Vault 69/It Begins

It was the most frightened that you had ever been in your young life. Your mother and father seemed just as frightened . . . well your dad anyway. Your mom looked more angry than frightened. Somehow that familiar response made you feel a little less afraid. It was a Saturday. You had been sleeping in when your father had suddenly shook you awake. It had happened. They were dropping the bombs. Luckily, your family had been selected to participate in the Vault-Tec program for free since your father was an important man in the state legislature. He would probably be made Overseer.

Your father rushed along holding little Gina in his arms. She had been named after dad's sister, Aunt Gina. Gina was actually short for Regina. You tried to get your parents to call the baby Reggie to avoid confusion, but they would hear none of that! The baby was oddly silent, even with all the chaos going on around you, she quietly rested in your dad's arms like the world wasn't ending.

Your sister Casey clung to your father's hand in clear terror and desperation. Her normal bubbly self was sealed away under a veil of terrified sobbing. "It's going to be alright, Casey," cooed your dad softly. "Everything will be fine when we get to the Vaults." He sounded like he was trying to convince himself too; not just Casey.

Your mother held onto your hand with her right hand. As you walked quickly toward the hills that the twin Vaults were in, you occasionally brushed up against her gun. You were pretty sure they weren't going to let her keep it; but it made you feel better that she had it. It probably made everybody feel better. Your mom held your middle sister, Shelly's, hand in her left hand as you made your way through the streets. You checked on your little sister from time to time as you made your way toward salvation. She was even quieter now than usual; but there was an odd sort of strength emanating from her worried expression . . . a quiet, resilient dignity that you had never seen in her before.

You were all coming up to a military checkpoint. The lines of people trying desperately to get to the Vaults was depressing. Besides soldiers, there were also combat robots. You had always been a fan, so you knew their models. There were a half-dozen Mister Gutsys, two bad-ass Sentry bots, and two robots that you didn't recognize. It must be a new model! They almost look female with their expanded chest and hips. They move more fluidly that their counterparts. Looking at them while you are in line to get your IDs checked, you get an erection. Ashamed, you look away from the robots and pray your boner goes down.

"Papers," says a guard as you approach.

"Hold onto my leg sweetheart," says your dad to Casey, "so I can get our papers." Casey doesn't seem to like the idea one bit, and clutches your father's arm tighter. "Casey, I need to show the soldier our papers."

"Sir," said the soldier as he put his hand on his weapon, "you're holding up the line."

"Casey," said your father. She buried her face into his arm in response.

Seeing the trouble brewing, you let go of your mother's hand and quickly went to your father. "I've got it dad," you said. You reached into his pocket, and pulled out his wallet. Looking through it, you show his ID to the soldier.

"Aaron Willis, wife, three children," said the soldier, "alright, proceed up the hill to Vault entrances. Follow the markers and you won't get lost."

You rush up the hill and soon find yourself outside the Vault doors, which were open, facing each other about twenty five yards apart. Behind their shared entrance was a fence separating the two. The men seemed to be going into Vault 68 while the women were going into Vault 69. You remember reading about this in the documentation; the sexes had separate living quarters to keep down possible situations due to close quarters and sexual tension. The Vaults met in the middle for a common area where the interactions between the sexes could be conducted safely. At he entrance to the area, a Protectron was sorting the people by sex s they approached flanked by two of the female-looking robots.

Your family made it to the head of the line relatively quickly. He approached the Protectron and said, "Aaron Willis and family."

"Yes Mister Willis. It is a pleasure to serve you. As I give you your Vault assignments please move to the assigned Vault. You will be temporarily separated from your family for the duration of placement and orientation. You will be reunited this evening. Aaron Willis - Vault 68. Haley Willis, Casey Willis, Taylor Willis, Michelle Willis, and Regina Willis - Vault 69." Not again, you thought to yourself. They mistook you for a girl again! That's why you go by Tay, and not Taylor.

"Hold on a second," said your dad, "Taylor is a boy. Shouldn't he be coming to Vault 68?"

"Assignments have been given," replied the Protectron, "please proceed."

"Now look here," said your mom angrily, "Taylor is a MALE. He should be going with his father."

"The girl being male is irrelevant," said the Protectron, "assignments have been given. Please proceed to your assigned Vaults." The female-looking robots seemed to go on alert.

"Mom," you said, "you're arguing with a robot."

"He's right dear," said your dad, "and we all need to get to shelter quickly. We'll sort this all out once we're safe." He carefully handed Gina to your mom. "Just cover his eyes if they make you change together." Actually . . . you hadn't thought of that. Could being mistaken for a girl work out to your benefit this time?

"Alright Aaron," she replied, "We'll see you tonight. I love you." She kissed him . . . yuck.

"And I love all of you," he said as he made his way into Vault 68. "I'll see you tonight."

Then you and the rest of your family quickly made your way into Vault 69.

• On to Orientation