I own nothing. For I am a communist.

FALLOUT: THE NOVELISATION

PROLOGUE

The monotone bleep of the cardiometer was broken by the cries of the newly delivered infant. The child opened its eyes for its first glimpse of a strange new world. Towering above it, the child could make out the silhouette of the first human being it had ever seen, the man who had delivered it, Dr Liam Neeson.

'Hi there, little guy!' said Liam Neeson. 'I'm your daddy. Dad-ee! Now, let's see if you're a boy or a girl. Oh, it's a boy! Whoof! And what a boy! I thought that was the umbilical cord for a moment. He takes after his old man! Look Catherine! We've got a son! A beautiful, healthy baby boy!'

'Oh James, er I mean Liam Neeson,' said Catherine, the boy's mother. Her voice was weak from the throes of labour. 'We did it! A son!'

Liam Neeson looked over his new born son, bursting with pride. 'You're going to need a name. Your mother and I have been talking. What do you think about...Player Name? It's a good name.'

A mechanical whirr alerted Liam Neeson to a small screen hanging from the ceiling.

'Ah, it looks like they've finished the gene projection! With this we'll be able to see what you look like in nineteen years time. Why precisely nineteen years I have no idea, but I suspect that something significant will happen around then. Anyway, let's see what you'll look like.'

An image of a young man slowly came into view, bearing a striking resemblance to Liam Neeson.

'I love these things,' said Liam Neeeson. 'They even show you the exact haircut that the subject will have at that point in time. Hey Catherine! Look! That's what our boy will look like in the future!'

'Oh, very strapping! Just like his father, Liam Neeson!'

By this time, Player Name had fallen asleep, safe in his father Liam Neeson's arms.

'It's a big world out there,' said Liam Neeson. 'But you've got a good life ahead of you. I'm sure of it.'

Suddenly, the placid monotone of the cardiometer intensified.

'Liam Neeson! Help me!' moaned Catherine, before slumping into unconsciousness.

'Catherine!' yelled Liam Neeson. Handing the child to his colleague, Dr Li, Liam Neeson rushed over to the limp body of his wife.

'Get the boy out of here! She's in cardiac arrest! Move!'

'Yes, Liam Neeson,' said Dr Li.

Suddenly, there was a blinding white flash.