The sound of propellers filled the air.

A squadron of vertibirds carried responders from Los Angeles across the wastelands.

New California was being taken over by Caesar's Legion. It was no longer safe. It was never safe. Not when the bombs fell years ago.

The Great War lasted 8 minutes in total, and plunged the Earth into a nuclear Armageddon. They were the 8 minutes that the 118 and many others suffered through. How any of them survived was a miracle.

Everyone was at the firehouse celebrating Halloween early because the Nuka Cola company was launching its brand new Nuka Cola Quantum flavor nationally. It was supposed to be a fun day.

It was supposed to be a fun day.

Now here they all were, flying cross-country to escape the West. Fear and danger lurked everywhere. But there was a promise for them in their new home. A group of first responders like themselves have survived the war and are trying to establish a safe haven in Appalachia, the remnants of West Virginia.

Buck looked out of the vertibird at the world below him. His face turned to confusion as he saw the lush forests of Appalachia. He turned to Bobby, "Cap... You sure that the whole world was affected?"

Bobby nods, "Yes, but Appalachia didn't take a direct hit. They described it as more like airbursts. There's still damage but nothing radioactive."

Buck frowns, mumbling, "That we know of..." He shifted in his seat, "How long until we land? I gotta pee..."

Maddie came over the radio now, "Evan you're worse than the kids... Just be patient."

All the kids and teens laughed over the radio now.

Buck's cheeks immediately became pink from embarrassment.  He knew he was being a bit immature, but being called out by his sister really doesn't make it any better.

The pilot called out, "2 minutes out! Everyone start preparing for landing!"

Buck sighed in relief. He looked over at Eddie, "Need help with Chris?" Eddie looked up, having a tired look in his eyes but he tried to hide it. "Y-Yeah...," he replied. The two got to work getting ready to help Christopher when the vertibird landed. Christopher looked at the two, "Will... this be our new.... Home?"

Buck and Eddie looked at each other.  They knew this whole situation was not easy on Christopher. It was impossible to make light of anything, as hope felt like a distant memory.

Eddie looks at Christopher, "That's the plan, bud. And if it doesn't work out, we'll go someplace else. We won't leave you."

Christopher nods, "Okay dad..."

Finally, the vertibirds all landed on a hotel building. Everyone got off, with Buck carrying Christopher. Buck looked around, "This is it...?" Eddie shrugs, "Guess so..."

A woman wearing a pilot uniform came over, "Welcome everyone, to the Whitesprings Resort. My name is Lennox. You have all been invited here to assist the Responders in keeping this place a safe haven for many survivors of the war."

Bobby nods, "Glad to be here..." He held Athena close by.

Lennox looks over, "Captain Bobby Nash, LAFD yes? Stories of the 118 have reached here before the war. We expect many things from this group."

Everyone was a bit surprised of how popular the 118 still is post war, but the shock passes quickly as Lennox invited everyone downstairs into the resort.

Lennox smiles as she showed the group around, pointing out the different areas for eating, sleeping, entertainment and other things. "Also please do not attack any of the robots that roam the hotel. They will go into defense mode and all robots will eliminate you. We've tried to get them out of this mode, but to no avail."

Athena frowns, "And how do you know this...?" She seemed suspicious. Lennox sighs, "An unfortunate accident. Just please don't hit them." Athena nods, taking mental note to investigate.

Soon Lennox stops and turns around, "Well, that's everything. We have someone who's coming in that will be here to tell you more about Appalachia. She knows everything there is to know about this new environment."

Suddenly, there was the sound of heavy footsteps. Super heavy. Buck felt the floor beneath his feet vibrate.

Down the hallway, a heavy suit of armor came thundering over. It came to a halt in front of the group.

Eddie tenses up, "Power armor..... but.... I've never seen this version be-"

"Excavator. Designed specifically for the mines in Appalachia," the owner of the suit responded. The head turned, looking at the group. It then looked at Lennox, "I thought you said you were getting recruits. So what the hell is this?"

Everyone immediately felt apprehensive, shocked by the blatant attitude.

Chimney frowns, "Hey hold on just a minute! What do you mean by that?"

The person immediately responded, "You all are a bunch of pussies. You're not Responder material." They looked at Lennox, "This was a waste of time and energy. I specifically told you that they had to be combat ready."

Lennox frowns, "Claire please. Give them a chance." She sighs, "Everyone, this is Claire McClellan.... Our finest Responder."

The suit opened up and a woman came out. Her hair was shoulder length and her eyes a piercing blue. She looked weathered, a clear indication she has fought a lot in the wasteland. She had a hardened face, glaring at everyone.

Claire scoffs, "You all are a waste. You guys aren't wasteland material. I can still smell the pre-war on you..."

Buck glares at her, "You don't know anything about us! How can you say that when you haven't seen us in action!"

Claire locks eyes with him, "I don't need to. By the way you hold yourselves, the way you glance around every now and then as if waiting for danger... I bet you never even shot a standard issue 10mm..."

Buck frowns, "Athena has! She's an officer!"

Claire snaps back, "Was. Was an officer. See? You are still thinking pre-war. None of you have come to terms that this is the new world order. There's no going back to how things were."

Buck frowns, "Don't say that! Isn't that why we're all here?!"

Claire glares, "No. You were all meant to be adjusted to this new world order. Instead you hold onto hopes and dreams that vanished when the bombs fell."

She frowns, "Lennox send them back."

Athena frowns, "We can't go back! Caesar's Legion is spreading! If we go back we'll die!"

Claire sighs, "You'll die here. You'll die there. You'll die anywhere because none of you are ready."

Eddie frowns, "Then teach us! Help us get ready! Please! My son can't take it anymore!" He gestures to Christopher, who was leaning against Buck with his tattered crutches.

Claire's eyebrow rose slightly, "This your kid?"

Eddie nods, "Yes. Please. I'm begging you." He approaches, a pleading look in his eye, "We're tired. But we can learn. Don't give up on us. Don't give up on him."

Claire examined Christopher. The two locked eyes. There was a tense silence before Claire sighs.

"Alright... you can stay. For now. But if you're all gonna stay here you need to pull your own weight. There's no slacking off."

Everyone felt a wave of relief as Claire makes the decision to allow them to stay.

Claire walked over to Christopher, "As for you.... Hmm.... Those crutches have seen better days." She examined further, "Cerebral Palsy?"

Christopher nods, "Y-Yeah...."

Claire crouches down, "Alright then. I'm gonna try and find something better than these crutches. They look ready to snap. You okay with that?"

Christopher thinks before nodding, "I guess.... They are kinda old....."

Claire stands up, "Everyone get settled. When I return, I'll bring back something for Christopher... And I'll be training you all for the wasteland. Am I clear?"

There was a collective agreement from everyone.

Claire goes to return to her armor when Bobby speaks up.

"Is that a... Pip-Boy?", he asked.

Claire turns around, "Oh. This old thing?" She held up her wrist, showing off the Pip-Boy. "Yeah. It's the 2000 Mk VI."

Hen then asks, "You're... from a vault?"

Claire looks at her, "Vault 76."

Everyone immediately remembered when Vault 76 was showcased on television. A vault meant for the brightest citizens.

Maddie held her daughter close, "You mean you...."

Claire sighs, "That's a story for another day." She got into her power armor, "I'll be back." She utilized the Pip-Boy features, and teleported away.

Bobby soon walked to face the group, "Well everyone.... Welcome home."

Buck thought to himself.

"So much for a welcome."

He goes with the others to get settled.