Fallout: WarMonger
Battle For the Steel Mill
The Captain once again stood on the banister overlooking his group of 50 or so mercenaries. They had gathered at his order to hear what he had to say. For a twinge of dramatic effect, the Captain held out the silence. Staring at them with cold eyes.
"I'm not going to lie to any of you. Not many of us will make it out. Several of you have already fallen victim to this enemy."
The men nodded scatteredly in approval. The Captain continued.
"Four years ago; today, we burned a settlement in the Commonwealth known as Sanctuary. Her occupants fought valiantly and our goal was achieved. Fear reentered their domicile lives," Another pause. "But some survived and now they seek revenge for the pain and fear inflicted upon them! So what will we do!?"
"Raise hell!" exclaimed in unison.
The Captain nodded.
The Captain then cleared his throat and began to speak. "On to other matters. 1st Lieutenant James Brody did something a few days ago that must never be done."
The crowd of mercs pushed Jim forward and into the spotlight over them. Jim looked up at the Captain, shielding his eyes from the light's gaze.
"1st Lt. Brody took a captive by the name of Piper Wright a few days ago and while on the way here, offered her quarter and bargained. What is the penance for such a disregard for our blatantly obvious rules!?"
The crowd replied. "Front line!"
"Front line!" the Captain yelled in response. "When the Survivor and his NCR friend attack, Mr. Brody will be in the front alongside you gentlemen. Brody, you will have time to secure your assets before we send you off to combat."
"I've been in combat with the Survivor before, Captain. I can handle him." Jim replied.
"Then go. Make sure your little plaything is alright." the Captain said.
Jim nodded and turned to leave the meeting room.
/
"Who's coming?" Ellie asked again.
Jim ignored the question. Instead, he frantically grabbed clothes and ammunition she'd need if she did end up having to flee the steel mill. In the back of his head, he could hear Ellie asking over and over what was happening, but he didn't answer.
"Jim, tell me what the hell is going on!?" Ellie exclaimed angrily.
Jim turned to her with a look of annoyance. "If I don't get you out of here and away from the fighting, we're all going to die!"
Ellie turned pale as Jim went back to gathering all the clothes into a duffle bag and the ammo into a satchel. He placed them both by the door to his quarters.
"Do you have any friends in the holding cells?" Jim asked.
Ellie thought a moment before looking up. "One, her name's Sunny."
Jim nodded. "Get her and meet me back here." he ordered.
/
The Steel Mill came into the Vertibird view on the horizon. Since they picked Boone up at Novac that morning it had been a few hours. They now knew that the merc's HQ stood behind a range of mountains separating it from the rest Mojave Wasteland. Through the port hull, Blue could see a mountain path the mercs used to get to and from the Mill.
As they passed over the first ridge, Boone stood up. "Leave me here. I'm more useful farther away."
The pilot glanced back questioningly and Boone gestured to his beret. The pilot nodded and descended to the ground. The Vertibird landed and Boone hopped out, the Vertibird once again took off and went off towards the mill.
/
15 minutes later…
Jim, Ellie, and her friend Sunny ran through a corridor that ran along the outside of the Mill lugging bags of supplies over their backs. Jim was leading them to an unguarded back entrance to the Mill in the hope that they'd survive and escape to live lives without him or the Captain. Then, the sound of something falling to the floor echoed throughout the hallway.
"Hold on." Ellie said suddenly.
Ellie dropped her bag and turned to grab the item that fell. As she grabbed it, the wall beside her exploded. She was propelled to the other wall with a sickening thud. Jim dropped his bag and ran to her aid, kneeling beside her, he touched her arm and she screamed.
"Don't." she wheezed painfully.
Jim back off but instead touched her cheek which was bruised, bloodied, and missing chunks of flesh. Beneath the blood, her brown eyes shown through. In a few painful moments, the light faded from her eyes and she was gone.
"Brody?" said Sunny quietly. "We need to go."
Jim turned to face her, tears now streaming down his face and into the scruff of facial hair.
"Jim?" she repeated.
Without a word, Jim pulled a handgun and shot Sunny in the head.
/
15 minutes earlier…
The Vertibird landed out in front of the Mill cautiously. Blue, the Courier, Dogmeat, and the Rangers exited the vehicle and advanced towards the unguarded entrance. Everything was quiet, nothing was heard except the occasional call of a wild animal or the rusty creaks from the Mill's worn exterior.
The gate to the Mill opened and one man stepped out. Long brown hair combed back and his beard neatly trimmed. The attackers raised their weapons to the man out of caution, the man didn't move or flinch.
"Remember me, General?" the man said.
Blue nodded. "Albert. You fucking traitor."
The Captain held up his hand. "To be betrayed, one must trust another. You trust too easy." he hissed.
Blue's face turned red. "We took you in!"
"Piper said the same thing."
Blue paused. "You son of a bitch! If you hurt her-"
The Captain stopped him. "Ms. Wright is fine. I've never killed unarmed prisoners."
The Courier scoffed. "Yeah, you only do worse things to 'em."
"Please, Mr. Wilcott. This isn't your fight, go home." The Captain replied.
Silence fell over the group as the Rangers continued to aim their weapons at the Captain, who only stared coldly, unafraid that they'd do anything to him."
"We can continue this and tear each other to pieces but it'll do nothing to bring anyone back. So, I offer a compromise. Leave, and never return and I will give Piper back to you."
One of the Rangers stepped forward. "You have operated and helmed illegal activities on NCR territory. Including weapon theft, human trafficking, slave trading, child labor, murder, and rape. You will either surrender and be tried at Camp McCarran, or you will be shot and killed here today."
The Captain laughed. "The NCR's got some balls to threaten me. How about this? We negotiate like civil folk. It's what the NCR wants to instill upon everyone, right? Civility?"
"We will send a liaison-"
"We already have one. You." the Captain said, pointing to Blue. "You are to follow me into the Mill to talk all this out, unarmed. If you can't handle that, my men will be forced to take drastic measures."
The Captain turned and walked back into the Mill, Blue glanced around at his comrades and followed suit. As Blue crossed the threshold into the Mill, the gate shut ominously behind him.
The Courier turned to one of the Rangers. "You brought C4, right?"
The Ranger pulled a small pack from his belt underneath his trench coat and tossed it to the Courier. "Never leave home without it."
The Courier took the C4 and walked up to the wall of the Mill. Unpacking the raw explosives underneath, he set it against the wall and armed it.
"Those two men hate each other more than God and the Devil. Negotiations will go south and when they do, we need a contingency."
"We have a Vertibird." the Ranger said.
The Courier replied. "They have rockets."
/
The Captain led an unarmed Blue into a dark room with two chairs and a table. The Captain gestured for him to sit while he took the other chair across the table. The two bitter enemies stared each other down in relative silence before the Captain spoke.
"I assume you want to know why I burned Sanctuary."
Blue nodded angrily.
"Okay, October 23, 2077. Sound familiar?"
Blue's eyes widened as the memory flooded. The mirror, Codsworth, Shaun, Vault 111, Kellogg.
"I was there." the Captain said. "Chief of security in Vault 111."
Blue leaned forward skeptically. "That isn't possible."
"Well, it is really. The tubes Vault-Tec put you in weren't the only tubes in the Vault. You see, six months into your beauty sleep, I and some of my fellow security guards staged a revolt against the scientists. Hence, why you found skeletons 210 years later."
The Captain let it soak in before continuing. "My friends left the Vault and probably died soon after but I stayed behind. I killed the Overseer, who also had his own cryo tube and commandeered it. I awoke from my slumber some months after you."
"I heard stories about the great Sole Survivor and Sanctuary, your many exploits with the Brotherhood of Steel and The Fall of the Institute. You were a fearless warrior. I admired you, until I learned something. You cannot live without fear and why does everyone else have to suffer and fear 24/7 while your friends in Sanctuary led happy and carefree lives?"
"I put fear back into your hearts. I showed you that even impenetrable walls can't keep fear out. No matter what you do, you can't stop fear. You can't save your little lover and the little bun she's carrying."
The Captain's final comment was the last thing Blue could take, he launched himself across the table, screaming like a madman. The Captain caught him by the side of his head and held him down on the table.
"Oh, you knew? How far along is she? A month maybe? You've been busy." The Captain said. "Don't worry. When you're dead, I'll make sure your child has a good life."
Two mercs burst into the room with their weapons drawn.
"Take him to the holding cells. He'll rot alongside his flame."
/
The Courier listened with his ear up against the wall, he could hear mercs moving about, cocking rifles and loading handguns. The tell-tale sign negotiations had broken down. He turned to look back at his men and grinned.
"Show time!" he yelled.
The Courier dove from the wall as it exploded. He quickly got up and brushed the dust off his armor before drawing a revolver and getting into a readied stance. The gate to the Mill opened and a squad of mercs came out firing. Two mercs were taken down in succession by Boone over a mile away. The rest of the mercs were easily cut down by the superiorly trained Rangers.
/
The two guards carried Blue through a series of long hallways on the way to the holding cells. He knew he had two choices, let them take him and see Piper. Or escape, not see Piper, and possibly give her a better chance of surviving. It was a tough decision, but he didn't hesitate.
Blue threw up his hands and knocked his elbow into one of the guard's skull. Then, he turned to face the second one who had already pulled a pistol on him. Crouching down, Blue pulled a small knife from his boot and forced it upwards into the man's jaw and through his tongue and the roof of his mouth.
The merc gurgled for a moment before falling to the steel grate underfoot. Arming himself with the second merc's handgun, Blue crouched and began to sneak towards the nearest exit.
/
Only a few minutes later, Blue burst out into the open air and immediately came face to face with the Courier's revolver. The Courier saw who he was pointing at and lowered his weapon.
"Be more careful. I coulda killed you!" the Courier barked.
Blue nodded and picked up his gear along with his own revolver and rifle.
"What do we have?" Blue asked.
"Well, they've been coming every once in awhile but other than that, we've got them in a pretty good choke point."
"I don't think it'll last." Blue commented.
The Courier nodded. "It never does, c'mon." he said as he ran off.
Blue turned and followed. In his mind, he knew he was putting Piper in more danger than he had ever done before. Now, here he was, assaulting the fortress of the man who burned his home and killed his closest allies. Dogmeat glanced up from where he was resting, he was covered in soot but still kept what appeared to be a dog smile.
The Rangers and the two adventurers took their positions in front of the main gate. Aiming their weapons down range, they prepared for the next wave. Soon, the gate creaked open and a massive suit of Power Armor stepped out lugging a chain gun. The armor was painted black and the eyes glowed yellow.
"Who wants to die?" The loudspeaker built into the helmet rang out.
"Come on, then!" shouted the Courier
The Courier fired his rifle. The bullet bounced harmlessly off the Power Armor helmet.
From on top of the wall, another merc poked out holding a launcher. With the Ranger's attention on the man in the Power Armor, they didn't see him fire a rocket at the Vertibird's engine. The Vertibird blew into two pieces, both of which were violently aflame. As Blue, the Courier, and the Rangers looked back at the Vertibird's wreckage, the Power Armor man charged them at super enhanced speeds.
The Rangers scrambled out of the way as the man slammed into Blue, knocking him back. Dropping the massive chain gun, a rusty blade extended from the top of the man's left hand and he plunged it into the ground beside Blue.
Blue shot up to his feet and punched the man in his helmeted face. The man looked over and Blue flapped his hand around in pain. The man dislodged the blade from the dirt and back handed Blue across the ground.
"Hey, asshole!" The Courier shouted from behind the man in Power Armor.
The man turned to see the madman wielding one of the merc's rocket launchers. The Courier fired the launcher which smacked squarely in the man's chest. He flew backwards, landing beside Blue. Blue and the green eyes poking through the shattered visor exchanged glances before they both climbed to their feet. Blue's head wound had reopened and it was now pouring blood like a faucet down his face.
The Power Armored Man; who was now slow with his movements, finally got to his feet and cocked his arm back for another massive punch. Blue was too tired to do anything as the fist came flying through the air at him. Inches before the fist struck his face, it stopped. As did the rest of the Power Armor. It appeared that the Fusion Core had completely depleted. The back of the Power Armor opened and a battered Jim Brody fell out onto the ground.
/
Jim scrambled tiredly to his feet and withdrew a sidearm. He aimed the gun at Blue, who had fallen to one knee with exhaustion. Jim took a step forward, one hand on the gun and the other leaning against the frozen Power Armor
"You're the man from Freeside." said Blue through heavy breathing.
Jim spat blood from his mouth. "My name is Jim."
Blue held out his hands. "Jim, we can work this out. The Captain doesn't own you, you can help us kill him. You're a mercenary anyway."
"I'm not doing this for the Captain." growled Jim.
Blue saw Jim's finger tighten around the trigger. Jim's eyes burned with murderous hatred. Blue heard the sound of a dog barking ferociously. As if time began to slow itself down, Blue watched as a bullet left the barrel of Jim's gun.
But before the bullet could reach him, a large bundle of brown and blonde hair jumped out in between Blue and Jim. The bullet entered the bundle and was carried away as it fell to the ground and rolled to a stop. Time resumed it's normal pace as Blue realized what had saved him.
Dogmeat had jumped in front of him to save his master. One last show of loyalty from the courageous canine. Jim stared at the dead creature he had inadvertently killed with eyes that were almost dead. Jim looked up at Blue, who was still staring.
"I didn't mean to-" he began.
Another shot rang out. This time it was a bullet from the Courier's rifle as it burrowed it's way through the back of Jim's head and out his eye. In a splatter of brain, Jim fell to the dust, another casualty in the conflict between Blue and the Captain.
Blue snapped back into reality and ran to his dog's aid. He fell to his knees and began searching Dogmeat's body for the wound but it was all in vain. Dogmeat had breathed his last breath.
/
The Captain stood behind a makeshift desk, waiting for the moment the man he had been hunting for four years would show himself. Under the desk was Adi, his daughter. In her little hands, she held a small box of bullets. In an open desk drawer was a loaded and cocked revolver.
The door to the Captain's office opened and Blue limped in. His face was covered in sweat, blood, and dirt. And his pieced together chestplate had been nearly torn in half.
"I told that boy to keep his assets in check. Look what it cost him." the Captain said.
Blue stood up as straight as he could. "Was it true what you said? That your over 210 years old as well?"
The Captain looked down at his desk briefly. "Every word. Believe it or not; Blue, I don't lie. That day, four years ago when I stumbled into Sanctuary. I had actually been shot; voluntarily, yes but you wouldn't have asked that."
"What about the girl you slept with on your first week? What happened to her?"
The Captain glanced down what was under his desk. "Adi, come on out, baby."
Adi got out from under the desk and waved at Blue. Blue smiled and waved back. The Captain took his daughter by her shoulders and held her in front of him. Blue could tell what he was doing, he was using his own daughter as a shield.
"What was the name of the synth in your town? Shaun, was it?" The Captain asked.
Blue stared into the Captain's dark eyes with subtle hate at the mention of his dead son's name. "Shaun, why?"
"Do you remember my men ripping little Pinocchio apart with chainsaws? We didn't know until then how much flesh the Institute put on them."
Once again engulfed by anger, Blue pulled a gun on the Captain, who only tightened his grip on his daughter.
"You aren't going to shoot me. Her innocence is too important to you!" The Captain shouted.
"Try me." Blue whispered.
Blue fired Jim's sidearm and the bullet sailed past the Captain's face and sliced between his head and his outer ear, severing the body part. The Captain relinquished his grasp and Adi took off running past Blue and out of the office.
The Captain's hand shot up to the side of his head as blood spurted from the fresh opening. He groaned for a moment before screaming "Fuck!" as loud and as long as he could.
Soon, he began to laugh. "I'll give you that, Blue. You're a good shot."
The Captain withdrew his sidearm and shot Blue in the shoulder. In his head, Blue heard his shoulder bone shattering from the impact and the remaining pieces rubbing against each other. The Captain turned and ran out of the room past him.
Blue rolled over on his stomach and shot at the Captain as he ran, catching him in the back of the leg. The Captain let out a groan and kept going. Blue fought himself to his feet and pursued him, his own wounds hindering his progress as he went.
/
After a short pursuit, Blue found the Captain standing on a platform that had a clear view into the front of one of the Mill's old open furnaces. The molten steel in it hissed as pockets of air escaped the dark yellow liquid. The Captain just stood there, staring into the flames.
"It's an old fashion revenge story. Like the ones we watched when we were growing up. I never imagined I'd live one 200 years later." The Captain said simply.
"I've tried to forget the time before the Bombs." Blue remarked.
The Captain looked up from the flames and sighed. "I used my last bullet on your shoulder. Adi has the box and the little twerp ran off. Oh, well. I've killed quite a few people. Maybe I deserve some horrible luck."
Without a word in repliance, Blue raised his gun to the Captain's head.
"I know you're going to shoot me. But, I have a favor to ask. Take care of Adi. You never know, maybe she'll grow up just like you or just like me. Either way, I want her to find solace in my death and she's always said she wanted a sibling."
The Captain turned to face Blue. "Will you do that?"
A single tear went down Blue's face. "Sure, Albert."
Blue squeezed the trigger and it went off. The bullet landed in Albert's forehead and he fell backwards into the furnace. A fresh batch of hisses erupted from the melted steel as his body sank down into it until there was nothing left above the surface.
Blue looked down at his weapon and subsequently tossed it into the furnace as well. He then turned away from the furnace and limped his way out of the Mill.
