PROLOGUE
The sun begins to rise on another day in the unforgiving Michigan Wasteland. The scenery, scrap and all else leftover from the old world seem to speak but say nothing at the same time. A Radio Host begins his morning wake-up call per usual
Radio Host
"Good morning beautiful scavvers! What a fine morning it is here in the wasteland. Now usually I'll start off with a catchy song or two but I today I wanna talk about something more important, our lives. It's time for a little tough love. What do you expect to happen if you're sitting around not doing shit but expecting things to change for you? I got news for you, nothing is going to change until you get off your asses and-"
A man slams his hand down smashing his radio quiet. This man is Martin Holmes, and the location is Vault 184. Martin sits on his bed starting at the broken radio, but the stare goes deeper than the radio. The stare spells fear as if something terrible is about to happen. Martin stands up and makes his way out of his room. Walking ever so quietly down the hallway of the Vault, Martin's breaths get heavier as he approaches the room closes to the exit of the living quarters. Martin stands in front of the door staring silently. He takes out a lockpick, and after a few seconds the door rises. Martin stands in the doorway, walking forward into the residence, then into the bedroom ever so quietly, taking little time to look around. He looks forward at the bed staring at the couple that sleeps, which happens to be Martin's brother Frederick and his wife Meredith. To the left of the bed up against the cracked Vault walls sits a crib. Laying inside the crib is Martin's newborn nephew. Martin approaches the crib, sticking his hand towards the sleeping child's face, gently caressing the baby's soft cheeks. He then turns his attention to his sleeping brother and his sister n law. Martin slowly pulls a knife from his pants, gripping it tightly. After glancing at his nephew one more time, Martin gets close to Frederick's ear and whispers
Martin Holmes
"Im sorry my brother, I truly am"
Martin begins stabbing Frederick repeatedly in the chest. We hear blood curdling screams of Meredith as we see the baby boy in the crib toss and turn, slowly opening his eyes
ACT 1
A boy sit awake in his bed inside of Vault 184. This boy is Evan Holmes. Evan turns over and grabs his boy, checking the date. "August 25th, 2256" today is Evan's 18th birthday. This is day where all residents of Vault 184 are assigned to a job, the job they will have for the rest of their life. Evan smiles and jumps to his feet, leaving his bedroom only to become confused at an empty living area, where his father would usually be sitting eating breakfast at the dining table with a plate across from him for Evan
Evan Holmes
"Dad? You there?"
Evan searches every room to find no trace of his father. He leaves his residence heading towards the Atrium, which is the only place Evan assumed his father could be. Evan notices complete darkness on the windows, with not a single spot of light creeping through
Evan Holmes
"Power is never out in the Atrium"
Evan's heart pounds as he enters the Atrium, into the complete darkness not knowing what could lie inside. Suddenly the lights turn on blinding Evan. The Atrium is filled with party decorations, with three Chocolate Cakes sitting on the main table. A crowd of all the Vault's residents stand in front of Evan scream in unison
Crowd Of Residents
"Happy Birthday!"
Evan sighs in relief, feeling stupidity for thinking something bad had happened. In the front of the crowd stands Evan's father, the Overseer of Vault 184, Martin Holmes. Martins smiles from ear to ear at Evan, with Evan returning the favor.
ACT 2
Near a table at the Atrium's exit sits Evan along with his girlfriend Emily Walter, his best friend Dakon Bleine, another great friend Harold Woodley, and his father Martin Holmes
Emily Walter
"So whatcha think of everything? Did we surprise you"?
Evan Holmes
"You did indeed. Nearly blinded me in the proccess too"
Everyone chuckles
Martin Holmes
"Emily here did most of all this by herself"
Evan Holmes
"Did she now?"
Emily Walter
"I don't wanna brag, but..."
Evan turns his attention to Dakon and Harold
Evan Holmes
"And what did you two do to help?"
Dakon Bleine
"So yeah we um, uh-"
Harold Woodley
"We did the thing where, um yeah so we-"
Evan Holmes
"Yeah I figured as much.Thanks guys"
Dakon Bleine
"Hey anytime"
Evan shakes his head smiling
Martin Holmes
"Listen Ev Im gonna head to the office. Once you're done here swing by, there's something very important we need to discuss"
Evan Holmes
"Yes sir"
Martin stands to leave
Martin Holmes
"Alright kiddo, enjoy your party"
Evan Holmes
"Not a kid anymore dad, Im eighteen"
Martin Holmes
"Alrighty then, Mr Adult Man"
Martin exits the atrium. Evan's companions stare at him, awkwardly smiling
Evan Holmes
"Um, what?"
Dakon Bleine
"Dude, you know what he wants to talk to you about right?"
Evan Holmes
"My job Im assuming"
Dakon Bleine
"Exactly"
Harold Woodley
"So what are you gonna pick?"
Emily Walter
"Engineer?"
Harold Woodley
"Doctor?"
Dakon Bleine
"Garbage Boy?"
Evan Holmes
"You're funny"
Dakon Bleine
"Im aware"
Evan Holmes
"No one gets to pick, what makes you think I'll get special treatment?"
Harold Woodley
"Dude, did you really just ask that?"
Emily Walter
"You're the Overseer's kid, he's gonna let you choose whatever you want"
Dakon Bleine
"So what's it gonna be?"
Evan Holmes
"Ive actually been considering joining the Wasteland Team"
Emily Walter
"What? You can't be serious"
Dakon Bleine
"Ev are you sure that's a good idea?"
Evan Holmes
"Look think about it. We're gonna live our entire lives in here when there is a whole world out there we're not getting to experience!"
Emily Walter
"A world that destroys lives and take what you love away from you"
Evan Holmes
"Em c'mon I-"
Emily storms out of the Atrium. Evan turns to Dakon and Harold for advice
Dakon Bleine
"Go"
Evan begins chasing after Emily. He finds her near the passage to the Hydroponics Lab biting her nails viciously trying to calm herself, tears streaming down her face
Evan Holmes
"Em can we please talk?"
Emily Walter
"You know exactly what the outside took from me. How could you want to do that to me? Evan If I lost you..."
Evan Holmes"You're never gonna lose me. I'm sorry, It was stupid of me to think so selfishly. I won't do it, I promise. Come here"
Evan embraces Emily, but in his mind he knows he made a promise he doesn't intend to keep
ACT 3
Martin overlooks the Atrium through the big oval window in his office. His past constantly haunts him as he sees flashbacks of the horrific act he committed against his own brother. Martin's trance is broken by the sound of Evan's voice near the doorway
Evan Holmes
"Dad?"
Martin Holmes
"Yes?"
Evan Holmes
"You okay?"
Martin Holmes
"What? Yes yes Im perfectly fine. Come sit for a moment"
Evan Holmes
"You said you wanted to talk to me?"
Martin Holmes
"Yes indeed. Evan you're eighteen now so it's time for something very important to be decided, your job here in the Vault"
Evan Holmes
"Yeah about that, Ive made my decision on what I want to do"
Martin Holmes
"What makes you think I would let you choose?"
Evan Holmes
"Oh, well I just kind of figured-"
Martin Holmes
"Hahaha, of course you get to choose. Before you tell me your decision though, allow me to say something first. Evan I know you have big dreams and I admire that so much about you, but some things inparticular that you want just aren't worth it. You're not gonna find what you dream of on the outside, its a death sentence. As sad as it is, the people we send out there, they're expendable. We send them out there to make sure what's out there doesn't compromise what's in here"
Evan Holmes
"So Emily's parents, they were expendable?"
Martin Holmes
"They were good people. They were. They are some of the only few that shouldn't have been out there. You're also one of those people Evan. This Vault, our home, it survives with you. You are the future"
Evan Holmes
"The thought never crossed my mind about what happens when you're gone. You're right, Ive made my decision. I'm gonna join the security team instead, help keep the piece on the instead"
Martin Holmes
"Great choice. I'll inform Chief Hernandez. I'm so proud of you Evan"
Evan and Martin embrace
END OF CHAPTER 1