"Do you want to do the honors Mr. Neeson"

It was a couple of minutes past midnight when Jack crept out of the bed, trying not to wake Moira. He went downstairs and opened the locker he kept his clothing in. He choose a black hoodie and dark-blue jeans, black socks and his dark jogging shoes. After putting everything on, he snuck over to his workbench and smeared his face with some motor-oil. Then he pulled the hood over his head, silently opened the door and snuck out, grabbing the fusion pulse charge he'd stashed above the door.

Using the shadows cast by the water pipes for cover, he slowly approached the bomb. There was no one lingering around The Brass Lantern, anyone still awake seemed to be at Moriarty's. It suited Jack perfectly since he had to be on the side of the bomb towards the Brass Lantern to install the charge. He quickly dashed towards the bomb and slid in under its shadow, quickly opened the hatch and began installing the charge. It was no easy task, but Jack was a good tinkerer, and installing the charge went better then expected, he was done in a matter of minutes. He closed the hatch and looked around, unfortunately his eyes met with another's. Leo Stahl's to be precise.

"What are you doing?" Leo asked him wearily, clearly in one of his chem-clouds. Nevertheless Jack couldn't count on that Leo would forget seeing what he had seen so Jack decided to take drastic measures. He quickly ran up to Leo, covered his mouth and dragged him in behind the pipes, where he strangled him. Leo tried to resist but his attempts were futile. Jack was way stronger than Leo, and after a couple of seconds his body became lifeless. He looked at the man he had killed, the brother, the caretaker of his younger siblings, and he felt nothing. The first time he had killed a man he had felt great anguish, now he just felt a bit tired. It used to scare him, his emotionless response, but now he'd come to accept it. He'd come to terms with being the monster Three-Dog told the people of the Capital Wasteland he was, because it was true. He could see why people would see his acts as monstrous because he himself could see it, but better to be the monster and survive than the victim and die, a valuable lesson he had learnt in The Pitt.

Jack dragged Leo's body a bit further in under the scaffolding and put it under a piece of metal, hoping no one would find it before he'd left town. He made his way back towards his house and climbed in through the window straight into his bedroom. Once again he snuck passed the bed, trying not to wake Moira, and went downstairs. He had already packed the Brahmin with everything he wanted to take with him, except for the things he was going to carry himself. He changed into his leather armor and boots, put on his brown sun cap and took his packed military backpack. He went over to his weapon locker and equipped himself with his 44. Magnum, holstered his hunting rifle in the holster on the backpack, picked up his Chinese assault rifle and sheathed his combat-knife. Then he filled his ammo-belt with the ammo he'd bought, two frag grenades and two pulse grenades. Lastly he checked his Pip-Boy to see if he'd forgotten anything, he hadn't. He took the note he'd written Moira, and left it on the dinner table, before heading out. He closed the door quietly, then took the Brahmin's leach and left Megaton for good.

-/-

Just after the sunrise Jack came upon the old RobCo facility and behind it laid Tenpenny Tower. He made his way down the hill and towards the old parking lot in front of the RobCo facility, almost dragging the Brahmin behind him. Suddenly a robot appeared from around the corner of the building. It was a Mister Gutsy and it had clearly picked up Jack on its scanner because it's voice could be heard across the parking lot.

"UNKNOWN IDENTITY TO THE EAST, ORDERS SIR?!"

Jack halted and turned the safety off on his rifle. Now a man appeared behind the robot and looked towards Jack. It seemed like he told the robot to stand down because once again the loud robotic voice echoed across the asphalt.

"IF YOU SAY SO SIR, I STILL THINK WE SHOULD KILL THEM ALL, AND LET GOD SORT THEM OUT!"

Jack chuckled, it sounded like the Mister Gutsy had some form of personality installed. The man waved towards him and Jack took it as an invite to move towards them. When he finally reached them the man greeted him.

"Hello stranger. I'm Tinker Joe, premier supplier of robotic parts and service throughout the DC Wasteland."

"Jack Neeson, pleasure to meet you sir." Jack answered. As so many people did when they heard Jack's name, Tinker Joe instantly became nervous.

"O-oh, I'm sorry for my Mister Gutsy sir! H-he's a bit hard to c-control with that s-simulated personality." Tinker Joe stuttered.

"No worries, in fact I find him interesting, how much do you want for him?"

"S-sorry sir but, he's q-quite picky wi-with the c-company he k-keeps."

"What are you implying my good sir?" Jack said, acting insulted.

Tinker Joe struggled with finding the right words, knowing that if a badly formulated answer left his lips, it could be the end of him. Of course that is what he believed, it's what Jack would do according to all the stories, although Jack really had no intention of killing the man.

But tinker Joe didn't get the chance to answer him because suddenly the sound of a shot could be heard, and his chest exploded. Jack quickly dived behind the Brahmin.

"TAKING FIRE, THE SCOUNDRELS ARE COMING FROM THE SOUTH, CHAAAARGE SOLDIERS!" The Mister Gutsy shouted and hovered towards Tenpenny Tower as fast as it could. Jack estimated that it got about 30 yards before another shot was heard, and the sound of metal scratching against the ground met Jacks ears. Who the fuck was shooting? Jack thought. He unholstered his hunting rifle optimized his scope to full zoom, then leaned out to the side of the Brahmin and looked up against the tower. He systematically scanned every window before reaching the top, where a balcony lead around the tower. He saw a man in a red suit, standing with a sniper rifle, looking down at the parking lot, and next to him sat what looked like Mr. Burke, drinking whiskey. Another shot was heard and a bullet went right passed Jacks head. Jack didn't even flinch, this wasn't exactly the first time he got shot at. He aimed his rifle against Mr. Burke and fired. He saw through his scope how Mr. Burke's whiskey bottle exploded. Mr. Burke jumped out of his chair and looked down towards Jack. He picked up a pair of binoculars and Jack waved at him. Mr. Burke lowered his binoculars and said something to the man in the red suit and he then lowered his sniper rifle, and sat down in his chair. Jack didn't exactly trust the two men, so he continued looking at them through his scope to assure himself that they wouldn't shoot at him again, but after a few minutes he concluded that they wouldn't so he re-holstered his rifle to his backpack and stood up. Tinker Joes body laid right in front of the Brahmin. Jack looted the body and found nothing of value except for a bag of caps. He then went over to the Mister Gutsy. He was pretty sure he could repair it with the right parts, so he bound a rope around it and tied it to the Brahmin. He took the leach and began the ascent to Tenpenny Tower.

-/-

"You can tell Tenpenny he can kiss my ass! We've got plenty of bottle caps! Let me in!" The ghoul screamed at the intercom.

"Aren't they letting people in?" Jack asked and the ghoul turned around, Chinese assault rifle in hand.

"No, fucking racist bigots!" He answered with the signature raspy voice of a ghoul.

"Aha, no ghouls allowed I take it?" Jack said and looked at him sympathetically.

"No.." The ghouls said and lowered his rifle. Jack instantly drew his magnum and shot the ghoul in the head. His body fell to the ground with a little thump. Jack went over to the body to inspect the rifle, it seemed in good condition so he took it and put it into the Brahmins packing.

"What are you doing Roy?! Don't make me come out there and shoot you, you goddamn zombie!"

Jack turned around, it seemed like the voice came from the intercom so Jack went up to it and clicked the button to speak.

"Hello? You don't have to come out to shoot him, I already did." Jack said into the intercom.

"Who's this?" The voice asked commandingly.

"Jack Neeson, I have an appointment with Mr. Burke."

"Oh, sorry sir, come on in, I'll open the gate for you." The voice answered, then a generator started and the gate opened.

Jack took the Brahmins leach and went in. A man in combat armor came walking towards him.

"Good morning sir, sorry for the welcoming I thought you were that damn zombie."

"No problem, it's quite alright, and as I said, you don't have to worry about that 'zombie' anymore, or well, you maybe have to move his body, because it's currently laying in front of the intercom." Jack said and smiled.

"I'll have one of my man tend to it, thank you though, he's been a pain in my ass for months. Anyways, I'm Chief Gustavo, head of security here at Tenpenny Tower."

"Pleasure to meet you chief. Do you have anywhere for me to tie my Brahmin so it won't wander away?"

Chief Gustavo whistled for one of his men and instructed him to take care of Jacks Brahmin, and then he showed him inside.

Well inside, Jack felt like he had stepped through a time machine, it looked uncannily like the photos he had seen in photo-albums in the vault from before the war, and people were walking around in fancy clothes, like they were unaffected by the harsh wasteland outside. He went up to the reception and spoke to Chief Gustavo's man who picked up a phone and spoke with, Jack assumed, Mr. Burke, informing him of Jacks arrival. After exchanging a few words he hung up and told Jack to take the elevator to the top floor, and that Mr. Burke would meet him there. Jack went into the elevator and pushed the top floor button.

The elevator doors slid open and suddenly Mr. Burke was standing right in front of Jack.

"Mr. Neeson! Welcome to Tenpenny Tower, how are you?"

"I'm good thank you, except for a few bruises from diving to the ground."

"Sorry about that, Mr. Tenpenny got a bit carried away and forgot we were expecting you."

"I expect to be compensated for it." Jack said and stared into Mr. Burke's eyes.

"You will have to speak to Mr. Tenpenny about that, but firstly, you can't approach Mr. Tenpenny looking like that, what is that on your face?" He said and drew his finger on Jacks cheek and tasted it. "Aha, oil, anyways, here is the key to your suite, take it and go take a shower and change your clothes, I've gotten you a suit that you'll find fitting. Your suite is the one to the right here. We will be awaiting you on the balcony." He said and went into the left suite.

Jack unlocked and opened the door. He had barely stepped in before a Mister Handy greeted him.

"Allow me to introduce myself, I am Godfrey, your personal robotic butler."

"Hi Godfrey, where's the shower?"

"I see your parents must've forgotten to teach you proper manners, the shower is in the bathroom to your right sir."

"You have a simulated personality installed?" Jack asked his new butler.

"I assure you sir, there's nothing simulated about my personality." Godfrey answered.

"Hm, you're awfully alike my last Mister Handy. Anyways, I'm gonna hit the shower, you can go down and carry up all my stuff, it's packed on a Brahmin down in the yard, and please ask one of Chief Gustavo's men to get my Mister Gutsy up here too."

"Certainly sir."

Godfrey hovered out of the suite and Jack went into the bathroom. The suite was a big upgrade compared to his old house in Megaton. It was both bigger and it looked way better. Like the rest of the tower the interior looked pre-war and very well preserved. It also had clean, running water. He took of backpack and laid down his guns, took of his armor and stepped into the shower. He showered for a good fifteen minutes before deciding it was enough, stepped out and dried himself off with a fine looking towel. Then he went into the living room and put on the black suit laying on the couch. He looked at himself in the mirror while he was tying his tie. If not for the Yao Guai claw scar over his left eye down onto his left cheek, he looked good. Thankfully his short black beard covered it pretty well. He put on the loafers Mr. Burke had placed next to the door and went out to meet him and this Mr. Tenpenny, who apparently was his employer.

-/-

The guard posted outside, what Jack assumed was Tenpenny's suite, opened the door for him and showed him outside. Jack went through and headed towards the balcony door. He opened it and a beautiful overlook over the Capital Wasteland greeted him. He'd never been this high up before, you could even see the heap of scrap that was Megaton from here, and he found himself a bit lost in the moment. He was quickly pulled back to reality however, when Mr. Burke spoke.

"Mr. Neeson, meet my employer, Mr. Tenpenny, owner of this fine tower."

"Pleasure to meet you sir." Jack said and offered him his hand. Tenpenny shook it and said:

"The pleasure's mine son, I've heard lots about you, a real go getter. If the stories are true, you remind me of myself in my younger days."

"I've never heard of you sir so excuse me if I doubt it." Jack said with a hint of spitefulness in his tone. The mans first impression hadn't been that great since he tried to shoot him, and Jack didn't like to be compared to a man who was clearly full of himself.

"Ahaha, I like him Mr. Burke! He's not afraid to speak his mind, now we just have to see if he's as resourceful as he's bold! The suitcase please!"

Mr. Burke pulled out a suitcase from under his chair and put it on the table standing next to the railing. He opened it and inside was a remote detonator. Tenpenny stood up from his chair and looked towards Megaton.

"Do you want to do the honors Mr. Neeson? After all, it's your handiwork that's led to this moment!" Tenpenny said.

"Um, sure." Jack answered and walked up to the detonator.

He pushed the button before his former conscience would try and make itself heard. A bright flash nearly blinded him, then the sound of the huge explosion reached his ears, and then he felt the wind push against his body. When the light faded away, a big mushroom cloud took its place. He knew it should feel like a horrible sight, but he thought it was quite beautiful. When he had taken one life last night, he had felt nothing. Now that he had taken hundreds with just the push of a button, he had hoped that it would be the catalyst that would reconnect him with his emotions. That he would feel something again, but he didn't. No guilt, no remorse, just emptiness.

"Ahahahaaa, well done, Mister Burke! What a grand display of fireworks! I almost wish there was another nuke we could detonate. You don't see that very often." Tenpenny cheered.

"It was truly a marvelous sight sir, or what do you say Mr. Neeson?"

"It sure was something I never thought I'd experience." Jack answered. "Now, the rest of my payment if you don't mind Mr. Burke."

"Yes of course, I'll have your caps taken from the treasury and delivered to your suite. And on the matter of the furnitures, what you have now are just the basics, speak with Miss Montenegro, the owner of Boutique le Chic, she's been told that the new furnishings are on Mr. Tenpenny."

"Don't forget about my compensation for getting shot at by Mr. Tenpenny."

Mr. Burke wasn't able to respond before Tenpenny interrupted:

"Oh come on now Mr. Neeson, I didn't even hit you!"

"Now now Mr. Tenpenny, I'm a reasonable man. I'll settle for a bottle of your finest whiskey, and a good meal." Jack said wittingly.

"Mr. Burke, you sure know how to pick'em! Fair enough son, it's a deal." Tenpenny said cheerfully.

"I'll inform Mrs. Primrose that she has a guest tonight, everything paid for, and have a bottle of our finest whiskey sent to your suite Mr. Neeson." Mr. Burke said.

Jack, who was getting tired of speaking courteously and well mannered, decided to end the conversation.

"Much appreciated, now if you'll excuse me sirs, I have matters to tend to, good afternoon." He said and left the two men on the balcony. "What should one eat when he'd blown up an atom bomb, killing hundreds of people?" he thought. "Mirelurk cake? Yeah, Mirelurk cake."