After dropping all the stuff that needed to be taken to Sanctuary, they left Greentop after sorting out the provisioner situation. Fortunately, they'd found materials needed for a beacon, so Mason had spent half an hour writing down the plans before handing them to Chelsea.

"For a beacon," Mason told her, putting away his empty duffel bags. "Set it up when you get the chance. "I'll be back by the end of the day."

"Do we have the materials?"

"Brought 'em in last night. Already had most of the parts, I just had to bring some crystals."

"Alright then."

Shouldering his bag, Mason made sure the others were ready before they began walking. They were going to the center that day to take care of the synth situation. Traders could travel safely if they had to worry about getting attacked. Making sure his weapons were loaded as they walked, Curie hovered nearby.

"Excuse me, Mason?" Curie questioned.

"You alright?"

"On the whole, no, I am not. I have spent much effort gathering information in our travels so far." Wasn't surprising. They'd been traveling together for a little over a week—a lot to learn in that time. "And my self-diagnostics have come to a grim conclusion. It is not lack of data or lack of collaboration which stifles my scientific progress." That is a bit confusing. Mason should teach her to use what most people consider 'normal' language. "The inescapable truth is there has never been a great robot scientist."

True. But machines like Mr. Handy weren't invented until forty years before the bombs fell. "I doubt the research is bad."

"You are polite to say this. But if something does not change, my efforts will be mere stagnation." He didn't get how, but considering she's smarter than Mason was regarding science, he'd have to take her word for it. "The greatest scientific minds of history, the Einsteins and the Curies, my namesake, have had something beyond raw data analysis capabilities." That's true. Typically because humans try to be the center of attention most of the time. But Mason never really paid attention in science class and never went to college, so he wouldn't know anything beyond the basics. "They have had a spark. This elusive inspiration is something I must possess." That was confusing. What was she going on about?

"Starting to worry me," Mason told her honestly.

"There is no need. If I am to advance my understanding of medicine, I must embark on a great adventure." This was going into territory Mason didn't want to explore. "I must become human, or as close as I can. I must find a way to download all that I am into a human brain."

Yeah, he knew he wouldn't like this. The closest thing a machine could be to humans is a synth from what he knew of, and you could still tell their machines. Not only that, but Heather hated synths, so he wasn't sure if turning Curie into one was a good idea. "You don't have to be an Einstein to help. The world needs doctors."

"Those that know things, guard them jealously. The Brotherhood of Steel, the Institute, they horde knowledge." I'm guessing she doesn't like the Institute or Brotherhood. "The only way we will progress as a society is in the free flow of ideas." He guessed. The Institute and Brotherhood definitely didn't take well to outsiders gaining their knowledge if their allegiance wasn't with them. Others simply just didn't bother to tell others what they knew. Mason didn't share knowledge on fighting because he didn't have the time. "If you find someone, a brain surgeon, an artificial intelligence programmer, or someone who is an expert in matters of the head, please bring me to them."

"Alright," Mason told her with a grin, sighing on the inside. "Anything you need."

Approaching the center's doors, Mason noticed two raiders bodies leaning against the entrance wall. He wasn't surprised they were dead but that they weren't ash. Looking around, he found an assault rifle by one of the bodies, the condition surprisingly well. Searching the nearest, he collected some ammunition off of it, which added to the amount he already had. Gunners really like using these. Putting Overseer's away for the time, Mason loaded the new rifle, making sure to have magazines prepared if he used one up.

"Let's go," Mason said as he held the weapon in one hand, the other one on the door.

"Only you," Mason heard Heather say before she laughed.

"Only I what?"

"You make that gun look normal sized," Heather grinned, confusing Mason.

"Okay then," Mason remarked, opening the door. "Let's get movin'."

Walking in, Mason noticed two bodies, one on top of a nonfunctional escalator, the other partway down the side. After collecting the stimpaks and ammunition from them, they moved forward. Reaching a doorway at the bottom, Mason heard something, gesturing for the others to hide behind as he did.

"Is someone present?" a mechanical voice asked, confirming what Mason heard. He almost gestured for Heather to get ready before hearing another deeper, but still mechanical, voice said, "Curious."

Hearing nothing else, Mason told Heather to prepare, getting ready for a fight. Mason listened to the footsteps and gestured for Heather to engage, crouching to a knee as he turned the corner.

Boom! Boom!

Pulling the trigger twice, the bullets kicked like a bull, hitting the synth in the leg, taking it out while Heather vaporized the second. Not letting the one he shot raise its gun, Mason lowered the weapon, aiming at its head before-

Boom!

"Still mechanical," Mason remarked as he stood up. Unfortunately, his leg was still hurting, a piercing feeling not leaving. "Wonder how many synths are down here?"

Turning to Heather, Mason checked up on her.

"How are you feeling?"

"Fine. Haven't felt better," Heather remarked, making Mason sigh.

"We know that's a lie," Mason remarked, turning to walk downstairs. "Before we go to the Castle, you need to get some rest while I work on a small project."

"Power Armor?" Heather asked, making Mason chuckle.

"Gonna fix up a suit, and use it to get to the Castle. Oughta be good enough for the time bein'."

Walking, they crouch as they reach the bottom of the stairs, Mason hearing something when they do. Checking out the noise, Mason saw a synth walking on the platform. Looking around, he saw another on the train and a third behind them. There were probably, but not any he could see.

"Three synths, minimum," Mason whispered as he returned to Heather." Potentially more, but that's all I saw."

Getting her rifle ready, Heather stuck her thumb up, letting Mason know it was okay. "Let's get this over with."

Peering around the corner, Mason waited for the nearest synth to turn their back, and as it walked away, Mason aimed and-

Boom!

The bullet hit the synth in the back of the head, making it freeze before falling to the ground. Turning, Mason saw the one on the train fighting Heather, the third one coming through, three more with rifles getting ready to fire their guns.

"Got company!" Mason yelled, rolling behind a broken column. As the synths started firing, the lasers either going over or hitting the ground, Mason took the time to reload the rifle, placing the partially empty magazine in a pocket. As they stopped firing, Mason aimed over the top of the column, lining up the shot before-

Boom!

Destroying the coding in one of the synths' heads, Mason crouched back down as they began firing. Looking over at Heather, he saw her shooting around the corner. Taking a page from her book, Mason aimed around the corner, noticing a synth above firing at him. Rolling back, Mason aimed at the synth and-

Boom!

Turning back, Mason didn't see whether the bullet hit, and when turning back around the corner, he saw the synths were all taken care of.

Brushing the dust off his pants, Mason stood up, walking around and collecting anything useful. While searching, they ran into a few more synths, but they didn't put up much of a fight, the biggest problem being a turret they took care of with a grenade. Finding a Fatman in the front of a train, Mason stuck it in a duffel bag they were putting weapons in, Curie holding the weapons.

After collecting the clothing and putting them in duffel bags, they moved to an elevator in the back. Mason hit the button as he kept his weapon raised.

"Aren't you being too cautious, Mason?" Curie asked, concerned about him. "Surely no one will be at the bottom.

Dropping to a knee as the elevator dinged opened, Mason thought 'famous last words' before-

Boom!

Taking out a synth that had been in front of the door, Mason turned to take care of another one, seeing Heather had already taken care of it.

"Does that answer it?" Mason mumbled, already walking out of the elevator. Finding a fusion core in a generator, there were two nearby when Mason heard Heather cheer.

"What'd you find?" Mason asked, stuffing the three fusion cores into his bag.

"Three fusion cores!" she grinned, making Mason chuckle.

"Keep 'em," Mason told her, zipping and buckling his bag shut. "Got enough as is."

"You sure? They're pretty valuable."

"Yeah, don't need to be slowed down during our next fight," Mason told her, putting the assault rifle away.

Before she could ask what he meant, she heard gunfire as Mason pulled out his knuckles, already putting them on.

"Back to your fist, Mason?" Curie asked, eyes widening.

"Let's get down to business."

Approaching the area, the gunfire grew louder, Mason seeing raiders and synths fighting. The odd part was the raiders were winning, despite having worse weapons and armor. Taking his bag off, Mason set it down, the raiders killing the last synth. Noticing the turret, Mason let Heather know who'd take care of it.

Turning back to the raiders, Mason broke into a sprint, heading for the turret. Mason jumped to the side as it turned, preventing it from locking on as Heather fired at it. One of the raiders noticed, trying to yell for his friends. Grabbing the side of a small cover, Mason launched himself over it, kicking the raider in the back as he turned. Staggering forward, the raider ran into a table. Not giving him time to recover, Mason grabbed the raider by the back of his head before slamming it onto the table. Grabbing a knife off the raider, Mason threw it into the head of another raider. Unfortunately, he managed to yell out before then.

"Mother fucker!" their boss yelled. "Where did this asshole come from?"

Running up, Mason narrowly avoided the bullets, the guy being a lousy aim. While a bullet grazed his arm, and one bounced off his helmet, Mason picked up a chair, throwing it into the man with enough force to break it. Grabbing the armrests, Mason blocked the man's swing before jamming one into the man's stomach, making him gasp for air. Mason stabbed the other armrest into their back as the raider hunched over, forcing him to hit the ground. It wasn't even a fight at that point; it was an execution. Mason pulled the stick out of the boss's back and stabbed both into his head, going through the ear canals. Mason dropped the body and felt a bullet bounce off his shoulder, turning around.

Seeing the raider that had shot him, Mason moved toward him, his frame freezing the raider.

"Get back!" the raider yelled, opening fire on Mason. As he moved forward. A few bullets hit Mason, the impacts starting to take a toll on his body. "I'm warning you!"

PING!

Hunching over, Mason grunted as one of the bullets hit him in the stomach, the bullet hitting metal. Didn't stop it from hurting. The raider moved forward as he fell to a knee, holding his pistol to Mason's head. Moving forward, the raider pressed the barrel of his weapon to his helmet before Mason moved.

Grabbing the man's wrist, Mason pushed it out of the way, holding it. Preventing the man from bending his wrist, Mason swung his fist, punching the man back as he wrenched the pistol from his grip. The man staggered back before falling, his jaw broken.

Looking around, Mason realized all the stuff he'd done. The first guy's face was smashed in, the second had a knife in his skull, and the boss was impaled by wooden stakes. Then there was the fourth one he'd brutalized.

"Damn," Heather said, approaching with a magazine of sorts in her hand. "And I thought the Brotherhood was tough. You make most of them look like children." The Brotherhood probably mostly fought things like Feral Ghouls and Super Mutants. Probably didn't care too much about people. "Anyway, I found this in one of the train cars. Figured you'd want this."

Accepting the magazine, Mason looked it over. "Maybe later," he told her. "It's about lockpicking. Can you search the bodies?" Mason asked her, pointing to the two least damaged ones.

"Sure thing."

Picking up two stimpaks off the raider boss, Mason found it odd he kept them in his pocket. He was asking to break them.

"Ready to head out?" Mason asked as he stood up, loot in a duffel bag. "We're goin' by Slocum Joe's HQ, then heading back to Greentop for the night."

"Let's get going," she replied, handing Mason her duffel bag. Probably knew he'd make a fuss.

"Thanks," Mason said as they began walking. Bending down to pick up his bag, he remarked. "Wouldn't want to forget this."

Taking an elevator in the back that went up, it took them to a door that was chained shut. Opening it, Mason realized it led to the room where they'd first fought the synths. Stepping past them, he noticed how creepy they were, especially with their eyes still glowing despite the heads being blown to bits.

Stepping out of the station, it was raining. So Mason gave Heather his jacket, not wanting her to get sick.

"Let's keep ya warm," Mason remarked as they started moving. "Don't worry about me. Strolled through snow in shorts and a tank-top."

"Don't you have horrible luck?"

"It's a one. Don't affect my immune system. And I ain't checking anytime soon, so don't worry about it for now."

"Mason, even with your body in peak condition, you still need to take care of yourself," Curie said. "Even you are only human."

"Yeah, yeah," Mason responded, cutting through the basketball court again. "Don't change that I got a strong immune system. Why do you think I rarely use medicine?"

Turning on the radio, Mason decided to sing along with it. Not loud like he usually would, but more to himself. He noticed Heather wasn't looking at him and found it odd. It wasn't like it was the first time she heard him sing.

"Everything alright?" Mason asked, looking at her with concern. "Seem distracted by somethin'."

"Just thinking," she stated, looking forward.

"Well, I'll watch your back while you're 'just thinking'," Mason said, approaching the now decrepit HQ of the donut corporation. "Don't want ya gettin' hurt."

Searching through the place, they found a chest with guns and ammunition, putting them in Dogmeat's bags since theirs were full and it wouldn't weigh him down. Opening the door to the second floor, Mason gestured for the others to be quiet as he walked in.

Noticing a raider sitting in a chair, her back turned to them, Mason snuck up behind her.

"I'm getting worried," one of the raiders stated.

"What for? Helter's fought synths, I doubt anything will take him out."

"The mailman hasn't come for supplies," the first raider said. "They're usually here by now."

"They're probably just running late," the third man said. "Wouldn't be the first time."

Grabbing the woman through the hole in the wall, Mason pulled through the wall, slamming her onto her back. Before she had time to catch her breath-

CRUNCH!

Mason slammed his fist into her face, the knuckles keeping his fingers from bending.

"What the hell?" one of them yelled, Mason coming around the corner, and when he looked, he and the other guy backed up a little, the color draining from them.

Charging forward, Mason socked a raider in the jaw, sending him flying into the wall. Kicking up a table, Mason sent it in the direction of the raiders, hitting them in the stomach. Closing the distance, Mason threw a punch.

CRUNCH!

Pulling his fist from the raider's head, Mason turned to the last raider, who turned white as a sheep before Heather took care of him.

Taking a deep breath, they started looting the place, finding a franchise kit for the place. It had details for how the walls and floors were done, along with the lights, tables, and counters. Had plans for making the product, but Mason was more interested in the tea aspect over coffee. He did miss it. Last thing he had was Heather's, and that was nothin' compared to his mothers and fathers. Putting some uniforms they found into Dogmeat's bag, they began their walk back to Greentop.

Reaching Greentop, Mason got Heather's bag from her, letting her get some rest while he took care of the junk. All the stuff she sold was in her satchel, so Mason wasn't gonna have to worry about leaving anything for sale. She'd collected some armor pieces, which Mason could break down and probably turn into armor. Taking his armor and helmet off, Mason started helping the settlers with work, Heather joining not long after he did. At one point, he stopped to pet Dogmeat, who left to lay at the foot of the bed Mason had slept in.

Mason grabbed some food from the table a settler had set out at the end of the day. Probably believed Mason was too busy to make something himself. She was right, but he just wouldn't have eaten anything. Not like he was hungry.

"Thanks. You didn't have to do this," Mason told her as he sat down.

"It's the least we can do; you took care of those raiders.

"We may not have much, but providing food to the ones who protect us is something we'd like to do. If any other Minutemen come through, Let them know they can stop by for food if needed, and we'll spare anything we can."

"Mind sharing food with other settlements? Only when you got more settlers," Mason stated, catching Chelsea off guard. "Some places ain't got the land to farm, but they got the materials to spare. Some have spots for purifiers, more than enough for multiple settlements. They in turn give water to those that need it."

"It sounds like a nice idea," Chelsea responded. "But how are you going to get the leader of the settlements to comply with that?"

"If they want protection, they'll have to help. I won't help people who won't help others. With the state of the world, we can't go holdin' supplies when others could use it. But in return, they won't ask for stuff they don't need."

Chelsea was shocked by the explanation but gave it a bit of thought.

"You won't take too much and provide guards needed to keep us safe?"

"When I have the people," Mason stated. "Once the ranks have boosted in number, you'll receive sixty people. They'll have a set schedule, and their leader will be in charge of their duties. So long as we receive the food needed for other settlements."

Mason noticed her husband giving her a pleading look as Chelsea thought about it. Guessed he understood his reasoning.

"Alright," Chelsea said, sticking out her hand. "Please send people as soon as possible."

"Of course," Mason said, taking her hand and shaking it. "We look out for each other."

Grabbing a blanket, Mason went to lay down, Heather joining not long after. Hadn't been able to rest this early for a while.

"Mornin'," Mason greeted Heather the next day, finishing his exercise for the morning. Grabbing a rag to wipe the sweat, he walked up to her.

"How long have you been up?" Heather asked. "I know how long you sleep."

"Three to four hours," Mason stated. "Don't know what's at Med-Tek, wasn't gonna wake you up, so I let ya sleep in. Chelsea made breakfast if you want anything."

Collecting one of his flannels while Heather grabbed some food, Mason moved to the bathroom, looking in the mirror as he got dressed. Looking himself over, Mason knew he'd have to stop by a barber, whether it was Horatio in Vault 81 or one in Diamond City, he didn't know. Putting on his armor, Mason sighed, hating that he had to get used to this again so soon. Was hoping when he left the military, he wouldn't have to.

"That was fast." Heather remarked, walking into the bathroom as Mason put his last leg piece on, a piece of metal armor.

"Once you get used to something, it becomes easy. Ready to head out?" Mason asked, putting his helmet on, hiding his expression.

"Yep," Heather grinned.

"Alright. I'll get Dogmeat, you get Curie," Mason told her, picking up Dogmeat's bag. Walking out to the farm, Mason found him chewing on a bone he'd found.

"Hey, bud," Mason said as he came bounding over. Crouching down to put the bag on, Mason pet Dogmeat on the head, making him lean into Mason's hand. "Ready to go?"

Barking happily, Dogmeat licked Mason's arm where skin was showing, making him chuckle. Standing up, Mason met up with Curie and Heather, noticing Heather looked surprised by something.

"Wonder what we'll run into," Mason questioned aloud. "After Med-Tek, we'll head back to Sanctuary."

"Probably ghouls," Heather commented. "Last time I came through the area, that's what I saw there."

"Knuckles are ready," Mason stated, already having them in his pocket. "They wanna get close and personal, I'll meet fire with fire."

"Must you always resort to violence?" Curie questioned. "Why not seek peace?"

"Heather was likely talkin' about ferals," Mason remarked. "Can't be reasoned with. They attack on sight. So we gotta do the same."

Although Curie wanted to object, she knew she couldn't. As they moved, Mason made sure to keep an ear out for anything, noticing his Pip-Boy picked up a distress beacon. Figuring it was nearby, and based on the last two, whoever turned it on was dead. Ignoring it for the time being, Mason saw feral ghouls inhabiting the building's parking and front as they approached the facility.

"Curie, hold position. I know you despise violence," Mason ordered. "Heather, let's go."

Moving forward, Mason saw a ghoul that noticed him. Screeching, the ghoul got the attention of the others as Mason rushed forward. Throwing a punch, Mason knocked its head off its body, Heather vaporizing one as it charged from behind.

Moving to the front of the building, Mason took down a ghoul as it charged, sending its body into another. With Heather taking care of the last ghoul, Mason searched the bodies, finding a few caps on each of them with some junk. Fortunately, they found cloth, because they did need that for beds.

"Careful," Mason told them as they entered the building. "May be more of 'em here. Keep your guard up."

Noticing the building was on lockdown as he looked around, Mason found the door to a particular room locked because of it. Couldn't unlock it due to the procedure. Moving to another part of the facility, they ran into more ferals. Mason and Heather took care of them quickly, not even having to share a word. Finding a room with a ramp leading to the next floor, Mason stopped the others, looking inside.

"I see three ferals," Mason told the others. "Two more further down. Heather, you take two. I got three."

"Must we kill them, Mason?" Curie asked. "Surely we can leave them alone."

"They'll attack the next people to come," Mason remarked, getting his knuckles ready. "And if they don't, nothings stopping the Brotherhood once they get reinforcements."

Before Curie could respond, a ghoul screeched, notifying the others of their presence.

"Merde!" Mason growled. "Heather, get ready. Dogmeat, on me. Curie, stay back. Don't wanna see this."

Moving forward, Mason uppercut the first one as it charged, sending it flying back. Rushing forward, Mason lifted it by the throat before punching the side of the head, putting his knuckles through it. Kicking one to the side as it tried to attack him, Heather took care of it while Mason went up the ramp.

Swinging up, Mason hit a ghoul back before grabbing it by the shoulder, pulling it back as he slammed his knuckles into its face. Dropping down as a fourth came, Mason ducked under its arms, grabbing it by the front of its armor. Planting a hand on its stomach, Mason lifted it off the ground before BAM!

Slamming the feral onto the ground, Mason pulled his fist back, smashing it through its face. Flipping over, Mason kicked a ghoul charging at him, sending it to Heather as she shot it down.

"Safe to come out, Curie," Mason called out, collecting caps of the feral. At first, he wondered why they had caps but remembered they probably weren't always feral.

Noticing some ferals in one room, Mason realized they were asleep and decided not to wake them. Pulling out a grenade, Mason got beside the door. He pulled the pin and threw the grenade into the room, closing the door behind it. Looking around the rest of the place, Mason found a hallway leading to a room with a working terminal. Only thing is, there were feral ghouls in it. Three, to be exact.

"Heather, a little help," Mason remarked as he put his knuckles back on. "We could use a grenade, or…."

Holding up her rifle, Mason knew her answer.

"Alright, watch my back," Mason said, running into the room. Kicking the nearest one, Mason knocked it back into the one behind it, sending them toppling over. The one behind the terminal was about to start running, but Mason leaped over the desk, kicking the feral into the wall. Grabbing its shoulder as it stood up, Mason planted his fist into its head, hand hitting the wall as it went through.

"I guess we're done now," Mason remarked, looking down at the computer as Heather finished the last feral. "This terminal's beyond our capabilities. Time to see what that signal's about."

Exiting the place, Mason took one last look, feeling like there was something important. Just… wasn't the right time. Doubted it'd be the last time he saw it.

"Everything alright, Mason?" Heather asked, walking down the steps of the place.

"On my way," Mason remarked, shaking off his nerves. Wasn't going to ignore it forever, but he couldn't do anything. He was never one for religion; he left that to his family. But even he thought stuff happened for a reason. Never explained his gut feelings, though.

Following the signal, Mason noticed a mostly destroyed building in the distance, deciding to check it out. Turning off his radio as he neared it, the signal getting stronger as he neared it, Mason knew what it was before he got there- a BOS recon team.

The members were all dead, their power armor burnt shut by fusion cores blowing up, sealing their fate. Seeing one leaning against a desk, Mason walked up, picking up a holotape beside him. Putting it in the Pip-Boy, Mason his play, looking around.

"...ambushed on the road. We're outnumbered five to one!" a man with a gravelly voice said. "Varham, report!"

"Core's down to 5%!"

"We'll have to scuttle the armor. We can't let them-"

"Varham!" a woman's voice yelled in despair.

"Dammit! Astlin, set the self destructs! Faris, fall back!," the man said, desperately firing at what they were fighting. "We'll head for the old military base, then try to make it to our holdout. The code will be our callsign. All right, move! Move! Move!" When the holotape clicked, ending the recording, Mason turned to Heather.

"You know who beats Brotherhood soldiers in power armor? Synths." was all that she said. This wasn't the time. Looking through his bag, Mason found the one from the training yard putting it in after ejecting the first one.

"Knight Tara Astlin," the woman from the previous holotape said, breathing heavily as she spoke. "Brotherhood of steel Recon Team 429-Alpha. Serial number 3431. It's been three hours since I set my distress pulser. There's been no word from the Paladin or Faris. Their objective was the satellite array on the coast. They may be out of range." Mason was glad she didn't have to see Faris's body but to die in a place like that. "My orders were to hold this position at all costs. The entire site has been overrun. The door won't last much longer. Paladin Brandis, sir. It's been an honor, sir."

"What a terrible way to go," Heather said as Mason took the holotape out. "All alone and torn up by ghouls. Ugh."

Putting the holotape away, Mason pulled out the one from the array, putting it in and hitting play.

"This is Faris. It's been… two hours since the Paladin left. My leg… I can't staunch the bleeding. Bullet must've hit an artery. Brandis… if you get this, I hope you make it back to Astlin in time. There was nothing you could do for me. Go to the bunker up north. You'll survive. That's all that… all that matters…."

"Impressive," Heather commented. "Climbing up those steps while you're bleeding to death. Wonder what bunker he was talking about."

"Got a faint idea," Mason sighed, remembering a bunker to the north. "Let's move out. Should be there by fourteen hundred."

Leaving the area, they stopped by Greentop, getting some supplies. After Mason told the settlers they'd see them around, they began walking north.

Walking along the river, they were grabbing hubflowers when Mason heard the sound of the earth being thrown. Looking across the river, Mason froze.

"What is that?" Mason asked, his eyes not believing what he saw. For once, he wanted what he saw to be a result of his vision. A giant crab the size of the behemoth they'd seen before crawling along the river bank.

"Mirelurk Queen," Heather answered. "Let's not bother it, otherwise we'll be in trouble."

"Okay," Mason remarked, already walking. Reaching a fork in the road, Mason noticed something further, telling Heather to slow down and be ready. Seeing machines gathering together, Mason turned to Curie, who had what they needed.

"Got a mini-nuke?" Mason asked, pulling a Fat Man out of one of the bags.

"Blowing them up," Heather asked, already pulling the nuke out.

"Too tired to fight them. Not lettin' you or Dogmeat get hurt," Mason remarked, setting the Fatman on his shoulder. Loading in the mini-nuke and pulling it back, Mason turned and aimed.

"Dites nuit nuit, salopes," Mason growled, pulling the trigger. Sending the nuke flying, when it exploded, Heather turned to Mason.

"What did you say?" she asked, hearing what Mason said. Didn't mean for her to.

"Told 'em to say good night," Mason responded. "Bunker should be close. Gotta backtrack and go straight."

"Got it," Heather said, Curie's eyes nodding, though she was more than displeased with Mason's choice of words. Reaching the fork, they turned north, taking care of a molerat that had killed a Super Mutant. Reaching the bend, they found the bunker Mason guessed was there, walking up to it.

"Think he's up for talking?" Heather asked.

"Not at first, so put your weapons away. We don't want to scare the man," Mason responded, knowing what this man was probably going through. Typing in the password, Mason opened the door, seeing a man in a black uniform, weapon drawn, aimed at Mason.

"Freeze!" The man yelled, Mason approaching him. "One more step, and I'll… I'll blow your damn head off!" He doubted the gun would work on the helmet, but Mason did stop to take it off. "Who are you? Who sent you? How did you get in here?"

"Calm down. Just wanna talk," Mason told him, setting his bag down.

"Talk? Why? Who sent you? What are you doing here?"

"Paladin Brandis?" Mason asked, trying to get confirmation.

"I asked you a question," He snarled. "Why are you here? Why are you here?"

"Your team left distress beacons, led me here," Mason told him, keeping his hands down. It was difficult, but Mason understood the situation.

"The others! What… What happened to them?" Brandis questioned, a worried look on his face.

"They're… dead. I'm sorry," Mason told him, knowing how much the man was going through. Lost his entire, and if that wasn't enough, he was stuck in a bunker.

"I thought so," Brandis responded. "I… I… I tried to go back for them, you know, but… there was… there was nothing…. I could do… not alone. You've been through a lot to find me. I should… I should give you something. I've collected a lot over the years. Technology, odds and ends. If you see anything you want, take it."

"Can I get the uniform," Mason asked, "I have extra clothes, though not as nice as that."

"Anything," Brandis responded. "Just give me a few minutes."

Handing him the spare clothes, Mason walked out to the others, closing it behind as he waited.

"That was a polite thing to do, Mason," Curie said. "Normally you'd resort to violence."

"I've been in his situation," Mason stated, surprising the others. "During the war, something similar happened to me and my team. Lost a lot of men. I was the only one that came out without a permanent physical scar."

Curie was about to say something when Brandis opened the door behind them.

"Here," he said, holding the uniform out. "I can't thank you enough for letting me know what happened. You'll be on your way, I suppose."

"Yeah. Farewell Brandis."