Consolidation

It had been a solid month since Van had been inside of the recovery room of the South Vegas Medical Center. His wound that once pulsed as he breathed was now nothing more than a scar, a memory of betrayal.

The past two weeks Van had been attempting to get around the super-mutant infested area of Black Mountain in order to reach Hidden Valley, the address of the index card that his bunk mate gave to him, it was dirty and bent in place, but the writing was still legible. Bunker number 108.

As Van pushed open the rust covered gate that led in to a series of nuclear defense bunkers, he could spot several things of note, plasma burns on the sand and scribblings on the bunker doors.

The bunker he was searching for appeared just like the others, covered in hippy script and run down, but as brought his hand up to the door that would undoubtedly decide his future, it slid down revealing three large characters donning armor that gleamed like ice on a Nuka-Cola bottle.

They raised long tubes that Van could only recognize as Laser Rifles and charged out.

Van raised his hands and got on his knees, the power armored men surrounded him in a semi-circle, closing off his escape. The one that stood in front of Van spoke first, "Who are you and how did you find this place?"

As Van rose his head to speak, he cleared his throat, "My name is Van Worth, former NCR, my bunk mate told me to come here, he said to tell the men that first approach me that Paladin White sent me."

The men on either side of Van rested their rifles, letting that name soak in.

"So, what you're telling me, is that a dead paladin told you to come and find us?"

This news took Van by surprise, at first that his bunk mate was a spy for the Brotherhood, and then by the fact that he was pronounced dead. "Dead? What do you mean 'dead'? When was this?"

With his polished power armor on, the Paladin who was speaking to Van removed helmet that made the suit look menacing to a mere civilian, and took in a deep breath, shaking his head and letting the sweat move freely from it's captivity inside the casing, "A few weeks ago, we had gotten a message with detailed maps of the New Vegas Strip and the Embassy. Paladin White, Jarvis, also informed us that one of the officers might be on to him, and that his cover was possibly compromised. No word back since, the only logical conclusion is that he was tried and executed. Or is currently in a holding cell."

As Van processed this, the white scar that reminded him of betrayal had given itself warmth, letting new emotions take over his body, an even deeper sense of revenge and hatred for Chu and the rest of his officials.

Van stood from his kneeling position and extended his hand to the hopefully friendly man in the hulking silver suit, "I think we have a common enemy here."

As the man firmly grasped Van'd hand, he gave a slight nod and filled in, "Jerry Spark. Security chief for the Mojave chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel. I think our elder might want to speak with you, outsider."

Greetings everyone! I do apologize for the shortness (and tardiness) of this chapter. But hey, what's life in a blue moon staring down the barrel of big iron? Ain't that a kick in the head, lemme tell yah!

Not too sure how often I'll be putting this out, I can't devote all of my time to writing, sadly. :/ most of the time I have is spent on murdering innocent raiders, and pillaging the lives and camps of the Legion.

I do hope you enjoyed however, and if so, please do me a huge favor and subscribe to the story! Or leave a review correcting things! Either is appreciated!

-Fable