Walls of steel. Pale faces. Images of a life long gone. There are images he knows exists but can not see. Memories he can recall but never picture. Names that are as familiar to him as his own but never form into words. Vagueness. Blackness. Unknowable. He sees his father sitting on a chair with a Bible in hand. The pages are blank. He sees the Overseer with a fist made of iron. He sees Amata, just like he remembers. Her face shatters like glass and spills over the black floor. He looks at his hands, they are not his own. Shrivelled, ugly, decaying. They rot away until only the bone remain, but they are not dry; they are covered in blood.
Perry opens his eyes. He doesn't move, simply deciding to lie in bed a bit longer. What was that? A dream of course, but what was it? The images are still fresh in his mind but as with all dreams they are difficult to grasp. It's almost impossible to tell what his dream was and what was a simple memory that was returning to the surface of his mind. He lifts his hand and sees it is still flesh and whole. Scarred and hardened by his time in the wastes, but still whole. Letting his arm fall back onto his bed Perry sighs and stares at the ceiling. Today was an important day; the people of Megaton were having a meeting on what to do with the expanding population. Being the home of the Lone Wonderer made Megaton seem safer. In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, safety is a common concern that pulls in many travellers.
Perry yawned and stretched his arms into the air and above his head. He was tempted to simply let the town sort things out themselves than fix their problems for them… again. But Megaton was now his home; he had a responsibility to it not just as The Lone Wonderer but as a citizen. To be fair, it wasn't just laziness that tempted him. Getting up would mean putting his armour back on, something that while he was used to, he still preferred to do without.
Why not just dress casual? It's not like anyone's going to care…
Perry shook his head. Of course people would care. His armour was a part of his image, a part of him. Sure he was a citizen of Megaton like all the others, but no one would deny that whatever Perry suggested would be the decision that everyone would agree upon. He might as well be the de facto leader; even Lucas Simms offered him the position of Mayor. He turned it down, he was no leader. He was a tool, plain and simple. He needed to look the part. Maybe once this is over he could see what it was the Brotherhood wanted. He snickered, they've been waiting patiently it seems.
The entire town gathered in the Church of the Children of Atom. 200 people could barely fit inside shoulder to shoulder but it was the only place large enough for everyone. Lucas, Perry, Moriarty and the leader of the Church Confessor Cromwell were sitting behind the podium at the front of the church. Once everyone had settled down, Confessor Cromwell stood up and approached the podium.
"Children of Megaton," he preached with his arms out in front of him, "Welcome each and every child of the great one. May his pure light guide and shape us today so that we may one day end this half-life of ours and achieve the full life that only Atom can grant us! Amen!" Very few members of the audience uttered amen in response, notably the people who were clearly in the early stages of becoming ghouls. Perry could never understand these people and was often astounded by their ignorance. Cromwell clearly had no idea what a half-life was nor did he seem to notice how radiation poisoned and decayed everything it touched. Perry was never a religious man; it's difficult to believe in a benevolent God when the entire world was bathed in nuclear fire under His watch. But people need hope, no matter how illogical or idiotic.
Perry was now dressed in his T-51b power armour, his helmet sitting on his lap. His guns were back at his house except for the Blackhawk, can never be too careful. Once Cromwell sat back down in his seat Lucas Simms approached the podium.
"As you all no doubt know, we've been experiencing a major population growth over the past few months. We've called this town meeting in order to discuss what can be done." There was some murmuring among the crowd.
"Why not just stop people from coming in?" one woman shouted from the back.
"We did consider that, but we need outsiders in order to trade, bring in caps and supplies. Besides, the population is already bigger than the town can handle and we can't just start kicking people out." The crowd started to murmur a bit louder. Lucas Simms turned back towards Perry and nodded. Perry then stood up and the entire crowd went silent. As he walked towards the podium, Lucas simply stepped aside and stood next to Perry. He placed his helmet on the podium if only for effect. He cleared his throat.
"We've already come up with a solution," Perry could see a number of curious faces at this statement, "The best option at this time will be to simply expand the town outwards. In order to do this, we will need to pull down the walls." Some people nodded their heads in approval while others seemed less than thrilled with the idea. "Now I know this will seem dangerous but raiders have been all but exterminated and any remaining threats can be handled by a simple security force."
"And where do you expect to get the resources for this?" a man shouted. Perry smiled; he had been hoping someone would ask that.
"Paradise Falls."
The crowd burst into outcries.
"Paradise Falls? Are you insane? We'll be killed or enslaved!"
"That place is cursed! We'll be living within the walls used by monsters!"
"It's too far! How could we ever bring those resources here?"
As the crowd continued to throw insults and concerns at Perry, he calmly brought his Pip-Boy up and pressed a few buttons. The device instantly let out a screeching noise that was like a thousand deathclaws scratching chalkboards. People tried to cover their ears to block out the noise. Perry then turned off the noise. Removing their hands and staring at Perry the crowd was finally silent.
"I… understand that there are a number of concerns with this plan. Paradise Falls is indeed a symbol, one I'm sure a number of you are even familiar with." A number of faces turned away from Perry at this statement. Tears clear in their eyes at the memories. "But please understand. We need to expand and this is a chance for us to turn that horrible place into something good. To use what's left and build a better future. A future of scrap and broken concrete, but a future none the less." The crowd didn't make a sound. Lucas Simms spoke up.
"The Wonderer has been making regular checks of the facility, it is abandoned and raider activities are practically non-existent. If we all pull our own weight, we can travel there and return with whatever scrap we can use to expand Megaton."
"It will be hard," Perry continued, "But I've seen more than enough to know this town is capable of doing great things. You are an island in the irradiated ocean of the wastes, but this island just isn't enough for everyone. It's about time we added some extra land to this shelter. So I ask you, will you trust me as you have done before, will you help?" There was silence.
Moira Brown walked out of the crowd and stood in front of Perry, smiling that same smile.
"I'll help, sounds like fun." Perry returned her smile and looked out towards the crowd.
"I'll help to," said a man.
"So will I."
"Me to."
Before long, every single person agreed to help. Moriarty meanwhile just rolled his eyes and thought, great. Now my bar will be emptier than a ghoul's barber shop.
Perry climbed down the stony ledge, being careful not to slip. He left Megaton once the town meeting had finished and was now on his way to the Citadel. He grabbed his usual arsenal of weapons and supplies, once again being burdened with the weight of his weapons and responsibilities. So far the trip had been uneventful, he'll see if it stays that way once he gets closer to the ruined buildings.
He spotted some abandoned raider camps, stopping by to loot any food he could find. The only things that were left were empty beer bottles and pots. Utterly useless. He travelled south along the border of the ruins; he was more than familiar with this path. After two hours of walking from Megaton he finally stood before the entrance of the Brotherhood Headquarters. The giant metal door looming over him, reminding him of the first time he saw this place. Has it only been four months since that time? Time certainly feels longer with so little to do. The guard saluted Perry when he walked up to him.
"Attend hut! Lyon's Pride present!"
"At ease, I just wished to see what the Brotherhood wanted me for."
"Yes sir, I'll alert Elder Lyons of your visit."
The giant door slowly raised ushering Perry into its crumpled depths. Walking into the Courtyard, he was greeted with the typical scene of recruits being trained, more than usual Perry noted. No surprise, the Brotherhood will need all the help they can get since they're stretched so thin with the Purifier.
"Ahh Perry! It is good you have returned to us." Elder Lyons walked through the recruits and shook Perry's hand.
"It is good to see you again to Elder, I apologise for my…. extended absence."
"It is no worry my boy, you of all people deserved a rest. But come, there is much to discuss as I'm sure you no doubt heard." Nodding, Perry followed Lyons into the facility. They passed through the technology room and the image of Liberty Prime's remains greeted him. By the looks of it, they had repaired his chassis and were working on his internal circuitry. They were a few years off, but they were going faster than Perry had expected. Lyons was walking rather fast; Perry had to make an effort to keep up with him. Whatever he wanted to talk about it must be important.
They finally passed into the Lyon's Den, the meeting room of the Lyon's Pride. To Perry's surprise, Sarah was there. To be fair, her presence wasn't the surprising part. What was surprising was the fact she wasn't in her armour. Perry couldn't remember ever seeing her outside of it. She turned towards the door and smiled at Perry. She was dressed in casual clothes and must have been pacing, he would have said she was nervous but Perry couldn't bring himself to think "Sarah" and "nervous" in the same sentence.
He returned Sarah's smile and saluted.
"Lyon's Pride Perry Neeson returning for duty." Sarah smirked at the formal greeting which seemed to say typical.
"Welcome back Perry. Been causing all kinds of hell I hope."
"You know me far too well Sarah." She crossed her arms and seemed to take on a more serious tone.
"I certainly hope so, considering what we're about to ask of you." She turned to Elder Lyons. "Have you told him yet?" Elder Lyons seemed to become uncomfortable at the question.
"Not yet, there are other things I wanted to discuss first."
"What is going on?" Perry asked looking at both of them. Both Lyons looked at each other and then at Perry. Elder Lyons spoke first while Sarah walked around the room and locked all the doors.
"Perry, after everything you've done for us, I'm afraid we must ask more. Have you heard anything about the Super Mutant project we have been conducting?"
"Not much, just that you're planning to wipe them out for good."
"Yes… but I'm afraid it won't be as simple as a sweep of the city. Do you remember the FEV vial you gave me before you stormed the Purifier?"
"I do, the one that Eden gave me… why?" Lyons took a very uncomfortable stance at the question.
"We discovered a means to alter the virus. It was intended to kill anyone with mutations, no matter how slight. But we found a way to use it to only kill beings that have been affected by FEV."
"Essentially, it will only kill Super Mutants," Sarah added.
"Well that's good isn't…" Perry stopped mid sentence. If the FEV would kill every Super Mutant in the city that would mean…
Both Sarah and Elder Lyons fixed Perry with a knowing stare, silence filled the room.
"Fawkes…" Perry whispered.
"Yes. We know you and this Mutant are friends, which is why we wanted to consult with you before we used the virus."
Perry sat down on one of the chairs and stared at the ground. Fawkes was probably his best friend. He was currently at the Arlington Library reading whatever books he could find. Perry was planning to meet him after this was over…
"So you're asking me if it's okay that you kill one of my friends." The Lyons looked at each other with concern.
"Perry," Sarah knelt down beside him. "If we don't do this the Capitol Wasteland might never be free of them." Perry shook his head.
"No… no there is always another way. We'll just fight them; I'll lead the purge if I have to." Sarah sighed.
"And kill dozens if not hundreds of people in the process." She countered. Perry said nothing. He knew she was right. They'd loose people, lots of them.
"We understand this is a difficult choice," Elder Lyons counselled. "Which is why we will not launch the virus for two weeks. In that time… if you want your friend to live, you will have to convince him to leave the city and travel as far away as possible. We do not know how far the virus will spread." Perry looked away from both of them, he could sabotage the project if he wanted, but that would still result in people being killed. Damnit.
"But there are still other things we wanted to discuss with you." Perry looked up at Elder Lyons and could see his sympathetic eyes; this was a man who has seen more destruction and loses than Perry ever has. He knew what Perry was going through.
"What now? You going to ask me to shoot myself in the foot?" Elder Lyons seemed to ignore that comment.
"We found something from one of the Enclave computers we thought would be of great interest to you. It's about your father." Perry immediately shot up out of his seat, surprising Sarah as well as himself.
"What?... What about my father?" Elder Lyons smiled at the reaction.
"Perry, did you ever wonder what happened to your fathers body?" Perry blinked; he hadn't thought about it, even after all this time.
"The first piece of good news this night is that we may have discovered where it is. His body was being transported to Raven Rock likely for experimentation. We did not know how important burying his body might be to you, but we believed you would like to know regardless." Perry stood flabbergasted.
"But… but…" He didn't even know what to think. "Wouldn't he have decayed already?"
"The logs on the Enclave computer showed that he was put in a pressurised tube of formaldehyde to preserve his body. We do not know what happened to the troops looking after him. But I'm sure you'll find out if you decide to investigate." Lyons paused for a moment. "Is that what you would like to do Perry?"
He didn't even have to think about it.
"Yes."
Elder Lyons nodded at the response. "We thought you would." He then looked at Sarah who Perry had noted was being very quiet. "There is one other thing we would like to discuss."
If it's as big as the others what could possibly be saved for last?
Perry looked at one then the other, noticing the uncomfortable looks on their faces.
"What is it?" Perry asked Elder Lyons.
"I think Sarah should be the one to tell you." They both turned to Sarah who would have been fidgeting were it not for her military training. She cleared her throat and stepped towards Perry.
"Perry… father and I have thought about it and… would you be interested in marriage?"
A/N: Well finally got back to the plot I thought up from the start. Sure took a while to get to this eh? If you've been keeping up I sure hope you're enjoying it.
As for the story, was I the only one who noted that we never found out what happened to James's body? This could be seen as the 'closure' scenario for Perry.
As for Fawkes, what would you do? Kill your best friend for the good of the many? Not exactly a decision I'd want to make myself. Anyway, hope you enjoy the chapter and remember that comments are appreciated.