Disclaimer: I do not own Fallout, just the main OC character of this story.
Hello everyone!
No your eyes do not deceive you, the guy who drives you crazy with enormous time gaps in between chapters has returned to you! And I come bearing gifts! Well…a gift. The first chapter of my new Fallout story!
Before we begin, I'd like to talk about a few things.
Firstly, at the end of the prologue, I told you that the next chapter would be coming soon. I turned out to be a liar. Playing the game while simultaneously writing this story turned out to be a slightly bigger pain in the ass than I thought. I find it difficult to enjoy the game while I pause every few minutes to write out a few lines of dialogue. I want to make this as similar to the games story as possible, at least in most of the NPC's dialogue. Despite my lack of enjoyment, I will persevere dear readers! I will continue to play and write regardless of how diluted my fun is!
…At least until I run out of steam again.
Secondly, I'd like to talk to you about Fallout 4.
I love this game. It is an excellent addition to an already rich and exciting universe.
That being said, I do have a couple of problems with the games story.
WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD.
Firstly, The return of the East Coast Brotherhood.
Fuck these guys. I liked it when the Brotherhood put the safety of the wasteland's citizens before their need to obsessively collect every god damn laser pistol in the world. Owen Lyons did an amazing job turning the Brotherhood into a peacekeeping force for good. Sure, not every member of the Brotherhood agreed with their Elder's choices, but they can't deny how effective it was against the Super Mutants and the Enclave. If Lyons hadn't started protecting the wasteland's population, they wouldn't have earned their goodwill. And if they hadn't started recruiting from the locals, they wouldn't have been able to gain the numbers needed to fight the Enclave. They would've been shattered like glass against the Enclave's numbers and technology. The Brotherhood had a bright future ahead of them, they were heroes, they had Enclave technology, they were well on their way to rebuilding Liberty Prime!
…And then that overzealous shitstain Maxson had to ruin everything.
Now, ten years after the events of Fallout 3, the East Coast Brotherhood has devolved back into the same short-sighted, tech-happy morons they were on the West Coast. Bravo, high-five, slow-clap, way to fucking go. Way to take years of progress and shit on it. Jesus Christ, did it occur to you idiots that you could collect valuable technology while also helping the people of the wasteland? No? Of course not, that would be an intelligent decision.
Here's what's happened to the East Coast Brotherhood's power structure in the past ten in-game years:
Owen Lyons passed away of old age (sad, but not unexpected), Sarah Lyons became Elder and promptly died in battle soon after (something that pisses me off to no end), Squire Arthur Maxson became Elder, unified the Brotherhood and the Outcasts (that's the part I do like), and makes the Brotherhood the uncaring morons they once were that also want to kill all synths. Now, when Brotherhood members recount Owen Lyons, they do so with contempt. Makes me want to shoot them in their power-armored faces.
Second, the ending. I wish there was an ending that involved the Minutemen, the Railroad, and the Brotherhood working together in peace. New Vegas's ending got it right. You could ally with anyone you choose and destroy any faction you didn't like and even ally different factions together. In this game, no matter what side you choose, you have to destroy at least one faction, aside from the Institute, that is not overly evil (though the Institute is not evil in the conventional sense).
Somehow, I managed to get through the game without destroying any faction except the Institute on my first playthrough. This is clearly a glitch. The Railroad acts as though the Prydwen was destroyed, even though it wasn't, and that Glory died during the final battle, even though she's still alive (though I can't talk to her). The Brotherhood act as though Danse was exiled, even though he wasn't. I sided with the Minutemen and somehow got this glitch ending. Have any of you gotten this ending? Let me know.
Thank you reading the few complaints I have about Fallout 4, unless you skipped that and just went straight here for any other reason than the Spoiler Warning, in which case, fuck you.
I'm kidding.
Sort of.
One last thing: Radio Free Death, thank you for pointing out the pessimistic intro to my OC character. I didn't quite mean to make him come off like that. Hopefully I'll be able to make him less depressing and whiny in the future. Thank you for your review.
On with the story!
Ch. 1: The Meeting & The Power of Atom
It was just an average day in the settlement of Megaton. The sound of the people going through their daily routines. The sound of clattering dishes and silverware at the Brass Lantern, the hum of the generators from the Water Processing Plant (accompanied by the sound of the occasional swearing of frustration from the old man who maintained it), the preaching of Confessor Cromwell at the center of town, and the occasional sound of the towns sniper spiting the radioactive dust and grit out of his mouth.
The only thing that wasn't normal for Megaton was located within Moriarty's Saloon.
It was not the ghoul bartender or the strange, suited man sitting in the corner. It was the man sitting at the bar.
He was tall, about 6' 1", clean shaved, had dark brown hair and striking grey eyes, and was muscular, but not overly so. He appeared to be in his mid to late twenties. He wore a grime and dirt covered duster coat and carried a particularly large handgun of a design they had never seen before (a Desert Eagle) on his left hip and a strange sword (a katana) on his right.
He drew quite a bit of attention when he first arrived, Megaton rarely sees such well armed visitors, especially with such exotic weaponry. Not to mention the sheriff had welcomed him with open arms after he killed the raiders that were holed up in Springvale Elementary, who had been a thorn in the towns side for years. The citizens soon grew used to his presence, however, despite what happened when he first arrived.
Flashback, a few days earlier:
It was late at night in Megaton. The stranger had walked into the saloon only a couple of hours ago and drew quite a few glances, despite only sitting down, ordering a drink, and booking a room for a few days.
That was enough for the owner of the saloon, Colin Moriarty, to tolerate his presence.
The ghoul bartender, Gob, was intimidated; this man had the look of one who had fought more battles than he could count...and won. Gob was beaten by the regular customers if he even looked at a them wrong, and this man looked like he could kill him easily. The stranger, however, had been very polite to him, smiling and treating him like a normal human being, something few people did, aside from Nova. He had spent a great deal of time asking the ghoul about the surrounding area and the Capital Wasteland in general.
The saloon's working girl, Nova, only saw a potential customer (albeit a handsome one), but he had politely turned her down. She was surprised by this, seeing as how she came with the room and most men were eager for her "services". She would keep an eye on this one.
The regular patrons soon returned to their drinks.
Currently the stranger and Gob were talking.
"A settlement made up entirely of ghouls?" he asked.
Gob nodded while scrubbing a glass, "Yup. It's called Underworld and it's in the old Museum of History."
"Do they allow non-ghouls?" he asked.
"Sure. As long as they don't cause any trouble." Gob answered.
The stranger nodded, "Well, I'm glad ghouls have a safe haven here in the wasteland, I might go check it out."
Gob had finished cleaning and prepared a drink for a nearby customer, "If you go there, I would appreciate it if you told Carol I said hi, sir."
The stranger smiled, "I'll do that, and please, call me Ric."
Gob smiled and nodded.
"Gob!" the ghoul jumped slightly and turned the Moriarty, "Quit bothering the customers!"
Ric looked at the saloon owner and glared at him slightly, "He isn't bothering me, we were having a conversation."
Moriarty was surprised that a customer was defending the ghoul, "Oh. Well...then turn on the radio! These weary souls want to hear music!" he ordered before heading into the back room.
Gob nodded, "Yes sir" he said and walked to the end of the bar where the radio was, shooting Ric a thankful glance.
Gob turned on the radio, but instead of music there was static, with words barely audible in the background.
"Again with this!" Gob said in a frustrated tone, before banging the top of the radio, "Come on you piece of shit. Work!"
Nova then spoke up, "I told you before Gob, the radio works just fine, it's Galaxy News, their reception has been shit lately. Just turn on the other station."
"I hate the other station" Gob grumbled. Nova then gave him a look. Gob sighed, "Fine" he conceded and changed the station.
The radio changed from static to the song "America the Beautiful" playing clearly through the speakers.
Ric found that an odd choice of music, but, then again, intact records were difficult to find and patriotic music was everywhere before the war.
He went back to his drink as the music continued the play. When it was finished, the shit hit the fan.
"You're listening to Enclave Radio. This is your president, John Henry Eden. President of the Enclave, President of America, President of your heart."
Ric had taken a sip from his Nuka-Cola and, when he heard these words, quickly spewed it out in shock, drawing quite a few glances, before turning to Gob.
"Turn that up!" he demanded.
Gob, taken aback by the man's change in demeanor, quickly adjusted the volume.
Ric listened closely.
"Let's talk about government, shall we? Or, more specifically, YOUR government, dear America: the Enclave. Just who is the enclave? Why, now, that's simple. The Enclave is you, America. The Enclave is your sister, your aunt, your friend, your neighbor. And, well, yes...the Enclave is me, as well. Haha aha. As your president, it's my responsibility to preside over our great democracy. So, as your President, I am the voice , I am the heart, and soul of the Enclave. That is to say, I am the voice, heart, and soul...of America. But only together, TOGETHER, can we hope to reach our full potential. The way we were before the war. Whole. Beautiful. Powerful. One Enclave. One America. Now...and forever. And now, sweet America, we must part. Restoring the greatest country on Earth to its former glory, well, that takes time, even for the Enclave. This is John Henry Eden, signing off."
The station then started play "Yankee Doodle".
Ric stared at the radio for a few moments in shock.
"This isn't possible" he said to himself, "The Enclave was wiped out, how are they here?"
"Are you alright hon?" Nova asked.
Ric answered after a few moments, "No. No I'm not" he then began speaking to himself again, " How is this possible? The Enclave was destroyed, how can they be here?" He then began to think. Maybe this is a prerecorded broadcast the Enclave sent from the west before they were destroyed. Maybe he was worried about nothing.
"How long has this broadcast been around?" he asked Nova, turning to face her.
Nova thought for a moment, "I'm not sure, it's been around for as long as I can remember" She then turned towards an elderly african-american man sitting nearby, "Hey, Nathan, you know about this shit, how long has the Enclave station been around?" she asked him.
Nathan spoke up, "Around 30…maybe 32 years now" he answered.
'Thirty to thirty-two years' Ric thought, 'a few years after we killed Richardson and nuked the oil rig and after Navarro was sacked. That means this 'Eden' came after Richardson. The Enclave is still alive!' he concluded.
This was bad.
This was very, very bad!
"Do have a problem with the Enclave, son?" Nathan asked shaking him out of his thoughts.
Ric turned towards the old man.
"Problem? Do I have a problem? Of course I have a fucking problem!" he said loudly, "Do you have any idea who the Enclave are?!" he demanded.
Natan stood up, "They're the American government. The eagle. People coma we the. The more perfect union" he answered proudly.
"They're mass murderers! Genocidal maniacs! Monsters who justify what they do with patriotism!" Ric yelled at him.
The other patrons were confused, "What are you talking about?" Gob asked.
Ric was silent, barely containing his fury. He calmed himself after a few moments before answering.
"35 years ago, the Enclave appeared on the west coast. They claimed to be there to help. They weren't. They slaughtered entire settlements. It turns out those people were the lucky ones. They abducted other settlements and Vault populations and performed sick and inhumane experiments on them, studying 'pure' humans and comparing them with those outside the Vaults. They wanted to wipe out all mutations, claiming that they were 'impure' and stood in the way of America's return."
"Mutations?" Gob asked, "like ghouls or Super Mutants?"
Ric shook his head, "Not just them" he explained, "To the Enclave, anyone born outside of the Enclave or outside of a Vault is a mutant and, thus, needs to be 'cleansed'" he growled out the last word.
Everyone in the saloon was now listening to the story.
"What happened next?" A young woman named Lucy West asked.
Ric calmed down and continued, "A tribal named 'The Chosen One' infiltrated their base, an oil rig out in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of California. He killed their President, Dick Richardson, saved the prisoners, and then set off a nuke that destroyed the base."
The crowd was focusing entirely on the story now. They had never thought that that annoying radio station was broadcasting the propaganda of a sinister and evil force.
Nathan looked around and saw the people listening the story.
Listening and believing it!
"You people aren't seriously listening to this nonsense are you?!" he asked in disbelief, "The Enclave only want to help, they say it on the radio all the time!"
Ric glared at the old man, "They only want to help themselves" he told the naïve man, "They don't care about anything other than dominating the wasteland and killing everyone they think is mutated and if it weren't for Jack, they would have succeeded!"
Nova was confused, "Who's Jack?" she asked.
Ric looked away. He knew he had slipped up.
"I...Here" he said handing a small amount of caps to Gob to pay for his drink, before going upstairs to the room he had rented and slamming the door shut.
The patrons were confused.
"What was that about?" Nova asked.
Gob shrugged, "No idea, but it sounded personal too him."
"He said that this 'Jack' person stopped the Enclave. Was that the tribal's name?" Lucy asked.
"Must be" Gob said, "Sounded like he knew the guy. Like he was there when it happened"
Nova shook her head, "He can't have" she explained, "He said it happened 35 years ago, he doesn't look a day over thirty!"
"I'm more concerned with the fact that you people believe this fairy tale!" Nathan interjected.
"I gotta go with the old man on this one" a tall and rugged looking man in leather armor said, speaking up for the first time, "Sounds like a story a junkie would make up."
Lucy looked at Jericho, "He sounded too sincere to be making it up and he looks way too healthy to be a junkie" she pointed out.
Jericho simply shrugged and resumed drinking.
Nova nodded, "Yeah, and did you see the look in his eyes? You can't fake the emotion there" she pointed out, with Gob nodding in agreement.
Nathan scoffed, "He's acting. Everything he said was a lie. You'll see, when the Enclave show up, they're gonna clean up the wasteland and make it a better place" he vowed before walking out of the saloon.
The remaining people simply sat there in silence before returning to their drinks.
Flashback End:
The next morning, Ric came down the stairs and greeted everyone there before apologizing for his outburst. When anyone asked him about why he ran off the night before, he simply told them he didn't want to talk about it and life went on.
Ric was currently sitting at the bar deep in thought.
'The east coast looks to be just as dangerous as the west, only there's no NCR keeping the peace' he thought, 'They have the regular problems, raiders, radiation, mutated insects and animals. But slavers and Super Mutants? What are Super Mutants doing this far east anyway? And now the Enclave? I should have known they would find some way to cling to their miserable lives. It seems I have my work cut out for me' he smirked inwardly, 'It least it won't be boring.'
What happened next would be the defining moment of the Capital Wasteland's history.
A newcomer walked in and, after glancing around for a moment, sat down right next to him.
Ric got a good look at him. The newcomer was slightly shorter than he was, he had light brown hair and green eyes. He appeared to be around nineteen or twenty. He was wearing a leather jacket with a snake emblem on the back. He had a 10mm pistol in a holster on his right side. His pants were bright blue. Most would think they were jeans, but the material was different. That, coupled with the fact that this newcomer was too clean to be a wastelander, (not to mention the Pip-Boy on his left arm) gave Ric insight as to where this newcomer was from.
The leather jacket was covering up a vault suit. He was a vault-dweller, one that had only recently come out of his vault, likely Vault 101, the Vault that was nearby.
He saw the vault-dwellers face and noticed that he looked familiar.
Gob then walked up to the newcomer.
Ric smirked, this should be interesting.
"Hey smoothskin, you need something? A drink? Anything? Anything at all?"
The newcomer looked up at the bartender and got a good look at his face.
His reaction was even funnier than Ric thought it would be.
The vault-dweller, leapt out of his seat and backed up.
"Gah! Fuck! What are you?!" he yelled.
Gob looked hurt, while Nova and some of the patrons chuckled.
Ric had to hold his in.
"Haven't you ever seen a ghoul before?" Gob asked.
The newcomer shook his head, "No. What's a ghoul?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
Gob was about to explain when Ric intervened.
"Ghouls are humans who have been exposed to an immense amount of radiation but not enough to kill them" he explained, "It starts off like radiation poisoning without the nausea and vomiting, with the afflicted's hair falling out. After a certain amount of time, their skin starts to flake and fall off, until they eventually become what you see now."
The vault-dweller looked amazed.
"So the radiation causes some sort of physiological changes that keep them alive despite the resulting necrosis?"
Ric was amazed at this young man's scientific knowledge and understanding.
He smiled, "Smart boy...And you're right."
The vault-dweller looked a little offended about being called "boy" but let it slide, "Are there any other changes?" he asked.
Gob decided to answer this one, "We age slower than you do. A lot slower. There are ghouls around from before the war. We're also immune to radiation. Actually, we're healed by it."
The newcomer widened his eyes, "Really?" he asked.
Gob nodded, "Yep, feels like a warm bath."
Ric smiled at the young man's amazed look.
Gob then got a sad look on his face, "Of course, it doesn't really make up for the fact that most people hate us."
The newcomer was confused, "Why do people hate you?" he asked.
Gob gave a humorless laugh, "Look at me! I have as face like ground-up brahmin meat. We all do."
"Not to mention the ferals" Ric added.
"Ferals?" The vault-dweller asked.
Ric decided to explain, "Some people are affected too severely by the radiation and it rots their brain. They begin to lose their intelligence and sanity until only instinct and murderous savagery remain. What's left over is a flesh eating monster. These creatures are called Feral Ghouls, they ignore non-feral ghouls, but they attack humans on sight. A lot of people think that all ghouls will eventually become feral, hence the distrust and racism."
"That sounds horrible" the newcomer said.
Ric nodded "Indeed."
The vault-dweller then looked at Gob, "Well, you're the first ghoul I've met and you've given me a good opinion of your people."
"Really?" Gob asked.
The newcomer nodded.
"Gee, thanks kid! That means a lot!" the ghoul said.
"No problem, names Adam" the vault-dweller told him extending his hand.
"Gob" the ghoul said before grabbing and shaking it, "How 'bout a drink?"
"Sounds good, do you have Nuka-Cola?" Adam asked.
Gob nodded, "Sure do. I'll be right back" he said as he went to the back room and retrieved one.
"That'll be five caps" Gob told him.
Adam looked confused but before he could ask, Ric intervened, "I'll cover the kids tab."
Gob nodded before going to serve another customer.
Adam turned to Ric, "Why'd you do that?" he asked.
Ric smiled, "It would have been awkward for Gob to have to explain currency to a vault-dweller."
Adam looked shocked, "How'd you know?"
"The color of your 'pants', The only thing I've seen that color on is a vault suit. Besides, you're much too clean to be a wastelander. Also, your Pip-Boy and the wide-eyed wonderment you have when you look at everything is a dead giveaway" he explained while smirking.
Adam thought about it for a moment, it was kind of obvious if you knew what to look for.
"In that case, what are caps?" he asked.
"Bottle caps" he told him, "Pre-war money is worthless unless you plan to use it for kindling...or toilet paper."
"That makes sense" Adam said, "Bottle caps are small and easy to carry."
Ric then offered his hand, "I'm Ric."
Adam shook it, "Adam."
A few minutes of talking later, and Adam had finished his drink when he saw something out of the corner of his eye. He turned and saw and a strange man wearing a surprisingly clean business suit, a pre-war hat, and a pair of shades sitting in the corner.
The man saw Adam looking at him and smiled, gesturing him to come closer.
"Excuse me" Adam said as he got up and walked towards the strange man.
Ric saw the man Adam was walking towards. He heard the man refer to himself as Mister Burke. He arrived sometime before Ric had and seemed to only be a mild mannered patron.
Ric knew better.
The way Burke looked at the other patrons, like they were beneath him, like they were sub-human. The way he looked uncomfortable, like he really didn't want to be here. The way he seemed to be looking for someone. Something was off about him.
Ric moved over a seat to listen in on the conversation.
"My, my. Just when I had all but given up hope. My dear boy, I am very happy to meet your acquaintance. My name is Mister Burke" he introduced himself in a polite and smooth tone that set off all kinds of alarms in Ric's mind.
Burke continued, "And you, well, you are not a resident of this putrescent cesspool. That makes you a rather valuable individual."
Now the alarms were blaring at full blast, he was right. Burke did see the others as beneath him. Ric listened closer.
"It does?" Adam asked, confused.
Burke nodded, "Don't you see? You're a free agent! You have no ties here, no interest in this settlements affairs. Megaton means nothing to you!"
Adam was even more confused, so Burke decided to elaborate, "I represent certain...interests who view this town, this 'Megaton', as a blight on a burgeoning urban landscape. If this settlement were to...go away, why, who would really care? Certainly not you, or I..."
Ric didn't like where this was going.
Adam crossed his arms, "I'm listening."
Burke smiled even more, "The undetonated atomic bomb for which the town is named is still very much alive. All it needs is a little...motivation."
Ric really didn't like where this was going!
Burke continued, "I have in my possession, a Fusion Pulse Charge, constructed for a singular purpose: the detonation of that bomb."
Adam's eyes widened at that.
"You'll rig it to the bomb. Then you'll get paid. Handsomely. What do you say?
Adam looked conflicted, "Simms wants me to disarm it..."
Burke frowned, "Simms is an idiot. He prides himself on his position as 'mayor' and 'sheriff' of this scrapyard."
Adam thought about it for a moment, "All right, say I decide to help you. What's in it for me?"
Burke smirked, "You mean, besides doing the world a favor by removing this pestilent scab of a town? Why, you'd be rewarded most handsomely! My employer is a very generous man. If it's bottle caps and luxury you're seeking, you shall have it! We can ensure that you'll never want for anything."
Adam was extremely conflicted, "I don't know..."
"Here, why don't you take the Charge and think about it for a while. I'm sure you'll make the right decision. When you do, head to Tenpenny Tower, to the southwest, you can't miss it" Burke said handing him the Fusion Pulse Charge.
Adam stared at the small device in his hand for a few moments before nodding, "Okay" he said simply before leaving.
Burke leaned back in his chair, confident that Megaton would soon be nothing more than another irradiated crater in the ground.
Ric was infuriated. This pretentious prick wanted to nuke a settlement filled with innocent people!
That wasn't going to happen, he would stop it.
But first...
Ric paid for his and Adam's drinks and walked out of the saloon.
Outside, next to the bomb:
Adam stared at the bomb for what seemed like hours, conflicted.
'I told Simms I would try to disarm it but...he can't exactly pay me a lot for it. But Burke can' he looked back at the entrance of Megaton, his mind flooded with the thoughts of his life in Vault 101.
'I can never go back' he thought to himself, 'The Overseer would kill me if I tried, all I can do is find dad and try to make a life for us out here. Burke could do that, what he's offering could set us up for life, we would never have to worry about surviving out here.'
He then looked around and saw two kids playing.
He saw the people gathering at the Brass Lantern.
He saw people living their lives as best they could.
'If I do this, all these people will die...but it will be quick, painless. Maybe...maybe they would be better off...'
Adam then thought back to his father. He remembered when he asked why he wanted to be a doctor and what his answer was.
"The world is sick, son. It's filled with people doing all they can to make their existence as comfortable as possible. Most fail. Most die young. But I realized that I could do something. I could use my knowledge to ease the burden of others. I might not be able to cure the world, son, but I'm damn well going to try my hardest anyway."
'Dad, always put others before himself. He always saw good in people, believed in them.'
Adam gripped the Pulse Charge tightly and made up his mind.
He pocketed the charge and opened up the bomb and, a few minutes later, disarmed it.
As tempting as Burke's offer was, he knew that he could not kill these people. He knew that he had no right to judge them, no right to condemn them.
He would not compromise who he was out of fear.
He smiled, proud of his decision, before heading out to find Simms to tell him the good news.
Unbeknownst to him, however, he was being watched.
Ric had his Desert Eagle out, he was going to gun the kid down...but Adam did not give in to temptation. He stood strong where so many others would have failed.
Ric smiled as he holstered his weapon, 'Nicely done kid, nicely done'.
He then saw movement nearby and noticed a certain suited figure attempting to sneak away.
He frowned, 'Time to hunt.'
Nearby:
This wasn't supposed to happen! This was not the plan!
Burke had just been watching Adam, certain he would plant the Charge, but then...he disarmed the damn bomb!
All that planning, acquiring the pieces needed to construct the Charge, finding someone to assemble it, waiting for days in this miserable hole in the ground for the right person, ruined! Of all the wastelanders out there, he chose one with a damn conscious!
The plan was ruined now, even with the charge, detonating the bomb was impossible now. He needed to inform his employer about what has transpired here, something he was dreading greatly.
'No doubt the little boy scout will inform the "sheriff" of his success, and will inform him of my intentions' Burke thought to himself as he moved between the buildings towards the town entrance, 'The entire settlement will be after my head for this. I need to disappear for a while, get back to Tenpenny, and then report to-'
"Going somewhere?" a voice said from behind Burke, interrupting his thoughts.
He turned around and saw the duster coat wearing stranger that had arrived a few days after he had leaning against a wall.
'How did he sneak up on me?' Burke wondered. That was a very difficult thing to do given his skill set.
"Yes, actually" Burke said in his normal polite tone while adjusting his tie, trying to act natural, "A situation requiring my attention has just come up and-"
"A situation?" Ric said, interrupting him while standing up straight and moving towards the suit wearing rat, "Like getting out of town before the citizens find out you were attempting to nuke them?" he asked in an accusing tone.
Burke's eyes widened behind his shades, 'How in the nine hells did he know?', "I assure you, I have no idea what you are-"
"Save it Burke" Ric said, interrupting him again, "I heard your conversation with the kid inside the saloon. Next time, maybe keep your voice down, hmm?"
Burke quickly regained his calm, "I see...I applaud you on your information gathering skills, but I'm afraid, since you know so much and are currently in my way...you must be REMOVED!" Burke said slowly reaching for his silenced 10mm pistol before drawing it at the word "removed".
Just as Burke pointed the weapon at the interloper, however, Ric grabbed his armed hand, spun around into Burke, and elbowed him in the chest before raising his arm straight up with a closed fist and hitting Burke right in the face while grabbing his gun and stepping away. Burke stumbled back, disarmed and with his shades now broken before looking up in shock.
'How did he-?'
Ric, meanwhile, was currently examining his foes weapon, "10mm pistol with a silencer. Haven't seen one of those in a while" he said before placing the weapon into one of his coat pockets.
Burke growled before lunging forward and throwing a punch, only for Ric to block it and send an opened- palm strike with his free hand straight into Burkes nose. A loud crunch was heard as the man's nose broke and blood spewed out of it.
Burke clutched his nose and glared at Ric before resetting it with another loud crunch.
"You will pay for that" Burke said angrily before lunging forward again.
Ric sighed, 'they never learn...'
With Adam:
"I'll be damned, you disarmed that thing didn't you?" Simms said as he saw Adam approach him with a triumphant smile on his face.
"Sure did" he said before his look became serious, "There's something else..." he told the sheriff, trailing off.
"What do you mean 'something else'?" Simms asked, not liking the sound of that.
Adam took a deep breath before continuing, "That guy in the saloon, Burke, tried to hire me to rig the bomb to explode" he told the man before reaching into his pocket and pulling out the Fusion Pulse Charge, "He gave me this to do it."
Simms looked livid at this news, "Should have known that bastard was up to something, I never trusted him, but to do something like this..." he trailed off, before taking the Charge, "Is this thing still dangerous?" he asked.
Adam shook his head, "No, the bomb has been diffused, not even that thing will work on it."
Simms looked relieved, ""Thank God" he said before getting a look of determination on his face, "Time to round up Burke."
"No need, sheriff" a voice said from behind him. The two looked and saw Ric, dragging a badly beaten Burke behind him.
"I believe you were looking for this" he said as he pulled Burke to his feet and made him kneel in front of the sheriff.
Simms and Adam were shocked, "How did you...?" Adam asked before being interrupted.
"...'Know?' I overheard your conversation back in the saloon. Found this guy trying to escape after you disarmed the bomb. He's tougher than he looks, put up quite a fight in fact, but we were able to work out a...compromise of sorts" he told them, before looking down at his captive, "Isn't that right Burke?"
"Go to hell" Burke muttered in an angry tone.
"Charming, isn't he?" Ric asked rhetorically before continuing, "Anyway, I thought you would want to take care of this one yourself, being the sheriff and all."
"I see..." Simms said, surprised by the help, "Well, thank you kindly for stopping him" Simms told him before looking down at Burke and glaring, "Now, to deal with you."
Burke smirked, "Very well. Off to jail then sheriff?" he asked with a smug look. He had connections, this "sheriff" couldn't keep him here, he'd be out in no time.
"No."
Simms pulled his Chinese Assault Rifle off of his back. Burke had only enough time to widen his eyes before he was shot in the head, blood and grey matter flying everywhere.
"Holy shit!" Adam exclaimed as he jumped back.
"Good riddance to him" Ric said.
Adam turned to Simms, "I thought you were going to arrest him not kill him!"
Simms kept his calm demeanor, "Against anyone else, probably. But this guy tried to blow up the whole damn town. I'm not going to lock someone up for that. Anything less than death was to good for him."
Adam was about to argue when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned and saw Ric, a calm expression on his face.
"The sheriff is right" he told the younger man, "Burke tried to kill everyone in Megaton. A crime like that can only be met with execution. Would you rather he be kept a prisoner? A drain on the town's resources?" he asked, "Besides, Burke was clearly a professional, he may have broken out and escaped, only to return and try to destroy Megaton again."
Adam thought about it for a moment. Vault 101 never really had a lot of crime. The jail cell in the security office had only ever been used during the rare occasions when someone stole something or when fights broke out (which was more common). The participants would spend a few nights there until they cooled down. He had been locked in there with Butch once about a year ago when the wannabe greaser had insulted Amata while he and Amata were eating at the diner. Butch had received a broken nose and a black eye during the fight while Adam only had a few bruises. Officers Kendell and Gomez broke up the fight and forced the two to share a cell until they apologized to each other. After a few hours, a lecture by the Overseer, and some fake apologies, they were released.
Aside from that, crime was relatively unheard of in the Vault. Adam briefly wondered what the Overseer would do to someone who committed a more serious crime, like murder. Keeping that person locked up would be, in the man's own words, "a waste of life support" (a term he used to describe those who did not carry their own weight in the Vault). Exile to the surface? Unlikely, the Overseer flipped out when Adam's dad had left the Vault and wouldn't want to encourage others about opening the door. No, execution was probably the preferred method of punishment in those situations, like with Jonas…
Adam felt a twinge of pain and anger when he thought of his father's now deceased assistant. The Overseer had accused him of betraying the Vault and helping his father escape and had security bludgeon him to death with their batons.
Adam had come so close to killing Alphonse for that and for letting that piece of shit Mack hurt Amata to get information out of her, his own daughter! The only reason he let the man live, was because he knew Amata would hate him if he killed her father, something he made sure to let the man know.
Officer Mack, on the other hand, wasn't so fortunate and now sported a stylish 10mm bullet shaped piercing in his skull.
Back in the present, Adam realized that Ric and Simms were right, Megaton had enough problems as it is and keeping a psychopath like Burke around would only make things worse.
"You…you're right" he sighed, "But that doesn't mean I like it" he informed the two.
Ric nodded, he was a good kid, but Adam still had a lot to learn about life in the wasteland.
Simms then spoke up, "At any rate, this town owes you two a heap of thanks for disarming that thing and for catching the bastard that tried to blow us up. We could use people like you around here" the sheriff then got an idea, "Hell, why don't you move in?"
Adam and Ric looked at the man in surprise.
"Move in?" Adam asked.
Simms nodded, "We have a small place you can use" he said pointing up at a small shack next to the main gate, above and behind the Brass Lantern, "It isn't much, but Moira Brown at Craterside Supply can sell you things to help spruce it up a bit. What do you say?"
Adam thought about it for a bit. It would be nice to have a place to live out here, somewhere he (and his father, after he found him) could call home. Megaton wasn't Vault 101, but it could be a home all the same.
"Alright, sheriff" Adam replied, "I'll take it."
Simms smiled, "Great, here's the key and deed" he handed them over before then remembering something, "Oh wait, I forgot to tell you about the robot."
The former vault dweller was confused, "Robot?"
The mayor/sheriff nodded, "Yeah, Moira found an old robot all busted up outside the town a while back. She got it working again, and now the thing hangs around inside the house" he explained, "I tried to get it to move, but the damn thing's as stubborn as a lazy brahmin and says it will only answer to the houses owner. Since no one's lived there since it showed up, it hasn't had anything to do, but since you have the deed, it should be alright."
"So, I've got my own robot butler?" Adam asked.
Simms nodded.
"Awesome" Adam responded with a grin.
"Well then, house is all yours then" Simms said before turning to Ric, "Now, as for you…"
Ric cut him off, "Sheriff, while I appreciate the offer, I couldn't possibly except-"
This time, it was Simms who cut Ric off, "Nonsense, you stopped an attempted mass murderer from skipping town, you deserve some kind of reward."
"My role in this was very minor" Ric tried to explain.
"You said it yourself, Burke might have tried to destroy the town again, and you stopped that from happening. That, and your killing off the raiders at that old school in Springvale, makes you entitled to a reward and, since Burke bought a house here that he no longer needs, I'm thinking you should have it."
"You're not going to accept a 'no' are you?" Ric asked.
Simms shook his head, "'fraid not friend."
Ric sighed, "Fine, I'll take it."
Simms nodded and handed him the key, "Now that that's done, I've got to clean up this mess, thanks again you two and enjoy your new homes."
As the sheriff was getting ready to leave, Adam stopped him.
"Wait. Now that I've helped you, maybe you can help me with finding my dad?" he asked hopefully.
Simms stopped and thought for a moment, remembering their earlier conversation when Adam first arrived.
"Well" he began, "now that you mention it, I do remember seeing another stranger wandering into town not too long ago. He had a look in his eye, the kind a man has when he's on a mission."
Adam was about to inquire further when Ric spoke up, "Your dad" he started, "is he in his fifties, graying hair and beard, wearing a lab coat?" he asked.
Adam's eyes widened, "Yes! That's him!" he nearly shouted, thrilled that he may finally get some answers.
"I thought there was something familiar about you when I first saw you. You two look so much alike" Ric informed him.
"Did you see where he went?" Adam asked, almost frantically.
"I saw him in the Saloon almost a day ago" Ric answered, seeing that the kid was desperate for information, "He walked right up to the owner and they started talking. Moriarty looked surprised to see him, like they had met before and wasn't expecting to see him ever again."
Adam shook his head, "That's impossible, my dad lived in a Vault his whole life, he's never been outside before" he explained.
"I'm good at reading people kid, and I'm telling you, they knew each other" Ric told him.
Adam shook his head further, "Not possible" he then decided to move on, "Do you know what they were talking about?" he asked.
Ric shook his head, "No, they moved into the Moriarty's office, I didn't hear their conversation. He left about an hour later."
"Doesn't matter, I need to talk to Moriarty. He might know where dad went."
"I wouldn't trust Moriarty if I were you" Simms said, interjecting, "The man is scum. Even if he does know where to find your dad, he won't just give it to you for free. He'd sell his own mother if it paid well enough."
"I don't care" Adam said, "I need to find my dad."
"I'll go with you" Ric told him, "If he's as greedy as I think he is, I can help you get some answers out of him."
Adam nodded, "Fine, let's go."
As the two made to leave, Simms stopped them, "You two watch yourselves, no matter what he says Moriarty is not your friend. Don't trust him" he warned.
Ric nodded and followed after Adam, the young man eager for some answers.
Moriarty's Saloon, a few minutes later:
Adam walked into the Saloon and straight up to Gob, Ric right behind him.
"Where's your boss?" Adam asked.
Gob looked surprised, but before he could answer another voice interrupted him.
"Not two feet from you my good man" a friendly voice with an Irish accent answered.
Adam turned and saw a man with scruffy grey hair and beard, smiling at him.
"Colin Moriarty, saloon owner and businessman, at your service" he said with what anyone could see was false charm, "What can I do for you this fine day?"
"I'm looking for my father" Adam answered.
Moriarty looked at Adam closer before his eyes widened, "My God…It's you. The little baby boy, all grown up" he grinned, "Persistent little bastard, ain't ya? Then and now it would seem. It's been a long time, kid."
Before Adam could ask what the hell he was talking about, Moriarty continued.
"Oh, you're daddy passed through here all right. Here and gone. Got what he came for, and then left. I'm assuming you'll do the same, correct?"
"Wait a minute" Adam said, stopping him, "You knew my dad?" he asked.
Moriarty nodded, "Oh aye, your dear old dad last walked into me saloon almost twenty years ago now, asked me questions about the nearby Vault, and then he left, with you cradled in his arms and his Brotherhood of Steel friend right behind him."
Adam was confused, "But…but dad and I were born in Vault 101. The Vault's been sealed for 200 years!" he claimed.
Moriarty started laughing, "Is that what your father told you?" he asked, still laughing, "That you were born in that hole? That he was born there as well? Oh, the lies we tell to those we love."
He managed to stop laughing and continued, "Your dad brought you to the Vault right after you were born" he explained, "To keep you safe from what I can tell. I remember it well, you see-you stayed in my saloon, after all. Like I told you, your dad and his Brotherhood friend were here along with you, a suckling babe with nary a tit to suckle. Sorry about your mom, by the way.
"But life goes on" he continued, "Daddy lied. Life's full of little disappointments. And now…you're here, all grown up and wondering where he's gone to…"
"You're lying" Adam denied, disbelieving everything he was hearing, "My dad would never lie to me like that!"
"Oh but that's where you're wrong lad" Moriarty said, "you and your dad might have been the first ones to get into the Vault, but you're not the first to leave" he threw out his arms, "'All hail the Overseer! We're born in the Vault; we die in the Vault' and all that other lunacy. I told your dad that getting in was impossible, but he was certain he could barter his way inside" he smirked, "Guess he proved me wrong, didn't he?"
Adam couldn't believe what he was hearing. If what this man said was true…then he was born in the wasteland! His father and mother had been born in the wasteland! Everything his father told him was a lie!
But that just couldn't be!
…Could it?
Adam remembered the day he took the G.O.A.T test, when his father was examining him to prove he was lying and wasn't too sick to take the test, three years ago. They two had talked about his mother and life in the Vault. He remembered asking his dad about leaving and if everyone had to die down there.
His dad had averted his eyes and said "That's what the Overseer says, isn't it?" before saying the Overseer wasn't about to let anyone else in.
He had looked so uncomfortable saying that, like he was hiding something.
Like he hated lying to him.
"Let anyone else in…"
Moriarty knew the Vault's propaganda, knew about his mother…
Knew him.
No…no it couldn't be! Moriarty was lying, he had to be!
…Right?
Ric watched the exchange, saw how Adam was having trouble coming to grips with what he had heard.
'He's been lied to his whole life' he thought, 'That kind of revelation can be painful to cope with.'
"Where is he?" Adam asked, still struggling with what he was hearing.
Moriarty smiled. A kind of smile one gets when he sees an opportunity, "Ah, now that is the million cap question isn't it?" he asked before continuing, "You seem like a nice kid, so I'm gonna be straight with you. You're dad was here, and now he's not, and yes I know where he went."
Adam perked up at that but Moriarty stopped him, "But what you're asking me for is information" his grin widened, "And information's a commodity 'round these parts."
Adam knew he was being taken advantage of, but he didn't care. He would pay whatever it took.
He needed to find his dad, to find answers.
"How much?" he asked.
Moriarty smelled victory and was about to close in when…
"Nothing."
Adam, Moriarty, and the other patrons who had been listening in turned towards Ric in surprise.
He knew what this scum was doing, taking advantage of a young man who was desperate to find his father. He would not let that happen.
"Beg your pardon?" Moriarty asked, narrowing his eyes.
"You heard me" Ric answered, "Adam here isn't pay you a single cap for your information, scumbag."
Some patrons gasped. Gob and Nova looked extremely shocked. Moriarty had a reputation of being ruthless and cutthroat in his business dealings and didn't hesitate to "remove" people who got in his way or offended him.
Moriarty's eyes narrowed even further.
"You best watch what you say to a man in his own establishment friend. You never know if that man might take offense" he told the duster wearing stranger with thinly veiled threats.
Ric laughed, "Are you threatening me?" he asked, he continued to laugh before getting right in the man's face and placing a hand on his shoulder.
"I certainly hope not" he told him in an all to calm tone, "because I might take offense if you were to threaten me" he informed the saloon owner, squeezing the man's shoulder painfully.
Moriarty was a man used to getting his way. His reputation alone ensured that no one could touch him. Only Lucas Simms was brave enough to try, but he needed evidence for that.
But this man, he knew how to intimidate, how to hurt, and how to kill.
Worst of all, the look in his eyes, told him, that not only could this man could kill him, he could do it and not care at all about what happened to him if he wanted to.
Ric then removed his hand and continued, "Here's what's going to happen; You're going to tell this young man everything you know about his father's location and you're going to do it with a smile on your face. You're going to do this because you are just so damn grateful to him for disarming the live atomic bomb in the center of town and for saving your life. Is that understood?"
The people's shock now went through the roof. The bomb was still live? And this kid and disarmed it? Had saved them all?
"Ask the sheriff if you don't believe me" Ric told everyone listening.
Moriarty was nearly sweating now. If what this man said was true and the boy had disarmed the bomb, then he was trying to extort a town hero. If he had done this, the whole town would want his head on a stick. He knew that no one wanted him here. It was only his connections and the fact that he owned the only bar in town that kept them in line.
But this? This would mean the end of him.
Self-preservation won out over greed and Moriarty put on his best fake smile.
"Well, why didn't you say so? I could never take the caps of a man who lost his father, much less a man that has saved all our lives" he said, lying through his teeth.
Adam quickly looked at Ric sent him a look that said "thank you", before turning back to Moriarty.
"So where is he?"
Moriarty sighed, "He went to D.C., to the radio station there, Galaxy News Radio. Said he wanted to learn about what was happening in the wasteland and that's the direction I pointed him to. And before you ask, no I don't know what he wanted to learn there" he told the new hero.
"Where is this place?" Adam asked.
"To the southeast of here, but I have no idea about how to get there" Moriarty answered, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a business to run" he told them before leaving.
Adam quickly turned and left, with Ric right behind him.
Outside:
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, where do you think you're going?" Ric asked the determined former vaultee.
"To Galaxy News. To find my father" he answered, not stopping.
Ric moved out in front of him, stopping him.
"Alone, without armor, and armed only with a 10mm pistol?" Ric asked.
"Yes" Adam answered before side-stepping him and moving onward.
Ric quickly grabbed the younger man and turned him around to face him.
"I don't think so. Unless your goal is to die out there painfully, you may want to rethink your plan" he informed him.
"I'll be fine" Adam replied before trying to move past him.
"Will you?" Ric asked, "Have you ever killed a man before?"
"Yes" Adam answered, "The Vault security team tried to kill me when they found out my dad left the Vault. I killed most of them in self-defense."
"You killed untrained, inexperienced men" Ric corrected him, while inwardly surprised that the Overseer of the Vault tried to have a man's son killed just for leaving, "Men who have never fired a shot outside a practice range before. There are no such men out here. Out here you will find murderous psychopaths and dangerous beasts and mutants that will tear you apart and reduce you into a red paste before you can even get a shot off."
"Get out of my way" Adam demanded.
"Or what?" Ric asked, "You'll kill me? You don't have the skill to do that. Much less survive out there."
"I said move" Adam said through gritted teeth.
"Make me. Prove to me that you can survive" Ric dared.
Without warning, Adam threw a punch at the older man, having lost his patience. Ric caught the punch and used his other hand to jab him in the gut.
Adam gasped in pain, but before he could do anything else, he found himself thrown to the ground and on his back. He tried to move, but Ric placed his boot on his throat and pressed down only slightly enough to obstruct breathing. Adam tried to grab his pistol but Ric stepped on his hand before he could reach for it.
Adam saw Ric pull out his pistol and aim it right at his head.
"Sloppy, slow, predictable" he told the former vault dweller, "If this was a real combat scenario, you would be dead right now" Ric told him before stepping off of him and holstering his weapon.
Adam gasped for air and held a hand at his throat and his stomach.
"Mercy is rarely shown in the wasteland, Adam. No one will pity you. No one will hold back. You won't survive out there without help."
Adam finally regained his breath and spoke, "What do you expect me to do?" he asked, "Sit here and hope my father comes back? He could be dying out there right now for all you know!"
"And going and getting yourself killed wouldn't do either of you any good" Ric informed him.
"Then what do you suggest I do?!" Adam asked angrily.
"What I suggest you do is listen to me" Ric answered, "Because I can teach you how to survive out here. I can show how to fight, how to hunt for food and water, and how to stay alive in this new world you have entered."
Adam was surprised. This man, who he hadn't even known for a full day, was offering to help him?
"You…you want to teach me?" he asked.
Ric nodded, "If you are willing."
"For how much?" Adam asked. His encounter with Moriarty telling him how this new world worked.
"Nothing" Ric answered him truthfully.
"What?"
"There are so few good people in the world these days" Ric explained, "So few who actually take the time to help others. You disarmed this settlement's atomic bomb without any concern for your own safety. You could have rigged the bomb to explode and lived a life of luxury as a reward, but you didn't. You put the needs of these people before your own. You don't understand how rare that is up here. I can see that you are a good man. A man who doesn't deserve to succumb to the dangers of the wastes unprepared. You deserve to find your father and that is exactly what I'm going to help you do."
Adam was speechless. Was he really that much of an anomaly in the wasteland? Was goodness really that scarce.
"What if he dies?" Adam asked, "What if I could have saved him but didn't? What if he disappears and I never see him again?"
Ric held out has hand, offering to help him up, "Then you will know you have done all you could and that your father can rest knowing that you have a chance for a life out here."
Adam stared at this strange man for a moment, before accepting his hand and being pulled up.
"Ok" he said, tiredly, "Ok. I accept your help. When do we start?"
Ric grinned, "Immediately."
And with, a bond was formed that would change the Capital Wasteland forever.
Elsewhere:
A man sat at a desk, the lights in the room were dim, only enough to make out a vague outline. The man was staring at a painting behind his desk with fondness.
"Sir?"
A new voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Report" the man ordered, not bothering to face the newcomer.
"I regret to inform you that our agent in Tenpenny Tower…has been executed" the second man replied.
"Executed?" the man at the desk asked, a slight amount of interest in his tone.
"Yes sir. He was able to convince Alistair Tenpenny to go forward with the Megaton Destruction Operation and was searching for a suitable wanderer to aid in it. The wanderer disarmed the bomb and another stopped our agent from escaping. The town sheriff, Lucus Simms, executed him" the subordinate relayed.
The man pondered this for a moment, "You are certain Mister Burke is dead?" he asked.
The second man nodded, "Yes sir."
"A pity. He was a talented agent" the shadowy man said, not at all sounding sincere.
"How do you wish to proceed?"
The man thought for a moment before deciding, "Contact Jabsco. Give him a description of these two interlopers and have him place a bounty on them. 1000 caps…each. Ensure they bring the heads in as proof."
The second man nodded, "At once, sir."
As he made to leave, his master stopped him.
"Be sure to remind Jabsco that our…partnership is fragile at best. Let him know that failure, as always, will not be tolerated."
"Of course, Mr. Littlehorn."
As his subordinate left, Daniel Littlehorn went back to staring at his painting, certain that these two annoyances would be taken care of shortly.
The was no room for would-be heroes in this new world.
Far outside the Capital Wasteland, later that night:
The wasteland was normally a quiet place at night, which is surprising since many of the more dangerous wasteland predators hunted at night.
Tonight, however, was even quieter.
A large, lumbering, towering figure was walking along a stretch of abandoned road. Any living thing it passed quickly became silent for fear of its life.
One creature, however, was not afraid. A large, reptilian monstrosity. It silently stalked towards the figure, ready to make a meal of it.
It was getting closer…closer…the prey seemed to have no idea that it was being stalked.
Once it was within a few feet, the creature lunged forward, it's teeth and claws ready to slice and tear.
And then, a new sound was heard, one that cut right through the still, quiet night. It sounded like a massive chainsaw roaring.
Then new sounds were heard, the sounds of tearing flesh and cries of pain. Then those sounds cut out…and something fell to the ground.
A severed head.
A horned head.
The large figure scoffed at the deathclaw's attempt at its life. It should have known better.
No one hunts the apex predator.
And this predator had a very particular kind of prey in mind.
The figure sheathed its massive, toothed blade and continued forward, it's glowing red eyes glaring hatefully ahead.
"Soon, my old enemy" the figure spoke in a deep, guttural voice dripping with hatred, "Soon."
And cut!
There you go people, that's the first chapter done! The future Lone Wanderer has met his mentor and together they will shake the wasteland to it's very foundations!
Next time: Hard Truth's & Blood Ties.
Thanks for reading children! Until we meet again, this is Intimidator1323, signing off!
