What We've Got Coming
'How did this happen?' Veronica asked herself, watching the injured be carried off by medical personnel or lying in beds in the already cramped med bay.
The Tandi was attacked, that much she knew for sure, but the finer details weren't given to her. Even when she saw Andrew, her old friend ignored her questioning and instead focused towards heading along with the wounded. In turn, Veronica followed and put her own interests for later. Doing so resulted in her figuring out why Andrew put his attention towards coming here. Graham.
The Burned Man laid in bed stripped of his upper clothing and bandages. Doctors pulling bullets after bullets from the man's burnt flesh as the man himself stayed awake, feeling every insertion.
"Veronica," The friend in question turned toward Andrew as he kept staring through the glass window into Graham's room. "I'm going to need to speak with Graham as soon as I can. Which knowing him won't be much longer. I'll need you to report back to my office and keep everyone occupied until I'm done here."
She may not know the reasons as to why Andrew found speaking to Graham so important. Or why he would put on hold reorganizing their forces here. But even so, she nodded her head with only one question she felt was worth asking.
"What are you going to do in the meantime?"
Andrew turned his back to Veronica, both now facing the rows of wounded Grunts filling the halls, before raising up his Pip-Boy for her to see.
"I still have more medical supplies than I'll ever need. Might as well see which doctors here will need them."
Both left the other afterward. Andrew soon disappearing behind the crowd of wounded and doctors alike. With Veronica already climbing the stairs up towards Andrew's office. Though the enclosed space of the metal stairwell remained relatively peaceful, realistic as to what had happened came back each time Veronica passed another floor.
Patrols were on every floor by now. Heads turning in all directions at the slightest sign of movement. Luckily, these MoJave soldiers kept their heads cool for the most part and let most other personnel straight on by after a quick once-over.
With a current lockdown in effect for all non-essential personnel and Boone volunteering to go on the rushed search party for their White Fang attack. Veronica was left with little company besides the routine patrols. That was, however, true up until she passed a barracks and out from it came a Ranger. Who she soon recognized as squad Zulu's commander, Tank.
"What luck. I was just about to go looking for you."
Taken back by the man's formal greeting, given the state of things, Veronica opted to keep as much distance as she could from him. Her fists ready to fly if need be.
"It can wait. Right now I'm going to stand in an empty room, arguing with old men."
As she began to take her leave, Tank reaches out in front of Veronica with a folded note in his hand. On it, Veronica notices the Brotherhood's symbol printed with a nice dark blue color. What words she saw were also written in familiar handwriting.
"You can wait to read it if you want. But I am under orders from your Elder to give this to you."
"You are cleared to speak with him now, sir."
Andrew nodded his head and quickly went passed the doctor into Graham's room. Perks of being a high-ranking member of the MoJave, and the need for urgent care, granting Graham his own room. As bad as things were out there, things began to calm down once stim-packs started to be put into use. Which in turn made the need to share rooms unwarranted as those that could be ordered back to their barracks once given enough injections.
Glad as he was to know that most of the wounded consisted mostly of low degree burns that were easily fixed. One could understand the CEO not jumping for joy after walking through halls filled with those missing limbs or had a blanket thrown over them. He'll know the exact numbers later, for now, Andrew was content with knowing his supplies might save some of his men. Though he knew he shouldn't even be here right now, Andrew felt obligated regardless. Not only to see his soldiers but to also inform Graham about Lanius.
"You look like shit," In truth that was probably the most honest thing Andrew was sure he could've said to Graham.
Graham had his back to Andrew, seated up in his bed and working on covering his lower back with clean bandages. The name Burned Man being than appropriate now more than ever as Andrew gazed towards the mesh of red flesh, both burnt and littered with stitching.
"Then I'll have to thank the doctor again soon. If that's truly the worst you can say about it."
Graham went and continued applying his bandages, keeping his back towards Andrew. Who simply kept staring for a few moments. Happy to see the Burned Man going along with his jokes. But the elephant in the room was calling and Andrew didn't plan on leaving it be.
"Lanius's dead."
There wasn't much need to go to in deft about it, Graham knew Andrew wouldn't lie about and frankly, he didn't want to see the body.
"For the time I did have with him. I'm saddened to admit wishing for more," Graham stopped putting on his bandages and now finally moved to face Andrew. It would be the first time the Courier ever saw the Burned Man face unwrapped. "Though, he did assist me in my selfish goal."
"How?" That was all Andrew could say from stopping himself from laughing at the idea of Lanius of all people finding redemption.
The scene before the Legate's death played in his head but even that made sense to Andrew. It was the last sign of defiance Lanius could've shown. And suicide has always had some twisted sense of honor to the Legion. Out of all people, Lanius was probably pleased that at the very least someone else pulled the trigger, by his self-proclaim rival no less. Andrew understands these actions as nothing more than the most rational thing Ceaser's second Legate could do.
Lanius remained a dog to Ceaser. What redemption could he have possibly seen before the man's death?
"His reasoning for wanting you dead changed and his actions before escaping. It was something to respect," Graham spoke slowly but remained facing Andrew. Never once turning his head away even as the Courier lost his sense of humor.
Andrew began looking around the room, only to at times look back at Graham before he would take a deep breath. The CEO's hands were shaking. All of this Graham notice and for a split second the Burned Man check to make sure his pistol was within reach. The Courier then finally stopped, found a seat near the back corner of the room, and started lining forward in the chair.
"All that time you've spent with that monster. And all you did was find a respectable understanding of his wish to kill me?" As Andrew pointed towards himself, Graham slowly nodded his head. "Then tell me, Graham. What just and correct reasoning is out there to the man who freed the MoJave? Forced the NCR behind its borders and think about the land it already has. Who brought down the Legion through killing it's great Ceaser and is now supplying the Wasteland with fresh food and water."
More than once did Andrew nearly start yelling. However, one still calm corner of his mind kept him in line. Reminding him of those outside from and solely know only of Remnant.
"Tell me, Burned Man. How does one like Lanius have a respectable reason to kill me?"
There was no silence from Graham. He did not take a second to think or wait for Andrew to clear his thoughts. He simply answered the question.
"Because both he and I have suffered for our sins in this world. You, however, still stand tall and proud overall of yours."
Andrew's eyes face the floor. His mind filled with thoughts of Boone's old way of thinking that Graham was now implying. Laughing inside at the idea that the world works under such reasoning.
"Graham I am guilty of many things," The Courier was once again staring eye to eye with the Burned Man. "But, despite the suffering I've brought to many, I know there are more who found a happy and safe life because of what I've done. And for that, only the scum of the earth have reasons to kill me."
Pushing himself up out of his chair, Andrew took some steps towards Graham and look down onto the red flesh of his face.
"Now tell me you ain't one of these scum."
There was no need for Andrew to explain further. Graham knew this was an order from the Courier. Who now had him by the throat. Even if he could reach his weapon in time, Graham has seen Andrew in action before and knew the outcome of this fight. He'll just have to answer as honestly as he could.
"All I've said is that I found redemption with Lanius's new reasoning. I never said that I too would adopt it."
The Courier nodded his head at that and left the room. Ordering the doctors to keep him posted on what Graham's condition was from there on out. Afterwards, the MoJave CEO left the med-bay for his office. Leaving Grahm to continue wrapping himself with a new role of clean bandages.
The door to Andrew's office opened and in seconds was meet with silence. There were only two individuals in the room. Veronica, of course, standing noticeably far away from Andrew desk and Sunsin, the Admiral serving as the only other high-ranking office that could attend this rushed meeting. They watch their CEO as he walked and took a position in the middle space between them. Looking back and forth at the two, Andrew finally ended the silence.
"Atlas knows nothing, correct?"
Sunsin nodded before explaining further.
"Atlas, and in extension all of Vale, are aware that something has occurred here. Though, as of now, we haven't made any official statements."
"Good," Andrew complimented before moving around his desk to take a seat. "As for our search team?"
"They reported back a few minutes ago and said they've engaged the enemy. And knowing MoJave Special Forces, they should report mission success not long from now," For as quiet and formal as the Admiral spoke, a smile did come to his face once he finished speaking. Though, it left not long after.
"Well, that closes all but one more pressing matter. What of the ammo dump?" Andrew asked well the windows showed only black smoke.
"The fires are under control. There's little chance of anymore injuries," Sunsin answered but was quickly faced with silence from the CEO. A heavy sigh came as the Admiral realized what else Andrew wanted to know. "The supplies lost were minimal at best. The reason for the large explosion, however, was because a case of Fat Man's went off."
Like clockwork, realization then came to Andrew as well as Veronica. The two thinking what luck they had not to have died today.
"We're lucky to not have lost the Tandi," Andrew all but yelled, more than relieved to have seen what little damage there was to the Tandi himself when he did. "Then I guess that's that. Sunsin, make sure the lockdown stays in effect until further notice and that our forces elsewhere stay focus on their original orders." The Admiral nodded his head as Andrew turned towards Veronica. "Veronica, I want you in the radio room keeping track of what's happening with our search party. Once they've finished killing animals responsible for this starts planning a press conference. I'll be there to personally to explain what happened here," The Paladin nodded. "In the meantime, I'll handle all other matters. Including issues concerning our casualties. Dismiss."
After they left, Andrew went to work. Reading over files concerning Grunts now marked with three letters, KIA. During this time the CEO began writing his words for tomorrow's statement. An endeavor that leads him to remind himself of MoJave's policy towards rioting. It'll be some time before he'll need it, however, the Courier preferred to be prepared once Atlas was out of Vale and he would be free to search for the White Fang once again. No matter how extreme said search may be.
Boone fell to the ground, kicking up dirt, and began positioning himself to take another shot. A group of Rangers, Grunts, and Paladins following close from behind. So far, he's gotten one solid hit in on their target but the .508 round couldn't price their targets shield. Seeing this, the sniper grabbed an upgrade courtesy from one of the Rangers in their search party.
It took longer to set up the large rifle but eventually, Boone had the scope down range with the back of their saboteur in it. Pulling the bolt back and loading in an explosive shell, Boone's world went still. The sounds of gunfire from his fellow troopers ignored, his breathing calm, and his shoulder ready to take the full kickback of an Anti-material rifle.
A deafening boom started to ring in his ears once he pulled the trigger. His world moving again and what looked to be a blur appearing in his field of vision.
"What...?"
Two trees that his target had ran passed than exploded in half. Creating a screen of smoke and sent tree bark flying in all directions. The dust cleared and now standing in Boone's sights was, undoubtedly a Faunus, in a fancy black coat and a crimson curved sword out in front of him. The Faunus's face hidden behind a White mask. As for Boone's intended target, he was on the ground looking up towards his savior.
"Great! More of them!" One of the Grunts yelled out well Boone was already loading another round.
Their target rushed for covered but Boone didn't adjust the rifle. The weapon, coat, mask. The full description matched the Faunus responsible for more than a handful of dead Rangers. He didn't need to hear his fellow soldiers of the Republic say anything of their anger, he felt it. Besides, all of them doubted 'Adam' would allow harm to come to the saboteur after that display. If they were going to kill that asshole, they'll need Adam distracted.
Boone fired another explosive shell but instead of taking the hit this time, Adam sprinted off away from their target causing the shot to miss. He tried tracking the Faunus but soon lost sight thanks to the forest's dense tree cover.
"Keep the Power Armor team with me. The rest should stay on our target."
Though not technically the highest ranked officer of the rushed together search party, Boone's voice held authority over all others. The Ranger's there knew the sniper, as well as the Paladins, and no one was going to distrust whatever plan the former First Recon trooper had. As for the Grunts, they simple either knew tales of the man or just followed their orders without question.
Well, they continued on after their prime target. Boone's mind was running a mile every passing second. The White Fang higher up was going to make them play a game of hide and seek. He'll attack when ready and stay away from direct engagements. Easy enough to understand and was the exact reason why Boone had the Paladins with him. Otherwise, the sniper would be by far the easiest target to kill for the Faunus.
The Paladins will make the job of killing him that much harder for Adam. As much as the sniper was a threat, two MoJave Special Forces clad in nearly bright white Power Armor and carrying Gatling Lasers wasn't an enemy Adam would have time to deal with. Especially with his most likely goal here being saving the White Fang's saboteur. Adam will have to show himself again or risk losing his man to the Rangers. When he does, Boone will be ready to take the shot. That was the sniper's plan anyway.
Gunfire once again erupting throughout the forest. Rangers and Grunts sending a combination of hot lead and lasers down range, each man and woman working towards pricing that red mist. However, Boone continued to hold fire. His job now was overwatching those men for when Adam appears. Under a constant hell fire courtesy of the MoJave's finest, sooner or later the red mist was going to waver. And either their target will be dead or Boone will take a shot at the most wanted White Fang of them all, and then they'll continue with killing the target.
At this range, Boone didn't need to concern himself much with other factors at play. The round would simply fly straight. He was more than ready to fire at any given moment. Then the man felt something sharp enter his back.
"Bastard!" One of the Paladins yelled out as Adam fall from above down onto Boone. The Faunus's crimson blade entering and exciting Boone's body.
Before any other action was made, however. Through adrenaline alone, Boone had reach down and now had a kept away knife stabbing at the Faunus's leg. The attempted attack did little in terms of harm though Adam was made off balance by the force from it. Making him slipped back and unable to react properly to a Paladin charging him.
Tree bark exploded in all direction once Adam made contact with a nearby tree. The Paladin who sent him there was now fixing himself back straight to fire his weapon, the second Paladin, however, beat him to the punch. With eight spinning barrels, lasers were sent straight to cut down Adam. But instead, they ended up cutting down the tree. Creating enough smoke for the Faunus to run unnoticed for the split second he needed.
Boone watched to Faunus stumble and roll his way out of the Paladins fire. Unable to do much as the pain was finally hitting him. The Paladins redirected their fire, knowing that stronger aura's take a longer time to crack and continued firing. They stopped shortly after, however, once they saw who else was in front of their weapons.
The Ranger's and Grunts were still focused on their target, clearly seeing that they had now punched through the mist around him. Their target had dropped himself behind a tree and was now firing blindly in all directions. Slowly, Grunts and Rangers alike closed in on him, unaware of Adam coming in from behind and using them as cover against the two Paladins.
"Behind You!"
One of the Paladins yelled just in time for a Grunt to notice the sprinting Faunus swinging a blade towards him. The Grunt fell to the ground causing the first swing to miss, the second swing, however, went clean through his exposed neck.
They were all now aware of the Faunus and turned their attention towards him to react. Not one was willing to risk the much abler Adam from closing his distance towards them. Leaving their original target nearly forgotten entirely.
The next one to fall to Adam's blade was another Grunt. A full battle had now erupted between the mix mash of MoJave forces and a single White Fang soldier. The later of which using tree and other MoJave soldiers as cover to cut down whoever he could. Assult rifles fired in control burst in hope of leading Adam towards better equipment Rangers, who in turn were able to sometimes shot point blank at him. Still, most failed by Adam blocking the shots with his sword, and some suffering from said blade cutting through their armor.
With the situation in front of them continuing to worsen. One of the Paladins opted to join the fight well the other went to check over Boone. To his surprise, the sniper wasn't gripping his wounds in hope of slowing down the bleeding. Instead, he let both his clothes and the grass under him be stain by his blood as Boone was once again behind the Anti-Material rifle.
"A little help here," Boone asked, and instinctively the Paladin knew what he wanted.
Both of Boone's wounds hurt like hell, made worse when two Power Armored hands began tightening themselves around him. The screams of dying men, however, helped him ignore it. Back behind the rifle, Boone watched the battle play out. Saw each of Adam's kills get cut down, all faces of dead men and woman now ingrained into his mind as he watched their final seconds of life unfold. The sniper just continues to breathe calmly, waiting for one slip up, one moment of stillness, a chance to kill this Faunus. Then one of the Rangers was able to land a solid hit on Adam with the butt of their rifle. In that moment Adam's movements were easy to predict and Boone took the shot.
The round exploded once it made contact and Adam was sent flying back towards the ground at least a foot from where he was. Gripped in the Faunus's hand now was the stump of his blade, the rest scattered in broken pieces all across the ground. Right away, Boone knew he failed to kill Adam.
Dirt was being kicked up as the rest of the MoJave soldiers opened fire. Much slower than before, Adam rolled himself backward out of the way of danger. Finding his own tree to hide behind. They were all now closing in on him with Paladin leading the way. However, if the White Fang, and Adam in extension, proved anything to Atlas, MoJave and all Huntsman alike. It would be that they are hard to finish off. Just as they thought they've won, a Bullhead appears above them and opened a stream of bullets from two Gatling guns onto them.
The Paladin opened fire in return as those around him went behind cover. The Paladin was able to hit one of the engines causing it to start smoking. By then the Bullhead back off and left them be. Once they were sure it was gone the group's put their attention back to where it belongs just in time to see leaves falling from the trees above.
Not long after, they found both Adam and their saboteur were gone. Soon they all came to accepted what had happened but not one of them wanted to say it. That was until the other Paladin came over towards with Boone around his shoulders. Said sniper wrapped in makeshift bandages that already had blood leaking through them.
"We failed. Grabe our dead and injured and let's report back."
Those aboard the White Fang Bullhead were quiet. Though a successful mission none were willing to celebrate given what they had to go through, even if everyone important, in Adam's eyes at least, made it back.
"I'll need to speak with our Blacksmiths once we get back."
Soul then looked away from their mission's intended target, a collection of three MoJave issued mini-nukes, towards Adam. The great hero of the White Fang that's killed MoJave Special forces by the dozens, starring at his stump sword annoyed more than anything. Adam though took notice of Soul and put the stump blade next to him.
"Now, how do you plan on earning this rescue?" Adam asked and in response, Soul lifted his head up from his knees.
"By making sure Andrew Garnet's world gets torn down."
Izzycity12: That took longer than I had hoped but here's hoping it doesn't take as long as next time. So, done with that arc of sorts and now back to moving towards the end of Volume 3. Which, I think you're all going to like.
And yes, this chapter was planned for much earlier so it was going to be short regardless.
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