2277:An Ending of Things

The Common Wealth: Sanctuary Hills

NCR forces take up temporary residence in Concord's Museum of Freedom. General Carson is standing over a map of the Common Wealth intently studying it. A woman in NCR armor approaches with a report in hand. Without looking up Carson address her.

Carson: "What do you have for me Williams."

She gives a quick salute to the general.

Williams: "Sir. Captain Anders has tracked the targets to Sanctuary Hills. We have yet to confirm the status of the primary target."

They are interrupted as a man quickly enters. He gives them both quick salutes, the address General Carson.

Carson: "What is it Anders?"

Anders: "Sir, my squad has completed its recon of Sanctuary Hills. Targets were not present, however, we do believe this is their main base of operations here in the Common Wealth. We encountered a non hostile Mr. Handy unit that confirmed their presents in the vicinity. It will only be a matter of time before they have to head this way again. Your orders sir?"

Carson takes a moment to consider his options, then replies.

Carson: "We don't have the resources to aimlessly wonder the Common Wealth. We'll watch Sanctuary for the time being. If this is their base of operations, then it's only a matter of time before they turn up. All we have to do is set a trap. Anders, tell your men to set up a perimeter. Williams organize the rest and prepair a trap for the targets. They won't slip away again."

Williams and Anders salute and respond together.

Williams: "Sir."

Anders: "Sir."

As his troops leave Carson returns his attention to the map to contemplate on all that has occurred. He voices his thoughts aloud.

Carson: "Once we develop that serum the NCR will return to its former glory. Then we'll take Vegas."

While the NCR were busy planning their next move a lone figure slips out of Concord undetected and heads toward Sanctuary Hills. The figure quietly sneaks by the patrolling NCR soldiers and continues past Sanctuary. The figure continues up a nearby hill that has an elevator shaft leading to Vault 111. The figure uses a rope that had been put there before and makes his way carefully down the elevator shaft. As the figure exits the elevator area the voice of a woman echoes from just within the vault's entrance.

Woman: "Don't push yourself Bishop. You're still recovering from those explosions a few days ago."

Bishop replies to the woman in a weaken voice.

Bishop: "Its all right mom. Most of the burns are nearly healed. The radiation sickness is almost gone too. I'll be back to normal... in no time."

The figure approaches the woman, who is fussing over a young man that is leaning heavily on the wall behind him. The figure clears his throat as he approaches the woman.

Figure: "Listen to your mother, boy."

Woman: "Ulysses, your okay! Whats the situation out there."

Ulysses: "Not good Kira. The NCR are setting up shop in Concord. It doesn't look like their leaving anytime soon either. How's Bishop doing?"

Kira pulls him to the side with a concern look on her face. They converse in low tones

Kira: "I think he's gotten an infection. Most of the burns from the explosions have healed, but the one on his left shoulder is healing slowly. The skin around the burn is puffy and red. He's also getting a fever. The serum would've healed him by now but all the running around has made him exhausted it just can't keep up."

Ulysses gives a worried glance toward Bishop as he slides down the wall into a sitting position on a bed roll they set up earlier.

Ulysses: "What can we do for him?"

Kira: "Not much. He needs antibiotics. With the NCR here in such a large force we may not be able to salvage the necessary material to synthesize them on our own. His only hope is to rest and let the serum do its job."

Ulysses: "We may not have that long. General Carson is here with them. He's hanging back for now but it won't last long. Is there anything in the vault we could use."

Kira: "No. There are some stimpacks, a little food, not much else. This vault was experimenting with the long term effects of cryostasis... We could use that."

Ulysses: "How?"

Kira: "I can hack into the vault's systems and reset the program for a single unit. We put Bishop in, while we deal with the NCR forces. The ice helps with his fever, the serum has time to work, and we don't have to worry about the NCR snatching him again. I can use my pip-boy to seal the vault behind us."

Ulysses takes a moment to think it over. He glances toward Bishop and notices a slight shine of sweat on his brow. A sign that his fever was getting worse.

Ulysses: "How soon can you get it ready."

Kira: "An hour tops if there's an empty pod. If you don't mind go keep Bishop company while I work on the pod. He was as worried as I was."

Ulysses gives a nod in response and Kira heads deeper into the vault in search of an unused cryo pod. He slowly approaches Bishop. Bishop gives him a weary glance and sighs. Ulysses takes a seat on Bishop's right side as to avoid his injured shoulder.

Ulysses: "So, how much of that did you actually hear?"

Bishop: "Pretty much all of it. So, General Carson huh."

Ulysses: "Yeah, Williams and Anders too."

Bishop: "Don't underestimate Carson or Williams, they are master tacticians. Anders is a brutal soldier but ultimately useless without someone giving him orders. Wouldn't be too hard to trick Williams to due him in. They tolerate each other...hmm... but that's about it. They hate each other and Williams is little more than Carson's boot...(yawn)...licker, should be...easy."

He nods off leaning against his father. Ulysses listens closely to Bishop as his breathing evens out. He checks Bishop's pulse to make sure its normal and lets out a relieved sigh as he relies it is. He decides to let him rest while Kira works to restore a pod.

As Kira searches the rows of pods for one unoccupied she glaces at the people inside them. Some had a look of terror on their frozen features while others looked dead with ominous dark spots splattered on the ice that covered them. For a brief moment she wonders what vault tech thought all these secret experiments would accomplish. Her eyes brighten as she spots an unoccupied pod at the end on her right.

After an hour of tinkering with several terminals and the pod itself thing were set.

She checked the pod's systems one last time, then headed back to Bishop and Ulysses. A small smile grows on Kira's face as she takes a set on Ulysses' other side.

Kira: "That wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. He fell asleep as soon as I left, didn't he?"

Ulysses: "Pretty much. This really is our best option isn't. There's nothing else we can do for him?"

Kira sadly shakes her head and takes Ulysses' hand.

Kira: "Not with the NCR in the way. We can't let them take him again Ulysses. He barely survived the first time. They won't touch my son, not ever again. Carson leads the last solid faction of the NCR. We kill him and whats left will crumble just like the Legion did."

Ulysses lifts their joined hands and gently gives hers a kiss.

Ulysses: "Then we better get started."

Kira wears a fiercely determined expression as she nods and stands. She heads back to the pod to double check that every thing is in order. Ulysses turns and gently shakes Bishop awake. Bishop addresses Ulysses in a sleepy voice.

Bishop: "Are we heading out yet?"

Ulysses: "Not quite. Do you remember where we are, the conversation your mother and I had earlier?"

Bishop takes a moment to take in his surroundings and quickly recalls the moments before he fell asleep.

Bishop: "Oh, no other options then, hmm."

Ulysses: "Sorry, but none we're willing to risk. Don't worry we'll be done before you know it and heading back to the Mojave."

Ulysses could tell his words did little to comfort Bishop. He could practically see the nervous thoughts rattling around in Bishop's head. It wouldn't be long before he was rambling.

Bishop: "Sure. And this isn't giving you and mom bad vibes? I mean vault tech, not exactly a reliable name. I suppose there's not really much choice though. Okay, I think I'm ready. Just please leave my stuff where I can find it."

He hands a duffel bag containing his rifle, The Survivalist, his revolve, The Lucky 38, and all his ammo over to Ulysses. He winces in pain as the weight of the bag pulls at his injured shoulder. Ulysses takes with a sympathetic look.

Bishop: "Finally got the sights on the rifle straighten out. It was the only birthday gift Mr. Graham gave me."

Ulysses: "Sure. I'll leave it under the usual mark."

Bishop: "Okay, better get a move on. Mom's probably wondering what's taking so long."

Ulysses helps Bishop to his feet and leads him through the vault in search of Kira. As they pass the dormant pods Bishop feels a little sad for the people that were trapped with in. Kira is checking over the pod's equipment as they approach. Once she's finished she turns toward her boys. She gently grabs Bishop in a hug mindful of his injured shoulder. After a moment she releases him.

Kira: "You know we wouldn't do this if there was another option right. I just can't let them hurt you again. Not after..."

Bishop gives her a quick hug and reassuring grin.

Bishop: "Yeah. I know. Give them hell for me okay, and be safe. Please be safe."

Bishop gives both his parents one final hug each and then climbs into the cryo pod. Kira and Ulysses take a step back as the pod closes. Bishop gives them a sad smile as the pod begins its count down sequence. Kira kisses her fingers and presses them to the glass as a final goodbye, while Ulysses gives a determined nod. Bishop closes his eyes as the pod freezes up, completing the cryostasis. Kira turns and fixes a fierce gaze onto Ulysses.

Kira: "How bad is it really?"

Ulysses: "Worse than I would say. They have at least 6 suits of power armor. Two of them outfitted with mini guns, one with a Fatman, and the other three with advance power fist armaments. Not to mention a 50 troop detachment, and on top of all that Carson, Williams, and Anders. But if we kill those three we end the NCR."

Kira gives Ulysses a light pat on the cheek.

Kira: "Well alright then, lets get to work love. Once I seal the vault I'll leave my pip-boy with that Mr. Handy we ran into earlier. Codsworth, I think his name was."

She takes the lead of exiting the vault. Ulysses glances one last time at Bishop's cryo pod as if to say sorry and then follows Kira.

Ulysses: "Right behind you love."

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