Dear Diary,

Things are really starting to pick up around the Capitol. Those New California Republic scouts caused a big stir amongst the Brotherhood. They were here to investigate Washington, something about reclaiming the Capitol of America as inheritance for her children or some crap. They never thought this place would be so alive that's for sure. They're having a meeting with mother about it.

I got a chance to talk to one of them. They were expecting total ruin, Washington was one of the hardest hit places during the Great War, and they never expected the plants or communities that have sprung up over the decades. I asked him about the NCR, I had read some bits about them in the Citadel archives and from the Scribes but I couldn't miss this chance to ask. Apparently they stand up for the "Old World Values" of democracy and the rule of Law. While that's noble they were getting a bit too big for their own good.

So of course they decided to expand and seek out the Capitol. It would certainly look good for them as remnants of the United States to reclaim Washington. But despite the plant life and communities they were more shocked by us. Apparently the Brotherhood in the West has fallen on hard times. They said Elder Sarah Lyons must be the most successful Brotherhood leader they ever saw. I felt really proud of Mum when he said that.

Speaking of Mum, she said there was something she needed to talk with me about today. It was my 18th birthday a few days ago and she's almost never this secretive; unless it's about my father. I'm hoping now I'm 18 she'll finally tell me who he was. I've asked her again and again over the years and all she's ever told me was "You'll know when you're ready." It must be now, must be!

For the last 13 years, ever since I was 5, mother has trained me. She has been harder on me than most of the other initiates and at the time I practically despised her for it. But now that I'm older I'm starting to see the value of that training. I'm as ready as I'll ever be.

I'll write again when she's finally done with the NCR and we can talk. I sure hope I don't find out I'm the result of some drunken night out with some random guy. Would explain why she's so reluctant to tell me, shame perhaps? I guess we'll see.

Alexa

April 16th, 2297

Alexa leant back in her seat and read over her computer diary. She checked and fixed any grammar and spelling errors she found. Not exactly a vital issue when it came to writing a personal diary but her mother was very strict on just about everything she learnt. Absolute perfection was always the standard. It was a bit too much when she was young but it's surprising what you can get used to.

Once she was done she encrypted the files so no one could read it and shut the computer down. She stood up and looked around her room. The book shelf was still neat, her bed was still made, and her desk was still tidy. Not much to do for the moment. She walked towards her gun cabinet and pulled out her sniper rifle, she decided it could use a bit of cleaning so she grabbed a piece of cloth and started to scrub.

These days there wasn't much left to shoot, besides the occasional wandering raider and mirelurk. She considered herself lucky though. According to some of the older Knights this land was one of the most dangerous places known to the Brotherhood. Slavers, large raider gangs, super mutants and mercenaries. In her fantasises Alexa sometimes imagined herself facing off against a Behemoth. They used to stand about 15 feet tall; she couldn't imagine anything more glorious than blowing its head off and stepping on its pipe thick fingers.

This was all before the Lone Wanderer of course.

I swear, no matter where you go in this Capitol that guy has been there. Even now people still talk about him like he's some kind of Messiah. Right, what sort of saviour just ups and leaves like he did?

Alexa had heard just as much about the Lone Wanderer as anyone else, while she was impressed by him she couldn't ever understand what would make him leave the Capitol so suddenly. According to the Scribes one day he was there and the next people are saying he packed up and went West. According to some rumours he had a super mutant friend. In order to escape the purge 20 years ago he had to leave, so the Wanderer went with him. That's the theory anyway, she has heard some other ridiculous things like he was abducted by aliens to create some super soldier and will return to destroy us all. A whole group had sprung up around that rumour. Amazing what people will believe.

Alexa continued to clean her rifle when a Paladin appeared in her door and saluted.

"Elder Lyons wishes to speak with you, Ma'am."

Alexa looked up and smirked. "Jacob, you don't need to keep calling me that."

"Force of habit, Ma'am."

Alexa shook her head in amusement. She put her rifle back in the cabinet and made her way to the Den. Once she arrived she could see the NCR scouts leaving, they looked unsatisfied about something. She entered and found her mother seated at the back as usual. Along the walls was the interactive holo-map of the Capitol along with the usual round table that the Pride seated themselves in. Her mother sat at the other end of the room, a desk slighter higher above everyone else. She wore the typical gray-blue robe which grandfather once wore.

She seemed so exhausted, no doubt those NCR are causing more trouble than she's used to these days. Sarah looked up and a smile spread across her wrinkled face. She wasn't as old as her face suggested, only 46. But Alexa imagined that such responsibilities have a habit of aging you before your time.

Worried, Alexa asked "Mum, are you okay? Have you gotten much rest lately?"

Sarah chuckled. "Alexa, if I took a nap every time I was tired the Brotherhood might as well become my nursery. I'll get plenty of rest when I die."

"I wish you'd stop talking like that, mother."

"And I wish you'd stop calling me 'mother' to show you're mad at me."

Alexa couldn't help but let a smile betray her false anger. She always smiled every time someone caught her true intentions. Definitely didn't help when she played poker with the other Paladins.

"Okay, okay. What did those NCR scouts want? They didn't seem happy when they left."

Sarah looked down at the papers in front of her clearly apprehensive about something. "They plan to annex Washington D.C. Apparently just taking land from others is easier than diplomacy."

Alexa's eyes widened at the news. "What? What did you tell them?"

"I told them I'd think about it."

"So essentially you told them to go to hell?"

"More or less."

Typical mum.

Alexa sighed at the news and approached Sarah's desk. "Do you really think they'd attack though? That's a bit extreme and we'd be more than a match for them."

Sarah looked up at Alexa with sad eyes. "It's not a case of whether we can beat them; it's a case of how many people would die pointless deaths in the process."

Alexa hummed her approval. Mum was always so sorrowful whenever a mission went badly and someone dies. She was a hard woman, but still a sympathetic one; an odd contradiction that she could somehow balance. Alexa crossed her arms and let the silence set in. Sarah gazed at her and could sense her motive.

"I suppose you want to know what I called you here for."

Alexa shrugged her shoulders. "What can I say? The suspense is killing me."

Sarah let out a short sigh and stood from her chair. She walked around the desk and stood face to face with Alexa, not as a leader but as a mother.

"I said I would tell you everything when you were ready. I realise now is that time. No more secrets. What do you want to know?"

"Who was my father?" She had other questions but they could wait. This is what she wanted to know more than anything else.

Sarah turned and paced around the room as she spoke. "Your father… is a difficult man to describe. He was many things: a hero, a soldier, compassionate… but there was also darkness there. You must understand these were terrible times before you were born. Even he couldn't hold out against everything the Wastes threw at him." No one ever calls the Capitol 'The Wastes' anymore. It simply refers the dark time around 20 years ago. Now it is simply 'The Capitol'.

"You're still not telling me who he was. If I was just a mistake you can tell me, I can handle it."

Sarah stopped pacing and faced her. "Alexa, you were no accident. You were unplanned, but not an accident. I never regretted what happened with your father; he had to leave for his own reasons."

"And what reasons are they?"

"It is probably best I show you." Sarah walked behind her desk and opened one of the drawers; from it she extracted a small lockbox. Pulling out a key ring she flicked through them until she found the right one and opened the box. Alexa walked over and could see inside was a folded piece of aged paper. Sarah carefully picked it up and handed it to Alexa. She placed it down on the desk and started to read.

Sarah,

I told you I was leaving, but I never told you where or why. I think its best I do. I want to tell you in person but after what happened I'm not sure I could express the right words. Know this, I do not regret what happened, I suppose it was only right that we become as close as possible before we part ways. To live our lives, but not together. I carry you with me, never forget that. Just as you now carry a part of me.

When I said I was leaving, I will be honest and admit I had resigned myself to death. I tried to kill myself moments ago. But something stopped me. I do not know if it was divine intervention or my chaotic mind playing tricks on me but I saw someone. A woman, she had blonde hair like yours but was untidy like mine. Our child Sarah, I saw our daughter. If this becomes a reality and is not just the ramblings of a crazy man, then I ask that you call her Alexa. It means 'Defender'.

This seems appropriate considering the legacy she will have to bear.

I know I am burdening you with this but I want to ask something of you; train her. Prepare her as best you can in every way you can. She will have to take on my mantle some day, we both know that. Our child is destined for greatness. When you believe she is ready, send her to Megaton. I have some gifts I will leave behind to help her. I do not know where I am going, most likely West.

I have done all I can for this Wasteland, it is time to see what else is in this world for me. They call me the Wanderer; it is time I lived up to that name.

Perry Neeson

Alexa looked up from the paper to her mother. "Wanderer? The Wanderer? THE Lone Wanderer?"

Her mother simply nodded.

Alexa backed away from the paper like it was a bomb. She couldn't believe what she just read. Her father was the man who saved The Capitol, made it a peaceful place and obliterated entire armies of Enclave and Super Mutants. Her father was the legend of the Wastes.

She didn't know what to feel. It was like a hurricane was raging around her insides, mixing and throwing emotions everywhere. She was the daughter of the wanderer… her, Alexa, was his child. No matter how many times she thought it, it just wouldn't click in her mind. She couldn't accept it.

"Bullshit, this is some sick joke right? What the hell is going on?"

Sarah tried to approach and calm her daughter, she understood it was a lot to take in. "Alexa this is the truth, I have never lied to you… except when you asked me where babies came from at the age of 7. Please, calm yourself."

Alexa backed away from her. "Why? Why didn't you tell me? You let me go this long without knowing, why?"

Sarah had such an ashamed look on her face. "I didn't know how to tell you. The older you grew, the harder it became." She collapsed onto the nearest chair and hung her head. "I'm so sorry."

Alexa had never seen her mother like this. She was always so strong, so determined. She was the pillar on which Alexa could always lean on. But here she was, ruined by the shame of her secrecy. Not shame of what she hid, but shame that she hid it. Alexa knelt down and placed her hand on her mothers shoulder.

"Mum… I'm the one that's sorry. I shouldn't have shouted at you. This is… just, wow. I never expected this. But, that's no excuse."

Sarah looked up and gave that same sad smile to her. "Thankyou."

"So… what now then?"

Sarah stood up and wiped her eyes. "That's up to you, dear." She placed both her hands on Alexa's shoulders. "Your father believed you have a great destiny ahead of you. I knew the moment I saw you he was right… you have his eyes you know. Through them I can see his spirit lives in you. Whatever you decide to do, know that I've always been proud of you Alexa." She then leaned forward and hugged her daughter. "And I always will."

She returned the hug, if a bit awkwardly. Her mother almost never showed affection like this. Alexa liked it.

Alexa travelled alone now, on her way to Megaton. Knowing the truth about her father made her want to find out what he left for her. She also wanted to see what Megaton was actually like. She had performed routine water delivery a few times but they never went inside. It was a rather large town compared to most of the settlements around the Capitol, partly because it was one of the oldest; but mostly because it was where the Wanderer lived while he was here.

Should she keep calling him that though? He was her father after all. But it still felt too weird for her. She had heard so much about him and what he had done, but almost nothing about who he was as a person.

He was still as unknown to her now as before.

Alexa properly supplied herself for the trip, while it was unlikely she was going to encounter trouble she still brought her sniper rifle and super sledge; can't be too careful. Her sniper skills were revered amongst the Brotherhood, some people joked she could shoot the hair off a ghoul from 300 feet away. But to balance out her long range skills she practiced using melee weapons. Not a very well rounded skill set but it worked for her.

The grass was light amongst the South-East parts of Washington D.C. The Treeminders speculated that they should become more prevalent in another decade or so. Ever since the plants began spreading wildly amongst the North the Treeminders grew in members. They needed the extra help to look after Harold.

Alexa had never met Harold, but practically everyone in the Capitol knew of him. When they were isolated the Treeminders believed Harold was some kind of tree-god, ever since they started accepting outsiders that belief eventually died. They still nurture and protect Harold, but they finally realize he's just a person. He's apparently a lot happier now than he was two decades ago. Again, thanks to the Lone Wanderer.

Once more there was his presence. Was there any place he left untouched?

As Alexa continued to ponder all the stories she had heard of her father, she eventually reached the southern entrance to Megaton. She was always impressed by the size of this town. It was larger than the Citadel in terms of sheer size and more protected than even Rivet City.

"Howdy partner," the robotic deputy greeted. Alexa had no doubts that several snipers were trained on her now. While the Brotherhood had the respect of the entire Capitol, they were still treated with suspicion. Having Alexa show up in power armour by herself and heavily armed would seem highly unusual to these people.

"May I go in please?"

"Sure thing, welcome to Megaton. Sheriff Harden would like to speak with you when you enter."

"I'm sure he does," she muttered as the massive doors parted. She stepped through and was surrounded on all sides by makeshift houses that stretched three stories into the air. These people certainly make use of whatever they find.

"It's not delivery time, travelling alone, armed and armoured," A dark skinned man in his early thirties approached Sarah dressed in a leather coat like one of the regulators but with a badge saying sheriff. "What's your story exactly?" He crossed his arms and waited for Alexa to explain herself.

"I'm looking for something." She responded seriously.

"We're all looking for something sugar; for example I'm looking for a replacement spring for my rifle, I'm sure yours would do nicely. Now I'll ask again, what are you doing here?"

Alexa glared at the Sheriff, his tone was starting to annoy her. But she couldn't exactly blame him. Just because things are as peaceful now as they've ever been doesn't mean you should drop your guard. It only takes one mad-man to destroy a town.

"Since you're so interested, I'm looking for anything that once belonged to the Lone Wanderer," Hardin seemed to stiffen at this. "I'm… I suppose you could say his heir."

Hardin dropped his arms and with his mouth slightly ajar he stepped closer to Alexa, like he was examining something.

"Well I'll be… I'd recognise those eyes anywhere. 19 years, I never thought I'd see the day." A large smile spread across his face. "I may be able to help you, please follow me." He then turned and started walking, noticeably lighter than before. Alexa followed after him. Every person she passed stared at her; she stood out very clearly in her power armour. Might have been best if she left it back at the Citadel.

Eventually the road sloped down into a large ditch; in the centre laid the inactive bomb that the town was first based around. They continued past it and walked up a steep hill; Hardin took a right and walked around one of the older looking houses in the town. He stopped before the door and surprisingly opened it and politely motioned for Alexa to enter. This was an odd change compared to how he was acting before.

She entered and was standing in a very old looking room, in the centre sat a desk. Sitting behind it was a very old looking dark man writing on some papers. Hardin stepped in and closed the door; the noise alerted the old man who then looked up from his work and examined his visitors.

"Dad, I have someone I think you'd like to meet." Hardin then faced Alexa and said "This is the Mayor of Megaton, Lucas Simms." With the introduction Alexa wanted to appear as polite as possible, so she saluted.

"Alexa Lyons of the Brotherhood of Steel."

Lucas simply smiled at the salute. "Lyons eh? So you're Sarah's daughter." He slowly stood from his chair and stood before them. "So what exactly is the purpose of this visit? Has the purifier shut down again and shipments will be late?"

Alexa relaxed but still displayed discomfort at the situation. "No, sir. This doesn't have to do with the Brotherhood. My mother did send me here, but for something else."

"And what might that…" Lucas stopped in mid-sentence. He leaned closer to Alexa just like Hardin had done. "Wait… I know you." He looked at Hardin who simply smiled and nodded at his father. Lucas turned back to Alexa and a revelation crossed his face. "It's you isn't it? You're Perry's child."

Alexa shifted on her feet. "That's what they tell me."

"If you ever met your father you'd be able to tell just by looking at his eyes. It's like I'm talking to him again for the first time in decades." A broad smile spread across Lucas' face, he then turned around and sat back down at his desk. He opened one of the drawers and withdrew a small key. Holding it up to her he said "I believe this is for you."

Alexa stepped forward and picked the key from Lucas' hand. "What's this for?"

"You don't know?"

"No sir, my mother only told me about my father this morning. I don't even know why I'm here."

Lucas leant back in his seat. "Then I suppose I should clue you in. This house you're standing in right now? He lived here." Lucas motioned his hand all around him. "Ever since we expanded and he left, we made this place the office of the mayor as well as our tribute to young Perry."

"Hold on, 'young'?"

Lucas smirked. "Yes, he was only 19 when he first showed up here. Less than a year later he left."

What? He was only a year older than me when he did all those things people keep talking about? That's… that's just incredible.

"When we started to expand he came back to town shortly before he left for good. There was something different about him then. He asked Moira Brown, myself, and a few others to help him build something."

"What did he ask you to help him build?"

"A preservation room. It was small, locked and can only be opened by DNA recognition; doesn't have to be an exact match, just so long as it was someone who was part of his family." Lucas leaned forward. "Someone like you I imagine. I half expected him to build it for his child. He never told me, but it was quite clear."

"Now you're here," included Hardin. "So by right, what's in that room belongs to you."

"You never tried to take what was in there for yourself?"

"How could we? It was locked remember? Besides, after everything Perry did we could never betray his trust like that. No, it's meant for you."

Alexa was shocked that her father went through so much effort for this. She always thought her father would be some looser who abandoned her mother because he got her pregnant. But here he was, doing all this for the child he never knew.

"This is… all a bit much." She said.

Lucas nodded. "I can understand, but I think it's about time you opened that room and see what your father left you. Best get it over with." Lucas winked with humoured smile.

"I suppose you're right. Can you take me there please?"

Lucas pointed to a door behind him. "Just go down there; it'd be best you go alone. I know it's what Perry would want."

"I wouldn't know," she said as she walked past. She slid the key into the lock on the door and entered. Both Lucas and Hardin looked at each other.

"Sure that's really his kid?" Hardin asked his father.

"Positive. There's no mistaking that look in her eye."

Alexa walked down the stairs that descended surprisingly deep underground. Eventually the stairs stopped and she was greeted by a short corridor ending with a very large and heavy looking door. She walked towards it and looked around trying to figure out how to open it.

She noticed there was a slot in the door that was large enough to fit her hand through. Looking at her hand and clenching her fingers, she decided if she had come this far it was time to go further. Alexa removed her glove and slowly slid her palm into the slot.

A metallic claw seemed to come out of nowhere and held her hand in place.

"Please remain still." A robotic voice said somewhere above her.

Alexa felt a small but sharp pain on the tip of her index finger. Giving a yelp in surprise and pain, she could feel droplets of blood escaping her finger.

"DNA identification confirmed. Welcome."

The claw let go and she wenched her hand free of the slot. A hiss came from the door as the pressurised seals were released. The door then slid to the left revealing a room about the same size of the one she met Lucas Simms in. Curious, she stepped inside.

Along the walls were glass covered shelves of guns, some of them types that were extremely difficult to get a hold of. A few of them even look more advanced than most ordinary weapons. Directly ahead of her was a metallic and glass tube that contained… no, it couldn't be.

T-51b Power Armour? That model was practically nonexistent on the East Coast. To her surprise there was a hand print on the breast plate. It was a white hand print with red finger tips. As she was examining the strange image the room suddenly went dark. She turned around just as a light was being shined into the middle of the room.

The light then took human shape. The man wore the same armour that was behind her, he had messy hair that looked just like hers only brown. As the final details of this man materialized, he opened his eyes…

My god… they were right… those eyes they… look exactly like mine.

She knew immediately who this man was. This was her father.

"Do not be alarmed. This is only a holographic recording. If you managed to get in this place, then I'm assuming that makes you my child." That voice, the voice of her father. Alexa stood flabbergasted at what was happening in front of her. "I'm leaving this message for you, along with everything you find in this room." The Wanderer looked down at the floor then turned and walked toward one of the glass cases.

"I suppose… after so long it would only be natural you would resent me. I was never a part of your life. That is only natural." Alexa approached the image and tried to touch it. Her hand simply passed through. She was closer to her father than she had ever been and she couldn't even touch him.

"I left you… and your mother. But before I truly leave this place I wanted to give you something." The image then turned and faced the middle of the room. "I do not know what sort of person you'll be… yet despite that… I feel like I've known you all my life." The wanderer smiled. "You're a woman, blonde messy hair and eyes that look just like mine. I can guarantee you'll be hearing that one a fair bit. You're name is Alexa. But as a person, you're strong willed, independent, and I'm assuming you get annoyed with pleasantries, how am I doing?"

Alexa was stunned, how did he know that about her without ever meeting her?

The image chuckled. But after a moment of silence, the Wanderer looked upset. "It's sad… I decided recently that leaving this place was what I wanted… and I would do it again. I chart my own path now, and I do it with no regrets… except one." The image then walked across the room and stood before the suit of armour.

"You. I will never be able to see your smile, make you laugh, comfort your sorrow or offer guidance. I'm turning my back on the very responsibilities my own father took when he raised me. But perhaps that is why." The image then turned and faced Alexa who stood in the centre of the room. "My father died to protect me several months ago. When that happened I… something died inside me with him. My father was the only person I ever felt close to, the only person who ever understood me. When he died I lost that feeling. Ever since then… I've been completely alone. Not in body, but in spirit. Know this Alexa, there is nothing worse than feeling completely alone in a full of people. But something happened recently. I tried to kill myself and I saw him. He saved me… again. It was then I realised I was never alone, he was always with me. In my thoughts; guiding me through my memories of him."

While it was difficult to tell with the hologram, Alexa could swear there was a tear trailing down her father's cheek.

"Which is why I'm leaving this with you, my dearest child. While I may never laugh with you, cry with you, hold you or guide you… I love you, with all my heart, I love you." The image shivered.

"Father!" she screamed. But it was too late, the hologram was gone. At that moment the glass case around the power armour sunk into the floor. Alexa looked at the armour and slowly approached it. She looked at her unprotected hand and feeling a sense of kinship and purpose she had not felt in her entire life, placed her hand on the mark left by her father. She stayed like that for a time. Her father stood on this very spot and did all this for her.

Alexa felt closer to her father than she ever had. Not the idea of him, not the image of him, but the man he was. She would take up his armour; she will live up to his legacy.

She was The Lone Defender

A/N: I had this idea floating around my head for a few weeks and just had to write it, hence the unusually quick chapter update. This is the longest chapter I've ever done and hopefully it'll be one of my best. I'll continue with Perry's journey towards the West coast, I've even thought up some encounters already. If there's a call for it, I might start up a new story that focuses entirely on Alexa, but I'd do it anyway when I eventually end this one. Yes, this story's days are numbered. How long? Guess you'll have to wait and see. But it won't be for a while, I promise.

Hope you enjoy this chapter and as always reviews are appreciated.