A search for Vicky

Part Ten

‘Do you think that’s because they have power?’ Vic hoped.

‘You think they’re friendly? Is a more pertinent question?’

‘Let’s get looking for another way in.’

‘If it was me I would put a way in through that attached wing that goes over the road, with a lot of security.’

There is a collapsed corner to the wing and an uneven pile of rubble leading up to the second floor. A heavy tarpaulin was across a gap at the highest level. Asra approached cautiously and moved the sheet to one side. Looking inside the office dividers had been set out in a winding path, on the far end the ceiling had collapsed and lead up to the sky bridge.

‘Shit, whoever is in here have set up a labyrinth.’

‘How bad is it?’ Vic queried.

‘Not sure yet, but, definitely a load of traps here.’

They headed in and left the Brahmin tied to a post nearby. The 5ft barriers weaved left to right, they would have to follow this as if they tried climbing over they could set traps off accidently. Almost instantly they encountered a trip wire at waist height. Out of curtesy they took the clip off the wall so that the trigger could be set up again easily. They skirted around a puddle of oil with a flaming lamp above it, this would be the trip wires trap. The lamp showed them that the area was frequently checked. Just past the oil was a landmine which they stepped over and almost stepped into another wire. After around sixteen traps the got to the ramp and began ascending. Vic having the quicker reflexes looked over the top. She dropped down as quick as possible and slid down a little, a hail of bullets followed  hitting the ledge above them.

‘Got an idea?’ Asra asked as he removed a frag grenade from his pack. ‘This might be over kill honestly.’

Vic laughed, ‘We could use this I guess.’ She revealed a plasma grenade from a pocket. ‘Those drunken morons had one good thing at least. Found it in a drawer with kids toys so doubt they knew what it was.’

She jumped to gauge how far the turrets were and threw as soon as she landed. The bullets continued ricocheting of the floor above them for a couple seconds. The blue and green wave of the plasma grenade shot over them and dissipated. They sprinted up the ramp to disable the turrets before the EMP effect wears off. They both skid to a halt as they get half way down the hall, a monumental shadow was traveling towards the doors on the other side. Its presence could be felt through the door.

Crash!

The door flung open as a large metal foot pushed them aside with ease. The first thing to follow was the barrel of a Gatling laser that was targeted right at them. The weapon was held by a seven foot tall metal person.

‘I wouldn’t fucking move if you would prefer not to become a pile of ash.’ The voice was harsh, almost degraded. ‘Put you weapons in the trolley on your right.’

They stowed their weapons as instructed, knowing they would have no chance at winning if a fight started. They told the person they were prospectors and heard that radiation was low enough that the area could be explored. The armour clunked and settled loudly and a ghoul stepped out from behind.

‘Still got to us who were stuck here when the bombs fell.’ The ghoul stated.

‘Holy hell. You’re pre-war?’

‘I was stuck in a coma when the bombs hit, my nurse stayed with me and the other patients who couldn’t be moved.’ He switched the turrets off as he explained. ‘Many passed from the radiation but me, my nurse and a few others became ghouls. I eventually healed as I became irradiated and it became my healer. A few of us became feral and we have moved them to the parking structure and barricaded them in for safety.’ He went to pass back through the doors and turned when they didn’t follow, they were just stood there stunned at the information and how freely it was given.

‘Follow me, I will show you around.’

‘What’s with the hospitality?’ Vic queried as he led the way.

‘You put your weapons down when requested and didn’t go for them when I stepped out of the amour. They call me Dis, its short for disintegrating, said with affection, mostly.’

‘I’m Asra and this is Vic.’

‘A traveller huh. Saw your shot gun Vic, what’s with the French carving?’

‘A friend of ours learned it for some reason.’

‘I’m Canadian, was helping the States military and got wounded. Ended up here.’

‘What is this place exactly? And why stay?’

‘Well’ said Dis. ‘We only met a few fellow ghouls here for a very long time. After a while we got a reputation for helping them and for trading. The trading got bigger and we heard how exclusionary humans could be, especially to long term radiation survivors.’

‘Yeah, people are dicks. Never been our style this modern form of racism. I’ve spent a few weeks helping Hancock and other residents in Good Neighbour, last year.’

‘Thought it was you.’ Dis said confirming his suspicion. ‘Not many would take a job from a ghoul to get hair dye.’

Asra glanced at Vic and raised an eyebrow. ‘What?’ she retorted. ’Jax likes it, so, I do what I can.’

Dis lead them on a full tour through the canteen, quarters, private rooms, medical, bar and finally a roof garden. They walked around in awe of what they saw; they didn’t mention the one thing Vic was looking for after, hopefully, finding the G.E.C.K, Power.

After a few days they were well acquainted with Dis and his nurse turned wife Atreya. They were kind enough to send a note with a courier to Lard so that Jax wouldn’t head straight for Old Forge. They did explain to Dis where they were headed but left out why, also they did request to buy the power armour. Unfortunately, as Dis explained they would not have a safe place to visit without it. Whilst gutted they understood. They asked about Old Forge. What Lard had heard was true, a settlement abandoned by people. The Enclave had indeed made it a home, for death claws. The Enclave was long gone and Dis had put the hospital into lock down when they moved out, meaning the hospital was much unknown. They asked Dis to keep an eye out for Jax. Vic gave a description and informed them that Jax would not be slowed by the traps. She also made sure that they knew Jax was the nicest person they could hope to meet.