AN:
Responses…
TheReader:
As I've stated before, I'm going to ignore the Fallouts on the East Coast as I believe anything from those games does not have any business being in my FanFic, Talon Company included. I'd rather prefer using the lore and stories of the West Coast. I really don't see why Talon Company would be related to Talon in Overwatch. Seems a bit contrived to make any type of connection between those two other than their names.
Second, the lack of a Mysterious Stranger falls within the same reasoning for the lack of VATS, as I've outlined on AO3. He would also be the epitome of Deus Ex Machina, and I'm not much of a fan of that :P
Sorry if I didn't answer all your questions, I just wanted to avoid the possibility of spoilers. Thanks for commenting, nonetheless!
Decommissioned Watchpoint: Groom Lake, Nevada, Mojave Desert
2076
In one of the many facilities housed within the old Overwatch base surrounded by desert, there was a chamber constructed of concrete and steel. The lights within it laid dormant, leaving the large metal spire that hung from the ceiling in darkness. The ceiling very high to accommodate for its length, with a myriad of wires and parts of a very advanced but undiscernible nature reaching down to the floor. An impressive feat of engineering.
Although, despite being housed in an old facility that once belonged to Overwatch – once renowned for being the forerunners in technological advancement, both proven and theoretical – this new stalactite structure was a more recent addition. One that was constructed when Talon had come into the possession of an interesting piece of technology.
There was a large window a dozen meters up the wall, serving as both a viewing-pane and protective barrier to a room that housed the chamber's observation and operating room. A collection of advanced computers and research equipment kept inside, giving an overhead view of the entire chamber and the strange spire. However, absent of any scientists or researchers, the room was occupied by a lone security guard who sat at a desk and more time on his phone rather than keeping an eye on things. How his schedule has been ever since he got assigned to this post. Boring, but better than being outside in the baking Mojave heat.
The exit/entrance for this room opened and the guard's coworker walked in. The only other guard posted to this observation room. She was carrying a pink box and two coffee cups.
"Morning, Jerry," she greeted, putting the box and coffee on the table where he was, taking one cup for herself.
"Morning, Sam," he responded, reaching to the pink box, and flipping it open to reveal a dozen doughnuts of varying flavors, settling for the pink one with sprinkles. "You're late."
"Yeah, and?" she asked, leaning against the table, and taking a sip from her cup. "It's not like I'm going to be summarily executed for being late to this. I'd rather get my coffee, first."
"With the way things have been shifting recently, especially with Ogundimu back, you might. No one gave you trouble walking here late, did they?"
"One of the new Security Heavies looked at me funny when I walked past him through a door," she recounted. "Those guys scare me."
"Then they're doing their jobs."
His co-worker scoffed and drank from her coffee, standing up from the table and walking around. There wasn't much space in the compact room that they've already explored multiple times over, but she went to the window to look down at the chamber. Not expecting much from that either, as she only saw a dark pit with a bunch of technology too advanced for her pay grade to know. For a lot of their pay grades to know.
"Anything interesting happen before I got here?" she asked, taking another sip from her coffee.
"Nope," her coworker answered, helping himself to another morning pastry.
She rolled her eyes, sustaining herself with another sip. Staring at the large technological stalactite.
"Seems like a waste," she states, shaking her head. "How many times have they used this chamber? Once?"
"As far as I know."
"And it's been sitting here ever since, taking up space? We should be putting our money into getting out there, instead of these crazy-ass science-fiction ventures. I mean, what does this thing even do?"
"I don't know but it fucking sucks up a lot of power. Don't you remember what happened when they did activate this thing? Half the damn Watchpoint went dark. Hell, I heard some of the nearby towns had problems and we had to make sure the local politicians didn't say anything about it."
"Yeah, I know. I am just wondering why the Council is still wasting their time with this."
"If you don't like it, you can take it up with them. I'm sure they'd love to hear your opinion."
Sam rolled her eyes more, taking a hearty gulp from her coffee and feeling more awake. Granted, despite her grievances, a post as boring and uneventful as this that she could even have discussions of that nature was nice. Only having to worry about her colleague eating all the doughnuts before she could get one.
The guard observed more of the chamber, craning her neck to look at the very bottom of it to see where the tip of the spire was pointing too. An empty, open space large enough for people to walk around. Currently occupied by nothing. Examining more of the chamber and things she looked at dozens of times before. Having gone through half of her coffee. About to get herself a donut before she saw something flash in the corner of her eye, bringing her gaze to the roof of the chamber. Seeing one little bright blue light glowing along the spire's exterior. Easily noticeable in the dark.
"Uh… Jerry, you should take a look at this."
Jerry stopped in the middle of his fourth doughnut and glanced to see his colleague looking at something through the glass. He got up and went over to her side and peered through the window for himself. Instantly spotting the blue light at the top of the spire that's been dormant for months.
"What the…"
Suddenly, a second light blinked on, the one after the first. Next, the third blinked on not long after that. Then, the fourth, and the fifth, and the sixth. All the lights turning on after the other. Going all the way to the tip of the spire pointing to the ground. All the while, mechanisms activated and sparked as the chamber was brought to life seemingly of its own accord. The once dark room now being illuminated in a brilliant blue shade of energy. Energy that looked too strong for their window to provide adequate protection from.
Not wasting another second, Sam ran to the other side of the room and flipped a plastic panel up before slamming the emergency button on the wall. Flashing red lights and alarms going off in the base. While she did that, Jerry scrambled to the microphone that was on the desk and activated it.
"Attention all personnel! The testing chamber is active! I repeat! The testing chamber has activated for unknown reasons!"
He stood up and saw Sam standing at the window, again, her hands pressed up against the glass as she watched. He ran over to her and grabbed her by the shoulder, trying to lead her away and to a safer place.
"Come on, we need to get out of here-!"
Finally, the spire's field of energy collapsed on itself and thundered within the chamber. With enough force to knock them to their feet. The glass even shattering from the shockwave of the blast. The two held on to each other, Jerry shielding Sam from the glass and bracing for anything else that may happen.
Nothing else happened, and the two slowly opened their eyes to see they were still intact. Slowly but carefully, they got to their feet and looked around the room, seeing paper, equipment, and glass scattered all over the floor. The alarms and the lights that weren't broken by the blast still blared, but the spire's energy field dissipated, and the lights were flickering off. However, they could still hear something coming from the chamber. They could hear something moving about.
The two guards walked over to the window and, without glass to obstruct them, poked their heads through to get a clearer view of the chamber. Their gaze veered up to watch the last blue light of the spire flicker off with the sounds of its mechanism and power winding down. However, their eyes were then drawn to the bottom of the floor as they saw something through the smoke. The cloud clearing to reveal there was now a group of people at the previously empty pad. Two large beings encased in Power Armor neither of them has ever seen, one in a faded shade of green with an arsenal attached to its body and the other bulky as a boulder with a shiny silver finish. The Power Armor units accompanied by a man with a rifle over his back and a red beret on his head.
Confused, Sam spotted more movement next to them and saw two furry members of this group, but one of them had more metal than fur.
"Is that… a robot-dog?!" she exclaimed, but Jerry was too busy scrambling to the microphone to answer.
"Attention all security personnel! Intruders in the testing chamber! I repeat," he yelled into the microphone, his voice ringing all over the Watchpoint. "Intruders in the testing chamber!"
Earlier…
Big Mountain Research and Development Center, California Wasteland
2285
There wasn't much to do inside the Sink to keep himself entertained. There was plenty outside of the safety of the dome for him to do – chase nightstalkers, wrangle lobotomites, and retrieve the occasional piece of advance Pre-War tech. Playing fetch was always fun, especially if it glowed and smelled funny, but the 200-year-old cyberdog felt a little lazy today and decided to spend his time snoozing on the comfortable bed in the Sink bedroom. Establishing his claim to it as he slept on it more than anyone else. Such a nice departure from the stained and worn mattresses he was used sharing with The King or Nathan. His largely-metal body feeling like it was laying on a cloud, his brain peacefully floating in the gel.
Rex wasn't even that disturbed when the others were running around the Sink for some reason, hearing their feet tap against the metal floor but not really caring as he was simply too tired. The old dog not wanting to get out of bed to see what all the commotion was about. When Cooper walked up to the bed and propped his front legs up to see the older dog all curled up, he barked to get his attention. Barking and ruffing a few more times, poking him with his snout. Rex only curled up more into his robot body, not having any of it. Grumbling all the while, much to the chagrin of Cooper.
As Cooper sat there and waited for the other dog companion to acknowledge him, the humans were running around them. Grabbing and carrying around equipment. Much of it pilfered from the remains of Big MT. A lot of it big and advanced, taking whatever they could carry and possibly need. The three rushing through the halls as they were preparing for something they've waited for ages. Taking the best that's offered to them for the journey.
However, one of them – dressed in a tight-fitting jumpsuit that ran up to her neck – saw the canines having a standoff and smiled as she put down her Mark II Power Armor helmet on the edge of the bed. She pets Cooper as she crouches beside him and in front of Rex, Cooper licking her a few times on the cheek. Thanking the all-natural dog before diverting her attention to the cybernetic one, leaning onto the foot of the bed.
"Oh, Reeeeeeexxx…" Veronica softly whispered to the sleeping K9, not getting much of a reaction from him. Not the first time he had to be coaxed out of bed, remembering many times throughout their travels the only thing stopping the party from getting a move on was this lazy dog. "Rex, it's time to wake up. Come on, boy!"
Rex tiredly grumbled.
"Come on, you're always the one setting the pace every time we go somewhere!" she lambasted, remembering he would run past even Nathan when he caught the whiff of something. This dog sometimes a reason their legs would hurt. Veronica was a bit irked at his lack of compliance, probably needing some mole rat stew to wave in front of his face to wake him. However, the more she thought about all the travels she's spent with Nathan, she remembers all the times Rex was always by his side whenever they got into trouble. Whenever any of them got into trouble. Knowing there was something he cared more about than cooked rat chops.
"Okay, sleep in if you want," Veronica rose her hands in faux-defeat, getting up and taking her Power Armor helmet with her. About to go through the doorway with Cooper. "The others and I will just go save Nathan by ourselves."
"Bark!"
That bark echoed loudly against the metal walls, and Veronica turned around to the quick pitter-patter of paws to find Rex standing at her feet. Sitting his metal rump on the floor and looking up at her, his tail wagging excitedly. She laughed and grinned ear-to-ear as she bent down and hugged him, making sure to scratch behind his ears.
"You're such a good boy, Rex," the Scribe affirmed, giving him a little kiss on his brain dome.
"Woof!"
With that done, she stood up and made her way to the Think Tank to meet up with Parmley and Craig. Carrying a duffle bag over her shoulder, a helmet in her hand, and two dogs in tow.
The ex-Scribe had been a guest in this place for weeks, waiting and planning for when the day would arrive. Trying to learn all the secrets she could from this place in the meantime, whether it was through her own empirical observations or asking around the wonderful personalities that bickered incessantly since their arrival. Trying to get an idea of how Nathan felt when he first came to this place, and how he felt when he left. Of course, he already left his mark place long before she even had the chance, but that was fine. Helping him was what she cared about.
On the other side of the room, in the doorway leading to the Think Tank, Parmley and Boone were waiting. Both men geared up as they kept the door open. Just as ready to get on the "road" as Veronica.
"You ready?" Boone asked, his red beret firmly seated upon his head.
"No, just wanted to wear this tight suit chafing against my crotch because I'm feeling extra kinky, today," Veronica quipped, the real answer still obvious.
"I wish Sirs and Hounds a most genial adieu, and a safe and fruitful journey in finding our mutual acquaintance," the Sink Central Intelligence Unit gave a farewell, sounding very earnest and genuine with his accent.
"Yeah, what he said! See ya, guys! Muggy exclaimed as he rolled up and waved goodbye to the group. "Oh, and don't be afraid to bring back some coffee mugs, because I won't know what to do otherwise! God, I hate myself. Why did I say that?!"
All the personality matrices in the Sink began to wish the search party a farewell, wishing them all their best and hoping they bring Nathan back. The family of machines making Veronica look back and smile, going to remember the hospitality they've given to them when they find Nathan. She couldn't wait to bring him back to experience the hospitality, again.
Veronica and the others said their goodbyes, before disappearing through the door to the Think Tank.
"Sooo… Is it ready?" Dr. 0 asked, his eye monitors scrutinizing a hexagonal platform set in the middle of their laboratory.
This platform, like the rest of Big Mountain, had lights of a brilliant shade of blue around its outline, but the brightest and biggest bulb of light was in its center. Around the hexagon, large cables and wires connected to outlets along its form and ran across the floor to unseen pathways. Many of these cables glowing with energy as well, pulsating and flowing with it. A gentle hum resonating from the platform. Suspended above it by a metal post that stemmed from its base and branched over the center was an electric chip, not too dissimilar from the sparking chip on the Transportalponder. Only cruder and not nearly as compact.
The best science had to offer at this point.
"It should be if you had locked in those coordinates you found," Dr. Klein responded, but at a volume that was bearable and to the point where one couldn't easily spot his antagonizing tone through it. "You… Did lock those coordinates in, right?"
"Uh, yeah. I'm pretty sure I did. All the numbers and letters were pretty hard to unscramble but… Yeah. Everything should be good. Unless 8 was slacking off, again."
"[#-!-#]!"
"It's a legitimate concern!"
However, before 8 and 0 could even "argue", Dr. Mobius was quick to shut them up as Veronica and the others appeared from the hallway. Carrying all their essentials and gear with them, dressed for the outdoors, and ready to set out into this new unknown the Think Tank found. Where their friend was. At least, that's what they want to believe.
"Hmm, I see you are all ready to undertake this trek we will be sending all of you on," Dr. Mobius noted, his old monitors casting a gaze upon them. "Good. I expect no less of Nathan's compadres."
"As do I," Dr. Klein agreed, floating beside his old colleague. "To save ourselves the valuable time and oxygen that would be exhausted otherwise, I will be brief: You are going to be translocated to the chronal position of Nathan's Transportalponder! It took many man and machine hours to pinpoint the location of this piece of Big Mountain technology graciously gifted to Nathan Brin by us, but we have finally found it. Unfortunately, there appears to be a catch… We're not entirely sure where it has pointed us to. Several scientific miracles had to be conducted alone to find this piece of sparky-plastic, but not giving us a definitive answer of where? The disgusting bipedal robots you killed have inadvertently helped us with the refuse they've splattered all over the satellite array, pointing us in the right direction. It seems to be their home if you can call it that. And we have secured the means to send you there. I do not know what this other place is like if it is even attainable in our comprehension, but it is there. And if it's there, your friend cannot be that far. So, I only ask you this: Do you wish to go?"
"Of course," Veronica Santangelo answered immediately with no hesitation, her expression as static as their screens. "Anything for Nathan."
"Same," Craig Boone agreed. "Only seems right to return the favor to him, for once."
The two friends looked at each other, exchanging warm glances. Traveled many miles together with their mutual friend. Knowing that they were willing to travel a few more for him. Wherever he may be. Rex looking up and sitting close to Veronica, brushing up against her leg.
Meanwhile, Parmley looked around awkwardly as he thought about what he was going to say.
"Well, I've been gone longer than my leave permits, I think," he honestly admitted, avoiding some glares from Craig and Veronica. "So, sure. I'd rather not get court-martialed if I go back."
"Splendid, then let us go forth!" Mobius declared, his brain case lighting up with gusto.
Veronica and Parmley went to their respective sets of Power Armor, climbing into the frames and having them close. The Power Armor sealing and becoming air-tight as they connected and hooked up with their jumpsuits, now able to utilize all the advanced systems the suits of armor had to offer. They were going to need it.
Parmley's T-51b had all its weapon systems lock into place, each mechanism performing a diagnostics test. The large claw marks on the armored chest filled in with Saturnine, but still visible. Although, it added to the aesthetic of the war machine.
Veronica's X-01 APA Mk. II was still as shiny as Pre-War ceramic, recently needing to be cleaned after exterminating some of the Mojave's newest pest as a test-run. It didn't bear anything new other than large packs that were slung over the back of armor's bulky frame, containing quite literally hundreds of pounds of supplies and gear, but it felt like nothing in the large suit of Power Armor. Veronica opting to stick with the same Winchester P94 Plasma Caster and Saturnite Fist, the latter still glowing bright and hot to the touch.
With everything ready on their end, Veronica turned around to spot Boone and the dog already at the platform. She watched as the sniper was tying something around Cooper's neck. Getting to see the Wasteland Mutt now rocking a blue bandana.
"Thought it would look good," Boone shrugged.
"It does," Veronica smiled, stepping over to the platform and standing on it.
Then, with everyone on, multiple cables flickered on with the noise of power running through them. Many lights on the hexagon becoming brighter and the electronic chip hanging above them crackling more. All of them glancing at it, before looking at each other. Instantly knowing they had each other's backs and tails.
"Godspeed, lady, gentlemen, and canines!" Dr. Borous exclaimed as the Think Tanks surrounded the group to give their goodbyes.
Finally, in an instant, the light was filled with a bright blue light and a bolt of lightning emitted from the chip. Everyone on the hexagon was enveloped in that glow, and as quickly as it flooded the room, it flashed off and showed nothing standing at the hexagon. Tiny specks of blue dust floating to the ground before sizzling away like vapor. They were gone.
As eccentric and incomprehensible as the Think Tanks could be, the old brains in jars could feel a wave of relief washing over them when they saw there wasn't a pile of guts and bones on the floor. They floated there, the usually rambunctious walls of their lab eerily quiet as they sent mutual friends of a friend to somewhere so infinitesimally far away, from a metaphysical standpoint. Hoping that they will be able to achieve their goal and bring the Courier back home.
"Ugh, I forgot to thank Veronica for fixing my speakers. Make sure to remind me when they get back," Dr. Klein said, about to go off and do science before he stopped and noticed what he said. "Back…" he repeated. "Back… Get back…"
His monitors sunk.
"Did we give them any method of conveyance for getting back once they're done?" Dr. Klein enquired cautiously and uncharacteristically meekly, his speakers quieter than a normal speaking voice.
He was met with blank stares from all the other eye-monitors, no answer from his colleagues as they floated in silence.
After realizing that the Think Tank of Big Mountain Research and Development Facility had neglected – no, forgot – to devise any means for the search party to come back, his speakers went to their maximum volume but of his own volition. Realizing that in their brilliance, they'd have forgotten one crucial aspect of the plan.
"OH SHIT!"
Present…
Having their molecular structure be torn apart in a thousand, if not a million, different ways on the atomic level was a wild ride. Wilder than attempting to ride the derelict roller coaster at the Bison Steve Hotel, if it ever did work. As if their very existence as an organism was literally ripped to shreds. Their hair, their skin, their organs, their clothes, their armor; All of it. Painful all over the body… Yet feeling nothing when it happened. As if they had simply fallen to sleep and woke up in a completely different place. Their consciousness groggy yet aware of the entire thing.
Having their molecular structure then being put back together only a moment later made Veronica feel sick to her stomach.
Her along with everyone else flopped to the metal floor after the bright light that enveloped them washed away. Left in the darkness as they struggled to get back on their feet.
'If this is what Nathan goes through daily, then I feel extra sorry for him…' Veronica thought, catching her breath.
Thankfully, even with the bulk of her armor, the ex-Scribe was able to get on her large armored feet, using one fist to balance herself and not fall flat on her face. Although regretting that she decided to eat beforehand, she was able to stand up and open her eyes underneath her helmet. Seeing they were surrounded by metal walls. Turning all around, she saw the others were still with her and getting their bearings. Boone assisting Parmley in his Power Armor while Cooper nudged old Rex with his snout. Her relief upon seeing her friends quickly shifted to confusion as her head began to clear up and she could hear a loud noise buzzing through her helmet, accompanied by flashing red lights that flooded the dark room. It was an alarm.
"Attention all security personnel! Intruders in the testing chamber! I repeat," she heard a voice yell across the intercoms, loud enough for all of them to hear at the bottom of the chamber they were trapped in. The first words she heard in this new place being spoken in English. "Intruders in the testing chamber!"
"Great…" Veronica hurriedly ran over to her friends, grabbing her Plasma Caster and powering it on. Green tubes lighting up like vats of goo. "Come on, guys! Get up! We need to go!"
The others got to their feet and began to look around, any "transportal" fatigue gone as the adrenaline began to pump. Immediately finding themselves in hostile territory. Trying to find a way out of this cavernous chamber.
Unfortunately, they were interrupted when a window high above them erupted with gunfire, several masked assailants with red-eyes firing upon them. Boone and the dogs took cover behind Parmley and Veronica, their armor shrugging off the rifle fire. They retaliated, sending green bolts of plasma and small arms fire towards their attackers. The group's combined firepower surprising them. Retreating into cover.
"We gotta find an exit, now!" Boone exclaimed as he fired up towards the window, managing to get one of them as red mist exploded from their helmet.
Veronica, in between reloads of the Plasma Caster, looked around the floor of the chamber to find an actual exit. It didn't take long for her to spot the large, metal blast door that was next to them. Large enough to be the wall for a house. It was the only exit and entrance to this chamber, and they had to break through it. She had to find a way, fast, as she heard yelling from the window and watched a couple of grenades being thrown out and land directly at their feet. Boone grabbed the dogs and Parmley kicked the grenades away to the other side of the room. They exploded, Parmley and Veronica providing the barrier from the shockwave and shrapnel for the ones not in Power Armor. Still feeling the explosion shake their insides.
"Jesus Christ!" Parmley yelled out he heard all the metal that bounced against him and could've punctured his skin.
Gritting his teeth under his helmet, the Ranger lifted a hand up and grabbed the Red Glare rocket-system grafted onto his shoulder. Aiming through the red target-finder that sprouted from the side of the weapon, he sent a barrage of glaring red rockets to the window. The attackers didn't have time to react as the room was enveloped in a series of explosions, decimating anything and anyone caught in the blast. Blood and giblets raining from the window and onto them. Splattering their armor.
"Ughh!" Veronica involuntarily groaned in disgust, her shiny armor now covered in bodily fluids.
However, as she looked up to survey the damage, her eyes spotted something hanging above them. At the tip of the large spire that hung over them, the ex-Scribe's eyes saw a little chip encased in glass suspended by the large machine it was embedded into. It still fizzled with a little bit of power, it's glow negligible to even be a nightlight. Bearing a striking resemblance to the sparking chip that hovered over the platform that transported them to Nathan's Transportalponder.
She quickly leveled her Plasma Caster to the air and fired, sending one green bolt into the spire, and melting through the metal that held the chip. It fell from the rest of the machine and Veronica quickly stomped over and grabbed it, stuffing it into one of the pouches on her armored hip. Running back to the door, she turned a knob on the side of her P94, making the lights grow brighter and the weapon vibrate as a low hum resonated from it. She then started firing towards the blast door, hotter and brighter bolts of superheated green plasma punching through the metal. Forming an oval outline as large as her with every shot from it, feeling it kick in her gauntlet hands. Going through two Microfusion Cells, she finished and shouted to Rex. The Cyberdog's ears perked and within a second, he was at Veronica's side. She pointed to the green outline on the door.
"Speak!"
With a rapturous bark, a powerful blast wave shot straight from his snout and struck the door. Making it fly inward and reveal a room on the other side of the wall with a lifting platform.
"I found an elevator, let's go!" she yelled, beckoning them over with an armored hand.
They ran over to her and the door, wading through the molten plasma. After everyone got through the doorway first, she ran in after them and towards the lift. Setting foot on it, the ex-Scribe then had trouble trying to find the controls as there was no panel or set of buttons for her to press. Worry starting to set in, again, she stepped over to the rail and got startled as a square patch of light appeared right in front of her. It was a hologram, but not a hologram she's ever seen before. It was a clean, crisp, and clear image of two arrows facing in opposite directions with a prompt written above them.
"Up or Down?"
She was confused as she tried to find the mechanism this strange hologram was asking for. Even having to take off her helmet for a moment to get a clearer look. Unsure, she slowly reached one metal finger out and "tapped" the top arrow. To her surprise, the arrow reacted and flashed a different color when it was touched, and the lift began to move once she issued the command. The hologram fading away. Her old Brotherhood mind began to run wild until she reigned it in since there were more important matters to attend to.
"Where the hell is Nathan?" she questioned aloud, turning to the other members of their search party. "He can't be here, can he? Somewhere in this… Facility?"
"I fucking hope not," Parmley grunted, checking his weapon systems. "Not with all these bastards shooting at us."
"They might know something," Boone posed. "They could be holding him prisoner if this is where his device was."
Hearing that made Veronica's heart sink into her stomach, her blood running cold at the prospect that their friend was being held prisoner. For God knows how long. The thought of failing her friend once again, not being there when he needed them most, and being too late to help him was almost unbearable.
Her grievances were put on hold as the lift stopped and took them to the highest point it could. Stopping at a large door that then receded into the ground. Revealing the room where the window was and the carnage they created was all over the walls, ceiling, and floor. They ignored that as Veronica ran through and had the rest follow. Guts and bones squelching and crunching underneath her feet. Trying to keep her lunch in.
Running through a doorway, they first find a hallway that ran through the rest of the facility they were teleported to. Everything red from the flashing lights and the alarm still echoing loudly through the halls. Upon reaching this doorway, they were immediately met by an entire hallway of small arms fire as more of these silver-helmeted soldiers fired upon them. However, their attacks only inconvenienced the two in Power Armor with their rounds pinging off, barely making a scratch on Veronica's APA. Her Brotherhood training kicking into full gear.
Taking point, she walked into the hallway and began indiscriminately spraying her Plasma Caster down the hall, making the halls light up green every time she squeezed the trigger. Making sure she was at a pace the rest of her squad can follow and be close. Remembering to soak up and take as much fire as she can for her team. Keeping track of how the energy weapon was performing in her hands and making the needed adjustment in aim.
Meanwhile, Boone provided occasional sniper support from behind and took down some targets in front of them, too. Parmley covered their rear to make sure they had armor on both ends, keeping an eye as he gave fire support when needed – taking care of anyone trying to flank them.
"Who the hell are these guys?!" one of the silver-headed soldiers screamed, being pushed back along with the rest of his comrades. Watching as green blobs tore through their ranks and cover, sometimes leaving smoldering piles of goo that splattered across the walls. Some of them screaming in shock as they watched the person next to them melt.
"Bring that heavy MG up here, now!"
Rex's ear perked upon hearing that, and he growled as he broke off from the group and ran into one of the doors on the side that lead into offices.
"Hey, Rex!" Boone tried to grab the K9, but he was off like a rocket before he could do anything.
The NCR Sniper then turned back to the front and continued giving support to Veronica as she led the charge. Taking down as many as his view and cover could permit. Simultaneously keeping up with her. However, through the chaos and his scope, he spotted two men carrying a very large gun emplacement before plopping it down and setting it up behind everyone else. Seeing them charge the weapon, Boone was about to yell to Veronica to take cover before the glass window next to the machine gunners shattered from a wave of energy and knocked one of them onto their feet. The one still standing didn't have time to react as Rex jumped through the shattered window and latched his cybernetic jaws around his throat. The sudden thundering noise and the screaming distracted soldiers closest to the machine gun nest. The others saw the opportunity and rushed them even harder, quickly overwhelming them from both sides. Even Cooper ran past Veronica and pounced on an unsuspecting victim.
After a few more bouts and plasma burns, the entire hallway was cleared, and the group wasted no time getting back on the search for an exit. Surrounded by windows and doors, Veronica couldn't help but notice all the alien and foreign technology she was just running past. Almost wanting to pick one up for herself.
Thanks to the help of a few signs that were conveniently in English, they went down a few turns and curves towards the elevators. Spotting some people trying to take them and get the hell out. When they saw the imposing frame of Enclave Armor approaching them, they both raised their hands.
"Hey!" Veronica yelled, stomping up to them with the Plasma Caster leveled, the others behind. "I've got a few questions if you don't mind me asking?"
"Please!" the man pleaded, shaking as he clutched his coworker. "D-don't kill us!"
"Sure, but first things first; Where is Nathan Brin?!"
"W-who?!" the man responded.
The others got by her side and pointed their weapons at them, as well. The dogs joining and growling.
"Nathan Brin! He must be here somewhere. Where are you holding him?" Veronica pressed on.
"I-I-I don't know who that is. I swear! We-we're not even holding any prisoners here."
"I'll give you a hint: he's tall, has dark hair, has a Pip-Boy on his left arm, and wears dark armor that you can't miss. Sometimes goes by the 'Courier'. Where is he?"
The two guards stopped shaking as their eyes widened in realization who the stranger in large armor was talking about. Hearing that it sounded very similar to a man that's been a thorn in their employer's for so long.
"Y-you mean… The 'Man in Black Armor'…?" the woman asked.
"You know him?" Veronica pressed.
"Y-yes! I-I mean no! Everyone in Talon knows who that is! Everyone in the damn world knows who that is! Doesn't mean we're keeping him here, though. We haven't caught him at all, he keeps killing our men. Everyone knows he's with Overwatch!"
"…Over-who…?"
The two Talon Guards exchanged glances with each other, thinking how odd of a question that was from someone who looked like she belonged in the damn organization. Her and the robot-dog.
"So, you don't know where he is? He's not being kept here?" Parmley asked, his large frame poking through, too.
"I swear, I don't know where he is, but he is certainly not here. Not by a long shot!" the man answered, watching the large figures with unease.
After some silence as the group exchanged glances with each other, Veronica finally eased her stance and gestured with the fins of her P94.
"Go," the ex-Scribe spared them.
They didn't need much convincing as they immediately turned tail and ran away, Jerry holding Sam as they made their way to the other exits. The search party watching them until they were out of sight.
"It's what Nathan would've done," Veronica remarked, looking over to Boone.
"Too bad he isn't here," Craig responded. "Who the hell's 'Overwatch'?"
With that out of the way, they all diverted their attention to the elevator doors, seeing they had already been summoned but were still taking their time getting to their floor. The Wastelanders watching as the strange display at the top of the doorway showed the progress of their ride. Eventually, it reached them and a holographic upward-arrow lit up. They were about to get on when the doors slid open, but Parmley was swept off his feet when a large set of armor rocketed into him and crashed through the walls.
"Parmley!"
The Ranger in Power Armor screamed as he was being driven through walls and offices. His visor pressed up against the large red head of someone in armor bulkier than his, able to carry the set of T-51b across the halls. However, the automated turret on his shoulder recognized the threat and began firing at point-blank range. The Tesla Coils all over his body sparking to life and shocking the enemy. This served to annoy the charger to the point it skidded to a stop and threw Parmley against a concrete wall. The force and sudden change in speed making his insides tremor. The weapon systems on his back damaged and sparking.
Not dead, yet, he looked up and spotted the other Power Armored being and raised his wrists, the Gating Laser and Flamethrower bursting to life. While they did a good job burning the white and gray ceramic plating of the behemoth's armor, it only served to annoy him further as he then swung two impressive miniguns forward, launching a flurry of red energy bolts. The old T-51b could withstand the blows, but the user was staggered by all the incoming fire at this close of a range and had to retreat to cover. As he turned tail and ran, the dual-minigun wielding goliath followed and stomped towards him.
Then, there was loud stomping to the side when a superheated Power Fist slammed directly into his red, helmeted head. The force enough to make him stumble and stop firing, he quickly turned to see the set of APA standing in front of him, her fists pumped. The Heavy swung the large barrels of his miniguns at her like clubs, but the ex-Scribe swiftly sidestepped them even in Power Armor. Seeing an opening, she sent a jab straight into the helmet, the superheated space-age material and her enhanced strength allowing to simultaneously melt and crack the red helmet. The Heavy was thoroughly staggered by the punch, then opting to use its miniguns but Veronica strongly gripped one of the barrels and crashed her fist down onto it, multiple times. Breaking the mechanism and rendering one minigun useless. Frustrated and becoming more enraged, the boosters on his pack thundered to life and charged directly into Veronica. However, she didn't budge as she braced her self and grabbed the enemy's collar, mechanisms in her metal feet not faltering under the weight or pressure and keeping traction on the floor. As nimbly as she could, she swiped a powerful leg under one of his feet and offset his balance. Once he had fallen on his back, she pounced and began repeatedly punching the helmet. Sparks sometimes flying with every other impact. The red helmet becoming more discolored and deformed with every strike. The suit of Advanced Power Armor effectively pinning him down. After two dozen or so punches, the helmet cracked, and blood sputtered out on her mask. The miniguns on his arms falling limp as blood began steaming off her heated fist.
Veronica was sweating under the armor, standing up from the big guy to catch her breath. Parmley cautiously exiting cover and looking at the dead man in armor he's never seen.
"Thanks," he patted her on the shoulder with his metal hand. Then looking at his damaged shoulder weapons. "Big sonofabitch dinged me up real bad."
Veronica was about to quip that she would fix it later when they find some tools, but something roared behind them. Turning around to see the big sonofabitch of had gotten back up, a crack in its helmet revealing a bloodshot and very enraged human eye.
Before Veronica could even take her stance, the walls flashed green and a small plasma-bolt flew into the helmet. The ball of plasma penetrating the armor with ease and making it implode. The Heavy now missing a chunk of its head as it slumps to the floor one last time. The others looking to see Boone with the Glock 86 Plasma Defender in his hands.
"You should really shoot them next time," the Sniper suggested. "That's what I would do."
"Eh, the Plasma Caster was slowing me down," Veronica shrugged in her Advanced Power Armor, then gesturing to Parmley. "Someone needed to save him."
"Well, I think we should get a move one, but the elevators are busted. I was able to find a set of stairs. Looks pretty long, though."
"We've trekked up mountains, Craig. It shouldn't be too different."
"What about getting shot at?"
"Umm… Yeah. That, too."
"Heh."
The search party quickly regaining their bearings and cleaning some excess blood off, Boone quickly led them to where he found the staircases.
A rather tight fit through the doorway, the five all got through and began climbing up the long flight of stairs. Veronica taking point and Parmley minding the rear. Climbing up several stories of stairs, they encountered no issues until they got to the top and stopped at the only exit. Through the door's window, they saw the floor they were about to enter was largely dark save for some flashing alarm lights. However, they could also see what seemed to be flashlights attached to the ends of weapons, seeing the cones of light slowly move about the dark space.
"Where the hell are they?" they could hear one of the soldiers. "Does anyone got eyes-on?"
"Negative. Surveillance is still down, so they could be anywhere."
"Half the damn systems on this base are down! What the hell happened down there?!"
Veronica kept peeking through the window and tried to find any exit they could take. Eventually, at the very far end of the room, she could spot a ray of light shine in from some unseen source. The only form of light shining at this level. It looked like sunlight. And the only thing that was in their way were dozens of armed, clearly hostile, men.
Veronica looked back at the others, quickly receiving nods from both the Ranger and Sharpshooter. Needing no more affirmations, she brought a finger up to her helmet and the eyes lit up, each one providing a cone of light for her and the others to see. The hostiles in the next room over instantly noticing the light before a large figure beat down the door and caused the entire room to shake.
"Contact! Open fire!"
With the lack of light, the large office space was illuminated in the muzzle flashes of rifles, the green goo of the P94, and the streaks of red beams from the Gatling Laser. The noises and flashes becoming a disorienting sight for anyone witnessing it, but the five friends pushed their way across the room as they were able to outgun their enemy even when outnumbered. The overwhelming force of the two sets of Power Armor supported by Boone's sniper fire in close quarters. Rex braking off from the rest of the group and prowling across the office floor until pouncing on his next victim. Eventually, the room of hostiles was clear, some turning into piles of ash or goo, and there was nothing else impeding them as they ran to the exit. Getting closer and closer, the light becoming brighter and clearer.
The exit was broken down as Veronica, Boone, Parmley, Rex, and Cooper finally reached the outside and was almost blinded by the sudden light. Their eyes quickly adjusted, letting them see a wide-open field of concrete and dirt. They were in what appeared to be a military base, not too dissimilar from the ruins in the Mojave. The surrounding geography and heat reminding them of that, as well. Their first steps into the outside revealing a rather uncanny appearance. While they didn't say it aloud, they questioned if they had even gone far.
However, their attention drifted to something coming over the horizon. Black boxy forms disrupting the mirage. Boone brought up his sniper and looked through the scope. At first, he wasn't sure if he was seeing right.
"Are those… Cars…?" the NCR Sniper asked aloud, confused and surprised.
His confusion quickly shifted to panic as he saw flashes from the top of the vehicles and heard machine gun rounds zip by their heads. The walls and ground popping at their feet. They took cover by some machines that were next to the exit when they got out, but that was when he noticed the thing they took cover by were also cars. Cars that he's never seen before. And they were floating.
"What the-?!"
More machine gun fire from the "cars" disrupted his train of thought, the powerful rounds punching holes in the brick wall of the building they just escaped from. The car he was behind not faring any better.
The automobiles with machine guns were closing the distance very quickly, absolutely raining down on them with a hail of bullets. Parmley and Veronica fired back, aiming as close as they could while avoiding enemy fire. Much more wary and careful this time around as they were going up against some heavy ordinance.
"Parmley, don't stay out in the open too long!" Veronica yelled, concerned for the one with the older armor.
"Got it," he responded, before noticing something moving at their flank. "Veronica, on your right!"
She looked to see two smaller vehicles quickly approaching them from the side, also with machine guns on top that fired at them. Although they were of a smaller caliber, they pinged all over their armor and disoriented them. Plugging in a fresh MF Cell, Veronica quickly fired at the moving targets. They were fast and moved quickly without wheels, but a green bolt was able to strike one of the cars and punched through the engine block with ease. That car then dropped to the ground with a skid, and the surviving occupants ran out screaming as they were covered in plasma burns. The car beginning to melt from the middle out. The other car then spinning around and going the other way, learning to not get too close to the imposing figure with a large gun. Yet, the larger and beefier vehicles kept coming, only about 300 yards out from where they were. Able to see more detail on them and that they were quite large. Dwarfing the smaller cars. Knowing they needed to be taken care of before they could go anywhere, Veronica stood her ground and kept firing. Adjusting her aim when needed, remembering what the Brotherhood and Nathan taught her.
"Go, I'll cover you!" she yelled to her team, marching forward under the gunfire. Feeling more of the rounds ping off her armor. Hoping they don't hit anything vital.
"What are you doing?!" Parmley called out.
Thinking she wouldn't have much until those things barreled into her or her friends, she fired as much as she could. The end of the barrel becoming green hot. However, thinking this was going to be a long and drawn out battle between her and the impending combat vehicles, she watched in surprise and astonishment as a plasma bolt slammed directly head-on into one of them and a brilliant explosion made it burst from the inside. The wheeled machine crumbling to the concrete. The other one started to steer out of some of the debris that spilled out from the large truck, not anticipating such a reaction from the energy weapon. Quickly, Veronica dumped the rest of her fusion cell onto the remaining vehicle with much ferocity as it was getting closer and closer. Even with its large frame and armored shell, the vehicle was helpless as the Winchester P94 began ripping watermelon sized holes with melting goop all over its body. While not exploding, the vehicle just lost control and began driving wobbly until it turned and tipped over on its side and slid across the concrete. The one responsible braced herself as the large mass of metal started heading towards her, but the large truck slowed down and stopped mere meters from she was. Opening her eyes to see half of its hull was melting thanks to her. Looking down at the Plasma Caster and not expecting it to be so easy.
"Well, it's good to see melting people still works," the ex-Scribe conceded.
"Veronica!" the distance cries of both Boone and Parmley called out to her.
"I'm fine, guys, hold your horses. I just-"
"Look out!" they screamed once again, pointing at something to their right. Their arms pointing to the air.
She turned to where they were pointing and in the sky, she immediately spotted something that she's quite literally never seen before. The closest thing she immediately drew comparisons with were Vertibirds, but this machine was much larger and blockier. The two "wings" it had didn't have rotors but two large "blocks" that were somehow able to fly across the air. It had a whole assortment of protrusions over its body, the ex-Scribe immediately theorizing what purpose they could possibly serve. As it got closer a loud screeching noise got louder, not too dissimilar the sound a rocket makes when flying. And standing out from its matte-black body, two bright red lines were on the front end of its "cockpit" as if they were eyes. Redder than a Cazador's. The awe she was in from this flying machine turned into shock as several rockets launched from ports on its side. Flying in conjunction towards her.
"Ruuuunnnn!"
Her feet stomped as fast as she could muster as she narrowly dodges a barrage of tiny rockets. Feeling the shockwave even through her armor. Way too close for comfort and almost knocked her down from the blasts. It wasn't over, the flying machine then passing over them as powerful mounted guns rained munitions on them. The guns deafening the air as it flew over them. Making the ground pop and eviscerating anything caught in the gun run. Veronica fired at the large target, but it was too fast for her to land a shot.
"Parmley, use your rockets," she yelled, watching the aircraft.
"I can't!" the Ranger lamented, grabbing at the weapon system but unable to even retrieve it. "It's jammed."
With barely any other options left, she looked out to the rest of the facility and saw there was a large contingent of vehicles approaching them. An armada of cars carrying personnel and machine gun heading their way. Some more flying machines, too. Too much for them to handle, even with all the gear they had. Deciding they were out in the open for too long, she gathered the others and took them around the building. Good timing, too, as they narrowly avoided another gun run from the alien flying machine. Practically demolishing the front of the building.
Now taking cover at the back of the building, they found a chain-link fence that separated the base from the rest of the world. Some hills and mountains not too far from where they were. Leading out into the vast expanse of the desert.
"Guys, we got a problem. A big one," Veronica said, kneeling and addressing them. "We just kicked a Cazador's nest because there is a literal army coming to us right now. Also, because there are things flying around here trying to kill us, too."
"Like we haven't noticed that?" Boone questioned, his sunglasses failing to hide his scowl.
"So, since we're between rocks and hard places… Any ideas?"
They all silently looked amongst each other, their predicament making them sweat more than the arid air. Not even one hour into their transportal excursion, they managed to piss off an approaching army on a military base surrounded by miles of desert. Using technology they've never seen while still looking largely human and even speaking English. The Wastelanders thought the Wastes would prepare for seeing some unimaginable shit throughout their lives, but it never prepared them for what teleportation would entail. The person they were looking for could probably deal with this more healthily. At least, that's what they hoped.
Knowing that dying here would have been a waste and they would need to get out of here fighting, regardless, Boone thought of a way they could buy themselves time. Hopefully, throw these guys off their trail with what they would attempt. Something he prepared in case, but not something he thought he would have to use immediately. Granted, he didn't count on the Vertibird's long-lost cousin trying to blow them up. The point drove further home as a stray rocket demolished a corner of the building they were hiding behind.
"Veronica, turn around," Boone requested, slinging his rifle over his shoulder. "There's something in the pack we use."
"What?" she was confused.
"Turn around and I'll show you."
A bit wary of what that meant, she did as she was asked anyway and knelt for him to reach. Her Sniper friend immediately went to one of the bags and began rummaging through the contents, not taking too long as she heard it get zipped up, again. Hearing him step back with what he needed.
"Is that…" the Ranger drew out, recognizing what he saw.
"Yeah…" the Sniper confirmed for him.
The Scribe turned around and was immediately greeted by the egg-shaped body of a piece of ordinance used by the M42 Fat Man nuclear-explosive launcher. A Mini Nuke, with what appeared to be a fuse and an egg timer duct taped to it.
"Boone… Where did you get that?" Veronica asked, more than unnerved that she was carrying that on her back this entire time.
"Found it," was his response.
"What did you do to it?"
"Turned it into a mine, basically. Should go off after a set amount of time. We don't have a launcher, so, I had to make do. Nathan taught me how to do it."
"How… How many am I carrying, right now?"
"… A few."
"No… Did you-?!"
"Guys, there's a fucking army chasing us!" Parmley screamed in their ear, his helmet modulating his voice. "We need to go!"
Craig and Veronica exchanged glances before nodding in agreement. Parmley and her gathered the rest of their things and the dogs before making their way to the hills. Breaking through and knocking down a section of the chain-link fence. As they got a head start and made their way through the desert, Boone got to set the charge down somewhere hidden and arming it. Given he had rigged it to blow with an egg timer, the highest amount of time he could give it was five-damn-minutes. Thankfully, with a sizable hill on the other side of the chain-link fence, he could probably avoid most of the blast and fallout if he ran fast enough. Hoping he had packed Rad-Away on Veronica's back. Then, he watched one of those strange aircraft fly over him back to its base as it was smoking and escaping a barrage of green goop.
Taking that as his cue, he twisted the knob all the way around and wasted no time running to the desert, running over the chain-link fence, and climbing over the hill. Having done similar things many times before, but with a lot more haste. Clearing the hill, he could see Veronica, Parmley, and the dogs already ahead of him. Veronica occasionally firing back to make sure the aircraft stayed away. Boone barely able to catch up to them as he ran over the rocky terrain, making sure to not lose his beret or rifle. Only inching closer and closer as time passed.
By the time the egg timer had reached the two-minute mark, the group was well over a half-mile away from the blast zone. The humans in power armor hearing the hydraulics and mechanisms of their legs as it got hot within their armor, the dogs panting furiously as they ran in front of their human friends. Boone just making sure he was far enough to not instantly lose his skin. Suddenly, the ground at their feet began popping and Veronica turned around to see some vehicles and soldiers were climbing over the hill they had just left. Aircraft beginning to hover around the area. Veronica raised her P94 to give suppressing fire, but the world suddenly became white and she had to raise her hand up to shield her eyes even with the helmet.
The sound of the explosion arrived not even a second later, all the dust and rocks being thrown about as the shockwave overtook them across the hills. As her vision adjusted and she regained her footing across the salt flats, she saw the flaming mushroom cloud of the Mini Nuke rise hundreds of feet up into the sky. Seeing the flame burn within it as the cloud began to take shape before turning into an ashy gray. However, she and the others had to shield themselves when hundreds of pieces of debris and remains were thrown in the general direction. Having a few closes with sizable car parts and scrap metal, kicking up the salt. She watched as an aircraft was spinning and tumbling out of the sky before crashing into the hillside, turning into a ball of flame that mixed in with the large cloud that caused and dwarfed it. Where there was once an armada of cars, people, and flying machines, there was nothing but silence as the nuclear dust from the Fat Man was still settling. Anything at ground zero vaporized.
The air hung heavy, the sun's light taking a second to come back after the detonation. Veronica hearing the Geiger Counter in her suit tick a little as they stood there, watching the mushroom cloud bellow even higher in the sky. Then, not even looking back, Boone ran past them and still made his way across the salt flats.
"Come on!" he urged, taking a second to look back at them. "I only bought us some time, let's go!
She was pretty sure he did much more than that, looking back at the base they had partially-decimated. Finally, turning on her heel and running further into the desert. Away from the fallout.
