Some said the world would end in fire
Some said in ice
And with apologies to an old poet
It did not exactly end in fire
But it probably should have
Delta Sierra stalked through the dust. He had been tracking for weeks now, or was it a month? He had lost track. In the end it did not matter. He was on high alert again. He had seen the super mutants. He was almost certain they belonged to the Neo Human Effort. They were conversing with each other. They were also talking about a "plan," a "secret weapon."
It also did not help that they were heading further east, not west, the opposite direction of New York. In other words, wherever they were headed, it was probably their point of origin. Delta Sierra was expecting an old military facility or a Vault but he learned to expect the unexpected.
In the end, he just had to keep following them. They would probably lead him to his objective. And then ENCOM could blow the darn thing up. Provided, of course, he wasn't spotted. Under normal circumstances, with regular mutants, he would have laughed at the thought. Alas, these were different mutants. They actually conversed with each other. Before he usually did not have a qualm about sneaking in front of a mutant with his stealth suit on. Dumb brutes didn't know any better. These New Human Effort mutants? They seemed dangerously adept. Then there was an agent in the field who had gone missing weeks ago. That agent had been equipped with the same cloaking technology he had.
He wasn't going to let his guard down.
–
The group continued on their way to DC though the awkward silence had fallen away long ago. Suda was still insisting that she follow behind everyone so she could keep her vigil on Claire. However, after awhile the icy glare wasn't just directed at her. Suda was directing a few more at Isaac.
David, who was blissfully strolling along managed to slow down so that he was just in front of Suda.
"Please tell me you see exactly what's going on in front of you." Suda muttered quietly to David.
Surprise that she even said something to him, David glanced back at her.
"What are you talking about?" the Regulator asked.
"Can't you see what's going on? Look at those two." Suda grumbled, motioning to Isaac and Claire.
"They're talking?" David muttered back in exasperation.
"They're not just talking. Watch them. It's the way she talks, the tone of voice, now she's touching his shoulder, the giggle now, I mean look, he's even starting to smile." Suda listed in observation.
"It's called being nice to someone. You should try it sometime." David retorted.
"She's manipulating him, trying to get on his good side again!" Suda hissed angrily so that only she and he could hear.
"To what? Shoot us in the back?" David asked.
"Yes!" Suda snapped.
"Tell you what, you just keep an eye out on her and I'll just pray that you don't shoot me in the back." David grumbled.
"Hey, we got something up ahead." Joseph warned.
Furious grumbled irritably. He was getting hungry.
"What is it?" David asked.
"Looks like a settlement. Maybe you could give it a look?" Joseph asked Isaac.
Isaac brought his scope in front of his eye to look at the distant town.
"Seems like a nice play with several routes. I think there may even be a caravan or two running through. All of them good signs." Isaac reported.
"Haha, well we shall live in civilization tonight!" David exulted.
Furious waddled ahead, turned around and let out a grumpy bark, as if hurrying them so they could go get food.
–
Those who say that 'seeing is believing' have underestimated the power of unseen faith. This became apparent as Adam, Carl, Sven and James strolled through Haven towards its capital building called the Estate. The people of the Hierarchy had heard the stories of the Liberators and obviously had never seen them in action. However, just the fact that four men bearing the uncanny resemblance to the descriptions told in the stories was enough to part a path for them. They got more than enough gawking stares as they walked through.
"I don't think I could get used to this." James murmured as he took off his shades and placed them in his duster pocket.
"Too many eyes...too much attention..." Sven blurted.
"Don't mind them. Walk like you own the place." Adam instructed under his breath.
"It looks like they're fairly convinced of that." James replied.
Within moments, they were within the Estate and without a word were finding their way towards the Director's office. No one bothered the question them. In fact, all they received were shocked stares. James ignored them and tried to bring Adam up to speed.
"The Director's name is Catherine Omedea. She's about our age and she's a bit on the serious side." James informed under his breath.
"Catherine, huh? Never would have guess their leader was a woman. That's rare these days." Adam muttered.
"Yeah, just don't underestimate her." James cautioned.
"If I underestimated my opponents, I never would have lived this long." Adam replied.
"Can I help you gentlemen?" a man who seemed used to being in authority interrupted them. James immediately recognized him as Catherine's son.
"We're here to see the Director." Adam replied.
"Ah, yes. Let me inform her. I am General Omedea, commander of the Hierarchy forces." General Omedea introduced himself with a toothless smile.
"Pleased to meet you. We'll wait for you to inform your boss." Adam replied, waiting for Omedea to disappear.
What the Liberators could not have known was that while the Director was indeed being summoned to meet them, General Omedea was also frantically requesting his chief officer of Hierarchy intelligence to show up. With the Liberators their within their clutches...well, this was an opportunity too good to pass up.
–
Joseph, Furious, Clair, Isaac, David and Suda strolled into the town without a problem. Apparently, the settlement was used to having visitors on a regular basis. No one batted an eye at them. In fact, their presence was almost welcomed. At least the townsfolk knew that with each law abiding visitor that passed through, so did their chances of making a nice transaction.
Claire herself needed to break off from them and find a way to hide her Talon Company armor.
However, the rest of the group just really wanted to crash in the local saloon, for a drink.
"Water. Do you have water?" Joseph asked the bar tender behind the counter.
"Yes, I assume you all want water then?" the man asked, looking at Joseph, Suda, David and Isaac. Claire had run off to see if she could get something to replace her Talon Company armor at the local general store.
"Yes." David replied hoarsely.
"Bark!" Furious reported grumpily, suddenly jumping up on the counter and glaring at the bartender.
"Whoa, you got a spike dog." the man observed, staring at the creature while he filled the glasses.
"Yes, but I think he's just hungry. You wouldn't have any scraps you could just give him for free, do you?" Isaac asked.
"Eh, maybe. It's not like anyone else is going to eat them, much less pay for them." the bartender decided, raising an eyebrow when Furious let out a low grumble.
"Wait a minute..." the bartender thought as he contemplated the unhappy ball of spikes.
"What?" David asked, tossing the man his caps before wolfing down the water.
"You're...you're not the spike dogs, are you?" the bartender asked.
"We just have a spike dog. We're not disagreeable creatures ourselves." Joseph muttered back.
"No, no. The Spike Dogs. Word has gotten around about a group of Regulators going around clearing out all those mercenaries fighting in their war out there. They had a spike dog with them so people have just taken to calling them the Spike Dogs. That...that can't be you guys, can it?" the bartender asked, pushing a plate full of scraps to Furious who immediately got to greedily chewing on them.
"Ummmm..." Isaac hummed, unsure how to answer the question.
"Well..." Joseph hesitated.
"Hey, you know of a Regulator leader around here who can cash in our fingers for us?" David asked, dropping a large leather bag on the counter.
The bartender stared at the ominous parcel with a look of disgust.
"Guess that answers my question. He's just two doors down the street on this side." The bartender replied.
"Thanks. You have a good day. Whoo hoo, pay day!" David cheered as he suddenly disappeared out the door.
"Think we should have left him with the bag by himself?" Joseph suddenly asked.
Isaac shrugged.
Furious was eating noisily on the counter.
"Hey, Isaac, I got something for you." Claire announced, stepping into the saloon. Apparently, she had found a simple leather dress to cover up the armor. It was probably the most practical and easiest solution.
"You had been complaining about the dust and wind so I got these goggles for you, the owner sold them free with the dress." Claire said, handing Isaac the goggles. They were of slim design, mostly clear and had probably belonged to a riot squad detachment of the police force back in the day.
"Hey, thanks." Isaac said, smiling.
Suda rolled her eyes and looked out the window. It was then that she noticed something.
"Are those slavers out there?" Suda demanded of the bartender.
"Yeah, they've been coming around here for the past couple days. We know there's a lot of them but no ones been buying. The Regulators here can't do much cause they're under powered and really, those guys are just the sellers. They don't know where the real slavers base of operations are." the bartender replied.
Isaac and Joseph immediately winced. Slavers caught at their base of operations or in the wastes were one thing. It was simply a shoot on sight policy. However, in neutral towns where they were trying to do business, things became more complicated. Regulators had learned that slavers often used coercion or other underhanded methods to keep otherwise innocent people under the thumb. Furthermore, especially in a town like this, it was just too risky to start a gunfight. Innocent people could get caught in the cross fire. In other words, slavers and New England Regulators often observed an unspoken cease fire within town limits.
"Hmmm..." Suda mumbled.
Joseph watched her gaze shift from the slaves up for auction.
She glanced at the young man who could have only been in his twenties.
There was a younger boy too, probably not even in his teens.
And finally, there was the young girl, could have only been a teenager.
Suda got off her stool and left the saloon.
"What is she doing?" Joseph asked as soon as Suda had left the building.
"You know...I have a strong feeling we should all start freaking out now." Isaac replied, slowly making his way towards the door just in case he needed to bolt after her.
–
The Regulator leader of the area was an older man with a grizzled disposition. He reminded David of Francis whom he had only met once. David was one of the last regulators to be recruited by Francis before he went into retirement, handing most of the duties over to Mark.
"Looks like you boys have been busy. That's nearly all my caps." the leader announced.
"Well, think of it as less of the bad guys out there." David replied.
"And that's a thought worth more than these caps." the leader answered
"I'll take the caps anyway." David chuckled.
"Yeah, now I couldn't help but notice, but was that woman with you when you boys strolled into town?" the leader asked, pointing out the window.
"Actually...she was..." David trailed off, absentmindedly taking the caps as he slowly made his way to the door, eyes always transfixed on Suda.
Outside, Suda marched up to the two slavers.
"Excuse me, how much are you expecting to sell these children for?" Suda asked.
"Well, you might be interested in the other two. The girl here we're kind of saving for a man. They'd probably find her more valuable than you, ma'am." one of the slavers replied.
"I understand. Perfectly." Suda answered.
And there was absolutely nothing anyone could have done to stop what happened next.
Suda had whipped out her combat shotgun and the first slaver simply had his midsection disintegrated under the blast. The second slaver rushed for his firearm but Suda had shifted quicker. Another explosion echoed out on the streets and the final slaver's decapitated corpse slumped to the ground.
The now freed slaves stared up at Suda in shock. She was fumbling to unlock their chains as she let her hair fall in her face.
"Go. Just go, you're free now." Suda told them, unlocking the last shackle.
They continued to stare at her.
"Go! Get out of here! There's nothing more I can do for you! Go!" Suda shouted at them angrily.
They immediately left.
"Suda...Suda, what just happened?"Isaac breathed, staring at the bodies in shock.
"What do you think just happened Isaac!" Suda snapped at him, turning back to face him.
"Suda...what's wrong?" Isaac asked in shock, surprised at what he saw.
Running down her face were angry, bitter tears.
"Isaac, shut up. I don't want to talk about it. Just leave me alone." Suda snapped, retreating back to the saloon where she immediately rented out a room and disappeared into.
"So...can someone tell me what just happened?" Joseph asked as soon as Isaac and David returned.
"Honestly, I'm not sure anyone here knows what's going on." Isaac replied.
A moments silence hung on the men.
"Mazel tov?" David offered, opening the bag of caps.
–
"I'm sorry, Mr. Anders but there is no way that any peace can be negotiated with the Western Coalition. They are not civilized, they are merely raiders. Honestly, why would Regulators such as yourselves be willing to make peace with them?" Director Catherine Omedea demanded.
"Have you tried negotiating with them? Their warlord seems really reasonable." Adam said.
James subtly kicked him under the table, warning him not to give away that they had spoken to Yeohart in person.
"I mean, that's the story we've heard." Adam doubled back quickly.
"Then the people who told you those stories are idiots. Besides, I'm sure once we have negotiated, they will just turn on those treaties. They will have no intention of keeping them." Director Omedea dismissed.
"Ma'am, there's a virus circulating out there. If anything the Western Coalition will probably want to avoid conflict so they don't get the plague. Your troops should probably do the same." James reminded.
"We will have to operate discreetly, but this virus should only be all the more reason we keep the pressure on them. Their lines will break and it might give us the turning point we need. I'm sorry gentlemen, as noble as your intentions are, there is no way we can negotiate with them." Omedea said.
"So what about these rumors that your troops dress as raiders to shift blame on them?" Adam asked out of nowhere.
"That is nothing but slander. Our forces would not resort to such underhanded methods." Catherine Omedea replied.
She seemed sincere enough.
That or blissfully unaware.
"Well, I'm sorry we could not offer a deal you could have agreed to. We shall not take anymore of your time. Goodbye, Director." Adam said politely before getting up to leave.
The others followed him outside into the hall. It was there that they ran into the General again, Catherine's son. He simply smiled at them.
"Travel safe, gentlemen" he offered.
"You too, General Omedea. And if I ever find out that you're dressing your men as raiders to cover your tracks, you'll die a very painful death." Adam replied with a smile, though his voice was completely serious.
James and Carl glared at Adam while General Omedea simply stared as they passed by.
"Adam, what the heck? Have you lost your mind?" James screeched as soon as they left the building.
"I'm not sure that's going to help our cause, at least not on the diplomatic factor." Carl added.
"I'm sorry guys, our diplomatic front with them is pretty bad anyway. I couldn't stand that guy's smug face. I know he's hiding something. I almost want to stab him right now and be done with it." Adam grumbled.
"Right, and then I'm sure the Hierarchy will throw all its forces against us." James muttered.
"Argh, since when did negotiating have this much at stake? Oh well, nothing left for us to do here. Let's get back to the harbor." Adam said.
Unknown to them, back in the Estate, General Omedea was sending out orders to some of his most trust special operation units. They were mobilized and already getting started to head out.
Their objective was to bring down a legend.
–
Suda left her room and stalked down the stairs to the bar. It was nearly midnight and she did not expect there to be that many people down there, especially considering the size of the town. She had managed to find her composure but she was still not in the best of moods.
Hence why she ordered a bottle of scotch and took it to a secluded corner of the room so she could be by herself. She took her time but eventually half the bottle was gone. There was no rush she just simply wanted the hours to numb themselves away. She could care less how much it was going to hurt tomorrow morning.
She was surprised when a hand reached out and took the bottle off the table.
"What are you- oh shoot, Isaac, what are you doing here?" Suda demanded, embarrassed that he had been sitting just off to the side of her this whole time and she never noticed.
"Your stunt pissed off the slavers, of course. The guys and I could not thank you well enough for doing that. Unfortunately, we're expecting their friends to come back and take care of us. Its my turn to watch for the night. If they don't show up during the evening, we're expecting either a showdown tomorrow morning or to be hunted when we leave." Isaac explained.
Suda groaned and unexpectedly let another tear fall from her eyes. Being hunted. That never brought good memories for her. She was tired of it.
"Suda, what's going on? It's not good to let all that poison burn inside you. And I'm not talking about the alcohol." Isaac said.
Suda was quiet for a moment.
"Fine...fine. You've been ungodly persistent so maybe I'll just tell you so you'll shut up." Suda grumbled, realizing that one the scotch had done a number on her and two, she was now counting on this either being a dream or she would forget about it in the morning.
"I lost both of my parents when I was little. My father died shortly after I was born. I barely remember him at all. My mother, she worked on ships. I don't know what exactly she did. It must have been security. I remember she was always carrying this sword with her, one that I had never quite seen before...or since. Anyway, we must have gotten caught in a storm. I just remember it being very chaotic and then all of a sudden the ship was gone. I was washed up on land...my mother was gone." Suda said quietly, simply staring a hole into the table.
"A bunch of men found me...they were slavers..." Suda admitted.
And quite to Isaac surprise and dismay, the levy broke in an instant too fast for him to be prepared for.
"Oh my god, Isaac...oh my god..." Suda wept bitterly, slumped onto the table.
"The hell I had to go through...the pain...it hurt so much...I can't even count the number of times I've been raped. I can't count the number of times I've switched hands...owners..." Suda cried quietly.
Isaac sat back. He wanted to do something, anything but he feared if he even moved towards her Suda would make him regret it.
"Finally, the owners I was with were hit by a mercenary group. They weren't Talons but there weren't much better. After the obligatory...using...I was given the choice to work with them. I went on a few missions with them until they began to trust me. Then one night I slaughtered my whole team. At least they taught me how to be a merc so I found another group to sign on with." Suda finished.
"Suda...I'm...going to put my hand on your shoulder, alright?" Isaac warned.
Suda said nothing except to sniff miserably.
"I'm not those men, Suda, and neither are David and Joseph. I'm still trying to figure out the same with Claire, but let me handle that. We're not those men. We're not going to do that to you and we're not going to let anyone do that again, okay?" Isaac said, only slightly rubbing her shoulder for fear she would reach out and snap his arm off.
"I don't trust people anymore, Isaac." Suda replied.
"I can't make you trust us, but you should learn to. It might be a load off your shoulders." Isaac answered.
"Every time I finally let down the wall I regretted it." Suda muttered sadly.
"I'm not them. We're not them. We're not going to hurt you." Isaac asserted.
"...I...I need to get some sleep." Suda finally said, not wanting to deal with it.
She stopped when she felt a glass of water placed in her hand.
"I'm heard somewhere that it might help deaden the hangover." Isaac explained.
Suda stared at him numbly and simply took the glass up with her.
Only a couple moments later, Joseph crept in silent as the fog.
"You are relieved." Joseph announced.
"Thanks, Joe." Isaac said tiredly before yawning.
"I passed Suda. Is she still being unpredictable?" Joseph asked.
"Unpredictable, yes. However, I think I finally understand her." Isaac replied, making his way to his room.
"You will have to enlighten us, I never thought that was possible." Joseph said, hand resting on his tomahawk.
"A family friend once told me that with the right amount of caps or flattery, anyone can talk. However, if all else fails, you should resort to alcohol. Fortunately, she took care of that herself." Isaac explained.
"Get some rest, Isaac. I fear we shall all need it for the morning." Joseph dismissed.
–
The Half Moon was making its course back to Albany. Not much had changed on the ship. It still ran merchant routes and it even still had that old 40mm cannon mounted on its cabin. It had not seen much use through the years but Alexandra still kept it well maintained.
Night had fallen and there was not even a moon in the sky to give them light. Alexandra was running the ship at a slow pace. Piracy was rarely an issue on this part of the river so they were comfortable with having a few lights burning to help guide them along the waters.
Carl was quietly patrolling along the deck, pacing around in his boredom. He was not used to being on a ship that he was not in command in. Still, he knew better than to try and take over Alexandra's ship. He chuckled to himself at such an absurd thought and snacked on a mirelurk cake. He saw James off in the distance, leaning against the railing and started to make his way towards him.
Unknown to them, under the shadow of darkness, several smaller boats had silently gathered alongside the Half Moon.
The Hierarchy's special forces had been trained in clandestine operations. There was nothing they had not prepared for. Sabotage, assassination and espionage were run of the mill assignments. They were also smart and since they knew their master well, they also knew how to alter their plans should the rare complication occur.
Cloak and dagger operations were easy these days since no one knew how to counter them.
One particular operative was climbing his way up the hull through a secured rope they had managed to snare along the ship. The man leaning against the railing had no clue they were coming in from under him.
The operative recognized this man as he made his way up the rope. It was the Liberator's sniper. And even more fortunate, his hand was on the railing. If he could harm the man's hand then he could possibly end the sniper's career.
He was within range and with a well practiced maneuver, he hefted his sledgehammer brutally slammed the hammer onto the unprotected man's hand.
And, quiet unexpectedly, instead of the muffled sound of metal crushing flesh, a metallic clang echoed through the darkness.
"Ow?" James let out before kicking the bewildered infiltrator in the face, sending the attacker into the river.
"James, what's going on?" Carl demanded, rushing up to his comrade.
"Pirate took a swipe at my prosthetic. We got company!" James shouted, taking out his plasma pistol and firing at the surprised operatives along the hull.
Carl, looking over the side noticed more already climbing over the railings, grabbed his super sledge.
"Sure hope Alexandra doesn't mind a few dents on her deck." Carl muttered as he charged into them.
Several more men were sent flying into the river. One particularly unlucky operative was even sent so far that he landed in the shallows.
On the other side, Adam was having the time of his life. The operatives were having a hard time trying to track him down under the veil of his stealth boy. He looked over to see that Sven was delivering well aimed shotgun blasts into them. Adam made sure not to step into the line of fire.
When the battery finally gave out, Adam found several dazed operatives staring at him.
His Chinese longsword painted red on the deck.
The deck hands started arriving and soon the Half Moon was a frenzy. However, it only last a moment because very soon the operatives were leaving the deck and heading back for their boats. In fact, it was such a bewildering change in direction, all at once, that it caught the men off guard. They almost did not know how to react.
They could soon hear a more powerful motor boat revving up behind the ship and start heading up river. Alexandra immediately climbed to the 40mm cannon and waited for the ship to get within her sights.
"That was quick, I wonder what that was all about." James said as he, Carl and Adam meet on deck.
"Pirates usually want to get something specific and do not usually have sense enough to leave. They left too quickly. I wonder what they wanted." Carl muttered.
"Wait...something's wrong..." Adam said, looking around.
"What?" James asked with furrowed brows.
Adam suddenly went pale and ran for the 40mm cannon.
"Alexandra, don't shoot, don't shoot!" Adam hollered frantically.
The enemy boat was lined up for the perfect shot.
"Adam, why the heck not?" Alexandra demanded, finger tightening around the trigger.
"They got Sven!" Adam screamed.