Newest Section: Megaton and Moriarty

MEGATON

The doors closed behind them, and Mary noticed the tall, grisly man that approached them. Mary’s eyes locked on the huge gun he kept on his back. It didn’t match well with the warm smile he had on his face. Instinctively, Mary cowered behind Eugene who was annoyingly determined to show her to this man.

“Well I’ll be,” he said, drawing closer. “You must be from that Vault— Vault 101.” Mary’s eyes widened and she looked to Eugene for help, fear constricting her throat.

“H-h-how did you know?” The man chuckled.

“There’s been some talk, and your face says it all. Relax. The name’s Lucas Simms, town sheriff and mayor too— if the occasion calls for it.” Inexplicably, his introduction soothed her nerves. A sheriff wouldn’t hurt her.

“I’m Mary. How do you do?” His smile broadened.

“Friendly and well-mannered. I think we’re going to get along just fine.” She mustered a small smiled. “What can I do for you, Miss Mary?”

“I’m looking for my father— he’s middle-aged. Goes by James. Have you seen him?” Lucas stroked his beard thoughtfully.

“No, I’m afraid I haven’t seen any visitors here lately. Sorry, kid.”

Mary became visibly discouraged, shoulders falling and head bowing in dismay. She swallowed past a dry prick in her throat, fighting back tears— if Dad wasn’t here, where could he be? She didn’t know the Wasteland, or where he could be going. She felt defeated. Then, Eugene spoke.

“How’s the bomb?” he asked Lucas, who appeared uncomfortable with the subject.

“Hasn’t been touched. But,” he said when he saw the panic flash through Mary’s face. “It hasn’t hurt anything in over two hundred years. I’m sure it’s dead. Completely harmless.” Mary wasn’t an expert on explosives, but she knew a few things from diffusing several of Butch’s creations. She knew, though, an inactive bomb didn’t mean a harmless one.

“I could take a look at it for you, if you like,” she offered. Lucas studied her through narrowed eyes.

“I don’t normally let anyone around that thing, but I think I could trust you. If you’re sure about it, I suppose I could make an exception. There’s a reward in it— one hundred caps.”

“I couldn’t—” She had been about to protest accepting the reward when Eugene silenced her with a nudge to the ribs.

“And come to think of it, I do remember a stranger passing through here the other day. He stopped by the saloon for a while, so Colin would know more. But be careful, the man only cares about himself. Good luck to you.” Lucas left them to return to his patrol, whistling a tune Mary didn’t recognize.

But she wasn’t too concerned with his whistling. Dad had quite possibly come through here, which meant she was closer to finding him. The excitement left her giddy and slightly breathless.

“I don’t understand,” Mary said, turning back to Eugene. “If he already knew about the stranger, why didn’t he just tell me?” Eugene’s eyes darted around, and he steered her toward the outer wall.

“Sometimes, Mary,” he said in a low voice. “Information and services are far more valuable than caps. Understand?”

Mary nodded slowly, though she wasn’t entirely sure if she understood or not. “Do know the Colin he was talking about?”

“Unfortunately. Simms may think he’s the sheriff, but it’s actually Moriarty that controls everything. He always has a hand in everything around here. Just be careful with what you say around him.” Mary nodded again. “But first, we’re going to stop by Moira’s.”

“Who’s Moira?”

Moira turned out to be the slightly air-headed, slightly eccentric owned of Craterside Supply, her store where she bought, traded, sold, and repaired just about everything imaginable. It was there that Mary sold some of the things she took with her from the Vault— jumpsuits (because Moira had a penchant for Vault Tech items), pre-war money, and various scrap metals in exchange for some caps, ammo, and stimpaks— because apparently, it was rather fashionable to get shot in the Capitol Wasteland. Eugene helped her with the transactions.

When she was putting away her spoils, something on one of the back shelves caught Mary’s eye.

“How much for that?” she asked, pointing. Moira and Eugene followed her gaze and turned to look at a teddy bear Moira had. Eugene was dubious.

“You can’t really carry that much extra weight into the Wastelands—”

“I know,” Mary said shortly, cutting him off. The bear was almost exactly identical to the one she had as a child. But then the Overseer decided that eight year olds were too old for childish toys.

Moira smiled kindly and gave it to Mary for free, who placed it carefully into her bag. She wasn’t sure why she wanted it, even if for sentimental reasons— she never had any particular attachment to her previous teddy bear.

If she was being honest with herself, thought, it reminded her of Dad.

Then, she was waiting— waiting to go speak to Colin Moriarty. However, Eugene and Moira spoke to each other for a very long time. Mary tried waiting patiently against the opposite wall, next to an intimidating mercenary Moira hired to protect her merchandise. Mary briefly looked up at him, deliberating whether or not to likewise initiate conversation, but instantly decided against it. He didn’t look the type to be very interested in conversation, so Mary settled on listening to Moira’s and Eugene’s.

They were friends— that much was obvious. Moira asked about Eugene’s travels and how long he’d planned to stay in Megaton. Mary didn’t recognize the names he rattled off, but he confirmed to Moira that he wasn’t staying long.

“I’m going to be her guide,” Eugene said, vaguely gesturing to where Mary was standing, his back to her. Moira craned over Eugene’s shoulder to look— as if she hadn’t seen Mary in the first place and only just realized she was there.

But then, Moira did something strange. She smiled at Mary, a strange smile that was sad and sympathetic. Her gaze was penetrating— as if she knew about Mary’s plight and the emotional pain she’d been trying to keep in check. Mary pressed her lips together and turned away.

She preoccupied herself by feigning interest in the various odds and ends Moira had on her shelves for display. Mary didn’t recognize most of it but wondered at the usefulness of turpentine.

Moira started talking about some sort of book she was writing— a survival guide for the Wasteland. Apparently, Mary reminded her of it, because the book was designated for those inexperienced and needing to survive. Mary wasn’t sure how she felt about that insinuation, so she tried distracting herself by examining a rusted toy car and a broken wonderglobe. She wondered why Moira had so much junk.

“The first chapter’s on finding food and medical supplies, but I need someone to test my theories. The idea is to forage for from in old stores and markets. I think Super-Duper Mart would be an ideal place to look,” Moira explained. Mary didn’t know Eugene’s reaction, but he didn’t sound as excited about the project as Moira.

The place is crawling with raiders.” Mary carefully turned to see Moira’s response.

“Oh, well, I mean— I wouldn’t want you to scout out the place for me, then. I’d hate if it you risked your life and got yourself killed on my account.”

Mary couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. The way Moira talked about Eugene’s life was too casual, almost careless. She’d heard the same sort of tone from Amata, when she was trying to get what she wanted. And, Mary was a girl, so she usually knew when other girls were flirting. Perhaps they were more than friends, then. Or maybe Moira just over-romanticized the idea of Eugene risking his life to make her happy.

“I’m sure it wouldn’t be that big of a deal,” Eugene answered.

Mary turned her back to them, shoulders stiff. It was that moment that she had grown impatient. Maybe she had expected too much of Eugene to be her guide, but Mary didn’t like standing around to wait while they blushed and made each other laugh. Dad could still be in Megaton or at least close by. They were wasting time.

She braved another glance up at the mercenary, wondering if the other two acted this all the time or if they were being particularly rude when she was in a hurry. However, the mercenary’s stony expression divulged no sort of answer, so Mary quickly looked back at the ground before he could catch her staring.

At last, Eugene announced they had to leave. Mary was already at the door before Moira could express her disappointment. When they were outside, Mary felt the instant drain of the sun’s heat beating down on her skin. She didn’t like it, and as they were circling around the length of Megaton to head for the saloon, she found herself longing for the chilled atmosphere of the Vault.

“Is she your girlfriend?” Mary asked suddenly. Eugene seemed surprised— and confused, she noticed— by the question.

“No, why?”

“Oh. Do you want her to be?” she pressed.

“Not particularly.” Mary was somewhat surprised and wondered if the romance was simply just one-sided.

As they approached the large building marked “saloon,” Mary noticed a tall man sporting hoary locks standing at the railing and looking upon Megaton with a condescending smirk, as if it belonged to him. This must have been Colin Moriarty. He turned, and Mary saw that the intelligent shine to his eyes indicated that he was a man to be easily fooled.

“Ah, a new face,” he said, staring straight at Mary. “Welcome to Megaton, lass. The name’s Colin Moriarty, and I own the saloon— Moriarty’s— in this God-forsaken place. What can I do for you?” His strange accent and smooth words instilled a sense of confidence in her, despite the previous warnings about him. She drew closer to him, away from the protective shadow of Eugene.

“I’m looking for my father. I was told he stopped by your saloon. His name is James…”

Instant recognition passed through Moriarty’s face as well as a bewildered gape. A glimmer of hope twitched her stomach with anticipation.

“My God, it’s you. It’s been years. Your daddy passed through here all right, just like last time. Just came and went. I suspect you’ll do the same, yes?” But there was something about what he said that rocked something deep within Mary.

“Last time?” Perhaps he had confused Dad with another person. Dad never had to time to be in Megaton before.

“Yeah, about twenty years ago. You were but a suckling babe with nary a tit to suckle. Sorry about your mum. Truly.” Mary’s knees were weak and a sickening dizziness coated her tongue.

“No, that’s not right. We were born in the Vault. We’ve been there our entire lives.” Moriarty broke into an immense roar of laughter.

“Is that what your father told you? That you were born in that damned hole? That he was born there as well? Oh, the lies we tell the ones we love.” Mary’s hands were shaking with what she could only name as rage. Lies?

“But I thought…”

“You know, I’ve heard about the brainwashing that goes down in 101. All hail the Overseer.” He cackled in his amusement.

“Lay off Moriarty,” Eugene said in a low voice. “She’s just trying to find her father.” Moriarty composed himself.

“Well, he passed through here, all right. Told us where he was going too. I’ll tell it to you, for a hundred caps.” The steep price nearly made Mary stagger as she thought of the measly fifty-two caps she managed to acquire at Moira’s.

“You can’t just tell me?” she asked.

“Sorry, kid. Everything comes at a price out here.” She was starting to learn that.

“I don’t have that many caps,” she admitted quietly. Moriarty stroked his beard thoughtfully.

“Then you can do me a favor. There’s this jet-addict— Silver. She lives in Springvale, or at least she’s hiding out there, because she owes me a lot of caps. Find her, tell her I sent you, and bring me back the money. Then, I’ll tell you where your dad went.” Mary sighed, feeling a crushing defeat and further away from Dad. She was so discouraged that she didn’t notice when Eugene led her inside the saloon.

—

Mary blinked. It was a dark, smoky place that filled her nostrils with the odor of liquor, sex, and something rancid. She wrinkled her nose as her eyes adjusted to the dim light.

“I think it’ll be faster if I go and see this Silver,” Eugene offered.

“What about me?” Mary asked, focused on breathing through her mouth. The thick, stagnant air clung to the inside of her mouth.

“You can wait here. Nova will watch over you.”

Mary was about to persist that she didn’t need a babysitter when Nova greeted them. Nova, a woman with short, bright red hair and an alluring voice like smoke that matched the saloon’s haze— Mary found quickly with a fierce blush— was a prostitute. She was friendly, though, but perhaps that was part of her job description.

Nova winked as Eugene left. Mary turned in time to see the door close behind him. When he was gone, Nova was noticeably relaxed, as if she had lowered a protective barrier of herself.

“It’s not easy being a hooker,” she confided glumly. “It’s not exactly what I planned to be, but once you owe Moriarty, it’s nearly impossible to get out. Half of all my earnings go to him. Still, I can say I’ve got it better than Gob.” Nova’s eyes wandered and focused on something behind Mary. “Hey Gob, stop beating that thing. It’s not the radio. It’s Galaxy News; their signal’s been shit lately. Come see Eugene’s new friend— Mary.”

Mary turned to this Gob, the bartender, and couldn’t help but stare.

Gob was what Mary originally imagined inhabitants of the Wasteland to look like. His face was the ghost of an animate skull, muscles and tendons visible through the thin, greenish layer of rotten skin.

“Hey, smooth-skin,” he greeted rather despondently. His rough voice matched his appearance.

“Hello,” Mary responded shyly.

“Ever met a ghoul before?” Nova asked. Mary shook her head.

“No.” Then to Gob, “It’s nice to meet you.” The flesh on Gob’s brow shifted, as if he were raising his eyebrows.

“You mean you’re not going to hit or call me names?”

“I hadn’t planned on it…” she said uncertainly.

“Well that’s a relief. It’s nice to see some kindness around her for once.”

“I don’t understand…” Mary said, looking to Nova for an explanation.

“People aren’t usually nice to Gob. In fact they’re usually downright mean— especially Moriarty— because he looks different.” Mary nodded sympathetically.

“Can I get you a drink? Mr. Moriarty would get mad at this, but I’ll give you a discount.”

“No, thank you.”

“Mary here is looking for her father. Remember James who stopped in the other day?” Gob picked up a cloth and began cleaning a dusty drinking glass.

“Yeah, I remember.” He shook his head. “Sorry, I can’t tell you where he went. Moriarty would beat me.” Mary was horrified.

“If Moriarty is so cruel to you, why don’t you just leave?” Gob didn’t meet her gaze.

“I’m in debt to him so I would for him, and he uses my wages to pay what I owe. It doesn’t exactly help that he charges me for room and boarding.”

“I’m sorry.”

Soon, Mary found herself waiting once more. Gob went back to serving other customers, and a man approached Nova to rent a room. So, she disappeared with him. Another woman that stayed and conversed with Mary for a while was Lucy West. Mary noticed the creases in her forehead and her usually knitted eyebrows. Eventually, she shared that she was worried about her family in Arefu. Despite several messages she tried sending, she never heard back from them.

Mary could slightly empathize. She told Lucy how she was looking for Dad. Lucy apologized and offered her best wishes, but she had to go soon to meet someone. Mary didn’t catch the name.

Then she was by herself again, waiting. She wondered how long Eugene had been gone. Minutes passed. An insect buzzed. The door opened and closed a few times, giving way to people entering and leaving. After Lucy had gone, no one else approached her. Nova was still gone, and Gob was always needed elsewhere. At some point, Moriarty came in and disappeared in a back room. Mary noticed at how Gob tensed in his presence, then relaxed.

Mary sighed and toggled with the settings on her Pip-boy. She wondered if Eugene had come across any trouble, like more raiders, and that was why he was taking so long. She considered deactivating the bomb while she waited but then realized that she didn’t know where the bomb was. It’d be silly to get lost in a town looking for a bomb. It’d be best if she just stayed put.

The door opened again, but Mary didn’t turn this time, positive it wouldn’t be Eugene. She sighed again, trying not to fall asleep at the bar and resenting the idea that she was just wasting time by sitting there.

Suddenly, there was a hand on her shoulder, and she whirled around in surprise to find herself face to face with a man wearing sunglasses, a hat, and a suit.

“Now who do we have here? Someone new? Could you be possibly the talk of the town?” His voice was gravelly, and his breath smelled worse.

“I’m Mary,” she said, nearly choking. He smiled— no, smirked.

“So you are new, then? Good, good. You could be just the person I need, but allow me to introduce myself. I am Mr. Burke.” His presumptuous manner led Mary to believe that she shouldn’t trust this man, and the fact that he still hadn’t removed his hand from her shoulder didn’t redeem him at all in her eyes.

“The person you need?” she asked.

“You can help me with a situation. No doubt you’ve heard of the bomb residing in this hellhole.”

Mary only nodded, her eyes watering.

“I need it to be detonated.”

Mary’s eyes few wide and she gaped at him.

“I’ll give you a remote pulse-charge detonator. You have no connections here— no loyalties. You’d be perfect for me. In exchange, you’ll have a master suite in Tenpenny Tower with your name on it, as well as an innumerable amount of caps.” He squeezed her shoulder harder.

“You mean… kill everyone here?” she hissed.

“These people mean nothing. They only stand in the way of greatness.”

“I… I,” Mary choked. “I was going to deactivate the bomb.” Mr. Burke leaned closer, squeezing harder.

“I would ask that you please reconsider—”

Then, another hand on Mr. Burke’s shoulder that turned him around and away from Mary. Mr. Burke turned to the intruder, and Mary caught sight of Eugene’s angry face.

Eugene. She sighed in relief.

“She’s with me, Burke,” he said coolly. Mr. Burke scoffed and jerked his shoulder away from Eugene’s grip before throwing a last inspecting look Mary’s way.

“Pity,” he sneered. “She’s too pretty for you.” Then he disappeared within the hazy shadows of Moriarty’s saloon. Eugene turned back to Mary.

“You all right?”

“He wanted to blow up Megaton,” she said, the color draining from her face.

Eugene looked troubled and mentioned something about telling Lucas Simms about it, but now they had something else to do. He held up a small pouch full of bottle caps.

“I could have gone with you,” she said.

“It was faster this way.” But Mary wasn’t sure about that. “Where’s Nova?”

“Uhh…” Mary couldn’t give the straightforward answer, and her eyes travelled toward upstairs of their own accord.

Thankfully, Eugene understood and didn’t press the subject.

They both went to Moriarty’s back room and showed him the three hundred caps Eugene collected from Silver. To Mary’s surprised, Moriarty didn’t accept the money.

“I just wanted to get the message across. Maybe the dumb broad will learn her lesson.”

“My father?” Mary asked.

“Yes, well, a deal is a deal. Your father stopped by the other day. He as in a real hurry, didn’t even stay for the night. Don’t worry though, he told me where he was going. Said he was headed to D.C.— Galaxy News Radio to see Three Dog.”

Mary nodded at this information but sensed something was wrong with Eugene.

“D.C., huh?” he asked. Mary looked at him.

“What’s wrong?” Eugene smiled grimly.

“Nothing except that it’s practically a war zone full of super mutants.” But Mary didn’t let that discourage her.

“Do you know where the GNR building is?” Eugene nodded.

“Well, if you’re going to see Three Dog,” said Moriarty. “Ask him what’s wrong with his radio signal.” He laughed, and Mary smiled weakly.

Eugene and she headed for the door, after waiting a while for Nova, who never showed up, and Mary resented over the wasted time again.

“What now?” she asked, trying to contain her excitement. “Are we going to D.C.?”

“First, you’re going to take a look at the bomb and try to diffuse it. If what you said is true about Burke, then that thing needs to be taken care of as soon as possible.” Mary was only half-listening.

“And then we go to D.C.?”

She didn’t heard Eugene’s response, but turned to wave goodbye to Gob. But Gob wasn’t looking at her. Moriarty was yelling at him.

She froze, watching the scene unfold. Moriarty barked a question that Gob answered quietly— under his breath, wiping down the counter. Gob didn’t look at him but kept his head bowed into submission.

“Hey, you piece of shit zombie. I asked you question,” Moriarty thundered. Mary flinched when Moriarty hit him.

“Mary…” came Eugene’s low warning. Mary didn’t acknowledge it.

Gob groaned a response that was followed by a whimper of pain. Moriarty’s hand reached back in preparation for another strike.

Mary moved.

“Mary!” Eugene issued a sharp hiss this time. Mary still didn’t register as she vaulted over the counter to place herself protectively in front of the cowering Gob.

Everything in the saloon seemed to freeze, and Mary tried not contemplating on how defending Gob might have been a very poor decision.

“Leave him alone,” she told Moriarty slowly, vaguely aware of every eye trained on her.