Chapter 2: Rising Action
After watching Zeta dissappear in a huff of indignation, Kelvin could only stare. This was who he would be stuck with for the rest of his life? Her beauty was as impressive in real life as it was on the screen, but he didn't think for a second that her looks could make up for the abuse he saw coming his way.
The overseer. Every vault has an overseer, a person in charge of the operations of the vault with ultimate authority over day to day operations. If it was only the two of them, Kelvin didn't see any issues with him becoming the overseer. Then at least he would be able to have some control over what happened in the vault. Perhaps he could use the vaults AI to help keep Zeta away from him as much as possible.
He knew where the overseers office was located. He'd studied the maps. After signing up for a spot in the vaults, he'd poured over every detail provided to each potential resident. Plus, there were big signs over head indicating directions to all major areas of the vault. Zeta had headed in the direction of the living quarters, so he shouldn't have any troubles reaching the overseer office and quarters unhindered.
He walked briskly, taking in the sterile environment, the harsh lights, and the stark contrast to the world outside. The vault was a haven, yes, but it was also a prison. A prison with only two inmates.
Kelvin finally reached the overseer's office. The door slid open with a soft hiss at his approach, revealing a spacious room filled with screens and controls. In the center was a large desk, and behind it, a leather chair that looked surprisingly comfortable. He walked over to the desk, his eyes scanning the numerous screens displaying various systems and cameras throughout the vault.
He took a seat in the leather chair, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. This was where he belonged, where he could have some semblance of control in this chaotic new world.
As he familiarized himself with the controls, he noticed a Pip-Boy on the desk. He picked it up, examining it carefully. It was the overseer's model, the one with full control over the vault's systems. He strapped it onto his wrist, feeling a surge of power. This was it. He was now the overseer of Vault 84.
He typed in his personal information and identifying passcode, and that was it. He leaned back in the soft leather chair.
"Overseer Kelvin, welcome. Please remove all outside materials and dress in the official Vault-Tec overseer uniform." The AI's voice had a softer, more feminine tone than the one he'd heard in the entryway. Same AI, bit apparently the overseer is afforded some minor perks. He began removing his clothes to get changed just as the door of the office opened. In floated a Mr. Fix-it.
Kelvin had never had the money to own one before, but he knew they were an important part of the vault experience, taking care of human and vault maintenance. He finished removing his clothes and handed them to the hovering Droid. Then a drawer automatically slip open, revealing a blue outfit with gold embroidery. He lifted it up, admiring the bright 84 emblazoned in the breast. A bit much, but he understood Vault-tec's goal in assigning such uniforms.
He dressed quickly, then the bot cam behind him, stretching multiple appendages across his body, tapering, creasing, and sewing the clothes until they fit his body perfectly. He turned to the mirror and admired himself. His old clothes had disappeared amongst the robots appendages, but he didn't mind one bit. He returned to his seat as the robot glided from the room.
"Overseer." The voice of the AI called to him smoothly. "One of the vault dwellers is struggling to comply with Vault-Tec standards per contract section i-83."
"Show me." Kelvin said, watching as a screen sprang to life, showing him a view from one of the Mr. Fix-it bots on the vault. He watched as the arms reached out and cut away at her clothing, then attempted to supply her with a set of clothes from the dresser. She was stunning, standing there naked, unaware that he could see her through the robot.
Then she started screaming. At the robot and at the clothes.
"Alright. I'm on my way. Don't hurt her, or frighten her anymore. I'll take care of it.
As he rose and headed for the door, the AI chimed. "Overseer, all services are forbidden from causing harm to residents of the vault. Fix-It zero one seven will standby for your arrival."
---
Zeta continued staring at the robot as it seemed to hover idly infrastructure of her, arms slowly drifting back and forth. She had nearly prepared herself to try ducking around it when she heard the door to her room slide open again.
She was annoyed to see it was that man. She almost wished it had been another bot.
She looked around to try and find her scraps of cloth to cover herself with, but they seemed to have disappeared, so instead, she grabbed the blue and gold monstrosity the robot was holding. She glared at the man, who had apparently already changed into his version of the uniform.
"Get ouuuuutttt," she screeched at him. She was less bothered by her own nudity than by the relaxed manner with which he'd sauntered into her room. "This room is mine. Get out."
Kelvin pinched his nose for a moment. This was going to be exhausting.
"As overseer of the vault, it is my responsibility to make certain all vault dwellers are happy, but also that they are complying with vault rules. Your choices are to wear the standard uniform supplied by Vault-Tec, or be naked, but all outside apparel will only lead to classification and societal stratification. All Mr. Fix-It bots are also equipped with various sedatives in case of dweller hysterics. We are in a confined space and mass hysteria would only lead to a collapse of the vault dynamics."
Zeta glared at him. For a moment, then threw the blue and gold garment at him before turning away.
"I will cease my hysterics. And I choose to wear nothing at all rather than that ...thing. now please see yourself out. And take that thing with you." She sat on the ground, folding her legs under her as she waited for them to leave.
Kelvin wasn't actually sure about that rule. Nudity In one's room was obviously allowed, but the bots may try to Intervene if she went out into the hallway that way. He'd look into it. In the meantime, he'd have her dinners delivered to her room.
He sighed deeply, then tossed something on the ground next to her. He then turned to leave the room, ordering the bot to follow him from the room. In the hallway, he noticed that all the rooms had been keyed to Zeta's ident code.
Zeta waited until the door had closed, then she turned to look at what he'd tossed on the ground. It looked like a small screen attached to a wrist strap. She'd seen that man wearing one as well. Whatever it was, she didn't want that man thinking she owed him anything, so she left it where it lie. What had he meant by overseer. Zeta felt as if she had missed something. While she'd been down here taking over the dormitories, something important had happened. That man had seemed all too happy to wear the clothes given him, anx the robot had seemed to over him. She should have paid attention to the vids and pamphlets given to her when she'd been informed there had been a slot in the vault purchased for her by her employers.
Now how was she supposed to learn about life in the vaults? Her eyes fell on the pip-boy still laying on the ground. She narrowed her eyes. She would accept this device, but only to better understand her situation
Zeta spent a while just trying to set up the device, but eventually she did, and she also discovered that every vault dweller was required to recieve one for personal acknowledgement from the vault. That meant him giving thus to her was his job, not an effort to indebt her to him. That made her feel a little better.
She sat for several hours, naked, pouring over the information contained in the device. She still didn't understand how he had become overseer, but she at least now understood that taking over the residential quarters had been meaningless, as no doors could be locked to the overseer. She'd been so busy being petty that he'd used his knowledge to get power over her. Well, she wasn't stupid, and she also knew how to take power away from men. She stood up, still refusing to look at the pile of crumpled blue and gold fabric, and took off into the hallways to look for this overseer
---
Kelvin had been going over the vault's systems, trying to memorize every aspect of it. He'd even found out how to control the lighting, and had dimmed the harsh fluorescents to a more comfortable level. He was just about to head to the hydroponics bay to check on the crops when he heard footsteps echoing down the hallway. He stepped out of his office to see Zeta storming towards him, naked as the day she was born.
He raised an eyebrow. "Zeta, you can't go around naked.
It's against regulations," Kelvin said, trying to keep his voice steady despite the unexpected sight. He gestured to the Pip-Boy on her wrist. "You should have read the manual. The vault's AI will send Mr. Fix-It bots to... persuade you to comply."
Zeta stopped in her tracks, hands on her hips. "Oh, really? And who made you the ruler of this little kingdom?" She stepped closer, her voice lowering to a sultry purr. "I could make things very...
interesting for you, if you'd just step down and let me handle things."
Kelvin took a step back, surprised by her sudden change in tone. He'd expected anger, maybe even violence, but not this. He crossed his arms, trying to maintain his composure. "I'm afraid I can't do that, Zeta. I've studied the vault's systems and I'm the most qualified to oversee its operations."
Zeta smirked, taking another step closer. "And what about the people who built this place? They didn't think to leave someone in charge who could entertain them, did they?" She trailed a finger down his chest, her eyes locked onto his. "You might be the brains, Kelvin, but I'm the charm. Together, we could make this vault a paradise, not a prison."
Kelvin swallowed hard, trying to ignore the warmth spreading through him at her touch. He stepped back again, putting some distance between them. "I appreciate the offer, Zeta, but I can't just hand over control of the vault to you. Besides, I've already taken the oath as overseer. It's not something I can just give up," Kelvin said, his voice firm. "I won't have this vault turned into some kind of... playground. Life is going to be hard enough with just the two of us as it is. We need someone in charge who can manage things if something bad happens"
It had been a long time since a man had told her no, and to have this one tell her that now, while she stood in front of him completely bared. She had seen men's brains melt at the sight of her, how could this one remain so, so practical in front of such a spectacle.
She reached up and grabbed a handful of shirt, pulling his face down closer to hers. Her eyes flared. The manual spoke of equality, but this shirt was obviously higher quality fabric than the ones from her rooms. No, back on point.
She glared into his eyes. "Are you gay?" She asked, mere inches from his face. It was the only thing she could think of, and certainly her worst nightmare if she had any hope of gaining any power here.
Kelvin's head pulled back at the question. "What? Gay? No. I can remain practical in the presence of beauty without being gay. I'd warn you that even I have my limits, though. Continue running around naked and I will use the Mr. Fix-Its to put you on lock down. Even I have my limits."
Kelvin felt his hands twitch as his gaze drifted from her face to her incredible pair of breasts standing fully exposed.
Finally starting to see some of what she'd expected in the eyes of this man, she thrust out her chest up against his body, pulling him close to her. Perhaps if she could get him to do something inappropriate, she could appeal to the vault AI and have him removed as overseer.
She was desperate to regain some semblance of control in this sterile, lifeless place. In less than three hours she'd already been attacked by robots, locked in a vault with only one other person for life, amd worst of all, had her designer clothes cut to scraps and destroyed.
"Well, if you're not gay, then what's your problem?" she asked, her voice dripping with honeyed venom. "Afraid you'll lose control if you get too close to me? Afraid you'll want something more than just being the boss?"
Kelvin's jaw tightened, his eyes flicking back up to hers. "I'm not afraid of anything, Zeta. I've seen the world end, remember? Whatever your plan is, I'll warn you. The overseer is the law now that the vault is locked shut and we've been cut off from the network. I can do anything I want, and no one would stop me. I don't think the AI likes you at all, either. You have been a disruptive influence to the planned program for this vault."
Kelvin smiled at her, pressing his body against hers in response to her challenges.
As Kelvin lifted his hand, sliding against her bare side, slowly travellings towards her exposed chest, Zeta realized that her plan may be made based on some false assumptions. As his hand grazed the side of her breast, she gasped in a breath of air, releasing his shirt and stepping back.
"We aren't in the world of polite society, Zeta. Testing the limits of my control, it won't end well for you. There is no society here, just the two of us, and the only form of authority is already on my side." Kelvin closed the space between them again. He lifted his hand to the back of her head, threading his fingers through her hair and pulling her face right next to his.
How about it, Zeta? Do I still seem gay to you?" His breath hit her face and filled her mouth and nostrils. There were no bouncers or body guards around. She'd never been this close to another person without a safety net before, and the only one she thought she had was just swept away. She felt a level of fear stronger than when the vault door had slammed shut as bombs dropped from the sky.
Her knees went weak and she tried to pull away, but still felt his hand on the back of her head.
Kelvin was not letting her go.
"Let me go!" she spat, trying to sound fierce, but her voice came out shaky.
Kelvin's grip loosened, but he didn't release her. Instead, he leaned in closer, his lips brushing against her ear. "I could make you stay, Zeta. I could make you do anything I want. But I won't. Because that's not who I am. I'm not here to take advantage of you. I'm here to keep us both alive."
He released her completely and stepped back, leaving her feeling cold and exposed.
She hugged her arms around herself, suddenly self-conscious of her nakedness. Kelvin turned and walked back into his office, leaving Zeta standing alone in the hallway.
Zeta watched him go, her mind racing. She'd never been dismissed like that before. She almost fell to her knees. To know that he could have done anything to her, and there was nothing she could have done to stop him. No one else was going to save her. She suddenly felt very exposed, standing naked. Exposed and childish. She had tried to use her body as a weapon, and it had instead been used against her to show her just how different her life now was.
Finally, she did collapse to her knees, alone in the hallway. She wished desperately that one of the robots would come by and offer her one of those uniforms. She would wear it and never take it off. Instead, she simply heard the sound of the air filtration system pumping recycled air down the corridor.
Then she heard something else. A banging sound. A knocking sound. Coming from the direction of the vault door.
The door next to her opened as Kelvin emerged from his office and looked at her. "Did you make that sound?" He asked.
She just looked at him, tears welling up in her eyes. Finally, she shook her head, just as the banging sound came again.
"Shit"