout world right away. As soon as he fed and gave his pets water of course. That and once he had eaten too.
With his usual duties complete, he locked his door and at down; booting up the PC and slipping his headset on. The words now displayed being "Welcome Back Agent". His body went slack and he was once more transported to his body in the Capital Wasteland. Once in, he proceeded to stand and stretch his limbs, eager to get the ball rolling on the mission at hand. On the other side of the bunkroom door was Allen, sitting and eat a can of beans going over an aged weapons manual for the M4 Carbine, mainly on the cleaning and ainteance portion anyhow. "Morning Mason. I went back over the info I downloaded. If we are heading for GNR… we might need more than just our M4s and pistols. Moira said that much of DC has collapsed and begun blocking off large portions of streets and roadways. The Subway might be the way to go… but there may be collapses there," Allen said to Mason.
"I'm barely awake for less than five minutes and you're already barking orders," Mason said with a chuckle. He grabbed his own can of beans and sat down to eat. While he had already eaten in the 'real world', his body here in the Fallout was (as Grace was so happy to point out) flesh and blood on its own right; it thus needed sustanence from food and water as well. Plus deep down he wanted to test out how well it synthesized taste to his tongue. And… quite honestly two hundred year old food didn't taste horrible.
"Sorry I didn't mean to… oh that's a joke right?" Allen asked about to profusely apologize.
"Right on the nose my friend. Word to the wise, don't apologize so much. Makes men and others think youre not a man. Or worse easy to manipulate," Mason warned him. Allen just nodded and returned to his reading.
"So um… GNR got any ideas? I mean do we have a plan?" Allen asked.
"I'm here more as an advisor to you. I can make suggestions but youre the one who leads the way. But if you are still wondering, going balls out for GNR is the next logical step but we'll need equipment and a generous supply of logistics. Ammo and food for one. But most important would be medical gear. I took stock and we have approx. twenty stimpacks, ten med-x syringes, two bottles of buffout and I think an inhaler with five hits of Jet. Plenty of rounds here but the rifle and pistol will only go so far," Mason rattled off. Grace had been thoughtful enough to give Mason a full inventory count on the bunker, though the numbers and equipment on the list made him feel less than enthused as to the underarmed nature of his bodys previous occupant.
"Right… uh I think we'll take up some jobs then… there was girl in the saloon who wanted some help delivering a letter to her family. Town by the name of Arefu, cant be too far of a walk, couple days maybe?" Allen said as he looked over a paper he had written on. That made Mason cringe a bit inside; another flaw or perhaps a hinderance was that this was true to its title, realistic. No jogging across the wastes without rest or food for days on end.
"That will be difficult… but is certainly an avenue to take for securing funds and other gear," Mason muttered under his breath. Rechecking his map his eyes fell on a marker, one of the several diturbances Grace had mentioned. His research in class had shown this to be, in game anyway, a raider encampment. Raiders meant caps, weapons(albeit shit ones), gear and even medical supplies. Plan right and they could easily annihilate the pistol wielding bandits. Of course there was the possibility of one having a rocket launcher… but it sounded a lot better than trapsing for days one a simple errand run. "How about this? Friend of mine marked this on my map. Raider encampment, just north of Vault 101," Mason offered, marking an X on the coordinates of the fold out map Allen had.
"Raiders… might be hard between us two. Sure you don't want to just make a mail run?" Allen countered.
"Yes. I'm sure. For one, quick and easy trip. Well not easy but that's beside th point. For two, we wont need to expend too much water, food or ammo on this trip. We clear that out, who knows what'll be there? Maybe even a fusion drive car," Mason said.
"Fusion car… read about those in class… as long as we have microfusion cells and with Moiras help… we could use it to cross the distances. Cut travel down significantly," Allen said in agreement.
"Exactly. Plus gives us a chance to test out how good a shot you are," Mason said with a smile. Though inside he shivered as a sickening thought came across his mind, hed been shooting at actual humans now. Not code like in an actual game… he just shook it off as best he could before heading for the ladder.
"Hey real quick… I wanted to ask this yesterday but never got a real chance. Why are you helping me? I mean… I don't even know you!" Allen said. Mason stopped at the ladder, trying to think of a response.
"Because… a good friend said I'd find my purpose here. Id know it when I saw it they told me. Be a chance to redeem myself of my sins," was all Mason offered. A cliché backstory sure but he wasn't exactly sure if he was ready or if it was allowed to share the existance of the Agency with his charge. I mean having moira stumble on the bunker was one thing, that's easily explained. But reality smashing info like that being dumped on you suddenly? Best to wait was the thought process. Once out of the bunker they headed for the main gate. Outside the gate, they bumped shoulders with a well dressed man coming into town holding a briefcase.
"Please do watch where youre going gentlemen. You nearly knocked me over," he said in a calm even tone. Mason knew who it was almost immediately, the fine suit and fedora with black mirrored glasses… Mister Burke. The inbetween man for Alistair Tenpenny who owned arguably the best defended settlement in the Wasteland, Tenpenny Tower. And in his briefcase… Mason guessed had to be the component needed to arm the nuke in town square.
"Yeah sure sorry man," Allen said before continuing on. Once out of earshot and down the pathway toward Springvale, Mason faced Allen.
"Lets make our scouting trip quick. And back here before sundown. I got a bad feeling about that guy," he said as they continued walking.
"Oh good I thought it was just me. Theres… something not right about him. Like… I don't know cold in his soul? Does that make sense?" Allen asked not sure if he was using the right wording or not.
"Just your instincts telling you he aint a good guy. But yeah I catch your drift," Mason replied as they continued on. Moving swiftly through the shattered remains of the once idyllic town that sat below the entrance of Vault 101, they moved along the hill towards the freeway. After almost an hour of walking Mason signaled for them to get low. "Alright… combat 101, stay low friendo. You stick yourself up and you'll likely get your dome blown off," Mason said in a low whisper to Allen. The former Vault dweller simply nodded and followed him in. As they reached the top, they became aware that the Freeway, despite having clear signs of Raider encampment at the top of it was eerily quiet. Here they dropped to their stomachs as they observed the camp.
"Man… I know its high up but… don't it seem eerily quiet?" Allen asked as they watched.
"Yeah… damn. I don't have binoculars. Or even a scope… cant see shit from here. And the closer we get the less we get to see," Mason said as he looked for movement. Looking south, he could see where the freeways new ramp up was. Likely guarded by Raiders but the only way up. "Alright lets get moving. No sense waiting here. Move low and fast, head for the on ramp south there," Mason said as they stood into a low crouch, rifles drawn and headed for the ramp. There they saw a raider, clad in patch work leather or whatever else armor facing a fire.
"Got one there," Allen said as he dropped to a knee and took aim. Mason rested a hand on the barrel, raising a finger to his lips and drawing his serrated combat knife. Allen nodded and followed him in. keeping his rifle trained on the now lowering ramp. Every step and crunch of sediment made both men increasingly stressed, not knowing which step would alert the guard. Then just an arms length away, they had the guard in their sight. And they could even hear music playing from his radio. Dumb mistake, mason thought as he stepping cilently closer.
Thrusting forward, one arm going under one arm and his knife hand putting the blade to his assailant throat. "Don't move dirtbag!" Mason hissed quietly. And rather than attempt to break free… the raider simply slumped and became dead weight. Curious, Mason loosened his grip only for the raider to become more relaxed and start to slp from his position. Letting him go let a dead body slip down and fall in a heap on the ground. dead.
"Nice job. Scared him to death," Allen said as he crouch walked forward. Mason took another look, a visible hole in the forehead.
"Nope… he was shot… but by who," Mason wondered aloud as he dropped back down. Across the old road sat another guard, unmoving as well. "Check him for gear. Anything," Mason told Allen as he ran for the other guard post. Allen tried to protest but settled for watching the ramp for movement as Mason ran. Once on the other side he checked the second raider. Dead as a doornail with a matching hole in his head. He looked around, hoping to spot smoething that might give him a clue. Finding nothing he quickly looted the body, fiidng ammo and a ill maintained rifle and pistol. He even found full stimpacks… worried now he returned to his friend who was busy stuffing gear in his spare duffel.
"Find anything?" Allen asked as he finished up.
"ammo, twenty rounds of five-five-six and maybe fifteen rounds of thirty twos. One bad M4 and a shittier revolver. Three stims. One long dead raider you?" he asked. Allen told him he found similar equipment with the rifle on this bastard being a hunting rifle. "This is wrong… dead but not looted? Someones fucking with us," Mason muttered.
"or maybe… a mysterious stranger is giving us a heping hand?" Allen quipped. Mason inwardly chuckled, recalling the mysterious stranger perk he oh so loved that generated a, shockingly, mysterious stranger to aid you in VATS should the need arise. Of course… neither of them had been here or even used VATS… so questions all around. With no other option left, they raised rifles to ready stance and began walking up the ramp. No suppressive fire, no shouts to battle… no noise. Perhaps the only thing they could 'hear' being the crackling of a still lit drum fire. Moving up they found the raider camp… wiped out. From prior playthroughs, there were normally about ten raiders here even counting the dead guards behind them.
"Holy hell… someone really fucked these guys up," Mason muttered before they split up. unlike the guards who likely had been caught offguard when they were killed, these raiders went down fighting. Fallen behind cover, a flamethrowers gas tanks exploded, and some even missing a few limbs, suggesting explosives were deployed. "What the hell hit these guys?" Mason asked as he rolled one raider on his back with his foot.
"Over here! Got a live one!" Allen called out as he dragged a body off a survivor. Mason jogged over and was spooked by who he saw. Though covered in blood, grit and dirt was an exact copy of his best friend Kyle.
"F f f fuck me. B b b bout time someone came to help," he groaned in pain. Mason was in shock as he looked on.
"Who did this? Can you tell us?" Allen asked as he looked voer his wounds. His left leg was shot up and likely useless but overall he was fine. If weak and likely on the verge of death by dehydration.
"Give me some fucking water and I'll tell you. Please have some mercy," he choked out. Mason was quick to hand Allen a water bottle before looking back around. Still only the dead around them. "Oh thank you. Thank you," he said, as Allen carefully waterfalled the bottles contents into his mouth. After a few gulps, Allen set the bottle aside and set about to tending to his leg.
"How is he?" Mason asked.
"Legs mangled. Shrapnel tore through it… damn hes lucky to be alive," Allen said. In Masons eyesight, Grace popped up.
"Transferring medibots to him. They should repair his leg to full functionality. Get him back to the bunker and we'll get him prepped for a connection link. We might need to commission another agent to assist you," Grace said in a calm yet clearly unsettle tone.
"Any idea what hit him?" Mason asked under his breath.
"I… I have a theory. But ask him for details," she said before the connection as cut. On his own again.
"Hey whats your name?" Mason asked.
"Kyle. Oh fuck my leg. My leg," he groaned. Mason watched as Allen tightly tied it off, likely reading it for amputation.
"Hold off on that. Hit him with a stimpack. Should be enough to help," Mason said. Allen hesitated before grabbing a syringe and stabbing the wounded survivor in the leg. Turning his attention back to Kyle Mason asked, "what happened here? Do you know?"
"I… I barely saw anything. A flash of light… two of them. Didn't think nothing about it… then suddenly we heard Carter scream. Turned to see a squad of black suits rushing up the ramp. They targeted Jeffery and simon first. Jeffery went up in flames… cooking two others. I took shrapnel from a grenade. Fuck… they took us out in a matter of seconds. Helen landed on me… heh first time I said that without a smile," he groaned. Mason took out a syrette of morphine from his should first aid kit, a true army medics tool and gave him a small dosage.
"That should take some of the pain off," Mason said as he saw the slight green tinge on raider kyles leg, meaning the medibots were working their magic. Allen thankfully was more interesting in listening to the story than the now bandaged leg.
"T t thanks. A anyway. They… they went through us. I played dead and heard one stop over us. didn't dare open my eyes. But… it worked. Said something about insertion point clear. And then… oh Christ I can see it now. A green burst and a fucking palet of gear came in. gear I aint ever seen in my life. Nice and clean gear," he said. Suddenly they became aware of movement down the ramp.
"Movement… shit…" Allen said. He quickly grabbed the raider woman he pulled off of Kyle and laid her back on him.
"W w wait don't please!" Kyle half begged. Mason grabbed Allen and looked at him.
"What are you doing?" he hissed as the movement drew closer.
"We got incoming! Hide! We can get the drop on them!" he whispered back. Wanting to argue but realizing they had no other option he nodded.
"Close your eyes and play dead. We'll be right back," Mason whispered down to Kyle. Not waiting for a nod or a beg they bolted to the rusted out buses acting as walls for the back of the camp. Climbing in they took shelter in the seats closest to the center of the bus. "Okay… lets hope this doesn't back fire on us," Mason said as he cocked his rifle.
"Shouldn't… as long as we're careful," Allen said doing the same. And coming up the ramp… came a squad of six, behind them an armored vehicle that looked like an aging Stryker APC. They reminded Mason of the Death troopers in Rogue One, their helmets covering their entire head and their armor a shiny black. Three riflemen wielding M16A5s, a gunner wielding a shiny almost new MG42, one with a MP5 and carrying a medical backpack with the last hefting a Barret .50 sniper rifle. That didn't even consider what the Stryker might be armed with left Mason feeling very uneasy.
"Fuck,,, no way we're taking them down… least we know who hit this area. Lets just let them grab what they came for and hope they leave," Mason whispered. He looked over and saw Allen nodding. Looking back he watched them split up, taking up positions around the camp. The sniper and gunner walking to the bus. Cursing, they readied their knives as they ducked down. "Shit shit shit. Wish we had silencers," Mason whispered, terrified now. Allen tried to make himself as small as possible as they heard the soldiers get in the bus.
"Take up position, they should be coming in soon. They wont pass up a stryker," they heard one say.
"Once we take out this Agent, we can regroup with Group Alpha," the other happily replied. Masons hair stood on end, somehow knowing they were referring to him. The sniper and gunnger set up on either end, near the door and a couple seats from the hiding holes of the Agent and his charge. Outside the riflemen and medic took up firing position as their stryker driver got out of the APC and took up position with the medic. An ambush waiting to be sprung.
"Mason, we got a problem. Evac now. CaptainShack wants to see you now. Get the Wanderer back to the bunker and disconnect," Grace said, popping up in his vision. Thankful only he could hear her, he tentatively swore at her.
"No go. No go. Ambush is set up," he whispered as quietly as he could. Grace tapped a few commands at her console, using a pair of medibots as her eyes. And sure enough she saw their predicament.
"Fuck… and I doubt theyre moving soon… hold on," she said before disconnecting again. Mason swore to himself as he saw allen across the walkway of the bus signaling to him. Looking over, Allen pointed to himself, his knife and the sniper, making a stabbing motion. Then he pointed at him, then the gunner and made a stabbing motion again. nonlethal was definitely out with this much firepower. Sighing and seeing no other option but death he nodded. They silently crawled out from hiding, silently leaving their rifles behind and crouch walking to their targets.
"Hey fucking a! got a live one over here! Poor bastard is a bind!" a rifleman radioed in. the team all shifted, taking eyes off the bus and allowing Mason and Allen to stealthily come up behind their targets and shoving a knife in their throats. Flukes of luck, the points finding the seam where the suit was weak enough for kill strikes. Slicing their vocal cords and then roughly and gruesomely sawing either left or right as they lowered the bodies down to the ground. two down, five to go.
"Okay got them… what now?" Mason asked Allen. Allen gestured for him to grab the MG at his feet as he lightened his load and set his rifle, backpack and spare duffel bag down. "What the hell are you planning?" Mason asked as he pulled the MG free from his kill and pulled out a second ammo box for a hasty reload.
"That APC… they left it for us to find. You open up… cover me and I can make a run for it. Maybe its main gun is online," he said as he doublechecked his pistol.
"Samson! Anything on the ramp?!" one of the death trooper lookalikes called out. Mason swore as they had their medic take a look at the Raider Kyle.
"Now or never kid," Mason said as he cocked the MG42.
"HES HERE! THE FUCKING AGENT IS HERE!" she shouted, as she stood up. the team stood up and immediately regretted it as Mason threw himself up and rested the MG on the buses wall. The age old weapon of an empire long dead came to life, sending 7.92 caliber rounds downrange catching the strykers driver in the chest. Not as armored as the others, his chest exploded open in a fine dust of red mist.
"Move!" Mason shouted to Allen. The now lighter man bolted out from the bus and roady ran his way to the Stryker. All th while Mason let loose to keep the enemies heads down. "Coome on! Sshoot back motherfuckers! You were ready for a fight earlier! Stand up bitches!" Mason taunted between burts. Allen made it to the Stryker and frantically slapped at the controls on inside of the vehicle, trying to get the door to close.
"Fuck! Theyre in the stryker! Move!" the medic shouted before suddenly dropping to her knees. Mason couldn't see but guessed Kyle pulled her feet out from under her. The riflemen attempted to advance on Mason who dropped down to try to eject the now empty ammo case. Inside the Stryker; Allen turned to get punched in the face by the strykers gunner who had just realized the danger of the door closing.
"Wrong move mate! Now youre in 'ere with me!" he said as they began to engage in a fist fight. Unable to quickly reload his new big gun, Mason dropped the machinegun and picked up his M4 and drew his pistol. Risky but he could gun them down and go help Allen after. If he could control his spray of course.
Meanwhile Kyle hauled himself up onto a concrete barrier, armed with the now unconscious medics MP5 and took aim. He let loose a spray, catching a rifleman in the shoulder and once more diverting their attention. Taking a deep breath Mason popped up and fired down on the now close riflemen, hitting their armor but more importantly knocking them down and giving Mason the chance to hop through his window. Using his pistol he gave them execution headshots to the forehead. Ejecting the pistol mag, he ran for the stryker and banged on the hull.
"Allen! Open up! the hell took you-" he started to say before hearing several gunshots. Cursing he tried to pry the door down only for its hydraulics to kick in and revealing a now dead gunner. His killer, Allen who sat breathing heavily holding his 10 millimeter pistol in his hand. It was obvious he taken a few punches while in the car with the gunner. "Shit… nice job…" Mason said as he tentatively walked up to him. He gently took the pisol from Allen and set it down.
"D d didn't see him earlier. Was… wasn't meaning to be so late," he gasped out. Mason just patted his shoulder and helped him up.
"Don't worry our new friend was happy to help. you start stripping them of gear. And we'll store it all in this APC. They didn't mean to give us one but… its ours now," he said with a smile. Allen nodded and went about to collecting the gear as Mason jogged over to the raider Kyle who was now just sitting against his barrier. "Hey you okay?" Mason asked as he kneeled down. Before he could respond, his eyes went blank and the body slumped over.
"Success! We got control and have redeployed the spirit within!" Grace cried out. She then added "on top of knocking out an attacker, taking control of their APC we have the body we need to get you a battle buddy!"
"Battle- what the hell did you do!?" Mason asked, more than a little freaked out to suddenly have an exact copy of his friend slumped and drooling over himself.
"We'll explain later Mason. Suffice to say, we freed up the shell for later. Grab and secure their medic and we can get to work on finding out who the hell is here with you," Grace said before Mason turned to the unconscious medic. Only to find her right behind him with her pistol drawn and aimed at him.
"Got you mother-" she started to say before her head snapped left, a portion of her skull exploding. Obviously spooked, Mason looked right to see Allen aiming his pistol.
"Nice shot! Next time… uh… lets both secure the wounded," Mason said as he could hear Grace start to lose her shit.
"Yeah but… damn… i… hah that was a good shot. I didn't think thatd work. It only had 50 percent chance of working," Allen said with a smile.
"Please tell me you were aiming for the head," Mason said as he hauled Kyles body onto the Stryker.
"Oh uh…. Yeah! I definetly was!" Allen said proudly. As Grace proceeded to both sing praises about the execellent execution of VATS, she also cursed Mason for letting important intelligence slip through his finger tips. "Hey you don't seem… surprised about how accurate I knew id be," Allen asked.
"Seen people use VATS before. It aint too complicated," Mason said as he threw in a pair of rifles. To that, he felt the barrel of a ten millimeter pistol press flush against his head. "I'm gonna guess I said something I shuldnt have," he muttered.
"Yes… i… I'm sorry but I failed to mention that only one model of the PipBoy3000 got the VATS upgrade. It was to be marked Model Bravo but only one prototype was made," Grace squeaked out.
"Dad told me only one PipBoy3000 was capable of using VATS. And it's the one on my arm… who are you? And how do you know about that?" Allen demanded. Mason took a deep breath before moving quickly, slapping the gun away and drawing his own pistol. This was only to add to a Mexican standoff as Allen had quickly drawn and took aim with a second pistol hed taken off a baddy.
"Well… seems uh… things are going to be tense between us," Mason said trying to make the situation less tense.
"Yeah you could say that Mason. If that is your real name," was the response. For a minute or two only the wind dared to make any noise. "I'll ask again, who are you? How do you know about VATS?"
"…Grace… do i-" Mason started to ask. Suddenly Graces portrait appeared on Allens PipBoy.
"You've always had authorization to reveal your mission Agent Kellogg. Again… information packet… really really should've emailed you a copy earlier. But regardless. Allen Colder, my name is Grace Garcia and the man before you is Special Agent Mason Kellogg. We work for an organization whose mission to identify certain individuals and deploy agents to protect said persons. We can not reveal much but trust us when we say we are indeed on your side," she said, her still lighting up with her words.
"Yeah what she said. Look… I know of VATS because… I've run across it in a sense. Several of our agents secured Vault Tec documents and those happened to include details on a prototype model of a PipBoy3000, Model Bravo. We… ran into it while tracking down your father," Mason revealed.
"Yes. You see Allen, your family is very important to the Capital Wasteland. And it is our duty to ensure that you survive you mission to find your father. It is also means we will do everything imaginable to aid your path. We apologize for keeping this info from you. And you may dismiss us at anytime," Grace added on. Allen scrunched his face and looked at Mason who proceeded to lower his pistol.
"Look, I know you've had a helluva couple days. and right now you probably think its best to cut us off and go on your own. Trust me, you can and have the full right too. Angry computer lady just spelled that out," Mason said as he cautiously holstered his pistol.
"Watch it Kellogg."
"But like I said earlier. I only advise and provide backup. You say march, I ask which direction and how far. I'll follow your lead. I only ask that you trust me and listen to the advice I dole out. That enough for you?" Mason asked, extending his hand back out. Allen thought on that for a few seconds before lowering his pistol.
"Fine. I'll trust you. I mean… you haven't ratted me out to Moiarty yet. Besides… I don't know how to drive a tank," Allen half quipped. Mason smiled and patted his friends shoulder.
"First off Armored Personnel Carrier. Second off, I think I can figure it out. Grab you gear and we'll head back to Megaton. Betting we should have enough to make a pretty profit," Mason said before turning to the driver seat. Allen left the stryker, grabbed the last bit og gear left out and returned to the vehicle. Setting the salvage down and closing the door, he proceeded to take a seat hoping the trip wouldn't be too bumpy.
"Okay ready to roll! Megaton or bust!" Allen called out as Mason attempted to get their transport online. With help from grace, the mighty can of metal roared back to life with plenty of energy still in her tank.
"Got us bout a full tank. Or 3/4s… I don't know im not a fucking engineer. We'll turn her over to Moira and see what she says," Mason called back as he worked to drive the stryker back to Megaton. The newly acquired vehicle easily cut their return trip down to maybe twenty five minutes of driving. All the while Grace informed him on the specifics of what had been done to this version of Kyle.
To boil it all down, thanks in large part to the proximity of Masons medibots and inner nanites that maintained the Quantum-Network connection for his direct control, they tricked this Kyles occupying mind/spirit(depending on how you looked at it) to ride on out to another universe. Or as Grace put it 'the medibots put his spirit in a boat and set him sailing'. The bunker back in Megaton would discreetly dispense extra medibot overnight that would reconstruct the body to the needed perameters for take over by another agent. When asked why hed need backup, Grace just said its just a precautionary measure. But she did hint that, there could potentially be rogue agents within DC that left the Agency but were able to access other bunkers out there.
When asked if there were records of Agency sponsored bunkers out in the Wastes, Grace told him anythings possible. But CaptainShack still requested he meet with him once everything was secured back in Megaton. Groaning inwardly, he dismounted and picked up the hastily packed bag of rifles and ammo from the cargo bay and walked out with Allen. "We can come back for our friend. Though I'm worried he hasn't spoken since the freeway," Allen said as they walked in.
"Probably just shock. I double dosed him with Morphine to help with the leg. So that might be another factor to consider," Mason said as he tapped a few buttons on his PipBoy, making the rear cargo door close back up. during their ride back, Grace had also made a remote connection between the stryker and his mini computer to make securing it easier and a non hassle.
"So this Grace… you and her…" Allen started to ask.
"Nope, not at all. We're just agent and support officer. Hell didn't meet her until recently. And then I got hotdropped into find you," Mason said as they walked past the front gates protectron and through the now open inner gates. Walking down and toward the ramp that would take them to Moira's Craterside Supply shop, they took eye of the 200 year old nuke. Nothing out of the ordinary but… Mason recalled the Power of the Atom Quest and figured theyd get their trading done before checking in on the new arrival likely waiting in the Saloon. They walked into the General Supply shop to see their partner nearly explode from whatever it was she was working on.
"Whoa! Well that was an explosive result!" she shouted in surprise. Turning, she revealed her face now covered in soot and her hair straight up on end. "Hey guys! How went the walk!?" she shouted. Great, Mason thought, shes deaf now from that.
"Fine! Hey Moira! Youre shouting!" Allen half shouted back to her. Her face made that oh face of realization before she took out of stimpack and gently jabbed both of her ears. The healing fluid within repaired the damage down and she smiled once more.
"Sorry about that. Man science is truly rewarding," she said happily.
"One might say that. What did you learn just now?" Mason asked, half scared to hear.
"Well… I learned a new wrong way to build a food and water cleaner!" she proclaimed. Both Mason and Allen looked at her, wondering how much longer she had before one of her inventions would claim her life. "Anyway what kind of goodies do you have?" she asked almost too giggly.
"Okay one, chill. Two, we have… weapons," Allen said before they proceeded to place the extra M4s, hunting rifles and extra gear they felt they wouldn't need. Moira lit up as she looked over the weapons, happy to have a wide mix to look over.
"Oh we also found some armor. Havent quite seen it before. Mind taking a look over?" Mason asked as he hefted a chest piece from a fallen ambusher. Moira tapped at its plates and smiled at it.
"Oh such goodies! Yes I'll take a look. Likely this is some sort of PreWar combat armor used by Special Forces. Or maybe alien battle armor!" she excited postulated.
"Its not alien I know that much. But its certainly better than what we've got. Let me know when you have something for me," Mason said before stepping back. He let Allen discuss payment with Moira as he looked back over his notes.
The Raider camp was an insertion point for equipment to be transported in. but according to RaiderKyle, it all ccame in after a fflash of light. What exactly was on that shipment? And more importantly, were these other energy sources more equipment drop off points? And then there was his meeting with CaptainShack he had to attend.
"Hey you ready to check in on the Saloon?" Allen asked as he walked up, setting a modest amount of caps in his bag.
"Yeah. Hopefully that suit guy is in," Mason said before walking out. They made for the Saloon before they caught a glimpse of the striped suit Mr Burke overwatching some guy messing with the nuclear bomb. The sheriff was nowhere to be seen, likely somewhere else in the town.
"HEY! GET AWAY FROM THAT!" Allen shouted. Both men stopped and looked up before suddenly Burke took aim with a MAC11 autopistol and fired. Mason pulled Allen back, both men falling down on the metal catwalk and away from the gunfire. Below, the townspeople who had previously been milling about or selling their wares ran for whatever cover they could find as the now clearly armed Burke ordered his lackey to finish the work. "Cover me?" Allen half breathed as he got back to his feet.
"Like I got a choice?" Mason countered as he drew his pistol and returned the railing and opened fire on the suit. Allen ran past Craterside and halfway down the ramp that led straight for the slight incline path that would lead to the gates of Megaton before hauling himself over the railing and onto Doc Mitchels clinic's roof. Mason was quick to duck back and away before Burke took aim again and unloaded the last of his clip on his unseen attacker. Allen dropped down into the mud, drew his trusty ten millimeter and proceeded to open fire on Burke.
Using VATS he actually knocked the autopistol from Burkes hand, sending it into the irradiated water surrounding the bomb. Burke scrambled to recover it, only for Allen to put his barrel flush against his head. "Don't even think about it asswipe," Allen hissed. Above, Mason popped back over gun ready.
"Hey shit kicker! Step away from the bomb! Or you get a bullet in your back! And I prefer not to make you go out like that!" Mason shouted at Burkes helper. The lackey reluctantly and almost happily stepped away from the bomb, revealing its hatch to its internal weapons system open and a strange device attached. The black sheriff finally arrived with a deputy citizen in tow and ran for Allen.
"Young man whats going on?!" he half shouted before seeing Allens prisoner.
"Caught him and his lackey about to do some nasty shit with your bomb Sheriff. Well Allen stepped in first," Mason called down, not letting his aim drift from the lackey who now held his arms in the air.
"Well… mister Burke back again in my town. I can only imagine that you were here for non-generous reasons," he said as he moved over and proceeded to knock the man out.
"We need to fill out a statement sheriff?" Allen asked as he holstered his weapon. The deputy went over to the bomb and carefully disconnected the device attached to the bomb.
"No I don't think so. Might be more than enough witnesses to exonerate you from whatever this piece of shit might say about you and your friend. Im going to have to post a deputy here from now to keep more attempts like this from happening," the sheriff responded as he took out a pair of handcuffs to properly cuff the striped suit. Mason came down and approached the bomb as Grace lit up his vision.
"I can help disarm it for good. Shouldn't be too hard to do. Move me to Allen and I' puload what he needs to do for this. That was close though, very nearily killed you and him and… well this whole town. Strange though..." Grace noted as Mason walked to Allen.
"Whats so strange?" he siently asked as Grace uploaded the instructions to Allens PipBoy.
"I… I don't know. I examined the telelmetry data we recovered from the raider camp and… its… its strange. Theres distinct wavelengths along the graph I have. Radiation spiked and then… nothing. Its too early to say but, I think someone has figured out how to open fullon doors to this world. A true Quantum Gateway," she said with great unease.
"So? We use the same tech don't we? Whats the issue?" he asked aloud.
"On a much much much smaller scale. We rely heavily on using small quantum doorways to issue orders to those we believe would be beneficial to us. like the origina occupant of your body. From there we open the micro gates to give agents control over a body, like a-" Grace started to explain.
"I get it. Like a drone pilot would with a drone. But now someones made a full gate… what does that mean?" he asked.
"It… it means that things are going to get very very complicated. You think your original game save of Fallout3 was crazy? This is… this could be someone throwing in Star Wars vehicles to battle a behemoth wielding a wrecking ball. CaptainShack is going to be going over this with our research teams. Your missions going to be altered," Grace said as the two were givne keys to a new house in Megaton.
"Altered… how so?" Mason asked as Allen smiled and led the way to their new home.
"Find out who or what deployed those men. You recovered enough to give us some information. But… god only knows what their friends are capable of. This is bad… very bad," Grace said before signing off. The rest of Masons play session was spent getting the unconscious body of RaiderKyle into the bunker to let the nanites do their work and going over their new armored vehicle. But something else nagged at Mason's brain, how on Earth was he going to keep not himself but Allen alive with these new players in the set?