Chapter Eleven
Shadow Of Steel

I decided to pass on sleep that night and as a result, I managed to reach the police station early in the morning.

The sun was just rising, so the world was bathed in a yellowish-grey light. Even after a nuclear war and two centuries of decay, the air in the morning was fresh and cool. I didn't even feel that tired (on the other hand though, I had downed two bottles of Nuka-Cola, so I was caffeinated at the moment).

As soon as I got nearer to the police station, I noticed not one, but two vertibirds on the roof. Two? Of course, taking Knight Rhys, Paladin Danse, Scribe Haylen, Paladin Brandis and who knew how much equipment? I doubted just two would be enough.

But at least it seemed I had arrived in time to at least say goodbye. Because that was what I wanted to do, wasn't it...?

I walked into the square and was met with another surprise: there were way more people here than I had expected! I could see at least ten soldiers, some of them in power armor, some of them in orange jumpsuits. That was a lot of people!

The soldiers didn't pay me much mind as I hesitatingly walked to the police station. For once, I was grateful for how obvious the Brotherhood of Steel emblem on my chestplate was. I was sending a clear signal: I'm with you. They had the same symbol on the chest pieces of their power armor - now that I thought about it, I had seen it on Paladin Danse's before, too. I just hadn't acknowledged it.

What were all those people doing here?

"You're that new Initiate, aren't you?" One of the soldiers asked. I nodded quickly, for the moment too stunned to speak. "Star Paladin Grimes wanted to see you. Go on inside."

I gently pushed the door and this time wasn't very surprised to see there were at least ten people inside. Two men in uniforms like Scribe Haylen's, three in power armor, several in those orange jumpsuits (although one of them was dressed in a dark grey one like Paladin Brandis). Thankfully, the two soldiers I had met before were there too, so I didn't feel completely overwhelmed.

Of course, as soon as I entered the room, everyone looked at me. The conversation between the officers was cut off as Paladin Danse noticed me.

"And here's the woman herself," he announced, which immediately made me the center of attention. But before I had the chance to respond to that, he dragged me aside, his face practically beaming with joy. Wow, someonewas happy. "I'm looking for an honest opinion. Impressive, isn't it?"

"What exactly is going on?" I asked, hoping he would explain it to me.

"The cavalry has arrived - and it looks like they've taken in the big guns. Everything thanks to you, of course, I can't even believe that I would- I mean, of course, it was a suicide mission, but still- I asked for only one vertibird, I didn't even suspect-"

"Slow down a bit," I shook my head. "I have no idea what you're saying."

"They're here. The Brotherhood of Steel." He laughed, as if still unable to believe it. "Everyone is here."

"Yes, I've noticed that."

"For me. That's... hard to grasp."

"You must be pretty important."

"Paladin Danse is officially the first officer to undergo a successful operation outside the Capital Wasteland in five years," one of the men said. He looked at me. "And you must be that new recruit he talked about. I'm Star Paladin Grimes."

"Sir." I stood to attention, because it only then came to my mind that maybe I should do that.

"At ease, Initiate." He smiled at me. "And answering your question, yes, he is pretty important."

I returned the smile. He seemed friendly.

"I said it before, sir." Danse put his hands on my shoulders. I felt like a little kid. "I would have done nothing without Nora's help."

"As you've stated in your report, yes." Star Paladin Grimes reached into his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. "And speaking of reports, I believe you will both be interested in this."

"Thank you." Paladin Danse took it into his hands and I watched him quickly read through the contents. A brief smile crossed his features. "Take a look at this."

He handed me the paper and, much to my dismay, it turned out to be just an ordinary report. Many blurred, tiny words all cramped on one page.

I squinted my eyes to read what it said.

"Are you alright, Initiate?" Paladin Danse asked - but this time, I could hear a faint note of concern in his voice. So he did have human emotions after all. Fascinating. "Have you a problem with your sight?"

"I..." I hesitated. Somehow, I suddenly felt bad about not having mentioned that earlier. "Yes, sir."

"And you didn't say anything? That does not fit a soldier. This situation is a danger to your survival, is it not?"

"I think you may be overreacting a tiny bit," I tried to keep the sarcasm out of my voice, but it didn't really work. Neither did I want it to.

"We'll deal with this as soon as possible," he decided.

"What?" I laughed nervously. "No. You really don't have to bother yourself with me. Besides, this is hardly a matter important enough to-"

"I'll forcefully drag you to the nearest optician if you don't stop."

I didn't know there were opticians in the Wasteland. I was learning many interesting things now.

Star Paladin Grimes patted the other officer on the shoulder friendlily. Everyone was friends here, right? It looked like that.

"There's a vertibird on the roof, ready to set off when you are," he said with a smile.

"Thank you, sir." Danse shook the man's hand. He looked at me. "And since you're officially under my care, you could come with me."

That 'could' sounded more like a 'should,' actually.

I nodded and whistled. "Come on, Dogmeat."

Paladin Danse seemed surprised.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but the last time we met, you didn't have a dog."

"Is it a problem?"

"Oh no," he assured me quickly. "Not at all. I just... haven't seen a tame animal for months. You can take him as far as I'm aware."

We walked out of the police station through the roof exit and I looked around, interested. The radio tower was clearly functioning now, the military frequency my Pip-Boy was picking up only a confirmation. There was a vertibird parked on the helicopter landing platform which had been a part of the original building 200 years ago already. There were at least five other soldiers, some of them in power armor, around here - and among them, I easily spotted Scribe Haylen's red hair. I smiled widely.

"Permission to wander off, sir?" I asked quickly, immediately jumping into the military manner of speaking. It was almost natural.

"Just make it quick," Paladin Danse nodded.

I ran up to Haylen. She noticed me and excused herself from the conversation with, as I was guessing from the uniform, another Scribe.

"Are you impressed yet?" She asked happily. "You and Danse did one hell of a job getting that transmitter."

"You did one hell of a job installing it," I replied with a smile. "Look, I just wanted to thank you. For everything."

She laughed. "Really, don't bother. You've got nothing to thank for, Initiate."

I fidgeted when she called me by my rank.

"Just Nora is enough," I said. I wouldn't dare say that to Paladin Danse or Star Paladin Grimes or whoever, but Haylen was much more friendly than the officers.

"Oh," she blushed. "Sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable."

A loud sound of an engine filled the air, soon accompanied by the noise of a helicopter rotor.

"Well, that's my cue," I said. "Thanks again!"

I walked over to the vertibird. Paladin Danse was already on board, talking with the pilot, loudly enough to shout over the noise.

"Good to go?!" He shouted to me. I nodded. "Come on then." He offered me a hand.

I looked at him for a long time, at the friendly smile on his face as he offered me his help. I narrowed my brows. No, I wasn't going to just let myself be this easily patronized. I was independent and strong, God damn it! I didn't need anyone's pity.

I climbed into the helicopter on my own, ignoring the soldier. I didn't need his help.

He sighed, the smile immediately gone. "Just hold on," he said in a tired tone before, shaking violently, the vertibird set off from the ground.

Silence fell after that, so the only sound I could hear was the vertibird's engine and rotor. It was surprisingly peaceful, though: we were just below the lowest cloud level, so the sun that usually wasn't seen in the Commonwealth was shining brightly above us, making the post-apocalyptic cityscape below shine in the light. The new perspective was amazing, unlike anything I had seen in the Wasteland so far.

"The Commonwealth looks different from up here, doesn't it?" Paladin Danse practically vocalized my thoughts.

"Oh yeah," I responded, still looking down.

"It never ceases to amaze me how drastically your view of the battlefield can change after getting an aerial point of view," he added, then looked at me. "Be careful, though. It's a long way down - I doubt there would be anything left to bury if you fell."

"Mhm, sure." I nodded, then leaned out when I noticed the ruins of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Paladin Danse almost panicked when I did that, and put an arm around my waist.

"I swear you're going to fall out eventually," he muttered. "No consideration of personal safety."

I fidgeted out of his grasp, highly uncomfortable. Even with that armor setting us apart, he was too close. I really didn't like men in my personal space.

"So, um... Where are we going, exactly?" I asked.

"I don't know how much you've seen, but I don't suppose the Brotherhood's arrival was something you could miss..." He saw my clueless expression and ran a hand through his hair. "I take it you've missed it, then."

"I must have," I replied diplomatically.

"In that case, I'll try to explain this as briefly as possible... In short, the entire Brotherhood of Steel has come to the Commonwealth. Full military mobilization, something we hadn't done since the war with the Enclave, almost ten years."

"All that just because you called for help?" I whistled. "Blimey, I'm with a VIP here."

"It did not matter who I am, just what I've found."

"Alright, whatever. Where are we going again?"

"To the Boston airport. That's where the Brotherhood's flagship is currently positioned. It's called the Prydwen - the most impressive vehicle built after the Great War, I can assure you. Big enough to transport an entire army, and not lacking in style, either. Easily the Brotherhood's greatest technological achievement." Something in his eyes hardened. "If the Prydwen's here, that means Elder Maxson is here. And if he's here, that means..." He drifted off, staring into the horizon. "Nevermind."

"What does it mean?" I asked immediately.

"It's nothing. Don't bother yourself with it, soldier."

I didn't like the idea that they would be keeping something from me already. And I had had such high hopes for the Brotherhood of Steel.

"Okay then..." I was still full of questions. "Who's Elder Maxson?"

I was hoping for a more concrete answer this time.

"He's the leader of the Brotherhood of Steel - the current leader, at least. And I'm glad you asked, because judging by that report, he wants to meet you now."

"Me?" I repeated. "How would the leader of the Brotherhood of Steel even know who I am?"

"As a Brotherhood officer, it's my duty to keep a record of everything that happens during a mission... Including the unexpected help from," he smiled, "surprisingly cooperative civilians."

"You told him about me," I summed up.

"If you're to be a full member of the Brotherhood, you'll have to be officially recorded sooner or later anyway. I did you a favor." He took a glance out the window. "Ah, and there she is! The Prydwen in all her glory."

I looked where he was looking and finally saw the huge airship that was marooned in the sky above the airport. Vastly resembling a zeppelin, it was made entirely from metal. The size was incredible - and that's coming from someone who'd lived before the world went to hell! We were heading towards the lowest level of the ship, which was the only open part - I could spot at least six vertibirds docked in there.

"Wow," I whispered. "So much for not getting involved in anything big."

"What do you mean?"

"Well... This is my doing. Ours, I mean. If it wasn't for me and you, this whole..." I waved my hand around, "thing wouldn't be happening now. I... I brought the Brotherhood of Steel to the Commonwealth."

"I was hoping you'see that," he admitted. "But don't let it get to your head. You won't be treated differently than other soldiers. Not by me, at least."

"I thought you were grateful."

"Personally, I'm impressed, but don't mistake that for affection."

Well, that was cold.

"Yes, sir," I said quietly. "Of course."

"Don't look so down. You'll get used to this way of life rather quickly. Unless I'm deeply mistaken about you, of course."

There was a moment of silence as we approached the airship.

"Prydwen," I said aloud. I narrowed my brows as a sudden realization hit me. "Hold on. Wasn't that...?"

Paladin Danse didn't answer.

"I want you to listen carefully now..." he said slowly, staring into the horizon.

"Sir." Playing soldier was kind of fun, actually.

"We're about to dock on the Prydwen," he said. "The officer meeting us will be Lancer-Captain Kells. Just don't do anything unless asked to, let me lead the conversation and answer all the questions you're asked as briefly as possible." Paladin Danse looked at me with a critical eye. "You should be able to make a good first impression," he decided. "What happened to you?"

I touched the bandages on my forehead. "It's nothing serious, just a bump... I think it's healed by now, actually."

I reached out to take the dressing off, but he just waved his hand.

"Don't bother. Keep it on, it makes you look more serious."

I nervously grabbed the wall when the vertibird started shaking as we landed on one of the docking spots on the ship's lowest deck. Those were clearly designed for vertibirds - all the more impressive, if I were to believe that this airship was built after the War.

Paladin Danse waved at some man who was standing on the deck and clearly waiting for something. For us, as I was guessing.

"Permission to come aboard, sir?!" He shouted over the sound of the propellers of the vertibird.

"Come right on, Paladin!" The officer I assumed to be Lancer-Captain Kells replied. "Welcome back! It is nice to see you alive and in one piece!"

Paladin Danse jumped off the helicopter and turned towards me. "Come on," he said, yet again offering me a helping hand. When would than man learn? I jumped onto the floor with much less grace than I would have with his help, but with my dignity intact. I didn't need anyone's help - I wasn't weak.

"Your chargee?" The man was talking about me but not to me.

"Yes, sir," Danse replied curtly. "She helped us at ArcJet and shows a great deal of potential. I've field promoted her to Initiate already, but I would also like to personally sponsor her application into the Brotherhood."

"Yes, Paladin, I've read your reports." Kells tilted his head. "You'll be pleased to know that the Elder has approved your request."

Paladin Danse exhaled, clearly relieved.

"Thank you, Captain."

"You'll thank the Elder when you meet with him. For now, you're dismissed." He bowed his head. "You can leave now."

"Sir." The Paladin bowed his head, gave me a reassuring smile, and walked away towards what I assumed was the door to the main deck.

"Nora Smith, right?"

I stirred at the sound of the last name I hadn't heard for weeks. I didn't even use it anymore.

"Yes, sir..." I replied warily.

He looked at me for a very long moment before eventually nodding his head in approval.

"Well. For better or worse, you've already been accepted into the Brotherhood. There's not much I can tell you now, except that Elder Maxson wants to speak with you personally. I don't know if Paladin Danse has stressed this enough, but this is an honor for someone of your rank, Initiate." He cleared his throat, motioning for me to follow him as he walked towards the end of the docks. "I can only wish you all the best from now on. Sure, you may not look like a soldier, but if you fall in line, you won't have trouble with staying in line." Kells stopped, his hand on the handle of the door. "Am I right or wrong?"

I had been only half-listening, so I wasn't exactly sure how to reply.

"Yes, sir," I said quickly. By that point, I was convinced that repeating that would really take me places. It seemed like the safest answer to everything.

Lancer-Captain Kells blinked, put off by my answer.

"Yes..." He said, obviously miffed. "Either way, this is the commandment deck." He opened the door and we entered the ship. "You don't really have any business here unless you're summoned by a higher-ranked officer. This is also where the quarters of all officers are. Regular soldiers like you live on the main deck, up this ladder."

I registered all of that information as carefully as I could, painfully aware that I had managed to get lost in Diamond City. I had to learn my way around this time.

"This is the bridge," Kells added, more quietly. There was a small crowd of maybe fifteen people in the place he had pointed to. "The Elder will be giving a debriefing to the higher-ranked officers at the moment, but I don't think anyone would throw you out if you go in."

"Thank you," I said. He just nodded and walked away without a word.

I quietly entered the bridge, bracing myself for meeting the leader of the Brotherhood. Elder Maxson.

I was in the back row when he started speaking.

"Paladins and Star Paladins," he addressed the officers. I hadn't yet seen the man, but his voice was captivating. Very charismatic. He cleared his throat. "Soldiers."

I moved to the corner and finally could see what he looked like.

If I were to guess Elder Maxson's age, I was guessing somewhere from mid-twenties to early forties. Dark brown hair, very short, beard, blue eyes... I barely acknowledged any of that, focused on the long scar that adorned his right cheek. And if his posture hadn't been authoritative enough, that alone caused respect. He had been through his share of fighting. It wasn't the kind of leader who would just sit back an watch - this man would go into combat with his soldiers. He already had.

I found it hard to concentrate on anything but his speech. The sound of his voice was simply mesmerizing, the tone - confident and convincing. The words that he spoke really got through to me, too.

He paced back and forth without any rush or nervousness.

"First of all, I would like to congratulate you all on the hard work you've put into mobilizing our forces and hastening our arrival in the Commonwealth. Special recognition must go to Paladin Brandis and Paladin Danse, as well as the sacrifice of the soldiers under their commandment. They will no doubt be recognized as heroes."

All those officers were looking at him with awe, eagerly grasping every word. I found myself carefully listening too.

"We are here today not by coincidence, but thanks to months of preparation. True, the information provided by Paladin Danse played a part in the speed of our arrival here. But we have not," Elder Maxson paused, and I could feel the emphasis on that word, "come here because of some new situation. We have come here to address the threat that has been growing here, in the Commonwealth, for a very long time." He stopped walking and put his hands behind his back.

I stood to attention even though the Elder couldn't see me in the back row. This man had a presence so strong that my own charisma almost wanted to crawl away in fear.

"You all already know about the Institute. I hope I needn't explain how revolting is the simple idea of what their research is focused on at the moment." Maxson's eyes hardened. "Synths. That's how they call their latest achievement - androids so advanced that they are not only able to masquerade as human beings, but are also free-thinking."

I heard murmurs among the Paladins, but I myself wasn't very surprised with that. Nick Valentine was a synth, after all. Some kind of old prototype model, but still. But he seemed to think that the synths were a bad thing too, so... How did that work?

Elder Maxson put up his hand and the whispers died down.

"I know it may come as a shock to some of you, but the Institute has already got beyond that stage. They have already created those robots." He clenched his fist, but let go surprisingly quickly. "This notion that a machine could be granted free will may seem offensive, but it is, most of all, horribly dangerous. We have reasons to believe this kind of technology, if it isn't harnessed properly, has the potential to render as extinct as a species."

I opened my mouth.

"I will not allow this line of experimentation to continue. Humanity has already seen its downfall not much over two hundred years ago. Founding the Brotherhood of Steel, my great great grandfather promised to keep the people of the American Wasteland safe. And I am fulfilling that promise at this moment, when I say that from now on, the Institute and all synths are considered enemies of the Brotherhood of Steel. If encountered, they should be dealt with swiftly and mercilessly."

He looked at the officers.

"I'm aware that this campaign will be costly. That many lives might be lost. But, in the end, we will be saving humankind from its worst enemy... Itself."

I had the deepest urge to clap my hands. We needed people like that! I felt motivated to take a gun and go at the Institute right then and there.

"Dismissed, soldiers."

I moved closer to the wall as the officers left the room, quietly chatting among themselves.

Elder Maxson briefly glanced at me.

"You're that new recruit Danse has mentioned, right?"

"Yes..." I narrowed my eyes, surprised at his less official manner of speaking. I didn't know how to play this conversation. "Yes, sir."

He looked straight at me, surprised at my response. I didn't blame him - I sounded like I was used to this way of speaking.

"Well, at least you have some manners," he said quietly. "Good."

He looked out the large window and spent a long moment looking at the panorama of Boston and the surrounding areas. The sight was amazing. Even after a nuclear detonation and two centuries of decay.

"I do care about them, you know." Elder Maxson didn't even look back, but I didn't doubt it was directed towards me. He glanced at me, as if to check if I was still listening. "The people of the Commonwealth. I care about them."

"I can see that," I replied, confused. Why was the leader of the Brotherhood of Steel having that conversation with someone he didn't even know?

"I'm glad you do, Initiate. But I'm afraid not everyone in the Commonwealth shares that point of view. That's mostly why I agreed to Danse's ridiculous request of letting you into the Brotherhood... We might need someone like you, someone who knows this land and its people."

I decided not to mention that I had only known this land and its people for two weeks.

"Aren't you going to speak at all?"

I fidgeted.

"I'm sorry. I just... Well, I was very impressed with your speech, sir."

"Getting on my good side already?" He huffed. "That's good for you, soldier. Good for you."

"Sir?"

"You've got very devoted allies among my officers. Paladin Brandis came to me personally to vouch for you. Paladin Danse asked me to hasten your graduation into the corps. Conveniently enough, I happen to have a special assignment which needs to be done... How about a deal, Initiate?"

"With all due respect, refusing somehow doesn't feel like an option, sir."

A flicker of amusement lit up in his eyes.

"It isn't. But I've got the courtesy to at least ask before I send you on this mission."

There was no point in arguing. And considering that was a special assignment, that was good. I would have a chance to prove myself, to go up the ranks. And that was exactly what I wanted, after all.

"What's the mission?" I asked simply.

"Come over here." He nodded at the window. I hesitantly walked to stand a few meters away from him. "I don't bite, soldier."

I cleared my throat, but didn't come closer. "What am I looking at?"

Maxson touched the window.

"This is US Army supply fort 'Boston'. Also known as Fort Strong. This is where Paladin Danse lost half of his team, where the pre-War military kept a great deal of their weapon arsenal, and where we plan to attack as the first battle of our campaign."

"Okay." I cringed. "I mean yes, sir." Soldier, Nora. Think of yourself as a soldier. This is your commanding officer. "Why are we attacking this place if we've already lost people here? Isn't it dangerous?"

"We're attacking it because it's going to help us in the war against the Institute. Among the weaponry gathered at the fort, there should be a stash of Fat Man shells." The Fat Man was the most destructive man-held weapon ever developed - it used miniature atomic bombs as ammunition. I could see why the Brotherhood of Steel would want that in their arsenal. "But the whole outpost is overrun by Super Mutants."

"That's not good," I said weakly. I was seriously afraid of those things.

"You're right, Initiate. It's not. And that's where you come in. I want you to go in there, secure the weaponry, and kill everything that moves."

My eyes widened.

"Aren't I gonna get any training before this?"

"You'll receive all proper training if you survive it."

"But-" But that was ridiculous! How was I supposed to survive if I didn't have any military training?! I noticed the faint spark in Elder Maxson's eyes. He was only waiting for me to start protesting. Oh. He was testing me.

I narrowed my eyes. "Yes, sir. Consider it done," I said in a low voice.

"Very well, Initiate. You don't have to do this alone, though. I've temporarily attached you to one of my special operations squads. It's just a temporary assignment, but nonetheless you should familiarize yourself with other soldiers from the team."

"Yes, sir," I repeated.

"That's not all. If you are to remain a part of the Brotherhood, you had better learn how to be a part of the Brotherhood. I trust Paladin Danse has explained to you the basic principles of our order."

He had mentioned something.

"Yes, sir. He has."

"He's performed his duty as the officer who introduced you to the Brotherhood, then. Good. I'll have him know how well you speak of him." He narrowed his eyes. "And to what extent you are willing to lie for his sake."

"Sir?" I took a step back, surprised at the sudden change in the atmosphere of the conversation.

"What happened at the ArcJet building, Initiate?"

"Your soldier saved my life. Repeatedly. We were attacked by some of the Institute's robots and he put his life on the line to save me."

"I find it interesting how inconsistent your versions of the same story are." He drummed his fingers on the handle of his custom-made laser pistol. "And I'm more inclined to believe one of my best officers than some stranger who just barely joined our forces, so forgive me, but I'll just stick with the version Danse offered me. So let me ask you something, soldier: why did you risk your life helping my soldiers? People you've just barely met, actually. People you didn't know, people you didn't know you could trust... Why did you help them out?"

Why did I do that?

"I..." I opened my mouth, but couldn't find the words. Why had I helped them out? "It's a personal matter," I said quietly. "My husband was a soldier. He's gone now, and... I found helping other soldiers quite therapeutic for dealing with the loss."

He pursed his lips. He clearly hadn't expected me to share that much.

"I understand..." He said slowly. "Then I don't have any questions as to why you decided to join."

I glanced down at my feet.

"Do you know what this is?" Elder Maxson held up a folded sheet of paper. I shook my head. "That's the field report from Reconnaissance Squad Gladius, written by Paladin Danse and Scribe Haylen."

Yes, but why was he telling me that?

"I'm showing you this as an explanation to why you've been accepted into our ranks so fast. Because this report, among other things, describes your actions, as well as a brief evaluation of your skills. According to Paladin Danse, you're 'lacking in average military abilities required to undergo even the simplest operations'." He looked up from the report. "His words, not mine. But he also stated that you, and I quote, 'have an outstanding ability to overcome obstacles in an unconventional way'." He folded the paper. "In sumup, he described you as 'surprising', although later pointed out that he meant it in both positive and negative meanings of the word. For some reason, Danse seems quite fond of you - and seeing how this is one of my most respected field officers we're talking about, you couldn't possibly get a better recommendation. If he is right about you... With some training, of course, but I think you may be a fine addition to our ranks."

"Yes, sir. I understand," I said quietly. "Shall I set off right away?"

Please no, please no. I desperately needed some rest.

"For now, I want you to familiarize yourself with the Prydwen and her crew. Talk to Paladin Danse, he's your sponsor, Proctor Ingram, your quartermaster, Lancer-Captain Kells, the ship's captain..." He gave my clothing a criticizing look. "And check in to Proctor Taegan to get your uniform and kit."

Paladin Danse, Proctor Ingram, Lancer-Captain Kells, Proctor Taegan. Four people I needed to know, apparently. And I was two fours done already.

"The attack on Fort Strong is planned for tomorrow morning." He looked me straight in the eye and I nervously straightened my back. The man was intimidating. "Don't fail this mission and I'll be ready to grant you the rank of Knight."

I stared at him. Wow, that was... a bit soon, wasn't it?

"Report to the Paladin in charge of your squad after you're done," Maxson continued on, completely ignoring my reaction. "You are dismissed, soldier."

"Sir." I did a quick, two-fingered salute and walked away. I wasn't sure what was the proper way to act around this officer. I wasn't a soldier - not yet at least - even if I was trying my best to become one.

"You're supposed to do the HOH salute!" Maxson called out after me.

I felt myself blushing - especially since I had no idea what that even stood for.

I also had no idea where to look for any of the people I was supposed to meet. I ended up asking some Scribe (I was beginning to recognize the different uniforms now) and he told me, more or less, where I could find the mess hall, the power armor maintenance station and the supplies station - and that was his answer to my question about specific people.

I decided to just roll along with the little info I had. To be honest, I wasn't completely sure where to go first, but I figured that I wouldn't be able to mistake a power armor station with anything else.

I managed to find the place pretty fast. The whole room was like a mechanic's workshop, with workbenches and all sorts of tools all over. Power armor - assembled or otherwise - was everywhere, too.

"Looking for something specific?" Someone asked.

I spun around to see a short-haired woman, wearing a power armor frame without any protective parts. It was weird to look at the chassis alone. Something was off too, but I couldn't tell what. She smiled at me. "Ah. Of course, you're that new Initiate. Huh. Hadn't thought you'd be a woman."

"Fair enough," I said simply. "And that makes you...?"

"The name's Ingram. Proctor Ingram - and that makes me your superior unless you make it Star Paladin, which I somehow don't really see happening soon. This lovely little grease pit, for one, is where you'll usually find me."

I looked around.

"It's pretty clean," I noticed.

"Yeah..." She laughed open-heartedly. "Well, I actually have them clean all the grease every now and then."

I decided to go out on a limb and like Proctor Ingram. If only the other officers were as easy-going as her, I would be ready to devote my life to the Brotherhood of Steel.

"Anyhow, I don't think you need much from me right now, Initiate. I mostly deal with fixing power armor and the Prydwen. Basically, whenever something goes to hell, you call for me. And that's, like, all the time. No one dies, usually."

I tilted my head.

"Sounds like you have a pretty full plate," I said sympathetically.

"Plate? Soldier, please. I've got a full table - and then some. Which actually reminds me that I have to get to it now, so if you'll excuse me..."

She moved to the workbench, but I stared at the armor frame as she moved. Something was off, but I couldn't say what it was.

"Your power armor... I've never seen anything like it," I said.

"You like it? Star Paladin Cross came up with the idea to use power armor as a prosthesis first. I used to get around in a wheelchair, but I have to admit this is whole damn more convenient. And yeah, the suit's been modified a bit so that I can move more freely. One of a kind. I built it myself, practically from scrap." She shrugged. "Some people like to do that. Everyone's got some kind of hobby, otherwise we'd all go insane. I tinker with power armor, Taegan draws, Hudson goes to the range, Neriah has her little zoo..." She laughed at my expression. "Don't think we're all completely uptight here. Everyone needs some way to relieve the stress, and there's enough free time off duty. So... what's yours?"

"Mine?" I repeated. I was partially still accepting the fact that this woman was disabled, so I didn't follow the conversation. "I don't know? To be honest, I never really... I mean, I have a dog. His name is Dogmeat. He's actually gone walkies somewhere as soon as I made it onto the Prydwen... I'm gonna have to find him," I realized suddenly.

"There was some dog in the mess hall," Ingram said. "German Shepherd?"

"That's him!" I shook her hand quickly. "Thanks!"

I set off to get him, but when I arrived at the mess hall, it turned out that some officers had already taken a liking to the dog and decided to share some of their food with him. I backed away quickly upon realizing that I had never fed Dogmeat too well. He deserved to have a good meal at least once... I left to find out who Proctor Taegan was.

It turned out he was the man in charge of the supply station. To be honest, that didn't really surprise me at this point. I just accepted all that new information and tried not to let it overwhelm me.

One more thing: until I got the rank of at least Knight, I wouldn't get my own suit of power armor.

Normally, I wouldn't have worried about that, because I had already come to the conclusion that I didn't like power armor, but I didn't see how I was to survive a full attack on a super mutant outpost without that kind of protection.

Elder Maxson was testing me. I was aware of that. But I was also hoping that he didn't intend to get me killed in the process.

At least Proctor Taegan was nice - kind of. I just came up to him, said my name and rank and asked for my share of supplies, but he treated it like the single most important assignment in his life.

"Hold on. Nora, Nora..." He rummaged through the weapons stored in a sturdy, metal chest. "I've got something for you."

"For me?" I was surprised.

"Yes. A little extra your sponsor wanted me to add when I gave you your share."

"My sponsor, huh?" I repeated. "Not a chance I'll learn who that is?"

Proctor Taegan put a machinegun and a pistol on the counter. "Standard bundle for an Initiate like you," he explained. "AK-84, fully automatic. Thirty bullets loaded and a hundred to spare. 10mm pistol, six bullets loaded and twenty to spare." He pushed all of that in my direction. "That's your share of ammo for the week, by the way. You won't get a single bullet more from me, so if you plan some other operations, you'll just have to get supplies on your own."

"That doesn't seem like much," I noticed.

"It's not," he agreed. "To be honest, if I were setting the rules, I'd say to hell with rationing and let's just give supplies to the soldiers who need supplies. But I'm not in charge of this, so you'll just have to bear with me." He reached under the counter and pulled out an orange jumpsuit. "Your uniform," he explained.

"Oh cool," I said, taking it into my hands. My first step on the way to fitting in here.

"And this." Proctor Taegan carefully set a beautiful, custom modified laser rifle on the counter. It had a name carved on the hull, but without my eyeglasses, reading the cursive text was just impossible. "This is that extra I mentioned."

"It's amazing," I said. I took the weapon into my arms. It was much lighter than I had expected from something so carefully made. "What's it say?" I asked, pointing at the text.

"Another recruit who can't read..." He sighed, but took a look at the rifle. "Righteous Authority. I believe it's supposed to be this gun's name."

"And this isn't in standard, I take it."

Taegan seemed tired with all my questions. "I said already it's from your sponsor."

"Okay... Thanks for everything," I said, flashing a charming smile at him.

"Just doing my job," he replied with a chuckle.

I threw all the new weapons into my already-heavy backpack and promised myself I would sort it all later. (I didn't need three different rifles, did I?)

I still didn't know where I would sleep - if I had been assigned such a place at all - so I decided to hit the bathroom. Mostly because I was having issues with all those people being cleaner than me.

There were separate showers sections for men and women, and I was very grateful for that. I threw off my jacket, jeans and shirt and looked at my reflection in the mirror.

"Whoa," I whispered, taking a closer look with surprise.

The woman who looked back at me from the mirror wasn't the same Nora Smith who had left Vault 111 two weeks ago. My pre-War underwear was no longer white, courtesy of many days when I couldn't afford changing it. Days of poor or none nutrition had made me much thinner. There was a scar on the right side of my stomach, a memory of my encounter with Kellogg. But all that time spent on running, carrying heavy supplies and physical work had also hardened me in a way that no gym exercise ever could. I had muscles now - something I hadn't seen on myself since I had been a teenager - and there was some kind of strength in my posture, too. My steel grey eyes were no longer soft. There was more depth in them now.

I had changed. The Wasteland had changed me. But I didn't feel any regret - this change was only to be expected.

I slid the dirty bandages off my forehead. The cut had healed already, like I had guessed. The only thing I was wearing, aside from my underwear, was the wedding ring on my left hand.

I turned it on my finger, but didn't take it off.

"I'll get those Institute bastards yet," I promised in a whisper. "I will."

The next surprise came to me when I turned on the water.

I yelped in surprise, jumping out of the shower.

"Oh my God! Are you alright?" A blonde-haired woman wrapped in a wet towel peeked out of the other shower. She looked at me and laughed. "Oh. You're new, of course."

"H... Hot water?" I asked. "How?"

She chuckled.

"The water runs in pipes under the Prydwen's engines and gets heated up by the hot air we use to propel the ship. Convenient, isn't it?" She smiled. "I'm Star Paladin Evelyn, by the way."

Star Paladin. That was... many ranks higher than me.

"...Nora. Initiate, for now." I shook her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Nora." She patted me on the shoulder. "I really do hope you fit in here."

"For hot water in the showers?" I grinned. "I'll do anything."

Three minutes later, I was feeling much fresher, dressed in my new orange jumpsuit. I figured it wouldn't hurt to throw my leather jacket onto it, either.

"That hair's a bit long," Evelyn noticed as she combed her own. Shoulder length, just like Piper's. Every other woman I had met in the Wasteland had even shorter hair.

"I know," I said. "People keep telling me that. And... it actually does get in the way of shooting sometimes."

"I could cut it for you, if you want," she offered.

I bit my lip, looking at my reflection in the mirror. I had kept my black hair long for the last five years or so - I couldn't even imagine it short now. It's either looks or practicality, Nora.

"Alright," I said as I knit my brows. "Cut it."

oooOOO***OOOooo

I nervously touched my hair. It now barely reached halfway through my neck, but, surprisingly, I didn't look as different as I had thought I would. Star Paladin Evelyn had kindly shown me the women's sleeping quarters, so I could leave my backpack and the civilian clothes in there. (Bunk beds! And I actually got the top pallet, lucky me.)

I was on my way to report back to Elder Maxson when someone suddenly grabbed my arm.

"And where do you think you're going?"

I stopped, surprised, and looked at the young man who was holding my wrist.

Until I walked past him, he had been casually leaning on the wall, apparently uninterested in everything - a statement that was proved false by how quickly he reacted to my presence.

He was wearing a dark grey zip-up jumpsuit (which at that point I knew was the officer's equivalent of the orange one for soldiers) and a brown bomber jacket thrown onto that.

It took me a second to recognize Paladin Danse.

It seemed I wasn't the only one who had undergone a small metamorphosis - he, for instance, looked much better than before. His hair had been combed and washed - it turned out it wasn't dark brown like I had thought and instead raven black, much like my own. The dirt and grease were gone from his face. The only thing that managed to surprise me was that he hadn't shaved (especially since everyone else, even Paladin Brandis, had), but I came to the conclusion the five o'clock shadow only complimented his features.

"Sir." I bowed my head. (I didn't salute because, apparently, I didn't know how to do that.)

He looked me over. I realized it was the first time we saw each other in uniform - the change in me had to be as evident as the one in him. I wondered how I looked now. Like a proper soldier, maybe?

"Paladin?" I cleared my throat to get his attention - he was still holding my wrist, and it was beginning to hurt. He let go of me quickly and winced.

"I'm sorry... Damned headache. I can't focus," he muttered. There was a moment of silence. "You've... cut your hair," he said finally. "That's good. You... look good."

"Thank you, sir." I myself was still feeling strange after so many years of keeping my hair long, but a woman's got to do what a woman's got to do.

"Aside from that, I believe we have some unfinished business, Initiate."

"We do?" I raised an eyebrow.

"If I recall correctly, I promised I'd drag you to medical - by force, if necessary."

"I don't think that will be necessary," I said, hoping that he wasn't really planning on that.

"Good." He gave me a gentle push. "Come along now."

Maybe I could use that moment to get some information. He already thought I was a hopeless cause, so it wouldn't hurt to ask.

"What's the HOH salute?"

Paladin Danse looked at me strangely, then strengthened his back and put a clenched fist to his chest.

"The hand-over-heart salute," he explained. "It is a way of demonstrating devotion to our cause. You put your hand on your chest because you promise to devote your whole heart for the good of humanity."

I nodded. It was like the Pledge of Allegiance back before the War. Maybe the symbolism was different, but the gesture itself was nearly identical.

"Have you checked in to Knight-Captain Cade yet?"

"Um... No, sir. I don't think so," I replied honestly. "He's the medic?" I guessed.

"You'll have to go through your standard medical exam, too, then."

The medical bay on the Prydwen wasn't very impressive - I was pretty sure the doctor's office in Diamond City was equally well equipped. That managed to surprise me, because until now the Brotherhood of Steel had been constantly winning with the Commonwealth in terms of advancement.

The middle-aged man in a doctor's overall, who had to be Knight-Captain Cade, was standing by the desk and putting some data into a terminal. He stopped that when we entered.

"Ah, Paladin." He looked at my companion with some surprise. "You're back soon. Has it gotten worse?"

Paladin Danse shook his head.

"No, I'm not here to assess my medical condition. It's about this recruit." He pushed me forward. I felt like a little kid shown off by its parent. "I think she has a sight defect."

Knight-Captain Cade looked at me for only one second. "I don't know you."

"No, you don't," I said truthfully. He picked up a notepad and a pen from his desk.

"Name and rank?"

"Initiate. Nora Smith." I hesitated when he put the pen to paper and began writing. I recalled what Piper had told me about how most people in the Wasteland didn't have a last name. Then, I remembered how Kellogg had finally found his peace in learning how to move on. I could do that too. I should. "You can put me down as just Nora."

Cade glanced up at me from over his notepad.

"Fresh start, huh?" He closed his eyes. "Well, there's nothing wrong with that. Initiate Nora, first officially recorded day of duty." He looked up at me, his eyebrows raised. "Marital status, age, and all living family."

"You're kidding," I said, half amused as to why they would want that information and half angry because they were invading my private matters.

"Not as such."

"Widow. Two hundred and thirty-six. No living family - a ten-year-old infant boy, but probably dead too." I was probably a bit too bitter about it all, and my tone might have been a bit too sarcastic - even though it all was technically true.

Cade levelled a glare at me and I sighed.

"I'm twenty-six years old," I explained. "I had a husband, but..." I hesitated when I realized Paladin Danse was listening. I didn't finish that line of thought. "My son has been kidnapped, I'm not hoping for a reunion. Is thatprecise enough?"

"These questions are the most basic information," he said calmly. "Everyone's got to go through it, there's no need to get angry. Now, what did you say was wrong with you?"

"I didn't," I answered truthfully and stood up. Danse put a hand on my shoulder and pushed me back into the chair. I sighed.

"The recruit has shown signs of a possible sight defect," he explained. "Her actions suggest she may not clearly see objects closer to her. My personal observation indicates some of her habits may originate from wearing correction eyeglasses earlier on. There's obviously something wrong with her eyes." He gave me a heavy look. "And she's not very good at hiding it."

"I hate you," I complained. He seemed surprised.

"No, not yet," he said calmly. I honestly didn't know how to react to an answer like that. 'Not yet'?

"Did you use to wear eyeglasses?" The doctor asked. I sighed - there was no point in pretending I didn't need help.

"Yes, I did," I answered. "Pluses, two point fifteen."

Cade nodded. "I'll see what I can find."

He left the room, leaving the two of us alone. I wriggled uncomfortably, aware that Paladin Danse was carefully watching my every move. I really needed to start a conversation or else this would get more awkward than it needed to be.

"I've been to get my share of supplies," I said casually. "Got a sweet modified laser rifle. Proctor Taegan said it was from my sponsor. Would you know who that is?" That seemed like a safe question - besides, I really wanted to know.

He smirked - it only lasted for a second, but there was an actual smile on his face.

"Of course I would. It's me, after all."

I thought that maybe I was very stupid because, now that I thought about it, I could remember him saying something about how he wanted to advocate my application to the Brotherhood.

"So what's this talk about you being my sponsor?" I asked. "Is it like what Haylen told me how Rhys was her guide back when she was new?"

"Yes, and no." Paladin Danse rubbed his chin. "You see, Haylen decided to be a Scribe, which contradicted the Knight status Rhys had at the time, so his sponsorship only affected matters such as integration, location and the such. You, however... I take it you've made your choice."

I nodded. "I want to fight. I'm aspiring for the rank of Knight."

"And this is where I come in," Danse explained. "You're new to the Brotherhood, you're new to the Commonwealth, so it's only natural some things may seem confusing to you. I'll act as your guide/mentor/supervisor/carer. Anything goes wrong, you go see me. You get injured, you report to me. You want to go into battle, you take me with you. Any questions about this arrangement?"

I narrowed my brows.

"Sounds like some very strict supervision," I noticed. I really wanted to make my own independent name out here. "I'm not sure I like being watched that closely."

"You'll just have to get used to it," he replied. "And don't worry, I'll try not to be too invasive. I do have respect for your privacy, soldier."

Cade walked back into the room, carrying three pairs of thin-rimmed eyeglasses.

"I'm sorry we can't manufacture anything specifically for you, but these conditions aren't the best for the development of medicine. You'll just have to take whatever fits best."

Danse leaned against the wall and watched me try out all three, an unimpressed expression firm on his face.

"How is it?" Knight-Captain Cade asked after I had chosen.

"Much better," I admitted. I hadn't realized how blurred my sight was until I put the glasses on. "Thank you, sir."

I returned to the barracks without much on my mind. I threw my leather jacket onto my bed and undid the zipper of my orange jumpsuit on my neck.

Had wearing eyeglasses always been this uncomfortable? I kept on wrinkling my nose to fight the unpleasant feeling.

I messed around with my Pip-Boy for a moment. I still had some time to spare today. The attack was planned for tomorrow... I supposed I could go and socialize with some of the people here, but I wasn't completely comfortable with them yet. What if they wouldn't accept me?

I stood up with a sigh.

"Orders are orders," I murmured. And the Elder had ordered me to get to know my teammates.

I noticed my reflection in a dirty mirror which stood by the wall. Eyeglasses, short hair, Brotherhood of Steel uniform... I looked at that new version of me for just a fraction of a second and suddenly, I realized why it wouldn't be hard for me to be accepted by the Brotherhood of Steel.

I was one of them.

Level up.
New perk: Likeable - never too many friends! Your personal charm works on people around you, causing strangers to immediately take a liking to you. This affects bartering prices, if the person is a vendor.