Sarah – POV
Vault-Tec Announcement:"Thank you for choosing Vault-Tec! Have a wonderful day…"
As the elevator ascended from the depths of Vault 111, Nate rubbed his temples, still disoriented."So… why the code name? And those girls with you… they don't look like regular soldiers," he asked, squinting at 404 with mild suspicion.
I glanced back at the squad, then answered evenly, "They're Tactical Dolls—T-Dolls. Designed for security and combat support. Formerly under a private PMC. As for my name… well, after the augmentations and constant maintenance over the decades, I use my designation to remind myself of what I've become."
Nate opened his mouth to speak again, but sunlight suddenly poured in as the elevator reached the surface. He shielded his eyes. "Ugh… how long was I really down there…?"
"We'll talk once we get to shelter," I said. "Sanctuary Hills is just ahead. Let's find some food and regroup."
[Sanctuary Hills]
We returned to the neighborhood, where Codsworth was still trimming what remained of the front garden, humming cheerfully.
Nate paused—his eyes widening as he rushed forward. "No way… Codsworth?!"
Codsworth spun toward him, his saw arm twitching in surprise."Sir!? As I live and breathe—it is you!"
"I… I can't believe you're still here…"
"Why of course, sir! You surely don't think a little radiation would stop the pride of General Atomics? But—goodness me—you look rather the worse for wear. Best not let mum see you like this. Where is the missus, by the way?"
Nate's voice dropped. "Codsworth… did anyone else come by the vault entrance? Anyone in hazmat suits? Armed?"
Codsworth buzzed thoughtfully. "Hmm… only young Ms. Rosa's boy. He was running around in his Halloween costume. A bit early for the season. I swear, the nerve of that woman, leaving her boy unsupervised… unlike you, sir—always such a model father. And mum is… where is ma'am?"
The question hit Nate like a gut punch. "Nora… she… she's gone. I hope she's in a better place now."
"Oh… oh, sir…" Codsworth's voice faltered. "That's… dreadful. I… oh dear. Perhaps a distraction! Yes, that's what you need. A nice game of charades, or perhaps checkers? Shaun does so enjoy that game. Is the young lad with you?"
Nate's desperation cracked through. "Codsworth, please. Have you seen my son? Shaun. Anything?"
The Mr. Handy paused again, visibly distressed. "Last I recall, mum had him. Maybe they went to the Parker residence? Surely they'll return any moment."
I frowned. "UMP45, you didn't mess with his memory circuits, did you?"
"Just disabled and re-enabled his security protocols," she replied quickly, holding her hands up. "Didn't touch his memory banks."
Nate gritted his teeth. "Why Shaun? Why take my son…?"
Codsworth buzzed nervously. "Sir, I think you're suffering from hunger-induced paranoia. Two centuries without proper meals will do that…"
Nate blinked. "Two centuries? Wait… what?!"
Even I raised an eyebrow at that one.
"A bit over 210 years, actually," Codsworth replied proudly. "Give or take a few due to Earth's rotation and some minor dings to the ol' chronometer! Hah! That means you're two centuries late for dinner! I'll get lunch started!"
I stepped forward, tapping Nate on the shoulder. "Try asking how he is doing. He's clearly not alright."
Nate nodded, still reeling. "Codsworth… you're acting a little… off. What's wrong?"
That's when Codsworth lost it."I… I… oh SIR! It's been horrible! Two centuries! No one to talk to! No one to serve! I spent ten years trying to keep the floors waxed—but NOTHING gets out nuclear fallout from vinyl! NOTHING! And don't get me started on the car! How do you polish rust?!"
UMP9 leaned closer and whispered to me, "Poor thing. Alone for 200 years, with no one to complete his tasks for… of course he broke down emotionally. Who wouldn't?"
Nate knelt slightly, trying to calm the mechanical butler. "Hey, hey, breathe… just talk to me. What do you know?"
Codsworth paused, then slowly opened a compartment in his chassis. "I'm sorry, sir… I didn't know anything. The bombs came, and you all left in such a hurry. I assumed… I assumed you were dead. But… your wife left this holotape. She was going to surprise you with it."
As the tape was passed over, Codsworth steadied himself. "No more feeling sorry for myself! Let's search the neighborhood together—perhaps the missus and young Shaun are still nearby!"
I gently interrupted. "Sorry, Codsworth. My team already swept the area. Whoever took them is long gone."
"Oh… then they're truly gone…" Codsworth's voice dimmed as he floated quietly toward the house.
Nate stood there, looking around. T-Dolls—beyond my main four—were working to fix up one of the nearby homes. It must have looked surreal.
He turned to me. "So… I was frozen over two hundred years. And you… you've been alive through all that?"
I nodded. "I figured my words alone wouldn't convince you. But Codsworth's recognition should speak volumes. Yes. I've lived through it all. Kept going to preserve what little remains of American society."
I gestured to the ruins around us. "Like Codsworth, I've just been trying to hold on to something that's already burned."
Nate clenched his fists. "I need to find my son. I need to track the bastard who took him. If people like you are still out here… maybe I'm not alone."
"There are settlements across the Commonwealth," I told him. "But it's dangerous. Raiders, wild beasts, radiation. Best arm yourself first."
Nate smirked. "Don't suppose you can lend me one of your fancy Division guns?"
I laughed softly. "I wish. We're stretched thin. But… 416, give him what we pulled from the Overseer's office."
She stepped forward and handed over a salvaged 10mm pistol, two boxes of ammo, and five Stimpaks. Nate nodded gratefully.
"Thanks. Maybe I'll head toward Concord. See if there's any clue."
"Hold on," I said, pulling a small radio and earpiece from my kit. "You won't be able to broadcast with your Pip-Boy yet. Use this. Frequency FM 145.00 MHz. Call if you need backup."
He clipped the earpiece on. "Thanks, Commander."
Before he left, I handed Codsworth a K-Ration. "Cook this for your master. He'll need strength."
Nate raised an eyebrow. "That thing safe? Looks ancient."
"Don't tell me you lost faith in good ol' Made-in-America," I smirked. "It's recent, reclaimed from an old logistics post. Not gourmet, but it won't kill you."
He sat and ate with us quietly—Sarah and 404 at his side. Once finished, he checked his pistol and prepared to head for Concord.
"What about you?" he asked me.
"I'll be setting up the first Division base here," I said. "With that RobCo firmware, I can access the workbenches and start building. Codsworth might finally get some help waxing the floors."
Nate chuckled. "Not sure even an army could fix his stress."
As he crossed the bridge, I watched him disappear into the rising morning light. Behind me, several T-Dolls were clearing rubble for a makeshift helipad, pushing the damaged Vertibird into place.
"Alright, 404. Begin repairs. Use what you can from Mayling's kit. This place is home for now."