Who the Hell is Braun?

(A/N: Trigger warning for psychotic self-harm I guess?)

It was night time now. We were looting the entire town and used the Vault as our camp for the darkness. Robin was still amiable, cooking something while casually sitting on her comrades'. I poured over the files of the vault, finding the Chief Scientist's most interesting.

EXPERIMENTAL ABSTRACT

"Vault 75 represents an unprecedented opportunity to test our hypothesis that the human genome can be improved at a rapid rate through the combination of selective breeding, hormonal treatments, genetic modification, and an accelerated generational cycle.

The experimental objectives of Vault 75 are detailed in the handbooks which have been provided to you already. This experiment is intended to be carried out over multiple generations. As such, there may be unanticipated research opportunities that present themselves. Such diversions from provisional protocol are permitted at the discretion of the Chief Scientist.

- V.Schlett, I.Lambe, S.Braun"

PRIME DIRECTIVE

"Chief Scientist -

Welcome to Vault 75. As outlined in your confidential briefing packet, Vault 75 is part of a top-secret military program. You have been selected for your professional credentials, experience, and commitment to the improvement of the human genome. It is of the utmost importance that you follow the protocols herein.

The mission of Vault 75, above all, is the refinement of human genetics. Your scientific staff will operate according to the research schedule set forth by Schlett, Braun and Lambe.

You will be working with an Overseer with a background as a military officer. Your Overseer will be responsible for training and maintaining the subject population you will be working with. It is important that you and your Overseer maintain a healthy working relationship."

(A/N: Lore articles provided by the Fallout Wiki.)

The name… Braun seemed to glow red whenever my eyes floated over it. After a second the effect started to make my vision tunnel and my head hurt. I was forced to rip my eyes away from the name.

"Esperanza, who the hell is Braun?"

"That's redacted senõr."

"Of course it is."

"Well, I don't know about you guys," Robin said, her mouth full of something, "but I'mma swallow this rat and then go to sleep."

I couldn't help but blink a few times. She wolfed down a rat and cooked it on a stick. Having trouble not gagging, I replied, "Aight, sleep tight."

"Senõr, you should rest as well."

"I suppose we'll go to Diamond City and get some supplies tomorrow. I'm assuming you're up to task for night watch?"

"I need no rest senõr."

"Good."

I pulled a sleeping bag I claimed as my own into a room away from the stench of bodies, blood and smoke. Even if I was noseblind to it, I could almost feel it caked in my nostrils. At first, I wasn't tired but then my body proved me wrong and shut down.

When it shut down, it woke up somewhere else. I was in the grass that was too green again. The sun was too cheery.

"Hi," a girl with pigtails said, "my name is Betty." Her smile was a big one, "We're going to be the bestest of friends."

I got up and was… shorter. Rather, I was the same size as the nine year old Betty girl. Putting my hands out I looked at how small and skinny I was again but Betty took my hand.

"C'mon!" Her voice glitched into an old man's voice for a split second, "Let's pl-lay a game!"

She led me out of the woods and to a doghouse behind a derelict house. I watched her dig around for a moment and didn't know if this was a dream or… something else. A exclamation shook me from my thoughts,

"Yippee!" She turned with a clown mask, "Put this on!"

"Umm- okay-" I replied awkwardly.

My vision was temporarily blocked when I put it on but once I settled it I had a knife to my throat. I froze but Betty giggled and flipped the handle to me. She ordered,

"Take it."

I did, what was a knife gonna do in a dream?

"What for?"

Before I could react, she pressed herself onto it, "To stab me with, so I'm not so alone."

I shouted a curse and stumbled back as the eyes in Betty's head rolled back in pleasure. Blood bubbled out of the little girl's mouth with an erotic groan. She took the knife out and stabbed her self two more times, blood splattering all over us. In horror I watched as she lamented,

"Ten years, and no one but my own guts to play with in this hell I made!"

Then I woke up to Esperanza and Robin arguing.