been some time since last update, everything alright?
btw, been re-reading, love prototype and a bit of fallout :)

Right off the bat, here in chapter 2, something that makes it impossible to keep reading. Blacklight rejecting Biomass, impossible. Blacklight is an ever evolving biomass entity known as Alex Mercer. In the first place, even a directly engineered countermeasure to Blacklight didn't do much other than slow him down, and would have been pointless to use a second time.
This is because Blacklight is ever adapting, ever evolving, and completely radiation immune. It consumes biomass, and if that biomass is something new or simply incompatible, no it isn't, not anymore at least, there is no rejection process. Alex Mercer is Mahoraga from Jujutsu Kaisen on steroids, and the more biomass he has, the stronger he gets, there is no upper limit, it should be noted that he also regrew from a tiny bit of slime to a full sized human by eating a crow, an entire vault full of people would have seen him completely recover, stasis would have done nothing to him, hell stasis would have been pointless and have worn off after a few months tops before he adapted.

Having a radioactively mutated wasp lead to him rejecting it's biomass is nothing short of saying "And then Goku threw up his favorite food because it was disgusting and stupid even though it was exactly how he liked it." completely nonsesical and unbelievable. Which is why I simply can't read on while knowing this, because I can just tell this entire story will be more of the same.

Amazing fic

Mfw I learn there's a mod made by the author for fallout: new vegas that adds a dead world style mercer as a companion.

And there's a comment from the author with some context on potential future chapters wink wink nudge nudge(posted 12 days ago)(losing my shit rn)

Oooh, what a lovely cold opening, feel bad for all the clueless vault dwellers tho lol

I've reread this story a few times, and the character interactions are excellent. I'm glad this fic exists, thank you for writing it.

This was a spectacular fic. Originally found it through Prototype nostalgia but with Fallout currently on the rise I figured I should revisit it. Shame to see it abandoned, but what a ride it was.

Reread the entire thing. Still saddens me that this is abandoned, it's truly an amazing story. The development of Cain and Alex's relationship is an incredible one, and it's a pity to not see it continue. I hope one day you'll continue this.

Does this imply Alex uses the same companion slot as
ED-E and Rex?

I keep coming back to this story, and I gotta say, I still love it. I really do hope you come back to start writing it again.

I don't remember if I left any reviews but I've been following this story for a long time. This is maybe my third time reading it over the years, and as I get older I have more and more appreciation for your writing style. The banter and dynamic between your characters is fun, and Cain has cemented herself as my canonical vision of Courier 6.

You've managed to keep Alex around the party without defanging him, which is not an easy feat. Many play fast and loose with his morality, but you've provided him with direction and a moral compass that lends to his character growth. He's not a good person but he wants to be, and its starkly at odds with his nature and way of life.

The Sierra Madre represented a complete tone shift that I deeply enjoyed, showing your cast at their worst and most damaged and desperate. The bomb collar represented a threat that Mercer couldn't maim or kill, and grounded the arc by raising the stakes for both characters. For the first time in the entire story Mercer was pretty much helpless, and Cain was so far on the back-foot her ass was touching the ground.

It also highlighted once more the very real danger Alex presents to his allies, and your very realistic take that even after everything Cain is still (rightfully) terrified that she's going to be eaten. An incredibly unique and interesting dynamic.

Your take on Arcade has also been an absolute favorite of mine. Unlike Cain, Arcade is a much more straightforward take on how difficult it is to do the right thing, especially when traveling with a bio weapon who eats people. His awkward game of pool with Alex was a highlight of the story for me, especially once they stopped playing and started talking, and it was lovely seeing how that calmed him down and helped him see Alex as a person again, instead of a monster.

My favorite quote from this story (sorry this reads like a middle school ELA project) was from Alex.

"The first time you look at yourself, really look at yourself, and think 'what have I done?' it's not what you just did that hits the hardest. It's all the other times you did the same thing and didn't care."

Very good story, thank you for the read. If you ever return to it, I'll be here.

You! You are my companion now. Fallout protagonist rules, sorry.

Even if you never return, I'm happy you actually completed the main story. Its such a treat we got a dlc completion too!

My only sadness is that I wanted more of the pair now that they've been through hell together and have greatly strengthened their bond. At least Alex finally has family again.

Here's hoping to getting the other dlcs one day!(wanted Old World Blues so Alex could go nuclear. Poor fella would be on the pacification beam...lord help them all)

god i miss this fic

Interesting