Rat EugenicsEating human-adjacent ("But not technically human!" - Dave of the Nuka Families) meat, it turned out, did not actually sit well in the minds of many 98ers, but there were few other options. The Vault denizens did not bring any pets inside, and the place was cleaned and sealed up until their arrival. Having a palatable meat-like substance to eat could
only come from humans, and Synthmeat was as close to ethical human meat meant for consumption could be.
But life, uh, finds a way. That way was
probably through the Great Library, but nobody knows for sure, since that was also sealed. Either way, a family of rats was discovered scrounging around the refuse furnaces. While extermination was the knee-jerk reaction, some visionary Nuka researchers captured and held them. With rat genetics on-hand, they were able to produce "Rat" "Meat" in the same manner as the human-based Synthmeat. While it was slightly gamier, Ratsynthmeat rapidly grew in popularity and the human-based product slowly ceased production.
Since the rats themselves weren't harvested for their meat, the scientists were able to "taste-test" rats and breed rats that produced desirable meat traits. Rats with traits that weren't cut out for the various ratsynthmeat products were initially going to be killed, but a couple kids got a parent to give them a pet rat and soon almost everybody wanted one. It didn't take long for an adjacent breeding program to appear alongside the ratmeat stock, and a small section of the vault was isolated and repurposed in order to house pet-bred rats until their adoption days.
The discovery of these rats appears to be of benefit all around for the 98ers. They were able to replace their ethically-questionable meat products with a rat-based variant,
and they got some adorable rodents to keep around as pets.
Realm 98The Great Library of Philadelphia covered endless subjects, but those covering the middle ages and earlier quickly became the most frequently accessed programs for recreational use (except for a selection covering the Black Death). They offered a level of freedom and a view of a world much different, and much more palatable, than either the world left behind or life confined in the Vault. Classical and Medieval escapes, both historical and fantastic, became the norm for a while, but as production and life in the Vault itself began to stagnate somewhat, restrictions for time within simulations for recreational use were put into place. While initially met with frustration, the 98ers couldn't deny the evidence of their slow slip from reality when presented by the Council.
Alternatives were presented by citizens, and one in particular snowballed in popularity, even if it meant a drastic change in Vault life. The structure of the Vault's leadership was in no way unique. Throughout history there were a number of civilizations led by a group of people headed by a pair of leaders, and by emulating them, perhaps the citizens of the Vault would find themselves needing an escape less and less. Sparta, Rome, and even parts of France in the Middle Ages were led by some form of diarchy and/or council. One of those in particular stuck our for the highly militarized citizens of Vault 98, but Sparta had many shortcomings. Rome's various forms represented the leadership of the Vault well, but they too eventually collapsed. France, well, who even knows anymore? But every time people walked to their simulations, they were reminded of a once-great nation that could rise from the ashes: America.
The leadership of Vault 98 was reformed into three separate but equal branches. The Chiefs had equal power over the military aspects of the Vault, and could overrule one another should they need to. They also held sway over the other two branches, but only because of the cult of personality built up around them. Should one or both of the Chiefs ever step down or die that could change. The Nuka Families and Independent Families were each allowed to form their own separate councils, with the Nuka Guild overseeing research, development, and education in the Vault, while the Independent Senate was responsible for any matters that didn't fall under the Nuka Guild's or Chiefs' umbrellas.
History began to impose itself on the lives of the 98ers as they grew more and more enamored with the past. The NukaGuard were rebranded as the NukaKnights, with customized power armor that reflected their preferred historical influences, and there were regular athletic tournaments to test the strength, dexterity, and capabilities of 98ers. The aesthetics of various ages bled through elsewhere as well, and it didn't take long for the Vault 98 Jumpsuits everyone had to be personalized in every which way.
Not only was it fun, but the adjustment to management of leadership simmered down some interfamily rivalries that were bound to come to a head at some point. While ultimately the Guild and Senate answered to the will of the Diarchy, having the ability to express their wills without the Chief's approval consistently led to an acceptable level of contentment within leadership. The people were happy too, taking up roles that fit into various historical and fantastical periods. In some cases the characters overtook the 98er's personality, but for the most part it was understood that this was an exercise done in good fun.
----
Life in Vault 98 has been good for the people within. They've experienced relatively few hardships, and the bumps in the road along the way so far have been easily managed. There is one looming issue, however.
The Vault Doors have been unsealed! You are now going to propose how this is handled!
If you wish to open the Vault, propose the protocols put into place alongside the first person/team who are sent out into the city. You don't need to follow through with the whims of the Vault-Tec researchers who were left behind, however.
If you wish to remain in the Vault, create a proposal including the defining advancement Vault 98 made after ten more years in the Vault. From here on out, turns will offer the opportunity to either explore outside the vault or remain sealed within. Time will continue to pass at a fast rate while locked in the Vault, allowing you to refine Vault 98 and evolve your little ant farm. The world outside will advance without you however, and time will pass at a much slower rate with prompts more specific to issues going on around you.
Log of [REDACTED], 10.27.77 - Present
Realm 98: High amounts of food and drink stockpiles have led to a scientific power bloc through intermarried families. Products produced from luxury foods are impressive, including liquid nuclear fuel. Power is divided between the Diarchy of the Militia Chiefs (with majority influence), the Nuka Guild, and the Independent Senate. Classical and Medieval history have taken root in society, and they've structured themselves after a combination of historical governments, while the citizens themselves have often adopted the appearances and personae of historical and fantastical societies. The people and the leadership are very happy with life as it stands in Vault 98 currently.
NukaKnights: A poorly-regulated militarization of the Vault's citizenry after discovery of a massive weapons cache has led to a dominating cult of personality built up around the two Chiefs. The Chiefs took many opportunities to empower themselves and their militia. A nonlethal Quartzgun was developed to incapacitate and/or mark criminals with a white glow. The NukaKnights themself were also formed as an elite 6-man Power Armor unit, with their armor customized based on historical era preference.
Rat Eugenics: Failed experimentation led to the creation of human-clone meat with remarkable taste and nutritional benefits, but morality won out over pseudocannibalism when a nest of rats were discovered and their genetics used for Ratsynthmeat. Rats are bred based on various parameters for a selection of "cuts", and instead of slaughtering the extras, they're used as pets and familiars.
The Great Library of Philadelphia: Use of highly effective nuka-based explosives during exploratory expansion led to the discovery of a secret cache of vast stores of knowledge. The large chamber was preserved thanks to hermetically sealed doors and who knows how much collapsed earth. Simulation pods provide users with every educational experience they could require, and the tunnel connecting the Library and Vault 98 is lined with displays of scientific, cultural, and historic relics, including the real Declaration of Independence. The Vaultdwellers are bound to become better at their trades and crafts as time goes on.
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Topic: Rise from the Ashes: A Fallout-based PvE Council Game (Read 7929 times)