- You Have Selected [PALADIN SETH BRAGG]
[PREVIOUS ENTRY]
Member: Paladin Seth Bragg
Service Number: 10032827
Date of Birth: 08-09-2234
Date of Death: 01-16-2276
Place of Death: Helios One
Chapter: West Coast - Mojave
Duty Stations: Helios One, Hub Watchpost 002, LA Watchpost 002, Lost Hills
Noted Engagements: Battle for Helios One, I-15 Harassment Campaign, Steel Palace Defense, New Reno Raid Campaign
Tech Recovered: YK—Pulse Proto, Poseidon Level 8 All Access Credential, S. CA National Guard T-45 Govt. Cache
Archive Submission: Journal Entry
Oh Man was yesterday fun! Not too often we get to be back at LH for a wedding! We damn sure needed a break after that Op up north. I spent too long around San Fran for my blood and too pissed about the constant NCR gunfire. Anyways, we been back home for a few weeks, and the second we returned, we got to watch Senior Paladin Deamer propose to Paladin Brantley or "Eva."
Deamer has always been a great commander, and me and the other boys were blessed to serve under him up by San Fran. The man was even the one to personally drag me from the wreckage once that plasma grenade went off. My optics were shot, and he was the man to pull me out of there, a blind and plasma burned mess. I was more than honored when he invited me and the other Apprentice Paladins to his wedding. Who cares about rank and protocol when our whole unit spent months warding off NCR forces alongside the Shi!
Just yesterday, me and the boys put on our finest tech suits and made sure the wires and buckles were nice and polished, and the grey rubber was as un-creased as we could make it. We headed down to Level 4 where the Elders have their official podium for briefings. If Eva's father wasn't Elder Brantley, we would've had to do a makeshift ceremony in the Level 2 barracks! Instead, all the bells and whistles were put on in the briefing room alongside artificial flowers and a drink table. Me and the boys took our spots in third row behind Deamer and Brantley's family while we all awaited the coming bride.
Senior Paladin stood up there waiting, almost sweating through his tech suit as he looked around at the people trickling in. I seen the guy calmer with a full strength NCR platoon shooting at us than he was up there by the podium. Behind him were three of the five Elders (Eva's father included) with our giant emblem lording over us on the wall behind the party. As we waited, me and the boys knew it was our duty to heckle our commander in the meantime. Carlos shouted;
"Hey SP! Want me to shoot at you to calm you down? Haha!"
Deamer smiled at his moron apprentices and responded, "Yeah! That'd probably help a bit."
Randy chimed in, "Think she'll be here before I get back from the armory?"
Everyone laughed while Eva's family of Scribes and her Elder Father remained stone faced. It wasn't more than two minutes later that the sound of those hydraulic doors opened. We all turned, and there she was.
I'm sure she got her father's permission to wear something non-regulation, because she walked slowly down the briefing room led by her mother, "Senior Scribe Brantley" in the prettiest yellow prewar sun dress. Her hair was done up in ways like anyone in the Brotherhood had only seen in burnt magazines topside. I honestly couldn't believe the woman about to marry our Senior Paladin was serving alongside all of us only a few weeks ago, screaming orders over artillery fire.
Eva took her place as her mother and Elder father stood beside her. Elder Rabine then approached the podium and waved at the few still standing to take a seat. The ceremony was just like the other weddings I'd seen, except done by an esteemed Elder instead of a Senior Knight or Paladin in the barracks. Elder Rabine began;
"Dearest brothers and sisters of Steel. We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Senior Paladin Bruce Deamer, service number: 10083721 and Paladin Eva Brantley, service number: 10087875…"
I saw Eva's family look at each other lovingly, and then saw some of the boys thinking about jokes to ward off any show of emotion. The Elder continued on and I focused on what was being said;
"… The two of you have loved each other in the dangers of the wasteland and under the safety of our Order's strategic headquarters. According to Codex order, CDX-BOCP(Bunker Occupant Civil Protocol)-882, Section 3, Paragraph 8, and with authorization from both families, I have the pleasure of proceeding with this union. Now. Before I unite the two of you under the authority of The Brotherhood of Steel itself; do either of you have any words for the other?"
Without looking away from Eva's eyes, Deamer said, "Yes… Eva. From the moment I pulled your destroyed exoskeleton away from the SCA Sector 33 Nuclear detonation site, removed your helmet, and saw your eyes, I knew I loved you…"
Deamer was too overwhelmed with emotion to continue. Eva wiped a tear from her eye, sniffed, and said sweetly, "Go on. I've seen you get through worse."
Deamer continued, "The woman I once saw as a faceless young aspirant back home was no longer that. At that moment, I knew that not even a tactical nuclear blast could take you away from me…"
Everyone heard, but Eva whispered with tears in her eyes, "Not 10,000 nukes, plasma bombs, or orbital kinetic strikes could keep me from you."
Her parents were crying, and Deamer lastly added, "I love you with all my heart, Eva."
Elder Rabine swallowed hard, and said, "Eva-Er? Paladin Eva Brantley? Is there anything you would like to add?"
Eva took the hands of her love again after again wiping the tears from her eyes, and said, "Bruce, for the past 2 years and 14 field Ops, you have made me the happiest woman in the entire Brotherhood…"
Eva choked up again and collected herself before continuing, "I've stacked super mutant, Enclave, and NCR bodies alongside you. But before that, I've been beaten, battered, and exploded on every mission I wasn't under your command. When you pulled me from that smoldering radioactive hellscape and I looked into the eyes of the man I'd only seen before, I knew I'd never be in danger again…"
Her eyes streamed as Deamer softly added, "I'd jump head first into The Master's Vats for you, Eva."
Eva resumed, "Even though the past 14 field Ops were dangerous and so many people were killed, mostly NCR, I never doubted for one second on all those operations that you'd let any harm come to me. Even as grenades and NCR guns thundered all around, and the screams of their laser dismembered friends pierced the air, I never took my eyes off of you… Senior Paladin Bruce Deamer, I love you."
She finally broke into contagious sobs. I looked at the boys who largely kept it together, but Carlos and Oliver fell into muffled sobbing. I wanted to make fun of them, but my own eyes were too clouded for that. How was I supposed to make fun of my friends after we all just heard the sweetest and romantic love story that the world ever heard?
Elder Rabine swallowed hard again as everyone in the briefing room gathered themselves. He finally said;
"Senior Paladin Bruce Deamer, do you take this woman to be your faithful companion, comrade in arms, and the bearer of your children? To stay beside her always on the battlefield and otherwise? And to always put her survival as your top priority, directly beneath the preservation of mankind's technology and progress?"
Deamer was barely able to get it out, but he said it, "I do."
Elder Rabine turned to Eva and spoke, "Paladin Eva Brantley, do you take this man to be your faithful companion, comrade in arms, and the father of your children? To stay beside him always on the battlefield and otherwise? And to always put his survival as your top priority, directly beneath the preservation of mankind's technology and progress?"
Her tears were absolutely pouring down her face as she said, "I do" and immediately threw her arms around his neck. The two kissed each other over and over again, the audience stood to applaud. During the applause; the boys and I heckled, trying desperately to mask the beating worthy emotion we all showed.
Then, the party started. The boys and I got hammered in the Level 4 briefing room until the Elders grew tired of our antics and had the security detail escort us back up to Level 2. The new husband and wife disappeared shortly after the ceremony to consummate the marriage, and we took the party to Level 2. I used up all my alcohol rations for the entire year.
Legacy: Paladin Seth Bragg was killed in action on 01-16-2276 during the Mojave Chapter's retreat from Helios One. Paladin Seth Bragg had a long and distinguished career, initially serving at the beginning of our war with the NCR. This Paladin had fought valiantly across all parts of California and into the Mojave. Always dedicated to his brothers and sisters, Paladin Seth Bragg ultimately gave his life to ensure the safety of our members even in the most fatal of times. May he forever serve as an inspiration to all.
[NEXT ENTRY]
