Night fell on Megaton just like it did every day, wrapping the settlement in a blanket of darkness and whatever passed for a sense of security in the dangerous Wasteland. Jayck and Fawkes both sat at the table inside the Wanderer's house, listening quietly to the radio playing from his Pip-Boy. Jayck had been tuning into GNR when he noticed another signal on his readout and had turned it on out of curiosity. After the third time the message repeated, he stood up from the table with a determined look. Dogmeat raised his head from where he'd been eating in the kitchen and wagged his tail expectantly.
"I'm going back. If they need me…if Amada needs me, then I have to," he said. His companion nodded in agreement.
"And myself? Should I accompany you, my friend?" Fawkes asked. The super mutant was by far intelligent enough to know the answer, but he couldn't help but ask anyway.
"Sorry, Fawkes, there's just no telling how they'd react. They don't even know what super mutants are. We didn't know anything about what's out here when the door was sealed," Jayck shook his head. "No, I need to do this alone. That means you too, boy." Dogmeat whimpered but quickly found comfort in the Brahmin steak in his bowl.
Jayck walked over to the lockers and opened them, wondering what he'd need when he got there. "Intimidation would definitely help. Also, armor never hurts," he thought, deciding on the power armor standing to the side. "Close quarters, but enough open space in the trip to warrant range…both it is," he took out the repeater, beautifully crafted from sturdy wood and with an intricate gold design etched into the metal. He also took out a plasma pistol he'd repaired a long time ago that he had yet to use. He checked the wires and couplings before giving it an approving nod and fetching sufficient ammo for both weapons. He sighed and began the arduous process of slipping into the power armor.
"Will you be leaving tonight then?" Fawkes asked slowly. Jack gasped for air as he forced his head through the top of the armor. He still had a little work to do to finish custom fitting it. He set about fastening the many clasps that held the suit together.
"I will. I wouldn't be able to sleep if I stayed, anyway. Not now that I know they might be in trouble." The pistons in the legs of the suit hissed to life as power surged through them. The suit now thrummed with energy, waiting for its command to move. Jayck fastened the repeater to his back and the pistol to his right leg. His left leg was home to a wicked blade he'd found in his travels. It was sheathed in a rugged work of leather and steel Jayck had wound up with after his failed attempts at a proper sheathe. Still, he kept it and the blade as a sort of deadly good luck charm. More than once he'd had to resort to using it when words and guns had failed.
"I understand. Should we wait here or at the museum?" the super mutant asked the armored figure before him. The black metal of the plates was highlighted with red streaks, the markings of the Outcasts that had gifted his friend the armor. Even without the helmet on, Jayck was an imposing figure when he had set his mind to something.
"You know you're free to do as you like, Fawkes. My home is always open to you, or I could find you later," Jayck replied. Fawkes looked around the house and thought a moment.
"I think I'll stay here a while. Maybe see if that Moira has anything new I could read," he said hopefully. Jayck smiled at the thought. Moira was one of the few people in Megaton who didn't judge Fawkes for being what he was and probably the only one that seemed to genuinely enjoy his company. He walked over to where Dogmeat was now sleeping happily, having eaten his fill.
"I'll be back soon, boy. Be good for Fawkes, you hear me?" he asked, kneeling and patting the German shepherd with a gauntleted hand. Dogmeat didn't stir, but his tail wagged freely. Jayck put a hand on his leg and pushed himself up, something that was never easy for him when he was wearing full armor. He walked back to the table and finished the last of his Nuka-Cola from dinner.
"I'll see you soon as well, my friend," he told Fawkes with a nod. The super mutant nodded solemnly in reply. "Safe travels to you."
Jayck put the bottle down and pushed open the door. It was never cold in the Capital Wasteland, but the night air was definitely cooler. A stern breeze swirled around inside the walls of the city as he walked the short distance to the entrance of Megaton, nodding to Stockholm up in his perch atop the gates. He donned his helmet, pushed open the doors and made his way out into the wastes as he had countless times now, but this time was different. This time, he was going home.