"If you prick us do we not bleed? If you tickle us do we not laugh? If you poison us do we not die? And if you wrong us shall we not revenge?" William Shakespeare

Chapter 7 Plots and Persuasions

Captain Leonard Young had written his first message to General Zachary Hiram. In it he gave a good description of the current defenses set up at "The Snake Pit." Every laser turret, every missile turret and the artillery. He had a map with their locations marked. Any other spy that worked for Hiram would be able to confirm the accuracy of his map.

He also told him the date and time of the Commonwealth Provisional Government's first meeting and its location as well.

Young and Danse had presented the message and map to Z for her approval. Young's credibility had to be established and if Hiram had other spies none of this information was safe anyway.

He had to explain some of the code words. Lynx was Hiram. A paper message was razorgrain. Coordinates were auguries. Turrets were shoes. A laser turret was a woman's shoe and a missile turret was a man's shoe. The other wording was the tricky part to make the code words not obvious in their meaning. Numbers were coded by a mathematical formula.

Young had made a decent job of writing an indecipherable and rather odd letter to a friend at a checkpoint near Starlight. It read like a person interested in obtaining highly desired items for trade.

Clever, Z thought.

Young contacted the movement's radio man and gave him the message that he had information on paper for General Hiram. He had asked Franklin to let him use the ham radio. It sounded like he was just getting in touch with a good friend. The person on the other end chatted away like he was just catching up Young on local news but, Young told us that in reality his contact was giving coordinates and the message to leave the message there. There was a hollow tree with a box shallowly covered with detritus he would leave it in. He was expected to get it there within 24 hours.

Young slipped out, unseen, at three in the morning, avoiding the night watchmen. He knew exactly where they were posted and how good of a job they did. After some hunting around, he found the hollow tree. He saw that someone had painted a Railroad sign on it with an arrow pointing towards The Castle. Ironic, he thought, that both the synth haters and the synth lovers had used the same tree for their purposes. One was to save lives, the other was to destroy.

He slipped back into The Castle, stopped by a watchman's post to inquire on his well-being and if he had seen anything.

"No, sir, Captain. Quiet as could be," the young man replied sharply, saluting.

"Good job, soldier," Young said saluting him back. Then he went to his quarters and tried to sleep.

Good job, my ass, he thought, irritated.

I was writing letters. Writing was more efficient for me than speaking on the hoof. When I had to present cases before a jury or judge or another advocate, I always did my homework. I knew the law. I knew the loopholes. I took time to put together my adversary's case so I could come up with a powerful rebuttal and then present my best facts and logic. I won a lot more than I lost.

It seemed every settlement wanted something different out of a provisional government. Some were concerned with repairing roads and making them safer. Some wanted better buildings and bunkers to protect their settlers from all radiation. One settlement had asked for teachers to be sent out to the settlements with children. The same settlement wanted to have everyone gather books and terminals to try to re-learn some of the old knowledge. Some wanted to have the government set standard prices on their produce and goods so that they couldn't be underbid out of business. Some wanted a police force and a penal system for crooked merchants or other crimes. Others wanted more industry started up – like the foundries and the quarries, to start making their own materials instead of mostly living off of scavenging. They wanted the rest of the Commonwealth to help them with start-up costs. People who had seen what Jamaica Plains had done wanted to have the same thing for their craftsmen; as well as to be able to offer training for people who wanted to learn carpentry, welding, metalwork and nuclear engineering. People wanted the Commonwealth government to help support research into providing transportation for them – one suggestion was to make a locomotive that could use the existing rails across the 'Wealth – after they had been repaired, of course. The CPG would magically provide funding for all this of course.

I had already written to Allison and some of the other scientists and engineers who could give me an idea what some of these ideas would cost and what materials had to be available, as well as reasonable timelines, so I wasn't just blowing smoke.

The rest would be up to the representatives. They could vote on what their priorities were and I could give them a blueprint as one way to get it done. There was just so much they wanted. I rubbed my forehead and sipped my tea. It was cold. I rolled my eyes, stood and stretched.

Danse came in with Shaun, looking dirty and tired. They had been working on a new building outside the walls. There were several already. It was turning into a little town. More people were coming here and had to have more living quarters.

I smiled broadly seeing them. They both had the same expression on their faces. They were looking for dinner. Then Danse saw me and he looked like he forgot about food. He looked like he wanted me. Inside, I quivered in anticipation. Tonight, my man, tonight, I tried to telegraph to him. He got it. He smiled that wicked half smile and his eyes sparkled with the knowledge that indeed, he would satisfy his appetite for me later.

Annie had been our live-in helper since I had the twins. It was a decision no one really made out loud, she had just moved in and stayed. Now, I couldn't imagine life without her. The children adored her and the feeling was quite mutual. The twins had been playing quietly on the floor while I worked both of them stood and toddled over to Danse and Shaun with their arms up to be held. Shaun scooped up one while Danse picked up the other. The twins, of course, wanted to switch. Whatever one had, the other one wanted and that included people. Danse and Shaun switched and then had to again.

"Okay, then, little ones," Danse scolded lightly, "that's enough of that. Down you both go. Shaun and I have to go get cleaned up." He kissed each one and told both of them he loved them and he would be down shortly.

I came to the rescue as the twins tried to follow their brother and father upstairs.

Annie called out that dinner would be ready in ten minutes and everyone had better be there.

I went to help her and make the babies' mush out of whatever she had made. They were getting good at eating. I was adding a bit of brahmin milk to their diets as well. After they had eaten, then I would breastfeed them. There was still nothing better for brain development nor higher level protein that the Commonwealth could provide for my babies. But they were getting too big for me and I would have to start weaning them.

I wondered what Zachary Hiram really wanted. I understood the anti-synth sentiments – but in truth, they were really anti-Institute sentiments. The Institute had done a lot of evil things and used synths to accomplish them. And there were still some out there, mostly gen 2s, that were mindlessly following their out-of-date programming. Alana had told me that if I could capture them and bring them to her, she could reprogram them. So far, we had managed two. They just didn't give up and they had no survival instincts so they would be clawing their way toward you with their last three fingers to try and kill you. The two gen 2 synths were now helping out at the new CSA.

Why did he want to take over the Minutemen? Did he want to take over more than that, really? Did he want to rule the Commonwealth? Poor idiot, I thought. I didn't understand the desire. It was a sacrifice and a service. You became a servant for the people and had to work hard for them. I hoped with all my heart that the CPG would find someone to be their spokesperson or president who was truly willing to serve.

ZACHARY HIRAM AND JUSTIN AYO sat at the long table with their personal guards at their sides and their backs.

Zachary Hiram was a handsome man, with sand colored hair, but short, and deep hazel eyes, that radiated intelligence and shrewdness. He was in his early 50s maybe, but in excellent physical condition. He was tanned and muscled. He wore a colonial duster and made it look classy.

Vivian sat at Justin's right hand and Xavier at his left. Ayo noted that she had continued to work on her appearance. She was actually quite lovely. Her body was filling out nicely now that she had regular meals made with good, decent food. She was actually wearing some jewelry for this meeting. It drew the eye to her deep cleavage. Weslyn stood behind him, scanning constantly for any stray motion. They had left all weapons outside the room. As if that mattered. Any one of their guards looked like killing someone with their bare hands was no chore at all. Zachary Hiram's guards looked to be brutes, bursting with muscle and energy. One was bald and looked like he had seen plenty of action with his face deeply scarred in two slashes. The other was powerful looking too but not as obviously. He was unscathed, at least what was visible was. The female looked tougher than his Viv. Her eyes looked cold and deadly. Her posture seemed to look like she was ready to leap at you in a nanosecond if she thought you needed killing.

Justin Ayo began, as was proper as host of this meeting.

"I am very glad you decided to come, General, "he said graciously, "Although you don't know me, I know a bit about you."

"Really, do tell, sir." Hiram said coolly. He looked impatient.

"You used to be a raider in your wilder youth, my sources inform me. But then you found a woman and fell in love. You began to sell scrap and scavenge and travel from place to place. Then you ran into some trouble, eh General? You went scavenging in the wrong place at the wrong time and your wife was killed and you were gravely wounded by Gen 2 synths. You were taken in by some settlers who found you, and brought you back from death's door. Then you answered the call to be a Minuteman when Preston Garvey went on his recruitment drive over two years ago.

"But then, the Minutemen and the Commonwealth were asked to accept synths as people into their towns and settlements. And that's just not right, is it General?"

Hiram scowled at Ayo, "Get to the point, Dr. Ayo, or I am leaving."

"Patience, my military friend, patience. You don't want to walk away from what I am offering. Really, you don't."

"I'm listening," growled Hiram, frowning deeply.

"You and I have a goal in common. You want to take over as General of the Minutemen and get rid of the synths. I want Z in my custody. Simple. And when you do take over the entire Commonwealth, I want to be one of your advisors. Nothing more, nothing less. In return, I will offer you specialized weapons, chems and soldiers to aid you when you make your move."

"How many men, what kind of weaponry that I don't already have and why would I have my people take chems and take the chance of addiction? Soldiers and chems don't go together and never have." Hiram had leaned forward and looked intently into Ayo's face.

Justin Ayo did not flinch from his stare. He lifted an eyebrow and gave his answers, "80 men, fifty of whom are trained fighters. The Gunners I have hired. The other thirty are being trained by them. They are raiders. But they are my raiders. The chem I have designed will boost strength, endurance and speed and it also will kill any sense of pain for up to 30 minutes. It will make any soldier into an unstoppable force for that time. It would take more than 3 consecutive doses to become any kind of addition problem and you won't use it until right before battle. The weapons I offer are more powerful plasma rifles than any other available anywhere. They do three times the damage of the best plasma weapons out there. I have a dozen of these super plasma rifles for you. With ammo."

Hiram sat and frowned and was silent. He sighed deeply.

"I'm in," he said finally. "When will your men and the chems be ready?"

"Whenever you tell me you need them," Justin said smugly.

"I am going to need them in two weeks' time then. The Commonwealth Provisional Government is having their first meeting and I intend to crash the party," Zachary Hiram said firmly. "I am going to put the Commonwealth under martial law. I am going to be the President and the Commander in Chief. And I will have them elect me that day – all nice and legal like. Then I will take The Castle. It is the symbol of the seat of power and I must take it quickly."

"You will give me Z," Ayo said, "in return for my help."

"I don't have a problem with that," Hiram said shrugging, "As long as I don't hear from her again. She's a synth-fucker and she disgusts me. I don't understand the people who stand by her."

Ayo stood and Hiram followed suit. They shook hands and made plans to meet the next day to begin to work on their plan of attacks. Weslyn poured out some good whiskey into two shot glasses and they toasted the new Commonwealth government to be.

After they left, Viv poured him another shot.

"Have one for yourself, Viv. Your people did an excellent job getting me the data on Hiram. And you have done one helluva job recruiting for me."

They tapped their glasses together and drank their shots down in one swallow.

Justin immediately felt warmth spread out through his limbs and face. He felt giddy and happy. He had done it! Soon Z would be at his mercy and he would have none. She would die under his hand. As she deserved. He smiled happily.

Somehow, Viv was on his lap and was kissing him, then she was undressing him. He laughed, thinking how odd it was that he was enjoying this so much. He had a mighty erection that was aching to be freed, when she undid his slacks. His cock sprang free and that made him chortle too.

Then she took him in her mouth and he moaned because it felt so very, very good.

"Viv," he groaned out, "that chem … the one you had me make … it was for me? All this time?"

She lifted her face and smiled slyly at him, "Well, I tried everything else, boss. I want you. I am your number one girl, not some lousy synth, right?" And then she took him in her mouth again and he couldn't argue nor did he want to. He felt so good. The fire was flaming in him, the pleasure almost unbearably strong. She lifted her pretty sky blue eyes and looked at him, "You won't be mad at me after, I promise," she whispered between his legs. Then she guided him to the closest bed.