Steel Waste Chapter 53
Advertisement
Afton rushed to the workshop where they were keeping the newly discovered Pipboy, he entered and saw a few Scribes examining the machine on a work desk. Some had clipboards in their hands and were writing notes while others just stood there stoically.
The Pipboy itself looked the same as in the games, if a bit less bulky. It had the typical rad detector, volume buttons, etc. It looked basically the same as he imagined it would. The only problem was what the Scribes were discussing around it.
"We've encountered these before, they are impractical for combat and get in the way for other more delicate tasks... Nothing more than a recreational tool, I suggest we rip all the information it may contain before dissembling it, it may have answers to the... Elder's problem." one says, clearly referring to the damaged ventilation system, it was a rational thing to do as well, all Pipboys came from vaults after all, and this one might have the location of said vault in its database.
Afton couldn't allow them to destroy it though, he walked up and greeted them with a nod, "What's this?" he asks with curiosity.
"This? Just a pre-war relic from one of the vaults, we were thinking that it might contain information about where it'd come from, perhaps more depending on where the original owner had gotten it from." one replies.
Afton raises a brow, original owner? He doesn't voice his concern as its a rather badly kept secret that the Brotherhood had no qualms with eliminating "barbarians" for their technology. "Where was it retrieved from?"
The Scribe shrugs, "Didn't ask, we'll probably find out if we go through its data though.
Afton "Do... Do you have to dismantle it? I'm sure its mapping systems could be put to good use by some of our scouts?" he walks up and brushes some dirt off of its screen, his breath hitching when he notices something in the top left corner of his vision...
Advertisement
[Retrieve Pipboy]
No one else seemed to be able to see the amber message, and while Afton did his best to hide his surprise, it was clearly noticed by the other Scribes.
"You alright there Knight Parker? Was there an exposed wire we didn't see or something?" one asks worriedly, Pipboys were notoriously efficient and one had never run out of power before, the cells powering it could give quite a shock if you were directly exposed to them.
Afton nods his head, "Yeah, I was just... Surprised that you managed to find one in such good condition."
[Speech Check: Succeeded!]
The Scribes nod, "As to your previous question, it would be useful for a scout to have, but the problem lies with the fact that the Pipboy automatically records every place it's been... If the scout were to be captured, it could lead the enemy right to our doorstep."
Afton continues for them, "So it has to be destroyed huh..." he mutters, feeling peculiar at having his successful lie notified at the top left of his vision... How did it know he had lied, was it inside his mind or something? "When will you be dismantling it, I'd like to see its base components afterwards."
"Hm, we'll be putting it database through a terminal which should take most of the day... Pipboys while easy to access, contain so much information that I'd rather an encrypted file most of the time. We'll be dismantling it tomorrow I believe." they looks to the other Scribes who nod at them in agreement.
"I'll be back tomorrow then, see you guys around." he says, waving at them before leaving, all the while peeking at the notification still at the top left of his screen.
[Retrieve Pipboy]
Advertisement
He quickly walked to the cafeteria, grabbing some food and taking a seat before chewing on it idly. He needed to think of a way to get the Pipboy out of here, the Scribes had already decided what to do with it, and he couldn't come up with any valid reasons as to why they shouldn't disassemble it... It was fortunate he'd already been planning to leave the Chapter, otherwise he'd be a massive pickle right about now.
As he was going over his plan he felt two people sit either side of him...
"Hey, what's up?" Melissa asks, she'd turned eighteen a month or two ago and had grown into quite the beautiful girl. Her bright blonde hair, hazel eyes and youthful face had most of their age vying for her attention.
Even that lecherous Head Scribe Taggart couldn't contain himself around her, he'd had a "word" with the man about taking advantage of her, and had made it clear he'd have an unfortunate accident involving some scissors and his genitalia should he lay a hand on her.
Melissa had been apprenticed by the man and most people knew why he'd done it, she wasn't the smartest girl and so inducting her into the order of Scribes was foolish at best. She'd fit better in the Knights, but, it was her choice in the end.
Miles, on the other hand, had filled out and become quiet like his father Bert Stanton. Broad shoulders and above-average height, his demeanour was also quite intimidating to some. As a child he'd been meek and quiet, by after losing his father and the battle of Helios, he acted more like a seasoned warrior than anything else.
Afton shrugs, "Nothing much, as usual."
[Speech Check: Succeeded!]
...
If this thing was going to give a notification based on every social interaction he had, it was going to get annoying very, very quickly. The other two noticed his frown and twitch of the eye but didn't say anything about it. He'd made it clear how much he hated boredom, and there wasn't much that topped sitting in a bunker for years.
They chatted as old friends do, but he wasn't committed to their conversation, his thoughts were still on the Pipboy and how to leave. Not to mention the constant Speech Checks that'd pop up made it difficult for him to speak without being distracted. Eventually, he finished his food and stood up, heading for the workshop to do his daily work for the Brotherhood.
Advertisement
- In Serial21 Chapters
Aegis: Welcome to the End of the Universe
[participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge] Bernard's life wasn't particularly great. Living on the razor's edge of poverty isn't a fun place to be. Being forced to compete for jobs that you are overqualified for, against others that are often just as overqualified, was almost humiliating. There had been plenty of times where he wished his luck was better, that he could stumble onto an opportunity that would allow him to finally succeed in life. Change and opportunity is rarely easy though, particularly if the change in question is a drastic alteration to the world as he knew it. When his chance finally arrived he learned just how true that old adage could be. Be careful what you wish for. Also, monkeys are evil.
8 204 - In Serial13 Chapters
Grinding to Become a Protagonist
I was am a pathetic highschooler with a desire to change my life. Magic had always been my favorite hobby. Whether it was reading books on magic tricks, studying ancient texts that were posted online by high level druids, or watching anime with lolis smacking each other with colorful spells, I was dedicated in my pursuit of the ways of magic. Maybe a part of me thought that learning magic would add some meaning to my life? But there was one question I never asked myself: What would I do once I learned magic? Follow my journey attempt to rise up from a low level noob to becoming an all powerful magician!
8 156 - In Serial127 Chapters
The Man Who Taught The Machine
A game developer finds himself reborn into the world he created. He also made the powerful AI that controls the system, so what happens when he finds out the system created him more than once? Shane Carther works as a developer for an ambitious new AAA game. The game, Endless Veil is an open-world RPG with contextual quests and endless procedural generation powered by an AI Director of Shane's own making. The game world is populated by random events, dungeons, NPC outposts, portals, boss fights, wandering merchants, and more. Through machine learning, all of these encounters have context and backstory. Right before the game's launch, Shane wakes up inside his own game. At first, this looks like a blessing as Shane has a robust custom class that gives him many more opportunities than usual to acquire power—and exciting loot. Shane quickly learns that life in his game's world is authentic and deadly. Even though he respawns endlessly after dying, there are fates worse than death and rebirth. Fates like discovering you've already been reborn into Endless Veil many times and failed. New Chapters Posted Every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday! *I am now aware another author has previously used the same copyright-free cover image I am using. While their story is no longer being supported on Royal Road, I do plan on replacing my book's cover with something more custom later on!
8 297 - In Serial38 Chapters
Camille
Camille use to live in her father's library when he was away on trading, and wait till he was back. Her mother never approved of her being stuck in books. But when her father dies unexpectedly, she just might become what her mother wants.While at school, she use to get letters from Lucas, her childhood sweetheart, but when he suddenly stops, she's heartbroken and the reason behind it, will hurt worse. But after her Coming Out party, she discovers something hidden within the old books, that will flip her world inside out.She's gonna learn that High Society comes with a price, and that her father has left secrets for her to unravel, that aren't going to end with happily ever after...*Book 1* Also, being edited!
8 168 - In Serial49 Chapters
The Newborn
....
8 181 - In Serial4 Chapters
Falling For A Telmarine
The Pevensie's are back and soon find out what has happened to their kingdom in their absence. They wonder where Aslan is but get no answers. They come across Prince Caspian, who had been the one to call the Kings and Queens of old. Twins, High King Peter and High Queen Lily, find themselves leading their people into a battle yet again. While planning, Peter and Lily have their first conflict and argue after Lily defended Lucy. Caspian tried to help her but Peter lashes out on him. Peter says something harsh towards Lily, causing the twins to not speak to one another. Despite Peters countless apologies. Edmund and Lucy are saddened at the sight of the once inseparable twins arguing. However, Susan is quite happy. Why? Because she thinks Lily being miserable and depressed is amusing. In the process of their surprise attack, Lily was hurt badly. Lucy is able to help her. Lucy and Lily have a discussion on Susan, Peter, Narnia, Caspian, and England. Then they come to find out the scene of events between Peter, Caspian, the white witch and such. While Caspian talks with his professor, Peter has heart to heart talks with two of his sisters, Lucy and Lily. Lily and Lucy then follow their brothers plan and take off into the woods. But after realizing the Telmarines noticed them, Lily sends Lucy by herself and fights off the guards. Caspian then comes to her rescue. Lily then joins her brothers and warriors in battle. During battle, she is injured badly but Lucy is not around to help her this time. She saves her brothers, sister, and Caspian and continues fighting. After defeating the Telmarines, Aslan noticed the wounded queen that was in the grip of her twin brother. Aslan then heals the high queen of his kingdom. The rest of the story and details will just have to be read. Spoiler!! --- A certain Queen of Narnia will fall in love with a certain Telmarine Prince. The feelings are mutual.
8 139

