Chapter Fourteen
MIA
"Emery No!"
Danse shouts had fallen onto deaf ears as Emery sprinted off, attracting the Radscorpion horde. He watched in horror as she withdrew a grenade and gripped the pin. "Stop!" He yelled louder, his voice tearing. He took off into a gallop hoping to reach her before-
Panic gripped him as he felt his stomach jump into his throat. He urged his legs to move faster, but he realized he'd be too late. Emery withdrew the pin and just as it left her hand and landed directly on a gas vein it exploded engulfing not only the Radscorpions, but swallowing her up as well. The sheer force of the explosion hit him straight, and it was all he could do to stay standing straight in its wake. He felt his feet grind into the dirt and he braced himself.
"What the fuck just happened?" The freak exclaimed running over.
Danse ignored him as he rushed into the settling cloud. Bits and pieces of the Radscorpions littered the areas but no sign of Emery. Only the prints of where her boots had been were been the only sign she had even been there.
At once he recognized it. The quickening of his breath, the adrenaline coursing through his veins. A cool chill gripped his limbs as millions of thoughts buzzed in his head like a nest of bloatflies.
Hadn't she listened when he said this place was covered in gas fumes? No, he should have emphasized the danger more to her, drilled it into her, so her cautious side would come out. He knew she had one, deep beneath her reckless tendencies.
A tingling sensations soon set in causing him to shake with the incoming surge of adrenaline. He pinched his eyes shut in an attempt to calm himself. It didn't help.
"Where the hell did Sunshine get off to?" The ghoul rasped looking about. He then let out a snicker that made his skin crawl. "Don't tell me that explosion knocked her off her feet? That is the right expression right?"
The vein on Danse forehead pulsed violently, sending stars to his vision. Now now! He pleaded, as if it would stop the onslaught of pain that was settling into his head. "It would appear she's been blown back by the explosion." He said as mildly as his frustration allowed. He couldn't loose it, not now. Not in front of the ghoul. He couldn't show any weakness, he was a Brotherhood Paladin! An elite solider! "The armor must have taken the brunt of it."
The ghoul laughed again; his laughter sounded like gears grinding together to Danse's ears and only fueled his ire. "God, Em's such a clutz." He boomed shaking his head, "can't go five minutes without injuring herself. It's a wonder she was a dancer-"
Danse turned away and blocked out the freaks grating voice. He needed to focus, to control his emotions before they took over what little of his rational mind was left. He could slowly feel the cold iron grip of a panic attack seep into his nerves; like melted steel into a mold. Deep breathes, in and out. Push back, push it down.
He was in control, he wouldn't allow this weakness to control-to invade his mission. He told Cade it wouldn't effect his performance on the field. And by steel he would prove that he didn't need to be taken from active duty.
He just needed focus, steel like focus. If he couldn't do that, then how could he possibly save Emery?
Taking a deep breath, he felt the cold hands slip further back and could finally think clearly once more.
The armor had taken the brunt of it. He repeated. There would have been pieces of her armor scattered around if it hadn't. Despite his mounting panic, he was impressed with the durability of her armor. She certainly knew how to craft them. Maybe he'd have her work with Ingram for a while. It wasn't the time for that. Focus!
But how far back did it blast her? Though there were no pieces, did the explosion cause serious damage? Had the landing? If parts were broke or cracked, then radiation could seep in.
He felt the jump in his blood pressure with the mere realization that she did not have the necessary skills to survive for long out here on her own. She had never been in a situation like this before, cut off from her team in a hostile unforgiving environment.
He had to find her, and he had to find her quickly. Each minute that ticked by their odds of finding her alive-of finding her dwindled.
The sharp pain in his head pulsed again and became a cruel cycle of repetition with each step. Breathe, he ordered himself. Push it back and push it down.
His chant could only do so little. They needed to move, not just for Emery's sake but because for his own mental state as well. The longer they were idle, the quicker his panic would over take him.
"So where do yah think she's flown off too?" The ghoul asked causing Danse's vein to bulge, sending another wave of pain through him.
Danse heard his teeth grind together before he felt the pain that accompanied it. If he spoke one more time-or made another wise unhelpful comment-he broke that train of thought. He needed to remain collective. He couldn't fight with the ghoul, not at a time like this. Not when Emery was missing. He had said he would try to cooperate with the ghoul. Even if she wasn't here to see it, he would listen to her-as long as the ghoul cooperated that is. He took an even breath in, clearing the irritation from his mind. The dust had settled now, giving him a better view of the blast zone. "Given the force of the blast I highly doubt she had been blown in a different direction." He said squaring his shoulders, "we better move out now. Theres no telling what the blast might have attracted."
"Ah, yeah, don't wanna be here when a deathclaw comes poking its snout around." The ghoul said cheerful enough. Danse heard the familiar hiss of a jet canister and felt his brow narrow. He heard the ghoul take a long drag then said, "alright crew cut, lead the way."
He was beginning to regret his choice of not fighting with the ghoul. He was seriously getting high at a time like this? Was there ever a time when the ghoul wasn't high? Danse flinched as the pounding in his head turned into a crescendo, causing spots to dot his vision. Grinding his teeth he pushed on, blocking out the ghoul and his addiction. He pushed forward, while trying in vein to calm not only his anger ,but the headache that wiggled its way in. Emery was missing, yet the ghoul acted as though nothing happened. Didn't he realize the severity of the situation or was he too stoned to realize it?
He should have never joined them on this mission. He continually got in his way with his abhorrent fighting style. It was a mess plain and simple. He dashed around like a madman without grace or precision, and didn't care if he got in the way or not. His attitude was no better, breaking into arguments left and right, challenging his orders. He had no respect for the safety of other, nor himself. He jeopardized the mission with his very presence. Why Emery would willingly associate herself with him was beyond him. Just what did she like about the ghoul, why did she call him a 'good friend'? He hadn't seen any indicator that the ghoul cared about anyone other than his addiction and his image.
Even now as he listened to the ghouls blissful inhales as he puffed away at his chems, grated Danse's nerves in ways he didn't think possible. His devil-may-care personality alone pushed his patience's to the edge. How one could just drift through life; never making a plan-just 'going with the flow'. It made little sense to him.
One could not act on impulses. One need structures, discipline self restraint, and concrete plans. Else everything would turn into a mess. Just ass it has now.
He should have taken point instead of leaving it up to Emery. Than none of this would have happened.
"Hey, Crew cut!"
"What!" Danse snapped, turning towards him.
"It looks like she might have fallen into that building down there." He said nonchalantly as he pointed with his thumb down. "I see a hole with crumbling pieces, looks kind of fresh."
He shot the ghoul a look before he glanced down. The hole was indeed fresh, he could tell by the way pieces continued to break away and fall. And while the building was in the direct path, he didn't want to admit the freak could be right.
"So," the ghoul trailed off, "how do ya think we get down there."
Danse ignored his stupid question and proceeded to walk over to the less steep side, "what the fuck you doin crew cut?" The ghoul questioned when Danse began to slide down the hill.
It was an effective move, with his power armor he wouldn't need to worry about his footing. Just would have to avoid large rocks, or cracks. Anyone that worked with power armor would easily be able to do it. He heard the ghoul call out to him, "now how do yah expect me to get down."
To be honest he couldn't care less. If luck was on his side, maybe the ghoul would give up and turn back. It would be one less thing he'd have to worry about.
He heard rocks and dirt shifting as he landed, which unfortunately meant the ghoul followed. Sure enough when he turned around he saw the ghoul try to slide down the steep hill while standing, but was failing. He lost his footing half way down, his leg raised above his head and he fell down on his backside and slide the rest of the way like that, until he reached the bottom where he was forced to land on his stomach. It was a hilarious sight, since the ghoul seemed to think so highly of himself.
Th ghoul quickly picked himself up and dusted himself off, "guess I took one to many hits." He said knocking his hat off with his boot. "The ground started bubbling."
He couldn't stop the groan that built up in his throat was there ever a moment in his life when he wasn't high, "lets move out." He ordered not bothering to let the ghoul catch up.
"Aye, aye Paladin Uptight." The ghoul mocked, which only caused another sneer from Danse.
Danse's headache only grew worse by the minute-especially when the ghoul opened his mouth. His relaxed demeanor had caused Danse's patience to reach a boiling point.
"Get down!" This ghoul hissed breaking Danse's thoughts like a scattered window.
Danse's eyes narrowed. How dare he give him orders. But when he followed his line of sight he saw just in time as the front doors to the building open. He ducked for cover just as two super mutants walked out mere moments before one of the ugly green heads popped out.
Every bit of Danse calmness drained out of his body. The tingling sensation returned leaving his legs feeling as if they were being stabbed with thousands of tiny needles. His heart thundered in his chest just as a cool chill swept cover him. No, no, no, no, no! Mind blank, he was left at the mercy of his overwhelming panic and anxiety. Emery might be in there. Might be trapped defenseless, surrounded by Super Mutant and their ilk. There's a high change she could share the same fate as-
'Help me Danse…'
No! He firmly shoved the panicked face of Culter from his mind. She would not share Culter's fate. Not while he was still breathing. He would not lose another to those abominations.
He took a deep breath. He couldn't loose it. He needed his mind clear if he had any chance of getting Emery out of there. They needed a plan, and he'd have to focus in order to create it. He glanced down at the ghoul who was already loading his shotgun, "we gonna mess up those dumbbells or what?" He said his voice sounding impatient.
"No, we need a plan. There's no telling how many mutant filth that place is filled with."
"And what better way than to charge in there and kick some ass!"
That was it. He turned to the ghoul, "is this all some kind of joke to you! Gilmore is hurt somewhere-trapped in that building full of Super mutants and your behaving as though your taking a stroll through Diamond City!" Danse seethed, his anger past its boiling point. "This proves my point exactly ,you freaks don't have a shred of compassion or humanity in you!."
The ghoul's black eyes widened a fraction, then suddenly it shifted. Just like a storm. His expression darkened. His features turned rigid as his eyes narrowed, "listen here crew cut, I care about Emery. She's about one of the only decent ones left in this fucked up world!" The ghoul clipped, "and the only reason I ain't loosing my shit is cause I know Em. She's a survivor whose gone through a hell of a lot worse crap than getting thrown back by a grenade. Maybe you should trust in her abilities a little more since you clearly think she's incompetent. "
"How dare you insinuate that I don't trust her!' Danse threw back, "I have been by her side for months now-I know her strengths and weaknesses better than anyone!"
"That's a load of Brahmin shit!" The ghoul spat, his eyes narrowing even further, causing his already sharp features to crease. "You stop her from doing shit left and right. You've never seen her in action-really in action. She's a scrapper and is a hell of a lot more effective close range. She may lack strength but she's quick and can dodge a hit."
Danse squared his shoulders and stiffened his spine. He wasn't in the mood to deal with the ghouls attitude, especially while Emery remained missing. "Listen here ghoul. I am her superior officer. Therefor I understand and know her weaknesses better than anyone, especially you."
"Why do you keep her sidelined then?"
Danse's brow furrowed, he never held her back from the fighting, at least not completely. There were some situations he felt she wasn't ready for, close range for instance or with an enemy she never fought before-like the radscorpions. And that was proven when she threw the grenade. Her and her reckless grenade throwing! Hadn't she learned from her mistakes back at Archjet?
He flinched at the wave of piercing pain that left his head throbbing and his vision blurry. His legs still felt numb. The pain was getting worse.
Damnit, he though he had moved past this. He hadn't had one of these attacks in months. Grinding his teeth he fought the wave of vertigo that swept up beneath him.. The ghouls voice sent another rippling wave of pain throughout his body, "what? Angry that a ghoul like me knows more about a person that you do? Well heads up tin can, ghouls still are human, even if your Brotherhood claim they ain't."
Danse's teeth began to ache as he turned away. He fought the urge to rip off his helmet and rub at his temples, and to throw the helmet at the ghouls face. "Hey, you alright there crew cut? You ain't soundin' so hot."
"I'm fine," he said through clenched teeth. He wasn't but he wouldn't let it stop him. They had to rescue Emery, and time was of the essence. It pained him to admit it, but they would need. Time was of the essence and stealth would not help them in this situation. "Were going to go in and clear a path-straight to Gilmore."
He heard the ghoul sputtered, "now I know you ain't feeling right." He said curtly, "were you against that plan?"
"I don't approve of the idea, but we don't have the luxury of time." Who knows what those abominations were doing to her. He winced when another string of piercing hot pain rippled through his head. "You take point."
"Why don't we find some shade, I think your heads been baking too long." The freak said suspiciously. "Why the hell would you want me upfront."
"I want you where I can see you." He growled out. It would be a cold day in the wasteland if he was going to let the ghoul cover his back.
"That sounds more like you."
Narrowing his eyes, Danse removed his rifle, and clicked the safety off, "we don't have time for your sarcasm, now get into position."
The ghoul passed him a glare before he unslung his shot gun, mumbling "you just want a meat shield."
The ghoul stood up abruptly and rushed towards the mutants. He hit the one on the right with deft accuracy, which Danse suspected was just dumb luck. There was no way the ghoul could aim so effectively while being intoxicated.
He watched as the other mutant stared slack jaw. Before the abomination could fire, Danse jumped from cover and showered it with an onslaught of laser fire. The mutant went down with a guttural scream. Danse glanced over at the ghoul and gave him a nod to head in.
The freak gave him a nasty look before kicking the door open dramatically. Instantly the hallway flung to life with a chorus of Super Mutant shouts of anger, "ah where human come from!" "Die puny human!" That was when Danse recognized the rhythmic beeping sound drawing closer, and closer.
Suicider. He should have guessed one would be here. There's always one. He looked up form his cover, it was at the end of the hallway. With deft, practiced hands he raised his rifle took aim and pressed the trigger. He ducked right before the hallway was engulfed from the fallout. He heard the ghoul shout out a sling of curses before he quickly dove for cover.
The resulting blast sent a wave of force through the cramped hallway, the force did nothing for the pain in his head but he bite past it with a groan. The explosion seemed to have taken down the mutants around, but he knew how many a normal mutant hive had and this wasn't even a fraction.
"What the hell crew cut!" The ghoul hissed, getting into a kneeling position, "warn a guy next time to decide to host fireworks in a hallway!"
"If I hadn't taken the shot it would have gotten us." He said as a matter-of-fact. "I had to act fast there was no time to issue a warning."
Checking his rifle Danse quickly reloaded, then gave the ghoul a side glance, "if you have been paying attention you would have seen the suicider and taken cover."
The ghoul rose to his feet and shook his ridiculous jacket. "You know I didn't throw a fuss back with those raider when you almost shot me multiple times." This ghoul said brazenly. "But now I think your deliberately trying to do me in."
"You continue to throw yourself in my way with your reckless behavior."
"All I hear are excuses! Admit it tin can and we can just move on!"
"Enough!" Danse said sharply, teeth clenched. The discomfort in his head had turned into a crescendo of stabbing pain that sent stars blinding his vision. "We need to find Gilmore. Just stay out of my way!"
Danse waited for the ghoul to respond. But instead of breaking into another argument, or giving an unhelpful quip, the ghoul sent him a dark look, raised his shot gun and headed down the corridor. Danse watched him for a moment with a sneer. He had the audacity to accuse him of trying to shoot him. The ghoul had deliberately jumped into his line of sight, so of course bullets would be aimed towards him.
Danse rolled his shoulders to alleviate the tension in them. It hadn't helped that his whole body felt constricted as a head rushed through his system. He was running on pure steel-will, he would need to find Emery soon. The very notion that she was trapped somewhere in here surrounded by those abominations sends his nerves on fire. There was no way he would lose another comrade-another person he was close to-to Super Mutants.
His ears picked up on shouts from down the hall, before the freak rushed a group of mutants. Danse felt his brow narrow. Damn impatient ghoul, before he rushed to help. The narrow hallway was cramped with three mutants who seemed to be shoving one another. The ghoul shot Danse a raised look before he fired at the one mutant in front. The abomination let out a growl as it clutched at its neck. Its disgusting green hands stained in its own blood then fell back on its comrades. They didn't even flinch just discarded its body as one would a empty ammo cartridge. Danse scoffed, of course their was no empathy for fallen comrades; mutants had no humanity. Their only instinct was to kill and eat.
Ghouls were hardly any better, barely holding onto their last shred of humanity. They were mere inches from turning feral with each passing day. It didn't matter how human they seemed, they still had the chance to turn. Emery had to acknowledge that fact if she were to continue to associate with the freak. And that went double for the synth. Why couldn't she see the danger she brought on herself each and every time she placed herself in their company. Both were unstable and could turn on her within mere seconds.
"Hey watch out crew cut!" The ghouls voice shattered Danse's train of thought just as a bullet wizzed past him. The next second a horse scream of pain came from behind him. Turning he was stunned to see a sole mutant behind him, who held his shoulder from where the ghouls bullet hit it. Danse reacted a split second later and shot the abominations in its head, killing it instantly.
They quickly finished off the rest in the narrow hallway. Danse mentally kicked himself, how could he allow an abomination to sneak up on him like that? And worse, the ghoul had saved him. The smug look never drifted from his face. "You should pay more attention to your surroundings," he said mockingly.
Danse scowled, they didn't have time for his childish antics. "Judging from the layout of the building we should be getting close to where Gilmore could have landed." He said walking passed the ghoul.
"Lets just hope she didn't crash down to the bottom floor."
"Unlikely," he said quickly, "if you hadn't noticed the ground near the edge she slid back and into the building. She's more than likely on the first floor still." And hopefully the mutants hadn't realized she was there, and she hadn't moved.
"Well ain't you a detective." The freak crumbled.
The hallways had grown quiet as they walked. Strange, Danse had thought taking in his surroundings. This was a hive, yet they hardly ran into any hostile. Hives generally had twenty mutant scums, and that was only the minimum. He had seen hives have more than fifty. It had taken two full squadrons to take out that hive. He would have though that a hive in the glowing sea would have more than the few they ran into.
The freak seemed to have picked up on that as well. His eyes seemed to be searching, yet his brow was raised. "Where do yah think all the bastards went?" He mumbled, rubbing at his chin. "Mutants ain't cowards, they wouldn't turn tail if they heard us."
The only other explanation would be if they were distracting by something-or someone else. Which only added to Danse's anxiety. Could Emery be drawing their focus? "Come onewe need to double time it-Danse froze when he turned the corner.
"What is it crew cut-"
The hallway had three mutant bodies sprawled out, each with large bruises and bullet wounds littering their bodies. A giant chunk of the wall was missing in one section exposing the hall to the elements of the glowing sea. None of that caused the swell of gripping fear that weighed down his limbs as if he were frozen.
A lone set of power armor leaned against the wall nearest the hole. Pieces of it were missing while dents covered the helmet. Please no..
He took one step, then another. Heart pounding in his ears, blocking all other sounds. Please no..
Bending down he carefully hit the small latch on the side, the gears and pistons let out a loan hiss as the seals unlocked. Taking a deep breath, he slowly pulled the helmet off.
The armor was empty.
He let out a breath he hadn't known he had been holding. The armor was empty, he repeated hoping to find some relief in that. But found none. She had abandoned her armor, whether it was willingly or not he didn't have the slightest notion.
"Shit." The ghoul wheezed approaching it. "I don't think the grenade did all that."
Either Emery had a good reason for abandoning her armor, or she foolishly left it. If it were anyone else his frustration would take point. But it surprised him that his worry outweighed the authoritative side of his mind that called to reprimand her for acting so recklessly.
He felt his breath hitch as he took in his surrounding, his mind trying desperately to cling on what little rationality he had left. It was apparent that she had fought the mutants, her armor had been damaged in the explosion. He leaned close to the armor, picking out which piece was damaged when. The closer he looked, the more the chill seeped in. The damage had been extensive. The cord that connected the right arm joint had been severed, while the circuits to the left knee socket had been severely crippled, it wouldn't have been operational at that point, as least if you wanted to walk around.
The dents that littered the armor had meant close quarters, whether she intentionally choose to or not. He hoped not. The thought of Emery-even in power armor-fighting close range with a group of super mutants caused a violent turn in his stomach.
But where did she go? He scanned the ground, "it doesn't appear she had been dragged anywhere." He ignored the small voice in his head that said a mutant could have just carried her. "We have a few options, we could either comb the rest of the area or-"
"There are footprints over here," the ghoul interrupted. The ghoul was through the hole, looking down at a patch of dirt, "I cant tell if they're fresh or not. Missed that day of class."
He slowly approached the ghoul careful not to disrupt anything around them that could point them to Emery. There were two set of prints, he noted examining each set. One was smaller, they were weighted down only slightly-the person was not wearing anything heavy. Normal strides, so who ever it was, wasn't running, nor did it seem they were injured. This set could potentially be Emery, they seemed to a woman's shoe, but he never paid attention to that.
The other pair unsettled Danse. They were much larger, almost the size his armored bootprints made. He could tell whoever it was was not wearing shows. His first thoughts jumped to a super mutant, but when he glanced over at the bodies of the other mutants he realized the printers were much smaller.
He slowly examined the prints, taking closer detail to the imprint. He wasn't a tracker, so his knowledge was limited. The prints seemed fresh to him, but he couldn't be sure how old they actually were. He gave the hall another glance, it had no other clues as to her whereabouts and it would only waste they're time if they continued searching in there. If they didn't follow the trail now it would only grow cold- not to mention they would only get farther away. "If these prints are Gilmore's-which I'm positive they are." He said straightening his back, "then she left with this stranger, willingly."
The ghoul poked at the larger set of prints, "those ain't a normal persons footprint." He said standing up. "So brings up the questions, what the hell is it? Hopefully Em's trusting nature didn't get the better of her that she would willingly go with a Super Mutant."
So the ghoul had some sense then. "They're too small to be a mutants." He said as a matter of fact. "We'll only know what made those prints once we catch up. We don't have time to speculate."
They followed the prints for a good couple of miles-never stopping. He could feel the fatigue seep into his body as the sun dew closer to the horizon. There was only an hour or so before nightfall. And when the sun sat, he was sure more beasts would become active.
Despite the setting sun, the heat was sweltering. Even in his armor he could feel it. Glancing as the ghoul, he could tell it was beginning to affect him. They wouldn't be able to continue at the pace they were going. He let out a growl, his frustration mounting. As much as he would love to blame the ghoul for having to stop, he knew he wouldn't be able to keep it up either.
He had been about to stop when he saw the freak pause and glanced down at the trail. "That's strange. The small prints looks a bit funny. Or am I not seeing straight.' He said squinting down at the dirt. "Kinda looks like she was dragging her feet almost."
Flipping on his headlamp he examined the prints. They were significantly lighter than they had before, closer spaced as well. While some looked as though she had been dragging her feet, others looked as though she had been swaying as if she had been fighting to walk in a straight line.
Anything could have caused this walking pattern. Heat stroke, fatigue, blood loss. He assumed to his own horror, she had no protection for the radiation this place generated. The potential she contracted radiation poisoning was high-especially given that fact that he was in possession of the radaway and rad-x.
Waves of acute piercing pain suddenly crashed into his mind causing black spots to break his vision. He couldn't dwell on that, when he found her, then he when would allow himself to feel. Right now he needed to remain focus.
Her choppy prints continued in that swaying fashion until they found a spot in the mud and dirt that appeared to have held a body laying in it. He felt his heart sink when he realized that was where the small prints ended. No, nononono. He could feel his pulse quicken as sweat beaded on his brow. The stabbing pain returned as his mind was repetitively pinched by it.
"This ain't lookin good." The ghoul said cynically, "but at least he or it or whatever hadn't left her here."
At this point Danse wished it did, than at least he'd know where she was or what kind of condition she was in. "Let's continue." He said bluntly as he started walking.
"He wait a minute there crew cut!" The ghoul said quickly as he caught up to Danse, "as much as I want to find Em, we need a break."
"Negative." He said stepping around him, "we don't have time to stop. The longer we take, the farther they get. Or the higher the chance the prints will get blow away by the wind or broken by a creature."
"And what happens if there's a fight at the end of it?" The ghoul challenged raising his chin up. "I don't know about you but I cant fight on an empty tank."
The pain in his head was reaching its peak now. With each twitch of his pulse it sent waves of white hot pain throughout his body. His mind and body needed a break, he knew that. The ghoul didn't look much better. In his current state he wouldn't last in a fight.
But the very image of Emery out here somewhere, injured, sick and alone was enough of a motivator to push passed his fatigue. "We will continue a littler further while we still have some light left." He said evenly, pushing the pain and the anxiety to the back of his mind.
"But there ain't much up ahead other than a huge crater. I don't think we'll find anything up there."
"There could be a base or a hideout. There heading somewhere, why else wouldn't they have stopped at least once." As they had walked Danse had noticed how the tracks hadn't faltered once. Which could only mean they hadn't rested but pushed onward. He squinted off ahead towards the hills of the crater. Steep it would be difficult to climb in the dark, but they didn't have any other option, "once we reach the crater, we'll assess the situation again and rest."
"Why is there a fucking settlement in a fucking crater in the most radiated part of the Commonwealth?" The ghoul said with disbelief, "they either gotta be a bunch of ghouls or fuckin' morons."
Danse 'begrudgingly' agreed with the ghoul. The idea that a settlement was all the way out here was ludicrous. "The tracks head down there." Danse noted his eyes scanning the dirt. Emery must be in here somewhere. He took another long gulp from his canteen. "Safeties off, we don't know if these settlers are hostile or not."
The ghoul let out a long gasp after chugging down his water bottle, "that hit the spot!" He said wiping his lips with his sleeve he gave Danse a serious look. Danse had never seen a shred of seriousness on the ghouls face before now, "or you know we don't take our guns out and act civilized."
Danse's rolled his eyes, and put the rest of his rations away. They waited long enough. "You can choose to do that." He said taking out his rifle, "but if you get shot I don't want to hear you complain."
The freak shot him a look, tossing his empty plastic bottle over his shoulder. "And if they become hostile after seeing you go in there fully cocked than don't complain to me when you get shot."
Walking down the side had proved difficult. Not only were their jagged edges, but the sides were covered in radioactive sludge that coated the rocks and loose gravel. The Geiger counter blazed with anger with every inch closer, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5. The settlement had to be abandoned or infested with ghouls, it was inconceivable that people would be here.
They reached a poorly constructed room. That was where the foot prints stopped. Danse squinted off towards the rest of the settlement, with a tightness in his throat. The possibility that he might have to engage in combat with a settlement unsettled him. He wouldn't if they cooperated, but nothing would stand in his way to get Emery back.
"I don't think that bridge'll hold yer metal butt." The ghoul snickered.
"There's no need." Danse shook his head, "this doesn't lead to the settlement, there's a path there that does."
Danse narrowed his eyes as he watched two people approaching them His grip tightened on the handle of his rifle when he noticed they were armed. "Of course…"
"What?" The ghoul chimed in turning and squinting down the path.
"Now it makes sense why a settlement would be all the way out here. These people are part of the Children of Atom cult."
The ghoul groaned rubbing at the bridge of his nose-or where it would be, "not those whack jobs." He said shaking his head, "at least they ain't hostile else we'd already have our atoms split."
Danse glared at the approaching cult members. "For now." He said with an air of caution. "From what I know of the children of atom, they can be very-temperamental."
"So then lets not piss them off." The ghoul said with a nod towards the cultist, "cause we don't know if they have Em locked up somewhere."
Danse held his reply back as the two cultist approached. They were thin, and sickly looking. They skin had a green aloe to it while thick black circles hung under their eyes. Danse blew air out of his nose. The Cult was diluted to think they were immune to radiation just because they thought that their god protected them. Ridiculous.
The one to the right spoke first, her glare darkened when her eyes rested on Danse's armor, "state you business Brotherhood or be divided on sight!"
"We mean you no ill will." He said cautiously, raising his hand away from his rifle. The guns the two had were not to be underestimated. He didn't know how the cultist possessed such technology. "We are only searching for our missing comrade, nothing more."
The two shared a look before the woman glanced back towards him, "we'll take you to Mother Isolde." She said curtly, "if you reach for you weapon-even slightly-I will not hesitate to send you to be judge by Atom."
Danse suppressed the rising groan before it reached his lips. Cultist and their blind loyalty.
They followed the cultist, the woman in front leading them, while the other followed behind them, gun at the ready. They walked in silence-which surprised Danse. He'd though that the ghoul would make a wise crack, but he was eerily silent. His black eyes scanned cautiously around, almost as if searching for something. Danse turned his focus back in front. He wanted to be ready in case the cultist lead them into a trap.
The settlement was small, only had a few metal dwellings with even fewer people. He only counted ten from the ones he could see, he couldn't count if there were ones lurking behind the curtains. If trouble did start they were easily out numbered - but while the cultist had great numbers - it didn't look as though all were armed with the same weapon the two leading them had.
The one leading them halted and turned to face him, "up this walk way is Mother Isolde, you may speak with her." She said with displeased look in her eyes. "But I'm watching you Brotherhood filth, try anything and I will divide you."
Danse let out a groan and glared down at the feeble Child of Atom Cultist. If Emery's life wasn't on the line then he would have put the woman in her place. How dare she invoke the Brotherhood name in such a way.
The ghoul decided now to break his silence, "thanks sister, and for the record, I aint no Brotherhood pawn."
The cultist merely glared before she stepped away from the path. "You're still an outsider and your still with him." She spat, "if it were up to me I'd incinerate each and everyone of you including that girl and Virgil-"
"Sister Marsali!" The other cultist said, quickly placing his hand on her shoulder. "It is not our place to judge."
The cultist-Marsali-shrugged his hand off and glared. "Well it should be! Why should we allow outsiders in. We traded most of our medical supplies to Virgil-"
"Sister Marsali!" He hissed through his teeth. Then looked towards Danse, a scowl on his whether face, "talk with Mother Isolde, she might tell you what you want to know." He said shortly.
Danse narrowed his eyes. They knew something about Emery's whereabouts he knew it. Looking up he saw another woman watching with a hawk eye stare. Her shoulder stiff as she watched, her gaze sharpened when their eyes met. He didn't like this. He thought at once his fingers twitching. He stopped himself before he reached for his rifle. Not only were they outnumbered but he'd risked Emery's safety if their fanatics did indeed have her imprisoned. He would just need to play the waiting game.
He pushed past the two, offering each a glare. The ghoul followed close next to him, "tin can." He whispered under his breath, "something don't smell right and it aint the limestone."
Danse nodded, "agreed. Keep your eyes and ears opened, we could be walking into a trap."
Reaching the woman, she regarded them with a nod of her head, but her expression was anything but welcoming. She was a small woman with gaunt features. Her eyes were bloodshot, making her blue eyes stand out even more. "State your business with our settlement." She said evenly, but Danse could hear the suspicion in it.
Clearing his throat he took a step closer. He'd have to choose his words carefully and proceed with extreme caution. Cultists were generally twitchy and acted unpredictably. "We were directed to speak with you. My name is Danse, Paladin of the Brotherhood."
Her eyes narrowed a fraction, "I am Mother Isolde and I watch over the chosen."
"Why the hell would you choose to settle all the way out here?!" The ghoul chimed in. Danse scowled, which went unnoticed by the freak. Clearly he didn't think there was a need to be cautious.
Isolde gave an insulted look before she cleared her throat, "we are the Children of Atom." She said raising her voice as if she were preaching, "we have come to this holy ground to praise our most Holy lead, Atom, and bask in his all mighty glow."
"Oh boy…" The ghoul muttered. Fanatics and their blind loyalty to some faceless, nonexistent god. Couldn't they put that trust into something more concrete.
Isolde eyed the ghoul dubiously, "we have built here to show our thanks to his divine reverence. "
Th ghoul folded his arms over his chest, "guess you all got the tolerance of a ghoul. Gotta be nuts to settle all the way out here."
"He brought us here to this place which cannot harm us." Her voice was steady but sounded as if there was an anger boiling beneath it. "Our faith in Atom is unwavering. In return he has granted us his blessing and protects us from those-" She sent a glare towards Danse, her eyes resting on his Brotherhood insignia. "Who would do us harm. It is his blessing. But now I must ask, what brings a ghoul and a Brotherhood disciple to our holy ground."
Danse felt a sharp pain throbbing in his head. Listening to such idle drabble did nothing to help his mood, "we have reason to believe that our comrade was brought here." He said as evenly as he could. His patience was on thin ice as it was. "We're here to get her back." One way or another.
The ghoul sent him a look, "I'd relax with the 'subtle' accusations there crew cut." He whispered, "these wackjobs might be peaceful now but they can turn faster than a feral."
"We don't have time." He threw back. Every minute they wasted talking to the fanatics, the farther they were from the truth on where Emery was. "She was injured, so if you have any information or know of her location, tell me now." They didn't have the time for pleasantries, nor did these cultists deserve it. While the members of the Children of Atom were peaceful in the Capital Waste, their brothers in the Commonwealth, not so much. Danse had receive I tell that they were guarding their lighthouse in Salem as a Deathclaw would guard their offspring; violently.
Isolde was silent as her eyes passed between them once more in thought, until her eyes landed on Danse's insignia again and the stare turned to ice. "You are not one of us." She stated, "forgive me but I cannot tell you what you wish to know."
Danse felt something snap within him and it took all his will power to hold back, "then you are holding her hostage! I-"
He was silenced when the ghoul took a step forward, "let me handle this crew cut." He said before turning to face Isolde, "look sister, I aint got no problems with you, nor do I wanna start something. All we wanna do is find our friend whose out here hurt somewhere. Can't you tell us anything that could help? Then we'll just be on our merry way and never bother ya again."
She eyed Danse dubiously, while biting her bottom lip. It was a while before she answered, "it is my job to protect all that Atom has left for us and all who he has touched with his divine gift. For that reason, I cannot tell you."
The ghoul through a look over his shoulder at Danse and eyed him thoughtfully before turning back to Isolde, "it's cause he's Brotherhood right? Well, I promise I'll keep him on a short leash, scouts honor."
Danse face went ablaze, how dare he, "you'll do what-"
The ghoul shot him a look which only fueled his temper. Clearly his throat, the ghoul continued, "look all we want to know is, if she's okay." He said spreading out his arms, "we wont interfere with you or 'Atom'."
Isolde looked at him narrowly-not in suspicion but as though gauging the ghoul in some way, "you must understand, "she said slowly, "we are keepers of Atoms light, we must be careful." Her eyes narrowed in on Danse, he turned her glare in kind.
"And I get that I do, lookin' out for your own." The ghoul said with a grin, pulling her attention back to him, "well you gotta understand that were doin' that too. Anything you got would be appreciated."
The silence around them thickened as Isolde glanced between them. Her eyes hesitating on Hancock before she tore her eyes away to stare up at the southern edge of the crater. She let out a long defeated sigh before addressing them. "Your friend was here briefly-and as you said, injured." Danse felt his heart leap in his throat at the omission. How badly, how long ago? He opened his mouth but Isolde cut in, "She was accompanied by Virgil, he had been carrying her when they arrived-" she broke off watching Danse intently. "She was weak but conscious. He was brining her back to his hideout where he said he could effectively treat her. He has helped with injuries in the past. You friend is in good hands."
The inflictions on the word 'friend' did not go unnoticed but Danse paid it no mind. He had more important things to worry about. Somehow Emery had found Virgil. The ex-institutes scientist they were searching for. That couldn't be a coincidence, it was just too implausible. The Glowing Sea was massive and he just so happens to find him. Could it all have been a trap? He thought, his pulse quickening. Could that tip from Kellogg's memory have been staged just to lure her out here?
Pinching his eyes shut he tried to reign in the frenzied panic that pooled into his body. He took a deep quiet breath, attempting to control his tone he said, "how do you know this Virgil?" He need more information about him before they rushed off.
Isolde looked at him carefully, though she could not see his face, she looked to be sizing him up in a way. "He has sought refuge with Atom, though he has unnerved a few of my fellow Brothers and Sisters. But he has been touched by Atom's blessing and has helped us." She said slowly, "you can find him southwest of the crater, living in a cave. Though I suggest you proceed with caution. He has it safe guarded against intruders."
Danse wondered briefly whether she knew he had worked for the Institute, but decided against asking her, instead he said, "could you tell us what sort of condition our friend was in?"
The corner of her mouth twitched, almost as if she were smirking, "you care for this woman a great deal, is she your lover?"
"No." He said as if on autopilot. "She is my subordinate, and it is my duty to take care of her." Even that sounded cold to his own ears. Of course they were friends and he cared for her. Anything else would be against regulations, entirely inappropriate. It would be taking advantage of his position as her sponsor. Not to mention the fact he couldn't-or he didn't have those type of feelings for her. They were comrades, close friend-good friends. And friends cared about each other's wellbeing. That was it.
The ghoul eyed him before saying, "well they might be 'squadmates'," the ghoul snorted, "but the girls a dear friend of mine, so I wanna find her as soon as possible."
After what seemed like a long drawn out silence, Isolde said, "she looked to be experiencing the effects of rejecting atom, which from your point of view, would be radiations sickness."
While radiations sickness was severe, it could be cured with the correct treatment. He felt some of the weight lifted from his shoulders, yet they were out of the woods yet. He wouldn't allow himself to relax, not until they found her-safe.
He gave Isolde a curt nod, "thank you for your cooperation." He said turning away, "come on ghoul."
"Jeez don't have to be so bossy crew cut." He muttered following him.
As they walked Danse felt the sharp gaze of not only Isolde but the others as well. Though he did not see any of the others, he knew they were watching with belated breath.
The two cultist who escorted them to Isolde were waiting. Marsali sneered when they approached, "you out stayed your welcome." She said eyes narrowing into slits. "You got your information, so go, and don't come back."
"With pleasure." The ghoul grumbled heading out first. After they reached the edge of the crater he turned to Danse. The ghoul had an odd expression that Danse wasn't sure what to call it, worry or confusion, "so Danse's, what'd ya make of all that. Think they're telling the whole truth?"
Danse scowled at yet another terrible nickname. "They don't have a reason to lie." Even he could hear how tense he sounded. "What I'm more concerned about is the fact that Gilmore found Virgil so easily, or he found her."
The ghoul arched his brow, which only wrinkled his face further, "now that you mention it, it is too much of a coincidence." He said rubbing at this forehead, "This Virgil, Em said he had worked with the Institute right?"
Danse nodded, squinting off in the direction of the cave, "affirmative."
"Do we got any more info than that?"
Danse turned back to the ghoul, "negative-" He broke off struck by a sudden thought, "the cultist leader had mentioned he had been touched by Atom."
"That could mean anything since it came form those wackjobs." He said dismissively while fixing his hat. He looked at Danse with a piercing gaze, "what I'm getting at is what if this Virgil aint an Ex. What if that had all been a ploy to lure Em out here. "
Why would she have gone willingly then? Unless Danse realized with a sinking feeling that made him stagger slightly. What if they threatened her on in order to get her to cooperate. Danse felt his blood run cold at the very idea. Picking up the pace he began to make his way around the crater, the ghoul struggling to keep up with his speed.
The blood was pounding in his ears so loudly he didn't hear the ghoul until he stepped in front of his path, "wait a second there crew cut!" He said holding his hands in front as if to push him back, "remember what Isolde said, Virgils got the place secured."
He pushed past the ghoul and marched on, "we will scope out the area first," He said determinedly "we have wasted too much time already. We have her location, now we just need to get there."
"Now you're speaking my language."
Chapter Fourteen
End
Hey everyone just wanted to give a warning that there might not be a chapter next month. As many of you might know October is Inktober month and I was hoping to partake this year which might not leave a lot of free time to write. I probably wont follow the prompts but doing kind of my own thing. Mostly Characters I like. If your interested check out my tumblr which is the-roseknight. Or my instagram (which does not have a lot of stuff on it) which is theroseknight22. I might do some fallout characters for a few of the days. I mean i got 31 days and I have a ton of characters I like so many possibilities.