Hey everyone, sorry i've been updating kinda slow, i've had college keeping me pretty busy these past few days so here's a quick update for yall. The reason this chapter is a lot shorter compared to most is because i want the assault on the enclave to be its own chapter. Hope you enjoy, and look for future updates! (Also, if you haven't already, i recommend you go look up another great Fallout story by Anhtony S called "As the World Turns". It's an amazing story with an original plot and has plenty of action and loveable characters for all to enjoy. Thanks for writing such an awesome story Anthony, cheers! )
Chapter 25: Calm Before the Storm
As I walked through the halls towards the armory I kept a stern expression on my face. I had holstered the S&W 500, which was more like a hand cannon than a pistol, in the bandolier strapped to my chest. It looked almost brand new, and I figured the Brotherhood must have been saving it for a special occasion. Kirk and Fawkes stood just outside the entrance to the armory.
The three of us stepped inside and were greeted by a rather cheery Durga. She wore a broad grin and waved us over, "Come one, come all and see what goodies I have in store for you!" she beckoned.
We made our way over the to counter where all sorts of armor and weaponry had been put out on display. "Ah, I see Madison got the Magnum to you. She begged and begged for me to give it to her and after a while I had no choice but to give in to her demands. You better take good care of it, it's a one in a million weapon." she advised.
"Oh I will." I replied.
"Anyways, I have some special toys for you three. Jason, I've been ordered to issue you this prototype light power armor. It weighs only half as much as the regular power armor and allows for increased mobility as well as maintaining the same amount of protection against most firearms. It is still a prototype though so it might not be as durable as regular power armor." she explained.
"Awesome, what else have you got for me?" I replied.
She eyed the magnum strapped to my chest, "Well, it seems like you're already packing in the way of firepower, and I know you still have that sawn-off and Chinese AR from last time." she said, which disappointed me a little.
"For the old man I've got a set of reinforced leather armor. The fabric has been weaved together with a Kevlar nylon mesh. It also has metal plating on the inside part of the coat to protect your vital organs. The pants have metal plates on the inside as well. Weapon wise you'll be using a Double Barrel Shotgun and an MP5 that we recovered and managed to fix up." she then handed the folded up armor and weapons to Kirk who had a look of excitement in his eyes.
Finally Durga turned to Fawkes, "The big fella gets something extra special…" she turned away and walked in to the back room of the armory. When she re-emerged she was carrying a huge minigun looking weapon. Durga heaved it up on to the counter and then pulled a large power pack from beneath the counter.
"The Gatling Laser. We only have three of these puppies lying around, and I figure your friend there is big enough to carry it around without breaking a sweat."
Fawkes reached out and strapped the power pack to his back, and then connected the wires to the end of the Gatling Laser to power it up. "This will make a fine weapon." was all he said.
"Damn Durga, saving all the good weapons for a rainy day, huh?" I asked with a smirk on my face.
"You'd be surprised at the kind of pre-war technology the Brotherhood has excavated over the years." she replied.
"I wouldn't doubt it. Well, thanks again Durga, stay safe alright?" I told her, and she nodded with a sweet smile.
We grabbed a few beers from the barracks before heading out to the courtyard. The sun had already begun to set and it cast an orange glow over the whole of the wasteland. I walked to the middle of the courtyard and sat down on the concrete. Fawkes and Kirk joined me. We didn't say much at first, though after a while Kirk finally cleared his throat to speak up.
"I uhh, I've been meaning to tell you something for a while now kid." he started with an unsure glint in his eyes.
I looked him over quizzically, "What is it?" I asked.
He placed his hand on the back of his neck and looked down at the ground, "I went and saw some of the Medics to see if they couldn't find out why my health has deteriorated so much over the past few weeks and…well…." he suddenly stopped speaking and stared off in to space.
He then looked me straight in the eyes, "They told me I've got lung cancer kid." he finally blurted out. "It's all these damn cigarettes mixed with being out in the wastes on a near constant basis."
I didn't know what to say, and besides, what could I say? All I could do was give him a slight nod.
He laughed to himself and smiled, "So I guess no matter what goes down tomorrow I'm dead either way. Of course, I might live a little longer if I survive what's in store for us tomorrow. Maybe I'll use what time I'll have left to find someplace quiet and enjoy some long deserved comfort and relaxation." When he finished talking he still smiled, but I could see that it masked how he really felt by the look in his eyes.
I smiled softly, "I think that sounds like an excellent plan Kirk."
I then looked over at Fawkes who had been silent this whole time. "And what about you Fawkes? If you make it out alive what are you going to do?"
"I think I might go out and see what has become of the rest of the United States. I read about settlements both great and small in the outlying states. Perhaps I might be able to conquer this beast that still lurks within me by making such a grand journey." he told me with a look of content shown across his face.
"What plans might you have in store if you make it out alive?" Fawkes questioned with a raised brow.
The image of a beautiful woman ran through the forefront of my mind and I couldn't help but wear a wide grin, "I'm going to marry Madison and find some place far away from here where we can raise our child properly and live out our lives without having to worry about whatever other troubles the wasteland might have." I told them through my grin.
Kirk then held up his beer bottle, "Fellas, it's been a fun ride, and I look forward to fighting by your sides in the oncoming battle tomorrow." he toasted, and then Fawkes and I tapped our bottles against his and drank to what the future held for us.
I placed the empty bottle at my feet and sighed, "Well, it's been nice talking with you guys, but I've got a woman that needs me, and I need to make sure that we get as much time possible together before tomorrow. Good night, and sleep well." I then got to my feet, bid them adieu, and headed for the residence hall.
I found Madison leaning over the railing of the balcony just outside her room which overlooked part of the wasteland. I slid my arms around her waist and pulled her close, letting my chin rest on her shoulder. She reached back and caressed my cheek and placed her other hand on my arms.
"I've never seen the wasteland this calm before." she commented as I kissed the nape of her neck.
"Maybe we're being allowed one final breath before the plunge." I replied.
I lifted the lower part of her blouse and placed my hands on the bare skin of her stomach. It had been over a month since she told me the news that we were going to be parents and yet her stomach remained mostly unchanged. Soon it would show the signs of her pregnancy and I will be there to take care of her and make sure she has everything she needs. I wondered if we would have a boy or a girl, but it didn't really matter to me.
"What do you want to name the baby if it's a girl?" Madison suddenly interrupted.
I gave it some thought, and finally my mind settled on the image of the time when I first met the Mysterious Stranger, and of the little bed & breakfast nook I had happened upon.
"Kaelyn." I said simply with a slight upward curvature of the left side of my mouth.
"And what if it's a boy?" she asked.
Only one name came to mind…the only name that had ever meant anything to me up until I had met Madison.
"James." I whispered.
Madison turned her head and glanced up at me, "I think that would be perfect." she whispered back, and then planted a soft kiss on my lips.
When she had pulled away, I pulled her in once again and kissed her passionately. A soft breeze whipped up while we were locked in a loving embrace and helped to set the mood.
I placed my forehead against hers and looked in to her deep blue eyes, "Let's go to bed, we've got a lot to do tomorrow, and we'll need all the rest we can get." I suggested, and she nodded.
I took her by the hand and she placed her head against my shoulder and the two of us walked back to our room in silence.