Remote Access Request Received.
Authority Code Requested.
Code Received: T490M
Error! Invalid Code!
Code Override Activated.
Remote Access Granted.
Command Received: Open Cryo Pod 492.
Authority Code Requested.
Code Received: T490M
Error! Invalid Code!
Code Override Activated.
Command Proceed.
Cyro Pod 492 Opened.
Error! Life Form Detected!
Life Form Released!
Remote Access Ended.

Xie Jade
Shaymin Gijinka
Vault 110

Xie felt herself lifting out of her subconscious from her deep slumber. It was very cold and she mentally scolded herself through the fog that was currently settled over her brain for knocking off the blanket again. If it was this cold it had to be early in the morning, figures. Xie always woke up with the rising of the sun. Xie started to move to climb out of "bed" when she suddenly tumbled in a heap of limbs onto the floor below. As her skull collided with the floor, everything came crashing back. Her night with Terri, the rebellion plan, the sight of the vault closing with the glimpse of the outside she had never seen sparkling behind it, waking up in the cryo pod, seeing Terri one last time, and then the cold pulling her into a darkness like never before.

Xie's breathing picked up as the stale air scrapped against her raw lungs. Her eyes opened but the light of the vault resulted in a sharp stinging sensation. Xie winced and instinctively covered her eyes, or at least attempted to do so. Her body was stiff and numb, each movement causing a chain reaction of pins and needles. Xie cried out in pain, not recognizing the raspy voice that bounced off the walls around her. So Xie remained still, curled up on the floor, blind and suffering, unable to do anything about it. Her thoughts marched like soldiers to war, dusting away on her unused mind, and allowing Xie to start to think on her own. She had been released, but she had no idea how much time had passed since she had been placed in the cryo pod. If she had been released, someone with the proper access code or hacking skills had to have released her. Given that she had not been swept up by Vault Tech members yet, Xie presumed her release had been from a remote location and had not been by someone from Vault Tech. Was she alone? Was Terri with her? Had anyone else been released?

Xie attempted to open her eyes once again and found the light not quite as strong this time. She cracked them open a little bit more and began to scan the area around her. Xie quickly found that she was indeed alone. There were a few more closed cryo pods, but given the glowing red light they emitted, Xie knew their occupants were dead. It was too bad. Xie could use any help she could get. Xie also noted that Terri's cryo pod was empty. Either he had escaped and left her behind, or Vault Tech had taken him. Xie decided to investigate before jumping to any conclusions. As the numbness faded, Xie slowly stood up, using a conveniently placed table to help her keep her balance. As the blood started to circulate normally, Xie found it was easier to move around. Good, she wasn't completely incapacitated then. Xie glanced at the contents of the room and noticed on the table she was propped up on, there was a small pistol. Without a second thought, Xie picked up the weapon and began to review her training on how to use it. She did not know who or what was outside, and she needed to be prepared for the worse case scenario. Armed with the pistol, her training, and the knowledge that she could trust no one, Xie cautiously opened the door to leave the cryo room.

It was two more rooms before Xie spotted another form of life, and it wasn't friendly. What could only be described as a godzilla roach, Xie's eyes widened at the sight of how many there were. She counted seven in all. Cocking her gun, Xie's instinct took hold and she fired as she had never been put into a cryo state. Without even breaking a sweat, Xie took out three then backed up to lure out the other four. The first one rounded the corner without a thought, exploding as a bullet collided with its underbelly. Two more soon followed, more cautious than the first. They managed to dodge one of Xie's bullets when another second bullet took out both. Xie took three breaths then charged back into the room to see the seventh had disappeared. She heard the buzzing too late and was struck from behind. Xie cried out and snapped around slamming the enlarged bug into the wall. It screeched and Xie slammed her foot on its back before unloading a bullet into its head.

Xie's breathing slowed as her mind returned to normal. She clicked her tongue and shook her head. She had always hated her instinct mode. With such programming, anyone was an enemy, even her allies. Xie had always been lucky that she and Terri had never been paired in sparing, since both had killed their fair share of partners due to their instincts. Xie quickly checked to see if there were any bullets left in the gun. Only two. Noted. Xie kept her fingers tight on the gun as she traveled forward. It didn't take long for her to find some more ammo. Xie loaded the pistol swiftly before proceeding. She had to admit she was slightly surprised to find no more resistance, but Xie decided it was best not to question such luck and rather she should just appreciate it. Xie did not stop in her trek towards the door other than to check a nearby computer, the only one that seemed to be operational.

Upon further examination, Xie saw that it was keeping records of all the cryo pods that had been opened. Apparently this was the link the remote access user had used to release her. Xie silently thanked them and then began to scan the names. Just as she had suspected, she was the only living cryo pod user to still be alive. All the others were dead or had been released. Xie also noticed that Terri's pod had been opened six months ago. He was alive then, good to know. Seeing no further use for the computer, Xie began to proceed towards the vault door once more. Roughly forty minutes after she escaped the cryo pod, Xie found herself standing in front of the vault door.

Xie paused, taking in the impressive sight of the large vault door. The last time she had seen this door, it had been with the intent to escape the world beyond. She had glimpsed that world for a brief few seconds, and she remembered it vividly. Luscious, green, vibrant. Blue skies, stretching grass, trees every once in a while. Xie wondered if the world still looked the same. She was about to find out. Walking over to the control panel, Xie turned the knob she knew opened the door. Surprisingly, it did not prompt her for a passcode, saying it had already been entered. Xie did not pause to think much of it, instead she turned to watch the large door in anticipation. Many feelings overwhelmed her in that moment, everything from excitement to fear, and a longing for the world beyond. Light streamed in as the door opened, followed by a wind carrying ash and dust. Xie took a deep breath, whatever chemicals the air contacted scratching up her lungs much more than the stale air of the vault. As the door fully opened, Xie stepped forward, taking her first true look into the world. It was nothing like she remembered.

Desert, as far as the eye could see, coated the earth. No longer was there a luscious rolling green or trees standing tall. Instead cacti dotted the barren red landscape. Xie didn't mask her disappointment, but a feeling of elation had also been instilled within in. Xie looked down and carefully stepped down onto the sandy ground below. She watched her feet carefully as she placed one in front of the other, her first steps outside the vault. Xie smiled as she thought about what Terri would be saying if he were here. Probably the foolish boy would already be rolling in the sand, enjoying the terrain until it became too hot for him. Then he'd complain until someone dumped a bucket of water on him. Xie indulged in the fantasy a moment longer before a low growling surrounded her. The hairs stood up on the back of her neck, and very slowly Xie looked to her left. Her breath caught in her throat at the monstrosity beside her.

Standing at double her size, a large reptilian creature will long curled horns and sharp claws stared back at her. It reminded Xie almost of a chameleon, but not quite the same. The longer Xie observed the creature, the more agitated it seemed to become, its growling growing louder and its stance changing into that of a predator. Xie decided quickly the best course of action in this situation was the flight option, but she'd take a chance at the fight one as well. Jumping back to put some distance between herself and this unknown being, Xie quickly activated her transformation. The change took less than a second, but suddenly her lungs felt heavier. She didn't recall the air being this difficult to breath a second earlier. Xie ignored this factor and used her experimentally enhanced speed to shoot off to the left then duck back to the right. Her opposition had a hard time keeping up, so when Xie got the chance, she unloaded three bullets right towards the chameleon creature's skull. They bounced off harmlessly, and if anything they only served to make it angrier.

The creature let out what sounded like a roar and swiped its claws at Xie. Xie tucked and rolled out of the way, but barely. Even with her sharpened speed, Xie quickly found she was no match for this monster. Flight it was then. As soon as she was standing again, Xie shot off away from the monster. It tried to pursue, taking swipes that were too close for comfort, but after a bit the monster seemed to lose interest. Xie cast a glance over her shoulder and saw that her opponent had disappeared. Xie slowed down and tumbled into the sand, her form returning to normal. She breathed heavily as the toll settled on her body. Her legs burned and her feet ached. How far had she run? Was the creature gone? What was this world she had entered? Surely it was not the same world she had seen before she had fallen asleep long ago.

Xie let out a long sigh and pushed herself out of the sand. She scanned the horizon and spotted what she thought to be a city in the distance. Pushing herself up, Xie began to walk towards the location, hoping maybe someone there could help her with the situation. And if not, then she would just have to rescue Terri and take down Vault Tech all on her own.