Claws of the Wastes

by Claws of the Wastes

A talking, intelligent Deathclaw wanders the Wastes to bring closure. For himself, for the Wasteland. With a cross-country trip, spawned by the desire for vengeance, along the way. Believing that he is forever; the last of his species. This is a journey that is going to get reckless! Wandering with little of an ultimate purpose. He might just find one.

20. For the World we Unite

Chapter 20: For the World we Unite

Night fell as I ran through the Wasteland like a Bat Out of Hell. It took less than a day to get the cure and get back. Surely everything was alright and I could slow down. The Enclave could be hot on my tail, literally, and it's not like I need to be secret about where I was going. Arriving back at the vast open field, the Med-Tek horror show was but a dot along the horizon. Nightfall was often the best opportunity for travel, the more chance of the natural predators, yes. I always found people to be worse than any wasteland creatures. People will kill you for sport. Animals are just trying to get by, most of the time, at least.

It came to my realization that I hold possibly one of the most valuable concoctions in the Wasteland: The cure-all for just about everything and the reverse of any F.E.V but it got me wondering. If I was to take it, would it make me another mindless beast? As F.E.V allows me to speak, but that is written directly into my genetics before I was even hatched, it's not like I was changed directly from F.E.V. directly I was born with it. As curious of a sort as I am, this was one thing I wouldn't be testing.

Slightly shaken up from the Med-Tek facility, I trotted across the field. I could see the Potomac River because of the reflection of the moonlight off in the distance, almost there. I had come across nothing on my way back to the Prydwen, ruined buildings, and some old structures. Arriving back behind the Jefferson Memorial, the faint sound of flowing water grew louder and louder as I drew closer to the front of it. I followed along the river, essentially backtracking.

Under that infamous bridge, a now very familiar landmark, I felt some kind of solitude and safety arriving here. Deciding that I was close enough to the Brotherhood to relax, I let my guard down and leaned against the edge of the pillar holding the actual bridge up. I placed an elbow along with the rusted, worn metal. The silence of the night surrounded me. I took out the syringe of the cure once more. I couldn't help but wonder why I could make this with my blood. I know I have F.E.V flowing through me, nevertheless, I never thought it was a pure strain.

I put it back in my satchel gently, time to get back to Myles. I think he suffered enough. As I went to the entrance of the wall, I was stopped and then cleared to go through, which was odd. I rode the elevator to the landing pad. I might just get used to this ride, eventually. It's the shift as it goes up. It doesn't sit well with me at all. Arriving at the top and it was empty makes sense. After all, it is rather late and everyone is probably asleep or inside.

I glanced up at Maxson's observation room and saw that he wasn't there, nor was he at the bottom, like when I left. Finding my way through the interior of the Prydwen, I thought about a few things, mainly how if Myles was so damn important to the Brotherhood, why was I sent alone? Maybe Maxson thought I would get killed off there, and this was an easy way to get rid of me. I will have to grill him on that. Once I get Myles this crazy shot of F.E.V cure.

The clanging of metal beneath my talons-paced steps would surely rouse most people from sleeping throughout the living quarters as I made my way to Doctor Baker's office. I didn't even knock and barged straight in. The waiting room was empty and his office was empty, but Myles was still laying on the hospital bed, breathing heavily and tied up to all kinds of life support machinery and devices.

I quickly pulled out the shot and held it in my claws, ready to give him it, and then hesitated. What if this didn't work? What if..no, no, I never lived wondering of the "What if's" of anything?

I set the shot down on his desk and waited for the doctor to return. He would know what to do, and Myles seemed stable enough for the moment. I can relax without worrying. I gathered up two chairs and sat down in the middle of them both... I looked over at myself and I was absolutely covered in dried blood and god only knows what else, absolutely disgusting. I took the time to fold up my robe and sort through my satchel; it got disorganized throughout the trip. Setting everything to the side, I leaned back and closed my eyes. This was one of those moments I wondered how the Hell I'm still alive? I heard footsteps going down the hall and the door to the room was open.

"Oh, you are back so soon? Were you successful in retrieving the cure for Myles?" Doctor Baker nearly jumped upon seeing me but quickly calmed back down. Don't think he is used to seeing a Deathclaw sitting at his waiting chairs, just yet.

"Believe it or not, yes! I found a cure. I've placed it on your desk and waited for you before I made any rash, sudden decisions. You should look at the syringe and tell me what we should do." I stood up and followed him to the office.

He picked up the syringe and inspected it, flicking at it. It looked like he was trying to figure it out. "So.. what exactly is it? This green color is unsettling and just looks like a glob of radioactive waste, in a shot."

I went to Myles who was still passed out, breathing steadily. "You know, I do not know what it is exactly. There was some kind of chemical that I have not the slightest idea what it is consistent with, but I followed the instructions exactly. It's supposed to be that color, according to the note."

"Then you do it, inject it right into his chest. That way, it has an even point to spread throughout the body. I'm assuming that this cure attacks F.E.V directly and absorbs it." He handed me the vial, and I stood over Myles for a moment just looking down at him. It was this, or he ended up dying or surviving on life support for who knows how long, right?

"What's the worst that can happen, doc?" I had to ask.

"I... do not know, John. This is something I have never seen or used before. It could just kill him, it could do nothing, it could save him. I cannot give you an answer. Be aware of what can happen, but know that if you do nothing, he will die anyway. He's running out of time and I would take the chance."

I gave him a nod before taking a deep breath, placed my hand gently upon Myles' head and he was a burning blaze. "I know you can't hear me but I want you to know that I'm sorry, I'm sorry for putting you through this, and I'm sorry if this doesn't work but I would rather try to save you than watch you die." I'm not one to give the typical prayer, but I was silently praying to whatever, or any god, to not let me fail this time. I had failed just about everyone else in my life before now. I couldn't let it happen again. I went to give him the shot and hesitated. Surely this won't do any worse, right? He's dead anyway. If I do nothing, just fucking do it…

I poked the needle through the middle of his chest, and continued to dive it in, injecting the cure for him in a quick steady motion, no negative reaction and he didn't spaz or have a seizure, it either did nothing or was slowly working. The pulse monitor was steady. I felt relieved and backed up away from him.

"Well, it didn't kill him. You can rest, John. I'll monitor him. I imagine it will take some time to flush these rads from his system." He left to go to the desk and sorted some papers and notes.

I gathered my things, and I sat on the chairs and bid him farewell, no sense worrying over Myles all night and I needed a rest and to wash up. This dried blood and whatever else is on me can't be sanitary, healthy, or even good for anyone else. Making my way through these empty halls to Myles' room. The door was unlocked and slightly ajar. I could have sworn I locked it up before Mia and Mia had left it yesterday.

Slowly creaking open the door, I was relieved to spot Mia. Hunched over on the chair and laying on the table, she lightly gripped a bottle of wine. I couldn't help but notice as well that she was only dressed in undergarments, a bra, and underwear, very modest. I left her in that drunken slumber and left to squeeze my way into the very confined space they call a bathroom. Mainly for the shower, typically using lakes and rivers. I can't say I ever used a functional shower since the days I was in the Vault.

Setting my belongings on a shelf, and leaning that trusty shotgun against the wall as I racked my brain trying to work this device. I can make an F.E.V cure but cannot figure out something as simple as a shower. It would be beyond embarrassing to wake Mia up and simply ask her, for obvious reasons, if she isn't dressed and well... I hate asking for help for something so mundane and supposedly simple. It's not like I would fit in it anyway, not without breaking some of the glass or even the entire space within it. The shower itself was rather fancy for this day and age. It contained various shelves of soaps and shavers, adorned with cyan-colored plates along the inside, with some tan patterns along with it. I found a toothbrush as well and could only imagine it being Myles'. I had a slightly devious and funny thought of using it to brush my fangs, but I would feel he wouldn't be very humorous about that himself.

I gave in and just began turning dials. Along with the array of seven of them, the first two seemed to do nothing. It was probably a temperature change if I were to speculate.

They labeled nothing hot or cold, so we would have to just hope that I wouldn't be burning my scales off the moment I got it on. Okay, so seven dials that would be hot, cold, and one for on and off as well as shower and bath. What was that seventh one then? Leaning sideways, I fiddled with them some more before I turned the water on.. for the bath. That doesn't do me any good. The shower wouldn't help either, as I couldn't fit in. It wasn't even a height issue; it was more of a width problem. Damn back spikes would scratch and probably ruin the tiles if I even attempted it.

On a good note, we have running water so it's not broken piping that would lead me to think within an hour that I am the faulty one here. Can't say I'm entirely happy with this whole scenario. I'm covered in dried blood and god only knows what else.. actually I'm pretty sure that even he wouldn't want to know. I feel absolutely disgusting, vile, and just downright nasty. I wish I could shed my scales at this point.

Deciding to cut my losses, I use the current flow of water to at least begin somewhere. Upon touching it, I was burned pretty badly. I couldn't help but give an almost small roar of pain as I jolted my hand away from the stream water. It wasn't steaming before. The heat must have just now kicked on, just my luck. I was more impressed that water could resonate with such a reaction from me. It burnt much like a boulder under the Wasteland sun. Funny enough, I don't prefer hotter temperatures. Being a reptile, you think I would, but that isn't the case at all.

Deciding that I won't end up dying from that unfortunate flow of water that was borderline lava temperature, taking the time to adjust the temperature to something more reasonable, and in the process also figured out how to turn the shower on. Forget rocket science and making atom bombs. Showers should be a new scientific profession at this rate. Fitting about half of myself in the shower and began the tedious process of trying to work with the various soaps to rid any of this gunk and whatever else I've been so unfortunately covered in. I had almost forgotten how effective showers were, having grown so used to just using lakes and streams for any sort of cleaning use. Comes radiation, but that doesn't affect me enough to cause any concern. I got this done quickly. I like the prospect of sleep after the day I have been through, hopefully. No nightmares will come to visit me just this one night. After what I had seen, I'm sure some downtime will help me process everything that went on in that Med-Tek facility.

Now that I was thoroughly soaked, gathering my things and grabbing a towel while I was at it made my way out into the main room. I noticed Mia was awake and... still not dressed. She was taking small swigs of the rest of the bottle, leaning back against the dining room table. She put the bottle down with a slam, gulping down what she had drunk, and gave a wince while shuddering; must be strong stuff.

"Do you have fun in the shower?" She asked, with almost an almost incomprehensible amount of slurring.

I placed my stuff on the counter by the sink and dried myself off while turning to her, almost bumping a pile of cans with my tail as I turned around. "As enjoyable as one can get when covered in blood and god only knows what else, not to mention…I couldn't fit in the whole shower itself."

"I mean, the roar you gave seems like you were doing something else. Hell, it even woke me up."

I dried myself, starting from my horns, and worked my way down, being as gentle as possible with the towel to not shred it around to her while continuing the process. "Whatever do you mean? I was just in the shower to…" It was then I realized what she meant. "Oh, oh! No, no nothing like that! The roar was because I burnt myself and even if it WAS that kind of roar you would certainly hear something different," I said with a chuckle while continuing to dry myself off "But, I'm typically pretty good at keeping quiet during times like that."

She immediately went red-faced and adjusted herself to face me. "Well, that answers a question I had, thanks?" She said, with an uncanny uncertainty.

"What made you even think of such a thing?" I had to ask.

She crossed her arms and leaned herself down on her legs before lifting herself back up and adjusting her hair, resting one leg on another and crossing her arms."You see, I was just wondering IF you did and how it would be possible with.. claws. It seems it would prove difficult to do that. Being sharp and able to dismember someone so easily."

I finished drying myself off and placed the towel by the sink, folding it up and placing down my satchel on top of it along with the shotgun. "You might be surprised, but I've had plenty of time to learn to not cut myself. It was never a particular issue, but grew more careful as I got older."

Her face grew even redder and crossed her arms on her chest uncomfortably."I-I see, guess I didn't need to know that or even envision it. I am going to blame the alcohol and probably apologize like crazy once I get sober."

"Whatever would you be sorry for? Curiosity is only normal. I expected such a thing eventually and besides, it would flood me with rather inappropriate questions if I was in your position. I don't blame you."

She pondered for a moment and asked, "Did you ever cut yourself while... doing it?" She asked, hesitantly.

I strolled over to the cast iron stool across the table from her and sat myself down, got in a comfortable position; stretching my legs out, resting my arms on the table."Well, you see, funny enough when I was way, way younger, I did, yes. It was so bad I had to tell my parents, it was beyond awkward and downright embarrassing having to tell them what I did," I said with a hearty laugh." I was given the infamous, "talk" about the birds and the bees, it was an inevitability either way but still... didn't think they wanted to give it to me under such circumstances."

She gave a sudden burst of laughter before recovering herself quickly. "Did you ever cut yourself again there after that?"

"Fortunately, no, aside from the occasional scratch, nothing was nearly as bad when I was younger. I was lucky I didn't scar myself! Imagine explaining that one to a potential partner!"

We both had a nice, much-needed laugh with that one. If only everything could be so easy and enjoyable. I almost forgot about my worries here for a moment. Reliving these moments as uncanny as they may be, much more fond of this than anything that the Wasteland has stuck with me.

"I have to ask, Mia. Why exactly are you not wearing much of anything? Does the alcohol do that too, or do you just feel like getting more comfortable?"

She looked down at herself and then back at me, almost in shock. "I... I had forgotten I did that. I was getting rather annoyed with my Vault Suit and, yeah, the alcohol didn't help." She stood up and looked around for her suit before finding it on the bed. She picked it up and looked at it, then looked back at me as I was looking over myself. Just reassured myself that it did not hurt me at all and got a good cleaning of all this gunk.

"You know what? I don't feel like I would be or even have been perving on me the whole time. It's a bit too late for any form of modesty. Screw it, I'll get dressed when I want." she protested.

"That is fair. You would also be correct, but you already knew that one, didn't you?" I slowly got myself up, went over to the closet, and retrieved my journal. Not much else to do besides get myself caught up and write this cure before I somehow forget.

I sorted the rest of my things into the cabinet. Mia just sat there silently, as if waiting for me to finish what I was doing. Taking my place along with the table and got comfortable, well as comfortable as an oversized lizard can get on a stool much smaller than themselves in every regard.

I noticed they moved my journal from where I had left it. It might just be my cognitive dissonance, but I swear I wasn't further up when I left. I skimmed through the pages as I made it back to the table, everything was where it should be and seemed in an orderly manner in which I would put them in.. maybe I'm wrong and paranoid, but it wouldn't be the first for that at all.

I'm not too keen on falsely accusing someone of anything, but something is telling me I am beyond right. "Mia, do you know anything about my journal being fiddled with? I don't want to say it was you, but..it's the only outcome I can imagine."

"When I first started my drinking spree, I was going through the shelves looking for more booze till I found the stash under the sink. I didn't open it or look through it at all. Guess I moved it over in my drunken haze. I understand the concept of privacy. I would be lying if I said I wasn't at least tempted."

"Ha! Curiosity seems to be your strong suit when under the effect of alcohol. As much as I appreciate and trust you, I am unsure if I want you to even peek into my writings. It's very dark and twisted as I don't hold back on my thoughts as I do with people." I gave a long pause before standing up slowly and going to the fridge for a drink, turning back to her as I continued. "See, I also have some fairly private and intimate days of yore. I would be grateful if you avoid those. Not even because they are embarrassing. I would much prefer some things kept to myself...it will also make me sad looking back on those times."

I grabbed a couple of Nuka Cola from the fridge; he had enough to last and we can always go out and get more I'm sure. I sat back upon the stool and flipped a cap off the Cola with my would-be thumb and chugged the first one down. I slid her my journal as I waited for a response. She only looked down at it, almost as if debating if she truly wanted it or not. I, for one, am against this beyond any reasonable measure. Perhaps her reading of my plights will help more than simply weaving tales of sleepless nights and struggles of survival.

"Curiosity is a dangerous thing, Mia. Some things are best left unknown by others, some things are in there that I would tell no one. I cannot advise you enough so that you don't dig too deeply."

She picked it up and looked it over before opening it up slowly. She skimmed through it for a moment before asking me. "Why would those memories make you sad? Not that I want to know specifics just...you know I'm here if you need to talk."

Leaning forward on the table and putting my hands together. "Well, what I was talking about earlier was my mate back in the vault. She is dead, along with our potential children. She was my first love and was killed by the Enclave like the rest of my species.. that is all you need to know."

She shook her head and closed my book and slid it back to me. "Sadness has replaced my curiosity. I drank to numb these feelings. Maybe another time, but for now I think it would be best if I don't go through your writings. I'm just sorry for everything that's happened and I get if you don't want to say anything about it, I know that I'll never understand."

I gave her a faint smile. "No, you won't ever understand. Maybe one day I can help you through, but for now, let's get our minds in the right place first. I could use a good sleep and hopefully, Myles will be awake by the time I end up waking up myself."

She gave a tired sigh. "You know I could use some sleep myself. We can visit Myles together once we wake back up, yeah?"

"Yes, I am pretty tired myself. I can tell you about the events of the Med-Tek building once we wake up. I'm sure Myles would like to hear about that as well." I gave a wide yawn as I stood up, stretching myself upwards as I went slowly to the bed. Adjusting the covers and pulling them back just enough to where my head wouldn't be against the wall. I should ask about a proper-sized place to sleep, eventually.

"Well, goodnight, Mia. I'll see you in the morning. If you get up before me, don't be afraid to get me up." I told her.

She didn't go to leave, though she came up behind me as she went to lie down and stopped me. "I was hoping to stay here, not anything weird at all, of course." She said with a small laugh. "I think you are lonely and I'm lonely here too, so.. let's be lonely together.."

I turned around and looked down at her. She was serious about this.. suggestion. "I, I don't know how to respond to that. You are beyond right about me being lonely, but... I don't see how we can sleep in the same bed without making things well.. weird."

She sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. "I'm not doing anything that would be "weird" you-" She paused for a moment and looked down at herself and her lack of sensible clothing and then backed up to me, deeply red-faced."Oh.. oh I see now, no, no I meant nothing like that. I would blame it on alcohol, but that is no excuse; not for that!"

I gave her a fang-filled grin. "Aw, getting me all hopeful like that. How could you do such a thing?" She looked up at me in almost a look of shock and confusion. I put my arms up and quickly explained, "Hey, hey sorry I was just joking, that was in terrible taste. I just made the whole thing worse, didn't I?"

I gestured for her to scoot over and sat down next to her, taking up most of the bed myself alone. I gently leaned myself backward and laid on my back. My leg hung off the edge of the bed and I tried to adjust that sometimes pesky tail to do the same. She pulled herself back and laid next to me right at the edge on the side. She adjusted for a moment before finding a nice position where our heads lined up next to each other. It was silent for a few moments as we stared at the ceiling.

I rested my hands on my chest in a sort of folded position. My feet could touch the ground from where I was laying, and pulling it back was a good idea as the back of my head was no longer leaning against the wall.

Mia spoke first. "Tell me about your Vault. I am very interested in how your society was, if you don't mind."

I rested my eyes and without even opening them. "Of all the things I could be asked about right now, what do you choose? It's not that I don't want to tell you, it's more on my end. I can't look back on Vault's life without getting upset. Let me get myself together, then I'll tell you anything, just know that I would give anything to go back to that life."

She stretched her arms out with a yawn."Yeah, I get it. I just wanted to compare our society as well as how wild deathclaws function."

"Ah, that is an interesting idea. The only comparison I can think of right now that both my Vault and wild deathclaws had in common was that we had an Alpha male, except ours acted as more of an Overseer and not a power-hungry brute."

"I'm assuming that the title of Alpha didn't carry the same weight or privilege as it does in normal packs?"

Gently shaking my head. "No, well, not exactly. He still had rule over everyone, but instead of having the exclusive privilege of reproducing like normal packs of deathclaws, our alpha had a rule of deciding if a couple was ready to have a child. It was a good idea to keep the population from getting too high, and they typically hatched eggs in bigger batches, signaling the next generation. I was among the fourth batch..as well as it being the last batch to happen."

She pondered a moment. "You had to have permission from your alpha? That sounds suspicious to me, almost as if-"

I stopped her right there. "No, no, nothing like that. There was no rule against it was just if you were going for a child. He kept control of that because, let's face it; young ones, even in deathclaws can get rather rambunctious. He wanted no unexpected eggs to show up"

"Are you implying that your species does it for fun as well?"

"Why of course, well I don't know about wild and unintelligent ones feeling such a thing as that, but I know that my kind does, might be because of our enhanced minds, but I highly doubt it was an intentional outcome. Perhaps we just didn't comprehend that mating isn't just for reproduction until F.E.V hit our bloodstream. I don't know about you but I find it interesting and I have tried to figure out the why of it all. Had no way to specifically figure it out, though."

She was silent for a moment while I lay there, awaiting a response. "You know, I never thought I would hear that intelligent deathclaws feel pleasure." She burst out laughing before stopping. "Sorry, sorry, I just never sat here and wondered about such a thing. I find myself being more interested than I want to be... strictly a scientific curiosity!"

"Ha! Yes, I can get that I, for one, would be interested in myself, though some things best are left unknown, right?"

I noticed a nod that she made. "Agreed on that one. I'll stop the questions and everything before I end up being on the same level with the doctor."

I gave a rumbling laugh before looking over at her slightly. "Yeah! I bet he would have a field day with this information. That doesn't mean that I would give it to him. I get an off vibe from him in this regard to this.. topic."

"We should move on from this. I feel we lingered far more than we should have. I'm sorry for bringing it up. In my defense, it's not like I can just go out and ask wild deathclaws all these unnecessary questions."

"It's fine, Mia. I understand I am a rather curious sort myself. However, I know how you might help me. But first, you will need to know the real reason I came to the Capital Wasteland."

She stopped and laid there, just listening to what I was telling her. "Okay, so to make a long story short back in the vault, my mate and I were expecting an egg. It never happened as you know the vault had got completely wiped out, see I don't know if anything was certain. It was just a waiting game. See, this is important because once I was forced out of the town, I was living after all that I traveled the Wasteland for a while. During my time alone, I concluded I was the last of my kind. The entire race of intelligent deathclaws rests upon my shoulders, so I went out to... fix that. Well, at least tried to fix that. I took over a few packs and attempted to have a child with a few of the unintelligent females, nothing happened with that. There wasn't even an egg, time after time, nothing. It's not like it was one test either. I tried a few different ones and there was still nothing at all."

I gave a distraught sigh, continuing. "Aside from the awful and disgusting feeling I still have after playing alpha for a time, I have concluded that I am the problem. We were always told that intelligent deathclaws and unintelligent ones could be compatible and hatch intelligent offspring, but.. there wasn't even an egg to see that theory. To conclude this, I think I am infertile, which means I will forever be the last. My race will die with me and there is nothing I can do about it. I need to find a trustworthy and competent doctor who has experience with F.E.V and who will test and tell me what the hell is wrong with me. I want to be sure."

"Yo-you are telling me you took over a pack to have a child with a feral and wild matriarch!?" she asked, shocked.

"Ugh, yes, I know how it sounds, and believe me when I tell you, I am not happy about it! I am still not quite over that one. I know it is not the most right or just thing. I just feel disgusted with myself. If it's the only way to keep my species going, then so be it."

She sat up and thought for a moment. "You know I can't say what I would do in your position, but I know of a doctor who is a good friend of mine named Pinkerton, if you would like to visit him sometime and give him a rundown?"

"Hmm, maybe. I've been thinking if it's the best outcome. Maybe the race of intelligent deathclaws should die with me. If it's my choice, I would rather it be that way; we were in a Vault for a reason to hide from the prying eye of man. Besides, if I had any children, I would rather their mother not be a mindless brute. Humanity can't seem to accept me as is, how would they handle multiple things?"

"I don't think the Wasteland is in a fixed enough state to get ready for that. I don't think you plan on dying soon. Let's be real as well. If you have a family, the Enclave would just take them away again or at least try. Take them out first and then to even consider the possibility of getting yourself tested." She paused for a moment and stood up, walked around the table for a few moments before continuing, hand upon her chin another arm crossed on her chest, "If there is one thing I learned when I took out the Enclave the first time it's that they will use anything and anyone you love against you. My dad, my companions, hell, even used my lover against me. But see, I put a stop to them and could save everyone who followed me throughout my journey and even potentially the entire Wasteland. Now it is your turn to end the Enclave, avenge your parents and end the Enclave reign of terror."

"My life goal, don't you worry, I will put an end to them all. Tell me about your lover. I felt you were too good for all that romantic business." I ended with a small laugh before raising my head to see her expression change and lit up.

"Cover is her name. I saved her from a massive slave-trading settlement called Paradise Falls. It was so far from Paradise and there was the head honcho named Eulogy Jones. To put it lightly, he used the slaves as whores, and, being that they were slaves, they couldn't do anything about it. I was there to save some kids and ended his tyranny, along with all the slavers. With my trusty dog. I killed them all and saved all the slaves. Clover was part of that group, she followed me from there and we became a couple, and have been together ever since."

This was much of a surprise to me. Not only was Mia The Lone Wanderer in a relationship, but she was in a relationship with a woman. Not that I particularly find anything wrong with such a thing, just I wouldn't even consider she would be burdened by love. "Never would have suspected such a thing, though it makes sense why you would wear such little around me now if we take alcohol out of this equation. Lone Wanderer is in a relationship with another woman. I have to ask, though, don't you plan on having kids, eventually?"

She scoffed at my final comment before going to the fridge and pulling out a couple of bottles of Aqua Pura, probably to flush out the alcohol or at least numb the inevitable hangover.

"If I can be completely honest with you, John. Men simply don't interest me in a romantic sense. I never was happy anytime I tried to be with one and I never sat down and thought about kids. I don't think I would want to raise a child in this world as is, it's hard enough keeping myself alive. As for the lack of clothes I'm in a comfortable mood at, my Vault Suit can get rather annoying after a while, besides I don't see you complaining." She took a few swigs of the bottle before turning a chair around the table to face me and sat down with her legs crossed. "No, the real reason is I knew you wouldn't be a total creep or stare at me in inappropriate places, consider this to be a spur-of-the-moment test that I came up with and I'm happy with the outcome, just don't get used to it."

I sat up from laying down on the bed, so much for getting sleep. "As much as I appreciate the trust and faith in me not perving on you, what would someone think of this if they were to check in on you or me and saw this?"

She gave what I can only describe as a groan of disappointment. "You should know that I wouldn't care what people think or feel. Obviously, I can see what you are getting at, but it would be interesting to hear the rumors people come up with. They would probably be jealous." She burst out laughing for a moment before collecting herself. "Sorry, sorry, I just had a funny idea to tell Myles about this. I think he would get so jealous he would turn to mush or be mad at us both."

This gave me a chuckle when I stood up to join her at the table. "Oh, I believe he would smite us both. I'm going to grab myself some water too, then try to sleep... again. As much as I enjoy our conversation, I am tired beyond any reasonable measure."

I grabbed one water and placed it on the shelf just above the pillows, laid back down on my back, and rested my eyes. Mia and I wished each other goodnight, and I attempted to make some room for her. I don't imagine she stayed up much longer than I did because sleep took me pretty quickly once I got comfortable.

No dreams fell upon me this time. They are usually reliving traumatic moments, anyway. I would prefer it this way, but sometimes you need to remember even if it hurts. I awoke to an empty room. Mia must have gone through her day already, and I noticed her Vault Suit was missing. At least she remembered to get dressed. This thought made me chuckle. Her running around the Prydwen in the buff would be pretty entertaining strictly on people's reaction alone; would anyone even say anything to her given the status she has?

Getting up with a yawn and a bone-cracking stretch felt painful and good all at the same time, almost as if I was cramped but also released the pressure on my arms. I must be sore from everything as of lately. Hurt so good. I debated getting my robe together, but I didn't care. I'll sort all that out later. Now I should go check on Myles and see if he is aware and awake.

Given how no one woke me up, I would imagine nothing catastrophic happened. I took this moment to squeeze myself into the bathroom, my vision was blurred after just waking up, so I washed my mouth out, and my eyes, and face. I keep finding myself staring at a mirror more and more. Some days I see a monster, others days I see someone who shouldn't exist. I know what I am and what my namesake entails, but these hands are for more than killing.

These claws are capable of more than death.

Concluding that I looked like a tired mess, I found the willpower to exit Myles' room and enter the hall once more, off to the doctor's office. I was relieved to see the halls were empty, unsure of what time it was, but I slept nicely, so it was at least afternoon. A bit of anguish and excitement overwhelmed me as I left to see Myles, wanting to see if he was okay but also the worry about what could have possibly gone wrong; I rarely worry about people like this…

Quickly arriving at his door, I noticed it was closed, which was a little strange. I gave it a soft knock, to no response. Another is more drawn-out and might be considered a slightly more aggressive one. I could hear very faint chatter from the other end so clearly it was closed for a reason. I waited for a few moments before I finally heard the door unhinged and the familiar creak of its opening. Through just a crack, I saw a pair of eyes looking at me; before I could even guess who they were, the door nearly blew open with enough force to knock even me back and Mia had been the one to do it.

"John! Sorry damn, Proctor Quinlan was bugging us about that cure you made and I wanted to leave the choice up to you if you wanted to tell him about it and all so... we locked the office up."

She quickly leaped to the side and gestured for me to hurry up and get in. He must have been very interested in whatever it was I used. I ducked down under the doorway and quickly entered the room. I followed Mia as she gave me a rundown of events while I was asleep. The Brotherhood attempted to figure out how or what was within that cure, claiming I wasted it. They don't even know, ignorance runs thick here apparently.

I reached over and grabbed the vial off the doc's desk and told her to keep it on herself. She told me to wait in the office and went into the room Myles was resting in. I waited for only a few moments before it was Paladin Grey who came out to get me. She changed at me with a wide hug and didn't even say anything because of backing up and adjusting her hair and positioning her chest brace with a smile of both satisfaction and worry.

"By the gods, you look awful, not to mention you had us all worried sick. I'm just glad you are okay, well, as okay as okay can be. Myles was asking about you. He didn't believe us when we told him you were here but sleeping and-"

I stopped her mid-sentence before she rambled and nearly broke down. "It's okay, Grey. I'm fine, well no not really I have a lot on my mind, but this isn't about me now, is it? How is he? Please tell me it worked. I-" It was then her turn to stop me.

Without uttering a word, she grabbed my arm and practically pulled me off my feet to the room. Mia was holding his head, and the doc was taking notes like usual. The room didn't feel heavy or desperate, the way Mia looked up at me. I knew it was all okay, well as okay as okay can be, right?

The doc greeted me and with that Mia and Grey sat down on the row of chairs by the doorway, Myles was lying on a hospital bed of sorts with his arms on his chest asleep, breathing steady and not hooked to any sort of life support machinery or devices. There was a long silence as I stood just out of the doorway.

"So... did it work? Has he been coherent and have the radiation levels gone down?"

Doctor Baker turned to me, spinning in the chair and then looking at his notes, flipped through them, and then looked back at me, then at the notes, and then back to me. Mia and Grey got caught up in some conversation I wasn't paying attention to. I think it was something relating to a celebratory meal.

"Myles has made an extraordinary recovery. He's nearly flushed off all roads and is now just resting. I imagine his body was working overtime to keep him from biting the dust. Come over here, John. I can see your wounds from the other end of the room. Tell us about the trip to Med-Tek. Was it as bad as they made it out to be?"

I strolled my way over to the doctor. He stood up from the seat and gestured for me to spread my arms out. Rather than protest, I decided I might as well play along. He circled me, tapping on various parts of my body with his pen, and asked if I hurt anywhere. Most of the time it was a no, and I had explained that I had yet to fully recover from any of my previous injuries involving the Enclave.

"I can still move everything just fine, Doc. Obviously, I'm tired and sore, but I'm much better off than I was. As for the facility itself, well..it was an absolute bloodbath. It had body parts and limbs everywhere, corpses hung around the place. It was needless to save very disgusting things. To make a summary of it all, it would seem that either before or shortly after the bombs fell the workforce there, when a bit of time without a word of what to do, there were plenty of skeletons strewn about the place and old military vehicles outside. They welded the interior shut, and I can only assume that was the Brotherhood's doing. There was a scientist there who was injected with some kind of experiment. He had to develop a cure to fix it otherwise well. I think it was supposed to kill him, but it didn't. It changed him into an abomination and he stalked me throughout the facility till I had to kill him on the top floor. He killed and ate all his fellow workers. Before you ask how I knew this, they wrote it in many notes I found around."

"This is all fascinating, John, but tell us what we are all wondering. What about the cure?"

"Well, see it as real as we can see. Sadly, it was only a single dosage sort of thing. They also sabotaged the rest of the equipment. I don't know what it's made of or what it does, but apparently, according to the notes I scrambled together, whatever I gave Myles is what we were looking for."

I don't know if I made the best decision lying here. I don't even know if this option was believable. I didn't want to risk the fact my blood made the cure. I can only imagine how possessive they will end up being if they learn I was the missing ingredient to something as substantial as an F.E.V cure.

They all stared at me for a few moments, Mia especially, but she didn't press. Myles was waking up shortly after I got done spinning that tale. He awoke with a violent cough and held a hand up to signify that he was alright when the doctor went over to help him, he even sat up even though it was slow and ungrateful, unsteady and part of me was sure he wasn't fully aware he got up for a moment.

We all let him get his bearings and gave him as much time as he needed. He kind of just sat there for a moment before looking around the room and finally noticing me. "Oh, John. I heard you were back, but I wasn't able to roll my ass out of bed and see you." He took a couple of tries to get up off the hospital bed and stood up before quickly gripping the side of it. I wanted to help him, but figured he wouldn't know if he was getting better if I helped him. With enough effort and tries, he stood up and waved his arms around like he just finished doing the best show in existence.

I gave him an enthusiastic smile and clap. "Appalled by that amazing trick you just pulled. I'll call it coming back from the dead!" I moved my hands away from each other in a sort of rainbow formation as I squeezed my way past the doctor and ended in front of the medical cot.

Myles bent down and gave a stretch, putting his hand on his knees and giving a long bend downwards. I heard an audible *crack* which almost seemed to have echoed throughout the room. "I would like it if I could get my actual bed. These medical ones are so uncomfortable and just hurt after so long." He leaned over to Doctor Baker and put out his hand to shake his. "I wanted to thank you, Doc, for watching over me and keeping me alive. I owe you quite a bit and I appreciate it, seriously."

The doc went back to his desk and put his feet up on the desk and tossed the clipboard onto it while leaning back." I was just doing what was necessary. It was John who saved you. I just kept you under a steady dose of Radaway and made sure you didn't pass away in your sleep. You know what a doctor is supposed to do. You are welcome, though, Myles. You are one of the good guys here. I would have hated to see you go." He ended with a smile before clearing his throat and going back to his notes. Without looking up. "You seem well enough to head to your bed. I'll come and check on you later on today. You all may go. I need some much-needed sleep myself."

We all gave him a mixture of nods and agreement as we left, Mia and Grey kept his arms over their shoulders as we went down the hallway to his room, he was in-between them and they insisted they help him, just to be safe. I trailed behind, but arrived at the same time as they did. Halls were empty.

They both gently put him down on his bed and he handled the rest, getting comfortable and covering himself in the sheets. I'm glad I made the bed before I left this morning.

He yawned, "I never thought I would need to almost die to be carried by two women to a bed…"

I gently tapped the palm of one of my hands on my forehead and didn't even bother saying anything. Mia and Grey just scoffed at each other before tossing water in his direction and sitting down at the table. "You should just sleep and keep your mouth shut, Myles. The radiation will be the least of your worries if you keep that up." They both laughed before continuing their previous conversation.

Picking up my journal from the table, I turned around to the cabinet before I could even take a step. Grey addressed me. "John? You know you can join us, right? We should probably stay awake long enough for Myles to fall asleep, at least."

"I know, Grey, it's not that at all. I'm just... I don't know. I'm happy. I'm just still trying to process everything. I have a lot on my mind and I think I want to be alone for the moment while I sort everything out."

Honestly, I wanted to be left alone. I'm beyond overjoyed that Myles is okay and the torment I experienced at Med-Tek wasn't for nothing. I have this overwhelming sense of sadness and rage and... I cannot explain why to be let alone to them. Not here, not now.

I quickly made my way out the door, through the Halls, back to the outside of the Prydwen, the front bow of the vessel. I ignored all the soldiers I went by and just left to get out and into some fresh air. I have the urge to just leave. The whole time I was in Doctor Baker's room, I just felt like I didn't belong.

I went over the railing and lay down on my back against one of the angled support beams; the ground being the only thing below me. Normally, heights scared me beyond belief, but after Med-Tek, I don't fear the prospect of falling anymore. I decided I should write while I'm feeling the way I am. I am never satisfied, am I? Saving Myles isn't enough for me.

I got caught up in my lack of writing because of my injuries and, well.. name is going to haunt me for quite a while. Maybe that is what's wrong with me. What I saw in that facility was just.. fucked. I heard footsteps behind me. I didn't turn around to see who it was, but I continued to act like I didn't know who it was. Until I was surprised to see Mia swing her foot in front of my face while sitting on the railing. "John, are you feeling alright?"

I closed my writings and sighed. "No, Mia, no I'm not. I am beyond conflicted. I am hurt, and I am tired."

She leaned down off the railing and landed on another of the support beams. "What is wrong, exactly?"

"I... I don't know if I can explain it how I would like, but so I can put it is. Everyone I have ever loved has died. I saved Myles. I know for once I didn't fail someone, but all this is telling me is..how couldn't I save everyone else before him? Sophia is what comes to mind. I should be happy I saved Myles, but all I feel is sadness for not saving Sophia."

She backed off the railing and landed back on the Vertibird pad. "Can you get off that support beam at least? I don't want to see you splat on the ground."

"Mia, if I was going to jump, I would have already. If it makes you feel any better, I will accept this request." I stepped off the beam and backed up.

Stepping over the railing, we walked back to Myles' room. In my defense, I didn't have any intention of jumping or even slipping, even "accidentally."

I tried to explain to her as we went back to the room. "I spent so long being alone. I had no one before I came here. I'm still learning to love again and... I'm not used to caring about someone. I'm not sure how to comprehend these feelings that I am having. I don't feel like I belong here. I work better alone. I can't risk losing anyone that way."

We reached the door, and she leaned against it before going in. "I understand, John. I didn't want anyone else after my father left the vault after my entire life turned upside-down. All my friends betrayed me or didn't want to join me in the Wasteland. I spitted everyone's name and cut everyone off from my life. I was just... surviving but, John let me tell you. It's easy to live for yourself, live for your own needs and wants, but I think you should try living for someone else."

I couldn't reply before she entered the room and held the door open for me. Myles and Grey greeted me, and I took my spot at the table. They had some small conversations; we traded stories and time went by pretty quickly. I got caught up on my writing and we all went to sleep. Grey went back to her quarters and Mia left for her room. I offered to stay back with Myles and make sure he fell asleep okay. Once he did, I leaned against the cabinet. I was out almost instantly.

The next few days were pretty uneventful. I wasn't allowed to go anywhere, so we stuck around the Prydwen, doing repairs, and Mia and I snuck out one night and took Myles Power Armor from his cave and got it into the Prydwen. That was risky and exciting. She gave me lessons on repairing Power Armor and we have a plan to surprise him with it once he can get back into the combat scene.

Time had passed while Myles recovered. We all haven't had time to hang out for nearly a week now. Grey has been stuck doing lower-level repairs and training recruits. Mia has volunteered to be the one who brings us our food. Mainly because Myles can't go long distances, yet and I don't want to be in that mess hall ever again. I got a "Hello" from Earl. I'll need to visit him again someday.

Myles and I have been stuck together. He can't go anywhere and I don't want to go anywhere. Surprised he hasn't grown tired of my company yet, more surprised that no one has come around to bother us. We worked on his armor in secret as he slowly recovered and became more and more independent as the days went by. After the week had passed, we all had enough time to finally meet back up at Myles' room again and just enjoy each other's company and get caught up in recent events.

Myles gave the fridge a close with his hips before slamming an entourage of various alcoholic drinks on the table along with some Nuka Cola. I couldn't help but notice the Quantum amongst the batch. Mia and Grey got comfortable at the table before reaching out and grabbing a bottle in each hand before leaning back in their seats. Myles got one of the most expensive-looking bottles before sliding me over that elusive Quantum as I took my spot at the table.

He stood up, clearing his throat and tapping a spoon against his bottle. "We gathered here today to celebrate my not dying. John risked his neck for the little old me and I couldn't be more grateful. I can never make up for the risk you took and the privilege I got. All I am worth and all I can say is thank you, oh and give you a Quantum. I think we are even now." He sat down with a wink in my direction before there was a few applause from Mia and Grey.

"Well thank you, Myles. In about 50 more Quantums and we will be just about even." I made a circle with my right-hand claws as I said that.

"John, I have to know what was in that vial you gave to Myles? I mean, the doc wasn't able to determine and the higher scribes keep bothering us all about it" Grey asked me.

I took a long gulp of my Quantum before setting it down on the table and leaning back and resting one of my legs on my knee and crossing my arms. "If I tell you all you will need to promise me to never speak of it to the Brotherhood, it's far too dangerous for me to know, let alone all of you."

They all agreed, and I believed them. "Okay, so there is some kind of chemical that has to be mixed with a batch of modified F.E.V., but see, there was no modified F.E.V anywhere. I had attempted to use the blood of the creature I had killed, assuming he had F.E.V. flowing through him. Well, the mixture failed as you could imagine. With no other option in sight, I took a risk and used my blood. I made a cut in my wrist and got a syringe full, mixed it with the chemical and it made the same cure that I injected Myles with." I put out my arm across the table so everyone could see the same cut that I was talking about. "My blood was the missing piece of the puzzle. I am the part of the cure needed. It makes sense if you think about it as I am a creature of F.E. V, but who knew it was the right modified batch?"

I scanned their faces and all of them were shocked and speechless. I just leaned back, removing my arm from the table, and took my Quantum back as they drank as well.

"That is.. that is something else I never would have thought that would have been. I'm more surprised it was compatible, let alone worked."

Then, out of nowhere, Myles slammed a pack of old faded cards on the table with a loud thud. "Well, that is a nice science talk and all, but I want to have some fun!"

Adjusting her hair and leaning forward to pour another drink, Mia just had to ask, "What could you possibly have in mind with a pile of nearly unreadable cards?"

He then uttered two words I never expected: "Strip. Poker!"

Now, this not only amazed me but also Mia and Grey as they looked at each other, shocked, while Myles had a massive grin. "I can't believe you would even suggest something like that! But you know what? I don't even care. Bring it on!" Mia went to gather up the cards to shuffle them.

I couldn't help but mention. "You all know I can't exactly join you as I lack any form of cloth to remove for.. losing."

"How about you become a sort of safeguard for us? If you win, you decide what happens. We all lose a piece or nothing at all, your choice."

I nodded and waited for the hand to be dealt. I, unfortunately, got a terrible hand, a whopping 2 and 8, what a terrific start. Everyone was watching me, almost debating if they wanted to go over how to play.

Myles spoke up after taking a few long gulps of his bottle. "Okay, John, so.. basically these cards have different values and-"

I stopped him by leaning over and tapping a close by his hand which was holding down his own two cards. "I know how to play poker, Myles. Thank you. I can't wait to see how far you are all willing to take this."

Mia and Grey just looked at each other before raising their bets. Myles did as well. I folded as my hand was just falling short of being the worst thing in existence."You all know even if Myles wins or loses, he's technically still winning. Sure, his goal is to get one of you to strip, but I'm sure he won't be complaining if he loses as well."

That's right Myles I see through your scheme! Mia folded once. Grey and Myles bet up again. Grey gave a wide grin before going all in and waited for Myles to make his move. He folded and Grey took the pot of caps. Looks like Myles has to take something off, so he removed his left shoe.

"I would like to propose a new rule. If you lose twice in a row, or continue losses in rapid succession, we should force you to remove that amount of articles of clothing. For example, if Myles loses again, he will need to remove not one, but two things."

Add our little spin on a tried-and-true formula. Unfortunately, the next few rounds ended in a stalemate between us all. No one lost or won. Too many low hands, not enough caps in the pot, you know, the usual for unprepared games.

Mia folded, and Myles did as well. Little did they know my handheld was a king and a queen. I would almost surely win this round. Grey raised the stakes, and I went all in. To no one's surprise, I held a higher hand.

"I decided that when I win, I will decide who takes off what. Now it will be within reason we won't go straight for the "good parts." But I will request Myles take off…"

Then a blaring alarm and a voice over the intercom. "We are under attack. I repeat, we are under attack. This is not a drill! Enclave forces approaching the Prydwen in staggering numbers! All available units and soldiers get your ass to the ground floor pronto!"

I quickly shambled my way off from the table and went to the cabinet to hide my belongings, just in case. As I did that, Myles attempted to run out the door but was stopped by Mia. "Myles, you are in no condition to walk, let alone fight. I will not be letting you join this battle. Leave this one to us."

He protested, but then eventually gave up and sat back down. "It's my brother's and sister's that are fighting down there! I'll stay here at least to keep our living quarters clear and untouched." He leaned over to his bed and opened a hidden compartment, and pulled out a heavily modified plasma rifle.

Grey also pulled out a weapon from within her jacket. "I'll stay here to give him backup. Someone needs to make sure nothing happens."

I gave her a nod as I left. Quite the hurry and no time to waste here. "Guess I'll be taking you, Mia. Let's show these Enclave what happens when they encroach on our game of poker!"

Mia and I rushed through the halls to reach the elevator. Some lingering soldiers went that way, too. She stopped me right before we reached the elevator floor. "John, I..don't want to do this, but my dog is in my room and I couldn't live with myself if I let something happen to him. I know it sounds selfish, but I need to keep them safe, above all else."

"It's okay, Mia, I understand. Go ahead. I'll have the entire Brotherhood backing me up.. hopefully. I'll come to find you when it's all over, yeah?"

She smiled at me before patting me on the shoulder before turning to leave. She stopped for a moment, almost reconsidering her choice, before running off in the opposite direction of me. I could hear the explosions and gunfire from up here.

I found my way to the elevator and rushed to get in. Maxson and a few other Paladins were already in it. The elevator went down as Maxson addressed me. "John! I thought you cut and run. I hadn't expected to see you join us for the fight. I'm not even going to accuse you of them being here. No one expected this, and I'll be honest with the three of you now. We are not ready for this fight."

"Well, Maxson, I'll let you know that this is my fight, too. I have been wanting to butcher some Enclave for a while now. If we see Glavin, he is MINE. I will not take no for an answer."

"Who is Glavin?" One of the other soldiers asked. "Some kind of the leader of the bastard that wiped my vault. I remembered his face and I'm going to... tear him apart!"

We reached about halfway down before they shot the elevator with a barrage of missiles. It caused the platform to fall at an angle, causing the two soldiers to fall through the blown-through hole as I struggled to keep my footing. The support cord snapped. It turned vertical gradually, tossing me off. I caught myself on the metal tower which held the elevator. I was on the outside, hanging a few hundred feet from the ground, exposed, vulnerable to any sort of gunfire.

I then saw Maxson get blown out of the same hole. I reached down with one hand and held onto the tower with the other, and grabbed him right on the ankle. The sound of a bullet went by my head as Maxson gripped my wrist for support.

More and more gunfire went by us. "Maxson, let me go. They will shoot us both down if you don't take them out!"

He grunted at me. "If I let you go, you will drop me! Like I will let that happen, when I tell you that, I promise you. I. Will. Not. Drop. You. Now, please kill fuckers. BEFORE I GET SHOT DOWN!"

He let go of my wrist after a few seconds of consideration, hanging upside-down as I held him by the thigh, pulling out a laser rifle from within his signature jacket, and picked off the soldiers one by one as I pointed out locations.

Once the barrage had stopped, I climbed downwards, quickly and efficiently I landed back on the ground. I helped Maxson get himself back to a normal position. He joined his soldiers on the field and led the charge.

I didn't join him, instead; I went around and surveyed from an elevated position. There was absolute carnage. Both Brotherhood and Enclave bodies littered the grounds. It sounded like a war zone down there. The destruction would take ages to fix, assuming we lived through this. I noticed a group of soldiers run into one of the small buildings below the Prydwen. I used the smoke as cover and gave chase.

I peeked around the corner and saw three Enclave soldiers standing over a single Brotherhood soldier. They were removing his helmet and I could see that he was still alive! They all put the barrels of their guns against his head and held their arms up, five fingers, and counted down, one finger at a time. I took these five seconds to jump him. I threw the one in the middle backward before slashing against the other two, quickly ramming them against each other, clanging their helmets together, making them both fall over. The one I threw back had recovered. Before they could even get their guns up, I gave their cheat a cross-slash. The second slash went through his Power Armor. There was a slight scream before he fell silent with a crashing thud.

The other two didn't fare well either. I removed their helmets while they were still on the ground and slit their throats, quick and clean. Before turning my attention to the wounded Brotherhood soldier. His Power Armor was sizzling and full of holes and dents. He looked like he walked through Hell and somehow made it through.

"My God, I thought I was done for. Thanks for that but I found something out I won't be able to tell them so you must." He broke off into a bloody coughing fit before trying to continue."The bastards rigged the air sacks on the Prydwen to explode, it was getting set up as they were blasting me for fun, tell someone."

"Don't mind me saying, but there isn't time! I'll deal with it myself, besides the elevator was blasted and no one can get up there. I'll climb up and stop it. You worry about keeping alive."

Crouching down, I held their hand and gave them the rifle from the fallen Enclave soldiers and made my way out of the building.

Time to make a climb. The smoke from all the explosions and who knows what else made for excellent cover once again. I took the adjacent side of the metal tower, the side without the blasted hole in it. The climb itself wasn't very eventful. I eventually reached the top to find an Enclave soldier on the elevator pad. I simply pulled myself up and ran at him. He didn't even turn to me before I ended up behind him. I tossed him off the edge. He fell with a blood-chilling scream. I would have watched him splat, but there wasn't any time for that.

Rushing my way up to the scaffolding where the three air sacks were, sure enough, they were rigged to explode. The one officer I found up here must have single-handedly rigged the whole thing. It was a massive square of plastic explosive; it had three different wires and a timer of about a minute left. The wires are all Red, White, and Blue. Wait, wait Red White, and Blue; the national colors. The Enclave is apparently what the American Government used to be. I decided that if I don't try, I'll end up dying, anyway. I gave a nervous shake before encouraging myself to cut the wire. Red! Fortunately, I wasn't blown up. Wow! I even surprised myself with that one. I quickly moved on to the next one. White! The same result, no explosion, and the timer stopped. I ended up at the last one and, with a deep breath; I cut the last wire. Blue! Deciding that the bombs were all too dangerous to keep on, I cut around them and took the three carefully and quickly. I held them until I ended up outside again. I tossed them over the edge, attempting to hit the water.

I heard the revving up of a Vertibird. Sure enough, looking up, I saw one take off from the landing pad. I watched as it went and saw it full of Enclave and... Myles!? Oh, goddamnit.

I saw it land off in the distance as I nearly fell off trying to get down off the metal tower, desperately trying to reach the bottom. I didn't even wait to hit the ground. I leaned off of it a decent way off the floor. The fall nearly made me tip over and lose my balance forward. I could catch myself and break the impact of my fall by leaning down and sprinting forward. I ended up landing Vertibird in no time at all.

"Glavin, I know you are there. Show yourself!" He came out almost immediately, joined by an entourage of heavily armed and armored soldiers behind him. He held Myles tied up and with a pistol to his head. Throwing him to his knees and putting the barrel to his head.

I gradually revealed myself through the fog. I held my hands up as I stepped forward. No threat, no worries.

"Glavin, I swear to everything holy and unholy, that man is innocent. It's me you want, right? It's me you came here for. Let him go, leave this place. No more bloodshed, no more death, and I will come with you without a fight, completely willingly. I will cooperate and answer as you ask."

He raised the pistol above Myles's head, and then lowered it back down past his head and shot, purposely missing. "This man escaped my grasp, Just. Like. You. Fine, I will accept your deal. But only because you have eluded me before. I won't let you go again."

He let go of Myles's mouth and gestured for him to go. One soldier raised their gun to shoot him as he ran, but Glavin stopped him by shooting him in the leg. "I am a man of my word!" And kicked him as he was screaming in pain before blasting his soldier in the face, turning back to me, bloody-faced.

Myles stumbled in my direction. "John, yo-you can't! I-"

Slowly walking toward Glavin, past Myles. "I do, Myles, I do otherwise everyone will die. That includes you."

I stood right in front of Glavin. He stood with no Power Armor, completely within a higher quality looking officer outfit, g General. Bunch of flashy medals and pins. It took everything within me to not rip his head off here and now. I put out my hands and allowed him to cuff me with some sort of technological force field. They loaded me up into some kind of high-tech off-road vehicle. Glavin made an announcement and dismissed all his soldiers and made them all fall back.

I was pushed and forced into this vehicle as if I was just some dumb animal being carted away. It was an empty vessel, aside from a few seats. Glavin forcefully opened the back door, forcing what little sunlight that wasn't blocked by himself to peer in the cart which I was holding.

"Brave of you to give yourself up. Kind of stupid, too." He walked closer to me. "I am going to hurt you so bad once we get back to base, but for now I'll let you know that the Brotherhood will be in shambles, anyway. I had one of my men rig their precious Prydwen. It will explode and there is nothing you can do about it."

I didn't even turn my head to look at him as I used what little light I had to inspect these bindings. "My whole life has been a sacrifice. This isn't anything new to me. As for the plan to blow the Prydwen, I already foiled that one. Maybe don't use the national colors of ole to arm your bombs next time?"

He looked at me for a moment, both angry and confused, before stomping off and slamming the back door of the vehicle behind him. Guess I won this one.

These bindings, however, were something else. It looks as if they made it from the same technology as the field that was around the Jefferson Memorial. I can't brute force my way through this one. I felt the vehicle move, and I did not know where it would be going.

I dozed off. Might as well get some sleep. I highly doubt they would just outright kill me on the spot anyway, not yet at least.

In my slumber, I found myself back at Alyrys. I only recognized it because I sat in Sophia's garden, some places you just don't forget.

I saw her lying down on the bench, just past the row of gardens. It was Sophia. She was alive and well, but no.. this can't be. right, she's been dead for ages now.

"Sop-Sophia? Are you there?"

She quickly turned to me with that same expression of joy and happiness I always saw way back when her deep red hair glistened under the desert sun. She wore a tied-up flannel shirt with a pair of cut-up jeans, that made a makeshift sort of shorts. High boots to avoid pesky geckos biting ankles.

"Oh hello, John. I thought you wouldn't be back yet. How was the trip?"

I just looked at her in total confusion. "Trip? I.. don't know what you mean. How are you here?"

She sighed, sitting herself up. "You know what I mean, last time we talked you were on your way to the Capital Wasteland. Do you not remember our conversation? I didn't expect you back so soon."

"Sophia, that was.. years ago, decades ago! You are dead..you have been dead for decades! What on Earth do you mean we talked before?"

She took this news by running her hands down her entire face, down to her knees, and then began laughing. "I'm here, aren't I? I don't know if you are joking or not, but I'm happy to have you back here. I was worried some nights you wouldn't return to me."

That last sentence shook me to my very core. I felt like a dagger of sorrow was stabbing my very soul. "No, Sophia, no, this isn't real. This isn't right, you have been dead for ages now..." I reiterated, again.

She quickly got up and pressed a plan against my forehead. "Dear, are you feeling okay? Look I'm fine, see?" She reached down to grab my hand and felt her touch. It was as real as could be.

"Yes, yes, I see, but how, or do you not know?"

She backed up with a grin and sat down on the bench. "You remember my garden?" she asked.

Pick the garden? "How can I ever forget your garden? You taught me so many things here. How to shoot, hunt, and even how to make edible and mostly radiation-free foods and drinks, to name a few."

She gave me a nod. "That's right, so what is troubling you so much this time dear, John?"

I was pretty confused. "What do you mean by this time?"

She reached out to grab my hand as she sat down and pulled me closer. "My, look at how much you grew, look at you! It feels like yesterday I found you all alone and broken. Now you have people and are still broken, am I correct?"

"Ye-yes you are, but why are you-?"

She stopped me with a hug on my side and swayed herself back and forth. "You need to let go of me, John. You won't ever become whole or move on if you keep visiting me."

"Sophia, those eyes of yours shine so brightly. Many times you were a lighthouse in my darkest hour. I want to save that light, no matter what."

I could almost feel that smile of hers radiating under the desert sun. It was blaring much more prominent than the wasteland breeze. "You said a similar thing last time we talked. Now, what troubles you?"

I joined her on the bench and went over all my woes and worries. It was almost like she had never left my side. "I am currently captured by the Enclave, the same group of bastards that killed my entire vault, but it gets worse. The head honcho is the same one who killed my mother. His name is Glavin... I'm going to tear him apart when I get the opportunity to."

She slapped my side before practically yelling, "That isn't what your mother would have wanted! That isn't what I would have wanted! I know for a fact that isn't what John I know wanted."

I looked down at her for a moment. "No, Sophia, but this is what I want now. Nothing more than to see that prick suffer; he must pay for what he's done and the only way I see is through death."

She practically flung herself off the bench and looked at me like she didn't even know me. "What happened to what I taught you? Survival, all life is precious. Does that not mean anything to you?"

"Things have changed Sophia! I'm not the same person you saw growing up! The Wasteland has changed me... Loss has changed me, do you understand? The moment you died in my arms, I learned no one else shared your philosophy, no one else shared your vision of a better wasteland. That way of thinking died when you did!"

"What happened to you?" she asked, meekly.

"You left me! Then I got kicked out. I wandered alone for so long then I heard of some doctors in the Capital Wasteland. I made my way there, got sidetracked, and eventually ended where I wanted to be. But now I'm currently captured by the Enclave and they are taking me, God knows where..."

"How did you get captured? I would imagine you would never even let that happen?" she asked, concerned.

I gave a long sigh before standing up and facing away from her. "No, no, I wouldn't, but I willingly gave myself up to save not only one person but an entire operation of people. It was stupid, but needed. Many would have died, and it has overrun their entire operation, assuming they kept their end of the deal.. highly doubtful."

"You can't sacrifice yourself like that! One time will be your last and well you will be finally joining me, at least right? Or is that what you want? Do you secretly want it to be your last?"

"You might be right, you might be wrong. For a while, yes, I was in a very dark place. As of right now, I don't know what I want or even need. But I know now that I'm pretty alright, I won't be dying till I avenge my vault."

"What do you plan to do after that? Just live off your days? You're just going to be okay with it. Will that make you complete?"

"You know what, yeah! I will sleep like a damn baby. You do not know the atrocities these people have committed! They deserve it all and then some!" I turned back to face her. "Even you would agree with that statement."

"If you say so, John, I'll trust you and always have, but I think it's time you should get going. They might just put you down now if you don't get up, and besides, you have people that need you. Can't leave them just yet."

I wasn't even able to make my response before a large and loud pounding echoed throughout the cart. I was interrupted from my thoughts and it woke me. I found I must have slumped against the wall and must have fallen into a deep sleep or even a trance given what I just experienced... Was that actually Sophia?

I had little time to ponder these thoughts before I heard more pounding and faint talking from outside. I could not make anything out given the thickness of these walls and the Power Armor already muffling sound from within. I highly doubt this is just a check-up, and we have reached our destination. I could not tell the time of day or night, but I knew I was feeling cramped being confined in this tiny box for such a long time.

I took a moment to make some sorry excuse for stretching, attempted to adjust my eyes to the total darkness, and get a feel for the bindings on my wrist. They were still stuck and as tight as before. I tried to force them off, to no avail.

As I was fiddling with my bindings, the door burst open. I'm sure it looked incredibly suspicious with me inspecting my wrist while still leaning against the wall. Rather than make a scene, I quickly shot up and exited the cart. This is it. This is where I will die.

End Chapter: 20