Yet do I fear thy nature,
It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness
To catch the nearest way.

Macbeth Act 1, scene 5, 15–18

I arched away from the power armored fist that pistoned out at me so fast it was a blur of motion. I used my booster to lift myself in the air as I jumped backwards, and landed fully balanced and ready to look for an opening. Ha! Smooth. I was getting good at this. I tried to ignore the hooting and whistling I was hearing from those watching the battle.

I sidled to the left, then used my booster again to give my attack extra speed. I tried to swing my hand into my opponent's neck and kick out his knee at the same time.

He caught my hand as if I had moved in slow motion and took one step back at the same time, avoiding my kick easily.

In one fluid motion, he had his hip behind mine and his knee behind mine, and pushed it out from under me.

I fell, power armor and all and he landed on me with his knee holding me down and his fist held up over my helmet.

I was doomed.

"Uncle, already!" I cried out, "How do you do that? You move as if you aren't wearing a 60 pound suit of armor! You might as well be Nureyev in a leotard."

Danse, stood, and helped me up. "I don't know what a leotard is, but I can tell you the answer. Years and years of practice, soldier. You keep practicing and one day…no, never mind. You'll get better though." He smiled at me cheerily. "And, who or what is a nurry-ev?"

I shook my head, then rolled my shoulders, "A ballet dancer of yesteryear. How about tomorrow?" I asked. I wanted so much to win in power armor, just once.

"Any time at all, General," he promised. "You just say when, and I'll be there."

Shaun had been watching. He had to until he was tall enough to get into some power armor for himself. He was getting really close. He clapped and grinned. "Dad, you are so savage! I don't know anyone who can make it look so easy. Especially taking down Mom. That is so prodigious!"

I shot him a look, and said with a huff, "We'll do swords next time. And you'll watch."

He laughed with delight. "I like the power armor bouts better."

"Well. I'll remind you of that when you're older and in my place getting the tar beat out of you," I said airily, "I am going to shower now. See you boys in a bit."

Shaun snorted in laughter. Danse looked very satisfied.

I left them with Danse getting out of his armor and Shaun getting his basketball out of his locker.

This afternoon we were going to the Commonwealth Science Academy. The super mutant Strong was going too.

Dr. Virgil had finally created a new serum to reverse the Forced Evolutionary Virus' mutation; the common strain of it at least. He reported his success, after he had tested it on a mutant our forces had captured and delivered to him alive. He was also working on a vaccine to prevent the virus from ever surviving in a human body and he announced it was ready for testing. How did one test a vaccine like that?

If these two things worked, it could make the world a much safer place. Still, no one had found out where the mutants were getting FEV from, but they continued to capture and infect humans to keep up their numbers.

Someone out there was providing the FEV for them or there were a few with enough intelligence who were producing it themselves.

They were sterile, sexless creatures and the FEV was their only method of propagation. The virus made them into what reminded me of a comic character in my time called the Hulk – big, green, ugly and mad as hell. The most common strain of the forced evolutionary virus put its victims in a state of permanent and unremitting rage as well as being huge and powerful.

It had initially been investigated as a way to make super soldiers – but these creatures turned on their creators with murder as their only desire. They were uncontrollable.

They banded together in groups called hives. They were intelligent enough for battle tactics and they were deadly, fearless fighters.

The Institute, which was gone now, had continued in this line of experimentation, even though it failed again and again to produce obedient, sane soldiers.

Dr. Brian Virgil had finally succeeded in somewhat perfecting the virus. But instead of sharing it, he infected himself with the new strain of FEV. It had allowed him to keep his reason and it was his means of escape. He had no urge to kill or fight. He left the Institute and went into hiding near the Crater of the bomb that hit this part of the state. The mutants had more rad resistance than any human.

I had found the serum that could reverse his change for him in his old lab. He had left it behind in his confusion as he was mutating.

He had quickly destroyed any and all records of this new strain's development, as it had somewhat accomplished what so many years of searching had as its goal.

I had asked Dr. Brian Virgil to give his cure to Strong – who didn't want to be cured. He loved being a mutant. But the unmutated human he or she had been had certainly not wanted to be a monster. I had only met or heard of two people ever infecting themselves with the virus on purpose.

Strong would listen to me and he trusted me. I almost felt guilty about what I was going to do this afternoon, but if it was me, I would want to be me again and lose the monster, if I had a choice in the matter. The human still hidden and silenced inside of Strong deserved that chance.

The twins were upstairs napping. Codsworth was watching over them. I waved at him and went up one more flight of stairs to Danse's and my room. I turned on the shower and let the water get hot, as I stripped and put my clothes in our hamper.

I dressed in jeans and a button up top with short sleeves. Combed my hair and braided it. It was down to my butt now. Danse liked it long, and I did too. I could always tuck it away for combat.

The twins were still sleeping when I left them in the care of Annie, Lucy and Codsworth.

Forquar had come to pick us up. Danse waited with him while I went to get Strong.

"Too quiet here. Strong needs to go kill something," he complained at me when I approached him.

"Strong, we've found the milk of human kindness. Brian Virgil has it ready for you." I said smiling broadly at him.

"Finally! Strong had almost given up on finding milk of human kindness!" he smiled fiercely, "Now Strong will be stronger than anyone!"

"Yes, so hurry, we have to go and get it." I said, taking his giant hand in mind and tugging.

He grunted at me and came with me. He looked askance at the vertibird, but I said, "Milk of human kindness, Strong."

"Bah, want milk, but don't like flying like bird," he growled, scowling. He entered anyway and sat. He took up space for three people easily.

Strong's belief in magical properties of the milk of human kindness was born from a radio actor, Rex Goodman, who tried to be a missionary to the super mutants, believing if they were exposed to culture it would be transforming. Between reading them Shakespeare and talking to him, Strong had come to the conclusion that this milk of human kindness was what made humans superior to mutants and able to beat them in battle more than they lost. Strong had set out to find this milk, believing it would give him the superiority and the advantage over humans and mutants alike.

I knew my Shakespeare and knew the milk of human kindness was just the opposite – it was mercy and love that Goodman was trying to explain made humanity superior and ultimately victorious in the end, but poor Strong could not conceive of such things.

So, I had offered to help him find it and taken him with me for a while. This was before I met Danse, who really, really, hated super mutants. He had seen things that I couldn't even imagine in his life in the Capital Wasteland and here as well. I was glad I hadn't. I had killed my fair share of super mutants and had seen their grisly handiwork and home decorating ideas.

They ate people. And decorated with the leftovers.

Danse held my hand and smiled as we took off. I grinned back. He liked action. He was a born warrior and sitting in one place too long wasn't easy for him. Battle energized him and he fed off the adrenaline rushes. I thought he was doing quite well.

We had had over a dozen, long, sweet months of peace in the 'Wealth and things just kept getting better.

Schools of trade were cropping up in several settlements and our engineers and scientists were building more and more helpful machines, from new materials, not scavenged ones. The foundry had tool dies now and were casting screws and nails and I-beams to order, as well as castings for particular needs.

More reactors were going up and all the settlements had power now.

We had discovered an unfinished vault, too, with uranium to mine as a bonus. It had been full of materials for construction that had never been used. The seal wasn't good, and the poor overseer trapped in there for two centuries had been ghoulified. The woman still wanted to carry on her planned experiments if we got the vault up and running. I had told her she was welcome to stay, but no thanks to the Vault-Tec agenda. Construction was ongoing there. Another radiation free zone for people to settle.

It wasn't for Danse or I, who both thought living underground was claustrophobic. I had suggested we use it for people having children, to raise them away from radiation poisoning.

There weren't that many.

My musings ended as we landed on the rooftop of the CSA. Danse lept down and caught me as I jumped out. Strong clambered out backwards, awkwardly.

"Where is milk?" he demanded.

"Follow me, Strong," I said, leading to the rooftop doorway that led into the Academy. We went down four floors and found Dr. Virgil waiting for us.

"So, this is the famous Strong, eh?" he asked looking the super mutant up and down.

"Strong don't want talk. Strong want milk of human kindness. Now." Strong said frowning mightily.

"Got it right here for you, friend." Brian Virgil held up a flask of milky white fluid. "This is it."

Strong grabbed it and drank it down. He frowned and waited a moment.

"Strong doesn't feel any different!" he said angrily, he tossed the flask aside carelessly. It didn't break, but bounced off the rubber lab mats.

Dr. Virgil spoke in a soothing voice, "It takes some time to work, Strong. It has to go through your system, spread throughout your body and mind."

Strong looked frustrated, "Strong has waited a long time for milk."

"Then waiting a few hours more shouldn't make much difference, Strong," I said patting his arm, "Why don't you come with me to the practice range, and we'll kill a few dummies, eh?" I suggested.

Danse announced he was going to visit the Armory and the Smithy in Jamaica Plain.

Strong grumpily agreed to go and I took him to the shooting range across the newly paved street.

I gave him a nice, loud, sawed-off shotgun to shoot with, which did splendid damage to the dummy he was given to practice on. He grunted with satisfaction at every gaping hole he produced.

Soon he announced he was tired. "Strong need to sleep now," he said as if angry. He kind of always sounded angry.

I brought him back to Dr. Virgil's lab, and Brian led him to an alcove with a bed in it. It was a little small for the mutant, but he didn't complain. Just curled up on it and fell fast asleep.

"How long?" I asked.

Brian Virgil watched the sleeping Strong, with a slight smile on his face. "The first one took 12 hours. It works fast. Look, Z, you can see it happening if you watch."

I turned to watch too. It was imperceptible at first, but then I could see it. The green color was fading. The flesh very slowly melting into itself. Strong was becoming smaller.

"Why don't I show you some other projects I've been working on to pass the time?" he suggested.

"Sure," I said.

Through a doorway, there was another lab. This one had tall cylinders filled with fluid and in each one was a creature, suspended in the fluid and with tubes and leads attached to it.

"Dr. Holdren sent me some frozen pairs of embryos of various pre-war animals – a male and female of each. We are growing, let's see here," he looked at the labels on the bottom of the tanks, "a ewe and a ram, a male and female llama, and a she-goat and a billy goat, according to the labels they came with." He checked his terminals and seemed satisfied. "They are going to make it, I think. Come, Z."

I followed him into the next room which housed what looked like a miniature Eden Dome. "Holdren says we have to keep them radiation free – they have no adaptations to survive it like the local fauna. I was going to ask you about that new site – the new vault you've found. Do you think it could be adapted for raising and keeping these animals?"

"You're going to need grass, a lot of grass," I said, gazing at the herbivores, "I hope Holdren sent you seeds. And of course, that's a fine idea for the vault site. It's huge. A large portion could be built to your specifications. I will have to bring it to the CPG for a vote. I am sure it will pass with no problems. I may need you there to present your case, though."

"We have fescue seed started. White and Engill are growing it for us in the botany lab. And I will be more than happy to present our case. Just let me know and get me there."

"Good. I will. This is so amazing," I said, touching the cylinder and gazing at the extinct mammal being brought back to life.

"Yes, it is. I know I've thanked you, Z, before, but I want to again. I never imagined us living above ground in a decent way, but it's happening right before my eyes. And for getting me my serum. I –" he stopped and had to clear his throat twice.

"No need to go on," I said gently, giving his arm a gentle squeeze, "I know, Brian. And it's us who got the best of it. A cure for FEV. It will change the world."

I heard Strong groaning and I looked to Brian, eyes wide.

"Normal, it's normal, Z," he assured me, "He shouldn't wake up. The other mutant didn't."

"Good," I said, gratefully. Strong, for all his monstrosity, was my friend. "Did the other one remember being a super mutant?"

"No. Trauma, I suppose. He doesn't remember getting caught or being given the FEV, nor anything while in that state. I would assume Strong's experience will be similar."

"Then he won't even know me," I said, thoughtfully.

"No, he probably won't," Virgil said, "but he'll have himself back, and I can tell you from personal experience, it's worth it."

It was lunchtime, so I excused myself to go find Danse. According to Virgil's estimation, it would be around 11 p.m. before Strong woke up. Changed.

I walked to Harold's home to say hello and Lydia answered the door. The petite brunette with big brown eyes smiled warmly and gave me a hug.

"You have to bring the girls soon," she said, releasing me, "Oh, how I long to see them!"

I reached into my pack and brought out the sketches that Curie had made of the girls and that Piper had made copies of for me. I gave Lydia one. "Not a visit, but you can see what they look like right now. They grow so fast."

"Oh, my, could they be any cuter?" she said as she examined the drawing. She sighed.

"So any news? How is the town council thing going?" I asked.

"Come in. Come in for some tea. Ugh. Politics. Poor Harold. The silly complaints he is asked to moderate. Who has how much square footage in the building and the person who works hardest and fastest should get more profit from the settlement's crops and more all the time. It seems to me, now that people aren't worried about just staying alive from day to day, that there's time to be petty and greedy."

"Probably more of a sense of wanting every just and fair," I suggested, "it's kind of built into us to want those things. We'll probably eventually start having legal ownership of property and more. It's going to be harder before it gets easier. I just hope someone else is in charge when that happens."

"Z! Don't say that! You're the sanest person I know and the fairest. I shudder to think of some others that would love to be the presider." She looked back at me as she prepared a pot of tea.

"And that's probably the big hint – if they want it, they're either clueless or they think it will give them power and influence or riches or some foolishness." I helped her set the maple sugar and cream out.

"Wait a minute. That's silly. You're neither clueless nor power hungry." Lydia's cute nose wrinkled as she grinned at me. She sipped her tea and sighed with pleasure.

"I know. It's more that I don't want the job. I am doing what I was asked to and trying to do a decent job of it," I grinned back.

"Oh, so you're saying, if someone doesn't want the job, that's the right person or a pretty good clue that they are a good choice for it," she laughed.

"Yes. Exactly. Now, any juicy news?" I touched her arm.

"Well," she said thoughtfully, "Lyle has taken on two new apprentices, because his senior apprentices can teach them the beginning stuff. Suddenly, his job is easier and he keeps up with all the orders he gets. And there's a lot of them. Smithing is a different kettle, I suppose with the dangers of getting burned and such. So they've taken on only one junior apprentice, name of Kenneth Plunkett from Abernathy. But it gives Lynda more time to get all artsy with her stuff. She's making some amazing wrought iron pieces."

"Good! Dr. Virgil just showed me his embryos. They are going to be amazing. Llamas and goats and sheep."

"I can't wait to see them when they're born," Lydia sighed. "Harold and I, we're trying to get pregnant, but so far, no go."

"I hope it happens for you, Lydia," I said, patting her hand.

"So, any new people come these last few months?" I asked.

"Three newbies," she said, looking cheerful. "Seem like good enough folk. A young fellow and two older women. We've got them farmed out, until we can get new homes built. They seem to be adapting well. They used to be scavvers."

We chatted a while longer, and she fed me a light lunch. I told her about Admina and Frank Hobart's marriage and Curie and Deacon's devotion to one another. I told her Shaun was teaching himself old card games from old books from Agnes' library. He was also designing a deck of cards for Piper to print on thick paper. He was going to make a book with directions on the various games to be sold with a deck of cards.

When I got up to go find Danse, I gave her a parting hug and told her I would love a visit from her and Harold. Then she could see the twins in person.

I walked to the Smithy and saw Danse outside talking with Carl the smith. Danse was testing out a sword, swinging it deftly with a practiced hand.

"Hey," I called approaching. My face broke into a smile. I couldn't help it. When I saw him, it just happened.

"Hey, yourself, soldier," he said, smiling back. His warm brown eyes caused my insides to warm up.

"Whoa, should I like, leave you two alone or what?" Carl asked raising his eyebrow with one side of his mouth smiling.

"Why?" Danse asked.

"Never mind. I've got to get back to work anyway. See you two later," he waved and ducked back into the smithy. I could hear the hammer striking an anvil with regular hits.

I kissed him hello, and since we were alone, I kissed him again, for a lot longer.

He spoke into my ear, "When you do that, I could take you right where you stand."

I snuggled into him, "We could find the guest rooms," I suggested. I told him we had to wait until eleven p.m. for Strong. We had time to spend. What better way to spend it?

"Temptress," he chided softly, "but, perhaps you are in need of a nap?"

I faked a yawn. "I am sooo sleepy, Danse," I said, "let's go get a room."

We did.

And I did fall asleep. After. Danse woke me for dinner at Harold and Lydia's.

We had a nice dinner with them, talking easily. Lydia was right. Harold was having anyone with any type of gripe or complaint come to him expecting him to make it right. He was ready to pull his hair out. And he had a lot of it - all over.

"Harold, I think you must make them wait for your monthly council meeting and come before the council and present their cases. Maybe with some wait time some of the lesser complaints will resolve on their own. You'll just have to put your foot down and make them follow protocol." I suggested, frowning.

"Yes, I know. It's just that I know everyone and I care about them too. But you're right. I can't please all of them all the time and that's just the way it'll have to be." He sighed heavily.

"They'll accept it pretty quickly," I promised, because every one of them will have to go through the exact same process – it rules out any chance of thinking there's any favoritism."

We moved away from politics and onto progress. Harold was excited because more and more people were digging up old inventions or ideas and finding ways to make them happen. One of his settlers had made a simple washing machine for clothes. Another had made a hydroponics planting station that gave more ten times the yield of ground planting. He couldn't keep up with all the creativity happening in his town.

Finally, when our hostess gave a great yawn and it spread to Harold, we said our goodnights. It was still early, but we headed back to the CSA to see how our Strong was coming along.

Virgil was on his way to find us, and we met in the middle of the road.

"Strong is already pretty much done changing," he said, his face full of wonder. "Come, and see."