FFF - Work to do

The list of tasks is endless.

You aren’t just fixing important stuff like power conduits and security features; Annette wants you to clean up messes that must have been left in the distant past. She doesn’t just want her facility in good working order, she wants it neat, clean, and fully inventoried.

Curio is capable of doing really serious repairs.

Shell is less of an expert, but can still be trusted with big jobs.

You are the one who finds yourself spending at least half your time as a custodian.

The lights don’t flicker anymore now that the power is stable. The facility is still a little eerie because it’s so big. When the three of you are working separately, it gives you the creeps. You keep that to yourself. You feel obligated to act tough around Shell, and you definitely want to impress Curio. Showing weakness in front of Annette also isn’t a great idea.

“Jane,” Annette says as you exit a room, having just finished your work.

You pause in the middle of the corridor and look up at the nearest camera.

“What is it?” you ask.

“I couldn’t help but notice that you and Dr. Curio seem to be on very good terms.”

“We come from the same Vault,” you say.

“Of course. Of course. Jane,” she begins, trailing off.

“Yes?” you ask patiently.

“Do you think there’s any chance that you and Dr. Curio might be on good terms somewhere that I can see sometime?”

You take that in. You already knew that Annette was weird, but this is an escalation. Does she really want to watch you have sex? You don’t even know if that’s going to happen again.

Annette goes on in response to your silence. “It’s just that I have a great appreciation for strong women with penises.”

“Right,” you say.

“A very strong appreciation.”

“Are you making an offer?” you ask.

There’s a pause.

“Possibly,” she replies.

You fold your arms, intrigued. “What have you got?”

“There might be certain resources that I could be convinced to share with you.”

“Behind those doors that you keep locked?” you ask, giving the camera a knowing look.

“Incidentally, no. But I can tell you where to find them. And give you my blessing to take them when you leave here,” she says hopefully.

Hmm. Leaving here. You know that Annette can’t be trusted, but you aren’t convinced that she plans to kill you. You think there’s a decent chance that she really will let you leave alive once you’ve done everything that she asks.

Unless she never stops asking.

Annette is all alone down here. You feel a little bad for her, and she’s offering something in return. On the other hand, Curio has access to all the systems now. She should be able to locate anything that matters.

You aren’t shy and neither is Curio. Putting on a show is something that you’re willing to do, especially for a reward. But Curio does seem to have strong feelings about leverage.

“I’ll talk to her about it,” you say.