Next top. This chapter.
After that 'Reveal' just recently... No comment for now just to lay low.
-Musket and Bear: Patrolmen-
"Sarah..."
She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Sarah Lyons, in enclave gear...
"What... The hell are you doing?"
Piper finally questioned. But to see Sarah glaring her shortly, Piper got a response.
"I'm doing this for Owen-"
"Joining the Enclave isn't the only solution-"
"I made my choice, Piper. Just let me be."
To see Sarah clearly not making eyes contact with her, Piper folded her arms.
"You're doing this in hopes of going after the Brotherhood in DC?"
"Yes! I'm doing this for that..."
Silence.
Piper only stared down at Sarah whose head facing down the floor.
"Sarah... I need to tell you something..."
She began. But, could she really do tell this now? She earned another glare from Sarah before a harsh response.
"I don't want to hear it. What that is, you won't change my mind."
To see Sarah turning away from her, Piper didn't do anything to stop her. But simply clearing her throat...
"That unit came from outpost Bravo. The Boston Airport occupied by the Enclave Brigade under Colonel Amani's. They had sent that unit in T-45s with those three vertibirds. You must've not noticed the pre-war flags if you still don't know."
The sight of Sarah stopping on her tracks, Piper watched as the blonde slowly turned to face her. A bitter hatred was visibly plastered on her face.
"You're lying..."
To hear Sarah's harsh tone, Piper remained calm on her spot before folding her arms and slowly shaking her head.
"No. It's true... I couldn't tell you because of... Owen... But... That's the truth."
"You mean you saw it and you didn't even warned-"
"I was stupid, Sarah. I admit... I was blinded by the Colonel... She fooled me. All of us..."
Nothing was said from Sarah. Rather, being pushed by the blonde with her hands pressing hard in the chest piece of her X02.
Piper was only forced a step back from the push, Piper didn't say anything. Instead, she sighed before slowly shaking her head once more.
"I'm sorry, Sarah..."
As hard as she saw Sarah's glare was, Piper earned a harsh response.
"Tell that to the people you've gotten killed at Sanctuary... But no matter what you say... I won't quit. You can't change my mind."
"Sarah-"
Piper stopped on her sentence as Sarah finally turned away and walked off without a word. Perhaps, this wasn't just the time to talk to her... But at least she got the truth out. But she could only wonder how the woman took the truth...
Deciding to head back outside, Piper met up with her body guards before taking a vertibird back to Goodneighbour. There's always another time on informing the airbase about Goodneighbour.
It wasn't long until they were immediately transported back to Goodneighbour. The organizing of the town into an outpost was halfway done.
As she got out of the vertibird and dismiss her body guards, Piper was rather surprised to see Paladin Danse and Scribe Haylen.
"Piper."
Piper only greeted with a nod before immediately asking.
"What's your business here?"
"We were sent by Elder Maxson to assist the USAF in maintaining securities. Though, not the settlements that we have to keep secured, but potential areas with technology, but we are also allowed to assist, however, we can on the conflict between the Minutemen and the NCR, but for a condition of negotiating basic resources."
Piper folded her arms at Danse' reply.
"We're not open to trade technology just so, you know. But if you mean basic resources like firepower, we can arrange a little contract for your service. But with only a limited supply. My superiors don't take kindly to donating high-powered munitions to others, and we likely use it only ourselves."
She earned a small acknowledging nod.
"Very well. As I was told from the other soldiers here, you're assisting the Minutemen."
"More like it, yes. But they seem to plan a different course than us."
"We know, Piper. Haylen has been asking around the infantry men while I was asking your fellow officers."
Turning her head to Haylen who nodded at her, the Scribe added.
"Like Danse said, were open to negotiate with you, in return of basic resources as we can offer our services."
Piper took a moment in thought. It would make it quite easier to deal with their situation, but then again, this is still a Brotherhood of Steel. The Enclave just never feally feel easy with them. Hell, even Piper herself feels the same. So turning to Danse, Piper spoke.
"We can use your assistance, but we don't really need much of your acquaintance."
"Understandable."
Piper nodded but then again, questioned.
"So, it's that what you're really here for?"
"Other than securing possible areas for technology, yes. But still, our service can be negotiated for an exchange of basic resources to benefit the Brotherhood."
Piper gave a small nod.
"Well, like I just said, we can use your assistance, but we don't really need much of your acquaintance in this conflict. But if you're willing on helping the USAF secure settlements, we can give you a limited supply of fusion cells for your firepower. But if you're looking something a bit more for advance, how about it if you two would like to serve me?"
Piper watched as Danse and Haylen exchanged looks before looking back at her.
"We only negotiate with basic munitions for the USAF. The Minutemen however, are a different story why Patriot strengthened them, but for a good reason. But for you and the Brotherhood, even if I wanna talk to my superiors about this, the same treatment the USAF gets is what you'll get. But depending on the service you provide, I'll see to it if I can guarantee to pay you any extra."
To see both nodding slowly, Piper turned to Danse.
"We can agree with that. And we'll inform Elder Maxson of it. Now, about those settlements the USAF are trying to secure, we'll be sure to have some troops stations there."
Piper slightly snorted.
"Typical business as it is I see... Alright. We'll have a deal. But that's just it."
"And what about the other service you were offering?"
Piper took a short moment before giving a response. Nothing will hurt if she'll work with the Brotherhood anyway...
"I'm offering you and Haylen to assist me under my command. I get to order you around, and you two will do as you're told. Fusion cores are also a simple basic resource for us in the airbase and the Castle, so a small cache of fusion cores will be donated along with the fusion cells for your services. Just keep in mind that it's only a limited amount, as we don't really give away resources easily."
"Then have we'll have ourselves a deal."
After that Piper left them off and went on to check over Ronnie who was ordering some infantry men.
"Ronnie, your scouts returned yet?"
Gaining Ronnie's attention, she got a response.
"Just a few minutes ago, you haven't seen them?"
"No, I haven't. But got back from a short visit at the airbase."
"Ah. Well, a joint scouting party already flew off earlier after their quick report about Quincy. No artillery, but full on a hell of numbers are there."
Piper tilted her head in curiosity before asking.
"Are they also patrolling around the town outside?"
"Yep. Scouts said they've taken fire too from below. They're just sure however, that the bullets weren't rifle rounds. High caliber."
Piper cursed quietly.
"They have snipers then..."
"Much like it. They call themselves the Desert Rangers. Just a better version of the NCR riflemen and NCR Rangers combed, and elite detachments of the NCR. They're not much on numbers unlike their basic soldiers, but they got serious firepower too, equipped with Anti-Material rifles, based on what Nick gave us for information. So if you put it simply, they're just as our colonial veterans with Gauss rifles, better yet, our infantry men are just as equal as their riflemen. Only difference we have is that we use recon squads with combat shotguns than have snipers as we already have colonial veterans."
Piper slowly shook her head before folding her arms, but just then, she heard Ronnie spoke once more.
"If were gonna plan, you make it without us. But leave the offensive position to us."
"Wait, what do you mean?"
"Our orders from the higher ups are to go full on offensive into the center of Quincy once we make our way in. And with your numbers and firepower in the Enclave, we can easily break into their numbers by force. It'll make our work a lot. easier. Most of this is classified, Lieutenant. So take this one as a heads-up if we start doing things not part of a plan."
Piper was quiet for a short while, but figuring Ronnie meant a secret order, she didn't pushed her to tell. Instead, Piper just nodded very slowly.
"I'll get some of our men positioned. Trust me, Lieutenant... Every minute counts. So be best we make use of all if it."
Piper folded her arms and asked.
"Is this about the Courier?"
"Yes. Catching him alive. That's why I'm saying every minute counts. This... Is not part of your job in the Enclave, sorry, but be best to leave it to us doing our job once we break into Quincy. You do yours, we'll do ours."
Piper didn't say anything other than nodding instead. She clearly doesn't know what the Minutemen were trying to do. Kind of suspicious, but seeing that they're controlled by the Enclave under Patriot, she just really hoped it to be.
To see Ronnie grabbing her CR 74-L combat rifle, Piper only listened as the older woman spoke again.
"We'll be back before sunset, Lieutenant. But don't wait for us. If you're gonna plan a strategy, go plan. We'll follow your lead. But just to let you know, we need to storm Quincy within two days. We have a deadline to follow in the Minutemen as ordered by the higher ups."
Piper just nodded. And with that, she watched as Ronnie joined a number of minutemen infantry along with a few non-ferals in X03s marching out of Goodneighbour.
Something was definitely going on in the higher ranks. But, it's not the Enclave's. But Minutemen rankings... Patriot? But, she hasn't heard about him... Shit.
But it just seemed impossible for him to join the Minutemen campaign against the NCR... It could be, but, it was just nigh impossible...
"Lieutenant."
Being interrupted from her thoughts, Piper saw Haylen walking up to her and giving a nod.
"Scribe Haylen. Weren't you supposed to be with Paladin Danse?"
"Well, Danse told me to say here and be ready to follow your orders. He'll be back soon. He's just going to inform Elder Maxson of our little negotiation."
Piper gave a nod. But then she noticed Hate staring up at her with an obviously tired expression on her face.
"Do you ever get tired wearing that power armor?"
Piper was a bit surprised but then replied a little casually.
"No. In fact, I, kinda love being in power armor."
"But, doesn't that just have the same statistics as the other human personnel on X02s?"
Piper shortly chuckled with a grin before responding.
"Nope. The most basic X02s for human personnel are Mark IIs. Sergeants are issued with Mark IIIs. This one I'm wearing is a Mark VI. But this one... Is a special power armor from me."
She trailed off and leaving it there. But Piper wore a proud smile to how her power armor was once owned by an enclave defector who went by the Black Devil.
Removing her tanned camo helmet instead while keeping her power armor on, Piper placed it down a small table then motioned for Haylen to take a seat on a chair next to it.
With Haylen complying, Piper decided to initiate a conversation. Something that she sometimes wonder in curiosity about the Brotherhood of Steel.
"So... If you don't mind me asking, how many chapters are there of the Brotherhood of Steel?"
Receiving quite a surprised look from Haylen Piper only smiled half heartedly.
"I just wanted to get to know a bit more. You guys are quite interesting, are aside your erm... Expansions for search of technology."
She earned a small smile before a response.
"In my time as a new Scribe, I've learned quite a ton. But I wouldn't want to bore you out with the details, so, I'll skip to the point."
Piper nodded as she listened.
"To start, the Brotherhood was founded by Elder Maxson's famous ancestor, Roger Maxson. Records in the Brotherhood Codex stated that he was once a former Sentinel- Captain in the pre-war military in a secret military facility called Mariposa. And days shortly before the Great War, they killed all the scientists there due to some, conducted experiments done on some lab rats. I assumed that was the doing of the pre-war military before the original Enclave took over. But as for Roger Maxson, he, his followers deserted from the pre-war military and formed the Brotherhood in the Lost Hills bunkers in California with their families, over the West coast was where they originated."
Piper gave a nod and asked.
"So he's the one that originally had this ideology of collecting and preserving pre-war technology?"
"Very much likely, yes. But, not all the Brotherhood had the same ideals as the original founder of it. Other chapters, districts all over the wasteland."
"That, being under Elder Lyons ten years ago?"
"Elder Owyn Lyons had an ideology to be a good neighbor for the people on the capital. Instead of focusing their advances there in acquiring more technology, he focused more on helping others, mostly on combating the super mutants there while trying to achieve in providing clean drinking water for the capital. I have nothing against that, but the fact that it just didn't suited well for the others, those others deserted, eventually formed the Brotherhood Outcasts under Paladin Casdin before he was appointed as Sentinel. Casdin and his followers chose to bear the same ideals that the West coast have in accumulating technology. And a little over more to skip when things changed in the Brotherhood on the capital, Elder Lyons passed, his daughter, Sentinel Sarah Lyons was supposed to be appointed as Elder was presumed KIA during a battle against Super Mutants."
Piper slowly leaned a bit forward before asking in curiosity.
"So not all chapters were that loyal to the Brotherhood, huh?"
"In a way, yes. When the Wanderer took Sarah's place as Sentinel, the west coast has appointed Arthur Maxson as Elder for the East Coast chapter instead of taking mantle as Elder, he chose to focus on following the original ideals of the Brotherhood under his oldest ancestor. But, with most of the Brotherhood on the capital so loyal to Lyon's ideology of being a helping hand, not to mention, taking in outsiders into the ranks in the capital, Elder Maxson decided to split apart after the Prydwen was finally constructed in the Adam's Air Force base. Casdin and some of his followers re-integrated under Elder Maxson's command, and we eventually prepared ourselves to settle out of the capital to search for more technology. However, what we really are here for other than technology is the beacon we received coming from the Institute before it died out. Detecting from the Prydwens' sensor was coming from here in the Commonwealth."
Piper folded her arms and nodes in acknowledgment. This was fascinating. But she was rather interested in knowing about those that didn't have the same ideology as Maxson's.
"So the capital was the sort of, black sheep of the Brotherhood treeline?"
Haylen shortly laughed at her question before shaking her head.
"No, Lieutenant. It's the Outcasts. I find it rather amusing, too... That they didn't actually dissolve, instead, they got absorbed into the Enclave. We've heard stories too. Black and red vertibirds bearing one red gear and a red sword? That's them alright, only a surprise that they also bear the pre-war flag like the Commonwealth Enclave does. No joke... Casdin doesn't seem at ease whenever someone in the Prydwen talk about the Enclave's Black Operations division: Outcast."
Piper just shrugged and simple replied.
"I haven't seen them. But I've heard stories about their role in the Enclave. They work well, surprisingly as told by the others on the airbase. And I'm just glad that Amanda actually accepted a splinter group."
"The Outcasts... Weren't the original splinter group that the Brotherhood had."
Piper stares at Haylen shortly before asking.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, earlier on, when the west coast has expanded, the high elders on the west coast was struggling on a debate with a minority. Based on the codex, a minority of the West coast Brotherhood, in the original chapter, were willing to accept outsider to further expand the ranks. The high elders saw a risk of sharing Brotherhood technology."
"The Brotherhood unlike the capital chapter were both isolationist in ranks and expansionist in technology..."
"Yes. That's that the debate had been the most debated issue til this day in the Brotherhood, and based on the codex, the debate was lengthy but was never really acknowledged. As you may know now, Lyons and his chapter in the capital were the ones sent to the east coast to search for more technology. But originally, they weren't. The minority was the original. To start it off based on the codex stated; an old legend about a mutated organism that merged with technology and created horrific creatures as its army. An old tale that also involved a Vault dweller so many decades ago. After the defeat of that legend called the Master, it's army, super mutants began a migration to east. The west chapter of the Brotherhood, wanted to get rid of the surviving mutants, and so on, they sent the minority -the same minority that simply opposed the Brotherhood's ideology. Though, it was just an excuse to discard them, they were sent to the east coast with a great zeppelin airship to track down and eliminate those migrated mutants."
Piper watched as Haylen paused, she then took her chance to ask.
"What, happened then?"
"The airship crashed, nobody knows what caused it. But based on the codex, it crashed in the Midwest region, and there were survivors, but the radio communication with them was cut off as said. So years and years after, Lyon's was finally appointed as Elder and a division under his command was sent to the east coast to search for more technology. Which automatically to his campaign against the Supers there that originally migrated. And as for the minority group that were originally sent, they were labeled off as gone rogue, off the radar. Many believed that the wreckage of that old airship was still there somewhere out in the Midwest."
"So that doesn't only make the Outcasts that had gone rogue... That's, interesting..."
"It is, but the Brotherhood to longer look forward into getting to know more about what happened on the rouge detachment. Especially, when their ideology was to take outsiders in. Perhaps, that was where Owyn Lyons took inspiration for his ideology..."
There was long pause since, and imagining just how many chapters are out there in the wasteland, Piper could only imagine how it would be if there happen to be any Enclave remnants off the radar with no contact able to reach out to the Commonwealth Enclave, or worse, Colonel Amani's.
"That's so much knowledge about the Brotherhood, but I'd like to know more for another time, if you won't mind."
"I'd love to tell more, but for now I'd like to focus on what task I'll have at hand."
Piper gave a nod before picking up her helmet and putting it back on.
As she was about to think of where to go next, Piper immediately noticed a small group of colonial veterans immediately marching out of the town with a three AIs.
"What's that?"
Hearing Haylen ask, Piper simply responded.
"Not sure..."
With Hayden nodding instead, they followed the group and to catch up with them, Piper then asked one of the colonial veterans.
"What seems to be the urgency?"
"Diamond City, Lieutenant. It's under attack by the NCR."
"Seems like they're in for whatever supplies they can get there..."
Piper replied thoughtfully and to earn a nod of agreement from one of the colonial veterans, she then turned to Haylen, then Piper added.
"Maybe you should stay here for now until I get back."
With Hayden nodding instead, Piper called out three AI X01s, humans in X02s and non-ferals in X03s then followed the group to catch up with them.
First, the DC Brotherhood, now the NCR... At least one more enemy left to fight, the Commonwealth would be safe, at the very least...
For quite some time of hurrying to Diamond City, they eventually met a gunfight at the southern street near Diamond City. Clearly, NCR riflemen with automatic service rifles and Minutemen infantry with CR 74-L combat rifles, with some using modified combat shotguns.
"Advance! Slow and steady!"
Piper immediately ordered as she immediately aimed her plasma rifle prototype at the first NCR target she got her eyes on. An easy hit, just right at the neck of the soldier, a visible gaping hole was exposed before the soldier fell dead.
As slow as the group behind with no power armor advanced, the AIs immediately got on front with the non-ferals.
"Give cover fire!"
Piper shouted as she led the three humans in X02s into a line of four human walls to give cover for the infantry men.
"Colonials! Get to secured spots, and take aim!"
The ones in dusters immediately sprinted into smaller establishments.
"We're taking fire, Lieutenant!"
"Get those heavy incinerators firing!"
Morale was increased overtime per second. Non-ferals and AIs slowly advancing with suppressive fire, while the humans in X02s and Piper slowly followed with cover fire for the rest of the infantry men to sneak past around their hulking suits of power armors.
As hulking they are, they were the targets taking fire, but firing back while slowly advancing, the NCR riflemen behind the destroyed cars were immediately startled as the infantry men finally got into action. Not to mention, shots from behind coming from the colonial veterans began hitting NCR heads.
*BANG!*
Quite an impact hit the brick wall of a nearby establishment, which wasn't clearly a 5.56 mm round out of an NCR service rifle... Shit.
"Heads down! Sniper!"
Piper immediately shouted.
"LIEUTENANT!"
*BANG!*
*TICK!*
An AI immediately blocked the bullet, the X01 chest piece sustained. Needless to say, it didn't really do much, other than giving a visible impacted hole on the X01 chest piece.
"Veteran Rangers!"
Hearing one of the infantry men yelling out, Piper immediately signalled all power armored personnel to surround the vulnerable infantry men.
"Colonials! Deal with those Rangers! Infantry advance! It's all or nothing!"
A circle of nine power armored Enclave personnel slowly advanced, in the middle was a small group of infantry men with combat shotguns, while the rest of the other infantry men with combat rifles had the most cover from the Rangers, Piper knew she and her fellow personnel were the best cover they could offer as they advanced with full suppressive fire. Gunfire of guns on both opposing sides kept going. And the sounds of Anti-Material rifles and Gauss rifles from behind all over loudly kept on.
"Retreat! Men! Retreat!"
To see the sight of the decreasing NCR numbers slowly backing away, Piper ordered all personnel to charge forward while taking all the AIs with her to help the colonial veterans.
It was looking quite fine, but the sight of dark brown duster wearing Rangers firing from behind vehicles, Piper immediately fired her plasma rifle as much as she could despite the gunfire all around.
"AIs GET IN FRONT! COLONIALS GET BEHIND US AND FIRE!"
Piper ordered once more as she slowly charged in front of the AIs firing plasma rifles and laser minigun.
The colonial veterans immediately took cover behind them as thy kept slowly advancing and firing back at the rangers.
"Vertibird inbound!"
One of the AIs shouted and took aim a laser minigun at what appears to be a tanned and rusted vertibird with the NCR logo on it.
"Shoot those Rangers down!"
"Fall back!"
"ANOTHER GLORY KILL FOR THE ENCLAVE!"
As they got close while firing at the retreating Rangers, the vertibird dropped four personnel in T-45d each and armed with CZ57 Avenger Gatling guns.
"They're getting on board!"
One of the colonial veterans shouted and just as all guns were even aimed, the NCR vertibird began descending above with the Rangers on board, while the four armed T-45d personnel began to fire at them.
Firing back, and giving time for their colonials to get to better cover, Piper fired her plasma rifle with the AIs charging.
Charging as well, Piper began shoving and shooting in any NCR in T-45d she got her eyes while the AIs, who all seemingly gave up shooting began brutally ripping off T-45d parts off the NCR personnel for a more violent melee kill when the colonials kept firing carefully at the visibly outmatched power armored NCR personnel.
With the last on power armor soldier fell dead headless, Piper noticed barely a small platoon of wounded NCR riflemen were retreating to the east side.
But letting the Minutemen infantry deal with escapees, she immediately noticed a few rushing up to her to help secure the area.
"What started all this?"
Piper questioned as she turned to one of the infantry men.
"We were just here in Diamond City to assess a situation after hearing a report from the radio frequency, when suddenly, an NCR patrol showed up, demanding access into Diamond City. We told the guards to open the gate and opened fire at NCR before pushing them back in the southern road until we was caught up cornered on the road due to their Rangers trying to pin us down."
Piper gave a small nod and replied.
"They're wanting in to Diamond City for obvious reasons... To absorb whatever can be beneficial for them, like how they do on settlements, and Far Harbor until they can get to annex the Commonwealth."
She earned an approving nod.
Just then, several guards from Diamond City began to help the Minutemen further secure the area after the NCR escapees were all dealt with.
Immediately approaching one of the guards, Piper stood straight tall and questioned in full authority.
"What was this 'issue' that Diamond City called the Minutemen to assess situation of?"
The guard looked up at her and responded.
"I'm just a new guard, but words all around Diamond City was about that reporter accusing Mayor Mcdonough bein' a synth. Guess people now believed that 'ta be true. The Mayor's a synth. We couldn't get him outta his office, and he's locked himself there, holdin' his secretary, Geneva, as hostage. We called the Minutemen to handle the shit but them NCR shitheads suddenly interrupted outside the gate. I bet the synths' still in his office with all this goin' on."
Piper took a deep breath. For so long, she was right. The mayor was a synth... Well it was about fucking time for her...
Her eyes averting back to the guard, Piper simply responded.
"I'll deal with Mcdonough."
Reloading her plasma rifle prototype, Piper turned away with her head facing her Enclave unit before jerking on the way to Diamond City.
Marching towards Diamond City, they got easy access through the large open gate, the guards barely moved and stared at her in power armor. She didn't care if they could get to recognize her or not. She was there to finish an unsettled business with the synth that she already pong had the suspicion of.
With the AIs shoving past guards and civilians alike frozen on their spots while staring wordlessly, Piper saw a wounded Sullivan being medically treated.
Piper stopped on her tracks, and staring down at the wounded guard who weakly looked up at her, Piper simply began.
"Believe me now?"
She simply asked. Rather loud, and for sure, her voice that through her X02 helmet was recognized as most eyes this time widely staring at her.
"Piper? Urgh... God... You were right... Mcdonough's a-"
"I know. I'll handle him."
Her head-turning to the people all over stares at her and her unit, Piper simply added.
"Don't. Interfere. This is Enclave business."
As frightened the people was at her rather than the fact there are nine heavily armed Enclave personnel with her in Diamond City, no one dared to say a word.
Leading her small unit to an elevator platform and onto the main level was the main lobby outside the office, four Diamond City guards were already trying to demand to get the doors open but to no avail was ignored from the over side of the doors.
"Step aside."
Piper simply said as she shot the doors and kicked open. And there, the fucking synth staring at her from inside the Mayor's office. Gun in hand, his secretary Geneva on the other.
"Oh god! Please help me! He's crazy!"
"Shut up! You there! I don't care who you are! Or what you want! But you will tell all the guards to stand down, have the gate opened and let me out untouched!"
Piper scoffed as she took a few steps inside the office, three AI X01s, humans in X02s and non-ferals in X03s stepped in afterwards, each gun in hands aimed at Mcdonough.
"Gates' open, Mcdonough. But who says you're leaving?"
Mcdonough's face clearly showed a look of shock with his mouth opened for a split-second.
"P- Piper? I thought I had you-"
"You what. Evicted me and my little sister out? I don't care, Mcdonough. I'm not here for that. I'm here... Because they all know now. And they all know the truth this time."
"Enough! I'm getting out of here unharmed! Or unless you want a little bloodshed?"
Seeing Mcdonough pressing the end of his gun at Geneva's head, Piper only stood calmly, her left hand resting in her plasma rifle.
"Oh god! Please no! Don't shoot! Don't shoot! I don't want to die-!"
"SHUT UP!"
*PSSZZEEW!*
"AAAGHH!"
Just as the guards finally stepped in and armed, no one was moving except for Geneva who finally was able to push past them and running away in fear. All eyes, including Piper's stared at Mcdonough yelling frantically while his left hand holding his wrist with his right hand no longer attached. Blood stained the floor, and on it littered Mcdonough's bloodied hand was still gripped on his gun. Tiny bits of wiring clearly noticeable.
"YOU WRETCHED WOMAN-!"
"I knew I was right, Mcdonough. Now... You're coming with us whether you like it or not. You will pay for all the horrible things that you've done to this city during your term as Mayor."
"You'll never take me alive!"
Just as Mcdonough shouted in rage, he immediately reached for his pistol with his other hand but for Piper who quickly reacted, just as Mcdonough was about to aim his pistol at her, she immediately draw out here plasma pistol and fired three shots at Mcdonough, hurting him in the chest.
Blood and coughs came from Mcdonough as all there was afterwards were the sight of the synth finally falling onto his knees and finally fell and collapsed in the floor. Pool of his synthetic blood came into sight.
Piper put away her pistol. She didn't wanted to kill Mcdonough. Though, she knew that he was a synth, but to have him alive and bring him to what kind of justice exist was the right thing to do. To make him pay for his tyrannical rule on Diamond City, which automatically leads to the forbidding harmless non-ferals only trying to live their lives. Perhaps, this time. Maybe Diamond City can now open its gate to non-ferals without the act of racism towards the harmless ghouls.
"Lieutenant. What now?"
Turning her head to one of the non-ferals in X03s who asked, Piper sighed and shooting replied.
"I didn't want to do it, but he left me no choice. He died by his own actions."
"But thanks to you, Diamond City is safe off synths -set aside our resident synth, Valentine- we in Diamond City owe you for this. Big."
Turning to one of the Diamond City guards that spoke to her, Piper only nodded.
"Listen, Piper. If, you still like... You and your sister can move back here. Your old shop is still closed, but we can get it reopened again and running so, you can continue your job as a reporte-"
"No, it's fine. I already have a home, and Nat, is safely home and cared in Sanctuary. And I also quit my old job."
To see the guard slowly nodding in understanding, Piper signaled for her unit to step outside the office before following suit, allowing the guards to clean up the mess.
She didn't say a word afterwards as she simply walked back across the same people that finally believed in what she was trying to tell them for so long. At least now, Diamond City was truly Sade at least, but Piper figured the people wouldn't be ready to have a new Mayor anytime soon. Needless to say, she'll have to tell Hancock the truth about his brother Mcdonough actually being a synth, just to help him clear out soon personal family dislike that he had for the original Mcdonough...
As they finally made their way back at the large open gate, several Minutemen from earlier finally disposed off the NCR bodies, clearly just burning the corpses along with the wooden service rifles. Were they even meant to do such a brutality?
Piper mentally shook her head from the thought before addressing all the personnel back to Goodneighbour, and just in time as a USAF personnel began to take over to handle the aftermath of the situation. Piper still wondered how the Minutemen think of the pre-war military, despite with the same outlook and very similar personas both organizations shared, the Minutemen seemed rather distant and oblivious about USAF presence, much like Maxson's Brotherhood of Steel. Was there something going on that the and even the Enclave doesn't know?
Though only a few Minutemen vertibirds came to pick up the wounded personnel, the rest took to march towards east.
"Lieutenant, we going to head back to Goodneighbour?"
Hearing one of the humans in X02s ask, Piper slowly replied.
"You head back. Non-ferals, you're with me. I have a feeling that the Minutemen may still need some assistance..."
The three X03 suited non-ferals stepped up to her and followed her, leaving the others on power armor and the rest of Minutemen personnel going back to Goodneighbour.
Catching up to one of the infantry men, Piper began in question.
"What's the mission?"
"Confronting a certain NCR checkpoint. New orders from top brass, Lieutenant."
Piper didn't replied, instead, she just followed the lead of the infantry men. To think, a twenty Minutemen platoon was more than enough to just 'Confront' the NCR. In fact, they were good even to attack a small established outpost...
The taken routes were altered. But at the end of it, they arrived west outside 89 meters of Quincy.
Piper tried her best to stay calm, but the sight of NCR vertibirds flying by on some directions, there they faced a wooden wall barrier. Dozens of NCR rangers with wooden sniper rifles guard a few constructed wooden watch towers, while mostly patrolling around with service rifles immediately taking defensive position. Though, Piper told her non-feral unit to follow the Minutemen, they did so as the Minutemen personnel only stood calmly. Rather, staring around the still ongoing construction of defense by the NCR.
"Take one more step, we shoot! Stop it right there!"
A yelled warning came from one of the snipers on the few towers.
Deciding to watch what the Minutemen were doing, one of the infantry men put away her CR 74-L combat rifle before casually took a step and began.
"We demand to see Colonel Moore. To wish to speak peacefully."
"The Colonel does not make bargains with outsiders!"
"So does the Minutemen. But we demand to speak to her at once."
Piper finally stepped forward, plasma rifle prototype in hands, with her non-ferals backing her up.
"Were not here for trouble unlike what your patrol did at Diamond City. Were here to simply speak to your Colonel. Our spoke person for the Minutemen has something to say to your Colonel."
There was an intense silence that took for almost a minute. But then afterwards, the NCR guards signaled his hand into a halt, and there, they waited.
Finally, after a short while of wait, a vertibird came into sight bearing the NCR logo.
As it dropped the two passengers on board, Piper visibly saw an average height woman, though, she was nowhere near as tall as Amanda, but she was in decorated NCR gear, the Colonel rank bear in her uniform. Behind her was a man about in the same height, wearing the same Veteran Ranger armor under a dark brown duster, a gas-mask-like helmet covered his head. Piper assumed it to be the Courier.
The Minutemen tensed by the time they saw the man in duster. But, none said a word. In fact, their eyes remained on the Courier rather than the Colonel herself. Piper was starting to get confused. But she didn't said a word as she only watched in silence.
"What was it. That you wanted to tell me, personally."
Rather, in demand as the Colonel began than in question, Piper couldn't help but feel an itch of pulling the trigger right away as she gained a bitter stare from the Colonel. She didn't know what was going, so instead, she kept quiet and only let the infantry soldier do the talking.
"Our Colonel would like to arrange a, peaceful meeting with you. And only with you in private. This discusses the conflict of our militias here in the Commonwealth."
Piper raised a brow under her helmet. Since when the fuck did the Minutemen have a Colonel?
Colonel Moore scoffed and folded her arms.
"Your 'Colonel's wants to speak? Tell him or her to go to New Vegas, and have that talk with General Oliver Lee of the NCR."
"We came here in peace, despite your hostile patrol that we had to defend Diamond City from, we mean well. The Minutemen mean well. And we only intend to have our Colonel to speak to you."
"You're a weak faction slowly crumbling down. The NCR would soon have more forces relocated here, so, you be best to leave and drop the guns. Unless you want more bloodshed?"
"There's no help coming from your General, Colonel Moore. We knew that you're already on you're own out here. You and your Courier, along with whatever amount of soldiers left with you are in no contact to either California and Vegas. Were giving you a chance. A peace talk would be it. Take it or leave it."
Piper listened to every word. Just how the hell was that possible? The largest faction clearly off contact with one another? What the hell were the Minutemen doing during Far Harbor? Something was not right...
With Colonel Moore clearly swallowing hard as she instead places her hands on her back, the Courier stepped in front and pointed a revolver at the infantry soldier.
"Should we execute them to Colonel?"
"No... We will let them leave. Tell your Colonel... Whoever that is that no peace talk will occur. We will finish this to the end. And we'll see who will take control of the Commonwealth."
The infantry soldier didn't faze as the barrel of a high caliber revolver was pointed at her.
"You had your chance, Colonel Moore. Either you laugh at us or not, the Minutemen will protect the people, and the Commonwealth at a minute's notice."
Turning away, the infantry men began walking back the way they came from, Piper and her unit followed suit only to hear Colonel Moore speak, rather threateningly by the time she turned her back the last.
"Either you stole NCR resource in California or not, the NCR will still come for you. Know this. The NCR had the most power in the wasteland. We can easily overwhelm the Brotherhood of Steel, we can do the same to you in the Enclave, Minutemen, and that other military. Tell that to your superiors in the Enclave."
Piper turned her head over to her shoulder. Her eyes staring intently at Colonel Moore, then to Courier Six, then back at the Colonel. Piper gave a simple, but rather confident response.
"We are one in the Commonwealth. You mess with one of us, you mess with all of us."
And with that Piper turned fully away and headed after the rest.
But deep down, she was concerned rather than confident. The Minutemen seem to operate rather differently. Something off that she couldn't describe. But then again, this was the Commonwealth they were fighting on for. Perhaps the Minutemen thinks it's either them or the NCR that would get annexed. But what about the top brass controlling the Minutemen? The Minutemen Colonel? What the fuck was going on? This, was clearly not something the Enclave wouldn't be aware of, that's for sure...
Vertibirds, Enclave and Minutemen alike eventually ascended 107 meters away from the NCR checkpoint. And after getting on board, it didn't take that long until they reached back to Goodneighbour, where Piper immediately filed out of an Enclave vertibird.
After a taking her separate way from three rest, Piper saw Haylen talking to Danse outside a small open establishment.
To gain Haylen's attention, Piper began in question after the Scribe approached her.
"So, what happened while I was out?"
Seeing Haylen shortly fold her arms, Piper earned a response.
"Not much, yet. But now that you're here, I'd like you to see for yourself."
To see Haylen smile softly, Piper mentally sighed then followed the Scribe inside the small room establishment. There stood Danse in front of a small table, a map of the Commonwealth laid on table. But it wasn't Danse that gained Piper's attention as her eyes widened in unexpected surprise.
"N-Nick?"
"Good to see you, Piper. Though this... Wasn't how I expected we'd meet again after our last talk..."
To see Nick smile softly, Piper however froze. But right away, she immediately asked.
"Who's really in charge and controlling the Minutemen?"
There was a long pause. Nick's smile faded, and a look of disappointment was exposed on his plastic face.
"Does that really matter now, Piper?"
Piper folded her arms, and to see both Haylen and Danse both staring at her in curiosity.
"Please, Nick... I've already had enough dealing with secrets. At least tell me, so I'd be aware this time of what I'm getting myself into..."
To see Nick sigh, Piper waited for him for quite long bride she even received a response.
"The West coast chapter appointed Preston as Colonel."
There was a long silence. Hell, even Danse and Haylen raised brows at the unexpected response that Nick gave. A West coast? The fuck?
Piper frowned under her helmet.
"Stop playing around, Nick. Tell me the truth. Please..."
Seeing Nick sigh so deep, Piper tired her best to patiently wait.
"Classified orders from highly ranked officials who established Minutemen on the west. I can't tell you who established them... But as I said... There's now a west coast Minutemen established a week ago. Appointed high ranking commanders of it had appointed Preston as the Colonel of the Commonwealth Minutemen."
Piper's eyes widened. Amanda had nothing to do with this? It was a shame...
"Are you saying..."
"Yes, Piper. The Minutemen now has a West coast chapter. California. Soon there will be a New Vegas chapter."
Piper was frozen. A grim expression was on her face under her helmet... Oh, shit.
"Like Preston... They owe Amanda the revival of the Minutemen in the first place. And they're doing this for Amanda other than the Commonwealth. Truthfully. Though, I'm in no favor of civilian bloodshed, but seeing that they made points on the top brass, I have some faith civilians would be left out of these killings. But I can't really tell you who those people are as the top brass... But they had long planned to replace the NCR with the Minutemen since the start of the Minutemen-NCR conflict."
"Why the Minutemen are the Commonwealth's best hope" says Oxhorn.
It's now 'Why the Minutemen are west coasts' best hope' but wait... Who's really established a West coast Minutemen?
ripntear