A/N: We're back! Wow, it was really strange to not post anything for a month. I ended up rewriting three chapters and a significant portion of 2 more (including this one). I think it's a lot better than my initial draft but I'll let you be the judge of that. It's been a while since I've given everyone a chapter so I won't waste your time with my usual rambling. Leave a review if you're so inclined and, as always, enjoy!
Chapter 57: The Start of Something Big
Eyes were on us as we approached the front of the bunker. It was impossible to tell where from, but the creeping in the back of my head was bugging me. I'd be disappointed if the Railroad wasn't on high alert.
As always, being the subject of that observation bothered me. I doubt it's something I'll ever be comfortable with. Not that it's a bad thing.
The door swung open in front of us with a gentle groan. Behind it was Glory, MacCready, and a second Railroad member. Their weapons were at the low ready. None of them took more than an instant to acknowledge us. Even with the patrols on watch, their eyes were on the forest.
MacCready's eyes may have been the most active, gaze jumping from point to point.
We didn't wait for an invitation. Able started forward and the rest of us followed. The entryway of the bunker was dark but, as soon as the door clicked shut, flood lights burst into life.
"Stop there", Glory said. She waved the other Railroad soldier, a younger man, forward. He began sweeping what looked like an extremely old-fashioned 'wand' style signal detector over Victor. Once the soldier finished he moved to Able, then me, then Jessica.
The man nodded to himself and tucked the piece of equipment back into his thick leather jacket. "Clear."
Both Glory and MacCready relaxed, lowering their weapons.
"Welcome back", the white-haired woman said.
Victor smiled. "I should be saying that to you. Don't know the details", he glanced at me, "but it seems like you had quite the mission. How's everyone?"
Glory's mouth opened and something that sounded like a word started to come out, but she stopped and grimaced.
"Oh…" Able said, jaw tight. "Who'd we lose?"
A brief moment of quiet met the question. Charlie had died when they blew the overpass and Chuck was hit in the firefight afterward. Even if I've never lost a teammate in combat, I've been around enough soldiers to know… it wasn't my place to say.
"Chuck and Charlie", Glory said eventually. Her voice was just as tight as Able's jaw. When she looked at me, it wasn't anger in her frown. I couldn't tell what it was. They were dead because of me, weren't they? It was my idea to attack Quincy. I'm the one who hadn't anticipated their potential countermeasures, I-
They agreed to the attack, hadn't they? We spent hours discussing that plan. They could have suggested the Gunners would wire the overpass.
But-
The people here are experienced and competent. If I'm going to work with them, I have to treat them like it.
...
Right.
Victor rubbed his face with both hands. "Damn. Goddammit." When he looked back up, his expression was pained. "Alright, so what's our next move?"
"C'mon", Glory said, waving us into the bunker's main room. "We need to talk about how we're gonna do this."
How we're gonna do this?
As we walked into the room, MacCready drifted back to stand beside me. He didn't have his jacket on, just a T-shirt. I could see a bandage wrap sticking out from beneath his right sleeve. The former mercenary was swinging the arm as he walked. That's a good sign.
Stimpaks… That's something I don't think I'll ever understand.
The room was relatively quiet. Only a few technicians are at their given station. Dez was standing beside the same table we'd planned the attack on Quincy at. Her eyes were fixed on me. Deacon and, oddly, Cass were with her.
"That was a mess", she said. As usual, her face was neutral. It doesn't help that I'm terrible at reading people under normal circumstances. The Railroad commander was unreadable to me. "Quincy, then the Brotherhood gets involved, and the Institute ambushes you three times. Don't tell me this is how operations you plan normally go."
That… might have been a joke?
"No ma'am", I shook my head, "the failure to account for outside interference is my fault. We understood the risk of the Brotherhood, but I didn't think about the Institute."
"And the overpass blowing up?"
"That also should have been identified in the planning stage." Despite my self-reprimand… I still should have expected it. That was a maneuver that took planning and a pragmatic attitude toward defense. I didn't give the Gunners the respect they deserved. It cost people their lives. Doesn't matter the rest of them did the same thing.
Dez grunted. "And yet, once all the players were on the board, you managed to keep everyone else alive and assist at Sanctuary." She sounded… impressed.
As encouraging as that was, I couldn't take the credit. "The others performed well on their own for most of the day."
"Yes", she replied, nodding, "but from the report I received, you displayed an impressive ability to adjust in the field. That's valuable. I can see why you were so confident about attacking us."
Again… I couldn't tell if that was a joke or not.
"... Yes ma'am."
A small smile slipped across her face. "Sorry, I wasn't insinuating anything, I genuinely mean it." The smile disappeared. "But we did lose people, Damon. Two very good people. And friends." I nodded. "What about the attack at Sanctuary?"
"14."
The Railroad commander sighed. "My condolences, even if they don't mean much. This was an interesting exercise." She leaned over the table and shook her head. The pieces for planning our attack on Quincy were still there. "Did you anticipate the Institute may be using their relay as a trick to get the Brotherhood to come after you?"
"Not until it happened. The strategies they employed were far more complex than anything they've used before. They're starting to use their logistical advantages." But… "Their tactics are still lacking."
"Which is something that will only last so long."
I nodded. "Agreed." Which is why you can't continue operating on your own.
"Right", Desdemona said, cocking an eyebrow at me. She pushed herself away from the table. "What's your read on the Brotherhood?"
Why is she asking me? I'm sure she has sources she trusts more…
"They're more tactically competent and the larger threat, but their resources are more limited."
Her eyes locked onto my visor. "And what's your assessment of us?"
Where's she going with this? "Highly skilled, sound tactics, but limited personnel, resources, and logistics." Her people were high-quality fighters with the skill and experience to improvise if need be. They live in the world of covert operations. If they didn't have those skills, they'd have been wiped out a long time ago. If she's concerned about my assessment of the Institute and the Brotherhood-
"Are you still considering the offer?"
"No." Dez shook her head. "After hearing the report, I don't need to consider it. We've already begun preparations to move people into settlements." She squinted at me. "You know what you're doing, at least when it comes to fighting. We'll make sure the Minutemen are prepared."
I exhaled slowly. That's one less thing to worry about. "Thanks."
"You're welcome." She turned to Able and Victor. "Where do you recommend we start?"
"Damon suggested quick reaction teams be trained or placed in their settlements", Able replied. "Judging by what we saw during the attack, that's a good first step."
"What does that entail?"
"Training and organization. They have defense infrastructure, but they need the training to use it better."
Glory stepped forward. "We have limited numbers to train with."
There that problem is again: limited numbers.
"How many personnel do you have trained in your ranks?" I asked.
"People I trust to operate in a QRT?" Glory shrugged. "50 or so."
"You need to distribute people to the settlements in the Minuteman network for coverage."
"We won't be able to maintain this position if we do", Dez said. "We have at least 15 people on patrol at all times."
Maybe that's the problem. This outfit is supposed to be a covert operation. So far, it's been effective, but they've already had one close call recently. Having a centralized command structure doesn't need to be tied to a central location. Maybe it's time to decentralize. It's a common tactic used by both insurrectionists and ONI field posts: if there's no central command to hit, it makes eliminating your target a lot harder.
"Integrate with the Minuteman network."
No one replied as every eye in the room fell on me. Even the people at their workstations turned to look.
"You… want us to abandon this post?" Glory asked slowly. "We won't have a base of operation."
Dez nodded. "That puts our non-combat personnel at risk." She paused, frowning. "But repeated trips here do too.
"Yes", I said. "If you integrate, you can dedicate your people to training the Minutemen instead of defending this bunker."
"Hmmm. We'll have to talk this one through." The Railroad leader turned to one of the people sitting at a workstation. "Oscar, I believe you wanted to greet your former student."
An older man with stark white hair and a well-kept beard stood from his terminal. Jessica's face lit up as he did; she raced toward him. "Oscar!"
"Able, Deac, Glory, get with Tom. We need to figure out how viable Damon's idea is." She turned back to me. "Would you be willing to provide some insight into how best to split our resources if we decide to go this route?" That was a given. I nodded. "Good. Is there anything else we should know?"
There was one other thing… Something I'm supposed to tell them to relay to Li… Something about Andrew-
"Yes. There's at least one mole in the Institute working for the Brotherhood. His name is 'Booker'."
Desdemona cocked an eyebrow. "Where did this intel come from?"
"Was it Andrew?" MacCready asked. I nodded.
"Andrew?"
"A Synth I recovered in Boston", I replied. "The Brotherhood was trying to capture him, the Institute was trying to take him back."
She was silent for a moment before nodding. "I'll pass it along."
With that, the others dispersed leaving MacCready, Cass, and me standing at the table.
"How's your hip doing?" MacCready asked. "I noticed you're limping pretty good."
"It will be sore for a while." I shrugged. "No major muscle or soft tissue damage." I motioned at his arm.
The former mercenary rubbed at his shoulder. "I should be good in a few days. Stimpaks and MedX."
"Damon", Cass interjected, "why do you think it would be a better idea to spread people out?"
Is she looking for a lesson on strategy?
"This place is too far from the Minutemen's primary settlements to maintain a supply chain without vehicles. Moving people in and out would give the Institute more opportunities to track it down. They probably already know its general location. It also means the Railroad can more readily use its combat-effective resources to train and defend those positions."
She squinted. "By resources… you mean people?"
I nodded.
"So you don't want the Railroad to have a main base?"
"In situations like this, where that central location is in the line of fire and doesn't have the fortification to deter attacks, decentralizing your personnel is smart. A lot of the people I used to fight did that. Made it a lot harder to hit them."
That usually involved waiting for a group of Insurrectionist leaders to meet. Getting intel like that was difficult since it was kept on the down low. If I killed one, the rest went to ground. Doing this gives us the same capability. A deterrent of its own.
"What kind of stuff did you do?" MacCready asked. He seemed a lot more comfortable around me now. Was it the attack on Quincy?
"Hunted down whoever my superiors wanted dead. Clearing out Insurrectionist cells. Intel and counter-intel."
Cass shot me a questioning look. "Where did all of this happen?"
Did I ever tell her? No… I don't think I did. When I first found them, I didn't want to reveal the truth to the Brotherhood. Then, during our time at the church, I never thought about it. Do I want to take the time to explain I'm from another universe and came here through unknown means and don't know if I have a way to get back?
Not like there's much else to do until the Railroad decides…
The explanation isn't exactly what I'd call 'sane'.
"It happened in another universe where humanity didn't blow itself to hell. An alternate universe."
Both Cass and MacCready stared at me, quiet. The former mercenary was frowning and Cass looked bewildered. There was a lot more to tell but… that probably wouldn't help anything.
"Yeah so", MacCready started, "Preston told me all about the 'alternate universe' or 'multiverse' stuff. Gotta be honest, it sounds like bullshit."
Be that as it may… "It's the truth."
"That doesn't make sense", Cass finally managed. "What the heck is an 'alternate universe'? How did you end up here?"
MacCready shrugged. "From what Sturges tried to explain, alternate universes are different possibilities. That means Damon's from one that didn't press the big red button."
Someone else tried to push the button for us.
The teenager looked at me. "Is that true?"
"As far as I understand."
"Oh… so, the earth in your universe wasn't destroyed?"
I nodded.
"I… guess that explains why you're like this", she waved at me. "Are all the soldiers in your universe the same way?"
"No", I shook my head. "Most are normal."
"Ah", the teenager said, rubbing her eyes and yawning. "Well, it's late. I think I'm gonna get some sleep. Glad you made it back." Cass didn't wait for a reply. She turned and marched toward the back of the bunker.
It was… a strange response. Hadn't she been concerned about everyone getting back safe a few minutes ago?
As she walked away, MacCready chuckled. "Yeah, I think that's about right." He grinned up at me. "Your story isn't something most not-crazy people would buy."
You only know part of it…
His smile faded and his expression grew serious once again.
"Look, Damon, I gotta say… I'm sorry." He cleared his throat. "I thought you were dangerous when we first met. I didn't believe the folks at Sanctuary when they told me you're on our side. I should have." A small piece of the smile returned as the corner of his mouth pulled up. "Now I know you're dangerous. You're just dangerous to everyone else."
It was a true enough statement. "I was an unknown. You were being cautious."
"That I was. Still, thank you for getting us out alive, and thanks for heading back to Sanctuary to help them." He held up a hand to stop my response. "I know, you didn't do that for me, but it's still become my home… for now, at least."
That reminded me, he was looking for something. He needed help with his kid.
"Have you asked about Curie?"
The former mercenary shook his head. "Haven't had the chance."
Desdemona and Deacon were nowhere to be seen and most of the others were asleep. I've had four hours of shut-eye in the last 48. I could use more.
"We'll ask in the morning."
He nodded. "Sounds good to me."
While MacCready headed toward the back, to the same door Cass had disappeared through, I found myself alone in the bunker's large main room save two people at stations. They were probably on night watch.
The corner behind their dining tables seemed as good a spot as any to catch some sleep. The next few days would be interesting between trying to integrate the Railroad and heading back to Boston. A little sleep would go a long way here.
Marching toward my chosen spot, I pulled the McMillan from my back and set it beside me. I probably wouldn't need to use it, but better to have it ready. I need to ask about ammo for the MK18. It's almost out and I've grown used to the rifle. It's a powerful, reliable weapon that's good at any range. The problem is it uses an uncommon cartridge. Not a good thing when you're in a post-apocalyptic hellhole.
I leaned against the wall and laid my head back. One good thing came out of the last few days: the Institute showed a few more of its cards. Yes, their new tactics would be difficult to deal with, but knowing them means I can prepare for them. The question is will we have the time to get everyone else ready?
My eyes drifted shut and I felt the exhaustion of the last few days wash over me. No, it isn't just the last few days. This is a fatigue that's been building for a while now. Moving non-stop for… almost four months now, minimal sleep and no support are starting to get to me.
It's been four months since I woke up by Concord? Four months. That's… a long time.
Feels like a lifetime. So much has changed since then. I've changed since then.
Sleep began dimming the edges of my awareness, the sounds of the world around me pulling away.
Yeah, I've changed a lot. I think I can say it's for the better.
Approaching footsteps jerked me from my sleep. Why would someone-
My HUD read 0300. I'd been asleep for almost six hours.
Wow… I guess I am starting to feel it.
Once I pulled my head away from the wall, I saw Cassandra slowly backing away. She was picking her feet up and setting them down with a care that usually came from trying to move unnoticed.
"I'm already awake", I said. She froze.
"Sorry, I wasn't trying to wake you up. I- it's hard to tell when you're asleep." The girl sounded embarrassed.
"It's fine. Is there something I can do?"
She shook her head. "No, I was just thinking about a few things."
I'm already awake… "Such as?"
Cass hesitated, glancing around the large room like she was afraid she might disturb someone else. The two Railroad members who had been on watch when I went to sleep were still at their stations. It was a little long for a guard rotation. Is that because they're organizing a move? Or is that normal for them?
Eventually, Cassandra made her decision and started forward. She pulled a chair away from the table and sat in front of me.
"After you saved us from the Supermutants, you said something like what happened to us happened to you."
That's what she wanted to talk about? Why?
I nodded. "There was a-" my story was already crazy enough. Am I supposed to tell her about the War?
Is she going to think I'm lying?
… Probably not.
"There was a group called the Covenant. Aliens. They were trying to kill us."
"Aliens?" Cass asked slowly, as though she wasn't sure she'd heard right. I nodded again. "Were they trying to kill you? Who's 'us'?"
Humanity. Do I need to sound any crazier?
I'm already here. And it seems like she believes me…
"Humans. I don't have the whole story, but they wanted us dead."
Cass hesitated for a few heartbeats, finger tapping against the side of her chair. She was watching me with an unblinking intensity I'd only seen from her a few times.
"So the Covenant attacked your home when you were young", she said. "Did you… lose anyone?" The way she asked, it was like the words weren't sure they wanted to be heard
It was like the words weren't sure they wanted to be heard. She knows. She's gone through it twice now. Now that- huh. Now that I've remembered it, that I think about it, it's getting harder and harder to talk about. The images, the sounds, the smells, the fear. None of that has changed. The emotions attached to them. It's like the longer I think about the attack, the more it hurts.
Hurts?
I don't know if it hurts because of what I saw and what happened, or that I wasn't able to do anything to stop it. That I wasn't what I am now.
... I think it's the second one. Does that make me a bad person? That I might be more upset I wasn't able to fight back then than I am the Covenant killed almost everyone I knew? That I wasn't able to kill them?
"If you don't-" Cass started, but I shook my head.
"Don't worry about it. Yeah. They attacked my home when I was five. They killed…"
"Everyone", she finished quietly.
"Yeah", I nodded.
Just like Nate, she didn't say 'I'm sorry', didn't try to offer me condolences and encouragement. Quiet understanding. She offered a quiet understanding.
"You said most soldiers where you're from are 'normal'. What does that make you?"
She was asking a lot of questions. I guess, if there's one person in this hellhole I owe answers to, it's her.
"I'm part of what's called the SPARTAN program. It was meant to create supersoldiers to fight the Covenant." At least that's what they told us. I found out not to trust ONI's bullshit a long time ago. "I joined-" the conversation with Nate, the first one after he found out about me back in Diamond City, flashed through my mind. Conscripted. Had I been conscripted? I volunteered to join, but I was five.
It was still my decision.
"I joined after the attack. I needed to get back at the Covenant." That wasn't true, not completely. Be honest.
"No…" I shook my head again. "That isn't true. I wasn't only angry at the Covenant. I was angry I couldn't do anything. I think I've been trying to find a way to make up for that."
Cassandra nodded. "I get that." Her voice was barely a whisper. "Is that why you decided to protect us?"
My mind brought up images of Julian receding as I fell from the Vertibird. How I felt afterward. The opportunity I'd lost.
"Probably."
There was no response, not immediately, anyway. Something was going through the teenager's head.
"So, if you joined when you were five… how old are you now?"
"19. 20." I shrugged. "I don't remember."
The withdrawn, blank expression gave way to wide-eyed surprise. "You're only five years older than me?"
Is she 15? "I guess…"
"Wow. You just- you seem so much more experienced."
That got me to smile. "I've been active for almost a decade. Trained for just as long before that."
"Huh. And that's why you said you didn't want us around the Brotherhood."
"Yes."
Cass frowned. Her mouth opened for a moment before drifting shut again like she wasn't sure what to say. Is it that strange? I guess I hadn't thought about it like this. I hadn't put why I wanted to protect them into words. It just felt like...
The right thing to do
"Can I ask you something else?" she said quietly. I nodded again. "Back when we were talking in Diamond city, before- before the Brotherhood tried to take us, you said you'd do everything you could to keep us safe." Was she- "I'm not", she continued before I could ask, "blaming you for what happened, I know you did everything you could. I talked to Deacon yesterday. He told me what you told him, about why you didn't attack the Railroad back at the church. Did you only do that because you thought it would hurt us?"
"I did."
It wasn't the best reason, but it's the reason I have.
"So…" she trailed off, a deep frown forming as she closed her mouth. It was probably uncomfortable, knowing how close I'd come to carrying out Shaun's orders, and that she and Tommy were the only reason I didn't.
"So if we hadn't been there, you would have gone through with it?"
Even then it felt wrong but... "Probably."
Cass fidgeted with her hands, still refusing to meet my gaze. "Are we still the only thing keeping you from doing it?"
"No."
She let out a long, deep breath. "What changed?"
"I'm still figuring that out. The best I can give you is there are people here I want to keep safe. I think they're good people."
"If that's the case", she said, finally looking at me, "what are the three of us to you now?"
That is a complicated question.
"Friends. Like I said before: you're people I care about. We went through something very similar. That's why I can't let what happened to me afterward happen to you."
"Which is why you don't want me to fight?" she asked. There was a note of accusation in her voice.
Is that the impression I gave her?
"I don't have a problem with you fighting", I replied, shaking my head. "It's... complicated. I don't think fighting is bad. I'm still trying to figure out the right reason to do it."
Her frown turned thoughtful but she didn't respond. Silence fell back over the bunker, only interrupted by an occasional key tap from one of the Railroad members. I didn't doubt they could hear everything we were saying, but they gave us our privacy.
I wonder what it's like for them to hear Cass and Tommy were the only thing standing between them and me.
After a few minutes, Cass stood from her chair and pushed it back to the table. I guess she got what she-
Instead of walking toward the sleeping quarters, she came over and sat say beside me, staring intently at the opposite wall.
"And Julian? The reason you don't want him with the Brotherhood, besides them being your enemy, is you think they'll turn him into you?"
"I don't think the Brotherhood has a SPARTAN program." She shot me a glare. "But yes, I don't want them turning him into me. I didn't want that for any of you."
She nodded. "Do you know that's what's happening?"
"Yes", I said through a deep exhale, "one of their Scribes is with us now. She told me about them training him. She's back with the Brotherhood and she's going to help me get him out."
There was another brief pause as Cass struggled with something. It probably wasn't the news she wanted to hear. "Do you think-" her voice broke and, when she looked up at me, there was a thin sheen of tears over her eyes, "do you think you can get him back? That if you get him back he'll be alright?"
Dammit… I wanted to say 'yes', that once I got him away from Maxson, and I will, he'd be alright.
But I couldn't. Brainwashing, especially if you want to believe it, is incredibly effective. Like Deacon said in the Vault: fear and hate go hand in hand. Cults like the Brotherhood run on both. At least under the leadership of someone like Maxson.
Maybe I'm the best person to get him out of the Brotherhood, but I don't think I'm the right person to help fix what they've done to him. I'm still trying to figure that out for myself.
"Nothing will stop me from getting him back", I replied. "I think what happens after that… will be up to you."
Cass closed her eyes for a handful of heartbeats taking slow, steadying breaths. When she opened them again, the glassy film was gone. "You mean it's my job to help him once you get him back." I nodded. "Do you think I can?"
There were no certainties here, but I think she's the right person to try. "The three of you already helped me." I shrugged. "You know him better than anyone else. I'll be there to do whatever you need me to."
She smiled. "And you say all you're good for is fighting." Cass leaned over and rested against my arm. "You're a big softie."
Really… "Tell that to the Gunners in Quincy."
"Yeah", she snorted. "Maybe I should say 'you're a big softie to people you like'."
While I still wasn't sure that was the truth, it wasn't worth an argument. If she thinks that… "Fair enough."
"So what about Nate? I heard he's back."
I nodded. "He is."
Cass let out a short chuckle. "Don't sound so excited." She pulled her head away from my arm and looked up at me again. "You don't trust him anymore."
That wasn't a question, but I still nodded again. "I can't. Letting my guard down almost got me killed."
"You let your guard down around other people like me, don't you?"
Yes… There was one pretty big difference. "You didn't try to kill me."
"He didn't before the church." She frowned. "Do you think he's going to do it again?"
"Not sure. Not going to give him the chance."
"Huh." The teenage girl leaned back into my arm. "Maybe I'm not the right person to say this but the Railroad gave you another chance. If he came back, he probably did it knowing you'd be upset. Maybe you should give him another chance too."
"Really…"
She nodded, her hair rubbing against the titanium plate over my bicep. "Yep."
She makes it sound so simple.
What would giving him a second chance look like? What reason do I have to do it?
If only I didn't already know the answer, at least to the second question. Nate has experience. When we first started from Sanctuary what seems like a lifetime ago, he was rusty. I wouldn't go so far as to say he's top-notch, but the man is smart, keeps a cool head so long as he doesn't have an episode, and is a sound fighter. Not only would he be an effective trainer, but a competent strategist, especially for conventional operations. He would give the Minutemen an experienced warfighter and allow me to do what I do best.
It would be so much easier if giving him a second chance didn't make so much goddamn sense.
"Is there a reason you think I should?"
"I liked him." Cass turned her head to meet my gaze again. "He cared about us. And I think you want to give him a second chance."
Oh? "How would you know?"
She shrugged. "Because you liked him too."
I sighed and leaned my head against the wall. "Go back to sleep."
"Yeah", she said laughing softly, "right."
A few moments later her breathing slowed as she drifted off.
Do I want to give Nate a second chance? For the umpteenth time, I wished I wasn't so awful at reading people. If I wasn't I might be able to figure out what the ex-soldier's motives are. As it stands, I don't know enough to say either way. All I know is he's in Sanctuary, he's claiming he wants to change the Institute…
And he's smart enough to play me.
Is that why? Am I angry he got the better of me? Even if, from his story, he hadn't meant for the ambush to happen?
It isn't completely outlandish to think that. I don't like losing. Ever. At anything. If what he said in the hospital is true, it was Shaun who played us both. He just used Nate to get the drop on me.
The guarantee that isn't what's happening now? Jessica being here, and Li approving of it. Everything in front of me is saying Nate's telling the truth. Everything is saying he's working with the splinter cell in the Institute to extract Synths and, in the long run, change the Institute from the inside out. The evidence is saying I should give him a second chance.
But he betrayed me.
After traveling together for almost two months nonstop. After he started asking questions, digging into my past, pushing me to question things myself.
After he pushed me to change, he was the one who turned his back on me when I finally made a decision for myself.
And that hurt.
Yes, I'm letting emotions get in the way of my decision-making. That's why I asked Perkins to talk with him. All the same, I'm the one who's going to have to make a decision. Preston and the rest of the Minutemen won't be able to work with him if I refuse to.
Sounds like this is a pretty easy decision then. If Perkins thinks he's trustworthy, I agree to let him help. With conditions.
And I'm going to make my decision on her assessment alone?
If I don't trust her enough to make that call, I shouldn't have asked her to do it.
That's difficult to argue with.
I let my eyes drift shut and my breath deepen. Sleep wasn't going to happen again, but I could use a little more rest. This might be the last time in a while I can do it in relative safety.
"Because you liked him too."
Yes, I'd be lying if I said I didn't. Nate was… the first person I would have called a friend. Since the attack at least.
And that's why it hurt.
But it would also be a lie to say part of me, a large part of me, didn't want him to be telling the truth.
An even larger part of me was saying I couldn't trust him. How would he be able to win that trust back? I don't know. Maybe it's just one of those things where, if it happens, I'll know it when I see it.
X
Cass yawned as she awoke, stretching her arms overhead before rubbing her left shoulder and grimacing.
"You make a horrible pillow."
That sounds like her problem. "You leaned on me."
"Uh-huh."
The bunker's main room was beginning to fill with Railroad members again. A few cast curious glances in our direction while Cassandra was still asleep, but they kept to themselves for the most part.
"Damon", I heard Deacon's voice call from the entrance to their sleeping quarters. The operative was, as usual, wearing his dark-tinted sunglasses. "Got a few minutes?"
"For what?" I asked as I climbed to my feet.
"Well, I think we've agreed to your idea, we just need some input on where to place our static elements."
They've agreed to integrate with the Minutemen? That… was a quick decision.
The easy answer for that would be the Vault above Sanctuary. If an answer is that obvious, it usually means it's the wrong answer.
"What kind of input?"
He stopped in front of me, sparing a glance down at Cass who was still leaning against the wall. "My first thought was the Vault which I'm guessing was also your first thought. That means, once the Institute figures out we've moved again, it'll be their first thought."
The question he was going to ask is if that matters. The Vault is such an incredibly defensible position, with a few modifications it could be the perfect place to put their research and development and analytics people. Sometimes the best way to keep people safe isn't the physical defenses around them, it's the deterrent that protection provides. Breaching the Vault would be near impossible and, if we place jammers in it with contingencies for the Institute finding a way around that defense, the Institute would really have to want to attack it to risk that fight.
Even then, if we set it up right, it wouldn't matter.
If an answer is that obvious, it usually means it's the wrong answer. Usually.
"It's the best option we have. If possible, we need to establish a secondary escape route. Stock it with food and supplies for several months, place jammers in it, and fortify it against potential intrusions." The people at Sanctuary had already started stocking supplies in the bunker. "What timeline are you working on? This needs to happen as soon as possible."
Deacon nodded. "I agree. We're gonna have this place empty within the week."
That seems reasonable. "Do you have a distribution plan for your people yet?"
"We were wanting to get your input on that as well." He motioned for me to follow. I looked down at Cass who looked like she still wanted to be asleep.
"Don't look at me, I don't have anything for that."
The Railroad agent led me to the table we'd used to plan the attack on Quincy. He began clearing it off as Desdemona, Able, Glory, and MacCready entered the room.
"Good", Dez said as she stepped over and set a coffee mug on the table. "I'm sure Deacon already told you we're following your recommendation." I nodded. "Saves me some time. We need to figure out where we're sending people. Last count, we have 53 fighters who can act as support in case of an attack and 8 trainers."
MacCready nodded. "There are 13 settlements we work with and another 10 or 15 we have close ties to. Most of them are smaller than 30 people, but a few, including Sanctuary and our farming community to the north of here, are between 70 and 100."
Wow, were Sanctuary and the Finches' land that big?
And did I just think of 'between 70 and 100' big?
It's all about perspective.
23 to 28 settlements, 8 trainers, and 53 combatants. Those aren't good numbers.
"Do you have an area map?" I asked.
"If you'd give me a sec", Deacon replied as he pulled something from under the table. He unrolled a large map and set it down. "Where are all of the settlements?"
MacCready began pointing at positions on the map and Deacon placed a marker in each location. Most of them were northwest of Boston. A few, including the farms, were almost directly north of it. That makes sense, they would have tried to maintain contact with the settlements closest to Sanctuary. Each of them was within a few hours' walk. That makes things a little easier, but still not good.
"That's too many for us to cover at once", Glory said.
Able nodded. "We're gonna have to prioritize." He looked up at me. "Sanctuary should be the first to receive training, correct?"
"Yes. Them and the farms", I pointed at the marker indicating that location.
'A few minutes' turned into two and a half hours of discussion. We moved from one scenario to another, determining who gets what resources, for how long, and where to move them next. It was more logistics that I wasn't well suited for, but I did know the area and static defense measures.
The trainers would be split into two teams. The first two settlements, Sanctuary, and the Farmlands, would get two weeks with them. Not only would they be organizing and training quick reaction teams for those locations, they'd be designating trainers from those two who would become two more teams. Those trainers wouldn't be as effective, but they could learn the basics. That's not ideal but it's a start. The trainers would do that at each location they worked with which means, in a perfect world, each of the 28 settlements would have a functional defense force in a little over a month and a half.
'Functional', not 'good'.
Sometimes 'functional' is enough though.
In addition, there would be several other teams moving from settlement to settlement helping establish static defenses similar to Sanctuary's. Those could be more flexible. Sanctuary had people it could send to other settlements to speed that process up too.
As for the 53 Railroad members who would be filling in for QRTs, the 2 largest settlements, Sanctuary and the Farmland, would each get 10. The other 33 would be split between the settlements we decided would be the highest risk for Raider attack.
Two things were working for us here: first, the Brotherhood is still trying to maintain a non-violent relationship with the settlers in the area. That means, unless something major happens, we don't need to worry about settlements coming under attack from them. Yet. Second, with the Brotherhood's ability to track teleportations from the Institute, they can't perform large troop movements easily.
The Railroad had other resources as well, but most of those were field assets. Recon. Everyone agreed the Vault would be the best place to put any high-value resources like Tom, his R&D team, and their analytics people. Desdemona would also be staying there, something I insisted on despite her protests.
"They'll figure out the Railroad integrated eventually", I said. "When they do, they'll be looking for you."
"They've been looking for me for years, Damon", she retorted.
"Things have changed and you know it. The less exposed you are, the better. It's my job to eliminate HVTs. I know what I'm talking about when I say they'll take any opportunity they get to kill you, even if they lose the unit that does it."
Deacon cleared his throat. "I know you don't like it Dez but he's got a point. We need to keep as many people as we can safe until we get things situated. We're expanding operations and it'll take time."
"Yes", the Railroad leader said, "I know."
The agent smiled. "Good."
All things considered, it wasn't a bad plan. It would get the Minutemen network better established and defended relatively quickly.
And my favorite part is it would let me get back in the field. Part of the plan, part I may have suggested, is I would draw attention away from the Minutemen, at least for now, while they prepared.
That means it was time to do what I do best: cause hell for the enemy.
I'd leave in four days, once the Railroad have their non-combatants safe in the Vault. By then the forces they're allocating to Sanctuary would have their defenses prepared for another attack.
My primary targets would be the Institute and Brotherhood. They weren't the only ones though. While I wouldn't be attacking them, Diamond City and Goodneighbor were major players. As Valentine and I discussed, we need to be aware of them. Part of drawing attention away from the Minutemen is to be visible.
The last time I was in Diamond City, I killed almost a dozen Brotherhood soldiers and shot down a Vertibird. The last time I was in Goodneighbor I- well I didn't blow their market up, but I was involved in the fight. I've been banned from both places, but things have changed drastically since then.
It's time to pay them a visit.
Staying visible wasn't the only goal. Yes, it would give the Minutemen breathing room, but it's also to begin dismantling Brotherhood and Institute operations. They see me, they come after me, and it gives me the chance to hit them.
That's the idea, anyway.
Hopefully, by the time they figure out what's happening, the Minutemen will be prepared for whatever happens next.
"How long do you think you can give us?" Deacon asked as the discussion began drawing to a close.
I shrugged. "It depends on whether the Brotherhood diverts resources from whatever threat they're dealing with."
"And you think that's the Raiders moving in from the north?"
"Probably", I nodded. "I'm not aware of anything else. The Institute will be the largest unknown."
"Which is why you want us to put pressure on them by taking as many Synths as possible?" Glory interjected.
It would put a massive strain on both their recovery teams and the splinter cell, but I don't have a way to hit them directly yet. We need to sort that out before the Institute gets wise to what's going on.
There was one other benefit. "Yes. Getting more supplies will also help."
Dez nodded. "Right, and this list you gave me. High-powered rifles, plastic explosives, motion sensors, night vision goggles-"
"Basic equipment for static defense."
She cocked an eyebrow. "Basic?"
Yes. Basic. "Low light visibility, perimeter defenses, and hard-hitting weapons. It's a good starting point." Basic principles of defense: slow the attackers down, pick off as many as you can as quickly as possible. Night combat has been essential to war since humanity first learned what it was.
"We'll figure it out", Deacon said. "Is there anything else?"
The Railroad had their plan. Logistics still needed to be sorted, but unless they need advice on physical resource movement and defense, I'm no help there. The Minutemen have their trainers, Sanctuary is working on defenses, and we would (hopefully) have higher-quality equipment to work with. That's to say nothing of the added expertise from the Synths we'd be recovering.
"Do you have any more ammunition for these?" I motioned to the McMillan and hefted the MK18. No telling how long I'd be in the field. None of my supply dumps have 12.7mm or magnum rounds for the combat rifle.
"I know we have more of the .50…" Glory said slowly, "I'll have to look, that's .300 Winmag?" I nodded. "After we're done here we'll look around."
"One other thing; do you know where Curie is?" I glanced at MacCready.
The Railroad soldier nodded. "She's at one of our safehouses to the west, still working on her medicines. Why?"
It was a sensitive subject. The former mercenary's determination to help his kid was one of the few things I could truly appreciate. That being said, it wasn't my place to say.
The others at the table followed my gaze to the former mercenary. He shifted uncomfortably as they did and cleared his throat.
"My son- he- '' His voice caught and he cleared his throat again. "The whole reason I came to the Commonwealth was to find some way to save him. He's sick and I don't know why. No one there could find a cure and this was the next closest populated area."
Everyone at the table seemed to understand that. If I've learned one thing about the people here, it's that loss is a constant.
"The worst you can do is ask", Desdemona said as she turned to Able. "Can Victor take him?"
The tall, lanky man nodded. "Yeah. He and Fiona know where it is. Should be a four-day turnaround at the most."
MacCready blinked. "Wait- just like that?"
"Sure", Able replied with a nod. "It's your kid we're talking about. Curie's helped us out some, but we did fine without her."
"I just…" the man trailed off, eyes switching from person to person around the table. "You're gonna help me with this? We've only known each other for a few days."
Glory slapped him on the back hard enough the former mercenary flinched. "A few gunfights are a great way to get to know each other. Plus, we're all on the same side. Minutemen and Railroad. Apparently." She looked at me. "Ain't that right, tin man?"
That's the idea. I nodded.
There wasn't anything else I wanted to bring up. We have a course of action and I have my next objective. The Minutemen will be without me for a while, but I'll only be a few hours away if need be. They'll have training and support which is more than they had during the attack on Sanctuary.
If only I didn't have one other question hanging over my head.
"He cared about us. And I think you want to give him a second chance too."
That's a personal matter I'll take care of when I get back to Sanctuary. Yes, Nate could be a valuable asset but I can't count on that now. If he can be used, it's a boon, if he can't it isn't a loss.
"We all have our jobs", Dez said, "let's get to it people."
Glory waved me toward the back as everyone dispersed.
"Shook things up a bit, huh", she asked as we entered their armory.
"That isn't uncommon."
"You shaking things up."
"Yes", I nodded. "Usually involves more violence."
A smile split the white-haired woman's face. "Was that a joke?"
"I said it jokingly."
She laughed. "So it's true, but you were being sarcastic about it."
"Yes."
"Well", she said as she began sorting through the ammo crates they had stacked in the far corner, "I'm glad you did it non-violently this time."
That was a joke too, but it sounded like she meant it.
"Ah. You're in luck." Glory pulled a case from the floor and undid the latch. It swung open to reveal ammo stacked to the top. "Hundred rounds. Looks like we have five of them." She looked up at me. "This gonna be enough?"
It was harder to tell whether that one was serious or not. "Probably not, but it works for now."
Five hundred rounds of ammunition was too much to carry with me, but it's good to know I'll have reserves.
"We don't got anything that uses it", she held out the steel container. "All yours."
I took two of the boxes and nodded. "Thanks."
She pointed to another box. "I'm not picking that up. .50 cal. 75 more rounds. Thank me by putting it into the right people."
"That's what I do."
"Now", she said. I cocked my head. "It's what you do now."
Ah. I nodded again.
Ammo in hand, I marched back into the bunker's large main room. It was staffed by its regular contingent by this point in the morning. Cass was sitting at one of the tables, her rifle out once again. She was disassembling and cleaning the weapon. That didn't catch my attention, what did was she'd changed. Now she was wearing fatigues, a MOLLE vest under her jacket, and combat boots with a large satchel on the ground beside her.
She watched as I set the two boxes on the table and retrieved the same steel box I'd used the last time.
It wasn't until I'd sat down and pulled the depleted magazines for my MK18 from my satchel when she finally broke her silence.
"Can I ask a favor?" I motioned for her to continue as I started recharging the half dozen mags. "I want to come with you."
"Where?"
"Sanctuary. Diamond City. Wherever you go next."
My hands stopped as I met her gaze. Her eyes were firm and unblinking. Unlike last time, her hands were still.
"Why?"
"Last time… You said I can do other things besides fight to help people." She frowned. "I think you meant that but- you're gonna be fighting the Brotherhood, right?" I nodded. "The Brotherhood has Julian. Maybe you think you owe us because of what happened in Diamond City, but- but I was supposed to take care of them. I promised the two of them I'd never let anything happen." Her eyes dropped to her hands. They were still resting calmly beside her disassembled rifle. "Maybe I care about other people in the Railroad. Maybe I'll end up caring about people in the Minutemen. Right now though- right now Julian is the one I care about." When she met my gaze again, her eyes were both pleading and determined. Her jaw was set but she looked relaxed. "I can't see how staying in Sanctuary or one of the other settlements farming will help him."
Guilt. She feels guilty she couldn't do anything. It's the same thing I've been chasing for the last decade and a half. The difference is she can do something about it.
Footsteps from my right caught my attention as they approached. I turned to see MacCready walking toward us. He sat opposite Cass.
"Could you-" I started, but the teenage girl cut me off.
"I talked with Mack yesterday. It's okay."
Was she thinking about this last night? I set the magazine I was recharging down and turned back to Cassandra. She was determined, I could have seen that if I was blind. This seems like something she's thought about a lot since our last conversation.
Unfortunately, determination doesn't mean much to a bullet. Or laser bolt. What I'm going to be doing is isolated, high risk, and a lot of non-stop moving. In essence, I'll be doing what I did for most of my career. It's a role designed for a SPARTAN.
Could I find a use for her? Yes. But it could also compromise me.
"Do you understand what you're asking?"
She nodded. "I understand there's a lot about what you do that I don't know. I'm not asking to be with you when you're fighting them. Not all the time, at least. All I'm asking is to come along. I'll do anything you need me to, even if that's just carrying extra supplies."
There's more to it than that. The only constant in covert operations is the unexpected will happen. If she gets caught in an ambush, an attack by Vertibirds, or any number of other scenarios, it could make the situation infinitely more dangerous for both of us. Operating alone, while not always ideal, is something I'm used to. I know how to make it work.
However… traveling with regular people, people who know how to interact with strangers in ways other than violence, can be useful.
It would be easy to say 'no', to keep her in one of the settlements and take someone else. She'd be safer.
But would it be right? I'd be ignoring what Cass wants in favor of what I do.
If I put that aside, it goes back to the risk/reward equation. I know the risks, does bringing her with me make sense from the 'reward' side?
"What does Tommy think?"
She smiled. It didn't reach her eyes. "He's been spending a lot more time with Tinker Tom than me. I told him I'm going to help you find Julian."
I took a deep breath. 'No'. What I want to say is 'no'.
Begrudging her this would be hypocritical though. I'll have to change how I operate, but that was going to happen regardless since I'd have ended up bringing someone anyway. The only difference is that it would have been someone else and this is Cass.
"Yes", I said as I picked the magazine back up and resumed charging it. "We'll need to establish rules." That couldn't happen until I decide who else will be coming. If the only intent was to raise hell with the Brotherhood and Institute, I would be doing this alone, but it isn't. It's also to establish relations, or at least open them, with the larger settlements. While Cass is competent for her age, she isn't up to that task.
Instead of lighting up, which I expected, Cassandra offered a curt nod and began reassembling her rifle.
Good.
"So where are we going first?" she asked.
"Sanctuary. We need a few others." I picked up the second magazine.
She looked up from her rifle. "Why?"
"I'm trying to hurt the Institute and Brotherhood, not start a war with Diamond City or Goodneighbor."
"Does that mean you want to get their help?" Oddly enough, Cass said that as though the idea was repulsive.
Diamond City did play a role in the ambush.
"It's better than fighting them."
MacCready shifted for the first time since sitting. "Do you think it's a good idea for you to show up there? The Brotherhood will know if you do."
"Not at first", I shook my head. "We need to determine their current alignment. Haylen said they weren't on friendly terms with the Brotherhood so it may be doable. I'm more interested in Goodneighbor."
The Scribe had made it sound like the other settlement was more antagonistic with the cult. That made sense considering their mayor was a ghoul, which the Brotherhood don't like, as well as a significant portion of their population. Knowing how Maxson, and people like him, operate, they probably gave Goodneighbor an ultimatum.
If I know anything Goodneighbor, they chose the hard side of that ultimatum.
"Yeah…" MacCready said slowly, "that makes sense. I doubt they like each other very much. Oil and water."
I nodded and the other two fell silent. My mind kept running through the possible names, people who might be best suited to help. Deacon was one of them; the man was an experienced operative, calm under pressure, and trustworthy. Problem there is he's also one of the Railroad, and now Minutemen's, most important field assets. Preston already has enough on his plate. Sturges, even though people in Sanctuary like him, works with machines better than people. Alex… is Alex.
There isn't a very long list of candidates to choose from. Maybe someone back at the settlement will have a suggestion, but I don't want to pull anyone from the Railroad. Their resources are already stressed and will be until the Minutemen are re-established.
As I finished packing the fifth magazine, I slipped them into their pouches and closed the ammo box. Cassandra had finished reassembling her rifle and MacCready hadn't said anything for several minutes. It was close to 0390.
About time to get moving.
"Do you know when you're leaving?" I asked the former mercenary.
He nodded. "Victor and Fiona are ready to go whenever. They're waiting on you to head out first."
"We should leave then." I stood. The steel box, still mostly full of ammo, almost didn't fit in my satchel. The box of 12.7mm didn't. I clipped it to my belt. It wasn't going to be quiet, but it would work for now.
"Sounds good", Cassandra said, following suit.
MacCready hesitated, eye drifting to the teenager. "Hey Cass, can we have a sec?" She looked from him to me and back before nodding. "Thanks."
He wants to talk with me? About?
"Can I ask you something?" I cocked my head at him but motioned for the man to continue. "Why did you agree to help? I mean past this being for my kid. It ain't hard to feel sorry for a sick kid."
"Do I need another reason?"
He hesitated again. "... Most people, I'd say no. I don't mean to insult you, but you seem like the kinda guy who needs a reason for just about anything."
Telling someone 'no offense' and then proceeding to insult them doesn't make it not insulting… That being said he is right, in part.
"My parents died trying to protect me." I shrugged. "No point in you doing the same."
"They-" MacCready began before he stopped himself. His eyes dropped to his hands, clasped on the table in front of him. They were trembling.
"Did it work? Did they protect you?"
That seemed like an odd question. How was it relevant to the current situation?
"If they hadn't fought I probably would have died. So yes."
"Do you ever resent them for not being there for you?"
Do I- what? That's… something I've never thought about. Do I resent my parents for not being around for me? I don't know if I can even begin to answer that question. So many things in my life- no that doesn't do it justice. My entire life would be different if my parents hadn't died in the attack.
"Why?" I asked.
MacCready didn't respond. His shoulders were shaking now and, even though his head was down, I could see his eyes were squeezed shut.
What is he asking? What does my situation have to do with his kid?
"I-" he bit out before his voice broke again. The former mercenary cleared his throat. "I've been here eight months now. My boy's still alive, at least the people I left him with haven't sent word but- but what if I can't find a cure? What if this has been a dead end and I wasted eight months I coulda spent with him?" He looked up at me and his normally impassive expression had been replaced with what I could only describe as wide-eyed fear.
"I guess I haven't been letting myself think about it much since I was at a loss. I didn't wanna go back empty-handed though. Does Duncan resent me? What would Lucy think if she saw me?"
Duncan must have been his son. Was Lucy his wife? The way he talked about her… was she dead?
He let out a deep breath and his shoulders relaxed. "I know, you probably don't have an answer. That's alright. I- I'm just afraid I didn't make the right call."
Again, he's right, I don't have an answer but he made it sound like I should.
He has a potential solution now.
"Go find Curie, see if she can help. Worrying about the rest now won't cure your son."
MacCready let out a half-choked laugh. "Man, you have absolutely no tact."
That wasn't part of my training. "Agreed."
After a few moments of quiet, he stood. "You're right, you're right. It won't help but I'm still not gonna stop." The man met my gaze. "I don't think that's something you'll understand."
I nodded.
"Well… never thought I'd spill my guts to you like that." He shot me a wry smile. "Goes to show anything's possible."
I guess so… "Misery loves company."
He huffed. "Don't lump me in with you like that." There was still a small smile on his face.
Of course.
"It's time to move."
MacCready nodded. "Yep."
Once I'd collected Cass who was near the back, talking with Glory, we headed for the door. The Railroad soldier came with us.
"I'll be the primary trainer for Sanctuary's quick reaction teams", she said as we walked into the relatively small entryway. "And Cass told me you're taking her with you to the city." Glory frowned at me. "You remember what you told me last time? After your little… incident?"
The church. "Protect these two with your life", I replied.
She nodded. "I expect the same."
Cassandra's face was slowly turning red.
"Consider it done."
With that, we exited the bunker into the late morning air. By now these surroundings were familiar, as was the path to get to Sanctuary. The sky was mostly overcast so the forest's shadows weren't as sharp.
This wasn't the first time I've moved with Glory in tow; during the journey to scout Quincy, she'd performed well. Her step was relatively light, she maintained a good pace, avoided making unnecessary noise, and was attentive. It seems as though she imparted at least some of that knowledge to Cassandra.
The teenager wasn't as good, but she was still quiet and careful if a bit stiff. That would get better with experience.
As the trek passed, I grew more comfortable about the decision to bring her. The time she'd spent with the Railroad hadn't been wasted. That's something I have Glory to thank for.
It wasn't long before we were near Sanctuary. The journey went quietly, the wildlife having decided to leave us alone. Considering the Institute would be more interested in finding the Railroad's soon-to-be-vacated headquarters than following us back to the settlement, I wasn't as concerned with being followed.
My hip was still stiff and sore, but it got better as it warmed. The undersuit was still maintaining pressure on the injury to keep swelling down, so my range of motion was mostly unimpeded. There were a half dozen times I moved it too quickly or too far and the joint flared. At least it was getting better.
Hopefully, it'll be back to normal within the next few days.
With the settlement nearing, one issue was still left to solve: who to bring with me. There are plenty of possibilities, but none of them inspire confidence. If I can't figure out who to bring I can still do my job, but it will be without making any sort of arrangement with one of the larger settlements. That isn't the end of the world but it might make things difficult in the future.
And now that I'm almost back, I have to think about how Perkins' conversation with Nate went. Cass had said I want to give the bastard a second chance. I'm not so sure about that considering a large part of me was hoping she'd come back and tell me the ex-soldier is trying to play me again.
At least then it would give me an excuse to stop thinking about it. If he's still working for Shaun and the Institute, I get to squeeze every piece of information out of him I can using whatever methods I need.
That thought didn't resonate as much as I wanted it to.
"Welcome back", Anna called breathlessly as we walked through the gate. The young engineer was standing on a small gantry they'd constructed behind one of the houses. Two men were with her. All three were drenched in sweat. A large platform was sitting on top of the house, secured by several thick posts running down through its roof. It looked like they were putting up another firing position, but this one was much larger than the others. It wasn't one of the changes we'd discussed… how had they managed to build and rig that in less than 24 hours?
Anna climbed down from the rigging and hurried to meet us. The dozen or so people around the entrance were either standing guard at the wall, tending to the patches of crops, or working on one of the houses.
They all went about their tasks with a focus that hadn't been there the last time I was here.
Getting attacked has a way of making that change.
The engineer stopped in front of Cass and Glory and stuck a hand out. "Good morning. My name's Anna."
Glory nodded and took the smaller woman's hand. "Glory."
"Cassandra", Cass said and followed Glory's example.
"I take it you're from the Railroad."
The soldier nodded again. "I'd like to talk with Preston."
Anna returned her nod. "Good news?" She turned to me.
"We'll talk to Preston first." If there's one thing I know about people, it's that rumors spread quickly. Probably better to have the Minuteman tell everyone about it than misinformation beginning to make the rounds.
Which it would.
"Alright", she motioned toward the settlement's main road, "don't know where he is, but the last time I saw him he was that-a-way."
"Thanks."
As we continued into the settlement, the other two were studying the makeshift fortifications.
"They've done a lot to the place", Glory mused as we turned toward the common house.
I nodded. "Started with eight people."
"Where did they get all the material from?"
"Scavenging. There are also a few dozen large shipping containers up there", I pointed toward the Vault.
"Ah", the soldier said. "Sturges lives here?"
"Yes."
She smiled. "I'm sure I'll get very well acquainted with him."
Maybe… he's far more valuable as an engineer than a fighter. It would be a waste to put him on a QRT.
"If you're helping them construct more fortifications", I replied.
"Doesn't look like they need much help", Cass interjected, a smirk on her face, "especially from the stories Tinker Tom told me."
"You keep smiling Cassandra. Just because I'm not going to be around doesn't mean you can slack off. I'm expecting you to be a little less clumsy when you get back."
She did keep smiling. "That's okay, I'm expecting you to be just as bad at putting things together when we get back."
If she doesn't improve while we're in the field, she might not be getting back. For a novice, Cassandra was good on the way over here. There are a lot more things that go into this sort of operation than moving quietly through a forest.
Whoever comes with us needs to be able to help cover her too.
"Damon!" someone else called from my left. Blake came out of a house carrying his bag. There was blood on one of his sleeves.
"Do you know where Preston is?"
The medic cocked an eyebrow. "Good morning to you too. Last place I saw him was talking with Sturges at the southeast wall. That was a half-hour ago. They've been back and forth to Sturges' workshop though, I'd check there."
I didn't miss the venomous glare I caught from Charlie. He was, as always, standing with his planters. Dogmeat was there, laying beside them. Apparently, he doesn't mind the dog.
We walked to the workshop and, sure enough, the two of them were standing just outside of it. Owen was with Preston and Sturges and the three men were deep in discussion. As soon as they noticed us, the engineer's tanned face drained of color.
"Oh man…" he muttered. "Out of all the people you coulda brought from there, you brought Glory."
"Come on Sturges, it's been, what, three years since we've seen each other?" The soldier feigned a hurt frown. "You're willing to put up with Deacon."
Sturges huffed. "Yeah, Deacon- hell Able and Victor don't torture me."
"That's some strong language."
"Don't make it any less true."
"Damon", Preston interrupted. "I take it the Railroad agreed to help."
I nodded. "Yes. I need to take care of something, Glory is going to be the primary trainer for Sanctuary." I looked at her. "Can you brief them?"
She cocked an eyebrow but nodded in return. "Sure. Do you have anyone else on your leadership team?"
"Yes."
"We should talk this through with them too."
Preston nodded. "We'll get them together." He waved at me. "Damon has better things to do."
I couldn't tell if that was sarcastic or not.
As they began talking, I turned to leave. Glory can explain the plan. While it may be… a little irresponsible considering I'm technically part of the leadership team, this conversation with Perkins needs to be had. Maybe I'm being dramatic but I don't want to sit on it. Whichever way this ends up going, I want to know so I can make a decision.
She and Valentine weren't in their house-turned-office. Instead, they were helping with some of the farmwork on the north side of town. When I found them, they each had lost their normal attire, with even more of the Synth's crumbling form showing beneath a t-shirt and worn jeans. He was still wearing that hat though. Perkins was in a similar outfit, working one of the small machines that, I think, was built to plant seeds.
"Ah", the detective said as I walked between a pair of houses toward them, "I was wonderin' when we'd get this house call. How was the trip?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
He frowned. "You're gonna make us wait? Don't keep the details to yourself, you know I don't like not knowing things."
"They're going to help. It's different than originally planned."
"Different how?"
My eyes drifted to Perkins. The secretary was watching me intently. "That isn't what I'm here to talk about."
The 'skin' where Valentine's eyebrows were supposed to be shot up. "So we're in that kind of mood today, are we? Alright", he held his hands up in surrender, "I won't get between you two."
"How do you want this to go?" Ellie asked, stepping away from the piece of equipment she'd been using.
How do I want it to go? Like before, part of me wanted to hang him from one of the joists in the Vault like I had Haylen. Except this time it wouldn't be for show. The other part of me…
Maybe Cass was right about the other part.
"I don't know."
She nodded. "That's a good start at least." Perkins motioned me toward one of the houses and she grabbed a water bottle that had been sitting on a window sill. "We spoke with him and the others in his group after you left last night. I don't know enough about their group in the Institute to know for sure if they're part of it. If the Railroad is helping us, maybe they can corroborate some of my notes. From what I could gather, they're telling the truth. Their stories were consistent, and match what information we do have about the Institute."
"There were a few oddities", Valentine said. "Nothing that would be considered extraordinary. When you have the same story being told by seven different people, it's gonna be told about nine different ways."
That's nice. The people he's with are, ostensibly, with the splinter cell. "What about Nate?"
Valentine rolled his eyes, the odd glowing irises tracing a circle. "Slow down there tin man. There's a process you have to go through to find the truth. People won't tell you if they're lying. Usually."
Really. Of course there is. Why do I need to know the process? I'm not an investigator, I just need to know if he's telling the truth.
Do I have somewhere to be?
No…
Then slow down and listen. I might not be an investigator, but knowledge is knowledge.
I motioned for them to continue.
"It will be easier to confirm everything once we talk with our new friends", Perkins said. "Sturges hasn't been around them for a few years, but he was able to give us a little insight, specifically about doctor Madison Li and some of their operations." She glanced at her partner. "All of it matched. Considering what we do know, the Institute wouldn't let a chance to destroy the splinter cell and Railroad go."
"Unless their objectives have changed."
Valentine frowned. "Damon, they've been trying to root this problem out for a long time. I understand, from your perspective, you might think different, but they aren't that worried about you. Not as much as the Railroad." He adjusted his hat. "Take a sec and think about it: you're out here. Maybe, eventually, you get back inside but right now, they've got their own itch to scratch."
They aren't that worried about me? Two ambushes and attacking this place say differently.
"Why does that mean they aren't trying to get both of us at once?"
"Because, if that's their play, attacking Sanctuary doesn't make much sense", the Synth replied. "Why would they give you another reason to come after them? If they think you've got roots here, why would they pull them up?"
Why would they pull them up? "They tried."
The Synth smiled. For some reason, the lopsided grin really annoyed me. "They did. But if Nate was working with them, wouldn't he have tried something once the attack started? It would have been a perfect opportunity."
Did- did this asshole just walk me into a trap?
"Were you leading me?"
"A little", he nodded, the smile still plastered on his face. "Okay, a lot. Can you say I'm wrong?"
If they'd anticipated Sanctuary had a jammer, Nate would have been in a perfect position to cause chaos in the settlement. Detonate a few bombs, eliminate the right people, things go very differently.
That isn't what happened.
"Where are you trying to take this? You don't think he's working with the Institute?"
Perkins shook her head. "From the evidence we have, I can't see any way he'd be working with the Institute. The only scenario where that makes sense is if they're using him as a backup plan." She shrugged. "That seems a little far-fetched considering they'd rather wipe out the Railroad than use them as bait."
Use Nate as a contingency? It wouldn't be the first time they've done it.
What did I say earlier? If I'm not going to trust their assessment, why did I ask them to do this in the first place?
I grunted. "Assuming he's on our side, did he say what he wants?"
"It sounds like he just wants to help", Valentine mused.
Nate? Help? After everything? "How would he do that?"
"Not our decision", Ellie replied, shaking her head again. "I said I'd give you my opinion on the matter. I've done that."
If I don't trust the ex-soldier, which I don't, and I don't want to give him the opportunity to stab me in the back, again, there's an obvious course of action.
And I hate myself for thinking it.
Leaving him in Sanctuary with his people leaves any possible unit cohesion they have intact. Jessica will be back soon enough and, while seven people aren't enough to take out Sanctuary, they can cause enough damage for a second attack to succeed.
Which means the safest course of action would be to bring Nate with me.
Dammit… I think I'd rather just shoot the bastard.
"Fine. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt."
Valentine nodded. "Good. He feels bad about what happened. Said he wants to figure out some way to fix things."
He's sorry? "Sorry doesn't fix the holes I had put in me."
"No, but you shrug those off easy enough." He gestured at my hip. Everyone knew about that now, I guess.
"Not when it's through my neck."
"The point is, Damon", Perkins interrupted, "you asked me for this, I gave you my answer."
She seemed unhappy about that. What's the backstory here?
But she's right. She did what I asked and, even if I don't know if I like the answer, she gave it. "Yes, you did. I appreciate it."
Her answer led to the answer to the next question: what am I going to do with Nate? Apparently I'm going to take him with me to Diamond City. Or at least away from Sanctuary. I'm not sure either of us going into the city itself is a good idea. The last time we did, they helped set up an ambush for us. Maybe they don't recognize Nate… He's certainly good at manipulating people.
"So what are you gonna do, tin man?" Valentine asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Take him with me to Diamond City."
The Synth's eyes shot wide and Perkins pushed herself away from the wall.
Nick huffed. "That ain't what I was expecting."
"Lowest risk for everyone involved." I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, that doesn't mean I trust him. Especially not around his people.
"Except you?" His brow cocked.
You could look at it that way. "I'm expecting him to do something."
"And we aren't?" He almost sounded insulted.
"You have six other people to deal with."
"Fair enough." The two exchanged a glance and Valentine shrugged. "C'mon. Ellie's got to finish up here and I'm just in her way." He began toward the street. "I'll come along and make sure Nate ends the conversation with all limbs attached."
Yeah…
I felt Perkins' eyes on the side of my head as I left the small patch of crops. It was odd that she was so… unhappy about doing this. Doesn't she like talking with people? Learning about people? Talking to people? Did something happen at some point that made her resistant to taking requests like this?
As we reached the broken street, I drew even with Valentine. "Why did my request upset Perkins?"
He glanced up at me. "You'll have to ask her. Not my place to tell anyone that." The Synth's worn features grew hard. "And that ain't something you'll get me to budge on."
Really… But I should understand wanting to keep the past buried. I shrugged while we started toward the front of the settlement. If it's something personal, I won't pry. She's afforded me that respect. It doesn't impact anyone's safety, so I'll give her the same.
"You wanna know what I think?" Valentine asked as we neared the house.
"You're going to tell me either way."
A small grin crept across his face. "Learning, aren't we?" He stopped and turned to me. "I think you're holding a grudge."
You're damn right I am.
He held up his hands. "Now, I won't blame you for that but it seems like it's more stubbornness than anything. I believe the guy when he says he didn't know what they were planning for you."
"So do I."
"What's the holdup then?" Valentine asked. He sounded exasperated.
Trying to kill me… that isn't anything unique to Nate, even if he hadn't intended for that part to happen. No, a lot of people have tried. I don't make a habit of giving them a second opportunity, but I think it's safe to say these are special circumstances. Most of the time, if I didn't make sure whoever tried couldn't do it again, ONI would.
My problem is what happened before the ambush.
"He didn't intend for me to die. He still betrayed me."
The detective nodded, an understanding, almost pained tightness on his face. Between his tight jaw and slightly narrowed eyes, it seemed like there was something else there too. "Nate told me about that. To be honest, I think the guy was more upset about what he did than what his son did afterward." Valentine looked away and adjusted his hat. "Don't know why but Nate thinks a lot of you." He shrugged. "Maybe give him a chance to convince you."
Isn't that what you're trying to get me to do here?
I motioned toward the house. "We'll see."
"That's all we can ever do." Valentine started for the dilapidated building cagain.
Working with Nate again…
Not something I thought I'd do.
This place has a weird obsession with making me do things I'm uncomfortable with.
A/N: So the decision has been made. After the multi-chapter fight everyone's just been through, moving to a quieter story/character centric chapter was important to me. Especially considering the subject matter. It's also important to establish the direction the story's going. I've (obviously) made some pretty massive departures from FO4's story and faction system. I never liked it and I think, given the circumstances, this would be the smartest move for everyone involved (the Railroad/Minutemen and Damon) to make. So I'll only be posting one more chapter this month, then it's back to weekly updates for the most part. I've found during this time I took, if I see something that doesn't sit right, I prefer taking the time to rewrite it and make it good rather than trying to shoehorn the story back to where I want it to be. That means, if I find that, I'll probably take a week off to fix it. That being said, I always edit in advance so I'll give everyone at least a week's heads up first. That's enough rambling though, I'll see everyone next time!
Next chapter: 11/17, Visions of the Past