After quite a few playthroughs of FO3, I decided to try one where I really "got into character" so to speak, lol. So I created a new character and wanted to really explore the emotional side of things and try to understand and really get into the thoughts, emotion and confusion that the Lone Wanderer goes through in his story. I began with pen and paper writing just a mixed bag of thoughts and emotions that might happen as everything plays out. About the same time, I also began using the "Built for the Future" mod which is an incredible armory & military base called "Daggerhead" hidden somewhere in the wasteland. The mod contains its own little mini-quest that the Kid must complete in order to find the base. Without giving away any spoilers, the quest consists of a series of lockers the Kid finds along the way to finding his dad. Contained in these lockers are a few aid items but also a series of Holotapes to the Kid from someone who only identifies himself as "A Friend." This mysterious and enigmatic friend somehow knows an awful lot about the Kid, so it seemed to me a great sub-plot to weave into the main story line. I'm not 100% sure how it will eventually play out as I am still turning several possibilities over in my head. But I have at least gotten a beginning typed up and thought I might share it with you all for some input. Again, this is only a beginning and I have allot more to do with it, but here you go!



The Daggerhead Journals

PROLOGUE - Monday - 27 Aug, 2277 - 11:28 PM
To anyone that may find this: I am writing this journal to serve as a record of events should something untimely happen to me. I shall do my best to accurately convey the events as they began and record them up to the present time. My name is James Michael Roberson and until ten days ago I lived in an underground Vault-Tec vault known as Vault 101 located in the Springfield area of what is now called "The Capitol Wasteland". While I go by my middle name of Michael, I am named after my father, James who served as vault doctor for Vault 101 for 19 years - again, until ten days ago. I had been told my entire life that I was born in Vault 101, but now I have learned that that was not true. In fact, with this and other new discoveries, I'm not very sure what is true about anything anymore as most of what I have always believed, or led to believe is a lie. Be that as it may, I am writing this entry - a prologue if you will - from the relative safety of a hotel room in The Weatherly Hotel in Rivet City. Relative safety? That seems like an improbability at best in these harsh, inhospitable circumstances. And with the arrival of The Enclave I'm not sure that there is even such a thing as any safety anymore.

What seems like an eternity has only been ten short days since I left Vault 101. Everything is still such a blur. So much has happened. So many questions. And when I do seem to find only a very few answers, those answers only seen to raise more questions. Daggerhead, Megaton, Rivet City, Galaxy News Radio, The Enclave, The Brotherhood of Steel, who is this mysterious "Friend" that seems to know so much about me and my father? My father... Yes, my fathers death... I cannot believe he is actually gone. Oh, father, there is so much I need to know - so much we needed to talk about, and now I feel so totally alone. I have no one I can trust or talk to. Everyone seems to want something from me that they are unwilling or unable to do for themselves. I'm sure I am still in shock, and yet there is so much I still need to know about you, about mother and even about myself. And as much as I know I need to go on trying to solve these mysteries, I'm not sure I have the will to even continue anymore. All I can feel right now is hatred and confusion. I am so tired. Too tired to even write this really, but I must continue.

My father, James, was killed yesterday by Enclave forces after they attacked and gained entrance into the control room of my father's water purification project known as "Project Purity." As I have learned, over 20 years ago my father began working on a project to bring purified water to the entire tidal basin by running the irradiated water through a purification system built in the old Jefferson Memorial. He began this project before my birth along with my mother and another scientist by the name of Dr. Madison Li. History will record that while held at gunpoint by The Enclave and their leader Colonel Augustus Autumn, and only after he had witnessed Autumn murder lab assistant and chief botanist Janice Kaplinski in cold blood, my father sacrificed himself while inside the purifier control room by creating an overload that caused an explosion which flooded the chamber with lethal radiation. And that is exactly what happened. But I hold this "Enclave" who self-righteously profess themselves as the "United States Government" directly responsible for his death. Had he not sacrificed himself to save the rest of us, The Enclave would surely have murdered us along with himself so the result would have been the same. And as God is my witness, if there is a God, I will not stop until I exact revenge for my fathers death. This course of action may not have been my fathers desire, but that doesn't matter now. As surely as I write these words I swear it on both my dead parents memory that I will make them pay for their murder...

Wow, nobody even thought this worthy of even one comment? I didn't think it was THAT bad. Maybe if it is then some helpful critique would be nice.

Pretty good story so far. I read everything on here but very rarely comment - well done so far. Also remember that there are not a great number of regulars on this sub forum so it may take a little time for everyone to get round to reading it. Just keep going with the story.

(Perhaps slip in a few deliberate spelling mistakes - I am sure others will quickly jump in to comment about them. :rofl: )

I wanted to read it but the post was too large. I have no problem with paragraphs but the post was just gigantic. Could you try like four at a time so it's easier?

CHAPTER 2


ESCAPE - Friday - 17 Aug, 2277
I was wakened that fateful morning by a frantic Amata Almodovar and informed that my father had escaped Vault 101 and her father - The Overseer - had gone crazy. She also said that my fathers assistant, Jonas Palmer had been murdered by vault security Officer Steve Mack, presumably for helping my father escape the vault. I believe her exact words were, "they just beat him and beat him". She desperately told me of a secret tunnel I could use to escape the vault that could be found in The Overseer's office, told me how I could hack his computer and gave me a handgun in case I needed it to defend myself. Had anyone else woke me up with this lunatic story I would have said they were insane, but I knew Amata better than probably anyone else on this earth, or more precisely, under it. And I knew by the tone in her voice that she was completely lucid and DEAD serious. I also instantly knew that if all this were true and the Overseer had gone mad, then he would stop at nothing - even including harm to his own daughter - to find me and deal with the situation. She had risked her very life to get to me and warn me.

You see, Amata and I had always been close. Unknown to anyone but myself, I loved her very deeply. Always had. I guess it's alright to write about it now - now that I know I will never see her again. At first, when we were just kids, it was just that childlike friendship sort of love where we were just best "pals". We would play together, daydreaming of what life was like before all the bombs fell and destroyed the Earth. There wasn't much of a record in the vault about life above ground before the war, so we would mostly just make up our own stories to try and escape from the day to day boring existence that life in that sterile tomb provided. For as long back as I can remember she was just always there, and I couldn't imagine my life without her. Perhaps we shared a certain unspoken and unseen bond that only two children trying to grow up without their mothers can share. Perhaps being raised by two fathers who were so dedicated and driven in their work left a large void that we were able to somewhat fill for one another. I don't know. I do know that later, as we grew into our teenage years, I began to start feeling more and more differently towards her. Of course to be sure I never told her of these feelings. If the Overseer had of known how I felt about his daughter I would have probably ended up doing garbage detail for the rest of my life. But I certainly didn't keep my true feelings secret from her because of that or what may happen to me, oh no. I hid them because of what the Overseer might do to HER.

Although she would never admit it to me, there were times when she would begin to open up to me about her life as Overseers daughter. Maybe during times when she felt especially vulnerable she would unknowingly offer glimpses into her heart of hearts. Oh, she could handle the harassment she got from Butch and his pathetic little gang of "Tunnel Snakes." But what she couldn't handle was the emotional detachment she felt from her father. He always had to play the "official" role of Overseer, even with his own daughter. Despite the entry in his computer stating the opposite, I knew he never opened up to her and became the father to her that she so longed for, but she would never admit those words to me. No, not Amata! She always had to be the pillar of strength to try and live up to her fathers expectations. Still, I knew her possibly as well or even better than she knew herself, and could feel and see the pain she felt. And as so many of us do, we make excuses for those we love, even helping to enable their hurtful behavior towards us. She would say things like "oh, he had to do this or that which is why we are having my birthday dinner a week late" and so on. But I knew her better than that and could tell how deeply she sought the love and approval from him she never received. Perhaps I felt that one day I could tell her of my true feelings, and contrary to the loneliness she felt much of the time, that she was not alone nor would she ever would be alone if I could help it. But most importantly, I could tell her that she was truly and unconditionally loved. But, like so many things that I learned to lock away, I just kept it all inside. It seems a pity now that I have lost my father and her - the only two people I have ever loved - that I was so frightened to act on the feelings I had. If I could have one hope or dream, maybe some day there will be a way to see her again. But that day won't be today.

Oh well, enough of the tear-jerkers. I immediately gathered up a few things and headed for the admin level. As I exited my quarters I was met by Officer Kendall who was being attacked and ultimately killed by Radroaches. I never knew those filthy abominations were so lethal and I knew if I were to survive I would need more protection than the flimsy vault jumpsuit I was wearing. So I carried Kendall's lifeless body away from the Radroaches and stripped him of his security armor. I had never even seen a dead body before much less touched one or wore a dead mans clothes, but I had no choice. I was just so terrified for my life that I just went into a "zone" completely outside of myself where some power or instinct for survival took over. I headed down the hall towards the stairs when to my amazement Butch DeLoria desperately pleaded for me to help his mother who was being attacked by yet another group of Radroaches. Now despite the long and colorful history between Butch and myself which I will not go into here, I could not just leave his mother to die. Fortunately, I was able to kill the Radroaches with my baseball bat, for which a thankful Butch offered me his prized "Tunnel Snake" jacket. I'm not certain at this point however, whether that makes me an honorary member or not.

I quickly left the living quarters and headed through the Atrium level where I found Mary and Tom Holden discussing their plan to also leave the vault. Tom headed into a side hallway where he was viciously slain by Officers Richards and O'Brian. When she saw her husband dying, Mary proceeded into the hallway where she was also killed. I could only think that the whole vault had gone completely mad but had no time to think about these things. With the guards occupied I quickly slipped by them, through the Atrium and up to the Admin level.

I will never forget the chilling scene that was about to unfold. If I didn't witness it with my own eyes and execute it with my own hands I wouldn't have believed it. Ten days ago I would have never thought that I was capable of killing another human being. But I had no choice - I could either kill or be killed. As I carefully approached the Security area I heard Amata crying and pleading with her father to stop this insanity and she told him that I didn't know anything about any of the events going on. Even in her dire position, she tried to protect me. But when Amata would not tell her father what he wanted to hear he had Officer Mack begin beating her again and again with his Police Baton. I could only think of what she told me about Jonas and I could not let that happen to her! I just remember that I saw red, and somehow I burst into the security room and shot Officer Mack in the head! I still cannot believe it. Am I a murderer? What have I done? I guess I did what had to be done to save Amata and myself. I only wonder what the Overseer did to her after I finally left the vault. She told me before I left that even with all that had happened, her place was there in the vault and that she was the only one who could talk some sense into her father. Always the pillar, Amata. As she was speaking those words to me I heard the unimaginable screech of metal moving against metal that had not been moved for 200 years. And as I saw the locking mechanism slowly draw back the door that had sealed Vault 101 for two centuries I knew I would never see her again. I must flee the only home I have ever known and the only one I have ever loved. I thought about her last words to me as the door sealed shut, banishing me from her forever, and I could only pray she was successful.

CHAPTER 3

THE SUN FOR A SON - Friday 17 Aug, 2277 - 10:34 AM
Words cannot describe how overwhelming the feeling of despair was when I heard that door close, locking me out of my home. But as much as that despair overwhelmed me, the wondrous feeling to see this outside world for the first time consumed me just as much. Maybe more. I crouched, motionless for what seemed like an hour, but was only a few short moments. After my eyes adjusted to the unbelievable brightness of the sun I checked my Pip-Boy 3000 for the time. I don't even know why I did that, but I vividly remember doing so. I guess I felt I needed to know what time it was, maybe to sort of gauge how far dad was ahead of me, and I knew it was time to try and find him as quickly as I could before any potential clues out there went cold. Where would I even begin though, I thought? I know nothing of this place after all. He could have gone anywhere for all I knew. So I slowly moved towards a small blue sign a little below me that said "Scenic Overlook." Well, what I saw as my eyes became more focused was certainly not very scenic. I was looking down onto the remains of what appeared to be a burned out town of some sort, probably the ruins of Springvale that I read about in the Overseers computer. They never really taught us about towns and life outside the vault and what it was like before the war. There was just not very much History about this place that we ever learned except that we were always told it was a death sentence to venture out into. Well, I certainly wasn't dead yet so that was good, and according to the Overseer's other computer entries I felt pretty sure I was not in any immediate danger.

Slowly, I decided to try and see if I could find any clues or maybe any person who might have seen dad. An entry in The Overseers computer spoke of a nearby settlement called Megaton where the log said its inhabitants were at least friendly, so I thought it best that I start there and I began working my way down to the ruins below. But part of the way down the hill I noticed something very extraordinary out of the corner of my eye. At first, I thought that in all this sunlight that my eyes were playing tricks on me. What I saw looked to be like something glowing or flashing hidden amongst a grouping of rocks down below me. So I decided to see what it was. As I got closer I could easily tell it was a crate or container of some sort that appeared to give off its own luminescence. Now that was damn peculiar I thought, but still tried to open it. It was a shot in the dark, but maybe it might help me somehow. I should have known that it was locked, but just as I tried to open it I remembered something I had seen back at the overlook sign. I didn't think anything of it at the time, but as I was trying to hide and look around below me for any signs of dad, I noticed a small key hidden between that blue sign and the metal pole it was mounted to. No way, I thought! Surely I'm not that lucky, but sure enough the key opened the crate. Moreover, even if I did thank that a flashing crate and hidden key was odd, what was to come was downright bizarre. When I opened the crate I found some sort of makeshift gun, a few other items and a Holotape. Fortunately, I was able to interface the tape with my Pip-Boy and I was astounded to get the following message - apparently sent for me:

"Hello Friend. How's it going? Let's see if I can guess. You've escaped Vault 101 with the help of Amata, Jonas is dead, your dad left also and now you're looking for him. You've seen and had to do some very unpleasant things just to escape with your life. Now you're out here in the Wasteland. Whatever stories you've heard doesn't even come close to the grim reality. That about sum it up?

And now you're wondering how someone could know all this, write it on a disk and put it here for you to find right after it all happened so recently. Kind of unsettling isn't it? I know Id be thinking the same thing. I wish I could tell you how I know, but I cant, I'm sorry. I have to be very careful not to interfere. Not to, shall we say?"change things", at least as much as I can. I'm already taking a great risk just getting this note to you. However, I will tell you what I can, what you need to know for now.

First of all, I am here to help. I'm on your side. Its OK if you don't trust me, I wouldn't either right off the bat. I know you believe trust is earned, so I'll just have to earn it.

The most important thing you have to do throughout all of this is STAY ALIVE!!! There are people and things out that can and will kill you in an instant. Until you get some experience, things are going to be real hard. And even after you find out how the world is and you learn to handle yourself it doesn't get any easier. So be careful, be cautions and pay attention to everything. One little thing can make all the difference.

The next thing you have to do is FIND DAD!!! I have all the faith in the world that you'll find him. Just trust your instincts and do what you have to do and go where you have to go to find him and it will all work out - TRUST me!

I can't tell you much more right now except that I have a base out there somewhere and people that will help you. I cant tell you where yet, there are? things you must do first. I wish I could explain, I'm sorry its just how it has to be for now.

There are a few things I've left in this container along with this disk that I think will help you. Use everything as you see fit. Also, I've left some other containers out there for you to find when the time is right. Just follow the trail to dad and you'll find them. I know that this must all sound very strange to you, but all of this is meant to help you. So be on the lookout for them.

My young friend, there are going to be many hardships along the way. Many hard choices you're going to have to make. I wish I could tell you what to do but I just can't. You'll just have to trust your instincts and do what you feel is right when the time comes.

There are many people counting on you friend, and people that will help you. Keep the faith, stay alert , look for my containers, most importantly dont give up and of course STAY ALIVE!!!

Your friend

Even as bizarre at that note was and as amazed as I was that I had found it, I didn't have much time to dwell on its contents or more importantly its sender. This mysterious friend was right that I was thinking how the hell did he know all this was happening, but I couldn't think about that right now. I believe I remember an old saying people used to say that said, "I've got bigger fish to fry right now" so I decided to find this "Megaton" place.

Usually just post one Chapter/Part a day or so. It allows for people to comment and give you crit.

Ah, thank you! I'm new to this if you cant tell. But I have had a fair amount of writing experience, lol. I actually only posted once today though. Initially, chapter 2 was included in the post with the prologue, but someone commented it was too long, so I moved it to its own post and made it ch.2. Then I added chapter 3, lol. Thanks again for the help!