INTRODUCTION
This is the second volume of short stories set in the Fallout universe in northeastern China, Mongolia, Manchuria, and surrounding areas. Some of the stories are continuations of previous stories, featuring existing characters; others are entirely unrelated. This is deliberate; the setting is huge and rich with possibilities. It would be churlish of me to restrict the stories to one character or one particular locale, when so many others were equally deserving.
For those who have the inclination to write their own stories in this setting, please do. I cannot possibly live long enough to tell all the stories that can be told. For your convenience I have included a timeline of events in the region which roughly conforms to the Fallout canon and some background material on the peoples and nations in the area. Any differences are due to the differences in viewpoint between the Chinese and the Americans, and to my own preferences; where there is a difference between established canon and the view given in my writings you are of course free to choose whichever appeals to you. This is fiction, after all.
As before, to all those whose creations inspired me to this, I offer my deepest thanks. To all who take the time to read my writings, thank you for your patience; I hope you enjoy them. May they inspire you in turn. To those who take the time to offer advice or criticism, thank you for your help. Hopefully my writing will be improved thereby; I make no promises, though. As before, any errors or omissions are entirely mine and all comments should be addressed to me personally.
Enough talk; on with the stories.