It was another night in The Commonwealth. It was dark, cold and a radiation storm was approaching. The sky was changing from a pitch black to a deep, sea green colour. Thunder crackled across the wasteland and green lightening illuminated the darkened landscape. It blew North from the Glowing Sea towards the small settlement of Sanctuary Hills. Once a community for those veterans of the war with China, now it was a forward base of the minutemen. The defenders left their posts as the storm swept in, leaving the machine gun turrets in charge. Those who were still outside took refuge in the rebuilt pre-war houses and hunkered down for another nights sleep.
The house of tomorrow sat in the middle of this community. By the front door was a small doghouse which was home to a German Shepherd called Dogmeat. He howled as the storm approached and tucked himself into a tight ball inside his dog house. Inside The House Of Tomorrow were two occupants. One male and one female. Nate and Piper, who currently trying to increase the population with their amorous antics.
Nate climbed off of his spouse, Piper, and lay next to her breathing heavily in exhaustion.
"Do all reporters have this much energy?" he asked breathlessly.
"You bet," replied Piper. "Especially when we have got a big case to work on."
He kissed her and lay back in the sheets.
For a moment it was silent as the radiation storm took hold over them.
"I never get used to hearing those," replied Piper. There was a note of fear in her voice. "Still reminds me of what our ancestors did to the planet."
She snuggled up closer to Nate in security. No words could be said, just closeness was sufficient in this situation.
For Nate, he found the storms relaxing. They reminded him of his childhood, and living at his apartment in New York. Whenever a storm would pass over his home it would help him drift off to sleep. Besides, it was also reassuring. Despite the Earth being laid to waste a storm was the only normal thing of these violent times. Even if they were green and spread radiation.
He looked over to Piper, who was slowly drifting off to sleep. She released a single snore and rolled over onto her side, facing away from Nate. He watched her as she entered R.E.M. and smiled.
"Good night Piper," he whispered.
He settled down onto the mattress and followed Piper to sleep.
The following morning the storm had blown itself out and the sky was clear blue once more. Nate woke up to the sound of some birds singing. Outside a trader was in discussion with Preston Garvey. Nate was too hungry, and too uninterested to listen to what they were talking about. He looked over to see Piper had already got up.
"Piper!" he called.
"In here," she yelled. He determined that the voice came from the kitchen. Nate got out of bed, he pulled on his army fatigues and ambled into the kitchen. He found Piper sat the kitchen table eating what looked like Mole Rat Chunks. Dogmeat meanwhile was feasting on Deathclaw Steak.
"Good morning Blue," said Piper looking up at him.
"Hey Piper," he replied. He then took a large amount of Mirelurk meat and roasted it. Afterwards, he joined Piper at the table and devoured his breakfast. As he was eating, Preston entered the house.
"General," greeted Preston.
Nate thought about being sarcastic but he lacked the energy, so instead he just nodded in reply.
"I know of a settlement that needs our help," he began. "Get over there as soon as possible."
"Where is it?" asked Nate wearily.
"It's not far from here," replied Preston. "Red Rocket Stop. Some Super Mutants are causing some trouble."
"More Super Mutants?" asked Nate. "Aren't the minutemen supposed to stop those freaks from attacking our settlements?"
"We are the closest Minutemen," replied Preston. "They are counting on us to help them."
Nate sighed.
"All right," he replied. "Me and Piper will go in a minute."
Preston nodded.
"General," repeated Preston.
He turned and left the house. Nate looked at Piper.
"Fancy turning some Mutants into green paste?" he asked.
"Sounds like fun," replied Piper.
Once they had finished, Nate made his way over to his Hot Rod power armor. He turned the knob and entered his walking tank.
"Great," said Cait. "What I am supposed to wear?"
Piper, who loading her Assault Rifle, looked over to see Cait coming towards them.
"Where are you off to?" she asked. "Going hunting without me?"
"Some Super Mutants are causing trouble for red Rocket," replied Nate. "Fancy joining us?"
"Of course," replied Cait enthusiastically. "You know how much I love using Mutants for target practice."
She dashed into the house and uncovered Ashmaker. She picked it up and loaded a box of 1,000 5mm rounds into it.
"Let's go," she commanded.
Nate picked up Ruby. His custom .50 Caliber Rifle that causes bullets to explode.