The story of a rose in a shallow grave belongs to Wombag1786, the sequel to this one.
I do not own RWBY and Fallout.
Autor: Andiclip
Chapter 8: Human Error
Upon notifying Preston that they had obtained a settlement along with a trader who would inform the caravans of Santuary and of a factory to be used to manufacture materials to improve this and support the next settlements.
"Good job Nate," Preston said with a smile. "One step closer to rebuilding the minutemen."
"The pleasure is mine Preston" Said Nate who had bought Trudy a new set of armor.
Flashback
As I was trading I noticed on some hooks hanging a series of belts and straps.
"What's that?" pointing to the set.
"Huh Ah! that. Well, it's a set of light leather armor, not the best against bullets, but a few upgrades either metal plates or better leather can guarantee to protect you against laser shots and hits" Looking sideways at Nate who was wearing his jumpsuit; especially his lack of pockets. "Other than having pockets and straps for the weapons and ammunition you find in the Wasteland".
"How much do you want for it and a backpack?" Understanding his point, other than it would be useful to him.
"Well..." He said to go for the set of armor that consisted of a shoulder pad, breastplate, one arm guard, a pistol case, and knee pads made from leather. He also pulled out a backpack made from Brahman leather. "For the set of armor and the backpack, it would be fifty badges."
Nate would pay for the items and put on his new outfit.
"Not bad," Nate said adjusting it.
"Good choice Nate," Said Ren with a thumbs up.
"Better to be safe than go light, Thanks for the stuff, Trudy."
"Stay safe!" Said Trudy waving goodbye to the group.
End of flashback.
"You don't look bad in that armor" Preston confessed. "While I was with a map. "While you were gone I started researching the nearest settlements and discovered a settlement that suits us as an ally called Covenant."
"Sounds good to me, the more settlements the better."
"I went there personally, and it's weird the atmosphere there," Preston said.
"The reason?" Curious Nate.
"Well...it was like living in those pre-war illustrations, not to mention I could swear they were watching my every step. I left after talking to the mayor, but he said he's interested."
"I'd better go," Nate said ready.
"Sounds good to me, I for one will go help a settlement east of here, good luck general."
"Why did you call me General?".
"Well, considering the circumstances, I think you're good for the role. Besides after the Quincy massacre, we've had problems...so far."
"The Quincy massacre? What happened there?"
Preston gave a tired sigh. "We went to the Quincy settlement to defend it, we managed to stop the first wave, but one of our members betrayed us and revealed a way into Quincy, colonists, and allies died. Only myself and about nineteen other people made it out".
Nate felt a little sorry for that, they must have gone through a lot to get this far. "Fine, I'll take the reins."
Preston's eyes sparkled like he'd never seen them before, "Thanks! He said ahem. It means a lot to me that you wanted to help me with this.".
"It's the least I can do."
"I'll see you later, I'll go to that settlement."
[-]
"And then boom! Explosions! Oh no my little leg!" Nora narrated to the settlers who were paying attention to Nora's story. "The legion was fleeing from the mother pearl."
"Unbelievable! So much progress for the East Coast to have tribes and a government!" Jun Long said hopefully.
"And that's not all!" Said Yang "There is also the city of New Vegas where the alcohol is better."
"Sounds interesting, girl" Mama Murphy spoke wistfully "It reminds me of my glory years."
"Wonderful!" Codsworth said as he played with Jaune and Phyrra's children. "They have the energy of someone with a lot of sugar."
While Nate and Ren were away the group tried to improve Santuary, they had just put up walls along with some beds that they washed with ajbon and Abraxo cleaner, but they needed water, food, and defenses to make it a haven.
Right at lunch they started telling them about New Vegas and its surroundings along with some stories from there. Nate and Ren would arrive after talking with Preston.
"Hey freeze-man! Has your attitude thawed out yet?" asked Yang as some gave a tired sigh.
"No~ I just started dripping," Nate said sarcastically. "The good news, is we have a food source and caravan along with a factory for tools and parts."
"That's what I'm talking about!" Sturges said excitedly. "We already have the easy life."
"And the bad news?" asked Blake.
"Another settlement needs our help," Nate said. "I'll go right away to a place called Covenant, it can be useful to us as an ally".
"I'll go with you" Said Weiss who closed the large science book. "You'll need someone who has the gift of gab."
"Likewise," Blake replied. "I'm curious about that place."
"Good. If he comes back sooner Preston help him with the settlements" Said Six who was drinking from a bottle of alcohol. "I never thought I'd work in a settlement."
"Sounds good to me, let's go" Said Nate being followed by his new companions.
[-]
The trip lasted three hours because on the way they found an excavation to extract stone and a man managed to convince them to help him close the water extraction valves. Luckily Weiss had a bottle of Rad-X and took care of it using his MK II stealth armor which luckily is waterproof. After doing so and starting the water suction three mirelurks came out and fought without any problems, apart from getting paid, they also added something for the construction.
The rest of the trip was uneventful except that they passed a garbage dump where a scavenger was being attacked by a group of mole rats who fought back when he thanked them with a packet of stimulants.
"I think that's the one" Pointing Nate to some concrete walls surrounded by turrets.
"It's not common, for a settlement to be so protected," Weiss said quizzical of the settlement's appearance, not even the settlements in New Vegas were that secure.
"I sense something strange about that place" Blake spoke as he adjusted his hat.
"Well, we're not staying here to find out. Let's go there."
As they moved forward they noticed a wooden booth next to a blue door and Covenant's welcome sign and in a chair a man with white hair combed to one side and wearing a leather jacket with a white shirt and jeans. Upon seeing them this one eyed the group with a quizzical look. "Have you come to visit Covenant? If not, get out of here. Armed people are not welcome here, it gets on people's nerves."
"I think your mayor is interested in joining the minutemen," Nate said.
"Huh? Oh yeah! The Preston guy told us about you. I'm Swanson and I can gladly let you in, but I have to give you the SECURE TEST" The words got his attention.
"An interesting form of security, between you and me what's the safe test for?".
Swanson turned sideways seeing they were alone. "I probably shouldn't tell you, but we want to make sure only good people get into Covenant. No undesirables. No one who isn't exactly what they appear to be, you know?" He said.
"Technically we come from the East Coast and are new to the area," Blake said feeling his suspicions rising. "What do you mean 'undesirables'?
That would surprise the Swanson guard. "They don't know about...? God. Listen" He stood up and moved closer to speak quietly with some fear. "In the Commonwealth, not everyone is human, okay? Some are...synths."
Weiss wanted to ramble on about these synths, but she would interrupt them. "I'm not saying anything else. Are they going to test or not?".
Nate felt some suspicion, but he had no choice if he wanted to make the deal. "Fine, we'll do it."
"Okay, take a seat...or well whoever sits down and the rest of you should stand."
Nate let Weiss sit down who thanked him with a nod.
Swanson sat in the other chair and pulled out a clipboard along with a pencil. "All right, let's get started. There are no wrong answers here. Question one: A scientist comes up to you hysterically and yells, 'I'm going to put my quantum harmonizer in your photonic resonance chamber! What's your answer?'"
And so went the test. The three of them tried to give the most logical answers possible, as they were strange. One of these was what to do if Mr. Abernathy is locked in his quarters and none of them had any relation to the wilderness or the current circumstances.
"Test completed. No one has ever responded like you guys. But hey, you've passed it. I'll open the door."
He rose from his chair to open the door to the settlement. "Welcome to Covenant."
"What kind of place makes a test for you to enter?" asked Blake.
"But I'm intrigued by this word...Synths, they seemed something similar to ghouls" Weiss said intrigued.
"We are the same, something is not right, I noticed how he looked at us with suspicion with every answer we gave" Nate confirmed the suspicions as he walked in and everything was weird.
Everything seemed as clean as before the war, green grass, houses in good condition, and fresh crops without mutations along with people wearing clothes of the same format not dirty.
"Something is not right here," Nate said even for him, this was too much.
As they made their way through the settlement they noticed someone whom several in the wasteland. Plainclothes in jeans with a grey shirt leather breastplate along with a laser rifle slung across his back and a bag slung over his shoulder for his ammunition and supplies. He was questioning a settler who finished his question in frustration. Seeing the group he turned to look at them.
"Are you strangers? Well, I'm sick of these people."
"Why is it good that I am one?" asked Nate quizzically of the wilderness wanderer.
"Why you don't look like you have your coconut washed. Look around, this would be something you'd see in book or magazine illustrations from before the war and your people act too nice" He said pulling out a cigar and lighting it "I'm honest Dan, do you know anything about the Stockton caravan?"
"A wagon train? What's that about?" asked Blake.
"I agreed with old Stockton that I'd find his trailer. What's left of it is outside of town" He said to pull out a blue can with the letters imprinted on it Deezer lemonade" Nate took it analyzing it.
"Their last stop was here, so I'm trying to put the pieces of the story together. But they keep stringing me along. I'll tell you what. Help me find Stockhom's people and we'll split the reward. At least one survivor escaped the massacre and I intend to fulfill my contract."
"Who are we looking for?" asked Weiss agreeing with his remarks, she was more intrigued.
"The most important person is Stockton's daughter, Amelia. I didn't find any female bodies. So there is hope. If found. Stockton offers a lot of badges.
Okay, I'm in," Nate said confidently.
"Here's what I know about the caravan. I barely found in the caravan that can of lemonade which means this was their last stop. I'll try to ramble on to the residents. Let me know if you find anything."
"I'm going to talk to the mayor, you guys search the surrounding area," Nate said to go to the mayor's office as he left the girls behind.
"I'll investigate the store, you search the surrounding area" Weiss organized a plan and Blake nodded.
[-]
Weiss went inside the store where a doctor was treating a person with one leg. She approached the saleswoman who smiled at her upon seeing her. "Welcome~! I'm Penny the store manager" She said happy to see her as an old friend.
Weiss needed to gain her trust so she decided to make her move. "I could use a few things."
"Tell me what you need?" She said cheerfully.
"Some energy cells and about two stimulants, please."
"Alright" Pulling the things out, now it was time to act.
"The city's looking good, how are they doing?" I ask.
"Oh, thanks for noticing. The men would say it's hard work that makes Covenant the prettiest place in all the Commonwealth. But between you and me, I think business strategy may have something to do with it" Putting things out for Weiss to pay for. "One hundred, thirty badges."
As she counted her badges she managed to get his attention, but she needed more confidence. "People are very nice here, what's the reason?".
"Anyone who passes the test is welcome to visit. But we are picky about who can live. And having a positive attitude is important to us."
I already had the confidence I would want, now it was time to question her. "Do you know anything about the missing caravan?".
Trudy gave an annoyed sigh. "Have you been talking to Mr. Dan? I don't know what he's up to. He just wants to stir up trouble, in my opinion."
"Why would he do that?" asked Weiss trying to get him to blurt out something regarding the trailer.
"Some people get envious when they see others doing better. And they'd like nothing better than to drag everyone else down to their level. And Dan thinks he's the one helping people. He wouldn't have the slightest idea how to make the Commonwealth a better and safer place" She said annoyed.
"He should be thankful they let him in!" He acted like he agreed with her like a diva.
"Instead, he goes around interrogating people. If the Complex did something to his precious caravan, he'd have his reasons. Better motives than a man like him..." She realized what he said and tried to compose herself. "Look, honey, I was just talking. Forget everything I said and about the compound" Weiss paid for her things and left the tent.
'The compound? Where will it be?'
[-]
Blake had investigated the surroundings and as Dan said they had spent the night here after finding some sleeping bags next to a house. He tried to ask a few residents, but they knew nothing which left him with only one person.
"Excuse me" Catching the attention of the woman who was writing on a clipboard wearing a green mechanic's overalls. Who turned to look at her.
"Ah, I've heard of you, visitor. I make things. Things for the store. Ah, I'm Talia. Nice to meet you."
"What do you do?" asked Blake.
"Medical supplies. Oh and weapons, telescopic sights. And other stuff. You can check them out at Penny's store. You're going to like it here. Everyone at Covenant is friendly and eager to help.".
"Can I ask you a few questions?" Blake asked.
"Sure" Talia replied.
Blake decided to get right to it. "Does Covenant have any problems with the Synths?"
He changed his attitude to a frightened one. "Synths? I mean no. The test guarantees that none of...those get in here. They promised."
"Who are they?" I ask, I was more intrigued about these synths as if they were a worse mutation than ghouls.
"They shouldn't be talking. I have work to do. I have to go" Turning away from her.
"What are synths?" she asked quietly.
[-]
Nate upon entering the mayor's office noticed that a cell made out of a room was too big next to a bookshelf with too many self-help books.
He tried to go with the flow of the alliance but his condition was odd. It was for all colonists to make the test safe. Nate made him think he would give it some more thought.
As he left the office he saw his teammates who had finished their objectives and were heading out with Dan.
"What did we find?" asked Nate.
"They have a rage for synths, whatever they are.
"Now that you mention it, it's strange, normally in the settlements it's a common theme, but here nothing" Dan confessed.
"What's a synth?" asked Blake.
"They're robots," Said Dan "I never believed in those myths".
"I've discovered a certain complex. The survivors could be in there."
"Good. Now we have to find it. If there's anyone who knows where it is it's Jacob. He leads this city. But his memory leaves something to think about, I saw him reading the password on his terminal, but we can't get close because of that guy" Pointing to one wearing a leather jacket who wouldn't take his eyes off them. "We have to find a way to distract him."
Nate watched the turrets for a bit and came up with something. "Well, Ruby taught me that I can hack the turrets using this" Wiggling his Pip-Boy "I'll short circuit them which will cause them to get distracted and see what happens. You guys wait here. When it happens take the opportunity to unlock the terminal" Nate said to get out of the conversation and out of the settlement.
The group nodded and waited leaning against the tree. After five minutes the turrets began to malfunction causing them to fire into the air. The settlers went outside to investigate. Knowing it was the signal they searched the settlement houses until Blake found the password and rushed to the terminal where they found the file they were looking for.
Mr. Huntley has canceled five visits to the Complex because of a fisherman (name unknown) who has taken up residence at Mystic Pines Pond. Mr. Huntley reports that his new "favorite fishing spot" is just above the entrance to the Resort. The stranger almost sees the Stockton retrieval team. I recommend
After finishing reading I would go to Dan to tell him the location of the complex just as Nate made it back without being seen.
"Let's get going," Dan said along with the rest taking advantage of the distraction of the turrets that kept firing into the sky relentlessly and some colonists trying to see how to fix them.
To go to the compound they had to go around passing the fisherman who just waved them on.
As they descended into the irradiated water they would enter through a door located inside one of the tubes. As they entered they heard voices indicating that they were not alone. They followed the tube until they came out through an opening where three guards were standing next to a turret. The men were wearing re-painted uniforms from some shelter and when they saw them, they grabbed their weapons and the turret put them in its sights.
"No visitors, what are you doing here?" asked the guard who had his hand on his hip next to his gun and the other guards were unlocking their weapons. The rest of the group prepared for battle.
"Quiet gentlemen!" Raised his hands Weiss indicated for everyone to relax "We just came for answers regarding Stockhom's caravan and then we will leave" Trying to negotiate with them.
The guard gave an annoyed sigh and his posture relaxed. "I'll take you to Dr. Chambers. She'll know what to do with you. Don't try anything funny, I'm warning you."
The guard would signal them to follow him as they were watched by the guards who kept an eye on them and they would show their weapons to show they had the advantage.
As they opened a door they would go down the guard would call out to someone behind a reinforced door. "Blythe, hey Blythe!".
"Yeah, what's up Manny?" asked a scientist coming out of the room.
"I thought you were done with subject twelve."
"Oh, yes, the interview is over. I'm just going through the data for question four. Fascinating."
"Yes, no doubt," They both said their goodbyes and continued on their way being watched by security guards, they noticed that the culvert had been modified for people to live and do whatever they did there. Arriving at the bridge Manny instructed a guard to activate the bridge for them to pass. When they had a bridge they passed to the other side and continued until they reached a large room with cells where they saw a young woman inside. When they saw her they noticed that she was scared and wanted to scream but a scientist with protective goggles turned to look at her. With her gaze, she warned that if she did anything, something would happen to her.
"Chief! These tourists came for that thing," Manny said.
She turned to look at them indifferently at the group. "So the most recent visitors came for the Stockton caravan. Do they know that their 'daughter' is likely to be a synth?".
"I'll be blunt, this encounter can end one of two ways. We come to an agreement or violence."
"First you're going to answer a few questions for us," Nate said.
She looked at him and his clothes. "Dweller of the shelter... well you may not be aware of what is going on, but before I answer you, let me ask you this. What would you do if your family was destroyed by a being capable of mimicking human appearance, memories, and attitudes all to perfection when you are just a child?"
Nate understood that and for a moment he remembered the dream he had and his son. "I would make them pay. But this doesn't fix anything, you're doomed to an innocent of maybe being a synth."
"Yeah," Blake said approaching with an annoyed look on his face. "Who gave you the right to be judge, jury, and executioner?".
"No one," He said indifferent to the tantrum. "What my respect the Institute is capable of taking a person and replacing them with those abominable beings."
"What makes a synth so dangerous?" asked Weiss standing next to Blake, this deal was similar to the faun. but on a higher level. To extermination.
"I can tell you are unaware...Synths are sent by the Institute which creates them for the sole purpose of guarding the human settlements then destroying them and killing the survivors to continue the cycle. We are in a fight for our survival, and I have dedicated my entire life to finding a way to identify them. The sure test and let me tell you, how well do you know your friend?".
"What, of course, I know my partner like the back of my hand!".
"Are you sure? It couldn't be that when you were sleeping your partner was replaced by a synth?" Blake looked at her in disbelief that she was threatening her.
"I...ah..." He tried to find a way to refute that, but he knew her and he knew she would never be a synth, or maybe "Don't change the subject woman!".
"I'm as human as you!" from anger Blake took off his hat showing his ears startling the guard, startling Nate, and raised an eyebrow at the scientist.
"You may judge my methods, but not the results. The objective is simple, mutant—the location of the synths and the eradication of them from Earth. And you know what the worst thing is. They can pass health tests, with no problem, but in psychology can see inside their shell. Your white-haired friend and Dan passed it, but the dweller and the mutant had a ninety-six percent that they were synths. By giving her this test somehow her synth side comes out with answers as logical or similar to before the war.".
"Don't put words in my mouth, woman!" Nate took out his gun and pointed it at the scientist. "Your sure test won't determine what's human and what isn't. You're just an assassin pretending to be smart!".
"And I'm not a synth, and I'm not a mutant! I'm Blake a faun and I know who I am!".
"You don't know anything about us, and one test doesn't prove it" Weiss pulled out her laser pistol ready to fire.
"And I will honor my contract, at any cost."
"Think about it, if they wipe out the compound, everything and even Covenant will disappear."
Nate eyed her with a grim look. "Well" He shot the scientist in the head "It's a sacrifice I'm willing to accept."
Manny was about to draw his gun, but Blake threw a throwing knife at his head killing him as he put on his hat. "I'm going to take the girl out, you guys, take care of the rest" The group nodded and went outside to start shooting at whatever they saw.
Blake approached the body of the scientist who only spat at him and went to the terminal to open the cell releasing Stockton's daughter. "Thank you, thank you!"
"Easy, it's not over yet. We'll break through first and then we'll get out, okay?".
"Yeah, hey what's a faun, some kind of ghoul?".
"I'm a human, like you. Only with cat-like features."
She nodded with a smile and followed Blake out. They walked forward where they passed seeing disintegrated or pitted bodies in the chests of guards along with a destroyed turret.
As they returned to where they started they saw the group destroying the last turret guarding the entrance. Nate who ended up with a wounded man saw the carnage they made and just gave a tired sigh. "I guess this means we rejected the alliance."
"Don't blame yourself, dweller" Dan said. "For a moment there I thought you'd join, but at least you did something right. Here you go" Giving him his half of the reward "Let's get out of here."
The group exited the compound as Weiss and Blake looked on.
"You trust me, don't you?" asked Blake to Weiss.
"I admit that question left me surprised, but trust my partner and I know who she is" That made Blake glad that he trusted her.
As they walked out Nate decided to talk to Dan "What are you going to do now?".
"I'm going to take Stockton's daughter to him, and then I'll see what I do."
"Well, there's a settlement up north, and someone with experience will be useful to us."
Dan thought about it for a moment and saw. "I'll take it under advisement, I'll do my part first, and you, do what you want."
They both shook hands and would leave, but they noticed a large number of crows watching them.
As I said, I thought of a third option like The Outer Worlds for this mission. Besides I wanted to give drama regarding the synths and some backstory with Dan. Luckily Weiss has grown up in the Mojave so she knows what Blake is really like.