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First Annual Pod Day
WHERE: Vault 66
WHEN: ???? - Day 1
WHAT: The first pods open
WARNINGS:TBD
You awake laying on your back in an, admittedly comfortable, pod. You can't move anything but your eyes, can't even feel your body yet. How you got here or why is a blank. You may have been in the middle of your day, asleep, or even- for what you remember- should be dead. Then a screen directly in front of your face flickers to life and in crisp, black and white displays: DON'T PANIC. The following video then plays:
The screen flickers again and reads: CONGRATULATIONS ON PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE! WELCOME TO VAULT LIFE, CITIZEN. WELCOME TO YEAR: [ERROR]. YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS ARE LOCATED IN [FILE CORRUPTED. SEE SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR]. ENJOY YOUR STAY AND THANK YOU FROM YOUR FRIENDS AT VAULT-TEC.
The pod then unseals and you are able to, unstably at first, climb out of the pod. Your body may feel foreign for a moment- perhaps entirely foreign if you suddenly find yourself a human, ghoul, or super mutant for the first time. But whatever your form, you have two items on: a bright blue jumpsuit with the number 66 in yellow on the back, and a mechanical device known as a Pip-boy sealed onto your arm. If you click on the buttons it takes you to an instruction screen.
You look around to find yourself in a room of other pods. Some are just opening, other people looking as confused as you climbing out. Others remain closed with the status of 'STASIS' on the screens attached to the pods. The rest of the room is less than impressive. Computer systems that seem out of place compared to the technology level of the pods are scattered across the room, apparently running the chambers. Trying to access them, even for the most talented hacker, will simply result in SEE OVERSEER being displayed. There is large metal door leading to the rest of the vault, a lever on the wall next to it that will cause it to open.
Welcome, dweller, to vault 66.
Outside of the pod room, the rest of the vault is limping along on an emergency power supply. The air is stale from lackluster recycling and deep shadows occupy the corners of rooms and edges of hallways as only the pale maintenance lighting flickers from the ceiling. The pip-boy flashlight helps, but can still only light up a small area, casting anything outside of it into even darker shadows.
In those shadows there is skittering. The noise isn't too noticeable when there are groups of people, but get down to one or two and it's impossible to ignore. Venture into an empty room and you’ll spot a small number, maybe even just one, loitering in what, until today, had more or less been their sole domain: radroaches. Giant, mutated cockroaches that have a hunger for fresh food (like say, new vault dwellers) when it’s available.
The majority of roaches, however, seem to have a destination in mind, mostly ignoring characters unless blocked or directly bothered. This hoard, gathering from all over the vault, all move through the shadows and vents to the kitchen. If a character is unthreatening enough, they can follow the trail unmolested by the creatures.
In the kitchen itself is a whole different matter. Even from down the hall, characters can hear a masculine, slightly French-accented voice exclaim:
“Mais! Get out, out you nasty things!”
After a moment, a burst of flame can be seen through the door, followed by the new yet distinctive sound of mandibles ripping at metal. Those that decide to enter will see over a dozen roaches trying to take down a lone, floating robot. Despite the robot occasionally hitting them with a blast of fire from a small flame-throwing on one of its arms, the roaches appear to be winning.
The source of the fight can be seen behind the robot: a counter full of various kinds of packaged foods, some of them newly opened. One roach has managed to make it to the prize, ripping into a things of what seems to be apples with its mandibles.
OOC NOTES
To talk to a specific NPC one-on-one, leave a comment on their thread below. Note an exception is Louis in Radroach Riot, he will pop up on his own in threads related to him.
Looking for loot in a specific area? Looking for a specific item/kinds of item in general? Ask here and we’ll let you know.
If you have any OOC questions, please leave a comment here!
Peggy Carter | OTA
[This isn’t the first time that Peggy Carter has woken up in strange surroundings feeling rather groggy and confused, nor will it likely be the last. What does seem strange are the clothes she’s wearing and the Pip-boy attached to her arm. A quick check tells her that any weapons, gadgets, or devices that would usually be on her person are missing. It’s then that she gives further thought to the Pip-boy, going through the instruction screen.]
Health status. Geiger counter. A map. Whatever this is, at least it doesn’t appear to be a bomb…though I suppose appearances can be deceiving.
[This said mostly to herself, though anyone around her is likely to pick up what she’s saying.]
Glad I seem to be in good health too, all things considered. Right then.
[She looks around then, taking everything in with a well-trained eye. The pods, some open, some closed; the computer terminals, some of the confused people around her. She purses her lips. Vault-Tec. New subsidiary of Leviathan, perhaps? Something having to do with the Council? The video certainly reminded her of the sort of thing that Roxxon would advertise at the World Exhibition of Tomorrow. Surely this isn’t the sort of thing that Dottie Underwood would able to pull-off, with or without help. Then again, it could be entirely unrelated.]
[Pursing her lips in a thin line, she turns to the person nearest to her.]
Pardon me – I know this question must seem ridiculous, but I don’t suppose you signed up for this yourself?
[She certainly hasn’t. As far as Peggy’s concerned, the last thing she remembers is that kiss with Detective Daniel Sousa. She reaches up, touching her lips for a moment. No, that hadn’t been a dream, though this could very well be a nightmare.]
Do you fancy a bit of exploration? I don’t believe there are any answers to be found here, but surely there must be some answers beyond that door there.
[Rad Roach Riot]
[She’s dealt with her fair share of creepy-crawlies, Peggy has. You don’t get to lead the life that Peggy’s led without staying in some questionable places – and even some of the nicer rentals in New York had their own pest problems. But this…this was unexpected. These roaches were positively huge, and Peggy didn’t find herself caring for it one bit.]
Is it the radiation, do you think? Or just evolution running its sometimes hideous course?
[There were science-minded people Peggy knew who would be fascinated by these roaches. She isn’t one of them – she just wants them dead. Unfortunately, the floating robot doesn’t seem to be able to fight them off all too well, and Peggy once again finds herself wishing she had a firearm on her. They’d be so much easier to kill that way. Setting her lips into a thin, hard line, Peggy grabs the handle of the nearest broom – she’d brought it with her upon finding the supply closet – and breaks it in half over knee. With a sort of angry grunt, she throws the sharp end of one half, piercing a radroach at just the right angle, killing it. Of course, two more take its place. Honestly, these roaches, it’s like they’re agents of HYDRA or something.]
I don’t suppose anyone’s seen another flame thrower lying about or anything?
[Wildcard!]
Have something else in mind? Toss it at me! We can plan through PMs or Plurk.
arrival
She has met some other individuals who have left their pods. They are in the same confused state she is in. No one seems to know what is happening. The video lied about the willing sign up. What else could it be lying about? She does not trust any of it. She struggles to trust everyone around her but she's learned better in her life. Trust is no longer easily given. People have power. They use power. They value power over lives.
Elizabeth hears the voice and turns to the woman beside her.]
No. I'd never even read about a vault before waking up in that pod.
[Now supposedly they are in one. Protection from war and bombs? She surveys the woman for a moment like she might get a read on her if she does so. She seems capable and calm despite the situation. Elizabeth nods her acceptance.]
It's the only way we're going to find anything out. Given how little we know about this place, no one should explore alone.
no subject
[She gives Elizabeth a brief half-smile, friendly but bemused. There isn't anything that makes sense about this situation yet, and out of the few people she's seen climb out of the pods, no one seems familiar to her. Of course, it's a big world out there.
Or at least, it was]Splendid! Normally I wouldn't mind venturing out on my own, but something tells me that there's going to be power in numbers here. I'm Peggy, by the way. Peggy Carter.
[She holds out her hand, for what will prove to be a firm handshake, if Elizabeth accepts it.]
Do you need a moment to gather yourself before we set out?
no subject
She doesn't see any reason to disbelieve it. It seems genuine.]
Elizabeth. You're right. We don't know what could be waiting on the other side of the door. Whoever or whatever put us in those pods has the upper hand here.
[She reaches out to take her hand, giving it a firm shake in turn. Finally, she half smiles in turn at the offer and kindness as much as it surprises her.]
No, I'm alright. I've been out of that pod for half an hour or so. I'd ask about you but you seem like someone who is ready more often than not regardless of what's thrown your way. [Her take charge attitude clearly shows as much.]
no subject
[There's a genuineness to that statement too. Sure, it may have been preferable to make acquaintances when they weren't trapped down here, but there was also the fact that if they made met elsewhere, Peggy would more than likely have kept her distance. But being down here necessitated behaving differently, and letting down walls that otherwise would have been up.]
Less of a pleasure is not having the upper hand in this situation. It's not something I'm unused to, unfortunately, but it's never a favorable position to be in.
[She's not surprised that Elizabeth has a firm handshake, but she is pleased. It's always nice to meet another woman of substance.]
Believe me, when you've lived the life I have, you learn to compartmentalize and roll with every punch and kick thrown your way.
[It's not that she's ready, necessarily, but she knows that letting her worries get the best of her right now isn't going to help or solve anything. She'll deal with all of that once she has answers and has a better judgment on how she needs to feel about things.
She motions for the door and starts walking, keeping pace with Elizabeth.]
You've been out for nearly a half hour? I don't suppose you've come across anyone you know? I haven't had any such luck myself.
no subject
You're used to waking in strange vaults with strangers or strange and dangerous situations in general?
[She smirks lightly to show she is joking. Her curiosity piqued by talks of Peggy's life. She wonders what life could have led to being accustomed to situations like this one and to rolling with punches and kicks with such ease. Elizabeth has learned to compartmentalize out of a need to survive.
She doesn't know how good she is at rolling with the hits as much as she's come to expect them. There's no memory loss this time preventing her from remembering her own decisions this time at least. No, she sharply and painfully remembers the wrench to the head and Sally's cold hand on her fingers.
Elizabeth follows her to the door. She reaches for the lever as they approach and turns to Peggy to be certain she is ready before pulling it.]
No. Only more strangers who are as confused as I am.
no subject
I have woken up in a strange place a time or two, but no, the vault is definitely a first for me. Strange and dangerous situations, though, those are my bread and butter. Not always wholesome and delicious, but they do tend to keep one energized and on the move.
[She watches Elizabeth carefully as they make their way to the door. Whatever inner turmoil the other woman might be feeling - and aren't they all currently guilty of feeling inner turmoil? - the woman clearly has her wits about her. Cracking a joke in this sort of situation, Peggy can appreciate it. You have to have a certain amount of strength to do so at a time like this.]
Yes, I found much of the same myself. I tried looking in the pods to see if I could find anyone I knew, but I'm afraid I didn't have much luck.
[Steve was a long shot - Steve was always going to be a long shot - but there was no Sousa, no Jarvis, no Howard, no Rose. Thankfully no Dottie or Whitney either, though perhaps a familiar face wouldn't have been terribly awful to have.]
I hope whatever we're looking for lies beyond that door, and we're not just in for a long journey down a yellow brick road that leads nowhere.
no subject
[Elizabeth smirks with amusement. It's a unique way to put it. She can appreciate Peggy's perspective on the situation ahead. She certainly feels confident standing beside someone who does not face what is ahead by running from it.
In truth, there are few people she would hope to find in a pod waiting for her. Booker was her only friend in her life. It was complicated. All versions of him in all versions of worlds are supposed to be dead but she never saw into a door which showed a world like this one.
It's complicated even if it were possible.
Elizabeth grips the handle as they reach it. She gives it a tug watching as the door slides open in turn to reveal to reveal the long metal hallway ahead.]
I hope so too, Peggy. [She steps into the hallway to the sound of metal beneath her feet. Her gaze remains ahead but she speaks earnestly.] I'm sorry there was no one you knew in the pods. Is there someone you wanted to be there?
no subject
[Her eyes rove over the hallway ahead of them, looking at the walls, the ceilings, the floor. It all seems sturdy, and there don't seem to be any traps hiding. At least she knows that whomever brought them here doesn't want them dead - yet.]
Granted, I didn't ever figure this into my idea of adventure. It's all rather industrial, isn't it?
Honestly, as far as people goes, I'm not certain I'd want anyone I cared about to be in this situation. Sure, a familiar face might have been nice, and I'm sure that as time passes, I would rather have found someone in one of the pods, but for now... [Peggy huffs out a small sigh.] I suppose there's also the threat of nuclear war, there are friends and family who I don't want to suffer through that.
I suppose there isn't a good answer to be had, either way. How about yourself?
no subject
I understand. I used to feel the same way. I don't think anyone would mind lounging on a beach with a drink, but the call of adventure is strong.
[Maybe she can feel that way again. Her gaze darts over the environment ahead of them. She nods with a slight smirk.]
It's no beach and coconut either.
[Not much for adventure or vacation.]
Sometimes danger is better handled with someone you can trust and know at your side but it wouldn't be nice to wish this metal paradise on anyone. [She can understand Peggy's conflict.] No. There's no one.
no subject
It's not, but if all this metal is to be believed, I wouldn't be opposed to finding a a metal, coconut-shaped cocktail shaker at the end of this hallway.
[Not that Peggy was anything close to what one would call an alcoholic, but in stressful situations, a nice stiff drink sometimes worked wonders.]
I can only hope that in due time, we'll be able to trust one another down here. I'm afraid we may have to, if half of that video we were shown is to be believed.
[They come to what looks like a four-way intersection in the corridor. Peggy looks around, seeing a door to their left. Nearest door, maybe it has some answers? She nods at Elizabeth and walks up to the door, shoulders back, chin up, and yanks the door open...only to find a closet filled with cleaning supplies.]
You don't suppose they mean us to be the cleaning crew, do you?
[It's said lightly, a joke more than anything else. Peggy may have grown up a bit privileged, but she's not above scrubbing a toilet when she has to. She walks into the supply closet, looking around, taking stock of the room.]
These brooms like as though they may come in handy. Same with these mops.
no subject
Her life has been given back to her. Perhaps. There's still no telling what this whole place is about or why they are here.]
Trust is difficult to give. [Her admittance is quiet. She is sure she's not the only one who has a hard time trusting. The world's full of people who will shatter trust for the right price. However, Peggy makes good, sound points too.] You're right. We may need to do so with one another if we have any hope in understanding this place.
[Elizabeth follows closely beside in case they run into any danger. She doesn't want Peggy to have to face it alone. Of course, they open the door to find cleaning supplies which is not dangerous at all. It seems like this was a place meant to be lived in.]
Seems an awful lot of trouble to go through to find someone to clean this place.
[She smirks appreciating the joke. She leans forward to pick up one of the brooms.]
They could be used as a weapon in a pinch. Why are they so dusty? [How long has this vault been here? When were these items placed inside? It doesn't make any sense at all if the video is to be believed.]