Chapter 14: Eye of the Storm

The sun was setting across the land, this unforgiving reminder of what life was once like. I can almost imagine the various cars and people going by clueless about what this place would become. Surely, they would never have expected their life as they know it to crumble because some fools decided bombing the world was the best option.

I am unsure how the Brotherhood will take me being a creature of the Wasteland. They will either kill me on the spot or flood me with questions and then kill me. There will be no between. I can hopefully buy some time at least if I talk. I'll be able to get my questions answered and perhaps find who I am looking for.

Then I saw the Prydwen off in the far distance, almost not visible because of the horizon. It parked and hovered proudly near the ruins of old Washington. D.C.

I rested upon the pillar of an old rusted bridge. I stayed up on the edge of this river...it looked different, clear almost. I got a handful of this clear water and took a drink and it was pure! A whole river of purified water, this must be the Potomac river which was purified by the Lone Wanderer and the Brotherhood. I can't believe this is possible, let alone in the Capital Wasteland! I was used to the lakes of purified water in Nevada, sure. This is about the closest thing we have to a modern-day miracle.

The Prydwen was closer than before; It had parked and hovered above a massive walled-off building of sorts across the way. I could see the Brotherhood insignia against the walls of this structure. This must be the Brotherhood of Steel's main base, here at least. I should be wary, just to be safe.

I rested under the overpass until nightfall, with much better odds of me observing this chapter of the Brotherhood. Nothing too eventful happened. A pack of three wild mongrels went by the base of the river but quickly scurried off and didn't get too close to me.

I could see this incredible sort of museum just across the river, upon the horizon, it had three massive pipes constantly spewing water. This must be the Jefferson Memorial where the purifier is. It's surrounded by some sort of light blue force field and plenty of guards patrolling, can't say I blame them in the slightest, the Enclave would definitely destroy this or take it over for themselves and claim all responsibility for the deed like the bastards they are.

I was inspecting the insignia that Mia had given me before I heard a shuffle in the dirt just on the other side of the pillar I was currently resting against. I quickly stood up and leaned my back against the rusted-out support of this dilapidated rusted-out bridge of ole. It was a Brotherhood Paladin. They held a plasma rifle at their side, which looked jury-rigged and custom made. Their X01 suit of armor was definitely a sight to behold. This was a high-ranking member, probably explaining why they were alone.

I decided it would be better if I made the first introduction. "I should tell you, Paladin. I am under this bridge you are about to pass. I am simply resting, and should clarify, I mean you no harm. I assume you are on patrolling duty?"

I left the confines of the cover from that pillar and made myself known they had moved back a bit with their plasma gun held up in one hand, they looked me up and down almost as if I was someone they knew."That's a strange one, Wastelander. My helmet isn't registering you on any of our records. Here I thought we scanned everyone across the capital. So, are you not a local, or what brings you here? Get some free water my Brothers and Sisters died for and then fuck off like the rest of these unappreciative locals?"

I reached my arm out to inspect it and make sure I wasn't visible. Everything seemed in order. They watched me intently as I moved slightly closer to them and leaned against the wall of a crumbled building by the bridge.

"No, I am not here for any sort of handouts. I am new to this Capital Wasteland and was given a tip that the Brotherhood lives here and this place is incredibly secure, not a safe place for any weary travelers, but I'm sure that gets annoying and overwhelming?"

"Then why are you here? That doesn't answer me. For all I know, you can be an enemy and the robe. What are you, some kind of fanatic cultist coming to make a crazy religion out of the memorial?"

"Someone tried to make a cult out of the purifier? No, no Paladin. I am but a traveler who had noticed the massive Prydwen across the skies, Elder Maxson. I believe it was who announced, ''I request an audience with him."

He tapped his gun in frustration. "We just arrived here. You don't need to know why or anything about our operations here but know." He stepped forward closer to me and moved his rifle to his other hand, holding it, ready to fire, "The Brotherhood doesn't waste time with filthy low lives like you. Maxson will never have an audience with you, and if you try to approach our vessel, we will shoot you on sight. Do I make myself clear?"

I used a hand to push myself up from leaning against the wall and I made a step towards him, and then another before I was face to face with this Brotherhood Soldier, "You see, I am no mere Low Life, Wastelander. I am different, and worth a talk with Maxson. I have something to help my case." I reached into the inside of my robe to access my satchel which the Paladin cocked his gun and aimed at me

"If you so much as move, I will end you. Now I leave you with one option: turn around and walk back up this river, never return! I don't know what you are reaching for, but I'm not taking any chances. Plenty of crazy Wastelanders and dumbasses have done things in the past. I'm sure we can understand this together."

He gestured with his rifle to make me turn around. I did no such thing as that.

I removed my arm from under my robe and showed him I had nothing before staring him down. "I was simply showing you a memento. I ran into the Lone Wanderer and she told me to come here even gave me an insignia to show to the Brotherhood and-"

He cut me off before spouting. "Yeah, I heard that one before. Some assholes infiltrated us and used that as an excuse when we were here for the first time. Fuck that trick. I ain't falling for that again."

I growled in frustration that I was not getting anywhere with this guy! "Fine, fine, Paladin. I will go on my merry way. You are just a powerhouse with the ability to wave a gun around...so terrifying," I murmured the final part as I backed up, emphasizing his status of rank.

He continued to watch me as I got far enough away before yelling, "How did you know about the Prydwen?!" I didn't even bother answering as I jogged faster across the edge of the river, making enough distance between him and me to where my speed wouldn't give me away.

I hate hiding, I'm sick of always being in this robe and having it be an inhibitor on my movement. I would think most people would run from me out of fear anyway, but not at all. Most fight me as a kind of personal thing against deathclaws. I feel as if people would rather wipe us out rather than run, why run from something that can easily catch you, anyway? Maybe that's why people fight; because they know running won't save them. My brethren are making a bad name for myself. People based on appearance rather than what is here. I wouldn't expect a talking deathclaw. Let alone one with whom I can hold a conversation. If I was a wastelander who only knows them as savage beasts.

I stared at the river's edge as I strolled across it; the water reflected the moonlight as the subtle ripples flowed and pulsated because of my steps; I imagined this once irradiated water would show the moon in such a luminance manner...it would be pretty, reminds you that there are things that are still beautiful in this scorched Earth, under all this destruction and grime there are still traces of what the old world used to be.

I'm going to need to find another way to get to the Brotherhood, as they are quite the only lead I've had in quite some time and maybe we will band together and find that we have a common goal in the extermination of this plague upon humanity that calls themselves the Enclave. I know the world would be a much better disaster without them in it.

I made my way back through the Wasteland. Ending back along the long field below the broken down highway in the sky. I needed a new plan. Simply requesting won't allow me to enter the Prydwen. I am lost in what I should do at the moment.

I'm sick and tired of wandering, looking for answers that don't exist. I should put all my efforts into destroying the Enclave.

They have taken too many innocent lives for their nefarious wants and their desire for power at the expense of others, or simply killing for the pleasure of it.

It's funny that I'm the monster in this situation, but you know what? You may just need a monster to beat a monster. I will be the one who tears down the Enclave to every Last Soldier. In the name of my species, in the name of my parents, in the name of them obliterating everything I and many others have loved. Losing everyone in their wake will not be forgotten, and when this is all over. I shall mourn once more. As the last of my kind, I will be the one to decide the ending of my species and I am going down in history as the one who ended this oppression, or died trying.

The field was barren, not even a dying bush laid upon this dried-up soil. It was more or less empty, with a few remnants of what had once been a fence, perhaps an old farm? I suppose I could look around as I'm going to wait until morning before approaching the Prydwen once more. Less suspicious during the day, I'm certain, and I still have this insignia from the Lone Wanderer. I just gotta get it ready rather than pull it out when I get there. That would be smart. I don't think she would trick me. No, no; she is far too experienced and appreciates me having saved her old photo of her father.

No building was here or, at least not that I could tell, silent tonight. I decided I laid down on my back under the stars, just waiting out this midnight. It would tempt me to disrobe myself, but I have a feeling that Brotherhood Paladin has followed me or is currently watching me from a distance. I am not worried about what would happen.

I crossed my ankles and rested my hands on my chest, as comfortable as one of my size can get given the situation. My back spines inhibited nothing, which always surprised even me. My robe left little to the imagination laying like this though, one with the slightest bit of perception could tell I had the body of that of a Deathclaw.

I rested my eyes for a bit. The silence of the Wasteland was peaceful if you don't consider the death and murder that has happened upon these lands.

The ground shaking and a roar jolted me awake. I recognized that noise anywhere. It was a Deathclaw. At least it was alone. I could see it in the distance, wandering around, arms stretched out, ready to strike.

It was a lone, brown rather large one. He jerked his head towards me, almost confirming that I was a suitable target before charging in my direction. He ran up to right in front of me, which I quickly reared up to my full size. He looked at me with murderous intent as he pulled his arm back to swipe at me, and I promptly gripped his wrist before the long claws contacted me. This confused him greatly, and I used my other hand to push his chest and hit him with my palm, causing him to fall to his back.

I quickly leaped after him, as he fell back, looming over him before standing on his chest with one of my legs holding him down and giving an aggressive growl. He took the hint real quick as I just held him here for a moment. These wild ones are so lost. I know they don't share the same intelligence gene as me, but I can't help but feel pity for this one. He was all scarred across his body and looked pretty weak, probably tried to claim to be the alpha of a pack and failed, got outcasted. It's not his fault he is driven by instinct, right?

I released the pressure off his chest and allowed him to get up. He did not attack me again, as he understands I let him live. They aren't the mindless beast many seem to think they are. I think they just need help to go in the right direction, this brown tan one stood himself up and rested his arms upon his legs, and stared at me with a sense of curiosity, not fury, not rage, no this was something that he wanted to understand, something was different about me but he didn't know what.

I sighed, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to reveal myself to this lone deathclaw, I removed my hood and pulled it back as he watched a few feet away from me; I looked him in the eye to show him we are the same.

I approached him, running my claws across my horns gently. "See? We are the same. There is no need to fight. You should just keep going and not get yourself butchered out here because you are desperate for a meal!" I decided I would give him something to eat. He may be a monster, but we are still the same and I'm not much wanting to murder my brethren because he doesn't know any better.

I reached into my pack and pulled out a box of Salisbury Steak I was hoping to have saved for the road but I think this one needed it more than myself, and maybe he will learn something from this exchange, though probably not, I can at least say I did the right thing.

I tossed it on the ground in front of him and backed away; he was immediately focused on the steak as I made my escape running in the opposite direction from where he came from, I would be gone before he would have even noted my absence.

I don't want a wild deathclaw following me around just because I am like him, to be honest. I can't stand those wild, feral killing machines. I will not associate myself with that.

I figured I got enough distance and noticed a little cave off in the distance. Judging from how overgrown the entrance was, nothing seemed to live here. This would be a good place to stop and rest for the night.

As I was walking in the cave's direction, there was a loud thud in front of me and when the dust settled down, I saw him! The Brotherhood Soldier I ran into earlier spun a heated-up Super Sledge in his hand before holding it up and pointing at me with it, and booming a question in his helmet. "Going somewhere, are we?" He gripped the sledge back in two hands and charged at me with a loud, thundering battle cry.

End Chapter: 14