Chapter 1
The explosion of the institute flashed across my eyes once more. I blinked quickly and shook the thought from my head. What's done is done. I sighed and stepped outside of the Red Rocket truck stop I called home. I plopped down in a chair I left outside and opened the Nuka cola I had brought with me. The hiss of the carbonated drink made me smile as I took a slow sip. Even after all these years Nuka Cola never seemed to lose it's flavor. Dogmeat whined a bit wanting attention as per usual. I scratched him behind his ears to sate his needs. His tail thumped happily. At least someone here was.
My name was Max. I was a fairly tall man. I had long dark brown hair tied in a ponytail. I wore military fatigues mostly with combat armor over that. I was physically fit and had a large scar over my left eye. It had come from a fight with a deathclaw but, that was another story for another day. It had been weeks since my last mission with the Brotherhood of Steel. Maxson was ecstatic with how the raid on the institute went but, I just couldn't do it anymore. He discharged me with honors and I returned to the place I called home.
Suddenly Clara gave me a soft hug from behind. "What are you doing out here baby?" Clara was a slender girl with flowing blonde hair. I had met her while clearing out a ghoul infested building. I found her crying in a small room in the back, a double barrel on the floor next to her, a pile of dead ghouls littering the room. She was always sweet and gracious to others. I courted her shortly after I got to know her. While being both my wife and best friend, all the battles I went through I went through for her.
I looked up at the stars and smiled. "Just needed some fresh air." she giggled "And where exactly are you going to get that?" I chuckled as well after her little comment. "I know you have a lot on your mind but, me and Max Jr. need you." I nodded at this and took another sip of my cola. "I know baby. Just give me time to get past this." She sighed at this. "Alright hun. Just come back to bed soon." as she left I spotted a shaggy head peeking out from the door-frame of the house. I smiled and waved to Max Jr. He giggled and slipped back inside.
Max Jr. was only 6 years old but, he knew a lot about the world he lived in. I made sure to teach him all I could. He knew how to use a gun as well as make a campfire. Even with the difficult training I had him go through he still was the nicest kid. Well behaved and friendly towards anyone. In a couple weeks I'd be sending him to Diamond City to get a real education. I had great hopes for him. Give him the life Shaun never had.
I sat out there for hours. Mulling over all the things I could've done to help stop what had happened. In the end I knew what occurred was inevitable. But my heart always told me otherwise. Eventually I dozed off. The cool night air and the slight sugar rush dying down made my eyelids heavier and heavier, before long being forced shut.
Smelling smoke my first thought in my groggy mind was that Clara had made breakfast. Within seconds I realized that this smoke was too heavy and had a different smell. My eyes shot open to a truly terrifying scene. A fire raged behind me. I could hear cackling and hooting in the distance. I snuck into some nearby bushes. The attackers had obviously not seen me sleeping and I watched carefully before grabbing the .44 I had on me at all times.
I could see two men on the side of my house with molotov cocktails in hand. I continued to scan the area when my eyes widened in surprise. I watched two silhouettes drag Clara and Max Jr. into the street. I screamed in anger and burst out of the bushes. Firing three bullets in the direction of the men burning my house. One dove out of the way, his friend wasn't so lucky. Taking a bullet to the shoulder and chest. He hit the ground hard. The two silhouettes heard this and their heads turned to me. Both pulled out 10mm pistols and aimed them at my family. My arm was extended and ready to blow them away but, I couldn't risk it. Then without warning the man who survived my onslaught came out of hiding and shot twice at me. I had no time to react and I felt the two bullets puncture my stomach and thigh.
Collapsed on the floor I gasped for air. I knew I was done for as I heard footsteps approach me. Through blurred vision I saw a masked man lean over me. His breathing was heavy inside the gas mask he wore. He began to speak to me as I bled out, "You're lucky boss wants you alive. Not sure why but, I gots to follow orders." his arm came down hard, the needle pierced my skin and I felt the relief of a stimpak flow through my body. I Tried to get up but another man brought a bat down onto my face. Everything was dark, my last words before blacking out being, "Not…. again…"