!Updated 9/23/14
Chapter I: "Fifth Wheel"
A few days earlier,
I was sitting across from the four of them. One had on a vault jumpsuit that had been armored in typical wasteland fashion. The three others were wearing that heavy power armor that the Brotherhood is known for. If two of them didn't have their helmets off I would not have been able to tell them apart. One was a young blonde, the other was an older black woman. I wondered if the other guy was a mercenary too. Then I figured that he may be a technician or something. I mean it makes sense, the Brotherhood like technology and the vault dwellers know some things about it that few do now.
I had not been able to follow their conversation because of the loud noise the rotary blades were making. I am sure if they thought I needed to hear, they would have spoken louder. I was about to speak up but then I herd a voice echo through the cabin.
"Alright we will be landing in "T" minus three minutes!" It said loudly. "So make sure that your seat-belts are on and your tray tables are up!" It continued. "Thank you for choosing Air D.C. The number one in Brotherhood Transportation!" The voice proclaimed. Then there was a sharp static as whatever microphone he was using was toggled off.
"Focus on flying ya ham" The blonde said as she beat her power-armored hand hard onto the side of the cabin.
After a quick yet admittedly bumpy landing, it was finally quiet enough to hear the group across from me. They probably anticipated this and had already shut up by then.
The blonde turned to me and spoke. "My name is Sentinel Loins." She said. "Here is the drill. We have important military matters to attend to." She said flatly. "So you will be going with Paladin Jacobs here." She said as she gestured at the one paladin still in his helmet. Then they started to file out of the vertibird.
"Well if it's a military matter send me with your technician." I said as gestured towards their friend in the vault suit. "Wouldn't it make more sense than sending a fighter to show me were to go?" I asked as I stepped though the vertibird's hatch.
Three of them just looked at me. Jacobs didn't stop scanning the area, but his stance was offset. As if laughing. Finally the one in the vault suit strongly proclaimed, "I'm not a technician." Then the trio headed towards the main structure about thirty yards ahead.
I started after them with the question of "then who is he" in my mind. I was stopped short by the one named Jacobs.
"Come on this way." He said as he pulled me to the left. It seems we were headed for the other side of the compound.
I started looking around as I walked. I saw large fences all around, groups of people in scavenged Enclave power,
"That armor is all too familiar" I thought.
To my direct left at my three were clusters of buildings. "Where are we, some kind of way-station?" I asked.
"We are at Outpost Alpha." Jacobs said from a few steps away. "It is the headquarters of the Midwestern branch of the Brotherhood." He said.
"I thought the Midwestern Brotherhood used a special bunker in Colorado?" I said quizzically.
"That was apparently the rumor yes." he explained. "However it turns out that its just a small outpost used for recruitment and keeping eyes on the east." He declared. "So actually your destination is 'some kind of way-station'." He said in a sarcastic tone.
"Oh good" I said relieved. "I thought for a secon..."
"Don't worry we told you that we could get you close to N.C.R. Territory" He said. "Besides someone important was very interested in getting one of those things you have." He said with a slight emphasis placed on 'important'. "If he hadn't taken an interest, you may not have been given the time of day." He said with a slight joyous sound in his voice.
I fell for it.
"Who is that?" I asked.
"That would be the 'technician' that you thought was so unimportant" Jacobs said trying to hold down a laugh.
"Oh come on, all he had was a hunting rifle and makeshift gear." I said in a dejected manor. "Important people in your organization always wear robes if they are smart or power armor if they can shoot."
"Not if they are too good for it." Jacobs said with a serious undertone.
That statement made me falter in step. Someone too good to need power armor? I cannot even comprehend it. I was trying to figure out what you would have to do to get that kind of reputation. Then I bumped into Jacobs.
"Shit!" I yelled.
"Watch out man" Jacobs said. "Most people here are in power armor." He stated. "That means that if you get into an accident of some kind, you will probably end up with the short end of the stick." He said in a concerned tone.
"Why did you stop?" I asked.
"Why else" He then gestured to the vertibird being loaded with supplies. "This is your ticket to Cheyenne Mountain." He said. "Now get to helping" He proclaimed in light tone.
It took a second to register in my head. "Wait why am I helping?" I asked. "But I do not have power armor! I cannot lift all that heavy stuff!" I said nervously.
"That is the price for the ticket." He said.
"I already paid, I gave you three of those badges." I said.
"That was our price." He said flatly. "These guys thought they needed more payment for moving their supply run up a week."
Knowing that I had no real leverage, I walked over to the group of four Midwestern Brotherhood members that were gathered around the vertibird.
"Hello I am Johnathon" I said introducing myself. "I was told to help you load this bird in exchange for a ride." I said.
"Yes. There you are" One said.
"Don't worry, we already loaded everything over five hundred pounds" Another said in an amused tone.
"Well lets get started" I said, my voice already sounding exhausted just from just looking at the load of slave labor I was about to do.
Disclaimer: I do not own the "Fallout" franchise or any related trademarks. However any original Factions, Characters, and locations do belong to me.