A+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Nice addition to the story! But the layout after the note from the benefactor is a bit messed up.

Yes, sorry about any code errors, my MS Word hasn't been very cooperative when it comes to copying and pasting.

Also, I've gotten a good sense of where the story is going, and I've decided that the story will have two major parts. One part is what has happened so far plus a couple chapters. The other part is still in development, but that isn't my main focus right now. I've been thinking about having a public RP fill in the gap between the two parts. If I do this, would anyone join?

I would.

When the story gets to that point, I think I will make that RP thread.

But of course I gotta write a few more chapters, hopefully the next one will be up Wednesday, but of course it may be subject to delays

I will. If you want I can use the Character that I have developing in my RP (check sig) or just make a new one. Your RP, your call.

Indeed, I like that idea, I'm in so many RP's it isn't funny, but I'd love another.

Good story. And Missouri eh?

Ding Ding Ding we have a winner :cookie:



I wouldn't mind if you used your character.



Just how many are you in? :blink:

Chapter 8
Friends are Close, Foes get Closer
I opened my eyes, only blurry images were visible, and I heard a couple people fussing over me.

"Is he Alive?" Demanded a man's gruff voice

"See his chest? Its going up and down, I'd say that's a symptom of the living," replied someone else, sounding older, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Send him to me when he recovers," said the first voice.

Suddenly my vision darkened forcefully.

"Oops, I think I gave him too much, he might be out for a while," said the first voice, worry entering his tone.






I woke up once again, but the world wasn't blurry, in fact, it seemed vivid with life, and everything seemed intact. I sat up on the bed I had been laying on. Where am I? I thought.

I looked at my clothes, a striped T-shirt and khaki pants. These clothes were definitely not mine, I thought. I saw a beam of light emanating from a nearby window. Curious to know more about my surroundings, I walked over to the window and I looked through the clear glass.

I saw houses, neighborhoods, as they must have looked before Nuclear Armageddon. I must be dreaming, I thought. A man entered through a door on my right.

"Hey I thought you'd never wake up," the man said brightly

"Who are you?" I asked

"You honestly don't remember me Robert? I'm your brother!" he exclaimed.

"Robert? My name is Caleb??" I trailed off.

"That's just like you Robert, always playing your mind games," he replied.

Sighing, I decided to continue this frivolous conversation. "So I guess you found me after that nuclear explosion right?"

"Nuclear explosion?" he frowned, "Don't put those types of thoughts in our heads, we are all worried enough about the communist threat."

"Commies?" it was my turn to frown.

"Yes, the war we are in with the Chinese. Where have you been?" He sounded thoroughly confused.

"Umm, yeah of course, war, Chinese, got it," I stumbled.

An alarm sounded off in the distance.

"C'mon let's go," he urged, tugging at my shirt sleeve.

My vision blurred seemingly without reason.

"C'mon???" the voice seemed to change, more elderly and weathered.




"C'mon?." My vision started to refocus, but it was much darker and gloomier. A face of an elderly man with white hair and goatee blocked out most of the scenery behind him, too close to see anything beyond.

"Wakey, wakey??." He said in a high pitched tone.

"Where??..Where am I?" I grumbled.

"Well I don't know the name of the place, but I can tell you that you are far north of the D.C. Ruins,"

"Who are you?" I asked, senses and feeling starting to return, namely pain.

"A bit curious are you? I am Doctor Clayton, Brotherhood Outcast." He puffed up proudly after his announcement.

"An Outcast??. Why even bother with me then? I thought you hard asses only collected tech."

"We focus on collecting tech, but one of our party insisted that we help you,"

"Who?"

As I said this, a Power Armored trooper entered the room through a rotting wood door. The soldier's armor was painted black, with red stripes-the usual outfit of a Brotherhood Outcast- he strode toward the bed on which I lay on.

"Hello Caleb," he droned through the helmet.

"Do I know you?" I asked, unable to recognize the voice through the helmet's speaker.

"Does the name Michael familiar to you?" he asked with an edge in his voice.

"Michael, as in my squad mate from The Purge?" My voice rose with excitement.

He lifted his hands to his helmet, and tugged it off. His face was a dark tan, covered with numerous burns and scars. One side of his face was completely blackened, probably from some sort of explosion.

"In the flesh, or what's left anyway," he replied, a slight grin appeared on his face.

I sat up, noticing the absence of my Power Armor. "Where's my things?" I wondered.

"They are in the crate beneath your bed, we have taken a few liberties though," he answered.

"What liberties?" I asked, tone turning deadly serious.

"Well we found a few things next to your body after the explosion, and our mission is to collect tech??" he trailed off.

"You took my things!" I exclaimed.

"I had no choice," he replied forcefully. "I only have so much pull with these guys."

Back to my old gear, I thought.

"You know, I heard about what happened with the Brotherhood, I just want you to know if you ever want to join??"

"No," I said flatly "Nothing personal, just conflicting goals."

He gave me a simple nod to show he understood.

I stood up in my underwear, eager to suit up again. I was about to ask where my things were, but Michael pointed beneath the bed I had been on, reminding me that he had already pointed out the location of my gear.

I pulled the rectangular wooden crate from beneath the bed and lifted the lid. Inside lay my Power Armor which was laying in tatters and my Laser Rifle, burnt and dirtied.

I managed to pull the few remaining scraps of my armor on, hydraulics whined and creaked with every movement. Then I gripped my Laser Rifle, feeling how fragile the weapon felt.

As I stood, I saw a mirror, which I used to inspect myself.

I looked pathetic; you could see skin through the large holes in the armor. The suit offered little protection, but I was going to have to make do with what I had.

Michael looked me over, and held in a chuckle. "We are going to have to-"

An explosion cut him off.

Gunfire sounded, mostly Laser blasts accompanied by the crack of sniper rifles.

An intercom broadcast a message, "All Outcasts, report to battle stations. I repeat, report to battle stations.

"You coming?'" he asked urgently.

I dropped my useless rifle and glanced at Michael. "I need a new weapon."

He took a Laser Rifle off his back and tossed to me, along with a couple of micro-fusion cells.

I snatched the Rifle from the air, along with the cells. I quickly loaded a cell and pulled the charging handle, hearing the distinct whine as the weapon was loaded.

Michael drew a Laser Pistol from his hip and inserted an energy cell pack and the pistol hummed with power. He opened the door he had entered through, allowing a shaft of light to enter the room.

Artillery sounded, whistling followed by a whopping explosion.

A stray laser burst fried the intercom, but the looped emergency message continued to play, distorted.

"Report to Battle Stations."

OOC: I have finally finished with school for the summer! No more exams!

I am dreadfully sorry to the Sigma Squad RP, I had to go many, many places and do many things (Mostly school related) But Finally I can be online much longer!

Just thought a small explaination was in order.

Edit: Also my most recent chapter went through at least 3 different versions taking up much time (One was at least 4 Pages long in MS Word!), this one works better than the others I think.

More please!

Chapter 9
War?.War Never Changes
Michael and I abandoned the relative safety of the makeshift shack, leaving the Doc to deal with any and all casualties. I walked outside, ready for combat, uneasy from the absence of a helmet. "C'mon, we need to see Defender Madison," Said Michael.



I nodded and gripped my Laser Rifle for comfort, for death could happen at any moment, even though the entire area was walled off, abet poorly. We approached a man near a small group of tents in an armor I recognized as Enclave Power Armor, painted the usual black with red stripes.

"Sir!" shouted Michael, saluting.

"No saluting here, we can't let the enemy know I'm an officer," he replied.

"Who are we up against, Defender?" questioned Michael.

Madison sighed. "Damn Enclave bastards?.. Must have arrived from the West coast. You and our friend," he said this with an edge. "Will set up on the Main Gate," He motioned toward a small pile of dead Outcast bodies. "Caleb, you take what you need from these corpses, you won't last a minute in that getup."

I rummaged through the bodies, trying to find one in decent condition. In the end I settled for a suit that has some minor burns, only with one major tear in the back that seemed to have come from a Deathclaw.

After struggling into the suit, I lowered the helmet, hearing a pneumatic hiss as the suit confirmed that it was sealed. Retrieving my Laser Rifle, I hurriedly jogged toward the main gate, seeing that Michael had already taken up a position.

I ascended up a small metal staircase and joined Michael. Michael had come to possess a Gatlin Laser, he wielded it and wore the Charge pack on his back. I looked down at my Laser Rifle, it seemed miniscule in comparison with Michael's weapon, but was deadly in a different way.

The Gatlin Laser fired so many lasers that it was going to hit the target eventually, but the Laser Rifle fired accurate beams that could be aimed at specific things.

As the familiar sound of a Vertibird approached, I wondered who I should help.

The Enclave had made me into who I am, gave me a new life, new powers. But they had tried to kill me.

That could not be forgotten, nor forgiven.

I decided to throw my lot in with the Outcasts, deciding that the Enclave was not worthy of my assistance.

The Vertibird I had heard made its presence known by launching a pair of missiles at Defender Madison's position. Michael and I immediately retaliated, Michael loosing hundreds of deadly beams, and me firing precision shots into the Vertibird's rotors.

The Vertibird proceeded to land in front of the gate, fire pouring out from its engines'. Advanced Power Armored troops charged off their bird, plasma weapons cradled in their arms.

They immediately opened fire.

Green charges flew through the air, mainly connecting with the crude defenses the Outcasts had set up. One struck my right shoulder, melting the armor. Steam emanated from where the plasma bolt stuck, and my skin underneath felt as if badly sunburned.

I aimed my Laser Rifle and squeezed the trigger. A laser beam burned through one of the soldiers' helmets, frying his brain. Dead.

The other soldiers continued to fire.

Michael opened up on them, showering the Enclave troopers with lasers. Many fell under his merciless barrage, but any troops unaffected fired upon him, bolts of plasma collided with his chest plate, burning through the tough metal alloy. I quickly fired on the soldiers, firing as fast as the rifle would allow.

As soon as the soldiers had died of my laser bursts, I turned my attention to Michael, who appeared to be seriously wounded.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Michael had a coughing fit, and pointed off in the distance. I turned to see a Vertibird flying at a high speed straight at us!

The Vertibird pulled up and gained altitude, and it revealed a chain of Mini-Nuke bombs.

I grabbed Michael and hurled him off the gate, soon followed by myself.

A series of explosions occurred, one followed immediately by another.

Then one struck the wall we had been standing on, and it blew us away. I tumbled through the air (starting to become a familiar feeling!) unable to control my movements. I smashed my head hard on something, nearly causing me to black out.

Sound had faded away, my sight was failing, and it was only through luck that I didn't pass out.

My body ached all over, having just recovered from a nuclear explosion and being submit to another. Suddenly the pain faded away; Am I dead?

An Outcast helmet entered my field of vision, and appeared to have been talking. Too bad it was vaporized by a plasma burst just seconds after I saw him.

I looked to where the blast seemed to originate from, and saw Enclave troops entering the base.

I jumped to my feet and looked on the ground for a weapon. I spotted Defender Madison's body and I took a pair of Laser pistols he had on his hip. Holding one in each hand, I confirmed that they were loaded and started firing on the invading Enclave forces.

My hearing started to return, I could detect the familiar crack of the pistols as they fired. I aimed for a soldier's head and shattered it with a devastating beam of destruction, spraying brain and blood into the air.

I continued on a bloody rampage killing, and incinerating the Enclave troops. As I killed them I made my way to where the main gate used to be; it had been replaced by a large crater.

A few plasma bolts struck my armor, causing it to vent steam from every emergency hatch. Still on meds, I felt little pain and I continued to fire the pistols with unparalleled accuracy, burning through visors and searing necks.

After I made it to the crater, I had no more charge in the pistols, and one foe remaining. As I dropped the pistols, he shouldered his rifle and executed a textbook chest shot. My armor melted away, revealing the bare chassis.

Full of adrenaline, I sprinted at him, surprising the soldier. He struggled to raise the Plasma Rifle in time and I smacked the weapon out of his hands. Vulnerable, I struck his helmet with my fist, cracking it.

The soldier raised his fists, ready to fight.

I raised my own, ready to engage in close quarters combat.

He swung at my head.

I ducked and launched an uppercut at his helmet, shattering it.

Blood streamed down his face and into his eyes, he breathed hard, weary of any attacks I might attempt.

I faked a jab, causing him to raise his arms. As he did this, I smashed his armored knee with a powerful kick.

It didn't break the armor, but I could tell he was in serious pain. Grimacing, he continued to have his fists raised, ready to strike.

I kicked his leg again, as he was weary of a fake strike. I heard the snap as his knee broke, and he fell, crying.

Having no appropriate weapon, I brought my foot down upon his head smashing it to pieces. Brain and bone stuck to my boots that were now stained.

I looked around; weary of more hostiles when I heard a tiny Thwink!

I looked down at my feet to see a small blue device at the tip of my foot. I hurriedly tried to dive away, but the grenade detonated, releasing a blue pulse that darkened my vision.

I struggled to stay conscious, but the battle had taken its toll on me and my body is forcing me to submit.

I turned my head to see the battlefield, or what's left of it anyway.

Dead bodies littered the ground, both Enclave and Outcast. Peace could have been made, but instead, war occurred, which in the past caused grief and destruction.

And War.

War Never Changes.

OOC: Nearing the end of part one........ Just two more chapters!!!

The RP should be up this weekend along with a new premium Project Predator (I've made lots of micro-edits in word!) and it includes some extra tid-bits not in the normal edition. (I would just edit it in but my computer starts getting wonky when I edit something)

The wait is almost over........ Chapter 10 is on the way!

Afterthought: 11 is a real bad number to end on......... may integrate 11 into 10 or spread out into 12 chapters.......anything but 11

So there's more parts to this story?

Yes the rest of this part (The two three one? chapter left) Then a public RP, (5 to 7 spots) Then Part 2

Should call it something other than a 'part' ....... episode or something creative.

Chapter 10
Part One
This is the Way the World Ends??.
A light burned into my eyes, rudely awaking me. As my eyes adjusted, I was able to distinguish the figure of a man. As he approached the light I recognized him immediately, his beige overcoat and stern look a dead giveaway.

Colonel Autumn.

"Do you hate your country?" he asked softly.

"No, not in particular?" I replied.

"Then why are you trying to destroy us, the government?" he shouted.

"Why did you try to [censored] kill me!? I found the holotape and listened to you bastard!"

The Colonel's eyes widened. "Did you now? I knew I should have killed Carl when I had the chance, I knew he would never kill you."

"Why have me killed anyways? I was working for you!"

"You were only an experiment, nothing more than a trial to see if our personnel could survive the surgeries. The Pip-Boy has been sending us medical data and we have perfected the procedure."

He looked behind him and waved his hand.

"Let me introduce you to the pinnacle of medical science, Charlie step forward please."

A giant of a man stepped forward; he bulged with muscles and moved with mechanical proficiency. As he entered the light I saw that his mouth was sewn shut, replaced by a small vent, and his eyes glowed deep red.



"Charlie here is better than you in every single way, we even made some more upgrades." He drawled in his southern accent. "Hell he even ran to your house before you got there, left that bomb."

I was very confused, "Why did you leave me the rifle and modified Fatman?"

The Colonel shot a furious glance at Charlie, "I was wondering what happened to the gear we gave him."

Charlie looked down, shamed.

"Doesn't matter, that's just a minor setback." Autumn turned around and a doctor stepped out of the shadows. "Dissect him; learn what makes this man tick."

Autumn left the room through a door under a sign that said Experimental Surgeries. He was followed closely by Charlie, who looked back with a sad expression on his face. He turned away to follow Autumn, leaving me alone with the Doctor.

"Hello once again," he said cheerily.

I groaned audibly, this was the same doctor that gave me the upgrades.

"Time to see how your body is holding up with the surgeries."

He raised a scalpel and made a swift cut on my biceps. He reached down and lifted a small precision laser cutter. He pulsed the trigger, quickly burning through my skin and the thin metal layer underneath.

He dropped the laser carelessly and retrieved a syringe from his coat pocket. He stabbed my arm and withdrew blood, it slowly filled the container.

He turned around then and I was left with a small ache in my right arm. I struggled against the metal clamps that held my limbs back. The doctor turned around and I stopped all motion. He looked at the wound he had made.

"Amazing?.." he trailed off.

His cold finger touched where he had made his cut. I looked to see what had surprised him.

The metal sheet had miraculously been repaired. He quickly retrieved his laser cutter from the floor and sliced through it again, accompanied by a sharp sting of pain.

We watched silently as the metal started to grow back. "This is a miracle!" the doctor exclaimed. He started dancing with joy, shouting.

I decided that if there was a time to break out, this was it. I strained against my bonds, hearing the bolts holding it together squeak.

The doctor was busy shouting with joy and scribbling on a notepad to notice my escape efforts. The bond on my right arm broke with a loud Clank!

The doctor froze mid scribble and turned around slowly. I darted forward with my hand and took the laser cutter from him and I pointed at him threateningly.

He looked to his left, an alarm button sat on the wall.

"Don't even think about it," I said.

He tensed up for a quick dash.

I squeezed the trigger and moved the cutter in a slicing motion.

The doctor fell apart, his waist had been hit and he had been halved. As he hit the metal floor with a dull Thud! He screamed with pain, echoing in the small metal room.

Another blast silenced him.

I quickly cut off the remaining bonds and freed myself.

I stood up and searched the room for something, anything I could use as a weapon, as I couldn't detach the laser cutter (it needed lots of power). As I search the doctor's lab coat I recovered a Laser Pistol and a couple of energy cell packs.

I opened the pistol and slammed a cell home. It hummed with power.

My next problem was armor, as I was dressed in only my underwear. After searching through a cabinet I managed to locate a lab coat and a set of matching white pants.

I decided to try to use this disguise to get me as close to Autumn as possible. I left the Experimental Surgery room through the same door as Autumn. As I emerged into the brightly lit hallway, I was accosted by a couple of soldiers in Power Armor.

"Is that [censored] dead?" he droned through his armor's PA.

"No, not yet I was just going to tell Autumn something important."

The soldiers stepped back, "Okay, just tell us when you kill that guy in there, we'll dispose of the body."

I nodded and was about to start walking when I remembered that I didn't know where Autumn was. "Do you fellas know where Autumn is? That would quicken things up a little."

"He's down in the Communication center," they said simultaneously.

"Thanks" I said. I looked the signs overhead following the arrows' directions to the communication center.

After minutes of wandering through the maze-like corridors, I arrived at a large door that read Communication Center.

I walked in front of it and it opened automatically. "Nice," I muttered. I went inside to confront Autumn.



Part Two
??Not With a Bang, But with a Whisper??
I walked along a brightly lit corridor, hearing the thud of my foot steps on the metal grating floor. After a minute of walking the hallway opened up into a big, round room. There were stairs that led to the bottom, where Autumn and Charlie stood in front of a large screen.

I crept forward slowly, pistol drawn, and I strained to hear what was heard.

"The Vault kid has been sighted at Vault 87, go and pick him up."

"But sir ,my projects???.."

"They will be taken care of, right now Project Purity is our main objective so get to it! Eden out."

"Yes Sir."

I wasn't sure of who said what, But I was sure the "Eden" person was the president.

Autumn turned around and spotted me immediately. He reached for a Laser pistol holstered on his waist.

I brought up my pistol and shot at his as he shot my pistol

The Laser Pistols melted in our hands. "Charile kill him!" he demanded.

Charlie retrieved a Plasma Rifle from his back and aimed at me. "Fire!" screamed Autumn.

Charlie shook uncontrollably.

"Kill Him!" Autumn shrieked.

I shook my head "No" I said softly.

Charlie turned to Autumn and fired a shot into his shoulder, vaporizing a good part of chest.

"Thanks." I nodded at Charlie. Charlie had a pleading look on his face.

Autumn was on the floor moaning in pain clutching his shoulder. I walked up to him and Charlie.

"Why did you save me?" I asked

Charlie looked around and retrieved a clipboard and pencil. He wrote on it, scribbling quickly. He turned the clipboard and showed me what he wrote.

It's me, Darren

The name rung a bell in my mind, it sounded very familiar. I looked at Charlie-now-Darren "Do I know you?"

He nodded and starting writing again. Once finished he showed it to me.

Your son, Darren.

I gasped with shock. Surely this wasn't my son! Hell Darren was a boy when the Super Mutants took him.

"You can't be Darren, you'd be a boy."

He scribbled furiously for about a minute.

The Enclave captured me and Mom, then they did experiments on me to make me grow, and added some type of mind control. Then Autumn made me his body guard. Autumn has Mom hostage somewhere, he said he would kill her if I tried to kill him.

"That's right," said Autumn, from the floor. He reached for a radio in his pocket. "This is Autumn, kill her." He said darkly.

"Yes Sir" the radio droned. A shot sounded and a scream was short lived.

"Angela!" I screamed.

"Too late," Autumn cackled.

I took the Plasma Rifle from Darren and shot Autumn in the chest.

He didn't die as his chest vaporized, his breathing however, was labored. "You think killing me will bring her back?" he coughed.

"No," I said aiming at him again "But it sure helps."

I fired at his chest again, turning him into a pile of green goo. I looked at Darren and he nodded. Suddenly a voice came over the PA.

"Colonel Autumn, please report to Experimental surgeries."

I knew word of my escape would get out eventually, but I had hoped for more time. Looking around for something I went to the terminal beneath the screen Autumn had been talking to.

I quickly accessed it and was greeted with a menu of options.

Welcome USER Colonel Autunm!

/Initiate conference

/Launch Missle Strike

/PA Use

/Shut down terminal



I clicked on the Missle Strike option and explored its files.

/Satellite maintenance

/Missle shutdown

/Launch from Ft. Constantine

/Launch from Satellite



Thinking quickly I chose the Launch from Constantine.

Launch Location/

/Base Self-Destruct

/Raven Rock

/Adams Air force Base

/Citadel

/Washington Monuement



The only targets I knew where the Citadel and Washington monument. In the end I decided the Base self-destruct, this way the Capitol Wasteland would be safe from the Enclave, or at least temporarily.

I clicked on the Self-destruct.

An Alarm sounded and an automated voice came over the intercom.

"Self-Destruction initiated, please vacate the base and reach minimum safe distance."

The message repeated, and from down here we heard the chaos as a hundred or so people panicked and tried to escape the coming missile. The intercom changed its message.

"Missile Launch detected! Please evacuate."

I sat down on the cold, hard floor, I knew Darren and I would never make it. My only satisfaction was knowing I had struck a critical blow on the Enclave.

"Impact imminent!"

Darren sat next to me unable to say anything. We simply looked ahead of us blankly, waiting for the moment.

I had lost my family then I discovered them, and now I have lost them just as quick as I had found them. A distinct roaring sound penetrated the base as the Missile neared. A thunderous Boom sounded.

"Goodbye son," I whispered, as a light neared, erasing everything.

"Goodbye"

Good Stuff =D, I will maybe give The Rp a go

A giant of a man stepped forward; he bulged with muscles and moved with mechanical proficiency. As he entered the light I saw that his mouth was sewn shut, replaced by a small vent, and his eyes glowed deep red.
Is that bit from Wolverine Origins?

I don't know, I'm waiting for the movie to come out on DvD

Part 2
Chapter One
Alex
New Beginnings
I looked out over the wasteland through a pair of scavenged binoculars. A sandstorm had started up, shrouding the road ahead.

"Damn," I muttered.

I had been spying on a small gang of raiders that were blocking my way to Tenpenny Tower. The group was dressed in leather straps and rusty scraps of metal. I wasn't sure how big the group was, but they didn't look well armed, only small pistols and rifles.

The storm started to get closer to me, I stowed the binoculars in my rucksack and lowered my goggles over eyes. I put on a balaclava, and adjusted my dark overcoat to protect my beige combat armor.

"This just seems to get better and better." I murmured to myself.

"And it's about to get even better," a rough voice whispered in my ear.

Something hard hit my head, dizzying me which got even worse due to the sandstorm arriving.

"Hahaha we got this [censored] good!" he shouted.

"You're not getting me that easy!" I yelled back.

I drew my 10mm Sub-Machinegun and fired while spinning in a circle. I screamed wildly, feeling the recoil of the automatic weapon. I heard a few grunts of pain, and a couple cries of real agony.

"You son of a [censored]!" One of them yelled.

I looked around, unable to see anything through the storm. My footing became uneven and I stumbled to the ground. Trying to locate my enemies, my hands were stretched out, groping. I touched something hot and metallic.

A car.

I reached down to my belt and retrieved a frag grenade. I pulled the pin and dropped the grenade by the car, hoping it would set the car's engine to critical. As I released the grenade, I struggled to my feet, sand buffeting me. I managed a slow jog and after 5 seconds of running I dived down and covered my head.

Boom! The grenade detonated.

I sure hope this works.

"What the [censored] was that?" One of the Raiders shouted.

"Was that one of us?" asked another.

"I think it was a gre-"

Ka-Boom! A wave of heat passed over me as the Raiders screamed. I reluctantly lifted my head.

The storm had cleared up some, and a small mushroom cloud was visible, steadily rising up. The sand around it had been turned to glass and scorched earth.

No raiders.

I turned toward the imposing tower on the horizon, and started walking away from the scene, cradling my aching head with my hands.

No manners at all, those raiders.

nice, is this a contnuation of the previous story (different character obviously) or is it completely unrelated?

You'll see how it relates soon enough

Chapter Two
Alex
An Introduction to the Shadows
I walked along the remains of a pre-war road, sipping gently from a purified water bottle. I wore a patched up overcoat and hood to cover up my combat armor, to surprise any enemies. I arrived at the front gate to the prestigious Tenpenny Tower, and I drained the rest of the water. I spotted an intercom next to the gate and shaking, I pressed the button.

"Hello, someone there?" I asked reluctantly.

"Yeah [censored], someone's here. Whaddya want?" a snarling voice replied.

"I believe Mr. Burke is expecting me?" I responded.

"What's your name kid?" he inquired.

I hesitated, "Alex, just let me in alright?"

There was silence from the intercom. As I was about to repeat my message his voice blared from the intercom. "Yeah hold up a sec."

The gate opened slowly and someone decked out in combat armor stepped out to greet me. "Welcome to Tenpenny Tower!" he boomed, waving his arms in the air.

I nodded at him and walked inside to see people lounging in the sun talking pleasantly and sipping cool drinks. I walked past them and went inside the tower. Elevator music played softly from speakers above and people walked around gossiping about the latest crazes in the Wastes.

I continued to walk past them and I entered an elevator ahead of me and pressed the penthouse button. I waited calmly as I felt myself being lifted up.



A soft "ding!" Announced my arrival to the penthouse suites, causing everyone to glance at the elevator, if only for a moment. I stepped out feeling very isolated in my raggedy overcoat and patched hood, for every other man in the room was wearing delicate suites made from only the finest of materials.

I glanced around trying to remember which suit I had been told was Burke's. As I glanced around, the nameplate next to door P4 solved my conundrum.

Mr.Burke.

I knocked on the door only for it to creek slightly and swing inwards a little. I decided to go ahead and enter the apartment. I've come this far.

I continued walking and I stumbled upon a group of men and women joking around and smoking old pre-war cigars.

"So I say honey, is that a grenade in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?" A women said.

"High-oh" called out one of the men

The assorted men and women shared a good laugh at the woman's joke and I decided now was the time for me to act.

"Is Mr. Burke here?" I asked, my voice wavering.

A man in a pinstriped suit stepped forward, cocktail glass at hand. "Who asks?" he said casually, stirring his drink.

"Alex," I replied, shaking nervously.

"Ah, Alex my boy, there's no cause for alarm" he chided. "You're in good company, right fellas?"

"The best of company, if I may daresay myself," one man said.

"I'll drink to that" said another raising his glass to his lips.

"Please excuse us gentlemen, Alex and I have??.. business to attend to," Burke crooned.

They waved us away and continued to tell raunchy stories and jokes, leaving Burke and I to converse outside on the balcony. "That was some job you pulled," he admired, "I don't think even I could sabotage the Megaton water supply as well as you did. Thanks to you, they would need stockpiles of scrap metal to keep that pathetic purifier running."

"Well I did do a good job didn't I?" I boasted.

"But that's nothing in comparison in what I want you to do next," Burke purred.

I remained silent, wondering what he had in mind.

"I want you to remove certain liabilities," he continued.

"Killing people right?" I asked. I had never been the best to bandy about words.

"Yes," he responded. "You'll start immediately," he reach inside of his jacket and withdrew a black submachine gun outfitted with a silencer accompanied by a single clip of ammunition. "I want you to kill all the people inside my apartment, as a test."

I looked at him and nodded, taking the silenced weapon. After ramming the clip home, I raised the SMG and took careful aim at the crowd inside the apartment.

"Did I ever tell you the story of The Ghoulish Maid?" Giggled one of the men.

I braced myself and I squeezed the trigger. Bloody splotches appeared on the men's suits and women's dresses accompanied by small pufts of blood in the air. The gun whispered as it fired, accompanied by the clanging of the shell casings on the floor.

All of them fell over, dead. Burke turned to face me, "Good," he chuckled. "You'll do I think." He held out his hand.

I shook it, "Welcome to the Shadows," Burke congratulated me.

o.O nice job. Looking forward to this brand new part