A brief explanation before I start the story. This story is based off of a character on one of my play through of Fallout 3. Not all of the story actually happened in the game and I will be adding dialog that was not in the game. Also, this is my first story so any and all criticism is appreciated. With that said on with the story. Rated M for violence and language.
Chapter 1: The Beginning
"It's a boy! We have a son, Catharine." the towering figure said as he looked down at his new son. He was about 9 pounds and 20 in. long. With a patch of hair that was the same color as steel, a trait he got from his mother and brown eyes which he got from his dad.
"Oh James, I so happy." Catharine said weakly. "He'll need a name, how about….Markus?"
"You know, I think that fits him perfectly."James said with a smile. "It's a big world out full of all sorts of people, I wonder what kind of person you'll be?"
James continued to look at his when the machine monitoring his wife's heart beats began to behave erratically. "James somethings…somethings wrong….."and with that the HRM flat lined.
10 years later
"SURPRISE!" shout a large group of people as the lights in the diner came on blinding poor Markus. As his eyes began to adjust to the light, Markus was greeted by his father, Amata, his best friend, Stanley, Officer Gomez, and old MS. Palmer, all of whom he considered family. Also present was the Overseer, who Markus didn't care much for, and Butch and his friends, Paul and Wally, who constantly gave him shit over the color of his hair and various other things that made no sense. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"
"Stanley, you turned on the lights to fast, you blinded the poor kid!" Said Officer Gomez as most of the guests still applauding.
After Markus's eyes finally focused, James walked up to his son and put his hand on his shoulder. "Congratulations Markus, I can't believe your already 10! If only your mother was…."
"Congratulations young man, now as customary in Vault 101, now that you are 10, it is time for you to take on certain responsibilities and you also receive your every own pipboy. You will receive your first work details tomorrow. Hehe." The Overseer laughed slightly but he was the only one. Markus did get the joke it just wasn't very funny.
As the Overseer walked away Amata ran up to her friend. "Happy birthday Mark!" she said giving him a friendly hug. "So were you surprised? "
"Yeah Amata I had no idea." Markus said smiling back at her.
"Ha I knew it! Your dad was afraid your were catching on but I knew better." Amata said with a cocky smile. "Bet you can guess what I got you. Go on guess."
"A black eye for Butch" Markus said causing Amata to laugh.
"No sorry but it's almost as good. Who's you favorite barbarian? That's right Grognak, issue 14 and with no missing pages."
"Amata that's awesome where'd you find it!"
"In a box of my dad's old things believe it or not. Can you picture my dad reading comic books? Well I should let you mingle with your guests I'll see you later." Amata turned and walked away.
Markus began to talk to his guests and received a baseball cap from Stanley and a sweet roll from MS. Palmer. Suddenly Markus heard the sound of a circular saw starting up and Stanley's Ms. Handy robot announce it was about to cut the cake. But using a saw to cut a cake is overkill and the cake was annulated.
Needless to say the cake was ruined. A few minutes later Butch came up from behind Markus and push him against the wall. "I'm hungry and that stupid robot destroyed the cake. Give me that sweet roll Ms. Palmer gave you."
"Why would I do that?" Markus said defiantly.
" Because I'll kick your ass if you don't!" Butch said angrily.
"Screw you Butch I'm not giving you this sweet roll." Markus said right before taking a big bite from the sweet roll. Butch pinned Markus against the wall and punched him in the left cheek. Just as Butch was pulling back to punch again, Officer Gomez grabbed Butch's arm to stop the assault. Officer Gomez pulled Butch away and started lecturing him as Amata and James rushed over to Markus to see if he was ok.
"Mark, what was that about?" Amata asked.
" Butch tried to steal my present. " Markus said rubbing his face.
"What I can't believe would try to steal from you on your birthday!" Amata said fuming.
"Son, how long has this been happening?" James asked, his face full of concern.
"A long time but this is the first time he actually hit me in public."
"What! Why didn't you tell me?" James truly had no idea his son was bullied and he wondered how he never noticed, he was a doctor for god sakes he should have noticed something.
"Because it's my problem and I'd rather it be me than someone else. I can deal with it." Markus said with a big smile. James was surprised by what he heard. He was proud that his son was willing to make such a sacrifice for others but he was angry that his son was a target for bullies was being used as a punching bag.
"Son, there are ways to deal with bullies rather than taking the abuse." Markus looked up at him confused. "Tell you what, tomorrow I'll start to teach you how to defend yourself."
"Really awesome!" Markus said excitedly. James just smiled at his son until James heard the intercom and walked over to it.
After James spoke with someone on the intercom, he walked back over to Markus. "That was Jonas on the intercom, we have a special surprise for you done in the reactor sector." James whispered to Markus. "I think you can slip out of the party for a few minutes."
Markus walked out with his father and ran into Beatrice, a woman who was absolutely insane but overall a nice person. After Beatrice gave Markus his birthday present, a rather dark and depressing poem about growing old and dying, she started to chat with James and Markus continued to the reactor. When he got to the reactor, a man in a lab coat and glasses approached him.
"What are you doing down here little boy? Aren't you to young to be down here." Asked the scientist.
"I'm not a little boy anymore Jonas, I'm 10." Markus said proudly.
Jonas laughed at this and said. "You sure are and now you don't have to take grief from grown-ups anymore. Now you probably want your present now but I think we should wait for your father."
After a few minutes James walked through the door to find Markus waiting impatiently for him. "Sorry but you know how Beatrice likes to talk. But know it's time for your present. Tada, your very own BB gun!"
Markus stood in wonder as his father handed him a slightly damaged BB gun and couldn't believe that it was his. He looked up at his father and asked "But where will we shoot we can't do it out in the open?"
"Your right, not if we want to Overseer knocking down our door. Don't worry we have a place to shoot in secret." James walked past his son and opened a door leading in to what looked like a storage area. Behind a series of strangely stacked boxes was three targets attached to poles. James turned to Markus and said. "You can come here and shoot any time you want."
Markus's eyes lit up at what his father just told him and leaped at his father and hugged him tightly. After breaking the hug his father showed him how to shoulder the BB gun and how to aim. After a few practice shots a radrouch crept out of the shadows. Markus decided to try and kill the radrouch with his BB gun. It was a little harder to hit the radrouch then the targets but soon he managed to kill it.
"Hey Jonas, take a picture with me and the big game hunter." James said putting his left hand on Markus's left shoulder. As Jonas took the picture, Markus couldn't help feel like his life was perfect.
6 years later
Markus was sitting in his father's office getting examined by his father. His father stepped back, leaned against his desk and said. "Well just as I thought, you're a perfectly healthy 16 year old boy, so yes you have to take your GOAT exam."
"Okay…." Markus said glumly. His father turned around and began putting away his equipment when Markus felt he needed to ask something. "Dad…"
"Yes son?"
"How did mom die?" James stopped what he was doing and stood with his back turned to Markus. After a few moments he turned to Markus.
"Why do want to know?" James ask.
"I just… just want to know. No, I need to know."
James looked at his son and said. "She died giving birth to you." The color drained from Markus's face and instantly James followed up with. "It wasn't your fault. These things happen, its rare but it happens. I never once blamed you for it and I don't want you blaming yourself. But enough about that you need to get going or your going to be late for your GOAT and I'm going to have your mother haunting me because you failed you GOAT."
And with that Markus jumped off the table and walked out of the office almost running in to Jonas. As Markus walked across the room he noticed Stanley and waved as I left the office. As Markus approached the classroom, he noticed Amata being harassed by the Tunnel Snakes, the baddest gang in Vault 101, that's to say they are the only gang in Vault 101. The Tunnel Snakes included Butch, Paul, and Wally.
Markus walked up to Butch and said. "What the hell is going on here?"
"None of your business." Butch said with a glare.
"When you mess with my friends, you make it my business." Markus said returning the glare.
"Well if you want to stop us then make us stop." Butch began to smirk.
"Maybe I will."
Butch started to laugh. "Man this bitch must be great in bed if she's got yo….." Butch never got to finish his sentence as Markus punched him in the face. Butch forgot that Markus has a volcanic temper and had the means to back it up since he learned to fight from his father. Paul and Wally were stunned because no one has ever attacked Butch in front of them. Markus took this opportunity to land another punch on Butch before turning his attention to the two other Tunnel Snakes. First Markus brought his foot up and kicked Wally right between the legs and Wally fell to his knees. Then Markus turned to Paul just as Paul threw a punch. Markus leaned back out of harm's way as Paul's punch flew harmlessly in front of him. Markus shifted his weight to his left foot and pivoted into a position for a round house kick. The kick landed on the side of Paul's head, dazing him. Then Markus grabbed Paul by the jumpsuit and threw him at Butch, who was staggering to his feet. The two collided and both fell to the floor.
Butch got to his feet, blood flowing from his nose, and said "We'll let you go this time, Tunnel Snakes lets go." The Tunnel Snakes walked away with their tails between their legs.
Markus turned to Amata. "Thanks for the help. Those assholes never learn do they?" Amata said with a smirk.
"No but I do enjoy beating them up." Markus said with a smile. "Walk you to class?"
Amata nodded as we both walked side by side to the classroom.
One GOAT exam later
Markus was leaning against the wall when Amata walked out of the classroom. Markus walked up to Amata. "So how'd you do?"
"Not to bad. I'm going to be in the supervisory track. You?" Amata asked.
Markus smirked. "I'm going to be a techie, looks like me and Stanley are going to be having a lot of fun together. That test wasn't to ….."
" NO FUCKING WAY THAT'S RIGHT!" Markus and Amata turned when they heard Butch yell. They about reentered the classroom when Butch stormed out. "Get out of my way asshole."
Markus and Amata looked at each other and then at Mr. Brooch who was laughing hysterically. "What's so funny?" asked Amata.
"It's Butch's GOAT…" Brooch laughed more before continuing "He's a….. he's a ….BARBER" Amata and Markus looked at each other with dumb struck faces before both erupted in a fit of uncontrolled laughter.
3 years later
"WAKE UP! WAKE UP!" Amata said standing over Markus's bed shaking him.
"Amata? What's wrong ? Why are in my room?" Markus asked in his groggy state. He slowly became aware of the sirens blaring and warning lights.
"There's no time! You have to get out of the Vault, now!" Amata said in a paniced state that worried Markus greatly.
"Amata, what are you talking about? What happened?" Markus was fully awake now and fully focused on what Amata was saying.
"It's your father he's gone and Amata said but Markus could tell something else was fueling her panic.
"What do you mean dad's gone?"
"Your dad opened the Vault door and left and now my dad has gone crazy. His men killed Jonas."
Now Markus understood. "Oh my god, Amata are you ok."
"I'll be fine, I'm just sorry you had to find out this way, I know he was your friend. But now my father's men are looking for you."
"What! Why me?"
"He thinks you are involved. Wait, are you saying you knew nothing about it?"
"No I had no idea."
"I'm sorry but you have to get out of here for your own safety."
"Ok but how?"
"I have a plan. There is an escape passage in the Overseers office. All you have to do is pick the lock and hack my father's terminal. That should be easy for a techie like you."
"Assuming I even can make it to his office."
"You will with this." Amata held out a 10mm pistol in perfect condition as if it had never been used.
"Amata, where did you get that?"
"It's my father's"
"Ok I'll take it but I'll only use it as a last resort."
"I know, just… be careful." And with that Amata turned and ran out of Markus's room.
End of chapter 1
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