To Save a Soul

Chapter 1 The day the bombs fell

          Before the great war the American people drifted through their uneventful and ordinary lives. Katherine had been no exception. She was proud to have a successful soldier for a husband and a beautiful baby boy, a white picket fence life in a quiet neighborhood, oh and Codsworth all by the age of 25. Codsworth was a representation of technology gone too far. A robot that thought for himself and helped raise her infant son, Shawn. A prime example of artificial intelligence. Katherine and her husband, Nate, had a certain interest in technology and it would take Katherine well over two dark centuries to recognize mankind's mistake. However, Katherine's family would never have the opportunity to do the same. 

          The day Katherine's life changed started as any other. Nate had sleepily crawled from their bed to care for their son while she slept in. The aroma of toast and coffee drifted through the house as Codsworth prepared breakfast for the family. When Katherine finally awoke the sun was shining brightly through the bedroom window, a good way to start a day. A faint smile crossed her face as she stretched before making her way to the white vanity in the corner of the bedroom, it was a family heirloom that had been passed down through the women of her family, and made herself presentable. As a young woman appearance was important for her family's reputation in their small community of Sanctuary, Katherine was an aspiring lawyer after all. She slipped into a pale yellow blouse and a floral skirt before heading down the hall to her son's nursery. Nate was leaning over the crib's railing, talking quietly to their son.
"After breakfast we should take Shawn to the park." Nate suggested with a grin. Katherine knew very well what he was grinning about.
"I'll pass, I'm not ready for another baby just yet." she said sarcastically. Nate and Katherine had had their fair share of wild times in their young lives.

          Nate followed his wife to the kitchen, nodding as she pointed out a box of Halloween decorations that still needed to be hung. Katherine stood just barely five feet tall, Nate was always pinning things up around the house for her. Codsworth was hurrying about the kitchen as they entered. Codsworth was a Mr.Handy robot, constructed of a large metal sphere with many robotic arms beneath him, all kept afloat by a highly advanced propulsion system. A bragging right for the household. Nate took a seat at the counter and began his morning ritual that consisted of sipping coffee while reading the morning paper.
"Good morning Mum." the robot chimed in his comforting British accent. Nate hadn't liked the accent but Katherine had insisted, and eventually had gotten her way. Codsworth and Nate had developed something akin to a friendship and were deep in conversation about the current world war as the doorbell chimed.
"I'll get it." Katherine said as she set her mug down.

          Outside the large living room window she could see a commercial work van, blue with yellow lettering, Vault - Tec scrawled across the side. She had seen the van a few times before, along with all of their neighbors.
"They're persistent, I'll give them that." Nate commented from the kitchen. He was right, the salesman had knocked on every door in Sanctuary at least once a day for the last month. Always leaving fliers. Some of their neighbors had complained that it was borderline harassment. 
"Good morning Mam! How are you today?" the salesman exclaimed as Katherine opened the door. He was an older gentleman dressed in a clean suit with a clipboard in hand.
"What can I do for you?" Katherine asked lamely. She already knew what he was selling. The company had built multiple "vaults" across the country. These vaults were enormous underground structures built to withstand a nuclear attack and the accompanying radiation for years. He was selling spaces, or what he called "peace of mind". Katherine felt that the company was preying on the fear of the general public. Earlier that week, Nate had mentioned that it may be a good investment given that they could spare the extra cash. 

          After a few minutes of idle small talk the man had Katherine fill out a form on his clipboard. She expertly scrawled out her family's names, dates of birth, and their address, eventually saying goodbye to the salesman as she closed the door behind him.
"No price is too high to keep you and Shawn safe." she teased as she made her way back to the nursery. When the great war had begun Katherine had been terribly anxious that nuclear bombs would in fact be launched, but as the years went by it seemed to be an empty threat that politicians would often throw about. In her opinion, it would never actually happen. There was just no way someone could be so evil.
"Hello my handsome boy." Katherine cooed as she scooped her son out of his crib and rocked him gently in her arms. Nothing made Katherine happier than seeing his big blue eyes, so much like her own, staring up at her. Shawn was even beginning to develop the platinum hair that she had been blessed with.
"Mum, I think you should see this!" Codsworth called from the living room, derailing her train of thought. Katherine hurried into the living room, Shawn in her arms, to find Nate staring in disbelief at the little television set.
"What is it?" she asked. When no one answered her she joined her husband in front of the screen.
"We interrupt this broadcast to bring you..." the news anchor on the TV paused and looked around frantically, getting up from his seat.
"My God, it's really happening. Nuclear warheads have been detonated across the country. Everyone needs to seek shelter immediately, may God be with you all." the anchor said before the screen faded to nothing but static.