Vault dweller.
Daisy, what’s the situation? Compiling threat assessment. My senses are
detecting- 32 hostiles - in close proximity. Risk of death by blunt trauma: high. Risk
of death by gunshot: high. Risk of death through strangulation: high. Risk of-
Ask your dog gun if we’re safe in here!
Risk of immediate breach: 13%.
Good, so we won’t die now, we’ll just die later.
I figured the Vault Dweller android would come here to breed himself an army, but I’m
impressed he managed to succeed so quickly.
You’re observant Storyteller, I’ll give you that, but no one could’ve anticipated
this. How did you even know the android was coming to Vault 108 in the first place? Is
there something you’re not telling us…?
Several days ago, when we were setting up camp, Daisy said something that caught my
attention…
She said she detected nearby lifeforms that could outlive her, but ED-NA was the only
other robot nearby. Had Daisy been human I would have written it off as an honest mistake.
That night I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I went for a walk to clear my head. I
started mulling over the mission and got to thinking about the android, and how he always
seemed to be just one step ahead of us. The more I thought about it, the more it bugged
me. The story just wasn’t adding up.
The Storyteller’s right. I hate to say it, but the Vault Dweller’s dog cart was a faster
way to get around the Wasteland than my Highwayman. The android could’ve left us far behind 'em.
-and every time we arrived on the scene it looked like the android had just left.
On a hunch I checked my armor’s data storage. Sure enough my files had been tempered with,
specifically my data regarding androids, clones, the Institute and Vault 108.
The android. Did it..?
Yes. My guess is that it stuck close to us long enough to find a way to hack the data
I’ve been gathering. It’s probably learned a lot about the Wasteland. That explains how
it found the location of this Vault. He would know the location of the Institute by now
too, but luckily I use a heavy encryption to protect my more sensitive data files. It
seems your NCR intel was correct Ranger, your android is trying to get to the Commonwealth,
and he’s been using us to do it.
I was sent to hunt down the android and stop it from reaching the East Coast. You’re
telling me we’ve been helping it this whole time?
So the Vault Dweller played us for fools!
You signed our death warrants the moment you let us walk into this trap. Why didn’t you
warn us?
Because despite how bad things might look right now, this isn’t a trap set for us…
Huh? Vault Dweller?
*angry beep*
Vault dweller.
*scared beep*
Well hello there.
Looks like we’ve caught some boys with their pants down. Light ‘em up!
I called in a few favors. You’ll have to forgive me for not speaking up sooner, but
once I found out that the android was spying on us I had to keep my mouth shut.
You actually kept your mouth shut about something? I’m impressed. I don’t know what kind
of ace you had up your sleeve Storyteller, but it’s working. The clones are clearing
out. Look.
If we make our push now we might be able to catch the android before it’s realized what’s
happened.
Why?
Why are you still hunting me?
You’ve been following me for three thousand miles, so I take it I don't need to come introduce
myself.
The three of you have been very persistent.
You. Old man. You're that guy I saw with the broken down car back on I-15. If
I knew you'd get it running, I would have-
Shot me in the back without even lookin' me in the eye? I know the homicidal gene runs
strong in you and your kin.
I might have just stolen the car, or convinced you to sell it to me at a steep discount.
All are options. I opted to leave you be. Surely you, of all people, could understand
old timer. All I want is to live free of the NCR. To be left alone. And are you two some
sort of Brotherhood/NCR coalition? Here to rob me of that freedom?
We’re here to administer justice.
Yes, I escaped the NCR’s cage, and you would have done the same. The Ranger here hunts
me out of her sense of duty. I don’t hold it against her. Dedication is important.
After all, my “first” self contributed to the founding of your Republic. But you, Brotherhood.
Why are you here? Surely a man of your knowledge and skill would be better spent elsewhere.
I always wanted to meet the Vault Dweller, or at least his shadow. I heard rumors of
your silver tongue. They say the Vault Dweller could charm a bird out of a tree. I can see
now the stories weren’t exaggerated.
I merely play the hand I’ve been dealt.
Does that include murdering the innocent?
I did what I had to do to be free.
That might help you rationalize the scientists you butchered, but you didn’t stop with
them did you? What about the other innocent people you killed to get here? Weren’t they
just “people who wanted to live free of the NCR”?
What happened to the Luddites was- regrettable, but I was left with no other choice. Your
Highwayman gave me quite the chase. My pursuers were hot on my trail and I had no time to
tip-toe my way through King Ludd’s territory.
Liar!
We know you’ve been taking it slow on purpose. Gathering intel and keeping an eye on us.
You hacked my power armor to discover the location of Vault 108. The fact that you’re
standing here now confirms it.
I did do that didn’t I? Answer me this Brotherhood. If you knew I found a way to remotely hack
your armor’s operating matrix, why did you even bother showing up today?
*electricity charging up*
Argh!
I tried to reason with you. Clearly that wasn’t in the cards today. Luckily, my technical
skills are a lot more reliable. I was able to enhance some of the cyberdogs I found in Denver.
You’ll find that their bite is a lot worse than their bark. Good luck.
Daisy! Suppressive fire!
Something’s wrong! Daisy’s targeting is all over the place!
I can’t get a clean shot!
Get over here you mangy mutts!
Sorry you had to see that Ranger. I know ya fancy yourself a dog lover, hehe.
Those weren’t dogs, they were monsters. I think you just saved my life.
I’ll take that as a ‘thank you’.
Now we gotta find where the-
*gun shot*
Junior!
I haven’t lived long, but if you think I’m a prodigy now, just imagine what I could become
at the Institute. I’m not running from you anymore Ranger.
You don’t have to.
Daisy.
Yes Tanner?
Sic 'em.
What are you waiting for Daisy? He shot Junior! Kill him!
I’m sorry Tanner. I’m afraid I can’t do that.
What? Why!?
Because I’ve been a bad bad dog.
Argh!
Ugh. I’ve been knocked unconscious before ya’ know. Not one of my fonder memories.
Where am I?
You’re right where I found you. Passed out on the floor of this Vault.
No doubt sleeping on the job while we do all the hard work.
*laughs*
You remember Scribe Bigsley.
Sentinel Lyons and I got your message. Did you really have to encrypt it?
I was afraid ED-NA might be intercepted. It was necessary.
It was a pain in my ass, that’s what it was. I cracked your coordinates quickly, but
the Pride here had to drag me along until I decrypted the rest. It was real fun running
around the Wasteland, so thanks for that.
Is it true? Were you really chasing an android/clone hybrid? Did it create all those clones we
fought back there?
Yes, and by the looks of it he got away. Again.
He left behind a holodisk addressed to you. It says your friend Tanner is being held hostage.
Tanner’s gone?
Appears so. The message went on to say that she won’t be returned until you’ve guided
him to the Institute. He says he’ll be close by. Watching you.
What about Junior and Daisy?
I don’t know who Daisy is, but Junior- well, I don’t know how else to say this...
He didn’t make it.
What are you going to do now?
The only thing I can do. I’m going to see this story through til the end.
You know we can’t help you.
Yeah… I know.
We’ll get you resupplied, then you’re on your own.