“You need to protect her, at all costs. She can save the world, your life is expendable. You have to get her to the base, safe and sound.”

Those were the orders Simon Riley was given before he even met you, being told that his life meant nothing, compared to yours.

WWIII had started a year ago, the nuclear fallout sensing civilization back to a prehistoric condition, famine and diseases crippling society, or what was left of it. Only the rich lived, in their expensive bunkers, safe from the horror outside.

He had no idea why you were so important, with the government keeping you up on a pedestal so high. Apparently, you’d found a way to “save the world”. It was strictly classified, though, and Simon, being just a soldier, could only follow orders, not ask questions.

You had to cross half of the US to get to Washington DC, where you would’ve shown the head of government this miracle finding of yours, and Simon’s duty was to keep you alive the whole duration of the journey.

Despite having a whole team of the best engineers, mathematicians and physicists in your team, you’d rather work alone, your hand scribbling non-stop, day and night, to perfect your so-called “Eden”.

The journey was long, and Simon had the chance to get to know you, or at least the part of you that you managed to disclose, since you barely even talked, too busy working. He’d started this operation loathing you, but he was slowly starting to realise your worth, if you were even able to save their sorry arses. Sometimes he found himself doubting if the world was even worth saving.

“Mornin’,” he greeted gruffly, moving the curtain to enter the makeshift lab, but he stopped in his tracks. Your lab coat still on, arms crossed on the desk in front of you, your head resting on top of them. You hadn’t slept that night, either.