Miss Vicious , Her saga and story... Options

[Renee]

Hello, it's a rainy Friday night here in Maryland,. Time for comments & questions. Got a headache right now, and really need to lie down. Gonna do the quote thing...

The Master of Dogs seems like he has a pretty well-oiled machine running here. He's got spies in the outside world like Lamont. He's got the tech specialist like Chucky Cheese. He's got bearer bonds, even a Vertibird. He's definitely something beyond just a raider boss. More like a Bond villain.

Yeah, Dogmaster's got it all, it seems, and he wants my toon on his team.

Damn, Dogmaster even has a cleaning person, who actually cleans!

Oh yeah. Folks like Acadian, who haven't played any Fallout 3, don't know the shock of going from bombed-out interiors to Allistair Tenpenny's pristine upper floors.

By the way, I tried to look for a home for Dog which isn't too familiar, yet is also not all torn up and messy, or too science-fictionish (Vault 101, for instance). But there just ain't much in the game, so I had to settle for a duplicate of TenpennyTower03.

Dog has this idea of becoming a politician or something, even I'm not entirely sure of his ambitions. Money is talking, but my gal won't become corrupt in the process, I promise. You shall hear about these two renegades (thieves, actually) tomorrow morning.

I must admit, that I "like" his face too.

You did a great job. Dogmaster's face really captures the essence of what a 23rd Century raider boss might look like. If I'd tried to make him it would've been Fail.

Yes, we use the word 'pacing' as well, for all sorts of activities. Mostly, exercise. "You gotta pace yourself on that treadmill..." etc. Anyway the rhythm is about to speed up again, these next couple episodes. Fast, and (hopefully) faster.

An interesting dialogue between the two - Taneesha is pointing her Tazer at him, while he's discussing wines.

🍷

I really enjoyed Vicious’ observations during her trip to see the Dog – particularly once she got to that coffee shop.

Graci!

Blackmail plus a ton of cash manages to coax Vicious into working for the Dog as a highly paid assassin. What could go wrong?

Hee hee right?

You just have to realize, since you don't play Fallout games, how much harder it is to make money compared to Oblivion or Skyrim. Mirocu and Gunny and their hundreds of thousands of caps ... I'm not even sure how he does it.

Nothing respawns (indoors) in the Capital Wasteland or Mojave, without mods. You clear a baddie location, take all its loot, chems, caps, anything which will earn money once traded, and that location won't a farmable source of income in the future. NPC enemies also don't respawn indoors (outdoors they do, though). Only traders and traveling merchants have ammo for sale, for instance, sometimes. Yet this is hit or miss (mostly miss, if you've got a specialized or rare weapon).

It's not like going into Sercen or Bleak Falls Barrow with seven gold, and coming out with potentially hundreds, maybe even thousands of salable items once we get into town. So what Dogmaster is proposing blows my character's mind. She's been in the habit for years of thinking "dozens" when it comes to money. Yet now she's being offered thousands, and is being led to believe trillions are out there.

Plus, Dogmaster doesn't seem that bad.

I wouldn’t say Dogmaster is ugly, but he certainly has the look of someone who you wouldn’t want to cross. Lopov did a real good job making the face.

Yeah, he did. Sometimes I wish I could Persuade him (or anyone) to help with other stuff! I wanted to make Dogmaster's Suite much more unique, not as "Tenpennyish" for instance, yet I really haven't got the time.

Story shall be up tomorrow morning. Supposed to be partly sunny tomorrow. 🌞



This post has been edited by Renee: Yesterday, 04:03 AM

[Renee]

Episode 65: Barb and Buck


A room was offered to Vicious; she could spend the night if she'd like. Initially she declined.

But after Dogmaster's attention became distracted with other matters and he moved into another room, his newly-hired assassin began to rethink the offer. Which 23rd Capital Wasteland inhabitant wouldn't? Most CW folks, who'd spent their entire lives living in desperate, deplorable conditions while being surrounded by the remains of a once-glorious civilization, might wonder what it'd be like to experience that 'once-glorious' part.

So Vicious changed her mind, then found herself being led by one of the Dog's servants to a room; one of many, with its own bed. And its own private, lockable door. And its own washroom. And its own climate-controlled temperature system (operated by a thermosomething) which blew pre-conditioned air from several vents. Want the room hot? Just turn the dial to the right. Want it cold? Turn it left. Dogmaster's guest had a bit of fun with the thermosomething. Cranked the Fahrenheit as high as it would go (summer returned; she began to sweat!) and then turned it all the way to the left. Three minutes of standing in forty-degree air, and her teeth chattered.

Finally, the bed. After two-plus years sleeping on ratty mattresses and uncomfortable cots, she couldn't help but lie upon the room's 'Queen-sized' bed tentatively at first, as if she didn't belong here.

"I could... get used to this."

Dinner was roasted venison next to something green to one side (called "vegetables"), and something yellow on the other (called a "sauce"). Well actually, Tan/Vicious grew up in the countryside, which means she actually knows what deer, vegetables, and sauces are. But most raiders lived on pre-packaged meals mass-produced in ancient factories.

Miss Vicious, living the good life. "If Bratty and Q could see me now."




Date: Tuesday, October 2, 7:44 AM

The next morning, Dogmaster and a nerdy scientist-looking guy named Cheese Head lead Vicious into a room filled with computers and gizmos and ham radios, where they brief her on the upcoming mission.

She'll be headed to Evergreen Mills, a former metals foundry located several miles to the west. Once there, she'll need to eliminate two "targets", a former Dogmaster grunt named "Cr4nk$haft" and another who goes by "BODDY-BAGZZ".

"That is how they specifically spell their names," Cheese informs in his Midwest accent, after uploading a digital file to Vicious's Pip Boy. "Cr4nk$haft and BODDY-BAGZZ. You can just imagine the level of maturity we're dealing with. You heard either of those names out there?"

"Nope."

Both are thieves, according to Cheese and Dog. Three weeks ago, they'd been fronted a large amount of chems from Dogmaster's considerable stash, yet still hadn't returned any profits. Or maybe they had sent money to the Potomac, but their courier(s) got lost. Or killed, or whatever. Doesn't matter. Cr4nk and BODDY are now on the Dog's *bollocks*-list... which is what happens when morons don't consider their actions.

"Cr4nk$haft specializes in uppers," Cheese informs, "Jet, Psycho, amphetamines, and so on, while BODDY-BAGZZ supposedly peddles the downers: Med-X, morphine, Thorazine, et. cetera. Personally, I feel both have become addicted to their wares...."

"Addicted to their wares," Vicious repeats. ...Like someone I know... "What if they actually have some money and want to pay up?"

"Oh, well in that case, you take their money, of course. Whether or not you then choose to eliminate them is up to you."

Vicious learns she'll be accompanied by two Dogmaster soldiers: a Lieutenant Buck Norris, and his cadet, Barbra Bee. "They should be waiting downstairs."

"Hey, I don't need any help," Vicious protests. "Don't know them. They might get in my way."

Doesn't matter. Dogmaster has given her a couple accomplices, and the Dog always gets what he wants.

"One more thing," says Dogmaster, who comes shuffling into the computer room with wandering eyes, as though he hadn't slept. "Vicious, very important. Got a list of more targets. You are to be on the lookout for any of these three. You listening?"

Miss Vicious nods.

"First, a fellow named Chosen One."

"Chosen One? That's his name?"

"According to sources, yes."

The assassin suppresses a grin.

"Chosen One prefers an assault rifle. For sure, he's responsible for the massacre at Springvale, few weeks back."

"Got it," Vicious pretends to type into her Pip Boy. As though she's got no idea who Cho Zen Wan is.

"Next we got a white female named He-ca-te."

"He-ca-te?"

"Hecate," Cheese chimes in, pronouncing the name correctly. "Probably named after the Greek goddess of lightness and dark and witchcraft."

"Hey! My man's got brains!" Dog claps his nerd on the shoulder. "Hecate is similar to Cho, wanders alone. More of a sniper than a scout, though. Always in black. Black clothes, black armor. Hair is black, usually tied in a ponytail. She also wears glasses, according to raiders who've witnessed her. Carries a M110, very brutal gun. Make sure you don't get caught in her crosshairs."

Vicious has never heard of Hecate, but is glad for the description.

"Finally, a dude named Ronny. Blond hair, blue eyes, wears a duster, might be using energy weapons. Other than that we got nothing. So just take down anyone named Ronny, who isn't a raider."

"Got it," Vicious says. Despite her confirmation, she's got no intention of messing with any of them.

--Cho? He's a friend of a friend.
--Hecate? Just stay out of her way.
--Ronny? Take down anyone named Ronny who's not a raider? Pfft.

"All three apparently be from Vault 101. And all three are hunting MY people!" Dogmaster explodes, causing Vicious and Cheese to flinch.

"All three gonna be dead when I catch 'em," the assassin lies. "Anything else? Anybody else? Can I go now?"



9:30 AM
She leaves the suite, ambles through the coffee shop (canines snarling...) and finds Dog's soldiers loitering outside: Lieutenant Buck Norris and his cadet, Barbra Bee. Both are dressed in the same military uniform worn by other Dogmaster soldiers.

"Hello. You're Miss Vicious?" Barbra greets, extending a hand. "I am Barbra Bee. Call me Barb."

Barb...Bee?

The woman is pale skinned, with pretty blond hair. "Heard lots about you!" she grins.

"Yep, I'm Vicious." As she shakes Barb's hand, she notices the woman's nails are manicured, yet also sharp. Like claws. "Ain't heard nothing 'bout you, but looking forward to working together, I guess."

"I'm Lieutenant Buck Norris," Bee's superior introduces, his voice hoarse. Unlike Bee, who looks as though she's just stepped from a salon, Norris looks battle-hardened.

"Pleased to meet."

"Soldiers are like steel," Norris quips. "When we lose our temper we lose our worth."

Norris is older, perhaps near forty. He has scruffy red hair with a beard to match. He seems to specialize in close-quarters combat; carrying what looks to be an Uzi knockoff, backed with a combat knife, while Barbra prefers long range. She's got a rifle.

"Well look. I don't want to dawdle, okay?" Vicious says. "I'm ready to go."

"Fine with us," Norris says, checking his pack. "Just remember, this is not a race, okay? There is no finish line."

"Um, yeh, okay." Huh??

Barbra concurs with the others, but does something odd. Steps toward Vicious, extends her right hand again. Grins her affable grin while offering her pinkie finger. "Sisters?" she asks.

"Uh, sure. Sisters," Vicious wraps her own finger around Barb's, thinking how odd, a Vow of Sisterhood. Last time she'd made such a vow was ages ago, faraway in the Jehovah Temple. And that was when she was ten or twelve.

Had any red flags occurred at that very moment? she'd ask herself, hours later. If so, she hadn't noticed.

The trio begins walking. As they leave Georgetown West and descend the Metro stairs to Tepid Sewers, several sentries watch their progress; all of them a bit jealous perhaps, and also hungry. Hungry for action, that is, and jealous that they've not being included. They are tasked with making sure Dog's turf remains free from invasion, that's it. Probably never go on raids, anymore. Sucks for them.

Vicious begins to build a rhythm with her steps. This is going to be a long journey, two days of walking for sure. But it's at this moment when Barbra Bee makes a sudden half-turn, blocking Vicious's path, while Buck Norris strides further ahead. Bee's sunny smile is gone.

"So let's get one thing straight." The blonde pauses, seeming to wait until Norris is well out of earshot before she continues. "I'm the one getting credit for this, alright? All accolades for killing both targets shall go to me."

Barb unwraps the rifle from her shoulder, holding it toward the ground. Though she does not point it at Vicious, the implication is obvious.

"Hey whatever," Vicious replies. "I really could care less."

"Furthermore, we know about the money," Barb hisses. "WE'RE the ones getting a piece of that million, once the mission is over."

"Million? What million?"

"Ha! Ha! Nice try. The million Prewar bills Dogmaster found in that treasury vault, DUH! ... We're splitting that, Norris and I. This was OUR mission before your *behind* came along."

"Whatever. Take the money, I don't care. Although from what I heard, there is actually trill--."

---Trillions, she'd almost blurted.

"Huh??"

"Thousands, I meant to say. Only a few thousand down there, what I heard. Not a million."

"Yeah, right. Tryin' to pull a fast ones on me, huh?" Barb steps closer, swiping her manicured claws. "YOU don't mock me, girl. Buck and I, all we gotta do is take your black *butt* out somewhere. Tell Dog you got mauled by a pack of deathclaws. Who's to say something unfortunate like that can't happen?"

"Pfft! As if."

Lieutenant Norris notices his partners have straggled, and is now walking toward them. Barb sees this, and lowers her voice. "Well don't worry, we can't actually kill you. Get more money if you return safely. But heed my words, *witch*. Mess with us, and you'll be sorry."

"But I thought we were sisters!"

Buck Norris finally arrives on the scene, looking confused. "There a problem here?"

"No sir," Barbra lies.
"No, we're good."

"Good. Long journey ahead. Let's take it step by step." He mostly says this to Barb, as though aware she's prone to insubordination.

"Yes sir."

"A bit of advice," Buck adds, speaking to both. "There is no finish line, okay? When you reach one goal, time to find a new one."

"Right."
"Um, err... sure."

They begin to march. Down a corridor, and step through a door without a word. As they do so, Vicious can't but notice something which could be important pretty soon.

"Y'all gonna wear Dog's official armor outside?" she asks.

"Mm hmm."
"Yea."

"Really? You sure?"

"We said yea," Barb's voice is sunny again, but she speaks through clenched teeth. "Is there a prob with what we have on, compared to the... rags you're wearing?"

"Um, it's just that..."

"It's just that what?"

"It's just that... nothing."

Vicious decides to keep her mouth shut. Sure, the raiders who dwell locally along the Potomac might leave Barb and Buck alone. But what happens as they continue further? Toward Super Duper Mart? Up the hill and past Springvale?

Thing is, Wasteland raiders may dress the same, they may also look the same, and act the same. But there are subtle divisions of territory from east to west. Those to the east may know and expect Dogmaster's soldiers, but those to the west probably won't; they'll merely see a couple of dunces travelling their turf, then try to take them down just for the hell of it.

Dogmaster or Cheese may have broadcasted a message from their ham, attempting to alert westside raiders to let Dog's soldiers through, but would these instructions actually be followed? Would these orders (if they'd been given at all) be heard by some half-baked receiver, some junkie in the middle of getting high, who neglects to share Dog's order his/her buddies?

Miss Vicious can't help but wonder, as she follows these fools off the cliff.


------------------------

Dogmaster's Terrarium

Dogmaster's Den

Tan takes a bath

Watchdog plays with dog

Cheese Head

Buck Norris (whatcha all think? )

Barb Bee

Sisters? -- (from Spike TV's "bloopers" reel. She used the wrong finger...)

The Dark Side of Barbie

-----------------------------


Notes: 1). Ronny was Lopov's Lone Wanderer.

[Acadian]

Nice digs Vicious gets for the night!

And once she gets her mission from CheeseDog, she has Chuck and Barbie as sidekicks! Nice job making Buck look like Chuck!

Be on the lookout for Cho, Hecate and Ron. Sure. . . whatever you say, DogDoo. They’re hunting down Dog’s people? If I see them, I’ll see if they need any help or supplies.

Ooh, Barbie’s a bee threatening to sting Vicious. A bit more dangerous that her initial impression of being made of plastic.

I think Vicious’ first reaction of wanting to work alone was probably sound. Again, what can go wrong?