Disclaimer: I do not own Fallout or Bethesda. If I did Fallout 4 would be out already.

Reviews:

coastierks: Hahaha you know what that made my day, so I might consider making it the title of that chapter.

GuestDB: Yes there will be Soldiers and Guardsmen that served in Alaska, as well as Marines that served in the Chinese counter invasion. I might add Navy SEAL Teams to the base. I now see what you are talking about with Marshes, I apologize for assuming something else. And I like all the questions you throw out there, you've got really some good ones friend. To answer it, several selected leaders were sealed inside with their men.

Oddliver: Oh that is more than enough motivation to get to the base.

boozenpuken333: Thanks for pointing out those mistakes my friend, they have been corrected.

alanranks7: Thanks for the support friend and corrections have been made.

InflatedChimp: Thanks buddy, I hope you guys like this chapter.

Ky: Refresh no more my friend. The new chapter begins now


Chapter 9: The Journey Begins

Outside Arlington Library: June 9, 2279. 10:35 A.M.

Author's Note: The rad regeneration perk only heals crippled limbs, but in this story it can heal all types off wounds.

"Hold on Eric. We're almost to the Purifier." Gallows had felt something he hadn't felt in a long time. Fear. He was afraid Eric wasn't going to survive with the wounds that he had. By the time he had managed to sneak his way through Fort Independence (killing a few guards in the process) he made it to the roof in time to see Marshes impale Eric with his own sword. Not only was he worried, but he also felt guilty. Eric had always been there for him and many other Brotherhood soldiers. Even though Gallows was considered the stealthiest the Brotherhood had, he'd been detected a couple of times by the Enclave, and both times he would've died had it not been for Eric. The two had been really good friends and hell; he would carry out full blown conversations with the kid, which was a rarity for the quiet man.

Gallows suddenly felt someone's presence behind him. While holding onto Eric with his right arm, Gallows drew a plasma pistol with his left.

"Wait! I'm on your side." The Mysterious Stranger said.

Gallows took one good look at the man; he didn't look like a threat and he didn't have time to waste so he lowered the energy sidearm. "This man needs help."

"I know. And I know what to do." The man went on the other side of Eric and helped him to an overturned semi-trailer. In the back of the trailer were several barrels full of radioactive waste. When they got close enough, the Geiger counter on Eric's Pip-boy started to tick.

Gallows didn't like where this was going. "Hold on! How is this supposed to help?"

The man didn't say anything. Instead, with one swift movement, he pulls the blade from Eric's abdomen. Eric groaned turned into a loud yell of pain. When the blade finally came free, blood started gushing from Eric's wound and the man shoved him towards the barrels of radiation.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Gallows yelled as he drew his plasma rifle. The man swung around and slammed a fist into the side of the energy rifle, sending its shot away from its designated target. The man then grabbed for the gun and Gallows tried to wrestle it away from him.

While the two men were fighting, Eric's Pip-boy was reading +30 Rads a second. In no time, Eric had accumulated 600 Rads and he dragged himself away from the barrels before being exposed any further. Suddenly he felt the effects from Moira's experiment kick in and his wounds started to heal. The internal damage done by the blade of his shocksword had fully healed and the open wounds were starting to seal themselves. The real issue of this was going to be his shoulder. Eric could immediately feel his shoulder slowly going back in place and the pain was unbearable. Eric gritted his teeth as the pain intensified even more by the second; a reason why he preferred bullet wounds over this. The next thing Eric knew, he heard his shoulder make a sickening snap. Sweat had been dripping from him his forehead and he was breathing heavily like he just ran a marathon. 'Fuck…I always hate going through that.' Eric moved his arm a little to see if he had any mobility and was happy that he did.

Eric looked up and saw Gallows staring at him wide-eyed. Gallows had thought the man that appeared out of nowhere was trying to kill Eric, but instead all he was trying to do was help him. "Thank…you?" Gallows turned to thank the man, but found that he had disappeared into the wind. "Where'd he go?"

"Where'd who go?" Eric asked coming over to Gallows. "I was kind of fading in and out, so I pretty much have no recollection of what the fuck just happened."

"What do you remember so far?" The Pride's Spec Ops officer asked.

"Me going to Independence, getting my ass kicked, you dragging me out…everything after that was all blurry, except for the little radiation treatment I had to endure." Eric informed Gallows.

"Well this man just showed up and said he could help, he pulled the blade out of your stomach and threw you into the radiation. I thought he was trying to kill you." Gallows said earnestly.

"What did he look like?" Eric asked.

"Pale skin, tan trench coat, and a brown hat." Gallows said recalling what little details he could remember about the mystery man.

Eric smiled a knowing smile. 'Still looking out for me.'

"I take it you know him?" Gallows stated judging by the smile on Eric's face.

"Let's just say, he's like a guardian angel of mine." Eric said cryptically.

Gallows nodded slowly. "Does he usually disappear like that?"

Eric chuckled. "Oh yeah."

"Huh, so that's what that feels like." Gallows said under his breath.

"Now you know why it freaks us out whenever you do that." Eric said chuckling as he patted Gallows on the back.

Unbeknownst to the two, the Mysterious Stranger was staring vigilantly at them from the top of the Arlington Library. He kept a watchful eye on the two, before they continued on to the Purifier. About a hundred yards back, the watchful guardian noticed a power armored patrol moving towards Eric and Gallows. When the two were out of sight, he lit a cigarette in his mouth, checked his scoped .44 magnum and went to work with the group of soldiers.

Purifier Refugee Camp: June 9, 2279. 10:53 A.M.

When the two made it back, they found all the hallways abandoned. They checked the Rotunda and the sub-basement and still they didn't find anyone. When they stepped outside they saw everyone gathered around. What really caught Eric's attention was Harkness' second-in-command, Lana Danvers in a shouting match with Officer Lepelletier.

Butch saw Eric out of the corner of his eye and ran over to him. "Eric, man I'm glad you're back."

"What the hell is going on Butch?" Eric asked as he tried making his way through the crowd.

"Danvers has convinced most of Rivet City to lead an exodus out of the Capital Wasteland. Harkness hasn't gotten back yet so you need to talk some sense into her!" Butch informed, shoving one of Lana's guards out of his way.

Eric nodded. "I'll try." He continued maneuvering through the crowd and could finally hear what the two was saying. He also noticed that Lepelletier and Danvers weren't alone. On Danvers' side was almost ever security officer from Rivet City. On Lepelletier's side was Rivet City's Elite Guard. If things got any more heated between the two, the results would be catastrophic.

"DANVERS THIS IS STUPID! YOU'RE GOING TO GET THEM ALL KILLED!" Lepelletier yelled.

"WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST WE DO? SIT ON OUR ASSES UNTIL WE STARVE TO DEATH? LET THESE GUYS BLEED US DRY? WELL I DON'T PLAN ON DYING ANYTIME SOON, WE NEED TO LEAD THESE PEOPLE OUT OF HERE!" Danvers was shouting at the top of her lungs.

"WE NEED TO WAIT FOR HARKNESS!" Lepelletier yelled with equal volume.

"Harkness has gone soft on us!" Danvers sneered. "Ever since he started hanging out with that kid he's become too lenient, too unfocused from his duties of protecting Rivet City! I plan on leading these people to safety!" Harkness' second-in-command said as if she was doing all of humanity a favor.

Eric snorted and decided it was time to jump in. "Where are you gonna lead'em to huh Danvers?" Danvers and everyone else turned their attention to the Lone Wanderer. "You've got 10 miles to walk north if you plan on going there, but there are hundreds of enemy soldiers patrolling the area. You've got about 20 miles to walk west; again there are more patrols there. You travel east; eventually you're just going to hit ocean, and you already know the super mutants are running free to the south."

"I've already spoken with everyone who's willing to come with us. We're going to take our chances and head south." Danvers said like it wasn't a big deal.

Eric eyes nearly popped out of his skull. This woman was crazy! She had no idea what kind of threats (other than the super mutants) were roaming around south of here. Being a Star-Paladin and the Lone Wanderer, he wasn't about to let these people walk into a deathtrap. "Commander Lana Danvers you are putting the lives of you, your guards and the people you swore to defend in grave danger. As a Star-Paladin of the East Coast Brotherhood of Steel, it is my job to ensure the safety of any and all wastelanders that I come across." Eric put a hand on his holstered 9mm, preparing for a possible confrontation. "You are to stand down immediately, otherwise you leave me no choice but to use lethal force." The Lone Wanderer said acting as if he were reciting a section on rules of engagement.

Danvers growled at Eric like a feral animal, she never did like Eric. To her, he was just a cocky little boy always trying to make his way into the spotlight. "In case you haven't noticed, I don't give a shit about your precious Brotherhood. I always figured it would be a matter of time before they got their asses handed to them." Eric's grip on his pistol tightened. 'She says one more word against the Brotherhood I'll drop her in a heartbeat!' "Plus I don't follow orders from soldier wannabes like you!"

Eric was about to fire back an insult of his own when a voice rose up over the crowds. "THEN MAYBE YOU'LL FOLLOW MY ORDERS!" All heads turned to see a furious looking Harkness (whose face looked good as new, courtesy of Pinkerton) striding towards his second with Jericho in tow. "Lana, you are going to stand down right now!" The Chief said in a dangerous voice which Danvers failed to notice or chose to ignore.

"Sorry Chief, but we aren't following your orders any longer! Rivet City doesn't belong to us anymore and we need to go someplace else!" Lana argued with Harkness.

"Yeah well I refuse to let you lead these people to their deaths." Harkness said standing his ground, daring anyone from Danvers' group to get past him to the underground tunnels.

"I'm not arguing with you Harkness, we're going!" Danvers said making a move for her combat shotgun, which didn't go unnoticed by Harkness.

In a flash, Harkness pulled out a concealed 9mm and had the barrel pointed right between Danvers' eyes. Every guard from Danvers' group raised their 10mm SMGs at the android, while Eric, Butch, Jericho, Lepelletier, and Rivet City's Elite Guard along with almost every Brotherhood soldier raised their weapons at the mutinous security personnel. The tension in the air was so thick; you could cut it with a knife.

This standoff would've lasted longer, but Eric didn't have time for this, so he did the one thing he never thought he'd do in his life. He lowered his 9mm, walked forward, and put a hand on Harkness' sidearm. "Let them go!"

A stunned silence followed Eric's words. Harkness stared at Eric wide-eyed, not thinking he heard correctly, but judging by the serious look on his face, he heard right. "Eric, they'll get killed."

"That blood will be on her hands, not ours. They want to go running off into super mutant territory, let them. If they get attacked and any of them have any common sense, they'll turn around and come back." Eric reasoned.

Harkness knew Eric had a point, but he didn't like it. Danvers was right also; Rivet City wasn't theirs anymore, but dammit that doesn't mean they should give up. After a few more seconds of contemplating his options, Harkness realized that they had lost enough people already so he holstered his sidearm and sent a menacing glare towards Danvers. "You better hope to God that they all make it to safety Danvers. If I find out you get any one of them killed, I will hunt you down and I will make you pay. "Harkness walked away, feeling dejected, which was a rarity for the android.

Danvers and her guards started moving people into a marching formation. The only citizens from Rivet City that decided to stay behind was Angela and Gary Staley, the Young family, Diego, Dr. Preston and his assistants, Father Clifford, Mister Lopez, Mei Wong, Ted Strayer, Mister Buckingham, Private Jones, Vera Weatherly, Bryan Wilks, and Lepelletier and the Elite Guard.

"NO YOU CAN'T MAKE ME GO!" James Hargrave was fighting against his mother's grip, refusing to join the rest of the group.

"YOU'RE GOING TO DO WHATEVER THE FUCK I TELL YOU, YOU LITTLE BRAT!" The drunken mother raised a hand about to slap her son when someone caught ahold of her wrist. "HEY! LET ME GO YOU MOTHER-"

'SMACK'

Tammy was cut off mid-sentence when Eric's palm slammed into her face. Almost everyone that witnessed the altercation gasped in shock. No one ever thought Eric would strike a woman, but then again, it was Tammy Hargrave. The drunken abusive mother deserved it.

"Let, him, go!" Eric ordered the woman hostilely. Tammy quickly released her son and backed away from the angry man.

Then she flashed Eric a smug smile. "Hey thanks kid, you just did me a big favor! The little shit is your problem now."

Eric returned a smile of his own. "Good, now youcan be someone else's problem you bitch." Tammy looked like she was about to attack him, but when Eric took one step towards her she ran to her group and didn't look back. Eric looked down at James taking note of his silent crying. "You ok buddy?"

James just nodded while wiping his tears away. Eric put a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder and led him to the Young family. "You guys mind?"

"Say no more. We'd be happy to take him in." Christie Young said with a gentle smile.

"Thanks." Eric turned and walked away only to find Rothchild waiting for him. "What's up Rothchild?"

"Well first, I'm going to pretend I didn't see that little stunt." Judging by the look on Eric's face, a lecture was going to be pointless. "Second, I need you to gather all Brotherhood Commanders and settlement leaders for a meeting."

"Will do."

2 Miles South of the Capital Wasteland: June 9, 2279. 11:33 A.M.

"Hmm, looks like that bastard was wrong." Danvers said spitefully. The 360 plus group from Rivet City had been traveling for thirty minutes and they haven't seen a single raider or super mutant. Danvers figured they were in the clear from here on out.

"Hold up!" On guard yelled. "Do you hear that?"

Everyone stopped talking or moving and listened real carefully. It was barely audible, but it sounded like giant footsteps…And that sound was getting closer by the second. The ground started to vibrate around everyone. Danvers and the guards had their weapons raised and had set up a defensive line around the civilians. A few guards thought that this might be something more than they can handle, so they turned and ran back to the Purifier.

The guards were getting very trigger happy when suddenly. "FOUND YOU!" A super mutant master shouted as he opened fire with his Chinese assault rifle, dropping a few guards. From behind the group, a dozen overlords started charging at the group armed with tri-beam laser rifles, disintegrating several guards and settlers. Hundreds of mutants began pouring out of destroyed houses and buildings from all directions.

The guards all fired at the mutants with their 10mm submachine guns. Some of them were dropping with 1 or 2 hits. Many of them it took between 5 and 10 shots to bring them down. Several mutants started hitting the guards with sledge hammers and nail boards, caving in skulls and tearing off limbs.

Behind the hills was a loud monstrous roar that made everyone's blood freeze. The 15-foot behemoth came up on top of the hill wielding a fire hydrant attached to a massive metal pole. The behemoth charged down towards the group and started swinging left and right, sending guards flying great distances. Three more behemoths came running behind the first, each one of them wielding streetlights.

Flak and Shrapnel both fired a missile launcher at one behemoth, nailing it in the face. The behemoth fell over dead with a gaping hole where his skull used to be. The two gun merchants' victory was short-lived when another behemoth smashed them with its lamppost

One by one, the guards were getting torn to shreds, while the civilians were trying to make a desperate attempt to flee the bloodthirsty mutants. Tammy Hargrave tried to escape the slaughter, but was caught by a behemoth. The monster roared in her face before throwing her into its mouth and started chomping down on her.

Danvers was trying her best to hold out against a horde of super mutant masters that were charging at the group from the south, but she eventually found herself ambushed by an overlord.

"PUNY HUMAN! YOU DIE! YEAHAHAHA." The overlord was holding onto Danvers' left arm while another came and grabbed her right one. Both mutants pulled and Danvers screamed at the top of her lungs as she was ripped in half.

When it was all over with, the guards were all dead, along with several of the residents. A few of the unlucky survivors were being dragged away by the overlords and a couple super mutants with flame throwers started cooking the dead bodies to prep them for lunch. Some of the mutants were already diving into the guards as they had been starving for days starving. Within minutes, there would be nothing left, but a massive pool of blood and piles of bones.

Jefferson Memorial Sub-basement: June 9, 2279. 11:35 A.M.

"Now the reason why I called you all here is because Star-Paladin Daniels and Mister DeLoria have something they need to discuss with us." Rothchild informed everyone. It had taken some time but Eric and Butch had gathered Amata, her father Alphonse (who was still getting used to his new leg), Lucas Simms, and Harkness (who was still simmering from the betrayal of his guards). They had also gathered Paladins Tristan, McGraw, Morril, and Glade with Knight Captain Gallows, Reilly, Butcher, Brick, and Donovan.

Butch was the first to start. "The reason why this meeting is taking place is for two reasons. First we have a location on where we can take most of the survivors so they'll be safe and second…" Butch paused unsure of what to say. He looked to Eric who just nodded so he took a deep breath and begin. "Eric and I may have found a way to defeat Lost Hills."

There was some chatter amongst the group so Eric took the liberty to hand the paper that Butch and him read earlier to Rothchild, who read it out loud. The Head Scribe's eyes were widening by the second as he continued reading. Everyone else was getting more intrigued as he read about the base. Rothchild looked to the two who had shown him this discovery.

"Is this real?" The Head Scribe asked in disbelief.

Butch was the first to answer. "From what we've been able to find yes." However, there was one thought that he hadn't voiced. 'Possibly.'

"I've copied every file on the Pre-war military onto my Pip-boy from the Citadel's data archives and I haven't been able to find anything on Operation Resurrection." Eric continued on for Butch. "It was definitely a top-secret mission and they did a good job of keeping it from being heard by the public. I've seen everything that the Capital Post and several other newspaper companies had written about the U.S. Army. The only major thing that they wrote about was General Chase getting approval on the construction of Liberty Prime." Eric set the map of America out on the table for everyone to see and pointed to the small dot labeled Rebirth. "Right here, at least 44 miles to the north of Washingtonville, New York. That's our destination."

"Won't it be difficult to travel that far north? Especially since Lost Hills has control of the region." Paladin Glade spoke up.

Before Eric could speak Knight Captain Colvin came into the room. "I wouldn't think so."

"While you were gone I sent Colvin to scout out the D.C. ruins to see what Marshes is up to." Rothchild informed Eric. "What have you got for us Colvin?"

"Marshes and his men are using dynamite to level most of the buildings in the city. The only buildings they aren't touching are the Capitol Building, the Museum of History, the Washington Monument, the Museum of Technology, and the Lincoln Memorial."

"Is Hannibal and the other freed slaves alright?" Eric asked wanting to make sure that they were ok.

"They packed up and left, but Lost Hills has control of the memorial." Eric nodded. "Lost Hills is also moving in dump trucks, bulldozers, and loaders. Half the dump trucks are filling in the trenches at the Mall; while the other half is moving rubble from the buildings they're demolishing. They have a convoy of flatbeds carrying steel and concrete entering the area as well." Colvin pulled out a stack of photos that he had taken of the area. "They're also moving in several defensive weapons and setting them up at the Capitol Building, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial. Artillery and anti-aircraft guns.

Rothchild just nodded. "How many of Marshes' men are working in the ruins?"

"I'd say about 75% of his men. The rest are guarding the wasteland borders." The Knight Captain replied. "Marshes is acting as if he's already won."

"That's because he thinks he has." Eric said gaining everyone's attention. "Now that we're out of the way, he thinks it's going to be nothing but smooth sailing for him and his men. Since there's no opposition standing in his way, he'll start building his empire the way he wants it. Heavily fortified bases, stable structures, living quarters etc."

"You said that you knew of a place where you could take the refugees?" All heads turned to Amata. "Where exactly are you talking about?" She asked.

Eric pulled out a map of the Capital Wasteland and pointed to a spot to the northwest of Greener Pastures Disposal Site. "Right here."

Rothchild raised an eyebrow. "What exactly is there?"

Eric and Butch exchanged a certain look before turning back to the Head Scribe. Butch spoke. "You wouldn't believe us if we told you."

"But we're gonna say that it's out of this world!" Eric said with a small smile.

"And once you get them to safety what next? Do you plan on traveling to this base by yourself?" Rothchild asked.

"No." Butch spoke. "I'll be going with him."

Harkness stepped forward. "I am too." He said breaking his silence.

Sheriff Lucas Simms coughed to get everyone's attention. "You do realize how dangerous this is right? Even if Ms. Almodovar and I manage to convince our people to travel to this safe zone of yours, we might get killed before we can get there."

"That's why they'll be preoccupied the whole time. Rothchild, what's the status of Alexander's fireteam?" Paladin Jacob Alexander led the second deadliest fireteam in Lyons Brotherhood and they were on their way to joining Lyons Pride before Lost Hills attacked.

"Right now they're taking refuge at Hamilton's Hideaway along with Paladin Richards and his platoon." Rothchild replied.

"Tell them to be ready, because we're going to need them!" Eric informed Rothchild. He then looked to Riley and her Rangers. "I know you guys have been through a lot, but…"

Riley waved her hand. "Say no more Eric! Where do you need us?"

"You guys know the downtown D.C. ruins inside and out. I'll send a flare in the sky to let you know when to strike. You keep them distracted while we make our move. Fight them for as long as you can then get the hell out of there!"

Riley nodded. "We'll gather the other Rangers and wait for your signal."

"We'll leave in an hour." Eric looked to Amata and Simms. "Anyone that isn't ready to leave by then will be left behind."

As soon as the meeting was adjourned, Eric, Butch, and Harkness left to get ready for their journey.

Jefferson Refugee Camp Armory: June 9, 2279. 11:52 A.M.

Butch pulled back the slide of his 9mm pistol, loading a round into the chamber before holstering it. He then grabbed one of Eric's assault packs from a crate and started loading it with supplies. Eric was naming off supplies on a checklist.

"3-day supply of MREs?"

"Check." Butch acknowledged.

"Survival Knife?"

"Check."

"First Aid Kit?"

"Check."

"Are you out of your fucking mind?" Eric asked while looking up from the checklist.

Butch chuckled, obviously anticipating Eric's reaction to him wanting to travel to the base. "Who else is going to watch your ass out there?"

"Do you have any idea how dangerous this could be?" Eric asked in frustration.

"I have a pretty good idea, but I'm still going!" Butch answered Eric determinedly.

"You have a girlfriend with a baby on the way; you need to stay with her!" Eric said, trying to get Butch to reconsider. He had lost so many people that he cared about in the past few days; he didn't want to lose his best friend too.

"She'll understand why I'm doing this." Butch said adding a few extra rifle magazines into the pack.

Eric sighed in frustration. "If you're going because you feel like you still need to prove yourself, you've already done that a long time ago."

Butch zipped up the pack and slung it over his shoulders. "This isn't about proving myself. This is about them." Butch pointed outside the tent to all the wastelanders taking refuge. "I'm doing this for the same reasons you are. Yes, there is nothing more that I want to do than to stay with Lucy and wait for our baby to be born, but what future is that child going to have when the Capital Wasteland is ruled by a murdering fucking dictator?" Eric nodded slowly. "If I die out there, so be it! At least I'll have died making a difference."

Eric looked Butch dead in the eyes. "No one is dying on my watch!" Eric held up his fist. Butch smiled and gave Eric a fist bump.

The two had finished getting their supplies when Harkness, Jericho, Charon, Sydney, McGraw, Morril, Glade, Gallows, Colvin, Artemis, Fawkes, Uncle Leo, and Butcher's medic Jason all came walking in the tent.

"We're ready. Lepelletier and the Elite Guard will provide escort" Harkness said loading a microfusion cell in his plasma rifle.

Eric was shocked to see so many volunteers. "Jesus, didn't expect all of you to help."

"Did ya really think I would pass up a chance ta kill some shit?" Jericho laughed.

Glade was next to speak up. "If there's an army that can help out, then this is the Brotherhood's chance for payback."

Eric looked over to Jason. "Butcher figured you could use another medic on your journey." Jason said.

Eric smiled at the level of help he was getting. "Alright then."

Amata and Sheriff Simms walked into the tent. "Everyone's ready, but the wounded will have to stay behind."

Eric nodded. He knew that if they took the wounded with them it would slow them down. "Understandable. Well then let's get going."

Before they could leave Rothchild walked in the tent. "Knights Hunsaker and Damon have three Vertibirds waiting at Old Olney. The birds were just repaired so they should get you there quicker."

"Thanks Rothchild. When we get to the Citadel we'll blow the tunnel entrance so Lost Hills doesn't get inside here."

Rothchild nodded and held out a hand. "Good luck Eric."

Eric shook the Head Scribe's hand. "We're all going to need it."

Lincoln Memorial Rooftop: June 9, 2279. 12:43 P.M.

Reilly pulled out a radio. "Alright Eric, we are ready." Seconds later a flare was sent flying in the air and the Rangers all opened fire on the Lost Hills army working in the Mall. Reilly prayed that this distraction would work.

Wilhelm's Warf: June 9, 2279. 12:45 P.M.

"Blow it!" Eric ordered one of Lepelletier's officers.

The officer detonated the explosives in the tunnel, causing the ground to shake for a second, sending the manhole cover flying, followed by a large plume of smoke billowing out of the tunnel entrance.

"I think we may have used too much C-4." Butch stated.

"INCOMING!" One of the guards dove to the side to avoid getting hit by the manhole cover.

"Shit." Eric looked to Butch. "You think?"

Jericho was getting impatient. "Yo kid! We gonna do this shit or what?"

Eric looked to everyone in the group. "Alright let's get going!"

Fort Independence: June 9, 2279. 12:50 P.M.

"Adams, dispatch Companies Alpha, Bravo, and Delta to assist Charlie Company at the Washington Monument! We cannot let this group of mercs halt our plans." Marshes ordered his radio officer.

Another radio officer came forward. "General, Knight Commander Parker and his men are under fire by a Brotherhood Platoon at Big Town and Arefu."

Marshes raised an eyebrow. 'Two attacks at once in two separate locations?' Something wasn't right. "What's the status of Parker and his men?" The General asked.

Marshes got his answer when the Knight Commander was screaming into the radio for support. "REQUESTING REINFORCEMENTS IMMEDIATELY! LYONS BROTHERHOOD FORCES ARE TAKING OUT OUR DEFENSES! I'M DOWN TO FIVE MEN, REPEAT I AM DOWN TO FIVE MEN!" There was static for a few seconds. "…Wait, WAIT, DON'T! NOOOOOOOOO! (BANG)"

"Parker come in!" The radio officer tried getting ahold of the now dead Knight Commander.

Suddenly someone's voice sounded on the radio. "I know that you're listening General, so I have a message for you. Send more men and we'll send them back in body bags." Richards smashed the radio before Adams or Marshes could reply.

Marshes left eye was twitching in anger, but as much as he wanted to send more troops he had something else that needed to be done. "Adams, where is Cooper and his men?"

"Greener Pastures Disposal Site." The radio officer replied.

"Tell him to spread his men out across the area!"

Adams seemed thrown off by the order. "Sir? What about Parker and his men?"

"They're dead; there is nothing we can for them now. So tell Cooper to spread his men out within a one mile radius! I have a hunch, and I bet that I'm right."

"Yes General."

4 hours later. Mothership Zeta Beacon

"Damn I hate those fucking radscorpions!" Eric said slinging his battle rifle. On the way to the beacon, the group had come across at least 20 giant radscorpions. Two of Lepelletier's guards were ripped apart by one radscorpions along with a couple of Megaton Militiamen.

"We're here." Butch said.

Everyone looked around the crater then looked to Eric and Butch as if they lost their minds. All they saw was a crater with a strange metal object.

"This is it? You're kidding right?" Amata asked.

Butch and Eric exchanged a knowing smirk. "You want to lead them first?" Eric asked.

"Sure." Butch walked over to the beacon. "I need five people with me." Five of the Vault Residents walked over to Butch. "You guys might want to hang on." Butch activated the beacon and a few seconds later he and the residents vanished.

"WHOA! WHERE'D THEY GO?" One of the residents shouted. "WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM?" Others were shouting.

"SHUT UP! You want to attract the attention of a nearby patrol?" Eric's question silenced everyone. "Now, I need another five people to step up to the beacon and activate the switch." Five more residents stepped up to the beacon and activated it, disappearing like the last group. After a few minutes the only people left were Eric, Jericho, Harkness, Lepelletier and her guards, Amata and her father Alphonse, Uncle Leo, and Fawkes.

"Ok, I need five mo-"

"HEY! OVER HERE!" A voice interrupted.

All eyes looked up towards the edge of the crater and saw a Lost Hills soldier wielding a minigun. Everyone went for their weapons when the soldier opened fire on the group, killing three of Lepelletier's men. Two more soldiers appeared with plasma rifles and fired at Fawkes and Uncle Leo. Harkness fired on one soldier, knocking him off of his feet momentarily while Jericho fired his Chinese assault rifle into the visor of the other soldier's power helmet, turning his brains into mush.

Lepelletier, her guards, Eric, and Butch were all firing on the minigunner. Several rounds had pierced his T-51b power armor, but as an act of defiance he was still firing his minigun at the group. The soldier knew he didn't have much time, so he contacted a local artillery team with his internal helmet radio.

"This is Scout Four; I need artillery on my location. Popping red smoke now!" The minigunner grabbed a smoke grabbed a pulled the pin, knowing they would be close enough to see the smoke. The soldier that was knocked to the ground by Harkness got up only to be met by a few .44 magnum rounds penetrating his power helmet.

Butch had enough of this guy. He aimed down the scope of his marksman carbine and fired into the visor of the soldier's power helmet, finally dropping him. As his body hit the ground, the smoke grenade fell out of his hand and red smoke started flowing out of it.

Eric breathed a sigh of relief, but when he spotted the smoke, he figured they had one maybe two minutes tops before reinforcements would show up. He looked to the group. "Alright everyone, we need to hurry, before they send more troops our way."

"Eric!" Butch called for Eric. The Lone Wanderer turned to see Butch and Amata kneeling over a bloodied Alphonse. Eric ran over to them and pulled his first aid kit out of his assault pack, but immediately halted when he saw how bad the wounds were. There were two quarter-sized bullet holes in his chest and he knew the exit wounds were just as big if not bigger judging by the pool of blood underneath the man.

In an attempt to stop the bleeding, Butch applied pressure to the wounds, but it was futile. Alphonse's airway was damaged and he was desperately trying to gasp for air, making Eric believe he only had a few minutes left. Instead of trying to patch up the wounds, he pulled out a syringe and gave Alphonse a shot of morphine to ease the pain.

While Butch was applying pressure he looked at Eric with concern. Eric looked to Butch and shook his head, silently telling him there was nothing he could do. His eyes flicked to Amata who was sobbing uncontrollably, then back to Butch a few times.

Butch got the hint and grabbed Amata in a bear hug to pull her away from her dying father. Amata was desperately fighting against Butch's hold. "NO, NO, NOOOOHOHOHOHOHO, I CAN'T LEAVE HIM! PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME LEAVE HIM! DADDY! LET ME GO!"

Butch's heart was slowly breaking. Sure he was one to rarely show emotions, but it was hard to keep them in control when Amata (despite all of the times Butch had been an ass to her) had to endure watching her father slowly die.

"Come on Amata. It's ok. It's gonna be ok." He told her as he pulled her to the beacon and activated the switch.

Eric was about to get up and use the beacon when Alphonse's hand grabbed ahold of his arm. He pulled Eric back down so he was looking him in the eyes. "Take care (gasp) of my (gasp) daughter (gasp) please." Alphonse rasped.

Eric nodded determinedly. "You have my word, I won't let anything happen to her."

"Thank you Eric (gasp) for everything." Alphonse said before going into a violent coughing fit. Seconds later, his eyes rolled to the back of his head and blood was pooling out of his mouth.

Eric stood up and looked down at his lifeless body. "I'm sorry Alphonse." He felt someone's hand on his shoulder. Eric turned to see Harkness standing there.

"We better get going Eric, before th-" The android stopped talking when his enhanced hearing picked up the sound of artillery firing. "We have to move, NOW!"

The two ran towards the beacon and activated the switch right as two shells slammed into the ground no less than five feet away from them. They were transported to the Mothership as two more shells slammed into the beacon, completely and utterly destroying it. Several more shells were slamming into the crater, leaving no traces of the beacon or the dead bodies.

Mothership Zeta: June 9, 2279. 5:01 P.M.

Harkness and Eric fell to the floor after the close call with the artillery strike. Eric got back to his feet and helped Harkness back onto his before heading to the ship's bridge. The two noticed how everyone was looking out the window taking in the view of the Earth.

Eric smiled. "Welcome to Mothership Zeta." All eyes looked towards him. "Before you ask, yes this is an alien ship." Eric listened to a lot of the refugees' mutter amongst themselves while some were still transfixed by the beauty of space, including Fawkes and Uncle Leo. He turned and saw Elliot enter the bridge.

Eric shook the medic's hand. "How's it going Elliot?" He asked.

"Things are going good." The older man replied. Elliot looked to the crowd of people. "You want to fill me in on what's going on?"

Wanting to find Amata and make sure she was ok he quickly explained the entire situation to the former U.S. Army medic. To say Elliot was shocked was an understatement. This reminded him of the Chinese Invasion of Alaska.

"What about the Brotherhood?" Elliot asked.

Eric sighed. "Those that aren't at the Purifier are either dead or in hiding. My guess is there are only…sixty soldiers left."

Elliot shook his head in sadness. "Jesus, this is just like Alaska. 200 years later and still innocent people are being slaughtered like animals." Elliot looked to the group of refugees. "Sally and I would be happy to keep them safe."

"Speaking of Sally, where is she?" Eric asked.

"She's wandering around the ship with Marie."

Eric smiled. "She's become an awesome older sister to Marie."

Elliot nodded in agreement. "Yes she has."

"Anyway I may have a solution, but first I need to find the girl Butch was with."

"The sad one? What was her name, uh, Amata?" Eric nodded. "Butch and Lucy are with her in the Engineering Core, upper observation deck. Poor girl was distraught."

"Her father just got killed. It's possible they might have destroyed the beacon."

Elliot nodded. "I'll grab a few workers and check out the D.C. area"

Eric grabbed him by the arm to get his attention. "Make sure they don't kill the workers." Elliot nodded and Eric went to the teleporting station to get to the Engineering Core.

When he arrived he saw Butch and Lucy trying their best to console a dismayed Amata who was sitting on the bed. Amata looked up from her hands and saw Eric. She got up off the bed and stormed towards Eric with a mixed look of anger and determination. Eric was startled by the way Amata was advancing towards him.

"Eric I am coming with you on this trip! Do you hear me? I'm coming with you." Amata said through grit teeth.

Never in his life had Eric seen Amata so determined, so fired up to go on a journey that could be a possible deathtrap. Even Butch had never seen this side of the woman who became Vault 101's Overseer. However, Amata wasn't in the right state of mind so it was up to the two boys to talk some sense into her.

"Amata you need to calm down ok. This isn't you talking." Butch said calmly.

"Butch is right Amata. Now look, I understand that you're upset and you want to get back at those who killed your dad, but you need to be rational about this." Eric said in an equally calm voice.

"So please just calm down and think about this." Butch took a few steps back when Amata sent a malicious glare his way. 'Hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn.' That was more than enough motivation to keep his lips sealed.

"I have thought about it and I've decided that I'm going whether you like it or not." Amata growled at Butch.

"Amata…"

"SHUT UP ERIC!" Amata yelled, refusing to let him get a word in the conversation.

"Amata, you're not thinking clearly. You need to calm down and think rationally." Butch said trying his best to not sound intimidated by the woman.

Amata started walking towards Butch with her right fist raised and ready to strike, causing him to hide behind his girlfriend. Lucy stood in a fighting stance, ready to defend her boyfriend. As for Eric, it only took him half a second to realize what would happen if Amata let her fist fly. If she punched Butch, Lucy was start beating the hell out of Amata. If she accidentally hits Lucy…Amata will still get the shit kicked out of her. Either way, the outcome will be the same, Amata getting her ass kicked by Butch's pregnant girlfriend.

Eric ran forward to stop Amata. As he grabbed ahold of her fist, she turned around and slammed her left fist into his nose. Amata put enough force into that punch to knock Eric off his feet. As Eric hit the ground, his head bounced against the hard metal floor with a loud thud. Both Lucy's and Butch's jaws practically hit the floor as they witnessed the altercation. Eric's eyes were squeezed shut from the pain while he was rubbing the spot where his head hit the floor. He knew his nose was bleeding when he felt the blood trickle down to his lips. Eric looked and saw Amata immediately regretting her actions.

"I suppose I had that coming." Eric said with a small smile on his face.

Butch was bewildered by Eric's comment. "Why do you say that?"

"Because, I thought it would be a good idea to move everyone to a safer area and look where that got us. Six guards, two militiamen, and four other refugees dead. I never should've asked you and Simms to bring you guys along." Eric got back to his feet and wiped some of the blood away from his face. "Amata if you want to take your anger out on someone then take it out on me, but I ask that you reconsider and stay here where it's safe. I made a promise to your father that I wouldn't let anything happen to you."

After decking Eric in the face, Amata had calmed down to speak in a more pacified tone. "Eric I don't blame you for what happened, but I'm 19 years old, I can handle myself and I have the right to a decision and I've decided that I'm going with you and that's final."

Eric could tell that there was nothing he could do to change her mind. Amata was just as stubborn as he was. It was one of the reasons why he loved her so much.

Eric sighed in defeat. "Alright, you can come with us. Just please don't make me regret this. I've already lost enough people that I care about."

Eric left to go talk with Elliot.

Butch decided that it would be a good idea if Amata had some training if she was going to go on a dangerous journey with them.

"Uncle Butch, Aunty Lucy!" A voiced exclaimed excitedly.

Butch and Lucy turned to the sound of the voice and saw 3 year old Marie running towards them as fast as her little legs could carry her. Lucy picked the little girl up and held her in her arms.

"Hi sweetie! How are you?" Lucy asked, happy to see the little girl again.

"Good. I got a new toy." She said holding up a Buttercup toy.

"You did! That's cool."

Butch gave Marie a kiss on the forehead. "Hey squirt." Butch looked to Lucy and gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "I'm gonna take Amata to the shooting range so she can train."

Lucy was still a little concerned about Amata's behavior. "You going to be ok?"

Butch opened his mouth, but quickly shut it and looked at Amata who was trying to figure out why the little girl called him Uncle Butch. The woman he used to pick on and harass back in the vault just gave Eric a bloody nose. He looked back at Lucy. "God I hope so." He gave another kiss to his girlfriend before leaving with Amata to train.

"Who's that?" Amata asked.

"I'll explain it to you in a second." Butch replied.

Lucy was having fun with the girl she considered her niece. "Where's your sister." She asked wondering where Sally was.

"She went to go see daddy." The little girl replied.

"Ok. So how about you show me what your new toy can do."

Fort Independence: June 9, 2279. 5:14 P.M.

"Are you absolutely sure Mullen?" Marshes asked his second-in-command over the radio.

"Positive General. The Lone Wanderer escaped. There is absolutely no trace that he was here."

"Alright." Drake changed the radio frequency. "All personnel report back to your designated areas!" He ordered his forces. There was one thing that kept reeling in his mind. 'How the hell does that little bastard keep slipping through my fingers?'


You know since you guys have been such great readers I'm going to give you an insight on the next chapter. Most of the next chapter is going to be about a Pre-War soldier flashing back to a few hours before the bombs started falling.

That's it you guys, NCRMC signing off for now.