The Fallout Of War

Chapter 20, Mercy

Danse was indicating locations on the sketched layout of Vault 75 laid out on the long table in the meeting hall. Having rested most of the day except when Doc Jacobs had returned to finish tending his injuries he was declared recovered by that evening. Now in full military mode his tone was strong and commanding.

"I'll be entering as Merc in his power armor, MacCready will be using a stealth-boy. We'll head for the Overseer's office down this corridor and up these stairs. If we can gain him as a hostage, half the battle will be over."

I interrupted with a last ditch effort to be included. "I still say I should go in also. I know that Vault better than anyone and we'll still have to locate Merc after getting our hands on Zimmerman."

Danse maintained the same impersonal and professional soldier attitude with his response, but his eyes locked with mine and clearly implied, Pull rank with me on this General and see what happens.

"We already agreed it would be foolish to send you in General. If anything goes awry, we'd be handing you to them on a silver platter. You are needed at the Prydwen with Haylen attempting to convince Elder Maxson of the danger that exists within his ranks."

Disgruntled, I nodded acceptance and picked up where Danse left off.

"Next in will be those suited in power armor from my collection with the objective of taking this security station here." I pointed at an intersection of corridors on the map. "There will be two Courser's at the elevator to take out and probably two more at the security station. Getting control of that station will give us control of the exit then we can bring down the rest of our force without that elevator becoming a death trap."

I glanced up at Desdemona, still surprised that she had actually left the safety of the Railroad HQ. "You know what your objective is Des. Any questions?"

"None. Don't worry, my heavies will clear out Malden Station and gain the power armor there."

I turned my attention to Preston next, "It'll be up to you then Colonel while I'm at the Prydwen."

"You can count on me General."

Glancing out the window, I saw the sun would soon be setting and brought the meeting to an end. "Let's get some grub and rest. We move out at dawn."

Everyone slowly filed out of the meeting hall and headed toward the market area for food and drink. Danse fell into step at my side. I lowered my voice for his ears only, "Do you think this will work?" "We'll know soon enough."

I glanced across the street at Cait who had been sitting leisurely in a lawn chair drinking a beer giving no indication she'd been watching the meeting hall covertly. I knew Deacon was also somewhere about doing the same.

Codsworth met Danse and I as we entered our home with mugs of steaming coffee. "There's food on the table for you both Mum. I've kept it warm." "Thanks Codsworth."

We sat at our dining table where I picked at my food, Danse ate with his usual gusto. "You need to eat Tanna. A soldier has to eat when he can, you know this." I nodded, but my stomach was in a knot over wondering if our plan to discover the spy in Sanctuary would work and who it might be.

It was a little over an hour that we heard the rapping on my door that brought us both from our seats. The runner at the door nodded, "They have him General. He's being held in the meeting hall." I nodded as the runner trotted off, turning to Danse I noted his tightened jaw and hardened features. Betrayal did not sit well with him having been accused falsely of it and Danse would not easily forgive the loss of Jackson in that caravan fight. Anyone lost under his leadership he took personally, shouldering the blame and guilt as his own.

Crossing the street to the hall we neared the door when Preston stepped out. He leaned heavily against the building as if shaken and needing support. I was expecting to see his eyes filled with anger toward the culprit, but saw his features stricken and only sadness in his eyes.

I neared the open door and faltered as I heard the whimpering voice from within that caught my breath in shock. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean for anyone to get hurt. I'm so sorry." Forcing myself onward I entered the hall and stopped staring with disbelief at Jun Long kneeling between two guards. His forlorn face looked up into mine as his lament continued. "Tanna, I'm sorry. I know I did wrong. I couldn't help it. No one was to get hurt. I'm so sorry, but I couldn't take it any more."

I felt a nudge on my arm and turned to see Deacon standing there. "I watched him working the crops outside the window. As soon as the meeting broke I followed him across the bridge to the Minuteman statue across the water." He stuck a long black strip of cloth toward me which I numbly took. "He tied this to a tree limb near the statue then placed this beneath a stone at its base." This was a folded piece of paper he handed to me. I opened it slowly and read a brief note telling of the plans we had discussed at the meeting earlier.

I still could barely grasp or believe this of Jun. Sorrowful, grieving, meek, hand-wringing Jun was our mole? Danse had snatched the note from my hand and read it, then moved toward Jun and picked him up by the front of his shirt. His voice filled with wrath as he shook him, "You traitorous pile of dung! You have caused the death of a good man! Your whimpering is wasted on me for I will see justice done!"

Jun was immune to his rage, still lost in his own self pity and the loss that he suffered daily since I had met him. "I know I deserve whatever you do to me. I'm sorry, but the pain. They promised if I helped them. I'm sorry, but I couldn't say no. I couldn't say no."

Danse dropped him in disgust and turned back to me with a face that held no mercy. Danse did not know Jun Long as I did, having met him, Danse did not admired the weak qualities the man displayed. Knowing Jun was one of the founders of Sanctuary and first friends I made upon awakening I knew only increased Danse's ire for betraying those Jun should consider family.

My eyes flitted around the room at the faces gathered there, Sturges who was pale and lacking his normal evanescence, Momma Murphy weeping silently in a corner chair with Marcy kneeling before her crying in her lap, Cait who had one of MacCready's hands tightly clenched in hers, Deacon his features inscrutable and his eyes hidden behind his dark sunglasses, several guards who bore expressions that matched Danse's and Haylen who wore her soft heart upon her sleeve for all to see.

Preston entered the hall again, his features schooled, his emotions under control, stiffly representing the rank of Colonel he felt duty bound to uphold. I realized in the many emotions expressed in the faces around me, whether sadness, anger, mercy or disbelief, there was one they all held in common underlying the rest. Dread and a touch of horror at what was to come. Everyone present knew the penalty for betrayal. I knew my own eyes reflected the dread of an execution.

I stepped forward and knelt down before Jun, I had to understand, I had to know why. I choked out the words, "Why Jun? Why?"

"I'm so sorry Tanna. I know I'm not much good around here, but there's always so much pain. I couldn't say no and they promised."

"What did they promise Jun?"

He reached out and grabbed my hand and there was suddenly such hope in his tear filled eyes.

"Kyle. They promised they could give me back Kyle, my son. You understand. I know you understand. I'm so sorry, but they promised to give us back Kyle."

Marcy was suddenly there kneeling at his side, "Jun, oh Jun, what have you done? You foolish man. What have you done? Kyle is gone." Her words were accusing, but spoken softly, sorrowfully and with understanding as they clasped each other and cried together."

I rose slowly, filled with a mixture of horror and rage that the Institute had preyed upon a broken man using his grief and the loss of his son to gain his compliance. Nor could I deny that I understood what had drove him to do it, my own obsession in finding my son had carried me across the Commonwealth with a willingness to do almost anything to obtain my goal.

Looking around the room once more I saw in those who knew Jun, understanding for they knew his misery and suffering, the mourning he could never let go of. Jun understood not betrayal, he had not understood the harm to others, all he understood was the return of his son in his broken mind. I could not in good conscious execute this man. I nodded to the guards and they guided Jun and Marcy out to the small shed where he would be held till punishment was determined.

My mind sought a solution to resolve the situation. It was a heinous crime, but I could find no intent of malice in Jun, nothing that warranted the punishment expected. I took a deep breath and simply reiterated my thoughts.

"We have long known Jun was a broken man in his heart, soul and mind over the loss of Kyle. I see only a man who believed he would hold his son once more which left no room to consciously perceive the intent of betrayal or harm to others."

"Tanna." Danse's hardened tone implied he saw my words as excuses for Jun and I had expected it. He cared not for compromises nor a soft choice and I ignored him.

"I suggest Jun be sent away to another settlement, exiled from Sanctuary. He could go to Abernathy's where he can do no more harm, yet be close enough that we can keep an eye on him."

"Tanna!" Danse barked his disapproval. "He actions cost Jackson his life! He has betrayed you and everyone here!"

This past week already had my emotions stretched to the limit, my nerves taunt, my patience at its end, dealing with Jun had pushed me over the edge and I snapped as I spun to face Danse.

"Do not speak to me of betrayal and the merciless consequences of it as if you and I have not experienced it first hand!"

Danse stiffened, his features hardened and his eyes grew cold as our gazes locked for he knew where my thoughts were headed and did not want to hear it, much less have it shared publicly, but to late. The week's past trials, frustrations and anxieties were released and I vented in his direction.

"Need I remind you of the mercy the Brotherhood showed upon believing you a Synth though you loved them as family. Need you be reminded of the mercy you showed Merc in betraying the Brotherhood by not handing him over? Need I remind you of the betrayal I dealt Maxson in refusing to take your life because of the love I bore you? Need I speak of the betrayal I committed without mercy against my own son?"

I saw Danse wince with my reference to Shawn, but I could not stop my tirade nor what I revealed next.

"Should I speak of the merciless betrayal that wrenched my heart and soul when you left the Brotherhood and bore no trust in me, no feelings for me, no intent to ever contact me? If not for Haylen...!"

Danse's eyes flew wide and he made to take a step toward me, but I held up a hand to forestall him.

"As General, I will deal mercy when and where I see fit! Jun's punishment stands as I have stated!" I glared around the room daring anyone to give further argument and when none came, I stormed from the hall.

Danse sat at a table near the food and drink stand with Haylen and Deacon. Someone had put a mug of coffee in his hand, but it remained untouched and turning cold. Preston walked in followed by MacCready and Cait. Preston and Cait moved to the table and took seats while MacCready went for drinks.

"Jun is on his way to Abernathy's under guard. Marcy has gone with him." Preston stated quietly and glanced at Danse who seemed to not have heard as he stared blankly into his coffee. There were nods around the table, but no one made a comment.

MacCready returned with two beers for him and Cait and drug a chair over from a nearby table to join them and asked bluntly. "Where's Tanna?"

Haylen sent him a glare, but Deacon had no qualms responding, "She locked the front door on him. Looks like he'll be sleeping with Dogmeat tonight."

Haylen and Cait both kicked Deacon hard under the table. "Owe!"

MacCready looked over at Deacon shaking his head, "When Tanna is angry she yells at you, but when she goes silent and won't talk... you don't want to go near her. She'd just as soon shoot you as look at you then."

Danse's voice was low, full of misery and disgust with himself, "I hurt her deeply and never even knew it. I thought I was doing the right thing for her."

Those at the table responded with encouragement all at once, "You were doing what you thought was right." "You didn't know back then." "She still loves you bud." "It'll turn out okay Danse." Till a hush fell upon the table and eyes turned toward the doorway where Tanna had just entered.

Danse saw her and stood up quickly vacating his seat for her, but she didn't acknowledge him as she approached the table. Preston rose to grab another chair and she took his seat. Danse slowly sat back down with a sigh as Tanna glanced around the table at everyone, but skipping over him before giving her attention to Preston.

"Is everything in motion for the morning?"

"Aye General. Des left with Piper, Nick and Hancock already. They'll be moving to meet us at the designated location."

"Good. Have you spoken with Ronnie at the Castle?"

"She's sending what men she can to meet us at Country Crossing without jeopardizing the Castle's security. She has also assured me she'll have the big guns ready if they are needed."

Tanna nodded, "I've also been rethinking and have decided I will go down with the first team into the vault."

The table grew deathly quiet as everyone's eyes widened at her statement until a loud growl from Danse drew their attention. His coffee mug shattered in his hand and he stood up so quickly his chair tipped over backwards as he spun and strode out of the market and into the night.

The moment his back disappeared out the door everyone turned and started talking at once again, this time at Tanna.

"It's to dangerous for you Tanna." "The man has been buried in misery Tanna." "You know you're needed at the Prydwen to convince Maxson." "We are obligated to follow the General's orders." "Danse wants to shoot himself for thinking he hurt you." "General, I do not advise your entering the vault again." "We should stick to the original plan." "I know you don't want to see him suffering like this." "Well sometimes even General's need a nudge." "Someone convince her this is not wise." "I just follow orders." "It'll be dangerous no matter who goes."

I sat quietly only half listening, my other half was busy kicking myself for remaining silent with Danse, but I was still so furious. He could be so stubborn with his hard core attitude and lack of empathy sometimes. Damn that military code and ethics that he lived by.

Jun was like family to me, I was not going to see him executed and I can be just as stubborn as Danse when it came down to it. The man had to learn that compromise or being what he called soft was not always a bad thing.

Realizing the table had gone quiet once more I looked up and followed everyone's gaze to see Danse striding toward the table and he had one arm slung across the shoulders of someone.

"Merc!" I jumped up and ran around the table to give Merc a warm hug as Danse introduced him.

"Everyone, meet my brother Merc whom I've told you all about."

As soon as everyone picked their jaws up off the floor once more the table burst into chatter as Merc was welcomed and hands shook. Danse righted the chair that had fallen for Merc to take a seat before moving off toward the food and drink stand returning shortly with a plate of food and a cold beer that he sat in front of Merc. Sliding another vacant chair over to the table Danse sat down near Merc.

Merc dug in, chewing between answering the questions shot at him and acknowledging comments made. He felt a bit overwhelmed at the warm and immediate acceptance he was shown, but knew sharing the vital information he had was a priority, yet he hesitated. He'd quickly picked up on Danse and Tanna not making eye contact with each other. In fact it was as if they didn't acknowledge the other one was even present. Something was very wrong.

When MacCready went up for another beer Merc excused himself and went with him. While ordering their beers Merc nudged MacCready, "So whats with Tanna and Danse?"

MacCready sighed. "Tanna went ballistic on Danse, for a good reason in my opinion, then dropped into silent mode."

"And Danse?"

"Danse lost it and went into silent mode, for good reason in my opinion, when Tanna changed an existing battle strategy that put her in unnecessary danger."

"Damn it."

"Don't worry. They'll get over it... eventually." MacCready chuckled.

"We don't have time to wait on eventually."

"Whys that?"

"I've got vital intel on the Institute and we have battles coming that need to be dealt with now."

MacCready looked hard at Merc determining how serious he was.

"Shi... Shoot. Those two are the best strategists we have, not to mention our top soldiers. They're going to be useless if they can't work together."

Merc nodded, "Okay, I have a plan."

"I'm all ears friend."

"Son of a bitch. Every time I get near that girl I need stempaks."

"Huh?"

"Never mind. Here's what I need you to do."

A couple minutes later the two returned to the table, MacCready was laughing at something Merc had said and commenting, "And the whole time she thought you were Danse?"

"Yep. I had no clue who she or Danse were at that time still under the Institute's influence."

"Well go on with the story, she had just bolted out the door."

"I had to chase her down and tackle her then pin her to the ground under me cause she was fighting like a pre-war wild cat."

"Tanna, you wild thing." MacCready teased her, noting her face had turned pink and she was giving Merc the evil eye. He also noted Danse's eyes had briefly glanced toward Merc then Tanna before returning to his new coffee mug once more.

"But for all the trouble she caused me, I have to say she made up for it when I was injured by a deathclaw."

"You two were attacked by a deathclaw?" MacCready gasped a bit exuberantly.

"Yep, had half my chest ripped open and a foot long tree limb sticking out of my leg that -."

"I don't think anyone is really interested in the story Merc." Tanna cut him off with a threatening gleam in her eyes. "It was just a simple patch you up and we were on our way again."

"Ah hell Tanna, don't be so modest. She never hesitated knowing what had to be done. Stripped my road leathers completely off me to make bandages and put me back together with that and nothing more than duct tape."

Danse's head flew up to stare at Merc. Tanna had gone scarlet. Merc was ignoring both of them as he kept rambling on.

"She saved my life. No doubt about it." Tanna kept trying to kick him under the table.

"She was even sleeping on the dirty cold hard floor so I could take the bed. Well I couldn't let that happen after all she'd done and offered to share the bed with her."

Danse's second coffee cup bit the dust. Tanna groaned. Danse's eyes turned to cold steel and his face became a menacing scowl.

"Whoa! Whoa! There brother."

Tanna jumped up, "Don't you dare Danse! Nothing happened!"

Merc quickly added, "I might have been the old Merc, but I was still a perfect gentlemen."

"He was! He was a perfect gentlemen Danse!"

"And we were both fully clothed. Keep in mind I was in to much pain to even think of attempting anything anyway."

Danse's eyes moved from one to the other for a tense moment while everyone at the table seemed to hold their breath. Finally Danse's scowl turned into his stoic military expression and his voice was deceptively calm,

"Anything else you wish to share about your time spent with my woman?"

Merc settled back in his chair though not giving the appearance of being completely comfortable. His brow wrinkle slightly as he seemed to consider and finally released a heavy sigh,

"I guess I should come clean and clear the air brother. Tanna and I were at this location called the Atomic Galleria..."

Tanna was shaking her head no vigorously at Merc which he appeared to ignore.

"And seeing how she thought I was you the whole three days... I sort of tried to seduce her."

Tanna felt her checks burn as if on fire. She dropped her face into her hands and groaned.

Danse was slowly rising from his chair as well as Merc. "Remember Danse I wasn't myself. I had no idea who she or you were."

Danse was walking slowly around the table and Merc started backing up. "Besides I never got past first base before she threatened to do permanent damage to my jewels if I didn't stop!"

Danse roared and swung connecting to Merc's jaw which sent him stumbling three steps back. Tanna raced around the table trying to grab Danse and started yelling at him.

"Danse No! Stop! He didn't know us!"

Danse's fist slammed into Merc's mid section bending him over and stealing his breath followed by an upper cut that brought him back up.

"Danse, he's your brother! Stop it Soldier! Right now!"

Danse's fist smashed once more into Merc's face and he hit the floor with a loud thud.

Tanna was still yanking on Danse trying to pull him away when he turned, scooped her up in his arms, strode out of the building and headed down the street with Tanna yelling and Danse's calm replies following them.

"What if you killed him you big Brahmin? Put me down!"

"I didn't kill him."

"You were completely out of control! What kind of soldier does that?"

"A pissed off one."

"More like an untried Initiate! Put me down!"

"No."

Everyone at the table moved at once and ran to Merc who was groaning on the floor.

"Dang Merc, you really took a beating." MacCready laughed.

"Yeah, Yeah. Well it worked. Got those stempaks friend?"

"Right here bud."

"Think he'll ever talk to you again?"

"Sure he will. This is like the fourth time one of us has beat the other black and blue. MacCready, you better inform Preston, I don't feel like talking much right now."