The Commonwealth-2288
All was quiet in the early morning as I shifted in my rack; the sheets pushed off my sweating body as I gazed up at the ceiling. Looking to my left and right, I rolled my eyes as Scribe Hope snored loudly beside me.
"Always able to sleep…even here."
Deciding that sleep was not going to come, I pulled myself from my bed and quietly made my way to the ship's locker room. The room was, of course, deserted and I smirked as I grabbed my towel and headed into the shower area; silently rejoicing in the fact that I would get to enjoy the hot water.
As the water poured over my head, I gazed into the shaving mirror and ran my hand over the rough stubble beginning to grow on my cheeks. I contemplated shaving and then disregarded it after what I had been ordered to do. Running my hand through my hair, I shut off the shower and just stood there; letting the air start to dry my body.
"You got your wish, Scribe Dylan." I mocked in my best attempt of Elder Maxson's voice. "You get the privilege of going down and helping on the surface." I was so lost in thought that I didn't even hear someone walk into the room.
"If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were mocking our great Elder." A soft and familiar voice joked from behind me.
Glancing behind me, I chuckled as Scribe Meredith Hope came padding up to me; her bare feet softly slapping on the wet tile floor. My eyes traveled down, up, and then down again as she drew closer to me. "You really need to work on your impressions, Rob."
"Well, you need to stop eavesdropping on people's conversations." I replied as I watched her turn the shower on and begin to rub her bare body. I knew it like the back of my hand, but it still awed me every time I saw it.
"You going to stare or help a girl out?" Meredith said as she caught me staring; her eyes wandering over my body as she curled a finger in my direction. "No one's going to be up for a bit, so we got time."
Taking the invitation, I pressed my fellow scribe against the wall; relishing in the surprised gasp as I softly bit her neck. Her hands circled around my neck and became tangled in my hair as I began to make my way down her body.
"Perks of being a morning person, I suppose."
The Castle: Piper
"PIPER!" Wake up, you're gonna miss it!"
I groaned and rolled over in my bed as my little and very loud sister leapt into bed and began shaking me violently. Groaning even louder, I tried my best to shove her away while trying to keep from becoming awake enough that I wouldn't be able to sleep.
"Piper…come on, you promised you would come and watch with me!" We need pics for the paper!" Nat exclaimed as she jumped off the bed and rushed to my dresser; grabbing my most prized possession from its top.
A single snap and buzzing sound woke me; causing me to slowly rise out of bed. "Nat! Stop taking pictures of me while I'm in bed; I don't have my face on." I groaned as I reached over and plucked the camera from her hands and set it back on the dresser. "Now get out so I can get dressed."
"Uhhh, fine, but hurry!" Nat shouted as she skipped out of the room; closing the door behind her.
Quickly pulling my brown hair into a rough ponytail; I grimaced as I turned the shower in my bathroom on; the water pressure sputtering cold water against my face.
"What I would do for a little hot water." I muttered to myself before taking a breath and jumping into the shower.
Xxxx
Minutes later, I walked into the courtyard of the Castle; pulling my newsie cap down low as the sun glared from above. The settlers and Minutemen had been up since the crack of dawn and I smiled, stretching as I watched the ever-growing settlement go about their day. A few settlers passed me with their arms full of scrap as they headed to the walls.
"Morning, miss Piper, the General said she was looking for you." One of the settlers mentioned as he passed by, pointing his thumb behind him.
Thanking him, I raised my camera and took a quick snapshot of the trio from behind; already thinking of how to incorporate it into a new story for the Castle Times; my new paper since I moved from Diamond City.
"Hmm, settlers work hard to fortify home…no, sounds too ominous like they're being attacked." I muttered to myself as I made my way to where the man had said Blue was waiting for me.
The hustle and bustle of the Castle always reminded me of Diamond City, but where that city was bigoted, the Castle welcomed all people, ghouls and humans alike. Hell, Strong had even stayed for a time before he decided that he wanted to still find that milk…odd mutant that one. Making my way to the top of the gates, I gazed along the horizon; taking in the sight.
Since the Institute had been taken care of, the Castle had grown from a random outpost to a city rivaling any I have seen. Outside the gate was a growing mass of homes and businesses, all with electricity, plumping, and a dedicated security force comprised of Minutemen and settlers. I smiled as I saw Blue standing beside Preston Garvey, her number two and, if rumors were true, they were more than just friends. She had her leg up on the rampart, leaning on it as she listened to Preston's report; her long brown hair blowing in the morning wind. Her overcoat, dyed blue, was open and blowing in the wind as well; adding a certain dramatic flair to the pose.
"Hold that pose, Blue." I ordered, realizing that this was a perfect morale booster. Preston quickly tried to get out of the frame, but I immediately halted him and made him unsling his rifle; having him cradle it in his arms. "Perfect!"
"Piper, you know I hate pictures." Nora laughed as she turned to face me; pulling me into a one-sided hug. "And Preston is still regretting finding that camera for you, I'm sure."
Shrugging, Preston just tipped his hat before turning to leave. "Nora, I'll see to the preparations. Piper, just so you know Nat has been running around with Shaun and the others by the marketplace…they tried telling me class got out early today."
Rolling my eyes, I turned to Nora who just chuckled as we turned to face outward; gazing up this time, the massive airship floating above Boston airport. A few vertibirds buzzed to and from and I couldn't miss the mass of dust stirring down the road as something neared the front gates. Pushing my cap up, I glanced over at Nora, noticing her hands were clenched tightly enough to make them shake.
"I still say you can back out of the agreement." I said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "The Brotherhood can't teach anything we don't know for ourselves."
"Piper, you know I can't back out. It's the only way for Maxson to keep his grimy paws from interfering with our operations here." Nora said as she raised a pair of rusted binoculars to watch as the convoy neared the center of town; the sound of engines rumbling in the distance. "Besides, this convoy will be handy for getting to settlements in need. Half the time we get to them too late…"
Turning, she placed a hand on my shoulder. "I know you don't like those power armored Nazis, but despite everything, this is the only way forward. Besides, it's not permanent."
Nodding, I felt the rumbling as the front gate opened wide and the first of the mechanized vehicles passed underneath and pulled into the center of the Castle. The retrofitted cars looked menacing as a Brotherhood soldier turned the machine gun in the turret to the side to face them; his face obscured by a black bandanna; a single hand raised in greeting.
"Right, not permanent."
xxx
The Humvee bounced and roared as it came to a halt when we pulled into the Minutemen's place of operations. My driver, a new initiate, scoffed as he leaned forward on the steering wheel; looking out the windshield.
"This is where we have to stay? Steel, I feel like I need another tetanus shot." The boy, barely eighteen, muttered as I watched the settlers begin to gather around us. I chuckled as they began to mutter behind covered mouths and I rolled my eyes as a few even pointed at the vehicles themselves.
The Humvees had been liberated from the garage beneath Fort Strong months ago and retrofitted to adapt to the new wasteland. It had taken us months to get them working again after sitting for centuries and this was the first trial run. Honestly, I had amazed me that this was the first time these people had even seen working vehicles since they were now commonplace in the Capital Wasteland; it's like there were not any surviving mechanics left in this part of the country.
"Probably gonna need two Initiate." I joked as I opened the door and stepped out; turning and grabbing my duffle bag and rifle from the middle console.
"Sir?"
Laughing, I slung both over my shoulder. "One for the both of us."
"Oh, I'll put one in with medical when we get back, I don't trust these primitives." The boy said as he went to step out.
Waving my hand, I told him to stay as I turned to the growing mass of people before me. Taking a few steps forward, I dropped my duffle at my feet and surveyed the group in front of me. I was surprised to see that most of them were fairly clean and clothed in appropriate clothing; many wearing coats that, according to the briefing, signified them as Minutemen militia. I shuddered at the sight of multiple ghouls standing in the crowd; the dried leather skin reminding me of the ferals that I had studied back at the Citadel. Shaking my head, I placed my hands on my hips and cleared my throat.
"So, which one of you fine people is the General."
A/N
So, I decided to try my hand at a OC and new story. I'm hoping that you all enjoy and let me know what you think. Love me some constructive criticism and reviews.