The Lone Wanderer
Midwest Brotherhood, Chicago Wastes
The Lone Wanderer sat atop the Brotherhood compound, staring out at the vast ruin that once was the vibrant city of Chicago. He sighed as he thought about the long journey he was about to begin. This wasn't the first risky job he'd been on, but this was the most dangerous. He told himself that this was the last one. A means to an end, just like the rest had been. But this time he really meant it. If he made it out of this desperate plan alive, he would take it as a sign of a well-deserved retirement. He was only twenty three but he felt as though it had been decades since he left the vault.
Neal scratched his growing beard unconsciously as he noticed a presence behind him.
"What is it, Velez?" He asked, folding his arms. His hair blew in the wind, it was long enough that it began to curl. He had never let his hair get this long before, at least not voluntarily. But this was for the mission, he had to look the part of a waster, so as not to give away his identity or connections to the Brotherhood.
Frida's brow rose, mildly impressed that he was able to detect her. She sat down next to him, dangling her legs from the roof fearlessly.
"We leave soon. I figured it best that I get to know you." She said, turning to look him in the eye. His clear blue eyes gazed back at her with a guarded expression. He was still handsome despite his currently shaggy appearance.
"What do you want to know?" Neal asked.
"Well, I'm not entirely sure. I need something that will trigger your memory." She admitted.
"How much do you understand about it?" he asked.
"We are going to perform a procedure similar to the one done on the Courier. We will replace your brain with something the Think Tank developed. Your intellect and skills will remain intact, but the memory portion will take some time to return. We're taking advantage of this so that when you are captured there is no chance of you giving away anything to the Legion. Eventually you should gain total recall and by that time you should be high up in the Legion and therefore able to cripple it from within…in theory it should work. I'm no science type. That's just what your Courier friend told me." Frida said, all the while gauging the Wanderer's reaction. She realized there was a lot that could go wrong. By gaining as much information as possible, she hoped she could tip the scales in their favor.
"Aren't I supposed to look for Cass while I'm in?" the Wanderer asked.
"You won't remember who she is. That's my job." Frida said.
The Wanderer nodded, glancing out at the landscape before collecting his thoughts and speaking, "Well, I was born in the Jefferson Memorial in DC and my mother died in childbirth. They had been working on creating a source of clean water before she died. The project fell apart due to my birth and my father fled to Vault 101 to raise me somewhere safe. I grew up an outcast there, I never knew why until after I left the vault. But I did have a very close friend named Amata… when we were teenagers we became a little more than that much to the Overseer, her father's, chagrin…"
"You seem perfectly healthy to me, son." James said, his tone implying he knew Neal was faking.
"Really, Dad. I'm sick." Neal pressed, running a hand through air unconsciously. The sixteen year old Neal had at the time decided on the pompadour hairstyle. He was a little nervous about unveiling it to his peers for the first time. Especially since Butch had already claimed the hairstyle as his trademark. Even though Butch was bigger than him, Neal had made a hobby out of pranking him. It didn't take much to outsmart the bully.
"This doesn't have to do with taking the G.O.A.T. now does it?" James asked warily.
His son avoided his gaze. It wasn't the G.O.A.T. he was nervous about, he was by far the smartest of his peers, though Amata wasn't too far behind.
"No? Then what is it?" James asked, though he had his suspicions.
"Can we talk about…Mom?" Neal asked, his blue eyes meeting his father's brown. James' breath caught in his throat as he saw Catherine's eyes looking at him. He recognized a great deal of his own features in his son, but Neal's eyes were entirely Catherine's.
"Your mother was an incredible woman… Smart and beautiful. She had such plans for you." James' eyes narrowed as he caught on to his son's tactics. "And now you're trying to stall." He said with a small chuckle.
"Just remember, son. There is always a solution, you just have to find the right angle. Go on now, I don't want your mother's ghost coming back to haunt me because our only son was a garbage burner." James quipped. He patted his son on the back and was mildly impressed at the muscle tone he felt. Neal had been taking exercise very seriously lately. James only hoped it wasn't for the wrong reasons…like beating up Butch DeLoria.
Neal rolled his eyes at the time, but he would later use this phrase on a daily basis. It was a big part of his success in the wastes. At the time though, he didn't know how that phrase would help him gather the courage to ask Amata out.
Neal zipped up his vault suit and made his way towards the classroom. He could hear the sound of feet and the grumbles of his peers. As he made his way up the steps, Neal's attention was taken by the sounds of Butch and his moronic Tunnel Snakes gang laughing. Neal knew all too well that they were probably picking on someone. As he rounded the corner, he could hear Butch on the other side of the pillars.
"I'll show you a real Tunnel Snake, Amata." He said, trying to sound seductive and macho.
Neal felt his usually cool and collected demeanor turn a 180. He felt his pulse rise ever so slightly and a heat rise off the back of his neck.
Neal stepped around the pillars to see Amata surrounded by Tunnel Snakes. She stood with her back against the wall, looking both uncomfortable and fearful. She was smart enough to know that the gang mentality was a factor here and to tread lightly. Butch was standing close enough that his body was nearly touching her. She was the first to spot, she looked at him hopefully.
"Where's daddy now, Daddy's girl?" Butch teased.
Freddie, Wally, and Paul were all sniggering to themselves when Wally noticed Neal standing there.
"Hey Butch, look who's here!" said an excited Wally.
"What do you want, nerd?" Butch said, turning away from Amata and walking towards Neal.
Neal could see Amata desperately shaking her head, trying to dissuade Neal from getting involved.
Neal's heart was beating a mile a minute, but he wasn't going to let Butch and his cronies get away with his.
"Leave her alone, Butch. She's too smart for you." Neal retorted.
Butch merely looked at his gang buddies and laughed, "What, is she your girlfriend?"
"Neal, NO!" Amata said fearfully. All of the Tunnel Snakes were gearing up for a fight.
Butch turned and smiled at Amata, "You see? She knows you're gonna get your ass kicked."
Neal cursed his reddening face, but stood firm.
"Oh I don't know, Butch. I think you're nothing without your bootlicking wannabes to help you." Neal said, standing his ground. He had dreamed about this moment for years, it was just like his tenth birthday. Only this time he wasn't going to run. As terrified as he was, Neal knew this was the only way to get Butch off his back for good.
Butch and all of his buddies seemed to take issue with what Neal said and began to crack their knuckles menacingly.
"Alright, nerd. Let's see what you've got." Butch said, and without warning he took a vicious swing at Neal's head.
It was as though time slowed down. Adrenaline pumped through Neal's veins and he assessed the situation automatically. In perfect recall, Neal remembered the self-defense manual he had read cover to cover countless times.
Neal ducked Butch's swing and drove his knee into the jerk's stomach. As Butch crumpled and clutched his stomach, Neal couldn't resist driving his elbow down into Butch's spine. He was face down on the floor immediately. Neal paid for his complacency with a slug to the face from Wally. He heard Amata gasp as he fell flat on his ass. He quickly recovered with a leg sweep. Wally landed face first on the concrete floor with a sickening thud. Paul Hannon swung at Neal as he returned to his feet. Neal caught the punch and countered with a nasty right hook. Neal felt the hair on the back of neck tingle. His instincts told him someone was behind him. Neal whipped around to find Freddie Gomez fearfully approaching him, his heart wasn't with the fight. Neal glared at him coldly and delivered a push kick to his torso that sent him sprawling backwards.
Neal felt a hand on his chest and distant voice. He whipped around, prepared to fight. He turned to see the fear on Amata's face.
"What… the hell was that!" she said, her voice shaking.
Neal was breathing heavily, he turned to see everyone groaning as they lay on the floor. Neal looked at his shaking hands in shock, there was blood on his right hand. Wally's blood.
He turned back to Amata. "I didn't mean…"
Before he could finish he heard Security Chief Hannon shout, "Grab him!"
Neal let himself be drug away by the men, he glanced back at Amata who was trying to stop them, tears in her eyes.
An hour later, Neal was being interrogated by the security staff, though their methods were very questionable. Neal's father was having a very heated argument with Paul Hannon Senior and the Overseer. Officer Gomez stepped between them and told them to cool it.
"I just talked to Freddie and he told me they were harassing Amata and Neal stepped in and stopped them."
"But Gomez! He hurt your son!" Hannon added.
"My son knows what he did was wrong. He got what he deserved. Alphonse you owe that boy a thank you." Gomez said, his arms folded, showing he brooked no argument.
"I'm the one in charge here!" the Overseer shouted.
"You let your guards beat my son for standing up for your daughter!" James shouted back.
Amata stepped in too, "Dad please!"
Alphonse softened a little as his daughter's hand fell on his arm, "Everyone is dismissed. I want to have a word with young Mr. Washington." Everyone seemed rooted on the spot. "Alone." He added irritably. Everyone left, except Amata.
"Amata." Alphonse said, raising his voice.
She widened her stance and met her father's cold eyes determinedly.
"I won't let you hurt him." She said firmly.
"Amata I just want to have a word with him. It'll only be a moment. Wait outside." Amata glanced at the bloodied and bruised Neal fearfully for a moment, but relented. Clearly wanting to believe her father.
Alphonse moved over towards Neal who sat with his hands cuffed behind his back and over the back of the chair.
"Now listen and listen good young man. While I appreciate you stepping in while my daughter is accosted by those rats, you took justice into your own hands. You overstepped your bounds. I don't know what it is that makes you feel entitled and above my laws, but remember that next time I won't let you off so easy. Next time you set a toe out of bounds…" the Overseer clenched his fist until his knuckles turned white. "You don't want to get on my bad side." He undid Neal's handcuffs roughly.
Neal met the Overseer's eyes defiantly, "Your bad side? When have I ever not been on it?" Neal left the room, finding Amata waiting for him. She hugged him tightly. Neal did his best not to blush as she sadly looked him over, especially his blackened eye.
"Thanks for getting rid of them. Jerks." She spat. "Like it's my fault my dad's the Overseer."
"Never did get to take the G.O.A.T. Not that I'm disappointed." Neal said with a smirk.
Amata laughed a little, "You're not off the hook yet. They rescheduled it to tomorrow."
They passed the doctor's office where James and Jonas were patching up the Tunnel Snakes, albeit very begrudgingly.
Neal avoided looking at them, but Amata all but gawked. The groans of the wounded Tunnel Snakes made Neal smirk a little to himself. They didn't sound so tough now.
They turned and headed in the direction of the cafeteria, they were the only ones there.
Amata finally turned and looked at Neal, her expression thoughtful.
"You didn't have to do that, you know." She said quietly, avoiding looking at his battered face.
"Of course I did. You've had my back my whole life." Neal said with a small smile.
Amata finally looked at him, "Still…Thank you. Where did you learn to fight like that?"
"A book." Neal said, it was a phrase he had used often.
Amata gave him a disbelieving look, "You expect me to believe that you read and book and suddenly you're an expert? You fought like you've done it hundreds of times before…it was like you knew their punches were coming, even when your back was turned."
Neal realized she looked a little fearful and suspicious. He didn't like it at all.
"I didn't dodge all of their punches, Amata." Neal disagreed, motioning to his face.
"Still… It was amazing…and terrifying…" Amata said looking away again.
"I didn't want to fight them, but I had to defend myself. It felt good to finally stand up to them." Neal said without knowing he was smiling.
"That's what I was afraid of. Just…please don't let my father hear you say that." Amata begged.
"Hey," Neal said lightly grabbing her arm as she tried to walk away. "Amata, you know me. You know I did it as a last resort. Just trust me, it won't happen again."
Amata looked up at him apologetically, "I know. It just scared me. The look on your face was…so cold. I've never seen you look like that before."
"I suppose I was little angry, and my survival instincts were kicking in." Neal explained.
Amata appeared to accept it. "I'm sorry."
"No harm done." Neal said good-naturedly.
Amata tried to ease the tension, "Can you believe Butch said you were my boyfriend?"
Neal's half-hearted laugh and slight blush caught Amata off-guard.
She looked at him thoughtfully for a moment as if seeing him differently for the first. As a young man instead of simply her best friend. Everyone had always teased and heckled the two of them growing up for being so close. But they had always laughed it off. She had always had a crush on Freddie Gomez growing up. Amata hadn't really even taken a moment to consider Neal liked her. Or the fact that puberty had done wonders on his appearance. She had heard the other girls whisper about how handsome James was, and that Neal was starting to look like him. But to them, he was still geeky, threateningly bright and painfully shy Neal. Amata looked him over and suddenly everything clicked.
Before she knew what she was doing, Amata felt Neal's lips on hers. Both were very awkward and untrained, but spellbound.
Amata pulled away and tried to catch her breath, she stared horror-struck at Neal who was blushing like her, but equally as shocked.
"I shouldn't have done that." Amata said looking at nothing in particular. She was thinking about what would happen if her father found out. He already suspected something between them.
"I need to go." Amata said shakily, stumbling away. Neal reached out for her, "Amata, wait!"
"Oooh, forbidden romance. Those are the best kind." Frida joked.
Neal smirked but didn't say anything.
"But you're with the Sentinel now though, if I heard correctly." Frida said slyly, her dark brown eyes sparkled with mischief. Neal could see his partner to be was skilled, she had every advantage, clever and attractive.
"She's Elder now. And… I honestly don't know anymore. If I survive this…maybe." Neal said with a sad shrug.
"Out of the frying pan and into the fire." Frida said, referencing Neal's choice in forbidden romantic partners.
"Doesn't matter now. I won't remember them in a few days anyway." He said firmly, trying to assure himself that he would survive. As painful as some of his memories were, it was worth keeping the good ones.
Frida looked at him sympathetically, "You'll get them back."
He nodded, "I trust you."
"How do you know you can?" Frida asked, surprised he trusted her so readily.
"I have to if this is going to work. I know you wouldn't do this unless you were entirely committed." Neal said firmly.
Frida smiled at him and nodded, "You're right about that. Let's get going. The sooner we get there. The more time we have to prepare. You can tell me more about you on the ride there. For future reference, I'm going to need some powerful memories. I think the one you told me about was good, but I'm going to need more just in case."
Elder Sarah Lyons
Outcast Outpost, Capital Wasteland
It felt good to be in power armor again. Sarah had missed being out in the field. While this technically didn't count, it was a boost from the mental state she had been in. A group of knights guarding the entrance to the former Outcast Outpost. She was shocked she knew so little of it before. Knights and Scribes stood at attention as she passed. She gestured for them to be at ease absently as she gazed around at the vastly improved fort. Sarah had always dreamed of retaking all the Outcasts had taken from her father, but now thanks to Neal, it was hers. The Brotherhood's. But at what cost?
Sarah turned to Veronica who was also quite impressed with what she saw. The scribe appeared to have something on her mind.
"How are you feeling?" Veronica asked politely.
Sarah waved her off, "Better than I was."
Veronica was no longer looking at her, she was looking in the direction of the approaching Head Scribe, Rothchild.
"It's good to see you, Elder." Rothchild said with a smile.
Sarah smiled at him as well. Though they hadn't always seen eye to eye, Sarah had known Rothchild her whole life. Even if he was stubborn sometimes, he was always looking out for what was best for her and the Brotherhood.
"Are you ready to see it?" Rothchild said with smirk.
Sarah noticed Veronica seemingly vibrating on the spot. It was clear the scribe was more than ready.
"Yes." Sarah said. She noticed both Rothchild and Veronica glance at Sarah's pip-boy briefly.
They made their way down the stairs into the heart of the fort. Sarah could see electrical wires running all over the place. She noticed the word caution written in bold red letters across the floor in front of her.
"Ten hut!" a knight called out, all of the others (scribes included) stood at attention.
Sarah told them once again to be at ease. She stepped into the room in which Operation: Anchorage lie. The machine was massive and unlike anything she had ever seen before. Sarah could hear Veronica let out an awed breath.
Suddenly everything went dark and the great machine powered down. The only light in the room was Sarah's pip-boy, it shone brighter than usual and binary code flooded the screen. A whirring sound filled the air and the machine powered up once again. Everyone looked around, confused.
"It has never done that before." Rothchild said, quickly looking over the screens. He and the rest of the scribes were punching in various codes but nothing seemed to be working.
Sarah glanced down at her pip-boy and was startled to see the entire screen blank save for one word…ENTER
Sarah looked at Veronica who nodded.
Sarah took off her power armor and moved towards the chair at the center of the machine. She sat down and heard her pip-boy whirring, automatically plugged into the supercomputer. A screen slid in front of her and she was contained in a spherical chamber. Sarah found herself in the heart of arguably the most important part of history. She smiled to herself, excited for some action, even if it was fake. She was about to be a part American history, an episode few had seen.
"Hooah." She said to herself.
Amata Almodovar
Republic of Dave, Capital Wasteland
Amata shuddered as she exited Dave's home. She felt like she needed a shower after dealing with him. She had gotten what she wanted, but it hadn't been easy. Especially with the overwhelming desire to slug the bastard in the face. The way his sleazy eyes hungrily traveled up and down her body every so often. It reminded her of the time Butch DeLoria had sexually harassed her. Thankfully Neal had stepped in. Amata reminded herself that she was stronger now and more capable.
"Is that him?" Amata heard a woman's voice ask behind her.
Amata turned to look at her. "Is what who?"
"In the fancy armor. Is that the Lone Wanderer?" one of Dave's daughters asked, blushing a little as she pointed at Julian.
Amata shook her head negatively, "That is the Lone Wanderer's old armor, but that's not him. It's my friend Julian."
The young woman seemed disappointed. She looked at Amata a moment before reaching in her pocket and proudly producing a picture.
"Look, I took a photograph of him when he was here last. I listen to all of Three Dogs stories about him." She said brightly. Amata was amazed to see someone had a working camera outside of the vaults and had the know how to develop them properly. The girl looked to be about Amata's age.
Amata looked at the photo, instantly feeling nostalgic. She had taken a few photos with Neal growing up in the vault. Neal was standing with his arm draped obligatorily around the girl's back. His smile seemed genuine enough, he still looked as handsome and charming as ever. The hardness he developed upon leaving the vault was present in his appearance as well.
"Neal." Amata said happily, glad to see Neal had met some friendly people out here in the wasteland. It seemed he had no trouble making friends out here. He was not the same awkward, brainy kid he was in the vault. She hadn't even realized she had spoken until the young woman's expression changed.
"Wait a minute. You're that vault girl aren't you? The one that he talked about in one of his interviews!" the girl said excitedly.
Amata gave her a confused look, but before she could speak she heard Julian clear his throat.
"We should get going." He said awkwardly.
Amata shot him an equally as confused look.
"I'll explain later." He said quietly. Dogmeat came around at Amata's heels and trotted alongside them.
Elder Sarah Lyons
Former Outcast Outpost
Sarah was amazed at everything she had experienced thus far. She was proud to note that she would have been a great soldier during the Great War as well. She couldn't help but wonder if she could have made difference. Sarah had met the great General Chase, it was an honor having grown up learning his strategies.
Sarah stood and watched in both amazement as Jingwei fell upon his own sword. She heard the cheers of the power armored soldiers around her and she felt happier than she had in a long time. This had renewed her confidence in her combat and command skills.
Sarah's smile faded quickly as the screen before her began to flicker. Sarah watched as a man in T-51B power armor moved to stand in front of her. He removed his helmet and smiled at her. Sarah's jaw dropped.
"Neal…" Sarah managed to whisper.
"It's good to see you, Sarah." He said with that heart wrenching, genuine smile. The same one he had given her when she stepped out of the Vertibird on the Enclave Mobile Base.
"What is this?" Sarah asked looking around.
"John and I made a few modifications to the program. This way you can talk with me…or at least part of me." Neal said smirking at her. His toothless smile was as peaceful as she had ever seen it.
"So this isn't real?" Sarah asked, reaching out to touch him, but her hand slid right through him.
"No. It's all a simulation. It's important you don't forget that."
Sarah looked around, "Why do this?"
"The point is to help you prepare for what's coming. Operation Anchorage was great for preparing the United States' troops for this engagement, but that doesn't benefit your people. However, I need to verify that it is you operating my pip-boy and not someone else." The Neal hologram said.
Sarah waited for him to instruct her, all the while trying to decide if her anger towards him was more powerful than her love. She was, in truth, very lonely.
"What did I ask you, twice, the first time we met?" Neal asked, getting that grin he always wore when he thought he was being clever. His clothing changed to the armored vault suit he had worn when they first met.
"Are you sure you're not recruiting?" Sarah quipped with a small smile, identical to the one she wore when he originally asked her. His surprising skill and cheeky comments had irked her. Especially since some of them she couldn't stop from making her smile.
Binary code became visible, surrounding them as they transformed into the wasteland. Sarah realized Neal had vanished and in his place, a group of men in armor charged her. Like the many raiders she had fought, they only carried melee weapons, but Sarah was surprised with the speed and skill they possessed. She took more hits than she could normally afford, thankfully she felt herself heal miraculously at the conclusion of the skirmish.
Neal reappeared, this time wearing the scarred leather armor he had entered the Citadel with, helping Dr. Li and her scientists along. He had limped a bit but still managed to help a surprisingly burly scientist along. She had been quite impressed and amused at running into him again.
Sarah remembered the glassy look in his eye as he sat Garza down and staggered to his feet. He never let the signs of exhaustion show in his face, but his body was clearly battered and worn down. He had collapsed against a pillar and caught his breath, refusing any offer of assistance. There were scorch marks and bloodstains all over him. Sarah had seen him a few hours later treating himself, during that time she was still trying to wrap her head around the fact that he had survived through so much with so little training. Only much later would she admit that she found him attractive. She hadn't even allowed herself to consider it until she heard Dr. Li say she was deliberately avoiding him because he looked like too much like James.
"I know you must be angry with your father and myself, but you must remember that we love you, Sarah." Neal said, lips still smiling pleasantly at her, though there was a hint of apology in his expression.
"But what he asked you to do…"
"I know I resent it at times, but I have to remember that I agreed to it. Your father is capable of seeing me in a light that does not cloud his judgment. We both, more than anything, wanted to stop this before it became your problem."
"That's twice now." Sarah said sourly.
The hologram seemed to frown a little. "I'm doing everything I can to make it back."
Sarah didn't have anything to say. She was still seething.
"The program will now work as Rothchild wishes. He is close to figuring it out. Unlike the scientists of the old world, Rothchild realizes what he has here." Neal's hologram said.
"The Outcasts, why did they have to die?" Sarah asked, angrily. She harbored no love for them, but it didn't sit well with her regardless.
"They did that to themselves. When I aided Protector McGraw and got the locked armory open, the others turned on him when he allowed me to have some of what we found inside. I tried to save him…and Specialist Olin, but I couldn't. Without his leadership, they began to fight amongst themselves. I did not personally kill them, but I cannot completely wash my hands of that. I did what I felt I had to. Whether it was the right decision or not, I doubt I'll ever know."
Sarah couldn't listen to any more, she tried to detach the pip-boy from the machine, but it didn't work.
"Be ready for anything, Sarah." Neal's hologram said, as he spoke he transformed. Now wearing an ornate set of armor she recognized only from pre-war history books. The last thing she saw of him was an unsettling, hard expression. The screen then went blank and Sarah was back in reality, her head spinning with everything she had learned.
Amata Almodovar
Canterbury Commons, Capital Wasteland
Amata had been quiet the whole trip back. She had listened to Julian explain about how the Lone Wanderer was a legend around the Wastes and how Three Dog, the DJ of Galaxy News Radio was heavily responsible for spreading it. Three Dog used the Lone Wanderer as a symbol of hope and shared his stories with the wastes. Julian speculated that some of them were a bit exaggerated, but he couldn't know for sure. From time to time, Neal would stop in and do an interview. He never revealed anything too earthshattering about himself, but in one of his interviews, he had been asked if there was girl back in the vault.
"Here's the recording." Julian said, handing her the holotape.
"You have a holotape of this?" Amata asked, clearly judging him.
"Yeah," Julian said defensively, "Hey, you have no idea what the Wanderer means to us out here. For once there was someone who was strong enough to take out the bad guys and fight the good fight!"
Amata could see the truth and conviction in Julian's eyes.
"I believe you. This is just all new to me." Amata said, apologetically.
"I get it." Julian said with a reassuring smile.
Amata popped in the holotape and pressed play on her pip-boy.
"Good afternoon, children! This is Three Dog, coming to you live from Galaxy News Radio! Boy do I have a special treat for you today, kiddies! The famous Lone Wanderer is here in the booth and has agreed to do an interview! That's right, Mr. 101 himself, fresh from his rescue of Big Town!"
The recording paused for a few moments.
"So kid, I've heard people talk about Germantown Police HQ. They say it's crawling with Super Mutants. Most people won't go within miles of it. But you went in and saved the captured Big Town folks?"
"That's correct."
"That's correct, he says, as if it were a walk in Rivet City."
"No, it wasn't easy." Neal corrected, "If I'm being completely honest, it was pretty terrifying at times too."
Three Dog laughed, "Listen to that, folks. He's as humble and level-headed as they come. So what's your next heroic act going to be?"
"Well, I'm currently helping my father and a science team from Rivet City on a big project… I can't really say much more on that."
"Ah, so you did find Dad after all." Three Dog said happily. "I knew you would."
"Yes, it took some work but I did. Which come to think of it, I have a bit of a heads up for people. I've recently returned from Vault 87 over by Little Lamplight and the place is crawling with Super Mutants. Avoid it until the Brotherhood and I can come up with a solution."
"You heard the man folks!" Three Dog echoed. "So, Wanderer, tell us about yourself."
"Well, I can tell you this. The rumor is, I was born in Vault 101, and I can tell you, that is completely false. I was born out here just like all of you. But if some of you are getting ideas that the vault might make an exception for you and let you in, don't waste your time. Go to Megaton or Rivet City instead, Vault 101 doesn't like us outsiders."
"Wow. I'm sensing some bitterness, is that right?"
"A bit, yes. Leaving wasn't necessarily my choice, but hey, I like out here!"
Three Dog laughed, "You know, I think you're the only person I've ever heard say that. Say, Wanderer, you're a strapping young man and charismatic, too. While we're on the topic of the vault…Was there, by chance, a girl?"
"There was."
"Really. So do you consider yourself taken?"
"Well, considering I'll probably never see her again, no I do not."
"Ya hear that ladies? The Lone Wanderer is available!" Three Dog joked. Neal uncomfortably clearing his throat could be heard.
Amata stopped the tape. "That doesn't explain how that girl was able to pinpoint me as this 'mysterious girl'."
"Well, you are wearing a vault suit underneath your armor." Julian pointed out.
Amata glanced down and realized that what he said was true. The characteristic blue jumpsuit peeked out in places, but it wasn't as overt as Julian made it out to be.
"Right. Well, now that that's taken care of. Let's get some sleep."
Amata stripped down to vault suit and shifted the blanket over her. Julian followed suit and laid down beside her. Rather than snuggle up, he seemed to have caught on that she was preoccupied and gave her a respectful amount of space. Amata was thinking over the day when she and Neal began their secret romance. It was a few days after Neal fought with the Tunnel Snakes. The G.O.A.T. had been rescheduled because of it and now everyone was healthy enough to participate, much to their disappointment.
Amata was sitting in the back of the room, hoping to avoid attention. She made a point of shuffling in with the other girls and sitting near them so she could avoid the Tunnel Snakes…and Neal. She listened to the girls talk about the fight animatedly.
"I can't believe Neal beat up Butch." Susie Mack said, sounding both surprised and disappointed.
The other girls all nodded and voiced their agreement. They all turned and looked at someone who had just entered the room, all except for Amata. Amata watched from the corner of her eye as Neal went and sat in his usual spot in the front on the other side of the room. He noticed Amata wasn't sitting there and looked around for her, she avoided his gaze awkwardly.
"Amata, Neal was looking at you." Christine said conspiratorially. The other girls giggled. Amata tried to look surprised instead of annoyed.
"Was he?" Amata said, trying to sound disinterested.
"Wait, are you mad at him?" Christine observed.
"No…Why do you care?" Amata asked, unable to hide her irritation.
Christine looked around at the other girls with a smile.
"You're kidding, right?" Susie asked. When Amata didn't respond, Christine spoke up.
"Well, I guess if you're not interested then I'll have to go talk to him after class."
"What?" Amata said confused. Christine rarely spoke to Neal unprompted.
"Come on, Amata. Neal beat up Butch and his gang for you! That's so romantic! And don't act like you haven't noticed how he's gotten handsome…" Christine mused.
"Just like James." Susie added in a sultry voice.
Neal happened to be looking over at the time, the girls all giggled and waved at him. He gave them a half-hearted wave with a confused look on his face. He looked at Amata again, apparently hoping for an explanation. He didn't appear to have a clue that his heroics had made him the new hot item in the vault.
Mr. Brotch had called the class' attention and passed out the test. After answering the last question, Amata wanted to sink into the floor after reading it. She could feel her peers' eyes trailing towards her. She quickly moved over to hand in her test.
"Ah, the supervisory track! Congrats, Amata." Mr. Brotch said cheerily, oblivious to the stares her classmates were giving her.
Amata muttered something inaudible and slunk to the back of the room. She heard Neal get the vault medic staff track, though it was no surprise to anyone. Amata glanced back in the room as she exited to see all of the girls surrounding Neal and giggling animatedly at things they normally would have rolled their eyes at. It was times like this that Amata didn't understand the behavior of her gender at all. In an equally inexplicable act, Amata stormed from the room. She didn't fully understand why she was upset, she just was. Stupid hormones.
Neal had eventually caught up with her and forced her stop with a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Why are you avoiding me?" Neal asked innocently. Amata's eyes narrowed, for someone so smart he really could be oblivious sometimes.
"You really don't know? You haven't noticed how differently everyone, especially the girls, are treating you?" Amata said reproachfully.
"Yeah, but why are you upset?" Neal asked.
Amata felt her face redden, "No, I just…they're not your friends you're just the new item because you won a fight."
"Hey, you're the one who's avoiding me! Wait a minute, are you jealous?"
"No!" Amata responded too quickly.
Neal didn't appear convinced, "Look, for what it's worth, you've been my friend since I can remember and you've always stuck up for me and had my back, even when it came to standing up to your own father, the Overseer no less. It means everything to me and I'll never forget that. No one will ever replace your friendship. I may have always joked that I liked Christine Kendall, sure she's pretty, but it was only so you didn't figure out who I'd been in love with since I was ten years old. I really enjoyed that kiss we had, but I understand if you didn't and only want to be friends. So when you're ready to start talking to me again, you know where to find me." Neal said, before striding off.
Amata sat there, awestruck for a good few minutes, processing what he had said.
Amata had run down to the Reactor level where Neal was constantly practicing with his old BB gun and modifying it. He was bent over the workbench with his blue jumpsuit unzipped at the top and tied around his waist. Underneath he wore a white cotton t-shirt.
He turned to see who it was. Upon discovering it was her, his expression became cautious.
Amata moved over to stand near him. "I didn't know." She said, then she leaned in and kissed him. So began their secret romance.
Amata kicked herself for not noticing how he felt for a long time, especially after he left the vault. They could have had more time together, but it was all in the past now. They had both moved on. Still, it served as a reminder to her that she owed it to Neal to help the wasteland in any way she could. She snuggled up to Julian and drifted off.
Bunker Gamma
St. Louis Wastes
Neal stared at his feet, nearly lulled to sleep by the rhythmic noise of the vertibird. He was doing his best to calm himself. It reminded him of the downtime before he attacked Adams Air Force Base. Neal tried to remind himself there was still time and revel in his favorite memories while it lasted. He thought of his parents. His father had always said that they had big plans for him, but he doubted that the things he had done were what they had in mind. Well, except Project Purity. Neal knew he wasn't the visionary his father was, it made him wish he knew his mother all the more, perhaps he was like her in that respect. Above all, he knew that they were proud of him, regardless. It took him a moment to realize that they had landed and blindly followed Velez off the bird.
He made eye contact with Forsyth, who gave him a respectful nod. John and the others were already moving towards the outpost with their rucksacks slung over their shoulders. Neal followed suit, only he had no belongings. It was part of the assignment. Neal frowned as the thought struck him and unconsciously rubbed his left wrist where his pip-boy used to be. He never realized how much he relied on it until he took inventory one day. It was difficult to memorize all of the things he possessed, especially since it changed so often.
Neal followed the group as they headed into the base. He was still only slightly aware of what he was doing, operating on autopilot. Neal simply followed Forsyth while the others unpacked their things. They all met up in the cafeteria and ate while Forsyth gave everyone their assignments. Everyone moved busily to begin their work. Everyone except Neal, Frida, and John. Forsyth's hard gaze trained on the three.
"This is the beginning of the end." She said resolutely. "From here, it will be touch and go. While there are many involved in this plan, it truly comes down to the four of us. You were chosen because you give us the best chance for success. Because you are the best at what you do. It won't be easy, you can be sure of that. But as wasters, our very existence has been difficult by nature and we're the most stubborn of them all. Stubborn is good. Stubborn means we will not stop, we will not falter, until we succeed at what we set out to do. Now, let's set out and finish this fight!"
Everyone gave a nod. Neal and Frida reciprocated Forsyth's clenched fist and arm folded across her chest, the Brotherhood salute.
"Steel be with you." They said to one another.
John reached out and clasped Neal's hand. "You've got this kid. I'll be keeping an eye on you."
"Me too." Came Frida's voice from over Neal's shoulder.
"Gee, thanks, ma and pa." Neal joked, but the smirk didn't quite make it to his eyes. The others laughed.
Forsyth placed a hand on Neal's shoulder, "Time to grab some gear, you've got a hike ahead of you."
A Week Later…
Neal licked his badly chapped lips and heaved a ragged breath. He felt like he had when he first left the Vault. Sure, he had been injured far worse and had to suffer through it, but this was different. He was out of his element without his pip-boy. He had no clue where he was, but he knew he was getting close. He was sweating profusely and getting exhausted. He stood up straight and circled around to try and orient himself.
Where the hell is that bunker?
Neal spotted a collection of fires in the distance. While his past experience told him moving towards fires wasn't the best idea, he decided to go with his gut feeling that things would work out. He drew closer and realized it was a small tribe of some sort. He crept just outside the tent circle and peered in. He drew his knife just in case.
"Fear not, stranger. We will not harm you." A male voice called.
Neal was surprised they were able to detect him, but he supposed his exhaustion was getting the best of him. He peered out around the corner of the tent.
"Come, sit with us." The man called again, he had long bushy hair and an equally unkempt beard, but a kindly smile.
Neal obliged, he silently moved over, warily eyeing the tribe. They all smiled at him. Women, children and elders alike all sat around the campfire. Save for a few sentries.
The kind man passed Neal a water. It was irradiated, but Neal didn't care at this point.
"What's your name?" the man asked.
"Neal." He answered.
"Well then, Neal, welcome. My name is Hugh. We're nomads. We originally came from what's left of Kansas City, but the Legion has taken that. I just hope we aren't too late."
Neal almost choked on the water he drank. He tried not to look around at the fearful faces around him. He hoped they weren't too late as well, but he knew the odds were squarely against them.
"Do you mind if I rest?" Neal asked, leaning back onto the dirt. It was feeling particularly soft right now.
"Not at all." Hugh said.
Neal wasn't asleep long when he jolted awake at the sound of blood curdling screams. He turned to see a spear impaling a man nearby. He flew into survival mode, wrenching the spear from the man's back. For some reason he felt sad, as though he knew the man.
Three men in strange armor charged him. Flying on pure instinct Neal thrust the spear through the first attacker's face, then the second. The third swung a blade at him, which he dodged and swung the back of the spear at the man's hand, dislodging the sword from his grip. He sent the spear through the man's chest. Neal flew into a frenzy fighting off attacker after attacker while the screams of the dying filled the air around him. He felt his legs bite for some reason. He couldn't remember anything, he could barely remember his own name. It didn't matter now, all he could think was survive. He swung the spear around him, keeping the growing numbers of attackers at bay. Each time one tried to take a swipe he would feint at them and swing, doing his best to keep them back.
"Most impressive." A cold voice mused.
Neal kept his attention on any potential attackers.
"You are strong, too strong to be a lowly wastelander. What brings you to our territory"
Neal still didn't speak.
"Shall I kill him, Decanus?"
"Nay. You would fail. Allow me to test his mettle."
The circle opened so an even more oddly dressed man stood across from Neal. He drew a blade as well and swung it with more expertise than the others. He moved forward and took a few cautious swings, which Neal swatted away. He came at him again, this time more aggressively. He managed to get Neal's spear away from him. Pressing the attack he swung thrice. Neal managed to dodge them and swim past his attacker. They both turned and faced one another again. The Decanus could see that his opponent was exhausted. As much as he wished to press this further, he knew losing such a resource could only be bad.
"Capture him." He ordered.
Neal tried to fight off the crowding attackers, but a swift strike to the back of his skull by a blunt object sent his world dark.
Boone watched the whole thing through his binoculars. It was impressive to watch. He only hoped the kid could make it without being found out. He shook his head as he stood and set off for the rendezvous point. This whole thing was crazy.
"And so it all begins…" he muttered.