I do not own anything.
'thought'
"Speech"
"Text via book or newspaper... when those are around..."
System Text


"Damn..." I whisper. "That's a little intimidating."

"I felt that way the first time I saw it too." One of the knights boom from within his armor.

Dawes I think his name was.

He's a pretty nice dude. Not like that prick Rhys.

A massive flying blimp hovers towards us.

"People of the commonwealth!" A voice booms over large speakers that I can barely make out over the thundering propellers. "Do not interfere. Our intentions are peaceful! We are... The Brotherhood of Steel."

I watch a bunch of helicopter-like vehicles buzz around the blimp like a bunch of angry hornets. They look to be a weird mix between planes and helicopters. The same general shape as a helicopter a large body and small tail with two stabilizing fins, but no rear propeller, instead they have two swiveling propeller-like engines on the tips of two little stubby wings.

I look over to Scribe Haylen who is stood by a suit of unmanned T-51. She carries a large box that has been filled with cloth. The object we retrieved form the Railroad being safely contained inside.

I asked about it recently, but Danse claimed that I didn't have clearance for it. That was fair. He also said that they had no idea of the true capabilities of it. Just a general idea and that 'if it did even a fifth of what Haylen thought it could. This level of secrecy should be respected. No chances for any information leaks.'

At least he was polite about it. Fucking Rhys would have been all 'shut the fuck up initiate'.

Prick.

Regardless, they've commandeered the power armor frame I brought back to put the experimental pieces of T-51 on it on

I was promoted on the spot to senior initiate, though. Realistically, I'm only one little step below Rhys as a Knight.

Once that happens, I should be able to acquisition my own suit of power armor if I need it.

At least a T-45 as a newly promoted knight.

They keep T-60s for important missions and higher ranking knights and, Ironically enough, T-51 seems to be more advanced than T-60s, they're also much rarer, with T-60's being a modification of the first militarized power armor, the T-45.

I...

I don't actually hear a lot about people modifying the frame of the power armor itself. Nor Do I hear of any real advancements being made on the armor itself.

One of the flying vehicles swoop down, hovering atop the building. Little landing gear sprouting from its underside.

A man hops out.

"Knight Arigan reporting for duty, sir!" He solutes.

"Good. Climb up into that power armor and take Scribe Haylen to the Prydwin's research bay. This armor is a prototype created before the great war, so be very delicate with it."

"Yet sir!" He solutes.

"Scout." Danse turns.

"Yes, sir?" I ask.

"We are going to meet Lancer Captain Kells. Your intel could assist us in plotting salvaging missions across the commonwealth."

"Yes sir." I nod.

We get into the Vertibird, quickly joined by Scribe Haylen and the Armored knight.

The vehicle jostles slightly, then we are carried upwards.

It is a relatively short trip. Barely two minutes as the large blimp passes overhead.

The ground underfoot jerks slightly as it seems to connect to a series of walkways under the blimp.

Danse steps out onto a hanging walkway, I quickly follow, joined by the scribe and the knight transporting the armor.


I sit on a table, watching a woman loom over a desk before me.

Holy shit I'm fucking scary.

She has no idea I'm here, does she?

After giving the lancer captain my report on all the locations a few things happened.

I was promoted to Scout-Knight for my successful scouting and the assistance in reclaiming two prototypes- suck my fucking dick, Rhys- and I promptly headed north from the airport to one... single... location.

"Aha!" The woman beams, lifting a circuit board up above her head.

This...

Is the mechanist.

Her first batch of robots have been sent out, and they have the issue of attacking people.

I managed to dismantle them quite easily from afar, though.

That gunners contract is fucking overpowered.

It lets me get one hundred bullets for my fucking anti-tank rifle at will.

I mean, TECHNICALLY it's not an explosive weapon.

A mistake on my part, but good job. You found a loophole.

Thankfully, it appears that Jezebel was amongst the group.

Jezebel
Description: a robobrain captured- or soon to be captured by the Rust Devils. Not much of a description to give... she is a brain in a jar on tank treads. Can unleash a psychic blast, so maybe be a bit wary of that.
Notes: Jezabel is a robobrain created by the Mechanist to act as a general to its attempts to be a force for good. However, Jezabel, and all other robobrains are misinterpreting the orders and are killing people as 'more than eighty percent of people still die after we help them, so the most efficient way to use our time would be to kill them painlessly!' Truly an AI thing to do.

Rewards:
1 Rank in the 'Robotics Expert' Perk (Granting around 20 Years of Robotics Expertise), Knowledge of how to create a 'Robot Workbench', Knowledge of how to create a basic factory-settings Protection (And all of its variants).

I nod slowly as I look over the circuit board.

My new knowledge is quite useful.

It's a mundane circuit board. One that wouldn't be out of place in a TV or terminal. Not suitable for use in even a protectron... or it was.

She seems to have quickly upgraded it.

Like, startlingly quickly.

She is... incredible.

Fuck.

Might as well get this over with.

"So." I begin suddenly, causing the woman to flinch.

"HIYAAA!" She squeals, whirling around hand coming to her hip. But there's no gun there. She took it off when she thought she was safely inside her home.

"Who- Who are you?! The- the institute?!"

"I'm a scout from the brotherhood of steel." I admit.

"T-The brotherhood?! Are you here to kill me for creating robots?!" She whispers I can see her slowly shuffle to the side.

"No. Of course not. I just wanted to give you a heads up... your robots are killing innocent people."

"W-What?" She pauses mid-shuffle, eyes widening. "You- You're lying!"

"Why don't you check the programming, then?" I ask.

Her eyes dart to the side towards a large terminal, she doesn't seem to want to turn her back to me.

That's understandable, I guess.

"Look. If I wanted to hurt you, don't you think I would have done so already? Your robobrains have this fucking... horrible logic in their head. They claim that since most people they do help still die regardless, they think that giving the people a quick death is a more effective use of their time instead of actually helping."

"T-That's not true!" She whispers. "I-I coded them! T-They- They wouldn't do that!"

"Everyone makes mistakes." I admit. "But... you are allowing your arrogance to cloud your vision. You're still early enough to catch it, Miss Mechanist. You are still early enough to save lives... please. Check your coding. I know you are skilled, turning a circuit board that isn't meant to be used with robotics into one that can fully support a basic AI, but... you aren't all seeing. All knowing. You are trying to do a good thing, and I respect that. Truly, I do. But thinking yourself free of any flaws is a slippery slope, and if left unchecked I could see you easily becoming a villain."

"What?! I would never!"

"I mean, you already have robots that kill innocent people and are refusing to check the code and make adjustments. A hero would check their work if they got even an Inkling that something might have gone wrong... especially with lives on the line."

"..."

The woman slowly and carefully walks to the side, towards her large desktop computer.

I continue sitting on the desk. Waiting, watching, biding the time.

Then, I watch the girl freeze.

"No..." She whispers.

She falls to her knees. "W-What- What have I done?!"

Her shoulder shake as I stand, walking over to her.

I gently place my hand upon her shoulder.

"Hey... it's okay..." I whisper. "Artificial intelligence can be unpredictable because, well, they don't think like us."

"Its- it's my fault... I-I killed innocent people."

"No. It is your robo-brains. They're the issue. They turned your good intentions into a twisted and deplorable goal to suit their desires to kill. I will not say that you hold no blame with a little irresponsibility... but you are in no way the sole person at fault."

"What... what do I do?" She whispers looking up to me, tears slowly dripping down her face.

"How many robots have you sent out?" I question.

"Just... one group.'

"Then, I've killed that, and you don't need to worry anymore."

She lets out a small sigh of relief at that.

She speaks in an incredibly meek and muted tone. "Thank... thank you."

"It was my pleasure... now. I would suggest that you put your skills to work in the brotherhood." I begin quietly.

"Huh?!" She mutters. "Aren't- Aren't you all evil?!"

"That is a... poor way to look at it." I begin quietly. "The brotherhood is fractured at the moment. I will admit. Some of our factions are bloodthirsty, ruthless, and, well, corrupt. But. From what I have seen of the ones in the commonwealth at the moment, they truly wish for the safety of the people... safety that is constantly threatened by the likes of the Institute, the gunners, and raiders. Besides, nothing says you can't try and guide them to a better path from the inside."

"And, I will admit, they won't be very keen on your robots... but. When robots get destroyed they can be repurposed. Rebuilt. Repaired. People... just... die." I shake my head with a sad sigh. "So, while they might not be all too happy with the use of robots, I have a feeling that they would be easy to convince... to win over even more favor, what about trying to make some modifications to power armor?"

"Modifying Power Armor? I... could try... what do you expect me to do?"

"Just make the frames better." I shrug. "More energy efficient, stronger. Hell, go crazy with it and maybe graft some robot arms on the back that can shoot lasers? It's up to you, really. I really just don't want you to fall into the institute's hands... or be assassinated by them."

"I... I accept! I'll help the brotherhood." She declares, a resolute expression on her face.

"Good." I nod slowly. "Please follow me. I'll introduce you."


"Lancer Captain Kells." I salute.

"Scout Knight." A man before me hums his gaze flicking to the woman stood slightly behind me. "You are back early. Who is this?"

"I have come to give my report early due to the... nature... of my findings." I begin quietly. "This. Is Isabel Cruz. A genuine prodigy of robotics who was operating out of the nearby Robco Sales and Service center just north of the airport."

"I have invited her to join the brotherhood as a scribe, as I believe her skills would have had her quickly taken or assassinated by the Institute."

"I see." The man notes, a frown appearing on his face. "Yes. That is indeed a worry. Take her to the power armor maintenance bay where someone shall give her the test to become an initiate scribe. If she is as good as you say she is, that is to be determined. But if she is, I could see her skills being of great use to us in the near future. Is there anything else to report."

"There is also a secret complex underneath the Robco Sales and Service center. It is... genuinely astounding. Some rooms are large enough that the Prydwen itself might have been able to fit in them. It is full of pre-war salvage. Due to its proximity and sheer scale, I wanted to inform you as soon as possible so we could get people on the ground to retrieve any potential parts we might need."

"I see." The man hums. "I will send a group out soon. Thank you for your report. You are dismissed, Knight Scout. Ad Victoriam."

"Ad Victoriam " I salute.


Well. I'd say she settled in quite nicely.

She aced that little scribe exam.

I'm expecting big things from her...

That's one problem taken care of.

Noooow.

For my next trick... I will make this gunner captain's head disappear.

*BANG*


A long slow breath leaves my lips, a slightly eager shiver of anticipation rolling through my both.

I gaze off towards five suits of marching power armor, followed by what can only be described as a humanoid tank.

It appears to be four suits of T-45 and a suit of modified T-60.

There's also a bunch of meandering robots around them.

They are scouting out a position near a bridge.

Seemingly preparing an ambush for whatever trade caravan might come through here.

"Scout knight?" A radio beside me begins. "What is your status. Have you been spotted?"

"Not yet." I inform. "I'm just watching for now... about two thousand feet out. I've got eyes on the leader. They aren't expecting an attack."

"Your support is four minutes out. You are given permission for an attempt at the leader's life."

"Good. If I can drop her... even if they all run, they'll be forced to leave the modified power armor behind." I note quietly. "I'm taking the shot, sir."

I take a deep breath, then exhale, calming my breath.

"I've heard... that there's a flaw in the welding of the T-60 series... just below the chest plate... let's see if that was right." I observe.

"Pardon?" The man on the other side of the coms questions.

I take another deep breath and hold it, adjusting my aim ever so slightly towards the armored figure standing around giving orders.

My fingers curl around the trigger of my new legendary weapon.

Thanks to that captain kill a while back... Mr anti-material rifle has gotten a new anomalous power...

Armor Penetration.

I got really lucky with that roll.

An AP rifle gets more armor piercing.

Ludicrous.

Regardless, with that benefit and the apparent flaw in the T-60's chest plate. I'm fully confident of the bullet slipping into Ivey's body.

If she can survive a single shot to the chest from an anti-material rifle? That's anyone's guess.

One shot.

I'll be making one singular shot.

They'll never be able to tell where it came from besides 'this direction'... and that's only after a few moments of panic and when they think about how their boss fell.

More than one shot will allow them to much easier determine my position.

I mute the microphone for my radio.

*BOOM*

The gun kicks back, the stock compressing as it does so, absorbing the shoulder-bruising force and turning it into a much more manageable blow.

Still sucks to shoot it a bunch.

I watch my target standing there get flung back, collapsing onto her back.

I glance to the side, watching her face get crossed out on the bounty poster.

"Kill confirmed." I announce shortly after turning the radio transceiver back on. Watching the men in power armor and robots scurry for cover.

"Good work. Support the assault squad once they arrive to the field. ETA sixty seconds."

"Yes."

It doesn't take long, but I can hear the rumbling of vertibird engines.

They quickly pass over my position, swooping low and allowing three armored figures to hop out of each.

This is quite a show of force. Five Verti birds and fifteen suits of power armor ready for deployment.

I watch one of the t-45s rush for Tessa's gun, but with another squeeze of the trigger, the armor is knocked aside.

I'm unsure if that killed the guy inside, but taking anti-tank to the head probably isn't good even if it didn't pierce.

Flashes of assault rifle fire begins to shred the assorted hodgepodge junk robots.

I shoot once more, catching one of the t-45's in the shoulder.

The bullet looks like it pierced, so the guy's shoulder is probably canned soup right about now.

The armored tank-like robot begins to roll forwards at high speeds.

It takes an armor piercing round to the torso surprisingly well.

Two more barely halt its charge as it opens fire on the brotherhood troops.

Luckily it seems a lot of the minigun fire pings off their power armor.

One final shot with my rifle seems to do the trick as the robot's head is sheared off its body. Its arms fall limp.

The cleanup is swift, brutal, and absolute.

I don't even think we lost a guy.

I let out a low grunt as I claim some of my rewards. I rub my temple, letting out an annoyed sigh as I sit up. "It looks secured."

"Good work. I've just got word from up top. Group up with them and return back to base."

"Yes. Inform the ground team I'm approaching." I agree.

"Will do." The radio operator replies.

I nod once as I turn off the radio.

I gather my things and begin walking forwards, slipping the anti-material rifle over my shoulder.


Fucking hell, 'go out into the glowing sea to scout for a military nuclear waste facility' fuckin bastards.

My metal armor creaks and hisses as I take step after step.

The first prototype armor the brotherhood as created. The R-51z

Based entirely off the basic T-51 armor, but using the polymer compound found in the polymer labs. This is the first attempt of the brotherhood in recreating the method. Apparently they went to the polymer lab and ripped out all the technology required to create this and took it back to the airport.

Its a specialized suit entirely suited for radiation.

A single fusion core will power a set of power armor for about seven days... but here. With this armor. With this much radiation...

A single fusion core will last for weeks at a time.

The other systems implanted in the suit are also primarily focused on dealing with radiation.

Shielding. Rad-scrubbers. Rad-x injection devices that I can activate with just a push of a button. Same with rad-away.

A long annoyed sigh leaves my lips as I bring my hand to my head.

"This is Scout Knight. Reporting in. I found that damned pyramid. It looks like it's in full lockdown, though. Dozens of feet of concrete. Steel blast doors probably thicker than my torso."

"Also. Will note. Found an interesting suit of power armor about a mile back that I can't place the model of... and have been dragging it along with me on a scrap metal sled."

"Please set up your beacon and a group will be sent to pick you up. Good work, Scout."

I reach into the large oversized bag on my back and slowly bring out a finicky little radio-like device.

I set it up quickly then just sort of stand there.

"The beacon is up. Now I'll see about securing the outdoor area."

Now... the waiting begins.

I look over the power armor lain on the ground in front of me.

Fucking batman power armor.

Shit looks fucking badass though.

Now... I only need to wait for backup to arrive.

I'd better get promoted to Paladin for this.


You know, being in fallout fucking sucks.

At this point, I'm just blankly going through the motions.

I was promised waifus. Not crushing the heads of borderline zombies with my bare hands!

I shake my head letting out a single scoff.

I finally took a little break for rest and relaxation.

And by R&R I mean sitting on a large bridge with a sniper rifle and occasionally popping the head of a gunner as they come to check out the distress beacon that one of their previous friends set up.

Of course, I've long-since moved. The last group moved with purpose. They clearly sniffed out where I was originally hiding.

I've killed like... five Sergeants at this point.

That's a lot of fuckin' ammo.

I have practically infinite fifty caliber rounds.

Yeah. I'm going to put an end to that.

"What?" I hiss under my breath. "Why?!"

You've already benefitted enough from it. Don't worry, though. I'll make sure to compensate you, though. Now tell me. What is the like... number one thing you want? Be reasonable though.

"Does it have to be limited to fallout?" I mutter quietly.

Hmmm... Nooooo?

"I want a devil fruit with no weaknesses."

No.

"Kaioken."

Slightly more reasonable as it'll fuck you up, but no.

"Rwby Aura."

That's even more powerful than Kaioken at a certain point.

"Haki."

No.

"Just one form of Haki?"

Still no.

I clasp my hands in front of my face, steepling my fingers as I think deeply. "Death note?"

HAHAHAHA no.

Damn. What could I even get, then?

What'd be useful for me?

Most of the more memorable powers are just on average too strong.

"Total concentration breathing?"

...

Huh. That's... pretty reasonable, actually.

"That, or just like... give me a fuckin waifu, dude. That's the only reason I'm here." I sigh dramatically.

I can hear the sound of whirring helicopter blades.

"Oop-shit" I hiss under my breath as I duck down.

I'm currently lying inside a flipped car at the bottom of a valley.

One that has a perfect view of my previous spot.

Make a choice, Waifu or Power.

Damn. That's really tough, actually.

On one hand. Waifu.

On the other hand, not dying.

"Hmmm." I lowly hum.

"Power. Waifus are cool and all, but they're kind of useless if I die... or they die." I admit.

Very well.

"Out of curiosity... who would you have given me if I chose Waifu?" I whisper to myself as I watch a large suit of power armor peer around atop the bridge that I was previously stationed atop.

That power armor looks quite well maintained... the emblem on its shoulder...

Oh? Commander?

Fuck. That means he's pretty high up in the totem pole.

'lets see here...'

If you had chosen Waifu I would have given you a Nazi Loli.

"Are we talking male reincarnated Tanya Degurechaff, or Tanya from the universe where's she's just a hyper intelligence and demented little girl? Or hell, the universe where her original body was also female."

The latter.

"Damn." I blandly curse as I roll my eyes. "She had magic. That'd make my life easier. Oh well. Maybe one day."

I peer through my scope, taking a deep breath.

'lets see here. Aim for the neck... they're looking around cautiously, speaking into their radio, numerous unarmored figures loom around them.

I look to the bounty paper pinned to the rotten interior of the car.

'let's see here... a commander kill gets me... seven point eight years of close quarters combat training, a suit of T-45 I can call whenever, three fusion cores, four explosives, oh? One fallout weapon I've seen per Jump and tweny five rounds for it per jump... I notice that it doesn't really specify a non-legendary. Would this get me twenty five mini nukes if I grabbed a Fatman-'

You're getting your Loli.

I watch the text on the paper change abruptly.

(Provided it isn't a 'heavy weapon' such as a Fatman in which case you get 1 round)

Ah.

Damn.

Oh well, I also get a random legendary effect that I can slap on any item.

And 'Tessa's Other Fist' which is a near unbreakable X-01 arm.

Useful.

I take a deep breath calming my heartbeat, I quietly wait, the barrel of my gun covered with grass and sticks.

I squeeze the trigger, causing the entire head of the power armor to pop off with a spray of gore.

Target down. Now where do I pick up my Nazi Loli and super powers?

At the end of this Jump for the prior... as for the latter?

Owowowowowow pain pain pain- "You PRICK!"

Hehehe


Well, we're back! MR. Rob is running damage control and I've made like a few dozen contracts that I don't even BEGIN to know the rewards for!
Anyways Mr No Name might decide to drop out of fallout soon, maybe come back in the future. That depends, really as he can leave whenever he wants.
flameclawsxx