Chapter 11, Changing Times

I walked to the elevator and pushed the button. The doors opened, greeting me once again as I walked in and pushed the button for the Suite. I checked my Pipboy clock to see it was 4:00 p.m. Ok, it's going to be almost a two hour walk and there is no reason to pick up Veronica and then head to the Brotherhood of Steel after. But we could just wait for a bit before heading out and see if we can spend the night when we go to 188 Trading Post to pick her up. But what could we do to pass the time while we wait? Before I could think further, the elevator dinged that I had arrived. I walked in, and saw Elizabeth was moving some of the boxes around, trying to organize the place a bit.

She placed a box down, "I just wanted to touch the place up a bit, hope you don't mind."

"No, it's fine. If you are living here, might as well have a say in how it looks," I replied.

"Great. Is the sandstorm gone?"

"Yup. There's just sand everywhere now being cleaned up. But I did some thinking."

"Oh, is it how we are going to help convince the Brotherhood," She asked, putting down another box.

"Yes but also how to pass some time. If we leave now it will be six when we get to where Veronica is at, and I don't really like traveling at night in the Mojave once we pick her up."

"Well, do you think I could have my own backpack with my own supplies? I hate having to have you carry things for me like my toothbrush and water with the armor you have on. It looks heavy already," She questioned.

"That sounds like a good idea. I can head outside of the Strip to a merchant near the entrance and see what they have. Any recommendations," I asked.

"As long as it isn't yellow or pink, anything is good for me," She replied.

"Alright I'll head out then."

"Ok, I'll keep moving things around here. Be safe," Elizabeth says, going into her room to organize a box.

I went back into the elevator and pushed the button to take me down to the Casino. I made my way out onto the strip and saw the people wrapping up their cleaning of the sand from the storm. I continued further and was shocked to see there weren't any merchants nearby. "Great," I said to myself, "I'm going to have to travel for a bit to find a merchant."

I followed the road a bit and passed the Vendortron at Gun Runners, where I buy my ammo. Looking around, I still didn't see any vendors nearby. Guess I'm going out further. The Sandstorm must have pushed them away. I continued further, passed the ruined highway we had passed before, and saw in the distance a merchant. He had his Brahim and supplies hooked on the back of it while he was preoccupied was talking with a man and a woman. I continued further and as I got closer, I could hear them talking.

"Interesting form of travel, wouldn't you say," the woman stated.

I recognize these voices, it was those two British people from the Strip entrance the other day. I guess they live nearby here. They wore the same attire as before.

"Not ideal, but interesting nonetheless," the man replied.

"Look, are you folks going to buy anything," The merchant asked, annoyed with them, "I appreciate the help, but I got a business to run."

"But it does beg the question on how unusual things can be," The woman said, ignoring the merchant's response.

"Yes, sometimes there is more than meets the eye. And if one is willing to look beyond that," The man stated.

"Then there is much more underneath and new possibilities can form," The woman finished.

I got closer and could hear the merchant scoff at their response. My approach didn't interrupt their philosophical argument however.

"Quite right, sometimes it even takes a bit of…perspective and thinking to understand another's viewpoint," the brother replied.

"But that understanding can help someone convince them of another perspective, wouldn't you agree," the woman stated.

"Yes, it would be quite nice," the man finished.

I cleared my throat, "Excuse me, but I need to talk with the merchant."

"Come, we've done all we can, let's head home, " The woman said, motioning her hand to the man to leave.

Hearing them again, I'm starting to really wonder if they are the same British people I saw in D.C. years ago. Their speech patterns and how they finish each other's sentences sound near identical. If I get a chance, I'm going ask.

As they walked away, I walked up to the merchant.

"So, what was that all about," I asked.

"Oh, just a bunch of helpful weirdos, " He replied, "They helped me with some water solution to help treat the eyes of my Brahmin. Poor thing got her eyes full of sand from the storm and needed something to help relieve it. They came by with a solution handy and it helped her eyes incredibly. Then they proceeded to get all philosophical and, well you saw the rest."

"Yeah, I saw them at the Strip entrance the other day and they were annoying the Securitron," I replied.

"Well, don't surprise me, they got on their nerves. Anyway, are you here to buy something?"

"Yes, do you have any bags and canteens," I asked.

"I got a couple of canteens and a pack," He said, reaching in his Brahmin to pull out some packs and canteens.

The pack looked like your standard survival pack, but blue with what looked like two zippers that split the bag in half to organize things more. There was even a canteen holder on the back. As for the canteens, there was a black round one, a green tall one with a screw on cap, and a silver one that had the shape of a vodka shaking glass.

"I'll take the green one, how much do I owe you for both?"

"100 Caps," The merchant responded.

I turned my backpack around to get the caps out. I counted 100 and then handed them to the merchant. He took them out of my hand, put the green canteen in the bag, and handed me the backpack . I took it and headed back to the Strip. As I continued to walk further, I noticed the sun going down and took a look at my Pipboy clock, it was 5:45 pm. It might be best if we eat as well before heading out. Maybe I could snag some MRE's from the Vendortron at Gun Runners. He usually has some. I continued forward and after a while, I found myself at Gun Runners and I approached the Vendortron.

"Welcome, sir or madam. Do you wish to purchase something," he asks, with his robotic, monotone voice.

"Hi, do you have any MRE's in stock," I replied.

"Let me see," He replies, turning around and looking, "Here is what I have."

He places a box of MRE's on the counter and pulls out one of each. Once he finished, I saw that there was Southwest Beef and Black Beans, Spaghetti with Beef and Sauce, Chili with Beans, Hash Brown Potatoes with Bacon, Pepper and Onions, and Chicken, Noodles and Vegetables in Sauce. Realizing that we may need a few on our journey to and back as well as for Veronica, I decided to buy four of each, just in case.

"That will be 400 caps," he states.

Shit, that is going to be quite pricey, but I begrudgingly dug in my bag and got the caps. I realized that after counting out 300, I only had about 2000 or so left. I'll start watching what I'm buying. Don't need to go through a shopping spree. I took the MRE's off the counter and put them in Elizabeth's bag.

"Come back and see us again soon," he concludes, as I walk away.

I made my way back, through the Strip entrance doors and back into the Lucky 38. I pushed the elevator button to take me up to the Suite. I think I could maybe ask around for any jobs from maybe the Brotherhood or maybe the NCR. Or sell a few things. I'll have to wait and see.

The elevator dinged to let me know I had arrived back to the Suite and as I walked in, the boxes were all gone and Elizabeth was nowhere in sight.

"I'm back. Got you a bag and water bottle," I stated, setting both of our bags down on the floor.

I heard nothing.

"Elizabeth, are you there," I called out.

"Huh, oh sorry I wasn't paying attention," she replies.

I walked to where I heard her voice come from, and saw she was on her bed, reading a book.

She closed it, "Sorry my mind was in this book. Where's the bag?"

"It's by the elevator," I replied, pointing to the elevator.

Elizabeth gets off the bed and runs to the elevator to pick her bag up. I noticed that the title of the book on the bed was Tesla Science Magazine, The Complete Series . The title was in big and bold green letters on the top with multiple pictures of issues on the front. Guess it was a bunch of magazines from before the bombs dropped combined into one medium sized book. I reckon she's catching up on the science of the world we live in now. I also noticed another book on the tableside that read, Live & Love, The Complete Collage. Huh, didn't take her to be a bit of a romantic. She gave off more of the stern, serious type when I first met her, got excited by the possibilities of what the future was like, then resorted back to her stoic type after seeing the harsh reality of how the world is now. Least she's lightening up a bit now with how much fun she was having dancing with the Boomers the other night.

"Is there something in here," I hear her ask.

I snapped back to reality and I walked towards her, "Yeah I bought some MRE's from the Vendortron at Gun Runners. They usually have them in stock if you ask. Not many people know about it except the NCR."

"That's neat. So, what should be on the menu tonight? We have Southwest Beef and Black Beans, Spaghetti with Beef and Sauce, Chili with Beans, Hash Brown Potatoes with Bacon, Pepper and Onions, and Chicken, Noodles and Vegetables in Sauce."

"Which do you prefer," I suggested.

"Well, I don't think I want gas tonight, so nothing with beans. The Hash Brown one looks pretty interesting."

"I'm ok with the Spaghetti," I replied, " Haven't had them in a while, and I don't think I want gas either. Hate to be walking through the desert and have us smelling beans."

Elizabeth laughed, "Yeah, that wouldn't be fun."

"Well, I can start it up if you want to keep reading, it won't be difficult. They are MRE's after all."

Elizabeth got up, "Actually, let me make it. You've been up and around most of the day, doing everything. Go take a shower and I'll fix this up."

I scratched my head, still feeling some sand in it from the storm, "Yeah, I could use a shower. Don't over complicate it, it's just an MRE after all."

"I won't," she replies, going into the kitchen, with the two MRE's.

I walked into my room to get a change of underwear and socks. I found where Elizabeth had put them and took one of each and headed to the bathroom. Once I got in there, I turned the water on, took off my clothes, and went into the shower. I felt the warm water hitting my hair and body which always felt comforting to me. I grabbed some soap and scrubbed it in my hair, and started to see the sand fall down on the ground, into the drain. I continued washing myself until I felt my skin starting to prune. I turned the water off and reached out of the shower to grab my towel. I dried myself off as well as my hair and grabbed the comb to straighten it out. I put my clothes back on and headed back into the kitchen. I could already smell the Spaghetti, but it smelled a bit more flavorful than I was thinking. Like some more seasoning was on it. I entered the kitchen and saw that everything was laid out, like it was a family dinner of some kind.

"Boy, you did a great number on the Spaghetti. It smells really good," I said, taking my seat.

"Yeah, I've dabbled in cooking for a while. I had to cook for myself most of my life," She replies, sitting down as well.

"Really? Why was that the case?"

"It's…a very long story."

"Well, we got time," I said, taking a bite.

Elizabeth paused for a moment while I took the spaghetti in. I have to say, it definitely had some seasoning added to it that gave it more flavor. More than what I was expecting as I had MRE's back in D.C and they didn't have much flavor to it.

"Well, it really is a long, complicated story. Don't really have the time at dinner to talk about," She says, taking a bite.

I nodded to agree. I can tell by how she's acted throughout the time I've known her, that the past is a touchy subject for her. I know getting killed and being brought back doesn't sound fun, believe me I know to an extent, but I hope one day I can get her to trust me in telling more about herself. Maybe, the same could even be said about me.

We sat and ate in silence until we both were finished and I took our plates to be washed. While I did that, Elizabeth grabbed her bag to get it ready to go. Once I was done cleaning the kitchen up, I met Elizabeth at the elevator and we headed down the elevator. Once we left the Lucky 38, I could still see the subtle signs left of the sun in the distance as it started to disappear over the horizon. I'm not much of a fan of traveling at night in the Mojave. But considering that we were in a time crunch with the Legion potentially discovering what is going on, it's better we make use of the time we have. But at night, the creatures are more than likely going to appear.

We continued forward, the cool of the night could easily be felt in the air with the moonlight of a half-moon giving us some light to see a bit forward. I had my Pipboy light on that gave a bit more light for us, but still prevented us from being able to fully see everything. Regardless, we pressed on, until I heard fast feet scurrying in the distance.

"Hold on, I think I hear a Radscorpion," I stated.

I heard Elizabeth draw her laser pistol and I drew my rifle in response. The feet started to become louder and then it occurred to me that it wasn't just one Radscorpion, it was a couple. Then I saw four small ones appear over the hill with a big one behind them running towards us. Elizabeth wasted no time in firing on one of the smaller ones, dealing effective damage to it while my attention was to the bigger one. I raised my rifle to try and hit the weak points of the Radscorpion, but to no avail as it continued to charge. I rolled to my left out of its way and before I could get up, his stinger on his tail raised to come down on me. I did another roll this time to my right and heard the stinger enter the ground. I looked up and the Radscorpion had his stinger stuck for a moment and his underside was exposed. Giving me the window of opportunity to fire at it, killing it very quickly. It let out a screech as it fell down, dying. I looked to see that Elizabeth was wrapping up the last little one with her laser pistol as it charred and burned from the red laser, eating away at its hide.

"Is that all of them," Elizabeth asked.

"Yeah, at least you know why I don't like traveling at night," I responded.

"I definitely can see why. Let's get going."

We continued out until we saw the faint light of torches from the 188 Trading Post, in the distance. As we crossed the bridge to get closer, I saw Veronica punching a dummy with a metal fist on her hand.

"Is that a prototype you are testing," I asked.

"Huh, oh Hello. It kinda is but I've loved using this thing against Radroaches. Anyway, did you handle your business down South," Veronica asked.

"Yeah we did, what do you know about the Brotherhood Branch here? Do you know where they are?"

"Yes, I know them. Thing is, The Brotherhood is failing. I've always known that. If we don't change course, we're going to fall apart or... fade away. But until recently I haven't understood where we went wrong, or how to fix it. Hearing about the Branch in D.C, I wonder how they were able to manage and unify for the better of the people. I think I need to go home," she replies, with her arms crossed.

"Well, we want to help that branch. Or at the very least convince them to be more open."

"Great. Thanks. Thank you. I'll encourage people to name their non-ugly children after both of you. Seriously, " Veronica states, "On that note, what are both of your names?"

"I'm Elizabeth," she said with her hand to her chest.

"And I'm Evan," I stated.

"Awesome, I can take you guys there tomorrow morning. I'd hate to have to travel there at night. You are welcome to the sleeping bags in the tent over there," Veronica says, pointing to a tent to our left.

"Thank you. We'll see you in the morning."

Elizabeth and I headed over to the tent and found two sleeping bags laid out with two others occupied by some of the merchants.

"Well, goodnight then," I say, setting my bag down and laying down on the sleeping bag.

"Good night," she replies, mimicking my actions.

I stood at the ceiling of the tent and slowly started to feel my eyelids get heavy, and I drifted off to sleep. I opened my eyes to the smell of eggs and pancakes being made. I looked over to my left to see Elizabeth was not in her sleeping bag. I stood up and left the tent, only to see that Elizabeth was talking with Veronica, while they were eating breakfast. I rubbed my eyes and walked on over.

"Morning, sleepy, " Veronica said, with some food in her mouth.

Elizabeth turned to look at me, our eyes meeting for a moment, " You toss in your sleep."

I scratched the back of my head, "Really? How bad?"

Elizabeth finished a bite, "Like you moved around every couple of minutes. Restless night?"

"Probably. Anyway, is there any food left for me?"

Elizabeth wiped her mouth with a napkin, "Yeah, it's right here next to me."

I was a bit hesitant, sitting next to Elizabeth. But I did so anyway, despite that.

"So what were you both talking about," I asked, cutting the pancake up.

"Hold on Evan," Veronica said, "We were having 'girl' talk. Something that is off limits to men."

"Ah, I see," I replied, taking a bite.

I finished up my meal, while the two of them finished their coffee. Once I was done, I collected everyone's trash.

"Thank you Evan," Elizabeth says.

I nodded my head and took it to the trash. As I was walking away, I heard them immediately resume whispering about something. What it was I couldn't make out. Regardless, I walked to the trash can, threw away the trash, and walked back to the table. They hushed themselves as I got closer and sat down.

"So, are we ready to head out? Or do you both want to keep having a girl talk," I asked.

Veronica laughed, "No, we can head out now. I'll lead."

We all got up from the table and Elizabeth and I made our way back to the tent to get our bags. Once we had them, we headed out, following Veronica. The morning air almost felt as cool as the night, but it was starting to warm up. It only took an hour to make our way to Hidden Valley, and we were met by a gate. The lock was busted and only a chain was there.

"Is this all the security they have," I asked.

"Oh no, they are located in a bunker past this gate," Veronica replied, opening the gate.

We continued forward and Veronica led us to the bunker on the left, near the edge of the gate. When we saw the bunker door, I could see that around the bunker, there was graffiti all over it like "Ban the Bombs" to "Peace" to even "Billy Rules". Veronica opened the bunker up, the gears of the door and its hinges moving into place to bring the door down into the floor. We all entered and were met with the musty, dry air of the bunker and the dimly light hallway with stairs leading down. Veronica continued forward and were met with another bunker door that Veronica opened for us. The door opened and we were met with metal crates on both sides of the room with some even stacked up on each other and at the end of the room, there was yet another bunker door but this one had an intercom next to it.

"Hold on, I got this," Veronica stated, walking up to the intercom, "I'd like a large Atomic Shake and a double Brahmin burger. And easy on the agave sauce this time."

The intercom responded, "We gave you a password Veronica. It's for your own safety."

"I know where you live, Ramos. Open up."

"For Pete's sake. Opening up. Welcome back, Veronica," Ramos replied.

The bunker door started to open up and we entered. There were two barricades in the corner on each side and there was yet another bunker door. Though this door just had a yellow light up ring in the middle of it, unlike the previous three that reminded me of the doors back in D.C.

"How many doors are there in this place," Elizabeth stated, sarcastically, "What is this a high security prison?"

I laughed a little at that. With how many doors here, they really didn't want any of their technology getting out.

The door opened and we were met with more stairs, but this time there was a yellow light filling the room with the light coming out of the metal steps. We continued down the stairs and were met with a Brotherhood of Steel soldier. He had his power armor on except his helmet with his face having a short beard covering most of his face. He had dark brown hair and hazel eyes with a tanned skin color. His look was something I definitely recognized from D.C. A man that has seen combat.

"Listen up. I'm in charge of security around here, and I can't say I'm too happy having two outsiders waltzing around. But since you both came in with Veronica, I'm inclined to cut the two of you a little slack. Just behave and we won't have any problems, okay," Ramos states, giving us a stern look.

I nodded my head in agreement.

"Oh, and the Elder's going to want to talk to you. He's on the second level. Just take a right once you get down there. And my office is right here in case you need anything. Just ask for Ramos."

Ramos heads back into his office, and Veronica continues to take us forward. We walked through the facility and this place gave quite the first impression. Automated turrets everywhere scanning their surroundings to people staring at us with dirty looks like we're disgusting looking people. This place was quite cheery. I felt a tug on my hand from Elizabeth.

"This palace is a riot isn't it," I hear her whisper in my ear.

"Yeah, it really screams 'friendly welcome'. This would be quite the tourist attraction. I can see it now, 'The Brotherhood of Steel, we promise we are not hiding anything suspicious. Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.' ," I whispered back to her.

She snickered, but covered her mouth quickly so others couldn't see.

We pressed on and Veronica opened the final door that led us to the Elders room. It was a circular room with the Elder sitting at his desk and his two guards in power armor were at the entrance of the door. Elizabeth and I waited by them while Veronica approached the Elder. He stood up to greet her with his white hair and gray eyes. His rope was what I had seen before on Elder Lyons. He had a light blue robe on with some leather brown parts on his wrists.

"Hello Veronica. How goes your mission," he asked.

"We'll know in a second. I wanted to talk to you," Veronica replied.

"Veronica, tell me this isn't about-"

Veronica interrupts, "Yes, goddamn it, it is. But you're going to hear me out this time."

The Elder sighed, "We've been through this."

"The things I've seen now. Other groups succeed where we fail. It's not too late for us."

The Elder leans back in his seat, "We've outlasted the end of the world. We'll outlast these upstarts."

"Waiting in a hole for everyone else to die," she retorts.

"If we must," he states, putting his hand on his desk.

"This is a dead end for us."

"I see no evidence of that. Nor do I see anyone out there with a solution to our problems," he replies.

"How could you? You're too scared to look. But I'm not," she expresses.

The Elder looks at Veronica with curiosity, "Are you referring to your two companions? Do they have a solution to our problems?"

"They could, if you would like to listen to them."

"Respectfully, I decline. The last time we trusted outsiders we had issues that led to the situation we are in now. So, I do not wish to take their advice."

Veronica turns to face us, "Let's go. We're wasting our time. "

We all left the room and walked down until we were in an empty room.

"I'd slap him around, but he stood at my parents' wedding. Plus he used to make excuses to get me out of my punishment when I slept through Head Scribe Taggart's lectures. Figure I owe him for that," Veronica stated, then gave a sigh, "He means well. "

"So what now, " Elizabeth asked.

"I'm not giving up. He wants evidence, but he'll never go looking for it. He's scared I'm right. He'll never listen unless I hold the proof right in front of his face."

"You think the Elder will listen at all," I asked with my arms crossed.

"He's a stubborn old man, but when it comes down to it, he's got our best interests at heart. If he sees some indisputable sign we're on the wrong course, he won't ignore it.

"So, how do we get them to open up," I asked.

Veronica panics, "That's my question to the Elder. All these years, the Brotherhood has collected weapons technology. And for what? To keep it out of people's hands? That clearly hasn't worked. To defend ourselves? We can't compete with the NCR's numbers. Or the Legion's. We're fighting a war for a lost cause. If we're going to survive, we have to find a role in society. Attract new members."

"Sounds like the branch in D.C," I stated.

"Yes. They have the complete right idea. It's a shame that they don't have many resources to spread to other parts of the states. It would set our branch in the right direction and stop them from being so closed off. Even looking at the Followers of the Apocalypse. They use their expertise to improve people's lives. They train them to be self-sufficient. That expertise cultivates respect and gratitude. Spreads their ideals and draws talent to their cause. They make friends like we make enemies. But they don't know a fraction of what we know. If we took on their role, we could stand up to anyone. We wouldn't have to hide,"

"Knowledge is power as they say, "Elizabeth chimes in.

"So, how could we start convincing him," I urged.

Veronica started to show a bit of panic, "I don't know. I don't know. We'd need something that shows the Brotherhood will fail. Or that it can do better in a different way. The only thing that'd get his attention is technology."

She paused for a moment, "Huh. Maybe Father Elijah had the right idea."

"Who was that?"

"Our Elder before McNamara. He had a nose for recovering lost technology. He'd send Scribes out into the desert chasing whatever leads he found. There were a few he only trusted me with. I can think of at least one that'd prove my point, if it still exists. There's a comm terminal not too far from here I'd use to access messages from him. If we go there I can pull up his research on it."

"Well, let's head on over there," I stated.

"I'm with you. Being around here isn't the same anymore," Veronica replies, looking down.

We started to make our way out of the facility, past the familiar dirty looks people gave us, and past the automated turrets, scanning their surroundings. Before we could continue, a soldier in full power armor stops us.

"What is this? Veronica brings an outsider into our home, then has a private audience with the Elder? The two of you may have the Elder fooled, but we know better. Veronica has always twisted the Founder's principles to her own ends. We will not stand idly by and allow her to corrupt our Elder's thinking," He states.

"We are not here to twist and destroy the Brotherhood. We are just here hoping to establish some form of peace and convince the truth about the outside," I replied.

"I don't believe that for a second. Keep your ideals to yourself, outsider," He scowls, turning around and leaving.

"Sorry about that. Just because I love them doesn't mean some of them aren't assholes," Veronica says, with her hand on her hip.

"It's fine. I've had worse things said to my face," I replied.

"Same here, "Elizabeth expressed.

We continued on and went through the many bunker doors again and got to the surface.

"I would really hate having to live here for my entire life," Elizabeth says to Veronica.

"I can't really say I blame you. But it is what I only had my entire life. Didn't really know much about the outside world until I saw it for myself," Veronica answers.

"I honestly relate to you Veronica. More than you realize," she replied.

"Really, how so? Were you forced to live somewhere, secluded from the rest of the world? And only by going out yourself, you saw something different?"

"Yes to both. And my view on life changed after I saw that," Elizabeth replied.

Veronica walked up to take her hands, "We could use your experience to help convince McNamara on the benefits of opening up the doors."

"I don't know. Not that I don't want to help convince them, but I'm not sure I am ready to divulge that information. It's…private and…personal," Elizabeth responded.

"I understand, but even a little bit could help convince them of the truth."

Veronica isn't wrong about that. It's going to take all three of us to convince McNamara to open the Brotherhood's doors to the rest of the world. And Elizabeth's experience could help give another perspective to McNamara on why the doors should be open. But first things first, we need to find that terminal.

I cleared my throat, "So where is this terminal," I asked.

"It's in the Gibson Scrap Yard. The terminal is in Gibson's house, about 30 mins from here," She replied.

"Ok let's get going then," I replied, motioning Veronica to take the lead.

Well that shouldn't take long to get to. But I do have another question. Could we easily convince these people to be more open to the outside? Even if we force McNamara or convince him, he will have to deal with the few that won't agree. Like Elder Lyons did with the Outcasts. They ended up branching off and doing their own thing. Though there were far more Brotherhood members compared to the ones here. So maybe it won't lead to a breakup, but rather those Brotherhood Members refusing to change would have to eventually conform to the Elders and others wishes. Who knows. It could go either direction, but one thing is for certain. If we don't convince them to be more open and have a treaty with Mr. House, we are going to have to come back and deal with them differently.