BioShock Oneshots

Over the Radio

(10/26/2021) (Word-count, 789)
[3rd person Limited, following Jack]

Jack sat sadly in the Rapture metro, on one of the empty seats. Yes, Arcadia was beautiful and all but he couldn't help but feel unsatisfied. Maybe he was just lonely? Probably so, all he had was a lousy Service Radio he picked up days ago.

"Hey Boyo, you there?"

A voice came out from the service radio, it was his guide. Atlas. At least he finally had a small bit of company.

"Yes, what do you need?"

Jack answered, longing for this conversation. Sure, he knew it was probably going to be quick since well Atlas probably just needed something.

"Nothin' just thought you could use a bit of company."

The Irishman softly replied, his mind seemed to be elsewhere at the moment, at least it seemed as so. Even if it was, Jack couldn't blame him. The poor man watched his wife and son die not even 24 hours ago.

"Atlas, may I ask you a question?"

He asked the other, hoping for the green card to do so. Jack wanted to ask if the other was okay, but still wasn't very sure on how to word it. Perhaps it could be something like 'Are you feeling alright, how are you holding up over there?' Or perhaps something like 'Do you need to get anything off your chest? If so, I'm here to listen.' He wasn't sure at all.

"Go ahead, make it count."

Atlas has snickered in reply, seeming almost amused. Maybe he had been feeling alright after all? Maybe Jack had just been overthinking things.

"Well, How are you holding up over there?"

Jack had started, before pausing for a moment. The silence on the other end almost frightening. He started speaking once more,

"is there.. anything you'd need to get off your chest?"

Only more silence filled the air, no noise from the other end. Only a small bit of static. Maybe Atlas wanted to keep his problems to himself? Most likely the case, especially someone like him. Jack patiently waited for another moment, before feeling a small bit guilty. Maybe if he had been faster, he could have saved them.

Then suddenly the quiet void was filled with speaking once more. It was of course Atlas, who else? No one else.

"Uh.. I dunno 'bout that part Boyo, ain't got nothin' to get off me chest."

The other man said blankly, before letting out a soft chuckle. Atlas always seemed to cheerful to be living down in Rapture. Maybe he had just gotten used to every-day life down here? Jack certainly hadn't!

"Well if magically you do, you can talk to me."

Jack stated once more, wanting to really drive that point. He was willing to listen and hear the other out.

"Yeah, yeah,"

The Irishman started,

"I got it awhile back Boyo, yer quite fruity y'know."

That comment seemed off putting. He knew Atlas probably didn't say that out of spite, but it almost sounded out of character.

"Fruity?"

"Yeah Boyo, Fruity."

The chatter between Jack and Atlas continued for awhile longer, seeming like it would never end. Almost half an hour later, the two men were still chatting. Except Jack had moved into the Bathysphere. He felt much safer in there.

"So, Atlas,"

Jack started, as he sat in the nice cushioned Bathysphere.

"I hope this won't sound rude, but, I have a rather intrusive question about you."

"Well, shoot."

Atlas had quickly responded, seeming not to mind. Jack wasn't sure though.

"Was Moira your first wife?"

He asked, it almost seemed out of character for him. It was a simple question that had been on his mind since Neptune's Bounty. Jack just wanted to know.

"Boyo, I don't know what to tell you."

The other started, before letting out a soft nervous chuckle.

"My love life should not be your priority all of the sudden, but I must confess that she wasn't."

That took Jack by surprise, he would have assumed that Moira was and had been his first wife. Well, maybe he shouldn't have assumed anything like that. It seemed rude now that he thought about it.

"Well, which Lass was your first then?"

Jack asked, now rather curious at what said answer could possibly hold.

"Well, wish I could remember."

He started off, before clearing his throat.

"Hard to remember if I'm bein' honest Boyo, might not have been a memorable marriage at all. "

"Never would have taken you as a widow twice over Atlas."

Jack chuckled softly, now rather intrigued with this new information. He went quite for a small moment as he heard the other let out a sigh.

"Yeah, I wouldn't have either."