To Primm

The loud mechanical wheels of the vault’s main blast door churn slowly to move the great vault door open. It shutters as it moves after an age of lying dormant. A rush of dusty air fills the chamber where Madeline and her companions stand.

Slowly the group of vault dwellers head out through a long mountain passageway, their way lit by hand held lamps and flashlights. The group moves round a bend and for the first time Madeline and the group face something they have never seen before—sunlight. It fills the cave and nearly blinds them as they round the bend fully to be met with a burst of hot desert air and searing sun. They have to shade their eyes but despite its power, it is a marvelous and beautiful thing to behold. The group pauses almost in unison as they enjoy the profound moment.

Their first objective was to head eastward to the town of Primm, it was assumed that little would be left of the post-nuclear world but even as they walked they could see plants and insects amid the arid terrain. The adventurers were not clad in their bright blue vault suits—as such apparel would betray the knowledge of the vault—rather they wore clothes taken from the first inhabitants that were vacuum sealed upon entry into the vault. They hoped to blend in a little.

After a bit of hard trekking they form a small camp in a secluded area enclosed by large rocks. Having some benefits of technology they do not have to use a fire to warm their old military rations. However, the evening is strangely cold after the blistering heat. Around their hastily created camp area of two unused tents the travelers strike up small talk.

“Tell me Miss Blackwater” Dr. Giles chidingly refuses to use his own rank when speaking with Madeline “do you suspect that animal life in these parts will have changed drastically from latent radiation?”

Madeline notices the slight but carries the conversation on anyway “We have had evidence of such mutations before in the vault, the infestation of Rad roaches we had a while back is a precedent. Though considering how much radiation there probably was after the bombs fell—I doubt many things could live long enough to mutate.”

“I am just surprised the plants have survived.” Seth piped in “Plant life is amazingly resilient.”

“Enough chit-chat” Captain Ward ends the conversation with a huff “We have a long walk tomorrow. I will take the first watch. You all get some shut eye.”

The next day the travel to Primm went fast. Madeline was tired, not being able to sleep for all the excitement of being outside of the vault. She barely noticed when Captain Ward commanded the group to halt using hand signals.

They all scattered for cover. Captain Ward was using his binoculars and scanning the remains of what could only have been Primm.

“What the hell!?” He ejaculated with a spit.

“What is it Ward?” Dr. Giles demanded.

“Look for yourself.” He hands the engineer the binos.

“That can’t be right.” Dr. Giles exclaims, “could the Overseer have been so wrong all along? Even he isn’t that stupid.”

Madeline and Seth are both stupefied and Ward senses their unannounced query.

“There are a bunch of soldiers down there and a damned flag. Looks like the Overseer was wrong about the location of OUR fucking vault—it’s a California flag down there.” Ward curses.

Madeline takes the binos from Dr. Giles without asking and peers out toward Primm. Ward is right—there are soldiers of some sort and a California flag. But there is something wrong about it.

“Wait—it’s not a California flag.” She notes.

“Of course it its—didn’t you learn anything in the vault school room? Jesus—and you are gonna be the vault’s doctor!?”

“The California flag does not have a mutated bear on it. This one has a bear with two heads.” Madeline chides.

“Give me those.” Ward snatches the binos.

“Well I’ll be damned.” He turns to Madeline and laughs “you are right.”

“Well what the hell does that mean?” Dr. Giles interrupts “Vault 69 is supposed to be in Nevada. Did you get us lost Ward?”

“We aren’t lost—and this has to be Nevada. For fucks’ sake.” He lets out a string of curses let me look again. “Now that there is a steady breeze I see something else….says New….California…Republic.” he turns to the group. “Maybe civilization survived after all. This New California Republic must control part of Nevada. We best be careful.”

“Remember—we aren’t from a vault—we are from west of here on a small farm in a valley if anyone asks.” He shoulders his M1 Garand and leads the travelers forward.