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For other characters named Thomas, see Thomas. |
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Thomas was a young boy who lived before the Great War. He was a member of the Pioneer Scouts and the stepson of Harry Edwards.
Background[]
Growing up before the Great War, Thomas' biological parents became divorced at some point. The two shared custody of Thomas, with his mother having him during the week, and his father having him during the weekends. His mother eventually married another man, Harry Edwards, who became Thomas' stepfather; while his biological father was a gambler. Thomas also became a member of the Pioneer Scouts.[1][2]
On the day the bombs dropped, Thomas was originally meant to be with his biological father, but his father decided to go to Atlantic City with his friends instead. Thomas' father promised to buy him the best possible toy after winning the "jackpot."[1] Instead of being with his father, Thomas was sent on a special weekend retreat with the Pioneer Scouts to Camp Liberty in the Shenandoah National Park. This trip happened to align with Thomas's birthday in October 2077. Thomas' mother and his stepfather, Harry Edwards, wrote a note to the boy, promising to take him to his favorite ice cream parlor upon his return and to open presents that would be waiting for him at his father's home.[2]
During the trip to Camp Liberty, Thomas was on the same bus as Ben, driven by Mr. Mitchell. As a trouble-making young boy, Thomas distracted Mitchell to the extent that he was reprimanded twice on the bus ride.[3]
In the aftermath of the Great War, Thomas' stepfather Harry and his mother both initially survived, but the latter soon became ill and died. After his wife passed away, Harry realized that his only remaining lifeline in the post-War world was his stepson Thomas. Harry traveled for weeks to reach the Shenandoah National Park, also known as Skyline Valley, to try and find Thomas. Harry encountered many dangers during the trip, but pushed forward in the hope that Thomas was safe.[4]
Unbeknownst to Harry, Thomas' trip to Camp Liberty had taken a strange turn. As part of Operation Sleeping Giant, the DIA had turned Camp Liberty into an experimental facility to condition young Americans into hardline communists, a scientific experiment from the United States government to prove the dangers of communism and its propaganda conditioning on U.S. citizens.[5] When Harry arrived at Camp Liberty, trying to search for Thomas, the communist conditioning was in full swing. Fearful of capitalist outsiders, the campers hung Harry from the nearby South River Bridge.[6]
Thomas' eventual fate is unknown. It is unclear whether Thomas became part of the communist faction at Camp Liberty, as well as if he was part of the group that murdered his stepfather. Although in his pre-written note, Harry asked anyone finding his body to try and save Thomas, there is no further mention of Thomas at the camp.
Notes[]
The notes Birthday letter from dad and Birthday letter from mom differ on how old Thomas was at the time of the Great War. The father's note indicates he was celebrating his 10th birthday that weekend, while the mother's note indicates it would be his 12th birthday. The mother seems to be a more reliable source, having spent more time with Thomas, but his age is not confirmed either way.
Appearances[]
Thomas is mentioned only in Fallout 76, introduced in the Skyline Valley update.
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