POV Rio
After our short break at Sanctuary, we planned our next move. We started by scouting out the West to see if the Gunners were gone, but there were still a couple of groups in the area, so we went back south again. I wanted to go to Vault 81 as it was where Curie was. She was my second favourite companion, so I wanted to add her to the party. I would also help to get Vault 81 as a trading stop. Not to mention, we had already explored most of the path to Vault 81, and the trip back would be fairly quick.
The trip to Vault 81 was just around 63 hours, as we rarely have to stop for breaks. That was one of the best things the system did. Since none of us had to sleep, eat, drink, or use the restroom, we didn't have to stop often. It shortened travel massively. It also meant the only time we made a stop was just to give our minds a little break from hypervigilance.
Arriving at the Vault had us trying to get entry. I was able to convince them to let me in for free, as I was technically a Vault Dweller. Once inside, it was a bit of a crap shoot as they nearly panicked and attacked me. But cooler heads prevailed, as they saw I was not a threat, and I was the one they talked to on the comms. It also helped that I was with a human, which made them willing to give me a chance.
"I can't believe they let your kind into the Vault," Miranda Song says with disgust.
I freeze, and so do my companions. This was the first time we had someone be so unapologetically racist to me.
"Um, I'm sorry, but what did you just say?" I say, genuinely baffled.
"You heard me, you surface dwellers are all the same, you come in here to take advantage of us, and even worse, you're one of those mutants I've heard about. I hope you don't think you can just come in here and eat us. I'll be keeping my eye on you," Miranda says while walking away.
I just looked at Preston, and he had a look on his face wondering if that really just happened.
"Uh, well, I guess that response is better than shooting me," I say while trying to find a silver lining.
"Uh, yeah, I guess that's one way to look at it. We should just ignore her and move on," Preston says.
We agree to do just that. But first, I use my perk points I got from my recent level up. I leveled up when I entered Vault 81. Combined with the previous levels I got from the last couple of weeks, I was level 23.
I put all the skill points so far into Sneak and got it to 94. As for perks, I took the 3rd rank of Griffon's Eye, which allowed me to summon a Griffon Mercenary. I just summoned them and had them wait in Sanctuary. The other two perk points were put into Adamantium Skeleton and Quick Hands.
Quick Hands
Rank 1: You reload guns 35% faster and swing melee weapons 7% faster. (X)
Rank 2: Reloading guns cost 50% less Action Points in V.A.T.S., and you now swing melee weapons 15% faster.
Rank 3: You reload guns and swing melee weapons twice as fast while under effects that slow time.
Once I was done putting the points where they needed to go, I walked to the elevator and saw a cat run by me, but I caught it before it in my TK Field (Telekinesis Field).
"Oh, thank you. Erin would have been really upset if Ashes managed to get out, and I can't leave my post. I hope it isn't too much bother, but could you find Erin and give her Ashes? I know she must be worried about him," Officer Daisy asked politely.
"Sure thing, Officer. I'll hold on to the cat until I find her. Can you describe what she looks like?" I respond back.
"Yeah, no problem. Erin is about 3 feet tall, and she has dark brown hair. She's the only child of the Combes family that runs the general store in the main atrium. If you can't find her, just ask around, and I am sure someone will be more than happy to show you the way," Officer Daisy replied kindly.
I nodded and got in the elevator. It was a bit of a tight squeeze with everyone, but we managed. Dogmeat was curious about the strange, hairy baby in my arms and tried to sniff it.
HISSSSS
Swish
YELP
Dogmeat yelped and backed away after Ashes swiped at its nose. It didn't do any damage, but I still gave Ashes a little bop to its head. I then gave it a look and told it to behave. Once the elevator opened, we got to see a wide open space with rooms to the left and right and a flight of stairs in front of us. A boy was running up the stairs and asked me a question.
"Are you really from the Commonwealth?"
"Me? No, I come from the future and have been sent back in time to stop a rogue android threat from ending the world," I say with an Arnold Swatzenager impression.
"Woah?! Really?" The boy exclaims in excitement.
"No, but that was the plot from a movie I watched once. And to answer your question, yeah, I'm from the surface," I reply honestly.
I hear Preston chuckling behind me, but when I look back, he has a straight and serious face.
"Need something?" Preston asks.
I just shake my head and look back at who I think is Austin. It turned out I was right, and he wanted to ask if he could show me around. I didn't see a reason to say no, so I agreed and paid 5 caps. Our first stop allowed me to bring up the cat I was holding.
"Oh, that's Ashes? I thought he looked like him, but I wasn't sure. I can't believe Ashes would try to leave the Vault like that. But don't worry, we will get Ashes to Erin in a couple of minutes once I finish the tour. It will be our last stop anyway," Austin assures me.
I nod and we continue the tour. The Vault was larger than I had expected. Everything was larger than they were in the game. Not by a massive amount, but enough that it was noticeable. Like the cafeteria having a few more tables and more cooking space. Or the overseer's office being connected to the security office. There were also some massive area changes. The Hydroponics area was at least 20 times the size of the original. Instead of a single room, it was a massive room with several bays of planters. There were 8 additional residential bays that weren't in the game. It made sense since the Vault occupancy was set at 96, and even if you account for the secret vault, that still meant you needed space for somewhere around 80 residents.
The tour concluded at the Combes residence, where I was able to deliver Ashes to Erin. That cat looked reluctant to leave me, as it was in utter bliss in my arms. It was like a little puddle of fur in my arms. But it eventually got over it, and Erin and Ashes made up. My reward was pretty surprising. I got a fully charged Fusion Core. I tried to refuse, but Erin looked like she might cry if I kept trying, so I just said thank you and left it at that.
After the tour, I went to the Depot to sell my things. Then I went to the Clinic because a guard suggested heading there to get some work. I met Dr. Forscythe there, and he was very kind. He wanted some blood samples from me and Preston, as we were from the surface, and he wanted to study the differences between the isolated Vault 81 residents and the surface dwellers. Preston gladly agreed, but I decided it wasn't the best idea. I wasn't sure how valuable my blood would be, but I did know enough to say it was likely a really bad idea to give it to anyone.
Any blood that comes out of my body unwillingly "despawns" fairly soon after it leaves my body, so I had little fear of any curses or bio weapons based on my blood, but giving it willingly could change that. Dr. Forscythe understood that and respected my choice. After the clinic, I went to talk with various residents throughout the vault. I sold some tools to Calvin, the head repairman of the Vault, and then ate some great food at the cafeteria. After our meal, I then made a quick stop at the classroom. Preston and I made a little presentation and were given a perk magazine for our help. Then, as we started to get ready to leave, we were stopped by a security guard.
"I'm sorry, sir, but the Overseer has ordered that no one can leave the Vault for the moment. If you have inquiries, please direct them to either Dr. Forscythe, the head of security, or the Overseer," He says with finality.