The Fatal Flaw
Music:
Master's Lair
My eyes...they hurt so...
But it's unmistakable...that...'thing'. It's alive. Melded onto the Overseer's usual console chair. How...could it be?
Are you...are you Richard Grey?
Its voice spoke in three different tones: calm, male voice; an aggressive, impatient male, and a female...it alternates between the three. The voices echo in my mind...it's so hard to think, even with five doses of mentats and my crippled eye is going to make it hard for me to nail this guy. How the hell did I get here anyway?
If you can prove to me that your Unity is the best course for humanity, then I will help you.
I can't know you represent the best future, unless you prove it to me.
So tell me.
I'm just buying time. Hopefully, I can find a flaw in his reasoning and...
That race being the mutants, of course.
You mean to change all the others into mutants, as well?
Wait...if that happens. Then...I've got it!
You've got a problem with your master plan.
Vree's research! If what she says is true...then...
I happen to know that your mutants are sterile.
You may not believe me, but have you talked to any of your mutants about this?
The creature spend several moments barking into the intercom, speaking with his scientists on the ground.
He's getting agitated, I better come up with something fast.
Wait, did you think to ask a female mutant? (Is there even any female...for that matter?)
Bingo. He looks...defeated. Sad, even.
I'm sorry, your race is doomed. If you insist on changing the whole wasteland, I'm afraid you're dooming the entire mankind to extinction.
I'm sorry this isn't an option for you. Your race will die out after this generation. There is no need to fight...
Wait...Richard..
A klaxon sounded in the room.
What have you done?
The speakers slightly muffled by the gooey biomass crackled to life: Time to Self Destruct: 240 seconds.
Not again! Farewell...it's been nice knowing you.
I punched the Stealthboy Unit on and make my way to the elevator.
This is exactly like V-13 lay out. Now if I just....
Brian. Not yet. You should rescue the ones on the second floor as well.
Who...who are - hey, where's Todd?
If you haven't realized, you are not wearing the power armor.
Get out of my head.
Like it or not...I'm you. Just realize that I've done my part. Now go to the second level and free the prisoners.
Fine.
This shouldn't be too hard..if I just hit the button here....and....
Quick, follow me...
To my horror, the prisoners exploded, barely metres out of their cells.
GODS! What the fuck just happened?
It appears the masters malevolent programming has a kill switch...I'm amazed we survived the ordeal...how did you do it, Brian?
....Does it matter, oh yuck, some of their parts are on me....gods...I'm outta here!
Fucking robes slowing me down!
Still over 3 minutes left....looks like I'm in some kind of Vault...
Up..up...
Oh, man....did I?
Of course.
Huff....just a little more...why are there dead people on the streets. What did I do?!
Expediting progress. Clearly these fools are beyond saving, now get clear, Brian. We will need several blocks of safe distance...
Don't have to tell me twice!
Exhausted and barely escaping from ground zero, I sought refuge at the Followers of Apocalypse's compound. Unfortunately, there was none to be found...
Hopefully, the rest of the communities up north are spared from their menace.
Meanwhile...
High Elder, detonation confirmed at the Boneyard. I've sent some of our recon over to investigate it further.
I can already tell what it was.
Elder?
It's our promising initiate..Bro..err, what's his name, again?
No matter how I tried, I could not get the TODD unit back online. The Power Armor remains operational, no fusion leakage was found, the suit is nothing more than an armor now. Days after escaping ground zero, I make my way north, back to the Brotherhood bunker.
Look what the cat dragged in. Well done, Ryans. That's your name isn't it? I assume you were behind the mushroom cloud at the Cathedral?
Indirectly, perhaps. And my name's not Ryans, sir.
Heh. Whatever....why aren't you wearing your T-51B? Did it get damaged?
Sort of...anyway. I am returning this unit. I won't be needing it where I'm going.
Initiate, it is yours to keep.
I insist..Maybe you can fix it up and get the TODD unit back for future recruits.
Both Mathia and the High Elder gave each other a quizzical look.
Initiate, have you done some self-modification of your T-51b unit of some kind?
No.
Well, what's this 'todd' thing that got damaged?
It's ...uh...a virtual intelligence..It...talks. Don't all suits used to have one?
The High Elder rubbed his chin and gave me a blank look.
Son, I've been around longer than you, and my old man didn't even know such thing existed. Maybe it's...just a figment of your imagination...
But...
Oh, no...no buts. It's okay. It's done no harm. You don't want this armor? Fine, we'll take it back. Just one thing before you leave though, what IS your name, Initiate? Don't want to get the Scribes' to misspell it.
Just call us...er...me...Vault Dweller.
Mmmm. That'll do. Now buzz off kid, we've got some wasteland patrol and rebuilding to plan. You take care of yourself, now.
Thank you, Elder Maxson, for all your help.