Chapter 5: Discord is a Beautiful Thing
"I was under the impression you were simply humoring Deacon's ego." Desdemona's disapproving tone cut through the Railroad's base. "Surely you can't be serious about blowing up our headquarters." James stood in front her seemingly oblivious to the tension, simply smiling. On the table next to them was a stockpile of various mines and missiles.
"I need to convince the Institute that I have killed you guys. To do so, I need to fake all of yours' death in a convincing manner that would fit my personality. I would never just leave the bodies of my friends to rot!" James exclaimed indignantly. "I, being the kind person I am, -" A snort of laughter earned Deacon a glare. "- would give my friends a grave to rot in. Respect and all that, you know?"
"You have hypothetical plans to kill and betray us, but neglecting to give us a proper burial is where you draw the line?" questioned Drummer Boy. "What the hell is wrong with your moral compass?"
James shrugged and simply replied "Old world values and all that. Besides, I don't bury every person I kill. You guys should feel honored!"
Carrington turned in his chair to give the Sole Survivor a disapproving look and attempt to steer the conversation back to the initial problem. I'm sure all of us do feel honored that you would take the precious time out of your day to ease your guilty conscience and destroy our home as a means of burying us, but would can we get back to problem at hand?"
James laughed and walked over Carrington with a smile. Putting his arm around the doctor, much to said doctor's disgust, and cheerfully stated. "Oh Carrington, you know I don't feel guilt."
There was a short silence in the room as everyone processed that statement. Glory, deciding to break the silence, spoke up.
"We can't lose the church. Not so soon after Switchboard. Where would we even go?"
"Glory's right. The Railroad needs a base." Confirmed Desdemona.
The Sole Survivor gave dramatic exasperated sigh. "You guys are no fun. I bet the Institute would let me blow stuff up." This earned him glares from everyone in the room. "Kidding, Kidding" James held up his hands in defense. "I will get you guys a new, better, base. One with clean beds and actual security. A base you where you aren't bunking with the dead." He gave the room a reassuring smile.
"Agent Charmer, what you're suggesting, while it would be nice, would be cost prohibitive. There isn't a feasible way for you or the Railroad to fund this venture."
Deacon stepped forward. "Des, I know it sounds insane, but he's good for the caps. Apparently killing people is very profitable." James nodded and smiled. "Also, he's apparently the premier Jet drug lord in the Commonwealth."
Desdemona's eyes widened. "What?"
"He told me he manufactures pipe guns and sells themselves. And that's why all his settlers have them and there seemed to be a never ending amount." Flatly stated Glory.
"Charmer told me that the Gunners regularly pay tribute to him so that he doesn't take over the organization." Contributed Drummer Boy.
"He has been busy! I was told that he hijacked some of the Institute's crazy agricultural and terraforming technology to create mutfruit super-farms." Added Tinker Tom.
"I was told that he works in Good Neighbor as a one man brothel for the entire town." This earned Carrington a strange look from the others. "That was his reason for why he apparently needed all of our stimpacks, med-x, and rad-aways."
"And you just sold him all of our medical supplies?"
"I stopped inquiring after he supplied in graphic detail what occurs on his Friday nights. I don't know if a human or ghoul body can survive that, but I don't intended to find out."
Desdemona sat in a nearby chair and quietly contemplated what her organization had become.
"P.A.M, what are the odds that we will have new base built by agent Charmer and will survive the transition?"
"There is a 98 percent chance for success for the given parameters."
Carrington frowned. "And the other 2 percent, P.A.M?"
"There is a 2 percent chance that agent Charmer has actually sided with the Institute and has initiated an overly complicated and unnecessary plan to the destroy the Railroad for his own amusement."
"I would never do that!" Protested James. "If I had sided with the Institute, I would be busy tormenting them for my own amusement. Not the Railroad."
Desdemona finally having enough of this debate, stood up and looked at her members. "P.A.M says that odds are good. Charmer hasn't failed us yet. We go with his plan." She turned to James. "Give a day to gather our supplies and move to Ticonderoga." James nodded.
"Deacon will stay and help me plant the mines. Afterwards, we'll meet you there and plan the location for the new base." James turned to the others. "On a lighter note, think about what you guys might like for the new base. I'm footing the bill so go wild!"
The Railroad's filled with life and movement for once last time. Tinker Tom was storing his experiments in boxes. Glory and Drummer Boy were gathering the ammo that was scattered around the based. Doctor Carrington went to dismantle his makeshift clinic and grumbled about how he had just finished taking inventory. In the middle of the room, James stood and observed the room, thinking about the upcoming chaos the move would cause. Just imagining that impending confusion and chaos that the Railroad would experience absolutely delighted him. Quietly he said to himself with a smile,
"This is the good life."
(A/N: I love comments! Praise or criticism, I welcome it all!)