jimbleswrites

[jimbleswrites]

Nora, the Sole Survivor

Chapter 8: Dear Hearts & Gentle People

The morning came before we knew it, shining through the broken windows of the diner onto our booth where we slept. Moe and I quickly got up and going, with a final thanks from Trudy as we continued towards Diamond City. Our plan was to head down to the railroad tracks to follow that into the city proper. Moe thought it would be the quickest way, and I was again looking around at the new world I was in.

There was a group of mutated deer we saw as we walked by, Moe called them ‘Radstags’, with two heads and very little fur. The herd of four stared at us for a second, with scared eyes, before they scattered quickly, still as jumpy as the deer I remembered. I smiled. The more things changed, the more they stayed the same.

After some more nature watching and walking, we came upon the crossroads with our tracks. There was a small group of buildings there, clustered around a train station. A Slocum’s Joe, a few apartment buildings, and a bookstore, all crumbling and ragged. I imagine at some point the ruins would stop sticking out to me, but I remembered meeting friends at Slocum's Joe during my law school days. This location in particular had a lot of government agents traveling through during my time, and I remembered meeting an agent with Nate and finding out he was being stuck in an outpost and not promoted like he was expecting.

My daydream was cut short by Moe snapping his fingers. He was suddenly on guard, holding his shotgun. “Hey boss, look ahead.”

I squinted to see a few people coming out of Slocum's Joe. We ducked behind a rusted car, staring through the window. Two people in metallic armor, laughing, followed by a Mr. Handy lugging a small cart. The Mr. Handy was clearly rebuilt, with spiky plates and three claws instead of the basic attachments.

“Rust Devils.” Moe whispered. “Basically raiders with robotics knowledge. They rebuild bots for labor and raiding.” He pointed to the cart. “Full of synth parts. Jesus, there must have been some battle.”

Synth parts? I looked closer. The parts were simple, pistons and basic humanoid frames broken into pieces. Maybe Synths were a term for stuff built after the war? We waited for a while, holding our breath until they left and the coast was clear. After a few minutes, we cautiously moved forward. The area seemed to be clear, so we continued along the railroad track further south.

“You said Synth parts back there. What’s a Synth?” I asked Moe.

“Hoo boy.” Moe whistled, giving a look of mild dread. “That’s a loaded question.”

“How so?” I was surprised to see Moe pause. Normally an explanation from him was quick and concise, and I wondered what could be so loaded about this question.

Moe took a deep breath. “I’m gonna just go on a tangent here, but stick with me, yeah?” I nodded in response. “Alright, so Synth is short for synthetic humans. They’re robots that range from metal skeletons like the parts in that cart, to so human that no one can tell the difference. They crop up from time to time to raise hell and make things happen for their masters, the Institute.”

I started to talk, only for Moe to continue. “The Institute is the boogeyman of the Commonwealth. Apparently pre-war scientists from C.I.T. dug into the earth and now have some secret society. They send out Synths for reasons only they know, and no one trusts them. You remember the shootout at Diamond City I mentioned a few days ago?” I didn’t even get a chance to nod before he kept talking. “The shooter was a synth, living there for months before getting some signal from the Institute to kill. They only found out he was a synth once someone cut him trying to stop him. Under the muscles and skin were plastic bones and wires instead of nerves. People got paranoid, thinking that anyone could be a synth without any way to tell. Now everyone’s paranoid about being replaced and being a part of some mastermind’s evil plan.”

“Wow.” I breathed out. Maybe this world just was going to keep surprising me. Every time I thought I understood, some new crazy thing would fall into my lap. There was a pregnant pause, unsure if Moe had more to say or not.

“Wow indeed.” Moe finally answered. “It’s a whole can of worms.”

That felt like an understatement, but there wasn’t much else to say in the meantime. The midday sun came down as we came to a farm not too far from the river. My stomach growled as the conversation died.

“Let’s stop for lunch there.” I pointed. “Maybe get a lay of the land from the locals.”

Moe nodded in agreement. We walked off the path to the small house. The area was impressive, considering the wastes around it. A large greenhouse was connected to the house, with several Mr. Handy units hovering around and tending to the plants. We came up to the greenhouse, with the Mr. Handy units quickly looking at us but not moving. A white unit flew over, waving at us.

“Hello, darlings!” Her voice was loud and pronounced, like an announcer for a game show. “Welcome to Graygarden! This is the Commonwealth's first and only hydroponics facility run entirely by robots.”

Entirely run by robots? That was impressive. “We were just walking by and looking to rest here for a while. Maybe get some information about the area.” I explained.

“Of course, darlings!” She pointed to a picnic table overlooking the road and river nearby. “Feel free to rest, and you can talk to Greene if you need supplies.” I looked to see a green unit harvesting some mutfruit from a planter nearby. “Otherwise, I’d be able to answer any questions you have. Farewell for now, darling.” She floated off to a brown unit, sassing him about some pipes being broken.

We found the table and unpacked our lunches. I sipped my Nuka-Cola as we rested. Something about this place was familiar, but I couldn’t place it. Maybe it was the over-the-top voice the robot had, or seeing a greenhouse in decent condition. After some time of watching the river float by, the white unit floated back over to us.

“Enjoying the view, darlings?” She asked.

We both nodded, and Moe spoke up. “Can I ask you something? This place seems familiar. I think I saw a bit about it on the news, back before the war.”

“Yes, construction was completed mere days before the war. We were able to survive and continue our operations only because our creator made us fully self-sufficient. You see, there are two kinds of robots here. The worker drones carry out labor and maintenance. We supervisors - that is, myself, White, and the others, Greene and Brown - possess sophisticated cognition processors. We are capable of complex analysis and decision-making, a testament to the genius of our creator, Doctor Edward Gray.” White rattled off, sounding very proud of their settlement.

“That’s it, Dr. Gray! I remember seeing the promotions for his farm of the future.” Moe smiled.

“I could hardly have said it better myself, darling. Robotics and artificial intelligence were our creator's great passions, rivaled only by his love of television.” She continued, happy that someone else knew about her creator. “Perhaps you've noticed that I possess a rather singular personality, as do the other supervisors. Genius is restless, darling. It abhors stagnation. Doctor Gray was tired of the standard Mister Handy personality. He looked to his favorite television characters for inspiration, and we are the result.”

“Tilly Turner!” I chipped in, finally remembering. “Your personality is based on her character from ‘Nuclear Love!’, isn’t it?” It was a cheesy soap drama I used to watch all the time.

“Yes, darling! No one remembers that since the war broke out.” White squealed. “It’s been so long since we had such lovely guests. I was hoping to see one of the minutemen come by soon, but it seems they are busy with other matters.”

“The minutemen? What for?” I asked. The farm was easily the most put-together thing I had seen in some time. What issues could they be having?

“Ah, there's one thing. A question, really. Tell me, darling, what do you think of the water around here?” White asked.

I looked over to the river. There was scum on the surface, with radstags drinking from it. I had mostly been drinking Nuka-Cola and purified water from Sanctuary since I left. “Seems fine to me.” I shrugged.

“Take it from me, dear, it's ghastly. Simply ghastly.” Her eyes whirred as she shook in disgust. “Pressure is down. Radiation is up. Why, it's practically toxic. Just think what it must be doing to my skin! Most of our water comes from the old Weston plant, south of here. Such an eyesore. I was hoping to get the minutemen to take a look at it for us.” She explained. “Maybe I’ll call them again, but I do hate to bother them.”

“Call them?” I asked. Every phone tower I had seen had been knocked over and stripped of wires.

“Yes, on the radio darling. They have a channel just for requests. There’s an old HAM radio in the house we use.” She pointed to the house connected to the greenhouse.

“Would you mind if we used it? I just remembered we need to talk to the minutemen anyway. We could ask about getting someone for the water too.” I had forgotten about telling Preston about Drumlin diner, and maybe he could head out here next to help.

“Oh, that would be wonderful, darling! Please go ahead whenever you’re ready.” White floated back to the greenhouse, leaving Moe and I to finish our meal before calling.

After our meal, we headed inside. The house, besides the collapsed kitchen, was in decent shape. There was a small sitting area, and a desk filled with radio equipment on the other end. The floor was dusty, with little bits of rubble from the crumbling roof above. We left footprints in the dust as we walked over the desk for a closer look. There were a few transceivers, amplifiers, a terminal, and a microphone, all lit with a dim light from a lamp nearby.

“You know how to use all that? I never really got a handle on it.” Moe admitted.

“I learned the basics from Nate when he went through his army training.” I sat down, flicking some switches on. “Finally found something I know about that you don’t.” I smirked.

“Yeah, yeah, I was never a tech guy.” Moe relented. “Just get someone on the horn already.”

I got everything online, and the frequency should be the one White used. I held the push-to-talk button as I spoke. “This is Nora Hill, any minutemen out there?” There was static as we waited for a response. We waited for a moment, hoping Preston had access to a radio. I held the button again. “Come on, someone pick up. Preston, are you out there?”

The static filled the room, then was broken by a familiar voice. “I thought I was going crazy for a second. Nice to hear a voice coming out of this thing again.”

Preston. I smiled as I responded. “Right back at you. Happy to report that the situation at Drumlin has been settled.”

“Oh, you handled it?” There was some surprise in Preston’s voice.

“Yea, I told you I would.” I added, a little hurt.

“Sorry, it’s just been a rough patch. Not used to some good news.” There was a pause, the radio static filling up as he thought. “I never really went into detail. About Quincy, I mean.”

I remembered that is where the group he was helping was from. Moe had mentioned something about a shootout, but no real details. “You guys were coming from there, right?”

“That's right. Mama Murphy, Sturges, the Longs… they were all from Quincy. I was with Colonel Hollis's group. A mercenary group called the Gunners was attacking Quincy; the people there called for the Minutemen to help.” His voice was somber, filled with sadness. “We were the only ones that came. The other groups… they just turned their backs. On us, and the folks in Quincy. Only a few of us got out alive. Colonel Hollis was dead. So I ended up in charge of the survivors. We never found a safe place to settle. One disaster after another… you saw how it ended, in Concord.”

‘Rough patch’ might be an understatement. I could relate in a strange way, losing all your loved ones and suddenly being alone. “I know how it feels to be the last survivor. I’m sorry.” I finally spoke up. It was a crappy apology, but it was all I could offer.

“Yeah. I guess you do. That's why I'm talking to you. You actually went out and helped someone. With no real reward or anything. I can't rebuild the Minutemen… but I think you can.”

“Hold on, I don't know the first thing about the Minutemen. I’m not even a real member.” I was flustered, unsure of what he wanted.

“That doesn't matter. The Minutemen of the last few years are gone, and nobody's going to miss them. We don't need any more petty politics, or squabbling over resources, or arguing over who has seniority.” Preston’s voice had a bold tone now, filled with determination.

“Hold on, Why can't you lead the Minutemen?” Moe grabbed the mic from me. “You’re just gonna grab some person you don’t even know to lead?”

“That's not who I am. I can get my men through a firefight. I can defend a perimeter against all odds. But that's not going to be enough to bring the Minutemen back from the brink.” Preston sounded confident. “We need someone who can bring the whole Commonwealth together in a common cause. And I think you've got it in you to be that leader.”

I gently took the mic back from Moe. “Look, Preston, I’m flattered. But I have other things to deal with. My son is out there.”

“I don’t expect you to ignore that and come run the minutemen alone. I need other leaders that can inspire minutemen to rise up.” Preston explained. “You and Moe can keep looking for your son. I’ll run the day to day stuff. No more single general running the whole faction. Three generals that can work together to make the Commonwealth a better place for everyone.”

“Three?” Moe questioned, before leaning into the mic. “You want both of us?”

“Moe, you’ve been through the wastes since the start. And you still are fighting for others. Of course you’re welcome if you want it.” I could see Moe rubbing his neck again, trying to hide his emotions.

“Let us talk it over for a second, OK?” I needed to think before I answered, and Moe was clearly processing this too.

“Alright, I’ll keep the radio on standby. Just call back when you decide.” Preston sounded excited that we were even considering it. I turned around, looking at Moe. “Your thoughts?”

Moe stared ahead, unblinking. “General of the Minutemen. Helluva title.” He spoke under his breath, still rubbing his neck as he continued to stare. “Preston doesn’t seem like a bad guy, but restarting the whole militia?”

Moe kept muttering to himself until I leaned over and grabbed his shoulder. “I think we should do it.” I wasn’t sure on the specifics, but if Preston thought we could help, then I wanted to help. The title wouldn’t change much for me, but Moe seemed to have a rougher time processing this.

“I… I think it’s a lot to chew on.” Moe finally responded. He paused before continuing. “People don’t really trust ghouls too much, and maybe-”

“I trust you.” I interrupted Moe. “And Preston does. Anyone who doesn’t should change their minds after seeing you in action. I’d be stuck in a way worse spot if you hadn’t come with me.” I locked eyes with Moe, pools of black staring back.

Moe was silent, then put his hand on top of mine. His face turned to a soft smile. “Alright then, General. Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

I grabbed the mic, pushing the button with excitement. “We’re in, Preston. Let’s bring the minutemen back.”

#fallout 4 #fanfic #writing

[jimbleswrites]

Hey all, hate to ask but I'm out of a job, ineligible for unemployment(too little hours), and got a ticket that needs to be paid ASAP. If y'all could give anything, I'd be grateful.

https://cash.app/$JimblesMcKimbles

[jimbleswrites]

Nora, the Sole Survivor

Chapter 7: The First Step

The next morning was perfect for our trip, with clear skies on the horizon. Our bags packed, Moe and I finally set out for Drumlin diner. We waved goodbye to everyone as we passed the bridge, making our way back down to Concord. It would only take a half a day to make it there, and hopefully we could grab some loot and keep moving. I looked closer at my 10mm pistol as we walked past the cracked streets. It was in rough shape, still working but in need of repair. Surely using a 200 year old gun was not helping its condition.

“Looking at it isn’t going to magically fix it, you know.” Moe broke the silence.

I laughed awkwardly. “Yeah, but I’m not exactly a gunsmith. I wouldn’t even know how to fix it.” I looked closer at the slide lock, seeing a few chips. I only knew how to shoot because Nate and I had a few dates at the gun range. Nate normally handled the maintenance and cleaning.

Moe suddenly tapped my shoulder with something. I looked over to see the butt of his shotgun offered to me. “Trade me for a second, let me see.”

I swapped the weapons, now holding the sawed-off shotgun. It was heavier than I thought, clearly aged but well maintained. I only really had experience with pistols, but the care put into this was obvious. The metal was wiped down clean, and the wood had some sort of glue filling various cracks to hold it together. I noticed some notches scratched into the wooden stock, around 10 lines in a row under the Vault-Tec logo.

“Yup, it's the hammer. Probably sticking due to not being used for 200 years.” Moe was casually wiping down parts with a stained handkerchief as he continued to walk. He quickly put the hammer back in motion, removing the clip and firing the unloaded gun. A loud click, more audible than before, made Moe smile. He reassembled the pistol, holding it by the barrel to hand it back.

“You make it look so easy.” I complimented him as we swapped back. I slid the clip back in the gun, feeling less resistance than before. I was impressed with how quickly and efficiently he was able to clean this.

“I used to work at a weapon shop before I got run out of town by the bastard mayor.” Moe slipped the handkerchief back into his jacket. “When you’re around for 200 years, you learn a bit of everything.”

We finally came into Concord, seeing the aftermath of the battle. The bodies were still laying there, untouched. I guess this end of the commonwealth didn’t get too many visitors, but at least we got to claim any loose goods.

“I told Preston we’d take what we need and hide the rest in the museum for them to pick up.” I put my pistol in my pack pocket.

“Let’s go shopping then.” Moe nodded.

The next hour was spent sorting raider goods from the bodies we found. I started optimistic, but my mood fell as we continued to sort the goods. Not in the sense of loot, we managed to find ammo, spare weapons, some more leather armor, and some foodstuff among the dead. Even the power armor was mostly in one piece under the deathclaw’s body. But dragging the bodies out, rummaging through the pockets, seeing bullet wounds I caused. It left me with a pit in my stomach. Even if they were raiders, hellbent on killing and pillaging, I had killed so many people. I put spare goods in a chest in the museum, moved the bodies into a local bar so they weren’t in the street, rinse and repeat. We finally managed to finish, stopping to eat on the steps outside. I held a can of pork n’ beans in my hand, barely poking it as I stared at the bar.

“Looking for a drink instead?” Moe asked, pausing from his food. “I wouldn’t judge. It’s grisly work.”

“Everyone is so casual about death.” I stared forward, unblinking. “I think I’m not as adjusted as I thought I was.”

Moe stood up, standing and blocking my line of sight to the bar. “I’d be concerned if you didn’t have regrets. Means I'd be traveling with some psychopath.” He kneeled down, locking eyes with me. “You and I are from a very different time. I winced through a lot of the blood and gore at first, but that’s how the world is now.”

“I know.” I looked down, staring into my pork n’ beans can. “I’ll be fine, let’s get going.” I quickly gulped down the last of my cold beans, standing up.

Moe stood up too, awkwardly rubbing his neck. “Look, if you ever need to talk or whatever… I’m no therapist but…”

I lightly punched his shoulder, stopping his awkward ramble. “Thanks, Moe.”

Moe smiled, his black eyes softening. “Anytime, Nora.”

The next leg of the journey was more pleasant, with small talk and a sunset coming down as we came closer to the Drumlin diner. We each managed to get an extra day’s worth of food and a few leather armor pieces. I now had two shoulder covers and a harness across my chest for a bit of extra protection, with Moe grabbing some leg covers. Moe and I talked about the old diner pre-war, remembering the chain diner for their 24/7 hours and solid pancakes. Apparently this new post-war version was a small shop for people wasting the wastes, and Preston never really mentioned what exactly the issue was. We came up over a hill, seeing the tan building with a few of the neon lights flashing on and off.

“Seems quiet enough, but be careful.” Moe gripped his shotgun as he spoke.

“Fair enough.” I held my pistol in my hand as we walked closer. We walked forward, with no one around outside. We managed to go right up to the front of the building with no issues. The windows were broken out, with some boarded up with wooden planks and scrap metal. I looked inside to see an older woman behind the counter, wiping down a sword with a rag. I continued to the front door, pushing it open. A bell rang, and the woman looked up at us.

“Welcome to Trudy’s. Looking to trade?” She looked at me, then Moe. She raised an eyebrow on seeing Moe, but kept wiping down the sword.

“Hi, I was sent here by Preston. Of the Minutemen. He said you called for help?” I awkwardly explained.

“Really? Well shit, I thought y’all died out at Quincy! ‘Bout time you showed up.” Trudy waved us over to a seat on a barstool in front of her. We sat down as she continued to talk. “Yeah, I have a problem. There’s this asshole chem-pusher that got my boy hooked on Jet.” As if on queue, a lanky boy suddenly sat up from a booth, shivering. He turned to see us before immediately falling back onto the booth seat. “Patrick, my idiot son, kept ordering and ordering more, and now the dickhead keeps coming by asking for his money.” She slammed the sword down suddenly. “That bastard ain’t getting a single cap out of me, and I want y’all to take care of the problem.”

I guessed that Jet was some form of drug, and had no issue dealing with a drug dealer. But I wasn’t sure how Trudy expected us to deal with it. Moe spoke up before I did. “You want this guy dead or scared off?”

“Hell if I care, I just don’t want him coming here ever again.” Trudy waved to the empty booths. “He normally comes by at nightfall. You help me, and I’ll get y’all a discount on something.”

“Consider it done, ma’am.” Moe stood up, motioning me to follow. I followed to a booth next to an unboarded window where we could see outside. We sat down, in view of the front of the diner and Patrick. Patrick was shaking, jolting and mumbling under a thin blanket.

“Jet’s a fancy chem. And chem’s a fancy term for drugs.” Moe explained quietly. “Makes you think time is going slower than normal.”

I nodded. “So you wanna deal with this guy then? Since you know all about it?”

Moe looked forward, deep in thought. After a pause, he shook his head. “I think you should talk to him. Chem-pushers look for sales, not fights. If you can talk a big game, you could scare him off.”

“Not you?” I asked further. Something wasn’t right.

“I… did a lot of chems. Not recently, but I dealt with a lot in this long life of mine. Chems helped me forget bad times. I managed to get back on track, but it's a struggle.” Moe stared through the table, reliving some terrible years. “All that to say, I think I’m too close to the subject to deal with it.”

“Do… Do you mind if I ask how long ago that was?” I had a suspicion, and it was confirmed when Moe put his shotgun on the table, pointing to the notches on the stock I had noticed earlier.

“10 years sober. They stopped having meetings for that sort of thing, but the notches are my reminder.” Moe smiled soberly at his own joke.

Moe seemed a little off, so I nodded. “Alright, I’ll take point. You follow my lead.”

“You got it, boss.” Moe pulled the gun back into his hands, gently thumbing the notches.

There was a small wait as the sky grew darker. A light outside clicked on, illuminating the driveway outside. There was a quiet hum of a generator, the moans of Patrick, and sounds of shuffling as Trudy continued to sort her inventory. After an hour of waiting, I could hear people coming up from outside. They loudly laughed and stomped, not trying to hide at all. I stood up, with Moe immediately following me out the door. I looked to see two people. An older man in a newsboy cap, and a younger woman with blonde hair, sauntering up on the road. They reached the edge of the road lamp, barely stepping into the light.

“Whoa, whoa, easy there Vault Girl. This doesn't involve you.” The man talked with a grand accent, like he was in charge of the world.

“And you are?” Despite the insult, I tried to stay reasonable. I didn’t want to kill anyone if I didn’t have to.

“Wolfgang, and this is my partner Simone.” The woman beside him waved, a revolver clearly visible in her hand. “And this is a simple business dispute, got it? Trudy's sitting on a pile of goods that she owes me.”

“Because you sold chems to her son? Made him an addict?” I hated how casual he was about this.

“Yeah, yeah. I've heard it before. Look, he wanted a product, I sold him a product. And I expect to get paid for my product.” Wolfgang pulled out a revolver. “So either I get what I'm owed or I finally knock over this shitty outpost for all the profit I'm missing.”

I pointed my pistol back at him. “Counter-offer. You leave Trudy and Patrick alone or I make sure you never do business again.” Moe pointed his shotgun as well.

There was a moment of silence, where everyone was waiting for someone to make a move. Guns pointed in a stand-off, waiting for someone to chicken out or take a shot. I hoped Wolfgang would take off, but I was ready to shoot if I needed to. The wind whistled as no one moved.

Wolfgang suddenly twitched, firing his gun. I returned fire, with Moe firing as well. Simone fell without even firing a shot, with Wolfgang falling a moment later. I quickly checked on Moe, with luckily the shot hitting no one. I breathed out, with Moe cracking open his shotgun to reload. I slowly stepped over to Wolfgang, who was slowly reaching inside his jacket.

“Careful.” Moe warned, snapping the shotgun shut.

Wolfgang spit out some blood, before slowly revealing a grenade in his hand. I paused, still a few steps out from where he laid. “You step back, NOW!” His voice was tense, wavering with fear. I stepped back. He slowly crawled backwards, dragging himself away. “I’ll fucking kill everyone! Just step back!” He threatened us as he tried to escape. I didn’t know how far a grenade explosion went, but I wasn’t going to test it.

Moe stepped beside me. “You trust me, right?” He whispered quietly, eyes locked on the chem-pusher.

I wasn’t sure what he meant, but I nodded. I did trust him.

“Cover your ears.” Moe suddenly raised his gun, leveling it at Wolfgang. I realized what he meant and quickly covered my ears, with Wolfgang seemingly understanding and trying to throw the grenade. It was too late, with Moe firing and hitting the grenade, causing it to explode in Wolfgang’s face. The boom was deafening even through covered ears, and I luckily wasn’t looking directly at the bright explosion either. My ears rang a bit, but it seemed to die down after a minute.

“Sorry about that boss, but he was planning to toss it once he got free.” Moe brushed something off his jacket as he explained. “A lot of scummy types keep a grenade as a trump card. Usually throw ‘em while they make a dash.” I looked over, seeing the various giblets of Wolfgang and Simone laying in the road. Just a bloody mess of bodies laying in front of this shop.

Trudy opened the door, barely leaning out. “Serves the bastard right.” She yelled from the door, motioning us back inside. We walked back inside, leaving the mess out in the dark. “Y’all handled it, so here’s your reward.” She tossed something at me, which I caught without thinking. It was a sword, in its sheath with some Chinese words engraved on the handle.

“I’m afraid I ain't got much to spare, but that sword is in prime shape. Should get a decent price if y’all don’t want to keep it.” She smiled as she spoke. “Good to see the minutemen are back. I’ll have to let the caravans know as they come through. What’s your name?”

“Nora.” I smiled as I spoke. Despite the grisly nature of the world, helping people still felt good. This is something I could get behind. “Nora and Moe, of the Commonwealth Minutemen.”

#fallout 4 #writing #fanfic

[jimbleswrites]

Nora, the Sole Survivor

Chapter 6: Sanctuary, Rebuilt

The walk back to Sanctuary was more lively than my initial walk. Between Preston and Sturges talking to each other about the long trip and Marcy and Jun tending to Mama Murphy, there was a source of chatter the whole trip. The dog even followed us back, although no one knew if he was a stray or not. Even Moe and I had a talk about some of the things I hadn’t been sure of. It turns out ghouls weren’t the only new species of human, there was another race of ‘super mutants’ that evolved somehow. They were very aggressive, not very smart, and constantly attacked settlements, looking for ‘green stuff’, whatever that meant.

Diamond City, on the other hand, was a large city in the heart of old downtown. Apparently the biggest in the Commonwealth and one of the oldest still surviving. Moe talked about it with scorn, but I thought back to what Mama Murphy had said about ‘a neon heart in a big city’. Maybe Diamond City was the big city she meant? I decided to help the group settle, and maybe Mama Murphy would be able to clarify once she woke up.

We walked past the red rocket station as we walked, with night falling just as we hit the bridge before Sanctuary proper. Preston finally broke off from Sturges, coming up to join Moe and I in the front. “So this is it. Hopefully no one has set up camp here.” Preston looked forward, the wood creaking as we started to cross.

“Yeah, the neighbors are terrible. An ornery old robot and a human ice cube.” Moe laughed as he punched my arm.

I laughed with him. “Yeah, I’ve lived here for a while. But you’re free to set up home wherever works best for you.” I explained to Preston, who seemed confused.

“I thought no one had set up here past Concord. Guess our intel was wrong.” Preston mused. Codsworth was hovering around, trimming hedges until he noticed us.

He waved as we got closer. “Good evening, Nora! You’ve found some friends out there!” His voice was as chipper as ever.

“These people are looking for a new place to settle. Codsworth, I don’t suppose you can help them get set up for tonight?” I asked.

“Of course, ma’am. Please let me help!” He rushed off, coming back with some sleeping bags and guiding the group towards the house across from mine.

We set up sleeping bags and mattresses where we could, and everyone got a little food from Codsworth’s stash. All of them were tired from the day and decided to sleep for the night. Soon it was just Moe, Codsworth, and I sitting on a curb outside in the chilly night air.

“It will be lovely to have people here again after so many years!” Codsworth cheered. “But I do hope your quest was successful in finding more information about Shaun, Nora.”

“It was… something.” I sighed. “The world is so different now.” I looked over to Moe. “About Mama Murphy, are psychics a common thing now?” Mama Murphy’s words kept rattling around in my mind.

Moe shrugged. “The radiation has done a lot since you got frozen. Plenty of unexplainable things happen all over. I mean, I shouldn’t even be alive. I wouldn’t worry too much about some old lady muttering random words though.” He yawned through the sentence. “Get some sleep, and you can figure out the rest tomorrow.” He patted my shoulder as he got up, walking back into the guest home.

Codsworth’s eyes whirred as he watched Moe walk away. “That ghoul seems oddly familiar.”

I chuckled to myself. I looked up at Codsworth. Him and Moe were the last ties to the pre-war world I knew. “Codsworth… are you going to be ok if I take a longer trip?”

Codsworth nodded, his center eye moving while the others kept watch. “You’ll find that I can deal with these guests with the best of them, ma’am.”

“No, I mean… I have to go find Shaun. And I may not be back for a long time…” I spoke slowly, processing the full extent of the trip I was planning to take.

“You've no idea the horror these past two centuries have wrought.” Codsworth suddenly interrupted. I looked up at him, all his eyes staring back into mine. “The initial destruction, not knowing if you and your family were all right. It was a relief just to find the entrance intact!”

I teared up a little. “I'm so sorry, Codsworth. It was so sudden. Not even time for goodbyes.”

“I understood completely. Family safety first above all else.” Codsworth continued. “And yes, while it was hard at first, I was able to eventually move on. At first it was work, busying myself day and night, and believe me, there was plenty of it.” He gestured to the trimmed dead hedges of the suburb. “But eventually, the work became light chores. What truly saved me was my memories. Memories of you and the hubby, and young Shaun. Of your love and kindness.” His voice changed from his neutral tone to a softer joyful one. “I soldiered on, fueled by hope that one day, if not you and the husband, that Shaun, or perhaps Shaun's children would one day emerge.”

“You don't regret it? All the waiting?” My tears flowed as I spoke. I couldn’t imagine the wait of 200 years, and the idea that Codsworth stayed here the whole time, with only a vague premise that maybe someday someone would come out of the vault made me feel terrible.

“Never! If you ask me, it was worth it. All 200 years!” Codsworth sounded happy, and gently put his claw on my shoulder. “I just wanted you to know how much I consider you family. I may be a mere robot to some, but I do hope you've come to see me as more.”

“I consider you to be family, too, Codsworth.” I cried. “That’s why I… I…”

“You don't have to say anything, mum. I just... felt you should know what you've come to mean to me. So you can imagine the distress I felt when the bombs fell, after you fled to the Vault. And when you returned, I was overjoyed! I admit I ran a full diagnostics scan just to make sure I wasn't malfunctioning.” His tone was serious and concerned. “But the news. The news of Nate and Shaun. Believe me when I say, it takes a true hero to live through that.”

“I'm no hero, Codsworth. Believe me.” I thought back to the raiders I killed. The absolute violence that this world needed of me. 

“In such a bleak world as this, think of all you've witnessed, and all you've done. But you, Nora, you have remained the very model of what humanity should aspire to be.”

I looked at the guest house. There were a group of people there that I helped today. They may have died if I wasn’t there. I wouldn’t call myself a hero, but maybe I did some real good today.

“You don’t want to leave, but Shaun won’t find himself out there.” Codsworth spoke. “I have the utmost faith you will find him out there. I will do my best to take care of our guests, and you are welcome to come back whenever you need.”

I hugged Codsworth, awkwardly wrapping my arms around his waist. There was a pause, then Codsworth put his claw on my back. “I’ll stay here for a few days to help them settle in, but thank you. For everything.”

“Of course, ma’am.” Codsworth replied. We stayed out for a while, watching the stars from the ruined curb, enjoying each other’s company.

***

The next few days were busy ones. I offered to help the group set up, and they had some big plans to make this place a home. Today was all gardening, expanding from the two mutfruit trees Codsworth had to several different types of flora. Corn, razorgrain, tatos, carrots, and melons from the group's pack were planted into the ground, and slowly we built a full garden in the backyard of the guest house. Most of the flora I saw was a little off but alright, but the tatos really weirded me out. The outside was like a tomato, but the inside was brown and starchy like a potato. No one really seemed to like them, but they grew very quickly so nearly all farms in the commonwealth had them growing.

After that, it was all about building a water purifier. Sanctuary already had a river nearby, so Sturges came up with the idea of building a purifier on the river itself to save space. We managed to gather enough raw materials to build it, and I found myself and Moe connecting pipes while the others worked on the water tank and supports.

“Any thoughts on what’s next, Nora?” Moe asked while threading on some nuts on the bracket.

“Well, I was hoping to get Mama Murphy to clarify what she meant.” I looked over to Mama Murphy, sitting on a chair overlooking the river. The dog laid at her feet, watching the people working. “But she hasn’t really said anything.”

“I mean, Diamond City is the biggest place around. I think that’s probably the only place that fits ‘a big city’ around here.” Moe explained.

“I think so too. Probably set up everyone tonight and head out tomorrow morning.” I agreed.

“We should stop by Concord again too. See what’s left over that we can take with us.” Moe added.

I couldn’t say that I was comfortable looting bodies yet, but Moe was right. We’d need more ammo and more armor wouldn’t hurt either. “Yeah, and I’m sure that any larger stuff could get lugged back here.”

“Glad to see we think alike.” Preston interjected. He sat down next to me. “Just came by to thank you two for helping us again.”

“You’re welcome.” I remembered something. “I wanted to ask a favor, as long as you’re all settling in here.” I pointed over to Codsworth, who was cutting metal with his buzzsaw for the water tank. “Codsworth means a lot to me, and if you could just watch over him while I’m away.”

“Of course. He’s been a great help since we got here.” Preston smiled. “How long has he been here?”

I remembered getting Codsworth from the store with Nate a couple months after Shaun was born. “He’s been here since the bombs dropped.”

“Really?” Preston narrowed his eyes. “I don’t mean to pry, but he was talking about you earlier and mentioned you before the war. Did you mess with his memory at all?” He laughed as he continued. “I mean, obviously you weren’t around before the war.”

Moe flashed me a smirk. I sighed. “No, he’s right. I bought Codsworth before the war. I lived over there, a long time ago.”

Preston laughed again, then paused on seeing my face. “Come on, I mean, you’re not a ghoul or anything. There’s no way you’re pre-war.”

“I was frozen in a vault until a few days ago.” I stated.

“Nearly 200 years on ice.” Moe added.

Preston looked in awe. “I… That explains why you looked so confused when we talked. And why you were so comfortable around a pre-war ghoul.”

“Hey, be nice.” Moe snarked.

“It’s been a transition for sure.” I shrugged. “But I feel like I’m finally getting a grip on how things work.”

“You said you were going away. What’s out there you need to find?” Preston asked.

“My son. He was taken away and I need to find out what happened.”

“Wow, that’s a lot.” There was a pause. “Listen, not to add on to your journey, but could you do me a favor?”

“Depends.” Moe responded. I looked at Preston for more information.

“Just past Concord, there’s a little shop in a Drumlin Diner. I got a call for help for the minutemen. No specific details, just needing help. Thing is, no one has responded yet. I think I might actually be the last minuteman, and I can’t abandon these guys while they still need help. Would you be willing to stop by and help?”

“The diner next to the drive-in?” Moe asked. Preston nodded. Moe put a finger to his chin in thought. “It’s on the way, but the boss will have to decide.”

“Of course we can.” I nodded.

Preston sighed in relief. “Thank you. Trust me, I’ll be back on the grind after they’re all settled here.” He clapped my back as he walked back to the others.

“Boss, huh? That’s a fun title.” I teased Moe.

“Hey, you technically pay me to watch your back.” Moe countered. “Now, hurry up with those, looks like they’re ready to set up.”

I looked over to see them moving things towards the river. Moe and I grabbed our supports and walked down to join them. Despite the non-stop labor today, It was the best I had felt since I was unfrozen. We managed to get the purifier set and running, so food and water were set. I told the group that afternoon that we were heading out, and they gave Moe and I the spare rations they had in thanks for all our help. 

I was packing my bag for the trip when the dog came up and barked. I tried to pet him only for him to knock my hand away and look towards the river. I looked to see Mama Murphy still watching the running water. The dog wanted me to check on her, I guess? I walked down, eventually standing to her. She was still watching the water, wrapped in a blanket.

“Hey, Mama Murphy.” I crouched down next to her chair. “The dog wanted me to check on you.”

“Dogmeat.” Mama Murphy whispered. It was the first time she had spoken since she talked to me at the museum.

I looked at the dog, curled in Mama Murphy’s legs. I guess Dogmeat is what she named him.

“Right, Dogmeat. Are you feeling better now?” I asked.

Her voice was soft, like she still felt weak. “The Sight really knocks me out. But I need to tell you more about the journey.” She whispered.

“Please, tell me what you know.” I wanted all the info she could offer me.

“Diamond City holds answers, but they're locked tight.” Her eyes opened wide, suddenly talking at a louder voice. “You ask them what they know, but people's hearts are chained up with fear and suspicion. But you find it. You find that heart that's gonna lead you to your boy. Oh, it's... it's bright. So bright against the dark alleys it walks.” Her eyes shut, her voice lowered as she continued. “That's... that's what you need to do, kid. Follow the signs to the bright heart.”

She began snoring softly, apparently tired from her Sight. I sat on the ground next to her. Dogmeat moved from Mama Murphy to my side, lying next to me. I pet Dogmeat as we watched the water moving, feeling better than ever about my journey ahead. 

#fallout 4 #writing #fanfic

[jimbleswrites]

Nora, The Sole Survivor

Chapter 5: When Freedom Calls

I pushed open the doors to the museum, slowly looking inside. I had visited the museum a few times with Nate, but it was completely different now. The main room was ripped apart, with holes in the walls and collapsed floors from the other levels laying on the floor. There were a few raiders firing randomly at a room upstairs as we snuck inside and into a side door.

“How are we supposed to get up there?” Moe whispered, gripping his shotgun. I vaguely remembered the path from a tour I took years ago. I took the lead, moving into a dark room. I couldn’t see anything until the lights suddenly flashed to life. A patriotic jingle played over the speakers, apparently on the same sensor as the lights. Moe grabbed me and tucked us behind a weapon case. Sure enough, a raider came in to investigate. Once he was close enough, Moe jumped over the case, slamming the butt of his gun into the raiders face. The raider fell down, only for the dog to jump in and finish him off. I wasn’t as scared this time, but I was still getting used to the constant killing of this world. We continued on, eventually finding a staircase to the third floor with the other raiders outside a door.

“Come on out, minuteman! We’re gonna get inside sometime!” The raider leader was taunting the person inside. There were only 3 raiders there, which seemed to not notice us yet.

“Once one of them sees us, it becomes a firefight. Ready?” Moe quietly rallied as we readied our weapons. I nodded, and we turned the corner, blasting. I managed to shoot one in the chest, Moe’s shell flew into another, and the other quickly ducked out of sight. The dog ran forward, snarling and barking as he rushed the last one’s cover. I ran up to the dog, just in time to see the raider kick him to the side. Time seemed to slow as I raised my gun, quickly firing 3 bullets directly into his skull. The raider dropped to the floor, and the fight was over. There was a moment of silence, then the door opened. The man from the balcony beckoned us in, and we moved in the room. There was a small group of people inside, only 5 people in total, all in various states of paranoia.

“Man, I don't know who you are, but your timing is impeccable.” He lowered his weapon and felt out his hand. “Preston Garvey, Commonwealth Minutemen.” He introduced himself.

I shook his hand. “I’m Nora, and this is Moe.” The dog barked and ran further into the room. “And I'd assume this is your dog.” The dog ran right up to an older woman and laid down.

“You’d have to ask Mama Murphy about that, but I’m glad you helped with those raiders.” Preston sighed. “I’ll tell ya, it’s been a rough trip to say the least.”

“Minutemen, huh?” Moe looked over the 5 people in the room. “Not many of them around anymore.”

“I think I’m the last. Been helping these people since Quincy. We started with about 20 people and now it’s just us.” Preston explained. He began introducing the others. Sturges was a lanky guy in overalls, trying to hack into a terminal in the museum office. Mama Murphy was an older woman resting on the sofa, lazily petting the dog and looking at nothing with red eyes. Marcy and Jun Long were the middle-aged couple on the far side of the room, both of them muttering to themselves. I didn’t really understand what the minutemen did, but they seemed like decent people. “We were hoping to make it to Sanctuary to start a new settlement, but the raiders cut us off here. I know the boss is coming to finish us off, but we don’t have the firepower to fight them.”

“Well, now you have two more people. What’s the plan?” I cut in.

Preston pointed to Sturges, who turned around from his terminal. “There’s a vertibird on the roof. Pre-war. We can’t fix it, but there’s a set of genuine power armor and a mini-gun left behind. Figure if we can get it running, we can out-gun whatever the raider boss shows up with.”

Sturges put his hands on his overall straps, pausing for a moment. “But it’s out of juice. There’s a fusion core running the electricity in the building we could use, but the gate is locked. Was hoping to break through on the terminal here, but no luck.”

That was a solid plan. Power armor was the peak of military technology, and a mini-gun to back it up meant no one could stop us. “Where is the fusion core? Maybe there’s another way to get it.”

“Basement, just past the ruined stairs.” Sturges pointed, and I nodded. Moe followed me as we backtracked past the raider bodies. We found the stairs, completely rotted with a caged generator just in sight. I managed to find a ladder and placed it down as makeshift steps. I looked closer at the cage as we approached. It was a simple chain link, with another terminal here.

“You really want to help these people?” Moe finally spoke up, kneeling down next to the lock. He pulled out a bobby pin and a screwdriver from his bag as he spoke.

“I do. Maybe they can help find Shaun.” I looked closer as Moe started to pick the lock, slowly testing pressure.

“You don’t even know who the minutemen are. Trust me, they are not the force they used to be. Wouldn’t surprise me if he’s the last one.” Moe continued to poke and prod as he spoke.

“I know about the minutemen from way back.” I remembered the old statue next to the park in our neighborhood for the revolutionary era minutemen.

“Same concept, but they were the first to try to make a government out here. After the mutant attacks on Diamond City, they tried to branch all the little towns together. But apparently one of the reps went crazy, murdering the other reps during some hearing. Minutemen still tried to hold together but never really recovered. Latest fiasco was some Quincy shootout they had a hand in.” Moe finally opened the door as he wrapped up.

Mutants? Diamond City? I got the basic gist of it, but I’d have to ask about the details later. “Even if they aren’t as powerful, these people need help.” I pulled the core out of the generator, with it rattling to a stop as I did. “You don’t have to help if you don’t want to.”

“No, not that. Just used to the normal wastelander attitude.” Moe smiled. “Reminds me of the days pre-war.”

We came back up to the museum office, with Preston sighing in relief as we showed him the core. “This is a great change of pace. Now we’ll get you set up and-.”

Preston was suddenly cut off by a loud yell from Mama Murphy. She grabbed her head as she caught her breath. “They’re coming… and they’re angry…” The group seemed to take this more seriously than Moe and I, quickly grabbing guns and scrambling around.

“Change of plan, you go get set up with the power armor, and we’ll set up on the balcony.” Preston took charge as he pushed us to the door. “The door there leads to the roof, hurry.” I was going to question what was happening until I heard thuds from outside. The raiders must be back already. Moe and I ran over the door, rushing up the stairs to see a ruined vertibird. Mangled metal scraps were scattered over the floor, with a power armor frame leaned against the wall. I had seen some test armor during a work trip with Nate, but never actually used one before.

“Just slam the core in the power slot on the back. The rest should be easy.” Moe grabbed a loose sniper rifle and an ammo bag from the vertibird. “I’ll cover you from here.” He set up a small stool as I approached the suit. The suit towered over me, easily about 7 feet tall. The armor pieces on the frame were rusted but still intact as a full set. I pushed the core into the slot, turning the wheel on the back to open it. The back hatch swung up as the frame moved into a standing position, suddenly able to support its own weight. I stepped up into the frame, with the hatch closing behind me. I put my arms into the sleeves, finding gloves near the end. The frame was a little too big, but I could make it work. The screen lit up, showing overlays as I looked through the eye holes. I moved my leg, the whole frame mirroring my movement. I raised my hand, and the metal arm outside raised in response. It was a bit bulky and I wouldn’t be able to move as quickly, but I felt safe inside. I stepped forward awkwardly, adjusting to the new balance as I looked into the vertibird. There was a mini-gun still strapped to the gunner seat, which broke off with a quick pull.

I held the mini-gun as I looked over the edge of the roof, seeing about 10 raiders running up with another behind in a similar power armor frame. However, their armor was quickly cobbled with scrap metal and no helmet. There was rebar across the shoulder and chest, with spiked knuckles on the fist. The raiding party came to a stop in the middle of town, with the armored one stepping to the front.

They pointed to the building. “LEAVE NO SURVIVORS!” they yelled, sending the others charging forward. No time to take the stairs back down. I jumped down to a lower fire escape, which crumbled under the weight. I fell for a second, then managed to push off the wall, redirecting me towards the front door of the museum. I landed with a loud thud, jostling the suit. I was shaken a bit, but otherwise fine. I stood up, hearing gunfire from behind as Moe and the others started to shoot. I pulled the trigger, feeling the gun spin before firing. Bullets flew out as the raiders realized they were outmatched. They tried to run off, but didn’t get too far before getting hit. I couldn’t really aim well, so I slowly walked forward as I aimed towards the biggest grouping of raiders. They shot back a bit, but they dinged off the power armor. Even the leader in their own power armor was retreating, jumping behind a car near some exposed sewer pipes. Soon enough the raiders all were dealt with, bodies littering over town as I approached the car. I continued to fire, hoping to hit them through their cover with enough firepower. But after that little shoot-out, my mini-gun began to click. Out of ammo. I tossed the gun to the ground as the leader stepped back out, loud thuds as he stepped.

“YOU FUCKER! I’LL KILL YOU!” The leader tried to punch me, but I dodged to the side. The thuds continued, even louder as we circled each other. It was trying to punch in slow-motion, with some hits on both sides. Suddenly, there was a loud roar as a giant lizard broke out from the pipes nearby. It had black scales all over, yellow eyes below curved horns, and sharp claws on all 4 limbs.

“DEATHCLAW!” The leader changed from fighting to running, clearly terrified. That only scared me more, if this beast was enough to scare raiders just by presence alone. The deathclaw snarled, charging past me and grabbing the raider. It roared in his face, before throwing him through a building nearby. It refocused on me, slowly walking towards me. I had no ammo, and my other weapons were stuck in my pack inside the armor. It suddenly charged again, swiping at my chest. It scratched the armor, with the overlay showing the chest integrity was almost broken. I ran back to one of the raider’s bodies, hoping to find a weapon. I heard gunfire continue as they tried to hold the monster back. I managed to find a few grenades on a belt and a revolver with one bullet. I had an idea, but I would have to be quick. I turned around to find the deathclaw swiping at me again, catching my arm and shattering some of the pieces off the frame. It suddenly bit my arm, crushing part of the frame. I managed to throw the grenades into the gap in its teeth, and shot the revolver. It rang out, hitting the grenades and exploding right at the base of its neck.

The explosion sent me flying, landing on my back. The power armor was not responding, and I managed to force the hatch open. I crawled out just to see the deathclaw, missing a head, dead on the ground. Blood was still pumping from the body, pooling near the hole in its neck. Just me standing on an empty road with a bunch of dead bodies. I started to turn, only to see the leader limping out of a building nearby. They were still in their armor, and immediately laughed on seeing the scene.

They took a step, only to suddenly stop with a loud bang. They fell forward, a hole in their skull. I looked up to see Moe, giving me a thumbs up. The fight had been won. The minutemen cheered, finally free to leave Concord.

I made my way inside, finding the other already coming down to greet me. Preston grabbed my hand and shook. “That was pretty amazing! I’m glad you’re on our side!” The others agreed, with Moe making his way next to me and grabbing my shoulder in a fatherly approving way. Preston held out a little bag. “It isn’t much, but we can’t let you go without pay.”

The bag clinked as I took it. I looked inside to see some caps and loose ammo. It wasn’t much, but I didn't even ask for a reward.

“Thanks. I was hoping for some information too, if you don’t mind.” I asked. Preston nodded. “I’m looking for my son, Shaun. I don’t have much to go on, but-”

“He’s alive.” Mama Murphy spoke up. “I can sense it.”

“Sense it?” I didn’t understand.

“Mama Murphy has the Sight. She can see the future.” Sturges explained.

I didn’t really understand, but remembered that she knew the raiders were coming before anyone. “I don’t really-”

“You’re lost in this new world.” Mama Murphy cut me off, her red eyes unfocused as she rambled. “You want to find your son, but you don’t know anything about who took him.”

She somehow knew. Whatever powers she had, she clearly could see more than just the future. “Mama Murphy…” I pleaded. “Whatever you can tell me-”

“It’s too muddled.” She interrupted me. “I see a neon heart in a big city. The man there can help you.” She suddenly slumped down, with Sturges grabbing her. She had passed out from something.

“She pushed herself too hard.” Sturges picked her up, putting her on his back. “Her Sight comes at a cost. She’ll be fine, just needs a few days to rest.”

“We should be heading out anyway. Sanctuary should be nearby. We should be able to reach it soon.” Preston added.

“I actually need to head back there anyway. Codsworth is probably worried. I can help lead the way.” I offered.

“Please, that would be great.” Preston smiled. “Finally, a good change of pace.” We packed up the last of their things, ready to head back home.

#fallout 4 #writing #fanfic

[jimbleswrites]

Pantheon 2022

Chapter 14: Psalm 37:8

The wind whipped by as I fell down. The hole in the wall grew smaller as I plummeted down. The twilight sun illuminated the other rooftops far below. Maybe I did bite off too much with this.

Ten floors whizzed by. My reflection in the windows looked back at me, disappointed. I should have taken Vida’s advice. So many people would be helpless without someone to help them. What a sad legacy to leave behind.

Another ten floors. My reflection grew closer as I tried to level myself. Hold on. Am I willing to quit that easily? Just like that? That can’t be right. I wanted to be a champion to help people, and I’m going to die just trying to get information?

Another ten floors. I held out my hand, forming a sword and jamming it into the skyscraper. No. I refuse. Despite the large gash forming in the wall, I wasn’t even slowing down.

Another ten floors. The sword isn’t working. I made another one and stuck it next to the other. I now had two lines of carnage ripping up. I wasn’t strong enough, like Nemesis said.

Another ten floors. A rage that had been simmering finally reached a boiling point. NO! I AM NOT GOING TO LET SOMEONE ELSE GET HURT BECAUSE I AM TOO WEAK. I formed more swords, trying to gain any leverage.

Another ten floors. I WILL NOT FAIL VIDA. The swords began to form onto my back, spreading out along my arms. VIDA TRUSTS ME. I HAVE NOT FAILED YET. I WILL GO UP AND FINISH THIS FIGHT!

I had stopped. I looked into the shattered glass, and saw my reflection. The swords had formed a set of wings on my back, slowly flapping up and down. They clashed and clanked as they continued to flutter faster. I rose upward. The wind picked up as I flew faster. The fifty floors zoomed by as I rose back up to the broken window. I hovered just outside the window, seeing Nemesis with her back turned, bandaging her arm.

“I HAVE NOT FAILED!” I cried out, diving into the building. Nemesis turned just in time to have me kick her directly in the stomach. She got thrown back into the wall, breaking through it. I landed awkwardly, the pain shooting into my leg as I walked. She stared at me, laying in a new pile of rubble.

“The fight isn’t over until one of us can’t get back up.” I reminded her as I walked. She quickly scrambled up, raising her gun. She quickly shot at me, only for me to block the bullets with one of my ‘wings’. The blades rang out, metal striking metal as the bullets hit and dropped to the floor. She began to back away, throwing another knife as she retreated into the kitchen. I was ready, catching the knife in my hand before it hit my face. My hand had a slight gold tint, protecting my hand from the blade.

I entered the kitchen, just to see Nemesis throwing another knife. I threw the caught knife back, hitting the other knife and knocking them both off-course. She tried to duck behind a table, but I swung my arm down, cutting the table in half. I noticed the blades had shifted to form along my arms, almost like a bat’s wings versus being on my back like before. Nemesis crawled between appliances as I continued to swing my blades. I cut through the various items like they were nothing, trying desperately to hit Nemesis as she crawled away. I felt barely in control, just swinging and cutting. She finally made it back to the hole in the wall, just in sight. I extended my arm, and some of the blades shot off, flying towards her as she tried to escape. Most of them flew by, but one managed to puncture her foot as she stepped around.

I stepped through the broken wall, now seeing Nemesis pulling the golden blade from her foot. She suddenly pulled a grenade out, and threw it. I caught it, closing the lever. I tossed it away through the broken window, with the explosion blast shattering more glass. Nemesis tried to reach for another, but I shot a blade into her arm, pinning it to the floor. She cried out in pain, trying to move her arm but hitting the cross guard of the sword.

I breathed heavily, holding the sword to her throat. “You lost. Tap out.”

Nemesis continued to struggle. “I will not fail my master. You will have to kill me before I yield.” She hissed back.

Some of the rage clouding my mind cleared, seeing her literally impaled and pinned. I still needed this information, but I wavered a bit now. “I… I don’t want to kill you. Just please.”

Nemesis suddenly put her hand up on my chest, and a purple light began to pulse. An explosion formed and sent me flying back, slamming me next to the broken table on the far wall. Did she form another grenade without me seeing? I heard a loud scream, pained but determined. I looked to see Nemesis standing up, with one arm missing.

“You don’t have the resolve to be a champion.” She breathed heavily, slowly saying the words. She yelled in pain as more purple energy poured out of her wound, grabbing the bloody arm still pinned by my sword. I stood back up as the energy pulled the arm back up to the rest, fusing it together. I watched as it oozed blood out of the wound, but began moving like nothing had happened. “You had me pinned down, and you couldn’t even land a killing blow.”

The purple energy had to be her aura. She was forcing herself to keep fighting, binding her wounds with aura. “I don’t want to kill you, that’s right.” I responded. I clenched my fists, with my cape of swords flexing in response. “It’s part of being a champion of justice.”

“Justice?” Nemesis spat out blood as she formed a gun and knife from the purple aura. “Justice doesn’t do anything if you won’t punish your enemies.” She suddenly lunged forward, running at me.

I blocked the attacks as she swung wildly. My blades rang out as she hit them again and again. I thought about what she said, and it reignited my rage. I suddenly grabbed her arm as she swung, slamming her into the wall.

“Punish my enemies? You think that’s all justice is?” I yelled as I grabbed her leg and swung her again into the kitchen wall. “It would be so easy to just overpower people, but that’s not justice.” Nemesis started to stand again, but I quickly threw out a sword. It chopped through the ceiling above, piling more rubble on top of her. I limped over, standing above Nemesis as she tried to clear the rubble. She quickly pointed a gun at me, only to have one of my swords stab through the same wound from before. She howled in pain, dropping the gun.

“Justice is about trying to bring fairness into the world.” I put another sword on top of her other arm, just starting to cut her jacket. “I try to be fair to people, and I trust them to be fair with me.” She quickly formed a knife, trying to swing for my leg, but I pushed the sword into her arm before she could move it too far. She continued to yell as she struggled to get up. “I don’t want to kill anyone, but I’ll do what I must.”

“Then kill me.” She spat. “Just end the fight then.”

I pointed a sword at her head. She was still struggling to escape, but the fear was in her eyes. I drew back my arm to swing, pausing for a moment. I quickly spun the sword, catching the blade in my hand, and swung down, hitting her head with the handle of the sword. She finally went limp, eyes closed as she passed out. I gently put my hand on her neck, still feeling a pulse.

I sighed loudly, the swords finally dissipating into nothingness. I slumped over, the pain catching up in my body as the fight was over. I grabbed a broken chair leg, using it as a make-shift cane to lean on. I looked around at the wreckage, wondering how to tell Quinn it was over.

“Not bad, kid.” Quinn’s voice suddenly broke the silence, echoing through the room. I turned back around to see Quinn standing next to Nemesis. “I wasn’t sure until you flew back up, but you managed to swing it around.” He gestured to Nemesis. “Now just finish the fight and the info is yours.”

I looked down, Nemesis was still knocked out cold. “She’s not getting back up. It’s finished.” I breathed heavily as I spoke, pain still running through my body.

“You know what I mean.” Quinn pulled out a cigarette. “Kill her.”

I didn’t understand. Why would he want this? “Why?” I asked.

“To prove you can. Because I asked. Because you want the information about Thora.” Quinn lit up his cigarette, pausing to take a drag. “Whatever reason compels you.”

“I’m not killing her. I won’t kill for this.” I stood my ground.

“Listen, you did sign up for a fight to the death.” Quinn’s tone changed, from a raspy voice to a clearer aggressive tone. “You think you can just change the terms of an argument because you don’t want to kill? You come to my plane and try to force me to give something?”

“Fine, then I don’t get anything. Just get me and Vida out of here.” I conceded. I was hoping that Quinn would be reasonable but he was set on this.

“No.” Quinn stated. “You’ve insulted me, so now you’re going to apologize.” He took another long drag of his cigarette.

“I’m sorry-” I had barely started before Quinn interrupted me.

“Not with your words, boy.” Quinn threw his cigarette on Nemesis’s leg, grinding the butt with his foot. “You will kill her, because you made a deal, and then you can go.”

“I am not killing anyone.” I repeated.

Quinn’s face suddenly changed, from anger to a twisted smile. “You think you can tell a god what to do? You can deny MY POWER?” Quinn’s body began to float, glowing with a red aura. “THEN I WILL KILL YOU MYSELF!”

He suddenly flew forward, grabbing my throat. I was held up off the ground, as he continued to monologue. “I could kill you in a single moment, with so little effort. But I want to see you realize how badly you fucked up.” The sun rose a little more, piercing my eyes as I was thrown down into the floor. The wooden floor splintered and cracked as I broke through to the floor below. He lifted me back and threw me on the broken table, finding myself against the wall.

Quinn walked over, then grabbed my head. “I AM VENGEANCE INCARNATE, AND YOU THINK YOU CAN BEAT ME?” He slammed my head into the wall, breaking through. I saw the library through bruised eyes as I crashed into the floor. I started to get up only to get kicked in the ribs, feeling one crack on impact.

“Pathetic.” Quinn spat. I tried to get up again, and Quinn stomped on my back. I tried to move, but it was like a ton of pressure funneled through his foot. The sunlight felt like it was growing harsher, pouring in through the smaller windows. I tried to escape the pin, but I could barely move without pain hitting every nerve.

“Vida always was too soft for this. Maybe your death will finally make her see her errors.” Quinn formed part of his aura into his hand, forming a revolver. The hammer clicked as he loaded bullets into the chamber. I felt the light getting even brighter, as the barrel pressed into my head.

“Now, you’ll have the honor of dying by a god’s hand.” Quinn snarled. I tried again to move but was still stuck. I failed Vida.

Suddenly, the light from the window shifted, and a solid beam of green energy broke through the outside wall, slamming into Quinn’s chest! He was sent flying back, crashing into the fireplace. I looked over to see Vida, hovering just outside the skyscraper.

“YOU MOTHER FUCKER!” Vida screamed as she flew over to Quinn. Her eyes were a solid green, matching her aura, and her face was filled with rage. She raised a hand, and pointed it as Quinn, shooting another beam of energy at the felled god. It quickly wrapped around him like a snake, constricting him. “I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN YOU’D PULL SOME BULLSHIT LIKE THIS!” she continued to scream, suddenly swinging as she got close enough. The blows rang out, loud cracks as she beat Quinn.

This was the first time I had seen Vida angry, and it honestly scared me a bit. I slowly stood up as she kept beating Quinn with nothing held back. The pain was terrible, but I managed to stand and lean against a wall. “Vida…” I weakly called out. She didn’t even seem to notice. I took a step, and then another, slowly shuffling over. Vida kept fighting, striking over and over as I slowly made it next to her. I put a hand on her shoulder, causing her to whip around, ready to punch again.

There was a pause, then she lowered her fist. “I’m…” She started to speak, but she seemed to choke up on her words. I noticed tears on her face for the first time. “I’m…”

“I know.” I could feel the sadness and anger from her. “You tried to warn me and I didn’t listen. I can only imagine how you feel. I’m sorry.” I tried to take a step, only to stumble.

Vida immediately caught me, dropping to her knees. “I should have known. I’m sorry for bringing you here.” She hugged me close, holding me tight. After a moment, she put my arm over her shoulders and stood up. I leaned on her, ready to go.

“Real… heart-warming…” Quinn heaved. He looked like he had been in a boxing match, with bruises and black eyes. He was still wrapped in Vida’s energy, but I still didn’t trust that he was trapped. “You’re lucky… I used so much… to keep you contained…” He talked slowly, catching his breath.

Vida held out a hand, and the energy around Quinn tightened. He swore quietly as a manila folder slid out of his jacket and floated over to Vida. She thumbed through it quickly, then held out a hand. Bits of plaster and wood bits from the rumble flew up and formed a doorway, with the familiar sunset on the other side.

We started to walk, only to be interrupted. “You think you can just leave now?” Quinn laughed. “I will make sure you pay for this. Even if I have to visit your plane and burn it to the ground…”

Vida lowered her arms and leaned me on the door frame. “Go. I’ll catch up.” Vida stated, a simple command. I started to object only for her to push the folder into my arms and close the door, forcing me through. I fell on the soft sand, and watched as the door frame blew apart.

Vida closed the door. She only needed a moment alone with Quinn. She turned around to face Quinn, still trapped in her energy. “You won’t come after us.”

Quinn laughed harder, coughing as he chortled. “You know I will. But please, why do you think you can tell me what to do?”

“Because I’m probably one of the few gods that can actually kill you. And even if I fail, I have friends that will attack.” Vida’s face was still, showing no emotion.

Quinn managed to sit up. “You always did have a knack for violence. But you’ve disgraced me. You come to my plane, demand info, cheat at my competition, and then attack me outright.” Quinn chuckled. “A star pupil.”

“Don’t.” Vida objected. “I’m not your student anymore.”

Quinn sighed. “Alright, I know better than to enter a war I can’t win. But this is a one-time grace. You pull some shit like this again and I’ll personally kill you and your champion.”

Vida raised a hand, and bits began to fly like before. “I hope to never see you again.” The doorway finished, and Vida stepped through, leaving Quinn in his ruined library.

#pantheon 2022 #writing #fiction #original work

[jimbleswrites]

Pantheon 2022

Chapter 13: The Other Side of the Coin

I breathed out, eyes closed. The waves crashed across the shore as I meditated. I felt the sand under me, the salty wind moving past, the heat of the sun. I tried to keep my head as empty as I could, but my last encounter with Thora from yesterday kept replaying in my head. I hadn’t told Vida yet, but I was conflicted. I had come back to the plane, and sat to gather my thoughts. Then I found myself sitting there until morning. I opened my eyes to see the same sunset of Vida’s plane. The reds and oranges bled together on the horizon, reflected off the sea below. I heard footsteps behind me as someone sat next to me.

Vida stretched her legs as she looked ahead. “Do you want to talk about it?” She gently asked.

I was silent. I guess Vida already knew about the encounter. “Do you know who she was talking about?” I questioned. “The woman who she was mourning?”

“I asked Arinya, and apparently she was a homeless woman. No family on record, and a quiet funeral with one person. A silver-haired woman.” Vida sighed. “There was a battle between some champions nearby and a car swerved out of the way, hitting her.”

I thought about the truce we shared. “Do you think Thora is truly evil?” She had kidnapped my friends, broken my arm, and only seemed to attack. But the conversation she had with me seemed remorseful and full of grief.

“I think she’s dangerous.” Vida responded. “She is extremely powerful, very easy to anger, and constantly looking for gods and champions. But no one is good or evil entirely.” Vida grabbed some sand in her hand before letting it fall through her fingers. “You told me you wanted to stop Thora. Are you reconsidering?”

I shook my head. “No, I still want to stop her from hurting people. I think I just need to know more about her. Maybe we can talk it out if I knew where she was coming from.” I looked over to Vida. “Would there be anyone who knows more about her past?”

Vida thought for a second, then tensed up. “There is one, but I doubt he would help. He is a god with a long memory, but a short fuse.”

“But he might know?” I was looking for any info I could get.

“He might. I’ll warn you up front, I think it’s a bad idea to ask him, but I won’t stop you.” Vida held out their hand and a door rose up from the sands in front of us.

I stood up, offering a hand to Vida. “Why don’t you like this idea?”

She took it, standing next to me. “It’s not the idea, it’s the god behind it.” She took a breath. “I’ll come with you, hopefully Quinn doesn’t hold a grudge.”

Before I could ask what that meant, Vida pulled me by the hand with her into the door, the warm sunset quickly fading. My eyes adjusted as I looked around. Inside of the wide expanse that Vida’s plane had, I was looking at a smaller dining room. Gray walls and red curtains were lighted by a large chandelier above a large table. The only other light came from a huge window, showing nothing but skyscrapers as far as I could see. The sky above them outside was now a light purple, with a thin stripe of gold just off the horizon, like a golden hour just before sunrise.

“Quinn, it’s Vida.” Vida called out. There was an echo as her voice echoed. This plane felt cold, both in temperature and decor. I looked closer at the table as Vida continued to look around for this Quinn person. The table had plates set for a formal dinner, with each of the 8 chairs set. Was Quinn expecting someone?

A record scratch suddenly broke the silence, followed by classical music. Vida motioned to me as she went to a door nearby. The source was clearly in the next room, and I stood next to Vida as she pushed the door open. The door swung out as I found myself in another lavish room. This one, however, was a large library, with a few large bookshelves against the far wall. Next to that was a roaring fireplace, holding several logs and crackling away with a fire. The dancing lights illuminated a table holding a record player and a tall chair facing us. Someone was sitting there, watching us as we came into the room.

“What a lovely surprise.” He spoke in a raspy voice, leaning forward in his seat. He held a cigarette in his offhand as he waved us closer. “Please, join me by my fire.” I followed Vida closer, now able to see him better. He was an older man, looking like he was in his late 70’s. His skin was slack and dry, with several scars visible on his face alone. He wore a faded black suit, with bits of cigarette ash on his lap. He coughed heavily as Vida pulled up chairs for the two of us.

“Quinn. It’s nice to see you.” Vida seemed strangely distant with Quinn, like how you would act with your boss if you thought they were going to fire you. She pointed to me. “This is Robert Paladin, my current champion.”

Quinn took a drag off his cigarette. “You’re always so formal now. Would it kill you to loosen up?” He reached into his suit jacket, grabbing a carton of cigarettes. “You.” He gestured to me with the carton. “Do you smoke?”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t.” I tried to be polite about it, but even then Quinn rolled his eyes. He took out another cigarette from the carton, throwing the butt of his first into the fireplace.

“We came here to ask about someone.” Vida attempted to steer the conversation back. “What do you know about Thora?”

Quinn put the cigarette into his mouth, and snapped his fingers, producing a small red flame. He lit the cigarette, taking his time before answering. “I know some things. But I’m curious why you want to know.”

“I want to know.” I spoke up. “I had a run-in with her recently, and I was looking to find out more about her.” It was a half-truth, leaving some things out, but Vida seemed wary of Quinn for some reason. I decided to be careful with what information to tell.

“Oh yes, your little fight at the church.” Quinn grinned, bearing his yellowed teeth. “And now you want some revenge? A bit of information to tip the scales for you?”

“Not revenge. Justice.” Vida corrected him immediately.

“Tomato, TA-mato.” Quinn chuckled. He had a devilish smile on now as he leaned forward. “You have good instincts. Knowing your enemy is the easiest way to destroy them.” He suddenly grasped my hand, with the same god-like strength Vida had. But her grasp felt controlled. Restrained. Quinn seemed to be squeezing my hand in a show of power. Like he could crush it at any moment.

“Do you have any info to share?” I asked again.

“Nothing is free, boy. But prove yourself to me and I would be willing to give you what I have.” Quinn had his eyes locked in mine, unblinking. “If you can take down Nemesis, you’ll have your info.”

“Nemesis?” I repeated aloud. I looked up to see a new person enter the room. A woman with a stern expression walked in from the dining room. She had a similar black suit to Quinn, but hers was clean and pressed. She straightened her sleeves as she walked right next to Quinn, standing behind his chair like a butler.

“This is Nemesis. She’s my champion, and if you want this information, you’ll beat her in a fight.” Quinn exhaled smoke as he spoke. “Prove to me you can actually win this war with Thora.”

Nemesis bowed her head. “I am humbled you think I am on the same level with her, Master.” Quinn didn’t even look at her as she continued. “I will put my all into this fight, as you expect.”

I started to stand only to have Vida grab my shoulder. “Before he agrees to anything, let us talk it over.” Quinn scowled at this, but released my hand and waved us away. Vida quickly escorted me over to the door, out of earshot. “You can’t agree to this. He pulls this trick all the time to people. We shouldn’t have come here.” Vida was uncharacteristically anxious, which made me wary.

“This isn’t like you.” I started. “Any other time we talk to gods, you’re so confident. Why is this different?” I lowered my voice as I remembered something. “Is it because Thora-”

“No, not that.” Vida immediately cut me off. “Quinn is someone I don’t deal with a lot anymore due to some… personal issues.” She looked down as she continued. “Look, I’ll get into the whole thing later, but for now trust me. We can’t do this.”

I paused for a moment. She was clearly torn by this, but I needed that info from Quinn. Even a little piece of this puzzle could be so useful. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to do it.” Vida went to put a hand on my shoulder again, but I gently pushed it away. “I want this information, and he just wants me to spar with Nemesis there. I’m ok with taking some hits for this.”

“You’re not just taking hits, Quinn will have you kill her.” Vida hissed. “He goes through a new champion nearly every month. He trains them to kill or be killed. I’ve seen too many champions die to one of his assassins. I won’t let you.”

“And you’ve spoiled the surprise.” Quinn suddenly spoke up from his chair. “It’s his choice, not yours, and you’ve influenced the boy enough.” He snapped his fingers and the floor under Vida fell apart, dropping Vida into a void of pure blackness. I tried to grab her, only for the floor to seal itself again.

“Vida?” I yelled. I turned around, looking randomly hoping to see her. She was just gone. I looked back to Quinn, still wearing the grin he had the whole time. I formed a sword from my aura, pointing it at him. “Where did she go?”

“Relax, she just was getting too mouthy for my taste.” Quinn flicked the cigarette as he stood up. “She’s just… in a spectator box until you decide.”

I watched as he shuffled closer, still pointing the blade at the man. “You will release her.”

“Of course. Either you decline, and I'll return the two of you back to your little island you call home, or you agree to fight Nemesis and she’ll be free once the fight is over.” He held his hand up in a mock salute. “God’s honor, and all that bullshit.”

I wanted so much to say no. Just go back to the calming waves with Vida and ignore this. But something inside me told me to keep pushing. “If I agree, I want the full deal up front. No more secrets.”

Quinn waved his hand, beckoning Nemesis over. As she walked over, he threw his cigarette into the fireplace. “It’s a fight to the death. Once you agree, the fight begins. The one that can’t get back up loses.” He held up his hand, and a manilla folder flew into his hand from some shelf. “If you win, I'll hand over this folder with everything I know about Thora. Now, do you agree?”

I took a breath. “I accept.”

Quinn nodded. “Best of luck, Paladin.” The floor opened up like before, and Quinn disappeared. I looked back up to see Nemesis holding a pistol. I quickly ducked behind a chair, and shots rang out. I kicked the chair towards her, trying to surprise her, only for her to cut it in half with a combat knife in her other hand. She looked calm and collected as she continued firing. I ran behind a shelf, throwing my sword into the fireplace. The ashes and embers shot out, making a smokescreen to cover me. The sheer difference in combat levels was something I hadn’t really considered until now. I was alright with my powers, but Vida said Quinn trained these guys to be assassins. I snapped back to reality as a click rang out, followed by a grenade rolling in. I formed another sword, swinging it like a golf club to hit the grenade back. The explosion, loud and jarring, pushed the shelf I was behind, tipping it to fall on top of me. I managed to scramble to the door, pushing my way through as the shelf fell.

“I see. You aren’t as skilled as I thought.” Nemesis’s voice rang out from the other room. “Your actions are sloppy and you aren’t planning ahead far enough.”

“I’ll be real with you, considering the circumstances.” I responded. “I’ve been flying by the seat of my pants since I became a champion.” I formed a shield in my other hand as I looked around, finding myself in the same dining room we entered at first.

“Luck is not a substitute for training.” Nemesis entered the room, reloading her pistol. “But this means that Master thinks you could possibly beat me. So I’ll kill you quickly to prove my point.” She swung at me with the knife, throwing herself into a flurry of swipes. I managed to block most of them, but others cut into my clothes as I did my best to dodge. She suddenly swung the butt of the gun, swatting me away. I was pushed into the large table, only to see her aiming her pistol. I put up my shield, blocking the bullets as she emptied the clip. She ran at me, suddenly kicking the shield in two parts. I fell back, laying on the table before quickly rolling up and standing on top. I suddenly had an idea. I kicked the plate on the table near my foot into her as she was reloading again. She put her hands up to block it, but I threw my sword at the gun in her hand as she blocked, managing to stab through it and carry it into the wall behind her.

She looked at the gun pinned to the wall, then back to me. “Impressive.” She pulled another identical pistol from the inside of her jacket. “Not many people have managed to disarm me.”

“How many of those do you have? Because it was annoying to break the first one.” I tried to distract her as I formed another sword. She quickly aimed and started to fire again. I dived down behind the table, quickly crawling to avoid the shots. She hopped on top of the table, walking down it like a runway as she continued to fire. I rolled under the table, popping up on the other side, and swinging it at her legs. She simply stamped her foot down, stopping my attack. She proceeded to kick me away, landing blow after blow as I tried to block. She had the higher ground, making it hard to avoid the kicks and swings from the knife. I felt more cuts as I tried to break away. I finally managed to grab her arm, and used her momentum to throw her back down to the floor. I was breathing heavily, and suddenly felt a sharp pain in my shoulder. I looked to see her knife lodged firmly in there.

“A great attempt.” Nemesis scoffed, as she pulled another knife from her jacket. “But you’re slowing down. Just a matter of time until my victory.”

I grabbed the knife by the handle, before ripping it out. The pain was bearable for now, but she was right, I needed to end this quickly. “Can I keep this then? It’ll make a great souvenir.”

She raised her gun again, and I quickly flipped the table up, then kicked it forward. The table slid forward, and she jumped over it with ease. I grabbed a nearby chair and threw that at her as well. She cut it as she had before, only to see I had thrown her knife next. She raised up her arm, and the knife sunk into her forearm. I ran forward, quickly punching her before she could react. I managed to land a few solid blows on her before more gunshots rang out. I tried to wrestle the gun from her as the bullets flew out, shattering the massive window. We struggled for a second, before another gunshot landed. I gasped as my thigh was shot, forcing me to slump down. She then kicked me back into the wall, the wind from the broken window rushing by. I tried to stand, only for my leg to fail me.

“You should be proud. Not many are as capable as you when fighting one of us.” Nemesis pulled the knife from her arm as she talked. “Your death was inevitable, but you did well.”

I was focusing on breathing, still trying to stand. She continued to monologue. “Goodbye, Paladin. You failed your goddess and lost the fight.” She kicked me in the chest hard, completely breaking the wall behind me and sending me falling into the twilight city below.

#pantheon 2022 #writing #fiction #original work

[jimbleswrites]

Pantheon 2022

Chapter 12: Ceasefires & Secrets

Leblanc jerked up, hacking up seawater. His watery eyes blurred his vision as he threw up onto the ground beneath him. The last thing he remembered was attacking the prisoner, holding them both into the sea as the copter crashed.

“You know, I was a little worried about you there.” He heard a voice, “But you’re nothing if not a fighter.”

Leblanc wiped his mouth off, eyes finally clearing as he saw Paladin standing there. He tried to stand, only to topple over. He looked over to see his metal arm missing completely, with rough metal stripped near the base of his shoulder.

“Easy now, your arm fell off during the struggle.” Paladin pointed a ways away, where his arm was mangled, bent completely out of shape.

“You destroyed it.” Leblanc muttered, still trying to stand on wobbly legs. “You just wanted to see me struggle before you killed me.”

“Look, you clearly have some beef with…” Paladin paused, choosing his words carefully. “Me and others like me. But that was damaged as we fell. I’m not a psychopath.”

Leblanc finally made it to a standing position, leaning on a tree for support. “People like you.” he spit as he talked. “I know about superhumans, and they are psychopaths. Whatever you plan on doing with me, I don’t plan on going quietly.”

“Buddy, I saved us.” Paladin gestured around. Leblanc took stock of where they were. A small island, really more of a sandbar, with nothing but water as far as he could see. The tree Leblanc was leaning on was only one of two, tropical coconut trees that broke the otherwise blue seascape. “We almost died because you wanted to hold us both in a crashing helicopter. I managed to get us somewhere safe.”

Leblanc stared at the area. “You have some sort of teleportation abilities.”

Paladin seemed surprised to hear that. “How do you know?”

“This is a tropical zone, not the Mediterranean sea. It would also explain how you manage to travel so quickly with no records.” Leblanc finally stood straight, a bit dizzy but feeling better. He took a step towards Paladin, roughly grabbing his shirt. “You will teleport us back or else.”

“Look, I brought us out here to talk.” Paladin explained, even as he was being threatened. “I wanted to clear the air between us.”

“The air is clear,” Leblanc snapped, “Your kind are too dangerous to be allowed to wander around with no punishments.” Leblanc lost his footing, still weak from the fall, and Paladin quickly caught him.

“Sit down man, I didn’t set all this up just to kill you or whatever.” Paladin gently sat him down on the sand, sitting next to him. “I’ve already called your people to pick you up, and I just wanted to talk before they came.”

Leblanc scoffed. “Why? Why bother lying to me?”

Paladin held out his hand, holding Leblanc’s satellite phone. Leblanc snatched it back, quickly scrolling through to the call menu. He typed in a number, just to see a recently called marker next to it. He called anyway, listening as the phone rang.

“Yes, commander?” A familiar voice stammered over the phone. The call was choppy with lots of background noise, but Leblanc could hear Dr. Prunty well enough.

“I need a pickup, i’m-” Leblanc started before being cut off.

“Yes, Atlantic Ocean sandbar, you already sent the coordinates from your phone. We are on our way, but I mentioned it would be some time before we could gas up a plane.” Dr. Prunty sounded annoyed.

“I see. ETA?”

“Approximately 20 minutes, sir. We’re doing a final check and then we are good for take-off.”

“Very good. Over and out.” Leblanc ended the call, turning back to Paladin. “You… called them?”

“Sure, just told them to head to your location and pick up. I didn’t mention me, obviously.” Paladin sighed. “Look, I’m not a crazy menace. But I also recognize that someone like me has a lot of power and that can be dangerous. I was hoping to reach a midpoint.”

“So you do want something?” Leblanc questioned.

“Yeah, my friends, the reporters you tracked me to, they don’t know anything. I’d hope you would leave them alone. My line of work is known only to me and others like me. Normal people won’t know anything.”

“And I just take your word on this? That’s it?”

Paladin nodded. “Yeah, if you think I did anything, just ask me.” He pointed to the phone.

“Ask you?” Leblanc looked in the contacts to see a phone number labeled ‘Paladin’ had been added. Leblanc pushed the call button, thinking it would be fake, but Paladin’s phone rang out, a cheery little electronic tune, and he picked it up.

“Howdy there.” Paladin’s voice echoed through the phone as he responded. Leblanc felt dumbstruck, this person was either incredibly stupid or incredibly honest. Paladin looked up to the sky, listening intently. “Your ride is coming in. Maybe 10 minutes. I should head out.” He stood up, brushing sand off his pants.

“Wait.” Leblanc stood up as well. “What’s your angle? Why do all this?”

Paladin smiled. “Because we’re on the same side. I don’t expect you to trust me overnight, but someone has to take the first step.” Paladin then began to walk into the ocean, sinking into its depths. Leblanc watched as he took a few steps further, then dove down into the ocean, out of sight. No air bubbles came up, and he was gone. Leblanc then began to hear motors of the approaching aircraft. He decided to keep this little exchange to himself for now, unsure if he wanted to believe his story.

It had been a few weeks since the whole ordeal with Leblanc and the UN. I managed to escape and hopefully convince Leblanc to back down a little bit. At least, he never came back for Dan & Pat, which I was thankful for. It was now Christmas day, with snow sprinkling over New York as I walked the streets. Benedict still hadn’t called in for his favor, so I was patrolling and training in the meantime. I tucked my arms into my jacket as I went to my usual bodega for a snack. The shop was warm, with smells of deli meat from the little counter in the back. I squeezed through the shelves, picking up a couple sodas as I went up for a sandwich.

The lady at the grill turned around. “Merry Christmas, what can I get cha?” She smacked her gum loudly as she pulled out a pad to write.

“Yea, let me get chicken cutlet with american, brown gravy, and throw some fries on there.” I rattled off my normal order.

“Oh shit, Robby? I didn’t recognize you with the scarf covering your face.” She began chopping and preparing, yelling over the noise. “You got nothing better to do on christmas then bother me for a sandwich?”

I shrugged. “I could ask the same of you, Roxanne. Not closing for the holiday?”

“Listen man, somebody has to keep making money so that cat has a home.” She continued to rush around as she spoke. “Now quit avoiding the question.”

I looked over to see the cat napping on a pallet of energy drinks. I gently petted the cat as I answered. “My work has me on call. No time off. Gotta be ready.”

“So they got you wandering the fuckin streets in case they need ya? Rough deal, kid.” Roxanne wrapped the sandwich in paper, then put it on the counter in front of me.

“It’s not all bad, I get to see you and Cutlet here.” Cutlet purred as I moved my hand to get my wallet.

“Seeing an old lady and her cat shouldn’t be a holiday highlight, but I'm flattered.” Roxanne punched numbers into the register.

I pulled out my wallet, only to have my phone ring. I put cash on the counter, and fished my phone out. I noticed it was Leblanc’s number, and felt some dread.

I answered the phone. “Hey Leblanc, Merry Christmas.”

“There’s another one of you at Saint Alex’s Church in Queens. She’s scouting the graveyard. I need intel.” Leblanc hissed on the other side.

“Hold on, Saint Alex’s? That’s like a block away. Is she doing anything?” I put a 20 dollar bill on the counter, quickly stuffing things into my bag.

“No, I need you to investigate and let me know.”

I waved goodbye to Roxanne, sling my bag over my shoulder as I walked out. “Any other details before I walk in?”

“She hasn’t done anything yet, but I know you’re nearby and I don’t have other agents. Call me back once you know more.” The call ended, and I sighed. I guess I should have seen this coming when I gave him my number, but I wished he had been a bit nicer. I finally found my way to the church, slowly walking around the back towards the small graveyard. I wasn’t sure who to expect, but the mane of silver hair was a dead giveaway. I froze in place, realizing this was Thora. I felt anxiety filling me, with fight or flight reflexes screaming to make a move. Then Thora bent down, placing something on a grave. A single rose. I realized she was grieving, or at least paying respects.

Something inside me moved me to talk. But before I could, she started. “You should have attacked when you had the advantage.” she stated, before rushing me down. She materialized a hammer, aiming directly for my chest. I summoned a shield quickly, barely protecting me as she continued to swing.

“Hey, I didn't come here to fight!” I tried to explain as she continued her onslaught. I summoned a second shield, purely focusing on defense as she screamed.

“You all are the same! Lies and deceit, until I lower my guard and you get your shot.” She was swinging faster and faster, pushing my back into the church wall.

“I mean it, I just wanted to talk!” I grunted, literal back against the wall.

“LIAR!” She landed a huge blow, pushing me directly through the church wall. I landed next to the pulpit, debris laying around me. She walked in the newly-broken wall, snow floating in behind her. I noticed she had tears in her eyes, fighting them back as she approached.

I decided to try something else. I reached into my bag, pulling out my sandwich and drinks. “It’s christmas, we can’t have a truce for one day?” I put them on the floor next to me, a strange peace offering.

She stood above me, towering over me as she spoke. “You… you really just want to talk?” She seemed more confused than anything.

“Yeah, I didn’t come here to fight you. And you were paying respects on that grave so I wanted to say something, but then…” I gestured to the hole in the wall.

Thora paused. She leaned down, picking up 1 half of the sandwich and a cola. She walked over to a pew in the front and sat, eyeballing me the whole time. “You eat first, prove it's not poisoned.” She commanded.

I was surprised that was something she even thought people would do. I sat upright, moving to the stairs of the front stage. The sandwich had been squashed a little during the tussle, but It was still warm. I took a bite, then a drink. This seemed to work for Thora, who then tore into the sandwich. It was like watching a wolf after its kill. Paper scraps flew off as she ate. There was silence as we both ate, an awkward peace after the battle.

“So, can I ask who you came to pay respects to?” I hesitantly asked. I wasn’t sure if this would provoke her, but she answered calmly.

“A causality of war. An old friend. Someone I once knew.” She continued to eat, talking with a full mouth.

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“That would be a first for your kind.” She stared me down, malice in her eyes.

“Look, whatever the previous champions did, I’m not them.” I tried to argue.

“But you’re still a cog in their machine. That woman buried there was there for me when your kind turned their back to me. She helped me with the little she had, and her reward was being killed in a battle between two champions.” She paused to take a drink. “You’ll do the same, even if you claim otherwise.”

I had a pause, unsure of how to respond. “Back when you kidnapped Dan & Pat, you could have killed me. But you didn’t. Someone told you not to kill.”

“A decision I wouldn’t have chosen.” Thora chipped in.

“But you listened to them. If you hate gods and champions so much, why not?”

Thora sat there, not responding. She squeezed her drink in her hands. Something was up, but I couldn’t figure it out if she wouldn't say.

“I can’t force you to talk. But I want you to know that, if you want, you can trust me. I don’t want to hurt anyone.” I tried to reason with her.

Thora stood up. “You’re naive and stupid. This system you’re in will force you to do things you don’t want to.” She walked back to the hole in the wall. “Thank you for the food. Next time we meet, I’ll kill you.” She stated this as matter-of-fact, then walked off into the city, leaving me in an empty church with my thoughts.

#pantheon 2022 #writing #fiction #orignal work

[jimbleswrites]

Pantheon 2022

A/N: wow, it's been a hot second. i feel like i say that every time but it's the truth. between IRL issues, ADHD and depression kicking my ass, and my job changing my hours every week, i have had no time or energy to write. but in the words of my dad, "the world keeps spinning, so learn to roll." also apparently tumblr's line break is not working in rich text, and the html option isn't working either. so y'all are gonna have to scroll. shoutout to this hellsite.

Chapter 11: The Escape

I was meditating on my bed, simply thinking of options to leave. I had looked the room over for any options twice and found nothing. The cuff attached to the bed, while letting me reach the toilet and sink, was not long enough to reach the other walls or the door. The left cuff continued to beep, with no sign of stopping. I sighed a little, the silence making the time feel so slow. I wished I could reach out to Vida for some guidance.

“Yeah, I could do that.” Her chipper voice popped into my head.

OK, cool, Vida was talking to- wait, wait?

I opened my eyes, looking around to see no one in the cell. Yet I could have swore that-

“You did hear me. I’m just in your head.” Vida spoke clearly from nowhere.

I was confused. How is she-

“I’m a goddess, I can read minds and all that. I also keep tabs on you so you don’t get out of your league. Like you are now.” Vida giggled, more amused at the situation then I was.

I closed my eyes again. Having Vida to talk to again was nice. I needed to know where I was.

“Nice to talk to you too. You’re currently on a United Nations Sea platform, in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.”

OK, so I'm somewhere on the sea. No problem, I'll just open a portal and… no, they could have cameras everywhere, I needed to make sure I was out of here before I could try for a portal. Maybe I could grab a boat and shove off.

“All they have are life rafts for emergencies. Not impossible, but not fast or discrete for an escape.” Vida chimed in. “Most personnel come in from airdrops or plane refuelings.”

So I could grab a plane instead? I don’t know how to fly a plane, and I doubt anyone here would help me escape. Maybe I could stowaway? That seemed like the safest choice. I looked up at the security camera in my room. The lens stared back at me. There wasn’t any way to sneak out that they wouldn’t see.

“You’re so focused on using aura for fighting, when you could do so much more.” Vida spoke, obviously hinting me into something. I looked closer at the camera’s base, noting a small wire that connected to the wall. The light on the camera blinked as I focused. A small golden sword formed next to the wire, out of the camera’s view. I was able to move the sword cautiously next to the wire, slowly cutting through it. As the wire finally cut in two, there was a small spark and the light on the camera stopped blinking. I finally had some privacy from my captors.

“Not bad, but still a weapon.” Vida sounded smug as she continued. “How about the cuffs next?” I looked down to my right cuff, the simple metal chain clicking as I lifted my hand. I formed another sword, only to find the metal tougher than the wire. Vida laughed a little, but I thought of something else. I formed my aura into an orb on my finger, and it sloshed around. It was similar to what I had done before, but not what I wanted. I focused on my vision, and the orb began to bubble, then spark, before becoming a small flame. I smiled as I moved my makeshift blowtorch to the chain, heating it until it dripped apart, freeing me. I quickly did the same to my left cuff, the beeping stopping as the melted cuff fell off me.

“Alright, hot stuff, well done.” Vida congratulated me. “But now you need to actually leave the base.”

I needed my stuff. I don’t suppose the goddess watching me would happen to know?

“I do happen to know!” Vida beamed. “Go down the hallway until the third door on the left, then check the locker in the back.”

I repeated my fire trick on the door’s lock, then slowly looked outside. There didn’t seem to be any guards at the moment, so I quickly walked to the door Vida described. The base’s cold gray walls didn’t do much to show where you were, but I found the room and looked inside. It was also empty, with several lockers and cases. I opened the door, found my locker, and got back everything except my phone. If only someone knew where it was…

“Yeah, yeah, hold on.” Vida was quiet for a moment. “There’s a research lab across the hall. They’re trying to crack it open with some program.”

I quickly changed into my clothes, then moved to the lab door. I looked inside to see someone hunched over a computer. I crouched out of view, and cracked the door a little to see if they’d notice. They didn’t even move, their back facing me as I fully entered the room. I now recognized him as Dr. Prunty that was running some program. I then noticed my phone plugged into the computer, putting two and two together. Now it was a question of how to get my phone. I moved to be fully out of view, when Dr. Prunty sighed loudly. He was checking his own phone and seemed to be annoyed by something.

“Of course he wants more firepower.” Dr. Prunty muttered to himself. He was busy tapping away on his phone and ignoring everything else. I focused my aura toward the cord connecting my phone to the computer, hoping to break it without being noticed. A small section of it glowed gold, before smoking a bit and snapping apart. The computer beeped in response, popping up with some error messages. Dr. Prunty groaned, seeing the cord broken, and began to turn. I came forward, grabbing him in a headlock and covering his mouth as soon as he saw me. I pulled us back down out of sight of the window.

“You aren’t going to scream if I take my hand away, are you?” I prompted. Dr. Prunty nodded, and I took my hand away, still holding him down.

“You’re insane! You think you can just walk away?” Dr. Prunty hissed. “We’re-”

“On a sea base with all the planes on a schedule, yeah yeah.” I cut him off.

Dr. Prunty looked surprised. “How did you know? Actually it doesn’t matter. I don’t think Commander Leblanc will hold back if he finds you again.” He wiggled a bit against me, but had no real way to break free. “Look, maybe if you answer some questions, we can make your accommodations better.”

I was a bit insulted by the offer, but it wasn’t like I was going to tell him anything anyway. “Listen, I’m getting off this rock, and I just need to know when the next plane comes in.”

“And if I don’t talk?” Dr. Prunty asked.

“Look, if you don’t tell me anything, then I just have to get the info from someone else. And I'd really prefer to not have a trail of bodies leading back to me.” It was a complete bluff but they already thought I was a criminal, so I decided to lean into it.

Dr. Prunty gulped. “There’s a shipment of food coming in about 20 minutes. Helipad 2.”

“See, that wasn’t that bad.” I squeezed my arm, knocking out the doctor. He’d be fine, but I needed him to stay hidden until I escaped. I went over to the computer, grabbing my phone, and began to look for any files on me. The computer was seemingly blank, but I made sure to melt the drives inside with my aura to make sure. Now I just needed to make my way to the helipad.

“Just follow my directions, Robert.” Vida began, and I set off to escape.

The route out was mostly uneventful. A few close calls, but I was able to get up to the Helipad with no one the wiser. I found a few crates I was hiding behind, and the shipment should be here in a few minutes. The main issue now was getting onto a plane while it was being unloaded. I heard some people shuffling around, and looked up to see a helicopter in the distance flying in. I laid in wait, hoping to get a window once the people were distracted. Suddenly, the alarms started going off, with red lights flashing and a blaring siren.

“SUBJECT PALADIN HAS ESCAPED! LOCK DOWN ALL RAFTS AND HANGERS! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!” A voice yelled over the intercom. The helicopter slowed to a halt, hovering there. My exit was forced to stop, with the people at the pad awkwardly standing there. I needed to get that helicopter to land, or at least close enough to get on board. I looked around for something, anything to help. There were some crates, people staring at the copter, a small station with some controls to something. Maybe there would be a radio to tell the pilot to land? I began to move away from the crates, keeping myself near the wall. Luckily, the workers were just making small talk, likely more annoyed than concerned. I managed to get within reach of the panel, only for the doors to suddenly open. I dove behind the console, with it barely covering me from view as someone walked in. A guard in body armor entered, locking the door. He motioned the helicopter to land, and was slowly checking some crates on the other side. The helicopter lowered down, touching down while keeping the rotors spinning. The guard seemed preoccupied checking crates, so I decided to make my move.

I slowly moved into the open, quickly sneaking to the copter. The others on the platform were busy searching boxes, so moving around undetected was pretty easy. I hid myself behind some netting, keeping an eye on the main doors. The alarms kept blaring, as eventually the guards gave up, returning to normal posts.It was clear no one was going to leave until the alarm stopped, and that only happened if I was caught. Not an option.

“Just fly the helicopter out. It’ll be easy.” Vida popped back in my head. “I’ll give you the basics.”

This was a terrible idea. The moment that I started to fly away, I would probably be shot down. But I only had to get far enough away to portal back to Vida’s plane. Which meant not being in range of people seeing, then the helicopter could crash and I would be ‘lost at sea’.

“A D.B. Cooper plan? I like it.” Vida chuckled. “The engine is still running, so just grab the pilot’s chair and I'll start filling you in on how to fly.”

I moved forward, sneaking behind the pilot. The woman flying was busy looking at her phone, not even paying attention. I pulled the seat belt loose, scaring the pilot, and quickly pushed her out of the helicopter. She fell to the ground, as I sat in the seat. I was suddenly rocked with a flash of several images, diagrams and mechanical blueprints, like a migraine, but only for a moment.

“Congrats, you can fly it now.” Vida spoke. “Sorry for the headache.”

I looked at the panel, now recognizing the dials and instruments. Vida beaming all that info in my head was definitely not what I thought would happen, but that thought was cut short by the doors opening to reveal Commander Leblanc storming in. Our eyes locked, and his were full of rage. I started throttling, trying to lift off as soon as possible. The helicopter started to rise away, only for me to hear thudding behind me as I flew away.

“You’re not going to escape me!” Leblanc was yelling, grabbing the landing rail. I quickly gave the motor more power. I looked back, only to see several guards with guns taking shots as I cleared the base. I heard pings as bullets struck the copter, but I was now outside the landing pad. The helicopter swung as I tried to steer towards open water.

“Confirming Visual.” The radio buzzed to life, apparently tuned to the base’s channel. “The commander and the prisoner are heading North via helicopter. Holding fire until outside of base.”

Well, that was a relief, at least until Leblanc came over the same radio. “NO, FIRE NOW! THAT IS A DIRECT ORDER!” The order rang between the radio and the commander, echoing as I looked to see him still hanging on, trying to climb in.

There was a pause, as if the guard had paused to think about this, then the gunfire got louder. Gatling guns rang out, sending lines of bullets into the air. I managed to fly the copter to the edge of the sea platform, just in time to hear beeping going off. Something had been hit, and the helicopter was slowly losing power. The motor sputtered, trying to spin. I looked down to see the sea below. This was my chance. I set the helicopter into a nosedive, then kicked open the door. I tried to jump out, only to be grabbed by a metal hand.

Leblanc had a rage in his eyes, completely vacant of logic as he held me in the cockpit with him. I struggled against his grip, trying to break away, as he leaned in closer. “No more clever moves, no more escapes.” Leblanc breathed heavily, swaying as the helicopter dropped. I looked down to see the water coming up closer and closer. I realized he meant to have me crash with him.

“We’ll both die!” I tried to bargain with him, even if it would buy me a second to think.

“Then I’ll die happy, knowing I took you down.” Leblanc locked eyes with me, grip as tight as ever. The helicopter finally fell into the water, immediately taking in water. Leblanc had me pinned to the inside of the body, water quickly filling inside. I struggled against the metal, taking a breath as water enveloped the space. Leblanc and I fought each other as the wrecked copter sunk farther into the sea. The sea water stung my eyes as I tried to break free from his grip. He kept me in his reach, punching me as I tried to move. I started to feel faint, I needed to make a move. I focused behind Leblanc, with golden sparks spawning in response. A portal spawned into being, and I put my last strength into a push, tackling us both into somewhere new.

#pantheon 2022 #writing #fiction #original work

[jimbleswrites]

"And then, I found the church."

A/N: This is a backstory for my current D&D character, Judge. They are a warforged paladin, and this is the story of how they started this journey. The only real context is that this is in the eberron setting, and is after the Mourning.

Judge sat in silence. The wind blew through the trees as they sat just off the path of the main entrance to New Cyre. There was a faint background noise as they sat there, people bustling about and moving things around. The camp was still in its early phases, with people resting in temporary tents outside the few buildings in this town. Judge was currently on guard duty, watching the roads into town. There weren't any real threats, just more refugees looking for a place to rest. The war was over, but things would not be back to normal for a long time.

Judge looked down at the axe and shield strapped to his pack. The ax’s blade was sharpened and cleaned, and the wooden shield was recently polished. Judge normally had to clean his weapons regularly, but now they stay strapped to their pack like novelties. These weapons once had a definite purpose, to help Cyre win a war. But now, there was no Cyre. Judge thought back to the mourning as they watched the road. They was a moment of peace as they captured fort zombie, then a mist rolled in from nowhere. It seemed harmless at first, then the magic effects took hold. Some people transformed into creatures, others simply fell over and never got up.

Judge looked into a small puddle next to them, with their reflection staring back. It was the same stern expression they always wore, but the crystals in their eyes were dimmer than they once were. Judge found their new freedom to be boring. With no war, Judge was now without a purpose. Sure, other warforged they had fought with had no issue moving to other work, but Judge found other work to be too mundane. It was busywork that let their mind wander to the purpose they used to have, and made Judge unsure of what the rest of their life would be.

“Excuse me! Is this New Cyre?” The question caught Judge off-guard, with them quickly looking back to the road. There was a group of 4 people, 3 in simple brown robes and one girl in a red hood in front.

“Yes. I apologize for being distracted.” Judge straightened up, their deadpan tone contrasting the bubbly voice she had.

The girl smiled. “No problem, we were just looking to speak with Oargev. Do you know where he normally is?” She bounced in place as she spoke, clearly ready to go.

“There is a city hall just a mile down this street. There are plenty of signs to guide you, should you get lost.” Judge pointed to a cluster of buildings past the farmland.

The girl laughed, which confused Judge. “Ok, thank you!” She exclaimed as she ran by, followed by the other people. Judge wasn’t sure why she had laughed at them, but they shrugged it off. People had always acted a little strange around Judge, maybe because they were a Warforged or maybe because their voice was more impassive than the normal person’s. Judge sat alone with their thoughts, waiting for the guard change as they watched the empty road.

***

The next guard came by after a few hours, letting Judge go back into town. Judge didn’t have any plans for the rest of the day. With no need to drink, eat, or sleep, a lot of time normal people spent fueling and resting was free time for Judge. They decided to go to the local tavern to look over the bounty board again. It was empty this morning, but maybe something came up while Judge was on guard duty. They passed by the various tents and buildings on their way, with people buzzing about. The whole town was in the process of expansion with the new refugees flowing in, so there was always some construction or some new face for people to deal with. Judge worked their way through the bustle, approaching the Second Chance tavern.

It was a small place, just with simple food and drink, but it also currently held a large board for jobs and help. Judge walked through the open door frame, to see the barmaid wiping down the counter and no one else inside. They crossed the dirt floor, approaching the board.

“Don’t bother, no one has come by today.” The barmaid yelled from across the place. She seemed annoyed as she continued to clean. “I swear, you just come in to kick up dirt and take the jobs before anyone else.” She pointed her rag at Judge as she ranted. “You don’t even order anything, you freeloader.”

Judge didn’t consider this to be freeloading, but she had a point. They never ordered anything there, just came for jobs. Maybe this could help them kill time. They approached the bar and sat uncomfortably on the wobbly stool.

“My apologies. Please let me order one drink.” They asked, awkwardly hunched over the bar.

“Didn’t realize you guys ate and drank.” The barmaid scoffed, quickly pouring a pale ale into a tankard and sliding it over. Judge put down some coins, and sipped their drink. It was weak, mostly water but had some bitter aftertaste. Judge quietly sat there, sipping their ale. This just made Judge feel more empty. They sat there for a while until someone sat down at a stool next to them.

“Can I get a drink please?” The voice sounded familiar. Judge looked over to see the same girl from earlier, red hood down as she got her ale. Her blond hair was cut short, barely covering her ears. She sighed, clearly upset with something. She looked over to the hulking construct next to her. “Oh hey! You’re that warforged at the gate!” She said, grinning.

“Yes. My name is Judge. I was on guard duty.” Judge replied.

“I’m Vesperia Song! Nice to officially meet you.” She held out her hand, and Judge shook it gently. “I came in with the other friars, but they didn’t want to see the camp, so I’m exploring it myself!” Her excitement was obvious, even as she grimaced through her drink.

“Friars? Are you part of a church?” Judge asked. Several people of faith had come through New Cyre for reasons of their own, but normally they were older people, looking to set up churches or temples in the new area. This girl seemed much younger than her peers, and more energetic as well.

“Yeah, me and the others are part of the church of the silver flame. We were sent out to tell people about the church and all that.” She looked down into her drink, clearly thinking about something.

Judge pondered this. “This must be an important task to the church. It is a compliment that they would trust you with this mission.” They said, hoping to ease her mind.

“I guess…” Vespira sighed. “Sometimes I feel like… I dunno…” She trailed off, kicking her feet against the stool. “Can I ask you a personal question?” She randomly asked.

Judge nodded. Vespira looked up into their eyes. “Are you religious?”

Judge paused, thinking. “I guess not. I never had to consider it during the war.”

Vespira looked confused. “Never considered it? It never came across your mind?”

“I was a soldier. I was given orders and I followed them. Any free time I had, I trained to be a better fighter. That was my purpose.” Judge explained.

“How about now?” Vespira pushed on, waving down the bartender for another ale.

“I… do not know.” Judge answered honestly.

Vespira smiled as the bartender dropped off 2 more ales. “That’s OK.” She sipped one and slid the other towards Judge. “To be honest, I struggle with my faith too.”

Judge was surprised to hear a friar say this. “But it is your purpose. Why wouldn’t you feel reassured?”

“I guess it’s the difference between us.” Vespira clinked her glass against Judge’s arm, with a metallic thud. “You were built and given a purpose. I was born and had to find one.” She pulled a small stuffed rabbit out from her travel pack. It was a ragged thing, with old worn fabric and dulled buttons. Vespira pointed to several burn marks on it. “When I was really young, My village was attacked by bandits. Everyone was attacked and scattered, and I barely made it out. Just me and my stuffed buddy here.” Vespira pushed the animal into Judge’s arm, leaning it against it. “Eventually I found a traveling caravan, and after a lot of moving around, I found the church. But now, they just send me to wander the world and tell people about the silver flame. I just wonder how much good this really does.” She had slumped down, chin against the bar as she spoke.

Judge looked down at the rabbit against his arm. This woman had clearly been in dire straits, and was looking for some resolve, but Judge wasn’t sure how to reciprocate. He found emotions unwieldy, and was normally very reserved. But Judge did know a little about the church of the silver flame, and he did have an idea.

“Your church has a group of people for dealing with monsters, correct?”

Vespira sighed. “The Templars, yeah.”

“Are you proficient in battle?”

Vespira looked up, confused. “I know some magic, but that’s nothing special.”

Judge nodded. “Maybe a change in your duties would help. I normally found that a new mission brought new challenges to overcome.”

“That seems dangerous. But there is a contract for some monsters nearby we were going to call in.” Vespira perked up, but then got sad again. “But I can’t do it by myself, that’s too much.”

“I will help you with this.” Judge gently put a hand on her shoulder. “Between the two of us, we will complete the contract.” To Judge, this was a win-win. They got a job to slay monsters, and Vespira would see a new experience, which would help her with her struggle.

Vespira smiled. “Alright, we’ll give it a shot.”

***

The night seemed to move by quickly after that, with Vespira and Judge agreeing to meet in the morning. Vespira disappeared to rest up, and Judge took time to clean his weapons and armor. They were both excited to get out there, and the journey was simple. They spoke about the specifics as they walked. There was a group of bandits stealing from merchants moving to and from New Cyre. Those that managed to get away told the local guards that they were using undead to ambush them a few miles up the road. The town wanted to send someone out, but couldn’t spare anyone from the guard. Vespira tuned her fiddle as she talked about her bardic magic, Judge listening intently as they approached the area.

The last attack was at a crossroads, with some sign of the struggle still there. A broken wagon had been dragged off to the side of the road, with nothing left inside. The report from the guard specified that a caravan leaving New Cyre left with a few people, and only one made it back to the town. Judge quickly surveyed the wreckage, looking for trails leading away from the site. There was no obvious evidence, and with the crossroads right there, the footsteps were too plentiful to pinpoint any specific path.

“The area is too well-traveled to track them by footsteps.” Judge said aloud. “Maybe we could comb over the nearby woods.” Judge turned back to sing Vesperia staring at a bird’s nest in a nearby tree. She watched intently as the bluebird hopped along the branch, picking at a bug nearby.

“I bet he knows something.” Vesperia quickly chanted something, moving her hands in a rhythmic fashion, with a flash of magic bouncing between her hands. Judge realized she must be using magic to speak with this animal. Vesperia waved to the bird, grabbing its attention. “Hi! Do you know what happened to the people in this wagon?” The bird chirped back, swinging its head towards the woods nearby. “OK, thanks!” Vesperia turned back to Judge. “They were taken to the woods there, but they didn't see where.”

Judge nodded. “Speak with animals? This will be useful if we encounter more dead-ends.” Judge began to walk forward into the woods, with Vesperia skipping along behind. The forest here was dense with apple trees, and plenty of smaller plants covering the ground.

Vesperia grabbed an apple and began to dig in. “So, do you enjoy hunting monsters?” she said between bites.

“I am very good at fighting.” Judge responded, still focused on looking for a trail to pick up.

“Yeah, you said that already. But do you enjoy it?” She persisted.

Judge stopped for a moment. It was like asking a cauldron if they like making potions, or asking a spellbook if they liked magic. “I was designed for this. Fighting enemies and protecting people are my purpose.” Judge replied. They continued to walk as they continued.

“Come on, I opened up about my fears. I can tell you have more to say.” Vesperia retorted, tossing the apple core to the side.

Judge considered this. Maybe talking with someone could help. “I am not good with emotions. However, you are right. I am afraid of something.” Judge turned back to look at Vesperia’s face. “I worry if I do not have a purpose, I am expendable.” Vesperia looked on with big eyes, waiting for Judge to continue. “My purpose is over. I am not used to making big decisions. That was a job for a general or my superior officer. But now… I am in charge. And I am afraid of making a bad choice.”

Vesperia looked upset, empathic to Judge's struggle. Before she could say anything, voices could be heard in the distance, coming closer. Judge pulled Vesperia behind him, and crouched low into the brush.

A few bodies came out of the trees, showing a figure in a patchwork cloak followed by two undead bodies holding a chest. The figure was speaking into a sending stone, laughing about something. “Alright, I’ll be back in a second.” he laughed, putting the stone away and coming to a stop at a nearby tree. He didn’t seem to notice Judge or Vesperia, and quickly moved a blanket of moss to the side, uncovering a trapdoor. He descended down, followed by the undead servants.

Judge slowly stood up once the people were gone, with Vesperia still behind him. Judge pulled out his ax and shield, ready to follow. He turned to Vesperia, only to see her moving past them to the trapdoor. She pulled the door open, looking down into the tunnel. Judge stood next to her, staring into the unknown. Vesperia nervously pulled out her fiddle, shaking as she did.

Judge looked over as she did, noticing no other weapons on her. “You did not bring a weapon?” he questioned.

“Didn’t think about it until now.” Vesperia stammered, her fiddle making small noises as her shaky hands kept touching it.

Judge pulled out a small tube from their pack, handing it to her. “This is a javelin. Pull the pin here to expand it to full size. While it’s meant for throwing, it will serve as a decent staff if needed.” they explained. They put a hand on her shoulder as she pocketed the javelin. “Do not worry. This is what I was designed for.” Judge took the lead, walking down the stairs, with Vesperia following behind.

The tunnel was decently lit, with lanterns on wooden supports lining the small hall. The two followed the path for a short while, eventually finding an open area with the person from earlier. Judge stayed out of view, holding Vesperia behind them, listening to their conversation.

“You only got one chest? We ain’t gonna have enough for the boss!” A human holding a crossbow was arguing with the cloaked figure they had seen earlier.

“We’ll get enough, I just have to grab the next poor sap who comes by and shake em down.” The cloaked figure removed their hood, revealing a half-elf with burns across his face. He pointed to a large pile of chests and various stolen items, surrounded by four undead servants. The two continued to argue about what to do, as Judge turned to Vesperia.

“I can take a head-on approach to these bandits, but you are not a fighter. Perhaps you can stay back and provide ranged support.” Judge offered.

“Yeah, I know some spells to help, but I'll need to play my fiddle to focus.” Vesperia took a deep breath and began to play, an energetic song that filled the cave. The six foes in the cave began to glow with a violet outline, with them confused at the blinding lights and song that surrounded them.

Judge walked around from the corner, brandishing their ax.”This is your warning. Surrender now, and no one is hurt.” they announced. The two figures quickly dove away, with the undead running forward. The song continued as Judge began their assault, cleaving into the undead. The zombies swung wildly at Judge, but to no avail. Judge was in their element, blocking the swings with his shield and swinging back with the ax. The first undead fell, cut in half as Judge shoved back another with their shield. The second collapsed into shambles after being shoved into a wall. Judge slammed their ax into the head of the third undead, swinging it into the fourth, dealing with both in one move. Judge then turned to the bandits, only to be hit with a black beam of enervating energy. The half-elf had shot a ray of enfeeblement, sapping away Judge’s strength.

“You’re kidding me, who sent the living weapon for a couple of bandits like us?” He screamed, trying to put more distance between himself and Judge. Judge felt weaker, but was still able to fight. They moved closer to the wizard, swinging their ax and missing. The half-elf used this miss to summon necromantic magic into their hand, pushing it directly into Judge’s chest. Judge yelled as this magic wracked through their body, inflicting wounds all over their body. Judge kneeled over, feeling close to passing out.

The half-elf smirked as he walked past the warforged. “Guess I overreacted. Just a hunk of metal after all.” Judge tried to stand but found his strength sapped.

“Look who else I found.” The other foe, the human, had disappeared in the struggle and found Vesperia, now holding her at bowpoint. Vesperia struggled, trying to escape. Judge felt despair as they watched Vesperia being hurt by their actions.

“Perfect, we can ransom her off for the rest of the money we need.” The half-elf laughed as he pulled out a small dagger.

Judge wobbled, then stood up shakily. “Your fight is with me. You leave her alone.”

“No, I think you’ll leave us alone. Or else your little friend here is hurt.” He pointed the dagger at Vesperia.

“You think that will stop them?” Vesperia stammered. She was fumbling in her belt as she spoke. “We are Templars of the Silver Flame, and we will always fight evil.” Judge felt inspired, and felt a presence of something, as their armor began to smoke, a silvery mist emitting from the metals that protected them. Judge realized this was the power of the silver flame itself, and felt reinvigorated.

Out of instinct, Judge pointed to the wizard. “Approach.” Judge commanded, magic flowing from their voice. The half-elf walked forward, fighting his own body as he approached the warforged. Vesperia took the opportunity to surprise the human holding her, unfurling the javelin and stabbing it into his foot, breaking herself free. He tried to grab her again, only to meet the other end of the javelin as she slammed it into his face.

The wizard finally stopped taking steps, only to be face to face to Judge. The warforged was like a wall of metal and armor, smoking with a silvery mist, staring down on him with yellowed crystal eyes.

“You will surrender now, or I will end this.” Judge stated. It was a simple demand, but effective.

“Alright, you win.” The half-elf conceited. “I surrender.”

***

The journey back was simple after the encounter. Judge and Vesperia led the criminals back to New Cyre, and handed them off to the guards. Vesperia told the other friars what had happened, and they were happy that the threat was dealt with. They were leaving soon for another settlement nearby, and it was time for things to continue onward. Judge decided to see them off, and wanted to speak to Vesperia one last time.

“Vesperia, I wanted to thank you for letting me help with this contract. I hope you also got some sense of purpose from this.” Judge bowed his head in gratitude.

“Maybe not the way I thought though…” Vesperia responded. “I’m no fighter, but I appreciate learning first-hand how dangerous things can get.” She held out the javelin. “But what will you do now?”

Judge closed her hand. “Keep the javelin. I have decided to travel to the church of the silver flame and learn more about becoming a templar. This seems to be a good fit for me.”

Vesperia smiled. “I think that’s a great idea.” She began to turn, then quickly grabbed something out of her pack and tossed it to Judge. Judge caught it, and found it to be the stuffed rabbit that Vesperia had showed them earlier.

“Why are you giving this to me?” Judge tried to hand it back, only for Vesperia to close their hand.

“A reminder. It will give you bravery when you need it, and I don't need it anymore. I’m not afraid of anything if you’re out there fighting evil.” Vesperia smiled.

Judge nodded. “Then this will be my oath.” Judge held the rabbit to their chest as they spoke. “I vow to fight evil, by any means necessary, and help those affected by their evil misdeeds.”

Vesperia was grinning ear-to-ear. “Then when we meet again, I want to hear all the stories of evil you’ve stopped and people you’ve helped.” The wagon began to pull away, and Vesperia waved as they moved on to another village in need. Judge waved, then attached the rabbit to their pack. They turned to the other trail, ready to go. Flamekeep was a long walk from here, and who knows what would be on the horizon?

#writing #fiction #dungeons & dragons #eberron

[jimbleswrites]

Nora, The Sole Survivor

Chapter 4: Old Friends & New Faces

I woke up to a beam of light shining through the broken wall. I looked over to my pip-boy to see it was 7 in the morning. I heard Codsworth moving things around in the home. I sat up and yawned. 

Codsworth hovered in front of the door. “Good morning, mum! Today’s the day!”

I nodded half-heartedly. I straightened out my vault suit and stood up, grabbing my pip-boy and my pistol. I was a mix of anxious and fearful, but still hopeful that I would find something out there. I grabbed my pack that I had made yesterday and pulled it up on my shoulders.

“You said it would be about an hour's walk?” I asked Codsworth.

“Correct! Concord is an hour away, and there is a Red Rocket at the midway point for a rest stop if you need it.” Codsworth pointed towards the wooden bridge. “I will be here with a wonderful meal when you return!”

I started my walk, Codsworth waving me off as I stepped onto the bridge. The walk gave me time to look at the state of the world. I followed the road, made of splintered asphalt with plant life growing between them. The plants were doing well, despite the now brownish tint they all had. There was still wreckage on the roads, cars rusted over with skeletons inside. I looked around for any animals, but it was a quiet walk. I walked in silence for the first part of my trip. I finally was getting used to, or at least not as shocked, the new world I was in. I saw the Red Rocket station coming up on the horizon. It was a popular chain I remembered from before, with the iconic rocket on the roof above the filling station. It was in decent shape compared to some of the houses in Sanctuary. 

I decided to stop and take a drink. I walked up to the building, seeing a small fire pit and two folding chairs outside. Apparently other people had stopped by here. I sat down and pulled a bottle of water from my bag. I started to open it, when I heard noise from the building. I froze, unsure of what it could be. I put the bottle back and slowly approached the door to the Red Rocket. I leveled my pistol in my other hand as I pulled open the door. I heard more shuffling as I quietly snuck in. There was a small garage down the hall that had a flickering light. The noises seemed to be coming from inside. 

I was terrified as I got closer. Maybe it was more of those roaches? Or maybe a person! Was this their house now? Codsworth said he was chased off with sticks last time he left. Were people just crazy now? Did I need to shoot first? Oh god, could I kill another person? While I was stuck in my head, something came out into the hall. It was a person, but something was wrong. They were just wearing pants, and their entire torso and head was covered in some kind of scarring. It looked like the skin had been burned off, leaving splotches of still burned skin hanging off the walking corpse. 

The being turned, only now noticing me. Their pure black eyes widened, seeing the gun I had. “WAIT, I’M NOT FERAL!” They wheezed in a raspy voice. “DON’T SHOOT!” They put up their hands in surrender.

“Feral?” I repeated, confused. The thing then focused on my face, and they looked confused as well.

“What? No, it can't... It... It's... it's YOU! From Sanctuary Hills, right!?” They seemed as bewildered as me.

“Yeah, I’m from Sanctuary Hills. How do you know that?” They didn’t seem dangerous, but I kept my pistol up just in case.

“I sold your husband that space in the Vault, remember? But then I wasn't on the list to get in. You ran by me as the bombs fell.” They explained. They pointed to a card on a nearby counter. I looked over to see a weathered ID card from Vault-Tec, with a picture of a person and a name. Moe Hawthorne.

“The Vault-Tec Salesman?” I asked aloud. I had so many questions.

“I AM Vault-Tec! Twenty years of loyal service and now look at me! I wasn't on the list!” He was upset at this, but then took a deep breath. “But you. Look at you. Two hundred years and you're still perfect! How? How's that possible?”

I lowered my gun. “The Vault had these pods that froze us in place. I only thawed out recently.” I was saying this like it was normal, but this whole conversation was already odd.

“What? Vault-Tec never told me that! Unbelievable!” He sighed, clearly angry. His stomach rumbled. “Look, would you stay for a meal?” His rage was replaced with a sad look as he pointed to the fire pit outside. “You don’t have to, but it's been a long time since I was able to talk to someone.”

I nodded, and he turned back in the garage. I went back outside and pulled out my bottle again. I couldn’t believe someone could still be alive from my time. And what the hell was going on with his skin? I sat in silence for a while, until he came out. He was now wearing a yellow trench coat and hat, hiding the scars and burns I saw earlier. 

He handed me a bowl of something. “Vegetable soup. I have a small garden here.” He explained. I cautiously put the bowl to my lips. It was on the salty side, but was nice to have something fresh versus the pre-war food I had packed away. “Please, tell me about the Vault. I want to know how you got here.”

I told a shortened story. The first freeze, then the kidnappers, then finally leaving. I tried my best not to stare, but his face was still covered in those burns, with pure black eyes that could be looking anywhere. He was shocked to find all other people in the vault were dead when I came to.

“Well, I had to get to the future the hard way. Living through the... filth. The.. decay. The bloodshed.” He seemed to be remembering something as he spoke, reliving some terrible event I’d assume.

“I'm so sorry. I didn't know this would happen.” I apologized. I genuinely never could have imagined this happening. I still had questions about him, but I was trying not to be rude. “So, you lived through all of it? Is that how you got… those?” I gestured vaguely at his burns.

Moe laughed, a raspy chuckle that reminded me of a chain-smoker’s voice. “I lived it, yeah. I was normal at first, but all the radiation over the years did this. My skin started flaking off, I started getting headaches all the time, and I got to live for over 200 years. They call our type ‘Ghouls’. Lots of people don’t like us.” He slurped some soup. “You know... you're the only other person I met from... before. They didn't tell me much. Vault-Tec. Just to make sure everyone filled out their forms. I was supposed to win a pack of steak knives...”

I felt bad for him. I didn’t know what to do, but it was reassuring even having someone to talk to. “Do you have any idea what you’ll do now?”

“Survive, just like always. I’ll hang out here until something inevitably goes wrong and I’ll move again.” He was pessimistic, but I’m sure having 200 years of being an outcast changes your view.

“What if you came with me?” I offered. Moe laughed again, but I persisted. “I need to find my son, and I don’t know anything about the world. You can help me, and I’ll… I don't know, pay you or something.” It was a weak argument, but I needed a guide to this new world.

“You got caps to spare?” Moe lifted an eye.

“Caps?” I asked.

“You don’t even know what caps are for.” Moe rolled his eyes. “Caps are currency now. Easy to verify, hard to counterfeit, and most people can get them easily.” He explained.

“If you want to split caps we get, sure.” I held out a hand. “Please?”

Moe thought for a second, then shook my hand. “You’ve got a deal, Nora.” He quickly finished his soup. “200 years of Vault-Tec sales experience, at your service.”

***

I helped Moe pack his things in a satchel he had, then we continued out to Concord. Moe explained that this area was pretty quiet, but we would run into more threats as we got closer to Boston proper. He also filled in a few gaps in my knowledge. Apparently the huge roaches I saw were common pests called Radroaches. He also explained some ghouls lost their minds over the years and are now basically brainless, attacking and eating like wild animals. They were called feral ghouls, and tended to be a reason people didn’t trust ghouls. We kept talking until we reached concord, with the road leading into the main street.

Moe suddenly pulled out a revolver, grabbing my shoulder. “We got incoming, get ready.” I quickly scanned the area around to see a dog running towards us. It looked friendly, but Moe had warned me around wild dogs, so I pulled out my pistol. The dog trotted up, stopped a distance away, and woofed softly. It was a german shepard, with no collar, and it seemed friendly. 

I put away my pistol, walked up, and petted him. “Hey, buddy.” I gently spoke.

Moe, however, continued to look around. “I don’t trust this.”

The dog, seemingly in response, yipped, and looked back towards the town. He stood up and motioned with his head towards the town.

“I think he wants us to follow him.” I started to walk behind the dog, towards the main street. I saw Moe looking around, still unsure, but he followed us as we walked along. We moved along the road, slowly coming to Concord proper. The town was like Sanctuary, buildings falling apart with ruined cars in the road. Unlike Sanctuary, the buildings were fixed in some areas. Boarded up windows and doors, planks between rooftops making bridges, and even marks on the road where cars were pushed to the side. While this was still an abandoned town, some people had clearly been here. We also heard noises as we got closer. Gunshots. Moe crouched down as we neared the main road, and I followed his lead. Even this stray dog lowered itself as we ducked behind a car on the onset of the town center.

I looked through the broken car windows toward the center of town. There were some people wearing strange armor shooting at a building. I recognized it as the museum of freedom, a local tourist trap before the war.

“Raiders.” Moe whispered to me. “They steal whatever they can, and destroy what they can’t.” I looked closer at them. They had armor and weapons seemingly made of scraps of other things, laughing to themselves as they shot the building. That’s when I saw him. On the balcony, there was a man shooting back at the raiders. Dressed in colonial gear, wielding a musket of some kind, someone was defending this building. I looked over to the dog, only to see him also staring at the man.

“I think this is why the dog brought us here.” I turned back to Moe. “To help that guy on the balcony.”

Moe shook his head. “Bad idea. I’m not a fighter and you don’t know anything. We go around.”

“But, that guy in there…”

I didn’t get a chance to finish before Moe interrupted. “Rule #1 of the commonwealth. Everyman for themselves. You stick up for someone, you wind up dead.” Moe looked down, avoiding eye contact.

I looked again at the man. He was outnumbered and struggling, trying to pop up to fire only to duck down again quickly. He wasn’t going to make it if we went around. I stood up, walking before I registered what I was doing. The dog was on my heels, growling at the raiders as we left cover.

“Get back here!” Moe hissed, not leaving his cover. I ignored him. I was scared as I quietly got closer to the raiders. I didn’t have a plan, but I couldn’t just leave this person to die. I pulled out my pistol as I ducked behind a wall. Now that I was closer, I noticed there were only 2 raiders. They were so focused on the balcony, they didn’t seem to notice how close I was. I took another step, only to step on a twig, it cracking loudly. The raider turned around and saw me, immediately pointing his gun at me. Time seemed to slow as I sprinted forward, firing wildly at the two raiders. I managed to hit one in the leg, with him crumpling to the floor. The other began to fire, only to be hit by a flash of light that disintegrated his arm. The two raiders, now wounded, began to retreat, only for the dog to chase them down. He leapt on one, biting and thrashing, while the other was shot again and fell over. I turned to see Moe, holding a sawed-off shotgun, running towards me. The dog hopped off the raider, with both of them not moving anymore. I stood in the now silent road, looking at the people I had just killed.

I turned back to the balcony, looking for the man. He was now leaning over the railing, staring at me. “You gotta help!” He shouted. “I've got a group of settlers inside! The raiders are almost through the door!” He pointed to a body I hadn’t seen before. “Grab that laser musket and help us! Please!” There was a muffled boom from inside, and the man scrambled back in doors.

Moe finally caught up to me. “Are you hurt?” Moe asked as he put his hand on my shoulder. I shook my head. He took a moment to look me over before walking to the bodies. “Grab what you need.” He began checking them, grabbing ammo and food from their pockets.

“He needs help in there!” I ignored the bodies as I walked up to the front door. I was quickly stopped by Moe, who was apparently done with looting.

“Nora, stop for a second. You just charged down some raiders for a stranger.” He pointed to a graze I hadn’t noticed on my sleeve. A bullet had been close enough to tear the sleeve on my vault suit and leave a burn mark on my arm. “You’re gonna end up dead if you just keep charging in without a plan.”

“I can’t leave him to die.” I was sure of that. “I already lost so much. I don’t want to stand by anymore.” I looked at the body the man had pointed out. It was another man in colonial dress, holding the same type of musket. He also had some leather armor strapped on, clearly more prepared than I was. If I had been here earlier, maybe I could have helped him too.

Moe sighed. He leaned down and unstrapped the leather armor on the man’s arm, then held it out to me. “If you are gonna charge a building with nothing but hope and a pistol, at least armor up.” I smiled as I took the armor. Moe cocked his shotgun, loading a shell. “Now, let’s save a stranger.”

#fallout 4 #writing #fanfic

[jimbleswrites]

Pantheon 2022

Chapter 10: Leblanc’s Ambush

Our trip to the K+ concert was a success. It had been a few days since then, but we watched with Ongaku as the internet blew up about K+’s complete breakdown on stage. Ongaku was happy that the smaller labels could continue to be independent. And I continued to patrol for Thora and deliver justice on a smaller scale. Vida was going to talk to Arinya about a possible lead, and I was currently on route to Cranberry Kiss, as Dan & Pat wanted to talk.

I walked into the bar, and found the same quiet place as last time. It was comfy, and I pulled up a stool. There were a few other patrons, all quietly drinking. I ordered a Cranberry Kiss, and the bartender silently mixed it together. I sat there for a minute, enjoying the atmosphere. Then Dan & Pat walked in.

“Robert, Buddy!” Pat called out as the door opened. He and Pat walked in, sliding right next to me at the bar. “Great to see you again!”

“I’ll be honest, waking up in a doctor’s office last time we hung out kinda freaked me out, but I've never felt better after that visit! You gotta let me know if he accepts new patients.” Pat chimed in, waving down the bartender.

I thought about the fight with Thora that put them into Ako’s care. But Ako was able to patch them up and make sure they didn’t remember any godly activities. “Hopefully you don’t need him again. I still feel bad that you guys got involved with my work.” I couldn’t say too much, but I genuinely did feel bad for them getting hurt.

“Don’t worry my man, it is what it is” Dan retorted, grabbing two bottles from the bartender as he walked by. “The important thing is we’re all okay and the paper is doing great!” He pulled up his phone and showed me an article. “Hits are up! We might even expand the team and get a real office!”

I looked closer, and noticed my picture and name near the bottom. “I’m on the site?” I questioned.

“Well, yeah. You got us off the ground, so we felt you deserved some recognition. You’re one of the Weekly Eagle’s field reporters!” Dan smiled, tapping my glass with his bottle and taking a swig. “Don’t worry, it’s just for show.”

“Yeah, that’s what I’m worried about. It doesn’t worry you?” I didn’t want to have them attacked again, and having my name attached to anything could be bad.

“Nope.” Pat chimed in, “But the cop cars outside are a little concerning.” He pointed to 3 cop cars that were rolling in, almost on queue. Lights blazing, they quickly drifted to a stop, blocking the road on either side of the bar. The patrons of the bar began walking to the windows to see what was happening. The cops began setting up defensive positions behind the cars, and a tall man in a long overcoat stepped forward with a megaphone.

“ROBERT PALADIN!” The man called out. “YOU ARE BEING ARRESTED FOR TREASON  AGAINST AMERICA! COME OUT NOW OR WE WILL RAID THE BUILDING!” The police were pointing various arms at the building, pointed between the apartments above and the bar.

“You two should find a safe spot.” I stood up awkwardly, not sure why I was being arrested. “I don’t know what’s happening, but I don’t want you getting hurt.” The two reporters nodded, and scuttered behind the bar. I slowly walked over to the front door, cracking it a little. “I gotta ask, what did I do to get this response?” I yelled out to the man, still hiding inside.

“You come closer, and I’ll go over the full wrap sheet with you.” The man stepped forward. “But you try anything stupid, and we start firing.”

I could try to make a doorway out, but I didn't want anyone caught in the crossfire if the police deemed me a threat. I could try to fight out with my aura, but it was still risky. I didn’t have much of a choice though. I stepped out fully from the door, hands raised. The cops focused all their aim on me as I stood there.

The man held out a pair of handcuffs in a gloved hand. “I was hoping for a struggle, Rob.” He said, smirking.

“Then you’re gonna love this.” I focused my aura into my hands, now emitting a bright light and noise, effectively flash-banging the entire force as my hands glowed bright gold with a high-pitched screeching. The full force reeled back, and I quickly ran down the road, hopping over the top of the squad car and sprinting down the empty road.

“GOD DAMN IT, SHOOT HIM NOW!” I turned back to see the man in a full sprint running after me, with others aiming their weapons over. I heard gunfire as I ran, bullets whizzing by. I turned a corner just as a pain shot my leg. I toppled over, and saw a ripple in my aura near my calf. I must have gotten hit by a bullet, and my aura automatically shielded it. The man turned the corner, rushing towards me in a feral charge. I tried to get back up, but it felt like someone had smacked my leg with a hammer. The man finally caught up, and slammed my head into the sidewalk. My aura was shielding me but it still hurt, like my brain was being rattled around in my skull. I flipped over to face my attacker, only to see him swinging for my head. He hunched over me, repeatedly punching me as he pinned me to the sidewalk. I felt myself blacking out as he continued to attack.

***

I woke up to a major headache. My eyes focused on a figure in front of me. I tried to jump up, thinking it was that mysterious attacker from before, but found myself strapped down. I thrashed for a second, but couldn’t break the straps. I looked up again to see the figure was myself, reflected in a large mirror next to a door. I also saw a monitor next to me, with my vitals plastered all over it. I followed the cords to see some sensors hooked onto my arm, right next to a metal cuff chained to the bed I was laying in. I looked to my other side to see something hooked into my arm. It looked like an IV drip, but the label had some chemical I didn't recognize. My best guess was that I was captured, but by who? And why is no one watching me?

“Hello?” I called out. I tried to focus on breaking the cuff, but my body felt sluggish. It was like having a 2-second delay on moving anything.

“Anyone there?” I tried calling out again. I sat there awkwardly squirming, until the door finally opened with a whoosh. The mysterious man that attacked me walked through, alongside a smaller man in a lab coat. They walked to the edge of the bed, standing a good distance back.

“Mr. Paladin? How are you feeling?” The smaller man spoke up, with a bit of fear in his voice.

“To be honest? Disoriented, pissed off, and confused.” I responded. “Where am I and who are you two?”

“My name is Dr. Doug Prunty, and this is Commander Leblanc.” The smaller man explained. “I’m afraid you aren’t allowed to know where you are.”

“You are a captive of the United Nations. You are being deemed a threat until we know more about you.” Commander Leblanc spoke with authority. “We have questions for you.”

I scoffed. “You accuse me of treason in the middle of the street, then assault me, kidnap me, and expect me to play nice?”

Leblanc stepped closer. “You were accused of crimes you did commit. Trespassing, stealing, assault to officers and civilians, espionage, and more. While you are extremely good at breaking the law, you didn’t attempt to cover your tracks at all. We have several reports, eyewitnesses, and security footage for several escapades of yours.” He turned to a TV in the corner I hadn’t noticed yet, and it buzzed to life with photos of me. “GIPA HQ in New York, The storage in the Phoenix courthouse, and the K+ concert in Green Bay. We have you clocked at each location.” He turned back to me. “Now, you tell me. Who do you work for?”

I wasn’t telling these people anything. They wouldn’t believe me, and normal humans weren’t supposed to know about gods or champions. I stared Leblanc down, refusing to speak.

“OK then, how about known associates?” The TV flickered to photos of Dan & Pat. “Why are you listed as a field reporter on their site?” I stayed silent. The TV changed again to a photo of me and Mrs. R at the mall shopping. “How about her? You two shopped with a bank card that doesn’t exist, and yet all the charges are fine. Anything you wanna say?”

These guys had done their homework, but didn’t seem to know about Mrs. R. Maybe she was sneakier than I was? The TV changed again, showing me and Caleb buying the car in Phoenix. “How about him?” Leblanc continued to question, “Your accomplice for the Phoenix heist?”

“Is there anything you will tell us?” Doug piped in, trying to help.

I wasn’t sure how much they knew, but I needed to leave here. “I gotta pee.”

Leblanc sighed, turning off the TV. “You are just making this difficult for everyone. But if you don’t want to talk now, i’ll wait.” He grabbed Doug by the shoulder, and led him to the door. “If you try anything, we’ll know.” They went through the door, it loudly clanged behind them, and I was alone again. Suddenly Leblanc’s blared over a speaker. “There is a toilet and sink next to the bed. If you cooperate, we won’t need the cuffs.” I sat up, looking to my left, and found a small toilet and sink attached to the wall. I looked closer at the cuff, and found a small clip to a longer chain. I unhooked it, and now had some more freedom. My other cuff on my left wasn’t attached to anything, but had a small light and beeped occasionally. Probably a tracker or a bomb. Maybe both. I found myself in a set of scrubs, and just realized my stuff was gone. I wasn’t left with any options for now, so I just had to bide my time.

***

Dr. Doug Prunty was not very excited to have this assignment. Normally guard duty on this platform was not bad, but with Leblanc? The commander was known for two things. His impressive record for catching criminals, and his obsessive personality. Doug had just gotten the report, and he was not looking forward to going over it with the commander.

“Commander, his things have been analyzed.” Doug stood next to the commander, looking through the report on his tablet. “The items are normal, except for a yellow jacket and his phone. They have no manufacturer listed and appear to be made by the prisoner himself. The phone also has no response to anything we try, so it may be a while until we can hack in.”

Leblanc didn’t react. He just stared through the one-way mirror at his prisoner. Robert simply sat on his bed, cross-legged, seemingly meditating. “What about the flashbang he used?”

“Nothing found on scene. No body armor either. He doesn’t seem to have any other advanced tech, and the search of the bar and apartments came up with nothing.” Doug continued. “We’re unsure if he has any other tricks up his sleeves, but there’s nothing on him. The body scan showed it was all organic.”

Leblanc turned to Doug. “Of course it did. We just have a person with superhuman powers, with no previous record of existence, that has been actively stealing government secrets, and with no actual leads on how he did any of it.” His voice dripped with sarcasm, clenching his fists tightly.

Doug gulped. “But he’s here! That’s a good thing, right?”

Leblanc pulled up his sleeve, revealing his robotic arm. It was clearly a prototype, with exposed pistons and gears quietly clicking as the arm rose. “The last time we encountered someone like him, I got my entire arm ripped off.”

Doug tried to look away just to have Leblanc move his arm closer. It grinded against Doug’s shirt, tearing the cloth against the unpolished steel. “I was apprehending a simple suspect, when someone TORE my arm off. Not cut. Not dislocated. She pulled it off like I was a god damn toy!”

Leblanc was shouting now, towering over the scientist. He pressed his metal hand into Doug’s shoulder. “MY PLAN WAS TO KILL HIM BEFORE HE COULD HURT MORE PEOPLE. NOW WE HAVE ONE OF THOSE FREAKS, JUST WAITING FOR A CHANCE TO STRIKE! THE MOMENT OUR GUARD DROPS, HE WILL ATTACK AND HE WILL BREAK OUT!” Leblanc breathed heavily, now pinning the poor doctor to the wall.

Doug tried to break away, but was unable to. After a moment of silence, Leblanc lowered him down and stepped back.

“He could have some information for us. I’m sorry.” Doug finally spoke. “We’ll focus on getting info our way. Then you get your way.” Doug timidly snuck away, scuttling out of the door.

Leblanc looked back to the prison cell, watching Robert. He flexed his arm, knowing a fight would be coming. It was only a matter of time before this new threat showed everyone his true colors.

#pantheon 2022 #orignal work #fiction #writing

[jimbleswrites]

Nora, The Sole Survivor

Chapter 3: Out of Time

The platform rose in the darkness, the sounds of groaning metal bouncing in the small tunnel. I stood there for a while, trying to think of what would be on the surface. Would it even be safe to walk around up there? There were roaches still alive in the vault. Maybe some animals would still be OK up there? I finally saw a crack of light above me, then more light poured in as the door opened. I covered my eyes with my hand, feeling the warmth of natural sunlight for the first time in a long while. The platform came to a halt as my eyes adjusted to the brightness. I saw lots of brown and yellow, dirt and trees with falling leaves. Plants seem to be the same, but not the verdant green I was used to. I took a deep breath. The air was crisp, slightly metallic, but I felt OK so far. I could see ruins of houses over the hillside, where Sanctuary Hills used to be.

I turned around to the path, gripping my pistol. The path down was littered with more skeletons and wreckage of helicopters, cars, and trailers. I started down, slowly passing the debris. I still remember running past some of them to get into the vault, and now they all were dead. For god knows how long. I accidentally kicked one of the bones as I walked. I jerked my gun over and shot before I realized it was nothing. I awkwardly kept walking. I guess I was jumpy, but so far there hadn’t been anyone around. I crossed a small river into a backyard, finally inside the suburb. The houses were rusted and filled with holes. I could see inside the house with ruined furniture and scraps of what used to be. I walked up to where the road was, the asphalt was cracked with weeds growing through. I looked over to where my house was, only to see something moving. I raised my pistol, then realized what it was.

Codsworth was hovering outside my house, like it was a normal day. He was using his saw to trim our hedges. The hedges were perfectly trimmed, despite being dead and brown. I walked up slowly, unsure how he would respond. His closest eye turned to me, then the rest of him turned. I heard his sensors whirring, almost like he was trying to process seeing me.

“As I live and breathe…” His voice sounded torn. “It’s… it’s really you!”

“Codsworth… You’re still here.” It seemed surreal, but he was still trucking after everything that happened.

“Well, of course I'm still here!” He replied, in the chipper tone I was used to. “Surely you don't think a little radiation could deter the pride of General Atomics International?” He scanned around with his eyes quickly. “But you seem worse for wear. Best not let the hubby see you in that state. Where is sir, by the way?”

He didn��t know. We just abandoned him to go to the vault. I felt guilty about leaving but it all happened so fast. “He’s… He’s..” I got choked up on my words. “He’s dead. Someone killed him.”

“It's worse than I thought.” Codsworth hummed to himself. “You're suffering from hunger-induced paranoia. Not eating properly for 200 years will do that, I'm afraid.”

I dropped my pistol when I heard that. “200 years? What the hell do you mean?” There was no way it had been that long. The terminals in the vault only mentioned a couple months.

“A bit over 210 actually, mum. Give or take a little for the Earth's rotation and some minor dings to the ole' chronometer. That means you're two centuries late for dinner!” He laughed at his own joke. “Perhaps I can whip you up a snack? You must be famished.”

“What? Food? Yeah, sure... I... I need a minute to think…” I leaned against the wall and slumped down. Codsworth scooted off, leaving me alone with my thoughts. 200 years? It seemed impossible, but here I was, the sole survivor of Sanctuary Hills. Just me and Codsworth, who seemed to be nonchalant about the whole thing.

“Here you are, mum!” Codsworth came back holding some Fancy Lads in his claw. He put them in my lap. The pink box was worn, with stains on the outside. The top had been ripped open but  the cakes inside were still sealed. I opened one and took a bite. It was sickeningly sweet, but that's how I remembered them tasting. They pumped these with so many chemicals I guess it made sense they wouldn’t go bad.

“Codsworth…” I swallowed and started to speak. “Listen to me carefully... have you seen him? Have you seen Shaun?”

“Why, Nate had him last, remember? Perhaps he's gone to the Parker residence to arrange a play-date?” Codsworth pointed to a ruined house.

“Codsworth, are you sure you're holding up okay?” Even if he was programmed just to clean, there was no way he was acting like this was normal.

“Oh mum, it's been just horrible!” Codsworth cried out. He finally sat down, tucking his legs under him next to me. “Two centuries with no one to talk to, no one to serve. I spent the first ten years trying to keep the floors waxed, but nothing gets out nuclear fallout from vinyl wood. Nothing!” His eyes drooped as he continued. “And don't get me started about the futility of dusting a collapsed house. And the car! The car! How do you polish rust?”

I put my hand on his claw. Even though he was just a robot, I could hear the pain in his voice. “Let it out buddy.”

“I'm afraid I don't know anything else, mum. The bombs came, and all of you left in such a hurry. I thought for certain you and your family were... dead. I just stayed here, hoping someone from the vault would emerge someday. I did find this holotape. I believe Nate was going to present it to you. As a surprise. But then, well... everything happened." He held out a tape.

I took it from him. “Codsworth, all the time you were here. Did you see anyone? Anyone at all? Maybe a bald guy with a large scar?” Maybe he saw someone go in or leave with Shaun.

“If only I had, mum! You've no idea the desperation for human contact one develops over 200 years. And when you do encounter them? Oh the cruelty! You're either... target practice or... spare parts!”

“Wait, so you saw someone?”

“Well, I must admit. I did explore a little nearby.” Codsworth pointed towards the city.  “I took a trip to Concord years ago. Plenty of people there. But they pummeled me with sticks until I had to run back home. I haven’t seen anyone in Sanctuary though.”

“There's still people alive in Concord?” I was surprised to hear this, but Vault-Tec had put up some other Vaults in Boston. I guess some people in them had come back to the surface like me.

“Yes, although they're a bit rough. You remember the way? Just across the southern footbridge out of the neighborhood and past the Red Rocket station.” Codsworth looked over to me. “What do you intend to do once you find someone?”

“Shaun's out there, Codsworth. I need to find him.” I stood up, grabbing my pistol from the ground. “Someone took my son, and if there is a chance he’s out there, I have to go.”

“Well then mum, I will continue to secure the home. Although I’m afraid it’s not as nice as it once was.” Codsworth hovered back up to my eye level. “Should you ever need food or shelter, I will have it here for you. However, may I suggest leaving tomorrow morning? I don’t like the idea of you traveling at night.”

I looked at the clock. It was after 9, and the sun was already setting. It made sense to wait. “Sure, Codsworth. I’ll leave tomorrow.”

The rest of the night was quiet. Codsworth showed me his garden and food stash. There was Blamco Mac & Cheese, Cram, Instamash, Pork n’ Beans, Nuka-Cola, Sugar Bombs, and some Yum Yum Deviled Eggs. All filled with preservatives from years ago. Codsworth even started a small garden in the backyard, with something called a Mutfruit. It tasted similar to an apple, just mushier and sweeter. I was surprised that there was so much, then learned that Codsworth had picked Sanctuary clean. He had gone through the whole neighborhood, taking any edible food and decent scraps and keeping them in our house. He claimed it was to help whoever was going to emerge from the vault, and also it gave him a purpose besides cleaning rusted cars. There was a pile of various clothes, wood, steel, even a few pipe guns with ammo.

It brought back memories, seeing the scraps. There was a Nuka-Cola shirt that my neighbor Mr. Hawthorne used to wear. A car door from the Johnson’s Corvega they never got to fix. The weapons reminded me of when the war was kicking up, many people started to build pipe weapons to avoid being on a watchlist. Nate’s new job was to help round up these weapons so the homefront would be safe. I found a military backpack of Nate’s and started to pack up a few things for my trip. Some food, a pipe pistol and ammo, even a spare outfit in case something happened to my suit.

Codsworth ,meanwhile, had set up the remaining mattresses in Shaun’s room for a bed. Shaun’s room was the most covered, as in the least holes in the walls, so it made sense. After getting everything together, I decided to sleep until morning. Codsworth assured me he would be on guard duty all night, then left to check the perimeter. I sat down on the mattress on the floor. It was ragged and stained, but still supported me just fine. I also felt something in my pocket as I laid down. I remembered that Codsworth had given me a holotape from Nate. I slipped off my pip-boy, and put the tape inside. I hit play, only to realize this wasn’t a data file, it was a voice file.

It started with a loud feedback sound. I guess he was too close to the microphone.  “Oops.” Nate laughed a little, then I heard Shaun babbling. “No, no. Little fingers away. There we go. Just say it. Right there. Right there. Go ahead.” Shaun babbled more. I think Nate was trying to get him to say something. I was tearing up, listening to him play with our son.

He started over. “Hi honey! Listen… I don't think Shaun and I need to tell you how great of a mother you are... but we're going to anyway. You are kind, and loving,” Shaun giggled in the background “and funny! That's right. And patient. So patient. Patience of a saint, as your mother used to say.”

It had been so long since he said something like this to me. The tape continued. “Look, with Shaun, and us all being at home together... It's been a stressful year. But even so, I know our best days are yet to come. There will be changes, sure. Things we'll need to adjust to. I'm rejoining the office instead of being deployed. You're shaking the dust off your law degree... But everything we do, no matter how hard... we do it for our family. Now say goodbye, Shaun... Bye bye? Say bye bye?” Shaun giggled again. Nate sighed. “Bye honey! We love you! Happy Birthday!”

The tape ended. I had completely forgotten. My birthday was on the 30th, just a few days away. I cried. My emotions finally caught up to me fully. The nukes had gone off, I had been frozen for 200 years, My husband was shot dead, My son was kidnapped, and here I was. Crying alone on a dirty mattress in my ruined house, chasing a crazy hope that maybe Shaun would be out there. I cried for hours, until I finally fell asleep from exhaustion.

#fallout 4 #fanfic #writing

[jimbleswrites]

Nora, The Sole Survivor

Chapter 2: Rude Awakening

I woke up, to a dark hallway. The tiny glass panel was fogged up, with frost hanging on the edges. The lights outside flickered, the fluorescent hum kicking on and off in time.

“This one here.” A person in a white hazard suit was pointing to Nate’s pod. I groggily moaned and put a hand up to the window.

“Open it.” A new voice, gruff and harsh, commanded. A bald man wearing a wrinkled black shirt with metal armor walked into view. The person in the suit nodded and started to operate the pod, with it hissing as it opened. 

Nate was still holding Shaun, as he tried to step out. “Is it over? Are we ready to continue?” He was stopped by the person in the suit.

“Almost, just give me the baby and we’ll get you ready.” They tried to take Shaun, only for Nate to hold him tighter.

“No, I’ll hold him, just let me get my balance.” Nate tried again to step out again, only the man to roughly push him back in.

“Give us the boy.” It was now clear this was not what was supposed to be happening. These people were kidnappers! I banged on the doors, trying to break it down to no avail. Nate was holding Shaun close, trying to protect him, as the person in the suit tried to grab him. He was still groggy from the pod, and could barely stand. I heard a click as I looked back at the man. He was now loading a revolver. “Give us the boy now.” He pointed the gun at Nate who continued to struggle.

“I’m not giving up Shaun!” Nate tried to break away, only to be met by the barrel of the gun. In an instant, the man fired and blew Nate’s head off. I screamed as pieces of gore fell around the floor. Shaun was crying now, with the person in the suit taking Shaun from his cold dead hands as the body slumped back into his pod. I was yelling, banging on the door, just pure rage as the man turned to me. He came right up to the window, his scars and worn skin burned into my mind.

“At least we still have the backup.” He stated, in the same tone one would use when looking in the fridge for something. Bored. Nonchalant. He pushed some buttons on my panel and I heard a familiar hiss. They were going to put me back to sleep. The same mechanical voice began its countdown.

“5”

Air began hissing around me.

“4”

Nate’s body was limp in his pod. The people walked away with Shaun.

“3”

I screamed at the people outside, no words, just rageful cries.

“2”

I felt the world grow colder. I tried to fight it but it was too strong.

“1”

I grew faint and lost consciousness.

***

I woke up to a blaring siren. My pod was opening before I was fully aware, and I fell face first onto the floor. The pain was numb, like my body wasn’t properly registering the impact. I tried to move but I felt stiff. I felt a warmth coming back, and next there was a stinging sensation. Pins and needles shot up my arms, finally catching up to the fall. I managed to stand, leaning heavily against the pod. I had the scariest dream, but surely that was due to all the stress. I looked over to Nate’s pod, and a frozen corpse was sitting there.

It wasn’t a dream.

I scrambled over to the pod, slamming my hands against the controls. It opened, with the body falling forward like I did. Unlike me, it shattered, scattering various pieces of my husband across the floor. A hand slid over to me, with his ring still on his finger. I slumped down, losing feeling in my legs as I kneeled there, staring at the shattered remains of my husband. It was all real. The nukes. The Vault. The kidnappers. I was simultaneously overwhelmed, thinking about everything, and also still, unable to move or process anything. The sirens blared overhead for who knows how long, as I just sat there. After some time, I came to a conclusion. I couldn’t stay here. Even if I opened the vault doors and died, I couldn’t stay here. 

I carefully took the ring from Nate’s hand. “I’m so sorry.” I said aloud. “I know that we argued a lot recently, but I did love you. I should have said it more.” I put the ring into my pocket. “I don’t know what’s out there, but I promise, if there is any chance to find Shaun or whoever did this, I will do it. No matter what it takes.” I finally stood up, and turned to the hallway. This was the first time I had actually looked around. The vault was dusty, with some wires and tubes in the ceiling loose. It felt abandoned, like the people had been gone for years. But we couldn’t have been in the pods for that long? I stepped along the path, looking at the other pods. Some had frozen bodies, others were empty. Were we attacked after the vault closed? 

I reached the end of the hall, and the door was sealed shut. I tried the button, only to hear a beep. “This door is not functioning, please contact a Vault-Tec engineer.” A robotic voice chimed. I guess I would have to look for another way. Or maybe someone else would be ok. I found another door, leading deeper into the vault. I walked past similar broken wiring and dusty halls for a while until I found an office. I looked in to see a skeleton, sitting on the chair. I should have been more surprised but it seemed like I didn’t feel much of anything. The desk it was sitting at had a terminal with power, so I decided to see if it had any info. I gently pushed the skeleton’s chair out of the way, and opened the first file, labeled 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.

I was confused. Suspended animation? Lethal force? Did Nate talk about this with the salesman? I opened the next file, labeled 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.

I gasped. We were frozen for some time. This wasn’t a shelter, it was a lab, and we were the rats. I had no idea how long I had been suspended, and the terminal didn’t have a date listed on it. I looked back to the skeleton. Clearly something had happened, otherwise the staff would still be around.

I heard a noise from the next room suddenly. I was scared, unsure if this would be a worker, an attacker, or some other thing I couldn't predict. I saw a baton on the desk, and picked it up. I turned the corner to see a huge cockroach scuttling in a mess hall. It was probably the size of a small dog, and it chirped as it moved between other skeletons on the floor. I tried to move back into the office only to accidentally hit a box lying on the floor. The roach spun in my direction, and leapt at me, its wings fluttering as it crossed the hall incredibly quickly. I screamed and swung my baton, like a baseball bat. I struck it square in the center, cracking its shell. The roach squealed, then went limp on the floor.

“Giant roaches?” I wheezed. I looked around for more, but the room seemed empty now. I looked at the roach closer, and it looked similar to the roaches I knew, but larger. Maybe the radiation mutated some animals? I looked around the mess hall, only to see more skeletons. Some had lab coats, others had helmets. I continued through the vault, with a few more roaches trying to attack. I managed to beat the roaches with my baton, but my baton was bent out of shape now. I eventually found myself in the overseer’s office, where I found another terminal. Hoping to find some more information on how to leave, I opened up the personal logs of the overseer.

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…

180 days? I guess I had been frozen for a few months. But that didn’t explain those murderers taking Shaun or all the skeletons. I kept reading.

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…

So that explains the skeletons. But why would they kidnap Shaun then? I guess they forced themselves out. I found a command for the evacuation tunnel, and opened the tunnel. I also found a pistol and some ammo in a skeleton in the office chair. I recognized it as a 10mm pistol. Nate had one just like it.

Nate. My emotions hit me again. I distracted myself with fighting roaches and searching for an exit, but now I was suddenly reminded of dates on the gun range with him. I teared up, crying over this pistol. I gave myself a minute to cry, but knew I had to leave eventually. Part of me wanted to stay here, giving up and starving to death. But if Shaun was out there, I needed to find him. I walked through the tunnel, eventually finding myself back in the main room. There was another roach in a lab coat skeleton, and I leveled my pistol at it. I took a shot, and missed, instead shattering the skull of the body it was hiding in. The roach spun around, and I managed to land my second shot.

I walked over to the main door, only to find the bridge was retracted and the large gear-shaped door was sealed. There was a panel to the controls, but there was no keyboard, just ports for pip-boy hook-ups. I looked around for another panel or something, only to have something glint from the skeleton nearby. I pulled back the lab coat covering it to see a Pip-boy still on its wrist. I picked it up, with the bones falling out of the inside. I pressed the button to see it still had power, with text flashing on screen. I secured it to my left arm as it woke up. I never had a pip-boy before, but it seemed simple enough. There were a few dials for radio and screen changes, and a wire connected to the outside. I walked back to the panel, unhooking the jack and plugging it into the panel. The screen showed a little man giving a thumbs up, saying the door was ready for open sequence. I pushed the button to continue, and more alarms began to blare. A large mechanism lowered from the ceiling, hooking into the large door and spinning it away. The bridge extended out, and I unhooked my pip-boy. I walked over to the bridge, crossing to the large elevator I came in on. I saw the button next to it, labeled ASCENT. I hovered my hand over it, frozen. This was my last chance to stay. Part of me wanted to just go back, give up. I hit the button, and stepped up to the platform. I was terrified of what was on the surface, but I had a goal to focus on. Find Shaun, and find the people that killed my husband. The platform groaned as it moved, raising me up. “Time for my new life…” I muttered as the darkness swept over me.

#fallout 4 #writing #fanfic

[jimbleswrites]

Nora, The Sole Survivor

Chapter 1: The day the bombs fell

A/N: This is a retelling of Fallout 4 based on my playthrough and headcanons. 

“War never changes.” I was walking by the bathroom when I heard my husband rehearsing his speech. I swear, he had been repeating the same line for an hour, hogging the bathroom. Didn’t he know I had to get ready to? 

I went into the bathroom behind him. “You’re gonna knock ‘em dead tonight. Now move over.” I reached around him to get my toothbrush. Nate groaned, and walked out. I eyeballed myself as I got ready. I looked tired, with bags under my eyes. I guess that made sense, since I was up all night with the baby. I heard the TV turn on from the other room. I finished getting ready, and walked toward the kitchen. Codsworth hovered there, warming up coffee.

“Good morning, Ms Nora. Here is your coffee!” Codsworth cheerily said, pouring some into a mug.

“Thanks, Codsworth.” I blankly stared forward, sipping my drink. Nate was sitting on the couch, watching the news. There was a moment of peace, then crying. Shaun was crying again.

“I shall attend to young Shaun!” Codsworth immediately floated off to Shaun’s room. I looked at Nate, who continued to watch the news. I sighed and looked past him to our shelf. His flag and gun were on display in the middle of a shelf, with my law degree being tucked into a lower part.

“Have you gotten those hooks yet?” I asked.

“No, I forgot when I was out last. I’ll get them after the rally tonight.” Nate responded, not even looking away from the TV.

“You said that last time.” It was a cold response, but he had forgotten 3 times already.

“Look, my job has been very hectic recently, not to mention the baby.” Nate still was just looking forward as he spoke.

“You mean Shaun? Our child? You’ve been distant ever since he was born. I’m just asking you to grab something for me since you don’t want to buy me a car.”

“You don’t need a car.” Nate finally looked away from the TV. “Why does everything lead back to that car?”

“Because I took a job that requires me to be places, and I can’t depend on you for rides at weird times.”

“You didn’t need to take a job, you know? I make enough for us to be happy.”

I scowled. “Are we having this argument again? I didn’t go to law school for years just to be a housewife.”

Nate groaned. “You wanted to wait on getting a job, then you randomly decide you have a job and need a car? You just changed your mind on this, and I don’t want to spend money on something if you are going to not use it.”

“I waited because WE had a child! I can’t believe you think that me taking a break to raise OUR child means I’ll just be your little bimbo housewife forever!” My voice was louder than I wanted, but I was tired of having this fight.

Nate stood up, visibly angry. “I provide a house, a salary, I even bought a Mr. Handy because you thought being a mom was too hard. But now I’M the bad guy?” He towered over me. “You don’t know how bad it is at work for me. Everyone is dumping their shit on me since I'm the new guy, and I’d love to have some support from my wife.”

“We’re not even married yet! You just keep saying that because your family is upset you had a kid without getting hitched!” We were interrupted by a knock on the door. I tried to go get it, only to have Nate hold me in place.

“Why can’t you just be happy with us?” Nate growled. Now that he was breathing in my face, I could smell the scotch on his breath. “I gave up so much for us. All I ask for is a hot meal, some moral support, and not to get yelled at for forgetting some fucking hooks!” He was screaming in my face, and the knocking was heard again. He let go of me, and turned to the door. My arms hurt from where he gripped me. I stood there, tearing up a little as he answered the door. 

I walked past him to Shaun’s room, passing Codsworth, and shut myself in. I leaned over the crib, looking at my son. He was barely a year old, and giggled happily as he stared back at me. I spun the mobile, watching Shaun's eyes follow the little rocketship around. My mind wandered as I stood there. He wasn’t this mad when we first met. I was trying to graduate law school, and he was working towards a new position at his local outpost. We were both young and dumb, and having someone else around was nice. Even when I found out I was pregnant, he was so excited about having a family. The nice man I had fallen in love with was probably still there, but it wasn’t the man I normally talked to nowadays.

The door opened behind me. “I’m sorry, Nora. I’ve just been so stressed with my new job, I snapped.” He stood on the opposite side of the crib, looking at me. “I’ll get you a car, but I think you should wait for a while longer to go back to work.”

“It’s not about the car, it’s the controlling. It feels like you’re trying to lock me into being someone I’m not.” I sighed as I looked back at him. “I want to be me, not just Nate’s wife.”

“Hey, how about we go out to the park today?” Nate came around to my side and put his arm around my shoulder. “Weather should be nice.”

“Sir? Mum? You should come and see this!” Codsworth called out from the house.

“What’s wrong, Codworth?” I ducked under Nate’s arm and walked back out to the living room. Codsworth was focusing on the TV, which had a reporter talking.

“-Confirmed flashes… That’s right, confirmed detonations in New York. My god…” The reporter put his head in his hands as the TV faded to a lost broadcast. My heart sank as the realization hit my mind. Atomic war felt like a constant threat, but now it was real. There were bombs heading our way. 

Nate came into the room holding Shaun. “Honey? What’s going on?”

“On the TV, they said…” I was stunned, unable to say the words. The neighborhood began to wake as army trucks rolled in.

“Nuclear detonations, sir. And they are heading this way…” Codsworth said, with a sad tone I had not heard from him before. The noise outside grew as people began running outside.

“The salesman… He registered us for the vault!” Nate rambled, grabbing some random things and putting them in his pockets. “The Vault they made on the hill! We have to go now!”

That pulled me back in. We had a plan. “Got it. Let’s go.” I hopped the couch and opened the door, with Nate holding Shaun behind me. I sprinted past people in the streets, some simply watching, others packing suitcases. Nate pulled ahead as we crossed the small bridge over the river, and we found a group of people at a fence. I hadn’t seen the Vault they were building, but this had to be it. We ran up the hill to find soldiers with guns blocking the gated fence.

“IF YOU’RE NOT ON THE LIST, YOU DON’T GET IN!” The man screamed at the crowds pushing on the chains. Nate reached the gate first and was screaming at them. I watched as my neighbors were pushed away and fought to climb over. Nate grabbed me and pulled me through, apparently proving we were on the list.

“What about the others?” I asked the man as he ran us to a platform.

“WE’RE TRYING, JUST STEP IN THE CENTER!” He was clearly as scared as us. We stepped on the platform next to some others, just as we heard the boom. We looked up to see a massive cloud growing over the city.

“SEND IT DOWN NOW, GOD DAMN IT!” The man slammed some buttons, and the platform below us began to descend into the earth. The blast finally hit, the force whooshing by as the top doors sealed, leaving us in darkness. There was a silence, just whirring gears as the platform continued to fall deeper in the abyss. I reached out and grabbed Nate’s hand, simply holding it. He gripped it tightly. We finally saw a dim light towards the bottom as the platform slowed. 

The gates that held us were raised up to show a man in a blue bodysuit. “Hello everyone! Welcome to your new life, underground!” He was chipper, weirdly. It felt like he was introducing us to a theme park, versus the horror we just came from.

“So, now what?” One of the other people on the lift spoke.

“Just walk through the doors, grab your vault suit, and meet us at the decontamination pods!” He pointed to a simple staircase, leading to a large gear-shaped door that loomed over us. No one really moved, until Nate took a step. He gently pulled me with him, leading us to the stairs. I followed behind, and someone followed me. A chain of lemmings, scared to death. There were already people inside, waiting at tables with boxes of suits. Nate slowly led us there, where another chipper vault suit wearer was waiting.

“Name?” She smiled as she looked through a Pip-boy on her wrist. 

“Nate, Nora, and Shaun Hill.” Nate croaked. I looked to see Shaun still asleep in Nate’s arm.

“Oh yes, our little engaged couple! I know it’s not what you imagined your wedding hall looking like, but I pulled some strings and got a lovely cake food supplement whenever you’re ready to make it official!” She talked like this was normal, rummaging through boxes and pulling out some blue bags. “Here you are, now go ahead to the decontamination pods down the hall.” She pointed down a hall, and Nate slowly walked that direction. I took the bags from her, and followed Nate down the hall. There were other people inside, some in pods, some outside. Some cried, others were silent. The only talkative ones were the Vault workers, talking about operations and organizing people. We walked past several rooms until finally reaching the end room. Pods hooked into tubes and wires, all hanging on scaffolding above our heads. 

There was another vault worker in a lab coat, standing there. “Now, just put on your suit and step inside.” He gestured to some empty pods. I look around for a changing room, only to see others changing right next to us in the hallway. I guess if I was going to be living with these people for the rest of my life in a small concrete box under the earth, privacy may not be something we have in spades. I awkwardly changed into the vault suit, trading shaun back and forth with Nate as he changed. We stared at each other, now in matching blue suits. 

Shaun began to cry. Nate held him, just staring. I reached out and touched Shaun’s face. “Hey, I’ll just be over there, ok? No need to cry.” I was tearing up myself, but looked at Nate. “See you on the other side.” I leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek. Nate wrapped an arm around me, shaking.

“Just step into the pods!” The Vault tech was repeating this to people as they came in. Nate finally let go of me, and we split into our pods, facing each other. The doors slid down in front of us, with a small glass window. We put our hands to the glass, reaching out one last time.

“These are just a simple decontamination process, so just relax!” The Vault tech continued to speak, even as a mechanical voice counted down. “Just relax and it’ll be over soon!”

“5”

Air began hissing around me.

“4”

Shaun waved at me from Nate’s pod.

“3”

“Time for my new life…” I muttered to myself.

“2”

I felt the world grow colder.

“1”

I closed my eyes and slowly lost consciousness.

#fallout 4 #writing #fanfic

[jimbleswrites]

Pantheon 2022

Chapter 9: Ongaku’s Big Break

A/N: Wow, depression is kicking my ass. but i figure that as long as I’m trying, that’s OK. also I’ve been trying to draw these characters so there is a visual reference, but I’m not a artist so it’s taking time to hash out.

I woke up to a headache, and a lovely view of the beach. I turned around to see Caleb still knocked out, laying in the backseat, and my portal shut, with tire tracks starting from nowhere. I breathed a sigh of relief, then jumped as there was a loud knock on the door.

“License and registration, sir.” Vida leaned down, smiling at her own joke. I groaned and stepped out of the car. “You know,” she continued, “I was wondering how you’d do in a more action-packed mission, but this is not what I imagined.”

“I feel like it went OK, all things considered.” I replied, showing her the files I'd gotten. “It was more protected than I thought though.” I turned back to the car. There were clear dents in the sides and the windows were broken, but it seemed in decent shape otherwise. Caleb groaned in the back, and I opened the door for him. “You alright buddy?”

“It appears so.” He stepped out, a little shaky as he straightened his clothes. “I would also like to apologize.”

I was surprised to hear this. “Buddy,  I should be apologizing. I threw us out a window and crashed the car in Vida’s plane. We almost got caught.”

“Perhaps, but it was my inaction that caused us to get caught. I am not the best fighter, and i am grateful you helped me on this mission.”

I put out my hand. “Let’s call it even then.”

He took it, shaking. “Agreed. Arinya will be quite happy to have these files.” He turned and opened a portal, waving as he walked away. I went to wave back, then realized i was still holding the files.

“Hold on, you might want these.” I threw the key-chain with the drives at him, accidentally hitting him in the back of the head. He fell forward, the portal closing as the files and him fell through. I winced, and quickly pulled out my phone. I shot him a message saying sorry, and breathed out.

Vida put her arm around my shoulders. “Not bad. You’re really doing good things. And now you have this sick car.” The car finally sputtered off as she mentioned it. “Though you might have a real project trying to fix it.”

I laughed, happy to have pulled off this mission. “I guess I’ll need to put together a garage here. And figure out how to fix it. And get the parts.”

“For sure, but first, Ongaku has called in his favor. And he wants both of us to head over.” Vida stretched and yawned. “He still hasn’t told me what he wants, but we’ll find out.”

“He’s the god of music, right?” I tried to remember from her list of favors she talked about earlier.

“Yup, he tends to be a bit of a loner, but he’s super nice.” Vida waved her arm, with a doorway rose from the sand. “Not sure why he wants to see both of us, but we’ll find out.” She held out her arm, and I took it, leading us into this new plane. Once the light died down, I found us standing in a small recording studio. A panel of switches, dials, and buttons rested below a window, showing us a smaller Japanese man in a button-up shirt playing a bass guitar. The noise of the bass-line quietly played through a headset hooked into the studio equipment. The music felt alive, low tones begging to carry a melody. The man looked at the window and waved, beckoning us inside. I saw a small door leading into the recording room, and led Vida inside, holding the door open for her.

“Ongaku!” Vida walked up and hugged the man. “Beautiful sounds as usual.”

Ongaku smiled. “Always a flatterer. But thank you.” He looked past Vida and looked me up and down. “What did you think, Mr. Robert?”

I awkwardly rubbed my neck. “I’m not really a musician, but I liked what I heard.” I answered truthfully.

“Good. Music is all around us, so always listen close.” He seemed wise beyond his years, with a tone that seemed grandfatherly. “But we can focus on your music tastes later. I need your help with a situation.”

Vida sat down on a stool next to Ongaku. “You still haven’t specifically said what you need.”

Ongaku placed his guitar gently onto a nearby stand. “I normally do most of my work myself, but this falls into more… a more aggressive place than I'm used to.” He looked at me and gestured to an empty step.

“Aggressive?” I asked, sitting down on the step.

“I make music, and give advice. I can fight, but I find it troublesome. I avoid it when I can.” Ongaku sighed. “Have you heard of the singer K Plus?” He produced a small picture of a man with ‘K+’ scribbled on it. He was smiling in the photo, but it looked fake. He otherwise appeared pretty normal, despite the flashy clothes and jewelry.

I shook my head. “Can’t say I have.”

“He’s a decent musician. He leans too much into his ghostwriters for my taste, but that’s not important. What is important is that his record label is trying to buy out some smaller ones, which we need to stop.”

Vida tilted her head. “I didn’t realize you were so invested in the business side of music.”

“I try not to be, but when one record label is threatening to produce all music for one country, I find that not great for creativity. But this deal hinges on a show K+ is having. If, let’s say, this show were to be fraught with issues, the smaller labels will be able to deny the deal indefinitely based on negligence.”

“So we need to go to a show of this guy, and just make it terrible?” It seemed easy enough, but everything has a catch.

“That’s your job. Vida, while you ruin this show, will be distracting K+.” Vida seemed surprised at this. “He tends to be hands-on and very paranoid, so a distraction is needed.”

“I thought gods couldn’t interfere directly with humans?” I was confused as to why Vida was needed.

“Yeah, why do you need me specifically?” Vida asked, clearly as confused as I was.

Ongaku turned over to Vida. “You have been locked up in that plane for how long? I worry about you sometimes, and I think a little trip to earth will do you some good.” He turned back to me. “Also, godly interference is not allowed, but as long as she doesn’t use her powers, it’s fine. And luckily for you, I have the perfect cover.”

***

Vida sighed. “This has to be the dumbest thing I've worn in a long time.” We were standing in line to the K+ concert, and it turned out the ‘perfect cover’ Ongaku had was some backstage passes and groupie outfits. Mine wasn’t too bad, just a shirt with the K+ logo and some baggy black pants. Vida, however, was given a low-cut logo shirt with matching tight shorts. Combined with combat boots, a choker, and a new tied-up hairstyle, she didn’t look like the goddess I was used to. We awkwardly stood in line next to many younger fans, all of which were rambling about what music K+ would perform and if he would have any new ones.

I looked around the venue, a football stadium in Wisconsin, to see just more fans. “You… look fine.” I was trying not to stare at her too much, but I hadn’t really noticed how much skin her outfit showed until we were already there. Vida was already beautiful, and this new outfit showed off her figure in a very flattering way. “Anyway, at least the weather is nice.”

“For sure, I wouldn't want to wear a jacket or anything.” Vida sarcastically said. Normally very confident, she now was slouching a little, like she didn’t want to be seen. She fidgeted in place, kicking the ground.

I hooked my arm in hers. “It could be worse.” I pointed to a girl ahead of us wearing fishnets and a very slim crop top. “What if we both had to wear that?”

Vida giggled, leaning into me. “I think you could make it work.” There was a moment of pause. “I guess I have spent a long time without hanging out on earth. I never used to be this self-conscious.”

The security man at the front of the line started waving people in. “You used to be a groupie?” I joked as we walked forward.

“I’ve been in a lot of places over the years. I used to take decade-long trips to just live in the moment.” She smiled, clearly remembering something. “I guess Ongaku was right, like normal.”

We passed through a hallway to a main stage floor with some techs still running wires around. “Like normal?” I questioned.

“He’s got a sixth sense for music, and a seventh sense for emotions.” Vida explained. “He won’t admit it, but he’s got a real knack for people.”

Our conversation was cut short by a PA. “Alright, welcome K+ fans! The main man himself will be out in a few minutes for the Q&A, but a few rules first.” He seemed very tired, but was forcing himself to act chipper. He continued with rules, and I noticed an empty door. I nudged Vida, and broke off to sneak backstage. Vida nodded, and I disappeared through the door. I found myself in a hallway, and ran off to cause trouble.

***

Vida didn’t pay much mind to the rest of the rules after Robert left. She knew she just had to distract K+ in this session enough for Robert to ruin the show, however he was planning to do that. She was brought back to reality when the people around her started clapping, and another person came out of the wings. She looked to see another PA and not K+. The PA's had a quiet conversation, then turned back to the crowd.

“It seems that K+ is not feeling well, and is saving his strength for the show. I’m so sorry, but you will be compensated with a free merch bag.” The crowd groaned, clearly defeated.

This isn’t good. Vida was planning on using the Q&A to ask obnoxious questions to buy time. She decided to push her luck. “But I really wanted to talk to him! Are you sure you can’t make something happen?” She asked, using a cutesy voice.

“I’m sorry ma’am, but no one is allowed to disturb him until showtime.” The PA started handing out bags of K+ merch, but Vida needed to make sure this show went wrong. Vida took her bag, and followed the others back through the hallway, only to slip into an open door when no one was watching. Her plan was simple. Sneak around, find the green room K+ was in, annoy him to buy time, then leave or get kicked out. It would be more difficult without her powers, but she was up to the challenge.

She slowly worked through the hallways, dipping into curtains and behind crates to avoid workers going by. It wasn’t fast or exciting, but she had to be certain to make it there. She eventually found herself outside a green room door with ‘K+’ written on it. She waited for a person to pass, then stepped out into the hall and opened the door.

She looked inside to see K+ with his back turned to the door, headphones in, sitting in a director’s chair. He was completely in his own world, lost in whatever he was listening to. She quietly shut the door behind her, and decided to play the annoying fan.

“OMG YOU’RE K+!!!” Vida quickly tackled him in a hug, dragging them both to the floor.

“WHO ARE YOU? GET OFF ME!” K+ struggled to break free.

“You didn’t come to the Q&A, so I had to come find you!” Vida was still using the cutesy voice, seemingly mocking him. “You really shouldn’t flake out on your fans.”

K+ finally broke out, scrambling to his feet and grabbing a walkie-talkie off his desk. “SECURITY! COME TO MY ROOM NOW!” Clearly rattled, he turned to run out and ran directly into a wall, knocking himself out. Vida laughed as she picked up his phone from the ground. She realized that he probably had info on there that Ongaku would appreciate. She would return it later, and made a doorway back to Ongaku’s plane.

***

My phone beeped as I fiddled with the wires of some smoke machines. I was perched on a studio rail, awkwardly balancing as I took out my phone and saw a message from Vida:

'HE’S DEFINITELY SHAKEN UP, BETTER BE CAREFUL BEFORE SECURITY FINDS YOU 😛'

I smirked. I had just wrapped up a little surprise for the show, so the timing was perfect. I put the cover back on and went to a small section of wires I could hide in. I wanted to wait in the building to make sure this show went terribly. I sat there for maybe an hour, watching people file into their seats, and watching the tour crew trying to put together the pieces. They finally dimmed the lights and K+ took the stage. He looked tired and stressed, but received a fanfare nonetheless. Fans cheered as he picked up a microphone, unaware of what was happening next.

The first opening notes started, and K+ started to sing. He wasn’t bad by any means, but I understood why Ongaku was opposed to this. He felt very corporate, even as he sang. No passion, just words. I turned to the smoke machines I had rewired, just in time to see them whir to life. I had just bypassed the filters, and instead of a hazy fog, a trickle of fluid was leaking out of the machines, dripping onto the stage below. I had also taken the liberty of rerouting some of the speakers, so as the song grew to its peak, the speakers grew quieter. The crowd was turning hesitant, and a murmur could be heard among them. K+ finally took notice, and was motioning to some crew. They were motioning back, unable to hear him from center stage. K+ finally took his steps, directly into the pooling smoke fluid. He flipped onto his back, and the crowd gasped. This seems to be the final straw, as K+ began screaming violently. As he threw a tantrum, I decided to finally take my leave, making a small doorway above me and crawling into Ongaku’s plane as K+ screamed and made a fool of himself on stage.

***

Deep in a secret military complex, Commander Leblanc was training. He slowly lifted weights, staring at a monitor with various automated searches going on. He stared at it, his reflection staring back at him. The door whirred open, and a man in a lab coat came in.

“Evening, Commander. Are the cybernetics working as intended?”

Leblanc stared deeper at his reflection. He saw a man with several robotic parts scowling back at him. “They work. Although we won’t know about the combat features until it’s time.”

The scientist leaned against the door frame. “Maybe that will be soon. Did you see our mystery man at the K+ show?”

“I did. Another blurry sighting but that was him. I’m running searches now to see if he’s been spotted anywhere else.” Leblanc put down the weights and turned to this man. “But you didn’t come here to tell me things I already know, right Doug?”

Doug straightened his lab coat and stood upright. “Well, it’s about the plan once we find him. I find it… not great. Maybe we shouldn’t-”

A beeping from the computer interrupted him, drawing both their attention. A flashing article from The Weekly Eagle with a photo of their mystery man and a name. Robert Paladin.

#orignal work #writing #fiction #pantheon 2022

[jimbleswrites]

Pantheon 2022

Chapter 8: Arinya’s Plight

A/N: My job is being a real pain in my ass at the moment. That’s it. Just wanted to vent lol.

It had been a few days since then. When I wasn't out on Earth patrolling for signs of Thora, I was on Vida’s plane, training with my powers and becoming stronger. Thora had more power than me, but Vida was working on finding out more in the meantime. I was currently meditating on the beach, focusing on maintaining an orb of aura in front of me. Vida had suggested this, and it seemed to help any constructs I made. The orb wobbled in place, almost a water-like consistency, slowly sloshing around. I heard a few noises behind me, and re-absorbed the energy back into myself. I turned around, seeing Vida entering from a portal. She conjured a small desk and chair next to me and sat down, sighing loudly.

“Long day?” I half-joked, standing up fully.

“Just a lot of cashing in favors. We’ve now got eyes all over the place looking for Thora, so when she pops up again, we’ll know.”

“That’s good.”

“But I have to sign you out for a few missions.” She immediately put a hand up to stop me from saying anything. “Nothing I wouldn't normally allow, but letting someone else borrow you for a short time is a solid offer to these people. If we want eyes everywhere, we need their help.”

“OK, so what exactly am I doing then?” I can’t say I much liked the idea of this but Vida was the boss.

“I’ve got assignments for you from Ongaku, the god of music. Also Benedict, the god of luck, and Arinya. You remember her, right?”

I remembered talking to her before going on my first mission, when she was chatting with Vida. “The goddess of knowledge, right? She was chatting with you about something.”

Vida nodded. “She has a time-sensitive mission for you, so you’ll be heading over there first. She wants to meet you on her plane first.” Vida waved her arm, and a door rose from the sand, with the now-familiar glow blinding the inside of it. “I’m always a call away, but Arinya or her champion will be calling the shots, so follow their instructions. I’m gonna go check on some other godly duties.” She gestured to the door and walked away. I faced the door, walking through.

I realized I had never been to Arinya’s plane before, and found myself staring at a large shelf. Hundreds of books, tomes, magazines, any reading material I could think of was sitting on this impossibly high shelf. I turned around to see similar shelves stretching as far as my eyes could see, underneath a large framework holding plants. Vines covered in flowers hung down, connecting the library underneath to the large foliage tracks above. I suddenly heard a noise nearby, and looked to see a small figure, holding some books. The little thing was seemingly made of smooth stone, and was maybe 4 feet tall. It trod past me, taking a book from its stack and sliding it into an empty spot on the shelf. This must be a construct, I thought, like the waitress from Vida’s diner.

“Excuse me?” I called out, “Do you know where I can find Arinya?”

It turned to face me, head hidden behind its stack of books. “My goddess is currently waiting on a Mr. Robert Paladin. Is that you?” It had a cutesy voice, like a young child pretending to be a secretary.

“Yes, I’m Robert.” I answered.

It put the books on the floor neatly, then grabbed my hand. “She is in one of the lounges. I’ll take you there.” Its face was carved with a simple smiley face, two dots for eyes and a simple line for a mouth. It began to gently pull me in a direction, and we walked for a while. We passed several other constructs wandering by, carrying all types of books, VHS tapes, DVDs, and other strange files. I began to hear people talking as we moved, growing louder. Eventually I was led around a corner to see two people arguing. One I recognized as Arinya, but the other was a smaller man I didn't know.

“I don’t like it. It’s risky. I won’t go, even with him.” The man pushed his glasses up as he spoke.

“Well, that’s too bad. You don’t have a choice. I need this info.” Arinya was acting annoyed, unlike the bubbly person I met earlier.

“Mr. Robert Paladin is here!” The little construct spoke up, announcing our arrival awkwardly. I waved, unsure how to act. The construct then walked away, probably back to sorting books.

“Robert!” Arinya perked up, and walked over. She gave me a hug, smothering me. “It’s been a while! I heard about Thora, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for you.” I tried to break away from the hug, but she held me there. “I’m so happy you can help Caleb with this task! He is just so stubborn.”

“I just don’t like taking risks.” Caleb was standing to the side, thumbs tucked in his suspenders. “But if you insist this is necessary, I have no choice. I will get the file.”

Arinya let out a squee of delight, finally releasing me and scooping Caleb into a hug instead. “Finally! Now you can go get it!” A doorway opened up and Arinya started pushing us out. “I believe in you!” We found ourselves in a back alley. I didn’t even know what I was doing, and Arinya had already closed the doorway. I turned to the other champion beside me, and he was typing away on his phone.

I put a hand out to him. “Hey, nice to meet you Caleb.” I figured an introduction and a handshake was the safest way to start. He ignored it and continued to type. I pulled away and rubbed my neck. “I’m Robert, but you probably know that already.”

“I do.” He spoke, still not looking at me.

“Okay… I’ll be honest, Vida didn’t tell me the details of what we are doing. I was hoping you could-”

“We need a copy of a specific file from the city office here. It’s a classified permit to build an underground bunker near the power plant in this town.” Caleb had cut me off, but he was speaking quickly. “All classified documents are held in a filing cabinet in the basement, so I'm planning to disguise myself as a government officer needing to check the supports to gain access. I was planning this as a solo mission but it seems they are increasing security for some unknown reason, so Arinya had you tag along. What are your strengths?”

“Uhh… I’m decent at thinking on the fly?” Caleb was clearly an intellectual man, but he was not a social person. He spoke in large words and didn’t care about social expectations. “Maybe I can disguise myself with you and help smooth out any hiccups? You seem…” I paused to think of how to phrase this.

“I lack awareness of social norms, and you think you can help persuade people if I am unable to?” He answered. I nodded, glad he was aware of that at least. “Very well. There is a clothes shop nearby and we can acquire suits there.” He started to walk away, and I quickly ran to catch up. “Once we have those, we will walk to the office and start our investigation.”

“Walk up? Won’t it seem weird that we walked?” I pointed out. “Does this town have another government office we would walk from?”

Caleb paused. “No. It would seem odd. Do you have another way to approach?”

I looked around, and saw the perfect thing. An old Ford Crown Victoria parked on a used car lot. The exact kind of car you’d see in movies that G-men would ride around in. “That car. We pull up in a black car just like the movies. We play it like a routine surprise inspection then swipe the file when they aren’t looking.” I explained.

Caleb nodded. “Then let’s get what we need.”

***

Surprisingly, getting the car and the clothes were not an issue. The suits fit just fine, and I paid a little extra to drive the car off the lot right then and there without any paperwork. I drove a wide circle around the block as we prepped for the mission. I agreed to follow Caleb’s lead, and pulled up to a parking meter right next to the front entrance. It was a larger city hall, with a staircase leading up to a main entrance. We exited the car, and walked past several other workers as we ascended the stairs. Caleb entered first, and I followed in after. There was a metal detector before we could enter further, and 2 guards running the checkpoint.

“Empty your pockets into this bin, and then step through the gate here.” The guard repeated to the people stepping through. I put my phone and wallet in the bin and walked through.

Caleb got his items back first. “Where is the door to the basement?” He blatantly asked the guard. The guard raised an eyebrow. “We’re inspectors, and need to check the supports.” He elaborated.

“The basement is locked. Go to the offices on the left there and get Jacob. He can open it once he verifies your info.” The guard pointed to a hall, and we proceeded into the building. The guards, despite some looks, were going to let us through and now we just needed to find Jacob. Caleb just continued onward, pushing people aside, seemingly unaware of how other people perceived him. I followed him as he plowed forward, heading to the hall offices. We passed several doors before seeing one labeled “Jacob Conner - City Planner”. The office was dark, and the door was locked. I looked around, seeing other offices dark with shut doors.

“The keys are on the desk.” Caleb said.

“Yeah, but the people are all gone.” I checked my watch to see it was a little past noon.  “Probably out on lunch…” I turned back to see Caleb on one knee, bending a paperclip into the lock. I quickly checked the hallways again to make sure no one was watching. “You can’t wait a few minutes for someone to come back?”

“That would take too long. The sooner we get the info, the sooner we can leave.” Caleb clicked the clip a few times then opened the door. He walked in, and started rummaging through papers and grabbing keys. I kept watch as he ran through the office, and eventually walked back out. I closed the door and quickly followed Caleb. He was walking with purpose, stopping abruptly at a door marked ‘FOR STAFF ONLY’. He pulled out one of the stolen keys, and quickly stepped through. I followed and shut the door behind us, as we found ourselves in a large storage room. Several shelves of boxes and many filing cabinets stared back at us.

“So, you didn’t happen to find the exact location of this permit in all those papers in the office, did you?” I half-joked. Caleb ignored me, and started opening filing cabinets. I started looking through a different cabinet. I wasn’t quite sure of the specific form Arinya needed, but I figured a permit for an underground bunker would be pretty easy to find. I went through papers, drawers, and eventually full cabinets without seeing what I needed. Time seemed to pause in the room, with no natural light and no clocks to be seen. After some searching, on the last cabinet, I found nothing. I looked over to Caleb to see he hadn’t gotten anything either. I banged my head against the cabinet, annoyed. And then I heard a clicking noise. I looked on the other side of the drawer and noticed a small crack. There was a hidden compartment, tucked in the metal inside! I moved the false wall to see a few small file drives on a key-chain. I scooped them up and jingled them at Caleb. He turned to see them, then reached out for them.

“Stop!” A new voice broke the silence. We looked over to see a couple security guards aiming guns at us. “Put down the files or we will shoot!” Caleb and I were frozen in place. We must have taken too long and they noticed something.

I slowly turned to the guards. “We don’t have to do this. Just forget you saw us and walk away.” I was getting more used to my powers, but I didn't want to hurt anyone i didn’t have to.

“I don’t know what the hell you think is valuable here, but you are breaking and entering on government property. You can’t just walk away. I’m going to count down, and you have until I reach zero to surrender peacefully.”

“5...” I tensed up. A fight was inevitable.

“4...” Caleb looked at me, scared. I tried to look confident as I weighed my options.

“3...” The guard clicked his safety off.

“2...” I had a plan, but it wasn’t going to be pretty.

“1...” I started to flow aura through my body.

“OPEN FIRE!” the guards fired. I quickly formed a golden wall in front of me and Caleb, stopping the bullets. I then pushed it forward, launching it at the guards. It pushed them into the door behind, slamming it open.

“WE GOTTA GO NOW!” I grabbed Caleb’s arm and started dragging him behind me. I ran past the guards only to see soldiers rushing into the hall. I saw a window in this hall overlooking the parking lot. I hugged Caleb close to me and leaped through the glass. It shattered as we soared over the lot. I surrounded Caleb and myself in aura, trying to make us as safe as possible. We fell down to the ground below. I crashed on my back, losing my grip on Caleb. The aura shielded me, but it still hurt pretty bad. I laid there for a second, catching my breath from the two-story fall. I rolled over to my side to see Caleb laying there. He was breathing but he was knocked out. I was shaken back to reality by a gunshot. I scrambled to my feet and scooped up Caleb. I quickly ran down to the car, throwing Caleb in the backseat. I hopped in the driver’s seat, and quickly started the car. Bullets rang through, breaking the windows. I slammed the gas and drove past the numerous army jeeps. Whatever was on that file, they did not want us to leave with it. I sped down the roads, swerving by various vehicles trying to run me off the road. The older car was hanging in there for now, but I needed to make distance between us and the chasing military. I drove wildly, passing the last buildings and speeding down a long back road. I saw a farm ahead with a larger barn. I had an idea, but it was going to be close. I whipped off the road, driving through the corn field. Stalks beat against the car as we carved a path through the field. I focused on the barn as we went forward. I had never made a doorway while moving, but we needed to disappear. I focused on building a car-sized doorway inside the barn. The windshield suddenly cleared, and I saw a glow from the inside of the barn. My head was pounding, but I was so close. I spun the wheel, drifting into the barn. I saw the portal, just barely big enough to drive through. I tried to straighten out, but slammed the back end of the car into the side. The car jerked back and forth, going through the portal but knocking my head against the wheel. I blacked out, the car now sputtering in the sandy shores of Vida’s plane.

***

The military just watched these 2 madmen drive through the field, only to somehow lose them in a barn. They had spent the day sweeping the grounds, but found nothing. No hidden basement, no other tracks, and the farm itself had been abandoned for years now. And the worst part was that these two random guys had waltzed right into the building, and found the secret files in no time flat. These people were somehow very well-informed and incredibly capable, and they left no trace of anything. One man had overpowered 2 guards and outran a full unit of soldiers assigned to only stop people who might be stealing files from this po-dunk town. A mysterious man was staring at the tracks, which randomly stopped in the middle of the barn. A foot soldier ran up to the man, holding a paper.

“Commander LeBlanc! We got it!” He handed over a picture. A blurry image, but you could clearly make out Robert’s face as he ran a red light. LeBlanc smiled. “Finally, new prey to hunt.”

#writing #Original Work #fiction #pantheon 2022