Ground Zero by EndMaster R

You said nothing when you should have about the surface five years ago. That was your fault. You can do something now though. Something unpopular and drastic, but something that will better ensure the safety of your family.

“Alright, I’m doing something I should’ve done a long time ago! I’M taking over!”
“You? Says who?! What gives you the right?!” someone in the crowd shouts.

You point your pistol in his direction.

“THIS! Is what gives me the fuckin’ right bitch! My willingness to allow you to continue your goddamn existence! Now here’s how things are gonna go down.”

You begin to implement new changes whether anyone likes them or not, and most folks don’t, but as usual you don’t give a shit.

You keep Nina’s plan for the surface idea, one of the things you do is install another call button so the elevator can now go up and down without all the extra hassle of fucking with the computer anymore, you still don’t know what the fuck GZS was thinking about with that idea of fucked up engineering. Parts of the shelter begin to get stripped along with some of the vehicles still remaining outside to create a few small homes.

As for who is going up to live, you devise a random numbering system that everyone has to participate in…of course you’ve purposely rigged it so your family doesn’t have to live up there. You’ve also rigged it so certain “useful” members don’t have to live up there either making them a little more receptive to your changes. Charles and some others are suddenly pleasant with you again. Naturally everyone who does have to leave hates your guts.

Your next step is to send out “explorers” to go find other communities to contact and trade with, because you desperately need more supplies. You pick Leon for the task, but Todd also volunteers. Brenda wants to go too, but you need all the people with medical knowledge here in the shelter.

A few weeks later Leon and Todd come back from their explorations. They mention they came across a place called Ashtown. They say it’s a small town, but willing to trade since they have routine problems with raiders and wouldn’t mind a supply of fresh water for a change.

Nina doesn’t exactly approve of your methods, but she goes along with you, because she loves you and you’re actually getting something accomplished.

Five more years pass…

Things have changed quite a bit in fifteen years, for better and for worse.

You’re running the shelter and its now above town called “Exile” basically by yourself and its putting you on edge each and everyday. One thing you didn’t think about when finding a trading partner, was the fact that more weapons might be coming in. You now aren’t the only person here with a gun. Which has lessened your intimidation value a bit, but you’ve countered a full blown rebellion by turning the “sheltered” and the “unsheltered” against each other. The people who live in the shelter are of course a lot more well off and healthier, while those living on the surface now suffer from the elements and the occasional mutant wolf pack attack.

The haves vs. the have nots. It’s an old tale that’s been played over and over. A tale that resulted in Armageddon, and now apparently even beyond it.

But even you cannot prevent an unstable powder keg from exploding forever and one day it does. Full blown rioting breaks out, you attempt to squash the rebellion, but it’s not even a rebellion so much as it is full blown anarchy as people IN the shelter are attempting to kill you in the opportunity to attempt to take over. Damn, you really thought Leon was on your side too.

You end up having to shoot your way out of the conference room, and make it back to your room where Nina is barricaded with Jake, she opens the door long enough to let you in.

“We have to get out of here!” she screams. “It’s over! They’re gonna kill us!”