Let's Play: Fallout 3

[Krylo]

One thing before I start--I downloaded a couple of mods. One of which is a hair pack. For some reasons NPCs started wearing different hair for nor apparent reason... there's a few others. Like a Sig Sauer 14mm AP pistol, like in the old fallouts, and a graphical change to plasma weapons, and some other stuff you probably won't notice.

I'm just giving a heads up so as not to confuse you too much.

Supermarket Sweep------------



Well... No use thinking of all that now. Time to get going.



Of course, there's no sense leaving empty-handed, I figure as I look at the last couple of houses I haven't rifled through, yet. Besides, it's not like the dead need their personal belongings anymore. At least that's what I tell myself as I go through another round of grave robbing.

After that, it's a, completely uneventful, trip back home

The first thing I do when I get there is load up the fridge with all the food I managed to scavenge from those houses, and the supplies I bought from Moira. Granted, it's mostly just junk food, but at least I have something to eat now.



That done, I toss the rest of my scavenge into a couple of closets, toss on a nightie I found, and head to bed.

The morning comes to soon, and I groggily step out of bed to throw on a nice leather ensemble as well as some scavenge that I figure I can sell, and my trusty 10mm, just in case.

The travel through the wasteland back to Megaton is pretty uneventful, too. Killed one of those giant mole things again, but hardly anything worth mentioning. I think I'm getting used to the wastes now.

'Civilization' on the other hand...



I check the clip on my 10mm, and slam it back in before heading into town.




Well, things seem quiet, at least. I head for Craterside Supply.



Moira puts down her broom as she notices me, and waves me over, a smile on her face.

"Oh, hey there! How were those hot little potatoes?"



I roll my eyes a bit as she explains the joke, and pull out a landmine for her.

"Oooohh... My very own landmine! Just what I've always wanted!" she says, her eyes lit up like a kid on chrstimas, as she gingerly takes the explosive from me, "Well always since I sent you to get one, anyway!" Her laugh is a bit grating, but, to my horror, I think she's actually starting to grow on me. "So what was it like? Walking through a minefield, disarming mines?"

"Well..." I start trying to think of exactly what to say, "It's not so bad, really. You just have to watch where you step and get to them before they get to you. It's not really that hard if you keep your eyes open." I decide against mentioning the sniper.

"Well aren't you a trooper! Just heading right out there and getting straight to work, without even a complaint. Now I know you probably don't want to see any more explosives for awhile!" she jokes as she heads over to a shelf and starts collecting frag grenades, "but you sure do know your way around them, so I figured you could have a little bit of my rainy day stash! And looking at this landmine gives me an idea! It's a terrible device that does terrible things, of course, but it's easy to make your own, too!" She grabs a sheet of paper from a shelf and sets it on her desk, using the landmine as a paperweight and waves me over, explaining how to attach a sensor module to a cherry bomb and put the contraption into a lunchbox filled with bottle caps for some nice bang and shrapnel. I nod along as she explains the technicalities of how it works, though most of that goes over my head, but I understand the basic how-to and she hands me the sheet of paper when she's done.

"Now then, we've still got plenty of work to do! People need to know how to survive out there, and to survive you need to keep yourself stocked on food and supplies, so the next research I want you to do is on how to scavenge. It just so happens I've got the location for one of those big super stores that used to be all over the wastes, and I'd like you to go and check it out for me!"

I shrug, and don't even bother asking about the pay. I can just keep most of the scavenge for myself, and I could really use the food. "Alright, but before I head out, I'd like to do a little trading..."

"Oh oh, of course! I'll buy whatever you've got, and we have all kinds of things for sale and trade!" she replies with a smile as she moves behind the counter to take my order.


I offload my excess weight, and she tells me how to get to the supermarket. Super Duper Mart she calls it.



Super Duper Mart, huh? Well, guess I'll just get going.



When I arrive it's already dark, and I can hear gunfire. I drop into a crouch and proceed carefully, expecting trouble.



Dead raiders... I'm not sure what to expect inside now, but I know it's probably not going to be pretty.



As I head inside the place looks like a mess, but I can see silhouettes walking across what must have been store shelving at one point.

I decide to keep low and quiet. I don't know how many there are yet, but there's no reason to rile them all up until I've got a plan of action in place.



I carefully weave through the empty carts, but all my careful plans are laid to waste as I hear Dogmeat growl low and turn to see a Raider advancing on us with his weapon out. Dogmeat doesn't wait for him to find us leaping out to attack.

I snap off a few rounds into his back and he falls dead, but bullets start shattering the tile around me and I spin to the right



I dive to the side and grab the dead man's rifle, but when I come back up my assailant has gone into hiding.

I stand up and move around the shelving, and almost bump into the back of another of the psychopaths.



Unfortunate for him.

There's another one I can see through the mist blood and grey matter holding a bat, and I gun him down before he can bring it down on Dogmeat. . .



Who runs off after another of the crazies while I reload.

I give chase as soon as I'm able and round a corner to see her leveling a pistol at my dog.



Nobody shoots at my dog.

I hear a sound and spin to see one more trying to run away. . .



But there is no escape from my fury. His ilk raised weapon against my dog, and they will all die.


When it's done I go back to check on that heavy pistol, I think it might have been. . .



Nice. A .14mm auto. AP rounds. Come to mommy.

But. . . I did come here for a reason, and I head into one of the back rooms. . .



Bingo. Food storage.



And weapon storage, too, it seems.

I grab some improvised explosives--look a lot like the design Moira taught me. Wonder if she's taught anyone else?

Also grab a laspistol and some energy cells.

Not a fan of laspistols, personally. They never saw heavy combat use because there were technical difficulties in getting enough power and focusing into such a small frame to give it combat effectiveness.

As a result, slug throwers tend to have better stopping power in the pistol class. Still, they're, relatively, silent, and, though bright, can make a decent weapon for covert ops when used properly.

Would rather have a lasrifle, though, if I had to use an energy weapon. . . ah well.

I pocket it, anyway.



A little more exploring brings me to a locked door behind another counter, with a computer terminal next to it. It's pretty low grade security, though, and even I'm able to crack it and unlock the door. . .



Storage room. Nice. Looks like it might be pharmaceuticals, too, judging by the packages on that shelf.



And a protectron unit, as well. Luckily it's shut down, and I can help myse--



More of them.

I glance back at the robot and a smile spreads across my face as I key in a few commands on the nearby terminal. . .



Go, my pretty. Go and cleanse them in robotic fire.



Still, though, I drop one of the improvised explosives at the entrance to the back room hall, and then duck around a corner. Doesn't take long for the protectron to draw attention, and for a raider to make a bad mistake. . .



Boom.

After that I figure I'll help Robbie the Robot Reprimand the Rabble.

Yes. I am proud of that.





It doesn't take much.

But, with the raider's gone, Robbie's usefulness is at an end.



So I end him before he ends up lasering some innocent scavenger kid or something to death.



. . . Ripping out his energy cells to repurpose them as laspistol ammo was hardly even a secondary concern.

Anyway, I got the scavenge Moira wanted as well as quite a few new toys of my own.



All in all, a good day's work. Time to head home.

[Aerozord]

since i'm considering buying it, ancorage gets my vote

[Melfice]

I'm not sure right now, but I think on your way to Baileys there's a few Muties around, so I guess you could play you're driven in the tunnel to the Baileys station by the Muties and pick up the Anchorage quest.

As to how and why she's around that area... I don't know.
Can't see the girl as somebody who'd run headlong at whatever SOS broadcast get thrown about.
Maybe there's another mission nearby there?

[Aerozord]

upon reflection, maybe at this point a direction would be a better call. I vote north if thats the case, as I'd like to eventually get to oasis

Oh and for those that dont check VG cats anymore, here

[Cunny]

I'd like to see 'Them!' next. I hated the mission, but it should translate well to story.

[Sir Pinkleton]

Yeah, I was gonna say, that's the nearest quest nearby, and I guess she would feel confident enough to do it now that she has a whole lot of gear and food. I'd vote either for that, or wandering around for a little while; go North, why not.

Out of curiousity, what level are you at?

[The Artist Formerly Known as Hawk]

Seeing as I haven't (and probably won't ever), play the DLC, I'd like to see both of those. Anchorage then Pitt please.

[tacticslion]

Man, I'd love to see you do the Oasis* quest. Seriously, I hear the tree-thing is there, and that's a plus in my book. Although I'd personally love for the world to recover due to the tree-thing, I don't know how she'd justify not killing them all. This might not be next, but when you do get around to it, I vote that you do this. The Preacher too.

*I've no idea if this would be considered SFW or NSFW, so best be on your guard. No actual naughtiness shown, just enough to indicate the nudity Austin Powers** style.

**Never seen the whole movie, just bits toward the end on TBS.

[BitVyper]

[Krylo]

As Altered Beast commands. . .

How to Make Enemies and Influence People----



When I get back to Megaton the sun still hasn't come up, and the whole city seems to be asleep.

'City'.

Regardless, I figure I'll see if Moira's home. Finish up this job for her, see what else she needs done, that kind of thi--




Well, door isn't opening. Doubt she'd be happy if I broke in. Guess I'll have to find something else to pass the time. . .




Maybe I'll have a drink.




Saloon is still open at least.

I head over to the bar and take a seat, and quickly wonder on the wisdom of this decision as the... thing behind the counter turns to me. The scent of rotting flesh washes over me like a nauseating wave. I almost retch, and I'm sure I would have if I had smelt this a few days ago.



Now, I REALLY need a drink.

"Whatever the strongest shit you have is."

The thing eyes me for a second before reaching behind the counter and putting a bottle of vodka in front of me.

"That'll be twenty-nine caps, Smoothskin," his gravelly voice demands the money and I reach into a pocket, producing it within seconds and sliding it over the counter trying, and failing, not to look at him.

One of his putrid eyebrows raises--or at least I think it does, it's hard to tell when there's no skin there--and he speaks once more, his breath like a rotting carcass, "So you ain't never seen a ghoul before, I take it?"

"...What makes you think that?" I ask as I swallow back a rather large gulp of the bitter liquid, letting the burn slide down my throat pleasantly. I resist the urge to shudder as the harsh liquid moves through my 'virgin' body.

"Well, yer disgusted by me, that much is clear," he says as he starts to clean out a dirty glass with a rag that doesn't seem much better and makes me glad that alcohol is a disinfectent, "But cha aren't hatin' on me like most folk would. You just seem scared..."

I take another long drink, and I can already feel the effects of the alcohol starting to set in, as I let out a couple of coughs and nod. "Y... yeah. I haven't been around much." I take another drink straight from the bottle and Gob nods a bit, chuckling.

"Don't seem like you drink much either, eh, Smoothskin?"

I shake my head, "I was too young where I came from, but I'm hoping it can solve my problems just like they claim in the old vid-re..." I catch myself too late. These people don't have vid-reels.

Gob nods, though, and keeps wiping the glass. "Yeah, I thought so. You looked familiar... an older guy kinda like you came through a few days ago from 101. Now I'm not sayin' there's a connection... but..."

'Dad?'

I look up at the creature for the first time since I've sat down, and immediately regret it, pushing back the urge to throw up once more. "...Where did he go..." I manage to choke out after a moment.

"Sorry, cutie," Gob chuckles at the shudder of revulsion that slides down my spine at the word before continuing, "but I can't tell ya much more than that. Moriarty'd have my head on a platter, and I'm sure I'd smell even worse dead." A short bout of hoarse laughter at his own bad joke later and Gob turns away from me, "He's in the back if you'd like to talk to him."

I down the rest of the vodka, elliciting a coughing fit from myself and more laughter from Gob before I stand up.



Making my way into the back around the ghoul, I find Moriarty sitting in front of his terminal. I can see he's already logged in and glancing at a few files that he quickly closes before standing and turning toward me taking on a fake smile.

"COLIN MORIARTY, at yer service!" he says with an accent so thick I could cut it with a knife, "Welcome to Moriarty's my saloon, my home, my slice o' heaven in this backwoods little burg. Now, if ya don't mind tellin' me why yer bothering me in me office before I kick yer arse?"

"...I heard that a man passed through here recently. Where'd he go?"

Moriarty looked me over once closely before speaking, "...Little Lucy, is that you? It is, innit it!?"

"How do you know my name?" my eyes narrow and my hand moves toward my pistol.

"Aww, ye don't remember ole Moriarty? I suppose ye wouldn't though, ye was just a weeee thing back then. Barely popped from your momma... I'm truly sorry about your loss."

"What are you talking about? I wasn't born here..."

He stops for a moment looking me in the eyes once more, "They lied to ya did they? Told ya you were born in that vault? Guess I kint blame them, they just wanted what was best for their little girl, after all... and this wasteland certainly ain't what's best."

"I don't know, people try to kill me either way, at least there's more ammo to shoot back with out here."

Moriarty lets out a gut laugh, "Aye aye... that overseer ya got in there's quite the snake... didn't seem too happy about your father leaving, either, but your dad had hoped ye could avoid all this unpleasantness... guess he was jus' dreamin' again."

"Cut the shit, Moriarty. Where'd he go. He apparently has a lot of explaining to do."

"Slow down there, now, kiddo, I'd love ta help you, I really would, but what you're askin' for is information, and information is a commodity. I didn't get where I am by just giving away commodities. You need ta do a little favor for me, first."

My patience is running out and I narrow my eyes at the sleazy barman. "What is it?"

"Well thar's this girl, pretty little thing, worked for me and the local men if you know what I mean. Anyway, she cut town with my share o' her profits, and I want it back. It'd be great if you could ta..."



I unholster my pistol and have the barrel aimed at his head in one smooth motion. "See, it's funny... you said you wanted a favor, but what I'm hearing is that you're a pimp and murderer--but you're too damn cowardly to do the killing yourself. Not only that but you're a damn lying snake who'd get the child of an old friend to do his dirty work over something as simple as telling her where her daddy is. You aren't worthy of breathing, Moriarty, just like everyone else is this godforsaken wasteland. You'd better give me a damn good reason not to pull this trigger."

"'Cause if you do, the people of this here town'll be on you li..."

He's paranoid. The Sheriff was right about the rat half, hope he's right about the other. "I don't think so, Moriarty," I cut him off in mid-sentence, "The people of this town are as sick of your bullshit as I am, and the only thing I'd be getting from them over this are accolades and caps. The only reason I haven't pulled the trigger yet is because I don't like killing. Now talk before I change my mind."

His eyes narrow, and he glances at the computer screen. "Alright, fine... he headed on to the DC ruins, tryin' ta find 'T'ree Dog' the GNR broadcaster... but don't think I'll be forgettin' this, little Lucy. Moriarty doesn't forget or forgive."

"Yeah yeah, whatever," I press the gun to his forehead and relieve him of his own firearm before backing out the back door.



Well that was fun, but something tells me I'd best get the hell out of Megaton.



Sun's up now, though. Maybe I can at least let Moira knowing I'm skipping town.

I head back over to the Craterside Supply, and sure enough, someone unlocked while I was drinking.



Huh. First time I've seen her actually behind the counter.

She waves and smiles as she notices me come in. "So how's the scavving been? Got the food and medicine from that Super-Duper Mart?" she asks happily as I walk over.

"Uh, yeah, yeah, I got it. . ." I reply as I start to pull some things out.

"Really?! You Did? You diiid! Well, all right! Tell me all about it! For the book, you know."

I think back to the mart for a moment, trying to clear Moriarty from my head, though I find it hard not to glance over my shoulder, as I explain. "Well, there were a bunch of psychopaths living in there. Were using the food and medicine storage as makeshift armories, too."

"Soooo you're saying they acquired a well-protected stash? I wonder how many other places are hidin--"

"Yeah, listen, Moira, I'm kinda in a hurry today. . ."

Her head droops, and she looks a bit crestfallen, "Well. . . okay, but at least let me give you your payment!" she's perked right back up, almost immediately. I really envy her enthusiasm. And it kind of pains me that I have to cut this short. And quit the job. Man she's not going to like that. . .

I'm barely listening as she hands me a bunch of food and some kind of object she claims will make food, "More, um, betterer" so long as I keep it on me.

"Thanks, uh, and Moira. . . I'm, listen I gotta go. Some stuff came up and I don't know when I'll be back to town, so I can't really help with the book, anymore."

She sags again, but this time she doesn't perk back up. "Well. . . I. . . I can't force you to work, I suppose," she says, her lip trembling a little. Honestly, if this were any other situation, she COULD force me to work with that look.

"But uh, I do need some supplies before I leave," I add, trying to change the subject. Her response is listless, almost broken.

It's painful to hear, but I'm sure she'll bounce back. Eventually. Maybe. .

Ugh.



I head back out into the wastes, feeling like garbage.

Only thing to do now is track down my dad, I guess. I got a lead on him. . . and I don't know how long it will be good for. Would have had to take a hiatus from her jobs, anyway.

But first. . . I haven't slept over a day.



I pass out for hours, and then, seeming as I don't know what's waiting for me between here and GNR, I grab as much ammor as I can carry, an assault rifle, the 14mm pistol, a sawed off shotgun, some grenades, and other various pieces of necessary self defense weaponry.

I tune my Pip Boy to GNR, and tell it to track back the signal's originating site.



It pulls up a map and informs me I should be able to get there if I travel west of the Super Duper Mart.

. . .Wish I had known that before I went to Megaton and then came all the way back here.

Well, que sera sera.




Doesn't take me long to get back there. Well. . . a couple hours, and a couple dead raiders, but you know, that's just average. Maybe I should start keeping track of time by rai--

"Help, miss, help!" I turn toward the voice. . .



And am pretty surprised to see a kid running up to me.

"Listen, kid, calm down, would you?" I ask as he's clearly trembling.

"N-no. . . Those things will get me! I can't. Gotta keep going!"

He tries to run off, but I grab him by the back of his shirt and pull him in. "Whoa there, listen, kiddo, just calm down and tell me what's going on, it'll be okay. . ." I say in my most soothing voice, putting a hand on his head.

Dogmeat helps by nuzzling his hand, and the boy gulps back his fear.

"O-okay, but. . . you're not going to leave me like the other adults, right? You'll help find my dad?"

I let out a slow sigh. "Yeah. . . yeah I guess I will, where is he?"

The kid points back behind him. "In grayditch. The house closest to the billboard. Please, you gotta find him! He's the only one the monsters hav--"

"Slow down. . . what kind of monsters?"

"Um, well. . . they're big six legged things. . . with GIANT teeth. They're always scurrying around and taking things. . . dad called them Fucking Ants."

Ants? He's afraid of ants? That. . . well, okay. Let's not mock the mentally challenged boy. I can at least go grab his dad for him.

"He was always saying, "These are the dumbest fucking ants" and telling people to "Aim for the antenner". . . whatever that means" He's still explaining the mons--wait why would his dad be aiming for their antennas? Ants are like, an inch long.

"Uh, hey, ki--what's your name?"

"Um, Bryan. Bryan Wilks, miss."

"Right, Bryan--call me Lucy, by the way, uh, Bryan, how big are these ants?"

He looks at me for a moment then starts stretching his arms out, and then stops, looks at the distance, then down at himself. "Uh, well," he kneels down a bit and holds a hand about two feet off the ground, "'bout this tall, and um. . . little longer than I am tall."

I go pale for a second. How is that even possible? Their exoskeletons shouldn't be able to support the weight of their muscles, unless it was too thick for the muscles to move. . . but if they actually scaled up in strength as well as size.

Christ.

Bryan picks up on it. "Y-you aren't going to leave are you? I. . . I wouldn't blame you if you did, but. . . what will happen to my pa?"



I look out toward the DC ruins and where my Pipboy says GNR is located, and think about how easy it would be to let that kid just rot here. Not like anyone would know. Not like it would matter. . . and besides who knows what could happen to my lead on dad if I waste any more time?




. . .Sorry, dad. Guess you'll have to wait.