Chapter 22: Kiss of the Serpent

We are breaking records here another chapter early this month wowee! A shift of perspective, a meeting with the president, a betrayal, a desperate escape, and then a potential goodbye. What could possibly go wrong here?

Warning for this chapter, it's incredibly dark.

Fallout Franchise is intellectual property

Bethesda Games Studios

Back on the Prydwen:

Myles awoke in a cold sweat, panicked and hazey. He hadn't had a good sleep since the attack, since John had been gone. Part of him kept hoping he would just see him there resting against the cabinet and sleeping peacefully but no. Each morning is the same, his friend is gone and the Brotherhood is in shambles. He wanted to do something to help find him but the Enclave just disappeared off the face of the Earth completely, no trace and no lead to follow. He laid there for longer than he could comprehend, he didn't even think about anything just wasted time. Myles eventually managed to get himself up with a groan and a few choice words.

Not even bothering getting alcoholic drinks, not point getting wasted with so much to do. He got dressed and left his room, making his way down the hallway. These walls seem more and more closed as he went along, maybe it was just the lack of sleep or maybe it was symbolic of the dread he now faces. The Brotherhood he knew all his life is now in shambles. His friend is gone, god only knows what has happened to him. Various residents of the Prydwen scattered and ran about the place, everyone has a part here. It would seem that the Enclaves attack did more structural damage than loss of troops.

That doesn't mean there weren't any casualties, plenty of soldiers who fought are wounded and currently recovering, many of the ground troops were viscera or missing. As the days went on more graves had to be dug and they are in no condition to retaliate, a group of organized raiders could out number and out gun them right now, but they don't know that.

Mia had gone in search of John for the last couple days, she hasn't come up with anything. Not even a trail, the Enclave seemingly just disappeared. They took him and just vanished.

Myles decided it was best to go down to ground level and see if anyone needed assistance in moving anything, it was chaos and no one was ready for this attack, it came out of nowhere. Even with the warning over the intercom, no one was prepared,

Myles passed Maxons observation room and was promptly stopped by Maxon as he passed by. "Myles can you join me for a moment?'

Maxon stood just by the window, his arms crossed behind his back, turned away from Myles and used the ash stricken windows reflection to see what his comrade was doing.

Maxon and his demeanor didn't change but his tone was not totalitarian or orderly, it was a somber and almost comforting.

"I'm glad to see you are up and moving Soldier, I know this attack has been hard on everyone myself included. We must not show them the effects this has on us, they are trying to break out spirit so we get sloppy and we won't allow that now will we?" Myles could see one of Maxon's brows raise up through the stained glass as if he was actually asking him to answer that.

"No Maxon sir, if I can be honest with you for the moment I amn't the attack that I am most upset about.." He stopped almost as if he had regretted the words he just said, to the Elder no less. Myles gave a nervous rub of his hands before continuing, "It's about John, Sir."

Maxon let out a sigh but it wasn't the usual one of annoyance or disappointment, this one was almost sorry and sad. "Yes..the deathclaw who came in here and seemed to want to do right, he proved that to me during the attack. In fact I realized he could have killed me, just dropped me off the elevator and been done with it." He looked upward through the glass, he saw that Myles was watching the reflection rather than Maxon himself, "It would seem that I was wrong in my judgement, I can't help but feel like if he had stayed with me that he would still be here with us rather than some Enclave facility when God knows even what is happening.."

Myles took a step forward almost out of shock but it was a good kind of shock, like that of a cold water under the hot Wasteland sun. " Maxon you are the last person I ever expected to hear that from, but we can discuss this later what are WE going to do to find him now?"

Surely even to Maxon's surprise he actually turned around and searched through his coat to hand Myles a confidently sealed report of the assault. "I don't know Myles, we are spread too thin, too many wounded and too many to bury. I don't think this report will make you feel any better but witnesses say that John climbed back up the broken elevator and disarmed some bombs on the Prydwen, that must have been around the time he saw you get caught and almost taken."

Myles skimmed over the report, it showed numbers of loves lost, those missing and injuries. Gave a brief summary of what had happened and everything that he had missed. "Maxon sir, we need to take action now! It's been 3 days since John was taken and I'm not waiting any longer, if you give an order or not I'm going to go looking."

Maxon simply paused and took the file back. "Why don't you.."

Myles then cut him off completely. "No Maxon, no with all due respect he saved MY life YOUR life and potentially the entire Brotherhood by giving himself up, I don't care about the odds, I don't care about the risk. He deserves much better than to be experimented and tested on by those sick bastards! Don't you dare tell me no because I will defy those orders and you damn well know it."

Maxon gave no further argument, it was useless Myles had made his mind up he was going to do something, at least search. "Alright Myles, any other time I would punish you for insubordination but this time I will let it pass and you know what you need to do.", He placed a hand on Myles shoulder before returning to the window, "You know I could use your help here still but Mia is already looking on top of some smaller groups. You all better come back alive and safe, and Myles if you do find him and are able to come back for help, I can't spare anyone right now but if you know where John is I'll give you a small army."

He got some solace in that as he left Maxon's observatory, much more than he would have expected Maxon to ever allow. He clanged his way down the stairs to the lowest section of the Prydwen, word was going around that John and Mia were working on fixing up his Power Armor. He was going to need that on top of plenty of gear and rations, he was going to be out for a while and wasn't going come back till he came back with John or was dead himself.

The lowest portion of the Prydwen was luckily empty, Myles has plenty of time to mentally prepare himself for what was to come. Mia was still out looking and Grey was tending to the injured, the only other person he would ask for help would be Genny but she got sent to keep an eye on the Jefferson Memorial. He eventually found it, a tucked of corner under one of the air sacs under a large brown tarp, this had to be it.

Surely enough,evading the tools and various mechanical parts, he leaned in over a massive toolbox to take the cover off and there it was his custom made suit of X0-1, painted and welded to perfection. He couldn't help but be amazed that the handy work they both had done on it. Myles would need to see if John has as much expertise with Power Armor as he does with weaponry.

He marvelled at the suit, almost forgotten how well it looks all polished and shined up, the Brotherhood insignia blaring brightly on the shoulder pads, it's dark blue almost black hue giving off an intimation vibe to set fear in all the enemies of the Brotherhood. This seems to be even more heavily modified than it was previously, the armor plating seemed much more sturdy and does not at all mean that the original suit was weak, it was top of the line and best in its class. This one just has some..Vault Dweller and Talking Lizard assistance.

He grabbed the helmet and spun it around his hands before stopping it in a position where he can look at the lenses, his reflection more visible than within a mirror, the highly insulated insides looked very inviting, he could practically live in this Power Armor if I didn't need to get fixed after fights. His messed up hair and scruffy beard really didn't look Brotherhood material, looks don't matter much under a helmet now do they?

Moving around to behind the frame so he can properly enter it, setting the helmet on a nail in the wall. There was a convenient fusion core already in it almost as if they had tested and ran trials to make sure it actually worked. He smiled at the thought that they cared about him enough to test the suit before giving it to him, but he also felt cheap because this was supposed to be a surprise from the both of them and now neither of them are here and one is missing.

"Enough feeling sorry for myself and for once in my life I am going to be the one to save him." He murmured to himself, it was for himself really. Or maybe he was trying to reassure some other worldly force, no one knows, not even he knows what it was for.

He placed a fusion core and twisted the crank on the back of the suit, opening it up to allow entry of the user. The steam releasing and the clanging of the shift in metal and pressure. He never will grow tired of hearing that sound of air being released as the suit changed. Entering legs first and lining his arms up to the padded interior as the suit enclosed him entirely, as safe as a suit of armor these days can make someone. Closing the tumblers and locks with a satisfactory *click* and he was in.

Cracking his knuckles through the armor plating he grabbed his helmet and put it on. Time to go and brave the Wasteland once more. Myles took the time to gather the rest of his gear as he made his way through the Prydwen, he picked up some extra cores from the armory and stopped back by his room from rations and that plasm, laser rifle mix John had modified. Placing a tactical bag around his leg holding the rest of his ammo and fusion cores, quickly grabbing a Quantum from his fridge and rushed out his room, rifle and sledge strapped to his back.

Making his way to the elevator the briefly thought of just jumping off but since he was already here might as well take it down. Fortunately for Myles one of the scribes who handle Intel and information was waiting along with him.

"Ah Myles, I recognize that suit anywhere glad you are up a moving again finally. How are you doing, off on a special mission? I didn't hear Maxon give any all clear to let anyone go and believe me I would know."

Simply giving a shake of his head and crossing his arms. "No scribe Maxon didn't send anyone on a mission this is a personal matter, I am going out to find John. Did you happen to hear anything suspicious as if the last couple of days?" He paused with a dramatic sign, "I am doing terrible honestly, I feel like utter crap and I lost brother's and sisters along with my friend is missing…not a good couple of days this."

"Yes that attack has been hard on us all but we will come back always do right? And yes." He flipped through his notes and papers, "In fact I do have a recent report, this morning very early there was a sighting of a crashed Vertibird near an old pre-war barn, it was a short distance from here in face and well we been meaning to look into it but everyone has been so preoccupied with the attack.."

The elevator landed and Myles took the notes from the scribe's hands. "Actually I'll look into it that one, hand it over I'll go alone. It's the only lead I have and I have a feeling John would be capable of crashing a Vertibird."

The scribe let go of the papers. "If you insist Myles but I doubt he was amongst that wreckage, these things crash and burn all the time and surviving that is a miracle.."

"Don't care about odds, odds are not something we calculate around here I am going to check it as it's my only lead. Good luck to you Scribe." Myles left the elevator without another word and made his way through the entrance, past the two soldiers guarding. He ignored all the destruction and desecration as he looked over the notes, time to head East. He should arrive at the crash site by nightfall, these coordinates are far out but if he ran at a steady pace..

Amongst the Enclave:

The suited man kept his arms behind his back as I followed behind him, he kept up a steady pace and almost seemed to be in a rush. Many of the soldiers and scientists that we passed seemed to address and quiver in fear as he went by, none of them hesitated to move out of our way and even bowed their heads in respect if not fear.

"Why is everyone so fearful of you?" I just had to ask as we ended up alone in a tunnel.

"It's not me that they fear, it's Eden. I am his messenger and word, anyone who acts out gets punished. That includes me, he's a ruthless leader and an even more ruthless at dishing punishment.

I couldn't help but scoff. "I don't fear him, but do you?"

He stopped dead in his tracks as stiff as an irradiated,rotten stump. "Mr. Lambert please listen to me when I tell you that he is cruel, to everyone. He holds something personal to everyone under his metaphorical thumb, we all have to do his bidding or suffer the consequences, yes I fear him greatly."

"Well he holds no power over me, why does he want to see me anyway? I don't imagine a meeting with the 'president' is something that happens often.'

Leaning forward before continuing his stride. "You see he believes he can sway you to join us, I'm not supposed to even say anything but I'm sick of this, I'm sick of being forced to everything and hurting people. This isn't what we should stand for." He turned around to face me, looking up and had a look of worry and just despair, "I will probably get slaughtered for telling you these or even suggesting it, but I believe that you can stop him, stop us."

"I already had plans to stop the Enclave, even if you are simply trying to fool me here and make me say something I'm going to regret I will make it clear now."

"No trickery here master Lambert, many of us believe that you are the one who will save us all."

He turned back around and stood still for a moment before continuing onwards assuming that I would follow. I gave an annoyed sign before following along. These halls were empty and it was just really, really suspicious. We ended up at the towering bulkhead door, it had a rectangular shape with the corners being cut circular.

He turned to press a log length of code into the doorway as I stood there and just waiting, what else can I do? "Here we are Mister Lambert, try to be behaved and don't let Eden sway you " He finished the door code and gestured to the clangy opening door, it took a decent amount of time for the thing to open and he bid me farewell and good luck.

The door was large enough where I didn't even need to duck down to avoid busting my horns on the top of the doorway. The other side was a dimly lit, lengthy in terms of verticality room and a single wide staircase in the middle. It had the same color palette as the rest of the place being a gray and dark hue of colors surrounded by ominous lighting.

But the light up these steps were simply a violently bright white, I'm sure my albino scales made me look like a ghost at this point and it just got more and more intense as I went up until it just..stopped. Getting some serious trap vibes I took it slower, took every step with deliberate and silent care,

I ended at the top and found myself on a platform of sorts leading off the steps, it had a massive looking computer on the right side with many differently shaped and sized screens and on the opposite side of me was another bulkhead door. The computer wall itself seemed to be inactive, it was unlike anything I had ever seen. It wasn't even a mess of screen and electronics it looked like the entire operating system.

I wasn't able to figure out how to even turn the thing on and the last thing I wanted to do was accidentally set off a self destruct sequence of something catastrophic of that nature. Deciding that this was beyond my understanding I moved on to the behemoth sized door. There was no operation or control panel anywhere in sight, great so the computer is what opens this door.

I began to do some basic ideas to start this excessively large terminal. Nothing happened, until it slowly booted up suddenly. The smaller screens that surrounded thiddle largest one turned to static and the biggest one in the middle had a cyan line across the middle of the screen. I didn't do this or my input was impressively delayed. Confused and lost I began to apply some attempts to boot the actual computer itself up not just the screens, the static from the smaller ones were all over lapping each other and was like white noise, I was aware that it was there and existed but I just tried to drown it out until.. silence.

"Ah, face to face at last, your reputation precedes you Sir. Johnitan Lambert. It's nice to see you as capable as my reports say."

I looked up from the keyboard and saw the cyan line on the screen move almost like lips as whatever was behind that screen spoke. "Yes well I don't know how you know my name let alone what I am 'Capable' of, how about you stop hiding behind that big screen and actually speak face to face?", I continued to mess with the technology but had no luck in changing anything.

A sign happened from the screen. "You don't seem to understand I am face to face with you, I cannot simply get out of here and walk around like you. I am artificial of sorts, what is seen before on the screen is me."

I stopped fiddling with the buttons and asked. "Who are you then?"

The machine was silent for a moment before enthusiastically saying. "I am none other than John Henry Eden, president of the Enclave and president of the People."

"The President..of the Enclave is a computer?"

"Why I'm not simply a computer! I am a highly adept and capable, complicated piece of Pre-war technology, far beyond anything else you ever seen or dealt with. There is nothing on this wasted Earth that can compare to me."

I backed up from the device and simply stood there, looking at him up and down trying to get each and every inch of this screen to debunk what was going on, leaning in at the screen, "You are Eden, I heard of you very scarcely. It seems people are too scared to talk or even mention you. From the looks of it you are manipulative and treacherous." I leaned in forward to the screen and practically hissed the last word at him before backing up again, standing in the middle of the room.

"I believe you have a misunderstanding of what is going on here, I'm simply but trying to help humanity, nothing more and nothing less. As you are more than likely aware I was once destroyed but I am everlasting! See, unlike some humans, I can live again even after a total and complete annihilation, no matter what happens I will eventually be back."

I gave a sigh and gave a gesture like crossing my arms, I wasn't buying what he would tell me but I decided to bite. "What even is your plan for the Wasteland then? From what I can see it's eliminating everyone and everything that moves and isn't involved with your little organisation." I waved a few claws in his direction to emphasize my last point and basically insulted them all.

He gave out what I can only describe is a groan of disappointment, whatever equivalent a monotone machine can make. "No, no I believe you are more than capable of determining that one all on by yourself. What I called you up here for was to personally ask you for assistance."

I couldn't help but scoff at this statement. "Your plan is to purity the Wasteland, ironic because the Brotherhood is trying to do the same thing but you know what's funny? I never thought I would ever say this but they are less extremist than them. No, no you bastards will kill any creature that isn't a man simply for the principal of it. Yet I stand before you the pinnacle of what you fear and dread, an impossible creation that may I remind you that YOU made!" I pointed my index talon in the direction of the screen before starting back on the keyboard.

"That is exactly why I'm asking you for assistance, you are owned by me meaning you should follow my every order, I'm giving you that chance to work with us willingly or I'll be forced to take aggressive measures.."

I leaned back and suddenly burst out laughing what a ridiculous request! "You, you want me to help you? I am going to refuse and it should be no surprise that I refuse! You killed my entire Vault not only that you are the evil that is plaguing the Wasteland, making people into Mutants to do your bidding are you fucking kidding me? You are the tyrant here and I am going to be the one to end you once and for all." I needed to find a way to delete Eden for good.

"Foolish reptile I already told you I am everlasting, I am forever. You will never be able to get rid of me and besides you want a little secret? This isn't even our main point of operations, this is what we call *The Click* It's a recruiting center to increase our ranks. My main operation screen isn't even here, destroying me now would be pointless and futile."

I am going to hate myself for asking this. "What would you even possibly need me for, making you an army?"

"On the contrary not at all, that was an idea of our scientist. I don't believe it is necessary or even encouraged, if anything it is creepy. I will make an announcement for anyone to stop suggesting it." He paused for a moment before continuing, "I believe we can use you to clean the Wasteland, in turn I can assure your safety and allow you to live."

*If I continue to refuse?"

"Then you will be an enemy of the Enclave and will be wiped off the face of the Earth like everything else that stands against us."

I crouched down to look at the lower boards of this massive device while saying. "Well Eden unfortunately I still stand against you, unlike everyone else you have under your electrical thumb I don't have anyone you can hold against me, you use a family to make me do your bidding because mine are all dead, you arrogant prick!"

I heard some clicks and bobbles almost as if he was getting frustrated. "You disappoint me John, we share a name and a sake, your Vault was wiped decades ago! We are the future! Join us or die, everyone will pick a side eventually and the Brotherhood is ruining our plans, YOU are ruining our plans. We can achieve so much good if you can just let go of the past. But fine if you want to hold onto it let me show you what you are keeping."

One of the largest screens on my left side turned on towards the door, I couldn't tell what it was at first, it was a wave of static before turning black completely. Booting up again with a spark I then realized this wasn't the screen itself, this was a recording!

Seeing the camera pan from side to side, you could ever so faintly hear the old gears and mechanisms go with it, audibly and prominent. It took a short while for the whole screen to come to fruition, I saw familiar halls and interior decor, the layout of a place seated deeply within my mind.

This was a recording of my vault's massacre..

I made an attempt to look away, this was a test from Eden it had to be. Not that I had anything to prove to him this was more for me, I was better than this, I was stronger than this.

Giving the vile computer a look of disdain I mustered up enough willpower to keep my eyes on the screen of the recording, it went through as much as I remember. A complete and total killing spree, just from a different angle.

I saw it all, from the time I came from the lower level I ran into my dad, the hallway which my mother was gunned down at. It cycled through many different cameras and views but it only seemed to follow me and my own escape. It then ended right when me and Dad reached the Overseers office.

The screen turned blank as Eden gave a grumble. "You seem rather unaffected by all that, why do you not care about what happened to your vault, have you grown out of it? If you are over it so much why not join us rather than destroy?" He was mocking me!

I had reacted to this violently and gave a wide slash across his screen with all the might I can muster, I feel the scream I gave out would make even the most diabolical of Wasteland crazies shutter in their boots. Looking at the screen and then back at my hand which sliced through it, he is right about one thing. "No, I see this everyday, every waking moment of my life, the vault plays over and over again. You cannot torment me more than I've already tormented myself, don't you even try to double back and make this a case for me to join this false cause, I already despise you and everything you stand for!"

"Well John, what happens when you get out of here? Everyone will always see you as a monster, that is all you are, that is all you will ever be! Amongst the Enclave it won't matter what you are, you will be among those who understand you, why and how you exist."

I simply paused and didn't say a word before turning away from him. "I know, I know what I am and how people view me, I can prove to others that my appearance isn't the sum of all my parts, I will always be a monster to the vast majority,but I will never be your monster!"

"Shame, shame John you could have proven to be a valuable asset to us. Frankly I believe you would be better off dead than a loose end, however I have no means to kill you and calling my guards would only let you prepare so here is what I am to do." He paused for a long while before speaking up again, his voice much more sinister now as I awaited what nonsense he would spout from those speakers, "I am going to call for a purge and only the strongest that survive will be added to our ranks, that is how we do it around here. Should you be able to make it out under all the chaos you are free to go, if not you will simply die!"

I just looked at him like he was crazy, this machine has absolutely lost it! "Oh yes and John before you go I have some information you might like, Remember Navarro.."

Before I could even ask anything else he shut down, and opened the massive door at the end of this platform, it led to an open space with plenty of soldiers and scientist just moving from room to room, they all seemed to notice me at the same time and scrambled for their weapons and I made a made dash for cover behind one of the many guard post further up this extensive floor.

Bullets and lasers ticked and fell off the wall in front of me, I was absolutely pinned and charging them would be suicide.

"Attention good residents of the Enclave this is your President John Henry Eden speaking directly to your heart, it has come to my conclusion that it's time you all prove your loyalty to me. Today is the day you join our ranks! Tonight we purge! Anyone who doesn't sustain a reasonable body count be let in, may the best amongst you win. President Eden signing off."

Many of the soldiers and residents that had their attention on me suddenly looked at each other, over and over all of them seemed frozen in place. I heard one spout, "I thought the purge wasn't for another month?!" Before promptly getting blasted by a group passing by, they just opened fire into the small group that was shooting at me before the announcement, no survivors. I heard the shells of ammunition clang against the ground as they moved from room to room, screams of death and destruction echoed throughout the halls and painted the walls red. I crept my way past the carnage, I can't feel bad for those who were just shooting at me unprovoked.. could I? Those three were laughing throughout the rooms, I swear I could hear them saying how they murdered Emma's family and are using her to get that promotion. Eden came over the loudspeaker again before I could process any of that.

"This is your President again, I forget to mention the first person to bring me the head of the Albino Deathclaw walking around will receive a massive bonus in the promotion department, he was last seen by my doorway, good hunting folks!"

That technological bastard just swindled me! I wasn't meant to get out during this Purge no..I was meant to be a trophy of the damn thing. Well like I was going to let that happen, I went back to the pile of bodies and grabbed myself a few of their rifles and strapped them to my back, claws won't do me any good if I can't reach my target now will they?

I trudged through these rooms of death, passing through worse and worse scenes, whatever that group was they have been waiting for this day almost like they planned a route? I have an easy goal and that is to simply get the hell out of here. Not that I have any plan or idea where I am going but I didn't want to stay in one place for very long.

These rooms were getting more and more elaborate as I went through, I passed a scientist wing and a mess hall. Found one of the rooms where they kept all the creatures in suspended animation much like how I was when I was still confined and bound.

I found myself in a rather open room, passing a small doorway it looked like some kind of technical office, there were trashed desks and chairs toppled over, the walls riddled with bullet holes and scorch marks, no blood though.

I followed the trail of bullet holes and ended up through many relatively clear and clean hallways considering what I had seen previously. I heard the very faint sound of an argument but couldn't make out what they were saying. Peaking around the corner I saw a doorway, blasted off and what looked like vehicle storage, a way out perhaps?

I crept forward, keeping my head low and eventually decided to walk myself on all fours, much less likely to get shot in the face at least, that would be unfortunate. As I approached the doorway someone burst through it practically tripping and ran directly into me with a chilling scream.

"JOHN?! Why are you creeping around, how did you even get here? I thought they put you back into the holding room, I wasn't supposed to see you for another half a day! Why do you have a small arsenal on your back?" It was Emma, she fixed her hair and stepped back from me as I stood back onto two legs.

I just looked down at her in absolute confusion. "Emma, as glad as I am to see you are okay, you must be joking right? You completely missed the purge announcement? I am trying to get out, why don't you come with me?" I reached out one of my hands almost as to reassure her that I would have her back.

She didn't say anything before reaching behind her back and pulling out a syringe and quickly jabbing it into my arm, causing me to pull back away from her but the damage was already done. "What, what the hell was that for?!" With whatever coherence I had left.

I heard her say. "I'm sorry John, I don't have a choice." Before I fell over with a *thud* against the metal flooring, I saw four pairs of feet in front of me before hearing. "Well done Emma, you might just see them again if you can keep this up." Before the drug took its toll and made me black out once again.

I awoke what seems like a short time later, I was tied with a chain against one of those vehicles they drove in on, they wrapped me multiple times right against my abdomen, the same bindings I was forced into when I first entered here and some kind of collar around my neck.

I was looking down at my predicament and to put it lightly I was thoroughly fucked. One of the three soldiers I saw earlier came out mockingly clapping his hands before addressing me with a remote in his hands. "Never thought I would have expected a deathclaw to fall for a woman and not to easily at that, we knew you came out of the President's office and would eventually come this way, a nice little trap wasn't Emma?" He aggressively said her name as the other two so kindly escorted her to stand in front of me, she didn't make eye contact.

He inspected the remote before getting a nod from his two goons and pulled the switch on it, it caused the collar to send a shockwave through my entire body. It felt like a thunderstorm around my neck and made me roar out in agony. Before he came up to me and smacked me across the face with his metal hand, still within his power armor suit.

"That is only the first level of this collar, I hope you like this because I'll be frying you until you are broken and begging for me to end your suffering! You can thank Emma for that, please go ahead ask her why."

I just looked down at her, I felt anger, betrayed and I wanted to rip her head off for what she did. I couldn't utter anything else but a very painful. "Why?"

She looked up at me and if regret and sadness could be placed on someone's face it would be hers, she went to say something but stopped before one of the goons shoved her out of the way and gave me a rough punch on the chest. "We have her family you dumbass, she has to do everything we say otherwise we off them!"

These bastards! They killed them already and are just using her! "Emma, please listen to me. They already.."

I was cut short when the collar was reactivated, I physically unable to speak anything while it was on, and it just got worse and worse as he turned the dial up laughing maniacally along with his two goons. They were distracted by this though, I felt Emma reach under behind me and loosened the chains against my abdomen and took the bindings and quickly made them loose enough for me to free myself.

She didn't say anything before backing up behind one of the vehicles by the side, they never even noticed it and were entertained by me getting their shocking treatment.

"Ohh impressive, still resisting at such a high voltage, I've underestimated you lizard, Hey Emma! Bring me that higher battery you were talking about!'

She pulled out what looked like the same thing that was already in the remote, she asked for the thing and looked over a me with a nod and acted like she was replacing the battery, went to hand it back and then threw the thing on the ground and stomped on it with two feet before retreating quickly to cover.

"Emma! You just revoked the right to see your family!"

I took this moment to break free from my chains, quite literally. Busting out of those heavy chains and throwing those bindings against my wrist at the goons, I wasted no time pouncing on the closest to me and shoved my hand up his helmet, the blood splatters visible through the helmet as I gushed his throat from the inside out. I pulled my hand forward rather than out and completely rippled his head clean off while I stood over him, I chucked his head at the other goon before picking him up at the crotch, and used my other hand to go through his chest, I tore him in half with a satisfactory roar, his blood raining upon my shoulders and horns, painting me as the monster they should fear. Their leader with the remote has scrambled for some kind of gun before running at the doorway, tripping over a tool box. I ran at him with full force, shoving him into the wall and cut into his arm, even the power armor couldn't save him from the dismemberment of his left arm, I dropped him to the ground as he held the numb that was once his arm, winching and grunting in a panicked state. I heard him shuffle behind me and go through the doorway leaving a blood trail as he went.

I turned to Emma, blood dripping from my horns and reassured her. "He will most likely bleed out, it's fine."

She didn't even acknowledge that before faintly asking. "Are they really dead?" She looked like she was about to break down completely, I couldn't lie to her.

"I'm sorry to say Emma but that seems to be the case, they were saying how they already killed them and were just using you, is there a way we can be sure?"

She slammed herself down on the floor and completely lost it. "No, NO! Everything I did for them was for nothing! I hurt and had people killed to save them and you are telling me they have been gone the whole time!?"

I tried to reassure her by helping her up and just smacked me away. "Don't you fucking touch me!" I didn't know what to do so I just..let her let it all out while I looked upon her.

She crawled over to the man I tore in half and picked up his pistol, she clutched it within both her shaky hands before sitting upon on her knees, looking at the mangled bodies of the two goons and then back to me. "I don't want to live on, the things I did for them and they aren't even here, I never said goodbye." She went to hand me the gun and asked, "John I want, I want you to kill me just quickly to the head, please?"

Here I was covered in blood and still had that collar around my neck. "Emma, you know I can't do that, let's get out of here together? We can both get our much needed revenge against the Enclave so no one else loses their family?"

I could see a faint smile under all those tears. "You are very sweet trying to help me, to save me. I was right about you, but there is no hope for me, I am not as strong as you are, but I know you can go it alone, avenge me and your Vault. Goodbye John, I'm glad to have met you."

I then knew what she was going to do,I..I tried to reach her in time but I couldn't. She put the gun up to the side of her head and didn't even hesitate, she shot herself right in front of me, that was it Emma was gone.

I went to grab her as she did it but it was already too late, I just stood there both my bloody hands shaking excessively, I was just frozen, it felt like a dream. I didn't feel sad or remorse, I just felt empty.

I gave my head a shake and fell back to reality,I still had to get out of here. I closed her eyes and told her goodbye and found my way through the hanger, nothing here I can use so I moved on quickly and never looked back. I entered another hanger across the field, at least I know I was on the ground floor, worse comes to worse I'll climb a fence.

I couldn't stop thinking about Emma, her family taken from her and she just didn't want to fight on anymore. I couldn't do anything to prevent that the damage was already done, all I can do is make sure these bastards pay for what they did to her and me. I scoured around the hanger bay for anything of use, there were various Vertibird parts and blades all over the place, I wonder if I could make myself a Bumper Sword, a massive blade made out of the parts of a Vertibird, capable of cutting through anything. I learned how to make and use one of these back in Nevada but that was ages ago. Nevertheless I picked up one of the blades and carried it over to a table full of scrap.

I needed to find a way to get the collar off me as well, no need to make myself look like an escaped prisoner, or a slave. I used my claws to sharpen and trim the blade down to shape, keeping the top angled for easy stabbing motions, I curved the whole thing towards the bottom of what would be the hilt for easy weight distribution and cutting ability, I took what was a lead pipe and welded it together using a blow torch to a chunk of metal, once it melted together I waited a moment to trim it down to a sizable handle even with my claws. A custom built handle for my eventual blade, shoddy work that I'll need to tune up in a more safe and accessible environment but this will have to do.

I found some leather straps around the table and stitched them together before gently scratching some holes into the blade and hilt. I would need a way to carry it after all and keep my hands free. Measuring a strand of leather from my shoulders to my tail I got a proper distance to where it would be long enough, not in the way and perfect for my size.

Made some finishing touches and now all I needed to do was weld the two bits together and I would have myself a proper weapon, and one hell of a story to tell when I made it back to the Prydwen... assuming I actually made it back alive.

I grabbed the welder plus both finished parts of my new blade, I would weld the bits together as I went no need to hang around here any longer than I needed to.

",JOOOHN, I AM COMING FOR YOU!" I heard from across the hanger, it was the man whose arm I cut off! He was back and had some kind of ripper in the spot where his arm should have been, the gnashing teeth ready to tear into whatever flesh it could find. It was a shoddy modification, mixed with his jet black power armor, that doesn't mean I would simply stand still and let it chop me.

He revved up his blade and readied a Combatrifle in the other hand, I was a sitting duck where I was. Speaking of duck I quickly threw myself to the ground and found myself behind a Vertibird. There was not a chance in hell my claws would be enough to handle the ripper's fury, it was far too dangerous to challenge that. I had to think and act fast. I decided rather than wait to weld my Bumper Sword together later, I should do that now. I got up and quickly got to work, snatching a few metal plates off the table as I bolted past a couple Vertibird having to juggle everything in my arms as I went, I placed the extra metal plates within my maw as I made laps around the hanger, avoiding gunfire and keeping ahead of that lunatic.

Can't say I ever had to make something so complicated while on the run, usually this is something I would have done on a table to perfection. He was set on getting me, I had no way out of here. I continued to ignore his ramblings and finally got a comfortable ground to where the welder melted the bar against the hilt of the blade, now I just need to do the other side. I got another plate from out of my mouth, these things were incredibly dusty and dry tasted like an irradiated patch of dead grass.

The welder looked like it was on its last leg, I needed just enough juice to burn these two plates together to the handle that's it. I was surprisingly steady though this whole ordeal, I managed to line the plates up properly and wedge the handle together with the whole thing, now to burn them all in one and then trim it down. I combined the two pieces together and freed a hand, now I can use the welder effectively. Still under fire I heard the clanging of his footsteps grow closer and closer, the humming of the ripper quite literally on my tail.

I felt a tingle throughout my spine, he was drawing closer and closer, spouting nonsense how I ruined his entire plan and killed his only friends. "Don't you worry, you will be joining them in Hell soon enough!" I then realized he wanted me to say something back, to give away my position! I fell for it.

I quickly rushed to the edge of a Vertibird, backed up against it as closely as I could without my back spines scraping against it, I waited and caught my breath for a few moments. I heard nothing, no ripper or his overly loud footsteps. I took this time to test my newly put together blade, the first test was friction, I gave it a bend and it didn't even move, this was odd as it was obviously still cooling down, the hilt middle of the handle was still a blazing red glow. I held it straight upwards ready to strike, there was still one thing I had to know.

"Emma's family, are they really dead or was that just another string in the Enclave's rope of lies?"

There was no answer for a good few moments before I heard his sour sounding voice just a short distance from me, "Yeah her husband and little boy were offed shortly after the Purge announcement started. I saw to it and then found her so we can take advantage of the fact that we had her family, once we were done with her she was going to get killed too, why do you even care for one dumb bitch anyway?",The last sentence seemed to have echoed within my mind as well as the bunker.

I should just get out of here, these Vertibird's were completely operational yet I knew not how to fly one. I suppose now is the time to learn right? I can always get this fucker later anyway, let him win the purge and climb the ranks. I took the opportunity to make a distraction, whacking my tail against the metal exterior of one of the Vertibirds I was already up against. It echoed throughout the entire hanger allowing one to not make a pinpoint location from where it came from, reverberating off each and every vehicle within the place it almost made a hymn.

Window of opportunity was narrow, I strapped the blade to my back and made a mad dash to one of the less crowded Vertibirds. I made a serious bet on this being operational and in working order. Quickly entering the control chamber up front I crouched through the door and quickly shut it behind me, using a shovel to wedge in-between it behind me, there was the other side door to worry about as well, its lock will have to do.

I found myself in a very cramped position already, unable to fit where the two pilots would be I found a of middle ground, crouching between the two seats and leaning my chest between them so I can access the controls, the other half of me was within the passenger section, Vertibirds were definitely not made with a Deathclaw in mind.

I had to keep myself uncomfortably low to this dirty floor, I so much as lean up slightly and I'm busting my head on the ceiling, I feel the Brotherhood Vertibirds were much, much more spacious than this, they already one up the Enclave on that one.

Having never read a document on how to fly this thing, basing it purely off of having seen others do it I'm basically an expert alright, right? It's just a complicated array of switches and levers to which I don't know what exactly does what, start pushing buttons and hope for the best?

I wasn't able to consider my options because that reassuring sound of the Ripper was heard from even outside this position at the cockpit, then I saw him, black armor shimmering throughout the blaring lights above. He was standing in front of the Vertibird, no he wasn't waiting for me to get out he was trying to sabotage it!

Now I wouldn't classify my next course of action as a panic attack but I did start frantically pushing buttons and pulling switches, some off some on and others a repeated cycle of both. In the few moments I spent doing this I managed to somehow not find the starting switch, I did however figure out to actually control the thing using a row of four dials by the joystick. Being fairly confident I could somewhat reliably navigate this thing I continued my crusade to start this thing, it never occurred to me that fuel might be an issue.

Much within a stroke of luck I heard the soothing humming of the engine, the only problem was I flipped multiple switches and didn't know which one it was, it didn't matter as the hanger doors began to open, they revealed the Wasteland sun just setting off in the horizon, I could see my freedom just feet away. Also how cute that the doors open automatically when you start one of the Vertibirds.

Wasting no time I pushed that hunk of metal through the doorway and had a rough takeoff but I pulled through, knocking my adversary over as I went by the thing wasn't too difficult, just pull the joystick in the direction you wanted to go and the blades will adjust that way, I remained pretty high up considering as the Hell of an Enclave base was nothing more than a wavy speck behind me.

My goal was to head back to the Prydwen, tell them about this recruiting center and allow us to lay siege to it. Only problem was I had no idea where I was going, I couldn't really tell what anything was from up here, flying this thing gave me anxiety by the minute but it was almost peaceful hearing nothing but the blades rotating above me.

The view was pretty nice as well, a whole different perspective. Granted I saw nothing of note but I can imagine how traveling via Vertibird can be a strategic advantage, as well as for general scouting and getting from place to place.

One worry I did have was how to land, it was going to be a crash landing for sure, there was no gracefully putting this thing down.

My worries were incredibly short lived because I took a shot to the side of the Vertibird, another and then another. I don't believe it came close to hitting me but it heard it tinging against the outside. I wasn't able to pinpoint where it was specifically coming from I had assumed it was simply raiders being carefree idiots like always, oh how wrong I was.

Seemingly out of nowhere a missile struck it, causing me to shake and fall backwards because it was a direct hit up front at the control panel. Shrapnel and broken glass littered the floor below me as a deep ringing and blurred vision took me for a few moments, sitting up again once I regained my senses I realized that the Vertibird was spinning out of control rapidly!

I braced myself against both seats up front and made some sorry excuse for a prayer hoping that something, anything would hear my plea to walk away from this disaster. Spiraling downwards it finally crashed against the Wasteland ground, it blew up on impact and launched me out of the front window as the explosion came from the engine in the back. I was still breathing and coherent, the blast hadn't taken my consciences or my life.

Laying down under a pile of rubble and debris from the Vertibird itself I had to push a couple of metal bits and sheets off of myself, the main structure was a burning blaze next to me and I was all scratched and burned in multiple places I didn't even know I had. Managing to get up I had a sharp stabbing pain in my abdomen, a chunk of shrapnel managed to penetrate me right at my belly, it was a nasty jagged looking thing and it hurt like nothing I ever experienced when I so much as walked, I decided I only had on choice.

Bending down upon my knees in the middle of all this carnage I quickly took the Bumper Sword from off my back and placed it next to me, I did a timer and counted down, gave myself enough inspiration and willpower to pull the rusted shard from my stomach, if it had hit me any lower I would have been really sad then.

The jolt of pain I experienced pulling that shard out of me was only matched by the torrent of blood that followed, even with my blurred vision I could see that this was bad, if I didn't fix it soon I would be nothing more than a dried up corpse under the Capital Wasteland's unforgiving sun.

I made the next egregious choice that day, I decided that I was going to solderize the wound using the fire from the wreckage, I held my belly with one hand and my blade in the other as I dragged my way to the crashed heap of flames, I barely had the energy to life the tip of my blade to the flames to heat the damn thing up. I looked around me as I heated it to a piercing red, the mixture of my blood trail all the way from the pile of rubble and practically was raised from the dead.

That should have killed me, yet here I suffer using a sharp blade to burn my flesh to a crisp to stop myself from bleeding out, my legs and hand were absolutely covered in my own blood and it was just getting worse.

I took a deep breath and lined the tip of the sword with my wound, I could hardly see what I was doing, everything was turning dark and my thoughts were going blank. I had to do it now.

I'm sure most of the pain was ignored due to the sheer level of adrenaline I felt, hell that was probably the only thing keeping me up, once that runs out I'll be collapsed and would bleed to death.

I jammed the blade into the massive cut in my stomach, I couldn't even comprehend the amount of anguish it would cause me, it sizzled and smoked as I made a shoddy attempt to crisp it just enough to stop me from unwillingly donate my blood to the Wasteland.

After a few moments of making sure it actually worked I pulled that scorching hot piece of metal out of me and practically fell over, I used a bit of the crashed metal bird to lean on as I growled and grunted in pain, I just wanted the burn to stop and would need to get some serious medical attention once I make it out.

If I make it out.

After what felt like far too long of an eternity I began to feel, like I wasn't dying. Sure I was still absolutely fucked on the hurt and injured scale but my vision began to readjust and the blurriness was all but gone.

The cut along my abdomen looked like one of the brahmin steaks you kept on the stove for too long. It was far too ugly to ignore and the only good thing it did was stop the bleeding, in fact I was able to even stand up and move without much pain, that or I just couldn't feel anything after what I had just gone through.

My small victory was short lived, I heard the revving of that ripper from behind me, he was looking through the rubble and debris to find a body. He needs my head after all to claim his prize. I wasn't too keen on losing that today, leaning up against the largest hunk of metal near me I waited, and waited. I knew he would be coming from this side and all I had to do was strike him.

I held the sword above my head, resting it nicely against my shoulder. I had intended to make a downward swing and then pull it back up, this would tear through his armor hopefully and then I could get in with the claws, of course nothing ever goes as planned.

The moment I saw that darkened boot I gave in with all my might, this was a mistake. He was ready for such an attack and easily blocked the Vertibird blade with his own ripper and pushed me back against the crashed vessel with his other hand. Giving what I can only describe as a battle cry as I leaned the sword down to the ground, pulling it against the dirt leaving a straight line as I approached him, I paused feinted his attempt to cover and swung upward with my blade as reckless and forcefully as I could, left a gash upon his chest and knocked his helmet clean off.

He fell backwards, leaning on his knees, ripper in the ground tearing it up like an old mining machine, my approach was slow and cautious. Obviously a trap and then I noticed who this actually was, and that was Carl.

"Carl? What the hell is the meaning of this? I thought you and Emma were partners? Whatever happened to helping me? Being the one who can free you all?!'

He gave a growl that would make devil's shake as he stood up and raised his arms, this wasn't going to be the end, "You are a pawn like the rest of us John, even now you are doing Eden's dirty work and don't even realize it, YOU WILL DIE ALONE JUST LIKE THE REST OF US!" He charged me with that last sentence, swinging when I wasn't even in the proper atmosphere to be affected by his attacks, he was a mad man and this was his final stretch.

I stepped back and our blades clashed again, mine landing perfectly to stop the conveyor belt of teeth against his, we both struggled to break free from this clash, "It's over John look at you! You can't even defend against me and besides I got a whole army coming for you, even if you kill me here you are still fucked!"

"That may just be the case but I can at least wipe the world clean of you while I'm at it!" I pulled back from the crash of blades, leaping backwards and almost missing my landing. I was still rather hurt and unable to make great physical motions and can hardly subatain my own weight.

I charged him again, blade at my side and instead of even swinging I turned around and tripped him with my tail, he fell flat on his back and the ripper hand seemed to have broken. Smoke and sparks sputtered out of the thing seeing as this was his only weapon he was pretty much done, he struggled to get up and I just held his chest with one of my claws while leaning down.

"Fuck you overgrown newt, Glavin was right about one thing you are a son of a bitch that won't FUCKING die."

I gave a wide slash across his chest and abdomen area with my claws, getting through the power armor and exposing his body beneath it, "Emma sends her regards.." I said before digging my hand under the gash in the armor I made, got a good grip on his flash as he screamed in agony. I launched his body into the air with all my might, while he was enjoying the elevated view I lined him up quickly with my bumper sword and impaled the handle into the ground below him, all things that go up must come down and the landed right in the middle on the blade, it went right through him and killed him pretty much instantly as he gurgled and gasped his final breath. I grabbed the hilt of my blade from the ground while his body was still slumped on it, I whipped him off of the thing as his scratched up power armor dented the ground, strapped it to my back and was off to find the Prydwen.

I found a dilapidated barn a short distance from the crash site. I decided that I would take this time to seek refuge there and recover for a moment. The barn itself was broken and almost unrecognizable. Bleached while skeletons of a world past littered the place and meshed with the dirt, it was a double door barn and had no fully fixed walls, each side had holes and was essentially pointless.

I rested behind the second pair of doors, looked over myself for wounds and took a much needed breather. I could almost swear I fell asleep or passed out one of the two, I heard shouting and movement outside the barn, this must have been that army he was talking about..it wasn't a bluff.

I noticed a skeleton of someone propping up against the wall across from me, they had a hunting bolt action rifle that looked like it was modified to accept .50 Cal rounds.

I reached over and grabbed it along with the 2 clips that were by him and set them on my side, peaking over the doorway I saw an entire sea of Enclave soldiers and officers, dozens stand before me getting into strategic positions and surrounding the barn completely.

I had probably enough bullets here to take out half of them, then what? Charging out there to deal with them would be a death sentence. I clutched the rifle against my chest as I held my back to the door, the trigger was just large enough to get my claw in there and I could handle the thing with ease. I peaked around the side and was instantly bombarded with gunfire, laser and ballistic alike. It tore through the barn like paper and made the already weak infrastructure much, much worse. Fortunately I was unscathed.

If they are remaining in the same position I could pick them off, quickly peering around the corner again I took aim, scoped down an officer in the back and blew his brains out and quickly retreated back to cover. My only chance would be if one pushed on and I could retrieve their gun.

Time after Time I took them out one by one shell casings echoed through the barrel of the rifle as I continued to fire, carefully timing my shots and was practically in a sharpshooters trance, clip after clip the mass of numbers fell as their moral broke, then I heard that unfaithful sound of every gun *click* another empty mag, last one 5 rounds and about 23 left from what I counted.

I used the four bullets from the clip and loaded the last one, I scoped them as they panicked and split up even more, their confidence was dwindling but they still outnumbered me severely. I had a single bullet left and things were looking bleak, I thought for what felt like an eternity, if they don't kill me with gunfire I'll be captured and tortured and kept alive for way, way too long. They will use me to hurt the Brotherhood, the Wasteland and the World.

I sat down behind the door, put the butt of the rifle into the dirt and lined the barrel up with my maw, they can't use me if I'm dead now can they? One bullet should be enough to do the job right to the roof of my mouth easily.

I'm sorry that I couldn't find you dad

I'm sorry that I couldn't avenge you mom

At least I managed to give Emma some happiness in whatever afterlife she ended at, I hope she got to see her family again.

End Chapter 22: