James stared at the man manning the minigun. The man pointed at something James couldn't quite see to direct the aim of another soldier in the vertibird. James eyed them carefully and looked back down at the pistol in his hands. He chambered a round and looked back up.
"Relax James, we're just headed home." Nate said calmly. As if that would explain every question popping into James's mind ever since he was picked up.
"How did you find me?" James asked. He looked out to find that the vertibird had just passed the Concord Museum of Freedom. "And where are we going?" Nate looked at James as he fiddled with a lighter before quickly lighting a cigarette in his mouth.
"home." He said and then grinned as the vertibird landed. The rotors had barely begun to slow as Nate threw the doors open and waved James out. He turned an offered a hand but James waved Nate aside and limped out on his own. James looked out and found and a busy Concord. People walked left and right. Kids ran through the streets while street vendors waved customers into their stores.
"You've done a few things with the place." James said, finding himself grinning alongside Nate as a passerby saw James and waved. James waved back. "What did you do?" Nate crossed his arms and leaned over a wooden railing on the heliport built overlooking Concord. Red Rocket say in the distance to the right while Main Street drove diagonally away from the helipad with the Museum at the left of where James stood.
"The thing is," Nate began. "Absolutely nothing. This, happened because of what you and my wife built." Nate looked out happily over the town. "After the bombs fell, I never thought this could happen, but now, seeing this!" he waved both hands over the thriving community before looking at James with lit eyes. "It brings me hope." James chuckled and took a step forward. The day was in full bloom as people began to stock their shelves for the day. Caravans and traders lined up just for a chance to hit Concord's newly repaired Main Street.
"Guess it goes to show what three years can do to a place." James said.
"Oh yeah, and wait till you see Sanctuary. It's become the neighborhood that I knew and loved back before the bombs fell." Nate said, speaking faster with each word. James gave him a look where he rolled his eyes apologetically.
"Look, we're rebuilding. That's all I need to have my home back." He said.
"So how's Kat?" James asked. Nate's eyes grew dark again and he looked down. "What, what's wrong?"
"We don't know where she is." Nate said quietly. James was speechless. Every thought possible ran through his head as he recalled events leading up to his capture and separation from Katherine.
"What about the rest of my team?" James asked. Nate looked at James and sighed.
"We're right here, boss." a microphoned voice said behind him. James looked past James and found Ash walking forward with the other members of Lyons Pride not far behind him. James ran to Ash and hugged him.
"Ash!" James yelled. "Guys!"
"Sorry it took so long, Father really made sure to hide you well." Dusk said. James looked around and found everyone alive and healthy. James counted three times just to make sure before sighing relief at the survival of his team.
"How have things been here?" James asked.
"Well, it's been rough but, we managed." Kodiak said.
"Managed it quite a term." A voice said from behind James. James turned to find Arcade in his stark white lab coat and glistening black aviator sunglasses.
"Arcade?" James asked as he walked towards his old friend. "What's with the shades?"
"I, uh, don't get out much." He grunted as he fixed his glasses.
"uh-huh." James nodded "Good, I want a report on everything that's happened since the Battle at the Airport. I want situational reports. All current field intelligence," Nate stepped in between James and Arcade.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, there pal. Easy." He said waving his hands downwards as if calming an excited dog. James raised an eyebrow at the man. "You just got back." He said calmly. "Take some time to rest. Take a walk. I'll take care of the details and meet with you at your house to talk about things, ok?" James stared at the concrete below him and thought for a few seconds. He looked at his friends, Concord and then the houses of Santuary Hills in the distance.
"ok." He said. Nate smiled and patted James on the shoulder.
"Don't you worry about a thing. Just take a break, hell, take a shower! God knows you need one." Nate said nudging James towards Red Rocket.
"Yeah, boss. Sorry to say, but you really do stink." Dusk agreed.
"Har har." James laughed sarcastically before waving Nate and the Pride away. He took two steps towards Sanctuary before stopping and turning back towards his friends. "Hey, Nate!" he called. Nate looked up from a clipboard that Arcade had handed to him.
"Yeah, what's up buddy?" He asked.
"Thanks." James said before shoving his hands into his fatigues pockets and walking up the road to home.