Connections were a very good thing, Danny came to realize it long ago, during the beginning of his rule. It was good that he knew one particular newspaper, or the main redactor, to be exact. Piper was more than happy to publish an article about the Minutemen's survival. Danny planned on spreading propaganda in order to get more recruits in his military organization. Yes, there wasn't a note of democracy, but, hey, it wasn't what anyone had in mind exactly.

Phantom remembered the list of human priorities. First, they needed food and water to satisfy their physical needs. Security followed after the roof above the head, and since the previous two steps were more or less solved by themselves, Minutemen were just what people needed now, more than arts, travels and other esthetic joys. It was going to be a while until then. Danny's efforts were exactly on this. There was no point in just saving people, besides genuine concern. They needed to move forward.

The article worked, besides, Piper agreed to print a few posters. She had the only print around, Danny simply offered to do some repairs as it seemed pretty rusty. It was a fair exchange. The posters were quite funny, Phantom tasked one of the ghosts back home to come up with the design. She did an admirable job, even if it was rather cliche. But the locals probably didn't even know what the word meant. Danny had a good laugh.

Here he was, standing in a black and white coat of the end of XVIII century, with all additional parts, minus the wig, with laser musket in one end and another hand pointing at the reader. Now Danny really wanted such coat. It was yet to be made by a tailor. Because the Minutemen lacked proper skills and resources, Phantom also requested to start making standardized armor and clothes. Muskets could be made by the humans, however. Army always began there, from organization.

Several settlers, with families or not, arrived to the former suburban housing estate. Phantom organized a training ground. He recruited ten new soldiers. Well, twelve was more than two. Danny being unofficially in charge was the worst thing imaginable for them. Early in the morning they were forced to jog around under his watch, then exercises and finally breakfast. After that everything continued, making the new Minutemen crash on the bed from exhaustion. Danny was careful, though, he didn't want them to be over-exhausted.

Sometimes he allowed them to take rest, often he gave them rest in order to rebuild the settlement. Despite being a stern in terms of trainings, he showed with his entirety his empathy and eagerness to help with every issue the settlers had.

Preston never saw such trainings even when the Minutemen were still at large. They used to be a militia, after all. He was still wary of the 'mutant' who was doing the job. It made him wonder, with such power Phantom could do a lot of things, some of which were horrific to even think about them. Yet, he was helping people, even if they couldn't see it at the moment during the extensive trainings. It made the dark skinned man respect the seemingly younger man more and more.

But the issue of leadership still remained. Technically, he was in charge. He was a Minuteman for a longer time, but he didn't want to be the leader, he didn't have a talent, or at least he thought so. Ever since Danny came into picture, the half ghost was the one to do all the job and command. And that issue was the one Preston was going to solve that day. He went to the training ground, where Phantom was at the moment.

Preston heard multiple whirring sounds. The training was in process at the moment. It was a cleared piece of land behind the crumbled buildings. In one end was a small arsenal with weapons and ammo, in another stood several mannequins Danny had found in god knows what abandoned store. The guy had an unlimited energy. Several red beams hit the targets, some missed. Phantom was standing near one mid-aged Minuteman.

"No, put your legs away a bit," Danny advised. "If they are close, your stance will be less firm. The recoil will make you miss. It concerns everyone!" He said a bit louder.

The soldier nodded and spun the handle. The muskets looked just as primitive. Danny was considering making them more modern looking, but they had no resources for this. Preston coughed in order to gain attention. He had long since noticed that Danny could hear it even over the sound of shots. Phantom indeed turned around and beamed.

"Preston, is there something you need?"

"Uhm, yes, can we talk in private?"

"Sure thing. You can have a break, boys and girls!"

They sighed in relief and Danny pretended like he didn't hear it. Two Minutemen walked off to the distance. Once Preston made sure no one was looking, he started to speak.

"Look, Fenton, there is something what bothers me."

Danny sighed. "Is it about my...condition?"

"No, of course not. I had some time to deal with it. Even though it was creepy."

"Well," Phantom laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. Only now Preston noticed that his teeth were a bit sharper than needed. Probably had something to do with the mutation as well. "I sometimes get like that. Years of holding back speak for themselves. I swear, it'll only be targeted towards enemies, I can control myself."

"Right. Anyways, I thought we need to think about the leadership gap."

"Gap? I thought you were in charge."

Preston blinked. "You can't be serious. You were the one doing everything!"

"Am I?" Danny looked at the settlement. It had become more livable under his leadership indeed. He hadn't even noticed. "We did it together, didn't we?"

Garvey started to laugh, shaking his head. "You are the most clueless guy I've met. I've done a little to nothing. I just helped in building a shack and taught the newbies how to use muskets. That's all."

"Why are you saying this?" Danny raised his eyebrow. "Wanna put me in charge?"

"Exactly," Preston smiled, putting a hand on his companion's shoulder. "You are the one we need."

"Well, can't say I didn't have this in my mind, but are you sure? You know me for a little more than three weeks."

"And I have already learned about your abilities. Not that 'powers', but what kind of a leader you are. So, what do you say?"

"Okay. I guess there is no one to question our decision."

Preston nodded. "Yeah, being the only full fledged Minutemen has own advantages...General."

Phantom whistled. "Now that's a promotion."

"The leader of the Minutemen always had such rank. Congratulations."

"I won't let you down, guys. We will make America great again," Danny smirked, recalling the events happened two and a half centuries ago.

"I'm sure of it. So, do you have any plans of what we should do now?"

"Actually, yes, I do. We are making money by selling the raiders' ownings they won't longer need, for obvious reasons, but this isn't a proper way of earning money. One day we will run out of raiders. We need something to offer, since the Minutemen are not taking anything for the protection. I have a plan, and I am about to put it into fruition. Actually, I have a job for ya."

"Me?"

"Yes. You and our group. I want to see how you fair without me, even if this job is nothing to worry about. The group of settlers asked to clean up a spot for the their settlement. In exchange they will join the special system of my creation. They will come under our protection and allow us, or me, since I have a new rank, take some minor government-like decisions."

"I see."

"Very well. Your destination is an open air restaurant 'Starlight'. Nothing more than molerats, I presume. Be prepared to move out."

The group of five Minutemen, plus Preston, walked in direction given to Danny, to the South-East. The half ghost himself gave orders to the remaining wannabe soldiers to change shifts, patrolling the settlement. Phantom set off, accompanied by his loyal puppy hellhound. But he didn't go directly to the place, no, he got to the meeting point. With his other subordinates.

In a secluded place, namely the remnants of what looked like a summer camp. Several broken wooden houses, skeletons in boy scout outfit, the usual business in the wasteland. A blue wisp came out of the half ghost's mouth.

"Alright, Skulker, you can come out now," Danny called loudly.

The armored man dropped his invisibility and landed in front of the King.

"Whelp," The hunter greeted.

"Hello, tin can," Phantom smiled. "How are you doing?" He asked as they sat on a log.

"Pretty well. I still can't find the remote, though, and Ember is still angry."

Danny burst laughing, throwing his head back, almost falling off the seat. Skulker seemed not happy about this.

"Have you tried searching in the desk of your workshop?" Phantom raised his eyebrow.

"Huh."

"Get to business, please."

"Fine. The situation in the Ghost Zone is stable and well. Choosing Frostbite as a Lord Regent was a nice decision. The Council won't argue against your adventures, not like they ever did it more than once. Most of them yet again praise your ingenuity," Skulker rolled his eyes. "Conquering Human World without spilling a single drop of ectoplasm, by making humans fight instead of us."

Danny snorted. Then he listened to the report about the interesting things and rumors his scouts and invisible agents discovered. Rumors about the scary things in Salem museum (Danny actually shivered at this), Battle Zone within the Boston theatre. There was also an information about settlements, big and small. And, as the King had ordered, all of the locations were marked there, and the ghost scouts weren't spotted.

After taking a look at the map, Danny proceeded to tell about his own efforts, so that the hunter could tell the situation to the senators. His rule was based on responsibility of all citizens, even himself, before their Kingdom. So he reported to the Council, and thus to the citizens, about his deeds. Of course, Skulker couldn't remember everything, only the main points. It was for the newspapers to write the details. It was going to be later.

Once Danny finished, Skulker got up in order to leave.

"Well, I also got your order. I can't understand why the hell you'd need such clothes," he pointed at the bag.

Phantom only grinned. "I want to look authentic."

Skulker only shook his head, before flying off using his jetpack. Danny dug in the bag. He finally got his coat. It consisted of the black coat itself, a white shirt, black trousers to be held up by a pair of braces, white boots. They were made of the light material. Despite how uncomfortable they looked, his clothes felt light and didn't falter his agility at all. There were also accessories, such as gorget, a plate of silver to protect his lower neck. It had a symbol of Minutemen engraved on it - crossed lighting and musket. It didn't feel tight either. And a triangular hat, of course. Danny was really having a time of his afterlife.

Now he looked just like on the posters. Beneath the vibrant clothes was a silvery armor to protect his chest. Danny now looked like a leader of an organization, not a shady kid in a hoodie. His uniform was perfectly clean and without a single hole. Now the half ghost could go and do his job as the General of Minutemen.

Phantom went further to the south, following the railroad. He crossed Merrymack, shot a few raiders and mutants, usual day. He encountered yet another farm, growing the stuff seemed like an only proper business around the suburban area of Boston. Danny got some weird glances, but at the same time, some looked at him in awe. It was a bit complicated, but he got to the road again, because he had lost it a while ago. He got what he was searching for, but just in case Phantom took a look at his map.

There was a cave. Or what looked to be a cave. Danny knew what really was inside. He went inside. Even if at first everything he saw were stones, soon Danny saw it. The gear-like door to another vault. Unlike others, however, he had learnt that it was inhabited. Phantom could gain a lot from their cooperation. So, he just pressed a big red button, hoping that someone would respond.

"Hold right there, who the hell are you?" A voice sounded from the speaker.

"Daniel Fenton, the General of Minutemen. I'd like to talk to your...overseer."

"Ha, as if. And I am queen of England, boy."

"I'm surprised you actually know what England is," Danny said dryly. "If you don't let me in, I'll find my way, believe me."

"You really are..."

"Edwards, what's going on?" Another, female voice sounded.

"Overseer McNamara! There is some lunatic standing outside."

"Hey!"

"This is for me to decide. Sorry for my officer's behavior, he is right to be suspicious of the guests. We have rules for everyone who wants to come inside. Pay the fee."

"So I heard. But it's not like I can give it to you through the five meters thick plumbum door."

"Valid enough. Edwards."

"Yes, ma'am."

The door whirred and screeched loudly. It rolled to the side and a small bridge extended. Danny went forward, inside what probably looked like the only clean place around. There were several people in the similar blue jumpsuits with number '81'. They in turn watched him. They probably did know that he fit the image of a Minuteman. He stopped near a mid aged, slightly overweight redheaded woman, because she looked like she was the main one.

"So you are the one causing all the trouble," She crossed her hands.

"Well, I wouldn't say it like that," Danny laughed. "Anyways," He outstretched his white gloved hand. "Danny Fenton."

"Gwen McNamara. So, what is it you have to offer?"

"Well, I have nuclear fusion core."

Phantom took out a small yellow tube. "Everything is alright, nuclear reaction steadily goes. No leaks whatsoever."

"Hm...fine. It will do," the Overseer took the core. "Now. Why are you here?"

"As I said, I'm the leader of the Minutemen. We'd like to get any support we can, and so, I came to discuss the terms of our agreement."

"Many people won't support such decision...follow me."

"Ma'am, what about the dog? It glows." Edwards asked.

At his words Cujo barked, sticking out his tongue.

"Seems harmless to me," Gwen said.

Danny followed her down the elevator, and then to the office. The vault was very lively, making Phantom wonder what was so special about it. Two of the previous vaults died off, and in both of them horrific social experiments had been conducted. Putting an anarchist in charge of elite society for instance. Nevertheless, it was a nice change from the almost dead world above.

The office was nothing special. Just a room with a table and a desk in the middle. Several shelves with books and a radio. McNamara sat at her place, inviting Danny to sit in front of her. Phantom complied.

"So, what is that you need?"

"Simple. Only Vault dwellers can help the people above to make anything. If only you would share the blueprints and resources for purification of water and making electricity...it will help us make living in the Wasteland better."

"While it is good and all, I want to know what we will get in exchange."

"Oh, common, we help for free, why can't you?"

"Because we don't run around waving archaic weapons and wearing weapons from half a millenia ago."

Okay, that was a nice jab there. Danny respected it, but not appreciated.

"Fine...usually we kill raiders for that, but I doubt they are a bother to you. Our purpose is to help. And I personally am ready to."

"There is nothing for you to do here, General. We live peacefully without any major contacts with the outside world. But if you want to help, take a look around. You can walk around freely, as long as you don't break the rules."

Danny shrugged, although he was completely dissatisfied. Phantom got up and went out of the office. He strolled through the halls, thinking about what to do. On his way, Danny saw a classroom. Why he understood it? Well, there was a glass window. Because the population of the vault wasn't so big, it seemed that there wasn't any need for many classrooms. The teacher, a dark skinned woman, noticed him looking and decided to come outside. Danny hoped it wasn't because he looked like a pedophile.

"Hello, good sir," the teacher smiled. "Are you from the Wasteland?"

"Yeah...why do you ask?"

"Oh, I just had a spontaneous idea. For a long while, actually."

"Which is..."

"Oh, our kids are left inside for all their lives. I'd like you to tell them about what's going on outside. And about your adventures. Can you..."

Danny chuckled. "Oh, I have a lot to tell. Alright, I can spare my time."

The teacher went back inside. Danny followed her and was greeted by a class full of middle school students. It wasn't anything out of ordinary. And the children were watching him wide eyed. He stood in front of the class, and Danny got a long forgotten feeling of anxiety like he was answering questions.

"Children, today we have a special guest. From the Wasteland above."

"Woah," the children gaped at the half ghost. The latter felt really weird.

"How it's like there?" Some girl asked.

Danny smiled. It was his hour. "Well, it is hard for me to make any claims, for the place I am from seriously differs from Boston. My home, believe it or not, was untouched by bombs. Compared to the city above, or even your vault, my home is a heaven, which still holds memories and knowledge of the old world. But I was tired of living calm life, working in governmental apparatus for so long. I am an adventurous type."

"And you willingly got in dangers?"

"Exactly. But it doesn't mean that I cannot stand for myself. I even thought the deathclaw."

"So cool!"

"How did you do that?"

"I was fighting raiders, who had attacked the settlers. Then that overgrown chameleon climbed out of the sewers. Basically the place where it belongs, living on mirelurk diet."

Some kids snickered.

"It wasn't the biggest one I've seen. But. I was bored. I killed that beast with its own horn after ripping it out."

"Please, sir, not so graphical," the teacher asked, receiving a nod from the half ghost.

"Alright. Anyways, I killed it with bare hands."

"You are lying."

"No one can be that strong!"

Danny grinned, before looking at the other adult.

"Miss, would you kindly to remove your hands from the table?"

Raising her eyebrow, the woman complied. Then Phantom lifted her desk in the air with only one hand. Everyone stared at him.

"Not so strong, you say?" Danny smirked, setting the table on the ground.

"Well, it was a nice presentation, sir. But I'm afraid our lesson is near its end. Thank you again."

"It was an honor," Phantom theatrically took off the triangle hat and bowed.

The kids moaned in disappointment. Danny smiled.

"Don't worry kiddos, maybe we will talk again, I'm here for a while."

Phantom nodded and walked out of the room, feeling his mood brighten.

The following few hours were rather boring, even though eventful. He walked around the vault, meeting new people, sometimes helping with the maintenance. The workers were shocked at his level of knowledge about advanced technologies. Danny didn't spend his half human life for nothing. He got a Nobel prize once. By the end of his human world life he got a lot of influential acquaintances in scientific sphere, such as Mr. House. The man was rather arrogant, cynical and yet not foreign to compassion, especially to his home city of Las-Vegas. He had humanity's best hopes in mind. Danny wondered what happened to him afterwards.

Returning to the matters at hand, by the end of the day Phantom got himself a reputation, because the information spread quickly in tight conditions. As he was passing hospital wing, Danny saw that there was a fuss. Curious, Phantom entered. The people glanced at him, but then returned to the conversation. Danny noticed a preteen boy lying in what looked like a comatose state.

"Is everything so bad?" An old woman in a lab coat asked.

"I don't know what kind of disease it is," the dark skinned doctor said sadly. "He obviously got it from this molerat bite. Rachel is examining that creature. Who knows what kinds of diseases they carry?"

"How did it even get here?" The woman asked.

"I don't know Priscilla."

"I...I think it's because of me..." The man with an irokez haircut said shamefully. "I was hiding my goods in a secret place. There is an entire vault down there, just completely rundown. I found a terminal there, I started fiddling there. Austin followed me and got bitten...B-but there is an information! The experiments were carried there, and they seem to have administered the cure."

"Bobby, you are a genius, a junky, but genius!" The doctor said.

"But who will be willing to go..."

"I will," Danny finally stepped in, and his presence was finally noted again. "This is my job, after all."

"Oh, thank you, young man. Stay safe out there," Priscilla smiled genuinely.

"I'll show you the way," Bobby said.

Danny quickly followed him, as the very thin man decided to run. They got to the generator room, which was dirty as hell. Bobby led Phantom to the especially dirty corner. Before Danny could ask a question, the human kicked the wall with his leg, and it slid open, revealing another door. Without saying a word, the half ghost went forward. He needed to be quick.

Behind the door everything indeed seemed ugly. Rusty walls, flickering lights. The floor was covered in dirt, the layer was so thick that the molerats could actually dig their tunnels there. And his suspicion was true, the bloodthirsty predators jumped out, trying to eat him. Danny, seeing as the slow musket was pointless, started burning them alive with ectoblasts, as Cujo bit their necks. Neither of them was worried about the disease.

Phantom passed the speakers on the walls, and to the feeling of dread, he heard voices. Familiar ones, each speaker was used to earthsdrop on the dwellers of the vault. Danny's assumptions were correct. The eighty first vault was used for experiments as well. Phantom found the terminal, briefly reading the contents. It was quite a story. Apparently, the disease was to be grown inside the molerats. Afterwards the scientists were supposed to let it spread upon the citizens. But the overseer, the one before Gwen, was against it. The research was sabotaged, and that ruthless scientists were buried. Good riddance.

Downloading the journal down the special tape, Danny continued his way. Finally he entered the hall without dirt. Immediately he was greeted by three lockers on the ground. Judging from the burnt off candles, flowers on them, those were the graves. Bones inside only confirmed the point. As Phantom was passing the window, he suddenly heard a voice.

"Oh, a stranger!"

The French accent was so thick that you could touch it. The phrase was said by a robot on the other end of the window. The Miss Nanny robot was created by General Atomics International as the female equivalent of the Mister Handy. As such, it carried similar built-in armaments: two fingered hand, a hand with a buzzsaw and a hand with a flamethrower. It was floating above the air by using a small reactive engine. Everything was connected to the spherical head with three eyes. It had a white paint job. Danny remembered those. They were popular long before the war, even Sam's and Tucker's families used to have them. But Danny preferred his own servants.

"I proudly announce that my job has been done eighty three years and two months ago! Are you from Vault-tec?"

Her voice sounded much nicer than that of its fellow robots. The french accent made it rather cute, actually.

"Uhm...yes, I am."

"Oh, magnifique!" She said joyously. "Please, please, tell me you are authorized to let me open this door. Can I go now?"

"Yes, you can."

The robot immediately moved away from the view, before the door slid open. Danny went inside.

"Oh, I haven't introduced myself!" She continued. "Je suis Contagions Vulnerability Robotic Infirmary Engineer, or Curie, if you wish to call me like that."

"Okay, Curie. I'm Danny," Phantom smiled. "So, about your work...what have you been doing?"

"I proudly declare that I have examined each case of molerat plague, and I have administered the cure, here, you can take it!"

She handed him a syringe, which Phantom took. He raised his eyebrow.

"Only one?"

"Oh, I deeply apologize, monsieur. I had enough material only for one syringe. There were so many unsuccessful tries."

She really sounded ashamed now, looking at the ground.

"Hey, I only needed one, anyway," Danny smiled, trying to reassure her. She seemed nice enough.

"I am glad. You don't mind if I follow you to the entrance? I won't be able to find a way on my own."

"Sure thing. Follow me."

Danny hurried to return to the main vault. Finally, he reached the medical bay. The same doctor was there, near the boy. He jumped from his seat once Phantom entered.

"Have you found it?" He asked.

Danny's response was handing the syringe. The doctor shared his initial surprise, but then just dealt with it, deciding to try it anyway. During the procedure, the overseer McNamara came into the room. She asked for an explanation. Once the syringe contents were inserted, Danny proceeded to tell the entire story he had found, handing the tape to the overseer. Needless to say that everyone was horrified. Phantom then said about Curie's achievement, making the robot to look away. If she could, she'd have blushed.

The boy's condition stabilized. Gwen looked at Danny.

"There is no telling how much we appreciate what you have done. You know what...we will give you the blueprints. You have deserved them."

"The honor is all mine, overseer," Danny smiled. "We Minutemen are ready to help at a minute's notice. I think I'll be going now, I'll return for the blueprints later. Have to check up on my comrades."

Gwen nodded.

Once Danny exited the room, he was confronted by Curie.

"Is there something you need, Curie?"

"If it is not a bother, monsieur."

At Phantom's nod, she continued.

"I have been trapped so many years. I believe it's customary to thank you for your role in saving me. My entire life has been in this vault. I have analyzed and learned everything there is to know here. So now I must see the rest of the Commonwealth. Consult with scientists. Unearth more data to challenge my hypotheses."

"That's a big task," Danny smiled. "What exactly do you want to know?"

"Down here is an enclosed system. And without the introduction of new mutagens, viruses, or bacteria is quite...dull, medically speaking, of course. The world up there is infinitely more complex. Who knows what diseases can be found and studied?"

"You sure seem excited about making research," Phantom rubbed his chin with an amused expression. "You want to follow me, don't you?"

"You seem as the most appropriate personne for this, of course I can stand for myself, I have a laser!" She raised one of her hands. So it wasn't a flamethrower. Well, that's a relief.

Danny laughed. "Okay, let's go."