Sorry it took so long for an update. I've been working on this chapter for awhile now and was just stumped on what to write exactly and I just ruined yet another laptop so I am now stuck with my old as dirt desktop. Hopefully I can get another chapter out later tonight if Skyrim doesn't distract me.
Burke smirked as they crossed the border that told them they were in the capitol. Months of walking with only a few nights camped out on the side of the road had taken it's toll on the man. He felt weak and defiantly drained, it was hell just to push his legs forward until they reached Rivet City where he could find word of Aida and where she may be found. The land had changed the waters now a beautiful clear blue there was even a few spots of green where the trees and plants had began to force their way through the dry soil. The Brotherhood had stretched it's hands farther from their Citadel and now littered the area. He had counted at least six different patrols of Knights since they had crossed the line. He had exchanged his usual suit for the dark combat armor of the Van Graffs, he blended perfectly with the other men who walked next to the old rusted cars body which the Van Graffs had set up to haul their weapons along with the help of a Brahmin. The car's body was packed full of weapons. From dozens of 9mm to mini machine guns along with energy weapons that were hidden in case the Brotherhood decided to do a search of their cargo. Burke kept his eyes down cast as another small group of Knights passed them. They stopped and strained their necks trying to see under the large tarp that covered the weapons before touching their fingers to their helmet and mumbling something into the radios that would inform the blockade ahead that their was a large shipment coming towards them and to be on their guard. The Van Graffs daughter who had taken up the task of leading the men and the shipment to the capitol hurried in front of the group as she dug into her pack looking for the papers she had received when they had asked for permission to set up shop in the wasteland. The woman was younger then Aida with hair that had at some point been a dark brown but was now an almost white blonde, she was tall and very skinny almost so that Burke had wondered if she ever ate anything. He had spent the few nights with her when they had stopped to rest but it had been nothing more then sex to him. While the girl had dreamt it up to be more the reality of it was that she was nothing more then someone he could use for his own satisfaction. She lacked any type of feminism and he knew her history with the other men that the Van Graffs employed , she had been used more then the Brahmin that pulled their cargo maybe even more, Burke thought. He touched his chest where the picture of Aida was placed against his skin, folded in half taking Butch out of the shot so that only the woman in her vault gear was visible. He had taken it the night she had stayed with him in the tower and it had been with him since that night, always secure.
He kept his head down as the Van Graffs girl, Emily, argued with the Knights. Shoving her papers in their face and pulling the tarp from the weapons when one of the female Knights demanded that she see what they were hauling. He quickly stepped back as a Knight tried to pass by him to get a better look at the weapons, surely checking for anything of power that would require the Brotherhood to confiscate it. He kept calm as he usually did, never showing how quickly his heart was beating in his chest. He was the type of man that no matter how nervous, scared or upset he was you would never see it written on his face. He could hate you with every being and still smile and nod as he shot you in the head and ended your miserable life. His head jerked in the direction of the outpost when he recognized the female voice coming over the radio.
"Vargas?" The familiar voice cracked through the old radio.
The man who walked in front of Burke quickly hurried away from the cars body, that was filled to the brim with weapons, and walked over to the radio taking off the heavy helmet in the process. "What's wrong, Aida?"
Burke's assumptions were correct of who the female voice belonged to. He carefully inched his way towards the area where the radio sat.
Aida giggled. "I know this is a stupid question but we have looked every where and Bigsley is in another one of his moods so I don't dare ask him and I cannot seem to get patched into Sarah's com."
Vargas smiled before interrupting the girl. "What is your question, sweetheart?"
"Do you know where Bigsley usually keeps the log on the delivers? I hacked into his computer while he was… occupied… in the bathroom."
Vargas shook his head with a chuckle.
"But I couldn't find anything. Peabody came down and helped me search for a hard copy but we have been through all the papers and files on Bigsley's desk and cannot find anything on the shipment routes. I have seven caravans waiting for orders and I don't know what route they are suppose to have."
"Aida…" He chuckled rubbing his brow. "Did Peabody or yourself check the file cabinet behind Bigsley's desk?"
There was a long pause before Aida replied. "Found it."
"It is always in the most obvious place." Vargas teased.
"I just thought I would give you some excitement for the day while you are sitting out in that hot sun watching people walk by you all day." She laughed, the sound of her shuffling through papers echoed over the com channel.
"You are so thoughtful." He replied shaking his head.
"Of course I am! Anyone who listens to Three Dogs ramblings knows that. I'll let you get back to your boring assignment. I got caravans to push along."
"Remember to take it easy, Aida."
"Yeah, yeah." She replied.
Vargas pulled the helmet back over his head hiding his face from view and returning to the woman. "You can set up shop in Rivet City." He took the map from the girl and circled the area where the large downed ship could be found. "They'll give you room and bored for a discount since you are a merchant. You will be required to show all sale documentation to a man named Harkness. He well then proceed to supply us with any concerns. You are not allowed to sell power weapons or armor, if you are found with supplies of them they will be confiscated, you will receive a fine, be banned from selling, and will face imprisonment by the Brotherhood. Do you understand?"
"Yes." Emily glared at the man.
He stood aside and motioned for the girl and her party to continue on to their destination.
Burke knew exactly where to find Aida after hearing her on the com. The Brotherhood had started the caravans long before he had taken on Aida and the only places where she would be able to control their routes was at Project Purity.
Burke stood atop the large boat, his arms folded and resting on the rusted railing. His fingers circled the top of the beer bottle while he stared towards Project Purity. Even from a distant he could see the people hurrying around as they tested the water and rushed the caravans to make their delivers before sunset. It had been so long since he had been so close to Aida and his heart could not stop racing. He wanted nothing more then to race across the way to her and take her to his to room, forgetting about her Courier, Tenpenny, and the young Van Graffs girl who was slowly walking over to him. He kept his eyes straight not giving her the attention that she was desperately trying to get from him. He wanted nothing to do with the girl now that they were back in the capitol, his focus was completely on Aida. He sighed and pushed her hands away when she tried to shove them into the rim of his pants. She simply smacked him across the face before stomping away, surely to go find a willing partner. He pulled his bottom lip into his mouth wiping the small amount of blood where the girls ring had torn the skin with his tongue, still staring out at the large building. He just needed to get close enough to see her, to know that she was there and to see if the damned Courier was with her. He swallowed the rest of the contents in the glass bottle with one swallow before throwing it over the boat and into the debris below.
He quickly made his way down the old rusted stairs of the boat, squeezing his body past drunken couples that were trying to make their way up to their rooms from The Muddy Rudder. He kept his eyes down cast as he walked past Harkness, Aida had a lot allies and the last thing he wanted was for one of them to recognize him and inform her that he was back in the capitol and giving her a chance to make a run for it. He made it to the shores of Project Purity, choosing to swim which was a bit complicated in the heavy Van Graffs armor but he didn't want to take the chance of being spotted. He slowly inched his way up the shores, scanning the Brotherhood guards that surrounded the Brahmins who had huge barrels full of water strapped to their backs. He froze when he heard Aida's familiar laugh, quickly finding her. She had her back to him her black hair twisted up into a bun, she wore a lab coat that looked too big for her body she kept stretching her arms above her head causing the sleeves to fall down to her elbows. His heart dropped when she turned around and he caught sight of her swollen abdomen, she was pregnant… far along also.
Burke clenched his fists, he felt… Betrayed, no betrayed was not even a strong enough word to express the anger that was quickly rising in his chest. He slid down onto the sand of the embankment and covered his face with his hands, all the composure that he usually held quickly disappearing.
"Excuse me, sir?"
He looked up to see Aida peering over her big belly at him. He froze, certain that she would recognize him.
"Are you okay? Are you wounded?" She attempted to crouch down only to have Burke hurry to his feet and begin walking down the waters edge.
"I'm fine." He mumbled changing his voice the best he could.
"Are you sure?" She followed after him, a clip bored clutched in her hands and pressed against her chest. "Do you need food, water, a place to sleep for the night?"
"I said I'm fine!" He snapped.
Aida stopped immediately feeling the anger and hatred in the man's voice. "If you ever need help, we can always lend a helping hand, sir."
Burke sighed, fighting the urge to turn around and wrap his hands around the girls throat, and walked away.