We walk in the middle of the scorching hot desert. The vertibirds dropped us off outside of the mountains, they said they couldn't get any closer. Dust blows in our faces, and heat exhaustion knocks at our doorstep every second. The water ran out a while back, and it shows in the reflection on our faces.
Max, however, doesn't seem to be phased by it. He trucks along as if it's the most beautiful day of the year. I suppose it makes sense. After all, he has lived like this all his life, we haven't.
As we near a community of mountains, home to a small path leading to a chain link fence however, his confident demeanor begins to crack, and his bearing begins to fade. The nervousness is apparent on his face and his hands fail to stay still.
"Is there something we should be worried about?" I ask suspiciously.
"No." He quickly replies.
"Are you sure? You aren't looking too good." I say.
He stops, and we all gather around.
"Well, here's the thing.." he says scratching the back of his neck guiltily.
"This ought to be good." Shire says crossing his arms and raising his greying brow.
"See, the brotherhood and I don't necessarily get along like we used to anymore." He says.
I look at him surprised, "what do you mean 'don't get along'?"
"Well, you see, back before the second war at hoover dam, I kinda sorta, almost blew them off the face of the earth..." he says looking to the ground.
"What?!" We all say dismayed.
"Look, it was a long time ago and that's in the past. I was using the wrong judgement and luckily, I never went through with it and instead, brokered a deal with Hsu after the war to keep them protected. They didn't see it that way though." He says.
"I'll say, you're a fuckin' traitorous bastard." Shire says menacingly walking toward Max as if he were going to beat him.
I walk in between the two to stop the impending conflict.
"Stand down Shire. His actions were those from a time before us. So far he seems pretty alright. But trust me, if he seems like he's got something up his sleeve, then I promise you i'll put him down myself" I say turning to Max and looking him firmly in the eyes.
He nods his head, "got it, message received. We should get going, I can't guarantee they won't shoot on sight but we might at least have a shot." He says with a nervous smirk.
I shake my head and fall in toward the back.
Cade and Masters fall in beside me silently and walk with me for a moment.
"I know what you're about to say." I start.
"Are you sure we can trust him?" Cade asks.
"Yea, I mean don't get me wrong, he seems like a real stand up guy, but you know what they say about looks being deceiving." Masters adds.
I nod, "yea I know. But he's all we got to find this place. I'm sure we'll find out the whole story of what happened between them when we get there, but for now, I think we can trust him. War does a lot of shitty stuff to your mind, I don't necessarily blame him for poor judgement." I say.
They nod. "Well I hope you're right." Cade replies.
Me too
We continue on through the fence and past mounds of sand. A few rad-scorpions decide to challenge us, but we quickly put an end to it.
Finally, we reach one particular mound of sand with a vault-like door in the middle. Max opens it and it takes us to an open room with a similar door at the opposite end.
"Man this sure does take me down memory lane. Remind me to tell you guys about the chem-head I found down here once." He says chuckling.
"The what?" Meador asks.
Max ignores his question and walks up to the door. He presses a button for the intercom system and begins to speak, "hello, anyone there?"
"Who is this?" A stern voice demands from the other end.
"Eddie buddy! It's me, Max!" He answers.
"We have no business with you. Leave or you will be shot." The man we now know as 'eddie' answers.
"No, wait wait wait. I got some brothers and sisters here that need to speak with Elder McNamara. It's urgent." He says.
"And how am I supposed to trust a traitor like you?" Eddie says.
"Finally, someone with some sense." Shire says.
"Look, I wouldn't have come if this weren't worth it but I promise, it is. When have I ever let you down?" Max says.
"Do I really have to say it?" Eddie says sarcastically.
"C'mon man, just trust me. We used to be friends once." Max pleads.
Silence.
"All right, but if you take one step out of place, you and your friends will be shot on sight." Eddie says.
"Thanks man, I owe ya one." Max says.
He turns to us grinning.
"How long exactly has it been since you've been here?" Mac asks.
"Well probably since the second war for hoover dam honestly." Max answers.
Masters suddenly grabs me by the arm and pulls me to the side.
"Last chance. Can we trust him?" He asks concerned.
"Yes, look if he wanted to do something to sabotage us by now he would've." I say.
"Okay. I just want to make sure you know what you're doing." He says.
"Everything's fine. Just trust me alright?" I say.
He nods, "alright."
The door opens and we are met with two brotherhood knights. The one I presume to be Eddie emerges in the center.
"Who is this?" He asks Max gesturing to us.
"I told you, they're brothers and sisters of ours. They're from the boston chapter and they've come to help take care of the Enclave." He says.
Eddie looks to us, "this true?"
"Yes," I say, "I am Sentinel Rogers. We were sent by Elder Maxson to speak with your Elder about the Enclave." I say confidently.
"Very well. Follow me." He says.
We follow him down some stairs and through tight, military corridors, receiving questioning and even some dirty looks along the way, until we reach the door leading to Elder McNamara.
Eddie stops and turns toward us. "Just Sentinel Rogers, everyone else stays here."
I am met with a entrance room and two hallways. One right and one left. I am directed right and enter a gigantic room filled with all sorts of tech and brotherhood knights and scribes buzzing around. In the middle of it all is a stressed looking Elder McNamara, buried in papers.
I approach his desk, and salute. "Sentinel Rogers reporting as ordered."