According to the Inferno, the last circle of Hell is reserved for betrayers.
Judas Iscariot, the man who betrayed Jesus, is said to spend eternity being gnawed by the Devil Himself.
For thirty pieces of silver, he bought a lousy deal for an eternal destiny
Then men rushed through the cold and the darkening skies that brought the dusk. The last arc of the sun had finally disappeared behind the horizon and now only the residual light remained overhead. Regardless, despite the chill and the fatigue that was starting to wear on them, the men jogged back to the House, the fear of what they had just seen continuing to drive them on.
"James, come on, you have to have something up there in that calculator of yours. Haven't you read anything on this?" Adam demanded breathlessly.
"Yeah, I looked up 'Creepy river of blood and flesh creature' in the Vault's library. It was under 'Things that go bump in the night' section. No! Why would there be any literature on this!?" James snapped sarcastically.
"Do you at least have an idea?" Adam inquired. James popped a mentat as he furrowed his brows. Between all that and running, he was finding it difficult to multi-task, especially with the fatigue starting to eat at him.
"Well, there's tons of mutations going on, I mean, the ants, rats and bugs are bigger than they used to be-"
"That's no bug in there." Carl interrupted.
"I know, but the principle is the same. Throw in mutations happening across the board, viruses and bacteria included, and something must've happened." James speculated.
"That means we can still blow it up, right?" Sven asked. This time, no one sighed.
"If there's anything I learned from you Sven, it's the fact that if you want to make something disappear, you just got to find a big enough bomb." Adam replied. The men continued to trot as Sven frowned deep in thought.
"Guy, how many mini-nukes does it take to make a full nuke?" Sven finally asked.
That time the men sighed.
--
By the time the men reached the square of the House, they halted just before they left the edge of the building lines. Something was wrong. There were too many men outside of the House. To make matters worse, they wore the wrong color.
Watching from a distance, the four men could only watch in dismay as numerous squads of the Talon Company men assembled outside the House walls. Their dark shadows moving in the night, the only thing the men could be sure of was that they were drastically outnumbered.
"Guys, there's no way we can break this." Adam declared as they watched from a safe distance.
"Not even with my minigun could I mow enough guys down in time." Carl agreed.
"I used up most of my explosives back there." Sven grumbled.
"Guys wait, there's some shouting over there...it sounds like Supervisor Ramirez." James shushed.
Sure enough, two men were carrying a hollered conversation from opposite sides of the House walls. It took awhile for the men to figure out what they were saying but eventually they were able to pick up the discussion.
"We're looking for four regulators, some call them the Liberators. We got a price on them. If you turn them over quietly, we promise not to ruthlessly burn this place to the ground." a voice used to being in charge yelled.
"I tell you, they're not here!" a voice that sounded like Ramirez's yelled back.
"And if I were to have my men blow down this door, would we find them there? You wouldn't want to know what I'd do if I were to find out you were lying to me this whole time." the Talon's voice hollered back.
"They were never here and I will not consent to you searching this place. Don't make idle threats either, you couldn't blow this door down even if you wanted to." Ramirez yelled. There was a short pause.
"I'm in a good mood tonight but if I ever see four green dusters hanging around here, know that I will turn this building into a smoking crater!" the Talon yelled back. The regulators could only glance at each other for a moment.
"Great, now we can't even get back to the House!" Carl growled.
"Ramirez pretty much sold us out, though I understand why, he's got to protect the people in there." James mumbled.
"So what do we do now?" Sven asked.
"We go back to our zones where we kept watch during the day by ourselves." Adam replied.
"Good idea." Carl agreed.
"We'll meet back at Harlem back at that old super mutant fortress we exploded before we got here. We'll figure out what to do from there in the morning. In the meantime, just stay at your zones tonight and stay low." Adam ordered. James reached into his bag and pulled out several doses of stimpacks.
"Take these just in case." James stated, handing out the vials of medicine.
"I also kept four land mines, just in case." Sven added, handing each one of them one of the ordnances.
"All right, back at Harlem in the morning. Stay safe, gentlemen." Adam ordered and from there they parted ways.
--
Watching from an upstairs room, Julia Kail could only wonder what had become of the four regulators. No one could blame Ramirez for lying but now the regulators could no longer rake refuge in the one place where they would readily be safe. Come to think of it, why hadn't they returned today? They usually came back earlier when they were together. Thinking carefully, she glanced at the large rat that remained faithfully beside her, sniffing at what must have been an interesting section of the wall.
"Come on, Rat." Kail stated, walking away from the window, the rodent belatedly following after her, chittering.
Getting back to the common rooms, Kail found Evelyn also watching out the window although hers was still that usual, lifeless stare. The scribe wondered how someone who probably had the most powerful mind in all of New York could appear so empty headed. It was one of life's paradoxes that she did not feel like chasing tonight.
"Evelyn?" Kail asked, placing both hands on the girl's shoulders. Evelyn simply looked up at her.
"You are worried again. You wish to know where the four men are." Evelyn thought.
"Yes, are they all right?" Kail whispered, not wanting to risk anyone overhearing what looked like her one sided conversation with the girl.
"I still feel them out there. They are alive but their presence is surrounded by a flood of others, all of which intend them harm." Evelyn reported.
"We're going to have to go with them remaining safe. Please, Evelyn, if you ever sense that they get in trouble, let me know. I'll figure out something to do." Kail stated.
"I will let you know."
--
Adam cautiously made his way towards the road that was his designated area. There were a few houses in there that he could take shelter in. He had no clue what to do about the cold but at least the roof overhead would keep out any irradiated frost fall they might have overnight.
Quietly stepping through the alley that would lead him to his spot, he suddenly stopped dead in his tracks. Something was wrong. He could practically smell it. There was no moon out. Although the night was clear, the stars did little to illuminate what was going on and he did not dare activate his flashlight. That would be begging for trouble. With utmost caution, he stuck his head right outside the alley way.
His vision exploded in stars when a fist connected with his face.
Momentarily stunned, Adam looked up to see several men, their bodies obviously shrouded in combat armor. He also had a really good feeling they were all Talon Company men. This was not a good sign.
Reaching into his coat, faster than an eye could follow, he fished out a throwing knife and threw it deep into the man that had punched him. He tried to get back to his feet only to find himself getting pummeled with repeated blows and kicks. At least one man had a baton.
In the small part of his mind that was ignoring the sheering pain, he wondered why they had not simply killed him yet. Granted, anyone would want to exact revenge on someone who did a very good job killing so many of their comrades and yet there were better ways to torture someone these days than just fists, boots and clubs. Most barbarians in this day and age preferred the gushing of blood to the sight of bruises.
"That's enough." A voice ordered. A Talon belatedly and defiantly got in one last kick. Adam barely let himself relax from the defensive ball he curled himself into.
"You're one of those regulators we've been looking for. 10,000 caps on your head. I've never seen a price like that for anyone." the lead mercenary exclaimed. Adam winced as a light was shined into his face.
"Even better too, you're Adam Anders. I was hoping we would run into you." the mercenary continued. Adam simply let his face fold into a scowl.
"Word on the street says you have a head for caps. I think you're a reasonable man and they say that money talks. You willing to talk, Mr. Anders?" the mercenary offered. Adam spat the blood from a busted lip at the Talon's boot.
"What are you offering?" Adam growled.
"A way to end this all, tonight. And the best part, you'll get to walk off free. Alive." The Talon offered.
"You got a price?" Adam demanded. The Talon grinned.
There are precious few things money can't buy.
--
Carl huddled into the corner of his little alley, preferring this space to the buildings. At least this way he knew that nothing could sneak up behind him due to the brick wall on his back. Besides, most people knew you just shouldn't stick you head into a dark alleyway. Wondering how it all came down to this, the miserable regulator suddenly perked up when he thought he heard a sound.
Squinting hard into the night, he immediately regretted his eye condition. Just why it was when an object became still he had a harder time seeing it was a mystery to him. Why he could figure out there was a stool sitting there at a bar but when a mercenary suddenly decided to stand still he started to blend into the surroundings was utterly baffling to him.
What was even more baffling was the blow to the head he got out of nowhere.
Carl roared in anger and suddenly found himself surrounded at all sides from Talon mercs. Too late to grab his minigun, Carl reached back only to feel the sledgehammer pulled from his back. Launching himself at his foes like a human wrecking ball, he managed to knock the wind out of the two men he was able to catch when he landed on the ground.
Alas, even the giant can get overwhelmed by an army of ants and Carl was very much surprised when a boot made everything white for a brief moment before everything went black.
--
Sven curled up in the dumpster he had commandeered for a hiding spot. The idea was not as crazy as a person might think it to be. First of all, who looked through dumpsters these days? He had cleaned this one out anyway, not that there was much in it to begin with, and he had rigged the land mine and hid it under some rubbish just a few yards in front of the dumpster which was on the end of an alleyway. If anyone did decide to go snooping through there, they would have to walk over the land mine first which would alert the regulator. However, that brought him back to his first question: who goes looking through dumpsters these days, anyway?
Content with the marginal protection from the elements, wind chill and the added bonus of an unusual hiding spot, Sven threw on some discarded rags to give him a little warmth. He was still a little unhappy with losing most of his explosives and fuel to blowing up that horrific river to no effect but they would meet tomorrow and he could vote to resupply back at the Vault. It would all be all right.
He suddenly heard something heavy fall on the dumpster. Momentarily, alarmed, Sven got up and tried to push the door open only to find that it would not budge. Something heavy had been thrown on it. Sven grunted and tried harder only to feel the dumpster move under him. Something was moving the dumpster! Sven calmed down for a moment and tried to listen. He could hear voices.
"I'm just glad we found where that land mine was and we got to disarm it quietly."
"Good, awesome. Now, let's just get this back to the headquarters. For Talon Company, men!"
--
James was settling back on the old wooden floor of an abandoned building, one of the many on his block. He was on the second floor, the distant stars shone through the window as he glanced out on the still night. He had placed his land mine on the landing of the stairs that led up to this floor and it was the only way up to this room. He had his back covered.
Slowly starting to feel fatigue enclose around him, Jame's let his eyes start to close and for a moment, he tried to drift off to sleep. However, an odd sound forced him to open his eyes again and look around. His rail rifle and bag were right next to him so he could grab them at a moment's notice. However, the noise did not occur again so he decided it was just the sound of the ancient house slowly decaying.
Drawing his duster closer around him to ward out the cold, the regulator drifted back to trying to obtain sleep. He closed his eyes again and tried to find rest.
The land mine exploded.
Immediately on his feet, James heard voices and footsteps approaching. Deciding he was not in the best situation, James immediately picked up his stuff and unslung a rope that he kept next to the window. The man quickly went out the window and lowered himself down the rope before pulling out his laser rifle. The medic tried to figure out from which direction to expect a problem.
"Drop it." a voice ordered. James abruptly turned around to find five Talon Company men aiming their weapons at him. Before he could formulate a plan, he heard footsteps approach him from behind. He was surrounded.
"I won't tell you again. Drop your weapons." The Talon merc told him. Begrudgingly, James dropped his two rifles, shotgun, blade and medical bag from his possession before raising his hands to the air.
The Talon Company men insisted they rough him up for a bit before finally binding his hands and carrying him and his stuff away.
--
About two hundred years ago, the Museum of Natural History was a place of learning and wonder. People from all over the country would come to visit and be amazed at the numerous exhibits and displays they had. Drop several atomic bombs and turn the clock ahead two centuries and now the building is just a very spacious ruin. It was also currently serving as the Talon Company's makeshift headquarters for New York City.
In one of the rooms, Adam sat facing the commanding officer of the Talons in the city. The Talon mercenary refused to give his name and Adam couldn't say he much cared either way. He still had to live with the consequence of what he had just done.
"Of course, I hate the idea of losing out on 10,000 caps, but with the way you men were burning through my troops, I might consider it a way of cutting losses." the Talon grumbled. Adam simply stared back.
"I believe the agreement was that you get to keep your ear and in exchange for us turning in some murdered sap's ear in place of yours, you're going to be the one to both torture and execute your old comrades in the other room." the Talon recited. Adam simply nodded.
"That done, you are to get your 10,000 caps and get clear out of this city. I don't ever want to see you back here again." the Talon ended.
"You have my word." Adam said quietly.
"All right, well I believe you have some butchering to do if there's nothing else to be said here." the commander growled.
"Actually yes, I do have a question." Adam replied.
"Make it quick."
"Who in the world pays ten grand for the ear of one regulator, and keeps that price for another three more?" Adam demanded. The Talons started laughing.
"What? You think you can't blow down The Wall and not upset the slavers? Those 40,000 caps were paid from everyone, numerous slaver groups, even the guys from The Pitt. Add the fact that you Liberators were doing such a good job bringing back order to this place, something had to be done." the Talon sneered.
"They sent a whole army, just for us?" Adam inquired in disbelief.
"Oh, don't flatter yourself. First they sent us to take care of the super mutants. However, after The Wall went down and they figured out the rumors were true, more troops were funneled here to take care of you guys. Never met a more troublesome group of men in my life." the commander spat.
"I see..." Adam muttered.
"But of course, the caps always win in the end, right? Now, get out of my sight, you still have your end of the deal to take care of."
"Right." Adam mumbled, getting out of his chair and slowly walking towards the room where the other regulators were. Betrayal is never really a sweet thing. He also didn't appreciate the four Talons escorting him to make sure he did his job. The regulator duster he wore around him felt suddenly unnatural as well.
--
Sven, Carl and James stood forlornly, their backs to the wall as their hands were shackled behind them. Even when all of them finally came to they did not say much at all. After all the work they had done, all the Talons they had eliminated, their good fortune had finally turned on them. It was a bit too much to handle.
"Wait a minute, anyone seen Adam?" Carl asked, spitting some blood out of his mouth from his busted lip.
"I don't see him here." James replied.
"Then maybe we still have hope, maybe he can get us out of here." Sven stated hopefully. Suddenly, the door slammed open and they saw Adam walk in, four Talons with assault rifles behind him.
"Nevermind." Sven muttered.
The three regulators were especially surprised when Adam walked right over and hit Sven across the face.
"Ow! Dude, what was that for!?" Sven demanded. Adam said nothing except to hit him again.
"Adam, what the bloody hell are you doing!?" Carl demanded.
"What does it look like I'm doing?" Adam replied, landing a blow into Sven's abdomen.
"Wait...you mean..." Carl suddenly became quiet.
"You betrayed us!? You sold us out!?" James screeched.
"Glad you figured it out when you did, James." Adam muttered, bringing an uppercut into Carl's chin.
"My gosh, it was always about the caps, wasn't it?" James growled. Adam turned on the marksman.
"You know me a little too well." Adam replied, his fist sounding across Jame's face.
"You....really...shouldn't punch a crazy guy." Sven interrupted, his voice hoarse from the pain.
"Don't worry, Sven, I'll make sure to set you afire when I have to kill you." Adam retorted. Sven looked awfully conflicted about that.
"Screw that, I'll set myself on fire rather than let you do it." Sven retorted.
"Suit yourself." Adam replied, landing another blow on James. They suddenly heard the ominous sound of Adam unsheathing one of his blades.
James could only watch as the blade slammed into his own chest.
Clenching his jaw shut, James waited for the blood to erupt from his lungs and into his throat but it never happened. He thought he was being impatient but his quick, pained breaths should have sent up a cough of that red fluid by now. Slowly, he opened his eyes and glanced at the knife again that was still in his chest, Adam's hand still wrapped around the hilt. James suddenly figured it out.
"You idiot! You're too high above the lungs. Again!" James shouted in his tormentor's face. Adam slowly answered him very deliberately. James suddenly realized exactly what Adam was doing.
"I. Know."