Chapter Thirteen: Un-Luck-y
"Do either of you require medical assistance?" Danse demanded as Nora and Burke finally alighted upon the ground. They were both pale and soot stained, Knight Hart undeniably looking the worse for wear. Her skin was tinged grey, the hollows of her eyes dark like she hadn't slept and her hair was plastered to her face and neck. She had adopted a stance that had become familiar to him through their travels, the one that said she was in a lot of pain, but didn't want to talk about it.
Well, we're going to talk about it alright.
Even as he watched, she shook her head in answer to his question. "I'm fine. Burke, you okay?" Her voice was hoarse and she winced slightly as she spoke. Burke didn't answer her. His green eyes were fixated on something behind the Paladin and when Danse turned to look he found the bloody remains of the armoured raider, lying in a pool of her own blood.
The boy began to shake and when Nora wrapped her arm about his shoulders, he doubled over and retched, though nothing passed his lips.
Danse swallowed, grateful that his expression was concealed beneath his helmet. He felt like a great heaviness had settled upon his chest and shoulders and he clenched his jaw. I don't care what Arthur says. Children should never be exposed to the horrors of combat. I knew this mission was a mistake from the start. I should have taken over and made them return. He sighed heavily.
"Hart. Move the boy into the street. Rhys and Deacon will be waiting there."
Nora nodded and began to usher Burke towards the mouth of the alley. As they neared the corpses and ash piles that were congregated there, she covered Burke's eyes with her hand, carefully guiding him over them. Danse noted that she was limping on her bad leg again.
He drank in a deep breath and followed.
Deacon and Rhys were waiting for them in the middle of the road. The Knight was scowling furiously and the moment he set eyes on Nora and Burke, he began to storm towards them. "What the hell was that?!" He demanded, gesturing furiously towards the alley. "Did either of you get burned?!"
"Chill out, Rhys. We're fine." Nora sighed, brushing her hair back from her face.
"Chill out?! Haylen gets mauled by ferals, you and the kid almost get cooked by raiders-"
"Wait… Haylen got mauled by ferals?!" Nora's eyes grew wide. "Is she alright?! What happened?!"
"What do you think?!" Rhys snapped, gesturing at Burke. "This brat runs away from Haylen, so she has to go looking for him! She walked into a feral den thinking he'd gone in there, almost got eaten and we owe a fucking merc for saving her life!"
"Rhys. That's enough." Danse wrenched off his helmet, striding towards them. The Knight shot Burke an angry glare before turning away, shaking his head in disgust. Burke bowed his head, eyes growing bright with tears, his fingers twisting Tara's charm bracelet around his wrist. "We'll have time to discuss what happened when we're back on safe ground. All that matters is that we're back together and everyone is safe."
"I think I'll feel a whole lot safer when we're back in a settlement." Deacon sighed, nursing his arm to his chest. Nora gasped, her eyes taking in the crimson rivers mapping their way down his arm.
"Deacon what-"
"Playtime with the pooches, Boss. It's fine… Aside from the pain and the bleeding-" He was cut off by Rhys shoving a stimpak at him.
"Man up." The Knight said gruffly, before turning to face Nora and Burke. "You two need any?"
Nora opened her mouth, already starting to shake her head when Danse cut across her. "Give one to Hart. Don't argue with me, soldier." He added when she shot him a reproachful glare. "You're already limping and I'll be damned if I let you endanger both yourself and your squad because you don't like needles."
"…Like I haven't suffered enough." Nora scowled, snatching the stimpak Rhys offered. She hobbled a short distance away to lean against a car, and began to roll up the leg of her flight suit.
Satisfied, Danse returned his attention to Burke who remained with his eyes fixed on his boots. He couldn't see any visible signs of injury, though he was more than a little concerned about the boy's mental wellbeing. "Burke, are you alright?" He asked, doing his best to gentle his tone.
The boy slowly raised his head, licking his lips nervously. "I'm just… thirsty."
Danse turned towards Rhys, to find that the Knight was already holding his water canteen out to the boy. As Burke began to practically inhale the water, Danse realised that Deacon had disappeared. He glanced around, his eyes finally picking out the man standing next to Nora. He was speaking to her quietly, his arms folded across his chest. He glanced up, his sunglasses flashing in the sunlight and though Danse couldn't see the man's eyes, he could feel his gaze. Deacon fell silent and Danse's eyes narrowed.
He stomped over towards them, his armour clanking with every step. "Is anything amiss?" He frowned, noting the way Nora's head was lolling slightly forwards.
"No sir." Nora rose slowly, wincing. "Are we ready to go?"
Danse's frown deepened. "Are you up to it?"
"I'm good, sir. Mission ready." She insisted, grimacing as she tried to stand upright.
"He's not buying it, Nora." Deacon sighed, shaking his head. "Neither am I, for that matter. You look as steady as R.J. after Moonshine Mondays in Goodneighbour."
"Hart. Where's the stimpak?" Danse frowned, his eyes scanning the ground for the discarded syringe. Nora sighed and began to shake her head. "Soldier." At his tone, she reluctantly reached into the pocket of her flight suit, withdrawing the unused stimpak.
Danse squared his jaw, the mechanical fingers of his armour balling into fists. "I want that applied now soldier!"
"C'mon, Boss. You won't even feel it!" Deacon added.
"You're a terrible liar." Nora grumbled as she began to roll up the leg of her flight suit, steeling herself before injecting it with a groan. "Happy now?" She added bitterly, throwing the syringe aside.
Danse opened his mouth to speak, when there came a loud, terrified yelping from further along the street. As they watched, the stray dog that Deacon and Nora had spied sniffing around in the pre-dawn gloom charged along the road towards them, before bounding past without a second glance.
Danse's eyes narrowed as he unslung his rifle from over the pauldron of his power armour. Nora pushed herself up onto her feet, easing Righteous Authority into her arms. From somewhere nearby, there came an unmistakable trumpeting howl.
"I somehow think muties might be on the way." Deacon said quietly, turning to look at them. "I don't know about you guys, but I've had enough fighting for one day. What say you to taking the good ol' Deacon detour back to Bunker Hill?"
"We certainly can't stay out here." Danse frowned, keeping his eyes trained in the direction from which they had heard the mutant hound. "Hart. Will you require assistance?"
"No." The Knight snapped vehemently. "Deacon, lead the way."
"You got it, Boss."
Danse shot the Knight a disapproving glance, but she was already limping after Deacon, calling for Burke and Rhys to follow. We are going to have some serious words about this bravado later. He thought as he followed, keeping watch for any trouble behind them.
It was only when they were back through Bunker Hill's gates that Nora let her façade crumble. Deacon and Burke were walking ahead towards the Savoldi's bar, but she came to a halt at the statue plinth, leaning her head against the grimy stone. Danse halted behind her and Rhys moved to her side.
"Sir, should I take her to the clinic now?" She heard Rhys ask. His voice sounded oddly distant over the faint buzzing in her ears.
She bit her lip, trying to focus on the noise around her rather than the pain. She felt sick to her stomach, her leg was aching and the pain of her back was getting damn near intolerable. She didn't hear Danse's reply, but suddenly Rhys was pulling one of her arms over his bulky shoulders, his free arm supporting her waist.
"C'mon Rookie. Haylen's too sick to look at you herself." He grunted, half dragging her along with him. Nora just groaned in response, her eyelids drooping. By the time Rhys reached the steps to the clinic, she had blacked out.
Burke was nursing a bottle of water in his hands, feeling sick to his stomach. Beside him, Deacon was lounging comfortably in his chair as if nothing was wrong in the world. As if Nora wasn't lying in the clinic with burns. As if they weren't surrounded by enemies here. He felt like they were being watched, the hairs on the back of his neck prickling uncomfortably.
Clink.
Burke blinked, startled out of his thoughts as a Nuka-Cola bottle was set down on the table. "Squire." His face blanched as Scribe Haylen eased herself into a seat on the opposite side of the table, nodding wearily in greeting.
She was pale, her eyes bloodshot. Bruises mottled her skin and he could see a number of cuts and scratches marring her face. The sleeves of her uniform were rolled up, revealing the bandages fastened around her arms.
He felt his throat constrict. That was my fault. I'm the reason she got hurt. He left his bottle on the table and began to fidget with his charm bracelet, worrying the pewter charms between his thumb and forefinger.
"You must be Haylen, right?" Deacon smiled, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"Yeah. That's right. Danse or Hart tell you?" Haylen asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
"Oh yeah. Nora used to talk about you guys all the time." Deacon nodded. "She calls you the nice one."
"And what did she call Danse and Rhys?"
"Bossy and Grumpy." Deacon quipped, smirking as the Scribe snorted into her Nuka-Cola. "Name's Deacon by the way. I met Nora in Diamond City, she hasn't been able to get rid of me since."
"Well, nice to meet you Deacon. I guess I owe you thanks for helping bring the Squire back safely. Hopefully you won't have to do that again…"
"That certainly shouldn't be an issue."
Burke flinched at the Paladin's tone, watching nervously as the man seated himself between him and the Scribe. "As soon as Hart's fit enough for travel, I'm calling in the vertibird."
"Vertibird?" Deacon crinkled his nose. "Why'd you want to call in one of those death traps?"
"To get my soldiers out of here before something else happens. Especially with a mutant horde closing in." He added, lowering his voice.
"A mutant horde? Didn't the Gunners dispatch them, sir?" Haylen frowned, turning to look at him. Deacon straightened up in his seat, sunglasses flashing in the sunlight. Burke had grown still, eyes fixated on the bracelet.
"That mercenary was at the bar when I went to get something to drink." The Paladin said quietly, frowning. "He was on a short range radio and whoever was reporting in mentioned that a vast number of mutants were closing in on the region, behemoths numbering among them.
"It would be unwise for us to remain out here, especially with two of my team injured and a Squire still in my care." Danse added, turning to regard Burke. "Speaking of which, I want to know exactly what happened out there and how you came to be separated from Haylen."
"I'd be very interested to know that too." Haylen frowned, turning to scrutinise him.
Burke willed the ground to swallow him up, his mouth opening and closing as his mind went blank. What can I say? I don't want them to know I was stealing and I can't mention the Railroad or Nora'll be in even more trouble…
He could feel Deacon's eyes boring into his head as Haylen and Danse watched him from across the table.
"Listen, the kid's been through the wringer today, so why don't you cut him some slack?" Deacon sighed, sitting upright as he turned to face the Scribe and Paladin. "Tell you what, I'll tell you guys what I know, the kid can fill in the blanks later. That sound fair to you?"
Danse regarded him silently for a few moments, then nodded. "That's fair. Haylen, escort the Squire to the room. See to it he gets some rest."
Burke could feel his heart beating rapidly, his eyes darting between Danse and Deacon. But what's he going to say to the Paladin?
"C'mon, Burke. Let's go." Haylen rose from her seat, gesturing for him to do the same. Hesitantly he obeyed, casting one last look towards the two men before following the Scribe.
Burke kept his back turned to Haylen, intently studying the wall next to his sleeping bag. He was clutching Sentinel in his arms, his fingers pulling the small brass zipper up and down the bear's bomber jacket. It was stupid and childish, but holding the bear brought him a little comfort.
He closed his eyes, burying his face in the worn fur of the bear's head, inhaling the familiar musty scent. He could still faintly detect the scent of carrot flower and he tried to focus upon it, trying to picture her face. Her warm green eyes, the beaming smile she gave him each time she returned home safely, the reassuring warmth of her arms…
But they were all just memories now. He would never see her again. She would never hold him, never smile at him and never protect him again…
He could only just about remember the bear hugs of his father. The memories of him seemed to fade further each passing day, until the man he had loved and worshipped was nothing more than a collection of fragmented pictures in his mind.
One day, he wouldn't be able to remember her clearly either.
She would just be pictures in his mind, pictures that became less distinct every time he conjured them. She's already just pictures. She's never coming back and I didn't even get to say goodbye…
He tightened his grip around Sentinel, crushing the bear to his chest.
"Burke? Are you alright?"
He felt a gentle tap on his arm and jumped, his eyes flying open to find the Scribe crouching down beside him. Wordlessly he dug the heel of his hand into his eyes, angrily wiping away the tears.
Haylen lowered herself onto the sleeping bag beside him and he sat up, still clutching Sentinel in his arms. They sat in silence for a time, Burke still playing with the zipper on the bear's jacket.
"We were all worried about you, you know." Haylen said quietly, removing her hood and dropping it into her lap. When Burke didn't reply she turned to look at him, concern lining her face. "Are you really alright, Burke?"
The boy sniffed and wiped at his eyes again before dropping his hand into his lap. "I got you and Nora hurt. It's all my fault." He kept his gaze fixated on the sleeping bag, his voice hoarse.
"Well, I don't know the whole story yet, but it was me who walked straight into a feral nest-"
"Because you were looking for me." Burke scowled, tightening his hold on the bear. "If I'd just stayed next to you and listened no one would have been hurt! That's all I do… I just get people hurt!"
"Now that's not true-"
"I'm the reason you had to go outside! Why Nora and Deacon had to go! I'm not even supposed to be out here!" Burke cried, screwing his eyes shut in an attempt to hold back the tears. "It should be one of the older squires here, not me! Captain Kells just didn't know what else to do with me! I'm just bad luck. I just hurt everyone!"
"Burke…" Haylen made to reach for him, but he sprang to his feet at her touch, stalking over to the window and dropping Sentinel to the floor. "Burke… you can't believe that."
"Just look at the evidence!" Burke hissed, turning to face her, his hands clenched into fists and cheeks wet with tears. "I'm the reason we got attacked by mirelurks! We went to County Crossing and it got attacked! Tara lost her home and her dad! You got attacked by ferals and Nora got burned and-"
"Burke that's enough." Haylen rose to her feet, her expression stern. Sweat was beading her brow and she was walking a little strangely, waddling with her legs squeezed together.
"It's the truth!" Burke practically shouted. "It's why the Elder wants to send me away! Why the Paladin wants to get rid of me! So I become someone else's problem!"
"That is not true! Burke you…ugh… damn radaway…" Grimacing Haylen doubled over, shaking her head. "Just wait here. We're not done talking about this."
Burke glared at her through a distorted veil of tears, watching as she hurried towards the door. As soon as she had disappeared outside, he made to kick the closest thing to him, his foot finding one of the packs. He kicked at it again and again, clenching his teeth as hard as he could, putting all of his anger and pain into each strike, when something flew from the pack and rolled across the floor.
Burke stared at it, taking in the long cylindrical shape as it gradually rolled to a halt. The vertibird grenade… Hesitantly he walked over and scooped it up, rolling the grenade between his hands. They need this to take me back to the Prydwen…
The seeds of an idea began to take root. If they didn't have the grenade, they couldn't take him away. He might yet be able to do something to prove his worth, make up for his idiocy.
But if any of them knew he'd taken it, they'd be even angrier. It's not stealing if you're going to give it back… But what if something else went wrong? What if the mutants Danse had mentioned closed in, or the Railroad tried to hurt them or kidnap him again?
For a few agonised moments his thoughts warred in his head. Then he was moving towards the door, slipping the vertibird grenade beneath his shirt. I'm going to give it back, just in a few days. That's all.
He hesitated as he reached for the doorknob, knowing that this was his last chance to return the grenade to the pack. As soon as he crossed that threshold, he was committed. Slowly, his hand closed around the worn metal and he turned it, taking a deep breath before slipping outside.
Below, the Savoldi's bar was growing busy. Keeping his hand over the grenade, Burke scanned the crowd, seeking any sign of the adults. Haylen was nowhere in sight and he supposed Rhys was still waiting at the clinic with Nora. Danse was still sitting at the table with Deacon, deep in conversation.
Licking his lips, Burke glanced towards the tower corner beyond the dining area. The perfect hiding place for the grenade was just around there… If he could slip past the Paladin and Deacon.
Shouldn't be too hard, they look like they're having a really serious talk…
Burke drew in a deep breath and held it, creeping down the stairs as quickly as he could. Just as he reached the bottom a large group of Gunners began to walk past, forming the perfect human smokescreen.
He fell into step alongside them, doing his best not to draw any attention to himself. He could see some of the mercenaries glancing down at him, but otherwise they paid him no mind. They were heading straight towards the bar and when he glanced towards it, he saw the Gunner who had caught Nora was watching him with an amused smirk.
Unfortunately, Joe Savoldi who was behind the bar turned around and saw him, the surprise on his face fast becoming alarm. Burke saw the man glance over towards the Paladin's table and his stomach plummeted to the ground. For a moment he froze on the spot, mind going blank with panic.
Then something nudged him from behind. Burke jumped, eyes wide as he spun around. A huge dog was standing behind him, wagging her long thin tail and cocking her head, a small beam of chewed wood between her jaws. She raised one large paw and waved it at him before dropping her 'stick' on the ground and bouncing back a step, panting happily.
"Looks like Lady Luck's found a new friend." One of the mercenaries chuckled as he passed, which was when Burke realised most of the Gunners were now mingling at the bar and he was almost in plain sight. He could see Joe Savoldi marching along behind the bar, glaring at him and panicked. Burke broke into a sprint, diving into the midst of the mercenaries and pushing his way through, earning a disappointed whine from the dog. He made it around the corner and jogged along the deserted alleyway, breathing in through his mouth. The stench of the refuse underfoot was so strong, he could almost taste it.
Gagging, he cast about for a good hiding place, withdrawing the grenade from beneath his shirt.
He heard a wooden clatter and glanced back over his shoulder to find that the dog had followed him again. She lowered her front to the ground, her rear wiggling and tail wagging as she stared intently at the stick, then back up to him. "I'll play with you in a second!" Burke whispered, almost certain that he could hear the scraping of chairs, the sound of heavy feet marching in his direction.
Burke raced towards a broken bathtub filled with what looked to be brahmin dung and shoved the grenade into the muck, face twisting with disgust as the grenade sank right into the steaming pile. That was far too soft…
The dog picked up her stick and trotted up beside him, peering curiously into the muck before glancing back at him.
"Ugh… gross…" Burke stared at the dung now coating his fingers, feeling nauseous. There's no time! I'll have to wash my hands later. He broke into a run, charging around the corner, only to collide with something.
Burke fell back on his rear with a grunt, scraping his filthy hands upon the concrete. He glanced up and his blood ran cold. Paladin Danse slowly crouched down in front of him, his expression stern. "Squire. What are you doing outside the room?"
As Burke gawked at him, the Paladin's gaze moved to the filth on his hands and his nose wrinkled. "What is that smell…"
BANG.
Danse jumped, the laser pistol he always carried as a backup in his hands, eyes fixed on the mouth of the alley. A dog yelped, then all that could be heard was a hissing noise…
There came a sharp whistle from the bar as Sparkes pushed himself upright, the Gunners all turning to face the alley. "Luck? Luck are you-"
Burke turned just in time to inhale a cloud of orange smoke as Luck surged around the corner, the grenade clutched between her teeth. Suddenly he was up in the Paladin's arms, coughing violently over the man's shoulder.
Eyes watering, he stared in horror as the dog surged straight into the Gunner's midst, filling the bar area with the smoke. As the mercenaries, caravan guards and locals began to shout and panic, the dog panicked too and took off, straight towards the market plaza.
Danse was staring at the clouds of billowing smoke, his mouth hanging agape. Slowly, he turned dark, disbelieving eyes towards the Squire. "Was… Was that the vertibird grenade?"
"Gunners! Get that thing off Luck RIGHT NOW!" Sparkes roared, charging towards the plaza as more people began to scream.
"Sir was that the… BURKE?!" Haylen slowed to a stop as she reached them, Deacon grinning at her shoulder.
As the cloud began to dissipate, the Paladin lowered Burke to his feet, his expression hardening. "Haylen on me. We have to retrieve that grenade. You take the Squire back to the room and keep an eye on him!" Danse added, glaring at Deacon. "Move out!"
As Haylen and Danse surged towards the plaza, Deacon clapped a hand on Burke's shoulder with a grin. "Now that is what I call a big, beautiful distraction my little friend. And I thought Nora was crazy!"
"…I'm in trouble, aren't I?" Burke said faintly, too stunned to feel anything.
"Well… yeah, but who doesn't get into trouble every now and again?" The bald man shrugged. "Anyway, what say you and me go grab a birds eye view of the chaos and admire your handiwork?"
The dog was fast. In minutes she had smoked out the entire plaza and incited a small stampede and showed no signs of stopping.
I can only imagine what the lancer who comes to pick us up is going to think. Danse fumed, certain that Maxson was going to enjoy a good laugh when he read over the reports. There has to be some way to omit this from my report…
He lunged for the dog as she made to bound past him but missed, watching as she made for the front gates. But then she veered suddenly to the side, straight towards the clinic and brahmin pens. Up above, he could hear the distant roar of vertibird blades and groaned, shaking his head faintly as he rushed after Sparkes.
As they neared the clinic, the dog finally began to slow down to a prance, tail wagging furiously. Sparkes slowed to a jog, wordlessly raising his arm to signal him to halt. Danse's lips thinned, but he obeyed, watching as the dog chewed slightly on the grenade.
"That animal is going to suffer some serious burns if she punctures that canister." Danse warned him, noting the way Sparkes' entire posture stiffened and his eyes widened.
"Lucky! C'mon sweetheart, leave." Sparkes called, his voice softening as he made a hand gesture. As the dog finally dropped the grenade, the smoke petered out. Shaking his head and removing his cap, Sparkes moved towards his dog, checking around her mouth for any sign of a burn. Danse strode alongside him, before carefully picking up the remainder of the grenade.
"I think you need to have some serious words with that boy of yours." Sparkes said coldly as he fussed over his dog, lips thinned. "If you don't discipline him, someone else sure as hell will."
"I suggest you pay more attention to training that damn dog of yours then making idle threats, mercenary."
"There's one thing you should learn about me, Brotherhood. My threats are never idle." Sparkes rose, glaring at the Paladin with his pale eyes. "You'd better keep an eye on yours."
The shadow of a vertibird blocked out the afternoon sun as it passed over them. Danse glared the mercenary down until Sparkes replaced his hat on his head, gesturing for Luck to heel as he moved back towards his men.
The door to the clinic opened, and Danse glanced up as Rhys marched over to him, his grey glare boring into the backs of the retreating Gunners. "What happened, sir? And why can I already hear a vertibird? I thought we were waiting until Rook- I mean, until Knight Hart was fit for travel?"
Danse heaved his shoulders in a sigh, shaking his head. "It would seem our timetable has been accelerated. Go and gather up Haylen, Burke and Deacon. I'll check up on Hart."
"Yes, sir." Rhys saluted crisply before turning on his heel.
A/N: And we have a cover! Huge thanks to the amazing Rabbit, also known as LeHQ on dA! =D
As always thank you very much for your continued support I really do appreciate every follow, fav & I love reading your reviews! Thank you so much for taking the time to post them! =3
Also I have just realised how fitting the chapter title is considering this is chapter 13. Not planned at all as I was just thinking of Luck & Burke's low opinions of himself but hey! Cool coincidence~ 8D