Apologies for taking so long, readers. Unlike my MSTing, there's a lot more to type up for this, and also I've been held up by things such as trips to different Universities for my studies. Enough of my plight, however, enjoy!
Journal
Entry #1
So, uh, trying out the Journal system on this thing, the Overseer said it’d be real helpful in my quest. Speaking of which, I should write about that. So, funny thing, I was just lying in my bed, waiting for the signal to begin work over in Vault Security and through the intercom, I get called to see our Overseer in the command centre. He tells me the Water Chip is busted, that a new one is needed.
That is not good.
What is also not good is that he decided that I, Aiden Cole, am the perfect man to rely on to get a new chip from Vault-15, a trip that he reckons would take a few days, maybe a week or two at best. Of course, he also told me to be careful and that I have a few months before the water supply runs out, so should anything happen to me that isn’t fatal, I should worry about myself first.
So, I was given this device called the ‘Pip-Boy’, a handy mini-computer that tells me the time, gives me some map of the surrounding area, an alarm for when I sleep and, of course, this journal system where I can keep notes or memoirs such as this.
Right now I’m resting in some place called Shady Sands. I was directed here by some men calling themselves ‘Merchants’. Nice guys, albeit a little intimidating. I was greeted upon my arrival in Shady Sands by a man and woman – Seth and Katrina, respectively. Katrina told me about bartering – which is basically trading – and she also mentioned that bottle caps were considered a form of currency out here. She also said that she had come from Vault-15 and that, to the best of her knowledge, the Water Chip was still there and in working condition.
This whole thing sure seems awfully easy.
I talked to Seth and he seemed quite friendly, but not as much as Katrina. Soon as he saw me, he noticed the pistol the Overseer had given me and gave me a cautious look. He told me about a problem with some creatures called ‘Radscorpions’ who had poisoned his brother and kept attacking and killing merchants and citizens who wandered too far from the entrance of the town. He told me to go see Aradesh, the town’s leader, about the problem. I asked Seth about bottle caps and he grinned. Somehow, I knew I was about to experience bartering first-hand.
Missing some equipment, and hearing the occasional jingle of bottle caps as I walked, I headed through town. I met some guy called Ian in one of the structures around town (they called them ‘buildings’). I asked him about the Radscorpions and he told me about them and some other problems with Raiders – a group of mercenaries nearby who were stirring up trouble as well. I also heard about some place called The Hub and I heard him mention Junktown, the place the merchants told me about. Knowing I was in for some trouble, and not having much real combat experience, I asked Ian to tag along with me.
He asked for money in exchange for his help.
Now missing most of my bottle caps as well as some equipment, we went to the building where most people eat in Shady Sands. Ian pointed out Aradesh – a man wearing hooded clothing, just standing in a corner, watching. I talked to him and he confirmed the Radscorpion issue, seemed they’d been killing Brahmin too (Ian told me that the Brahmin were a two-headed animal and showed me a herd of them kept in an enclosed part of Shady Sands). Aradesh was pleased to hear that I would help and that, should I become hurt or acquire a Radscorpion tail (I was told by Ian that they contained the poison), that I should talk to Razlo, the town medic.
Ian and I then headed over to Seth and talked to him, saying we’d help with the Radscorpions. He offered to take us to the cave where they ‘nest’. He took us there and left us just outside the cave. Ian and I equipped ourselves and headed inside. There were a lot of Radscorpions. More than I could ever have imagined. They were vicious and certainly didn’t seem to like the idea of us being in their cave. I got hit and I was sure I was poisoned due to the intense burning in my arm where it had stung me. Luckily, it wasn’t my shooting arm so I kept on fighting with Ian and, eventually, the cave was ridden of all Radscorpions. Ian ripped off a few stingers and put them in a sack he carried around and we headed back towards Shady Sands.
We went to Aradesh first and he was ecstatic to hear of our victory against the Radscorpions. Then we went to Razlo and we should have a batch of antidotes within the next few days.
So, that’s what has happened so far. As I sit here, Ian sleeping in a bed opposite me, sleeping like some…loud…creature. Uh, yeah, so, as I sit here on a bed of my own here in Shady Sands, I realise I had no reason to actually come here, and no reason to help them out. I guess I’m just curious and, well, a nice guy!
And, really, what else could I need?
End of entry.
