Ground Zero
Once again, you think back to that town of Lost Springs that didn't want to be part of the Combine, and you thought then "If they don't want your help, they don't want your help."
Maybe they're calling you a dictator, but you know if that were true you'd enforce your will upon all of them. No, you're not going to do that.
One by one the towns disband from the Combine. You still remain in control of Fort Justice and the newly acquire Cyborg Base, but "The Combine" as you know it is no more. One might even call it a Pyrrhic victory, however you do not.
You saved civilization and humanity from a threat that might not have been stopped otherwise. Maybe you aren't going to be recognized for it, but then again some good deeds aren't recognized. Sometimes Marina thinks it's incredibly unfair of how you've been labeled, but you take it all in stride and always tell her after kissing her
"It was worth it."
Years pass and you remain in control of Fort Justice and Base Victory, you never experience any more real threats mainly due to the superior high tech weaponry that was acquired when Base Victory was taken. Expansion is never seriously considered again however stable relations with towns are re-established eventually when they start having raider problems again. Many of your citizens hire themselves out as mercenaries in exchange for goods that are needed and to make a living. Indeed the "Old Combine" becomes known as the place one goes to; to get help, but nobody wants to be under Combine rule again.
Civilization is re-establishing itself slowly, maybe very slowly, but at least it has a chance now. You spend the rest of your remaining years running your little section of civilization making things better when you can.
One day you're stricken with sickness that progressively gets worse. All help is done for you, but you're dying. You're reminded of the Colonel except you don't have to worry about getting shot like he did, as you've already picked out a suitable successor. Your first choice would've been Marina, as you know her to be capable, but as she'd said many times in the past she's never had any desire herself for command. You never knew why, since she would've been perfect for it. After all right from the beginning she pushed you in the direction.
You hold her hand as you talk to her one last time on your death bed.
"So, you really don't mind Vivica taking charge of this place? You're sure you don't want it?" you ask while Marina shakes her head.
"No. I never wanted it. I always wanted you to have the glory, and the recognition. You had so much potential and you were never fully appreciated for the deeds you did."
"Hey, you know what they say, no good deed goes unpunished. Don't worry about it, I never did."
"I always wished we could've had kids I'm sorry I couldn't give you any to carry on your name "
"Marina, stop it. You know I never cared about that, besides I doubt if it was your problem anyway. I'm sure the time I spent in that fucking radiated city made me sterile. Hell, it's probably what's killing me now. Knew it was only a matter of time before that shit caught up with me. Marina, I don't want to spend my last moments of you sad and wishing for things that didn't happen. Let's just spend it together in silence."
After telling each other you love one another, she holds on to your body until you draw your last breath.
You funeral is a quiet and respectful one. Your loss is felt, but as always life goes on. Marina tries to make sure people don't forget what you did until the day she dies. Some heroes aren't meant to be remembered though and with her death, eventually you're virtually forgotten when Fort Justice is abandoned and a new one is rebuilt elsewhere. You become part of obscure history.
However your now well worn tombstone (next to Marina's) in the Old Fort Justice cemetery still displays words that would sum up what your attitude about your obscurity would be if you were still alive.
"It was worth it."
Maybe they're calling you a dictator, but you know if that were true you'd enforce your will upon all of them. No, you're not going to do that.
One by one the towns disband from the Combine. You still remain in control of Fort Justice and the newly acquire Cyborg Base, but "The Combine" as you know it is no more. One might even call it a Pyrrhic victory, however you do not.
You saved civilization and humanity from a threat that might not have been stopped otherwise. Maybe you aren't going to be recognized for it, but then again some good deeds aren't recognized. Sometimes Marina thinks it's incredibly unfair of how you've been labeled, but you take it all in stride and always tell her after kissing her
"It was worth it."
Years pass and you remain in control of Fort Justice and Base Victory, you never experience any more real threats mainly due to the superior high tech weaponry that was acquired when Base Victory was taken. Expansion is never seriously considered again however stable relations with towns are re-established eventually when they start having raider problems again. Many of your citizens hire themselves out as mercenaries in exchange for goods that are needed and to make a living. Indeed the "Old Combine" becomes known as the place one goes to; to get help, but nobody wants to be under Combine rule again.
Civilization is re-establishing itself slowly, maybe very slowly, but at least it has a chance now. You spend the rest of your remaining years running your little section of civilization making things better when you can.
One day you're stricken with sickness that progressively gets worse. All help is done for you, but you're dying. You're reminded of the Colonel except you don't have to worry about getting shot like he did, as you've already picked out a suitable successor. Your first choice would've been Marina, as you know her to be capable, but as she'd said many times in the past she's never had any desire herself for command. You never knew why, since she would've been perfect for it. After all right from the beginning she pushed you in the direction.
You hold her hand as you talk to her one last time on your death bed.
"So, you really don't mind Vivica taking charge of this place? You're sure you don't want it?" you ask while Marina shakes her head.
"No. I never wanted it. I always wanted you to have the glory, and the recognition. You had so much potential and you were never fully appreciated for the deeds you did."
"Hey, you know what they say, no good deed goes unpunished. Don't worry about it, I never did."
"I always wished we could've had kids I'm sorry I couldn't give you any to carry on your name "
"Marina, stop it. You know I never cared about that, besides I doubt if it was your problem anyway. I'm sure the time I spent in that fucking radiated city made me sterile. Hell, it's probably what's killing me now. Knew it was only a matter of time before that shit caught up with me. Marina, I don't want to spend my last moments of you sad and wishing for things that didn't happen. Let's just spend it together in silence."
After telling each other you love one another, she holds on to your body until you draw your last breath.
You funeral is a quiet and respectful one. Your loss is felt, but as always life goes on. Marina tries to make sure people don't forget what you did until the day she dies. Some heroes aren't meant to be remembered though and with her death, eventually you're virtually forgotten when Fort Justice is abandoned and a new one is rebuilt elsewhere. You become part of obscure history.
However your now well worn tombstone (next to Marina's) in the Old Fort Justice cemetery still displays words that would sum up what your attitude about your obscurity would be if you were still alive.
"It was worth it."
