Some other fanfic writer who isn't me should just do the whole story of Madison Li, from maybe-crushin' on James to the climax of Fallout 3 to her trek to the Institute and how she gets in to wherever she ends up after the events of Fallout 4. The tale of a scientist who is involved with great deeds but isn't the great hero, and also is kind of a snappy unheroic person because she really just wants to be left alone to do science.
Begin Recording
Advanced Systems
Recording by Scribe Ellison
The next thing I wanted was to see Advanced Systems, where supposedly someone would have a chip to let me teleport out of here. My son wanted me to stay, and maybe I could live here—but not without making sure everything in Sanctuary was set up and there were enough people to do my jobs. And I was acutely aware that after losing two days my friends probably thought I was dead, and I didn't want them to think so much longer.
The archway to Advanced Systems had a blue symbol above it, and inside I saw a firing range where a young woman was blasting away with a laser pistol while two other scientists watched.
"She's been at it for over two hours. What is she even testing?"
"Nothing. At this point she's just doing it for fun."
I grinned at that, so Doctor Thompson and Doctor Filmore caught me smiling.
The shooter put down her pistol and came out, her lazy smile perking up when she saw me. "It's you! You must know a lot about weapons, living on the surface. Can I see..?" She turned greedy eyes on the weapon I was wearing on my back.
Which was Paladin Danse's personally upgraded laser rifle, the one he'd given me. I'd chosen it to bring along because it was easier to carry than my really long rifles, but now that I was talking instead of shooting—he'd've hit the ceiling at the idea of an Institute scientist inspecting his rifle. "I think I'd better not, but maybe we can talk laser weapons later."
The woman looked only a little disappointed. "I'm Rosalind Orman. We've all been waiting for you. What can Advanced Systems do for you?"
"I'm looking for… Doctor Li?"
"She's through there. But she's not a big fan of..." Rosalind looked down at the boy, who was looking at the shooting range but keeping quiet. In a lower voice she added, "We worked on it—him—so it's strange to see him walking around."
Plenty of other synths were just walking around so the difference was… the boy wasn't doing a job? He was just hanging around. Like the real kid he wasn't. Or maybe it was just strange that he looked like a kid.
If I'd seen the child being made, or grown or whatever, it might have been harder for me to treat him like a normal kid. As things were it was almost too easy.
Doctor Li was a petite Asian woman who looked at me without any warmth. After the enthusiasm I'd been getting from everyone else this was jarring, but I learned over time that Doctor Li just doesn't like… the world, I suppose. It made a lot more sense when you got here, Scribe, and told me about her history.
"Ah, it's you. You're here then. Yes yes, I know who you are. We all do. While I'm sure Father is very happy that you're here, I do hope it doesn't interrupt your work."
"I'll try not to. What are you working on?"
"Advanced systems special projects. Obviously you've seen the boy. Synth. We've been hard at work on him for quite a while. Here, before I forget, let me see that Pip-boy of yours. I've been told to install a courser chip in it. Father's orders. You're to be given full access with the ability to relay to the Institute at will."
She was clearly not pleased. I handed over my Pip-boy and watched her open the back and slot in a single chip much smaller than the bulb we found in the courser's head. "So I can just come and go anytime?"
"Yes. It's interfaced with the map function, should be easy enough to use. Some places have relay terminals built in. Otherwise the satellite scans for a spot safely away from structures and other life forms. It shouldn't drop you right on a mirelurk but accidents happen. You can't bring along anything much larger than yourself and your clothes, for security. Also for security, the relay will only work if the Pip-boy is on your arm detecting your unique vital signs. You can't loan it to your friends."
"Understood." I had one other question. "Will you be tracking where I come from?"
"No. This is only the relay chip, no tracker. If nothing else, it should demonstrate to you the trust Father has placed in you. Now if there's nothing else, I'd like to get back to my work."
If she'd been more friendly I probably wouldn't have believed it.
Now that I had my way home, I collected the boy from where he was watching Rosalind blast the wall some more and we went on to the next division.