And finally, here we are in chapter 14. I personally decided to plan on taking on another perspective other than our Sole Survivor... A good chance to let her have a bit more of a hidden time herself as the 'bad' character. ?

Now, that's said. Here's chapter 14, and hopefully you all enjoy.

Not everyone has good intentions.


-Steel-

"Move, move, move!"

Following behind the small team of USAF scouts, Piper, now in full suit X02 power armor rushed outside and came to see a small group of what appears to be a ragtag group.

"Get down! Tangos on the left!"

"I got visual on four!"

Despite the loud shouts and gunfire, Piper emmidiately aimed her assault rifle on one of the hostile and began firing a few rounds, killing one.

Letting the soldiers in finishing off the ragtag group, Piper suddenly got shot the chest piece, though, it didn't didn't do anything, Piper saw a woman as the one who shot her.

"I demand you to surrender the X02, civilian! It is property of the Enclave!"

Firing three rounds on the woman, Piper assumed it was the Sergeant Hodges. Former Enclave remnant.

'I wonder... How Amanda's dealing with those remnants who refuses to join her...'

"Nice work, Miss Wright. Don't worry, we'll take it from here and secure this ration site."

Giving a nod from the soldier who approached her, Piper couldn't help but glance down at the dead splinter group. They didn't looked much, didn't looked that armed, but one thing for is clear. These are remnants that chose not to join Amanda.

Seeing that the ration site was already being further secured, Piper decided to finally head off somewhere else. But no place came to her mind other than simply wandering in Concord. A thought to simply do a little field test with the X02.

Although she wasn't that interested in power armor, Piper had that strange feeling that it's one thing that mainly connects Amanda to the Enclave. After all, despite that short while she's known Amanda, she did noticed how much the short tempered woman seemed attatched to it, perhaps, it gives something to remind her of her spouse? Her spouse was a former Sargeant in the army after all. And to piece that fact along with the fact that Amanda seems to be running the Enclave in a much more, militaristic way, unlike how the original Enclave ran it's faction by only wanting to cleanse the wasteland of everyone else entirely. It seems kinda logical. But could that be her other agenda for the Enclave? It all seemed too far fetched. And it didn't seemed to logically piece out the facts on her mind.

As she was lost in thought while simply strolling on the street, Piper heard gunfire.

'Augh... What now?'

Piper mentally thought before emmidiately rushing to the source of a gunfire, not only a block away as she continually sprinted in efficiency thanks to the power armor, Piper stumbled upon a little battle happening just outside an old police station.

"Suppressing fire!"

Seeing three people trying to defend the station from ferals, Piper didn't hesitated as she emmidiately charged in with her assault rifle open during on the ferals she got her aiming on.

"There's a few more!"

"Scribe, Initiate, stay behind and keep distance off the ferals!"

Ignoring the man on a T-60 as she passed by him, Piper only focused on assisting the small group on terminating the ferals, and with one last feral falling dead, Piper emmidiately turned to the three other people she came to assist on. Then, the man on a T-60 without a helmet approached her and began.

"Thanks for the assistance, civilian. We were expecting this police station was a supposedly easy ground to cover, but those ferals suddenly caught us off guard and easily cornered us in."

Piper only gave a simple nod, but to her surprise, she raised a brow under her helmet. She noticed the Brotherhood of Steel insignia at the center of chest piece.

"Brotherhood of steel... I did not see that one coming..."

She accidentally said a little loud.

"Our mission is to scout ahead. We were supposed to, but we've been given a changed of orders."

"From who?"

"That's all that you need to know, until you tell us who you are, civilian."

Piper didn't liked the word 'Civilian' although she may be one, but seeing no other valid reason to argue, she only gave a limited response instead.

"My name is Piper. I'm a reporter here in the Commonwealth."

Seeing the man's face clearly showed observance, Piper felt uneasy about it.

"As strange as it is for a reporter to be wandering off on her own, I may need to remind you that, there are soldiers from other factions roaming here in the Commonwealth. One of those factions are rumoured to be the Enclave."

"I know, soldier boy. Don't need you telling me. But what's your business here? I already told you who I am."

Piper waited for a response, but shortly after a small frown from the man, she got a reply.

"Our task was to scout the Commonwealth for possible locations storing technology. But after getting a report from our command that the other team had went off the line on communication, we assumed the worst that they are KIA. But until we get a proof, they are to remain MIA for the time being."

Piper watched as the man paused and frowned before continuing.

"The Enclave is here. Words were spreading, and another militia called USAF. The pre war military. Despite both being the same, it is quite a disturbing thought to imagine that a pre war military would be revived and thriving here in the Commonwealth. But that is no excuse for the Enclave to be left alone. They're the sworn enemy of the Brotherhood of Steel and their deeds must not be fulfilled for what horrors they plot. But then again... Mission comes first, as priorities of the Brotherhood."

Piper only stared. She didn't liked what she heard. In fact, she's now starting to worry for Amanda. And this isn't going well. First, the NCR and now, the Brotherhood of Steel, both after her and the Enclave she's reformed? Piper was starting to feel very worried, but trying to maintain herself from letting her emotion get the best of her, she gave a simple reply.

"I don't know what their agenda is. There had been words that they're giving out supplies to settlements around the Commonwealth. Like the USAF and the Minutemen are doing."

Piper was rather feeling nervous about what kind if response she might get. But she needed to cover up for Amanda as she still had that little faith on convincing the other woman to turn away from what she's doing and to face what was reality.

"I see your point. And despite they're a threat, we will still mostly prioritize our focus on securing as much as technology as we can as possible for now. But that does not excuse the Enclave as a non hostile faction for the Brotherhood to deal with. Or to any other cause for that matter. Not for now, at least as there hasn't been words of murders regarding the Enclave. We must take precautions while being here in the Commonwealth."

Observing these people for a moment, Piper suddenly heard the man continue again.

"Were going to continue on our mission, however with the words spread out about two of those other factions roaming around, we wouldn't be that fortunate enough as we continue to press on. But we could use an extra gun on our side. If you'll gladly help us."

Piper was left thinking for a moment. Should she trust these people? Amanda would for sure not. But what herself? Piper was rather feeling unsure, although she didn't had anything against on anyone for current matter, but judging by the mentioning un tone if this man about the USAF, it's clear he thinks is just another remnant group soon to Enclave. But they weren't the Enclave.

"Oh, and how else exactly would you need help, specifically?"

Piper cautiously asked.

"We could use an extra soldier on our task, once we're done, we'll give you a reward for your service."

"Don't need to pay me. I'm gonna do what the USAF and the Minutemen does on helping without anything in exchange."

"You seem to be favoring an old pre war organisation."

Piper raised a brow from the man's comment, but deciding to give a defensive reply for the faction, Piper responded.

"They've been helping nearby settlements in the Commonwealth and they've been helping the Minutemen get back up again on their feet. They're good people with good intentions. You don't believe it? Go to Sanctuary Hills and meet General Ward to see for yourself."

There a long pause from the man, but seeing him giving a slow nod, Piper got a response.

"Very well. It would be our pleasure to meet your General. And if they are indeed with good intentions, I will see if we can try to make a little agreement on allowing some of our forces to enter the Commonwealth."

"Paladin Danse, what about mission?"

"The mission shall be resumed, Scribe Haylen. But despite the situation is being futile to roam around with other soldiers from different organisations, our bet would be taking a risk meeting and making an arrangement to the General of this pre war military. The last thing we need is being labeled as hostiles and ordered to be pursued. Keep in mind. This is not our territory."

'So this guy's name is Danse? Paladin? Hm... Perhaps, it must be that strange ranking that have...'

Piper was suddenly then interrupted when the man turned his attention back at her.

"We will agree to meet your General, and if what you say is true, that their intentions are for good, surely they'd have their troops standing down for the Brotherhood. My statement is not to be considered a threat, but a just a little reminder that we have no means of intentions other than our task to search and recover technology."

Danse simply said, his tone was convincing enough as in civilized, at least.

"Alright. Alright... I'll take you to Sanctuary."

"Very well, miss."

"Ugh... Just call me Piper."

Seeing the man nodding, Piper began to lead them to the settlement. But in her mind, she was thinking about Amanda. Piper cursed mentally. She knew Amanda's safe. Piper mentally cursed again as she walked. Why was she thinking of Amanda like this? The other woman did made it clear to her she didn't had such time for it. But Piper couldn't blame herself, if she secretly feels differently towards Amanda. So maybe that's why she was doing this for her? Because of her, secret affections for the woman? But with the current situation now, she couldn't help but worry for the woman as the reputation of the Enclave weren't that great and were labeled as threat. But she could try to get General Ward to these Brotherhood to stand down?

As they finally reached the settlement of Sanctuary, Piper began noticing the three others warily walking along with her as they passed by armed USAF and Minutemen. She couldn't blame them, but leading them to the tent where General was giving orders, Piper got off the X02 as she emmidiately got the man's attention upon entering the tent with three members of the Brotherhood.

"Miss, Wright. We've recieved an established communication linking up to our communications signal, good work on securing another radio station. And I see you've brought... Some new faces?

"They're members of the Brotherhood of Steel, General. This is Paladin Danse. Main in charge of their small group."

Piper emmidiately gestured for the man on the T-60 without a helmet.

"Paladin Danse, General. A pleasure to meet you."

"As I am, Paladin. So... You're the Brotherhood of Steel? The faction I've been told that collects pre war technology?"

"Yes, General. As the main goal of the Brotherhood is to obtain and secure technologies and to preserve them. It is, our main purpose why we were sent here in the Commonwealth to scout ahead and to search for any salvageable technology that would benefit the Brotherhood."

Although she wasn't sure how it was going, Piper eventually found her chance to get back on the X02 before stepping outside to let the General handle the Brotherhood. And there she saw Preston entering the settlement.

"Preston!"

Piper emmidiately called as she quickly approached.

"Piper? Didn't expect to see you on a power armor."

"Long story. But, where's Nick? Have you seen him in Diamond City?"

Piper emmidiately interrupted, but then saw the man slowly shaking his head.

"After asking the people there, they gave me directions where to go and got to some sort of detective agency. But when I got there to ask, a woman named Ellie told me that Nick Valentine has left just earlier to work on a private investigation."

Piper frowned shortly.

"Did Ellie told you where Nick was going, at least?

"She said she didn't knew, and Valentine left on a hurry."

'Where are you even off to now, Nick? Dammit I need your help...'

Piper mentally thought with a frown but then decided to speak. A topic to change the subject.

"Preston, can we have some Minutemen on patrol?"

"I can have a group on patrol and in standby if you need. Something wrong?"

Piper hesitated at first, but then quietly replied.

"The Brotherhood of Steel lead by a Paladin named Danse is currently talking to General Ward. Something about letting their soldiers in on the Commonwealth to recover some technology."

"So I was told there's some new faces when I reached the entrance here. I've also heard about more groups of the Brotherhood moving in from the south while I was in Diamond City."

Surprised by the response, Piper felt nervous. Not for the faction, but for Amanda.

"We'll have some men on standby, and send more others on patrol, the recruits are doing well on their training, so we should have more additional men on the reservation."

"Okay. But we need to find Nick..."

"Perhaps the Railroad agent might have something that can help us when he gets back?"

"But we would still need to find Nick..."

"What has Valentine has to do with any of this, if I may ask?"

Piper took a moment in silence before giving a small, silenced response.

"I'm starting to think that he might know something that can help us about Amanda... He's followed her by himself after Codsworth and I told him about Amanda's sudden change... Well, I might be wrong. But I like to think that he might know something a bit more."

"Like knowing where Commander Amani is?"

"Tracking people down is where Nick specializes in, Preston. That's why we desperately need him..."

There was a long silence until Piper, and Preston with her noticed the Paladin Danse exiting the tent with his two other companions, General Ward followed lastly.

"I'm starting to wonder if I did a good thing on letting General Ward know of this... But it's not that I don't trust him. I just worry for Amanda..."

Piper suddenly muttered, but then she got a response from Preston.

"You did the right thing, Piper. But regarding this? The best way to deal with the Brotherhood of Steel, is to stay out of their way. Unless they they try anything to harm the people in the Commonwealth."

"Miss Wright and Preston Garvey. As you may see, Lieutenant- eherm, Paladin Danse here had requested authorization for the Brotherhood of Steel to be allowed access through the Commonwealth. They have a strict order from their eherm, Elder, to collect any technology they can obtain here. But not to worry. They agreed to the term on authorized relocation here in the Commonwealth, under USAF supervision."

Piper gave an acknowledging nod, and to glance at Preston to see the man nodding as well, Piper swore that she could clearly see uncertainty on the man's face. But deciding not to say anything, she only waited for General Ward to speak, but surprisingly, the man turned to her before speaking.

"Do not worry, Miss Wright. I did not allowed exchanging technology with the Brotherhood however, as neutral as we may remain for now, we shall allow the Brotherhood to gather what they may need."

Poor cleared her throat before slowly asking the man.

"We're not exactly... You know..."

She paused as she took a quick glance at the three Brotherhood soldiers waiting as well for her to continue.

"What I mean is... Not exactly allying with the Brotherhood? Don't take this the wrong way, Danse."

Piper recieved a slow nod in acknowledgement from the Paladin, but then turning to the General, Piper got a response...

"Not to worry Miss Wright. The USAF and the Minutemen aren't to ally with any other faction. However, as stated by Paladin Danse, I'm afraid I will have to set an arranged meeting with their Elder, as representative for the USAF. and since we do not have a General on the Minutemen, or any active commanding officer for the time being I may as well represent both of our cause for a peace talk with their Elder Arthur Maxson."

Seeing Preston being calm on hearing the statement, Piper however, was worried. And under her helmet, she obviously showed a very nervous expression.

With General Ward excusing himself and walking away, Piper turned her head to Danse who calmly spoke.

"I appreciate your time. Although, I think I nay have misjudged earlier, but I'd say I respect your General's decision and it's only fair to keep an eye on us while we gather what we need here in the Commonwealth. But do know, Miss Wright, that we have no other intentions of being here, only to obtain and preserve what technology we can recover and you have nothing to worry about the Brotherhood of Steel being here."

As she took some time on processing everything that Danse said, it was quite convincing. But worrying as the Brotherhood was an obviously old rival of the Enclave. And despite the situation turned pretty fine, Piper couldn't help, but worry even more to the thought that these Brotherhood knowing the Enclave's presence on the Commonwealth. Making her worry even much worse, was that why aren't the Brotherhood reacting that much to the fact that the Enclave is on the same wasteland region they're in.

The Enclave reformed and led by the woman she secretly admires.


This was intended to be a short chapter - as the continuation of the previous chapter - just to show Piper's perspective on what's happening, as well as how and what she thinks of it.

Whoops, Piper... But I think you all caught that pretty obviously, but don't worry the next chapter is on the works.

And as always, thank you all for reading and hope you all stay tuned for the next chapter.

ripntear