The journey to D.C was relatively quiet. Only the occasional mumble between Alexei and the other soldiers aboard the Vertibird. The occasional glance between them as well was useful for filling up the waiting time. As Alexei sat there going over her own rifle, similar to the one she made Danse, she nearly jumped when the Lancer-Cadet announced that there were only about 10 minutes away from the Citadel.
The Citadel looked a lot taller than she had remembered Danse describing. The walls nearly blocked out the sun from any position on the grounds, Sentry turrets dotted the walls every few metres apart and there was clear evidence of the occupying force everywhere. The one shocking feature though was just how quiet it was. The sheer lack of Brotherhood members around was astounding. Joining her hands behind her back, she slowly sauntered around the grounds, her eyes slowly going over everything around her. She noticed the few soldiers that were around however, seemed to study her and observe her carefully. Feeling uneasy, she decided to join Knight-Captain Mullins on the centre courtyard. He had gotten out of his power armour and now Alexei could notice more of his features. He was medium build, and just about Alexei's height. He stood before his armour, eating something.
"So Mullins, what are you eating?" Alexei asked. She seemed to frighten him as his Dandy Boy apple soared into the air, but Alexei caught it before the Knight's treat ended up on the floor.
"Oh ma'am! Didn't see you there, but you know. Just a required energy boost. We all need the sugar after all... May I have that back though please." He said, gesturing towards the small half eaten snack. Alexei handed it back and smiled to him. She liked Mullins, he seemed to be a little more lax than the other Knights she had come to know.
Before the conversation could really get interesting however, a tall scribe dressed in red robes walked over to Alexei and asked her to accompany her inside. It was time for her audience with the High Elder. They passed security checkpoints that were unmanned, half-made bunks and it all seemed to have a mysterious and yet depressing atmosphere about it. As Alexei was brought before two grand doors, she saw the symbols of the Brotherhood, carefully etched into the solid oak. The scribe wouldn't so much as cough or talk to Alexei and it really seemed to unsettle her. Just as the doors began to creak open however, Alexei just seemed to slip into her Sentinel Coles persona and she walked in, each step clearly showing her grace and authority.
Alexei walked in and the doors were closed behind her. After ward a brazier was lit in the centre of the room and then a man emerged from the shadows, bearing a strange resemblance to Elder Maxson. He looked old, wise but he also had Arthur's similar permanent scowl. He had sharp green eyes and they seemed to be trying to bore a hole in Alexei's resolve.
"Greetings Sentinel Coles. I believe that you are the only person in quite a while to hold such a prestigious title. The only one before you being my Grandson, Arthur." He said. Alexei instantly made the connection.
"So you're Elder Maxson's grandfather.. The High Elder."She asked.
"That is correct." He nodded. Alexei thought she was crazy but she was almost certain that she saw pain and anguish dancing in his eyes. He was certainly afraid for Arthur's safety.
"I am High Elder Percival Maxson." He added. "I have called you here today however due to a very serious problem. As you know, Arthur and the majority of the Eastern chapter headed, aboard the Prydwen, to Hoover Dam to assist with the growing conflicts in the West? Well yesterday, we received horrible news that the Prydwen was supposedly shot down by William Turner, using the Archimedes II assault satellite." He said; "I am ordering you to lead a recon team to New Vegas and you are to inspect the crash site. Record and bring back any useful information you find. I must repeat however, that this is a black list mission. Apart from what you bring with you, you'll receive no aid and if you are captured, there will be no rescue. Do I make myself clear?"
"Crystal sir. Who will be accompanying me westward?" Alexei asked.
"Knights Mullins and Reddington. You've already met Mullins. I'm nearly certain you'll love Reddington. God knows she adores you..." The High Elder replied, his tone vicious and sharp. "I expect a report on my desk within 72 hours."
Saluting, Alexei turned around and left the room. Heading for the armoury, she retrieved her rifle plus a full pack of fusion cells, ballistic ammunition, stimpaks and bandages. Slinging it over her shoulder, Alexei headed back out into the courtyard. Once again, she spotted Mullins rather quickly, but this time he was talking to a slightly shorter woman, who was clutching a combat shotgun and had the clear impression of a 9mm handgun hanging on her hip, underneath her rather loose fitting armour. As Alexei got closer, Mullins realised and his hand quickly flew up in respect for the senior officer. It went up too fast however, which was obvious when he practically slapped himself on the forehead, earning a smirk from Alexei and a loud hardy laugh from the still unknown soldier. Mullins looked at the other soldier with disdain.
"Jess! That's Sentinel Coles! You know the hero of the Commonwealth.. Currently the highest ranking officer on the entire eastern chapter." He said, his hand still held high in salute. In a display of speed that would make even a deathclaw blush, the energetic young knight pivoted on her heel and bear hugged the Sentinel. Catching her by surprise, Alexei dropped her pack and just hung here captured in Jess' embrace. It was only when Mullins' digged Jess in the arm that Alexei seemed to snap out of the incredibly forward action and demanded that she be put down.
"Put me down right now Knight! That is a massive breach of protocol, but I'll leave it go this time. Clear slate." Alexei said, her tone final and authoritative. Jess put her down, stepped back and hung her head.
"I'm really sorry ma'am. It's just that you're the whole reason I joined the Brotherhood. I hate the Institute, the railroad and their stupid notion that synths should have freedom. My father had been replaced with a synth and I had to watch as he shot my mother in front of the family one night. I was forced to put him down. My sister ran away that night and I couldn't stay there. It hurt like a stab wound. I left her a note, in case she would ever return but I vowed that I'd get revenge and until I do, I will lay waste to any enemy of the Brotherhood." Jess said.
Alexei looked her down, evaluating Jess in her mind, making sure that her excitability wouldn't be a liability but rather an asset to the team as a whole. Feeling bad for the young knight, she placed a reassuring hand on her shoulders. Jess lifted her head.
Alexei believed heavily in the old proverb 'The eyes are the gateway to the soul' and in Jess' eyes she could see a burning passion to prove her worth and the intent to avenge her father.
"Right then. Recon team Icarus, Suit up and gear up. Meet me at the Vertibird pad in twenty minutes. Prepare for stealth and leave the power armour behind Mullins. We're going on a black list mission." She said.
Immediately, Jess seemed to change. Her frown turned into a beaming smile and she practically skipped away to the armoury. Before Mullins left however, Alexei pulled him aside.
"Make sure she gets refitted for armour, Knight. It looks as though her armour's about to fall off." She said. Mullins nodded in acknowledgement and walked off in the same direction as Jess. Alexei then headed for Vertibird command, hoping to find someone to fly them so far West.