Here's the fanfic I'm currently working on, set in the DC wasteland. It takes liberties with F3's story elements for obvious reasons.

Hope you like it and appreciate your comments.



Fallout 3: The Lone Wanderer's Road

"I am a man who walks alone
When I'm walking a dark road."
-Iron Maiden

Chapter 1

It was early morning, the sun's rays gently caressing the traumatized DC Wasteland. It was as if the sun were mocking the earth. Father and son, like twins birthing from a womb, emerged from Vault 112.

"Thank you son, for rescuing me... but...I told you to remain in the Vault, where you were safe."

"You also told me we'd always lived in the Vault."

"Yes...but you have to understand that..."

"You lied to me. You've been lying to me my whole life!"

James looked away from his son, the sprite youth had a point. A very sharp one, at that.

"I'm sorry... we don't have time right now. I promise you, soon, I'll explain it all to you."

"[censored]! You had 18 years and never once said anything. You make time. Now."

Son stared long at father, pain and anger plain as the dust beneath their feet. He was stubborn. Much like his father, much like his late mother.

"Fine. Understand, son that I only wanted you to be safe. Catherine, your mother, died birthing you. The pain, the shock was.... just too much for me to handle. You are all I had. My brothers, sisters were all dead. My parents too. I never knew of any aunts, uncles, cousins. You're everything to me. Then as now. I met an expedition from Vault 101 at Megaton. After some... convincing, they generously allowed us in."

"I understand that, dad. But why did you lie to me?"

"Jonah, If I had told you the truth, what then? You would have wanted to leave the Vault, wouldn't you?"

His father had a point. "And then what? The whole Vault would've disintegrated. The Vaultec regulations were quite clear, no one leaves. The Overseer was quite clear in that, although he was known to be flexible from time to time. I did it to be safe, for both of us to be safe. In there, there were no raiders or radscorpions or super mutants or food shortages to worry about. Everything was provided for us. Even companionship. I hope you haven't forgotten about Amata."

No, he could never forget her.

"Living your life in a Vault doesn't prepare you for life outside, does it?"

That was true. He'd barely scraqed by through these past few days. Raiders, the terrible super mutants, the terrifying mirelurks. It was a miracle he was still alive. It had been a difficult apprenticeship. Being exiled from your only home, from the girl you loved, learning your entire life was a lie. After being cheated in Megaton's saloon, he'd quickly learned that dishonesty was the way of life out here in the wasteland. He'd tracked his father. At first, it was out of familial love. The more pieces he picked up on the way, the more he learned, the more his intentions changed, the more ambiguous his emotions.

"I beg you, son. Follow me to Rivet City. Maybe... maybe it's time I finished what I started, all those years ago."

"Okay."

excellent first chapter, I know others will be excited to read another story by a master storyteller

Chapter 2

They roamed eastward across the wasteland, moving quietly, but there was tension in the silence. Father and son barely looked at another. They generally followed the road that led from Vault 112, knowing it would eventually lead them to Rivet City. They wound a fork in the fork and were shocked to find an Enclave encampment. Five soldiers yielding Power Armour and a sixth wearing an officer's fatigues. A couple of scientists were also manning the post, working feverishly with some equipment they couldn't identify. They were spotted immediately, running away would be useless and fatal, so they continued to gingerly walk towards the roadblock.

"Keep your hands where they can see them." His father whispered.

"Stop right there, muties!" One of the soldiers ordered as they approached the roadblock.

"What's your business, mutie?"

"Just a father and son prospecting. Now we're heading home."

"Fine, go on, mutie."

They were about to continue when the officer stopped them. He was roughly the same age as James, his face was round and kindly, blue eyes that glittered with benevolent curiosity. His uniform fit him well, he seemed born wear a uniform. His blue eyes were tinged with faint melancholy as he looked upon Jonah and James.

"Wait! You have Pip-Boys." He looked intently at those devices. "You're not muties, you're from one of those vaults."

Father and son nodded, Jonah's curiosity took hold whereas James was weary.

"Who are you?" Jonah asked. His father chided him for asking.

"We're the Enclave! We represent the last, best hope to restore the great United States of America. We want to reclaim america from the mutants, ghouls, raiders and communists. Pre-War America was the greatest nation on earth and only we can restore it to its glory. Have you heard our radio broadcasts?"

"Yes," Jonah admitted. "I like what President Eden has to say. And I like the music too. What's it like being in the Enclave?" Jonah asked. His father tapped him on his shoulder, beckoning them to leave, but Jonah ignored him. The officer could see he was having an effect on the impressionable youth.

"It's the greatest life you could ever have. You get three square meals a day, a clean roof over your head, top of the line equipement, companionship, and best of all, a cause to believe in, the chance to be part of something greater than you. Does that appeal to you?"

"Absolutely!" Jonah enthused.

"Son, I think that..."

"Listen, young man. The Enclave doesn't normally recruit outsiders, but you're from a Vault, which means you're pure, you're not a mutie, we'd be happy to have you join our ranks. I think you'd make a fine addition to the Enclave. My name is Captain O'Malley, I'm often out on patrol in this area. Here's a holovid that will play on your Pip-Boy and tell you more about the Enclave. Think it over, and if you want to join, find an encampment like this, mention my name and that you're from a vault and want to join, and everything will sort itself out."

They shook hands and left with friendly goodbyes.

"Son, there's something you should know about the Enclave." James began when they were out of earshot.

"What? More lies?"

James cast his eyes downward. "Son, I'm really sorry about deceiving you before but I had no choice."

"There's always a choice. I really don't care what you think about the Enclave. They believe in something. What do you believe in?"

"I believe in helping people, making everyone's lives better."

Jonah rolled his eyes. "Is that why you ran and hid underground?"

"Son...I....did what needed to be done at the time..."

"You stopped working on a project that would've helped people. How many have died and suffered that you could've helped had you not taken me into that Vault?"

His father couldn't reply and the rest of the journey to Rivet City was accomplished in morose silence.