Author's Note: Hello everyone! I hope that you are all doing well. This chapter is the chapter in which Mark and Amata reveal their pasts. I know from the messages and reviews that I've received that a few of you have been waiting for this. Well, it's finally here. There will also include a flashback to what fully happened the day Mark returned to the vault before he was thrown out, which was where this whole story began. Alright, I think I've talked enough. Enjoy, and reviews are always welcomed and appreciated.
"I am that heroic figure. I am the Lone Wanderer."
Veronica jumped up out of her chair. "Ha! I knew it! I knew it! I knew that it was you! All of the evidence added up, and now you admitted it! I was right!" Veronica pumped both of her fists in celebration. That elicited some chuckles from around the room. "Yes, Veronica," Mark said, smiling, "you were right. I figured that you were putting all of the pieces together, given your link to the Brotherhood."
"Hang on, I'm confused," Sarah said. "I've never heard anything about anyone named the "Lone Wanderer." What is the big deal?" "Well, Sarah," Veronica said, sitting back down, "the big deal is, if what I've heard is true, then we are in the presence of a living legend. Allow me to explain. I was a part of the local chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel. Just as a bit of background information for those that don't know, the Brotherhood was founded shortly after the Great War by U.S. Army Captain Roger Maxson, who became the Brotherhood's first High Elder."
"The first members of the Brotherhood were Maxson's team, their families, and some scientists who had holed up in the old Mariposa Military Base while the bombs fell. Eventually, they left Mariposa, sealed the base, and relocated to Lost Hills, a government fallout shelter, which became their headquarters. In Brotherhood lore, this event is known as "the Exodus.""
"Membership was limited to the original group and their descendants. No outsiders were allowed to join. The Brotherhood's policy towards outsiders can be summed up in two sentences: "We do not help them, or let them in. We keep knowledge they must never have." Which, in my opinion, is a bunch of closed-minded bullsh- I mean, um, BS." She caught herself before she swore in front of Abby. "So, the purpose of the Brotherhood is to collect what they, in their infinite wisdom, perceive as dangerous technology, so that an event like the Great War would never occur again."
"About twenty years ago, a group was sent to Washington, DC to, among other things, collect any technology from there, as it was the capital and seat of government for the United States, as well as where its military was based out of. The group, led by then-Paladin Owyn Lyons, discovered the ruins of the Pentagon, and found a piece of tech there. I'm not sure what it was, as that piece of information was deemed classified, but that discovery earned him a field promotion to Elder. Their orders were then changed. Instead of returning to the west coast, they were to establish a permanent presence in the area. The Pentagon, renamed the Citadel, was made their base."
"This is where things went off-track, as far as the High Elders were concerned, at least. The DC ruins were overrun by super mutants, which the group beat back upon their initial incursion into the city. That act made them heroes to the local populace. From what I've read, and Mark can probably confirm this, Elder Lyons decided to pursue a moral path, declaring that protecting the non-hostile wastelanders would be their new primary objective, while collecting any tech would be secondary. He even started recruiting members from the wasteland." The others looked at Mark, who nodded. Veronica continued.
"While some of the High Elders liked what he was doing, others didn't, as he was viewed as betraying the Brotherhood's core beliefs. They compromised, and made the decision that Lyons would still be an Elder, and that that chapter would still be recognized as part of the Brotherhood, but all support was cut off. Recently, that chapter was out here in an attempt at reconciliation. The same chapter that your brother and sister-in-law came out here with."
"They told some fantastical tales of a kid that came out of a vault, whom aided the Brotherhood, and did a lot of heroic deeds. They called him the "Lone Wanderer," and they spoke about him like he was an angel of justice sent down from the heavens or something. The interesting thing is, they never mentioned him by his true name, just by that moniker. Apparently, that was a condition under which they could mention what he had done at all, because he wanted anonymity. The very fact that they acceded to that request when he wouldn't have known told me how much they thought of him."
"Then, about two weeks or so ago, I met Mark and Amata at the 188 Trading Post, and I learned that they came out of a vault in DC. That was my first clue. Then it was all the little things. Them being vague with their pasts, finding out that he had Brotherhood holotags…" She trailed off and looked at Mark. "That was why McNamara wanted to talk with you in private. It was because of what was on your holotags, wasn't it?"
"Once again, Veronica, you are correct. I asked Sentinel Lyons not to use my name, and in exchange they were free to use my…legend, I guess, if it would help them reconcile with you guys. And yes, McNamara figured out who I was because of my holotags. He put two and two together." "You know," Arcade said, "I do remember some rumors floating around the Fort about that, but I dismissed them because they seemed too good to be true." "Boone, have you heard anything about that?" Mark asked.
"Same as Arcade. Just rumors, nothing more. Didn't really concern myself with it." "Christine?" Christine shook her head. "Been away from the Mojave for a while," she answered. Mark nodded. "Alright. Amata and I are going to tell you everything. The good, the bad, and the ugly. As someone once told me, there shouldn't be any secrets between family." He smiled at Abby, who smiled back. "On my pip-boy, and Amata's as well, there are recorded radio broadcasts that a local radio DJ named Three Dog kept for posterity. The only reason that I have them is that if I had any kids, I would want them to know the truth one day."
"They are encrypted files that someone attempted to access while we were at Cottonwood Cove." He looked pointedly at Veronica, who attempted to look innocent. "The encryption can only be bypassed with a specific vocal command by myself or Amata." "A voice lock, like you did with the password that Elijah wanted, right?" Christine asked. "Yeah, just like that, Christine." He pressed a few buttons, and then spoke into his pip-boy. "Enable file decryption. Authorization passphrase: The Lone Wanderer lives."
A couple of short beeps indicated that the files were now unlocked. "Our story will now begin. I just ask that you all save your questions, comments, concerns, et cetera, until the end. Agreed?" After the others agreed, he began to speak. "I was born on May 16th, 2258, to James and Catherine Franklin in the basement of the Jefferson Memorial." "And I was born on August 12th, 2258 to Alphonse and Julie Almodovar in Vault 101," Amata said. "Wait, you weren't born in the vault, Mark?" Veronica asked. Mark rubbed his eyes. "Veronica, what did I just say about interrupting?" She looked sheepish. "Oh, right, sorry. Please continue." "Thank you. No, I was not born in Vault 101. That key fact was the impetus for everything that followed."
So he and Amata talked. Mark started, talking about his parents. Who they were, and the origins of Project Purity. His birth, the death of his mother, and the subsequent abandonment of Project Purity. What he learned of what happened when he and his father arrived at Vault 101 escorted by Star Paladin Cross. He and Amata then talked about the vault. How they were told that the vault had never been opened. "We're born in the vault, we die in the vault." How he and Amata became best friends, despite the animosity between their fathers.
They talked about the other kids. Their wariness of Mark, likely at the direction of their parents. The bullying by Butch and the Tunnel Snakes. How her father attempted to derail any potential romance between the two by having a guard with her at all times. Then came the day that Mark escaped. They both talked about it from their perspectives, with Amata learning that James had left the vault, overhearing her father telling the guards to take Mark in for questioning. How Mark had been woken by Amata, her telling him that his dad had left the vault.
They described the chaos that ensued. Mark seeing Mary and Tom Holden murdered. Alphonse's attempt to beat Amata to learn of Mark's whereabouts, before Mark shot Stevie Mack in the knee and saved her. There were gasps from the group when they heard what Alphonse did, and Abby gave Amata a hug. They talked about when they reached the vault's door, and Mark's promise to Amata that he would return one day.
Mark's shock when he first laid eyes on what had happened to the world. How he found his way to Megaton, amazed that they lived around an active nuclear warhead. His meeting Lucas Simms, Moira Brown, Colin Moriarty, and the others. How he disarmed the bomb under the cover of night, getting him a home in town as a reward. He spoke of Moira Brown's quirkiness, and how he had been enlisted to help her with the Wasteland Survival Guide.
He spoke of the others that he helped, from Lucy West, to the residents of Big Town, to Reilly and her Rangers. How he felt guilty the first time he had to take a life. How the mercenary group, Talon Company, was hired to hunt him down. He spoke of the other vaults that he had encountered, making him realize how fortunate Vault 101 was. He talked about his first foray into downtown DC, which was where he met Sentinel Sarah Lyons and the Brotherhood for the first time. Taking down a super mutant behemoth with a Fat Man.
His first meeting with the energetic Three Dog, who had been the one to first call him the "Lone Wanderer." Getting a new relay dish for the station. Finding Rivet City, and speaking with Dr. Madison Li. Seeing Project Purity for the first time, and learning of Vault 112, which was where his dad was. He explained about the "Tranquility Lane" simulation, and how Dr. Stanislaus Braun had kept the residents in various simulations for two-hundred years, before Mark freed them by killing them.
Releasing his dad, and their journey back to Rivet City and the Jefferson Memorial. Mark's first encounter with the Enclave. When he mentioned the Enclave, he growled and spat out their name venomously. Arcade seemed to tense up when the Enclave was mentioned, but no one seemed to notice. He spoke about seeing his dad die in front of his eyes, sacrificing himself so that Mark and the others would have a chance to escape. His escape through the tunnels, arriving at the Citadel. Being personally trained by Sentinel Lyons.
How he had to find a way to get to Vault 87 through Little Lamplight, and how they would only let him through if he rescued their friends from Paradise Falls. He did so, wiping out Paradise Falls in the process. Going through Vault 87, meeting Fawkes, and learning the vault was where the super mutants were coming from. Getting the G.E.C.K, and subsequently being captured by the Enclave and interrogated at Raven Rock by Colonel Augustus Autumn. How he learned that "President" John Henry Eden was nothing more than a ZAX A.I. that had become self-aware. His subsequent escape and the destruction of Raven Rock, and meeting Fawkes again, who offered to travel with him.
Mark's return to the Citadel with Fawkes in tow. The Battle for Project Purity. Seeing Liberty Prime in action. Realizing that the Rangers had come to help. Reaching the control room, and killing Colonel Autumn. His elation at the fact that they had retaken the facility, only to realize that it had been damaged in the fighting. How he was ready to sacrifice himself so that the work of his mother and father, started over twenty years prior, would finally bear fruit. Amata, even though she had heard it before, shed a few tears at how close he had come to dying.
Amata talked about what happened in the vault during all that time. The few attempts at negotiating with her father. How they listened to the broadcasts of Galaxy News Radio, hearing what it was really like in the outside world, and more importantly, at least to Amata, Mark's exploits, and how they were her only way of knowing that Mark was still alive. Through all of this, Mark played the recordings of Three Dog's radio broadcasts, confirming his stories. The others, especially Abby, got a kick out of Three Dog's broadcast style. One of the more poignant broadcasts was from directly after the Battle for Project Purity:
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, prepare to be astounded, bedazzled, and otherwise stupefied! I am Three Dog, your Master of Ceremonies. Listen up, children, because I have some great news, and some…potentially bad news. First! The good news. Children, I am happy to report that Project Purity has been reclaimed by the good guys. In a combined effort, the Brotherhood of Steel, Reilly's Rangers, and the one and only Lone Wanderer, Mark Franklin, took the facility back from those Enclave bastards not two days ago."
"Our buddies in the Brotherhood are cleaning up the mess, and are making plans to distribute the water to the wasteland, although it is currently unknown as to when that will begin." Three Dog's voice became less cheery. "Now, for the potentially bad news. It seems, from the reports that I am receiving, that both Sentinel Sarah Lyons and the Lone Wanderer, Mark Franklin, were both injured, and both are now in a coma. It is unknown how they were injured, but I am told that they are both currently safe, and are being treated inside the Citadel."
"Listen, children, I don't care if you believe in god or not, but please pray for them. I know that I am. Losing one, or both, of them would make this victory seem almost hollow." He then went back to his upbeat tone. "Thanks for listening, chiillld-ren. This is Three Dog, OWWWWWWWWWW! And you're listening to Galaxy News Radio! We're Radio Free Wasteland, and we're here, for you."
"When I heard that," Amata said, after they explained to Abby what a coma was, "I went from elated to disheartened in a matter of seconds, and I think that the mood swing caused me to pass out. The two weeks that he was out were torture for me. Every time that Three Dog came on, I was hoping that he would report that Mark had woken up, but I was also worried that he would say that Mark didn't make it." Mark reached over and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.
He then went on to explain about going to Old Olney to get the Tesla Coil. Assaulting Adams Air Force Base, and the destruction of the Mobile Base Crawler. His meeting with the Brotherhood Outcasts, and taking part in the Anchorage simulation. He spoke about blowing up the testing area of Vault 87, and the eradication of the super mutants, save for Fawkes. His travels to the Pitt. It was then that they arrived at the day that Mark had come back to the vault, which, even though everything turned out okay in the end, they were both still a bit ashamed at how they both acted.
(Day of Mark's return to Vault 101)
Mark was in his home in Megaton, sitting at the workbench that was located on the catwalk that overlooked the ground floor. He was performing some routine maintenance on his pip-boy. The fact that pip-boys still operated two-hundred years after the war was impressive. 'Vault-Tec may have been a bunch of amoral bastards,' he thought, 'but they built things to last.' He had actually started performing the maintenance three days prior, but people needed help around town with various things, and he was happy to oblige.
After dealing with the Enclave, super mutants, and raiders seemingly non-stop, helping Walter perform maintenance on the water pipes in town, or helping Moira work on the distribution network for the Wasteland Survival Guide was downright mundane, and exactly what he needed. Moira did try to rope him in to help with more of her experiments, but he flat-out refused to be a guinea pig anymore. He did take some time to just relax in his home, listening to the radio and having a couple beers. He would also hang out at the Brass Lantern with Jenny Stahl and Billy Creel, swapping stories and enjoying the company.
The delay had meant that his pip-boy had been out of commission for three days. It felt weird not to wear it, but that kind of thing tends to happen when you wear it every day for nearly ten years. He screwed the last screw back in the casing, reactivated it, and put it back on his left arm. He began to put away his tools, when the pip-boy beeped. He glanced at it quickly, went back to the tools, and then did a double-take when he realized that it said a new radio frequency had been found. His interest piqued, he switched over to the list of available radio stations. When he saw one of the stations, he nearly fell out of his chair.
It was the Vault 101 Emergency Frequency. Mark just sat there, stunned. He had heard that it existed, but he doubted that it had ever been used, seeing that since the world got blown to hell, no one from law enforcement or Vault-Tec would actually respond to the call. He found it stupid that they would install an emergency frequency in a vault that was never supposed to reopen once it was shut, but then again, a lot of people seemed to have no common sense, both back then and now.
He highly doubted that Alphonse would use it, given his isolationist and xenophobic tendencies. Eliminating Alphonse, the only other person who would know about it would be- His eyes widened. "Amata." He began to panic. Had something happened to her? He quickly tuned into the frequency and listened to it with bated breath. A robotic voice came on:
"This is an automated distress message from Vault-Tec: Vault 101. Message begins:" It then switched over to a voice that Mark hadn't heard in what felt like forever, a voice that belonged to a person whom Mark was convinced was an angel sent from heaven. A voice that sounded nervous. It was his best friend. It was Amata.
"Mark, it feels like you left home a long time ago. I know that you're still alive, that you're still out there. For now, let's just chalk it up to faith. Things, they…they've gotten worse since you and your dad left. My dad, I think that he's snapped. I'm feeling like things are about to turn violent, and I'm scared, Mark. I'm running out of options, and without outside intervention, I fear that the worst will come to pass, and the vault will collapse completely. Mark, we need your help. I need your help."
"If you choose not to come back, I understand, given the way a lot of people treated you, but I know who you are, Mark. At least, I still hope that I do." She paused for a moment, and a small sliver of happiness creeped back into her voice. "Mark, do you- do you remember the game we used to play as kids, where I would be the princess who needed to be rescued from the dragon, and you would be the brave knight who would come and save me? Those were good times, weren't they?"
"Well, right now, Mark, I need my brave knight to come and save me again. I changed the door password to my name. I just pray that you still care enough to remember it. Please help me Mark. You're my only hope." Amata's voice cut out, and the robotic voice came back on: "Message repeats-" Mark turned it off. He didn't need to hear it again. Despite the seriousness of the message, he chuckled. 'Like I would ever forget her name,' he thought.
He then refocused himself, and went over the message. Apparently, Alphonse had finally gone off the deep end. Mark had figured that it was only a matter of time before he did. He smiled as he reminisced about that game that he and Amata played. Those were some good times. As he sat there, a potential problem sprung up. How long had the message been broadcasting? The frequency hadn't been there when he had taken it off three days ago, at least he didn't think it was, so it had to have occurred between then and now. What if things had already gone south? He needed a better idea of the situation.
"Wadsworth!" Mark called out. The Mr. Handy robot came up the stairs. "You called, sir?" "Wadsworth, you can detect radio frequencies, correct?" Mark asked. "Indeed I can, sir." "Scan for the Vault 101 Emergency Frequency. I need to know how long it has been broadcasting." Wadsworth was still. "Scanning for all frequencies within range…Vault 101 Emergency Frequency detected. It has been running since 9:34 PM, three days ago." Mark nodded. "Thank you, Wadsworth. That will be all." "As you wish, sir."
He thought back. The pip-boy was already off-line by then. His features steeled. There was no choice in the matter. His princess needed to be rescued, and it was his duty as a knight (or paladin, as it were), to rescue her. If the vault had indeed collapsed, then he would get her out of there, and tell the rest of them that they could go to hell.
He went into his bedroom, and donned his Ranger Combat Armor. He checked the clips on his assault rifle and pistol, and holstered them on his back and right hip, respectively, and then attached a few grenades to his belt. His trench knife was already holstered on his right leg. He grabbed his duffel bag and did a quick inventory of everything that was in there. "Let's see what we have: grenades, ammo, shotgun, sniper rifle, food, Aqua Pura, two stealth boys." He looked over the other weapons that he had lined up against the wall, and then decided that what he had would be enough.
The shotgun would suffice for combat in the close quarters of the vault. He hoped that he wouldn't have to use it, but he wouldn't hesitate to use it to protect Amata. He also figured that the food might be used as a peace offering, as he had no idea what the food situation was like right now. He was under no illusions that he would be given a warm welcome home by most of the vault. The only people who likely didn't resent him and his dad were Amata, Mr. Brotch, and Officer Gomez, and the last two were only guesses based on how they had treated him and his dad. He wished that he knew more about the situation, but he would have to work with the information that he had.
"Might I enquire as to where you are going, sir?" Wadsworth asked as Mark headed for the door. "I need to go save my best friend from her evil, psychotic, despot of a father." "Good luck then, sir." Mark nodded and walked out the door. As he reached Megaton's front gate, he ran into Sheriff Simms. "Hey kid, where you headed? Brotherhood need you?" "Not today, Sheriff. My best friend needs me. I'm going back to the vault. I…I'm going home." Simms noticed Mark get a bit emotional. He knew how much that that Amata girl meant to him. He was pretty sure that Mark was in love with her.
"Well, good luck, kid. Hope everything works out for you." "Yeah, so do I, Simms. So do I." The nighttime air was cool as he made his way back towards Vault 101. He climbed up the small hill, and reached the wooden door that he had first walked out of close to two months ago. He then turned and looked over the wasteland, seeing the Washington Monument and Capitol Building in the distance. He thought back to when he had first laid eyes on the wasteland. "Things certainly have changed since then," he said quietly before he turned, opened the wooden door, and went in.
As he approached the vault door, he flashed back to the last time he was here, promising Amata that he would return, and then watching her attempt to stop the guards from tying to shoot him. He sighed, walked over to the control panel, entered 'Amata', and then heard the klaxon going off as the door began to open. He drew his pistol and stood off to the side in case Alphonse decided to send a welcoming party. There was a security camera, but he couldn't remember if it worked or not.
He peeked around the corner as the door slid out of the way. He only saw one guard, and this one guard was the only one he was sure wouldn't shoot him on sight. "Halt! Who goes there?" Mark holstered his pistol and held his hands in the air as he made himself visible. "How's it going, Officer Gomez?" Mark asked, a grin on his face. Gomez was confused. "How do you know who I…" He trailed off, and a look of disbelief came across his face. "Mark? Mark Franklin? Is that you?" "The one and only. Now how about you put down that pistol, and then we can talk."
Gomez holstered his pistol and took off his helmet. Mark lowered his arms. "Mark, it's…it's been a while. No wonder you were able to get the door open. You have more experience with it than everyone else down here combined. So, how have you been?" "Eh, okay, I guess." "How's your dad? Did you find him?" Mark's face dropped. "I did, but…he is no longer with us." Gomez frowned. "I'm sorry to hear that, Mark. I figured that if anyone could survive out there, he could. I liked him. I really did."
"Thank you for your sympathy, Officer Gomez, but reporting his death isn't the reason I'm back. Amata sent me a distress message." Gomez's eyes widened. "Amata sent you a message? I'd keep that under your hat, for her sake. She could get in real trouble for that." "Officer Gomez, from what she said, I highly doubt that it could do much more harm. I need to know what's been going on since I left."
Gomez sighed and rubbed his temple. "Where to begin? Between the radroaches and the other guards, we lost a lot of people that night. Since then, we've basically been under martial law. Amata's leading a group, mostly made up of your classmates, plus Mr. Brotch, which Alphonse has deemed "rebels." They want to open the vault up to the outside world permanently. Alphonse, obviously, has tried to nix that idea. They've tried negotiating a couple of times, but they failed miserably."
"It's only gotten worse since then. Alphonse hasn't attempted to use force yet, I'm guessing mainly because of Amata, but I've overheard the other guards saying that they're going to use force without Alphonse's knowledge. Things are coming to a head quickly, and I'm guessing that that's why Amata sent a message to you." Mark stared down Officer Gomez. "Which side are you on, Officer?" "I am on nobody's side. Yes, technically Alphonse can still tell me what to do, but that doesn't mean that I can't find loopholes to subvert his authority. My job is to keep the peace, and that means not favoring one person, or side, over another."
Mark smiled. That's what he had hoped he would say. "That's why I always liked you, Officer Gomez. You always did your job without any bias." He paused. "Where are Amata and the rebels?" "They're holed up in your dad's old clinic. I think it may be symbolic that they're based there, you know, with you and your dad and all that. I assume that you remember the way?" Mark nodded. "Good. I'd go with you, but they're not too thrilled with security at the moment. Technically, I'm supposed to place you under arrest and bring you to Alphonse, but-" he looked Mark over "-I know better than to try that. Besides, I'm getting pretty forgetful in my old age."
Mark and Officer Gomez shook hands. "Thanks, Officer. I need to get going." Gomez nodded, and Mark made his out of the entryway. Once he was out of sight, he took out one of the stealth boys and activated it. He didn't want to alert too many people of his presence unless it became absolutely necessary. On his way to the clinic, he saw Officer Taylor nearly shoot Freddie Gomez, and he saw Stevie Mack using a cane to help himself walk. Mark smirked. 'Serves you right, you bastard,' he thought.
Before he knew it, he arrived at the stairway that led up to the clinic. He deactivated the stealth boy. His stomach was in knots as he realized that he was about to see Amata again. Would she like who he had become, a killing machine? He was still the same at heart, but would she recognize that, when she learned that he had taken lives? Mark shook away the doubts. They were best friends. She would understand…hopefully.
He ascended the stairs. Half of the divided hallway was blocked with debris, likely used as cover or as a chokepoint in case fighting broke out. He walked down the unblocked part and turned right. Standing guard outside of the clinic was Butch, playing with that switchblade of his. When Butch first saw Mark, he assumed a defensive stance, but relaxed when he saw who it was. "Franklin? That you?" Mark smiled. "Hey, Butch. Long time no see."
He walked up to Butch, punched him square on the nose, gave him a right uppercut to his stomach, and then grabbed him with both hands on the back his jumpsuit and tossed him down the hallway, past the open door to the clinic. "That was for all the years of torment, Butch. We're even." Butch whimpered as he was barely able to sit up against the wall. Mark then stood in the doorway to the clinic.
It was dirty, with food wrappers and mattresses scattered across the floor. The other kids had stopped what they were doing and stared at him. He scanned the room for Amata, and found her. Standing in the doorway to his dad's old office, surrounded by the light from the office like an angelic vision, was Amata. She stared at him, a look of…something on her face. Mark was unsure what to make of her expression. "Mark?" was all she said. Mark shed a few tears as he smiled at her. "Hey there, princess."
(15 minutes earlier)
Amata was sitting at the desk in what used to be James' office. The rebellion was not turning out the way that she had hoped. She had tried to make her father see that the vault needed to be opened, but to no avail. The "rebels," as her father called them, was made up of her classmates and their former teacher, Edwin Brotch. The Tunnel Snakes were enlisted as security. The clinic was their base of operations, which was done as a symbolic move, seeing as their eyes were opened once James and Mark had left the vault.
Boy, were her eyes opened. Despite all the times that her father told them to the contrary, the vault had indeed been opened before. Multiple times, in fact. Before James and Mark had left, the last time it had been opened was when James and baby Mark came into the vault. She chuckled. Her best friend was a wastelander. No wonder her father actively tried to stop them from having a romantic relationship. He probably thought that Mark would corrupt her.
She looked out the window and into the clinic. The others were either milling about, or lying down. They had taken mattresses from an unused section of the vault, and had taken a month's worth of food for each of them from the food stores. She insisted that they not take any more than they would normally get with their ration coupons. This way, the other residents would still be able to eat. When it became clear that the rebellion would last longer than a month, they had decided to ration it, with her taking the least of it as their leader.
When the rebellion had begun, morale was high. Even when there was little to no progress, hearing what Mark had been doing in the wasteland from Galaxy News Radio kept the morale up. However, as time passed, and as food began to dwindle, not even Mark's adventures could keep everyone happy, and she had had to break up fights on multiple occasions, and Mr. Brotch had been jailed for trying to open the vault's door. With the rebellion on the brink of collapsing, she had thrown up a Hail Mary and sent a message to Mark.
However, it had been three days, and he had yet to respond. Even worse yet, the radio had broken a couple of days ago, so he could be dead for all she knew. He promised that he would come back, didn't he? He always kept his promises. She smiled as she remembered all of the things that he had reportedly done. She listened to the radio closely anytime that Mark was mentioned, which was often. Her best friend had become a bigshot, a hero. She always knew that he was destined for greatness, and she was not wrong.
When she had heard that James had died, she wanted nothing more than to go find Mark and hug him, and tell him that everything would be alright. Then there was that coma that he was in. She was scared out of her mind that he would never wake up, but that worry was all for naught, as he did eventually wake up.
The more that she thought about it, the more she began to think that maybe he didn't want to come back. He was an important man in the wasteland, probably too busy for the simple folk of Vault 101. Based on the way most people had treated him down here, he probably decided to cut ties with the vault completely, but she had held out hope that he would come back for her.
Did he even want to see her again? He was famous and handsome, and probably had all those wasteland girls fawning over him, offering themselves to him. He had probably forgotten all about her. That last thought made her sick to her stomach. She had always hoped that he would be her first and only romantic partner. She had fantasized about the two of them making love, even more so since the rebellion had begun, when she needed a brief respite. Luckily, she had her own bed in the office, because she had had a few dreams that were a bit…erotic in nature, and she knew that she was prone to talking in her sleep. She blushed when she thought back to them.
Trying to distract herself, she sat up and looked through the notes that had been left on James' computer for the umpteenth time. Apparently, he had never stopped working on Project Purity, using the vault's water systems for testing. She had initially found that a bit irresponsible of him, but then she read that he had safeguards in place so that the main water supply would not be affected. James had also apparently accessed her father's personal computer, learning of something called the "G.E.C.K." Whatever it was, it was important enough for him to leave the vault and leave his son behind.
Project Purity. That all-important machine that James and his wife had started all those years ago, before Mark was born. Abandoned due to no progress, Mark's birth, and Catherine's death. Hearing Three Dog made her realize that all they had had on the surface was irradiated water, and that fresh water was more valuable than gold. She and the others had been lucky to grow up in the vault, where they always had fresh water. That Revelations quote that James had told to Mark repeatedly made more sense than ever. James had left the vault to finally finish his and Catherine's work. To bring the waters of life back to the wasteland. He didn't get to finish it, but fortunately Mark, following in his father's footsteps, did, and now clean water was being delivered to all the communities in the Capital Wasteland.
She looked out of the window again, realizing that there was some sort of commotion, with a man she didn't recognize standing in the doorway. She stood up, opened the door, and stood in the doorway. When she got a better look, her jaw dropped, and her eyes widened. No wonder she didn't recognize him initially. He was in desperate need of a haircut and a shave, had cuts and bruises on his face, and was wearing some type of green armor. The only thing that she did recognize were his eyes.
She only knew one person with blue eyes. It was Mark. He had answered her call. He had returned. A thousand thoughts ran through her head, but all she could say was, "Mark?" He smiled, with tears in his eyes. She started to cry as well. "Hey there, princess." She could not help herself. She broke into a dead sprint towards him, with him dropping his bag moments before she leapt into his arms, her arms wrapping around his neck. Amata's momentum carried them into the hallway. She felt pure elation. He was still alive! He was actually, physically here! He had kept his promise to her and came back!
The two of them stood in the middle of the hallway, just holding one another. The others in the clinic stood there watching, until Amata, without looking back, kicked the button to close the door. A couple minutes later, Amata broke the silence. "Mark," she said, her voice muffled due to the fact that she buried her face in the crook of his neck, "I missed you." "I missed you too, Amata. You have no idea how wonderful it is to see you again." Amata pulled back to get a better look at him.
He was wearing green armor with the words, "Reilly's Rangers" on it, along with a four-leaf clover behind two crossed swords. She saw his arms, which showed off a nice tan, and had become very muscular. She reached out and touched his right arm, and for a few moments, all coherent thought vanished from her mind. Eventually, she withdrew her hand as she realized what she was doing, and then blushed and looked away. Mark grinned. "I know, impressive, aren't they?"
She slapped him playfully on the arm. "You're an idiot. Listen, Mark, there's something I need to tell you." "I need to tell you something, too," Mark replied. "You first," they both said at the same time. They both laughed. "No, Mark, you go first," Amata said. "Amata, I…I wasn't born in the vault. I was born out there, and was brought in here as a baby. They lied to us, Amata. The vault's been opened before." "I know, Mark. The others and I, we've been-" She was interrupted by a loud crashing sound coming from somewhere deeper in the vault.
Mark immediately drew his pistol and pointed it is the direction of the noise, shoving Amata behind him. He waited a couple of moments, and when nothing else happened, he relaxed. "Mark, we can catch up later. I called you back because I need you to end this. I need you to talk to my dad and convince him to end this craziness. Please, just don't hurt him." Although Mark would like nothing more than to hurt him, that would only complicate things further. "Alright, Amata, I promise to end this, and I won't hurt him unless he attempts to harm me. Even then, I will only try to incapacitate him. Okay?"
After a moment, she nodded. "Good," Mark said. "Can you make sure no one but yourself touches my bag, please? There are things in there that you and the others wouldn't know how to handle. There is food and water in there if you want it, however. I didn't know what the food situation was like, so I brought some." "Thank you, Mark, and yes, of course I'll watch it," she replied. She then gave him a brief kiss on the cheek. "Good luck, Mark. I'll be waiting." He gave her another hug, and then headed off towards the Overseer's office.
Once he was out of sight, Amata looked down the hallway and saw Butch sitting against the wall, holding his nose and crying a little. Amata rolled her eyes. "Oh, don't be a baby, Butch. I'm guessing that Mark did that, and considering all the shit that you did to him, I think that you got off easy." She wiped some dirt that Mark had gotten on her off her jumpsuit, and then headed back into the clinic to make sure nobody touched his bag.
Once Mark was out of Amata's sight, he reactivated the stealth boy, and made his way through Vault 101 unseen. The stealth boy was nearly out of juice, so he hoped that he could make it to Alphonse's office before it ran out. He did reach the office, noting that it was empty. The stealth boy finally ran out of power, making him visible again. He took it off and tossed it away. He went to the computer, reading Alphonse's thoughts on what was happening. He downloaded a couple of files and then wiped them off the vault's servers. He then sat back in the chair, propped his feet up on the desk, and waited for Alphonse to return.
It was about ten minutes later when Alphonse appeared in the doorway, a smug look on his face. Mark sat there, tossing a grenade back and forth, acting like he didn't have a care in the world. "Hello, Alphonse. It's been a while." "Well, well, I see you've returned. Done with the dust and ruins of the wasteland, are you? Given up looking for daddy? Thought you could sneak back in, like a teen missing curfew? Well, that's too bad. You have no future in this vault. You're tainted. And that's Overseer to you, you insolent brat."
"No, I won't call you that anymore. I called you that out of respect, but you lost what little respect I had for you when you ordered Stevie Mack to assault your own daughter. That's low, even for you." Alphonse shifted uneasily. "I needed information. I did it for the good of the vault." Mark chuckled. "You know, you've said that so many times over the years, I don't think that you even know what it means anymore. Besides, I was already tainted, and so was my dad, yet you let us in here anyway."
"According to your files," Mark said, lazily waving a hand towards the computer, "that wasn't even the first time that the vault door had been opened. The Overseer before you sent a few expeditions outside. There was the survey team led by Anne Palmer, and Lewis and Agnes Taylor actually lived in Megaton for a while." Alphonse scoffed. "That fool that preceded me got himself killed, and he deserved it for straying from the vault's experiment."
"Yes, Vault 101's experiment," Mark said sarcastically. "To stay closed indefinitely, to study the role of the Overseer when a vault never opened. Yet, it was opened multiple times, once by you, in violation of a mandate that you supposedly champion. Well, I've got some bad news for you, Alphonse: Vault-Tec doesn't exist anymore, hasn't since the bombs fell, and no one out there gives a shit about whether you keep the vault opened or closed. And if you don't tell those security guards on either side of the door to back off, I will kill them. Do not test me. I have killed a number of unholy terrors out in the wastes, so your lackeys don't scare me in any way, shape, or form, and killing them would be child's play."
Alphonse seemed a bit startled that Mark could easily sense them, but quickly regained his composure. "You wouldn't dare. What would Amata think?" He smirked, thinking he had won. Mark laughed. "Is that the best you can do, Alphonse? Trying to make me feel guilty? That may have worked when I was younger, but not now. I've grown up, Alphonse. Seeing as I would only kill them in self-defense, I think that she'd be fine with it. I promised her that I wouldn't hurt you, but your guards are fair game." He paused for a moment. "Since you played the guilt trip game, let me have a go. What would your daughter think if you had security try to kill her best friend, one who had just come back into her life after being all alone out in the harsh, harsh wasteland?"
Mark acted like he came to a sudden realization. "Oh wait, that's right! You've already had security try to kill me, the day I had to leave this damn place! You know, Amata has confided in me over the years that she felt like you were pushing her away. And lo and behold, you admitted, in your own notes, no less, that through your own actions, you have indeed been pushing her away. What do you think attacking me again will do? Why, that may just completely drive her away from you and right into my comforting arms. So go ahead, Alphonse. Have them attack me. I DARE YOU!"
Mark glared at Alphonse, who finally realized that Mark wasn't bluffing. Alphonse reluctantly told the officers to stand down. "Wonderful," Mark said. "Now, where were we? Ah, yes, the vault's ingenious experiment. Tell me, Alphonse, how many people died the day my dad and I left?" "Too many, thanks to you and your traitor of a father. I let him in here out of the goodness of my heart, and this is how am I repaid for that kindness. With anarchy."
"Thirteen people died that night, Alphonse, according to your records. Thirteen. If you count me and my dad leaving, that brings the total to fifteen people who are unable or unwilling to procreate to help the vault continue to operate as it has been. The vault's population had already declined significantly in the two centuries since the war, and then you lost all those people in one fell swoop. Without any new blood, the remainder of the vault's citizens will eventually have to resort to incest to continue repopulating. If you keep deluding yourself that the vault can continue as it is indefinitely, then its collapse is inevitable."
Mark stood up. "Your lies and your deception are the cause of all this chaos. They are the reason that the other kids, including your own daughter, are rebelling against you. The vault needs to be opened to the world. End this madness, Alphonse. The vault can thrive again, but not under your brand of leadership. You kept telling us that everything that you've ever done is for the good of the vault. If you truly believe that, then for the good of the vault, you need to step down. You and I both know who needs to be put in charge."
The two of them stared each other down, before Alphonse sighed and hung his head. He seemed to age before Mark's eyes. "You're right. This whole situation is of my own doing. I need to make an announcement." He walked around Mark, who eyed him warily, and to the computer system behind the desk that operated as the vault's command center. He pressed a button and spoke into a speaker.
"Attention," Alphonse said, his voice resonating throughout the vault, "this is the Overseer. All security personnel are to stand down immediately. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action." He finished and looked back at Mark. "I believe that we need to go speak with the rebels." Mark nodded. "Yes, Alphonse, yes we do."
(20 minutes earlier)
Amata walked back into the clinic, hopeful that Mark would be able to convince her dad to stand down. Maybe then, she and her dad could reconcile, and Mark could come back to the vault, and the two of them could finally be together. She smiled brightly at that. She was broken out of her daze when she found Wally Mack going through Mark's bag. "Wally! What the hell are you doing?" Wally was startled when he heard Amata's voice. "What? I just want to see what the dink has in his bag."
He pulled out the shotgun. "Ha!" Wally exclaimed as the others looked on. "Now here's some serious firepower." He looked down the sights before Amata ripped it out of his hands and put it back in the bag and zipped it up. "What is the matter with you, you idiot?! Firstly, do not touch Mark's stuff! Secondly, you don't even know if the gun's loaded! You could seriously hurt someone!" "Geez, Amata, lay off! If Franklin can use it, I'm sure that I could use it no problem," Wally said, supremely confident of himself. Amata rolled her eyes at Wally's stupidity.
"Wally, you've never even handled a pistol before! If you paid attention to Mr. Brotch in class when we went over the different types of weapons, you would know that you would have to brace for recoil, and that a shotgun is more powerful than a pistol, and lethal in close quarters. And in case you've forgotten, we are in very close quarters!" She glared at Wally and the others. "No one is to touch this bag! Is that clear?" She said commandingly. She wasn't the leader of the rebellion for no reason. She knew how to take charge of a situation.
She got nods from the others, while Wally just scowled and walked away. She moved the bag against the wall where she could see it from her office, and then went back into the office, shut the door, and sat down. She massaged her temple with her hands. Wally had been a constant source of problems for her. Whenever Three Dog had reported something that Mark had done, Wally would always say that he could've done whatever it was just as well, if not better than Mark could've. In reality, he would've probably pissed his pants and then started crying like a baby. Amata figured that if he had left the vault like Mark had, he would've been killed before he saw his first sunrise. On multiple occasions, it took all her willpower not to knock him out.
He had gotten that "I'm better than everyone" attitude from his father. Allen Mack was always complaining to the others that he should be the Overseer, and Stevie Mack nearly assaulted her on the orders of her father. Thankfully, that attitude only resided with the males in that family, because Allen's wife Gloria, and their daughter, Susie, were decent people. Susie hadn't been the closest with Amata growing up, but she had become something of a confidante to Amata during the standoff.
Not wanting to think about Wally anymore, her thoughts went back to the scene that had just played out with Mark. Mark had returned, looking much different than when he had left. Not that that was a bad thing, in her opinion. The scars, the goatee, his muscles, not to mention the armor and weapons, made Mark look more handsome, and more mature, and more…rugged. His scent had changed, too. She couldn't identify exactly what he smelled like, but it was very manly. Once this standoff was over, she wouldn't have to fantasize about Mark anymore, because she would have the real thing, and if her father didn't like it, that would be his own problem.
Her thoughts then turned to what was going to happen once the standoff ended. In her mind, it was a foregone conclusion that Mark would end the standoff, hopefully peacefully. In any event, new leadership would be needed, and thanks to the G.O.A.T., she was next in line for the position of Overseer. There would be so many things to do. Cleaning up the vault, reorganizing the security force, and establishing trade with the outside world, among other things. She was sure that Mark would be glad to help with the trade part.
More of an immediate concern would be to heal a vault that was currently very fractured. 'It will be tough,' she thought, 'but with Mark at my side-' That train of thought suddenly came to a screeching halt. She realized something, something she wished that she hadn't. If Mark was here, the vault wouldn't heal, because he and James were viewed by many as having created this situation in the first place. She didn't blame Mark or his dad, of course. The lies were bound to come out some time. The vault had essentially been a powder keg. Mark and his dad had simply been the spark that lit the fuse.
It looked like any attempts to claim Mark as her own were going to have to wait. She was going to have to ask Mark to leave the vault. Again. She was going to have to exile her best friend. He would understand, wouldn't he? That it was for the good of the vault? It wasn't like Mark didn't have anywhere else to go. He had that house in Megaton. She groaned and put her head on the desk. Sometimes she really hated her life.
—
The walk back to the clinic was awkward for both Mark and Alphonse, as neither of them had said anything to the other since they left Alphonse's office. Once they reached the clinic, Alphonse took a couple of steps in, while Mark moved off to the side. He searched for Amata, who was standing near the door to the clinic's office. He caught her eye, and gave her a thumbs up. She gave him a quick nod, and then stiffened her posture as she stared at her father.
"Could I have your attention, please?" Alphonse said. It was an unnecessary question, as the room had gone quiet when he entered. He cleared his throat, and Mark saw that he was avoiding eye contact with Amata. "It has been brought to my attention that I have not been acting in the best interests of the vault. Therefore, effective immediately, I am stepping down as Overseer, and naming Amata as my replacement." There were gasps of shock. "Thank you. That will be all."
Alphonse walked out, leaving everyone but Mark in a shocked silence. Mark, a slightly amused look on his face, broke the silence. "All hail the Overseer! Long may she reign!" he proclaimed, and then began to clap. That broke everyone out of their shocked states, and they looked at Amata and started to clap as well. Mark then walked over to Amata and gave her a hug. "You did it, Mark," she said, pride evident in her voice, "you actually did it." Mark smiled. "Of course I did. I promised, didn't I?" "And you always keep your promises," Amata said, with a smile that seemed a bit forced, although Mark didn't notice.
"This is great, Amata! The vault finally has a real leader." She didn't say anything as she looked at him. "Amata, are you okay?" he asked, concerned. "What? Yeah, I'm fine. It's just…" She trailed off. "It's just what?" Mark asked. Amata sighed. "Mark, you're a hero…and you have to leave."
(Present Day)
They then explained what happened in the week that followed, Amata leaving the vault to find Mark, her journey to the Citadel, their eventual reconciliation, and their settlement in Goodsprings. "…so then I was shot in the head, was in a coma for a week, tracked down Benny, made a few new friends along the way, and, well, you guys pretty much know the rest. That is our story."
At one point during the explanation, Abby had transferred over to Mark. The others were sitting in a shocked silence, until- "A book?" Arcade asked. "You seriously wrote a book?" Mark and Amata both laughed. Of course Arcade would ask about the book. "Seriously, Arcade?" Veronica said. "Out of everything that they just said, the thing that you find most amazing is the fact that he wrote a book?"
"Hey, I am always on the lookout for a good read. I'm actually surprised that the NCR hasn't done anything like that." "Well," Mark said, "I doubt that the NCR has anyone as unique as Moira Brown. And technically, she wrote it. I just did all of the research." "Mark, when we get back to the 38, do you think that I would be able to peruse that book?" Arcade asked. Mark looked through his bag, took out the book, and tossed it on the table in front of Arcade. "There you go, Arcade. The first-ever copy of the Wasteland Survival Guide. You can keep it. Amata and I know it front-to-back by this point. Moira actually personalized it on the front inside cover." Arcade opened he book and read the inscription aloud:
"To my number one research assistant and favorite vault dweller. This wouldn't have been possible without you. You have helped fulfill one of my dreams, and I will be forever grateful. For all your hard work, you get the very first copy. I think the next book I write will be your biography." Arcade paused, seemingly confused about what was written next. "Oh, and I've found a new way to prepare radroach meat. It no longer tastes like feet. Isn't that great? Thanks again, and let me know if your spleen ever gets taken out. I have some tests I want to run.
Signed,
Moira Esmerelda Brown"
At the confused looks on everyone's faces, Mark and Amata both burst out laughing, and Abby started laughing as well. "Wait, what that about your…your spleen?" Arcade asked. "Oh, it's nothing. Just based on something that she told me once. Her thoughts become disjointed sometimes, and she'll go off on some tangent. She was just kidding about the spleen thing. At least, I think she was kidding. Kinda hard to tell with her." Mark looked down at Abby. "Sweetheart, are you doing okay? I know that some of that stuff sounded scary. Trust me, it was scary for me as well."
She looked at him, adoration in her eyes. "You really did all of that stuff, daddy?" "Yeah, sweetheart, I did. It was hard, but it was worth it in the end. I met a lot of good people, made a few good friends, not unlike what's happened out here." "Do you…do you miss your daddy?" Mark hugged her tightly, and a few tears escaped his eyes. "Everyday, sweetheart, but I know that he and my mom are watching over me." Abby gave Mark a kiss on the cheek. "I love you, daddy." "I love you too, sweetheart." He gave Abby a kiss on the top of her head.
"Mark," Christine said after a few moments, "there was really a giant robot?" "Yup. Liberty Prime. Destroyer of barriers, vertibirds, and, well, anything else that gets in his way. Last I heard, he was in the process of being rebuilt." "So, Mark, you were really resigned to the fact that you thought you were going to die in that purifier?" Veronica asked. Mark nodded. "Yeah, I was, but I considered it a small price to pay so that the rest of the Capital Wasteland could have clean water." "And instead of dying, you got the radiation resistance of a ghoul. If that's not luck, then I don't know what is."
She shook her head in disbelief. "So, why didn't you join the Brotherhood when they offered? Most would consider that an honor." "Veronica, it was nothing against the Brotherhood. I respected Sentinel Lyons and Elder Lyons, and I respected their mission, but I realized that if I joined, I would be subject to a chain of command, and I thought that my skills could be put to better use if I was able to operate outside the chain of command." Veronica nodded, seemingly satisfied.
"Well," Cass said. "Ya'll have definitely lived some interestin' lives, that's fer sure. So 'Mata, ya just left tha vault, went all tha way ta Megaton without so much as an escort? Seems kinda foolish ta me, seein' as ya had never been outside before." "Yes, Cass, I know that any number of things could have happened, but I believed that Mark was worth the risk. You call it foolish, while I like to think of it as a leap of faith, one that ultimately paid off in the end." "Eh, ya may have a point. So, uh, who'd ya leave in charge a tha vault?" "Officer Gomez. He was the only one that I could trust to not abuse the power."
"Mark." Mark looked over at Boone. "Yeah Boone?" "You're a hell of a warrior. I could see it in your eyes in Novac, that you had seen war. Although I didn't know that that included a simulation about war. I have a whole new level of respect for you." "Thank you, Boone." Mark then looked at Sarah. "Sarah, how about you? Was there anything that you wanted to ask?"
"Umm, no, not really, but I would just like to say something." She paused for a moment. "Mark, you are incredible. You saw horrible things, things that would drive people insane, and yet you are still a kind-hearted person. You are an amazing human being, and I am glad that you survived all of that, so that I would be able to meet you."
"Thank you, Sarah, but honestly, I'm nothing special. People call me a hero, a legend, a savior. The Lone Wanderer. The Courier. The truth is, I'm just Mark Franklin. I am the proud son of James and Catherine Franklin, husband of Amata Franklin, and father to one, soon to be two kids. I'm just a guy who probably should have done better in class, and whose best friend growing up was a girl, when the other boys thought girls were icky and gross. I never wanted any of the accolades, or the fame and everything that came along with it. I just wanted to find my dad, so I could ask him why he left without telling me. Everything else just kind of happened."
"Would you do it again, Mark, knowing what you know now?" Veronica asked. Mark thought for a few moments, and then nodded. "Yes, I would. It was hard, but a lot of good came out of it in the end." "What about you, Amata? If you had a chance to do it over again, would you have stayed, or would you have gone with Mark?"
"You know," Amata said, "Mark had asked me that at one point when we were still in Goodsprings. As much as I wanted to be with him, I think it was better that I stayed in the vault. There was going to be a rebellion whether I was there or not, and without me there, my father would not have been as hesitant to use force to end it, and while some of our classmates were jerks, I wouldn't want them to get hurt." "And while I would've loved to have her with me," Mark said, "once I saw how dangerous the wastes actually were, it put my mind at ease that she was safe in the vault. It was one less thing for me to worry about. Now, I'm not saying that she would've been a liability, or that she wouldn't have been able to look after herself. Far from it, in fact. It was just easier and less cumbersome traveling by myself."
"Amata," Arcade said, "I applaud you for fighting to bring about change against an unjust regime. I believe that it was Marquis de Lafayette who said, "Insurrection is the most sacred of rights, and the most indispensable of duties." You are a true revolutionary." "Thank you, Arcade, but the rebellion wouldn't have succeeded without Mark coming back. I barely held it together."
Arcade shook his head. "It matters not. The Americans might not have gained their independence from Great Britain without the assistance of the French. All great leaders throughout history have faced adversity. Asking for help when you need it is not a sign of failure on your part; it just means that you realize that you don't have all the answers. Thinking that you do have all the answers has been many a leader's downfall, including your father, from what it sounds like. Despite your struggles, you kept it going. Mark simply brought it over the finish line."
Silence permeated the room as everyone digested what had been said. "So, is that it?" Veronica asked. Mark and Amata grinned at each other. "Well," Mark said, "there is one thing we left out. It's kind of unbelievable. Out of this world, you might say." Amata rolled her eyes. Veronica raised an eyebrow. "After everything that we just heard, I highly doubt anything else that you tell us would be unbelievable." Mark smiled at her. "Yeah, you hold on to that thought. But before I go any further, I just have one question for all of you." He paused for dramatic effect.
"Do you believe in aliens?"
Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Obviously, the message that Amata sends to Mark is different from what it was in the game, as with the radio, she knows that Mark is alive, and that James is dead. I also felt that the message needed to be a bit more personal. Next chapter, we make a visit to Mothership Zeta, and the group begins to plan for the future in a post-House New Vegas. Until next time, and reviews are always welcomed and appreciated.