ASDAValueMilk

Fallout: Into the Storm

Monika scoffed when she heard Prism thank Servius for honouring the death of her teammate. Talon company may have all the morality of a raider gang, but even they weren't as bad as the Legion in her eyes. Nobody and no group ever could be. And would Prism even be talking to him if she knew the true extent of what the Legion did to people out west? She knew how Prism felt, she'd lost dozens of comrades on operations over the last few years. Most she never knew outside of their name and where they were from, but they still died on her watch. That feeling would always resonate within her but even though she thought he had done her best there was always a niggling doubt that it was her fault people had died.

But she kept quiet, it was an odd position she found herself in, where the monster from her past was seen as a nice guy who was being kind to others in the group and she was seen as a mad woman who screams at thin air in a foreign language. If she tried anything now or before she had explained what the Legion was and the role Servius played in it, she would certainly either be killed herself or just left behind. She thought for a second as to whether some of the more alert members of the group like John had figured there was some sort of a connection between Servius and herself, but even if they hadn't it didn't matter. She was sure that soon enough everyone would know of her burning hatred for him.

She moved with the group to the top of the stairs. Glaring at the back of Servius' head the whole way. The stairs opened into what was surely a once grand city bustling with life. Now it was dead, free of any form of civilization. Monika noticed the rain hissing as it hit her suit. "200 years, 200 years and the rads still make the rain melt your face off." Monika trained her eyes onto a dark alley on the other side of the street, she couldn't see anything but it was best to stay as alert as possible. Her concentration was shattered by a gunshot. She spun around to see Prism aiming off into the distance. "Were you dropped on your head or something? Firing a gun when whatever the fuck just attacked us could still be lurking above us. Monika looked up, hoping that the monsters were far enough away or were too busy with the dead man to bother coming back.

She looked back down to see actual people coming towards them. As they closed in she could see as clear as day they were wearing Power Armour and bore the crest of the Brotherhood. Monika put her hand to her breast pocket where she kept the BoS holotags and gave a smirk. "Oh boy more Brotherhood, this is where the fun begins" she thought to herself as she clenched her hand around the pocket. She heard Servius speak to the three individuals who were approaching. She couldn't quite tell what he had said as her knowledge of Latin was mostly insults as she had devised what they meant to be after having them shouted at her year after year. She knew he had introduced himself since she heard him say his name, And from that, she suspected he was asking them their names. She clenched her rifle grip again and glared at him out of the corner of her eye and waited to see how the Brotherhood soldiers would respond.

Fallout: Into the Storm

Monika sat under the desk as tightly as she could. Still clutching her rifle she thought about praying for safety, but what God would take her after some of the things she's done. The tension in the room was like nothing she'd felt before. She doubted if even her machete could cut through it, but on top of that. There was the deafening silence, Interrupted intermittently by the deafening clicks and the thudding footsteps of the creature.

Then a clattering, like a stone being thrown against the tiled floor and off down the stairs. Followed by a very alarming cry over the radio. "Fuck this" a voice she hadn't heard before came over the radio. Then she heard someone start running. She peaked her head out over the top of the counter to see someone running off. After a moment the creature went after him. Not paying any attention and being purely focused on the Idiot who tried to run, she nearly lost her head as the creature's wing flew past her. Monika fell backwards as the monitors from the desk came smashing down around her and the creature let out a roar that shook the ground around it and would put a Deathclaw to shame. Then the creature stopped, the deafening silence had returned. Only to be shattered seconds later by a loud crack, like bones being crushed, Monika gagged. The guy may have been an idiot but no one deserves to go like that. Well, some people, or rather someone. She thought to herself.

She didn't dare move again, quite literally frozen out of a mix of fear and disgust at what the creature did and how the fool died. The loud thudding footsteps came past again and ascended up the stairs. There was a long pause. No one moved, no one made a sound. Then Khaliya came over the radio "They're gone." "Everyone to the top of the stairs, and let's try this again. Stick together." "Low and slow, watch the shadows and the skies. Let's not take any more unnecessary risks."

Monika stood up and picked her rifle up from the floor. Everything she had ever been afraid of, every nightmare she endures. They had all just been shattered. If something like that and the other beast that Emil described earlier can survive in this city. What else could be out there waiting to tear chunks out of the group? She moved out from behind the counter and watched as one of the mercs turned and went to the red pool that was once a group member. He knelt down and placed what looked like a small silver coin in the pool of blood. She looked at him puzzled as he walked back past her, the "formation" the group had, had was all but gone now. It was survival now until they get to the bank. She filed in behind him still confused as to why he would do something like that. Then it all became clear when he spoke. "Ita, Imperatrix."

It all made sense now she knew who was in front of her. He was honouring the idiots passing. "Great." she thought to herself. She's traded being close to one monster for another. It must have been a denarius that he placed in the blood. Monika's grip on her rifles grip tightened. She hadn't been this close to legion scum in a long time. It could be so easy, an "accidental" weapon discharge. A "slip" of her finger and another part of her perpetual nightmare would be gone. But she couldn't, the group were no fools. Well, maybe the Talon company ones were. But the rest were certainly not, she loosened her grip and settled for hopefully burning a hole in the back of his head with a glare as they all moved to the top of the stairs.

Fallout: Into the Storm

Monika watched on in utter amazement as Khaliya sped off after the idiot who ran up the stairs. She knew Power Armour could shift but she never imagined it was quite that quick. The tiles on the floor cracked as she sprinted over them and the ground around her shook a little as Khaliya ran past.

There was a moment or two of calm after the Paladin disappeared up the stairs. Then there was a very loud Crash. It couldn't have been the Paladin, whatever it was it was far heavier than her. Then her voice came over the channel.

"Don't speak. Don't fucking move. Don't even breathe. Make a sound and I let you go."Everyone hit the fucking ground or hug a wall. Make yourself as small as possible and don't make a fucking sound." It was the tone that frightened Monika more than anything else. What in gods name could make someone like Khaliya duck for cover instantly? Monika didn't hesitate if it scared the Paladin it was definitely gonna terrify her, she spun around and scrambled back behind the ticket desk that hse had been stood behind a few moments ago. There was something big coming, It stomped its way down the stairs and, the sound of cracking tiles could be heard under its heavy steps. Then is stopped. Whatever it was was at the bottom of the stairs and in the lobby with them. Then it let out a sound, like a click, loud and echoey in the confines of the lobby, then another. It was searching for them.

She peered her head around the corner of the counter to see what this monstrosity was. Monstrosity was certainly the right word she thought to herself, it was huge, looked like it would make your average Deathclaw its bitch in no time at all. It didn't appear to have eyes of any kind but she quickly withdrew her head back behind the counter again just to be safe; A pack of Mole Rats, Wild dogs, Ghouls, gunfire and even Yao Guai. Monika could maintain a sense of calm when engaging them. But this, whatever this was had filled her with a sense of dread that was stronger than she'd ever felt before.

"It. uses. sound." Came across the radio. She didn't see where anyone else had taken cover but she recognised Emil's voice even in its hushed tone. If that was the case and it certainly seemed like it since the creature didn't appear to have eyes, then Emil was taking an awfully big risk even trying to talk while it was in the lobby. Monika pulled herself as close as possible to and clutched her rifle. 5mm probably wouldn't even tickle that thing. But if it came to it and she really hoped it wouldn't she would be ready to shoot.

Fallout: Into the Storm

Monika listened to the Male BoS Paladin speak about forging on and killing whatever beast lay ahead of them. There was bloodlust in his voice and although she could not see his face, she reckoned there was a burning passion in his eyes, one fueled by pure hatred, she knew of it all too well. Monika wondered whether he was right in the head, however, charging in to face the monster that Emil had described did not sound like her idea of a fun time. Nor did it sound like anyone else wanted to volunteer to go with him on the suicide mission.

"Not ideal by far, but yes we have to go above ground. What was on the other side of the collapse will likely not be the worst the city has to offer, but so long as we play it safe and only engage when we have to… "We will reach our objective, and we will make it out of this city alive."

"Fucking finally." Monika thought as she moved with the rest of the group into the lobby area. She looked around at the skeletons still sitting on the benches and behind the desks. They would never have known what hit them, She only hoped it was quick for them. It certainly didn't look that way for some of the skeletons down below. She made her way to the row of terminals behind the desk. Wiping away centuries of dust and grime from the screen she looked at the screen. "Password required" it read "Of course, waste of time that was."

"Mea Culpa. I await orders." She had hoped he'd stay quiet for a little while longer. The words brought back... Memories, that she wanted to stay away. Monika smacked the top of the monitor quite audibly in frustration, both at it not working and at someone from the Legion still being alive. A few looks came her way "Wasn't working, sorry." She said in a rather unconvincing tone. To her surprise, the Monitor flashed and went to its main screen. "An interesting password choice" She gave a smirk before skimming through the various entries. Nothing interesting, no juicy 200-year-old employee gossip or workplace drama on the emails. She closed the terminal back down and moved back with the rest of the group to ascend the stairs to the irradiated hellhole they'd be calling home for the foreseeable future.

Fallout: Into the Storm

@Dread

Monika was still shaking slightly. Her mind was most definitely not in the present any more, all she could hear was his voice. It was like shell shock, a deep ringing in her ears overlayed with his voice tormenting her and a blurring of her vision. She took her finger off the trigger of her gun, just in case. She didn't want to go shooting a teammate accidentally. But she just couldn't shake his image from her head, it clouded her every thought. She hadn't been this bad for at least a year and a half; the dreams, the flashbacks, the general bad memories. They had all mostly subsided. Could a simple change of surroundings and companions do that to her she thought?

"Hey there.”...“Monika, right?" The voice was soothing, it cut through her visions of Lucius and brought her back to reality. As the ringing and the blurring faded she spoke again. "I-uh, just wanted to see how you were doing, and, ask if there was anything I could do to help.” Everything came back to Monika. The tunnel, the collapse, the looks from the others at least she imagined the looks from the others. "Yeah, that's the name. You're... Frankie right? I can't tell in these fucking suits." Monika looked to the girl and through the visor she thought she could see... a smile "I'm-I'm fine, honestly, it's nothing. Besides, now isn't really the best place to go picking my brains, is it?

The scouts came back in a panic and cut their conversation short "Something coming eh? I suggest you get behind me. We can't risk you getting killed this early. Monika said as she ushered Frankie behind her with her arm and brought her rifle to the ready.

Fallout: Into the Storm

"Is everything okay over there?"

"That voice, the tone, the accent. It couldn't be, surely not this far East." Monika thought to herself as she continued to avoid looking at the others in the group. She wasn't 100% sure that she heard it right. Then he spoke again.

"So, what do you all think we'll find in this consulate? USSR - those were one of America's rivals, weren't they? I don't think they would leave any vital data or blueprints of their own in enemy territory so what do you think they had hiding down there that the Pariah wants? They got some documents through espionage maybe? Stolen prototypes?"

Now she was certain. It was him, she couldn't remember the name and couldn't see his face to get a proper ID but she'd never forgotten the voice. How could she, she was sure he was an important man, the dumbass headdress he wore would certainly suggest it. Last time she saw him he was getting kicked in the stomach by Lucius for something or other, she tended to turn off when she wasn't being addressed directly.

The voice hadn't changed a bit. The man she saw "save" a slave girl from being raped. His face looked disgusted at the thought of what was about to happen to the girl. It made Monika slightly hopeful. Hopeful that all Legionaries weren't scum. Of course given half the chance, she'd quite happily put a bullet or two in him. He was at the end of the day still a walking, talking embodiment of the most horrific part of her life so far. But that moment has stayed with her for all these years. And occasionally reminds here that maybe, just maybe a diamond can be found in any amount of rough.

Fallout: Into the Storm

Monika watched on as Emil and the quiet girl who never introduced herself went down the narrow passage to scout ahead. She knew it had to be done, as going above ground was not exactly desirable and so far they hadn't encountered a thing that wanted to kill them. Monika sighed with relief that she could take a minute or two to relax while they scouted ahead. All of a sudden she became overcome by lightheadedness which made her slouch back against the wall behind her.

She looked down at her suit and noticed a small tear in the right leg. "Shit, must have caught it on something on the way." she thought to herself. As she took her pack off to reach in and get the repair kit out she noticed a set of feet in front of her, clad in Centurion boots. She looked up and saw Lucius, her captor, her tormentor, her abuser. His face was still bloody and his neck still had the Machete wound she made in when she escaped. He looked down at her with pure rage in his eyes. "You know you can never escape me, I own you, I branded you and that little brat of ours, Vacca stulta." He raised his leg as if to kick her and Monika closed her eyes and braced for the impact. "NO! futue te ipsum!" She exclaimed in return.

She waited for what felt like an eternity for the impact of the kick yet it never came. She opened her eyes and the monster standing in front of her had dissapeared. She realised that it had all been an illusion, a figment of her imagination brought about by whatever had gotten into her suit. She looked up to see some of the others looking down at her and although she couldn't see their faces through their helmets she could tell most of those who looked had utter surprise on their faces at the seemingly alien language she had just uttered in front of them. She was also glad they could not see her face for the tears coming from her eyes would have been most unbecoming.

Quickly patching her suit up she retook her place in the formation she did her best to hide from the gazes of the others and began muttering to herself "Stupid, stupid, stupid. Why the hell did you ever think he was real you know he's dead you killed him." She let out a sigh and tilted her head back and began thinking of ways she could either avoid questions or explain what just happened in a way that others would understand when the group stopped to rest when night fell.

Fallout: Into the Storm

Monika walked along keeping to her position in the group. Occasionally fiddling with her suit which was designed for someone a bit larger than her, then again years of malnutrition tended to make one a bit thinner than normal. As concentrated as she appeared, she could certainly feel that her eyes were starting to go together. Walking for this long without the ability to use her cigarettes as a crutch to keep her concentration up was definitely taking its toll on her.

That was until she saw the wall up close. She had already seen it from when she arrived outside the subway, but then it was far away and looked rather small. But up close, it was huge and imposing. The thought of what lay on the other side sent a shiver down her spine. Looking around she still found little comfort with the company that had undertaken the mission with her which only worsened her mood.

"Abandon all hope, ye who enter here..." She recognised the words that Emil spoke, they were from one of the books she had glanced through while exploring the university in Hartford shortly before her encounter with the Brotherhood "Certainly fitting Emil." Monika said into the radio in a flat tone while raising her head in bewilderment of the wall in front of her.

Hearing the Paladins instructions, she put her head back down and pressed onward into the abyss with the group. Not knowing if she or any of them would make it back out in one piece. Both physically and mentally this was going to be one of the biggest challenges of her life, but she was ready to sacrifice it all for his future.

Fallout: Into the Storm

"Khaliya to group, we're moving out. As I'm sure you've noticed since I'm speaking to all of you directly, your suits have a built-in short-band radio. Should be able to find the controls at the neck of your helmets, but for the sake of easy communication I would recommend leaving it on open channel."
The voice came through her helmet suddenly. And gave the already on edge Monika a startle, but it helped remind her she was still alive, as they made their way through the tunnel.

"Dam, the voices are back again." She thought to herself giving a little chuckle as she switched her radio to the open channel and hands free mode.

Looking back over her shoulder she saw the small Medic girl who'd been chatting with the Ghoul earlier standing close to the man dressed like a detective and thought that she was putting way to much faith in someone she's just met. In a place like this, it's just her and her gun. Sure she might have had a friendly enough conversation with Bailey and eventually Emil. But she still couldn't trust any of them as far as she could spit. Which with the helmet on wasn't very far at all.

Fallout: Into the Storm

Putting on her hazmat suit Monika looked ahead of her into the darkness of the tunnel and scratched her arm nervously. she was a country girl, born on the plains of Eastern Colorado. The first time she had seen anything resembling a city was on her escape East. Now she was going into the heart of one.

Her mind ran wild, she felt like a rat trapped in a maze as the group moved through the tunnel. She was glad to have put the suits Helmet on so that the others couldn't see how visibly nervous she was. Not at what lay ahead or the thought it might end, but at the concrete prison, she now found herself in. She had grown accustomed to working in the Urban environment in Hartford but had never been in a Subway before. At the same time as being thankful she put the helmet on, she also regretted it because it meant she couldn't light up to relieve her stress and nervousness. Feeling nervous was one thing but she kept her mind in the here and now. From her time with the Gunners, she understood most of what the Paladin was saying when she gave orders. Taking up a position more towards the back of the group with Bailey in front of her and Emil to her front right, scanning her surroundings with her rifle at the ready.