The caravan driver was whistling. It would have been unwelcome if the east wasn't so silent. In the west, the winds were heavier and the deserts let out a low howl. Here it was as if the extra radiation evaporated sound waves. The farmer sitting across from her in the wagon tilted up his hat to look at her curiously. "Scout," he started with a thick accent common in the south, "like a military scout?"

"It's just a nickname," she replied indifferently, playing with the dog meat jerky in her hands. Beside her, Bear grumbled and kicked in her sleep, a habit she'd picked up from her father Dogmeat. The farmer sat up slightly, scratching his neck. His curiosity was evident, but she didn't give out her real name for a reason. Sighing, she gave him something to go on, "It's from when I was in the Brotherhood."

He raised his bushy eyebrows in surprise, but nodded in understanding, "Well I oughta congratulate you from escaping that faction. Enlighten me, was it the racism or the overpowered robot armor that did it?"

Peering over the side of the wagon, Scout looked around, knowing Fawkes was somewhere less than a mile from them in the woods. Naturally, no caravans would take him aboard no matter the price she offered, "Factions change," she sat back down to face the farmer, John, "couldn't stick around."

"Well from what I've heard of those people and their boy king, I'd say you made the right call," John unfolded a piece of paper, handing it to her, "Everything's there in the best handwriting I could muster. I know you've been around, but nowhere is like the Commonwealth."

Scout took the paper, unfolding it to look at the surprisingly clear handwriting, "This Nathan Morrison guy...he did all this in just a year?"

"Yep. Seemed to come out of nowhere and single-handedly brought up the Minutemen while bringing down the Institute. Heard he did quite a number on the Railroad as well. Likely a bargain made with the Brotherhood. Ever met their leader?"

Scout pondered how safe it would be to give John such information. He was going out on a limb giving her everything she needed, "A long time ago, when he was a child."

John scoffed, "He's still a child."

Scout couldn't help but smile, "Maybe by old world standards. Childhood's a lot shorter out here."

"Well," John tipped his hat over his eyes to catch some sleep, "don't go hurting that Nathan fella, he's done quite a lot of good for my family in Sanctuary."

She chose not to answer that one, just finished off her jerky before nuzzling up to Bear. She wasn't sure what she would have to do to get the information she needed. Good man or not, he could be resistant.

To clarify, she needed two things from Nathan Morrison. The rumored cure developed by Brian Virgil and the location of Grand Zealot Brian Richter. Through information from John and others who'd been to the Commonwealth, she'd gotten rumors that these men were all connected. The paper helped her keep track of John's information, considering they would be parting ways.

The trip itself was strange, with stretches of dead forest separating the Capital Wasteland from the Commonwealth. Scout considered her options as they skirted along the edges of the Glowing Sea. There was a very real chance her travels could lead her into the desolate wasteland, but she would avoid it if she had the option.

Once they got past the Glowing Sea, the caravan driver switched on a small portable radio in lieu of whistling. Over the snorting of the Brahmin and Bear's snores, they listened to the lulls of the old radio tunes until a voice came on. Travis Lonely Miles, he introduced himself. His voice was clearly enunciated to come off as suave. John stirred awake as Travis recalled receiving help from a vault dweller. When Scout raised an eyebrow in question, John nodded.

She ran her fingers through Bear's fur as the caravan rolled on. The closer they got to the city, the harder it would be to hide Fawkes. So she opted to getting off outside the city, bidding John farewell as he continued his trip north to Sanctuary.

-0-

She tucked the paper into a journal in her bag and unpacked a dinner for Bear while she waited for Fawkes to catch up to her. They took shelter in a dilapidated house near a swampy pond. Fawkes met up with them, led their way by the fire they'd built. Nocturnal as she was, Bear was sniffing around the area, scaring off bloatflies and chasing mirelurks.

Scout poked at the fire, glancing up at the darkening sky, "Hello Fawkes."

"Greetings, my friend," Fawkes grinned and plopped down on the ground, "the Commonwealth is quite an area. Nothing like we've been to before."

"We haven't explored much of New England, I suppose. It's colder here," she clutched her jacket tighter, scooting towards the fire. "I have a plan."

"I presume it requires me to stay behind."

She smiled. Fawkes was smart. "Yes, I'm sorry. I'll keep you and Bear hidden at the edge of the city. Diamond City is under Brotherhood control. Their former mayor was a synth so the city is in a bit of chaos."

"Why Diamond City?"

Scout opened up her journal to pull out the information she'd received from John. Another piece she had was a crude drawing of a man with Brotherhood armor and a Pip-Boy, "Nathan Morrison could be anywhere in the Commonwealth. I'm going to make this DJ hunt him down." At Fawkes's look, she straightened her posture, "I'm not going to hurt him. He's probably not as smooth as he wants to sound so I'm going to use that to my advantage. If I could find out which settlement he's at it's a step in the right direction."

"He'll most certainly inform Nathan if you don't kill him."

Scout admired her favorite pistol, unloading and reloading it in her lap, "I won't kill the DJ, but it's better than just wasting time trying to chase him around the Commonwealth."

Fawkes nodded grimly, pulling out and unwrapping raw meat from his satchel. It was still bloody from his earlier hunt, "I'll keep to the edge of the city. Other super mutants may pinpoint me of being outside of a clan. The mutt will stay with me if you order her firmly enough."

Bear, excellent timing as always, came trotting over in excitement upon seeing Fawkes's meal. He swatted her away, but she continued to stare with a wagging tail. Scout beckoned her over, scratching behind her ears. With the commotion over and no promises of extra dinner, Bear scampered away to go exploring.

After a long nap with Fawkes and Bear keeping watch, she woke and gathered her belongings for the journey. She marked a location on Fawkes's map and they discussed the time to meet up again so he wouldn't be waiting around in case something went wrong. Bear wasn't too happy at being left behind, but she obeyed her master when sternly ordered to stay with Fawkes.

-0-

The downtown Commonwealth was more complicated than in D.C. She had to weave through old skyscrapers aided by only her Pip-Boy in the early morning light. So far, coming from the south-west, she managed to avoid seeing any ferals or super mutants. She rounded the city, now heading to Diamond City from the west. Scout made note to round back by the hardware store she'd passed once she met with Fawkes again. Finally, she found a street lined with turrets, barricades, and armed guards. John had told her that Diamond City was a pre-War baseball stadium, but the sight of a guard dressed up in old sports gear surprised her.

Luckily, she didn't make much commotion and the guards let her pass without a second glance. She was glad that she'd bathed in a pond a couple of days ago, because she must have looked different from a raider despite her odd leather armor.

The city itself had earned that Great Green Jewel nickname. The string lights and neon signs made it beautiful and the old stadium lighting made it safe. The shops weren't open yet, save for a Mr. Handy trader and a reprogrammed Protectron selling noodles. She avoided both, searching instead for areas away from the cramped buildings.

Scout remembered Three Dog's explanation of the best radio setups. The DJ would need somewhere soundproof; that ruled out most of the buildings and the market. She headed down the boarded sidewalk, passing a homey-looking bar. Rounding left, she found a darker area littered with sleeping mats and poor souls collapsed on them. They were huddled together like Fancy Lads Snack Cakes in the cool morning. She shook her head, not envying them, and nearly gave up her search when she spotted an old trailer with various wiring and metal sticking out of it. Scout smirked. Gotcha .

Now that she had her location, she needed a way to listen to the radio for the pre-recorded lines to end. She sat in the Dugout Inn, trying to wave off Vadim's offer of Bobrov's Best Moonshine when the radio went static for just a second. It was enough to interest her and she listened for Travis to clear his throat and begin the morning news. Placing a few caps on the bar table, she slipped out the door as quietly as she could. Luckily, Vadim and Yefim were too busy arguing about something mundane to notice her.

The sun was rising now, signaling that she was quickly running out of time. Some of the men on the sleeping mattresses were grumbling and waking up and she now had to avoid more guards than before. A few of the men headed to where the gardens were and she passed a bald boy heading to his shack over the water reserves.

Coming up to the trailer, she listened for another voice inside besides Travis's. Keeping close, she heard just one muffled voice until he tapped a key and a song began to play. Taking the opportunity, she grabbed the handle and turned it. She didn't know if he always left it unlocked, but luck was certainly on her side.

As soon as she was in the trailer, she quickly shut the door and aimed the pistol directly at Travis's head before he could speak a word, "Don't move a muscle." He was younger than her, though the bags under his eyes were deep. He jumped, dropping the tape in his hands. Danny Kaye's 'Civilization' playing in the background made the silence almost absurd, so Scout held up the hand not pointing a gun at the DJ's face, "I'm not here to hurt you. I need information and I'm gone."

Travis remained pale and horrified, his hands still comically held up from when he was holding the tape, "Wh-what what what do you-"

"Nathan Morrison, I need his location."

"H-how do I find that?"

She nodded towards the communications radio, "Call him."

Slowly, Travis turned towards the machinery. He furrowed his brows in thought before nodding. Scout didn't know his exact plan for calling Nathan, but the gun held to his head was certainly keeping him from making any wrong moves. He picked up the microphone for the radio and began switching the dials, "Diamond City to Castle, Diamond City to Castle, come in."

The static dissolved to a man's voice, "This is Castle."

"I have an urgent call for the General. I need his location stat."

The man in the Castle sounded hesitant, "Er, I'm not sure it's appropriate I indulge you with that information, Diamond City."

Travis nervously looked at Scout, who took the moment to dare him to give up with her eyes. She wasn't planning on doing harm to the guy, but he didn't need to know that. To her, her need to find this Nathan guy was more important than some DJ's feelings. She never claimed to be a good person. Swallowing, Travis pushed the talk button on the microphone again, "It's an emergency regarding Piper Wright's sister. We need to locate him ASAP."

The man responded immediately, "Understood, give me one minute to cross reference and I'll be back with you."

In the silence, Travis for some reason felt like explaining himself, "Piper is his companion. Anything regarding one of them is high priority."

Scout took pity and lowered the gun, "Sounds like a good man."

"Are you going to kill him?" Travis blurted before his brain could stop him.

She considered saying something mean, but she couldn't put the energy into it, "No. I know he's your Commonwealth hero. We just need to talk."

Travis had no reply for that, and the man in the Castle came back on the radio, "Diamond City, the General's at location Oscar Sierra for the day but he's leaving as soon as his meeting's done to head your way."

"Appreciated, Castle. Over and out." Travis set down the microphone then pressed a button to play another song on the radio, "He's at a settlement called Oberland Station, north-west of here," He marked it on her Pip-Boy.

She holstered the gun, frowning at the sullen man, "Not a word." He nodded, but she knew he was lying. As soon as she stepped out of the trailer, she made for the exit at a quick pace. Her instincts wanted a mad dash, but that would arouse suspicion. Likely, Travis was relaying what just happened to Castle first to prevent a panic with Nathan and Piper. Then he would call security. She reached the entrance without fanfare and managed to keep her pace past the guards in the Boston streets.

No sight of Brotherhood soldiers, so she was in the green once she reached the turrets outside of Diamond City. It wasn't likely any of them would recognize her after so many years, but she wasn't taking the chance. Once she reached Fawkes again, he was leaning against a building with his arms crossed. They'd passed the point of him calling her reckless. After all, her recklessness was what got him released from Vault 87 in the first place.

She grinned at her super mutant friend as he shrugged and retrieved his prized sledge hammer. When they'd first met, he'd preferred a gatling laser until living out in the Wastes taught him the scarcity of bullets. Bear greeted her with a lick to her hand and the trio headed north-west towards Oberlund Station.

-0-

The sun had risen and they proceeded with caution up the main road. When they began to see train tracks, they knew they were close. Perhaps a mile outside of Oberlund Station, they stopped and headed into a forested area. Behind the dead trees, they peered at the road and listened for voices. Instead they heard mechanical whirring and stomping.

From behind a group of rusted pre-War vehicles, a set of fully upgraded T-60 power armor appeared walking down the main road. In his hands was a modified laser rifle. Nobody seemed to be around him, but Scout and Fawkes kept as quiet as possible. Signaling Bear to stay, Scout waited to see if they were spotted.

Suddenly, with a loud click, the power armor opened from behind and a man hopped out of it. As he walked to grab the rifle from the armor's hands, Scout knew exactly who he was. He was taller and more muscular than she'd expected and he was sporting a full beard. Fawkes placed a large hand on her shoulder, speaking lowly, "It's possible he's baiting you out."

Scout nodded, knowing that was exactly what he was doing, "Stay here with my bag. Don't let Bear come under any circumstances. It's our only chance. I'll handle this."

Fawkes clearly disagreed with her plan, but he only watched as she moved down the slight hill towards the road and out of the trees. She walked with measured steps towards the man, pistol out but pointed down in caution. He turned to her with the blank stare of a soldier, clearly expecting her.

He was over a head taller than her and showed no discomfort at the sight of her gun. It wasn't nearly in as good a condition as his rifle was. He cleared his throat, turning in place as she walked around him slowly. He wasn't going to speak, so she did, "Nathan Morrison."

"Most people call me Nate."

She gripped the gun tighter at his indifferent tone, "I've been looking for you."

"I've heard. Tell me why you're threatening people under Brotherhood protection."

"One of Maxson's guard dogs. I'm not surprised."

That got him. He furrowed his brows and the nonchalance drained from his posture, "Start talking."

"I want Brian Virgil's cure."

"That belongs to Brian Virgil, not me. Why do you need it?"

She considered her options. Telling him would be giving away her intentions and she wasn't sure how he felt about super mutants. And mentioning Fawkes was out of the question, "I need it. And I need the location of Brian Richter."

That surprised him, "Grand Zealot Richter?"

"Enclave Lieutenant Brian Richter."

He narrowed his eyes again, "Who are you?" She could see the gears turning in his head. Someone with a vendetta against the Enclave and a need for the FEV cure.

Defensively, she raised her gun. In a fraction of a second, he did the same. They were at a standoff now, both breathing heavily. Suddenly, she heard a barking followed by the tell-tale roar of a super mutant. It wasn't Fawkes, but it came from his direction. In the split second she glanced that way, she saw Nate move which caused her to react.

As he popped off a bullet her way, she ducked behind an old car. It grazed her shoulder, but managed to whiz past her. She grimaced in pain and cocked her gun as she heard Nate fumbling and cursing. His voice came from behind a car opposite of her.

She peered from behind the car and saw him doing the same. As they played this game of cat and mouse with each other, she developed a plan. It was a nearly full proof tactic of hers and it worked this time. Just as her old pistol began to jam, she popped off a shot directly at his rifle rather than him. It shattered the scope, which in turn damaged a main component of the weapon. Nate cursed again, fumbling with it in confusion. Clearly few people ever shot directly at his gun rather than one of his limbs.

Taking the opportunity, Scout grabbed the tire iron sitting under the car and made a mad dash for Nate's direction. He took a step back and pulled away just before she could do damage to one of his limbs. She wasn't aiming to knock him out, just hurt him enough to incapacitate. With size and weight on his side, he managed to not only dodge her, but fight back. With the tire iron in her hands, it evened them up until he fully tackled her. With the previous night's rains, the ground was still muddy and both of them were soaked and coated in dirt as they tumbled along the road. He gripped her tightly and got a punch in before she kicked him in the stomach. As he recoiled and coughed, she crawled down the road from him and grabbed the tire iron she'd lost.

She was covered in mud and limping from the tackle. Her shoulder was bleeding from the graze and her face was swelling and bruising from the punch. She must have looked a terrible mess, but she had the upper hand as Nate tried to gather his bearings on the ground. She pinned him down with her body, raising the tire iron. He was in a daze from the kick and couldn't properly react as she raised the tire iron in a threat.

In front of her, she heard that same roar from before. She was surprised to see a super mutant standing in front of the fighting pair with a bleeding mouth. He looked angry and feral at the sight of her and she flew back to grab something, anything bigger than a tire iron to fight him with. Nate sat up, out of his shock, and tackled her again. She was pinned roughly to the ground with a hand around her neck and the tire iron ripped from her hands. She attempted to struggle, but was no match for his full strength.

She jumped when she saw the super mutant come up beside her. Her wide eyes were locked on it as it glowered down at her. As she struggled to breathe, Nate spoke, "Strong, did you take care of the others?"

"Super mutant and dog."

Nate looked surprised, but Scout looked horrified. She freed her hands and clawed at Nate's around her neck. Her voice was strained, but she fought out, "Did it kill them?"

Nate's hand loosened enough for her to speak and she coughed, "What?"

"Did the super mutant kill them?" She was beginning to feel numb from the shock and horror and she had to fight to speak clearly.

Nate turned to the super mutant with a silent look. The super mutant shook his head, "Dog ran away. Super mutant knocked out until you say Strong can kill."

Nate looked back at her and saw her desperate stare, "No, Strong. Leave him. We'll take this one." Scout felt her body relax. The blood flowing back into her muscles made her dizzy and she stared up at the sky. She shouldn't have taken Fawkes. She shouldn't have taken Bear. This is why she was better off alone. They could have been killed because she needed to face Nate head on. The sky darkened slightly with rain clouds, maybe an oncoming rad storm, and Scout remained on the ground even when Nate stood up to climb back inside the power armor. He stomped towards her and Strong lumbered beside him. She provided neither help nor resistance as he pulled her up and held her bridal-style in his arms. "We need to take her to Boston Airport. Piper's heading back to Diamond City to check on Travis."

Strong nodded, but asked one question, "Why not kill this one?"

Scout continued staring dazily at the sky as it began to rain. Nate was smart. And he proved it in his reply, "Something's not adding up with her. We're going to find out exactly who she is. Maxson may have an answer for us."

Strong's distaste was clear in his voice, " Maxson …"

"I know, my friend. But he's getting better. Soon he'll let you on the Prydwen." Strong didn't laugh at Nate's joke.

"Still don't see why not kill her and ask later."

"It's just a hunch, but...I have a feeling the Brotherhood will be interested in seeing this one."