Chapter 21: An Order
"Elder Maxson." A Citadel Paladin greeted him as he entered his quarters.
"At ease." Arthur nodded, tossing his heavy coat onto his bed. He had spent the afternoon with Iliana showing the boy synth, Shaun, around the Prydwin. The boy was so full of questions he had nearly exhausted the Elder. And eventually he would share the news of Iliana's appointment as Sentinel with the crew, but for now he needed to rest.
He slumped down into a ragged chair, motioning for the young man to sit across from him, "I presume you are here with word from the Citadel."
"Yes sir." He sat uncomfortably across from the Elder. "The council has met and they have determined that it would be in the Brotherhood's best interest to deny your request."
Arthur sat up, "What the hell do you mean? How could they? Why? Did they give you a reason? Out with it!"
"We are on the verge of a civil war and council believes that this union could be suicide for the Brotherhood of Steel. Instead they suggest returning to the Citadel and finding a suitable match there."
"Bullshit." Maxson spat, startling the Paladin. "Sentinel Anderson has singlehandedly secured the Commonwealth, turning it into a nearly hospitable place to live. Not to mention she has extensive prewar knowledge that could be valuable to the Brotherhood Scribes and DNA that hasn't been tarnished by generations in the radiated wastes." He stood, and began to pace the small room, the walls closing in on him.
"The council noted that she takes up residence with ghouls, super mutants, and synths. She fights for something the Brotherhood simply cannot support. They believe her motives are not solely aligned with those of Steel."
"She fights for the good of her people, our people, isn't that ultimately our mission." He raked his hand through his hair, trying to understand exactly where he had gone wrong in his request and just what his next move would be.
"People being the key word, Elder. The council stated that her methods are questionable, to say the least."
"But her results aren't. I've heard enough. Thank you for coming, Paladin." Arthur held the door open, motioning for him to go.
Iliana stood outside the door; she leaned down and whispered for Shaun to go play with one of the young Scribes. The boy scurried off quickly.
"Sentinel." The Paladin nodded.
"Paladin." Iliana nodded back as he proceeded into the corridors of the ship. "What was that all about?" She pushed her way past Arthur into his room.
"A message from the Citadel." He still wasn't sure just what he was going to do with this rejection. If he went against the council's orders he risked so much, the future of the Brotherhood, the future of their presence in the Commonwealth, maybe even the future of the Maxson line. But he also couldn't listen to them, he couldn't let her go again.
"Not the news you were expecting I take it." Iliana sat on the couch, her legs folded under her. She had heard just enough of his conversation with the Paladin to assume what the message had been about.
"Not at all. But I'll handle everything. Has Shaun tired himself out yet?" Arthur tried to change the subject, lest he reveal too much, too soon to her.
Iliana was slightly annoyed at his efforts to distract her from his meeting. She needed to hear him say just what had happened. But instead, he was going to let the council back in the Capitol continue to control him like a puppet. She shifted on the couch, her frustration mounting.
"Hardly. But your changing the subject now, aren't you? You know, Arthur, you operate on rules and protocols, procedure and formality. But did you ever, for one second, consider that you are capable of thinking for yourself. You don't need some faceless, formless council to dictate your every move, like a well bred chess piece. You, Arthur Maxson, are the Elder of the Brotherhood of Steel, one of a long line, and perhaps it's time you started acting like it."
She jumped up and headed out the door, leaving him to think about just what she said, and just what his priorities were. She was proud of herself for a moment, until his voice ricocheted on the metal walls of the Prydwin.
"Sentinel, stop! That's an order!" She turned to look at him, he stood in the doorway of his room, his strong shoulders seemed to brush either side of the entry. He stared on in disbelief, unsure why she continued to shock him the way she did, but he wanted her to surprise him for the rest of his life. Arthur closed the distance between them in several easy strides, he placed his hands on her waist as his lips crashed into hers with a persistent longing and desperation.
He stepped back after a moment, looking at her rosy cheeks and shining eyes, "Marry me."
"Is that an order?" She smiled from ear to ear. Her heart fluttering madly in her chest.
"No. It's a plea." He pulled her hand to his lips a placed a small chaste kiss on her knuckles. Her silence was killing him and felt like ages, even though he was certain it had only been a few seconds.
"Of course I will."