Fallout: Vault 69

Chapter 2 - A New Life

The weeks that followed seemed to pass as a blur for Tomas. In a matter of hours the general population had been released from lockdown only to then be ushered into the Vault's cafeteria, the only area within the shelter large enough to hold all one thousand of them. Tomas of course had been exempt from attending, but his sister had relayed everything that had happened and what had been discussed after returning a few hours later.

Obviously, the lack of any male presence was quickly noticed. The Overseer explained what had happened, solemnly informing everyone about the accident, how the radiation shielding had been insufficient in the male dormitories, which had been the reason for the prolonged lockdown. Until they had investigated and inspected every inch of the Vault, they didn't want to risk anyone else's life after they had already lost half their population.

Ideally the families who had lost loved ones would have been informed individually, but due to the sheer scale, as well as the nature of the accident, it had been decided to inform everyone at once so they could rescind the lockdown. Everyone gasped, some collapsed while others burst into tears. But the majority accepted the devastating news with a chilling calmness. Not especially surprising considering how much many of them had already lost to the Great War.

After holding a brief moment of silence for those who had died, Overseer Turner explained what this would mean for the future of the Vault, how everyone would be expected to pull double duty for their survival.

It hadn't taken long before someone shouted out what everyone was thinking but nobody dared to say. "What future!?" As an uproar began to build, Mabel Turner's voice echoed above the roars of outrage and hopeless wails and called for silence so she could reply to the one who made the statement by revealing that, while the loss was substantial, it had not been complete.

Thanks to a lone male having been present in the female dormitories due to an oversight, literally arriving right as the Vault had been sealed, there was still hope for the future. Mindful of the grief and feelings of loss those present were still experiencing she had been tactful, but didn't pull any punches either upon explaining their long term plan of action.

Effective immediately any woman that was approached by Tomas Swan was to immediately comply without question or hesitation to anything he inquired or desired of them, up to and including anything of a sexual nature. Any complaints of resistance would be met with imprisonment or worse. To ensure maximum fertility, medication and hormones would be introduced to their food supply that would encourage their bodies to ovulate regularly. And, as if all of this wasn't bad enough, that's when they revealed his age.

The shock spread throughout the room in a riot of hushed exclamations. Even calling out for order over the speakers hadn't been enough to quell the growing presence of unease.

The Overseer tried to keep the peace, demanding everyone to calm down and understand the position they have been put in. Thankfully they quieted enough to hear what she had to say, though worry still painted their faces. What would happen next could only be described as complete and utter propaganda, on a scale that even the military recruiters hadn't been able to stoop low enough to see, let alone reach.

Overseer Turner started by commending everyone, and reminding them of how strong they were for surviving the Great War as they had for as long as they had, that not even the nuclear attack unleashed upon them by China had been able to kill them, their country, or their way of life. She then asked them to remember all those who had sacrificed themselves and their lives so they could be here right now. It was alright to mourn, but not at the expense of their own survival. They were alive because it was their mission, their duty to survive and to honor the many loved ones who they lost.

She asked them to remember them, and to remember their sacrifice for the greater good. Be it those who fought to defend their great country on enemy soil, or those who died defending their own. To even think of squandering this chance they had been given was an even graver insult than the one their enemies had made by attacking them in the way they had.