Carter

Pain is ultimately what wakes me up. Legs muscles sore. Light burns that i was able to ignore making their existence known. its enough to ignore the bunched up pants i still wore. Careful to not force lewis to wake up i adjust my clothing. Slipping out of the furs checking my gun going through my morning routine. Rain seems to have come around a light drizzle sticking around. Its easy enough to restart the old fire to warm up the rest of the soup. Good thing lewis remembered to cover the pot before going to sleep.

Lewis seems to finally getting up. Ever since we were kids our sleep schedule has matched its definitely made keeping watch difficult but lewis valued his sleep enough to deep dive and go nuts with traps. Entire building has trip wires cans and explosives keeping every doorway into every room locked down. I don't know if he just resets them every morning or adds more but he spends an hour just out there checking things. Neither of us shot a single shot but i might as well check especially after that explosion.

Stacking lets call it our armory of 3 10mm pistols 1 6 shot revolver the 9mm hauser we found yesterday. A gritty submachine gun the wood stock and wood handle doing its best to rot away. Told lewis it was a bad deal but hey it was only 30 caps. The biggest gun is 1 bolt action scoped rifle. Signature got burned into the stock with a date of 2099 mom cared for the thing as much as either of us. Lewis is carrying with him his own modified 10mm and short barreled shotgun. He loves his shotguns honestly thinking about it hard enough makes me believe its mostly the fact they are best used in traps.

Wiping away the dust and grit left over from existing outside for a day leaving a scratched barrel but a clean receiver and thats all that really matters. Enough 10mm bullets to last a siege, 4 boxes of shotgun shells, 6 boxes of .308 i put them back in the stash quickly enough. The same ammo from yesterday for the 9mm. Only 18 rounds of .44 they are rare and expensive so its best to sell them. In the stash theres a large stack of fusion cells. Raiders love their laser guns. And pipe guns but i don't touch that shit. Its more likely to blow up before i could sell it off. A single fusion core stolen off a broken down power armor frame. It was one of the first things we got when we arrived.

Told lewis it was good luck and that we should stay. Seems like i was right enough just wish opportunity didnt involve risk as well.

Most of the stash is random bits of expensive scrap. Good pieces of glass springs fuses. Magnifying glass and microscopes that i was able to snatch before we had to run. The radio. Good clothes or atleast ones that aren't in scraps. Few boxes of cigars lots of different drugs. Neither me or lewis enjoy the stuff so best to just snatch what we find and sell when we can. Decent haul for the year. Sliding the gold lighter out of my pocket. The detailing is something to admire the landscape supposedly Mt. rainier. Reaching around the stash for the small flask of lighter fluid i refill the lighter and leave it aside so lewis can do the same for his own.

Putting everything back takes long enough for lewis to come back. Making sure the alarm clocks aren't too damaged putting some cloth between all the more fragile pieces.

"I still hurt that soup better have magic powers" looking back the soup is still over the fire probably hot by now.

Setting aside some food for both of us i consider if its worth taking some painkillers. No longer distracted by the work the pain is all i can think about while i struggle to feed myself. Lewis keeps glancing at his bag probably thinking the same thing as me.

"We should take some since we are going to have to move around today" i watch him sigh in relief before dramatically crawling over to his bag. Using a single stimpak wont have us starve.

"Here use the rest of this one i don't need the full dose" we are both too aware of how much single stimpak can mean. If only we had one then mom would still be around.

Near instant relief washes over me. Should hold us over until our bodies stop being so loud about it.

"Lets go check the raider base see what the nuke has done to shake things up for them then start making plans for leaving"

"It is about that time to start doing things i guess" standing up we leave our bags in their hiding spots. Sliding the rifle onto my shoulder slipping 2 10mm pistols in their holsters doesn't take long.

Outside the rain has finally stopped the clouds are still a gray blanket over us matching the gray ash haze. Mom once mentioned how when she was young things were much more brighter colors still clung to most things around and there wasn't any ash to make breathing difficult. Too bad thats no longer the case at least around here. Heard you go far enough its not nearly as bad.

Walking the same path as yesterday keeping my hands close to the rifle on back ready for any meandering raiders. Fights with raiders are always decided by who shoots first. Of course with anyone else fights are decided by how fast either of us can run.

Sneaking into the same concrete plot as yesterday i pull out the rifle checking through its scope.

Huh

They had an actual truck running. On the back they have a machine gun attached steel plates covering almost every inch. They look to be just bolted on. Big guy is running around getting a bunch of guys rounded up.

"Gonna let me have a look" the fact its his voice is the only thing preventing me from jumping out of my skin.

"Yea sure let me just slip the strap out" letting the strap slide down my arm so he can more easily grab it without dragging me along.

"Seems like there are gearing up for a raid. Doubt they want any nukes going off around their base so decided its best to meet the mutants out there instead. They even have a missile launched stashed in the back of that truck. Doubt they have too much ammo but its enough to make a difference even against super mutants" nodding along as i keep watch of the surroundings.

"If you're feeling to endanger our lives again we can sneak in and steal some shit from them while they are gone" looking back at lewis i can see his smirk as clear as i can hear it in his voice.

"No i think we are good we should head back now" sun seems to be near the horizon should be around 6pm. The low shadows affecting the city scape the only thing its missing is the sounds of feral ghouls to really complete the look. Luckily most ghouls have moved west a few miles to the big crater. The biggest nuke went off more south from here but the second biggest hit just west of here what was once probably a decent sized city is a flattened glowing wasteland no one goes near. The entire western horizon always has a green tint here. Luckily the radiation hasn't spread too far or maybe it has been so long that its not as thick. Once heard of a group that worshipped those places. Crazy people.

Lewis hands the rifle back to me as he stands up. "Lets go back and discuss our next move oh and figure out what you found actually does"

"It looks like what those people in emerald city wear those really important people" that means its worth a lot. The walk back isn't pleasant but its not terrible. The constant ever present taste of ash on the tongue, light wind rustling leaves the small glint from some tripwire down one road. Danger is never far no matter how idealistic it may look in the moment.

The base we are using was once a school for this entire region probably filled with kids running around. Now theres holes in the ceilings. None of the glass windows are still there. The doors have long since been busted through. Obvious signs of looting most likely from right after the bombs. Cars still in the road left to erode away but until then they are a constant obstacle everything walks around. Its the perfect environment to hide in from the wasteland.

Back inside i set the rifle by the window. "We have a lot we will have to use a sled to bring it all" i can easily make one its just difficult to use when there isnt a layer of snow to glide over.

"2 options" lewis states and i wait for him to finnish the thought.

"We can go south to heavens gate we should make it there just before the caravan, or we go north a bit to bothel crossroads wait there for a week or 2 before the caravan comes."

I bring out the map checking out the settlements he has pointed out. One is an 8 mile journey south. The other a 5 mile trek north.

"We know heavens gate and the people there we don't know much about bothel crossroads" i remark not keeping my distaste for the freaks of heavens gate out of my voice.

"Yes yes god bible scare you but we also know that caravan group better we have sold to them the last couple years"

"How the hell do they even live in that city with those supermutants right there" i mean they live just below that mountain.

"The issaquah tribe is very well armed and trained" the look in his eye suggest i might have missed a few clues last time i met them.

"Of course and that fort they call a settlement of heavens gate keeps those people secured" they built it up with enough defenses over the years and its never stopped growing. Who could blame them with the neighbors they have.

"Now bothel is a popular spot and everything there will probably have inflated prices not to mention we don't know anyone there or the caravan group heard they are called bent gold"

"We can also stop by the crest family stables sell a few things to them" they were nice last time we visited. Rare these days to find good friendly people.

"Now lets think about the dangers for each"

"Well for heavens gate its the people and their word. Oh and we would have to go past the raiders and the supermutants" would rather i have a few more years before i encounter them again but ill take a few more weeks.

"Yes and and roaming feral ghouls but those we can handle for the most part"

"If we go north shouldn't be any extra dangers besides the usual roving packs of mongrels and the mutant wildlife" plus theres a few settlements to stop by between each day.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"Seems like the choice is clear we might lose a good amount of money but its safer to go north and we have a lot to sell"

"Better to be safe" the punch to the shoulder doesn't hurt too much and it was worth it.

"Right well lets plan the route. If we go along this main road we can easily reach Crest stables and rest there sell some things they may need. If we are quick enough we can rush to Totem farms sleep there. Afterwords we should be able to make it to Bothel Crossroads before mid-day. Now we will be doing the usual leave before dawn but a bit later this time im hoping that morning should have arrived at the same time we make it to Crest family" lewis is always quick with plans like this once the facts have been laid out he can work anything out.

"I agree seems like we should get moving tomorrow which should leave us enough time to figure out what we found and get enough sleep"

"Don't forget about eating food" everytime he mentions it just because i missed one meal.

"I can see the look on your face iIt was several meals on many many occasions. your mom had to drag you out of your workshop once just to get you to eat"

"Having you as an adopted brother is such a pain sometimes" glaring at the pot of food thats still got some left overs.

"I owe you and your mom a lot for taking me in you know that but i will still point out to you when you're a dumbass. Good Thing i get to do that atleast daily" i still have faint memories of the day my mom took him in he was so small. Apparently his mom was friends with mine but neither are still around to say anything about it.

"Enough sad talk lets go see what we got" i push him aside making my way to the corner of the room where i placed the device. Picking it up i get a much better look at it. A matte green computer face but small enough to be carried. A few buttons and knobs on the bottom and one placed on the top of the screen. With the screen tilted slighted towards the wearer. On the side facing away is a small nozzle and some silver canister with the number 32 flashing in green.

"So how do we turn it on?" lewis asks he has appeared by my shoulder while i was distracted.

"No clue but im going to guess the big red button on the top"

"It could be a self destruct button" i ignore him and press the button.

"Energy at 99% metal capacity at 32% all systems are green" the previously dark screen lights up with a display of a female character in a mock of a labcoat.

"The TAYLOR nano prototype is ready for testing dr" the character who im going to assume is some computer program. I heard some can be pretty convincing and life like. Turning it around seeing the straps and clips that allow it to hold onto an arm.

"Do you want to put it on or should i?" i wouldn't mind putting it on but he might want to as well.

"Nah you keep it for now youre better at this then i am" nodding along i start clipping it on sliding my arm through the straps. With the final buckle in place i feel a small prick.

"Testing blood sample" this fucking thing just took my blood.

"Unknown genetic mutations test result inconclusive. TAYLOR nano prototype is ready for testing dr FEV" maybe if i ask it questions it will respond.

"How do i use the device?" im not very confident in a response. I wait a few more seconds and still nothing. Ill wait a couple minutes.

Nothing ok time to push all the buttons. Turning one knob that says home design map and radio gets a response. Next thing i see is a map that looks just like the one we have. Below the map is a highlighted word "mark" next to a couple others "key" "landmarks" turning the knob again shows a new screen and instantly a small metal pole starts extending. The new screen changes after a few more seconds. I can instantly recognize some of the names as the famous radio station around. Others are different . the first one "emerald city radio the ECR" is highlighted.

Oh yeah, I'm the type of guy that likes to roam around

I'm never in one place, I roam from town to town

And when I find myself a-fallin' for some girl

Yeah, I hop right into that car of mine and drive around the world

Its been so long since i heard this song. Its one of my favorites.

"Go to the next page already" lewis demands of me. I oblige for now but he cant stop me from having my music now. Trying to twist it the same clockwise direction doesnt work so i try counterclockwise. Goes right back to map. Again. Next is a black screen with a bunch of lines that look like measurements. Below it says "available schematics" with its own little box that says "standard fusion core generator"

"Whats a schematic"

"No clue ill ask around when we have the chance"

Next one for home. This one takes a few more seconds before showing whats in front of me. Around the image is the power level of 99% and the metal capacity of 32% on their own separate bars. On the bottom is a similar set up as the previous one with available schematics. Over the picture in red wording "not enough space" well assuming that means i need open space i move around the room into a more open space. Moving down the halls of the school to the most open space in the building. The roof long since has collapsed one end but the screen finally shows some structure in green overlaying the space in front of me.

"Alright you choose the next button" lifting it closer to him. Hes been following behind me the entire time watching the screen almost as intently as me.

"Why not the blinking light on the bottom that says confirm" said light has been blinking almost the entire time i have been messing with it. Shrugging i do just that. Almost instantly a light blue light close to white stream starts spraying the ground in front of me.

I stare in silence my mouth open as the floor visibly flattens turns inot concrete before some form of blue scaffolding props up. A bar appears on the screen slowly moving across. 01%. . . . 02% moving away the blue light follows but the scaffolding stayed. Slowly from the bottom up it was being filled created whatever you wanted to call it.

"That is not what i expected" i mean what is it and what is it doing.

"It looks like the generator you found in the vault with this" looking back hes right its just the exact shape is it teleporting it here? Thats some crazy tech.

Watching the bar gets boring after a while but the fusion generator is really taking shape at 59% i have just been sitting here holding the device in front of me. Im terrified of what would happen if either of us would step through that light so neither of us are going to risk it. Luckily i get to watch the minutes tick by with a clock on the screen showing the time. Its already been an hour night is almost here.

Welp ill wait another hour if it gets me that fusion core. Was a little disappointed i didn't grab it before we ran but better to be safe. Heh.

"This is taking too long im gonna go do something useful ill bring you some food as well" i watch with the mournful look i could give as what was once my best friend step away and head out. With a deep sigh i close my eyes.

A loud beep and then a deep thrum woke me up. Looking around i can see the generator on a flat concrete flooring. The generator looks as new and clean as anything i have ever seen before. Theres a fusion core inside it ready to be sold off. Standing up i check the device. Should i just call it TAYLOR? Thats what it calls itself so i might as well go with it. Looking at the screen the 2 bars have changed drastically with energy at 89% and metal capacity at 20%. I wonder what it means by metal capacity. It doesn't feel that much lighter so i don't know.

Walking up to the generator touching it to just make sure its actually there. The blue light gone it no longer being spit out form the nozzle on the back side. Easily pulling out the fusion core and seeing it has a full charge. Man this is going to sell for a ton of caps. Looking over the generator to see if its different then any other i have seen. Its definitely the most functional one i have seen.

Theres doesn't look like anything special except for one slot right next to where the fusion core was located. It looks like i could fit TAYLOR right in. this is probably how i charge it. Its at 89 seems high enough. Time to go find lewis.

Walking back to the room were using i find him with the food he promised slurping it down.

"Did you save any for me?"

"Yeah one bowl dont worry" sighing i look over to see a bowl sitting in the hot ashes. Kind enough for him to leave it warm.

Careful to pull it out i start eating.

"So i see you have a new core to show off" i see him pointing at the fusion core i set down beside me. Food more important then caps right now.

"Yup it completed it teleport and now we have a mobile reactor which we can use to recharge fusion cores fusion cells and the device"

"Sounds like we should keep it" i scoff of course we are keeping it. It has music and a map.

"Also i think we should call it taylor it fits since thats what it calls itself"

"Well don't be too rough with it dont think its built for the wasteland" yeah nothing really is built to last in a place like this.

"Tomorrow we start moving shouldn't take too long to set up a sled using some old machetes on the bottom" same things we used during the winter instead of carrying bags.

"Do you think taylor has an alarm?" hmmm looking through the labels for the different buttons i dont see any that say alarm.

"Doesn't look like it"

"Guess ill have to use one of the old clocks we have in the stash" i watch him get up as i finnish my food.

Sliding back into the furs making sure my gun is ready to be pulled out quick. No fire to put out just yet. Looking like its going to be just 5 hours of sleep tonight. Good thing i got that short nap earlier.

"Goodnight"

"Goodnight