This took a bit of a while, but finally here it is. I don't want to say much for now due to preventing any sort of hint leading to spoilers so... Be the judge.
This isn't the whole price, yet. This is just down payment.
Song used
"Overdose" by grandson
-For the Commonwealth: Silent Crows-
"Kill Patriot."
Piper's eyes immediately went wide under her helmet as she leaned back to stare at Amanda.
"Is there something wrong, Piper?"
Piper tried to find the right words to say, but finding it difficult for some reason to respond, her mind was clearly dull out of so many frustrations that she had to deal with recently as the anxiety that she's trying to ignore clearly couldn't fully process what Amanda was implying but then, she heard Amanda speak once again.
"It's... Rather, a complicated situation. And it will get worse if we will keep Patriot with us. He had been a great help to the Enclave, but now... He has to go. But we can't simply discharge him from his duty either."
Piper cleared her throat before managing a reply.
"W- What's the reason? Amanda? Why do you want to kill Patriot?"
There was a long silence between them after her response. Piper couldn't really imagine as she wondered what expression Amanda wore under that helmet of hers. But for Piper, she was already feeling more confused aside from being fatigued due to the lack of rest and constant field work she was put through.
"He's plotting against me, Piper... Patriot plans to... Use everyone on the airbase against me."
"But... Why would he? There's gotta be an explanation for this, Amanda. Patriot, would never betray you..."
Another long pause, and to see Amanda's head slowly shaking, Piper got another response.
"There isn't anything to explain. But all I ask, is for you to... Get rid of him. Automated suits of power armor aren't what the Enclave stood for in the first place. We must rely only on our loyal service men and women, who're willing to risk their lives for this goddamned country against, the unpure. And let me remind you, that we have quite a number of unpure brethren within our numbers and ranks..."
Though, Amanda was so calm and rather soft on how she said it, but Piper clearly couldn't tell anymore who was telling the truth. And who she should trust. Though she trusts Amanda, but, why kill Patriot? Does Patriot even have anything to do with... General Ward being shot? Piper mentally shook the thought away, but looking at Amanda, who was surprisingly waiting her response patiently, it was the opposite of herself. Something that Piper hasn't and had yet seen on Amanda's perspective.
She had decided too quickly without a thought. Maybe she should have listened to either Patriot or Amanda, but, in her current state of struggle, it was so hard to choose due to stress and anxiety. Let alone realize what was even right or not at this point.
"I won't force you if you can't do this, Piper. Just know that... I care for you. And your well-being..."
Again. That soft, loving voice of Amanda came to her hearing again.
"Perhaps... You should come with me for now... You need some... Place to think your mind through..."
Piper took a moment before managing to give a reply.
"O-Okay... But... What about-"
"I'm sure whoever those in charge on your bases are doing their job fine. So long as we... Get rid of Patriot as soon as possible."
Feeling Amanda's hand reaching up to hers, Amanda's other hand-picked up her Gatling laser.
"I have a vertibird on standby just twenty meters south from here. Let's go."
Piper wanted to speak, but, the sweetness and softness of Amanda's well-being was too... Overbearing. It was almost as if, it was slowly controlling her. But then again, she decided too early. And it's too late to decline and take another path in decision when she's already put her trust on Amanda. But what about Patriot now?
"Amanda..."
Piper slowly began as she reluctantly walked, hand in hand with Amanda.
"Yes, Piper?"
Piper took a short moment before slowly giving a reply.
"Do you know where... Nick is?"
She wasn't sure how Amanda took the question due to the emotionless face of her helmet.
"Why would he matter now, Piper? What matters is... You're with me. And soon, the rest of our own, once we get rid of Patriot. For good."
"Amanda... Please don't change the subject... I just asked if you know-"
"Yes. But that is a classified information. Above your rank..."
Piper raised a brow as she forced herself to walk with Amanda. Even though she's on power armor, she felt her legs were about to give up from the extreme exhaustion.
"We're almost there, Piper..."
"Amanda..."
"Yes?"
Piper swallowed hard, but after getting to know about the divisions, and battalions absorbed into the Enclave, she just had to ask, out of curiosity.
"Where are the, Outcasts? Don't we have a black operations division doing the dirty work?"
She didn't get a response. Instead, she felt Amanda's strong grip tightening as she was towed onto a black painted vertibird. But unlike the airbase vertibirds that are dark gray with the Enclave insignia mostly being visibly displayed and with a small pre-war US flag, this vertibird was the opposite. It was all just matte black, and the pre-war US flag was more visible than the Enclave insignia itself.
Another thing that Piper noticed on the side of the vertibird has a small "US Air Force" tagged in white. Wasn't it made very clear that the Commonwealth Enclave was now its own thing? Meaning its own military force dispersed from the patriotic chapters that dissolved?
"Piper, you might want to relax for now... You seem to look... Worse..."
Hearing Amanda's voice from her side as she got on board, Piper was pulled away from her thoughts as Amanda clearly got her full attention.
"Amanda, didn't you want your presence to be kept hidden for the time being?"
Piper slowly asked, and with Amanda clearly distracting her from her thoughts, she had to deal talking to Amanda instead.
"Yes. But, concerning Patriot's sudden insubordination, he needs to be dealt with. Traitors must be dealt with, one way or another."
Piper couldn't say anything. This was too difficult for her to process. She needed an extreme amount of rest.
"Just hang on, Piper. We'll be there soon..."
Hearing the calm loving tone of Amanda yet again, Piper didn't replied. Her mind was clearly drowned by these things that Amanda filled with as well as about Patriot's betrayal. She wasn't even sure if Patriot even had anything to do with General Ward being shot. She hasn't even made up her mind on whether she sympathizes for the USAF General and if he would even make or, if he's already-
"Don't think, Piper. You need to rest... I, can only sympathize from what the commanding officers had to put you in through. From what Patriot had put you in through."
Piper immediately turned her head to Amanda with a look of surprise.
"Don't tell me... That you know everything that Patriot tasked me?"
She managed to ask, but with her exhaustion finally kicking in, she had struggled speaking out every word that she had said.
"Like I said, my dear. I have sources. Providing me what I need, and what I want to know."
"You had people spying on me?"
Piper asked, rather in demanding despite the fact that her mentally stressed and extremely exhausted self under her X02.
"Please. Remain calm, my dear... I only care for you. Especially when I've received your file. Your file on the Enclave records from the airbase. They've really put you through a hell of a lot for a short while after your enlistment..."
Hearing this from Amanda out of a very calm voice, Piper let our a sigh.
"Can you just... Drop me somewhere secluded, so that I can call out my vertibird? I'd like to get back to the Castle now to report-"
"Nonsense, my dear Piper. You need rest. So whether if you say that I've had spies keeping watch on you, I wouldn't care much, but regarding your, continual tasks, given by Patriot and concerning your, visibly unstable condition... You are clearly not in the right mind because of your extreme deployments out on the field."
Piper couldn't find any way to respond. Perhaps, Amanda was right. But, she just couldn't think it clearly. Though, she did lack so much of a time to rest and kept away from field work, perhaps that's what's complicating her own mind to this sudden dysfunction. And she can't blame Amanda for caring for her either, even though she still couldn't believe that Amanda can be a soft loving woman despite the fact that her straight up aggressive, hardened nature.
"You seem a bit off. Is there something wrong?"
Hearing Amanda's soft questioning, Piper hesitated to respond, but figuring not to keep the other woman waiting, she gave a limited response.
"I'm fine. Just, tired. Very tired..."
"Then sleep for now, Piper... I will take you up once we arrive..."
Piper didn't manage a word, but complying, she hopped out of her X02 before taking a seat and leaning back trying to relax herself.
But she wasn't sleeping either even with her eyes in demand of forcefully shutting itself. Piper was still thinking. But... She couldn't think of all the thoughts in her mind all at once, it was only fucking her up...
It didn't start with her encounter with the Wanderer, no. But to make a quick summary; It all started hearing about Patriot out in Sanctuary -or anywhere else- tracing down 'Enclave' eyebots. Then came her aggressive talk to General Ward at the National Guard training yard, where she spat bitterly at the high ranking, pre-war General. Third came a surprise attack from the Brotherhood under the Wanderers' command, which led her to defend the USAF base from the T-45s -yet she wasn't sure if she did it to help the USAF at all- which led to her frustration out of control due to fatigue that resulted into her, threatening General Ward and entirely everyone else that they will all be killed if they ever get on the way.
Now, here she is. And it didn't make any sense all of a sudden for Patriot to betray Amanda, let alone plot against her and turn the pact under his favor.
Her eyes slightly opening... Piper saw Amanda still on her power armor, while seemingly talking to the pilots, but due to the loud rotors, she couldn't really hear what they were talking about. And not to mention, these were humans piloting the vertibird, perhaps, former Enclave from the passed chapters. Wait... What the fuck?
Piper closed her eyes shut. But trying her best not to fall asleep despite her extreme exhaustion, she just couldn't be sure being anywhere near other people she wasn't familiar with, especially with her guard down. Hell, even Amanda seems... Like a stranger to her eyes. But, her emotion being retarded telling her to trust the woman.
"We're here, Piper."
Piper's eyes opened immediately by the time she heard Amanda's calm, gentle voice under her power armor.
The vertibird finally on a small landing strip, Amanda filed out first, but to see her patiently waiting outside without a word, Piper immediately hopped back on her X02 before following suit.
"Perhaps, you should leave that to the armory and let the maintenance staff take care of it while we see the chief medical officer..."
Piper slowly shook her head. Wait... Why shouldn't she trust Amanda? She loves Amanda, and she will always trust her, but seeing all around what appear to be the Boston Airport, and the sight of previous generation power armors all around on duties, Piper just couldn't think of what to make of these people. They were in fact, part of the previous chapters and detachments of the Enclave. But to see Amanda staring at her wordlessly, Piper figured not to keep her waiting.
"My suit is still in good condition. I usually repair it myself when I have time so..."
"I understand, Piper. Take as much as time as you need."
Piper raised a brow under her helmet. Take as much as time as she needs?
Before she could even say a word, she felt Amanda's hand holding onto hers before towing her inside one of the buildings.
"Wasn't this place, infested by ferals?"
She couldn't help but ask as she walked with Amanda.
"I won't go into details. But yes, Piper. And we had to burn all the bodies before finally taking full control here."
That was the only response that she got before leading her into a hallway, where they entered a double door, and there they arrived at what appears to be a medical bay. Piper felt uneasy at the sight of other soldiers inside as she immediately turned her head away and into Amanda who let go of her hand before talking to one of the doctors wearing a lab coat.
Piper swore, as she only stood while waiting, she could hear whispers from the others, but deciding to ignore it, Piper was slightly startled when she was quickly approached by Amanda and one of the doctors.
"Right this way, Piper."
Nodding slowly at Amanda, she followed along and was led to one of the rooms inside the medical bay, where she was told to get out of power armor and to lie down on the medical bed.
Just shortly when the doctor started doing checkup on her, Piper only focused on Amanda who only stood beside the medical bed, still in power armor, and without a word, her metal hand holding Piper's soft hand gently. Piper could get very used to this side of Amanda. But for some reason, it just felt wrong-
"She seems to be in good condition, Colonel. But we will still have to give her some time to rest. Judging by her features due to exhaustion, she isn't looking very well. At all."
Seeing the doctor leaving, Piper turned her head to Amanda who finally got out of her power armor before taking a seat on a chair beside her.
"Just rest my dear..."
Only one question remained on Piper's mind out of all the thoughts clouding in her. How can Amanda be this loving?
She felt Amanda's hand gently gripping into hers. Piper wanted to squeeze her hand back, but how would Patriot react to all this? Would she listen to him? Or... Would she listen to Amanda?
"Just sleep, Piper... I'll be here if you need me..."
She focused her eyes into Amanda's green, yet somehow emotionless eyes. Her pristine face clearly missing that usual aggressive, hardened face of the woman married to a pre-war army veteran.
Feeling the gentle touches of Amanda on her wrist, Piper couldn't say a word. Her eyes clearly begging to shut. But, she didn't want to sleep and yet-
"Sleep... Just sleep..."
As slows and gently being said to her, Piper finally fell asleep. She couldn't handle anymore being awake. She needed all the rest she can, but... She needed to think everything through... She needs to think Amanda through, as well as Patriot. Are either even m telling her the truth?
Darkness...
Just darkness all over her as she drifted asleep deeper...
She didn't know how long she's been asleep. It only felt like a short period. But now that she was able to wonder... How long has it been now? She has let her guard down, either long enough or longer than she thinks?
These people are clearly not, people she knows that's for sure. And Piper needs to wake up.
But, she needed as much as time to rest. As much as time to refresh her mind before starting to rethink everything through-
'Ma'am.'
'Report.'
'It is done, Ma'am. Only Valentine is left on the list.'
'Not here. Let's talk outside.'
Five seconds...
Valentine? Nick? Of course... Who else would it be..
Ten seconds...
What list?
Fifteen seconds...
She needs to get the fuck up.
Twenty seconds...
Piper's eyes immediately shot open wide, despite the obvious exhaustion, she immediately staggered off the medical bed and peeked out of the small room she was in. The doctors were not around, neither any patients. The coast was clear. But the double doors were slightly opened...
'Amanda... What are you up to...'
Piper mentally thought as she slowly approached the double doors to peek on the slight opening to see Amanda now in power armor, in front of her speaking to her was a man in dark skin, black visors, and a long black overcoat.
Piper raised a brow as she began to listen to what was being talked about on the empty hallway.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, Ma'am."
"Witnesses?"
"None on General Ward. Everything accorded to plan as instructed on the file of the General that you gave me."
"Good. Use this opportunity to finish your remaining task. While Patriot is hot in sight as target, I just needed him put off. Permanently. But what about your second target?"
"He has known too much about our division. And I have managed to capture him when he was trying to infiltrate our outpost on the southwest. A small unit of USAF patrol came across as well. I had to terminate them to cover up any traces, as well as take captive of the squad leader, if you are interested on gathering USAF Intel."
"Where is he?"
"Locked up, Ma'am. The second target is currently in the interrogation chamber for questioning."
Piper remained in silence. That man shot General Ward... An obvious attempt to assassinate the USAF General... That could only mean that, Patriot had been planned to be used as a minor cover-up lie, for her to kill. And another two targets with Nick being one of them? To think... She hasn't seen Nick ever since he got back in the Commonwealth... What is Amanda planning out of all of this...?
"Far Harbor was in chaos. Minutemen and NCR personnel are ongoing with their conflict."
She heard the man continue again without any ounce of emotion, and Piper listened closely in silence.
"Nick Valentine has involved himself in the conflict, serving as a Minutemen asset -an Intel gatherer- against the NCR. I cannot proceed on the termination without your permission, Ma'am. Not when a conflict is ongoing at Far Harbor. It would be a risk of getting unwanted attention at any possible way of assassination."
Seeing no emotions whatsoever in the man that spoke, Piper turned her eyes into Amanda while waiting to hear her reply.
"Cancel the plan. I have new task for you. Seeing that you've accomplished two tasks at least, with a little bonus captive you've brought... I will need you on... Luring an individual into joining our ranks..."
"I am listening, Ma'am."
"I've recently stumbled upon an ex member of the Brotherhood of Steel from the DC area. And to think that our main focus at this time is getting the Brotherhood there out of their place... A substantial use of what resources we can grab and use against them shall be beneficial. Imagine an ex Brotherhood captain against her own people? But do not show yourself to her. It is vital to get suspicion in Sanctuary... Perhaps, do a bit of, show on it."
"I will get to it, Ma'am."
"Very well. But one last thing, X6-88... Make it have... A little dramatic effect. To make it look like it wasn't intentional by us. You know what I mean."
There was no response from the emotionless man other than a silent nod.
Piper immediately moved away from the doors in shock. Amanda planned to kill General Ward, and using Patriot's absence as leverage to control the situation was more of a tactical move indeed.
It all made sense now. That 'Classified' task, given to Patriot was intentional to put him vulnerable. Perhaps, the Enclave eyebots were part of that plot to keep Patriot off from being suspicious, but on the other side of it, he already was judging by the way he speaks of Amanda recently... Perhaps, Amanda later on found out, and decided to execute her plot to be done for good...
And Sarah... Oh, fuck-
The doors opened, revealing only Amanda in power armor.
Thankfully for Piper, she was near her X02 at the time and just in time she pretended to check on her power armor as she heard metallic steps getting closer.
"You're awake. Shouldn't you be resting?"
She heard the calm, gentle tone of Amanda once again. Piper needed to think clear now. This... Affection of Amanda is blinding her. Manipulating her... She needs to resist the urge of the warm loving care of the woman she had gotten close to admire.
Turning her attention to Amanda rather immediately to pretend she wasn't aware, Piper's eyes blinked a few times shortly before responding.
"I think I've gotten enough rest, Amanda. Thanks for... Caring..."
To see her hands being gently held again by Amanda, Piper wanted to feel flushed, but mentally shaking her head from the thought, she needed to correct her mistake... Her mistake falling in too deep to Amanda.
"I just had to check on my power armor. It's in perfect condition, still."
Piper lied with a gentle smile. She really couldn't tell how Amanda's face was reacting under that helmet of hers.
"Hm... Perhaps, you should be reissued... If you are fine with it."
Piper raised a brow.
"With that kind of suit?"
"This I'm wearing is a fully upgraded and modified suit of advanced power armor mark II. Mostly, standard issue suits are the mark I advanced power armor, the mark II advanced power armor is only in limited issue to commanding officers. Sergeants not included."
Piper gave an acknowledging nod. Though, Amanda's power armor was a bit different from her X02, but it was closely resembling one another, and so were the Mark Is and X01s. But it's clear now that these suits weren't the same thing.
"Would you like to check out the suits in the armory? We can check them out and see if any of the new batch produced sees your interest."
Piper on smiled gently.
"I'd love to, but... The X02 is just really my type."
"Understandable. You must've grown close to your issue..."
Piper sensed a bit of disappointment in Amanda's voice. But it was calm otherwise. She didn't want Amanda to get suspicious. She had to do something right away...
"Hey, how about that other outpost?"
"What about it, Piper?"
"Who's in charge there? I'm just curious..."
Seeing a short pause from Amanda, Piper hoped that the woman wouldn't start questioning her right away about her curiosity.
"It's just a false outpost. But its purpose is classified."
Piper gave a slow nod.
"Oh I... Understand."
"Back to topic... You should be resting."
Piper took a moment of thinking on what to say, but deciding to gently smile instead, she had hoped that she can get to trick Amanda with it. Yet, she wasn't sure if using charm would be a good idea, but the fact that she's now slowly becoming suspicious. It was all too disturbing in what she had witnessed just earlier. But out of all the thoughts, the newer thoughts on her mind... Would she make an excuse to leave now and find Patriot or, risk it and stay with Amanda?
If she were to stay, she would definitely not do it because she loves Amanda. But rather, to get some things straight right...
"Amanda... Is there a way to... Recruit more soldiers on this division?"
She asked, immediately changing the subject.
"We don't easily take in recruits. We want to make sure that either are... Willing to put everything into the Enclave. As you may know, these men and women serving under my division are and were former members as a part of the previous Enclave, on various regions on America. We can't just simply take in more people to fight for us. We need soldiers with the dedication to fight for their commanders to restore their country. Not mercenaries that would only fight as the payroll keeps going. Not especially non-ferals that are not tolerated by my soldiers in this division, as well as some constructed moving power armors. My plan, is to secure the Enclave's current glory, and execute its original mission to restore America."
Piper took a single step back. That was not right, but to see Amanda's hands gently holding hers, she heard Amanda continue.
"I don't plan to kill everyone else entirely. Only those that are... Unclean... You and Natalie aren't those type... People like you deserve to live, and experience the way of life as it was during the pre-war society."
Amanda stopped, and Piper was sure enough that she has more to say as she watched Amanda take a step forward while fully focused on her.
"Join me in this division... We will think of a way to gather the rest of our service men, and women from the other divisions... Then... We can start rebuilding America. I can promise you a life that you and Natalie deserve. We just need to... Clear out these obstacles..."
Despite setting aside various amount of thoughts in her mind, Piper was now seeing things very clear... But, she needs to keep it to herself now. Talking it out may end up in suspicion...
"What about the Minutemen? The USAF?"
"We can think of pardoning the existence of the Minutemen, but the USAF... They are clearly not doing so well. They are barely operational and keep in mind that they still starting out here in the Commonwealth. Just imagine how terrible they'd be if they're in any part of the wastes of America..."
"So are we just going to..."
"No, my dear Piper... But what I do plan for the USAF is to... Show them the reason they were even the USAF in the first place... To show them the values that this country was founded on... To absorb them into the Enclave, instead of being stepped on by the likes of the Brotherhood of Steel, or any cause with the means to destroy others..."
Piper was quiet for a long moment. But deep down inside, she had never felt so wrong. Mentally, she began seeing the harsh truth of why General Ward was wanted dead... Perhaps... This was the only reason she had such a sudden hatred towards the old fragile pre-war military. Not because of rebuilding America, but because of Amanda... She's clearly let her own guard down that she not only allowed Amanda, but rather insisted her walls being breached out of manipulation... She fell in love with a tyrant. A soon to be war criminal. A genocidal woman that shared that trait to that previous Colonel ten years ago. But what terrifies her now, was Amanda's crave for obvious power that she visibly shows out of her dream and plan to rebuild the dead pre-war country... Piper has made a terrible mistake trusting this woman.
But she wasn't giving up either... She needs to correct her mistakes...
"I... Understand..."
It was all that Piper had ever said in response. But to see Amanda's hands letting go of hers, Piper heard Amanda reply.
"Just... Take your time in all this... Now that you know what I mean."
Piper gave a slow acknowledging nod. Joining Amanda? So this is why... She's so loving all of a sudden. But... She could just never know at all... But does it matter now? There are people at risk, those mostly being Nick and Sarah.
"I will have a soldier assigned to tour you around soon. But for now, just get some rest, and once you're well rested, you may as well take a tour around here."
Being interrupted by Amanda who suddenly spoke, Piper only gave a slow nod.
"I'll be in my office doing some paperwork, so if you need me, you know where I'll be. Okay, my dear?"
Piper slowly nodded again. She wasn't sure how to respond to Amanda's loving manner. So, she instead chose to remain quiet and watched as the woman in Tesla modified Mark II power armor left her on her own.
She's let her guard down for too long. It was time to correct her mistakes...
Looking over to her X02, Piper hopped on her power armor.
She needed to correct her mistakes... In fact, she's done plenty already, but to start, she needed to find out who are those that this X6-88 has captured… Aside from General Ward and Nick, the second target was said to be in the interrogation chamber. She needs to take this heavy risk if she'll ever want to protect Nick and Sarah, especially for Sarah who was now being a new target...
Setting foot out of the medical bay, Piper met the same empty hallways. But figuring to find her way around, she eventually arrived outside where various well-organized tents occupied the large space.
She didn't felt like she was in place. The sight of the people all around on duty were different from how she describes the ones she's used to work with in the airbase and the Castle. In fact, just one long stare at the active personnel made her feel uneasy...
Deciding to approach one of the tents, Piper was met by one of the soldiers with a Captain rank on a mark II advanced power armor.
"Welcome to Outpost Bravo. So, you're that Lieutenant everyone was talking about. Why are you not wearing our designated power armor?"
Rather, harsh than a welcoming tone, Piper was slightly taken aback by the aggressive tone.
"I'm from... Another division."
"Oh, great. Another division... What do you want?"
Piper raised a brow. She felt kinda threatened, and insulted by this harsh tone.
"I'm trying to look for the weapons repair center? I could use some repair for my X02."
There was a slight growl under the helmet of the Captain.
"Over there to the left. Third tent on blue. Now get out of my face and don't come back unless you got better things to say."
Piper tried her best to stay calm, and without a response, she quickly walked away from the captain.
'Asshole...'
Arriving at the said tent, Piper was rather pleased that it wasn't occupied. Taking her X02 into one of the repairs stations, Piper got off the X02 and began doing a little minor repair. But glancing back outside, no one seems to be paying the attention to her at least.
Anther glance over to her right was a mark II combat power armor resting on a repair station next to her X02, a rank of Lieutenant was on the right shoulder pad.
This is it. Her first step...
Glancing around just in case, Piper immediately hopped on the power armor. Although it doesn't feel like any difference from the X02, but the orange tint on the helmet was surprisingly limiting her vision unlike the ones on her X02.
Deciding to walk out of the tent, Piper began to take another route on the way back inside the main building. She needed to find the captives.
Seeing a guard standing by next to an empty hallway, Piper took a deep breath before walking casually towards the guard.
"Yes, Lieutenant?"
"I was told to interrogate the captive. The previous interrogator didn't work squeezing out information."
Giving a more of an authorized voice as she spoke the soldier gave a nod in reply.
"Must be some tough bastard that is... Interrogation room is on hallway four, seventh room on the lower level, Lieutenant."
Giving a crisp nod, Piper began making her way into the lower level of the building, where she stood in front of a metal door on the seventh room.
Looking through a large window, the room was quite dark, and she couldn't really see what was going on. But clearly, she could make up two soldiers not on power armor hitting what appears to be a man in the face.
Thoughts starting to cloud her mind, Piper had to mentally shake her head away from the thoughts, but before she could even react, the door opened and came one of the men torturing the man inside the room.
"Something I can help you with, Lieutenant?"
Piper did her best to remain calm and composed. And giving a nod, Piper responded her voice sounding in full authority.
"I'm sent by Colonel Amani to help you get the job done. So how's the captive?"
"Not doing so well, Lieutenant. Guy's got a funny mouth despite taking a lotta hard beating. Should we cut his fingers one by one to make him talk?"
Piper raised a hand in dismissal band responded.
"You've done what you can, soldier. You and your buddy can go now. I'll deal with the mutie."
"Heh, damn right you will, Lieutenant!"
After dismissing the two soldiers, Piper immediately attacked the pair and easily snapped the necks of each soldier.
Dragging their bodies into a nearby room and keeping it hidden begin some crates, Piper rushed back to the interrogation room and closed the door.
Flicking the lights on, Piper turned her head onto the person tied on a chair, badly beaten, blood staining his white shirt and jeans.
Piper's eyes under her helmet widened in both shock and grimace to immediately recognize the person on the chair. Bald and white skinned.
"Oh my god... Deacon..."
"Nngrh... W- Wha? Piper? Is that... Yo-"
Piper immediately rushed over to the man and began untying him.
"P- Piper... How did you-"
"It's alright, Deacon. It's alright..."
"Piper... That woman-"
"Just hang in there, Deacon... I'm gonna get you out of here, alright?"
She received coughs with blood, but as she stared down onto Deacon as she laid him down, Piper saw his mouth struggling to open. As if, he was trying to say something.
"Piper... T- That woman... Colonel... S- She's-"
Piper immediately cut him off.
"Just don't. I'll get you out of here. Just let me find a way. Okay? You're gonna be okay."
"They- They're going after Nick aurrgggh.."
"I'm afraid they won't be... They'll be going after someone else now, but enough of that. Let's get you somewhere safe first... I'm gonna get you out of here, just hang on okay?"
Piper got a nod in response, but then decided to ask.
"Now, I heard there's another one held captive... Who is it?"
"A S- Sergeant... USAF Sergeant... Peterson I- I think..."
Piper gritted her teeth and mentally cursed. This was too far now. Amanda has taken her control too far in the Enclave...
Turning her head down into Deacon, Piper immediately began.
"I'll get you two out of this place, but we need to get to the Sergeant then I'll figure out a way to get you both out."
Though seeing Deacon could barely nod in reply, Piper just took it as a yes before gently picking the man up and slumping him up on her shoulder pad before carrying him out of the room.
"Left... Left... Third room..."
Hearing Deacon's voice quietly speaking, Piper gave a mental mid before taking a left on an empty corridor. And opening the door, she found a tied up Sargent Peterson. A cloth gagged in his mouth as he tries to struggle on the rope tired around him by the time he saw her carrying Deacon inside.
"Calm down, Sergeant. It's me, Piper."
After placing down Deacon inject it a wall, Piper immediately began untying the Sergeant before removing the fag in his mouth.
"L- Lieutenant? Ah shit... You don't know how crazy these people are. Your Colonel- She's not who think she is-"
"Just stop, Sergeant you keep an eye in Deacon. I'll find a way how to smuggle you two out. Clearly, this airport is filled with armed personnel. So, it might take me some time, but I need you to come with me where you can hide safe until I get back."
"Lieutenant, what's going on? Why are you helping us-"
"Fuck's sake, Peterson. I don't work under the Colonel's division. I serve under Patriot's."
"Oh, thank god.. But... I really can't tell... Who should I trust. Your people are both good and insane... This airport is clearly manned by the insane under your Colonel-"
"Just stop. And tell me, what do you know?"
There was a long pause, almost as if the Sergeant was trying to recollect his thoughts before managing a reply to her.
"From what I've overheard, your Colonel plans to move to DC. She plans to go after the Brotherhood there. But... I don't think you know this yet... That your Colonel is-"
Hearing voices coming from the corridors outside, Piper immediately grabbed Deacon and slumped him over her shoulder pad.
"Can you walk Peterson?"
"Barely. They almost broke my leg, but I can manage."
Piper gave a nod before leash the Sergeant out of the room and taking another route around the lower level before making their way onto the surface level.
After taking careful directions on the hallways, and sneaking past guards, Piper let the Sergeant inside one if the storage rooms, where she placed down Deacon behind a large crate.
"Sergeant, keep an eye on Deacon. I'll be back as soon as possible."
"Lieutenant, what if they find out?"
"I'll be more careful."
"Listen, Lieutenant... Your Colonel is-"
"I know... She's manipulated me. She's plotted this all through... I don't want to hear or imagine what she wants to do next..."
The look of the Sergeant was rather in fear. Almost as if there was more to it. But to wonder about it, Piper just didn't really have much time, so she had to immediately turn away, and leave the two men safely hidden.
Taking another route around outside and back to the repair center, Piper placed the Mark II power armor back on where it was before hopping off and cleaning the stains of blood in the plates.
Taking glances outside she mentally sighed in relief before hopping back on her X02 and walked out of the tent as if nothing happened. But gaining her attention, were three Enclave vertibirds, all three boarded with T-45 suited personnel armed with laser rifles. The fuck?
Approaching cautiously, Piper made a poor move as she accidentally approached the same captain from earlier.
"Oh, great... What do you want now?"
Piper glared at the man's harsh attitude before trying to give a calm reply.
"Why are those units dressed in T-45s? Infiltration?"
"Classified. Not part of this division, it's none of your business."
Piper glared at the captain even more before deciding to walk away instead. But looking back shortly as three vertibirds with T-45 equipped soldiers on board began to fly away... That wasn't a very good sign at all. But she needed to get Deacon and Sergeant Peterson out.
But gaining sight on one of the vehicles outside, it gave Piper an idea. Except... It would be a risk. But she's taking it now than never.
Emmidiately, Piper rushed inside the building, and carefully made her way back to the storage room.
"Lieutenant! Are we getting out of here now?"
"Keep it down, Peterson! Now help me unpack a crate."
Looking around as she said it, Piper immediately found a bigger crate, big enough to fit in both Deacon and the Sergeant.
Though, the Sergeant didn't question and did as she told him, Piper found a working cargo cart and placed the crate on, where she had the Sergeant carefully put Deacon in before having him join inside and putting the lid on the crate back on.
'Just stay calm, Piper...'
Piper began pushing the cart outside and as she carried out the crate, she immediately got the attention of a fee guards.
"Just some package to be loaded up. Just one package."
Gaining no responses from any, Piper mentally sighed as she continued on her way further outside the surrounding constructed walls outside the airport.
By the time she got outside, she made sure that no one was around before opening the crate and immediately helping the Sergeant and Deacon out if the crate.
"Thank you, Lieutenant, but aren't you coming?"
Piper who was wiping off the blood on her wrist plate took a moment, obviously not sure how to respond.
"Lieutenant, I understand your loyalty to your Colonel, but there's something that you must know about-"
"I've made a decision. I'm coming with you. I won't be too sure if I'll ever be able to get out of here if I stay long. I already risked too much just breaking you and Deacon out myself."
With the Sergeant nodding, Piper got on the back of a jeep and waited as they drive away from the Boston Airport. She grimaced at the thought of Amanda raging if she ever finds out about this. But what scared her more was that thought of a price to pay. There will always be a price to pay.
After a long hour drive of silence, Piper didn't say a word. She knew that her mistake was the stupidest thing that she had ever let upon herself, but seeing the National Guard training yard, somehow seemingly empty, Piper had to jump out of the jeep and allowed the medics to handle Deacon. Though she could clearly see in his eye that he was meaning to say something, Piper dismissed it and headed inside the main building.
"Stop it right there. State your business."
Frowning at one of the guards, Piper gave an immediate reply.
"I'm here to speak to General Ward. How is he?"
"The General is in critical condition. He can't be bothered now. Come back once he's in stable condition-"
"This is urgent dammit!"
"Listen, Lieutenant... The USAF is not in the time for anything related to the Enclave. We're on a bit of a struggle right now."
Piper raised a brow.
"What do you mean?"
"General Ward being in critical condition isn't the only thing making things difficult for us. The Brotherhood just attacked Concord. We figured sending troops to handle it would be that easy, but we didn't expect they'd bring heavy resistance."
"They attacked Concord?"
"With the aid of Raider's from Nuka World. They seem to have made some bargain. Right now, our forces are focused on holding them off until we can get more ground units deployed. Without General Ward, we can't really do much other than defend Concord ourselves."
"Fuck... What else can you tell me?"
"Aside from Enclave eyebots roaming all over secured settlements, we got news of Sanctuary being attacked shortly just thirty minutes ago. Three vertibirds, Brotherhood soldiers in T-45s. Minutemen casualties five, USAF ten. We're losing more men that we can deploy... And don't get me started with the civilians killed at Sanctuary during that attack."
This strike an immediate fear to Piper. Natalie.
Without a word, she immediately ran out of the building and met up with Sergeant Peterson who was seemingly looking fine despite the few beatings that he sustained.
"Sergeant we need to get to Sanctuary. Now."
Without a word, the Sergeant immediately ended and got on the driver's seat.
As Piper jump on the back of the jeep, she then heard the Sergeant asking as they began to drive to the settlement.
"Is there something wrong Lieutenant?"
"Something very wrong, Sergeant... Something very wrong..."
This was Amanda's plot. No doubt. Amanda had rigged all this to happen, but out of all the things she could think of now was Natalie. Oh, how she could never forgive herself if anything happens to Natalie...
It took almost a half hour trying to find another way around to get to Sanctuary, despite knowing a conflict between USAF and Brotherhood going on at Concord, there wasn't just enough time to deal with it.
"Stop it right there! This road's closed, turn around!"
An armed USAF soldier barked at the road with a laser rifle.
"I have a sister in the settlement! Let us through!"
"Not with a vehicle!"
Turning her head to Peterson, the Sergeant gave a slow nod at her.
"Go on ahead, Lieutenant."
Nodding, Piper quickly dashed into the settlement while in her X02. She didn't like the sight of what she saw. Most of the walls were completely destroyed, houses almost blown up, and tons of corpses being lined up and covered in rags on the side of the road while the USAF and Minutemen guards try to repair the completely destroyed walls.
"Oh god... Nat..."
Piper ran towards on the street but as she saw the former home of Amanda slightly rifled in holes, she found Natalie being treated by Codsworth. She was seemingly looking fine.
"Oh god... Nat!"
Piper ran up to the girl who immediately noticed her.
"Piper!"
As she tightly enveloped her metal arms around Natalie, Piper felt a tear escape, her eye on how relieved she was to see Natalie.
"Piper... Those people from the Brotherhood... They came and jumped down on their vertibirds and started-"
"Shh... Just don't... I... Don't wanna hear it... You're safe now. That's all that matters..."
To see Natalie's eyes clearly watering, Piper was confused as she studied Natalie's face.
"Nat... What's wrong?"
"Piper... They... They..."
Seeing that Natalie couldn't continue, the girl broke into sobs as she buried her face into her X02 plating. Then, there came Codsworth slowly approaching. Almost sounding as if he too was sobbing.
"Miss Wright, oh how terrible it has been earlier... Those people just came by and... And... They started yelling 'Ad Victoriam' before shooting everyone on sight... I, I don't know why would they even- But wasn't Paladin Danse with them? If so, why couldn't he just told them to stop?"
"Codsworth... They're not-"
Piper stopped. Looking around outside the house further, she found a wounded Strong trying to tend to his bleeding while complaining to himself. On the other was Dogmeat running up to her and was starting to bark happily. Yet, this isn't the complete nuclear family...
Turning her eyes to Codsworth who Piper slowly began.
"Codsworth... Have you seen-"
"Mr. Patriot? He's finally arrived, Miss Wright! And he doesn't look well at all after all that fighting still at large on Concord. And to make matters worse, was letting him know of what happened here..."
Piper froze.
"Where is he?"
"He's inside, Miss Wright. But... But..."
"But what? Codsworth? Codsworth, is everything okay?"
There was no response. And seeing Natalie slowly letting go of her before crouching on her knees to hug Dogmeat instead, Piper saw Codsworth quietly floating over to the front door, where she slowly approached.
Her hearth nearly stopped beating at the sight. It wasn't the furniture being destroyed, wall being riddled with holes. It was Sarah, silently in tears, while cradled in her arms, was a lifeless Owen. Standing a few feet away staring down at them was Patriot, looking all beaten up with a lot. of dents and scratches along with dozens of bullet impacts.
"Sarah..."
Piper shakily began, and slowly, she finally stepped in only to gain Patriot's attention. His Tesla modified X01 body wasn't really looking so well.
"Patriot... I... What... Happened to you..?"
"I had to help the USAF defend Concord. I've already sent ground units from the airbase to aid them."
Seeing Sarah quietly in tears as she held tightly onto Owen's lifeless body, a pool of blood on the floor widening, Piper heard Patriot growl as he stood in front of her.
"How could you keep something from me, Wright."
Piper stared at the broken X01 helmet that serves as Patriot's head, the right tint on the eye lens completely gone.
"Patriot, I-"
"I trusted you, Wright. Now... Tell me... What lies has she been telling you?"
Piper was frozen on her spot.
"Patriot... Amanda wanted to... Get rid of you... Said you were plotting-"
"And let me guess, she sent you here to get rid of me?"
Piper felt her heart skip a beat by the aggressive response.
"Don't lie to me, Wright. Yesterday, I was at the Glowing Sea tracing down eyebots when I spotted you and our Colonel!"
This was now clearly an outrage coming from an automated X01. Fuck. He knew. But wait... That was yesterday? She's been out since yesterday?
"Patriot let me explain-"
"There's nothing for you to explain. Your blindness and vulnerability had come with a price of its own!"
Seeing Patriot's metal hand pointing down onto Owen, with Sarah still in tears as she held her son in silence, Piper turned back to Patriot.
"I heard everything that the two of you were talking about. And what else has she told you after she led you to her vertibird? What lies has she told you?"
"Patriot, I will admit it. I was wrong. But please, let me explain-"
"I am not finished yet!"
Piper remained frozen in her spot, clearly stunned by the AI's rage.
"How come you never told me about Lyons? How come you have never told me of her background in the Brotherhood of Steel!? About her being the Brotherhood defector from DC!?"
Seeing his hand pointed down at Sarah, Piper looked at the blond woman. Surprisingly, she saw hatred in Sarah's eyes. A look of hate seeking vengeance...
"Sarah-"
"I had to tell him, Piper. Because I was worried about your whole behavior all of a sudden and I know i can't keep it a secret for long if he's here on Sanctuary... He will in fact... Find out eventually..."
"But why did you-"
"Do not change the subject, Wright. I demand to know... What has 'Colonel' Amanitold you! We are not befalling into the old values of the former Enclave! Are you blinding yourself that she has such an emotion for you? She's manipulating you, Wright! She's manipulated you! Now, our divisions are at stake!"
"Let me fix this problem, Patriot... I can fix it..."
"You cannot fix what is done, Wright. What we've tried to build for the Enclave has all been for nothing now. Soon, the Commonwealth may as well see us nothing more but a genocidal bunch."
"Patriot, Piper... Just stop... It's not helping..."
Looking over to Sarah who quietly spoke, Piper felt so terrible just how broken Sarah's voice was. She couldn't even look at Owen's lifeless body in her arms...
Turning her attention instead into Patriot, Piper slowly began to tell everything that she knew during her time at the Boston Airport. Everything including the kidnapping of Deacon, Sergeant Peterson, all the way to a man strangely named X6-88 attempting to assassinate General Ward, and even targeting on Nick. Yet, with Sarah being there and can hear everything that she was saying, Piper could just never be sure if she can stomach telling about Amanda's plan to get Sarah. The woman has already had enough holding her son's lifeless body in her blooded arms...
"I should have you suspended for this, but considering everything that you told me... I will excuse this only for once. There won't ever be a second chance."
Hearing Patriot's hardened response, Piper only remained quiet, her head looking onto Sarah. She can't imagine how the woman must be going in through right now...
"We have an urgency to prioritize. If you are not yet aware, Wright."
Turning her head back to Patriot who spoke, Piper gave slow defeated nod. She will have to pay for her mistakes if she has to. Seeing Natalie alive was enough to make her feel more content. But seeing Sarah in the state that she's in, Piper could only imagine how the woman feels...
"Earlier on, we managed to take down various groups from small to the biggest raiders from Nuka World. But seeing that their numbers had been replaced with Brotherhood resistance, one of the surviving raider groups, the Disciples made a retreat. We will deal with those raiders and Nuka World once we are done. But as of now, the main focus is Concord that is still currently under siege by the Brotherhood of Steel."
Piper slowly sights and slightly nodded.
"What about their Sentinel?"
"I was told of your encounter with their Sentinel. I must say, despite being disgraced by your recent actions, you have given a threat in the Brotherhood of Steel from DC so far with that encounter. If I don't know any better, I'd say that Sentinel is clearly outrage and sent all of her forces here in the Commonwealth to terrorize Concord with the use of the raiders from Nuka World as basic fodder against the USAF. She is threatened, and she's now desperate on trying to get rid of us in any way."
"But what about... Maxson's Brotherhood of Steel?"
Piper heard a short growl from Patriot before receiving a response.
"Before I left in a hurry due to the news about this settlement being under attack, a small Brotherhood detachment was sent to aid the USAF led by Paladin Danse and Sentinel Casdin. I am not pleased. But seeing that all three, the USAF, Maxson's Brotherhood, and our Enclave share the common enemy, a temporary alliance has been put into effect. I doubt Colonel Amani would seem to care..."
Piper felt a huge sigh of relief escaping her lips. Perhaps, setting aside her dislike for Maxson's Brotherhood of Steel is an option. It was only fair to work with them and the USAF against their common enemy in the Commonwealth. It is in fact, the right outlook after all...
"I want to help, Patriot. Let me-"
"No. You stay here. You have already let me down protecting the Enclave."
Piper frowned but didn't argue. In fact, to see Sarah walking out of the house with Owen in her arms, she felt terrible herself. Maybe if she had only let them know about the T-45 Enclave soldiers... But seeing it was already too late... She'll have to find some time to tell that...
Seeing Patriot leaving the settlement, Piper was still thinking twice... She needed to help him. She had already let him down enough in fact, she is even the one that betrayed him by choosing Amanda. Perhaps, now was the time to show her efforts to make amends for her mistakes...
Seeing Natalie and Codsworth going over to Sarah, Piper figured to leave them be. Perhaps getting back onto Deacon will help her get answers about Amanda...
Getting back into the jeep with Sergeant Peterson outside the settlement, they drove back in silence on the way back to the National Guard training yard.
After another long drive after detours to avoid the conflict going on, they finally arrived back at the USAF main base.
Walking inside the main building with the Sergeant leading her to the medical bay, there, Piper saw Deacon on one of the beds with Dr. Kane checking up on him, a clipboard in hand.
"Dr. Kane? How is Deacon?"
Seeing the doctor turning to her, Piper got a response.
"I never knew that your... The Enclave I mean- Are now split into two different things."
Piper raised a brow under her helmet.
"Earlier about two hours ago, there was a live broadcast on the radio frequency broadcasting to all frequencies. A message was dictating about patriotism. A bounty on Patriot, and rebuilding America. As much as I am concerned, I am afraid as well to think about what the Colonel said on the broadcast. She's threatened literally everyone else entirely in the Commonwealth opposing 'her' division of the Enclave. She has not only threatened the Commonwealth, but we had suspected that she may have anything else to do with the random disappearances of all personnel. Minutemen excluded for some reason, but most were reports of random USAF and Brotherhood alike disappearances..."
Piper took a deep breath. How far does she knew Amanda? Really?
"And yesterday, your Commander, Patriot I mean, came to me demanding for any information that I may know about the eyebots roaming around settlements. I may not know a thing about those, but to convince him to leave as he was causing a scene out of rage I had to give him twenty AI module chips instead. They were supposed to be for your Commander Amani when she started recreating the Enclave. Oh, pardon me, I have just gotten so used into hearing her by Commander. It was just so much of a sudden that she's, appointed as Colonel..."
Piper sighed. She didn't have time to think about Amanda now...
"I'm very sorry for Patriot's behavior. He's just very upset that the one he's looked up to betray him by switching ideals..."
"I can understand that Lieutenant Wright. But concerning your erm, Colonel... She seems to share those ideals to the former Colonel a decade back, thanks to those old records Patriot shared about the former Enclave..."
Piper raised a brow.
"Patriot shared information?"
"Yes. He is very hesitant about this temporary alliance, but, he has always been supporting us secretly. Were you... Not aware?"
Piper stared at the doctor in complete surprise and silence. She didn't know that. At all.
"He was the one that provided us materials for the T-60 power armor, even provided us with another blueprint about the T-51C power armor. Though, the level of technology he provided us were as Commonwealth Brotherhood level, it is still a beneficial help from the Enclave. But, I honestly don't know who is the one to call the good ones, and those that aren't, clearly, it's only confusing everyone even myself."
Oh, how wrong she's chosen the woman with a most obvious deeds to kill over an automated power armor. To think back, Patriot had been looking after her when she started her training in the Enclave. It was almost as if he was guiding her how to survive the Enclave's harsh trainings to use for good. Except, she chose to blind herself that Amanda was the best choice to choose the side on. She was so fucking wrong.
"What about the Minutemen?"
Piper slowly asked, although, the Minutemen may have grown further than the USAF, it's just hard to believe the most useless man with a laser musket would be capable enough to lead them against the NCR.
"There isn't much known who's in charge of the Minutemen. Although, before the Minutemen moved to Far Harbor after the NCR, the Enclave under Patriot has given military support to them. Simply said? Patriot helped militarized the Minutemen. They even have a few donated vertibirds and T-45 blueprints. It's quite a bizarre hoax. An Enclave actually trying to help, and an Enclave trying to revive it's original horrific ideal..."
Piper let out a deep sigh, but glancing over to Deacon who was asleep, she figured leaving the man for now.
Walking out of the medical bay with Dr. Kane and Sergeant Peterson, Piper heard the doctor begin.
"If there's any way to describe how I feel about all this... It's by word of being afraid. The USAF without a leader is an unstable cause."
"Where's General Ward, by the way?"
"We had to take him in the facility wing on Vault 111. We figured it will be a lot safer to keep him there while he recovers, plus our medical staff will be able to handle him best there than being out here."
There was a pause. But it didn't end there as Dr. Kane stopped on her tracks, her eyes clearly staring into Piper.
"What are Synths? I'm sorry, I just heard many words about them even recently."
Piper raised a brow before giving a reply.
"They're basically machines, robots made to look and think that they're human. Their creators, the Institute created them, but no one really knows where the Institute is."
"Robots made to think they're... Human?"
Piper gave a lazy shrug and replied.
"It's basically a long story, but I have time to spare. Would you like to hear about them?"
"Well, I suppose a little information just to be aware would be fine. But... Why would this Institute create these Synths?"
Piper took along moment before finally giving a reply.
"The best and simple answer why they created synths is to replace the original individuals. Replacing them would help the Institute by infiltrating our society within the shadows using the identity their Synths stole from the original individuals. But is there something wrong, Dr. Kane?"
There was a long pause before she even got a response from the doctor.
"The patient, Deacon... When he was brought to the medical bay, he was muttering over and over until I had to inject him with a tranquilizer. I firstly assumed he was in the state of shock..."
Piper raised a brow again, this time, her arms were folded.
"What was he muttering, Dr. Kane?"
"Synth."
"What I know I keep to myself. -Careless talk cost lives."
Take that you NCR motherfuckers.
Response to recent review: I am glad that you are paying close attention to the story, don't worry as criticisms and opinions are always welcome. In fact, I shouldn't be saying much now. It's far too risky as you can tell why. But all I can say is to stay tuned and see how the next act demands for the full price of Piper's mistake.
ripntear