I own Knight Captain Marcus and Nicky, all else to Bethesda.
The Lone Wanderer stalks through the streets of Boston. Having left their armor at the Brotherhood of Lyons HQ, they quickly wander under a mountain of rags, leather pieces, and scraps of metal. Their head is covered in a shawl and their eyes by dark sun glasses. In this outfit, they are inconspicuous. The native Bostonians give them a glance before turning back to their own business. The Lone Wanderer smirks under their rags. Their disguise is perfect.
They round a corner and see a group of people standing by a protectron robot. A few men and women of no importance, as well as a bald man in doctor's clothes and dark glasses. The Lone Wanderer slinks up to the bald man. "What's all this?"
The bald man looks at them. He inclines his head as another man speaks. "We're here to find the Railroad. They are the only ones who are gonna stand up against the Institute and those Brotherhood assholes."
The Lone Wanderer raises their eyebrows under their shawl. "Oh? Maybe I'll join y'all. I'm looking for the railroad too." At this, they stare at the bald man. He smirks and holds their gaze.
One of the women in the group, smiles. "Nice. I'm Nicky!" She holds her hand out to the Lone Wanderer. "Who are you?"
The Lone Wanderer shakes Nicky's hand. "I'm uh . . . Wanda." They say and the bald man suppresses a laugh. The Lone Wanderer glares at him and elbows him in the ribs. "Forgive my friend, he laughs at everything."
Nicky laughs, "Oh, no worries. We need a little laughter." She looks back at her group. "Alright, let's go."
They charge off, leaving the bald man and the Lone Wanderer alone together. The Lone Wanderer wipes their hand on their rags and turns towards the bald man. "Deacon."
Deacon smirks and nods his head. "Lone Wanderer." He motions his head to the side. "So, I was a little surprised to see you here. Watts mentioned your arrival, but I figured she was spinning old tales again. But then, the Brotherhood start talking about black armored ghosts hunting them in North Boston. And then you show up. What a coincidence."
The Lone Wanderer shakes their head. "No such thing as coincidences." They motion with their hands as they speak. "The Brotherhood needs the help of the Railroad."
Deacon's eyes widen. "Which Brotherhood are we talking about here? Because the one I know is crazy and has the Sole Survivor in it; the bastard."
The Lone Wanderer smiles. "The true Brotherhood, lead by Elder Lyons."
"Elder Lyons? As in Sarah Lyons?" Deacon scratches his chin and turns down another street, casually following the red line. "Thought she was dead."
The Lone Wanderer shakes their head. "Not dead, just missing an eye and a father." They stop and look around. Their ears twitch and they lower into a crouch. Deacon turns to look at them and he opens his mouth, when he hears the thumping Super Mutants. The Lone Wanderer pulls several small blades out of their boots. As a Super Mutant rounds a corner, the Lone Wanderer flings an arm out, sending a knife flying. The knife buries itself deep into the Mutant's neck and it drops like a rock. Another Mutant rounds the corner and it too drops from a knife. Slowly, the Lone Wanderer creeps forward. They rummage through the pockets of the dead Mutants, pulling out ammo and bottle caps. Then, they calmly stand and motion for Deacon to continue.
Deacon whistles low. "Remind me to never get on your bad side."
The Lone Wanderer smirks. "Oh, don't worry. If you ever cross me, you'll be dead." They slip out of their snarky mode and back into a serious one. "Maxson's Brotherhood is damaging our name and Maxson ordered Sarah to be killed. Therefore, he must die and this false Brotherhood must be stopped. Our numbers are small and we need allies in this region. Hence, our asking for the Railroad."
Deacon runs a hand over his bald head. "And how would we know that you're not worse than Maxson and this Brotherhood? You're a living legend, but I don't know you more than that, and I certainly don't know this Elder Lyons."
The Lone Wanderer shrugs. "Honestly? You don't. But we are only here for Maxson. Once he is dead, we take his ship and go back to the Capital Wasteland to reestablish ourselves." They stop and motion around to the ruins. "Boston is not our home and while things are bad here, we feel no need to bleed in a land that does not want us."
Deacon smirks. "Now, that's damn inspirational. But how will we know that you'll leave? The Institute has a lot of valuable technology in it and you Brotherhood folks see all tech as yours."
At this, the Lone Wanderer chuckles. "Well, that's a risk you're going to have to take." They smile at Deacon and hold his gaze. The two stare at each other, before Deacon harrumphs and looks away. The Lone Wanderer smirks and holds their head up higher. The pair continues to walk the red line, passing dead group members and packs of raiders and mutants along the way. The Lone Wanderer both asks and answers question from Deacon, but they keep most of their past secret. When they near Goodneighbor, they stop. "Goodneighbor; I have to head there next."
The Railroad spy shrugs. "We can head there now, if you want. I've got to make some connections and can introduce you to Hancock."
The Lone Wanderer raises their eyebrows. "Well, aren't you helpful." They step back and motion dramatically with their hands. "Lead the way, James Bond."
Deacon smiles tightly and leads the Lone Wanderer into Goodneighbor. A local thug greets them at the door. "Well, this seems familiar."
The thug smiles. "Welcome to Goodneighbor. I see that you're new, so you wouldn't know about the protection fee."
The Lone Wanderer looks back at Deacon. "Is he for real?" Deacon shrugs, splaying his hands out. They turn back to the thug. "Are you for real? A shakedown at the door?"
The thug sneers at them. "Not what I would have called it, but yeah. Now, hand it over."
The Lone Wanderer smirks. "Sure thing." In one smooth motion, they pull their revolver out from its holster and fires three shots into the chest of the thug. They spin it around their finger and turn to the right as the thug's associate charges out of the dark. Two shots are buried into him. As the second one falls, a third starts to raise their rifle, when three more shots down him. The Lone Wanderer holsters their weapon as the third thug falls.
Deacon stares with his jaw dropped. "Wow."
A new man approaches dressed in colonial clothing and a tri-pointed hat. "I think I'm in love."
The Lone Wanderer turns and smiles at the man. "Mayor Hancock, I presume?"
Hancock returns the smile and touches the tip of his hat. "You have guessed correctly, beauty. Why don't you take off those rags and let me see your undoubtedly wonderful face?"
"No," the Lone Wanderer says. "You'll have to use your imagination."
Hancock's face falls. "Hmm. Well, will you at least tell me who you are and why you are shooting up my city?"
"Of course." The Lone Wanderer squares their shoulders. "I am the Lone Wanderer and I have come to discuss business with you, Mayor. The True Brotherhood needs your help."
