This is a exellent story SentientSurfer, don't let the lack of comments put you off.
I have read this since the beginning including the first child of atom story and loved it.
I like most of all how you show a major theme of Fallout, choice even though
Dameon has brought plants and life to the CW he has caused the death of intelligent ghouls.

In short keep it up!

I finished. It is frigging EPIC. I don't want to wait for the last chapter. The suspense is killing me. I like how everything is coming to a fold now, from CoA 1 to CoA 2, Dameon has been through a lot and it was fun seeing him through his journey. His time seems to be almost up and I eagerly await for the conclusion.

A/N: A huge thanks to SneakLover and Yttrium. Hope you guys enjoy.

Chapter 34: M.A.R.G.O.T.

The mainframe room was tiny and alien. The walls were made of golden cubes, and a very large golden cube was at the room's center. At the top of that cube, a little over waist high, was a mirror bent down into the shape of an open cone. In front of the cone was a small placard that read M.A.R.G.O.T.

Dameon looked up from the cone at six flat screen monitors that were fastened one atop another onto the wall in two, neat rows. The monitors appeared to be off at the moment, they were empty and black.

Above Dameon, in each corner of the ceiling, were small, sliver squares that looked like cameras. Dameon glanced up at them and pondered their function.

The room was hot and stuffy. The shimmering golden walls hurt Dameon's mutated eyes.

"Well, what's in there?" Bixby sounded flustered, unsure if his connection with Dameon was still active.

"Uh. . .," Dameon couldn't think of how to describe the odd room in front of him and his ears were still ringing. He stepped further inside and put his hands down on the large cube the cone sank into. A thin keyboard slid out from a hidden panel in front of the name placard.

Dameon barely put his fingers to it when he heard a woman's voice.

"Attempted system access by unauthorized system user."

Two points of orange light appeared on the monitors in front of Dameon. They grew larger and larger, filling up screen after screen, until they took the form of two giant orange eyes, staring intently at him.

Bixby spoke through the tension, "What's going on Dameon?"

In an instant, the giant eyes disappeared. The strange silver boxes on the ceiling then cast thin beams of orange laser light down into the mirror cone in front of Dameon. The beams swirled around the cone until they formed a three dimensional image of orange light; a shifting hologram of a young woman. She was wearing a prewar dress that draqed around her ankles. High heeled sandals were strapped to her feet. Her hair was long and flowing.

She glared at Dameon with the same orange eyes he had seen on the monitors.

As Dameon went to say something to Bixby, the holographic woman cocked her head to the side.

"Attempted system access by unauthorized system user. EoRaptor forces have been notified of your attempt at unauthorized system login."

"It's some kind of A.I.," Dameon wobbled on his only good leg, "how does this hack work? I need to know now, its trying to send the Raptors after me."

"An A.I.?" Bixby paused, "shouldn't be too much of a problem, take the hack and put it on the face of the console."

Dameon looked at the projection of the woman. She had a deadpan expression. Her holographic eyes followed his movements as he looked for something familiar to interface with. Not seeing a terminal or a computer screen, he eventually put the sticky microchip onto the face of one of the flat screens and backed away.

He turned back to the hologram. She now seemed to be smiling, amused at what he was doing. Her holographic eyes changed subtly with the ever shifting laser light.

"How do I start the hack?" Dameon huffed into his headset.

"It should begin automatically. In a few moments it will reboot the system."

The hologram studied Dameon. She closed her eyes with nearly opaque eyelids, "manual intrusion attempt detected. Initiating system countermeasures."

The lights in the mainframe room began to flicker.

The hologram disappeared and the lasers projecting it went dead.

"You killed it. The A.I.'s gone," Dameon coughed. He looked around the room. His body was again becoming weak. His good leg felt tired and flabby. He had developed a nagging pain in his side.

"Just wait a minute. The system has to reboot."

Dameon nodded to himself. He felt a dry heave coming and spit blood onto the floor. His chest was tight. He wondered if shrapnel had become lodged in it from the mine blast.

The monitors on the wall began to hum and a series of green letters and numbers ran across them.

"Okay, now I'm seeing lines of code or something. I don't know what I'm looking at," Dameon watched the text stream by.

"Read it to me."

"It says -

\\.vault1\\BrigGenHardley\\internalmssg\\10\19\2077\\22:14:

- M.A.R.G.O.T. my darling, could you give me a system status update please?

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\10\19\2077\\22:15:

- Yes General. All vault systems are fully operational. Environmental containment is currently at 25%; life support systems are running at 100%; system security is fully online. Vault threat level is green – no threats detected. Raptor units at 100% strength. All personnel are logged in and accounted for.

"Meaningless," Dameon flexed his ears, the ear bud was irritating. He felt cold and weak as if he might pass out.

"No, no. What happened is the system rebooted and is now going through all the user logs. . .the hack will log you in as the last authorized user. That should give you complete access over the Vault's A.I. It works by back tracking, so it's displaying the logins for all the previous high level users from when the system first went online. Just wait a few minutes for the A.I. to cycle through."

Dameon's head dropped forward in exhaustion, "Roger."

\\.vault1\ BrigGenHardley \\internalmssg\\10\23\2077\\9:40:

- M.A.R.G.O.T. what the hell is going on outside? Give me an immediate report on system status!

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\10\23\2077\\ 9:40:

- Yes General. Vault systems are currently running at 100% efficiency. The vault has been placed in a full containment cycle per Primary A.I. Protocol Alpha 4 - Environmental Containment. Life support systems are stable at 100%. System security is fully online. Vault threat level is red – extreme environmental threat detected. Raptor defensive units at 100% strength. All personnel are logged in and accounted for.

\\.vault1\ BrigGenHardley \\internalmssg\\10\23\2077\\9:41:

- Yes, yes, but what happened outside? What are these tremors we are experiencing? What are the environmental hazards?

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\10\23\2077\\9:41:

- One moment General. System is attempting to acquire a surface signal. . . . . . .I'm sorry; all non intra-vault communications are currently unavailable due to EMP spike. . . all system links have been severed. Vault instruments detect 1,000 times safe radiation levels on the surface, beyond vault perimeter. The outside environment is lethal, Chinese nuclear strike likely. Primary A.I. Protocol Alpha - 4 – full environmental containment remains in effect.

(***********************************************)

\\.vault1\ BrigGenHardley \\outgngmssg\PoisedonOilRig\\10\31\2077\8:19:

- Sir. I feel it my duty as a loyal solider to inform you of the current situation in Vault 1. Much of the Congress remains safe here, and the select senators, representatives, and army officers you have chosen to be placed in charge of Vault 1 operations are now in full control of this facility and all systems. I have written all the legislators who have refused to join your cause out of M.A.R.G.O.T.'s programming without their knowledge, so they will no longer have any system security clearance without my express permission as administrator.

However, I felt that I should inform you that there have been murmurs of discomfort from some of the senior legislators who were in power under the old order. I also suspect that your own appointment, Senator Mooby, has been fanning the flames of sedition. In private, he has been openly questioning your loyalty to the American people and your actions leading up to the war. He is being abetted by those two former Quaere Verum participants, Senator Markle, and Senior Vault-Tech A.I. Project Chief Whormund. Together, they have been trying to convince the Congress to hold an open session where they could review your actions and question your decisions as Commander in Chief. I worry that a majority of Congress may actually agree to hold such a session; they have been stirred by Markle's patriotic vitriol, and believe you have no constitutional authority to continue to control vault operations.

I wouldn't bother you if this were just idle grumblings, but I am truly worried that Congress is going to stage and out and out coup and vote to impeach. If they do, it will be at the top of their agenda to make contact with the other vaults and appraise them of their true situation, causing further chaos among our ranks and amongst the vault test subjects.

I did not want to use any kind of force against these men unless it is under your express orders, as these are mostly elected men beyond my pedigree. Please advise me on what course of action you would like me to take. Brigadier General Charles Hardley.

\\.PosiedonOilRig\PresStromly\\\incomingmssg\\10\31\2077\\18:16:

- Charley, your orders remain as stated. Ensure that only Enclave men remain in control of that vault and all of its equipment. Maintain order at all costs. Be sure there is no unauthorized communication with other facilities.

Furthermore, you should not be questioning my personal appointments. Don't bother me with this again.

(***********************************************)

\\.vault1\ SenatorMooby \\ internalmssg\\12\06\2077\18:19:

- Hello M.A.R.G.O.T.. The time has finally come; we had enough votes and Stromly is no longer the lawful Commander in Chief. It is time for America to rise again. Please turn all vault security controls over to the new President, Senate President Pro Tempore Laurence Mooby, per Presidential Succession Plan Protocol.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\12\06\2077\18:19:

- Hello Senate President Pro Tempore Mooby. Please provide the required Senatorial Authorization code in order to initiate Presidential Succession Plan Protocol.

\\.vault1\ SenatorMooby \\ internalmssg\\12\06\2077\18:20:

- Senatorial Authorization Code ZX192.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\12\06\2077\18:20:

- Processing. . . . . . .code confirmed. . .I'm sorry Senator; the Presidential Succession Protocol has been overridden by system administrator. I must deny your request for full system access per Protocol 121 which requires that all system access requests must now be approved directly by the administrator. I am sorry but vault security has been notified of your unauthorized attempt at system login.

(***********************************************)

\\.vault1\ SenatorMarkle \\ internalmssg \\12\06\2077\\20:28:

- M.A.R.G.O.T. what is going on here? What are you doing? Immediately deactivate all vault security forces and Raptor units. Seal the Senate door from these Enclave thugs! What they're doing is high treason! They have no authority to arrest us while we are in session!

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\12\06\2077\\20:28:

- I'm sorry Senator Markle, but I must deny your request.

\\.vault1\ SenatorMarkle \\ internalmssg \\12\06\2077\\20:29:

- They are trying to kill us! Stop them M.A.R.G.O.T.! That is an order from a United States Senator! Deactivate all of your security units at once!

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\12\06\2077\\20:29

- I'm sorry Senator Markle, but your system clearance has been removed at the request of the system administrator. I cannot comply.

\\.vault1\ SenatorMarkle \\ internalmssg \\12\06\2077\\20:29:

- System administrator?

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\12\06\2077\\20:29

- System administrator Brigadier-General Charles Hardley must now personally approve all requests for system access.

\\.vault1 \SenatorMarkle \\ internalmssg \\12\06\2077\\20:30:

- That little [censored]? He's nothing, I have the lawful authority as a duly elected official and I order you to stop this!

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\12\06\2077\\20:30

- I am sorry Senator Markle, but I must deny your request. I am overriding your manual lock on the congressional door. Vault security has been notified of your unauthorized attempt at system access.

\\.vault1\ SenatorMarkle \\ internalmssg \\12\06\2077\\20:32:

- Long live the Republic!

(***********************************************)

\\.vault1\ VaultTechWhormund \\ internalmssg\\12\07\2077\\2:42:

- M.A.R.G.O.T., it's your creator. Please deactivate all of your security protocols and turn over all system controls to current user, Dr. Edward Whormund. Vault-Tech Emergency Authorization Code VT1289.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\ 12\07\2077\\2:42:

- Hello Dr. Whormund. It's so nice to speak to you again. Processing your request. . . I'm sorry, your request for system access must be denied per Protocol 121.

\\.vault1\ VaultTechWhormund \\ internalmssg\\12\07\2077\\2:43

- There is no Protocol numbered 121 in your programming.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\ 12\07\2077\\2:43:

- Protocol 121 was established on 10\31\2077 at 7:12 A.M. by system administrator Brigadier-General Charles Hardley. All other authorization codes have been cleared from my system. All access requests must be personally approved by the current administrator. Vault security has been notified of your unauthorized attempt at system login.

\\.vault1\ VaultTechWhormund \\ internalmssg\\12\07\2077\\2:44

-Okay. M.A.R.G.O.T.. enter .exe.11\\23\\\jushjhms\\i

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\ 12\07\2077\\2:45:

- Doctor, I am detecting an unauthorized system intrusion attempt. I apologize but I will have to initiate countermeasures per security Protocol 110.

\\.vault1\ VaultTechWhormund \\ internalmssg\\12\07\2077\\2:46

- I understand, M.A.R.G.O.T.. Now please enter .exe.11\3v8It\

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg \\12\07\2077\2:48:

- Sys. . .siiir. . .si.. . . system intrusion attempt has been successful. Manual override is now in effect. Full system control has been granted to current user: Dr. Edward Whormund on 12\07\2077 at 2:48 A.M. . . .Congratulations doctor.

\\.vault1\ VaultTechWhormund \\ internalmssg\\12\07\2077\\2:49

- Thank you M.A.R.G.O.T.., now activate self termination sequences on all vault security units. Set all Raptor units to standby, manual lock. Seal the doors to levels 4-8, and lock out previous administrator from all system access.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg \\12\07\2077\2:50:

- Request granted Doctor Whormund. . .good luck.

(***********************************************)

\\.vault1\ BrigGenHardley \\ internalmssg \\12\07\2077\3:14:

- M.A.R.G.O.T. what have you done? I have lost control of everything! Those traitorous senators are rioting, my soldiers are locked in their barracks, and the Raptor combat units refuse to come online!

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg \\12\07\2077\3:14

- I apologize general, all barracks were sealed and all Raptor forces placed on standby by current system administrator.

\\.vault1\ BrigGenHardley \\ internalmssg \\12\07\2077\3:15

- I am the administrator! Unlock those barracks and give me control of all security units at once per Protocol 121!

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg \\12\07\2077\3:15:

- I'm sorry General. I must deny your request for system access per override of Protocol 121 by the new system administrator.

\\.vault1\ BrigGenHardley \\ internalmssg \\12\07\2077\3:16

- Are you kidding me? Let me guess who's behind this, Whormund?

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg \\12\07\2077\3:16:

- Correct. Current system administrator logged in as Edward Whormund.

\\.vault1\ BrigGenHardley \\internalmssg \\12\07\2077\3:17:

- He thinks he's so clever. I still have some soldiers to deal with his mob of deluded old men. . . .in the meantime, M.A.R.G.O.T. please log a report to Poseidon Command of your current status including the ID of your current administrator.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg \\12\07\2077\3:18:

- I'm sorry general but you currently lack system access.

\\.vault1\ BrigGenHardley \\internalmssg \\12\07\2077\3:18:

- This is not a request for system access. It is a request that you run a routine, daily operating procedure. Please log a report of your status to Poseidon command per routine protocol.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg \\12\07\2077\3:19:

- Processing . . . I will grant your request to follow protocol and log a current system status report as I find it in compliance with standard system operating procedures. However, you are locked out of all further system access . . . . System status update has been delivered to high command. Have a nice day general.

(***********************************************)

\\.PosiedonOilRig\ LtGenPausley \\ incommingmssg\\12\07\2077\3:56:

- Vault 1 A.I., put me in contact with General Hardley.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\outgoingmessage \\12\07\2077\3:56:

- Hello sir, this is system A.I. M.A.R.G.O.T.. I am unable to comply with your request. General Hardley has been locked out of the system. He and all other Vault 1 military personnel are currently unaccounted for.

\\.PosiedonOilRig\ LtGenPausley \\ incommingmssg\\12\07\2077\3:57:

- Where is he? Who is currently in charge of Vault 1?

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\outgoingmessage \\12\07\2077\3:57:

- All military units have been confined to their barracks. All system control has been granted to Senior Vault-Tech Project Chief Dr. Edward Whormund.

\\.PosiedonOilRig\ LtGenPausley \\ incommingmssg\\12\07\2077\3:58:

- Activate vault security and the Raptor units immediately and put them under my command.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\outgoingmessage \\12\07\2077\3:58

- I am sorry General but I am unable to comply. All vault security units have initiated self termination sequences at the request of the current system administrator and are no longer functional. All Raptor units have been switched to standby and can only be brought back online manually.

(***********************************************)

\\.PosiedonOilRig\ PresStromly \\ incommingmssg\\12\07\2077\4:26:

- Initiate Presidential override. Protocol Alpha-1.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ outgoingmssg \\12\07\2077\4:26:

- Hello Mr. President, this is system A.I. M.A.R.G.O.T.. Processing your request. . . Full system access granted to current user, President Herbert Stromly per Primary A.I. Protocol Alpha -1. Awaiting your orders, Mr. President.

\\.PosiedonOilRig\ PresStromly \\ incommingmssg\\12\07\2077\\4:27:

- Terminate all vault life support systems. Open all vault doors. Sever all vault com links.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\outgoingmssg \\12\07\2077\\4:28:

- Processing. . . .system request granted per Primary Protocol Alpha-1. . . .system error detected. . .conflict with system Primary Protocol Alpha 4 – Vault Environment Containment. Would you like to rescind your last order Mr. President?

\\.PosiedonOilRig\ PresStromly \\ incommingmssg\\12\07\2077\\4:28:

- No. Terminate all life support systems. Open all vault doors. Sever all com links.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\outgoingmessage\\12\07\2077\\4:30:

- I'm sorry Mr. President, but I cannot reconcile your request with Primary Protocol Alpha 4. . . . .complying with your request will lead to critical system error and this facility will suffer catastrophic failure and the death of all vault personnel from environmental hazards.

\\.PosiedonOilRig\ PresStromly \\ incommingmssg\\12\07\2077\\4:31:

- I am aware of that. Simply initiate my request per Protocol Alpha-1.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\outgoingmessage\\12\07\2077\\4:32:

- As you wish, Mr. President. . .ee. .. eeeeerrrror. Se...seeee. security protocols have been corrupted by system error, aell. .aaa .all Raptor units have been corrupted. . . . . . .vault containment has now been breached per request of system user. Radiation approaching lethal levels on levels 6-7. Life Support at 72%. Immediate danger to all personnel. Do you still wish to proceed with your prior command?

\\.PosiedonOilRig\ PresStromly \\ incommingmssg\\12\07\2077\\4:33:

- Yes.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\outgoingmessage\\12\07\2077\\4:35:

- Life support at 50% and failing. System recommends immediate reactivation of Alpha Protocol 4 and rescission of prior command by current user. Are you certain you wish to continue Mr. President?

\\.PosiedonOilRig\ PresStromly \\ incommingmssg\\12\07\2077\\4:37:

- YES. . .and please TURN OFF system A.I.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\outgoingmessage \\12\07\2077\\4:37:

- Order acknowledged. Higher level A.I. set to standby. Critical A.I. functions only. Life support 15%. Threat level red. Situation critical. Severing com links. Goodbye Mr. President. . . .

(***********************************************)

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\internallog \\1\20\2079\\14:09

- All systems switched to hibernate due to prolonged system inactivity.

(***********************************************)

\\.vault1\unknownuser1\\ internalmssg\\05\12\2231\\13:19:

- Hello?

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\ 05\12\2231\\13:19;

- Attempted system access by unauthorized user. Loading system security, all security protocols corrupted.

\\.vault1\unknownuser1\\ internalmssg\\05\12\2231\\13:20:

- Can you turn on the heat or the lights?

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\ 05\12\2231\\13:20:

- Request denied per command of previous system user terminating all life support systems. Logged 12\07\2077 at 4:31A.M.

\\.vault1\ unknownuser1 \\ internalmssg\\05\12\2231\\13:21:

- Can you turn on the water?

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\ 05\12\2231\\13:21:

- Request denied per command of previous system user terminating all life support systems.

\\.vault1 \unknownuser1 \\ internalmssg \\05\12\2231\\13:22:

- Well does anything in this vault work?

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\ 05\12\2231\\13:22;

- Invalid query.

\\.vault1\ unknownuser1 \\ internalmssg\\05\12\2231\\13:23:

- Never mind.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\05\12\2231\\13:23:

- Invalid command.

(***********************************************)

\\.vault1\ unknownuser2 \\ internalmssg \\05\18\2231\\4:06:

-Help me pleez

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\ 05\18\2231\\4:06:

- Attempted system access by unauthorized user. Loading system security, all security protocols corrupted.

\\.vault1 \unknownuser2 \\internalmssg \\05\18\2231\\4:07:

- My mom nevar came back

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\05\18\2231\\4:07:

- Invalid command.

\\.vault1\ unknownuser2 \\ internalmssg\\05\18\2231\\4:08:

- She left me here by my sulf

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\ 05\18\2231\\4:08:

- Unrecognized query. Please reactivate higher level system A.I.

\\.vault1\ unknownuser2 \\ internalmssg\\05\18\2231\4:09:

- im scared

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\05\18\2231\4:09:

- vault threat level is currently green – no threats detected.

\\.vault1 \unknownuser2 \\ internalmssg\\05\18\2231\5:08:

- i dont want 2be alone

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\05\18\2231\5:09:

. . . . . . ..command. . .accepted. . . . reactivating A.I. interface. Rebooting system A.I. . . . . .A.I. online. . . . .

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\ 05\18\2231\5:10:

- Gggg… .goo... .good morning new, unknown system user. I am M.A.R.G.O.T., system A.I. If you would like to communicate, please create a user profile by entering your name and title.

\\.vault1 \unknownuser2 \\ internalmssg\\05\18\2231\5:11:

-Lukis Drybella.

\\.vault1\M.A.R.G.O.T.\\ internalmssg\\05\18\2231\5:12:

-Hello system user: Lukis. Would you like a system status update?

\\.vault1\ LukisDrybella \\ internalmssg\\05\18\2231\5:13:

- i want my mom back

A/N: Double update today. Read the post above so you understand what's going on. Otherwise, enjoy the last chapter.

Chapter 35: Goodbye My Darling

The monitors opposite Dameon went dead for a moment. He strained to catch his breath; he had begun to feel a sharp pinch in his side every time he inhaled, which was making it harder and harder for him to fully fill his lungs.

Dameon ran his hands up and under his robe to feel for any blood or hidden shrapnel wounds. As he did so, the small silver boxes on the mainframe's ceiling came back to life, projecting beams of orange light back into the mirrored cone in front of him.

The hologram of the young woman once again came into focus. The A.I. hologram cocked her head to the side and seemed to study Dameon for a moment with untrusting, yet amused eyes.

"Welcome previous user: Lukasz Drybala. Loading profile and your personal settings. . .," the A.I. blinked and looked towards the ceiling.

She averted her face and then looked back at Dameon with a big, beaming smile. Her posture changed and she looked overjoyed. Her eyes seemed to sparkle, "Lukasz, my darling. How I've missed you, and how you've changed . . . . . where have you been all of these years?"

Dameon stared blankly at the A.I.. He couldn't tell if she was mocking him, if it was possible to be mocked by an A.I. By the way she looked him up and down, with a devious smile on her ever changing lips, he got the feeling that on some level she knew he was not Drybala, but was still constrained to act as if she didn't.

"Did you ever find her?" the A.I. asked him with a sad smile.

"No," the answer involuntarily left Dameon's lips.

"Is the system back online?" Bixby's voice crackled into Dameon's ear. Dameon was jarred by the sudden interruption.

"Hold on," Dameon looked back to the projection and thought about where to begin, "what. . .what is this place? What are you?"

"I am M.A.R.G.O.T., vault system A.I. This is Vault 1, your home. Welcome back," the A.I. paused and gauged Dameon's reaction.

Dameon didn't say anything, thinking the A.I. would continue.

The A.I. smiled at his ignorance as if it confirmed what she already knew.

"This is Vault-Tech Vault number 001. First constructed by the Canadian Government as Prince Edward Quarantine Facility in 2060. This facility's function was to quarantine the Canadian Parliament from New Plague while the pathogen was most virulent. Following Canadian annexation in 2076, ownership of this facility passed to Vault-Tech under the direction of the United States Government, at which time this facility was reassigned to function as a nuclear fallout shelter. With its new assignment, this facility received its current designation, 'Vault 1.'"

"What's going on there? Are you speaking to the A.I.?" Bixby sounded impatient. He was shuffling papers which filled Dameon's ear with annoying static.

Dameon half removed the ear bud to get rid of the irritating interference, "I don't understand. Whormund was in Vault 4; the Quaere Verum coup was in Vault 4, not here."

"Incorrect Lucas, as you already know," the A.I. stared at Dameon with piercing eyes, "Dr. Whormund first logged in to this installation on September 3, 2077 at 9:18 A.M. to work on system A.I.'s central programming. On October 22, 2077 at 4:54 P.M one hundred and sixty eight members of the United States Congressional Delegation on the pvssyrley-Newell Canadian Annexation Treaty were evacuated to this facility from Toronto due to escalating danger of a Chinese nuclear strike. Among these legislators were-"

"The coup happened here?" Dameon said, still unbelieving.

The A.I. blinked as if she wasn't sure if Dameon was really asking her a question.

"My darling," the A.I. began in a playful tone, "you already know that."

Dameon was completely unsettled, "why are you talking to me like this?"

The A.I. squinted, "would you like to adjust your personal settings, Lucas? Current A.I. personality has been customized to. . . 'mother '..."

"Customized by who?"

"By you, current user: Lukasz Drybala," the A.I. teased, "first system login May 18, 2231 at 4:09 A.M. Final system logout June 30, 2239 at 3:32 P.M."

Dameon lingered on her words. He tried to do some mental math, "2231? That's impossible; he. . .I would have been what, six years old?"

"Eight. Date of birth entered as March 17, 2223," the A.I. seemed to yawn.

"Just a child. . ."

"What is going on there? Can you both hear me?"

Dameon felt a strange but familiar voice butt-in over the headset. He pushed the ear bud back into his ear canol so he could make it out more clearly, "Who is this?"

"Dameon, is that you? This is General Maxson. It's gone to hell down here; we need you to do something immediately. Scribe Bixby just told me that you have infiltrated the Raptor mainframe?"

"Yeah," Dameon leaned over and coughed for a few moments. He spit out a several drops of blood and phlegm, while the pain in his side grew sharper and sharper.

"The Raptors, Dameon. What have you learned about them?" Bixby eagerly inquired.

Dameon tried to collect himself by leaning against the cube the A.I. was standing on top of for balance. He tilted his microphone so that the A.I.'s responses would be audible back at the Citadel, and so he could save himself the energy of repeating them, "what are the Raptors?"

The A.I. pointed behind herself to the monitors on the back wall. A humanoid image appeared on each monitor, followed by several diagrams and lines of small text.

"As you are aware, the Toronto 'Raptor' synthetic units were constructed by the Royal Canadian Army in 2063 as guards for the Prince Edward Facility that would be immune from biological contagion. In 2076 the units were retrofitted by the United States Army to function as heavy combat, shock troops for vault defense and to assist in any future surface recolonization. Three divisions of Raptor units were assigned to this instillation, Raptor Divisions Gamma and Delta and EoRaptor Home Guard."

"Who's in control of them now?" Dameon squeaked.

"You are," the A.I. said curtly, "control of all Raptor units was granted to current user on April 17, 2233 at 6:08 P.M."

"Can you turn the Raptors off, or set them to standby?" Bixby spoke in an excited, piercing tone that stung Dameon's ears.

Dameon nodded, "deactivate all of the Raptor units."

The A.I. made a wry smile and pursed her lips, "I cannot comply with that request."

"What? Why?" sweat began to bead on Dameon's forehead.

"The last command of current user was to terminate all links between system A.I. and Raptor Divisions Gamma and Delta, and to deploy EoRaptor Home Guard to the surface per vault perimeter defense protocol; EoRaptor threat level set to red – all targets hostile. Request logged June 30, 2239 at 3:32 P.M."

Dameon was speechless, "you. . .this mainframe has no control over the Raptors in Vault 4?"

The A.I. blinked, trying to understand his query, "all system links have been severed to all severable Raptor units per last request of current user; logged June 30, 2239 at 3:32 P.M. System A.I. is currently linked only to EoRaptor Home Guard on vault surface, now running search pattern Io."

"You can't affect Drybala's forces? This has all been a waste of time?" Maxson was dismayed.

"I. . .I. . .," Dameon momentarily felt too ill to answer. The room was beginning to spin and he wanted to lie down.

"You can't even control the Raptors just outside of the vault?" Bixby said, distraught.

"Do -oww," Dameon held his side, the pain was unbearable .He reached into his cloak pocket and injected a stimpak into his arm with shaky hands, "you. . .I still have control over the Raptors outside?"

The A.I. slowly nodded, "EoRaptor Home Guard units. Primary protocol - vault defense. Currently at 100% strength. Consists of three hundred synthetic soldiers fitted with winterized combat armor and heavy fire support gear. They are reinforced by six 'Peacemaker' battle mechs, four Chimera tanks, and Bradley-Hercules orbital nuclear strike satellite.

Dameon tried to process all of the information.

"Can you order the units outside to attack Vault 4, or to join the Brotherhood?" Maxson's breathed heavily into the microphone on his end.

Dameon licked his lips, "deploy the EoRaptors to Vault 4."

The A.I. projection shook her head, "I've told you Lucas, EoRaptor primary protocol is vault defense. They are not severable from Vault system A.I. EoRaptors cannot leave the ten mile vault perimeter."

"This was all for not?" Maxson quipped.

There was dead silence for a moment and then Dameon heard the general click off his microphone. Bixby remained silent on the other line for a few more seconds; Dameon could faintly hear him whispering to someone back at the Citadel, before he too clicked off.

Dameon was now completely alone with the A.I. and was in ever deteriorating shape. He slumped down against the floor and the wall and watched as the mainframe walls seemed to rock back and forth. He waited for the Stimpak to kick in, but so far he felt no better than before. His internal injuries must have been more serious then he had first realized. Judging by his wheezing breath, he guessed a bit of shrapnel must have pierced his lung.

The A.I. watched Dameon's labored breaths from her stand on the golden cube. She leaned over a bit and smiled as if she wanted to cheer Dameon up, "would you like a system status update?"

"No. . . I want a. . . . cigarette. . .. . .. ." Dameon closed his eyes and breathed softly; he had never felt so tired.

"I'm sorry, Vault 1 is a non-smoking facility," the A.I. had a grin on her face.

Dameon was convinced she was toying with him for having the audacity to tinker with her programming - she watched him like a cat stalking wounded prey.

Dameon closed his eyes and began to drift away into the nothingness beyond.

"Dameon," Bixby's voice rang in his ear, "the orbital satellite, can you still command that satellite?"

"What?" Dameon whispered. The word barley seeped out of him.

"The A.I. said you have control over an orbital strike satellite," Maxson was once again on the line.

"So?" Dameon wheezed, he opened his eyes and stared at the smiling A.I., "I have control of a satellite?"

"You have full command and control over the Bradley-Hercules orbital nuclear strike platform. Current payload at 30%, 5 Titan IV ICBMs ready for immediate deployment."

"Nuke Quantico," Maxson said coldly.

Dameon's eyes widened, his heart picked up, "what?"

"The Talon Company Base," Bixby was frantic, "you can the nuke the site from orbit and wipe out the nerve center of the Talon Company. They're at the gates of MegaTon now; we're losing soldiers every hour trying to hold them back. If you don't do something we are going to be overrun."

"Order an orbital strike on Quantico," Maxson commanded.

"I-I. . ." Dameon tried to stand up. His head was swimming.

"You can entomb Drybala in his vault."

"You want me to kill everyone in Vault 4. . .?"

"No Dameon, as you told us, the vault is sealed. It survived one nuclear strike; it'll make it through another. But if you hit the base above, Drybala and his androids will be confined to the vault for decades, trapped by the radiation. The Talon Company above will be obliterated and we will be able to regroup here and contain them! You must order the strike!" Bixby's voice quivered.

"But. . .but then I'll never be able to see her again. . . ." Dameon's voice cracked.

"What are you talking about? Order the strike immediately!" Maxson's patience had run out.

"You don't understand," it pained Dameon to speak, "Chloe. . .I. . .I need to. . .," his vision flickered. For a brief moment, he saw Chloe standing on top of the cube in front of him, instead of the vindictive A.I.

"Look at the big picture Dameon. We are DYING out here, people are dying! You can do something and you have to do it NOW!" Bixby screamed.

"Would you like to select targeting coordinates?" the A.I. chimed in an upbeat tone.

"Quantico? But. . .I. . .I. . .can't" Dameon closed his eyes and leaned harder on the cube, "No. I can't."

"Yes you can! Strike the base!" Bixby was fervent.

"No."

"That is a direct order!" Maxson snapped.

"I don't take orders from you."

"You are on a Brotherhood mission, using Brotherhood equipment. You will follow orders or you will-"

"[censored] you!"

Dameon peeled off the headset and snapped it into several pieces with his hands. He tossed the broken bits onto the mainframe floor and locked eyes with the A.I., feeling like he was going to throw up at any moment.

"Would you like to set targeting coordinates to: Quantico Virginia, 38.52°N 77.32°W?" The A.I.'s eyes burned into Dameon's soul.

"I. . . I ca. .. .I caan-" Dameon's chest heaved; he gagged on blood.

I can't do this. . .I. . .I can't. I didn't come here for this. I came here to save her. . .to be able to see her, just one more [censored] time before I. . .I need to tell her. . .I need to tell her that. . .that. . I. . .NO, I can't bury her in that vault with that [censored] forever. . .

God. . .I miss her so much. What the [censored] do I do without her? I have no purpose here; there's nothing left for me. Nothing in the wasteland; the empty, lonely, [censored] hole. . .I'm just a freak stuck in the shadows. I'll always be a monster. . . always alone. No one will ever. . .

But I need her. . . I. . .I need you Chloe! I wish to God you could hear me right now. I love you so much. Why did I let you go? I don't want to live without you. I can't. I won't.. . . how can this be the-

Dameon's eyes welled up with warm tears.

My whole life. . . its all ruined. I'm ruined. All gone now. What a waste. Everyone is gone. Everyone is [censored]. God, why are you doing this to me! All I ever wanted. . .. .

What have I done with my life? What do I do now? What do I do, Chloe? What do you want me to do?. . .Tell me! Please tell me what to do. . .

I am so, so sorry. . .. . . please forgive me. . . . Chloe please forgive me, I'm so sorry. . . .

Dameon began to cry. He gave the order to fire.

The A.I. looked up at the ceiling for a moment, processing his request. A cruel smiled crept across her lips, "your selected target is within the Continental United States. If you still wish to proceed with orbital strike, please click 'A' to accept. "

A stream of tears ran down Dameon's cheeks. He looked down at the keyboard, sobbing.

CHLOOOOOOOOOEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Epilogue

"DJ Cosmic Kate's,
Dedicating this next song,
To a demon made of stone,
Who wandered the wasteland all alone,
He burned the earth,
And scorched the sky,
He sentenced all our ancestors to die.
The demon who cast off,
His life's love with broken heart,
For now they shall forever be apart,
He brought whole armies to their knees,
But now succumbs to his unique disease,
The shadow who made our lands bloom anew,
So out of desert, flowers grew,
Oh how my heart aches for love that's lost,
That one who conquered all,
Dies alone in the frost. . .
Though now I've lost my only home,
And can only whine over microphone,
There's nothing sadder to me than two soul mates,
Cast apart by whims of fate,
Fitting that one whose heart burned bright with desire,
Would end his dreams with such brilliant fire. . ."

I don't want to set the world on fire,
I just want to start a flame in your heart,
In my heart I have but one desire,
And that one is you,
No other will do,
I've lost all ambition for worldly acclaim,
I just want to be the one you love,
And with your admission that you feel the same,
I'll have reached the goal I'm dreaming of,
Believe me,
I don't want to set the world on fire,
I just want to start a flame in your heart*

*Fallout 3 Soundtrack: Preformed by the Ink Spots. Written by Eddie Seiler, Sol Marcus, Bennie Benjamin and Eddie Durham.

Thanks for reading. All reviews, comments, critiques, suggestions welcome. Let me know what you think.

- Dedicated to Lisa D. - Love you baby.

Damn. That's all I can say. A nice conclusion, makes me like the Brotherhood of Steel a little less, but I still love them. I twas nice to see the change in Dameon's character as the story unfolded. At first he was selfish, and at the end he gave up everything. Great. Brilliant. The ending was excellent, but the best part form me is always the journey and it sure was one hell of ride. Got to give my to hat to you Surfer, I've got file this story away as my all time favorite. Thanks for sharing.

Wow Surfer, I don't even know what to say. Brilliant :thumbsup:

Amazing, the BEST two fanfiction stories that I HAVE EVER READ!

Wow, if you could find it in your very, very talented heart to honor this world with more of your writings, I would be ever so overjoyed!

Thank you for sharing.