"Yes. It will be like the Terra-formers restoring the native plant-life. You'd basically go back to Level 1 of Genetic Code."he said.

"Things are about to change Storm. You feel it, don't you?"she said.

"But...what if someone doesn't want to do that? No one would force them, right?" Hikari asked tentatively.

Storm shook his head. "I guess I'm not as intuitive as you are. Or maybe I'm just too used to constant change." He said.

"I won't lie to you hikari, I don't know."he said

"given the changes in recent days, it's not surprise you're desensitized to change"she said

Eyes downcast, Hikari nodded. "Okay. It's better than death, at least."

"I agree. A lot is different...it was only a week or so ago that I learned I had Aether powers."

"Hikari, you're at a split-road with this. You can either cure radiation, or destroy it completely. Either way, you won't make everyone happy. This sort of thing will impact the entire wasteland, hell maybe the entire world if there is anything left."he said.

Hikari's eyes were closed tightly, as if she were holding something back. "I know that, Oliver. I know it all too well." She said, her voice shaking slightly.

"There's a story behind that look, and it looks like it needs to be told. "he said.

Hikari shook her head. "I'm just tired, that's all. I've seen so much, it's hard to believe that I'm only seventeen years old. I've always had the weight of expectations and responsibilities with me, but now, with this...it's like the whole world is resting on my shoulders. It would be great if...no, I shouldn't think like that."

"Hikari, you can tell me. I won't judge or Discriminate "he said.

"I was just thinking...sometimes I wish that I didn't have this responsibility. That I never met Joseph and all of you. That I had been born to parents who expected nothing of me. But then it would be someone else in that position, and someone else may not handle it the way I have. Plus, I never would have turned out the way I am. Never would have fallen in love with a wonderful man. Never would have made such great friends. I think those things, but in the end I'm glad it's me and not someone else. An easy life would be kind of boring for someone my age."

"I personally think that you are a strong, slightly naive, thoughtful, and clever woman, who deserves a world free from the ravages of a bygone generation."he said.

Hikari blinked. "Um...thanks." She said, not sure how else to respond.

"Your welcome. Now, let's get this over with, so we can get you back to your fiancee, who you're probably gonna beat the shit out of for doing something stupid. "he said.

Hikari smiled. "Right. I'm looking forward to that." She said, starting off down the hall.

The General was looking over papers in his office. "Oh, Miss Hikari. Good to see you. Have you thought about what I said?"he asked.

Outside of Rosemaries house, not long after Joseph and Arventino left, another package was outside it.

Hikari nodded. "Yes, I've thought quite a lot about it." She said. "One thing you never clarified is whether I would be the one to empty this canister into the river. I want...I want to be the one to do it." She said.

"It was meant to be you, that would do it. But alright. "Walter Degrasse said. He the reached down, and pulled out 2 sets of 5 different Canisters. He then shut his camera off, and closed his door. He then sat down quickly, and looked around, speaking in a whisper. "Look, Miss, I know you're planning on doing. Take this, get them to the doctor, and do what you can. "He said, looking around again.

"One of my Executive Officers told me about you, told me you spared her life. She'll take you out of this place, with the Canisters. Going up against the Authority is a goddamn death wish, but not everyone deserves to die. "he said, putting them in a air-lock briefcase. He then pushed it towards her. "Tell the Ark Survivor, Joseph Vazquez?.....I'm sorry for what happened at Anchorage."He said.

(knowing you, and I know you will have forgotten by now, The Ark Survivor he's referring too, is the Woman with the daughter you spared on your way to the city. Oh, and here is an image)

((Amazingly enough, Wolfie remembered that.))

Hikari took the briefcase, blinking, then smiled softly at the man. "Thank you. We'll get out of here as quickly as possible." She said, standing up to go.

You saw the woman from before, dressed as a Wastelander. She had a 6 year old girl with her, dressed the same. She hugged Hikari, and got in. "Let's go. It won't be long before they figure out what's happened. "she said.

Oliver looked at Hikari. "Hikari, Our lord must be watching over you, and is at your every step, with the luck you have. "he said.

Hikari hugged the woman back, then shrugged at Oliver. "I have heard that those who persevere through hardships will eventually be rewarded." She said.

The car started. As they were driving, Oliver reached over his neck, and pulled a cross off. He then gave it to Hikari. "Here. I want you to have this. "He said.

Hikari took the object, slightly confused. "Thank you, Oliver. But...what is it, exactly? I mean, I know that it symbolizes a certain religion, but what exactly does it mean?"

" cross is an execution device used by the ancient Romans. It is recalled in western culture, most often, in a shape as if you took two wooden beams, one about half the length of the other, and crossed it like a lower-case letter 't' is crossed.

Jesus, the Christ, was crucified, put to death on a cross. For that reason, in most churches, the cross is used as a remembrance of Christ's suffering or a symbol of being His follower. And, it is sometimes invoked as an objhect of worship/devotion or an instrument of conveying God's grace and/or power among believers.

To me, personally, it is a symbol of Christianity, being a follower of Christ. On the outside of a building, it tells me this is a place where people worship Christ. It calls to mind His sacrifice, and that stirs sorrow and gratitude directed toward Christ for His suffering on my behalf, but I don't worship the cross or bow before it or give it any attributes beyond that symbolism. "he said.

Hikari nodded. "That's rather interesting. Perhaps some time, when everything settles down, you could teach me more about this Christianity?" She suggested. "But wait...why give this cross to me, if that's what it means to you?"

"Because you remind me alot like Jesus christ. "he said, cracking his neck. "If you're so interested, why not join sessions at the church?" he asked.