Paulson (Mothership Zeta)

Paulson is an abducted cowboy found frozen aboard Mothership Zeta, who becomes a part of the Lone Wanderer's ragtag crew fighting the aliens .
==Background==
A rancher from the American frontier, from the period known as the "Wild West," Paulson was abducted by the Zetan aliens during one of their previous visits to Earth. He was taken together with his family while they were returning from a trip to the local town. Separated after their capture, he has not seen his wife and son since, and assumes they have been killed. As such, he swore vengeance against the aliens before he was put on ice and plans to carry it out, whatever it takes.Alien captive recorded log 5 Due to being kept in suspended animation for several hundred years, the plan could not come to fruition. He is the second-oldest human thawed by the Lone Wanderer following their abduction, behind Toshiro Kago.'Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.90: "PaulsonPaulson is a rancher from the 'Wild West' period of American history. He was abducted by aliens during one of their previous visits to Earth, and has been kept in suspended animation for hundreds of years. He's quiet, soft-spoken, and unfazed by his current situation. He offers little background information about himself, but it's clear he has a deep hatred for being removed from his life, and wants to exact vengeance on his abductors, or to put it another way: 'seek a lamentable but satisfying revenge on every last one of those bastards.' "(Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition Wasteland Census)
Unlike Kago, Paulson understands English well and adapts quickly, rather than behaving like a fish out of water. While the concept of a spaceship is unfamiliar to him,The Lone Wanderer: "I'm trapped on this ship, just like you."Paulson: "Do I really look that stupid, kid? This ain't a ship. I don't hear water and I sure as hell don't feel us rocking. So tell me another one. Besides, you don't look trapped to me. How do I know you ain't workin' with those little green bastards?"(Paulson's dialogue) he quickly picks up the term "aliens" from the Lone Wanderer at their first meeting,The Lone Wanderer: "The aliens? They're all over the place. That's why I woke you."Paulson: "Aliens? That what you call 'em? So you woke me, huh? Who the hell are you?"(Paulson's dialogue) alternating with "little bastards"Paulson: "Where are they? I'll kill those little bastards!"(Paulson's dialogue) and "little buggers,"Paulson: "Where are they? Where are the little buggers?"(Paulson's dialogue) though he could also call them green men or piles of horse shit.The Lone Wanderer: "They're called aliens, hayseed."Paulson: "Aliens... Green Men... hell, you can call 'em piles of horse shit for all I care. So you woke me, huh? Who the hell are you?"(Paulson's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "If you're talking about the aliens, you'll see them soon enough."Paulson: "You call those little weird men aliens? So you woke me, huh? Who the hell are you?"(Paulson's dialogue)
His single-minded focus on killing every alien he comes across is due to the trauma of seeing and hearing his wife and son taken up by the mothership, crying and begging to save them, but being powerless to stop it. The memory is still fresh and haunts him, leaving him with nothing besides revenge.The Lone Wanderer: "[Speech] I found this recording of you. Do you want to talk about your family?"Paulson: "So you... you know? There's not much more to say. Wasn't just me sucked up into this place... My wife and my boy, too. I can still hear 'em, crying out to me, begging me to save 'em. And there wasn't a damned thing I could do. They were... they were everything to me, you know? So now I've got nothing. Nothing at all."(Paulson's dialogue) 
It is the only thing driving him forward,The Lone Wanderer: "Tell me how you were captured by these aliens."Paulson: "Doesn't matter now. Only important thing is... Well, I guess it's revenge."(Paulson's dialogue) and anything that gets in the way is automatically ignored as irrelevant.The Lone Wanderer: "What do you think the aliens want with us?"Paulson: "Doesn't matter. They're not getting it, whatever it is."(Paulson's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Can you tell me more about where you're from?"Paulson: "Can't say as it matters, or that I'd feel like telling you anyway."(Paulson's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Thank you for telling me about what happened to you."Paulson: "No sense in dwelling on it now. Let's just get out of here."(Paulson's dialogue)
===Personality===
Paulson is a solitary gunslinger who prefers to ride solo whenever he can. In his own words, teams are cattle led to slaughter and he is better off on his own.The Lone Wanderer: "Look, all I want to do is work together as a team so we can get home."Paulson: "The only teams I know are cattle and they get led to the slaughter. That's why I work alone, kid. Now, you did let me out of that... thing, so it counts for somethin'. Tell you what... I usually ride solo, but I'll stick with you for now. You try and pull anythin' stupid and I'll bury you."(Paulson's dialogue) He is suspicious of others, especially humans who suddenly wake him up from stasis without the aliens (apparently) interfering,The Lone Wanderer: "I'm a human, like you."Paulson: "Human like me, huh? And just how do I know you aren't workin' with the little green bastards that stuck me in that thing?"(Paulson's dialogue) ready to bury them the moment they try to pull something on him.The Lone Wanderer: "If I were working with the aliens, why would I set you free?"Paulson: "You got a point there, kid. Lettin' me out of that... thing does count for something. Tell you what... I usually ride solo, but I'll stick with you for now. You try and pull anythin' stupid and I'll bury you."(Paulson's dialogue) He does appreciate candor however,The Lone Wanderer: "I don't give guarantees. You want out of here, you stick with me. Period."Paulson: "You got a funny way of talkin', kid. But you know what, I think you're my best bet to get the hell back home. Tell you what... I usually ride solo, but I'll stick with you for now. You try and pull anythin' stupid and I'll bury you."(Paulson's dialogue) and a tough attitude worthy of a cowboy is something he downright likes.The Lone Wanderer: "I'm not a shit-kicking cowboy, that's for sure."Paulson: "You got a smart mouth kid. I like that. What I don't like is I don't know you from a hole in the wall. How do I know you ain't workin' with those little green bastards?"(Paulson's dialogue)
While he is aware that he is in over his head,The Lone Wanderer: "What the hell was that?"Paulson: "No idea. Been in over my head for a while now. Still, I'm thinking whatever that was, it wasn't a good thing. Probably best if it doesn't happen again, you get my meaning?"(Paulson's dialogue) he grimly perseveres to carry out his vengeance. He knows his life is over and gone, and the only thing that keeps him going is the idea of killing as many aliens as possible.Paulson: "We need to make 'em pay. Every last one."(Paulson's dialogue) As such, he refuses to joke about the situation,The Lone Wanderer: "This has been a hell of a ride, hasn't it?"Paulson: "No offense, but this ain't some sort of game. My whole life is over. Gone, a long time ago. Sorry if I can't make light of the situation like you can."(Paulson's dialogue) though at the same time he approaches it with cold detachment. He understands that, otherwise, he would be liable to start making mistakes and court death.The Lone Wanderer: "I have no idea what he said, but he sounded pretty angry."Paulson: "Yep, it seemed all riled up. Might end up being a good thing. Lose your cool, you're more likely to make mistakes. Still, seems we oughta make sure that doesn't happen again. Shut off whatever that thing was."(Paulson's dialogue)
This also means Paulson tries to pick his battles carefully. He is willing to lend a hand wherever an extra gun is needed,The Lone Wanderer: "You think anything in here can prove useful?"Paulson: "The only thing useful in here is me and my gun. Now let's keep moving."(Paulson's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "I may need an extra gun in the Hangar Bay. Can you lend a hand?"Paulson: "Now you're speakin' my language. Hell yeah, I'll come with you."(Paulson's dialogue) but refuses to go where he knows he lacks the skills necessary to understand what is going on around him or make effective use of the alien technology, like Elliott Tercorien or Somah.Paulson: "Woah, hang on a tick. I don't know anythin' about anythin' in this section, so I'm headin' back to the Engine Core."(Paulson's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "I need some help in the Robot Assembly area. You in?"Paulson: "Whatever they're assembling in there, I ain't gonna be much good to you. I never was much of a builder."(Paulson's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "I need to get through the Cryo Labs. Think you can help me?"Paulson: "Well seein' as I don't even know what a Cryo or a Lab is, I'm guessin' no."(Paulson's dialogue) He is perfectly fine with hanging back and watching the backs of the rest of the team, if it means everyone gets to live through the debacle.The Lone Wanderer: "I think you should remain in the Engineering Core for now."Paulson: "Fine. If I see any aliens, I'll say hello for you."(Paulson's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Would you mind watching our backs?"Paulson: "If it means we all live through this, then yeah. Be happy to."(Paulson's dialogue)
However, he learns quickly and picks up modern words to communicate effectively with the rest of the crew, such as aliens, stimpaks,The Lone Wanderer: "How are you holding up?"Paulson: "I could use one of those stimpaks if you don't mind."(Paulson's dialogue) or epoxy.Paulson: "Epoxy over here."(Paulson's dialogue) The concept of Nuka-Cola is something he struggles with.Paulson: ""(Paulson's dialogue) He mixes these new terms freely with his own vocabulary to make sense of his surroundings, and even if he lacks the words to describe something, he can quickly intuit ways to use unfamiliar technology to his own benefit. This includes using coils to fry aliens,Paulson: "I'll stay up here to draw a bead on the aliens as they rush us. If they get near those towers... hit the buttons and fry 'em!"(Paulson's dialogue) setting up an ambush when an alien alarm sounds to ambush the incoming guards,Paulson: ""(Paulson's dialogue) and figuring out teleporters and where generators powering them may be.Paulson: " There's a whole bunch of important looking gizmos up there. That's gotta be where the generator machine is.""(Paulson's dialogue)Paulson: "Don't care for these 'teleporter' things at all."(Paulson's dialogue) If something is outside his ken, he will pass the baton to others with no harm done,Paulson: "All righty. Here's how it's gonna go down. You point, I shoot, aliens die. All of the crazy gizmo stuff is up to you."(Paulson's dialogue) though it does not top him from remarking on the evident value of tech they come across.Paulson: "I wish we knew how to use of these flyin' ships. Would have been a lot easier than sneakin' around."(Paulson's dialogue)
Despite his intelligence, Paulson is a man of his time; he has a racist attitude towards people of Asian descent, common in the United States of the 19th century, and refers to Toshiro Kago as a "Chinaman," before being corrected by Sally and switching to "Oriental gentleman." Both fell out of use as racial slurs by the middle of the 20th century.Toshiro Kago: "[BANGING SOUND COMING FROM BRIDGE DOOR]"Sally: "Wait, did anyone hear that?"Somah: "What did you hear, Sally?"Toshiro Kago: "[BANGING SOUND COMING FROM BRIDGE DOOR]"Sally: "There it is again. Is that an Alien?"Toshiro Kago: ""Sally: ""Paulson: ""Sally: ""Paulson: ""Sally: ""Toshiro Kago: ""(Mothership Zeta conversations)
===Relationships===
The only parts of Paulson that have not been consumed by his thirst for revenge are his memories of his family and the life he once had, making his relationship with his wife and son the driving force behind his one-man war against the aliens. He is willing to open up about his pain and show a sliver of vulnerability to a woman.The Lone Wanderer: "Oh, come on. You can tell me just about anything. I'll understand."Paulson: "Well, I appreciate that, miss. It's just that it's not easy to talk about. I... I lost my wife and my boy. One minute, we're riding back from town. Next, we're floating in the sky. Then we're here. They're screaming and crying, and I can't do a thing to help them. Haven't seen them since. And now someone's going to pay for it."(Paulson's dialogue) Otherwise, he will focus on his desire for vengeance with men, noting that unless they have also watched their loved ones perish, powerless to act, they would not really understand how he feels.The Lone Wanderer: "You can talk about what happened to you. It's okay."Paulson: "Okay? Lemme ask you something -- you ever listened to the two people you care most about in this world screaming in pain? Huh? You ever watched them screaming, looking to you to save them, only you can't do anything about it? If you had ANY idea what that feels like, you'd know damn well it's not okay. I lost my wife and my boy to these monsters, and they are going to suffer for it."(Paulson's dialogue)
Although he is willing to work with the rest of the team liberated by the Lone Wanderer, he keeps them at arms' length, apart from Toshiro Kago: Since nobody can understand him, Paulson just ignores him completely.The Lone Wanderer: "What do you know about this Toshiro Kago guy?"Paulson: "Some sort of foreigner, obviously. Can't make out a word he's saying."(Paulson's dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Where's that Kago guy?"Paulson: "Took off. Don't know where to. Don't much care."(Paulson's dialogue) He sees Elliott Tercorien, the Anchorage medic, as a sawbones whose only role is to keep everyone fit for fighting and rebuffs his attempts at conversation and building rapport, noting that there is nothing to talk about between a grizzled Wild West gunslinger from the past and an Army doctor from the future.Elliott Tercorien: ""Paulson: "Yeah? What is it? Spit it out."Elliott Tercorien: "Well... I just thought, ummm... we should get to know each other. I mean after all, we're watching each other's backs. So..."Paulson: "Look, you do the healin' and I do the killin'. Besides that, what do we have to talk about?"Elliott Tercorien: "Well, I just thought..."Paulson: "Well, see, that's your problem. You thought, but you're wrong. Now, isn't there some bandages you should be makin' or somethin'?"Elliott Tercorien: ""(Mothership Zeta conversations) He shows the same cold attitude to Somah, refusing to share anything about his past and ignoring her amusement at what she calls the "lone gunman routine." He does let it slip that he wants to get home at the end of the debacle.Somah: "So, what's your story, tough guy?"Paulson: "My story? Same as you. I don't know where the heck I am and I want to go home."Somah: "No, I mean what's your deal? Where are you from? We don't know anything about you."Paulson: "Good, I aim to keep it that way. I'll work with you, but I'm not here to make friends."Somah: "Look, cowboy. We need to work together to get out of here. So like it or not, you're stuck with us. You can drop the 'lone gunman' routine."Paulson: "Just stay out of the way of my bullets when I'm shooting the aliens, and you'll do just fine."Somah: "Fine, fine. I get the message. You know, you were warmer when you were frozen."Paulson: "No one asked you to thaw me out."(Mothership Zeta conversations)
 The only person he warms up to is little Sally. He appreciates her combination of smarts and childhood naivete, showing his vulnerable side: He realizes he is so far out of his depth that in the long run he might become less of a benefit and more of a hazard.Sally: "Hey, mister? Are you a real cowboy?"Paulson: "Well, yeah. I suppose you could say that."Sally: "Wow! So you got to ride horses? Real, living horses? I've never even seen a real living horse. What are they like?"Paulson: "Well, I guess if you find the right one, it'll be your friend for life. Find the wrong one, and it'd rather throw you than carry you."Sally: "That's funny, sounds like the way people can be too!"Paulson: "You know, for a little lady, you're pretty smart. I just hope you were smart enough to pick the right horse when you broke this stranger out."Sally: "Aw, don't worry. I always pick good friends."Paulson: "I sure hope so, for all our sakes."(Mothership Zeta conversations)
In the end, he develops respect with one other person: The Lone Wanderer. Paulson realizes he owes them a debt, but rather than mince words, he offers the closest thing he knows to thanks, then disappears into the mothership to find a way to return to the surface.Paulson: "So, it's done. I'm not much for talking, so I'll get to it. I owe you. Without you, I'd be dead, or worse. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to see if I can find a way off this thing."(Paulson's dialogue)
==Interactions with the player character==
===Interactions overview===
===Quests===
* Among the Stars: The player can bring Paulson along as a companion to the hangar, but he will refuse to enter either the robot assembly area or the cryo lab. Paulson will comment on the environment and nudge the player towards the objectives,Paulson: "Still one generator to blow up... Figure you should be off doing that instead of hanging around here."(Paulson's dialogue)Paulson: "You can pat yourself on the back when you've blown up all the generators, not just one of 'em."(Paulson's dialogue) as well as provide assistance when using the coils in the hangar to fry incoming aliens.
** The player can also ask him to accompany them in destroying the generator in the hangar area of the spaceship and to any of the optional areas connected to the engineering core. He has reactions like other companions: In front of an advertisement for Giddyup Buttercup Paulson will comment on finding the phrase "giddyup buttercup!" to be "catchy." If Paulson sees the room with the life-size Giddyup Buttercup with the dead wastelanders lying around it, he remarks that his horse had never done something like that. While passing the Nuka-Cola vending machine, he will remark, "Nuka... what?"Paulson: ""(Paulson's dialogue)
* This Galaxy Ain't Big Enough...: If Paulson survived his section in Among the Stars, he will help in the last battle by keeping aliens off of the player character while they fight the other mothership.
** Sally tells Paulson that he can be "Jangles the Moon Monkey" on the bridge, which is a character seen on the "The Adventures of Captain Cosmos" pre-War adverts.
** Following the events of Mothership Zeta, Paulson leaves the ship to search for a way back home. He will not become an active non-player character in the Capital Wasteland and does not appear again without the use of console commands.
===Other interactions===
* If the player enters the cargo hold without Paulson and returns to the engineering area, a captured alien worker can be seen surrounded by the survivors. Tercorien tries to persuade the others to use him as a hostage and negotiate, to which Somah replies, curtly, that they don't even speak the language. Paulson promptly executes it, simply remarking "it's no longer an issue" after the fact. 
* The player character can pass a speech check or use the Black Widow perk to find out why he hates the aliens so much. 
* If the player character has found Alien captive recorded log 5, a speech check becomes available to convince him to talk about his family.
* Paulson's outfit can be looted by planting better armor on him, but his revolver can only be obtained if he is killed, as he uses an unplayable version with infinite ammo under normal circumstances, with the playable version spawning on his corpse on death.
** Killing Paulson will not result in any gain or loss of Karma and attacking him will not provoke other non-player characters, instead, they will come to the Lone Wanderer's aid or they will not react.
==Inventory==
==Notes==
* Like Somah, Paulson does not crouch/sneak while he is a companion.
* Paulson is one of the oldest living humans in the Fallout universe, following Toshiro Kago.
==Notable quotes==
==Appearances==
Paulson appears only in the Fallout 3 add-on Mothership Zeta.
==Behind the scenes==
* Paulson is based on the archetypal vengeful cowboy with a mysterious past, a staple of 20th century western movies. His mannerisms and vocabulary are a match, though he has more in common with popular culture portrayals of cowboys than the genuine article. This includes one of his random bridge taunts, "Yippie ki yay." While in modern popular culture the phrase is closely associated with the 1988 Die Hard, the phrase entered public consciousness with the song "I'm an Old Cowhand (From the Rio Grande)," written by Johnny Mercer and sung by Bing Crosby in the 1936 western musical Rhythm on the Range, further popularized by the 1951 Roy Rogers Show. In both cases, the expression is supposed to be an expression used by cowboys while herding cattle. While this is claimed by some writers, no concrete evidence exists to prove or disprove its use (although it is possible, as Mercer wrote the song based on his travels through the former Wild West).
* Paulson makes reference to epoxy, which was first patented in 1934 and brought to market in 1943, outside the time frame of the Wild West. However, Paulson's use of the term comes well after meeting the rest of the human abductees, which, given the speed at which he picks up modern words, means it is more likely he simply learned it from Somah or Elliott Tercorien, both of whom are familiar with it and the way it can be used to repair weapons.
==Gallery==
Paulson stasis.jpg|Paulson in stasis
Paulson.png|End of the road for you!
==References==
Non-game
Category:Mothership Zeta characters
Category:Mothership Zeta human characters
Category:Fallout 3 companions
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