Sorry if I kept you waiting, I was busy playing New Vegas. And yes, I like it very much not to mention it gave some ideas.

Chapter 4

In the Citadel's briefing room, a meeting is being held with Elder Owyn Lyons, his daughter Sarah, Scribe Reginald Rothchild, The Lone Wanderer and the three guests Jenny, Cody and Ben.

James looked around, trying to get a better understanding on what was going on. First thing he noticed was the tense atmosphere coming off from Owyn and Ben. Rothchild seemed to be clueless, and Jenny and Cody were a little nervous. But one thing that got his attention that Sarah looked a bit concerned which was very rare in his opinion.

Rothchild spoke first. "Now, while I'm glad to see Williams for a long time, but I must ask Owyn. What's this about?"

Ben answered. "I'm happy to see you too Roth, but unfortunately I don't have time to catch up right now. The Khans are back."

"What?" Rothchild's jaw dropped in shock. "I'm afraid it is true." Said Owyn. "The Khans still continue to exist despite all the defeats it has received."

James raised his hand and said. "Sorry, I don't wish to sound stupid or anything, but who are the Khans exactly?"

Sarah explained to him. "The Khans are the most vicious raiders in the whole Wasteland. They have a reputation of constantly coming no matter how many times they've been defeated. They also follow the "strongest rights over the weak" philosophy and respect strength over everything else. They also use melee weapons instead of using firearms, though some of the higher-ups carry small guns and not much else. Even the Brotherhood had trouble finishing them off"

Owyn asked Ben. "What have the Khans done to have you and your companions here?"

Ben told what happened in Hope, how they were attacked, how their leader called herself the Queen of the Wastes, how they escaped and heard about James. Ben introduced Cody and Jenny. "These two are Jenny and Cody. They come from the same town where I live. Like me, they're willing to do what it takes to get rid of them."

Owyn said. "Which brings this question. How did the three of you manage to find yourself's here in the first place?" Ben went silent where James said. "You also told me how their leader would tell you that she'll take over the town and it's resources. And the word "resource" makes me curious because not many settlements in general don't have much."

Sarah asked him. "What do you mean?"

James replied. "Brahmin are important that's obvious, but they're not worth the stunt the Khans pulled off. Easier to just kill the farmers. Hell, it's easier to kill everyone and then loot the whole place. Not to mention you told me the three of you come from Commonwealth and you admitted that you're familiar with Madison Lee when we first met. To me, I find it unlikely that this is all coincidence."

Ben could say anything, James cut him off. "And I know she was going to Commonwealth for one thing... to find the Institute. No other way you would know Madison."

Everyone was quiet by James' words. Jenny said to Ben. "I think we need to tell them what's really going on."

"Williams?" Said Owyn suspiciously to Ben.

Cody stood up and said. "Our town is working together with the Institute on farming technology."

"Farming technology?" Said Rothchild in between troubled and fascinated. "How did it happen exactly?"

Cody explained. "Most people in Hope are descendants from vault 40 and it most of it's people were farmers. The people in vault 40 were told to wait for 15 years, then get out and try to contact with the Institute and use their farming knowledge and their tech to put agriculture back on track."

"And it worked out?" Asked Sarah.

"Yeah, and now we got a pretty good deal going with them. We sent some of the food we grow to the Institute and they keep our water clean and our equipment working." Said Jenny.

"Which is the reason why Hope was attacked in the first place. Their leader plans to cut us off and wait when people in Institute starve out and she'll give them food only if they grant access to their tech." Said Ben.

Satisfied with what he heard, Owyn then turned to James. "Out of curiosity, why did you bring Ben and the young ones here James?"

"When Ben told me that he used to be in the Brotherhood, I had a feeling that you two might know each other so I thought I could re-unite some old friends." Told James. "Also, I'm asking permission to use one of the Vertibirds to get to the Commonwealth."

"Now just a minute there young man!" Said Rothchild, objecting the idea. "Those are highly valuable transportation units. They're not some ferry ship to go on for a cruise"

"Permission granted." Said Owyn without hesitation, shocking Rothchild. "Not only you wish to help Ben and the young ones, you also wish to help Madison correct?"

James nodded. "Madison is one of the few things I have left of my father and by the time she went, I was still in a coma so it'll mean a lot to her know I'm still alive. She deserves that much"

The meeting ended and preparations for the Vertibird were under way. Preparing the Vertibird would take some time though so James and the others were allowed to stock up with supplies and rest until preparations were complete. James entered one of the rooms in the laboratory area where Scribe Bowditch was in working on power armor upgrades.

"Hail, sir Knight." Said Bowditch, knowing James wasn't fond of titles and said it just to tease him. "Real funny Ditch." Replied James sarcastically, who at some point started call him Ditch whenever he called him sir Knight. Despite that they were good friends. James proceeded on to the workbench and began to make Nuka grenades which were his personal favorite.

Sarah then entered the room. "Vertibird will be ready in 3 hours." Said Sarah informing the current status.

"Then that gives me time to make plenty of Nuka grenades." Said James.

"Oh no." Said Sarah while taking a few steps back closer to the entrance, knowing the explosive potential of the grenades after seeing them blow apart many power armored Enclave soldiers.

"This thing can still burn you pretty badly at that distance." Said James while pouring Nuka Quantum and turpentine in Abraxo filled tin can.

Sarah then joked. "But where you're standing your boots are the only thing that will be left if it goes off." Bowditch got, understandably, nervous by the conversation. "Ah! Silly me, I forgot some of my tools in my sleeping quarters. I'll go get them right away." And then walked out of the room real fast. James just chuckled kept working on his grenades.

James turned his head to Sarah and asked. "How are the others doing?" Sarah smiled and pointed her finger below. "Red head's right below us, talking with Rothchild about Liberty Prime. He seems to be getting along with the girl, believe it or not and that boy Cody is outside at the shooting range. And no surprise, Ben and dad decided to talk what's going in the Lost Hills and I swear at least on of them was holding a bottle of scotch."

"Glad to hear they're doing okay considering what's been happening." Replied James.

Sarah then said nervously to him. "There's also something else I wanted say to you."

James turned to Sarah and removed his sunglasses. He did not say anything but he was paying full attention to her. Sarah's face turned red a bit by James' staring. This is the moment she was preparing herself for and all she needed was to say three simple, but important, words to him. Her heart was beating madly and breathing was seemed difficult as if something was choking her, making it even harder for her to do it. James noticed Sarah seemed nervous and displaying plenty of discomfort.

"Sarah, you don't need to push yourself if something hard bring out." Said James in friendly manner but Sarah then said fiercely. "It's something I want out of my chest and the sooner I do it, the better." This amazed James because last she spoke to him like that is when they first met in Chevy Chase.

She took a deep breath and steeled her nerves. "James, I... I... really li... like... y... y... y... " Before she managed to squeeze the last word, a Brotherhood Initiate suddenly appeared and said to them. "Sentinel Lyons? Knight James? Elder Lyons wishes to speak you immediately in his quarters." James looked at the Initiate. "Good to know." Initiate saluted and walked away.

"I wonder what he wants." Said James who then put on his sunglasses and said to Sarah. "Looks like we'll have to do this another time. Come on, let's go see what Owyn has to say."

"I'll be right behind you." Said Sarah. When James was far enough, Sarah slammed her fist to the nearest wall in frustration. "A perfect chance ruined by a father who's got a bad timing." Then she did what she did best. Keep a stiff upper lip and try again later. When Sarah and James got to Elder Lyons room, they noticed Ben and Owyn holding a shot glass in their hands, gulping them empty. Ben pointed at their direction. "About time you two got here." Sarah looked at her father and said in slight anger. "You wanted to see us? Elder?"

Owyn coughed, having a good sense of what possibly transpired. "Yes, there was something I wanted to mention to you, and James, what me and Ben have discussed. And I thought that it would best tell both you about it." Sarah and James looked at each other with both wondering what they have planned for them.

Meanwhile in Khan territory, inside the leader's tent.

Campfire was lit in the middle of the tent, surrounded by six people. Three men and women, and one of the women was their leader who was performing a shamanic ritual. She threw dust into the fire, releasing a large cloud of smoke. She then took a small cup filled with red liquid and drank it slowly. She put the cup away, inhaled the smoke deep inside her and let off a bellow that induced silent, but sensible, fear in the air. Her eyes rolled back and she began to speak. "The runaways. They return, riding on a howling bird. But they're not alone." She inhaled the smoke once more. "Accompanied by two individuals. One a woman of pride, carrying the badge of steel. She does not command however, merely a added gun. Dangerous one."

Large African man in the group said. "Brotherhood of Steel." Slight glances were exchanged between them and their leader continued. "The other a man. A white man? White, like he's made of light. He carries a heavenly fire in his fists and the Khan banner at his feet, burning. He also carries the badge of steel but not proudly like the woman of pride. Outsider he is and to many he is a Messiah, Alpha and Omega. His eyes are that of nightmares to those he deems as a enemy. Fear... him" She closed her eyes, then opened them revealing her dark green eyes. The tent filled with mixture of shock and confusion.

The large African man said to their leader respectfully. "What are your orders?" She looked at all of them and said loudly. "Prepare our warriors to intercept these people. When they arrive, I want to know about it A.S.A.P and do not engage this White man without my orders. He is a force to be reckoned with, are we clear?" Everyone rose up and bowed before her, then placed their right hand to their chest and said in unison. "For the glory of the Khans." and then left the tent. The Queen sat there for a while and then said to herself. "White Man." Followed by small laughter.

James felt a chill run up his spine and quickly looked behind him. "What's wrong?" Asked Sarah.

James replied. "Nothing, just felt like someone wanted to kill me really bad. I'm used to the feeling." Owyn continued. "As I was saying, if you wish Sarah you're allowed to join with James, along with Ben and the young ones, to Commonwealth and assist him any way you can." While it didn't show that she was thrilled about the news, but James then said. "I appreciate your concern Elder, but wouldn't her absence affect the Pride since she's the leader?" Owyn replied. "Which is why I'm her the liberty of joining with you, should she choose it, granted you additional help against the Khans. And I'm certain that Paladin Vargas will do a good job during her absence." Sarah wanted to join nonetheless so she decided to pull ranks on James. "And since you're part of the Brotherhood, you are in no position question the Elders, or mine, decision." James then reluctantly agreed and Sarah accepted the Elders offer.