The Start of a New Friendship
After Nora returned to the police station, Danse could tell how determined she was to help the team. He felt guilty for ever doubting her and wanted to make it up to her.
As he stood in the center of the police station he called her over to him. His face became solemn. "Nora, I would like to speak to you about something if you have a moment."
"Of course. What's on your mind?"
"This isn't a formal meeting. I... simply want to clear the air. I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot when we first met and I feel like I owe you an apology. Expecting you to embrace the standards of The Brotherhood without having a history with us was unfair. And given that you've adjusted so well to our beliefs, I don't think I needed to push so hard."
"That's very kind. Thank you," Nora smiled.
"Well, you deserve it. When I was an Initiate, my sponsor was Paladin Krieg. Toughest squad leader I ever served with. He was a model soldier, embodying the values every trainee was striving to achieve. Fiercely loyal, secure in his beliefs and brave to a fault. From the moment I was assigned to his squad I was singled out... it felt like he was pushing me harder than the rest of the team. I fought by his side for years and we had some seriously close calls, but he never explained to me why I was treated that way."
"Did you ever ask him?"
"I'd considered it, but unfortunately, I never had the chance. After I was promoted to Paladin and I had moved on to my own squad, I received word that Krieg was killed at Adams Air Force Base. The news was like being kicked in the stomach. I mean, I'd lost some of my brothers and sisters before, but his death... well, it really got to me. It's taken me a long time to realize it, but the reason Krieg was so tough on me is the same reason I'm so tough on you. It's because I believe in you and I don't want to see any of your potential go to waste."
"I'm flattered that you have so much faith in me."
"You've earned that faith by your own hand. Well, I've said what I had to say and I hope that it meant something to you. I... trust you'll keep this in confidence of course. Some of that information was of a personal nature, and well, I'd like to keep it that way."
"Of course Danse, you can trust me. Thank you for being so open with me."
They stood in silence looking at one another for the longest moment. Danse cleared his throat and turned away from her to get his focus back on work. He lit up a smoke and began sifting though some paperwork. Nora headed toward the coffee maker to pour herself a cup of tea.
The Next Step
After many days and nights of Danse and Nora wondering The Commonwealth alone together, Danse began to admire Nora's dedication more and more. She was always quick to do as he commanded and always did it with a smile across her face. He had so many questions for her. The biggest one being how she was able to keep such a pleasant demeanor. Surely she had some sad secret. Everyone in The Commonwealth did. If you were to ask anyone about how their life was going their answer would be, 'As well as it can be in this world.' He also wanted to ask her about her life from before the war. Having lived more than 200 years ago, she must have seen and known so many things. But now was not the time for questions. There were more pressing matters at hand.
It was time for Nora to meet the rest of members of The Brotherhood. He lead her to the Prydwen were she meet the commanding officer, Elder Maxson. Another handsome, young man with a powerful stance. On the outside he remained stoic, but inside he had the same first impression Danse had towards Nora. She's so beautiful, so mysterious. He needed to know more about her.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Elder. You have an amazing team of people working for you."
"Thank you. I like to think we work more as a family then just a team. Speaking of there are a few others I would like for you to meet before we give you the full orientation."
(Later)
After meeting the rest of The Brothers and Sisters they welcomed her into their ranks. Danse then showed Nora to the living quarters and assigned her a room. Once the two of them were alone, He felt as if he could talk with her freely once again.
"Would it be possible to speak... off the record for a moment?" Asked Danse as he exited his power suit.
"Off the record? That's not like you, Danse," Nora was surprised and just a bit worried.
He approached her slowly. "Which is why this is going to be difficult to say, so I'd appreciate it if you bear with me." He ran the fingers of his left hand through his hair. Nora could see he was shaking. "When you were first placed under my sponsorship, I had some serious reservations about it. Despite all that, this has turned out to be a rewarding experience... for both of us. At this point, honestly, I don't feel like there's anything else I could teach you about being a Brotherhood soldier that you don't already know. It's apparent from your attitude and your actions that you intend to keep those ideals close to your heart."
"I'm flattered to hear this, but I feel like there's more you want to say."
"There is. I'm just not very good at these sort of things." He let out a hard sigh. "Let me start at the beginning. I grew up alone in the Capital Wasteland. Spent most of my childhood picking through the ruins and selling scrap. When I was a bit older, and had a few caps to my name, I moved into Rivet City and opened a junk stand. While I was there, I met a guy named Cutler. We got along pretty well, watched each other's backs and kept each other out of trouble. When the Brotherhood came through on a recruiting run, we felt like it was the best way out of our nowhere lives, so we joined up."
"I'm glad you had greater ambitions than just selling junk."
"Once I saw what the Brotherhood had to offer, there was no comparison. Anyway, about a year after we were posted to the Prydwen, Cutler vanished on a scouting op. It took some convincing, but I was able to persuade my CO to let me assemble a squad and search for him. It took almost three weeks, but we tracked his team down to a Super Mutant hive." Danse's voice became deep with anger, "Those wretched abominations had slaughtered everyone but Cutler. He should have been so lucky. The mutant bastards used their FEV to change him into one of their own kind. He wasn't Cutler anymore. I had to... it was my duty to... put him down."
Nora wasn't sure how she felt about this confession. "Are you sure there wasn't anything you could do to change him back?"
"The FEV effect is irreversible. There was nothing anyone could do."
Not sure what else to say Nora responded, "I guess... you did what the Brotherhood taught you."
"Then you understand why it had to be done. Ever since Cutler died, I've seen other soldiers come and go. Some were brave, some were honest... hell, some were even downright heroic. But I'd never consider any of them to be a good friend, a friend like Cutler was... until now."
They traded smiles for a moment.
"It's a good feeling, but it frightens me all the same. Having a bond with someone then losing them... it changes you. I don't want to go through that again," Danse lowered his eyes to the floor.
"It would never be that way with me..." Nora took him by the chin to have him look at her. "I care about you too much to let that happen."
Danse was shocked to hear those words, "I... I didn't know you felt that strongly about our... well, about us. I'm sorry if I seem... confused. You've certainly given me something to think about. I just thought you deserved to know how I felt. If you feel that I've overstepped my bounds, I completely understand. Whatever the case may be, I appreciate the fact that you took the time to listen."
"Any time Danse."
(Much Later)
Nora had walked The Freedom Trail and met the members of The Railroad. They discussed with her their disappointment in hearing that this new loan traveler of The Commonwealth had decided to join up with The Brotherhood of Steel. They found them to be nothing more than murderers who just wanted to take over the world. Nora explained her reasons behind joining them, her son, Danse, and they became more accepting of her at least. They also ran some tests on her to find out if she might be a synth.
"I thought there was no way to tell?" Asked Nora.
"Most people in The Commonwealth don't know things like we do. Such as the fact that synths are unable to reproduce," said Doctor Carrington. "So all we need to do is check your reproductive system and if you have one that looks like an actual humans we will know for sure."
"But I thought the Gen 3s were suppose to be a perfect human replica with no way to tell?"
"While that is true for most of the body there are still many details that The Institute have not been able to perfect. Now let's get you prepped and then both you and us will know for sure."
After Doctor Carrington finished his tests and assured everyone that she was in fact human, Desdemona had a special request for Nora. She asked if she would help in the escort of H2-22 from the church to Ticonderoga. Nora accepted and headed out towards the church.
(Later)
Nora waited till dark to meet up with H2-22 and Old Man Stockton. She listened for any signs of movement or sudden changes in the environment. There was only silence. For what seemed like hours she continued to wait. Just sitting in the chapel with nothing but the sound of crickets and toads outside the broken windows. Suddenly she heard the rustle of dirt. Footsteps. She stood up from her set and crouched down behind it with her pistol drawn. With her eyes focused hard and her fingers moving over the trigger she saw the two men quickly enter the church. They halted at her presence.
"Woo woo, it's okay it's clear," says Stockton.
"Were you followed?" Nora asks while lowering her gun.
"No, I have been keeping an eye out. No one saw us come in."
"Well alright then. I'll handle it from here."
"You take good care of him now. He is a little shy but he's a good boy with a good head on his shoulders." Stockton headed toward the door. "See you around H2. I just hope not too soon." He disappeared into the night.
Nora turned to H2, "Hey there. My name is Nora. It's nice to meet you." She was immediately taken by him. He looked like a lost young man with big puppy dog eyes.
"Mr. Stockton said I... I shouldn't say anything," H2 stuttered.
"It's okay. We don't have to talk right now. Let's focus on getting you somewhere safe."
Nora escorted him to the drop off location. They fight off the raiders in their path and made it to the elevator which locked them safe away inside Ticonderoga. Nora was amazed at how many synths were hiding away inside. They all praised her for her help. Nora and H2 sat themselves down in the lounge.
"How are you feeling H2. Are you okay?" Nora asked.
"Another person actually happy to talk to me. This'll take some getting use to. I'm glad to be off the streets. Is this the sort of place people live? Sorry, I'm really not used to small talk." H2 said nervously.
"Don't worry about it. You're doing great."
"So what do we do?"
"I think the first thing we need to do is address you by a proper name. Do you have any name other than H2?"
"The Institute doesn't bother to name their property. Synths are just numbers and letters to them. The only time I spoke to anyone was to acknowledge scientists' orders and very rarely to other synths. I've talked more in the past few days than I have my entire life."
"I'm sorry. That must have been hard for you."
"It was all I knew. So I guess I just thought it was normal. That is until I met all of you."
"Did you ever have any desires to be on the surface world? Anything you wanted to experience for yourself?"
"I have always been fascinated by the ocean. Living underground I would hear whispers of stories about bodies of water that would stretch on forever. I have dreamed about sailing far off on a boat. Just going as far as I could." H2 smiled.
"I have the perfect name for you. Eärendil, lover of the sea."
"Eärendil. I like it. How did you come up with it?"
"I read it in a book. A long time ago. Maybe I can read it to you some time."
"I would like that."
"Have you ever heard of a place called Bar Harbor?"
"No, where is that?"
"It's just north of here. We could take a boat and go visit it together some time. Deal?" Nora held out her hand to him.
Eärendil wasn't sure what to do. Nora took him by the right arm and placed his hand into hers then shook it with a tough grip.
"Deal?"
"Okay then." She pushed herself against the back of the couch. "Now I hate to do this but I need to ask you some questions about The Institute."
"I'm sorry, I don't know much about the Institute. I worked the maintenance tunnels. Every day for as long as I can remember."
"But you know where it is right?"
"I'm sorry. I am sure I do but I am programmed never to tell anyone about the work The Institute performs."
"Can you tell me anything?"
"In The Institute synths are expected to behave... like machines. You await instructions. You execute instructions. You perform basic self maintenance. That's all I ever did."
"Shit. Then I'm back to square one."
"Why do you want to find them so bad? Don't most people want to stay away?"
"They stole my baby. I plan to get him back."
"Oh... oh dear. I think I heard something about that. Sorry I don't have any details other than a child was brought to The Institute some years back."
Nora stood up from the couch. "Okay then Eärendi, I need to get going. I hope you can find your happiness up here."
"Thank you. You have no idea how nice it is to talk to someone."
"We'll do it again. I promise."
Nora said goodbye and good luck to the others then headed out through the elevator.
(Later)
Nora received an urgent call from Desdemona. She snuck her way to The Old Church as quickly as she could making sure no one from The Brotherhood was following her.
"Desdemona, what is it? What's the problem?"
"It's your new friend Eärendil. The time has come for him to leave The Commonwealth. We have a boat waiting for him down by the bayou. I figured you would want to say goodbye."
"Thank you. I would like that very much."
"Well you better hurry. His escort will be there soon to take him. We can't risk waiting any longer."
Nora headed for the bayou quickly. She saw Eärendil standing on the pier looking out at the water.
"Hey you," she called out.
Eärendil turned to her. "Oh.. hello. I wasn't sure if you would make it."
"Of course. I had to come see you off. So what do you think of the ocean? Big isn't it?"
"Yeah, they weren't kidding about the size. It's a little scary actually."
"I bet you will do wonders out there. Just don't fall off the boat. You'll need to learn to swim first."
"Learn to swim. Right." He had no idea what she was talking about.
Nora looked around for the escort but saw and heard nothing. "Huh... I wonder what is taking your escort so long."
"Oh Nora, before I forget. I made this holotape for you." He placed it in her hand. "It just says all the things I knew I wouldn't be able to tell you in person."
"You didn't need to do that. We will have plenty of time to tell each other everything once your safe outside The Commonwealth."
Eärendil didn't know what else to say. He just gave her a smile.
Suddenly three members of The Brotherhood charged up to them from down the road. Danse was one of them. Nora wasn't sure weither to be happy or worried to see him.
"Brothers, what are you doing here?" She asked nervously.
"You know exactly why we are here. You're harboring a synth and behind The Brotherhood's back no less," said the Knight angerly.
Nora looked to Danse with pleading eyes. "Please, he's my friend. Just let him go. He's not going to harm anyone."
"I'm sorry Nora. Maxson's orders," Danse replied with a gloomy voice.
They took a step towards the boat.
Nora tried to keep them back, "Eärendil go now!"
Eärendil jumped onto the boat but Nora was no match against the Knights with their power armor. They easily knocked her to the side and grabbed hold of Eärendil.
"No, leave him alone!" Danse took hold of Nora's arms restraining her. "Let me go!"
The Knights lifted Eärendil off the boat and placed him on the ground in front of her. Nora looked into his eyes with tears filling hers. Flashes of her husbands face appeared over his. The Knight aimed their riffle at his head.
"I'm sorry," she cried.
"It's okay, thank you," Eärendil replied.
The Knight fired his weapon and Eärendil's head exploded clean off his shoulders. His blood fell over them, then formed a pool under his limp body. Nora screamed at the top of her lunges in despair. Maxson could hear her cries over the Knight's transmitter. It was the most heart piercing cry he had ever heard. Nora struggled within Danse's grip and he finally released her. She fell to the ground with her head in her hands. He tried to place his arm on her shoulder to comfort her.
"Just get away from me!" She yelled at him.
"Nora, I'm..."
"I said get away!"
She stood up from the ground and ran to the boat. She started it up quickly and sailed it off into the horizon. Danse reached out his hand to her wanting her to return but she didn't even look back.
Over the next few days as she anchored herself out on the water she pondered over the idea if she still wanted to be a part of The Brotherhood. She didn't know how she would be able to face them after what they had done. She never wanted to experience anything like it again. But it was what they do. No excuses, no exceptions. She listened to Eärendil's holotape over and over again.
"The doctor said I could use this to say goodbye. I've decided... that once I leave The Commonwealth I'm going to have the operation. I know I'll lose all my memories. I don't want you to be sad. I... I have nightmares. And this world, the SRB, being hunted, I just can't handle it. Everyone says I'll be safer if I start a new life and I know I'll be happier. My only regret is I'll forget... Old Man Stockton. High Rise. And you. Looking back, there's only fear. Worse than fear. But I will miss my new... friends. I'm going to keep the name you gave me. That way I'm hoping at least a part of me will remember you. Thank you."
(Later)
Nora finally managed to gain back her courage to return to The Prydwen. All the Brothers and Sisters greeted her happy to see she had returned. She made her way up to her living quarter. Danse heard of her return and went to her room wanting to make sure she was okay. He knocked on the door.
"Who is it?" She asked from the other side.
"It's me, can I come in?" He asked.
Nora paused. "Come in."
He entered then closed the door behind him. Nora gave him a somber look.
"I'm truly sorry about what happened. If there is any way I can make it up to you..."
"How did Maxson even know about Eärendil in the first place? I never spoke about him," she asked angerly.
"Maxson knew you were hiding something from us so... he had me keep an eye on you," Danse rubbed the back of his neck ashamed of himself.
"So you told him what I was doing? What, am I not allowed to go off on my own? Make my own choices? I have to be watched and...and guarded like some kind of prisoner?" Her voice had become louder as she spoke.
"You are right to be mad at me. I didn't want to but..."
Nora let out a heavy sigh and sat down on her bed. "I know. You were just following orders. I don't blame you Danse. I just... I thought the whole point of doing all of this was to help people. Sure Eärendil was a synth but he was more than that to me. He was my friend. And for The Brotherhood to have just put him down like some rabid dog... it just didn't seem right." She looked down at the floor unable to look at him.
He knelt down in front of her and looked into her eyes, "I promise you I'll never betray you like that again. I am indebted to you. Whatever you want, name it, and I'll do it."
She brushed his hair away from his brow. "Thank you."
