“How? Are you sure that many people survived?” Jasmine asked, trepidation in her voice.
Gwen’s eyes widened before she frowned deeply.
"No, it makes sense. The low yield bombs prioritized nuclear fallout over total destruction. It makes sense that so many people survived right after the bombs dropped, but their numbers must be rapidly declining. But the implications are maddening. Are you certain, Animus?" She asked.
Animus turned to look directly into Gwen’s eyes.
“I am sure, Gwen. Not only do the statistical models run by Wicca say so, but my gut says that there are people outside, desperate to survive,” He said, his gaze somber.
“This is tragic... But that also means my father might be fine...” Gwen whispered.
“Yes, Gwen. He might be waiting for you to find him out there,” Animus responded softly.
He gently wrapped an arm around her. She leaned into him.
‘I can’t believe that once upon a time, Marvel Comics retconned her story to assassinate her character in Earth-616. Then the backlash was so severe that years later it got retconned again. How tragic. I’m just glad at least that was fixed. I would have had no idea how to handle things if Mary Jane Watson from Earth-616 was here. Her character has been so thoroughly ruined by Marvel’s editorial team that her default state is a toxic, unfaithful woman.’ Animus thought sadly.
“What is Wicca? Is she another member of your group?” Elsa asked.
“Yes, in a way. Wicca is the AI I am building.” Animus smiled.
“Wow. Is she currently being made in the science labs?” Malty asked, her eyes wide.
“Yes.” Animus nodded.
Malty’s eyes narrowed momentarily.
“Amazing...” Yor said, looking at Animus in awe.
“Animus, I want to help the people with you.” Jasmine said, a determined look on her face before worry clouded over. “But how would we even manage to help that many people?”
“I’m not sure.” Animus admitted honestly as he contemplated. “But I will find a way. I have ideas, but I’m just figuring out how to implement them right now. I’ll figure something out. We’ve got time until the countdown of one year ends.”
“I agree, bro.” Zoe nodded before giving Animus a confident look. “And you aren’t alone. I love building things. I’ll try to make us some radioactive suits and a land rover to explore dangerous areas before we enter them.”
Animus gave Zoe a proud look. He ruffled her hair while pulling her in his arms.
“That’s my Zo!” He laughed.
“Aaah! Stop! Stop, you crazy brother!” Zoe laughed.
Jasmine and Yor chuckled. Elsa cracked a smile.
“I am also working on an advanced version of the Rad-Away we have in the vault. I’m calling it Rad-X. It will help fight radiation sickness for longer periods of time while helping build a small resistance to radioactive environments.” Gwen smiled.
Animus smiled at her.
“I know, Gwen. You’re amazing.” He said sincerely.
Gwen blushed a little.
“Radiation is our biggest threat outside. If our bodies can withstand it and even develop some resistance to it, everything changes drastically.” Elsa muttered before looking at Gwen in respect.
“We can all do our part. If you are all on board with the plan, we can work together.” Animus said, looking at everyone.
“Yes, I’m on board. I’ll help bring more people under our wing. However, I want to make one thing clear: I will support you, but my first priority will be the people who join me in the vault. I don’t trust people, inside or outside the vault.” Elsa said, looking at Animus seriously.
“I don’t mind that. For me, the first priority will always be my loved ones.” Animus shook his head with a smile.
Zoe squeezed Animus’ hand. Animus squeezed back.
“I will help you, Animus. I’ll study local geography and pinpoint areas of interest to secure our survival outside. I’ll also talk to people in the vault and ask them if they want to join us. There are too many lives at stake.” Jasmine said, determined.
“Thanks, Jasmine.” Animus smiled.
“Why?” Daphne asked.
Everyone looked at her.
“I get it, we should help people. I support that. But think about it. They are starving. They are desperate. When they see us, they will not look at us and see saviors. They will see pretentious elites who just decided to leave their vault to roleplay as heroes. The people outside – they will sooner attack us and raid the vault than let us help them.” Daphne said, a hard look on her face. Her voice was laced with hate.
Jasmine had a somber look on her face.
Elsa gave them a look of pity.
‘The tragedies they experience in the Middle East won’t be wiped away so easily, huh?’ Animus asked himself.
“I know, Daphne. I don’t plan on playing the role of a savior. And I will not let people take away what I have. I will offer my support to them, food in one hand and gun in the other. Whether they want to take my support or not is up to them. But I will not be pushed around.” Animus said, looking at Daphne sharply.
Daphne’s eyes widened a little.
“I want to save the world, but not while getting hurt myself.” Animus said as he sat straight, his voice deadly serious.
“You...want to save the world?” Daphne asked. She scoffed. “You’re just a fool with a messiah complex.
“Watch it! My brother’s better than you, who would rather die than ever see the sun again!” Zoe said, her tone scathing.
Animus gently rubbed Zoe’s back.
“No, Daphne. I don’t have a messiah complex. I have a duty. I will save the world. No matter what. Not as a naive hero, but as a man who has the power to save it.” Animus said, his eyes filled with a determination that bordered on the dangerous.
Daphne fell quiet. She trembled a little under Animus’ gaze.
Elsa caught his look.
“Animus, people...are not kind. Not to their ruler, their government, or their fellow countrymen. And especially not when the world as they knew it is gone. What if they don’t want you to save them? What if the ruins of the world resist you? What will you do then?” Elsa asked.
Animus leaned back. His mouth opened, but no words came out.
“...I don’t know. But I will at least protect my loved ones and what’s mine.” Animus said, a conflicted look on his face before it smoothed over into a determined gaze.
“With great power comes great responsibility.” Gwen said, her voice serious and gentle as she looked at Animus.
Animus looked at her in surprise.
‘Is this...the effect of her soul template? The template of Gwen Stacy from Marvel?’ He thought.
He shook his head with a smile.
“No, Gwen.” Animus smiled.
Gwen looked at him in surprise.
“I don’t believe in that. I believe that everyone should do something if they can. We are all responsible. We all have the power to change our lives. That is the only way to change life.” Animus smiled.
It was a happy smile. A smile of resolution. A smile that talked of universes and stories that explored that concept. Some even in the Marvel multiverse believed in that idea.
Gwen stared at Animus.
Gwen couldn’t understand it, but she felt like a frequency in her soul just shifted forever.
Animus held her look, a gentle smile on his face.
Zoe waggled her brows hard.
“Three girls in one day...? He is a casanova befitting Vault 69.” Malty muttered under her breath while hiding a venomous look.
Gwen smiled beautifully.
“Yes, that sounds better. I like that, Animus.” She said, her hand moving to hold Animus’ hand.
Animus returned the gesture, holding her hand gently.
“I’m glad.” He smiled.
Meanwhile, Jasmine pouted.
“So, if we are all on board, we should get moving!” Jasmine said and clapped her hands, trying to distract a particular duo with a growing chemistry.
“Yes. We all have a lot to think about.” Elsa nodded and got up.
“I should go check on Anya. I’ll also try to encourage people to consider your plan. After your speech earlier today with Miss Elsa, many should be receptive to your ideas.” Yor smiled and got up as well.
“I’ll also go talk to people!” Malty said and began walking to the door in a hurry.
“Alright, everyone. Thank you.” Animus smiled and got up with Gwen and Zoe.
“I’ll go explore the engineering labs for the land rover and radiation suits project.” Zoe said and picked up her cloth bag. She slung it over her shoulder.
“I’ll join you, Zo. I want to work on the Rad-X formula in the science labs. Also, it’s okay if I call you Zo, right?” Gwen asked with a smile.
“Of course, Gwen! You’re practically family~” Zoe lilted while giving a sly look at Animus and Gwen standing together.
Their hands were still joined.
Gwen blushed furiously. Her cheeks turned red. The color ran all the way to her ears. She snapped her hand back.
“I-It’s not what you think! I-I-I was just...!” Gwen stammered.
“Bad, Zo. No teasing.” Animus said, chuckling.
He flicked Zoe’s forehead.
“Ow! Rawr!” Zoe exclaimed before trying to attack Animus.
Animus laughed and dodged her arms.
The group smiled at the siblings’ antics. Gwen’s blush reduced as she looked at them.
Thus, they all left Unit 01. Together, walking towards a new future.
**
The door to the Overseer’s Office clicked shut.
“So, have you got any information on subject Animus?” Rachel asked.
“Yes.” Malty nodded. “He is planning to escape the vault in a year. He is building an AI that predicts the nuclear winter and black rain will end by then. Subjects Zoe, Gwen, Jasmine, Yor, and Elsa seem to be receptive to his ideas.”
A vacuous grin emerged on Rachel’s face.
“Is that so? Good work. Proceed with the plan. Ruin his life. We’ll take care of the AI. After the stunt he pulled today, I don’t want any more people getting ideas. I want to see changes in a month.” She said, tapping her finger on the table.
“Fine.” Malty gritted her teeth, her voice full of venom. “And in return, you will do what you promised.”
“Of course.” Rachel smiled wider.
“I will erase the criminal records of you killing your parents and sister.”
**
Author’s Note: Are you guys enjoying the story? I am working on another story as well. It is based in Marvel. I will release it after Animus of the New World. I also love everyone's comments, so start commenting!