Chapter 12
(A/N: I have to say that last chapter was painful to write. Tranquility lane as someone pointed out is very linear, so trying to write it but stay slightly original turned into a chore fast, hence it taking a while for that chapter to be finished. So thanks to those who stuck it out, it should be easier from here.
Oh and to comment on that same review, I've tried a variety of methods of the Tenpenny quest, I found if you unleash the ghouls before or after you've destroyed Megaton for Burke, he immediately becomes Roy's right hand man and survives. I realize what I did was a stretch, but he does live in the game... which made even less sense in my opinion since he didn't have the Lone Wandered even to use as a threat. There's even a conversation you see with him and Roy Phillips if you let the ghouls in before blowing up Megaton where he makes a really weak threat to Roy, basically daring him to go ahead and try to attack him, and Roy backs off instantly... even though he's armed with an assault rifle and Burke has a 10mm that doesn't do squat. If you release the ghouls after destroying Megaton and let them ramsack the place, Burke vanishes during that part and cannot be found among the dead. When you return after they've cleaned up, he's walking around his usual areas in the tower basically like nothing happened. So either way he lives and it's safe to say that none of the scenarios, including mine, make a lot of sense, but hey it's a game lol).
Analise practically fell out of the pod once she was free, then scrambled over to her fathers as he climbed out and before either of them had a second to think, they had each other in a tight embrace and at once Analise unable to contain her joy. It seemed like it had been so long since the day she found herself scrambling for her life out of vault 101, and now here he was, after all her searching... she pulled away wiping the tears from her eyes and he smiled at her. "You saved me!" he exclaimed. "I thought I would be stuck in there forever."
"Didn't like being a dog?" she choked, snickering as she tried to calm herself.
"I supposed it had its moments," he chuckled. "But I missed having opposable thumbs. But what are you doing here?"
"I came looking for you," she stammered. "The Vault turned into chaos after you left and the overseer, he went insane..."
"I should have known," he sighed, lowering his head ashamed. "I wanted you to be safe, but I should have known better." His expression turned to concern. "He didn't hurt you did he? The Overseer?"
"I had to kill him, Dad," said Analise, unsure of how this would go over. "He was letting his men beat Amata for information on me and you, and as soon as they spotted me they started firing. " He closed his eyes and sighed.
"I never wanted it to go this way... had I known... well I probably would have done what you did. I'm just glad you're safe. We can talk about this all later. Right now I have to get back to Dr. Li and tell her what I've learned."
"What did you learn?" asked Analise, struggling to keep up pace but knowing she'd have to.
"The technology Braun developed was unstable but it can be used for what we're planning to do. I just need to find one of the vaults that was issued a G.E.C.K. and we can make Project Purity a reality at last." He smiled, clearly excited about this and Analise managed a small smile.
"And if it succeeds? What then?"
"The world will finally have a chance to rebuild itself. Clean pure water free and available to everyone, can you imagine? As for you and I, well I'm sure you're aware there's no room for us back at the Vault. I doubt any of the dwellers would welcome us back with open arms. We'll have to make a new life out here. But you seem to have already found ways to survive out here," he said with a smile. "Seems like yesterday I was teaching you to shoot a BB Gun..." She chuckled, remembering that old piece of junk and how much she'd loved it as a kid.
"We'd better get moving then," she said, pulling her assault rifle out and ready. "There were mole rats, and a disgruntled robot when I first got here. Do you need a gun?" He pulled out his own pistol.
"I think I have enough ammo for the trip," he said with a smile. His eyes strayed to her bandaged leg and he looked at her in concern. "Honey you're hurt!"
"It's better today," she lied, suddenly becoming aware of the pain again. "Let's do this," she said then with a nod, and followed him through the garage and back out to the Wastes.
The first leg of their trip went fast as they were almost out of daylight, and took refuge in the remains of an abandoned house for the night where he insisted on tending to her injured leg and re-bandaged it. As she settled herself down, Analise took one last look at her father, thankful she was no longer doing this alone, and fell asleep while he kept watch.
Her body hit the ground, dirt filled her lungs as she tried to inhale for a scream, but a rough hand clasped over it while the other reached around her waistline to...
She found herself suddenly shaken awake as a scream was leaving her mouth, and saw her father had her, and was staring at her in concern. "Sweetheart, wake up," he said gently. "It's just a dream." The cold dirt had turned into warm familiar arms and the familiar scent she'd come to recognize and trust since infancy. She sat up, feeling her heart hammering in her chest, and could see the genuine concern in his eyes. "My God, I've never heard you scream like that in my life," he said.
"Nightmare," she whispered, pulling out some water to drink.
"Would talking about it make it better?" he asked.
"No," she said a little too quickly. It wasn't the thought of discussing anything involving Megaton that made her say no, but rather the thought of her father, a doctor, knowing she'd been raped. If he knew she would have to face it, and face the other fears that came with that, like the possibility of being sick with something, or worse... She wasn't ready to deal with any of it. Too much had happened in the past two weeks, but this was something that could wait as far as she was concerned.
Her father, however, looked a little sad as though he took it personally that she didn't want to confide in him, and he nodded with a frown. "I understand, sweetheart," he said. "I know recently I haven't been the reliable father I should have been for you. And I know some of my choices of late have been, well wreckless. And for that I'm sorry." Analise shook her head.
"I'm not mad, Dad," she said, forcing a smile. "It's okay, really."
"No it's not," he said firmly. "I should have thought things out more, I should have considered you more than myself."
"Dad please," Analise interrupted, pinching the bridge of her nose as she sighed and closed her eyes. "Please don't do this now. I forgave you for everything, can we please just not do this?" He nodded then smiled sadly, giving her a warm embrace and she sighed, feeling something that almost resembled normalcy. Their situation was far from normal, but being with her father again made her feel more at home than she'd felt all week.
"You should get some more rest. Tomorrow we'll be safe in Rivet City, then we can finally move project purity forward."
And then it hit her. Something she couldn't believe she'd been too stupid to not realize. She couldn't enter Rivet City again, not after Three Dog's denouncing of her. She would have to think of something and fast. As she lay back down there was no sleep to be had as thoughts of her father finding out soon about Megaton tormented her mind until the crack of dawn.
When they began their journey again they headed east, until a grim fog began to show in the horizon and Analise began to brace herself as she knew very well what had caused it. As she looked on her map she saw as the drew closer to the cloud, they were drawing closer to Megaton. She remained silent but could see the concern on her father's face as he was gradually putting two and two together. "I don't like the look of that fog, he said as they began to enter it. "I really hope it's not what I think it is..." Analise said nothing. She knew she didn't have to. He would see it soon enough. And he did.
As they drew close enough where they should have seen the gates of Megaton in the distance, there was instead the thickening fog and ruins. "Oh no...!" gasped her father and he began to run towards it until he stood by the shattered remains of the robot that used to stand at the entrance. Analise slowly followed behind as tears stung her eyes. She felt like a prisoner about to face execution. She didn't want to see it, but she knew she needed to. She needed to see the consequences of her actions. This alone would be the worst punishment she knew she'd face. Worse than the enemies she made, worse than the nightmares she would have, even worse than the threat of Burke possibly hunting for her. Seeing the ruins, the death that had flooded through a once alive town, and knowing she had done this, this was the worst punishment she could think of.
As she stepped up and looked the tears fell. She couldn't speak, couldn't make a sound, could barely feel anything but the feeling of needles stinging her insides. "I knew it was possible but I had hoped..." whispered her father who was completely at a loss for words. "This is horrible! All those people!"
Analise wanted to die right there. How could she tell him? How could she honestly admit to the destruction he was staring at?
"Honey?" she snapped out of her self-loathing to notice he was staring at her in concern. "We need to keep moving," he said. She nodded and turned, following him towards Rivet City.
They arrived later that night, and it wasn't until she began to cross the bridge that she realized she hadn't thought of how to handle the guards. She's been consumed with thoughts of Megaton that she hadn't bothered to plan this out. Her father stopped as soon as he realized she was standing still and he turned to look at her. "Ana, what is it?"
"I..." she stammered, looking around, trying to think of something... anything... Her eyes strayed to the memorial and she had it. "Dad, I know I saw supermutants surrounding that place a few days ago. There's probably some inside. Why don't I head over now to clear it out and you and the team can meet me at the entrance?" He contemplated it for a moment, then nodded.
"Good thinking," he said. "You're the only one out of all of us with any real combat expertise, we wouldn't be able to handle them anyways. We'll wait outside the door and you come tell us when it's clear." He gave her a quick hug and said, "Be careful, sweetie," before sending her on her way.
"James!" gasped Dr. Li as she saw him enter with a triumphant smile on his face.
"Madison I've done it!" he said with a smile. "I've found the way to make Project Purity a reality! We can finally do it!"
"Are you sure?" she asked, looking surprised.
"Positive," he said. "We'll have to hurry, can you assemble a team to work on it?"
"I can try," she said. "They might be skeptical though."
"That's fine," he said. "See what you can do. I'm going back to the memorial within the hour." He headed back for the stairs when Li's voice stopped him.
"James, Analise isn't here too is she?" He looked down at her confused.
"No, she had other matters to attend to, she'll be meeting us in the memorial."
"Are you sure that's such a good idea?" she asked hesitantly, trying to be careful with her words.
"Why not?" he asked. "It'll be good working side by side with her." He hurried up the stairs and Dr. Li sighed.
"My God he doesn't know..." she muttered.
As he headed down the hall he bumped into a man in a suit and stopped to apologize when the man stared at him with sudden interest. "You," said James, recognizing him. "Weren't you a resident in Megaton?"
"A long time ago," he answered, still eyeing James with interest.
"Can I help you with something?" he asked, starting to feel awkward with the way he was being watched.
"Indeed you can, I'm looking for a young lady whom you seem to bear a striking resemblance too I might add," he said. "Perhaps you know her? Analise, I believe she goes by."
"Yes I do," said James, suddenly feeling protective. "How may I assist you?"
"Can you tell me where I might find her?"
"She's not here I'm afraid," answered James.
"Well after the incident I'm not surprised," he chuckled. "I doubt there's any place she can enter without being hailed a villain." Jame's gaze darkened.
"What incident?" he asked.
"Why Megaton of course," he answered. "Surely you've heard the tragic news of how someone rigged the bomb to explode?"
"My Analise would never do anything like that, and I'm offended you would make such an accusation!" James snapped.
"James..." came a soft sad voice and he glanced behind him to see Madison standing on the steps behind him. "Jame's I'm sorry, but it's true. I wanted to tell you but..." her voice trailed off as Jame's face lowered.
"It can't be..." he whispered.
"I'm terribly sorry," the man in the suit said after a while, frowning. "I can't imagine the shame you must feel right now. You wouldn't by any chance know where I can find her? I'm an old acquaintance of her's you see, and I simply want to offer her a safe place to stay until the air clears."
James stood silent for a long time, trying to process everything at once, even as a haunting familiarity tugged at his memory every time he looked at the stranger. Finally he said, "She'll be meeting us at the memorial and will remain under my watch after that. I appreciate your offer but-"
"I understand," said the man with a nod. "Tell her I wish her the best of luck then." With that, he turned and left.
Dr. Li stood perplexed for a moment, waiting for him to have a moment to think, then spoke nervously, "James, are you really sure that-"
"Madison she's my daughter," said James. "No matter what." With that he left silently to his room.
Around the corner, Burke was smiling to himself in delight.
Much to Analise's relief it seemed no other supermutants had bothered to attempt moving into the lab. However the stench of their carcasses would be a perfect deterrent for anyone. After doing a final sweep to be sure she was safe, she began the long process of hauling the bodies out in attempt to help clear out the stink. She was dragging out the last body when she had the overwhelming sensation of being watched. She carefully scoper her surroundings, then slowly slipped back into the memorial, moving to the end of the hall and waiting with her gun aimed at the door.
The seconds rolled by slowly as the remaining stink still overwhelmed her, but eventually she straitened, holstering her gun and headed back for the door, knowing her father was due to arrive soon. She leaned against the door, waiting patiently when she spotted them on the horizon and smiled to herself. It wasn't till she caught the grave look on her father's face that her smile faded. Stepping aside she watched them all enter but he lingered at the end and closed the door behind them, shutting them both outside.
"Did something happen?" asked Analise getting nervous by the look on his face.
"I think we need to have a talk," he said calmly, sadness in his eyes. Analise felt her stomach drop, knowing what was coming. "I've been hearing stories about things that happened while I was away..." He turned his eyes away from her, not even looking at her. "Megaton... you... you didn't have anything to do with that did you?" He looked back up at her and it was her turn to look away, unable to say a word. She couldn't bring herself to admit to it, but she couldn't lie about it either. After a while he sighed. "I see..." he whispered.
"Dad..." she started to say but he was already walking past her and for the door.
"Get some rest. It's been a long day. I'll see you in the morning." The door closed behind him and she collapsed, her heart falling into her stomach, unable to cry. She'd cried far too much the past few days, tears wouldn't come now.
"Didn't I warn you?" asked a voice. "I told you there was no place out there that would welcome you. Only Tenpenny Tower." Her hand slowly moved for her gun as she bit into her lip, a slow rage beginning to boil up inside of her. "But after what you've done, not only have you no home, but now you've no family it appears..."
She twisted around in one smooth motion and fired, hitting him in the leg and he let out a shout as he fell again and she drew closer, pointing the gun at his head. "Hurts like a bitch doesn't it?"
"Goddamn you!" Burke growled. "I've made the mistake of prolonging your existence for far too long now, a mistake I do not intend to repeat!" He shot at her, missing as she dodged, and she walked up to him, grabbing him by the tie and pulled him up to his feet as he shouted in protest.
"I'm not going to kill you," she hissed.. "So leave!"
He chuckled and kicked her feet out from under her with his good leg, then forced himself to his feet as he aimed for her head. She rolled away as he fired and was soon back on her feet again, knocking his gun out of his hand and landed a punch to his jaw. He spat out blood on the dirt and took a swing at her, knocking her against the wall of the memorial and moved to pick up his gun. She got to him first, painfully putting all her weight on her bad leg as she kicked in the face as he'd bent down to pick it up, and as he fell she grabbed it, pointing it at him.
"Leave, Burke!" she warned.
He sat up, wiping the blood from his nose and began to laugh. "You can't even kill me. You have become so weak!"
"I'd say resisting the urge to kill you makes me stronger than you assume," she said with a sneer. "Leave." He struggled to his feet, knowing without a gun he couldn't fight her and he stared at her in absolute loathing.
"I could have given you power, wealth, security. You could have had it all!"
"And in exchange I'd become like you? A power hungry pathetic excuse of a man with a grudge?" She shook her head. "Something tells me you weren't much different from me once... and even if that is true I don't care. I just know I will not become like you." He glared at her as if she struck a nerve and she stepped back, keeping the gun pointed at him. "Now leave."
A shot fired and she saw the blast explode through Burke's other leg, making him fall back with a cry.
Analise turned and saw her father walking towards her, his gun pointed at Burke who lay on the ground as blood flowed from both legs. "I knew I recognized you," said James, staring at him through narrow eyes. "Mr. Burke, it's been a long time." Analise stared at him in surprise as he holstered his gun and took away Burke's, handing it to her. "Help me get him inside," he said reaching to help him up. Analise did as she was told, not questioning him, and they headed in.
Burke was placed in one of the rooms in the basement and James went to work, immediately giving him medication to knock him out, and began to work to remove the bullets. Analise sat quietly and watched, helping when she was needed but mostly observing as her father talked.
"He put you up to destroying Megaton, didn't he," he asked as he worked.
"He hated that town," she answered, not really sure how else to answer that question. "I never found out why."
"I know why," said James. He stripped Burke down to his undershirt and underwear, handing the clothes to Analise, "Check these for weapons." She did so, averting her gaze from Burke's surprisingly fit shape, and began to go through the pockets, pocketing his ammo but leaving any caps she found. "I'm sure you've heard of Rebeca Jones?"
"Her name's been coming up a lot recently," Analise answered.
"She was a singer when I met her in Megaton, back when you were just a baby," he continued. "Though she was Rebeca Burke then. She was still single when her one song was released and not many knew she was married when she died."
"Three Dog said she hung herself."
"That's what it appeared to be," said James "He was the one who found her body," said James, nodding towards Burke's unconscious body. "The rope had broken shortly after she'd hung herself and she was laying on the floor. Because of that he was certain something had strangled her with the rope. Even after we found the other end still tied to the ceiling beam. But something about it never made sense, even for a suicide. At first I thought it was the hormones in her body from the pregnancy..."
"Pregnancy?" asked Analise, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes, she was 8 months pregnant when it happened. And the hormones had been giving her a very difficult time. We all assumed that what was had driven her to do it." He removed the first bullet and began on the second. "However, I requested a final inspection of her before they could bury her." He paused and sighed. "I discovered bruising around her neck and shoulders and deep ones on her arms. Burke's suspicions were correct."
"Who did it?" Analise asked.
"We never found out. Burke was already acting in such an unstable and threatening manner that Simms thought the best thing for him would be to assure him it was a suicide until he finally found the killer himself. I never agreed with his reasoning, but he was the mayor and sheriff. In the end, we never found who did it, and Burke eventually left, too angry and bereaved to stay. Simms was soon convinced it was simply an untrustworthy visitor who had come and gone and wouldn't return, but I didn't share his feelings. In the end it drove me to leave as well. I couldn't raise you in that environment and claim I was keeping you safe."
"So Burke was never told the truth?" Analise exclaimed, shocked and a little angered.
"I don't think he needed to be told the truth," James said, removing the second bullet and dropping it in the dish. "I don't think anyone had ever convinced him otherwise."
"No wonder her hated Megaton," she said, shaking her head.
"Simms may have meant well, but I never liked his way of leading and protecting his people. I always felt he did too little too late. There were too many people he allowed to dwell there that he himself claimed he didn't trust. It wouldn't have surprised me if the killer was still living in Megaton when it blew."
"Yeah, I didn't exactly like him myself..." Analise muttered, remembering her last day in Megaton.
"Though I don't condone it, I can understand Burke's desire to destroy Megaton... but I still don't understand how he managed to get you involved in all this." Analise lowered her head and as James finished bandaging Burke up he turned to her and looked her in the eyes. "We've avoided the topic long enough. I need to know why it happened."
She couldn't bring herself to look at him for the longest time but when it became apparent he was willing to wait as long as it would take and finally she looked at him. "I was in trouble... and he made it my only way out," she said.
"What sort of trouble?" James asked. When she struggled to answer he took her hands and squeezed them. "I need you to tell me, no more secrets, sweetie."
She took a deep breath, blinking away tears, then stood up. "I don't want to talk about this." She turned on her heel and fled before he could stop her.
