Manya Vargas

Manya Vargas is a former caravaneer, an elderly resident of Megaton, and the wife of Nathan Vargas .
==Background==
Born in Megaton,The Lone Wanderer: "How did you get here?"Manya Vargas: "I was born here, actually. Just like my papi. Oh, for a while I helped him scavenge and then later on his caravan. But traipsing around the Wasteland is work for young people. After I met Nathan, I just wanted to stop moving around so much. We've been here ever since. Of course, I can't say that it's been good for Nathan's sanity..."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) Manya has lived to the ripe old age of 64, despite a lifetime spent on the caravan trail together with her husband, Nathaniel Vargas. After saving up caps on the caravan trail, they retired at Megaton. While Manya witnessed every misery in the wasteland in her long life, it has not destroyed her optimism and gentle nature. As a result, she is a font of wisdom and knowledge, happily sharing her accumulated experience with other denizens of the town, making her very popular and successful.Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.83"Manya:Manya, 64, is a sweet old lady. She and Nathan used to run a caravan line together and have managed to save enough Caps and supplies to live out their retirement in Megaton. Manya's sweet exterior doesn't reveal that she's witnessed every misery that the Wasteland has to offer. She is extremely wise and knowledgeable—two traits that allow her to continue to thrive and live in Megaton."
Manya is descended from one of the founders of Megaton, and one of the people most knowledgeable about the town's history.The Lone Wanderer: "I had some questions about this town's history."Manya Vargas: "I can tell you just about anything you want to know, honey. Megaton's history ain't no secret."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) Her grandfather was one of the original settlers, from back when Megaton was just a hole in the ground sheltering a motley assortment of people: People trying to get into Vault 101, the fledgling Church of Atom worshipping a bomb that nobody's quite sure where it came from, and assorted refugees. All were using the location to shelter from dust storms that were common in the region after the Great War. Eventually, a community formed, becoming a vital trading spot in the Capital Wasteland around the time her father was born in the 22nd century.The Lone Wanderer: "How did the town start?"Manya Vargas: "Well, originally, it started as a hole in the ground. My papi talked about how his father and the original settlers just hid in this crater. It was enough to keep them safe from the dust storms. When things cooled down and people started wandering into the Wastes, some stayed behind. The wanderers started coming back here to trade their stuff. By the time my papi was born, the town was a full on trading center. Papi got rich on the caravan routes and eventually convinced the others to build the walls to hold off the Raiders."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) The Vargas family got rich on the caravan trail, and Manya's father eventually rallied settlers and traders together to clear wreckage and erect proper walls around the town to defend it.The Lone Wanderer: "What's this place made of?"Manya Vargas: "Long ago, before the war, there used to be machines they were like buses, but they flew through the sky, taking people anywhere they wanted to go. You didn't have to walk, you just went to the air station, bought a ticket, and took to the skies. Anywhere in the world, you just up and flew there. When the war happened, the machines started dropping from the sky. Everyone around here thinks that the bomb made the crater, but it didn't. The crater provided good cover from the dust storms and when my daddy and the rest of the town decided to build the walls, they used what they had."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) The Church of Atom helped, in exchange for not disturbing the unexploded nuclear bomb.The Lone Wanderer: "So why didn't they move the bomb?"Manya Vargas: "Some of us wanted to. But the Church of Atom was just getting its start then. We needed their help to build the walls and clear the wreckage. If we'd have tried to move the bomb, they would have refused to help. Besides, a lot of people just wanted to leave it alone. It didn't seem to be hurting anything and who knows what would happen if we messed with it."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) The walls provided much needed defense against raiders who preyed on the rich community, and against super mutant abductions. The walls greatly increased the safety of Megaton.The Lone Wanderer: "Why did they build the walls?"Manya Vargas: "Well, the Raiders, for one. Once the town got big enough, they'd wait until the traders and their guards were away, then come in and clean us out! Now the Super Mutants... They were a whole other breed of problem. They'd kill us if they had to, but mostly they tried to drag people away! Alive! So, eventually, my father did something about it. Him and a few others organized the traders and the citizens and built the walls. So we're pretty safe now. Still, I wish those Brotherhood of Steel fellers hadn't hit on such hard times. They really helped keep the wolves at bay."(Manya Vargas' dialogue)
The Vargas family didn't stop at just increasing defense. After initially helping her father as a scavenger, Manya aided him in setting up the caravan trade, which eventually displaced Megaton as the sole source of commerce in the region. She met Nathaniel on the caravans, which kickstarted their relationship and eventually resulted in marriage.The Lone Wanderer: "So it was just a collection of traders in the beginning?"Manya Vargas: "Not at first. It was a collection of people trying to get into the vault, people worshipping the bomb, and a few other refugees. Then the traders came. Now the caravans take care of most of the trading, but before they were set up, it was all Megaton. I worked on the caravans with my father for a while. That's how I met that worthless bag of liver spots I call a husband."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) 
Eventually, they both amassed enough caps to retire in relative comfort at Megaton. Manya passes the time by trying to cultivate flowers using seeds obtained from Moira Brown (assuming Nathan doesn't forget to pick them up).Manya Vargas: "Nathan, you promised me you'd talk to Moira about getting those flower seeds. Please, don't forget. Again. "Nathan Vargas: "Oh, for the... What? " While she's retired, there's one exception: During her time on the caravan trail, Manya came into contact with the Railroad and was sworn in as an operative.The Lone Wanderer: "I know you're part of the Railroad. What do you know about the android?"Manya Vargas: ""(Manya Vargas' dialogue) She is currently inactive, after the Railroad evacuated A3-21 from the Commonwealth and all of its operatives went to the ground until the heat from the Institute dies down.The Lone Wanderer: "I'm interested in this android from the Commonwealth."Manya Vargas: "We don't do that anymore. Well, not until the heat dies down. The Railroad isn't operating anymore. Best forget it about it now."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) She helped find a surgeon and technician to provide the synth with a new face and identity:The Lone Wanderer: "I know you know something about this android from the Commonwealth."Manya Vargas: "Last I heard, they were looking for a surgeon and a computer technician. But you best keep your head down, honey. Those hounds are still out there."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) Pinkerton, the hermit scientist of Rivet City. The fact that they managed to bury the trail successfully makes her glad,The Lone Wanderer: "Do you know where this android had his face or memory replaced?" The Lone Wanderer: "I know you know where this android received his operations. Talk."Manya Vargas: ""(Manya Vargas' dialogue) although she prefers to keep a tight lid on the matter, knowing that the hounds are still out there, baying for the synth's blood.The Lone Wanderer: "Do you know where this android had his face or memory replaced?" The Lone Wanderer: "I know you know where this android received his operations. Talk."Manya Vargas: ""(Manya Vargas' dialogue)
===Relationships===
As a result of her provenance, Manya is a full citizen of Megaton, with a spartan, but permanent home, unlike most of the transients living in the common house. While other members denizens keep an eye out for strangers, Manya's decades on the caravan trail left her with the uncanny ability to spot a raider spy from a hundred meters, making her much more comfortable around strangers.The Lone Wanderer: "So anyone can live in Megaton?"Manya Vargas: "No. Space is limited these days. You see all of these people wandering around here? They live up in the common house and aren't really citizens. Most people around here keep one eye open around strangers, but me, I can spot a Raider spy at 100 meters. I'm not worried about it at all. But if having meetings and pretending to vote on things makes the others feel safer, so be it."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) She knows much about the other citizens and is aware that Jericho is a former raider, and hopes that he is truly reformed.The Lone Wanderer: "Where did everyone else come from?"Manya Vargas: "Oh, they come from all over... all over. You name it. The Stahl family grew up out east somewhere. Lucy's from some little settlement to the north. Billy doesn't really talk about where he's from. Doc Church used to live in Rivet City. Jericho... well... let's just say that men can change. ...I hope."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) Part of that hope is related to the fact that Megaton technically has no leader and relies on citizen meetings to get things done. The closest the town has to a leader are Colin Moriarty and Lucas Simms.The Lone Wanderer: "Who's in charge around here?"Manya Vargas: "Well, technically, no one. But you can't put two people in a room together without one of them trying to govern the other. But it depends on who you ask. Lucas Simms appointed himself the Sheriff. He throws anyone out who causes too much trouble. But Colin Moriarty runs just about everything else. Not much happens here that he doesn't know about. Or plan."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) Manya despises Moriarty for his predatory behavior, keeping people liquored up, mistreating Gob, and pimping Nova.The Lone Wanderer: "Tell me about Colin Moriarty."Manya Vargas: "That man is the scum of the Earth. He keeps the drunks around here soaking in liquor and that poor Nova, that girl deserves better. And don't even get me started on how he treats Gob. Just because the boy looks dead doesn't mean that he should be treated like that. That man has his fingers in everything around here. Just watch what you say about him, it'll always get back."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) She's much more kind to Simms, appreciating that he keeps people in line, but believing that trying to bring order to Megaton is an exercise in futility.The Lone Wanderer: "Tell me about Lucas Simms."Manya Vargas: "That man tries to bring law to this place. Lost cause if you ask me, but I respect his trying. He does seem to keep people in line though. Other than that weird cowboy thing of his, I don't have much to complain about."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) She would prefer to see Moriarty gone, as he deserves it.The Lone Wanderer: "Who's in charge around here?"Manya Vargas: "Well, technically, no one. But you can't put two people in a room together without one of them trying to govern the other. But it depends on who you ask. Lucas Simms appointed himself the Sheriff. He throws anyone out who causes too much trouble. Colin Moriarty used to run just about everything else. Not much happened here that he doesn't know about. Or plan. I guess he got what was coming."(Manya Vargas' dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Who's in charge around here?"Manya Vargas: "Well, technically, no one. But you can't put two people in a room together without one of them trying to govern the other. But it depends on who you ask. Lucas Simms appointed himself the Sheriff. Before he died, he threw anyone out who caused too much trouble. Now Colin Moriarty runs just about everything. Not much happens here that he doesn't know about. Or plan. You ask me, he was behind Lucas' death."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) If both are gone, she worries that the town will be in a heap of trouble if the raiders return.The Lone Wanderer: "Who's in charge around here?"Manya Vargas: "Well, technically, no one. But you can't put two people in a room together without one of them trying to govern the other. But it depends on who you ask. It used to be that Lucas Simms and Colin Moriarty fought each other for control. But with the two of them gone, who's to say what will happen around here? I'm just hoping that the Raiders don't show up again."(Manya Vargas' dialogue)
Her beloved husband is her biggest headache. Since they retired in Megaton, Nathan took it upon himself to be the Enclave's greatest (and only) advocate in the town after Enclave Radio came on the air, basically proselytizing on its behalf, while trying to scrounge up parts for his gunsmithing.Manya Vargas: "Well hey there, stranger! I'm Manya. The old coot wandering around here is my husband, Nathan. If there's anything we can help you with, ask me. Don't ask Nathan, he'll just blabber at you about the damned Enclave all day."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) He wanders all over the town spreading his patriotic gospel, and Manya sometimes sarcastically wonders if he's a fool for what's he's doing, or if she's the greater fool for marrying him in the first place.The Lone Wanderer: "What's the word around town?"Manya Vargas: "There's only one thing that concerns me in this town these days: what my damn fool husband is doing. He wanders around here all day and all night, preaching about the Enclave and tryin' to get parts for his guns. I'm not sure who's the bigger fool, him or me. After all, I married him."(Manya Vargas' dialogue) 
She also struggles with what appears to be Nathan's senility: He routinely forgets to pick up items for her from Moira, fixing up their computer terminal's display issues despite her asking,Manya Vargas: "The computer's doing that... that THING again. You know, with the flickering. You said you'd fix it... "Nathan Vargas: "Oh, for the... What? " and routinely misplacing his work tools and firearms, then screaming at Manya and accusing her of moving them. While Manya does her best to calm him down, she does not tolerate rudeness for long. If Nathan gives her lip, the old caravaneer comes out and quickly puts her husband in his place.Nathan Vargas: "What did you do with my ratchet? I've looked everywhere! Where did you put it? " or "I... I never did find that gun. The one I was working on, remember? You put it somewhere didn't you? You cleaned up, and you lost my damn gun! "Manya Vargas: "*Tsk* You boys and your toys. I know better than to touch your things, dear. If it's lost, YOU lost it. " or "Calm down, dear. Deeeeepppp breath. I didn't touch your... thingie. It's right where you left it, I'm sure. If I see it, you'll be the first to know. "Nathan Vargas: "Aggh! Damnit! But I've looked everywhere! *Sigh* All right. Thanks, I guess. " or "Well... damn. Thanks for nothing. "Manya Vargas: "Thank you, Nathan dear." or "Don't you take that tone with me, mister! Now quit with the cranky old man act and help your poor wife out. Heavens... " Still, despite their issues, she loves the old coot deeply.The Lone Wanderer: "What's the word around town?"Manya Vargas: ""(Manya Vargas' dialogue)Megaton settler: "Did you hear about Nathan? Yeah, he went and got himself killed. Manya is beside herself."
==Interactions with the player character==
===Interactions overview===
===Quests===
* The Replicated Man: Manya is a member of the Railroad. The player can learn this fact after collecting the holotape in her home, which is one of the ways to learn where the synth changed their face and memories, eluding the Institute's pursuit.
===Other interactions===
* Manya is one of the oldest residents of Megaton and thus knows much about the history of the town. If one asks her about Megaton and how it was built, she will explain how the town was founded. She will explain that the town was built up using old airplanes, salvaged by her father from an air station, if the player asks about the number of airplane parts around Megaton. While both the prompt and Manya claim that multiple airplanes were used, there are only enough parts around Megaton for one cargo plane, the rest is corrugated metal and assorted scrap.The Lone Wanderer: "There are a lot of parts here for just one machine."Manya Vargas: "Good eye. You're right honey, there are. There was an air station a couple of miles from here. It'd been stripped of everything except the planes. My daddy got a bunch of people together to go out there, break apart the machines and drag back what we could use. It took 'em a couple of months. You can't even tell where the air station was anymore. The Wasteland just took it back."(Manya Vargas' dialogue)The Lone Wanderer: "Why build the walls out of some old flying machine?"Manya Vargas: "It's a hell of a lot easier than trying to find enough parts to build walls and houses from nothing. The scrap was there, why not use it? Besides, it's sturdy. It keeps the Raiders and the dust storms out. Not all of us had the luck to be born in a vault, you know."(Manya Vargas' dialogue)
* If Billy Creel is killed for any reason, Maggie will move in with Manya.Lone Wanderer: "Who takes care of you?"Maggie: "Well, Billy used to. Before he... before he died. I don't know now. Maybe I'll see if Manya will help me..."
* Manya will react to the deaths of Lucas Simms and Moriarty with different dialogue. If Nathan dies, she will mourn him, and any dialogue will be impossible. 
* Manya is not coded to detect Nathan's presence, if such a thing is even possible in the engine, and so both will wonder where the other has gone to, even if they stand next to each other. If Nathan dies, Manya will still have her float dialogue about Nathan active.
==Inventory==
==Notable quotes==
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==Appearances==
Manya Vargas appears only .
==Behind the scenes==
Both Manya and her husband share their surname with Paladin Vargas, a member of the Lyons' Pride in the East Coast Brotherhood as well as Manny Vargas in Fallout: New Vegas. Their familial relationship, if any, is not known, though it is stated in the Wasteland Census that Paladin Vargas is of no relation to Nathaniel Vargas.Fallout 3 Official Game Guide Game of the Year Edition p.90"Paladin Vargas:The sergeant of Lyon's Pride, Vargas is 30, and a no-nonsense, professional type. He is Sarah's right hand man; she relies on him for his experience and advice, and he supports her and mentors her. There is a very close but mostly unspoken friendship between them. He is no relation to Nathaniel Vargas of Megaton." It's likely that they are all a nod to Snake Vargas, one of the starting characters in Wasteland and a significant character in the lore of that franchise.
==References==
Non-game
Category:Fallout 3 human characters
Category:Fallout 3 Railroad characters
Category:Megaton characters
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