"Sir… Elder McNamara," begged Edgar, "I'm telling you, this man cannot be trusted. HE is responsible for this mess in the first place."

"What are you talking about?" McNamara asked, confused.

"Sir, can't you see?" yelled Edgar, "HE IS ONE THEY CALL THE RED EYE. He was the one who killed our Paladins that night, years ago, at HELIOS One. He was the one who slaughtered all of our brothers and sisters. HE is the urban legend. I know for a fact that it's him. I was there when he butchered our comrades. He had this red spark in his eyes that I could spot from a mile away. There's no mistaking it. He's a very dangerous man and he cannot be trusted!"

"Now that was really not necessary." Said Sol, smiling, "c'mon, look at me. I'm a sixty year old man, I couldn't possibly do any of those things you said."

"Wait," Veronica joined in, "You're sixty years old?"

"Yeah? Why?"

"Well," Veronica hesitated, "it's just that… you don't look a day older than thirty years."

"Why? What did you have in mind?" Sol winked at her playfully. Which confused her, it took a few seconds before she realized what he meant.

"First off," she said, "no offense but I swing with girls – I know, hard to believe, men just don't interest me as much. Second of all, now that I know that you're this wrinkly old man…"

"But didn't you say that I wasn't a day older…"

"I know what I said alright!"

"C'mon, Veronica," Raul snuck up from behind the door, "just look at this guy, he has a face of a god."

"Damn it, Raul," she snapped, "now's not the time."

"Okay, okay, jeez," Raul backed down, "ya know, there's another monstrously handsome man who's older than a hundred years old if you're interested." Raul pointed at his 'beautiful' face.

"EVERYBODY JUST SHUT THE FUCK UP!"

Elder McNamara shouted across the room, and it really did the job. Everybody quit their chattering in an instant. He looked around the room to each person, then took a moment to sigh before directing his attention back to Solmund, the old bastard was still smiling.

McNamara said:

"Give me one good reason why I should trust someone like you. If what Hardin said is true then… you are an enemy to the Brotherhood."

Veronica looked at Sol, waiting. And this time, her gaze wasn't a gaze of joy or playfulness. She actually seemed serious. As if she was actually listening to the conversation for the first time ever. She heard it, alright. He never denied it, the girl asked herself whether it meant he was confirming Hardin's speculation as facts. She looked at him, waiting for an answer.

But Sol was still calm, he cracked his knuckles, glancing at the elder, he said:

"You and your little Hidden Valley are being overrun by a flock of indestructible monsters. But I here have a solution to your problem. I don't think that you – Elder McNamara – have a choice."

McNamara looked at him, as if admitting that he was right. Sol explained:

"I have your solution right here, waiting up there for you to execute it – Nightkins. That's right. These are the local folks who have been living on Black Mountain for God knows how long. Meaning they have had a steady supply of guns, ammunition, water and most importantly – food. Now there's also a lot of Centaurs that live on Black Mountain, but the Nightkins don't eat them, they keep them as pets. Which begs the question, what do they really eat? The answer is simple – Deathclaws. Nightkins are not only skilled hunters, but they are adept in the art of stealth as well. They have the strength of a mountain and the agility of a Cazador. Which makes them the perfect stealth troops. Now, here's the good part, a couple of days ago, WE helped the Nightkin population on Black Mountain with a serious 'political' matter. Which in turns gained their trusts, which coincidentally also gained the trusts of the Super Mutant population as well. Now, I've made contacts with them using a homemade radio I've built during my time in your little prison, I've installed the radio inside my buddy ED-E. And I have to say that we have good news, help-is-on-the-way."

Ramos, Edgar and McNamara had their jaws dropped onto the floor as if it weighed a hundred tons. Edgar whispered to McNamara, telling him to be rational since there was no way any of this could be true. It had to be bull crap. But Sol begged to differ, he continued explaining:

"Now I know this all sounds crazy but please consider the fact here. And the fact here is that what your friend Edgar said is true. I AM the Red Eye. And the only reason why this Brotherhood chapter is still alive is because I don't want it dead. I have no need for it dead. Besides… a good friend of mine would definitely not want you to die." He looked briefly over to Veronica, and then continued explaining, "Now, I already have the means to fight these Deathclaws off but what I don't have is the fire power. That's where you come in. Tell me… how far are you willing to go if it means to save this chapter of the Brotherhood of Steel? How far?"

McNamara glared around the room, looking at everyone. Veronica… she didn't say a word, but he saw something in her. Was she telling him to go along with it? No… she seemed… distressed, as if still trying to comprehend all this. She looked at Sol, she'd never realized, right under her nose, the man who killed many of her brothers and sisters. And yet, she seemed ready, fiddling with her fist. Am I ready? McNamara thought to himself. But looking around now, despite being one of the most powerful tribe in the Mojave, with the most devastating firepower in the whole wasteland, the Elder felt completely helpless.

It was noon, the test site was still overrun with giant Deathclaws. They were ugly beasts, like big brown chameleons, with claws the size of long metal pole, hence the name. They stood nearly over three meters tall, and their eyes, filled with death. There was still a large amount of them running around, the bunker self-destruct explosion seemed to only hurt a few baby Deathclaws. All the others were bouncing around like they were at a party.

But the party was ending…

"NOW!"

There were gunshots, it was the sound of hundreds of light machine guns firing, raining bullets down onto this barren field of monsters. With the barrage of lead swarming the outside rear of the test site. It caught the beasts by surprise. But when they looked around they could see nothing. Nothing but endless deafening noise of the gunpowder and shells. They growled to the sky, but it was useless as they found countless frag grenades suddenly lying at their feet, exploding with a force that could rival a small nuclear bomb. They roared in the fire that consumed them.

The fire of hell began to break loose.

From the sides were gigantic big hulking beasts with blue and green skin rushing down the hills of the test site. In their hands, they wielded giant sledgehammers and swords that were ripped straight out of countless bumpers from countless cars. They were big hulking brutes that had the strength to move mountains. The sunlight and the heat beat down the sand just like the sledgehammer beat down the skulls of these Deathclaws. But it didn't stop there.

Out from the bunker were lines after lines of bulky soldiers in massive metal power armor. They breathed heavily behind their masks, looked up to the sun and prayed for its blessings and started firing their rifles.

There weren't as many Paladins to outnumber the Deathclaws, but that didn't matter because there they were, both the Knights and the Scribes came rushing out of the bunker, wielding their laser, plasma rifles and pistols, kept on firing at the beasts. Despite them knowing full well that these weapons had little effects on the monsters. But what the Knights and Scribes lacked in firepower, they made up for their tenacity and determination. From the side the Nightkins continued to fire their light machine guns, and from the bunker, the Paladins unleashed their fury with their very own Gatling laser furiously cutting through the Deathclaws' lines of defenses.

But the Deathclaws did not just sit there and watched, they retaliated as well, a mother Deathclaw leaped forward and took a swipe at the Paladins, three suit of power armor was tore into shreds after that strike. The Paladins fought back, firing their laser rifles, along with the Super Mutants and the Nightkins aiding them in close quarter combat. However, this was not the last of the Brotherhood's weapons in the bunker.

Out from behind were the commanders, the leaders. Edgar and Ramos, in full body power armor, joined the fight with their own rifles eating away at the monsters. Even the Elder himself brought out the Brotherhood's most powerful weapon – the Gauss Rifle. McNamara pulled the trigger once, and it fired a bolt of plasma that destroyed a whole area of Deathclaws, vaporizing their skins and bones. It crippled their forces a great deal. Elder McNamara knew that moment, that this, this was for the Brotherhood.

By his side, Veronica, blood lusted, wielding a gigantic power fist on her right arm. It looked clunky and awkward at first, that was – until she started to swing, with one single punch she managed to dislocate a Deathclaw's jaw. She was bathing in blood, getting stains all over her glasses. But she never stopped swinging. Punch after punch, it was the strength of metal, it was the strength of a girl willing to fight for her home, it was the strength of the Brotherhood of Steel.

Boone, Raul and ED-E also rushed out of the bunker's door. Boone wielding his rifle, Raul loading his revolver, and ED-E arming his laser gun unloading rapidly at the Deathclaws, drawing in attention to themselves. The Deathclaws' eyes sparked with hunger and rage. But these men, what they had that these animals didn't was willpower.

It took many hours, but they were finally able to cut the Deathclaws' numbers in half. There was not many of them left. There were only two mother Deathclaw and one Alpha left. The number of Paladins, Knights and Scribes were also reduced to a significant amount. But there were still many left standing, and the Mutants hadn't given up yet, so there was no reason for them to give up as well. Besides, the monsters had their Alphas, it was time for the Brotherhood to show them their own Alpha.

With heavy boots, Solmund stood out of the metal door of the bunker. He walked over to where the remaining Deathclaws were. The Paladins and the Mutants were surrounding them, with the remaining mother and Alpha Deathclaws in the center. The monsters suddenly stopped, and so did the Paladins and the Mutants – for they'd sensed something flowing in the air. It was tense. They looked behind and they just couldn't believe what they'd seen – a single red spark. The one remaining Alpha had certainly noticed the old man. Determined to prove who the real Alpha was.

Sol took out a cigarette and lit it up as the Alpha approached him. The Paladins and the Mutants automatically made way for the beast to go through. Raul, Boone and Veronica watched, they had never felt anything like this before. It was as if the entire planet was about to burst due to the tension. They could still see the red flash in Sol's eyes. It was as clear as day. Those eyes, they glared straight up the empty eyes of the monster.

Sol pulled out his Ranger Sequoia, and to everyone's surprise. He emptied the cylinder, loading the gun with a single bullet, he spun the cylinder around and then locked it in place. The Alpha was now only a few inches away from Solmund. It stood towering over him, Sol felt its shadow overwhelming him. All eyes were on them, including the eyes of the other monsters around. The Alpha was breathing heavily down Sol's neck. It glared at him in a challenging way, intended to prove his power over him. But Sol was calm, he didn't even engage in combat position. His body was relaxed, as if he wasn't even here to participate in the battle. And that was what made him so dangerous, even more dangerous these sharp claws of the beast. The beast roared at the heaven, a devastating growl that split the clouds in half. It took a swing of its claws at Sol…

But before the claws could even reach a single hair on his head. Faster than a human eye could see – the Sequoia was aimed at the monster's face. The cowboy ranger smirked, whispering into the beast's ears:

"Check – mate…"

The shot that fired from the Sequoia was deafening. It tore the heavens into pieces, the clouds were shattered, scattering to all directions until they were nowhere to be seen. The sand and rocks around them ruptured, detonated as if it was a grenade. The bullet that pierced the monster's skull... exploded. The shockwave was even more powerful than the Brotherhood's self-destruct sequences. Everyone was quiet for a good long minute before the lifeless body of the beast dropped like a hammer. After that, all anyone could remember was that the Deathclaws were scattering, and that this Brotherhood chapter was saved.

"Thanks a lot Neil," Solmund said, "for coming so quickly. We couldn't have done it without you."

Neil – this massive Super Mutant – stood there, towering over them, seemingly like a monster. And yet at the same time he was also calm and gentle. He was a Super Mutant they met near Black Mountain, he warned them of Tabitha's fury and dominion over the area. And boy was he grateful after Sol and his team took care of the situation.

The Mutant said:

"Anything for a friend… and a good man," Sol smiled gratefully.

Neil and his Mutant troops stayed awhile longer to help clean up the area, there was a lot to do. Lots of bodies needed to be disposed of, and even more bodies that needed proper burials. They were brave men and women who fought for the survival of their own tribe. They shall be remembered. Although, many mourned the loss of life of their chapters, many more also celebrated their victory of that day.

While Sol helped Boone and Raul tend to the injuries, Sol saw Veronica standing from afar. He knew that this would come eventually. The confrontation. He walked slowly over to her. There was the beating of his heart, the anxiety he rarely felt, but felt regardless. Veronica looked at him, blankly.

They stood there, awkwardly… for about a minute or so, before the girl muttered weakly:

"Is it true? Did you… kill them, that night, five years ago?"

Sol hesitated, trying to find the right words, but in the end, he decided the only right words were the truth:

"Veronica… I confess… I did kill them, all by myself five years ago. But the reasons were to my own… if you know why you'd understand. I…"

"I don't care why you did it." She said, cutting him off, "You have to understand that things were pretty harsh back then… it was… I don't know… I was… sorta glad that they left that power plant… ya know. But this isn't me thanking you or anything. I'm just glad that I know the truth now."

"So… you're not mad at me?"

"Well… no, not really," she said, "life in the wasteland… sane people rarely goes around doing stuff without a reason. And you don't look like the kind of people that would go around doing things for absolutely no reason at all."

Sol looked at her with a gaze that seemed a bit sad. It was true that it was his intention to kill those Brotherhood Paladins back then. But it was never his intention in any way to hurt his friend. But to his surprise, Veronica took him by the shoulder, and smiled brilliantly.

"It's okay, Sol," she said, "it's all in the past now. There's… there's no need to feel sad over it."

Sol managed to grin, but just a bit.

"In fact…" Veronica suddenly grabbed Sol's hand and dragged him across to the other side of the test site. There stood Elder McNamara and Edgar. They were there helping the injured men.

"Elder McNamara!" She called. He turned around.

"Veronica," he said, "What's the matter?"

"Well, sir…" she said, reluctantly, "I have… I have a proposition." She briefly looked over to Sol who was confused but smiled anyway, she continued, "I want… I want to go out there to the surface world, exploring."

It took a moment for it to sink into them, both McNamara and Edgar. They couldn't believe what they'd heard. But in hindsight, McNamara had a feeling deep down, that this was what Veronica felt. But he asked her anyway:

"What makes you want to do that?"

"Well, sir," She explained, "After all of this, I've realized that I have much to learn. There is so much out there that we as a tribe cannot even begin to comprehend. But I want to learn about them anyway, no matter what it takes."

"You," Edgar joined in, "would go about the world above revealing this chapter's secrets? To the surface world?"

"Oh Edgar you silly man, of course I'm not going to do that. I might be reckless, but I'm not dumb. I'm only leaving to learn about what had happened after we went into hibernation. Because to be honest, I don't think this tribe is exactly aware of the cultures above the surface, even back when it was founded."

"I don't know, Veronica, it all seems a bit risky."

"With all due respect, sir elder," Solmund suddenly said, drawing their attention, "I have been living on this surface world for all my life. And I'm discovering new things every day. Whether it's a ghoul who's been a slave to a bunch of crazy Nightkins, a sniper who's mourning the loss of the love of his life… or a little scribe, who just yearns for adventure."

Veronica looked at him in awe, as if her surprise was thanks for taking by her side. Sol continued:

"Not to mention, I discover new and old technology every single day. Like my buddy ED-E over there. Clearly those kinds of technology are not something that the Brotherhood of Steel have in their archives. Do you know why? Because we have been here on the surface exploring, while you have not."

"Please, sir…" Veronica begged him.

McNamara let out a long sigh. He stared at Veronica who was still begging him with her young bright gaze. The elder looked over to Edgar who still felt a little distrust towards Solmund. But it would seemed that they had no choice.

"Well…" The elder finally said, "If that is what you think is best… I will let you go exploring this world."

"Oh yes, thank you, thank you, thank you so much, sir." She pulled the elder in for a hug, catching him off guard, but he eventually hugged her back.

"One day, I'll return to you guys, I promise." And with that she said her goodbyes to the only home she'd ever known in her entire life. And walked away into the long mysterious setting sun on these bright and rough Nevada sand.

"So I guess…" Sol said, "You'll be joining us?"

"Yup," she replied, "Although, I must warn ya, I snore in my sleep."

"Is that a challenge I hear?"

"I don't know, is it?" She grinned.

"Shh…" Solmund suddenly stopped her as he looked beyond the fence.

"What?"

"Do you hear that?" He asked her as they both looked up North, to the place far beyond the sand and the wasteland, they heard it.

"YIPPIE YAY, THERE'LL BE NO WEDDING BELLS FOR TODAY…"