Okay so, i need some real feedback from you guys about this chapter (but moreso for the second half). Tell me if you think i did a good job with it and be honest. If you don't like it, te;; me why, and maybe give me some tips to make it better. If you do like it, tell me why as well. Okay, enjoy!

Chapter 14: Assurance

As I wandered through the halls in search of the armory I realized that Owyn hadn't told me the name of the quartermaster. It didn't matter too much because after asking a few of the other members I found out the name and location of who I needed to see.

"Knight Captain Durga?" I asked the woman who was tinkering with a broken down Laser Rifle in the armory.

"Who wants to know?" she said gruffly as she ran her finger across a stray hair hanging over her face.

"The name's Jason, I've heard you're the person to see about weapons and armor?"

She looked at me thoughtfully and then answered, "Ah, right. Jason. They told me to expect you. What can I help you with?"

"Well I was hoping you could help me with my lack of firepower." I said with a grin on my face.

She returned the smile and headed over to a nearby locker. "What's your interest? Assault Rifles, Shotguns, Magnums?" she asked.

She threw the locker doors open and allowed me to look the weaponry over. There were so many to choose from, and all were in fairly good condition. I settled my gaze on a single Sawn-Off Shotgun hanging from the rack.

"I'll take one of those along with thirty shells." I told her, and she pulled the gun off and went over to the ammo crate in the corner.

I continued searching over the weapons until I spotted another one that caught my eye. An Assault Rifle not unlike my old one. The stock, barrel, and magazine size were different from a regular Assault Rifle.

"I see that modified Chinese Rifle has caught your eye. How much ammo do you need?" Durga interrupted.

"The Chinese made their own rifles?" I asked.

She simply nodded and asked, "So how much ammo you want?"

"Umm, 150 5.56 rounds should be fine."

She took the weapon in her hands and placed it on a table nearby, and then went to the ammo crate and got the amount of ammo I had requested.

"Now what about armor?" I asked.

"What's your pleasure? We've got Combat Armor, standard issue, or maybe you'll favor the lighter, more maneuverable Recon Armor?" she asked as she opened up the armor cabinets.

I looked the Combat Armor over and decided to ask about its benefits and downsides.

"Well, your standard issue Combat Armor offers maximum protection from incoming fire to your chest and stomach, but leaves your lower half susceptible to gunfire. Also, you'll find yourself becoming tired out fairly quickly if you run around for too long while wearing it, as it is rather heavy." she explained.

"What about the Recon Armor?"

Durga smiled, "Recon Armor allows for better movement and speed, and it also offers protection to all parts of your body except for your head of course. It's actually the armor preference of our scouts."

"The downsides?"

"Well, it may offer protection for your entire body, but less so than the Combat Armor. The armor is made from a Kevlar nylon mesh and is only useful in protecting against gunfire from smaller weapons." she explained.

I put my hand up to my chin and pondered about which armor to go with. After some time I finally caved and decided for the Combat Armor. After all, my vital organs resided in the upper part of my body, and that's what I needed to protect. I took a faded grey color variant and it fit like a glove. I strapped my newly acquired Sawn-Off to my thigh and threw the Chinese Assault Rifle over my back. Lastly, I took a belt of frags off the wall as well as a bandolier to allow easier access to my ammo.

When I finished strapping on my armor and weapons, I held my hands out and awaited the quartermaster's input.

"Not bad kid, you definitely look like a forced to be reckoned with now." she commented.

I smiled ever so softly and then turned to leave.

"If you ever need to restock your armament, you know where to find me." Durga yelled out to me as I walked away.

Let's see, what's next? Oh right, Lyons mentioned something about a Vault database on one of the computers back in the A ring. The longer I delay, the longer it takes to find this G.E.C.K.

As I thought that last word my fathers smiling face flashed across the forefront of my mind. I suddenly found myself leaning against the wall and grasping my forehead in pain.

I suddenly felt the rage I had experienced just yesterday start to fill my heart once again.

No! Don't allow yourself to go down that path!

I clawed the wall and my breathing became erratic. As fast as the feeling had entered in to my heart, it left with the same speed. I let loose a sigh of worry and continued to the A ring.

Madison, Sarah, and Owyn were no longer in the room I had met them in before. No doubt they had their own business to attend to. I headed for a small room located in the back corner of the large space. A few Brotherhood Scribes sat at various terminals within and were busy tapping away at the keyboards.

I located a single unmanned terminal labeled "Vault Tech Database". I sat down in the worn leather chair in front of the terminal and went to work. I first searched out information on Vault 108. It didn't say much, other than it had been issued a G.E.C.K., that it had been equipped with a cloning lab, and that the Overseer who had been appointed would die from the cancer raging within his system after 40 months. I uploaded the data and the location of the Vault in to my Pip Boy.

The next Vault I searched for, Vault 87, gave me a critical error when I tried to bring up the information on it, which I thought odd. The only info I could gather told me that direct access to the Vault would be impossible and it also gave me the location. I uploaded this info as well and then decided to head back to spend some time with Madison before I set out.

I found her in the Research and Development department of the Citadel helping out with some of the weapons testing

I expected to be greeted by her radiant, smiling face, but instead she wore a worried and pained look

I tried to place my arms around her but she backed away hesitantly.

What's wrong with her, why is she acting like this?

"I guess this is goodbye then?" she said in a low voice.

"Hey, it's only for a little while. I have to do this Madison. For my father, for the people of the wasteland...and for you and our child. I thought you wanted this as much as I did?"

A tear ran down her cheek and she turned away from me, "I thought i did, but now...now I don't know what I want. Every time we're reunited you have to run off again."

I circled around and caught her gaze once more, "Believe me Madison I don't want to have to leave as much as you but it's what I need to do." I tried explaining to her.

She turned away from me again, "What if something happens to you? I don't think i could raise this child on my own..." she replied as more tears formed on her beautiful face.

"Nothing is going to happen to me, I won't let it." I responded, but it didn't seem to help much.

"I just...ugh, just go Jason. I don't know what to do so just leave!" she said harshly.

I simply nodded and then turned away from her, "Goodbye..."

It pained me to have to leave her on such bad terms. My legs felt like they weighed two tons each and every step I took felt heavier than the previous one. When I reached the exit I heard Madison yell out for me.

"Jason, wait! Oh God please wait!" she shouted.

I swept her up in my loving embrace and held her close. She wept uncontrollably in my arms, and i ran my fingers through her soft hair to give her comfort. I could feel the tears flowing from my eyes.

"Please Jason, don't go just yet. Stay here with me and keep me close." she said through her tears.

I did as she said and the two of us stood locked in each others embrace. The other scientists in the room gave us mixed looks of both sympathy and surprise.

After what seemed like an eternity Madison finally collected herself and looked up at me from my chest. "I'm sorry...I didn't want you to leave like that!"

I wiped the tears from her smooth cheeks and then planted a passionate kiss on her lips. She leaned in to me and returned it with equal passion.

"Thank you...I think I understand now exactly what I'm fighting for." I told her as I pulled away.

I pressed my forehead against hers and gave her a warm smile. "I promise I'll come back to you." I whispered.

She gave me another soft kiss, "I'll never stop waiting for your safe return." she replied.

I slowly pulled my arms from her and with one last heartwarming smile I headed back out for the wastes.

A breeze which carried the heat of a summer wind blew across my face as i re-emerged in to the Capitol Wasteland. Maybe, just maybe, it signified that something big was about to happen