Chapter 10: Collector

"The lord enjoins us to love our enemies. He never said anything about them ceasing to be our enemies just because we love them."

- Anonymous Outcast Defender in reference to the Brotherhood of Steel

"Standard Outcast operations should emphasize the direct avoidance of combat, preservation of manpower and equipment is regarded as the highest of priorities."

- Protector Henry Casdin

"Frag out!" Defender Sibley yelled as he primed the frag grenade in his hand, tossing it into the plaza. His fellow Outcasts took cover behind the concrete barriers of GNR plaza. The explosion shook the air, shooting flame and debris flying in all directions. A Brotherhood initiate fell backwards, clutching his face in bloody agony as burning shrapnel punctured his light recon armor, searing his face and eyes.

More of the traitors emerged from the cover of the radio station. Sibley himself recognized Knight Sergeant Wilks wielding a flamer as he tried to burn the Outcasts out of their cover. Jets of flame lanced across the square, and Sibley cursed as his minigun clicked empty, the whirring barrel winding down as it ran out of ammunition.

Even a diehard like Sibley had to admit, it wasn't the brightest of ideas to bring his squad so far into the D.C area when Protector McGraw simply wanted him to scout ahead, but he had a lot of scores to settle with the Brotherhood, them having kicked him and his squad out of the citadel and all. But the salt in the wound was choosing to recruit from a pack of tribals. He didn't want the Brotherhood to simply forget their betrayal, he wanted them to feel the consequences.

A bullet pinged off his shoulder plate, quickly bringing him back to reality.

"Defender, I see a squad of tribals flanking us." One of the defenders pulled up beside Sibley, pointing towards a pack of T45d armored troops making their way across the square.

The mere thought of tribals using brotherhood armor and weapons made Sibley's blood ran red. Reloading the minigun with another munitions box, he quickly stood up, spinning the barrels as he let loose a torrent of fire their way. Heavy chain gun fire ripped through the square, chipping away masonry, concrete and eventually, Brotherhood armor. Two tribals ducked behind a pile of concrete rubble, clutching their wounds in agony, while Sibley laughed with a mixture of hatred and condescension.

"Fuck you Outcasts!" Knight Dillion shouted in rage, though bleeding from multiple gunshot wounds that punctured his armor, he couldn't take watching his fellow troops were being mowed down.

Defender Sibley suddenly felt hot pressure slap past his face, as well as several piercing punches on his torso and chestplate. The first rounds slammed into his helmet's rebreather, snapping his head back and temporarily disorienting him.

The second Outcast quickly dived towards Sibley, taking the next burst of bullets in his shoulder that was meant for the Defender's throat. The Outcast fell to the side, crying in pain. More gunfire erupted as Brotherhood reinforcements, legitimate Brotherhood knights made it to the scene, bringing with them an assortment of heavy weaponry.

"Time to move out." Sibley grunted, never having lost his respect for the destructive firepower of a well trained Brotherhood platoon. He signaled the retreat, and the outcasts soon vanished back into the ruined buildings, while Sibley himself retreated slowly, stepping back and firing shot after shot into the Brotherhood forces…..

"Tensions continue to mount between the courageous forces of the Brotherhood of Steel and their estranged brethren: the Outcasts. Now, normally, family squabbles are none of my business...but when the Outcasts decide to take potshots at my building—which the Brotherhood uses as an outpost—I make an exception. So, Brotherhood Outcasts, knock it off! I prefer not to get murdered in my own backyard. The rest of you Brotherhood cats, can't you extend an olive branch or something? You'd think fighting the Super Mutants would be enough."

Protector Henry Casdin turned off the radio, furious at the callous and unnecessary battle reports he had received within the hour. It was bad enough that Sibley broke protocol by actively engaging brotherhood targets, but worse, now it was broadcast to the entire Capital Wasteland to hear. Lyons would not let this go unanswered, and already he had ordered McGraw to kick Sibley's ass into line and fortify the urban outpost they had tenaciously set up.

Casdin sighed, rubbing his eyes as he settled back in his chair, patrols around Constantine, specifically Protector Morrill, had reported increased sightings of Enclave activity, even several VB-02 Vertibirds had taken off from Raven Rock, heading for an unknown destination. The Vertibirds were the crown jewel of the Enclave's active military forces, allowing them the ability to project their power over vast distances, while increasing their ability to safeguard ground assets and move troops. They were the envy of every military force from the Shi in California to the Brotherhood of Steel out East. Before their time ended here, Casdin secretly vowed to secure one for the Brotherhood.

The Protector meanwhile, got back to work. Tracking the progress of his squads as he overlooked a map grid of the Capital Wasteland that his teams had salvaged from Vault-Tec headquarters. Specialist Olin had been helping him get the system back online in between her shifts at the that and an impromptu tracking device. In time, Casdin was hoping that he would be able to obtain somewhat up-to-date telemetry data on the location of his squads. Something he knew Lyons, with all his numbers, would have a far more difficult time to implement. It was an advantage he would use to the fullest once he had the system up and repaired.

The Brotherhood had remained within the DC ruins for now, content to fight for the city street to street with the Super mutant menace. It was a stalemate at best, Cadsin assessed. The Brotherhood were too spread out, and under-equipped to wipe out the mutants, but on the other hand, the mutants were too dumb and uncoordinated to make full use of their numbers to overrun the Brotherhood.

Good. Keep it that way, let both of them tear each other apart while we pick up the pieces.

Casdin suddenly heard the click of a door opening, and he looked up to be greeted by a whiff of hot coffee.

Defender Anne Marie Morgan nodded towards her commander, placing the cup of coffee besides Casdin.

"Heard you were up all night protector, figured you would need some of this." Morgan said helpfully as she slid the cup to the protector.

"Your service is noted Defender." Henry grinned, taking the coffee with savouring sips. Out here in the capital wasteland, when food and water were scarce. Coffee, not to mention, coffee with sugar, was a great luxury.

"How are the troops holding up?"

"I saw Morrill's men come back yesterday. They reported that they were still unable to go through the steel doors Fitt's and his team had encountered, but they've had some clues on where they may get the keycards to access them."

"Any casualties?" This was the part of the conversation Casdin dreaded. At the moment, counting non-combatants such as Olin, they had perhaps thirty one members remaining in the Outcasts. Since the assault on Fairfax, where they had lost three troops, the casualties thus far had been mercifully lighter.

"Morrill had a concussion from a Deathclaw his squad encountered after they left Fort Constantine, but aside from that. Nothing."

Morgan, aside from being the commander of the garrison, also doubled as the Outcasts' team medic, running Fort Independence's medical facilities, qualities that quickly made the Outcasts respect her, even conferring to her the title of Casdin's unofficial second in command, despite her role as a Defender.

"And what is Fitt's progress to the national guard depot?"

"We've yet to establish radio contact with him, but our best guess is he should be reaching it within the next day or two. Our scouts and trackers reported minor skirmishes in their area, knowing Fitts, he's keeping low."

Casdin nodded quietly, the Brotherhood may have the big guns, but the Outcasts had the best scouts and trackers in the wasteland, Reilly's Rangers aside.

"Defender Rockfowl's also reporting that he's getting some progress on the truck. A few more senor modules and fission batteries, we can get the old engine back up and running."

"Good," The Protector nodded, the old army truck outside of Fort Independence was almost two centuries old. Replacing the old pre-war engine and augmenting the rusted frame became one of Defender Rockfowl's pet projects when he wasn't defending Independence bridge. Casdin himself doubted whether Rockfowl would get the truck moving, but he did not deny that it would provide the Outcasts with a crucial advantage in their fight against the Enclave and Brotherhood. "That, plus the technology I'm expecting from the national guard depot will give us the advantage we need."

"What is this technology sir, that's so important."

"According to our reports from the Codex. The National guard Depot was home to several secret military research projects. it contains some heavy weaponry, perhaps enough to give us the advantage over the Enclave's veritbirds."

"And the giant weapon the Brotherhood possesses? Liberty Prime?" Anne Marie wondered.

The Protector chuckled. "Let's not get too optimistic, nevertheless, it will give us a great advantage."

"I hope you're right sir. But that still doesn't solve our equipment issues. We've been unable to contract a caravan to Rivet City."

"Then we'll have to find some other ways." Casdin remarked. "Maybe enlist a local who knows a thing or two."

"You're suggesting we follow Lyon's doctrine?" Anne said, slightly amused.

"Not join us per say, but I never had anything against paying someone to do our dirty work. Locals can get to places we don't have access to, that in itself is valuable."

"And we're to believe that some local would just volunteer themselves to do this?"

"Why not?" Casdin replied. "We hear about a crazy one on the radio doing stuff all the time, chances are there are more of them out there, and when they show themselves, we'll be ready."

Defender Sibley was never one to take to authority, but even he fell quiet when he saw the hard gaze of Protector McGraw, as he and his squad limped back to the Outpost fort. A squad of Lyon's soldiers had followed them from GNR, and it was only with heavy persuasion from McGraw's squad that had convinced the Brotherhood soldiers to break pursuit. That did not change the fact that he had suffered two wounded in the exchange.

McGraw was almost beside himself with rage, clenching his fists, his voice was barely restrained.

"What have you done Sibley."

The Defender, expecting the Protector to be grateful they were alive, was taken aback.

"Just giving those traitors and tribal lovers some payback."

"And almost lost your squad in the process." McGraw finished.

"Sir, I-"

Sibley barely had time to get a line out when McGraw punched him flat out across his face, blood spewed from the Defender's mouth as he crumpled backwards against the wall. The rest of his squad watched the exchange quietly.

"That, was for being a dumbass and almost getting you and your squad killed.

"Ok! THAT'S IT!"

The Defender, not one to back down from a challenge, gave a low cough, then snarled in rage, preparing to rush McGraw, but before he even had a chance, he was looking straight down the barrel of a pre-war laser rifle.

The rest of the Outcasts held their breath, watching as Sibley stood there, nose bleeding, but never taking his eyes off McGraw. Everyone in the room tensed as the two soldiers stared each other down.

Protector McGraw never dropped his gaze either.

"Now think very carefully Defender." McGraw said in a deathly serious tone. "You've been strutting around like you own the world for a while now. I'll tell you this. No one is impressed. They wouldn't mind you as a corpse."

The Protector charged the laser rifle, and even Sibley was starting to have second thoughts. Sweat dripped slowly on his forehead.

"Now you have two choices. You can luxuriate in the brig below, or you can choose to fight me. But if your hand touches metal, I swear that I will end you."

After what seemed like an eternity. Sibley backed down.

"Fine, have it your way sir."Sibley dropped his weapon, while McGraw nodded his head towards another Outcast, who escorted him out.

"Don't think this will go away quietly Protector."

"Get him out of my sight." The two Outcasts saluted, escorting the defender out.

When Sibley left the room, McGraw let out a sigh.

"You know you could have handled that a bit more gently." The Protector turned to see Specialist Olin standing by the doorway, who watched the whole scene.

"Could have." McGraw said gruffly as he massaged his wrist. He had considered that option, and for anyone else on his squad he may have let them down gently, but for someone like Sibley, who would have strutted around the outpost bragging about how he stood up to the Brotherhood and his commanding officer, he would give him nothing.

"He'll have to be watched closely." Olin advised cautiously.

"He'll be lucky if i ever let him hold a weapon again." McGraw said tersely, but even he knew that the Outcasts were so short on manpower they'd have to rely on Sibley at some point in the future.

He massaged his wrist again. "I'll do as you say. If we're lucky, we should be able to breach the vault soon, then he'll be Casdin's problem."

"If we're lucky." Olin smirked.

The next day at Fort Independence showed more promise, the science teams and several squads had returned to headquarters to resupply and rest, in preparation for the next patrol. Fairfax meanwhile, was reporting almost zero raider activity.

Defender Anne Marie sighed as she took her post at the sandbag wall in front of Independence. The night before, Morrill and the science team were busy celebrating their return from Constantine.

It was one of the few moments that Morgan enjoyed herself and relaxed, truly felt happy for their band of misfits. She had seen them too many times in the infirmary, tending to their wounds and caring for them. For all their hard work and struggles in the wasteland, for one night, they were allowed to forget all their troubles that one evening, fire barrels warming them up under the night sky while the troops got drunk and had fun.

Now it was back to reality,, a hangover and watching tumbleweeds fly across the capital wasteland. Groovy.

Anne Marie turned on the radio, listening to see if anything was new.

"Don't you deserve that America? Don't you deserve a future free of war, of fear..."

Of course. The same thing that was on every day. She sighed again, wondering if anything interesting were to happen in the same fucking spot she stood for almost a year.

A distant gunshot quickly broke her concentration, and she watched in the distance as two shabbily-clad figures approached independence. Raiders. Thank god something to shoot.

Anne smirked underneath her helmet, not even bothering to call up Casdin. These were probably just stragglers from the Raiders in fairfax, or just random wanderers. Whatever it was, they were too dumb to see what they were heading towards.

Then, just out of the corner of her eye, she caught something. Two more figures. One of them was a girl dressed in leather armor, accompanied by another local. Both of them seemed oblivious to the dangers of the incoming raiders.

Defender Morgan charged up her laser rifle, shouting at the incoming strangers.

"Keep your head down idiot! Raiders incoming!"

The stranger quickly gawked her head to the east like a moron, quickly spotting the two raiders, each of them armed with hunting rifles. Anne Marie quickly activated the auto-turrents, which let loose semi-automatic bursts at the attackers. Morgan herself, fired her laser at one of the raiders, grazing them while the two locals attacked them.

One of the raiders went down screaming, his torso burnt clean through by Marie's laser. But to her surprise, the last raider was taken out almost effortlessly by the newcomer, who almost casually killed the raider girl with little to no effort, her head bouncing lifelessly on the ground as the hunting rifle round impacted her skull.

Morgan almost considered training her rifle to the newcomers, almost on instinct, but she saw that the girl had already shouldered her hunting rifle, taking her sweet time stripping the raiders of their weapons, ammo, and anything else of value, before proceeding to greet Defender Morgan. Upon closer inspection she saw that the girl wore augmented leather armor, with the faint scraps of an ancient vault tech uniform tied around her waist. She seemed weathered and experienced, despite her young face, her skin was tanned almost brown by the sun, while her hair was auburn, bangs flowing freely on the side of her face, while the back of her hair was tied in a small pony tail.

Then out of all the things she's seen in the wasteland, this one took the cake. Next to her, was another man, this one wielding a combat shotgun and wearing his own leather armor. Only this one was missing most of the flesh on his face. A Ghoul. Nothing unknown from these parts, but there was something different about this one, the man showed no emotion, save for an almost perpetual frown that accompanied him whenever he glanced at the Outcast. This was no ordinary local for sure.

Defender Morgan, not one to be intimidated, quickly approached the pair.

"If you're going to get yourself killed out here. Do you mind doing it a little further away from our bunker? I don't want your corpse stinking up our little patch of heaven." She said with a taunting sneer.

The girl chuckled at this, to Anne's surprise. Usually the locals were too much in awe of the Brotherhood Outcasts or too dumbfound to react so casually.

"Yeah, I'd hate it if my corpse ruined this lovely wasteland. It'd clash with the drapes." She gave her companion a friendly jab in the elbow, but for some reason that did not even elicit a response from him. The ghoul simply crossed his arms as he watched the exchange quietly.

Anne was not one to back away from a challenge.

"Yeah, red would never go with all this brown." She said sarcastically. "But if we remodel and still need a corpse. We'll call you, 'kay?"

She smirked beneath her helmet, ok, the girl's got guts, i'll give her that. But that doesn't change the fact that she's a local. She holstered her rifle, feeling comfortable enough since the two weren't hostile.

"I'm Defender Anne Marie Morgan of the Outcasts. Good to have someone else out here who can keep up." She jerked her head towards the two raider corpses that they had left on the landscape.

The girl nodded at the compliment, then for the first time, seemed to be genuinely curious. "So...who are you people?"

Anne simply shrugged, as though she had answered this question a million times. "We call ourselves the Outcasts, we collect technology to preserve it from tribals and idiot locals."

i.e You

The local raised an eyebrow at this, then took a quick look towards her companion, who was still crossing his arms in that annoying defensive gesture and frown.

Defender Anne already knew what she was going to say next."And before you ask, yes, we were cast out from that company of zeroes, who call themselves Lyon's Brotherhood of Steel. Way we figure it, if traitors think we're too harsh in following orders, we're probably doing something right" Judging from the face of the local, this girl already had a run in with her former comrades, but whatever she thought of them, the Defender could only guess at.

After what seemed like an eternity, the newcomer spoke up. "You collect technology? I'm on my way to something serious and I could use a few spare parts myself. How do I sign up?"

Anne almost wanted to laugh at that remark. "We aren't recruiting kid. Old sap Lyons might trust walk-ins, but we don't."

Then, she suddenly thought back to Protector Casdin, the conversation they had the other day. Maybe this kid could be useful...

"Look, if you want to help out...well, we might be able to work out a deal. You bring in technological devices, and well pay you a finder's fee, based on the device. But Protector Casdin would have to okay it first."

The newcomer took a second to contemplate this, but she was as decisive as they come.

"Sounds good, I'm in." She reached her hand out to Anne, like a saleswoman closing a deal.

"Whoa! Slow down there. First you'll have to talk with Protector Casdin. You can work out the details with him." Anne jerked her head towards fort independence, where already she saw Protector Casdin emerge from the front doors, wondering what the ruckus was about.

"No worries. I know the drill." She said nonchalantly, as though she had been through these kinds of negotiations many times.

"You got a name kid? I was kind enough to give you mine." Anne said, almost as an afterthought.

"Yes...but at the moment, it's not important." She stuck out her tongue at Anne, who chuckled in amusement.

"You're right local," Anne said gruffly. "It's not. Now go, the Protector's expecting you."

And with that, the Lone Wanderer left, meeting face to face with the leader of the Outcasts.

Thanks for the reads and reviews everyone!

Deathsidhe - I know what you mean! first time i tried breaking in, i got destroyed by the robots :( i never did figure out the keller family transcripts... XD

ChrisJM89 - Thanks man! I'm glad you're enjoying this take on the outcasts! Reconciliation? Well...i'm still deciding on that one ;) but i hope you enjoy it as the story moves along.