Chapter 9: Robots and Simulations

The following morning, everything was silent, and I was very warm. I could see the sun shining through the cracks in the wall, and I sat up. Mei and Bryan were still asleep, but Charon wasn't nearby. I went out of the room, and he was leaning against the wall.

"Good morning," I greeted.

He nodded in my direction, but said nothing otherwise. I wondered how long he had been standing there, but I shrugged it off. I guess it didn't really matter.

"I really need a shower," I commented to no one in particular. "I guess I'll go take one."

"I would advise staying up top," he stated. "It is very muddy out."

I nodded and made sure I had my towel in my pip-boy before I told Wadsworth where I would be going. He offered to make breakfast again, but I declined. I had a box of sugar bombs in my pip-boy that I would eat later.

"Hikari, would you like me to try to repair your rifle while you shower?" Charon offered.

"Yes, please, but do you know anything about plasma rifles?"

He nodded. I guess whatever training he had covered everything. I pulled it out of my pip-boy and handed it to him before going in to the bathroom. When I determined no one else was there, I popped a rad-x before stripping down and getting in the cool shower. The cold water hurt, and I started to get a headache. I stayed in for as little as possible before I dried off and washed my old clothes. I pulled out another jumpsuit that I had washed the last time I showered and put the wet one in my pip-boy to dry.

I felt slightly lightheaded as I stepped out of the bathroom, and my headache was getting progressively worse. The sunlight made it worse, but I ignored it. I started to shiver, despite the harsh heat from the sun and the sweat that poured down my face. The metal walkway was turning, and I felt sick to my stomach. I felt Charon's warm hand on my arm, and I felt a bit better, but I rushed back into the bathroom, throwing up the little I had in my stomach. Charon didn't seem to care that it was the women's bathroom and came in after me.

"You are sick," he stated. "I told you not to go out last night."

"I was hoping that my immune system was strong because I can heal fast," I managed to reply. "Apparently not."

He awkwardly rubbed my back, much like my father used to do before we left the Vault. It made me feel better, but I knew he was feeling uncomfortable.

"We need to get you home," he said.

I tried to stand, but I was too dizzy. Charon groaned softly before lifting me off of the ground, carrying me like I was a little kid. I placed my head on his warm leather armor, and I felt a bit better. His scent was oddly comforting, and I relaxed as he carried me back home. He placed me on the real bed and left for a moment to fetch a bucket. I also heard him talk to Mei briefly, probably explaining what happened. I waited for him to return, and he handed me the bucket.

"Your sister says you need to get well soon," he stated. "Wadsworth has already had to clean up one mess, and I don't believe he wants to clean up another."

I had forgotten about that odd bond Mei and I had. I nodded, but that only proved to make things worse.

"Try putting your head between your knees if you feel like you are about to vomit," he instructed, "But keep the bucket close by."

I managed a nod and did what I was told. I sat on the edge, the bucket in between my feet, my head tucked between my knees. Charon rubbed my back, and the dizziness seemed to stop, along with the urge to throw up. After a while, my nausea completely went away, but I was still shivering and I had a fever. Charon told me to lie down, but I already knew rest was the best treatment for sickness. The ghoul covered me with a blanket and lay with me until I fell asleep.

~Mei's POV~

Kari was sick. I knew it as soon as I felt the food rush back out. I felt fine until then. Afterwards, though, I felt sick to my stomach. I told Wadsworth to clean up the mess before lying down for a bit. I guessed Kari was feeling better, because I was, too. I went downstairs, and Charon was carrying Kari in. Her face was flushed, and she looked terrible. I wanted to comfort her, but I was sick, also. Besides, Charon looked as though he had things all set. He came downstairs a moment later.

"She has caught a cold," he told me before I even asked.

"I got that much," I replied. "We have an odd bond that when one of us is sick like she was, the other is, also. How did she get sick?"

"Probably from being out in the cold precipitation," he stated. "I need a bucket for her."

"Wadsworth, a bucket," I said.

"Yes, ma'am," I heard him say.

"He already cleaned up one mess," I told him. "Don't really think he needs another."

"She should be well, soon," he stated. "I will tend to her. You should rest as well."

I nodded, and he retrieved the bucket from Wadsworth's... hand? I don't really know what you'd call it. Claw, I think, would be better.

I sat at the table, eating some dandy boy apples that were in the fridge. I don't really know how old they are, but the radiation seems to keep things from molding. Back in the Vault, that was a bit of a problem if things were left out or the vacuum-sealed storage wasn't sealed right.

I sighed and put my feet up on the table. I thought about how much Charon was changing. They were just subtle things, but they were changes, none the less. Charon was taking more initiative and not waiting for Kari to relieve him. He was also talking more, and he was growing physically closer to Kari, or maybe she was growing on him. Maybe they were both growing closer to each other... I don't know. I ended up confusing myself if I went too deep in thought, so I didn't do it very often. Kari was the thinker, and I was the shooter, but I had to admit, she was getting better.

My mind shifted to Dad. I wondered if he was still at Vault 112, or if he even made it. I hoped for Kari's sake that he had. I don't know if she would handle another disappointment. I then wondered just how long it would take us to get to Evergreen Mills, and if we would even be able to reach the Vault ourselves. Something told me we would, but there was a nagging voice in the back of my mind that said otherwise.

I decided to go check up on Kari and Charon. She was asleep, and Charon was still sitting, well, lying, loyally by her side. I sighed and went downstairs. I couldn't really wander around town because of all of the mud, but I wanted to. Kari had the first-aid supplies, so I wouldn't be able to take a rad-x to prevent the radiation poison that was inevitable. I propped my feet up on the table again, despite Wadsworth saying that he had just cleaned it off. He jetted off, muttering to himself. I hated technology. Well, I loved my pip-boy, but robots and androids... Those only served to cause trouble. They were in constant need of repairs, they whined about having to clean, even though that was its purpose, they didn't obey half the time...

My thoughts were interrupted when Charon came downstairs.

"She appears to be stable for the moment," he stated. "She needs warmth, mostly, and I am able to provide that, but she needs nourishment."

"Well, we've got some insta-mash if you want that," I told him. "Or some Salisbury steak, and some cram, but she doesn't really like that stuff."

"Insta-mash would be best," he replied.

I pulled the box out of my pip-boy and handed it to him. He went into the kitchen and began to make the stuff in a pan that was sitting on the stove. I had to admit, the food did smell good. I guess Charon knew how to cook... God, I don't know how we got through without him, before. He took a bowl up to Kari, and told me to help myself to the rest. I did just that. The mash was pretty bland, but I guess that was what Kari needed. Her stomach wasn't at its best.

~Charon's POV~

I hated my mistress, but not for the reasons most people would believe. She was too kind to me, but she whined, she clung to people, somewhat desperate for attention, she needed a lot of caring for, and I don't know how she is still alive. But, those are not the reasons that I hated her. She was too fragile; too breakable. I had a desire to protect her innocence, and I hated how she made me honestly care. She was too well-liked by most people that she met, and I could see the hunger for her behind those eyes. I wanted to take care of her and protect her, and I hated her for it. Maybe it was because of the kindness and freedom she showed me, but it was odd. She gave me a relief from my contract, made it appear as though the thing didn't exist. She had yet to give me a direct order, but I think it's the bondage to that contract that made me do all of her small requests, but a small voice in the back of my head told me otherwise.

I pushed those thoughts out of my head and focused on making her better. Hikari was sick, and she needed me. I slipped into my facade and gently woke her. She hadn't eaten anything all day, and the only thing she had yesterday after breakfast was a few mutfruit that I made her eat around noon with the cannibal down at the poor excuse for a restaurant. She needed to start eating more, or she may starve to death without really realizing it. She needed it to keep her energy up as well.

She didn't want to eat, but I made her. Even if I had to feed her myself, I would make sure she did. She fell back asleep when she was finished, and I gave her my warmth as she slept. We needed her in top shape for when we made the journey to Evergreen Mills. That place was a slaver and raider nest, something that most people would never want to some across, but my mistress and her rude sister had to find their father. I understood completely the desire to find someone lost. After the bombs fell, I searched everywhere for my employer. He had told me to stay put, and I had, but when the sirens started to go off, I left. I directly disobeyed an order, but the safety of my employer always comes first. I found him battling some communists. I assisted him, but he was wounded critically. There was no way for him to survive. He handed me my contract and told me to leave him.

That master was the first to show me kindness, so, when he told me to leave, when I had my contract, I obeyed out of respect. I regretted the decision, even though I knew there would be no way I could save him. I wished that I had not waited as long, and then maybe I could have saved him. I remember the guilt that I felt and the hatred towards myself that was present. I had vowed never to care for anyone as strongly, no matter what, so I would not feel what I did when he died ever again. Unfortunately, my mistress took it upon herself to try to break my hard shell. She slowly was, and I hated her for it.

Once Hikari was finished eating, I took the bowl downstairs and washed it out. Mei had eaten the rest of the mash, but I wasn't hungry. While completing my training, I was rarely fed, and my body had adapted. I was thankful for my training, as it had kept me alive through these hard times, but I sometimes wished I had never gone through it. If I hadn't I would have become a ghoul, nor would I have to live in these harsh times. I had to remember, though, I would probably have died had the people who had taken me not done so. My mother died during childbirth, and my father died shortly after.

I could hear Hikari stir from where I was in the kitchen, and I went to investigate. She was sitting on the edge of the bed. She stared off into space, not even taking notice of me as I entered the room. I placed my hand on her shoulder before she looked at me.

"Oh, hello Charon," she said in a distant voice. "I didn't notice you enter the room. I guess I was just thinking about my dad."

There was something wrong, but I didn't know what. She seemed to be going mentally insane, much like most people in the wastes.

"Are you feeling well?" I asked, feeling her forehead.

She had a fever, but she nodded anyway.

"Just fine," she lied. "I think I was going to take a walk."

"I'm afraid I can't allow that," I told her. "You have a fever and it seems to be clouding your thoughts."

"Really, Charon, I'm fine," she pressed, forcing a smile. "Just a walk to clear my head."

"You need rest," I insisted. "Lay back down."

She shook her head. "I don't want to."

"Hikari, whatever you are trying to do, it will not work," I said, grabbing a hold of her arm as she tried to walk out the room.

She began to struggle, and I was confused.

"Let go!" she shouted. "Let go, now!"

Over and over she screamed, even as I did what she asked. She slumped to the floor and lay completely still. Mei entered the room, seemingly worried about her twin.

"What did you do?" she shouted as she ran up to her sister.

"I grabbed her arm because she was trying to go outside," I told her. "She was not herself, and I assume it was the sickness talking."

Slowly, Hikari started to twitch before sitting up.

"Kari! Kari, are you okay?"

"What... What happened?"

"You, you don't remember what just happened?" the once-blond inquired.

My mistress shook her head and stood up.

"Well, you started shouting," Mei stated. "I wasn't really here, though. Ask Charon."

Hikari turned towards me, a questioning look on her face.

"You requested that you be let outside," I told her. "You still had a fever, so I told you that it would be in your best interest to go back to bed. You were not yourself, and you tried to leave. I grabbed your arm, and you started screaming to let go. I obliged, and you fell to the ground, still telling me to let go. You passed out, and your sister came up. Now we are here."

She furrowed her brow, as though trying to remember what had happened. Mei stared worriedly at her. Hikari seemed to be normal, but there was something wrong with her. I didn't know what happened in that Vault, but something told me that it did something to her, something I couldn't help with.

"Well, I'm okay now," she said. "But I'm very tired. I think I'm going to take a nap."

"I shall stay, unless you have objections," I told her.

"Only if that is what you want," she replied. "Like I said, I want you to do what you want, but don't hurt anyone."

"Yes, Hikari."

She sighed and lay back on the bed. I stood over her, making sure she was asleep before I relaxed. She looked and acted normal, but I wasn't too sure she would be. I sat on the chair next to the desk, keeping my eye on her. She looked so peaceful; it looked as though her episode had never occurred. She troubled me, but I couldn't help but care about her well-being.

~Mei's POV~

I was truly frightened by Kari's little... episode. She never raised her voice unless she was mad. It scared me, and I was worried about her. I hoped whatever it was, it was just a fluke in her system. Just once, and it would never happen again. I knew Charon would never really hurt her, but he still concerned me. Something inside told me to keep an eye on him, no matter how many times he had saved us from the mutants. I decided to wander over to Craterside to see Moira. Apparently, she was trying to write some book, but she needed some help. She was willing to pay, from what I heard. That was something that we could use, considering our trip was going to be a long and dangerous one.

"Oh, hello!" she greeted. "Don't mind the smoke! It's perfectly safe to breathe!"

I stared at her. There was no visible smoke present. I guess she was crazier than she looked.

"Yeah, I heard you need some help with some book," I said.

"Oh! My Wasteland Survival Guide! You want to help?"

"That's why I'm here," I replied. "What do you need done?"

"Well, I plan on doing three chapters, each covering three different subjects," she stated. "The first chapter includes finding food and medicine, radiation, and traveling to a mine field! Which do you want to do first?"

I thought for a moment. It was pretty much impossible to travel anywhere with all of the mud, so I chose the radiation.

"Great! All I need you to do is expose yourself to a lot of radiation, so I can study the effects. Radiation is everywhere, so we need to learn how to better our medicines to battle it," she stated.

Yes, she was crazy. She must have been.

"Of course, once you get all radded up, I'll be sure to try out some of my home-made cures!"

"Fine," I replied. "What reward are we talking about here?"

"Plenty of rad-x's and rad-aways!"

Well, we could never have enough of those, and she would take care of my rads when I was done.

"I'll be back soon, then," I replied.

"Oh, wonderful! Thanks!"

I left the shop and headed down to the mud, where the preacher was shouting about the power of Atom and whatnot. I ignored him, fighting my way through the thick mud. With my first step, I sunk in almost to my knees. It was hard to move and I felt tired, so I flopped down, immediately sinking about foot. I lay there, feeling the radiation seeping through my skin. My Geiger counter ticked away, telling me just how fast I was gaining radiation. I kept my eye on it for the time that I was in there. When I was getting dangerously high, I somehow managed to sit up. The sun was baking the mud, turning it hard. I felt sick to my stomach, and I was exhausted. I didn't want to get up, but I knew that I would die if I didn't.

I opened up the door to Moira's shop, and she was sweeping the floor.

"Oh, hello!" she greeted. "Back already? Tell me, how do you feel?"

"Why don't you drink a tall glass of wastewater and find out for yourself?" I remarked.

"No need to be so snooty," she said. "Now, let's get you on some of my home-made recipes to see which one works that best."

I sighed. I needed the supplies and was too tired to argue, so I sat there while she had me ingest several different things, which had no effect on my radiation. Now I know what Kari felt like back in the Vault. Wait. Kari was a lab rat, I realized. Is that what's causing her to be able to heal fast and to have the episode? I hoped not, but I had seen worse things in life happen.

Moira handed me a cup of Brahmin milk, and I swallowed the awful stuff. It was chunky, warm, sour, and reminded me of being sick, but I choked it down anyway. Strangely, I began to feel better. I checked my pip-boy, and my rads began to drop. My energy returned, and I felt my energy level rise.

"What about this?" she asked. "Any effect?"

"Yeah, actually," I replied. "It tastes terrible, but my radiation level is dropping. Lay more on me."

She nodded and fetched me another glass. "If this works, imagine what good it would do the world! Why, we'd have no reason to worry about finding rad-aways anymore!"

I forced the liquid down my throat, and felt my sickness vanish.

"Definitely works," I commented. "I think we've got a real cure here."

Her face lit up even more, and her smile stretched to her ears. "This is fantastic! I'll need to do more tests, though! Well, as promised, here. I have a lot of supplies for you."

She went to her cabinet and unlocked it before she took out a box of stuff. It was filled with odds and ends, but she pulled out five rad-aways and a couple bottles of rad-x. She set them on the counter.

"These are your payment," she stated. "Thank you very much for your help!"

I nodded and put the supplies in my pip-boy. "I should probably go check up on my sister."

"Oh? What's wrong?" she questioned.

"None of your business."

"Oh. Well, okay! If you ever want to help out, I have more research to do!"

"We're actually hoping to leave town soon," I excused. "Now, I have to go."

Without another glance back, I left the shop, ignoring the mercenary leaning against the wall that stared me down. I went back to my new house, and Wadsworth immediately complained about my filthy state. I knew that Charon and Kari would also complain if they were to see me.

Kari came down, and she looked much better than the last time I saw her. Charon was not too far behind her. She stared at me before smiling and shaking her head.

"I'm not going to ask what happened," she said. "Only request that you get the mud off before we eat dinner. I plan to ask Wadsworth to make it soon."

I nodded. "By the way, Brahmin milk gets rid of radiation. Moira and I discovered that."

She cringed, but nodded none the less. I made sure that I had the needed things in order to take my shower. The water that went down the drain was a lot like the ground outside, but I was getting cleaner. Dirt wads came free of my hair, along with any dead skin.

My clothes were another story. They took forever to get the filth out of, and a lot of it was stuck on. Not quite soon enough, I was satisfied with their condition and put them in my pip-boy.

~Hikari's POV~

A week had gone and passed, and I knew it was time to move on. We had to find our dad, even if I wasn't in the best condition. It seemed that even with my ability to heal fast, my immune system was not up to par with everyone else's. I was still feeling sick, but I wouldn't let it show. We had to leave and find Dad. I needed him, and Mei did, although she wouldn't admit it.

We began our travel and the heat was almost overwhelming. I ignored the ache that I felt in my limbs and head, making sure to drink plenty of water that was given to us by Wadsworth. I even resorted to sneaking Buffout so that they wouldn't suspect anything. I held most of the medicine, so it was easy for me to do so.

We camped that night under an old, decaying highway that had collapsed partially. Charon was going to take the first watch and switch with Mei after a while. I think he did suspect that I was still sick, but he said nothing to indicate so. I felt cold, and I curled up into a ball. I then remembered the Tunnel Snakes jacket that I had received, and pulled it out and slipped it on.

"You still have that thing?" Mei questioned.

"It helps to keep me warm..."

"Sure," Mei scoffed. "Or maybe you really did like Butch back in the Vault."

"How could I when he was such a jerk to us? After what he did to me?"

"Whatever. You've done weirder things."

I sighed and resumed my position on the ground. Charon stared off into the wastes, but it was as though he wasn't really there. He was so focused, I sometimes wondered if he ever relaxed. I shrugged off the thought as I lay with Mei, waiting for sleep to overtake me.

The following morning, when I woke up, I was being carried. I could tell without opening my eyes by the way I swayed that it was true. Charon stared down at me when I stirred, but we didn't stop.

"You should not be going on this journey," he stated. "You still have a fever and you are sick. You have been sneaking Buffout, but I will not let you do that anymore. It is too dangerous."

"So is you carrying me," I responded. "What if we're attacked? You wouldn't be able to get your shotgun out in time."

"Mei is watching her radar," he replied. "We will know in advance if anyone is up ahead."

I huffed at my indignity, but allowed him to continue. I was very tired and I knew I was sick. Charon was putting himself at risk, even if he did have Mei watching her pip-boy.

"Well, how much longer until we are there?" I asked.

"We should be arriving around sundown," he stated. "That is, if we can find the garage. We don't know exactly where it is."

I nodded, and we lapsed into an uncomfortable silence. Mei kept glancing down at her pip-boy every minute or two, and I checked mine as well.

"My radar is picking up something up ahead," Mei stated. "But my pip-boy can't get a clear reading on it."

"I'm getting about five blips on mine," I stated. "Your settings need to be adjusted if you can't make them out. I'll look at it when we stop for lunch."

"'Kay," she said while making sure her assault rifle was in working order.

Charon put me down and I pulled my plasma rifle out. Charon also pulled his gun out. We all held them at the ready while we approached the people on my pip-boy. There were two raider-like people, but they didn't shoot at us. There were three more wastelanders behind them with collars on. Slavers.

I nodded stiffly at them, trying my best to ignore the pleading looks coming from the slaves. We didn't want any trouble, especially with my condition. I felt a tug in my heart, telling me to free them, but I knew I couldn't. Someday, somehow, but not today.

"This means we are close to Evergreen Mills," Charon stated. "If we come across any more groups, we should ask if they know where the garage is, but be cautious."

Mei and I nodded. In fact, we came across another group of slavers not too long afterwards. They had no slaves with them, but they had odd guns and collars at the ready. I approached them, gun at the ready.

"You know where a garage is that's supposed to be nearby?" I questioned.

"What's it to ya?" one asked, a lustful gleam in his eye.

I didn't really want to tell them why we were headed there, but I needed to know.

"They bothering you, Mistress?" Charon inquired, closing in on the slaver that asked.

"No, Charon," I played along "Thank you."

He grunted and fell back behind me. The slaver seemed to have backed down.

"I have business to do there," I said. "Do you know or not?"

"Yeah," he stated. "If you have a map-"

"No problem," I cut him off while pulling the one I had up on my pip-boy.

"See you around, maybe," I said before nodding to Mei and Charon.

I was honestly surprised that Mei had actually kept to herself during that ordeal. When the slaver gave me that look, I thought for sure one of the two would be dead. I was thankful that Charon had intervened when he did.

"Well, we have our heading," I stated. "We need to go north, northwest."

I pointed in the appropriate direction, but it was lunch time, so we stopped for a meal. While we ate, I looked at Mei's pip-boy. Her color balance was off, causing things to blend together. It was easily fixed, but it took me almost the whole break to fix it. I probably wouldn't have eaten unless Charon forced me to. I just wasn't hungry too often, and it seemed to make Charon worry. I didn't want him to, but he did.

With our direction fixated, we arrived about three hours later, much sooner than Charon had predicted. The garage was just a small dot on the horizon, but that was definitely it. We entered, and the only real source of light was the old vending machine in the corner. There were a couple radroaches and mole rats, but those were easily disposed of. The real problem was finding the hidden entrance to the Vault. I was exhausted and there was no light. The stench of the creatures we had killed penetrated the air, but I don't think my companions really noticed it.

"Kari, I think I've found something over here, but I need your light," Mei called from across the room.

I shone my light to where hers was, and there was some sort of electrical switch. She flipped it, and I jumped when part of the floor flipped open, revealing a staircase.

"I think we've found it," she commented as she began to descend the steps.

Charon and I were not too far behind her, but I was kind of nervous. I didn't know if we were walking into some trap or if it really was Vault 112. Is so, then this was where our dad was headed next, and I hoped he was still there if he made it.

Sure enough, there was a robot that handed us a Vault 112 jumpsuit and told us to enter the tranquility lounger. We followed the steps down into a room filled with a bunch of pods. As I glanced around in them, I noticed that there were people. When I looked into one, my heart soared. It was my father.

"Mei! Mei! He's here! He's right here!" I called. "Dad, can you hear me? Dad!"

"Kari, I don't think he can," she replied. "Check the terminal."

I nodded and went up to it. All it listed were his vitals, which were all in good order.

"Maybe one of use should go in the empty one," Mei suggested.

"I'll do it," I replied. "No offence, but I'm more technology savvy."

"True. I think you have to put on the jumpsuit to enter, though. That's what the robot said."

I nodded and put it on when they turned around. I opened up the case on an empty one and Charon helped me up. His hand lingered on mine for a moment. I caught his eye, and he had a concerned look on his face.

"Be cautious," he said.

"And good luck," Mei added. "Hope you find Dad in there."

"Thanks," I replied before sitting in the chair.

The case closed around me, and their faces blurred and shadowed. A television moved in front of me. It showed a picture of a pre-war neighborhood, and everything darkened. A bright light flashed from the TV before I blacked out.

When I opened my eyes, I was sitting on a bench like the one in the picture on the television. I glanced around. There was a boy selling lemonade, a girl watering flowers by the slide with a dog, and a few older people walking around, presumably their parents. When I stood up, something wasn't right. I looked down, and my clothes had changed. I was in some sort of pink pre-war dress and I was a lot shorter.

"What's wrong, sweetie?" a woman asked me.

I looked up, and she towered over me, as though I was... some sort of child.

"I-I'm-" I stopped talking and gasped. My voice was very high, as though I was ten again. The simulation must have changed me back to my ten-year-old body. "I'm looking for my dad. Have you seen him?"

"Oh, he's missing? Sorry, I haven't," she replied. "You could probably ask some of the other people, though."

I nodded, deciding it was probably best if I played along. The dog from the park spotted me and ran up to me, his tail wagging and tongue hanging out of his mouth. He stared at me with intelligent eyes and nudged my pip-boy- Wait, where's my pip-boy! When did I get this watch?

"D-dad?"

The dog barked and jumped. I reached over and scratched behind his ears.

"Dad, what happened? How do we get out of here?"

He began to walk away, but stopped and looked back at me. I could tell he wanted me to follow him. I did, and he led me to the little girl on the playground.

"Oh, goody! Someone new to play with!" she said.

"What happened to my dad?" I questioned.

"Oh, he was your dad?" she asked. "I'm afraid he wouldn't play my games, so I turned him into something more... entertaining."

"Please, change him back!"

"Only if you play my games," she replied in a stuck-up voice. "For my first game, I want you to make Timmy cry!"

"Wh-what?"

"You heard me. Go make him cry."

"Why?"

"Because I want to be entertained, now go!" she demanded. "I don't care how, now do it!"

I frowned, but I had no choice. I assumed that the boy selling lemonade was Timmy.

"Hi! I'm Timmy!" he greeted. "What's your name?"

"I'm Hikari," I replied. "What do you know about the girl over there?"

"Her? That's Betty," he stated. "She's not very nice. She laughs at stuff that isn't funny."

"What's her problem?"

He shrugged. "I dunno. All of the adults love, her, though."

"Hey, did you know that your parents are getting a divorce?" I questioned.

"Wh-What? No!" he shouted, tears threatening to overflow.

"Yeah, I overheard them talking earlier. They said it's because of you."

"No! Mommy! Daddy! No!"

I felt terrible as I saw the tears spill down the little boy's face. I suppressed my maternal instincts and returned to Betty.

"It's done," I stated. "Now turn my dad back and let us do."

"Oh, no. I'm not through yet. We still have more games to play!"

"No, I did what you wanted, now let us go!"

"I'm afraid I can't do zat," Betty said, but with an old man's voice that had a German accent. "You see, I grow tired of all of ze peace and quiet here. You vill create entertainment for me before you shall be allowed to leave."

"Wh-who are you?"

"I am Doctor Braun," he stated. "I run this place, and I hold the key to get out of here."

"Then let my dad and me go!"

"First, I want you to break up the Rockwell's marriage," he said in the little girl's voice. "I hear that they are close, but they will not do it themselves without a bit of prompting, but don't kill them. That would ruin the fun!"

I sent a glare her way before storming off. I hated what I was being forced to do, but it was the only way to leave. I found the Rockwell house and entered. I watched them interact without my presence being known. They seemed to be arguing about someone named Martha. Apparently, Mrs. Rockwell thought that Mr. Rockwell had been unfaithful with her. I slipped out and found Mrs. Steward's house.

I found my way upstairs. Sitting on the bed was a pair of very frilly underclothing. I picked it up and stowed it in my dress. I placed it in the basement of the Rockwell's and found Mrs. Rockwell.

"There's... There's something I think you should see in the basement," I said as I approached her.

"The basement? What were you doing down there?"

"Please, it's important!"

"Well, okay, sweetie."

I led her to the spot where I had placed the underwear. She gasped.

"Oh, those aren't yours?" I questioned innocently.

"Oh," she grumbled. "Robert!"

She stormed back upstairs, and I watched the event unfold. Mrs. Rockwell broke up her marriage with Mr. Rockwell, and she ran over to the Henderson residence. I returned to Braun and he greeted me with a sadistic grin.

"Very entertaining," he said in his Germanic voice before switching to the other voice. "Now, I want you to kill Mabel Henderson."

"No, I want out," I demanded. "I don't want to do any more of your dirty work."

"I'm afraid you have no choice," Betty said. "Now go kill her, but make it interesting. Just beating her to death will not suffice."

I felt terrible for the things I had done to the innocent people, but I had no choice. I had to do it if I wanted to get out. Mabel Henderson, from what I had heard, made wonderful pies and had trouble with her robot. I snuck into her house and found her oven in the kitchen. I took a look at it and discovered how it worked. I tinkered with it and rigged it to explode if she tried to light it. I left the house and found her chatting with Mrs. Nussbaum.

"Mrs. Henderson, I hear you make wonderful pies," I stated. "Would you... would you please make one for me?"

I wanted to cry, knowing I was sentencing her to death, but I held them back. I had to get out, and my dad had to be changed back.

"Why, sure, honey! Let me just go get the oven ready."

I followed her back to her house, but I stayed a safe distance away from the oven. I closed my eyes and prepared myself for the explosion, but I still jumped and almost threw up then her blood spattered all over the wall, partially on me. I did my best to ignore it and report back to Betty.

"Wonderful! Great show!" Betty said. "Now, I have one last task for you to perform."

"Braun, please, just let me go," I begged. "I've done what you've asked, so please do as I have asked!"

"Well..."

~Mei's POV~

Charon watched her vitals on the computer, and I watched my sister. She grimaced a lot and she looked quite angry. Sometimes, I thought I saw her mouth moving, but all she did was watch the screen. Every time she grimaced, her blood pressure was up, and I had no idea what was going on. Charon muttered to himself a lot, but I couldn't really make out any of the words.

Sirens began to go off at different stations, and Kari's blood pressure was through the roof. She had a great look of pain splashed across her face, and tears fell down her face. I needed to get her out of there, especially since Charon reported that all of the other's vitals were that of dead people. I banged on the chamber that encased my sister, but it did no good. A robo-brain approached me and pulled me off, despite my struggling.

I stopped, though, when her chamber made a hissing noise and the cover opened. Charon ran up and caught her as she fell out. She whimpered quietly as tears fell down her face. The stupid robot let me go and I rushed over to her.

"Kari," I called to her. "Kari, what happened?"

"Betty... Braun, rather, made me do terrible things," she whispered. "Made me... Made me kill everyone. I pleaded, begged that he let me go, but only if I played his game."

She quietly sobbed into Charon's armor, and another hissing sound came from across the room. I stood up and pulled my gun out, ready to shoot the person if they posed a threat. I dropped my gun when I was who it was.

"Dad!" I shouted as I ran across the room and embraced him. "Dad, we've missed you so much. Why did you leave?"

"Honey, I had to," he stated. "I had to come to project purity. You and your sister were safe there. Why did you leave?"

"Well, the Overseer kinda went insane and tried to have us killed. That answer your question?"

He sighed. "Mei, I'm sorry. I had no idea that he would do that, and I apologize. Where is Hikari?"

"She's with our body guard," I stated. "She's pretty traumatized by what happened in there. What happened, anyway?"

"Doctor Braun made her kill everyone in there so we could leave," he answered. "She didn't want to, but if she wanted to leave, she had to."

"That sounds like Kari," I muttered. "Anyway, Dad, this is Charon, our body guard that has kept us alive since we left."

"Well, Mr. Charon, it is nice to meet you," Dad said as he extended his hand. "I thank you for keeping my daughters alive. I know that they can be quite the handful."

Charon scoffed, but returned the handshake. "Don't I know."

Kari interrupted and latched on to Dad. He returned the embrace and held her while I went to retrieve my gun. Charon watched the situation rather awkwardly before I rejoined the group. Kari wiped her eyes, a smile on her face. Maybe this was exactly what she needed. She needed Dad, a lot more than I did. He said something about Project Purity and returning to Rivet City. We decided to join him, but Kari insisted on stopping by Megaton to pick up Bryan and spend the night. Charon grumbled to himself when we reached Megaton and sat in our house. Wadsworth made us all sweet rolls and Salisbury steaks for dinner. After we were finished, we all headed to bed, but only after Charon remade the make-shift bed.

~Hikari's POV~

I had never slept better, my illness aside. My dad was back, Mei seemed to be in a good mood, and we would finally be able to give Bryan a real home, if Vera would take him in. I hoped that she would. It only took us a day and a half to reach Rivet City, and while Dad talked with the scientists, Charon, Bryan, and I went to find Vera at the Weatherly Hotel.

"Oh, hello again," she greeted. "How can I help you?"

"Well, do you remember Bryan Wilks?"

"Yes, I do," she stated. "What about him?"

"Well, Grayditch was burned to the ground, and his father was killed. He needs a home, and we were wondering if you would take him in," I replied.

"Oh, of course! The poor dear," she said. "Where is he?"

"He's waiting right outside. Do you want us to send him in?"

She nodded, and Charon and I turned to fetch him.

"She said she'll take you in!" I exclaimed.

His whole face lit up. "Really?"

"Yeah, come on. She wants to see you now."

"Thank you, for everything," he said before running in.

I couldn't help but smile at his happiness and enthusiasm. Charon and I left them to things and headed back to the lab. On the way there, by headache got progressively worse. I felt sweat prick though my skin, and the room began to spin, and I felt myself falling. I closed my eyes in preparation for the fall. Suddenly, I felt a strong pair of arms under my back. I opened them and saw Harkness staring down at me.

"You okay?" he asked as he helped me back up.

"Y-yeah. Thanks," I replied. "I'm just getting over a bit of a cold, and it caught me off guard is all."

"So, did you ever find your dad?"

"Yes, actually. I was just going to see him. When I left, he was about to talk to Dr. Li. I don't really know how things went."

"I see. So, what is this cold you were talking about?"

"It's nothing," I replied. "Charon warned me not to go out in the rain, but I ignored him and went out anyway."

"That storm was over a week ago. You're still sick?"

"Yeah, but I'm fine. Anyways, how have you been?"

He shrugged. "Well, nobody has sent for me again. I guess that's always a good thing. That aside, everything is well with me."

I found myself smiling as our eyes locked. He smiled back, and every time he did so, I completely forgot that he was an android.

"Well, I should let you get back to your father," he said. "I know how determined you were to find him, and I'd hate to keep you from him."

I nodded. "See you around."

Charon disliked it when I talked with Harkness, ever since Mei had told him what she did. I let it go, though. There was no going back in time to stop it or anything. As far as I knew, no time machines had been built, even in pre-war times.

Dad approached Charon and I, a pleading look on his face.

"Honey, I'm afraid we need your help," he said. "I know you aren't in the best of health, but we need you three to clear out the Super Mutants in the Jefferson Memorial before we can resume Project Purity."

"Alright," I replied. "I just need to find Mei and we can get on it."

"Thank you, sweetheart," he responded. "I knew we could count on you."

It didn't take us too long to clean out the place. Most of them were down in the lower levels of the memorial, but they were easily disposed of. We gave dad and the other scientists the all clear, and they moved in. They immediately began to set up, but they needed power. They had Mei and I do odd jobs to help out, but I knew I could be of more assistance, provided the correct instructions.

~Charon's POV~

Hikari seemed much happier now that he father had returned. Her health also seemed to be improving, so I wondered if it was an emotional problem rather than a physical one. Mei was unfazed by the change, but she was not quite as rude as before. The twins' father was a pleasant enough man, but I could tell that he favored my mistress over her sister.

I followed them through the tunnels and watched over them as they did small jobs around the memorial, even though my presence was not necessary. I felt like I was unneeded, and I wished that I could leave, but I was tied to Hikari, not just by contract. There was something else that bonded me to her, something emotional. She was one of the very few people that had shown me kindness, despite my condition and contract. Most people took full advantage of it, but Hikari had not.

I watched as she walked a little bit too close to the tanks filled with water, and I saw it happen before it actually did. She lost her balance, falling straight into the tub. She struggled, and didn't resurface. I glanced at Mei, who was going pale.

"She can't swim!" Mei shouted. "Aren't you going to get her?"

I hurried and stripped off what would weigh me down before I dove into the water. I grabbed a hold of her before jetting back to the top. She sputtered and coughed up some water before we got back onto dry land. Mei had a towel waiting and she handed it to Hikari, who was shivering profusely.

"Charon, why don't you go take a look around?" Mei said. "I can handle this, so maybe someone else could use your help."

Hikari nodded and muttered a word of thanks before I grabbed my armor and other things and took my leave. I entered the gift shop and noticed a man, Garza, I believe, struggle with a heavy piece of electrical equipment. It seemed as though he would injure himself just lifting it, so I walked up wordlessly and lifted it off of the ground. It was pretty heavy, and I was surprised he had made it as far as he did.

"Thanks," he muttered. "I need it placed in the rotunda. Dr. Li wants it for whatever reasons."

I nodded and he opened the door for me. I walked up the steps and placed it in front of the rude scientist.

"Oh. That needs to go over there," she said, pointing to a bare spot against the wall. "James, how is the power grid going?"

"Great. They got it up and running. Now, they need to hit the breakers."

I moved the piece of equipment into place before Dr. Li instructed me to fetch her a medical clipboard. I did not like her, but my mistress had asked me to assist the others, so I obliged. She distractedly took it from me without another word.

"Thank God Catherine is gone," I heard her mutter under her breath. "Now I just need to get rid of James' brats..."

Anger ripped through me. This... this scientist wanted to get rid of my mistress and her sister. After all that they had done for them? I was not in control over my actions as I lifted her off of the ground, pressing her throat against the wall.

"You will not get rid of my employer or her sister," I growled. "They are not to be harmed in any way, or you will be the one to pay. Is that clear?"

"Charon, what are you doing!" the twins' father shouted. "Let go of Madison!"

"She was threatening my employer," I grunted. "I will not let that go unpunished. No one shall harm Hikari or Mei while I am still breathing."

I let go, and the woman fell to the floor, gasping for breath.

"Is... Is this true, Madison?"

She didn't get a chance to answer, as gunshots went off in the gift shop. They were no ordinary shots, either. Those were energy weapons. I rushed off to find Hikari. She needed me, and I would let no harm befall her while I was on the job.

I blasted a couple of power-armored men before I stumbled into the twins. They were soaking, and Hikari was truly shaken by the events. She practically collapsed when she saw me. I supported her as I escorted them back to where their father was.

~Hikari's POV~

When I saw the flying machine, some kind of helicopter, I believe, land, I knew it meant trouble. Mei and I rushed out when power-armored men jumped out of it. We slid down the tunnels, and when we came to the exit, a few of them had already penetrated into the building. They began to shoot at us on the spot, but we returned fire. I was scared more than I had been fighting the Super Mutants when I realized that we would have to jump into the water below to get back upstairs.

I closed my eyes and fell, a weird, uncomfortable feeling taking root in my stomach as I dropped. I splashed into the water and struggled to the surface. Mei pulled me up and out of the water, and we pressed onward. Mei couldn't kill any more of the soldiers since her gunpowder was soaked from the fall. I could hear a shotgun not too far ahead, and I knew exactly who it belonged to. I ran up to the ghoul and buried my face in his armor, loosing track of where I was.

Charon shot a few of the soldiers before we entered the rotunda where my father was. I saw a man in a weird coat locked in the center with another scientist and soldier. Dr. Li stood out by the window.

"I asked you to hand over the controls," the man inside said with an odd accent. "Don't make me ask again."

"Colonel- is it colonel?" Dad said. "I'm sorry. This place is non-operational. It is of no value to the Enclave."

"I have asked you politely," the man said as he pulled out his pistol and shot down the scientist next to Dad.

I flinched, but began to shake with fright. Charon's hand was on my shoulder, and I placed my hand on top of his.

"Yes Colonel," Dad said with disdain. "Let me just fix this for you."

"Finally, you are seeing reason," the colonel replied. "Hurry up."

Dad turned around and began to type things on the keypad.

"Are you done yet?"

"Almost finished..."

I stared in anticipation, waiting for my father to rejoin us. Suddenly, there was an explosion behind the glass, and some sort of radioactive gas was released with it. My Geiger counter slowly ticked away.

"N-no!" I shouted. "Dad, no!"

The colonel and soldier fell to the ground. Dad managed to walk over to the glass in front of us.

"R-run," he choked out before he coughed and collapsed on the ground.

"No! Dad, no!" I shouted, banging against the glass, tears streaming down my face. "Dad, don't leave us! No! NO! Dad!"

I felt Charon try to restrain me, but I pushed him away, continually shouting for my father. Charon's arms forcibly wrapped around me, and he slung me over his shoulder as I kicked and screamed.

"No! Charon, put me down! Dad! DAD!"

"Kid, he's gone!" Charon shouted. "We have to go!"

"But I can't leave him! Dad!"

"There is an escape route that leads to the Citadel, but I need you three to clear the way. There may be mutated creatures down there, but I am unsure," Dr. Li stated. "We must hurry before more come."

I kept struggling, and I was close to ordering Charon to put me down, but I wouldn't, no matter how upset I was. I sobbed noisily as Charon carried me down the ladder.

"Kid, I know you're upset, but you need to calm down," Charon stated. "You'll attract every kind of creature here."

I stifled my noises, but the tears kept flowing. Dad was gone. He had been the one to take care of me and love me ever since I was little, and he was gone. I wanted him back, but I couldn't. It was the Enclave's fault. They didn't know when to leave us alone.

"Hikari, I need you to walk," Charon said. "I need to help protect the group."

I sniffled and nodded as he put me down. I walked slowly, behind the group.

"Kid, you need to toughen up," Daniel said. "So what if your dad died? People die in the wastes all the time. He was an ass, anyway."

Before I had time to react, I heard a loud crack as Charon's fist collided with his jaw.

"You will have more respect for my employer and her father," Charon said before taking his shotgun out.

I knew I shouldn't, but I smirked at the guy's pain. He got what he deserved, and I took out my gun, ready for any kind of monster that stood in my way. Unfortunately, the only creatures that seemed to inhabit the tunnel were feral ghouls. I still took a sadistic pleasure in turning them into glowing piles of goo.

When it came time to fight the Enclave soldiers up ahead, I felt a lot better. I shot them, and most turned to goo. The ones that didn't had the pleasure of dying in agony as their skin melted off. Gosh, I would have to thank Harkness again for the gun.

We came to the end, finally, and the light was nearly blinding after being in the dark tunnel. A paladin stood at the gate with a sentry bot.

"Let us in," Dr. Li demanded.

"Can't do that, civilian," he said in a haughty tone. "Not allowed to."

"Please, we have sick and wounded people in need of medical attention," she pleaded.

"Nope. Sorry." He was not the least bit concerned or sorry.

"You will let us in," I stated as I walked up to him.

"Or what?" he demanded with a jerk-ish smirk.

He didn't take me seriously, but very few people did. Mei was one of the few, and I knew what she was thinking before I acted. I launched myself at him, trying to cause him as much pain as possible. I was pulled off of him by Charon. I surveyed what I had done. The paladin had a bloody lip and blood was splurting out if his nose. I smirked, and he glared at me. I think it was Charon that kept him at bay.

"Lyons! I know you're in there!" Dr. Li shouted into the speaker. "Let us in!"

Suddenly, the metal in front of us groaned to life before it opened for us. We entered, and were greeted by an elderly man and a couple of knights. Dr. Li explained our situation, and he offered his apologies to Mei and me for the death of our father. Being reminded of it brought the pain back up and made tears threaten to overflow. We were each taken to a room where we would stay the night. I collapsed on my bed, burying my face in the pillow. I wanted to crawl in to a dark cave and never come out. The tears overflowed and were absorbed by the pillow. I sobbed for quite some time before I heard a knock on my door. I wiped my eyes and tried to compose myself, but it was useless.

"Y-yes?"

The door opened a crack, and Charon entered with a tray of food.

"You need to eat," he stated.

"I'm n-not hungry," I told him.

"I don't care. You haven't eaten all day."

I took a bit of mutfruit and ate that, but it seemed to upset my stomach, so I refused to eat any more.

"Hikari, you are hurt," he stated. "Not physically, but emotionally. You want your father. You think it is unfair that he was taken away from you when you just got him back, but there is nothing you can do, nor was there. I am here for you, should you need me."

He got up to leave, but I grabbed a hold of his arm. He looked down at me with his milky-blue eyes.

"Stay with me?" I asked.

He nodded and set the tray on a desk on the other side of the room before he sat down on the bed. I curled up into a ball and cried on his lap. He took me in his arms so I could cry on his shoulder. He ran his fingers through my hair, much like my dad used to. It was comforting, but also saddening. I wanted Dad, but like Charon said, I couldn't. There were no do-overs or time machines. His death played fresh in my mind over and over. I couldn't stop it, no matter how hard I tried. I was grateful that I had Charon to help me though the tough time, but I wished that none of it had happened.

I think I fell asleep, because I was lying down in my bed, and Charon was beside me. I curled up against him, letting out the pain and tears that I had held in during my short time in the wastes.

After notes:

Yay, chapter 9! I'm still heavily editing chapter 10, though, so I don't know when it'll be posted.

So, I was smart, had almost the whole thing edited, and accidentally clicked X instead of minimize. I died.

Anyway, I will answer any one question about this fic to the first person to PM me with what caused Hikari's seizure back there. I know what, but that's cause I'm taking psych. We're learning about it, now. I find it rather interesting, to be honest. Oh, and another question answered if you can tell me what causes Hikari to be able to heal. Only taking the first person for each of my questions, though. Winner(s) will be announced... when I get to it.

So, please drop me a review/PM and let me know what you think about this chapter/the story in general. Much appreciated, Hikari Mei.