With Fallout 4 out now, this could be a representation of what Captain Zao experienced when he was given the orders to launch his payload on Boston. Sure this story takes place on the western coast off California, but still.

Captain Zao being a ghoulified Chinese Navy captain aboard a nuclear sub hidden in Boston harbor that is. Very guilty and very homesick. Sees his sub as more of a child to be taken care of, saw his entire crew become feral or kill themselves off.

I think you did this universe justice here. Pre-War anything's got me hooked as well, and any mention of it through ghouls is fascinating. It colors the world of Fallout so much.

What is that poem by the way? Did you make that up? Find it somewhere? Good touch.

You sure you don't want to continue this? You're a pretty good author with no grammar mistakes as far as the eye can see. You make the characters feel real. And the effort you put into the depth of the environment is commendable. It's okay if you don't want to continue. It would just be a shame to see the start of a story with potential as the ending of the entire thing.

"I hope this story honors Fallout's lore and history properly."
it definitely did. this was a great little one-shot.