It has been a long time since I have updated Marie but I keep seeing people following and favoriting the story. I know that it is not the best story but I really appreciate the people who follow it despite that. Despite the long pause, I have taken to trying to draft out a reboot to the series in hopes of developing a creative outlet for myself while also reworking a number of flaws in the story. I wrote myself into a corner in the past and I hope a fresh start can answer some of the questions posed by the original. Here is a draft I wrote towards that reboot in hopes of showing people that I am actively working behind the scenes to try to create the best reboot. It is not complete nor is it reflective of the final product I want to release. This is actually a draft I made to explore some ideas I have cooking. The material below may or may not be a part of the final release. Hope my followers enjoy reading as much as I did writing.
"Son", a familiar voice whispered, as though he were afraid to speak. "Son, it's time."
James's eyes shot open and he woke to the familiar, desolate Capital skyline. Grunting as he shifted his prone body, James turned to face the source of the old voice. As he turned, he felt the gentle warmth of a campfire as it lay dying after a long night's watch. James finally sat up, yawning as he did so and was greeted with a hand and a tin mug of fresh coffee.
"I'm afraid the coffee is all I can offer as breakfast. We'll have to hunt if you want to eat." the voice gruffly spoke back at James. He looked up and gingerly grasped the piping hot tin.
"Thank you, Father." James finally spoke. He looked up and found his old man smiling at him.
"You're welcome, son. We're about a day's hike away from Rivet City. I'm sure we'll get there sooner once you wake up." James Sr., the father continued speaking about the rest of the day's plan. A long life as a scientist and doctor ensured that his father never learned when precisely to stop talking. It was something that had bothered James Jr. for years until the day James Sr. left Vault 101. In the months that followed his departure, Jr. realized that he had liked the constant chatter far more than he was willing to admit. Or maybe he feared loneliness that much more.
"Anyways, son. I've met quite a few people who have spoken highly of your adventures here." The old man finally took the hint. James was mid-sip when he received the compliment. Flustered, he quickly attempted a reply. The sun was beginning its rise, slowly heating up the frigid air.
"I wouldn't exactly call them adventures, father." Junior smiled tenderly, recalling the many times he became lost and cornered by feral ghouls and super mutants.
"However you call them, I hear you have helped a great many people." the gruff voice was quick to respond. "I don't know if it may mean anything to you, son but hearing how you've freed slaves, broken up some of the slaving guilds", he paused. "I'm very proud of you. Your mother would be proud of you."
I didn't do it for you. James Jr. wanted to say. All he could do was nod. After all, he wondered why he bothered doing anything if it was not for a person. The old man placed his hand warmly on Junior's shoulder.
"Times are changing, son. You and me, we can do anything we put out minds to." the old man was in good spirits this morning. James continued sipping his coffee. The tin was half-empty now. He nodded once more. It was difficult to be optimistic as James gazed at the wrecked, dilapidated buildings that once made up the capital of the United States of America. Two hundred years and this is the best that humanity can do to rebuild. He pitied the Capital Wastelanders, he helped because they needed it desperately.
The old man seemed to recognize James's doubt. "I was also once skeptical like yourself. Looking at this mess, how can you have hope?" the old man waved at the mess of creaking and crumbling buildings. "But one thing to remember is that when one has a will to live, they shall find a way to endeavor to do so. Never underestimate a person's capacity to survive even when they are at rock-bottom. There is always hope."
James simply nodded along to his father's lecture. "Yes, father." he spoke. The old man knew that it was best to let the matter be. They had a long journey ahead of them and pockets of gunfire could not be heard in the distance. The old man simply smiled warmly at his son and James, simply stared ahead wondering what manner of threats would they face.
December 15, 2276
James to the sound of footsteps. Even with his eyes closed, his hand firmly grasped the handle of his pistol. The door noisily moaned as it was forced open. James sat up in his cot, noting the full moon and the howling winds. Good thing I repaired those windows last month, he thought. The blizzard outside made it hard to see more than a few feet. Even so, James could just spot specks of orange light in the distance, likely the lanterns carried by the neighborhood guard or some such.
The visitor intruded into James's room and he found himself staring at a young woman.
"Reina" James grumbled impatiently. The woman was dressed in the standard uniform that James had assigned for all people in his personal guard. It was intended to separate his unit from the other gangs that operated within the Pitt. A lavender blue collar shirt paired with navy blue jeans. Reina had added a few personal touches in including a chain belt paired with a blue parka that was padded with Yao Guai fur. She just came from outside. James noted before pushing himself to his feet.
"I'm sorry to bother you, sir. But Ashur wants to see you immediately." Reina spoke quickly but carefully. As though to impart the idea that the message was of the utmost importance. James understood the message and simply nodded.
"Is he here?" James asked, striding towards the nearby kitchenette in his sparsely decorated apartment. At a glance, it held very few items as though one had just moved in. Instead, James had been occupying the room for the past year. As he reached into the top cabinet, Reina shifted the weight on her feet and answered.
"No, there is a matter that he claimed needed to see personally." Reina stood at attention as she finished delivering her message. Personally? James asked himself quietly. Ashur rarely saw projects personally these days. Most of the day-to-day work was now handled by James ever since James had been named Ashur's personal enforcer. Most of the time, anything that required Ashur's direct presence was related to his family or something that puts the city at risk. James furrowed his brow as he considered the possible scenarios causing Reina to grow antsy. He relieved her concerns with a short wave.
"At ease, Reina. I am only in a foul mood because I've only had three hours of sleep." James tried speaking in a manner that would put Reina's mind to rest but the words instead came out in a harsh tone.
"Forgive me, sir." Reina replied quickly. James sighed and lit a match.
"Coffee?" he asked simply. She nodded and James prepared a second mug. "What is it that is so important that I needed to woken in the middle of the night."
"I am not so certain on the details, sir." Reina replied, her tone was far more relaxed. Good, James thought approvingly. He had been an infamous character to the locals for far too long. He would need to rectify his image if the next step of Ashur's plan was to succeed. Meanwhile, Reina reached into the leather satchel on her hip and produced an envelope. She waved it at James while he prepared the coffee before placing it on the lone dining table directly to his back. He grunted in acknowledgement before attending to the coffee.
As it finished, James handed Reina her mug and gestured for her to sit beside him. Grabbing the envelope, he opened it to find a short note in Ashur's handwriting. That is, the kind most likely to be his. Few people in the Pitt knew how to write legibly despite the efforts of the recent re-education efforts. Reina warmed her fingers with the mug as James read.
James,
Marie has gone missing. Brotherhood is coming, don't know why. Will investigate them.
Find Marie.
Ashur
Surprised by its brevity, James noted the scrawl that made up the note's contents. Ashur had written it quickly and packaged it carefully so that its contents would not be revealed. Why so cautious? James wondered as he recalled Marie's tendency to "disappear" around Haven. This was not the first time the playful child had played such a prank on her parents. James doubted it would be the last but Ashur was markedly more concerned about this instance than before and so James needed to as well.
Finished with the note, James simply nodded and silently stood from his seat. Reina watched him rise, still in the process of finishing her mug of coffee. Given his caution, I'll have to keep this close to the chest. James considered who else among his lieutenants he could rely on. Then remembered that aside from Reina and Maya, the rest of his unit consisted of raiders still in the process of learning his ways. He silently grumbled as he strode away from the dining table and back towards his bed.
He lifted a heavy trunk from beneath the cot and began to remove its contents and placed them on the bed. A set of steel armor, courtesy of the Pitt's now formidable blacksmiths, a shotgun, and a weathered but reliable R91 assault rifle.
Reina finished the mug before taking positon beside the doorway.
"Orders, sir?" she asked in the same professional manner as before. James did not answer and simply put on each piece of armor before inspecting his weapons accordingly. Once he finished, James walked to the door and motioned for Reina to follow.
"Gather the lieutenants in the mess hall. I want them awake and ready for patrols within the next ten minutes." He said sternly. As he strode, his armor clanked and made his boots hammer against the floor. No doubt his armored footsteps would wake many of the residents within the barracks. All was as intended for James, he had a reputation to uphold. "Not a single minute late, Reina."
"As you wish, sir." Reina confirmed the orders with a nod before turning away from James's direction. As he strode through the barracks towards the mess hall, the hallway lights suddenly exploded to life with shouts and yelps quickly breathing life into the formerly quiet night. As James walked, he looked out into the dark windows and could only see the formidable wind and snow. She just had to go playing pranks in this weather, huh? He asked himself. He sighed once more before he continued walking.
At the mess, all seven lieutenants and their second-in-commands stood at attention. The entourage numbered thirty in all and they were remarkably disciplined for a group of raiders and former slaves. James stood facing the contingent with his hands clasped behind his back, eyeing some of the more interesting officers among his team.
"Ten minutes to the dot, sir. All are accounted for." Reina spoke in her commanding tone before joining James at his side. He nodded approvingly before looking out at the room.
"Be seated." James commanded. They sat in unison leading Reina to allow a faint smile on her normally emotionless face. James allowed this transgression of her usual professionalism and began to speak. "We have been called upon by the Lord of the Pitt to carry out a number of duties that require my personal attention. As I will be indisposed, you all will be responsible for the security of Expansion Sector Eta. Teams 1 through 4, you will patrol the North and Western portions of the zone. We have received reports of unusual Trog movements in the area. The storm should keep them inactive but I don't want to risk it. The fences we installed there are new but vulnerable. Double check them. It's your necks if I hear word of a single Trog making it through."
As James spoke, Reina glared hard at the team leaders. They knew that while James was the more physically imposing of the two, it was Reina who was far more willing to act on his threats. It troubled James to know that he was quite proud to have trained such a capable protege. However, he cleared his throat and continued issuing orders.
"Teams 5 and 6, you are responsible for relieving the Neighborhood Guard. It is good for the locals to develop their own system for self-defense but on important nights such as this, we need to show them how it's done. Remember what I've taught you. No Jet on the job. No booze either. Not while we work." James reminded them. However, these two teams in particular needed no reminders. They were led by Reina's twin sister Maya and the brigades were all-female warriors who had clawed their way to freedom from the Hole. Instead of joining the ranks of the Raider class, per the norm, James and Maya recruited them for the expansion. With a more noble purpose than beating down on their former comrades, these women were usually more than happy to follow Maya's lead. Even so, James knew that his trust in them could only extend as far as Maya's ability to command them existed.
As he completed his rounds, the teams made their final preparations to deploy, James watched them all and thought deeply to himself. Unlike many other high rankers in the Pitt, James enjoyed a "gang" that he was able to hand-pick from Ashur's ranks. After all, the Urban Revitalization Project required great talent and capable workers to succeed. Consequently, James either chose among the more honorable sort of the raiders or he chose former slaves for their work ethic. He also made sure to choose some slaves that were in bondage at the time to give more their chances at freedom. Internally, he hated that everything he did propped up a slave society, but James had long since accepted that he must work with cards he was dealt.
He looked at Reina, his second-in-command for nearly as long as he had been Ashur's enforcer. She and her twin sister had been enslaved not too long after he had won his freedom in the Hole. They were apparently inspired by his savagery in the fights, a fact for which he quietly expresses embarrassment, and they made their way through the ranks of the Hole for the chance to meet him. Now they have, though James regrets that he was a factor in their painful journey towards working for him.
"Sir?" Reina looked at James inquisitively. He waved her aside and simply continued surveying the teams as they left.
"You and Maya have done well. They're a spirited bunch, but capable." James spoke approvingly. Reina frowned.
"They lack discipline." She spat. James raised an eyebrow at his protege and leaned slightly in her direction.
"You mean, more so than you and your sister just after the Hole?" he asked playfully. Reina grew flustered and scrambled to find an adequate response.
"That was different! We had no training nor guidance! We were-" Reina attempted to defend her character but James simply chuckled. She knew that he enjoyed teasing her for this exact reason. Unlike Maya, Reina had yet to outgrow her teenage tendency to become flustered by someone trying to use words to outmaneuver her. Were it not for this flaw, she could easily be amongst Ashur's smartest and most capable enforcers. James approved strongly of Reina's growth into his most trusted lieutenant. He was responsible for her training but he believed that it was her own grit and determination that made her the fearsome leader that stood before him. Maybe my job here will really be done soon. James permitted himself to wonder for a moment. He began to see glimpses of his old home in Megaton. Of Sarah. He was quickly brought back by the slam of a door.
"Teams 5 & 6 have departed, sir." Reina reported, her professional demeanor returned. James nodded in response. "Maya tried to say goodbye but you appeared… distant." James eyed her carefully but simply nodded once more.
"I'll have to apologize later. We must move quickly Reina, our mission this morning will be to locate a particular imp in Haven." James spoke hurriedly as he began to stride out from the mess hall. Reina knew precisely who James described but only followed behind him quietly.
The pair stepped out into the night with the wind howling as strong as ever. Wordlessly, they clambered through the snow and made their way to the main city. After a short hike, they passed under a sign that spelled the infamous letters: "PITT" and entered a checkpoint.
The raiders at the checkpoint were not from James's corps and one could tell at a glance. The man looking at James's papers smelled strongly of alcohol with a hint of Jet. His partner fared no better as she was asleep in a folding chair next to him and snoring loudly. James could only roll his eyes in displeasure before they were allowed to proceed. Reina made no attempts to hide her disgust.
"Let it be a lesson to you, Reina." James spoke with rare amusement. "Remember them when you train." Reina spat loudly at the thought of being compared to the checkpoint guards.
"I'll personally review our training standards when we return." Reina muttered disdainfully. "I could identify no less than five distinct ways to neutralize and capture the checkpoint." James could only quietly chuckle once more. Of his many lieutenants, only Reina bothered to study strategy. As such, James had helped her acquire a diverse library of surviving Pre-War books as well as post-war ones that helped her develop her own way of waging asymmetrical war. It was something that both Ashur and James approved of as their own understandings and experiences were limited especially when compared the relative inadequacy of the raider class.
Muttering as she walked, James and Reina slowly made their way across the rusting bridge. It creaked loudly in the wind and the whining of the steel made Reina visibly nervous. James made no comment as he himself carefully searched for evidence of deterioration. Pre-War infrastructure was nothing to scoff at but they would be fools to continue to take it for granted.
After what felt like hours on the bridge, the two finally reached the other side and the warm orange hue of the city's constantly burning furnaces immediately warded away the violent, snowy winds of the storm. They entered carefully and James visibly stiffened. It was not clear if Reina noticed this as James worked hard to try to hide his hatred of the city. .
They had reached the so-called Upper Class zone where Raiders partied hard and often knocked heads against one another. In the years since James's rise from the Hole and into the raider class, the tenements had improved somewhat. It now appeared more like dirty barracks than dilapidated apartments. More importantly, the members of the Raider class carried themselves with a tad more dignity than before, no longer bashing each other's brains out on the open street.
Reina noticed how the atmosphere chilled even in the frigid storm. The raiders ceased their partying as the watched James and her stride through the street. Like hungry wolves watching prey, the raiders gazed down to observe Ashur's champion march through. It was not often that James returned to the inner city. Whenever he did, there was sure to be trouble.
After a few minutes' walk, James and Reina approached Haven, Ashur's headquarters. The square in front of the skyscraper's entrance was home to a massive wooden statue that was constantly burning. As they walked, James glared at it, again wondering its true meaning as he did every time he approached Haven.
A few dark figures stood in a loose U behind the fiery statue. A challenge? James wondered. He allowed himself a small smile at the thought. It's been too long. James reached his left hand towards his pistol.
"Who's there?" Reina roared, her voice cut through the howling wind of the storm. The figures did not respond. James and Reina slowed to a stop. He squinted at the figures, counting seven in total. Reina had drawn her weapon, wielding combat knife in each of her hands.
They appeared to stare at one another in impasse. James stepped forward when the heavy doors of Haven slammed open.
"James" a small voice called from the opening. "Come in, quickly!" the urgency in the voice led James to turn to Reina. She nodded slightly and James returned his gaze to the group of men. He walked forward. He recognized some of these men. They were comrades of a challenger James had shot weeks ago. He could feel their hatred of him as though it came from a hot breeze. However, none of the men would risk doing anything while being watched. It seemed that these raiders were not high enough rank to risk throwing their weight around. James continued his stride, breaking the U in half without bothering to meet the glare of any of the men.
"Out of the damn way!" Reina roared at a man who failed to move in time. The man lifted his hand at her. Before anyone could move, Reina grabbed the arm and threw the man cleanly over her back and onto a concrete divider beside them. The other man backed away but drew their weapons.
"Enough!" the voice from the door shouted, now with authority, The men backed off and Reina pointed her knife at the group of men before she followed James into the building. He could only bring himself to feel amused at the situation.
The pair entered the warm and a pair of men dressed in clean, white suits shoved the heavy doors closed. With a boom, the doors closed and the foyer warmed immediately. The source of the voice, Sandra shivered and rubbed her hands over a firepit. She shuddered while James and Reina joined her. They showed no signs that the cold had bothered them.
"Next time, wait for my word." James scolded Reina. She nodded and fought back a retort. "Speak."
"They were not worthy, sir. You would have killed them all." Reina explained. She met her mentor's gaze but James could see that the fire in her eyes had softened. She was hopeful that he was in an understanding mood despite her transgression. "The cleanup would have taken too long and we are pressed for time." James watched her face as he pondered over her explanation.
"She is right, James." Sandra interrupted their exchange. Sandra looked worried, her normally immaculate hair was slightly disheveled and there were lines around her eyes that suggested sleep deprivation. Perhaps this isn't one of Marie's little pranks. James thought.
"When was she last seen?" James asked shortly.
"Ashur and I saw her at dinner last night when we dismissed her." Sandra replied.
"You did not see her to bed?"
"We've been busy with work lately. There is much happening that requires Ashur and my personal attention." That's rare. Must be a big event.
"So then the girl feels lonely then. Was she seen leaving the premises?" James asked, rubbing his gloved hand over his stubbled chin.
"No. We think she entered the Greenhouse and snuck down the fire escape." Sandra replied. She rubbed her arms nervously. "We don't know when exactly, please James. Find my daughter. You know her hiding places best." James nodded in response.
"I'll find her. Then you'll tell me what you and Ashur are up to." He said as he turned towards the door. Sandra nodded grimly. The three had an understanding to stay out of each other's affairs and business. This system was best to ensure that their projects could continue with minimal interpersonal conflict from disagreement. It normally saved Ashur from Sandra's fiery temper regarding the experiments with Marie but at times, it also meant that James was kept in the dark despite the fact that the champion was used to solve most problems they could not handle.
Breaking out into the frigid storm once more, Reina waited for the doors to slam shut behind them before speaking.
"Do you know where she could be, sir?" Reina asked. "We haven't searched the tower, perhaps-" James waved her to silence.
"I've a few ideas. Follow me." James shouted, the stormy winds had grown more violent in the short time they spent inside the tower lobby.
As she followed, Reina noted that James strode hurriedly through the waist-high snow. He does not want to be seen. She recorded this information in her mind and willed herself against making audible sounds when possible. Though still untested, James had personally mentored Maya and Reina in how to suppress noises with their careful and deliberate movements. Naturally, the requirement on Reina was relaxed in large part thanks to the powerful winds but James's pace and demeanor warned her against testing her luck.
The pair had walked nearly an hour and the winds had begun to die down. The storm was easing its intensity though it was expected to persist until the end of the week. The morning sun had risen and its intense glare had begun illuminating the harsh and dilapidated sections of the underdeveloped sections of Uptown. It is remarkable how much work is left to do even after so many years. If only we could do without slavery. James grimaced at the thought of his own enslavement. It was a bitter memory that always led James to tug at his throat at the very thought of the explosive collar he once wore around his neck.
The pair reached an abandoned building. To Reina, it appeared as just another dilapidated pre-war diner. To James, it was something else entirely. He motioned her to follow without delay and simply stepped in.
The interior was pitch black though some elements saw a glimpse of the morning light. Reina scanned the room but could find nothing of value. Marie is here? She thought and raised an eyebrow in curiosity. James simply sauntered into the kitchen, ice and snow cracking off his body and against the tile flooring. Tile? She wondered and observed closely. The tile was remarkably well-preserved. It was neither new nor as dilapidated as the exterior suggested. Perhaps, the young Lady may be here after all. Reina thought optimistically as she followed James deeper into the darkness.
In what would have been the kitchen, James approached a dark square on the wall and pawed for something. Reina reached backwards for a lightsource but James's gloved mitt strongly gripped an unseen handle. With a grunt, James tugged at the handle and forced open what Reina quickly understood to be a door. A light source brightened the near pitch-dark kitchen and momentarily blinded Reina. By the time her vision recovered, James had stepped aside and motioned her in.
James had led into what she understood to be one of his safe-keeps, a term he had once explained to house his personal effects, arms, plans and more. Reina found that the arm was warm suggesting a heat source or fire was nearby. James brushed past her and led her down a series of hallways. Once again, the walls and flooring appeared aged but in relatively good condition. As expected of James, he is thorough as always with his safety zones. She allowed herself to muse at the condition of the building. Finally, James broke the silence.
"I needed a place away from the slavers to meditate." he spoke gruffly, his voice nearly a whisper from prolonged silence. Medidate on what? She thought, though he elaborated quickly. "I would've killed far more if not for this place." Reina saw the tired look in James stoic face. Even through the layers of cloth and scarves, she could see the toll his servitude to Ashur bore on him. James turned quickly and opened a door. Its placement was peculiar as it was neither the closest door nor the farthest from the entrance. It was also not in the middle of the hallway nor too close to the outer walls of the building. It was simply somewhere in the middle. Reina noted this once more and pondered on its significance.
Finally, the pair entered a room that smelled like home. A wood fire burned in a small, iron stove at the extreme end of the room. Seated near it was the "missing" mistress of the Pitt, Marie. The tiny girl was bundled under layers of James's coats and winter wear. Hints of her long, chestnut colored hair poked out of a poorly-made beanie. She was seated across from the stove on an armchair leaning against one corner of the room. It faced directly towards the door and Reina allowed a small smile at how much its design spoke of her mentor's preferences.
The young girl was reading an faded edition of the Massachusetts Surgical Journal with a furrowed brow. Her eyes glanced up to register the entry of the two intruders but she made no moves to greet them. She simply flipped the page and resumed reading. Reina frowned.
James unhooked the scarf from her neck and removed some of his cold protection. He walked over with heavy steps towards the young girl and stopped at her feet. "Chair", he said, almost with a growl. Without looking up, Marie hopped off the armchair, allowed many bundles to fall to her feet, waited for James to replace her and then sat at the floor beside him. After rebundling herself in the clothes, she continued reading while adopting his tired stance.
"Interesting read?" James asked, wiping his sweaty brow. He motioned for Reina to make herself at home but she only allowed herself to remove her scarf and gloves before resuming guard near the door.
"I thought I would try and discover what exactly makes you so important to the Pitt by reading these magazines." Marie explained, once again without looking up, "but I only know some of the words." James chuckled softly and simply sat back in his chair, eyes closed. Reina noted how at ease he seemed in his safe-keep. He has even disarmed himself. Reina marveled at how her the stoic and hardened champion melted into a young man before her eyes. She had never seen one of James's safe-keeps before and began to record every possible detail for later recounting.
"Reina, would you like a drink?" James asked, cutting through her thoughts.
"No, I am fine with the supplies on me." she replied quickly.
"What about you?" He gazed at the girl.
"Some hot cocoa would be nice," the girl replied. He nodded in response before forcing himself onto his feet. Reina stepped forward to assume the duty but he stopped her with a wave of his hand.
"The young mistress is particular about her cocoa. Getting it wrong would lead to our deaths." James spoke playfully as he often did when around the girl. How casual he seems. Reina could not help but marvel at the sudden changes in James though she had seen it so many times before.
Whistling a tune as he searched the cupboards, Reina noticed the girl subtly tapping her feet to the rhythm. With a click, James started the hot plate and began to open drawers in search of some unknown substance. Reina softly chuckled at how much it seemed likely a peaceful family home. Like with Maya and my brothers before… Reina shook the thoughts out. The memories were too painful. Pain was a weakness in the Pitt. She had to be strong now, for Maya, for Marie, for James.
Lost in her thoughts, Reina had hardly noticed James slipping the ceramic mug into her open palm. Her numb fingers at first tingled at the sensation but quickly welcomed it with eager familiarity. The mug lacks age and cracks! Reina admired the construction of the mug before sipping the warm drink.
The room quickly resumed the casual image of a family room with James acting as a father or older brother, in his chair while Marie served as the young daughter sitting beside him. Only I am out of place, Reina thought, observing her position as the stationed guard. Good cocoa, though. She mused as she continued to watch.
James woke with a start and realized that Marie had shifted place from the floor and onto his lap. She grunted as she shifted her weight to find a comfortable seating position.
"It was cold." she explained as she turned another page on the book she hardly understood. James grunted in reply.
"How long, Reina?" he asked, wiping his tired eyes.
"Only fifteen minutes, sir." Reina replied quickly, she was in the middle of cleaning and drying the mugs. James nodded in response and eased back into his chair.
"So," James began. He felt Marie's back stiffen in obvious anticipation of his notorious interrogations. "Why did you run this time?"
"I didn't run." Marie replied with an easy tone but lingered on the final word. "I just got bored."
"You got bored at 3 in the morning? During a blizzard?"
"It was hardly snowing when I left."
"So it was snowing then?" he asked sharply. Marie nervously bit her lips together to stop talking. James was glaring at her and in return she gave him a face resembling a toad.
"Yes…" she said quietly.
"Dammit, girl! You know how dangerous snowstorms are!" James spoke sternly but without raising his voice. The control in his scolding was necessary to impart the lesson while striking the least fear into Marie. She sat looking glumly at her feet.
"I know." she said in a knowing fashion. She already recognized the mistake but Reina detected another meaning in the girl's response.
"You know better than this!" James continued ranting. "Why do you always make trouble for your mother? For your father?" He spoke with the earnest concern of close family. Reina nodded in affirmation with his words. It was good that they had found the girl so soon after Ashur's communications but why was it so easy? Reina began to wonder. Unless….
"Perhaps you wanted to make trouble for James?" Reina spoke, both Marie and James looked up at Reina equally stunned. Reina had been uncharacteristically talkative today as she was normally known as the quiet guard by Marie. James looked back down at the girl.
He thought about asking but decided against it. He simply frowned and leaned back into his chair. "I should have guessed." He mused. And the matter was over. The three continued to wait out the storm in silence.
It was nearly noon when the winds died enough that they could no longer be heard through the thick walls of the safe-keep. James cupped his ear to be sure and when satisfied tapped at Marie's right shoulder.
"It is time to move." he spoke gruffly, but gently. He knew she was in a delicate mood. The girl only nodded. Reina had heard of Marie's attachment to her mentor but had only seen them interact in formal functions. Where he served as the Pitt's tutor rather than as what she now understood to be the doting older brother.
Marie slowly hopped to her feet and neatly placed the magazine into a bookshelf next to the armchair. The three quickly began to prepare to exit the safe-keep and brave the winter storm in the long walk back to Haven. As Reina finished tightly wrapping her scarf, she noted how James carefully wrapped Marie's own scarf and checked her rucksack, coat, and other miscellaneous items.
"You bring anything you need to take back?" James asked. The girl shook her head. She looked back to the bookshelf. "You want to borrow something?" She looked back at him.
"Can I borrow The Golden Path?" she pointed. "It's got some nice pictures." Reina looked skeptically at the girl. James was notoriously zealous about ensuring that people take care of his things when he loans them. Her sister Maya had learned this the hard when a blood pack burst in her kit where she also carelessly stored one of James's favorite books.
"The copy here is missing a couple chapters. I have a complete one stashed outside the city that I can retrieve for you if you want to read it entirely." James offered but Marie shook her head.
"I just want to reread a few sections." James nodded and the girl rushed to the bookshelf to procure the book. James watched the girl while Reina watched his strange behavior. He looked to her.
"There something on my face?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. Reina shook her head and looked warmly at the girl. James looked inquisitively at Reina but decided against pressing further. He wrapped his scarf around his neck and opened the door.
Carefully sealing the entrance to the safe-keep, Reina paced ahead a few steps towards the way they entered. Marie grasped at her sleeve.
"Not that way." the young girl warned. Reina obeyed and allowed herself to be guided by the girl. She looked up and saw James tug a dirty rug aside, revealing a trap door.
"The diner door is too heavy for her. That entrance is for people who can find and lift the door." James huffed as he prepared the way forward. "Reina, you take point." Reina nodded and gently lifted Marie's grasp from her sleeve. She carefully stepped into the darkness while Marie followed. Finally, James returned and slid the door closed.
Below the surface, the stormy cold creeped into the well-lit tunnel. Electric lights broke through the darkness giving the tunnel an appearance of warmth. Reina again noted the construction and immediately recognized James and Theodore's handiwork. James reached out his hand and Marie took hold of the gloved mass before the three continued walking.
"Where does this lead?" Reina asked. James gazed up and around as they walked, no doubt inspecting the craftsmanship and searching for flaws.
"To another safe-keep just south of Uptown." James revealed his breath creating puffs of vapor as he spoke. Marie began huffing to create a trail of her own as they walked. "I built it in case of an attack where we needed to evacuate the young mistress." Reina frowned.
"Is the guard aware of this tunnel? I thought Haven had its own safe room." She spoke aloud. James huffed, amused at the thought.
"Yes, Ashur prepared his own safe-room on a cleared floor of the tower." James elaborated. "But what if the guard turns traitor?" Reina understood immediately. No one knows about this except… Reina gazed back at James and Marie and saw the little girl smile mischievously at her, waving her free hand.
The three continued the journey in silence with only their huffing and the shrill wind for company.
They arrived at the safe-keep and exited it. Reina quickly understood why Marie had continued past this one. While it was furnished with only basic materials like a washroom, a sleeping cot and a workbench there were few creature comforts that would entertain a girl such as the young mistress. Then how did she know about the tunnel? Reina wondered. She shook her head at the doubt and continued forward, eager to find threats to their journey.
James closed the hatch and covered it with the sleeping cot while Marie waited beside him. She really is as attached as they say. Reina observed, watching as Marie grasped James hand once more to continue their journey to Haven. She acts past her age but inside she really is just a ten year old girl. Reina sighed, relieved to know that someone in the hell of the Pitt could enjoy their childhood. But that relief was quickly replaced with her own memories of the hellish "orphanages" some of the raiders had established for child slaves. Some were taken to the Hole, others were claimed and dragged away by some slavers themselves. She bit the inside of her cheek to restore her focus. Bury those feelings. Anger muddies the mind. She recalled James's teachings.
Finally, the long journey had revealed the towering throne of the Pitt, Haven. Though Marie had been brought home, it was evident to those close to the girl that she had no love for the place. The warmth and casual mannerisms that Reina had first seen were gone as if disappeared by the snowy winds themselves. James understood this too and made no mention of Marie's return home.
They crossed the snowy lot to the square with the statue once more. This time, the group of 7 had grown to at least a dozen. They were all young. James knew from their lack of armor and firearms that they had only entered the ranks of Uptown recently. The most experienced of them was a raider for six months at the longest. None of them would survive a confrontation with him.
The leader of the group approached the three, waving around an iron pipe as a club. Before he could speak, James drew his pistol from his left thigh and blasted at the man. The man slumped to the ground silently with the snow beginning the slow process of burying him. Reina had drawn her weapon and silently cursed herself for not having done so herself.
"Back, you fools!" James roared, his voice cut through the wind as though it were part of the storm. The group of men stopped completely in their tracks, as though frozen. One began to raise his weapon hand when Reina rushed forward and cut him down. "Ashur's daughter, Marie, is here! You will have your fight shortly!" James's anger frightened Reina and she was immediately worried for the girl. She glanced back instead to find that the girl gazed at the dead man with an unreadable expression. She's seen this before.
The heavy doors of Haven opened once more. The light from its interior carved its way into the dark square. "Marie!" Sandra called from inside. She made no mention of the crowd and simply rushed to escort her daughter to safety. "Come, we mustn't bother James during a challenge."
James loosened his grip on Marie's hand but found that hers had not relaxed. He looked down at her and saw her give him an understanding nod before leaving. She's matured. He thought to himself as he felt the creeping of a small smile touch the corners of his mouth.
Marie's departure meant the men had resumed their combative stances. Though now, they had replaced their easy, arrogant stances with cautious ones instead. Some had paired up together, others distanced themselves away. Reina sheathed her knives and instead reached into her rucksack. Producing a flare, she lit it and raised it above her head.
"The challenge begins when the fire hits the ground. Ready!" Reina shouted, hoping to draw the same command of her roar as James. The raiders tightened their stances, eager to pounce. James instead holstered his pistol while keeping his hand held loosely above its grip. He had adopted his signature shooting stance. "Begin!"
The flare had just touched the ground when the first attacker was felled, a gaping hole replaced a large portion of his face. The attackers rushed the defender, hoping to overwhelm him with their sheer numbers but the snow severely depreciated the value of the tactic. James twisted his aim and began firing. The heavy rounds of his pistol cut through the wind. BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.
Each shot preceded a dead raider. By the time the group reached him, their number had been halved. They had blundered in choosing this day for a fight. Another one was they trusted the legends of James's marksmanship.
In the foggy distance, Reina could only see a lump of men crash against one another, roaring in rage and in pain. She could not separate the mass from one another and squinted hoping to see how James handled the situation. Slowly, but intentful a dull thud was heard smashing against the lump of men. In a rhythmic fashion, the chaotic melee suddenly ended with three men being knocked unconscious with a single attack. Now, the battle was decided.
Reina shifted the weight on her feet impatiently, eager to sit and rest now that she knew the victor had been decided. The lump had been reduced to three men with the left and right figures smashing their fists desperately against the middle one. With a shift elbow counter, the man on the left was thrown to his back. The middle now had locked hands with the right-most figure in a final contest of strength. They looked to be equally matched but with each passing second, the figure on the right visibly lost ground. The man on the left had returned to his feet by now and was hammering his fists at the middle figure. The man on the right had fallen to his knees. He was screaming. CRACK. The man on his knees slumped down, his wrists frozen at impossible angles. Wailing from the pain, the man attempted to crawl away but was forced deeper into the snow when the man on the left was thrown onto him. The man in the middle wiped the snow off his jacket before walking towards Reina.
"What was my time?" James asked, materializing out of the snow. His casual demeanor was betrayed by the cuts and welts on his rough face.
"Five minutes, sir." Reina spoke, giving him an approximate. She stamped out the flare and watched the remainder of the men. Some lay dead or unconscious while the maimed slowly shifted their way to relative safety. James rubbed his gloved hand against his reddened chin.
"I'm getting slower." He grumbled and Reina shot him a rare grin.
"Even the Pitt Champion gets old, eh?" she asked playfullying. He grimaced at the thought but said nothing. Only striding towards Haven while beckoning her to follow.
James sighed as she undressed in the men's washroom. His personal apartment in the skyscraper came with a private restroom but the shared baths is where the water is warmed. He wiped a damp cloth over his wounds and gingerly began the work of stitching his cuts and inspecting his wounds.
"Every wound can kill." His father's voice had warned him once. He was disinfecting a flesh round caused by a stray bullet in the Capital Wasteland. James wiped at the cracked, foggy mirror for a better view as he remembered. "When possible, inspect, disinfect, wrap. That's how you save your life, son." James looked coldly at the fresh cut on his forearm. Stupid of me to parry a machete with my arm. He shook his head as he reflected in his moves. Getting old, need to fight smarter, don't just rely on strength.
He sat himself into one of the small tubs in the misty bath room and sighed at the immediate comfort it brought him. Out of the few suggestions that Ashur accepted from James, he was most appreciative that this one made the list. However, his rest would have to be quick. Word had been sent after the challenge that Ashur's party had reported trouble, requiring James to bring a relief squad. He pondered at the possible candidates when his thoughts were interrupted by footsteps.
"Oh, sorry sir." Reina's voice spoke quicker than usual. Reina was clothed only in a towel and began to step back towards the bath's entrance. "I didn't realize you were here."
"No worries," James said as he leaned further into the bath. "I'll be done soon anyhow. Do as you please."
"V- very well." Reina responded quietly as she scampered towards the shower heads. James closed his eyes to enjoy the hot baths for a moment longer and began to feel the allure of sleep tug at his faculties. He was only awoken by a splash. He opened his eyes to find that Reina had entered the adjacent tub, with her towel still wrapped around her torso. James looked away as she entered the tub and only looked back when it was clear she was relaxed in the tub.
"Rest well, Reina." James cautioned her. "We will march out as soon as we are done here."
"I received a similar message, sir." Reina spoke, the uncertainty from earlier had been replaced by her usual, cool professionalism. "Though I did not receive details. What are our orders."
"We are to return to the camp and organize a relief force for Ashur's recon squad. It seems they have met some kind of trouble." James relayed the critical information to her. Even in the foggy haze, James could see Reina's eyes flutter as she considered the possibilities.
"Brotherhood? This could be quite serious, sir." Reina spoke with controlled surprise. "We will have to choose carefully."
"I take it you have a few ideas?" James asked. Reina's shoulders relaxed as began solving some of the questions building within her.
"Yes, a Brotherhood recon unit will not risk their power armor. I know exactly who we can call on for this operation." Reina smiled at James, he appreciated her confidence even against an enemy that all raiders were trained to fear. He returned her grin with a small one of his own.
"Good, I'll defer to you. When we return to camp, you see to the relief force while I speak to Maya." Reina frowned.
"An order for the Covert Corps, sir?" she asked, furrowing her brow. New variables entered into the equation. James nodded grimly.
"I don't like the Brotherhood probing this far north. Doctrine states that such probes precede an important operation. I would like the corps to fan out and see if there are other signs of activity." James explained. "Ashur will have done the same, but you know how much I trust raiders." he spat. Reina noted how he hissed the word despite belonging the PItt's upper caste of raiders as well. She nodded in agreement.
"Yes, the reports from Ashur's corps are reliable if vague. Our people will be better suited to this task." She said diplomatically. She knew that this move would also enable James to observe if any other agents from Uptown were trying anything against Ashur. Satisfied with her calculations, Reina sighed with relief and consigned herself to enjoy the small pleasure of resting in a hot bath in the normally inhospitable Pitt.
James lifted the tarp with his left arm feeling a splash of warm air breathe against him as he entered the command tent. Inside, Reina and a group of men were huddled around a small map on an even smaller table. No doubt, they were discussing the terms of their assignment. Meanwhile, James strode through the busy common area and found Reina's younger twin sister. She turned immediately, as though predicting James arrival to the second. She nodded a greeting which James returned. Though not mute, Maya was remarkably reticent and only spoke when absolutely necessary. Those who knew her communicated only through eye contact and a sign language developed by James and the two sisters.
Mission? She signed, maneuvering her hands gracefully. James removed his gloves to respond.
"Yes," he spoke while he signed. "I want you to take the corps and canvas the area South of camp. Go as far as the Capital Wasteland if needed. Leave no rock unturned in your search. I want a written report from each member on my cot when you return."
Targets? She gave him a serious stare. Her hawklike gaze matched her sister's intensity.
"Nothing specific. Maybe Brotherhood, maybe raider. I was challenged today, that makes two this month. I want to know exactly who moves against us when Ashur declares this zone liberated." James looked around the tent. Reina had dismissed her men and caught James's gaze. He nodded to her. "Any other questions?"
Rally point? In emergency. Maya asked. The question troubled James. She knew the importance of the mission since Ashur had traveled to personally see the results of the mission.
"A, will be at the safe-keep south of camp. You know the one." Maya nodded, they had spent many days there during the campaign to clear a particular nasty trog hunt. "B, the safe-keep just outside of Haven. That is if camp is unsafe and we must make our stand there."
And C? James paused. He smiled, She's learned to be thorough. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he considered the possibilities.
"C will be any of the safe-keeps in the Capital Wasteland. Reveal the code phrase and you should be welcomed wherever you shelter." He frowned, unsure if he could still find a home in some of the locations of the Capital. It's been so long. He grimaced. "But this is in the case that the Pitt is no longer safe and cannot be entered without risk. The corps is more important than the camp. You know this. Should that scenario arise, you know where to take them." Maya nodded and waved her farewell salute. James returned it and allowed Maya to leave and prepare. She and Reina approached one another to hug each other farewell. James left to give them time to themselves.
Walking across the tent, he approached a man gazing out at the storm. He was shorter than James by a full head though his extremely muscled physique often caught people's attention first.
"Theodore, any updates?" James asked, joining the other man in his vigilant watch of the storm while the sun set.
"None, sir." the man replied. He turned to James. "The locals are starting to get settled but many still fear the Trogs. They think the fences offer too little security."
"That is no surprise," James mused, rubbing his chin. "The ones on watch were selected based on Duke's recommendation. Maybe I should remind him what happened when Krenshaw last challenged me." Theodore guffawed at the thought.
"That was a hell of a fight." Theodore chuckled. "Duke will never openly challenge you, sir. But I'll gladly champion you in the challenge and perhaps we can ensnare the rat then!" James nodded.
"Were it that easy, Theodore." James smiled. "However, we must digress. While the twins and I are gone, you must secure the camp. Prepare them accordingly, I want the camp ready to move at a moment's notice."
"Anticipating trouble or seeking it, sir?" Theodore watched James carefully, stroking the tips of the red mustache above his lips. James returned his companion's serious gaze.
"Unsure, I just want to be prepared."
"Very well, it will be done." James nodded. "I must see to the preparation. Good hunting, sir." Theodore bowed and turned away to work. James continued to watch the storm. Its winds felt harsher on this night.
Within the hour, each team began moving on their orders. James and Reina directed their team first. James was not well acquainted with Reina's candidates but he trusted her judgment. They were now making the arduous trek south towards Mt. Oliver. Using his Pip-Boy's map as a guide, James led the armed force out of the well-lit camp and towards the stormy darkness.
The desolate, endless ruins of zones outside of the Pitt made the task of rebuilding the city appear to be a hopeless dream. However, James could already see that beneath its surface the ruins, dilapidated as they were, certainly hid useful treasures that could be found and utilized to grow the Pitt. We need everything we can use to build the facilities needed to study the Trogs and cure them. James reminded himself as he studied the ruins. He looked back and saw Reina leading the troop behind, doing the same.
The team of eight waded through waist high snow and climbed over uncleared wreckage. James made mental notes of certain important landmarks that could be cleared later in future expansions. While the camp was the first expansion across the river, Ashur and James knew the camp only served as a beachhead for the eventual reclamation of the entire metropolitan area. It was ambitious but Ashur had James's confidence that they were taking the necessary steps. Still, it pained James to use slaves. He tried his best to convince Ashur towards abolishing the institution but to no avail. So instead, he relied on recruiting his own people from wanderers and refugees before slave patrols could impress them into a life of servitude. It's never enough. James sighed internally as he forced his tired body forward another step.
The team approached the ridge in the twilight hours of the night. The pitch dark night was slowly giving way to a warm gray. James panted before allowing himself to rest for a moment. He gazed back at his troop. It was a diverse bunch with mostly fighting age personnel. They were fit and well-disciplined but their demeanors betrayed their true fatigue. They need rest. James could not see Reina's eyes but her stance relayed the message to him even in this darkness.
"We'll shelter there. Move!" James bellowed, his hoarse voice woke the troop into action as they carefully sludged towards the empty building. The building turned out to be some kind of garage which was fortunate as it boasted adequate space and more for all eight people. Reina and Jammes forced the sliding door up and allowed all members to enter before the took their positions inside as well.
Lighting an electric handheld lantern, James watched as a bright yellow light crept through the dark room and illuminated its hidden details to him. None of the team had seated, they waited for his signal. He waved them to sit but only began to do so after James took his own seat on a rusted folding chair by the garage button.
"I will go and secure the interior." Reina spoke quickly, rushing towards the lone door opposite James's seated position. Two members rushed forward to follow. Good practice. They need to take initiative more often. James studied the movements of the troop and considered how he might incorporate them into a future briefing.
"Sir," a voice called James from his thoughts. He looked to its source and found a canteen being handed to him. No doubt it was filled with hot coffee. James nodded his thanks as he grasped it, swallowed a fair amount and passed it along. The figure that handed him the canteen sat near him but not next to him. "Sir, is it true that you were once a slave?"
"Not once, twice." James replied. The young man seemed not to notice James's tense reaction to the question.
"How is one enslaved twice?" the young man asked, clearly confused. The other members of the team attempted to mask their curiosity but they too now made small attempts to listen closer.
"Simple," James began. He reached into his satchel for a piece of molerat jerky. He bit a piece of it before continuing hoping to mask his discomfort with the action. "I was enslaved. Freed myself. Then enslaved again."
"And then you won your freedom?" the man asked. James wearily chewed another chunk of the jerky. It was stale and poorly made making it less of a comfort that dredging through his memories. James wiped his mouth on his sleeve. Images of the bloody conflict flashed through James's mind.
"Yes." he said quietly, and hoped that the questions would end. He was filled with emotion and things to say. He wanted to recount the horrible memories and bloody murder that he had engaged in. However, he struggled to find the right words to describe his experiences sufficiently. So while James endeavored to explain himself properly, the team only sat in awe of the stoic "warrior-leader" that the Pitt supposedly produced.
The questions ended when Reina returned. Every member on the team knew that she would allow no further inquiry on their leaders' past. For the moment, the mission was paramount and that meant sleep and rest was meant to be everyone's primary concern. Reina approached a guard position near the door. James leaned back into the folding chair and listened to the shrill winds outside using the sound to focus his senses and calm his troubled mind.
James rose to his feet with a low grunt and was surprised to see the ensemble follow. Though they were obviously still weary, there was not a single person in the room who would dare go against lead of their leader. James opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted by the icy groan of the garage door as it was hefted open by Reina and an assistant. It was time to move again.
The team left the shelter of their garage and were greeted by a light-gray morning. Dawn was coming but it did not bring warmth or a calmer storm with it. Instead, the travelers were buffeted by stronger winds as they cut their way through the snowy ruins.
Eventually, the team came to a halt as they arrived at the rally point. None of Ashur's men were present to greet the party. James eyed the surroundings carefully. Though it was an exposed pre-war park, there was no mistake about the coordinates sent by Ashur's personal messenger.
"This is where we meet Ashur's team." James shouted, his was hoarse from dehydration. We can't wait long. Where the hell is the old man? The team fanned out with some taking shelter by the icy trunks of long-dead trees. Others were led by Reina to secure the area