"Easy…easy, settle your breathing and squeeze."

The .308 rifle bucked sharply against the squire's shoulder; a soft groan coming from under his breath. I chuckled as I spotted for him; grinning when the round hit dead center of the raider walking along the bank of the Jefferson Memorial shore. The man spun once when the round hit dead center; a simple spray of blood and the bastard was down.

"Good shot, Arthur. Literally didn't know what hit him." I said, tearing my eye from the spotting scope and patting the young boy on the shoulder. The boy was beaming with pride despite the slight green tint rising in his cheeks. "It's alright, let it out."

Arthur immediately rushed to the side of our sniper perch and threw up his entire breakfast. I laughed because it was funny and also in relief. He was old enough, in Wasteland standards, to learn how to kill, but it didn't mean he had to enjoy it. Good that he was retching. He didn't have the giggles.

Rising from the padded mat we were lying on, I picked up the sniper rifle and slung it over my shoulder; Arthur wiping his mouth. His cheeks were now red and he looked up at me with a question in his eyes.

"Is it always like this?" The boy asked as we made our way back into the Bailey; the sharp hiss of laser rifles marking the beginning of the days training. "I don't really like the feeling afterwards."

Chuckling, I put my hand on his shoulder and steered him forward. "No, I wouldn't say it gets easier, but you do get used to it. I wouldn't say it's a good thing, but as a soldier you have to do your job, Arthur."

Nodding, the boy remained silent as we walked to the middle of the Bailey. Paladin Gunny took a respite from chewing out a recruit; waving in our direction before going back to the job he secretly loved. I couldn't help, but recall the feeling of being in the poor recruit's shoes. MCRD San Diego was not a place I liked to recall nor the Drill Instructors who tormented myself and others for three long months.

I was pulled out of my memories by Rebecca, shouting from across the area. She came jogging up and stopped long enough to greet Arthur who just blushed and looked at his feet. Looking at the shy boy, I unslung the rifle and handed it over to him.

"Think you could take this back to the armory for me?"

Beaming at the responsibility, the squire seized the almost too large rifle and went off; stumbling into the Citadel. Rebecca laughed at the sight, her smile brightening my day already…wait what?

Get a grip man, you've known her a week.

"So, what can I do for the Lone Wanderer?" I joked as she turned back to me. "Not often I get to meet a celebrity."

Rolling her eyes, she gestured for us to walk back into the Citadel. "And it's not often I get to meet a human popsicle, but hey, new world eh?"

"Hey! That's Mr. Popsicle to you young woman."

Laughing the two of us made our way down into the lab where I stood gawking at Liberty Prime. The robot was still awe inspiring every time that I saw it. Sarah had told me they had gotten it operational for a short time, but now it was having trouble with its sensor array.

Scribes and knights hustled to and fro; carrying armfuls of documents and tech that a grunt like me wouldn't even know what to do with. A few greeted me and others just nodded in passing. In the week I had been here I had become a sort of guest of honor and, thankfully, they treated the same as any other military member.

"Rothchild! You wanted to see us?" Rebecca asked, finding the older man pouring over a disassembled…rifle? I actually had no clue what it was. "Oh you figure out the alien rifle."

Okay…rifle it was, but alien?

"Yes I did miss Evers and it took me nearly a month to do so." Rothchild quipped, wiping his hands off with a rag; turning to us. "Ah, Sergeant, how did shooting practice go?"

Rebecca turned to look at me in surprise, her eyes narrowing. "That's what you were doing up there? Rothchild, we talked about this, he's too young."

"Rebecca, Elder Lyons believes a little practice will go a long way for the boy and it gives him something to do." The scribe said as he turned to her. "Besides, it's not like he actually killed…oh, Sergeant you didn't?"

I scratched the back of my head wishing I was somewhere else…the cyropod sounded nice at the moment. Rebecca glared daggers at me and Rothchild pinched the bridge of his nose.

"It was a raider on the shore of the Jefferson Monument. Y'all told me they were dangerous so I thought that popping the kid's cherry was a good idea." I muttered, shrugging my shoulders. "I'm sorry Rebecca, but the boy is growing up in a world where he could be dead the next day. I've come to understand that and I've been here for a week, what's the harm in killing something dangerous?"

Ignoring me, Rebecca turned back to Rothchild. "What did you want?"

"Ah, yes! I need you to return to wherever you got this weapon and bring a few more for study if that's not too much of a problem?" Rothchild pointed to the rifle on the table. "I think I'd be able to reverse-engineer our laser rifles to the same power output as these."

Cupping her chin, Rebecca nodded. "I can probably be back in a few days with the gear; it is trade season in Megaton. I was hoping I could take a few extra days to help out Simms with the caravans."

Nodding, Rothchild pulled a pad of paper from his robe and handed it over. "Of course, take your time, I have a few Liberty Prime 'issues' to handle anyway. This is a list of some things we also need if you come across anything while traveling."

Taking the pad, Rebecca took the pad. "I can leave within the hour. Tell Sarah where I'm at when you get a chance."

"Tell it to my face, geek."

Rebecca grinned when her friend came walking up; her power armor hissing quietly as she walked. "You know, a little bird told me he popped his cherry today. Should I be blaming you, Becher?"

Nodding, I folded my arms. "Hey, kid was the one spotted him and asked. I just laid there."

"Sure you did, so you headed off again?" Sarah asked, looking at Rebecca. The brunette nodded, her glasses reflecting some of the artificial light. "Well, have fun. I'm taking the Pride back to the bunker to see if there's anything else we can salvage. Oh, could you see if Crow has any upgrades for my rifle if you see him? I've been dying to get an edge on the muties."

"Sure, I'll see what I can do. I best be off though; burning daylight." Rebecca said, turning to leave only to be stopped by Elder Lyons. The woman groaned as she was waylaid once again.

"Ah, Rebecca, I was hoping to catch you before you left. I have a…proposition for you." Lyons said, glancing in my direction.

I couldn't help but feel a tinge of nervousness coming over me. The old man had been very hospitable since I came to the Citadel, but he had said that he had some plans for me.

"I would like you to take Sergeant Becher with you on your mission." Lyons continued, holding up a hand as both Sarah and Rebecca tried to speak. "Now wait…Becher has yet to venture outside the walls of the Citadel and it would do him some good to see the Wasteland. And before you say you work best alone, I understand that, but he needs experience."

Looking at the two women, I couldn't help but feel like they both hated that idea, no idea why Sarah would, but Rebecca seemed miffed that I had let Arthur shoot that raider. The trip was probably going to be a quiet one.

"Elder Lyons, I respect your wishes, but I think it would be best if he stayed. I'm a terrible teacher and Sarah would be better off showing him the ropes." Rebecca explained, waving a hand at her friend who couldn't help but blush.

"I think I like that idea, father." Sarah said, her eyes glancing over at me. "I could integrate him into the Pride's system easily and we could take a detour through the more secure part of the Mall; give him the tourists experience." Sarah looked over at me; it seemed she was half-expecting me to be nodding, but her face fell when mine remained passive.

Sarah would probably be a better teacher in the ways of Wasteland combat, but Rebecca had survived by herself for almost two years. She had proven herself time and again to the people out there so if I had my way it'd have to be her.

"Elder, if I may, I think I agree with you."

"WHAT?!" The two women shouted together, one with anger, the other with disappointment.

"Rebecca could show me how to navigate the Wasteland by myself and I could meet a few key members of the settlements. I think that would be for the best; besides, I survived the Anchorage campaign, I think I know a bit about combat." I explained, folding my arms again and waiting for the others to speak.

"Very well, it's settled. Sergeant, you will report to the armory and be ready to leave within the hour." Elder Lyons ordered, nodding his head towards the group and turning to Rothchild; the two men speaking rapidly as they walked away.

Looking at the two women, I noticed that Sarah looked almost hurt before she turned away without a word and Rebecca…well, she was giving me a stare that could freeze the heart of any battle-hardened Marine.

Shrugging my shoulders, I just gave her my best shit-eating grin. "Looks like you're stuck with me."

Xxxx

We headed out soon after, Rebecca stayed a few feet in front of me; I could almost see the steam coming out of her ears from her anger. I figured that she really didn't like anyone tagging along, but didn't think that it would be this severe. Pulling my pack straps tighter, I glanced over my shoulder, the Citadel growing smaller in the distance. I couldn't believe that the city I knew was all but gone, replaced by a ruined and poor imposter.

We quickly made our way out of the ruins and into open country without incident, Rebecca glancing behind to see if I was still there. She held a sniper rifle loosely in her hands; her leather armor I couldn't help but admire. Not only did it seem to do its job, judging by the scuffs and patches covering it, but it hugged her…assets perfectly.

Shit…stop thinking bout that man. Not like you haven't seen a woman in tights before.

Shaking my head, I quickened my steps and came to her side. Her glasses had been replaced, I noticed, by a pair of aviators. "What happened to your glasses?"

She looked at me in surprise. "Oh, well I don't really need them. I always wore them in the Vault, but since being out here…let's just say some weird shit has happened that corrected my vision." She trailed off, sidestepping a pothole and pointing in the distance. "That's Megaton right there."

Squinting my eyes, I could see the beginnings of a large metal pile; puffs of smoke rising out from various places. As we grew closer, I could see a large camp surrounding the settlement, shapes of people moving back and forth.

"What's the point of wearing them then? I mean, wouldn't they mess with your vision now?" I asked, looking out across the wasteland. I could see other shapes darting around behind rocks and wreckage; prompting me to raise my rifle.

"Don't." Rebecca pushed the barrel of my rifle down; continuing towards Megaton. "They've been following us since the ruins; they usually don't do this. Don't worry, we're too close for them to be a problem."

Turning to her, I couldn't help but get angry. "We have unknown hostiles following us and you didn't tell me? What the hell?"

"Not everything has to be-Shit!"

I felt like my bell had been rung; thrown to the side and into the dirt. I rolled onto my back; bringing my rifle to bear on…what was that?

What was once a person was now just a skinny, blood covered, freak screeching in front of me. The thing was barely clad in torn rags and its good eye was fixed on me; drool hanging from its mouth. Taking a step forward, the thing shrieked again before rushing towards me.

I opened fire, the rounds impacting dead center and dropping the thing at me feet in the dust. Rebecca's rifle barked once and then twice over my head. Turning, I could see half a dozen of the things rushing towards us; inhumanly fast.

"Not a problem huh?" I sneered, firing from a knee. One of the things fell to the dirt, another leaping over it, howling for our blood. Rebecca quickly fired again, the top of one's head exploding before her rifle clicked empty. Taking up the slack, I fired in bursts until the last of them stumbled to the ground; oozing blood from several holes.

"What're they?" I prodded the one closest with my boot. Rebecca reloaded and continued walking; leaving the things in the dust.

"Ghouls." She said simply, waving to the people in the distance; now coming towards us.

"Ghouls? They look like freaking zombies to me." I said, reloading my own rifle and catching up with her. She spun and grabbed me by my armor, putting her face in mine. "What?"

Staring at me from behind the sunglasses, her eyes narrowed. "They were people once. People who were exposed to high doses of radiation at the beginning of the War. There are still normal ghouls who are some of the best people out here so I will not have some bigot put them down for something people like you caused!"

Sputtering, I threw her arms off me and shoved her back, making her trip and fall to the dirt. She looked up at me with shock; not expecting me to do so. "I didn't do a damn thing to those people! I served my country and for that I got frozen and woke up here! I'm sorry that I'm not some miracle scientist that you expected, but I followed my orders and ended up here."

I started forward, kneeling in front of her. "I am not a bigot, I'm learning the ropes here, but do not dare treat me like some new boot right out of basic."

"Hold it! Step away from the Wanderer!"

Turning I found a John Wayne want to be pointing a Chinese assault rifle at me, his finger hovering over the trigger. I glanced down at Rebecca, who just hung her head and waved off the man and others who stood with him.

"Simms, it's alright. He's with me." She stood up, dusting off the dirt and pushed past me. "I need to get a few things from my house; hope you don't mind a few new visitors."

Without lowering his rifle, the man, Simms, looked to Rebecca. "Not at all, young woman, but you sure this Waster won't start trouble?"

Looking at me, the Wanderer shrugged her shoulders. "Only trouble he has with anyone here is with me and I started it. I'll vouch for him, now how's the trade season going?"

With that acting as an apology, the two of them turned and headed towards Megaton, the group of people flooding around them as if protecting her from me. Slinging my rifle, I followed on their heels, taking a moment to look back at the bodies lying in the dirt.

I wouldn't let my inexperience make myself look like an ass again.

Xxx

Later, inside Rebecca's home, I found myself with my feet kicked up on a chair, reading a ratty old novel depicting the life of a soldier on the frontlines of Anchorage. Groaning when I read about some not so accurate details, I tossed the book onto the table and looked to the ball of fur on the couch next to me.

Dogmeat, Rebecca sure knew how to name things, was curled up asleep with his head on my lap. He reminded me of my parent's dog, an old German Shepard that would do the same thing. I sat still, my fingers running through his fur as I thought back on the days I've spent here in this world.

Rothchild had offered to look into my parent's fate, but I knew they were dead. They hadn't the money to get into a vault and I'm sure that they had died in their home. My brother I'm sure was a skeleton on the bottom of the ocean with the rest of the Fifth Fleet. He had shipped out a few days before the bombs fell on a transport to China; part of the occupation force he said.

Looking around the room, I couldn't help but wonder that the odd things that dotted the walls. An old U.S. flag hung on one side beside a collection of bobble-heads. A locker full of clothes sat in a corner next to an equally full locker of firearms. I noticed a Nuka-Cola machine upstairs from where I was sitting along with what looked like a basic medical station.

I was about to get up when the door to the building burst open; I spun and half-drew my pistol only to see Rebecca leaning heavily against the doorframe. She was rosy in the cheeks and the way she stumbled forward I could tell she was quite drunk.

"Hey, had a bit much?" I joked, going over and slinging her arm over my shoulder.

Giggling, she put her finger to her lips. "Don't make so much noise, my dad might hear you…Oh, Freddie, I can't believe you're here. I'm glad 'hic' that you left Amata and the dumb Vault."

Wow, she's really out of it if she thinks I'm someone else. And who's this Freddie guy? Probably an old boyfriend from the vault.

"Okay, Becca, let's get you to bed." I said, coughing uncomfortably as her free hand roamed over my chest. I had taken my armor off and was just wearing a thin shirt and I couldn't help, but wish I was this Freddie guy. "Yeah, okay uh babe…you're dad came home early. I'm just gonna put you in bed and head out."

Groaning, she fell against me, prompting me to pick her up bridal style and carry her up the stairs. Dogmeat perked up and followed behind us, his tail wagging as he pulled out in front of us and lead the way to the bedroom.

A Spartan room at best, a 10mm pistol sat on the bedside table and a teddy bear, of all things, was next to the pillows. Gently lying her down, I pulled the sheets over her as she mumbled something.

"What?" I asked, leaning over her. She rolled onto her back and reached up; her hand caressing my cheek before clasping the neck of my shirt; pulling me forward.

My eyes widened when she pushed her lips against mine and sighed, her tongue gently probing my lips; as if to ask for entry. Before I knew it I was kissing her back, my hand going to her cheek. Static buildup shocked me back into reality and I gently pushed her back.

Her hair had fallen in her face and I gently tucked it behind her ear. "Go to sleep, Becca, see you in the morning'."

She mumbled something and pulled her teddy bear to her arms before rolling over and falling asleep, her snores soft. Getting up, I looked down at Dogmeat who cocked his head to the side; as if to say "what were you doing to my master?"

"Stay boy." I muttered, leaving the room and closing the door. Making my way down the stairs, I pulled an old comforter out of the locker with the clothes and made myself a spot on the couch; shucking off my boots and dimming the lights.

I lay there, my hand on my forehead as I wished myself to sleep. I couldn't believe that I allowed her to kiss me and that I kissed back. I tried to convince myself that it was just because I wasn't prepared, but I knew myself. I allowed the girl to kiss me because I was an idiot and felt alone in this new world.

The wind gently rocked the building in the night and was slowing rocking me to sleep. Before my eyes finally shut, I could have sworn that I heard something fly over Megaton, but I just pushed that out of my mind.

Just the damn wind.

Xxx

"Sir, the town's bedded down for the night, what're your orders?" The trooper asked, laying on his belly with a sniper rifle against his shoulder. "I could easily kill the waster sentry from here."

The officer brushed some imaginary dust from his sleeves before kneeling at the trooper's side. "Negative, corporal, command said observe so that's what we're going to do."

Sighing, the Enclave trooper set the rifle down and laid there; waiting and hoping for something to happen. The officer stood and went back to the vertibird, climbing inside and puling the radio to his ear.

"Homebase, this is Scout 1-3, come in."

"We hear you, 1-3, what's your position." A garbled voice came through the speakers, prompting the man to wince and adjust the dials. The voice came through clear afterwards.

"Half mile from settlement known as Megaton, Wanderer and the Asset are within. Awaiting orders."

There was a pause before a new voice came on the radio, an older woman that belonged to the commander of the Enclave forces. The officer straightened despite himself. "Lieutenant, you're orders have not changed, continue overwatch and radio back with your findings. Command out."

Replacing the headset, the lieutenant walked back out of the Vertibird and reached into his pocket, producing a pack of cigarettes. Lighting one, he breathed in and then out, a cloud of grey smoke clouding his vision. He didn't even hear the crack of the rifle that ended his life, just a wet thump that knocked him to his ass and sent his world to black.

The corporal didn't fare any better, he was fresh out of training and panicked. He stood and made for the Vertibird, but he made a mistake. His armor, despite its dark coloring, was shined bright and the moonlight reflected off of it. He gasped as the armor-piercing .308 round entered between his shoulder blades and buried itself into his chest cavity.

Collapsing, he coughed hard, feeling his lungs fill with blood. He twitched once before lying still; the wind kicking up dust around the two corpses.

Pulling the bolt back on his rifle, Stockholm ejected the spent brass and jotted in his notebook for the morning scouting report. Simms would want to know why the Enclave was scouting the area again. Sitting down, he kicked up his feet and laid his rifle across his lap. He looked up at the stars and began counting.

The fun for the night was over.

Well, they're in Megaton heading to get more flashy guns, two points for whoever guesses where they are going! Hope you enjoyed and will review, I like to hear comments and anything y'all want to add that will help the story.