FFF - Ch83

“Is that a problem?” Curio asks Shell.

“Not for me. I’m a spy.” Shell shrugs and goes back to eating. “I don’t care if you overthrow some Vault. As long as I get what I need.”

“I think we can come to an arrangement.”

“We’ll have to get there first. How far away is this Vault of yours?”

“We can be there in a week if we’re quick.”

“It’ll take time for me to pull my unit together,” Shell says, pointing with a finger. “My girls are embedded all across this region. I have to at least try to link up with Melody.”

“That can wait. I can’t get more than one stranger through the Vault door. It’s already touch and go that they let me through, under the circumstances.”

“You want me to come alone into your Vault? What’s to stop you from taking me prisoner?”

“Why would I want you as a prisoner?” Curio asks reasonably.

“Information about the Sisterhood.”

“I don’t give a damn about the Sisterhood any more than you do about my Vault. Look what they’ve done to her.” She points at Jane, who’s still sitting there in a daze.

“Why didn’t you tell her sooner?” Annette asks.

“As I said, the device used to be larger. It didn’t cross my mind until I saw the one on the Deathclaw. And that signal,” Curio adds, her eye twitching. “Vault F was meant to resist the patriarchy, but if this is the method we’re using for control, we’re no better. Vault F cannot be permitted to remain on this path. Your Sisterhood cares only for the preservation of technology. Protecting Vault F aligns with your agenda.”

“We don’t have any particular love for Vault dwellers, frankly. But I’m listening.”

As they speak, Annette turns her attention to the vacant-looking Jane, who has forgotten her food. Jane sits hunched and staring, internally replaying her memories of Daisy. There aren’t very many of them, but they conjure all these feelings. She reaches back to touch her neck.

She remembers Trixie, and… how Trixie reacted when Jane mentioned Daisy. But Trixie doesn’t have one of these things in her. What did Overseer Farlan offer her to get her to risk her life on the surface? Jane blinks several times. She’d almost forgotten; Trixie is the daughter of Overseer Dodd, Overseer Farlan’s predecessor.

No. This is crazy. She shakes her head. The people in Vault F are compassionate and civilized, not like the people on the surface.

Jane looks sidelong at Curio, whose guile has led them to this moment. How does Jane know that she can trust her? She’s literally plotting to take over the Vault. How long has she been planning this?