FALLOUT 2080

2

14 hours before.

Edward paced the shelter, the floor creaked. Rats scuttled over the shelter entrance and they were both alert after the Government announced radiation storms had been mutating irradiated humans they were calling Ghouls; and that these 'Ghouls' had horded around London and we're heading towards them. Tap...tap...tap

Xander stared at the door. He turned to Edward. Edward turned to him. They stood. They waited. They listened.
"We need to go, now." He whispered to Xander. "Now."
Xander picked his bag off from the table and stood back as Edward grabbed the keys and approached the door.
"Ready?" Xander nodded.
"3"
"2"
"1"

***

Xander sat in the office. The overseer sat opposite him, grinning.
"I trust Massie was helpful." Xander nodded.
"So how do you feel? Fitting in here?"
"Umm...it's...it's different."
"Yes I thought you might say that, in fact that has been the overall opinion of the others too. But your different, I can feel it within you. You will sleep in the private dormitory tonight until you can take you G.O.A.T. tomorrow.
"G.O.A.T.?"
"It's the standard test all vault dwellers take to determine what occupation you take in the vault. Now get some rest." He smiled one last time before standing and ushering Xander toward the dorm.

***

The door swung open. Edward and Xander emerged,
"Head north, towards the vault." Edward called to Xander as he searched the perimeter.
"The vault? No! We're safe, no one's coming, there are no ghouls! It's fake. It's all fake."
"We are traveling north, pack up n..." He was silent.
"Ed? Edward?" Xander shouted, he spead up; yelling for him.
Then, all of a sudden, he could hear it. A dull murmur arose as he approached Edward.
"Ed!" He grunted "Don't bloody scare me..."Oh sh*t...Oh sh*t oh sh*t oh sh*t."
There were thousands. Ghouls stretched for miles across.
"We need to go." Xander said. Edward sat down, staring at them. "So many...so so many"
"Come on. We're leaving."

***
Xander arose from his light slumber as the artificial lights flickered on.
"Good morning! VAULT-TEC calling!" A voice erupted from the speakers.
"Xander to the overseers office, Xander to the overseers office.
Thank you and congratulations on being prepared for the future!"
Xander stood and approached the door before knocking.
"Come in!" Johnathon called. "Ready to take your G.O.A.T. today?"
"Sure."
"Okay...Let's begin."

***

Xander ran and ran, he heard his feet thud against the ground. He felt the sweat pour down against his skin, felt his hair stick up and the branch lodged inside it; but he still ran.
He was close, very close. Then... he stopped.
The shaft was open. He fell to his knees, panting. Then the shaft screeched, and he descended slowly.

***
The G.O.A.T. finished quickly. Once Xander had finnished he was again ordered by the perky "Vault-Boy" voice.
"Good morning! VAULT-TEC calling.
Xander to the overseers office, Xander to the overseers office.
Thank you and congratulations on being prepared for the future!"
He entered, as he had done the day before, and sat.
"Your G.O.A.T, how was is?" The overseer asked. "I have your results."
"Did I pass?" Xander sarcastically grinned.
"Well as a matter of fact you did! Well done Professor Xander of the Vault-Tec industry!"
"What?"
"You have been formally offered the position of head scientist of this vault."
"No, no way; definitely not! No."
"It's not a choice, it's that or nothing."

Xander left the office and sighed. He looked down the hall before setting of towards his 'New Office.'
"Great."