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Disclaimer: This is my second attempt at a Fallout 3 story. Some of you maysay I'm copying off from the Avenger or the Wayward Soldier, but I'm not.I'm going to try to be true to the story, whilst straying off at times. Thank you, Fire Kunai for that advice. This one is for you, and Mr. Wang 330
Chapter 1:Birthday…
There are many paths in life. All of them share the same fate, as at the end of each and every journey, you look back upon your accomplishments with a smile, and let death take you from the world. Whilst there are many paths before you, you must choose between that fork in the road. For what you do this time life will determine how those left behind will remember.
First, there is the road to light. The road that you've chosen to become a hero; the savoir of mankind. Peace and hope is the blood the flows within your veins. You are completely selfless, brave and unyielding. You'll fight for those in need and give your life to protect them. Giving hope to all you come across and receive nothing but hope in return.
Then, there is the road to darkness. You've chosen the path of a murderer; a sinful sadist and a sinning soul. You travel across the wastes with only your own selfish desires to fuel you, to keep you warm at night. Taking all from innocents and giving nothing but hate and fear in return. You care not for others but only of yourself. Evil wears many disguises; ranging from the obvious to the obscure. You are like a knife in the dark; fleeting but brutal.
That, in the eyes of another, makes you the devil…
These roads help shape what we will make of our lives. However for some, There is another road. The road in between; the road to Twilight if you will. For you see, there is neither good nor evil. No right or wrong. There are only shades of grey. There is no justice, or injustice; only your own judgement. You are the hare, but you also the hound.
These are the choices and paths that one Adrian Taylors - a young boy with a uncertain future - must travel. He is nestled deep underground, in the wastelands of what was once Washington D.C. That, however, is no more.
Now, the once proud country of America has crumbled. It has been reduced to a Wasteland of death and destruction; a melting pot of the seven deadly sins of humanity. Such a melting pot has been bubbling for too long and has since overflowed.
Some however, were spared this fate. The lucky residents of Vault 101 (an underground Fallout shelter) were unaffected by the great wars that tore humanity apart like savage dogs. Even now, they walk beneath our feet in pristine jumpsuits of navy blue and know nothing of the hardships several hundred feet above ground. Two hundred years before, in 2077, the hatred mankind harboured for each could contain itself no longer. It was unclear who shot first but it was plain as day that every side suffered unspeakable losses.
On October 23rd of 2077, the end of the world begun. Nuclear war heads were detonated; crippling once powerful nations all around the world. Cities and townships disappeared in the night; leaving behind nothing but dust and smoke. For what felt like an eternity, Generals decked in gold flung atomic fire at one another and threw their people into the flames. When it had all ended, the world had changed forever.
Two centuries later, on July 13th on 2258, a saint was born. This saint would grow up to become an example for the Wasteland. Perhaps, in this bleak and desolate world, that is exactly what it needs.
Brightness blinded the ten year old Adrian Taylors as he raised his hands to block the glare from his eyes. Around him, he could hear the clapping and applause from an unknown amount of people. Various cheers of "HappyBirthday" sounded out; bouncing off the confines of Vault 101's cafeteria.
As the glare died down, the unlikely saviour could at last see.
Surrounded by his friends (and his only remaining family) the boy smiled. Adrian Taylor's tenth birthday had come at long last and, like every child, he was excited. A day that celebrated his birth, and unfortunately, his mother's death. Adrian was kind and caring boy, who was always eager to make new friends. Even those he didn't know very well. So when everyone clapped and cheered for him, he did nothing but blush…
"Stanley, you turned the lights on too fast, you blinded the poor kid" joked Officer Gomez, one of the nicest Vault security guards Adrian had ever met. He was a father like James Talyor so his boy, Freddie, would hang-out with him on a regular basis. Unfortunately, he was sick so he couldn't come to the party…
"Can you believe it, he's growing up so fast" praised Old Lady Palmer, one of the elderly that decided to attend Adrian's party.
James smiled as he patted his only child on the head. Despite being in his early to mid forties, James looked quite young; thick black hair, brown eyes, a kind smile and a thick beard one could get lost in. "Happy birthday pal, I can't believe you're already ten, I'm so proud of you," he stated before releasing a sigh. "If only your mother was-"
"Congratulations young man, I don't have to tell you why this day is so special do I" came a voice from the back. Adrian winced. He knew that condescending tone well. The Overseer, was one of the more …strict people of the vault, and (according to his dad) a bully.
"Down here in Vault 101, when you turn 10, well, you're ready to take on your first Vault responsibilities" he explained, somehow trying to be polite, whilst being commanding at the same time.
Reaching into his pocket, he removed the latest in tech down in the vault. "So, here you are. As Overseer, I hereby present you your very own Pip-boy 3000, get used to it" he finished, with a warning tone.
Attaching the cold, metal device to his small wrist, Adrian chanced a small nod. "Thank you very much sir," he thanked, trying to be polite.
The Overseer smiled, a cold and efficient one, as he nodded back; returning to his seat, whilst saying "You'll be receiving your first official work
assignment tomorrow, heh heh heh."
Wanting to get his sons mind off the Overseer, James patted him on the shoulder. "Enjoy your party, your only ten once, so have fun," he remarked warmly, forcing a smile.
Adrian let out a laugh. "I will dad".
James nodded and returned to the bar to converse with Stanley.
Looking around as Adrian's eyes stopped on Paul Hannon Jr. He was the son of the Chief of the Security Force. Paul was a nervous, yet kind boy at heart. Dark brown skin, blue eyes, and a nervous view on life, he awed "Aw, you have a Pip-boy, I wish I was 10".
"Don't worry about it Paul…say, how about later, I let you borrow it, just for awhile," Adrian responded, completely unaware of the fact that Pip-Boys rarely came off once attached.
Paul's eyes lit up with hope. "Really…you mean it?"
Adrian nodded as he said, "Yeah of course, that's what friends are for". It was not often he had any friends or indeed anything to share with them
Hey, I know that Butch and I give you a hard time, but…you don't take that seriously, right?" the boy muttered, sounding somewhat hopeful.
Adrian, although didn't like to see Paul hanging with guys that wanted to start a gang, didn't want to lose a friend either. "It's alright Paul,
there's not any others to hang out with down here, and so I don't blame you."
Sighing, and relied those they were still friends, Paul said, "Anyway, happy birthday and everything, I better get back to…you know."
"What, are you two best friends now, hey Wally, I think Paul's gone soft on us" sneered another boy from the back of the dinner. He had messy hair dark, green eyes and wore a venomous sneer. This was Butch Deloria, the local punk and bully of the Vault. Adrian had attempted to make friends with him and Wally when they first met. Butch took this as a joke and brushed him off.
Now, he spent his time, hassling Adrian and the other kids not apart of their gang.
"Yeah Paul, why don't you introduce us to your new best friend" added Wally Mack, who was just as bad Butch. If not, worse. No matter what Adrian said or did, Wally Mack was the sharpest of thorns in his side. Paul, rejoined his "friends" and attempted a cover-up.
"Who do you mean, dork face here, happy birthday dorkface, haha."? Neither Adrian nor Butch was convinced he meant any of it.
Shaking his head, Adrian turned to his best friend, Amata, who he had known since he was an infant. She was pretty for a girl; light brown skin, cut short hair and bright hazel eye's.
"Happy birthday, we really surprised you didn't we?" Her question was more of a statement. "Your dad was worried you we're on to us but I told him not to worry, you're so easy to fool".
Adrian gave a mock pout as he laughed "Great party Amata, thanks for doing this for me".
"Your welcome. But really, your dad did most of it, I just helped with the decorations" Amata corrected before continuing with excitement asked "Hey, I bet you can't guess what I got you for your birthday, go on guess".
Adrian humored her and put a hand to his head, as if to think. He said nothing for a few moments, before letting out a wide grin. "Nope, no idea".
Amata let out a triumphant laugh "Ha, I knew I'd surprise you. Who's your favorite barbarian? Grognak, Issue 14, and with no missing pages," she stated gleefully, overwhelmingly proud of herself. The boy cracked another grin. "Thanks Amata, you're the best".
She smiled back, brown eyes glittering. "No problem, go on, you better get back to "mingling" with you guests. I got to go straighten my dad out," she stated and marched off towards her father like a woman going into battle.
Adrian enjoyed mingling. He was certain he could have won Gold in the Olympics had the Olympics still been around "Aha" he thought as he stepped towards Old Lady Palmer. The older woman smiled at him; her skin wrinkling. "Are you having a nice party? Ten years old. My my, seems like only yesterday that your daddy came…" Old Lady Palmer suddenly stopped herself, as if she was worried she would say something wrong. The Overseer glowered at her over the top of Amata's head. "Goodness, listen to me ramble, your waiting for your present aren't you?"
Adrian shook his head, as he said, "Oh, you didn't have to bring me a present Mrs. Palmer."
She shook her head, saying, "Fiddlesticks, what 10 year old doesn't like present? I was 10 years old once; the vault was more crowded back then. Not
like today, so few people now…but here I am rambling on again and you waiting politely." Opening a basket next to her, she removed a small, sugar
covered roll. "Here you are, a nice sweet roll, I baked just this morning. Just for you so no sharing required today".
"Thanks Mrs. Palmer" smiled Adrian.
"Attention everyone, It's to cut the cake" called Andy, the Mister Handy Robot. With his chainsaw whirling, he advanced on the cake with a gleam in his halogen eyes.
Sensing what was going to happen, Amata attempted to intervene. "Andy, wait!"
The whirling saw cut through the cake mercilessly, and chopped it into pieces. As the cake collapsed, Andy stopped as he backed away. "Oh no" moaned Amata.
Adrian said nothing as he stared sadly at the cake's remains. Remembering the sweet roll in his hands, he smiled slightly.
At least he still had that.
"I'm hungry, and that stupid robot destroyed the cake," complained Butch. Getting up, and noticing the sweet roll in Adrian's hand, he
demanded, "Give me that sweet roll, you got from Old lady Palmer".
Adrian frowned. To say that he disliked Butch would have been an understatement. However, the small boy was always
ready to make new friends right? Looking down at the roll, his frown twisted into a smile. "How about we share it? Half for you, half for me. That seems fair" Adrian proposed.
Butch, however, took his kind offer as an insult. Typical hard-headed bully. "How about we share it, what are you, five?…Give me that sweet roll, or I'm gonna pound you," The taller boy threatened, cracking his knuckles.
Now he had threatened Adrian. If there was one thing Butch failed to realize, it was that when threatened, Adrian could become defensive. When backed into a corner, Adrian would raise his own hackles and snap back.
Adrian looked at his sweet roll thoughtfully then felt his grin shift into what he hoped was a sneer. "You do look hungry. Did your mom drank up all the ration coupons again". Crossing his arms with a nod, Adrian added salt to the wound. "Then again, I wouldn't be surprised, huh Butchy?"
Butch was visibly shocked but, as expected, covered quickly. "Don't you talk about my mom like that, you little punk," he threatened.
Raising his fist, he charged in and swung at Adrian, who ducked underneath the blow, laughing. Seriously this was way too easy for him!!!
As Adrian placed his Sweet roll on the counter, he raised his own fist, ready to beat Butch into submission. Until…
"Butch, what do you think your doing, leave him alone" ordered Gomez. He had been their just drinking some coffee, when suddenly Butch started swinging his fist at Adrian.
Seeing as how their was an adult mixed in this now, Gomez, no less, Butch backed down. Throwing a heated glare at Adrian, he threatened "Your gonna be really sorry you messed with me punk". Returning to his seat, he sat down huffing, not aware of the thumbs up Paul was giving Adrian.
Sighing in aggravation, Gomez turned to Adrian, asking concerned "I hope Butch didn't hurt you, you want to tell me what that was all about".
Now back to his normal self, Adrian chuckled "Nothing much really, just boy's being boy's".
Gomez nodded, "Heh, I'm glad to see your not letting Butch bully you, he's gonna be a handful in a few years, no harm done, you should probably get back to your party".
Nodding, Adrian passed by Butch, who growled at him in anger, which was ignored by Adrian. "Hey dad" said Adrian.
"Hey pal, are you alright" he asked, having seen the whole thing. "Is Butch giving you a hard time" he asked concerned.
"Butch isn't nothing I can't handle" Adrian laughed. Butch was nothing more then just a common bully after all, guys like that usually ended up getting theirs".
James sighed "I'm glad to hear it, once you let bullies push you around, you'll never hear the end of it". Getting serious, he said, "Go on now, I'm sure they're still someone wanting to give you your present".
Indicating Stanley, Adrian nodded as he said "Hi Stanley".
"How do you like that Pipboy son? Fit all right and everything?" asked the mechanic. He wanted to make sure the Pipboy worked just right, especially for this day…
Adrian lifted his arm to show the Pipboy as he said, "It's great, thanks Stanley".
Nodding, he said, "Don't mention it". Thinking hard, he perked up as he remembered "Oh yeah, almost forgot, here, its not much but, hey, happy birthday kid" Placing a orange baseball cap on Adrian's head, he said "Take good care of that for me huh, I got that from a friend of mine when I was your age".
Nodding, Adrian said "Sure thing sir".
Choosing to sit, Adrian sat down next to Stanley, as Andy got him some water. Popping open the bottle, he chugged down the refreshing liquid, eager to avoid dehydration. As the intercom suddenly buzzed, he watched his dad get up and walked towards it. Speaking into it, he smiled as he called Adrian over.
"What is it dad" asked Adrian.
"Hey, that was Jonas on the intercom, he wants you down in the reactor chamber, we've got a surprise for you" James informed his eager son. Watching in amusement as Adrian asked what his surprise was, he said "You'll find out in a moment, head on down, I'll be with you in a moment, and I don't think anyone will notice if you slip out for a few moments".
"All right dad" smiled Adrian as he headed out of the dinner. Jogging through the metal, tinted blue hallway, his feet echoing with each step, Adrian turned and went down the stairs towards the chamber. He silently wished that Alex Halsey and Jason Lee had been at his party, but both couldn't make it…oh well. At the bottom, he noticed the Vaults cooling unit, and saw behind it stepped Jonas, a dark skinned man in his mid twenties, wearing a vault tech lab coat like his dad.
"What are you doing down here young man? I thought kids weren't allowed down here in the reactor level," Jonas inquired as he crossed his arms in both amusement and annoyance.
"I'm not a kid! I'm ten year's old" protested Adrian. He was a big boy now, now some helpless toddler!!
This struck Jonas funny, as he laughed, "Ha ha, you sure, Pipboy and everything, look at that". Leaning down to Adrian's eyes level, he said, "If you can wait just one more minute, I'm sure your dad would like to give you the surprise himself".
"But you helped, right Jonas" laughed Adrian.
Jonas laughed in response as he nodded "You bet pal".
Hearing the approaching footsteps, Adrian turned as he saw James, holding something behind his back. Whatever it was, it was long, and sleek as James used both hands to hide it. "Are you ready for your surprise" smiled James.
"What kind of surprise" asked an excited Adrian?
James smiled at his son's enthusiasm as he said "The Overseer gave you your own Pipboy, saying your old enough for work, so I figured you were old enough for this". Bringing out the surprise, he laughed, "Your own BB gun, it's a little old, but it's in perfect shape". Handing the small twelve gauges BB gun to his excited son; he explained "Jonas found it down here. It was in pretty rough shape, took us three months to find the right parts". Chuckling to himself, he said "You know how tough it is to find a spring that small? Good thing Butch "misplaced" that switchblade of his. Heh heh heh… "So, what do you think, want to give it a try"?
"What do I get to kill" Adrian said excited as he aimed his BB gun around the room, pretending he was a cowboy.
James chuckled as he raised his hands in warning. "Easy now, It's only a BB gun, but it's not a toy. Let's go try it out, Jonas and I have found a nice spot for you. Follow me".
With that said, James took the lead in front of Jonas as they entered the shooting range used in the Reactor chamber for anyone who wanted to test their skills. Adrian stayed behind for a moment and pretended he was a real western as he had read in the archives. Stopping, he rushed after his dad and Jonas.
"Happy birthday buddy, I hope you have fun with it" praised Jonas.
"Thanks Jonas, later, I'll let you use it" Adrian said.
Jonas laughed as he said, "I'd like that, thanks kid". "You don't turn 10 everyday, now go on and let me see you shoot something".
"Well, what do you think, you can come down here and shoot anytime you want" James smiled.
"Thanks a lot dad," laughed Adrian.
"Your welcome pal, happy birthday" said James. Pointing at the range, he said "Now, lets see those shooting skills of yours".
Stepping up to the range, Adrian aimed at the first target. Breathing heavily, he cocked back the hammer of the rifle. Concentrating, and hoping he wouldn't miss, he pulled the trigger.
*BAM*!
The target swung in a circular motion, indicating he had nailed the target. Smiling, he shifted to the next target.
*BAM*
Another hit target. One more time!
*BAM*
Satisfied, he narrowed his eyes as a Radroach, one of the contained mutated insects, crawled out of one of the holes in the wall. Aiming at the little bugger, he pulled the trigger. The first shot nailed it, in it's antenna. This aggravated the bug, as it turned to him. As he reloaded, he re-aimed, pulled the trigger, and hit it in the head this time, killing it.
Laughing, Adrian hooked his rifle to the strap on his uniform. Turning to his dad, who had a proud look on his face, he said, "I got him dad, that RadRoach did'nt know what hit him.
"Good work, one less one to deal with" James praised. Getting an idea, he said "Hey, let's get a picture together, capture the moment".
Stepping next to his dad, rifle in hand, Adrian gave a goofy smile, trying to look funny. James laughed at this as he said "Hey Jonas, get a picture of me with the big game hunter".
Putting a hand on his sons shoulder, James smiled as Jonas removed a large camera from his back pocket.
"Smile" he said. Pressing the button, a flash engulfed the family…
Kinda weak end, but I need to get to work on my other stuff. Please go easy as its my first real Fallout 3 fanfic. R&R!! Also, thanks for pointing out about the smiling thing Fire, but since this is his childhood for the first chapter, it wont happen as much in the future.