Once he reached the Overseer's office, Al came face-to-face with Amata's dad. "Well… I see you've returned." Said Alphonse. "Done with the dust and ruins of the wasteland, are you? Given up looking for daddy? Thought you could just slink back in like a teen missing curfew? Well, that's too bad. You have no future in this vault… You're tainted."
"I'm tainted? You're the crazy bastard who murdered Jonas!" Al argued.
"I assume you're talking about the unpleasantness when you left? Yes? Jonas and your father were endangering the future success of this vault, and the safety of its residents. I did what I had to do to keep them from destroying all we had achieved here. I only wish I could've prevented it from happening at all." Said Alphonse.
"With your leadership, no one in this vault has much of a future."
"That would be where you're wrong, young man. By locking down this vault, I'm protecting its future." Alphonse contradicted. "In fact, I was protecting its future when I had to make those unpleasant choices the night you and your father abandoned us. I only wish I could've stopped your father before he left. If anyone's to blame for the unpleasantness, it's him."
"I'm sick of your lies! You murdered Jonas in cold blood!" Alberrt shouted.
"First of all, I didn't kill Jonas. I commanded Chief Hannon to do so… but only because it had to be done." At this info, Al was happy that he watched Chief Hannon get eaten by roaches, rather than quickly killing him first-hand. "Jonas was going to leave with your father! If he left, others would've left to join them… and they'd all vanish into the wastes, never to return. And, with our numbers so depleted, we wouldn't be able to last beyond another generation… assuming our expatriates did not lead raiders to us first."
"Don't try to justify your murders and lies. They were never threats." Al called out Alphonse.
"Spoken like someone who's never had to make difficult decisions! Like someone who's never had to lead… Jonas was leaving with your father. Their departure would lead to others leaving as well… And, before you know it, half of the vault would be gone! And then, our home - the last safe, pure bastion of humanity - would be reduced to a handful of aging holdouts, too few to continue." Alphonse's face softened as he said this.
"Do you have any idea why my dad left the vault in the first place?" Al inquired.
"I've spent many nights asking myself exactly that. He certainly didn't tell me before he left. I blame myself, really. I should've known better than to let him enter our home in the first place. He certainly showed his true colours in the end. Were he raised in the cleanliness of our vault, perhaps your father would've shown more dedication to the important things in life… Just as well that he left - we mustn't let humanity's last pure specimens be sullied with his type." Said Alphonse.
"It won't ever be pure while you're in charge." Al informed.
"Hardly. If anything, the only thing keeping it safe and pure is my strict supervision. But, I wouldn't expect you to understand. You were never really one of us, anyway. Your father was from the wastes… and that's where you belong. I think our meaningful discussion is at an end. I'm going to have to ask you to leave and never return. But… death's… always an option, too." Alphonse half-threatened.
"Yeah, maybe you're all better off without him." Al pondered.
"I'm glad we're in agreement there. He left us all behind and caused quite a deal of trouble. All because he apparently got tired of the vault. As useful as his services were… in the end, he just… wasn't willing to make sacrifices for the community." Said Alphonse.
"But, at least my dad didn't hide from the outside his whole life." Al added.
"No, but he didnt risk bringing you out into it, either. You have to wonder, is that why he left you behind? He wanted to know you were someplace safe? And then, like a fool, you squandered the greatest gift he ever left you." Alphonse hissed.
"Lay off the evil banter. I'm just curious about your side of all this." Said Al.
"Really? And here, I had expected you to be full of bullets and bravado, but short on brains… Perhaps you've grown up since you left our vault. I regret the unfortunate events of that night. But, I'm afraid that, once your father left us, they were... unavoidable. The sad truth is… that his actions presented a real and direct threat to the future success of our vault. And so, regrettably… they had to be opposed."
"Whaddya mean by the vault's 'future success'?" Al asked the Overseer, confused.
"Aha - you're paying attention! Good for you." Alphonse responded condescendingly. "These vaults were designed to be safe havens for humanity, you see. But, more than that, they were designed to test and protect us… and none more so than our Vault 101. We are to be a pure and protected breed of humans, never tainted by the ravages of war above." He explained.
"I had no idea Vault 101 was so important. I just thought it was a fancy bunker." Al admitted.
"No - the vaults have been so much more! But, only the Overseers have known the truth, and we've passed it down very carefully. I had hoped to tell Amata when she took over, but… with the way things are now… that doesn't seem likely to happen. But, if you could convince her and the rebels to give up this foolish demand to leave, then we can return to our vault's vital mission."
"I think you've got a good point, but things still need to change down here." Said Albert.
"I'm trying to save my people. Possibly the only pure, safe humans left in the world. Don't destroy humanity's last chance just because you don't like the choices ive had to make to protect it."
"You're not protecting your people - you're destroying them. Can't you see that?"
"I'm afraid you're the short-sighted one here. I'm simply keeping them safe and untouched by the war above. The REAL danger… are the rebels and insurgents who insist on risking all of our lives, just to die out there in the wastes. If they weren't trying to throw our lives away like that, we could go back to the peaceful life we once had. Everyone would be happy again."
"The vault doesn't have to be isolated in order to keep its residents safe."
"And what makes you so certain about that? I can't imagine you're still so naive, after spending time in that hell outside. None of them know what the outside is like… and most of them would die out there. Then, the rest of us inside would eventually die out, too. I won't risk all of our lives just for a few people's passing fancy… of taking a wasteland vacation. I hope you can understand that."
Alphonse continued. "As I always suspected… You never cared about the vault! Now that you've been outside, you're nothing more than an ignorant savage." Alphonse hissed. "But, by all means, feel free to see yourself out. I'm sure you know the way."
"Why are they rebelling?"
"I just don't know. Don't they realise just how dangerous it is out there? But, instead, they would throw away the safety of the vault's isolation, just to follow in your footsteps. I can't allow them to do that to themselves, or to the rest of us."
"I'll tell you why; the rebels are upset because you lied to them about the outside."
"They have to understand that we did that to keep them from going outside and getting killed. To keep them from making the same mistake our generation did when we were their age. Some of us already lost loved one out there long ago. We won't lose any more today."
"I believe I have the solution to the vault's problem." Al announced.
"To fix… what you started? Go ahead… and humour me." Said Alphonse.
"The rebels are right. I think you need to open the vault." Said Albert.
"Oh, do you? What makes you think you know how better to protect this vault?"
"You simply don't have enough people to stay isolated down here forever." Al informed.
"I admit - in the two-hundred years since the war, our numbers have dwindled a little… But, we have enough genetic diversity for… a few more generations... " The Overseer said, before his eyes lit up in realisation. "My god, you're right! We won't last another hundred years, whether or not we get supplies from the outside. We're the last bastion of pure humanity… and we're doomed…"
"You can't even keep your security in line." Albert informed. "They're planning to raid the rebels."
"Dammit!" Alphonse cursed. "I told them I won't let this de-generate into violence again! The vault simply can't take the instability anymore! But, maybe you're right. They simply can't stand the pressure anymore… And now, the purity and perfection of my vault is crumbling all around me!"
"The only mission your vault ever had was keeping its residents alive." Said Al.
Alphonse scoffed. "And you expect me to believe that the only way to do that, is to let them travel out in the wastes and mingle with those savages? I suppose it would allow them to stay alive… and we could still keep the vault as our safe haven… But, it'd require a new type of leader… And I know only one person with the proper attitude to do that. I'll inform my daughter Amata that she… is the new Overseer… Effective immediately."
"Humanity isn't about pure genetics. It's about never giving up hope, even now."
"Heh. I wish I could share your optimism. But, I suppose you have a point… in your blathering way. My way won't save our vault's mission. But, if I let them contact the outside world, I might be able to save its inhabitants. But, I'm not the one to lead them in that. I'm stepping down as Overseer… I'll tell Amata that I can think of no more appropriate leader than she."
The Overseer then ran out of the office and all the way to the clinic, with Albert close behind. Once there, Alphonse made a monologue.
"Amata? Everyone? Listen closely. After a discussion with your… 'friend'... I've made an important decision. In my attempts to keep us all safe, I have been… perhaps… overzealous. Lives have been lost. But, perhaps, worse than that… lives have been stopped. And, in my attempts to keep you safe, I have kept you from growing up. I know I have made these mistakes, and I would make them again if I had to do so. That is why… I cannot remain… your Overseer."
"Father!" Amata said from surprise.
"Amata… I appoint you Overseer in my place. You've proven you have what it takes to make hard choices for the good of the vault. I'm just sorry I didn't understand that earlier. Consider it one of many mistakes I've made." Alphonse told Amata.
"Thank you, father, I'll do my best to keep us all safe, inside the vault and beyond." Amata told her dad.
"You're welcome, my dear. And now… if you'll excuse me… I feel quite… worn-down. We'll deal with the details soon, in private. Until then, I'm sure there are people waiting to congratulate you." Alphonse told Amata, who then approached Albert, who was listening from outside.
"I… I just heard…" She began. "My father says he's stepping down as Overseer. He won't tell me why, but… I have to assume it's something you said to him!"
"I just had a little talk with him, and explained a few things. All quite civil."
"You and him? Civil? I expected hou to change out in the wasteland, but not THAT much." Said Amata.
"He didn't even realise how wrong he was, but I set him straight." Said Al.
"Well… thanks for keeping your cool and not resorting to violence. That sort of thing would only lead to more problems in the future." Said Amata.
"You both care about the vault's residents… but in different ways." Said Al.
"It's… hard to forgive what he's done, but… I suppose I can understand why he did it. I'm glad you brought him to his senses. But… I guess we'll all be learning a bit about the outside now, won't we. As the new Overseer, I'm planning on opening the vault. This time, for good It's a bright new day for the vault! But, I'm afraid there's ONE thing that has to change." Said Amata.
"Whatever it is, I'm glad to help." Said Al.
"I know you are!" Amata replied merrily. "And, on behalf of the vault, I thank you for all you've done! But there are still MANY that blame you for everything that happened. There are still SO many things to repair, and… a lot of bad feelings to mend. Some people still blame you for what happened. So… I have to ask you to leave. I'm sorry, but the situation is just too delicate for you to stay. Please… if you really want to help the vault… you HAVE to go…" She said, her voice trembling as she said the last part.
"Oh WOW, yeah - I save the vault, and now you're kicking me out? Of course, typical Amata, why don't I expect this?" Al remarked with sarcasm, and hurt.
"No - it's not like that! But, if you stay, it'll just keep causing more problems. The vault cant take any more in-fighting. It's… just what has to be. It'll be a while before we're ready to really go outside. But, one the vault is stable again, maybe we'll see you out there. We can never really thank you enough for everything you've done." She said.
Amata then pulled out a gift for Al; two photos and Amata's prized locket that she got for her eighteenth birthday. "It's not much, but… take this with you. To remember us by. To remember ME by…"
Al looked at the photos; one was a picture of him and Amata taken on Amata's tenth birthday as they pulled silly faces, the other was a picture of him and Amata taken on Amata's eighteenth birthday as they showed the biggest smiles ever. Al then inspected the little brass watch, where there was an engraving that read 'Albert + Amata forever'.
"Amata…" He said, his eyes tearing-up slightly. "I… can't… it's yours, it's… too painful." He trembled.
As tears rolled down Amata's cheeks, she just put her finger over his mouth, and they looked into each other's watery eyes. "Don't…" Amata whispered. "Just…" She then trailed off as they leaned in to each other. The two 19-year-olds then kissed each other for what they both thought was the very last time that they ever would, and so they made every second count.
After their long kiss, Amata spoke up. "So… I guess this is goodbye for now… But, with luck, we'll meet again."
"Goodbye, Amata." Al then turned and headed out.
Several minutes later, Al had retrieved his baseball, baseball glove, and baseball bat from his old room, and was now at the vault's front gate. As he walked beyond the gate, walking through the outer tunnels, he looked back and saw Officer Armstrong operate the panel to shut the big door behind him. Al then opened the small wooden door at the end of the short tunnel, and ventured out into the outside world once more.
As he stepped outside, he saw his pet German Shepard sat by the door, who had been waiting right there for his human friend throughout this hour or so. Al then bent down and patted him in a vigorously friendly manner, whilst his dog put his front paws on Al's chest and wagged his tail excitedly. "Hey, Dogmeat! Good to see you too, boy! Sorry I took so long, pal…"
However, Dogmeat could sense that his master was feeling sorrowful, and so his big canine smile turned into a confused frown as he whimpered slightly. "It's okay, boy… I'm okay…" Al had tried to reassure his dog.
Another several minutes later, they arrived in the town of Megaton, Al's hometown, located about a quarter of a mile away from Vault 101. Every local knew him, and was on good terms with him for the individual favours and tasks that he'd carried out for them. Al headed up to the saloon, whilst Dogmeat roamed about. Al sat on a stool at the front counter and was greeted by Gob, the barman.
Gob was a ghoul, and Al was the only patron to have ever been nice to him, except for Nova, the saloon's 25-year-old prostitute, who flirted with Al every time he came in. "Hey, pal! Whaddya need? Nuka-Cola? Beer? … Maybe even a cheeky little scotch? C'mon, what's your poison?" Gob asked Al in his usually-friendly, but very croaky voice.
However, Al just sat with his arms folded on the counter as he looked down with sad eyes, and his mouth slightly agape. "God damn, you all good, pal? Need somethin' stronger? Anything? C'mon, talk to me, buddy." Gob continued in his friendly demeanour.
Nova then approached the front of the counter. "Yeah, you all good, hun? You seem awfully quiet." She said to Al in her calm, soothing voice as she rested her elbow on the counter to look at him, whilst crossing her legs as she stood.
Al had to admit to himself that Nova was one of the second-most beautiful women he'd ever laid eyes on; nice Caucasian complexion, a wild red hair-do, and not to mention the skimpy clothes and stockings. However, no girl came close to the angelic divinity of one Amata Almodovar… The girl that he had now lost.
"I just need... rum." Said Al, not looking up, as he got out his bottle caps to pay for it. Al got a more-than-sufficient number of caps from his inventory, and placed them on the counter. "Here. Get one each for yourselves." He said to Gob and Nova.
"Wow, thanks, pal. It's stuff like that that makes this job worthwhile, and you're always the one responsible!" Gob said gratefully, pouring three shots of rum.
"Nothin' to it." Sai Al, still quiet and sad-looking, before taking his shot glass into his hand. "Cheers, guys..." He said softly.
"Cheers!" Gob and Nova said in unison. The three then downed their shots, and promptly set their glasses back on the counter.
Al then put more caps on the counter. "Another shot." He said bluntly.
"O-kay, pal." Gob said as he poured his best customer another shot. Al then downed the shot and asked for another. After about ten minutes, young Albert was just gradually drinking his seventh shot, soon before drunkenly asking for an eighth.
"I… think you've had enough for one day, big boy." Said Nova. At this moment, Colin Moriarty, the Irish asshole of an owner of this pub, who was always a dick to Gob, approached.
"Nonsense!" Said Colin cheerily. "Let him drink as much as he wants! After all, it's only more profit!" Colin then looked at Gob. "And plus, I'm not the one who'll be cleanin' the place if he vomits everywhere! I'nt that right, Gob? Hehehe!" This made Gob frown. "I said isn't that right, Gob?" He said sternly.
"Yes… Mr. Moriarty…" Gob said in a glum and defeated tone.
Al then stood up and faced Colin. "Ohh, fffuuuuuck YOU, you prick-fuck." He slurred. "Gob's my buddy! I'll beat you, ya old bastard." With that, Al brought his fist up, making Colin grin in amusement. However, Al only fell backwards, with Nova quickly catching him, but unable to lift his heavy mass, Nova just gradually dropped him on his back. At least she broke his fall significantly.
Unbeknownst to them, throughout these ten minutes of Al getting wasted with a depressed look the entire time, Lucy West sat in her usual chair by the door, just watching him with sad eyes, not interrupting. Lucy was a Caucasion blondie the same age as Nova, who came into the saloon quite often. She was also nice with Gob, but didn't interact with him much. Al had helped Lucy with a personal family problem when he was in town. Since then, she had a massive crush on him, more so than Nova.
A few weeks later, after more planning and such, Albert and the Brotherhood of Steel got back to the memorial with the help of a giant robot called Optimus Prime, who killed many Enclave soldiers on the way.
After activating the purifier, Al was informed by Madison Li through a radio that he would have to go into the chamber at the heart of the memorial, which was full of radiation, and enter the code to release the pressure in the facility, or it would all explode. Al selflessly went into the chamber and entered the code that Madison gave him, and fell to the floor as his allies watched in horror from behind a window.
However, it had turned out that he survived, after he woke up from a coma that lasted several weeks. Some time later, having completed his full mission with the Brotherhood, Al happened to come by Susie Mack in the wasteland. She was all kitted-out in female-issue Vault Security armour and garb, though without the helmet.
"Wow… Who would've thought I'd run into YOU out here?" She said to Al. "It's a small world! But, not as small as the vault, I guess. I'm just out, taking care of a little trading, now. But, they've got the place in much better shape than when you left."
"I never expected to see YOU out here, either. I'm surprised you're alive." Al said bitterly.
"Hey, you're not the only one who can get used to the outdoors, ya know. The whole vault's going pretty well… as if you care." She remarked.
"So, does that mean I can return for a bit?" Al asked.
"I'm sorry, but that still can't happen. As much as we owe you… there're still a LOTTA people who blame you for all the deaths. It's not fair, I know…. But it's the way it is. I know Amata still misses you." She said.
"I miss her, too… Give her my warmest regards." He requested.
"Oh, I will. They'll be glad to hear from you." She said.
"Doesn't really make a difference to me. I was exiled. Remember?" Said Al.
"I know, it's not fair. It really isn't. But, it's just the way it has to be." She responded. "Then, I guess things worked out pretty well, huh. Take care of yourself out here…. And, thanks again. You've given the vault a whole new life."
"Well, don't let me hold you up." Al said bluntly.
"Yeah, I guess I should be getting back. I'll tell Amata you're okay. She'll be happy to hear that. Oh, and here." Susie then gave Al two bottles of purified water. "Have some fresh water from the vault. I guess it's pretty hard to find it out here. Take care out here… and, thanks again." Albert and Susie then parted ways. As he walked off, he seriously considered raping Susie, cutting her apart, and putting her head in a box in front of Vault 101's gate, because she was an asshole to him throughout life.
Some time after that, Al just happened to meet Butch DeLoria in the bar of Rivet City. After he spoke with Al about the vault, and his future, Butch decided to tag-along with him on his exploration. However, after some time with Butch, Al couldn't contain himself anymore, and he slaughtered Butch for all the years of abuse that he gave him in the vault.
Over two years later, Albert, now aged twenty-one, had now helped out every faction and settlement in the ruins of Washington DC, whilst also disintegrating a few evil ones, here and there. It was 30th June, when Albert sat eating breakfast on the outside counter of The Brass Lantern, Megaton's café.
He was being served by 27-year-old Jenny Stahl, one of the many women that Albert had become 'acquainted' with during his time in the wasteland, after he helped out her big brother Leo with his chem addiction, shortly after first arriving in Megaton three years earlier. Suddenly, as he ate, he noticed a distress signal on his Pip-Boy... coming from Vault 101.