Prophecy? Do we look like a bunch of religious idiots? I just hoped a savage - outsider, sorry - would make it to our gates before one of those armies out there comes knocking. That's right, child. Mother Pearl knows a storm is gathering. Times are changing. May be time for us to change a little, too.
”— Pearl replying to the Courier asking about her foreseeing their arrival
Born as a Vault dweller of Vault 34, beneath Frenchman Mountain on the outskirts of New Vegas, Pearl was part of the rebellious faction of the dwellers that decided to abandon its confines and take their chances with the wasteland around 2230. Setting out with them on the cusp of adulthood, Pearl helped in settling Nellis and observed how the tribe turned the base into a prosperous settlement that kept foes at bay with their batteries of recovered howitzers. Pearl is one of the few Boomers old enough to remember the outside world before the tribe went into self-imposed seclusion. Unlike her juniors, she has observed the signs of a changing wasteland outside the AFB's gates with increasing unease. Neon lights of the reforged Vegas, patrolling robots, soldiers of the NCR Army, all indicate that the time for change has come: Either Boomers will open up to the world, just a little, or they will slowly become its victim.[1]
Since 2276, roughly the time NCR presence in the wasteland spiked on the eve of Operation Sunburst and the First Battle of Hoover Dam, Pearl has been looking to the gates, waiting for an outsider to brave the rain of shells and reach Nellis. The Courier becomes the first to make it through the barrage and with it, a chance for Pearl to demonstrate the value of opening to the world and the worth of savag-- outsiders.[2]
Volare!: Once the player demonstrates their usefulness to the Boomers - Pearl will comment on their increasing reputation in the meanwhile - she will let them into her confidence and explain the ultimate plan: Raising the crashed B-29 from Lake Mead to restore it using Nellis' museum bomber and supply of parts.
Recovering the bomber will cause it to appear in the hangar and the player can observe the repair process. The bomber will receive a nose art featuring the young Pearl in a classic pin-up pose, referencing the time-honored practice of decorating tools of war.
The House Always Wins, Wild Card: Side Bets, Things That Go Boom, Render Unto Caesar: Boomer artillery is a vital military asset and all four factions in the wasteland want the player to either secure an alliance with the Boomers or remove them from the game by assassinating their leaders. Securing the Boomers' aid will result in them either shelling the enemy or performing a bombing run with the B-29 during the Second Battle of Hoover Dam.
Young Hearts: Jack and Janet are in a long distance relationship, separated by distance and the Boomers' artillery. Pearl can be convinced to let Jack see Janet, with the player left to figure out how to get her through the artillery screen without her becoming kibble.
I Hear You Knocking: The player can obtain a spare howitzer mechanism from Pearl to give to the Legion, if their reputation is Idolized.
"Welcome, child! Took your sweet time getting here, didn't you?"
"{playful} I've been waiting a good five years for an outsider to come along and visit!"
Bugs[]
Xbox 360 It's possible for the game to start crashing consistently when meeting Pearl for the first time. The only way to complete the Boomer-related quests is to kill her and the other leaders.
Gallery[]
The pinup featured on the restored bomber, depicting a pinup girl.
↑The Courier: "How can we trust each other if you're going to be keeping secrets?" Pearl: "[SUCCEEDED] You have to keep in mind that you're our first contact with the outside world since I was barely a woman. Seclusion has kept us safe. but the world around us is changing. Neon lights in the distance, patrolling robots, soldiers... My youngers think our guns can keep out the world, but I think we need to let it in, just a little, or become its victim. You're that little bit of the world, child. Welcome to Nellis." (Pearl's dialogue)
↑Pearl: "Welcome, child! Took your sweet time getting here, didn't you? I've been waiting a good five years for an outsider to come along and visit!" (Pearl's dialogue)
It's possible for the game to start crashing consistently when meeting Pearl for the first time. The only way to complete the Boomer-related quests is to kill her and the other leaders.
