Man and Monsters
In the heart of the city lies a great library, fortified and restored. It rises with a forbidding yet graceful presence. I feel a sense of peace as I approach.
Weren't we going to smash some deathclaws or something?
Just one last stop before doing that.
The followers seem to be busy, organizing the books within, and some are deep in studies. I decide to approach their leader, Nicole for more information.
Thanks. Can you tell me more about what you worship here?
Nicole gives a small chuckle when I mentioned 'worship.' She shakes her head and explains patiently.
We don't worship so much as follow a set of principles. We want to bring peace back to this wasteland. The world tends towards destruction, so we try to make a difference.
How?
....Oh, hippies. I thought they'd be the first to die out.
We try to remind people why the Great War happened in the first place. And help insure it won't ever happen again.
Have you been successful at all?
Judging from the amount of ass-kicking required to end the mutant threat...with a helpful dosage of eye-gouging punches, they pretty much amount to an epic fail.
We never give up hope. We never will, even though most live by the gun these days. And we are concerned with the Children of the Cathedral.
What about them?
They claim to want peace, like us. But anyone who disagrees with them just disappears. Their Dark God is not what he seems, believe me.
How do you know this?
Call it instincts. We've seen Morpheus and the Nightkin and they don't look like peace makers to us. Their hospitals and message of peace make them attractive, but we know there's evil there.
Do you have any clues?
A number of our spies have seen Nightkin coming in and out of the back room of the Children's Temple. Something important is back there.
Well, I'll investigate.
Good! We could use any information. Now, is there anything else you'd like to ask?
Yes, there is.
Ask, and I'll answer if I can.
Tell me a little history behind the Followers. Where did they start?
Far to the south, near the Great Glow. The times were hard, but we managed to survive. We realized then the Great War must never happen again.
So, you started the Followers of the Apocalypse?
After my parents were killed by a marauder, *sigh* it was time the killing stopped. It's out goal to make this land the way it used to be, before the war.
I'm sorry about your parents.
Thank you, I appreciate that. Now, is there anything else you needed to ask me?
No thank you, I'll be going now.
We wish you all the best in the journeys ahead. Please feel free to use our base as much as you like.
Can we start killing deathclaw now? These guys are so boring.
They seem like a good sort, Todd. I mean, they may not have the guns to back it up, but there's plenty of followers, and they're doing good in the wasteland.
Look, man. If you wish to stay amongst these guys, and be a living God of Steel, feel free, but I can't imagine you wanting to wear the T-51b while teaching kids how to say their A B Cs.
Good point. I might ditch you after I'm done with this mutant business.
Hah! I told you so - wait - WHAT! You're not serious, are you?
Well....
I'm warning you, Brian. I have the self-destruct code to the T-51b reactor!
Yeah, sure. Whatever.
I walk around the great library, taking the great sight of dozens ...probably hundreds of books neatly organized on the shelves. Mostly pre-war books. It's going to take some time before mankind writes new ones...we'll have to make do with what we've got now.
Oh, sorry. I'm Brian. Just browsing.
The young woman is dressed just like Nicole, except she's not the scholarly type. She carries a bandolier of throwing knives accompanied with a rusty knife, holstered on her right thigh.
And what, may I ask, are you doing in the Boneyard?
Why don't you first tell me who you are?
All right, fair enough, I'm called Katja. What's it matter to you?
Just looking for information. Can you help?
Maybe. You definitely aren't one of those gangland shiv-shovers. What do you want?
What can you tell me about your neighbours, the Blades?
I've dealt with them before. They're not too bad, as far as gangs go. They have a hide-out in an old club, with some outposts. If you're careful, you might even be able to get some of them to talk.
What about the Gun Runners?
They used to be a real gang, but they went soft. They started setting up a deal where they trade weapons that they get from their victims or buy from the Hub. Since nobody here is up for the trip to the Hub personally, they do pretty good business, even though their prices are high.
Hmmm. Tell me more about the Followers of Apocalypse. Are you a member?
Hell no. They're a group of peace-preachers who live in a large library near the heart of the Boneyard. Why they haven't been wiped out yet I can't say. They are lousy combatants and have no understanding of the real world., but other than that, they are polite and educated.
So, you live here?
Adytum is my original home. A little too boring for me, though. It's a fenced-off and self-sufficient town in the south end of the Boneyard, but not as far as the Cathedral. We trade sometimes with the Hub.
How's life in the Boneyard?
Eh, the Boneyard is a pretty hostile place. I've never had the opportunity to leave, though I suppose I'd take it. Let's see...just south of here you have the Cathedral. There's some sort of cult there, but I stay away from them. Something sinister is going on there. Also, I've heard about the trading centre called the Hub, and caravans occasionally show up, but I've never been there.
I don't plan to stay in this place too much longer, myself.
No kidding. If you're looking for another hand, I'll sign on. Better than spending the rest of my existence in this hellhole, right?
Well, I don't mind. But the desert's not much more fun.
That's all right, looks like we've got a little ass-kicking to do!
Well, in that case...
What's this for?
This is a Ripper. It's a micro energy cell powered machined knife that is capable of tearing apart people at close range. Better than any knives you'll find in this dump. It's like a mini-chainsaw. The stims are just insurance.
Hmph. Fine. I can handle myself. Thanks, Brian.
Do we even need her?
I don't intend to keep her around for long though. Maybe as a guide in the Boneyard.
Suit yourself. Now, can we go kill the deathclaws?!
No..not yet. There's still the basement of the great library to explore.
AUghhhH!
Brian, I noticed you've been mumbling to yourself all this while, is something wrong?
No, not really. Just thinking aloud. Let's go.
The basement is cluttered with books of all shapes and sizes, the Followers are definitely busy preserving the pre-war knowledge they could find.
Hmmm. That's odd. Is that a ghoul in the crowd?
Greetings to you as well. I'm called Brian. How is it that you came into the realm of the Followers?
My entrance into the Followers was quite simple really. It was the Followers who rescued me from the full effects of the transformation into a heinous beast.
I don't fully understand. Please, go on.
Once, I was as you are now - a pure human. But, through the intervention of a Nightkin, I was taken to some place far removed from here.
This sounds familiar. Please, continue.
I was not of a state in which to observe what transpired. All I had known was that I awoke here and was tended by the good doctor.
FEV. Mariposa. Just like Harold. He didn't turn fully into a super mutant. Whether it was a blessing or a curse isn't quite clear.
I...I'm truly sorry to hear of your predicament. I will find those who did this and remedy the situation. What is it that you do here, Talius?
I am here to assist these good people in understanding the workings of the Children of the Cathedral.
So you are a spy for the Children?
Nay, I am no spy. Though many think as such. There is a spy within our humble abode. Yet, we are unable to ferret the spy out.
Tell me what you know about this spy. Maybe I can help.
I know very little. The only thing I know are that our scouts are the only ones who ever go over to the Children to spy on them. No one else is allowed because of the danger.
Then it might be a scout. I will look into this.
Please dispense justice upon the defouler who seeks to undermine the trust of the Followers.
I shall.
Minutes later...
Wooo, finally! Deathclaws! Let me at them!
Katja, you may want to stay back a bit.
Screw you, I can handle myself.
Fine, just let me take the first shot.
I spot a lone deathclaw at a distance. We can take this one out.
Let's move closer.
Good. He didn't spot us. Get ready. I'm going to lure him over..
I draw my plasma pistol and move out of cover to squeeze a shot in.
Missed. But that got his attention.
Screw this, eat my blade, critter!
Katja let her ripper out and tear at the Deathclaw.
Luckily, her attacks did not divert the mutated monster attention.
She takes full advantage of that and continues her stabbing at the creature's flank.
Not bad. I used to cower at the sight of this bastard. But time's changed.
I'm sorry for this.
The inhuman roar came out of the creature as he lost an eye instantly. I wasn't finished.
Blinded, the creature can only grasp at air.
Katja likes what she sees and continues to puncture the creature's back at her leisure.
A few blows later, the creature succumbs to its wounds and fall.
Alright, let's move out. We're not trying to wipe them out.
Why the hell not? Seriously, we're dominating their asses back there!
Wait, there's something!
What is it?
A dead scavenger.
Hmmmmm....
I step closer and search through the dead man's belongings.
I hope these are the parts Miles is looking for.
I pocket the parts before making a dash out of the deathclaw area towards the Gun Runner's district.
There's the pussies' hideout. Surrounded by radioactive sludge.
A lone guard stood at the sole bridge leading towards the Gun Runner's complex.
I need to speak to your boss. It is very important.
The guard nods and instructed me to speak with Gabriel. I was allowed to cross the bridge and enter the abandoned factory.
Man that's a lot of guns.
That guy is carrying a rocket launcher, Brian. Didn't we grab one at the Mariposa?
Yeah, saving it for later...
These guys could actually take out Regulators if they didn't stupidly sold guns to them...pussies now prefer to be merchants than gangers.
What is it you do here?
We manufacture weapons and ammunitions. We've been at this for the last 30 years. But the last 10 have been hell.
Why is that?
We've stripped the area surrounding our factory of all the scrap metals that were left after the war. Now we have to rely on Adytum to supply us with raw materials.
What's so bad about Adytum supplying you with your materials?
At first it was fine. They supplied us with the raw materials, we manufactured and sold the weapons. Then 3 years ago, Zimmerman hired some mercs to help protect Adytum from the deathclaws and the odd random attack by raiders. These Regulators are cold hearted bastards and are squeezing us for all we have. We make the guns and they get rich off of it.
That's rough. What would you give me to take care of the deathclaws?
Well, if you could get rid of the deathclaws once and for all, you could name your price.
I have some friends who can really use some of your weapons.
Hmmm. You clear out the Deathclaws, all of them, and you get yourself a deal.
Fine. I'll do it.
YES!
We're helping out the Blades? What for?
Do you even like the way Regulators is running your town, Katja?
Mmmm. Fair point. Would really love to rip some of them a new one with this new toy.
Then let's get to work. Todd. Chems.
Geez, you need to cut down on this shit....alright. Psycho and Buffout administered. Give'em hell.
Thanks. Let's sweep them.
Our return to the deathclaw district results in an early encounter. I fired a plasma pistol at the nearest deathclaw, but failed to land a single hit.
God, you suck so much.
At least the creature's attention is fully diverted towards me.
Oof. Spoke too soon.
Nice hit. My turn.
Incoming ! To your right!
Shit, we better finish this one fast! Katja!
I'm fucking on it!
The creature fell in time. Not a moment too soon, there's another pair of claws on my back.
A few punches and stabs later....
That wasn't so bad.
Brian, I've got some great news!
What is it?
Software upgrade man! I can assist you with targeting now - just choose a weapon type for me to augment!
Hmmm...Energy weapons.
All done! Time to try out that Plasma Rifle.
Fine. Let's give this baby a spin.
We patrol the perimeter and found no other deathclaws except for the three dead. We check the building more thoroughly and found stairs leading to the basement.
All dark here...can't see shit...
A growl greets me from the dark.
Here kitty, kitty...
The first shot grazed the Mother Deathclaw, the second one misses it completely.
Not my fault!
I'm not blaming you. I prefer to punch them anyway.
The claws met fists of steel...the armor took some minor damage but it held.
Katja is making full use of the Ripper. Every strike seems to knock the massive creature off its feet.
We're doing great, Katja. Keep it up!
Are you kidding? I've having the best time of my life, ever!
The Mother Deathclaw gets knocked around, again, and again.
As it suffers from a death blow, in its final moments, the Mother Deathclaw gives a mournful howl as she turns her gaze at the chambers behind her. Katja's ripper silences it with a flesh-tearing roar.
Hah, take that, creep!
It was just trying to protect its nest...
Look at all this.
We should keep an egg around...for pets!
No wonder they kept coming back after we killed them 'claws on the streets. They've got a whole hatchery down here!
I can't really blame them for not moving away. They have a right to live too, you know. How could they have known that humans have claimed this place?
Are you going to keep yapping philosophical bullshit or do I have to rip those eggs myself?
You're right. It's very, very simple, isn't it?
I pull out a grenade from my pack while thinking of the time back when I fought my first deathclaw. Tycho's death, and the pure desperation I felt as blow after blow of the beast landed on my drug addled self then....nothing. There is not a single speck of hatred here. Just me...and the nest I have to exterminate. I pulled the pin. I killed their family.
Brian...is dead.
Did you say something, Brian?