Gwen listened intently to every word Animus spoke. The duo spent the next two hours going over the entirety of the code. She asked a few intelligent and inquisitive questions every now and then to understand Animus’s mindset.
Animus happily obliged her. He loved every minute of it.
That was the sort of love only a man who met a woman who truly understood him could feel. She was interested, aware of the subject, and actively contributed. Moreover, in the comics, she was Peter Parker’s intellectual equal. Her intelligence did not fall short.
Gwen’s specialty lay in biochemistry, so her ideas greatly enriched Animus’s own. Her expertise in human and animal bodies was astounding.
Inadvertently, the two shifted closer in the empty lab till their shoulders touched each other.
“This is amazing. I am currently developing a cure in case radiation leaks into the vault based on the Rad-Away made by Vault-Tec. I plan for it to last much longer and help develop an actual resistance to radiation. Could you perhaps look at it sometime?” She asked.
“I would love to.” Animus said, turning to her with a smile.
Gwen smiled. She then realized how close they were sitting to each other and immediately moved away in embarrassment. She got up.
“I think we should go now. It’s really late.” She said in a hurry.
“Yes. Should I drop you to your unit?” Animus asked.
“I would love that.” Gwen said with a smile.
Animus locked the computer. As a final security measure, he designed a failsafe in the code. Anyone who accessed the laptop without following the sequence of keys he would press in along with the password would instantly be locked out. If someone on Vault-Tec’s side tried to access it externally, the code would delete itself. It would be a waste, but it was the only solution until the code was complete.
The two closed the labs, leaving its reinforced chemical-resistant flooring for the standard concrete floor of the vault. They made their way to the elevator and reached the fifth level. They chatted all the way to Gwen’s unit, which was coincidentally close to Animus’s unit.
“I got bullied a lot for my name in middle school. Then everything changed in high school and college. I became the center of attention.” Gwen said while walking.
“I think it’s nice,” Animus said honestly.
“Really?” She asked with a cute smile.
“Yes. Your name sounds like a Welsh princess’ name.” He said.
She laughed. “It is Welsh, actually! My father said it means ‘blessed ring’.”
“That’s beautiful.” Animus smiled.
Gwen blushed, but her expression soon turned downcast. The two stopped in front of a residential unit. Unit 18, Gwen’s home.
“I’m originally from New York.” Gwen said, looking down. “My father. His name is George Stacy. He’s a hero to me. But due to some ups and downs, we moved away to this remote state from New York. He was... relocated to work here.”
“I see. What happened then?” Animus asked, his voice calm and soothing.
“When the bombs fell, Dad sent me to the vault. He didn’t join me. He said he wanted to make sure everyone else made it to shelter too. I screamed at him. But I knew it deep down. It’s his duty to save lives,” She muttered, hate and acceptance warring inside her mind.
“I wonder if Dad got out safe. He didn’t even think about himself. He didn’t even think about me,” She said bitterly.
Drip Drip
Tears fell to the surface of the floor. Gwen sobbed. Animus gently stepped closer and carefully lifted Gwen’s chin. Her face was stricken with grief.
“Gwen, your father is the bravest man I have heard of. I sincerely hope he is safe. The nuclear war might have ended the world, but it cannot wipe out humanity.” Animus said, before raising a napkin and gently wiping her tears.
‘So, tragedy has shaped her too.’ Animus thought sadly.
Deep down, a voice screamed at him.
‘IT IS YOUR FAULT.’ It roared.
Animus violently suppressed it.
“We don’t know anything for sure, Gwen. I will not give you false hope. But, there is a solution,” Animus said, trying his best to anchor her despair to hope.
“There is? What is it?” Gwen asked, her voice desperate.
“We return to the surface,” Animus said, his voice dropping low. “I believe we can exit the vault in a year, provided we wear protective suits and gear.”
“The...surface?” She asked, her voice choked.
“I’ll help you find your father, Gwen. We’ll reunite with our families.” Animus said, gently wrapping an arm around her shoulder.
“They are waiting for us.” He said, his gaze hardened.
Gwen’s face went through a variety of emotions. It scrunched in hesitation, frowned in self-disgust, hardened in determination, before smoothing over in renewed decision.
“Yeah. We need to return to the surface.” She nodded, her face serious. “I want my father back.”
Gwen leaned into Animus. The two shared an intimate moment.
“Thank you for accompanying me here, Animus.” She smiled, looking up at him.
“You’re welcome. My unit is actually close by, so it was on the way.” He said, smiling back before stepping away to give her space.
“Oh, which one is it?”
“Unit 01.”
“That’s nice. Maybe I can pick you up for work tomorrow? Your unit is right next to the elevator that directly leads to the Science Labs.” Gwen smiled.
“Sure,” Animus agreed.
“Then, see you tomorrow!” Gwen waved with a smile and turned to head inside.
“Bye, Gwen.” Animus said and left.
Animus reached his Unit in a minute. He ejected the cable from the Pip-Boy and inserted it into a slot next to the unit’s switch. The unit opened with the sound of gears quietly shifting.
[Opening Door...]
A mildly angry Zoe stood behind it, arms akimbo.
“Uh, hi?” Animus asked.
“Look at your Pip-Boy.” She demanded, pointing at Animus’ left wrist.
Animus glanced at his Pip-Boy. It had several notifications asking if it should let Zoe contact him.
Animus facepalmed.
“Sorry, Zo. I got engrossed in work again.” Animus apologized.
Zoe sighed. “I knew it. I even told you to come home on time.”
“I’m sorry.” He deflated.
“Whatever. I was half-prepared for it. I’ve saved you dinner.” Zoe said and turned back, placing the gun she was carrying on the table.
She wasn’t one for drama or shouting, unless it’s for fun.
‘She’s so precocious. I feel guilty.’ Animus thought.
“I was going to come home early, but I met this girl in the lab...” Animus started giving an explanation.
Zoe stopped in her tracks. She quickly turned back to look at him.
“Tell me everything! I want all the details!” She squealed.
“If it means I get forgiven, then sure. I also want to tell you something else.” Animus chuckled.
The sibling duo closed the doors to the unit and headed inside the master bedroom. Zoe brought a plate of food she had saved from the diner for Animus. Animus, feeling guilty and grateful, ate with gusto. He internally swore to never do such a thing to Zoe again.
The siblings spoke for an hour. The conversation went over Animus’s encounter with Gwen, where Zoe constantly poked fun at him. She was almost certain her brother was having his first crush.
“About damn time. You’re finally moving in life, brother dearest.” Zoe nodded sagely.
“Dearest sister, you speak like you turned sixty a few months ago, not sixteen.” Animus chuckled.
“Uh-uh-uh!” Zoe said, waggling her finger in front of him.
“I have had crushes and a boyfriend at least! Granted, father almost shot him and he ran away...” Zoe muttered.
Animus laughed.
“And? What else did you do?” Zoe asked.
“I’m making progress on Wicca.” Animus smiled brightly.
“Wicca? Is that what you call your AI?” Zoe asked.
“Yeah. It stands for Wireless Intelligence Core Computing Assistant.” Animus grinned.
“Wireless? That sounds impressive. But I wonder how you’ll get that done.” Zoe frowned.
“You’ll see.” Animus said between bites.
The two finished talking soon after and fell asleep. When dawn arrived, Animus got back to work, settling in a new rhythm that revolved around exercising at home, working in the labs with Gwen, properly spending time with Zoe during meals and at home, and planning to visit the library in the evening.
In the evening, after everyone’s shifts were over, Zoe called Animus. Animus approved the call and granted Zoe permission through the System to contact him.
“Bro, what’s up? Let’s have dinner in the diner.” Zoe’s voice echoed from the Pip-Boy.
“Sure, Zo.” Animus agreed, his voice gentle. “I’ll bring Gwen too. The two of you should meet.”
Gwen and Animus were walking out of the labs together. Gwen tilted her head with a smile. The two were planning to go for dinner anyway.
“I’d love to-” Gwen started to say.
“Oh, your first crush? Awesome! Time for me to interview her.” Zoe laughed.
Silence fell.
“Zo, I’m cutting the call. I’ll see you there.” Animus said quietly, running his hand over his face.
“Oh, is she next to you? Hello there~” Zoe said with cheer.
Animus looked at Gwen. She was blushing awkwardly.
“Hi there. I’m looking forward to meeting you, Zoe.” Gwen smiled while fighting her blush. She snuck glances at Animus.
‘I’m gonna smack Zoe upside down.’ Animus decided.
“Me too! You know, Animus spent the last hour yesterday talking about-”
“Bye, Zo.” Animus deadpanned and cut the call.
Gwen laughed. Her eyes twinkled.
“Look, Zoe enjoys exaggerating. But she’s really sweet.” Animus said, looking at Gwen as they walked towards the elevator.
“Oh, no. I quite like her personality. It is lively in these dull walls. But...” Gwen said, looking at Animus with upturned eyes.
“So, her part about what she said earlier wasn’t true?” She asked, her voice low and teasing.
“Gwen, don’t you tease me too.” Animus stared at her in exasperation.
Gwen laughed.
“Okay, okay! Let’s meet your little sister. She sounds like a storm.” Gwen chuckled.
“Yeah.” Animus shook his head and smiled.
**
Gwen and Animus reached the large dining hall and mess in the fifth floor. Animus spotted Zoe waving him over.
“There she is.” Animus said and took Gwen to meet Zoe.
Zoe skipped over and waved excitedly at Gwen.
Gwen matched her enthusiasm.
“Hello!” The two echoed.
They paused. Then, they giggled.
The two women hit it off immediately.
“My brother is such a dork. I’m just glad he has made a friend like you,” Zoe said.
“He’s really sweet, though. He is also pretty good with programming and helping out with my personal project.” Gwen smiled.
“Hey, I’m properly spending time with you now, Zo. I’m also not leaving you hanging.” Animus defended while fighting back a blush.
“Hey, Animus!” A voice called out.
Animus turned.
Jasmine walked towards him while carrying a plate of food. Daphne flanked her.
“Hey, Jasmine! Perfect timing. Meet my lab partner. Her name is Gwen. Gwen, meet Jasmine. She’s the first friend I made in the vault.” Animus smiled.
The two women paused in their tracks. They turned and stared at each other. For a moment, it looked like they shared an unspoken word.
Animus blinked.
Jasmine set down her plate on a table and walked close to Animus.
“Hello, Gwen. My name is Jasmine Badrolbadour, heiress to Agrabah Enterprises. Like Animus said, we are close.” She said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.
For some reason, he felt like Gwen was staring at him now.
“Nice to meet you.” Gwen said, and stood closer to Animus. “I am Gwendolyne Maxine Stacy, a scientist. I work with Animus in the labs. I lend him a hand sometimes. We are also close.”
For some reason, now he felt like Jasmine was staring at him.
Zoe snickered. She felt like she got first-class tickets to a show.
‘What did I get into? I feel like there is a deep misunderstanding here.’ Animus thought but wisely remained silent.
He thought of a lot of things he could have said, but nothing felt like it would get him out of the situation safely.
**