"Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal dared to dream before" Nick recited as he took a drag of his cigarette, standing outside Fort Hagen and staring at the Brotherhood of Steel blimp flying over head. "Hey, chin up Nicky, at least it ain't a Deathclaw wanting to rip you apart." Hancock nudged Nick's side with a grin. Nick couldn't take his eyes off the blimp, feeling as if the Brotherhood's arrival would either bring something good to the Commonwealth, or be its demise. "Come on, let's head back to the agency. Maybe a new detective case is in?" Heart suggested as she began to take a step forward. "Yeah, good idea." Nick nodded, spitting his cigarette to the ground and stomping it out.
The walk back to Diamond City was a quiet one for Nick. No rabble-rousing raiders, no vicious super mutants, not even a stirring radroach. The only things that were on his mind were two things: The Brotherhood's arrival, and an old grudge that resurfaced. Hancock and Heart fell behind Nick, taking a moment to rummage an old building for junk and whatnot. Oh well, it leaves Nick alone with his thoughts at least. "What if I ask him for help? He's been gone for a while... Hell, he's probably in the Mojave by now." Nick thought aloud. "Could be worth a shot at least..." Nick shrugged, still thinking aloud.
The guards seem to be on higher alert today around Diamond City. Ever since Piper wrote that news article about the Institute and their people-snatchers, people have been more tense than ever. Even Myrna, and she's always been skittish about Synths. As Nick walked into the agency building, he sat at his desk and thought for a solid hour. Thinking, maybe even planning. Eventually, he takes a small piece of parchment and a pen from his desk and begins to write a letter, this letter being for a certain courier that he met and helped a couple months back. "Ellie!" Nick called out. "Yeah Nick?" Ellie came walking over to see what he called her for. "Have a courier deliver this for me, would you?" Nick handed Ellie the letter. "I'll get it posted when I can, Nick." Ellie nodded as she put it away in her pocket. "Thanks, you're a doll." Nick smiled at her. As Ellie walked away, Nick started browsing through the case files for one Eddie Winter.
The file was nearly empty and blank, only a couple words having been written in there. Today might be the day that Nick and his friends hunt down this villainous murderer and bring justice to Nick's fiance that was murdered in August of 2077 by Eddie. Nick let out a long sigh as he closed the file and stood up, putting the file away and walking out of the agency building. As he stepped out into the streets of Diamond City, he accidentally bumped into Hancock. "Hey, there he is! We've been lookin' for ya!" Hancock grinned as he flared his arms in joy. "So, anything new? Another missing person's case?" Hancock queried Nick. "Actually, this is this one case I've been holding onto for a while." Nick fidgets with his hands. "Well, spill the beans already." Hancock leans against the wall, listening to what Nick has to say.
"Back before the war, there was this criminal, Eddie Winters, who murdered a lady named Jennifer Lands back in August of 2077." Nick explained. Hancock nodded, still listening. "I know these memories aren't my own but...that girl...she didn't have to die like that." Nick clenched a fist in anger. "So, let me guess, you think the guy is still alive and you wanna bring him to justice?" Hancock said with sarcasm in his tone. "Yes, that's exactly it - almost. I want to find Eddie Winters and get revenge for that girl. Only problem is, I would assume Eddie locked himself away after those crazy radiation tests he did on himself." Nick fidgets with his hands again. "Wait, you're telling me he tried to..." Hancock said with mild confusion. "Ghoulified himself, rendering him virtually immortal." Nick nodded, finishing Hancock's sentence. "Before he did this though, he sent ten police stations holotapes as clues as to where he could be found like the arrogant bastard he is." Nick adjusted his hat.
The two exchange nods. "Alright, I'll help ya." Hancock nodded and stood straight, adjusting his posture. "Thanks, Hancock. I also sent a letter to an old pal to see if he'll help out." Nick informed Hancock. "Well, let's hope he does. It's getting kinda late and Goodneighbor usually gets pretty wild around these hours, so I don't wanna miss it. See you tomorrow, Nicky." Hancock waved as he walked off through Diamond City. Something in Nick still ate at him though. What if Eddie wasn't alive? What if he died when the bombs fell? The feeling made his artificial blood boil and his synthetic skin crawl. Tomorrow marks the beginning of the hunt for Eddie Winter.
END CHAPTER 1
YOU ARE READING
Synth Sleuth; Nick Valentine in...Nuclear Winters
Mystère / Thriller"Nowadays, people rely on violence to solve things. You only have to look around to see where that got us." An old grudge, an Unclosed Case, and memories that aren't quite his own, Nick Valentine and a small band of his friends embark on a quest of...
