01: On Patrol (GreyWolfVT, (Scott308), Rukellian)

[Fulci]

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3/6/2117 - 19:50, almost the end of the Day-Shift
Characters: Max Rokossovsky (GreyWolfVT), Zack Lofftin (Scott308)
Location: Vault 14, Level 1
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Being on duty comes with certain perks. For one, during such periods, Max gets to weld a weapon: the Vault-Tec Stun Baton. Of course, this ain't a shining sword or a cowboy's six-shooter, being more of a dignified Cattle Prod with a slightly sleeker design. Usage is heavily restricted by the Vault Security Manual, section 12, paragraphs 3 through 9. Still, it is quite a fearsome things in the Vault.

The Vault-Tec Stun Baton uses the Cattle Prod stats, with half the damage damage:

Any biological critter hit with the Stun Baton has a 50% chance of being knocked unconscious. Each time an attack is made, successful or not, the Baton uses one charge. Charges: 25/25 (Small Energy Cells)
Min. ST: 4 W: 5 lbs. Dmg: (1d6+5) + MD
Rng: 1 AP S: 4 T: 5 B: N/A
(it takes 4 Action Points to make a single attack, 5 to make a targeted attack. With your 8 APs, you can make two singles in a round! MD is your Melee Damage bonus = 2)

Today Max had no grounds to put the Baton to use. The only fight he had to break up was between Marko and Lizzy (aged 6 and 8, respectively) in the community area. Section 12, paragraph 8 clearly states, that a perpetrator should be at least 18 to justify the application of the Stun Baton. See you in 10 years, Lizzy! The bookish little Marko kind of reminded Max of Lawrence - that guy cannot put up a fight!

Such thoughts circle in Max Rokossovsky, Junior Vault Security Specialist, as he enters the last phase of his daily schedule: a quick check of Level 1. This place is rather different than the crowded and lively lower tiers: only the guards come up here, during their daily routine. Max leaves the elevator and opens the seal with his keycard - issued only to officials and patrolling guards.

Max's footsteps echo through the empty hallways as he walks towards the metallic disc that separates the Vault from the barbaric, desolate wasteland of post-War America:

vault entrance small.jpg (137.32 KiB) Viewed 933 times

He checks the two rooms to the sides of the main corridor [see Map]. If Vault 14 was open, this would be the "Customs and Visitors Center", but now only empty concrete boxes. Max proceeds further down the corridor, towards the Guardpost, a small alcove on the right side, again, out of use, since there are no constant security personnel posted here. Max routinely glances inside, already knowing that it's another empty cubicle.

Only it's not empty.

On the floor of the Guardpost, there is a human figure, wrapped in a blanket.

[GreyWolfVT]

Max cautiously speaks to the blanket wrapped individual "Who might you be? How did you get in here? Are you hurt, do you need water or food? Please don't be frightened I am just a security guard if you need help I can assist you."

[Fulci]

A distinct smell hits Max's nose - something like burning rubber? The figure stirs, then yawns, then slowly turns toward Max. The blanket pulls back to reveal...

...the face of the Vault's very own Zachariah Lofftin!

[GreyWolfVT]

Max less hesitant seeing who it is "Zack? What are you doing here?" a sigh of relief though his hand is still very close to the security baton he carries.

[Scott308]

Zachariah "Zack" Lofftin

Zack sits up and stretches, Hnnnnnnnn. Well, I was sleeping before I was so rudely interrupted. Thanks a lot, Max! He stands up and begins folding the blanket. Well, my shift is almost finished so I guess it's a good time to get up, anyway. You're not gonna tell anyone I was here, are you Max? I know I'm not supposed to be here, but I don't see any harm. Nobody ever comes up here so I like to hang out occasionally. There aren't that many places to hide in the vault.

[GreyWolfVT]

Max "Of course not. If anyone asks I never saw you at all. Zack just be careful it may not always be me that finds you in places you aren't supposed to be. Make sure you take the blanket with you or just hide it somewhere. It's not as if anyone ever comes out here except security and maybe the overseer." relaxing entirely max ushers Zack to get on before anyone else comes out here.

[Scott308]

Zachariah "Zack" Lofftin

Thank you. I don't come up here often, but I really did not feel like heading in to work today. Figured this was a good spot to nap. Haven't been here in months. As they are walking back, Zack will put the blanket back where he had hidden it before, in one of the rooms off the corridor.

[Fulci]

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3/6/2117 - 19:55, almost the end of the Day-Shift
Characters: Max Rokossovsky (GreyWolfVT), Zack Lofftin (Scott308)
Location: Vault 14, Level 1
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Zack's ability to get to restricted places in the Vault never ceases to amaze Max. He himself only gets the needed keycard when fulfilling full-Vault patrol duty. But maybe one day, Max wonders, he will take William Gross' place as Security Overseer and gain full clearance! Training everyday with all those interesting guns from the weapon locker, instructing the Vault youth...

The two Vault Dwellers are halfway to the elevator, when suddenly a strange buzzing sound starts. Max remembers hearing it earlier that day already, but he didn't pay much attention. Zack remembers it too - it was the occasional background of his dreams in the guardpost. It used to be a subtle hum, but now it's much louder and vibrant.

[GreyWolfVT]

Max "There it is again what the hell is causing that buzzing? You hear it too right Zack?" this time reaching for his baton in case it is needed on whatever is making that noise. Max turns around to look at the vault main door.

[Fulci]

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3/6/2117 - 19:57, almost the end of the Day-Shift
Characters: Max Rokossovsky (GreyWolfVT), Zack Lofftin (Scott308)
Location: Vault 14, Level 1
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The sound seems to have no source, it is rather emanating from the walls. Broken ventilation ducts? Rusty cogs of the elevator mechanism or a water pump? But it's definitely louder, and it's louder on this level than on the others. Especially in the area of the guardpost.

[GreyWolfVT]

Max "Well Zack I think we should get moving. I need to report this to the overseer."

[Scott308]

Zachariah "Zack" Lofftin

Report what, that buzzing? It's kind of annoying, but it seems to be part of living in this pit. I'm sorry, this wonderful technological marvel that is Vault-tec Vault Number 14. I am so grateful to be one of the lucky people living in a vault. My heart soars knowing I will spend my entire life sealed underground only ever knowing the same people and seeing the same sights. Yay, Vault-tec.

[GreyWolfVT]

Max "I'd like to think one day we will be allowed to leave the vault if we want to actually Zack. But that's besides the point. Letting the overseer know that the noise is loudest at level 1 might help him decide what to do about it."

[Scott308]

Zachariah "Zack" Lofftin

Eh, you may be right. Someday we may be able to get out of here. I don't know how they can tell when it is safe to go outside again, but that isn't really info the Overseer is going to share with me. Right now, though, I have a couple places I can go to get away, even if I am still in the vault. It's been good seeing you again, Max, but I gotta get going. Don't want anyone to see us walking out of here together. The wrong person sees us and you would have no choice but to turn me in or get in trouble yourself, and I don't want that to happen. I'll slip away and you wait a few minutes to come out. That way if anyone does see us, you can claim you didn't see me in here and I'll say I was able to hide when I heard you coming. Zack heads to the exit, and before opening the door, turns back to Max. Take care, Max. Nothing personal, but I really hope we don't run into each other again for a wile. You understand, right? With that, Zack slips through the door and disappears.

[Fulci]

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3/6/2117 - 20:05
Characters: Max Rokossovsky (GreyWolfVT)
Location: Vault 14, Level 1
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Max can't help but think that some people are born outsiders... (Scott308, I will make separate topic for you soon!)

After giving Zack some time, he enters the elevator. To which official does he want to go? To William Gross, Security Overseer (his boss), or straight to Dr. Munro, Vault Overseer? Strangely enough, the Vault has no strict rules about subordination when it comes to reporting things, though, of course, Max usually reports to Gross after perimeter checks.

[GreyWolfVT]

Max heads off to see William Gross, Security Overseer his boss. To report his discovery of loudness of the noise up at the first level. Upon reaching William Goss's office, Max knocks on the door and waits to be offered entry. "Mr. Goss sir, it is Security Guard Rokossovsky I've come to report sir!"

[Fulci]

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3/6/2117 - 20:10
Characters: Max Rokossovsky (GreyWolfVT)
Location: Vault 14, Level 3, Gross' office
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The sound of something falling can be heard through, then muffled cursing. A minute passes, when finally the door slides open.

william gross2.jpg (153.84 KiB) Viewed 849 times

The Security Overseer's face is red as a beetroot - maybe he was doing push-ups? His office is well-kept and clean, apart from a few manila folders lying on the floor (probably the source of the sounds Max heard before).

"Back from the perimeter check, huh? Make your report, son!"

[GreyWolfVT]

Max stands straight like a board "Sir, I'd like to report all clear, everything is normal aside from the Buzzing sounds they were loudest in the first level sir perhaps the source of the loud buzzing is something on that floor sir."

[Fulci]

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3/6/2117 - 20:10
Characters: Max Rokossovsky (GreyWolfVT)
Location: Vault 14, Level 3, Gross' office
======================================================

Gross looks at his perfectly trained little tin soldier with pride. But as Max continues his report, Gross' expression becomes.. worried? concerned? anxious? He scratches his graying temple.

"Right. The buzzing noise, I've heard it too. Hear it now, even."
Indeed, the buzz is there in the air. Of course, not as loud as on level 1.
"I will report your observation tomorrow on the Overseers' meeting."
(The Overseers' meeting is a weekly gathering of the main Vault officials)

Max gets the feeling that Gross is hiding something. His boss isn't lying, per se, but maybe he isn't telling everything he knows either.

[GreyWolfVT]

Max "Sir I must also report that I found a blanket up there, not sure who is getting up there other than us and the overseer but apparently someone is getting to level 1 and sleeping. I don't know who and didn't find anyone there just a blanket sort of tucked away I left it where it was sir." the guard hopes this doesn't get Zack into trouble by not using his name at all. "Sir is there something more what is causing the buzzing? Maybe it's something we can get Lawrence to fix? I am a bit concerned that something might be wrong with the water purifier, air intake or perhaps something is outside that main door trying to get in. I could go check on Lawrence and get a report back from him if you don't mind sir."