Everything is better with Robots

« War… War never changes. »

« You will be perfect darling » I said to my husband, with a big smile. It was nice to be at home, to spend sometimes with the two men of my life… And it was nice for John's ego to be invited for a speech for the veteran of Anchorage. After all, it was normal to invite the One True Soldier, the one with the most communist kill confirmed… And to let him speak. Stupid bullet in the knee. The Doctor said only the next gen of Auto-Doc, like in the Sierra Madre could heal him. I called some friends in Las Vegas too, but apparently our "Dear" Robert House was… Even more like him than usual.

I would gladly construct one myself, but since this is supposed to be a covert identity until the launch of "Prime", or the end of my maternity leave, I was to restraint myself as much as possible.

"You know as well as me that I will not speaking as me… But just a random soldier."

I sighed. Nate was the best. When he learned that I was going to have a new identity because of my job, he did not hesitate and accepted to change his name too. We were Jane Smith and John Smith… He wasn't Nate Van Graft the Hero, but just another footsoldier. Me, I wasn't anymore the head of the robotic section of the R&D department of our great nation. I was just another mom like the other, until the facilities were made available in D.C. for Nate and me. I was offered a… Strange offer to go to an oil rig, somewhere in the sea, but my superior said no for me. Not like I would have accepted, it was really shaddy, even for the government. Too essential for the project and my pregnancy was…

Let's just say we were happy to have Shaun.

"Hug with some coffee and the TV?"

"You read my mind."

It was pure happiness. Codsworth was taking care of Shaun… When I was not discreetly tinkering him. Hey, every woman need a hobby.

John was here, with me, and not at Anchorage anymore. Many at the department said I was so much on the T-51B project to see my man as soon as possible. I often added "As soon and alive". Hell, I was so worried that I did the test phase myself, learning how to wear a power armor!

I was dreaming, in the arms of my love, just as he began to shift his attention from the TV to my neck when…

"Madame, I think someone is knocking at the door."

"Yes, I know Codsworth…" I sighed, just as I looked with puppy eyes Nate so he could go answer for us.

Then, he pointed his leg. I was going to tell him to stop trying to make me pity him… but then I saw his face. Painful. The bullet was… Acting again. It was not dangerous for his life, but it was the most painful at the most random time.
I kissed him, as I got up and went to the door… Opening way more brutally than I intended. Then again, this… Strange little man interrupted my cuddling session.

"Hello, ma'am, I'm from Vault-Tec, and I have the pleasure to say that you were chosen to have a special place in our Vault !"

I looked at him… And I sighed. Vault-Tec. I hated them. Behind their smile, I swear I could see the darkest things. Even in our department, we were cautious of… Joint project. You were sure that the budget would be drained faster than you could say "experimentation". I preferred when I was working with RobCo, even if I had to deal with the insufferable ego of House. Their Vault ? It was a Joke. Yes I put a capital J on joke, as it was one of the greatest jokes of the USA. I knew they were supposed to "save" at best 1 million people across the country. Less than one percent of the population… How could we possibly reconstruct a stable society with just that if there was an atomic war?

Still, it was part of the packaged deal with the identity. Not my idea, but this one was from my superior. He seemed worried and convinced me to take the offer. Saying it was just to make sure one of the brightest minds of the world would survive. I laughed. I was bright but… Brightest? It was way too much, and survives what? An atomic war? Nobody would want to rule a land of ash.

"Yes I know. I should have already sent the papers, filled as expected."

"Well yes indeed. You are the only couple that doesn't have to make some rectification." He said with the empty smile of a corporate. Poor guy.

"However I still need your signature to make sure you are… Well, you, and that everything is correct."

I groaned and began to check the paper. Hmm hmm… Yes, it was all conformed to the new identity, indeed. I rapidly used my pen to finish this, and…

"Sir? Will you take some coffee?"

He was taken by surprise. Apparently… He was used to a less than civil answer. True, I did not open the door as friendly as usual, and he was just doing his job. A painful and tiring job. Being compassionate is essential. Sure, he just annoyed me before a cuddling session, but… He was just doing a job.

"I… Thank you, ma'am, but I have thirty five others house to check before the end of the day."

He had such a sad puppy face… I put my hand on his shoulder. This poor dude actually had a very long day of work ahead of him.

"Hey, we all have our part to do. And yours, sir, is one of the most important of all: Make sure we are all okay. You will never get enough thanks for that."

I could see behind me Nate smiling, at the poor Vault-tec worker lifted his head. Hopeful… And prideful. Nate often said I was a bit too pure and too kind. He also said it was one of the reason he fell in love with me.

"Yes… Yes ! I am important! I will do it! You will see, your place at the Vault is guaranteed!"

I let him leave on this positive note, before looking at my husband… Ready to jump on him for a hug, with a predatory smile, as the pain went away from his face. NOTHING COULD STOP ME FROM BEING CUDDLED!

"Madame Nora" said Codsworth, "I think Mister Shaun is calling for you".

GODDAMNIT ROBOT

I was happy he didn't call me like this when someone not from the house was here… But it was necessary: My tweaking were supposed to be minimal. I was… Infamous at work for my habits to give a personality to every robot. Hey, I always thought that robot were better than man… Except my John and my Shaun, of course.

I don't think putting French in my robot… And tweaking his IA is counted as a breach of security. Nevermind, my little man is calling for me, while my husband kissed me on my cheek.

"Well let's take care of him. I will change him this time. I will need the practice after all."

Our couple was not common : a husband taking care of the child while the wife was working… But it worked. It worked well, and we were taking turn during my maternity leave, so he could learn how to do everything perfectly… Well that, with the help of Codsworth of course. My upgrades were not simply about his speech.

Then, we went to see my greatest creation. Our greatest.

My beautiful, smart baby. I was sure he was going to be as strong as his father, and as smart as his mommy. Our sunshine…

"He always prefer when Master John take him"

Said Codsworth, observing us with… Well he didn't have a mouth, but if he had one, he would smile. I know, many roboticists are saying that Mr Handy cannot develop a sentience… Bullshit. Edward did create some AI for his Handy and so did I! We used to talk via our terminals before my maternity leave. Such an adorable man.

So, when I say that Codsworth is Shaun's uncle, he knows I mean it. My husband too.

Everything is better with a robot, including my family.

As I let my husband take care of my child, the TV changed brutally for a PSA. It was not usual, I knew it. That is why I actually call my husband to let us watch it. The anchormens were… Disturbed, afraid. Doomed. Deep inside my guts, I knew it was bad. As bad as when France crumbled on itself.. Oh god. No no no. Don't let this ass of a Robert be right.

"Nuclear missile… are currently detected toward USA territory and everywhere in the world. Our magnificient country retaliated but… Vegas has been confirmed to be hit, though some of …"

I was still frozen when John took my arm. I looked at him, as his good leg kicked the door down. He was always proud of his magnificent…

"NORA STOP DREAMING AND RUN ! I'M TAKING SHAUN!"

Suddenly, reality came back to me. John was right. We didn't have much time.

"CODSWORTH, TAKE CARE OF THE HOUSE!"

"AND YOU RUN TO THE VAULT!"

And god. We ran. We ran as fast as we could. John, even with his bad leg, was still faster than me. That is why he took Shaun, I knew. Every second was important and we both knew what… Who was the most important to save.

Suddenly, a soldier in power armor stopped us, as the vault was nearing.

"STOP. WHAT IS YOUR NAME ? IS IT ON THE LIST ?"

"JANE AND JOHN SMITH, WITH THEIR BABY SHAUN"

The man behind the soldier looked at his paper… Then shook his head negatively.

"We never had the confirmation that you accepted your place in the…"

The soldier seemed… So sorry, just as he just sentenced us to death. The Soldier stood his ground as he saw John ready to fight.

"John, no !"

"Sir ! I have order to kill if necessary. Back… Off."

The Laser Gatling began to turn… and before John or anyone could move…

"THEY CONFIRMED THEIR PLACE!"

Everyone looked at the newcomer. The Vault-tech worker… with my papers. He was also out of breath, but he put a smile, and made an "ok" sign towards me. He presented them to the guard, who… Who just said the best thing we have ever heard.

"Go. Now."

I am ashamed to say we did not wait for our savior. We didn't have time. My heart broke when I heard the conversation…

"However, sir… Vault-Tec never filled…"

But I had to run. For my baby. My husband.

I just realized, as I stood on the platform… I never asked the name of the Vault-tec worker.

As I was reflecting on that, I heard a deafening explosion. We all saw the big atomic mushroom and the flare going toward us. I ran a rapid calculation in my mind. We were safe, especially if the door were that thick to protect us from radiation, as the platform began to burrow itself on the ground. Our last vision of the world was it, setting on fire.

I told you sir. I'm not the brightest mind. Apparently, some wanted to rule a pile of ash. I heard John, in the dark, during the long descent. He was just as shocked as me and… Some of my neighbor.

"War… war never changes."

After a few minute in the longest elevator, ever…

We were finally at our… New home. The vault 111.

Then I hugged my husband and Shaun with all the strength I had. Shaun openly expressed his displeasure at being compressed by his parents but right now… All I wanted was my husband lips.

"Okay okay. Everyone : congratulation on being… alive. We are not as much as we wanted nor expected, but it is still better than nothing! So welcome to your new home!"

The security guards interrupted our moment, and Shaun calmed himself, as John and I stopped our kiss. We began to follow the guard, to the changing room. Apparently, to erase every trace of social status of the outside and bring a sense of unity, the uniform was mandatory. John was… Well let's say that if we have the chance to have a room for us alone, Shaun might get a sibling sooner than later.

It was certainly not a cope mechanism about the fact that everyone except us was dead.

It may seem horrible, but right now… the only way to not be shocked like I was just before… It is just to follow order. Structure. Just like with the job. I guess I should tell the truth to my overseer : there is no probability that some communist spy would try to kill me here, no? He would very much appreciate to have one of the best scientist of the government.

Anyway, we were told to go to some decontamination chamber. It seemed logic: While I could calculate that we dodged the blast, I had an error margin of 8%. I think. If we had been touched by radiation, we did need to use some decontamination chamber, which could actually be used on child, like Shaun. Rad-Away at this age could severely impede Shaun growth. I had seen the reports and they were catastrophic.

While I got in my pod capsule, I waved to my husband and my baby. We didn't want to bother the other in the vault, and Shaun would just cry a lot in my arms. I send a kiss.

Then I heard the second most terrifying thing in the world, as cold began to overtake my body.

"CRYOGENIC PROCEDURE BEGINNING"

"SON OF A !"

And the world got frozen, as I faded in darkness… Looking at my husband and my baby… one… Last… Time…

[NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D

Jackson Philips, Head of the R&D, was drinking a glass of whisky. He was too far to get in time to the bunker, and he knew it would not be enough. He was in the know about the Vaults, and their experimentation. That is why he sent Nora Van Graft to the Vault 111, the cryogenic one. He knew that if the world had any survivor after the bomb, they would need a mind. A great mind to help them, teach them. Nate would protect her: he used some of his contact so the Vault would be fitted with an auto-doc last generation. He owed one to Sinclair now…

Oh well. Not like he was ever going to pay up.

Jackson got just the time to drink one sip of his whisky.

"Well it was a damn good"

He never finished the sentence.

[NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D [NUKE]D

As I woke up, my first reflex was to try to open the pod. I was groggy, weak and a bit thirsty. However, I was overall quite fine, I thought. Still, the hatch did not open and I was still locked inside.

"It is him?"

… I did not know this voice. Who was that…

"HEY YOU !"

I tried to scream, as some scientist… but not with any suit that I knew. It seemed like an hazmat suit, but not a standard issue one. This… This was not the government. At least, I did not think so. And the man at the left… Every fiber of him, it was bad news. I knew it. And if I knew it…

"Easy man, give us the baby and then we will help you…"

Even the voice… It transpired villainy. John kicked him in the face, with his good leg. The one that can kick door open. The one that could kill a man.

The man did not move, as John tried to move…but couldn't, as the man blocked the feet on his face… And then broke Nate's good leg. With just one hand. We were both shocked. Nate could not feel pain yet, because of the cold but… How… How it was possible ?! Sure he seemed strong but… but not power assisted armor strong ! I was now hitting the glass, trying to open it by breaking it.

I saw the man pull a gun, as a scientist stole Shaun from John's arm. No no no no… I could not loose my world again !

Bang.

"Sorry but we cannot afford to have someone like you looking for us."

You could see in his eyes he was not sorry but a cold calculating murderer. He thought that Nate was a threat and removed him.

I saw John, getting his brain exploded in the pod…. His limb getting limp… My brain refused to register what was happening. I know my cry went trought the pexiglas, as they turned toward me… Or were they just ignoring me.

"...Oh well. We have what we have come. In the worst case scenario, we have a spare. Reactive the machinery, you would be kind." He said, looking at me smugly, letting some ashes on the ground. Enraged, I tried to smash through the window.

"I AM GOING TO SKULL…"

The cold took me again… but this time, it was not the gentle surprise from the last time that was my last feeling… It was pure… absolute… anger.

I did not know when I was going to wake up but I knew deep inside of me that the fury inside my vein was too hot for the cold to kill me.

AM. GOING. TO. MURDER. HIM.

\\\\\\

*Charming woman. I hope I don't meet her soon. She had good eye. Too bad the order was to let at least one of them alive: I do not think we can afford her to go after us…*

Thought Kellog, after another murder. He remembered thoses eyes too well: He had the same one time… A very long time ago… That is why he knew that sooner or later, it was going to bite back them harder than expected

\\\\\\

"WARNING : CRYOGENIC FAILING. SEEK THE OVERSEER. EMERGENCY WAKE-UP."

I stayed silent a second, as the pod finally opened in front of me. I stretched a bit, before walking up to the pod containing my… The corpse of my husband. I opened the hatch… And took his ring. Don't look at him. Don't look at your dead husband and get this image in your head, instead of him smiling. Him alive. Keep a good memory. Stay focused.

"Nate. I am going to avenge you and find our son. I promise you."

The ring went into my pocket, as I began walking up to the terminal : I needed information. Obviously, sometimes went between our first entry and now. Vault-Tec was shady, I was the first to admit that, but even in my cold anger, I knew they build to last and they do teach their employee to maintain their technology. So it meant that the Vault was dying and I was most likely alone with all the other who would wake up.

First thing : checking their vital. The console in front of me should tell me everything I need…

"FUDGE !"

I said, as I saw how the incompetent fuck who stole my baby were: they did not opened the hatch as intended the first time! They did not use the command, they cut the electricity from almost every pod except mine and… And…

I felt the tear going in my eyes. I was alone.

Everything I knew was dead or destroyed. Good. It meant I had nothing to lose. It meant I had nothing to limit me.

However why would they do something that stupid? It would just erase the date of the en… That would erase the date. It was their objective. So. Nora, you have a bright mind right? What can you deduce? They have actually some high competence in what they were doing… Probable genetic amelioration. Vault-Tec experimentation? Government? No, they would wake me up first. In a post-apocalyptic society, my knowledge was essential. It was another faction with a lot of technology who actually survived the blast.

They were not with the government or they would have waked me up too. So they did not know who I was.

Another thing to analyze: why Shaun? I did not have enough information for this one, but if those guys needed to hide things, it means they had enemies. People who survived too and who could help me.

I had a sudden realization. There were people outside. There was hope. It did not brought a smile to me. It just meant I had something to help me carry my duty.

As I began walking in cold anger in the vault I saw… some Giant cockroaches. I punch the first. I shot the others with a 10mm I found. Simple. Efficient. It will do for the moment… Until I have the means to build better.

As I walked inside the decrepit Vault, I began to search something essential : If it is a Vault… God, I feel stupid now… If we were going to be normal resident, we would have been issued a Pip-boy. I remember the advertisement. I actually helped design them, thought from distance. However, I still remembered a few secret functionalities. All you had to do was to config it into the overseer mode. It would greatly help me… I must find one. A working one. I could repair it if needed.

As I progressed in the Vault, checking every terminal for any info that could be about my targets or what the hell happened or what was supposed to happen; I learned the truth about the Vault. Checking… If cryogenic was an alternative for space travel. Good idea, but they used a human team for the maintenance, which kind of defeated the purpose of the experiment. They should have used robot, like a team of 10 Mr Handy and a few sentinel bots.

I clenched my fist. If Vault-Tec HAD DONE THAT, THEY WOULD STILL BE THERE.

Calm… I need to focus. My enemy is not some dead company. It is… THEM. However, I rapidly found that Vault-Tec were indeed idiots: they did not stock enough food and supplies for their employee : sure there was water, and the generator could still work a bit, but without seed to make food, they could not go past a few month without the first penury. Thought I had to admit that the few engineer here were actually quite good: I looked at their schematic for the Cryogenitor, a cryogenic rifle. Interesting concept. They actually made it efficient… I could also easily upgrade it. I took the blueprint with me…

However, the real thing would be interesting to take with me… Except it was encased and I did not have or found the key. I also knew that shooting in the windows would be a very bad idea.

"I will come back later for you"

I said under my breath... I needed every edge possible.

Welp, I did the full check of the vault: I got many bottle, some ammo, another gun, a bullet proof vest… And… Was that a pipboy on that skeleton? Oh dear, tell me it is still working… Yes it was!

I had my first giggle, as I got the most essential instrument of my vengeance: a working pipboy that I quickly configured to the overseer mode. I had access to the VATS, my SPECIAL and most important of all… to the reconstruction mode.

The pip boy could actually decomposed item into material that will be deposed into a near Vault-Tec "overbox". It was one of the most impressive invention of House, I had to admit : a potentially infinite place of storage, except it did not accept anything alive and organic… And the facts that while the Pipboy had such a storage, it still had a weight inside the "box" therefore explaining the necessity of an overbox in a base. Therefore, you could not bear anything more than you could normally. It was just way less cumbersome. You had to often deposit your finding in an overbox. Thankfully, the mutiny did not know about that, and left the overbox to me. That would allow me to make a first base. Yes, the range of the overbox was also quite limited. However a skilled user could switch his armor and his weapons with the VATS quite quickly thanks to that.

As I grabbed the box, going to the elevator, I pondered a bit where should I go. Then I had an illumination.

I knew exactly where I should go… The one place I had any chance to find someone I knew alive.

It was time to make my Sanctuary.