1
"Horatio, is that you?", Preston called out.
"Old man Garvey?", the barber replied.
Vault 81 security didn't give the two any wider a berth as they clasped the other's backs.
"How did you make it out of Quincy?", Preston exclaimed.
A small celebratory wave slid from Horatio's right hand across his shoulders to his left. "Because I'm slick and I'm slippery. Gunners can't get to me.
"What about you, old man?"
The General regarded Preston anew. "Old man?"
"Sturges mostly.", Preston replied to the other man. Then he turned to the General. "I was a rookie back at Quincy. On the other hand, Horatio here was knee high. Instead of everyone else calling me 'kid', he took to calling me 'old man'."
Turning back to Horatio he pointed out. "But I bet being an orphan got him in here. It certainly wasn't his skill with hair."
"Oh, now you've started something.", Horatio replied.
Vault 81 security drew their weapons. "He was joking.", the General explained.
"Why is it that everyone thinks that every other word is an excuse for murder?"
A guard shrugged. "The super mutant infested, ghoul wandering, wasteland on the other side of our door and the shady traders that smooth talk their way past it?"
The general sighed. "Look, where's McNamara?"
"The Overseer's in her office.", the guard informed.
"Thanks. We'll be heading there now.", the General announced.
"You'll be heading there.", Scott Edwards countered. "We aren't letting the newcomer out of our sight."
"What? Preston?", Horatio objected. "Preston's a hero, a living legend, a/"
"An outsider!", the guard finished.
"Fine.", the General stated. "Like I said: We will be heading to the overseer's office. Come on."
The woman strode off in that direction and Preston followed her. The guards at their sides harrumphed and followed.
2
A gentle knocking sounded from the office door. "You don't have to check in with me every time you drop off tools or fertilizer or some other supplies we need.", McNamara called out.
The General let herself in. After seeing that the Overseer was decent (as her quarters were attached to the office), she let the door slide all the way. "Actually, I want to talk about another proposal."
"Who is this?", McNamara interrupted.
The man took off his hat and held it in his hands. "Preston Garvey, ma'am. Colonel of Personnel in this General's Minutemen."
"And how did you get in here? Past security.", the Overseer interrogated.
"Well, firstly, he didn't.", the General objected. "They've been on him since he arrived. I managed to vouch for him all the way through."
McNamara sat behind her desk. The guards didn't leave.
"Why?", she asked.
"Secondly.", the General began. "I want to talk to you in a Minutemen fashion rather than as a vault dweller. And I believe Colonel Garvey will help with what I want to discuss."
"Which is...?", the Overseer asked.
The General began. "You understood that Vault 81 would need to open its door once you ran short of non-self sustainable supplies. Which in turn makes you dependant upon traders. From the outside. Which makes safe travel across the Commonwealth an issue that directly affects you. And the safeguarding of the production of those goods.
"Long story short - no matter how secluded the community of Vault 81 is, the Commonwealth matters to you. All of you."
"And since the Minutemen protect the Commonwealth, you're important to us.", the Overseer concluded. "I wouldn't have expected it from you after what you've done for us. But that's a fine shake down. How much, General?"
"No!", the woman objected. "No, no, no, no. We're here to entice you to participate in the greater Commonwealth. We aren't asking anything of you. We're hoping to benefit you more."
McNamara folded her arms. "Well, not participating in the Commmonwealth has done pretty good by us so far. Even when one of my predecessors tried to crack the vault, he was assassinated. Tried to join up with a group to stand against a threat he thought would eventually come for our Vault-tec technology.
"The Institute."
The Overseer waited for the shiver amongst her guests. It didn't come.
"The Institute has surrendered to the Minutemen.", Garvey informed.
McNamara did a double take. "Really. So that voice that's been playing on Diamond Ci/"
"Yes, that's me.", the General acknowledged. "The Minutemen have unchallenged operational control of the Wasteland, mitigating threats be overlooked.
"I don't like that. I'd rather there be some actual input from the people who live in the Commonwealth. And unfortunately..."
"That includes us.", the Overseer understood. "Whether I like it or not."
The Vault 111 survivor and now honorary Vault 81 resident nodded sympathetically. "I'm trying to make it as painless as possible, even though I can't make the need go away.
"Pre-war, I was a lawyer. I'm working on a Commonwealth government that will protect every ones' rights and secure them with Minutemen protection. Including from the Institute. I have a structure in mind, and a set of rules for them to agree to to keep them in line. But to get that..."
"You'll need all the communities you can get to back you on this.", Gwen understood. "A council of sorts?"
"Exactly.", the General agreed.
"Then you'll need what from us? My signing on and a representative? I can't serve as that rep full time considering my duties here.", McNamara warned.
"No, I'm not asking for all of your time.", the General conceded. "But if you could come to the initial drafting of the constitution to sign, we can get up and running. Vault 81 can pick who's council rep anyway Vault 81 decides. The Minutemen aren't here to interfere in internal affairs of communities. They just make the Commonwealth safer."
"Right, right.", the woman nodded.
"To that end, I'd like convert my room.", the General stated.
"How?", the Overseer asked.
"I'd like to turn it into a Minutemen office.", was the answer. "I'd set up a desk & communications (considering you get Diamond City Radio and Radio Freedom here). That way, we'd be able to learn about your needs and respond quicker to them.
"Maybe use a Minuteman flag for the drape over the window. You know, for auspiciousness."
"Heh", McNamara chuckled. "I can't get you another room as a resident until we clear out the other side of the vault you...discovered? Pacified?"
"That's more than fine.", the General stated. "I brought Preston in because he's the friendliest face we've got and the man you'll end up seeing the most besides me. Can you clear him past your security so he can check in the office when I'm not here?"
"Well,", Preston hesitated. "I may post a person in the office once I can find the right man for you. And he's cleared to be in town. By you."
The Overseer waved security off. "Fine. Colonel...Garvey was it?"
"Yes, ma'am."
"You'll have same access to the vault that our traders get. Business only, don't question security, we find you where you're not supposed to be or with something that isn't yours and you're gone - first offense.
"And as for you.", she continued while pointing at the immigrant from Vault 111. "Understand that there's a line for doubling the vault size. Your man Garvey might be on this side of it, but don't stretch it too thin, alright?"
"So I can count on your votes in the council I'm putting together?", the General prodded.
"Sure.", the Overseer gave. "You keep the outside from storming in here, keep our traders safe and I'll campaign for what you want.
"Even if it means that I'll have to get handy with a 10 MILLIMETER PISTOL to prep for this week long hike across the wasteland."
The General assured her, "Oh, don't worry about that. I'll send someone to pick Vault 81's party and drive you to the Castle for the conference."
"Drive?", Gwen asked. "What do you mean drive? The traders said that the roads are crags of rock that their Brahmin carts can barely traverse, when they're savvy. Besides, who's building...what do you call them...autos? anymore."
The General and Preston shared a smile. "The Minutemen are...ensuring their ability to get the Commonwealth to what it should be."
3
"Niel, look alive.", a voice sounded from behind him.
The man turned and was faced with the newest Vault 81 resident. She was wearing that Colonial uniform she was fond of, despite having a fully suitable suit from Vault 111. "Um, can I help you?"
"Walk with me.", she instructed.
He followed the General...in the wrong direction. "Um, this is the door.", he pointed out.
"And now we're on the other side of it.", the General pointed out as they stepped down from the scaffolding. "And now we're on the outside.
"You stated you were looking to experience outside the vault. You were just doubting your abilities. What if I could give you the abilities to go on the greatest adventure you ever saw? And maybe, just maybe, protect the entire Commonwealth along the way.
"Would you take it? Right now. No questions asked. Or would you go back into the vault, sit at your desk and spend the rest of your days on your butt?"
Niel looked at her goggle encased eyes. She was absolutely serious in that absolutely serious way had about her. If he didn't take her up on her offer, it would be the last he'd hear of it.
"I'm in.", Niel said. "I just have to tell the Overseer/"
"If she can take Trader Rylee, she can take this. Let me ask her for forgiveness.", the General instructed.
"Alright.", Niel agreed.
"Here's a generic 10 MILLIMETER PISTOL, exactly 10 rounds of ammunition, a map and a letter.", she told him. "Get to the settlement of Covenant on your map without being killed (by sticking to the roads, being afraid of strangers and not being stupid). Give a woman named Cait the letter. Do what she says.
"Beat it."
Niel took one last look at the Vault he had called home...and honestly his whole world his entire life. For the first time, the glimmer of light from the cave exit was a glow. The man ran as fast as he could.
"General.", Preston greeted from behind her. "I see why they keep this vault sealed up from outsiders. It's not as bustling, but it's much cleaner than Diamond City...or honestly, any town I've seen."
"You've seen my room? Smelled my bed and looked through my locker?", she half joked, half flirted.
"And I see how we'll be able to fit a soldier in their to man the office you want.", he responded.
"Good man.", she acknowledged. "Let's go."
