01: Not Another Medical Drama (FantasyChic, MonkeyWrench)

[Scott308]

Zachariah "Zack" Lofftin

After finishing in the bathroom, Zack walks out, heading for the library. Let's go, Max. We can talk on the way.

As they walk, Zack fills in details for Max. So, you saw me pocket that case, huh? Good eye. I had seen a case like that before, but didn't know what was in it. I just knew that whatever is inside must be something important. I hoped to avoid anyone noticing until I had a chance to see it. It appears to be some sort of syringe. I don't know what it may be for. I'll have to let Quincy look at it, maybe he'll recognize it.

When they get to the library, Zack will check the nearby hallways to make sure nobody else is around to see them.

Is the door locked mechanically so I need to pick it, or is it something that an access card would open?

[GreyWolfVT]

Max "Yeah I saw ya outta the corner of my eye but that's why I didn't say anything around the others. It would be nice to figure out what the heck is in it. Hopefully as you said Quincy will know." at the library if any aid is needed on the lock Max will assist as needed.

[FantasyChic]

Victoria nodded, "I didn't want to use my...charms to get him to come, but I had a feeling he wouldn't have come any other way and we need him there. If we are going to go through with any plan it only makes sense to include him. We need to be careful though, it seems like Lawrence is almost dead set on staying and that just isn't an option anymore. I don't want to think about what will happen if he stays in a place doomed to fall."

[Fulci]

======================================================
3/6/2117 - 22:45
Characters: Victoria James (FantasyChic), Quincy Barnes (MonkeyWrench),
Lawrence (Rukellian), Max Rokossovsky (GreyWolfMT), Zack Lofftin (Scott308)
Location: Vault 14
======================================================

Max & Zack (cop and robber...) cautiously approach the library. Zack tries his good ol' keycard - there is a satisfying beep as the door slides open. Zack thanks Linda McKinney, Victoria's mother, for not being overtly protective about the Vault's collection of books and holovids and not using the optional mechanical lock as well.

The two Vault Dwellers enter the library. It's a quite big room. One half contains the main desk and tables and chairs for the readers. In every second table, there is a submerged screen for reading holodiscs and microfiche. A maze of stacks and shelves is in the back half of the room. Though most of the library's holdings are digital, there's still a few old-school paper-based volumes. Linda McKinney says that the materiality of book is important for (her words) "staying humans" and "not losing touch with the past".

Soon their co-conspirators arrive.

First - a somewhat reluctant Lawrence.

Somewhat later, the two lovebirds, Quincy and Victoria.

[GreyWolfVT]

Max "Ah good I see Victoria and Quincy managed to coax you to come here Lawrence glad we are all here. I at least know most of us to be of similar thinking about this but before I saw more I'll double check the door is sealed. Perhaps more so than we found it right Zack." Max nudges Zack a bit indicating the locking mechanism that Victoria's mother fails to use.

[Rukellian]

======================================================
3/6/2117 - 22:45
Characters: Victoria James (FantasyChic), Quincy Barnes (MonkeyWrench),
Lawrence (Rukellian), Max Rokossovsky (GreyWolfMT), Zack Lofftin (Scott308)
Location: Vault 14
======================================================

"Ah good I see Victoria and Quincy managed to coax you to come here Lawrence glad we are all here. I at least know most of us to be of similar thinking about this but before I saw more I'll double check the door is sealed. Perhaps more so than we found it right Zack." Max nudges Zack a bit indicating the locking mechanism that Victoria's mother fails to use.

As Lawrence enters the library, he looks over and sees Max and Zack. He does not look happy to see them here, together, past curfew. Not wanting to say anything just yet, the mechanic walks over to the terminals in the room and starts his work on them. He sets his toolbox down and sits down, his back turned to the others in the room.

'Max and Zack are involved too? Zack wasn't involved with the creature incident, did someone tell him- Max, I should of known. His lips were always a bit too loose, a dangerous trait for someone working in security. *sigh* But even so, if Max is here as well, it would seem as if Victoria and Quincy are not the only ones who want to leave the vault... what to do?'

Lawrence's mind races with two different lines of thought. While fixing the data loop within the terminal's archives, he contemplates the situation evolving around him. Codes are crunched in, multiple scenario pathways are mapped out, and his fingers fly away all the same.

Edit
Science Skill Check (night) 75% [1d100] = 47

[Scott308]

Zachariah "Zack" Lofftin

Good idea, Max. We don't want anyone finding us in here. I'm used to being in trouble, so I don't mind that much. But you guys... He shrugs and sits down. We all know strange things are going on. Vault officials are keeping secrets. I know they aren't going to tell someone like me a lot of the details of running the vault. And I don't really care, for the most part. But that rat thing- it could have killed you guys. If it was someone else that ran into it, they would probably be dead. And the Overseer wants to cover it up! This is a safety issue for the entire vault. The people have a right to know. And...well, there's more. I don't really know what is going on, but I think trouble will be coming to the vault pretty soon. I've...seen pictures. It looks like they were taken outside the vault. He holds up his hand. Don't ask me where I got this information, because I won't tell you.

The first picture shows some rundown buildings. It was dated four years ago. The second showed some people. They looked hungry, holding signs saying they need food and meds, and that they want in. Same location. Two years ago. The last picture shows some kind of weird bulldozer, maybe? Big discs on the front. It also showed people with guns. This was also the same location, but only about two weeks ago. I think they may be trying to get into the vault. The officials know about this stuff, but are not telling anyone.

[GreyWolfVT]

Max sighs and shakes his head "I always had a suspicion that things were not as we were taught. I also knew that these vaults were not build for us to live in forever either." taking time to look at the pictures "I wouldn't be surprised to know that indeed folks were trying to get in here. Some of our parents have confirmed that what we keep thinking and now speak of is quite true. Safety issues in the vault and outside as well being covered up. We've recently had some confirmations though not out right but hinted at by my father and Quincy's that certain things going on are not right and staying in the vault may not be a safe and wise thing for much longer. Though I may be reading into things a bit more than they are."

[Scott308]

Zack described photos he had seen. He does not have them in his possession.

[GreyWolfVT]

Very well then... Max will listen intently to Zack describing the pictures then.

[FantasyChic]

Victoria holds on to Quincy's hand as she listens to the others talk. Upon hearing Zack describe the pictures, she grips her free hand into a fist, anger pouring into her eyes "We have a serious threat coming in here, but no one bothered to let us know? How long would it have been for things to go south? We all would have continued on like nothing was happening, it only took some mutated creature to attack to finally get the truth out. I can't believe the Overseer, or the Doc, or even my mother. So what do we do about this?" she looks to everyone, "If we got people trying to come in, we need to decide how to handle that before we make any other plans."

[Rukellian]

======================================================
3/6/2117 - 22:45
Characters: Victoria James (FantasyChic), Quincy Barnes (MonkeyWrench),
Lawrence (Rukellian), Max Rokossovsky (GreyWolfMT), Zack Lofftin (Scott308)
Location: Vault 14
======================================================

"Hey, everyone," Lawrence says abruptly to the group. He turns around on the chair he is sitting on and faces them. He speaks to Zack at first, but then eventual pans his way to Victoria, trying to not look directly into her now angry eyes. "You claim that the Overseer is covering up the creature attack in Hydroponics, that she knows about it. Does she? For all we know this may actually be news to her as well. I know that Max and Quincy's father wanted to figure out more about it before letting the Overseer know, get their facts straight and in order."

Lawrence pauses for a moment and closes his eyes, letting out a deep breath before continuing. "I can't say I fully agree with you all, not in the way you are going about it. I don't want to know how Zack learned of what he did, nor do I want to act paranoid and question and/or go against the actions of my superiors. I don't think any one does for the latter. So let's rewind a bit and think about this rationally, okay? Suppose the vault is in danger of... something, hypothetically, and that the creature wasn't just some freak coincidence, and those in charge knew a little bit about it. If I were the Overseer, I would want to make sure the people left under my charge is safe, physically and mentally. The last thing I want to do is let word get around that the vault is in danger and have a whole bunch of people panic and do reckless things in their panic. If our Overseer is the same way and is only looking after our best interests, in the only way she knows how, then I can't fault her for resorting to secrecy.

"We have to let those in charge handle the situation, and keep those living in the vault calm, but we must also be ready to help if they ask us for it. Am I making any sense? Or no... I'm not, aren't I?" Lawrence can tell that some of what he is saying may not be resonating well with the others. Facial expressions speak wonders where words do not.

[Scott308]

Zachariah "Zack" Lofftin

Oh, Munro knows about it. I told her about the creature. Max was with me. She told us we are not to tell anyone about it, or Max will lose his badge and we'll both spend the rest of our lives in the garbage disposal area. That sounds like a cover-up to me, but what do I know? I'm just the stupid garbage man. Zack shrugs and looks away from Lawrence, idly gazing around the room.

[GreyWolfVT]

Max "Yes I and confirm that this is true she really was not nice about it at all it was more of a if you don't do as I tell you I will not threat I promise to make your lives hell. Personally a change to the rubbish wouldn't bother me when I know that what the overseer is doing is wrong. Even my father and Quincy's dad appear to know that this is wrong and sounded set against it."

[MonkeyWrench]

Quincy stands by Victoria, holding her hand,as the others bring their own conclusions and perspectives to the table. For the moment he simply listens to them. Allowing them all time to bring everything to the table and air out their concerns, and in some their hesitations.

After he believes everyone has said their piece Quincy lightly squeezes Victoria's hand, giving her a silent signal of support to her own concerns. He then deems it now time to speak up, "There is a fact that we all need to accept, a fact that everyone in this vault needs to accept." He watches the group for a moment, letting their attentions focus on him,

"The vault is failing."

Quincy says the words with a form of gravitas, "We are, in more ways than one, the future of this vault. And as such all things that pertain to the safety and security of this place should be our concern." he takes a moment to look towards Lawrence before shifting his gaze back the group as a whole, "The creature that attacked Victoria and I was just the first, a start to something that has been coming our way for years... The surface. The creature drug through the dirt and rock and broke into the vault and the first question most people would ask is "how did that happen?" And the answer to that is the vault maintenance is flagging." he gives Lawrence and Zach a look of pity, "Not because of anyone's lack of work, but simply because the vault is lacking the parts to truly fix what is wrong. These vaults were built to give the people of the war more time, and now time is our enemy."

He gives a slight sigh, "So the goal is not to uncover schemes and tarnish someones reputation, no. We're here to figure out what to do next, and right now the best, and only, choice is to open that giant metal door. The outside needs what we have just as much as we need what they have. And that is the problem I have with the overseer and those in authority that choose to hide this plain fact from us. Instead of trying to stem the possibility of panic they should be opening channels and getting everyone prepared because I will promise you all here that sooner, rather than later, that door will open. Whether we open it or not, our lives will change." He stares directly at Lawrence as he says his next words,

"And there is nothing we can do to stop that."

Shifting his gaze back to the rest of the group, "What we can change is how prepared we are to handle such a change. The world was destroyed in nuclear flames, we've all seen the vids and heard the holotapes. The world above us, what is left of it, is nothing short of chaotic and we have no idea what to truly expect up there. But I can tell you this, from just our first encounter with the creature I can determine several things. One is that the world above is more dangerous than ever, second is that because of this danger people must be armed to protect their lives and the lives of those they care for, and third is that whenever danger is present medicine is always needed." Quincy then looks towards each of the people gathered tonight,

Staring down at Victoria's face beside him, "The world needs a calm and focused mind, one that uses their skills to soothe the minds of others."

Looking to Max, "It will always need peace, law, and order. Or else everything is worthless."

Shifting his gaze to Zach, "In such a new world, one filled with both the unknown and the hidden, there is always the need for someone that will question, someone that is not afraid to venture into the dark..."

Lastly his gaze goes to lawrence, at first stern but then softening, "And the world will always need someone that has both the heart to care about the work they do as well as the mind to logically fix the things broken."

Quincy then gives everyone a small smile, his gaze never losing it's steel, "Don't mistake for one minute. We are the future of this vault, and what we do after tonight will change everything."

[Scott308]

Zachariah "Zack" Lofftin

Zack will pull the thin black case he retrieved from the stomach of the molerat out of his pocket. Quincy and Victoria, I want you to take a look at this. I didn't want anyone, especially Doc Barnes, to see this until I had a chance to take a peek and make sure it wasn't dangerous. I didn't know what was going to be inside, but the case looked like it might have contained something important.

The lid of the case separates while Zack is opening it, as the material is heavily corroded. Inside, there is what seems to be a medical instrument, a short, white cylindrical tube, with a needle on the end. A syringe?

Any idea what it is?

[Fulci]

======================================================
3/6/2117 - 22:50
Characters: Victoria James (FantasyChic), Quincy Barnes (MonkeyWrench),
Lawrence (Rukellian), Max Rokossovsky (GreyWolfMT), Zack Lofftin (Scott308)
Location: Vault 14
======================================================

Quincy waits for everybody to speak before switching to top gear and delivering a charismatic monologue. How will the others react? What will be their plans?

(Quincy and Victoria recognize the heavily corroded item as an automatic lancet for finger prick blood tests.)

(The Vault ran out of these a few years ago, though according to inventories from before your time there was supposed to be more in stock.)

[GreyWolfVT]

Max looks at everyone "Quite well put Quincy. I had a gut feeling for some time that something was wrong, the vibrations the noise getting louder near the vault door at level 1, this molerat creature breaking in just further confirms the instability of the vault. As you said nobody is at fault they were just not built for overly long periods of time to live in. We need to leave even if that means banishment to ever return. Besides who would want to return to a broken failing home?" at that last part Max looks at Lawrence with one eyebrow raised.

[Rukellian]

======================================================
3/6/2117 - 22:50
Characters: Victoria James (FantasyChic), Quincy Barnes (MonkeyWrench),
Lawrence (Rukellian), Max Rokossovsky (GreyWolfMT), Zack Lofftin (Scott308)
Location: Vault 14
======================================================

"... We need to leave even if that means banishment to ever return. Besides who would want to return to a broken failing home?" at that last part Max looks at Lawrence with one eyebrow raised.

"Banishment?" Lawrence says in a weak, quivering voice. "NO! No no no, I will not have that!" A fearful shout escapes Lawrence as he stands up suddenly. He shakes his head and backs away. "I'm not ready for that," he says quickly. "This is my home, and even though its failing, it doesn't mean I should abandon it! I-I have too much to lose now. I'm sorry." He shakes his head again and then turns around and runs away, toolbox in hand.

Though Lawrence seemed calm enough listening to Quincy's moving dialogue, even coming close to offering his help, it was the mentioning of 'banishment' that made the mechanic lose his cool. All of his unspoken fears, and much more hinted at and accurately captured by a single word, and spoken by his closest friend no less, it was too much for Lawrence to take. Confronted with a now locked door, Lawrence stops to open it.

Edited

[MonkeyWrench]

Quincy was looking over the device with Victoria, half listening to Max, until Lawrence suddenly broke into a shout and before Quincy could get a word in he ran away. Quincy heaves a sigh, setting the device back into the box Zach got it from, "It's a device for taking samples of blood... We ran out several years ago. But wherever you found this you may find more as the records in inventory showed a greater amount than what we had."

Quincy looks at Victoria, "We need to find Lawrence before he does more harm than good. You got him to join us once already... Care to try your charms again?"