Queen's note: –yeets chapter- I forgot to post this with work yesterday.

Welcome to the Wasteland

Chapter Thirty Four:

Well Rested

Lana was… oddly comfortable, the bed she was on a bit firmer than what she normally liked. Still nice though as a somewhat puffy blanket was wrapped around her, and Lana was hugging a pillow as much as she was using it. The woman knew she should be getting up. Should be finding out what needed to be done for the morning. Part of her used to waking up right about now to put some wood in the newly made stove. But there was no fire to feed.

When Lana shifted to roll over under the blanket to peer out into the office, the lights were still in nighttime mode. The lights inside the room she was in were all turned off, as if that lack of light was keeping her stuck to the bed.

There was a huff and a canine yawn before the bed dipped around her knees as the Duke climbed up. Slowly stretching out, partly on the blanket. Wanting comfort as Lana reflexively wrapped an arm around him, feeling herself dozing off again.

There was a large dog's head firmly pressed against her chest some time later. Duke shifted in his sleep, seeking more comfort as a leg started twitching at a bad dream. Lana reached out, rubbed at Duke's neck and cheek, then patted his shoulder, becoming aware enough to tuck her chin and shift a bit. Hiding her neck as best she could in a reflex.

"Duke-duke, it's okay, just a dream." Lana reassured, voice soft, but a part of her was aware that any form of wasteland canine could be dangerous. As gentle as Duke was so far he may not have had time to bond with them.

There was a soft whine, and then big brown eyes opened. Duke sat up, looking around as if confused before sniffing at Lana's other hand. He seemed a little disappointed as the canine layed back down. Though happy to accept scratchies along his neck after a minute. The gentle fingers rubbing between his eyes, down his nose and back up to the head. That one he liked more, as Duke settled into a relaxed sleepy state once again. Taking the offered comfort until both dozed off in the early morning hours.

He missed his person, but had found some new people that smelled good in their core scent. Getting to sleep in a warm dry place all night was just the best. And now with a familiar sensation of a human beside him. Shorter than he was used to but Duke did not mind. Nor that everyone was using his second name.

There was the sound of Codsworth's thruster as he came around the far corner and opened the door. Humming to himself lightly as he came closer, settling a glass of water and mug of hot tea on the low table he had cleaned and moved near the head of the bed.

"Hmm?" Lana blinked bleerierly, somewhat sleep drunk from having more rest then normal.

"Sorry Mis Lana, I did not mean to wake you." Codsworth apologized, pausing before drifting back and heading into the bathroom to check that the bowl of water in the shower was still full.

"It's okay… I… I think I forgot to do laundry." Lana shifted, stretching her arms and grunted as Duke rolled over, flinging doggy legs to try and catch an arm to hug. "Oy!"

One of his arms had clothes hanging off it as Codsworth came back with a chuckle. Putting Lana's clean clothes neatly on the foot of the bed as he talked. "It's quite alright. I found you passed out last night, and the other two were not much better. I took care of everything, and finished the rest of the sheets and what blankets were left. Everything is folded and on the dining room table. Including the vault suits and the clothes from the vault residence survivors."

"The... oh you found them? Are they still good?" Lana rolled over onto Duke before he could roll on her, mushing his face and jowls until he was wagging his tail and giving a doggy grin.

"The advantages of synthetic fibers." Codsworth said in a bemused tone as he watched the two, "And proper storage. The 'fabrics of tomorrow' do not decompose or break down easily. I found them tucked away in the main entrance of all places."

When Lana sat up, Duke flipped off the bed and bounced around in the open space of the room. She blinked as Codsworth offered her under things and then the shirt.

Taking the hint Lana started to get dressed. "Are Sturges and Jake up?"

"Not yet though they are not as deeply asleep as earlier." Codsworth drifted out of the way as Lana got up to go to the bathroom. "Once you're up and awake, would you like to see what I've done? I've found some more storage containers that might work as planters, and not leek everywhere."

"That's good! And I would love to," Lana finished dressing and getting her boots on, pausing, "Did you clean my boots too? Thank you Codsworth, that means a lot."

Codsworth tucked his arms in happily, "They're not still damp are they?"

"Not that I can feel."

"Good, I had some questions for you young mis." the robot started as he moved out of the way, doing a basic straightening of the bed before following Lana out to the main entrance through the 'emergency' tunnel, "Since I will be getting not just my family back, but also others that will need help in this post war world."

"It's going to be a challenge for sure, but like Preston said, the right thing to do, is to get them out." Lana hummed, but waited to see what the aware robot wanted.

"That…. That is what I appreciate of you, all of you so far." Codsworth bobbed in the air, once in the entrance area moved to where he had put the found bins. "I... may have peeked at the things you all had written. It was very uplifting to see that you do mean to help and improve the lives of those here and your settlements. I like the idea of Mr. Sturges to possibly reuse equipment here to make freezers for food."

"Really?" Lan perked up, she liked that idea! "That makes sense, good sense."

"Yes, and how you were planning on more food than people can easily eat… Mr Jake had already planned on how to build planters to the curved walls… it's all very uplifting to see and feel hope again. Real hope."

"We all need hope, I'm glad you feel that way," Lana smiled, looking up at the Mr Handy, she had planned on expansion early. Possibly a layover from how things worked at home. Her home community had to charge all the big power cells almost half a year at a time, to expand through the main mountain. What the large tunnels would be used for and what plants or tree groves. How to cut the solid stone and where to use it all.

Her so many times great grandpa was a big part, having a knack for being able to plan generations ahead of time. Because of him, they had survived in the wild, able to recruit minors to help with the expansion. Negotiate with Goris, wise enough to help bolster others with talents he did not have.

Lana wished her Grandpa, or even Pack Grandsire were here.

But they were not.

Valory was here though, Lana needed to sit and talk with her Guardian away from everyone. As much to be sure Lana really was doing the right thing not just here but for home too.

She struggled a moment to put those thoughts to the side and finish focusing on what was before her, walking after Codsworth and admiring his cleaning job. Realistically it was an amazing job, the place looked completely different from the day before, still aged but given a breath of fresh air.

"Wow, you really did get all the laundry done." Lana looked really impressed as she moved to the table at the entrance, checking the neatly folded sheets. "Did you notice there's no fitted sheets?"

"I did indeed." Codsworth huffed a bit, "I'm glad I was not the only one to notice, it seems like the old admissions were quite... cheap."

Lana snorted, trying to hide the laugh that wanted to come out and the sheer offended tone. As if it were a personal insult to Codsworth. "I agree. I think it should be daylight up top, I might head up to check out some of the plants around, I wonder if those tree mushrooms the Brahmin like are around. I might be able to analyze it better with the equipment you cleaned up and found. I wonder if it's another type of fungus that gets rid of radiation, considering how the cows went straight for them after that big storm."

"Is it the wide flat ones that are white and cream colored? On live and dead wood?" Codsworth asked, thinking about some of the mushrooms. "I've seen the local wildlife go after it, during and after storms. Not just the big animals like the brahmin and deer but turkeys, chickens and other wild birds seem especially fond of those. More so the new growth."

"I think that we're thinking of the same one… wait. Megan mentioned the turkeys and chickens. I wonder what the chickens are like… we only found one." Lana was distracted, but the thought of another rad eating and/or eradicating plant was good. To have something that was extra 'avian friendly'?

"I think they came from not just backyard flocks but mostly from the nearby farms. And the survivors are feral nowadays, though I would assume some of the older families might have some." Codsworth considered, then tucked his arms as he continued to happily teach and tell Lana about the birds. "The better, healthier ones are still feathered. I think most of the ones around here are colored like the Plymouth rock chickens of old, or 'barred rock' you may have heard of them?"

"I only read about… Leghorns, and one called a 'Rhode island red'?" Lana tilted her head, leaning carefully back on one of the shut down console panels as they talked. "There were only a few pictures."

"Ah, the reds." The aware robot hummed happily, "I've seen that coloration a few times. But the Plymouth rock marking is black and white specks and bars. Hmm you know, I think I might know where one flock roosts in the mulberry trees. If we are quiet and swift at night, we may be able to get some chicks for you all, and the hens for the chickens and turkeys would be starting to nest and be all broody. You could raise them and tame the birds back down with the next generations!"

"How big are the chickens?" Lana wondered, liking the idea of more birds, though held a hand up to her, "That one turkey was this big though! It scratched Valory pretty good on the neck before she killed it….. really good meat though."

Codsworth peered at the young woman with two eye stalks, "The healthy chickens are about knee high to you, I would estimate Mis Lana. Others are smaller, maybe a few roosters a little bigger."

"I think it's an excellent idea to find more of them. We have some turkeys now, and one angry chicken at the Museum. It sounds like they aren't that much different from the pheasant types some of the other groups have back home. Do they go after crop plants?" Lana stood up, making sure her boots were still comfortable. "I do want to check some of the plants and trees you mentioned last night, before Preston comes back. Think the others are awake yet?"

"Let me check, for modesty's sake." Codsworth lifted his grasping claw up and started drifting to the right passage.

Lana smiled but then considered how she had passed out after her shower… yeah. Modesty's sake. So she distracted herself by checking on the plant starts that were in the main hall, Duke padding after to sniff and inspect the plants as well.

"I have like five potatoes left from the trip out here Duke." Lana explained to the dog when he sat beside her and the basket full of large, oblong purple potatoes Codsworth had brought down. "I was going to dry them out for later...but with a safe place to grow them I think, I might grow them here. Or the bunker. Maybe I can get enough to share in thanksgiving later this year… What do you think Duke-Duke?"

The big shepherd tilted his head to the right and then left, as if thinking deeply and truly considering what was spoken. He woofed a low soft note before nosing at Lana's right hand.

"Giving hand huh?" Lana rubbed at the soft head and ears. "I think I will then. Want to go up to the surface with me? I want to check out the local plants and the fencing. And those pods, we could reuse a lot of stuff….. I wonder if the constitution equipment was powered down when the bombs dropped."

Duke boofed again giving a canine grin and wagged his tail.

"You can run better, and I can look at the local fungus." Lana laughed as she stood up while Codsworth came hovering back over. Accompanied by the sound of boots walking.

Jake grinned wide at seeing the young woman just as she was rolled on by Duke. "You look as clean as I feel! And look, some of the boots Codsworth found fit!"

Sturges had a tired smile, but seemed to be just pleased he could walk on the clean floors with just his socks. Even if he has to be careful over grated spots it was a rare comforting luxury. "Yeah, not all of them are fully dry yet though I'll be staying down here if it's okay with you guys. I want to look through the vault computer codes some more."

"I don't mind," Lana shrugged, or tried to as she sat up while Duke rolled over on his back and in her lap. "I'm just going to be looking at trees and the mushrooms on them."

"Sounds like a good plan. Do you want to stay down here in the vault Codsworth?" The scared man asked as he turned to the robotic butler.

Codsworth hesitated, turning in a circle where he hovered. "I...would like to, but at the same time I wish to go up and check on things. If there will be more people tonight I think getting some more shoots, and seeds to come start down here."

"If there's time, can I help you plan on expanding your gardens? We'll need a lot of space to grow things outside too with this many people." Lana offered as she was finally able to get up from the big dog. She smiled, and then chuckled, "At the rate we're all finding people we should get more things growing at the farm and the Co-Op too. Frederick is going to have a tizzy. Oh! We need to do more companion planting."

Jake laughed more to himself and shook his head, but glad that Lana could distract Codsworth it seemed. The older man paused to look at Sturges, nudging his arm for attention, "Are you really going to be okay down here?"

"Yeah," Sturges nodded, looking down as he rubbed his head with a sheepish expression, "I can't do much until Noel is here, but… I kind of want to take another shower. A nice long, hot shower again."

Chuckling, but also Jake did understand the feeling and want. Ruffling the clean black hair of the shorter young man. "Just don't get into too much trouble okay?"

"There should be enough power for the lift a few more times." Sturges informed the group, using both hands to try and fix his hair. "Preston wouldn't be too far away after dawn. If he didn't already set up a camp last night in the neighborhood"

"I did tell him where he could stay at my family's home." Codsworth offered as he made sure the lift was clear but that one patch of dirt and a cone on the back. "Oh, I just realized! That a fireplace and wood stove aren't needed down here! Splendid!"

Lana snorted, grinning as she nodded, "Oh yeah, it's nice to have an eclectic stove huh?"

"I'll get the lift started." Sturges offered, moving carefully over to the one consol that was still on there in the inner entrance of the Vault. Mindful of his sock covered feet and any grates.

"I left my soap bag in the shower at the Overseer's bathroom." Lana offered Sturges as she sat on the lift, Jake was crouching again on it just starting.

"Ohh, thank you." Sturges gave a thumbs up as he started the lift. "See you guys in a while!"

Lana waved back, then laughed as Duke sat and waved his paw as well. Mimicking or an action that was a result of the lift moving. It was not as eerie this time riding the lift. About a quarter of the way up, Codsworth had to settle on the lift, his thruster shut off and bracing with his arms. Unable to keep above the rising lift as well as descending with it.

Jake closed his eyes for a moment as the overhead hatchway started to open, but the light was not nearly as bright as he thought it would be. With their early night of rest, and deeper sleep than normal, Jake was and was not surprised to find it being pre-dawn. He looked over, worried as the dog started to whine once getting a good sniff of the air coming down the tunnel. "What are you smelling there Duke?"

"Predator?" Lana guessed, shifting to pick up the bow, shrugging her jacket back on. She paused, head tilted as she listened intently to something mixed in or behind the machinery sounds. The woman stood up to peek over the edge first, brightening up, "Valory!"

Duke whined once he saw the dark bulk laying on the ground beside the vault lift. Backing up until he was hiding under as much as behind Jake. Eyes wide and then whining as he saw the person he was starting to like that hopped up the last edge to go towards the giant female deathclaw. Fear mixed with confusion as a scarred hand rubbed at Duke's neck and right ear. Jake's rough voice gave words of calm.

There was no roaring after a minute, no smell of blood or human fear. Caution from Jake, but… duke could not smell any fear from Lana, who was pressing her head against the Matriarch's own.

"Oh…my…" Codsworth gasped, as the lift settled into its locked position. "That was not… a… erm, exaggeration last night?"

A golden eye looked between the robot and then the canine. Valory chuckled as she started a louder, or rather deeper humm, using the subharmonics of her kind to get the dog to calm down. "What stories, have you been saying. About me? My little one."

"Only the best." Lana laughed, moving to look, "You took the brace off? I still see stitches."

"I am able to move better now." Valory said, rolling onto her side and stretching out her leg that had the damage, showing it was almost fully recovered. She would balance more on all fours still for a few more days, but a few stitches could come out.

"Good morning Valory," Jake remembered to greet, giving the dog another round of reassurance as Duke seemed to go boneless. "This is Codsworth, he lives here in Sanctuary Hills, and helped us in the vault last night."

"Codsworth," Lana turned as the Mr Handy started to get his normal hover height again. "This is my pack sister Valory."

"Ah…oh my." Codsworth flustered a moment, arms tucked to bot seem hostile, "Pleasure to meet you, Mis Valory?"

Valory gave an amused trill, shifting again to cross her arms. "Good morning."

"Val!" Lana broke the tension by grabbing the big head, excitedly, "I found equipment that might let me check if a tree is male or female with these new ones here! They're called mulberry trees."

"Fascinating." Valory almost went cross eyed.