Those who were still alive after the radiation storms witnessed a gorgeous sunset, but one that foretold an ominous future. The brilliance of the sunset belied the fact that there wasn't the ozone layer to protect them any more. Anyone caught out in the open when the skies cleared would suffer intensive burns to any exposed skin. Until the ozone layer regenerated, if it ever did, humans would be prone to severe sunburn and the potential for cancer-causing damage would rise significantly.
Into this new and uncertain future, those on the surface of the planet would have to stride, knowing that their future depended on whether or not they had shelter at the times that the sun's UV rays were at their most intense. It meant that any time other than at night, they would be unable to set foot outside their homes. It also meant that UV-B (or beta particle) radiation would damage any plant growth on the surface; that short-wave pattern radiation was also responsible for what gave humans sunburn.
Not only did those on the surface have to worry about the lack of an ozone layer causing skin damage and further health complications, the atmosphere was unstable making anyone on the surface a target for lightning strikes at any moment.
Of course, the Eight, safely ensconced in their bunker had other things to worry about, as Autumn went into labour right at that very moment.
When the cramps subsided enough so that Autumn could walk downstairs, Mickey guided her safely to their bedroom so that she could give birth in peace.
After which Autumn was so exhausted that she went to bed.
For the rest of the bunker occupants, life went on as usual: no change there. And Horace, Hildegard and the newest plumbot, Hector went and charged themselves in the plumbot charging station. After all a plumbot didn't want to suddenly deactivate in the middle of doing something. It would leave the poor thing in a bad mood afterwards.
And thus little Amanda was born.
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