The Stand Still, Stay Silent Fan-Forum
Creative Corner => Roleplay Board => Topic started by: Ragnarok on May 06, 2021, 05:01:42 PM
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Out of a combination of boredom, a desire to stretch my legs in setting writing and worldbuilding, and an urge to test the strength of a setting by having an adventuring party happen to it, I've elected to start putting together a group for a play-by-post forum RPG set in the Fallout universe.
You don't need to know anything about said universe, by the way.
Game rules, character sheets, and general hanging-out will be up on Discord: follow this link (https://discord.gg/2YsEGz2uBv) if you want to join in.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/845383298339438682/994342797329039360/20220706_224012.jpg?width=800&height=662)
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War. War never changes.
In the year 1945, my great-great grandfather, serving in the army, wondered when he'd get to go home to his wife and the son he'd never seen. He got his wish when the US ended World War II by dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
The World awaited Armageddon; instead, something miraculous happened. We began to use atomic energy not as a weapon, but as a nearly limitless source of power.
People enjoyed luxuries once thought the realm of science fiction. Domestic robots, fusion-powered cars, portable computers. But then, in the 21st century, people awoke from the American dream.
Years of consumption lead to shortages of every major resource. The entire world unraveled. Peace became a distant memory. It is now the year 2077. We stand on the brink of total war, and I am afraid. For myself, for my wife, for my infant son - because if my time in the army taught me one thing: it's that war, war never changes.
-Written Speech recovered from historical record, dated October 23rd, 2077, recovered October 26th, 2288
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Welcome to ROBCO Industries (TM) Termlink
Clearance: VAULT-TEC SECURITY
VAULT 111 SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS
CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL
SECURITY EYES ONLY | VIOLATION VTP-01011
Vault 111 is designed to test the long-term effects of suspended animation on unaware, human subjects. Security staff are responsible for maintaining installation integrity and monitoring science staff activity.
Under no circumstances are staff allowed to deviate from assigned duties. Insubordination or interference with vault operations are capital offenses. Security staff are authorized to use lethal force.
Operations Protocol Manual
Resident Admittance
Upon Activation Notice from Vault-Tec, all personnel are required to report to the Entry Area and assist with admittance of Vault Residents. Security Personnel will maintain order and ensure that no personnel or residents attempt to evacuate the Vault.
Research staff will be responsible for resident intake and escort each to the designated cryogenic pod. Residents not accounted for in the manifest should be asked to step aside and detained forcefully by security if necessary.
Once all residents have been sealed into their preservation chambers dispose of any detainees. Vault entryway must remain sealed under any circumstances.
Staff Duties
Science Staff
Members of the research team must daily monitor the vital signs of cryogenically preserved residents. Cardiopulmonary and cognitive activity in particular must be recorded hourly.
Life-saving intervention is only permitted if greater than 80% of the resident population has perished while in cryogenic suspension, and must not interrupt suspension.
Independent research is encouraged, and left to Overseer discretion.
Security Personnel
Security patrols are to be carried out on a constant eight-hour rotation. Security priorities include:
- Monitoring for signs of intrusion
- Checking for atmosphere leaks
- Settling disputes among personnel
- Enforcement of regulations set forth by the Overseer
- Enforcement of regulations set forth by Vault-Tec
Facility Services & Maintenance
Due to the nature of Vault 111, personnel will be expected to perform duties outside of their normal qualifications, such as janitorial duties and food preparation.
The exact distribution of these roles is left to Overseer discretion.
All Clear & Evacuation
All-Clear Message
Following a nuclear event, Vault-Tec will monitor hazards such as radiation levels, enemy invasion, subsequent attacks, and other factors. Once conditions are deemed safe, this terminal will receive an all-clear notice.
Upon receiving the all-clear notice, Vault-Tec personnel may be evacuated at Overseer discretion. Disregard any notices from organizations or individuals not associated with Vault-Tec, including government and military. Residents are not to be disrupted or evacuated. Vault-Tec will attend to their needs remotely once Vault 111 staff has been evacuated.
Mandatory Shelter Period
Vault 111 is classified as a short-term assignment. Non-resident personnel are expected to carry out research duties and basic maintenance of the Vault while awaiting the All-Clear signal to evacuate.
In the absence of an All-Clear message from Vault-Tec, the Overseer may elect to evacuate staff after a mandatory shelter period of 180 days of containment. Under no circumstance may Vault 111 staff evacuate during this shelter period, unless receiving the All-Clear message from Vault-Tec.
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DATE OF VAULT OPERATIONS:
BEGIN: 10-23-2077
END: Current Date
CURRENT DATE: 10-26-2288
WARNING: Cryostasis failure has reached >90% of capacity.
WARNING: Remote overrides engaged. Beginning defrosting process...
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Seems interesting! Already found the Discord. I'll try to join on the weekend! :)
(I'll have to ponder if I have time to participate, tough. Don't want to start and be forced to leave in the middle... Do you have an idea about how much time would be necessary to play? I have very little experience with this kind of RPGs)
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Seems interesting! Already found the Discord. I'll try to join on the weekend! :)
(I'll have to ponder if I have time to participate, tough. Don't want to start and be forced to leave in the middle... Do you have an idea about how much time would be necessary to play? I have very little experience with this kind of RPGs)
It's a play-by-post, so it's literally 'hang around the forums and type up what you want a character to try to do, I tell you how well it goes, stuff proceeds from there'. Not a huge time commitment for either side, I've got enough setting notes to have things lined up pretty well and y'all can mess around freely.
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To give a snapshot of the Pre-War life...
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The first coherent memory is a muddled one.
Raised voices. A baby crying. A gunshot.
Then the cold came back, and you slept again.
But the cold is leaving now.
It's time to wake up, and smell the ashes.
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Oh, I remember that part! He is in a train, and the G-man appears! “Wake up, Mr. Freeman. Wake up and smell the ashes.”... What, it's not that game?
Sorry, just joking. :) It's just that the beginning of Half-life 2 is unforgettable!
I saw the video and it looks good! (so good that I'm thinking about getting that game...) Anyway I'll check things on Discord and start creating my character to join the party!
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You all wake up as the freezing cold retreats and the mechanical pods you'd all been placed in by the Vault staff open up.
The room you're in is the same as it was when you got in, except for the cold and the faint hint of frost...
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DWbR2G4XUAE8BOm.jpg)
Your memories are all muddled, slightly. The only things you remember after the bomb sirens and the terror of entering the Vault and getting in to the pods are the sound of a baby crying and the sound of gunshots.
Over some unseen intercom, a voice blares: 'MALFUNCTION IN CRYOPOD SYSTEMS. PLEASE EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY.'
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Dizzy and confused are words, but they don't exactly apply to the mess in his head right now.
Dizzy...? Surprisingly not.
Confused? Very.
Holding onto his head and the door of the weird, annoyingly cold thing that he seems to have been put into, he gets out and...
These are not his clothes.
Don't panic. Very lost, he looks around, not moving from where he's at. He doesn't know what's up. Best move as little as possible. Don't cause trouble.
Where the hell am I?
Wherever it is, he shouldn't be here. Right?
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Robin
Robin does not much steps out of the pod as she spills out of it, limbs momentarily flailing in all the wrong directions, wobbly knees giving in under her weight and bringing her to the concrete floor where she thankfully catches herself with splayed hands before she's forced to do so with her face. It takes her a moment to notice the warning, her hearing malfunctioning as badly as the rest of her body.
"What," she croaks, getting on her feet and knees and bridging the gap between hers and her mother's pod in an awkward gait. "Mom, we gotta go!" She repeatedly hits the glass with a closed fist then pulls at the handles and hits what she suspects to be the open button when that doesn't work, switching to frantically pulling at the bars again and peering inside the pod in a display of growing terror when Huong doesn't move.
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Shit.
His face grows pale when he connects a few dots. This is... some place. And there's kids here. And judging by her expression, there is also dead people.
Shit.
"Kid!" He approaches the girl and puts a hand on her shoulder, trying to gently pull her away from distress. "Don't. Move away from there. Help! Help!!" he calls.
He is missing information, he doesn't know what's happening or what to do.
What the hell should he do??? How did he end up here?????
And who is he calling for help?
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It´s cold, but the dizziness is worse than that. Charlie can´t focus her eyes enough to see clearly. Everything in her head seems muddled together, but even the memories she can decipher are confused. Her mom yelling that it all will be ok, sirens howling almost louder than her voice. Next, going into those weird pods. Was it for an examination? But why is it so cold, that´s odd. There is also still a siren, but a different one.
She stumbles outside, immediately looking where her brother went into a pod, grinning at her. “Guess we´re burrow-people now.”
He was even quicker at laughing things off than she was. They both thought humor was the best coping-mechanism. It let you continue, and as long as you didn´t stop, things were ok.
Her head hurts. She still tries to smile.
“I didn´t think we would start our life underground with the worst hangover. Terrible first impression.”
No one laughs.
“One?”
Charlie finally manages to focus enough to see that the pod next to hers is closed.
“One???”
She bangs her hands against the glass.
“Charles!!!”
He doesn´t move. Not at all. And she can´t open the door. She stumbles over to the next pods. They´re closed too.
“Theo? MOM???”
Shit. A terrible feeling of dread goes through her, but she doesn´t dare acknowledge it just yet. A dream. Just a bad dream. There has been a lot going on lately. Her head made this up.
She sinks down in front of Charles´s pod, closes her eyes and covers her ears with her arms. Maybe to wake up. Maybe to just disappear. Somebody is shouting, but she can´t hear what. She doesn´t care anyways. She has never felt so alone.
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Nine
He fells cold, so cold! Deep inside, down to the bones. Where he is? Who he is?
His heart accelerates, the cold turning in fear. Is he dead? This is what happens? But... if his heart is beating he must be alive... Breath man, breath! Slow, deep, take control... Even the air is cold... And there's a strange smell... however he is breathing, and his hearth is beating! Time to hear. Yes, he can hear... the humming of machinery, and people! Yes, voices! and movement, irregular.
Then the pain hits! Like a thousand needles as his muscles wake! He tries to move the fingers on his left hand. One, two, three, four... Where's the fifth? He tries the other hand, five fingers, and goes back to the left. Just four! He's missing one finger! Suddenly all the memories come back, as a wave... Good, bad, joy, pain, love, death... He feels tears trickling his face.
Nine! Yes, everyone calls him Nine. And he has another name, that will come back... right? All memories are mixed, but he knows who he is. Time to find out where!
Slowly Nine opens his eyes. It's like his eyelids were glued! But he manages to open them to find a dimly lit, out-of-focus room. There are big boxes... no, machines! His vision improves and he sees that some are open, others closed, and there are people moving, or trying to move. Someone's screaming. He's inside a machine too! Nine tries to move, just to fall on the ground, almost like a rag doll. He rolls and grips a bar, slowly and painfully trying to stand up.
Then one word, one more memory comes back: Vault!
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Arthur hits the ground carefully, with almost instinctive skill in spite of the fogginess in his head.
He gets up quickly, and fixes each of the moving figures with a piercing stare from his disconcertingly pale green eyes.
A tall, thin, unkempt male. Not Becca.
A girl in her late teens, vaguely east-asian of appearance. Not Becca.
Another girl in her late teens, this one brown haired and graceful. Not Becca.
A large, muscular, dark skinned man with short hair. Not Becca
He takes a step forward, and another more confident one, repeating until he gets across to the pod opposite his. He looks in.
A woman in her mid twenties, with a subtle look of happiness snd confidence on her rather strikingly pretty face, the exact same one that'd been the last thing he'd seen as the two of them were frozen. Frost coats her dark red hair and helps to highlight the tiny scar below the left of her overcast-sky grey eyes. Becca.
He reaches for and pulls the release catch. Nothing.
He pulls it harder. Nothing.
He pulls the hndles on the front of the pod. Nothing.
He slumps to the floor again, with even less control than the first time, despite all the control he's gained.
He continues staring, but it's a blank one now, as if he can see the strings of fate running through his life to this moment.
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When Jay wakes up, there's ice running down the back of his neck. Something's wrong. Shit.
He pushes the door of his pod open with decisive action, hating the confinement instinctually before he even realizes where he is. When he steps out, he stumbles briefly, but pulls himself back up before he falls. His body feels stiff. He glances from side to side, checking the pods on his left and right.
Neither is doing much. Not good. Not good at all. He doesn't look too closely at what lies inside.
Well. This is... not great. He looks over the group of people; a couple kids, a couple of adults. Hmm. Until they shake out what's happening, he'll steer clear of the mess and check out the electronics. He heads over towards the back of the pods near his, to see if he can look at the mechanics. Maybe he can get them to release.
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When Jay wakes up, there's ice running down the back of his neck. Something's wrong. Shit.
He pushes the door of his pod open with decisive action, hating the confinement instinctually before he even realizes where he is. When he steps out, he stumbles briefly, but pulls himself back up before he falls. His body feels stiff. He glances from side to side, checking the pods on his left and right.
Neither is doing much. Not good. Not good at all. He doesn't look too closely at what lies inside.
Well. This is... not great. He looks over the group of people; a couple kids, a couple of adults. Hmm. Until they shake out what's happening, he'll steer clear of the mess and check out the electronics. He heads over towards the back of the pods near his, to see if he can look at the mechanics. Maybe he can get them to release.
Roll 3 + 5 = 8
Jay doesn't find much of use behind the pod - some wires and big tubes connecting back up to the ceiling or to the floor, but no control panels or anything like that.
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Robin
"Kid!" He approaches the girl and puts a hand on her shoulder, trying to gently pull her away from distress. "Don't. Move away from there. Help! Help!!" he calls.
"No," Robin snaps and shrinks away from the man, voice still too feeble to be heard far over the commotion. She wraps her arm around the bar for good measure and strains to see inside the pod, bumping her forehead on the glass as she misjudges the distance. Why isn't she moving?
Something is wrong, and that's an understatement. So many things were wrong she doesn't know where to start, her mind too slow and squashed by a monumental headache. They were supposed to go through decontamination, not cryogenics. Why were they put in cryo in first place? Was the bombing so bad they thought it'd take too long for the radiation levels drop? What would she do if she were the scientist designing this system?
Monitor and log the status of the pod occupants, for a start. From the warnings it was clear there was some sort of automated system in place. They'd need a system to monitor the radiation without stepping outside as well. Robin leaned against the pod for support, throwing a suspicions glance at the other people now awake, and set about trying to locate a computer terminal—or anything of use at all.
Terminal? (PER check) (https://orokos.com/roll/894039): 1d10+6 15
(OOC: Looks like there's another campaign called "Fallout" in Orokos—one in which I accidentally rolled in right now haha—so I'll do my next rolls under "Fallout 2077")
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Shit. Shit shit shit.
He messed up and now she's both scared of him and in distress. He takes a step away from her, looking at everyone.
Why is everyone so sickly?
He wraps his arms around his body, in foreign clothes, a strange place, surrounded by strangers who are clearly mourning the dead.
Well, most of them are.
"L-look" he says. Keep your voice calm. "How about everybody who has friends and family here leaves this room, and those who don't check the... thing." Be reasonable. Whatever is happening can be far less stressful than it is right now.
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Robin
"No," Robin snaps and shrinks away from the man, voice still too feeble to be heard far over the commotion. She wraps her arm around the bar for good measure and strains to see inside the pod, bumping her forehead on the glass as she misjudges the distance. Why isn't she moving?
Something is wrong, and that's an understatement. So many things were wrong she doesn't know where to start, her mind too slow and squashed by a monumental headache. They were supposed to go through decontamination, not cryogenics. Why were they put in cryo in first place? Was the bombing so bad they thought it'd take too long for the radiation levels drop? What would she do if she were the scientist designing this system?
Monitor and log the status of the pod occupants, for a start. From the warnings it was clear there was some sort of automated system in place. They'd need a system to monitor the radiation without stepping outside as well. Robin leaned against the pod for support, throwing a suspicions glance at the other people now awake, and set about trying to locate a computer terminal—or anything of use at all.
Terminal? (PER check) (https://orokos.com/roll/894039): 1d10+6 15
(OOC: Looks like there's another campaign called "Fallout" in Orokos—one in which I accidentally rolled in right now haha—so I'll do my next rolls under "Fallout 2077")
Off to the side of all the pods, there's a computer terminal attached to the wall.
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/839966132516552735/849811614123163698/Fallout_4_Terminal.png)
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Robin
Robin trudges past the pods with the awkwardness of someone who isn't ready to move yet but is nimble enough to correct course and recover her balance every time her legs faltered. For the time being she's content to just huff indignantly at the man trying to get them to leave, the entirety of her breath committed to the effort of getting across the room.
There it was, the exact thing she had been looking for. She powers through the last few feet, gripping the terminal's steel mounting with one hand and hitting the keyboard with the other to bring its display to life.
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Sitting still and ignoring things sadly doesn´t have the intended effect. Instead of going away, the situation becomes clearer after a while. Charlie can now hear that the siren wants people to evacuate. She opens her eyes a bit to scan the situation. Even though there´s quite a bunch of pods in this room, only a handful of people are outside and alive. Not a good sign. None of them seem to be evacuating. Where the hell does this stupid siren even want them to evacuate to?
At least she has found the person shouting. A confused-looking man in about his mid-twenties with very long, wild, curly hair. The kind of hair-style One strives to have. She should show him... wait. No.
She gets up, now a bit more stable than earlier. They´re all probably fine. It´s just the doors. The siren says there´s some kind of malfunction, maybe they´re stuck. But blindly pressing buttons doesn´t help. Neither does cursing at it, expectedly. She considers kicking it, but that only works occasionally with electronics, so she´s not willing to take the chance of destroying something important.
"L-look" he says. Keep your voice calm. "How about everybody who has friends and family here leaves this room, and those who don't check the... thing." Be reasonable. Whatever is happening can be far less stressful than it is right now.
Charlie is definitly not leaving while her family is still stuck here. But sulking doesn´t help anyone either, so instead she starts wandering around trying to find some staff who actually knows what´s going on. Whoever is unlucky enough to run into her will have some explaining to do!
All the people she sees right now seem similary lost as she is though (and also wear the same clothing), so she figures none of them work here. In the end she does end up in front of a door leading outside the room. It isn´t locked. She peeks outside.
"Helloooo, somebody here?"
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Robin
Robin trudges past the pods with the awkwardness of someone who isn't ready to move yet but is nimble enough to correct course and recover her balance every time her legs faltered. For the time being she's content to just huff indignantly at the man trying to get them to leave, the entirety of her breath committed to the effort of getting across the room.
There it was, the exact thing she had been looking for. She powers through the last few feet, gripping the terminal's steel mounting with one hand and hitting the keyboard with the other to bring its display to life.
Apparently this terminal has been left open on whatever the person who'd been using it last had been checking. Green text on the black screen shows the following:
CURRENT PAGE: CRYOPOD OCCUPANT LIST, ROOM ONE
<Back | Refresh | N/A
A1: John Johnson - Remote Override Engaged
A2: Archibald Grey - Remote Override Engaged
B1: Nate Concord - Manual Override Engaged
B2: Nora Concord/Shawn Concord - Manual Override Engaged
C1: Robin Savard - Remote Override Engaged
C2: Huong Savard - Deceased: Life Support Failure
D1: Arthur Fairfax-Miller - Remote Override Engaged
D2: Rebecca Fairfax-Miller - Deceased: Life Support Failure
E1: Charles Willow - Deceased: Life Support Failure
E2: Jason Song - Remote Override Engaged
F1: Charlie Willow - Remote Override Engaged
F2: Alice Willow - Deceased: Life Support Failure
G1: Theo Willow - Deceased: Life Support Failure
G2: John Doe - Manual Override Engaged
Sitting still and ignoring things sadly doesn´t have the intended effect. Instead of going away, the situation becomes clearer after a while. Charlie can now hear that the siren wants people to evacuate. She opens her eyes a bit to scan the situation. Even though there´s quite a bunch of pods in this room, only a handful of people are outside and alive. Not a good sign. None of them seem to be evacuating. Where the hell does this stupid siren even want them to evacuate to?
At least she has found the person shouting. A confused-looking man in about his mid-twenties with very long, wild, curly hair. The kind of hair-style One strives to have. She should show him... wait. No.
She gets up, now a bit more stable than earlier. They´re all probably fine. It´s just the doors. The siren says there´s some kind of malfunction, maybe they´re stuck. But blindly pressing buttons doesn´t help. Neither does cursing at it, expectedly. She considers kicking it, but that only works occasionally with electronics, so she´s not willing to take the chance of destroying something important.
Charlie is definitly not leaving while her family is still stuck here. But sulking doesn´t help anyone either, so instead she starts wandering around trying to find some staff who actually knows what´s going on. Whoever is unlucky enough to run into her will have some explaining to do!
All the people she sees right now seem similary lost as she is though (and also wear the same clothing), so she figures none of them work here. In the end she does end up in front of a door leading outside the room. It isn´t locked. She peeks outside.
"Helloooo, somebody here?"
The hallway is completely empty. A large hydraulic door blocks the end of it, with a cart near it and several tools scattered on the floor. On the left side of the hallway is a pair of more of the top-sliding doors (https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/839966132516552735/850091956641857566/250.png) and a window that looks onto another room filled with even more pods. On the right side is another sliding door.
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Robin
"No, this is wrong," Robin stares blankly at the terminal, feeling her hearth rate go up and breathing becoming harder. They can't be dead. The pods are malfunctioning. Their sensors probably are reporting incorrect readings, that's why the occupants weren't—
Wait, remote override?
She forces a refresh, reads and rereads the list a couple more times and navigates back to the main menu.
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Robin
"No, this is wrong," Robin stares blankly at the terminal, feeling her hearth rate go up and breathing becoming harder. They can't be dead. The pods are malfunctioning. Their sensors probably are reporting incorrect readings, that's why the occupants weren't—
Wait, remote override?
She forces a refresh, reads and rereads the list a couple more times and navigates back to the main menu.
The terminal now reads:
CURRENT PAGE: MAIN
Log Off | Refresh | Go To
[Technical Logs]
[Cryopod Occupant List]
[Room Door: Open]
[ERROR - FILES CORRUPTED]
[ERROR - FILES CORRUPTED]
ALERT: Security protocol has been engaged for this room for 22279 days. Please return security unit to chamber.
ALERT: Manual overrides engaged. Consult technical logs for details.
ALERT: Remote overrides engaged. Consult technical logs for details.
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He is not feeling well, surrounded by all these strangers who are all unwell.
But he also isn't...
He can't do anything if he doesn't know what's happening, right?
He keeps a careful distance from the kid he scared, he doesn't want to make her uncomfortable too. He just needs to see what's going on on the screen.
...John Johnson. Sounds vaguely familiar. He squints his eyes.
Was he using that name before...? The... thing that he came out of is A1, right?
Ah, yes.
Okay.
Now he knows who he was when he got here.
Now, where was he using that name... Michigan? No, wait. Massachusetts.
Okay. Slow reconstruction.
Wait.
"How many days???"
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The hallway is completely empty. A large hydraulic door blocks the end of it, with a cart near it and several tools scattered on the floor. On the left side of the hallway is a pair of more of the top-sliding doors (https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/839966132516552735/850091956641857566/250.png) and a window that looks onto another room filled with even more pods. On the right side is another sliding door.
Nothing? Now this is... deeply worrying. Charlie´s anger disappears momentarily. Sadly, so does her courage. She looks back into the room she came from. Yes, these people are all strangers, but at least there´s people. Maybe she´ll just get backup first before going into the weird hallway...
Also there´s the man with the cool hair and a girl maybe a bit younger than Charlie staring at a terminal or something next to a pod, both looking significantly shocked. They probably found something way more important. Charlie closes the door, carefully making sure she´s not accidently locking them in, and quietly walks over to the two at the terminal.
She didn´t catch what they were talking about until now, so she just tries to catch a glimpse onto the screen. But from her angle, most things are too small to read.
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Robin
The numbers ran themselves in Robin's mind with seemingly no input from her. Someone behind her asks about the days but she doesn't answer immediately, the one hand hovering over the keyboard occasionally straying sideways due the violent bout of shivering that had seized her body.
When she talks again her voice is stripped from all highs and lows. "A bit over 60 years. We've been here for 60 years," she states, the lack of inflexion foreign to her own ears. "61. At least."
Her breath no longer caught in her throat. Her heart stilled. The realization had dampened her whatever emotions stirring in her before, leaving only clinical thoughts in its wake. She leans slightly to the side to allow an unobstructed view of the terminal to the people gathering behind her, selects [Technical Logs] and hits Enter.
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He takes a step back before squatting down on the ground, running his fingers through his hair.
Okay so first, breathe.
He's been acting terribly erratic, due to how everyone around him was stressed and unable to think straight. Just like him, right now. So he has to calm down and breathe.
Okay.
So, this weird... thing. Claims. He spent several decades here.
That is a bit too... intense for a prank.
And kids don't act this well. Kids don't do death scenes.
So.
He has to come to some sort of a conclusion about it. Kidnapping seemed to be the most plausible one, he has no memories of coming here. He could have been easily overpowered if he was as drunk as he thinks he was.
However, if they were all kidnapped, apparently some with their families... There had to be some conclusion he should come to from that, too. Right?
...he's got nothing.
Okay but first of all it was weird that they're all getting released with no supervision. That's not how kidnappings work.
And at least a few of these people look as if they have some ideas on what's up. They knew where their family members were... or something.
Calm.
Breathing.
"What is this place? Why are we here? How did we get here?" he asks quietly. Someone ought to answer that.
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Robin
The numbers ran themselves in Robin's mind with seemingly no input from her. Someone behind her asks about the days but she doesn't answer immediately, the one hand hovering over the keyboard occasionally straying sideways due the violent bout of shivering that had seized her body.
When she talks again her voice is stripped from all highs and lows. "A bit over 60 years. We've been here for 60 years," she states, the lack of inflexion foreign to her own ears. "61. At least."
Her breath no longer caught in her throat. Her heart stilled. The realization had dampened her whatever emotions stirring in her before, leaving only clinical thoughts in its wake. She leans slightly to the side to allow an unobstructed view of the terminal to the people gathering behind her, selects [Technical Logs] and hits Enter.
The terminal reads:
CURRENT PAGE: TECHNICAL LOGS
<Back | Refresh | N/A
10-23-2077: Cryo Chambers activated
10-30-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
11-7-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
11-14-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
11-21-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
11-22-2077: G1: Terminal Malfunction, Occupant Deceased
11-28-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
1-1*!&@#*!%$(: Error, Files Corrupted
4-16-2078: C2: Terminal Malfunction, Occupant Deceased
5-1-2098: F2: Terminal Malfunction, Occupant Deceased
8-18-2121: E1: Terminal Malfunction, Occupant Deceased
10-21-2220: B1, B2, G2: Manual Overrides Engaged. Security Systems Engaged.
10-23-2281: A1, A2, C1, D1, E2, F1: Remote Override from [UNKNOWN USER] Engaged. Sounding evacuation protocols.
-
Nine
Vault. He's in the vault, and that means the World ended.
Nine grabs momentarily the thin gold chain he carries. He mutters "Dead... Must assume they are all dead. Must move on."
He takes another deep breath and stands up. This time he's steady, and manages to walk toward the others. They gathered around a monitor. Nine arrives exactly when a young woman speaks monotonically "A bit over 60 years. We've been here for 60 years."
His eyes open wide. He moves to check the monitor, wondering how she came to that number. It's there, over 20 thousand days. The math is right. Unless the machine has a glitch they have been on ice way too long. He recalls people talking about 5 or 10 years, 20 tops, to reach a safe level of radiation and to go through the nuclear winter. And why the cryo? He heard about it, but the vaults weren't supposed to rely on that, right?
"What is this place? Why are we here? How did we get here?" A young man with unkempt hair asks quietly.
Nine looks at him, puzzled. He's about to speak harshly but remembers how confused he was a few minutes ago. "We are inside a vault, to survive the bombs. It seems that part worked. We came when the sirens began... I believe. At least I did that."
Nine looks around, not waiting for an answer. Another woman is coming back from the door, it seems she took a look but decided not to venture further. Damn, he's clearly the oldest one around, and by a clear margin. He's not the command kind of person, but for the moment he will have to try to organize things. Nine decides to speak to them all.
He clears his throat. "Hum... Well... Look, it seems you're all as confused as I am." Oh, how much he wishes to be better with words! But it's not the right moment to be shy. "You don't know me, and I'm not trying to assume any kind of command here, ok? But I see no immediate danger, and we need more info. I think it's best to go check what's out there." He points at the door, and then to the terminal. "while you try to figure something out of that thing."
There's a very tall man, slightly behind the others. Military, no doubt. Nine can tell just by the way he stands. "Sir, I believe it would be better if we did it in pairs, so no one goes anywhere alone. Would you come with me?"
-
"Wait" he says, getting up. "What's a vault? What bombs?"
Answers. Answers are good.
-
Robin
Robin's eyes snap to the latest entry in the logs. Sixty years was bad, this is much worse.
The other men are talking but she can't quite make sense of it. The tall older one must be as old as her father. Her father who, unless he somehow stumbled on a cryogenic pod in the middle of the Gobi desert, was very much dead. She blinks when the man points in her general direction before talking about leaving.
"Wait!" Robin looks down for a moment, trying to string a coherent sentence together. Between the shock and feeling sick her mind is too slow, so she ultimately just lets words tumble out of her mouth before the men have the chance to get too impatient.
"You sit down," she says to the one who had been trying to get her to leave. "Did you hit your head getting out of the pod? You might have a concussion. Stay still, rest, but don't fall asleep.
She turns to the older guy, staring blankly at his feet. "Remote Override. Our pods were opened remotely. On purpose. But it's more than sixty years. Two hundred. They left us down here for two centuries, then someone opened our pods and activated the protocols to get us to leave."
She takes a deep breath. She sounds incredibly stupid! It's so hard to think and that warning won't shut up. She closes her eyes and briefly raises her hands in "I need a moment" gesture.
"I'm Robin. I didn't consent to being put in cryosleep. I do not trust Vault-Tec but I don't think they woke us up. The logs say people started to die in the same year they were put to sleep. Why didn't they remove the bodies? If they're Vault-Tec why aren't they here to deal with us now? I don't know who woke us up, I can't imagine why, but it doesn't matter. Vault-Tec or someone else, they should be considered hostile forces. Maybe they are here to receive us.
"There's more. Three pods were manually opened sixty years ago," Robin glances at the terminal. "They didn't touch the other pods; They came here, moved past us, did something then left us here.
"B1, B2, G2. B2 has two people inside."
-
Roll 3 + 5 = 8
Jay doesn't find much of use behind the pod - some wires and big tubes connecting back up to the ceiling or to the floor, but no control panels or anything like that.
Jay emerges from behind the pod, disappointed, to a bit of a commotion. Seems like everyone's stopped crying on the floor and has moved on to a lively debate.
Robin
"Wait!" Robin looks down for a moment, trying to string a coherent sentence together. Between the shock and feeling sick her mind is too slow, so she ultimately just lets words tumble out of her mouth before the men have the chance to get too impatient.
"You sit down," she says to the one who had been trying to get her to leave. "Did you hit your head getting out of the pod? You might have a concussion. Stay still, rest, but don't fall asleep.
She turns to the older guy, staring blankly at his feet. "Remote Override. Our pods were opened remotely. On purpose. But it's more than sixty years. Two hundred. They left us down here for two centuries, then someone opened our pods and activated the protocols to get us to leave."
She takes a deep breath. She sounds incredibly stupid! It's so hard to think and that warning won't shut up. She closes her eyes and briefly raises her hands in "I need a moment" gesture.
"I'm Robin. I didn't consent to being put in cryosleep. I do not trust Vault-Tec but I don't think they woke us up. The logs say people started to die in the same year they were put to sleep. Why didn't they remove the bodies? If they're Vault-Tec why aren't they here to deal with us now? I don't know who woke us up, I can't imagine why, but it doesn't matter. Vault-Tec or someone else, they should be considered hostile forces. Maybe they are here to receive us.
"There's more. Three pods were manually opened sixty years ago," Robin glances at the terminal. "They didn't touch the other pods; They came here, moved past us, did something then left us here.
"B1, B2, G2. B2 has two people inside."
Huh. Well, the kid seems kind of freaked out, but she's speaking sense. Jay's also freaked out, but in the way where he's panicking on the inside and a little glassy but effective on the outside. It's less the military training and more his experience with getting in dumb situations, but...
"Who were they? The people they woke up." He doesn't try and reassure anyone. It's not his strong suit.
"...I, uh, tried to see if I could do anything with the mechanics, but there's not much exposed. You found a printout? Data?"
-
Robin
Robin checks the terminal again before replying. "Nate Concord, Nora Concord and Shawn Concord in the same pod. Then John Doe in G2, the last pod.
"No printouts so far. Just pods status and a technical log. It's partially corrupted. Can you check the pods for people or anything else? Do you think they can be opened from the inside?" She tries to access the [Room Door: Open] option.
-
Nine
Vault. He's in the vault, and that means the World ended.
Nine grabs momentarily the thin gold chain he carries. He mutters "Dead... Must assume they are all dead. Must move on."
He takes another deep breath and stands up. This time he's steady, and manages to walk toward the others. They gathered around a monitor. Nine arrives exactly when a young woman speaks monotonically "A bit over 60 years. We've been here for 60 years."
His eyes open wide. He moves to check the monitor, wondering how she came to that number. It's there, over 20 thousand days. The math is right. Unless the machine has a glitch they have been on ice way too long. He recalls people talking about 5 or 10 years, 20 tops, to reach a safe level of radiation and to go through the nuclear winter. And why the cryo? He heard about it, but the vaults weren't supposed to rely on that, right?
"What is this place? Why are we here? How did we get here?" A young man with unkempt hair asks quietly.
Nine looks at him, puzzled. He's about to speak harshly but remembers how confused he was a few minutes ago. "We are inside a vault, to survive the bombs. It seems that part worked. We came when the sirens began... I believe. At least I did that."
Nine looks around, not waiting for an answer. Another woman is coming back from the door, it seems she took a look but decided not to venture further. Damn, he's clearly the oldest one around, and by a clear margin. He's not the command kind of person, but for the moment he will have to try to organize things. Nine decides to speak to them all.
He clears his throat. "Hum... Well... Look, it seems you're all as confused as I am." Oh, how much he wishes to be better with words! But it's not the right moment to be shy. "You don't know me, and I'm not trying to assume any kind of command here, ok? But I see no immediate danger, and we need more info. I think it's best to go check what's out there." He points at the door, and then to the terminal. "while you try to figure something out of that thing."
There's a very tall man, slightly behind the others. Military, no doubt. Nine can tell just by the way he stands. "Sir, I believe it would be better if we did it in pairs, so no one goes anywhere alone. Would you come with me?"
The strands of fate fade away as a voice cuts into Arthur's mind.
Almost reflexively, he replies "Don't call me sir, I'm a seargent, I work for a living." with a jovial tone.
But speaking regrounds him. Thinking properly now, he looks at the presumed soldier with a gaze more suited to a hawk than a human, and responds "Of course. Even I need an extra pair of eyes sometimes, captain ninefingers."
He's thinking enough now to realise the tactlessness of what he said, but not enough to care, so he just gets up off the floor and walks over to the man, the effects of the cryo-stasis having faded enough for him to regain his soft but confident walk, ready for the hunt.
-
Robin
Robin checks the terminal again before replying. "Nate Concord, Nora Concord and Shawn Concord in the same pod. Then John Doe in G2, the last pod.
"No printouts so far. Just pods status and a technical log. It's partially corrupted. Can you check the pods for people or anything else? Do you think they can be opened from the inside?" She tries to access the [Room Door: Open] option.
The large sliding door that marks the divide between room and hallway closes. The option now reads: Room Door: Closed.
-
"Thanks... Robin. I don't have a concussion. It's just that the last thing I remember doing before waking up here is getting incredibly drunk with my friends. So I'm missing a lot of information" he says.
Danger, though.
He gets that.
How quaint.
"Uh, I think the man is right. We shouldn't split up or go alone anywhere. And I also don't think it's right to have kids check out places with maybe dead people. You don't need to see that. Just tell me what to do..." his voice fades as Robin starts to talk to another engineer-like guy.
He listens to their discussion and goes to check the last pod, where John Doe once was. Definitely the most suspicious name... But he can't see anything inside. They seem all empty.
-
Robin
Robin checks the terminal again before replying. "Nate Concord, Nora Concord and Shawn Concord in the same pod. Then John Doe in G2, the last pod.
"No printouts so far. Just pods status and a technical log. It's partially corrupted. Can you check the pods for people or anything else? Do you think they can be opened from the inside?" She tries to access the [Room Door: Open] option.
"....Wait. Nora? Nate?" Jay frowns. "I... huh. I feel like I've heard those names before. Give me a second." When it doesn't instantly come back to him, he sighs, then snaps his fingers. "No, wait! I feel like I definitely saw them around. She was a mucky muck, I think. Lawyer lady."
As the door closes, he heads over to the pods, starting with the ones nearest to the terminal. He checks inside for people as he also scans for any way to get them open. He's jimmied open his fair share of doors, but this one seems like a real problem. "Did you do that, or is the door haunted now?"
-
Robin
"Short-term memory loss due intoxication then," she states matter-of-factly. "We should all go together. If the world outside didn't end why did they forget us? What if we lost the war? That would explain why we were left here, invaders didn't know about us. There could be an hostile army waiting on the surface."
Somehow the doors closing takes Robin by surprise. "Sorry. That was an accident." She opens the it again and refrains from clicking on the Error entries. Who knows if they'll crash the system?
"Who is Shawn?"
-
Robin
"Short-term memory loss due intoxication then," she states matter-of-factly. "We should all go together. If the world outside didn't end why did they forget us? What if we lost the war? That would explain why we were left here, invaders didn't know about us. There could be an hostile army waiting on the surface."
Somehow the doors closing takes Robin by surprise. "Sorry. That was an accident." She opens the it again and refrains from clicking on the Error entries. Who knows if they'll crash the system?
"Who is Shawn?"
Big headscratcher on that one. "Uh, I think they had a kid? Pretty recently, maybe a year ago. Maybe they named it Shawn? Can't think of anyone else with that last name."
-
Nine
Nine stops. The confused man gets up, asking. "What's a vault? What bombs?", but now is explaining that he was drunk. A part of him is deeply annoyed by that, remembering his father, but the rational part recalls that the world was in the verge of war, so someone getting drunk wasn't a big surprise.
He tries to calm him down. "Don't worry, you will probably remember that, but if not I'll tell you later."
He starts to walk toward the door when the young woman speaks. Nine hears, and decides that he likes this Robin. She goes straight to the point. Now, two hundred years is a lot! What may have happened outside? He decides that speculating will not help. And Robin is right. There may be hostiles around, but... Nine's train of thought stops as another person comes from behind the pods. Another military guy, and a mechanic it seems. This one surely will be very useful, he thinks.
Meanwhile the tall man answers. He's ready to go. Nine instantly likes that guy too. looks like the kind that covers your back on the battlefield.
The mechanic guy and Robin are talking, and suddenly she closes the door, scaring him. What if it breaks and they get trapped? He's relieved to see that it opens again seconds later. Then they're talking about the people on the pods, the ones that got out 60 years ago.
"Ok Robin. I'm Grey, but you..." He looks around. "All of you can call me Nine." She looks back, and he can tell she's tough. Good. "Whoever left us here didn't want to do harm, else they could just shot the pods and kill us. And it all happened, if the numbers are right, 60 years ago, so those people are now very old, or dead. And so are the ones that left the pods back then."
Nine lets the idea sink for a few second. "We may never know what happened. Right now I believe we should focus on getting some supplies... and weapons would be nice too. Then we can sit and think on what to do next, or maybe we just find a way out on the next corner. So what do you guys say? Shall we move?"
-
The terminal reads:
CURRENT PAGE: TECHNICAL LOGS
<Back | Refresh | N/A
10-23-2077: Cryo Chambers activated
10-30-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
11-7-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
11-14-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
11-21-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
11-22-2077: G1: Terminal Malfunction, Occupant Deceased
11-28-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
1-1*!&@#*!%$(: Error, Files Corrupted
4-16-2078: C2: Terminal Malfunction, Occupant Deceased
5-1-2098: F2: Terminal Malfunction, Occupant Deceased
8-18-2121: E1: Terminal Malfunction, Occupant Deceased
10-21-2220: B1, B2, G2: Manual Overrides Engaged. Security Systems Engaged.
10-23-2281: A1, A2, C1, D1, E2, F1: Remote Override from [UNKNOWN USER] Engaged. Sounding evacuation protocols.
Charlie freezes in all movement while she reads the logs. Less because of the numbers, computers sometimes do that, but the fact of how many people here apparently died. And that even though no one besides her and the others seems to be here, someone let them out.
When she catches herself again almost everyone in the room is gathered around the terminal and discussing what to do next. They all seem to be taking the numbers on the screen for granted. Over 200 years. Holy f- Breathe. Continue. It will be ok.
"Ok Robin. I'm Grey, but you..." He looks around. "All of you can call me Nine." She looks back, and he can tell she's tough. Good. "Whoever left us here didn't want to do harm, else they could just shot the pods and kill us. And it all happened, if the numbers are right, 60 years ago, so those people are now very old, or dead. And so are the ones that left the pods back then."
Nine lets the idea sink for a few second. "We may never know what happened. Right now I believe we should focus on getting some supplies... and weapons would be nice too. Then we can sit and think on what to do next, or maybe we just find a way out on the next corner. So what do you guys say? Shall we move?"
Charlie finds her voice again. She peeks over to the screen, then to the others.
"Can... can we be absolutely sure that all the other people here are... you know... dead? Because I´m not leaving if there´s still a chance to save my family."
Also weren´t they talking about the door?
"Oh, and I looked into the hallway over there." She points at it. "I saw nobody, but there´s a door leading to another room with pods. Might be people in there too. We should check, I think."
-
"Ok Robin. I'm Grey, but you..." He looks around. "All of you can call me Nine." She looks back, and he can tell she's tough. Good. "Whoever left us here didn't want to do harm, else they could just shot the pods and kill us. And it all happened, if the numbers are right, 60 years ago, so those people are now very old, or dead. And so are the ones that left the pods back then."
Nine lets the idea sink for a few second. "We may never know what happened. Right now I believe we should focus on getting some supplies... and weapons would be nice too. Then we can sit and think on what to do next, or maybe we just find a way out on the next corner. So what do you guys say? Shall we move?"
"Can... can we be absolutely sure that all the other people here are... you know... dead? Because I´m not leaving if there´s still a chance to save my family."
Also weren´t they talking about the door?
"Oh, and I looked into the hallway over there." She points at it. "I saw nobody, but there´s a door leading to another room with pods. Might be people in there too. We should check, I think."
"We should absolutely check all the pods before leaving" he decides. "And a check if computers are right would be... good. Is there maybe some way to confirm they are dead without opening them, though...?" He has a feeling that if idiots like him open a pod without any knowhow, if the occupant wasn't dead already, they would quickly be. "But Robin could check these screens for out pods, she should check them for other pods, too. At the very least."
He's not worried about the closed door. Robin could fix it, right? And if this girl was Robin, then the other girl was Charlotte, right?
"Also, nice to meet you all. I wish circumstances were different."
War, they said.
Well, it was going to happen sooner or later. Two centuries is enough for the Earth to get rid of the fallout, right?
"...wait. If we were... released... via a remote override... How remote is it?" he says quietly, more thinking out loud than anything. Did the people sixty years ago set it up? Was the override programmed at the very beginning? Was there maybe a special control room for controlling all the pods somewhere here, which would make it a 'remote' override? Was someone here...?
...look at him, accepting two centuries have passed just like that. He's dealing with this well.
-
The terminal reads:
CURRENT PAGE: TECHNICAL LOGS
<Back | Refresh | N/A
10-23-2077: Cryo Chambers activated
10-30-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
11-7-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
11-14-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
11-21-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
11-22-2077: G1: Terminal Malfunction, Occupant Deceased
11-28-2077: Routine Maintenance Check
1-1*!&@#*!%$(: Error, Files Corrupted
4-16-2078: C2: Terminal Malfunction, Occupant Deceased
5-1-2098: F2: Terminal Malfunction, Occupant Deceased
8-18-2121: E1: Terminal Malfunction, Occupant Deceased
10-21-2220: B1, B2, G2: Manual Overrides Engaged. Security Systems Engaged.
10-23-2281: A1, A2, C1, D1, E2, F1: Remote Override from [UNKNOWN USER] Engaged. Sounding evacuation protocols.
Arthur walks up to the computer, scanning the screen calmly.
He checks the occupant list.
It doesn't explicitly say Becca's dead.
But that's probably just the bit that got corrupted.
There's no point getting his hopes up.
No point letting the flowers bloom when the winter winds still blow.
He turns to the man he's internalised as "ninefingers", but has now heard introducing himself, and says "Right, Grey, time to get this door open", gesturing to the door at the end of the room. "I'm sure we can find an armoury and an exit somewhere" he continues, punctuating the end with a curt laugh rather than a full stop.
-
Robin
"We may never know what happened. Right now I believe we should focus on getting some supplies... and weapons would be nice too. Then we can sit and think on what to do next, or maybe we just find a way out on the next corner. So what do you guys say? Shall we move?"
"That doesn't work for me. We do have to move soon but I have to know exactly what happened here, if not now later. If there's the remotest chance of finding anyone involved in this I will find them and I will make every last one of them pay," Robin stares at him with dangerous eyes, leaving no doubt to what she implied.
"Can... can we be absolutely sure that all the other people here are... you know... dead? Because I´m not leaving if there´s still a chance to save my family."
"Alright," she raises her hands and repeats the gesture asking for time. "I'm not prepared to assume the people who didn't wake up are dead. I don't know much but I know enough to know I don't understand this process. And until I do, unless they start to rot in the meantime, these people are not dead.
"We should be dead too. People have been talking about freezing people for ages but no one tries not for lack of a big enough fridge, they don't do it because it destroys your body. You need a way to preserve cells when freezing and another process to reverse it when thawing them. The people in the pods are intact. It points to the freezing procedure being successful. That doesn't... that doesn't mean—
Robin grasped for words. "Their bodies are intact, that doesn't mean they didn't die during the procedure. Big chances it's toxic to live, unfrozen humans. But it took a little time for the first failure message happen and unless we got briefly thawed in the meantime by energy spikes in the pods or something, I don't see how they could have died while frozen solid. None of us were technically alive.
"Remotely opening the pods means whoever did this didn't personally check the pods. Maybe the failed pods can't be thawed remotely because decomposition, maybe they simply trusted the logs and didn't try. The only people we're sure walked these corridors are the ones from sixty years ago and they weren't interested in us. As far as I know the staff froze us and left soon after, leaving pods unattended, otherwise why not remove the bodies?"
"If they're alive they're safer frozen until we figure how to reverse the process. We need to look for more information. We need security logs and radiation readings and..." Robin throws an odd look at them. "...are any of you diabetic?"
-
Robin
"That doesn't work for me. We do have to move soon but I have to know exactly what happened here, if not now later. If there's the remotest chance of finding anyone involved in this I will find them and I will make every last one of them pay," Robin stares at him with dangerous eyes, leaving no doubt to what she implied.
"Alright," she raises her hands and repeats the gesture asking for time. "I'm not prepared to assume the people who didn't wake up are dead. I don't know much but I know enough to know I don't understand this process. And until I do, unless they start to rot in the meantime, these people are not dead.
"We should be dead too. People have been talking about freezing people for ages but no one tries not for lack of a big enough fridge, they don't do it because it destroys your body. You need a way to preserve cells when freezing and another process to reverse it when thawing them. The people in the pods are intact. It points to the freezing procedure being successful. That doesn't... that doesn't mean—
Robin grasped for words. "Their bodies are intact, that doesn't mean they didn't die during the procedure. Big chances it's toxic to live, unfrozen humans. But it took a little time for the first failure message happen and unless we got briefly thawed in the meantime by energy spikes in the pods or something, I don't see how they could have died while frozen solid. None of us were technically alive.
"Remotely opening the pods means whoever did this didn't personally check the pods. Maybe the failed pods can't be thawed remotely because decomposition, maybe they simply trusted the logs and didn't try. The only people we're sure walked these corridors are the ones from sixty years ago and they weren't interested in us. As far as I know the staff froze us and left soon after, leaving pods unattended, otherwise why not remove the bodies?"
"If they're alive they're safer frozen until we figure how to reverse the process. We need to look for more information. We need security logs and radiation readings and..."
"Alright, works for me. Unless they're rotting, maybe something can be done" he says. That sounded like a solid enough argument.
Robin throws an odd look at them. "...are any of you diabetic?"
"...no."
-
"We should absolutely check all the pods before leaving" he decides. "And a check if computers are right would be... good. Is there maybe some way to confirm they are dead without opening them, though...?" He has a feeling that if idiots like him open a pod without any knowhow, if the occupant wasn't dead already, they would quickly be. "But Robin could check these screens for out pods, she should check them for other pods, too. At the very least."
He's not worried about the closed door. Robin could fix it, right? And if this girl was Robin, then the other girl was Charlotte, right?
"Also, nice to meet you all. I wish circumstances were different."
Charlie nods at him. Even smiles a little. "Likewise."
Robin
"That doesn't work for me. We do have to move soon but I have to know exactly what happened here, if not now later. If there's the remotest chance of finding anyone involved in this I will find them and I will make every last one of them pay," Robin stares at him with dangerous eyes, leaving no doubt to what she implied.
"I agree", Charlie says, turning dead-serious again. "If there´s still someone who can be held responsible for this, I´ll make sure they will be."
She isn´t absolutely sure what this place was supposed to do to them actually, since her mom told her and her twin precicely when the bomb-sirens started that she had backup plans for such a worst-case-scenario. But she´s relatively sure freezing everyone for 200+ years, not guaranteeing that they would survive that and then leaving them behind was not what anyone here signed up for. It was definitly not what she would have wanted to happen to her or her family.
"Alright," she raises her hands and repeats the gesture asking for time. "I'm not prepared to assume the people who didn't wake up are dead. I don't know much but I know enough to know I don't understand this process. And until I do, unless they start to rot in the meantime, these people are not dead.
"We should be dead too. People have been talking about freezing people for ages but no one tries not for lack of a big enough fridge, they don't do it because it destroys your body. You need a way to preserve cells when freezing and another process to reverse it when thawing them. The people in the pods are intact. It points to the freezing procedure being successful. That doesn't... that doesn't mean—
Robin grasped for words. "Their bodies are intact, that doesn't mean they didn't die during the procedure. Big chances it's toxic to live, unfrozen humans. But it took a little time for the first failure message happen and unless we got briefly thawed in the meantime by energy spikes in the pods or something, I don't see how they could have died while frozen solid. None of us were technically alive.
"Remotely opening the pods means whoever did this didn't personally check the pods. Maybe the failed pods can't be thawed remotely because decomposition, maybe they simply trusted the logs and didn't try. The only people we're sure walked these corridors are the ones from sixty years ago and they weren't interested in us. As far as I know the staff froze us and left soon after, leaving pods unattended, otherwise why not remove the bodies?"
"If they're alive they're safer frozen until we figure how to reverse the process. We need to look for more information. We need security logs and radiation readings and..." Robin throws an odd look at them. "...are any of you diabetic?"
"Alright, works for me. Unless they're rotting, maybe something can be done" he says. That sounded like a solid enough argument.
"...no."
"... me neither. And finding more information sounds like a good idea. But I´m not so great with computers, is there any other way I can help?"
She needs to do something now. Something to make this situation better. Or to distract herself from it. She looks to the man who introduced himself as Nine and the other man with the British accent.
"If it´s okay with all of you I could join the two army-looking guys in finding other supplies. Or printed logs if they exist."
-
Robin
Robin nods absently, no longer meeting people's eyes. "We all should go, avoid splitting. Check the other pods on the way and understand our situation. Just... stay out of sight if we meet someone until we figure what they're up to." There's a quiet, dazed air about her made more evident when she's not addressing them, but she sounds logical enough she can't be out of it.
She starts towards the entrance, pausing by the curly haired guy. "Let me smell your breath."
-
Robin
Robin nods absently, no longer meeting people's eyes. "We all should go, avoid splitting. Check the other pods on the way and understand our situation. Just... stay out of sight if we meet someone until we figure what they're up to." There's a quiet, dazed air about her made more evident when she's not addressing them, but she sounds logical enough she can't be out of it.
She starts towards the entrance, pausing by the curly haired guy. "Let me smell your breath."
"I doubt you want that, sweetie" he says.
-
Nine
Nine hears them talking, until Robin suggests they shouldn't split. Good, he prefers it much more that way. He wonders why she thinks it's important to know if someone is diabetic, or the smell of that guy's mouth, but decides it's time to speak. "For whatever it's worth, I'm not diabetic. And I agree with you. We should leave those people here for the moment, and try to come back later. They are as safe as they were for the last 60 years."
He points at the door. "Now, we should remain together. But let's make it the right way." He says, looking at the two obviously civilians. "First, we're six, and we move in pairs, not all at the same time, particularly when crossing an open area. We move fast, and silently, talking just what's necessary. We give some space between us, so if there's a trap just one person gets caught. We follow the same path and don't disperse or touch anything the lead didn't touch. Understood?"
He show his empty hands. "Right now we're unarmed, so all we can do if something happens is to go back and find cover. Do not run to help someone that suddenly fell on the ground. Find cover if you can and try to assess the situation before moving, or you can be next. Oh, and we must check if we can open and close doors, from inside and outside, so we don't get all trapped inside a room."
They are all looking at him now. "Look, I may be older person here, and the higher rank, but this is not a military operation, so I'm not giving orders. I'm just a guy with experience suggesting things so we all make it alive. In the end it's up to each of you."
Before anyone answers Nine looks at Robin. "Robin, you're light and probably fast. Would you take the lead? I suggest we check first that room with pods that..." He looks at the other young woman and realizes he doesn't know her name. "We should know each other names before advancing, don't you people agree? As I said before my name is Grey, but you can call me Nine. Can we know your name, miss..." He stops, waiting for answers.
-
Robin
Robin takes the opportunity to sniff the air as the man speaks, craning her neck and moving her head delicately side-to-side to sample it. She did ask nicely first, didn't she?
Whether she smells something interesting or utterly reviling she doesn't share, saying instead, "We're examples of successful thawing. I have theories. I don't have a lab technician at hand but every one of us come with a built-in, highly-specialized chemical sampler in the middle of our faces and I'm not afraid of using it.
"Also, sweetie your ass," she glares at him before turning her attention to Nine. He looks like military, the real thing. A bit unsure of himself maybe, pragmatic, should know how to handle weapons and certainly had all the field experience she didn't. She doesn't know what make of him but she moves to obey anyway, lingering by people just long enough to catch the odd whiff when they spoke. After the other guy reaction she doesn't bother to ask for permission.
(OOC: Ready to move ahead when you are)
-
Nine
Nine hears them talking, until Robin suggests they shouldn't split. Good, he prefers it much more that way. He wonders why she thinks it's important to know if someone is diabetic, or the smell of that guy's mouth, but decides it's time to speak. "For whatever it's worth, I'm not diabetic. And I agree with you. We should leave those people here for the moment, and try to come back later. They are as safe as they were for the last 60 years."
He points at the door. "Now, we should remain together. But let's make it the right way." He says, looking at the two obviously civilians. "First, we're six, and we move in pairs, not all at the same time, particularly when crossing an open area. We move fast, and silently, talking just what's necessary. We give some space between us, so if there's a trap just one person gets caught. We follow the same path and don't disperse or touch anything the lead didn't touch. Understood?"
He show his empty hands. "Right now we're unarmed, so all we can do if something happens is to go back and find cover. Do not run to help someone that suddenly fell on the ground. Find cover if you can and try to assess the situation before moving, or you can be next. Oh, and we must check if we can open and close doors, from inside and outside, so we don't get all trapped inside a room."
They are all looking at him now. "Look, I may be older person here, and the higher rank, but this is not a military operation, so I'm not giving orders. I'm just a guy with experience suggesting things so we all make it alive. In the end it's up to each of you."
Before anyone answers Nine looks at Robin. "Robin, you're light and probably fast. Would you take the lead? I suggest we check first that room with pods that..." He looks at the other young woman and realizes he doesn't know her name. "We should know each other names before advancing, don't you people agree? As I said before my name is Grey, but you can call me Nine. Can we know your name, miss..." He stops, waiting for answers.
Looking at Robin, and back to Nine "I'll go first. It can't be as dangerous as the frontlines of the resource wars in Arabia and France, I'll be fine. I'm Fairfax, by the way. Sergent Arthur Fairfax-Miller of the Suffolk regiment, a sniper by training and nearly a decade of warfare."
He walks calmly to the door without waiting for a response, then asks Nine "You clearly served, but, as we would say, which corps? You don't seem to be an infantryman like me, but I can't work out much beyond that you probably weren't a padre, dropshort or a bootneck."
-
Before anyone answers Nine looks at Robin. "Robin, you're light and probably fast. Would you take the lead? I suggest we check first that room with pods that..." He looks at the other young woman and realizes he doesn't know her name. "We should know each other names before advancing, don't you people agree? As I said before my name is Grey, but you can call me Nine. Can we know your name, miss..." He stops, waiting for answers.
"Oh, uh..."
Right, names. She stops herself from letting out some nickname out of habit. She´s too used to not using her real name. Having a sibling with the same name is fun, great for annoying people by answering for the other on purpose, but it usually ends with everyone demanding something individual to definitley set them apart. And as the twins both thought their full names were too old-fashioned, they aquired quite a big array of random nicknames over the years. At some point even they themselves started to call each other "One" and "Two".
But right now... wanting to be individual would feel like leaving him behind. If he has to be stuck in that goddam pod, she might as well carry his name with her. That´s the closest they can get to staying together for now.
"Charlie. Charlie Willow. But Charlie is fine."
Anyways, the guy seems to know what he´s talking about, even though she doesn´t apprechiate that he looks at her like she´s completely helpless. Or that he nominated Robin to take the lead, who seems to be more still in shock than anything else. But that kind of applies to them all anyways, so what does she care. Plus the British guy just went ahead.
"Alright, that seems like a solid plan."
She starts following the ones already going towards the door.
-
Nine
Nine hears Robin, and then Arthur. He was right about those two, it seems. "Fair question. Archibald Grey, Major. Army, CIC. I served 18 years as a paratrooper, and our team was on every place where things were hot, usually behind enemy lines. We did recon, rescue, ambush... but usualy blew things up. I'm specialized in demolitions and heavy weapons. Once fought with your regiment, but it was a long time ago, you wouldn't be there yet. But they were good. Does that answer your question?"
Then the other young woman talks. Charlie. Fine, a good name. He nods to her and looks at the others.
-
Nine
Nine hears them talking, until Robin suggests they shouldn't split. Good, he prefers it much more that way. He wonders why she thinks it's important to know if someone is diabetic, or the smell of that guy's mouth, but decides it's time to speak. "For whatever it's worth, I'm not diabetic. And I agree with you. We should leave those people here for the moment, and try to come back later. They are as safe as they were for the last 60 years."
He points at the door. "Now, we should remain together. But let's make it the right way." He says, looking at the two obviously civilians. "First, we're six, and we move in pairs, not all at the same time, particularly when crossing an open area. We move fast, and silently, talking just what's necessary. We give some space between us, so if there's a trap just one person gets caught. We follow the same path and don't disperse or touch anything the lead didn't touch. Understood?"
He show his empty hands. "Right now we're unarmed, so all we can do if something happens is to go back and find cover. Do not run to help someone that suddenly fell on the ground. Find cover if you can and try to assess the situation before moving, or you can be next. Oh, and we must check if we can open and close doors, from inside and outside, so we don't get all trapped inside a room."
They are all looking at him now. "Look, I may be older person here, and the higher rank, but this is not a military operation, so I'm not giving orders. I'm just a guy with experience suggesting things so we all make it alive. In the end it's up to each of you."
Before anyone answers Nine looks at Robin. "Robin, you're light and probably fast. Would you take the lead? I suggest we check first that room with pods that..." He looks at the other young woman and realizes he doesn't know her name. "We should know each other names before advancing, don't you people agree? As I said before my name is Grey, but you can call me Nine. Can we know your name, miss..." He stops, waiting for answers.
Nine
Nine hears Robin, and then Arthur. He was right about those two, it seems. "Fair question. Archibald Grey, Major. Army, CIC. I served 18 years as a paratrooper, and our team was on every place where things were hot, usually behind enemy lines. We did recon, rescue, ambush... but usualy blew things up. I'm specialized in demolitions and heavy weapons. Once fought with your regiment, but it was a long time ago, you wouldn't be there yet. But they were good. Does that answer your question?"
Then the other young woman talks. Charlie. Fine, a good name. He nods to her and looks at the others.
Jay pops his head out from behind the pod he's been messing with. Ah, right. Introductions.
"I'm Jay. Mechanic for the National Guard, although I guess they're all kaput now. Used to be a welder, before I started working on vehicles. If you get me to anything with wheels, I'm your man." He nods to the group, giving them a friendly smile. It doesn't spread to his eyes.
-
Robin
Robin takes the opportunity to sniff the air as the man speaks, craning her neck and moving her head delicately side-to-side to sample it. She did ask nicely first, didn't she?
Whether she smells something interesting or utterly reviling she doesn't share, saying instead, "We're examples of successful thawing. I have theories. I don't have a lab technician at hand but every one of us come with a built-in, highly-specialized chemical sampler in the middle of our faces and I'm not afraid of using it.
"Also, sweetie your ass," she glares at him before turning her attention to Nine. He looks like military, the real thing. A bit unsure of himself maybe, pragmatic, should know how to handle weapons and certainly had all the field experience she didn't. She doesn't know what make of him but she moves to obey anyway, lingering by people just long enough to catch the odd whiff when they spoke. After the other guy reaction she doesn't bother to ask for permission.
(OOC: Ready to move ahead when you are)
"Damn right my ass is sweet" he says quietly before listening to others' introductions. Charlotta is Charlie, then, okay. And two army men. And a mechanic.
They're running out of people to ask for names.
Okay, he can do this.
"Right. You don't seem like the sort of people to kick a hobo, so I might as well tell you. I guess I got here under one of my false names" he says. "I saw 'John Johnson' on the screen, I used that while I was traveling around Massachusetts. But it's been some time and I don't feel like using it anymore."
Name name name name name name name
"Faust. Faust works for me. I'm a vagabond. And I was in the army for two years. Never deployed. I can use a handgun-sized weapon well-enough."
-
"Damn right my ass is sweet" he says quietly before listening to others' introductions. Charlotta is Charlie, then, okay. And two army men. And a mechanic.
They're running out of people to ask for names.
Okay, he can do this.
"Right. You don't seem like the sort of people to kick a hobo, so I might as well tell you. I guess I got here under one of my false names" he says. "I saw 'John Johnson' on the screen, I used that while I was traveling around Massachusetts. But it's been some time and I don't feel like using it anymore."
Name name name name name name name
"Faust. Faust works for me. I'm a vagabond. And I was in the army for two years. Never deployed. I can use a handgun-sized weapon well-enough."
Arthur looks at "Faust" derisively. "Or you could tell us your real name. Or at least a real name. I'm not calling you Faust. I will not and cannot trust someone who refuses to give their name without good reason, especially in such a situation"
-
Arthur looks at "Faust" derisively. "Or you could tell us your real name. Or at least a real name. I'm not calling you Faust. I will not and cannot trust someone who refuses to give their name without good reason, especially in a situation"
Oh.
One of those guys.
"I haven't used my real name for half a decade. I forgot it after I got hit in the head by an encyclopedia that was thrown out of a library" Faust says before he can stop himself. "In any case. Faust is a name. It's good enough. If you don't like it, you can call me anything you want to. At this point I respond to most male names."
-
Robin
"It's been two centuries. No one left to care if you use your actual name," Robin grumbles to Faust over her shoulder. She stops by Arthur's side, taking in the hallway before indicating the room to the left with a quick hand signal.
Enough time had passed since they woke up her muscles now responded correctly to her mind. Nine had been right in picking her to help lead the way. It's not that she's just naturally light and fast; she is purposely so. Her counselor never suggested a role in which she might scout not for lack of skill—she was good enough to have never been caught sneaking about the fort. When you reach a certain level it's easy to mislead your overworked supervisors about your actual abilities. Robin falls into a relaxed instance, hands to the sides, slightly hunched to stabilize her center of gravity, and moves ahead, making little sound in the gaps between the warning still looping over their heads.
-
Robin
"It's been two centuries. No one left to care if you use your actual name," Robin grumbles to Faust over her shoulder. She stops by Arthur's side, taking in the hallway before indicating the room to the left with a quick hand signal.
Enough time had passed since they woke up her muscles now responded correctly to her mind. Nine had been right in picking her to help lead the way. It's not that she's just naturally light and fast; she is purposely so. Her counselor never suggested a role in which she might scout not for lack of skill—she was good enough to have never been caught sneaking about the fort. When you reach a certain level it's easy to mislead your overworked supervisors about your actual abilities. Robin falls into a relaxed instance, hands to the sides, slightly hunched to stabilize her center of gravity, and moves ahead, making little sound in the gaps between the warning still looping over their heads.
Arthur follows in a similar fashion, quickly overtaking with his longer strides.
-
Faust looks completely unbothered by the two of them. He heard it all before.
Instead, he turns to Grey. "Just so we're clear, I take issue with you telling a kid go first. Not right" he tells him. He looks as the two of them go ahead. He's not sure if this sneaking around is necessary, after all he did yell for help quite loudly and nobody came to gun them down yet. If there were enemies anywhere, they wouldn't be this close.
"Charlie, let's go last. I'm unarmed and if something happens, I'm useless in a fight. Grey and Jay should be closer to those two."
-
Charlie watches Robin and the man with the long family-name quietly creep towards the other room with the pods. Hehe. They look a bit as if they´re Naruto-running. Just slower. She doesn´t really see the need to copy the move exactly, but still follows suit and walks as silent as possible. It´s a gracefull, dance-like walking style. You had to do it all the time in Ballett, the pointe-shoes would be too loud on the floor otherwise. The shoes she´s currently wearing aren´t nearly as noisy already by themselves, so now it´s almost impossible to hear her.
She notices that this is the first time since she woke up that she thinks about dancing. The thing she had dedicated the last ten years of her life to. Her entire life, actually. There is probably no need for it after an apocalypse, is there? Realizing this hurts a bit like she would have to leave yet another person dear to her behind in one of the pods.
Faust looks completely unbothered by the two of them. He heard it all before.
Instead, he turns to Grey. "Just so we're clear, I take issue with you telling a kid go first. Not right" he tells him. He looks as the two of them go ahead. He's not sure if this sneaking around is necessary, after all he did yell for help quite loudly and nobody came to gun them down yet. If there were enemies anywhere, they wouldn't be this close.
"Charlie, let's go last. I'm unarmed and if something happens, I'm useless in a fight. Grey and Jay should be closer to those two."
Faust talking to her brings her back from her thoughts.
"Sure, works for me. If something tries sneaking up from behind I hope it´s aware I once broke a guy´s leg by kicking it. Nice hair by the way. My brother would be jealous."
-
Nine
So Robin, Arthur, Charlie, Jay and... Faust. He eyes the man, wondering if he will be trouble. Arthur questions, correctly, if they could trust someone that won't tell his real name. Yet somehow the guy seems... frank? Nine's thinking on a better word when Robin says "It's been two centuries. No one left to care if you use your actual name."
She has a point... and what else can they do? Leave the man behind? Nine recalls the old motto: nemo resideo, no man left behind. He risked his life many times for that, and was saved back two or three times. No way he was going to act another way, be it two or two hundred years! Also, who knows, Faust may prove useful. Must keep an eye on...
Then Faust turns to him: "Just so we're clear, I take issue with you telling a kid go first. Not right."
Nine looks again at him, surprised. Few had the courage to speak that way to him, and he likes people that have the guts to speak their minds. "Look, I didn't tell her to go, I suggested she could be our best choice, and she agreed. Also, Robin's no kid. Can't you see by the look in her eyes? She's hurt, but won't let it stop her."
He moves to the door, where Jay's already waiting. "We will have many chances to talk, Faust, and I hope you speak freely. Be sure, I'll do the same. Now we should move." Nine waits by the door with Jay, watching as Robin and Arthur reach the recess where the door to the next room awaits. So far so good. Now they just have to open it.
-
Bah. Just because a kid is visibly messed up, it doesn't mean he should suggest her do more dangerous stuff.
But Robin was out already, Arthur was with her and he seemed reasonably competent, Grey and Jay are up next and talking things out in more detail can wait until they are somewhere safe.
Wait.
They are in a safe.
Hehehhehe.
He gives Charlie a smile. "Thanks, sugar. I'll let you braid it, if you wanna." Fun little chatterbox, although she looks nervous. Does she have trust issues with him, as others do, or is it just general nervousness due to the situation... Should he take the bonebreaking part as a threat...? Maybe, but probably not...
He lowers his voice. "If you find a secret shampoo stash, you gotta let me know. I'll do the same."
-
Charlie grins back. "I´ll come back to it after I take care of my own."
The guy with the nickname seems fun. She´s a bit curious about why he chose "Faust" over his real name, but hey, who is she to judge. After all, she introduced herself with a nickname too. A less unusual one, but still. He probably has his reasons.
More quiet she adds: "But I´m not embezzling shampoo." She glances at the others. All relatively short hair... "Not even if the two of us obviously need it the most. They´ll notice that anyways."
-
Robin
Robin approaches the room warily, keeping to the wall so she can't be seen from the inside but not that close to the door once she reaches it that someone could just grab her from inside. If there was a thing she was spectacularly abysmal at it was breaking free from grappling moves—for her getting jumped on and turning the fight around wasn't an option. The room appears clear though: More pods, another terminal far in the back and a single alternative entrance blocked.
Not one to let go of her caution easily, Robin indicates the terminal to Arthur with her head, communicating her intent to approach, then acts on it. Either this one could do something about the door in the end of the hallway or they might be in trouble. She watches the staircase out of the corner of her eye while bringing the computer to life with a keypress.
-
Nine
Nine checks the door. It works just fine from both sides. Satisfied, he gestures for Charlie and Faust to come, and enters the room.
It looks a lot like the one where they woke up. A dozen pods await in two lines. He walks towards the opposite wall, where he finds Robin and Arthur next to a terminal. Jay is somewhere behind the pods. Close to the terminal Nine sees a stair leading down, but its filled with rocks. No way to pass. he wonders what might have happened. Everything so far seemed to be in good shape, too good, indeed, for 200 years. But those rocks indicate that something broke, or exploded... Yet he sees no way to estimate when.
He turns to watch the room. Ok, no apparent danger. What more can he see... Well, there's something that's not there. It's not covered with a thick layer of dust, the air is not that stale, so vents are probably working. Illumination is also working, as those doors, and the computer terminals. Someone, or something, has been doing maintenance tasks on the vault. Robots perhaps? And would they self-repair too?
Nine's stomach remembers him they have to find water and food. Hopefully the maintenance kept those shiny hydroponic units working somewhere in the vault, or they may find a way out... He approaches Robin to see if they found anything useful.
-
Robin
Robin approaches the room warily, keeping to the wall so she can't be seen from the inside but not that close to the door once she reaches it that someone could just grab her from inside. If there was a thing she was spectacularly abysmal at it was breaking free from grappling moves—for her getting jumped on and turning the fight around wasn't an option. The room appears clear though: More pods, another terminal far in the back and a single alternative entrance blocked.
Not one to let go of her caution easily, Robin indicates the terminal to Arthur with her head, communicating her intent to approach, then acts on it. Either this one could do something about the door in the end of the hallway or they might be in trouble. She watches the staircase out of the corner of her eye while bringing the computer to life with a keypress.
Arthur nods in acknowledgment of her approaching the terminal, then heads over to the gap between two of the pods, where he sees a skeleton slumped beneath three bullet holes in the metal above them.
Then he sees the pistol in the skeleton's hand.
A conflict, not an accident or murder.
He picks up the pistol confidently but carefully, checking the number of bullets remaining in the magazine to see how many were fired, out of curiousity, for the attacker was likely long dead.
10 of the 12 remain.
At least they managed to fight back.
Putting the pistol's safety on, he places it on a table along with it's spare magazines, before retrieving the corpse's pip boy.
"Looks like something for your area of expertise." He says to Grey, gesturing to the skeleton and the bullet holes. "Although I fear we may be a little late, whoever he had a bone to pick with is likely just those now. Anyway, our skeletal friend here wasn't completely innocent, two rounds were missing from the magazine of the gun he was holding."
Addressing the entire room now, he holds up the pip-boy and says, particularly directed at Robin "I feel this maybe useful."
-
Robin
Robin approaches the room warily, keeping to the wall so she can't be seen from the inside but not that close to the door once she reaches it that someone could just grab her from inside. If there was a thing she was spectacularly abysmal at it was breaking free from grappling moves—for her getting jumped on and turning the fight around wasn't an option. The room appears clear though: More pods, another terminal far in the back and a single alternative entrance blocked.
Not one to let go of her caution easily, Robin indicates the terminal to Arthur with her head, communicating her intent to approach, then acts on it. Either this one could do something about the door in the end of the hallway or they might be in trouble. She watches the staircase out of the corner of her eye while bringing the computer to life with a keypress.
The terminal's menus are pretty much identical to the one in the previous room. The only difference is that the technical logs - the ones that aren't corrupted, at least - and the pod status menus don't say anything nearly as reassuring about overrides.
Every single person in a pod in this room is dead.
-
At Grey's gesture, Faust walks towards the room. He isn't trying to weirdly sneak like others, but the sound of his footsteps is just casually minimal.
He's keeping an eye on the other doors, just in case, and when he enters the pod room, he just casually glances around.
Ah, a coffee mug. The drug of the working class. Vaguely curious, he approaches it to have a look inside. It... evaporated. Not surprising, but he wonders whether its age is 60 or 200. Hmm... According to strange uncanny purple growth in it... Yeah, no clue.
Oho. Arthur has a nice-looking gun in his hands. Too bad for the dead guy, though... Or gal. Skeleton, not a mummy, right? Skeletons happen when something eats you. Or something.
Once again he wonders if it's 60 or 200 years old. He'd really like to piece together a timeline, but he has no clue about whatever science would determine it.
Forensics? Phorensics...?
In either case, he casually motions to Charlie and Robin to not look its way.
-
Robin
More logs, all the same. Not a single person woke up in this room. Robin turns to report it to the others and notices Faust.
"Oh, you found a body. Good," she lets out with the first tinge of emotion in her voice since first reading the logs—and that's not fear. It's been so long it's hard to see a person in the bones. She's curious. Were they a scientist? One of the people from sixty years ago?
"You know what just occurred me? The other terminal was left open on the pods occupants list. One more thing hinting at someone from outside targeting the people missing instead of they somehow waking up and leaving by themselves."
Robin walks over to them, cocking her head to the side. None of the useless decomposition trivia she knows covers fabrics. Even her corpses knowledge doesn't help much, she knows no timeframes off the top of her head that would help in dating it. At least she could tell no scavengers had access to this part of the Vault; bones would be scattered all over the place otherwise.
Addressing the entire room now, he holds up the pip-boy and says, particularly directed at Robin "I feel this maybe useful."
She takes the gadget from his hands and starts to thinker with it without sliding it over her wrist. She doesn't want them getting the wrong idea. "Memory is blank.
"Can I borrow it for a moment to copy down the information from the other terminal? That... I don't want to forget it. It might be useful to know later."
-
Charlie enters the room when Nine gestures her and Faust inside.
All the cryo pods in here are closed. But that doesn´t have to mean something, does it? She walks over to them and looks into the first one. Hm, nope, the person inside seems positively frozen. No movement or breathing whatsoever. She still taps the glass a few times. But unsurprisingly, they show no new movement. She looks at the pod itself. Nothing looks different to the way the closed ones in their room looked either as far as she sees. So there´s probably no saving these people as well for now, dammit.
Charlie looks to Faust who is inspecting some dirty coffee-mugs. She nods towards them.
"Seems like the staff here left in a rush, doesn´t it? I wonder why..."
Now curious, she walks over to a console with some scientific equipment on it, checking whether there´s something useful among it. Or something that would indicate anything about whoever worked here.
Addressing the entire room now, he holds up the pip-boy and says, particularly directed at Robin "I feel this maybe useful."
Look at that, ...was his name Arthur? found a gun and a pip-boy. Also a skeleton. Oh dear. In combination with the mess that was left behind at the coffee-table, bad signs are piling up.
She looks around nervously. Even though she´s aware that for a person to be a skeleton they have to be dead for a good while, just the fact that someone died here and not because of being inside a pod makes her a bit jumpy.
She goes back to searching through the console, careful not to touch anything that may still work and turn on.
-
Nine
His area of interest? Indeed, he had seen a good amount of bodies and bullet holes... But not many skeletons, unless in abandoned areas or buildings. He couldn't tell anything just by looking at the bones. The pistol is a 10mm combat one, standard issue sidearm, with no visible modifications or extras. It packs a punch, particularly on unarmoured targets, and is reliable. Not much to say besides that, could be military or civilian.
Just one body and five shots fired, as far as they could see. It wasn't exactly a battle. More like a confrontation, probably between just two persons. Nine doesn't see any useful information on all that, and turns to the others. It seems there's nothing of special interest, besides those people in the pods being, allegedly, dead.
Well, at least they now have a weapon and a pip. And they know there's no exit this way. Nine walks around the room, looking carefully. He sees the glint of metal behind one pod and crouches to check what it is. A crowbar! Nine raises it to eye level, feeling the cold and solid metal on his hand. A nice piece! There's a good, primitive feeling on having something to defend himself, even if it's not a firearm. He approaches the others, showing the crowbar. "Hey, look what I found. Jay, if you really want to open something this may be a solution."
Then Robin speaks. She wants to go back to the other room with the pip. Makes sense. "All right, but I go with you. I don't want anyone walking alone." Nine looks at the others. "You could look around while we go there. If I found this you may found something else." Opening the door he checks the corridor, that remains empty, and waits for her.
-
Now curious, she walks over to a console with some scientific equipment on it, checking whether there´s something useful among it. Or something that would indicate anything about whoever worked here.
Look at that, ...was his name Arthur? found a gun and a pip-boy. Also a skeleton. Oh dear. In combination with the mess that was left behind at the coffee-table, bad signs are piling up.
She looks around nervously. Even though she´s aware that for a person to be a skeleton they have to be dead for a good while, just the fact that someone died here and not because of being inside a pod makes her a bit jumpy.
She goes back to searching through the console, careful not to touch anything that may still work and turn on.
Faust decides he will stand between her and the skeleton. It is making her unsurprisingly uneasy. He gives her a light tap on the shoulder, just a small grounding gesture. Before unease turns into panic. Which he doubts would happen, since she immediately went to distract herself with a console, but still. "Don't worry. We'll get out of here soon."
Nine
His area of interest? Indeed, he had seen a good amount of bodies and bullet holes... But not many skeletons, unless in abandoned areas or buildings. He couldn't tell anything just by looking at the bones. The pistol is a 10mm combat one, standard issue sidearm, with no visible modifications or extras. It packs a punch, particularly on unarmoured targets, and is reliable. Not much to say besides that, could be military or civilian.
Just one body and five shots fired, as far as they could see. It wasn't exactly a battle. More like a confrontation, probably between just two persons. Nine doesn't see any useful information on all that, and turns to the others. It seems there's nothing of special interest, besides those people in the pods being, allegedly, dead.
Well, at least they now have a weapon and a pip. And they know there's no exit this way. Nine walks around the room, looking carefully. He sees the glint of metal behind one pod and crouches to check what it is. A crowbar! Nine raises it to eye level, feeling the cold and solid metal on his hand. A nice piece! There's a good, primitive feeling on having something to defend himself, even if it's not a firearm. He approaches the others, showing the crowbar. "Hey, look what I found. Jay, if you really want to open something this may be a solution."
Then Robin speaks. She wants to go back to the other room with the pip. Makes sense. "All right, but I go with you. I don't want anyone walking alone." Nine looks at the others. "You could look around while we go there. If I found this you may found something else." Opening the door he checks the corridor, that remains empty, and waits for her.
"Oho, that's a nice crowbar!" Crowbars are great <3
He wonders which of them will take the gun. He can use it, but he can think of several reasons why he shouldn't be the one to have it, and won't ask for it. Three reasons, to be exact. Robin and Arthur have minimal trust for him, Grey is suspicious of him, and Jay... doesn't seem to care, but still. Reasonably speaking, he hopes either Grey or Arthur decide to take it.
-
Faust decides he will stand between her and the skeleton. It is making her unsurprisingly uneasy. He gives her a light tap on the shoulder, just a small grounding gesture. Before unease turns into panic. Which he doubts would happen, since she immediately went to distract herself with a console, but still. "Don't worry. We'll get out of here soon."
"Oho, that's a nice crowbar!" Crowbars are great <3
He wonders which of them will take the gun. He can use it, but he can think of several reasons why he shouldn't be the one to have it, and won't ask for it. Three reasons, to be exact. Robin and Arthur have minimal trust for him, Grey is suspicious of him, and Jay... doesn't seem to care, but still. Reasonably speaking, he hopes either Grey or Arthur decide to take it.
As "Faust" ponders, Arthur is already stowing the magazines about his person. Replacing the pistol's magazine with one of the full ones, He then checks the safety is on, and takes the pistol in his left hand.
-
Robin
Robin looks up from the pip-boy to see Nine holding a crowbar. Where he got that? She shoots a puzzled glance at the body and back at him.
Then Robin speaks. She wants to go back to the other room with the pip. Makes sense. "All right, but I go with you. I don't want anyone walking alone." Nine looks at the others. "You could look around while we go there. If I found this you may found something else." Opening the door he checks the corridor, that remains empty, and waits for her.
She follows him without arguing despite not quite seeing the point. It was hard to fault him for his caution, though. Once they're in the hallway she shuffles her weight to her left leg and whispers, "Wait." She shakes the other foot and twists herself to reach it, fishing something from inside the leg of her suit. Her dog tags. It takes her a moment to remember. She had had the nagging suspicion the staff would not return their stuff for long time when they were made to change into suits and took her brand-new tags from her wallet, together with a couple of dried flowers native from her province to keep them safe from whatever storage procedures they'd use, folding them into the hem of her shirt under the suit. The tags, being heavy enough, slid down once she started to move. The flowers... she'd find out once they got the chance to change out of this horrid suit. Hers, being sized to fully-grown adults, hung shapeless and stiff in some points, not following all her movements.
She undid the collar and unzipped the suit a bit, sliding the tags over her head. Nodding to Nine, she resumed the walk, navigating to the Journal menu of the pip-boy and copying what they could read from the logs and pod status list once she had the chance.
-
Faust decides he will stand between her and the skeleton. It is making her unsurprisingly uneasy. He gives her a light tap on the shoulder, just a small grounding gesture. Before unease turns into panic. Which he doubts would happen, since she immediately went to distract herself with a console, but still. "Don't worry. We'll get out of here soon."
"That´s... not it." Well, it kind of is. After all, who or whatever killed that person is most likely dead or gone by now. Getting nervous is irrational... probably...
Charlie shakes her head and smiles at Faust. "Whatever. Thanks."
She shoots the console an annoyed glare. "Nothing besides this science-stuff here anyways. Moving on sounds good."
Nine
His area of interest? Indeed, he had seen a good amount of bodies and bullet holes... But not many skeletons, unless in abandoned areas or buildings. He couldn't tell anything just by looking at the bones. The pistol is a 10mm combat one, standard issue sidearm, with no visible modifications or extras. It packs a punch, particularly on unarmoured targets, and is reliable. Not much to say besides that, could be military or civilian.
Just one body and five shots fired, as far as they could see. It wasn't exactly a battle. More like a confrontation, probably between just two persons. Nine doesn't see any useful information on all that, and turns to the others. It seems there's nothing of special interest, besides those people in the pods being, allegedly, dead.
Well, at least they now have a weapon and a pip. And they know there's no exit this way. Nine walks around the room, looking carefully. He sees the glint of metal behind one pod and crouches to check what it is. A crowbar! Nine raises it to eye level, feeling the cold and solid metal on his hand. A nice piece! There's a good, primitive feeling on having something to defend himself, even if it's not a firearm. He approaches the others, showing the crowbar. "Hey, look what I found. Jay, if you really want to open something this may be a solution."
Then Robin speaks. She wants to go back to the other room with the pip. Makes sense. "All right, but I go with you. I don't want anyone walking alone." Nine looks at the others. "You could look around while we go there. If I found this you may found something else." Opening the door he checks the corridor, that remains empty, and waits for her.
The crowbar reminds her. She adresses everyone who stayed in the room.
"In the hallway where we came from were some tools on the ground. Maybe some of them are useful. If we can´t find something here anymore, we should go look."
-
Robin
Despite not having much experience with computers as small as pip-boys it doesn't take Robin long to transcribe the information. The device isn't harder to use, just uncomfortably small. She glances towards her mother's pod one last time, Nine's presence keeping her from approaching it. She suspects a few of them feel ambivalent towards letting someone young take risks. Her vulnerability is not a notion she wants to reinforce in them.
"Done," she informs him and scurries back into the hallway, still holding the pip-boy awkwardly in her hands instead of wearing it. She nods to the others as she gets closer to the group and peers down the passage. "Same configuration from before?"
-
Kid is doing better, mission complete.
As "Faust" ponders, Arthur is already stowing the magazines about his person. Replacing the pistol's magazine with one of the full ones, He then checks the safety is on, and takes the pistol in his right hand.
Nice. He seems to be able to handle the weapon properly. He has no complaints about this.
Faust checks the room one last time while Robin and Grey are away. Nothing, really.
It's time to move on...
The crowbar reminds her. She adresses everyone who stayed in the room.
"In the hallway where we came from were some tools on the ground. Maybe some of them are useful. If we can´t find something here anymore, we should go look."
Robin
"Done," she informs him and scurries back into the hallway, still holding the pip-boy awkwardly in her hands instead of wearing it. She nods to the others as she gets closer to the group and peers down the passage. "Same configuration from before?"
"Sounds good. Charlie, we can check for those tools on the way..." he says.
-
Nine
Good, he thinks. They are ready to move ahead. Nine heard Charlie and Faust talking about the tools scattered around. Seems a good idea to take a look. Then he makes a gesture for Robin to wait, and cautiously approaches the opening on the right side of the hallway, with the crowbar ready on his left hand. He peeks at the opening. There are a few steps, and what seems to be another corridor. He sees more damage here, and flashes of light, but there's no evident danger.
Nine gives a thumb up, and points the door at the end of the hallway for Robin to check. He always had good visual memory and orientation, and, while recent events still felt blurred, he recalls going straight from the entrance to the pod's room where they woke up. If he's right they may be just a few steps away from the exit.
While waiting it occurs to him that "recent" would hardly be the right term for 200 years old events... He had been through many unexpected troubles before, but this one really takes the prize.
-
Robin
Despite not having much experience with computers as small as pip-boys it doesn't take Robin long to transcribe the information. The device isn't harder to use, just uncomfortably small. She glances towards her mother's pod one last time, Nine's presence keeping her from approaching it. She suspects a few of them feel ambivalent towards letting someone young take risks. Her vulnerability is not a notion she wants to reinforce in them.
"Done," she informs him and scurries back into the hallway, still holding the pip-boy awkwardly in her hands instead of wearing it. She nods to the others as she gets closer to the group and peers down the passage. "Same configuration from before?"
"Yes." replies Arthur curtly, following her out into the hallway, pistol down but ready, eyes scanning the path ahead.
-
Robin
Robin nods and checks the door like Nine requested. The thing is thick, no hinges she can see, more a hatch-like barrier than a door. She inspects the ground more closely, nodding to herself this time. Yeah, up and down. Not easy to force. Noticing Charlie's interest in the tools, she finally slides the pip-boy on her wrist and picks a wrench—nothing too good or heavy, the smaller one—, moving down the passage and into the next hallway once the others are ready to proceed.
Another unremarkable passage so far. Robin peeks through windows to the left but it's impossible to see past the intense light. The room is large and seems to contain at least one running generator with maybe nothing in front of it. She quickly averts her eyes to avoid getting temporarily blinded.
Generator Room (PER) (https://orokos.com/roll/895855): 1d10+6 10
The bend is close enough to the door to the right she looks around the corner, taking in the rest of what turns out to not be an unremarkable corridor at all. She looks to Arthur and creeps up to the door of the room next, cautiously pushing in, looking for both danger or something unusual.
Security Room (PER) (https://orokos.com/roll/895552): 1d10+6 11
-
Back in the hallway, Charlie kneels down and starts rumaging through the tools, scattered around a toolbox. Other than the wrench that Robin picked there´s two bigger ones, a hammer, a screwdriver and a ladder. Since they´re so close to the big door probably someone tried to open it with them. But alas, they didn´t succeed, the door is still blocked.
She picks some up to check for their condition. Hm, pretty good, considering they´ve been lying around here for decades at least. This place must have maintained a pretty good isolation from water, otherwise the metal tools would have rusted a lot more.
Charlie ponders what to take. Except for the ladder (which is just slightly too big to carry around), all of this stuff seems like a good thing to have. For self-defense and maybe possibly their actual purpose. She looks to Faust.
"Any preferences in starter-weapons? I´m leaning towards this wrench here..."
She holds up the second-biggest one.
"We should also definitly bring the screwdriver, with enough force you can open almost everything with this. Or stab."
-
Back in the hallway, Charlie kneels down and starts rumaging through the tools, scattered around a toolbox. Other than the wrench that Robin picked there´s two bigger ones, a hammer, a screwdriver and a ladder. Since they´re so close to the big door probably someone tried to open it with them. But alas, they didn´t succeed, the door is still blocked.
She picks some up to check for their condition. Hm, pretty good, considering they´ve been lying around here for decades at least. This place must have maintained a pretty good isolation from water, otherwise the metal tools would have rusted a lot more.
Charlie ponders what to take. Except for the ladder (which is just slightly too big to carry around), all of this stuff seems like a good thing to have. For self-defense and maybe possibly their actual purpose. She looks to Faust.
"Any preferences in starter-weapons? I´m leaning towards this wrench here..."
She holds up the second-biggest one.
"We should also definitly bring the screwdriver, with enough force you can open almost everything with this. Or stab."
"Oh yeah, screwdrivers are good shivs. And wrenches are generally more useful than hammers, I think? I doubt anyone nailed anything down for us to need the hammer to take the nails out... This place looks far too fancy" he says. "Wrenches for both?" he suggests. "Let's take all three, I suppose..."
-
Nine
Nine watches as Robin checks the door at the end of the hallway. She gestures, making clear that it's locked. He can see by the look on her face that opening that will be hard. Damn! So close! He observes as she grabs a wrench from a few tools scattered on the floor, soon followed by the others. Sure, they may be useful as tools or weapons, just like his crowbar.
Robin and Arthur pass by him and turn to the right on the new corridor after the stairs. He gives them a second and follows. Nine can see many bullet holes. The corridor saw a fight, and the damage is evident. He notices another flash of light. it comes from some windows on the left wall. He tries to peek at one of them, just to be briefly blinded by another bolt.
After a few seconds he can see again. There are two big generators inside a large room, and they seem damaged too, considering the constant dance of electric charges around them. Occasionally a more intense bolt connects the machines with the walls or the ground. Dangerous place, Nine thinks, remembering a mission, many years ago, when he had to move his team through an old factory with one rogue generator like these, but smaller. An overenthusiastic newbie decided that he would be faster then the lightning, and ended up as toast. They had to fund another way, through an underground tunnel, to reach the other side. If one generator was bad he didn't want to find out how it is with those two monsters. Hopefully they won't have to cross that room.
Generator room (through window) (PER) 1d10+6: 11 [1d10=5]
Nine turns his attention to the hallway. It bends to the left, and there's a door on the right. At the end several body bags are piled. He doesn't like that, brings up too many bad memories. Robin and Arthur already looked beyond the bend, returned and entered the door. Nine checks if the others are following him and moves closer to the door. It has a sign with "Security Room" over it. Looks promising, he thinks. maybe they will find some answers here.
He enters the room.
Security room (PER) 1d10+6: 16 [1d10=10]
-
Robin
At first glance the security room seems empty of living or dead people, but it's far from being empty of useful things. Robin's eyes lock onto the two stimpacks on a desk. She makes a beeline, letting go of the wrench for a moment to take them. A cursory look around reveals a shoulder bag in the corner. She retrieves it too and turns, waiting for everyone enter in the room.
"This is a stimpack," she holds it high so they can all see it. "It treats... pretty much everything. Broken arm? Done. Punctured lungs? Easy. Just stick it into the affected area and it'll administer itself. Understood?" She stuffs it into the bag and drops it on the desk. "I think Jay or Charlie or Nine should keep it for now. It's too valuable to be with the ones scouting. It must remain with people staying farther from danger."
"But listen carefully, they should only be used for critical injuries. Anything else you come to me. I'm trained to administer aid in the field."
She lets the information hang in the air for a moment, giving them a moment to ask questions if they may and looking over her shoulder to something that briefly caught her attention when first entering the room. There's something on the wall just to the side of a terminal: A map of the Vault.
-
Nine
The room isn't big. He sees Robin and Arthur close to the opposite wall, looking at what seems to be a layout of the place. Good! Nine proceeds to check the rest. There are some lockers, and one is down on the floor. He turns it around and a large smile comes to his face. "Jackpot!"
He retrieves a 10mm pistol, a box of bullets, a baton and... Oh, a bulletproof vest! Excellent! Nine brings them to the table at the middle of the room. "We got ourselves one more firearm." He says, while he verifies the slide mechanism. Working fine, and the magazine is full. Again he wonders how long these things have been abandoned. He looks for pockets, and finds none. "Who makes those stupid suits without pockets?"
Nine puts the box of bullets, the baton and the crowbar next to the shoulder bag that Robin found. It's good to have the stimpaks. It always surprised him how those things would save a person from deadly wounds. He takes the protective vest and inspects it. He wouldn't mind the extra protection, but it's time to think on the team. Nine shows the piece to the others. "I don't know what you guys think, but I believe the person that takes the lead should use this." He looks at Robin. "Unless you think that it hinders your movements, then Arthur should use it."
"I would keep the gun, because I have more experience and Robin should have her hands free." Then it strikes him that he's again playing the commander role. Not easy to do otherwise after being one for years, particularly in a challenging situation. He tries to soften things a bit. "Again, anyone feel free to argue. I'm not your commander." While waiting for an answer Nine takes the crowbar. He liked the feel of the steel, but now he have the gun, and should keep one hand free. Remembering the way Faust look at the crowbar before he handles it to him. "I guess you would like to try this."
-
Robin
Robin turns toward Nine and studies the vest without taking her hands from the map, which she had started to peel off the wall. "It's a bit too big for me. I'm not sure if it'll hinder my movements, but I was counting on not being noticed by hostiles and dodging the ones who do notice me, letting the people with guns deal with them. I was only trained to handle rifles."
She places the map next to their other finds so they can examine it closely. "Uh... Good news: The Pip-boy is mapping our way as we go." She frowns. "Bad news: We'll have to pass through the generator room."
-
Nine
He hears Robin telling they would need to pass the generator room. "I don't think that's a good idea. Those generators are discharging at random at walls and ground. If one of these hits... I don't know if the stimpack will be enough. Also, I think I saw something between the generators. I'm not sure what it was, it didn't seem to move, but... I have a bad feeling about this."
Nine points at the map. "Maybe we should first check the other rooms." He raises the gun. "This looks in good shape. Maybe the place was occupied until a few years ago, and we could find some food and water."
-
As the group walks onward, there is a few body bags at the end of the hallway.
Hmmmm...
Some timeline would be nice. The man (? Or a woman. He's not judging.) back in the other pod room was a skeleton, and he died in what he assumed was a shootout. There are lots of bullet holes around... Perhaps it was a cleanup of the entire site? If so, why?
Was the goal, perhaps, to get everybody on ice, and then dispose of the people who did it? That means the cleanup happened 200 years ago, and it begs the question - why? If it was higher-ups getting rid of the people who knew too much, they would surely take the bodies out. If it was someone else, out to stop them or deal with them, why did they leave people in the pods? Perhaps they killed everyone who could open them...
Alternatively, if the shootout happened only 60 years ago... why did they leave the six of them locked up. Very rude.
He waves at Charlie to keep her distance as he approaches the body bags. He gives one a very careful poke. Not soup, solid. Bones.
With his arm in front of his face as an extra bit of precaution, he carefully unzips a few centimeters of the bag. Skull. It still smells, though. Decomposition in a small, closed bag was bound to, but it's not bad enough to make him puke.
He respectfully closes the bag. Dead should rest in peace and not stink up the hallway.
All he got from this is that they died at about the same time. He still has no clue if bodies can turn to skeletons within 60 years... Eh.
Nine
The room isn't big. He sees Robin and Arthur close to the opposite wall, looking at what seems to be a layout of the place. Good! Nine proceeds to check the rest. There are some lockers, and one is down on the floor. He turns it around and a large smile comes to his face. "Jackpot!"
He retrieves a 10mm pistol, a box of bullets, a baton and... Oh, a bulletproof vest! Excellent! Nine brings them to the table at the middle of the room. "We got ourselves one more firearm." He says, while he verifies the slide mechanism. Working fine, and the magazine is full. Again he wonders how long these things have been abandoned. He looks for pockets, and finds none. "Who makes those stupid suits without pockets?"
Nine puts the box of bullets, the baton and the crowbar next to the shoulder bag that Robin found. It's good to have the stimpaks. It always surprised him how those things would save a person from deadly wounds. He takes the protective vest and inspects it. He wouldn't mind the extra protection, but it's time to think on the team. Nine shows the piece to the others. "I don't know what you guys think, but I believe the person that takes the lead should use this." He looks at Robin. "Unless you think that it hinders your movements, then Arthur should use it."
"I would keep the gun, because I have more experience and Robin should have her hands free." Then it strikes him that he's again playing the commander role. Not easy to do otherwise after being one for years, particularly in a challenging situation. He tries to soften things a bit. "Again, anyone feel free to argue. I'm not your commander." While waiting for an answer Nine takes the crowbar. He liked the feel of the steel, but now he have the gun, and should keep one hand free. Remembering the way Faust look at the crowbar before he handles it to him. "I guess you would like to try this."
Faust turns to Grey while he talks.
"I agree, give the kid the magic healing thing" he says. "And take the gun, too."
He accepts the crowbar with a smile. "Thanks. I guess it runs in the family... I won't be much use with it, though." It is a nice, reassuring feeling though.
Robin
Robin turns toward Nine and studies the vest without taking her hands from the map, which she had started to peel off the wall. "It's a bit too big for me. I'm not sure if it'll hinder my movements, but I was counting on not being noticed by hostiles and dodging the ones who do notice me, letting the people with guns deal with them. I was only trained to handle rifles."
"Arthur should have the vest, then?" he suggests. "He is with you in the front."
She places the map next to their other finds so they can examine it closely. "Uh... Good news: The Pip-boy is mapping our way as we go." She frowns. "Bad news: We'll have to pass through the generator room."
"Well, duck."
-
"Oh yeah, screwdrivers are good shivs. And wrenches are generally more useful than hammers, I think? I doubt anyone nailed anything down for us to need the hammer to take the nails out... This place looks far too fancy" he says. "Wrenches for both?" he suggests. "Let's take all three, I suppose..."
Charlie nods and hands him the last wrench. She turns to the others.
"In case anyone wants it, here is a hammer. If not, I´ll just leave it here."
With that she follows into the new hallway.
He waves at Charlie to keep her distance as he approaches the body bags. He gives one a very careful poke. Not soup, solid. Bones.
With his arm in front of his face as an extra bit of precaution, he carefully unzips a few centimeters of the bag. Skull. It still smells, though. Decomposition in a small, closed bag was bound to, but it's not bad enough to make him puke.
He respectfully closes the bag. Dead should rest in peace and not stink up the hallway.
All he got from this is that they died at about the same time. He still has no clue if bodies can turn to skeletons within 60 years... Eh.
Creepy hallway. Bulletholes in the walls and body-bags at the end. What the heck happened here? Faust signals her to stay behind, which she has no problem with. She has absolutely no desire to look into one of the bags. Instead she focusses on the screwdriver still in her hand. Hm. It´s kinda unhandy to just hold it, and the weird suit she´s wearing has no pockets...
Unceremoniously she gathers her hair, pulls it up into a bun and fixates it with the tool. Perfect, now two problems are solved in one. No hair in her face, and a free hand.
Faust seems to be done examining the dead people, without finding something significant. She takes that as her cue to enter the room the others went into.
Nine
Nine puts the box of bullets, the baton and the crowbar next to the shoulder bag that Robin found. It's good to have the stimpaks. It always surprised him how those things would save a person from deadly wounds. He takes the protective vest and inspects it. He wouldn't mind the extra protection, but it's time to think on the team. Nine shows the piece to the others. "I don't know what you guys think, but I believe the person that takes the lead should use this." He looks at Robin. "Unless you think that it hinders your movements, then Arthur should use it."
"I would keep the gun, because I have more experience and Robin should have her hands free." Then it strikes him that he's again playing the commander role. Not easy to do otherwise after being one for years, particularly in a challenging situation. He tries to soften things a bit. "Again, anyone feel free to argue. I'm not your commander." While waiting for an answer Nine takes the crowbar. He liked the feel of the steel, but now he have the gun, and should keep one hand free. Remembering the way Faust look at the crowbar before he handles it to him. "I guess you would like to try this."
"Sounds good to me. I´ve never shot a gun and don´t really intend on changing that, so good when people who know how to use them properly have them. If anything comes my way, I´ll hit it with this."
She holds up her wrench again.
Nine
He hears Robin telling they would need to pass the generator room. "I don't think that's a good idea. Those generators are discharging at random at walls and ground. If one of these hits... I don't know if the stimpack will be enough. Also, I think I saw something between the generators. I'm not sure what it was, it didn't seem to move, but... I have a bad feeling about this."
Nine points at the map. "Maybe we should first check the other rooms." He raises the gun. "This looks in good shape. Maybe the place was occupied until a few years ago, and we could find some food and water."
"Yeah, we should."
While looking around in the room, Charlie starts wondering whether the vault-people kept any of their personal stuff. Even if, a lot of it would probably have decomposed, especially clothing. But maybe there was a small chance that some things survived. It wasn´t like Charlie brought anything particularly useful or valuable to this place, but it´s still her things. If the opportunity was given, she would like to have them back.
Oh, another terminal. She walks over.
"Has someone checked this already?"
She turns it on.
-
Nine
His area of interest? Indeed, he had seen a good amount of bodies and bullet holes... But not many skeletons, unless in abandoned areas or buildings. He couldn't tell anything just by looking at the bones. The pistol is a 10mm combat one, standard issue sidearm, with no visible modifications or extras. It packs a punch, particularly on unarmoured targets, and is reliable. Not much to say besides that, could be military or civilian.
Just one body and five shots fired, as far as they could see. It wasn't exactly a battle. More like a confrontation, probably between just two persons. Nine doesn't see any useful information on all that, and turns to the others. It seems there's nothing of special interest, besides those people in the pods being, allegedly, dead.
Well, at least they now have a weapon and a pip. And they know there's no exit this way. Nine walks around the room, looking carefully. He sees the glint of metal behind one pod and crouches to check what it is. A crowbar! Nine raises it to eye level, feeling the cold and solid metal on his hand. A nice piece! There's a good, primitive feeling on having something to defend himself, even if it's not a firearm. He approaches the others, showing the crowbar. "Hey, look what I found. Jay, if you really want to open something this may be a solution."
Then Robin speaks. She wants to go back to the other room with the pip. Makes sense. "All right, but I go with you. I don't want anyone walking alone." Nine looks at the others. "You could look around while we go there. If I found this you may found something else." Opening the door he checks the corridor, that remains empty, and waits for her.
"I do like a good crowbar when the mood strikes me." Jay looks around the room himself.
Charlie nods and hands him the last wrench. She turns to the others.
"In case anyone wants it, here is a hammer. If not, I´ll just leave it here."
With that she follows into the new hallway.
Creepy hallway. Bulletholes in the walls and body-bags at the end. What the heck happened here? Faust signals her to stay behind, which she has no problem with. She has absolutely no desire to look into one of the bags. Instead she focusses on the screwdriver still in her hand. Hm. It´s kinda unhandy to just hold it, and the weird suit she´s wearing has no pockets...
Unceremoniously she gathers her hair, pulls it up into a bun and fixates it with the tool. Perfect, now two problems are solved in one. No hair in her face, and a free hand.
Faust seems to be done examining the dead people, without finding something significant. She takes that as her cue to enter the room the others went into.
"Sounds good to me. I´ve never shot a gun and don´t really intend on changing that, so good when people who know how to use them properly have them. If anything comes my way, I´ll hit it with this."
She holds up her wrench again.
"Yeah, we should."
While looking around in the room, Charlie starts wondering whether the vault-people kept any of their personal stuff. Even if, a lot of it would probably have decomposed, especially clothing. But maybe there was a small chance that some things survived. It wasn´t like Charlie brought anything particularly useful or valuable to this place, but it´s still her things. If the opportunity was given, she would like to have them back.
Oh, another terminal. She walks over.
"Has someone checked this already?"
She turns it on.
"I'll take the hammer." Better than nothing. Jay sticks it into his belt, then watches as they spread out to scout. He's been hanging back and staying quiet, trying to get a handle on the situation. At least there hasn't been any personal drama yet.
Jay follows the others into the new room, checking the mechanisms on the door and looking into the bags. Dead people. Bummer.
-
Robin
"Arthur should have the vest, then?" he suggests. "He is with you in the front."
Robin nods.
Nine
He hears Robin telling they would need to pass the generator room. "I don't think that's a good idea. Those generators are discharging at random at walls and ground. If one of these hits... I don't know if the stimpack will be enough. Also, I think I saw something between the generators. I'm not sure what it was, it didn't seem to move, but... I have a bad feeling about this."
Nine points at the map. "Maybe we should first check the other rooms." He raises the gun. "This looks in good shape. Maybe the place was occupied until a few years ago, and we could find some food and water."
"You saw what?" She takes a few steps towards the door, straining to look into the windows. It's wasted effort for she saw nothing when standing right in front of them—spotting something from this distance would be a feat. "I agree we should search the other rooms first but I can't see how leave this place without going through the other room."
Robin hesitates for a moment and mumbles more to herself than the others, "Well, it wasn't moving. Should be safe to ignore for a moment. But someone should keep watch." She really doesn't like the idea of having something unidentified prowling in a nearby room, but she dislikes the idea of entering the said room full of twisting bolts of uncontrolled energy even more. Returning to the desk, she stuffs the ammunition box inside the bag, followed by the map once she's sure no one else wants to take a look. Nine took the gun, Charlie didn't seem interested in the bag nor did Jay. Robin tracks them with her eyes.
"Has someone checked this already?"
She turns it on.
"Not yet," she replies, noticing the screwdriver in her hair. She hadn't paid close attention to Charlie until now. She seemed fit, and using her hair as storage? That's clever! But she did scout the previous hallway first, if Robin remembered it right, and she didn't know how inclined Charlie felt to do it again. That left one person to carry the bag and its precious contents.
Robin bids her time, holding the shoulder bag quietly. The moment Jay walks past her she tries to pass the bag strap over his head.
-
"Hmm..." Faust takes a look at the map that Robin found. "Considering we have been through the majority of the compound so far, not including the kitchen, I think it's safe to say there is nothing with us right now." He gives a nod of agreement to Robin. "Someone with a gun should stand guard in front of the generator room, in case whatever Grey saw was dangerous. Or starts moving. And the only other point of entrance is closed for us." He taps the map. "If someone opens it... perhaps another person should stand guard there...? Or perhaps figure out a way to open it? Or, do you think it can only be opened from the overseer room...?"
-
While looking around in the room, Charlie starts wondering whether the vault-people kept any of their personal stuff. Even if, a lot of it would probably have decomposed, especially clothing. But maybe there was a small chance that some things survived. It wasn´t like Charlie brought anything particularly useful or valuable to this place, but it´s still her things. If the opportunity was given, she would like to have them back.
Oh, another terminal. She walks over.
"Has someone checked this already?"
She turns it on.
The terminal lights up, displaying the following.
Welcome to ROBCO Industries (TM) Termlink
Clearance: VAULT-TEC SECURITY
Log Off | Refresh | Go To >
[SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS]
[SECURITY LOGS]
[SECURITY STATUS]
[GENERATOR STATUS]
Alert: Security Protocols engaged for: Cryo Room 1.
Alert: Evacuation Protocol engaged. Please follow evacuation instructions.
Holotape inserted: ID: AUDIO LOG EXCAVATION
-
The terminal lights up, displaying the following.
Welcome to ROBCO Industries (TM) Termlink
Clearance: VAULT-TEC SECURITY
Log Off | Refresh | Go To >
[SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS]
[SECURITY LOGS]
[SECURITY STATUS]
[GENERATOR STATUS]
Alert: Security Protocols engaged for: Cryo Room 1.
Alert: Evacuation Protocol engaged. Please follow evacuation instructions.
Holotape inserted: ID: AUDIO LOG EXCAVATION
Charlie skimms the screen. Ok, the two alerts probably refer to the room they woke up in, nothing new there. All the other things could be interesting. But what catches her eyes the most is the last point on the menu. What would someone excavate here?
"Hey look, here´s an audio log! It says 'Excavation'."
When she´s sure the others are listening, she clicks on it.
-
Charlie skimms the screen. Ok, the two alerts probably refer to the room they woke up in, nothing new there. All the other things could be interesting. But what catches her eyes the most is the last point on the menu. What would someone excavate here?
"Hey look, here´s an audio log! It says 'Excavation'."
When she´s sure the others are listening, she clicks on it.
"Doctor Ryan here. Well, this is the second log. Managed to find an old terminal to use this time, rather than having to mess with Con's Pip-Boy. We've finally finished fixing up the main elevator and getting the bodies cleared in the main rooms. That, and curtailing the damn radroach infestation. Still, at least we won't be stuck in this wreck. Judging from the logs and some of the bodies we've found, looks like people decided to be idiots. We've collected most of the useful gear for the moment near the entrance, waiting for pickup and decon to deal with them since we don't want to risk an unknown disease hazard from any of them. Hard enough managing surface-dweller interaction as it is without risking some Vault-brewed nonsense adding in. But we'll be moving the remaining survivors out quickly enough, those we can reach at least. We'll have to bring in heavy equipment to dig out that staircase, but the Overseer's terminal says most of the pods in that buried room are still working and the people in them are still alive. Right now, though, we'll be opening up the priority cases and the family first - I don't think it's healthy to keep a baby in cryo for too long, and this John Doe's records...eh, not my department, I'm just here to make sure the reactors stay up. Programmed a generator control into this thing to make sure we can monitor and control them, since if they go haywire the consoles in the room are useless. Typical Vault-Tec design.
Wish we could have gotten here sooner, though. Judging from what uncorrupted records we've been able to dig up, most of the ones who died in the pods bit it in a power surge a few years ago. Well...we're here, now. That's what matters, right?"
An alarm noise begins to play over the tape.
"What the hell? Who -"
Gunfire began to sound on the tape, and the log cut off.
-
As the group walks onward, there is a few body bags at the end of the hallway.
Hmmmm...
Some timeline would be nice. The man (? Or a woman. He's not judging.) back in the other pod room was a skeleton, and he died in what he assumed was a shootout. There are lots of bullet holes around... Perhaps it was a cleanup of the entire site? If so, why?
Was the goal, perhaps, to get everybody on ice, and then dispose of the people who did it? That means the cleanup happened 200 years ago, and it begs the question - why? If it was higher-ups getting rid of the people who knew too much, they would surely take the bodies out. If it was someone else, out to stop them or deal with them, why did they leave people in the pods? Perhaps they killed everyone who could open them...
Alternatively, if the shootout happened only 60 years ago... why did they leave the six of them locked up. Very rude.
He waves at Charlie to keep her distance as he approaches the body bags. He gives one a very careful poke. Not soup, solid. Bones.
With his arm in front of his face as an extra bit of precaution, he carefully unzips a few centimeters of the bag. Skull. It still smells, though. Decomposition in a small, closed bag was bound to, but it's not bad enough to make him puke.
He respectfully closes the bag. Dead should rest in peace and not stink up the hallway.
All he got from this is that they died at about the same time. He still has no clue if bodies can turn to skeletons within 60 years... Eh.
Faust turns to Grey while he talks.
"I agree, give the kid the magic healing thing" he says. "And take the gun, too."
He accepts the crowbar with a smile. "Thanks. I guess it runs in the family... I won't be much use with it, though." It is a nice, reassuring feeling though.
"Arthur should have the vest, then?" he suggests. "He is with you in the front."
"Well, duck."
As "Faust" mentions Arthur taking the vest, Arthur already has it on, adjusting the straps. When it's on, he goes back to covering Robin.
-
"Doctor Ryan here. Well, this is the second log. Managed to find an old terminal to use this time, rather than having to mess with Con's Pip-Boy. We've finally finished fixing up the main elevator and getting the bodies cleared in the main rooms. That, and curtailing the damn radroach infestation. Still, at least we won't be stuck in this wreck. Judging from the logs and some of the bodies we've found, looks like people decided to be idiots. We've collected most of the useful gear for the moment near the entrance, waiting for pickup and decon to deal with them since we don't want to risk an unknown disease hazard from any of them. Hard enough managing surface-dweller interaction as it is without risking some Vault-brewed nonsense adding in. But we'll be moving the remaining survivors out quickly enough, those we can reach at least. We'll have to bring in heavy equipment to dig out that staircase, but the Overseer's terminal says most of the pods in that buried room are still working and the people in them are still alive. Right now, though, we'll be opening up the priority cases and the family first - I don't think it's healthy to keep a baby in cryo for too long, and this John Doe's records...eh, not my department, I'm just here to make sure the reactors stay up. Programmed a generator control into this thing to make sure we can monitor and control them, since if they go haywire the consoles in the room are useless. Typical Vault-Tec design.
Wish we could have gotten here sooner, though. Judging from what uncorrupted records we've been able to dig up, most of the ones who died in the pods bit it in a power surge a few years ago. Well...we're here, now. That's what matters, right?"
An alarm noise begins to play over the tape.
"What the hell? Who -"
Gunfire began to sound on the tape, and the log cut off.
Faust leans on the wall while the recording plays. He listens in silence, growing a case of bad mood.
Okay, so, they came for them. Neat.
Something killed them. Less neat.
There are more pods below that buried staircase. That is positively ducked.
He feels a twinge of anger, fury even, completely valid but not constructive. So he is just breathing, waiting for it to pass. Waiting for others in the group to make some observations, probably better than what he will with his very limited information.
'You'll get your memory back', they said. In his experience, a drunken blackout is a drunken blackout and that was that. He'll have to get them all to tell him all that happened in detail. Once they're out.
-
"Doctor Ryan here. Well, this is the second log. Managed to find an old terminal to use this time, rather than having to mess with Con's Pip-Boy. We've finally finished fixing up the main elevator and getting the bodies cleared in the main rooms. That, and curtailing the damn radroach infestation. Still, at least we won't be stuck in this wreck. Judging from the logs and some of the bodies we've found, looks like people decided to be idiots. We've collected most of the useful gear for the moment near the entrance, waiting for pickup and decon to deal with them since we don't want to risk an unknown disease hazard from any of them. Hard enough managing surface-dweller interaction as it is without risking some Vault-brewed nonsense adding in. But we'll be moving the remaining survivors out quickly enough, those we can reach at least. We'll have to bring in heavy equipment to dig out that staircase, but the Overseer's terminal says most of the pods in that buried room are still working and the people in them are still alive. Right now, though, we'll be opening up the priority cases and the family first - I don't think it's healthy to keep a baby in cryo for too long, and this John Doe's records...eh, not my department, I'm just here to make sure the reactors stay up. Programmed a generator control into this thing to make sure we can monitor and control them, since if they go haywire the consoles in the room are useless. Typical Vault-Tec design.
Wish we could have gotten here sooner, though. Judging from what uncorrupted records we've been able to dig up, most of the ones who died in the pods bit it in a power surge a few years ago. Well...we're here, now. That's what matters, right?"
An alarm noise begins to play over the tape.
"What the hell? Who -"
Gunfire began to sound on the tape, and the log cut off.
After the tape is over, Charlie needs a moment to find her voice again. This is bad news, very bad news.
But then again, there are no bodies here besides the ones in the body-bags, which were already mentioned on the tape, and she doubts an attacker would have properly cleaned up after themselves. Perhaps the people here got out alive. Or there were no bodies left to dispose of - NO. No. She isn´t in a Horror movie (though this tape sure sounds like it...), monsters still aren´t real. What would even be able to eat several people whole??? ...she shouldn´t have tried to imagine that.
Anyways. She plays the tape again, searching for anything positive this time..
"So... the good news is, there´s a way we can turn off these generators you mentioned."
Also the mission that tried to rescue them couldn´t do so because they were attacked by someone or something that is hopefully very dead by now, and there´s at least one more room with Cryo-pods no one can access and the people in there are left to die.
She tries a not very convincing smile, then she clicks on "security instructions".
-
"So... the good news is, there´s a way we can turn off these generators you mentioned."
Also the mission that tried to rescue them couldn´t do so because they were attacked by someone or something that is hopefully very dead by now, and there´s at least one more room with Cryo-pods no one can access and the people in there are left to die.
She tries a not very convincing smile, then she clicks on "security instructions".
"Wait, what do you mean by turning off? Aren't they powering the cryo-pods?" Faust asks.
-
After the tape is over, Charlie needs a moment to find her voice again. This is bad news, very bad news.
But then again, there are no bodies here besides the ones in the body-bags, which were already mentioned on the tape, and she doubts an attacker would have properly cleaned up after themselves. Perhaps the people here got out alive. Or there were no bodies left to dispose of - NO. No. She isn´t in a Horror movie (though this tape sure sounds like it...), monsters still aren´t real. What would even be able to eat several people whole??? ...she shouldn´t have tried to imagine that.
Anyways. She plays the tape again, searching for anything positive this time..
"So... the good news is, there´s a way we can turn off these generators you mentioned."
Also the mission that tried to rescue them couldn´t do so because they were attacked by someone or something that is hopefully very dead by now, and there´s at least one more room with Cryo-pods no one can access and the people in there are left to die.
She tries a not very convincing smile, then she clicks on "security instructions".
< Back | Refresh | N/A
CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL
SECURITY EYES ONLY | VIOLATION VTP-01011
Vault 111 is designed to test the long-term effects of suspended animation on unaware, human subjects. Security staff are responsible for maintaining installation integrity and monitoring science staff activity.
Under no circumstances are staff allowed to deviate from assigned duties. Insubordination or interference with vault operations are capital offenses. Security staff are authorized to use lethal force.
OPERATIONS PROTOCOL MANUAL
Resident Admittance
Upon Activation Notice from Vault-Tec, all personnel are required to report to the Entry Area and assist with admittance of Vault Residents. Security Personnel will maintain order and ensure that no personnel or residents attempt to evacuate the Vault.
Research staff will be responsible for resident intake and escort each to the designated cryogenic pod. Residents not accounted for in the manifest should be asked to step aside and detained forcefully by security if necessary.
Once all residents have been sealed into their preservation chambers dispose of any detainees. Vault entryway must remain sealed under any circumstances.
Staff Duties
Science Staff
Members of the research team must daily monitor the vital signs of cryogenically preserved residents. Cardiopulmonary and cognitive activity in particular must be recorded hourly.
Life-saving intervention is only permitted if greater than 80% of the resident population has perished while in cryogenic suspension, and must not interrupt suspension.
Independent research is encouraged, and left to Overseer discretion.
Security Personnel
Security patrols are to be carried out on a constant eight-hour rotation. Security priorities include:
- Monitoring for signs of intrusion
- Checking for atmosphere leaks
- Settling disputes among personnel
- Enforcement of regulations set forth by the Overseer
- Enforcement of regulations set forth by Vault-Tec
Facility Services & Maintenance
Due to the nature of Vault 111, personnel will be expected to perform duties outside of their normal qualifications, such as janitorial duties and food preparation.
The exact distribution of these roles is left to Overseer discretion.
All Clear & Evacuation
All-Clear Message
Following a nuclear event, Vault-Tec will monitor hazards such as radiation levels, enemy invasion, subsequent attacks, and other factors. Once conditions are deemed safe, this terminal will receive an all-clear notice.
Upon receiving the all-clear notice, Vault-Tec personnel may be evacuated at Overseer discretion. Disregard any notices from organizations or individuals not associated with Vault-Tec, including government and military. Residents are not to be disrupted or evacuated. Vault-Tec will attend to their needs remotely once Vault 111 staff has been evacuated.
Mandatory Shelter Period
Vault 111 is classified as a short-term assignment. Non-resident personnel are expected to carry out research duties and basic maintenance of the Vault while awaiting the All-Clear signal to evacuate.
In the absence of an All-Clear message from Vault-Tec, the Overseer may elect to evacuate staff after a mandatory shelter period of 180 days of containment. Under no circumstance may Vault 111 staff evacuate during this shelter period, unless receiving the All-Clear message from Vault-Tec.
-
Nine
Nine hears the tape. In the silence that follows he sits, grabs a pencil and a sheet of paper. He's about to ask Charlie to play it again when she does exactly that, making he smile briefly. As the log plays he takes some notes and tries to connect the information.
"Ok, that's a lot. Let me see if I got it right." Everybody looks at him, making it a bit uncomfortable. But somebody must do it. "These people called this place a wreck, fixed the elevator and collected the useful gear near it, at the entrance, waiting for pickup and, most relevant, decon. They talk as if there's a chance of some disease brewing here. So the entrance is, indeed, the place we want to reach, and let's be extra careful, just in case, particularly with bodies. I suggest no one tries to open body bags or touch bodies in any way, unless it's really necessary. Also, anyone understood what they meant by "surface-dweller interaction"?"
"They also cleared the bodies and..." He stops for a moment, flooded by the memory of dozens of body bags containing his comrades after they were ambushed. It wasn't even a combat mission, they were there just to train local troops... He notices that everybody is looking at him. "Sorry, bad memories... And they curtailed the radroach infestation. I suppose cockroaches did their best to deserve the fame of being so hard to kill. But how dangerous were those critters? Are some still around?"
"And what they meant by people acting like idiots? They started to fight each other? Anyway they decided to move survivors out, and some where at that buried room. Then this doctor Ryan tells they will open priorities first, including the baby and John Doe. Connecting it with the logs we saw before it means that this log is also 60 years old. And then... Then things went downhill very fast."
Nine raises from the chair. "Unless we find that overseers terminal we have no way to tell if those people in the buried room are still alive in their pods, so we must be careful about what we do to the generators. It seems that we can control them using this terminal, so maybe we can just reduce power levels to make it safer to cross the room, or turn off just one of them, since they are probably redundant... I don't know."
"Anyway that's a lot of things we don't know. I suggest we check the other logs, and then move to the kitchen and residence area before deciding anything. We can also try to look through those windows again. Everyone agrees? Any suggestions?"
-
Nine
Nine hears the tape. In the silence that follows he sits, grabs a pencil and a sheet of paper. He's about to ask Charlie to play it again when she does exactly that, making he smile briefly. As the log plays he takes some notes and tries to connect the information.
"Ok, that's a lot. Let me see if I got it right." Everybody looks at him, making it a bit uncomfortable. But somebody must do it. "These people called this place a wreck, fixed the elevator and collected the useful gear near it, at the entrance, waiting for pickup and, most relevant, decon. They talk as if there's a chance of some disease brewing here. So the entrance is, indeed, the place we want to reach, and let's be extra careful, just in case, particularly with bodies. I suggest no one tries to open body bags or touch bodies in any way, unless it's really necessary. Also, anyone understood what they meant by "surface-dweller interaction"?"
"They also cleared the bodies and..." He stops for a moment, flooded by the memory of dozens of body bags containing his comrades after they were ambushed. It wasn't even a combat mission, they were there just to train local troops... He notices that everybody is looking at him. "Sorry, bad memories... And they curtailed the radroach infestation. I suppose cockroaches did their best to deserve the fame of being so hard to kill. But how dangerous were those critters? Are some still around?"
"And what they meant by people acting like idiots? They started to fight each other? Anyway they decided to move survivors out, and some where at that buried room. Then this doctor Ryan tells they will open priorities first, including the baby and John Doe. Connecting it with the logs we saw before it means that this log is also 60 years old. And then... Then things went downhill very fast."
Nine raises from the chair. "Unless we find that overseers terminal we have no way to tell if those people in the buried room are still alive in their pods, so we must be careful about what we do to the generators. It seems that we can control them using this terminal, so maybe we can just reduce power levels to make it safer to cross the room, or turn off just one of them, since they are probably redundant... I don't know."
"Anyway that's a lot of things we don't know. I suggest we check the other logs, and then move to the kitchen and residence area before deciding anything. We can also try to look through those windows again. Everyone agrees? Any suggestions?"
Ah. Shit.
"I agree, but I have to say I opened a body bag. I closed it immediately. I thought I could maybe get something from it and figure out a timeline and we didn't listen to the tape yet so I had no way to know. Still. Exceptionally idiotic on my part. I apologize. I won't touch anything else. I can keep distance from everyone, if you want me to" he says.
-
Nine
Nine looks at Faust, less than a feet away from him. "Hum... You said it's just a skeleton inside, right? I'm no specialist, but I doubt any disease could survive in a closed bag for 60 years. And we also messed with that other body in the first room, even took things from it... I wouldn't worry too much, unless we find something... meatier." He points at his own chest, looking at the others. "It's just that one of the main reasons I'm alive and talking to you is that I'm very cautious. Even too much, sometimes." He looks back at Faust. "So, no need to apologize or staying away, I think."
-
Faust gives him a shrug as his brain kicks into some gears. "If the tapes are the last thing that happened here before whatever that shooting was for, they never decontaminated this place anyway... And those corpses were outside the body bags for what, a century and a half... Which means we were actually already exposed, if bodies had whatever. If there's still survivors outside, we should probably just quarantine ourselves."
-
Robin
Robin lets go of the shoulder bag, listening to the audio and the following discussion in silence. She stares at her feet to avoid their gaze. Only when the talk turns to disease and body bags she speaks, quietly at first. "Prions last virtually forever. But..." She shuffles in place, her voice a little louder. "It didn't sound like they found signs of an epidemic, just acted with extreme caution to avoid any potential disease. What they did find was the infestation of cockroaches.
"We should check the staff quarters as planned but not disable the generators. The terminals are rigged to them and the doors are operated through them. We'll be locked and finish off anyone still asleep. We need to get to the Overseer terminal to see the status of the people in the room below."
She gets behind Charlie, reading the terminal over her shoulder.
-
"Wait, what do you mean by turning off? Aren't they powering the cryo-pods?" Faust asks.
Oh yeah, shit.
"I hope there´s an option to just get them under control..."
Nine
Nine hears the tape. In the silence that follows he sits, grabs a pencil and a sheet of paper. He's about to ask Charlie to play it again when she does exactly that, making he smile briefly. As the log plays he takes some notes and tries to connect the information.
"Ok, that's a lot. Let me see if I got it right." Everybody looks at him, making it a bit uncomfortable. But somebody must do it. "These people called this place a wreck, fixed the elevator and collected the useful gear near it, at the entrance, waiting for pickup and, most relevant, decon. They talk as if there's a chance of some disease brewing here. So the entrance is, indeed, the place we want to reach, and let's be extra careful, just in case, particularly with bodies. I suggest no one tries to open body bags or touch bodies in any way, unless it's really necessary. Also, anyone understood what they meant by "surface-dweller interaction"?"
"They also cleared the bodies and..." He stops for a moment, flooded by the memory of dozens of body bags containing his comrades after they were ambushed. It wasn't even a combat mission, they were there just to train local troops... He notices that everybody is looking at him. "Sorry, bad memories... And they curtailed the radroach infestation. I suppose cockroaches did their best to deserve the fame of being so hard to kill. But how dangerous were those critters? Are some still around?"
"And what they meant by people acting like idiots? They started to fight each other? Anyway they decided to move survivors out, and some where at that buried room. Then this doctor Ryan tells they will open priorities first, including the baby and John Doe. Connecting it with the logs we saw before it means that this log is also 60 years old. And then... Then things went downhill very fast."
Nine raises from the chair. "Unless we find that overseers terminal we have no way to tell if those people in the buried room are still alive in their pods, so we must be careful about what we do to the generators. It seems that we can control them using this terminal, so maybe we can just reduce power levels to make it safer to cross the room, or turn off just one of them, since they are probably redundant... I don't know."
"Anyway that's a lot of things we don't know. I suggest we check the other logs, and then move to the kitchen and residence area before deciding anything. We can also try to look through those windows again. Everyone agrees? Any suggestions?"
Charlie looks very concerned at Faust for a moment. But as Nine quickly gives him an all-clear, she focusses on the screen again.
"Already opened the next log. The rest is in text."
She steps a bit to the side so Robin can read it too, as well as anyone else who wants to.
< Back | Refresh | N/A
CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL
SECURITY EYES ONLY | VIOLATION VTP-01011
Vault 111 is designed to test the long-term effects of suspended animation on unaware, human subjects. Security staff are responsible for maintaining installation integrity and monitoring science staff activity.
Under no circumstances are staff allowed to deviate from assigned duties. Insubordination or interference with vault operations are capital offenses. Security staff are authorized to use lethal force.
OPERATIONS PROTOCOL MANUAL
Resident Admittance
Upon Activation Notice from Vault-Tec, all personnel are required to report to the Entry Area and assist with admittance of Vault Residents. Security Personnel will maintain order and ensure that no personnel or residents attempt to evacuate the Vault.
Research staff will be responsible for resident intake and escort each to the designated cryogenic pod. Residents not accounted for in the manifest should be asked to step aside and detained forcefully by security if necessary.
Once all residents have been sealed into their preservation chambers dispose of any detainees. Vault entryway must remain sealed under any circumstances.
Staff Duties
Science Staff
Members of the research team must daily monitor the vital signs of cryogenically preserved residents. Cardiopulmonary and cognitive activity in particular must be recorded hourly.
Life-saving intervention is only permitted if greater than 80% of the resident population has perished while in cryogenic suspension, and must not interrupt suspension.
Independent research is encouraged, and left to Overseer discretion.
Security Personnel
Security patrols are to be carried out on a constant eight-hour rotation. Security priorities include:
- Monitoring for signs of intrusion
- Checking for atmosphere leaks
- Settling disputes among personnel
- Enforcement of regulations set forth by the Overseer
- Enforcement of regulations set forth by Vault-Tec
Facility Services & Maintenance
Due to the nature of Vault 111, personnel will be expected to perform duties outside of their normal qualifications, such as janitorial duties and food preparation.
The exact distribution of these roles is left to Overseer discretion.
All Clear & Evacuation
All-Clear Message
Following a nuclear event, Vault-Tec will monitor hazards such as radiation levels, enemy invasion, subsequent attacks, and other factors. Once conditions are deemed safe, this terminal will receive an all-clear notice.
Upon receiving the all-clear notice, Vault-Tec personnel may be evacuated at Overseer discretion. Disregard any notices from organizations or individuals not associated with Vault-Tec, including government and military. Residents are not to be disrupted or evacuated. Vault-Tec will attend to their needs remotely once Vault 111 staff has been evacuated.
Mandatory Shelter Period
Vault 111 is classified as a short-term assignment. Non-resident personnel are expected to carry out research duties and basic maintenance of the Vault while awaiting the All-Clear signal to evacuate.
In the absence of an All-Clear message from Vault-Tec, the Overseer may elect to evacuate staff after a mandatory shelter period of 180 days of containment. Under no circumstance may Vault 111 staff evacuate during this shelter period, unless receiving the All-Clear message from Vault-Tec.
Her head is spinning. So someone was supposed to get them. After a few months tops. And somehow they didn´t do that for two centuries. It seems they were very lucky that the cryo-pods kept working.
And also...!
"Uhm, was it something generally known to you that this stasis they put us in was an experiment? I thought this was just a fallout shelter. Did any of you sign up for this? I can´t tell, my mom got me the place here."
She can guess the answer already. It says 'unaware human subjects'.
"... Is that even legal!?"
-
Nine
Nine gets closer to the terminal. While he reads carefully the log. His anger raises until the silence inside the room is broken by the pencil snapping loudly in his hand, prompting everyone to look at him.
He speaks in a harsh, controlled tone, but there's rage underneath. "Guinea pigs! Those mo*********** bastards turned us in guinea pigs! Lock at that part." He points at the screen. "Life-saving just after 80% of us died! And meanwhile they were free to do their fu***** research with us!"
Nine listens to Charlie's question and turns to her. "I knew nothing about any experiment, and neither of you, by the look on your faces... Legal? LEGAL?" He walks to the other corner of the room, trying to calm down. "I'm sure not. But I don't think they cared. It looks like they were ready to go rogue, ignoring government or military orders... What kind of monsters are... were these people?"
After taking a few deep breaths Nine returns to the group. When he speaks again his voice is almost back to normal. "We need to move ahead. Let's see the next one?"
-
Robin
There's no shock or anger or pretty much anything else going on with Robin besides a striking lack of surprise. "They're the kind of people that annexed my home and executed protesters on the streets," she states somberly at Nine's rhetorical question. She knew better them and their laws, only applicable when it was convenient for them. That's how she, her family, wound up here. They did their best to navigate the situation, and it was all for nothing. Everything they went through didn't matter in the end—
She scowls, pushing the thought away and nodding. "Let's see the logs."
-
"Amazing" Faust says. "Fantastic. At first I was pissed because I was too drunk to know what they were doing to me, and now it turns out they didn't ask anyone. Grand."
Stay cool.
"We should try to get the door open... That's the only way to get out, since we don't want to mess with the reactor room..."
He thinks for a few moments. "Do bunkers like these have ventilation...?"
-
Robin
"It must have, a closed system or filtered one to withstand a nuclear fallout." She glances at Faust. "Why?"
-
Robin
"It must have, a closed system or filtered one to withstand a nuclear fallout." She glances at Faust. "Why?"
"Just checking. Dunno" he says.
-
Nine
"Hum... I guess our friend is considering if we could find some ventilation shaft that would allow us to bypass the generator room. Not a bad idea, actually. We should keep our eyes open for vents that can be large enough for a person." Nine looks to the ceiling. "Sadly from my experience most vents are too narrow for that."
Nine looks back at Robin, and points at the map. "But I'm sure this floor plan is just for orientation, There must be technical areas and galleries above or below us. So, who knows, we might be lucky on that, to compensate a bit for... all this."
"Anyway, let's see what the next log tell us."
-
Charlie nods, looking at the terminal with a mixture of anger and disgust. At this point she´s not even sure anymore whether she even wants to know what those sickos did to them. But if there´s any chance the files will reveal a way to wake up the other people or pass through the generator room, it would be worth it. She goes back to the main menu and clicks on "Security logs".
-
Charlie nods, looking at the terminal with a mixture of anger and disgust. At this point she´s not even sure anymore whether she even wants to know what those sickos did to them. But if there´s any chance the files will reveal a way to wake up the other people or pass through the generator room, it would be worth it. She goes back to the main menu and clicks on "Security logs".
< Back | Refresh | N/A
October 23, 2077
God. It finally happened. The world's over. Barely got all the residents inside. Not everyone made it...
Now it's just us and the icebergs. I don't get it. Eggheads tried to explain to me that keeping them frozen is a big experiment. For a better future or something. I don't know. It just doesn't seem right that we were smiling at them all that time before putting them on ice. Shouldn't we have told them something?
December 25, 2077
Christmas underground. Got together with the rest of the security boys and support staff and had a little party. Best gift that got handed out was a Fancy Lad Snack Cake that wasn't too stale.
None of the scientists came. Overseer wasn't there either. I just don't get them. They hiding something from us? Another company secret only for the higher ups?
Whatever. Just a few more months until the All-Clear is supposed to come though. Then we can start rebuilding.
March 14, 2078
Only a few weeks left in our mandatory shelter period. Everyone's getting stir crazy. Some people are even saying the All-Clear Signal is never coming. We can't stay here much longer, that's for sure. It's not just the fact that I've been staring at the same break room and bunk bed for over six months. It's the fact that we only have enough food left for another few months. Tops.
The Overseer keeps telling everyone to be patient, focus on work. He's definitely keeping us out of the loop. Something bad is going on. I just know it.
April 23, 2078
The main door accessing the vault exit is malfunctioning. Now the only way out is through the Overseer's evacuation tunnel, how convenient for him. He has one of the science team watching the door into his office at all times from a little makeshift checkpoint.
Got invited to a meeting tonight. Support staffers and security only. Sounds like I'm not the only one with an axe to grind.
LAST ENTRY
No All-Clear from Vault-Tec is coming. We need to leave. We're all but out of food. I almost murdered Stanley for dropping a damn salt cracker on the floor.
A handful of us confronted the Overseer about opening up the Vault. I never knew a man that small could shout that loud. Now he's locked himself in his office along with the rest of the science staff. We're supposed to hand over any food, weapons, and medicine we have by tonight, or there's "going to be consequences."
I've talked to everyone. It's time. One way or another, we're getting out of this Vault.
-
Robin
So that's what the doctor meant by people being idiots. Robin scratches her cheek, looking for the best way to express what had been eating at her mind for a while. Like all bad things saying it aloud would seal it as true, so she stalls for time. "Do you think the Overseer Tunnel is the emergency route on the map? It makes me feel maintenance passages would be shown in it too, but there are none.
"But there must be a way to pass through the generators or that doctor and his team wouldn't have reached this side. They didn't want to disable the pods, that controller might power down areas selectively." She shuffles in place, visibly uncomfortable. "The... uh. There's just an issue. I don't think we'll like the surface."
-
Robin
So that's what the doctor meant by people being idiots. Robin scratches her cheek, looking for the best way to express what had been eating at her mind for a while. Like all bad things saying it aloud would seal it as true, so she stalls for time. "Do you think the Overseer Tunnel is the emergency route on the map? It makes me feel maintenance passages would be shown in it too, but there are none.
"But there must be a way to pass through the generators or that doctor and his team wouldn't have reached this side. They didn't want to disable the pods, that controller might power down areas selectively." She shuffles in place, visibly uncomfortable. "The... uh. There's just an issue. I don't think we'll like the surface."
Faust reads what's up from the side. Just let the smarter people make decisions... until the smarter person says stuff like that, that is. "Dear, they clearly ran out of food. We'll die if we stay here. Radiation and whatnot should be gone by now, right? And there are clearly survivors, since they tried to come for us."
-
Nine
"Humph! Better future... I wonder who's future they were talking about."
Nine strokes his beard while he listens to Robin and Faust. "I guess you're right. There must be a way. Unless the generator went rogue after the rescue team came. As for that being the tunnel." He points at the map. "I don't know... It doesn't look much like a tunnel to me. And I suppose an emergency exit should lead to another place, not to the main entrance, that could be blocked... I guess this map don't show everything."
"But that's on the other side of the Generator Room." He says, looking again at the map and shaking his head. "Right now I'd check the security and generator status, because they may have some important info, and proceed to the canteen. There's no food, but we may find water and more useful things before figuring how to cross to the other side."
"And Faust has a point here. If they came for survivors it's because there is some organization up there. And they had more than a hundred years to rebuild before that. Unless they had time to make another war, which wouldn't surprise me much, the radiation should be gone by now, except perhaps in a few places." Nine looks at Robin. "So why do you think we won't like the outside? If fate had left us some food we could stay and use this place as our base while we scout the area, but without supplies it's complicated."
-
Robin
"I knooow we can't stay here," she retorts with some annoyance. What do they think she is, an eight year old? She crosses her arms. "Mom worked for West Tek. It's a defense contractor Vault-Tec. I've bounced around the country for a while with her as she worked on this or that project, and if there's something I learned from it is that this kind of corporation is deeply tangled with the government and that they're very zealous about their stuff. You can't just crash in and take what you want.
"I can't imagine them gone to the point people had to personally come down here to find out what happened without everything else crumbling. The guy in the recording sounded more like—," she searches for a word and shrugs, "—an archeologist digging up old records than a rescue effort by an organization as we knew. What if they came here to scavenge at first? What does this say about the situation up here? And they got ambushed. It's great they speak English, means we weren't conquered, but I-I think society collapsed."
-
Robin
"I knooow we can't stay here," she retorts with some annoyance. What do they think she is, an eight year old? She crosses her arms. "Mom worked for West Tek. It's a defense contractor Vault-Tec. I've bounced around the country for a while with her as she worked on this or that project, and if there's something I learned from it is that this kind of corporation is deeply tangled with the government and that they're very zealous about their stuff. You can't just crash in and take what you want.
"I can't imagine them gone to the point people had to personally come down here to find out what happened without everything else crumbling. The guy in the recording sounded more like—," she searches for a word and shrugs, "—an archeologist digging up old records than a rescue effort by an organization as we knew. What if they came here to scavenge at first? What does this say about the situation up here? And they got ambushed. It's great they speak English, means we weren't conquered, but I-I think society collapsed."
Hmm...
"I'm more worried about the fact they got ambushed soon after entering. If someone is close by, keeping an eye on this place - which is by far the worse case scenario - we should figure out a way to leave as quiet and unnoticed as possible. As for collapsed society... well, I don't plan to just walk away from you guys. So we can worry about bad stuff when we encounter them" he says.
-
Ah yes, secrets kept from the staff and a riot. Seems like the endeavour was a shit-show all round. And it seems society collapsed. Wonderful. Though not unexpected. No proper apocalypse without the end of society, after all.
"So to sum up: There´s maybe possibly a second exit which is most likely where that whatever-mission-it-was came in, and here´s no food..."
Hmm...
"I'm more worried about the fact they got ambushed soon after entering. If someone is close by, keeping an eye on this place - which is by far the worse case scenario - we should figure out a way to leave as quiet and unnoticed as possible. As for collapsed society... well, I don't plan to just walk away from you guys. So we can worry about bad stuff when we encounter them" he says.
"...And we might get ambushed when we do get out of here."
What should one even comment on this?
"Ok, 'security status' is next up."
She clicks on it, mechanically.
-
Ah yes, secrets kept from the staff and a riot. Seems like the endeavour was a shit-show all round. And it seems society collapsed. Wonderful. Though not unexpected. No proper apocalypse without the end of society, after all.
"So to sum up: There´s maybe possibly a second exit which is most likely where that whatever-mission-it-was came in, and here´s no food..."
"...And we might get ambushed when we do get out of here."
What should one even comment on this?
"Ok, 'security status' is next up."
She clicks on it, mechanically.
< Back | Refresh | N/A
MAIN ENTRANCE:
Status: Security Alert Declared
RBV-01 Protectron Unit: ACTIVE
Remote Activation: ERROR: Unit not responding to commands. Consult Technical Manual for Manual Deactivation Procedure, and contact your RobCo representative.
CRYO ROOM ONE:
Status: Security Alert Declared
TE-63 Sentry Bot Unit: ERROR: Unit reporting unknown errors. Please attempt remote activation from this terminal to reset the unit.
Remote Activation: [ENGAGE]
GENERAL ALERTS:
A Security Lock has been engaged on: Entrance Hallway, Main Vault Door
Please reset these at the Overseer's terminal.
A General Security Alert has been declared for 22279 days. This is an automatic function, and can be disengaged from this or the Overseer's terminal. Would you like to cancel the Alert? [Y/N]
-
Nine
Nine leans closer to the terminal. "Now this is tricky. The entrance is guarded by the Protectron, that is active. Will it consider us targets? Better not find the answer. These bots are tough. Unless we find much better weapons on our way I wouldn't engage. And even then..." Nine looks at the map again. "Also, we were lucky that the Sentry was inactive when we got out, because these bastards are much tougher. If it turned on us no one would have left that room."
He looks at the others. "However... Anyone saw a big, badass looking robot on the room where we woke up? I didn't, and we took our time there... Maybe some hidden door on the wall... Anyway, that one is not our problem, the one at the entrance is, unless we find an alternate route to the surface."
"Yet that doesn't help us cross the generator room." Nine says, as he scratches his beard and points at final part of the log. "I wonder if turning off the security alert could turn off the entrance bot... On the other hand, the alert has been running for the last sixty years, and there's a small risk that someone, somehow, could notice if it stops. But I'd try anyway, perhaps later."
Moving away from the terminal, Nine continues. "It'a a long shot, but you know what would be great? If we find that sentry bot and manage to program it to defend us. Anyone here able to do that?"
-
Nine
Nine leans closer to the terminal. "Now this is tricky. The entrance is guarded by the Protectron, that is active. Will it consider us targets? Better not find the answer. These bots are tough. Unless we find much better weapons on our way I wouldn't engage. And even then..." Nine looks at the map again. "Also, we were lucky that the Sentry was inactive when we got out, because these bastards are much tougher. If it turned on us no one would have left that room."
He looks at the others. "However... Anyone saw a big, badass looking robot on the room where we woke up? I didn't, and we took our time there... Maybe some hidden door on the wall... Anyway, that one is not our problem, the one at the entrance is, unless we find an alternate route to the surface."
"Yet that doesn't help us cross the generator room." Nine says, as he scratches his beard and points at final part of the log. "I wonder if turning off the security alert could turn off the entrance bot... On the other hand, the alert has been running for the last sixty years, and there's a small risk that someone, somehow, could notice if it stops. But I'd try anyway, perhaps later."
Moving away from the terminal, Nine continues. "It'a a long shot, but you know what would be great? If we find that sentry bot and manage to program it to defend us. Anyone here able to do that?"
"Are you sure we can't just shoot it till it's dead..." Faust says. Robots are creepy. He doesn't like them.
-
Robin
Robin shook her head.
"I don't understand why they didn't disable it or the general alert though. They could have done it, they had access to this terminal. What if it is what's keeping hostile attention away from this place?" Faust was right, there could be someone on the surface. A change in the security could tip them off and clear the way for them.
"I vote for checking the generator option and all rooms on this side before touching anything."
-
Robin
Robin bids her time, holding the shoulder bag quietly. The moment Jay walks past her she tries to pass the bag strap over his head.
Jay gets got. He doesn't even notice for a few seconds - and when he does he accepts his fate quietly. Although he doesn't quite remember most of his first aid training...
Robin
"I knooow we can't stay here," she retorts with some annoyance. What do they think she is, an eight year old? She crosses her arms. "Mom worked for West Tek. It's a defense contractor Vault-Tec. I've bounced around the country for a while with her as she worked on this or that project, and if there's something I learned from it is that this kind of corporation is deeply tangled with the government and that they're very zealous about their stuff. You can't just crash in and take what you want.
"I can't imagine them gone to the point people had to personally come down here to find out what happened without everything else crumbling. The guy in the recording sounded more like—," she searches for a word and shrugs, "—an archeologist digging up old records than a rescue effort by an organization as we knew. What if they came here to scavenge at first? What does this say about the situation up here? And they got ambushed. It's great they speak English, means we weren't conquered, but I-I think society collapsed."
"I mean, people are nosy. I bet the equipment down here is worth a lot, and they could have easily just wanted to poke around and see what they could harvest from it." Jay shrugs. "I mean, sure, society could have collapsed, but people were doing plenty of ill advised experiments even when society was doing fine."
Nine
Nine leans closer to the terminal. "Now this is tricky. The entrance is guarded by the Protectron, that is active. Will it consider us targets? Better not find the answer. These bots are tough. Unless we find much better weapons on our way I wouldn't engage. And even then..." Nine looks at the map again. "Also, we were lucky that the Sentry was inactive when we got out, because these bastards are much tougher. If it turned on us no one would have left that room."
He looks at the others. "However... Anyone saw a big, badass looking robot on the room where we woke up? I didn't, and we took our time there... Maybe some hidden door on the wall... Anyway, that one is not our problem, the one at the entrance is, unless we find an alternate route to the surface."
"Yet that doesn't help us cross the generator room." Nine says, as he scratches his beard and points at final part of the log. "I wonder if turning off the security alert could turn off the entrance bot... On the other hand, the alert has been running for the last sixty years, and there's a small risk that someone, somehow, could notice if it stops. But I'd try anyway, perhaps later."
Moving away from the terminal, Nine continues. "It'a a long shot, but you know what would be great? If we find that sentry bot and manage to program it to defend us. Anyone here able to do that?"
Robotics INT check: (https://orokos.com/roll/897234): 1d10+13 20
Jay blinks, shifting his weight from one leg to another as he moves up to peer at the terminal. "Not sure about reprogramming anything, but I think I recognize that sentry bot. TE-63...it's one of the ones with an electrical defense system. They call them Tesla Shields. Pretty cool stuff. They recharge their own capacitors as they ground electrical energy."
He steps back. "If it's already broken, we shouldn't shoot it or anything. The parts should at least be helpful. Someone spent some real cash on defending this place... or keeping us inside."
-
He looks at the others. "However... Anyone saw a big, badass looking robot on the room where we woke up? I didn't, and we took our time there... Maybe some hidden door on the wall... Anyway, that one is not our problem, the one at the entrance is, unless we find an alternate route to the surface."
Charlie shakes her head. No, no robots so far.
"Are you sure we can't just shoot it till it's dead..." Faust says. Robots are creepy. He doesn't like them.
"Whatever we do, there must be a way to get past it. The mission before us got past it. And was able to store things in the entrance without it attacking... Unless the robot was what attacked them in the end. That would mean the alarm was what activated it in the first place."
Robin
Robin shook her head.
"I don't understand why they didn't disable it or the general alert though. They could have done it, they had access to this terminal. What if it is what's keeping hostile attention away from this place?" Faust was right, there could be someone on the surface. A change in the security could tip them off and clear the way for them.
"I vote for checking the generator option and all rooms on this side before touching anything."
"If what they were shooting at in the recording was the Sentry bot, they might not have had the time to do so."
Charlie rereads the alert.
"And the thing doesn´t respond to commands anyways, so turning off the alarm probably wouldn´t help regardless. I also vote for leaving it on."
sigh... Things aren´t looking too great.
Jay gets got. He doesn't even notice for a few seconds - and when he does he accepts his fate quietly. Although he doesn't quite remember most of his first aid training...
"I mean, people are nosy. I bet the equipment down here is worth a lot, and they could have easily just wanted to poke around and see what they could harvest from it." Jay shrugs. "I mean, sure, society could have collapsed, but people were doing plenty of ill advised experiments even when society was doing fine."
Robotics INT check: (https://orokos.com/roll/897234): 1d10+13 20
Jay blinks, shifting his weight from one leg to another as he moves up to peer at the terminal. "Not sure about reprogramming anything, but I think I recognize that sentry bot. TE-63...it's one of the ones with an electrical defense system. They call them Tesla Shields. Pretty cool stuff. They recharge their own capacitors as they ground electrical energy."
He steps back. "If it's already broken, we shouldn't shoot it or anything. The parts should at least be helpful. Someone spent some real cash on defending this place... or keeping us inside."
Charlie smiles a bit unconvinced.
"Would be even cooler if it wasn´t possibly out to kill us... But getting parts of it sounds good."
Alright, last but not least, she clicks on "Generator status". That one must have the information they need to cross the generator-room, right?
-
Charlie shakes her head. No, no robots so far.
"Whatever we do, there must be a way to get past it. The mission before us got past it. And was able to store things in the entrance without it attacking... Unless the robot was what attacked them in the end. That would mean the alarm was what activated it in the first place."
"If what they were shooting at in the recording was the Sentry bot, they might not have had the time to do so."
Charlie rereads the alert.
"And the thing doesn´t respond to commands anyways, so turning off the alarm probably wouldn´t help regardless. I also vote for leaving it on."
sigh... Things aren´t looking too great.
Charlie smiles a bit unconvinced.
"Would be even cooler if it wasn´t possibly out to kill us... But getting parts of it sounds good."
Alright, last but not least, she clicks on "Generator status". That one must have the information they need to cross the generator-room, right?
< Back | Refresh | N/A
GENERATOR ONE: Offline, automatic shutdown engaged
GENERATOR TWO: ERROR: Damage detected to containment coils. Automatic shutdown failed. Do not enter generator room.
AUXILIARY POWER: Online, charged to 100%
User Note: If one of these ancient clunkers blows, aux should handle running the vault's operations for a month or two. This code doesn't mesh well with whatever spaghetti they were using for this vault, the generators clearly weren't designed to ever be turned off...or damaged. Why they put something that throws around lightning bolts if you clip a conduit in a room without safeguards, I will never understand, but my guess is the answer is 'Vault-Tec were jackasses', like everything else. You can shut the generators off from here, but unless a maintenance crew goes in and takes them apart afterwards they aren't coming back up.
-Dr Ryan
User Note: Okay, because apparently people are rock stupid, I had to come up with a plan for if one of the generators is damaged and starts spitting lightning. Best bet, find something that attracts electricity and toss it in the middle of the room and hope it attracts enough of the lightning bolts that you can edge around the walkway. That, or have a suit of power armor on hand that won't care.
-Dr Ryan
-
Robin
"If what they were shooting at in the recording was the Sentry bot, they might not have had the time to do so."
Robin blinks, suddenly feeling very stupid. Charlie is right. Nothing in the recording revealed the nature of what had killed them, and in doctor's place Robin would likely let out the same question when attacked. She rubs the back of her neck and reads the generator entry.
Two months at best if it comes to the auxiliary power. The prospect doesn't appeal to Robin, but she doesn't feel the need to voice it out. It's an open-and-shut case: She's ready to try anything and everything else first whether the others are or not. "Do you think we'll ever figure where this Dr. Ryan came from?" she asks absentmindedly instead. "I kinda like him. Doesn't sound like an asshole."
-
Nine
Nine listens to Robin's final question and gives a wry smile. "Indeed, but even if he wasn't killed then... He was in charge, probably over 30, and 60 years passed, so our chances to ever meeting him..." He doesn't have to complete the sentence.
"So, as we don't want to compromise the pods where your families are, we just cannot turn off the remaining generator. We will have to find a way to pass that room." Nine raises and walks to the door. "I think we're done here. If some of you want to go back to the first room and try to find the sentry bot it may worth trying. I already took a good look at the place, but someone may be luckier. Anyway I think it's safe. We came that way, and there where no other doors, except the one that's locked."
Nine checks his gun again. "The rest of us should move ahead and check the canteen. But before that I want to take a look at those body bags." He looks at Faust. "You checked one of them, right? And it was just bones. But there may be something more on the others."
"I also want to take another look at the generator room. I think there are windows on the other side of the hallway, closer to the canteen. Maybe they give us a better angle to find if I was just imagining the thing between the generators." Nine opens the door and glances to both sides of the corridor. "Looks clear. I'll go check the body bags and wait for you. We have been there, so I think it's safe. As you move, try to look through the windows. Someone can see more than I did."
That said Nine steps into the corridor and begins to inspect the body bags.
(Rolls on Orokos: (PER) 1d10+6: 15 [1d10=9])
-
Nine
Nine listens to Robin's final question and gives a wry smile. "Indeed, but even if he wasn't killed then... He was in charge, probably over 30, and 60 years passed, so our chances to ever meeting him..." He doesn't have to complete the sentence.
"So, as we don't want to compromise the pods where your families are, we just cannot turn off the remaining generator. We will have to find a way to pass that room." Nine raises and walks to the door. "I think we're done here. If some of you want to go back to the first room and try to find the sentry bot it may worth trying. I already took a good look at the place, but someone may be luckier. Anyway I think it's safe. We came that way, and there where no other doors, except the one that's locked."
Nine checks his gun again. "The rest of us should move ahead and check the canteen. But before that I want to take a look at those body bags." He looks at Faust. "You checked one of them, right? And it was just bones. But there may be something more on the others."
"I also want to take another look at the generator room. I think there are windows on the other side of the hallway, closer to the canteen. Maybe they give us a better angle to find if I was just imagining the thing between the generators." Nine opens the door and glances to both sides of the corridor. "Looks clear. I'll go check the body bags and wait for you. We have been there, so I think it's safe. As you move, try to look through the windows. Someone can see more than I did."
That said Nine steps into the corridor and begins to inspect the body bags.
(Rolls on Orokos: (PER) 1d10+6: 15 [1d10=9])
The body bags are boring, the only thing in them is bones.
What's more interesting is what's further down the corridor, around the corner.
Namely, bodies outside of body bags...and something that looks like a metallic skeleton.
The bodies are clad in hazmat suits, and the holes - some melted around the edges like they were hit with lasers - tell Nine they died violently.
-
Robin
Nine listens to Robin's final question and gives a wry smile. "Indeed, but even if he wasn't killed then... He was in charge, probably over 30, and 60 years passed, so our chances to ever meeting him..." He doesn't have to complete the sentence.
Robin shrugs and says to the back of his head as he leaves, "Dr. Ryan must be dead. The place from where he came from might not." She looks at Charlie. "Can you eject the holotape and give it to Jay? Keep it in the bag, I think we'll want to give it a listen again." She was glad Jay was hanging safely behind in the line, for she'd like to take a closer look at him when they had the chance. The man looked in a bit of shock and she couldn't to tell whether it was from the situation or a lingering side-effect from the cryosleep.
"Don't touch the remains with your bare hands," she calls after Nine, nodding at Arthur she's ready to move and claiming the security baton for herself on the way out. She makes it to Nine's side in time to see what had caught his attention. Is that a robot?! She falls into a bit of a prowling stance again, glances at the others, then walks down the corridor on light feet, half expecting some unwelcome automated security measure to spring to life.
Check bodies (PER) (https://orokos.com/roll/897469): 1d10+6 10
Stealth (AGI) (https://orokos.com/roll/897470): 1d10+8 15
-
Nine
Nine waits for Robin and Arthur to pass by him before moving. With his gun ready he crosses slowly to the left wall while keeping his attention over the end of the hallway, particularly on what may be a threat, the robot-like thing.
He approaches one window to the generator room. Violent flashes randomly fill the space beyond the glass. Robin is still cautiously advancing, with Arthur a few steps behind. Nine feels that he has a few seconds. He lets one intense bolt dissipates and peeks through the opening.
(rolls on Orokos: (PER) 1d10+6: 8 [1d10=2])
-
Nine
Nine waits for Robin and Arthur to pass by him before moving. With his gun ready he crosses slowly to the left wall while keeping his attention over the end of the hallway, particularly on what may be a threat, the robot-like thing.
He approaches one window to the generator room. Violent flashes randomly fill the space beyond the glass. Robin is still cautiously advancing, with Arthur a few steps behind. Nine feels that he has a few seconds. He lets one intense bolt dissipates and peeks through the opening.
(rolls on Orokos: (PER) 1d10+6: 8 [1d10=2])
Before another bolt makes its best attempt to blind him, Nine makes out the distinctive silhouette of a sentry bot, sat between the two generators.
Robin
Robin shrugs and says to the back of his head as he leaves, "Dr. Ryan must be dead. The place from where he came from might not." She looks at Charlie. "Can you eject the holotape and give it to Jay? Keep it in the bag, I think we'll want to give it a listen again." She was glad Jay was hanging safely behind in the line, for she'd like to take a closer look at him when they had the chance. The man looked in a bit of shock and she couldn't to tell whether it was from the situation or a lingering side-effect from the cryosleep.
"Don't touch the remains with your bare hands," she calls after Nine, nodding at Arthur she's ready to move and claiming the security baton for herself on the way out. She makes it to Nine's side in time to see what had caught his attention. Is that a robot?! She falls into a bit of a prowling stance again, glances at the others, then walks down the corridor on light feet, half expecting some unwelcome automated security measure to spring to life.
Check bodies (PER) (https://orokos.com/roll/897469): 1d10+6 10
Stealth (AGI) (https://orokos.com/roll/897470): 1d10+8 15
The metal skeleton thing is clutching an unfamiliar-looking, but clearly broken, weapon. The two bodies in hazmat suits are unarmed, though one has an odd-looking tablet computer (with a hole melted through it) clutched in one hand.
Then both the bodies start twitching.
-
Before another bolt makes its best attempt to blind him, Nine makes out the distinctive silhouette of a sentry bot, sat between the two generators.
The metal skeleton thing is clutching an unfamiliar-looking, but clearly broken, weapon. The two bodies in hazmat suits are unarmed, though one has an odd-looking tablet computer (with a hole melted through it) clutched in one hand.
Then both the bodies start twitching.
"Stay back" Faust says, protectively pushing Charlie and Jay behind him. A kid, a civilian. Behind him.
Bodies shouldn't be moving.
Bodies moving is bad. Very bad.
Figuring out what it means and how it happened can wait until later, there were potentially hostile... stuff... ahead.
He begins to regret he didn't take one of the two guns. He can see Grey knows his way around weapons, but the way he's holding that gun is still... undeniably awkward.
Robin shouldn't have been sent to the front.
-
Robin
Robin lets out a quiet gasp, waving her free hand wildly in the air for a moment to signal the danger to the others. She does the only sensible thing someone in her position could: She puts as much distance between her and the bodies she can without drawing the attention of whatever the hell is it. To her great distaste that means glancing over her shoulder and away from the bodies for a moment to avoid colliding with the others so she can position herself safely behind them, out of their way and aims.
-
Robin
Robin blinks, suddenly feeling very stupid. Charlie is right. Nothing in the recording revealed the nature of what had killed them, and in doctor's place Robin would likely let out the same question when attacked. She rubs the back of her neck and reads the generator entry.
Two months at best if it comes to the auxiliary power. The prospect doesn't appeal to Robin, but she doesn't feel the need to voice it out. It's an open-and-shut case: She's ready to try anything and everything else first whether the others are or not. "Do you think we'll ever figure where this Dr. Ryan came from?" she asks absentmindedly instead. "I kinda like him. Doesn't sound like an asshole."
"Maybe we'll find his body. We can check it for a wallet."
"Stay back" Faust says, protectively pushing Charlie and Jay behind him. A kid, a civilian. Behind him.
Bodies shouldn't be moving.
Bodies moving is bad. Very bad.
Figuring out what it means and how it happened can wait until later, there were potentially hostile... stuff... ahead.
He begins to regret he didn't take one of the two guns. He can see Grey knows his way around weapons, but the way he's holding that gun is still... undeniably awkward.
Robin shouldn't have been sent to the front.
Jay makes an irritated noise and pulls out his hammer, moving out of Faust's reach. Come on. What does he think Jay is, a sapling?
"I could try and throw the hammer in to attract some of the electricity. Seems like the metallic object we'd be most willing to part with right now."
Robin
Robin lets out a quiet gasp, waving her free hand wildly in the air for a moment to signal the danger to the others. She does the only sensible thing someone in her position could: She puts as much distance between her and the bodies she can without drawing the attention of whatever the hell is it. To her great distaste that means glancing over her shoulder and away from the bodies for a moment to avoid colliding with the others so she can position herself safely behind them, out of their way and aims.
At the signal, Jay backs up, staying quiet so Robin can focus but trying to see what she sees.
-
The bodies continue to twitch, then some horrible squelching sounds are heard and the hazmat suits rip open as four roaches the size of large cats pull themselves free of the corpses.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/839966132516552735/840021733963857950/latest.png)
The roaches immediately start scuttling towards the humans.
-
"Jesus DUCK someone shoot them!" Faust shots. Robin's in the back now, he sends her behind him too.
-
Nine
"Bugs! I hate bugs!" Nine says, no longer trying to keep his voice down. He observes as all the others fall back behind him and Arthur as the bugs start to move.
"F***, these are big!" He is tempted to fire, but they are low on ammo... "Faust! Can I borrow that wrench?" Nine says, extending an open hand to him.
"BTW, we no longer have to find the sentry bot. It's between the generators."
-
Nine
"Bugs! I hate bugs!" Nine says, no longer trying to keep his voice down. He observes as all the others fall back behind him and Arthur as the bugs start to move.
"F***, these are big!" He is tempted to fire, but they are low on ammo... "Faust! Can I borrow that wrench?" Nine says, extending an open hand to him.
"BTW, we no longer have to find the sentry bot. It's between the generators."
Faust extends the wrench and an empty hand. "Gun."
-
The bodies continue to twitch, then some horrible squelching sounds are heard and the hazmat suits rip open as four roaches the size of large cats pull themselves free of the corpses.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/839966132516552735/840021733963857950/latest.png)
The roaches immediately start scuttling towards the humans.
Arthur, seemingly unfazed by the horrifying creature, waits for it to get to get within a yard of him, before brining the heel of his boot swiftly down on the radroach's neck
12+3=15
5-2=3
The Radroach's shell buckles beneath his boot, snapping it's neck and spraying and arc of viscera across the floor in front of it, including over Arthur's other boot, which he scrapes off against the wall.
Turning back to the others, he says, with a bit more life and enthusiasm than they've heard previously, "Well, lets hope it's just the cockroaches that have got ideas above their station while we've been out cold. "
-
Nine
Nine gives Faust the gun. "Here, cover us" He takes the wrench and attacks the second bug
-
Robin
Robin shrugs and says to the back of his head as he leaves, "Dr. Ryan must be dead. The place from where he came from might not." She looks at Charlie. "Can you eject the holotape and give it to Jay? Keep it in the bag, I think we'll want to give it a listen again." She was glad Jay was hanging safely behind in the line, for she'd like to take a closer look at him when they had the chance. The man looked in a bit of shock and she couldn't to tell whether it was from the situation or a lingering side-effect from the cryosleep.
Charlie nods and fidgets a bit with the terminal until she finds an "eject"-button on the keyboard.
By the time she holds the Holotape in her hands the others have left the room already. She quickly follows, arriving in the hallway when the bodies start twitching. She clutches her wrench.
Arthur, seemingly unfazed by the horrifying creature, waits for it to get to get within a yard of him, before brining the heel of his boot swiftly down on the radroach's neck
12+3=15
5-2=3
The Radroach's shell buckles beneath his boot, snapping it's neck and spraying and arc of viscera across the floor in front of it, including over Arthur's other boot, which he scrapes off against the wall.
Turning back to the others, he says, with a bit more life and enthusiasm than they've heard previously, "Well, lets hope it's just the cockroaches that have got ideas above their station while we've been out cold. "
'Just the cockroaches'... Now that´s gotta be the understatement of the century... Charlie thinks while looking at the cat-sized insects with disgust.
They better don´t come any closer. I´ll guarantee for nothing. She raises the wrench as if to warn the critters, even though she´s standing way too far away from them to do anything, plus Faust stands in front of her.
-
Arthur, seemingly unfazed by the horrifying creature, waits for it to get to get within a yard of him, before brining the heel of his boot swiftly down on the radroach's neck
12+3=15
5-2=3
The Radroach's shell buckles beneath his boot, snapping it's neck and spraying and arc of viscera across the floor in front of it, including over Arthur's other boot, which he scrapes off against the wall.
Turning back to the others, he says, with a bit more life and enthusiasm than they've heard previously, "Well, lets hope it's just the cockroaches that have got ideas above their station while we've been out cold. "
The three remaining roaches focus on Arthur. While he manages to dodge two, the third gets lucky and latches on to his boot with its tiny jaws. Due to said jaws being tiny, and the boot Arthur is wearing being tough leather, it doesn't accomplish much beyond said latching on.
Nine
Nine gives Faust the gun. "Here, cover us" He takes the wrench and attacks the second bug
Another radroach goes to radroach heaven as Nine's wrench breaks open its shell.
-
Nine
Nine goes for the bug that's grabbing Arthur, but they are moving so he fails to graze the shell, hitting just the floor.
1d20+3-3=2; 1d6=4
-
Jay goes for the nearest roach with the hammer.
[ smashy the radroach (https://orokos.com/roll/897679): 1d10+4 12 ]
He manages to hit, trying to avoid any spray of guts. "Someone needs to get out the bug spray."
-
Nine
Nine gives Faust the gun. "Here, cover us" He takes the wrench and attacks the second bug
Faust takes the gun, makes a quick check of it, takes the safety off and fires a shot at the nearest roach he sees, but the ugly thing seems to be as fast as its normal cousin. He misses.
Gun loud.
He regrets not visiting the shooting range more often, he could've lifted the protective headphones.
...he wouldn't have it right now anyway.
-
Through a combination of coincidences, namely Faust stepping to the side when shooting and Arthur and the roach on his boot moving around trying to get away from each other, said roach is suddenly directly in front of Charlie´s feet.
Instinctively (and completely forgetting about her wrench) she steps on it as hard as she can.
1d20+2+5=10
1d6+2=4
Even though she could have hit it better, it does the trick. The shell cracks with a nasty sound and roach-goo splashes everywhere. When she´s sure the thing stopped moving, Charlie slowly raises her goo-covered boot out of the critter´s corpse.
"Yuck..."
She attemps to get rid of the stuff by shaking her foot with less success than she would have liked. Well, at least it´s just the boot. Following Arthur´s example from earlier, she starts scraping the rest off against the wall. Charlie looks around, breathing out in relief. All of the attackers are dead now.
-
Robin
"Why are they so big?" Robin whispers in astonishment. Having allowed Faust to step in front of her, she's now the last person in the line—as if they still resembled anything close to a line. She doesn't do as much as to even pretend to lunge at the creatures, she just holds a protective arm in front of her torso and the baton in the other hand, staring as the bugs get killed in a quick succession. "That's not right. They should be small. Have more legs!" She seems personally affronted by their failure to meet her expectations of what radiation-induced mutations looked like.
The squashing death of the last radroach cues her into action. Robin twists and turns her as she walks swiftly past the others to reach Arthur, trying to ignore the ringing in her ears due the close quarters shot. Like if the alarm wasn't bad enough already. She crouches and pokes his boot with the baton tip. The leather wasn't broken by the bite. "Good." She stands, looking back at them. "Is everyone okay? No injuries? They may be radioactive."
Without daring to directly touch them, she turns and tugs at the bodies with a foot, shifting them with the baton.
-
"Holy shit" Faust says eloquently. "Big bugs. Better though. Originally I thought zombies." He puts the safety on and lovingly ruffles Charlie's hair. "Lookit you, though! I miss and you stomp it to death! Great job, sweetie." He may be talking a bit louder than he should, but gunfire isn't really good for hearing. "Arthur, you alright?"
-
Nine
He looks at the group. They seem fine. Everyone got a little, or a lot, of goo, but no injuries.
Nine moves closer to Robin and checks the metal skeleton and the suits. "Let's take a look a this."
1d10+6=14 (PER)
-
"Holy shit" Faust says eloquently. "Big bugs. Better though. Originally I thought zombies." He puts the safety on and lovingly ruffles Charlie's hair. "Lookit you, though! I miss and you stomp it to death! Great job, sweetie." He may be talking a bit louder than he should, but gunfire isn't really good for hearing. "Arthur, you alright?"
"I'm fine. This is nothing compred to being shot in the collarbone" He says, calmly, almost disconcertingly so.
He strides over to the metal skeleton Grey is looking at, and checks it over. He can't identify any manufacturer's marks or serial numbers, nor the power source, but he can see it's been damaged by a high number of bullets and laser beams.
"Well, some people with guns and laser weapons clearly had beef with this, whatever this is."
He speaks to the room, but as he finishes the sentence, he looks at Jay and asks "Any ideas, Song? You seem like the sort of bloke who'd know a thing or two about robots."
-
"I'm fine. This is nothing compared to being shot in the collarbone" He says, calmly, almost disconcertingly so.
"Right. Got it." Welp.
He's pretty sure man didn't get bitten, that boot doesn't look pierced. Neat.
-
Nine
Nine crouches and carefully checks the bodies. "Hum, not much to say. They seem to be here for a long time. Judging by the marks they were hit by bullets and lasers."
Then he moves and rotates the metallic skeleton, trying to understand it better. "This one... I've never seen this kind before... but I guess we were out enough time for a bunch of new inventions."
Nine drops the carcass on the ground and stands. "Anyway, was hit like the others. Not much more to say."
"Ever seen bugs like that? I guess radiation... and the old "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"... Anyway, everyone seems ok, so what about checking this one?" He says, pointing at the canteen door.
-
Nine
Nine crouches and carefully checks the bodies. "Hum, not much to say. They seem to be here for a long time. Judging by the marks they were hit by bullets and lasers."
Then he moves and rotates the metallic skeleton, trying to understand it better. "This one... I've never seen this kind before... but I guess we were out enough time for a bunch of new inventions."
Nine drops the carcass on the ground and stands. "Anyway, was hit like the others. Not much more to say."
"Ever seen bugs like that? I guess radiation... and the old "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"... Anyway, everyone seems ok, so what about checking this one?" He says, pointing at the canteen door.
"I saw some pretty big cockroaches during the siege of Amiens, but nothing like this. But then, you should have seen the rats. More like small badgers in size and shape." Arthur's speech is more natural and happier in tone, but it still has the cold, sharp edge that seems intrinsic to what they've seen of him.
-
"Holy shit" Faust says eloquently. "Big bugs. Better though. Originally I thought zombies." He puts the safety on and lovingly ruffles Charlie's hair. "Lookit you, though! I miss and you stomp it to death! Great job, sweetie." He may be talking a bit louder than he should, but gunfire isn't really good for hearing. "Arthur, you alright?"
Still high on adrenaline, Charlie starts grinning like an idiot.
"Holy shit absolutely. I remember now why I hate killing bugs so much. So much stuff inside."
"I saw some pretty big cockroaches during the siege of Amiens, but nothing like this. But then, you should have seen the rats. More like small badgers in size and shape.[size=78%]"[/size]
She gestures towards the giant roaches.
"Then what did those things get to eat in the last two centuries that... this is what they look like now???"
She looks at Robin and Nine.
"Radioactivity alone couldn´t have done this, right? Right?
She has heard of radioactive mutation, but if this is what it does, it would be more of a big deal in politics, wouldn´t it? But then again, the last hours have had nothing but bad realizations about civilization as it used to be ready, so it might as well be what happened to the critters. And if this is what happened to tiny insects, what will originally bigger animals look like now? Hm, better think about it when they find one...
In that moment Charlie remembers the holotape. She hands it to Jay.
"Here you go. Can you put it into the bag please?"
-
Robin
"Uh, you sure they weren't just badgers?" Her eyes lingers on Arthur for a moment, almost as if she hoped to glimpse an once shattered then mended collarbone.
"Radioactivity alone couldn´t have done this, right? Right?
"I don't know to be honest. Everything I know about bugs affected by radiation is about misshapen wings and legs, not something like this." She frowns. "It could. Maybe? I don't like this."
"Let's look at the kitchen first," Robin says to Nine. "Someone armed needs to guard the residence door, but let's not split. Had we now and we'd have been outnumbered." She scrapes her boot soles on the floor, getting rid of any residue of radroach, and moves to end of the corridor to peek impatiently into the rooms. She doesn't cross the door yet.
Peek beyond door (PER) (https://orokos.com/roll/897737): 1d10+6 13
Sneak (AGI) (https://orokos.com/roll/897739): 1d10+8+5 19
-
Robin
"Uh, you sure they weren't just badgers?" Her eyes lingers on Arthur for a moment, almost as if she hoped to glimpse an once shattered then mended collarbone.
"I don't know to be honest. Everything I know about bugs affected by radiation is about misshapen wings and legs, not something like this." She frowns. "It could. Maybe? I don't like this."
"Let's look at the kitchen first," Robin says to Nine. "Someone armed needs to guard the residence door, but let's not split. Had we now and we'd have been outnumbered." She scrapes her boot soles on the floor, getting rid of any residue of radroach, and moves to end of the corridor to peek impatiently into the rooms. She doesn't cross the door yet.
Peek beyond door (PER) (https://orokos.com/roll/897737): 1d10+6 13
Sneak (AGI) (https://orokos.com/roll/897739): 1d10+8+5 19
Noticing the way she looks to his neck and shoulder rather than his face, he says "It's healed to the point that you wouldn't notice it if you didn't know it was there."
He continues with "Nope, I found a dead one in one of my traps I set for the french patrols. Definetely a rat. Besides, you don't tend to get badgers in cities, they can't make setts easily." He speaks softly, as he moves up to join her at the door.
Peek beyond door (PER): 1d10+8 15
Sneak (AGI): 1d10+6 13
-
Well then, noted. It takes a bug attack to get Arthur to get more sociable. Not that Faust minded, to be honest, he looked very shaken for a while. He had a family member in that pod, for sure... but it was nice to see him in a better mood.
Still high on adrenaline, Charlie starts grinning like an idiot.
"Holy shit absolutely. I remember now why I hate killing bugs so much. So much stuff inside."
She gestures towards the giant roaches.
"Then what did those things get to eat in the last two centuries that... this is what they look like now???"
She looks at Robin and Nine.
"Radioactivity alone couldn´t have done this, right? Right?
She has heard of radioactive mutation, but if this is what it does, it would be more of a big deal in politics, wouldn´t it? But then again, the last hours have had nothing but bad realizations about civilization as it used to be ready, so it might as well be what happened to the critters. And if this is what happened to tiny insects, what will originally bigger animals look like now? Hm, better think about it when they find one...
In that moment Charlie remembers the holotape. She hands it to Jay.
"Here you go. Can you put it into the bag please?"
"Better question is how they got in here. Anyone seen any holes in the walls...? I don't remember any this size. Options right now are they either came from below, from that caved-in hallway, or from some hole that's in the residence and kitchen area" Faust says.
"As for food, I had a buddy once that told me he caught a roach in a glass and kept it there to kill him. Bastard survived for days, feeding on his fingerprint he left inside the glass... he let it go later from sheer respect alone..." He's just talking, it's not directed at anyone. He's checking the quality of the gun.
It doesn't look like it would explode in his face, but it would be nice not to carry a piece that was last cleaned decades, if not centuries ago... He figures he should switch it as soon as possible. Or start to maintain it as soon as they're out...
Robin
"Uh, you sure they weren't just badgers?" Her eyes lingers on Arthur for a moment, almost as if she hoped to glimpse an once shattered then mended collarbone.
"I don't know to be honest. Everything I know about bugs affected by radiation is about misshapen wings and legs, not something like this." She frowns. "It could. Maybe? I don't like this."
"Let's look at the kitchen first," Robin says to Nine. "Someone armed needs to guard the residence door, but let's not split. Had we now and we'd have been outnumbered." She scrapes her boot soles on the floor, getting rid of any residue of radroach, and moves to end of the corridor to peek impatiently into the rooms. She doesn't cross the door yet.
Peek beyond door (PER) (https://orokos.com/roll/897737): 1d10+6 13
Sneak (AGI) (https://orokos.com/roll/897739): 1d10+8+5 19
Faust joins Arthur and her. Now that he's armed, he will guard the residence door. Grey ain't getting the gun back, man had it in his hands and asked for a wrench.
For duck's sake.
Hmm... there's also a creepy looking robot thing. Stay away from the creepy looking robot thing. Why do they always make them so uncanny...
-
Nine
Nine watches the way Faust looks at the pistol. The guy is capable to handle it, which is good. "Keep it, Faust, we need someone to cover our backs." They only have two guns, anyway. Hopefully they will find more weapons soon.
He waits a few seconds after Robin and Arthur enter the canteen. Hearing no warning or sound, he follows and looks around the room. Nothing remarkable inside, it seems.
There's a closed door on his left, presumably to the residence area. He's curious, but decides to wait for the others, placing himself next to the door, on a position that allows him to watch it and also the door to the hallway. Meanwhile, Faust's question echoes his own thoughts. How those bugs got inside?
-
Robin
"Better question is how they got in here. Anyone seen any holes in the walls...? I don't remember any this size. Options right now are they either came from below, from that caved-in hallway, or from some hole that's in the residence and kitchen area" Faust says.
"Might have gotten irradiated then hitched a ride in with us and mutated for generations," Robin whispers back. "Or maybe the people from sixty years ago weren't the first going around." She gives the gun in his hand a side glance and mutters, "Please refrain from wasting bullets."
The canteen is unremarkable. Benches and tables, another terminal, a place to cook and from what she could see any still open cupboards sadly devoid of any traces of food. Robin lingers briefly near the closed door, her instincts telling her to sweep both rooms for danger, but she decides against it. Anything nearby in possession of ears and opposable thumbs would have burst out of that room the moment Faust fired that shot. There's no reason to expect an attack from that direction as long the door remained closed. They had time.
She creeps close to the cupboards, quietly poking at half-open doors with the baton when not holding it high and pulling the handles with her free hand, ready to strike anything nasty that could be hiding in them. Once she reaches the sink she stops for a moment to test if it still has running water.
-
Robin
"Might have gotten irradiated then hitched a ride in with us and mutated for generations," Robin whispers back. "Or maybe the people from sixty years ago weren't the first going around." She gives the gun in his hand a side glance and mutters, "Please refrain from wasting bullets."
The canteen is unremarkable. Benches and tables, another terminal, a place to cook and from what she could see any still open cupboards sadly devoid of any traces of food. Robin lingers briefly near the closed door, her instincts telling her to sweep both rooms for danger, but she decides against it. Anything nearby in possession of ears and opposable thumbs would have burst out of that room the moment Faust fired that shot. There's no reason to expect an attack from that direction as long the door remained closed. They had time.
She creeps close to the cupboards, quietly poking at half-open doors with the baton when not holding it high and pulling the handles with her free hand, ready to strike anything nasty that could be hiding in them. Once she reaches the sink she stops for a moment to test if it still has running water.
Arthur follows her in and heads straight for the sink, carefully pulling out the duffel bag from the cupboard underneath it and unzipping it to see the contents.
Much of the bag is filled with boxes of preservative-laden foods, likely still safe to eat after all these decades. But these hold little interest for him when he sees the other thing in the bag. A laser rifle, with the apporiate ammunition. He pulls it out and checks it over, with a look of mild satisfaction. He's never seen the appeal energy weapons, far too flashy for stealth and requiring specialist ammunition, but at least it's a rifle, making him feel far more in his element. The laser pointer that forms the sighting apparatus is broken, and the imbecilic yank that designed it forgot, or worse, decided not to, give it iron sights, so he decides to use the remains of the sight mounting as such.
He passes his pistol and spare magzines to Grey, and says, loud enough for the other 5 to hear, "There's some food in that bag, with the amount of preservatives in that crap, it should be just as safe to eat as the day it was made, and taste just as awful."
-
Arthur follows her in and heads straight for the sink, carefully pulling out the duffel bag from the cupboard underneath it and unzipping it to see the contents.
Much of the bag is filled with boxes of preservative-laden foods, likely still safe to eat after all these decades. But these hold little interest for him when he sees the other thing in the bag. A laser rifle, with the apporiate ammunition. He pulls it out and checks it over, with a look of mild satisfaction. He's never seen the appeal energy weapons, far too flashy for stealth and requiring specialist ammunition, but at least it's a rifle, making him feel far more in his element.
He passes his pistol and spare magzines to Grey, and says, loud enough for the other 5 to hear, "There's some food in that bag, with the amount of preservatives in that crap, it should be just as safe to eat as the day it was made, and taste just as awful."
"Hooray!" Faust says brightly. "That should give us a few extra hours to get out of here." With five people here, he doubts there is weeks worth of food. One has to be realistic. More importantly, they had... well, he had no clue how far they were from the city. Or a settlement, if the city was leveled. They have to get out of here quick, and they have to get going to somewhere with other people fast. Or, somewhere with other food sources. In case people they meet are dangerous.
He is watching the hallway and the creepy robot while the others are checking the room. Bugs didn't come from their direction, but still. With Grey and Arthur armed and inside, they should be able to deal with things should they come from the other room.
-
Robin
Robin's expression lits up at the rifle's sight. She nods in approval, inspecting a cell closely before returning it to the bag. With luck they'd find something similar—maybe an old-fashioned one with real bullets—she could use instead that stupid baton. In her hands it was as good as being unarmed, and her fondness for scouting under the real threat from big murderous critters and rogue robots while this helpless was decreasing by the hour.
"Hooray!" Faust says brightly. "That should give us a few extra hours to get out of here."
"We also have water. Need containers to carry it," she says, frowning at Faust. Was that sarcasm? She wipes her hands on her suit and resumes searching the cupboards, now focused on finding bottles too.
-
Nine
Nine listens to Robin. Felling relatively safe thanks to Arthur new aquisition he moves to the kitchen area and tastes the water. "Hum... Fine! We're lucky! Water and... " looking at the open duffel bag. "...and lots of don't-ask-what-it-is food."
Placing the gun softly over the counter he turns at Robin. "Hey, wanna take it? You're going first, and someone will have to carry our provisions."
He fills 6 glasses and place them in a line over the counter. "First one in 200 years is on the house." Nine drinks his glass straight, fills 6 plastic bottles, puts them inside the duffel bag and closes it.
Nine lifts the bag. It's heavy, but he carried heavier ones. "Ok, we still have one room to check. Ready when you are."
-
Robin
Placing the gun softly over the counter he turns at Robin. "Hey, wanna take it? You're going first, and someone will have to carry our provisions."
YES! Yes I want!
Robin leans slightly towards the gun almost as if it had a magnetic pull on her. She keeps her hands to herself, hesitating before ultimately reaching for it. "You sure? I didn't receive training with handguns," she asks, the fear he'd change his mind shrinking her voice into a quiet whisper. She offers him the baton, holding the gun a bit too close to herself.
She points at the terminal with her chin, then takes a glass and drinks it off in solid swallows, savoring the momentary relief it brings to the small headache chasing her since she stepped out of the pod. "We should check it first. Could have clues about the generator."
-
Nine
Nine listens to Robin. Felling relatively safe thanks to Arthur new aquisition he moves to the kitchen area and tastes the water. "Hum... Fine! We're lucky! Water and... " looking at the open duffel bag. "...and lots of don't-ask-what-it-is food."
Placing the gun softly over the counter he turns at Robin. "Hey, wanna take it? You're going first, and someone will have to carry our provisions."
He fills 6 glasses and place them in a line over the counter. "First one in 200 years is on the house." Nine drinks his glass straight, fills 6 plastic bottles, puts them inside the duffel bag and closes it.
Nine lifts the bag. It's heavy, but he carried heavier ones. "Ok, we still have one room to check. Ready when you are."
"Thanks, Grey" Faust says. He walks up to the counter and takes a glass.
Robin
YES! Yes I want!
Robin leans slightly towards the gun almost as if it had a magnetic pull on her. She keeps her hands to herself, hesitating before ultimately reaching for it. "You sure? I didn't receive training with handguns," she asks, the fear he'd change his mind shrinking her voice into a quiet whisper. She offers him the baton, holding the gun a bit too close to herself.
She points at the terminal with her chin, then takes a glass and drinks it off in solid swallows, savoring the momentary relief it brings to the small headache chasing her since she stepped out of the pod. "We should check it first. Could have clues about the generator."
Hoooooly shit. Nonono. No. NO. "No, wait. Robin, come here, please, before you hurt yourself or someone else with that. Gimme. Lesson time, just a minute."
-
Robin
Alarmed by Faust's reaction, Robin shields the gun from view and stares at him like a dog guarding their chunk of meat. She relaxes a little at the realization the isn't trying to take it from her outright and extends her arms, revealing the gun again. "Okay..." Her eyes flit between it and the man, her mistrust evident.
-
Robin
Alarmed by Faust's reaction, Robin shields the gun from his view and stares at him like a dog guarding their chunk of meat. She relaxes a little at the realization the isn't trying to take it from her outright and extends her arms, offering the gun to him. "Okay..." Her eyes flit between the gun and the man, her mistrust evident.
"Right. So, this is safety. Keep it on at all times to prevent accidents. Remove it when combat happens, but only if there is no other choice. Okay?" he says, showing her how to flip it on and off. "On. Off. On."
"Second, this is how you hold a gun properly. Two hands. Keeping it stable so you keep your aim steady. Well, steadier, you'll suck at first. We can practice later. Okay? Good."
"Finally, finger never on the trigger. No. This is how accidental fire happens. And never trust the manufacturers, some guns have ridiculously sensitive triggers. Best not find it out too late. Never aim it at yourself, even if your hands are miles from the trigger. Never aim it at other people. Okay?"
-
Robin
"Right. So, this is safety. Keep it on at all times to prevent accidents. Remove it when combat happens, but only if there is no other choice. Okay?" he says, showing her how to flip it on and off. "On. Off. On."
"Second, this is how you hold a gun properly. Two hands. Keeping it stable so you keep your aim steady. Well, steadier, you'll suck at first. We can practice later. Okay? Good."
"Is that why you missed?" She glances suggestively at the crowbar. She nods at the rest of his instruction and remarks, "They teach us to not tag people. Finger on the trigger only when you're prepared to shoot."
Despite the bad attitude she mimics the instruction, flipping the safety twice to test it then gripping the gun with both hands, aiming at the wall with her finger off the trigger. She lowers it, nodding to herself. "Thanks."
-
Robin
"Is that why you missed?" She glances suggestively at the crowbar. She nods at the rest of his instruction and remarks, "They teach us to not tag people. Finger on the trigger only when you're prepared to shoot."
Despite the bad attitude she mimics the instruction, flipping the safety twice to test it then gripping the gun with both hands, aiming at the wall with her finger off the trigger. She lowers it, nodding to herself. "Thanks."
He lets out a laugh. "Cut me some slack, sweetie, I didn't fire a gun for two centuries. Add four years to that, actually..." he says. "Don't hold the gun too close to an opponent, they will disarm you if they're better trained than you. Don't hold the gun too close to yourself, recoiled gun in the head hurts like hell. And this is your Last. Option. Don't use it when we're around."
Wait, underlined speech. He sounds like his mom.
Oh no.
-
Nine
Listening to Robin, Nine raises an eyebrow wondering what kind of military academy she attended. Did they teach what, to throw knives at the enemy? But then he recalls that she behaved well so far, showing bravery in scouting unarmed, despite being so young and inexperienced.
So he refrains himself and was about to give her a lesson when Faust steps ahead. A wry smile comes to his face as he realizes that his judgment on the strange guy was right. He does know how to handle a gun.
"I see you got yourself a teacher, Robin. Just let me add the two shots rule. One may not be enough to stop the enemy, three is probably a waste of ammo, so make it two." He hits the counter with one finger, followed by another. "Tum. Tum. The first on the chest, the largest target, the second may hit there again, or you can aim to the head." He makes the two sounds again, and then again. "And you pass to the next enemy, and the one after that, until they are all down."
He looks at Faust. "Well done. Now what about passing that crowbar to Jay? At least it's a better weapon than a wrench, and our mechanic may find other uses for that." He approaches Charlie, holding the baton by its tip, and offers it to her. "As this one is probably better than that screwdriver. I'll keep with the wrench until we find another weapon."
-
Robin
He lets out a laugh. "Cut me some slack, sweetie, I didn't fire a gun for two centuries. Add four years to that, actually..." he says. "Don't hold the gun too close to an opponent, they will disarm you if they're better trained than you. Don't hold the gun too close to yourself, recoiled gun in the head hurts like hell. And this is your Last. Option. Don't use it when we're around."
Wait, underlined speech. He sounds like his mom.
Oh no.
A crease of irritation appears in her forehead at the "sweetie", remaining there as he talked. She almost misses the part about not holding the gun too far, another useful tidbit of information for someone used to weapons of a radically different length.
"Right. I'll save bullets. And I almost don't want to shoot you. But drop the sweetie," she sais dryly, "the dear, the fluffy or whatever stupid cute helpless adjective you got in mind when talking to me." The angry glint in her eyes isn't entirely teenage bravado. Somewhere under it there's a weariness that doesn't belong with a girl her age. After everything she went through Faust couldn't possibly expect her to let them write her off as a useless kid this way! What the hell does he thinks he knows?!
Nine
Listening to Robin, Nine raises an eyebrow wondering what kind of military academy she attended. Did they teach what, to throw knives at the enemy? But then he recalls that she behaved well so far, showing bravery in scouting unarmed, despite being so young and inexperienced.
So he refrains himself and was about to give her a lesson when Faust steps ahead. A wry smile comes to his face as he realizes that his judgment on the strange guy was right. He does know how to handle a gun.
"I see you got yourself a teacher, Robin. Just let me add the two shots rule. One may not be enough to stop the enemy, three is probably a waste of ammo, so make it two." He hits the counter with one finger, followed by another. "Tum. Tum. The first on the chest, the largest target, the second may hit there again, or you can aim to the head." He makes the two sounds again, and then again. "And you pass to the next enemy, and the one after that, until they are all down."
He looks at Faust. "Well done. Now what about passing that crowbar to Jay? At least it's a better weapon than a wrench, and our mechanic may find other uses for that." He approaches Charlie, holding the baton by its tip, and offers it to her. "As this one is probably better than that screwdriver. I'll keep with the wrench until we find another weapon."
She nods to Nine. Two shots. It made sense, the ammunition was different from what she was used to. "Can I just..." she clears her throat. "If we find a standard rifle, can I take it? I know it's less than optimal inclose quarters but I'd feel far more comfortable with one."
-
Robin
A crease of irritation appears in her forehead at the "sweetie", remaining there as he talked. She almost misses the part about not holding the gun too far, another useful tidbit of information for someone used to weapons of a radically different length.
"Right. I'll save bullets. And I almost don't want to shoot you. But drop the sweetie," she sais dryly, "the dear, the fluffy or whatever stupid cute helpless adjective you got in mind when talking to me." The angry glint in her eyes isn't entirely teenage bravado. Somewhere under it there's a weariness that doesn't belong with a girl her age. After everything she went through Faust couldn't possibly expect her to let them write her off as a useless kid this way! What the hell does he thinks he knows?!
Oh, aw. He made her angry. "Sorry, it's a habit" he says sincerely. "I'll stop."
Nine
Listening to Robin, Nine raises an eyebrow wondering what kind of military academy she attended. Did they teach what, to throw knives at the enemy? But then he recalls that she behaved well so far, showing bravery in scouting unarmed, despite being so young and inexperienced.
So he refrains himself and was about to give her a lesson when Faust steps ahead. A wry smile comes to his face as he realizes that his judgment on the strange guy was right. He does know how to handle a gun.
"I see you got yourself a teacher, Robin. Just let me add the two shots rule. One may not be enough to stop the enemy, three is probably a waste of ammo, so make it two." He hits the counter with one finger, followed by another. "Tum. Tum. The first on the chest, the largest target, the second may hit there again, or you can aim to the head." He makes the two sounds again, and then again. "And you pass to the next enemy, and the one after that, until they are all down."
He looks at Faust. "Well done. Now what about passing that crowbar to Jay? At least it's a better weapon than a wrench, and our mechanic may find other uses for that." He approaches Charlie, holding the baton by its tip, and offers it to her. "As this one is probably better than that screwdriver. I'll keep with the wrench until we find another weapon."
Robin
She nods to Nine. Two shots. It made sense, the ammunition was different from what she was used to. "Can I just..." she clears her throat. "If we find a standard rifle, can I take it? I know it's less than optimal inclose quarters but I'd feel far more comfortable with one."
"Don't listen to him, he's an idiot. Stay under some good cover and don't get shot yourself. You don't need to know how to kill before you even know how to shoot straight." Faust gives him a look in return. It was bad enough he told her to go first. Idiot.
And he wants him to give up the crowbar...
Visibly sad to part with it, he puts it on the table for whoever wants it to take it. But, Robin noticed it, too. Grey's right, he'll probably be more useful without it.
"But if you have some training with rifles, I suppose it would be better you have it, if we find one..."
-
Robin
"Don't listen to him, he's an idiot. Stay under some good cover and don't get shot yourself. You don't need to know how to kill before you even know how to shoot straight." Faust gives him a look in return. It was bad enough he told her to go first. Idiot.
"Excuse me? Do you think people enlist to learn to bake cupcakes or some shit? Keep pestering me and you're the one who'll get me killed." Robin bites her lips and stomps off to the terminal. She huffs and rolls her eyes. "Great. Games. You all ready to move?"
-
In that moment Charlie remembers the holotape. She hands it to Jay.
"Here you go. Can you put it into the bag please?"
Jay slips the holotape into the bag, a little late but still effective.
Oh, aw. He made her angry. "Sorry, it's a habit" he says sincerely. "I'll stop."
"Don't listen to him, he's an idiot. Stay under some good cover and don't get shot yourself. You don't need to know how to kill before you even know how to shoot straight." Faust gives him a look in return. It was bad enough he told her to go first. Idiot.
And he wants him to give up the crowbar...
Visibly sad to part with it, he puts it on the table for whoever wants it to take it. But, Robin noticed it, too. Grey's right, he'll probably be more useful without it.
Jay takes the crowbar. "Thanks, Faust. If you need it again, just let me know."
He takes a few cans of preserved food from the canteen and puts them in the bag, wanting to have a backup source of calories in case the world outside really is irradiated beyond recognition. Then he nods at Robin. "I've got everything I need."
-
Charlie follows the others into the canteen. Nothing too notable. Food though! Hm... If you can call this food. Well, better than nothing? Supposedly she didn´t eat in centuries, so maybe this will taste good to her. Maybe.
Also a rifle... Some of the staff here seems to have been very fond of hiding things.
He fills 6 glasses and place them in a line over the counter. "First one in 200 years is on the house." Nine drinks his glass straight, fills 6 plastic bottles, puts them inside the duffel bag and closes it.
Nine lifts the bag. It's heavy, but he carried heavier ones. "Ok, we still have one room to check. Ready when you are."
"Cheers!", Charlie says, lifting her glass up. Before she drinks it, she smells on it though, just to be safe. No, seems normal. Also tastes normal, maybe not as fresh as it could be, but it´s fine. And helps with the headache she still has.
Nine
He looks at Faust. "Well done. Now what about passing that crowbar to Jay? At least it's a better weapon than a wrench, and our mechanic may find other uses for that." He approaches Charlie, holding the baton by its tip, and offers it to her. "As this one is probably better than that screwdriver. I'll keep with the wrench until we find another weapon."
"Uh, thanks."
She weighs it in her hand in comparison to her own wrench in the other one. She kinda wants to keep that one too, as it´s a tool she´s more familiar with. Well, not that she´s punched anyone with one before, but she has used it for its actual purpose. She has nowhere to put it though. And holding something with two hands gives it more power when striking, so being able to use both would be preferable.
To delay her decision she listens to Faust´s gun-lecture some more. Huh, she didn´t expect him to know so much. Sure, Nine and Arthur can deal with weapons, they have stated to be military-people. But what does Faust do actually?
After Robin has stomped off she adresses him with genuine interest.
"Hey Faust, how come you know so much about guns? I thought you were a civillian."
Robin
She huffs and rolls her eyes. "Great. Games. You all ready to move?"
Oh what? What a luxury... Charlie had never really had the time for video-games in dancing-school, but she played a couple of times during holidays with her siblings. And now she´s curious after all how the people here spent their free time. She walks over to the terminal as well, quickly finding a bin filled with a handfull of holotape games. She goes through them, eventually finding one titled 'Red Menace'. She holds it up for the other´s to see.
"Hey look, we had that one as kids! You had to dodge barrels or something if I remember correctly."
She looks at the tape with some trace of nostalgia despite vaguely remembering being terrible at playing it.
Quietly she murmurs to herself: "Hm, I think I´m gonna keep this..."
It´s clearly a useless item, will take up space and now Charlie has three things she can put nowhere in her hands. But it´s fine. She looks around if another bag is somewhere about.
PER: Roll(1d10)+4: 5,+4 Total:9
-
Robin
Robin shuffles uncomfortably in place. Red Menace? That's a propaganda game. She doesn't comment on it, saying instead, "Pick the others too. The Pip-boy can play them. Might help in keeping people entertained later, and we can ditch them if they weight us down."
She gives them time to organize their belongings and moves to the door, positioning herself to enter the next room. "Right. Ready?" She rests her hand on the door handle.
Sneak (AGI) (https://orokos.com/roll/898173): 1d10+8+5 16
Inspect residence room (PER) (https://orokos.com/roll/898172): 1d10+6 14
-
Robin
"Excuse me? Do you think people enlist to learn to bake cupcakes or some shit? Keep pestering me and you're the one who'll get me killed." Robin bites her lips and stomps off to the terminal. She huffs and rolls her eyes. "Great. Games. You all ready to move?"
"Ah, Amy- Robin! Sorry. I'm sorry. I'll do better..." he says, visibly sad he made her angry again and sincere in his apology.
To delay her decision she listens to Faust´s gun-lecture some more. Huh, she didn´t expect him to know so much. Sure, Nine and Arthur can deal with weapons, they have stated to be military-people. But what does Faust do actually?
After Robin has stomped off she adresses him with genuine interest.
"Hey Faust, how come you know so much about guns? I thought you were a civillian."
He gives her a smile. "Army, two years, never deployed" he repeats. "It sucked."
Robin
She gives them time to organize their belongings and moves to the door, positioning herself to enter the next room. "Right. Ready?" She rests her hand on the door handle.
Sneak (AGI) (https://orokos.com/roll/898173): 1d10+8+5 16
Inspect residence room (PER) (https://orokos.com/roll/898172): 1d10+6 14
"Ready..." he says.
-
He gives her a smile. "Army, two years, never deployed" he repeats. "It sucked."
"I see... I can imagine."
Huh, looks like she and the mechanic are the only people with no military-experience here. Charlie doesn´t know about Jay, but at least she still has a connection to the army through her father. Her mom had never had the time to explain how exactly she got her family the spots in the vault, but Charlie is starting to suspect that her father´s position might have had something to do with that.
Robin
Robin shuffles uncomfortably in place. Red Menace? That's a propaganda game. She doesn't comment on it, saying instead, "Pick the others too. The Pip-boy can play them. Might help in keeping people entertained later, and we can ditch them if they weight us down."
She gives them time to organize their belongings and moves to the door, positioning herself to enter the next room. "Right. Ready?" She rests her hand on the door handle.
Charlie notices Robin´s discomfort at the holotape´s sight. Wait, is something wrong? She looks at the cover again. Oh. OH. For the first time she conciously realizes the obvious political connotations of the game. She remembers Robin mentioning earlier that her home-country was annexed. Probably Canada? And Robin seems to be of some Asian heritage as well, she probably had to listen to a lot of racist bullshit throughout her life. And here Charlie is picking up the first propaganda-game she can find.
Now she feels very stupid. And very bad. Ok, she had been really young when she and her brother got the game originally, but now, today, after everything, she really should have realized. But she isn´t sure how to address it, so instead she piles the other games from the bin on her arm and nods a bit sheepishly at Robin´s request.
"Does somebody still have space in some bag? I can´t find another one", she asks the others.
-
Nine
Nine observes the exchange between Robin and Faust with interest, and nods approvingly when Faust offers the crowbar to Jay. It's quite evident that he wanted to keep it, but at least was rational enough to understand that holding a crowbar and a gun with both hands wasn't an option.
Calling him an idiot, on the other hand, was unwise. But the guy was lucky, no doubt. Had he insulted the 24 years old Nine he would be already on the ground with a broken arm, and the gun wouldn't be of any help. Twenty years of experience, however, thought him a few things. "Insulting each other won't help us to survive this, Faust. Eliminating threats in the most efficient way will."
He turns to Robin, that's just left the terminal. "He's right about the cover. As you advance keep your eyes open. Move from one cover to the next, if you can... but I suppose you already know that."
As Charlie struggles to hold a bunch of holotapes and the baton, Nine opens a side pocket on the bag. "I can carry them for you." Now all he can do is wait for Robin to open the next door.
-
Charlie smiles at Nine and loads the tapes into the bag.
"Thank you!"
She shortly considers putting the wrench in there too, but in the end decides to just keep it. If needed, she can just let one of her weapons go.
"Then I´d be ready to leave too."
-
Jay watches the exchange between everyone as they decide to move on, and sneaks a peek at the next room himself, waiting to go in but looking through the door as he waits for everyone to get a move on.
lookin in that room (https://orokos.com/roll/898862): 1d10+5 15
"Looks like we've got a mattress... anyone feel like taking a nap?"
-
Robin
Robin shuffles uncomfortably in place. Red Menace? That's a propaganda game. She doesn't comment on it, saying instead, "Pick the others too. The Pip-boy can play them. Might help in keeping people entertained later, and we can ditch them if they weight us down."
She gives them time to organize their belongings and moves to the door, positioning herself to enter the next room. "Right. Ready?" She rests her hand on the door handle.
Sneak (AGI) (https://orokos.com/roll/898173): 1d10+8+5 16
Inspect residence room (PER) (https://orokos.com/roll/898172): 1d10+6 14
Arthur, crouching beside her, replies with "Always" and follows her into the room.
Sneak (AGI) (https://orokos.com/roll/898173): 1d10+7 13Inspect residence room (PER) (https://orokos.com/roll/898172): 1d10+8 17
-
Robin
One might think Robin is hard of hearing for the way she failed to visibly react when Faust apologized. But she did hear him, and his words weighted on her hand that didn't immediately turn the handle, on the extra second she that took to step into the room. She was still annoyed, annoyed to the point she didn't notice Charlie's sudden quietness either. The way Faust treated her bothered her, but the way she treated him bothered her above all. He meant well. He's being sincere. She knows she's also not wrong and what she meant to say that moment, but the words that came tumbling out of her mouth didn't come out right as they often don't.
She sighs, her attention sharpening at the sight of the chaotic room. This is not the time to get distracted by such things or she'll really end up dead.
Robin steps aside, letting Jay—who had been looking over her shoulder—pass, and walks around the overturned beds and lockers, taking in the bullet holes on the walls. That explains the body bags. She gives the others a thumb up, letting them know she spotted no danger, then approaches a damaged wall. It started to crumble, sagging slightly forward. There's a small hole where it meets the ceiling. It doesn't look large enough for a radroach but it captures her attention all the same.
After momentarily fidgeting with the pip-boy, Robin turns on the flashlight function and pushes and climbs on the locker closest to the wall, pointing the light at the hole.
"Guys? I think it's a tunnel. Tiny tunnel."
-
Robin
One might think Robin is hard of hearing for the way she failed to visibly react when Faust apologized. But she did hear him, and his words weighted on her hand that didn't immediately turn the handle, on the extra second she that took to step into the room. She was still annoyed, annoyed to the point she didn't notice Charlie's sudden quietness either. The way Faust treated her bothered her, but the way she treated him bothered her above all. He meant well. He's being sincere. She knows she's also not wrong and what she meant to say that moment, but the words that came tumbling out of her mouth didn't come out right as they often don't.
She sighs, her attention sharpening at the sight of the chaotic room. This is not the time to get distracted by such things or she'll really end up dead.
Robin steps aside, letting Jay—who had been looking over her shoulder—pass, and walks around the overturned beds and lockers, taking in the bullet holes on the walls. That explains the body bags. She gives the others a thumb up, letting them know she spotted no danger, then approaches a damaged wall. It started to crumble, sagging slightly forward. There's a small hole where it meets the ceiling. It doesn't look large enough for a radroach but it captures her attention all the same.
After momentarily fidgeting with the pip-boy, Robin turns on the flashlight function and pushes and climbs on the locker closest to the wall, pointing the light at the hole.
"Guys? I think it's a tunnel. Tiny tunnel."
Stepping in behind Robin, Jay looks around futher as he gets inside.
"I vote we stick something in front of the tiny tunnel so we don't get roach'd. Anyone want to help me shove a mattress up there?"
Jay pushes up the mattress and checks out the backpack underneath. "Magazine... comic books... weird gun, ammo, and a backpack for anyone that wants it. I'm not 100 percent on what these mods are, does a gun nerd want to come over here and check it out?"
-
Hmmmm... Faust is keeping watch on the entrance to the canteen, in case something comes when everyone's backs are turned. But they say they found a hole, but that door was closed. Could people 60 years ago miss those four creatures that attacked them? Or did roaches find a way to open and close doors as they went in and out of the vault?
Or, most likely option, there were in fact two entrances...
Whatever. He just hopes those guys don't raise their voices or something. He has no clue what attracts roaches. He doesn't like the idea of being overrun. Who knows how many of those things could be around...
Hmm... Grey didn't like to be called an idiot... Stored for future reference... No need to overreact to stuff, right. Faust was right, but he was being rude about it. He doesn't feel like apologizing for calling him stupid for teaching a kid to kill, but he doesn't feel like calling him stupid again either. They can probably talk it out or something.
...somehow he doubts that.
-
Nine
"What a mess!" Nine says as he enters the room. He notices with satisfaction that Faust stays by the door, covering their backs. Not stupid that guy, not at all. He feels that they may one day understand each other... If they live long enough.
He listens to Robin and Jay and points at the hole on the wall. "Yes, we better close that. Don't want a bunch of baby roaches on our backs. I'll help you." He moves toward Jay, but stops to look at his findings. "Fine, one more gun! And somebody added a few things to it. Give me a minute to take a look."
(PER) 1d10+6-5: 7
He observes the gun for a while and puts it back over the mattress when something else catches his attention. "Oh, this! I used to read this a few years... I mean, centuries, ago." He flips through the pages of the magazine and then back to the index. "Hum... Street Guns of Detroit... Sounds interesting." He spends a minute diagonally reading it, oblivious from the others movements.
"Those guys are... were nuts!" He shakes his head and looks at Jay. "Sorry, sorry, got distracted. I'll read it later. Let's deal with that hole! As for the gun, you found it, you carry it. Now it's just me and Charlie without a gun..." Nine looks at Charlie while he grabs a mattress. "Speaking of that, and hoping our friend Faust won't shoot me for asking, did you, miss, ever used a gun?" He than looks at Faust and raises an open hand. "Hold on. I'm not suggesting anything... yet. But you will surely agree that we should know."
-
Nine
"What a mess!" Nine says as he enters the room. He notices with satisfaction that Faust stays by the door, covering their backs. Not stupid that guy, not at all. He feels that they may one day understand each other... If they live long enough.
He listens to Robin and Jay and points at the hole on the wall. "Yes, we better close that. Don't want a bunch of baby roaches on our backs. I'll help you." He moves toward Jay, but stops to look at his findings. "Fine, one more gun! And somebody added a few things to it. Give me a minute to take a look."
(PER) 1d10+6-5: 7
He observes the gun for a while and puts it back over the mattress when something else catches his attention. "Oh, this! I used to read this a few years... I mean, centuries, ago." He flips through the pages of the magazine and then back to the index. "Hum... Street Guns of Detroit... Sounds interesting." He spends a minute diagonally reading it, oblivious from the others movements.
"Those guys are... were nuts!" He shakes his head and looks at Jay. "Sorry, sorry, got distracted. I'll read it later. Let's deal with that hole! As for the gun, you found it, you carry it. Now it's just me and Charlie without a gun..." Nine looks at Charlie while he grabs a mattress. "Speaking of that, and hoping our friend Faust won't shoot me for asking, did you, miss, ever used a gun?" He than looks at Faust and raises an open hand. "Hold on. I'm not suggesting anything... yet. But you will surely agree that we should know."
"...do you really think I would shoot you?" Faust asks. Kinda hurt. "Over asking a question?"
-
"...do you really think I would shoot you?" Faust asks. Kinda hurt. "Over asking a question?"
Nine
"Hum... No, not really. But you did shoot me with your eyes when I was talking with Robin, just before calling me an idiot."
He handles the mattress, already folded, to Jay. "Don't worry, I understand you... I guess. We both want to protect them, each on our own way."
He holds the locker where Jay stands to push the mattress into the hole and turns to Faust. "Besides that, do you think I would give you a gun if i believed you would shoot me?"
He gives Faust a wry smile and turns again towards Jay.
-
Nine
"Hum... No, not really. But you did shoot me with your eyes when I was talking with Robin, just before calling me an idiot."
He handles the mattress, already folded, to Jay. "Don't worry, I understand you... I guess. We both want to protect them, each on our own way."
He holds the locker where Jay stands to push the mattress into the hole and turns to Faust. "Besides that, do you think I would give you a gun if i believed you would shoot me?"
He gives Faust a wry smile and turns again towards Jay.
Hmm...
Okay.
-
Charlie lenses into the room. Hm, big chaos, more bullet-holes. But the others are already busy scavenging, so it seems to be relatively safe. She follows inside, but doesn´t yet dare approach Robin again. Instead she walks over to look at Jay´s findings.
Nine
"What a mess!" Nine says as he enters the room. He notices with satisfaction that Faust stays by the door, covering their backs. Not stupid that guy, not at all. He feels that they may one day understand each other... If they live long enough.
He listens to Robin and Jay and points at the hole on the wall. "Yes, we better close that. Don't want a bunch of baby roaches on our backs. I'll help you." He moves toward Jay, but stops to look at his findings. "Fine, one more gun! And somebody added a few things to it. Give me a minute to take a look."
(PER) 1d10+6-5: 7
He observes the gun for a while and puts it back over the mattress when something else catches his attention. "Oh, this! I used to read this a few years... I mean, centuries, ago." He flips through the pages of the magazine and then back to the index. "Hum... Street Guns of Detroit... Sounds interesting." He spends a minute diagonally reading it, oblivious from the others movements.
"Those guys are... were nuts!" He shakes his head and looks at Jay. "Sorry, sorry, got distracted. I'll read it later. Let's deal with that hole! As for the gun, you found it, you carry it. Now it's just me and Charlie without a gun..." Nine looks at Charlie while he grabs a mattress. "Speaking of that, and hoping our friend Faust won't shoot me for asking, did you, miss, ever used a gun?" He than looks at Faust and raises an open hand. "Hold on. I'm not suggesting anything... yet. But you will surely agree that we should know."
Wait, didn´t she say that already? Ah, whatever, all their minds are still kinda fuzzy, perhaps she even just thought it to herself. She responds:
"Ehm no. I gotta admit I´ve never even held one. And to be honest, I´m not a big fan of guns in general... so if we find another one, feel free to take it."
While Nine and Jay are fiddling with the mattress, she nods towards the things under the bed.
"But I could take the backpack if no one else wants it. I still need a place to put my wrench anyways."
-
Nine
"Hum... No, not really. But you did shoot me with your eyes when I was talking with Robin, just before calling me an idiot."
He handles the mattress, already folded, to Jay. "Don't worry, I understand you... I guess. We both want to protect them, each on our own way."
He holds the locker where Jay stands to push the mattress into the hole and turns to Faust. "Besides that, do you think I would give you a gun if i believed you would shoot me?"
He gives Faust a wry smile and turns again towards Jay.
After making sure the safety for the gun is on, Jay slips it into his bag along with the ammo. Then he goes to shove that mattress into the hole. No radroaches under his watch!
"You should take the bag. It'll be helpful in the long run," he says over his shoulder, grunting with effort to really get the mattress into the tunnel. "You know, this really isn't how I pictured surviving in the apocalypse. Although I guess the roaches are right on point."
-
"You should take the bag. It'll be helpful in the long run," he says over his shoulder, grunting with effort to really get the mattress into the tunnel. "You know, this really isn't how I pictured surviving in the apocalypse. Although I guess the roaches are right on point."
"Right?" Faust says jokingly. "Rats and roaches, bastards will outlive the sun."
-
Robin
"Nooo, don't plug the hole yet!" Robin leaps to the ground, feet making a tiny muffled sound, and opens her arms to block Jay. She holds one closer to the hole and twists her body, watching the radiation meter closely. It remains unchanged.
"It kinda looks dug, doesn't it? I'd like to know where it leads."
-
Robin
"Nooo, don't plug the hole yet!" Robin leaps to the ground, feet making a tiny muffled sound, and opens her arms to block Jay. She holds one closer to the hole and twists her body, watching the radiation meter closely. It remains unchanged.
"It kinda looks dug, doesn't it? I'd like to know where it leads."
"Robin, I can't believe I have to say it, but please don't touch the suspicious hole in the wall."
-
Robin
"Nooo, don't plug the hole yet!" Robin leaps to the ground, feet making a tiny muffled sound, and opens her arms to block Jay. She holds one closer to the hole and twists her body, watching the radiation meter closely. It remains unchanged.
"It kinda looks dug, doesn't it? I'd like to know where it leads."
Jay, already midway to getting the mattress thoroughly in there, stares at her. "I hate to be the one to say this, but you should really have more consideration for health and safety." He backs off and pulls the mattress out, annoyed at how fast it escalated. "Look away, I guess."
-
Robin
"Robin, I can't believe I have to say it, but please don't touch the suspicious hole in the wall."
"I'm not going to touch it. That's what crowbars are for. Ten minutes ago you were discussing ways to bypass the generator room. Well..." She points at the hole with both arms like a clerk in a showroom. "Though I don't think this one leads to another room, even if we managed to enlarge it."
Jay, already midway to getting the mattress thoroughly in there, stares at her. "I hate to be the one to say this, but you should really have more consideration for health and safety." He backs off and pulls the mattress out, annoyed at how fast it escalated. "Look away, I guess."
She cocks her head to the side. "Why?"
-
Robin
"I'm not going to touch it. That's what crowbars are for. Ten minutes ago you were discussing ways to bypass the generator room. Well..." She points at the hole with both arms like a clerk in a showroom. "Though I don't think this one leads to another room, even if we managed to enlarge it."
She cocks her head to the side. "Why?"
"No, I meant, uh, go ahead. Sorry." Jay gestures to the hole and spends some time loading ammo into his new gun, in case something nasty comes scuttling out.
-
Robin
"No, I meant, uh, go ahead. Sorry." Jay gestures to the hole and spends some time loading ammo into his new gun, in case something nasty comes scuttling out.
"Oh..." Robin blushes, feeling foolish. "Right."
She pushes the locker closer to the wall, grunting and skidding in place at times. "A little help?"
Once it's in position she climbs again, taking a good look through the gap. "We could plug it with tightly compact bed sheets, or filling from mattresses. Or, uhm, debris or bones? I don't think a mattress alone will hold what made this for more than a minute. But..." She cranes her neck and peeks from a different angle. "It looks like how the roaches got in after all.
"I guess they know how to open doors," she adds, glancing at Faust over her shoulder. Her mouth is serious, but there's a twinkle dancing in her eyes. It's the closest she got to a smile so far.
-
"...do you really think I would shoot you?" Faust asks. Kinda hurt. "Over asking a question?"
Arthur quips "Not much for her to be worried about, given your aim."
Nine
"What a mess!" Nine says as he enters the room. He notices with satisfaction that Faust stays by the door, covering their backs. Not stupid that guy, not at all. He feels that they may one day understand each other... If they live long enough.
He listens to Robin and Jay and points at the hole on the wall. "Yes, we better close that. Don't want a bunch of baby roaches on our backs. I'll help you." He moves toward Jay, but stops to look at his findings. "Fine, one more gun! And somebody added a few things to it. Give me a minute to take a look."
(PER) 1d10+6-5: 7
He observes the gun for a while and puts it back over the mattress when something else catches his attention. "Oh, this! I used to read this a few years... I mean, centuries, ago." He flips through the pages of the magazine and then back to the index. "Hum... Street Guns of Detroit... Sounds interesting." He spends a minute diagonally reading it, oblivious from the others movements.
"Those guys are... were nuts!" He shakes his head and looks at Jay. "Sorry, sorry, got distracted. I'll read it later. Let's deal with that hole! As for the gun, you found it, you carry it. Now it's just me and Charlie without a gun..." Nine looks at Charlie while he grabs a mattress. "Speaking of that, and hoping our friend Faust won't shoot me for asking, did you, miss, ever used a gun?" He than looks at Faust and raises an open hand. "Hold on. I'm not suggesting anything... yet. But you will surely agree that we should know."
Arthur picks the gun up from the matress and looks over it
(PER) 1d10+8: 14
Loud enough for the rest of the room to hear, he says "It's been converted to be fully automatic, rather than just semi-automatic. An idiotic idea, especially when they havent expanded the magazine."
Checking benaeath a bed, he finds a skeleton in the remains of a hazmat suit, little more than rags, but he takes the pip-boy from his wrist, muttering "It seems you encountered the greatest hazard of all, my friend, time."
He turns the pip-boy on without difficulty, so announces to the room "Found another of those pip-boys"
-
Nine
Nine looks at the hole while he helps holding Robin. He ponders for a minute. "Look, with the things we have here we won't be able to block whaterver capable to cut through concrete, roaches or not. I suggest we finish checking this room and go back to the hallway."
"Maybe we can throw that strange robot before us into the generator room. Then we can find if the metal in it attracts those discharges, and also if the sentry bot is active. We want to get out or to find another cockroach nest?"
-
Robin
"No, it's not thick concrete. I can see the dirt." She looks down at him. "We should be able to close it quickly, stuff something inside then move a locker in front of it. I'm not looking for trouble, I was looking for something of help. I don't want to risk getting ambushed by roaches crawling from a room we already cleared, do you?"
-
Robin
"No, it's not thick concrete. I can see the dirt." She looks down at him. "We should be able to close it quickly, stuff something inside then move a locker in front of it. I'm not looking for trouble, I was looking for something of help. I don't want to risk getting ambushed by roaches crawling from a room we already cleared, do you?"
Jay taps his chin. "Let's put a couple of bones in there with the mattress. That way if something shoves out, we'll hear them clatter against the locker if we're near enough to be in imminent trouble."
-
Robin
Jay taps his chin. "Let's put a couple of bones in there with the mattress. That way if something shoves out, we'll hear them clatter against the locker if we're near enough to be in imminent trouble."
Robin nods. "Let's use the ones from the body bags. They're Vault-Tec assholes." She jumps down and looks around at the room. "We can stuff a compacted bed sheet first to make it harder for them to get the bones out of the way. Huhm." She scratches her cheek for a moment, thoughtful. "But let's save the cleaner sheets for bandages."
-
Nine
Nine nods at Robin's idea. "Ok, I don't think plugging the hole is that important, but if you want to do it..." He moves to mattress where Arthur found another body. "...but we really don't know who is who on this mess, so let's borrow this guy, that's already here. I'm sure we won't get any complains."
He takes a few rags and uses them to grab the corpse bones, carefully avoiding to touch them directly. The arm gives away easily, and soon Nine's holding a Humerus, an Ulna and a Radius. He looks at the Radius for a second, as something crosses his mind.
He walks back to Robin, passing next to Charlie. "Sorry miss. You did said that before, but we've been through a lot on these last hours. Anyway, if we find more guns and you wish I'll be here to teach you..." He cocks his head toward Faust. "...Or you can ask our friend there."
Approaching Robin and Jay, he offers them the bones, wrapped on the rags. "Here. Now let's do it and move, OK?" Nine points at the Pip-Boy. "BTW, does this thing come with a radio? Some models have it. And, by any chance, a calendar? I'm curious on which season we will find outside."
-
Nine
Nine nods at Robin's idea. "Ok, I don't think plugging the hole is that important, but if you want to do it..." He moves to mattress where Arthur found another body. "...but we really don't know who is who on this mess, so let's borrow this guy, that's already here. I'm sure we won't get any complains."
He takes a few rags and uses them to grab the corpse bones, carefully avoiding to touch them directly. The arm gives away easily, and soon Nine's holding a Humerus, an Ulna and a Radius. He looks at the Radius for a second, as something crosses his mind.
He walks back to Robin, passing next to Charlie. "Sorry miss. You did said that before, but we've been through a lot on these last hours. Anyway, if we find more guns and you wish I'll be here to teach you..." He cocks his head toward Faust. "...Or you can ask our friend there."
Approaching Robin and Jay, he offers them the bones, wrapped on the rags. "Here. Now let's do it and move, OK?" Nine points at the Pip-Boy. "BTW, does this thing come with a radio? Some models have it. And, by any chance, a calendar? I'm curious on which season we will find outside."
"Thanks!" Jay takes the bundle, trying not to look too closely at the bones. Eugh.
Jay looks over at Robin, checking to make sure she's okay with him going ahead, and then shoves the bones in the hole after the worst of the sheets, in with the rags. "All right. alarm set."
He makes sure to save the better sheets in case they want to make bandages with them.
-
Robin
Robin stares wordlessly at Nine as he pulls and dismantles the body she didn't realize was in the same room they were. It hadn't been lying around but tucked was under one of the beds, hiding. It was one of the people in hazmat suits, of ones who tried to rescue them. Was he afraid in the end? Did he outlive the others for a few minutes, only enough to understand no help was coming, that he was going to die here alone? And he still clung to life, crawled under that bed. A desperate last act. These people had come for them when the rest of the world forsook them and got killed for it. And now Nine was taking one of them apart.
An unexpected feeling of warmth takes over her face, making her nose stuffy and her eyes sting. Robin looks away, eager to busy herself before it can overwhelm her. She grabs one of the clean sheets, kneels by a fallen locker and forces it against the metal corner, tearing small holes with a vengeance that she proceeds to use as help to rip the sheet in a few long stripes of fabric.
Nine
Approaching Robin and Jay, he offers them the bones, wrapped on the rags. "Here. Now let's do it and move, OK?" Nine points at the Pip-Boy. "BTW, does this thing come with a radio? Some models have it. And, by any chance, a calendar? I'm curious on which season we will find outside."
Her eyes dart at him as she nods. "Just a radio." She tears another would-be bandage then carefully folds and stuffs the pieces in the new backpack.
Jay looks over at Robin, checking to make sure she's okay with him going ahead, and then shoves the bones in the hole after the worst of the sheets, in with the rags. "All right. alarm set."
Robin gives a confirming nod to Jay. Not wanting to watch it she wanders over to the door, arms crossed as she waits them finish up the alarm.
-
Robin
Robin gives a confirming nod to Jay. Not wanting to watch it she wanders over to the door, arms crossed as she waits them finish up the alarm.
"I wonder if we'll be able to hear that clatter with this stupid evacuation alarm blaring..." Faust says, once again mostly talking to himself. Using the bones of a dead guy. He isn't sure that is either good or bad, but he also wonders if the dead guy smell could actually attract stuff instead of keeping it away... Hmm...
"...you alright?" he asks Robin instead. He figures he'll operate on the assumption the army guys have better critter control knowledge than... a guy that literally had to deal with disgusting crawlies for the past few years.
They might be ducked.
"Wait, what if dead guy smell attracts roaches?" he asks.
-
Robin
"...you alright?" he asks Robin instead. He figures he'll operate on the assumption the army guys have better critter control knowledge than... a guy that literally had to deal with disgusting crawlies for the past few years.
She nods and hugs herself closer, saying quietly, "I wish they used a different set of bones."
"Wait, what if dead guy smell attracts roaches?" he asks.
A slightly alarmed look crosses her face. She thinks for a moment, looking over her shoulder before relaxing. "No soft tissue left. Probably no marrow too. Nothing they can eat." She makes a point of staring at the corridor straight ahead before asking him. "We good?"
-
Robin
She nods and hugs herself closer, saying quietly, "I wish they used a different set of bones."
A slightly alarmed look crosses her face. She thinks for a moment, looking over her shoulder before relaxing. "No soft tissue left. Probably no marrow too. Nothing they can eat." She makes a point of staring at the corridor straight ahead before asking him. "We good?"
"We good" he says. Nothing was coming from what he could see. He doesn't like the idea of them opening the generator room, though...
And there's really no way he'd be angry with Robin. He doesn't appreciate her threatening him, but he's fine. And reasonably sure she wouldn't act on it.
-
After making sure the safety for the gun is on, Jay slips it into his bag along with the ammo. Then he goes to shove that mattress into the hole. No radroaches under his watch!
"You should take the bag. It'll be helpful in the long run," he says over his shoulder, grunting with effort to really get the mattress into the tunnel. "You know, this really isn't how I pictured surviving in the apocalypse. Although I guess the roaches are right on point."
Charlie takes the bag out of its hiding spot. Surprisingly enough its barely ripped anywhere. There´s some areas that could be patched up, but so far it should hold. She packs the comic-books and magazines back in (it´s not like they take up a lot of space) and adds her wrench.
Then the others start discussing about putting human bones into the hole in the wall. She stops packing and watches the happenings a bit stunned, especially as Nine adresses her with skeleton-bits in his hand.
"We´ll see about gun-practice... but uhm, the duck? Why are we putting bones in there? I mean, I get the sentiment of hearing something in the hole coming, but can´t we find anything else that makes noise when falling down? These bones used to be people, vault-tec-idiots or not. It´s kinda messed up to..." she gestures to the skeleton that Nine disassembled, searching for words. "I dunno... disturb them? It seems wrong."
She takes a careful closer look at the dead person under the bed. This one´s wearing the remnants of one of these suits, the ones the maybe-rescue-mission was wearing.
"Besides, it seems they weren´t even a vault-tec-employee."
Bad enough that there´s even as many corpses to choose between different ones to use as an alarm.
She starts looking around for an alternative, noticing first that the backpack to her feet is gone. But before she can panic, she notices Robin took it to put in the bandages she made. That´s... fine. Would have been nice if she had warned her ahead, but cool. Their space is limited, gotta use what they have.
In the meantime, Jay has put the bones into the wall already. Well, It´s kinda too late now to change anything. She looks at him (and also Nine while she´s at it) with a very displeased face, but stops searching around.
"Well, we could have just destroyed one of the beds or something instead. But whatever."
Knowing she would probably just say something rude to Robin if she said anything about the backpack now, she stays where she is a bit indecicively for the moment.
-
Robin
"We good" he says. Nothing was coming from what he could see. He doesn't like the idea of them opening the generator room, though...
And there's really no way he'd be angry with Robin. He doesn't appreciate her threatening him, but he's fine. And reasonably sure she wouldn't act on it.
"Good." She buys a little time by pulling the scrunchie out of her hair and letting it fall, untangling it with her fingers. "I— I understand where you're coming from, and I agree. Were it a different world... But it's not. The caring and the weak are the first to go." She twists her hair, redoing the top-knot bun, and looks at him. "And getting left behind is a horrible way to go."
She clears her throat and quickly changes the subject. "Anyway. Ideas of what she can throw in the generator room? I'd think the bot is metallic, if that can't attract lightning I don't know else this big what can."
-
Robin
"Good." She buys a little time by pulling the scrunchie out of her hair and letting it fall, untangling it with her fingers. "I— I understand where you're coming from, and I agree. Were it a different world... But it's not. The caring and the weak are the first to go." She twists her hair, redoing the top-knot bun, and looks at him. "And getting left behind is a horrible way to go."
"I'm not gonna leave you behind" he says. Honest, direct, not dramatic, not making a big deal out of it. But he definitely isn't going to let a kid die or get left behind. That's dumb. And evil.
She clears her throat and quickly changes the subject. "Anyway. Ideas of what she can throw in the generator room? I'd think the bot is metallic, if that can't attract lightning I don't know else this big what can."
"I don't like the idea of opening that room..." he says. "We don't know if that robot is active or not... Just because it's sitting there..."
-
Nine
Nine heads towards the canteen entrance. He can see the disgust on Charlie's face, as he saw in Robin's before. "Sorry about the bones, miss. I meant no disrespect. Maybe we could have used something else..." He looks around "...but I believe we should move. We already spent too much time in this place, and I want to see what's left of the World."
He gets closer to Robin as she speaks about using the bot. "Well, we could use the structure of one of those beds back there, but I guess the bot will do. Also, being human shaped will help us figure if the sentry robot is active... which would be a big problem."
Nine opens the door to the hallway and looks carefully. Nothing changed, the bodies, the strange robot, the remains of the smashed insects. He puts his bag on the ground next to the door and slips the wrench on it, then crunches next to the robot, examining it again. Behind him Faust is talking about how he doesn't like the idea of opening that door. "I don't like it too, but I see no other way. And we already concluded that we should not turn off the generator, so..."
After a few seconds he grabs the machine and lifts it to a standing position, as he would do with drunken person. He keeps it steady with both hands and turns to the others. "Heavy, but not too much. Whenever you want, I'm ready to push this thing. However, someone has to open the door." Nine pauses, waiting for the others. "It's a good idea to have our weapons ready, just in case."
-
Nine
Nine heads towards the canteen entrance. He can see the disgust on Charlie's face, as he saw in Robin's before. "Sorry about the bones, miss. I meant no disrespect. Maybe we could have used something else..." He looks around "...but I believe we should move. We already spent too much time in this place, and I want to see what's left of the World."
He gets closer to Robin as she speaks about using the bot. "Well, we could use the structure of one of those beds back there, but I guess the bot will do. Also, being human shaped will help us figure if the sentry robot is active... which would be a big problem."
Nine opens the door to the hallway and looks carefully. Nothing changed, the bodies, the strange robot, the remains of the smashed insects. He puts his bag on the ground next to the door and slips the wrench on it, then crunches next to the robot, examining it again. Behind him Faust is talking about how he doesn't like the idea of opening that door. "I don't like it too, but I see no other way. And we already concluded that we should not turn off the generator, so..."
After a few seconds he grabs the machine and lifts it to a standing position, as he would do with drunken person. He keeps it steady with both hands and turns to the others. "Heavy, but not too much. Whenever you want, I'm ready to push this thing. However, someone has to open the door." Nine pauses, waiting for the others. "It's a good idea to have our weapons ready, just in case."
"Are you absolutely sure that the first door can't be opened, and that there's no other secret way out or something" Faust asks. Just to check. He doesn't like the idea at all. Radiation, robot. Not good.
-
Robin
"I'm not gonna leave you behind" he says. Honest, direct, not dramatic, not making a big deal out of it. But he definitely isn't going to let a kid die or get left behind. That's dumb. And evil.
"I don't like the idea of opening that room..." he says. "We don't know if that robot is active or not... Just because it's sitting there..."
"You might not have a choice," she says, leaving what she's replying to unclear. "We don't have a choice. The people from before couldn't get that door unstuck and they came prepared, unlike us. We have an abundance of guns and a shortage of food. And all of them managed to cross the generator room, the doctor's people and the ones who woke up." She drops her voice to a whisper after Nine passes by them and lifts the robot. "And I'm not sure they'll want to wait.
She moves to open the door. "I suspect this is one of the least dangerous things we'll do."
-
Nine
Nine nods. Everbody seems ready. He asks them to open the door, steps in and throws the robot.
But his muscles don't work as he would expect, and the move comes out clumsy. The robot gets caught on a railing and flips over mid-flight, almost falling to the floor.
A zappy bolt from the damaged generator takes offense to this and blasts the robot, yeeting it back at Nine.
Nine fails to dodge and takes a few dozen kilos of red-hot electrified robot to the torso, knocking him off his feet.
He falls back, lightly wounded, and manages to crawl back to the hallway, where he lets himself lie on the floor for a while. His lips form a inaudible swear word.
-
Nine
Nine nods. Everbody seems ready. He asks them to open the door, steps in and throws the robot.
But his muscles don't work as he would expect, and the move comes out clumsy. The robot gets caught on a railing and flips over mid-flight, almost falling to the floor.
A zappy bolt from the damaged generator takes offense to this and blasts the robot, yeeting it back at Nine.
Nine fails to dodge and takes a few dozen kilos of red-hot electrified robot to the torso, knocking him off his feet.
He falls back, lightly wounded, and manages to crawl back to the hallway, where he lets himself lie on the floor for a while. His lips form a inaudible swear word.
Shit!
Faust considers kicking the robot further away, but even he is not dumb enough to kick glowing metal. Instead, he closes the reactor door, like a sane person, leaving the care for the wounded to Robin.
-
Robin
"Nine!" Robin yells, flattening herself against the wall by the door to avoid being caught in the chaos. As soon she's sure there's no continuous power discharge she steps over and helps him from under the robot with a light kick from with her heel, then hovers over him as he crawls away from the door, not daring to pull him and risk causing him further injury.
"Hang on, let me see," she says when he stops, voice quivering a little but her hands steady. Resting a palm on his shoulder, she undoes his collar and pulls the suit zipper down, exposing his torso. No exposed fractures, good. She takes his pulse for a moment then lightly presses rib by rib. "You're doing good. Can you take a deep breath? Slowly now. Let me see... I'm not feeling any broken bones. You'll have a nasty bruise." She shifts her weight to help him sit when he's ready. "You'll have to take it easy, lift no weight and move slowly. Rest a bit now, please. If you feel any weird pain or have trouble breathing, let me know. Immediately."
-
Nine
Nine remains silent as Robin examines him. He has been wounded before, and knows it wasn't that bad this time. It hurts a bit... no, a lot! But the worst is the felling of failure. Ok, he wasn't luck, but also his body didn't work as he expected! He makes a mental note to be more careful and accepts Robin's support to sit, back against the wall.
"Thanks!" He looks at his body and raises his hands. All nine fingers on their usual place. "Seems you can keep calling me Nine!" He begins a small laugh, but has to stop due to the pain. "I'll be fine. I've been through worse..." His heart is warmed by Robin's care. She's obviously worried about him, and so are the others. And they just met him... "Thanks, thanks, and sorry for missing it... Now if you don't mind a need a few minutes before we try again." He looks at the robot, already cold, just a bit darker. "At least we still have it."
-
Nine
Nine heads towards the canteen entrance. He can see the disgust on Charlie's face, as he saw in Robin's before. "Sorry about the bones, miss. I meant no disrespect. Maybe we could have used something else..." He looks around "...but I believe we should move. We already spent too much time in this place, and I want to see what's left of the World."
He gets closer to Robin as she speaks about using the bot. "Well, we could use the structure of one of those beds back there, but I guess the bot will do. Also, being human shaped will help us figure if the sentry robot is active... which would be a big problem."
Nine opens the door to the hallway and looks carefully. Nothing changed, the bodies, the strange robot, the remains of the smashed insects. He puts his bag on the ground next to the door and slips the wrench on it, then crunches next to the robot, examining it again. Behind him Faust is talking about how he doesn't like the idea of opening that door. "I don't like it too, but I see no other way. And we already concluded that we should not turn off the generator, so..."
After a few seconds he grabs the machine and lifts it to a standing position, as he would do with drunken person. He keeps it steady with both hands and turns to the others. "Heavy, but not too much. Whenever you want, I'm ready to push this thing. However, someone has to open the door." Nine pauses, waiting for the others. "It's a good idea to have our weapons ready, just in case."
As the others are leaving, Charlie gets increasingly more irritated.
"Isn´t anybody even going to acknowledge this???"
She walks over to the corpse under the bed. What is someone even supposed to do in a situation like this? Say something? Pray? But she doesn´t know whether this person even was religious or which religion they followed, so that´s maybe not a good idea.
"Well, rest in peace? I hope you know we only took your bones because we absolutely needed to. And we´re very sorry. We´ll leave now."
Even while she´s speaking she feels kind of stupid. When she turns away to follow the others, not wanting to end up in the creepy room alone, she sees that Robin left the backpack here. Uhm... ok? Guess that´s the cue that Charlie should carry it. But why didn´t Robin say a word??? Steal the backpack and then leave it behind... Charlie picks up the bag a bit too overwhelmed by everything going on to really form an opinion about this.
At that moment she hears a loud, metallic sound followed by distressed voices.
She quickly arrives in front of the generator-room to find Nine and the robot on the ground and Robin examining him for wounds.
"What the heck happened here now??? Are you ok, Nine? ...Does anyone need bandages?"
Now that she has them already, might as well suggest using them.
Charlie looks around. The robot that was supposed to go into the room is on the ground here. Where exactly did that go wrong? Well, it´s probably not as simple as expected.
"Maybe next time two of us should try getting this thing in there together..." She remembers something she noticed while looking around in the room they were just in. "Or we could use another object? Like the beds in the other room, they had this solid metal sheet as a bottom. That´s probably easier to throw."
-
Robin
"What the heck happened here now??? Are you ok, Nine? ...Does anyone need bandages?"
Robin just shakes her head and sits back. A wrinkle of worry appears between her eyebrows as the talk turns to trying again.
Nine
"Thanks!" He looks at his body and raises his hands. All nine fingers on their usual place. "Seems you can keep calling me Nine!" He begins a small laugh, but has to stop due to the pain. "I'll be fine. I've been through worse..." His heart is warmed by Robin's care. She's obviously worried about him, and so are the others. And they just met him... "Thanks, thanks, and sorry for missing it... Now if you don't mind a need a few minutes before we try again." He looks at the robot, already cold, just a bit darker. "At least we still have it."
"Maybe next time two of us should try getting this thing in there together..." She remembers something she noticed while looking around in the room they were just in. "Or we could use another object? Like the beds in the other room, they had this solid metal sheet as a bottom. That´s probably easier to throw."
"I don't think we want to try to toss things inside the room again," she mumbles in small voice. Her heart is still racing from the scare. What if someone is shocked by the generator this time around? But no clever idea comes to her mind, just worse ones she's even more afraid to try. She brings her knees closer to her body and rests her chin on them, watching the others talk.
-
Nine
Nine remains silent as Robin examines him. He has been wounded before, and knows it wasn't that bad this time. It hurts a bit... no, a lot! But the worst is the felling of failure. Ok, he wasn't luck, but also his body didn't work as he expected! He makes a mental note to be more careful and accepts Robin's support to sit, back against the wall.
"Thanks!" He looks at his body and raises his hands. All nine fingers on their usual place. "Seems you can keep calling me Nine!" He begins a small laugh, but has to stop due to the pain. "I'll be fine. I've been through worse..." His heart is warmed by Robin's care. She's obviously worried about him, and so are the others. And they just met him... "Thanks, thanks, and sorry for missing it... Now if you don't mind a need a few minutes before we try again." He looks at the robot, already cold, just a bit darker. "At least we still have it."
Robin
Robin just shakes her head and sits back. A wrinkle of worry appears between her eyebrows as the talk turns to trying again.
"I don't think we want to try to toss things inside the room again," she mumbles in small voice. Her heart is still racing from the scare. What if someone is shocked by the generator this time around? But no clever idea comes to her mind, just worse ones she's even more afraid to try. She brings her knees closer to her body and rests her chin on them, watching the others talk.
Faust sits down near Robin, but still giving her enough space. He carefully puts a hand on her shoulder. "You're doing great."
He lets her go and turns to Grey. "Take your time. Let's see what went wrong..."
"What the heck happened here now??? Are you ok, Nine? ...Does anyone need bandages?"
Now that she has them already, might as well suggest using them.
Charlie looks around. The robot that was supposed to go into the room is on the ground here. Where exactly did that go wrong? Well, it´s probably not as simple as expected.
"Maybe next time two of us should try getting this thing in there together..." She remembers something she noticed while looking around in the room they were just in. "Or we could use another object? Like the beds in the other room, they had this solid metal sheet as a bottom. That´s probably easier to throw."
"Right. From what I saw, that thing's limb got caught on the railing and got shot back at Grey. So either we need to tie it up with something so it doesn't flap around like that anymore, or we use something else. How big are the metal sheets...?" Beds tend to be big. These could be unwieldy, unless they can maybe cut them or roll them up or something...
He vaguely remembers something from high school. Some Francis or Fibonacci guy sitting in a cage and not getting hit by a lightning. But there are several issues with that lesson - for one, he doesn't see a cage anywhere and he definitely wouldn't risk his or anyone's life on a hazy dumb memory like that. And he doesn't even remember how it worked.
So, they just need a lightning pole so that they can pass...
Ah, wait.
"Robin, since you, I and Grey were the closest to the open generator, can you check us for radiation?"
-
Robin
Faust sits down near Robin, but still giving her enough space. He carefully puts a hand on her shoulder. "You're doing great."
"I can't think in anything useful," she replies. Before she was in shock: Feeling slightly stupid but focused without distracting emotions. She isn't in shock like that anymore, now she's just stupid. She moves to check the radiation as requested. "Nothing on us."
-
Nine
Nine raises, still a bit unsteady. The pain makes he frown a little, but he moves closer to the door. "Before we try again, let me take another look at that generator. Don't worry, I'll be brief."
1d10+7: 16 [1d10=9]
This time Nine gets a really good look at the room. He quickly closes the door and turns to face the others. "Now I saw it better! It's really a sentry bot, but it's damaged. Its weapons are kind of... melted."
"And the generators... One of them is off, as we already know, but looks undamaged. Both have some big red buttons on them..." Nine rests his back on the wall, still a bit shaken." ...and I guess those are on-off switches. Now, if they allow us to manually restart the other generator, we could turn off the bad one from the terminal, pass the room safely and later turn on the good one. Reserve power will hold the place while we do it."
He turns to face Jay. "You have an... affinity with machines, right? Could you take a look, just like I did? But please be careful."
-
Robin
"I can't think in anything useful," she replies. Before she was in shock: Feeling slightly stupid but focused without distracting emotions. She isn't in shock like that anymore, now she's just stupid. She moves to check the radiation as requested. "Nothing on us."
Hmmm... Grey is planning stuff more thoroughly now. Faust begins to feel like he's the type of a guy that gets shot first and then learns to use a cover.
In any case, assuming that Jay is not stupid and that they don't wreck this place and kill their families trying to deal with the lightning-shooting generator, he should leave planning to them. He has a moment to spare for a pep talk, especially now that they at least had some kind of a confirmation that the generators weren't leaking anything except deadly, metal-melting amounts of electricity.
"You're kidding, right?" he says brightly, but quiet enough not to interrupt the others while they are making plans. "Look at you, using all these tools, terminals, planning ahead, making stuff like bandages and helping Grey to make sure he's fine, and scouting. You're not a strategist, and you don't have to be. Nobody can do everything, this is why people stick together and take care of each other. You're brave and cool, and super smart. As I said before, you're doing great."
-
Robin
When Nine starts to get up Robin leans forward to help him. He returns to the door, moving maybe too gingerly, and she settles back, watching him apprehensively.
"You're kidding, right?" he says brightly, but quiet enough not to interrupt the others while they are making plans. "Look at you, using all these tools, terminals, planning ahead, making stuff like bandages and helping Grey to make sure he's fine, and scouting. You're not a strategist, and you don't have to be. Nobody can do everything, this is why people stick together and take care of each other. You're brave and cool, and super smart. As I said before, you're doing great."
Tension forces a nervous laugh out of her. "Sorry. Terminals? That doesn't speak in my favor at all, that— they're no mystery and they were unlocked. All you have to do is to click on clearly labeled options, and I still managed to close that door by accident," she says, the remains of a quirky smile lingering on her lips. "That wasn't very clever, was it?" Leaning back on the wall, she continues in a more staid tone, "I'm afraid of the generator room because I know exactly what a direct hit will do to us. We don't have the equipment to treat that. We don't have even an ice pack for Nine, all we got is decades old trash and these stupid suits.
"It's... what happened is catching up to me. I'm having a hard time thinking clearly, I'm sorry. It'll get better once we're on the move again and I'm busy." She rubs her eye, looks at Faust, thoughtful for a moment, then pointedly turns her attention to Nine again to mask her thoughts. Robin doesn't know what make of Faust. Here he was, trying to cheer her up. He went out of his way to try to protect her and the other kid, Charlie. His was a naïve type of kindness, well-intentioned but which wouldn't end well, because he had no real power to shield them from harm. All he had was knee-jerk good intentions. At the same time, he lied to them. He hid who he was for no good reason she could think of. It's unsettling. She wonders about what he's hiding, what else he's lying about, and if she'll even be able to spot his lies. He might offer comforting words, but when he shuts up it's hard to not remember his untrustworthiness and not feel nervous about it.
-
Nine
There are still to many aching points all over him. Nine lets his body slide down the wall and sits next to Robin, listening as she speaks with Faust. He ponders for a moment over her words. "I think you, and to be fair we all, are coping quite well, all things considered." unconsciously his hand grabs the chain around his neck for a second, before letting it go. "We just woke up to find our world is over, and everyone we care about is..." He stops, recalling that she still has hopes about the people on the pods. "...either gone or trapped inside those machines."
"Right now the best we can do is keep moving and gather all the info we can get. Let's see what Jay can find about the generators." He looks her in the eyes. "And thanks again. I'll be fine... though some ice would surely feel good."
-
Jay looks into the room, desperately trying to remember what he knows about generators. He's not getting much about the robot, but..."The generators should have a big red manual shutdown button. We should go for it." He glances at nine, noting his injuries. "Or, well... I guess I should go for it. The button is probably at the terminal."
-
Nine
Nine's torso still hurts. He pulls a bottle out of his bag and sips. "Jay is right. We can shut down that generator at the terminal, and then restart the other one... probably." He looks at his wrench, lying over the Duffel. "Anyway, I'm not over the first plan yet. What if we try with something smaller before throwing the robot again? Maybe a wrench? We have more than one."
-
Robin
Nine
There are still to many aching points all over him. Nine lets his body slide down the wall and sits next to Robin, listening as she speaks with Faust. He ponders for a moment over her words. "I think you, and to be fair we all, are coping quite well, all things considered." unconsciously his hand grabs the chain around his neck for a second, before letting it go. "We just woke up to find our world is over, and everyone we care about is..." He stops, recalling that she still has hopes about the people on the pods. "...either gone or trapped inside those machines."
"Right now the best we can do is keep moving and gather all the info we can get. Let's see what Jay can find about the generators." He looks her in the eyes. "And thanks again. I'll be fine... though some ice would surely feel good."
Robin nods. The corners of her mouth shows the hint of an impish smile and she quips, trying to lighten the mood, "Just don't get yourself in more trouble. I can't operate miracles with almost-clean bandages."
She looks up at Jay as he points out the existence of the manual shutdown button. It'd be the perfect solution, if only the designers hadn't placed the these right beside the fatally malfunctioning generators. Nine's suggestion prompts her to say, "Do we only need to press a button? If we're doing it I probably should be the one getting in the room. I'm okay at the sprinting and evading part and I'm a smaller target, slightly harder to hit by default."
-
Nine
He's a bit drowsy from the pain, but Robin's suggestions wakes him up. "No, no! We don't want a roasted Robin! I'm quite sure the security room terminal has the option to shut down the generators from there. No need to risk your life." A sharp pain hits his ribs as he raises again. "Damn, I hope nothing is broken here. The good thing is that we probably can restart the undamaged one after we cross the room using those red buttons. The bad thing is that it may not happen. We don't know why that generator is offline. It looks undamaged, but maybe there's something broken inside."
Nine moves so he's facing the group. "If we cannot restart the good generator we would have to try with the bad one, which means someone would have to take the risk of hitting the button and run for the exit. But..." He raises a hand. "...we also have to face the possibility that neither generator can be restarted. " He pauses to let his words sink.
"If that happens we would have one or two months to get help and try to save the ones still in the pods. Before that, however, I would like to try again diverting the discharges. We can throw a wrench, and if that doesn't work two of us can throw the robot together. So, what you say about that?"
-
Robin
Robin nods. The corners of her mouth shows the hint of an impish smile and she quips, trying to lighten the mood, "Just don't get yourself in more trouble. I can't operate miracles with almost-clean bandages."
She looks up at Jay as he points out the existence of the manual shutdown button. It'd be the perfect solution, if only the designers hadn't placed the these right beside the fatally malfunctioning generators. Nine's suggestion prompts her to say, "Do we only need to press a button? If we're doing it I probably should be the one getting in the room. I'm okay at the sprinting and evading part and I'm a smaller target, slightly harder to hit by default."
Nine
He's a bit drowsy from the pain, but Robin's suggestions wakes him up. "No, no! We don't want a roasted Robin! I'm quite sure the security room terminal has the option to shut down the generators from there. No need to risk your life." A sharp pain hits his ribs as he raises again. "Damn, I hope nothing is broken here. The good thing is that we probably can restart the undamaged one after we cross the room using those red buttons. The bad thing is that it may not happen. We don't know why that generator is offline. It looks undamaged, but maybe there's something broken inside."
Nine moves so he's facing the group. "If we cannot restart the good generator we would have to try with the bad one, which means someone would have to take the risk of hitting the button and run for the exit. But..." He raises a hand. "...we also have to face the possibility that neither generator can be restarted. " He pauses to let his words sink.
"If that happens we would have one or two months to get help and try to save the ones still in the pods. Before that, however, I would like to try again diverting the discharges. We can throw a wrench, and if that doesn't work two of us can throw the robot together. So, what you say about that?"
"Absolutely not" Faust agrees. "Nobody goes in there while there's lightning. But on another note, can't we try throwing something at the big red button itself? All it needs is to be pressed, right? It's an on/off switch?"
-
"Absolutely not" Faust agrees. "Nobody goes in there while there's lightning. But on another note, can't we try throwing something at the big red button itself? All it needs is to be pressed, right? It's an on/off switch?"
"I have always wanted to press a big red button." Grin from Jay and fingerguns. It doesn't hit as well as he wishes it would, because at the moment he wiggles his eyebrows there's another flash of lighting from behind him. He decides to just get on with it and pulls out the wrench from his bag, throwing it towards the button with all of the practice of little league baseball from 200 years ago.
agility check to yeet that wrench (https://orokos.com/roll/900348): 1d10+3 5
luck check to yeet that wrench (https://orokos.com/roll/900349): 1d10+6 7
....Okay, so maybe he wasn't that great at little league. He watches with horror as another bolt of lighting in the room intercepts the wrench and throws it back at his head. He has a precious few seconds to react before his brain becomes a rough approximation of marinara sauce.
ducking the consequences of his own failure (https://orokos.com/roll/900350): 1d10+3 13
With a jolt of adrenaline moving through him, Jay reaches out and grabs the wrench as it hurtles towards him, spinning with the motion and releasing it once it's facing the generator again. As it leaves his hands, he watches it arc towards the generator, hitting the red button with a satisfying thunk.
A quiet hum, and the generator activates. Jay looks down at his hand, flexing it slightly. It smells a little like burned hair. "Huh."
-
Robin
Nine
He's a bit drowsy from the pain, but Robin's suggestions wakes him up. "No, no! We don't want a roasted Robin! I'm quite sure the security room terminal has the option to shut down the generators from there. No need to risk your life." A sharp pain hits his ribs as he raises again. "Damn, I hope nothing is broken here. The good thing is that we probably can restart the undamaged one after we cross the room using those red buttons. The bad thing is that it may not happen. We don't know why that generator is offline. It looks undamaged, but maybe there's something broken inside."
Nine moves so he's facing the group. "If we cannot restart the good generator we would have to try with the bad one, which means someone would have to take the risk of hitting the button and run for the exit. But..." He raises a hand. "...we also have to face the possibility that neither generator can be restarted. " He pauses to let his words sink.
"If that happens we would have one or two months to get help and try to save the ones still in the pods. Before that, however, I would like to try again diverting the discharges. We can throw a wrench, and if that doesn't work two of us can throw the robot together. So, what you say about that?"
"Absolutely not" Faust agrees. "Nobody goes in there while there's lightning. But on another note, can't we try throwing something at the big red button itself? All it needs is to be pressed, right? It's an on/off switch?"
"Take easy, Nine. I wouldn't do that before you divert the energy by throwing something," she states flatly. "I'm trying to help, not die. But you want to hit the button itself?! What if you miss? I don't think it's a good i—"
Robin trails off as Jay throws the wrench, watching the unfolding events with wide eyes. Time seems to stretch strangely, the seconds the wrench took to fly into the room, back and out again crawling by as she tries to get up. Her ability to move doesn't increase to match the time, and she's only halfway when everything is done.
"What... how?!" She runs, peeking inside the generator room from the door to then gape at Jay, too stunned to speak.
-
Faust clearly has a blue screen moment in his head, but he manages to snap out of it. "Get that hand under water, now! You know where the faucet is! Go! Holy duck. How the. Nice throw. Should I try turning off the other one?"
-
Robin
Faust clearly has a blue screen moment in his head, but he manages to snap out of it. "Get that hand under water, now! You know where the faucet is! Go! Holy duck. How the. Nice throw. Should I try turning off the other one?"
"T-that's right!" Robin said, recovering a bit of her composure. "Please do."
She grabs Jay's arm and starts to tow him to the canteen, talking excitedly, "How did you do that? That was incredibly stupid, never throw things at generators we need again please, but, how? Where you learned to throw like that? And catch! I can't believe you caught that! Please teach me this!"
-
Nine
Nine stares, incredulous, as the events unfold. A few seconds after the generator restarts he finally manages to close his mouth, just to start laughing. "Ha ha ha! Jay! That's the luckiest fail I've seen! Ha ha... ouch!" His ribs hurt again, forcing him to stop.
He listens to Faust and watches as Robin takes Jay to the canteen. "Look, nobody needs to risk life again. That thing could have killed me, and Jay! No more throwing! Now that we have one good generator running we simply go to the security room and turn off the damaged one." He starts to move down the hallway. "Someone wants to come with me?"
"Oh, and we must be careful anyway. We still don't know if that sentry bot is active. It may have no weapons, but could easily crush a person."
-
Nine
He's a bit drowsy from the pain, but Robin's suggestions wakes him up. "No, no! We don't want a roasted Robin! I'm quite sure the security room terminal has the option to shut down the generators from there. No need to risk your life." A sharp pain hits his ribs as he raises again. "Damn, I hope nothing is broken here. The good thing is that we probably can restart the undamaged one after we cross the room using those red buttons. The bad thing is that it may not happen. We don't know why that generator is offline. It looks undamaged, but maybe there's something broken inside."
Nine moves so he's facing the group. "If we cannot restart the good generator we would have to try with the bad one, which means someone would have to take the risk of hitting the button and run for the exit. But..." He raises a hand. "...we also have to face the possibility that neither generator can be restarted. " He pauses to let his words sink.
"If that happens we would have one or two months to get help and try to save the ones still in the pods. Before that, however, I would like to try again diverting the discharges. We can throw a wrench, and if that doesn't work two of us can throw the robot together. So, what you say about that?"
"Absolutely not" Faust agrees. "Nobody goes in there while there's lightning. But on another note, can't we try throwing something at the big red button itself? All it needs is to be pressed, right? It's an on/off switch?"
"Hm yeah, that sounds somewhat sensible. Though I agree with Robin, Nine, I don´t think you should currently throw something-"
Charlie looks up while speaking, just in the right moment to catch the sight of Jay´s perfect spin to throw the wrench at the button. How the-???
Like the others, her first reaction to this is standing there with an open mouth, trying to process what she just witnessed. After a few attemts she finally gets out:
"HOLY- oh my! That was... impressive. You said you were a mechanic? Are you sure you´re not a professional hammer thrower or something in disguise?"
Nine
Nine stares, incredulous, as the events unfold. A few seconds after the generator restarts he finally manages to close his mouth, just to start laughing. "Ha ha ha! Jay! That's the luckiest fail I've seen! Ha ha... ouch!" His ribs hurt again, forcing him to stop.
He listens to Faust and watches as Robin takes Jay to the canteen. "Look, nobody needs to risk life again. That thing could have killed me, and Jay! No more throwing! Now that we have one good generator running we simply go to the security room and turn off the damaged one." He starts to move down the hallway. "Someone wants to come with me?"
"Oh, and we must be careful anyway. We still don't know if that sentry bot is active. It may have no weapons, but could easily crush a person."
As Robin drags Jay to the canteen, Charlie still stares at the happily whirring generator in disbelief, until she hears Nine speak.
"Oh, yeah, I can come with you, wait up!"
She follows him.
-
Robin
"T-that's right!" Robin said, recovering a bit of her composure. "Please do."
She grabs Jay's arm and starts to tow him to the canteen, talking excitedly, "How did you do that? That was incredibly stupid, never throw things at generators we need again please, but, how? Where you learned to throw like that? And catch! I can't believe you caught that! Please teach me this!"
Jay goes along with Robin towing him, still a little shell-shocked.. or maybe actually shocked? from the interaction with the wrench.
"I played baseball as a kid? Dunno if that helped though. I think that was mostly luck."
"Hm yeah, that sounds somewhat sensible. Though I agree with Robin, Nine, I don´t think you should currently throw something-"
Charlie looks up while speaking, just in the right moment to catch the sight of Jay´s perfect spin to throw the wrench at the button. How the-???
Like the others, her first reaction to this is standing there with an open mouth, trying to process what she just witnessed. After a few attemts she finally gets out:
"HOLY- oh my! That was... impressive. You said you were a mechanic? Are you sure you´re not a professional hammer thrower or something in disguise?"
As Robin drags Jay to the canteen, Charlie still stares at the happily whirring generator in disbelief, until she hears Nine speak.
"Oh, yeah, I can come with you, wait up!"
She follows him.
"Nope, just fix cars."
Once they get into the other room, Jay sticks his hand under some water, trying to fix his slight electrical burn. It's not all that bad- it seems like he wasn't in contact with the wrench for long enough for it to be bad.
-
As Nine isn´t walking very fast due to his injury, Charlie catches up quickly.
Hm, walking in silence is a bit awkward. But Charlie doesn´t really feel like striking up a conversation, she´s still somewhat weirded out at Nine because of the skeleton-incident earlier. If they keep going at this speed though, it will take forever to reach the security room, and that would be a very long silence. Instead she suggests:
"Would you mind if I went ahead already to turn off the generator? We know the way is safe, and then you wouldn´t have to go so far while you´re hurt. I already know where the menu we need is anyways."
Since Nine doesn´t disagree, she starts walking faster. After a moment she turns back to add:
"But if I get ambushed anyways, I´ll yell for help."
Welcome to ROBCO Industries (TM) Termlink
Clearance: VAULT-TEC SECURITY
Log Off | Refresh | Go To >
[SECURITY INSTRUCTIONS]
[SECURITY LOGS]
[SECURITY STATUS]
[GENERATOR STATUS]
Alert: Security Protocols engaged for: Cryo Room 1.
Alert: Evacuation Protocol engaged. Please follow evacuation instructions.
Holotape inserted: ID: AUDIO LOG EXCAVATION
Luckily she doesn´t get ambushed. And the room looks just like when they left it. Charlie opens the terminal again.
< Back | Refresh | N/A
GENERATOR ONE: Offline, automatic shutdown engaged
GENERATOR TWO: ERROR: Damage detected to containment coils. Automatic shutdown failed. Do not enter generator room.
AUXILIARY POWER: Online, charged to 100%
User Note: If one of these ancient clunkers blows, aux should handle running the vault's operations for a month or two. This code doesn't mesh well with whatever spaghetti they were using for this vault, the generators clearly weren't designed to ever be turned off...or damaged. Why they put something that throws around lightning bolts if you clip a conduit in a room without safeguards, I will never understand, but my guess is the answer is 'Vault-Tec were jackasses', like everything else. You can shut the generators off from here, but unless a maintenance crew goes in and takes them apart afterwards they aren't coming back up.
-Dr Ryan
User Note: Okay, because apparently people are rock stupid, I had to come up with a plan for if one of the generators is damaged and starts spitting lightning. Best bet, find something that attracts electricity and toss it in the middle of the room and hope it attracts enough of the lightning bolts that you can edge around the walkway. That, or have a suit of power armor on hand that won't care.
-Dr Ryan
Being the computer-genious that she is (not), she eventually discovers that clicking on the damaged generator in question gives her the wanted options:
RUN DIAGNOSTIC
ENGAGE REMOTE SHUTDOWN
As it is quite visible that the generator is broken, she does without running a diagnostic and immediately clicks on the second one.
-
Robin
Jay goes along with Robin towing him, still a little shell-shocked.. or maybe actually shocked? from the interaction with the wrench.
"I played baseball as a kid? Dunno if that helped though. I think that was mostly luck."
"Baseball? What you caught and threw was a far cry from a ball," Robin says in mild disbelief, checking Jay's hand. Contact with the wrench was brief enough he didn't suffer any significant burns. She leaves him by the sink and pokes her head out of the door, watching the generator room across the corridor. "Keep it under running water until they return to be sure it won't blister. Burns take a couple of minutes to hurt for real."
Once the others start to converge to the next door she gives Jay a thumbs up and gives him a moment to catch up with her before returning to the corridor. She glances at Arthur and steps into the room, straying towards the bodies.
Sneak (AGI) (https://orokos.com/roll/900462): 1d10+8+5 22
-
As lightning dies down thanks to Charlie shutting down the generators, Faust eyes the robot suspiciously.
It's still not moving, which is good. Once he takes a careful look inside the generator room, he sees that there are some more bodies in there.
Which is not good.
Surrounded by more laser and whatnot holes, and apparently unarmed. Before he even sees what's up, Robin is already inside, checking the bodies. Which is... not preferable, but she is probably the best at that. Robot seems to be completely inactive, so that's good. And Robin's radiation measuring thingamajing would probably be beeping if she was in danger. Right?
-
Nine
Nine has just arrived at the Security Room when the absence of something catches his attention. Those discharges from the damaged generator, he realizes, created an irritating, always present background noise, and now that noise is gone, replaced for a much gentler humming. "Well done, Charlie! Now let's go back. I'm worried about that sentry bot."
They enter the generator room together, and Nine notices several bodies and robots against a wall. But that's not his main concern. "That thing didn't move, right?" He asks. It's evident, however, that the sentry bot is deactivated. Not that surprising, considering the time it has been exposed to those discharges.
Nine gets closer to the bodies, observing the many bullet holes and laser burns on them and on the wall. "They are all unarmed. Someone collected their guns, or it was an execution." Looking back at the sentry, he recalls these robots sometimes are armed with a machine gun and a laser. "Maybe the sentry killed them." He checks the room, and particularly the bodies, trying to find anything useful.
PER check: 1d10+7: 16 [1d10=9]
-
Nine
Nine has just arrived at the Security Room when the absence of something catches his attention. Those discharges from the damaged generator, he realizes, created an irritating, always present background noise, and now that noise is gone, replaced for a much gentler humming. "Well done, Charlie! Now let's go back. I'm worried about that sentry bot."
They enter the generator room together, and Nine notices several bodies and robots against a wall. But that's not his main concern. "That thing didn't move, right?" He asks. It's evident, however, that the sentry bot is deactivated. Not that surprising, considering the time it has been exposed to those discharges.
Nine gets closer to the bodies, observing the many bullet holes and laser burns on them and on the wall. "They are all unarmed. Someone collected their guns, or it was an execution." Looking back at the sentry, he recalls these robots sometimes are armed with a machine gun and a laser. "Maybe the sentry killed them." He checks the room, and particularly the bodies, trying to find anything useful.
PER check: 1d10+7: 16 [1d10=9]
Sweet, it worked! Charlie leaves the terminal to join Nine in returning to the generators. Though there wasn´t anything suspicious in the security room, being there alone felt weird, so she is happy to meet up with the others again.
Without the constant lightning bolts, it´s way easier to see the generator room´s layout. There´s the aformentioned generators, the sentry-bot hunched between them, and a walkway following the wall and turning to the left until it reaches a closed door.
The robot catches her eyes the most. Wow, it´s way bigger from up close. They´re lucky it isn´t active. She stands and stares at it for a moment.
-
Sweet, it worked! Charlie leaves the terminal to join Nine in returning to the generators. Though there wasn´t anything suspicious in the security room, being there alone felt weird, so she is happy to meet up with the others again.
Without the constant lightning bolts, it´s way easier to see the generator room´s layout. There´s the aformentioned generators, the sentry-bot hunched between them, and a walkway following the wall and turning to the left until it reaches a closed door.
The robot catches her eyes the most. Wow, it´s way bigger from up close. They´re lucky it isn´t active. She stands and stares at it for a moment.
"Please keep the distance from the creepy dead murderbot" Faust tells her, patting her shoulder.
-
Robin
Robin glances up at the two. "Shouldn't we try to salvage useful parts from it?"
-
Robin
Robin glances up at the two. "Shouldn't we try to salvage useful parts from it?"
"Is there even anything to salvage...?" Faust asks. "It looks pretty melted, and it's still hot from all the zappies. Jay...?" he asks, looking around for his opinion.
-
Nine
"Sorry Robin, I don't think so. Those robots are awfully complicated inside. I once saw a team assembling one and... we wouldn't know even where to begin." He turns to Faust. "And you're right. Most things inside are probably too damaged."
Nine examines the door at the end of the walkway. "The control melted. We won't be able to open it from here, and I can't see any terminal." He moves closer to Jay. "What if we try the crowbar on that? Can I borrow it for a minute?"
While waiting for Jay, Nine looks closely to the broken lock. "Wait... I think... Yes, it may be the same! Sometimes luck is on our side!" He turns to the others. "Once we were investigating some smugglers and had to brake into their hideout through a backdoor. And Garcia, our technician, showed me how easy it was to open that door..."
"Charlie, would you allow me to use that screwdriver?" He points at the top of her head. "It's just a minute!" A large smile crosses his face as he looks at her and extends his hand, palm up.
-
Robin
"I don't mean the robotic parts inside, I mean smaller sections of shielding as improvised body armor or cutting tools. We have no blades yet." She shrugs. "But it's okay if you're afraid of the robot, I'm not the one who'll be needing body armor anyway."
Noticing the melted lock for the first time, Robin walks over the door to watch Nine work on it with renewed curiosity.
-
Jay lets his burn cool off under the water, then follows the others into the other room. "We good? Were you able to turn the other one off from the terminal?"
He watches as Robin and Nine work on the door.
"Is there even anything to salvage...?" Faust asks. "It looks pretty melted, and it's still hot from all the zappies. Jay...?" he asks, looking around for his opinion.
"I feel my ears burning. Is there something with metal bits to poke around at?"
-
Jay lets his burn cool off under the water, then follows the others into the other room. "We good? Were you able to turn the other one off from the terminal?"
He watches as Robin and Nine work on the door.
"I feel my ears burning. Is there something with metal bits to poke around at?"
"Ah, sorry. I didn't mean it like that" Faust says. "Any ideas if there's anything useful on this thing?" Partial dismantling will definitely help him feel better about it. For sure. Melted, deactivated, and then having parts of it stolen. That thing won't be coming after them with all that, for sure.
-
"Please keep the distance from the creepy dead murderbot" Faust tells her, patting her shoulder.
"Just looking, dad", Charlie says with a slightly scoffing grin.
But anyways, even a creepy dead murderbot can only be stared at for so long and remain interesting. Plus there´s more dead people in this room, so Charlie has no desire of staying here for longer than necessary. She moves towards the exit-door Nine is inspecting.
Nine
"Sorry Robin, I don't think so. Those robots are awfully complicated inside. I once saw a team assembling one and... we wouldn't know even where to begin." He turns to Faust. "And you're right. Most things inside are probably too damaged."
Nine examines the door at the end of the walkway. "The control melted. We won't be able to open it from here, and I can't see any terminal." He moves closer to Jay. "What if we try the crowbar on that? Can I borrow it for a minute?"
While waiting for Jay, Nine looks closely to the broken lock. "Wait... I think... Yes, it may be the same! Sometimes luck is on our side!" He turns to the others. "Once we were investigating some smugglers and had to brake into their hideout through a backdoor. And Garcia, our technician, showed me how easy it was to open that door..."
"Charlie, would you allow me to use that screwdriver?" He points at the top of her head. "It's just a minute!" A large smile crosses his face as he looks at her and extends his hand, palm up.
How can this man stay so positive all the time?
"Sure", she says, fiddling the screwdriver out of her hair and handing it over to him.
To keep herself busy until she gets the tool back, she starts putting her hair into one long braid. That way she can still put it up with the screwdriver, but it should stop it from flying everywhere even when her practical hairtie-substitute isn´t available.
Jay lets his burn cool off under the water, then follows the others into the other room. "We good? Were you able to turn the other one off from the terminal?"
Charlie pauses braiding for a moment to answer.
"Yes, everything worked out fine, surprisingly...! We just have to open the door here now!"
-
"Just looking, dad", Charlie says with a slightly scoffing grin.
Faust just holds a blank smile that hides his internal screaming. The nearest victim is Arthur, and he puts his hands on the man's shoulders.
"Arthur. A teenager just called me a dad. What the DUCK do I do" he says quietly, clearly having a deep personal crisis.
-
Faust just holds a blank smile that hides his internal screaming. The nearest victim is Arthur, and he puts his hands on the man's shoulders.
"Arthur. A teenager just called me a dad. What the DUCK do I do" he says quietly, clearly having a deep personal crisis.
Arthur grabs "Faust"'s hands around the wrists as he reaches up.
Looking down at the tramp, he calmly intones "I don't know. It's never happened to me, as I treat teenagers like adults, so they can learn to act as such, as I would have liked to be treated at that age. Besides, they're older than I was when I went to war, they can handle themselves in this sort of situation without you pestering them. Thirdly, you're clearly around my age, so you're less than a decade older than them, so stop acting like you have a much greater deal of wisdom or responsibility, especially given it looks like some of thse years were spent as a tramp."
-
Nine
Nine grabs the screwdriver. Charlie keeps looking at him for a second, before beginning to braid her hair. "Thanks! Hum... I guess you are wondering how can I be smiling among all our problems?" He points at the door with the shiny tool. "First, I'm happy that we're not going to be trapped in this place... as long as I can open the door." Nine smiles again. "Second, I admire your ability to remain calm in the middle of this great... mess we're in. Don't know if, at your age, I would be able to do that. And..."
At this moment he sees Arthur grabbing Faust hand as he tries to... pat him, perhaps? As Arthur talks Nine observes him. Not one of many words, at least so far, and a bit too harsh. Many years commanding people taught him that Arthur's relation with Faust might become a source of trouble. He must keep an eye on them.
However now he needs to focus on opening that door. He knees next to the damaged panel and uses the screwdriver to open it. "Yes, there it is, just as I remember! Listen, we don't know what's beyond the door. Give it some space, and have your weapons ready, OK?" He got their attention. Fine. "Now, if everyone is ready I'll count to three and open it."
Nine places the tip of the tool on the right place. If he's right it's just a matter of pushing that jumper up. "Ready? One, two and... three!"
-
Arthur grabs "Faust"'s hands around the wrists as he reaches up.
Looking down at the tramp, he calmly intones "I don't know. It's never happened to me, as I treat teenagers like adults, so they can learn to act as such, as I would have liked to be treated at that age. Besides, they're older than I was when I went to war, they can handle themselves in this sort of situation without you pestering them. Thirdly, you're clearly around my age, so you're less than a decade older than them, so stop acting like you have a much greater deal of wisdom or responsibility, especially given it looks like some of thse years were spent as a tramp."
Faust just watches him like a cat while he holds his monologue.
Hmm...
He reached several conclusions about the man, all which he will keep to himself. With an unfazed smile, he retreats, moves away from Arthur and towards the door. He has a gun. Has to be ready if something attacks.
-
Nine
Nine looks around. Everyone is ready, Arthur and Robin are closer, with Jay and Faust a bit further, while Charlie is just behind him. He hits the jumper and watches, satisfied, as the door opens immediately.
His smile of satisfaction vanishes fast. Behind the door, as expected, lies a hallway and a set of steps... occupied by six rad-roaches!
The nasty critters start to scuttle towards him menacingly, then somehow the first one gets confused as to who it should be fighting and leaps on the second rad-roach. As those start fighting he decides to hit the third one.
He feels the weight of the screwdriver on his hand, but remembers that Charlie was using it to hold her hair and changes stance to deliver a crunching blow with his boot, turning the insect in a disgusting paste of green goo.
The remaining three roaches skip away from Nine, moving fast towards Arthur and Robin. All he can do is shout. "Watch out!"
Hit: 1d20: 13 [1d20=13] (-3 profficiency and +3 STR/2 cancel each other) Damage: 1d6: 3 [1d6=3]
-
Nine
Nine looks around. Everyone is ready, Arthur and Robin are closer, with Jay and Faust a bit further, while Charlie is just behind him. He hits the jumper and watches, satisfied, as the door opens immediately.
His smile of satisfaction vanishes fast. Behind the door, as expected, lies a hallway and a set of steps... occupied by six rad-roaches!
The nasty critters start to scuttle towards him menacingly, then somehow the first one gets confused as to who it should be fighting and leaps on the second rad-roach. As those start fighting he decides to hit the third one.
He feels the weight of the screwdriver on his hand, but remembers that Charlie was using it to hold her hair and changes stance to deliver a crunching blow with his boot, turning the insect in a disgusting paste of green goo.
The remaining three roaches skip away from Nine, moving fast towards Arthur and Robin. All he can do is shout. "Watch out!"
Hit: 1d20: 13 [1d20=13] (-3 profficiency and +3 STR/2 cancel each other) Damage: 1d6: 3 [1d6=3]
As "Nine" shouts his warning, Arthur is already kneeling with the rifle to his shoulder.
Press the stock firmly into your shoulder.
Place your other hand in the middle of the barrel's underside, your elbow on your knee.
Line your dominant eye up with the front and rear sights, or their subtitues, closing the other.
Lead the target slightly, according to it's movement.
Don't hold your breath before you take a shot.
Exhale, and after your next heartbeat, squeeze the trigger firmly and carefully.
To hit: 1d20(17)+4=21
The trigger is stiffer than he's used to, from lack of maintinence, and generally poor workmanship to begin with.
But when he pulls the trigger, a beam of red light spits out like crimson lightning, striking the radroach in the middle of it's head, with a slight downward angle, incinerating the creature along much of the length of it, leaving some legs and part of an abdomen around a pile of smouldering ash.
There's a little less recoil than he's used to, due to the expansion of air happening at the end of the barrel, not the chamber, but about as much as he expects, so his aim remains unaffected.
It's also quieter than his rifle from the war, and a lot quieter than his shotgun from home, but the crack of super-heated air puts paid to any idea of it being a stealth weapon, compounded by the brightness of the beam's flash, leaving fading after-effects in Arthur's vision.
Overall, an awful contraption not fit for any pretense of marksmanship even when new, but it'll have to do.
-
Robin
A quick look into the corridor beyond reveals that stepping back and letting the others fight is not an option. Too many radroaches; if left alone they'd gang up on the people trying to smash them. But Robin is no longer unarmed and unprepared. She levels her pistol — a light, small thing that couldn't be possibly harder to use than a rifle — then fires.
It's nothing like a rifle.
The trigger slides then resists the pull of her finger. For a frightening second it feels as if it either jammed or the gun failed to fire. Robin flinches in surprise as it goes off, the stiff trigger suddenly slamming back the rest of the way, the slide lightly nipping the knuckle of one of her now tense hands, the recoil kick absolutely off and doing its best to try to free the pistol from her grip: all on her hands, nothing absorbed by the shoulder where a rifle butt would usually rest. It's enough to spoil her aim, and she misses her mark by a wide margin.
Shoot! (https://orokos.com/roll/901656): 1d20+4-5 2
-
Jay aims at roach #5 with the pistol, trying to convince himself that this will be fine. It'll shoot normally. Just like training.
He squeezes the trigger just as the roach approaches, and-
lets try and hit roach #5 (https://orokos.com/roll/902332): 1d20-8 -4
bang!
Automatic shots fire wildly off mark, the recoil forcing Jay's hand back as he feels the burn from the wrench come back in a faint pain. "Agh!" Not like training at all. With a bright, violent pinging, the widest bullet goes ricocheting off of the floor, then the ceiling, then the other wall, and off of the crowbar in Faust's belt, finally whistling around to land in the gut of the roach.
Stunned, Jay can only blink in the wreckage of his own.... failure?
-
Faust yelps in surprise when a bullet ricochets off his crowbar. HOW in the HELLS was this man doing stuff like that???? Wait, no. Danger first, confiscating weapons second. He shoots at one of the roaches, deeply sad there are no ear muffs for him. The bullet hits, and after a few moments of pathetic twitching, the bug dies.
-
Nine
Nine grabs the screwdriver. Charlie keeps looking at him for a second, before beginning to braid her hair. "Thanks! Hum... I guess you are wondering how can I be smiling among all our problems?" He points at the door with the shiny tool. "First, I'm happy that we're not going to be trapped in this place... as long as I can open the door." Nine smiles again. "Second, I admire your ability to remain calm in the middle of this great... mess we're in. Don't know if, at your age, I would be able to do that. And..."
And a mind-reader he is too, huh? Charlie thinks.
"Thanks. The secret is being in denial of what is happening."
The sentence gets swallowed up by the following roach-attack and various bullets and lasers flying through the room, some hitting their targets, some not. Charlie ducks quickly so none hit her on accident. Really, why must everyone shoot in this relatively small, closed room when they´re clearly not absolutely great at aiming??? It´s super loud too! If there´s anything bigger down the hallway, it knows they´re here now for sure.
And then, once again, Jay lands a completely crazy hit over a shot that bounced off of Faust´s crowbar. Charlie stares at the mechanic in disbelief for a moment. Is this man just really lucky or...?
Then she realizes that the radroaches who had decided to fight each other earlier seem to have finally recovered from their confusion. They are scuttling towards the humans again.
Nine doesn´t seem to have noticed yet. After she is sure none of the gun-wielders are attempting anything, she steps foreward and kicks the one closer to her. That worked last time.
Hit: Roll(1d20)+3+2: 8,+5 Total: 13
Damage: Roll(1d6)+3: 6,+3 Total: 9
This time she hits well! Concerningly well... The oversized insect flies through the room like a football and smashes into the next wall. It gets immediately turned into roach-pancake, goo splattering further than Charlie thought was possible. Some lands on almost everyone.
She looks from the flattened bug to her foot and back.
How the heck did I do that???
While she is still processing, the last roach decides to take revenge on its rival´s killer. It burries its teeth in her leg.
"Ah outch! You little piece of shit!", Charlie gasps. The thing´s bite hurts so much tears are coming to her eyes. She tries to shake it off, but that´s making it worse.
-
Nine
Nine watches the events unfold, including Jay's impossible hit. How's that possible? And how easy could it had hit Faust, instead of the crowbar! Clearly that gun is dangerous!
He's about to talk when Faust kills anorher roach, and then Charlie kicks one of the remaining ones. The kick is so powerful that the bug gets smashed against a wall, spreading bits of goo everywhere, even on his face!
While Nine cleans the disgusting goo from his mouth the last roach attack Charlie, emiting a loud, high-pitched noise that sounds strangely like "revenge"! He can see the pain in the woman's face as the roach keeps its jaws clapped on her leg.
1d20+3 = 9 (1d20=6) and 1d6 = 2
He's reaction is automatic. He jumps, landing with both feet over the insect, crushing it! Then he bends and carefully removes the head that remained attached to Charlie's leg even without a body.
Nine looks at the hallway. No more roaches! "Robin! Here! She's wounded!"
-
Robin
When Jay stepped forward to shoot Robin did what she did best: she got out of the way. Standing by the wall, she missed the exact moment Charlie killed another radroach, only catching a glimpse of her eye of it flying in the wrong direction out of the corner. This was the moment the last surviving radroach chose to strike, its scuttling shape disappearing behind Charlie and Nine, who stood between it and Robin, blocking her view. By the time she makes it to them it's already dead and Charlie is in obvious pain.
"Shit!" Robin passes an arm around Charlie's waist to help her to sit. "Someone, watch the corridor. Nine, water!" She commands bluntly, then addressing Charlie in a softer tone, "Let me have a look."
-
Nine
At Robin's request Nine hurries back to the duffel bag, grabbing it. He crouches next to Charlie and handles Robin a water bottle. "Here, water!"
He's a bit concerned, wondering if those nasty critters carry some venon, but does his best to keep a calm face. "Hey, Charlie, don't worry. Doesn't seen that bad." Wanting to distract her he adds. "And you must tell me where you learn to kick like that! Did you play football?"
-
Charlie holds still as Nine removes the roach from her leg, while quietly letting out some curses very unfit for a ballerina.
Robin
When Jay stepped forward to shoot Robin did what she did best: she got out of the way. Standing by the wall, she missed the exact moment Charlie killed another radroach, only catching a glimpse of her eye of it flying in the wrong direction out of the corner. This was the moment the last surviving radroach chose to strike, its scuttling shape disappearing behind Charlie and Nine, who stood between it and Robin, blocking her view. By the time she makes it to them it's already dead and Charlie is in obvious pain.
"Shit!" Robin passes an arm around Charlie's waist to help her to sit. "Someone, watch the corridor. Nine, water!" She commands bluntly, then addressing Charlie in a softer tone, "Let me have a look."
Charlie sits down with Robin´s help. She can still move the leg normally, it just hurts, that´s a good sign. A bad leg-wound could mean the end of her career... or well, the last 200 years probably already took care of that. God, this situation is ducked up!
Charlie lets Robin inspect her wound while looking at it for the first time herself. Her suit is slightly torn where the roach bit. And there´s blood. Oh shit, what if the thing has venom???, Charlie thinks, slightly panicking. Do normal roaches have venom??? She doesn´t think so, but now she isn´t absolutely sure.
Nine
At Robin's request Nine hurries back to the duffel bag, grabbing it. He crouches next to Charlie and handles Robin a water bottle. "Here, water!"
He's a bit concerned, wondering if those nasty critters carry some venon, but does his best to keep a calm face. "Hey, Charlie, don't worry. Doesn't seen that bad." Wanting to distract her he adds. "And you must tell me where you learn to kick like that! Did you play football?"
Charlie apprechiates that Nine wants to distract her, though she does notice the slight concern on his face, so it´s not all that conductive to making her calm down. She giggles a bit hysterically at the question.
"I... didn´t, I never did, I honestly have no clue where that just came from... I mean, I am a professional athlete, but... not at fighting. I´m a dancer."
-
Nine
Nine can see his calming attempt wasn't completely successful. He's never a good lier. But decides to keep talking. "Oh, a dancer! Yes, I believe you mentioned that! You must be great at that! I must confess that I never went to a dance show, just theater. Sometimes they dance, tough."
He sees Robin examining Charlie's leg. She doesn't seem very concerned. Good! Anyway... "And what kind of dance? Classic? Contemporary? I bet classic!"
-
Robin
"That was impressive. They should teach dance in the military," Robin says without a hint of sarcasm. There's an air of concentration about her unlike when they woke up and she felt crushed under the weight of their situation. It's true focus — her hands precise and measured as she pulls the hem of the suit up to expose the injure, eyes bright and sharp as she evaluates the injury. She digs a bandage out of Charlie's backpack, struggling for a moment to rip it into an appropriate size before pouring water over it. "This will sting."
She pours water over the injury and uses the fabric to clean it, then removes the excess of water before dressing up the wound. "You'll be fine if you give it time to heal. Don't lean on it, try to not kick things with it. I don't think the bite was venomous, but infection is always a concern and we have no antiseptic. I want you to keep an eye out for swelling or unusual symptoms like nausea or dizziness."
Robin returns the bottle to Nine before using the bloody rag to turn one of the dead insects, quietly inspecting the head and nodding to herself.
-
Bloody hell. Faust manages to protect his face from the roach ooze by shielding it with his arm. Gross... Not many things were bad enough that he immediately wanted to change his clothes, but this was definitely one of them.
Charlie's injured by the last roach, but Robin and the gang are taking care of it, so he turns to Jay. "Confiscated," he says seriously, putting a hang on his gun.
-
Nine
Nine can see his calming attempt wasn't completely successful. He's never a good lier. But decides to keep talking. "Oh, a dancer! Yes, I believe you mentioned that! You must be great at that! I must confess that I never went to a dance show, just theater. Sometimes they dance, tough."
"I... did?" Hm, she probably must have at some point. "Well, theater is close enough, I guess. Though You can´t really compare it. But you were missing out on dance-shows."
Nine
He sees Robin examining Charlie's leg. She doesn't seem very concerned. Good! Anyway... "And what kind of dance? Classic? Contemporary? I bet classic!"
Charlie smiles a bit.
"Yes, classical ballet. At the Boston Dance Academy. I had just finished the training like a few weeks before... all this happened."
Robin
"That was impressive. They should teach dance in the military," Robin says without a hint of sarcasm. There's an air of concentration about her unlike when they woke up and she felt crushed under the weight of their situation. It's true focus — her hands precise and measured as she pulls the hem of the suit up to expose the injure, eyes bright and sharp as she evaluates the injury. She digs a bandage out of Charlie's backpack, struggling for a moment to rip it into an appropriate size before pouring water over it. "This will sting."
She pours water over the injury and uses the fabric to clean it, then removes the excess of water before dressing up the wound. "You'll be fine if you give it time to heal. Don't lean on it, try to not kick things with it. I don't think the bite was venomous, but infection is always a concern and we have no antiseptic. I want you to keep an eye out for swelling or unusual symptoms like nausea or dizziness."
Robin returns the bottle to Nine before using the bloody rag to turn one of the dead insects, quietly inspecting the head and nodding to herself.
"I mean, I heard that they sometimes make professional soccer-players learn ballett to train bodycontrol and agility, so why not in the military..."
Charlie answers a bit absentmindedly, mainly focussing on the wound. But when Robin is done, she listens with her full attention again. No venom. Ok, that´s a relief.
"Thank you. Really. I will be careful. I think I´m gonna stick to hitting things with an actual weapon from now on."
She clutches the baton. In that moment she notices she is still holding her braid with the other hand.
"Uh, Nine? Could I maybe have the screwdriver back?"
-
Nine
He hears with satisfaction as Charlie answers. At least he was partially successful on distracting her! " Oh, I wish I did, but I lacked company that appreciated dance. However Sophie..." Nine stops, suddenly recalling their situation. "Never mind. Anyway I was right, classic! I hope we find a place out there where you can dance. And I will be watching!"
Then Charlie asks for the screwdriver, and Nine realizes he's still holding it. "Here, there it is, and I managed to keep it clean!" He says, delivering the tool with a smile.
-
Robin
"I mean, I heard that they sometimes make professional soccer-players learn ballett to train bodycontrol and agility, so why not in the military..."
Robin nods. "Unfortunately they care more about endurance and strength than precision." She shrugs, being not the poster girl for either, and stares at the room beyond the corridor, waiting to offer Charlie a shoulder when she's ready to get up.
-
Bloody hell. Faust manages to protect his face from the roach ooze by shielding it with his arm. Gross... Not many things were bad enough that he immediately wanted to change his clothes, but this was definitely one of them.
Charlie's injured by the last roach, but Robin and the gang are taking care of it, so he turns to Jay. "Confiscated," he says seriously, putting a hang on his gun.
Jay puts the gun in his bag. "No," he says, equally seriously. "Glad you're okay. Don't talk down to me."
He glances over at Charlie, making sure she's all right. Once he's decided he'd harm more than help by joining in, he checks the rest of the room for further roaches.
-
Jay puts the gun in his bag. "No," he says, equally seriously. "Glad you're okay. Don't talk down to me."
He glances over at Charlie, making sure she's all right. Once he's decided he'd harm more than help by joining in, he checks the rest of the room for further roaches.
"Don't shoot if you don't know how to aim" Faust says. "Someone could have gotten seriously hurt. That thing bounced several times."
-
Robin
When Jay stepped forward to shoot Robin did what she did best: she got out of the way. Standing by the wall, she missed the exact moment Charlie killed another radroach, only catching a glimpse of her eye of it flying in the wrong direction out of the corner. This was the moment the last surviving radroach chose to strike, its scuttling shape disappearing behind Charlie and Nine, who stood between it and Robin, blocking her view. By the time she makes it to them it's already dead and Charlie is in obvious pain.
"Shit!" Robin passes an arm around Charlie's waist to help her to sit. "Someone, watch the corridor. Nine, water!" She commands bluntly, then addressing Charlie in a softer tone, "Let me have a look."
Robin's command is but wasted breath, for Arthur remains crouched, the rifle still in his hands, only with his finger now off the trigger, instead resting on the trigger guard. He watches the corridor with the air of a hovering Kestrel, staitionary, but ready to react with deadly speed.
Good to see the young soldier can think on her feet. She has his more direct commanding style, at least compared to "nine".
Bloody hell. Faust manages to protect his face from the roach ooze by shielding it with his arm. Gross... Not many things were bad enough that he immediately wanted to change his clothes, but this was definitely one of them.
Charlie's injured by the last roach, but Robin and the gang are taking care of it, so he turns to Jay. "Confiscated," he says seriously, putting a hang on his gun.
Without turning around, Arthur calmly and coldly intones "We need as many of us armed as we can. You already have a gun. Just put him at the front so he can't accidentally shoot us if you haven't got the nerve to have a near miss."
-
Nine
He hears with satisfaction as Charlie answers. At least he was partially successful on distracting her! " Oh, I wish I did, but I lacked company that appreciated dance. However Sophie..." Nine stops, suddenly recalling their situation. "Never mind. Anyway I was right, classic! I hope we find a place out there where you can dance. And I will be watching!"
Then Charlie asks for the screwdriver, and Nine realizes he's still holding it. "Here, there it is, and I managed to keep it clean!" He says, delivering the tool with a smile.
"Haha, you´ll probably get a chance to at some point. I usually train almost every day for several hours... That´ll probably not be possible now, huh? Though roach-football is a good training too I guess. And thank you!"
Charlie takes back the screwdriver, flips a bit of roach-goo out of her hair (Hey, it´s the thought that counts! At least there´s not more slime on the tool.) and rolls the braid into a bun again. For a second she debates asking who Sophie is, but as Nine clearly doesn´t seem willing to talk about her right now, she decides to bring it up sometime later.
Charlie lets Robin help her up, feeling even more useless than before. She carefully tests whether she can stand on her foot. Ok, that works, it hurts a bit, but she should be able to walk almost normally.
"Thanks again...", she says. A bit louder she adds. "Ok, I´m fine now, we can continue if you want to."
-
Nine
Seeing Charlie standing on her own makes him smile. "Good! Now let's move. Just be careful and stay behind the others, ok?"
"Robin, I think it's time to cross that hallway and check the overseers room. Can you do that?" He looks at the others, glad that the discussion over Jay's gun didn't turn into a fight. "We should go after Robin, ready for everything. And Jay, you already saw how that gun behaves. Be extra careful."
Nine points at Arthur. "I'd say Arthur follows Robin, then Jay and Faust. I'd go before you but not unarmed, so it would be me and Charlie on the back."
He gestures toward the bodies. "I really don't want to spend more time in that company. Let's do it."
He takes the duffel bag with one hand, with the wrench on the other. Then he remembers something. "Anyone has that second pip-boy?"
-
Without turning around, Arthur calmly and coldly intones "We need as many of us armed as we can. You already have a gun. Just put him at the front so he can't accidentally shoot us if you haven't got the nerve to have a near miss."
Several things he could say fly through Faust's head, but he doesn't say them. Previously, he said that none of the people here looked like they would kick a hobo, but in the mean time he came to a conclusion that Arthur might be the type. Who knows. He didn't like the idea of a beating, despite how idiotic his behavior was... "Perhaps you don't know the meaning of the word ricochet," he decides to say. And leaves it at that.
Nine
Seeing Charlie standing on her own makes him smile. "Good! Now let's move. Just be careful and stay behind the others, ok?"
"Robin, I think it's time to cross that hallway and check the overseers room. Can you do that?" He looks at the others, glad that the discussion over Jay's gun didn't turn into a fight. "We should go after Robin, ready for everything. And Jay, you already saw how that gun behaves. Be extra careful."
Nine points at Arthur. "I'd say Arthur follows Robin, then Jay and Faust. I'd go before you but not unarmed, so it would be me and Charlie on the back."
He gestures toward the bodies. "I really don't want to spend more time in that company. Let's do it."
He takes the duffel bag with one hand, with the wrench on the other. Then he remembers something. "Anyone has that second pip-boy?"
Cool. Arthur in front of Jay. Let's see how he likes almost getting shot. Or getting shot... no, that would suck majorly. He hopes that doesn't happen. Maybe Jay won't be dumb enough to fire again.
"You feeling alright?" he asks Charlie instead.
-
Robin
"Robin, I think it's time to cross that hallway and check the overseers room. Can you do that?" He looks at the others, glad that the discussion over Jay's gun didn't turn into a fight. "We should go after Robin, ready for everything. And Jay, you already saw how that gun behaves. Be extra careful."
Robin nods and creeps towards the overseer's office, gun in hand despite not feeling very eager to use it now. She glances over her shoulder, waiting for the others get into position, and steps into the room.
Sneak (AGI) (https://orokos.com/roll/904844): 1d10+8+5 21
Overseer's Office (PER) (https://orokos.com/roll/904845): 1d10+6 15
Spotting no imminent danger, she gives them a thumbs up. The room is actually pretty spartan, with a circular desk with a terminal on it, a chair, and a few pieces of shelving. There's two doors, at opposite ends of the room from each other. In addition, there's a fenced-off cubicle of sorts that clearly used to be an armory, judging from the security door. The door, however, is open, and the armory is stripped bare.
The terminal on the overseer's desk catches her immediate attention. That's where they should find information on the inaccessible pods.
-
Several things he could say fly through Faust's head, but he doesn't say them. Previously, he said that none of the people here looked like they would kick a hobo, but in the mean time he came to a conclusion that Arthur might be the type. Who knows. He didn't like the idea of a beating, despite how idiotic his behavior was... "Perhaps you don't know the meaning of the word ricochet," he decides to say. And leaves it at that.
Cool. Arthur in front of Jay. Let's see how he likes almost getting shot. Or getting shot... no, that would suck majorly. He hopes that doesn't happen. Maybe Jay won't be dumb enough to fire again.
"You feeling alright?" he asks Charlie instead.
"Yes, I´m fine, don´t worry", Charlie answers, mostly veridical, while following the others through the hallway. Of course the bite still hurts, a lot actually, but it´s manageable. That´s probably the most she can expect, so it´s as good as it´s going to get.
"But what about you? The bullet ricochetted off the crowbar, I know, but it still must have been painful. Are you good?", she asks Faust.
-
"Yes, I´m fine, don´t worry", Charlie answers, mostly veridical, while following the others through the hallway. Of course the bite still hurts, a lot actually, but it´s manageable. That´s probably the most she can expect, so it´s as good as it´s going to get.
"But what about you? The bullet ricochetted off the crowbar, I know, but it still must have been painful. Are you good?", she asks Faust.
"Hurts a bit. It might bruise, but I was really lucky" Faust tells her. He's walking with no limp either, he just seems annoyed. He follows after Robin, ready to react in case another group of roaches comes up.
-
Nine
He enters the Overseer's room, following the others. Nothing particularly relevant to see, beyond the large circular desk with a terminal, and no enemies, bodies or robots on sight. Nine can see that Robin is going to check the terminal, but what moves him now is the curiosity over the fenced area on the opposite corner, the one labeled "Armory" in the map, if his memory is right. As he crosses the room his ribs keep complaining, but he chooses to ignore them.
Soon Nine can confirm the it's indeed the Armory, but to his disappointment all shelves are empty! "Damn! Nothing! I was expecting to find proper equipment. I'm getting tired of feeling defenseless." He looks around, and notices a nearby door. A small plate on its side has "Overseer's Residence". Worth checking, he thinks. It was a small room on the layout, so hopefully not enough space for big enemies... Must be ready for a roach or two, anyway. He decides to ask for Faust help, trying to keep him away from Arthur and Jay for a while. No need for a conflict in the team.
"Hey, Faust, help me checking the residence! Jay, can you check the other door? See if it's locked but don't open it yet. Wait for us." He turns to Arthur. "Cover him, ok? The door may open, we don't know what's beyond, and you're the best equipped."
Nine realizes that it feels good to organize the team, one of his best abilities. It's been a long time since he did that. He needs to keep Charlie in the back now, however he doesn't want to sound like giving orders, so he chooses carefully his words. "Robin, you're going to check that terminal, right? Charlie, can you help her? Four eyes see better than two."
Placing the duffel bag on the ground next to the door, he holds the wrench, takes a deep breath and opens the door.
1d10+6: 16 [1d10=10]
-
Robin
Four options come up in the terminal.
VAULT 111 OVERSEER INSTRUCTIONS
Overseer's Log
Open Evacuation Tunnel
A Message To The Survivors
"Guys...", Robin doesn't think twice before selecting the last one. The following comes up:
I'd like to include as much information as possible, but I have to keep this short - too long a message, and they might notice it.
If you're still alive, get out of the Vault. The override was already triggered, you should have little issue dealing with any remaining security. Head for Sanctuary, if it's still standing.
Avoid University Point.
Do not trust the Institute.
The world has changed. I hope you can change it for the better.
-L
"Good thing they addressed only living people. Of f-cking course we're alive if we're reading this," she mutters angrily. The message reignites the fear in her. What's going on with the outside? How could they expect them, of all people, to fix things? "Does anyone remember where University Point was? I think it was in Boston..."
-
Nine
As the door opens he peeks inside and finds a small room with a bed, a wardrobe, a small desk and a chair. Practical furniture, quite spartan in style. At the end of the room an open door leads to a bathroom. Nothing moves, and Nine gestures for Faust to wait outside. There's not much space, and he doesn't want to get shot by accident if a roach comes from under the bed.
He moves inside and this time it's not his years in the Army that come to mind, but his experience as an investigator, when he learned that what's missing sometimes is more important than what can be seen. And everything else is missing here.
Nine carefully advances checking under the bed, inside the wardrobe and each drawer on the desk. All empty but for a thin layer of dust. He lifts the mattress and moves the furniture. Still nothing. The bathroom proves equally devoid of anything, not even a toothbrush. Before leaving the room he checks the walls. No damage, no marks left by paintings or wear.
Coming out he announces to the party. "Clear! Striped bare. Whoever left this room had time to pack everything, which is quite a different story from all we saw until here, with gunfight, bodies and abandoned things." He closes the door and moves toward the large desk where Robin and Charlie are looking with attention to the terminal. "All the others had trouble, but this Overseer clearly had time to plan his move and no resistance. Can't be sure what that means but..."
Nine stops, being close enough to read the message left by the Overseer. He reads, and reads again. "Head for Sanctuary? How we are supposed to know where that Sanctuary is? And what is the Institute?"
Hearing Robin's question, he scratches his head for a second. "University Point... They are probably speaking about Columbia Point, in Dorchester, Southeast from Downtown. Massachusetts University is there, and it forms a peninsula out from the mainland into Dorchester bay, with Old Harbor Park on the north side... I don't see why we would go there, but let's keep that warning in mind."
However Nine fully agreed with the "Leave the vault" part. He was getting tired of that artificial light, together with the dust that filled the air every time they moved, not to mention the several body bags that brought him bad memories. "Let's see if there's more information and then get ourselves out of here, shall we? What else you found, Robin?"
-
"Hurts a bit. It might bruise, but I was really lucky" Faust tells her. He's walking with no limp either, he just seems annoyed. He follows after Robin, ready to react in case another group of roaches comes up.
Ok, that´s good. They already have two injured people, hopefully it would stay at two.
Nine
Nine realizes that it feels good to organize the team, one of his best abilities. It's been a long time since he did that. He needs to keep Charlie in the back now, however he doesn't want to sound like giving orders, so he chooses carefully his words. "Robin, you're going to check that terminal, right? Charlie, can you help her? Four eyes see better than two."
Placing the duffel bag on the ground next to the door, he holds the wrench, takes a deep breath and opens the door.
1d10+6: 16 [1d10=10]
PER-check for the room: Roll(1d10)+4:6,+4 Total:10
Terminal, what terminal? Oh, that terminal. Charlie finally notices it as Robin walks towards it. She follows and looks over Robin´s shoulder as she opens the message. She gets a bit irritated as Grey mentions that "university point" is probably "Columbia point".
"What? That´s like... not that far from my University. Actually, my brother studied there. What the heck happened with the place?"
She pauses.
"Hm. But as for "sanctuary" or "institute", no idea. An institute could be close to the university maybe. And there were some places around with "sanctuary" in their name. Actually vaguely in the same direction as Columbia point, I´m afraid. But I could be wrong, maybe it´s somewhere completely different."
-
Robin
Robin uses the lull created by the short discussion to copy the message into the Pip-boy. A couple of weeks from now they might no longer remember the exact wording or the writer's moniker. She couldn't speak for the others, but she was sure she wanted to find them. "They might be talking about Sanctuary Hills. It's a suburb a short walk from the Vault, closer even than my neighborhood. Worth checking out. Not that I trust the writer.
"No idea about the Institute, but it sounds like something that would exist within an university."
She turns her attention back to the terminal, navigating to the Overseer's Log. Stepping to the side, she lets the other read it without a word.
Preparations
The final staff orientation is complete, all but a few of the residents down in Sanctuary Hills have been enrolled, and several from Concord as well. Vault-Tec supervisors came up this week to do a technical review with me. This Vault is ready to open.
I can only imagine what wonders our residents will get to witness. The notion of leaping forward in time - I almost wish I could join them and see the promise of our future realized.
October 23
It's happened. We were lucky that most of the staff was nearby when the early warning came through. We had less notice than expected, but only Nordhagen was missing when we sealed the entrance.
Resident Admittance went smoothly. Everyone made it, even the family that waited till the last minute. I was worried there would be more suspicion, but things happened so fast for these people. They must have been too overwhelmed to question the cryogenic pods.
Cryolator
I've long dreamed of making cryogenic freezing available in a portable, on-demand form. The Cryolator is my latest attempt. Thankfully, we're in no short supply of the chemicals and components I need to tinker with the prototype. It's a nice way to occupy the time as we wait for the All-Clear Signal.
System Malfunction
Strange issue today with pod C3. Subject appeared to be having heart palpations. Nothing life-threatening, but unusual. We realized almost too late that the pod was malfunctioning. The cryogenic array almost started thawing her out.
We're not sure, but I suspect a hiccup in Vault-Tec's remote override systems may have sent an errant signal. We'll have to keep an eye out. I only hope their systems are reliable once we evacuate the staff.
Supplies Running Low
There's been no All-Clear Signal yet, even though we're nearing the end of the 180 day Mandatory Shelter Period. Supplies were never intended to last much more than that, and despite my best efforts, people are beginning to question what we're doing down here.
If people think we can just leave when the 180 days are up, they're insane. The radioactive exposure would still be potent enough to fry everyone if the Vault seals are breached that early. The whole point of the All-Clear was to receive additional instructions from the main office.
I don't know what to do. I can't open the Vault. I can't expect our supplies to last forever. I just have to keep everything under control until the All-Clear...
Mutiny
A faction led by the security personnel have turned on me, demanding they be allowed to leave the Vault. Idiots. I will not open the door to be irradiated to death out there.
I'm consolidating the remaining supplies, putting the staff on lockdown. We're going to have to start prioritizing who deserves what little food we have left. I've been too damn generous with the rations.
If people don't like it, well, that's fewer mouths to feed...
-
Nine
"Not a big Log, considering how many months this Overseer stayed down here." Nine observes after reading the last entry. "I suppose several things may have been deleted before leaving. After seeing how methodically the residence was emptied I can tell there was time for preparations."
He reads again, making sure nothing important goes unnoticed. "The part about the "Cryolator" is interesting. I wonder if that last attempt was successful. However.. what's the point of having a portable cryogenic machine if you don't have a safe place, like the pods, to store the person? And would it have its own power source?"
Nine places the wrench over the desk and comes a bit closer to the terminal. "Robin, can you please show us those "Overseer Instructions"? Perhaps there's some useful info in there."
-
Robin
"Not a big Log, considering how many months this Overseer stayed down here." Nine observes after reading the last entry. "I suppose several things may have been deleted before leaving. After seeing how methodically the residence was emptied I can tell there was time for preparations."
"Unless someone else emptied the place. Didn't doctor Ryan mention something about taking all useful things?"
He reads again, making sure nothing important goes unnoticed. "The part about the "Cryolator" is interesting. I wonder if that last attempt was successful. However.. what's the point of having a portable cryogenic machine if you don't have a safe place, like the pods, to store the person? And would it have its own power source?"
"I don't think he had safety in mind. Portable, on-demand? Sounds something you could use on unwilling targets."
Robin moves on to the Overseer Instructions as requested.
-
Nine
Robin
"Unless someone else emptied the place. Didn't doctor Ryan mention something about taking all useful things?"
"I don't think he had safety in mind. Portable, on-demand? Sounds something you could use on unwilling targets."
"Yes, I remember that. But there's nothing there, not even some old, ripped socks, or a used soap on the shower... Was all that stuff useful for them? Anyway, your view on possible uses for the "Cryolator" thing seems like something those bastards from Vault-Tec would do. Respecting people's rights wasn't a requirement to get a job there, as we can see by that log."
Nine puts one hand over his ribs, in the place where the robot landed. Now that he stopped it hurts a bit more. They don't seem broken, but he's sure to find a large bruise whenever he gets to take out those clothes... Which won't happen inside the vault, he recalls. "So, let's see those instructions and get ready to move, shall we?"
-
Nine
As Robin press the option "VAULT 111 OVERSEER INSTRUCTIONS" the screen blinks for a second and is filled by capital letters.
CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL
OVERSEER EYES ONLY | VIOLATION VTP-01011
Vault 111 is designed to test the long-term effects of suspended animation on unaware, human subjects. Your staff will be on short-term assignment to monitor basic cardiopulmonary and cognitive functions. Long-term monitoring will be handled remotely by Vault-Tec technicians.
Under no circumstance is suspension to be disrupted. This includes the administration of live-saving measures. Your staff is also considered expendable. Insubordination or attempts to evacuate prematurely are capital violations. Unused cryogenic pods are the preferred method for cadaver disposal.
Nine feels a knot in his stomach. The text just confirms his suspicions, but is still hard to read. A strong desire to get the wrench and smash something fills him, and his hand moves toward the tool. He manages to stop and breath before speaking his mind. "Those ******* bastards!" He turns to Robin. "I was right! The true job requirement here was the willingness to disrespect people's rights! But the staff didn't know that they were also paws in the game... I wonder how it ended. Did the Overseer use the sentry robot to get rid of the rebellious group?" He shakes his head and moves away from the desk, grabbing the wrench and the duffel bag.
His eyes are fixed on the door leading to the escape route as he walks slowly towards it. "Anyway that doesn't help us now. Open the door when you are ready. Oh, if anyone wants to use the bathroom... well, your first chance in two centuries is there." He points the door to the Overseer's residence. "Who knows when we will see another one?"
-
Robin
Nine seems oddly bothered by the confidential file. They're perfectly in line with what Robin came to expect from Vault-Tec, or any other corporation with ties to the government for that matter. She keeps a watchful eye on him as he moves away, quietly scanning his movements for signs of pain. His earlier discomfort didn't go past her unnoticed.
"I saw something, let me just..." She dives back into the terminal options, hunting for a last option she saw tucked in somewhere. Yes, there! She clicks on the [Check Cryopod Status Reports].
"The people on the pods below... Thirty people. It's saying they're dead. So are the others in the other room. And the remote override was engaged for our pods only."
She returns to the main menu and clicks on the Open Evacuation Tunnel option.
-
Faust just quietly listens to them reading stuff out and arguing.
He's tired.
And sad.
He just wants to leave.
Hopefully, they will be doing just that soon.
-
Nine
He brings himself to a halt midway to the door. Something is missing... Looking around Nine sees Faust a bit away from the others and... silent! The guy isn't showing he's usual, energetic behaviour.
Walking closer Nine manages to stop short of patting Faust. He seems to be the kind of person that wouldn't like that. But It's hard imagine what's going on inside that head. Faust is the strangest member of their group, with all the secrecy about his name and backstory, but there's also something on him that creates... empathy? Perhaps it's the feeling of loss of the world as he knew it, but in these hours Nine began to like each of these strangers, together with their peculiar traits.
"Hey, Faust! Are you OK? Looking tired, and, to be honest, a bit sad." He looks again, looking for injuries, but sees none. "I'm hard pressed to believe that bullet hit the crowbar instead of you. I guess you're right in wanting it so bad." Giving him a wry smile he adds. "Cheer up! We're almost out of this place. That message for the survivors... us... it's been recorded decades ago. Maybe things got better outside, and all we need is to get out of this old bunker." This time he can't resist and gives a very light pat on Faust shoulder. "Com'on, let's do it!"
-
Nine
He brings himself to a halt midway to the door. Something is missing... Looking around Nine sees Faust a bit away from the others and... silent! The guy isn't showing he's usual, energetic behaviour.
Walking closer Nine manages to stop short of patting Faust. He seems to be the kind of person that wouldn't like that. But It's hard imagine what's going on inside that head. Faust is the strangest member of their group, with all the secrecy about his name and backstory, but there's also something on him that creates... empathy? Perhaps it's the feeling of loss of the world as he knew it, but in these hours Nine began to like each of these strangers, together with their peculiar traits.
"Hey, Faust! Are you OK? Looking tired, and, to be honest, a bit sad." He looks again, looking for injuries, but sees none. "I'm hard pressed to believe that bullet hit the crowbar instead of you. I guess you're right in wanting it so bad." Giving him a wry smile he adds. "Cheer up! We're almost out of this place. That message for the survivors... us... it's been recorded decades ago. Maybe things got better outside, and all we need is to get out of this old bunker." This time he can't resist and gives a very light pat on Faust shoulder. "Com'on, let's do it!"
Faust just seems mildly surprised that someone's coming up to cheer him up. But he gives the man a smile. "I'm doing fine, I just can't wait to get out of this dump" he says casually, waving off Grey's concern. "They suck, what they did sucks, this place sucks." And all the people he ever knew when he was traveling all over the States were now dead.
His parents included.
He isn't particularly happy nor sad about them dying. It's been two centuries, and he left them even earlier. Mom deserved better, he supposed... but still.
And his friends and companions from back then... well, he hopes they had a nice life. There was nothing else he could do except move on.
And remember them.
And meet new people.
Once he gathers enough information, he'll set out... California again, he supposes. Crossing the Rockies will be a nightmare...
-
Charlie reads through the Overseer´s log. Something catches her eye in the first paragraph.
Robin
Preparations
The final staff orientation is complete, all but a few of the residents down in Sanctuary Hills have been enrolled, and several from Concord as well. Vault-Tec supervisors came up this week to do a technical review with me. This Vault is ready to open.
I can only imagine what wonders our residents will get to witness. The notion of leaping forward in time - I almost wish I could join them and see the promise of our future realized.
"Oh yes, great, I love being in the future, alone, far from everything and everyone I know. I almost wish you did join us so I could personally thank you." she wispers, her voice trembling in anger. She reads further.
Louder she tells the others: "a hiccup in Vault-Tec's remote override systems? That system is what unfroze us, right? Could it be that maybe not a specific person freed us, but some malfunction like this one?" And would that be good or bad news???
Charlie doesn´t fully read the overseer´s instructions Robin pulls up next. Her faith in humanity has been damaged enough today. Instead, she actually uses the opportunity to go to the bathroom. The toilet flush still works, surprisingly enough.
Robin
Nine seems oddly bothered by the confidential file. They're perfectly in line with what Robin came to expect from Vault-Tec, or any other corporation with ties to the government for that matter. She keeps a watchful eye on him as he moves away, quietly scanning his movements for signs of pain. His earlier discomfort didn't go past her unnoticed.
"I saw something, let me just..." She dives back into the terminal options, hunting for a last option she saw tucked in somewhere. Yes, there! She clicks on the [Check Cryopod Status Reports].
"The people on the pods below... Thirty people. It's saying they're dead. So are the others in the other room. And the remote override was engaged for our pods only."
She returns to the main menu and clicks on the Open Evacuation Tunnel option.
As Charlie comes back, she hears Robin read out the Cryopod Status Reports. They´re all dead, huh? To say she´s surprised would be a lie. But she was hopeful for them to be alive. At the very least, she was in denial that they were dead. That her family was dead. For a moment, she wishes they had stayed behind. Maybe they could have lived a good life 200 years ago. Her mom was so close to getting that fancy promotion she wanted. One would have graduated from college. Theo would have gotten to high school. Who knows what he would have wanted to do with his life, but now he would never get the chance.
But no. That was wishful thinking. Home was nuked. Being frozen was maybe a better death than exploding. And wishing things were different wouldn´t bring them back either.
She hears Faust talk to Nine.
"I agree. Can we please leave now?"
-
Robin
Nine seems oddly bothered by the confidential file. They're perfectly in line with what Robin came to expect from Vault-Tec, or any other corporation with ties to the government for that matter. She keeps a watchful eye on him as he moves away, quietly scanning his movements for signs of pain. His earlier discomfort didn't go past her unnoticed.
"I saw something, let me just..." She dives back into the terminal options, hunting for a last option she saw tucked in somewhere. Yes, there! She clicks on the [Check Cryopod Status Reports].
"The people on the pods below... Thirty people. It's saying they're dead. So are the others in the other room. And the remote override was engaged for our pods only."
She returns to the main menu and clicks on the Open Evacuation Tunnel option.
Having taken up his watch upon the door again, Arthur listens intently to the conversations going on without giving any sign of it.
Dead?
What does this confounded system know, anyway?
It was meant to freeze us for a bit to decontaminate us and let the boffins prepare stuff, but it spat a few of us out at random after 200 years!
About as useful as a chocolate teapot on a summer's afternoon, and we're just going to take the blasted computer's word for it?
No.
The others are as alive as we were an hour ago, just still frozen.
We'll have to head out to find someone who can defrost them properly, the others mostly seem sharp, but not scientifically inclined.
Charlie reads through the Overseer´s log. Something catches her eye in the first paragraph.
"Oh yes, great, I love being in the future, alone, far from everything and everyone I know. I almost wish you did join us so I could personally thank you." she wispers, her voice trembling in anger. She reads further.
Louder she tells the others: "a hiccup in Vault-Tec's remote override systems? That system is what unfroze us, right? Could it be that maybe not a specific person freed us, but some malfunction like this one?" And would that be good or bad news???
Charlie doesn´t fully read the overseer´s instructions Robin pulls up next. Her faith in humanity has been damaged enough today. Instead, she actually uses the opportunity to go to the bathroom. The toilet flush still works, surprisingly enough.
As Charlie comes back, she hears Robin read out the Cryopod Status Reports. They´re all dead, huh? To say she´s surprised would be a lie. But she was hopeful for them to be alive. At the very least, she was in denial that they were dead. That her family was dead. For a moment, she wishes they had stayed behind. Maybe they could have lived a good life 200 years ago. Her mom was so close to getting that fancy promotion she wanted. One would have graduated from college. Theo would have gotten to high school. Who knows what he would have wanted to do with his life, but now he would never get the chance.
But no. That was wishful thinking. Home was nuked. Being frozen was maybe a better death than exploding. And wishing things were different wouldn´t bring them back either.
She hears Faust talk to Nine.
"I agree. Can we please leave now?"
"That would be a prudent course of action, if we're all ready" he says calmly, without getting up or turning around.
-
Robin
The Overseer's logs seem to have affected her companions to different degrees, visibly distressing some while others didn't look affected at all. Robin fell into the latter category. She moves to the front of the line like before, falling into scouting position to cross the passage.
She has enough concerns to bother thinking about how people in power are horrible. Two out of six injured, and barely no supplies to deal with it. They're about to leave the Vault — and with it, the people they ever cared behind. Will they ever come back? Will she ever find a way to help them?
Can they be helped? That sound-induced headache is getting worse. She rubs her temple with a free hand.
A laser blast flies past Robin's ear as soon she turns around the corridor bend, hitting the wall behind her. She yelps in surprise, feeling the last remnants of the heat on the wall her as she throws herself to the side in a hopeless attempt to shield herself, trying to grasp what's happening.
Mystery PER check (https://orokos.com/roll/907992): 1d10+6 7
(AGI save) (https://orokos.com/roll/907993): 1d10+8 10
Initiative (Surprise!) (https://orokos.com/roll/907994): 1d20-5 -2
-
Robin
The Overseer's logs seem to have affected her companions to different degrees, visibly distressing some while others didn't look affected at all. Robin fell into the latter category. She moves to the front of the line like before, falling into scouting position to cross the passage.
She has enough concerns to bother thinking about how people in power are horrible. Two out of six injured, and barely no supplies to deal with it. They're about to leave the Vault — and with it, the people they ever cared behind. Will they ever come back? Will she ever find a way to help them?
Can they be helped? That sound-induced headache is getting worse. She rubs her temple with a free hand.
A laser blast flies past Robin's ear as soon she turns around the corridor bend, hitting the wall behind her. She yelps in surprise, feeling the last remnants of the heat on the wall her as she throws herself to the side in a hopeless attempt to shield herself, trying to grasp what's happening.
Mystery PER check (https://orokos.com/roll/907992): 1d10+6 7
(AGI save) (https://orokos.com/roll/907993): 1d10+8 10
Initiative (Surprise!) (https://orokos.com/roll/907994): 1d20-5 -2
Perception check: 6+8=16
There's a thumping noise ahead.
Regular and deliberate, getting gradually larger as the source approaches.
Its that bloody "protectron" from earlier, isn't it.
Before Arthur has a chance to share his conclusion, Robin steps out around the corner, almost getting hit by a confirmation of Arthur's theory.
As she throws herself to the side, he kneels down so that he can poke his rifle and part of his head around the corner, and lets loose a shot at the protectron's equivalent of a face.
To hit roll: 17+4=21
Parts of the glass shatter and melt, and the protectron replies, in it's droning, tinny voice: 'DO. NOT. ATTEMPT. TO. FLEE. JUSTICE. WILL. BE. ADMINISTERED. SWIFTLY. AND. FAIRLY.'
Good. It's attention is divided.
It seems barely intelligent enough to handle one target, so the more the merrier.
Calling back to the others, he says "Protectron around the corner, try to divide it's attention even more!"
-
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/852198302492655656/877363113626832967/the_vault_tec_protectron_by_startourstraveler_deau3fl-250t.png)
This is a protectron. Carry on.
-
The protectron stomps forwards, and fires another pair of lasers from its hands at Arthur, who is the only target visible:
Firing x2:Roll: 15, 20, -5 to each, so 10, 15
One of the blasts barely misses - the other nails Arthur in the shoulder.
Damage: 6 + 2 guaranteed
Armor: +3 EDR
Total: 5
The Vault-tec security armor does a good job, but lasers were high-end infantry weapons back then for a reason, and the blast burns right through the meat of Arthur's armor just below his left shoulder.
Arthur is now severely injured: -10 to all rolls due to pain.
-
PER: 9+4=13
As Charlie follows the others down the hallway, she can hear the thumping noise. What now??? Bring it on, you dumb hole. I just want to get out of here. Maybe it´s just some sort of poorly-maintained machine... a water-pump or something. At least the door leading outside should be close now.
In that moment a laser shoots around the corner Robin just went. Oh no. Robot. It must be that other robot. And it´s clearly alive.
Unfortunately, Arthur almost immediately confirmes this suspicion - and gets hit by another laser for it. Doesn´t look life-threatening for now, at least as far as she can see, but very painful.
Instinctively Charlie presses herself against the next wall, as if that would keep the robot from seeing her, should it come around the corner. There´s no cover here...
The laser-rifle barely did a scratch on it. And what do I have? She looks down at her baton. Yup, that´s probably not going to do anything. Even on the rare occasion that she would manage to get close enough to try anything without being grilled by laser first.
She looks around in panic. There really isn´t any cover here. Could they just run past the bot? Or go further back?
-
Nine
Following the others Nine watches as Robin turns the final corner of the tunnel. She seems a bit less focused than usual. Grey wants to tell her to be extra carefull, but is afraid to shout and attract unwanted attention. It's too late when he decides to speak.
The sound of a laser fills the air, and a blast hits the wall less than an inch from Robin's hair. "The protectron!" Before he can say anything more Arthur advances, using the corner as cover. He's fast, and fires once before the robot fires back. One shot misses, but the second one hits his arm just below the shoulder. Could be worse. An inch closer and he could have lost the arm. Grey doesn't need to see Arthur face. Having been hit like that twice, he knows too well how painful it is.
Everybody noticed what's happening, but there's no cover inside the tunnel. If the robot comes they would be sitting ducks.
"FALL BACK! FALL BACK NOW!" He shouts and gestures towards the Overseer's room. "COME ON! MOVE!" Grey taps Charlie shoulder. She's obviously frightened. And have good reasons for that. "Go. Find some cover."
They are underarmed to face that machine, and have to find time to devise a strategy. He peeks very briefly from the corner, enough to see that Arthur did hit the thing on the right place, shattering the glass that protects the sensors and other delicate devices on the robot's head. "Smart guy!" He mutters.
"Right! We have two choices... no, three!" He speaks loud so all his companions can hear. "We can try to lure that thing into the generators' room and turn on the defective one, so the robot gets fried. Or we can wait for it to come through that door and hit it in the head with all that we have. We can even throw some water bottles, because those circuits are not waterproof and Arthur's shot broke the glass."
"Or we can buy some time and close the door to the reception from the Overseer's terminal. If the robot is still on the reception. So, friends, what you think?"
-
The protectron stomps forwards, and fires another pair of lasers from its hands at Arthur, who is the only target visible:
Firing x2:Roll: 15, 20, -5 to each, so 10, 15
One of the blasts barely misses - the other nails Arthur in the shoulder.
Damage: 6 + 2 guaranteed
Armor: +3 EDR
Total: 5
The Vault-tec security armor does a good job, but lasers were high-end infantry weapons back then for a reason, and the blast burns right through the meat of Arthur's armor just below his left shoulder.
Arthur is now severely injured: -10 to all rolls due to pain.
Arthur takes the hit stoically. He's been shot before, with both conventional and laser weapons, so the surprise is minimal, but his wavering arms betray a pain his carven face refuses to acknowledge.
-
"Get back!" Faust orders, pulling Arthur and Charlie away from the corner. "Robin, get up and help him!"
Two kids and one heavily injured man.
ducking robots.
He has to make himself the primary target while others fall back to Grey. He can hear him making some plans, which is good.
Shoot at me, not them, piece of trash.
He gets around the corner, like Arthur did. Arthur seems to have shot it in the face and he can see some tech stuff happening there. For a brief moment, he hesitates. Face or legs? Immobilization would be good, but if it's not dead it can still shoot at them.
He calmly shoots it in the face.
(16+1, 4 damage)
Something explodes. But whatever it was, it wasn't exploding enough. The robot seems slower, but it's still coming at them. "Shot in the circuitry! Incoming!" he reports over the loud noises coming out of the robot.
-
Nine
He realizes that Faust also shoot the robot, but didn't manage to take it down. Protectrons may not be the toughest robots, but they were hard enough to kill when you are underarmed.
Always keeping an eye at the corner where the robot will show up, Nine puts the duffel bag on the floor and opens it, removing some water bottles and aligning them on the floor between him and Charlie. "So, these are our weapons. We just need to be lucky and hit its "face", where the circuits are. Just try not to get shot."
-
Nine
Everybody noticed what's happening, but there's no cover inside the tunnel. If the robot comes they would be sitting ducks.
"FALL BACK! FALL BACK NOW!" He shouts and gestures towards the Overseer's room. "COME ON! MOVE!" Grey taps Charlie shoulder. She's obviously frightened. And have good reasons for that. "Go. Find some cover."
They are underarmed to face that machine, and have to find time to devise a strategy. He peeks very briefly from the corner, enough to see that Arthur did hit the thing on the right place, shattering the glass that protects the sensors and other delicate devices on the robot's head. "Smart guy!" He mutters.
"Right! We have two choices... no, three!" He speaks loud so all his companions can hear. "We can try to lure that thing into the generators' room and turn on the defective one, so the robot gets fried. Or we can wait for it to come through that door and hit it in the head with all that we have. We can even throw some water bottles, because those circuits are not waterproof and Arthur's shot broke the glass."
"Or we can buy some time and close the door to the reception from the Overseer's terminal. If the robot is still on the reception. So, friends, what you think?"
Find Cover! That she can do. Charlie runs back towards the Overseers room. As almost no one else follows, she stops close to Nine, a bit indecisive on what to do now. Technically the ones staying are right. Just hiding won´t solve the problem, the robot would catch up eventually.
Nine
He realizes that Faust also shoot the robot, but didn't manage to take it down. Protectrons may not be the toughest robots, but they were hard enough to kill when you are underarmed.
Always keeping an eye at the corner where the robot will show up, Nine puts the duffel bag on the floor and opens it, removing some water bottles and aligning them on the floor between him and Charlie. "So, these are our weapons. We just need to be lucky and hit its "face", where the circuits are. Just try not to get shot."
Another thing Charlie can do. She grabs one of the bottles and weighs it in her hand trying to measure how hard she has to throw. Hm. Not easy to tell. "Well, here goes nothing", she sais and steps out of cover.
She skitters towards the next corner to check where their foe is currently. Unfortunately, it has almost reached them, looking pretty annoyed too. (For a machine...) But while the hallway means no cover for the humans, it means the same for the robot. Charlie just has to throw in a straight line. That should be manageable. She takes a deep breath and flings the glass bottle towards the robot´s face.
PER: Roll(1d10)+4: 7,+4 Total:11
And it hits! The bottle breaks almost inside of the protectron´s head, the water spilling over all the instruments within. She quickly makes a beeline away from her target, even before she can see whether this did anything besides multiplying the amount of glass-shards in and around the bot.
-
Nine
The water bottle feels heavy in his hand. "And I thought to have used every kind of weapon before... There's a first time to everything, I suppose."
Nine is about to throw his improvised weapon when another bottle crosses the air, fast, and hits the protectron's head, spreading glass shards and water around.
With the water in its circuits, the robot begins to shake violently, before something pops inside it very loudly, another thing makes a distinct crunching sound, and it seizes up before tipping forwards and crashing to the floor.
Nine looks amazed at it, and then to his side, where the lucky thrower is. He looks at her, smiling, and speakes with sincere admiriation.
"You did it! Charlie, you got it! Well done!!!"
-
Nine
Approaching the now silent robot with caution, and carefully avoiding the line of fire of its weapons, Nine can smell the fried circuitry. A small kick on the metallic shell results in rattling sounds from the inside, confirming their victory. "Looks clear! I think this one won't give us more trouble."
He's surprised, and glad, that facing the robot didn't end with one, or more, deaths on their side. "Not bad for a bunch of two hundred years old people that barely know each other!"
Now it's time to prepare for their next move. But before that they need to take care of Arthur. "Robin! Can you check on Arthur? I think he needs one of those stinpacks we found earlier." Nine turns to the others. "I'm going back to the canteen to fill more water bottles. I can carry three or four more, and who knows when we will find clean water out there."
The duffel bag is already heavy on his shoulder, and Nine's ribs still hurt, but you gotta do what you gotta do, so he's not complaining. On his way Nine taps Jay's shoulder. "It may be the right time to use your knowledge and try to salvage something from that robot, and then we can find out how is the World outside."
-
Faust pats Charlie's shoulder. "You are amazing and fantastic. Good job."
He's tired. He wants to leave. Stupid robots, everywhere. "Robin, do you need any help with Arthur?"
-
Alerted by the popping and crunching sounds, Charlie turns around again, only to see the robot falling over and not getting back up.
It´s done! The water actually killed that thing! A look somewhere between surprise and euphoria on her face she just nods as Nine and Faust are congratulating her. Them talking about Arthur´s injury brings her back though. Right. They definitly need bandages now. Or can a Stimpack really fix all of this?
She walks up to the others, offering Robin her backpack.
-
Nine
The Overseer's room looks exactly the same when Nine returns, bag heavy with water bottles and food, and stuffed to the limit with every roll of toilet paper he found. He walks by Robin and looks at Arthur's injury. He's in pain, but hides it pretty well. "Don't worry! I've seen worse. All you need is a stimpack and you will be as good as new."
Nine pats Charlie's shoulder and observes the others. They seem fine. Time to move. "Ok people, since our scout will be busy I'll step ahead and check the Reception Room to see if there's anything useful." He lowers the duffel bag on the ground. "Anyone is welcome to come with me, following the rules."
Glass shards break under his boots as he walks the corridor and mutters to himself. "Man, nobody will never, ever believe that we killed a protectron with water bottles!" Nine just wishes that no more unpleasant surprises wait on the next room.
He crosses the large doorway into the ample room and is assaulted by memories of those anxious moments when he and others arrived, shaken and a bit disoriented after witnessing the end of the World. Remembering that it all happened centuries ago, and not just a few hours before, should give him some comfort, some distance to see everything under a rational, pondered light, dampening all the emotion. "Yeah, it should! Just it doesn't! Not at all!" Memory after memory haunts him, but one stands above the rest. Sophie, looking serious at him with those unforgettable blue-grey eyes and asking for one more chance. Now all chances were that he would never know if she deserved that chance...
"Enough!" He speakes to himself, shaking his head and trying to fix his attention on the present. "Leave that for later, Nine! Let's take a good look at this place!"
PER check for reception room: 1d10+6=12
-
Nine
The previous time he just had eyes for the Protectron, trying to find a way to overcome it. Now, standing on the doorway, he has time to observe how the ample room has changed from when he saw it, hours, or centuries, ago.
Instead of the barren Vault entrance he recalled, the space around the huge door and the catwalk leading up to it is presently filled with countless pallets, crates and...coffins! Not exactly a pleasant sight, but still better than body bags our skeletons.
Before moving further he makes a gesture to Faust, that looks idle. "Hey, Faust! Let's check this place. I could use some company, and that crowbar may come in handy for what I can see."
Without waiting for an answer he moves cautiously inside the room, senses alert for any sign of danger. "What's all that?" He mutters to himself, trying to find any indication of the crates' content. Nine walks slowly towards the main door, waiting for Faust to catch up.
-
Nine
The Overseer's room looks exactly the same when Nine returns, bag heavy with water bottles and food, and stuffed to the limit with every roll of toilet paper he found. He walks by Robin and looks at Arthur's injury. He's in pain, but hides it pretty well. "Don't worry! I've seen worse. All you need is a stimpack and you will be as good as new."
Nine pats Charlie's shoulder and observes the others. They seem fine. Time to move. "Ok people, since our scout will be busy I'll step ahead and check the Reception Room to see if there's anything useful." He lowers the duffel bag on the ground. "Anyone is welcome to come with me, following the rules."
Glass shards break under his boots as he walks the corridor and mutters to himself. "Man, nobody will never, ever believe that we killed a protectron with water bottles!" Nine just wishes that no more unpleasant surprises wait on the next room.
He crosses the large doorway into the ample room and is assaulted by memories of those anxious moments when he and others arrived, shaken and a bit disoriented after witnessing the end of the World. Remembering that it all happened centuries ago, and not just a few hours before, should give him some comfort, some distance to see everything under a rational, pondered light, dampening all the emotion. "Yeah, it should! Just it doesn't! Not at all!" Memory after memory haunts him, but one stands above the rest. Sophie, looking serious at him with those unforgettable blue-grey eyes and asking for one more chance. Now all chances were that he would never know if she deserved that chance...
"Enough!" He speakes to himself, shaking his head and trying to fix his attention on the present. "Leave that for later, Nine! Let's take a good look at this place!"
PER check for reception room: 1d10+6=12
Arthur chuckles, replying "I may not think highly of laser weapons, but I definetely prefer being shot with them to being shot with normal firearms."
He stands up, slowly and carefully, and heads over to Jay. "I belive you still have those stimpacks we found? I am rather fond of being able to use both arms."
-
Nine
The previous time he just had eyes for the Protectron, trying to find a way to overcome it. Now, standing on the doorway, he has time to observe how the ample room has changed from when he saw it, hours, or centuries, ago.
Instead of the barren Vault entrance he recalled, the space around the huge door and the catwalk leading up to it is presently filled with countless pallets, crates and...coffins! Not exactly a pleasant sight, but still better than body bags our skeletons.
Before moving further he makes a gesture to Faust, that looks idle. "Hey, Faust! Let's check this place. I could use some company, and that crowbar may come in handy for what I can see."
Without waiting for an answer he moves cautiously inside the room, senses alert for any sign of danger. "What's all that?" He mutters to himself, trying to find any indication of the crates' content. Nine walks slowly towards the main door, waiting for Faust to catch up.
Faust made a move as if he was about to help Arthur walk, but Nine's voice stops him. "Alright..." He walks into the room with Nine. He's... reasonably sure it shouldn't have coffins, right? If this is right next to the entrance, people would freak out if they saw coffins...
"Hmm... you doing alright?" he asks. Should he try to open a crate... how bad can it be? Coffins don't really interest him, but if there's a crate with a lid not nailed down...
He finds one and opens it. "Neat. Grey, look. I found more of those wrist computers."
-
Arthur chuckles, replying "I may not think highly of laser weapons, but I definetely prefer being shot with them to being shot with normal firearms."
He stands up, slowly and carefully, and heads over to Jay. "I belive you still have those stimpacks we found? I am rather fond of being able to use both arms."
"Please, take one. All arms needed."
Jay pulls one out of his bag and hands it to Arthur. Afterwards, he heads over to the robot, trying to inspect it to see if he can find anything useful in the shell that remains. "That was an amazing throw, Charlie. I owe you one."
lookin at the dead robo [PER] (https://orokos.com/roll/914080): 1d10+5 11
-
"Please, take one. All arms needed."
Jay pulls one out of his bag and hands it to Arthur. Afterwards, he heads over to the robot, trying to inspect it to see if he can find anything useful in the shell that remains. "That was an amazing throw, Charlie. I owe you one."
lookin at the dead robo [PER] (https://orokos.com/roll/914080): 1d10+5 11
Arthur leans the laser rifle against his leg, barrel down, takes the stimpack, mutters his thanks, and injects it into his arm with a quick jab, his military experience and relentless refusal to acknowledge pain clearly showing. The burnt flesh begins to soften and fade, as weeks of healing happens in seconds. Once he can see his flesh restoring itself, Arthur hands back the empty stimpack, picks up his rifle and walks over to the crates "Nine" and "Faust" are busying themselves with.
Looking for open crates [PER] (https://orokos.com/roll/914080): 1d10+8 15
With a sweeping inspection of the crates, he sees one with it's lid slightly ajar. Upon closer inspection, one of the catches is slightly broken, and was not replaced out of laziness, not lack of necessity, for when he lifts the lid of the crate, he sees 10mm pistols like the ones the others carry, ammunition for them, and more sets of the armour he's currently wearing.
"Pistols, ammomunition and armour here, for those who want or need it." he announces loudly and clearly.
-
Arthur leans the laser rifle against his leg, barrel down, takes the stimpack, mutters his thanks, and injects it into his arm with a quick jab, his military experience and relentless refusal to acknowledge pain clearly showing. The burnt flesh begins to soften and fade, as weeks of healing happens in seconds. Once he can see his flesh restoring itself, Arthur hands back the empty stimpack, picks up his rifle and walks over to the crates "Nine" and "Faust" are busying themselves with.
Looking for open crates [PER] (https://orokos.com/roll/914080): 1d10+8 15
With a sweeping inspection of the crates, he sees one with it's lid slightly ajar. Upon closer inspection, one of the catches is slightly broken, and was not replaced out of laziness, not lack of necessity, for when he lifts the lid of the crate, he sees 10mm pistols like the ones the others carry, ammunition for them, and more sets of the armour he's currently wearing.
"Pistols, ammomunition and armour here, for those who want or need it." he announces loudly and clearly.
"Ah." Much better than the pip-boys. He was no good with tech anyway, why would he have one? He moves to the crate that Arthur found and takes extra ammo for his gun. Maybe he should take another gun...? Yeah. Just in case. "Happy to see you're doing better. I didn't know these things were so effective" he says. So many people- no. All those people are dead now, it's been two centuries. Just because there was this super cool cure-all for nasty wounds that could cause a slow and painful death meant nothing now. Not to them.
And he has no clue how to mass-produce and distribute it anyway.
He looks around him with a hand on his mouth, clearly contemplating stuff.
"Do you think I could find my old stuff around here...?"
-
"Please, take one. All arms needed."
Jay pulls one out of his bag and hands it to Arthur. Afterwards, he heads over to the robot, trying to inspect it to see if he can find anything useful in the shell that remains. "That was an amazing throw, Charlie. I owe you one."
Charlie smiles at Jay. "Hehe. Not as good as the one you landed on that button earlier. I think we´re even now."
Arthur leans the laser rifle against his leg, barrel down, takes the stimpack, mutters his thanks, and injects it into his arm with a quick jab, his military experience and relentless refusal to acknowledge pain clearly showing. The burnt flesh begins to soften and fade, as weeks of healing happens in seconds. Once he can see his flesh restoring itself, Arthur hands back the empty stimpack, picks up his rifle and walks over to the crates "Nine" and "Faust" are busying themselves with.
"Wow, I didn´t expect it to go that fast", Charlie says, looking at the disappearing wound in amazement. It seems bandages are - once again - not needed. Good. Means their supply won´t run out too soon.
She follows the others into the Entrance room. Her Radroach-bite hurts quite a bit with every step. How neat would it be for that wound to disappear in the blink of an eye just like Arthur´s did. But that would be a total waste of the last stimpack they have. Stop whining. This bite is almost nothing, you´re acting like a baby, she tells herself.
"Pistols, ammomunition and armour here, for those who want or need it." he announces loudly and clearly.
The entrance is full of stuff. Now being in a room she actively recognizes, Charlie can really tell for the first time that a lot of time must have passed. If only to bring all the crates and coffins here.
Hearing Arthur´s call, she walks over to the mentioned crate. There seems to be enough armor for everyone, so she takes one that doesn´t look like she´ll drown in it and puts it on. As for the weapons... Hm. She still doesn´t fancy the idea of carrying a gun around too much, but it´s probably for the best. And if only to supply someone else with better aim. She carefully takes one, hoping it isn´t loaded, and stuffs some ammunition into her backpack.
"Ah." Much better than the pip-boys. He was no good with tech anyway, why would he have one? He moves to the crate that Arthur found and takes extra ammo for his gun. Maybe he should take another gun...? Yeah. Just in case. "Happy to see you're doing better. I didn't know these things were so effective" he says. So many people- no. All those people are dead now, it's been two centuries. Just because there was this super cool cure-all for nasty wounds that could cause a slow and painful death meant nothing now. Not to them.
And he has no clue how to mass-produce and distribute it anyway.
Charlie sees Faust coming over from a crate he must have opened earlier. Walking over she sees it´full of Pip-boys. That´s probably another good thing to take. She chooses one of the tiny computers, checking whether it still works, and puts it on her wrist. Hm. The new weight on her arm will take a bit of getting used to. Hopefully she doesn´t accidentally destroy it when fighting. No wait, hopefully that was enough fighting in the first place! Thats... not very likely. Anyways.
"Do you think I could find my old stuff around here...?"
This makes Charlie listen up.
"Oh I hope! I still want to find mine too. If the Vault Tec people didn´t get rid of it... I´ll help you looking."
-
Nine
The pip-boy feels a bit heavy on his right arm, but that small inconvenience is a fair price to pay for its many capabilities. Among those one stands out to someone used to coordinate troops. "Hey, everyone please take a pip-boy. Let's all set channel 9 for our general comms, ok?"
He observes Charlie getting an armour vest from a crate, and feels relieved to know she has some extra protection, despite showing previously to be quite able to take care of herself. Nine looks at her and constantly sees someone too young to face the crazy, dangerous and overly depressive situation they were in. He wants to tell Robin to take the other vest, since scouting is particularly risky, but finds her a bit lost on her thoughts and decides to leave that for later.
The crate filled with pistols is good... No, excellent news! Finally they can all have guns! He checks carefully one, putting it over a closed crate, disassembling and then reassembling it in less than a minute, amazed how the weapon can look, and work, so well after being stored for decades. Nine slips a filled magazine on the pistol and takes several others.
Now he's armed, has a communication device and is already feeling better, the pain from the impact with the robot almost vanished. The crates and coffins fill a good part of the room, but there are narrow passages between them, and one of those allows Nine to reach a large opening where a stairway gives access to a lower floor.
He approaches the handrail cautiously, trying to find cover behind some pilled coffins, and looks down, seeking a good view of the area below.
PER check for lower area: 1d10+6 = 12
-
Nine
There's not much to see on the lower floor. It mostly seems to be a technical area where some machinery was kept to power the Vault door and other vault systems. Most important, there's nothing potentially useful on sigh, so Nine decides it's not worth going down, at least for the moment.
Back to where the others are he finds Faust struggling to open the other crates, and decides to help. The crates are nailed, but together they successfully open all the crates with the help of Faust's crowbar.
One of the crates is filled with various miscellaneous knick-nacks, that soon prove to be whatever remained of the vault occupant's possessions after 200 years... which means not much. Another crate contains extra Vault suits. A third has another case inside it, this one made of glass and opaque with frost. The fourth and fifth contain miscellaneous junk and circuitry.
Nine only has to open one coffin to find a mummified corpse. He's not in the mood to keep finding more bodies, so he decides to leave the remaining coffins as they are and turns his attention towards that strange glass case.
PER check on the glass box: 1d10+6 = 14
-
PER for looking for stuff: 7
As Charlie moves to follow Faust, she nearly trips over her own feet, but quickly catches herself, putting her best "I totally meant to do that!"-look on. What a graceful move for the professional ballerina...
When she reaches Faust and Nine, they have already opened lots of crates, one containing- their stuff! Or what´s left of it... Most things are in various stages of decay. She begins searching anyways.
Because everything had to go so fast, Charlie´s mother had grabbed the first bag she could get her hands on and put the bare necessities adittionaly to whatever was in there before. As a matter of fact, said bag was Charlie´s sports-bag. Or rather a zipper with some ragged pieces of fabric attached to it, as she has to notice once she finds it. Most other things made from fabric have faced the same fate, as looking through the crate suggests. With a sad expression she fishes the remains of her headband out. it almost falls apart while holding, and the nice red color and the white dots are barely visible anymore.
"If you had any piece of clothing dear to you in here, good luck...", she says.
Digging through the half dilapidated objects, she starts finding heavier things that fell down to the bottom. Lots of coins, some keys, some jewelry and military tags. Things made from metal. They´re visibly old, but mostly fine. Scattered in between some ID´s, which have definitly seen better days, and some wooden objects. Wait, someone brought a musical instrument? It´s still mostly covered in... stuff, so Charlie can´t really tell what it is.
"Hey look, I wonder who brought that!" She points at it.
She goes back to searching the bottom of the crate. At least here are some familiar things left. Her mom´s bunch of keys, recognizeable at a huge (ugly) metal key-chain, a mothers-day-gift one of the Willow-kids made in Primary school. Also three necklaces, two with a "C" as a pendant, one with a "T". Charlie was hoping to find those. It wasn´t like they were worth much, but they meant a lot to her and her siblings. They had worn them all the time. Each pendant was the first letter of their first names.
It´s not very likely any of her family-members will ever come around to collect these objects. She should better make sure to take care of them when they can´t. Plus they´re nice reminders of them. She hangs all three necklaces around her neck and slides the keys into her backpack.
Alright. Everything else they had with them was clothing (and candy-wrappings, apparently), so no chance with that. She hesitates a bit.
"Do you think we should take our IDs? Or some of the coins? How are the odds of those still being worth anything after 200 years?"
-
"AA!!! My banjo!!" With a genuine look of despair, Faust digs it out from below all the stuff that was put on top of it. Mostly fabrics, thankfully. But it still got damaged over the years. "Where is the case?" he asks as he digs through the crate. Nowhere seems to be the answer. Just how drunk could he get to forget his godsdamned banjo case- in the middle of a nuclear strike.
He was lucky to be here.
He goes over it with care as if it was a person. Wooden parts seemed to be in a reasonably good shape. Just a few scratches, but that was okay. It didn't seem to compromise its structural integrity. The drum needed a new skin, too. It was centuries old and gross. And pierced. Where will he find a leatherworker at the end of the world?
And the strings need a replacement. Just facts. Two of them snapped. He could see one of them have a slightly rusty discoloration. Replacing all five of them would be the wisest.
"My banjo..."
He will not cry. Not over a banjo. It's fine. The wood is still in one piece. He'll manage somehow. It can still be fixed, tuned and played. He gently puts it down on the ground next to him as he moves to take other stuff that belonged to him. Clothes. His clothes. Of course it all got rotten and gross. And full of holes. And sad.
He takes dog tags he identifies as his, though. The name and rank on them has been filed and scratched until it was unrecognizable. That's his.
"I don't know about money, but I think I'll take my IDs..." he says, going through the papers. "Hmm... John Johnson... Jack Frost, Michael Shelley... Tom Jones, Stephen Oceanguy, August Fall, Dylan Dog." Two passports, a library card, two driver's licenses, and two social security numbers cards. "They might come in handy, I guess."
-
Nine
The pip-boy screen flickers until the usual starting menu shows. Nine chooses the calendar, trying to answer a question that has been bothering him for a while. The small green screen finally show the desired information: October 24th, 2281. 02:01 pm.
He decides it's time to share his thoughts with the others. "Hey, people, looks like it's the end of October, well into Autumn, and since this is Boston, it will probably be already pretty cold outside the vault. I hope we find some winter clothes somewhere, or it will be complicated to move outside, particularly at night, unless we soon find some shelter."
He moves closer to the crate with their personal belongings, or whatever are left of them after 200 years. "Also, at this latitude and date we should have few hours of light left. Perhaps it's best for us to finish exploring the place, and stay the night on the vault. We can try to leave early next morning, after some rest and food. What do you think?"
While waiting for responses he dives his hand into the crate. Soon it comes out holding a wallet. Nine opens it to find, on one side his old military ID card, and on the other a large round metallic badge with a star on the center and "Criminal Investigation Command" written above it, with the word "Inspector" and several numbers below. He looks at it and sighs.
A second search at the crate results in a backpack. As with the wallet, the leather is falling apart. He opens it to find some 200 years-old underwear, a sweatshirt, pants and a short barrel Magnum .44 revolver, with a small box of bullets. Nine looks carefully at the weapon, imagining if it would still work after all this time... It definitively needs some oil, or he risks having it jammed after the first shot.
He discards the backpack and stuffs the duffel bag with the clothes, the wallet and the gun, making the bag swell to its limits.
Nine takes the strange glass box that was on one crate and tries to open it, with no success. He puts it next to Jay. "Hey, do you want to have a look at it? I suppose it may be a prototype of that portable cryo device the Overseer was working on..."
He moves ahead through the catwalk, between the lines of crates and coffins, reaching the door to the main entrance, and begins to analyze it.
PER check on the door to the main entrance: 1d10+6 = 14
-
"AA!!! My banjo!!" With a genuine look of despair, Faust digs it out from below all the stuff that was put on top of it. Mostly fabrics, thankfully. But it still got damaged over the years. "Where is the case?" he asks as he digs through the crate. Nowhere seems to be the answer. Just how drunk could he get to forget his godsdamned banjo case- in the middle of a nuclear strike.
He was lucky to be here.
He goes over it with care as if it was a person. Wooden parts seemed to be in a reasonably good shape. Just a few scratches, but that was okay. It didn't seem to compromise its structural integrity. The drum needed a new skin, too. It was centuries old and gross. And pierced. Where will he find a leatherworker at the end of the world?
And the strings need a replacement. Just facts. Two of them snapped. He could see one of them have a slightly rusty discoloration. Replacing all five of them would be the wisest.
"My banjo..."
He will not cry. Not over a banjo. It's fine. The wood is still in one piece. He'll manage somehow. It can still be fixed, tuned and played. He gently puts it down on the ground next to him as he moves to take other stuff that belonged to him.
Faust seems devistated over his banjo´s condition, at least at first.
"Hey, we´ll find a way to fix it. I´m sure! And if we have to do it oldschool-style", Charlie tries to comfort him. She doesn´t actually know how to make strings and a drumskin from what animal-part, but probably someone knows. Or sells some.
"I don't know about money, but I think I'll take my IDs..." he says, going through the papers. "Hmm... John Johnson... Jack Frost, Michael Shelley... Tom Jones, Stephen Oceanguy, August Fall, Dylan Dog." Two passports, a library card, two driver's licenses, and two social security numbers cards. "They might come in handy, I guess."
"Your IDs. Plural?"
Charlie´s eyebrows wander further and further up as Faust takes no less than seven documents out of the crate, each with names sillier than the last one.
"... I see."
As she starts looking for her own ID, she asks; "No offense if one of those is your actual name. But a lot of these sound very uhm... fake. Did no one ever question you when you introduced yourself as, say, 'Jack Frost'?"
-
Faust seems devistated over his banjo´s condition, at least at first.
"Hey, we´ll find a way to fix it. I´m sure! And if we have to do it oldschool-style", Charlie tries to comfort him. She doesn´t actually know how to make strings and a drumskin from what animal-part, but probably someone knows. Or sells some.
"Your IDs. Plural?"
Charlie´s eyebrows wander further and further up as Faust takes no less than seven documents out of the crate, each with names sillier than the last one.
"... I see."
As she starts looking for her own ID, she asks; "No offense if one of those is your actual name. But a lot of these sound very uhm... fake. Did no one ever question you when you introduced yourself as, say, 'Jack Frost'?"
"Sure they did. I'd then show them the ID, so they'd see I'm legit." He looks through the crate a bit more. "Aww... my cigarettes..."
-
Arthur reaches into the crate, and pulls out two canvas satchels he had prepared, true to his scouting and military background, for the apocalypse many had said was coming.
The labels above the buckles read "Arthur Nordgren-Fairfax Fairfax-Miller" and "Rebecca Miller Fairfax-Miller" respectively. He opens the former, and inspects the contents one by one.
He's good at being prepared, but being cryogenically frozen for two centuries was beyond even his foresight.
The first aid kit, being military surplus, was vacuum packed, with the seal intact. The bandages would be alright, but anything else'd be too expired to be used by anyone but the most desperate.
The leather pouch contains a fire lighting kit. The ferrous rod is fine, the lighter works, just about. The silver birch bark, cotton wool and king alfred's cakes are long gone, but the bits of bicycle inner tube remain.
His knife, as he pulls it from it's leather sheath, reveals itself to be in reasonable condition, being well oiled and stored in an environment lacking in humidity. Still sharp. Good for survival, or making your enemies not survive, should it come to that.
His headtorch is fully intact, as is the hand crank charger, but a quick look at the batteries shows them to be degraded beyond any use.
Finally, wrapped in oiled cloth, is his service revolver, a mk.VII Webley. Not stolen, technically, as they'd transferred him to the territorial army after getting out of hospital, rather than a full discharge. Well, if I ever do get back to blighty, I'm due a ducking massive amount of back pay, because I certainly didn't get frozen deliberately. Assuming there's even a British army. Or even a Britain.
Unwrapping it, he checks all aspects of it's motion. It still breaks oven, the cylinder still spins and the rounds sit properly in the chambers without sticking.
He goes back to the crate he took the 10mm pistol from, and removes one of the holsters, placing his revolver in it. It doesn't fit very well, being for a completely different design of pistol, but it's better than accidentally shooting himself if he shoves it in his security armour.
The sketchbook and copy of Scouting for Boys is sealed in an airtight bag, and intact when he checks it, before replacing and resealing.
He quickly checks the other satchel, and finds the same things in the same state, save for the knife being less used and the moleskin-bound notebook and a camera in place of a pistol.
The coins in both bags, a mix of American and British, are fine, neither of them ever having contained notes due to their fragility and reliance on an intact banking system.
Nine
The pip-boy screen flickers until the usual starting menu shows. Nine chooses the calendar, trying to answer a question that has been bothering him for a while. The small green screen finally show the desired information: October 24th, 2281. 02:01 pm.
He decides it's time to share his thoughts with the others. "Hey, people, looks like it's the end of October, well into Autumn, and since this is Boston, it will probably be already pretty cold outside the vault. I hope we find some winter clothes somewhere, or it will be complicated to move outside, particularly at night, unless we soon find some shelter."
He moves closer to the crate with their personal belongings, or whatever are left of them after 200 years. "Also, at this latitude and date we should have few hours of light left. Perhaps it's best for us to finish exploring the place, and stay the night on the vault. We can try to leave early next morning, after some rest and food. What do you think?"
While waiting for responses he dives his hand into the crate. Soon it comes out holding a wallet. Nine opens it to find, on one side his old military ID card, and on the other a large round metallic badge with a star on the center and "Criminal Investigation Command" written above it, with the word "Inspector" and several numbers below. He looks at it and sighs.
A second search at the crate results in a backpack. As with the wallet, the leather is falling apart. He opens it to find some 200 years-old underwear, a sweatshirt, pants and a short barrel Magnum .44 revolver, with a small box of bullets. Nine looks carefully at the weapon, imagining if it would still work after all this time... It definitively needs some oil, or he risks having it jammed after the first shot.
He discards the backpack and stuffs the duffel bag with the clothes, the wallet and the gun, making the bag swell to its limits.
Nine takes the strange glass box that was on one crate and tries to open it, with no success. He puts it next to Jay. "Hey, do you want to have a look at it? I suppose it may be a prototype of that portable cryo device the Overseer was working on..."
He moves ahead through the catwalk, between the lines of crates and coffins, reaching the door to the main entrance, and begins to analyze it.
PER check on the door to the main entrance: 1d10+6 = 14
Seeing Nine holding a similar gun to his, Arthur remarks "Better wait till I can give that a proper look at and service, or we might end up calling you eight instead" as he slings both satchels onto his shoulder, and follows him onto the catwalk
PER check on the door to the main entrance: 1d10(7)+6 = 15
-
PER for looking for stuff: 7
As Charlie moves to follow Faust, she nearly trips over her own feet, but quickly catches herself, putting her best "I totally meant to do that!"-look on. What a graceful move for the professional ballerina...
When she reaches Faust and Nine, they have already opened lots of crates, one containing- their stuff! Or what´s left of it... Most things are in various stages of decay. She begins searching anyways.
Because everything had to go so fast, Charlie´s mother had grabbed the first bag she could get her hands on and put the bare necessities adittionaly to whatever was in there before. As a matter of fact, said bag was Charlie´s sports-bag. Or rather a zipper with some ragged pieces of fabric attached to it, as she has to notice once she finds it. Most other things made from fabric have faced the same fate, as looking through the crate suggests. With a sad expression she fishes the remains of her headband out. it almost falls apart while holding, and the nice red color and the white dots are barely visible anymore.
"If you had any piece of clothing dear to you in here, good luck...", she says.
Digging through the half dilapidated objects, she starts finding heavier things that fell down to the bottom. Lots of coins, some keys, some jewelry and military tags. Things made from metal. They´re visibly old, but mostly fine. Scattered in between some ID´s, which have definitly seen better days, and some wooden objects. Wait, someone brought a musical instrument? It´s still mostly covered in... stuff, so Charlie can´t really tell what it is.
"Hey look, I wonder who brought that!" She points at it.
She goes back to searching the bottom of the crate. At least here are some familiar things left. Her mom´s bunch of keys, recognizeable at a huge (ugly) metal key-chain, a mothers-day-gift one of the Willow-kids made in Primary school. Also three necklaces, two with a "C" as a pendant, one with a "T". Charlie was hoping to find those. It wasn´t like they were worth much, but they meant a lot to her and her siblings. They had worn them all the time. Each pendant was the first letter of their first names.
It´s not very likely any of her family-members will ever come around to collect these objects. She should better make sure to take care of them when they can´t. Plus they´re nice reminders of them. She hangs all three necklaces around her neck and slides the keys into her backpack.
Alright. Everything else they had with them was clothing (and candy-wrappings, apparently), so no chance with that. She hesitates a bit.
"Do you think we should take our IDs? Or some of the coins? How are the odds of those still being worth anything after 200 years?"
"Might as well. Always good to be prepared. If it really has been two centuries, and this isn't just some elaborate experiment by vault-tec, even if the world has survived, the coins'll be more museum pieces than legal tender, but you can always stick them in your sock and beat people about the head with it." with a wry smile, he continues, "I'm certainly taking mine, british coins at least have some silver from tuppence and up, and gold from a half sovreign and up "
-
"Might as well. Always good to be prepared. If it really has been two centuries, and this isn't just some elaborate experiment by vault-tec, even if the world has survived, the coins'll be more museum pieces than legal tender, but you can always stick them in your sock and beat people about the head with it." with a wry smile, he continues, "I'm certainly taking mine, british coins at least have some silver from tuppence and up, and gold from a half sovreign and up "
"I wonder if coin collectors still exist" Faust says, only half-joking. "We could try selling them two hundred years old money."
-
Ah, there´s her ID. Oh wait, no, that´s her brother´s. Charlie finally finds her own not far from it. She ponders taking her family´s as well for a moment.
"Might as well. Always good to be prepared. If it really has been two centuries, and this isn't just some elaborate experiment by vault-tec, even if the world has survived, the coins'll be more museum pieces than legal tender, but you can always stick them in your sock and beat people about the head with it." with a wry smile, he continues, "I'm certainly taking mine, british coins at least have some silver from tuppence and up, and gold from a half sovreign and up "
"Great, now I only need to find a sock...", Charlie says halfway serious, looking up from the IDs she´s holding. She still grabs a handfull of coins from the bottom of the crate (she has no idea whether she had any with her in the first place, but she highly doubts anyone will miss them) and wraps them into the most stable rag of fabric she can find. Into the backpack they go as well! So does her ID. And, oh whatever, those of her family too. Who is she kidding, they´re not waking up anymore.
"I wonder if coin collectors still exist" Faust says, only half-joking. "We could try selling them two hundred years old money."
"Heh, worth a shot."
Charlie puts the backpack back on and adjusts the belt and holster of... her gun it seemed, once more. She has everything she wants. Or, well.
"Uh, Faust?", she says more quietly, tapping on his shoulder. "You know stuff about guns, right? This one isn´t loaded, is it? I´d rather not accidentally shoot myself in the leg."
She shows it to him, holding it carefully and so that it aims at the ground.
-
"I wonder if coin collectors still exist" Faust says, only half-joking. "We could try selling them two hundred years old money."
"Maybe, don't get your hopes up though" Arthur replies, with a wry smile.
As he speaks, he takes a khaki canvas jacket, still with it's old regimental facings, from his satchel, and takes the armour off, the jacket on, the armour on again.
He then brings out a sky-blue silk scarf, with elaborate stitching of lavender thread along the edges. Each end is embroidered with a robin and a kestrel snuggling upon the branch of an oak tree. He carefully and deftly wraps it round his neck.
-
Charlie puts the backpack back on and adjusts the belt and holster of... her gun it seemed, once more. She has everything she wants. Or, well.
"Uh, Faust?", she says more quietly, tapping on his shoulder. "You know stuff about guns, right? This one isn´t loaded, is it? I´d rather not accidentally shoot myself in the leg."
She shows it to him, holding it carefully and so that it aims at the ground.
"Hmm? Ah, let me see..." Equally carefully, he takes it from her and checks it out. "It's empty right now. This is how you check the chamber, this is how you take out and replace the magazine. Now it's loaded. This is the safety, and currently it's on. Guns can't shoot when safety is on. These guns weren't cleaned for two centuries, so try to not use them unless necessary, until we have a chance to take a look and take them apart properly. When you're holding a gun - never put your finger on the trigger. Don't aim it at anyone. Even with the safety on." He gives it back to her. "Hold onto it for now, but don't use it until we show you how. If it somehow comes down to it anyway, hold it straight in your arms, hold it with both hands. Tilting it or aiming with one arm only looks cool, doesn't work."
-
Ah, there´s her ID. Oh wait, no, that´s her brother´s. Charlie finally finds her own not far from it. She ponders taking her family´s as well for a moment.
"Great, now I only need to find a sock...", Charlie says halfway serious, looking up from the IDs she´s holding. She still grabs a handfull of coins from the bottom of the crate (she has no idea whether she had any with her in the first place, but she highly doubts anyone will miss them) and wraps them into the most stable rag of fabric she can find. Into the backpack they go as well! So does her ID. And, oh whatever, those of her family too. Who is she kidding, they´re not waking up anymore.
"Heh, worth a shot."
Charlie puts the backpack back on and adjusts the belt and holster of... her gun it seemed, once more. She has everything she wants. Or, well.
"Uh, Faust?", she says more quietly, tapping on his shoulder. "You know stuff about guns, right? This one isn´t loaded, is it? I´d rather not accidentally shoot myself in the leg."
She shows it to him, holding it carefully and so that it aims at the ground.
Arthur walks over, glances down, and says "The safety's on, for a start, and you need to pull the slide back to cock it before you can shoot it, till then it's as useful as a chocolate teapot, unless you're going to use it as a club."
-
Seeing Nine holding a similar gun to his, Arthur remarks "Better wait till I can give that a proper look at and service, or we might end up calling you eight instead" as he slings both satchels onto his shoulder, and follows him onto the catwalk
PER check on the door to the main entrance: 1d10(7)+8 = 15
He notices the CIC badge as well, and remarks "Tsk, bloody redcap. Least he'll be good at working out what's bin happenin' in each place" as he comes up behind "Nine", then surveys the door. He remembers him mentioning his role, but he decides to comment to spark a conversation
Arthur looks over both the main mechanism to the Vault door - which is a massive, gear shaped thing that appears to be designed to be pulled out and slid to the side by a large mechanical arm - and the control console set onto the catwalk. Judging from the wiring connected to the console and where it leads, said console controls the main door. Most of the buttons appear to be for other things, but two parts of the console draw the eye - the first is a socket labeled 'PIP BOY ACCESS PORT', which appears to be the proper size for the wired-in computer connector all of the Pip Boys have. The second is a very large red button underneath a latched glass panel. The button is helpfully labeled MAIN DOOR CONTROL.
"Ey, Diffy, there's somewhere for you to stick that overblown wristwatch of yours for when we want to open this door"
-
"Hmm? Ah, let me see..." Equally carefully, he takes it from her and checks it out. "It's empty right now. This is how you check the chamber, this is how you take out and replace the magazine. Now it's loaded. This is the safety, and currently it's on. Guns can't shoot when safety is on. These guns weren't cleaned for two centuries, so try to not use them unless necessary, until we have a chance to take a look and take them apart properly. When you're holding a gun - never put your finger on the trigger. Don't aim it at anyone. Even with the safety on." He gives it back to her. "Hold onto it for now, but don't use it until we show you how. If it somehow comes down to it anyway, hold it straight in your arms, hold it with both hands. Tilting it or aiming with one arm only looks cool, doesn't work."
Charlie nods.
"Wasn´t planning on shooting it for now. Thanks."
Arthur walks over, glances down, and says "The safety's on, for a start, and you need to pull the slide back to cock it before you can shoot it, till then it's as useful as a chocolate teapot, unless you're going to use it as a club."
Charlie eyes the parts Arthur´s describing and nods once more, then puts the gun back into its holster. Admittedly, it´ll probably be her last choice when it comes to hitting things... She still has the baton after all.
She remembers Nine saying something about warm clothes earlier. Good point. However Arthur managed to keep this jacket and scarf intact, she hadn´t been as smart with her own clothes. But maybe the vault-people had? She wanders around the opened crates some more, looking whether there´s anything wearable still in there. Hm, not really. Seems the armor-thing will have to suffice for now. Maybe it was a warm October anyways. Hopefully. She follows the others to the main entrance.
-
Nine
He stares at the massive door for what seems to be a very long time, weighting a decision that's already made. They have to move out and find what happened to the World.
The alternatives are only two. Opening the vault now, or getting themselves some extra time to rest and prepare.
Meanwhile he hears that Faust found his precious banjo. The instrument is not in good shape, but looks salvageable.
"I'm sure you can make it play again. And also hope that you play it well." He says, giving Faust a smile. He wants to make a joke, something to lift spirits, but nothing comes out. Socializing definitively isn't one of his strong points...
Next Faust starts to unfold his many identities, with obvious satisfaction, and the first thing that comes to his mind is arresting him. The second thing that comes is how stupid the first one is, considering their situation.
Nine turns his back to the door and watches his companions. Charlie found three necklaces that obviously mean a lot to her, because she just puts then all around her neck.
He observes with admiration the many things Arthur brings out of the boxes. The guy clearly spent some time getting ready for a situation like theirs. Knife, lighting kit, headtorch, gun... even some notebooks and a camera!
Jay is still checking the crates, and Robin... Well, she's just sitting there, her thoughts clearly somewhere else.
Arthur notices Nine's own gun. "Better wait till I can give that a proper look at and service, or we might end up calling you eight instead."
Nine looks at it and nods affirmatively. "Yeah! Thanks!"
He hated the nick in the beginning, and got into a few fights over it, but things changed, and some people he liked used it. Sophie called him Nine, and there was that time, in the jungle... A smile crosses his face. "Yes, let's keep it at Nine."
Then they are talking about hitting people with coin-filled socks, and his smile grows larger. Usually he would laugh at the idea, but they had just defeated a killer robot with water bottles, so better not overlook the sock... And Arthur has a point.
What if this was all an experiment? A sadistic, cruel one, no doubt, but still fitting the Vault Tech way of doing things. "If you're right and this is all an elaborate play... Well, someone will get punched in the face."
Nine turns to face the door again. Soon he feel Arthur getting closer, muttering something. They stood there for a while. "Ey, Diffy, there's somewhere for you to stick that overblown wristwatch of yours for when we want to open this door." He says, leaving Nine wondering if he means 'different' or something else...
"Yes, that's the question." He speaks louder so everyone can hear. "Do we want to open it right now, or wait for the morning?"
-
Nine
He stares at the massive door for what seems to be a very long time, weighting a decision that's already made. They have to move out and find what happened to the World.
The alternatives are only two. Opening the vault now, or getting themselves some extra time to rest and prepare.
Meanwhile he hears that Faust found his precious banjo. The instrument is not in good shape, but looks salvageable.
"I'm sure you can make it play again. And also hope that you play it well." He says, giving Faust a smile. He wants to make a joke, something to lift spirits, but nothing comes out. Socializing definitively isn't one of his strong points...
Next Faust starts to unfold his many identities, with obvious satisfaction, and the first thing that comes to his mind is arresting him. The second thing that comes is how stupid the first one is, considering their situation.
Nine turns his back to the door and watches his companions. Charlie found three necklaces that obviously mean a lot to her, because she just puts then all around her neck.
He observes with admiration the many things Arthur brings out of the boxes. The guy clearly spent some time getting ready for a situation like theirs. Knife, lighting kit, headtorch, gun... even some notebooks and a camera!
Jay is still checking the crates, and Robin... Well, she's just sitting there, her thoughts clearly somewhere else.
Arthur notices Nine's own gun. "Better wait till I can give that a proper look at and service, or we might end up calling you eight instead."
Nine looks at it and nods affirmatively. "Yeah! Thanks!"
He hated the nick in the beginning, and got into a few fights over it, but things changed, and some people he liked used it. Sophie called him Nine, and there was that time, in the jungle... A smile crosses his face. "Yes, let's keep it at Nine."
Then they are talking about hitting people with coin-filled socks, and his smile grows larger. Usually he would laugh at the idea, but they had just defeated a killer robot with water bottles, so better not overlook the sock... And Arthur has a point.
What if this was all an experiment? A sadistic, cruel one, no doubt, but still fitting the Vault Tech way of doing things. "If you're right and this is all an elaborate play... Well, someone will get punched in the face."
Nine turns to face the door again. Soon he feel Arthur getting closer, muttering something. They stood there for a while. "Ey, Diffy, there's somewhere for you to stick that overblown wristwatch of yours for when we want to open this door." He says, leaving Nine wondering if he means 'different' or something else...
"Yes, that's the question." He speaks louder so everyone can hear. "Do we want to open it right now, or wait for the morning?"
"Nine" looks a little confused at his last remark.
"You know, Arthur, we really are separated by a common language sometimes."
He hears the words just the way Becca had said them, nearly a year ago now, when he'd been talking talking to Tom without realising she was in the room.
The words are so clear, he finds himself turning around to see if she really is there, to see if she's somehow free of that infernal machine, but no, he will have to come back with someone who knows how it works before he can see her again.
"S'just an bit of army slang for some one who's missing some body part. Anyway, I'm pretty impatient to see what it's like up there, if we can get back up, we can almost certainly come down again for the night if we need to."
-
"I think I'm just about ready to leave this place," Faust says. "I agree with Arthur. If it turns out outside is really bad, we can always spend the night inside. But we should at least have a look, no?"
-
"I think I'm just about ready to leave this place," Faust says. "I agree with Arthur. If it turns out outside is really bad, we can always spend the night inside. But we should at least have a look, no?"
Charlie eyes the door.
"I mean, if it´s really been 200 years, I´d say the chance that we all spontaneously go up in flames if we open the door is pretty slim. So..." she shrugs and folds her arms across her chest "go ahead."
-
Nine
Nine listens and nods to them.
"Right, we try to open this and check what's outside. And then we probably spend the night here.
Everyone ready your weapons and take cover. We don't know what may be waiting."
He sees a hole in the console labeled 'PIP BOY ACCESS CONTROL' and it looks perfectly sized for a detachable dongle that's wired into his Pip Boy. He connects the cable, holds his gun ready in one hand and opens the glass box covering a big red button with the other.
"Here we go!"
Nine takes a deep breath and pushes the button.
-
Nine
Nine listens and nods to them.
"Right, we try to open this and check what's outside. And then we probably spend the night here.
Everyone ready your weapons and take cover. We don't know what may be waiting."
He sees a hole in the console labeled 'PIP BOY ACCESS CONTROL' and it looks perfectly sized for a detachable dongle that's wired into his Pip Boy. He connects the cable, holds his gun ready in one hand and opens the glass box covering a big red button with the other.
"Here we go!"
Nine takes a deep breath and pushes the button.
Arthur crouches behind a nearby crate, the laser rifle resting on it, his finger resting just off the trigger, watching the door.
Why'd the pillock who designed this thing put this bloody carry handle on the bottom? You can't rest it on top of anything without exposing your head and shoulders for some bastard to blow away.
-
Faust is standing in front of the kids and civs. He's holding the gun and is ready and whatnot, but he feels considerably more relaxed. It's been two centuries. Odds are good there's nobody around, otherwise this vault place would have been found sooner. And, well... Like, if there was something going on outside, they'd hear it. Right? Like bombs or gunfire or something.
...but then again, maybe this place was built really soundproof.
No matter.
He's ready, even if he doesn't expect much to happen.
-
An alarm starts blaring, and several emergency lights flicker on. From the shadowy depths of the ceiling, an immense mechanical arm swings down with the hiss of hydraulics. The gigantic hex-nut at the end of the arm fits perfectly into the one set into the center of the cog-door, and pulls it back with a groan onto a set of toothed tracks just inside the door. The tracks shudder into motion, and pull the door aside, exposing the familiar antechamber with the elevator to the surface. The catwalk then extends to cover the gap where the door had been.
-
Loud. Loud loud loud. Faust is getting a migraine. But, on the bright side, all the mechanisms seem to be working. Is that some sort of an elevator ahead...? A large round elevator... with people? Ah, the entrance. He did remember something after all.
Hm...
"Shall we all use the elevator at once?"
-
Nine
Nine watches in awe as the old machinery comes loudly into action and the massive door opens. Now the elevator awaits. He listens the others' arguments, considering them.
Even if one of them stayed behind in the vault they have no guarantees that the ancient equipment would keep working. Damn, they have no guarantee that it will work once, to take them to the surface!
"I guess it's best that we all go together. Let's grab our things and move. We have been down here long enough."
He checks his guns, ammo and armour, grabs his duffel bag with one hand and the strange glass box with the other. His companions look at him. "This thing might be useful. Who knows?"
And then he walks into the elevator, puts the duffel and the box on the large metallic floor and holds the door open, waiting for the others to join him.
-
Charlie flinches as the noise and the door start. Besides the volume itself it stirrs something in the blur that are her memories from before... this. The siren. Or just the voice-tape. But unlike then, there are no sounds of explosions or similar things in the background. She counts that as a good sign.
Nine
Nine watches in awe as the old machinery comes loudly into action and the massive door opens. Now the elevator awaits. He listens the others' arguments, considering them.
Even if one of them stayed behind in the vault they have no guarantees that the ancient equipment would keep working. Damn, they have no guarantee that it will work once, to take them to the surface!
"I guess it's best that we all go together. Let's grab our things and move. We have been down here long enough."
He checks his guns, ammo and armour, grabs his duffel bag with one hand and the strange glass box with the other. His companions look at him. "This thing might be useful. Who knows?"
And then he walks into the elevator, puts the duffel and the box on the large metallic floor and holds the door open, waiting for the others to join him.
The elevator behind the door definitely looks like its best days are long past. She nods along to the others´ suggestion to all go together. As unhappy as she is to admit it, it´ll probably be a small miracle if that thing manages its way up there once, let alone more often. Perhaps there are emergency stairs to get back down...?
But everything is better than staying here, Charlie supposes. She readjusts her backpack, shoots a questioning look at the glass box Nine has apparently decided to bring, then shrugs (as long as he carries it himself...) and joins him in the elevator.
-
An alarm starts blaring, and several emergency lights flicker on. From the shadowy depths of the ceiling, an immense mechanical arm swings down with the hiss of hydraulics. The gigantic hex-nut at the end of the arm fits perfectly into the one set into the center of the cog-door, and pulls it back with a groan onto a set of toothed tracks just inside the door. The tracks shudder into motion, and pull the door aside, exposing the familiar antechamber with the elevator to the surface. The catwalk then extends to cover the gap where the door had been.
It's clear.
Arthur gets to his feet, his rifle lowered slightly in his right hand, while his left hand rises, elbow bent, to gesture for those behind him to start moving.
"Area clear, section advance, stay on guard."
You're not in France anymore, you pillock.
He looks over his shoulder.
"Sorry, force of habit."
He turns to Nine.
"Do correct me if I ever call you Stranks, won't ye?"
Nine
Nine watches in awe as the old machinery comes loudly into action and the massive door opens. Now the elevator awaits. He listens the others' arguments, considering them.
Even if one of them stayed behind in the vault they have no guarantees that the ancient equipment would keep working. Damn, they have no guarantee that it will work once, to take them to the surface!
"I guess it's best that we all go together. Let's grab our things and move. We have been down here long enough."
He checks his guns, ammo and armour, grabs his duffel bag with one hand and the strange glass box with the other. His companions look at him. "This thing might be useful. Who knows?"
And then he walks into the elevator, puts the duffel and the box on the large metallic floor and holds the door open, waiting for the others to join him.
Arthur follows close behind, scrutinising every inch of the walkway and elevator.
-
Faust joins everybody.
...this thing will work, right. It will. And if it doesn't they can... think of something in case it doesn't work. But it will.
-
Nine
Nine checks that everybody is on the elevator and closes the door.
The large platform shakes and begins to move up.
-
The elevator shudders, creaks, and groans, but it ascends anyway. The ceiling at the top opens up, letting the sunlight in. It's almost dazzling. When your vision clears, you're on the hilltop overlooking Sanctuary, almost as you remember. It's Autumn.
The sense of awe, though, is something you're quickly distracted from by the multiple gun barrels pointing at you from all sides.
-
The elevator shudders, creaks, and groans, but it ascends anyway. The ceiling at the top opens up, letting the sunlight in. It's almost dazzling. When your vision clears, you're on the hilltop overlooking Sanctuary, almost as you remember. It's Autumn.
The sense of awe, though, is something you're quickly distracted from by the multiple gun barrels pointing at you from all sides.
duck.
Almost automatically, Faust drops his gun and raises his hands, moving so that he can at least somewhat shield the kids.
Shit.
"Run when I tell you and don't look back," he quietly warns the girls.
-
Nine
Still a bit dazzled by the intense light, Nine follows Faust lead and raises his hands. But he does that in a slow, deliberate move, trying not to startle any trigger-happy guy.
Meanwhile Faust moves slightly, trying to shield Charlie and Robin. Nice gesture, Nine thinks, yet probably useless, since they seem to be surrounded.
Nine takes some time to observe the people around them, while hoping they won't start to shoot. It would be ironic to survive 200 years just to die the moment he sticked his head out of the hole. And he would die before asking Arthur what the hell "Stranks" meant...
Soon he notices that these people are wearing uniforms, but not ones he knew. And they look pretty battered, just like their weapons. Yet those still look dangerous enough.
He really wants to try some communication before anyone gets too nervous. He just hopes these people still speak English after all those years. But even if they did... What would he say? "Ok people, everything is fine. We mean no harm. Can we talk?" or "We come in peace! Take us to your leader!" Talking was never one of his strenghts...
He decides to wait and see if any of his companions has a better approach.
-
The elevator shudders, creaks, and groans, but it ascends anyway. The ceiling at the top opens up, letting the sunlight in. It's almost dazzling. When your vision clears, you're on the hilltop overlooking Sanctuary, almost as you remember. It's Autumn.
The sense of awe, though, is something you're quickly distracted from by the multiple gun barrels pointing at you from all sides.
@Grey and @R.M.S.N.P: The people surrounding you are wearing somewhat battered uniforms - blue jackets over green undershirts with equally beat-up trousers. Their weapons look well-cared-for, but have clearly been in service for a long, long time.
@R.M.S.N.P You notice one of the men surrounding you isn't pointing a gun at you. He's wearing a long coat with stars on the shoulders, and is looking you over with a practiced air.
Arthur's rifle comes up with unnerving speed and precision.
He surveys each of them.
Some sense of uniform, old weapons with some care, clear leader. Like the Provos back in Ireland, or the partisans in France. This'll be easy.
He turns to face the leader, rifle aimed at his sternum.
His voice is stern and harsh, full of confidence, a solid voice to get men and women into battles they may never come back from.
"Good Afternoon." Comedic and a little condescending rather than truly polite, he continues:
"Now, You best have a ducking good reason to be pointing these guns at me, or I'm gonna be getting rid of 10 bodies while I've still got a headache from those bloody freezer pods they put us in, and that sounds proper shite."
-
The circle of men doesn't budge an inch at Arthur's tone, nor do their weapons lower at all. The man in the longcoat chuckles. "Might have a bit of trouble with that one, son. Trust me - I'm faster than I look. But there ain't much call for too much unpleasantness. Just wanted to make sure what came crawling out of the vault ain't another group of madmen, or worse, abominations. Lost too many good people to such. So how about this. You put yours down, take your people a bit of a ways back where we can keep an eye on you, and a couple of my boys will head back down that elevator to scope out the vault and to make sure you're as human as you look." The grey-haired man shrugged. "Course, if you really want a fight, Carl over there'll oblige you."
Something moves out from the shadow cast by one of the trailers dotting the hilltop. It is roughly eight feet tall, with bright green skin, covered in crude armor. It is carrying a cannon that probably used to be put on an armored vehicle of some kind.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/839966132516552735/877724239027908618/Photo65.png?width=1178&height=662)
That is probably Carl.
Probably-Carl grins at the party, showing teeth that have roughly the same texture as paving stones. "Yarp."
"We got an understanding, bluesuit?" the old man asks, one hand hovering near the revolver holstered at his hip.
-
"Don't!"
Faust moves ahead and puts his hand on the front of Arthur's barrel. If he plans to shoot now, he's either going to have to shoot through his palm, or kick him out of the way first. That should give Nine enough time to react, right?
"Sir, please. I apologize for him, he's a bit anxious. We all are. We're mostly civilians, we have children with us, and we don't know what's going on or who you are. Please don't hurt him, or any of us for that matter... Can you tell us what's happening? Who are you?"
He is genuinely terrified. Especially of Carl. If it comes to it, can they even be enough of a distraction to give kids the time to get away? The odds of that were dropping rapidly.
(d10 plus charisma is 10+6 and idk if Heartthrob would work here?)
-
The elevator shudders, creaks, and groans, but it ascends anyway. The ceiling at the top opens up, letting the sunlight in. It's almost dazzling. When your vision clears, you're on the hilltop overlooking Sanctuary, almost as you remember. It's Autumn.
The sense of awe, though, is something you're quickly distracted from by the multiple gun barrels pointing at you from all sides.
It´s so bright! And there is fresh air! (and things are not on fire, also a plus) Only now that she got out of it she realizes how gross and stale the air was down in the vault.
However, once her eyes adjust to the sunlight, there are guns. Charlie barely holds back a yelp. She quickly follows Faust and Nine´s example, nestling the baton into her belt (dropping her most reliable-looking weapon seems like a very bad idea, so this is the next best thing, even if it looks ridiculous) and raises her hands too.
duck.
Almost automatically, Faust drops his gun and raises his hands, moving so that he can at least somewhat shield the kids.
Shit.
"Run when I tell you and don't look back," he quietly warns the girls.
Charlie glances around herself a bit panicked. Easy to say, but they´re positively surrounded. Any shot at running would lead past several gun-barrels. She still gives a hesitant nod, not sure if to assure herself or Faust.
However, the moment Arthur starts pointing a rifle at a man who appears to be the leader of their... attackers? it seems escape-plans are officially off the table. No way they´d let them go after someone of their group threatened them. Why did he decide to do that now? They´re already outnumbered. Oh no and she would rather absolutely not meet Carl!
So she continues being stuck standing there, trying to look unthreatening as saying anything would probably not improve the situation.
-
"Don't!"
Faust moves ahead and puts his hand on the front of Arthur's barrel. If he plans to shoot now, he's either going to have to shoot through his palm, or kick him out of the way first. That should give Nine enough time to react, right?
"Sir, please. I apologize for him, he's a bit anxious. We all are. We're mostly civilians, we have children with us, and we don't know what's going on or who you are. Please don't hurt him, or any of us for that matter... Can you tell us what's happening? Who are you?"
He is genuinely terrified. Especially of Carl. If it comes to it, can they even be enough of a distraction to give kids the time to get away? The odds of that were dropping rapidly.
(d10 plus charisma is 10+6 and idk if Heartthrob would work here?)
Arthur lowers his rifle, enough to seem less threatening, but still ready to put a laser through someone's chest at a moment's notice.
"It's time for Arthur now, not Colour sergeant Fairfax. You can dial back on the psycho sniper mask."
Not Becca's words this time.
Nimah's.
Spoken a few month before she died, before he found a need for that mask again as he hunted him down...
Not important now. I've been done with Ireland for years now.
Focus on the now.
The circle of men doesn't budge an inch at Arthur's tone, nor do their weapons lower at all. The man in the longcoat chuckles. "Might have a bit of trouble with that one, son. Trust me - I'm faster than I look. But there ain't much call for too much unpleasantness. Just wanted to make sure what came crawling out of the vault ain't another group of madmen, or worse, abominations. Lost too many good people to such. So how about this. You put yours down, take your people a bit of a ways back where we can keep an eye on you, and a couple of my boys will head back down that elevator to scope out the vault and to make sure you're as human as you look." The grey-haired man shrugged. "Course, if you really want a fight, Carl over there'll oblige you."
Something moves out from the shadow cast by one of the trailers dotting the hilltop. It is roughly eight feet tall, with bright green skin, covered in crude armor. It is carrying a cannon that probably used to be put on an armored vehicle of some kind.
(https://media.discordapp.net/attachments/839966132516552735/877724239027908618/Photo65.png?width=1178&height=662)
That is probably Carl.
Probably-Carl grins at the party, showing teeth that have roughly the same texture as paving stones. "Yarp."
"We got an understanding, bluesuit?" the old man asks, one hand hovering near the revolver holstered at his hip.
Arthur begins to speak, in his natural suffolk accent, rising and falling throughout each sentence, throwing in plenty of slang. It's hard to be rash with someone if you have to ask them what they're on about half the time.
"Sounds pretty reasonable. If yer willing to bringing this level of gat, you must get some pretty gopping shite in these"
He taps the elevator with his foot, and continues
"We found some massive cockroaches, 'bout the size of cats, killed them, then some old security robot with a diffy processor, it shot me, so I shot it in the faceplate, then Charlie here"
he gestures with his elbow towards Charlie
"Hossed a bottle of water at it, it brewed up and keeled over. But go ahead and search it if you like, there's still some of families frozen down there if any if you lot're boffins or riggers that fancy having a shufty."
-
"Don't!"
Faust moves ahead and puts his hand on the front of Arthur's barrel. If he plans to shoot now, he's either going to have to shoot through his palm, or kick him out of the way first. That should give Nine enough time to react, right?
"Sir, please. I apologize for him, he's a bit anxious. We all are. We're mostly civilians, we have children with us, and we don't know what's going on or who you are. Please don't hurt him, or any of us for that matter... Can you tell us what's happening? Who are you?"
He is genuinely terrified. Especially of Carl. If it comes to it, can they even be enough of a distraction to give kids the time to get away? The odds of that were dropping rapidly.
(d10 plus charisma is 10+6 and idk if Heartthrob would work here?)
The grey-haired man eyes Faust carefully. "Alright. You all step back off the platform, stand by that backhoe over yonder, and nothing bad's gonna happen, understand? Then we can start sorting out names and places and what you lot might've missed."
Arthur lowers his rifle, enough to seem less threatening, but still ready to put a laser through someone's chest at a moment's notice.
"It's time for Arthur now, not Colour sergeant Fairfax. You can dial back on the psycho sniper mask."
Not Becca's words this time.
Nimah's.
Spoken a few month before she died, before he found a need for that mask again as he hunted him down...
Not important now. I've been done with Ireland for years now.
Focus on the now.
Arthur begins to speak, in his natural suffolk accent, rising and falling throughout each sentence, throwing in plenty of slang. It's hard to be rash with someone if you have to ask them what they're on about half the time.
"Sounds pretty reasonable. If yer willing to bringing this level of gat, you must get some pretty gopping shite in these"
He taps the elevator with his foot, and continues
"We found some massive cockroaches, 'bout the size of cats, killed them, then some old security robot with a diffy processor, it shot me, so I shot it in the faceplate, then Charlie here"
he gestures with his elbow towards Charlie
"Hossed a bottle of water at it, it brewed up and keeled over. But go ahead and search it if you like, there's still some of families frozen down there if any if you lot're boffins or riggers that fancy having a shufty."
"Ye Gods, the British are real," one of the militiamen mutters under his breath. "I owe Charlie a hundred caps."
-
The grey-haired man eyes Faust carefully. "Alright. You all step back off the platform, stand by that backhoe over yonder, and nothing bad's gonna happen, understand? Then we can start sorting out names and places and what you lot might've missed."
"Ye Gods, the British are real," one of the militiamen mutters under his breath. "I owe Charlie a hundred caps."
"Can we pick up our guns?" Faust asks.
-
The grey-haired man eyes Faust carefully. "Alright. You all step back off the platform, stand by that backhoe over yonder, and nothing bad's gonna happen, understand? Then we can start sorting out names and places and what you lot might've missed."
"Ye Gods, the British are real," one of the militiamen mutters under his breath. "I owe Charlie a hundred caps."
Arthur gently twists his gun out of "Faust" 's grip, holds it low, and walks towards the backhoe.
He looks at the militiaman, smiles, and says
"Real as can be, my friend. Was visiting my new in-laws when the bombs fell, so my wife and I blagged our way into the vault. Anyway, what would someone want with tha' many hats?
-
"Can we pick up our guns?" Faust asks.
The grey -haired man stares at Faust much as one would stare at a particularly dumb student asking if Earth was flat. "No."
-
The grey -haired man stares at Faust much as one would stare at a particularly dumb student asking if Earth was flat. "No."
Faust raises his hands in a general 'well I had to ask' motion. He kicks the gun off the elevator. "Charlie, Robin, let's go."
-
"Sounds pretty reasonable. If yer willing to bringing this level of gat, you must get some pretty gopping shite in these"
He taps the elevator with his foot, and continues
"We found some massive cockroaches, 'bout the size of cats, killed them, then some old security robot with a diffy processor, it shot me, so I shot it in the faceplate, then Charlie here"
he gestures with his elbow towards Charlie
"Hossed a bottle of water at it, it brewed up and keeled over. But go ahead and search it if you like, there's still some of families frozen down there if any if you lot're boffins or riggers that fancy having a shufty."
Hold on, hold on why is Arthur now dragging her into this? She was perfectly content flying under the radar until now. Not that she isn´t proud of that throw. She is, very much.
The grey-haired man eyes Faust carefully. "Alright. You all step back off the platform, stand by that backhoe over yonder, and nothing bad's gonna happen, understand? Then we can start sorting out names and places and what you lot might've missed."
"Ye Gods, the British are real," one of the militiamen mutters under his breath. "I owe Charlie a hundred caps."
Well, whatever caps are in this context, as long as it´s not bullets or something similarly unpleasant, Charlie´s fine with it. She still glares daggers at Arthur´s back for a moment, before following him and Faust towards the backhoe.
-
Nine
He watches the exchange between Arthur, Faust and the grey-haired man in silence, hoping that no one panics or does something stupid. They are surrounded, outnumbered and outgunned. Even Arthur's rifle wouldn't be enough against so many enemies, not to mention Carl's cannon.
Just when the tension eases Nine realizes he's been holding his breath. He let's the air out slowly. If these people wanted them dead they would be shooting already. Of course that could change, but with some luck they might survive this.
Nine follows the others to the backhoe, moving slowly allowing their leader to get closer. Time to build some mutual confidence, give them something and start an actual conversation.
"So, names and places, hum?" He says, turning to the grey-haired man as they walk. "Mine's Grey, and I live... lived in Boston. But I'm from Providence, Rhode Island. Mind if I ask yours?"
-
Nine
He watches the exchange between Arthur, Faust and the grey-haired man in silence, hoping that no one panics or does something stupid. They are surrounded, outnumbered and outgunned. Even Arthur's rifle wouldn't be enough against so many enemies, not to mention Carl's cannon.
Just when the tension eases Nine realizes he's been holding his breath. He let's the air out slowly. If these people wanted them dead they would be shooting already. Of course that could change, but with some luck they might survive this.
Nine follows the others to the backhoe, moving slowly allowing their leader to get closer. Time to build some mutual confidence, give them something and start an actual conversation.
"So, names and places, hum?" He says, turning to the grey-haired man as they walk. "Mine's Grey, and I live... lived in Boston. But I'm from Providence, Rhode Island. Mind if I ask yours?"
The grey-haired man signals some of the militiamen, one of whom has a large backpack with a bundle of electrical wire strapped to it. These men, with the ease of long practice, stand on the elevator, while another works some controls in a small trailer to the side of the elevator. The platform descends with another rumble.
The man turns back to Nine. "Colonel Hamilton, Commonwealth Minutemen. From Quincy, but Sanctuary's my home now. So what's the story on your lot?"
-
Nine
A colonel leading so few men sounds odd to Nine. He had more soldiers under his command when he was a captain. But then calling themselves Minutemen smelled of militia, not exactly Army... He would try to find more about that later. Better to avoid delicate questions now, and stick with the conversation.
"Quincy? Been there sometimes, hiking at Blue Hills. And there was this... friend of mine that had a boat very close, at Town River Bay. I was heading there when the bombs fell...
But to answer your question, colonel, we barely had time to reach the vault on that day." He nods towards the descending elevator. "Once we got inside vaultech personal tricked us into some fancy machines and we have been sleeping there until earlier today."
Nine makes a pause, trying to observe Hamilton's reaction, but can't tell much from his face. he decides to proceed, leaving the strange override part out for now.
"Today the machines had some... malfunction, and woke us... well, the ones still alive. There are much more people inside the vault, even relatives of some of us. We were confused, but able to organize and find our way through the vault. We fought some giant cockroaches, and one security bot, with what we had. Luckily no one died, just a few injuries."
He awkardly points at his holster, careful not to make any suspicious move.
"We were able to work out that a lot of time passed, found some supplies and guns, and decided it was time to find out what happened outside. And, in a nutshell, that's what happened. We are just some survivors that mean no harm."
Nine looks at Hamilton, still trying to figure what he's thinking.
"So, can we put our arms down? No one is picking a fight here."
-
The grey-haired man signals some of the militiamen, one of whom has a large backpack with a bundle of electrical wire strapped to it. These men, with the ease of long practice, stand on the elevator, while another works some controls in a small trailer to the side of the elevator. The platform descends with another rumble.
The man turns back to Nine. "Colonel Hamilton, Commonwealth Minutemen. From Quincy, but Sanctuary's my home now. So what's the story on your lot?"
"Colour sergeant Arthur Fairfax-Miller, light company, Suffolk regiment, British army. From Sizewell, East Anglia, which is, as" he points to the milltiaman who was muttering " our friend over 'ere deduced, in Britain."
-
Cops but militia or something. Which usually means a gang about as bad as cops. Which is a shame. Best not say anything until directly asked. Kids will be fine, but he may need to go on the run... especially if others tell on him too much.
Eh.
He wasn't too attached to this lot anyway, although they are the best shot he has at figuring out stuff that happened, which sounds like something he should do. Right? He spent centuries in a hole. It would be nice to know why. Maybe punch someone responsible for that. But anyway, he can leave them without feeling too bad about it. This will be fine.