It's the End of the World

Chapter 5

I held my breath as I watched the confused Gunners through my scope. A tall robot came running at us, glowing red.

"Get down! Assaultron!"

I yellled to MacCready and pulled him behind a car. The beam went over our heads and seared the car. I took a few shots at the robot, aiming to cripple its legs. After about ten rounds, it fell to the ground and slowly crawled towards us. It only took a few more shots to stop it completely. We focued our attention on the remaining Gunners.

"They must be protecting something pretty valuable in there to have an Assualtron and all those Gunners..."

MacCready commented.

I nodded in agreement.

"They're guarding Nuka-World. And that's where I plan to go."

I watched another Gunner through my scope.

"That's Commander Kaylor. I'll shoot at her while you take out the others."

I aimed and head shotted the commander. She whipped around and ducked for cover. I took my time, waiting for her to show herself before shooting again. She stood up and sprinted towards a bus. I took this opportunity to get a few more shots in. When she poked her head out from behind the bus, she held her arm up. I focused on it and saw she had a grenade. I shot it, and it blew up in her hand. The explosion killed her.

"I got the last of 'em. We're clear."

I nodded to MacCready.

"Good. You can head out. I don't know what's on the other side, and I have no intentions of dragging you along."

"You paid for my services, now I'll go through with it. I'm going with you."

He started walking towards the center. I grabbed his collar and stopped him.

"No, you misunderstood. You will not come with me. This is something I will do for myself. Goodbye, MacCready."

I made sure he didn't follow me as I walked into the Transit Center.

The stairs down into the station were covered in debris. There was a crinkle as I took a step. I knelt down and picked up a strip of arcade tickets. Interesting. Maybe these will be valuable. I opened the doors and saw an injured man on the ground. I rushed over to him.

I asked what happened to him.

"Those goddamned Raiders! They told us they were traders, and that Nuka-World was a safe settlement. But they tricked us. They have my family. Please, you gotta help."

I considered my options for a moment. I have more important things to do than save his family, but it wouldn't be a bad idea to have an ally.

"Here. Take a stimpak."

I held it out to him.

"No, save it for my wife and kid. They'll need it more."

I narrowed my eyes and put the stimpak back in my bag.

"You're seriously turning down healing? You must have gotten hit in the head as well as shot."

The man shifted and gave me a paper.

"The password to turn on the power. Hurry. Save them."

I took the password and started searching for the terminal. When I found it, I used the password Harvey had given me to unlock it and restored power to the station. The lights flickered on, and the train doors opened. I got on the train and flipped the switch. I sat in the front seat and settled in for the long ride.