Chapter 3: Contacts

Location: The Imperial Capital

The Senate and the Emperor were listening to the Commander of the surviving army about his report...

"As we arrived through the Gate, we were immediately ambushed by savage bandits that locals called 'Raiders' and the undead was known as 'Feral Ghouls'. We have also learned that we have killed some innocent people outside the town ruins, which was known as 'Lexington'. We learned of this after we were defeated in another town ruins known as 'Concord'." the Commander explained.

The Emperor sat there on his throne, letting the information to sink in before asking, "And WHO defeated you, let alone released you and the surviving troops?"

The Commander responded, "They were a faction; a faction that is more superior in battle and wields strange yet powerful weapons that tore through our armor with ease, who has giant, flying metal beasts that carry their troops and easily rips apart our dragons, and not even our brutes were no match for them. They are known as the Brotherhood of Steel."

The entire Senate started to whisper to each other when they heard the name but stopped as the Commander continues, "But the reason why they let us go, gave us mercy, and a chance to surrender, is because they believe we deserved a second chance. They only attacked us because we have killed the said innocent people that were outside the ruins of Lexington. They believe that because of the sudden attack by the Raiders and Feral Ghouls had caused us to kill the innocent by accident, so they set us free, as they promised."

Then more whispers erupted throughout the chamber, but was calmer than before and stopped as the Emperor asked, "Did you figure out if we are going to war with them?"

"Well, the one that told me to surrender in Concord, by the name, Sentinel Edward Williams, told me that we will not be at war, and they will attempt to hold a peace conference between them and us." The Commander answered.

Multiple sighs of reassurance swept throughout the chamber as a response to the Commander's answer.

The Emperor smiled at this and responded, "This is great news, indeed. Since they allowed us to bring back our dead and released you and our troops, then we shall hold a peace conference. If they are as powerful as you say they are, then it would be a great advantage to have them as our allies."

Throughout the chamber, all the Senators' responses were all positive towards the Emperor's statement.

XXXXXX

'Williams POV...'

We arrived at Coda Village while still being early morning. We waited outside the village as Scribe Maria was near the gate archway and Jason hid in the bushes. Rhys, Pales, Ghost, and a few troops stayed near the convoy while me, Danse, LEAD, and Haylen stayed near Maria and Jason, but hidden from view.

Then a door of a house or cottage near the gate archway slowly swung open and revealed a young boy, peeking out.

Then the boy notices Maria standing outside the gate, and Maria took the chance to smile and wave at him. Then the boy's mother came to bring back the boy inside but stopped as she notices Maria. Again, she smiled and waved politely, but then Jason revealed himself in a cheerful manner but fell forward as he lost his balance.

We all look at him and Maria face-palmed herself and shook her head, replying, "Are you serious?"

Jason smiled embarrassingly and said, "S-sorry..."

XXXXXX

'A few minutes later...'

We finally met the village's elder and made a close connection with them. I and my squad were getting along with the residence and to see this much happiness after a long time gives me so much joy.

The Elder spoke to me, "So, you are the ones who spared the Imperial Army that they spoke of, right?"

"Yes, sir. We are known as the Brotherhood of Steel, and it is our duty to help and aid those in need. We have come from another world through the Gate at Arnis Hill." I answered.

The elder's eyes widen and asked, "A-another world?!"

I nodded and replied, "Yes, sir."

Then someone bumped into me and fell down. I and the elder took noticed of this and looked to see who it was. It was a young, little girl with chestnut hair in a ponytail. She was rubbing her head and then looked up towards me, which gave a surprised expression as she stares at me. I knelt down, removed my helmet, and offered a hand to her, asking, "Are you alright?"

She hesitated, but accepted my offer and I helped her up. She replied, "Yes, I'm fine, Mister. Thank you."

I smiled at her response and responded, "Such a polite, young girl, you are. Never lose your gift of speaking to others so directly, for it's actually a rare thing, nowadays. The world needs more of that."

Her eyes started to widen and brighten up at my response. She smiles at me as I ask her, "My name is Sentinel Edward Williams, what's your name?"

"My name is Isabelle; it's nice to meet you, Mister Williams!" She responded back in glee.

Then a woman yelled out, "Isabelle, dear! Dinner is ready!"

Isabelle turned around and shouted, "Okay, Mom! I'm coming!"

She then started to run, while waving goodbye to me, "Goodbye, Mister!"

I stood up and waved back at her. It really warms my heart to see these children running and playing without the constant fear of Raiders and the like, showing up to cause trouble.

Then the Elder said, "You do have a way with children, don't you?"

"Yeah, I used to be a father..." I trailed off and the village elder raised an eyebrow.

"Used to? What happened?" he asked.

"I was stuck in a pod after being thawed out from being frozen and was forced to watch these two people, killing my wife, Elizabeth, and kidnapping my son, Shaun. I then was frozen in ice and years later, after escaping the Vault, which is where I was at, I went out and searched for my son, only to find out that 60 years has passed since his kidnapping and my son was elder. Days later, he passed away." I answered.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Sentinel." The elder said and then asked, "And you said you were frozen. How long were you like that?"

"It has been two centuries and ten years. So that means that I'm 232 years old. And before you ask; yes, I am human." I answered.

The elder was surprised and asked, "Why were you frozen in this 'Vault'?"

"Well, on October 23rd, 2077, two hundred and ten years ago, our world had changed when we rained down our atomic warheads, which only one can wipe out a metropolis and the surrounding area miles out, burning everything and everyone in its path, me and my family, along with thousands of other people were spared when we taken refuge in enormous, underground shelter, known as 'Vaults'. Humanity was spared, but we have to survive in the wasteland."

The elder was shocked, but then replied, "Again, I'm sorry." Then a moment of silence, aside from the noise of children playing and the like.

I then spoke up, "Let's change the subject, shall we? Do you have a spare map to give us? We are going to make connections with other villages and start trades with them."

The elder nodded and answered, "Yes, of course. Let me get it for you."

Then the elder walked away to retrieve a map as I stood there and watched my squad making friendly conversations with the residence here. I smiled at the sight and muttered, "This is a brave, new world. It's good to see so much joy they have."

To be Continued...