Marcus reached over and took hold of Callista's cold hand. She squeezed his own tightly and held on. The vertibird was piloted by Captain Joseph McAllister. They flew in silence. The day was clear, cloudless and cool. Marcus released Callista's hand and took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. She smiled at him tenderly. He nodded and took her hand again.

He had called Franklin, who put Preston Garvey on the radio. He had given a quick briefing of the situation. Preston had had no answers immediately, but Marcus could almost have heard the gears of his quick mind turning.

Then Preston spoke decisively, "I'm going to call together Z's normal war council, and I want you to be there. Also, I am going to call in Howard Newman of Oberland. He was next in the election of the Presider. We will need to call the CPG together for an emergency meeting. I'll have Franklin organize that. We'll have them brought to The Castle. I'll need you there, too, Captain."

"I'll be there then, sir," Marcus had answered, his voice sounding calm and reassuring, even though he felt adrift without either Z or Danse to lead.

He gazed out at the horizon, and wondered if the force that had destroyed Arnette Valley was coming back and planning on targeting more settlements.

"They're going to get back to us, Marcus," Callista said stroking his hand with her free one. She had tied her long, beautiful red hair back, but still the windy ride whipped stray strands around her face. Her green eyes looked into his, wanting reassurance, he thought.

"I certainly hope so," Marcus answered, smiling for her.

He had not radioed the Brotherhood yet. He needed to know what his superiors wanted to do first and would tell them Danse's wishes and leave it at that.

Dealing with the Brotherhood now always left his soul in turmoil. He had been with them for so long and had lived the Codex as perfectly as he was able and it had given his life meaning and purpose. He was so proud to be a part of something so much bigger than himself. Until the Elder had broken the most basic law – the chain of command – and ordered him to secretly assassinate Danse when Danse was fighting for all their lives at Zimmer's Compound in the Adirondacks. He had pledged his fealty to Danse and to Z that day when Danse spared his life. Vowing to follow Danse and Z had helped him to regain his honor as a man and as a soldier. Being an officer in the Minutemen had done that for him. He was content and at peace with this life. Danse and Z would never, ever ask him to do anything that would be dishonorable or dishonest.

More than anything, more than at any time in his life, Marcus would have been content to take this amazing woman, start a settlement or move into an existing one and spend his days loving her, working with her, making a life with her where they wouldn't ever have to be apart – and at this time in his life, more than at any time, he was called to be the soldier that he was and the tactician that was needed for her and all the 'Wealth. And that was the man she admired and wanted. The soldier, the protector.

Preston met the 'bird when they landed. Marcus alit and then lifted Callista out. Preston looked at her with wide eyes.

"Strong?" he asked Marcus. He must have spoken with Dr. Virgil or any number of people in Jamaica Plain.

He gave a quick nod of affirmation to Garvey, then made introductions, "Colonel Garvey, may I introduce to you Callista Bellwether, formerly of Pleasant Valley of the Taconics."

"Pleased to meet you, ma'am," Garvey dipped his head, and dragged his eyes away from Callista, "Captain Forquar, meet me in the General's room in fifteen minutes. Everyone should be here by then, I hope."

Marcus saluted and took hold of Callista's arm and led her to his quarters. "If you're comfortable with staying in my rooms, I will take you there now," he told her, "I'll have someone come and show you around The Castle. If you need anything – and I mean anything – you just have to ask."

She nodded mutely, trying to take everything in around her it seemed to Marcus. The Castle was bustling activity everywhere you looked.

Suddenly, Shaun was there – he had dashed so quickly, Marcus hadn't seen him coming. All three dogs followed him.

"Captain!" he called, then stopped in front of them, "Captain Forquar, do you know where my mother and father are?" His eyes were wide and he looked a bit pale to Marcus, "All I get are vague answers from Uncle Preston!"

"Shaun," Marcus, stopped fully and faced the boy. He said softly, "We were shot down. Your mother fell from the vertibird and when we landed, your father went to find her. He sent us back to get help. They are both alive." Or were as far as he knew at this moment, Marcus thought bitterly, wishing he could guarantee his words to the boy.

"Shaun, I am going to be meeting with your mom's war council. I know it's a lot to ask but perhaps you could show Callista around? She has no memories of when she was Strong." He hoped a job might take the edge of Shaun's worrying.

Shaun's eyes widened as he looked at Callista hard. He had just glanced past her before. "Strong?" he asked in an awed whisper.

Callista frowned and snapped out, "What on earth are you two talking about? Why does everyone say 'strong' when they look at me?"

"Um…it was the name the super mutant gave us for itself. And it was really strong," Shaun explained still ogling her. "You really don't remember me? Or The Castle?"

She shook her head, her anger melting away in the face of this boy, whose parents had helped her and been shot down because of her, "No, nothing. One minute, I was near my home in the woods, and the next I was waking up at your Science Academy."

"Wow…" murmured Shaun. "I'll be happy to show you around. Let me check in with Annie and Lucy and I'll be back."

"We'll be in my quarters," Marcus told Shaun, who nodded and took off running with his pack of dogs around him.

Marcus didn't care if Callista staying in his quarters was appropriate or not. He did not want to lose track of her in the mayhem which was sure to come in the following days. He would sleep on his couch. He felt his possessiveness grow when Preston had looked her over with a gleam in his eye.

He opened the door to his quarters in the long building that housed officers. His rooms were comfortable, tidy and sparse. Worn carpets covered the rough wood floors and helped retain heat or coolness. He had a decent sized bathroom with everything it needed and a small sitting room, kitchen and bedroom. Callista looked at everything and smiled. "This is nice, Marcus. She sat at his desk and felt the smooth wood of the desktop and turned on the desk lamp. "Wow, electricity. Running water, too?"

"Yes. Some of the quarters have shared bathrooms, but officers get their own. I want you to make yourself at home. The bed is yours. I will give you a written voucher to use at The Castle market to get whatever you need. Please, don't stint." He wrote a quick note on a scrap paper on the desk for her. "I am going to wash up a bit and then go to the meeting. Shaun should be here soon to show you around. Unless you wish to rest or nap or whatever you want." He didn't want to leave her. He wanted to take care of all her needs. He had to be Captain Forquar now, though, and to make the future safe for Callista, he would leave her now.

"Marcus, thank you, I'll be fine." She stepped into him then, and he looked into her eyes. She lifted her mouth to him and kissed him. His arms came around her and he held her tightly. Heat rose in him, more like a fiery inferno to be more truthful. He was losing himself in the kiss, when the knock sounded on the door. Reluctantly, he released her and stepped back.

"Come," he called out.

Shaun came in and had Lucy with him. "I thought you might like Lucy to help out too," Shaun announced brightly.

The girls looked at each other, and both smiled at the same time. "Hi, Callista," Lucy said cheerfully, "Let's show you around." Calllista looked back at Marcus and he nodded.

"Don't forget your voucher," Marcus said handing her the slip of paper. "Just show it to any vendors and they will keep a running tab for me." He turned to Lucy, "Make sure she gets some good gear and clothes, Lucy, please."

"Shopping is a favorite hobby of mine," Lucy beamed a smile at Marcus, "I am very good at it."

"Well then, let's go. I am ready for the tour," Callista said with another smile.

Marcus watched the door shut and felt an emptiness in his chest. It was the first time they had been apart in days. A vacuum that hadn't existed before he knew her was suddenly very real and achingly apparent. He shook his head and went to wash up and change for the meeting. He wore the best uniform he had. Then he went.

Preston Garvey was at the place Z usually sat. Marcus felt a moment of ire at that. Garvey was a good man, but he was not Z. Around the table were John Hancock, Deacon, Curie, Howie Newman, Ethan Hawthorne, and Nick Valentine were already there and seated.

"Captain Forquar, please give us your report in full," Garvey commanded.

"Sir," Marcus nodded, and remaining standing, he told of the vertibird flight to bring Callista Bellwether home. He told of the older destruction of the three settlements and the new destruction and burning of Arnette Valley.

"The enemy have anti-aircraft weaponry, probably missile launchers, and we were shot down very quickly. It is my opinion that we should send vertibird scouts out to gather information on the size and nature of these invaders, and inform the Brotherhood to let them know of this latest threat. The enemy appears to be approaching our settlements from the west."

"Thank you, Captain, that will be all. Dismissed." Garvey waited until he left the room. Marcus shut the door behind him. He was stung that he was kept out of the council. He had thought he would be included. As a matter of fact, looking back at the group Garvey had gathered, none were military men with battle and field experience – with the exception of Garvey himself and it wasn't his strongest suit.

He grunted to himself and went back to his quarters. Callista wasn't back yet. He stripped and took a hot shower and dressed in loose, comfortable tie pants and a t-shirt and got one pillow and a blanket and threw himself onto the couch. Exhaustion hit him hard and fast now that he was not the one making the decisions and he promptly fell asleep.

He woke to a pounding on the door. He rolled and fell off the couch onto the floor. He had forgotten he was on it.

"Come in," he called out as he picked himself up and folded his blanket to put on the couch.

The door opened and it was the Minutemen Joseph McAllister, William Frost, Eli Manning and Mags McGee. Joseph and he were two of their best pilots.

Joseph spoke first, "Get dressed, old man, we've pulled scout duty. Meet us at the vertibirds ASAP."

Just then, a sleepy Callista in a long nightgown came out of Marcus' bedroom, finger combing her long, loose hair, "Marcus?" she said.

The Minutemen all gaped at her, then at Marcus, then back to her. It would've been comical if Marcus had more time to mentally adjust to having Callista in his life, in his heart. His possessiveness stirred again, strongly.

He turned to Callista and smiled at her, "Callista, these are my comrades, Minutemen Joseph, Mags, Eli and William. We're going to go and scout the enemy."

She looked alarmed, "They shot us down! What's to stop them from shooting you down again?"

"We will know what the enemy is capable of and fly very carefully," Marcus tried to calm her.

Joseph chimed in, "We'll use binoculars and stay out of missile range; we know what we're about – you're Callista, right?" at her nod he continued, "Marcus will come home safe and sound, won't you, Marcus?"

Marcus cleared his throat and nodded. She was achingly beautiful, with her long hair in sleepy disarray and her jade eyes wide, her lips slightly parted in her new long nightgown in a simple floral pattern, gathered lightly under her breasts and at her wrists. At that moment, he wished for nothing else but to crush her to him and never let her go, but instead, he turned to his friends and said, "Then off with you, I'll meet you in five minutes." He moved them towards the door and shut it after they left, with Mags and William craning for one last look at his new roommate.

Callista threw herself into his arms then, "Marcus, I'm frightened for you. I don't want you to go."

"Callista, you need to know – there is nothing I would rather do than spend every moment of my life with you, at your side, but in order for us to be able to be together, I must do my duty. I am a soldier, and I must defend our home. Keep my bed warm and take care of yourself, and think of me. But I must go and I must go now." He held her tightly, kissed her forehead and then released her.

She was holding back tears, but she smiled for him, "I'll be waiting."

He dressed quickly and efficiently and donned his armor and a helmet while Callista watched him. The moment was here. He had to say goodbye.

He pulled her to him and lifted her chin with his finger, "I will come back for you, Callista. I know it's early for this, but I am saying it because it's true. I love you," he kissed her then on her sweet mouth and then turned and left before he gave in to his desire to stay.

Behind the controls of the vertibird, back in the air, Marcus felt in control. He was an ace pilot. Mags, who rode with him, motioned him to put on his headset. He nodded and put it on, adjusting the microphone carefully.

"Clear Mags?" he asked.

"As a bird," Mags said back, "Now, you can't escape me, Marcus. Tell me about the red head!"

Marcus grinned to himself. He knew he had to face the music with his Minutemen friends sooner rather than later anyway. "She's a real beauty, isn't she?" he asked, still smiling.

"All that and more," breathed Mags, "The rumor mill says she used to be Strong, the mutant. That's crazy!"

"Nothing much seems crazy to me anymore, Mags," Marcus retorted.

"So, uh…you and she… are … you know, together?" Mags asked, her voice deeper and quieter than normal.

"Looks to be heading that way," Marcus said lightly.

"Damn, Marcus. Looks like I lost my chance," Mags laughed.

"You wanted one?" Marcus chuckled, sensing in her tone that she wasn't serious.

"Well, now, it's too late for me, old boy. I'll have to tackle Eli and take him like a woman, now, before he gets scarfed up by some drop dead gorgeous ex-mutie."

"You know, that's the second reference to 'old' that you guys have made this morning. I am not old. I am barely out of my teen days. What's up with that?"

"Hey, old man, mature is good, not bad."

"You want me to call you old woman?"

"Not unless you want to wake up shaved like a newborn babe – all over," Mags said.

"There's a saying, Mags – what's good for the goose is good for the gander or something like that, so stop calling me 'old man', okay?"

"Fine, fine. If it really bothers you." Mags sighed loudly, then took a breath and asked, "So, Marcus, have you and Callista done the dirty deed yet? Is it awesome with her? It looks like it fucking-well should be."

"I was trained in Knighthood, Mags, you know better than to ask me a question like that."

"I'll take that as a 'not yet' then, Marcus honey. You don't have the 'afterglow' yet anyways. I'll be able to tell, you know."

Marcus felt the blush burning up towards his face, and cleared his throat, "I had no idea I was that transparent, Mags. I shall have to get lessons in deception from Deacon."

She laughed and reached up and patted his shoulder from behind, "It's okay, Marcus, really. I am absolutely happy for you."

"Well, thank you, Mags. Thanks," Marcus ducked his head and then checked his altimeter and compass. "Mags, I need your eagle eyes now. We're coming up to Arnette Valley. I need you to see if you can find which direction our enemy took after the attack."

"Aye aye, Captain," Mags' playfulness was gone and Mags the Minuteman was back.

She took her binoculars and began carefully scanning, "Oh, shit. They did a number on Arnette. Damn."

"Our 'bird went down right about here," Marcus said, dipping the vertibird downwards in a steep swoop.

"I see it…Marcus, damn, they blew you apart. How the fuck did you land the thing?"

"Magic, Mags, pure magic," Marcus said, "Any sign of where the enemy passed?"

"Shit, yeah. They went almost due west from here, following the main road. They just destroyed everything – things they could have used. Shit! These assholes killed a whole herd of brahmin and just left them to rot? What the fuck?" He could hear the disgust and horror in her voice.

"Radio William, Mags, make sure we're staying in contact with them. This force had missiles and they knew how to use them. As soon as you see anything that could be them, I'm going to pull up quick."

"Yessir, Cap," Mags said, back in soldier mode.

Marcus looked forward and then frowned. The horizon was black with smoke. Below the smoke he could see what looked like flames.

"There's fire ahead, Mags, to our northwest," he told her.

"Aye aye, Cap, I see it, - looks to be pretty far away."

"Still see traces of the enemy's passage?" Marcus asked.

"Yessir, lotsa fucking traces. These guys aren't much for neatness," Mags muttered and then spoke on the radio with William. She spoke to Marcus again, "Just keep following the road, Cap."

As they flew, the fire in the distance became more apparent. The large forested area to their north and west was burning out of control. Maybe a lightning strike, thought Marcus, or maybe set by their enemy for some reason or other.

Marcus had never seen anything of this magnitude – a fire this huge. It looked like the world had turned into hell itself on the northern horizon.

Time passed, with Mags making commentary on where the enemy had camped for the night and more about their sloppiness. It was five hours since they passed Arnette Valley, when Mags said with urgency in her voice, "Enemy sited, sir, at your 11 o'clock."

Marcus pulled up immediately and to his right, and saw that Joseph had done the same, except that he pulled to the left.

"Try and get a decent estimate of their numbers, Mags," Marcus ordered as he continued west. The enemy looked to be marching on the road itself, about 25 abreast. He had not seen the end of the long line yet. He continued on, watching for any sign of anti-aircraft artillery. The line of the enemy did not end.

"Holy shit," breathed Mags, "This is FUBAR, Marcus, we are so fucked."

Finally, the line dwindled and as Marcus saw the end of the line, he pulled up fast and hard. A missile arched below them and missed them by a hundred feet.

"Let's head back, Mags. Make sure William and you come to a number that seems right to both of you." Marcus spoke as if he didn't feel the horror and fear that such numbers stirred in his gut. And they were marching east. Towards the 'Wealth. To war.

He heard Mags voice and William's barely audible replies and then Mags spoke into her mike, "Marcus, … Cap," she said tightly, "We both figured over 6 thousand of the enemy are on the march – heading towards the Commonwealth, sir."