Ch 14 Hearts of Steel

Arta found herself walking along a long dark tunnel with steel-lined walls. Only the occasional red emergency light winked through the gloom, but at the far end she could see a yellow glow. Sometimes it seemed to draw near, at others move farther away, so that it was difficult to judge how much distance she was covering or how much time was passing. However she felt no apprehension, confident that she would eventually reach her destination.

Suddenly she was standing outside a pair of metal doors. The sign above them was the source of the illumination, the style of lettering familiar to her since childhood. It said Hydroponics. A slightly smaller red sign underneath added the warning: Prepare for Decontamination.

The only elevator in the Vault went down far underground to the chambers where the inhabitants' food was grown and processed in large vats. Arta's job in maintenance occasionally took her to this section. Amongst the technicians it was known humorously as "Visiting the Underworld" or "Going to Hell." Arta couldn't remember who had sent her down here or why. It didn't appear to matter. She punched the elevator button and waited.

It seemed that either a very long time had passed, or no time at all, and then the lift doors opened. At once Arta stepped inside.

Usually the lift was well illuminated, but something was wrong with the lighting, so that it kept flickering on and off. Arta wasn't worried. Probably this was what she'd been sent to fix. A fine mist sprayed over her face, causing her to blink slightly; at least the disinfection process designed to protect the food section from bacteria and other contaminants was working normally.

A voice spoke at her elbow. It said, "Quiet down here, isn't it?"

Arta had not previously noticed that the lift was occupied. Now as she tried to look, she found the combination of the spray and the erratic flickering of the light made it difficult to focus. She could make out that the person standing next to her was a man, wearing a Vault suit like her own. His head and facial hair were shaven, even his eyebrows were missing, but she could not clearly see his face.

Replying she said, "Yes." Her voice seemed to echo somewhat.

The light blinked rapidly, then went out altogether.

The voice came again. "Now its dark too."

Arta gave a shiver. The unknown person spoke in hollow tones, yet there was something strangely familiar about them.

She repeated, "Yes." Then, "Why did they send you down here?"

"They didn't. You did."

"I did?" Arta felt a growing uneasiness. Something wasn't right. "Then why am I here?"

"I suppose someone else sent you. Perhaps to keep me company while I'm waiting."

"Why are you waiting?"

"You always have to wait, don't you. For them to give you the once over." The voice sounded impatient as though being asked obvious questions.

"Once over?"

"The once over on your life. So they can decide what to do with you." The voice became a trifle melancholy. "I don't expect I'll come out of it very well. I've mostly done bad shit: rape, murder, torture; you name it."

Arta experienced a growing sense of horror. The voice in the darkness was sounding more and more like one she recognised.

Tremulously she asked, "Who are you?"

"You should know," the voice said a little reproachfully.

"How should I know?" Arta asked fearfully, but she knew, she knew.

"Because you killed me." The lift reached the bottom with the noise of a leaden casket closing.

Arta screamed, the sound so loud and terrifying in the confined space that she placed her fingers over her ears to block out her own voice. The blackness was closing in, closing into her mind. The screaming continued, but seemed to be coming from some place far away. She closed her eyes, then opened them again in the dark. Her head suddenly hurt as though a thousand hammers had pounded it. The darkness was not as total as before. High and far up were many small lights like flecks of fire. A round white lantern shone down brightly from above.

Then her perspective adjusted. She was lying on her back, looking up at the night sky speckled with stars. The moonbeams cast an ivory sheen over a hooded figure crouched above her, face invisible beneath the cowl. As another wave of pain hit her, her vision blurred. She tried to touch her temple, and discovered her hands were bound together at the wrists with some kind of cloth. She moaned as her head continued to throb.

As her eyes refocused, she could see the crouching person was wearing a light brown top and white slacks, and holding a Beretta pistol, her Beretta. Although the dark oval of the hood continued to conceal the wearer's identity, Arta was sure she recognised the clothing from the way it had been patched up. But if her suspicions were correct, then she was beginning to wonder into what strange nether world she might have strayed.

"Si .. .Silver? Are you … are we …still alive?"

She could hear the whistle of air through teeth. After a pause, the hood was thrown back. Beneath it, a mass of dark ringlets surrounded delicate features. For a moment recognition wouldn't come, but then …

"Mei Wong?" The confusion had been due to the darkness, and because she had never seen the young woman without her bandana. It took just a second longer to realise that the length of cloth binding her hands had formerly confined the lustrous curls now on display.

Mei Wong looked tense. She moved her lower arm at the elbow, so that the gun was pointing more directly at Arta.

Questions crowded into Arta's head thicker than the bees that seemed to swarm inside it. She tried to focus on one, and eventually stammered out, "Where did you find those clothes?"

"In the Mart. I figured going around dressed as a Raider might get me shot eventually. So I brought them along and swapped them for the others." She tilted her head towards the discarded suit of Raider armour she'd been wearing.

Arta puzzled over her next question, then chose, "Why are my hands tied?"

Mei Wong replied tersely, "I was sure you'd have a lot of questions to ask me. I thought you might not like the answers to some of them."

Arta absorbed this, then asked, "What happened to Silver?"

"That was one of those questions." Then, with brutality: "She died like a bitch. And that's exactly what she deserved."

The shock seemed to wake Arta's mind from its lethargy. She tried to concentrate her thoughts on Mei Wong, watching her intently.

"You saw?"

"I saw enough." Mei Wong's voice and expression showed no remorse. Arta tried to think how she could get through to her, distract her attention.

"Did you enjoy watching?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"It's a simple question."

Arta paused, trying to fight the giddiness, the excruciating headache and the slight feeling of nausea. Her life might depend on raising her state of alertness. She gritted her teeth, before continuing, "Or did you wonder what it would be like in her shoes? Especially as you're wearing her clothes."

Mei Wong cringed, taking her eye off Arta, and lowering the gun. Instantly the Vault woman kicked out with one foot, catching Mei squarely in the face, snapping back her head and sending her sprawling backwards. Using her arms as leverage, Arta scrambled desperately to her knees, then threw her body across Mei's before she could recover, forcing her gun arm and shoulder downward with her elbows. For several frenzied seconds they struggled, almost breast to breast, but anger and desperation lent Arta strength, despite her disorientation. She hung on grimly, ignoring Mei's feeble attempts to employ her free hand to claw at her face, meanwhile using her teeth and brute strength to tear apart the flimsy bindings around her wrists. With her hands finally free, she twisted the Beretta out of Mei's grasp and pressed it to her head. The young woman went limp with defeat.

Hauling her up into a half-sitting position, Arta shook her brutally, almost screaming into her face. "Why? Why the hell did you knock me out? We could have done it together, rescued Silver and taken all the loot. Okay, you might not like slavers. Neither do I. But they were feeding her to a pack of friggin' mutant rats, for Christ-sakes! Didn't you have any feeling for another human being, a captive like you? If I hadn't rescued you, you'd have ended up in that cage eventually, pissing yourself in fear and waiting to be torn to bits. Couldn't you have shown a little empathy, a little gratitude?"

She jammed the gun fiercely to the side of Mei's head. The trembling woman gave a squeal of fear.

"Please, please don't kill me! I had to do it, believe me I had to! You see I'm a slave, a runaway slave."

Arta stared into Mei's terror stricken eyes, her breath coming in furious pants, her mouth half-open to reply. But no words would come.

In a desperate gasp, Mei continued, "How could I let you free that woman, a slaver? She might've taken me back to Paradise Falls, or even worse, to my old master." She sucked in some more air. "I could've killed you when you were helpless. I didn't, because you saved my life."

Facing each other, they continued to breathe harshly as the moments passed. Then Arta gave Mei Wong a little push away. Crouching on one knee, she returned the Beretta to its holster.

Mei watched her nervously. She asked, "You aren't going to kill or hurt me?"

Wearily Arta shook her head. "There's already been enough torture and death for one day."

Mei sighed with relief. "Thank you. And I'm sorry that I hit you. There wasn't much time, and I was afraid you might not listen to me."

Arta said, "You're probably right that I wouldn't. But why didn't you tell me you were a slave before?"

"Why d'you think? Many people accept slavery as normal, and think that slaves are wrong to run away. I couldn't be sure you wouldn't try to turn me in."

"Well that's one thing I would never do. You're free to go wherever you like as far as I'm concerned. I'm going back to Megaton if you want to come with me."

Mei Wong shuddered. "That's one thing I would never do. My master lives in Megaton, and I'd rather die than go back."

Arta said surprised, "In Megaton? I didn't notice the people there had slaves."

"Slaves are everywhere. You know I heard that before the war people had machines to do the hard work for them. Now most of those machines are destroyed or useless, slaves have replaced them. Though perhaps only a few in Megaton are rich enough to afford them. My master is very wealthy, but he hasn't been there very long.

Arta asked curiously, "What was he like?"

"I don't think I can describe him so you'd understand. He was so … strange. You could never be sure what he was thinking. But I do know he scared the hell out of me. His name was Burke. No first name that I ever heard anyone use. People just called him Mr. Burke."

Arta exclaimed, "Mr Burke! I believe I know him! I met him in Moriarty's Saloon." She briefly described Burke's appearance.

Mei nodded. "That's him all right. He always wears those old-fashioned clothes."

Arta asked, "Did you come to Megaton with him? And if so, where from?"

"A place called Tenpenny Towers. It's this old hotel, really well preserved and luxurious, with clean running water, hot showers, beautiful decorations, pretty much the best of everything. And its very safe, guarded by the most expensive and well-equipped private mercs." She paused. "Why are you looking like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you're in a trance, or something. Anyway living there wasn't at all bad, even for a slave. True the residents were mostly bigoted arse holes, and considered themselves superior when in fact they were a bunch of boot-licking parasites. They fawned around the owner, Alistair Tenpenny, like he was a god."

"I can imagine." Arta was thinking of the Overseer.

"He was no god, more like a dirty old man. He used to be my master. Oh he never touched me, not like that anyway, and he'd only beat me if he thought I was being lazy or insolent, but I could tell he enjoyed doing it. Still all things considered, I could've ended up in a far worse place."

Arta shook herself out her reverie. Eager as she was to hear more about Burke and Tenpenny Towers, she was aware that their current position amongst the rocks could leave them exposed to attack, even if they had the cover of darkness. She wanted to get somewhere safe as quickly as possible, but without having to leave Mei Wong. She remembered Manya's directions.

She said, "I think I know a place nearby where we could shelter for the night. Then we could talk some more and decide what to do tomorrow."

Mei Wong said, "I'm all for sheltering. Stories like mine are best told somewhere safe inside."

"So how is dear Manya?" Grandma Sparkle finished polishing the barrel of her hunting rifle. "And what about that crazy old coot, Nathan?"

"She's well, and he's … still crazy," Arta replied, improvising rapidly.

Grandma Sparkle gave her a sharp glance. "Still harping on the same old subject, is he?"

"Oh, absolutely!" Arta decided not to try and guess what that subject might be. "He almost never mentions anything else!"

"Well that sure sounds exactly like him! Used to be quite a reasonable feller till he got a bee in his bonnet about the Enclave. I always said Manya could've done better, but I guess at her age she's tolerant of his little weaknesses. My own dear husband, god rest his soul in eternity, passed away only a few years ago, and not a day goes by that I don't think of him." She gave a fond smile, and a titter. "Just wish I could hear one of those loud farts he was accustomed to giving!"

Tactfully Arta said, "I'm sorry that he isn't here now so we could've met him."

"Well that surely is nice of you to say that! And you know, it's certainly like Manya to send someone like yourself, with very good manners I might say, out here in search of a poem. Otherwise I might've reckoned you for a couple of bushwhackers that were name dropping to catch me off guard." Her voice sharpened just a little. "Even so I ain't exactly helpless, as you've just seen. My eyes ain't lost all their sparkle, like my name oughta tell you."

They had indeed seen. The journey to Wilhelm's Wharf had gone without a hitch, until they reached the riverside. A series of wooden jetties were linked together to form the Wharf, the dark water lapping gently at the quay. Arta had paused to look into the depths, fascinated by the shimmering of the moon's reflection amidst the wavelets. She had been about to turn away, when something broke the surface of the water, a white oval carapace covered in slime.

Mei Wong screamed: "Mirelurk! Run for it!"

With petrifying suddenness, the creature rose from the depths, sending water spraying as it leaped onto the pier. Though it was roughly humanoid in form and size, its features were crustacean-like, the head somewhat resembling a crab's in shape, and the arms ending in giant pincers. Hard shell covered most of its body, including its jointed legs, the armour of which Manya had warned.

The Mirelurk made a strange chittering noise, and swung one of its clawed arms at Arta, twisting its entire torso to add lethal weight to the blow. Frozen in horror, Arta would have been sliced open as though by a razor sharp cleaver, if Mei Wong hadn't pulled her out of the way. Before the creature could recover its position and strike again, Mei had dragged her further out of range, shouting all the time, "Run, run!"

Arta felt as though her feet were like lead, responding with nightmarish slowness as the creature approached them, moving with inhuman, springy steps. She grasped Mei's hand, and together they broke into a stumbling run, their feet slipping on the wet wood of the quay. Their pursuer was gaining speed and momentum, and only just behind them. Desperately they ran faster, trying to out distance it, but greatly increasing the chance of a fatal misstep. They had opened up a gap of several yards, and could see a small hut on the jetty ahead of them, when the inevitable happened, and Mei Wong tripped and fell, almost pulling Arta down with her.

The Mirelurk was almost upon them, but paused, perhaps confused by the unexpected motion of its prey.

A voice shrill with age yelled, "Over here, you ornery critter!"

The creature turned in the direction of the sound. A rifle barked, and the Mirelurk staggered back, a viscous fluid oozing from its head. A second shot followed with the same result, and then a third. The Mirelurk teetered, then abruptly fell forward and lay still.

"Heh, heh! Shooting 'em in the face is always the best way." The woman holding the smoking hunting rifle appeared somewhat younger and more vigorous than Manya, although white-haired and showing the lines of age. Her pale grey eyes possessed a harder and more assessing look, and she wore a rounded helmet and goggles similar to the one Moira had used during her weapon test. Her voice was brisk, but not unfriendly. "So how you folks doin'?"

Arta took hold of both Mei Wong's hands to pull her back to her feet. Briefly their faces were close together. Mei Wong gave an uncertain smile. Arta couldn't help but return it.

She said, "We'll be fine now."

"Shelter in my hut? Why, surely." Grandma Sparkle smoothed a crease out of her faded, grey robe. "Long as you don't go pokin' round where you've no right to. In fact you can even rest up and sleep if you want. My boys are out hunting Mirelurks till tomorrow morning, and when they're not around, I generally sit out here and keep watch." Her tone again held a hint of warning. "I may look like I'm dozing, but I always keep one eye open. No Lurk or Guai's gonna sneak up on me, nor no one else neither."

The hut was even smaller than Silver's shack, and sparsely furnished. Apart from a stove, much of the room was taken up with cupboards, cabinets and boxes, presumably amongst the items Grandma Sparkle had insisted they leave alone. Towards the back, a hunting rifle and ammunition cases lay on top of a long workbench, and behind that they found a single bed and a blanket, worn but spotlessly clean.

Mei Wong said, "There's only one bed."

"I guess they have to sleep in rotation in this place. You can have it. I slept a lot during the day." Remembering Jericho's advice, she decided to risk Grandma Sparkle's displeasure and picked up the rifle to examine it. She sighted along it, assessing the weight. It felt somehow natural and comfortable in her hands. "I wish I had one of these."

Mei said, "I'd leave it well alone if I were you. That old woman meant what she said." She yawned, and sat down on the bed. "Come, sit and talk for a while."

Arta put down the gun, and joined her. "I haven't yet thanked you for saving my life back there."

"You're welcome. As you've saved mine, I suppose that makes us even." Mei ran her fingers through her luxuriant hair. "Tell me about yourself, and how you grew up."

Arta considered. She felt better disposed towards Mei Wong than before, but recent experiences suggested that she was far from being someone she could trust. Taking into account people's varying reactions to former Vault dwellers, it seemed prudent to postpone revealing too much about her life history.

She said, "My mother died when I was born and my dad upped and left not long ago. I had to leave my old home, and was hoping to find a new one, perhaps in Megaton. That's about all there is to say." Seeing Mei was about to ask a question, she said quickly, "Your own story sounds much more interesting. Tell me how you came to be in Megaton with Burke."

Mei looked a little puzzled, then shrugged. "Okay, so long as you don't mind scary bedtime tales." She paused as though to summon up courage, then began hesitantly. "Burke was Tenpenny's chief henchman. I never had much to do with him, though I sometimes caught him looking at me. I used to wonder what unpleasant thoughts were going through his head. One day Tenpenny told me he'd made me Burke's personal servant, and I'd have to go with him and do whatever he said. When I went to see Burke he smiled in a way that really put me on edge, and ordered me to pack up his things ready to leave. He didn't say where we were going or why, and I was dreading what was to come.

We crossed the Wastes with four mercs from Talon Company, bastards all of them. I had to carry Burke's gear like I was a pack brahmin, and they taunted me unmercifully, sometimes even tripping me deliberately. Burke did nothing to stop them, and seemed to enjoy seeing me suffering."

Arta asked, "These mercenaries were his personal bodyguards?"

"No, they're guns for hire, but they usually take on the nastiest kinds of missions. Even with that kind of escort, the Wasteland took its toll. A Yao Guai jumped us on a cliff path, and badly wounded one of the Talons. They made me tend his injuries, but in revenge I left one of the bandages loose, and he bled to death. Then the Talon leader wanted me killed. Burke, however, wouldn't allow it. He said, "She's far too valuable to waste like that." He spoke quietly but the way he looked at me made me terrified rather than grateful. I thought that maybe the Talons would rebel and kill us both, but they followed his orders without question. I began to believe that they were almost as afraid of him as I was, for all that Talons are supposed to be the toughest mercs around.

When we finally got to Megaton, Burke bought one of the most expensive houses in town. I saw him loading Moriarty and that Sheriff with caps, probably bribes. After we moved in, he left me locked up to keep house, and disappeared for most of the day and evening."

Arta asked, "Didn't you try to escape while he was away?"

"Not at first. The house was strongly built by Megaton standards, and in any case I was petrified at what Burke might do to me if he caught me." She sniffled. "But that was before … before …"

Arta said gently, "Don't worry, you've escaped now. Telling someone about it may help."

"I … I don't know. It's hard to explain to someone else who didn't experience it."

Arta ventured to stroke Mei Wong's shoulder reassuringly. "I've spoken to Burke myself. I know something of what he's like. Try me."

Mei glanced sidelong at Arta, her large brown eyes reverting to the shyness of a small, furtive animal. "Alright." She seemed to compose herself. "Most of all I was afraid that Burke would try to molest me in some way, or even rape me. Though, of course, when it happens to a slave, many people don't even consider it rape. If you own someone's body, you can do what you like with it, they think. But for me it was more frightening, because … I'd never been with a man." Looking at Arta, she said, "I know that sounds difficult to believe in these times, and especially if you've been a slave. But I'd been captured in a slaver raid at a young age, and then got sold into Tenpenny's service almost straight away. Like I said, he never touched me, except with a whip. So I remained a virgin."

Arta shrugged, "I guess that can happen." If she only realised …

"Burke only seemed to want me to perform simple household tasks like cooking and cleaning, but that didn't make me feel any less frightened of him. When he was at home, he would watch me as I went about my duties, as though the way I performed them had some importance to him. Or he would stop me, and look directly into my eyes, as if he were trying to read my thoughts. This constant observation soon got on my nerves, as the only relief from it was when I slept or when he was outside. Even then I was left on edge wondering when he was coming back, as he occasionally did unexpectedly.

Over time his behaviour towards me changed. He would speak to me for longer, on seemingly random topics, but which I suspected were contrived to test my responses. Sometimes he would make me read to him from pre-war books, of which he had a small collection. These extracts were frequently violent or macabre or sexual in content, and reading them was often upsetting and embarrassing. All the time I could sense he was watching to gauge my reaction.

As time went on, he took to appearing behind me, and speaking or touching me on the arm. That was the thing that scared me most, and I think that he became aware of this, and did it more and more. One day he came home without me realising. The first thing I knew was when he suddenly touched my hair from behind. I'd always wanted to keep my hair as something for myself, so I covered it up except when I was asleep or alone. He began to muss it a little, and I could feel his breath on my neck. Then he started to touch me … everywhere … I … didn't know what to do … I …"

Arta said. "Its okay, you don't have to tell me everything if you'd rather not." But I want to know!

"But I want to tell you now. No one had ever … done this to me before. The sensations were … strange, frightening and exciting at the same time. When he began to touch my breasts … and … and other places, it felt pleasant, yet at the same time he was taking away control of my body from me, making it respond in the way he wanted. He seemed moved by some passion, and yet there was something cold and calculating about it, as though this too was part of his plan. And I began to think, this isn't right. I don't love or want this man. He can force or order me to obey him, but I won't comply of my own free will. So I made myself go limp. I didn't fight; I just shut out everything and didn't respond.

As soon as he realised what I was doing, his whole demeanour changed. He became enraged and, drawing back his hand, he struck me full across the face. He had never hit me before, and it was terrifying. Then he stormed out of the house, banging the door."

Arta had almost unconsciously put an arm around Mei Wong, who was beginning to tear up. Mei brushed her eyelids angrily, and pursed up her lips, as though determined to continue.

"I staggered to the sink to bathe my swollen face in a little water. Then I crept into a corner, and waited, my knees pulled up, my arms clasped around my body. I waited a long time, until darkness showed through the cracks in the walls. Still he didn't return.

I had been in a state of terror for so long now that it seemed fear had lost all its power over me. I looked in the drawer underneath the sink, where I knew the cutlery was kept, and selected a large carving knife. Then I took up a position to one side of the house door, so that it would open towards me. I waited again, the knife held pointing downwards from my fist.

After what seemed like an age, I finally heard the lock click, and the door opened. I no longer felt any fear, or anything at all. When Burke walked forward into the room, I raised the knife high and sprang forward to stab him from behind.

I thought I had made no noise, but as soon as I moved he turned, more quickly than I would have thought possible, catching the knife just as I was beginning the downward stroke. He was incredibly strong, and held my arm there, looking straight into my eyes. And he smiled, a terrible smile. I knew then, I knew that this was what he had wanted all along. And that I must do whatever I could to escape from him."

Grandma Sparkle opened the hut door and poked her head through. Arta and Mei Wong were sitting, heads close together.

"My, dontcha look cosy! I thought I'd tell you there's a radio that looks like its part of one of the cupboards, that one over there. You're welcome to listen to it. Oh, and they'll be Mirelurk cakes for breakfast. Sweetest meat you'll find, and it doesn't move in your stomach like Molerat. Sleep well, and we'll talk again in the morning."

After the old woman had left, Mei said, "I wonder if we're close enough to DC so we can get Galaxy News Radio."

Arta asked, "Galaxy News, what's that? I've only heard that Enclave station which repeats itself over and over."

"Really? Well I guess if you've only lived in the deep Wastes you might not have heard it; and the signal seems to have got weaker lately, so even in Megaton it wouldn't come clear. Like the other station, it plays records from before the war, but they're much better, I think. There are words to them, and the songs are about real things and emotions, like love, and so on. The DJ's this guy called Three Dog, and I'm sure he's a living person, not a recording like President Eden seems to be. He does repeat himself as well, but sometimes he tells you about things happening in the Wasteland. He gives advice too, even if it's a little obvious. I mean like, hide from Raiders and avoid radiation? Still anyone with musical taste that good can't be bad, you'd think. Listen, and you'll understand." She found the switch for the radio, and tuned the dial.

Arta always remembered the first time she heard a song from Galaxy News Radio, and the lyrics, sung in a clear, sweet female voice, were imprinted in her mind and cherished in her heart.

Maybe you'll think of me,

When you are all alone.

Maybe the one who is waiting for you,

Will prove untrue,

Then what will you do?

Maybe you'll sit and sigh,

Wishing that I were near,

Then maybe you'll ask me to come back again,

And maybe, I'll say maybe.

Seeing that she was moved, Mei asked, "Is there someone that this reminds you of?"

"Yes." Arta was barely able to speak.

Mei said, "I wish there was someone that special for me." After a pause, "Does it hurt so much to remember?"

"Yes."

"Then I don't know which of us is unluckier."

The next song began, Into each life some rain must fall, but too much is falling in mine, and seemed to sum up Arta's predicament so accurately that she was hard put not to break down on the spot. It was Mei's turn to offer a sympathetic embrace.

The song ended, and a lively, upbeat male voice began, "This is Three Dog … oowwww! And you're listening to Galaxy News Radio, bringing you the truth, no matter how bad it hurts."

Mei added, a little unnecessarily, "That's Three Dog. You see he's trying to tell it like it is."

The truth! Arta had heard so many lies that she wondered whether this bold claim could really be believed. Still at least she could listen to Three Dog's take on events, and compare it. And, as Mei had said, there was always the music. Perhaps that represented an even higher form of truth.

Three Dog's news was that the town of Grayditch had gone 'quiet' and people there seemed to be staying indoors. His advice to go check up on them didn't seem so smart to Arta.

Mei Wong agreed. "I think Grayditch is west of here. We'd best give it a wide berth." She yawned again. "I can't talk anymore, I have to sleep. Listen to the radio if you like, but turn it down please."

Arta indicated her pipboy. "I can use this to tune into radio stations and play them through an earpiece. You won't hear a thing."

"That's clever! Where did you get advanced tech like that? Actually, tell me about it tomorrow." Mei pulled the hooded top once possessed by Silver over her head, revealing a torn, dirty and bloodstained bra she seemed to have salvaged from a dead raider. "Jees this needs a wash!" After a moment's hesitation, she removed it, her face flushing slightly. Arta tried to look without appearing to do so, and observed that her breasts were small and neat, the flesh still firm and unblemished. Mei took off the slacks, but kept on her panties, either out of modesty or because they were in rather better condition. Then she lay down, pulling the blanket over her head.

Arta jerked awake. She had dozed off in Grandma Sparkle's rocking chair while listening to the radio. The 'sleep' function had switched it off, so it wasn't causing the sounds which had disturbed her. She was aware of a series of moans and sighs coming from nearby.

Looking round, she could see that Mei Wong was writhing under the blanket, while making the noises that she had heard. Arta at first jumped to the obvious conclusion, then realised Mei was still asleep, and presumably in the midst of a vivid or disturbing dream. She watched curiously.

Mei began to mutter in her sleep, at first too low for Arta to make out the words. Her wriggling increased, along with the volume of the muttering, and she said, quite clearly, "Yes, take me! Please!" Following these words, her motions became violent and in a change of tone, she cried, "No, no! Help, somebody help!" Her eyes flew open.

The next moment Arta was cradling her head gently. Mei Wong gave a sigh of relief. "Oh, what a nightmare! I'm glad someone … I mean, I'm glad you're here."

Soothing her forehead, Arta said, "I guess after today it'd be surprising if you didn't have bad dreams. Can you remember what that one was about?"

"The last bit of it, yes. Burke was chasing me. He was using molerats like hunting dogs, and he laughed every time they snapped at my heels. It was horrible. Just as I'd fallen over, and they were about to get me, I woke up." She frowned. "I'm sure there was much more, but I can't seem to remember."

Casually Arta asked, "Was Burke involved in the other part of the dream?"

Mei shook her head. "Perhaps, but I don't recall it. If he was, then maybe its better that way."

Are dreams another way of getting at the truth? Arta wondered again about Mei Wong's version of events. Even if it was accurate, the young woman's subconscious desires might be hidden even from herself. The timid, innocent impression that she first gave was certainly not the whole story. Burke was trying to recruit someone who would kill ruthlessly and without remorse. Had he begun to realise that person might be under his nose all the time?

Mei pressed closer to her. "I'm afraid to go back to sleep. Maybe if you're near, I won't be. Do you mind getting into bed with me for a while?"

"Not at all." Arta hesitated, removed her leather jacket, followed by her jumpsuit. Mei Wong made no comment, and made room in the bed for her to snuggle alongside. Arta slid in, and pulled the blanket over them both. Lying together, their bodies were pressed close, in contact at almost every point. Arta's flimsy half tee was the only clothing preventing their breasts from touching directly; their panties brushed up against one another, exchanging body heat, their lips were only millimetres apart.

Mei Wong whispered, "I've been thinking. I may die tomorrow. So tonight, I want to live as fully as I can. Will you … help me?"

Arta reached out to smooth back the silky curls. "Of course I will." And then their lips and every part of them touched.

Arta squatted to watch the sun rise above the jagged line of the DC ruins, reflecting flame from the river surface, washing the quay with waves of gold. The feathery clouds looked as though they were about to part to reveal the Son of Man descending in glory to reclaim the world and build a paradise on earth.

The fire of life is beautiful, yet how quickly the flame burns and is gone. Last night we created an inferno between us: the kisses, the sighs, the caresses, the moans of pleasure: yet it was the act of making love, and not love itself.

Her body felt satisfied, perhaps as satisfied as it had ever done, but not her soul. She did not love Mei Wong, nor did she even like her very much. When their naked bodies had twined together, it was to claim something back from the Wasteland, something other than a life of struggling to survive. Each had known what the other wanted, and provided it regardless of feelings.

Was that how Amata had felt … afterwards? Yet surely that was different. They had been close to one another for years, whereas she had only just met Mei. Shouldn't that time have counted for something? If her suspicions were correct, Amata had become the kind of cold woman unable to feel strong affection for anyone, not even her own father. Arta's reason urged her to this conclusion, but her romantic self protested, That's not how she really is!

From behind her, Mei Wong asked quietly, "Why do you weep?"

Arta turned towards her, making no attempt to conceal the tears, "I mourn for the time when I will lose all this."

"This … you mean, the Wastes?" Mei said unbelievingly.

"All this … beauty."

Mei bowed her dark locks. "I don't think I understand."

"You only have to look for it."

They fell silent then for a while, until Mei ventured tentatively, "Arta, about last night. I don't want you to feel you owe me anything. If we have to part, then …"

"It's alright, Mei Wong. We don't have any more obligations between us."

Mei sighed with relief. "Okay. And if our paths run together for a while, that will be fine too."

"Well folks, can I give you any more assistance before you're on your way?" Grandma Sparkle was walking towards them across the quay, her rifle shouldered, squinting her eyes against the bright light.

Looking directly at her, Arta asked bluntly, "What are your views on slavery?"

The old woman frowned. "I'm not exactly in favour of it, not exactly agin' it. Why'd you want to know?"

Arta glanced at Mei Wong, who nodded. "It might help if you can tell us a place where the people are definitely against it."

Grandma Sparkle looked dubious. "I've heard Wasteland rumours. Some say far to the north of DC there's such a place, called the New Union, a community of freed slaves. But the way to it is long and dangerous. Rivet City is closer, and I've heard the Council doesn't hold with slavery, which is not to say it's completely safe there. In any case, you'd have to cross the river and the far bank's infested with Supermutants."

Arta asked, "What about the Citadel?"

"Oh, there! Should be a breeze to get to, compared to the others. What such folks as the Brotherhood think about slaves or whether they'd be inclined to let you in at all, that's another thing entirely."

Arta looked to Mei again, who said, "It's got to be worth trying. I'm not going to dice with death to get to the New Union or Rivet City unless I really have to."

"Very well. We'll go together."

"No Supermutants or travelling salesman allowed inside. This is the headquarters of the Brotherhood of Steel, Capital Wasteland Division. It's a military establishment. Civilians aren't welcome."

Arta regarded the figure in front of her with a mixture of frustration and awe. Paladin Bael, as his name suggested, had a more than close resemblance to a legendary knight from her favourite comic book. With his fair, blonde locks and the huge silver-grey metal armour plates which protected him from the neck downwards, he reminded her of Sir Hugh Longblade, from Grognak and the Virgin Princess (Issue eighteen), the eponymous barbarian's unlikely ally and eventual enemy. But whereas Sir Hugh had been punctilious in following the codes of chivalry (thus leading to his disagreement with Grognak following the rescue of the no longer virgin princess), Bael simply came across as blunt, inflexible and uncooperative, behaving in most ways as though he didn't give a damn. As far from her idea of a knight in shining armour as it was possible to imagine.

This was disappointing, because when they'd first come in sight of the Citadel, she'd been excited, as well as a little daunted, to see the members of the Brotherhood patrolling the perimeter and manning the 'battlements' like medieval armoured warriors. She had listened repeatedly to Three Dog on Galaxy News Radio describing the Brotherhood of Steel as fighting the 'Good Fight', protecting the Capital Wasteland from Supermutants and Raiders. Now she was experiencing a dose of realism and disillusion. The armour was in fact a piece of high-tech equipment designed to protect the wearer from environmental hazards like radiation and biological toxins, and powered up to allow faster and easier movement. And rather than the Brotherhood being perfect, gentle knights inhabiting a fairy-tale castle, they appeared to be down-to-earth, cynical, rather disdainful soldiers defending a ruined building, and disinclined to be welcoming to strangers.

True the Citadel, with its high, ridged stone walls and metal gantries overlooking the Potomac, looked more formidably intact than most of the wrecked shells they had encountered along the shoreline. And the Brotherhood looked well equipped to deal with its enemies. Apart from power armour, some of the latter day 'knights' carried advanced laser rifles, along with more prosaic weapons like assault rifles and flamethrowers, all in good condition. Paladin Bael himself wielded an enormous rotating machine gun. Unlike the other Brotherhood soldiery they could see, he chose to leave off the sealed metal helmet which shielded the wearer from harm, and screened his or her visage from direct observation by others. Perhaps this was an attempt to give the Brotherhood's doorkeeper a human face, as well as a voice not mechanised by coming through speakers, and obscured by the rasping of breathing equipment.

If this was indeed the intention, Bael's highhanded manners rather spoilt the effect. Arta was already seriously riled by his arrogant assumption of superiority, and his slighting references to herself and Mei Wong.

"We're not trying to sell anything, and we're obviously not mutants! Mei Wong is here to find refuge from her cruel master, and I'm in search of the other half of a poem." As she reviewed her words mentally, Arta was forced to concede that they might not sound very convincing to an unsympathetic ear.

Bael gave a smirk, and a slight titter. "Well by the Sainted Sarah Lyons' Holy Hand Grenade! It sounds like you've come to audition for the part of Penelope Chase in the Adventures of Herbert Daring Dashwood on that crappy radio station. Or some other work of complete fiction. Look girly, this is a fighting military unit. We use our big guns to shoot big Super mutants. Elder Lyons may have altered our goals a little recently, which he can do because he's the main man. But until he tells me they've changed to sheltering slaves who can't hack it, or … " he spluttered with mirth "helping aspiring literary critics, I ain't letting you in. Got it?"

Arta felt any sense of awe evaporating and replaced by burning anger. "I thought you people were supposed to help us! That's what we're told on that 'crappy radio station'. Or maybe I should be listening to John Henry Eden. Common criminals are what he called you."

The Paladin gave her a sardonic look. "Well I guess you can pay your money and take your choice of crap."

Arta was already turning away, stepping aside to avoid the Brotherhood's diamond headed, wedge-shaped combat bot, which advised in emotionless synthetic tones: "Move-along-please."

"Come along, Mei Wong, we'll make it on our own. Maybe Rivet City or the New Union will be more hospitable than these so-called knights."

"You want to go to those places? Well here's some advice. Don't. Do yourselves and us a favour and stay away from central DC, its chock full of mutants." Bael sounded just a trifle riled.

"You haven't given us much choice, have you?"

"I only do my job. Okay, I'll give you some useful tips if you're set on going. Swim the river from that jetty over there. When you reach the opposite bank, pass the boathouse and hug the shoreline at the bottom of the promenade walls. When you get into the open, run like hell towards the big white statue. Make it that far, and Rivet City will be right in front of you. And watch yourself. They'll be a Supermutant camp on your left, and more of those frankensteins patrolling the Jefferson Memorial on your right." He pointed towards a distant domed building on the far bank, apparently connected to the rest of the land by a narrow causeway.

"What!" Arta exploded. "These are your brilliant suggestions? To swim an irradiated, Mirelurk infested river, then run the gauntlet between two sets of mutants? Go stick your head in brahmin shit!"

"Wait, Arta." Mei Wong spoke quietly but firmly. "I'm going to take the man's advice. If we're nice, he might repeat it again."

Arta stared at her. "You've gotta be kidding me!"

"No, I'm not. Like you said, I don't have much choice."

Arta and Mei Wong stood on the jetty looking towards the opposite riverbank. Mei had stripped down to her underwear, and packed her other gear into a bundle tied to her back. She looked nervous and vulnerable.

"Well, now I'm ready." She gave a brave smile, although her lips were trembling. "At least these clothes are going to get a much needed wash."

"Don't joke!" Arta hugged her. "You shouldn't have to do this!"

"In some other world or life maybe not. But this is the reality I'm faced with now. Myself alone. I know I can't ask you to come with me."

Arta looked down ashamed, then fumbled in her pockets. "Please take this. I found it in Silver's shack. I think it protects against radiation. And take one of these packets of Radaway too."

"It's only a short distance. But thank you … for everything." She smiled again and kissed Arta on the cheek. Bracing herself, she took the Rad-X dose, stretched her arms outwards and dived clumsily into the water.

Arta watched as she struck out frantically for the far bank, expecting any moment to see smooth, white shapes gliding in for the kill. But none appeared. Mei dragged herself out on the opposite side, looked back to give one final wave, then crept cautiously away, eventually disappearing out of sight down a slope.

With a feeling of despair and dread, Arta turned away from the shore. All of her efforts so far to help other people, and to help herself, seemed to have amounted to very little. The ghouls were dead, Silver was dead, Mei Wong would probably soon be dead. And what of her own fate? The sun was still high in the sky, sparkling on the water, yet the road back home seemed dark and threatening, especially now she was utterly alone.

She turned on GNR, hoping to hear something soothing. Instead Three Dog's voice echoed mockingly in her head:

So if you see a knight or a paladin fighting your battles for you, don't forget to give them your thanks or, better still, some ammo.

"Hogwash!" she shouted aloud, stamping her foot. "It's all utter hogwash!" An angry tear ran down her cheek, and she turned the sound to mute.

*Well the delay is longer than ever, but at least this is a much more substantial episode than last time (plus extra A/N naturally).

Sorry Silver fans but, unless you're inclined to disbelieve Mei Wong and are very optimistic, it looks like she's not coming back into the story. I honestly couldn't see any further part for her to play.

Mei Wong's age is given as thirty in Wiki, and I'm not necessarily disputing it. However for story purposes I needed her to be much younger, and she otherwise almost perfectly fits the required character profile.

Paladin Bael's advice wasn't at all bad in the circumstances. In the game, at least, I've found swimming the Potomac is the best way to get to Rivet City, and its perfectly possible to sneak by the Supermutants. Of course in 'reality', swimming an irradiated river isn't a pleasant prospect, and the dangers would be far greater. Not to mention that, for reasons which are obvious, most Wastelanders (and Vault dwellers!) wouldn't know how to swim. But since the game lets you do it ... People can also learn by being thrown or falling in, though that particular trick didn't work for me. I would've drowned if someone hadn't fished me out!

Holy Hand Grenade? If the Brotherhood aren't fans of Monty Python's The Holy Grail, they should be!*