“What are you people doing?! Get that baby out of her now!!”

Panic filled the air. The very presence of the pudgy resident doctor consumed all common sense from the room. They scrambled to get Natalie to the OR. Without thinking, they rolled her out. The blood pressure monitor, still wrapped tight around her arm, comes crashing to the floor. The oxygen mask, still on, pulls up and felt to Natalie that her face was about to go along with it. The soon-to-be new parents were terrified. They entered the OR, and Natalie was put under immediately. Aedan unsure if that final “I love you” was ever heard.

Tyler was born on October 30, 2078. just over a year after the Vault 76 doors closed. He was not the first baby born in the vault, so there was no big fuss, but he was the first and only one to lose his mom in the process.

Aedan Dempsey was left to raise Tyler on his own. It was not the cliche story of the abusive, drunk, single dad, bitter that the child survived and his partner did not. Aedan loved his boy, but Aedan was a warrior. He was chosen for Vault 76 for his skills in battle, and his job in the vault was to train residents in combat, preparing them for whatever they may run into on the outside. So Aedan loved Tyler the only way he knew how. He was determined to have the best soldier, the most competent, the most deadly. He began to prepare Tyler from birth. He raised him like a Spartan – withholding rations, isolating him at times, teaching him to throw a punch as soon as he could form a fist. All to toughen him up. His boy was going to survive.

By the time Tyler came to Mrs. Sunshine’s classroom, he had “angry problems.” Any academic challenge created a monster. He would punch the computer screen, storm out of the room, or try to pick a fight with a classmate to avoid any learning. During any type of transition (for instance, walking from the classroom to the gym) Tyler would use the opportunity to practice his skills in battle. If you just looked at him wrong or accidentally bumped into him, it was on.

Suzi tried every trick in the book to keep Tyler from being assessed by the Vault Psychiatrist, but it was to no avail. By the time he was in second grade, Tyler was put on the “happy place” drug, otherwise known as Day Tripper. She, along with Aedan, tried to fight the prescription. Suzi argued that the drug changed him, made him not himself. Aedan was concerned that it would hinder his fighting abilities, taking away some of his strength. The Overseer would have no part of it, and the root of Tyler’s chem addition was firmly planted in his grade school years.

The Day Tripper served its purpose for quite some time. Tyler had far less outbursts, and was actually more charismatic than he used to be. So much so, that when he was just starting his high school years, he caught the attention of an older girl named Liberty Cain. A girl whose affection Tyler has been after ever since.

Before the war, Tyler’s dad rode with Maddox and Jack, as members of the Morgantown Motorcycle Club. The club was made up of current and ex-military. Maddox and Aedan were close friends. Jack, a few years younger than them, plus an “academic,” was more of a “good buddy.” In the vault, however, both were Aedan’s star pupils. He loved to put in extra time with them on the training course. Additionally, it was very much encouraged by the Overseer. He was incredibly knowledgeable and loved to talk about the good ‘ol days of motorcycle riding with the boys. They hung out often. Tyler usually in the background, studying their moves and listening to their banter. When he was old enough to participate, Tyler would love to make old man comments, which in turn earned him the nickname of Vault Baby. They enjoyed each other’s company as much as they learned from each other. Then, suddenly, Tyler’s dad stopped showing up at the usual hang outs. He stayed late at work. He was onto something. He became very distant and secretive, until one day, he started to talk.

“Hey Maddox.”

“Dude, where have you been?”

“I think something shady is going on around here. I am not sure what it is just yet, but I am working on it. Meet me at the cafeteria just before breakfast. I will share what I know so far. Don’t mention anything to Jack.” He hung up the phone and that was the last Maddox heard from him.

The Overseer called it an “unfortunate accident.” The oxygen had failed in his bedroom chamber. Aedan Dempsey suffocated in his sleep. Maddox was incredibly suspicious, but thought it best to investigate on his own further before bringing in Jack and the rest of the crew. Suzi and Jack kept a watchful eye over Tyler ever since. He, along with Liberty Cain, became part of their pack, sticking together in the Vault and in the Wasteland like family.