25 DEC 2020: Happy Holidays! I'm going to take a little bit of a break from posting in order to prepare some more chapters. Several have been started, but I need to connect them. Don't worry, the story will continue! Best wishes to all of my readers! ~Tyrrlin

Tentative Alliance

The next morning we prepared to depart the Prydwen. After a very welcome shower in Danse's minuscule bathroom, we made our way to the mess hall for breakfast. Proctor Ingram gave us a preliminary report of her findings while we ate. "I can confirm the Institute origins of your Pip-Boy. We have been able to prove to our satisfaction that it is you controlling the device, and not the other way around. That was part of the test from last night. I apologize for the painfulness of the assessment, as we were initially unaware of the extent of your cybernetic enhancements. The programming we were able to decipher- and it didn't exactly want to cooperate -seems designed to amplify the execution of your thoughts, making your body move accordingly for the situation, like picking locks. For those few actions it invokes, it pretty much makes you a temporary expert, which is quite a feat of engineering. If we had such an enhancement for our own fighters, it would make the Brotherhood a truly unstoppable force."

Ingram didn't notice the apprehensive look I exchanged with MacCready, and continued on. "I can also tell you that those sensor cathodes encompass your entire body, head to toe along your nerve conduits...it's quite impressive, and certainly gives me a lot of material to research into cybernetic enhancements," she added, motioning to her own mechanical assistance for her missing legs. "The results of our examination are fascinating, and a valuable addition to our technical arsenal. I want to personally thank you for bringing this device to our attention."

"You're welcome," I replied, a little subdued. "So, can you figure out how it brought me here, or how I can get home?"

The engineer frowned. "No. All of that information seems to be contained inside the section of your device that came from your own world. We couldn't break the coding, but we'll keep trying." She paused for a moment, tapping her fingers in thought. "Speaking of location, we do know the Institute code has sampled your DNA as part of its programming, and it appears to be keeping it in part of the MAP section, in addition to your STAT screen, which is decidedly unusual." She shrugged, an action rendered quite impressive through her power armor. "I wish I had more to give you, but our main focus was making sure you weren't an Institute sleeper agent." Straightening up, she added before heading back to her duties, "if we find out anything relevant to your search, I'll have Paladin Danse contact you. Good luck getting home, Sarge. Ad Victoriam."

Shortly after Ingram left, Elder Maxson called us in to his meeting room for a final meeting before our departure. Danse was already there, along with a couple of other Brotherhood members I hadn't met. The meeting was rather enlightening, as Maxson had given serious thought to my proposal to have the Brotherhood of Steel work with the Minutemen. Together, we sketched out a plan proposing the Brotherhood Knights help defend Minutemen settlements in exchange for supplies and fresh food. I was able to send a message to General Garvey through my Pip-Boy that we would arrive in Sanctuary via vertibird with Paladin Danse to discuss the suggested alliance with him.

While waiting for his reply, Elder Maxson made it quite plain that if I were to request additional help from the Brotherhood, I would have to earn it. Since we were going to be exploring the Commonwealth anyway, we may as well keep our eyes out for technological items of interest. A short list of desired items was soon added to my Pip-Boy, as well as the suggestion that if we were to perform missions for the Brotherhood, it would strengthen our reputation with the faction and make it more likely for them to cooperate in the future. We would not go uncompensated in the meantime, and MacCready gleefully stepped in at that point to negotiate the fees for our assistance to the Brotherhood of Steel as civilian liaisons.

Quid pro quo, the life of a mercenary, I guess. At least we'll be earning a decent living if we choose to work for them. Having enough caps on hand to resupply and keep our gear in good shape was important, and I was very glad MacCready had experience in those matters. I just wish we had a more permanent base of operations than a hotel room, somewhere we could stay in between journeys and store extra gear. It's tough living out of a backpack.

As the negotiations were finishing up, my Pip-Boy chimed with a response from Garvey. "Looks like we're good to go, Elder Maxson, Paladin Danse," I said, listening to the message. "They'll be looking out for us."

"Outstanding. Grab your packs and we can be ready to depart in ten." Danse clanked out of the meeting room to collect the vertibird's crew.

Flying across the Commonwealth from the Prydwen to the Minutemen settlement at Sanctuary gave me a fair amount of time for reflection. The days were hard to keep track of, but I figured I had been in this new reality for just over a month. It's actually a bit like Basic Training, where you're torn down and rebuilt into a whole new person in the span of nine weeks. A lot can happen in just a month, especially when everything is so much more raw and intense. I'm not the same person I was when I arrived, and I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

Outside the open bay doors, the ruined landscape passed by, dead trees surrounding a ruined city that was just barely recovering from the ashes of its annihilation two centuries before. Were the trees really dead, or just dormant for the winter? Were there latent seeds of hope for the population too, or was I striving for an impossible dream of peace, as my companion believed? Why am I bothering to try and improve this place if all I want to do is go home?

Because I can't stand to see people suffering. I jumped as the minigun pointing out the door suddenly spun up, firing into the distance at some unseen adversaries. I hate violence, as much as I may have to engage in it out here. What kind of person would I be if I didn't try to help? The weapon wound down, targets eliminated or out of range, and I was glad when we soon circled around to touch down just outside of Sanctuary. Paladin Danse, MacCready, and I exited while the rest of the crew departed for Cambridge.

Garvey and Sturges were standing at the entrance to the expanded settlement and the General of the Minutemen swept me into a friendly hug as soon as we reached them. He passed me to the mechanic for another bone-crunching welcoming hug as he shook MacCready's hand and formally welcomed Paladin Danse into Sanctuary. This is why I try to help. My resolve firmed at the thought of these wonderful people, and all the good they did. They deserved to have a chance at a better life. MacCready might have called me his personal angel, but Preston Garvey is the real angel in the Commonwealth.

Sturges was his usual upbeat self, keeping a friendly arm around my shoulders as we walked further into Sanctuary, following Garvey and Danse. "We've been busy making this place a real settlement! Wait'll you see the improvements we've made, and meet all the new residents. The Minutemen are coming back to the Commonwealth, stronger than ever!" MacCready walked beside me on the other side, a thoughtful frown creasing his brows. Nearly all of the houses had been fixed up, and there was even a communal building for dining and settlement events with smaller side rooms for offices, located near the center of the former housing development. It was a truly impressive amount of work in such a short time, and I made sure to let Sturges know. He grinned proudly, then pointed to my arm, asking, "Get any new insights on that fancy Pip-Boy of yours?"

"Quite a few, actually. We've had a couple of different people run some tests on it." With that, I gave Sturges a quick run-down on what the Railroad and Brotherhood found, without going into too much detail. He guided us through the main community hall, and into a smaller meeting room, then whistled in admiration when I finished.

"That's quite a story, Sarge! I woulda never guessed all of that was in that little thing. Give me a generator or a nice set of power armor to work on any day!" He motioned for us to sit down at the table to join Garvey who had already taken his seat, and Danse who stood next to the table in his own power armor.

"You repair power armor, civilian?" Danse inquired, interested.

"I do! Used to have a sweet little set up in Quincy working with the Atom Cats garage before the Gunners ran us out of town." He gave Danse a friendly smile. "Sturges is the name, and if you wanna talk power armor, you'll find me in the maintenance bay next door."

To my surprise, Danse returned the smile with a broad one of his own. "Outstanding. I think that comparing notes would be an excellent use of time. Thank you, Sturges."

"Any time! I'll just get on with my duties and leave you to your meeting." With a cheery wave, he left.

Our meeting went rather well, Garvey being cautiously optimistic about a mutual agreement with the Brotherhood to exchange military assistance for raw materials and produce from the farms under Minutemen purview. "After all," he said fervently, "we're supposed to be helping the people of the Commonwealth. If the farmers and traders know they can count on the combined forces of the Minutemen and the Brotherhood, it will benefit everyone." He grew serious for a moment. "However, I am concerned with the Brotherhood's attitude towards non-humans, particularly friendly Ghouls and sentient machines."

Danse grew very still, standing stiffly at attention. "The Brotherhood of Steel is dedicated to the extermination of abominations of nature. That is part of our overall mission."

"And when it concerns rampaging Super Mutants, feral Ghouls, or even dangerous irradiated wildlife, I'm all for it." agreed Garvey, his expression stern and unyielding. "But we have residents of our settlements who are Ghouls, and even a sentient robot or two. They are under the Minutemen's protection. If we are to have this agreement, I want it spelled out to your forces in plain, unmistakable orders that friendlies of all kinds are to be left alone."

"I agree with Garvey on this one, Danse." I spoke up, and MacCready nodded. "There are plenty of dangerous adversaries in the Commonwealth to fight without going after people who are just trying to get along."

"They're not people..." Danse protested, but I cut him off with a sharp gesture.

"No, Danse. They're not human, or not really any more in the case of Ghouls. But they are people; they're humane." I glared at his uncompromising, closed expression. "I've run into humans who act less like people than some of the Ghouls I've met. Like on my very first day in the Commonwealth."

"I will not compromise on the safety of the residents." Garvey repeated. "Non-human members of our settlements are to be left in peace, or this alliance will be dissolved."

"Is it really that difficult, Paladin Danse?" I asked, seeing the color rising in his face. "Life is a series of compromises. You need to think for yourself, not just parrot Elder Maxson's unrealistic prejudices. You may not like non-humans, but if they're not a threat, leave them alone. You do that, and the Brotherhood not only gains a better reputation with the people of the Commonwealth, but you also secure fresh supplies for your troops."

Paladin Danse was quiet for a very, very long moment, looking back and forth between the three of us. Finally, he sighed in resignation. "Fine. I will issue orders that all residents, whether human or not, in Minutemen settlements are under equal protection. It goes against Brotherhood training, and I'm sure Elder Maxson will have his own thoughts on the matter. But, you're right. It is a compromise we need to make to keep the Brotherhood relevant in the greater Wasteland. Protecting the people of the Wasteland is the primary goal for our order, on that we agree."

The next discussion concerned the number and location of the Minutemen settlements, and who had surplus rations the Brotherhood could use. There was a large map on the table that both faction representatives pored over, placing markers and making their own notes. Garvey then called me over to his place at the head of the table, and marked my Pip-Boy's MAP page with a number of locations- allied settlements, proposed locations, and even a couple of places known to be settled, but in need of help. Looking at the many new markers on the screen, it looked like MacCready and I were going to be kept very busy. We could help out while trying to track down an Institute Courser, not only building our reputations, but making it more difficult for the Institute to hide. Maybe I can arrange a separate deal between the Minutemen and the Railroad to help escaped Synths, I mused. I doubt the Brotherhood would be willing, so we can keep them out of it.

"Thank you, Paladin Danse, Sarge." Garvey said at the end of the lengthy discussion, standing up to motion us out the door. "I hope this is the first step in a new era of peace for the Commonwealth. Now, let's go get some grub." The smell of cooking food had been permeating the last hour of our meeting, and we were all hungry.

Dinner was a cordial affair. The larger central hall was set up as a general dining facility, with a serving kitchen on one end and tables scattered about. MacCready and I took our meals to a couple of seats in the corner of the room, staying out of the way, and Danse clanked over with his own tray. While we were eating, he handed a small grenade-sized item to me and a second one to MacCready. "I didn't get the chance to pass these along before, Sarge. They are vertibird signal grenades. If ever you are in immediate need of transport, toss this into an open area and the Brotherhood will home in on the special electromagnetic smoke and send a vertibird to your location." We took the grenades, placing them carefully in our ammo pouches.

"Wow, Danse," I replied in awe. "This is really remarkable! Thank you very much."

"I was only able to get one each for you. They are in short supply, but as Brotherhood allies I was able to convince Teagan to release them. Use them only in an emergency."

Soon afterwards, Sturges eagerly joined us, engaging our associate in a long conversation all about power armor and other mechanical wonders. The discussion was entertaining, but mostly went over my head. I took the time to people-watch, noticing the increased number of actual Minutemen-in-Training and their families. The settlement under Garvey looked to be growing and thriving, and that gave me hope for the future of the Commonwealth.

When the hall filled with diners, I nudged MacCready and we both stood up to allow others to use our places at the table. Sturges looked up from his conversation with Danse and waved us over for a moment. "Hey, the house you were using before is occupied now, but there's a couple of empty places up the street in the cul-de-sac. Um, try the light blue house to the north. Couple beds inside, a lamp that works, no heat yet but plenty of blankets." He leaned in to whisper to me, "I hope you don't mind if I commandeer your Brotherhood friend here; he knows a lot about mechanics!"

I smiled at Sturges' enthusiasm at meeting a like-minded fellow, whispering back, "Commandeer away! I wouldn't mind the privacy, since we don't really know him all that well. And thanks!" Giving him a hearty pat on the back, we left the dining hall to find our proposed refuge for the evening.

The house was easy to find. It didn't look as finished as some of the others, but the walls were repaired, and the roof looked intact. Inside was bare, swept clean save for a couple of double beds piled high with scavenged blankets. A small bedside table stood between them with a desk lamp jury-rigged to light the main room in a gentle glow. One low dresser stood against the far wall. I gratefully removed my pack and armor, placing my weapons on its distressed wooden top.

As soon as the door had been secured against intrusion, MacCready strode over to wrap his arms around me in a fierce embrace. "That's better," he sighed contentedly, once we had satisfied ourselves with a long, lingering kiss. "Last night was pure torture, being next to you but not daring to do anything." He pulled me in close, tucking my face against the curve of his jaw, arms warmly supportive.

Just as eagerly, I pressed into him, turning to kiss the side of his neck and giving his ear a quick nuzzle. "Think we can make up for it tonight?" I asked in a low, husky tone, my hands eagerly memorizing every inch of his lean, muscular body in a loving, passionate caress.

A lustful chuckle rumbled up from his chest, "I don't know, angel," he said with a smile, "but we can certainly try."