Chapter 2: Welcome to the Wasteland

Their hands shot up as the bright light penetrated their eyes, nearly blinding them, and it took them a second to adjust. As they took in their new surroundings, they were rather disappointed at what they saw. Everything around them was in ruins, and it reminded them of the deserts that were in Hikari's books. They saw a large town off into the distance, and decided to check it out.

The Wasteland was so hot that they both had a full bottle of water and their face were dripping with sweat by the time that they reached the town. They were hungry, but had no way to make food, and only two of shots left for the 10mm pistol and three BBs left due to some weird creatures that looked like giant scorpions. They called them radscorpions, since they were a lot like radroaches in the respect of being mutated to giant size. As they approached the town, they greeted by a robot.

"Welcome- to- Mega-ton- Paaaardner," he greeted.

Before them, the giant door opened with a whirl and they were let into the town rather easily. It was made mostly of bits and pieces of scrap metal, and it looked like the buildings would topple if a good wind storm ripped through the town. The people looked cheerless and in a state of despair, and they all had a very unpleasant odor and their clothing was all dull and dirty. As the twins ventured further into the town, they were confronted by a man dressed in old western clothing.

"Welcome to Megaton. I'm Lucas Simms, sheriff and mayor of this town. I don't know why, but I like you two," he greeted.

"I'm Hikari," she stated. "And this is Mei. We're looking for our father. He's middle-aged and looks a lot like us. Has he passed through here?"

He thought for a moment. "Possibly. We get so many people in and out, it's hard to keep track. You could go try to talk to Colin Moriarty up in his saloon. It's up on top of the hill, right over the bomb."

"The... The bomb?" Mei asked.

"Yes. This town was built around and named after an atomic bomb. Not the smartest idea, I know, but it hasn't gone off since it was dropped here over 200 years ago. Seems pretty safe, but I can't help but worry," he stated.

"I could take a look at it," Mei replied. "Maybe I could disarm it, you know."

"Well, if you can do that, I'll pay ya. Say, 200 caps?"

Judging from his statement, they concluded that caps were the form of currency out in the wastes, much like the bills that they had back in the vault.

"Well, this is a pretty dangerous job, and I know just how grateful you'd be. Say, 500?" Mei offered.

"You drive a hard bargain, but... fine."

"I'll be sure to take a look at it after I find a place to stay," Mei said.

"Moriarty's has a room for rent, I believe. Speak to Nova about that."

Mei nodded and Hikari muttered a word of thanks before heading off to find the saloon. It was rather far up, and Hikari felt kinda dizzy looking down, so she hurried inside. It was dusty and dirty in the saloon, but they kept that fact to themselves. They didn't really want to attract any attention, since they weren't any good with people. Back in that vault, the only person Hikari and Mei ever got close to other than their father and Jonas was Amata. Everyone else just shunned them, even made fun of them, but they learned to ignore it. They approached the bar and sat down on a stool.

"Excuse me," Hikari said to the bar tender. When he turned around, she nearly clamped her hand over her mouth, but resisted the urge. He looked like some sort of zombie out of an old horror movie, but she did her best to ignore it.

"Can I get you anything, smoothskin?" he asked in a gravelly voice.

"The heck? What are you? Some kind of zombie?" Mei shouted.

"Mei!" Hikari scolded. "That's not very nice!" She then turned to the bartender. "Please excuse her. We're actually looking for our father, and possibly a place to stay for the night. He looks a lot like us, but he's middle-aged. Have you seen him?"

"Wait, you're not going to hit me?" he asked

"No," the younger twin replied. She was pretty sure that it wasn't normal to do so to a person, but maybe it was there. "Why would I?"

"Because I'm a ghoul," he stated.

"What's a ghoul?" the older twin wondered aloud.

He gave them an odd look, and then shook his head. "You two from the Vault?" Hikari nodded before he continued. "A ghoul is a person who has been exposed to too much radiation and hasn't died. Most people don't tolerate us, or shoot us on sight, thinking we're all flesh-eating zombies. Those are the ferals, and those you want to shoot and ask questions later. A lot of us are quite civil, however. Anyway, I'm Gob."

"I'm Hikari. Hikari Mansen," she responded, sticking her hand out. He hesitantly held his out and shook it. "And this is my sister, Mei."

"Right. Now, what was your question again?"

"We're looking for our father. He's middle-aged and looks pretty much exactly like us. Have you seen him?"

"I believe I have, but he left this morning."

"Do you know where he went?" Mei pressed.

"Sorry, smoothskin. I'd like to help you, but I'd get myself in trouble with Moriarty again. Try talking to him."

"Please, if you have information..." Hikari began.

"Sorry," he said. "Like I said, I can't. Talk to Moriarty."

She sighed. "Well, thanks. I understand, and at least I know I'm on the right track."

"I really am sorry, though, smoothskin."

"Hey, Gob, what's a smoothskin?"

"You, you know? Cause your skin is so smooth, unlike a ghoul's."

"Oh," was all she managed to say.

"Gob, what have I said about yappin' to all of the customers?" a man shouted as a door behind Gob burst open. The man spoke in a thick accent, but I didn't know what it was, and he had white, fly-away hair and crystal-blue eyes. The whole bar suddenly went silent. He raised a hand and cuffed Gob on the backside of the head, all because he was talking to the twins.

"Hey!" Hikari shouted. She had always avoided raising her voice, as she didn't like conflict, but she had the gut feeling that he did that often and that Gob would never stand up for himself. "Why did you do that? I was asking him some questions!"

He turned to them with an angry expression, but it quickly turned to an amused, yet confused one.

"My, my, my. It's been years since I last saw ya two, lass," he said. "Jus' wee, cryin' babes, if I remember. You an' your dad were headin' over to the Vault... What, 19 years ago?"

"I'm afraid you're mistaken. I've lived in the Vault my entire life, and-"

"Yes, yes. I've heard stuff from the other crazies who have escaped that god-forsaken place. 'We live in the Vault! We die in the Vault! All hail the Overseer! Blah! Blah! Blah!' Kiddies, trust me. You weren't born there."

"But what reason would my dad have for lying to me if that was true?" Mei challenged.

He sighed. "Lassies, let's continue this conversation away from pryin' ears. Come back into my office, please."

"Why?"

"Do you wanna know where your dad went or not?"

They frowned, but followed him back into his office.

"Where is my dad?" Mei questioned.

"I'll be straight with ya. He was here, but now he's not. Where he went? Now, tha's gonna cost ya. 100 caps, to be exact."

"I don't have 100 caps," Hikari stated.

"Well, then, there's a problem. Now... Let's see... I know of a way you can get some caps. You interested?"

"Let's hear it," Mei said.

"Good, good. Now, I used to have a junkie that worked for me. Silver's her name. She and I had a deal going, but she backed out and stole some of me caps. Last I heard, she was camping out down in Springvale, not too far from here."

"I'm not interested in killing anyone," Hikari stated.

No, no, no. Just get the darn caps from her and you can pay me with them. I don't care how, as long as I get them!"

Mei huffed. "Fine."

"Good girl, now run along."

They glared at him before turning to leave. Charging them for the location of their dad? Seriously? They knew that they would have to go to Springvale, though. After all, they need the caps. Maybe they could just disarm the bomb, but they had no idea how to work a nuclear bomb.

"So, how'd it go, smoothskins?" Gob asked.

"I need 100 caps for the location. It's ridiculous," Hikari whispered in fear of making Moriarty upset and charging them more.

"That's Moriarty for you."

"Anyway, where's Springvale?" Mei asked.

"You got a map?"

Hikari nodded and pulled up the one on her pip-boy, turning it so they could both see.

"Right around there," he said as he pointed on the screen. "Slightly north and east from here, about a ten minute walk."

"Well, I'd better be going," the younger stated. "Thanks."

"No problem kid, and hey," he said, dropping his voice, "I'll probably get into trouble for this, but for you, I'll risk it. You'll get a discount on drinks from me."

"Gob, I... Thank you."

He nodded, a light smile forming over his dried, decaying lips.

"Well, I think I'll try to take a look at that bomb, see if I can disarm it," Mei said. "You go on ahead and get the caps from what's-her-name. We can meet back up here later."

Hikari reluctantly agreed. She wasn't a fighter – that was Mei – but Hikari was better with people.

~Hikari's POV~

As Gob had said, Springvale was nearly a ten minute walk, but I found it no problem. There was only one standing house, so I decided to try there first. I wasn't sure if I should knock or just enter, so I knocked.

"Who is it? Who's there?" a voice asked.

"My name is Hikari, and I'm looking for Silver," I stated.

"She's not here, now go away," she replied.

"Then to whom am I speaking?" I questioned.

"My name? It's-" insert slight pause here- "Jenny."

"We both know you are Silver, so please let me in. I just want to talk."

I could hear her grumble before she opened the door a crack. She held her pistol close and at the ready, in case I tried something, but I wasn't going to. Her hair was like her name: Silver, and greased down on top of her head, but it seemed well taken care of, otherwise.

"I am here on behalf of Moriarty, as you may have already guessed, but I mean you no harm. He has asked that I come and... take care of you, but I have no intention of doing that," I explained. "How many caps did you take?"

"400," she stated.

"Split that with me, and I will tell Moriarty that you have been taken care of," I stated. "Deal?"

"You... You'd do that for me?" she questioned, her voice softening. "Nobody has... ever done anything like that for me."

"Yes. You see, I need caps to pay Moriarty for information, and he sent me here."

"Fine," she said.

Suddenly, my stomach began to growl, and I realized that I hadn't eaten since last night, and it was already afternoon.

"How about I fix us something to eat before you go?" she offered.

"That would be appreciated," I replied. "Thank you."

I followed her into the kitchen/dining room.

"Well, you want squirrel bits, Salisbury steak, or squirrel stew?"

"Squirrel? I've never had it before. Is it any good?"

"Not really. Nothing's good anymore, but you're not from around here, are you?"

"Nope," I replied. "I'm from the Vault. Just left this morning."

She whistled as she pulled out a few somethings on a stick. I could only guess that they were squirrel pieces or something. "I'm surprised you made it this far."

"People tend to be surprised by what I can and can't do."

"Well, it sucks that you're already trapped by Moriarty, then," she said as she started the oven and took a seat across from me. "He's a right bastard, he is."

"I can tell. The way he talks down to people, I can't stand him. He thinks himself better than everyone else."

"Trust me kid, he gets nastier than that. What's he got you on?"

"He has the needed information to locate my father," I stated. "Everyone in the Vault basically tried to kill me, except Butch, my sister, and Amata, that is. They all believed that my sister and I had something to do without father escaping, but we had no idea. Still, I killed one person with my sister and left others to the radroaches. Honestly, the trained officers can't kill them, and yet my sister and I killed one with a BB gun when we were 10?"

Silver laughed before a timer went off and she pulled what I assumed to be squirrel bits out of the oven and a two bottles of water. She tossed me one and handed me a stick.

"To being able to kill radroaches," she said as she held up her bottle of water.

"And escaping the clutches of Moriarty," I added as I touched mine to hers.

She nodded before we started eating. The squirrel was tough and chewy, not to mention the fact that it tasted funny, but it was food, and food seemed pretty hard to come by in the wastes. I thanked Silver for the meal and before heading back to Megaton. It was near sundown by the time I approached the gate, and I was definitely ready for bed, but there was still the cost of a bed, but I didn't know how much that would cost me. Hopefully, it would be under 100 caps. I approached Colin as he sat at the bar, drinking a bottle of whiskey. I smirked as I handed him half of the caps I earned.

"100 caps, as promised."

"Very well, lass. Your father headed out to GNR Studios. No idea why, though."

"What's GNR?" I questioned.

"GNR? Well that'll cost ya 50 more caps, and I'll show ya where it's located."

"No thanks. I'll just... ask around town," I replied. "Now, how much for a room?"

"Talk to Nova about that. She's the hooker standing over there in the corner smokin' a cig."

I nodded and went over to the person. "You Nova?"

"Sure am, honey," she replied. "What can I help you with?"

"How much for a room?"

"120 caps."

"I only have 100... Any idea where I can get 20 more?"

"Look," she said in a quiet voice. "The only reason I'm telling you this is because you put a smile on Gob's face, something I haven't seen in a while, but don't go tellin' anyone, 'kay? I hear old Walter up in the Water Treatment Facility is looking for someone to help him with repairs, but they have to have a decent knowledge of that stuff. His pay rate is pretty decent, too. I'd hurry before the sun goes down."

I nodded before leaving the building. I asked a rather old man who tried to tell me about the Enclave where it was, ignoring his seemingly crazy rant. He informed me of its location before I headed up that way. I could see Mei still working on the bomb and waved to her. She waved back, but seemed busy so I left. Standing outside the building was an old man smoking a cigarette. I nodded to him before trying to enter the Water Treatment Facility, but it was locked.

"May I ask why you are trying to get in there?" the man asked.

"I was told to see Walter about helping out, since I really need caps, and I was told that I could find him here," I replied.

"Well, I'm Walter, and I guess it's no secret that this place is going to take a turn for the worse any day now."

"Well, I'm available if you need me," I stated. "I used to help out Stanley back in the vault during my free time. I'm pretty handy with a wrench."

"Well, according to the pressure gages, there are leaks. I'd guess three. If you can find and fix them, I'll pay you 200 caps."

"Do you have a wrench or any other tools I could borrow?"

"Sure, kid." He took a wrench, a screwdriver, and a roll of old tape off of his belt. If you need anything else, I'll either be here or inside."

Thanks."

I set off towards the entrance, remembering that I saw a leak nearby. Sure enough, there was one there. I tightened the valve and used the tape to make sure that if it came loose, there would be something to hold it. I followed the pipes until I came to a second leak up near the Common House. I thought about sleeping there, but the stench of the room just by passing it made me keep going. That pipe was slightly more challenging to fix, but still no problem. The third one did pose a problem. It was up on top of the Church of Atom. Not only was I afraid of heights, but it seemed the only way to reach it would be to jump over from the walkway next to it. I steeled myself for what might possibly be my last venture before climbing up to Craterside Supply.

The distance between my destination and I seemed to increase to more that I stared at it. I shook my head before staring at my destination. Slowly, I climbed over the safety rail, holding on for dear life. If I fell, I knew it would be the end of me. My heartbeat quickened and I used the adrenaline pumping through my veins to thrust myself across the gap. I landed with a metallic "Thump," my eyes closed tightly. Slowly, I realized that I was still alive. I did my best to focus on the task at hand, but my hands were shaking with fear and adrenaline, which made my work even more difficult than it already was. After fumbling with it for a while, I managed to stop the spray of water. A slowly slid back over to the edge of the building before hopping back over to the other side, grasping the railing when I could. I then heaved myself over and headed back to the Water Treatment Facility. The sun had just finished setting when I found Walter dropping his cigarette onto the metal, snuffing it out with his boot.

"I-I did it," I stated, out of breath and soaking wet. "Three leaks all fixed. Last one was on top of a roof."

"Well, I'll be. Come on in and I'll count out your caps."

I followed him into the old building. He led me over to a desk and pulled out a key, unlocking a draw and pulling out a stash of caps. Quickly, he handed me 200 of them.

"Thank you," he said, "But it's only a matter of time before something else comes up. If you happen upon any scrap metal, I'll give you some caps for it."

I nodded and kept that in mind. I'd probably need more caps later.

~Mei's POV~

I stared at the stupid bomb. During my free time, which was most of the time back in the vault, I had a considerate amount, considering the fact that I was bored out of my mind with only a couple of rare customers, I went down to help Stanly out with whatever needed to be done, along with my sister. We did various jobs, but I usually took on the worse jobs. That usually meant dealing with unclogging anything that had been stuck in the plumbing. I found quite a few cherry bombs, so I had handled explosives before. Still, none of them were as big as the bomb I was going to attempt to disarm. I looked at the internal components, but there was a lot of stuff present that I didn't know what to do with. Why did they even build a town around the stupid bomb anyways? Bright idea. Hey, I got an idea! Let's build our new town around that giant bomb that made a crater and could kill us all in a split second at any moment! Yeah... Idiots. I don't know how long it was until I saw Hikari up above me, waving. I was rather busy, but managed to wave back for a split second. When I looked up at her, though, I noticed how late it was getting, and I was making absolutely no progress on it. I sighed, wiping the sweat off of my forehead. I was running out of daylight. The light of my pip-boy was not enough to see in the dark and, by the looks of things, Hikari had gotten the location of our dad, meaning that we would probably be leaving the following day.

I don't even know why we were following him. He left us, without so much as a goodbye and without letting us know, in the middle of the night. He never loved me, nor did he tell me, ever. He played favorites, even though he didn't mean to. Hikari was the sweet, innocent one to follow in her father's shoes while I was the rebel. I didn't care what people thought of me, and I guess that it rubbed people the wrong way.

I decided to take a break for a moment and pulled out a bottle of water. I glanced at my Geiger counter. I had taken about a hundred rads, but that was nothing that a rad-away couldn't fix. Suddenly, my pip-boy made a beep. I glanced down. "Enclave Radio Station Found," it read. Curiously, I turned it on. Some man was on talking about how we needed to rebuild America. Most of the things he said, I agreed with, but the music was repetitive and irritating. I then noticed that another radio station was trying to be picked up. I switched that one on, but I could barely hear the station over all of the static. It sounded like someone was talking, and then some sort of music played, but like I said, I couldn't really hear it over the static.

I sighed and turned it off. By then, the sun had set and it was dark. I hoped that Hikari had scraped up enough caps to get us a room, as I had made absolutely no progress with the atomic bomb. I returned to work before it was too late to study it any longer.

~Hikari's POV~

I re-entered the saloon and counter out 120 caps for a room and handed them to Nova.

"Thanks, hon. Your room is the second one you come across upstairs."

I nodded and headed up to the room my sister and I would be staying in. I made sure that everything was in order before heading down to see if she had made any progress on the bomb. I approached her and her pip-boy light was on, but it wasn't doing much for her. I turned mine on and held it up so she could see well. She looked up at me, a bit surprised.

"I was actually about to head up to see what was going on," she stated. "You got the location?"

I nodded. "He went to GNR, but I don't know where or what that is."

"GNR is a radio station," she stated. "I was listening to it for a bit earlier, but all I really got was static. The other station is run by the government, apparently. Some of the things President Eden talks about, I have to agree with. Anyway, I can't make heads or tails of this, so let's head inside. You got us a room, right?"

I nodded. "And we have 180 caps to spare."

"God, how much did that Silver girl take?" she questioned.

"I got two hundred from her," I stated. "And then another two hundred from old Walter for fixing some pipes. He also said that if we bring him any scrap metal, he'll pay us for it."

"That'll help. Well," she said with a stretch, "Let's head up to bed."

"I've checked it out already. It kinda smells funny, but it's all we've got right now. I've still got a couple sweet rolls if you want to eat those for dinner. I can probably find some place to whip up some real food in the morning."

"Sounds good," my sister stated. "I take it we head out tomorrow morning?"

"Once we find out where GNR is."

She nodded and we headed up to our room. Once inside, I pulled out two sweet rolls and a bottle of water. Mei had taken out her own water. We ate the rolls together.

"This makes me kind of homesick," I almost whispered. "I wish we could go back to the way things were."

"Why? I kinda like this place. I've always been pretty claustrophobic, and I like not having any restrictions on my actions. I feel... free."

I could see her point, but I didn't agree. I liked being safe more than being stuck out in the wastes. Still, the sooner we found our dad, the better. He had always made me feel safe back in the vault. Just his presence was able to sooth my fears worries when I was little. I wish we could go back, but I knew we couldn't. We never would be able to.

After Notes:

Another chapter. :)

I have no life other than band/drumline/school.

Oh, and either my laptop or Microsoft word isn't working right, so my spell checker-thingy is malfunctioning. Please let me know if you notice any issues.

You know what would make me happy? Reviews. Much appreciated, HikariMei.