- "Are you planning to be lazy all day again?"

Amy raised her arms, then arched her back, stretching and yawning at the same time. "Yes I am. Are you planning to be a pain in the neck all day? Just let me be lazy in peace."

Really it was a lie, thought Amy as she reached for a bottle of water on the table and took a sip. She didn't have any plans at all. Just like for the past several days. She would go out and hunt from time to time, when she got short on caps, or sometimes visit the Creels or Moira in the evenings. Most of the time, though, she spent milling around the house, tinkering with her pipboy or listening to Galaxy News Radio, or sometimes just sitting there thinking. She was OK doing that now, no longer feeling the need to keep her mind busy at all times. Shroud kept complaining about great deeds that weren't getting done but she just ignored him.

She switched on the radio on her pipboy, twisting the knob until static was replaced by the now familiar music. "I don't want to set the wooorld on fiiiire." Amy sang along, as she got up to get something to eat."I just want to start, a flame in your heaaaaart." She distrusted the DJ - Three Dog, he called himself - and his constant praise of the Brotherhood of Steel, but Gob's complete and absolute love for the station was proving contagious. Mostly, she just liked the music.

- "In my heart I have but one desire ... Ugh, already?" Crackling sound of static was now coming from the pipboy, all but drowning out the music. Last week the GNR signal went down completely for two whole days, to Gob's utter dispair. The signal came back, clear and strong, but since yesterday it started breaking up again.

- "Stupid radio" Amy muttered. She started carefully turning the frequency knob on her pipboy, trying to get a better signal. Just then, she heard a loud thump from somewhere outside the house. As she turned her head in the direction of the noise, her fingers slipped, losing the GNR frequency completely.

- "Dammit". Amy started turning the button, trying to get the GNR signal back. She stopped when she heard a pattern in the white noise of the static, something that sounded like a human voice. Odd, she thought, that frequency has always been dead before. The movements of her fingers became slower and more delicate, trying to get a clearer signal. She could now clearly hear that it was a human voice, repeating the same message over and over again. She couldn't make out the words yet, but the voice was clearly female. It really sounded like ... but surely that wasn't possible?

Now completely focused on the task, with the tiniest movements she was capable of she kept nudging the frequency knob on her pipboy. She could hear the broadcast very clearly now.

- " ... Vault 101. We urgently need someone with medical knowledge. Any medical supplies you could bring would also be greatly appreciated." spoke Amata's voice. "We also need" - Amy could hear a very slight hesitation - "someone with experience in negotiation and conflict resolution. You can find Vault 101 at coordinates - 38.9531 degrees north, 77.4565 degrees west. I repeat, 38.9531 degrees north, 77.4565 degrees west. It's just north-east of the settlement of Megaton. Any help will be greatly rewarded. We may be able to offer residence in the Vault." There was a pause, then the message repeated. "This is a message from Vault 101. We urgently need ..."

Thoughts run through Amy's mind in rapid succession. This was definitely Amata's voice. She didn't think she would ever hear it again. Once again, she was reminded of how much she missed her. But why was she broadcasting on the radio? Surely only the Overseer could do that, not that he ever would? Why was she asking for medical supplies? And for experience with 'conflict resolution'? Something wasn't right here. And then a thought hit her, instantly pushing every other thought into the background. Amata was broadcasting on an open frequency. Anyone with a radio could pick it up. Anyone at all.

- "Oh god. Shroud, what if the raiders catch that broadcast? What if they trick their way into the Vault? Amata doesn't understand, she doesn't know what it's like outside. We've got to do something."

- "Have you already forgotten the reason you've left the Vault in the first place? The Vault has numerous and well-armed security."

- "Security?! Shroud, for chrissakes, they couldn't do anything against a bunch of radroaches! " Amy took a quick breath. "Look, I know that they've tried to kill me. I haven't forgotten. But I'm a lot harder to kill now than I was back then. Do you realise what's going to happen to everyone in the Vault if the raiders get in? What about protecting the innocents and all that stuff?"

- "Hmmm, there is truth in what you say. But I'd advise caution in dealing with your former Vault mates."

- "Yes, I know, I know. But I have to at least warn them."

Amy quickly put on her armor, took her 10mm, then after some hesitation picked up the assault rifle as well. Better be prepared for anything, she thought. Amata was asking for medical supplies, so Amy headed for Craterside Supplies, to get some extra stimpaks.

She found Moira in conversation with Wolfgang, who still hasn't left the town. Amy spent all her caps on stimpaks and some Med-X, and when Moira asked why she wanted so many, told her about the broadcast.

- "They want medical supplies? I thought they had everything they needed down there. And this girl is just giving people directions to the Vault?" Moira raised her eyebrows slightly. "That might be a reeeally bad idea. What if the raiders pick up the broadcast?"

- "Amata has never been outside, she doesn't know about raiders." Amy grimaced.

- "I suppose the raiders do have a lot of experience in conflict resolution." Wolfgang mused. "Mostly by way of murdering the people they have a conflict with."

- "Wolfie!"

- "Sorry." Wolfgang turned towards Amy. "Do you want some backup? I could go with you. It would be interesting to see the Vault."

- "You might want to think about it." Moira chipped in. "Didn't you tell me that they tried to kill you? That's why you ended up here in Megaton."

- "Thank you, but I want to see what's going on first."

- "Seriously, after everything you've done, I think you could get half the town to go with you as backup." insisted Wolfgang. "With or without Simms' permission."

- "I'm sure you're exagerrating." Amy looked at Wolfgang uncertainly. "But in any case, I just need to warn them, I don't even have to go inside. If I need backup, I will come back and ask for it, it's not far from here." Amy looked thougtfully into the distance. "Amata is Overseer's Assistant, she is the daughter of the man who runs the Vault. If she is sending the radio broadcast, it probably means something's happened to the Overseer. Maybe he's ill?" She tapped her fingers lightly against the counter. "Yes that must be it. That's why she's asking for doctors. There was nobody with any medical experience in the Vault except" she paused "Dad and Jonas. I'm not sure what all the 'negotiation' stuff is all about." she pressed her mouth. "Anyway, if Amata is in charge now, she would never do anything to hurt me. We were best friends, ever since we were kids." Amy turned to Moira and Wolfgang. "Sorry, just thinking out loud."

- "You know about medicine, right?" there was something odd about Moira's expression. "If this Amata girl is in charge of the Vault now, and they need doctors, and she's your best friend, does this mean you might end up going back to the Vault? I mean, for good?"

- "Oh" Amy looked at Moira. "I ... haven't thought that far ahead. Amata is probably in charge on a temporary basis, the Overseer will take over again as soon as he's better. And if he's in charge ..." Amy's features hardened ."I'm not going back even if the the whole Vault begs me."

- "But what if the Overseer won't get better? What if it's serious?" Moira looked at Amy intently. "If you do go back, will you visit us sometimes? You know, to catch up on what's been going on here? If they let you out."

- "Of course, Moira" Amy looked at her friend in surprise. "But I don't see that happening. I just want to warn them about he broadcast."

- "Well, anyhoo, it'll be nice to see all your old friends again, right?" Moira grinned, but Amy thought there was something hesitant about her smile.

Outside, it was freezing cold. The Megaton wall stopped the wind, but as soon as Amy stepped outside the gate, cold wind bit into her, as though it wanted to strip the flesh from her bones. Amy shivered in her molerat skin cloak. It snowed in the night, most of it has melted by now but she could still see banks of snow here and there, mostly huddled around the walls of the ruined buildings.

The way back to the Vault was a lot shorter than the first time Amy made that journey, in the opposite direction. Mostly because this time Amy wasn't wondering around blindly. The route was still long enough for the memories to start coming back.

When Amy spotted a distant figure wearing the Vault security armor near the Vault entrance she felt her muscles tensing up - the sight of that armor immediately brought some of the worst memories to the surface. It was good that they had a guard outside, she thought, at least if the raiders tried to force their way into the Vault he could warn those inside. She approached slowly, trying to keep to cover. When she got close enough she focused her sight on the man's face. It was familiar, she knew him, though not well. She searched her memory until a name came to the surface. Mike ... no, Matt. Matt Demarco. In Mr. Brotch's class he used to sit two rows behind Amata, just behind that girl, what was her name ... She always thought that he was all right, quiet and good-natured, ended up working in Engineering. So why was he in Security now?

Amy came closer. She wasn't sneaking anymore, but he still didn't notice her until she called out to him, Amy noted disapprovingly. Matt turned towards her and raised his hand in greeting. He clearly didn't see her as a threat.

- "Matt, hi."

- "How do you know my name?" his face was a picture of a complete surprise.

- "Don't you remember me?"

He spent almost a minute studying her features with an uncertain expression on his face, then his eyes flew wide open. "Wait, you're the doctor's daughter, Amy. Wow. Many people thought you're dead. So you came back?"

- "No. I've heard Amata's radio broadcast and I came to warn you. You have to stop sending it. Right away."

- "Why?"

- "Because the raiders..." Amy paused "There are these gangs of people. They're heavily armed and very dangerous. They will want to force or trick their way into the Vault, and this broadcast might just give them a way in."

Matt looked around nervously "I haven't seen anybody like that."

- "If you had, you probably wouldn't be talking to me right now." said Amy quietly. "Why is Amata asking for doctors? Is the Overseer ill?"

- "Um, not exactly. Hold on, you and Amata were best friends, right?"

- "Yes"

- "She can explain everything. Maybe you can tell her about these ..."

- "Raiders"

- "You can tell her all about them yourself. I'll call her, she'll meet you at the entrance."

Matt picked up a radio he was holding, raised it to his ear and pressed a button. "Matt here. I've got one. Over." Amy heard loud static and what sounded like a female voice but couldn't make out the words. "Medical knowledge. Very young, about twenty. Over." More noise from his radio followed. "She can tell you everything herself." He looked at Amy and grinned "I have a feeling you two will really hit it off. Over and out."

Walking down the rock tunnel leading to the Vault entrance Amy felt her stomach tighten. All the thoughts and memories came rushing out like a stream. She tried to figure out what it was that she was feeling and found that she couldn't - there were too many different emotions. Then the Vault gate slid open, she saw a familiar figure near the gate controls and everything else was forgotten.

- "It's really good to meet you, my name is Amata. It was my voice you've heard on the broadcast. You're the first one to arrive. I hope that ... um." Amata paused as Amy started running towards her. A moment later her eyes grew wide.

- "Amy?!"

A second later they were locked into a hug.

- "Oh my god. Amy! I didn't even know you were alive. How did ..."

- "I missed you." Amy looked at her friend, still not quite believing she was really there. Then her expression turned serious and she took a step back. "Amata, I came to tell you. You have to shut down that broadcast. Right now." Seeing Amata's confused expression, she told her about Raiders.

- "Oh. Oh god. This is the last thing we need right now. But we have a guard outside, you've met him. And - " Amata looked at Amy uncertainly " - wouldn't the ... I don't know what they call it on the outside, Security? Law enforcement? Wouldn't they stop these people?"

Amy sighed. "Amata, there is nothing like this on the surface. When the raiders threaten to overrun a settlement the people there will arm themselves as best they can, but there is nothing like Law Enforcement." She smiled with one side of her mouth. "There's hardly any laws to encorce anyway, so, you know." She frowned. "There's the supermutants as well. But they haven't reached this area yet."

- "The super - what?" Amata's face has gone noticeably more pale. "Oh god, Amy. I'm so sorry. If I knew that's what the outside was like, I would never have sent you there. But there was so little time to decide."

- "Amata, you saved my life back then. It was the only choice."

- "Well, you're OK now. I guess that Megaton settlement is safe, at least."

- "Uhm." Amy paused, then nodded. "Yes. Yes, it's safe. Don't worry about me, I'm fine." She looked at Amata intently "Amata, the broadcast."

- "Yes, I'll turn it off right now."

The broadcast controls were nearby, on an especially tall server tower close to the Vault entrance. Amata turned a big plastic knob and pushed a button.

- "There, turned off now. We'll just have to think of something else." Amata turned towards her friend. "So, what happened to you?"

Amy told her friend about Megaton, Moira, Gob, Billy, Wolfgang, Lesko, Simms ... She decided not to mention Grayditch, the Springvale Elementary attack and the tunnel to Rivet City. She also told Amata a little about Rivet City and Doctor Lee. She couldn't tell much about the woman anyway, she realised, even after all the time she spent with her she knew very little about her. Finally, she told Amata about her father."

- "Oh Amy. I'm so sorry."

- "So anyway. What happened here? Where is the Overseer?"

- "Well, I suppose you could call it an uprising. And it's all my fault."

- "What?" Amy looked at Amata doubtfully. "How could this be your fault?"

Amata sighed. "Everything started the day James left. Really, trouble has already been brewing for some time but this was when everything really started to go bad. People were scared and confused, a radroach infestation, James, Jonas and you were gone and nobody told them anything except to stay in their quarters. All kinds of rumors started going around. Somehow people found out about Jonas, everyone thought that security killed you too."

- "They definitely tried. They probably would've killed me if you didn't warn me then."

- "I was just on my way to the Security Office, Father wanted me there, when I saw Freddy going the same way. He was carrying this massive wrench and it really didn't look like he wanted to tighten any bolts with it. I had to do something. I tried to talk him out of it but he just ignored me. So, I told him that you weren't killed, that I've helped you escape the Vault. Then he became very upset with me for sending you to a certain death on the surface. And .. I just got scared."

- "Freddy would never hurt you. He's not like that."

- "When a very big very angry man with a weapon in his hand starts shouting at me, I get a bit nervous, OK? So I told him that going outside is not a certain death, that there's people living there, whole settlements of them. I just didn't know what else to do. I told him that he can't tell this to anyone, but I guess ..."

- "Freddy was never good at keeping his mouth shut." sighed Amy.

- "So, like I said, people were already angry and confused. When rumors started going around that it was safe on the outside, that really stirred things up."

Amata stared at the floor. Her tone became more subdued.

- "Father made an announcement to the Vault, forbidding any discussion of the outside, under the threat of the most severe punishment. That didn't stop the people from talking, of course, just not in front of Security. Father could see that the people were still talking about it behing his back. He decided that the way to fix it was more discipline. They increased the minimum punishment from five to seven baton strikes. Just someone saying that they've heard you talking about the outside would get you seven strikes, sometimes even ten. Things just kept getting worse."

- "But how did the..." Amy looked around.

"Everything happened just over two months ago. I don't know what happened exactly, I wasn't there, I could only piece it together from the reports. A large group of people headed towards the Overseer's office. Apparently they were demanding that we open ourselves to the outside, do more trading and such. Father just sent Security to deal with them. Back then that was his answer to everything. At that point they were totally out of control."

- "So when they beat Jonas to death they were not totally out of control?"

Amata sounded like she wanted to say something but it just came out as unintelligible noise. She stopped for some time, still staring at the floor, then continued.

- "Then something happened, there was a scuffle. Security reports say they were attacked, most likely they just started beating people up. Officer Gomez got involved somehow." Amata sighed. "In the end he got shot."

- "They shot him?! Is he OK?"

Amata shook her head. "He's dead. I'm sorry, I know you were close."

Amy stared into space for several seconds. "He was a good man. The only good man in Security."

- "That's not true, there are people ... Anyway, another resident got killed, Marvin Sommers, he worked in Hydroponics. Several others got injured. Then the Security reports say the people charged them, took away their pistols and batons and beat them with their own weapons. They run towards the Security office, the crowd chased after them. The crowd then got inside, broke into storage lockers and took more weapons before Security could regoup."

- "Oh wow." Amy shook her head in disbelief. "This ... happening here? In the Vault?"

- "I know." Amata's answer was barely audible. "So now Father and Security control parts of the first and second floors, around the Security office. The rest is under our control. There are barricades across the hallways, sometimes there are shootouts between Security and , um, rebels I guess."

- "God. This is just ..." Amy paused, then looked at Amata sharply. "Wait. You said 'we' control most of the Vault. You're not on the Overseer's side?"

- "How could I be? After everything they've done? I've been talking to him on the radio, every day. He's really stubborn and set in his ways, but I thought that surely he could understand that he just can't keep doing the same thing. But all I get are rants about loyalty and betrayal and I just ..." Amata paused when it sounded like her voice started to break. "Nobody else here wants to talk to him at all. Some are calling for an all out war. I just thought that on the outside there would be people familiar with you know, situations like this. Somebody who knows how to negotiate."

Amy nodded slowly. "OK. Now I understand why you were asking for experience in conflict resolution. But Amata ... On the outside people 'negotiate' by shooting each other until the other side doesn't have anyone left. You won't find anyone with that kind of experience."

- "Oh. I see."

- "And why were you asking for doctors?"

- "Well, James and Jonas were the only people here with any medical experience. With James gone and Jonas ... there wasn't anyone else. You would be the only person with even the tiniest bit of experience, but, you know."

Amata looked at her pipboy, then grimaced slightly "Damn, it already morning." She looked at Amy "Sorry, there are so many things I have to do. I should have been doing already, really. We'll definitely talk more later, there's so much I need to ask you."

- "It's OK, sorry to keep you so long." Amy smiled. "I want to talk to Freddy now. Where can I find him?"

Amata looked around uncertainly. "Oh, damn, I'm sorry, I forgot to tell you. There was a skirmish with Security yesterday, Freddy started it from what I understand. He's been shot." seeing Amy's expression she quickly added "he's alive, but he's wounded, he's just recovering in the Infir ... Amy, wait!"

Amy run towards the Medbay, Amata behind her struggling to keep up. She found Freddy inside, lying on the medical bed. He was out, clumsily applied bandages on the left side of his chest heavily bloodstained.

'Calm, have to stay calm.' Amy thought. She took off the bandages and examined the wound. It didn't hit any major organs or arteries. 'God, whoever treated him haven't even taken the bullet out. Though they've tried. OK what do I need here...?'

Some time later, Amy has cleaned the wound, removed the bullet and re-applied the bandages. Freddie was still out but his breathing has been deep and regular, and his fever has already lessened. Amy mopped his face, paused and then gently stroked the side of his face with her fingertips.

- "Why do you always get in trouble? Why can't you be more careful?" She spun around when she heard Amata come into the infirmary.

- "I waited until you were done here." Amata looked at sleeping Freddy. "Is he going to be OK?"

- "He should be now." Amy carefully took the medical coat off, then stared at Amata "Who treated him before? Were they trying to kill him?"

- "It was Mary Kendall." Amata looked taken aback by the intensity in Amy's voice. "I've assigned her here because she had the highest scores for medicine in GOAT, from the people who were available. She had no medical training or experience at all, she's just doing her best."

- "Shit. Sorry. I know. It's just ..." Amy shook her head. Then she looked at Amata. "So, you're giving people jobs." she smiled. "I guess you really are in charge here."

- "Well, like I said, I was the Assistant Overseer before, so technically I was the second in command after Father. After everything happened, I kept expecting someone else to step forward and try to take charge of the, um, 'rebels'. But so far the only other person who was interested was Allen Mack. People here would rather have literally anyone else in charge." Amata looked at Amy uncertainly. "When this is all over, if Father doesn't regain control - there probably will be others who want to be the Overseer. Then we'll need to have an election, I guess."

Amy grinned "I've always told you you'd be ruling over us all. I just didn't think it would be so soon." She looked at Amata curiously. "You aren't nervous about this? I mean, you're, um, pretty young."

Amata threw a quick look around, then stepped closer. "Jesus, what do you think? I'm terrified, to be honest. I mean, I had some responsibilities as Assistant Overseer, but nothing like this." she sighed quietly. "I try to do my best. There's people I trust that I ask for advice." She looked at Amy closer "And - I want you to be one of those people. You've seen that we desperately need someone with medical training here. Also, we'll need to open ourselves more to the outside world, and you obviously have more knowledge of the outside than anyone here. And - I just want you here with me. We'll really need your help here. So, consider it a formal invitation to - rejoin Vault 101."

- "Wow, um ..."

Amata frowned "I understand that you're nervous about the current situation in the Vault. Even though from what you've told me, it's not exactly safe outside either. But maybe you'd prefer to wait until it's resolved." Amata squinted her eyes, thinking. "I could broadcast updates on the situation here, on a specific frequency at a specific time. Maybe once a week? But it really doesn't seem likely at all that Father can regain power. If he could, he would've done so long ago, and his position isn't improving."

- "It's not that. It's just - after I had to escape the Vault, I had to try and make a new life on the outside. And I think I've done OK. I have a house in Megaton, I have friends there. I think the people there rely on me as well, a little bit."

- "Oh, I see."

- "If I stay here, would I be able to visit them?"

- "Yes of course. Like I said, we'll have to open ourselves up to the outside much more than we used to. You can go and visit these people whenever you want."

- "Good. Thank you. Can I - " Amy looked at Amata uncertainly. "can I just think it over for a bit? It was just so sudden."

- "Yes, of course. Take as long as you need." Amy thought that Amata sounded a little hurt, but maybe she just imagined it. "Find me when you've decided."

After Amata left, Amy decided to go for a walk through the corridors of the Vault. It would help her clear her head.

She had so many memories of this place. She lived here almost all of her life. Many of those memories were now tainted by the things that happened later. But still, there were some happy ones, some things that were good to remember. Besides, if she moved back into the Vault, she could make new ones, good ones.

Amy slowed her walk, almost to a standstill. She moved her hand out towards the wall, extended her index finger until it was touching the concrete surface, then carried on walking like this, her finger gently brushing the smooth concrete of the wall as she moved. She stopped when she felt metal under her fingertips where the corridor branched in another direction. This was corridor 6F, she remembered, further this way was the diner, the branching corridor 7F led to residential quarters. Palmer on the left, Abernathy on the right, then McColl and Kowalski, then Jefferson and Kendall. After that the corridor branched further into 7G and 7I, leading to more residential quarters ... It was strange, she hasn't thought about any of that at all ever since she left the Vault, but now that she was back, she remembered everything. All the memories were there, stacked like crates in some forgotten corner of her mind, sitting there silently, waiting for some trigger to bring them back up to the surface. For most of her life, this was the extent of her world, concrete and stainless steel. Everything else only existed in school textbooks and holotapes.

It was a world built on a foundation of a small number of immutable, fundamental truths. Corridor 2A branched into 3A and 3B, and they had the exact same shape and dimensions, built from exactly the same concrete and steel as every other part of the Vault. You were born in the Vault and you would die in the Vault. She was going to spend her life in Pipboy Maintenance, ocassionally doing some shifts in Engineering, all the while hoping that an opening would be created in Medbay. She was going to marry Freddy and have children and grow old together. She would always be best friends with Amata. She always felt like this certainty was confining, at times even suffocating, but she never for a moment doubted the truth of those axioms. Not until that morning when Dad left and her world collapsed around her.

Now that she was here again, she could almost feel ... no, it was true. She missed that simple certainty, that knowledge that there was always a safe position she could fall back on. For a moment the feeling became so intense that she felt it as a physical pain. She wished she could go back. Back to the time when she had Amata and Freddie. And she had Dad. He was there with her. She was so desperate back then to escape this boring existence, to experience the world outside of the Vault. Well, she has now.

Amy stopped and abruptly, almost violently jerked her head to the side. What the hell was she thinking? Ignorance is bliss? Was she just seriously pining for her deluded existence before the escape from the Vault? The world she used to live in has been built on a foundation of lies. That the oversized bunker they all lived in was the only safe place for human life, that the Overseer was a stern and demanding but ultimately wise and benevolent Father to All, rather than a psychopath drunk on his own power, in the end incapable of solving any problem with anything other than violence. Now that these lies have been exposed, she was no longer capable of believing in them again, even if she wanted to. The Wasteland, with its constant violence and death and suffering was real, thought Amy. What you saw was exactly what you got. This was how the real world worked.

She spotted a barricade ahead of her, Moments later, she spotted movement ahead and then without thinking, following an instinct she wasn't aware she had, she dropped to the floor. Just as she bent her wrists and spread her fingers, preparing to absorb the impact, a shot rung out. Another instinct - or perhaps the same one - told her that the shot wasn't aimed at her, just in her general direction. Moments later a loud voice warned

- "Stop! I'll shoot you if you come any closer!"

Security, realised Amy, but what really struck her was the tone of that shouted command. The officer at the other end of the corridor clearly wanted to sound threatening, frightening even, but she could distinctly hear the fear, almost a panic in that voice. The thought was startling. They were panicking. Assholes who got assigned to Security did so on the assumption that they had the monopoly on the use of force in the Vault. They were the ones with the armor and the batons and everyone else was afraid of them and the punishment they could mete out. When Amata told her how the angry Vault dwellers charged Security and took their weapons, Amy thought this shouldn't have been possible, thought that perhaps the report Amata has heard was incorrect, that perhaps someone was hiding something. But now she understood. When the others charged them, security had no idea how to handle it - they never contemplated anyone fighting back. So they panicked and ran.

The memories of the day she escaped the Vault came rushing could vividly remember hiding in the utility closet, listening to the footsteps of a Security guard walking past and desperately wishing that she could pray to something, anything to make the man walk past. She remembered Jonas. He never had the chance to escape, probably the first time he had any inkling that anything was wrong was when Security came for him. He was beaten to death for information that he never had. It was all so senseless. She felt her hands shake slightly with the wave of anger that flooded her body. She didn't know back then the things she could do. If the Security tried hunting her down now like they did back then, things would go very differently for them. The thought filled her mind, pushing everything else , she didn't have to guess now, did she? She could see exactly how it was going to play out this time around.

The guard was saying something but his voice was stretched and distorted, a little comically, by the time slowing down, making it hard to understand what he was saying. Amy wasn't trying to understand it anyway, she discarded it as irrelevant, her mind coming into sharp focus. The only thing that had any importance was that his helmet visor was up.

'Number of hostiles - one, threat level - very low. Optimal strategy ...'

Amy rolled across the corridor, away from where the guard's gun was pointing, then popped up and shot him in the face, right between the eyes and just below the edge of his helmet.

'Remaining hostiles - zero'.

This was incorrect, a dull echo of a thought run through her mind. There were still many more hostiles to neutralise. The - whatever it was - in her mind immediately revised its tactical assessment, but she understood that there was not yet enough data to estimate their remaining number. She crept forward, past the guard's dead body.

Soon she heard the sound of boots running, shouts, even a shot fired.

'Estimated remaining hostiles - twenty. Threat level - low.'

The corridor branched to the left ahead of her (8F into 9B), there were six hostiles there. She blind-fired a shot into the corridor, a volley of gunfire erupted up ahead in response. She run back, trying to make as much noise as she could.

'Three hostiles approaching, time until contact - 3.8 seconds, to hit chance, 99.97%.'

Amy halted her run 1.3 seconds before the three security that ran after her came into view, turned around and gunned them down from her assault rifle just as they rounded the corner. From that distance the bullets easily penetrated their Vault security armor. She heard the remaining three security shouting something but they were staying in their positions.

'Optimal strategy - move ahead 8.7 meters, turn left, move 12.4 meters, turn left and move 8.7 meters, turn left and engage the hostiles.'

Corridor 9C into 10A into 9B, emerging behind the three security. Yes. She moved through the corridors quietly, rounded one corner, then another, then finally slid forward behind the three officers, shooting them in the back. She paused and listened. It didn't sound like there were any other security nearby, so she stopped to loot the bodies. Only one of them had ammo on it, the other two were armed only with batons, but she had sufficient ammo left.

She moved forward quietly, heading towards the Overseer's office. The corridor was clear at first, but later she heard the sound of boots running ahead. There were an estimated eight hostiles in the corridor to the right of her. She lay prone on the ground, aimed her rifle upwards and waited. She opened fire just as the group rounded the corner. Six of the hostiles were neutralised before they could fire a shot, the remaining two ran back. Amy shot one of the hostiles lying on the ground that was still moving, then pursued the last two. She shot one of them a second after

she rounded the corner but the last one already escaped into another corridor. At this point Amy was sprinting full speed but the last hostile was still staying ahead. Amy's mind registered that the hostile was making a sound as it run, unusually high-pitched in spite of being deepened by the slowed time. She finally caught up and shot it in corridor 12C.

The location of the remaining hostiles wasn't clear. Amy had to go through the corridors searching for them. She found and killed two more, one who was sitting in a utility closet and another one, who she found hiding under a table in one of the living quarters. This one didn't even have a baton on it. The last few were proving difficult to find. Eventually the focus in Amy's mind dissipated, leaving behind a headache, and the time resumed its normal flow.

- "The Overseer has no more henchmen to protect him." Shroud spoke up.

- "Yeah." Amy nodded. "There's a few left but they shouldn't be a threat." The sides of her mouth went up slightly, baring the teeth. "Let's go have a chat with him."

She found the Overseer in his office, hunched over a small ham radio. He was repeating someone's name and then waiting, it seemed like whoever he was trying to contact was not responding. He was so completely focused on the radio that he seemed completely unaware when Amy walked into the office, she had to cough to get his attention. Amy enjoyed seeing the startled look on his face, but it was only there for an instant, immediately replaced by his usual pompous expression.

- "You've returned? Hmmm... in truth, at this point we are lacking qualified medical personnel, and you have medical training, yes? I believe you've always wanted to work in medbay - well, you may have a chance now. Your departure from the Vault was completely unauthorized, but, I'm prepared to - mmm - reduce the punishment considerably."

- "Oh, wow. Please give me a moment to compose myself, I'm just feeling so overwhelmed by your generosity." Amy scowled. She traced his glance at the dresser on the far side of the office, where a gun must have been hidden, raised her 10mm and aimed it at him. "Don't even think about it."

The Overseer looked at her incredulously. "You're threatening the Overseer of the Vault with a weapon? Do you even realise how much trouble you're in right now?"

- "Oh, are you going to call Security here to arrest me? Or maybe they will just shoot me instead, or beat me to death?" she looked at the Overseer intensely. "I've walked into your office armed. If Security was around, don't you think they would have stopped me? Think about it. The Security are not coming. It's just you and me here."

She saw a hint of an expression on the Overseer's face but it was gone quickly. "Most of the Security officers are currently busy dealing with - other matters. But rest assured, they will be here shortly, and then you'll be in a whole world of trouble. " He looked at Amy sternly. "But if you stop this foolishness right now and surrender your weapon." he glanced at Amy "all your weapons, you may be shown leniency and ..."

- "You." Amy stared at the Overseer in disbelief. "All your thugs are dead and you still think you can threaten and bullshit me."

The Overseer did think that. He launched into a lengthy speech about discipline and responsibility to the Vault and lapses of judgement and so forth. It seemed that he could easily carry on for hours, but then something in Amy's eyes caught his attention and he stopped halfway through a sentence, his mouth still open.

- "Your people killed Jonas." Amy felt her anger retreat, replaced by a feeling of calm certainty. "He was my friend. They killed Herman Gomez. They almost killed Freddy. They tried to kill me."

She looked him directly in the eyes, now seeing the look of primal, animal panic in them. She saw the Overseer start turning away from her, trying to run away, his movements slowed by the time dilation.

'Number of hostiles - one, hostile unarmed, threat level - very low'.

'Yes, this is a hostile." thought Amy, and then shot the Overseer in the back of the head.

Walking away from the Overseer's office, Amy felt odd. There was the same physical and mental exhaustion she always felt after a battle, but all the rage and adrenaline leaving her body left a strange void. She almost wasn't sure how to feel. She had to remind herself to stay alert in case the surviving Security would show up, but the corridors were quiet.

She had to talk to Amata about what happened. Amy winced. Thoughts came on how she could avoid talking to Amata - perhaps she could just leave the Vault and come back later? - before she waved them away. No, it wasn't right. She had to talk to her.

Amy was just going through how she would explain what happened to Amata in her head, when her thoughts were interrupted by a wail of "Daddy!" coming from the Overseer's office. Shit. Amata found the body herself. That was just about the worst way this could've gone. She turned around and hurried back to the Overseer's office.

- "That's an incredibly ill-advised idea. A conversation with Amata right now would not be the most productive."

- "Shit. Yeah. Yeah, OK. I should let her cool down a bit. Give her some time to - to process what happened." Amy turned around again, back towards the living quarters.

- "Shroud ... " Amy took a deep breath. "Did we ... ? Did I do the right thing ... ?"

- "Of course. This was a villain, opressing and mistreating the people in his charge. We've brought him and his henchmen to justice and liberated the people of this Vault from his tyranny. Justice has prevailed!"

- "Yeah. You're right." Amy nodded vigorously. "This was for the good of the Vault." She nodded again. "I just need to find the right time to talk to Amata."

Amy waited. She took a Salisbury Steak from a food dispenser, went to the diner and ate it. This may have been the finest meal she had since she left the Vault, a far cry from cooked molerat she's got used to, but the taste barely registered. Then she took a walk, not going anywhere in particular, just doing something to fill the time. The corridors were still empty, someone must have warned the residents that there was a firefight going on and everyone was staying in their quarters. Finally the weight of needing to talk to Amata has become unbearable. She had to get this over with, right now.

Amy found Amata in her quarters, like she hoped. She opened the door, then knocked on it quietly. Amata was lying in her bed face down and didn't hear her, so she had to knock louder. Amata slowly turned her head, then when she saw Amy she jumped out of the bed.

- "Why did you do it?!" Amata shrieked.

She clearly needed to give her more time, Amy thought wearily. But, how much time would be enough? A week? A month?

- "Amata, I'm sorry, but ..."

- "Your own father was killed, so you wanted to show me what that was like? Is that it?!"

- "Amata, for God's sake." Amy sighed. "It had to be done. There was no other way to fix things here."

- "You call it 'fixing things'?! You massacred everyone. Only two security survived!" Amata was still shouting.

- "I couldn't find them" muttered Amy distractedly "they must have hid too well."

- "What the hell are you?" Amata stared at her. "Where is my best friend? Where is Amy?"

- "Amata, I'm right here." said Amy softly.

- "You're not the Amy I remember." Amata shook her head. "Before, when we were talking, I didn't want to say anything, but you seemed different. I just ... I had no idea that ... " her voice became unsteady.

Amy could increasingly feel the anger bubbling up to the surface. "In case you forgot I've had to escape to the outside, because the Security you're now mourning were trying to kill me. On your father's orders. The outside is dangerous. I've discovered that I had - talents. But I had to learn to be tough as well. I wouldn't have survived otherwise."

- "Maybe ... " Amata stared at her. "If living on the outside has turned my best friend into this ... thing, then maybe daddy was right. Maybe no one should ever leave the Vault."

- "Are you serious?! This psycho and his thugs pushed the Vault to the brink of war. Which is why you were asking the entire Wasteland for help on the radio - remember that? You don't know how lucky you are that I was the first to respond."

- "You call that lucky?" Amata's voice became small, barely audible. "You could have just forced him to step down as Overseer. You didn't have to kill him."

- "Amata, you really think that would have solved anything? That he wouldn't try to take the power back at first opportunity?" She angrily expelled the air from her nostrils. "If you want to run this Vault, you'll have to learn to do what needs to be done. You'll need to grow up." She regretted the words as soon as they left her lips. She opened her mouth but was interrupted by Amata's shriek "Fuck you!"

A moment later, she saw Amata's expression change. There was a cold look in her eyes now. "You know, you're right. Now that I'm the Acting Overseer, I will need to grow up, fast."

- "Amata..."

- "The first thing, I want you gone from this Vault. Now."

- "You're kicking me out?"

- "What the Vault urgently needs now is stability. A heavily armed psychopath running around is really bad for stability. I won't try to make you leave by force, I don't want any more people dead. I'm hoping you will go voluntarily."

Amy lifted her forearms "If you want me to leave, I'll leave." she turned around, started to go, then turned back to face Amata. "And if you have another crisis, send someone to Megaton, ask for me. I will come back and solve it for you. And then leave again."

- "Don't hold your breath. We don't need your 'solutions'."

Amy wanted to tell Amata that she wanted to pick up some things before leaving. Headache meds, tools, photos from her old quarters. Just as she opened her mouth, the look on Amata's face changed her mind. She just wanted to leave, right now. Amy headed straight for the Vault exit, Amata followed her, in silence.

Amy stopped in front of the Vault exit, then turned around.

- "You'll have to open the door, I don't know how to."

Without a word, Amata connected her pipboy to the door console, pressed something on it, and the metal gate slowly slid open. Amy walked through and headed down the tunnel. Halfway through she thought she heard Amata call her name. She probably imagined it. It didn't matter anyway. She opened the gate leading out of the tunnel and for the second time had to blink her eyes at the bright light outside. Second and the last time, she thought.

It was still cold outside but at least the snow stopped falling. The Dimarco kid wasn't outside anymore. Amy was glad, she didn't feel like talking to anyone right now. On the road back to Springvale she turned around and cast a long glance at the Vault entrance.

- "The new ruler of this Vault could've shown more gratitude for saving them from the tyrannical rule of her predecessor. Still, honorable people do not act for gratitude or glory but because it is right."

- "Shroud, for god's sake ... " Amy sighed. "The talk with Amata ... Damn it, what was I ... I knew she would be hurting. I was just so angry that she couldn't see ..." she paused for some time, looking back at the Vault entrance, now hidden behind a rock outcropping. "I don't suppose this can ever be unfucked."

- "Surely in time she will see the foolishness of her actions..."

- "Shroud, just stop. Please." Amy turned around. "Let's just go back. I don't belong here anymore."