The dropships rose above the scrap metal city of Megaton and banked gently to the west. Within minutes they had passed over the rotting shells of pre-war homes in the abandoned town of Springvale and reached the ridge beyond it, which looked over a broken stretch of highway.
"There's not enough space to land all three of the craft here, so we're going to drop you here and find a place to land." The pilot came in over the intercom. "Just give us a ring when you're ready to head out."
Dusty air filled the troop compartment as a soldier opened the hatch and sent a coil of rope down to the wasteland below. Wordlessly, Daniel stood, took hold of the rope, and rappelled down. A battered sign declaring the point a "scenic overlook" still stood on the ridge, a relic from before the bombs fell. The Lone Wanderer strode up to the crest of the outcropping and looked out over the familiar scene of devastation before him. This was the sight that had greeted the Lone Wanderer when he had first stepped from the Vault. The blinding sun had given way to a sprawling desert, the township below him crumbling in silence.
The cold, but familiar, presence behind him announced that Charon had descended from the dropship. The ghoul stepped up next to him, and put a hand on his shoulder.
"You alright, kid." Charon asked.
Daniel nodded. "Yeah. Just wasn't expecting to ever come back here."
The two heard the sound of engines above them increase in pitch, then recede. Daniel turned toward the squad of legionnaires. The soldiers prepped their weapons and entered the small shaft that led to the Vault door. Katherine waved them over.
"Come on! This is your home right? Let's go say hello."
"Sure." Daniel said quietly, stepping into the darkness.
It took Daniel's eyes several moments to adjust to the dim tunnel. Katherine and the others were already congregated at the end of the shaft, standing before a large, cog-shaped blast door emblazoned with the numbers "101." The Vault door was closed securely over the entrance, and gave no signs it was going to roll away any time soon. Brewer stood at a small terminal in front of the entrance, yelling into the intercom.
"… look, we're here with the Lone Wanderer! We just want to talk. We're friendly."
"Access denied." replied a computerized female voice.
"God dammit let us in!" Brewer yelled, pounding his gloved fist on the terminal.
"Access denied."
The soldier cursed and shook his fists, looking for something to hit. Finding nothing suitable, he punched one of the other legionnaires in the shoulder. The man threw down his own rifle and tackled Brewer, and the two began to wrestle. Daniel strode up to the terminal as Lloyd and Katherine pulled the two apart.
"Amata, let us in. We just want to talk." There was silence for several moments, then…
"Access denied."
"I know you recognize my voice, Amata. Here, I'll even take off my helmet, so you know its me." Daniel removed his helmet, and glanced at the camera installed above the Vault door. "Now, let us in."
"Access denied."
"Amata, stop using that damn voice!" he yelled. "There are big things going on up in the Wasteland, and the people in the Vault need to know. Now open that door or I'll have my friends blow the damn door down." He glared into the camera's lens for several moments. Suddenly there was a hiss behind the blast door and a warning klaxon wailed. The whirring of machinery could be heard as the massive door rolled away, revealing a welcoming party of blue-jumpsuited security personnel. The Vault Security officers were better armed than Daniel remembered them, likely due to trading with Wasteland caravans. Still, the men quailed at the sight of the armored soldiers from the Wasteland.
The wall of guards parted, revealing a young woman around Daniel's age. She carried herself like a person twice her years, with cold eyes and mouth stuck at a permanent frown. Her skin was pale due to her entire life lived under fluorescent lights; her dark hair pinned back in a tight bun. Upon seeing the Lone Wanderer's face the woman's cold eyes seemed to melt, quivering for a split second before hardening once more.
"I've got a Vault to run, so this will have to be kept short. We can speak privately in my office. Please follow me." She said curtly. With that, she turned and strode away.
"Amata…" Daniel said, taking a step forward.
"Please call me Overseer Amata." She said without turning around.
"Are you sure you wouldn't prefer Overseer Almodovar." He said coldly.
Amata stopped, then continued. Daniel smiled grimly and motioned for the others to follow.
"And that's the plan. If any of the Vault residents wish to move to the new city, there will be escorted caravans leaving from Megaton in about a month. Red Lightning also plans to construct an outpost in Springvale, in order to protect both Vault 101 and Megaton from attack."
Daniel and Katherine sat across from Amata in the Overseer's office. Officer Gomez, the new chief of Vault Security, and Charon stood off the in corner, watching the proceedings. The Overseer nodded and spoke.
"Very well, I will make a broadcast to the Vault citizens. Is this all you wanted to speak about?"
"Well…yeah," Daniel said.
"Then this meeting is adjourned. You know the way out, now I have business to attend to." Amata said, standing and leaving the office.
"Wait," he said, starting after her. Daniel placed a hand on her shoulder. Amata whipped around and glared at him.
"What do you want?" she asked quietly.
"I want answers from you. Why are you acting like this?" he asked.
"I have a Vault to run. Forgive me if I seem a little preoccupied."
"That's not an excuse to treat me like some dog." he said. "You used to be so warm and kind. You've changed."
"No you're the one that's changed! That's why I exiled you from the Vault!" she screamed.
Daniel stepped back as if struck. "So that's why you did it?" his voice beginning to quaver. He took a step towards her.
"Amata…I,"
"Get away from me!"
He felt something prod his side. Daniel looked down, seeing Amata's pistol centered on his stomach. The woman's eyes were wild and her hands were shaking.
"Just take yourself…and your zombie…and your soldiers…and leave, forever." She said. "Or I'll shoot."
The Lone Wanderer took another step forward. "You're joking. We were best friends, Amata. You'd never…"
It felt like he had been tackled by a sentry bot. Daniel was knocked on his ass. Looking down, he saw a crumpled wad of metal crushed against the surface of his armor. He plucked it from his side and examined it more closely before letting it fall to the floor. The Lone Wanderer glanced up at Amata, still holding the smoking handgun. She looked ready to break into tears, her hands shaking violently. Slowly, she brought the pistol down towards his head.
"Hey!"
Two legionnaires appeared behind Amata, tackling her to the ground just as she pulled the trigger. The round bored harmlessly into the metal floor. The soldiers pinned the woman down, one knocking the pistol out of her hands. Katherine, Gomez, and Charon appeared from the Overseer's office, more people appearing down the hall to observe the commotion.
"What's going on?" several people asked.
"She shot me." Daniel replied, pushing himself to his feet. The Legionnaires wrestled Amata to her feet, and bound her arms behind her band with some kind of plastic bands.
"We're taking her with us. She's under arrest." Katherine said. "Who's next in command after her?"
Officer Gomez raised his hand tentatively.
"Congratulations, you've just inherited the Vault. We'll be in contact. Take her outside." She said
The soldiers pushed the former Overseer in front of them.
"Get walking." One said.
"Wait," Daniel said. Amata stopped and turned. The Lone Wanderer stepped up to her, and brought his mouth close to her ear.
"I guess you're more like your father than you thought." He whispered.
Amata broke into sobs as the legionnaires led her away.
Daniel stood on the ridge overlooking the ruins of Springvale. The wind blew by lazily, creating tiny dust devils that played over the rocky ground. The three dropships appeared from the west, throwing sand high into the air. The craft dropped down coils of rope attached to a spool on the hatch, creating a crude escalator. The Lone Wanderer smirked as he saw Amata winched up to the dropship like a piece of cargo, then returned to his vigil over the Wasteland. His face was set in the same smile he was known for, but his eyes betrayed his true feelings.
Katherine waited for the last of her men to ascend before stepping over to Daniel. Being a squad leader meant learning to read you men, and the Sergeant Major could tell that the Lone Wanderer was hurting. She was about to call out to the wastelander when a legionnaire stepped in her way.
"I told all of you to load up. We've still got work to do. I'll be up shortly." She said.
"The kid doesn't want to talk to anyone now." The man rasped. He opened his visor, revealing sallow skin and milky eyes.
"Sergeant Charon, I'm trained in unit psychology. It's my job to help my soldiers through issues like this."
"The kid'll be fine."
"He needs help."
"He doesn't want help." Charon said. "But he does need it. He's seen so much, experienced such sadness, I don't know how he wakes up every day and does what he does. Just give him some time. I'm sure he'll talk. He likes you."
"How do you know that?" Katherine asked.
"He holds my contract. I know him like I know myself." Charon stepped out of the way, and grabbed a handle on the escalator. Katherine watched Daniel for awhile in silence, then called out to him.
"Daniel, are you ready to go?"
The Lone Wanderer turned. His normal demeanor had returned, his eyes bright and cheery.
"So, where to next?" he asked.
Daniel, Katherine, and the Iron Fenrir travelled to all of the major settlements in the Capital Wasteland, spreading word of the new city of Hope and Red Lightning's intentions in the DC area. Girdershade, Arefu, Bigtown, Canterbury Commons, Rivet City, Tenpenny Tower, the Republic of Dave… all the cities agreed to the initiative and planned to send their surplus populations to the new city.
The three dropships were returning to the Bethesda base to refuel and drop off their "guest."
"We're picking up Commander Llast. He wants to be there when we head to the Citadel." Katherine said.
Daniel groaned. He had completely forgotten about the Brotherhood of Steel. The Lone Wanderer had yet to contact Lyons about the Red Lightning forces, and the Brotherhood of Steel didn't like being kept out of the loop. He wasn't entirely sure their reception would be a warm one.
Upon entering Citadel airspace, they were hailed by Citadel Command and ordered to identify themselves or be shot promptly out of the sky. Daniel got on the horn and explained the situation, but the baffled scribe on the other end seemed to have trouble contemplating that a highly advanced military force from another dimension had come to DC area. Daniel couldn't blame him.
Even after they had been cleared, some jumpy initiate on an AA gun had opened up on them as the three dropships approached. It was only the pilot's quick reactions that saved them from crashing to the ground in flames, and the co-pilots quick reactions that prevented the pilot from opening up on the foolish gunner with the craft's cannon.
When they landed, the legionnaires were greeted by the largest contingent of Brotherhood soldiers Daniel had seen since the attack on the Jefferson Purifier almost a year ago. Each knight was fully decked in polished power armor, and was armed to the teeth. The shining sea of power armor parted, revealing an elder man in long blue robes. His long beard was snow white, his skin wrinkled with age.
If Commander Llast was fazed by the display, he didn't show it. The officer merely dusted off his greatcoat, adjusted his hat, and strode to meet the Brotherhood Elder.
"Commander Robert Llast, Red Lightning 13th Legion. Pleased to meet you." He said, extending a gloved hand.
"Owen Lyons, leader of the Capital Wasteland Brotherhood of Steel." Lyons did not return the gesture. Llast beamed and pat the Elder on the back…hard.
"Nice to meet cha Owen." Llast said, beaming. "Now you and I have things to discuss. I was thinking we could help you with water deliveries…" The commander placed a hand on Elder Lyon's shoulder and led him off to the inner ring of the Citadel.
As the two leaders walked off together, the assembled soldiers began to disperse and return to their normal duties. The legionnaires around the dropships slung their weapons and relaxed. One man retrieved a harmonica from his pack and began playing, while a few gathering around a deck of playing cards. Daniel exhaled and leaned against the side of the craft. The atmosphere had been so tense he could taste the animosity in the air. Luckily the powder keg hadn't ignited. The Lone Wanderer took off his helmet and took a swig from the canteen on his belt. He looked up, and nearly choked.
Across the courtyard, seven Brotherhood soldiers advanced in close formation. The Brotherhood of Steel insignia on their spaulders was inscribed with a lion rampant, and coated with grime from the Wasteland. The leader figure, a blond woman with hair tied back in a ponytail, spotted Daniel and narrowed her eyes. Katherine eyed the approaching soldiers and called the rest of the Fenrir around her, removing her helmet and meeting the Brotherhood soldiers with her hand extended.
"Sergeant Major Katherine Adams, leader of the Iron Fenrir. You must be Sarah. Daniel told me about you on the way here." She said plaintively.
"Sentinel Lyons, commander of the Lyon's Pride." Sarah took the other woman's hand tentatively, as if was radioactive. "Funny, Daniel didn't tell me about you at all." She gave Daniel a fresh glare. "May I speak to the esteemed Lone Wanderer in private?" Before he could respond she grabbed his forearm in a servo-assisted vice-grip and dragged him to a corner of the yard.
"What the hell were you thinking, Daniel? You bring a military force we know nothing about right into our headquarters? Look at their weaponry, they would have done a number on Citadel if they wanted to…" she said harshly.
Daniel detached her hand from his arm and rubbed the spot tenderly. "Sarah, please. They had no intention of starting any fights. Llast has a plan that will change the Capital Wasteland for the better, and he wants to include the Brotherhood in it. Besides, it was you guys that fired on us in the first place."
"You would too if you saw strange aircraft flying towards you. The Enclave are the only ones other than us with that kind of tech. How can you be so sure these guys aren't Enclave."
"Have you looked at their tech? Its light years beyond what the Enclave has. They razed Paradise Falls to the ground and are currently creating an oasis in the middle of the Wastes. That's all the proof I need. Isn't that enough for you." He brought a hand up to brush some of the dirt off her cheek.
Sarah sighed and brushed his hand away. "It's not that easy Daniel."
"It's never that easy…is it." The Lone Wanderer said venomously before stalking off toward the dropships in the middle of the courtyard, where an argument was breaking out between Brewer and Paladin Glade, the Pride's heavy weapons expert.
"…what was that tin man! You call that pea shooter a gun. This is a gun." He said, showing off his squad automatic weapon.
"Please, when it comes to hosing hot lead, nothing beats this baby." Glade said, patting his minigun affectionately. "Besides, you probably can shoot straight with that toy anyway, spaceman/"
"Oh yeah!"
"Yeah!"
Members of both the Pride and the Fenrir raised their voices, adding fresh insults and challenges to the dispute. Daniel sighed, and nodded to Charon. The ghoul acknowledged, firing off two shells from his shotgun into the air.
"If you guys want to see who's the best, why don't you guys have a mock-battle?" Daniel proposed. A few members of the Fenrir nodded affirmatives. Even Glade grudgingly acknowledged the idea.
"A war-game could be fun." Katherine said. "The Iron Fenrir accepts. What about Ms. Lyon's Pride?"
"The Pride accepts." Sarah, said. Appearing behind Daniel. The grime on her face had channels running down from her eyes, and her pale skin was flushed. The Lone Wanderer looked away and attributed it to the heat.
"Alright then…we'll have our little contest about month from now, after the construction of Hope is completed. That way, you'll have plenty of time to train…so we won't beat you too bad."
"Hey," Brewer began.
"Sergeant Major Adams, tell the pilots to start the engine and the men to load up! We're blowing this popsicle stand!" A voice boomed.
The group turned. Commander Llast strode towards them from across the courtyard with Elder Lyons following not far behind. The legionnaires exchanged some parting jibes with the Pride before boarding the waiting dropships. Before stepping into the craft, Llast turned and waved to Lyons.
"It's been fun! Be sure to stay in touch now!"
Daniel looked back at the Elder, then to Sarah, before jumping into the rising dropship and closing the hatch. The three aircraft rose above the ruins of the Pentagon and began their short flight home. The co-pilot shook his head and called back into the troop compartment.
"We sure got a warm reception from those knights in shining armor, didn't we?"
Llast withdrew a flask from his coat and took a swig. "They're just nervous that's all. I've seen it before, when an officer who's so used to working alone finds out he has a new partner to work with. Owen and his shiny boys and girls will have to get over it or learn to work with us or we'll just change the world without 'em."
The commander took another hit from his flask and closed his eyes. Soon Daniel's eyelids begin to droop, the weight of the day's events slowly pulling him into unconsciousness.
Father and daughter watched as the three strange craft rose into the air and flew away, taking their strange new "allies" back to their new outpost in the Capital Wasteland. Owen Lyon's sighed, tired. He was simply too old to be dealing with the daily troubles the Wastes threw at him. With the appearance of Red Lightning, he was sure if his heart would give out. In their meeting, Llast had been very direct. They were building a city in the middle of the Wasteland, meant to house the huddled masses without roofs over their heads, and to create a new nation with the city of Hope as its Capitol. Llast also wanted to assist the Brotherhood of Steel with its water deliveries, providing air support for the caravans that ferried Aqua Pura to the surrounding townships. To celebrate their new alliance, the Red Lightning commander has proposed a ceremony later that year, on Purifier Day, to commemorate the new Capital Coalition, as he had called it.
It all seemed too good to be true…which was why Lyons didn't believe it for a second. There had to be some ulterior motive behind all of this goodwill and benevolence, there just had to be.
He turned to his daughter.
"Sarah, I'm going to my quarters to lie down. I need you to tell Scribe Rothchild to speed up his work in the projects I gave him last month."
"Yes father." Sarah said. "You don't trust them?"
Owen Lyons shook his head. "I can't say that I do."
"Me neither."