though if you know the truth about the super mutants it makes sense

*claps* Wow, you did a good job with that one.

I'd say with Lucy's leaning towards evilness, she should probably just get the fuck out of there after that experience. Aerfu seems like an alright idea, its more west than north from Big Town.

If I had just been on the verge of being possibly eaten by mutants, I'd savour the chance to rest in a "safe" place. Now if that safe place is assaulted by mutants, then, what are you gonna do?

Stay and fight, then head towards Arefu I suppose.

Going to Arefu leads to a quest you can't actually complete without first speaking to the other Lucy in Megaton, because the whole quest to save Arefu is directly linked to saving her brother, so there's no point heading there yet. Even if we can do the quest, it's all talk and no action, which is boring.

I still say Scrapyard first; we can pick up Dogmeat and then wander north into Minefield and be accosted by a deranged sniper. Good times will be had by all.

Also heading that way brings us ever closer to stumbling over the crashed alien ship....

Actually, I think you can complete Arefu with a high enough speech skill. Not 100% certain you don't need the letter first, but you don't actually have to mention the letter to complete it.

The letter only sends you to Arefu, Lucy West almost has nothing to do with the quest. You don't even have to return to her for experience if I'm not mistaken.

If I am not mistaken, you can give the letter to her brother and tell her you delivered it though. You can't tell her her parents are dead though.

Incidentally, she doesn't pay you what she said she would.

You can tell her her parents are dead if you start the quest in Arefu. I did on my second go, but couldn't gain access to the Families inner sanctum without first returning to her and getting the letter (well, I could, but everyone except the guard tried to kill me. It was only by saying I had a letter from the guys sister that I was allowed inside).

Not sure if high speech can overcome this though.

well when I went there I used lady killer to get the password. Ultimately I think you just need to speek with the boy, but you might be able to get around that too, not sure, haven't been there